Ancient burial and prayer sites bulldozed for pipeline in North Dakota

North Dakotas Standing Rock Sioux filed for a temporary restraining order on September 4th to halt construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline. This is a last-ditch effort by the Sioux to preserve ancient burial sites and prayer areas. Irreparable damage has already been done to a number of sacred plots.

In a press statement, tribal chairman David Archambault II said: On Saturday, Dakota Access Pipeline and Energy Transfer Partners brazenly used bulldozers to destroy our burial sites, prayer sites and culturally significant artifacts. The chairman went on to illustrate how just one day after filing their court papers to identify sacred sites, the pipeline company moved forward with their plans and decimated the sacred land anyway. Archambault declared: The desecration of these ancient places has already caused the Standing Rock Sioux irreparable harm. Were asking the court to halt this path of destruction.

Along with garnering a substantial amount of media attention, the ongoing protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline has gained thousands of supporters, including representatives from more than 200 tribes.

The Daily Sheeple reports that a federal judge is currently deciding whether the project should be halted altogether. The tribe filed a complaint which argues that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the project without their consent. A decision had not yet been handed down at the time of this writing.

The attorney for the Standing Rock Sioux, Jan Hasselman, stated: Destroying the Tribes sacred places over a holiday weekend, while the judge is considering whether to block the pipeline, shows a flagrant disregard for the legal process.

LaDonna Bravebull Allard, the historic preservation officer for Standing Rock Sioux Tribes Section 106, noted that 26 of the 380 identified spiritual or sacred sites are located at the confluence of two rivers, the Cannonball and the Missouri. She identified these as ancient trading sites and places that are held sacred not just by the Sioux, but by several other Native American nations as well. The Arikara, Mandan and Northern Cheyenne nations are all connected to those sacred spots. Allard says that allowing the Dakota Access Pipeline to destroy these and other ancient sites erases Native American history, and thereby their culture.

The U.S. government is wiping out our most important cultural and spiritual areas. And as it erases our footprint from the world, it erases us as a people.

Sources:

TheDailySheeple.com

CommonDreams.org
Adebola Veronica Olorunyomi, wife of respected university teacher, Sola Olorunyomi of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, has passed on.

Mrs. Olorunyomi, 50, transited in Ibadan on September 12 after a protracted illness.

Her family said she would be interred in Ibadan on Saturday after a wake-keep on Friday.

The late Mrs. Olorunyomi (nee Akande) was born on November 10, 1965 in Ibadan into the family of Mr Abimbade Michael Akande and Mrs Moranti Comfort Akande of Esa Compound, Aagba, Osun State.

A Catholic by birth, Adebola also fellowshipped with the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

She had her elementary education at Sacred Heart Primary School, Inalende, Ibadan, and her secondary education at Anglican Commercial Grammar School, Oritamefa, Ibadan. She studied Electrical Electronics at the University of Ado-Ekiti, and earned a masters degree in Library, Archival and Informational Studies at the University of Ibadan, where she focused on utilizing ICTs to digitalize agricultural science and practice, in order to create the required synergies between researchers and farmers.

Adebola was very active in social development advocacy, and, over the years, the perimeter of her interventions covered a range of interests. She worked on the project of the Workers Educational and Recreational Centre (WEDUREC), aimed at empowering working-class people with knowledge that would aid them in navigating trade-union bureaucratic structures and in getting such structures to truly work for them.

She was a member of Women Against Rape, Sexual Harassment and Exploitation (WARSHE), and a community counsellor to teenage girls on issues pertaining to sexual consciousness and sexuality rights.

She was also a resource person with the Information Aid Network (IFAnet), and was a linchpin in its e-literacy project which, from the late 1990s to the early 2000s in Ibadan, trained children of migrant workers from across West Africa as well as internally displaced Nigerians on the use of computers and new digital media for getting information about their homelands, the host land, and on other issues relevant to diasporic sustenance.

She was able to operationalize her ideas about how to make development happen through ICTs when she worked on a programme that transformed the information-gathering practices of farmers in Kano and Kaduna, both in relation to accessing extension services and in organizing produce marketing.

Retooling the resources of numeracy in the Yoruba thought-system, Adebola developed a pedagogic strategy for delivering mathematical knowledge to secondary-school students whose learning experiences would ordinarily have been hampered by a deficiency in the English language which is used for teaching every subject in the Nigerian school system.

A rare cultural reference point and research associate, Adebola Olorunyomis last intervention in this regard was a co-translation with her husband of a 3000-year-old Egyptian text (Skhty, i.e. The Eloquent Peasant) on oratorical art, the property question, and the problem of justice.

This ancient narrative they converted into the Yoruba language from an English rendering.

Her entire network of relationship which, given her public-spiritedness and collaborative breadth, covers the globe, will dearly miss her amiability, her resourcefulness, her ability to blend the novel with the longstanding, her eye for detail, her thoroughgoing sense of justice, her readiness to offer succour, and the warm honesty she invested in all that she did.

Until the time of her passing, she was the Manager of the Osogbo branch of Winners Golden Chance Ventures.

She is survived by her husband, Dr Sola Olorunyomi, and their daughter, Iwalewa.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron has resigned from the UK parliament with immediate effect.

It is not going to be possible to be a normal backbencher as a former prime minister, Mr. Cameron told the BBC on Monday.

He added that his presence in parliament could be a distraction for his successor as Prime Minister, Theresa May.

Mr. Cameron had pledged to support Mrs. May, who has got off to a cracking start since she became the nations leader in July.

The ruling Conservative Party elected Mrs. May to lead the country after Mr. Cameron resigned following his failed campaign to persuade voters to remain in the European Union in Britains Brexit referendum.

He said at the time he planned to remain in Parliament although he would no longer have a leadership role in the Conservative Party.

Mr. Camerons unexpected announcement on Monday will trigger a bye-election for his seat in Oxfordshire.

It was not immediately clear when the bye-election for his seat would take place.

Mr. Cameron promised to support the Conservative Party candidate chosen to replace him in the bye-election that would be held to fill the vacancy.

He won re-election in 2015, but his position became untenable after losing the EU vote on June 23.

(dpa/NAN)
The fate of some officers of the Nigerian Army who sought redress after they were unjustly dismissed has been left hanging.

There is a riddle around which desk is handling their appeal letters and what treatment has been given the letters, over two months after submission.

Defense officials said the appeal letters had been forwarded to the appropriate authorities.

But President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the authority empowered by law to consider the officers appeal, would not confirm he has the letters.

The Nigerian Army compulsorily retired 38 senior officers on June 9, claiming investigations revealed the officers indulged in professional misconduct during the 2015 elections, and that they were involved in the arms procurement fraud scandal.

But PREMIUM TIMES investigations revealed some of the affected officers were laid off without query or indictment by any panel, thereby raising question of arbitrariness.

Insiders said the Army authorities retired most of the affected officers without going through due process, but for reasons that smack of high-level arbitrariness, pettiness, witch-hunting and partisanship.

The Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, a Colonel, denied this though. He said affected officers who felt abused should seek redress, using the window provided by relevant law.

Paragraph 09.02(e) of the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers, 2012 (revised)  provides that any officer compulsorily retired or dismissed can appeal to the President through the Chief of Defense Staff within 30 days.

Documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES showed that some of the affected officers exploited this window as soon as June 20, 11 days after their removal, to turn in their appeal letters to President Muhammadu through the Chief of Defense Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, a Major-General.

I want to respectfully state that I was not in any way involved in any of the 2 issues stated as reasons for compulsory retirement of 38 officers of which I was among, Abdulfatai Mohammed, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, wrote in his petition. I was never investigated at any time and have not committed any serious offence.

He urged Mr. Buhari to accept my appeal and set aside the letter of compulsory retirement with File Reference AHQ MS/GI/300/226 dated June 9 2016 that was issued to me and reinstate me into the Army to ensure course of justice, good conscience and equity is served.

A thorough investigation of the surreptitious inclusion of my name in the list of officers that have enquiries and indicted would expose possible manipulation of processes and victimisation in my case, he added.

But more than two months after the petition was submitted, Mr. Mohammed, like others, has not had his petition transferred to the president for consideration.

The affected officers accused the Defence Minister, Mansur Ali, of blocking their appeal from being transferred to the President.

The Minister, Mr. Mohammed said in his Statement of Facts filed before the Industrial Court on August 12, has wilfully inserted himself into the process by having the appeal sent to him and upon receipt of this appeal on July 13, 2016, he has ensured the appeal did not get to the President.

The allegation was directly conveyed to the minister through a July 25 letter by Mr. Mohammeds counsel.

According to one of the affected officers who spoke to this newspaper, Mr. Ali is allegedly frustrating the appeal of the officers because he was part of the decision (to retire the officers) and does not want the President to know he took part in illegality.

MINISTER DENIES

However, the allegation of frustrating officers appeal was denied by the Minister, himself a retired General.

He spoke with PREMIUM TIMES through his spokesperson, Colonel Gusau.

The minister is just information addressee, Mr. Gusau said. He was only copied for the purpose of information or his knowledge. The appeal is through the Chief of Defense Staff who is the action addressee to the President, C-in-C. The minister is not sitting on anybodys appeal.

The Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, also denied the minister was stalling the appeals.

Its not possible, Mr. Usman, a Colonel, said; adding that all appeals are being treated.

Unravelling the exact locations of the letters is seemingly intractable. The presidency said it had no information on the appeals while the Chief of Defense Staff, simply said it had been forwarded to the appropriate quarters.

The letters have been forwarded to appropriate authorities, the Defense spokesperson, Rabe Abubakar, said.

Mr. Abubakar, a Brigadier General, confirmed that some of the aggrieved officers had sought redress.

But the Armed Forces of today is different from the previous time. We follow due process and work with established law.

Even those that submitted (appeal) after 30 days stipulated were also given the opportunity of seeking redress. Their letters were also treated and forwarded to the appropriate authorities (the President) as provided by law.

But when contacted, the appropriate authorities, that is the Presidency, did not confirm Mr. Buhari had received the letters.

I dont have information about that, presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said.

Asked if he would conduct checks and revert back, he replied, No, just quote me I dont have that information.
With the agitation around restructuring the federation taking on a renewed urgency in Nigeria today, this is possibly the best time to take on the issues and concerns involved more decisively. Full discussion of the subject matter affords the Buhari Administration the crucial opportunity to put to action its proclaimed mantra of enthroning a dispensation of Change, beyond its more recent tepid call for values orientation unfairly shifting the burden of change to the citizenry. This is without the concomitant commitment of government to more fundamental change, in terms of its structure and institutions, having more beneficial impact on citizens, particularly in a milieu of widespread disenchantment with governance and the national economy.

Through the years, almost, if not, all the regions, nationalities and groups comprising the state have felt the nature of the Nigerian union has not served them well enough by taking their welfare and need for progress into account, leading to attitudes of alienation from and rebellion against the Nigerian state. The ensuing feeling of marginalisation  which many have equally seen as evolving from the class character of the state  has ensured that calls for a renegotiated union have attained strident dimensions.

PREMIUM TIMES believes the Buhari Administration will do well to give more than a cursory attention to these resurgent demands and agitations traversing the country, from the South-East to the South-South, the North-Central, South-West, etc., and by prominent personalities. The failure of the attempts represented in our numerous national constitutional reform processes, and the more recent abandonment of some of the more progressive features of the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, makes this call highly expedient. The government will need real will to rise up to assuaging crosscutting national discontent.

The peculiar volatility of the times, especially with an economy in free-fall and Nigerians bearing more hardship, has seen the resurgence of several groups championing narratives of exclusion from the commonwealth, and the economic and political processes of the state. Instances of these separatist calls have resulted in arms being taken up against the state, in the activities of groups in the South-East and South-South regions.

Characteristically, the Nigerian state has responded to these through police and military actions, the limits of which are clear in the many stalemates that have contributed to the rapid deceleration of the countrys economy through acts of sabotage to the gas and oil infrastructure.

PREMIUM TIMES is convinced that these new conversations demand newer multi-level approaches, the most enduring of which would be a more purposeful and genuine return to the constitutional review table for the long haul.

The calls for the restructuring of Nigeria, up to and including the right of the contributing units to secession, is certainly not a new affair, with groups advocating permanent territorial separation  as done by Biafran agitators through a number of decades and more recently in the Niger Delta  and others simply clamouring for the renegotiation of the basis of our social compact as a country.

In the century since its creation, Nigeria has experienced one form of reconstitution or the other, from the 1938 restructuring of the South into the two regions of West and East, to the demands for a more representative federation beyond a tripartite configuration corresponding to the major nationalities, and the creation of 12 states by the Gowon administration in 1967 to quell the civil war. A further 19 state structure was created in 1976 by the Murtala administration; then 21 and 30 states in 1987 and 1991 by the Babangida regime; and a 36 state federation by General Abacha.

Historically, the fears of the domination of one group over the others, and concerns with managing our diversity and differences  essential aspects of which have been framed as the National Question in Nigeria  have resulted in agitations for restructuring. This had initially made politicians settle for a federal structure of government, but the successive state creation exercises of the military resolved into a quasi-unitary Jacobin state. The Federal Government became overly strengthened and centralised at the expense of the state and local tiers of government.

The increased pressure on the Nigerian state to restructure draws from the history of how the federal system inherited at independence had operated, with regions allowed the autonomy of raising and retaining their revenues  while paying taxes to the centre, developing at their own paces and engaging in healthy rivalries among themselves.

The erosion of this autonomy and the multiple poles of power by the unitarist instincts and systems of the military, perfected in decades of rule and numerous state creations, witnessed the evolution of tension among numerous groups. This came in tandem with the attendant contest among the groups for exclusive access to power and the resources of state, and took on ethno-regional and religious hues, exacerbated by the absence of mechanisms for peaceful negotiations and compromise making.

The agitations for a restructuring of the federation had made the Babangida regime carry out a decentralisation policy between 1987 and 1991, having the declared aim of increasing autonomy among groups, democratisation, improving the finances and strengthening the political and administrative capacities of local governments. From this, the number of local governments in the country was increased from 301 to 449 in 1989; to 589 in 1991; and 774 in 1996.

While decades of military rule have spawned imbalances that make government in Nigeria very top heavy, there have also been different levels of clawing at the structure, informing certain forms of restructuring in the country, with some occurring rather inversely. For instance, governors have been using the instrument of law to reduce the constitutional three-tier structure of government into two, wherein they can then appoint local council chairmen as and when it suits them, while also commanding the allocations of the councils from the federal purse. Equally, state governments now generally control physical planning, land use, the collection of hotel and hospitality taxes etc., in their domains, whilst engaging in the building and operating of airports, constructing railways and harnessing waterways, and funding the federal police, which were all exclusive functions of the Federal Government until recent.

PREMIUM TIMES considers it pertinent for the Buhari Administration to rise up to the challenge of fulfilling its Change promise to Nigerians by embarking on a process of economic and political restructuring of the federation in the interest of the survival of Nigeria, and its people. There is no doubt that there have been persistent deficiencies and problems with the structure the Nigerian federation has taken since independence.

This is the time for a genuine constitutional reform process to reset the grundnorm of Nigerias social compact, in a way that fundamentally renegotiates the relationship between the different nationalities and groups, and determines their preferred structures of coexistence and governance.

Whatever arrangement is subscribed to will have to be one that transfers more power to the people. Certainly, this would necessitate some form of structural realignment and devolution of important powers from the federal to the other levels of government, freeing up the centre, and making it less attractive to the desperation of political capture. The restructuring of Nigeria needs to be one carried out for greater clarity in the powers and functions of the various levels and tiers of government, in a manner that effectively deals with the concerns of various people and groups.

As presently constituted, there is the need to reduce the size of government, serving as one of the greatest drag downs to Nigeria, with government and its structures taking up a greater chunk of yearly budgets which go into financing recurrent spend. While the central administration should hold on to powers including those of taxation, issuance of currency, defence and national security, etc., other levels, including states and local councils should be able to determine their own development needs, and be able to cater for issues pertaining to education, health, wage structure, power generation and distribution, security (police), etc.

The restructuring envisaged would be one that empowers people at different levels to develop according to their human and material resources and at their own pace. This will very likely unleash the energies and creativity of the people in giving expression to requirements for truer diversification of the national economy.

A newer and more holistic sense of restructuring, while mainstreaming issues of residency rights over indigeneity, should equally take up the welfare of Nigerians as the essential purpose of government, as presently enshrined in Chapter 2 of the Constitution, which should be made justiciable.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has declared as unlawful, the arrest and continued detention of retired Air Commodore Umar Mohammed, a member of the presidential team investigating the arms deal in the country.

The judge, Nnamdi Dimgba, made the declaration on Wednesday when he delivered a judgment in a suit filed by Emeka Ohazurike and 19 others.

Mr. Dimgba said that the continued detention of Mr. Mohammed by the State Security Service, SSS, even after he had perfected his bail conditions was illegal.

He said if the SSS continued to detain Mohammed even after the court had signed for his release, it would be an assault on the judiciary which is the third arm of government.

The judge held that his detention was unlawful and asked the counsel to the SSS, Shimana Adzer, to convey the message.

Mr. Dimgba, however, said that the issue of money and an apology were personal, adding that since he was sure Mr. Mohammed did not authorise the suit, he could not grants such reliefs.

The judge had berated the SSS for refusing to produce Mr. Mohammed in court following a court order when he was arrested on June 19.

Mr. Ohazurike and his group sued the SSS also called Department of State Services (DSS) for alleged violation of the fundamental human rights of Mohammed.

Some of the reliefs sought included that the court should declare that the arrest and detention of Mr. Mohammed was unlawful, unconstitutional, malicious and an abuse of his rights to human dignity.

They also wanted the court to order the DSS to pay N500 million damages to Mr. Mohammed as well as publish an apology to him in at least two national newspapers.

The group, who said they were acting on behalf of Mr. Mohammed as a human rights activist, also sought an order directing the DSS to release the defendant.

The DSS had arraigned Mr. Mohammed over allegations of money laundering, possession of fire arms and violation of Official Secret Act.

Mr. Mohammed had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to bail in the sum of N100 million.

(NAN)
Four motorbike-riding Boko Haram gunmen were on Wednesday killed by soldiers in a shootout at a village in Gaidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, witnesses said.

The gunmen were spotted by soldiers on patrol near Jororo village at about 3 p.m.

Four of them were shot dead near Jororo village while one of them was caught while trying to escape, said Abdullahi Aminu, a local government official and resident of Gaidam who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on phone.

They were all heavily armed with AK47 rifles and wore ammunition belts.

All of them were on Kasea motorcycles. We dont know their targeted destination, but thank God it was thwarted, he added.

Although the Nigerian Army is yet to confirm the report, a soldier in the state confirmed the incident in Jororo,10km from Gaidam town.

You know it is not my job to address the press on matters like this, but what you have is correct, he said. Those criminals have been evasive for some time but thank God that we have been able to nab them finally.

Wednesdays incident occurred hours after the terror group released a video where they threatened to kidnap President Muhammadu Buhari.

The group recently expressed willingness for a prisoner swap, asking that its arrested members be released in exchanged for the Chibok schoolgirls it kidnapped in 2014.

The Federal Government has also expressed willingness to negotiate a prisoner swap if genuine leaders of the sect can be identified.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared a former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, wanted.

Mr. Shema is accused of gross financial misconduct, officials told this newspaper.

The ex-governor is being sought for allegedly mismanaging about N68 billion of state funds while he was governor between 2007 and 2015.

In 2012 alone, sources said Mr. Shema allegedly diverted about N18 billion from government coffers into his private accounts for undisclosed reasons.

The officials said Mr. Shema further raided local governments monthly allocation accounts which were being jointly run with the state government, leaving little for developmental projects and clearance of local government employees wages and salaries. A sum of N50 billion is believed to have been mismanaged this way.

The EFCC sources said Mr. Shema had been evading the anti-graft office for close to a year; and narrowly escaped being arrested on Wednesday.

When he was invited for a meeting at the agencys headquarters in December 2015, Mr. Shema responded that he was not in the country, a source at the anti-graft agency said.

He wrote back to us that he would visit as soon as he returned, but he never did, an EFCC source said. Another two subsequent invitations were sent to him which he failed to honour.

Against this backdrop, the EFCC has launched a nationwide manhunt for Mr. Shema beginning with his being declared wanted.

SHEMA RESPONDS, BLAMES MASARI

In his response, Mr. Shema denied the allegations, telling PREMIUM TIMES that he acknowledged the EFCCs letters through his lawyers.

Mr. Shema, who spoke through his spokesperson, Oluwabusola Olawale, said he couldnt have ignored the summons of a legally-constituted authority like the EFCC.

Mr. Olawale said it was true that the EFCC wrote Mr. Shema while he was away. He added that subsequent correspondences were duly acknowledged.

The EFCC sent another invitation and Mr. Shema agreed to honour the invitation with his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, Mr. Olawale said. But the meeting with the EFCC could not hold because the officials were engaged elsewhere.

The spokesperson said Mr. Shema had requested for an appointment with the EFCC through his lawyer, but was yet to get confirmation for a date.

Subsequently, Mr. Olanipekun wrote EFCC in July this year requesting for a date to be given and up till date, no date has been fixed by EFCC for the meeting.

Mr. Olawale alleged that his principal is being victimised by his successor, Bello Masari.

From all indications, it appears like the same issue which Governor Bello Masari had petitioned EFCC about,, Mr. Olawale said. He has equally set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate which is underway in Katsina and theres also a pending court case on the matter.

The allegations made by Mr. Masari are false, malicious and targeted to tarnish the image of Mr. Shema who served creditably well under the platform of PDP.

Mr. Masaris spokesperson, Abdu Labaran, did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES requests for comment for this story.
The Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday issued a statement calling for President Muhammadu Buhari to step down from office over his poor handling of the countrys economy.

Dayo Adeyeye, spokesman for the PDP caretaker committee, said Mr. Buhari had exhibited crass ineptitude since he assumed office last year, a situation that has given rise to high rate of unemployment, fall in output and increase in government borrowing.

Todays statement comes two weeks after the party released a similarly one following news that the economy had officially slid into recession.

The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics said on August 31 that Nigerias economy, which was the biggest in Africa before South Africa reclaimed the spot last month, was effectively in a recession because of the negative growth recorded in the first two quarters of 2016.

Diminishing crude oil revenues and falling value of the naira have been blamed for the downturn, which has also seen prices of commodities skyrocket.

In its statement Wednesday, the PDP said Mr. Buhari was to blame for the hard times. The opposition party said it longed for the days when items were sold at lower prices.

Our call for the President to return the country to how he met it in 2015 is justified on the following grounds: a bag of rice was N7,000 and now its above N20,000; a mudu of beans was N150 and now its N500; one US Dollar was trading for N197 but now its over N400; a litre of fuel was N87 but now N145; cost of transportation and other services have skyrocketed, the party said.

The PDP also slammed the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, over her recent comment that recession is a word.

Mrs. Adeosuns critics said it was unfortunate that a finance minister could be seen playing down the gravity of a country ravaged by economic hardship.

The PDP said Mrs. Adeosuns comment had further established that the Buhari administration lacked the capacity to effectively run the country.

The crass ineptitude and lukewarm-attitude of this APC government is no longer tolerable, and therefore, we are calling on President Buhari and his team to return Nigeria to its state of a booming economy before they assumed office in May 2015, and then quit immediately to allow other capable leaders recover our ailing economy.

When contacted, Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the presidency does not comment on statements from the PDP.

The chairman of APC, John Oyegun, in his response said the PDP lacked the moral grounds to call on anyone to resign from office.

For 16 years, the PDP destroyed the country. In vital areas such as agriculture, health and the economy, the PDP failed to ensure development even while they were looting proceeds from the sale of crude oil, Mr. Oyegun said.
Nigerias largest airline, Arik Air Limited, has announced the suspension of its flight operations, blaming a delay in insurance documentation.

Ariks Public Relations and Communications Manager, Olabanji Ola, said the airline will resume operations as soon as the problem is resolved.

Reports that Arik had cancelled flights on Tuesday morning and afternoon had fueled speculation that the airline might have become the latest casualty in the financial crisis plaguing Nigerias aviation sector.

But Mr. Ola said the delay in approval of documentation was caused by the Sallah public holiday which was followed a long weekend.

At the present time, all flights of the airline have been cancelled for Tuesday, 13 September, 2016 and the airline has stated that it would be getting in touch with passengers to provide an update on rescheduling of their flights, Mr. Ola said. This situation is likely to continue for the next few days until such time that NAICOM (National Insurance Commission) approves a waiver on a priority basis for the new insurance company to renew the policy.

Mr. Ola said passengers had been notified of the development via text messages but customers in need of information could contact Arik through its customer care lines or visit its website.

The statement was silent on compensation, but Mr. Olabanji told PREMIUM TIMES by telephone that the airline was taking care of all concerns arising from the crisis.

Were addressing all issues relating to the disruption, Mr. Olabanji said. But I am not going to get into specifics about compensation at this point.

On Tuesday , thousands of passengers were left stranded across the country as the Sallah holidays came to an end. It means many workers may be unable to resume duties on Wednesday.

The development came two weeks after two other national carriers, Aero Contractors and FirstNation, suspended operations on August 31 and September 1, respectively.

While Aero blamed a difficult business environment for its decision to close down and send staff on indefinite leave, FirstNation said it wanted engineers to carry out a routine maintenance of its fleet.

Nigerias economic crisis had seen operational costs  including the prices of aviation fuel skyrocket in recent months, forcing some international airlines to source fuel and engine parts from other West African countries.

Local and international flights operators have increased the prices of their tickets.
The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has urged aggrieved groups across Nigeria to adopt dialogue to resolve their differences.

Mr. Tambuwal said he believes in the unity of the country and the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable.

Dialogue is also the most potent tool to resolve all problems, anywhere and at anytime, he said.

There are really challenges in Nigeria, and it is not peculiar to the nation, and these challenges are surmountable.

The former House of Representatives Speaker also called for urgent review of the revenue allocation formula, to favour states and local governments.

He made the call when he received various professional groups who paid him Sallah homage on Wednesday in Sokoto.

The groups included Sokoto Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture; Association of Resident Communities; Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations, among others.

The state and the local governments are the closest tiers of government to the people, unfortunately, they are getting less than the Federal Government from the Federation Account.

The ugly trend should be reversed in favour of states and local governments to enable them meet the overwhelming demands of the grassroots, the governor said.

Mr. Tambuwal rejected calls for the geographical restructuring of Nigeria, saying that instead, the country should focus on fiscal restructuring.

He promised to revive ailing industries in the state in partnership with the chamber, and adopt policies to bolster trade and commerce.

The governor told the group of non-indigenes living in the state that they are equal partners in running the affairs of the state.

He promised that the administration would not discriminate against anyone, irrespective of tribe or religion.

To the NGOs and other groups, Tambuwal urged them to offer constructive criticisms that would guide the government in meeting the challenges confronting the state.

The President of the Chamber, Kabiru Tafida, and Augustine Onumba, Chairman of the association of resident communities, hailed the governor for his steadfastness.

(NAN)
Nigerias Charge dAffairs in Saudi Arabia, Salisu Umar, and Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Abdullahi Muhammad, have assured Nigerian pilgrims they will secure accommodation for them close to the Jamarat, where the symbolic stoning of the devil takes place.

Nigerian Pilgrims had always been accommodated in Tent C area in Muna, a distance of about three Kilometres to the Jamarat.

The long distance, coupled with the harsh Saudi weather, always made it difficult for the pilgrims to carry out the three-day stoning ritual.

Mr. Umar, on inspection tour of the tent at Muna on Tuesday, said Nigeria will exploit its membership of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, OIC, to table the matter with the Saudi Arabian authorities.

Nigeria is a sovereign entity and should not be treated like a country without origin, definition and resources, he said.

He also remarked that no country is superior to another in Islam.

Earlier, the Emir of Kaltungo and Chairman of Gombe Pilgrims Welfare Board, Saleh Mohammed, complained about the degrading treatment of African and non-Arab countries in Hajj affairs.

Similarly, the Chairman of NAHCON, Mr. Muhammad, said the commission has held series of meetings with the Saudi authorities. He said Saudi Arabian authorities often argued that the place Nigerian pilgrims want to pitch their tents in Muna is surrounded by rocks which generate heat; whereas the place Nigeria currently occupies has better ventilation.

Mr. Muhammad promised that the Commission would not relent until it secures the Muna accommodation close to Jamarat.

The team inspected feeding and accommodation arrangements at Kano, Gombe, Kaduna, Plateau, Ekiti, Sokoto, Katsina and Bauchi states tents.

On his part, the Chairman of the Governing Board of Kano State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abba Koki, lamented the activities of fraudsters or agents duping pilgrims on the slaughtering of rams (hadiya).

Mr. Umar recommended to NAHCON to incorporate the payment of hadiya into the hajj fares paid by pilgrims while in Nigeria.
Suspected gunmen on Wednesday attacked the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, office in Onitsha, Anambra State, torching some equipment and Star Times section in the premises.

The Acting Manager of the station, Chris Nwigwe, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Onitsha that the incident occurred at about 1.40 a.m.

Some armed men tried to attack the staff on duty but only succeeded in burning down the Star Times building, he said.

He added that no life was lost in the attack.

A witness said an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was planted at the security post of the station, while tyres were set around the premises to set the station ablaze.

There was a gun duel between the armed men and policemen who were manning the office.

They managed to burn down the Star Times office while the fire was later put out with the help of people around.

This type of incident has never happened, the source said.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Sam Okaula, who visited the scene with the Anti-Bomb Squad to evacuate the explosive device, confirmed that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.

He said that investigation had begun to unravel the reason for the attack.

Mr. Okaula lauded police officers manning the office for their bravery. He said their quick intervention prevented loss of lives and destruction of more property in the attack.

He warned people against taking laws into their hands, and assured that the police would get to the root of the incident.

Those who take laws into their hands should be ready to face the repercussion, he stressed, adding that the suspects would be prosecuted in court after investigation was concluded.

NAN reports that three police patrol vans had been stationed in front of the station to beef up security.

(NAN)
The #BringBackOurGirls group on Wednesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Police Service Commission to take disciplinary actions against the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, over police disruption of the groups rally on September 6.

Delivering its monthly monitoring report at Unity Fountain, Abuja, the #BBOG in a statement signed by its co-conveners, Aisha Yesufu and Oby Ezekwesili, said its members considered the police action unacceptable.

It also called for disciplinary actions against the Federal Capital Territory police commissioner, Alkali Usman, and his deputy, M. D. Garba.

Members of the group, which has over the last two years pressed government to ensure the return of over 200 girls abducted in Chibok, Borno state in April 2014, were stopped by police officers while attempting a march to the Presidential Villa on September 6.

The police also attempted to stop the #BBOG group from continuing with its rallies. The tempo of the rallies increased after the Boko Haram released a video on August 14 that indicated many of the abducted girls were alive.

The terror group demanded the release of its captured members in exchange for the girls.

Reacting to the video, the #BBOG vowed to march to the Presidential villa at 72-hour intervals until the girls are released.

But on September 6, the police stopped the march around Ministry of Justice leading to the Three Arms Zone where the #BBOG usually briefed journalists since the police began blocking its path to the Villa.

The police had also announced a ban on rallies within the Federal Capital Territory, but called off the ban after widespread criticism.

The #BBOG said the mere retraction of the initial ban on its rallies would be insufficient in erasing what it (#BBOG) regarded as the injurious allegations levelled against the members.

The group therefore announced a list of requests, including that the IGP retracts allegations made against the #BBOG as well as apologises to family members of the abducted girls for the abuse of their rights on September 6.

That the President acting through the Police Commission calls the Inspector General (Mr. Ibrahim Kpotum Idris) to order immediately and takes appropriate disciplinary measures against him and the two other officers ( CP Alkali Usman, and DCP M. D. Garba of the FCT Command), to deter any recurrence of unconstitutional, unprofessional, lawless , and oppressive conduct in the future, the group said.

Mrs. Ezekwesili had earlier condemned the retraction of the ban by the police and called for an unreserved apology from Mr. Idris.
The Commissioner of Police in Abia, Leye Oyebade, on Wednesday said officers of the command had rescued a 15-month-old girl allegedly stolen from her mother.

Mr. Oyebade, who said this while briefing journalists on some of the major achievements of the command, noted that the baby was stolen on Monday in Umuahia.

He said that the suspected abductors, identified as Lawan Nuhu and Lawal Ahmed, took away the little Chinonye after drugging her mother, Chioma Chijindu at their residence at No. 8 Ohafia Street, Umuahia.

He said the suspects were arrested following a tip off, while N170,000 cash and a 307 Peugeot car with Reg. No. AZ 166 KWL, were recovered from them.

During investigation, the suspects confessed that they drugged the babys mother before escaping with the baby, Mr. Oyebade said.

He warned parents to be vigilant about the activities of their neighbours and strangers in their areas.

The police commissioner also said that no fewer than 12 other people were arrested in connection with alleged criminal activities, including vandalism, armed robbery and car snatching.

According to him, three suspected vandals, identified as Obirinachi Chijioke, Chigoziem Okereke and Ikemsinachi Okereke were arrested in Obikabia in Obingwa Local Government Area, following a distress call from a resident.

Mr. Oyebade said that they were arrested while they were allegedly vandalising electricity transformer belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.

My men moved in and arrested the three suspects but two escaped.

He said the police are on the trail of two other suspects still at large.

He said the police had also arrested Joseph Godwin, who resides at Ogwo Road, off Ohanku Road, Aba, for allegedly killing his neighbour, Joel Effiong, a businessman in Aba on August 31.

He said all the suspects currently in police custody would be charged to court at the end of ongoing investigations by the police.

Mr. Oyebade said the command also arrested Ugorji Uche and Okoronkwo Chibuike, natives of Atani in Arochukwu, for allegedly stealing a Mitsubushi L300 bus with Reg. No. ATN 607 ZK.

He said that the vehicle belonged to Jeremiah Igwe of Obosi in Anambra state, adding that the suspects had been transferred to Anambra state police command for further action.

The commissioner of police expressed delight over the exploit of his men and commended residents of the state for assisting the command with useful information.

He promised that the command would not rest on its oars until crime and criminality had been reduced to the barest minimum in the state.

This is the reason my men have been working round the clock to checkmate the activities of criminals in the state, Mr. Oyebade said.

He listed items recovered from the suspects to include different kinds of arms and ammunition, electronic gadgets such as plasma television sets, tricycles and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

(NAN)
Three state governors, Wednesday, urged Nigerians to see their countrys diversity as a source of strength and greatness.

Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) stated this in separate speeches at the annual Ojude-Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

They said citizens should not be interested in disunity of the country, but utilize the countrys diversity for the good and progress of Nigeria.

Mr. Amosun urged the nations leaders to emulate the Awujale of Ijebuland, Sikiru Adetona, who has used religion and culture to forge unity among his subjects.

He also commended the Ijebu people for making Ogun State unique with the Ojude Oba festival.

One sees the love, tenacity and determination of the Ijebu people to showcase their rich cultural heritage and tradition, the governor said.

It is not where one comes from or religion that should count but ones diligent service. We should emulate Kabiyesis ability to forge unity among his people, despite different religions. We should live in togetherness, love and harmony not only in Ogun State but also in Nigeria, he added.

Mr. El-Rufai described the festival as an incredible event and lauded the Awujale for his leadership in sustaining it as an annual event.

I came here not as governor, not as guest of Governor Amosun or as a member of All Progressives Congress. Im here because Awujale is my father, a man of great wisdom, unparalleled courage and integrity.

Throughout my public service and exile, he was a true father to me. He advised and even supported me financially. I know the dream of Ijebu State is close to your heart and one can pray for your long life to see Ijebu State come to pass, he said.

Mr. Dickson, in his own remarks urged Nigeria to find a way to export the Ojude Oba to the rest the world through cultural tourism.

The Bayelsa State governor, who is a descendant of a princess from one of the ruling houses in Ijebu  Ode, said Nigeria should leverage her diversity for greatness.

Mr. Adetona in his speech said the festival has continued to gain local and global attention every year.

An estimated 25,000 people attended the festival where over 35 age-grade groups took turns to pay homage to the monarch.
After a summer full of beach days, its time to show our shores some love. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17  rain or shine  the green teams of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport will host beach clean-ups in conjunction with International Coastal Cleanup Day. Working to improve public health and the safety of the areas marine life, volunteers are encouraged to use motor boats, kayaks and stand up paddleboards to help in the effort, although teams of walkers are also greatly appreciated. Maps will be distributed at the various staging areas such as the Albany Avenue boat ramp in A.C., the Newport Marina or Viking Rowing Club dock on Surrey Avenue in Ventnor, Captain Andys Dock in Margateinally, and Borough Hall dock in Longport. Facebook.com/SustainableDownBeach.
ATLANTIC CITY  Last year, the local school district paid 357 employees $5.2 million for opting out of its health-insurance program.

That benefit, and how to reduce it, is now a core issue as the district grapples with its 2016-17 budget, staff contract negotiations and a desire for more state aid.

The so-called opt out waiver is included in the districts collective-bargaining agreements. Employees receive half of the cost of their benefit premium costs for the year if they can show they get health insurance through another source.

Almost 200 employees under family-plan coverage received $18,500 each, according to information obtained by The Press of Atlantic City through an Open Public Records Act request. The annual premium cost for family coverage under the districts private plan is almost $37,000 and includes medical, dental, prescription and vision coverage.

By contrast, under a 2010 state law, employees who get their health benefits through the School Employees Health Benefits Program, or SEHBP, can receive no more than 25 percent of the annual premium costs, or $5,000, whichever is less. Just more than half of all school districts are in the state plan.

The high cost of the districts private insurance plan has caught the attention of the state Department of Education. While the district was approved for an additional $20 million in state aid in November, that approval agreement came with instructions to reduce health insurance costs.

State monitor Gary McCartney said at Mondays school board meeting that he told state officials at a meeting last week the district needs more state aid to help control property taxes.

But then the state asks me, What are you going to spend it on? Expensive opt-outs for health care? Office space? McCartney said.

The issue is ripe for negotiation. The teachers contract expires June 30. Atlantic City Education Association President Marcia Genova said they know this will be a difficult negotiation. The ACEA represents teachers, secretaries, aides, central office, security, maintenance and custodial staff.

Both she and school board President John Devlin agree that health benefits will be on the table.

Devlin said he wants to cooperate with the state because the district needs extra funds. He said any new waiver proposal would have to fall in line with the state plans $5,000 limit.

Genova said they support spending less for benefits but will have to see exactly what a new plan will offer.

For the district, the goal will be to reduce costs. For the union, the goal will be to maintain equivalent benefits.

With more than a third of all employees taking the waiver, eliminating or reducing it will not be popular. Among those who received the money in 2014-15 are Assistant Superintendent Barry Caldwell, who got $19,100, as well as former City Councilmen Tim Mancuso and current City Council President Marty Small and his wife, school principal LaQuetta Small, who each got the $18,500 payment. Small's position was one of more than 200 jobs cut effective July 1, 2015, so he is no longer employed by the district.

Under the states health benefits plan, spouses cannot have dual coverage, and one must drop the coverage with no waiver payment.

Paying employees for the waiver was initially a savings tool, since the district saves money by not having to pay the full premium.

But since the 2010 law, all school employees have been required to contribute to their premium costs. An Atlantic City school employee making $50,000 per year is paying as much as $4,413 toward family benefit premiums this year, according to district information. An employee making $100,000 pays as much as $11,769 in premium contributions.

Just waiving the benefits can save thousands of dollars per year, making that alone an incentive to opt-out coverage without an additional payment.

The contribution percentage increases with salary to as much as 35 percent of the total premium cost over four years. But the 2010 law has expired, so employee contributions are also up for negotiation in new contracts.

The district currently has private insurance through Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Its premium costs are higher than plans offered through the state SEHBP. Annual premiums for SEHBP family plans for 2016 range from just over $23,000 a year to almost $34,000, compared with almost $37,000 for Atlantic Citys plan this year.

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TRENTON _ A bill that would limit the amount of money a public employee could receive for waiving health insurance benefits was approved by a state Senate committee Monday despite vocal opposition from the states police, fire and teachers unions.

State law currently limits the amount a public employee can receive for waiving the insurance to 25 percent or a maximum of $5,000 if they are covered by a state health benefits plan. The proposed bill would extend that cap to public employees covered under private health insurance plans.

Bill sponsor, Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, specifically cited the Atlantic City school district as an example of the high cost of waivers in some districts.

A report by The Press of Atlantic City found that more than 350 employees received about $5.2 million in health benefits insurance waivers in 2014-15. A clause in the employee contract allows them to get 50 percent of the cost of the annual premiums, which came to as much as $18,500 for those waiving family coverage. Employees must have coverage through a spouse or other source before they can waive the district coverage.

The Atlantic City contract expires in June and both sides have said that the benefits waiver will be a negotiated item.

Weinberg said her bill would just put all public employees on the same level, and still allows for collective bargaining since waivers are not required by law.

It doesnt take away waivers or bargaining, it just sets the standards for them, she said.

The New Jersey School Boards Association, New Jersey League of Municipalities and Chamber of Commerce of South Jersey supported the bill.

Employee unions opposed it, saying having multiple items to negotiate allows flexibility for both employers and employees during the bargaining process. They said previous laws have already reduced the number of negotiated items.

This is an attack on public employees, said Wendell Steinauer, president of the New Jersey Education Association which represents most teachers in the state. He said the high cost of insurance is an issue that should be addressed, but not by penalizing employees.

Police and firefighter representatives said not all waivers are as generous as Atlantic Citys and the ability to negotiate has saved jobs. Firefighters cited a situation in Vineland where they were able to save two jobs by having some firefighters agree to waive their health benefits because they were covered by a spouse.

There was some confusion over who would or would not still be eligible for waivers, and modifications were recommended in a substitute bill. Weinberg said she would be willing to work with the unions on modifications.

The bill, which is co-sponsored by Se. Thomas Kean Jr. R-Morris, Somerset, Union, was approved by a vote of 7-3-3. Sen Jeff Van Drew, D-Atlantic, was one of the legislators who voted against the bill, said he would like to see a modified version that would better maintain the issue as an item of collective bargaining.

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TRENTON  Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, D-Essex, is set to introduce a resolution Thursday that will detail how revenue from North Jersey casinos would be used if the states voters approve gambling outside of Atlantic City in November.

Caputo told The Associated Press on Tuesday that a casino at the Meadowlands Racetrack, if approved, might be taxed at 35 to 40 percent while a costlier one in Jersey City could pay 15 to 20 percent.

Voters will decide whether or not to approve as many as two casinos in North Jersey during the Nov. 8 general election. The ballot question states the new casinos must be in separate counties and at least 72 miles from Atlantic City, where four casinos closed in 2014 and another, Trump Taj Mahal, is set to close Oct. 10.

Revitalizing A.C. requires gaming expansion, says Jeffrey Gural I write this not as a casino operator, but as someone who loves harness racing and has dedic

Transparency and clarity is critical for residents and all parties involved in the North Jersey casino debate, especially as we move closer to November elections, Caputo said. We have seen and heard many different opinions on this issue, both negative and positive. However, it is important that the Legislatures intent for any funding coming out of a casino built in the north is spelled out clearly and as definitively as possible.

Deutsche Bank said last year that North Jersey casinos could generate $500 million in gambling revenue. A 50 percent tax rate would put $250 million in the states coffers, which would have to be divided among all the recipients. Atlantic City casinos pay an effective tax rate of 9.25 percent on gross gambling revenue.

Before Caputo mentioned the possible tax rates Tuesday, Assemblyman Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, called Caputos resolution a gimmick, saying it is simply the same old song with a different verse that still fails to provide a specific tax rate and fails to answer how cannibalizing Atlantic Citys gaming market by causing the loss of another 14,000 jobs and the closure of more casinos will somehow help Atlantic Countys working families and retirees.

A portion of the proposed North Jersey casino revenue would be dedicated to providing job placement for workers who lost their jobs when casinos closed, according to the proposed resolution. Money also will be provided for continued promotional support for Atlantic City as a destination resort, the resolution states.

Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, said there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

Right now we have no idea what the tax rate for the (North Jersey) casinos is going to be, Whelan said Monday. If you dont know what the tax rate is, then you dont know what Atlantic Citys cut is going to be.

The resolution includes guidelines for choosing a casino location, selecting licensed operators and the administration of programs to be funded by state revenues.

The revenues are expected to be used for fund the states senior tax freeze program, Meals on Wheels program and Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled; public space and transportation improvements; and Atlantic City recovery initiatives, but the exact amount of how much each program would receive has not been decided.

Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, D-Atlantic, said the failure to disclose the referendums full details and implications have doomed this misguided ballot question.

This is just further evidence that this disastrous referendum is on life support because residents across the state have concluded this is a bad deal for New Jersey and Atlantic County, which would face the loss of 10,000 more jobs, Mazzeo said.

Weve lagged behind in terms of being transparent, Caputo said Tuesday. Theres no use kidding anybody about that. The tax rate needs to be established.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A federal investigation into a Cumberland County dog-fighting ring has illuminated a secret and vicious subculture, experts said.

Ten people are charged in U.S. District Court with running a dog-fighting network in New Jersey and three other states. Among them were seven suspects from South Jersey.

Investigators used surreptitious methods such as wiretaps and aerial surveillance to document evidence of dog-fighting. Authorities seized 66 dogs, including dogs from homes in Millville and just outside Vineland.

Few people are prosecuted for dog-fighting and account for a fraction of those believed to be involved in the blood sport in New Jersey, experts said.

People dont realize that were a common training area in Cumberland County because were so rural and were close to New York and Philadelphia where the fights actually take place, said Bev Greco, director of the Cumberland County chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Its harder to hide a training facility in the city, she said.

Anthony Gaines, 35, and Tiffany Burt, 34, two suspects awaiting trial in the case, live on a rural road just outside Vineland in Gloucester Countys Franklin Township. Surrounded by cornfields, the home has a tall, white privacy fence surrounding a large back yard.

Investigators executed a warrant at the home where they seized six dogs found in crates in the basement along with a dog treadmill, weighted collars and surgical supplies such as a skin stapler, intravenous fluid bags and veterinary medications.

Neighbors, none of whom wanted their names used, said they were alarmed by the idea that dogs were being raised for fighting in the neighborhood. They heard barking on the property but never saw the dogs, they said.

According to court papers, seized animals were frightened of people but aggressive toward other dogs. They were heavily muscled and had scars consistent with fighting.

The U.S. Attorneys Office said detailed pedigree records were found in the house along with trade magazines on dog-fighting,

Its very organized and not that hard to get involved and educated about it, Greco said.

Greco said people engaged in dog-fighting take pains to keep their dogs out of public view. The FBI intercepted a phone call on Oct. 17, 2015, in which Gaines told an associate he wanted to build a soundproof pole barn at the home so his dogs could not be seen or heard beyond his property.

Investigators relied on aerial surveillance to gather evidence in the case, documenting dogs in kennels at one suspects home in New Mexico. One of those dogs was shipped by air to Gaines home outside Vineland, authorities said.

Gaines allegedly tried to hide his fighting dogs from authorities by dropping them off with accomplices in Illinois and Indiana, according to court papers.

Theres big money in these fights. Some of the puppies sell for thousands of dollars, Greco said.

Dog-fighting is found across New Jersey. Documenting its prevalence is difficult because of its clandestine nature, said Matt Stanton, an investigator with the New Jersey SPCA.

We get 10 to 15 cases per year. Its underground and it moves around a lot, he said.

Its rare to walk in on an actual fight. Its more common to come across a training facility where dogs are kept and bait dogs are used.

Bait dogs are used for practice against the fighting dogs and usually sustain serious injuries by mauling, he said.

Theyll pull an animal off the street and then dump them afterward, he said.

Dogfights typically take place in secret locations arranged hours before a fight. Two dogs fight, sometimes to the death, in an enclosed space that can be set up and taken down quickly.

More often, investigators find evidence of training.

These dogs are athletes. They need to train, he said. You need a dedicated area.

The dogs owners keep detailed records on fights, which can add to its value for breeding future fighters, he said.

Its like an underground AKC, he said in reference to the American Kennel Club.

Typically, training or fighting facilities have medical equipment such as antibiotics and sutures to treat injured animals after fights.

Dogs trained to fight have an uphill battle to find new homes, she said. Typically, they are aggressive around other dogs.

Theyre traumatized to the point where theyre a huge liability. They cant be placed in just any home, she said.

Added to that is the often years-long confinement to shelter kennels while their owners court cases are adjudicated. Confinement alone can make dogs difficult to adopt, she said.

The dogs are victims through it all, Greco said.

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PLEASANTVILLE  For officials and business owners, the unveiling Tuesday of a streetscape project for the citys Main Street promises to be a game changer.

Finally! We are finally here! I just cant wait to get this up and running so people can see Pleasantville is for real, Mayor Jesse Tweedle told a small crowd assembled at Ansley Boulevard for the projects groundbreaking Tuesday afternoon.

Tweedle said the work will include the area from the Black Horse Pike to Ansley Boulevard. The Ansley Boulevard portion of the project will cost $500,000, and the work in other areas will cost $461,000, he said.

Sidewalk pavers, street trees and decorative streetlights will be added to match other sections of the downtown.

Its easy to dream up a project like this, but its more difficult to make it happen, said Jim Rutala, the citys planner.

Rutala Associates, a local planning firm, assisted the city with its planning and prepared the grant applications.

Rutala said the sidewalks will be completed in eight weeks and the entire streetscape project is expected to be completed by Christmas.

After Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey in October 2012, Gov. Chris Christie called on the state Economic Development Authority to administer the states Community Development Block Grant programs Disaster Recovery allocation to assist communities. The Stronger NJ Streetscape Revitalization Program supports Main Street projects in Sandy-affected municipalities.

Earlier this year, Pleasantville was awarded a $500,000 Transit Village Grant to enhance Ansley Boulevard from South Main Street to Franklin Boulevard. This boulevard connects the South Main Street downtown to the Lakes Bay Redevelopment area.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority awarded a $461,447 grant to the city to fund downtown streetscape improvements. This is the fifth grant Pleasantville has secured in the last three years for downtown improvements, officials said. In 2015, the city received a $240,000 Transit Village Grant to provide streetscape improvements on the north side of Washington Avenue from Main Street to North Second Street.

Jacqueline Amado-Belton, city director of economic development, said the streetscape project brought together a diverse group of city officials, business owners and professionals to leverage the funding needed to complete the work. Charles Marandino LLC of Milmay has been awarded the construction contract.

This is revitalizing our downtown and improving the gateway to the Lakes Bay Redevelopment Area, but its also creating jobs, too, Belton said.

Ribbon cutting Tuesday for Pleasantville streetscape project PLEASANTVILLE- A streetscape project that officials hope will revitalize the city's Main Str

Although the project will not be completed until December, its an early Christmas present for Main Street business owner Jose Marin.

Its going to give us a unique look over here on the south side, Marin said.

Marin, 48, owns La Cosecha Supermarket and Cafe Mambo. Marin, of Northfield, opened his supermarket 10 years ago, and Cafe Mambo has been operating for four years, he said.

I think this project is going to bring a lot of new people in. Everything goes by appearance, and once they change the appearance of the street, people will feel more welcome and when they walk through a nice area they will feel safe, Marin said.

John Douris, owner of Johnny Ds restaurant farther north on Main Street, said anything going on connected to revitalizing Main Street will help all businesses. Douris attended the groundbreaking and said the concept for the streetscape project in Pleasantville was conceived 13 years ago, but it took a group effort to make it happen.

Too often we hear the bad news in Pleasantville, but theres a lot of good news going on, said Douris who has owned businesses in the city for more than 30 years.

This streetscape project is the rising tide of Pleasantville. It has made the businesses look better. This is a city on the move, Douris said.

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WILDWOOD  Later this week, more than 20,000 firefighters and their families will descend on the city for the New Jersey State Firemens Convention.

Its become a staple of our community, Mayor Ernie Troiano said.

But it wasnt always. For a good 40 years, until 1975, the gathering was held in Atlantic City, according to George Heflich, president of the New Jersey State Firemens Association, which provides burial and relief services for about 71,000 municipal firefighters in the state.

The story goes that in 1969, W. Robert Hentges, former mayor of West Wildwood and longtime Cape May County surrogate, attended the event as a firefighter and pushed for the relocation of the convention.

According to an account of the proceedings Hentges wrote later, he was booed off the stage for his proposal, with the treasurer of the organization saying that Wildwood rolled up the sidewalks after Labor Day.

Equipped with a better sales pitch, which included offers for cut-rate rooms, free parking and authorization for a large parade, Hentges returned to Atlantic City to make his case again in 1970.

This time, Hentges wrote, the firefighters approved the proposal, with many of them concerned about crime in Atlantic City.

The convention was a valuable coup, becoming the first large event to be held in Wildwood during the so-called second season. John Siciliano, executive director of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority, said a conservative estimate would be that the event generates $5 million to $7 million for the city annually.

Id say the firemen weekend ranks among the busiest that we have here during the summer and fall season, said Steve Tecco, owner of the Armada Hotel and president of the Greater Wildwood Hotel/Motel Association.

Its a great thing for the city anytime you can bring a state convention in the offseason, said Tracey DuFault, executive director of the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce.

Forty-one years later, Atlantic City hasnt given up on bringing the convention back.

We do talk to them, said Gary Musich, vice president of sales for Meet AC, the group that lobbies to bring events to the Atlantic City Convention Center. Wed love to have them back.

Atlantic City has made two pitches to get it back over the years, said Dave Thompson, president of the Five Mile Beach Volunteer Firemens Association, an organization composed of the islands fire departments.

However, Musich said several factors stand in the way of the convention coming back to Atlantic City, including expensive weekend hotel rooms and the logistics of the convention and parade.

Theres a lot of reasons, he said. The primary is we just dont have space in the center.

Another reason, Heflich said, is that the casino hotels in the city dont guarantee enough rooms for the more than 7,000 convention delegates and their families.

They didnt want us anymore because we were on a weekend, Heflich said. They couldnt offer us enough rooms.

The gathering is booked at the Wildwoods Convention Center through 2020.

Were happy to have anything we can get, Troiano said. Were very grateful.

The economic impact to the island is quite large and to the county even larger, he added.

The majority of the firefighters like Wildwood, Heflich said. He added the firefighters bring their families with them to the convention, something that was not common when it was held in Atlantic City.

That was our claim to fame, Troiano said. We are a family-based resort area.

Not every event works in every city, Musich said. Events like that are better in Wildwood.

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The state Department of Education has told the Atlantic City school district not to pay teachers who opted out of the district health insurance benefits the stipend agreed to in their expired contract.

Many teachers will immediately lose thousands of dollars through a provision that allows them to be paid half the cost of their health insurance benefits if they opt out of the district plan and have coverage through a spouse.

Union members attended the school board meeting Tuesday to complain about the cut and that they had received no advance notice that the payments, which were to start Wednesday, would not be made.

Benefits opt-out costing A.C. schools millions ATLANTIC CITY  Last year, the local school district paid 357 employees $5.2 million for opt

They are facing the inability to pay their bills, Atlantic City Education Association President Marcia Genova said.

Interim Superintendent Paul Spaventa said at Tuesdays board meeting that he was just notified by the state Friday to not make the payments. He apologized for not sending out a notice until Tuesday but said he wanted to clarify the process with the state and didnt want to ruin members' weekends until he had that clarification.

No one in this room, including the state monitor, made the decision (to not make the payments), Spaventa said. But when the commissioner says do not disburse the money, we dont disburse the money.

A state Department of Education spokesperson said they do not comment on contract negotiations. But the union said the existing payments should still be made while they are in negotiations.

The payments are typically made monthly for 10 months and can be as much as $2,000 for some members.

There are people who have their mortgage payments tied to that payment, Genova said. At least they could have notified us in advance.

The union has already filed a grievance. The unions contract expired in June and is in negotiations. Members continue to operate under the terms of that contract, which Genova said should include the opt-out payments.

Atlantic City school board President John Devlin said board members were also not told of the decision right away.

We were blindsided, too, he said. Im getting calls from teachers and nobody told us.

The opt-out provision has been controversial. The expired contracts allowed members to receive half the total cost of their benefits. Family coverage this year is about $40,000, Devlin said.

Bill to limit health benefits waiver payments approved TRENTON _ A bill that would limit the amount of money a public employee could receive for wa

A report by The Press of Atlantic City in January showed that in 2014-15, the district paid about $5.2 million to 357 employees who opted out of the district benefits. Almost 200 of them had the most expensive family coverage and received about $18,500 that year.

Spaventa said the state is giving the district an extra $32 million in state aid this year, and the opt-out payments alone would use about $5 million.

A state law limits opt-out payments to no more than $5,000 for educators in the state School Employees Health Benefits Program, or SEHBP. But the Atlantic City school district had their insurance through a private provider.

Both Genova and Devlin agreed that benefits and the opt out payment would be a major nogotiation item for the new contract. But Genova said the district cant just stop making the payments while they are in negotiations.

Some union members said the employees should just now apply for benefits, which would cost the district even more. But since employees have to contribute toward their benefits, they would lose even more money. Others wanted to know just who at the state level made the decision and whether the governor was involved.

Education Commissioner David Hespe announced this month that he was leaving.

Contact: 609-272-7241

Twitter @ACPressDamico
A man wanted for his alleged involvement in two separate shootings in Atlantic City is in custody.

Jamil Miller, 28, of Atlantic City, was arrested just after 2 p.m. Tuesday after police pulled over a car he was in at Connecticut Avenue and Grammercy Place.

On June 27, officers responding to a report of gunfire in the 500 block of Absecon Boulevard found Taquay Dunston, 18, of Atlantic City, with a gunshot wound to his lower body. An investigation led to charges against Miller and Marcelino Martinez, who was arrested July 18.

Police said Miller was also involved in a shooting on the 600 block of Virginia Avenue on July 14, where he sustained gunshot wounds. He was treated and released an AtlantiCare hospital, authorities said.

Miller was charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy and two counts each of unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and certain persons not to possess a weapon.

He was brought to the Atlantic County jail after failing to post $250,000 bail.

Contact: 609-272-7260
That thing in your hand, that glittering screen. It's 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 can't do without.

Materially we're still in awe, but spiritually we know something's changed. We all sense it, each of us discomfited, even if we can't 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 we're simply blind if we don't 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 can't. 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: It's 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 of us. At least for those of us who liked being human.

Which is why the most important thing is to remember that we're 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 we've allowed to whither us like a billion privileged Gollums.

It's our predicament as well as our test: whether we're still human enough to renounce the tyranny of all those glittering screens.

Email Father Joshua J. Whitfield, of St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas, at jwhitfield@stritaparish.net.
This was already a good year for veterans' health care, with significant improvements in South Jersey. More actions and proposals the past month are nearly all on the mark. Great as all this is, of course, veterans know there's a simple change that would make it all much better.

The spring saw a new and bigger outpatient clinic for veterans announced for Vineland, to be completed by year's end. Major management reforms and staffing additions were announced for the Veterans Affairs Northfield clinic. Of 13 medical and support positions added to the region's outpatient clinics, nine have been filled, three hires are pending and interviews are being conducted for the final opening, Rep. Frank LoBiondo said last week.

At the congressman's urging, the VA will keep its Atlantic and Cumberland County clinics open until 6:30 p.m. (alternating Wednesdays in Northfield, alternating Thursdays in Vineland, starting soon), helping working veterans who can't use normal business hours.

The VA also has created the Veterans Travel Program to help those in its health system get care at facilities while on extended travel. That's a plus for the region's many snow birds, who are advised to register four to six weeks prior to travel if possible.

A couple of local veterans-care issues prompted proposals from Sen. Jeff Van Drew, representing Cumberland, Cape May and Atlantic counties.

The first seems pretty straightforward. The vehicles used to transport the region's veterans to distant VA care facilities lack bathrooms. Since veterans can spend much of the day on the bus and many are elderly, this is almost cruel.

The bill would provide state funding to buy vehicles with bathrooms for the trips to VA hospitals in North Jersey, Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The only question is the technical matter of whether buying, leasing or hiring such vehicles is best, and we assume that already has been considered.

Another bill from Van Drew looks like it fails to properly balance the sometimes conflicting desires and needs of veterans and the public, and might be wasteful as well.

Last month, the Vineland Veterans Memorial Home and others began applying an existing policy of having residents cover their cost for transportation to care elsewhere if that care is also available on site. In this age of soaring health costs, that seems sensible, and as a state official said, the money saved helps avoid cuts in care services.

Van Drew would reverse the policy and compel state veterans homes to pay for travel to the same care elsewhere. This could encourage spending more to get the same care.

And some residents traveling for care have insurance that will reimburse for the travel cost, so the insurance should be covering it, not the state. When the homes started applying the policy, they also started helping residents and families apply for such reimbursement.

Veterans need good care provided much the same way as it is for everyone - which is the larger issue looming over these many separate issues.

Nearly all of these considerations and many others would be better solved by simply allowing veterans to get care from the same doctors, clinics and hospitals as everyone else. No amount of patching will ever work as well as ending the VA stranglehold on veterans care.

Our view
ASTON, Pa.  Donald Trump rolled out a plan Tuesday aimed at making child care more affordable, guaranteeing new mothers six weeks of paid maternity leave and suggesting new incentives for employees to provide their workers childcare. Spurred on by his daughter, Ivanka, Trump waded into topics more often discussed by Democrats.

Trump unveiled the proposals in a speech in a politically critical Philadelphia suburb as he tries to build his appeal with more moderate, independent voters  especially women. Child care is one of the biggest expenses many American families face, surpassing the cost of college and even housing in many states.

We need working mothers to be fairly compensated for their work, and to have access to affordable, quality child care for their kids, Trump said in Aston, Pennsylvania. These solutions must update laws passed more than half a century ago when most women were still not in the labor force.

Trump proposed guaranteeing six weeks of paid maternity leave to employees whose employers dont offer leave already. The campaign says the payments would be provided through existing unemployment insurance  though it has yet to spell out how the system would cover those costs.

Trumps Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, has called for 12 weeks parental leave for both mothers and fathers paid for by taxes on the wealthy.

Trump previously proposed reducing child care costs by allowing parents to fully deduct the average cost of child care from their taxes. On Tuesday, he expanded that proposal to allow families with a stay-at-home parent to qualify for the deduction and to include costs associated with caring for elderly dependent relatives.

The deduction would apply only to individuals earning $250,000 or less, or $500,000 or less if filing jointly. But because Trumps proposal is a tax deduction rather than credit, its greatest benefits would go to affluent households. More than 40 percent of U.S. taxpayers dont make enough money to owe taxes to the federal government, meaning they would not benefit from a deduction. Lower-income earners would receive child-care spending rebates through expanding the existing Earned Income Tax Credit, the campaign said.

Trump also proposed incentives for employers to provide child-care options at work. But some of his proposals to prod businesses and communities into providing childcare and other services are anathema to conservative orthodoxy.

At one point, Trump was interrupted briefly by a crying baby  but, unlike at a rally in August, he did not suggest he wanted the child ejected.

The timing, location and subject matter are no coincidence. Democratic presidential candidates have won Pennsylvania since 1992, but Trump hopes to flip the battleground to win the White House in November. And Trump has been trying to soften his image among college-educated women who have been reluctant to support a candidate who has made many derogatory remarks toward women.

Ivanka Trump introduced Trump in Pennsylvania and, earlier in the day in Iowa, the candidate credited his daughter for his action on the issue. She is the one who has been pushing for it so hard: Daddy, Daddy we have to do this.' Shes very smart, and shes right, the candidate said.

The timing raised some eyebrows among skeptics.

Carmel Martin at the liberal Center for American Progress said the new savings accounts would create a potential tax shelter for wealthy people and that Trumps proposals remain tilted to the rich because the low-income child-care rebates top out at $1,200.

It would definitely work for Ivanka, but not for most American families, Martin said.

Trump laid out plans to create Dependent Care Savings Accounts that would allow families to set aside money to look after children or elderly parents. The accounts would allow tax-deductible contributions and tax-free appreciation and could be used to pay for child care, after-school programs and school tuition. To help lower-income parents, the government would match half of the first $1,000 deposited per year.

For elderly dependents, the accounts could be used to help pay for services including in-home nursing and long-term care.

Currently, families can set aside up to $5000 annually for child care expenses or elder care but not for school tuition and cannot carry over the amount in the account.

Trump did not lay out how much the proposals would cost, but insisted the extra spending would be offset by economic growth and other cuts.

Clinton, meanwhile, proposes that no family should spend more than 10 percent of its income on child care. To achieve this, Clinton would seek to boost federal spending on child-care subsidies and provide tax relief for the cost of child care to working families. Those benefits would be offered on a sliding scale based on need, though Clinton has offered few other details since introducing the plan in May.

___
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.




LONDON, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

A project to build a 1.1billion undersea and underground electricity cable linking Hampshire with Normandy in France moved a step closer today with the announcement of an award by Ofgem of a licence to operate. The regulator has granted an interconnector operating licence to the developers behind the infrastructure project, Aquind Limited.

The Aquind interconnector is due for completion in 2021 and will deliver up to 2GW of additional capacity to the UK power grid. The company says the safe, tried-and-tested technology will provide a valuable contribution to the security of Britain's energy supply in the coming years.

Lord Callanan, a non-executive director at Aquind, said: "The UK needs affordable, reliable new capacity. Interconnectors offer just that and we are looking forward to progressing to the next phase of development.

"Furthermore, our interconnector will be online quickly - in five to six years - while the alternatives being discussed, such as new nuclear generation, can take more than ten years. Our capacity is being stretched and we do not have the luxury of time."

It is also hoped that by introducing electricity from France, the Aquind interconnector could contribute to lower energy prices in the UK and reduce Britain's per capita carbon footprint.

Minister of State for Energy, Baroness Neville-Rolfe said: "We are building an energy infrastructure fit for the 21st century and interconnection will play an important part in this.

"This is a positive step forward for the Aquind interconnector. Interconnectors can help to keep bills down and guarantee our energy security. We look forward to Aquind, and other new projects, coming forward and demonstrating how they can benefit consumers."

The cable will run underground and undersea from Lovedean, near Portsmouth to the area north of Rouen in Normandy. The project is entirely funded by private investment without any government subsidies, and is expected to create up to 500 jobs across the supply chain during the construction phase.

The licence to operate granted by Ofgem is one of the key stages of approval required before an interconnector project can come on stream.

SOURCE Aquind Limited
HONG KONG, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Friday, September 9th 2016 marked the official opening of the Colourstone Processing Facility near Broome, Western Australia. The meat processing operation was financed by ADM Capital's flagship ADM Galleus Fund II Limited and is the only state of the art, halal compliant beef processing facility in the region (capable of processing 37 head per hour -- up to 70,000 head per annum on one shift).

Hong Kong based private credit manager, ADM Capital, is a key financier to Western Australia's Yeeda Pastoral Company generally and particularly for the construction of the Colourstone Processing Facility, which is the final part of the "paddock to plate" strategy for distributing grass-fed, Australian rangeland beef, both home and abroad. Yeeda is a fully integrated beef production, processing and distribution business in Western Australia's far north Kimberley region, with 80,000 head of cattle and 1.1m hectares of land and capacity to increase its herd to 100,000.

ADM Capital, which has over 18 years' investment experience in Asia with USD1.2bn of investments under management, said the deal is characteristic of a new breed of agribusinesses that believe in efficiency and sustainability in production as the world deals with an increasing scarcity of land, water and inputs.

"Population increases, urbanisation and disposable income growth are driving a structural change in protein demand, consumption and food chains, with companies like Yeeda likely to offer strong returns" said Rob Appleby, joint CIO and co-founder of ADM Capital. "The construction of the processing facility will reduce logistics costs and improve production efficiency, given that the nearest processing facility is over 1,800km away." ADM Capital said the deal could be one among several agribusinesses in the food chain that the Investment Manager is contemplating to finance in Australia.

Chris Botsford, founding partner and joint CIO of ADM Capital, highlighted the increasing demand for good quality beef in emerging markets. "Yeeda's processing facility will produce halal certified beef that is in demand in various markets of the Middle East and South East Asia," said Mr. Botsford. "As the largest integrated beef producer in Western Australia, the Company is in a favourable position to capitalise on the opportunity."

ADM Capital is a patient investor that is ready to put more capital to work in Yeeda if needed, and ultimately expects to be repaid via a combination of strong cash flows and bank refinancing.

Mervyn Key, Director of Corporate Affairs, and Jack Burton, CEO have been delighted with relationship established with ADM Capital. Mr Key noted that "ADM Capital have played a critical role in enabling Yeeda to achieve its potential when other more traditional sources of capital in Australia did not understand the opportunity. Further, with their flexibility, extensive relationships and experience they have contributed much more than just financing and have become an extremely valuable business partner".

ABOUT ADM Capital:

ADM Capital is a global investment manager with approximately USD1.2bn in assets under management. Founded in 1998 in the aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis, the firm has over 18 years of emerging market investment experience, resulting in a deep local knowledge and strong proprietary sourcing network. ADM Capital has six offices in Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Almaty, Moscow and Kiev.

ADM Capital seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation by focusing on fund growth opportunities in companies that have limited alternative sources of capital. ADM Capital also works to rehabilitate operationally strong but financially stressed companies via restructuring, rescheduling, refinancing, liquidity management and other strategies. The firm is currently engaged in a capital raising exercise for the USD200m "ADM Somei Lending Platform," which will invest in collateralised credit opportunities across emerging and frontier Asia, for which the IFC is a cornerstone investor. For more information, visit www.admcapital.com.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

ADM Capital in Hong Kong:

Scott Emmerson

Phone: +852 2536 4567

E-mail: scott.emmerson@admcap.com

SOURCE ADM Capital
MONTREAL, September 14, 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. New results continue to validate the potential of a significant 3.1-kilometer strike gold zone and indicate that the northern part of the Eleonore Zone appears to hold a very rich gold system dominated by at least one major quartz vein hosting significant visible gold, which remains open in all directions.

Highlights

Hole T16RC071 - 6 m @ 39.85 g/t Au, including 2 m @ 112 g/t Au, is situated in the northern area of Eleonore, 100 m NNE and on strike of hole T16RC024 (6 m @ 4.23 g/t Au - referenced in Algold's press release dated August 16, 2016 ). (Figure 1)

). (Figure 1) Hole T16RC069 - 3 m @ 2.03 g/t Au is located under T16RC024 (6 m @ 4.23 g/t Au) indicating a possible "pinch and swell" of the vein.

Hole T16RC072, situated between hole T16RC024 and T16RC070, intersected two zones of gold mineralization, 4 m @ 1.35 g/t Au and 2 m @ 1.94 g/t Au, thus further indicating at least two vein systems.

Discovery hole T16RC083, intersected 2 m @ 5.47 g/t Au 10 km south of Lily, in a new area hosting an outcropping quartz vein with visible gold.

This round of drilling identified three coherent gold zones in which a minimum of two to three gold bearing quartz veins have been developed in an "en echelon-type structure" between two major structural features identified from satellite imagery. All three sectors of the Eleonore gold zone are still open in all directions, with extensions currently being drill tested. Algold is now in receipt of approximately 80% of the outstanding assay results from its Phase I drilling program.

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 chip samples is being carried out at the independent ALS Laboratories Ltd. in Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland, 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 the ALS preparation laboratory in Nouakchott, Mauritania, where samples are sieved and prepared for shipping. Until the end of 2015, samples were analysed at ALS facility in Bamako, Mali. Since early 2016, samples are analysed at the 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 1,000 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, duplicates 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 43101 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 Average East North From To Grade* Width** Hole ID Prospect UTM UTM (m) (m) (g/t) (m) T16RC069 Eleonore 482552 2250713 141 144 2.03 3 T16RC071 Eleonore 482527 2250843 52 58 39.84 6 Including 52 54 112.00 2 T16RC072 Eleonore 482454 2250719 85 89 1.35 4 100 102 1.94 2 T16RC060 Sophie II 475617 2250824 62 65 1.51 3 T16RC062 Sophie I 475661 2252542 6 10 1.12 4 T16RC083 South 473490 2235575 32 34 5.47 2 (table continued) East North Hole ID Prospect UTM UTM Comments T16RC069 Eleonore 482552 2250713 Possible depth extension of vein in T16RC024 T16RC071 Eleonore 482527 2250843 Extends mineralization 100 m NNE of T16RC024 Including Visible gold T16RC072 Eleonore 482454 2250719 50 m between T16RC024 and T16RC070 T16RC060 Sophie II 475617 2250824 Mineralized meta gabbro - hole stopped short T16RC062 Sophie I 475661 2252542 Extends mineralization 100 m north T16RC083 South 473490 2235575 New quartz vein target 10 km south of Lily * Weighted average grade, composited based on a minimum grade of 0.3 g/t Au with an internal dilution of 0.005 g/t Au over 2 m and edge grade of 0.25 g/t Au permitted. All values presented are uncapped. ** 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 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 (reference Algold's press release dated October 10, 2013 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 press 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. Forward-looking 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.

For further information, please contact: Algold Resources Ltd., 1320, boul. Graham, bureau 132, Mont-Royal, Quebec, H3P 3C8, http://www.algold.com

Francois Auclair M.Sc., P Geo, President & Chief Executive Officer, f.auclair@algold.com, +1(514)889-5089; Yves Grou, CPA CAExecutive Vice Chairman, y.grou@algold.com, +1(514)237-7757
BERLIN, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Funding expedites the company's expansion of its Digital Experience (DX) testing, feedback and research solutions

Applause, the in-the-wild digital testing leader, announced it has raised $35 Million in a Series F financing round. The largest new investor in this financing round was Credit Suisse, and the round also included an investment by strategic partner, Accenture. The funding will increase the company's investment in its strategy as the go-to source for improving customers' digital experiences. This round brings Applause's total funding-to-date to more than $115 Million.

As the company formally launches its expanded Digital Experience solutions in the coming months, this funding enables Applause to:

Further expand its in-the-wild digital testing services . The company will invest heavily in its real-world testing services that enable omni-channel testing - from web to mobile to IoT to brick & mortar - on a global scale. The ability to test brands' entire customer experience from virtual to physical worlds is already a selling point for Applause with large enterprises.

. The company will invest heavily in its real-world testing services that enable omni-channel testing - from web to mobile to IoT to brick & mortar - on a global scale. The ability to test brands' entire customer experience from virtual to physical worlds is already a selling point for Applause with large enterprises. Invest in growing its digital usability feedback services . Applause will expand its usability and design feedback offerings - which are the company's second largest revenue-producers today - enabling brands to rapidly collect and analyze feedback from crowdsourced user panels that demographically match customer's end users.

. Applause will expand its usability and design feedback offerings - which are the company's second largest revenue-producers today - enabling brands to rapidly collect and analyze feedback from crowdsourced user panels that demographically match customer's end users. Formally launch its digital research services. In the past year, dozens of big brands have come to Applause seeking to conduct fast, effective, crowd-powered research to learn what their customers want - across the intersection of digital and physical experiences. And while Applause has successfully fulfilled those requests with its current capabilities, in order to scale to meet market demand anywhere around the globe, the company will invest heavily to expand technology development and extend access to multiple crowds and user panels.

"Digital experiences - from web to mobile to IoT to brick and mortar - are the epicenter of competition in many industries, including retail, restaurants, travel, banking, insurance and manufacturing. Late-stage funding from leaders like Credit Suisse and Accenture, enables us to double down on expanding our solutions," said Applause CEO, Doron Reuveni. "Applause is uniquely positioned as the de facto leader in Digital Experience testing, usability feedback and research."

The round had full participation from all of Applause's previous investors, including Goldman Sachs's Merchant Banking Division, QuestMark Partners, Scale Venture Partners, Longworth Venture Partners, Mesco Ltd and MassVentures. The company's most recent funding was a $43 Million Series E round in January, 2014.

Today's funding news comes as brands are recognizing how critical their digital experiences are to their commercial success. And as the experience economy matures, these digital experiences are now the front door to brands, to the companies behind them, and to their top-line results. The ability to research, test, and get user feedback about your digital experience from people who mirror your end user base - and to do it in a rapid, agile manner - is a major competitive advantage for Applause customers like Amazon, Ralph Lauren, HBO, USA Today, BMW and Concur.

"Our alliance with Applause and investment in the company is a powerful step forward in Accenture's liquid workforce agenda," said Paul Daugherty, chief technology officer, Accenture. "Combining our global testing capabilities with Applause's 'in-the-wild' crowdtesting platform will provide clients with a better digital testing solution for websites, mobile apps and IoT products. Together, we bring a unique ability to scale to meet the demands of enterprise clients around the world. That is what led us to forge this alliance relationship and invest in Applause through Accenture Ventures."

With global headquarters near Boston, MA, Applause launched in August of 2008. Company milestones include:

Growing its footprint to 300+ employees in Boston , New York , Chicago , San Francisco , Seattle , Los Angeles , Berlin , Paris and London

, , , , , , , and Testing more than 100,000 new builds for 3,000 companies of all sizes - including Google, Microsoft, News UK, Deutsche Telecom, HolidayCheck and dailymotion

Growing its global community of professional testers to more than 250,000

The acquisition of mobile SDK, Apphance in 2012

The acquisition of EU crowdtesting leader, Testhub in 2014

Dozens of awards, including wins from the Stevie Awards, Forbes, Gartner and Inc.

"Our steep growth with customers across all of Europe is clear validation for our crowdtesting approach to quality digital experiences," added Applause EU VP and GM Jan Wolter. "This funding further confirms that our ability to help companies launch great digital experiences in any country, across all operating systems, carriers, devices, currencies and other criteria is valued by companies of all sizes. The future of digital quality is happening right now at Applause."

About Applause

Applause empowers companies to deliver great digital experiences - from web and mobile to wearables, IoT and beyond. By combining in-the-wild testing services, test automation and a global community, Applause helps the world's most recognized brands achieve the digital quality they need across every device, operating system, carrier, location and other criteria that their customers value. Thousands of companies - including Google, FOX, Amazon, Concur and Runkeeper - rely on Applause to ensure great digital experiences for their users. Learn more at http://www.applause.com and follow @applause on Twitter.

Contact

Fabian Zeitler

+49-30-2576-205-275

applause@piabo.net

Nick Lorenzen

nlorenzen@applause.com

SOURCE Applause
PEORIA, Illinois, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT / Euronext: CATR) informs its stockholders that today, a Form 8-K has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") with respect to the creation of revolving credit facilities and the amendments to and extensions of existing credit agreements. The facilities provided under the credit agreements are available for general corporate purposes. The full Form 8-K includes description of the credit agreements and provisions therein. In addition, the documents noted above can be found on the SEC's website (www.sec.gov ) as exhibits to Caterpillar's Form 8-K.

Caterpillar files electronically with the SEC required reports on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q, Form 10-K and Form 11-K; proxy materials; ownership reports for insiders as required by Section 16(a) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and registration statements on Forms S-3 and S-8, as necessary; and other forms or reports, as required. All of the forms and reports filed electronically with the SEC are available on the SEC Internet site (www.sec.gov ).

Caterpillar also maintains an Internet site (www.Caterpillar.com) and copies of its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports filed or furnished with the SEC are available free of charge through Caterpillar's Internet site (www.Caterpillar.com/secfilings ) as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant document has been filed with the SEC.

CONTACT: Rachel Potts, Corporate Public Affairs, (309) 675-6892

This is a disclosure announcement from PR Newswire.

SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.
MONTREAL, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Easier and safer, the enhanced CIP offers multiple new benefits

Cypriot Cabinet approved today significant new changes to the already popular Citizenship by Investment program.

"We congratulate the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, and more particularly the Ministries of Interior and Finance, for their prudent work which took into consideration industry requirements and standards, the sensitivities, psychology and motives of the investors, the need for transparency and the need for ease of assessment of the applications.", commented Armand Arton, President of Arton Capital, a leading global financial advisory specialised in investor programs for residence and citizenship.

Under the new program, it is no longer needed to form groups of 5 or more investors, the upper threshold on the required investment for single applicants has been halved to 2.5 million, more safeguards for the investors are introduced, while main applicants can secure citizenships for dependent parents.

The redesigned program seeks to retain the exclusive nature of the Cypriot passport, currently ranked 12th by the Passport Index. The speed of processing remains one of its unique features, currently unmatched by other EU countries competing to attract foreign direct investments such as Malta, Portugal, Hungary or Bulgaria. Within 3 months, qualified investors can be granted Cypriot citizenship approval, which makes it the fastest CIP in Europe. The speed, simplicity and the inclusion of dependent parents are the driving indicators of Cyprus' updated ranking on the Arton Index, the industry benchmark of global citizen programs, where it scores 74 points, out of 100 and claims the pole position by a EU country.

Cyprus places an emphasis on the genuine ties with investors, ensuring that they maintain a permanent housing unit bought at a minimum of 500,000+VAT and held for the duration of their lifetime. The immediate needs of applicants are also addressed, as citizenship applicants are given a Residence Permit until they secure their passport.

"The new changes, Cyprus's unique geographic location, Mediterranean climate and sound economic recovery provide ideal investment opportunities for new citizens of Cyprus," added Arton.

Given that the economy of Cyprus is setting new records in recovery and is now an example of sound economic management, investors are expected to keep flocking to the island in increasing numbers. Values of property aimed at the local market have been stabilized, while the values of high-end, seaside properties geared toward the foreign market have been rising right through the crisis.

"The Government clearly aims toward further reduction in the unemployment rate, which has been deescalating sharply over the past months, and a reduction in non-performing loans, which are gradually becoming less of a problem.", Arton concluded.

With offices in Cyprus and around the world, Arton Capital have been quietly driving the industry innovation through its sough-after sovereign advisory practice, vast certified partner network and bespoke investor relations.

Mr. Akis Kyradjis, Vice President, Arton Capital Cyprus, T +357-97-61-85-95, akyradjis@artoncapital.com

SOURCE Arton Capital
Ubamarket App Locates Items In-store, Tracks Loyalty and Enables In-app Purchases

BETHESDA, Maryland, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sixty-six percent of UK shoppers become frustrated when shopping in supermarkets, with over a quarter of UK consumers highlighting grocery shopping as their least favourite shopping task. Today DMI, a global leader in end-to-end mobility solutions, announced it has developed an app in collaboration with Ubamarket to simplify and personalise the supermarket shopping experience.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130731/MM56613LOGO

Ubamarket app users can enhance their shopping experience by easily navigating in-store to the location of items based on their shopping list, scan items to keep tally of the total purchase and then check out by tapping a mobile payment station. The app is available for download on Apple devices.

Click to Tweet

No hassle: DMI developed the UX/UI that enables shoppers to simply enter a shopping list, which is then rearranged to reflect the order in which the items are stocked in the store.

DMI developed the UX/UI that enables shoppers to simply enter a shopping list, which is then rearranged to reflect the order in which the items are stocked in the store. No queues: The Ubamarket app can be integrated with most Point of Sale (POS) provider databases to enable shoppers to scan items as they shop and check out via mobile payment.

The Ubamarket app can be integrated with most Point of Sale (POS) provider databases to enable shoppers to scan items as they shop and check out via mobile payment. Personalised loyalty: Users' shopping lists and scanned items are automatically logged to enable retailers to adopt a targeted approach to loyalty programmes and offer personalised rewards and discounts.

Users' shopping lists and scanned items are automatically logged to enable retailers to adopt a targeted approach to loyalty programmes and offer personalised rewards and discounts. The future of shopping: Ubamarket's innovative technology, developed by DMI, enables the app to be compatible with most stores globally within three days of store installation.

Ubamarket is now available at Warner's Budgens in Moreton-in-Marsh but will roll out nationally in 2016. The app has been developed to launch across HTEC's extensive portfolio of UK stores, which includes Budgens, Morrisons, Nisa and Spar.

Will Broome, founder & CEO, Ubamarket Ltd., said:

"With the sheer scope, scale and ambitious nature of the Ubamarket project, it was essential to choose the best app development agency in the world, and DMI came highly recommended. DMI is not only the most forward-thinking and professional innovator in the market, but they have surpassed expectations on every aspect of the project  from the beautiful, world-class design and sensationally simple UX to the flawless technical logistics and their ongoing collaborative approach. This has resulted in a ground-breaking new tool that is complex behind the scenes yet simple and intuitive to use, giving Ubamarket every opportunity to lead the much-needed in-store retail revolution."

Magnus Jern, President of DMI's Mobile Application Solutions Division, said:

"It's not often that you get a chance to be part of disrupting an industry. We believe that Ubamarket will turn the supermarket segment upside down and give the smaller players a chance to compete with market leaders on equal terms. At DMI, our focus has always been on putting the customer first every step of the way, through user-centric design, building and testing, and it was great that Ubamarket embraced this from the get-go."

About DMI:

DMI, the world's first end-to-end mobility company, combines all the skills and services necessary to deliver mobile enterprise solutions. Built to reinvent business through mobility, DMI has expertise in mobile strategy, UX, web, and app development, omni-channel commerce, brand and marketing, big data management and analytics, and secure device and app management. The company's unique, integrated approach to mobility has resulted in dramatic growth as well as an expanding client base, which includes hundreds of Fortune 1000 commercial clients and all fifteen U.S. Federal Departments. Additional information is available at www.dminc.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

PR Contacts:

International

Laura Cahill

AxiCom

+ 2083924071

laura.cahill@axicom.com

US

Kim Dearborn

Nadel Phelan, Inc.

831-440-2407

kim@nadelphelan.com

Corporate

Alika Nagpaul

DMI

240-200-5852

anagpaul@dminc.com

Related Links

http://www.dminc.com



SOURCE DMI
DUBLIN, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Millionaire Mind Intensive (MMI) makes its Dublin debut on 21 - 23 October 2016, ready to fill the audience with energy and financial knowledge straight from the first minute.

MMI, one of the world's foremost wealth creation and financial system seminars is celebrating its 23rd anniversary, with Success Resources bringing all the excitement of this global event to Dublin, Ireland.

Since its debut in 1993, more than one million people from over 104 countries had the opportunity to change their lives using MMI strategies to create real-world results.

Who is behind this revolutionary program?

MMI is the brainchild of T. Harv Eker: businessman, motivational speaker and author of the bestselling books the Secrets of the Millionaire Mind and SpeedWealth.

Eker went from zero to millionaire in only two and half years with his 'street-smarts with heart' unique brand.

He helped over 1.5 million people move closer to their goal of true financial freedom. Apart from MMI, Eker also developed several highly-acclaimed courses such as Life Directions, Wizard Training and Train the Trainer.

Who will deliver the course to your financial progress?

Headlining this year's MMI events is the entrepreneur and lead trainer Doug Nelson. His story is a quintessential rags-to-riches journey, growing up in poverty which became the catalyst for creating his own wealth and freedom.

In 2003, Doug almost died from a catastrophic natural gas accident. After six weeks in a coma, he awoke to find his life completely changed.

However, with several passive income structures in place, the long year of rehabilitation seemed less stressful. This was a lesson Doug never forgot:

Becoming wealthy is not about big cars. It's about being ready to accept life on its terms. Chances are it's going to rain someday; having an ark already built is a good idea.

What will happen at the event?

For the first 2 days, attendees will go through a series of ground-breaking exercises and workshops that will change the way they see success and wealth.

The 3rd day is called the Financial Freedom Intensive. This last day is designed to give advice and examples of business and income vehicles that are suitable in today's economy.

To register your interest for the Millionaire Mind Intensive, or for more information on the Millionaire Mind Intensive, please visit:

http://www.millionairemindire.com/pr

Contact:

Nicky Chang Smith

International Marketing Director of Success Resources

+44-(0)7492-420-536



SOURCE Success Resources
Network Meta-Regression Analysis of Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation

BURLINGTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent research conducted by DRG Abacus in collaboration with leading academics at Leicester University highlights the benefit of extending decision problems to allow for the exploration of heterogeneity within network meta-analysis (NMA).

Network meta-analysis is becoming increasingly important for decision makers to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of interventions and is integral to health technology assessment (HTA). The exploration of covariate effects is important in NMA because the presence of unaccounted treatment covariate interactions can invalidate the assumptions which underlie NMA and bias results. In a recently published paper, DRG Abacus present a series of exploratory network-meta-regression analyses for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.

Key points from the research include:

The inclusion of covariates in NMA via meta-regression methods has implications for precision medicine, as it allows estimates of relative treatment effect beyond an overall mean, facilitating more tailor made patient decisions.

An approach was taken in this research to extend the evidence network to include additional comparators outside of the decision set comparators of the novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and adjusted dose warfarin (i.e. to include those which are not eligible to be considered the most efficacious in this indication such as aspirin) to allow the exploration of covariate effects via meta-regression methods.

The exploration of 'study followup' as a covariate supported the assumption that differences in trial durations is unimportant in this indication despite the variation across trials in the network.

It is believed that this research is the first to explore the impact of baseline risk on a clinically important efficacy outcome in atrial fibrillation

Comments from Decision Resources Group NMA specialist Sarah Batson:

"This study could be considered a 'case study' as the approach taken can be applied within any indication as to highlight the potential benefit of extending decision problems for the purpose of exploration of heterogeneity."

"Baseline risk can be used as a proxy or surrogate for multiple (and potentially unmeasured) treatment confounding effects when exploring heterogeneity but in our experience it is uncommon to see the exploration of baseline risk in NMA publications."

"There remains an unmet practical need to know how far to extend an evidence network in the search for indirect evidence particularly for the purpose of HTA."

Comments from Decision Resources Group SR consultant Stephen Mitchell:

"Advances in NMA such as those reported by Sarah and her colleagues at Leicester University are essential to ensure that findings from any analysis reflect the heterogeneous patient populations that would be routinely seen in clinical practice."

Follow DRG on Twitter @DRGInsights and on LinkedIn and keep up with the latest industry news on the DRG Blog.

About Decision Resources Group

DRG, a subsidiary of Piramal Enterprises Ltd., offers best-in-class, high-value data, analytics and insights products and services to the healthcare industry, delivered by more than 1000 employees across 17 offices in North America, Europe and Asia. DRG provides the Life Sciences, Provider, Payer and Financial Services industries the data, tools, insights and advice they need to compete and thrive in an increasingly complex and value-based marketplace. decisionresourcesgroup.com.

Media Contact:

Jessica Crawford

SHIFT Communications

dresources@shiftcomm.com

617-779-1893

Related Links

http://www.decisionresourcesgroup.com



SOURCE Decision Resources Group
BRUSSELS, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As the world's foremost global communications company JONCKERS helps customers translate millions of words every year into every marketplace. With a global network of offices and a 24x7 follow-the-sun model of delivery, the commitment to consistent application of processes backed by the worlds leading technology platform for translation, is paramount. JONCKERS re-certification to the ISO standard for translation process this week demonstrates the commitment to quality JONCKERS has been known for over almost 25 years.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160912/406441LOGO

"JONCKERS has always been a byword for quality," said Geoffroy Janssens, JONCKERS Chief Operating Officer, "and this is because at the highest levels of our organization we demand consistent application of process backed by advanced technology."

JONCKERS had been EN15038-certified since 2008 and this year, the recertification was extended to ISO 17100. ISO 17100 specifies requirements for all aspects of the translation process directly affecting the quality and delivery of translation services. It measures both conformity of process along with the capability of those processes to deliver in a way that meets clients' needs.

Gabriele Sauberer, LICS auditor and Director of TermNet, the International Network for Terminology, commented, "I am impressed by JONCKERS' very detailed documentation, strong processes and their careful implementation by all the staff, as well as the very good communication between the different JONCKERS offices."

About JONCKERS

JONCKERS is the world's foremost global communications company. Our award winning technology and service provides solutions for global adaptation across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Learn how JONCKERS can help you reach customers everywhere. Visit www.jonckers.com.

Contact:

David Ashton

512.517.4055

David.ashton@jonckers.com

Related Links

http://www.jonckers.com



SOURCE JONCKERS
"TPC Group and SI Group have a longstanding partnership that extends beyond 25 years," said Frank Bozich, SI Group President & CEO. "The addition of the Baytown facility further enhances our global capabilities by reinforcing our security of supply, and enabling SI Group to better serve our customers in downstream markets, such as Fuel, Lubricant, and Oilfield additives. We are committed to the successful integration of this business, as it's a vital component of our growth agenda."

"In 2016, TPC Group has made great strides in our earnings and cash improvement plan, or ECIP, targeted to deliver more than $100 million of year over year improvement," said Ed Dineen, TPC Group Chairman, President and CEO. "One key element of this plan was the sale of non-core assets of which the Baytown assets were the most leveraging components. While the Baytown assets and people have consistently delivered value to TPC Group, the proceeds of this transaction will allow us to strengthen and grow our core C4 processing, Performance Products and Fuels Octane businesses. On behalf of the entire senior leadership team, we want to extend our sincere appreciation for the commitment, dedication, focus and safe operations by the Baytown employees."

About SI Group

SI Group is a leading global developer and manufacturer of chemical intermediates, specialty resins, and solutions that are critical to the quality and performance of countless industrial and consumer goods. Founded in 1906 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, SI Group is a family-owned company with over 2,700 employees worldwide. SI Group operates 20 manufacturing facilities on five continents with $1.6 billion in annual sales. In 2016, SI Group received a silver award for corporate social responsibility by EcoVadis, and is ranked among the top 13 percent of more than 25,000 worldwide companies. SI Group is The Substance Inside. For more information, visit www.siigroup.com.

About TPC Group

TPC Group Inc. is a leading producer of value-added products derived from niche petrochemical raw materials such as C4 hydrocarbons. The Company sells its products into a wide range of performance, specialty and intermediate segments, including synthetic rubber, fuels, lubricant additives, plastics and surfactants. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, and with an operating history of more than 70 years, the Company has manufacturing facilities in the industrial corridor adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel, Port Neches and Baytown, Texas and operates a butadiene product terminal in Lake Charles, Louisiana. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.tpcgrp.com.

Contact:

Tara Morgan

Public Relations & Communications Manager

SI Group, Inc.

+ 1 518-347-4194

tara.morgan@siigroup.com

Related Links

http://www.siigroup.com



SOURCE SI Group, Inc.
HOLON, Israel, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Telematics Wireless to Offer Smart City Solutions to Local Authorities in the United Kingdom

Telematics Wireless (Telematics), a leader in smart city control applications, has been awarded onto the YPO Framework Agreement for Streetlighting Products and Services (Framework 711). This agreement will enable Telematics to provide smart lighting solutions to a wide customer base in the UK, including the local public sector and member authorities of YPO.

The Framework Agreement is an OJEU* compliant process for government authorities to procure products that cover the provisioning of Telematics' Street Lighting Control Management Systems (CMS) from June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2020. It covers a wide range of terrains including commercial, urban, and rural environments. The Telematics solution will enable YPO's customers to manage and control all streetlights on an individual or group basis by providing a reliable and secure two-way radio based communications platform between the lighting nodes and data control units. This facilitates the central control of lighting levels to suit various communities' lighting requirements and fiscal needs of energy usage across the network. Once implemented, the wireless CMS communications platform enables the integration of machine-to-machine sensors, thus expanding the Smart City network.

"Telematics is committed to working with YPO to provide our field-proven smart lighting solutions to their customers. Our core values of enhancing energy efficiency and driving cost savings are well aligned with YPO's objective. We welcome the opportunity to work with the local authorities in the UK to bring in our smart city lighting technology to benefit the local communities," said Eddy Kafry, CEO of Telematics Wireless.

* OJEU - Official Journal of the European Union which publishes all tenders from the public sector valued above certain financial thresholds according to the European Union (EU) legislation.

About Telematics Wireless

Telematics Wireless is a recognised global leader in the delivery of outdoor lighting control systems, as well as robust, reliable and advanced energy and water resource management systems based on RF wireless networks. With almost 20 years of experience in Machine-to-Machine technologies, our solutions support a wide spectrum of smart city applications, increasing their efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. The company has deployed tens of thousands of Light Control Units worldwide in dozens of cities. Telematics Wireless has also deployed over 14 million cutting-edge wireless devices and water systems for Automatic Meter Readings, Advanced Metering Infrastructure, energy resource management, smart grid, location-based services, asset tracking, and electronic toll collection.

About YPO

YPO is 100% publicly owned and it is the largest not-for-profit organisation in the UK. The profits they made are returned to its public sector owners and associate members, delivering better value for money for them. Its customer base comprises the local authorities, schools, health and social services, emergency services and many more. The organisation was established for over four decades by the local government authorities to improve procurement services by combining the needs and resources of a wide area to conclude "bulk" agreements between service providers and its customers to promote more economical purchasing packages.

Contact details:

Leora Borgenicht - Telematics Wireless

leora.borgenicht@tlmw.com

+972(0)3-557-5700

http://www.telematics-wireless.com



SOURCE Telematics Wireless (Telematics)
Newest addition to the leadership team brings extensive SaaS experience

BOSTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Transparency-One, the source to store supply chain transparency platform, today announced the appointment of Frederic Daniel as Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160909/406450

Frederic Daniel

The new appointment comes at a key moment in Transparency-One's history, following both the company's spin off from Trace One and an investment by SGS, the world's leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company, earlier this year.

Frederic joins Transparency-One with more than 20 years experience in the software industry. He began his career at Deloitte & Touche. Most recently he was VP Software Engineering at Kyriba, where he transformed the company's software development practices and technologies. Before that he held executive engineering positions at SAP and BusinessObjects.

Frederic is responsible for leading the company's development efforts and scaling infrastructure. "I am excited to join Transparency-One at such a pivotal moment in the industry," said Frederic. "Today, supply chain transparency is a requirement for business success. The Transparency-One platform offers the functionality, agility, architecture, and ease of use necessary for helping brands meet this need. Our technology is uniquely positioned to support this industry-wise transformation."

"Frederic's wealth of SaaS expertise and software industry experience make him the ideal leader to drive our platform's growth," said Chris Morrison, Chief Executive Officer. "His appointment demonstrates our commitment to building a platform to help transform the consumer products supply chain."

About Transparency-One

Transparency-One enables companies to discover, analyze, and monitor all suppliers, components, and facilities in the entire supply chain. Transparency-One combines cutting edge graph database technology, supply chain expertise, and global supplier onboarding services to help all supply chain stakeholders reduce business risk. The company is based in Boston, Massachusetts with offices in Paris, France.

www.transparency-one.com

Contact:

KellyAnn Tsai

+1 617-804-0430

kellyann.tsai@transparency-one.com

Related Links

http://www.transparency-one.com



SOURCE Transparency-One
Glasgow & Cork Listed in Top 3 for British Isles & Western Europe

- World's largest cruise review site announces the highest ranked destinations of the year, based on passenger feedback -

LONDON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise Critic, the world's leading cruise review site and online cruise community, has announced the winners of the inaugural Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Destination Awards. The awards name the best cruise destinations of the year  across 15 regions around the world  based entirely on reviews posted to the Cruise Critic website.

"A cruise isn't just about the ship  picking the right itinerary is imperative," explains Adam Coulter, UK editor, Cruise Critic. "Cruises enable travellers to explore a number of amazing destinations, offering culture, beauty and history. With such a variety of unique destinations to choose from, these awards aim to highlight, and celebrate, those rated highly by travellers to offer inspiration and guidance to cruise planners."

Popular ports include the Caribbean's St. Maarten, which receives visits from lines including P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, and Alaska's Glacier Bay which is visited by a number of cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line.

Ireland and Scotland make the cut

For the British Isles and Western Europe awards, Amsterdam, which sees calls from the likes of Regent Seven Seas and Azamara Club Cruises was rated top, while Cork's Cobh and Glasgow's Greenock ranked second and third respectively.

Brits love the Baltics

UK travellers rated Baltic destinations in their top three, with Stockholm first, followed by Tallinn and Copenhagen.

First Place Cruise Destinations:

Top-Rated British Isles and Western Europe Port: Amsterdam

Top-Rated Alaska Port: Glacier Bay

Top-Rated Asia & South Pacific Port: Mystery Island

Top-Rated Australia & New Zealand Port: Sydney

Top-Rated Private Islands Port: Castaway Cay

Top-Rated Baltic & Scandinavia Port: St. Petersburg

Top-Rated Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Port: St. Maarten

Top-Rated Southern Caribbean Port: Bonaire

Top-Rated Western Caribbean & Riviera Maya Port: Cozumel

Top-Rated Eastern Mediterranean Port: Venice

Top Rated European River Port: Paris

Top Rated Western Mediterranean Port: Barcelona

Top-Rated Hawaii Port: Kauai

Top-Rated Mexican Riviera & South America Port: Puerto Vallarta

Top-Rated US & Canada Port: San Francisco

For the full list of winners, visit the 2016 Cruise Critic Cruisers Destination Awards.

For photos of the winning destinations, please click here.

About Cruise Critic (www.cruisecritic.co.uk)

Cruise Critic is an online cruise guide, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travellers, from first-time cruisers to avid cruise enthusiasts. The site features more than 160,000 cruise reviews and hosts the world's largest online cruise community where travellers share experiences and opinions with fellow cruisers. Cruise Critic was the first consumer cruise site on the Internet, launched in October 1995 by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc.

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP), through its subsidiaries, manages and operates websites under 24 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl, www.besttables.com and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, www.viator.com, and www.virtualtourist.com. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 350 million average monthly unique visitors*, and reached 385 million reviews and opinions covering 6.6 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions

*Source: TripAdvisor log files, Q2 2016

UK Media Contact:

Vikki Bulbeck, Cruise Critic

vbulbeck@cruisecritic.co.uk

020 3194 2137

Related Links

http://www.cruisecritic.com



SOURCE Cruise Critic
"After the success of our New York program we, and our sponsors, are committed to giving young inventors from all over the country a chance to compete, visit CES and win important scholarship dollars. Recognizing ingenuity and rewarding it at an early age can be a life-changing moment for these students," said Robin Raskin, founder and president of Living in Digital Times. "And what better place to receive accolades than from the center of technology innovation that CES is known for."

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, Lenovo, Kay Family Foundation, Asurion, Dell and Girl Scouts of America, Living in Digital Times will honor ten students, two in each of the following five categories:

Appreneur Scholars: Original mobile apps built for phones, VR or other mobile devices used for education, productivity, entertainment, health or other applications.

Original mobile apps built for phones, VR or other mobile devices used for education, productivity, entertainment, health or other applications. STEM/STEAM: Projects that make advances in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, or math.

Projects that make advances in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, or math. Maker-Related: Inventions or products that combine existing technologies and tools in innovative new ways. These projects should exhibit high-level creative thinking as well as technological skill.

Inventions or products that combine existing technologies and tools in innovative new ways. These projects should exhibit high-level creative thinking as well as technological skill. Robotics: Projects that utilize mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a combination of these to create intelligent machines that interact with humans and their surroundings.

Projects that utilize mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a combination of these to create intelligent machines that interact with humans and their surroundings. Socially Sustainable: Altruistic and activist projects designed to tackle social, political, health, or environmental issues and improve the lives of individuals or communities.

The awards ceremony will take place at CES 2017 at the Las Vegas Convention and World Trade Center (LVCC), North Hall, N257 on Saturday, January 7, at 1:30 PM. Each winner will receive their award on stage at the live event. The ceremony will be part of a packed house at Mobile Apps Showdown, emceed by David Pogue, founder of Yahoo! Tech. In addition to the honor and invaluable exposure, each winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship and a high-tech prize package.

Applications will be accepted from now until December 1, 2016. Winners will be announced December 15. To apply and for additional information on rules and the judging process, go here.

"We have been partners with Living in Digital Times on the original Appreneurs Scholars program since its beginning in 2014," said Elim Kay, President of Kay Family Foundation. "The expanded 10 Under 20 program is a significant platform to recognize young innovators across multiple fields relevant to the present and future."

About Living in Digital Times

Founded by veteran technology journalist Robin Raskin, Living in Digital Times brings together the most knowledgeable leaders and the latest innovations impacting both technology and lifestyle. It helps companies identify and act on emerging trends, create compelling company narratives, and do better business through strong network connections. In addition to the 10 Under 20: Young Innovators to Watch competition, Living in Digital Times produces technology conferences, exhibits and events at CES and other locations throughout the year by lifestyle verticals. Core brands include Digital Health Summit, Fitness Tech, Baby Tech, [email protected], Family Tech Summit, TransformingEDU, MommyTech TV, Beauty Tech, Wearables and FashionWare runway show, Mobile Apps Showdown, Last Gadget Standing, Robots on the Runway and the KAPi Awards. For more information, visit www.LivinginDigitalTimes.com and keep up with our latest news on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About CES:

CES is the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 yearsthe global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. As the largest hands-on event of its kind, CES features all aspects of the industry. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM, the technology trade association representing the $287 billion U.S. consumer technology industry, it attracts the world's business leaders and pioneering thinkers. Check out CES video highlights. Follow CES online at CES.tech and on social.

Media Contact:

Karen Pineman

LKPR, Inc. for Living in Digital Times

[email protected]

917-453-6887 (mobile)

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407587

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407598LOGO

SOURCE Living in Digital Times

Related Links

http://www.livingindigitaltimes.com


PUNE, India, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

MarketReportsOnline.com adds Global Animal Health Market: Industry Analysis & Outlook (2016-2020) research of 54 pages providing 4 company profiles as well as offering 6 Tables and 43 Charts to the healthcare industry segment of its online data and intelligence library.

Animal health involves the intersection of two large and growing industry sectors: pet care and livestock production. As livestock production and the rate of pet ownership both continue to increase because with rising demand and increased standard of living, animal health medicines and vaccines will also be needed in greater volumes. Complete animal health market report for 2016 - 2020 is available at http://www.marketreportsonline.com/500423.html.

The animal health market includes all products and services, other than livestock feed and pet food that promotes livestock productivity and health and companion animal health. These products and services include medicines and vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, pet supplies, nutritional supplements, veterinary and other related services.

Rising demand from producers and farmers for more effective therapeutics as well as broader consolidation of livestock operations in certain markets will likely be key drivers.

Company coverage of Animal Health Market: Sanofi, Merck and Co., Eli Lilly and Company and Zoetis Inc. As per the report "Global Animal Health Market Analysis", demand for animal health market will be driven by increasing demand for commercial and companion animals, rising ageing population and accelerating economic growth. Some of the noteworthy trends and developments of this industry are human drugs for animal use, growing demand of pet insurance and preventive therapies. However, the expansion of animal health market is hindered by increasing pressure to reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock and high cost of product development.

The report presents an in-depth analysis of the animal health market on a global scale discussing its major segments: companion animals and food producing animals. The global market along with markets of the US, Europe, UK and India are being discussed in the animal health market report. A thorough analysis has been conducted on key market players covering their business overview, product portfolio, financial overview and business strategies.

The major trends, growth drivers as well as issues being faced by the industry are being presented in this animal health industry report. The market comprises few large players such as Sanofi, Merck, Elli Lilly and Zoetis. All these companies have been profiled in the present global animal health market report highlighting their key financials and business strategies for growth.

Purchase a copy of "Global Animal Health Market: Industry Analysis & Outlook (2016-2020)" research report at http://www.marketreportsonline.com/contacts/purchase.php?name=500423.

Key Topics Covered in Global Animal Health Market 2016 Edition Report:

1. Animal Health Market - An Introduction

2. Animal Health Products

3. Animal Health Market Analysis

4. Food Production Animal

5. Companion Animal

6. Regional Market Analysis

7. Market Dynamics

8. Competitive Landscape

9. Company Profiles

Other Related Report on Animal Health Market:

2016 Future Horizons and Growth Strategies in the Global Animal Health Market: Strategic Assessments of Leading Suppliers (DataPack): " The DataPacks will be delivered 10-15 working days after the order is placed." List of Tables provided in this animal health market datapack report cover:

Table 1: World Animal Health Market Estimated Sales By Market Segment

Table 2: World Animal Health Market Sales Forecast By Market Segment

Table 3: World Animal Health Market Estimated Sales By Geographic Region

Table 4: World Animal Health Market Sales Forecast By Geographic Region

Table 5: World Animal Health Market Estimated Sales By Animal Species

Table 6: World Animal Health Market Sales Forecast by Species

Buy this datapack report at http://www.marketreportsonline.com/445727.html .

Explore more healthcare market research as well as other newly published reports by Koncept Analytics at http://www.marketreportsonline.com/publisher/koncept-analytics-market-research.html.

About Us:

Market Reports Online comprises of an online library of 250,000 reports and in-depth market research studies of over 5000+ micro markets. We provide 24/7 online and offline support to our customers. Get in touch with us for your needs of market research reports.

Contact Us:

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UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ

Magarpatta city, Hadapsar

Pune, Maharashtra 411013, India

Tel: + 1 888 391 5441

E-mail: [email protected]



SOURCE Market Reports Online
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eight diverse social media influencers  unique in geographic locations, interests, and backgrounds  have won an unforgettable national park adventure during the National Park Service Centennial year, thanks to the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks. The winners will travel together to Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, and Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park.

You can be part of the fun at www.nationalparks.org/fypx and by following #FYPx on social media.

Engaging people from all walks of life and inspiring them to discover all that a park can be through a variety of park experiences, the National Park Foundation's 2016 Find Your Park Expedition highlights the essence of the Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque movement.

"From walking in the footsteps of the Buffalo soldiers, to watching the sunset over the ocean, to imagining life aboard a historic ship, to warm welcomes from National Park Service rangers, our Find Your Park Expedition participants will be sharing all of their experiences online so that people everywhere can virtually tag along," said Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation. "As we continue celebrating the National Park Service Centennial this year and enter into the second century of the National Park Service, we're grateful to our partners for supporting an incredible opportunity for people to discover how our national parks truly have something for everyone."

Thanks to support from Find Your Park premier partners REI and Subaru, and through partnerships with Aramark, Columbia Sportswear and Historic Hotels of America, expenses including transportation and lodging will be covered and outdoor gear will be provided.

You can read quotes from National Park Foundation partners and find out why they're excited about this year's expedition on the National Park Foundation's blog today.

The National Park Foundation's 2016 Find Your Park Expedition participants are:

Edgar Woo of Miami, FL

A freelance photographer, radio show host, and the creative director for @MIAexplore, Edgar inspires people in Miami and worldwide to explore the depths of their creativity by bridging connections between photography and music.

Erin McGrady of Asheville, NC

From exploring Mayan ruins in Belize, to working as a divemaster in the Bahamas, to teaching middle schoolers in Baltimore, Maryland, Erin thrives on new experiences and sharing them through photographs and storytelling. She's captivated by the power of photography to educate and inspire. This past June she followed her heart to Asheville and says most days you can find her on the trails with her girlfriend and their two dogs.

Faith E. Briggs of Brooklyn, NY

A Yale alumna and documentary filmmaker, Faith's passion is sharing stories from communities of color and creating spaces for conversation. Well-known in the urban running community in New York City, she is a proud member of Black Roses NYC and a co-founder of Movement: Black August. The movement highlights lesser-known African American historical sites and inspires people to deeply connect with the rich history of the Diaspora.

Jacob Fu of Portland, OR

Co-founder of the popular travel blog, Local Adventurer, Jacob believes that adventure is not only found in far, exotic places, but also in your own backyard. He shares his experiences online in hopes that it'll motivate more people to explore locally. While he was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, he's moved to a new city every year since 2013. And, he has all 413 national parks on his bucket list.

Juan Flores of Indianapolis, IN

A photographer with a background in visual communication design, Juan can be found wandering around the Midwest and documenting his experiences for all to follow. He loves to learn and believes you can never stop learning. He is also a moderator for @igersindy, a community of Hoosier creatives.

Mario Villanueva of Austin, TX

A visual artist, photographer, and social entrepreneur, Mario's mantra is every moment counts. Originally from Mexico, he moved to the United States when he was three years old and was the first in his family to graduate from college. Currently working for Austin Parks and Recreation as an art counselor, he also recently launched UNICO, an online LGBTQ journal that dives into the lives of people making a difference in the community.

Victoria Gonzalez of Hackensack, NJ

A Columbian-American writer and active advocate for women travelers as part of Travel Latina, Victoria has coined the term "histourism" to describe her passion for blending her love of history and seeing the world. Currently pursuing a career in cultural heritage, she hopes to enhance how people experience museums and landmarks. She can also be found playing roller derby, using the name "Tacocat."

Victoria Ramos of San Marcos, TX

Born and raised in a border-town in south Texas, Victoria is a passionate photography student who now resides in central Texas. Part of @igsanmarcos, a local central Texas Instagram community of creatives, she loves taking portraits and has recently developed an interest in landscape photography as well.

In its fourth year, the expedition will raise awareness about all that the National Park System has to offer, including careers with the National Park Service. In addition, the experience will redefine the word "park." Beyond vast landscapes, the expedition will bring attention to historical, urban, and cultural parks, as well as National Park Service programs that protect, preserve and share America's collective heritage in communities nationwide.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and INSPIRE the next generation of park stewards. In 2016, commemorating the National Park Service's 100th anniversary, the Foundation launched The Centennial Campaign for America's National Parks, a $350 million comprehensive fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of these national treasures for the next hundred years. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Alanna Sobel

202-796-2538

[email protected]

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SOURCE National Park Foundation

Related Links

http://www.nationalparks.org


A group of artists headlined by world famous musical acts will bring the heat to satisfy the most demanding salseros, bachateros, merengueros and reggaetoneros. They will be backed by hundreds of local artists, including dancers from the local Puerto Rican, Cuban and Dominican communities. The best of tropical music all day long.

The PRC Festival will feature a special Puerto Rican Folkloric music act and a Cuban Comparsa by members of the Houston community. Festival goers will walk among shops of authentic food, arts, souvenirs and fine crafts. This year, surprise events and attractions will make for the most dynamic PRC Festival yet.

After 10 years of continued support, PRC Festival wants to give back to the community. Proceeds from sales will be donated to Spirit Wellness for Women and the initiative Comunidad will bring information to our community about personal and professional growth opportunities across the Texas region.

PRC Festival Presenting Sponsors include; Bud Light, Fiesta Marts and Telemundo Houston. Goya Foods, Cidrines, Gillman Honda are also sponsors.

For more information visit: prcfestival.com and for tickets: PRC Festival Tickets

About PRC Festival: PRC (Puerto Rican & Cuban) Festival is a one-day cultural event that includes music, dancing, food, Spanish Caribbean tradition and education. The annual PRC Festival attracts more than 25,000 fans in Downtown Houston during the fall. With top salsa, merengue, plena and bachata acts, PRC Festival entertains Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, and Houstonians who love Caribbean music, regardless of their countries of origin. For more information, please visit prcfestival.com, #PRCFestHTX and PRC Fest Facebook Page.

Festival logistics and media: Javier Ferrer, 713-446-1027 [email protected]

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryfOPgQs-64

SOURCE Ferrer Productions

Related Links

http://www.prcfestival.com


HORSHAM, Pa., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AAMCO Transmissions, Inc. ("AAMCO"), franchisor of the world's largest branded chain of transmission specialists and an industry leader in total car care services, is proud to announce local Prescott Valley, Arizona franchisee, Gary Denton, has been honored with the Gold Award in the Newcomer category of the second annual Franchising Gives Back Awards. The awards program recognizes the best, most innovative community leaders and charitable programs nationwide.

The International Franchise Association (IFA) Educational Foundation, which launched the Franchising Gives Back Awards program last year, recognized Gary Denton with the Newcomer award at a special awards dinner on Sept. 12 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. The category highlights a new charitable or community support program launched within the last year that has made a significant impact on a local community. Denton was nominated for his Wheels of Freedom Project, a not-for-profit entity dedicated to providing repaired electric wheelchairs to disabled veterans in the Prescott Valley area. Since launching the initiative at the beginning of the year, Denton has refurbished a total of 10 wheelchairs to date.

"I am incredibly humbled and honored to be recognized by the IFA as the Gold Newcomer Award winner of Franchising Gives Back," said Gary Denton, AAMCO franchisee. "The Wheels of Freedom project's mission is to create awareness of the needs of veterans with physical disabilities and to promote the joy of giving. With the support of AAMCO's corporate team, I am thankful for the opportunity to give back to my local community and veterans who have given their lives to protect our country. These individuals continue to inspire us and I am excited to see how the project evolves over the coming years."

The Wheels of Freedom Project provides recipients with hope, mobility and independence. Denton's long-term goal is to improve the quality of life for veterans and spouses who have sacrificed their lives for the betterment of the nation.

"We are very proud of Gary Denton and the positive impact he is making on his community through the Wheels of Freedom Project," said Rob Rajkowski, COO at AAMCO Transmission, Inc. "He continues to serve as an example of leadership excellence and we look forward to supporting him in his future endeavors."

The Wheels of Freedom Project is currently raising money to apply to be recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charity with the Internal Revenue Service and State of Arizona. To learn more or donate to the Wheels of Freedom Project, visit www.WheelsofFreedomProject.org.

For more than 50 years, AAMCO's network of locally-owned and independently-operated automotive service centers have employed the latest technology. Expert technicians diagnose a repair, fix it right the first time and back it with a nationwide warranty. Known as the world's leading transmission expert, the company has evolved into a total car care brand that provides a variety of services, including brake repair, tune-ups, shocks and struts, routine maintenance and more. AAMCO was recently named to Entrepreneur's 2016 Franchise 500, ranking at the top of the transmission repair category. Based on network size, growth rate and financial strength, the brand also earned a spot on Entrepreneur's "Best of the Best" list.

About AAMCO

AAMCO is the world's largest branded chain of transmission specialists and a leader in total car care services. AAMCO has nearly 700 franchised automotive centers throughout the United States and Canada. Established in 1962, AAMCO-branded centers are proud to have served more than 45 million drivers. For more information, visit: aamcouniversity.com, aamco.com or aamcoblog.com.



Contact:

Tiffany Trilli

Fish Consulting

954-893-950

[email protected]

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SOURCE AAMCO Transmissions, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.aamco.com


WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Aluminum Extruders Council, an international association dedicated to advancing the effective use of aluminum extrusion in North America, announced today that it was joining in partnership with Century Aluminum, Brazeway, and the United Steelworkers Union to continue the China Trade Task Force's (CTTF) call for action to remedy the problems caused by China's excess capacity.

"As an off-take for its excess primary aluminum supply, China's exports of semi-finished products have increased significantly harming producers up and down the value chain," said AEC President Jeff Henderson. "The AEC is committed to helping the CTTF address these issues."

Over the last nine months, U.S. primary aluminum capacity has plummeted by more than 60 percent  with more than 3,000 Americans losing their jobs as a result. Unfortunately for the aluminum industry, this trend will likely continue if China's excess capacity is not addressed.

"We can't wait around any longer," said CTTF Executive Director Mark Duffy. "China's illegal trade practices are crippling the U.S. aluminum market. The addition of AEC to our coalition sends a strong message that it is time for serious action, because American workers and their families don't have time to waste."

ABOUT US: China Trade Task Force is committed to supporting and saving tens of thousands of American jobs. The U.S. Aluminum market directly creates over 10,600 American jobs, indirectly supports tens of thousands more jobs and contributes over $6 billion in U.S. economic output each year. China is job hacking American workers and providing illegal subsidies to Chinese state owned aluminum producers. For more information, please visit us online at www.chinatradetaskforce.com

SOURCE China Trade Task Force

Related Links

http://www.chinatradetaskforce.com


SAN DIEGO, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, the Law Office of Renkin & Associates has selected a scholarship winner deeply impacted by blood cancer, a disease that attacks the blood, bone marrow or lymphatic system. This year, the honor goes to Christina Carone. Her brother, a blood cancer survivor, has inspired her to pursue a career in Family Law.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407008

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Richard Renkin

"As an attorney, I will advocate for children undergoing chemotherapy treatment, and for children who survived cancer," she stated. "I am very appreciative for this scholarship, thank you!"

In 2003, Carone's little brother, Rafaello, was diagnosed with leukemia, a type of cancer that generally starts in the bone marrow and results in an abnormal production of white blood cells. This year, more than 24,000 people are expected to die from the disease.

"I was only a child myself as I witnessed the effect that cancer had on his little body," stated Carone. "The emotional and financial burden my parents endured eventually led to their marital separation."

Approximately every three minutes, one person in the United States is diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. In 2013, Richard Renkin, who created the scholarship and practices Family Law in California, became one of the statistics when he was diagnosed with lymphoma.

"The diagnosis is devastating," he said, "I know that first hand. But it simply isn't true that cancer has to be an end point. And we need to be reminded by hearing from those who've continued on."

Fortunately today, Renkin is now cancer-free due largely to treatments he received that only became available after research and funding from charitable institutions focused on curing blood cancers. Thanks to advances in the medical field, the five-year relative survival rate for people with lymphoma has more than doubled over the last 50 years.

To increase awareness about blood cancers in an effort to find new treatments and cures, Renkin launched the Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Scholarship in 2014. As part of the scholarship application process, candidates are asked to submit a short essay describing how leukemia, lymphoma, or other cancers of blood-forming cells have shaped their life. According to Carone, her brother's battle with cancer has made her a stronger person.

"I have become an independent, resilient and determined individual with a drive for constant self-improvement," stated Carone. "I have learned that maintaining a positive, optimistic attitude, while working through life's obstacles, helps one to achieve their ambitions."

Carone will graduate from Touro Law Center in May 2018 with plans to serve as a voice and advocate for cancer victims involved in the judicial system. Previously, Carone actively served in student government as well as take part in multiple charities like the American Cancer Society and Make-A-Wish Foundation while attending the University of Florida to pursue a degree in psychology. She is the founder of "Coloring 4 Cancer," a charity dedicated providing a positive and entertaining activity for pediatric patients.

"I recruit artists and develop inspiration designs that offer hope and optimism to children affected by cancer," stated Carone. "Aside from that, I'm also a board member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I enjoy organizing fundraisers that raise money for cancer research."

In order to qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be entering or attending an accredited law school in the fall of 2016, with a current GPA of at least 3.0. They must also be over 18 and a U.S. citizen. There is no restriction on location, and students anywhere in the nation are encouraged to apply. Additional details and a submission form can be found on the firm's website.

As one of the many service and charitable organizations Renkin supports, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society remains among the top. With the month of September dedicated as "Blood Cancer Awareness Month," Renkin vows to continue supporting the organization in hopes that one day a cure for blood cancer is found.

About The Law Office of Renkin & Associates: The Law Office of Renkin & Associates is dedicated to protecting the substantial assets and the parental rights of each of their clients. Whether you're at the early stages of a divorce or already are involved in a contentious custody battle, their San Diego family law attorneys can assist you. To learn more, click here.

Media Contact:

Paula Renkin

(619) 299-7100

Email

SOURCE Law Office of Renkin & Associates

Related Links

http://www.renkinlaw.com


BOTHELL, Wash., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Leviton announced today that its Atlas-X1 structured cabling system was recognized by the judges of the annual Cabling Installation & Maintenance Innovators Awards program. Leviton was honored with a Gold-level award.

Alan Bergstein, publisher of Cabling Installation & Maintenance (www.cablinginstall.com) said, "This prestigious program allows Cabling Installation & Maintenance to celebrate and recognize the most innovative products and services in the structured cabling industry." The judging panel consisted of cabling and communications system specifiers, designers, integrators and managers with vast professional experience.

The winning Atlas-X1 category-rated system is easily scalable for migrations up to 40GBASE-T. It supports simple tool-free termination, and uses the same termination method from Cat 5e to Cat 8. Atlas-X1 systems have been tested and approved for plenum-rated in-ceiling applications, and the Cat 6A system can deliver up to 100-watt Power over Ethernet (PoE).

"We are honored to receive this Gold-level award for innovation," said Frank Kim, vice president of engineering at Leviton Network Solutions. "The design team worked hard to develop a feature-rich connector that incorporates all of the important design functions necessary for mission-critical networks. With Atlas-X1, customers benefit from tested and proven performance, tool-free termination, color shielded faces and icons, optional integrated shutters and greater heat dissipation in high-wattage PoE applications, as well as Leviton patented Retention Force Technology to prevent tine damage, save on costly repairs and increase overall system longevity."

Many Leviton customers have confirmed that the Atlas-X1 is the most user-friendly, category-rated connector on the market. Bruce Ventura, owner of Innovative High Technology, Inc. says, "The Atlas-X1 provides dead-on quality and it is easy to install, saving us valuable time on site. My team loves them."

The Innovators Awards are judged based on innovation, value to the user, sustainability, meeting a defined need, collaboration and impact. The 2016 Cabling Installation & Maintenance Innovators Awards Honorees are featured in the October Issue of Cabling Installation & Maintenance magazine as well as on www.cablinginstall.com.

To learn more about the Leviton Atlas-X1 premium copper system, visit leviton.com/atlasx1.

About Cabling Installation & Maintenance

Published since 1993, Cabling Installation & Maintenance has provided practical information to professionals responsible for the specification, design, installation and management of structured cabling systems in enterprises, data centers and campuses. Cabling Installation & Maintenance's magazine, website (cablingInstall.com), email newsletters and webcasts help cabling professionals improve day-to-day operations and enable strategic planning for their networks' optimum long-term performance.

About the Cabling Installation & Maintenance 2016 Innovators Awards program

The Cabling Installation & Maintenance 2016 Innovators Awards program reviews and recognizes the most-innovative applications of cabling and communications technology products and systems within the structured cabling industry. Platinum, Gold and Silver Honorees were announced at BICSI's 2016 Fall Conference in San Antonio on Monday, September 12, 2016. Criteria used in the Innovators Awards ranking included: innovation, value, sustainability, collaboration, and impact.

About Leviton Network Solutions

Leviton Network Solutions delivers complete network infrastructure systems for enterprise, data center, government, education, health care and residential markets around the globe. Solutions include copper and fiber optic connectivity, power distribution units, and much more. All Leviton products are engineered to exacting standards, offer industry-leading performance and are backed by the industry's best service and support. Builders, contractors and other industry professionals consistently rank Leviton products as the most preferred brand in the industry. Make the smart choice for a better network. Learn more at leviton.com/ns or twitter.com/LevitonNS.

About Leviton

Leviton is the smart choice, providing the most comprehensive range of solutions to meet the needs of today's residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Leveraging more than a century of experience, Leviton helps customers create sustainable, intelligent environments through its electrical wiring devices, network and data center connectivity solutions, and lighting energy management systems. From switches and receptacles, to daylight harvesting controls, networking systems, and equipment for charging electric vehicles, Leviton solutions help customers achieve savings in energy, time and cost, all while enhancing safety. For more information, visit www.leviton.com, http://www.facebook.com/leviton, http://twitter.com/leviton or http://www.youtube.com/Levitonmfg.

SOURCE Leviton

Related Links

http://www.leviton.com


DALLAS, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* (NYSE: T) is giving $1 million to the National Museum for African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The contribution qualifies AT&T as a Founding Donor.

The museum opens to the public on Sept. 24, on the National Mall. It will tell the full story of African Americans through 11 galleries. Visitors will learn about the rich history, community and culture.

"It's important to understand the challenges and contributions of a culture because it helps us to understand who we are as a country," said David Huntley, senior executive vice president and chief compliance officer. "Supporting the preservation and recognition of this history and rich culture is also important to AT&T."

AT&T history is also African American history.

Alexander Graham Bell hired African American inventor Lewis Latimer in the 1800s. He developed the drawings necessary for the first telephone's patent.

AT&T has set out to become the world's premiere integrated communications company. And diversity continues to be a vital part of our success:

We share a commitment to student success in school and beyond. AT&T Aspire, our signature philanthropic initiative that focuses on education, as well as our involvement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country help to see this commitment through.

We contributed or directed more than $177 million to organizations and projects that strengthen the African American community through corporate, employee, social investment and AT&T Foundation giving programs over the past 5 years.

to organizations and projects that strengthen the African American community through corporate, employee, social investment and AT&T Foundation giving programs over the past 5 years. Our diverse programming lineup competes well with that of major pay TV providers in the U.S. It includes more than a dozen African American owned-and-targeted networks.

AT&T spends billions with African American suppliers and ranked No. 1 in DiversityInc's 2015 "Top Companies for Supplier Diversity."

African Americans make up nearly 20% of the AT&T workforce, 13% of management and 15% of the board of directors.

"The opening of this incredible museum marks a key moment in time for our country," said Huntley. "It's something we can all be proud of."

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T

AT&T is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T's signature philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring. Through Aspire, we've passed the $250 million mark on our plan to invest $350 million in education from 2008-2017.

Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at http://about.att.com. Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.

 2016 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.

Related Links

http://www.att.com


The co-production between Automechanika Chicago and NACE will create an unified stage using NACE's strong relationships within the collision and OE community combined with Automechanika Chicago's global strength throughout the automotive aftermarket. Working in collaboration, the two entities will create an unprecedented partnership focused on training and product discovery for the automotive technicians, shop owners and parts distributors. A combined Automechanika Chicago and NACE show will take place July 26-29, 2017 in Chicago.

"We are extremely pleased with this alliance. The industry has been asking for this and we listened. By combining the expertise of two undisputed market leaders, Automechanika Chicago and NACE, we are confident of our ability to offer a comprehensive platform for companies interested in reaching collision and mechanical repair shops en masse," stated Dennis Smith, President and CEO, Messe Frankfurt North America.

Automechanika Chicago produced its inaugural show in April of 2015 in partnership with UBM, formerly Advanstar Communications, training more than 2,000 technicians and shop owners. NACE has served the automotive repair and collision market for more than 30 years. The strong commitment to the automotive industry by each of these groups solidifies the combined position to exceed the demands of the market.

"By combining resources, this collaboration will provide the market with a unique opportunity to connect each segment of the industry thus serving the entire automotive collision and service repair audience," said Dan Risley, President and Executive Director of the Automotive Service Association (ASA)."

"This partnership is a real opportunity for shop owners, managers and technicians to connect at an event tailored to them by groups that understand their training needs and the real-world repair issues they face," said UBM Automotive VP & GM Jim Savas.

For more information, visit: www.AutomechanikaChicago.com or www.ASAshop.org.

About UBM Americas

UBM Americas, a part of UBM plc, is the largest business-to-business events and trade show organizer in the U.S. Through a range of aligned interactive physical and digital environments, UBM Americas increases business effectiveness for both customers and audiences by cultivating meaningful experiences, knowledge and connections. UBM Americas has offices spanning North and South America, and serves a variety of specialist industries with dedicated events and marketing services covering everything from fashion, tech and life sciences to advanced manufacturing, cruise shipping, specialty chemicals, powersports and automotive, concrete, hospitality, cargo transportation and more. For more information, visit: www.ubmamericas.com.

About Automechanika Chicago (www.automechanikachicago.com)

Held every other year, Automechanika Chicago, is the 14th installation into Automechanika worldwide. With more than 450 exhibiting companies and 6,000 attendees, Automechanika Chicago is set to lead the industry in a showcase of the latest technology covering the entire spectrum of the automotive aftermarket industry. Messe Frankfurt, producer of Automechanika, the leading international brand of automotive trade shows has joined forces with UBM Americas, the largest U.S. tradeshow organizer, to create this extraordinary event. The next edition is set to take place July 26 - 29, 2017, and Automechanika Chicago has created the Commitment to Training initiative leading up to the event in order to advance the goal of continued automotive training.

About Automotive Service Association

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. Headquartered in North Richland Hills, TX, ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services.

Background information on Messe Frankfurt

Messe Frankfurt is one of the world's leading trade fair organisers, generating around 648 million in sales and employing 2,244 people. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 30 subsidiaries and 55 international Sales Partners, allowing it to serve its customers on location in 175 countries. Messe Frankfurt events take place at approx. 50 locations around the globe. In 2015, Messe Frankfurt organised a total of 133 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.

Comprising an area of 592,127 square metres, Messe Frankfurt's exhibition grounds are home to ten exhibition halls. The company also operates two congress centres. The historic Festhalle, one of the most popular venues in Germany, plays host to events of all kinds. Messe Frankfurt is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent. For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com

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SOURCE UBM

Related Links

http://www.automechanikachicago.com


On Friday September 2 nd , the FDA banned several key ingredients used in antibacterial soaps, "the data and information submitted.are insufficient to demonstrate that there is any additional benefitin consumer antiseptic wash products compared to non-antibacterial soap and water." 1

Bradford Soap Works (http://www.bradfordsoap.com/), the Rhode Island based manufacturer of bar soap for more than 140 years, has a lot to say about these matters.

According to Ed George, Vice President of Research and Development at Bradford for over 40 years, "Bar soap is inherently antibacterial through both its physical and chemical nature; therefore none of the Fortune 500 Consumer Product Good companies require that we test for microbes during the manufacturing process."

Over the course of Bradford's long history, it has never experienced an issue with the bacterial contamination of soap. On the contrary, with regards to modern day body wash, it is necessary to conduct micro testing at several points during the manufacturing process. The products are required to be inoculated with preservative chemicals in order to stem the development of bacteria.

Bradford can unequivocally state that bar soaps are healthier for the body than body washes and they are also much more environmentally friendly. In several studies and clinical research tests, bar soaps have come out on top. Their conclusions confirm some important facts.

In a large nationwide study of public bathroom liquid soap systems, conducted by the University of Arizona, it was found that in 25% of cases there were high levels of bacterial contamination, which posed a threat to human health. Many of the bacteria identified can cause respiratory infections, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections and skin infections.

According to Cambridge University, bar soaps do not support the growth of bacteria under normal usageIn fact, bacteria cannot be transferred from person to person through the use of bar soaps, and washing hands with soap bars frequently prevents the spread of disease. Further, bar soaps are healthier for the body than liquid soap as they are naturally paraben free and they don't contain sulfates.

The use of bar soap versus body wash is also an act of conservation. They use less packaging than body wash and the product is much lighter and more compact to ship due to the lower water content.

Bar soap is not dirty  in fact it is the healthier, more environmentally-friendly option, and that is something for all generations to be excited about.

About Bradford

Founded on a platform of 'Innovation through Experience', Bradford is a trusted American resource that helps its customers build great brands. As one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty personal care products, its market research department and broad customer base give it a unique real-time understanding of industry trends. State-of-the-art development laboratories provide custom formulations, product development and testing services. It was the first U.S. bar soap manufacturer to receive organic certification; it has certification from the Rainforest Alliance; and it is a member of the Roundtable For Sustainable Palm Oil. Founded in 1876, the company flourishes on its core values of heritage, innovation, customer focus, passion, accountability and safety. The company is headquartered in Rhode Island, with facilities in Indiana, California and Mexicali, Mexico.

1 Safety and Effectiveness of Consumer Antiseptics; Topical Antimicrobial Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use, AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS, [FR Doc. 2016-21337 Filed: 9/2/2016 8:45 am; Publication Date: 9/6/2016]

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SOURCE Bradford Soap Works

Related Links

http://www.bradfordsoap.com


CHICAGO, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Barchart, a leading provider of financial market data and technology, announced that Mitch Naumann has been named Head of Institutional Sales. Naumann who most recently served as Institutional Sales Director, joined Barchart in 2008 as a Sales Associate. Naumann has worked to open up new markets to Barchart as well as build strategic relationships and generate new business around Barchart's market data solutions. Naumann will report to Barchart CEO Mark Haraburda.

"Since joining Barchart 8 years ago, Mitch has proven to be a strong and resourceful asset to our sales team," says Haraburda. "Impressed by his strategic sales process, strong client service, passion and product knowledge, we were confident in our decision to promote Mitch to Head of Institutional Sales," added Haraburda.

Naumann, who is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management and Information Systems. Naumann's sales team is focused on market data feeds, financial content solutions for websites and real-time front-end trading software throughout the financial services, commodities, media and technology industries.

"I am thrilled to be recognized as Barchart's Head of Institutional Sales," says Naumann. "I am excited and driven to succeed at leading our dynamic sales team, and I am committed and focused on continual growth for the company," added Naumann.

For more information about Barchart's institutional market data and trading solutions, please visit www.barchartmarketdata.com.

About Barchart

Barchart converts market data, financial data and news into technology solutions for the financial, media and commodity industries. Barchart's products include data feeds, trading software, mobile apps, and financial content and tools. For more information, please visit www.barchartmarketdata.com and www.barchart.com.

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SOURCE Barchart

Related Links

http://www.barchart.com


TEL AVIV, Israel, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Glilot Capital Partners, a Herzliya-based early stage venture fund, is proud to announce the appointment of David Johnson as the firm's Chairman of the Board of Experts. Mr. Johnson will join a board already comprised of industry leaders in technology, cyber security and enterprise software including Timothy Murphy, former Deputy Director of the FBI and President of Thomson Reuters Special Services, Richard Alexander, Chief Information Officer and Managing Director, Cerberus Capital Management, Ray Rothrock, Chairman and CEO of RedSeal and former Partner Emeritus at Venrock, John Holland, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Risk Officer at PNC, Tomer Barel, SVP of Global Chief Risk and Data Officer at Paypal, and others.

"I am excited to share my perspectives and experience with the strong, professional team at Glilot and their invested portfolio companies. As an established, innovative leader in the field of enterprise software investment, Glilot's resounding success in the last few years is unparalleled in the Israeli market. As Chairman of the Board of Experts, I will be able to provide significant added value for Glilot's portfolio companies, an area where they already excel. Glilot has a bright future and I look forward to being part of their success for years to come," said Mr. Johnson.

Mr. Johnson joins Glilot while acting as an advisor across all of Blackstone's investments group.

Blackstone is one of the world's leading investment firms with over $340B in assets under management. In his brief time at Blackstone, Mr. Johnson has already initiated a number of major M&A deals including the 2014 acquisition of Accuvant, an information and security solutions provider. Under Mr. Johnson's leadership, Accuvant merged with FishNet to create Optiv, the largest private cyber security company in the world, with annual revenues approaching $2B.

Before joining Blackstone, Mr. Johnson served as Senior Vice President of Strategy at Dell Corporation where he was responsible for corporate strategy, corporate development, and acquisition integration. In his three years at Dell, Mr. Johnson oversaw more than a dozen acquisitions totaling $20+ billion dollars and helped transform Dell into an industry leader in software, cloud computing and data security. Mr. Johnson led the acquisition of Perot Systems, an IT services provider, one of Dell's largest acquisitions in their history. He was also responsible for Dell's first ever-Israeli acquisition when he oversaw the purchase of Exanet in 2010.

Prior to Dell, Mr. Johnson spent 27 years at International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in a variety of corporate development and finance roles including Vice President of Corporate Development where he was responsible for IBM's acquisitions, divestitures, minority investments, and acquisition integration. During his final nine years with IBM, Mr. Johnson was in charge of all M&A activity, including the $3.5B acquisition of PwC's consulting arm in 2002. In addition, he oversaw the acquisition of multiple Israeli companies including XIV, an enterprise storage company, which was ultimately acquired for $300M.

Mr. Johnson's decades of experience at esteemed multinational organizations have given him the knowledge and expertise to provide valuable insight for Glilot's future investments and guidance for their current portfolio companies. As Chairman, Mr. Johnson's primary responsibilities will include consulting Glilot about investment opportunities, assisting current portfolio companies with growth and penetration into US markets, and representing the firm on a global scale.

About Glilot Capital Partners:

Glilot Capital Partners is a seed and early stage venture fund that invests in Israel's most extraordinary entrepreneurs. They back teams that develop sophisticated technology, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity and enterprise software.

The fund creates an environment that makes it possible to generate real, lasting value for both sides of the investment equation. Among the companies Glilot has invested in thus far, three of the first four have been acquired by Microsoft, Marketo and Intuit.

Glilot Capital Partners was founded in 2011 by Kobi Samboursky and Arik Kleinstein, former entrepreneurs and veterans of the IDF's most elite intelligence unit, and currently manages $125M across its funds.

For further information please contact:

Hagar Sagi

Director of Marketing

Glilot Capital Partners

[email protected]

+972-546833983



SOURCE Glilot Capital Partners
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cal/OSHA has cited Big Pines Ziplines $85,000 for serious and willful safety violations uncovered following an unreported rider accident that resulted in a major injury. Cal/OSHA investigators found that Big Pines let riders reach speeds of up to 55 mph on lines more than a quarter-mile long that had no effective emergency braking system. Cal/OSHA also learned that Big Pines continued to operate unsafe zip lines even after the division ordered them to stop.

On August 9, 2014, a member of the public suffered a broken leg while riding one of Big Pines' zip lines in Wrightwood. Wrightwood Canopy Tour LLC, doing business as Big Pines Ziplines, never reported the injury to Cal/OSHA, as is required by law. Cal/OSHA learned about the injury in February of this year when contacted by an attorney for the injured rider. Also in February, a second patron riding the zip lines suffered a broken leg.

When Cal/OSHA contacted the business, the owner acknowledged the first accident and told investigators the zip lines were shut down. However, Cal/OSHA subsequently learned that the lines were in fact open to the public and operating. In March, Cal/OSHA opened an investigation and found numerous safety and regulatory violations.

"When zip line owners operate without appropriate safeguards in place, they jeopardize the health and safety of their patrons and their workers," said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. "California law is clear about the requirements for zip line safety, and shortcuts are unacceptable."

Both Cal/OSHA and San Bernardino Superior Court ordered Big Pines to temporarily cease operations until violations could be fixed. However, Cal/OSHA learned that Big Pines was not only operating zip lines, but also put workers in danger by compelling them to test unapproved safety features on the zip lines as seen in videos taken by Big Pines.

Cal/OSHA cited Big Pines Ziplines for four safety violations. These include one willful-serious and three that were willful-regulatory in nature. The willful-serious violation was for failing to have proper emergency brakes. Proper brakes stop riders from hitting the zip line cable, swinging violently, and slamming into padding at the end of a zip line at high speeds and suffering serious injury or even death. The willful-regulatory violations were for operating without a valid permit of compliance, failing to report a serious injury, and for reopening to the public without correcting safety violations noted in an Order Prohibiting Operation.

A serious violation is cited when there is a realistic possibility that death or serious harm could result from the actual hazardous condition. A willful violation is cited when evidence shows the owner, operator or employer committed an intentional and knowing violation, or is aware that a hazardous condition exists and makes no reasonable effort to eliminate the hazard. More information about the types of citations and penalties that they carry can be found in the User's Guide to Cal/OSHA.

Cal/OSHA posted an advisory notice in 2014 explaining the requirements for owning and operating zip lines. These include safety inspections by professional engineers and the possession of a valid permit to operate, as well as specific requirements for patron harnesses, brake systems and the use of trees as anchor points.

Cal/OSHA's Amusement Ride and Tramway Unit is responsible for inspecting and issuing permits to operate temporary amusement rides, inspecting and approving the operation of permanent amusement rides, inspecting and issuing permits to operate passenger tramways, and inspecting permanent and temporary amusement rides and passenger tramways after receiving notification of an injury accident.

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Cal/OSHA's Consultation Services Branch provides free and voluntary assistance to employers to improve their health and safety programs. Employers should call (800) 963-9424 for assistance from Cal/OSHA Consultation Services.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR's Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734). The California Workers' Information line at 866-924-9757 provides recorded information in English and Spanish on a variety of work-related topics. Complaints can also be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.

Members of the press may contact Erika Monterroza or Peter Melton at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR's press releases or other departmental updates.

https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR

https://twitter.com/CA_DIR

https://www.youtube.com/user/CaliforniaDIR

http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR's Communications Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

SOURCE California Department of Industrial Relations, Cal/OSHA
NETANYA, Israel, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Cellcom Israel Ltd. (NYSE: CEL) (TASE: CEL) (hereinafter: the "Company") announced today that a purported class action was filed against 013 Netvision Ltd., the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, and two other Israeli international calls operators, alleging that the defendants unlawfully charge random customers with excessive and unreasonable prices for outgoing calls from Israel.

The total amount claimed from the defendants, if the lawsuit is certified as a class action, was not estimated by plaintiffs. At this preliminary stage, the Company is unable to assess the lawsuit's chances of success.

About Cellcom Israel

Cellcom Israel Ltd., established in 1994, is the largest Israeli cellular provider; Cellcom Israel provides its approximately 2.812 million cellular subscribers (as at June 30, 2016) with a broad range of value added services including cellular telephony, roaming services for tourists in Israel and for its subscribers abroad and additional services in the areas of music, video, mobile office etc., based on Cellcom Israel's technologically advanced infrastructure. The Company operates an LTE 4 generation network and an HSPA 3.5 Generation network enabling advanced high speed broadband multimedia services, in addition to GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks. Cellcom Israel offers Israel's broadest and largest customer service infrastructure including telephone customer service centers, retail stores, and service and sale centers, distributed nationwide. Through its broad customer service network Cellcom Israel offers technical support, account information, direct to the door parcel delivery services, internet and fax services, dedicated centers for hearing impaired, etc. Cellcom Israel further provides OTT TV services (as of December 2014), internet infrastructure (as of February 2015) and connectivity services and international calling services, as well as landline telephone communication services in Israel, in addition to data communication services. Cellcom Israel's shares are traded both on the New York Stock Exchange (CEL) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (CEL). For additional information please visit the Company's website http://investors.cellcom.co.il/

Company Contact

Shlomi Fruhling

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

Tel: +972-52-998-9755



Investor Relations Contact

Ehud Helft

GK Investor & Public Relations In partnership with LHA

[email protected]

Tel: +1-617-418-3096



SOURCE Cellcom Israel Ltd.
AUBURN, Ala., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only southern inspired, fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today it will be expanding in Georgia with its first location in Athens. The new restaurant will celebrate its grand opening on Tuesday, Sept. 20 and is located at 196 Alps Road in Beechwood Promenade. This location marks the 13th Chicken Salad Chick location in Georgia, and the sixth location for Origin Development Group, an Atlanta-based restaurant development fund founded by Darren DeVore and Lauren Fernandez.

During grand opening week, guests will enjoy southern hospitality through giveaways and specials at the new Chicken Salad Chick restaurant:

Tuesday, Sept. 20  The first 100 guests to order will receive a "Meet the Chicks" tasting card. For sixteen weeks, guests can try one free scoop of the chicken salad 'flavor of the week', allowing guests a chance to taste every Chicken Salad Chick flavor.

 The first 100 guests to order will receive a "Meet the Chicks" tasting card. For sixteen weeks, guests can try one free scoop of the chicken salad 'flavor of the week', allowing guests a chance to taste every Chicken Salad Chick flavor. Wednesday, Sept. 21  The first 100 guests to order a Chick Special receive a free scoop of their choice.

 The first 100 guests to order a Chick Special receive a free scoop of their choice. Thursday, Sept. 22  The first 100 guests to order will receive a complimentary Chicken Salad Chick coozie.

 The first 100 guests to order will receive a complimentary Chicken Salad Chick coozie. Friday, Sept. 23  Guests who purchase two Quick Chicks will receive a free cooler*.

 Guests who purchase two Quick Chicks will receive a free cooler*. Saturday, Sept. 24  Guests who spend $40 receive a limited edition stainless steel chick tumbler*.

"Darren and I are thrilled to bring Chicken Salad Chick's great food and southern hospitality to Athens," said Lauren Fernandez, President of Origin Development Group. "The great success we've already experienced in the Atlanta market is a testament to the high demand for freshly made food, served with Southern hospitality," added Darren DeVore, CEO of Origin Development Group. "As a University of Georgia alumnus I am thrilled by the outpouring of support from the Athens community and look forward to serving our fresh, homemade recipes for many years to come."

The Chicken Salad Chick concept was established in 2008 in the kitchen of founder, Stacy Brown. When Stacy discovered that the local county health department would not allow her to continue making and selling her delicious recipes out of her home kitchen, she overcame that obstacle by launching her first restaurant with the business expertise of her future husband and fellow founder, Kevin Brown. Together, they opened a small takeout restaurant, which quickly grew; the company now has 63 restaurants across the Southeast.

Chicken Salad Chick in Athens will be open Monday  Saturday from 10:30 a.m.  8 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.chickensaladchick.com. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

*While supplies last.

About Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick puts an edgy twist on a Southern classic, offering guests a "custom fit" chicken salad experience, with 15 original flavors to choose from, as well as gourmet soups, flavorful side salads and freshly-baked desserts. Chicken Salad Chick serves southern style chicken salad with heart and strives to spread joy, enrich lives and serve others every day. Today, the brand has 63 locations across the Southeast, and has currently sold 146 franchises to be developed across the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas. The brand was recently named as the top chicken salad in the country to try in the 2015 March/April issue of Cooking with Paula Deen, as well as one of FastCasual.com's top Movers and Shakers and one of NRN's 2015 Breakout Brands. Chicken Salad Chick also ranked #37 on Inc.'s annual list of the 500 fastest-growing companies in the U.S. Corporate offices are located at 724 North Dean Road in Auburn, Alabama. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

About Origin Restaurant Group

Origin Development Group is a privately held fund focused on brand growth in the restaurant industry. As a multi-unit developer, Origin serves as a strategic growth partner for new and established fast-casual restaurant brands. Origin also grows emerging restaurants brands by capital investment, creating franchise programs, operational procedures and practices and retaining rights as a franchisee or master franchisee.

Contact:

Tiffany Trilli

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

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SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick

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http://www.chickensaladchick.com


BEIJING, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- China Distance Education Holdings Limited (NYSE: DL) ("CDEL", or the "Company"), a leading provider of online education in China focusing on professional education, today announced its participation in the following investor conferences:

BMO Capital Markets 16th Annual Back to School Conference, September 15 , at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York with a management presentation at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. The presentation will be webcast live and a replay will be available for 180 days. To listen to the webcast please click on the link here: https://cc.talkpoint.com/bmoc001/091516a_as/?entity=9_OBPY4BY .

16th Annual Back to School Conference, , at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in J.P. Morgan Asia Rising Dragons One-on-One Forum, November 25 , at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong .

Management will meet with institutional investors throughout these events. For additional information, please contact your respective institutional sales representative at each sponsoring bank.

About China Distance Education Holdings Limited

China Distance Education Holdings Limited is a leading provider of online education in China focusing on professional education. The courses offered by the Company through its websites are designed to help professionals seeking to obtain and maintain professional licenses and to enhance their job skills through our professional development courses in China in the areas of accounting, health-care, engineering & construction, and other industries. The Company also offers other professional education courses for the national judicial examination, online test preparation courses for self-taught learners pursuing higher education diplomas or degrees, test preparation courses for university students intending to take the nationwide graduate school entrance exam, and online language courses. We also offer third-party developed online courses through our Online Open Learning Platform, a proprietary education platform that allows people to share their educational content or deliver live courses online. For further information, please visit http://ir.cdeledu.com.

Contacts:

China Distance Education Holdings Limited Investor Relations Department Tel: +86-10-8231-9999 ext 1805 Email: [email protected] The Piacente Group | Investor Relations Brandi Piacente Tel: +1 212-481-2050 Email: [email protected]

SOURCE China Distance Education Holdings Limited
DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading Christian higher education resource, Christian Universities Online, has published a ranking of the Top Ten Christian College Music Programs 2017 (http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org/top-10-christian-college-music-programs-2017/). Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, claimed the top spot on the list. Houghton College in Houghton, New York, came in second and Union University of Jackson, Tennessee, ranked third in the list.

Other schools making the list include (in alphabetical order):

Anderson University - Anderson, Indiana

Anderson University - Anderson, South Carolina

Azusa Pacific University - Azusa, California

Cedarville University -Cedarville, Ohio

Dallas Baptist University - Dallas, Texas

Huntington University - Huntington, Indiana

Messiah College - Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

For this ranking, Christian Universities Online first identified all institutions that are members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) or could be considered member eligible. Publicly available data in six different categories was then gathered and compared. Of these six categories, slightly higher weight was given to the category that assessed the number of undergraduate and graduate music degrees offered by each school (with more favor given to schools that offered a larger number of programs). The remaining five categories were given equal weight. These are as follows: 1) faculty-to-student ratio; 2) percent of full-time beginning undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid; 3) selectivity; 4) overall retention rate and; 5) overall graduation rate. Lastly, each data set was standardized and an overall score was calculated. While this ranking presents the top ten scores, there are many other schools with high quality music programs in our pool of schools. Christian Universities Online welcomes prospective students to contact them with questions about any music degree programs at Christian schools that are not listed here.

Anna-Rebekah Orr, site editor, states that the goal of the ranking is to highlight schools that excel in their educational offerings for the study of music. She adds, "When considering any specialty, it is important to weigh as many factors as possible. Christian Universities Online has researched, compiled, and reviewed a wide range of data to assist students and parents with this decision-making process. Prospective students of music--whether interested in performance, music education, worship, or perhaps becoming a specialist within the Christian music industry--will find this list a helpful guide. Christian schools that excel in music play an important role in setting high standards for emerging musicians. Programs that offer excellence in the arts within a Christian context are attractive to students who want to develop their talent to a high standard within a context that also supports and develops their faith. Our hope is that this list will help students find a program that suits their needs."

Christian Universities Online (http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org/) is an online resource for students and families researching Christian higher education. The site publishes rankings and reviews of the best Christian colleges and universities, information about Christian scholarships and financial aid, and many other resources for finding, getting into, and paying for a quality Christian education.

Contact:

Michael Templeton

Site Editor

(919) 858-6153

Email

SOURCE Christian Universities Online

Related Links

http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org


FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CIG Logistics, an industry-leading oil and gas logistics provider, was awarded two contracts to run operations for a major midstream energy infrastructure company at two of its strategically located terminals in California and Louisiana.

Under the contracts, CIG Logistics will manage all operations, sustainment, inventory tracking and more at the two terminals, which focus on crude oil storage, transloading and transportation services.

"We are proud to serve as the operations partner for these two critical rail terminals and look forward to delivering our signature services to support these state-of-the-art facilities in California and Louisiana," said Jonathan Green, Chief Executive Officer of CIG Logistics.

CIG Logistics Targets Operations Contracts

CIG Logistics, which owns several transloading and storage facilities throughout the country, is now expanding its business by offering operational expertise to third-party owned terminals. Following this recent contract win, the company is actively bidding on terminal operations contracts in the energy, construction, railroad and food industries across the United States.

"We have developed advanced automation, operational efficiency, supply chain management and safety measures at our own facilities that are setting the pace for our industry," said Green. "As the need for more efficient, reliable and affordable supply chain operations increases, we look forward to partnering with terminal owners to provide our expertise and improve their operations, customer service and competitive posture."

With the addition of these two operations contracts, CIG Logistics now owns or operates 13 transloading and storage facilities throughout Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana and California.

About CIG Logistics:

CIG Logistics is a trusted logistics partner for large scale transloading and storage services for the oil and gas market. With the financial backing of Global Natural Resource Investments (GNRI), CIG Logistics operates strategically located rail terminals to support the energy supply chain in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. CIG Logistics is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

More Information: www.ciglogistics.com

SOURCE CIG Logistics

Related Links

http://www.ciglogistics.com


IDG Research Survey of Senior IT Executives Cite Data Integration as the #1 Barrier to IIoT Adoption

BURNABY, BC, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Bit Stew Systems, developer of the premier data intelligence platform for solving the data integration challenge in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), today released the findings of a Quick Pulse survey by IDG Research of senior IT executives. The purpose of the survey is to better understand how industrial organizations are being impacted by the Industrial IoT  the steps being taken to prepare for it, the potential benefits the IIoT offers, and the challenges encountered along the way.

Most Compelling Benefits of the IIoT

The IDG CIO Survey confirmed the opportunity and potential the Industrial IoT presents is real and poses significant benefits for businesses. According to the survey, 80% of senior IT executives view reducing operating costs, increasing operational efficiency and improving uptime as the top benefits the IIoT will bring their business. Other benefits identified include improved asset performance management and knowledge transfer in the workplace.

"Data is at the very heart of the Industrial Internet of Things," says Dr. Richard Soley, Executive Director of the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC). "When data is integrated and fully leveraged, industrial companies have the power to improve operational efficiency and create new revenue streams. This new way of thinking puts data first with an eye on automation and predictive analytics."

CIOs on IIoT Maturity & Preparedness

The research confirms that many organizations are struggling to effectively manage the complexity of data generated by the IIoT, often with no data management strategy in place. The majority of senior IT executives reported that they are not prepared to handle the volume, velocity and variety of data being generated by the Industrial Internet. 70% have not implemented an IIoT strategy because they are either not prepared, and are currently struggling to effectively manage their data and are still in the "consideration" or "early discussions" or "planning" phase. 30% are early adopters; either in the "piloting" or "implementation phase" with projects well underway.

When IIoT Maturity Goes Up  Confidence Goes Down

The survey finds that less than 1/3 of senior IT executives are confident in their current ability to accommodate the scale and scope of the industrial data integration challenge. The IDG study also confirmed that as IIoT maturity goes up, senior IT executives' confidence in current data integration tools decline by half. CIOs are not confident their current data integration tools can accommodate IIoT as it matures.

Data Integration is the Top Barrier to IIoT Adoption

The survey research showed that senior IT executives feel that data integration is the #1 barrier inhibiting IIoT adoption in their organizations. 64% say integrating data from disparate sources/formats and extracting business value from that data is the biggest challenge the Industrial IoT presents.



"We have seen first-hand, how the data integration problem has challenged IT and OT teams for decades and now the advent of IIoT adoption is compounding the problem," says Jeremiah Stone, General Manager Asset Performance Management at GE Digital. "To extract meaning and value from industrial data, new systems are required to handle the challenges posed by the volume, velocity and variety of these data sets."

Most Concerning Risks of Not Having a Data Intelligence Strategy

As cited by the survey, senior IT executives say the biggest risk of not having an IIoT strategy in place is losing valuable data insights that will significantly cost their business. 87% state the most concerning risks of not have a data management strategy is they will be overwhelmed by the volume and veracity of data being generated, and they will lose valuable business insights as a result. In addition, 33% say they are afraid that businesses that don't adopt a data management strategy will become marginalized, obsolete or disappear.

The Solution: What CIOs Look for in a Data Intelligence Platform

Executives have several capabilities they look for when evaluating a data intelligence platform which reflects the challenges they identified through the research. 70% of executives look for a platform that is designed to correlate data from any source, both internal and external, legacy and proprietary, into a common data model.

Franco Castaldini, VP of Marketing at Bit Stew says, "The challenges facing IT and OT teams require a new approach to data integration. Getting operational value out of IIoT requires a technology that's capable of gaining a contextual understanding of data across multiple and disparate sources in real time."

Bit Stew's data intelligence platform has been proven to solve the data integration challenge 6x faster than traditional ETL methods, enabling 90% more in cost savings.

"The MIx Core platform removes the significant time and costs associated with data wrangling and quickly integrates data sources by leveraging sophisticated machine intelligence to manage data in a scalable and flexible framework. By solving the data integration problem first, IT leaders are able to deliver actionable data intelligence to enable analytics and bring faster time to value," adds Franco.

Learn More About This Topic

For more insights on the IDG CIO Survey, access the microsite and following resources:

On-Demand Webcast as industry experts from GE Digital, IIC and Bit Stew weigh in on the IDG CIO Survey

IDG Research White Paper for an executive summary of the findings

IIoT Infographic to view the survey results at-a-glance

About Bit Stew Systems

Bit Stew provides the premier platform for handling complex data integration, data analysis, and predictive automation for connected devices on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Purpose-built for the IIoT, Bit Stew's MIx Core platform solves the data integration challenge at scale for complex industrial data environments. Bit Stew has earned global recognition by being named to Gartner's Cool Vendors List and as Frost & Sullivan's Entrepreneurial Company of the Year  North American Service Solutions. In 2015, Bit Stew was ranked as one of the Top 100 Analytics Companies and Top 100 IoT Startups by Forbes. Incorporated in 2009, Bit Stew is a venture-backed private company that is headquartered in Canada with offices in the USA, Australia and Europe. Visit www.bitstew.com to learn more.

SOURCE Bit Stew Systems Inc.

Related Links

www.bitstew.com


NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia University School of Nursing, a pioneer in nurse practitioner-led care, celebrated the opening of a new nurse practitioner primary care group in Washington Heights with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on September 14. This is the second primary care practice established by Columbia University School of Nursing to be completely staffed and managed by nurse practitioners  the other practice is in Midtown Manhattan. A third practice in Morningside Heights as well as a house calls practice are scheduled to be opened later this year. As part of ColumbiaDoctors and in affiliation with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, the Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Group provides patients with access to a world-class network of specialists from Columbia University Medical Center.

Community leaders joined Columbia University School of Nursing in announcing the new practice which will expand health care options for residents of Washington Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Bobbie Berkowitz, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean of Columbia University School of Nursing and Senior Vice President of Columbia University Medical Center, said, "We are meeting the growing need to prepare advanced practice nurses to deliver more complex care as people live longer with chronic diseases that used to be fatal are now being managed. Our primary care nurse practitioner practice is designed to offer high-quality, comprehensive and coordinated care to individuals and families in their communities."

The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Group in Washington Heights, located at 516 West 168th Street, offers integrated primary and mental healthcare services to meet the diverse needs of the local community. It contains a series of specialized spaces intended to improve the patient experience and enable nurse practitioners to deliver the most efficient and compassionate care. In addition to seven exam rooms and three consulting rooms, the practice includes a multi-purpose community space where members of the community can learn about healthcare and wellness in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Services include:

- Preventive Health

- Women's Health

- Family Health

- Travel Health

- Mental/ Behavioral Health

- Annual Checkups



- Disease Management

- LGBT Care

- Illness and Injury

- Nutrition and Wellness

- Vaccinations

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have completed advanced education, including a Master's degree or clinical doctorate and are licensed to provide comprehensive care including prescribing medications. They focus on helping patients make choices that can prevent disease and maximize health.

Stephen Ferrara, DNP, FNP, FAANP, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at Columbia University School of Nursing and Executive Director of the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State, said "Nurse practitioners focus on the whole person and help patients make lifestyle choices that can actually prevent diseases and help them stay as healthy as possible. We get to know each patient, his or her history, health goals and challenges, so that together we can develop a clear and personalized treatment plan."

Added Dean Berkowitz: "We are committed to providing quality health care in locations that are convenient to where people live and work. The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Practice in Washington Heights expands access to a broad range of health care services for patients and their families in this community. The practice is also part of an important and ongoing trend in primary care, with more opportunity for nurse practitioners to serve as primary care providers offering comprehensive community-based care."

Columbia University School of Nursing is part of the Columbia University Medical Center, which also includes the College of Physicians & Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, and the College of Dental Medicine. With close to 100 full-time faculty and 800 students, Columbia University School of Nursing is dedicated to educating the next generation of nurse leaders in education, research, and clinical care. The school pioneered the advanced practice nursing curricula and continues to lead the field in practice, education and research. Among the clinical practice areas shaped by the school's research are the reduction of infectious disease and the use of health care informatics to improve health and health care.

ColumbiaDoctors, the faculty practice of Columbia University Medical Center, includes more than 1,700 physicians, surgeons, dentists, and advanced nurse practitioners, offering more than 230 medical specialties and subspecialties. All ColumbiaDoctors are affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked No. 1 in New York.

Columbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in basic, preclinical, and clinical research; medical and health sciences education; and patient care. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, public health professionals, dentists, and nurses at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. Columbia University Medical Center is home to the largest medical research enterprise in New York City and State and one of the largest faculty medical practices in the Northeast. For more information, visit cumc.columbia.edu or columbiadoctors.org.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407679

SOURCE Columbia University School of Nursing

Related Links

http://nursing.columbia.edu


SMITHTOWN, N.Y., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, Communication Strategy Group(communicationstrategygroup.com), a brand storytelling agency, has been recognized for its groundbreaking Brandtelling approach to business brand storytelling. This year the Long Island-based agency has been named Best Corporate Storytelling Firm (USA) and Most Innovative in Content Marketing (New York) by Corporate Vision (CV) magazine in its 2016 Marketing, PR & Communications Awards which are "designed to shine a light on those who maintain relationships, convey fresh ideas and encourage businesses to bloom," according to the magazine's editors.

Marketing, PR & Communications Awards 2016 Logo

"Communication Strategy Group is gratified to once again be recognized for this prestigious award for our accomplishments on behalf of our customers. We believe in the power of story and the ability to connect with community through brand storytelling," says Arthur Germain, Principal and Chief Brandteller for Communication Strategy Group.

The dual award follows a similar award presented last year which recognized the agency for Sustained Excellence in B2B Marketing. Communication Strategy Group provides brand storytelling through four core service areas: Brandtelling & Visuals, Public Relations, Content Marketing, and Media and Presentations. The agency provides a number of complimentary brand storytelling resources available from its website at https://communicationstrategygroup.com/resources.

About Corporate Vision Magazine

Created by a highly experienced and passionate team of business experts, advisors and insiders, Corporate Vision provides discerning readers worldwide with a wealth of news, features and comment on the corporate issues of the day. Winners for these prestigious awards were chosen through a comprehensive process from Corporate Vision's dedicated awards team. With such a rigorous system in place, all award winners were chosen purely on merit and can take pride in winning their award.

About Communication Strategy Group

Communication Strategy Group, an award-winning brand storytelling agency, helps clients develop brand stories that are remembered, repeated and rewarded through a strategic Brandtelling approach. We focus on building and supporting a strategic plan for client communications in order to create strong, consistent messages and presentations that have the greatest impact. The Communication Strategy Group team is comprised of senior-level communications professionals who work directly on client accounts to achieve results. Our clients include both Fortune 1000 and growing companies in technology, manufacturing, media and professional services industries. For more information, please call 1-866-997-2424 or visit us at www.communicationstrategygroup.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407028

Media Contact

Lisa Hazen

Communication Strategy Group

[email protected]

631-239-6335 x103

SOURCE Communication Strategy Group

Related Links

http://www.communicationstrategygroup.com


HONG KONG, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Several AsiaPac nations are addressing anti-bribery and anti-corruption concerns. "A worldwide trend toward stricter healthcare compliance and transparency regulations combined with rapid population growth and rising healthcare costs is fueling demand for our solutions," said Andy Bender, Polaris' President.

Polaris is the world's leading life sciences compliance software and consulting firm. Its Hong Kong office will be dedicated to serving existing clients' compliance and transparency needs, as well as providing end-to-end technology solutions and guidance to a burgeoning number of pharmaceutical and medical device companies in AsiaPac.

"Our technology not only efficiently addresses compliance and transparency needs, it also makes our clients more efficient, providing them with key strategic benefits," Bender explained.

Polaris develops innovative software platforms that simplify, streamline and automate processes to maximize efficiency and accuracy of compliance programs. Polaris' Global Compliance Platform is an integrated offering of Polaris' technology solutions, delivering complete workflow management, data capture and spend tracking and reporting of information related to all healthcare professional and organization payments and transfers of value.

The consulting experts at Polaris work with companies to define and map compliant processes, share industry best practices, establish policies then train teams to act in accordance with these procedures. Consultants measure and prioritize compliance risks using Polaris' proprietary methodology.

Polaris developed a Fair Market Value (FMV) methodology and rates for engaging with healthcare professionals in over 90 countries, and offers an online tool to efficiently provide access to rates and fees for services and manage the process.

"Several clients asked us to open an office in order to provide our compliance software and guidance to their businesses in the region," Bender stated. Hong Kong is the latest addition to the firm's global presence, joining offices in Amsterdam, Boston, New York, Paris and San Francisco.

About Polaris

Uniquely focused on the life sciences industry, Polaris delivers best-in-class solutions for today's toughest compliance challenges. The firm's services range from comprehensive technology and software solutions to expert consulting, strategy and planning, as well as end-to-end managed services. Since 2001, the world's most recognized pharmaceutical and medical device companies have relied on Polaris. www.polarismanagement.com.

Contact:

Michael Arbini

[email protected]

917-568-4288

SOURCE Polaris
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third time, Costa Rica will host the largest Latin American forum in the Life Sciences field: the Life Sciences Forum 2016, an event organized by the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE).

The forum will gather some 350 international and national participants who will analyze the main trends in the life sciences industry, and explore Costa Rica's potential in one of the sectors with the greatest strategic positioning in recent years. It will have exposition space for 53 companies and key providers in the industry.

The event will be held on October 9th and 10th at Hotel Intercontinental, with presentations in areas such as: Device innovation, 3D printing and the future of medical manufacturing, innovative materials in medical devices, opportunities for clinical investigations in Latin America and the future of the life sciences sector, among other topics, to be presented by international conference speakers and prestigious specialists from universities in Europe, the United States, and representatives from the main companies in the life sciences sector worldwide.

Those interested in registering as participants in the forum can still do so on the web page www.lifesciencescr.com

For Jorge Sequeira, Managing Director at CINDE, the Life Sciences Forum 2016 is a platform from which the country can position itself even more prominently as a reference in the life sciences industry on a global scale. "For the third time, Costa Rica will put on the most important event in Latin America in the Life Sciences field. This shows us the importance and recognition that the country has acquired in recent years in one of the most buoyant international industries. For this edition we will have foreign and domestic panelists who will thoroughly analyze what will be happening in the coming years, from manufacturing to matters related to investigation and development."

According to CINDE data, over the last five years the country attracted 47 investment projects in this sector, coming in seventh place in a global ranking in terms of number of projects initiated in the sector, according to Oxford Intelligence.

According to Alexander Mora, Minister of Foreign Trade, holding the event "will result in strengthening the country's image by showing the advantages and the potential that Costa Rica offers for establishing operations in the Life Sciences industry, thanks to the truly consolidated ecosystem that has been developed, and which combines multinational companies, academics and excellent-quality providers, allowing optimal conditions for companies that establish themselves in Costa Rica so that they can grow and successfully export their products to the rest of the world.

He also pointed out that Costa Rica's Law of Biomedical Research is duly regulated, thus it opens a wide range of possibilities for research and development in the country. "The Law is a very strong public political piece to also stimulate a series of medical investigative activities in the country, and it serves as a tie to establish the foundation of a productive life sciences ecosystem in which medical device manufacturing industries, research and development activities, and a series of sophisticated and complex services of extremely high aggregated value and scientific interest interact. To support this ecosystem, in the foreign trade area we work with a group of high-technology and scientifically based companies, in the Research & Development Council, which complements the efforts and which works a great deal in the private production sector," the Minister concluded.

The complete schedule for the event can be found at the hyperlink

https://event-wizard.com/LSFCR2016/0/pages/85626/

With annual exports exceeding US$ 2 billion dollars, medical devices as the country's main industrial export product and more than 19,000 employees working for the sector, the goal of this event is to collaborate in global market analysis of the medical industry and Costa Rica's potential to play a key role in that industry.

Costa Rica is currently the second-largest exporter of medical devices in the Latin American region, housing more than 60 companies in the sector, including five of the ten largest companies in the global cardiovascular industry.

This event is taking place thanks to the support of companies such as Coyol Free Zone, a diamond sponsor of LSF 2016. In addition, La Lima Free Zone & Business Park, Fedex, Kelpac Medical, Vital Med inc., Apollo Medical Extrusion, are platinum sponsors, and Boston Scientific, Contec, MicroTechnologies, BAC, The Green Park Free Zone and ThermoFisher Scientific, are gold sponsors.

About CINDE

CINDE (the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency) is a private, non-profit organization, with more than 30 years of experience in attracting high and medium-tech companies in sectors such as services, advanced and light manufacturing, life sciences, agribusiness and food to Costa Rica.

Contact:

CINDE

[email protected]

+506-2201-2800

SOURCE Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency

Related Links

http://www.cinde.org


NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At today's White House Summit on Computer Science Education, CSNYC announced the launch of the CSforAll Consortium, a national organization formed in response to the growing computer science (CS) education community, the broadly bipartisan support for CS, and the President's call to action to provide every student with access to CS education.

Computer Science for All (#CSforAll) is a bold new initiative to empower all students from kindergarten through high school to learn CS and be equipped with the computational thinking skills they need to be creators in the digital economy, not just consumers, and to be active citizens in our technology-driven world.

The CSforAll Consortium website, csforall.org, will serve as a hub for families, schools, and districts looking for resources that match their needs, including content by grade level and target audience. The site will help connect members of the national CS education community, provide an avenue for disseminating their work, and track our collective progress toward the goal of providing every student with the opportunity to learn CS.

"We are proud to leverage what we have learned from our efforts to bring computer science to every student in the New York City public schools," notes CSNYC Executive Director Michael Preston. "Launching the CSforAll Consortium enables us to give back to the national community and help build momentum across the country."

With funding from the National Science Foundation, CSNYC will convene the Consortium, which currently comprises more than 180 organizations including nonprofits, government, industry, and education organizations, as well as experts and advocates who contribute to the growth of the CS education movement.

The Consortium steering committee will be chaired by CSNYC and includes the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Code.org, The College Board, the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), and the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT).

About CSNYC

CSNYC is a nonprofit founded in 2013 to ensure that all of New York City's 1.1 million public school students have access to a high-quality computer science education that puts them on pathway to college and career success. CSNYC is the City of New York's partner in CS4All: a 10-year initiative to train 4,775 teachers and reach all 1,700 public schools.

SOURCE CSNYC

Related Links

http://www.csnyc.org


LONDON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vietnam sources have reported that the country is actively pushing negotiations with China about dairy exports. However, the recent instance of its yoghurts being smuggled into China will not help its case.

On 29 July, CCTV2 exposed certain well-known infant formulas purchased overseas online, which failed sampling tests to assess them against Chinese standards. Experts suggested that if consumers intend to buy foreign made infant formulas, they should do it through formal channels.

On 12 August, the CFDA released the draft implementation regulations for its infant formula registration policy, clarifying the requirements and procedures for applicants.

On 27 July, Ausnutria expected its H1 sales to rise by 37% YoY and net profit by 140-154%. Sales of its own infant formula brands increased by 50% YoY.

On 30 July, CAHG officially announced the approval by the New Zealand government for its investment in MVM to construct a new powders plant, likely linked to its recent cooperation with Nouriz.

On 8 August, Junlebao Dairy announced it is launching its platinum infant formula in Hong Kong, significantly undercutting its peers in the OPO segment.

Beijing Sanyuan announced that CAG intends to transfer its equities in Tangshan Sanyuan and Shandong Sanyuan to it. From this, the company is expected to obtain another infant formula production licence.

In August, milk prices in certain areas rose, mainly thanks to the coming peak sales in China's traditional festivals, and just as international prices strengthened. However, dairy farmers should not read too much into this upturn.

On 27 August, Uni-President launches "Westgold" UHT milk from Westland in New Zealand.

Yantang Dairy re-started its ice cream business by launching a new brand - "Silkvoury" - with its established "nutrition and health" image central to its marketing push.

Slight Milk Price Rises



According to China's Ministry of Agriculture, during 1-15 August, the average milk price was RMB3.39/kg, down by 0.15% MoM.



However on 19 August, price rises were reported in some areas. "We decided to raise the purchase prices for our direct milk suppliers (dairy farms) in Jiaodong Peninsula (covering Qingdao, Yantai and Weihai cities), based on domestic and international market factors," stated Nestle Qingdao Ltd. This price adjustment is on the basis of daily contracted volumes:

1-1.5 t/d: +RMB0.10/kg

1.5-2.0 t/d: +RMB0.12/kg

2-6 t/d: +RMB0.10/kg

6+ t/d: +RMB0.08/kg



Another example came in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, where Ningxia Northern Milk Industry Co., Ltd. took a similar course (Northern Milk: running 2 farms each with potential to accommodate 1,000 cows and a 50,000 t/a liquid milk plant; mainly producing UHT milk in pillow-shaped Tetra Fino Aseptic and in PrePak packaging, and fresh milk and yoghurt).



"In recent months, the purchase prices have risen suddenly, from RMB1.2/kg in March to RMB4.2/kg now," stated Yao Mengyong, Vice General Manager of Northern Milk, "Now dairy processors are buying - a supply shortage is coming...Since the Chinese traditional festivals  the Moon Festival and even the Spring Festival  are coming up, dairy processors are ramping up production to ensure the supply. Another factor is that the schools open in September, meaning demand for school milks."



"January-June saw the most sluggish milk market in the world. China saw its milk price get near to or even below cost, and Europe and Australia had prices approach cost level as well. It is impossible for the price to continue falling!" commented Li Shengli, Chief Scientist of the National Dairy Industry and Technology System and Professor of the College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University: "The heat stress this summer is impacting dairy farming severely, with milk output down by 10%+. Meanwhile the culling rate has increased from the normal 25% to 30%. Holidays including National Day (1 October), New Year Day (1 January) and Spring Festival (28 January) are coming, meaning demand will rebound. Later this year or early next year, domestic dairy farming businesses will have their 'spring'."

This is in line with the recovery in prices seen internationally, putting USD3,000/t back in the frame as a possibility for Q4 - GDT on 16 August saw SMP up by 3.21% to USD2,028/t and WMP by 18.98% to USD2,695/t.



"This offers a hope to domestic dairy farmers," stated Yuan Yunsheng, Secretary General of the Dairy Association of Hebei Province. Nonetheless, stocks in China are estimated at around 400,000 tonnes, and are expected to increase as drying continues in the market (the rate of drying is as much as 13% of the total milk output in some areas). Hence, such slight price rises are not strong indications of industry recovery, so cautious interpretation of this trend is advisable.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4124938/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com

For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

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BLOKHUS, Denmark, Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Switzerland-based DECENT decentralized content distribution platform has announced the launch of its ICO in association with CCEDK, a Danish cryptocurrency startup crowdfunding solutions provider. The ICO has gained tremendous traction, raising over 4138 BTC in less than 2 days.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407334

DECENT Blockchain Platform ICO Raises Over 4138 BTC in Two Days

DECENT will allow content creators and enterprises to build a wide variety of applications on the open-source protocol to suit their requirements. DECENT based apps can be used for blogs, music publishing and streaming, e-book publishing, software sales, indie games development and more. Unlike other platforms, DECENT eliminates middlemen and third parties to maximize content creators' profits.

The venture has attracted developers, ambassadors and business advisors from various parts of the world. By using blockchain technology with strong encryption protocols, DECENT ensures the confidentiality of information, preventing access and modification from third parties. Any content distributed over DECENT will stay encrypted until the intended recipient uses the right key to decrypt it for consumption.

The DECENT (DCT) crypto-token crowd sale was launched on Sunday, September 11, 2016, at 1300 hours GMT. The 8 week long ICO saw a sale of over 25 million DCTs in the initial few hours. Proceeds from the ICO will be utilized by DECENT to fund the development of future releases, protocol optimization, maintenance, associated operational, administrative and logistical costs. Once the funds are allocated for these activities, any remaining funds will be utilized towards legal expenses and covering other marketing and community outreach costs.

In order to launch a successful ICO, DECENT has entered into a partnership with CCEDK, a Danish cryptocurrency firm specializing in crowd-fundraising and promoting startups in the sector. The platform has struck a special deal with CCEDK to avoid the standard ICO pre-launch service on OpenLedger, directly entering the ICO stage. While explaining the service offered by CCEDK, its CEO and founder Ronny Boesing says,

"CCEDK would normally offer the option to buy in early and trade immediately on OpenLedger. However, in agreement with DECENT's project leaders, we have decided not to include the ICO pre-launch service for this initiative. Instead, we are providing them with a tailor-made solution comprised of a combination of our services integrated with our ICOO (ICO OpenLedger) Economic Enterprise Engine."

As a part of this partnership, ICOO will be one of the stakeholders in DECENT and ICOO token holders will automatically become indirect investors in the launch.

DECENT ICO Flow





ICO Timeline Offerings



Day 1 5000 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH + 50% bonus (up to first 10 million DCT sales) Week 1 5000 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH + 10% bonus Week 2 4500 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 3 4000 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 4 3500 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 5 3400 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 6 3300 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 7 3200 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 8 3000 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH

Participate in the DECENT ICO at  https://ico.decent.ch/home/register

DECENT has already received widespread support from the industry as well as public. It has been part of various cryptocurrency and startup conferences. The platform has also forged partnerships with leading media outlets in the digital currency sector including NewsBTC, Cryptocurrency Magazine, Bitcoin News, Blockchain News, ICO Countdown, Forklog and 8BTC. DECENT has now secured a partnership with the mining pool MinerGate for future blockchain mining of their tokens DCT. The DECENT are optimistic that MinerGate's customer base of over 340 thousand people will ensure rapid development.

MinerGate's CEO Claude Lecomte shares his thoughts on the new partnership:

"DECENT will be a remarkable addition to our pool, as we believe in the philosophy of sharing and promoting digital content via blockchain technology and would love to share it with our clients, too. DECENT ICO is one of the few that makes sense, because our miners would love to expand their capacities, and DECENT gives rewards for hard drive storage space."

About DECENT

The Geneva-based foundation DECENT is the brainchild of two Slovakian founders, Matej Michalko and Matej Boda. It is a blockchain technology-based digital content publishing and sharing platform. The unified platform empowers content creators and consumers by offering a censor-free, independent publishing platform with micropayments based content monetization, voting and reputation systems.

DECENT already has teams spread around the globe with offices in Switzerland and Slovakia; collaborators in Ukraine, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Australia. The DECENT decentralized digital content distributed platform has partnered with CCEDK to launch its highly successful ICO. Earlier, the company had raised 500,000 euros in funding from Element Capital LLC, a US-Chinese fund.

Learn more about DECENT at  https://decent.ch

Download DECENT Whitepaper from  https://decent.ch/src/decent-whitepaper.pdf

Read more about DECENT on Forbes  http://www.forbes.com/sites/rogeraitken/2016/09/11/decent-crypto-investment-paves-way-to-decentralized-content-distribution-revolution/#3e3e9f38f942

Media Contact

Contact Name: Ronny Boesing

Contact Email: [email protected]

Location: Blokhus, Denmark

DECENT is the source of this content. Virtual currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and accounts and value balances are not subject to FDIC and other consumer protections. This press release is for informational purposes only.

Related Links

Bitcoin PR Buzz

DECENT

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE DECENT

Related Links

https://decent.ch


SAN DIEGO, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Justice and FinCEN delivered a strong message to casinos and financial institutions at the Casino Essentials' 9th Annual AML Conference in Las Vegas.

"Make no mistake," said Deborah Conner, Principal Deputy Chief Asset Forfeiture Money Laundering Section, "DOJ will pursue criminal charges and penalties against any financial institution, including casinos and card clubs that willfully violate the Bank Secrecy Act." Conner added that compliance is fundamental to protecting the security and integrity of our financial system.

The Bank Secrecy Act, or BSA, requires financial institutions including casinos in the United States to assist government agencies to detect and prevent money laundering. More than 350 gaming executives, regulators and attorneys attended the annual conference in Las Vegas, developed by Casino Essentials in partnership with the Dowling Advisory Group (DAG).

"Our conference program provides a unique environment where casinos can openly discuss their compliance challenges as a community," said Mindy Letourneau, Managing Director, Casino Essentials. "Here participants interact directly with government regulators and federal law enforcement agencies to find solutions that can benefit the industry."

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network or FinCEN, which is the sole regulator for casinos and card clubs hopes the conference will dispel myths related to suspicious activity reporting in the casino industry. "Identifying and understanding a customer's source of funds is not simply a 'best practice,' it is a regulatory expectation," said Tom Ott, Associate Director of Enforcement for FinCEN. Mr. Ott's delivered a clear message, stating that casinos and card clubs must file SARS on funds derived from illegal activity.

"At DAG, we continue to work diligently with our customers and the industry to develop procedures that identify source of funds," said Jim Dowling, Managing Director of Dowling Advisory Group. "Identifying the source of funds is critical to keeping illicit funds out of the casinos and ensuring our clients are not fined."

The speeches for Tom Ott and Deborah Connor are available by visiting Casino Essentials at http://www.casinoessentials.com/AML-remarks/. For more information about casino industry AML events, visit www.CasinoEssentials.com/Events or call 877.811.3534 ext. 106.

About Casino Essentials: Casino Essentials is the leading online learning and professional educational provider for casinos in North America, with a strong emphasis on AML and Title 31 education for the gaming industry. Visit us at www.CasinoEssentials.com.

About DAG: The Dowling Advisory Group conducts independent testing at casinos and other financial institutions to enhance their compliance programs and help avoid regulatory fines and criminal charges. To learn more, visit www.dowlingadvisorygroup.com

SOURCE Casino Essentials

Related Links

http://www.casinoessentials.com


"Dickey's is proud to open our newest location so close to home," says Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. "We congratulate Owner/Operator Kyle Clifton on his grand opening."

Doors open this Thursday and guests can enjoy the grand opening events over the next four weeks:

Thirsty Thursdays  All guests will receive a free Big Yellow Cup with Dickey's new reusable travel lid and straw. The first 50 guests will receive a taste of Dickey's butcher taco of the month, the Buffalo & Bleu.

Philanthropy Fridays  "You Give, We Give", guests who donate to Dickey's charitable foundation, Barbecue, Boots & Badges, will receive a gift card. Uniformed first responders also receive 50 percent off their meal.

Kids Eat Free All Day Every Sunday with a $10 dine-in purchase per adult.

Owner/Operator Kyle Clifton is a former accountant and accomplished business owner, having also owned a roofing company for 20 years. Originally from West Texas, Clifton looks forward to offering quality food with great service to the Grand Prairie community. "I am excited to open my Dickey's business in Grand Prairie, and hope to grow into more locations in the future," Clifton says. "I am passionate about doing what is right by my community, from serving excellent food to creating jobs."

The newest Dickey's Barbecue Pit is located at 5244 Highway 360, Grand Prairie, TX 75052. The phone number is 469-487-0070.

Find Dickey's on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.



About Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the nation's largest barbecue chain was founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey with the goal of authentic slow-smoked barbecue. Today, all meats are still slow smoked on-site in each restaurant living up to the company tagline, "We Speak Barbecue." The Dallas-based family-run barbecue franchise offers a quality selection of signature meats, home style sides, tangy barbecue sauce and free kids' meals every Sunday. The fast-casual concept has expanded to more than 560 locations in 43 states. This year Dickey's won first place on Fast Casual's "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" and ranked in the top ten of Franchise Times' "Fast and Serious." Dickey's Barbecue Pit was recognized for the third year by Nation's Restaurant News as a "Top 10 Growth Chain" and by Technomic as the "Fastest-growing restaurant chain in the country." For more information, visit www.dickeys.com or for barbecue franchise opportunities call 866.340.6188.

Media Contact:

Kimberly Harms / Michelle George

[email protected] / [email protected]

972.248.9899

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407617

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140102/LA39739LOGO

SOURCE Dickeys Barbecue Pit

Related Links

http://www.dickeys.com


LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fans of Disney's timeless holiday classic, TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS will now have another chance to see DISNEY IN CONCERT'S TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 28 at 8:00pm. The first two nights of this concert event sold out within days when it was announced Los Angeles' reigning Pumpkin King, Danny Elfman, would return to the Hollywood Bowl performing his role of Jack Skellington singing live to film. Elfman will be joined by other original cast members including Catherine O'Hara (Sally), Ken Page (Oogie Boogie) and Paul Reubens (Lock).

Tickets for the third and final concert go on sale Saturday, September 17 at 10:00am Pacific via all Ticketmaster outlets. To purchase by phone, call (800) 745-3000 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com.

Danny Elfman, who wrote the film's songs (music and lyrics), composed its original score and was the original singing voice of Jack Skellington, says, "Being able to perform 'Nightmare' live last year, in synch to the movie with a full orchestra was such a thrill. But having Catherine O'Hara, Ken Page and Paul Reubens to perform with me really made it a unique and magical experience. I'm happy to bring it to our amazing Los Angeles audience one more time."

Conductor John Mauceri, Founding Director of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, will lead the full orchestra and choir performing the film's classic score and songs live to picture.

Named "#1 Concert of 2015" by the Orange Country Register, HALLOWEEN AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL- TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS- IN CONCERT LIVE TO FILM will transform this legendary venue into Halloween Town with special pre-show activities including an audience participation costume contest, unique photo opportunities and trick-or-treating stations. Tim Burton-inspired costumes are encouraged.

First released in 1993, Tim Burton's THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS was directed by Henry Selick (JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH), and based on a story and characters by Tim Burton. The film follows the earnest-but-misguided adventures of Jack Skellington, Halloween Town's beloved Pumpkin King, as he attempts to take over the Christmas holiday. Against the advice of Sally, a lonely rag doll who has feelings for him, Jack enlists three mischievous trick-or-treaters  Lock, Shock, and Barrel  to help him kidnap Santa Claus. The film is rated "PG".

The concert is produced by Laura Engel & Richard Kraft, Tim Fox & Alison Ahart Williams and Andrew Hewitt & Bill Silva Presents, in association with Disney Concerts, the team that recently presented the highly-acclaimed DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID IN CONCERT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL, starring Sara Bareilles and Rebel Wilson.

DISNEY IN CONCERT'S TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is produced under license by Disney Concerts, a division of ABC Inc. Disney Concerts currently licenses 14 different concert packages including Fantasia, Pixar In Concert, Alice In Wonderland, Frozen, Ratatouille, The Pirates of the Caribbean series (episodes I-IV), and Silly Symphonies, which last year accounted for approximately 325 performances in some of the world's top venues, including Lincoln Center, Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Tokyo Forum and the Hollywood Bowl.

All acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice.

Know Before You Go: www.hollywoodbowl.com/lease for parking information.

SOURCE Disney Music Group
RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Resources, Inc. (NYSE: D) and Questar Corporation (NYSE: STR) announced today that the Wyoming Public Service Commission has approved their merger, subject to terms and conditions of an agreed settlement stipulation. Having received the Wyoming PSC's approval of the merger, the companies plan to complete their combination by close of business on Sept. 16, 2016.

The proposed merger would create one of the nation's largest integrated energy companies, serving about 2.5 million electric utility customers and 2.3 million gas utility customers in seven states. The combined company  headquartered in Richmond, Va., with its Western operations based in Salt Lake City  also would operate 14,400 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipelines, one of the nation's largest natural gas storage systems, and approximately 25,700 megawatts of electric generation.

On Aug. 1, 2016, Questar's board of directors approved a contingent cash dividend equal to $0.00242 per share of common stock for each day elapsed from Aug. 19, 2016, to the closing date of the proposed merger with Dominion. The contingent dividend  $0.07018 per share of common stock, if the combination closes as expected on Friday  is payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on the closing date of the merger, and will be paid as soon as practicable after that closing date.

About Dominion

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 25,700 megawatts of generation, 12,200 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline, and 6,500 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates one of the nation's largest natural gas storage systems with 933 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves more than 5 million utility and retail energy customers in 14 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com.

About Questar

Questar Corp. is a Rockies-based integrated natural gas company operating through three principal subsidiaries: Questar Gas provides retail natural gas distribution in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho; Wexpro develops and produces natural gas on behalf of Questar Gas; and Questar Pipeline operates interstate natural gas pipelines and storage facilities in the Western U.S. For more information, visit Questar's website at: www.questar.com.

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information." Examples include information as to Dominion's expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives and future financial or other performance or assumptions concerning matters discussed in this release. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements may accompany the statements themselves. In addition, Dominion's business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual results and are often beyond our ability to control or estimate precisely, such as the risk that conditions to the closing of the transaction or the committed debt financing may not be satisfied. We have identified and will in the future identify a number of these factors in our SEC Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. We refer you to those discussions for further information. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made.

SOURCE Dominion

Related Links

http://www.dom.com


As the world recovers from recent traumatic and violent events, what can we learn from the Bible's most enigmatic book? Dr. Williams will lead the community through this thought-provoking conversation, unpacking the message of the book of Ecclesiastes as it relates to our lives.

Dr. Williams is author of a novel, A Time for Every Season published by Westbow Press, which examines faith and loss in the book of Ecclesiastes. Using the novel as a springboard he will unpack Ecclesiastes' counsel for living in a broken world.

We invite you to read his book, attend this free community event and join in the discussion. The event takes place on Wednesday, September 28th, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Florida Hospital Church.

About Principle Sources

Don Williams, Ph.D.

Dr. Don Williams has been a pastor, counselor, teacher, missionary and administrator. His passion for the book of Ecclesiastes began while teaching in Singapore. While developing the curriculum at Adventist University of Health Sciences, he created a course entitled Wisdom of the Bible, which explored the problem of pain in Job, wisdom in the book of Proverbs and the meaning of life in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Dr. Williams earned a Master of Divinity at Andrews University and a Ph.D. in Counseling from Purdue University. Following graduation, he helped start what is now the Adventist University of Health Sciences. Since then, he has held positions there as the Chair of General Studies, Senior Vice-President for Academic Administration and is currently Assistant to the President of Mission. Since moving to administration, Dr. Williams continues to guest lecture on the book of Ecclesiastes.

About Adventist University of Health Sciences (ADU)

Adventist University of Health Sciences (ADU) is a Seventh-day Adventist institution specializing in healthcare education in a faith-affirming environment. Service-oriented and guided by the values of nurture, excellence, spirituality, and stewardship, the University seeks to develop leaders who will practice healthcare as a ministry. ADU fulfills this mission by developing skilled professionals who live the healing values of Christ.

ADU offers undergraduate and graduate programs including: Biomedical Sciences, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Health Sciences, Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Nursing (BSN), Nurse Anesthesia, Occupational Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Physician Assistant, and Physical Therapy. The University is associated with Florida Hospital and the Adventist Health System.

ADU embraces the benefit of whole person care as demonstrated in the life and ministry of Christ. The University is dedicated to developing skilled professionals who live the healing values of Christ. Graduates who live these values effectively extend the healing ministry of Christ.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407564

SOURCE Adventist University of Health Sciences

Related Links

http://www.adu.edu/


DUBLIN, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

DS Biopharma (DS) today announced the appointment of Dr. Markus Weissbach (MD, PhD) to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Markus is currently Medical Director of DS and will move to his new role with immediate effect.

Dr. Weissbach has more than 25 years' experience in the international pharmaceutical, biotech and CRO industry. His previous appointments include Chief Medical Officer (Europe) at Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics; Executive Chairman, CEO and President of Averion International Corp; President of ICON Clinical Research Plc. (Europe); Director of Clinical Research and Development at Takeda R&D (Europe) and International Medical Director at Knoll AG. He has served as advisory/supervisory board member for companies such as CytoTools Biotech AG, Vasopharm, Cardiorentis, BernaBiotech, Sunesis and Otsuka. He has been instrumental in the submission of several successful NDAs and market launch of several NCEs and biologics in various indications. He has a large personal network of KOLs in many therapeutic areas and has extensive experience in dealing and negotiating with regulatory authorities in Europe and North America.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. John Climax, DS Executive Chairman said: 'I am delighted to welcome Dr. Markus Weissbach into his new role within the DS team and I look forward to working with him in advancing the DS portfolio.'

About DS Biopharma

DS Biopharma, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a privately held drug discovery and development company working on new medicines that improve the quality of life for people with diseases for which existing therapies are ineffective or unsafe. DS has developed a proprietary bioactive lipid technology platform. The Company is developing Topical DS107 for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis and Oral DS107 for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Both Topical and Oral DS107 are planned to begin separate Phase IIb clinical studies in Q.4 2016. In addition the Company expects to bring DS109, which is being explored as a treatment for inflammatory skin disorders, into the clinic later this year.

SOURCE DS Biopharma
LAKEWOOD, CO, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE MKT:UUUU; TSX:EFR) ("Energy Fuels" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") with a syndicate of underwriters led by Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation and Rodman & Renshaw a unit of H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, acting as co-lead underwriters and joint book-running managers, under which the underwriters have agreed to buy on a bought deal, underwritten basis 5,555,556 units (the "Units"), each Unit consisting of one common share (each a "Share") and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"), at a price of US$1.80 per Unit for gross proceeds of US$10.0 million (the "Offering"). Each Warrant will be exercisable for five years following the closing date and will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Share upon exercise at an exercise price of US$2.45 per Share. The Company has applied to list the Warrants on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX"), though listing will be subject to the Company fulfilling all of the listing requirements of the TSX. The Company intends to list the Warrants on the NYSE MKT within 90 days of the closing of the Offering, subject to the Company fulfilling all of the listing requirements of the NYSE MKT. The Company has granted the underwriters an option, exercisable at the offering price at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the day that is the 30th day following the closing date of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the base Units offered in the Offering (which may be exercised for Units, Shares, Warrants or a combination thereof) to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes. The Offering is expected to close on or about September 20, 2016, subject to obtaining customary TSX and NYSE MKT approvals.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering (i) to continue to finance the previously announced shaft sinking and evaluation at the Company's high-grade Canyon mine project in Arizona; (ii) to continue to fund wellfield construction at the Company's Nichols Ranch Project in Wyoming; (iii) to continue permitting of the Company's projects, including Roca Honda and Jane Dough; (iv) to repay principal on outstanding indebtedness; and (v) for general corporate needs and working capital requirements. However, management of Energy Fuels will have discretion with respect to the actual use of the net proceeds of the Offering and there may be circumstances where, for sound business reasons, a reallocation of the net proceeds is necessary.

The Company intends to file a final prospectus supplement (the "Supplement") in both Canada and the United States to its Canadian short form base shelf prospectus (the "Canadian Base Prospectus") dated June 14, 2016 and its U.S. shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") which was declared effective on May 5, 2016. Before investing, you should read the prospectus in both the Canadian Base Prospectus as well as in the Registration Statement and other documents the Company has filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities regulators for more complete information about the Company and this offering. Copies of the Supplement and the Underwriting Agreement will be, and the Canadian Base Prospectus and the Registration Statement are, available for free by visiting the Company's profiles on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, as applicable. Alternatively, investors may ask the underwriters or the Company to send them the Supplement, when available, the Canadian Base Prospectus and/or the base prospectus contained in the Registration Statement by contacting Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation, attention: Equity Capital Markets, 181 University Avenue, Suite 1500, Toronto, ON, M5H 3M7, email: [email protected] or Rodman & Renshaw a unit of H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, 430 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, email: [email protected], or the Company's Investor Relations department at (303) 974-2140.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, Units, Warrants or Shares in any state or province in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, province, or other jurisdiction.

About Energy Fuels Energy Fuels is a leading integrated USbased uranium mining company, supplying U 3 O 8 to major nuclear utilities. Energy Fuels holds three of America's key uranium production centers, the White Mesa Mill in Utah, the Nichols Ranch Processing Facility in Wyoming, and the Alta Mesa Project in Texas. The White Mesa Mill is the only conventional uranium mill operating in the U.S. today and has a licensed capacity of over 8 million pounds of U 3 O 8 per year. The Nichols Ranch Processing Facility is an in situ recovery ("ISR") production center with a licensed capacity of 2 million pounds of U 3 O 8 per year. Alta Mesa is an ISR production center currently on care and maintenance. Energy Fuels also has the largest NI 43101 compliant uranium resource portfolio in the U.S. among producers, and uranium mining projects located in a number of Western U.S. states, including one producing ISR project, mines on standby, and mineral properties in various stages of permitting and development. The Company's common shares are listed on the NYSE MKT under the trading symbol "UUUU", and on the TSX under the trading symbol "EFR".

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "Forward-Looking Information" and "Forward Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the expected closing date of the Offering, the timing for listing of the Warrants on the NYSE MKT and the TSX, and the use of proceeds from the Offering. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "may," "will," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "opportunity," "goals," or "should". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, herein are considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the closing date of the Offering (if any) or the use of proceeds from the Offering to be different from those expressed by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such events to differ from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with: the Company's ability to satisfy the conditions to closing of the Offering and to use the proceeds from the Offering as expected, the ability to satisfy the requirements to list the Warrants on the NYSE MKT and the TSX, which could be affected by many of the risks described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 15, 2016, which is available for review on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and its Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available for review on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml and in the Supplement dated the date hereof and which will be available for review on SEDAR and EDGAR shortly. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law.

SOURCE Energy Fuels Inc.

Related Links

http://www.energyfuels.com


BEDFORD, Mass., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- EnterpriseDB (EDB), the leading enterprise Postgres database company, today announced it has been named a Strong Performer by Forrester Research in its report, The Forrester Wave: Document Stores, Q3 2016.

According to the report: "Today, hundreds of organizations leverage EnterpriseDB to deliver modern document-driven business applications, including transactional, operational, analytical, and mixed-mode workloads. EnterpriseDB software is available on-premises, in the public cloud on AWS and Google Marketplace, in private clouds on OpenStack, in appliances through ShadowSoft and Avnet, and as a dedicated DBaaS with PPCD on AWS. Firms like EnterpriseDB's ability to support relational and JSON in the same database to handle various use cases."

Report author Noel Yuhanna of Forrester Research writes, "Enterprises have an increasing number of choices in leveraging either a dedicated document store technology or existing relational databases with extended document capabilities with JSON format."

One of only 10 solution providers featured in The Forrester Wave: Document Stores report, EnterpriseDB was among vendors with the second-highest scores for road map and ability to execute criteria. The report states, "EnterpriseDB's platform supports a variety of use cases and workloads that can leverage relational and JSON together."

Marc Linster, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Products and Services at EnterpriseDB, said, "EDB is honored to be recognized by Forrester among the NoSQL document store solution providers. We believe the recognition in this report validates the EDB Postgres Platform as a multi-model database management system that combines the best of both relational and schema-less capabilities."

Digital business initiatives require data platforms that can integrate new and expanding types of content from mobile, web, and machine sources with data in relational systems. The EDB Postgres Platform provides unparalleled flexibility to support a wider range of new workloads while seamlessly integrating with existing data infrastructures.

EDB Postgres combines unstructured data from document store and other NoSQL solutions with corporate, transactional data in structured, relational systems to provide seamless data fabrics. As a result, EDB Postgres supports schema-less development for faster application delivery; ensures greater integrity for unstructured data by adding structure; delivers uniform performance across a range of applications; and supports the running of SQL queries across all data types.

About the EDB Postgres Platform

The EDB Postgres platform provides digital businesses with enterprise capabilities to manage multi-model data, connect with existing systems, and deploy rapidly across multiple environments.It is available in three subscription models:

EDB Postgres Enterprise  Advanced security, higher performance, database compatibility for Oracle and EDB Postgres Tool Suites. The EDB Postgres Enterprise subscription includes the EDB Postgres Advanced Server database and database compatibility with Oracle. EDB Postgres Standard  Open source PostgreSQL for the enterprisethe world's most advanced open source DBMSwith the EDB Postgres Tool Suites; EDB Postgres Standard includes the PostgreSQL database. EDB Postgres Developer  Access to EDB Postgres DBMSs, EDB Postgres Tool Suites, and the benefits of working in a licensed, updated and supported environment; EDB Postgres Developer offers your choice of DBMS and targets developer use for a range of initiatives including new application development, application modernization, cloud re-platforming, and legacy DBMS replacement.

All three EDB Postgres subscriptions include comprehensive management, integration, migration tool suites, global support and upgrades, and are deployable across a wide range of on-premise and cloud configurations.

To get started with the EDB Postgres platform, download EDB Postgres Advanced Server here. For more information, contact [email protected].

To download The Forrester Wave: Document Stores, Q3 2016, by Noel Yuhanna, click here.

To learn more about Postgres, attend Postgres Vision 2016, the preeminent event for thought leadership, collaboration, and networking with the best and brightest companies defining the future of enterprise Postgres and open source data management. This unique event includes insights from technology and business luminaries, Fortune 500 use cases, a look at the Postgres ecosystem, and long-range outlooks from press and analysts such as Gartner and IDC. Featured sponsors include Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM, Infor, Pivotal, Google, Red Hat, Carahsoft, Avnet, Ashnik, Nexxodata, and Shadow-Soft.

About EnterpriseDB (EDB) Corporation

EDB is the leading worldwide provider of PostgreSQL software and services that enable enterprises to reduce their reliance on costly traditional solutions and slash their database spend by up to 80% or more. With powerful performance and security enhancements for PostgreSQL, sophisticated management tools for global deployments and database compatibility with Oracle, EDB software supports mission-critical enterprise applications. More than 3,600 enterprises, governments and other organizations worldwide use EDB software, support, training and professional services to integrate PostgreSQL into their existing data infrastructures. EDB is based in Bedford, Massachusetts.

EnterpriseDB is a registered trademark of EnterpriseDB Corporation. EDB and EDB Postgres are trademarks of EnterpriseDB Corporation. All other names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Media Contacts for EDB:

Nancy Scott Cairbre Sugrue EnterpriseDB Sugrue Communications +1 781.357.3090 +44 (0)1932 429 779 [email protected] [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160106/319928LOGO

SOURCE EnterpriseDB

Related Links

http://www.enterprisedb.com


CINCINNATI, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ERP Suites, a Gold-level member of Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN), today announced that it has achieved Oracle Validated Integration of Ocelli Analyze with Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne 9.2. Ocelli Analyze provides an enhanced view into customers' Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne application stack through intuitive web and mobile interfaces. With features such as SuiteScore, microhelp, and custom alerting, Ocelli can help customers decrease application management costs while increasing focus on their core business.

To achieve Oracle Validated Integration, Oracle partners are required to meet a stringent set of requirements that are based on the needs and priorities of the customers. Given the nature of ERP systems today, it's critical for products to operate in synergy with each other. By integrating with Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, the Ocelli Analyze product works to bring added stability and integrity.

"ERP Suites continues to deliver industry-leading products and solutions focused on customer enablement and increased ROI," said Matt Batchler, executive director and partner with ERP Suites. "Achieving Oracle Validated Integration further reinforces the strength of this product and demonstrates our shared vision of the future with Oracle."

"Achieving Oracle Validated Integration gives our customers confidence that the integration between Ocelli Analyze and Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is functionally sound and performs as tested," said David Hicks, vice president, Worldwide ISV, OEM and Java Business Development, Oracle. "For solutions deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or both, Oracle Validated Integration applies a rigorous technical review and test process that helps to reduce deployment risk and improves the user experience of the partner's integrated offering."

Leveraging decades of Oracle's JD Edwards experience, Ocelli Analyze is designed to gather disparate data sources into an easy-to-use interface enabling Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne management from a single application. By aggregating critical data from each layer of the application stack, Ocelli Analyze users can make quick and accurate decisions to effectively manage their Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne application.

About ERP Suites

With offices and data centers in Cincinnati, Louisville, and Denver, ERP Suites serves an Oracle's JD Edwards customer base that extends across the country and abroad. The company's talented team of professionals brings extensive experience in Oracle's JD Edwards consulting and managed services, data center operations, server management and support, database administration, and enterprise architecture. For more information on ERP Suites and its award-winning Ocelli line of products, please visit www.erpsuites.com.

About Oracle Validated Integration

Oracle Validated Integration, available through the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN), gives customers confidence that the integration of a complementary partner software product with an Oracle "on-premises" Application has been validated and the products work together as designed. This can help customers reduce risk, improve system implementation cycles, and provide for smoother upgrades and simpler maintenance. Oracle Validated Integration applies a rigorous technical process to review partner integrations and partners who successfully complete the program are authorized to use the "Oracle Validated Integration" logo. For more information, please visit Oracle.com at https://solutions.oracle.com/scwar/scr/AboutPartners/validated-integration/index.html

About Oracle PartnerNetwork

Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) is Oracle's partner program that provides partners with a differentiated advantage to develop, sell, and implement Oracle solutions. OPN offers resources to train and support specialized knowledge of Oracle's products and solutions and has evolved to recognize Oracle's growing product portfolio, partner base, and business opportunity. Key to the latest enhancements to OPN is the ability for partners to be recognized and rewarded for their investment in Oracle Cloud. Partners engaging with Oracle will be able to differentiate their Oracle Cloud expertise and success with customers through the OPN Cloud program  an innovative program that complements existing OPN program levels with tiers of recognition and progressive benefits for partners working with Oracle Cloud. To find out more, visit: http://www.oracle.com/partners.

Trademarks

Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE ERP Suites

Related Links

http://www.erpsuites.com


"We are very proud of this partnership with Puregraft, a brand that has been at the cutting edge of technology in cell therapies," said Juan Jose Chacon Quiros, Chief Executive Officer of Establishment Labs. "Puregraft autologous fat transfer has demonstrated long term natural tissue retention, and will enable advanced cell-and-implant hybrid aesthetic and reconstructive treatments in combination with our innovative line of Motiva Implants. We believe that incorporating the latest technologies into breast aesthetics, breast reconstruction and body contouring will improve patient outcomes significantly and we are continuing to invest to bring an entirely new generation of products and therapies to market."

Used in combination, Motiva Implants and Puregraft autologous fat transfer allows plastic surgeons to balance volume between silicone breast implants and subcutaneous tissue volume, for a more natural look and feel using the patient's own cells.

"We are delighted to work with Establishment Labs to advance the state of the art Plastic Surgery procedures," said Brad Conlan, CEO of Puregraft, LLC. "We are enthusiastic about the opportunities in the international market, and anticipate that hybrid procedures will become the new standard for breast augmentation, breast reconstruction and body contouring."

"There is a critical, unmet need in breast aesthetics and breast reconstruction surgery for consistent, reproducible treatments using silicone implants in combination with purified fat grafts in breast and body contouring. These are both best-of-breed companies in their respective fields," said Professor Marcos Sforza, one of the leading voices in combination techniques and advanced technologies in Plastic Surgery. "This partnership will provide surgeons with additional tools and elevate the standard of care for patients."

About Establishment Labs

Establishment Labs is an innovator in implantable medical devices. Their Motiva Implants line of silicone breast implants are approved for sale in over 60 countries. Motiva Implants combine several proprietary technologies to improve safety and patient satisfaction, including SilkSurface hierarchical micro-nano structures, Ergonomix the world's first breast implant with ergonomic characteristics, and the QInside RFID microtransponder technology. QInside is- also cleared for sale in the U.S. via FDA's 510(k) pathway. Establishment Labs manufactures its own products in state-of-the-art ISO 13485-certified facilities.

About Puregraft

Puregraft, LLC is a global medical device company owned by Bimini Technologies. In 15 minutes or less, Puregraft's FDA cleared and CE-Marked technology provides plastic surgeons with purified fat for reinjection on the sterile field. The Puregraft technology is used in hospitals and clinics around the world and provides physicians with confidence and convenience. Puregraft, LLC is positioned to continue its leadership in the rapidly expanding, fat transfer marketplace. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in San Diego, California.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GAxCpuFKpk&feature=youtu.be

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150916/267241LOGO

SOURCE Puregraft, LLC
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With more than 2,600 children under 13 involved in a car crash every day, or one child every 33 seconds, parents need to be extra vigilant about keeping kids safe in cars. And while most families put kids in car seats, the latest research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 59 percent of car seats are not installed correctly. To bring parents easy-to-access expert advice to protect their children in cars, Safe Kids Worldwide is launching a new resource today, the Ultimate Car Seat Guide.

Visit www.UltimateCarSeatGuide.org

The Guide, developed with support from General Motors, gives expert guidance to parents, particularly new parents, on the important decisions they face when choosing and using a car seat. It offers parent-friendly tips on how to fit a child into a car seat and how to know when it is time to move to a new type of seat.

Based on the wisdom gained from checking nearly two million car seats at Safe Kids Buckle Up events, the Guide provides parents the latest best practices to give kids the best protection. Advice covers all stages of a child's development, from the first car seat until the child is ready to ride with a seat belt.

"As the car seat experts, we are constantly asked by parents what kind of car seat to buy, how to install it properly, and when a child should move into a booster seat," said Kate Carr, president and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. "Not every parent can make it to one of the thousands of car seat checkup events held by Safe Kids each year, but with the Ultimate Car Seat Guide, we can reach more parents with helpful tips to protect kids on the move."

"For nearly 20 years, we've been a partner with Safe Kids and have supported the Buckle Up program to raise awareness" said Jeff Boyer, Vice President of General Motors Global Vehicle Safety. "We are extremely proud that we can now offer parents a valuable tool that allows free access to vital safety information."

"Safe Kids provides accessible, easy-to-understand resources and education for parents and caregivers who want to make sure their littlest passengers are safe and secure in the correct car seat," said Dr. Mark Rosekind, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "It's our goal to make sure every child is buckled up, every time, and I applaud Safe Kids for their efforts in support of that mission."

About Child Passenger Safety Week - September 18-24

Child Passenger Safety Week is September 18-24 and culminates with National Seat Check Saturday on September 24. In September, Safe Kids will host nearly 500 car seat events and inspection stations across the country, offering guidance from Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on proper car seat and booster seat installation and usage. Parents and caregivers can visit SafeKids.org to locate an event in their community.



About Safe Kids Worldwide

Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to prevent childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Throughout the world, almost one million children die of an injury each year, and almost every one of these tragedies is preventable. Safe Kids works with an extensive network of more than 400 coalitions in the U.S. and with partners in more than 30 countries to reduce traffic injuries, drownings, falls, burns, poisonings and more. Since 1988, Safe Kids has helped reduce the U.S. childhood death rate from unintentional injury by 60 percent. Working together, we can do much more for kids everywhere. Join our effort at safekids.org

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SOURCE Safe Kids Worldwide

Related Links

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NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Publication announces that Float Productions, a subsidiary of Mortgage Float, begins the production for the short film project Maria Canje with Ricky Brava as the director.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407829

Maria Canje is a story written by the writer, filmmaker, entrepreneur and brain cancer activist Dean Anastos, also known as Bam Bam. Bam Bam recently lost his mother to glioblastoma, which halted the project as he cared for his mother for nine grueling months. "My business life and personal life came to a screeching halt as I went from running a mortgage trading exchange and writing screenplays to being a 24 / 7 caregiver for my dying mother," said Bam Bam, "It was an awful but, ironically, a very rewarding experience," he continued, "I learned a lot from it and made many new friends who shared a similar experience."

Bam Bam made use of his talents to further bring awareness to this dreaded disease, which affects 13,000 new families every year. He made several films that highlight the experience that brain cancer patients and families experience. He also runs the website called www.bambamcancer.com and a page on Facebook called No More that is a collection of his writings that were inspired by his care giving experience.

His most popular film, "The Assignment" was viewed almost 100,000 times. "I never thought that my films and writings would have touched so many lives. I wrote and produced the films as a way to cope with the nightmare I was experiencing at the time."

Bam Bam also created a documentary that is geared to educating the public on this dreaded disease. The name of the documentary is "Awareness".

"It is the first of several documentaries I intend to make to bring awareness to this disease. When I get the time, I would like to personally meet some of the families that are currently enduring this nightmare and document their story for all the world to see," Bam Bam noted.

My heart goes out to all the families out there going through this awful nightmare and I will do everything in my power to bring awareness in any way I can.

One of the lines in the short film Maria Canje was inspired by his care giving experience. "Sometimes God abandons us and puts us in a painful place and we don't understand why, but there comes a time where we begin to understand why he did and we become the person we wish we had in his absence..."

Although the plot of the film is very different than the care giving experience, the sense of metaphoric divine abandonment and turning that into personal strength for each respective scenario is nearly identical, aside from the moral implications of the film.

"One thing I learned, is that no matter how a bad of an experience something may have been, you can always find something positive in it and turn it into something meaningful," Bam Bam declared.

"I am very happy with the cast for the film, especially the lead role Maria Canas. Maria Canas is a strikingly beautiful woman from Venezuela who studies at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. I feel she has a great future ahead of her and I can sense her ambition and determination. She is a lot of fun to work with. I look forward to working with her on many projects in the future," he continued.

Another notable actor in the film is Magno Gama. Magno Gama is a black belt in Jiu Jitsu who trained for over 18 years under Renzo Gracie and operates a school in Astoria, Queens. "We are very excited to have Magno Gama on board, I think he looks fantastic on camera and he is perfect for the part he is playing. Fantastic casting by Bam Bam. Bam Bam is such a genius is so many fields, he is truly amazing. I am glad that I get to work with him closely on many projects, you can always learn something from him," said Ricky Brava.

If the short film is a success in the upcoming film festivals, we will explore the possibility of turning it into a feature," Bam Bam mentioned.

Bam Bam also mentioned that there are other feature films on the drawing board, notably one in the horror genre that entails an Native American urban legend he conjured up that has been reigning terror in rural areas since the colonial times.

"I have always been in the financial industry in one form or another but there is nothing quite like film making. I just love storytelling," Bam Bam said gleefully.

You can visit them their production website at www.floatproductions.us and at their financial site www.mortgagefloat.com

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Related Links

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Mortgage Float

Related Video

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SOURCE Float Productions

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IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Banc of California, Inc. (NYSE: BANC), announced today it has been named to Fortune's Top 100 List of Fastest Growing Companies for the third consecutive year. Banc of California ranked as the seventh fastest growing company over the past year earning it a spot for the first time on Fortune's Top 10 list of Accelerators.

"It is an honor to be named to Fortune's list of Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies for the third straight year," said Steven Sugarman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Banc of California. "The growth we are seeing is a direct result of the commitment and dedication of our over 1,800 employees who come to work every day with a shared vision to be California's Bank and deliver on our mission to empower California through its diverse businesses, entrepreneurs and communities."

Fortune's annual list of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies, now in its 30th year, examines three-year performance based on increases in revenues, profits per share, and stock return. The use of a three-year track record is intended to eliminate one-year wonders and identify those companies that are truly burning it up.

Banc of California was also named as a Top 10 Accelerator from the list of Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies.

Fortune stated, "Banc of California has filled a giant lending gap in the state. In the past six years, this 'California Strong' bank's assets have escalated from $700 million to over $10 billion. The bank prioritizes lending to community development projects like affordable housing, small businesses and financial literacy education."

Meanwhile, Banc of California also announced it has been recognized as "the fastest growing publicly traded U.S. bank" over the past five years by Bloomberg. Additionally, on September 12, Bloomberg noted, "Among the more than 100 U.S. banks with a market value exceeding $1 billion, the [Banc of California]'s stock has delivered the highest return to shareholders in that group, about 56% this year, on top of 32% in 2015."

Banc of California finished August with over $11 billion in assets.

About Banc of California, Inc.

Banc of California, Inc. (NYSE: BANC) provides comprehensive banking services to California's diverse businesses, entrepreneurs and communities. Banc of California operates over 100 offices in California and the West.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe-Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to various factors, including those set forth from time to time in the documents filed or furnished by Banc of California, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and Banc of California, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any such statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date on which the forward-looking statement is made.

Investor Relations Inquiries: Media Inquiries: Banc of California, Inc. Vectis Strategies Timothy Sedabres, (855) 361-2262 David Herbst, (213) 973-4113 x101

SOURCE Banc of California, Inc.

Related Links

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LONDON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --



Scope of the Report

The report titled "Global Malignant Melanoma Market With Focus on Nevisense System: 2015-2020" provides an in-depth analysis of the global malignant melanoma market with detailed analysis of the volume of patients and deaths caused due to melanoma. The report also provides the market size of the global melanoma diagnosis and therapeutics market.

The report provides detailed regional analysis of Americas, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa for the malignant melanoma market. Regional analysis includes the melanoma diagnosis and therapeutics market, total volume of melanoma patients and deaths caused by melanoma along with the gender segmentation. The report also includes the country analysis of the U.S. and Australia for malignant melanoma market. It provides the analysis of melanoma patient volume along with the deaths caused.

The report also provides detailed information and analysis on the first objective diagnostic support tool, named, Nevisense system manufactured by SciBase company. This section provides the detailed information about the features and clinical benefits of the device along with the technology of the device and its clinical procedures. This also includes the global and regional analysis of the number of devices sold since its invention, i.e. 2014, its installed base and the competitors.



Furthermore, the report assesses key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth of the industry. Growth of the overall global melanoma market has also been forecasted for the period 2015-2020, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends. The competition in the global melanoma market is stiff and dominated by the big players like Bristol. Further, key players of the melanoma market, Merck and Navidea are also profiled with their financial information and respective business strategies.

Regional Coverage



Europe

Americas

Asia

Oceania

Africa



Country Coverage



United States

Australia



Company Coverage



Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Merck & Co., Inc.

Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.



Executive Summary



The global malignant melanoma market is expected to have increased at the significant CAGR during 2012-2015 and projections are made that the market would rise in the next five years i.e. 2016-2020 tremendously. The most affected regions around the world include Americas and Europe followed by Asia, Oceania and Africa. The most common environmental factors resulting in the high prevalence of melanoma include, sun exposure, artificial UV rays and social-economic status of individuals.



The growth drivers for the market are: rise in melanoma cases. Effective immunotherapies and targeted therapy drugs. Despite the market is governed by various growth drivers, there are certain challenges faced by the market such as: lack of awareness among people, high treatment cost and challenges in the developing countries such as insufficient political priorities and funding issues.

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Email: [email protected]

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"Innovative research and big data are energizing a proposition that today's healthcare can be radically improved and made more accessible and economical to guide our healthy living," said Kevin Hrusovsky, Founder and Chairman, Powering Precision Health Summit, and Executive Chairman and CEO, Quanterix. "This unique combination of deep science and disruptive technology -- the digitizing of medicine  is what fuels the precision health movement."

The Governor's proclamation reads:

Whereas The health and wellness of all people throughout our Commonwealth are of utmost importance to the Commonwealth's families and communities; and

Whereas chronic disease including cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's, kidney disease, and diabetes are some of the leading causes of death in the Commonwealth; and

Whereas awareness and education about precision health including life style habits, environmental factors, health screens, dietary choices and personalized treatments can impact health, longevity and disease; and

Whereas the Commonwealth's physicians, researchers, innovators, and patients are collaborating to advance how we treat, prevent, and diagnose disease using precision health data driven approaches and digital health technologies; and

Whereas precision health aims to prevent disease from occurring by promoting health and wellness strategies based on an individual's unique genetic makeup and environmental factors, which can reduce healthcare costs, versus the traditional approach managing sick care,

Now, Therefore, I, Charles D. Baker , Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts , do hereby proclaim the week of September 26th to the 30th, 2016, to be, PRECISION HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK.

In January 2016, Governor Baker launched a comprehensive Digital Health Initiative, bringing public, private, academic and healthcare leaders together to build a stronger and more connected digital health ecosystem, ultimately aimed at creating jobs and making advances in improving patient care and lowering health care costs.

"The more we can foster cross-pollination between tech and medicine, the better chance we have to improve patient outcomes across a wide range of diseases and conditions," explained Dr. Krishna Yeshwant, GV General Partner, who serves on the steering committee for the summit.

Powering Precision Health summit aims to provide a platform for sharing some of the world's leading research and approaches to precision health, including new scientific discoveries that can detect disease long before symptoms are present, driving a proactive healthcare system focused on supporting healthy living. The foremost authorities in neurology, oncology, and cardiology will take the stage to lend their expertise, inform, and educate about the latest developments in precision health. The summit is guided by an all-star steering committee: http://www.pphsummit.com/steering-committee.html

"Massachusetts is the undisputed leader and epicenter for life sciences, with hundreds of companies developing cutting-edge research that both adds value to the healthcare system, and improves patient lives," said Robert K. Coughlin, President & CEO of Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, a 750+ member life sciences trade association. "We maintain a firm goal and commitment to precision health that is research based, and patient driven."

The Official Sponsors of Powering Precision Health 2016 are: Quanterix, a leader in the transformation of healthcare through its ultrasensitive single molecule testing capabilities, Cellaria Biosciences, innovator of breakthrough oncology models that ultimately lead the research community to more personalized therapeutics, and MassBio, a not-for-profit trade association committed to advancing Massachusetts' leadership in the life sciences to grow the industry, add value to the healthcare system, and improve patient lives.

About Powering Precision Health Summit

Powering Precision Health 2016 is the nation's first summit dedicated to bringing the world's leading physicians, scientists, innovators, investors and patient advocates together to unveil their latest research on new biomarkers that are revolutionizing precision health. Founded by Kevin Hrusovsky, a widely acclaimed thought leader and visionary in life sciences and personalized medicine, PPHSummit is an executive think tank of researchers and clinicians working together to transform healthcare. Addressing a wide spectrum of therapeutic areas -- neurology, cardiology, oncology, inflammation and infectious disease -- PPHSummit unveils groundbreaking approaches to disease prevention, early diagnosis, and NexGen treatments. PPHSUMMIT features an unprecedented keynote lineup of dignitaries from Harvard Medical School, Mass General Hospital, MIT, Brigham and Women's, Tufts, Whitehead Institute, Boston University and more. Join the conversation on social media using hashtag #PPHSUMMIT. For more information: Website www.pphsummit.com, Twitter @PPHSUMMIT, Facebook @PPHC2016, LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/powering-precision-health-2016, Email: [email protected].

Contact: Heidi Creighton, 978-302-1198 978-302-1198 , [email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407793

SOURCE Powering Precision Health Summit

Related Links

http://www.pphsummit.com


ATLANTA, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Gray Television, Inc. ("Gray," "we," "us" or "our") (NYSE: GTN and GTN.A) announced today that its previously announced offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding 7% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "Notes") expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 13, 2016 (the "Expiration Time").

As of the Expiration Time, $431,240,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, or 63.89% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding, had been validly tendered and not withdrawn. The complete terms and conditions of the tender offer were set forth in an Offer to Purchase that was made available to holders of the Notes.

In accordance with the terms of the Offer to Purchase, Gray made a cash payment to all holders who validly tendered their Notes in the tender offer of $1,042.20 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered (the "Tender Offer Consideration"), plus accrued and unpaid interest from the last interest payment date to, but not including, the payment date of September 14, 2016 (the "Payment Date"), for a total cash payment of approximately $464.1 million. Gray funded the payment for tendered and accepted Notes with the proceeds from its previously announced offering of $525.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due 2024 and $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of additional 5.875% senior notes due 2026 (collectively, the "New Notes Offering").

Gray also announced today that it has delivered a notice of redemption to the holders of Notes that were not validly tendered in the tender offer at the redemption price of 103.750% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. The redemption of the remaining outstanding Notes is expected to occur on October 14, 2016. Gray intends to fund the amounts necessary to redeem the remaining outstanding Notes with the proceeds from the New Notes Offering.

About Gray Television

Gray Television, Inc. (NYSE: GTN and GTN.A) is a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that owns and operates television stations and leading digital assets in markets throughout the United States. We own and/or operate television stations in 51 television markets that broadcast over 185 separate program streams, including 36 channels affiliated with CBS, 27 channels affiliated with NBC, 19 channels affiliated with ABC and 14 channels affiliated with FOX. We own the number-one or number-two ranked television station operations in 50 of those 51 markets. Our stations reach approximately 9.5 percent of total United States television households.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These "forward-looking statements" are statements other than statements of historical fact. Actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from the current expectations and beliefs discussed in this press release. All information set forth in this release is as of September 14, 2016. We do not intend, and undertake no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances. Information about certain potential factors that could affect our business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements are included under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016, each of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

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SOURCE Gray Television, Inc.

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LONDON, Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market report published by Lucintel, the future of the connector industry looks good with opportunities in the transportation, telecom/datacom, computer and peripherals, and industrial segments. The global connector industry is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% by value from 2016 to 2021. The major drivers of growth for this market are the increasing demand of connectors from 3C application (Computers, communications, and consumer electronics) and increasing demand for advanced features, convenience, and connectivity products.

Connectors are used in the variety of end-use industry, such as transportation, consumer electronics, computer and peripherals, industrial and telecommunication industry. On the basis of its comprehensive research, Lucintel predicts that the demand for transportation connector is likely to experience the highest growth in the forecast period supported by increasing electronic content in vehicles and growing automotive production.



Within the connector industry, the PCB connectors segment will remain as the largest segment. Growing automation in various sectors, such as transportation, industrials, and military is expected to spur growth for this segment over the forecast period.

Asia Pacific is expected to remain the largest market due to the increasing production of electronic component and devices in this region. Asia Pacific and the Rest of the World are expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period because of growth in communication, computer/peripheral and consumer electronic product propelled by economic expansion, increasing per capita income, and urbanization.



For business expansion, the report suggests innovation and new product development, to enhance the connectors speed. The report further suggests the development of partnerships with customers to create win-win situations and development of low-cost solutions for the end user.



The emerging trends, which have a direct impact on the dynamics of the industry, include increasing demand for high speed connectors and increasing demand for compact and thinner connectors. TE Connectivity Ltd., Amphenol Corporation, Molex Incorporated, Hon Hai Precision, and Delphi connection are among the major suppliers of connectors. There are some companies that are opting for merger and acquisition as a strategic initiative for driving growth.

Lucintel, a leading global strategic consulting and market research firm, has analyzed growth opportunities in the global connector industry by end use segment, connector type, and region and has come up with a comprehensive research report, "Growth Opportunities in the Global Connector Industry 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 connector industry by end use segment, connector type, and region as follows:



By end use segment [$ Billion shipment analysis from 2010 to 2021]:

Transportation Consumer Electronics Computer and Peripherals Industrial Telecom/Datacom Others

By connector type [$ Billion shipment analysis from 2010 to 2021]:

PCB Rectangular I/O Application Specific Circular IC Sockets RF Coax Fiber Optic Others

By region [$ Billion shipment from 2010 to 2021]:

North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the World

This report answers following 11 key questions:



Q.1: What are some of the potential, high-growth opportunities for global connector industry by applications, by connector types, and regions?

Q.2: Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?

Q.3: Which regions will grow at a faster pace and why?

Q.4: What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the drivers and challenges of the market?

Q.5: What are the business risks and threats to the market?

Q.6: What are emerging trends in this market and reasons behind them?

Q.7: What are some changing demands of customers in the market?

Q.8: What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?

Q.9: Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are being implemented by key players for business growth?

Q.10: What are some of the competitive products and processes in this area and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share via materials / product substitution

Q.11: What are M & A activities in the last 5 years in this market? What reasons can be attributed to these activities and how have they impacted the industry?



This unique report from Lucintel will provide you with valuable information, insights, and tools needed to identify new growth opportunities and operate your business successfully in this market. This report will save hundreds of hours of your own personal research time and will significantly benefit you in expanding your business in this market. In today's stringent economy, you need every advantage that you can find.

To make business, investment, and strategic decisions, you need timely, useful information. This market report fulfills this core need and is an indispensable reference guide for multinational materials suppliers, product manufacturers, investors, executives, distributors, and many more that operate in this market.

Some of the features of "Growth Opportunities in the Global Connector Industry 2016-2021: Trends, Forecast, and Opportunity Analysis" include:



Market size estimates: Global connector industry size estimation in value ($B).Trend and forecast analysis: Global connector industry trend (2010-2015) and forecast (2016-2021) by region and segment.Segmentation analysis: Global connector industry size by various end use segments such as automotive and transportation, consumer electronics, computer and peripherals, industrial, telecom/ datacom , and by connector types such as PCB, rectangular I/O, application specific, circular, IC sockets, RF coax, Fiber Optic, and others; both in terms of value and volume.Regional analysis: Global connector industry breakdown by key regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of World.Growth opportunities: Analysis on growth opportunities in different segment and regions. Strategic analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and expansion strategies of manufacturers in the global connector industry.Emerging applications: Emerging applications of the global connector industry in various markets. Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter's Five Forces model

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Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

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For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

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AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hart InterCivic, Austin-based election solution provider, has earned an outstanding vote of confidence. In its 2016 customer satisfaction survey, 97 percent of customer respondents rated Hart's overall service as excellent or above average. Perhaps more significantly, 91 percent said they would recommend the company to an election colleague.

"For election administrators in a high-visibility year like 2016  or in any year  trusting your election solution partner is paramount," said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. "Hart is passionate about customer service. In turn, our customers know they can count on us to provide the best support in the industry."

With more than a century of history providing products and services that support election administration, Hart now serves hundreds of customers and tens of millions of registered voters across the U.S. Top-notch customer service is key to the company's customer loyalty and growth, and customer feedback informs every aspect of how the business is run.

Since 2007, annual customer surveys have proactively sought customer input and triggered action plans that involve following up with each respondent. While Hart strives to continuously improve service to customers, they hold a benchmark goal of achieving a 90+ percent score in key categories  a goal they have surpassed for more than five years.

"We are proud to report the highest customer satisfaction in the industry," Braithwaite said. "Customer service is not a department at Hart, it is woven into the fabric of our culture."

With ratings this high, customers are eager to share positive feedback. More than half of the survey takers listed what Hart is doing right, including:

"One of the things Hart does best is respond to its customers, and this year is no different. Keep it up."

"Staying on the cutting edge. Quick responses to take care of customer needs at all times; very personable."

"Customer service is still No. 1. I trust Hart will have our best interest and ideas in mind."

"Staying in touch with customers through emails, newsletters and drop-in visits is what Hart is doing right."

About Hart InterCivic, Inc.

Austin-based Hart InterCivic is a full service election solutions innovator, partnering with state and local governments to deliver secure, accurate and reliable elections. Working side-by-side with election professionals for more than 100 years, Hart is committed to helping advance democracy one election at a time. The Hart mission fuels passionate customer focus and a continuous drive for technological innovation. The company's new Verity Voting system makes voting more straightforward, equitable and accessibleand makes managing elections more transparent, more efficient and easier.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150706/231005LOGO

SOURCE Hart InterCivic

Related Links

http://www.hartintercivic.com


HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight hundred Hartford families in need will receive a week's supply of food and daily essentials today, thanks to a partnership between PepsiCo and Feed the Children. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. at XFINITY Theatre, 61 Savitt Way, Hartford, CT.

Today's distribution event is part of Feed the Children's Defeat Hunger Month, a national initiative to raise awareness and funds for this important cause. It's the sixth annual event PepsiCo and Feed the Children have hosted in the Hartford community, where nearly 35 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. Similar events will occur in other major U.S. cities throughout the remainder of the year.

"Feed the Children strives to provide hope and resources to those without life's essentials," said J.C. Watts, Jr., Feed the Children president and CEO. "We are honored to partner with PepsiCo, PriceRite and Community Renewal Team in the fight to end hunger in America."

The receiving families have been identified and preselected by Community Renewal Team, a Hartford nonprofit organization.

"We are so pleased to be able to work with Feed the Children and PepsiCo again to bring these important resources to the community," said Lena Rodriguez, Community Renewal Team president and CEO. "This also provides the opportunity to inform hundreds of families about other services that will help them reduce their bills and improve their lives."

Each qualifying recipient family will be given:

One 25-pound box of nonperishable food items

One 15-pound box of personal-care items

One box of AVON products

products Disney books

One 20-count SunChips Multigrain Variety Mix

Pepsi beverages

Stacy's Pita Chips

Life Original Cereal

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars

Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix

Aunt Jemima Pancake Syrup

Fresh produce and nonperishable food items provided by Price Rite

"We love the Hartford community and are grateful for the opportunity to not only donate, but also meet these families, volunteer and spend a day giving back," said Shaun Stack, key account manager, northeast region, PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division. "At Frito-Lay and PepsiCo, we believe in engaging our associates in community projects and initiatives that make a positive difference in places where we live and work."

About Feed the Children

Established in 1979, Feed the Children exists to end child hunger. It is one of the largest U.S.-based charities and serves those in need in the U.S. and in 10 countries around the world. It provides food, education, essentials and disaster relief. Domestically, it operates 5 distribution centers (located in Oklahoma, Indiana, California, Tennessee and Pennsylvania).

In fiscal year 2015, Feed the Children distributed 107 million pounds of food and essentials valued at $302 million to people in the U.S., and internationally, it sponsored nearly 24,500 children, addressing the root causes of poverty through child sponsorship and school sponsorship. It is accredited by GuideStar Exchange and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance as well as maintains a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

Visit www.feedthechildren.org for more information.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $63 billion in net revenue in 2015, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose  our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth and shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com/.

About Community Renewal Team

Community Renewal Team provides services and support that help more than 110,000 people every year to move toward greater strength and self-sufficiency. As the community action agency for Greater Hartford and Middlesex County, CRT offers Energy Assistance and Weatherization, Head Start, Meals on Wheels, mental health and addiction services, and many other programs. crtct.org

SOURCE PepsiCo

Related Links

http://www.pepsico.com


NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Harwood Feffer LLP (www.hfesq.com) is investigating potential claims against the board of directors of Wells Fargo & Company ("Wells Fargo" or the "Company") (NYSE: WFC), concerning whether the board has breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders.

On September 7, 2016, it was disclosed that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") had fined Wells Fargo $100 million for secretly opening over 2 million unauthorized deposit and credit card accounts since 2011. On September 14, 2016, Reuters reported that the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Southern District of New York and the Northern District of California were investigating bringing charges against the Company.

Our investigation concerns whether the Company board of directors has breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders, grossly mismanaged the Company, and/or committed abuses of control in connection with the foregoing.

If you own Wells Fargo and wish to discuss this matter with us, or have any questions concerning your rights and interests with regard to this matter, please contact:

Robert I. Harwood, Esq.

Benjamin I. Sachs-Michaels, Esq.

Harwood Feffer LLP

488 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Phone Numbers: (877) 935-7400

(212)935-7400

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.hfesq.com

Follow us on Twitter: @HarwoodFeffer

Harwood Feffer has been representing individual and institutional investors for many years, serving as lead counsel in numerous cases in federal and state courts. Please visit the Harwood Feffer LLP website (http://www.hfesq.com) for more information about the firm.

The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Harwood Feffer LLP (www.hfesq.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

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SOURCE Harwood Feffer LLP

Related Links

http://www.hfesq.com


NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- New York-based healthcare messaging company, Klara, announces the closing of its most recent funding round, adding $3 million in financing. This seed round is led by New York's Lerer Hippeau Ventures (early investors in Oscar Health, DoctorOnDemand, Casper, Giphy, Warby Parker, BuzzFeed, x.ai) and Project A Ventures from Berlin (early investors in Tictail, Lost My Name, Junomedical), with existing investors such as German VC Atlantic Labs (early investors in SoundCloud, EyeEm, Medigo, Clue) and Groupe Arnault (investors in Slack, NetFlix, Clue) also participating in the round.



Klara has created a HIPAA-compliant messaging platform for medical teams to centralize all patient-related communication into one place. The Klara team believes that messaging is beginning to revolutionize healthcare just as it has done in many other spaces. The new funding enables the company to pursue its vision to build the central nervous system of healthcare, connecting all medical providers, patients and other medical professionals such as pharmacies, labs and specialists together on one platform.



Founders Simon Bolz and Dr. Simon Lorenz launched Klara in early 2014 as a B2C telemedicine app and have since then successfully evolved the product into a B2B2C messaging platform. Its cloud-based web and mobile apps are used by hundreds of health systems across the US ranging from solo-provider practices, to modern pharmacy companies, large medical groups and enterprise-level hospitals. These teams communicate with tens of thousands of patients sending hundreds of thousands of messages every month.



SIMON BOLZ, CO-FOUNDER & CEO OF KLARA: "We see healthcare as a network, with doctors and patients being the most important nodes communicating with each other. If we want to digitize healthcare, we have to build something that both, medical staff and patients love using everyday to communicate. Providers and their staff are losing multiple hours per day being caught up in endless phone tag. Patients are frustrated by long hold times. Email as an alternative is not secure and fax is outdated. Messaging has turned out to be the perfect fabric to build this network, as it has already become the standard way to communicate in our personal and professional lives. We're very happy that we have the ideal investors on board to follow this vision."



TAYLOR GREENE, PARTNER AT LERER HIPPEAU VENTURES: "We noticed that patients were demanding more from their healthcare providers, and the providers were in search of more operational efficiency. Finding one platform that solves both of those problems, as Klara does, is pretty unique. I was first exposed to the platform while making a doctors appointment and it was so easy to use and seamless, that I had to find a way to track down the company and invest. That doesn't happen to me often."



UWE HORSTMANN, FOUNDING PARTNER AT PROJECT A: "Klara is a real game changer in the health market and a great addition to our digital health portfolio. With the new funding, its great product and team, Klara can now push forward under optimal conditions to become the central communication platform for the medical space and to truly revolutionize healthcare. We're looking forward to support the team in NYC and Berlin with our full operational support."



Current use cases are showing that Klara not only heavily increases efficiency but actually improves outcomes and quality of care by making healthcare a collaborative, transparent and accessible experience: "Klara fundamentally improved workflows in our practice, centralizing all patient related communication into one place. We talk to patients about appointments, results, pre- and post-visit instructions, medication, billing and much more. We also talk with colleagues about referral patients, with labs about test results and biopsy reports, and with pharmacists about medication questions, prior-authorizations and prescriptions. Klara has made everything super efficient, nothing falls between the cracks and patients are truly appreciating this new kind of access to my practice team," says DR. MARYANN MIKHAIL, A NEW YORK BASED DERMATOLOGIST who uses Klara for almost all her patients in her 30 staff Manhattan practice.

The mobile health market ("mHealth") is projected to hit $117 billion by 2020 and 86 percent of clinicians believe mobile apps will be central to patient health in that time frame, according to the newly released "State of the App Economy" report from ACT | The App Association. Health messaging is a key area of growth, according to a 2016 study conducted by mobile trade group Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF). A survey of 6,000 people from nine countries included in the report found that 66 percent of consumers have used a chat app to communicate with a business. Among SMS users, that number grows to 74 percent.

About Klara

Klara was founded in 2013 with the vision to change the broken healthcare experience by directly connecting doctors and patients through technology. Klara's secure and HIPAA-compliant medical messaging platform allows providers and patients to centralize all their medical communication in one simple and secure app. Doctors and their teams can collaboratively communicate with their patients, adding external providers and other medical partners (such as pharmacies, labs and insurance companies) to the conversation to streamline patient care. Klara was founded in 2013 by Simon Bolz und Dr. Simon Lorenz and has offices in New York (HQ) and Berlin. More information on www.klara.com.

Press Contact

Alexis Sheehy

[email protected]

(001) 844-215-5272

About Lerer Hippeau Ventures

Lerer Hippeau Ventures is a seed stage venture capital fund based in New York City. We respect and seek out entrepreneurs with product vision, consumer insight, focused execution, and unwavering ambition. When we are lucky enough to meet founders with these qualities, our hope is that they will choose us as a partner. All of us have started and run companies for a living. Lerer Hippeau Ventures is where we invest in our peers. Investments include BuzzFeed, Casper, Warby Parker, Doctor On Demand, Giphy, Percolate, and others. More on http://lererhippeau.com/

About Project A Ventures

Project A is a Berlin-based early-stage investor and operational VC in the digital technology space. With financial support and operational expertise, Project A helps startups to build up competences in key areas such as IT, Performance Marketing, Business Intelligence and Organization Building, and thus contributes to their sustainable success. Project A has supported entrepreneurs in building companies such as Tictail, Lost My Name, PETS DELI, Junomedical, ZenMate and Eyeota. More about Project A Ventures on www.project-a.com and on our blogs insights.project-a.com.

SOURCE Klara Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.klara.com


METHUEN, Mass., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to what has become a recurring pattern of unlawful bargaining practices by Steward Health Care, the registered nurses, who are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association at Steward Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, filed an unfair labor practice charge this week with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the hospital's continued failure and refusal to provide legally required information that the nurses need to begin bargaining a new union contract.

The charge filed by the nurses at the Holy Family Hospital in Methuen follows two earlier charges filed by the nurses at Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill, who are currently locked in a struggle to negotiate their union contract, an effort that has drawn widespread support from the community including the Haverhill City Council, a number of Essex County legislators, and a growing list of community leaders and residents who have sent letters and signed petitions in support of the nurses.

Steward's alleged illegal effort to stonewall the negotiations with the Methuen nurses by withholding requested information necessary for bargaining comes at a time when the combined Holy Family Hospital Haverhill and Methuen campuses posted profits of more than $17 million and a profit margin of 8 percent, which is double the state average of 4% for the state's acute care hospitals according the latest official reports filed with the state's Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA). The Steward system reported a $131 million operating profit for the same period. (Most recent data reported by Steward to CHIA for the first nine months of 2015.)

The latest charge stems from an initial information request sent to Steward on May 19. The request, which is a standard request unions make to all employers prior to the opening of negotiations, calls for the employer to provide a variety of legally required information, including a listing of all nurses with wage, hour and seniority data, health insurance data and information on the use of temporary/casual nurses. These requests are made by the MNA for all its negotiations with the dozens of hospitals and other health care employers where it represents nurses for collective bargaining. It is rare for any employer not to comply with these requests, yet for Steward, it has become a standard practice. In fact the MNA, which represents nurses and other health professionals at eight Steward owned hospitals across the Commonwealth, reports that Steward often employs a number of strategies to stall and delay the negotiating process, stretching most negotiations to 18 months.

"More than 40% of the nurses who were employed by the Haverhill hospital in 2014 have since left, most to find better working conditions elsewhere. Steward has become known statewide for protracted negotiations, and their failure to keep promises when they do finally negotiate," said Dana Simon, chief negotiator for nurses represented by the MNA at all Steward owned facilities. "Steward is notorious among healthcare workers for the calculated delay of contract talks with the aim of avoiding wage increases and other contract enhancements. That's unfortunately gotten them a reputation for disrespecting staff. The staff that remain do heroic wonderful work, but fewer healthcare workers are willing to stay and even fewer are willing to be recruited to those hospitals."

The nurses and management at Holy Family in Methuen are scheduled to begin talks on September 20, yet the MNA has yet to receive all of the necessary information it has requested in May, which prompted the filing of the charge this week.

As the Holy Family Methuen nurses begin their talks, the nurses at Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill continue their contentious struggle to negotiate their own union contract with Steward. In those talks, Steward also refused for months to provide needed information; came to the table with virtually no proposals; reneged on a promise to provide a promised pension benefit; and have finally made a wage offer that would lag so far behind pay offered by other hospitals that more nurses are guaranteed to leave despite many of the nurses going three years without any increase, and the hospital's posting of significant profits in the last year. The exodus of nurses from the facility has caused the hospital on numerous occasions to turn away patients seeking care at the facility.

The community of Haverhill has become involved in the nurses' struggle, with community leaders and residents mobilizing behind the nurses. In fact, The Workers' Rights Board, an adjunct of the Massachusetts Jobs With Justice, a coalition of community, faith and labor organizations who advocate for the fair treatment of working people, will be holding a community forum on Tuesday, Sep. 20 from 6  8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalists Church of Haverhill. The event, hosted by State Representative Diana DiZiglio; Susan Winning, Coordinator of the UMass Lowell Labor Extension Program and Unitarian Minister and community leader Ralph Galen, will be open to the public and feature testimony by the nurses of both Holy Family Hospitals, as well as concerned community members.

The next negotiating session between the nurses of Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill and management is scheduled for Sep. 15, 2016

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest professional health care organization and the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

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SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association

Related Links

http://www.massnurses.org


DES PLAINES, Ill., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) UOP today announced that its modular natural gas processing equipment enables Virginia Indonesia Company (VICO) to use natural gas straight from the wellhead to power on-site equipment.

Raw natural gas is often corrosive, or "sour," making it unsuitable for fueling on-site power-generation machinery without damaging the equipment. The modular fuel gas-conditioning system uses Honeywell UOP's Separex technology to remove corrosive contaminants from natural gas streams, allowing it to safely and reliably fuel on-site machinery.

"Honeywell UOP's modular Separex technology is factory-built, easily shipped to the project site and ideally suited for operation in remote locations," said John Gugel, vice president and general manager for Honeywell UOP's Gas Processing and Hydrogen business. "The value of this solution is that you can use the very fuel you're producing to run the on-site equipment, rather than another fuel such as diesel that continually has to be transported to the site and is subject to supply interruptions."

Because it is built in a factory, the system starts up faster and operates more reliably than systems constructed on site, enabling customers to begin earning revenue faster. The standardized modular system is designed to easily fit together with other equipment, and is easier to operate due to common parts and standardized training, operations and maintenance.

Demand for natural gas is rising in Indonesia and many other developing countries along with economic growth, even as domestic sources of crude oil decline by about 4 percent annually. The government of Indonesia is making infrastructure investments to promote the use of natural gas as a transportation and household fuel, a feedstock for fertilizers, and for generating electricity.

The Indonesia natural gas program includes the development of new domestic sources to forestall importation, which could become necessary as early as 2019, according to the nation's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Indonesia currently has proven reserves of 98 trillion standard cubic feet (TSCF) of natural gas, with as many as 53 TSCF yet to be developed, according to the Ministry.

Rapid commercialization of new gas reserves in Indonesia will require substantial investment as part of a $24 billion national energy modernization program that will bring natural gas from distant locations to population centers in Java and Sumatra. Modular equipment from Honeywell UOP is critical to powering and processing natural gas at wells in these remote areas.

Honeywell UOP Separex membrane systems contain spiral wound membrane elements that remove acid gas and water from natural gas streams. Decades of operation in natural gas service demonstrate that Separex membranes are the most durable type of membrane in the industry. To date, more than 130 Separex systems have been installed worldwide.

"This application of the technology is in a remote location in Indonesia, proving that it can be a viable solution just about anywhere in the world where sour gas is available to run equipment," Gugel said. "Modular units such as this are built to very high standards in a controlled environment and can even be redeployed to other locations if necessary."

VICO has operated the Sanga-Sanga Production Sharing Contract (PSC), located in the Kutai Basin of East Kalimantan, for more than 40 years. It has produced more than 12.6 TSCF of gas and 0.4 billion barrels of liquid from the production fields in Badak, Mutiara, Semberah, Nilam, Pamaguan, Lampake and Beras.

Honeywell UOP (www.uop.com) is a leading international supplier and licensor of process technology, catalysts, adsorbents, equipment, and consulting services to the petroleum refining, petrochemical, and gas processing industries. UOP is part of Honeywell's Performance Materials and Technologies strategic business group, which also includes Honeywell Process Solutions (www.honeywellprocess.com), a pioneer in automation control, instrumentation and services for the oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, chemical and other industries.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

This release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements. We identify the principal risks and uncertainties that affect our performance in our Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Honeywell

Related Links

http://www.honeywell.com


NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- She Leads 2016 will take place in New York City on October 6th from 9am  7:00pm at Wells Fargo. This conference marks the fourth annual gathering of hundreds of powerful women leaders, accomplished female founders/entrepreneurs from around the world and in the media.

Experts in venture capital, marketing, sales, finance, legal, public relations, social media, technology, branding and more will offer advice, insight and action-plans designed to assist a crowd of hundreds of women from across the globe, including an international delegation of women entrepreneurs from the Netherlands, in a practical and accessible forum. This year's conference highlights the changing nature of leadership and entrepreneurship as a path to financial success, career flexibility and personal/professional leadership for women worldwide. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with speakers, and like-minded professionals to learn, pitch ideas, and get actionable tips to apply immediately in business and life.

Adrienne Garland, founder of She Leads Media says, "She Leads provides a unique and intimate setting where strong women leaders and entrepreneurs can learn, network and do business," and adds, "I want all women to believe in themselves and know, deeply, that they hold the key to their own, personal leadership potential. Women are born leaders. Just take a look around  we are the ones who quietly lead families to great success. It's time that we speak up and take a more public stance as leaders of companies, governments and the media. She Leads is a forum that allows women to learn from and inspire one another, as well as to connect with an influential network of like-minded women."

"This year, expert speakers have been curated to showcase that diversity of leadership and social justice have the potential to bring positive change to the world. Our all-star lineup of more than 30 speakers includes Kelly Hoey of Inc.com and Broadsheet, Jennifer Owens of Working Mother Magazine, Catherine Hill, Ph.D.  American Association of University Women, Debi Silber, MS, RN of Lifestyle Fitness, Inc., Lorine Pendleton of Pipeline Angels, Jordana Kier of LOLA, Adam Quinton of Lucas Point Ventures, Susan McPherson a corporate responsibility expert, Kathy Gendel of Breezies on QVC, Katharine Mobley of Crescerance, Bethany Heinrich of Mogul, Hannah Oknine of Babbler and so many more. For complete list of speakers, please visit: http://www.sheleadsmedia.com/events/annual-conference/speakers.html. We are confident that She Leads attendees will come away with the inspiration, knowledge, tools and connections to begin to take more prominent leadership roles in all aspects of their lives."

She Leads 2016 is sponsored in part by Ingram Yuzek Gainen Carroll & Bertolotti, LLP, Wells Fargo, Breather, Slides Live, NutriBullet and LOLA. Registration fee is $210. For a complete listing of the day's schedule and speakers, go to www.sheleadsmedia.com.

About She Leads Media: She Leads Media, Inc. is a media, conference company and community that partners with leading, global brands and organizations to curate exceptional experiences that positively impact women entrepreneurs and leaders, worldwide. www.SheLeadsMedia.com

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/SheLeadsMedia/

Twitter: @SheLeadsIt

Instagram: @SheLeadsMedia



For all inquiries or further information, contact:

Melissa Broadway, M1 LLC

[email protected]

702.863.7489

SOURCE She Leads Media

Related Links

http://www.sheleadsmedia.com


ATLANTA, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Hope On Wheels (HHOW) and Atlanta-area Hyundai dealers will present Dr. Cheng-Kui Qu of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta with a $250,000 Scholar Grant to be used to improve care and increase treatment options for kids with cancer. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta was one of 24 recipients across the country selected by a rigorous scientific review panel to receive this highly competitive Hyundai Scholar Grant.

The $250,000 Scholar Grant will be presented at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston (1405 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329) tomorrow, Thursday, September 15 at 11:00 a.m. at a Handprint Ceremony during which the handprints of local Atlanta-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*:

Cheng-Kui Qu , M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics; CHOA Research Scholar; Department of Pediatrics Division of Hematology/Oncology; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics; CHOA Research Scholar; Department of Pediatrics Division of Hematology/Oncology; and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Dr. Douglas Graham , M.D., Director, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta ; Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine

, M.D., Director, and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of ; Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Department of Pediatrics, Rob Bentley , Vice President, Corporate Development, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

, Vice President, Corporate Development, Children's Healthcare of Terica McRell , Mother of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta pediatric cancer patient, Terrence McRell (11-years old)

Mother of Children's Healthcare of pediatric cancer patient, (11-years old) Walter Dawson , Senior Manager, Regional Genesis Operations, Southern Region, Hyundai Motor America

, Senior Manager, Regional Genesis Operations, Southern Region, Hyundai Motor America Wes Ellis , General Manager, Jim Ellis Hyundai, Hyundai Motor America

*ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW AND PHOTO/B-ROLL OPPORTUNITIES*

"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 Scholar Grants and Handprint Ceremonies

The Scholar Senior Research Grants will fund childhood research projects designed to improve the treatment and quality of life for children with cancer. The ultimate goal of the Scholar Senior Research Grant program is to find cures for childhood cancers once and for all. 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 Children's Oncology Group (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 www.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

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SOURCE Hyundai Hope On Wheels

Related Links

http://www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org


WABAN, Mass., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Companies often use a metric called Net Promoter Score (NPS) as a measure of loyalty, as it calculates the likelihood that customers will recommend a company to friends and colleagues. In a new report called Tech Vendor NPS Benchmark, 2016, Temkin Group analyzes NPS of 62 tech vendors based on feedback from 800 IT decision makers within large North American companies.

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NPS can range from a low of -100 to a high of +100. With an NPS of 61, IBM software came out with the top score followed by HPE outsourcing, IBM SPSS, and VMware. Four other tech vendors received NPS of more than 45: Oracle outsourcing, Intel, Microsoft servers, and HPE IT services.

At the other end of the spectrum, eight tech vendors have NPS below 10: Cognizant, Capgemini, Infosys, SunGard, CSC, ADP, Trend Micro, and Accenture.

This is the fifth year that Temkin Group has completed the NPS study. The average NPS dropped from 31.8 in 2015 to 29.9 this year.

"We found a wide range of Net Promoter Scores across tech vendors, and a strong connection between that metric and the loyalty of IT professionals," states Bruce Temkin, Managing Partner of Temkin Group.

In addition to benchmarking NPS, the research examines several areas of loyalty that large companies have for their tech vendors. We found that IT professionals are most likely to increase spending with Software AG and HPE outsourcing, most likely to try new offerings from IBM SPSS, IBM software, and IBM outsourcing, and are most likely to forgive HPE outsourcing and IBM SPSS.

This research can be accessed from the blog, Customer Experience Matters, at ExperienceMatters.wordpress.com as well as from the Temkin Group website, www.TemkinGroup.com.

For more information about Temkin Group, visit www.TemkinGroup.com.

About Temkin Group: Temkin Group is widely recognized as a leading customer experience research and consulting firm. Many of the world's largest brands rely on its insights and advice to steer their transformational journeys. Temkin Group combines customer experience thought leadership with a deep understanding of the dynamics of organizations to help accelerate results. Rather than layering on cosmetic changes, Temkin Group helps companies embed practices within their culture by building four critical competencies: Purposeful Leadership, Employee Engagement, Compelling Brand Values, and Customer Connectedness. The firm's ongoing research identifies leading and emerging best practices across a wide range of activities for engaging the hearts and minds of customers, employees, and partners. For more information, contact Bruce Temkin at 617-916-2075 or send an email.

About Bruce Temkin: Bruce Temkin is widely recognized as a customer experience visionary and is Customer Experience Transformist and Managing Partner of Temkin Group. He is also the author of a very popular blog, Customer Experience Matters (ExperienceMatters.wordpress.com). Prior to forming Temkin Group, he was a VP at Forrester Research for 12 years. Bruce is a highly demanded speaker who consistently receives high marks for his content-rich, entertaining keynote addresses. He is also the Emeritus Chair and co-founder of the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA.org), a global non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of customer experience management.

Net Promoter Score, Net Promoter, and NPS are registered trademarks of Bain & Company, Satmetrix Systems, and Fred Reichheld.

Customer Experience Matters is a registered trademark of Temkin Group.

SOURCE Temkin Group

Related Links

http://temkingroup.com


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Customer Management Institute (ICMI), will host eight interactive half-day workshops during its Contact Center Demo & Conference, taking place Oct 25-27 in Dallas, TX. The event's workshop lineup gives attendees the opportunity to experience hands-on training with some of the best instructors in the industry, taking deep-dives into the most pertinent and helpful topics.

To learn more about ICMI's Contact Center Demo & Conference and to register, please visit: ICMI.com/CCDemo

Each expert-led workshop will cover a topic that tackles today's issues and provides attendees actionable ideas and solutions for their own centers. The eight sessions will cover topics such as employee management, hiring and training, technology implementation, and customer experience, giving participants the opportunity for a hands-on learning approach into pressing subject matter specific to their professional needs.

Workshops will be held on Tuesday, October 25 during two separate time slots. This year's schedule includes:

8:30 AM- 12:00 PM High Performance Management: Getting the Most Out of Contact Center Agents , Jeff Toister The Principles of Effective Contact Center Management , Brad Cleveland Results That Last: 7 Roles Every Contact Center Manager Must Master , Karin Hurt Secrets to Success in Technology Selection and Implementation , Lori Bocklund

1:30 PM- 5:00 PM Staff up! 10 Ways to Hire and Train Faster , Jeff Toister The Big Picture of Quality Data , Laura Grimes , Monica Pastrana Journey Mapping: Create an Effortless Experience , Jim Tincher Contact Center Technology 101: What Every Professional Needs to Know , Lori Bocklund



"We are excited to present interactive workshops led by some of the most influential industry experts," said Patty Caron, Event Director, ICMI. "These conference offerings not only spark new ideas and practices, but also inspire professionals to make strategic changes to their own centers to the benefit of their organizations."

For more information about the workshops to be featured during ICMI's Contact Center Demo & Conference, please visit: ICMI.com/CCDemoWorkshops

Get Registered

Two and three day passes are available to suit your individual needs. For more information and to register, visit: secure.icmi.com/demo/2016. Use code ICMI-PR to receive 10% off current pricing.

Register for a Media Pass here: secure.icmi.com/demo/2016/registrations/media

ICMI Social Networks:

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About ICMI

The International Customer Management Institute (ICMI) is the leading global provider of comprehensive resources for customer management professionals -- from frontline agents to executives -- who wish to improve customer experiences and increase efficiencies at every level of the contact center. Since 1985, ICMI has helped more than 50,000 organizations in 167 countries through training, events, consulting, and informational resources. ICMI's experienced and dedicated team of industry insiders, trainers, and consultants are committed to helping you raise the strategic value of your contact center, optimize your operations and improve your customer service. ICMI is a part of UBM plc (www.ubm.com), a global events-led marketing services and communications company.

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SOURCE The International Customer Management Institute (ICMI)

Related Links

http://www.icmi.com


BANGALORE, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Establishes New Engineering Delivery Centers in Croatia and Russia

Infosys (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in consulting, technology and next-generation services, today announced an agreement to provide engineering services to Ansaldo Energia, a producer of thermoelectric power plants. To support Ansaldo Energia, Infosys will expand its global service delivery network into Eastern Europe and Russia's established heavy engineering sector by creating two development centers - in Karlovac in Croatia and Moscow in Russia.

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Ansaldo Energia supports public and private sector power producers with a range of plant engineering, manufacturing and service activities.

Infosys will deliver research and development service delivery and capabilities, along with engineering services to the enlarged Ansaldo Energia business.

The new Infosys facilities in the two countries will have an initial combined capacity of up to 180 seats and operate as centers of excellence for engineering skills in turbo machinery, aerospace and automotive. As well as supporting Ansaldo Energia, the centers will support a wide roster of engineering clients. The new centers will initially be staffed by engineers that bring to Infosys extensive experience previously gained while they were part of Alstom.

Croatia and Russia possess a wealth of heavy engineering skills, enabling the delivery of essential support services to sectors including energy generation, transportation and exploration.

Quotes:

Juerg Schmidli, President, Ansaldo Energia, Switzerland

"The combination of the former Alstom team with the global footprint of Infosys engineering services will help us meet our growth targets in the gas turbine industry. The existing teams have deep and longstanding expertise in power turbine design which will be important in our process of extending our technology capabilities and product portfolio in the advanced heavy duty gas turbine business."

Sandeep Dadlani, President and Global Head - Manufacturing, Retail, CPG and Logistics, Infosys

"The agreement with Ansaldo Energia is a landmark in the development of our engineering services capabilities. As well as providing valuable services to Ansaldo Energia in the development of new gas turbines, the strengthening of design services capabilities comes at a time when the industry is increasingly looking at digital design services and innovations to radically transform the cost and speed of production of industrial equipment. The establishment of centers in Croatia and Russia enables us to tap into a rich pool of engineering talent and bring this to the industrial and manufacturing companies that we work with around the world."

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in technology services and consulting. We enable clients in more than 50 countries to create and execute strategies for their digital transformation. From engineering to application development, knowledge management and business process management, we help our clients find the right problems to solve, and to solve these effectively. Our team of 190,000+ innovators, across the globe, is differentiated by the imagination, knowledge and experience, across industries and technologies, that we bring to every project we undertake.

Visit http://www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise thrive in the digital age.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this press release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. In addition, please note that the date of this press release is September 14, 2016, and any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of this date. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company unless it is required by law.

SOURCE Infosys
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IT'SUGAR, the sweet experiential candy retailer, today revealed its most frightening Halloween campaign yet: One Scary Election. As the 2016 U.S. Presidential election heats up and continues to spook America, IT'SUGAR retail locations nationwide will be getting into the Halloween spirit to celebrate the "candy-dates."

Along with not-to-be-missed window displays at IT'SUGAR stores, One Scary Election will give customers the opportunity to purchase various exclusive products inspired by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton: "Trump or Treat" and "Hilloween" candies. The truly unique, and similarly-hued Donald Trump will be represented, appropriately, as a pumpkin, while the wickedly ruthless Hillary Clinton will find her home as a witch. Candy connoisseurs alike can eat away their sorrows about the future of the country with a "Hilloween" Candy Corn Box or a "Trump or Treat" Candy Pumpkin Box.

"At IT'SUGAR nothing is off limits, and the upcoming election is certainly no different," said Jeff Rubin, founder and CEO of IT'SUGAR. "With One Scary Election this Halloween, IT'SUGAR will hopefully provide our customers with a much needed laugh as the sometimes frightful campaign trail continues."

Known for its outlandish sweets and irreverent merchandise offerings, IT'SUGAR has no plans to slow down this hair-raising holiday season. Feel like impersonating the devilish Donald Trump? Get into character with the exclusive Trump Giant Lollipop - a sweet confection molded into Trump's infamous coif. Outside of the edible treats, customers can also get a hold of Hillary action figures, Hillary and Trump Toilet Paper, Trump Sunglasses, Hillary and Trump Socks and a Hillary Bop Bag.

Consumers can join IT'SUGAR as America heads to the figurative grave when One Scary Election opens to the public on Wednesday, September 14. So grab a pitchfork, heat up that caldron and join IT'SUGAR to show America which candy-date scares this country the most. Want to cast your official ballot? Head to www.itsugar.com/vote to place your vote and receive a 10 percent coupon code for use online or in-store.

For more information and to purchase products online, please visit http://itsugar.com.

About IT'SUGAR

Founded by Jeff Rubin in 2006, this sweet experiential retail experience has become one of the largest and fastest growing specialty candy and gift retailers in the world. The IT'SUGAR Empire consists of over 90 retail locations in U.S. hotspots such as New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Denver, San Diego, and Palm Beach. Known for their absurdly wonderful sugar innovations that celebrate lighthearted rebellion, IT'SUGAR aspires to a future where everyone has access to the pure joy that comes from indulging in a world with fewer rules and more sugar.

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SOURCE ITSUGAR

Related Links

http://www.itsugar.com


JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacksonville University is offering transition assistance for RN to BSN degree completion students formerly enrolled in the Breckinridge School of Nursing.

"When we learned of the closure of ITT Tech and the Breckinridge School of Nursing, we were deeply saddened by the impact this would have on students who've no doubt invested a great deal of time, financial resources, and energy into achieving their dreams," said Carla Fry, PhD, MSN, Undergraduate Program Director for the Nathan M. Bisk Center for Online Learning at the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences. "Though we are not completely aware of the volume of RN-BSN students displaced by the closure of ITT Tech, we feel strongly enough to act."

JU is offering flexibility with transfer credits (including some of the Nursing courses themselves) and an academic plan for former Breckinridge students who were very near degree completion. The fully accredited JU online RN-BSN program is structured as 8-week courses. There are ten nursing courses totaling 32 credit hours, and all general education core courses are also available online should students still need them. Tuition is competitive per credit hour with six session starts per year.

"We believe that every nurse who returns to school to finish his or her Bachelor's degree is forever changed...they learn to think differently, they engage in evidence based research activities designed to improve patient outcomes, and they become change agents better prepared for the rapidly evolving field of health care," said Dr. Fry. "Those on the important journey to BSN completion should be afforded every opportunity to complete it."

We are currently enrolling for our Fall II session which begins October 24, 2016 and look forward to communicating with former ITT Tech Students about their options at Jacksonville University. Please visit www.jacksonvilleu.com to learn about what you can do next.

About Jacksonville University

Founded more than 80 years ago, Jacksonville University (JU) is recognized as one of the nation's foremost teaching institutions. The 250-acre riverfront campus located in Jacksonville, Florida is home to more than 4,000 students in over 70 programs ranging from bachelors to doctorate degrees and has graduated more than 29,000 alumni worldwide. JU has provided high-quality education for nurses for over 40 years, and has offered its acclaimed online RN to BSN degree program for over 10 years. To meet the needs of those seeking the advanced opportunities of a postgraduate education, JU also offers a convenient and top-ranked online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. JU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is repeatedly named as one of America's best colleges by U.S. News & World Report. The School of Nursing holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

About Bisk



Founded in 1971, Bisk is one of the countrys largest and most respected facilitators of online education. The company's innovative, student-focused technology and support services power the delivery of degree and professional certificate programs from the nation's leading associations, corporations, and accredited universities. Bisk is committed to transforming lives by supporting the lifelong learning goals of adult learners. For more information, go to www.Bisk.com.

Contact:

Victoria Raymer

1-727-224-4332

[email protected]

SOURCE Bisk Education, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.bisk.com


James Taylor At Christmas is a collection of 14 timeless holiday classics recorded by five-time Grammy  -Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee James Taylor throughout the years. Taylor puts his spin on seasonal favorites, offering up his jazzy renditions of "Winter Wonderland," featuring famed trumpeter Chris Botti, and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, " his unique take on "Jingle Bells," a heartwarming rendition of "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire), and a moving version of George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" which Taylor recorded with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Other tracks include his playful duet with Natalie Cole ("Baby, It's Cold Outside"), a cover of Joni Mitchell's "River," his take on the spiritual "Go Tell It On the Mountain," "Mon Beau Sapin," a French rendition of "O Christmas Tree," and to cap off the year, the New Year's classic "Auld Lang Syne."

As a recording and touring artist, James Taylor has touched people with his warm baritone voice and distinctive style of guitar-playing for more than 40 years, while setting a precedent to which countless young musicians have aspired. Over the course of his celebrated songwriting and performing career, Taylor has sold more than 100 million albums, earning gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards for classics ranging from Sweet Baby James in 1970 to October Road in 2002. In 2015, Taylor released Before This World, his first new studio album in 13 years, which earned him his first ever #1 album on the Billboard Charts and a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album. He has won multiple Grammy Awards and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2012, Taylor was awarded the distinguished Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government and the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama in a White House ceremony. In November of 2015, Taylor was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor.

JAMES TAYLOR AT CHRISTMAS TRACK LISTING:

SIDE A

1. Winter Wonderland (Featuring Chris Botti)

2. Go Tell It On The Mountain

3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

4. Jingle Bells

5. Baby, It's Cold Outside (Featuring Natalie Cole)

6. River

7. Here Comes The Sun (Featuring Yo-Yo Ma)

SIDE B

8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

9. Some Children See Him

10. Mon Beau Sapin

11. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (Featuring Toots Thielemans)

12. Who Comes This Night

13. In The Bleak Midwinter

14. Auld Lang Syne

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407429

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SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises
TechCrunch

Twitter's stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange on November 8, according to a new filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This comes a day after Elon Musk completed the company's takeover after a lengthy ordeal late Thursday. "The New York Stock Exchange hereby notifies the SEC of its intention to remove the entire class of the stated securities from listing and registration on the Exchange at the opening of business on November 08, 2022, pursuant to the provisions of Rule 12d2-2 (a)," the filing reads.
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Prestone Products Corporation, the leader in underhood chemicals, has appointed JMPR Public Relations as its PR agency of record.

Since its founding in 1927, Prestone has become the leading North American manufacturer of cooling system products and performance chemicals. The company's suite of award-winning products includes innovative solutions developed by its world-renowned Technology Center.

JMPR was selected due to its 39 years of relevant experience in the automotive, aftermarket and consumer product industries, as well as its relationships with key industry decision makers. JMPR will be responsible for communicating the benefits of key Prestone products, planning major events and promoting the brand. JMPR will also implement multiple programs on behalf of the brand, including media outreach campaigns.

"We're thrilled to represent such an iconic aftermarket brand," said JMPR President Joseph Molina. "Prestone's long history in the marketplace proves its commitment to quality products and consumers' loyalty to them. We think the partnership of two companies dedicated to quality and innovation is the perfect combination."

"With an ever-growing lineup of innovative automotive solutions, we want to ensure our core audience stays up-to-date while expanding our reach to new auto enthusiasts and DIYers," said Steven Clancy, President of Prestone. "We're certain with such a breadth of experience and expansive contacts, JMPR will successfully engage all of our target audiences."

About JMPR Public Relations

JMPR Public Relations, Inc. is based in Los Angeles and is a leading transportation and consumer lifestyle public relations agency. Select current JMPR clients include Bugatti Automobiles, Infiniti, Airstream Trailers, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, AMA Pro Flat Track, Royal Purple, 3M Auto, The Los Angeles Auto Show and Meguiar's, Inc.

About Prestone

Headquartered in Lake Forest, IL, Prestone is the number one branded consumer choice for antifreeze/coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid in North America. Prestone manufactures and markets antifreeze/coolant, brake and power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid and other leading vehicle maintenance products. Prestone antifreeze/coolant has protected vehicle cooling systems since 1927. You can find more at www.prestone.com.

SOURCE JMPR Public Relations, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.jmprpublicrelations.com


NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Molecular point-of-care, workflow and test technology innovation, geographic market shifts and the U.S. Government's "Cancer Moonshot" are among the topics discussed in Kalorama Information's Upcoming Webinar: The State of the IVD Industry 2016. Presenting will be IVD analyst Emil Salazar, the author of Kalorama's United States In Vitro Diagnostic Market report and Publisher Bruce Carlson. Kalorama Information is a market research firm specializing in studies on in vitro diagnostic and biotech markets. The firm recently published the tenth edition of its comprehensive study of clinical testing markets.

Among the topic discussed will be M&A Statistics, Emerged vs. Emerging Markets, Three Trends That Should Worry IVD Companies, and a Five Year Market Forecast. Interested market watchers can join the webinar at http://content.marketresearch.com/the-state-of-the-ivd-market-in-2016-webinar

"You'll see a lot of estimates of the market for in vitro diagnostics on the web, but rarely can you get a hold of the reasoning behind it," said Bruce Carlson Publisher of Kalorama Information. "Between two columns on a chart there are many winners and losers, many opportunities and also pitfalls. Our intention in the webinar is to go a bit behind our fairly well-known market estimate and provide insight. This will be a trend-focused webinar."

The webinar will feature top-level IVD market forecasts and projections and important trends from Kalorama Information's The Worldwide Market for In Vitro Diagnostic Tests, 10th Edition, and from their recent research into molecular point of care and from the company's appearance at the American Association of Clinical Chemistry. The webinar will provide a market size and forecast for the IVD market, a discussion of the global shift in market opportunity, the decentralization and consolidation trend, and what impact if any the Cancer Moonshot will have on the industry.

"Top IVD companies will be attending the webinar," Carlson said. "As of this time we've still got room for more registrants, and there will be a downloadable Power Point for those who are unable to attend."

Kalorama Information's report, The Worldwide Market for In Vitro Diagnostic Tests, is a comprehensive look at the IVD industry and all of its segments - now in its 10th edition. The report has detailed market estimates of clinical chemistry, with breakouts for immunoassays performed on workstations, critical care, urinalysis and other segments. Competitors large and small are profiled. The report is global in scope and can be found at: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/Worldwide-Vitro-Diagnostic-10206771/.

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]

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SOURCE Kalorama Information

Related Links

http://www.kaloramainformation.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kloudless (kloudless.com), a TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield alum, today announced that Kloudless Enterprise, its self-hosted Universal API solution, can now be deployed with Docker (docker.com). This new functionality enables software developers to deploy Kloudless as one or more Docker containers within existing infrastructure and systems. More details about Kloudless Enterprise and the Docker deployment option can be found at https://kloudless.com/enterprise.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407422

Kloudless announces new solution to deploy Kloudless Enterprise as a Docker container.

"We are always looking for ways to help our customers go to more markets faster. This means not only providing tools that make it quicker to integrate Kloudless's APIs, but also adding technology that makes it easier to deploy, scale, and manage Kloudless more easily," said Eliot Sun, CEO and Co-founder of Kloudless. "Supporting Docker enables Kloudless to be deployed in more environments, making it easier and faster for our customers to serve a wide range of businesses."

Kloudless Enterprise enables businesses to run Kloudless's Universal API products in the security of their own private infrastructure. Previously, Kloudless Enterprise was only available as a virtual machine packaged and configured for a cloud provider (for example, an AMI for AWS) or an OVA for virtualization platforms like VMWare. Docker containers are more lightweight, performant, portable, and easily scalable than existing Kloudless virtual machine images. This enables businesses to deploy Kloudless on a larger number of operating systems and variety of infrastructure.

Capabilities of Kloudless Enterprise containers include:

Support for all Kloudless APIs: Kloudless Enterprise containers support all current Universal API products, including the File Storage API and CRM API.

Deploy and connect on-prem: Not only can Kloudless Enterprise containers be deployed on-premises, they can leverage the Kloudless Connect remote agent to connect to on-premises services behind a customer's firewall.

Co-existence with other software: It is now possible to run Kloudless within a host containing existing software such as monitoring tools or custom configurations for user accounts and system policies.

"Kloudless is a company built for software developers. That means we have a responsibility to offer solutions that complement the latest software development trends," said Vinod Chandru, CTO and Co-founder of Kloudless. "As containerization has become increasingly popular in enterprise environments, we've received many requests from businesses asking to deploy and scale Kloudless within containers rather than virtual machines. We're excited about supporting Docker and seeing how our customers will utilize all the new capabilities."

Kloudless Enterprise Docker containers are available today. Kloudless Enterprise has custom pricing and comes with a free 30-day trial.

About Kloudless

Kloudless is a universal API platform that makes software integrations simple and powerful. With Kloudless's Universal API products, businesses can easily build software that embeds integrations with other applications. Founded in 2011, the company is headquartered in Berkeley, California and is venture-backed by investors like Tim Draper of DFJ and David Sacks of Zenefits. Kloudless was a TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Finalist in 2013. You can learn more about Kloudless at https://kloudless.com or follow us on Twitter.

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Kloudless, Inc.

Related Links

http://kloudless.com


WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Organizers of a march and rally in Lafayette Park here yesterday presented the Obama White House with a "We The People" petition signed by 120,000 Americans opposed to a rushed and unjustified effort by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to effectively ban as early as October 1, 2016 a coffee-like natural herb that has been used safely for hundreds of years. Organizers of the protest event want the DEA to allow for a full and open comment period from medical experts and the public.

Under the ill-considered DEA action, the herb kratom would be placed on an emergency basis in the same drug classification as heroin and LSD, even though (1) there is no documented evidence of a kratom "public health threat" and (2) hundreds of thousands of Americans make use of the herb with no ill effect. The pro-kratom petition is online at https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/please-do-not-make-kratom-schedule-i-substance. For more information about kratom, see: http://bit.ly/kratomfacts. The latest on the health and science of kratom are https://www.botanical-education.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Kratom-Fact-Sheet.pdf.

Hundreds attended the pro-kratom march from the White House to nearby Lafayette Park. Organizers noted that the DEA has failed to meet the test for an emergency classification of kratom and must, therefore, open up the reclassification effort with a full opportunity for public comment. Other nations, including Canada, place no restrictions on kratom use and medical research now underway (including here in the US) is actually exploring the possible benefits of the herb used in Asia for five centuries.

Travis Lowin director, Botanical Education Alliance (previously the Botanical Legal Defense), said: "We must unite and set aside our differences whatever they may be and find the courage within ourselves to bring the truth about Kratom to the regulators. We cannot let the DEA get away with scheduling an herb that millions of Americans use safely to support their overall health and wellbeing. The DEA has failed Americans in its efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and targeting Kratom will make the situation worse. Our organization and Americans nationwide are only demanding that we receive due process and sensible regulation. Veterans, seniors, and other kratom customers in the US should not have to pay the price for the DEA failing to play by the rules."

Susan Ash, director, American Kratom Association, said: "There is no reason why hundreds of thousands of Americans who purchase kratom should be turned into criminals in three weeks. There is no kratom public health crisis today. There is no basis for a federal ban on kratom. If the DEA has nothing to fear from the facts than it should allow for an open public comment period in which the public and medical experts can weigh in. Those of us who support kratom have no fear of such an open process, we welcome it."

Andrew Turner, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom who was injured in a subsequent military deployment, Hyattsville, MD, said: "I am a veteran. I deal with combat related disabilities and pretty severe chronic pain. A few years ago, I learned about the plant kratom. It turns out that by using a little bit every morning, I was able stop using opiates that were prescribed to me by my doctors. I've stopped using them. Unfortunately, that was before I had to be let go from a federal job because I couldn't manage my pain and anxiety with prescription drugs. Now I am a business owner and I am thriving. I should not have to face losing kratom."

Joe Volpe, a retired school teacher who used kratom to replace prescription pain killers, Philadelphia, PA, said: "We need to work together to keep kratom available. This is the time for consumers to come together. From women dealing with endometriosis, men and women suffering from fibromyalgia, veterans afflicted with PTSD, and more, the community must step up now and make a difference."

Under fire for failing to make headway in the opioid epidemic, the DEA is now seeking to distract the public and lawmakers by focusing unwarranted negative attention on kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, a tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. Kratom leaves have been consumed in countries like Thailand and Malaysia for over 500 years. The herb is now available in the U.S. just like other herbal supplements.

Kratom is not an opiate. Many studies have shown kratom to have positive medicinal benefits. Kratom is legal in 44 states. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released a December 2015 report that found: "Kratom does not currently constitute a significant risk to the safety and welfare of Florida residents."

Nonetheless, on August 31, 2016, the DEA, under fire for its inability to remedy the US opioid crisis, announced its intention to place kratom into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act in order to avoid a supposed "imminent hazard to public safety," which, in reality, does not exist. In truth, kratom has never been present alone in a single documented death and is as about as habit-forming as the coffee to which it is related. By contrast, pharmaceutical drugs are one of the leading causes of death in this country, killing one American every 19 minutes. Prescription opiate pain killers account for more than 475,000 emergency room visits annually.

ABOUT THE GROUPS

The Botanical Education Alliance (BEA) is an organization dedicated to educating consumers, lawmakers, law enforcement, and the media about safe and therapeutic natural supplements including Mitragyna speciosa, also known as Kratom. BEA's mission is to increase understanding in order to influence public policy and protect natural supplements. The vision of the Alliance is to create a society where every adult has the right to access safe and effective natural supplements. www.botanical-education.org/

The America Kratom Association (AKA), a consumer-based non-profit, is here to set the record straight, giving voice to the suffering and our rights to possess and consume kratom. AKA represents tens of thousands of Americans; each with a unique story to tell about the virtues of kratom and its positive effects on our lives. From Lyme Disease to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and even addiction, kratom can help offer relief. www.americankratom.org

SOURCE American Kratom Association, Washington, D.C.; Botanical Education Alliance, Washington, D.C.

Related Links

http://www.botanical-education.org/


PUNE, India, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new market research report "Laboratory Equipment Services Market by Service (Repair, Calibration, Validation), Equipment (Analytical, Specialty), Service Provider (OEM, Third Party), Service Contracts (Standardized, and Customized), End User - Global Forecast to 2021" published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market, in terms of value, is projected to reach USD 11.51 Billion by 2021 from USD 6.50 Billion in 2016, at a CAGR of 10.0% during the forecast period.

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Browse 103 market data Tables and 34 Figures spread through 136 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Laboratory Equipment Services Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/laboratory-equipment-service-market-171213101.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

Growth in this market is mainly driven by increasing research in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and the growing need for timely and effective diagnosis of diseases. Furthermore, developing markets such as India and China and the increasing number of asset management companies provide significant growth opportunities for the Laboratory Equipment Services Market. On the other hand, factors such as increasing focus among healthcare providers to reduce the cost of treatments, growing pressure on pharmaceutical companies to reduce the costs of marketing their drugs, and high cost of contracts for servicing laboratory equipment may restraint the growth of the market.

The Laboratory Equipment Services Market is segmented based on service type, equipment type, service contract, service provider, end user, and regions. Based on service type, the market is segmented into repair and maintenance, calibration, validation, and other services. The repair and maintenance services segment is expected to account for the largest market share in 2016. They key factor driving the growth of this segment is the rising use of laboratory equipment

Based on region, the Laboratory Equipment Services Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (RoW). North America is further sub segmented into the U.S. and Canada, while Europe is further sub segmented into Germany, France, the U.K., and the Rest of Europe (RoE). Asia is further sub segmented into Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia (RoA). In 2016, North America is expected to dominate the market, followed by Asia. The increase in the number of clinical trials will help this market to witness significant growth, by driving the purchase and use of advanced equipment. Apart from this, increased spending by laboratories on equipment purchasing will help the market grow by expanding the end-user base for associated services. Asia is poised to be the fastest-growing region in this market, mainly due to the increasing focus of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries on developing Asian countries for conducting clinical trials. This is because Asian markets offer a significant cost advantage and have a skilled workforce.

Speak to our research experts:

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=171213101

This is a fragmented market, with several big and emerging players competing for larger market shares. Prominent players in the Laboratory Equipment Services Market include Agilent Technologies (U.S.), Danaher Corporation (U.S.), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.), Waters Corporation (U.S.), and Mindray Medical International Limited (China). Other players include Eppendorf AG (Germany), Pace Analytical Services, Inc. (U.S.), Hettich Instruments, LP. (U.S.), Merck Millipore (Germany), PerkinElmer Inc. (U.S.), Siemens Healthcare GmbHy (Germany), and Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation (Japan)

Browse Related Reports:

Laboratory Centrifuge Market by Product (Equipment (Microcentrifuge/Ultracentrifuge), Accessories), Rotor Design, Intended Use, Application (Diagnostic/Microbiology/Proteomics/Genomics), End User (Hospital/Biotech/Pharmaceutical) - Global Forecast to 2020

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/laboratory-centrifuge-market-197749088.html

Lab Informatics Market by Product (CDS, EDC, LES, ECM, ELN, LIMS, SDMS), Component (Software, Services), Delivery (On-Premise, Hosted, Cloud) & Industry (CROs, Pharma, Biotechnology, Chemical, Petrochemical, F&B, Agriculture, Oil, Gas) - Forecasts to 2021

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/lab-informatic-market-203037633.html



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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lansing Trade Group, LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lansing Finance Company, Inc. (collectively, the "Company"), today announced that it has amended the terms of its previously announced offer to purchase (the "Tender Offer") any and all of their outstanding 9.25% Senior Notes due 2019 (CUSIP Nos. 51648RAA9 / U5130RAA7) (the "Notes").

Under the amended terms of the Tender Offer, (i) the Tender Offer Consideration will be increased from $920 to $970 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn, (ii) the Total Consideration, which includes the Early Tender Premium of $30.00 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, will be increased from $950 to $1,000 for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn, (iii) the Total Consideration will be paid for all Notes that are tendered in the Tender Offer at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 16, 2016 (as amended, the "Early Tender Time"), and (iv) the expiration time for the Tender Offer will be extended from 12:01 a.m., New York City time, on September 14, 2016 to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on September 30, 2016 (as amended, the "Expiration Time").

The Company has not changed the Withdrawal Time, which was 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 31, 2016. Any Notes previously tendered will be eligible to receive the increased Total Consideration. All other terms and conditions to the Tender Offer remain unchanged.

Certain holders of Notes, which collectively hold approximately $76.55 million aggregate principal amount of Notes (approximately 53% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding, excluding any Notes held by the Company), have indicated in writing to the Company their intention to tender their Notes in the Tender Offer and deliver consents in respect of the Consent Solicitation. An additional $6.95 million principal amount of Notes have tendered in the Tender Offer.

As previously described by the Company, in connection with the Tender Offer, the Company is soliciting the consents of holders of the Notes to certain proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") to the indenture governing the Notes (the "Consent Solicitation"). The purpose of the Consent Solicitation and Proposed Amendments is to eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default provisions of the indenture. Any holder who tenders Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer must also deliver a consent to the Proposed Amendments and to the execution and delivery of a supplement to the indenture governing the Notes. Delivery of consents to the Proposed Amendments by the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (excluding Notes owned by the Company or any of its affiliates) is required for the adoption of the Proposed Amendments.

The obligation of the Company to purchase Notes under the Tender Offer is subject to certain conditions. If any of the conditions are not satisfied, the Company is not obligated to accept for payment, purchase or pay for, and may delay the acceptance for payment of, any tendered Notes and may even terminate the Tender Offer or Consent Solicitation. Full details of the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are included in the Company's Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated August 16, 2016, which has previously been delivered to the Note holders.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security. No offer, solicitation or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Requests for documents relating to the Tender Offer may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the Information Agent and Tender Agent, at (212) 430-3774 (for banks and brokers) or (866) 470-3700 (for all others). BofA Merrill Lynch is acting as Dealer Manager for the Tender Offer and Solicitation Agent for the Consent Solicitation. Questions regarding the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation may be directed to BofA Merrill Lynch at (888) 292-0070 (U.S. toll-free) or (980) 388-3846 (collect).

None of Lansing, its board of managers or board of directors, and the trustee for the Notes (or its Agents), the Information Agent, the Tender Agent, the Dealer Manager and Solicitation Agent or any of their respective affiliates makes any recommendation as to whether holders should tender, or refrain from tendering, all or any portion of the principal amount of their Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer or deliver, or refrain from delivering, any consent to the Proposed Amendments pursuant to the Consent Solicitation.

About Lansing Trade Group

Lansing Trade Group, LLC is a commodity merchandising company largely focused on the movement of physical commodities including grains, feed ingredients and energy products within North America and internationally. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the Company has offices throughout North America, as well as offices in the United Kingdom and Brazil.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "forecast," "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "should," "believe" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include any statements regarding the Company's strategic and operational plans. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and undertakes no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances.

SOURCE Lansing Trade Group, LLC
BOSTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vaultive, a cloud data security company, today announced a new patent for technology that allows IT teams to maintain exclusive control over data hosted in the cloud while preserving a seamless software-as-a-service (SaaS) application user experience. U.S. patent number 9,444,793, the fifth issued to Vaultive, focuses on the innovative techniques the company uses to prevent SaaS providers from being able to access customer data while preserving the ability for server-side functions like searching and sorting to operate properly for users.

"As the use of cloud services explodes, many enterprises and companies operating in heavily regulated industries are held back by concerns over how and when their data can be accessed while it's under the control of the cloud provider," said Ben Matzkel, founder, and CTO of Vaultive. "While most major cloud providers take reasonable steps to protect cloud-hosted data from leaking, the fact that they always have the ability to access customer data at will is both a security risk and a regulatory compliance issue for enterprises in various industries and geographies."

Vaultive's Cloud Data Security Platform addresses this challenge by encrypting data before it is transmitted to the cloud and giving the data ownernot the cloud providersole custody of the encryption keys. Vaultive's patented technology uses industry-trusted building blocks to preserve the capabilities of the SaaS application, including the ability to search and sort data, without ever decrypting data in the cloud. This allows organizations to adopt cloud services in a manner that is both user-friendly and aligned with major data security requirements such as:

Compliance with industry-specific regulations

Government and law enforcement data request visibility

Compliance with international data residency and privacy laws

Frequently shifting requirements across these areas have left many security-conscious IT leaders reluctant to adopt cloud services. For example, the European Union is now implementing a sweeping new General Data Privacy Regulation that includes penalties of up to the greater of 20 million or four percent of a company's annual revenue for poor data management practices. Also, Microsoft has two active lawsuits against the U.S. government over the government's ability to compel cloud providers to turn over customer data, often without notification to the owner. Vaultive's approach mitigates these risks by giving organizations more direct and exclusive control over data stored in the cloud.

"Despite the many benefits that cloud services offer, many organizations simply aren't willing or aren't allowed to outsource the protection of their data to their cloud provider," said Matzkel. "Vaultive's innovative approach to cloud data security differentiates between data ownership and location: while sensitive data is located at a cloud vendor's data center, encryption with customer-held keys leaves actual ownership with the company that owns that information. Our platform allows even the most risk-averse organizations to speed their adoption of cloud services without giving up control or degrading user experience."

Vaultive will provide an in-depth look at how feature-preserving cloud data security techniques can be applied to Microsoft Office 365 and other cloud services during an upcoming webinar on September 21, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Online registration is now available.

About Vaultive

Vaultive, a cloud data security company, enables organizations to move securely to the cloud. The Vaultive Cloud Data Security Platform encrypts data before it goes to the cloud and gives sole custody of the encryption keys to the customer. This approach gives organizations complete control and ownership of their data wherever it resides while delivering a seamless experience to software-as-a-service users. Vaultive is headquartered in Boston with research and development in Tel Aviv. For more information, visit: www.vaultive.com.

Media Contacts:

Vaultive

Karen Regan

+1 978.505.2457

[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160601/374638LOGO

SOURCE Vaultive

Related Links

http://www.vaultive.com


BOSTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- While much in Education has been changed by technology, the college entry process - from finding the right school to accepting the best applicants - has not changed much in decades. Colleges spend vast resources to promote their brand and identify students that best fit their admissions criteria; guidance counselors struggle to serve growing caseloads of students that want and deserve to go to college; and students only learn about a small fraction of higher education options available to them.

With the launch of CollegeFindMe  a network for students and colleges to find each other - the College Admissions Lifecycle is turned upside down to work more efficiently, and help more students find and go to the college of their dreams. CollegeFindMe is a dynamic platform providing tangible value to students, guidance counselors, and colleges. Indeed, CollegeFindMe is reinventing the College Admissions Lifecycle.

The CollegeFindMe platform improves the age-old application process by allowing students to profile themselves in a comprehensive manner that includes their talents and accomplishments, rather than just their test scores. Colleges can mine a large pool of student profiles to identify those that best fit their admissions philosophy. Through this innovative process, colleges can now reach a wider than ever range of candidates across all geographies and socioeconomic backgrounds for the benefit of both colleges and students. In addition, high school guidance counselors have a friendly and effective tool to better serve their students.

For Students:

CollegeFindMe allows students to create detailed profiles that present all of their assets and experiences, not just a test score or transcript. CollegeFindMe provides a direct channel to admissions offices, enabling personalized communication, application tracking, and the ability to receive offers such as scholarships, invitations to campus tours, and application-fee waivers.

"CollegeFindMe is the first step in a student's search and application process," said Christina Bai, CollegeFindMe founder and CEO. "Students now have access to a wider range of higher education options than ever before. They also have the opportunity to present themselves fully, rather than relying only on a standardized test score or letter of recommendation. This is where the College Admissions Lifecycle starts. "

For Colleges:

CollegeFindMe provides colleges and universities instant access to a wide range of diverse student candidates with searchable profiles allowing them to identify those applicants that best fit their admissions criteria. Admissions officers have a direct channel to student candidates, allowing them to personalize fee waivers, scholarship opportunities, college tours and other offers. With this platform, admissions officers no longer need to travel in order to find candidates; using CollegeFindMe to identify students that fit their admissions criteria, the cost of admissions decreases significantly, while the quality, diversity, and number of applicants can rise dramatically.

"Searchable student profiles allow colleges to find candidates that meet their specific needs and requirements," explained Christina Bai. "Colleges will enhance their student bodies through recruitment of a more economically and demographically diverse pool of applicants, including veterans, from a wider geographic range, all without needing to travel. By some estimates, recruiting costs can drop by as much as 90%."

For Guidance Counselors:

CollegeFindMe allows guidance counselors to better meet the needs of increasingly large student caseloads, with built-in tracking and reporting tools, and integrated college information and news feeds. Without being limited to their current knowledge or contact base, guidance counselors can now provide access to a wider range of colleges and universities than ever before.

"The most valuable resource high school guidance counselors have is time," Bai explained. "Some guidance counselors have as many as 500 students in their caseload, making individual support nearly impossible. One study showed that students only receive 38 minutes of guidance over their entire high school career. CollegeFindMe empowers guidance counselors to work with all their students online, tracking each student's application process. CollegeFindMe also brings guidance counselors information from colleges that they might not have previously known or considered, helping them better serve their student population."

As part of its launch, CollegeFindMe is hosting a conference exploring "College Admissions in the Digital Age" on September 21 in Cambridge, MA. Click here for more information on this by invitation-only event that will bring guidance counselors and admissions officers together to discuss the College Admissions Lifecycle that CollegeFindMe has completely reinvented.

About CollegeFindMe

CollegeFindMe is the first-step in a student's college search process. Headquartered in Boston, CollegeFindMe is a network for colleges and students to find each other. Through this platform, a comprehensive picture of students and their credentials  not only their test scores - are presented to college admissions officers. In turn, admissions officers are able to search online a large pool of student candidates that meet their admission criteria, reducing the cost of student recruitment by as much as 90%. For more information, please go to www.collegefindme.com and follow @CollegeFindMe on Twitter.

SOURCE CollegeFindMe

Related Links

http://www.collegefindme.com


SEATTLE, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Raikes Foundation today announced a new partnership to help Washington's 35,000 homeless students find the support and stability they need to thrive. The two foundations have joined with the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and the Campion Foundation to collectively commit $1.86 million to the effort, known as Schoolhouse Washington. Non-profits Building Changes and Columbia Legal Services will lead the partnership's work to fund and advocate for innovative approaches that support students experiencing homelessness, their families, and their schools.

The number of K-12 students who experience homelessness in Washington's public schools has grown by 111 percent since the 2006-2007 school year. The total number is now enough to fill 500 school buses. This includes a disproportionate number of black/African-American and Alaskan Native/American Indian students, who are three times more likely to experience homelessness than their white peers. Historically, only half of students who experience homelessness graduate high school on timea rate lower than all groups other than students in foster care.

"We know that school is often the most consistent point of connection young people have. Teachers and school staff are face-to-face with the realities of homelessness every day," said David Bley, director of the Pacific Northwest Initiative at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "With the right support, they can help our community break the cycle of homelessness and put our young people on a path toward successful adulthood."

The announcement comes on the heels of momentum by policymakers and school leaders to address this piece of the homelessness crisis. A recent report by Civic Enterprises and Hart Research noted that there are 1.3 million homeless K-12 students nationwide, many of whom go unseen and unsupported. The report also highlighted opportunities presented by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, which passed into law this year and calls for improved support for in-school liaisons tasked with connecting homeless students to resources.

Experts believe that Washington is strongly positioned to take advantage of these opportunities, even as the rate of student homelessness climbs. The state legislature last year passed the Homeless Student Stability and Opportunity Gap Act to fund partnerships between schools and housing providers. Washington is also one of only five states in the nation that tracks the graduation rate for homeless studentsan important benchmark for progress.

"We have an undeniable window of opportunity to reverse the trend on student homelessness in Washington. There's a growing need for action and our state has the cross-sector support it will take to be a trailblazer for the nation on the issue," said Tricia Raikes, co-founder of the Raikes Foundation. "Schoolhouse Washington is philanthropy's commitment to capitalizing on this opportunity and we know it will take a collective effort. We'll be looking to schools, service providers and community partners for promising ideas that move the needle for students facing homelessness."

"As a community we have a duty to work together to address the systemic issues that homeless students are challenged with each day, and Schoolhouse Washington provides a vital platform for advocacy, education and collaboration to prevent student homelessness," said Tony Banbury, head of Paul G. Allen's philanthropic efforts. "We are looking forward to joining forces with these tremendous partners to help solve this crisis."

Schoolhouse Washington's work to incubate promising practices will be managed by Building Changes, which works across the state to make youth and family homelessness rare and brief. Funding for this aspect of Schoolhouse Washington will initially focus on schools and service providers in King County. Building Changes will also partner with Columbia Legal Services to advocate throughout the state for effective policies on student homelessnesssomething the organization has done under the Schoolhouse Washington brand in the past.

"When an average of one child in every Washington classroom is homeless, it's clearly time to change course," said Helen Howell, executive director of Building Changes. "We know schools are doing creative, resourceful work to find and help these students and their families get back on their feetbut they're doing it in isolation. Schoolhouse Washington will shine a light on what's working, and spread smart and effective solutions to more cities and communities."

Schoolhouse Washington's ongoing work will be shared broadly through SchoolhouseWA.org and BuildingChanges.org.

SOURCE Raikes Foundation

Related Links

http://www.raikesfoundation.org


SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT: Macerich (NYSE: MAC) Schedules Third Quarter 2016 Earnings Release

WHEN: Earnings Results will be released after market close on Thursday, October 27, 2016. Management will hold a conference call at 11:00 am Pacific Time (2:00 pm Eastern Time) on Friday, October 28, 2016 to discuss quarterly results.

WHERE: Interested parties can listen to a live webcast of the call on the Macerich website at www.macerich.com (Investing Section).

WHO: Arthur Coppola, Chairman and CEO, and Thomas O'Hern, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host the call.

REBROADCAST: A replay of the webcast will be available for one year following the live webcast in the Investing Section of the Company's website at www.macerich.com.

In addition, an audio replay of the earnings conference call will be available by telephone beginning at 5:00 pm Eastern Time on October 28, 2016 and will be available until November 11, 2016 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time at toll free 1-877-870-5176, PIN 7700937 or International (toll) 1-858-384-5517.

ABOUT MACERICH: Macerich, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, development and redevelopment of regional malls throughout the United States.

Macerich currently owns 55 million square feet of real estate consisting primarily of interests in 50 regional shopping centers. Macerich specializes in successful retail properties in many of the country's most attractive, densely populated markets with significant presence in the Pacific Rim, Arizona, Chicago and the Metro New York to Washington, DC corridor. Additional information about Macerich can be obtained from the Company's website at www.macerich.com.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150619/224278LOGO

SOURCE Macerich

Related Links

http://www.macerich.com


David Madison | Getty Images. These schools produce the most venture-backed entrepreneurs, according to a new analysis by PitchBook.

If you want to be an entrepreneur, then you might want to apply to Stanford, the University of California at Berkeley, or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

These schools top the list of undergraduate colleges that produce the most venture-backed entrepreneurs, according to an analysis by enterprise data software company PitchBook.

For the report, PitchBook measured the number of founders of companies that received a first round of venture funding between January 1, 2006, and August 15, 2016.



Over the past decade, Stanford has graduated more than 1,000 entrepreneurs who have raised a combined $18.1 billion, according to the report.



Located between San Jose and San Francisco, California, Stanford is smack dab in the middle of Silicon Valley. Being connected to a community with deep pockets of start-up capital helps graduates get funding for their ideas.

Meanwhile, the University of California at Berkeley has produced 997 venture-backed entrepreneurs and MIT has produced 813 in the same time period.

While you don't have to go to college to become a successful entrepreneur, establishing a strong foundation and network doesn't hurt. Here are the 10 best universities to attend if you want to be your own boss:





More From CNBC


MIAMI, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 70 percent of Cuban-Americans in Miami-Dade County support the U.S. decision to open diplomatic relations with Cuba and a strong majority (63 percent) oppose the U.S. embargo of the island nation.

The results of this year's FIU Cuba Poll  the longest running research project measuring Cuban-American public opinion  reveal a major shift in Cuban-American attitudes toward U.S.-Cuba relations. Support for the embargo has steadily declined among Cuban-Americans in the Miami area  from an average of 84 percent in the 1990s to just 37 percent this year.

"This poll shows that members of the Cuban diaspora in Miami-Dade have diverse views about how they would like the U.S. government to deal with the Cuban state,'' said Guillermo J. Grenier, one of the poll's principal investigators, along with Hugh Gladwin, both professors in the Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies in the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs. "The majority support at least some elements of the new course now being charted.''

The shift reflects the changing demographics of the Cuban-American community in Miami-Dade, with younger and second-generation Cuban-Americans and more recent arrivals to the U.S. more likely to express a pro-engagement attitude than older exiles and those arriving before 1980.

"Cubans who left the island in the last two decades and those born in the United States are more supportive of increasing U.S.-Cuba engagement than those who left immediately after the revolution,'' said Jorge Duany, director of the Cuban Research Institute, which cosponsored the polling initiative, along with the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs and the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center.

The 2016 Cuba Poll was conducted by telephone between July 11 and August 12, 2016 using a random sample of 1,000 Cuban-American residents of Miami-Dade County, age 18 and over, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent. Interviews were conducted in Spanish or English, depending on the respondents' preference. FIU funds were used to conduct the poll.

In addition to supporting increased diplomatic ties with Cuba, a large majority of Cuban-Americans favor lifting travel restrictions to Cuba, while more than half support increased economic activity between the two nations, including liberalization of private investment in Cuba.

When asked about the 2016 U.S. presidential election, more than 35 percent said they would vote for Donald Trump, while 31 percent expressed support for Hilary Clinton. More than a quarter of respondents (28 percent) said they would not vote for either candidate or were undecided.

Despite the substantial support for Trump, the Republican Party's hold on Cuban-American voters in Miami-Dade has steadily declined since the poll began  from 70 percent in the early 1990s to just over half of respondents this year. Twenty-two percent indicated they are registered Democrats and the number of registered independents stands at 25 percent.

The poll also asked about the Cuban Adjustment Act. This law stipulates that Cuban citizens and their accompanying spouses and children are immediately eligible to receive federal public assistance and can become permanent residents of the U.S. one year after arriving in the country.Sixty-five percent of respondents support changes in the Cuban Adjustment Act, requiring Cuban entrants to provide proof of political persecution before becoming eligible for government assistance.

For poll results:https://cri.fiu.edu/research/cuba-poll/2016-cuba-poll.pdf.

About the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs:

The Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs brings together many of FIU's internationally oriented disciplines to provide cutting-edge research, first-rate teaching and innovative training necessary for the globalized world of the 21st century. One of the largest schools of its kind in the world, the Green School enrolls more than 7,200 students, 31 percent of whom are international, and employs 200 full-time faculty. It offers 38 degree programs, 35 certificate programs and has eight signature departments: Criminal Justice, Economics, Global and Sociocultural Studies, History, Modern Languages, Politics and International Relations, Public Administration and Religious Studies. It houses 22 of the university's most prominent international centers, institutes and programs.

About the Cuban Research Institute:

Cuban Research Institute (CRI) is dedicated to creating and disseminating knowledge about Cuba and Cuban Americans. The institute encourages original research and interdisciplinary teaching, organizes extracurricular activities, collaborates with other academic units working in Cuban and Cuban-American studies, and promotes the development of library holdings and collections on Cuba and its diaspora. Founded in 1991, CRI is the nation's premier center for research and academic programs on Cuban and Cuban-American issues. No other U.S. university surpasses FIU in the number of professors and students of Cuban origin.

About FIU:

Florida International University is classified by Carnegie as a "R1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity" and recognized as a Carnegie Community Engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as business, engineering, computer science, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes almost $9 billion each year to the local economy and is ranked second in Florida in Forbes Magazine's "America's Best Employers" list. FIU graduates are consistently among the highest paid college graduates in Florida and are among the leaders of public and private organizations throughout South Florida. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission with multiple state-of-the-art research facilities including the Wall of Wind Research and Testing Facility, FIU's Medina Aquarius Program and the Advanced Materials Engineering Research Institute. FIU has awarded more than 220,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, [email protected], the Miami Beach Urban Studios, and Tianjin, China. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and more than 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.

Media Contact:

Amy Ellis

352-999-0577

[email protected]

news.fiu.edu

@FIUNews

SOURCE Florida International University

Related Links

http://fiu.edu


RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Marken announced today that they have moved to a newer and larger office facility in Mumbai and has signed an exclusive agreement with Jeena & Company for a combined worldwide network of services for the pharma industry.

Jeena & Company is among the top three logistics companies in India, with 100 years of supply chain expertise. Jeena will act as Marken's exclusive third party sales agent in the India territory and will engage in continued, active promotion of Marken to enable new clients to access Marken's global network and tracking systems for shipments to and from destinations in over 150 countries. Marken has agreed to utilize Jeena's logistics network within India for new business generated by this collaboration. The agreement allows both companies to leverage each other's assets and expertise.

Marken's new location in Mumbai, 3 times larger in office and cold chain warehouse space, will allow the company to serve an expanding client base but will also serve as home to a new 24/7/365 Global Control Center. The Control Center will initially monitor all shipments moving into and out of the Asia Pacific region but will ultimately provide a global service to all Marken regions across the globe. The Center will transmit data through its proprietary Maestro operating system backed by the Marken Sentry tracking device, providing real time coverage of shipment location and temperature. The other Marken locations in India: Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, and Delhi will operate as supporting cold chain hubs to facilitate movement of products within the country.

The Indian pharma industry is expected to grow over 15 percent per year between 2015 and 2020 and outperform the global pharma industry worldwide, emerging as the sixth largest pharmaceutical market by size. India has also maintained its lead over China in pharmaceutical exports with a year-on-year growth of 7.6 percent to US $12.54 billion in 2015, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Overall drug approvals given by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to Indian companies have nearly doubled to 201 in FY 2015-16 from 109 in FY 2014-15, an increase of 84 percent. Vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics are the largest contributors.

Wes Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer for Marken, commented on the new location and its collaboration with Jeena: "I am excited to open our new office in Mumbai which is needed to accommodate a large increase in client demand over the past 24 months. Marken is proud to be a global logistics partner who not only understands but actively anticipates the needs of our clients, responding with service, efficiency and innovation. We have built a very strong global logistics network specifically designed to meet and exceed the quality requirements of the pharmaceutical industry and so we are proud to align with Jeena in India who has also built a solid reputation serving the life sciences sector. We look forward to meeting the needs of clients together as India forges ahead with their growth and impact around the world."

Sam Katgara, Partner, Jeena & Company, remarked on the new agreement, "We are proud to partner with Marken. We believe this integration is a perfect fit for customers who require pharmaceutical supply chain solutions. The partnership and integration between Jeena and Marken combines two powerful service providers that offer customers tailor-made solutions after understanding their requirements. With Marken's extensive global presence and Jeena's domestic reach, we know that customers will benefit from our comprehensive end to end pharma supply chain solutions in India."

1 http://www.ibef.org/industry/pharmaceutical-india.aspx

About Marken

Marken is the only patient-centric supply chain organization 100% dedicated to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. Marken maintains the leading position for Direct to Patient services and biological sample shipments, and offers a state of the art GMP-compliant depot network and logistic hubs in 43 locations worldwide. Marken's 630 staff members manage 50,000 drug and biological shipments every month at all temperature ranges in more than 150 countries. Additional services such as biological kit production, ancillary material sourcing, storage and distribution, shipment lane verification and qualifications, as well as GDP, regulatory and compliance consultancy add to Marken's unique position in the pharma and logistics industry.

About Jeena

With over a 100 years of experience in Supply Chain & Logistics and spearheaded by the 4th generation of its founders, Jeena & Company, has established itself as a market leader, globally renowned for its professional services. Today, Jeena is the Largest Indian Freight Forwarder in the global market & consistently ranked in the TOP 3 Logistics Companies in India. Jeena is an "IATA-Accredited Agent" and Member of FIATA, ACAAI, FFFAI, BCHAA, FAPAA, MTO, WCA, IFFOO, major Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Jeena has presence in 27 locations across India and has strength of over 750 experienced professionals.

Jeena & company is a One Stop Shop for all Import & Export Supply Chain and Logistics solutions, offering an array of services under one moniker encompassing of Air & Sea Freight, 3PL Logistics, Door-to-door, Warehousing, Packaging, Inventory Audit, Designing Solution & Consultancy to name a few. We currently service a host of industries which include Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Renewable Energy, Defense, E-commerce, Automobile, Engineering, and Retail & Fashion.

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SOURCE Marken

Related Links

http://www.marken.com


WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mesothelioma Compensation Center is by far the best branded source in the United States when it comes to mesothelioma compensation for a public utility worker with mesothelioma. When they say 'public utility worker' they mean a person who worked at a water works station that provided electricity to commercial or residential customers, a natural gas provider, a sewer district employee, a hydro-electric facility, or at a nuclear power plant.

Public Utility Asbestos Warning Sign

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407193

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407194

The Center's focus is seeing to it that all current or former employee of a public utility district that have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma receive the very best possible financial compensation. To achieve this, the group of experts direct the public utility worker with this rare cancer to the nation's most skilled mesothelioma attorneys. As they would like to explain anytime at 866-714-6466, there is a direct relationship between the best possible mesothelioma compensation and having the nation's most qualified mesothelioma attorneys assisting from start to finish in the compensation process. http://MesotheliomaCompensationCenter.Com

The Mesothelioma Compensation Center says, "Public utility workers who were exposed to asbestos on the job and who have now developed mesothelioma should receive the best possible financial compensation. Those that call us at 866-714-6466 will only talk directly to the top mesothelioma attorneys in the nation who excel at obtaining the best possible financial settlements. If you are a public utility worker with mesothelioma, or this is a family member, please call us anytime to make certain you really are dealing with the nation's premier mesothelioma attorneys." http://MesotheliomaCompensationCenter.Com

For a listing of all electric utility districts/companies by state please refer to the following website:

http://www.bestenergynews.com/solar/utility_co/utility_companies.php

For a listing of the nation's largest water/waste water public utility districts please refer to the following website: http://www.utilityconnection.com/page4s2.html

The Mesothelioma Compensation Center specializes in assisting specific types of people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. These people include the US Navy Veterans, shipyard workers, oil refinery workers, manufacturing workers, steel mill workers, power plant workers, nuclear power plant workers, public utility workers, hydro-electric workers, chemical plant workers, plumbers, electricians, welders, or oil and gas production workers. In most instances these people were exposed to asbestos in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, or 1980's. http://MesotheliomaCompensationCenter.Com

According to the CDC the states indicated with the highest incidence of mesothelioma include Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Louisiana, Washington, and Oregon. However, a public utility worker, or energy worker with diagnosed mesothelioma could live in any state including California, New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, or Alaska.

The Mesothelioma Compensation Center says, "If you call us at 866-714-6466, we will see to it that you have instant access to the nation's most experienced, and skilled mesothelioma attorneys, because we really do want to make certain you, or your family receive the best possible mesothelioma compensation settlement for this rare form of cancer. Before you retain the services of a law firm to advance a mesothelioma compensation claim please call us first." http://MesotheliomaCompensationCenter.Com

For more information about mesothelioma please refer to the National Institutes of Health's web site related to this rare form of cancer: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mesothelioma.html

Contact:

Thomas Martin

866-714-6466

Email

SOURCE Mesothelioma Compensation Center

Related Links

http://MesotheliomaCompensationCenter.Com


SAN DIEGO, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Metacrine, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics in metabolic disease through advances in endocrine research, today announced the appointment of Ken Song, M.D., as its new president, chief executive officer and director. Dr. Song was most recently co-founder and chief executive officer of Ariosa Diagnostics, which was acquired by Roche in 2015 for $625 million.

"Ken's proven leadership, track record and broad expertise serving the life science community over the last several years will build on Metacrine's progress as it continues to advance its therapeutic pipeline and drive to important milestones," said Richard Heyman, chairman of the board of directors of Metacrine. "We are very excited about the prospects of the company's evolution under Ken's leadership as the company progresses toward the clinical advancement of its programs."

Dr. Song's experience spans clinical medicine, basic science research, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. As co-inventor of Ariosa's flagship product he successfully led the organization from early research to product development to commercialization in over 100 countries. Prior to Ariosa, Dr. Song was a venture capital investor at Venrock and served as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. Dr. Song trained in internal medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and then went on to specialize in gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Washington along with a scientific fellowship at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. He received his B.S. in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to lead Metacrine and work with an outstanding team and group of investors," said Dr. Song. "With the company's two mechanistically distinct programs targeting large clinical needs, I believe Metacrine has the potential to bring forth novel medicines that can positively impact tens of millions of people."

About Metacrine



Metacrine is a privately-held biotechnology company headquartered in San Diego, CA. The company is focused on advancing research in nuclear hormone receptors for treatment of metabolic diseases. For more information, visit www.metacrine.com.

Contact:

Julie Rathbun

Rathbun Communications

[email protected]

206.769.9219

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160912/406819LOGO

SOURCE Metacrine

Related Links

http://www.metacrine.com


"Raising the beer tax is a bad idea from a lame duck lawmaker," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "A nearly 250 percent beer tax hike would have a chilling effect on Michigan's craft brewers, distributors and retailers and would bring this growth industry to a grinding halt."

"As a whole, Michigan's beer industry contributes $6.6 billion to the state's economy, employs thousands of people and generates hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue," noted Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President for Business Advocacy & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "This ill-advised tax increase will hurt each and every retailer, distributor, brewery, and brewpub in Michigan."

"So-called sin taxes do not work; they simply drive people to buy legal products from lower-cost states," said Tricia Kinley, Senior Director of Tax & Regulatory Reform for the Michigan Chamber, who noted that Michigan's beer tax is already the highest in the Great Lakes region (Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin) and is 28 percent higher than the next state on the list.

"In many cases, these so-called sin taxes backfire because people turn to illegal purchasing methods," noted Kinley. "Coupled with the fact that Michigan has a 10-cent bottle deposit add on, border county beer drinkers will likely just buy beer in Indiana and Ohio, making a bad idea worse!"

"We strongly oppose this ill-advised effort to raise the beer tax," said Studley. "This legislation is bad public policy and will only serve to harm a thriving industry."

"We urge House lawmakers to reject this tax hike and work on more worthwhile bills," Studley concluded.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,700 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. Michigan Chamber member businesses provide jobs to 1.5 million residents. One of every 2.6 employees in Michigan works for a Chamber member firm. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. It is one of only six state chambers accredited by the US Chamber and one of only four state chambers accredited with distinction.

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SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce

Related Links

http://www.michamber.com


SARASOTA, Fla., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Masons Software, LLC., a leading provider of Integrated EDI and XML solutions for Microsoft Dynamics customers, announces the availability of a case study for Data Masons and Microsoft Dynamics AX customer, Wakefield Canada. Since 2005, Wakefield Canada has assumed exclusive stewardship of the Castrol brand and all customer-facing operations in Canada, providing sales, marketing and distribution solutions. In this case study, the company shares how its market position and ongoing dependence on customer satisfaction required both an upgraded enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform and EDI solution in order to deliver an integrated B2B experience.

Wakefield Distribution Improved with Vantage Point EDI by Data Masons

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407317

Wakefield Canada understood that managing a deep supply chain via fax and paper invoices would mandate a huge labor commitment and potentially jeopardize their customer relationships where a reliable, easy-to-use, digital experience was expected. Once the company decided that its operational efficiency goals could be met with a Dynamics AX upgrade, it addressed the opportunity to deploy a modern EDI solution for Microsoft Dynamics AX.

"We had an EDI solution, but it was an outdated system that required a whole lot of manual intervention and it was hard to find people with the skills who could work on the system," stated Kent Mills, CIO, Wakefield Canada. Mills added, "The vendor was also not responsive to us. They were not tuned in to our customer requirements and they were not keeping their software current. It cost too much, and it didn't feel like a partnership - and we're big on partnerships at Wakefield."

Data Masons' Vantage Point EDI solution integrates with Microsoft Dynamics AX to solve critical EDI challenges that streamline and automate both customer and supplier-side EDI operations. The only EDI solution Certified for Microsoft Dynamics AX, it gives users the ability to automate their entire supply chain without unnecessary customizations to the ERP.

"A company like Wakefield needs EDI or else it simply can't do business with its customers. At the point Wakefield engaged Data Masons, EDI was a high-cost, high-risk proposition for them given issues with their legacy system. Now with a fully-automated solution, we're thrilled to see Wakefield go from a defensive posture to a more offensive posture with additional cost-saving opportunities ahead as they do more EDI on the transportation side," stated Dennis Bruce, Director of Business Development, Data Masons.

Data Masons is a Premier Sponsor of AXUG Summit 2016, October 11-14, 2016 in Tampa, FL. The company will exhibit in the Solution Center where attendees can learn more about the Vantage Point EDI for Microsoft Dynamics AX solution. Glenn McPeak, Data Masons' Dynamics EDI expert will also present the educational session, "EDI for AX7  A Radical Transformation for Dynamics AX," on Wednesday, October 12th, 1:30pm - 2:30pm and on Thursday, October 13th, 9:30am - 10:30am. During these sessions, McPeak will help attendees evaluate the different approaches to EDI and discuss the best strategy for their organization.

To learn more about the benefits of Data Masons' EDI Made Simple approach, read the Wakefield Canada case study online.

About Data Masons

Data Masons specializes in EDI Made Simple for Microsoft Dynamics and Macola customers by offering advanced, turnkey EDI & XML solutions. Certified for Microsoft Dynamics, Vantage Point EDI provides an end-to-end EDI processing platform with seamless integration and predictable ownership costs for cloud or on-premise environments - all without expensive and disruptive ERP platform customization. Data Masons' compliance services, product flexibility, extensive EDI and ERP integration knowledge, and partner-driven experience have made Vantage Point EDI the winning choice for high-performance business document integration at more than 1,500 customers.

Additional information about Data Masons and its solutions is available at http://www.datamasons.com

Related Files

Vantage_Point_Overview_002.pdf

Related Links

Wakefield Case Study

Vantage Point EDI for Dynamics AX

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Data Masons

Related Links

http://www.datamasons.com


ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennium Corporation, an award-winning provider of IT professional services and technical solutions to the Federal marketplace, has been awarded a prime contract for COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND LOGISTICS SUPPORT OF BUSINESS SYSTEMS FOR THE PMW 240 SEA WARRIOR PROGRAM. This 5-year contract provides services for Navy business and supports readiness challenges for Sailors, the Fleet, Navy and Department of Defense (DoD) customers.

"This is another great win for Millennium that expands our IT and Engineering support to the Navy," said Kevin Jennings, Millennium Corporation President and CEO. "We look forward to partnering with the Program Office and expanding our services to the Sea Warrior."

About the Sea Warrior Program Office PMW 240

The Sea Warrior Program (PMW 240) manages a complex portfolio of information technology (IT) systems that enable the Navy to support Navy human resource management, criminal justice, fleet Support, afloat business applications, Navy and DoD portfolio management, DON administration, and joint aviation aircraft scheduling.

About Millennium Corporation

Millennium Corporation is a Service Disabled, Veteran Owned Small Business that provides IT professional services and management and technical solutions to government agencies and commercial clients. By leveraging effective processes and intellectual capital, Millennium strives daily to lead the industry in providing System Engineering Services, IT Consulting, Program and Project Management Services and Cybersecurity Full Spectrum Solutions. Millennium is headquartered at 1401 South Clark Street, Suite 810 Arlington, VA 22202.

For more information, please visit: http://www.millgroupinc.com.

Media Contact:

Keith Cromack, Vice President Business Development

703.447.6711

[email protected]

SOURCE Millennium Corporation

Related Links

http://www.millgroupinc.com


SEATTLE, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A majority of Northwest residents believe a major earthquake will rattle the region during their lifetime, but many admit they haven't taken simple steps to fully prepare for a natural disaster.

The latest PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll reveals that three-quarters (77 percent) of Washington and Oregon residents expect they'll experience a big-time earthquake here, but despite that fear, only half (52 percent) say they're at least somewhat prepared, and two out of five (39 percent) admit they aren't prepared at all.

According to the poll, renters are among the least prepared for an emergency. About half of Northwest renters (55 percent) admit they haven't taken steps to prepare for a natural disaster, compared to just one-third (30 percent) of homeowners who said the same. Owning an emergency kit is one step in prepping for disasters, and PEMCO's poll finds renters are far less likely than homeowners to have one (35 percent vs. 58 percent).

"We can only speculate, but renters might be underprepared because they tend to be younger and more nomadic," said PEMCO spokesperson Derek Wing. "It can be hard to plan ahead for an emergency when you're moving more frequently or focused on more immediate needs."

But the poll shows that all Northwest residents  renters and homeowners alike  can go further to prep for an unexpected emergency. Only half of all respondents say they have an emergency kit assembled with basic items  such as food, water, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and a first-aid kit  and of them, most (87 percent) created a DIY-style kit.

Setting a designated emergency meeting place is another way to prepare for a worst-case scenario, but the poll reports that just one in three households (35 percent) have one established. In Oregon, renters, again, are the least likely to have an emergency meeting location  just 24 percent of Oregon renters have one compared to 42 percent of homeowners.

"It can be unsettling to plan for the worst, but with so many expecting a big earthquake, we were surprised to learn more people haven't gone further to prepare. Having basic provisions ready and establishing a plan with your family can make all the difference when disaster strikes," Wing added.

The poll found, however, that a majority of residents (65 percent) think they could find and retrieve their most prized possessions in a flash, in the midst of an emergency.

"Quickly collecting your most valuable or sentimental items, like jewelry, photos or important documents, is definitely one part of being prepared, but the most important part, and the one people should be focusing on, is safety planning," Wing said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agrees that planning and preparing are critical to surviving natural disasters and emergencies, and reducing the risk of injuries. For earthquakes in particular, the CDC recommends:

Practice what you'd do if an earthquake strikes: drop down, cover your head and neck and hold on to whatever is sheltering you.

Plan an evacuation route and designate an outdoor meeting location for your family.

Make sure important possessions are accessible and be aware of their location.

Make a list of important information, such as phone numbers and addresses, and keep it in a safe place. If your phone battery dies, you may not remember important contact information.

Gather supplies and assemble or purchase an emergency kit.

For a complete summary of PEMCO's poll results, visit www.pemco.com/poll, where you'll find the responses collected by FBK Research of Seattle in November 2015.

About the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll

PEMCO Insurance commissioned this independent survey, conducted by FBK Research of Seattle, that asked Washington and Oregon residents questions about driving habits and attitudes toward current Northwest issues. The sample size, 600 respondents in Washington and 600 in Oregon, yields an accuracy of +/- 4.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. In other words, if this study were conducted 100 times, in 95 instances the data will not vary by more than the associated error range.

About PEMCO Insurance

PEMCO Insurance, established in 1949, is a Seattle-based provider of auto, home, boat, and umbrella insurance to Northwest residents. PEMCO Insurance is sold to consumers by the method they choose  phone, local community agents, or online. For more information, visit pemco.com.

CONTACTS:

Derek Wing

PEMCO Insurance

206.628.4622

[email protected]

Carley Fredrickson

Firmani + Associates Inc.

206.443.9357

[email protected]

SOURCE PEMCO Insurance

Related Links

http://www.pemco.com


FAR HILLS, N.J., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Casino Pier in Seaside Heights proudly claims to being home to one of only two surviving American made classic carousels in the state -- the 1910 Dentzel Grand Carousel. The carousel's reputation extends far beyond the state. It is considered one of the one of the finest, most prestigious carousels ever created. But it seems legacy isn't enough to save the amusement attraction that many New Jersey residents remember from their childhood. Even when news of the pier's destruction from Hurricane Sandy appeared on front pages of every news outlet across America in the aftermath of the 2012 storm, the ride miraculously survived the destruction from 2012 storm. The damage, however, caused to the surrounding communities chased away homeowners, businesses and tourism. Since 2014, the attraction has been on the auction block, and, there is danger the attraction could be auctioned off, in the words of auction house Guernsey, "horse by horse."

However, help may be on the way. New Jersey based entrepreneur Tom Maoli, has just tendered a letter of intent to purchase the carousel to Guernsey Auction, the company in charge of selling the carousel and its assets. His plan is to relocate it somewhere on the New Jersey waterfront.

The Grand Carousel has been a part of New Jersey history since 1932 when it arrived in Seaside Heights after being destroyed in a fire at Island Beach Park in Burlington County, New Jersey. Maoli adds, "It deserves to remains intact and in New Jersey, and I'm making every effort to make that happen." Maoli added he is working with several towns that have shown great interest in having the carousel become an attraction in their town. This includes Burlington county, where the ride was originally housed at the turn of the century.

The Carousel was built in 1910, during the "Golden Age" of carousels, which generally lasted from the mid-1890s through the 1920s. Some of the animals, however, were carved as early as the 1890s. There are a total of 58 animals on the ride, most of which were hand carved by William Dentzel of Philadelphia. Charles Looff, from Coney Island, and famed Italian carver, Salvatore Conigliaro, also carved some of the animals. It has two large "chariot" seats, and 18 paintings top the center casing. A Wurlitzer Military Band Organ, which supplies the music for the ride, was built in 1923.

Maoli believes the New Jersey waterfront would be the ideal new home for the venerable ride. "The next phase of the carousel's life should be on the New Jersey waterfront, with New York City serving as its backdrop."

In addition to his car dealerships, Maoli is President and CEO of Real Estate Opportunity Investments, LLC. REOI is a real estate company that specializes in purchasing, holding, developing and operating retail shopping centers, office buildings and residential developments throughout the Northeast. 2015 and 2016 have been auspicious years for Maoli. He was named to Governor Christie's Presidential Leadership team and is also now a member of Donald Trump for President fundraising and transition team. Maoli was also honored as the Morris County Columbus Day parade's Man of the Year. No stranger to good causes, Maoli is also a large supporter of the Morris County Community Food Bank and the Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry.

Contact: Larry M. Weiner, APR, Fellow PRSA

201-674-8247

SOURCE Tom Maoli
ATLANTA, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Randstad Technologies, a leading technology talent and solutions provider in the U.S., today released its "Cybersecurity Workforce Report" that reveals 12 markets with high demand for cybersecurity talent, featuring data from partner WANTED Analytics. The report reveals 12 key markets nationwide with strong demand for top-tier, enterprise-level cybersecurity talent. The demand in these markets was determined based on a combination of employers competing for talent and number of open job listings.

View the report: Randstad Technologies' Cybersecurity Workforce Report - 12 Markets with High Demand for Top Talent.

Randstad Technologies found correlations between regions where it has talent-placement operations nationwide and proprietary data from its partner WANTED Analytics to identify the following markets where cybersecurity talent is in high demand:

Atlanta

Austin

Boston

Chicago

Dallas

Los Angeles

Minneapolis

New York

Phoenix

San Francisco

Seattle

Washington, D.C.

Cybersecurity talent in industries such as healthcare, retail and finance has been highly sought after over the last several years. Randstad Technologies has seen a surge in demand nationally for cybersecurity job orders from its clients, with a year-over-year increase of 35 percent from June 2014 to June 2016. As demand has increased in these top markets, more and more companies are moving operations to emerging markets like St. Louis, Charlotte, Richmond, Nashville, Orlando and others to find top talent.

"This data is not surprising, given that nearly every industry in today's enterprise ecosystem could fall victim to a security breach of their IT systems," said Dino Grigorakakis, Vice President of Recruiting at Randstad Technologies. "We are working with CIOs who now rank security and cybersecurity expertise as one of the most essential needs for their IT departments, and we are helping them attract willing and highly-qualified candidates from their own back yard."

Randstad Technologies has seen an increase in demand consistent with a recent industry survey that found a sharp uptick in CIOs' attention to security management. According to CIO's 15th annual State of the CIO Survey, 46 percent of IT executives cite security management as a focus for the upcoming year, up from 31 percent in 2015, suggesting that security ranks as the top technology initiative driving IT investment.

"Securing skilled workers, particularly in IT, is getting more complex and challenging, and many decision-makers see it as one of the largest internal threats to meeting business performance targets," said Grigorakakis. "The introduction of emerging technologies and innovations, and the threats that come with them, means the demand for technology workers with specialized skills such as security will only continue to grow."

Randstad Technologies is one of the major players seeking and placing cybersecurity talent for companies nationwide.

Methodology: Randstad Technologies' Cybersecurity Workforce Report - 12 Markets in High Demand for Top Talent

Randstad Technologies' report of 12 markets with high demand for cybersecurity talent is derived from an analysis of proprietary data from Randstad Technologies and industry partner WANTED Analytics. Randstad Technologies maintains offices in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, New York, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere around the country.

About Randstad Technologies

Randstad Technologies has been connecting top companies around the globe with the expert technology talent and solutions that drive their success since 1984. Their deep industry expertise and full-service capabilitiesRecruitment, Consulting, Projects and Outsourcingenable organizations to be agile, productive and ahead in the field with our wide network of specialists and flexible solutions. For more information, visit www.randstadtechnologies.com.

About Randstad US

Randstad US is a wholly owned subsidiary of Randstad Holding nv, a $24.5 billion global provider of HR services. As one of the largest staffing organizations in the United States, Randstad provides temporary, temporary-to-hire and permanent placement services each week to over 100,000 people through its network of more than 900 branches and client-dedicated locations.



Employing 5,300 recruiting experts, the company is a top provider of outsourcing, staffing, consulting and workforce solutions within the areas of engineering, finance and accounting, healthcare, human resources, IT, legal, life sciences, manufacturing and logistics, office and administration and sales and marketing. Learn more at www.randstadusa.com and access Randstad's panoramic U.S. thought leadership knowledge center through its Workforce360 site that offers valuable insight into the latest economic indicators and HR trends shaping the world of work.

SOURCE Randstad Technologies

Related Links

https://www.randstadusa.com/technologies


Niamey (AFP) - Seven Niger soldiers were killed and eight others wounded in two separate attacks by Boko Haram Islamists over the past week, the army has said.

The two attacks took place in the southeastern Diffa region near the border with Nigeria, according to a military statement released late on Tuesday.

Five of them were killed in an ambush on Monday morning carried out by "members of the Boko Haram terrorist group" which also left six others wounded.

In an earlier incident on September 8, two soldiers were killed and another two wounded when their patrol vehicle went over "an improvised explosive device", the statement said.

Earlier this month, five villagers were killed and two others wounded in the same area in another attack by the Nigeria-based jihadist group in the first such incident since early June.

Boko Haram's seven-year insurgency has left at least 20,000 people dead in Nigeria and border areas of neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, and made more than 2.6 million homeless.
WALLDORF, Germany, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP Newsbyte SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) will announce collaborations with Mercury Media (a spin-off of Pilot) and Blackwood Seven around the SAP Exchange Media (SAP XM) platform at this year's dmexco, being held Sept. 1415 in Cologne. First pilot campaigns with selected customers have already shown increased media budget efficiency up to 40 percent in digital campaigns, as was predicted. Collaborations with Mercury Media and Blackwood Seven will now offer efficiency enhancements to the complete advertising budget for customers like Beiersdorf, DPDHL, Ernst & Young and SAP.

"It requires strategic projects with many SAP customers to realize the digital transformation of the media business end to end. The SAP XM competitive edge program represents just that," explained Johann Freilinger, co-founder and head of marketing and communications, SAP XM. "The upcoming collaboration with Blackwood Seven and Mercury Media enables our customers to instantly improve efficiency."

Mercury Media is a spin-off of Pilot, the second largest independent and owner-managed media agency in Germany. Pilot is part of the global media agency network Local Planet. Blackwood Seven offers data-based planning, analytics and advertising effectiveness forecasts for advertisers in real time via all online and offline channels, so that customers finally have an end-to-end full-service model.

"Both companies share our belief that the necessary transformation of the digital advertising market is about fundamental changes, most of all regarding transparency," said Dr. Wolfgang Faisst, co-founder and head of SAP XM. "The full package of SAP XM, Mercury Media and Blackwood Seven is transparent and offers an immediate increase in efficiency. We are consequently following our chosen path and are open for collaborating with everyone who commits to clarity and transparency in the advertising market. Leading agencies like vertic, SinnerSchrader and Jung von Matt fit into this category."

SAP XM supports companies wanting to optimize their marketing and advertising efficiency with the SAP XM competitive edge program. It starts with analyzing a company's situation to identify savings and efficiency potential. This is also the starting point of a strategic innovation collaboration, which includes the development of a common technological and business-related road map.

At dmexco, at booth D011 in hall 6, customers can experience the new SAP XM mobile prototype as well as the current platform (version 1.2) live. The link to the SAP Hybris Marketing solution as an integral part of SAP XM end-to-end integration is another highlight.

Meet SAP XM at this year's dmexco and at www.sapexchange.media . Follow the discussion on our social channels: Twitter I LinkedIn I Facebook I Xing I YouTube.

For further information please check the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter via @sapnews.

Media Contact:

Johann C. Freilinger, +49 160 90820178, [email protected], CET

Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

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SOURCE SAP SE

Related Links

http://www.sap.com


MILWAUKEE, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, today announced a $250,000 grant to the American Red Cross in support of disaster relief efforts across the country. With the help of its volunteer base, the Red Cross responds to and provides assistance for more than 65,000 disasters every year.

The grant from the Foundation will provide critical funds for Disaster Responder Program support. These funds help to support Red Cross disaster response, including providing shelter, food and other supplies, training for volunteers, transportation and storage of equipment, health and emotional support, and reconnecting individuals separated during disasters.

"In times of emergency and disaster, people need comfort, support and hope. For so many who have found themselves in an unimaginable situation, the American Red Cross offers the help and immediate resources they need," said Jo Eisenhart, senior vice president, human resources, facilities and strategic philanthropy at Northwestern Mutual. "We're grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Red Cross and have a role in providing relief for those in need in throughout the country where disaster strikes."

From small house fires to multi-state natural disasters, the American Red Cross goes wherever they're needed, giving people clean water, safe shelter and hot meals when needed most. Recently, the Red Cross opened three shelters in California in the aftermath of the Erskine fire, distributed nearly 500 relief items and served more than 1,600 meals and snacks to those affected. The organization also launched a massive relief operation to combat flooding in Louisiana, likely the worst natural disaster in the United States since 2012 Superstorm Sandy.

"The continued support from partners such as Northwestern Mutual allows us to provide critical assistance to victims of these tragedies," said Patty Flowers, CEO, American Red Cross of Wisconsin. "We greatly appreciate Northwestern Mutual's commitment through not only the grant for $250,000 but also the company's employees' volunteer efforts."

Northwestern Mutual has partnered with the American Red Cross since 1987, donating more than $4.3 million during that time.

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).

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual

Related Links

http://www.northwesternmutual.com


EAST HANOVER, N.J., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis announced today the publication of the Make Your Dialogue Count survey results in The Breast Journal, a first-of-its-kind survey designed to identify communications gaps and understand the specific needs of metastatic breast cancer patients throughout the course of their disease. Novartis convened a committee of oncologists, patient advocates and a psychologist to develop the survey questions and ensure the findings would be meaningful to the advanced breast cancer community, which comprises of metastatic (stage IV) and locally advanced breast cancer (stage III).

"The Make Your Dialogue Count results have the potential to shape practice moving forward as they shed light on the importance for oncologists to have a continual and open dialogue with patients about their specific concerns and preferences so they can tailor treatment plans and improve quality of life for each individual patient," said Adam Brufsky, MD, Medical Director of the Women's Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and leading survey author and Make Your Dialogue Count survey advisor. "As oncologists, it is evident that we need to be more mindful of how we communicate about advanced breast cancer, treatment options, side effect management and support services while encouraging our patients to be active participants in treatment discussions."

Results from the Make Your Dialogue Count survey, which was sponsored by Novartis and conducted by Harris Poll among 359 women with metastatic breast cancer and 252 oncologists, show communication gaps exist in discussions between patients and oncologists, particularly around treatment plans and goals.

89% of patients and 76% of oncologists said that it's important or very important to discuss long-term treatment plans beyond the current recommended treatment at their initial advanced breast cancer diagnosis. Yet, 43% of patients reported that this did not take place 1 .

. 70% of patients and 65% of oncologists said that it's important or very important to refer patients to support services at their initial advanced breast cancer diagnosis. Yet, only 36% of patients reported that this was something their doctor did 1 .

. 23% of oncologists said that at times their emotions have kept them from sharing certain information with their advanced breast cancer patients, and 27% of oncologists said that, in certain situations, they do not discuss with patients the fact that advanced breast cancer is incurable1.

"For the past 25 years, we have collaborated with patients, advocates and physicians to support and amplify the voice of the advanced breast cancer community, an often underrepresented group," said Bill Hinshaw, Executive Vice President and Head, US, Novartis Oncology. "The Make Your Dialogue Count survey is the third major survey Novartis has conducted in collaboration with the community that contributes to a better understanding of the unique experiences of those affected by advanced breast cancer. As a result of the findings, we developed the Make Your Dialogue Count tool to help those living with the disease improve discussions with their doctors."

The customizable Make Your Dialogue Count tool, available at www.MakeYourDialogueCount.com, helps patients make the most out of their doctor visits. After answering key questions relevant to their unique experience with advanced breast cancer, patients receive a personalized discussion guide that addresses their concerns, along with tips for initiating a dialogue with their doctor and questions to ask at their next appointment. With any change in treatment or status, patients can retake the questionnaire and generate a new discussion guide that addresses the topics that matter most to them.

For more information on the survey data and advanced breast cancer, please visit www.advancedbreastcancercommunity.org.

About Make Your Dialogue Count Survey

This survey was conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Novartis between June 20 and August 22, 2014. A total of 359 surveys were collected among women 21 years+ living with advanced breast cancer in addition to 234 caregivers of women with advanced breast cancer and 252 licensed oncologists who treat at least five advanced breast cancer patients per month within the United States. Patient interviews were collected via a variety of methods including online, phone and paper methodologies. Patient data were not weighted and therefore representative only of the individuals interviewed. All oncologist interviews were conducted online. Oncologist data were weighted by sex, years in practice and region where necessary to reflect the population of licensed oncologists practicing within the United States. No estimates of error can be computed1.

About Novartis in advanced breast cancer

For more than 25 years, Novartis has been at the forefront of driving scientific advancements for breast cancer patients and improving clinical practice in partnership with the global community2. With one of the most diverse breast cancer pipelines and the largest number of breast cancer compounds in development, Novartis leads the industry in discovery of new therapies and combinations, especially in HR+ advanced breast cancer, the most common form of the disease2.

About advanced breast cancer

Advanced breast cancer comprises of metastatic breast cancer (stage IV) and locally advanced breast cancer (stage III)3. Metastatic breast cancer is the most serious form of the disease and occurs when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the brain, bones or liver3. Locally advanced breast cancer occurs when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes and/or other tissue in the area of the breast, but not to distant sites in the body3.

HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer is the most common type of advanced breast cancer, with an estimated 220,000 women diagnosed globally each year4,5. HR+ advanced breast cancer is a group of cancers that express receptors for certain hormones such as estrogen and progesterone5. Cancer cell growth can be driven by these hormones5.

Disclaimer

This press release contains expressed or implied forward-looking statements, including statements that can be identified by terminology such as "potential," "pipelines," "in development," or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Group regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such statements. These expectations could be affected by, among other things, risks and factors referred to in the Risk Factors section of Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update it in the future.

About Novartis

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative medicines aimed at improving patients' lives. We offer a broad range of medicines for cancer, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, neurological disease, organ transplantation, psychiatric disease, respiratory disease and skin conditions. The company's mission is to improve people's lives by pioneering novel healthcare solutions.

Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis AG, which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2015, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.4 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 8.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis.

References

Count Us, Know Us, Join Us Make Your Dialogue Count Survey, Harris Poll, sponsored by Novartis (2014). Novartis Data on File. American Cancer Society. How do you determine the stage of breast cancer? Available at http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-staging. Accessed May 10, 2016 . Dobrescu A, et al. Study of Estrogen Receptor and Progesterone Receptor Expression in Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ by Immunohistochemical Staining in ER/PgR-Negative Invasive Breast Cancer. International Scholarly Research Network. 2011;2011:1-5. Buckley N, et al. Breast Cancer. Decision Resources. March 2011:1-301.

SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Related Links

http://www.novartis.com


CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) announced today guidance for its third quarter ending October 1, 2016. Nucor expects third quarter results to be in the range of $0.85 to $0.90 per diluted share. This range is an increase compared to the second quarter of 2016 consolidated net earnings of $0.73 per diluted share and the third quarter of 2015 earnings of $0.71 per diluted share.

Projected third quarter of 2016 results include an estimated LIFO expense of $21.8 million ($0.04 per diluted share), compared to an expense of $19.0 million ($0.03 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2016 and a credit of $137.0 million ($0.27 per diluted share) in the third quarter of 2015. LIFO charges or credits for interim periods are based on management's current estimates of both inventory costs and quantities expected at year-end, and that full year estimate is incurred ratably over the remainder of the year. Included in the third quarter of 2015 earnings are out-of-period non-cash gains totaling $10.2 million ($0.03 per diluted share) related to a correction of deferred tax balances.

Flat-rolled trade cases are having a positive impact as steel imports are down in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period last year and duties are in place and being collected. Affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty and countervailing duty cases of corrosion-resistant, cold-rolled steel and hot-rolled steel products have been announced by the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission. Earlier this year, Nucor and other domestic steel producers also filed trade cases against cut-to-length steel plate imports from 12 countries because of injury that has occurred from unfairly traded imports in this market. We believe the plate cases should have a positive impact as they work their way through the legal process. The plate cases are expected to conclude by mid-2017.

The expected improvement in earnings in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the second quarter of 2016 is primarily due to the performance of our steel mills segment and raw materials segment. The profitability of our sheet mills is expected to improve due to higher average selling prices, which benefited in part from contract sales that are priced on a lagging quarterly basis. Demand for cold-rolled and galvanized sheet products is robust, but demand for hot-rolled sheet products has weakened since the first half of the year. Market conditions for our plate and bar mills continue to be challenging due to high levels of imports. The steel mills segment is expected to benefit from low service center inventory levels and lower scrap costs over the remainder of the year. Energy, heavy equipment and agricultural markets remain weak. The automotive markets remain strong.

The performance of the raw materials segment in the third quarter of 2016 will be significantly improved compared to the second quarter of 2016 due to the improved performance of our DRI facilities, which we expect will be profitable for the quarter. We expect decreased profitability for our steel products segment in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the second quarter of 2016 due to margin compression. We continue to see gradual improvement in nonresidential construction markets and believe the performance of the steel products segment for the full year 2016 will be improved compared to 2015.

Nucor and its affiliates are manufacturers of steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products produced include: carbon and alloy steel -- in bars, beams, sheet and plate; steel piling; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; steel grating; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor, through The David J. Joseph Company, also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and HBI/DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap. Nucor is North America's largest recycler.

Certain statements contained in this news release are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. The words "believe," "expect," "project," "will," "should," "could" and similar expressions are intended to identify those forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (1) competitive pressure on sales and pricing, including competition from imports and substitute materials; (2) the sensitivity of the results of our operations to prevailing steel prices and the changes in the supply and cost of raw materials, including scrap steel; (3) market demand for steel products; and (4) energy costs and availability. These and other factors are discussed in Nucor's regulatory filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those in Nucor's fiscal 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1A. Risk Factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of this date, and Nucor does not assume any obligation to update them.

SOURCE Nucor Corporation

Related Links

http://www.nucor.com


HOUSTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Oasis Petroleum Inc. ("Oasis" or "the Company") (NYSE: OAS) announced today that it has priced an upsized public offering of $275 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.625% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2023 (the "Notes"). The Notes will be issued at par. Oasis has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The offering is expected to close on September 19, 2016, subject to customary closing conditions. Oasis intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes, together with additional borrowings under its revolving credit facility, if needed, to fund separately announced tender offers for its existing 7.25% Senior Notes due 2019, 6.5% Senior Notes due 2021, 6.875% Senior Notes due 2022 and 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (collectively, the "Senior Notes"). To the extent that the tender offers are not completed, Oasis may use a portion of the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes for general corporate purposes, which may include redemptions or repurchases of the Senior Notes.

The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Oasis. The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 2.625% per annum, payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2017. The Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company's common stock, at the Company's election. The Notes will mature on September 15, 2023, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased in accordance with their terms prior to such date. Prior to March 15, 2023, the Notes will be convertible only upon the occurrence of certain events and during certain periods, and thereafter, at any time until the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. The initial conversion rate will be 76.3650 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $13.10 per share of common stock). The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment in some events but will not be adjusted for accrued and unpaid interest. On or after September 15, 2020, the Notes may be redeemed at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if the market price of the Company's common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for the Notes for specified periods prior to the redemption date.

RBC Capital Markets is acting as sole structuring advisor and RBC Capital Markets and Citigroup are acting as lead joint book-running managers for the offering, and Deutsche Bank Securities, Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. The Notes are being offered and will be sold pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement that was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus dated July 15, 2014 and related prospectus supplement dated September 13, 2016. Before you invest, you should read the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus in that registration statement for more complete information about this offering. A copy of the prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained from any of the underwriters by contacting:

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

Attention: Prospectus Department

Three World Financial Center, 200 Vesey Street, 8th floor

New York, New York 10281-8098

Telephone: (877) 822-4089

Email: [email protected]

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions

1155 Long Island Avenue

Edgewood, New York 11717

Telephone: (800) 831-9146

You may also obtain these documents free of charge when they are available by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements

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 Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this press release specifically include statements regarding the intended use of offering proceeds and other aspects of the Notes offering. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company based on management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. These include changes in oil and natural gas prices, the timing of planned capital expenditures, availability of acquisitions, uncertainties in estimating proved reserves and forecasting production results, operational factors affecting the commencement or maintenance of producing wells, the condition of the capital markets generally, as well as the Company's ability to access them, the proximity to and capacity of transportation facilities, and uncertainties regarding environmental regulations or litigation and other legal or regulatory developments affecting the Company's business and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected as described in the Company's reports filed with the SEC.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

About Oasis Petroleum Inc.

Oasis is an independent exploration and production company focused on the acquisition and development of unconventional oil and natural gas resources, primarily operating in the Williston Basin. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.oasispetroleum.com.

SOURCE Oasis Petroleum Inc.

Related Links

http://www.oasispetroleum.com


VISERA 4K UHD, the first of many products from the Sony Olympus Medical Solutions (SOMED) joint-venture, is a state-of-the-art Big Screen surgical system that Olympus unveiled earlier this year to a broad surgical base. The VISERA 4K UHD System delivers four times the resolution of HD with better light and a wider color spectrum, promising to help surgeons operate with increased precision and confidence.

The only fully integrated 4K imaging chain available for healthcare use, VISERA 4K UHD allows operating room personnel to get closer to the operating field as they view cases live on a 55-inch operative display that magnifies anatomical features to deliver more visual information to the entire surgical team. The VISERA 4K UHD System was created to address unmet needs in surgical imaging by improving the visual elements essential for Sinus surgery  light, color and resolution  via an optimized 4K imaging chain that works seamlessly together to improve visibility.

Among the procedures identified as potentially benefiting from 4K UHD are Skull Base procedures (such as those for the removal of cysts or benign or malignant tumors) and Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), a surgical treatment of sinusitis and nasal polyps, including bacterial, fungal recurrent, acute and chronic sinus problems. According to Truven Health Analytics Inc., there were more than 4,900,000 sinus procedures performed in the United States per year.[i] Specific to FESS, it is estimated that approximately 552,000 patients undergo the procedures annually in the United States.[ii]

"As each specialty confirms the improved experience that Big Screen surgery delivers, we get closer to confirming our predictions that this surgical modality could impact as many as 20 million procedures per year," said Todd Usen, President, Olympus Medical Systems Group at Olympus Corporation of the Americas. "In the future months, we believe an increasing number of physicians will be excited to see the benefits such technology advancement can bring toward improving quality of care, containing costs and enhancing patient satisfaction."

Big Screen Surgery with 4K HD for ENT will be demonstrated at the Olympus booth, #1805 at the American Academy of Otolaryngology  Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in San Diego, Sept. 18-20. The system will also be available for demonstration at the American Rhinology Society conference Sept. 16-17, also in San Diego. For more information, please contact Olympus customer service at 1-800-848-9024 or visit www.OlympusAmerica.com/4K.

About Olympus

Olympus is a global medical device and precision technology leader focused on enhancing people's lives every day through innovative solutions in its core business areas of Medical and Surgical Products, Scientific Solutions, and Cameras and Audio Recorders. Olympus Corporation of the Americas  a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation in Tokyo, Japan  is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania and employs more than 5,000 people across North and South America. For more information, visit Olympus at www.olympusamerica.com and www.olympus-global.com.

[i] Data for use in this 2012 study were supplied by Truven Health Analytics Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan ("Truven Health"). Any analysis, interpretation or conclusion based on these data is solely that of the authors and Truven Health disclaims responsibility for any such analysis, interpretation or conclusion.

[ii] US Market for ENT and Bronchoscopic Devices Report Suite  2016, iData Research Inc.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160909/405967

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160715/389973LOGO



SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas

Related Links

http://www.olympusamerica.com


HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) will host founder of Skinnygirl Cocktails and "The Real Housewives of New York City" star Bethenny Frankel on Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. at the Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection Store at 1112 Chestnut St. in Philadelphia. Bethenny will meet with fans and sign purchased bottles from her Skinnygirl Cocktails line.

Bethenny is the creator of the low-calorie cocktail brand Skinnygirl Cocktails, which now features more than 20 products, including vodka, wine and ready-to-serve options. She first entered the public spotlight on NBC's "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart," then became a celebrity on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City." Bethenny has been named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Celebrities by Forbes magazine.

Complimentary tastings of select Skinnygirl Cocktails products will be available for customers 21 years of age and older:

Skinnygirl Bare Naked Vodka, Code 4602 - $15.99 (save $3 )

(save ) Skinnygirl Margarita, Code 3343 - $12.99

Skinnygirl Pinot Grigio, Code 7978 - $12.99

Skinnygirl Cabernet Sauvignon, Code 7972 - $12.99

Additional Skinnygirl Cocktails products will be available for purchase and to be signed.

WHAT: Bethenny Frankel signing bottles of Skinnygirl Cocktails wines and spirits

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 20, 5:00  7:00 PM

WHERE: Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection Store, 1112 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107

MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Brassell, 717-783-8864

EDITOR'S NOTE: In-store media access will be limited to credentialed media and professional photographers prior to Bethenny's interaction with fans during the bottle signing. Media interested in covering this event must contact Elizabeth Brassell in advance.

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide and licenses more than 20,000 beverage alcohol producers and retailers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups and licensees. Taxes and store profits  totaling $15.1 billion since the agency's inception  are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania's schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit www.lcb.state.pa.us.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

Related Links

http://www.lcb.state.pa.us


DALLAS, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Popbar, the maker of customizable popGelato, popSorbetto, and YogurtPops, founded in New York City in 2010, has signed a multi-unit franchising agreement with QM & QT LLC, owned by Dallas residents, Bao Tran and Tran Nguyen. The development will focus on the greater Dallas area, which is the tenth US territory to claim Popbar locations.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407375

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407376

Popbar is very excited to enter the North East Texas market. While exact locations have yet to be publically announced, construction is set to begin in late 2016 with plans of opening the first store in early 2017. If you can't wait until the new year, Popbar's got you covered  you can visit any one of the already open national or international locations.

Popbar currently has 9 open locations in the US in NY, CA, and FL, and 14 international locations open in Canada, Russia, Japan, Korea, and Indonesia. There are also 9 stores under construction in other territories, and many more to come. Most recently, Popbar announced new development in the greater Houston area with the signing of a 10-unit franchising agreement. While the brand is expanding rapidly, it prides itself on its original "mom and pop" values - superior quality, in-house production, outstanding service, and authenticity.

Dedicated to serving 'the best' in frozen treats, Popbar serves handcrafted gelato, sorbetto, and yogurt in a new way  on a stick. All pops are made in-house daily with all natural ingredients. On the menu, you'll find 40+ rotating flavors ranging from classics (Chocolate and Vanilla) to the more unique (Green Tea and Passion Fruit). You can enjoy your pops as-is, or customize to your liking. Premium dippings and toppings include dark, milk, and white chocolate, nuts, sprinkles, waffle cone, caramel corn, and more.

At Popbar, a mouthwatering experience awaits for everyone, even those looking for vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free options. Other indulgences include Hot Chocolate on a Stick, Frozen Hot Chocolate, and the Double Shake, which is Popbar's take on a milkshake, made with any two gelato or sorbetto pops. Popbar guarantees a "love at first bite" experience, and with so many delicious options to choose from, it seems just one visit won't do!

"As foodies and even bigger dessert lovers, we could not be more excited to bring Popbar to Dallas! The gelato, sorbet and yogurt pops are pretty much everything you could ever want in a dessert all wrapped into one  delicious, flavorful, beautiful, customizable, and the list goes on. That they're made with all natural ingredients and lower in calories than other frozen treats is purely extra," says newly awarded franchisee, Bao Tran. "We know Popbar will be new to most Texans and look forward to sharing in their first taste of deliciousness on a stick!"

To keep up with all things Popbar, including updates on new store openings in Dallas and Houston, visit www.pop-bar.com, or follow the brand on Instagram @popbar and Facebook @popbarUSA. If you're interested in opening your very own Popbar, new territories are available for franchising! Email [email protected] for more information.

"cute, trendy", "high quality", "Deliciousness on a stick"..ZAGAT; "You cannot do much better than the frozen gelato and sorbetto at Popbar".. THE NEW YORK TIMES; "Not your average ice cream shopwe can go there every day of the week and try something different"..FOOD NETWORK; "revolutionary advance in dessert science"..NEW YORK MAGAZINE; "A brilliant concept."..NBC; "Intensely rich", "Miracles on ice"..NEW YORK POST; "Rich Pistachio"..TIME OUT NEW YORK; "The city's tastiest cold sweets"..NY1; "The combination was surprisingly rich and filling"..THE VILLAGE VOICE; "Popbar draws the crowds for impossibly beautiful gelato on a stick in a gazillion flavors".. THE LOS ANGELES TIMES; Top Ten Frozen Dessert Retailer of America"..DESSERT PROFESSIONAL

Media Contact:

Megan Lewkowicz

212-444-8141

Email

SOURCE Popbar

Related Links

http://www.pop-bar.com


ALBANY, New York, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The poultry pharmaceuticals market is dominated by Merck Animal Health and Zoetis Inc. and the two companies together accounted for over half the market in 2015. The rest of the market is, however, fragmented and is characterized by the presence of several large and small players. Transparency Market Research notes that the rivalry within the animal healthcare industry is quite high due to the existence of a large number of players and this trend is also reflected in the global poultry pharmaceutical market. "The high degree of competition ensures that poultry pharmaceutical companies maintain regular interaction and collaborations with drug retailers, governments, and poultry farmers," the author of the study states.

The revenue generated by the global poultry pharmaceuticals market was pegged at US$3.7 bn in 2015 and is projected to reach US$7.8 bn by 2024, registering a healthy CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period.

Interpret a Competitive outlook Analysis Report with free PDF Brochure: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=11486

Product innovation has also proven to be a successful strategy adopted by players in the poultry pharmaceutical market, TMR finds. For instance, in September 2015, Merial Animal Health globally launched its innovation in poultry vaccination technology, known as Merial Avinew. This move has strengthened Merial's position in the market.

North America and Latin America Emerge as Most Promising Markets for Poultry Pharmaceuticals

By type of product, vaccines held the leading share in the global poultry pharmaceuticals market in terms of revenue, accounting for just over 41% in 2016. Feed additive medications, on the other hand, will register an 8.8% CAGR during the forecast period, emerging as a highly lucrative product segment.

Based on type of animal, chicken is the key contributor to the overall market and is likely to remain so through 2024. The segment will also register a higher growth rate than any other category. Geographically, while North America dominates the global poultry pharmaceutical market, accounting for just short of 36% in 2016, Latin America is forecast to clock in the highest CAGR of 9.2% from 2016 to 2024.

View exclusive Global Strategic Business report: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/poultry-pharmaceuticals-market.html

Rising Poultry Franchises in Emerging Nations a Key Growth Driver

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the U.S states that the demand for food is expected to double due to the increase in global population, which is projected to be around 9.1 billion by 2050. In order to cater to this ever-rising demand for food, the number of poultry farming operations and franchises has increased significantly in recent years. China, Brazil, Mexico, India, Russia, and Argentina are among the leading countries with a high growth rate in terms of poultry animal ownership. This has benefited the poultry pharmaceutical market.

Apart from this, the poultry pharmaceuticals market is fueled by the growing emphasis on wellness and preventive care by veterinarians and poultry animal owners, the rising consumption of animal protein, the increasing incidence of poultry diseases, and the support from government and private organizations in the form of vaccination initiatives.

In contrast, the poultry pharmaceutical market is hampered by stringent regulations, lengthy product approval periods, and limited vaccination production. The growing concerns regarding the use of antibiotics and growth promoters in animal feed are also hindering the growth of the global market.

This review is based on the findings of a TMR report titled "Poultry Pharmaceuticals Market - (By Product - Drugs, Vaccines, Feed Additive, and Medication; By Animal Type - Chicken, Turkey, Duck, Goose, and Others) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024."

Browse Global Industry PR: http://www.europlat.org/poultry-pharmaceuticals-market.htm

Global Poultry Pharmaceuticals Market, by Product Type

Drugs VETRIMOXIN Other Drug Products

Vaccines INNOVAX NOBILIS Poulvac Other Vaccine Products

Feed Additive Medication VIGOSINE Amnovit Other Feed Additive Medication



Global Poultry Pharmaceuticals Market, by Animal Type

Chicken

Turkey

Duck

Goose

Others

Global Poultry Pharmaceuticals Market, by Geography

North America U.S. Canada

Europe U.K. Germany Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific China India Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America Brazil Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa South Africa Rest of Middle East & Africa

&

Browse Other Latest Research Reports:

Companion Animal Vaccines Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/companion-animal-vaccines-market.html



http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/companion-animal-vaccines-market.html Small Animal Imaging Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/small-animal-imaging.html



http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/small-animal-imaging.html U.S. Pet Medication Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/us-pet-medication-market.html

About Us:

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S. based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMR's global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
FARMINGTON, Utah, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The founders of Keypoint Solutions, a company made up of real estate investors who buy homes, are pleased to announce that they have achieved a record breaking number of purchases. So far this year, Keypoint Solutions has purchased 157 homes, with 57 of those homes being in Utah.

For more information about Keypoint Solutions and their team of friendly and experienced home buyers, please visit http://sellmyutahhousefast.com/.

As a company spokesperson noted, there are a number of benefits to working with Keypoint Solutions. From people in Utah who are dealing with a death, divorce or military transfer to those who have lost their jobs and are no longer able to pay their mortgage, the company is devoted to giving people a fair cash price for their home.

To learn more about how the process works, and how Keypoint Solutions is able to help residents of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area or northern Utah sell their homes as quickly as possible, please check out this video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he8DzS9b66g.

"Because we pay cash, we can be flexible and close on your time frame. We don't need to wait for an appraisal or lender approvals," noted the spokesperson for http://sellmyutahhousefast.com/, adding that Keypoint Solutions uses a licensed and insured title company and takes care to make sure all details are attended to, so the seller does not have to worry.

"We make this a simple, straight forward and easy to understand process for you. You won't have to pay any title or closing costs and you won't have to fix or clean anything."

Home owners who would like to work with Keypoint Solutions can give the company a call to get the process started, or they can also fill out a quick and convenient form on the website.

About Keypoint Solutions:

Keypoint Solutions is the largest home buyer in Utah with over a decade of experience. They provide fast offers to home owners looking to avoid many of the fees that are often associated with selling a home. For more information, please visit http://sellmyutahhousefast.com/.

Keypoint Solutions

1361 US-89, #11

Farmington, UT 84025

Contact:

Laura LaFond

[email protected]

(801) 923-7889

SOURCE Keypoint Solutions

Related Links

http://www.sellmyutahhousefast.com


WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Six cities: Los Angeles, Boston, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C., and Jackson, Michigan have launched their "Startup in Day" (SIAD) solutions making it easier for businesses to get started. Several additional cities will be launching their solutions over the next month.

"I joined President Obama last summer in calling on our colleagues at city halls and in Native American communities across the country to pledge to make it easier for every entrepreneur to start a business by building streamlined, business-friendly, online tools. I'm so pleased to see nearly 100 cities and communities have taken the pledge and many are now implementing their solutions," said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. "I'm encouraging more cities, large and small, as well as Native American communities to join this initiative and take the Startup in a Day pledge."

Last year, as part of the initiative, 25 cities and two Native American communities were each awarded a $50,000 prize as part of the Startup in a Day  Start Small prize competition. One city, Los Angeles, was awarded a $250,000 prize as part of the Startup in a Day  Dream Big prize competition. For both competitions, each winner was funded based on their proposed ideas on how to meet the SIAD competition challenge. These ideas have evolved over the last several months resulting in a variety of solutions.

"I am particularly pleased the City of Los Angeles took on the additional challenge of creating an online tool that is open-source and can be shared with cities and communities across the country. This effort will make it possible for even more entrepreneurs to have better access to the information and services they need," said Contreras-Sweet.

Los Angeles officially opened their business portal today (http://business.lacity.org/). The LA Business Portal is an online resource for entrepreneurs looking to start a business in LA or businesses looking to grow their operations. It entails key product features such as the Start Up Guide, which provides a roadmap for business registration based on answers to questions around business types, Starter Kits which are quick how-to-guides supporting the most popular business types in the city, a Resource Library, as well as content pages related to how to plan, manage, or grow a business. Several unique visual elements are also built into the site to engage the user and navigate them through the content on the site.

Los Angeles' code, as well as code from other open-source SIAD solutions, can be found on GitHub at https://github.com/StartupInADay

Business portal links for other launched cities:

Boston: https://www.boston.gov/starting-business

Jackson, MI: http://buildmybusiness.cityofjackson.org/

Milwaukee: http://city.milwaukee.gov/StartSmart

Salt Lake City: http://www.slcgov.com/buslicense

Washington, D.C.: https://business.dc.gov/

Each of the Startup in a Day winners and nearly 100 additional cities have taken a pledge to work towards meeting the Startup in a Day challenge. To help with these efforts, cities and communities that take the Startup in a Day pledge are invited to join the Startup in a Day Community of Practice. The goal of the Community of Practice is to connect cities on a peer-to-peer level with other city staff that are creating online platforms for business permits and licenses. The Community is linked via conference calls, webinars, and an online discussion board. SBA, along with the National League of Cities and Code for America support the Community by connecting participating cities with various, non-monetary resources.

For more details about Startup in a Day visit www.sba.gov/startup. This site will continue to be updated as solutions are launched.

ABOUT THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012 has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. www.sba.gov

Release Number: 16 65

Contact: Terry Sutherland, (202) 205-6919

Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Blogs

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110909/DC65875LOGO

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

Related Links

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Dunham Craig, P.Geo., Interim CEO remarked, "The remaining drill hole results from the Phase I drill program intercepted the Las Chispas vein which has further demonstrated continuity of high grades and potential mineable thicknesses. Phase II exploration work will continue to define the Las Chispas vein for resource estimation expected in H1 2017. As we continue to systematically explore this district-wide discovery with multiple undrilled epithermal veins, we could potentially have several more discoveries. The Babicanora area (no previous drilling), immediately adjacent to Las Chispas and William Tell veins, is considered the largest target in the district and will be tested in Phase II exploration."

The most substantial core drilling results from the remainder of the Phase 1 holes are 1.0 metres wide grading 1.55 grams per tonne ("gpt") gold ("Au") and 706.0 gpt silver ("Ag"), or 822.2 gpt silver equivalent ("AgEq"* uncut, undiluted, see attached Figure). The following table summarizes the most significant drill assay results (uncut, undiluted) for the Las Chispas vein only;

Hole No. Location From (m) To (m) True

Thickness** Au gpt Ag gpt AgEq

gpt * LC-16-17 Las Chispas Vein 81.0 82.0 1.0 2.27 306.0 476.2 LC-16-18 Las Chispas Vein 80.0 81.0 1.0 1.55 706.0 822.2 LC-16-19 Las Chispas Vein 167.0 168.0 1.0 1.07 143.0 223.3















LC-16-18 Adjacent Footwall Vein*** 118.0 119.0 1.0 0.92 113.0 182.0 LC-16-19 Adjacent Footwall Vein 186.0 189.0 3.0 0.30 68.1 91.1

Note: all numbers are rounded. * AgEq based on 75 (Ag):1 (Au) and 100% metallurgical recovery. ** All holes were drilled at perpendicular angles to mineralization with no adjustments required. Minimum sample width is 1.0 m. *** Intercept is for a new consistent vein in the footwall of Las Chispas Vein as previous drilled and defined.



All assays were completed by ALS Chemex in Hermosillo, Mexico, and North Vancouver, BC.

All drill holes have intercepted quartz stockwork veinlets, veining and/or breccia.

Deeper vein intercepts into the Las Chispas vein, including holes LC16-12, 13, 14 and 15, intercepted quartz veining and stockwork. Grades for those intercepts were below 150 gpt AgEq. Further work is required to depth to better understand the precious metal zone below 300 metres from surface. Drill-intercepted mineralization at Las Chispas vein currently suggests a precious metal zone of at least 300 metres in depth.

The first NI43-101 technical report (non-resource) is currently being completed and should be available in Q4 2016. Based on the recent success of the Las Chispas Phase I program and subsequent announced discoveries, the Company is targeting a first resource estimation to be announced in H1 2017 along with a 100,000 tonne bulk sampling plan to form the basis for a preliminary economic assessment.

Underground rehabilitation work continues as scheduled with approximately 5 kilometres of the estimated existing 11.5 kilometres reopened.

The Company is completing final permitting for the Phase II exploration program. Work is anticipated to commence in Q4 2016.

The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is James Barr, P.Geo, who is independent of SilverCrest and has approved its contents.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SilverCrest Metals will be attending and presenting at the Precious Metals Summit in Beaver Creek, Colorado from September 14 to 16, 2016. The Precious Metals Summits are exclusive by-invitation events designed to help institutional investors and corporate development executives from senior mining companies identify some of the most prospective precious metals producers, developers and explorers from around the globe.

ABOUT SILVERCREST METALS INC.

SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on new discoveries, value-added acquisitions and targeting production in Mexico's historic precious metal districts. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metal mining sector, including the pioneering of a responsible "phased approach" business model taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production with subsequent increased value to shareholders.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. These include, without limitation, statements with respect to: the strategic plans, timing and expectations for the Company's exploration, rehabilitation and drilling programs of the Las Chispas Project, including initial extraction program for bulk sample testing and preparation of an initial resource estimate; information with respect to high grade areas and size of veins projected from underground sampling results and drilling results; and the accessibility of future mining at the Las Chispas Project. Such forwardlooking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the conditions in general economic and financial markets; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of expenditures related to rehabilitation and drilling programs; and effects of regulation by governmental agencies. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors including: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Dunham Craig, P.Geo

Interim CEO

SilverCrest Metals Inc.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE SilverCrest Metals Inc.

Related Links

www.silvercrestmetals.com


TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- sixthreezero Bicycle Company provides an innovative bicycle experience offering the ultimate in beach cruiser bikes that are the perfect blend of comfort, style and function. Beach cruiser bikes are gaining popularity all over the U.S and provide the perfect ride for the recreational user. sixthreezero's modern designs and newly engineered components make their line of beach cruisers unmatched.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160912/406639

Sixthreezero Bicycle Company's Beach Cruisers Have Brought the Style Developed in the 1950's Into Modern Times

Beach cruiser bike are available for both men and woman and come in single, 3, and 7-speeds. The bikes are offered in a variety of colors and styles to match any rider's preference. sixthreezero's cruisers feature 26-inch wheels which are perfect for cruising, leisure, and commuting. The tires are wide and soft, they roll smooth and easy, while providing a seriously cushy ride. The real stand out feature on sixthreezero bikes is the oversized, extra padded cruiser comfort saddle. It provides a soft, pillow like platform for the rider's bottom, furnishing riders with a level of comfort not found on other bicycles. The company's website details all of the features that make sixthreezero's beach cruisers so unique.

"Our beach cruiser bikes are perfect for those who truly want to enjoy the ride and the view with every pedal, without losing the sense of fun," says Dustin Gyger, CEO and founder of sixthreezero. "No matter if you're cruising the beach, street or boardwalk, our line of beach cruiser bikes go anywhere you want to go and give you a sense of style while you're getting there."

In addition, the company offers the sixthreezero journey club, which is a communal group of avid riders who discover fun and exciting locations to ride in the local area. The club has highlighted the Hollyridge trail that leads to the Hollywood sign giving riders an up close and personal view of this iconic landmark. Another ride, the Strand, is a 14-mile long path where riders can explore Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes. Riders can follow the journey club as they continue to explore and uncover new and exciting locations.

sixthreezero has sold tens of thousands of their various models of bicycles across the country including beach cruisers. The bikes are affordable and range from $299 to $399. To view their selection and learn more about the company, visit sixthreezero.com.

About sixthreezero Bicycle Company

Based out of Torrance, California, sixthreezero Bicycle Company aims to create really cool, simple cruiser bicycles for the everyday rider. Whether it's a trip to the beach or a city commute, sixthreezero bikes are comfortable, durable and reliable. To learn more, visit sixthreezero.com.

Contact Information

sixthreezero Bicycle Company

Office: (310) 982-2877

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://sixthreezero.com/

Related Images

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image2.png

image3.png

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Related Links

Journey Club

Online Bike Shop

Related Video

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This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE sixthreezero

Related Links

http://sixthreezero.com


NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

"Drive for optimal energy saving is driving the smart glass market"



The smart glass market is expected to reach USD 8.13 billion by 2022 from USD 2.34 billion in 2015, at a CAGR of 19.2% between 2016 and 2022. Improving the energy efficiency of infrastructures is imperative and inevitable to address the energy supply and demand. Switching to smart windows can significantly help reduce the overall energy consumption. Smart windows are made of smart glass, which regulates the amount of light passing through them depending on the time of the day. Thus, windows with smart glass can switch from being translucent to transparent without consuming a large amount of energy.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the use of smart glass can reduce energy consumption by almost 40%. This energy-saving property of the smart glass is a driving force for the smart glass market.

"Robust demand for smart glass in the premium automotive sector during the forecast period"

Smart glass is ideal for automobile, aviation, and any other transportation applications where heat and glare control are required. In the automotive sector, smart glass is used in applications such as rear view mirrors, windows, sun roofs, and windshields. Smart glass provides protection from harmful UV rays and glare, helps to control heat inside the vehicle, and saves energy. Hence, it is expected to have a major demand in the automotive sector during the forecast period.



"North America and Europe are the major markets for smart glass"

Europe and North America hold the largest share of the smart glass market. North America and Europe are the biggest contributors in this industry in terms of consumption and manufacturing capacities. Players such as SAGE Electrochromics (U.S.), Research Frontiers Inc. (U.S.), View Inc. (U.S.), PPG Industries (U.S.), and Corning Incorporation (U.S.) have manufacturing facilities in these two regions. Green building initiatives, supportive government policies, and need for energy-efficient products are driving the European and North American smart glass market. The governments of many European countries are framing policies to encourage the use of energy-efficient products. Moreover, the revised government building construction and efficiency standards would further drive the European market. Currently, Europe is the leading market in smart glass; however, the APAC market is expected to provide stiff competition to the European market after 2022 owing to the demand from its architecture sector.



In the process of determining and verifying the market size for several segments and subsegments gathered through secondary research, extensive primary interviews were conducted with key people.



The break-up of the profile of primary participants is given below:

- By Company Type: Tier 1 - 50 %, Tier 2 - 20%, Tier 3 - 30%

- By Designation: C-level - 40%, Director level - 35%, Others - 25%

- By Region: North America - 15%, Europe - 30%, APAC - 40%, RoW - 15%



Given the rising demand for energy-efficient solutions and the emerging green building concept, the smart glass market has a huge opportunity for expansion in the next five years.



The report profiles the key players in the smart glass market with their respective ranking analysis. The prominent players profiled in this report are SAGE Electrochromics (U.S.), Research Frontiers, Inc. (U.S.), View, Inc. (U.S.), AGC, Ltd. (Japan), PPG Industries (U.S.), Gentex Corp. (U.S.), Hitachi Chemicals Co., Ltd. (Japan), Glass Apps. (U.S.), Pleotint, LLC (U.S.), RavenBrick LLC (U.S.), Scienstry Inc. (U.S.), SmartGlass International Ltd. (Ireland), and SPD Control System Corporation (U.S.).

Objectives of the Study:

- To define, describe, and forecast the global smart glass market on the basis of technology, end-use industry, and geography

- To analyze the market structure by identifying various subsegments of the smart glass market

- To forecast the market size in terms of value for various geographies, with regard to four main regionsNorth America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW

- To provide detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the market

- To strategically analyze micromarkets with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and contribution to the total market

- To identify the major market trends and factors driving or restraining the growth of the smart glass market and its various submarkets

- To analyze the Porter's Five Forces in detail along with the value chain analysis of the smart glass market

- To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high-growth segments of the smart glass ecosystem

- To strategically profile the key players in the smart glass market and comprehensively analyze their market shares and core competencies in each segment

- To analyze competitive developments in the smart glass market such as alliances, joint ventures, and mergers & acquisitions



Key Target Audience

- Smart glass manufacturers

- Building material suppliers

- Switchable film manufacturers

- Dimmable/smart glass film manufacturers

- Aerospace and automotive glass industry players

- Architects and building owners

- Smart glass-related technology investors

- Advanced glass and film technology researchers and developers



Scope of the Report:

The research report segments the smart glass market into the following submarkets:



By Technology:

- Low E-Glasses

- Active Glasses

Suspended Particle Device Glass

Electrochromic Glass

Liquid Crystal/ Polymer Disperse Liquid Crystal Glass

Micro-Blinds

Nanocrystal Glass

- Passive Glasses

Photochromic Glass

Thermochromic Glass

By End-Use Industry:

- Architecture

Commercial

Residential

- Transportation

Automotive

Bus/Rail

Aerospace

Marine

- Power Generation Plant

Solar

- Consumer Electronics

- Others

Government

Museum Artwork Exposition

Sunglasses



By Geography:

- North America

U.S.

Canada

Mexico

- Europe

U.K

Germany

France

Italy

Rest of Europe

- Asia-Pacific (APAC)

Japan

China

South Korea

India

Rest of Asia-Pacific

- Rest of the World (RoW)

Middle East and Africa

Latin America



Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04141099-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

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International distributor BBC Worldwide will also be making the film available to clients and broadcasters around the world. The US premiere will air on Showtime, broadcast date tbc.

A remastered version of George's stunning 1996 MTV Unplugged performance will also be available as an album for the very first time as part of the Deluxe box set and 2CD Edition. The concert took place at the Three Mills Island Studios in East London on Friday 11 October, 1996 and featured George playing ten of his finest songs from the Wham!, Faith, Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1 (Freedom '90) and Older eras in an intimate setting. Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1 will also be reissued on vinyl and digital.

Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1. was George's second solo album. Arranged, produced and almost completely written by George himself, it eloquently confirmed him as a pioneering, agenda-setting artist.

The staggering success of George's first solo album Faith resulted in him becoming one of the few artists who could shift millions of albums worldwide. This, of course, was a dream scenario for the label but George had different plans. Unable and unwilling to be a 24-hour pop star, constantly in the media spotlight, George felt he needed to follow his artistic instincts regarding how his work should be presented. He decided he would not appear on Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1's album cover or be available to physically promote the album beyond select interviews, but instead gave the label the David Fincher-directed Freedom! '90, which featured five of the most recognizable beauties on the planet, lip-syncing in place of George. This resulted in a difference in opinion between George and the label over how the album was promoted.

A multi-platinum-selling worldwide chart-topper which reached Number 1 in the UK (where it outsold Faith and went 4X platinum),Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1 was the sound of a precedent-setting, boundary-pushing global superstar going his own way.

Shortly after the album's release, George met his great love Anselmo Feleppo. His anger at Anselmo's tragic early death, together with his frustration over how the US label had marketed his album contributed to his decision to embark on the traumatic court case with Sony. This left him blocked creatively for almost two years, during which time he made a conscious decision to channel all his energy into challenging the standard recording contract and fighting a corner for all artists. George lost the case but gained the personal and artistic freedom he craved.

Twenty-six years on, George and Sony are long reconciled. Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1. remains a remarkable, timeless work, from the beautifully judged protest songs Praying For Time and Mother's Pride, to the intimate Cowboys & Angels, via the autobiographical Freedom! '90. This was music George Michael felt truly committed to.

Directed by BAFTA nominee Phillip Smith, Freedom: George Michael (w/t), tells the gripping, dramatic story of the making of Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1, the court case which followed and George's personal struggle and pain as he loses Anselmo. Many have tried and failed, but George succeeded in reuniting the Freedom! '90 video's five supermodels. Other contributors include world famous artists such as Stevie Wonder whose They Won't Go When I Go was Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1's only cover; Elton John who describes the album as George's "masterpiece"; Liam Gallagher who says George has "Lennon in him"; Mary J Blige who reminds us that George "broke all the rules for everybody"; Tony Bennett, Mark Ronson, Tracey Emin, Jean Paul Gaultier, Ricky Gervais, French Vogue editor Emmanuelle Alt and James Corden. There are contributions from some of the record company executives who were so uncomfortable facing one of their major artists in court and from the case lawyers.

And today George still continues to touch people with his words and music. This year alone has seen an unprecedented amount of film, TV, and game sync licenses using his music.

Artist: George Michael

Album: Listen Without Prejudice 25

Formats:

Listen Without Prejudice 25: Deluxe, Limited Edition Box Set 3CD and DVD

Listen Without Prejudice 25, 2CD Edition,

Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 vinyl Edition

Digital. Full details attached.

Record Company: Sony Music

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407207

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060130/LEGACYLOGO

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

Related Links

http://www.legacyrecordings.com


ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While Congress debates the future of federal funding for Zika preparedness and response, the Zika virus continues to spread. Rising case numbers and new information about long-term consequences of the infection highlight the urgency of mounting a major response.

For the sake of our nation's health, our representatives in Washington must come together and approve a bill to fund needed Zika preparedness response efforts and keep our nation's public health infrastructure strong and secure. This national and state public health emergency requires a coordinated and properly resourced effort at the federal, state, and local levels. The nation's state and territorial health officials stand ready to be part of that effort.

Zika virus is likely to continue to spread and is here to stay. While there is still much to learn about the virus and its health impacts, what we know already justifies an aggressive response. The virus has a potentially devastating impact on fetal development, and we are learning more about the risk of long-term health impacts for adults who become infected. We also know that federal agencies and state and territorial health departments are inadequately funded to respond to this crisis. There is an urgent need for additional resources to shore up mosquito control efforts, educate the public, increase public laboratory capacity, provide help to families with infants exposed to Zika, and follow up with pregnant women who may have been exposed to Zika at home or abroad.

Due to the urgency of this threat, state and federal health agencies have been forced to divert resources from other critical public health programs to pay for Zika response. We agree that this robbing-Peter-to-pay-Paul approach, described by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Tom Frieden and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony S. Fauci in their August 31 Washington Post editorial, is the wrong way to fight the Zika epidemic. We need a focused, coordinated, and adequately funded response to Zika while continuing to support the other essential work health agencies do to protect the public. For this to happen, Congress must act now.

"We urge Congress to recognize that this is a serious, nonpartisan threat and to come together to pass emergency funding so that the public health system can effectively respond to Zika while simultaneously preparing for myriad other health threats like Ebola, natural disasters, and the upcoming influenza season," said ASTHO President and Minnesota Commissioner of Health Edward P. Ehlinger, MD, MSPH.

In the absence of dedicated funding for Zika response, public health officials must fund Zika efforts by redirecting funds away from other important functions such as the all-hazards preparedness efforts of state and territorial health agencies that enable them to rapidly respond to public health emergencies of all kinds. This approach leaves us in a precarious position as Zika will not be the only public health emergency that state and territorial health agencies face. States are tasked with minimizing and mitigating the health effects of hurricanes, tornadoes, terrorist attacks, chemical spills, and all kinds of other manmade and natural emergencies. Preparation and response to Zika is a massive undertaking, and Congressional inaction is handcuffing states, limiting their ability to prepare and respond to emergency situations.

It has been months since public health officials first began calling for Zika funding, and Congressional delay lays bare the inadequacy of America's piecemeal approach to funding public health emergency responses. In addition to properly funding a Zika response, we also need to create a permanent, FEMA-style Public Health Emergency Fund to facilitate an immediate response to public health emergencies. Public health crises arise independent of the Congressional calendar, and such a fund would allow for a rapid response rather than redirecting public health funding from other critical priorities.

Federal and state health agencies are obligated to protect health and wellness nationwide. We believe Congress is similarly obligated to support the critical health protection efforts in partnership with the states. As Drs. Frieden and Fauci stated, we should be working tirelessly to respond to and slow the spread of Zika infections and support those families whose newborns have been affected by this virus. We are ready to do that, but we need support from Congress now to make it happen.

ASTHO is the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia, as well as the more than 100,000 public health professionals these agencies employ. ASTHO members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy and to ensuring excellence in state-based public health practice.

SOURCE Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

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"Jim's experience with Fortune 500 companies and his unique understanding of the device manufacturer's perspective make him an invaluable addition to the Strategic Systems team," says David Bissonette, Executive Vice President. "Jim is a talented and driven sales leader who shares Strategic's aspirations for delivering substantial business value to our customers."

Sermonet excels at identifying, training, and mentoring sales professionals. In this role, he will oversee and manage a highly competitive sales team, develop sales strategies, and deepen relationships with key partners and customers. With his experience in IT infrastructure, mobility, and large account development and management, Sermonet will build on Strategic Systems' long-standing reputation for delivering high-performance, large-scale technology solutions.

"I think that people are looking for someone who can bring them a total solution," says Sermonet. "Due to a lot of recent consolidation within the industry or the single-focus offerings of startups these days, there are lots of discussions being had, but there really are not a lot of companies that are able to provide the types of end-to-end solutions that Strategic does."

About Strategic Systems & Technology

Strategic Systems is a solutions company that focuses on enterprise mobility, RFID, and wireless networking. In addition to being a trusted resource for a full range of enterprise hardware, we also offer significant expertise through our professional services. We provide everything from device selection, staging, and spare pool management, to mobile device management (MDM), site surveys, installation, and more. We also build software applications and provide custom development services that create essential connections between a business' hardware and information needs. We help companies become data-driven, smarter, and more connected.

Based in the Atlanta area, Strategic Systems is a certified woman-owned business and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree (2013, 2014, 2016).

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SOURCE Strategic Systems & Technology Corporation
PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Software application security leader Contrast Security announced today that powerhouse cybersecurity executives Mike Keating and Jack Marshall have joined Contrast to run its sales and customer success organizations, respectively. Contrast is experiencing rapid market growth that requires seasoned hands to acquire global customers and expand its revolutionary application security product line across the enterprise. Keating and Marshall fit that bill.

"These strategic additions to our executive team will help further accelerate Contrast's momentum in the marketplace," said Contrast Security CEO Alan Naumann. "Between Contrast's next generation product offering, as well as the collective experience of our accomplished employees, we will modernize the high-speed software development lifecycle."

Experience to Land the Enterprise Market

As vice president of sales for Contrast Security, Mike Keating will be responsible for driving sales and channel operations for the company. Mike joins Contrast from Symantec, where he ran the North America West Region Field and Inside Sales organizations. The business generated over $300M in annual revenue for the company. Prior to his successful career at Symantec, Keating spent time in sales roles at Nortel, Bay Networks and Data Comm Networking.

"Contrast's mission is to transform how enterprises assess and secure their applications," said Keating. "Application security has been one of the leading causes of data breaches in recent years. With this growing risk comes a huge opportunity for Contrast, which enables stronger, more powerful applications that can protect themselves."

Keating is an alumnus of Southern Illinois University, having earned a bachelor's of science in marketing.

Driving World-Class Customer Success

Jack Marshall joins with several successful start-up experiences in Silicon Valley. In his role as AlienVault VP of customer success (including tech support, professional services and education), Marshall helped grow and expand the company from a $4 million per year company to a $70 million per year company focused on the mid-enterprise market. Prior to that, Marshall led customer success for Fortify Software, a company he joined early-stage and remained at the company following its acquisition by HP.

"Enterprise customers have expressed a great deal of excitement for Contrast's Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) and Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) product line," said Marshall. "My team's goal will be to ensure the highest degree of satisfaction as they deploy Contrast across the entire application portfolio."

Marshall graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a minor in computer engineering.

About Contrast Security

Software applications are the number one vulnerability and attack vector for global enterprises. Contrast Security is the world's only application security software that quickly and accurately stops hackers from stealing data via web applications. Industry research shows that application security flaws are the leading source of successful data breaches, yet more than 90% of applications are not secure. Unlike legacy security products that do not defend applications, Contrast employs patented, deep security instrumentation to strengthen applications before they're deployed, protect them in production and provide visibility throughout the application lifecycle. As a result, organizations can act faster against threats and immediately improve the security of their enterprise. More information on Contrast Security can be found at www.contrastsecurity.com.

For more information:

Mark Hodgson

Contrast Security

[email protected]

+1-650-270-4426

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SOURCE Contrast Security

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NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Just-released findings of a Hotels.com study revealed that Tapad's cross-screen marketing technology achieved the highest levels of precision and scale among competitors. According to the leading online accommodation booking website, after a rigorous, three-and-a-half month vendor analysis, Tapad achieved twice the precision of the next highest-scoring cross-screen offering and three times greater scale. The two other companies evaluated declined to be named.

Said Helene Cameron-Heslop, Senior Manager of Analytics of the Hotels.com brand, "Our team implemented an extremely rigorous vetting of open, cross-screen technology vendors. At the outset, we assumed we would have to compromise on either scale or accuracy - particularly given the importance to our brand of operating in a privacy-safe setting. We were surprised to find a complete package, but Tapad's Device Graph won out on scale, accuracy and privacy; making our choice of partners very clear."

In another metric critical to the Hotels.com brand, The Tapad Device Graph was eight times more "unique" than the next closest offering, meaning Tapad's graph was found to have a much greater number of connections not seen in any of the other graphs.

In addition to precision, uniqueness and scale, the Tapad Device Graph was found to have:

100% higher recall

47% more incremental matches

53% higher North American market coverage

101% higher F-Score*

"A valuable cross-device solution should enable partners to get everything they're looking for from a single vendor," said Tapad Founder and CEO, Are Traasdahl. "We are deeply impressed with how thorough Hotels.com was in their vetting, and we confidently tackle the complex challenges of the martech industry thanks to our superior technology. Everyone loves a bake-off, and Tapad is no exception - delivering best-in-class results in areas that really count."

To find out more about the Tapad Device Graph, or to request a demo, visit www.tapad.com.

*F-score is a statistical measurement that takes precision and recall together. The calculation is 2*(precision*recall)/precision + recall). It gives you one number instead of two numbers to look at and judge performance.

About Hotels.com (www.hotels.com)

Hotels.com L.P. operates Hotels.com, a leading online accommodation booking website with properties ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals.

 2016 Hotels.com, LP. Hotels.com, The Obvious Choice, and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. CST # 2083949-50

About Tapad

Tapad Inc. is a marketing technology firm renowned for its breakthrough, unified, cross-device solutions, acquired by Telenor Group in 2016. With 91.2% data accuracy confirmed by Nielsen, the company offers the largest in-market opportunity for marketers and technologies to address the ever-evolving reality of media consumption on smartphones, tablets, home computers and smart TVs. Deployed by agency trading desks, publishers and numerous Fortune 500 brands, Tapad provides an accurate, unified approach to connecting with consumers across screens. In 2015, Tapad began aggressively licensing its identity management solution, the Tapad Device Graph, and swiftly became the established gold-standard throughout the ad tech ecosystem. Tapad is based in New York and has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Singapore and Toronto. TechCrunch called the powerhouse Tapad team "a hell of a list of entrepreneurs who created some of the most valuable online advertising companies of the last decade." Among Tapad's numerous awards: TNCNet's Tech Culture 2016, EY Entrepreneur of The Year (East Coast) 2014, among Forbes' Most Promising Companies two year's running, Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, Crain's Fast 50, Entrepreneur 360, Digiday Signal Award, iMedia ASPY Award, and a MarCom Gold Award.

Media Contact:

Dana Casalino for Tapad

[email protected]

Taylor L. Cole for Hotels.com

469-335-8442

[email protected]

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SOURCE Tapad Inc.

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NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Folded Flag Foundation, a provider of educational grants to surviving family members of military and government employees who have lost their lives in combat, is pleased to announce it has partnered with David Fin Ties as the fashion neckwear company's veteran charity partner.

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The Folded Flag Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that helps the families of our bravest heroes achieve their educational goals. Because Black Knight Financial Services and ServiceLink underwrite all administrative costs for the organization, 100 percent of all donations made to The Folded Flag Foundation goes directly to families in need.

David Fin Ties was founded in 2014 with a mission to support transitioning military families, including raising awareness of veteran employment and other initiatives. The company designs and manufactures high-end neckwear in New York City using the finest silk from Como, Italy.

Through their partnership with The Folded Flag Foundation, David Fin will contribute $5 for each tie sold on davidfin.com to The Folded Flag Foundation. David Fin will also donate ties to be auctioned off at Folded Flag events, with the proceeds going directly to The Folded Flag Foundation.

"We are very excited to partner with David Fin Ties," said John Coogan, Executive Director of The Folded Flag Foundation. "The mission of David Fin Ties and their commitment to veteran causes and military families is one that greatly complements the mission of The Folded Flag Foundation. By affiliating with David Fin Ties, the mission of The Folded Flag Foundation will reach new audiences and we appreciate the generosity shown by David Fin Ties in making their beautiful and highly sought-after neckwear part of our fundraising efforts."

"We are proud to name The Folded Flag Foundation as our veteran charity partner," said David Herzka, founder and CEO of David Fin Ties. "Our military veterans sacrifice so much in service to our country and are among our bravest heroes. I founded David Fin Ties to give the luxury consumer a product that carries a story and spreads awareness around the issues facing veteran families. Our partnership with The Folded Flag Foundation will help us achieve this goal."

About The Folded Flag Foundation

The Folded Flag Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization committed to honoring the legacy of our fallen heroes by helping their families with financial support for education. The Folded Flag Foundation proudly gives 100 percent of ALL donations to families in need. Corporate sponsors Black Knight Financial Services and ServiceLink underwrite all administrative costs. For more information on the Folded Flag Foundation, including how to make a donation to support this cause, please visit www.FoldedFlagFoundation.org.

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SOURCE David Fin Ties

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Latino Coalition (TLC), the leading national non-partisan advocacy organization representing Hispanic businesses and consumers, in partnership with the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC), will host the West Coast Small Business Summit: The Rising Latino American Electorate and the 2016 Elections.

Taking place on September 29 at The L.A. Hotel Downtown, this premier one-day summit will unite hundreds of small business owners with influential leaders, chamber executives and government officials. Featuring knowledgeable speakers and high-impact panels, the 2016 West Coast Small Business Summit will provide an effective platform for small business owner's to access professional and personal networks.

"The 2016 West Coast Small Business Summit will continue the forward-moving momentum our organization has produced this year," said Hector Barreto, TLC Chairman and former Administrator to the U.S. Small Business Administration. "This year's summit will afford our Golden State small business owners the opportunity to discuss and engage the growing reality that California's lawmaker's decisions are critical in creating the entrepreneurial environment which provide opportunities, tools and strategies to aid small business. We look forward to continue our collaboration and partnership with Hispanic small business advocates who care deeply about the considerable economic and social contributions manifested by business ownership."

This impactful small business conference will cover the principal issues small businesses face today with breakout sessions and informative panels regarding procurement, regulation, policy and international trade. The day also boasts an impressive lineup of notables such as: Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA); Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles Carlos Eugenio Garcia de Alba Zepeda; former CA State Senator Jose Luis Correa (D-CA); President of the Greater Los Angeles Bank of America Raul Anaya; Executive Director of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association Anthony Chapa; General Counsel for La Luz Del Mundo Church Yobany E. Chacon; and Yo Con Mexico Foundation President Jose Oscar Vega Marin.

Panels throughout the day will include: Procurement: Key Strategies for Accessing Corporate and Government Contracts; Access to Capital: Financial Solutions for Your Small Business; Regulations: It's Not What You Make: It's What You Get to Keep Strategies for Navigating the Current Regulatory Environment; Policy: Who Cares What Happens in Sacramento and Washington? We Do What the Changes in the Political Landscape May Mean for Your Business; and Sanchez to Sanchez to Smith: Small Business Opportunities in Mexico.

"The LALCC is excited to partner once again with The Latino Coalition for the 2016 West Coast Small Business Summit. Every year, this conference serves as an opportunity for California small business owners to address the triumphs and challenges of entrepreneurship. We look forward to another great summit and to continue our partnership of empowering the backbone of our economy," said Gilbert R. Vasquez, Chairman of the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce.

The small business summit will also present the complete poll findings the TLC Rising Latino American Electorate and the 2016 Elections poll an on-going election-year study revealing how conservative Latinos are not a monolithic voting bloc. The poll sampling confirms that the country's growing Republican and Independent Hispanic population does not have a particularly positive view of either presidential candidate and their positions on the key issues significant to this ever-important voter segment.

"During a highly unpredictable election cycle, the voice of Latino voters is crucial. Our summit will shed vital insight on this key voting bloc's political opinions, and go a step further to show how the Hispanic entrepreneurial phenomenon is a significant and indispensable electorate opportunity for anyone serious about winning the 2016 election," Barreto added.

For more information or to register and view the conference agenda, visit www.thelatinocoalition.com/lasummit/.

The Latino Coalition would like to thank the following Title Sponsors: Wal-Mart and Google. In addition, TLC acknowledges: Centene Corporation, Herbalife, Univision, PG&E, U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, Honda, Master Card, Intuit, Altamed, Act Wireless, American Express Open, UnitedHealth Group, Direct Selling Association, Dun & Bradstreet, PhRMA, Comcast Universal, Paychex, Coca-Cola, Verizon, Tributo Tequila, East West Bank, American Beverage Association, Job Creators Network, Bank of America, Promed, 305 Communications & Events, Conexion and media partners CapitalWire PR and Impacto Latin News.

ABOUT THE LATINO COALITION- The Latino Coalition (TLC) was founded in 1995 by a group of Hispanic business owners from across the country to research and develop policies solutions relevant to Latinos. TLC is a non-profit nationwide organization with offices in California, Washington, DC and Guadalajara, Mexico. Established to address and engage on key issues that that directly affect the well-being of Hispanics in the United States, TLC's agenda is to create and promote initiatives and partnerships that will foster economic equivalency and enhance and empower overall business, economic and social development for Latinos. Visit www.thelatinocoalition.com.

SOURCE The Latino Coalition

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NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -The Weather Network is an industry leader in multi-platform local weather information services and today announced that it is enabling DoubleClick's Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI) solution for its Android TV app. DoubleClick DAI allows advertisers to dynamically target The Weather Network's Android TV audience.

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The Weather Network Android TV app supports both direct and programmatic sales, offering next generation advertising opportunities. DoubleClick's DAI technology provides the ability to fill ad breaks with the most relevant ad based on geographic location using DoubleClick For Publishers. Individual streams are provided to each household using server side ad insertion technology, which allows broadcasters to dynamically insert highly targeted video ads for smart TV's and set top boxes through IPTV.

"We're proud to be a leader in offering next generation advertising opportunities to our clients to reach our highly engaged TV audience," said Simon Jennings, Chief Revenue Officer with The Weather Network. "The user experience is paramount for us and with Google's DoubleClick Dynamic Ad Insertion we can provide our Android TV users with an amazing and personalized viewing experience that's as seamless as traditional TV today, putting us on the leading edge of technology."

The Weather Network app for Android TV allows for rapid discovery of local, detailed and personalized weather products including on-demand video, user generated content and a variety of maps.

"The Weather Network continues to innovate with adopting industry first technologies to deliver great user experiences. We're proud of our partnership to help enable their OTT app to offer advertisers addressable advertising options through DoubleClick Dynamic Ad Insertion," said Peentoo Patel, Senior Product Manager for DoubleClick. "With Dynamic Ad Insertion, TV broadcasters like The Weather Network have greater control to deliver tailored advertising to consumers and a compelling television experience for Android TV users while offering advertisers more valuable audiences."

The Weather Network Android TV app is available in Google Play at g.co/play/weatherTV.

About The Weather Network

The Weather Network is a leading provider of weather and weather-related forecasts and reports on all platforms. Celebrating 27 years, parent company Pelmorex Media Inc., in addition to US operations also operates in Canada, Spain, the U.K ., Germany and Ireland under the banners The Weather Network, MeteoMedia, Eltiempo.es and Wetterplus.de. The Weather Network and its French counterpart MeteoMedia are Canada's most popular weather and information services on TV, web and mobile apps. Eltiempo is Spain's leading multi-platform weather information provider. Pelmorex also operates Canada's National Alerting Aggregation and Dissemination System (Alert Ready) which aggregates and distributes emergency alerts issued by authorized government agencies.

SOURCE The Weather Network
GREENWICH, Conn, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- There are numerous trends and buzzwords around home building today. You may have likely heard about home automation and smart homes. If you are trying to save on your energy bills, you are likely zeroing in on energy efficient products for key home systems. Then there are the eco-friendly, green, and zero-VOC products that are popping up everywhere.

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Side exterior of "The Greenwich House" featuring a new level of outdoor living complete with built in speakers and outdoor TV for great get togethers around movies and sporting events.

With all of these new innovations hitting the market it is just plain confusing to consumers. Enter a next generation house built in Greenwich, CT. The house is providing clarity by demonstrating achievable value-add upgrades to life's biggest investment. It's simply called "The Greenwich House" and is the culmination of a vision around smart, healthy, and green home building from Sabine H. Schoenberg, host of Sabine'sNewHouse.

"I feel strongly that our homes can be instruments to improve our health and our lives," says Schoenberg.

Schoenberg sees this as a movement around "the next generation of home building". She has amassed a significant social following and shares her adventure around the many innovations through her YouTube channel.

"I want to show consumers and the industry that we can build better homes, not just trendy homes, but better homes that really have a significant impact on people's health and wellbeing," states Schoenberg.

Schoenberg hosted two industry events at the The Greenwich House, "I see it as an opportunity for trades, builders, architects, interior designers, to really get into the details on some of these proven and available innovations."

Shelly Kahn, owner of Interstate+Lakeland Lumber Corporation in Greenwich says: "What Sabine has accomplished here is ground-breaking, she's setting a new standard for home construction and we get to see it first hand right here in Greenwich."

This House Can Really Set The Mood - The Smart House Mood

Every light, switch, room and window in this house is wired up for some serious tech. Powered by Pyng from Crestron, the homeowner is able to control everything from security, lighting, audio and video, heat and air conditioning, even the window coverings are wired up.

Even with all this built in tech the house is able to expand and evolve as new technologies arrive on the market. "I wanted to make sure that anything was possible in this house," says Schoenberg. "Behind the walls, pre-installed wiring hits every room, switch, and window to make sure that any future upgrade is easy and effortless."

Further innovations include a doorbell from Ring. Complete with video feed and dedicated smartphone app, you no longer have to guess who is at the door. Need to communicate with your guest? You can even activate the intercom direct from your phone. When away, the Ring doorbell serves as an extra line of security for the home taking a photo of anyone who rings the doorbell.

A Health Focused House Starts At The Frame

Indoor air-quality is a big concern today. In fact, an EPA study showing indoor air quality is 5 times more polluted than outdoor air has been widely reported. With this in mind, Schoenberg made sure that every product coming into the home was Zero-VOC and devoid of hazardous toxins that often plague homes.

This effort started at the stud walls where TrusJoist engineered lumber from Weyerhaeuser was selected. Not only is this lumber incredibly strong and straight (reducing potential for settling and cracking in the walls), the process to make it minimizes toxic chemicals that can off gas into the home.

The finishes and adhesives used in the home also play an important part. Starting with a zero-VOC floor adhesive from Stauf that also has noise dampening properties, to the zero-VOC floor finish from Rubio Monocoat made from beeswax and linseed oil. "I couldn't believe that during the finish phase of the floor I was overcome with a smell of flowers, not the headache inducing effects of polyurethane," remarked Schoenberg.

Even the cabinets in the kitchen and closets were made with zero-VOC non-toxic adhesives. "The kitchen cabinet's from Hacker are made really well, and since they are from Germany they are held to much stricter health and environmental standards." added Schoenberg. "I knew these would be a good fit for this smart, healthy, green home."

It doesn't stop there. To ensure clean fresh air throughout the home, a Zehnder ERV (energy recovery ventilation) system has been installed. The system brings fresh air into the home and expels stale air.

Eco-Friendly Design Has Its Long-term Rewards

Eco-friendly and green home building encompasses two key elements: energy-efficiency and environmentally sourced materials. The Greenwich House has both of these elements in mind starting deep in the ground.

"Achieving the most energy-efficient house isn't based on one solution, but a series of material and design choices that combined amount to significant cost savings over time." remarked Schoenberg.

The home's heating and air-conditioning system is driven by geothermal wells and heat pumps from Carrier. Because they are able to be located inside, the overall life of these systems is dramatically increased.

The overall energy efficiency of the home is further improved by an air and moisture barrier made by Henry Company called Blueskin. The product has been shown to cut energy loss through the exterior of the home by as much as 40%. Further, windows from Jeld-Wen have a UV coating which reduces heat gain through the homes vast windows. Spray-foam insulation rounds out the overall package and energy efficient appliances from Miele and LED lighting further add to the energy savings in the home.

All put together the house has reduced energy consumption by over 60% compared homes built to conventional building standards. That's serious cost savings over the life of these products.

But green building doesn't stop at energy efficiency. Thoughtful consideration was key when selecting building materials for the home. The TrusJoist engineered lumber we mentioned earlier has a much higher utilization of the lumber requiring fewer trees to produce. The wood flooring is from Hull Forest Products, a company that is known for sustaining some of the healthiest forests in New England and carefully harvests timber in a way that enhances the forests they manage.

Other materials used in the finishes from natural stone to ECO countertops from Cosentino, made from 75% recycled material (glass, porcelain, and earthenware) also lend to the eco-friendly aspect of the home.

The Expanding Movement

Schoenberg's efforts strive to showcase new innovations around smart, healthy, and green home building. No surprise that her audience has grown dramatically since launching just a year ago. Catch two of her new series recently added to her YouTube channel: Smart. Healthy. Green. News from Sabine's New House brings viewers timely news on products and trends and Ideas for Your Home by Sabine's New House provides viewers with tips on how to incorporate ideas from the show into their own home build and renovations.

You can find out more at Sabine's website, www.sabinesnewhouse.com.

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SOURCE Sabine's New House

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NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) today announced the appointment of Kristin Peck to the company's Board of Directors effective immediately.

"Kristin's strategic and innovative business model experience has focused on global markets and deep customer interactions," said David Thomson, chairman of Thomson Reuters. "Her passion for talent and leadership development bodes well for our future. We surely welcome Kristin's perspective to our boardroom."



Ms. Peck, 45, is Executive Vice President and President of U.S. Operations at Zoetis (NYSE: ZTS), a NYSE-listed global leader in the discovery, development, manufacture and commercialization of animal health medicines and vaccines that was spun off by Pfizer in 2013. From October 2012 through April 2015, she served as Executive Vice President and Group President of Zoetis. Ms. Peck joined Pfizer in 2004 and held various positions, including Executive Vice President, Worldwide Business Development and Innovation; Senior Vice President, Worldwide Business Development, Strategy and Innovation; Vice President, Strategic Planning; Chief of Staff to the Vice Chairman; and Senior Director, Strategic Planning. Ms. Peck also served as a member of Pfizer's Executive Leadership Team. Prior to joining Pfizer, she was a Principal at Boston Consulting Group. Ms. Peck is currently a member of the Advisory Board for the Deming Center for Quality, Productivity and Competitiveness at Columbia Business School.

Ms. Peck was appointed to the Thomson Reuters Board's Human Resources Committee.

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of news and information for professional markets. Our customers rely on us to deliver the intelligence, technology and expertise they need to find trusted answers. The business has operated in more than 100 countries for more than 100 years. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges (symbol: TRI). For more information, visit www.thomsonreuters.com.

CONTACTS

MEDIA

INVESTORS David Girardin

Frank J. Golden Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations +1 646 223 4870

+1 646 223 5288 [email protected]

[email protected]

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SOURCE Thomson Reuters

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Berkshire Blanket, based in Ware, Massachusetts, with its primary showroom in New York City, is the leading designer, importer and marketer of blankets, throws and soft home goods in the United States. Since its inception 23 years ago, Berkshire has created new, innovative, industry-leading fabrics, technologies, styles, designs, patterns, textures and colors suitable for all ages, seasons and occasions. These products are sold under the Company's brands in addition to private label and licenses through a "who's who" roster of specialty, wholesale club, department store, mass merchant, and internet and TV retailers, including: Bed Bath & Beyond, TJX, QVC, Costco, Ross, Target and Macy's.

New Yorkbased CSW acquired a majority interest in Berkshire in 2006. During its ownership, CSW pursued a series of initiatives designed to improve the Company's performance and support accelerated growth. As a result, Berkshire more than doubled revenue while engineering transformative change in its product mix. A business which had previously derived 91% of revenues from blankets is, today, a diversified soft home goods resource generating nearly 50% of revenue from non-blanket offerings. Enhancements included strengthening design and strategic sourcing resources, leadership upgrades and significant investment in ERP systems. These initiatives positioned Berkshire Blanket to both weather the Great Recession and expand its product breadth and key account relationships.

CSW partner and Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Holdings Michael Smart commented: "Berkshire has been established and built into an authentic brand with an enviable market position and attractive opportunities to expand into adjacent home goods categories. We are gratified that SUMEC recognized this value, and we wish them continued success."

TM Capital worked closely with CSW and Berkshire's management team to craft an investment thesis highlighting the Company's value as a platform for growth. TM Capital Managing Director and partner David Felts stated: "Our collaboration with CSW has spanned many years, and we're thrilled to have been selected to represent CSW in this important transaction. Leveraging almost three decades of experience and relationships in the soft home goods industry, we were able to coordinate a robust, global marketing process that ultimately resulted in completing an attractive transaction with SUMEC. This transaction reflects a continuing wave of cross-border interest in companies with established brands and strong relationships with the largest U.S. retailers."

Mr. Smart added: "We were impressed with TM's nuanced understanding of the Company, sector and the universe of potential buyers. We knew the highest value would likely come from a buyer with strategic synergies and an ability to further leverage the platform we built. The TM team did a great job crafting that thesis and then accessing a global buyer universe with individually-tailored messaging."

Baker Hostetler LLP acted as counsel to Berkshire Blanket and CSW. Reed Smith LLP advised SUMEC.

About CSW Private Equity:

CSW is a New York-based private equity firm specializing in leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth capital financings for lower middle market companies in the general industrial and consumer products sectors.

About SUMEC:

Founded in 1993, Nanjing, China-based SUMEC Textile Light Industry Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary company of the SUMEC Group Corporation, itself a key member of China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH), a world top-500 enterprise. Measured at the end of 2015, SUMEC Textile Light Industry Co. is a top 10 exporter to the U.S. market with export volume exceeding US$700 million. SUMEC is the leading exporter of textiles and garments to the European Union.

About TM Capital:

TM Capital Corp. is a partner-owned investment banking firm based in New York, Boston and Atlanta, which has completed over 300 transactions with a combined value in excess of $17.5 billion. Since 1989, we have advised clients navigating a full range of critical transactions, including complex mergers, acquisitions, debt and equity financings, minority and majority recapitalizations, restructurings, and advisory services including takeover defense, fairness and solvency opinions and valuations. We have built deep industry expertise in key sectors and our team regularly publishes research highlighting current and emerging trends in targeted industries and markets. TM Capital is a member firm of M&A International Inc., the world's leading alliance of mid-market investment banks with over 650 M&A professionals in 40 countries. Members have closed over 1,400 transactions totaling more than $75 billion in value over the past five years.

Media Contact:

Lauren Bishop

404-995-6231

[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407410

SOURCE TM Capital
LONDON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Therapeutics in South-East Asia Markets to 2022 - Increasing Usage of Newer Therapies and Expanding Treatment Population to Encourage Robust Growth



Summary



Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia - high blood glucose levels - that results from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or a combination of these. This chronic hyperglycemia is associated with long-term damage, dysfunction and failure of multiple organs, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels. The vast majority of diabetes mellitus patients can be classified as having either Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Approximately 90-95% of all diabetics have T2DM.



T2DM treatment has been revolutionized in the past decade, especially with the increased use of new therapies. The marketed products landscape comprises a wide range of treatment options, including biguanide (metformin), sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and insulin therapies. Nevertheless, significant unmet need remains for products that can offer better glycemic control, as well as the prevention and cure of diabetic complications, such as diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease.



Scope



The current South-East Asia T2DM market contains novel products, including Jardiance, a SGLT-2 inhibitor; Victoza, a GLP-1 receptor agonist; and Januvia, a DPP-4 inhibitor.

- What are the competitive advantages of the existing novel drugs?

With over 500 active pipeline molecules, most of the late-stage investigational drug candidates are being evaluated, featuring improved dosing regimens and administration routes in comparison to currently marketed products and combination therapies.

- Which classes of novel drugs are most prominent within the pipeline?

- Is there strong potential for the pipeline to address unmet needs within the T2DM market?

Analysis of clinical trials since 2006 identified that the failure rates of T2DM molecules were highest in Phase III, at 49%, with the overall attrition rate for T2DM standing at 75%.

- How do failure rates vary by product stage of development, molecule type, and mechanism of action?

- How do other factors, such as average trial duration and trial size, influence the costs and risks associated with product development?

Over the 2015-2022 forecast period, the South-East Asia T2DM therapeutics market is expected to increase in value at a CAGR of 7.1%, from $1.7 billion to over $2.7 billion.

- Which markets make the most significant contribution to the current market size?

- What are the epidemiology trends in these markets?

- Will new market entrants lead to substantial changes in annual therapy costs?

- How will different treatment usage patterns impact growth in the eight assessed South-East Asia markets?

Rising T2DM prevalence and the uptake of newer therapies will lead to significant market growth over the forecast period, despite generic sales erosion resulting from patent expirations.

- Will patent expirations or emerging pipeline molecules threaten the commercial success of existing drugs?



Reasons to buy



This report will enable you to -

- Understand the clinical context of T2DM by considering symptoms, etiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment options.

- Identify the therapeutic strategies, products, and companies that dominate the current marketed products landscape and recognize gaps and areas of unmet need.

- Identify key pipeline trends in molecule type, administration route, mechanism of action, and novelty.

- Consider market opportunities and potential risks by examining trends in T2DM clinical trial size, duration, and failure rate by stage of development, molecule type, and mechanism of action.

- Recognize the late-stage pipeline molecules that have demonstrated strong therapeutic potential in T2DM by examining clinical trial data and multi-scenario product forecast projections.

- Compare treatment usage patterns, annual therapy costs, and market growth projections for South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

- Discover trends in licensing and co-development deals concerning T2DM products and identify the major strategic consolidations that have shaped the commercial landscape.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4141093/



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For more information:

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Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE ReportBuyer

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A group of 18 African American pilots employed by United Airlines are holding a press conference with civil rights leaders including Dr. Cornel West on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. On behalf of these pilots, the call is being made for Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a federal investigation into the hiring, promoting, training, discipline, diversity and equal employment practices of United Airlines. The pilots have reached out to the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) for assistance in their struggle for civil rights and equality. These African American pilots have pursued legal action and their civil rights claims are pending against United Airlines in federal courts around the nation for the company's treatment of African Americans. The pilots have formed a group called The United Coalition for Diversity (the "Coalition"). The Coalition is represented by Mildenberg Law Firm.

WHEN:

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016, AT 1:00 PM

WHERE:

NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

529 14th Street, NW

13th Floor

Washington, DC 20045

Conference Room: Bloomberg Room

According to the pilots, United Airlines has had a complete and utter lack of diversity at the management level and a systemic culture of racism that has inhibited African Americans from obtaining managerial positions.

"It is time for all pilots to be provided with Equal Opportunities, regardless of the color of their skin," said Brian R. Mildenberg, attorney for the pilots. "According to the coalition pilots, the executive leadership of United Airlines has failed over the years to integrate the airline and remedy the serious concerns of racial discrimination against black pilots that have plagued United for more than two decades."

Although United Airlines hired an African American General Counsel in 2010 (Brett Hart, who, during 2016, became acting CEO while CEO Oscar Munoz was ill during leave of absence), the African American pilots are very disappointed with the executive leadership of United Airlines. During Mr. Hart's tenure as General Counsel of United Airlines, and the Acting CEO, the Coalition members have seen little improvement in the workplace. The pilots have been forced to pursue legal claims and to engage in public advocacy to shine light on what they describe as retaliatory treatment and threats by United Airlines employees and managers.

Case Background  A Documented History of Discrimination at United Airlines

During the 1970s and through the 1990s United Airlines was required to hire African-American pilots under an EEOC consent decree. The Coalition pilots allege that some white Chief Pilots at United Airlines resented the hiring of African Americans under the consent decree, and formed a secret, racist organization called "The Vault," with the express purpose to prevent African-American pilots from achieving professional advancement at United.

The Coalition pilots allege that white pilots have disparagingly referred to African-American pilots as "consent decree hires" and "equal opportunity hires." In addition, in one pilot's case, currently pending in federal court in Houston, TX (Case No. 15-cv-00474-VC), a photograph of a black man being lynched by a group of white supremacists was placed in the black United pilot's United Airlines Flight Office mailbox, in Houston, with a note, "How to Move Up in Seniority at United Airlines." In another case (1:13-cv-01125-LMB-TRJ), a paper was left in the mailbox of an African American Flight Attendant. This paper was called a "N**ger Tag  Federal N**ger Hunting License," declaring that the holder was "licensed to hunt & kill N**GERS during the open search hereof in the U.S." and purported to give "the holder permission to hunt day or night, with or without dogs." A hand-drawn image of a person hanging from a pole or a tree appeared on one corner of the document, along with the words "this is for you."

These are just a few examples of a long history of racial discrimination at United Airlines. Congressional hearings were held in the 1970s, leading to the federal Consent Decree, which required the airline to hire African American pilots. The Decree was terminated in the 1990s, but, unfortunately for the black pilots, racial discrimination has again reared its ugly head at United Airlines, and the pilots seek renewed Congressional intervention. The Coalition pilots believe that Brett Hart, General Counsel of United Airlines, and Oscar Munoz, CEO, both of whom have been made well aware of these issues, have failed as leaders in an era requiring diversity and equal opportunity for all pilots, including pilots of color. The Coalition pilots further call for the Board of Directors of United Airlines to intervene. Under the current executive leadership of the airline, new pilot recruitment classes continue to be all or predominately white, and minorities are losing ground.

Some Coalition pilots settled racial discrimination claims against United Airlines in 2011. They thought United Airlines was serious about change. The pilots claim that settlement became a workplace joke when its existence was leaked by United management. Rumors were spread that the black pilots who made claims would never receive promotions. After the settlement, and during the tenure of Brett Hart, the threatening white supremacist note discussed above was left in a Coalition pilot's mailbox. The Houston Police investigated the incident as a potential homicide threat. This is an extreme example of the serious concerns of racism at United Airlines against black pilots.

Although all of these concerns were brought to the attention of General Counsel Brett Hart and CEO Oscar Munoz by pilots in the Coalition, United has circled the corporate wagons, and to date, has engaged in actions designed to defeat and obstruct the black pilots' cases for civil rights and equality. This brave group of black pilots of United Airlines have come forward to call for an end the racially exclusive practices of United Airlines. United has refused to agree to written reforms requested to assure fair practices and equal treatment for black pilots.

Besides their jobs as airline pilots, many pilots in the Coalition come from an Air Force or military background, and have served our Country honorably, many flying in foreign wars and missions. These black pilots, who include some of the most senior United pilots passengers will see flying United's planes domestically and internationally, include a Green Beret, a former military intelligence pilot, and other military positions. Although the military trusted these pilots to fly sensitive missions for our Country, at United Airlines, they claim to be treated like second-rate citizens.

In addition to Dr. Cornel West, who will speak in support of the pilots, in attendance will be black aviation pioneers who fought a national civil rights battle to bring blacks on board to United and other airlines, who will speak to the ongoing lack of progress by United Airlines in this area, and who will support the call for Congressional investigation of racism against black pilots and other persons of color at United Airlines. The black pilots of the United Coalition for Diversity look forward to shedding light on United's discriminatory practices through public advocacy, as well as testimony in Congress, courts, and executive agencies.

ALL MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND IN PERSON.

SOURCE Mildenberg Law Firm

Related Links

http://www.MildenbergLaw.com


FARMINGTON, Conn., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) today elected Gregory J. Hayes as its chairman, effective immediately. Hayes, 55, will serve as chairman, chief executive officer and president. He succeeds Edward A. Kangas, who has served as non-executive chairman since November 2014. The non-management directors also designated Kangas to serve as the independent lead director, a role he previously served in from April 2013 until his election as non-executive chairman in 2014.

Hayes has been a member of the board, and president and CEO of United Technologies since November 2014. He is a 27-year veteran of the company who served as senior vice president and chief financial officer for six years before being elected president and CEO.

"Greg Hayes has demonstrated strong performance in leading the company. He has streamlined our business portfolio, optimized our organization and positioned the company for sustained long-term growth," Kangas said.

"Ed Kangas has been an outstanding non-executive chairman for our board, providing strong leadership through an important period for our company," Hayes said. "I am honored to be elected chairman and look forward to continue working with Ed as our independent lead director."

Kangas is the former chairman and CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. He has been a member of the United Technologies board since 2008 and serves as chairman of the board's audit committee.

United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. For more information about the company, visit our website at www.utc.com or follow us on Twitter: @UTC.

SOURCE United Technologies Corp.

Related Links

http://www.utc.com


"As a health sciences institution, we understand the importance of encouraging employee health, and we promote programs, challenges and team building opportunities to support our employees in achieving healthy lifestyles," said Dr. Wanda Nitsch, president and chief academic officer, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. "At USAHS, we are a university who constantly looks to improve the well-being of our employees. Through our resources, such as wellness centers and providing group exercise classes on each of our campus locations and our dedication to innovative programs, such as our Walking Challenge and our Ninja obstacle course on the St. Augustine, Florida campus, we do our part to ensure our employees have easy access to information and resources to make smart, healthy decisions. We are pleased to achieve this great recognition from the American Heart Association for the third year in a row."

American Heart Association (AHA) Fit-Friendly Worksite Platinum

The AHA Fit-Friendly Worksite Platinum designation is awarded to workplaces that fulfill criteria such as offering employees physical activity support, increasing healthy eating options at work and promoting a wellness culture.

For more information on the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, visit www.usa.edu or contact Rachael Lighty at [email protected].

About University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS)

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) is a graduate institution that emphasizes health and rehabilitative science education through innovative classroom and distance education, and offers degree programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, education and health science, as well as continuing education programs. Founded in 1979, USAHS has locations in San Marcos, California; St. Augustine, Florida; Austin, Texas and Miami, Florida. USAHS is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission. USAHS is one of more than 70 institutions in 25 countries that comprise the Laureate International Universities network. Laureate Education, Inc. is a public benefit corporation and both Laureate and USAHS completed a rigorous, independent assessment to become a Certified B Corp. For more information about USAHS and Laureate, visit www.usa.edu and laureate.net.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407810

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407811

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160428/361424LOGO

SOURCE University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Related Links

https://www.usa.edu


VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard has made enhancements to its employee benefits programs to better support its crew members (employees) at all stages of their life and careers. The changes focus on four important events that nearly all employees will experience: continuing education, welcoming children, acting as a care giver, and transitioning after a career at Vanguard.

"Vanguard's crew members dedicate their workdays to serving our clients and giving them the best chance for investment success." said Vanguard CEO Bill McNabb. "We have long been proud of our excellent benefits program and long tenured crew, so it is vitally important that we continue to support them at every life stage they experience during the time they work at Vanguard."

Among the enhancements to Vanguard's benefits program:

Bestin-class parental leave. New parents will now be eligible for six weeks of fully paid time off, and mothers giving birth will be eligible for up to sixteen weeks with an increased disability benefit. Crew members becoming a parent through adoption and surrogacy will receive assistance with associated costs, in addition to being eligible for equal time off. Recognizing that flexibility is key to a successful transition to parenthood, parents can each take the time off in increments that enable them to be home when they determine it is most needed.

New parents will now be eligible for six weeks of fully paid time off, and mothers giving birth will be eligible for up to sixteen weeks with an increased disability benefit. Crew members becoming a parent through adoption and surrogacy will receive assistance with associated costs, in addition to being eligible for equal time off. Recognizing that flexibility is key to a successful transition to parenthood, parents can each take the time off in increments that enable them to be home when they determine it is most needed. Exceptional education assistance. Crew members within five years of their graduation date from an undergraduate or graduate degree can now take advantage of a new student loan repayment plan that provides a $100 per month payment to loan servicers for a six-year term. In recognition of the high costs of higher education and the impact on an individual's overall financial wellbeing, a revised academic assistance program offers more coverage and flexibility for employees and their children.

Crew members within five years of their graduation date from an undergraduate or graduate degree can now take advantage of a new student loan repayment plan that provides a per month payment to loan servicers for a six-year term. In recognition of the high costs of higher education and the impact on an individual's overall financial wellbeing, a revised academic assistance program offers more coverage and flexibility for employees and their children. A family first care policy. A new family care leave policy will give crew two weeks of fully paid leave per year to care for ill family members. The new leave will support our crew member's needs for this time away from the office. Increased bereavement leave will also give crew members five days and the flexibility they need following the death of a family member.

A new family care leave policy will give crew two weeks of fully paid leave per year to care for ill family members. The new leave will support our crew member's needs for this time away from the office. Increased bereavement leave will also give crew members five days and the flexibility they need following the death of a family member. Starting a new chapter off right. Vanguard offers comprehensive benefits that include a generous retirement plan and health care coverage. Retiring crew can now take fully paid COBRA healthcare benefits that further extend their current medical care elections through three months of retirement. Additionally, a severance program for qualifying separations now offers financial assistance, COBRA healthcare benefits, and assistance for those seeking new roles.

"We are providing employees with the better options that they told us they needed to achieve healthy work-life integration, given the many personal and family demands they will experience throughout their lives," said Kathy Gubanich, managing director, human resources. "These additions complement Vanguard's already strong rewards package, and we firmly believe we are offering new and existing crew a full suite of benefits that are both compelling and competitive."

With 14,000 crew members globally and $3.8 trillion in assets, Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment management companies and one of the largest employers in the Philadelphia region. Vanguard also has several thousand employees in offices in Charlotte, NC and Phoenix, AZ.

About Vanguard

Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment management companies. As of July 31, 2016, Vanguard managed more than $3.8 trillion in global assets. The firm, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, offers more than 350 funds to its more than 20 million investors worldwide. For more information, visit vanguard.com.



Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150225/177983LOGO

SOURCE Vanguard

Related Links

http://www.vanguard.com


Aircraft major The Boeing Companys BA Defense, Space and Security division recently won an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity foreign military sales (FMS) contract from the Pentagon for the production of Small Diameter Bomb Increment I (SDB I) weapons systems. Valued at $700 million, the contract was awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

As per the terms of the contract, the Air Force will supply SDB I weapons of Lot 12-14 and associated carriage systems. Work is expected to be completed by Dec 12, 2021 and will be executed in St. Louis, MI. The contract will use fiscal 2015 and 2016 procurement funds. FMS funding of $130 million was already obligated when Boeing received the contract.

BOEING CO Price

BOEING CO Price | BOEING CO Quote

A Brief Note on SDB I

Boeings GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) is a next-generation strike weapon system that can be deployed from external as well as internal carriage systems. This low-cost and low collateral damage weapon comes with an Advanced Anti-Jam Global Positioning System-aided Inertial Navigation System (AJGPS/INS) that guides it toward the coordinates of a stationary target.

With a range greater than 60 nautical miles, SDBs precision guidance and compact size allow prosecution of more targets per sortie. In Aug 2003, following a two-year competitive phase, the Air Force selected Boeing to develop and build the SDB system. The company, along with the Air Force SDB I team, successfully delivered the weapon system ahead of schedule. Note that SDB I was first operationally deployed in 2005. Also, the SDB was first dropped in combat during a close air support sortie in Iraq, on Oct 5, 2006 and has been used on the F-15E ever since.

Our View

Being one of the largest defense contractors in the U.S., Boeings SDB is also one of the very few weapon systems of its kind available in the market. The company serves the U.S. defense industry and its allies by producing, integrating and supporting precise, long-range and focused munitions capabilities. Currently, Boeing is designing the tail kit assembly for the B61-12, which will modernize guidance capability for the weapon under a contract that was awarded by the U.S. Air Force in Nov 2012.

Story continues

We note that in the second quarter of 2016, the companys Defense, Space and Security business division garnered revenues of $7.2 billion buoyed by solid underlying operating performance. We expect the latest FMS contract to drive growth at the segment in the coming quarters and beyond.

However, we remind investors that Boeings rival, Raytheon Company RTN  another defense giant in the U.S.  manufactures GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (SDB II), which is an advanced weapon system in the line of the formers GBU-39/B SDB I. Notably, SDB II is an air-launched, net-enabled, precision strike weapon that can be used to attack both moving and stationary targets, even in adverse weather conditions.

Stocks to Consider

Both Boeing and Raytheon currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A couple of better-ranked stocks in the aerospace and defense sector include Engility Holdings, Inc. EGL and Ducommun Inc. DCO, both of which sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

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CHICAGO, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Veltex Corporation-- OTC Markets symbol (VLXC)  Veltex Corporation ("the Company") announced today that it has retained and partnered with Batuta Capital Advisors, LLC ("Batuta Capital") to assist the Company in exploring strategic alternatives.

Batuta Capital is an advisory firm founded by Mr. Alexandre Zyngier and is headquartered in New York City, New York. Batuta Capital targets middle market and special situation opportunities in the public and private markets, specializing in turnarounds, bankruptcies, and distressed opportunities across the capital structure. These alternatives will focus on building upon Veltex's current settlements, property liens, federal judgments, state judgments, and currently booked net operating loss conversions, which could include selling, partnering, or raising capital to operate as a stand-alone firm.

Moreover, Mr. Zyngier has made a substantial restricted equity investment in Veltex. Mr. Zyngier commented "Veltex completely fits our model for investment  an undervalued equity with sizable complex legal structures and with meaningful opportunities to growth. Veltex also has a talented management team that wanted to partner with us, which makes this a perfect fit. We look forward to this partnership and working with Veltex's management team to continue building on what they have done to date." Most importantly Mr. Zyngier reported, "At Batuta, we follow our own proprietary due diligence process to uncover investment and strategic opportunities. We also bring additional strategic equity capital from our investor network, to partner-up and add value to the businesses we invest in, and use our broad fixed-income network to complement these investments. Again, Veltex fits our model perfectly."

Mr. Zyngier founded Batuta Capital to pursue investment and advisory opportunities in the distressed and turnaround sectors. Mr. Zyngier has over 20 years of investment, strategy, and operating experience. He currently serves on the boards of directors of Atari SA, AudioEye Inc. (AEYE), GT Advanced Technologies, Inc., Torchlight Energy Resources Inc. (TRCH) and was previously Chairman of the Board of Vertis Inc., a director of Island One LLC and Executive Chairman of DTV America Corporation. Mr. Zyngier has worked as a Portfolio Manager, investing in public and private opportunities, at Alden Global Capital, Goldman Sachs & Co., Deutsche Bank Co. and as a sell-side distressed and event-driven analyst at CRT Capital Group. He was also a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company. Prior to that, he was a technical brand manager at Procter & Gamble, focused on Latin America Beauty Care Products.

Mr. Zyngier holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Chicago and a BSc. in Chemical Engineering from UNICAMP in Brazil.

James "Jim" Jacob, President and CEO of Veltex stated "Following a detailed evaluation over the past several months, we have determined that it is prudent to undertake a review of our strategic options to determine which alternative or alternatives, including our stand-alone plans, are in fact the best way to maximize shareholder value. Management along with a unanimous board approval determined that the retention of and partnering with Batuta Capital was a strong move at the right time and in the right direction." Mr. Jacob stated further "The Board of Directors for Veltex has determined that it is in the best interest of its shareholders to consider itself a possible acquisition target, at a minimum, to a strategic company that possesses the necessary resources to invest in and capitalize on the significant potential asset value of Veltex's current booked NOL carry forwards and value in the current legal judgments of approximately $150 million dollars."

The Company is committed to conducting its review of potential alternatives as promptly as practicable. However, there can be no assurances that any particular alternative will be pursued or that any transaction will occur, or on what terms or as to its timing. Veltex intends to provide additional information as appropriate.

Veltex Corporation, incorporated in Utah September 17, 1987, is a public holding corporation which maintains its corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. The company's common shares trade OTC Markets under the symbol VLXC.

www.Veltex.Com

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain of the above statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. This press release includes forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as Veltex or its management "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe Veltex's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Veltex Corporation

Related Links

http://www.veltex.com


NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Voxy, a leading online language solution that offers personalized English instruction to educational institutions, corporations and governments, is proud to work with General Assembly (GA), a global education company specializing in 21st-century skills, to deliver its Digital Marketing course on the Voxy platform. To learn more about Voxy's English language solution, please visit www.voxy.com.

This collaboration will bring GA's popular Digital Marketing course to the Voxy platform for English language learners around the world. The professional-level foundation course has been taken by more than 10,000 employees at large companies and uses exclusive content from GA's online curriculum. The online course covers functional and relevant topics including: social media, UX (user experience), mobile strategy and content marketing.

GA addresses the skills gap in today's tech- and data-focused workforce and provides professional development and training in areas like marketing, data science and visual design. This new offering will allow Voxy's learners to access applicable skills to further their comprehension of the English language.

"Voxy's partnership with GA is 100 percent aligned with our unique task-based approach to language learning, which takes authentic materials and converts them into language lessons that address real-life goals," said Mari Nazary, Voxy's VP of Pedagogy & Curriculum. "Thanks to GA's rich and effective Digital Marketing course, we're continuing to address our learners' needs for improving their professional development skills while also practicing the English they need to advance their careers."

For more news from the Voxy team, please visit our blog at www.voxy.com/blog.

About General Assembly:

General Assembly (GA) is a global educational company on a mission to empower a global community to pursue work they love. Focusing on the most relevant and in-demand skills across data, design, business and technology, GA is confronting a skills gap through best-in-class instruction and providing access to opportunities. GA works with students online and in person across 25 campuses in 6 countries. GA also works with employers to help companies source talent, assess talent and transform talent. Additionally, GA's focus on affordable and accessible education combined with our education-to-employment approach is helping to create a diverse talent pipeline.

Contact:

General Assembly: [email protected]

About Voxy:

Voxy provides truly personalized English language instruction to corporations, educational institutions and governments across the globe. Based on more than 30 years of academic research, Voxy's solution meets the needs of each user by combining patented technology that adapts lessons in real time with personalized live instructionall delivered in a fully mobile experience. Launched in 2010, it has been used by millions of learners and hundreds of institutions in over 50 different countries. Voxy's innovative approach has been recognized by major media outlets including The New York Times, Forbes and CNN. Backed by leading investors in education technology, Voxy is headquartered in New York City and has an office in Sao Paulo.

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W. Galen Weston, 75, assumed executive control of George Weston Limited in 1974, when he succeeded his father. Over four decades as Chairman, Mr. Weston established an extraordinary record of achievement: taking a sprawling portfolio and focusing on re-making Loblaw into the nation's top retailer, and building Weston into one of North America's largest food processing companies.

During his tenure, Mr. Weston oversaw the introduction of some of Canada's most innovative brands and retail concepts, including President's Choice, Joe Fresh, No Frills, and Real Canadian Superstore. In the same time, the company created hundreds of thousands of jobs and the Weston Foundation and the Weston Group of Companies together have donated more than half a billion dollars to the benefit of Canadian communities.

"Following my own father's tradition of stepping down at the age of 75, I see this as a good time to create space for the next generation," said W. Galen Weston. "I have absolute confidence in my son and the George Weston Limited board and leadership. I look forward to using my time to focus on the exciting opportunities ahead in our luxury business and some truly ground-breaking potential with our charitable foundation."

Succeeding his father, Galen G. Weston, 43, becomes the fourth generation of family leadership. He has been Executive Chairman of Loblaw since 2006 and Deputy Chairman of George Weston Limited since March, 2016. W. Galen Weston's daughter, Alannah Weston, was appointed a director on the board earlier this year.

"Reaching a fourth generation represents unique longevity among family-led firms, and my father's success over four decades sets a high bar for the next generation of our business," said Galen G. Weston. "We will benefit from the strong legacy traits of Weston companies, and my sister and I look forward to our father's continued guidance and support."

About George Weston Limited

George Weston Limited is a Canadian public company founded in 1882 and through its operating subsidiaries constitutes one of North America's largest food processing and distribution groups. George Weston Limited has two reportable operating segments: Weston Foods and Loblaw, which is operated by Loblaw Companies Limited. The Weston Foods operating segment is primarily engaged in the baking industry within North America. Loblaw is Canada's largest food distributor and a leading provider of general merchandise, drugstore and financial products and services.

RELATED LINKS

http://www.weston.ca

Geoff Wilson, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Business Intelligence and Communications, (416) 965-5206

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SOURCE George Weston Limited
NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Empire State Building (ESB) today announced the "Sunrise Experience," an unprecedented opportunity to watch the sunrise over New York City from ESB's world-famous 86th floor Observatory.

Guests will share a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see, hear and feel the city wake up with unobstructed, 360-degree open-air views in the heart of NYC. No more than 100 tickets will be sold per sunrise.

STATE Grill and Bar, located in the lobby of the Empire State Building, will offer the "Empire State Building Sunrise Breakfast," available exclusively to visitors who wake up before dawn. The new offering allows ticket holders to add on a prix fixe breakfast option while purchasing passes for the Sunrise Experience.

"Thousands each year rise to see the sunrise at the Grand Canyon. For the first time ever, they will be able to do so from the heart of New York City," said Jean-Yves Ghazi, Director of the Observatory. "Whether you are a local, or visiting New York from another part of the world, this unparalleled opportunity to watch the city that never sleeps transition from night to day is not to be missed."

The Sunrise Experience is initially only available from October 1, 2016, through November 20, 2016, and is priced at $100 per person. Guests are permitted access to the 86th floor Observatory approximately 30 minutes before the sunrise time. Limited tickets are available, and reservations are required. Information and tickets are available exclusively at www.esbnyc.com/sunrise.

About the Empire State Building

Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan (from base to antenna), the Empire State Building, owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., is the "World's Most Famous Building." With new investments in energy efficiency, infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper's robust broadcasting technology supports all major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was named America's favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects, and the Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world's most beloved attractions as the region's #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State Building, please visit www.esbnyc.com, www.facebook.com/empirestatebuilding, @EmpireStateBldg, www.instagram.com/empirestatebldg, www.youtube.com/esbnyc or www.pinterest.com/empirestatebldg/.

About Empire State Realty Trust

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, including the Empire State Building, the world's most famous building. Headquartered in New York, New York, the Company's office and retail portfolio covers 10.1 million rentable square feet, as of June 30, 2016, consisting of 9.4 million rentable square feet in 14 office properties, including nine in Manhattan, three in Fairfield County, Connecticut and two in Westchester County, New York; and approximately 709,000 rentable square feet in the retail portfolio.

SOURCE Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

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CHICAGO, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A panel of wound care experts will convene for a roundtable on pressure ulcer treatment strategies at the 6th Annual Meeting of the American College of Wound Healing and Tissue Repair on Dec. 2, 2016 in Chicago. As a part of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's (IHI) 5 Million Lives campaign, pressure ulcer reduction is considered a "never event" by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), making the condition important to patients, providers, and the healthcare economy.

"Pressure ulcer prevalence will only increase over the next decade as our population lives longer and we see marked increases in diabetes and obesity," said course co-chair William J. Ennis, DO, MBA, FACOS. "While there are guidelines describing the basic treatment and prevention techniques for pressure ulcers, when cases are recalcitrant, there are many opinions on the use and timing of surgical intervention."

More than 2.5 million pressure ulcers are treated in the acute care setting each year in the United States. Hospitals, long term acute care hospitals, and nursing facilities struggle to provide the most comprehensive care possible to prevent and treat these conditions. Litigation surrounding the development of pressure ulcers has greatly increased over the past 5 years with awards reaching millions of dollars.

Despite the wound care industry providing new product innovations and off-loading options, the prevalence and incidence of these complicated conditions continues to escalate. With an aging society, an epidemic of obesity and diabetes, and an increasing number of Americans living with multiple co-morbid clinical conditions, it is expected that pressure ulcer prevention and treatment will continue to be an important topic in healthcare.

"We felt that by bringing surgical thought leaders in Plastic Surgery together in a roundtable format, we might begin to raise awareness and begin to achieve some consensus on who is a surgical candidate, what procedures are best, and how the wound care provider can best prepare the patient pre-operatively," Dr. Ennis said.

Although there are guidelines for care, there is practice variation, product waste and poor outcomes. At the 6th Annual Meeting of the American College of Wound Healing and Tissue Repair, a group of national experts on the surgical management of pressure ulcers will gather to discuss difficult case scenarios and practice patterns, and help guide an audience of more than 400 wound care providers through a proposed treatment algorithm.

This session will use real case examples and be conducted in an interactive "talk show" style format. Questions from the audience will allow for an interactive environment.

Panelists include: Robert Galiano , MD, Northwestern University

, MD, Christopher Attinger , MD, Georgetown University

, MD, Geoffrey Gurtner , MD, Stanford University

, MD, Dennis Orgill , MD, Harvard University

William J. Ennis, DO, Moderator, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, President, American College of Wound Healing and Tissue Repair

There are a growing number of patients for whom options have become extremely limited and for which significant morbidity, and even mortality, can result due to the presence of a non-healing pressure ulcer. Young patients with spinal cord injuries desire a high quality of life, and even when surgical correction of a pressure ulcer occurs, there can be as high as 70% recidivism. Many patients have already undergone numerous surgical interventions and surgeons can begin to run out of soft tissue options for closure. Vulnerable populations and those with limited access to expert care are even more at risk. Even when resources are plentiful, a patient can die from complications as a result of pressure ulcers.

"There is a growing population of spinal cord injured patients from trauma, violent crime and military conflicts who need more definitive treatments for their pressure ulcers. We need to create the dialogue now," Dr. Ennis said.

The 6th Annual Meeting for the American College of Wound Healing and Tissue Repair takes place Dec. 1-3, 2016 at the Chicago Hilton. For more information regarding the agenda, faculty or registration, please visit acwound.org/congress/.

Contact:

Marissa Ruggiero

[email protected]

312-413-1291

SOURCE American College of Wound Healing and Tissue Repair

Related Links

http://www.acwound.org


SEATTLE, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The WTIA Workforce Institute today announced the opening of its registered apprenticeship program, Apprenti, the only tech apprenticeship accredited by the State of Washington and a first for the industry. Apprenti will recruit, train, and place at least 600 new tech workers during the pilot. The program focuses on under represented groups including women, minorities and veterans, helping bridge the skills and diversity gap and providing trained talent to the state's high-wage tech sector. Apprenti officially kicks off today and is currently accepting applications for its first round of participants this fall. The WTIA Workforce Institute also announced that Apprenti will receive an additional $200K in funding from JP Morgan Chase to cover the costs of training its first participants.

"Apprenti reinvents the way the tech industry approaches training, hiring and recruiting new talent," said Jennifer Carlson, Executive Director, WTIA Workforce Institute. "The support we've had across the public and private sectors shows the collective need for a fresh approach to hiring and addressing diversity challenges in our sector. Today's launch is the culmination of our partnership with the state, our training and hiring partners, as well as those in the community who have worked so hard to see this program come to fruition."

Apprenti is operated by the WTIA Workforce Institute, the 501c3 sister organization to the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA). It is also partially funded through a grant from the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), with support from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) and JP Morgan Chase.

"The application of the apprenticeship model to the IT industry is exciting. Our partnership with WTIA to launch Apprenti has the potential to change the face of apprenticeships, moving from building trades to the cutting edge of technology," said Jody Robbins, program manager of apprenticeship at Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. "Diversifying our apprenticeship sponsors is as important for the expansion of the apprenticeship model as is diversifying the workforce for our new industry partners. These are exciting times for apprenticeship in Washington State."

Washington State is the top recruiter of tech talent in the country, with more than 8,000 new tech jobs per year. As demand for skilled workers grows, companies are also struggling to increase diversity among their workforce. The problem workers are facing is access. Less than twenty percent of the tech workforce is female and less than three percent is Hispanic or African American. There are an even smaller number of veterans working in the technology field. Apprenti will assist people within these under represented communities with a path and a plan for a successful career in technology and will help the industry and Apprenti hiring partners like Microsoft and F5 Networks meet the demand for diverse and skilled tech talent.

Chuck Edward, Head of Global Talent Acquisition at Microsoft said, "Apprenti is a great win for our organization. It provides the opportunity for someone to come in and work side-by-side with our employees and learn from that experience. The program provides pre-apprenticeship training and helps us access a more diverse, qualified workforce. Our partnership with the Workforce Institute enables us to influence the curriculum and initial training provided to apprentices and lets us do the on-the-job training."

Julian Eames, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at F5 Networks, said "Apprenti offers an innovative approach to an issue of increasing urgency for employers in Washington State: a skilled workforce that reflects the diversity of its partners, customers and communities. It is essential to our company's and the technology industry's long-term, competitive growth that we recruit and retain talent from a more diverse population."

Gil Wootton, Seattle Office Managing Director at Accenture said, Equality and opportunity in the technology workforce is vital to Accenture. We are thrilled to partner with the WTIA Workforce Institute to help bridge the gap between accredited education and industry needs. Apprenti is pioneering a new approach to this issue and we are confident that with the extensive experience and thought leadership that WTIA has rooted into this program, it will make significant impacts on the local industry.

Apprenti is the only apprenticeship program registered with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries and designed to meet the tech industry's growing needs. Its primary focus is on serving candidates who are women, minorities and/or veterans. Successful applicants are highly capable, have good communication skills, are fluent in English (spoken and written), and have the drive to be successful. Once accepted to the program, each apprentice receives two to four months of certified technical training followed by one year of full-time, paid, on-the-job training with one of Apprenti's many hiring partners. A grant from JP Morgan Chase is eliminating financial barriers for participants by helping to underwrite free training for the first round of apprentices.

"JPMorgan Chase & Co. has made funding apprenticeships a priority as an effective model to build career pathways to well-paying jobs that offer opportunities for advancement," said Cat Martin, Northwest Philanthropy Manager, JPMorgan Chase & Co. "The WTIA Workforce Institute has the expertise to uncover the region's hidden talent and is taking an innovative approach to bringing together employers and educators to prepare them to meet the growing demand for increased diversity in the tech workforce."

Following the first round of Apprenti participants, the program will offer apprenticeship opportunities every three months beginning late fall 2016. The program is currently accepting applications for its first session. As a competency based program, those with a strong determination to complete the rigorous training are encouraged to apply. To be considered for the program, you must be 18 or over, have a high school diploma or equivalent and be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. You can apply by taking the online Apprenti assessment, which you can find at www.ApprentiCareers.org.

About Apprenti:

Apprenti is a registered apprenticeship program powered by the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) and run by the WTIA Workforce Institute. Apprenti trains future tech workers with an emphasis on under represented groups including women, minorities, and veterans. Apprenti is an industry recognized, state accredited program. Apprentices will receive two to four months of full-time training then begin one year of paid on-the-job training with one of the program's hiring partners. The program is partially funded through a grant from the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), with support from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), and JP Morgan Chase. For more information on how to apply, donate or become a hiring partner, please visit www.ApprentiCareers.org.

About Apprenti Program Requirements:

Participant selection for Apprenti is based on a competency model; prior experience and education are not factors in being accepted as an apprentice. Apprenti is looking for highly competent, driven people in our community seeking a path to a career in tech.

Requirements include:

Must be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S. Must complete a three step application process that includes:

A qualifying assessment score A strong interview with a hiring partner Completion of certified training



Visit www.ApprentiCareers.org for more program details and take the online assessment.

About the WTIA Workforce Institute

The WTIA Workforce Institute is a 501c3 organization created to drive workforce initiatives to assist under represented communities seeking to enter the technology industry. The Institute has partnered with the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), Washington state's unifying voice for the technology community, and Washington State's Department of Labor and Industries to operate a technology training and registered apprenticeship program called Apprenti.

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SOURCE Apprenti

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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
Faizabad, Sep 9 : After a gap of almost 26 years, a member of the Gandhi clan -- Rahul Gandhi -- visited Ayodhya.

As part of his ongoing 'Kisan Mahayatra', the Congress Vice-President visited the temple town on Friday and made a brief stopover at Hanumangarhi, a famous temple.

He was closeted with the priest of the temple for over five minutes after which he came out and drove off to the circuit house, where he started his road show.

Late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was scheduled to visit the temple in 1990 when he was on his 'Sadbhavna Yatra' to Ayodhya, but the programme was called off at the last moment as he had to fly back to Lucknow and it was getting dark.

Emerging out of the meeting, priest Mahant Gyan Das said Rahul had come like any other devotee.

When asked if there was any discussion on the contentious issue of the Ram temple, the priest answered in the negative.

Gandhi is slated to go to the Kichaucha Dargah Sharif at Ambedkarnagar in the evening and would meet the farmers in Faizabad at Ramlila grounds in Poorabazaar.

He will later spend some time with Dalits in a Dalit colony.

This has been very much his routine in the last three days of the 2,500-km-long Yatra which is to take him, in a special modelled, air conditioned bus, to more than 223 assembly constituencies in the state.

Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to elect a new government early next year.

Congress has 28 legislators in the present assembly and a recent survey has predicted that the party would slip further in numbers.

The party has hired election strategist Prashant Kishore to pep up the campaign and to secure a better outcome at the hustings.
Ayodhya, Sep 9 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday mingled happily with the crowds that thronged both sides of the road as he reached the temple town of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

At one point, Gandhi asked the locals and party workers to give space to an ambulance carrying a patient that got caught up in the crowd of cheering supporters.

Friday is the fourth day of his 2,500-km 'Kisan Yatra' that began at Deoria.

Gandhi also interacted with school children and assured them improved education environment if the Congress was voted to power in Uttar Pradesh next year.

A girl student offered him a crown, which he gladly accepted. He also allowed the girl to click a selfie with him.

Addressing a gathering at Devkali square where hundreds has gathered, Gandhi again attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of being blind to the problems of the common man, the poor and farmers.

The crowd included a large number of Muslims, who tied a headgear on Gandhi as he passed through Ghantaghar. A group of Sikhs welcomed him at Reedganj.

The Congress leader paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Park and garlanded the statue of Acharya Narendra Dev at a park named after him.
New Delhi, Sep 9 : Thousands of students on Friday voted to elect the new office- bearers of the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU), with officials putting the voting percentage at 45.38 per cent in the first phase.

There are a total of 1,23,421 voters in Delhi University. Voting for DUSU, as happens every year, was scheduled in two phases at 50 polling centres in 42 colleges and eight departments of the varsity.

The polling agents of different student outfits, backed by various political parties, tried their level best to woo the students and persuade them to vote for their respective candidates.

"Chocolates were distributed by National Students Union India and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad members in and around the north campus. Students in Khalsa College were taken to watch Jurassic Park movie," a first year student Sonya Singh from the Hindu College told IANS.

A total of 17 candidates are in the fray for the four DUSU posts, including president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary.

While seven of them are in the race for the post of DUSU president, four are fighting for the vice-president's seat.

"We voted for All India Students' Association (AISA) as they don't believe in showing money power and there was no paper wastage by the student party. They came to our classes, spoke about our problems and narrated their agendas. They work at the ground level; hence we support them," Botany Honours students Ritika Siddiqui and Himandri Shekhar from the Hindu College told IANS.

"So much paper was used for campaigning by the NSUI and the ABVP. We as members of the environment society of the college went around our campus and collected all the waste paper," they added.

A political science Honours student from Kirori Mal College said: "I am a BJP supporter and hence voted for the ABVP. I really feel that they can work pretty well, taking inspiration from (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and others in the party."

While the first phase began at 8.30 a.m. and ended at 12.30 p.m., the second shift was from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and both went off peacefully, Chief Election Officer for DUSU polls D.S. Rawat said.

"It was an awesome experience to vote for the first time. I am aged 17 and not eligible to elect my government. But I felt responsible about getting a chance to elect my leaders at the university level," said a Chemistry Honours first year student from Hindu College, who didn't want to be named.

"The campaigning was really enjoyable due to free food and movie tickets. NSUI members took us to McDonald's and treated our entire department," he added.

A Law Department student said because of late admissions, many students were clueless about the candidates.

"Admissions happened very late due to protests this year. So, I have no clue about who all are contesting. I didn't go to cast my vote," said a LLB second year student Suhani Bhatia.

Noting that complete transparency in poll process is important, Rawat said: "We had deployed observers to keep a tab on the elections. Videography of the DUSU polls is being done and eight closed-circuit television have also been set up in the election office."

"Counting of votes will start tomorrow (Saturday) at 8 a.m. and results will be announced by noon," Rawat said.
Pyongyang, Sep 9 : North Korea on Friday said it "successfully" conducted a nuclear test, its fifth and the "most powerful" so far, evoking strong condemnation from the global powers including US, China and Russia.

The North Korean Central TV Broadcasting Station said the country carried out a nuclear explosion test to check the capacity of a nuclear warhead and it will "continue to strengthen our capacity to bolster our nuclear force".

The neighbouring South Korea's Defence Ministry official quoted by Yonhap said that the military was analysing details on what type of nuclear material was used.

An artificial quake of magnitude 5.3 was detected around 9.30 a.m. at North Korea's main Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

The official said the tremor felt after the test put the yield of this test at about 10 kilotons, which is believed to be Pyongyang's most powerful nuclear detonation to date.

According to Yonhap, Pyongyang conducted the nuclear test to mark the country's 68th National Day on September 9.

The test marked the fifth nuclear detonation by North Korea following the first in October 2006, the second in May 2009, the third in February 2013 and the fourth in January this year.

South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.

President Park Geun-hye, who is cutting short her overseas trip to Laos, condemned the test, saying that its provocation would only invite stronger international sanctions, deeper isolation and hasten its self-destruction.

The US President Barack Obama warned that the latest test will have serious consequences. Terming the test as a "provocation" the President reiterated that Washington was committed to the security of its allies in Asia and the world.

China slammed it saying the country was "firmly opposed" to the test.

The International Atomic Energy Agency also denounced the test, terming it a "clear violation" of UN Security Council resolutions and a "troubling and regrettable" action.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said North Korea must be given a very strong message about complying with the resolutions.

Germany summoned the North Korean ambassador in Berlin after the test in "violation of UN resolutions".

Germany's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Steffen Seibert condemned the test and said it was an irresponsible action by North Korea to destabilise region.

Pakistan condemns the test and says "it was in violation of the United Nation Security Council Resolutions".

Islamabad calls upon Pyongyang to comply with all the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and refrain from actions which undermine peace and stability in the region.

Indian Security analyst C. Uday Bhaskar said the choice of the day for the test was not accidental as the North Korean regime was founded on September 9, 1948.

"Authoritarian regimes tend to use such temporal symbolism and combine it with emotive nationalism," said Bhaskar, who is Director, Society for Policy Studies.

Britain termed the nuclear test a matter of "grave concern" and said it would consult with international partners on providing a "robust response".

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said North Korea's nuclear test was "unacceptable" and would be protested.

"It is simply unacceptable. We must strongly protest against it," Abe said, adding that Japan would liaise closely on the matter with the US and South Korea.

The European Union also denounce the test saying that it was a "grave threat to the peace and security".

The test also comes days after the UNSC condemned the launch on Monday of three ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan.

North Korea is banned by the UN from any tests of nuclear or missile technology and has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since its first test in 2006.

Pyongyang has conducted a series of ballistic missile launches since top North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gave an order on March 15 to test a nuclear warhead and ballistic rockets capable of carrying the warhead "in a short time".
Makkah, Sep 10 : Nearly two million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Haj, which culminates on Sunday with the standing on Arafat -- a granite hill also known as the Mount of Mercy.

New measures have been brought in to prevent a repeat of last year's stampede which killed around 2,300 people.

This year is the first time in nearly three decades that Iran has not sent pilgrims to the six-day religious gathering, with the stampede legacy heightening tensions between the two countries.

The Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam, which capable Muslims must perform at least once in their lifetime, marking the spiritual peak of their lives.

Rich and poor alike come dressed in the same white garments.

"We don't come here with fear in our hearts," the Daily Mail quoted Naouri Abdelkarim, 50, of Casablanca, Morocco.

Pilgrim Lawan Nasir, 45, who lost a cousin in last year's stampede, said: "The pain has not dulled a bit."

But Nasir, from Nigeria, said it would be "silly" to stay away.

In one of several safety measures implemented after the stampede, access to the Kaaba is suspended during prayers, and the walk around it is stopped to avoid overcrowding.

The Kaaba is a black cubic structure that Muslims across the globe face while they pray.

Security has also been reinforced around Islam's holiest site, where officers in red berets and camouflage uniforms man green plastic barricades to control the crowd.

Pilgrims were told they need to follow a strict set of rules to prevent another tragedy.

Temperatures reached 43 degrees Celsius as they marched, with many pilgrims fainting.

Pilgrims are this year being issued with identification bracelets, following difficulty in identifying the dead last year.

Each bracelet carries a bar code which is readable by smartphone.

It holds data including the pilgrim's identity, nationality and place of lodging in Mecca, the vice secretary of the ministry of Haj and Umrah, Issa Rawas revealed.

Along with 1.4 million worshippers from across the world, around 300,000 Muslims from Saudi Arabia are expected to attend.

But the kingdom has come in for huge criticism from Iran, where the head of Iran's Haj Organisation, Said Ohadi, asked how Saudi Arabia could invite the world's Muslims and not allow questions to be raised about the security measures.

Tens of thousands of Iranians are absent this year after talks between Tehran and Riyadh about logistics and security broke down in May.

Thousands of people protested their country's absence from the pilgrimage in Tehran.

Iran said 464 of its nationals died in last year's crush, the largest number of deaths reported by any country.
New Delhi, Sep 11 : Veteran actor-filmmaker Satish Kaushik is looking forward to perform a play "Mr & Mrs Murarilal" here soon.

"Performing my play 'Mr & Mrs Murarilal' in Delhi on 17-18 September. Two shows everyday at Sri Sathya Sai Auditorium, Lodhi Road. Book your seats now," Satish tweeted.

Directed by Saif Hyder Hasan, "Mr and Mrs Murarilal" also stars Meghna Malik of "Na Aana Is Des Laado" fame.

The play has travelled to other cities as well.

Satish had tweeted earlier this month: "Rehearsing before the show of 'Mr & Mrs Murarilal' being staged today at Gujarat University Convention Centre, Ahmedabad."
Bhubaneswar, Sep 11 : The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha on Sunday announced i would step up opposition to the multi-purpose Polavaram irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh.

The BJD said it would stage a demonstration in front of Raj Bhavan here on September 14 as part of its action plan to protest the project, which has been accorded a national project status.

"The party would submit a memorandum to Governor S.C. Jamir, addressed to the President of India. The party would seek his intervention to stall the project till the matter is resolved in the court," said BJD Vice-President Surya Narayan Patro.

The ruling party would also stage demonstrations in front of the collector's office on September 20 in seven southern Odisha districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Ganjam, Kandhamal, and Gajapati.

"Even though the matter is pending in the Supreme Court, the Centre has declared it as a national project and announced it would bear all expenses for it. This is unfortunate. The project would submerge some parts in Malkangiri district," said Patro.

The BJD threatened to organise hartal shutdowon) in the districts on October 1 if the Centre does not intervene in the matter by September 20.

"If the central government does not take any steps to protect the interest of Odisha, we would resort to hartal in the seven districts on October 1," Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) President Sanjay Das Burma said.

Reacting to the ruling party's move, BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said the protest call by the BJD is politically motivated. He said it is a political gimmick of the ruling party keeping an eye on Panchayat elections next year, he said.

The multipurpose irrigation project over Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh is opposed by the Odisha government as it fears that around 15 revenue villages in Malkangiri district will be inundated by the backwaters the proposed dam.
Mina, Sep 11 : Nearly two million pilgrims from across the world observed the Day of Arafat, an occasion for repentance and supplication considered as the pinnacle of the annual Haj pilgrimage.

On Sunday, the worshipers began day-long prayers and recitals of the Holy Quran on a rocky hill known as Mount Arafat or Mount of Mercy, east of the Saudi city of Mekkha, where Prophet Muhammed gave his last Haj sermon.

The Day of Arafat falls on Dhu al-Hijah 9, the final month in the Islamic calendar. It comes a day before Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice).

After preliminary rituals this week at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the pilgrims moved eastwards on Saturday to Mina neighbourhood and then several kilometers further to Mount Arafat.

The valley of Mina reverberated with Talbiya -- a conviction that they intend to perform the Hajj only for the glory of Allah.

"It's an indescribable feeling. You have to live it to understand," Saudi Gazette quoted Hassan Mohammed, 60, from Egypt.

"People come from every country of the world, talk every language of the world, and meet here in one place under one banner, the profession of the Muslim faith," said Ashraf Zalat, 43, also from Egypt.

From Arafat, the pilgrims will proceed to Muzdalifa where they will offer the Maghreb and Isha prayers together and rest at night.

In Muzdalifa, they will collect pebbles to stone the Satan in Mina. They will come back to Mina early Monday to complete their Haj rituals, including sacrifice of animals, shaving their hair, getting out of the state of Ihram and going to Makkah for Tawaf Al-Ifadah, which is an important pillar of Haj rites.

For the first time in more than three decades, Saudi Arabia's top Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh did not deliver this year's Haj sermon.

The Haj sermon was delivered by Saleh bin Humaid, who previously served as chairman of the Shoura Council and was appointed to the Supreme Judicial Council.

Last year, a tragic incident took place when two large masses of pilgrims converged at a crossroads during the symbolic ceremony of the stoning of Satan in Jamarat.

Saudi Arabia claims that nearly 770 people were killed in the stampede. However, Iran, which had the greatest number of deaths among foreign nationals, has put the death toll at about 4,700.

The Haj is one of the five pillars of the holy faith of Islam that every able-bodied and financially able Muslim is obliged to undertake during lifetime.
Islamabad, Sep 11 : Pakistan has not stopped Afghan traders from moving products to India through the Wagah border, authorities said after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani warned Islamabad to open the land border or lose transit route to Central Asia.

"Pakistan is fulfilling its commitment to the Afghan people by providing them a trade transit facility," Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria told BBC Urdu on Saturday.

He clarified that under Islamabad's bilateral agreement with Kabul, Afghanistan could export goods through Pakistan but Indian goods could not be imported into Afghanistan through Pakistan.

Zakaria's remarks came after President Ashraf Ghani threatened to block Pakistan's land access to Central Asia if it did not allow Afghan traders to take their goods to India through Wagah land border checkpost.

"If Pakistan does not allow Afghan traders to use the Wagah border for imports and exports of their goods, Afghanistan will also not allow Pakistan to use Afghan transit routes to reach Central Asia and other countries for exports," Ghani said in a meeting with Britain's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Owen Jenkins in Kabul on Friday.

A spokesperson for Pakistan's trade ministry contended that the Afghan leader was practically seeking concession for India as Afghan trucks were already allowed to deliver their goods to India. However, as per the existing arrangement, they were not allowed to carry back Indian goods.

"Giving concession to India is unlikely at this stage," the official told Dawn, alluding to worsening ties with Delhi. "Connectivity through Wagah is still far away."

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had at the last Heart of Asia ministerial conference in Islamabad expressed her country's desire to join the Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade and Transit Agreement.

The Pakistani official dismissed President Ghani's statement as a political stunt.

"It's not new. He (Ghani) gave a similar statement last year as well during his visit to India and is again scheduled to travel to Delhi next week (September 14)," he recalled.

Pakistan is reportedly considering other routes as well for reaching Tajikistan, bypassing the war-ravaged Afghanistan, he said.

There are plans for getting Chinese help in linking China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as well as Corridor 5&6 of CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation), which will establish connectivity between Pakistan and Central Asia.

President Ghani, meanwhile, also pointed out in his comments that Afghanistan was no more entirely reliant on Pakistan for its external trade as it has got other routes for exports and imports. He was referring to the trade route India is helping to build linking Iran's Chabahar port with Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's bilateral trade with Pakistan is on the decline. According to some estimates, it has gone down by 50 per cent over the past few months because of border issues. Last month, the Chaman border crossing remained closed for almost 14 days, while in June the Torkham border crossing remained closed for a week.

Afghan exports that mostly consist of fresh fruits suffer the most because of these closures.
Washington, Sep 12 : Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is leading her Republican rival Donald Trump nationally by 5 percentage points among likely voters, according to the latest Washington Post/ABC poll.

According to the poll released on Sunday, Clinton was leading Trump 46 per cent to 41 per cent, Politico reported. Among registered voters, her lead was slightly greater, 45 per cent to Trump's 35 per cent.

Though the race remains somewhat fluid, the poll found that voters were growing more decisive about their choices, with 79 per cent of Clinton supporters saying they would "definitely" vote for her and 81 per cent of Trump supporters saying the same for him.

The Post and ABC conducted the poll from September 5-8, using cellular and landline phones to reach a random national sample of 1,002 adults, Politico reported.

Meanwhile, an NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll which also released on Sunday said Clinton and Trump are deadlocked in four battleground states -- Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and New Hampshire.

In Arizona, Trump leads 42 per cent to 41 per cent. Clinton, however, leads among registered voters with 41 per cent to 40 per cent, Politico reported citing the poll.

In Georgia, Trump leads by 3 points among likely voters, 46 per cent to 43 per cent. The margin of error is 3.9 percentage points. Among registered voters, Clinton and Trump were tied at 44 per cent, with a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points.

Clinton takes the lead in Nevada by 1 point -- 45 per cent to 44 per cent among likely voters. Clinton's lead widens among registered voters, 46 to 41.

In New Hampshire, Clinton is up 1 point on Trump among likely voters, with 42 per cent to 41 per cent. Among registered voters, Clinton and Trump are tied at 40 per cent, Politico quoted the poll as saying.
London, Sep 12 : Continuing with road shows abroad to attract foreign investors in exploiting India's discovered small oil and gas fields, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday assured investors here that the government will "proactively facilitate" their working in the Indian oil and gas sector.

"Assured the investors that Govt will proactively facilitate their working Indian oil & gas sector," Pradhan said in a tweet after addressing an interactive meet on the upcoming auction of India's 67 hydrocarbon discovered small fields (DSF)

"India is growing at fastest rate and government is committed to open up the market," he said in a separate tweet.

The minister earlier inaugurated the physical data room here of the Discovered Small Fields Bid Round.

An Indian Petroleum Ministry release earlier said that Pradhan will interact with officials of the UK Trade and Investment department on the ongoing hydrocarbon sector reforms in India and have one-to-one meeting with prospective bidders, representatives of commodity exchange market and regulators.

He is also slated to meet British Energy Minister Greg Clark and the Scottish Energy Minister in Aberdeen, the statement added.

India's Petroleum Ministry along with the Directorate General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) has organised this series of interactive meet-cum-roadshows between September 9-14, earlier in Singapore and currently in Britain.

"During the meetings, Pradhan is expected to highlight the paradigm shift in the policy regime for the exploration and production sector in India and the improved investment environment for E&P (exploration and production) companies under the new Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP) which emphasises on improving the ease of doing business and operational autonomy to attract investment," DGH had said in a statement.

At the event, Director General of Hydrocarbons Atanu Chakraborty elaborated on the changes made in the Indian oil and gas exploration regime.

"To ensure transparency, bidding process is made completely online," DGH said in a tweet citing the presentation here by Chakraborty.

"DSF policy offers, No minimum work programme, Free pricing and marketing freedom," DGH said in another tweet citing Chakraborty.

Road shows were earlier held in July in the US and Canada, for the auction of India's discovered small fields.

Bidding is open between July 15 and October 31.

The previous exploration licensing round ended in March 2012.

The auction will be under the new Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) approved in March, based on a revenue-sharing model as opposed to cost-and-output-based norms earlier.

The new model will replace the controversial production sharing contracts -- by which oil and gas blocks are awarded to firms which show they will do maximum work on a block -- that has governed the bidding under the earlier nine NELP rounds.

Under the Discovered Small Field Policy, the government is offering for bids 67 discovered small fields in 46 contract areas spread over nine sedimentary basins on land and in shallow and deep water areas.

The offered fields hold 625 million barrels of oil and gas reserves.

Of the 46 small fields, 26 are on land, 18 offshore in shallow water and two in deep water.

While 28 discoveries are in Mumbai offshore, 14 others are in the east coast's Krishna-Godavari basin.

Eventual operators will be issued a single licence for exploration of conventional and non-conventional hydrocarbons and will have the freedom to sell oil and gas at "arms length" market prices. There would be no cess on crude oil.

The production sharing contracts regime, which allows operators to recover all investments made from sale of oil and gas before profits are shared with the government, was criticised by India's official auditor, who said it encouraged companies to keep inflating costs -- "gold plating" -- so as to postpone giving a higher share of profits.

The change in model is designed to help keep the government share in cases of windfall from both a steep rise in prices as well as a quantum jump in production.
New Delhi, Sep 12 : The deal for buying 36 Rafale jets from France is in its final stage, with some "fine tuning" going on, Defence Ministry sources said on Monday.

The deal for purchasing three dozen Rafale combat jets in fly-away condition was inked during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France in April 2015.

Sources said the deal is in the final stage and there are some points are being worked upon.

A team from France in also present in the national capital, and both sides are keen on concluding the deal soon.

According to sources, the Prime Minister's Office has pushed for concluding the deal soon, after more than a year-long negotiations, in which price had been a major sticking point.

While the final price after the negotiations has not been announced, India has bargained for bringing the price close to $8 billion.

In April this year, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claimed in a post on social media that the deal has been finalised at $8.8 billion.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had however later clarified that it was not an official figure.

In 2012, India decided to ink a deal for 126 Rafale jets.

As the deal could not be worked out, the deal for the 36 Rafale combat jets came last year.

Both the sides also agreed to conclude an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for supply of the aircraft after which a Negotiating Team was constituted.

In an interview to IANS in May, Parrikar had said the deal is in the final stage and the deal would be concluded in "a couple of months".
Washington, Sep 14 : US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will return to the campaign trail on Thursday, spokesman Nick Merrill said.

The Democratic nominee, who was recently diagnosed with pneumonia, spent Tuesday at her home in Chappaqua, New York, where she watched President Barack Obama's stump speech in Philadelphia on her behalf, Merrill said. She has no events on Wednesday, CNN reported.

"She has spent the day catching up on reading briefings, making calls, and she watched President Obama's speech in Philadelphia on TV," he said.

Clinton was initially eyeing a return to the campaign trail as soon as Wednesday, with aides scouting for a location to deliver a possible speech on the economy. But as the day wore along Tuesday, a person close to the campaign said, it became clear that Clinton would rest for at least one more day.

She is now scheduled to appear before the Congressional Hispanic Caucus meeting on Thursday night in Washington. Although that was the first scheduled event, aides said an earlier campaign stop is under consideration for Thursday.

Clinton abruptly left a September 11 commemoration ceremony on Sunday after what her campaign said was an episode of "overheating". A video showed a wobbly Clinton stumbling as she was assisted into her van to depart the ceremony.

She then went to daughter Chelsea Clinton's apartment and later returned to her home in Chappaqua, where campaign manager Robby Mook told CNN she was attended to by her doctor.

Clinton was diagnosed with pneumonia on Friday but decided to continue on the trail. The incident has prompted further scrutiny of her health and her campaign's transparency, and comes less than two months before Election Day and as polls show a tightening race.
CenturyLink Inc. CTL recently completed the rollout of the largest G.fast standard in its copper DSL lines in Platteville, WI. The telecom operator has connected 44 apartments using Calix Inc.s CALX AXOS G.fast solution. Notably, G.fast works well in densely populated areas providing speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

Why G.fast?

Telecom operators are mainly focusing on increasing their fiber footprint. However, there are areas where fiber networks are yet to reach. Thus, telecom operators look to provide alternate solutions to provide high-speed Internet service through the existing copper networks. G.fast is one such networking protocol that allows higher Internet speeds within a short range of the Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC).

Although G.fast hasnt seen significant uptake among the telecom operators in the U.S., the technology is gradually coming into the limelight. Windstream Holdings Inc. WIN has deployed the same in its multi dwelling units (MDU) in Nebraska this July. AT&T Inc. T is reported to have shown interest in the technology as well.

The Bottom Line

Intensifying competition has compelled CenturyLink to boost Internet speeds. The company has been active in deploying fiber infrastructure across the country. Moreover, it seeks to expand its Prism IPTV video service. Thus, we believe that the latest G.fast deployment will help CenturyLink increase its presence in other markets. Additionally, enabling high-speed Internet across the current copper infrastructure will help the company save costs.

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Los Angeles, Sep 14 : US First Lady Michelle Obama once turned down a role on the popular animated sitcom "The Simpsons" with a hilarious note.

In an interview to variety.com, "The Simpsons" co-creator James L. Brooks shared that they once tried to get Michelle Obama to play herself in an episode.

When asked about Michelle Obama's recent comment about "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" being one of her favourite programmes, Brooks said that she turned down the offer by sending a two-word note.

"I did not see that. Yippee! We tried to get her on 'The Simpsons' and we couldn't. We finally got a note that said "good try", because we were so aggressive," Brooks said.

"The Simpsons" currently airs in India on Star World and Star World HD.
Canberra, Sep 14 : Australian security experts fear the inevitable fall of Islamic State (IS) could result in the attempted return of up to 100 Australian jihadists fighting in Iraq and Syria.

Terror experts believe Australian jihadists could use the combat skills acquired overseas to plot terrorist activities back on home soil, and with coalition gaining ground against IS, the caliphate could experience a mass exodus of foreign fighters if they feel they are losing the battle, Xinhua news agency reported.

With air strikes resulting in massive territory losses for the IS in the Middle East, Rodger Shanahan from the Lowy Institute of Foreign Policy told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that Australian counter-terror and immigration bodies need to be aware of foreign fighters attempting to return "home".

"Some of them will be seeking to come back to Australia," Shanahan said on Wednesday.

"What their intent when they come back to Australia is, that's going to be another thing that's going to exercise the minds of the security agencies."

Shanahan said it would be particularly dangerous if these jihadists were able to find a way back into Australia, as the skills they have acquired over time in the Middle East could be used against Australian citizens and landmarks.

"(The jihadists have acquired) the ability to plan, an awareness of operational security -- so it makes them harder to track -- and other more practical issues like bomb-making skills, an awareness of how you conduct planning and execution of an attack," Shanahan said.

"They have a range of skill sets that some of the groups that we've seen previously in the region overseas and some of the people in Australia have lacked to date."

Shanahan and the Lowy Institute implored the government to work closely with governments in the region -- such as Turkey -- to keep an eye on the possible return of foreign fighters.

Under Australian law passed earlier in 2016, dual national Australians who travel to the Middle East to take part in conflicts have their Australian passports cancelled, while Australian citizens who join the fight face charges related to terrorism.
Washington, Sep 14 : The Obama administration is upping aid to Israel as part of the largest pledge of military assistance in US history.

Israel is set to get about $38 billion over 10 years, according to congressional and administration sources, up from the approximately $30 billion decade-long deal that expires in 2018, CNN reported.

The Memorandum of Understanding sealing the arrangement will be signed on Wednesday at the State Department.

Talks to reach an agreement took months, unfolding behind closed doors at a time when US-Israel ties were strained by tensions between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli frustration over the nuclear pact with Iran.

"It's an important message to the region that nobody should misread the differences between the US and Israel when it comes to Iran or policy differences when it comes to the Palestinians," said David Makovsky, Director of the Project on the Middle East Peace Process at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

"At the core, the US remains very committed to Israel's long-term security."

Israeli perceptions that sanctions relief provided as part of the nuclear deal would allow Tehran to wreak greater havoc in the region drove Jersusalem's argument that the deal should be much larger than previous packages. Regional unrest in Syria and Iraq deepened Israeli concerns, CNN added.

New York Representative Nita Lowey, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement on Tuesday that the agreement would put Israel "in a better position to address turmoil and instability in the region and therefore be able to better protect its citizens and secure its borders".
Bengaluru, Sep 14 : Two days after violence shook Bengaluru in protest against Karnataka releasing more Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, the country's tech hub was back to normal on Wednesday.

"The city is back to normalcy, with shops, hotels, offices and private establishments opening in all areas except in northwest and southwest suburbs where curfew is in force till Thursday for maintaining law and order," a top police officer said.

With buses, taxis, autos and metro rail resuming service, thousands of people were seen commuting to offices and workplaces in and around the city.

Passengers going to or alighting at railway junctions and bus terminals in the city and the airport on the outskirts are able to get transport as trains, inter-state buses and flights are operating on schedule.

"Security across the city remains tight and ban order under section 144 of the CrPC on assembling of more than five persons at public places and populated areas continues till further order to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incident," said Police Commissioner N.S. Megharikh.

Most of the schools and colleges have declared holiday for Onam festival and remained shut in curfew-hit areas to avoid inconvenience.

"Educational institutions, offices and businesses will remain shut in curfew-bound areas as a precautionary measure," Megharikh told reporters here.

Situation at Mandya and Mysuru in the river basin remained under control amid peaceful protests by farmers, traders and youth against releasing water to the lower riparian state.

Meanwhile, state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is waiting for an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to seek his intervention in the inter-state water dispute.

"Siddaramaiah is waiting for an appointment with the Prime Minister from the PMO (prime minister's office) to go to New Delhi as there is no response yet," an official from the chief minister's office told IANS.

Siddaramaiah wrote a letter to Modi on September 9 for convening a meeting of the chief ministers of both the states and his intervention to resolve the vexed issue after the Supreme Court directed the state to release 15,000 cusecs of the river water to Tamil Nadu on September 5 for 10 days and extended it to September 20, reducing the quantum of release to 12,000 cusecs per day.
Bhubaneswar, Sep 14 : It is the perfect feel-good story. Some young men in a remote Orissa hamlet, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat mission, launch a campaign that results in their village becoming an open defecation-free zone. What's more, in the process, the number of lavatories in the village jumps from 46 to 260.

Scratch the surface however, and what emerges is a more complex picture that is in tune with the realities of rural India, and which has elements of vigilantism, caste divides and simple lack of basics such as water that renders futile the very building of so many toilets.

Welcome to Kandigaon village in Odisha's Ganjam district.

While a part of the objective has been achieved, the upper castes and the scheduled castes are yet to overcome the age-old animosities that keep them apart. During summer, when the wells and ponds dry up, the communities still line up in separate queues to fetch water from the two tube-wells in the village.

Village Committee secretary Kailash Pal said: "During summer, people belonging to the upper castes and the scheduled castes depend on the tube-wells. We don't prevent anyone from taking water and we don't discriminate or else our purpose would get defeated."

He, however, admitted that the communities form separate queues for fetching water, a stark reminder that the divisions are pretty much ingrained in the minds of people and may take quite a while to stamp out.

Add to that the reality that there's water scarcity in the village. As a result, even though toilets have been built in many households -- thanks to the funding by the Village Committee -- the facilities seem to be of no use.

"Though we managed to achieve the open defecation-free tag, it is difficult for us to get water for toilet use. There are two-three open wells and tube wells. In the summer, we face acute water scarcity," Rabindra Nayak, Village Committee President, told IANS.

He said the district administration had been urged several times to facilitate piped water supply, but in vain. Ironically, Ganjam district is represented by four ministers, including Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Yet, despite these odds, the villagers are striving to keep their village clean and adopt hygienic practices.

So how did it all begin?

The prime movers behind this initiative were five young men who were inspired by the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan that was launched by Prime Minister Modi.

"The movement started last year. Initially, we did not get support from fellow villagers. They started mocking us. But we continued to sensitise them about the ill-effects of open-defecation," said Manmath Pal, one of the youths who spearheaded the movement.

He said they first stopped open defecation on the approach roads. "A squad was formed to keep strict vigil in public spaces, especially on approach roads, from 4 am to 6 am and from 7 pm to 9 pm. We took this decision after finding two sides of the approach roads filled with human faeces that created a bad impression," said Pal.

Later, the village formed a Swachh Bharat Committee and adopted a resolution saying relieving in the open would be a punishable offence.

"We impose a fine of Rs 151 for defying the order of village committee for the first time. The second time, it is Rs 500, and for the third time Rs 1,000. It is Rs 5,000 for the fourth time. We have collected over Rs 10,000 as penalty so far from the villagers," said Village Committee President Nayak.

No one violated the rule for the third time fearing heavy penalty, he said.

"The village committee even collects fines from outsiders. Whenever they find an outsider who violates the rule, the villagers come to me and ask to intervene in collecting the penalty," said Ramachandra Sethi, the Sarpanch of Kanheipur panchayat under which the village falls.

Over a period, the Village Committee also provided Rs 10 lakh to 100 households to construct toilets. "Several people from the village are below the poverty line and they don't have money to construct toilets. So we provided money to them to build toilets," said Kailash Pal, the committee's secretary.

During this period, the number of latrines in the village increased from 46 to 260.

The initiative has brought cheer to the women in the village. "Even though my husband had built a toilet after I got married, I used to see other women going to the fields to relieve themselves in the night. That was embarrassing for us, and also a security concern," said Bishnubala Swain, a self-help group member.

The efforts by UNICEF, which is working on sanitation in the area, also motivated the villagers.

"We sensitised the villagers how open-defecation affects the health of a man or woman. We continued to motivate them to have access to toilets. UNICEF provided support to help the village cover the last mile towards becoming open defecation-free," said Johnson Rhenius Jeyaseelan of UNICEF.

In association with Woodland, UNICEF also supported the creation of group hand-washing stations in the village. School children have been sensitised on key hygienic behaviours. Even the school walls are painted with messages about cleanliness.

(Chinmaya Dehury can be contacted at chinmaya.d@ians.in)
Washington, Sep 14 : Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has introduced an unorthodox childcare plan, becoming a rare Republican calling for paid maternity leave.

Introduced on Tuesday by his daughter Ivanka, who asserted that childcare issues were at the "root of wage inequality by disproportionately affecting women", Trump tried to soften his image at an event held in Pennsylvania, a former stronghold for moderate Republicans that has trended Democratic in recent years, the Guardian reported.

Trump also asserted that "my opponent has no childcare plan". Clinton has in fact made a number of detailed proposals on childcare.

Clinton in June last year first outlined a programme for universal pre-kindergarten and in May this year proposed to cap childcare costs at ten per cent of household income and to introduce 12 weeks of paid family leave.

Maya Harris, a senior policy adviser to Clinton, described Trump's plan as "half-baked and completely out of touch".

Trump's proposal came as he faces a major deficit among college-educated white women in polls.

According to a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has a 50-40 lead over her Republican rival in a demographic that Mitt Romney won by six points in 2012 despite his decisive loss that year.

Trump called for making a childcare tax deductible, up to the average cost in a given family's state, until the age of 13, as well as an expanded rebate of up to $1,200 for those families that do not pay income tax and receive earned income tax credit (EITC).

Trump said his plan would provide six weeks of maternity leave "to any mother with a newborn child whose employer does not provide the benefit" by tackling fraud in unemployment insurance.

For the six-week period, the mother would receive the equivalent to unemployment benefits while she is out of the workplace. This would not apply to fathers, though.

Harris described the New york billionaire's proposal for paid maternity leave as "not just regressive, deficient, demeaning and damaging for women" because it only applies to women and pegged to unemployment benefits, not the actual workplace salary of the mother.

Trump's proposal came the same day as comments from New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman that he had opened an inquiry into Trump's personal charity.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed to the Guardian that Schneiderman "opened an inquiry on the Trump Foundation based on troubling transactions that have recently come to light".

Trump also went toe-to-toe with the man he is hoping to succeed as US President Barack Obama made his first solo appearance on the campaign trail on Tuesday.

Appearing in downtown Philadelphia, just 20 miles (32 km) from Trump, Obama coordinated his message with Clinton's attack on some Republican nominee's supporters being "deplorables".

He told a crowd of thousands: "This isn't Abraham Lincoln's Republican Party. This isn't even the vision of freedom that Ronald Reagan talked about."

Instead, he thought the Republican nominee offered "a dark, pessimistic vision of a country where we turn against each other, we turn away from the rest of the world".

Clinton echoed that message in an attack ad released on Tuesday that used only Trump's words to paint a picture of the Republican nominee as a candidate who demeaned voters.

It was an attempt to repair the damage from the former Secretary of State's statement at a Friday fundraiser that half of Trump's supporters belonged in the "basket of deplorables".

Although Clinton quickly backed away from the remark, insisting that she only meant to refer to Trump's fringe support from the so-called "alt right", the Republican nominee has used it as an attack line.

Trump insisted in a speech on Monday that the remark was "disqualifying" and that Clinton was an elitist for saying it.

The controversy has been compounded by the fact that the former Secretary of State has been off the campaign trail for the past few days with pneumonia. Although Clinton was diagnosed on Friday, it wasn't publicly revealed until Sunday afternoon, eight hours after she had to abruptly leave a ceremony commemorating the September 11 attacks after feeling "overheated".

The Democratic nominee has had to cancel several days of events, but her campaign told reporters on Tuesday that she would resume travel on Thursday and has announced an event that day in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Clinton's return to the campaign trail won't go unchallenged by Trump. The Republican nominee is expected to give a major economic policy address that day at the New York Economic Club.
Washington, Sep 14 : New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has said he is probing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's Foundation over its allegedly questionable donations.

The New York billionaire donated $25,000 to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's campaign in 2013, as her office was considering whether to open an investigation into fraud allegations against Trump University.

Bondi's office did not open an investigation afterwards, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We have been concerned that the Trump Foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view," Schneiderman told CNN's "The Lead" programme on Tuesday, calling himself a "regulator of nonprofits in New York state".

"We have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York," Schneiderman said.

Yahoo News reported last week that the Trump charity donated $100,000 to a conservative group that was suing Schneiderman as he was probing Trump University.

In a Tuesday campaign rally, US President Barack Obama, speaking on behalf of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, made a mockery of the Trump Foundation, highlighting reports that Trump used foundation money to buy a 6-foot (about 183 cm) portrait of himself.

Also on Tuesday, Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee wrote a letter to Florida's Attorney General Loretta Lynchare, seeking a Justice Department investigation of the Trump Foundation over its donation to her.

"These payments may have influenced Bondi's official decision not to participate in litigation against Trump," the letter said, citing anti-bribery laws in their request.

The Trump campaign has repeatedly declined to provide evidence to show that Trump has donated as much to charity as he claims.

Defending his running mate, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence said on Monday that Trump has donated millions of dollars in charity.

"Anyone who knows anything about Donald Trump and his career knows that this is a man who's given away tens of millions of dollars to charitable causes throughout the course of his business life -- he's been incredibly generous," Pence said, though offering no evidence.
Lucknow, Sep 14 : The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday appointed Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the brand ambassador of its flagship programme 'Samajwadi Kisan Beema Yojana', a scheme aimed at insuring farmers.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced this at a function at his official residence.

Flanked by Nawazuddin, Akhilesh hoped that with the actor's joining, awareness about the scheme will reach far and wide.

In the scheme, many facilities like cashless treatment upto Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs one lakh for organ transplant have been included.

Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar said that a plastic card was being issued to the beneficiaries which will have details of all family members who are covered in the scheme.

The plastic card carries a picture of the chief minister.

He also added that an agreement with four government insurance companies had been sealed with regard to the Samajwadi Farmers Insurance Scheme.

Siddiqui thanked the chief minister for choosing him to be the brand ambassador and said "he was happy as his forefathers have been farmers".

The actor added "there was no better way to reconnect with the roots than to spread awareness about the insurance benefits".

Last week, the Samajwadi Party government had roped in actress Vidya Balan as brand ambassador for the Samajwadi Pension Scheme, under which 55 lakh families in the state will get Rs 500 per month through direct bank transfer.

The event coincides with a battle for supremacy in the ruling party where Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle and minister Shivpal Singh Yadav are trying to corner each other.
Bangkok, Sep 14 : A newly found debris suspected to be from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 that went missing in March 2014 may be the first piece of evidence supporting the theory that there was a fire on board the plane, said media reports.

Five pieces of debris were handed over to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in Canberra on Monday by American amateur sleuth Blaine Gibson, Efe news reported.

Gibson, who has previously brought 13 of the 27 suspected and confirmed pieces of wreckage from the flight to MH370 investigators, said two of the pieces were burned and carried singe marks on them.

"If those are found to be from Malaysia 370 and if it is discovered that the fire took place before the crash, then this is a real game changer that could help identify what was the cause of the plane's demise," he said.

The debris was found on the coast of island nation Madagascar, located off the southeast coast of Africa, and where the majority of the suspected debris pieces has already been discovered.

The pieces resemble some of the paneling used in Boeing 777 planes and have the honeycomb pattern of Boeing's composite materials, and the burn marks could support the theory that the plane was downed by a fire.

Flight MH370 with 239 persons on board went missing on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with available data indicating that the plane flew into the waters of the southern Indian Ocean.

More than 1,10,000 sq km of the seafloor have been searched so far for clues to or debris of the missing jetliner.
Bengaluru, Sep 14 : Indian-born researcher Dinesh Bharadia at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has won the prestigious Young Scholar award of the US-based Marconi Society for his contribution to radio waves.

"Bharadia has been chosen for the 2016 Paul Baran Young Scholar Award for his contribution to send and receive radio (wireless) signals, including mobile telephony and data on the same channel (wave)," the Society said in a statement on Wednesday.

A doctorate from Stanford University and an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Bharadia, 28, hails from Ichalkarnji in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.

"Bharadia's research disproved a long-held assumption that it is not possible for a radio to receive and transmit on the same frequency band because of the interference that results," the statement said.

Named after Nobel laureate Guglielmo Marconi, who invented radio, and set up by his daughter Gioia Marconi Braga through an endowment in 1974, the Marconi Society awards annually outstanding individuals whose scope of work and influence emulate the principle of 'creativity in service to humanity' that inspired Marconi.

An equivalent of the Nobel Prize in science and technology domain, the Marconi young scholar award includes $4,000 (Rs 2,67,870) prize and expenses to attend its annual awards event.

Bharadia will receive the award at a ceremony in Mountain View, California, on November 2.

Bharadia's duplex radio technology has the potential for multiple applications such as building novel wireless imaging that can enable driverless cars move in severe weather conditions and help blind people to navigate indoors.

"Marconi invented the radio but couldn't solve the problem of duplexing. It's fitting that this work is recognised by the Society," said Bharadia in the statement.

Bharadia's work, which has direct connection to Marconi, culminated in making full-duplex radios a reality through self-interference cancellation technology.

Bharadia's technology can be used in India to build relays which can listen to signals from a cellular tower, transmit them instantly and extend the range across the country.

"This (technology) is needed as we have only a few towers; by deploying simple relay, we don't need to put in huge infrastructure for the cellular towers," noted Bharadia.

The analog cancellation filter Bharadia developed has unleashed huge potential for more applications. Its architecture allows cancellation in all environments.

"India has much denser users for cellular data connectivity and a few cellular towers. In other words, if I can talk and listen at the same time in context of wireless radio, then one can double the data we can service," noted Bharadia.

According to his Stanford PhD guide Sachin Katti, Bharadia's work enables a host of new applications, from low-power Internet of Things connectivity to motion tracking.

Academic advisors nominate young scholars and an international panel comprising engineers from universities and companies select the winners for the honour. Three other young scholars were selected this year.

The Society also honours distinguished scientists with the $100,000 Marconi Award and Fellowship for emulating the principle of creativity in service to humanity.

The two-decade-old organisation promotes awareness of key technologies and policy issues in telecom and internet domains.
New Delhi, Sep 14 : India on Wednesday reiterated that the ongoing violence in Jammu and Kashmir since the July 8 death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani has been "choreographed from across the border".

"We have shared the evidence on terrorists who came from across the border with instructions to target our security forces by mingling with protesting crowds and using them as human shields. Terrorism, I would emphasise, is the most egregious violation of human rights," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a statement here.

The response came after a general debate was initiated by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday.

The Indian government said Jammu and Kashmir had started to move towards normalcy after sustained efforts by both the central and the state governments, which included exercise of maximum restraint by Indian security forces, 7,000 of whom have sustained injuries till date.

Over 80 people have died and hundreds others injured in the violence following Wani's killing.

"India's robust democratic institutions and processes have sufficient tools for the redress of grievances and they are already engaged with this issue across the entire democratic political spectrum," Swarup said.

India has been appreciative of the UN High Commissioner's efforts to improve the efficiency and streamline the working of the Geneva-based Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR).

"However, we remain concerned at the persisting ambiguities in OHCHR governance and administrative arrangements. The High Commissioner's proposed Change Initiative requires more clarity," Swarup added.
Madrid, Sep 14 : A Moroccan national has been arrested for "intense activity in online distribution of jihadist ideology" related to the Islamic State (IS), the Spanish Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

The arrest of the Moroccan, whose name was not revealed, took place in the town of Manresa, north of Barcelona, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the ministry, the detention means the end of a platform which was "strongly active in spreading the jihad message".

The ministry confirmed the man arrested used several online platforms to "develop a constant and growing work of spreading doctrinal images and also of a strategy of radicalisation common in terrorist groups".

The official communique of the ministry added that the man had displayed an "unstable and violent character" in recent months, "in line with an increase of his commitment to the jihad".

He had also maintained contacts over social networks with someone who had returned from the conflict in Syria and Iraq to "ask for advice and support for his activities".
New Delhi, Sep 14 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday underwent a five-hour throat surgery in Bengaluru, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government said.

"Doctors say all parameters are normal," a Delhi government official said here after the surgery to cure persistent cough. The official gave no further details.

A diabetic, Kejriwal is likely to be in the Bengaluru hospital for about a week under medical observation.
New Delhi, Sep 14 : There is no need to panic over the spread of chikungunya and dengue in the national capital and enough hospital beds are still available, Delhi's ruling AAP said on Wednesday.

"There is no need to panic," Aam Aadmi Party leader Dilip Pandey told the media. "Our hospitals are competent to treat the patients we get."

He said that Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had visited almost all major hospitals in the city.

"On the basis of what the minister has conveyed to us, we can say with confidence that there is nothing to panic," Pandey said.

The comments follow reports that 10 people have died in Delhi due to chikungunya, which has affected tens of thousands across the city. Cases of viral fever and dengue are also rampant.

Pandey said that contrary to the allegations made by the BJP, the Delhi government had been readying itself to overcome vector-borne diseases for weeks.

He said the Delhi government had opened 355 fever clinics, arranged for 1,000 extra beds and allowed private hospitals to increase the number of beds by 10 to 20 percent for a limited period.

The AAP leader again accused the BJP-controlled municipal corporations of failing to take adequate steps to prevent the breeding and proliferation of mosquitoes although this was their responsibility.

He said that AAP activists had been fogging several areas across the capital to beat the mosquito menace since August. "Our Doctors' Cell has also decided to open free clinics."

Hospitals in Delhi are with either the central government or the BJP-held municipal corporations or the AAP-led Delhi government.
Singur (West Bengal), Sep 14 : Activist Medha Patkar on Wednesday described the return of land to Singur farmers in West Bengal as a "new lease of life" while slamming the Narendra Modi-led central government on the Sardar Sarovar Dam issue.

"I have come from the Narmada Jal Satygraha (protest) where the Modi government is going to murder 244 villages and one town. We are constantly challenging the new form of communal violence that is directed at those who make their living from nature and hard work, it is a new form of communalism... whether it is at Narmada or at Singur," Patkar said.

The Narmada Jal Satyagraha in Madhya Pradesh is to oppose increasing the water level of the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the resulting destruction of villages.

Patkar lauded the Leftists for joining the struggle for land rights.

"It is a good thing that they have now joined in the struggle for rights over land," she said.

Batting for rights of the farming community, Patkar heaped praises on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for keeping her promise while criticising "indiscriminate corporatisation" which "shackles" the poor who eke out their living through years of toil.

"No one is against development. Those who participated in the agitation were not against development. Even the people of Singur were not against development. They were against the Tatas," Patkar said here at the Singur festival.
Washington, Sep 14 : An Indo-American imaging scientist and inventor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been conferred with the prestigious Lemelson-MIT Prize for his path-breaking inventions to improve lives globally.

"We are thrilled to honour Ramesh Raskar, whose breakthrough research is impacting how we see the world," said Dorothy Lemelson, chair of the Lemelson Foundation, in a statement on Tuesday.

Ramesh Raskar, who is the co-inventor of radical imaging solutions including femto-photography -- an ultra-fast imaging system that can see around corners -- low-cost eye-care solutions for the developing world, and a camera that allows users to read pages of a book without opening the cover, was awarded with the $500,000 prize, one of the world's largest single cash awards for invention.

The technology, currently in development for commercialisation, uses ultrafast imaging to capture light at 1 trillion frames per second, allowing the camera to create slow motion videos of light in motion.

"Ramesh's femto-photography work not only has the potential to transform industries ranging from internal medicine to transportation safety, it is also helping to inspire a new generation of inventors to tackle the biggest problems of our time," Lemelson added.

"Everyone has the power to solve problems and through peer-to-peer co-invention and purposeful collaboration, we can solve problems that will impact billions of lives," observed Raskar, who is also the Associate Professor at MIT.

He plans to use a portion of the Lemelson-MIT Prize money to launch a new effort using peer-to-peer invention platforms that offer new approaches for helping young people in multiple countries to co-invent in a collaborative way, the statement read.

Raskar has combined the academic and entrepreneurial worlds with young engineers and also ignited a passion for impact inventing.

"Raskar is a multi-faceted leader as an inventor, educator, change maker and exemplar connector," noted Stephanie Couch, Executive Director of the Lemelson-MIT Program.

"In addition to creating his own remarkable inventions, he is working to connect communities and inventors all over the world to create positive change," Couch said.

He is the co-founder of EyeNetra -- an inexpensive, disruptive eye-care platform -- that enables on-demand eye testing in remote locations via a hand-held technology that snaps onto a mobile device.

The technology was created to eliminate the need for expensive diagnostic tools in the developing world and has performed eye-tests for thousands of subjects in the US, Brazil, and India.

In 2013, Raskar also launched LVP-MITRA in Hyderabad. The center helps hundreds of young inventors to co-invent next generation screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic tools for eye-care.

The annual Lemelson-MIT Prize honours outstanding mid-career inventors improving the world through technological invention and demonstrating a commitment to mentorship in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
New Delhi, Sep 14 : Without naming Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on Wednesday expressed grave concern over terrorism in the region while New Delhi extended Kabul $1 billion in aid for capacity and capability building.

Briefing the media following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said that a large part of the discussions was devoted to the challenge of terrorism.

"The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at the continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives," he said.

Ghani arrived here on Wednesday in what is his second official visit to India after the one in April 2015.

A joint statement issued following the talks said that the two leaders agreed that terrorism "presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond".

"Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, they called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India," the statement said.

"Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement."

According to Jaishankar, Ghani pointed out that this new wave of terrorism was supported by the narcotics trade and that it was very well funded.

"The thrust of the discussion was that today this wave of terrorism is actually a common regional problem," the Foreign Secretary said.

India also pledged $1 billion for the support and development of "a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan".

Jaishankar said that much of this new development aid would cover capacity and institutional building.

"There was some discussion on water management and more collaboration on smaller dams," he said.

In June, Modi and Ghani jointly inaugurated a mega dam that was reconstructed with Indian aid in Herat province of Afghanistan.

Jaishankar also said that India was ready to deliver 1.7 lakh tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan but there have been transit problems.

He said that a transit request has been made to Pakistan but there has been no reply from Islamabad.

"Both leaders welcomed intensification in the interaction involving India and Afghanistan with regional and other countries and international organisations to foster peace, stability and development in Afghanistan," the joint statement said.

The two sides also discussed quick implementation of the trilateral agreement involving Afghanistan, India and Iran, signed in May 2016, using Chabahar port.

"They appreciated, in particular, the outcome of the India-Iran-Afghanistan trilateral consultations and looked forward to the resumption of India-US-Afghanistan consultations in New York later this month," the statement said.

According to Jaishankar, at the India-US-Afghanistan trilateral on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, "we expect a political, economic, security discussion".

Modi and Ghani also discussed the ministerial conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process on Afghanistan's development to be held in Amritsar on December 4 and the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan to be held on October 5.

To be hosted by the European Union and the Afghan government, the Brussels conference will be attended by up to 70 countries and 30 international organisations and agencies.

Following Wednesday's bilateral talks, India and Afghanistan exchanged agreements on a mutual legal assistance treaty, for peaceful uses of outer space and an extradition treaty.

The documents were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and President Ghani.

The Union Cabinet had on Monday approved the inking of an extradition treaty between India and Afghanistan.

The treaty would provide a legal framework for seeking extradition of terrorists, economic offenders and other criminals from and to Afghanistan.

Wednesday's was the eighth meeting between Modi and Ghani.
Beijing, Sep 14 : Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang will attend the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly and will also pay official visits to Canada and Cuba, authorities said on Wednesday.

"He was invited by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Raul Castro Ruz. His trip will last from September 18 to 28," Xinhua news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying as saying.

According to Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong, Prime Minister Li, while addressing the general debate of the UN General Assembly session, will outline China's stance on global governance and international order and its measures to cope with global challenges.

He will also hold talks with state leaders of other countries during his stay in New York.

"The importance China attaches to the development of bilateral relations with Canada will inject a strong impetus into future development," Li Baodong said while talking about Prime Minister Li's visit to the North American country.

Cuba, the first country in the Latin American and Caribbean region to have diplomatic ties with China, is the last stop on Li's visit.

Li will discuss with President Raul Castro on how to strengthen the China-Cuba friendship and cooperation, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao said.

The two sides will also sign cooperation documents in areas such as the economy, technology, energy and nuclear power.
New Delhi, Sep 14 : Vice President Hamid Ansari will lead the Indian delegation at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Venezuela this month, it was announced on Wednesday. This will be the first time after 1979 that the Indian Prime Minister won't be attending a NAM Summit.

Ansari will head the delegation to Margarita Island, the External Affairs Ministry said.

"The Summit on September 17-18 will be preceded by deliberations at the ministerial and senior official levels," a statement said.

Last month, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez visited New Delhi and extended an official invitation to India to attend the Summit.

Wednesday's announcement means Prime Minister Narendra Modi won't be going to Venezuela. The last time an Indian Prime Minister did not attend a NAM Summit was in 1979 when Charan Singh was the caretaker Prime Minister.

The year's summit is expected to bring together leaders from the 120 developing countries that are members of NAM.

"The NAM Summits are among the largest gathering of countries, after the United Nations," the ministry statement said.

India, one of the founding members of the Movement, hosted the 7th NAM Summit in 1983 in New Delhi. The last NAM Summit was hosted by Iran in 2012.

NAM today comprises 53 countries from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean and two from Europe.

There are 17 countries and 10 international organisations that are observers at NAM, which came into being 55 years ago when leaders of 25 developing countries met at the 1961 Belgrade Conference.

"The Summit is expected to deliberate on issues of contemporary relevance and concern such as terrorism, UN reform, the situation in West Asia, threats to peace and security, UN peacekeeping operations, climate change, sustainable development, economic governance, South-South cooperation, refugees and migrants, and nuclear disarmament," the statement said.

It said that NAM was also an important forum for interaction with partner countries across continents, including from Africa, CARICOM, small island developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries LDCs, with whom India has longstanding development partnerships in a spirit of South-South cooperation.

"NAM continues to represent space for action in pursuance of the collective interests of the developing world, along with the G-77, especially on subjects such as the reform of the global economic system and disarmament," the statement said.
New Delhi, Sep 14 : The Aam Aadmi Party government on Wednesday asserted in the Delhi High Court that less number of dengue and chikungunya cases were reported in the national capital this year compared to last year.

The government told a division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal that it had been taking measures to control vector-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya and malaria.

"Owing to the early start of preparatory activities of GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi), this core mandate has been effectively discharged. Number of dengue fever cases reported are less in comparison with previous year in spite of early and more rainfall this year," the government affidavit said.

It said four deaths have been reported due to dengue till September 10. As many as 1,158 dengue cases were reported, including 804 patients from Delhi and 354 living outside Delhi.

As many as 1,057 cases of chikungunya were reported but no death was attributed to this disease till September 10, said the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).

As per media reports, chikungunya has so far killed 10 people in the national capital.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by lawyer Shahid Ali who accused the Delhi government and the three municipal corporations of not acting vigilantly and responsibly in tackling mosquito-borne diseases.

The bench asked Ali to file suggestion on the steps to be taken on the issue and posted the matter for September 20.
ZURICH, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Clariant's hunt for U.S. oil- and gas-related assets paid off on Wednesday as the Swiss chemical maker bought two Texas-based businesses whose products are used in drilling, fracking and other processes needed by energy customers.

Chief Executive Hariolf Kottman has lamented that the North American footprint of his oil-chemicals business was too small, prompting him to seek takeovers.

Low oil and gas prices have put pressure on acquisition targets, he has said, creating potential opportunities for Clariant.

Clariant is buying Kel-Tech Inc. of Midland, Texas, from private equity firm Arsenal Capital Partners and Irving, Texas-based X-Chem from NCH Corporation, with the deal to be completed on Oct. 1.

"It is part of our global strategy to seize business opportunities in key markets with excellent future prospects through innovations and bolt-on acquisitions," Kottman said in a statement.

"These acquisitions allow us to strengthen our position in one of the world's largest specialty chemicals markets."

The two firms will add about $200 million to Clariant's annual sales of about 5.8 billion Swiss francs ($5.93 billion), it said in a statement, adding it is paying for the businesses in cash. It gave no further financial details.

Kel-Tech and X-Chem are active in the oil-rich Permian Basin stretching from Texas to New Mexico which has become the biggest and fastest-growing U.S. shale oil field.

Clariant will profit from its expanded presence in the sector especially once energy prices recover, analysts from Zuercher Kantonalbank said in a note to investors.

U.S. oil and gas exploration and production company Apache Corp this month said it made a significant discovery in the Permian containing an estimated 3 billion barrels of oil and 75 trillion cubic feet of gas.

Clariant's specialty chemicals help stimulate production at oil and gas wells, separate solids from oil and reduce corrosion in pipelines, among other energy-related applications.

($1 = 0.9774 Swiss francs) (Reporting by John Miller; editing by Jason Neely)
New Delhi, Sep 14 : Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung on Wednesday appealed to the people to rise above considerations of politics and fight chikungunya and dengue diseases unitedly.

An LG office statement said Jung held a meeting to review the situation in the wake of chikungunya and dengue cases reported in the national capital.

"I appeal to all to rise above political considerations and fight the menace unitedly. Historically, in emergencies, people have come together and fought. That is what is required now," he said.

The Lt. Governor also urged all stakeholders to make all-out efforts to check dengue and chikungunya cases.

According to the statement, Jung urged Delhi residents to prevent stagnation of water in overhead tanks and keeping water in containers/utensils for long time, apart from keeping such containers covered.

The meeting was attended by Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Chief Secretary K.K. Sharma, Health Secretary Chandrakar Bharti along with the New Delhi Municipal Council Chairman and all three municipal commissioners as well as Medical Superintendents of all major hospitals of Delhi.

Representatives of the civic bodies told the meeting that fogging was being done regularly in their respective areas to tackle such cases.

The Medical Superintendents of hospitals assured that sufficient beds were available to treat dengue and chikungunya cases and that sufficient stocks of medicines and diagnostic kits were available.

Jain said private hospitals must not misuse the situation to exploit patients and asked people not to panic. He said the government had cancelled the leave of all government hospital staff.

The Lt. Governor directed the officials to ensure that hospitals, clinics and laboratories do not turn away any critical case of chikungunya or dengue.

"Though the hospitals and staff are under tremendous pressure, they must rise to the occasion to meet the challenge," Jung said in the meeting.

The Lt. Governor also directed the municipal agencies to mount full-scale efforts to check mosquito breeding and follow a targeted approach, based on pockets of high incidence and to carry out fumigation in vulnerable areas.
New Delhi, Sep 14 : A nine-month baby girl suffering from dengue symptoms died after being denied admission in a prominent Delhi government hospital, her father said on Wednesday.

The father, Dharmendra, a security guard with the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, said his daughter was taken to the hospital after she suffered from vomitting, loose motion and high fever on September 7.

"As a hospital employee I knew the initial procedure and accordingly fulfilled the formalities and later took my daughter for medical check up at the paediatric ward and met its head," the anguished father told IANS.

"Though he admitted to the seriousness of the condition, the doctor refused to admit my daughter or go for any blood test at the hospital," he said.

Stating that the doctor recommended some medicines to stop vomitting and fever, Dharmendra said despite suspicion of dengue, the doctor promised that the blood test would be done the next day.

When the patient was taken on September 8, the father was told to come a day later.

According to Dharmendra, he visited the doctor and the paediatric department on September 9 and 10 even as his daughter's condition deteriorated.

The hospital authorities kept denying the blood test citing various reasons, delaying medication.

On September 11, Dharmendra again rushed to the hospital seeking assistance after his daughter's health slipped further. Again, she was not given admission. The girl then died.

"We pleaded with the doctor to admit her and even approached other hospital authorities but all went in vain. My daughter passed away," the man told IANS.

The hospital's Medical Superintendent, Amita Saxena, told IANS: "We have received a complaint from the father. We are looking into the matter."
New Delhi, Sep 14 : Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday suggested the setting up of an Afghan-India Task Force by both governments and chambers of commerce to take forward the India-Afghanistan strategic relationship.

"The Task Force could meet during the Heart of Asia conference in December in India," Ghani said here.

He was delivering his keynote address at a business meeting jointly organised by industry chambers FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM on the sidelines of the Afghan President's two-day official visit to India, "The allocation of $1 billion by Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards rebuilding the economy of Afghanistan is a statement of belief in the strategic partnership between the two countries," Ghani said.

He also urged the business chambers of both countries to contribute towards Afghanistan's efforts by setting up a target of $10 billion in trade and investment in the next five years.

On connectivity, Ghani said that cargo flights had major capabilities and could be used for transporting Afghan goods in demand to India.

"And Indian products like tea could travel back to Afghanistan creating a value chain which can be affordable and sustainable," he said, adding that Kabul also looked to New Delhi to set up dry ports in his country.

In this connection, an agreement was signed earlier this year by India, Iran and Afghanistan of the Chabahar trilateral transit and trade corridor deal that will ensure easy movement of goods between the three countries, bypassing Pakistan.

India is to invest up to $500 million in the project to develop Iran's Chabahar port, located on the coast of Gulf of Oman and over 70 km from Pakistan's Gwadar port that China is developing.

The Chabahar port transport and transit corridor would help link trade routes from the Indian Ocean to Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond.

In his address at the event, Minister of State of External Affairs V.K. Singh said the strategic partnership between India and Afghanistan had been growing steadily and now was the time to take trade and investment between the two countries to the next level.
Jammu, Sep 14 : Tension gripped Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Wednesday as some members of the Muslim community were beaten up by unidentified assailants for slaughtering a camel on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, officials said.

Reports here said that the incident occurred in the Palma village of Rajouri in Jammu region when the Muslim men slaughtered the camel on Eid day on Tuesday.

As news of the assault spread in the Muslim-majority district, tension gripped the area and police was deployed to prevent any untoward incident, officials said.
Geneva/New Delhi, Sep 14 : India and Pakistan faced off strongly on Kashmir at the UN Human Rights Council, with Islamabad alleging "atrocities" on civilians even as New Delhi hit back, accusing the neighbour of using terrorism as a state policy and of "widespread human rights violations" there, especially Balochistan.

As Pakistan welcomed the UN Human Rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein saying that an international probe to Kashmir was "critically needed", and said the visit would "help address the culture of impunity prevailing there", India made a strong rebuttal - rejecting Pakistan's "continued misuse of the Council to make tendentious references about internal matters" relating to Jammu and Kashmir.

This, India said, stems from "Pakistan's territorial ambitions over Kashmir that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions" and that Pakistan "continues to be in illegal occupation" of a large part of territory in Jammu and Kashmir.

It said the cause for the nearly 70-day unrest in Kashmir is due to "cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan which has provided active support since 1989 to separatist groups and terrorist elements including those operating from the territory under Pakistan's control".

India said that many countries have "repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure; and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism".

Rebutting Pakistan's allegations of human rights violations in India, the statement said that while New Delhi's credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society are well established, Islamabad is "characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country including Balochistan".

"The institutions of governance in Pakistan have corroded to such an extent that it has become a hub for the global export of terror."

"It will be in the fitness of things if instead of ritually raking up alleged human rights violations elsewhere, Pakistan were to focus its energies on improving human rights situation within Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir," the statement said.

It said that Islamabad must also "act against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours who are roaming freely in Pakistan with impunity, so that terrorism emanating from Pakistan - the gravest risk for peace and stability of the region - could be addressed effectively".

In another interjection at the UN Human Rights Council, India said that Pakistan "systematically abused and violated the human rights of its own citizens, including in Balochistan, as well as of the people of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. While advocating restraint to others, it has no hesitation in using air power against its own people. Pakistan also continues to provide sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists".

India said that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India and will always remain so.

It said that the people of Pakistan as well as Pakistan Administered Kashmir "have become victims of sectarian conflict, terrorism and extreme economic hardship due to Pakistan's authoritarian and discriminatory policies in complete disregard of human rights".

"The heart of the matter is that we are dealing with a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft. The world watches with concern as the consequences of Pakistan's actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbor. All of us stand prepared to help, if only the creators of this monster wake up to the dangers of what they have done to themselves," India said.

Earlier, Pakistan termed the "claims of restraint shown by India as simply preposterous" and said the "Indian obduracy in disallowing outside observers to Indian-administered Kashmir is testimony to the fact that the Indian government wishes to hide atrocities unleashed against the Kashmiri people".

The diplomatic slugfest comes as unrest in Kashmir nears 70 days, with over 80 people killed in clashes with security forces since July 9, after the gunning down of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani by security forces.
Bengaluru, Sep 14 : Global software major Infosys Ltd on Wednesday signed a pact with Italian power equipment producer Ansaldo Energia to provide engineering services.

"We will provide research and development service delivery and capabilities, along with engineering services to the enlarged Ansaldo Energia business," said the IT outsourcing firm in a statement here.

The Genoa-based Ansaldo supports public and private sector producers with a range of plant engineering, manufacturing and service activities.

"We will expand our global service delivery network into Eastern Europe and Russia's heavy engineering sector by setting up development centres at Karlovac in Croatia and Moscow," the statement said.

The new facilities will have initially 180 seats and operate as centres of excellence for engineering skills in turbo machinery, aerospace and automotive.

Both the centres will also support a wide roster of engineering clients, including those Ansaldo supports with plant engineering, manufacturing and services.

"The agreement with Ansaldo is a landmark in the development of our engineering services capabilities. Apart from providing services in the development of new gas turbines, the strengthening of design services capabilities comes when the industry is looking at digital design services to transform the cost and speed of production of industrial equipment," said Infosys President Sandeep Dadlani in the statement.

Croatia and Russia have a wealth of heavy engineering skills, enabling the delivery of essential support services to sectors including energy generation, transportation and exploration, it said.
Cruise Planners agents help travelers with Passport services If your passport expires in the next year or two, we recommend starting the renewal process months in advance, not just weeks, said Vicky Garcia, COO and co-owner of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative.

The number of Americans applying for passport renewals is surging this year and is expected to increase through 2018, causing delays in the renewal process. Cruise Planners travel advisors have access to the largest and most well-established travel visa and passport company in the world to assist clients with obtaining the proper travel documentation during this time.

Cruise Planners travel advisors help travelers with an easy way to process passports and documents accurately and swiftly, said Vicky Garcia, COO of Cruise Planners. At Cruise Planners, we partner with the right companies to equip our agents with the tools needed to be efficient full-service travel agents.

This backlog in passport renewals is the result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which came into effect in 2006, requiring U.S. citizens and legitimate international travelers to present passports when returning by air from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The surge of passports issued in 2006 are now reaching their 10-year expiration, resulting in an estimated 18 million new passports and renewals expected to be issued this year.

Processing time for renewals is estimated to be six weeks this year, an increase from last years four-week average. Cruise Planners now offers expedited passport and visa processing without requiring in-person appointments. Your Cruise Planners travel advisor is able to help process paperwork and apply for any visas that may be needed for your travels. Adults requesting a passport for the first time must submit an application and $135 fee in person at selected post offices, courthouses, or other designated agencies.

If your passport expires in the next year or two, we recommend starting the renewal process months in advance, not just weeks, Garcia said. This way when an international vacation opportunity arises, you arent held back by paperwork issues. Right now, there are great last-minute airfare rates to parts of Europe, so starting the process early also prevents extra fees for expedited services.

Travelers may be able to circumvent passport requirements when traveling on closed-loop cruises departing from and returning to the same U.S. city. However, Cruise Planners always recommends travelers carry a passport when visiting international destinations for identification and emergency purposes. Cruise Planners also has a Passport Vault within its mobile application so clients can access a virtual copy of their passport from anywhere in the world.

We make it easy for travelers to explore the world, said Garcia. Passport assistance is just one more service we proudly offer our valued clients.

To locate a travel agent near you, visit http://www.cruiseplanners.com/.

About Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is the nations largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry. Cruise Planners operates a network of more than 1,400 franchise owners who independently book amazing vacation and travel experiences for their clients. The Florida-based Home Office Team positions a nation-wide network of franchise owners for success by providing innovative marketing, booking and technology tools, as well as professional development and hands-on training with the industrys top executives. The company continues to be lauded and has been named the No.1 travel franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 13 consecutive years. Cruise Planners was recently featured in Entrepreneur as one of the top 30 franchise innovators in technology, has been consistently named as one of the Top Women-Owned Businesses by the South Florida Business Journal, is on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, has been ranked as the #1 travel franchise by Franchise Business Review for 5 years in a row, and was recognized as one of the Top Workplaces by the Sun Sentinel since it started ranking companies.

Headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla. with more than 22 years of experience, Cruise Planners has achieved top producer status with every major cruise line. Accolades include numerous Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly for the past seven years, American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award for 11 consecutive years (2004-2014), American Express Agency of the Year (2010), Royal Caribbean International Chairmans Award (2015), Royal Caribbean International Presidents Award for Overall Achievement (2012 and 2014), Royal Caribbean International Home-Based Partner of the Year (2007-2013), Norwegian Cruise Line Franchise Agency of the Year (2011-2015), Celebrity Cruises Field Sales Account of the Year (2015), Celebrity Cruises Home-Based Account of the Year (2013-2014) and Celebrity Cruises Southeast Region Travel Agent Partner of the Year (2010), American Express Vacations Best of the Best Globe Award (2008-2015), Globus Family of Brands Premier Agency Partner (2009-2014), Platinum Member of the 500 Club for Sales Excellence (2014), Platinum Circle Member with Viking River Cruises (2009-2012), Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Top Producer (2008-2014) and Regent Seven Seas Cruises Top Producer. Cruise Planners is one of the Top 50 franchises for Veterans according to GI magazine, the Top Franchise Brand for Veterans according to Franchise Business Review, has been named one of the Top 25 franchises for African-Americans by Black Enterprise magazine and is a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. For more information, visit http://www.cruiseplanners.com.

Stay in Touch: Media can stay up-to-date with Cruise Planners by visiting our media room, following us on Twitter @Cruisitude or on Facebook. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should locate a travel advisor near them. For those interested in becoming a franchise owner, please visit our franchise website.
Gramercy Court This community has been tremendous success as weve been selling our townhomes quicker than we can build them

Icon Residential recently broke ground on the first units in their new community, Gramercy Court, located in Downtown Dunedin. Gramercy Court is comprised of a collection of 48 contemporary townhomes featuring 4 unique floorplans ranging from 1,600 and 2,300 square-feet, priced from the $300. The community design is a charming Anglo Caribbean architecture revolving around bigger city, new urban design principles that make communities like Seaside and Rosemary Beach in the Panhandle of Florida such a regional draw. We wanted to bring a high density urban city environment to Dunedin. It's simply considered smart growth, while respecting the small town charm and social fabric Downtown Dunedin offers, said Icon Residential Principal Ryan Studzinski.

Townhouses feature high end appliances, spacious floor plan designs, and a collection of designer finish packages to suit your individual style. Janet Jackson with Crestview Reality is the exclusive agent selling the homes and the sales office will be located at 951 Broadway, Dunedin, FL 34698.

Located blocks from the scenic Florida intercoastal and a short drive from nationally notorious Clearwater Beach and Honeymoon Island, Gramercy Court holds in its traditional design with light-immersing large windows, optional elevators, concrete block construction for sound insulation and balconies facing the lushly landscaped community greenspace where homeowners can enjoy the beautiful Dunedin weather while saying hello to their neighbors.

Gramercy Court is located in the center of Dunedin, a small town with a lot of character, countless restaurants, shopping, and access to some of the worlds best beaches at the foot of your doorstep.

We specialize in developing attractively designed townhomes in desirable infill locations across the Southeast US, said Icon Residential Principal Mike Bednarski, a managing partner with the developer. Our teams core strategy is to re-urbanize alluring neighborhoods near city centers that offer a live-work-play environment., explained Bednarski. Exclusive agent Janet Jackson said, this community has been a tremendous success, as weve been selling our townhomes quicker than we can build them. Janet continued, we are getting a lot of empty nesters and families that have been craving a moderately priced but luxury housing product that downtown Dunedin has lacked for decades. Homeowners love the fact that they can walk to the bars, restaurants and stores on Main Street and be part of such a friendly and social community such as Dunedin.

About Icon Residential Development

Founded in Tampa, FL in 2009 by Principals Mike Bednarski, Ryan Studzinski and Peggy Tseung, Icon Residential is a real estate investment and development company, with a strong background in residential real estate investing, construction, brokerage and development.

Icon embraces New Urbanist design principles, such as accessibility to an active urban environment, and promotes the opportunity for a live, work, play lifestyle. The companys market approach is tailored to contemporary for-sale housing targeting middle income households and empty nesters primarily in the southeastern United States where it creates innovative and desirable custom solutions for infill, for-sale housing. Icons portfolio contains a growing collection of boutique urban communities that showcase the companys innovative approach to architecture, design and planning. Icon Residential has offices in Tampa, Atlanta and New York. For more information, please visit http://www.iconresliving.com or email info(at)iconresliving(dot)com.
Kadho and IBM Smart Robot

Kadho, Inc., that has launched a series of successful educational apps to teach children up to seven-years of age foreign languages has now partnered with IBM Watson to bring Mochu, an Al-based interactive toy, to market with an initial focus on launch in China. Mochu will initially help Chinese children learn English, according to Dr. Kaveh Azartash, CEO and co-founder of Kadho Inc.

Kadho, a cognition training company that has achieved great success with its neuro-science early learning language apps and software, has marked a new milestone in its short history with the development of the Mochu toy. It is the companys first neuroscience-based and artificially intelligent toy designed to teach children to understand and speak a foreign language with great pronunciation.

Mochu was developed by Kadho Inc. in conjunction with IBMs software entity, Watson. Last December, the two entered into a partnership agreement in order to bring an educational technology focused on Kadhos English teaching curriculum to Mandarin-speaking children in China.

Since that time, studies show that Mochu is a very entertaining and lovable toy, explains Azartash, one that is doing exactly what we had intended it to do: accelerate the language learning process.

During its initial testing conducted in Beijing and Zhengzhou in China, Kadho partnered up with various Chinese educational institutes to better design the learning experience. The goal was to first establish a strong bonding between Mochu and the child and then introduce and motivate a childs neuro-pathways to embed fundamental English sounds to help them learn English. By engaging with Mochu, a childs developing brain is able to build the neural architecture for the English sound system (or other languages).

We are pleased that we are now utilizing IBM Watson as a very powerful cognitive system, in conjunction with our own proprietary adaptive software, to bring an immersive learning experience to Chinese classrooms, says Dr. Azartash. He went on to add, I believe Mochu will revolutionize the English teaching ecosystem in China.

Mochu has been in the R&D stage since 2014 when renowned linguists and scientists such as Dr. Noam Chomsky began to support Kadhos Neurofoundation methodologya platform geared to teach foreign languages to children. Since that time, Kadho has been working with neuroscientists and linguists from around the world and has published many studies that prove the efficacy of its methodology.

Mochu is also scheduled to hit the stores throughout China in early 2017, bringing the first and only artificial intelligence and neuroscience-based English teaching toy to the market. Educators, media and other interested parties are welcomed to experience a hands-on demo prior to launch.

Background

IBM Watson: Watson is the first commercially available cognitive computing capability representing a new era in computing. Watson analyzes high volumes of data and processes information more like a human than a computerby understanding natural language, generating hypotheses based on evidence, and learning as it goes.

As organizations work to make more data-driven decisions with 2.5 billion gigabytes of data being created every single day, they need advanced systems that are able to crunch massive amounts of structured and unstructured data and deliver actionable insights within seconds. Watson now powers new consumer and enterprise services in the health care, financial services, retail and education markets. IBM has also opened the Watson platform to developers and entrepreneurs, enabling them to build and bring to market their own powered-by- Watson applications for a variety of industries. http://www.ibm.com/watson/

Kadho, Inc: is a educational technology startup company co-founded by two neuroscientists from the University of California, Irvine and is currently incubated at EvoNexus. Dr. Kaveh Azartash and Dr. Dhonam Pemba founded their California-based corporation in 2014 which has rapidly gained widespread recognition by the worlds top scientists and educational institutes such as Montessori schools for their products. Kadho has worked with a team of linguists and scientists from Stanford, MIT, UCLA, and UCSD, since 2008, to develop its propitiatory Neurofoundation curriculum. Kadho is committed to combining neuroscience and technology through fun and interactive platforms so that children from around the world can learn to both understand and speak foreign languages with perfect pronunciation.; no accent. For more information please visit http://www.kadho.com
(Adds PHMSA statement)

By Devika Krishna Kumar

NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Colonial Pipeline Co, the largest refined products system in the United States, on Wednesday increased its estimate of a gasoline leak in Alabama by about six times, but maintained it would restart the affected line completely by the weekend.

The pipeline said about 6,000 barrels of gasoline spilled in Shelby County, Alabama, up from an earlier estimate on Tuesday of about 1,000 barrels.

The company shut down its main gasoline and distillates lines on Friday after discovering the leak. It has since restarted Line 2, its distillate line, and said it expected to restart Line 1, its gasoline line, completely by this weekend.

Some traders said it might take longer than estimated for Colonial to restart Line 1 entirely, since the cause of the leak had not yet been determined.

Colonial spokesman Steve Baker said in an email that the company knew the exact location of the leak but the cause would take longer to determine.

"The pipe will be examined ... The weekend restart projection is unchanged," Baker said.

Colonial said it can currently operate Line 1 from Gulf Coast refineries, which helps them clear some of their product from storage. As a contingency plan, Colonial has said it would pump some gasoline on Line 2.

"We will be able to operate Line 1 from Atlanta onward once gasoline deliveries on Line 2 reach that point of our system," Baker said.

The gasoline released is contained in one of three nearby mine water retention ponds and there has been no threat to public health or safety, Colonial said on Wednesday.

About 500 employees and contractors are working on the response and the company is preparing for excavation and repair.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) said it had deployed investigators to Shelby.

Its pipeline safety experts are investigating the cause of the leak, a PHMSA spokesman said in an email.

The pipeline connects Gulf Coast refineries with markets across the southern and eastern United States through more than 5,500 miles of its pipeline system, delivering gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined products.

Story continues

Colonial's Line 1, with a capacity of 1.2 million barrels per day, runs to Greensboro, North Carolina from Houston.

The outage has weakened cash prices in the U.S. Gulf Coast over the last two days. Some traders said taking out supply to the East Coast could start to alleviate the glut of domestic gasoline in that region.

(Reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar in New York; Editing by Chris Reese and Andrew Hay)
As an inbound marketing leader within the Microsoft Partner community, Marketing Monarchs helps independent software vendors and partners develop, execute and manage effective social media strategies. Social Media services include social channel planning and training; event-based social messaging execution; video creation and custom programming  all driven by years of social channel pioneering and marketplace experience.

We are delighted to have Marketing Monarchs become a member of The Alliance For Channel Success, said Jeff Hilton, Founder, The Alliance For Channel Success. his domain knowledge of Social Media and his experience within the Microsoft Dynamics Partner community complements our existing skills nicely. This is particularly timely given that many Partners, especially those in the Dynamics space will need to rethink how they go to market to sell the upcoming release of the cloud-based Dynamics 365 solution.

The Alliance For Channel Success is an elite group of domain experts that provides content, services, and solutions to help partner-facing organizations recruit, onboard, enable, and accelerate their partners success.

Were excited to be invited to be part of this successful group of vendors who have helped shape may of the successful marketing and sales initiatives that have driven millions of dollars for Microsoft Partners. stated Jon Rivers, Founder and President of Marketing Monarchs. Our years or work within the partner ecosystem, combined with our extensive knowledge utilizing Social Media to reach its unique target audiences, has afforded us the opportunity to introduce more effective and successful marketing and sales initiatives at partner organizations. This partnership will help us and The Alliance For Channel Success to expand our reach in helping more partners achieve their goals through strategic marketing program development, added Rivers.

Marketing Monarchs will attend the 2016 reIMAGINE, September 19  21, in Fargo, ND as a session speaker.

Microsoft Partners are invited to contact Marketing Monarchs to learn more about their social media management and The Alliance For Channel Success services. For more information on The Alliance For Channel Success visit http://allianceforchannelsuccess.com

About Marketing Monarchs

Marketing Monarchs is a marketing company focused on social media management and go-to market strategy development, specializing in serving the Microsoft Partner community. The company provides services to Microsoft Partners that assist them with leveraging social media technology and strategies to strengthen brand awareness, promote products and services and increase engagement with their unique target audiences. For more information on Marketing Monarchs visit http://marketingmonarchs.com/
DPR and Chade Meng Tan First Google your mind, then Google the Googler.  Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

On August 26, 2016, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, founder and director of Nalandabodhi, who does not shy away from using technology to share the teachings of the Buddha, spent the day at Googleplex in Silicon Valley. After touring the facilities, Rinpoche gave a talk to Google staff.

Rinpoche arrived mid-morning at the sprawling campus of Googles global headquarters in Mountain View, California, known affectionately as Googleplex. This year Google topped Facebook on Business Insiders list of the 50 best companies to work for in America, encouraging mindfulness practice as well as technology education among its employees, and providing free healthy meals, fitness facilities, generous paid parental leave and onsite childcare.

On his arrival, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche was welcomed by Chade-Meng Tan, known as Googles champion of personal growth and author of the book Search Inside Yourself. Together with Tom Van Waardhuizen and other Google friends, Meng showed Rinpoche around the Google campus. The first stop for Rinpoche was a facility featuring a wrap-around, multi-screen display of Google Earth, where Chade-Meng took Rinpoche on a virtual tour of sacred places and monasteries in India and Tibet. Next, the group had lunch with key Google staff who shared with Rinpoche the many initiatives in evidence throughout the Googleplex facilities, including yoga halls, fitness centers and meditation rooms, which employees are encouraged to use at any time. Rinpoche was very interested and happy to learn about Googles efforts to promote wellbeing among its staff.

The group then boarded a shuttle to their final destination at Googleplexthe hall where Rinpoche was to speak to Google staff. The talk was streamed live to Google offices around the world and the full recording is now available at Talks at Google on YouTube and via links posted through the many Google social media outlets.

After touring the sprawling campus of Google in Mountain View, California, Rinpoche and the group arrived at the building where staff had assembled for a talk on Searching for the Searcher. In his opening comments, Tom Van Waardhuizen welcomed the webcast audience and introduced Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, asking him to teach the staff how to Google the Googler. Rinpoche explained that when one becomes familiar with the mind's patterns, the mind's ultimate nature, innate freedom, also opens up. Rinpoche explored how mindfulness practice can reveal pleasant surprises about ourselves, the ones who are searching for happiness.

Rinpoche suggested that if we could chart our browsing history over time, organizing it by categories and trends, we would have a good idea of who we are. Rinpoche explained that meditation is a process by which one becomes familiar with one's mind. Its like Googling the mind. But, Rinpoche added, "Once we have a good idea what that mind is, it is very helpful to look directly at the one who is looking, to 'Google the Googler.' At the end of his talk, after taking a few questions from the audience, Rinpoche signed copies of his new book, Emotional Rescue.
Greater Intell giDocs ITM for Kaseya VSA has changed the way I do my job, said Randy Spangler, President of MERIT Solutions in Chesapeake, VA. Greater Intells intimate knowledge of Kaseya and their insight into MSP business operations is apparent in this solution.."

Greater Intell, a leading provider of software and services for IT Management (ITM) platforms, today announced the general availability release of giDocs ITM 5.0 for Kaseya VSA. Designed for MSPs & IT departments, giDocs ITM for Kaseya VSA eliminates the time wasted locating critical information and legacy content by seamlessly integrating advanced document management with the power of Kaseya. MSPs and IT Departments are using giDocs ITM for Kaseya VSA to instantly access Kaseya organization and asset associated information, streamlining their operations and creating new services to drive growth.

The advancement of multiple technologies brings a new set of challenges for IT managers and Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Rapid growth in smart phone adoption, cloud computing, and digital documents have combined to create an unmanageable proliferation of files spread around many systems. Finding relevant documents, ensuring security for them, and using them to deliver services has become more difficult and inefficient. Simultaneously, the expectations and demands from customers have also increased and traditional document management solutions cannot keep up.

giDocs ITM 5.0 for Kaseya VSA was built to directly address these challenges. It provides seamless integration with organizations and assets in Kaseya VSA, delivering secure instant access to documents associated with these orgs and assets anytime, anywhere, from any device.

giDocs ITM for Kaseya VSA has changed the way I do my job, said Randy Spangler, President of MERIT Solutions in Chesapeake, VA. Greater Intells intimate knowledge of Kaseya and their insight into MSP business operations is apparent in this solution. We are able to find the exact information for any client and user when we need it  and then deliver the necessary service based upon instantaneous availability of this information. My clients are getting better service which provides me with an advantage over my competition. My clients are rewarding me with renewed business, referrals and curiosity about additional services. This solution will drive growth within my business.

Im very pleased to see Kaseyas Technology Alliance Partners, such as Greater Intell, developing innovative solutions that create new business value for our customers worldwide, said Mike Puglia, Chief Product Officer for Kaseya. Kaseya provides open and complete IT management solutions that deliver excellent customer experiences. Were proud to have a leading partner program that creates great benefit to our customers. This new solution from Greater Intell further demonstrates our commitment to helping our customers and partners succeed.

In building giDocs ITM 5.0, Greater Intell has combined Kaseya VSAs extensible design with their intimate understanding of Kaseyas architecture to create a new type of solution for the Kaseya community. We really wanted to take a step back and look at what document management challenges Managed Service Providers and IT administrators were facing as they try to serve users and grow their businesses, said Jon Mandell, Greater Intells President. We set out to create a transformational solution that will enable unprecedented levels of service and efficiency for the IT Management industry.

Added Mandell, Greater Intell is proud to be one of the first TAP partners to participate in Kaseyas recently announced Automation Exchange community. With giDocs as part of this open ecosystem, customers will have greater access to the best-in-breed technology solutions that meet their business needs.

About Greater Intell

Greater Intell is a leading provider of software products and professional services for IT Management Platforms. Greater Intell's solutions enable Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT management to maximize their productivity and the return on investment of their information technology. The company's experienced executive team is widely recognized in the industry as experts on the Kaseya IT Management Platform and other leading solutions in the category. Greater Intell is committed to its customers' IT efficiency and business success. Its growing customer base includes a range of industries, including healthcare, education, business services, and software firms. The company is headquartered in Kirkland, Wash. and is privately held. To learn more, please visit http://www.greaterintell.com/.

About Kaseya

Kaseya is the leading provider of complete IT Management solutions for Managed Service Providers and small to midsized businesses. Kaseya allows organizations to efficiently manage and secure IT in order to drive IT service and business success. Offered as both an industry-leading cloud solution and on-premise software, Kaseya solutions empower businesses to command all of IT centrally, manage remote and distributed environments with ease, and automate across IT management functions. Kaseya solutions currently manage over 10 million endpoints worldwide and are in use by customers in a wide variety of industries, including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, education, government, media, technology, finance, and more. Kaseya, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland is privately held with a presence in over 20 countries. To learn more, please visit http://www.kaseya.com.
AVSystem expands its presence in the Middle East being chosen by Bahrains major telecom operator and member of the STC Group.

VIVA Bahrain has selected AVSystems device management and IoT platform as it showed a significant prevalence over other solutions currently available on the market. AVSystems product will be brought into play as a comprehensive system for M2M service management and IoT monitoring in LTE environment.

The main goal is providing VIVA Bahrain with a wide set of features such as connectivity service enablement and extensive device and IoT monitoring, giving a deep insight into the networks performance. As a service enabling platform it allows to introduce the new IoT concept for residential and enterprise subscribers and to cover desired M2M business models for wide range of businesses  from traffic light to automotive management. With advanced Customer Care and Self-Management being the operators major focus, quickly solving all clients issues and proactively fixing any problems discovered in the network is a must. Thanks to AVSystem solution equipped with predictive maintenance engine, this will become not only possible but also surprisingly easy. Furthermore, delivered solution involves M2M service enablement (fleet management) and M2M gateway monitoring using the upcoming OMA LWM2M protocol, thereby extending AVSystems IoT use cases portfolio.

This is a very exciting project for AVSystem says Slawomir Wolf, CEO of AVSystem. We will provide VIVA Bahrain with our top-notch solution for B2B and B2C service management and monitoring over a set of LWM2M, MQTT, SNMP and TR-069 technologies. We expect this fruitful cooperation to expand in the upcoming months when the ideas around IoT in service providers networks become solid.

VIVA Bahrain is one of the first companies selecting OMA LWM2M as the technology empowering upcoming IoT and current M2M services.

About AVSystem

AVSystem is an expert in large scale device management and monitoring systems combining different devices (xDSL, Cable, LTE dongles, femtocells, FTTh ONT) and different protocols (TR-069, OMA LWM2M, OMA DM, SNMP, etc). AVSystems key technology lets Telco Operators monitor the QoE of networks and services based on data collected, even every few minutes, directly from end-users devices. 60+ large telco operators worldwide prove the superiority of AVSystems technology. For further information please visit: http://www.avsystem.com.

About VIVA Bahrain

VIVA Bahrain is a fully owned subsidiary of the Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC), and launched its commercial services in March 2010 with the aim of transforming the telecommunications landscape in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Since entering Bahrain telecom market, VIVA has become the market leader in mobile broadband and voice.
Industrial Louvers, Inc. (ILI), a manufacturer of custom architectural products, announces that it is the first U.S.-based manufacturing company to have earned a Just Label. Participation in the Just Program is an opportunity for organizations to demonstrate their leadership in many areas of corporate social responsibility. The programs justice and equity indicators include treatment of employees, diversity and inclusion, local sourcing and purchasing, worker benefits, workplace safety and community stewardship. The program requires reporting on 19 of 22 performance indicators in six categories. ILI reported data on 21 indicators.

Francis Janes, Just Program manager for International Living Future Institute (ILFI), explains: In a relatively short time frame since program launch, the Just Program has garnered worldwide interest and is helping organizations develop better employee engagement policies and community stewardship practices. ILFI is very pleased to announce that Industrial Louvers has joined the ranks of Just Labeled organizations with the distinction of being the first U.S.-based manufacturer to earn the Just Label. The Just Label reflects Industrial Louvers long-standing commitment to sustainability and social equity practices.

ILI first embarked on the project as part of a larger corporate responsibility and sustainability effort, says Jo Reinhardt, CEO of ILI. We realized that for our products to be truly sustainable, we need to evaluate how our practices influence our people and community as well as the environment. Our core values have always included a strong commitment to our employees, and we strive to provide transparency in our organization. The Just Label helps us illustrate those commitments.

Participation in the program prompted ILI to formalize some of the companys positive initiatives, like charitable giving, local purchasing and identifying target areas for future improvement, such as continuing education. The company is proud of its performance scores, particularly in indicators such as pay scale equity. According to the AFL-CIO, CEOs are paid, on average, 331 times the average worker. At ILI, the CEO is paid less than a 15:1 ratio, the best performance level available for the indicator. This demonstrates that at ILI, executives do not draw on a disproportionate share of the benefits of the employees work. Other areas proved more difficult, particularly for a manufacturing company. The Just Label calls for a 50-50 split between men and women in the workforce. Even though the company is woman-owned and -operated, and half of the senior managers are women, a 50-50 split across the entire workforce is currently impossible to achieve. The Sheet Metal Workers Union reports that only 1.56 percent of available manufacturing workers are women. ILI outperforms the average manufacturer with nearly 10 percent women in its factory. We will continue to focus on recruiting and retaining more women, explains Reinhardt. But overall, we are very proud of our leadership in this area.

ILIs business strategy focuses on driving positive change in environmental sustainability and social justice in its industry sector. This commitment goes beyond its own operations and providing products for green building projects. The company encourages the efforts of organizations that promote sustainability, environmental awareness and social justice throughout the industry. It supports the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Minnesota chapter of the USGBC, the Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC), and ILFI through sponsorships, leadership roles and volunteerism. ILIs Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professionals provide training for staff, sales representatives and the industry on a variety of topics related to green building.

To learn more about Industrial Louvers or to view the companys Just Label, visit IndustrialLouvers.com. For information on the Just Program, visit JustOrganizations.com.

About Industrial Louvers, Inc.

ILI is a customer-focused, woman-owned and -operated manufacturer of custom architectural metal products, including architectural louvers, equipment screens, decorative grilles, sunshades and column covers. Since 1971, we have been helping meet the needs of designers, contractors and subcontractors across all segments of the construction industry. Our position as a leader in the industry is based on our reputation for manufacturing products of the highest quality and craftsmanship and providing unmatched customer service.

About International Living Future Institute

The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) is an inspiring hub for visionary programs. ILFIs leads and supports the transformation of communities that are socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative. Composed of leading green building experts and thought leaders, the Institute is premised on the belief that providing a compelling vision for the future is a fundamental requirement for reconciling humanitys relationship with the natural world. The Institute runs the Living Building Challenge, Living Community Challenge, Living Product Challenge, Net Zero Energy Certification, Cascadia Green Building Council, Ecotone Publishing, Declare, Just and other leading-edge programs. A global network of more than 400 volunteers across nearly 30 countries drives the local adoption of restorative principles in their communities.

Just, Living Building Challenge, Living Community Challenge, Living Product Challenge, Net Zero Energy Certification and Declare are trademarks of International Living Future Institute. LEED is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council. Health Product Declaration is a registered trademark of Health Product Declaration Collaborative.
James V. Lee James has unique experience which is consistent with the values and focus of our firm, and brings an additional set of credentials which will benefit our clients. - Jim Wiggett, CEO of Jackson Hole Group

Jackson Hole Group, LLC, an executive level consultancy firm that advises CEOs, Boards and C-suite executives on critical business and organizational challenges, is pleased to welcome James V. Lee as a Partner in the firms San Francisco office. In his role, Lee will support clients as they scale and grow in areas such as strategic planning, organizational design, fundraising, and human capital development.

Jackson Hole Group is unique in providing senior level support to for profit, nonprofit, and mission driven organizations of all sizes through a set of Partners who have a powerful combination of operational and advisory experience, says Lee. The JHG team has deep credentials, and a pragmatic approach that is highly valued by senior executives.

With over 20 years experience in growing organizations, Lee has helped businesses from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies create strategic and operational roadmaps for scale.

Before joining Jackson Hole Group, Lee served in a variety of senior leadership roles in both the business and nonprofit communities. He has led education-focused nonprofits, built businesses as a private sector entrepreneur, and developed strategy, programs, and organizations as a senior executive, board member, and consultant.

Most recently, Lee was a Partner at Schaffer&Combs, a management consulting and executive search firm. Prior to this, he worked in the charter school education sector, helped lead The BizWorld Foundation as its Vice President of Programs, and served The Junior Statesmen Foundation as a Board Member, Program Director, and Director of Alumni Relations and Development. Lee has designed fundraising strategies and led teams to collectively raise hundreds of millions of dollars for leading nonprofit organizations.

Lee currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Global Entrepreneurial Management program at the University of San Francisco Graduate School of Management, where he created and teaches consulting courses. He is a cofounder of Knowmia, an award-winning Y Combinator education technology company, and is a frequent speaker on strategy, consulting, impact measurement, fundraising, leadership, startups, corporate social responsibility, and board development. Lee also serves on a variety of nonprofit and mission driven boards.

A graduate of Princeton University, Lee began his career at McKinsey & Company and then was Founder and CEO of a multi-million-dollar retail business in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Were very excited to have James join our firm, says Jim Wiggett, CEO of Jackson Hole Group. His unique experience is consistent with the values and focus of our firm, and brings an additional set of credentials which will benefit our clients.
Edale, a leading supplier of high-technology, narrow-to-mid web flexographic (flexo) presses for label, flexible packaging and carton printing, is very pleased to announce that it has appointed Matik, Inc. as its exclusive distributor in North America.

Edale manufactures the highly versatile FL range of modular flexo presses, which are capable of handling substrates from 12- to 600-micron board for producing a variety of value-added applications from labels and tags to single-pass cartons and scratch cards. The sophisticated presses have a global reputation for delivering high levels of accuracy and productivity, and are highly customizable to allow companies to specify a press configuration and ink type to suit their budget and precise production needs.

Matik, based in Connecticut with several regional offices, is the exclusive distributor in North America for many other leading brands, including Codimag, Gietz and MELZER, and provides full sales and technical service support to its nationwide customer base. The Edale flexo presses complement Matiks portfolio of advanced converting, printing, slitting and packaging equipment perfectly, and enable the company to offer its customers a broad choice of technologies.

Edales web flexo presses are among many advanced technologies invented in the United Kingdom [UK], says Steve Leibin, executive vice president of business development at Matik, Inc. In addition to initiating the Industrial Revolution with labor-saving machines in the 18th century, the UK was the origin for many technology-based inventions, such as the portable digital music players, radar, TV and the first computers. Edales flexo presses have many unique features that offer North American customers a competitive advantage  delivering high-performance and efficiency  in an operator-friendly platform that is modular and cost competitive.

We are very pleased to appoint Matik, says James Boughton, Edale managing director. It has built a first-rate reputation in the industry, and its extensive experience along with the ability to provide installation, training and service, and support make it an ideal partner for us in North America.

Matik and Edale are exhibiting jointly for the first time at Lablelexpo Americas (September 13  15 in booth 1340) where visitors can meet Edale and Matik flexo specialists and discuss the companys range of modular presses.

http://www.edale.com http://www.matik.com

# # #

Notes to Editors

Edale is a leading supplier of high technology, narrow-to-mid web flexographic and digital printing presses and converting equipment.

With over 50 years experience in the printing and packaging industry, Edale applies its award winning renowned British design and engineering expertise to provide equipment that helps customers to deliver quality products day-in and day-out, enhancing image, reputation and profitability.

Edale provides a range of standard equipment and bespoke solutions to customers around the world. Edales expertise in web transport for single pass inkjet has facilitated technology customers to commercialise their innovations with the essential features and necessary standards demanded by the packaging industry. Together with leading partners and an enviable distribution and service network, Edale continually assesses market and customer needs to ensure machines are fully upgradeable to stay ahead of the changing demands.

Matik, Inc:

Matik, Inc. is the premier North American distributor of Edale, Gietz, SEI S.p.A., GOEBEL-IMS, Melzer and other advanced European technologies. With headquarters in West Hartford, Connecticut, and several regional sales offices in the United States and Canada, Matik offers the widest range of printing, converting and packaging equipment in the industry. Matik also provides parts and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For further information, contact:

Edale:

Lucy Wood, Edale Ltd T: +44 (0) 1489 569 256 E: lucy@edale.com

Ruth Clark, Splash!PR T: +44 (0) 1580 241177 E: ruth@splashpr.co.uk

Matik:

Steven Leibin, Matik, Inc. T: +1 860.232.2323, ext. 132, E: sleibin@matik.com

Holly Jo Anderson, Veritas Marketing, T: +1 952.738.8177, ext. 700, E: holly@veritasmarketing.com
Combining the best flavors from two of most popular types of pepperoni, Liguria Foods announces the creation of Liguria 51.

Liguria 51 is an extension of the flagship Liguria 1974, but undergoes a natural smokehouse cycle to impart a delicious, smoky flavor similar to Liguria Bravo Gusto. The name comes from the introduction of five flavors in one pepperoni, hence Liguria 51.

As with all its products, Liguria 51 is made from the freshest ingredients, which are sourced from long-time suppliers. Liguria developed the new brand as another top-of-the-line offering with a distinctive flavor profile accentuating smoky, spicy flavors. Liguria 51 undergoes a natural smoking process that serves to initially stimulate the taste buds, ensuring pizza lovers that this is an authentic pepperoni. Its slightly course texture and full mouth feel leaves a very satisfying finish  creating a desire for more.

In a limited release Liguria 51 performed extremely well, says Joe Henry, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Multiple customers tested the product and the responses were the same: Wow, this is special. We cant believe you got these flavors in a pepperoni. As a result, we are introducing Liguria 51 to the national market.

The idea for Liguria 51 came to us after I cooked our Liguria 1974 on a pizza at home on my outdoor grill for my daughter and her friends. They absolutely loved the flavor and requested more.

With its intense and bold taste, Liguria 51 is an ideal choice for:



Meticulous customers looking for a flavorful pepperoni to serve with pizza, differentiating their pizzeria from large chains

BBQ and meat-lovers pizzas

Lighter tomato sauces

Cheese blends that feature Fontina or Asiago cheeses

Wood and coal fired ovens.

As far as beverage options, pizza topped with Liguria 51 is pairs well with Shock Top, Blue Moon or Alaskan White Ale.

For Liguria it starts with fresh  not frozen  high quality ingredients, and continues throughout the production process, as dedicated staff follows the same, old-world recipe to produce a consistently delicious pepperoni.

For more information or to request samples, contact Liguria Foods at http://www.liguriafoods.com.

***

Liguria Foods, Inc. provides premium quality dry sausage toppings, including what many consider to be the markets best-tasting pepperoni. Since its founding in 1974, Liguria Foods has been dedicated to the foundation of recipe formulation. The classic recipe combines distinctive spices, enticing color, and a consistent blend of meats, providing customers with the same performance and flavor every day. The dedicated production process merges the best modern technology with traditional touches like a redwood drying room, resulting in consistently delicious products. For more than 40 years, Liguria Foods has provided pizza lovers with enjoyable, memorable dining experiences, sharing a passion for the best-tasting pepperoni and Italian meat products.

At Liguria, we produce high quality pepperoni that makes every pizza taste better.
Richter & Company and The McKelvey Group (TMG) today announced a strategic partnership focused on improving client win rates in todays uber-competitive government contracting environment. Under this alliance:



Richter & Company will offer externally-focused Competitive Analysis and Price To Win services to help clients identify an opportunitys unique price to win position  the combination of solution and price needed to achieve a win over other competitors.

TMG will offer internally-focused pricing strategy services to help clients develop and price the winning solutions that achieve the Price To Win position and enable successful execution after contract award.

Together, these services provide actionable information  news both companies clients can effectively use to win  while assuring that client information is protected.

Said Randy Richter, President of Richter & Company, Some competitive analysis companies also do work that exposes them to their own clients data  for example, using the same team to identify price to win targets and develop detailed costing/pricing solutions to meet them. We never cross that line. We do no work that exposes our analysts to our clients cost and price data or strategies. If clients ask for that type of help, we refer that business to partners whose work and ethics we trust.

The McKelvey Group is our go-to recommendation for government pricing support, continued Richter. They are the pros at helping clients price aggressively yet appropriately, to help win the contract and ensure successful execution after contract award. Their excellent team offers outstanding skills and in-depth industry experience, and we look forward to offering their capabilities to our clients.

Our team has known and worked with Richter & Company for many years. said Matt McKelvey, President of TMG. When it comes to Price To Win and Competitive Intelligence in todays hyper-competitive market, they are the experts. We will continue to highly recommend them to our clients.

Service descriptions and pricing are available from either company.

About Richter & Company: Winning companies understand the value of effective Price To Win results  and since 2006, over 200 companies have relied on Richter & Companys proven competitive insights to help them win over $30 billion in new business. Headquartered in Frederick, Maryland, Richter & Company provides support across a wide range of U.S. and international programs and technologies.

About The McKelvey Group: Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, The McKelvey Group, Inc. has been providing services to companies in the Government and commercial markets for 15 years. TMGs winning services in Government Pricing Proposals, Finance & Accounting, Business Valuations, and Customized Training have earned TMG its reputation as DCs premier financial consulting firm for high-growth companies. With consultants holding more than 100 combined years of Federal contracting experience, the direct involvement in more than $20 billion in proposals and contract awards, and extensive knowledge of the FAR, DFAR, CAS requirements and DCAA, TMG has provided successful results for its clients since 2001.
The Willowsford Farm community has honored Khalil El-Ghoul of Glass House Real Estate with their Realtor of The Year Award for 2015. Khalil received this award after selling multiple homes and working directly with Willowsfords highly qualified builders throughout the year of 2015 and into 2016. The Willowsford community has recognized Khalil as a top realtor for their new construction homes. Khalil successfully negotiated sales with K-Hovanian, Beazer Homes, Arcadia, Van Metre, and Drees Homes.

Willowsford, a 4,000 acre community located in Ashburn, contains four unique neighborhoods as well as farming and community areas for residents. Their concept of the agri-hood has attracted families to the community and has become one of the top trending areas for new construction in recent years.

In Willowsford, Khalil focuses on the new construction community and has already negotiated discounts and upgrades with their top builders to ensure homebuyers the best terms possible. When working with new construction buyers, Glass House agents are full service from initial negotiations and throughout closing. Khalil looks forward to continuing to work with buyers looking to join this growing Ashburn community in years to come.

About Glass House Real Estate: Khalil El-Ghoul, founder of Glass House Real Estate, has been a pioneer in the industry since 2005, revolutionizing the way people buy and sell homes. Working with Glass House, homebuyers can expect to pay a 1% commission for a professional negotiator as opposed to the typical 3% realtor commission fee. Glass House provides full service representation, from initial negotiations to settlement. Khalil has sold hundreds of new construction homes and has extensive experience working with the top builders in the industry.
The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse in Atlanta, Georgia We are delighted to host the Ben Jonson First Folio Quadricentennial Conference this September, and we look forward to participating in the invigorating discussion about Jonson that this conference will engender. - Jeff Watkins, Artistic Director

The Atlanta Shakespeare Company will join the Resurgens Theatre Company and the University of North Georgia to host scholars from around the country at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse on September 23 and 24, 2016 for the Ben Jonson First Folio Quadricentennial Conference. The conference will also include evening performances of "The Alchemist" and "Volpone" presented by the Resurgens Theatre Company.

ASC is delighted to host this conference as an extension of the partnership between ASC, the University of North Georgia, and the Resurgens Theatre Company, which is led by UNG professor Dr. Brent Griffin. The partnership, established in 2014, gives Resurgens the opportunity to perform at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse and provides a cross-disciplinary opportunity for UNG students and ASC staff to pursue academic and artistic investigation into the language and the performance history of the plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Both ASC and Resurgens employ varying original practices, which involve active exploration of Elizabethan and Jacobean stagecraft and acting techniques. Through the partnership, ASC artists including Laura Cole, Director of Education and Training, occasionally visit UNG classes as guest lecturers, allowing UNG students to learn more about ASCs theatrical practices. Laura Cole commented on ASCs opportunity to host the Ben Jonson First Folio Quadricenntial Conference: ASC and the ASC Education department are so pleased to be participating at this conference and for the opportunity to meet the extraordinary group of scholars and experts who will be attending. It is very important for artists involved in early modern production practices to understand in-depth what Shakespeare and his contemporaries like Ben Jonson were doing, producing and writing during such a fertile time in theatre production. We look forward to learning even more about Shakespeares comrade and his works!

About the Atlanta Shakespeare Company at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse

The Atlanta Shakespeare Companys Education programs provide opportunities for students, educators, and parents throughout Georgia and the Southeast to experience the power of Shakespeares language and dramatic vision through active participation and performance using dynamic, language-based methods. ASC Education serves students from K-12 grades in fifty-four Georgia counties and six southern states with matinees in Atlanta, touring productions, workshops, residencies and other classroom programs as well as offering professional training to emerging artists at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse is Atlantas only professional Equity theater company producing the works of William Shakespeare and select classic modern plays throughout the year, in an Elizabethan, Globe-inspired playhouse on Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. This past year the Atlanta Shakespeare Company reached a total of over 20,000 students and 30,000 adults.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Samantha Smith at 404-874-5299 x 54 or email at samantha(at)shakespearetavern(dot)com.
360 TCS, LLC (360TCS), a premier provider of colocation and data center services in the greater Chicago area, announced today the availability of Comcast Business fiber connectivity solutions within their Lombard, IL data center. Comcasts network is designed for optimal business performance, with more than 145,000 miles of fiber delivering standardized, scalable and reliable MEF-certified Carrier Class Ethernet solutions. Partnering with Comcast Business provides 360TCS with the ability to offer low-cost, 100% available private data circuits to their data center clients.

With many of our clients needing connectivity between their primary locations and our data center, Comcast Business allows us additional options to provide those point-to-point data circuits in a diverse configuration at a cost effective price point, said Don Welbourn, Director of Sales/Account Relations with 360TCS. Don added, Comcast Business has been actively expanding their presence across the Chicago area and we are excited to provide its services to our existing client base and to offer colocation and data center services to Comcasts growing list of satisfied customers.

Comcasts network presence at the 360TCS will be a boon to data center customers, said Jay Dirkmaat, regional vice president of Comcast Business. Clients requiring access to our network will not only be able use 360TCS as an access point but can also leverage their colocation services.

About Comcast Business

Comcast Business, a unit of Comcast Cable, provides advanced communication solutions to help organizations of all sizes meet their business objectives. Through a next-generation network that is backed by 24/7 technical support, Comcast delivers Business Internet, Ethernet, TV and a full portfolio of Voice services for cost-effective, simplified communications management. For more information, call (866) 429-3085. Follow Comcast Business on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social.

With nearly 7,000 local employees, Comcasts Greater Chicago Region (http://www.comcastgcr.com) serves customers in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan. Like Comcasts Greater Chicago Region on Facebook by visiting Comcast of Illinois, NW Indiana and SW Michigan. Follow Comcasts Greater Chicago Region on Twitter at @ComcastILLINOIS.

About 360 TCS, LLC

360TCS provides mission-critical co-location and disaster recovery services in our Lombard, IL data center. The facility features an energy efficient, fully redundant design utilizing the latest advances in available technology to ensure 100% availability. High density power and cooling capacity, diverse connectivity, and exceptional security, combined with incomparable customer service, place 360TCS among the premier colocation data centers in the Midwest.. For more information visit http://www.360TCS.com.

Media Contact:

Don Welbourn

312.907.5241

dwelbourn(at)360TCS(dot)com
BHMI 30 Year Anniversary

Baldwin Hackett & Meeks, Inc. (BHMI), a leading provider of enterprise software applications, is celebrating 30 years of business success. During the past three decades, the company has built a proven reputation across a wide range of industries, including financial services, telecommunications, transportation, government, education, and health care.

BHMI not only provides custom software development services, but also a comprehensive set of consulting, design, engineering, and support services. BHMI is also the creator of the Concourse Financial Software Suite  a powerful PCI-compliant back office software solution designed to manage electronic payments including credit, debit, POS, ATM, mobile, and prepaid transactions.

The company was founded in 1986 by Chairman, Dr. Jack Baldwin; President, Dr. Lynne Baldwin; and SVP of Software Development, Mr. Michael Meeks. Throughout its history, the company has maintained the same mission it held in the beginning  develop quality software that produces real value for clients. BHMI has thrived over the past 30 years due to the longevity of its staff members, commitment to quality, and unparalleled customer service.

To celebrate this corporate milestone, BHMI created an entertaining video starring the companys corporate mascot  MAX the bulldog. On the video, MAX interviews the corporate founders and some BHMI team members.
Seastreak's New Commodore-Class Vessel To Deliver In 2017 Seastreaks President, James A. Barker, said that these investments reflect our continuing commitment to our customers, and ensures that they will enjoy a modern, reliable and comfortable ferry fleet for many years to come.

Seastreak is proud to announce that it will be raising the bar in fast passenger ferry service with the construction of a new six hundred passenger, high-speed, luxury catamaran with delivery expected late in 2017. Our newest vessel, the first in what will be known as the Commodore class, is being designed by Incat Crowther, will be constructed by Gulf Craft of Franklin, Louisiana, and will be the highest passenger capacity USCG K-class high-speed ferry in the United States.

Seastreaks new Commodore-class 35-knot ferry will continue to offer the fastest available waterborne transportation option, providing service between Wall Street and Monmouth County, New Jersey in under 40 minutes. The new vessel is designed around four MTU 12V4000 high-horsepower-series diesel engines, offering the lowest emissions on the market, driving four top-of-the line Rolls Royce S63 water-jets providing reliability as well as redundancy.

The interior will be arranged in a similar manner to our existing vessels but on a larger 150 x 40 platform. The hulls will feature a cutting edge design for even greater stability. The pilot house will be located on the third deck, offering enhanced passenger visibility from the second deck.

The vessel will feature all the high-end comforts you have come to expect from Seastreak and more, including the latest in luxury seating, panoramic windows, beautiful interior design featuring all-LED lighting, flat screen TVs viewable from any seat, multiple dedicated charging stations, Wi-Fi, and high-tech HVAC systems.

The passenger seating arrangement will consist of 520 interior seats with an additional 206 exterior seats located on the second and third deck. There will be seven restrooms located inside the vessel along with ADA compliant accommodations.

The exterior boarding station doors and gates have also been increased in size to increase the overall flow of passengers embarking/disembarking the vessel.

In addition to the new vessel, Seastreak is moving forward with its plans to upgrade and repower three Seastreak class vessels (Highlands, New York and New Jersey) over the next several years, with the Seastreak New York going into the shipyard this winter. We will be replacing the vessels engines and water jets with modern tier 3 MTU 16V4000 series engines driving S71 Rolls Royce water-jets. This new engine and jet configuration will not only be cleaner burning, and better for the environment, but will also remove approximately 20 tons of weight, helping greatly with speed, and efficiency. These upgrades will also involve new custom seating, windows, and carpeting, as well as other mechanical upgrades. Seastreak plans to upgrade and repower one vessel per year each winter.

The new Commodore-class vessel, together with improvements to the Seastreak-class vessels, will require the investment of more than $24 million dollars. Seastreaks President, James A. Barker, said that these investments reflect our continuing commitment to our customers, and ensures that they will enjoy a modern, reliable and comfortable ferry fleet for many years to come.

About Seastreak

Seastreak is the premier fast passenger ferry service in the New York metropolitan area. We proudly offer high-speed catamaran ferry services to points in Manhattan, Central New Jersey, Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard, and more. In addition to commuter services to and from Manhattan and New Jersey, Seastreak offers an array of entertaining cruises and tours, daytrips, and getaways year round. Seastreak also operates seasonal ferry services between New Bedford, Massachusetts, Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket.
Virginia Commonwealth University student Antoine Craig while studying abroad in Alicante, Spain. I never thought Id be able to leave the U.S. and experience another culture as a visually impaired person. The scholarship has allowed me to overcome my fears of traveling alone. - Antoine Craig, scholarship recipient

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange and Mobility International USA (MIUSA) have provided 27 scholarships to U.S. college students with disabilities to study abroad.

Representing 24 colleges and universities across the United States, the students who received CIEE/MIUSA Access to the World Scholarships had the opportunity to further their academic studies while immersing themselves in another country and culture including France, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Spain, and other locations.

The scholarships are part of CIEEs five-year leadership pledge to increase access to study abroad for all students from all backgrounds. International education is a powerful tool in the development of all students, providing necessary skills to succeed in a globally interconnected world, said CIEE President and Chief Executive Officer James P. Pellow.

Virginia Commonwealth University student Antoine Craig thought studying abroad was beyond his reach. A strong advocate for people with disabilities in his home community of Richmond, Virginia, Antoine believed his visual impairment would preclude him from traveling and learning abroad. I never thought I would be able to leave the U.S. and experience another culture. As a visually impaired person, there are a host of challenges  some I could expect and some I could not even fathom, he said.

Antoine received a scholarship to take part in CIEEs Summer Language and Culture program in Alicante, Spain, in 2015. With this experience, he became the first person in his family to study abroad  with or without a disability. The scholarship has allowed me to overcome my fears of traveling alone. Jumping in headfirst through this experience allowed me to see what Im really capable of. Without the CIEE/MIUSA Access to the World Scholarship, I dont know that I would ever have had the chance to learn that lesson, said Craig.

MIUSA CEO and co-founder Susan Sygall applauded the long-standing partnership with CIEE. I am so excited that MIUSA and CIEE are working in partnership to increase the number of people with disabilities who participate in all types of international exchange, she said. The scholarships have created a powerful catalyst for current awardees to serve as mentors and examples to demonstrate to people with disabilities what is possible.

Joseph Underwood, a student at the University of Missouri  Columbia who received a scholarship to further his Spanish language skills during CIEEs Summer Language and Culture program in Seville, Spain, this past June, agrees, saying, If I were to speak to another student with a disability who was considering studying abroad, Id tell them theres no reason to think they cant. Its worth it. Studying abroad was the best experience of my life.

CIEE and MIUSA launched the scholarship program in March 2015 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which has helped to expand opportunities for people with disabilities since 1990. The scholarships are part of CIEEs Generation Study Abroad pledge to break through the barriers of cost, curriculum, and culture to double the number of students from all backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and majors who study abroad by 2020. In support of this initiative, CIEE has committed to providing $20 million in scholarships and grants to American students, to sponsoring passports for 10,000 students, and to offering an annual $20,000 grant to college faculty to support innovative approaches to custom study abroad programs.

CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange

Founded in 1947, CIEE is the countrys oldest and largest nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization, serving more than 350 U.S. colleges and universities, 2,500 U.S. high schools, and more than 35,000 international exchange students each year. CIEE serves as a leading sponsor for the U.S. Department of States Exchange Visitor Program (the J-1 Visa program), supporting exchanges with over 100 countries. In addition, CIEE operates 67 study centers in 45 countries and sponsors international faculty training programs, teach abroad programs, and various specialty and custom programs for secondary, post-secondary, and international students. Visit ciee.org.

About Mobility International USA

Founded in 1981, Mobility International USA (MIUSA) is a disability-led nonprofit organization headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, USA working to advance the rights and leadership of people with disabilities globally. By implementing innovative programs, MIUSA is building bridges to create a new era where people with disabilities will take their rightful place in the world community. MIUSA is a cross-disability organization serving people with a broad range of disabilities. Visit miusa.org.
Florida Day of the Dead Celebration announces new partnership with the Mexican American Council (MAC), a 35-year-old nonprofit organization that promotes traditional arts of Mexico while providing support to the children of farm workers with academic scholarships.

Event Founder, Jim Hammond said The Day of the Dead Festival is rooted in community and our new partnership with MAC will help us honor this ancient Mexican tradition by directly supporting and building local community through the arts

Students from the new Mariachi School will perform throughout the Florida Day of the Dead event on November 2nd 2016. The Florida Day of the Dead Celebration has earmarked a percentage of donated proceeds from the Festival to support MACs amazing work in the local Homestead community.

About Florida Day of the Dead:

Wednesday - November 2nd, 2016 4-10pm. Florida Day of the Dead Celebration

The Day of the Dead tradition is founded on a communal celebration of very personal perspectives on life and death. Through hands-on community events including workshops, interactive art, our Skeleton Processional, ofrendas and more, the Florida Day of the Dead Celebration provides opportunities for South Florida residents and visitors to work together to achieve common community goals.

http://www.dayofthedeadflorida.com

About The Mexican American Council:

Founded in 1982, the Mexican American Council is a cultural and educational organization composed of former farm workers and community leaders from all backgrounds. MAC has dedicated all efforts to better the life of farm worker children through education, scholarship awards, leadership development, cultural awareness events, civic engagement, and community involvement.

http://www.mexicanamericancouncil.org
New Facility for Nanoscience Instruments Our recent move defines a new chapter for Nanoscience Instruments, now entering our 15th year. The new facility will allow us to continue to expand our products and service offerings plus provide an even larger suite of instruments.

Nanoscience Instruments is excited to announce a recent move of its headquarters into a much larger, modern facility. The new building offers greater capabilities for on-site workshops, training & user meetings, as well as a future contract lab. The increased space will also provide room for additional staff.

"Being able to host workshops and user meetings on-site has multiple benefits for us and our customers," explains Mark Flowers, co-owner and co-founder of Nanoscience Instruments. "Expanding our services to include contract work and a wider variety of application development allows us to serve a broader scope of science, engineering and educational applications."

In addition to moving, the company launched a new mobile-friendly website this year. The website highlights new instruments that were added to the Nanoscience Instruments product portfolio. These include correlative microscopy, cathodoluminescence, nanoindenters for microhardness testing and Phenom GSR SEM for gunshot residue analysis.

"We are excited about moving to a new building," explains Dr. Sebastian Kossek, co-owner and co-founder of Nanoscience Instruments. "The new facility will allow us to continue to expand our products and service offerings plus provide an even larger suite of instruments. We are looking forward to equipping complete laboratories with our best-in-class and cost-effective instrumentation."

The new move is in succession to recent changes at the company. In 2013, Nanoscience Instruments purchased the Service and Support division from Phenom World North America to service SEM customers directly. Nanoscience Instruments expanded its Phoenix, AZ headquarters to accommodate this growth, adding a new service manager and service engineer to the team.

In 2014, Nanoscience Instruments opened an office on the east coast. Located in the Washington DC metro area, the new east coast office provides easy access to major R&D centers, universities and national labs across the eastern USA and Canada. Then in 2015, new employees joined the team to provide additional support at the laboratories in Arizona and Virginia. This expansion also established a new presence in southern California and New England.

Our recent move defines a new chapter for Nanoscience Instruments, now entering our 15th year. The newly customized and remodeled building provides abundant lab space for our applications and service teams to grow, says Mark Flowers. Not only are we planning for future growth but we can now better support our current customer base.

About Nanoscience Instruments

Nanoscience Instruments provides and supports a wide variety of surface science and nanoscale microscopy instrumentation, including benchtop SEM s, portable AFMs & STMs, 3D optical profilers, nanoindenters, micro and nanomanipulation systems, as well as consumables and accessories for these instruments. More information is available from the Nanoscience Instruments website: http://www.nanoscience.com.
Screengrab from YouTube/Universal Pictures 100,000 at-home kits were sold at retail in America alone. Industry insiders estimate that as many as 1,000,000 total paternity tests, including court-ordered ones, are processed yearly in labs from coast to coast.

The new major motion picture Bridget Joness Baby, set to release in the United States on September 16, is (of course) about Bridgeta lovable woman-next-door who is pregnant and isnt sure which of her two suitors is the father of her baby. Paternity testing is occasionally in the news for high-profile celebrity cases, but is the need for this service really that great in the general population? IDENTIGENE, LLC, the first company to offer an over-the-counter paternity test kit to consumers and Americas #1 brand, says that according to 2015 numbers provided by sales-measuring service IRi, 100,000 at-home kits were sold at retail in America alone. Industry insiders estimate that as many as 1,000,000 total paternity tests, including court-ordered ones, are processed yearly in labs from coast to coast.



41% of U.S. births in 2014 were out of wedlock. Thats a 33% increase in 10 years. And the rate is 68% for black babies (CDC)

2% of men are unknowingly raising children who arent biologically theirs (KU Leuven Laboratory study, 2016)

Why is it important for a child to have a relationship with their biological father?

Children who live absent a biological father are 2-3 times more likely to:

experience emotional and behavioral problems

be a victim of child abuse

engage in criminal behavior

live in poverty

use drugs (National Center for Fathering)

So although the new Bridget Jones movie is a light-hearted comedy, in the real world getting a paternity test can be stressful, and results have potentially life-changing consequences. The option to collect and submit DNA from home, with affordable paternity testing performed by an accredited lab, mitigates a lot of the stress and makes the test more accessible to everyoneespecially a girl-next-door like Bridget Jones.

Steve Smith, Executive Director at IDENTIGENE, says, Im not surprised that paternity testing is being included as a theme in a major motion picture. We process thousands of tests a month at our lab and the desire to take advantage of DNA science for paternity answers is definitely becoming more mainstream.

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About IDENTIGENE

IDENTIGENE is Americas #1 brand for DNA paternity testing and is a global leader in the industry, providing personal and legal paternity tests and a variety of relationship testing for clients around the world. IDENTIGENE, the first company to bring DNA paternity testing to the general consumer through major drugstores, grocery stores and supercenters, is nationally and internationally accredited for both DNA paternity and molecular diagnostic testing services. IDENTIGENE is a privately-held, wholly-owned subsidiary of Sorenson Genomics, which is a highly accredited genetic laboratory renowned for its expertise in human identity, forensics DNA testing and population genetics.

Visit http://www.DNAtesting.com for industry-leading resources, including how-to videos, a store locator, customer reviews and more. Connect with IDENTIGENE on Facebook or follow the company on Twitter at @Identigene.

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Contact:

Carolyn Engerman

IDENTIGENE Marketing Specialist

cengerman(at)sorensongenomics.com

801-462-1476
Talent Community helps solve the talent scarcity challenge that many of our clients are experiencing across their organizations, and is another example of the value TalentWave delivers at the center of the independent workforce ecosystem.

TalentWave, the largest and most experienced independent workforce engagement solutions provider in the industry, today announced the release of its Talent Community platform. This innovative technology enabled services solution enables enterprise clients to quickly and safely engage known workers who have successfully delivered results in the past. TalentWave will be offering private demos of the platform during next weeks Staffing Industry Analysts CWS and Gig Economy conferences in Las Vegas.

This news follows the launch of the TalentWave brand in March of this year after the merger of ICon Professional Services and Synergy Services in October 2015. We believe the best contractor is a known contractor, commented Teresa Creech, CEO of TalentWave. The ability to help client companies and their contractors to effectively work together is the core of our business. This innovative solution helps solve the talent scarcity challenge that many of our clients are experiencing across their organizations, and is another example of the value TalentWave delivers at the center of the independent workforce ecosystem.

With a dedicated Talent Community, companies can build their own preferred talent networks and quickly search for qualified workers including contractors, consultants, SOW vendors, alumni, retirees and even silver medalists (2nd place finishers for FTE roles). Once the best known worker is selected for a project, they can quickly and safely be deployed. Unlike marketplaces or online staffing solutions, Talent Community is designed for companies that value workers who have had prior experience and success with the organization. Companies will realize bottom line benefits such as high quality workers, reduced time to fill, shorter time to contractor productivity, cost savings over agency recruited workers, and compliance and engagement process efficiencies.

Weve been providing elements of this solution to a number of our enterprise clients for several years now, said Kimball Norup, SVP Marketing for TalentWave. Pulling it all together with a front-end application and building out a robust service layer is a major step forward, and uniquely positions TalentWave at the forefront of the industry in helping enterprise clients to build a bench of talent, and then safely and effectively engage their independent workers.

In addition to introducing Talent Community to new and existing clients, TalentWave also offers a comprehensive suite of proven independent workforce engagement solutions, delivered through the companys proprietary iConnect SaaS technology platform, including:



ICverify, for independent contractor vetting and validation

IC Engagement, Agent of Record (AOR) services

Professional Payrolling, Employer of Record (EOR) services

Vendor Qualification and Subcontracting services

About TalentWave, Inc.

TalentWave is the largest and most experienced provider of independent workforce engagement solutions. TalentWaves clients include many Fortune 1000 companies from diverse industries across the globe. They depend on TalentWaves innovative technology, expertise, and unmatched customer experience to safely and effectively engage their independent workers. The award-winning iConnect SaaS technology platform enables TalentWave to deliver a broad array of proven independent workforce engagement solutions including: independent contractor compliance, agent-of-record, employer-of-record professional payroll services, vendor qualification, subcontracting, talent re-engagement, global services, and advisory services. For additional information, visit: talentwave.com
Fifth Annual Switch Up Thank you to Didriks and Local Root for giving families transitioning out of homelessness a better chance at a new start as they work to rebuild their lives

Independent homewares stores Didriks and Local Root will be teaming up with local non-profit Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts, Inc. for their 5th annual Switch Up event. September 15th to October 6th customers can trade in used dinnerware and kitchenware for 15% off corresponding items at Didriks and Local Root. This promotion is in-store only.

Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts, Inc. is a Cambridge based nonprofit that was founded in 2012 to help Boston area families transitioning out of homelessness. They partner with local agencies who work with homeless families to identify those who have little or no resources and help them to create a home as they move into stable housing. They provide furniture, home goods, and moving services to these families. To date, Furnishing Hope has provided home essentials to over a hundred Boston area families.

This is the third year Didriks and Local Root have partnered with Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts through their annual Switch Up campaign. Founder and Executive Director of Furnishing Hope Suzy Palitz expressed her gratitude for their contribution explaining, "Thank you to Didriks and Local Root for giving families transitioning out of homelessness a better chance at a new start as they work to rebuild their lives!"

Visit Didriks and Local Root at their Cambridge or Newton Lower Falls locations to learn more about Switch Up.
It's that time again! Jim Cramer rang the lightning round bell, which means he gave his take on caller favorite stocks at rapid speed:



Penske Automotive Group (PAG): "I'm worried about Penske. Why? Because that stock has the most British exposure ... and it's had a very big run. I say ka-ching, ka-ching."

Silver Run Acquisitions (SRAQU): "No, that's a spec, I don't like specs. We don't really know what they're up to."

Ellie Mae (ELLI): "What a fabulous story. I loved it!"

Total System Services (TSS): "I think Total Systems is good. I like fin-tech and that is a key fin-tech."

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
The role of the agent is critical in any Contact Center and directly impacts the perception of a companys brand and the perceived level of customer service. An important aspect of the Contact Center is creating a culture that involves the agent at many levels and has the power to create personal investment in the success of the Contact Center.



Inflow Communications is pleased to announce that Chris Recio, a veteran in the contact center industry with over 20 years of experience, will present a live, complimentary webinar on September 20th from 10:00am  11:00am PDT: Driving Agent Engagement - The need for communication.

Keeping agents engaged fosters a sense of teamwork, pride, and commitment to the overall success of the Contact Center. Join Recio as he discusses how creating awareness and ongoing dialogue provides an invaluable portal for Agent effectiveness. Attendees will also learn how agent engagement and commitment to communication can create a culture of success within your Contact Center.

For more details or to register for this upcoming webinar, click here.

Cant make it? Inflow Communications is committed to providing their clients with the most up to date information in the world of unified communications. They have plenty of educational resources available through their Knowledge Base Portal addressing a wide variety of topics ranging from cloud communication systems to contact center success. Check out their Knowledge Base Portal here.

About Inflow

Inflow Communications is a national leader in unified communications and Contact Centers. With close to 100,000 endpoints under Inflows innovative support plans around the world, their dedication to knowledge, innovation, and unrivaled customer support has landed them in ShoreTels top 2% in global customer satisfaction, and as a winner of ShoreTels coveted Circle of Excellence Partners award. Inflow was recently named a ShoreTel Platinum Partner and is their fastest growing partner globally. In addition, Inflow is the only cloud Contact Center provider that offers implementation, ongoing support, and compressive consulting and training programs. Founded in 1997, Inflow has offices in Portland, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Tampa, L.A. and the Bay Area.
An Industry First. "HALO delivers a seamless and simple experience that is easily deployed and helps manage the entire property environment better than any solution in the market." - Dex Honsa, User Experience Lead, AMP Technologies

Today, AMP Technologies unveiled their latest New Release HALO, elevating the User experience to new heights at Disrupt CRE in San Francisco, CA. This is an industry first. There is no platform available today that engages every aspect of a property network in a remarkable way that enhances communication, feedback and creates an entire experience for the property owner, tenant and citizen.

"HALO delivers a seamless and simple experience that is easily deployed and helps manage the entire property environment better than any solution in the market. Now there is a way to engage with everyone in a building with an exciting and efficient platform that increases performance and encourages effective communication. These new innovations enable the ability to deliver a completely enhanced experience. Dex Honsa, User Experience Lead, AMP Technologies

Engage and Experience HALO today  CLICK HERE

Offering the ability to quickly access key information in real time for property managers, owners and tenants. Providing an experience beyond that of any other capability in the marketplace, ensuring Users have accelerated results, in real time, in a way never available before. This is a breakthrough for Commercial Real Estate that leverages new innovative technology with a clean and functional design that is easy to navigate.

Now Property Owner and Managers can effectively communicate with their tenants and occupants about social news, events and projects in REAL TIME. Making it easy to gain valuable insights, keep every one up to date and help their tenants drive business through the numerous communication channels to all property occupants. All tenants can quickly view pending maintenance tickets and track important property information; tenants with Admin access can access insurance details, share key dates and property announcements easily in REAL TIME.

See Why AMP received the Realcomm Digie Award for Top Tech Innovation  CLICK HERE

HALO is a simple social communication hub that engages property managers, owners, tenants and building citizens in one place. This latest enhancement leverages the power of social interaction and real time communication in a way that engages every one.

VIEW ALL THE NEW RELEASE UPDATES  CLICK HERE

AMP continues to update their platform faster than any other software company in commercial real estate, providing Users with the ability to quickly take their performance to the next level. Next generation client engagement is driven by easy access to key data and intelligence that enables professionals to take action quicker when making decisions. Powered by AMPs patented technology, the added benefits available through the Denver Release more effectively enable management of commercial real estate assets across all levels of the organization.

The best in the industry quickly learn how to leverage technology and innovation to gain a competitive advantage.

EXPERIENCE THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLGY - CLICK HERE

ABOUT AMP TECHNOLOGIES - CLICK HERE

Headquartered in Mountain View, California, AMP Technologies provides a suite of products and services for commercial real estate asset management. The AMP Technologies Platform is a powerful, yet highly intuitive platform to monitor and manage individual properties and large portfolios. Its products are built on best-of- breed cloud technology and are designed for the modern enterprise to provide sophisticated business intelligence, collaboration and management tools. With a comprehensive, yet highly intuitive, platform for monitoring and managing individual properties to entire portfolios, AMP provides the key tools needed for every level of management for effective analysis and decision-making.
ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (ProMIS or the Company) today announced that the Company has been invited to present at GTCBios CNS Diseases World Summit 2016 to be held at the Hyatt Boston Harbor on September 12-15, 2016 in Boston, MA.

The CNS Diseases World Summit is a great opportunity to share ProMISs recent drug development progress and vision of effectively treating Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders with precision therapeutics, said Johanne Kaplan, PhD., Chief Development Officer of ProMIS, who has been invited to speak at the session entitled CNS: Present and Future on September 14th.

About ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc.

The mission of ProMIS Neurosciences is to discover and develop precision medicine therapeutics for the effective treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimers disease and ALS.

ProMIS Neurosciences proprietary target discovery engine is based on the use of two, complementary techniques. The Company applies its thermodynamic, computational discovery platformProMIS and Collective Coordinates  to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes (DSEs) on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique "precision medicine" approach, ProMIS Neurosciences aims to develop novel antibody therapeutics and specific companion diagnostics for Alzheimers disease and ALS. The company has also developed two proprietary technologies to specifically identify very low levels of misfolded proteins in a biological sample. In addition, ProMIS Neurosciences owns a portfolio of therapeutic and diagnostic patents relating to misfolded SOD1 in ALS, and currently has a preclinical monoclonal antibody therapeutic against this target.

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This information release may contain certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please consult the Company's website at:

http://www.promisneurosciences.com,

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Michael Moore: 858-886-7813, mmoore(at)national(dot)ca

Abby Garfunkel: 403-218-2887, agarfunkel(at)national(dot)ca

or contact

Dr. Elliot Goldstein

President and Chief Executive Officer, ProMIS Neurosciences Inc.

Tel. 415 341-5783

Elliot.goldstein(at)promisneurosciences(dot)com
Photo Credit and Copyright:  ELBE&FLUT, Thomas Hampel

One of the transport and logistics sectors leading IT and software providers DAKOSY AG, has become the first company in Germany to use a fully integrated IT Asset and Service Management tool which is verified for all 16 PinkVERIFY ITIL processes.

Based in Hamburg, Germany, DAKOSY has used Axios Systems IT Service Management solution assyst for handling all incident and service request at their subsidiary CargoSofts Service Desk since 2012.

Via assyst, DAKOSY supports over 400 customers at CargoSoft, including the largest names in logistics. The global logistics market is worth in excess of 6 trillion per year, and ships more than 10 billion tonnes of cargo around the world. The requirement to ensure these major companies receive un-paralleled service has never been greater. To enable greater IT operation efficiencies and higher business value, DAKOSY will utilize the assyst ITAM Suite to control both IT Service and Asset management with one integrated tool.

With assyst ITAM Suite, DAKOSY inventories all existing IT assets, ensuring visibility of these assets are complete and accurate at all times. Furthermore, Patch Management is now controlled and executed while software updates are collected and distributed centrally. Compatibility problems are also prevented through profiles, which define a minimum of hardware and performance requirements. Consequently, servers use the latest versions at all times, and meet the most recent security standards.

Niels Martens, Data Center Manager at DAKOSY AG said: Since 2012 assyst has been embedded in our subsidiary CargoSoft. The combination of its usability and complete service management functionality has enabled our team to systematically and relentlessly improve our service delivery. Using assyst ITAM Suite will significantly improve our service efficiency.

Gerald Haberecker, Head of Sales for the DACH region at Axios Systems added: "assyst was the first product in the world to be accredited for all 16 ITIL processes. By adding our assyst ITAM Suite, DAKOSY AG has added yet further capability to their outstanding service delivery. With an integrated IT Asset Management and IT Service Management in one tool, DAKOSY manages technology from a business value perspective.

About DAKOSY

As one of the leading IT and software service providers for the transportation industry, DAKOSY has been providing forward looking solutions for international freight forwarding (sea and air) and customs clearance (ATLAS, EMCS, ICS) for more than 30 years.

As a system vendor and clearing center, DAKOSY provides a wide range of IT and data center services for their customers. More than 2,200 companies across Europe use DAKOSY AGs state-of-the-art data centers for their electronic business communication. These companies include world famous trading houses, branded companies, industrial enterprises, freight forwarders, shipping companies, liner agents, carriers and various authorities (customs, harbor police and so on).

DAKOSY also operates the Port Community System for the Port of Hamburg and the Cargo Community System for Frankfurt Airport. All companies and authorities who are involved in the export, import and transit processes can use the services and applications of DAKOSY for quick and transparent transport processes.

Since the beginning of 2007 CargoSoft GmbH, based in Bremen, has been part of DAKOSY. The CargoSoft GmbH is a global player in offering software solutions for forwarder (air, sea).

About Axios Systems

For over 25 years, Axios Systems has been committed to delivering innovative IT Service Management (ITSM) and IT Asset Management (ITAM) solutions that help customers improve not only their infrastructure operations, but also to enhance service delivery across business functions, including HR, Facilities Management and Finance. Axios is recognized as a world leader by leading analysts and their global client base, with a 100% focus on service management technologies.

Axioss enterprise ITSM software, assyst, is purpose-built to transform IT departments into profitable business-focused customer service teams. assyst adds tangible value to each clients organization by building on the ITIL framework to help solve their business challenges across the organization.

assyst is accredited for all 16 PinkVERIFY ITIL processes, and Axios was the first technology vendor to achieve this within a single solution.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.axiossystems.com/

Press Contact: christina.koob(at)axiossystems(dot)com
Sevatec looks forward to transforming the Departments IT infrastructure into a single, centrally managed infrastructure with the agility to support DOL-specific business processes.

Sevatec, Inc. (Sevatec), a leading provider of Agile Development, Data Sciences, and Cyber Engineering solutions for the federal government, announced today that it was awarded a prime contract to provide data management services for the Department of Labor (DOL) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).

DOL agencies collect a significant quantity of data as they promote and enforce compliance with health, safety, and environment regulations. Under the contract, Sevatec will support the VETS Data Exchange, and Employment & Training Administration Unemployment Insurance (ETA-UI) projects across a variety of tasks including data architecture, data analytics, data modeling, data warehousing, data visualization, and data-driven application development.

Data collection, dissemination, and analysis is a critical component of DOLs mission as they interface with the American public, federal, and state agencies, and public and private sector organizations, said Anantha Bangalore, Sevatecs Chief Technology Officer. With extensive data analytics and business intelligence expertise, Sevatec looks forward to transforming the Departments IT infrastructure into a single, unified, and centrally managed infrastructure with the agility to support DOL-specific business processes.

This award is a continuation of Sevatecs successful history leading data sciences initiatives across the federal government. Most recently, the firm was awarded a contract to support the operations, maintenance, and data population of DHS Consolidated Asset Portfolio and Sustainability Information System (CAPSIS). In addition, Sevatec is also providing data warehouse and business intelligence support to develop a centralized reporting solution for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

About Sevatec

Sevatec is a high-technology services firm specializing in Agile, data sciences, cyber engineering, and cloud solutions, leveraging experience and trusted talent to solve the federal governments most pressing business and technical challenges. Sevatec has achieved CMMI Maturity Level 3 ratings for both Development (DEV) and Services (SVC) and maintains ISO 9001:2008, 20000-1:2011, and 27001:2013 certifications. In practice, Sevatec optimizes current industry best practices and incorporates Agile principles to accelerate performance and outcomes for their clients.

Sevatec was founded in 2003 on the concept of Seva, which means, Inspired to Serve. The mission, Trusted Talent, Inspired to Serve, Partnered with Government, to Protect and Improve the Lives of Americans, captures the essence of the firms culture. Their portfolio of mission-critical technology and consulting initiatives across the federal government supports Homeland and Law Enforcement Agencies, Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, Department of State, and multiple Civilian Departments and Agencies.

To learn more about Sevatec, please visit http://www.sevatec.com.
Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of IFAD

Economic growth is not enough to save those threatened daily with starvation. Governments need to tailor policies and investments to transform rural areas in developing countries if they want to eliminate poverty, according to a new global study released by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) today.

The Rural Development Report 2016, IFADs flagship publication, is a rallying call to policymakers and development practitioners to win the global war against poverty. It brings together leading thinkers to analyse the experiences of rural development in over 60 developing countries. This extensive research provides a solid foundation on which leaders and institutions can base their policy choices and investments.

The Rural Development Report marks a change in perspective, said Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of IFAD, prior to the launch of the report at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Rome today. It places the rural sector into the bigger picture of the countrys development. It demonstrates the need for a far more comprehensive and holistic approach to the economy to ensure prosperity for millions of rural people. It reinforces IFADs view, based on 40 years of experience, that investing in agricultural and rural development means investing in the whole economy.

The focus on rural and agricultural development is critical, states the report, because the incomes of 2.5 billion people worldwide still depend directly on rural small farms which produce 80 per cent of food consumed in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

The report is set in the context of a rapidly changing world, with growing demand for food, increased migration to cities and the impact of climate change and environmental degradation. It provides insight into regional and country-specific challenges and historical legacies and how factors like employment, youth populations, rights to land, access to finance, gender equality and social protection influence successful interventions.

The reports researchers identify four models of rural economic development according to the speeds of economic transformation and inclusiveness, and the objectives of their rural development processes. This systematic and rigorous analysis of the rural sector gives a greater understanding of what key investments and policy reforms should be prioritized so that rural people, and society at large, can benefit.

We wanted to look at the changes in the daily life of people, not as an isolated and individual undertaking, but as part of the economic developments of their countries and the rural sector, explained Paul Winters, Director, Research and Impact Assessment Division, IFAD. We systematically looked at whether economic growth brought about poverty reduction and when increased productivity in the rural sector created more jobs and more opportunities to generate higher incomes for rural people.

The report specifically looks at the impact of structural transformation (the reallocation of economic activity beyond agriculture to include manufacturing and services) and rural transformation (the diversification of rural incomes and gains in agricultural productivity) on poverty reduction.

Some of the reports findings include:



The majority of countries that have sustained a rapid transition out of poverty diversified their economies and advanced their agricultural sectors.

Creating rural jobs is now just as important as spurring growth.

Rural transformation is an integral part of a countrys economic development.

Agriculture remains vital for economic development regardless of the stage of structural transformation. Leaders need to expand and deepen the agriculture-based rural economy with investments in developing modern agro-industries.

The availability of finance and financial services is critical to the long-lasting transformation of rural livelihoods, yet 2 billion people globally have no access to regulated financial services and 73 per cent of poor people do not have bank accounts.

Some of the reports regional findings include:



Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Uruguay reduced rural income inequality, even as it increased in most Central American countries partly due to targeted government cash transfers.

In China, India, the Philippines and Viet Nam, land reform, basic investments in rural areas and other sectoral policies have been decisive factors in rural transformation.

Most African countries continue to wrestle with a growing youth population, small and declining manufacturing sectors, and deeply entrenched development barriers. Recent increases in agricultural productivity came not from advancing technology, but from bringing more land under cultivation.

In the Near East & North Africa sub-region (NENA), rural transformation pathways have been adversely affected by instability and fragility. This has been compounded by structural issues related to scarcity of water and the youth bulge.

Rural transformation is not automatic. It is a choice, said Nwanze. The choices made by governments and development practitioners have an enormous impact on the lives of people and nations.

The report concludes that policies need to be inclusive and must bring poor, and often marginalized, rural people into the economic mainstream so that rural development is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. This is the only way to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and eliminate extreme poverty and hunger.

The findings are a wake-up call to everyone who cares about the plight of the poorest children, women and men on our planet, said Nwanze. Every person, every government and every organization engaged in the battle against poverty should read it and act on its findings.

Notes to journalists:

Download the press pack

http://www.ifad.org/ruraldevelopmentreport Download the report __title__ Download the report]

IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided over US$17.6 billion in grants and low-interest loans to projects that have reached about 459 million people. IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency based in Rome  the UNs food and agriculture hub.
Aquarium Director, Ed Shropshire Aquarium is now looking to attract super-talented individuals who want to work at the forefront of business process management technologies, in a fast-paced environment.

Aquarium Software integrates, configures and hosts its innovative cloud based business process platform for global contact centres, the insurance and finance sectors, and any volume process business where robotic process automation can add value. The company, which describes itself as visionary, is seeking to attract a number of exceptional new people to join its established UK team, based from its head office in Manchester.

Operations director, Andrew Sherwin, commented: This year has been very strong, and we predict further fast growth over the coming years; this is our ten year anniversary, and its an exciting time.

Aquarium credits its growth to its innovative approach, global outlook, commitment to great customer service, and the ability to translate the essentials of the business sector into the most agile and secure cloud platform solution. The company, based in Cheshire, UK, was founded in 2006 by a group of entrepreneurial technologists and has evolved to be one of the foremost global cloud platform companies operating in niche markets such as pet, travel and gadget insurance.

Ed Shropshire, managing director of Aquarium Software, said: As a team, were driven, creative and collaborative. Were now looking to attract super-talented individuals who want to work at the forefront of business process management technologies, in a fast-paced environment. If you think you have the drive to be a part of our team, get in touch.

Further information about these career opportunities at Aquarium Software can be found at https://www.aquarium-software.com/who-we-are/careers/
3D Inverse Design approaches for turbomachinery optimization can deliver considerable reduction in development costs and times providing an ideal platform for multidisciplinary turbomachinery design and optimization compatible with industrial developments

Advanced Design Technology (ADT), a global leader in the development of advanced turbomachinery design methods and the TURBOdesign Suite are delighted to exhibit at the 45th Turbomachinery & 32nd Pump Symposia in Houston, Texas on 12- 15 September 2016. After the recent success of the 12th International Conference on Turbochargers and Turbocharging in London and ASME TURBO EXPO in Seoul, ADT continues its global showcase tour of the latest release of TURBOdesign Suite 6.1.0. The new software continues to grab global headlines with the power to streamline the process of design optimization of turbomachinery for multiple operating points.

The Turbomachinery and Pump Symposia serves as the premier training and networking opportunity for professionals in the pump, turbomachinery, and related industries. The annual event combines a world-class program with a cutting-edge exhibit hall; last year, attracting more than 5,500 attendees and 350 exhibiting companies from 48 countries. The Symposia is organized by the Turbomachinery Laboratory, part of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and The Texas A&M University System. The Advisory Committee Chairman is Dr. Dara Childs, Turbomachinery Laboratory Director.

"Maturing efficiency levels in turbomachinery combined with market and legislative pressures to improve performances and reliability, while reducing development costs are straining the limits of the conventional turbomachinery optimization methods says Prof. Zangeneh, Managing Director of ADT, 3D Inverse Design approaches for turbomachinery optimization can deliver considerable reduction in development costs and times providing an ideal platform for multidisciplinary turbomachinery design and optimization compatible with industrial development standard."

ADT's specialists and engineers will be on hand to show how by using TURBOdesign Suite inverse design methods make the turbomachinery design process simple. See how the advanced tools within TURBOdesign Suite enable engineers to produce high-quality designs, optimise the performance of components and reduce development time.

Book a demo now of our unique 3D design software during the exhibition, or come visit us on booth #1724.

Book a place in our exclusive 3 days Pump Workshop on 'Advanced Design Methods for Rotodynamic Pumps in light of US DOE Energy Conservation Standards for Pumps'.

About Advanced Design Technology, Ltd.

Advanced Design Technology (ADT) is a global leader in the development of advanced turbomachinery design and optimization methods to shorten development times and costs and improve turbomachinery performances. ADTs aim is to put designers in direct control of the aerodynamic design and to shorten the design time and time to market for a range of turbomachinery products. ADTs clients, who represent some of the leading global players in the aerospace, automotive, power generation and marine fields, have achieved significant returns on investment in for the reduction in design times, higher performance and ease of know-how transfer among different design teams and projects.

For more information, call +44 (0) 20 7299 1170 or visit http://www.adtechnology.co.uk

About TURBOdesign Technology, Inc.

Founded in 2011, TURBOdesign Technology, Inc. (TDT) is the U.S. affiliate of Advanced Design Technology (ADT), selling the TURBOdesign Suite of 3D inverse design and analysis software while providing turbomachinery engineering support services. TURBOdesign Technology headquartered in Chicago, Ilinois. For more information, call +1 630 613 7604 or go to http://www.turbodesign-tech.com
Nations Largest Sanctuary for Homeless Animals www.BestFriends.org As the trusted pioneer in the L-Lysine supplement category, Vetoquinol offers a variety of L-Lysine products to support conditions responsive to L-Lysine, explains Brian McLaughlin, DVM.

Vetoquinol, a veterinary pharmaceutical company dedicated to animal health for over 80 years with veterinarian-approved formulas for pet healthcare products, is encouraging cat owners to consider their felines long-term health with daily use of L-Lysine and at the same time, help support Best Friends Animal Society, the nations largest sanctuary for homeless animals. For every bag of Vetoquinols Enisyl-F Chews purchased at participating veterinary offices, one dollar will be donated to Best Friends Animal Society through the end of 2016.

L-Lysine supplementation is commonly recommended to help support normal respiratory and eye health in kittens and cats, including the many strays and those in shelters.

As the trusted pioneer in the L-Lysine supplement category, Vetoquinol offers a variety of L-Lysine products to support conditions responsive to L-Lysine, explains Brian McLaughlin, DVM. It is recommended that felines with conditions responsive to L-Lysine should receive 1000 mg of L-Lysine daily or 500 mg twice a day to help improve these conditions, adds Dr. McLaughlin, who recommends cat owners do this for the life of their felines if suffering from these conditions, These issues tend to reoccur in cats and therefore long-term administration is the best way to keep them at bay.

Since many cats tend to be finicky about what they eat, Vetoquinol specifically developed Enisyl-F Chews with a taste that cats and kittens like. Conveniently sized, palatable, hickory smoke flavored chews provide 500 mg of the daily recommended L-Lysine administration.

Veterinarians will be showcasing this promotion, which runs from September 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. Over 42,000 shelf talkers detailing Vetoquinols Enisyl-F Chews will be shipped out to veterinarians nationwide. The Company hopes to donate up to $15,000 to Best Friends Animal Society through sales of the Enisyl-F Chews.

To learn more about Enisyl-F Chews and Vetoquinols entire line of L-Lysine products, visit: http://www.vetoquinolusa.com/content/enisyl-f. If you wish to learn how you can provide help to Best Friends Animal Society visit http://www.BestFriends.org.

About Vetoquinol USA

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Vetoquinol USA is owned by Vetoquinol SA, an independent, family-owned French pharmaceutical company founded in 1933. Dedicated exclusively to animal health, Vetoquinol USA is focused on the development, production and marketing of FDA, EPA, NASC and AAFCO-regulated pharmaceutical, nutritional and dermatological products for small and large animals. Vetoquinol USA specializes in market-leading renal and lysine products as well as pain management, joint health, and behavior products. Popular brands include Azodyl, Enisyl-F, Viralys, Vetprofen Flavored Tabs, Zylkene, Flexadin, Laxatone and Nutri-Cal. For more information about Vetoquinol USAs products, visit http://www.vetoquinolusa.com.

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(September 2016) Penn Community Bank, Bucks Countys leading independent, mutual financial organization, is pleased to announce that Vice President Kevin Crawford has joined the Board of Directors of United Way of Bucks County.

Organizations like United Way of Bucks County have an enormous responsibility to steward their resources for maximum benefit to the communities they serve, and that takes wisdom and experience, said Penn Community Bank President and CEO Jeane M. Coyle. There are few members of this community whose wisdom and experience are better suited to helping the United Way than Kevin Crawford.

Crawford has worked as a banking and financial services professional for more than 38 years, primarily in Bucks County, and also has taught economics at the college level. He has served on many boards of directors of local organizations, including Foundations Community Partnership, and has volunteered many hours for Doylestown Hospital, now Doylestown Health.

Im honored for the opportunity to help guide United Way of Bucks County as we work to bring people together for the greater good, said Crawford. I am proud, too, to continue to uphold the strong ties between Penn Community Bank and this venerable organization.

Crawfords appointment to the board of one of Bucks Countys largest and most effective service organizations is the latest example of the deep bond that exists between Penn Community Bank and the United Way of Bucks County.

Coyle also serves on the organizations board of directors and recently was honored with its Kelton Service Award for her contributions and leadership. Penn Community Bank also is one of United Way of Bucks Countys largest donors, holding a year-round campaign to raise money for the organization each year. That dedication was honored this spring when United Way presented its Community Impact Award to Penn Community Bank. The award honors individuals or groups who help build a stronger community by contributing to more than one of the interdependent areas of education, health and wellness, and financial stability.

Accepting the award on the banks behalf was Todd Hurley, Penn Community Banks Chief Relationship Officer and Executive Director of the Penn Community Foundation.

As individuals, we can accomplish only so much, Hurley said, but as a collective body, we can accomplish a lot, and the efforts that the United Way leads demonstrate how, working together, we can create a stronger Bucks County.

About Penn Community Bank: Penn Community Bank holds more than $1.8 billion in assets and employs more than 300 people at 22 bank branches and two administrative centers throughout Bucks County. As an independent, mutual financial institution, Penn Community Bank is not publicly traded and operates with its long-term mission in mind: to help businesses grow and prosper, to support individuals and families throughout their lifetimes, to strengthen the local economy, and to partner with local organizations to act as a catalyst for positive growth in every market it serves.

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Our priority is to help save the last great wildlife habitats on Earth before it is too late, said Dr. Paul Salaman, CEO Rainforest Trust.

Rainforest Trust has launched the SAVES (Safeguarding Areas Vital to Endangered Species) Challenge at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress (WCC) in Hawaii. Through this initiative, Rainforest Trust has committed to raise $50 million as a challenge match that will direct a total of $100 million to create new Protected Areas throughout the tropics for the planets most endangered species.

This announcement coincides with President Barack Obamas protection of Endangered species through the expansion of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, creating the largest Protected Area on the planet. The President recently noted that conservation is critical to the worlds ecosystems, and he emphasized the urgency and importance of conservation efforts.

Since 1988, U.S.-based Rainforest Trust has partnered with local conservation organizations across the globe to strategically create over 100 new Protected Areas toward a goal of saving 50 million acres of threatened habitat by the year 2020.

Just this year, Rainforest Trust has helped establish nearly 5 million acres of critical Protected Areas across Latin America, Asia and Africa. Most recently, Rainforest Trust worked with a local partner in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to create a massive Protected Area, which is almost equal in size to Yellowstone National Park. The nearly 2.2 million-acre Lomami National Park secures biodiverse habitat that is vital for a host of threatened species.

Rainforest Trust has my highest respect and in my opinion deserves support, said E.O. Wilson, a distinguished conservationist and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner who is regarded as the father of biodiversity. The [organization] is a model of what international conservation efforts should be.

Wilson met with Rainforest Trust CEO Dr. Paul Salaman at the World Conservation Congress and was supportive of the SAVES Challenge announcement.

As part of the SAVES Challenge, Rainforest Trust seeks to drastically grow its efforts by forging new strategic alliances with in-country organizations that will assist in securing more land for species assessed as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Our priority is to help save the last great wildlife habitats on Earth before it is too late, said Salaman. We are determined to do so through the SAVES Challenge, and we invite all conservationists and philanthropists to join us. We need to act now to ensure these areas are protected while they still exist.

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About Rainforest Trust

Rainforest Trust is a nonprofit conservation organization focused on saving rainforests and endangered species in partnership with local conservation leaders and communities. Since its founding in 1988, Rainforest Trust has helped protect over 15 million acres of rainforest and other tropical habitats in more than 100 project sites around the world. Rainforest Trust has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, and 100 percent of project gifts directly fund vital conservation action.

Contact:

Marc Ford

Rainforest Trust Outreach Strategist

Marc(at)RainforestTrust(dot)org
Our goal is simple. We want to create an overall improved college experience for students

What started as a school project for Flagler College (St. Augustine, Fla.) student Matt Spanburg, has become a fully realized company, specializing in providing resources for college students all around the country.

Campus Essentials, a site described as a Social Marketplace for Students is the brainchild of Spanburg, 23, a business administration recent graduate who has dreamed of owning his own company since he was 6 years old.

Our goal is simple. We want to create an overall improved college experience for students, Spanburg said. With more than 20 million students across the United States, no one has created a one-stop shop student to student marketplace.

Campus Essentials fills that void. Students can post everything from textbooks to rooms for rent, even parties and study guides, helping them save money, make friends and even get better grades. The site will also feature a section with jobs and internships where students can upload their resume straight to the business that posted the ad to apply for open positions.

The sites ease of use and similarity to other classified ad sites will provide students with a resource specifically targeted to their needs. Users are required to provide a university-sponsored .edu email address to register, creating a safe and private environment for students, but after that they only need to select their school  or the school closest to them and submit a brief profile. After they confirm their registration, students will have full access to the sites listings and be able to post their own classified ads.

Businesses, of course, can benefit too. Campus Essentials offers advertising starting as low as $5 per month and a targeted audience of college students all across the U.S. An entire year of triggered-base advertising costs just $730, an unprecedented value in the industry. Ads are clickable and take the user straight to the business web page.

According to Spanburg, Campus Essentials wanted to use the lowest prices in the industry to help bring students and businesses together in a friendly environment.

Ad types include:

Service Advertisements



Job/Internship posting: Great for businesses looking for qualified employees and interns; $25 for first college; $10 each additional college

Rentals: Perfect for real estate companies, and 2nd home owners; $25 for an entire month

Events: Post fundraisers, concerts, festivals, etc.; $25 for an entire month

Food/Drink Specials: Great for restaurants and bars trying to gain a much bigger consumer base; $10 per week

Pet adoptions: Great for animal shelters or individuals; $5 per month

Other Advertising Types:



Triggered Ads: a high-tech type of nationwide advertisement that is great for targeting a certain consumer because it is triggered by student searches with keywords set by the business who posts the ad

Fixed side ads: perfect for businesses targeting a certain region; these ads stay in one location for as long as you want to advertise (A Per School Basis)

Spanburg says he hopes to expand the site globally and even give back to students in the form of scholarships. Campus Essentials plans to take 5 percent of the companys profits each year to create scholarships for students in need.

Every person needs their chance, and as a company we want to help as many people become college graduates as possible, Spanburg said.

That philosophy is at the heart of Campus Essentials.

By saving students money, helping them connect with other students, get better grades and ultimately have the opportunity to get great careers from businesses that post jobs and internships, we hope to give students the best overall college experience possible, Spanburg said.

The site also includes a social media component: The Bulletin, a space where students can discuss their personal campus experiences, share pictures/videos, and simply connect with others. Students can also instant message each other with a custom IM system to discuss events or even help each other with studying for tests or homework.

Spanburg already has some professional and student support for the business, working with another Flagler College graduate Cabe Nolan; owner of Bold City Agency based in St. Augustine, FLA. family and even classmates to make his dream a reality. Campus Essentials started as a class project, so Spanburg had the benefit of his target audiences feedback early on.

My classmates were really excited about the idea, so after a lot of thinking, I thought it was time to take my knowledge I learned from Flagler and take a chance on living my dream out, Spanburg said.

Many months later, with personal money and some financial help from his family, he was working with different developers to create campusessentials.com, which launched this month.

It is exciting and crazy to see such a small idea I created for a school project turn into a real service and marketing company, he said.

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Campus Essentials, LLC, was founded in 2015 by Flagler College student Matt Spanburg. It is a websitecampusessentials.comfeaturing classified ads created by and targeted to college students in the United States. Ad rates for businesses start at just $5 per month and can be targeted to geographic areas and search results. The site is free for students with a university-sponsored .edu email address. Campus Essentials is a service website designed to bring people together, but is not responsible for what goes on beyond the site. Campus Essentials owns all intellectual property, ideas, images, and design.
Were a globally recognized brand and we want all of Pittsburgh  and everyone who visits  to know that were here and were proud to be making this great city famous around the world.

Pittsburgh International Airport is pleased to announce a new partnership with local tech startup Duolingo to provide free Wi-Fi to passengers.

Duolingo is a free, science-based language education platform that has organically grown to become the most popular way to learn languages online. Pittsburgh International Airport was the first airport in the U.S. to offer free public Wi-Fi in 2003.

Founded by Carnegie Mellon University professor Luis von Ahn, CEO, and Severin Hacker, PhD, CTO, Duolingo offers a fun and effective way to learn more than 20 languages. It currently has more than 150 million users worldwide and is the most downloaded educational app of all time.

Were excited to partner with Pittsburgh International Airport. Were a globally recognized brand and we want all of Pittsburgh  and everyone who visits  to know that were here and were proud to be making this great city famous around the world, said CEO and co-founder Luis von Ahn.

Noting a 40 percent increase in international traffic in 2016, Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis said she is hopeful the partnership could lead to additional opportunities in the terminal including improved signage and translation services for passengers.

As we look to improve customer service and provide additional amenities for an increasingly global society, and as we work to showcase more of our regions innovation, we hope this is the first step in a long relationship with Duolingo and other successful tech firms in the region, she said.

About Allegheny County Airport Authority:

Allegheny County Airport Authority, which manages Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport, is committed to increasing air service, improving customer service and inspiring growth in the Pittsburgh region.

Pittsburgh International Airport serves more than 8 million passengers annually on 13 carriers. During the past year and a half, the airport has increased its announced nonstop destinations to 63 markets. J.D. Power ranked Pittsburgh International in its Top 10 medium-size airports in its 2015 North American Airport Satisfaction Study. Travel + Leisure also named Pittsburgh International a Top 10 Domestic Airport in 2016.

Allegheny County Airport, opened in 1931 in West Mifflin, is the states eighth busiest airport and the largest general aviation airport in Western Pennsylvania. AGC handles approximately 50,000 takeoffs and landings annually and outpaces several airports that handle commercial or scheduled flights in Pennsylvania.
Media wishing to receive video footage or secure interviews with participants in the mock drill should RSVP to david@leibowitzsolo.com. Both B-roll video and interviews about the mock emergency will be available via download from Dropbox.

A mock disaster drill will be conducted Wednesday Sept. 14, 2016 at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. The drill, hosted by Grand Canyon West and the Hualapai Tribe, will simulate a tour helicopter failing to gain altitude and hitting a bus filled with visitors. The accident results in numerous injuries, fatalities and a massive debris field.

Multiple emergency preparedness agencies from the State of Arizona, the federal government and tribal and municipal first responders will participate in the drill, along with private sector companies vendors (see complete list below). The exercise will test the nationwide public safety broadband network established in the aftermath of September 11th to ensure better response to public safety crises. The 9/11 Commission found that first responders from the various public safety agencies had difficulty communicating with each other in a crisis situation on existing systems. Upon completion in 2022, the network will cover all 50 states and six U.S. territories.

In February 2012, President Obama signed legislation that created the First Responders Network Authority (FirstNet) to build a nationwide communications system dedicated to public safety. The mock drill is being conducted because there is concern, especially among many Tribal nations, that some rural areas may not be receiving adequate coverage from FirstNet.

Participants in the mock disaster drill include:



Hualapai Nation Police and Fire Departments

Grand Canyon West Airport Fire Department

Grand Canyon Resort Corporation

U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs

Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs

Arizona Department of Public Safety

Mohave County Emergency Management

Mohave County Sheriffs Office

Yavapai County Sheriffs Office

Bullhead City Fire Department

Kingman Fire Department

Arizona National Guard

Arizona Department of Administration

Arizona Department of Health Services

Hospitals in Arizona and Nevada

The following vendors have provided time, expertise, and technology for the exercise:

Mutualink: Mutualink is an IP-based multimedia communication resource sharing platform that allows public safety agencies and critical community assets to communicate in a manner that is separate and apart from the general public. Mutualink offers customers a completely self-sufficient mobile work environment that allows them to communicate and function regardless of local conditions.

General Dynamics Mission Systems: General Dynamics Mission Systems' LTE solutions provides the high-speed voice, video and data communications that users expect and deserve on any LTE enabled device. With General Dynamics LTE:

Police officers can share information and images instantly which has helped locate missing children faster

Soldiers on the battlefield can send and receive life-saving information in real time

Private companies can build dedicated LTE networks in locations where communications had been unavailable

News stations can broadcast live over-the-air from any location via a dedicated LTE-network

First responders, warfighters and business professionals make informed decisions faster than ever before

Parallel Wireless: Parallel Wireless is reimagining the wireless infrastructure market, enabling carriers, public safety, and enterprises to deploy cellular networks as easy and as cost-effective as enterprise Wi-Fi. Currently, the company has been selected by the largest LTE provider in Europe and is engaged in many trials globally.

Sonim Technologie: Sonim Technologies is a provider of mission-critical solutions designed specifically for workers in extreme, mission-critical, hazardous and isolated environments. Sonims XP7 is an LTE, FirstNet ready smartphone and features 40 hours of talk time, waterproof, extreme durability in hot and dusty environments, visibility under direct sunlight and support for a wide range of Android applications through Google PlayTM. Sonims rugged mobile phones are built specifically to withstand the rigors faced by public safety and defense sectors, as well as those who work in industries such as manufacturing, construction, transportation, oil and gas, hospitals and utilities.

Texas A&M - The Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center: Scientists at the ITEC work with the Internet2 organization and more than 200 leading research universities in the United States to develop strategies for the deployment of advanced communication and collaboration services. The ITEC supports the advancement and deployment of internet technologies, with special expertise in areas associated with Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1), Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Information Assurance.

GeoSuite is a web-based, multimedia common operating system that allows users to collect, report, share, and collaborate on information. Using an easy to use, media rich interface it is designed specifically for users at the lowest levels of execution such as police officers, rescue workers, field agents, and volunteers.

Broadsoft enables Mobile Operators to Seamlessly Migrate their Voice and Messaging Services to Mobile Broadband Networks.

TAKTIK, solutions based on innovative and efficient open source technologies, fully adapted to the needs of our clients and integrators. We specialize in managing high volume media flows and IPTV.

NICE Video Server helps security organizations and emergency services protect people and assets, by anticipating, managing and mitigating safety, security and operational risks. Through the capture, analysis and correlation of data from a myriad of physical and virtual sensors and systems, enables organizations to utilize sophisticated measures to prevent incidents and quickly conduct investigations.

ELSAG NA Law Enforcement Systems is dedicated to providing proprietary advanced Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to law enforcement worldwide. Our ANPR system, the MPH-900 aids the prevention and enforcement of vehicle related crimes faster than ever before and has been proven to aid in the recovery of stolen cars, drugs and secure assets from crime.

Police forces all over the world depend on the MPH-900 ANPR to help aid public safety. We are committed to adapting and evolving our technologies in order to provide customized solutions for their operational requirements and law enforcement goals as they are or can be connected to vehicle number plates.

Media wishing to receive video footage or secure interviews with participants in the mock drill should RSVP to david(at)leibowitzsolo(dot)com. Both B-roll video and interviews about the mock emergency will be available following the drill via download from Dropbox.
Dialogic, a cloud-optimized applications and infrastructure solutions provider for service providers, enterprises, and developers, today announced that that the company will be participating in Oracle OpenWorld 2016, acting as an integral part of a number of live demonstrations showing advanced customer experience applications based on Dialogic PowerMedia XMS.

As part of the Enterprise Communications Academy being held on Wednesday, September 21, Oracle will demonstrate a WebRTC-based identity verification application that allows banks, financial, and energy companies to remotely verify new customers identities via a video call using the end-users mobile device. Based on the Oracle Communications WebRTC Session Controller, the demonstration utilizes Dialogics PowerMedia XMS to record the voice and video interaction between the agent and customer. Required by various industry regulations and governmental agencies, recording of voice and video interactions is often a mandatory function for contact centers and customer care applications. Open to qualified enterprise buyers, the Enterprise Communications Academy event requires pre-registration.

In addition, Dialogics PowerMedia XMS software media server will be demonstrated as part of the Oracle Service Cloud customer experience application in the Oracle Communications pavilion within Oracle Open World. The live demonstration will show WebRTC-based customer interaction and recording made possible by the media recording and playback features of Dialogic PowerMedia XMS. The demonstration will be occurring in the San Francisco Marriott Marquis second floor atrium during exhibit hours on Monday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 21.

These live communications demonstrations at Oracle OpenWorld give a glimpse at the future of customer care applications utilizing WebRTC, Oracle WSC, and Dialogic technology, said Jim Machi, Senior VP of Product Management and Marketing at Dialogic. Were confident that visitors will be impressed with the rich, high-quality voice and video experience made possible by Oracle WSC and PowerMedia XMS software.

Dialogics PowerMedia XMS is a highly scalable, software-only media server that enables standards-based, real-time multimedia communications solutions for IMS, MRF, Enterprise, and WebRTC applications on premise or in the cloud. Built on 15-plus years of software media processing experience, PowerMedia XMS is trusted by world-class service providers and large enterprises to power millions of rich media sessions.

To learn more about PowerMedia XMS, visit the product information center at: http://www.dialogic.com/en/products/media-server-software/xms.aspx

About Dialogic

Dialogic is a leading cloud-optimized solutions provider for real-time communications media, applications, and infrastructure to service providers, enterprises, and developers around the globe. Based in Parsippany, NJ with offices worldwide, Dialogic helps 48 of the worlds top 50 mobile operators, and nearly 3,000 application developers build and deploy on agile networks. Learn more about how Dialogic is enabling agility by following us on Twitter @Dialogic, and visiting http://www.dialogic.com and the Dialogic Blog for the latest industry news, trends, and advice.

Dialogic and PowerMedia are registered trademarks of Dialogic Corporation or an affiliate or subsidiary thereof (Dialogic). Other trademarks mentioned and/or marked herein belong to their respective owners.

Contact:

Dialogic

Tim Moynihan

VP of Marketing

(973) 967 5001

Timothy(dot)moynihan(at)dialogic(dot)com
Solodev, provider of the web content management system of the same name, announced today that its flagship CMS platform, including support and custom development services, are now available to United States General Services Administration (GSA) eligible buyers. This means that U.S. federal departments, agencies, and offices, including the U.S. Military, and qualified state and local agencies, are able to purchase Solodev CMS as well as support and project development services at government-approved pricing through U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Information Technology (IT) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) 70 contract GS-35F-475DA.

Today marks a significant milestone for Solodev, said Shawn Moore, Solodev Founder and Chief Technology Officer. Now that the Solodev platform is available to all agencies, bureaus, and departments of the U.S. government, were positioned to continue to grow the government side of our business. With the recent release of Solodev CMS 8, as well as todays announcement, were extremely excited about the opportunities these advancements present.

Solodev is experienced in serving government clients including the Florida Department of Education, Miami Beach Visitors Convention Authority, as well as Seminole, Volusia, and Flagler Counties in Florida. Additionally, Solodev serves Downtown Orlando, the City of Clermont in Florida, and Dekalb County, Georgia. We have an expert team experienced in configuring, implementing, and managing software within complex public sector environments, said Ross Williams, Solodev VP of Technology. Solodevs technological infrastructure and platform functionality are truly state of the art and serve as a perfect fit for government clients who need the scalability, security, and versatility the Solodev platform provides.

With todays announcement, Solodev is now positioned to grow its business in the public sector beyond its existing government clients in Florida and Georgia. Our continued success with our government clients is only an indication of what we can do to build truly amazing digital experiences for new clients in the public sector going forward, said Shawn Moore, Solodevs Chief Technology Officer. Government is a space where were seeing a lot of growth and rapid innovation and were very excited to be apart of it on a larger scale due to todays announcement.

In addition to Solodev CMS now being available for purchase by GSA-eligible buyers, Solodevs robust support plans and project development services such as project management, planning, web design and development, compliance strategy, business consulting, creative strategy and implementation, quality assurance, security administration and more are now available for purchase by GSA-eligible buyers. The pairing of these services with the Solodev CMS platform makes Solodev a leading contender in the government space as the most scalable, secure, and robust content management platform with the support and project development services needed to provide a complete turnkey solution.

Which agencies are eligible to buy Solodev CMS through GSA IT Schedule 70?

This agreement positions Solodev CMS within the reach of a wide range of federal clients including the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the U.S. Government, including the U.S. Military and qualifying educational institutions. Certain state and local governments, who qualify, are able to purchase Solodev CMS, including support and project development services, through Schedule 70. End users from federal, state, or local government agencies interested in purchasing Solodev CMS, as well as support and project development services, should consult with their purchasing officer regarding how to purchase Solodev from Just Programs GSA IT Schedule 70 contract GS-35F-475DA or contact Just Program LLC dba Solodev directly for additional details.

For more information on procuring Solodev CMS products and services available under GSA IT Schedule 70, contact Shawn Moore at smoore(at)solodev(dot)com

About Solodev

Solodev is an American IT & software company based in Orlando, Florida. The company specializes in developing and marketing its enterprise web content management system of the same name, Solodev CMS. Solodevs web content management system is used to build interactive websites, smartphone applications, social media applications and other online portals designed to reach an ever-growing ecosystem of screens and devices. Available On-Premise or on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud, the Solodev CMS platform is used by Fortune 500 companies, organizations, and governments to build, manage, and power enterprise websites and mobile apps.

About the GSA

The mission of GSA is to deliver the best value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to government and the American people. GSA establishes long-term government-wide contracts with commercial firms to provide access to millions of commercial products and services at volume discount pricing, and oversees about $66B of procurement annually. These products can be ordered directly from GSA Schedule contractors or through the GSAAdvantage! online shopping and ordering system. Established by President Harry S. Truman on July 1, 1949, GSA consolidated the National Archives Establishment, the Federal Works Agency and its Public Buildings Administration, the Bureau of Federal Supply and the Office of Contract Settlement, and the War Assets Administration into one federal agency tasked with administering supplies and providing workplaces for federal employees.
This property combines a stunning location with an early masterpiece by an architect who would go on to design some of the most iconic celebrity residences in Los Angeles

A Bel-Air view property designed by award-winning celebrity architect Robert L. Earl in 1963 as his own home has been listed at $4,440,000 by Aaron Kirman, President of Aaroe Estates, the luxury property division of John Aaroe Group. Set on a half-acre promontory with sweeping canyon, city and coastline views, the 1394 Casiano Road home retains most of Earls original features and details. Its current owners recently collaborated with the architect on a sensitive update of the property.

For decades, Earl has designed lavish custom estates for an array of famous clients including Warren Beatty, Madonna, Tom Selleck, Gary Shandling, Nancy Sinatra and Sylvester Stallone. This 2,781 square foot home, which the architect designed in his twenties, reflects his fluent, clean-lined vision aimed here at giving the surrounding vistas center stage.

The property is not visible from the street below; it is approached via a long, climbing drive ending at the large motor court and three-car covered parking.

Inside the brightly hued front door, walls of floor-to-ceiling windows wash natural light across the flowing public rooms, floored in their original terrazzo tile. Sliding glass doors open to a pool and deck surrounded by 180-degree views stretching from the hillside and the city to the coast and beyond. The homes four bedrooms include a master suite with a massive walk-in closet and sunken terrazzo tub. The only major alteration in the current refurbishment was the removal of two walls to further open up the view.

This property combines a stunning location with an early masterpiece by an architect who would go on to design some of the most iconic celebrity residences in Los Angeles, says Kirman. The result is incomparable.

About Aaron Kirman

Named top agent in LA and #12 agent in the nation, Mr. Kirman is renowned for his representation of some of the country's most significant estates and architectural properties, including residences by Koenig, Schindler, Lautner, Lloyd Wright, Williams and the only Neimeyer in North America. Mr. Kirman has represented such unique Southern California estates as Frank Lloyd Wright's Ennis House, Richard Neutra's Kauffman Residence, and Paul Williams' Liongate. During his career, Mr. Kirman has sold more than $3 Billion of residential real estate to a group of select clients including billionaires, A-List celebrities, heads of industry, foreign investors and royalty. While he specializes in exclusive properties from Beverly Hills to Malibu, he has represented buyers and sellers worldwide.
Grand Rapids Controls Launch BOWDEN CABLEBUILDER Interactive Configurator for Mechanical Control Cables built by CADENAS PARTsolutions The new tool is like having one of our engineers in the room assisting the customer with their design.

Grand Rapids Controls (GRC) has recently launched an all new interactive configurator built by CADENAS PARTsolutions. The configurator enables GRC customers to design the mechanical control cable they need, directly within the GRC website, http://www.grcontrols.com. This tool reduces design and manufacturing time from weeks to days, while helping lower costs by helping users select GRC standard options which may be less expensive than other choices.

Recognized as a leader in the mechanical cable and actuator industry, GRC worked closely with CADENAS PARTsolutions to create a simple and quick solution for engineers to design and prototype mechanical cables online. After configuring the component, a digital 3D model can be downloaded in more than 150 native and neutral CAD formats, for easy placement into the users design. Users can also download an interactive 3D PDF datasheet to share with their purchasing department or other non-CAD users.

The new tool is like having one of our engineers in the room assisting the customer with their design, says Jim Bradbury, President of Grand Rapids Controls. The tool gives millions of possible configurations, but also helps to simplify the selection process by directing the customer to which of the choices are standard products, and which are custom. Why should they pay the cost of creating a fully-custom cable, when there is a high quality, lower-cost standard product they can build into their design? With the new GRC configurator the choice is up to them.

Among the many goals for the interactive configurator is to help Grand Rapids Controls to reach a larger and more diverse audience.

We are constantly looking for ways to expand our user base, and this tool is key to that, adds Bradbury. We are expanding our footprint globally. Since we dont operate on the same time zone as much of the world, we needed a 24x7 self-service tool. The online interactive configurator fits the bill perfectly; its working even while the rest of the company is home asleep. Secondly, we are expanding to more industries. By providing CAD data in 150 CAD formats, we can meet the specific CAD requirements of a larger audience. Finally, we are looking to grow our reach demographically, by connecting with younger engineers within the workforce. We know these customers prefer digital solutions to paper, and are much more comfortable with self-service as opposed to calling and discussing with customer support on the phone. These users love this tool.

While the digital solution has been well received by end-users, Grand Rapids Controls has leveraged their new interactive configurator to increase speed to market, by vastly reducing their design and production times.

Its amazing to see the transformation our digital tools can have on an entire organization, says Rob Zesch, President and COO of CADENAS PARTsolutions. GRC has embraced this technology and used it to take their design and manufacturing turnaround time from 24 days to 4 and a half days. Many companies see an interactive configurator as a marketing and lead-generation tool, but GRC is using theirs to reap benefits across the entire organization.

About Grand Rapids Controls

GRC is a leader in developing and producing control cables and actuators for many diverse applications and industries around the world. Achieving this position through our knowledgeable team that continually displays a customer-first attitude. Founded in solving problems, we strive to create an environment that continues in this tradition, developing all aspects of our business and bringing new solutions to tomorrows challenges. Through diverse capabilities, GRC are able to complement our product solutions with the manufacturing process to create a total cost solution that meets our stringent quality and safety expectations. For more information, visit http://www.grcontrols.com/

About CADENAS PARTsolutions

CADENAS PARTsolutions is a leading provider of next generation 3D part catalog management and sales configuration solutions. For large manufacturers, CADENAS PARTsolutions provides centralized 3D parts libraries making it easy for global design teams to find, reuse, and control standard and proprietary parts. For component manufacturers, CADENAS PARTsolutions provides 3D product catalogs with digital CAD download technology, helping businesses increase sales lead generation and to ensure that components get designed in to OEM products. For more information, visit http://partsolutions.com

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Media Inquiries

Grand Rapids Controls

Jim Bradbury

info(at)grcontrols.com

http://www.GRControls.com

CADENAS PARTsolutions

Adam Beck  Marketing Manager

400 Techne Center Dr., Ste. 301

Milford, OH 45150 USA

Phone: (513) 453-0453

Fax: (513) 453-0460

adam.beck(at)partsolutions.com

http://www.partsolutions.com

@partsolutions
This story is a stunning testament to the power of music to lift the human spirit and to grant the soul endurance, patience and peace.

The Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance, in partnership with the Dallas Independent School District (ISD) and Hold On To Your Music, is sponsoring the first-ever City-Wide Read and Performance this fall for approximately 12,500 fifth graders, as well as students from several of the citys Jewish schools. Students will read The Children of Willesden Lane, a true story of inspiration and perseverance in a time of war, and attend a musical performance by the author, Grammy-nominated classical pianist Mona Golabek.

The Children of Willesden Lane tells the story of Golabeks mother, Lisa Jura, a 14-year-old Jewish musical prodigy whose family sent her from her home in Vienna to England on the Kindertransport after the Nazi annexation of Austria. While in England, separated from her family, Lisa made her way to the Willesden Lane orphanage, where her dream to become a concert pianist was realized.

This story is a stunning testament to the power of music to lift the human spirit and to grant the soul endurance, patience and peace, said Dallas Holocaust Museum President and CEO Mary Pat Higgins. Its especially timely in Dallas now, as we want to encourage positive classroom discussion on anti-discrimination and tolerance.

The City-Wide Read and Performance for all Dallas ISD fifth graders and several Dallas Jewish schools includes:



Personal copy of The Children of Willesden Lane (including Spanish Readers Digest)

Attendance at a performance by Golabek at the Music Hall at Fair Park on November 14, 15 or 16

Transportation to and from the venue

Professional development for teachers and librarians on teaching Holocaust history and The Children of Willesden Lane

Bilingual teacher resources and curriculum for English Language Arts, Reading, Performing Arts, Social Studies, Library and Media Studies

The universality of this story reaches across all geographic, religious and ethnic divides and powerfully speaks to students, said Vicente R. Reyes, Dallas ISDs assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. Through classroom curriculum, reading the book and attending a live performance, students will experience history, music, theater and a deeper understanding of acceptance, respect and most importantly, the resiliency of the human spirit.

The City-Wide Read and Performance is funded by: the Dallas Holocaust Museum, Dallas ISD, an anonymous donor, the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, Leslie and Howard Schultz, Carol and Steve Aaron, the Funk family, Ynette and Jim Hogue, Helen and Frank Risch, the Leo and Rhea Fay Fruhman Foundation/Beverly and Joe Goldman, Sherry and Ken Goldberg, Ann and Nate Levine, Candy and Ike Brown, the Center for Jewish Education, Humanities Texas, the Folsom family, the Bauer family, the Greif family and Fairmont Dallas.

ABOUT THE DALLAS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM/CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND TOLERANCE

The Dallas Holocaust Museums mission is to teach the history of the Holocaust and advance human rights to combat prejudice, hatred and indifference. The Museums education programs have had a profound effect on people of all ages. In 2015, almost 80,000 visitors toured the Museum and many have written, emailed or posted notes that their lives have been transformed by the experience. Through its exhibits and programs, visitors learn about the discrimination, deep-rooted hatred and the attempted annihilation of the Jews and the systematic persecution of others. The Museum is located at 211 N. Record Street, Dallas, Texas 75202. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit dallasholocaustmuseum.org or call (214) 741-7500.

ABOUT THE DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Dallas Independent School District is continually preparing its more than 159,000 students for college or a career. The district offers a competitive mix of innovative programs, choice programs and instructional initiatives that support the increased academic achievement and socio-emotional development of its students. To learn more, visit http://www.dallasisd.org.

ABOUT MONA GOLABEK

Mona Golabek was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of Lisa Jura, a concert pianist, and Michel Golabek. Her mother Lisa was born in Austria, and was one of 10,000 Jewish children brought to England before World War II as part of the Kindertransport, a mission to rescue children threatened by the Nazis. Although Mona's mother was rescued, her maternal grandparents died at Auschwitz. She has appeared in concert with major orchestras and conductors around the world and in recitals at the Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center, and the Royal Festival Hall. She has one Grammy nomination and she was the subject of the PBS documentaries More Than the Music, winner of the Grand Prize in the 1985 WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival. Concerto for Mona by William Kraft was dedicated to her.
SBS Group encouraged its employees and employees of other companies in the 105 Fieldcrest Avenue office building to donate clothes, toiletries, cleaning supplies and other useful items.

SBS Group, leading information technology firm, donated clothes and other supplies to the American Red Cross in support of the Louisiana Flood victims. SBS Group is headquartered in Edison, NJ with over 40 offices throughout North America including New Orleans, LA.

The donation efforts were spurred by members of SBS Groups social committee as a way to show support and solidarity for those impacted by the floods. SBS Group encouraged its employees and employees of other companies in the 105 Fieldcrest Avenue office building to donate clothes, toiletries, cleaning supplies and other useful items. Additionally, SBS Groups remote employees from other areas of the country were encouraged to drop off donations at their local American Red Cross. Some of the items donated included t-shirts, diapers, gloves, blankets and jackets. The American Red Cross picked up the donations on Friday, September 9, 2016.

The Louisiana Flood occurred in August 2016 after a prolonged period of heavy rainfall. This precipitation resulted in the flooding and submerging of thousands of cars, homes and businesses. The event is the worst natural disaster on U.S. soil since Hurricane Sandy.

To donate to help support the Louisiana Flood victims, visit http://www.redcross.org/donate.

About SBS Group

SBS Group is a national Microsoft master VAR (Value Added Reseller) with Gold level competency in enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM). Over the past 30 years, they have been recognized as Microsoft Partner of the Year, Inner Circle Member and Microsoft President's Club member multiple times. The company is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey and operates offices across North America. For more information, please visit SBS Group's website at http://www.sbsgroupusa.com. Follow us on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/sbs-group, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/sbsgroup and find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SBSGroupUSA.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sep 14, 2016) - Dalradian Resources Inc. (DNA.TO)(DALR.L) ("Dalradian" or the "Company") announces preliminary results from two test stopes at its Curraghinalt Gold Project in Northern Ireland. Stope 1 attained an average width of 1.40 metres, with estimated dilution to the designed stope of 29% and removal of an estimated 439 ounces of gold at a grade of 13.27 g/t from 1,029 tonnes of material. Stope 2 achieved an average width of 1.33 metres, with estimated dilution of 10% to the designed stope and removal of an estimated 973 ounces of gold at a grade of 24.34 g/t from 1,244 tonnes of material (see Table 2). These results are based on extensive muck sampling. The quantity of gold in Stope 1 was 36% above the resource model estimation, while Stope 2 exceeded the resource model estimation by 73% (see Table 1). The test stoping results validate the selection of long-hole open stoping as the primary mining method at Curraghinalt and demonstrate that narrow mining widths can be achieved using mechanized methods. These results will contribute to the feasibility study that is nearing completion.

Table 1: Comparison of contained ounces of gold between resource model, Dalradian grade control model and test stoping results

Contained gold Resource

model

estimation Dalradian

grade control

model Test

stoping

results Stope 1 (oz) 353 369 439 Stope 2 (oz) 562 667 973 Total (oz) 915 1036 1412 Variation from resource model estimation (%) 13% 54%

Table 2: Comparison of stope design vs. actual results

Average

width

(m)* Dip

(degrees) Tonnes Estimated

Grade

(g/t)** Estimated

Contained

Gold Ounces Estimated

Dilution

on Design Stope 1 Design*** 1.1 73 774 14.82 369 N.A. Actual results 1.4 73 1,029 13.27 439 29% Stope 2 Design 1.3 76 1,128 18.40 667 N.A. Actual results 1.33 76 1,244 24.34 973 10%

*True widths ** Design grade based on definition drilling, face and channel sampling (Dalradian grade control model); actual results grade based on extensive muck sampling *** Design width is the minimum width necessary to recover all of the mineralized material predicted

Patrick F.N. Anderson, Dalradian President & CEO commented,

"This is a great result from our test stoping program. The dilution and the widths achieved as well as the muck grade returned exceeded expectations. The better results achieved in Stope 2 reflect the experience gained from completing the first stope. There are only a few outstanding studies left before we can deliver on our feasibility study, which we expect to release on time this fall."

Key findings of the test stoping for the feasibility study include achievability of:

Mechanized long-hole stoping

Narrow mining widths of between 1.2 -1.8 metres

Stope lengths of 20 metres

15 vertical metres or more between sublevels

The test stoping area is located approximately 60 metres below the surface on the V-75 vein at the deepest point of the current development (see figures 1, 2, 3 for location; all figures referenced in this news release can be accessed at http://www.dalradian.com/news-and-events/news-releases/news-releases-details/September-14-2016-News-Release-Figures). This location was selected as it was readily accessible for pre-production delineation drilling and had an adequate crown pillar. It also occurs beneath a shallow zone of partial oxidation. It was therefore considered representative of the deposit as a whole for the purposes of such a trial. Observed ground conditions are excellent, with rock breaking as expected during blasting and good rock fragmentation evident in the muck (see Figure 6).

The test stopes were adjacent areas along the V-75 vein. Stope 1 was 16 metres long and 15.7 metres high (see Figure 4), while Stope 2 was 20 metres long and 15.5 metres high (see Figure 5), showing potential for faster mine scheduling using longer stopes. Orica Mining Services aided in the design of the test stoping program, while CMAC-Thyssen worked alongside Dalradian staff in drilling and blasting the test stopes. The design of the stopes was based on 100% recovery of the vein using zipper drilling to reduce the amount of drilling, the powder factor and minimize dilution. The dilution anticipated by the preliminary geotechnical model was 41% on Stope 1 with a length of 15 m, whereas actual results were 29% dilution with a 16 m length. For Stope 2, the geotechnical model predicted 39% dilution on a length of 20 m, whereas actual results were 10% dilution (length unchanged).

Split shot, a selective drilling and blasting technique, was also tested. By first blasting and removing the waste and then blasting the ore, we observed that we can reduce the tonnage from development material sent to the mill by more than 50%. Split shot is used to minimize dilution and high grade the development ore and also to improve results for the mechanized cut and fill production method (see Figure 7).

Qualified Persons

Eric Tremblay, P.Eng., Chief Operating Officer, and Greg Hope, MSc, MAIG, Chief Consulting Geologist, Dalradian Resources, are the Qualified Persons who supervised the preparation of the technical data in this news release.

Underground development along the veins was sampled by the production geologist via chip panel sampling, across the full width of the face for each round on advance. Distinct geological zones were sampled separately (vein separate from wall rock), with a general minimum-maximum horizontal sample width of 0.10m to 1m and chip sizes approximating 3-4cm. Four to five kilograms of material was chipped with a rock hammer from two thirds the height of each face down to the sill, in volumetric proportion based on relative abundance of mineralization versus gangue. Sample locations were measured from a surveyed control point. Channel samples were saw-cut into the sills of the 170 and 150 western sublevels along the V-75 vein for comparison with face and drill hole sampling. Samples were submitted to ALS Laboratories in the Republic of Ireland.

Muck samples were taken continuously throughout the mucking process of each stope, at a frequency of 1 sample taken every two scoop buckets from the stope (each scoop bucket contains an estimate of 2.6 tonnes of muck). Sampling was done by the scoop operator, using a shovel to put muck into the individual sample bags, which allowed a representative sample of both coarse and fine rock fragments to be collected. Sampling was done by the same three individuals over the whole period of the program for consistency and the Production Geologist performed regular audits of the sampling technique. Sample bags were numbered in sequence representing the scoop bucket from which they were taken. The sample bags were tagged and secured by the Production Geologist and samples were submitted to ALS Laboratories in the Republic of Ireland. 240 muck samples were taken from Stope 1, totalling 1.83 tonnes of ore, or an average of 7.63 kg per sample. 238 muck samples were taken from Stope 2, totalling 1.62 tonnes of ore, or an average of 6.81 kg per sample.

Quality assurance and quality control procedures identified no material issues. Face, channel and muck samples were analyzed by a 50 gram gold fire assay with either an atomic absorption, or a gravimetric finish for samples initially reporting over 100.0 g/t gold.

ALS Laboratories is accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) to undertake testing, including for Ores and Minerals (INAB P9 703), as detailed in the Schedule bearing the Registration Number 173T, in compliance with the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005 2nd Edition "General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories".

About Dalradian Resources Inc.

Dalradian Resources Inc. is a gold exploration and development company that is focused on advancing its high-grade Curraghinalt Gold Project located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The Company is completing a work program in support of a planning (permitting) application for construction of an operating mine at Curraghinalt. Components of the program include a feasibility study, an environmental and social impact assessment and underground exploration (960 metres of development with associated test stoping).

In May 2016, Dalradian announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Curraghinalt, including a 109% increase in gold ounces contained in the Measured and Indicated categories compared with the 2014 resource. The current resource consists of 2.1 million ounces of contained gold in the Measured and Indicated categories (5.61 million tonnes at 11.61 g/t) and 2.3 million ounces of contained gold in the Inferred category (7.13 million tonnes at 10.06 g/t gold). For further information, see the NI 43-101 technical report entitled, "Technical Report for the Northern Ireland Gold Project, Northern Ireland", dated June 17, 2016 and prepared by Dr. Jean-Francois Couture, PGeo (APGO#0197) and Dr. Oy Leuangthong, PEng (PEO#90563867), both of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and Stacy Freudigmann, PEng (APEGBC #33972) of JDS Energy & Mining Inc.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the future financial or operating performance of the Company and its subsidiaries and its mineral project, the future price of metals, test work and confirming results from work performed to date, the estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital, operating and exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, costs and timing of future exploration, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations of insurance coverage, the timing and possible outcome of pending regulatory matters and the realization of the expected economics of the Curraghinalt gold deposit. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are based on various assumptions such as the continued political stability in Northern Ireland, that permits required for Dalradian's operations will be obtained on a timely basis in order to permit Dalradian to proceed on schedule with its planned exploration and development programs, that skilled personnel and contractors will be available as Dalradian's operations continue to grow, that the price of gold will be at levels that render Dalradian's mineral project economic, that the Company will be able to continue raising the necessary capital to finance its operations and realize on mineral resource estimates and current mine plans, that the assumptions contained in the Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment are accurate and complete, that results from the infill drilling program continue to be positive, that the mineral resource update is positive, that the results of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and the Feasibility Study will be positive and that a permitting application for mine construction will be approved.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Dalradian to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current and future exploration activities; the actual results of reclamation activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; meeting various expected cost estimates; changes in project parameters and/or economic assessments as plans continue to be refined; future prices of metals; possible variations of mineral grade or recovery rates; the risk that actual costs may exceed estimated costs; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Edward S. Hershfield, a Boston shareholder in the Real Estate Practice Group of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP represented 311 Summer Street, LLC in the sale of 311 Summer Street, an iconic brick-and-beam office building in Bostons Fort Point neighborhood. Qatar-based investor, Alduwaliya, purchased the core asset in an all-cash transaction. Boston Realty Advisors served as the commercial real estate brokers on the deal.

Hershfield represented 311 Summer Street, LLC throughout its ownership of the property, including acquisition and financing of the property. The sale involved working with both the owner and broker on an intensive, streamlined approach to market the property, select a buyer, negotiate sale documents and close the transaction.

With over 25 years of experience, Hershfield represents clients in all aspects of complex real estate transactions, including acquisitions, financings, restructurings, zoning and land use matters, development and permitting processes, architectural and construction contracts, workouts and dispositions. His clients include national real estate developers, pension fund advisors, hedge funds, architectural firms, publicly traded corporations, national banks and other institutional lenders.

About Greenberg Traurig's Boston Real Estate Group

Greenberg Traurig's Boston Real Estate Group advises clients in connection with acquisition, financing, development, leasing, operation and disposition of real estate. Clients include a mixture of regional, national and international companies. Lawyers in the group have broad experience and knowledge in skills related to complex land use and environmental issues, office, apartment and retail transactions, and eminent domain disputes, including litigation regarding fair market value, right to take disputes, urban redevelopment issues and relocation. The Boston team is part of the firms highly regarded, award-winning national practice. In 2013 and 2010, Greenberg Traurigs Real Estate Practice received the Chambers USA Award for Excellence.

About Greenberg Traurigs Boston Office

Established in 1999, Greenberg Traurigs Boston office is home to more than 65 attorneys practicing in the areas of corporate, emerging technology, energy, governmental affairs, healthcare, intellectual property, labor and employment, life sciences and medical technology, litigation, public finance, real estate, and securities. An important contributor to the firm's international platform, the Boston office includes a team of nationally recognized attorneys with both public and private sector experience. The team offers clients the value of decades of legal experience and hands-on knowledge of the local business community, supported by the firm's vast network of global resources.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, multi-practice law firm with approximately 2,000 attorneys serving clients from 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm is No. 1 on the 2015 Law360 Most Charitable Firms list, second largest in the U.S. on the 2016 Law360 400, Top 20 on the 2015 Am Law Global 100, and among the 2015 BTI Brand Elite. More information at: http://www.gtlaw.com.
Chitimacha Tribal Council presents Red Cross of Louisiana with $10,000 check to assist in flood relief efforts.

Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel and Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana presented a $10,000 donation to the Louisiana Red Cross to provide relief to those in the affected areas of the historic flooding that plagued Louisiana. The donation is part of a multi-faceted fundraising effort to include a $1 contribution from the sale of each meal served at Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel for the next 30 days and flood relief t-shirt sales. The Louisiana Region of the American Red Cross serves 4.65 million residents in the 64-parish state.

We are saddened by the devastation that this historic flood has caused and the impact it has had on our local community, guests and team members, said Stacey McKay, Director of Marketing at Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel. We are here to help and we are proud to announce that this is the first of two donations to the Louisiana Red Cross, continued McKay.

The flooding in Louisiana has forced thousands of people from their homes with just the few things they could take with them. The American Red Cross sent an estimated 1,500 volunteers to Louisiana to help with more than 11,000 refugees in state-operated shelters.

The American Red Cross of Louisiana appreciates the support of Cypress Bayou Casino to help get the families who have lost everything get back on their feet, said Kearney Gay of the Louisiana Red Cross. We continue to help many thousands of people in Louisiana in what is the worst natural disaster to hit the United States since Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel is a proud contributor to several local charities, nonprofits and causes from profit for the greater common good of the people of Acadiana.

About American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

About Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel

Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel is located in Charenton, Louisiana off of US Highway 90 and features over 1,000 of the newest, most in-demand slots and more than 30 tables including Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Mississippi Stud, and 3-Card Poker just to name a few. You can also enjoy dining in one of the five unique venues or stay the night in the new state-of-the-art 102-room hotel.

Phone 1-800-234-4386 for more information, or visit the website at http://www.cypressbayou.com
e-Spirit Inc., the leading expert in content and customer experience management, today introduced FirstSpirit CaaS, a content-as-a-service (CaaS) solution that helps companies monetize content by streamlining its delivery to and from any device, channel, or application for faster time to market. The new extension of FirstSpirit is available immediately.

The rapid rise and growing diversity of customer touchpoints requires a more agile approach than conventional content management. The most recent forecasts on the economic impact of the digital revolution are impressive: Gartner estimates that by 2020, over 20 billion connected things will be in use across a range of industries and the Internet of Things (IoT) will touch every role across the enterprise; and McKinsey estimates the economic impact of the IoT will be between $3.9 and $11.1 billion annually through 2025. The majority of these services and devices need a stream of fresh content in order to communicate with customers and prospectsand in rapidly growing quantities.

Companies that rely solely on traditional content management will sooner or later find themselves unable to take advantage of the enormous business opportunity the IoT presents, or keep pace with app and smart device innovations. The result will be an inability to satisfy the needs of todays demanding digital consumer, explains Andreas Knoor, chief operating officer of e-Spirit. The quantity of available services and applications that will satisfy customer needs and generate sales revenue is growing exponentially, as is the risk of missing emerging opportunities. Even the fastest and most agile IT and marketing departments can only keep up with the changing market landscape by having effective and agile toolsand that is precisely why FirstSpirit CaaS is critical.

CaaS is the next evolutionary step in customer experience management. It allows unstructured content to be dynamically pulled from FirstSpirit CaaS and delivered to the front end of any system, application, or thing via a universal CaaS interface making content everywhere publishing a reality. FirstSpirit CaaS also provides other advantagesnew touchpoints, channels and devices can be added with previously unheard-of speed allowing customers to be reached not only faster, but also with a lower expenditure of time and money. Whether IoT smart devices, websites, mobile apps, digital signage, social media, single page applications, portals or other softwarethe content can be quickly and easily shared and used, freeing it from the limits of conventional content management while helping companies master the challenges of rapid digitalization and digital transformation.

Every company would like a piece of the 'digital pie' and to capture the enormous market potential. That is why a central goal must be to realize the value of content, and monetize it directly or indirectly. FirstSpirit CaaS was developed for this purpose. Next to traditional Web content management, which will continue to have its place, CaaS makes managing content possible for all touchpointsnot just websiteswith unprecedented simplicity. added Knoor.

Learn more about FirstSpirit CaaS.

About e-Spirit

e-Spirit changes the way companies in every sector monetize their content. It is a leader in enabling companies to unlock the value of digital content and transform the way they communicate with customers and employees. FirstSpirit combines all systems, applications, data and content required for the design of engaging customer experiences to create a central digital content hub. It gives companies the required infrastructure for efficiently supplying increasingly large quantities of (personalized) content for increasing numbers of channels and touchpoints along the customer journey, allowing them to systematically reach customers worldwide.

With FirstSpirit, FirstSpirit Cloud and FirstSpirit CaaS, e-Spirit offers users diverse solutions for significantly accelerating the time-to-market of their communication for products and brands and rolling out digital marketing measures target group specific and in real time.

e-Spirit was founded in 1999, is part of the adesso Group and has offices in 16 locations in the US, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Austria. Customers include international brands and corporations such as BASF, Bosch, Commerzbank, EDEKA, LOreal Luxe, MAN, Media-Saturn and many others. http://www.e-Spirit.com
Solace Systems (Solace), a leading provider of data movement technology, today announced the appointment of David Barnes and Janet Perna to Solaces Board of Directors. Solace also announced that Tom Manley, Senior Principal of Bridge Growth Partners, has been named Chairman of the Board, and Alok Singh, co-founder and Managing Principal of Bridge Growth Partners, has also joined the Board.

We are excited to welcome David Barnes and Janet Perna to the board, said Craig Betts, President & Chief Executive Officer of Solace Systems. Davids deep and broad experience in deploying leading edge technology for the worlds largest package delivery company will be instrumental to Solace as we continue our drive to meet our customers changing data movement needs. Likewise, we look forward to benefiting from Janets extensive success and experience in both software and infrastructure technology where she has delivered cutting-edge products and services that meet the needs of business globally.

We also look forward to working with Tom Manley as Chairman of the Board, Betts continued. I am confident that his extensive experience scaling technology businesses will serve us well as we leverage our proven and innovative technology to accelerate growth by investing in customer-focused go to market strategies and partnership alliances.

Barnes is a Senior Advisor to Bridge Growth Partners with extensive experience across the technology industry, including his former role as CIO and Senior Vice President for UPS. Under his leadership, UPS invested more than $1 billion each year in technology used to serve more than 220 countries and territories around the world. Barnes, who joined UPS in 1977, held roles in engineering, finance and information systems before being named CIO in 2005. Barnes is currently a Director of Ingram Micro and Hertz Global.

Perna is a member of Bridge Growth Partners Technology Advisory Board who brings considerable industry expertise having spent more than 30 years at IBM, the worlds largest information technology company. Most recently, she served as former General Manager of Information Management for IBMs Software Group. Under her leadership, IBM was named the worldwide leader in database management software, and the group's revenue increased by more than 150 percent. She is currently a Director of Cloudmark, as well as a member of the Foundation Board of Directors at the State University of New York at Oneonta, and a Founder of the Perna-Rose Foundation for Hope.

Solace products, which are deployed in many global organizations across a wide range of industries, efficiently move mission critical, real-time data across and between businesses and global ecosystems. Solace customers and commercial partners include Barclays, RBC, London Stock Exchange, Bharti Airtel, SAP, Tata, and Bet365, among others. Existing Solace Board members include Craig Betts, Andre Gauthier, Dan Matte, Sir Terry Matthews, James Powell, Hasan Rizvi, and Stephen Smith.

About Solace Systems

Solace provides technology that improves the speed and efficiency with which information flows between applications, connected devices, datacenters and people. High-speed, reliable information sharing is a critical part of modern IT initiatives from accelerating legacy business processes to enabling big data, cloud computing and the Internet of Things. Solace unifies many kinds of data movement so companies can cost-effectively move all of the information associated with better serving customers and making smarter decisions. To learn more visit http://solacesystems.com.

About Bridge Growth Partners

Bridge Growth Partners, LLC is a uniquely structured growth-oriented private equity firm that focuses on investments in the technology and technology-enabled financial services sectors. Bridge Growth was founded with the goal of bringing together significant investment, financial, operating, and strategic business building expertise and talent. Led by seasoned investment professionals Sander Levy and Alok Singh, together with veteran operating executive Tom Manley, Bridge Growth leverages the teams extensive experience in strategic development, corporate positioning, driving growth and operating improvements, and building effective boards of directors with world-class governance practices. For more information about Bridge Growth Partners, please visit http://www.bridgegrowthpartners.com.
I truly love what I do and believe that my work at LSF is indeed my lifes calling.

Maria Hernandez has dedicated her life to serving the refugee community in the Tampa area and has marked this 35-year milestone while working for Lutheran Services Florida (LSF), a local nonprofit organization. Hernandez was the first employee hired by LSF and joins in celebrating with the organization, as it begins to mark its 35th anniversary that will occur in July 2017. LSF is a leading and life-changing human services agency, which serves people in need throughout the state of Florida.

It has been an amazing journey, especially seeing just how far LSF has come and the number of programs we now offer, said Hernandez. I truly love what I do and believe that my work at LSF is indeed my lifes calling.

Throughout the decades, Hernandez has touched the lives of hundreds of immigrant families now living in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties and beyond. She first started assisting people who arrived from Cuba as a result of the Mariel Boat lift in 1980. For Hernandez, who left Cuba in 1967, the work was and still remains near to her heart. She was among a handful of employees working out of the St. Paul Lutheran Church at the time. Later on, LSF (formerly Lutheran Ministries of Florida) was formerly established.

Apart from Refugee and Immigration Services, LSF now provides a variety of social service programs around the state of Florida, including: Guardianship Services, Youth Shelters, Head Start and Early Head Start, the Child Care Food Program, Counseling Services, Disaster Response, Sexual Abuse Treatment Program, Teen Court, Ryan White Program, Case Management for Child Welfare, Foster Care and Adoptions, Charter Schools, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health. LSF serves approximately 1 in 50 Floridians annually, with 1,500 employees.

The growth and longevity that LSF has experienced is truly a testament of our dedication to service, generosity, and the community, said LSF Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Sipes. Of course, we wouldnt be where we are today without our employees, who are our most valuable asset. People just like Maria Hernandez, who deeply care about their neighbors.

To this day, Hernandez still gets visits from past clients she has assisted and keeps in touch with many others. Although she has been hard at work for so long, Hernandez has no plans to hang up the hat anytime soon.

About Lutheran Services Florida

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization transforming individuals and families by providing healing, hope and help through effective human services. Founded in 1982, LSF currently touches the lives of 1 in 50 Floridians every year through various programs, including early education, youth shelters, foster care and adoption, charter schools, refugee and resettlement services, substance abuse mental health services, and adult guardianship. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, LSF has more than 60 programs around the state and approximately 1,500 dedicated employees.

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Almost all law firms have a website now. Whats going to differentiate a law firm and set them apart in a crowded market? The difference is creating a plan to produce a website that is both informative and engaging. The key is prioritizing content.

Firms can now choose from four packages depending on the design level needed. Not every firm needs to spend tens-of-thousands of dollars on just a design of a website, says PaperStreet founder, Pete Boyd. Instead, they can produce a website for much less and devote their resources to writing content.

About PaperStreets New Plans

PaperStreet has four new plans: Essentials, Plus, Custom, and Enterprise. Each plan scales with the firms needs and delivers additional design services depending on the goals of the project. From Essentials plans, which are intended for most small firms or solo practitioners, to Enterprise plans for AmLaw 200, PaperStreet has packages that meet most needs.

Law Firm Website Design Plans

The starting plan is Essentials. With an Essentials plan, the firm has six modern, ready-to-go website designs to choose from. The firm can then customize each design by altering the colors, photos, content areas, logos, and, of course, changing out the text. These designs start at just $3,000 total for the first year without content and $4,500 with content. They also include logo design, support, hosting, and content platform to update the website ongoing.

When a firm needs additional customization of the home page, the Plus level plan is available to law firms. With this plan, the firm receives a completely custom home page, marketing message, and writing of home page content. The package still includes best practice templates for subpages, but the homepage is a bespoke design for the firm. Pricing for Plus level typically starts at $9,000 for a law firm. The design can be developed to work either with WordPress or Total Control content platform. Moreover, the firm can provide their own hosting/support system or work with PaperStreets team.

Most mid-size law firms want to stand apart from their competition and want a unique website experience. PaperStreet created the Custom plan to assist law firms with branding their firm online. With a Custom level plan, the firm receives not only a unique home page, but also unique pages for attorney bios, attorney listing pages, practice pages, practice list pages, blog, general pages, and other pages. More importantly, PaperStreet helps the firm with an overall marketing message and online web brand. A full Custom website can start at $15,000, but the budget can vary from project to project.

Finally, PaperStreet has worked with several AMLaw 200 firms and understands their unique needs. At the Enterprise level, PaperStreet includes a high-level of support for all marketing directors, firm administrators and marketing/technology committees. With an Enterprise level plan, often the firm needs proposal generators, syncing with CRMs or file management systems, best practice guidelines and additional consulting. Enterprise level plans start at $25,000 to $75,000+ depending on the scope of work.

"With our new level of plans, we are positioned to be able to meet the needs of all law firms. Our experience with working with over 1,000 firms in 15 years, from AMLaw 100 firms to solo practitioners, has allowed us to gain a vast experience of what law firms need and want for their online web presence, says Boyd.

Learn more about PaperStreets new law firm website design plans and see their portfolio of law firm designs online.

About PaperStreet

Since 2001, PaperStreet Web Design has been helping law firms develop custom websites. PaperStreet also provides internet marketing solutions, including search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) and content writing services. Founded by a lawyer, for lawyers, the company understands and anticipates the needs and objectives of busy partners, shareholders and legal specialists.

PaperStreet is a recognized leader in web design. The company has handled more than 1,000 projects for clients throughout the United States and around the world, including Europe, India, Africa and the Middle East. Recent awards include Best In Class recognition from the Interactive Media Awards, a Gold Award from the MarCom Awards, inclusion in the "Best Law Firm Websites, 2016 Edition" by Lawyerist, a Platinum AVA Digital Award and the top website for the LMA Southeast Chapter.

For more information about PaperStreet, please visit http://www.paperstreet.com.
Andrews Federals Tameyka Whitney (left) and Sasha Harding (right) present Malcolm ES Principal, Ms. Wilhelmina Pugh, a check for classroom teacher supplies.

Andrews Federal continued its back-to-school giving ways by donating $1,000 to Malcolm Elementary School towards the purchase of classroom teacher supplies.

Malcolm Elementary School, located in Waldorf, Maryland serves 600 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Malcolm is situated in a suburban setting. All of the students ride the bus, and come from a myriad of backgrounds. Most enrichment activities are either school wide or grade level in nature, and are designed to include all students. Staff works hard to create a climate where disparate populations experience academic rigor within a cohesive and healthy social environment.

We are happy to be able to assist members of the educational community in any way possible, said Sasha Harding, Waldorf Branch Manager. We wish the students and staff at Malcolm Elementary all the best this year, and hope our donation contributes to their success.

About Andrews Federal Credit Union

Andrews Federal Credit Union was founded in 1948 to serve the needs of military and civilian personnel by providing a vast array of financial products and services. With over $1 billion in assets, Andrews Federal has grown to serve more than 113,000 members in the District of Columbia, Joint Base Andrews (MD), Springfield, Virginia (VA), Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (NJ), and military installations in central Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In addition, the Credit Union serves as a financial partner with many select employee groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New Jersey.

To learn more about Andrews Federal Credit Union and its community involvement, or to become a member, call 800.487.5500 or visit http://www.andrewsfcu.org.
Learning 2016 Learning 2016 is a unique opportunity for your learning professionals to be learners themselves and explore shifting industry trends with over 1,600 colleagues from around the world. - Elliott Masie, Host & Curator, Learning 2016

Even learning professionals need the approval of their managers and bosses. Elliott Masie has published a Letter to Your Boss for potential participants at Learning 2016, a global meeting to be held from October 23 to 26 in Orlando, Florida.

Here are some of the items in Elliotts "Letter to Your Boss!:

The world of workplace learning is changing, evolving, and being disrupted. We are seeing shifts in employee expectations and evolving technologies, and a sharpening focus on business requirements for skills, compliance, and employee development.

Learning 2016 is a unique opportunity for your learning professionals to be learners themselves and explore shifting industry trends with over 1,600 colleagues from around the world. Anderson Cooper (Anchor, CNN's Anderson Cooper 360), Astronaut Scott Kelly, Twitter CLO Melissa Daimler, Sanjay Sarma (MIT Digital Learning), and George Takei (Actor and Storyteller) are just a few of the over 16 Keynoters, who will interactively explore the innovation, disruption, and changes in learning approaches.

There are over 205 small-group learning activities, sessions, and labs that involve benchmarking with major corporations and government agencies on their changing approaches to learning and workforce development. We will collectively build some prototype "Learning Apps", engage in a Learning Barracuda Bowl (our own Shark Tank), engage with our 30 Under 30 Rising Learning Leaders, and hear from over 12 Chief Learning Officers on their challenges, hopes, and shifts.

Here are some of the other learning experiences and innovative activities that your employee could benefit from at Learning 2016, co-hosted by the Learning CONSORTIUM and ATD:



The Learner with a Learning Panorama

Learning Personalization

Better Data, Assessment, & Learning Accountability

Brain & Cognitive Science: Realities vs. Hype

Video Shifts in Learning

Learning "Autopsies" - Sometimes Innovations Fail!

Engagement & Gamification Elements to Support Learning

Compliance & Learning

The Overwhelmed Content Swirl: New Curation Models

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality - Opportunities?

Learning Systems in 2017 - What's Ahead & Challenges

Learning Competencies for Learning Professionals

And, the culture of Learning 2016 reflects my 43 years in the learning field as a fiercely vendor-neutral analyst and advocate for experiential learning. Our culture is engaging, fun, and transferable back to the workplace - with a minimum number of PowerPoint slides.

As a manager, I deeply respect the time and expense investments in sending an employee to an event. As producers, we promise to create a powerful learning experience for your learning professionals. I invite you and your team members to participate in Learning 2016. Please take a few minutes to review our Learning 2016 website (http://www.learning2016.com) and consider approving your colleagues attendance at this unique event.

Learning 2016 takes place October 23-26 in Orlando, FL. It is produced by The Learning CONSORTIUM, a collaborative of 200 global corporations, focused on improving workplace learning and training. Hosted and curated by Elliott Masie, Learning 2016 brings together several thousand learning professionals as they focus on the changing nature of workplace education and development. Learning 2016 keynote speakers include: Anderson Cooper, anchor of CNNs Anderson Cooper 360; U.S. Astronaut Scott Kelly; Twitter CLO Melissa Daimler; Actor George Takei; Filmmaker Tiffany Shlain; Elliott Masie; and more!

Information about The MASIE Center and Learning 2016, including content and online registration, can be found at http://www.learning2016.com. Early Registration and Group Discounts are available now.
Antonio Jimeno, MD, PhD For a cancer cell to act cancerous, it needs metabolic flexibility  it needs to be able to over-use energy"

Cancer stem cells resist therapy and are a major cause of relapse, long after the bulk of a tumor has been killed. A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute provides the most comprehensive picture to date of head and neck cancer stem cells, identifying genetic pathways that cancer stem cells hijack to promote tumor growth and visualizing the process of asymmetric division that allows a stem cell to create tumor tissue cells while retaining its own stem-like profile. The study is the result of seven years of research and innovation, including the development of novel techniques that allowed researchers to identify, harvest, and grow these elusive stem cells into populations large enough to study. This major body of work provides specific targets for the development of new cancer therapeutics.

We wanted to determine the relationships between key genetic alterations and how head and neck cancer stem cells harness those alterations to drive initiation and growth, says CU Cancer Center investigator Antonio Jimeno, MD, PhD, the Daniel and Janet Mordecai endowed professor for cancer stem cell research, director of the University of Colorado School of Medicines Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Research Program, and the papers senior author. The current project was performed in collaboration with the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine of which Dr. Jimeno is a faculty member. Jimeno started his work with cancer stem cells as a post-doc at Johns Hopkins University, but as he explains, I focused on head and neck cancer stem cells because there has been an increase in head and neck cancer incidence of about fifty percent over the past ten years in the U.S. and we need to better understand what is at the root of this disease.

Previously, a major challenge in characterizing cancer stem cells has been gathering a cell population large enough to study.

There is a lot of noise in cells and you need a lot of them because with only a few cells, its impossible to tell which of these genetic differences are meaningful features of cancer stem cells and which are just genetic noise, says first author Stephen Keysar, PhD, research assistant professor in the Jimeno lab.

To solve this problem, the group first gathered tumor samples from a larger number of head and neck cancer patients  10 patients in all  more than in any previous study. These samples represented both tumors associated with alcohol and tobacco use and tumors caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).

It is important to always remember that we were able to make a difference thanks to the generosity of our patients, who enabled us to work with representative cancer models, Jimeno says.

These tumors were then grown in mice. Subsequently, the group undertook the painstaking process of isolating enough cells for genetic studies and one-by-one transplanting these patient-derived tumor samples onto new mice to study how cancer stem cells initiate tumor growth.

Sometimes it took a year just to get enough cells to study, Keysar says.

Antonio is a great example of perseverance, says Dennis Roop, PhD, director of the Gates Center and also an investigator at the CU Cancer Center and the individual whom Jimeno credits with much of the philosophy behind this work. Antonio was submitting all these grants, and the reviewers were saying, Theres no way you can do this; theres no way youll get enough cells to characterize. He simply found ways to prove them wrong.

This included leveraging private research funding, primarily from the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, the Daniel and Janet Mordecai Foundation and the Peter and Rhondda Grant Fund.

Private funding allowed Antonio to do the groundwork and develop the techniques that eventually made his proposals to the NIH so compelling that he was able to get support. In the case of those of us who are driven to do what we do, you just find a way to get these things accomplished. This is a great example of how bridge funding from the private sector can move research forward, Roop says.

Here is what the group found:

First, head and neck cancer stem cells are, in fact, distinct from the rapidly dividing cells that form the bulk of tumors, and there is little difference between cancer stem cells in HPV- and HPV+ cancers. Both are marked by CD44 expression and aldehyde activity, and both use the key pathway PI3K to drive their survival, growth and resistance to anti-cancer therapies. The group found that the PI3K pathway, which is the most common alteration in head and neck cancer, then deploys SOX2, a transcription factor, to activate programs that modulate stemness within the cells nucleus. For example, SOX2 was found to control aldehyde activity, which is a common cancer stem cell marker and a well-known driver of cancer stem-cell-mediated tumor growth.

In normal cells, PI3K is used as a sensor for energy, Jimeno explains. For a cancer cell to act cancerous, it needs metabolic flexibility  it needs to be able to over-use energy  and so this energy sensor is a pathway it wants to hijack. After chemo, PI3K helps the cell shut down and weather the storm. Then when the chemo is gone, PI3K helps cancer stem cells start back up again.

Chemotherapies kill rapidly-dividing cells. PI3K shuts down a cancer stem cells metabolism, placing the cell in a dormant state. This gives cancer stem cells the ability to evade the trap of chemotherapy.

So what happens when you remove this ability? When the group eliminated SOX2 in mouse models of head and neck cancer, tumors became sensitive to therapies that previously had failed. But when the group amplified SOX2, tumors became even more resistant.

This molecular thread from PI3K to SOX2 to aldehyde was responsible for all the features that define cancer stem cells, Keysar says. Further, Since SOX2-expressing cells fully behave like cancer stem cells, we now have a new laboratory tool to study cancer stem cell biology and therapeutics.

The work also allowed the group to witness an event of the stem cell cycle that had, at best, been only partially characterized in head and neck cancer.

It was like the snow leopard of the Himalayas, Jimeno says. We knew it existed because of the tracks, but no one had taken a picture of it  that is, until someone patiently perched on a frozen ridge for two years with a camera. We did just that.

The event Jimeno refers to is asymmetric division of cancer stem cells. When a normal cell divides, it creates two identical copies of itself. However, if stem cells divided symmetrically, it would result in two stem cells but no differentiated cells, or two differentiated cells with the loss of the original stem cell. In either case, symmetrically dividing stem cells would not be able to promote tumor growth while also retaining their stemness.

The group was able to document that when cancer stem cells divide, they dont divide into two of the same, Jimeno says. One cell retains a stem profile, and the other goes a step beyond into differentiation.

Overall, this seven-year line of inquiry offered three major advances: it characterized head and neck cancer stem cells; it documented asymmetric division in head and neck cancer stem cells; and it identified genetic mechanisms that allow these cancer stem cells to grow and resist therapy. Importantly, identifying these genetic mechanisms of resistance may also help researchers and doctors overcome it.

SOX2 and aldehyde inhibitors are now under exploration, and weve also done trials of early PI3K inhibitors here at CU Cancer Center, Jimeno says.

This has been an excellent example of team science, Roop says. You have Antonio  a brilliant young clinician-scientist  leading a group that includes basic scientists, pathologists, bio-informaticians and statisticians, and their expertise can combine to attack a problem in a way that no individual would be able to do on their own. This work will provide the basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts After working to cultivate incredible faculty who can share their talents with our students, this is an honor to be acknowledged by Best Choice Schools for our exceptional Center for Culinary Arts. Past News Releases RSS Keiser University Recognizes...

Keiser Universitys Chancellor Dr....

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Keiser Universitys Center for Culinary Arts, located at the Sarasota, Melbourne, and Tallahassee campuses, was ranked 18th of the 50 Best Culinary Schools in the United States by Best Choice Schools, and the highest ranked culinary program in Florida. The Center for Culinary Arts offers an Associate of Science degree in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts.

The culinary schools throughout the country were ranked based on hands-on experience, internship/externship opportunities, student operated restaurants, modern facilities, and a solid reputation in the industry. The schools had to be nationally accredited or accredited by the American Culinary Federation.

After working to cultivate incredible faculty who can share their talents with our students, this is an honor to be acknowledged by Best Choice Schools for our exceptional Center for Culinary Arts, stated Dr. Arthur Keiser, CEO and Chancellor of Keiser University. We are proud to share our ranking with our students and graduates who have enrolled in this program to have the opportunity to compete in the competitive workforce that is constantly seeking new and innovative chefs.

Per the Best Choice Schools website, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the demand for chefs and head cooks at restaurants and other establishments will grow nine percent faster than most other industries in the country.

The Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts programs are recognized as Exemplary by the American Culinary Federation and have received Recognition of Quality Culinary Education from the World Association of Chefs Society, one of only six schools acknowledged in the United States. Keiser University began offering the culinary arts program at the Tallahassee campus in 1998 and expanded it to the Melbourne campus in 2004 and then to the Sarasota campus in 2005. Currently enrollment between the three campuses is 175.

Keiser Universitys Sarasota Center for Culinary Arts designated a student training kitchen as the Chaine des Rotisseurs Regional Chef Training Facility at Keiser University. There are currently three facilities which have been given this very prestigious distinction: Kapiolani Community College in Hawaii, the Culinary Institute of Oregon, as well as Keiser University in Sarasota, Florida.

About Keiser University:

Keiser University, co-founded by Dr. Arthur Keiser, Chancellor in 1977, is a private, not-for-profit University serving nearly 20,000 students offering 100 degrees at the doctoral through associate level on 17 Florida campuses, online and internationally, employing 3,800 staff and faculty.

Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctoral levels. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Keiser University.

For additional information regarding Keiser University, go to http://www.keiseruniversity.edu
Microsoft Scott Guthrie

Microsoft's cloud chief Scott Guthrie just took the rivalry against Salesforce up a notch by calling Monday's big HP deal a "Salesforce takeout."

According to Geekwire's Dan Richman, Guthrie played up the HP deal as one of the biggest public wins for Microsoft's Dynamics CRM software, as it nabbed away one of Salesforce's largest customers.

"HP is a very large Salesforce shop  or they were until yesterday...It was a Salesforce takeout. HP Inc. is planning a massive migration and a big bet on Dynamics. Its one of the more public (wins) weve had," Guthrie said at the Deutsche Bank technology conference on Tuesday.

Gutrhie's excitement isn't too surprising given the deal locked down a major enterprise customer in HP for six years. Since HP, the PC and printer part of the newly split company, has always had a close relationship with Microsoft for its PC business, it's not hard to imagine this partnership developing into a larger deal in the future too.

But perhaps it has more significance because Microsoft was able to take HP away from Salesforce, the market leader in CRM software, and a direct competitor to Microsoft Dynamics. Not to mention the fact that the Microsoft-Salesforce rivalry seems to be heating up again, after a brief bromance period last year.

Still, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff doesn't sound too concerned about losing HP. In an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday, Benioff said he doesn't view Microsoft as a "major threat" because Salesforce is still the fastest-growing cloud software company in the CRM space and is winning the vast majority of the deals.

"Were never going to win them all, but we win most, and thats the most important thing for Salesforce," Benioff said.

Here's a chart from SunTrust that shows the market share and growth of Salesforce compared to its competitors, including Microsoft and Oracle, in the CRM space:

Screen Shot 2016 09 13 at 5.14.08 PM

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Beth Herlin, Product Designer, Involution Studios The best companies invest tremendously in strategy and planning, knowing that is the way in which to drive better outcomes. The same is true for care plans in healthcare, and yet they are left as an afterthought.

Beth Herlin, a product designer at healthcare UX firm Involution Studios, is making a speech to the attendees of the Medicine X conference on Saturday, September 17, 2016. Entitled "Care Plans: A Path to Driving Better Outcomes", Ms. Herlin has built on her more than 12 months of research on the topic (http://www.goinvo.com/features/careplans/) to offer the community of innovators at Medicine X a deep look into the challenges with current care plans and the opportunities that rethinking the tool in healthcare can offer.

In business, the importance of planning is paramount, Ms. Herlin said. The best companies invest tremendously in strategy and planning, knowing that is the way in which to drive better outcomes. The same is true for care plans in healthcare, and yet they are left as an afterthought. In the vast majority of cases that Ive researched, covering a wide array of different healthcare user journeys, the care planning process is woeful. More than just relating this sorry state of affairs, my presentation will offer specific, best practice paths to help us all transform care plans and by extension the broader patient experience.

Herlin holds a B.A. in psychology and studio art from Rice University, and an MPD in product development from Carnegie Mellon University. Her triangulation of research, design, and product management skills it a natural fit for the care plan initiative being pursued by the Arlington, Massachusetts-based Involution Studios. Founded in 2004 in Palo Alto, California  the very venue of the Medicine X conference  Involution Studios is a world leader in systems innovation for the user experience of patients as well as doctors and healthcare professionals.

The Medicine X conference is a catalyst for new ideas about the future of medicine and healthcare, said Juhan Sonin, the Chief Design Officer of Involution. Weve had the privilege to have health design experts from Involution Studios speak at the conference in past years, to join the chorus of thought leaders who are stretching the bounds of innovation. I look forward to Ms. Herlins contribution at this years conference, which will be the biggest yet.

Stanford Medicine X conferences first began in 2012. The 2016 offering will be held at the schools new Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge on 291 Campus Drive in Stanford, California. A small number of tickets are still available for the event and may be purchased at the Medicine X website (http://medicinex.stanford.edu/register).
This location is nostalgic for us since the company started in Hoboken in 1994 just a few blocks away and we are happy to return to our roots.

Hold Brothers*, a leader in proprietary trading, trading technology and support services, solutions for individual and group traders, has recently upgraded their trading floor in Hoboken to better serve their traders and allow for expansion.

The new Hold Brothers trading floor now resides on Hudson Street in Hoboken and neighbors Hoboken City Hall, the waterfront, and the PATH Station; its like being one subway stop from Manhattan. Gregory Hold, CEO of Hold Brothers says, We are pleased to continue our growth in 2016 with the addition of a larger trading space that is easily accessible by traders in New Jersey and Manhattan. This location is nostalgic for us since the company started in Hoboken in 1994 just a few blocks away and we are happy to return to our roots. Traders looking for an on-site trading opportunity are encouraged to reach out to our careers team.

About Hold Brothers

Hold Brothers is a leader in providing equities traders with the tools and information they need to execute trades quickly, effectively and efficiently, in any market environment. Since 1994, Hold Brothers has been committed to developing flexible and cutting-edge technology designed to meet the changing demands of the global trading industry. For more information, please visit: http://www.hold.com.

*Hold Brothers is the marketing name for Hold Brothers Capital, LLC, (a registered broker-dealer and FINRA and CBOE member) and its affiliates. All securities activities and transactions are handled through Hold Brothers Capital LLC.
California DUI Criminal Demographics

The Monder Law Group, a leader in California criminal defense services, recently published an analysis of California DUI arrest data in relation to the growth of the ridesharing industry. The Monder Law Group fully supports the ridesharing industry and hopes the analysis will motivate industry leaders, California lawmakers, and businesses to collaborate and explore ways in which they can have an even greater impact on reducing California DUI arrest rates and DUI repeat offenders.

As state lawmakers struggle to outline regulatory jurisdictions, insurance requirements, prevent redlining, and improve worker and rider protections, its easy to lose sight of the big-picture benefits of the ridesharing industry. Now that Google is set to launch Waze Carpool in San Francisco, lawmakers and businesses must not stand in the way of ridesharing companies who can help keep impaired drivers off of the roadways, said Attorney Vik Monder. He added, "As the technology develops and grows, the ridesharing industry is set to reach the largest segment of the population who are most likely to be arrested."

Monder Law Groups analysis presents California DUI arrest data from 2008 - 2013, the years surrounding the launch of Uber & Lyft in California. Uber has released several studies claiming that it reduces DUI rates, but there are very few non-branded studies available. The Monder Law article examines unbiased DUI arrest data from the Department of Motor Vehicles, demographic data, California DUI prevention efforts, the latest news and technology advancements from ridesharing companies, and makes a case for the positive impact of ridesharing and reducing the number of impaired drivers on California roadways.

Over the years, Monder Law Group has placed value on serving their local community and serving as leaders within a variety of enrichment organizations. As the state works to regulate the ridesharing industry, the law firm hopes to serve as a voice to encourage lawmakers to position California as an ally and leader to the rideshare industry as it grows.

About Monder Law Group

Monder Law Group is located in San Diego, California, and provides defense strategies and representation for those who are charged with a crime. The firm represents clients in state and federal courts and strives to give clients hope of a bright future. Established in 2012, the firm is led by San Diego Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney Vik Monder. Mr. Monder has received recognition and awards for his accomplishments by Avvo, Attorney Magazine, Superlawyers, and more. Visit the Monder Law Group News Page to read the entire article and analysis.
Children explore heavy-duty trucks and equipment at Touch-A-Truck event. Photo: Lakewood Falls Community Association

FirstService Residential, Chicagolands property management company leader, participated in a Touch-A-Truck event at one of its managed properties as part of the companys commitment to give back to the community. Lakewood Falls Community Association hosted the family-friendly event on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Creekside Elementary School in Plainfield, IL. Approximately 500 people attended the event.

Children had the opportunity to sit-in, touch, discover and safely explore 16 full-sized vehicles, including a 5-ton army cargo truck, concrete mixer, fire engine, ambulance, lift truck, excavation equipment, dump trucks and more. Participants enjoyed free ice cream, courtesy of FirstService Residential.

This was the first year that Lakewood Falls Community Association hosted the event. The children had a terrific time exploring the different trucks and equipment, said Elizabeth Sokacich, FirstService Residential property manager. The event provided an inspired place to build great relationships with community members and make a difference in their lives.

About FirstService Residential

FirstService Residential is recognized as Illinois leading and most experienced full-service community association management firm. For over 65 years, FirstService Residential has continued to provide the best-in-class community management solutions and genuinely helpful service to its more than 150 communities and 50,000 residents throughout Chicagoland.

FirstService Residential is North America's largest manager of residential communities and the preferred partner of HOAs, community associations and strata corporations in the U.S. and Canada. FirstService Residential's managed communities include low-, mid- and high-rise condominiums and cooperatives, single-family homes, master-planned, lifestyle and active adult communities, and rental and commercial properties.

With an unmatched combination of deep industry experience, local market expertise and personalized attention, FirstService Residential delivers proven solutions and exceptional service that add value, enhance lifestyles and make a difference, every day, for every resident and community it manages. FirstService Residential is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, a North American leader in the property services sector. For more information, visit http://www.fsresidential.com.

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Delhi govt has formed 586 teams to ensure implementation of ban on construction, demolition work in view of worsening air quality: Gopal Rai.
Ann Voskamps debut book about the transformative spiritual discipline of gratitude, One Thousand Gifts (Zondervan, 2011), sold over one million copies according to the publisher, charted for 60 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and has been translated into 20 languages. In her second major trade book, The Broken Way (Zondervan, Oct.) she is addressing suffering, meaning, and the search for an abundant life.

In the past five years while book signing and listening to people Ive heard such painful stories, Voskamp told PW. I remembered their stories as I came to the page again, and I wanted to write for themfor anyone who feels abandoned, who feels broken, or who feels alone.

The Broken Way features two main themes: brokenness and abundant wholeness. Reflecting on her daily struggles as a mother of seven children and a rural farmer, Voskamp writes in her new book, Maybe you can live a full and beautiful life in spite of the great and terrible moments that will happen right inside of you. Actuallymaybe you get to become more abundant because of those moments.

She uses simple, earthy metaphors to illustrate complex spiritual concepts, such as the way pain can be a pathway to a more generous and fruitful life. The seed breaks to give us the wheat. The soil breaks to give us the crop, the sky breaks to give us the rain, the wheat breaks to give us the bread. And the bread breaks to give us the feast, she writes.

The challenge, Voskamp told PW, is in knowing how the good brokenness that frees you can break the bad brokenness that binds you and keeps you from living a full life. Brokenness, like all ancient truths, is paradoxical, she explained. There is a detrimental brokenness that impedes wholeness and holistic flourishing, and there is a deeply beneficial brokenness that includes humility, vulnerability, and being broken and givena kind of generosity.

Being broken and given, Voskamp writes, refers to her past battle against perfectionism and feelings of insufficiency, which prevented her from being generous. Why have we swallowed the lie that we can only help [others] if were perfect? she asks. Taking the risk and reaching out to others in her rural community and beyond, Voskamp discovered there is always more because God is always enough, and He makes all brokenness into abundance.

Ultimately, The Broken Way is a dare to have faith in what seems useless, inferior, or broken, that it can be transformative, according to Voskamp. I want readers to embrace the fact that wholeness and brokenness are not opposites, she said. Were all desperate for connection and communion. To know were not alone, and that communion only comes out of brokennessthats the miracle.

Despite her success as an author, Voskamps life hasnt changed muchshe still lives on an 800-acre farm in rural Canada with her husband, 650 pigs, and five of their seven children. Its a protected way to live a quiet life, with dirt under my fingernails, where I can stay real and low to the ground, she told PW. I dont think our souls are meant for fame. Were meant to give our lives away in service.

Sandra Vander Zicht, associate publisher and executive editor at Zondervan, says Voskamps book is the perfect follow-up to One Thousand Gifts because once youve been radically moved by gratitude, youll be radically moved out into the world to give back.

Marketing and publicity plans for The Broken Way include a North American book tour that will begin with the launch in New York on October 25th and continue in Buffalo, Grand Rapids, Nashville, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Toronto, and other cities; a mainstream and Christian media campaign; and print ads in secular and Christian magazines.
HKTDC Jewellery Show is known as the world's best marketplace for jewellery, and ELF925 are about to break into the world market with their exhibition there, after moving to new, high spec premises

BANGKOK, THAILAND / ACCESSWIRE / September 14, 2016 / The HKTDC Jewellery Show 2016 is set to be one of the world's biggest jewellery marketplaces, held in Hong Kong on the 15th of September. The fair is the best possible place for a jewellery company to launch themselves on the world platform, attracting international retailers and investors alike. Thai company ELF295 have been creating stunning jewellery in Thailand for years, and are now looking to elevate themselves to the top of the world stage with their 2016 debut at the influential trade fair. Their preparations have included moving to an entirely new premises.

Their current HQ has now been moved to a high-tech manufacturing facility that enables them to obtain global certifications in health and safety, compliance and more. This ensures their products match the most stringent standards, especially in relation to lead and nickel content in silver jewellery. In fact, they have gone so far as to make sure their jewellery is fully hypoallergenic.

The company already supply major brands and high street names throughout the world, including in the USA and Europe, thanks to their talented team of designers. They come up with more than 20 new designs each and every day. The result is that they have more than 15,000 items in their inventory, which is constantly growing, all of which conforms to international quality and safety standards.

A spokesperson for ELF925 explained, "We are excited to announce our attendance at this global jewellery event being hosted in Hong Kong. This will give us the platform we need to expand as never before, and see our jewellery reach more outlets across the world. We have good penetration in the US and Europe, but there are so many markets out there, particularly South America and Australia, that we want to get involved with. This new factory will allow us to do just that."

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About ELF925: ELF925 is a premier silver Jewellery manufacturer that offers wholesale silver jewellery direct from their manufacturing facility in Thailand. Since its humble beginning in 1999 ELF925 has grown to become one of the top producers of silver jewellery in Thailand. With major high street names as clients, they are able to fulfil international requirements of any scale to outstanding quality, safety & price. For more information please visit: http://www.hktdc.com/

For more information, please visit https://www.elf925.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Peter Evans

Organization: ELF925

Address: 26-28 Krung Thonburi Road, Bangkok, Thailand 10600

Phone: +66 2 860 6477

SOURCE: ELF925
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It's a classic combination in Italy, a grilled steak, hot, meaty and rich, topped with an arugula salad, cooling, peppery and fresh. This version pan-fries the steak, but the pairing is stellar nonetheless. And it wants an equally excellent wine pairing. Here are three to try.

Make this

Rib steaks with arugula salad

Rub 2 rib steaks all over with cut garlic; season with salt. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks; brown both sides. Transfer skillet to 350-degree oven; cook to desired doneness, about 8 minutes for medium. Meanwhile, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss 1 bag (5 ounces) baby arugula in a large bowl with dressing to taste. Sprinkle with pecorino cheese; toss. Slice the steaks. Serve salad topped with steak, sprinkled with more pecorino. Makes: 4 servings

Recipe by Carol Mighton Haddix

Drink this

Pairings by sommelier Liz Martinez of The Purple Pig, as told to Michael Austin:

2015 Montenidoli Rosato, Tuscany, Italy: The freshness of this wine will play nicely with the peppery arugula salad. Made of 100 percent canaiuolo, a grape variety that is not normally a star in Tuscany, the wine's sweet red strawberry and mandarin orange create a lovely, plush (but not cloying) texture, with lively acidity and firm tannin that will cut through the richness of the steaks. The wine also offers a soft perfume of white roses and fresh herbs.

2008 La Antigua Clasico Rioja Reserva, Rioja, Spain: This super-lean and juicy wine has sweet red cherries and dark cocoa, which will work nicely with the rib steaks. Also, the smoky, tarlike element in the wine will highlight the char on the steak, and the wine's integrated tannin will create a streamlined and precise pairing. Dried thyme and sweet oregano are present, and will bridge the elements of steak, tangy Dijon and spunky arugula.

2009 Querceto di Castellina Belvedere Chianti Classico Riserva, Montalcino, Italy: The acidity and red fruits in this Chianti are exact, and it has the perfect balance of weight, tannin and structure to create harmony with every component on the plate. Rich, macerated red and black plums, along with just a touch of earthiness, will leave you with a refined, silky texture that dances on the palate -- a perfect pairing with this steak dish.
Emanuel unveiled plans last month to replace the Independent Police Review Authority with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which would have broader powers to investigate misconduct allegations. He also has proposed a deputy inspector general to review department practices.

Aldermen raised concerns Tuesday about no fixed funding level, which could make the office vulnerable to budget cuts, and no provision for the office to hire its attorneys. Also, questions linger about citizen involvement.

The proposal is part of Emanuel's efforts to rebuild trust following the fatal police shooting of Laquan McDonald. It comes amid a Department of Justice probe.

A vote is expected Sept. 29.
MOLINE -- Moline's aldermen have approved or forwarded more than $26 million in potential development for the downtown, including a plan for a 105-room hotel.

The $18 million hotel plan received initial approval at Tuesday's committee-of-the-whole meeting. The vote was unanimous.

It is a multipart measure that would include these elements if approved, according to city staff and documents provided in the agenda:

-- The purchase of the 5th Avenue Building, 1630 5th Ave., by HOA Hotels LLC from developer Rodney Blackwell. That building, as well as the building at 1620 5th Ave., would be the focus of the hotel project, which will either be HOA's own brand or possibly a Marriott.

-- In exchange for the sale, Mr. Blackwell would receive a six-month extension on a $7.5 million loan the city gave him for purchase of the KONE buildings and property along the Mississippi riverfront as part of the KONE Centre project.

-- Mr. Blackwell also will own the residential portion of the KONE project. Under the original agreement, he had to sell or lease the residences there.

-- HOA would purchase both 5th Avenue buildings and be responsible for relocating the current tenants with first preference toward keeping them in Moline.

-- In return, the city would provide $4.6 million in incentives, the bulk of which would be generated by the newly created downtown tax-increment-financing district, TIF 13. Those funds would be paid upon completion of the project and be based on the revenue generated by the development.

The committee also approved an agreement to convert a large portion of the Chase Bank Building, 501 15th St., into 31 apartments. The vote was unanimous with Ald. Kevin Schoonmaker, 6th Ward, abstaining.

The $8,333,334 project, planned by Moline 501 LLC and Moline Chase LLC, would create apartments on the second through ninth floors, according to staff and documents in the agenda. Most would have a single bedroom and be between 500 and 800 square feet. The first floor, basement and annex would be commercial space.

In return, Moline would provide $1.25 million in TIF-based financial incentives to the developers upon completion of the project.

Both of these development measures must be presented to the aldermen in a city council meeting for final action.

During Tuesday's city council meeting, which followed the committee of the whole, the aldermen gave final approval to an agreement with Gorman & Co. Inc.

The measure gives Gorman 180 days to study possible uses for the Spiegel Building, 202 20th St. It could lead to a development agreement between Moline and Gorman for the property if a feasible use is found that is agreeable to both parties.

The vote was unanimous.
ROCK ISLAND  Rock Island-Milan School Board members on Tuesday gave the green light to several district improvements, including new roofs for two schools and technology upgrades.

Board members provided tentative approval to spend net proceeds from the sale of Audubon Elementary to replace roofs at Edison Junior High and Earl Hanson Elementary. Superintendent Mike Oberhaus said administrators will return to board members as early as January or as late as March to approve contracts for the work, which will be completed in summer 2017.

According to district documents, the district sold the 18th Avenue Audubon Elementary property in April 2015 for $890,000. Prior to the sale of the building, the district incurred costs, including $281,730 for demolition, totaling $348,944.50. Net proceeds totaled $541,055.50.

Mr. Oberhaus said roof repairs have been done for many years at both buildings, but they are still having water penetration into classrooms. He said the only way to resolve the issues is to replace the roofs, rather than attempt further repairs.

If the projects receive final board approval, the entire roof area at Edison except the areas above the locker room and wrestling room will be replaced at a cost of $250,000. The roof at Earl Hanson will include all areas except the main office at a cost of $245,000.

Administrators said they have many other facility projects, but these projects top the list for immediate needs.

Board members on Tuesday also issued unanimous approval for revised contracts with Pearl Technology, of Peoria Heights, for $338,000 for wireless connectivity upgrades in schools. The board previously approved a $375,847 contract for this work in 2015. The district has received approval for eRate funding, part of the Telecommunications Act, so the district's share of the project's cost is $106,981.

The board first approved the proposal in March 2015 and the district received final E-Rate grant approval in August 2016. Director of information technology Troy Bevans said the contract agreement changed during that time because certain items were denied eRate grant approval during the review process, some of the items were no longer being manufactured and some of the equipment decreased in price. The result is a $37,000 increase in the district's out-of-pocket costs.

Mr. Oberhaus said the technology upgrades will be completed over the district's fall intercession. Upgrades will address the increased demand on the district's network, including demand from both district-owned devices and the desire for students and guests to connect to the network on their own devices.

In other business, board members:

 Heard public comment from Rock Island resident Inga Harty, who said that, since she last spoke to the board in April, several significant steps have been made to increase suicide awareness and prevention in the district. She said initiatives are planned for students in elementary through high school, and additional efforts are planned for the community.

 Agreed to look into launching a school board member mentoring program.

 Took no action following a closed session to discuss contract negotiations.
In minutes, her physician became her abuser. He felt her breasts under her bra repeatedly, making a sound of pleasure. When he backed away, she could see a bulge in his pants. It made me feel so dirty, the woman recalled later.

Yet nothing in the Maryland medical boards public records shows it did anything to stop Raafat Girgis Raafat Girgis when it got the complaint. Nor did the agency inform law enforcement about a possible sexual offense.

Medical regulators say they have an ethical duty, and some have a legal requirement, to alert law enforcement when a doctor may have committed a sex crime against an adult patient.

But The Atlanta Journal-Constitutions examination of thousands of cases found that regulators failed to consistently live up to that responsibility.

Instead, regulatory agencies, often dominated by physicians, can and do find reasons to avoid notifying police.

The result is that some abusive doctors can continue practicing and harm other patients, and others are allowed to quietly retire, without a full investigation into whether they committed crimes that could mean jail time for those in other walks of life.

Too often, I think, its cronyism, said Pauline Trumpi, whose book Doctors Who Rape: Malpractice and Misogyny describes how her psychiatrist drugged and raped her in 1963. It takes a lot of money and it takes a long time to become a doctor. So they feel empathy for the doctor rather than the victim.

In case after case, medical panels can decide that a doctor wont offend again if he gets rehabilitation and refresher courses. That if a victim doesnt want to talk to police, theres no point in letting police know whats been alleged. That a case cant be pursued because its only a he said/she said. That theres nothing in criminal law that covers what the doctor did.

The last thing we want to do is unjustly accuse a physician of something, Wyoming Board of Medicine Executive Director Kevin Bohnenblust said. Well certainly go after them if they screw up, but we dont want to perpetuate something if its really, truly a miscommunication or something like that.

Its impossible to know how many crimes by doctors go unreported because many cases are handled privately. But the AJCs investigation revealed alarming cases in which medical agencies were aware of possible misdemeanor or felony sexual offenses, with trails of victims, yet never passed along the information to law enforcement.

That left accused doctors free to keep their doors open to other patients, such as the ones who kept going to Girgis in Catonsville, Md.

A second patient eventually came forward, alleging that in back-to-back appointments the doctor rubbed his groin against her, kissed her and fondled her breast. I was kind of numb, she would testify years later. It (took) a while to realize what happened.

The medical board still didnt act.

Then a third woman reported that during an exam for a skin rash, Girgis fondled her breasts, put his finger inside her without wearing gloves and kissed her on the mouth. The medical board finally revoked his license.

Girgis never faced so much as a police interrogation. He is now retired in Florida. In a brief conversation with the AJC, he said the allegations were false and called the medical board a bunch of animals.

Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia do not have laws requiring medical regulators to notify police or prosecutors about potential criminal acts against adults, the AJC found. Nationally, laws requiring reporting of child abuse are nearly universal.

Even in states that require reporting of adult victims, regulators still hold back.

Its deplorable, for heavens sake, said John Banja, a medical ethicist at Emory Universitys Center for Ethics. One of the things that youre going up against here is the historical, traditional sensibility of doctors to protect one another  to give their peers an excessive benefit of the doubt.

When doctors are reported to police, the investigation may differ dramatically.

While it took the Maryland medical board six years to take action against Girgis, it took Louisville, Ky., police just hours to have neurologist Ghias Arar in handcuffs after Tara Batrice reported him.

Batrice, who suffers from a degenerative bone disease, was attacked the first time she saw Arar. First, the doctor moved her walker to another part of the room, stranding her on an exam table. Then, as she tried to fight him off, he ripped off her bra, kissed her breasts, fondled her, masturbated and ejaculated on her.

She left the office terrified, driving aimlessly until she called her parents and pulled into a shopping center. They called a rape crisis center, and a victim advocate met her at the hospital. Arars DNA was still on her sweatshirt.

Two days later, Batrice told her story to a TV news station and made a plea for any other victims to speak out. Within a week, four other patients told police they were victimized.

Arar is now serving a three-year sentence and will have to register as a sex offender.

I knew hed done it before, Batrice said. I was willing to do everything I could in my power to make sure this doctor never ever touched another victim, ever.

Some states have decided reporting shouldnt be optional.

In Delaware, state Rep. Helene Keeley and Sen. Patricia Blevins tried to get a mandatory reporting law passed after being tipped that doctors who committed heinous sex crimes were only being reprimanded. But Keeley said resistance from the Medical Society of Delaware killed the legislation.

That changed after the arrest of pediatrician Earl Bradley, estimated to have assaulted as many as 1,000 young patients in Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Delaware now requires its Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline to report possible crimes upon receiving a complaint. Keeley said every state should do the same.

Because you dont know whether or not that person is going to end up being an Earl Bradley or not, Keeley said, and youre better off being safe than sorry.

Not all laws are airtight.

In Maryland, where Girgis practiced, the board is required to report after it determines that information in a record concerns possible criminal activity.

Reporting an unsubstantiated allegation, a spokeswoman said, would be premature. But citing confidentiality, she would not explain why law enforcement agencies said they received no report on Girgis even after the board found he had sexually abused three patients.

Regardless of legal requirements, board representatives said the most egregious cases do get handled by police because victims or their family members report the crimes.

If police arent aware, most medical boards told the AJC that they inform law enforcement, as an ethical duty.

All boards have an obligation to, whether its in statute or not, said Susan Strout, executive secretary of the Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure.

But there are exceptions, such as when boards believe the victim doesnt want police involved. Or they may say its the victims responsibility to go to police.

We cant file a criminal complaint on behalf of a citizen, said Larry Dixon, executive director of the Alabama medical board. What if this woman doesnt want anybody else to know, and weve told the local police and all of a sudden a cop comes to see her? Shed be outraged.

David LaBahn of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys said medical regulators shouldnt make such decisions. Police and prosecutors often have specially trained counselors who can help victims, increasing the likelihood they will pursue a criminal case.

We can get them some services, LaBahn said, and have a better determination as to whether theyll cooperate or not cooperate.

Notifying police, he said, should be the norm whenever boards receive complaints of possible criminal acts.

The moment they open that investigation, I see no downside that the criminal investigation ought to open at the same time, he said. Theyre looking at the licensing aspects. Were looking into if a crime occurred.
Officers spotted John Michael Neuhart II running from the womans residence and chased him into a nearby canyon, said San Diego Police Lt. Paul Phillips. He was taken into custody about 3 a.m.

The 39-year-old naval aviator was booked into jail on suspicion of attempted rape by force and sexual assault with the intent to rape. He later posted bail, which was set at $100,000, and has a Superior Court arraignment set for Monday, a district attorneys office spokeswoman said.

The victim, a Navy woman in her late 20s, was with friends at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel when they spotted Neuhart, who was an acquaintance, Phillips said. The two talked for a time, and when she went to go home, he went with her. When they got to the residence, he followed her inside.

The suspect immediately became forceful with her and attempted to sexually assault her, Phillips said. She was able to fight him off and began screaming very loudly.

A neighbor heard the screams, called police and then shouted into the home that the police were on the way, Phillips said. When officers arrived, the neighbor pointed them to a man bolting out the back door.

Phillips declined to say if either the victim or the suspect was injured.

Neuhart is based in Guam but was in San Diego for a Helicopter Sea Combat Commanders Warfighter Symposium, said Navy public affairs Lt. Leslie Hubbell. Police didnt know if the victim was attending the same conference.

Hubbell said Naval Criminal Investigative Service has been notified of the arrest.

Neuharts Navy biography says he took command of HSC Squadron 25 in Guam in December.

Cmdr. William Eastham was given temporary command of Neuharts squadron, Hubbell said.

Neuhart received his commission in 2000 after graduating from Ohio State University. His biography said he flew 36 combat missions in Iraq, is credited with numerous individual rescues, and has logged more than 2,100 hours in the air, including on Seahawk helicopters.

He served as a weapons and tactics instructor in Fallon, Nev. He also served on the aircraft carriers George H.W. Bush, Harry S Truman and George Washington. His bio also notes he had courses at the Navy Leadership and Ethics Center in Newport, R.I., last year.

He has been awarded a number of commendations and achievement medals.
Having written hundreds of columns since 9/11, I am starting to find that choosing a column topic is hard, because there are so many national security and political mistakes which confuse a natural clarity of purpose. Maybe it should be your turn to choose.

I was going to write about the embarrassing Iranian military taunts of our Navy at sea, but it really is too difficult for a retired military man to write about a lack of leadership at the top, which doesnt have the guts to stop Irans bold behavior, or Russias for that matter.

Libyas Gadhafi once drew a Line of Death in 1973 and warned he would destroy the forces of any nation crossing a line covering the Gulf of Sidra, into the Mediterranean Sea. President Reagan responded by bombing Gadhafis house and never again did he threaten us.

Unfortunately today we have leaders who take a head-in-sand position at the rear of any fight. In effect, we are called fraidy cats by our potential enemies and allies alike. Shame on us for displaying such weakness. So I think you can understand why I cant choose our military prowess to write about -- clearly a political, not a military, problem.

I also thought Id discuss Donald Trumps comments about our generals and admirals being wusses. But it would be a column which told the truth about why high ranking officers dont have the courage to tell their White House controllers not only no, but hell no, when political strategists say their plan will win the war against radical Islamic terrorists.

Nope. I want to write a national defense column that will make our country look strong and courageous -- that exudes our positive influence in the world.

Maybe I could write a positive column about our potential immigration reforms, only all I see from this administration are unvetted illegal immigrants stomping across our borders, protected by a Border Patrol with orders to release into our country all they capture. What a national security catastrophe brought about by the direction of this administration! To say the presidents first responsibility is to protect the American people is no longer valid.

My final thoughts about a topic which proves that we dont need to make America great again, that we really are great today, rests in one clear government performance which has exceeded all expectations, that we have created the greatest intelligence surveillance system the world has ever seen.

It is amazing how much data can be acquired on individuals and analyzed as necessary to fight the war on terror. Perhaps Oliver Stones new movie on Eric Snowden will champion that thought. Uh-oh. Oliver just said, In the hands of the wrong president, its very dangerous what were doing. Is this administration using this incredible surveillance like it is using cabinet offices for political reasons? The FBI, Justice Department, Homeland Security, IRS are among the offices politicized over the last seven years. It seems we are entering George Orwells world of 1984 without a whimper of protest.

I hope you will help me pick a good topic for my next column -- one that touts governments success in managing our national debt, or our health care, or the benefits we will derive from faulty trade deals, or the censorship we will experience when this administration turns over our Internet to those who will quash our First Amendment rights, or our foreign policy successes, or our ability to pay sponsors of terrorism billions in unmarked currency.

Send your column topics to dshaver630@aol.com, Use the subject line: Column Topic. Ill read every one. Thanks.
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.
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The European Union (EU) lacks unity and faces the danger of an unprecedented rise of "galloping populism," the head of the European Commission said on Wednesday.

Delivering his annual "State of the Union" address, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that there was still "a lack of union" in the EU and that "this has something to do with the crisis in the EU."

"There are too many areas where the scope in which we cooperate together is too small and national interests are brought to the fore. European integration cannot be left or bow to the interests of individual members states," he said.



Juncker said that the EU did not want to undermine national states but wanted a "better Europe" and "more solidarity."

"There are splits out there and fragmentation exits...and that is leaving scope for galloping populism  and that does not solve problems, it creates them and we need to be aware of that and protect ourselves against it," he warned.

"It's high time we take a clear look at the situation, unemployment continues to be too high in Europe and social injustice continues and that's why we have to very quickly get to work on the basis of social fairness and equity," he said.





Juncker also proposed that the region double the duration and financial capacity of its European Investment Fund which, he said, would provide a total "of at least 500 billion euros ($561 billion) of investment by 2020, and will work to reach 630 billion by 2022."



The European Union (EU) has a lot to worry about : The U.K.'s decision in June to leave the economic and political bloc, rising anti-EU sentiment elsewhere, the migrant crisis and potential political upheavals in some of the region's biggest economies.

Mentioning the U.K.'s decision to leave the EU, Juncker said again that the decision was regrettable but that the EU itself was not at risk. He again called on the U.K. to not delay in acting on the June referendum result.

Juncker's speech comes against a backdrop of political and economic risks facing the continent. Italy is holding a referendum on constitutional reform next month, which, if lost, could see the prime minister step down, and elections in France and Germany next year could see the "old guard" in politics shaken by Euroskeptic parties.

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In the meantime, Spain still does not have a government and could be heading towards its third election in 12 months. Elsewhere in the euro zone, Greece is a particular worry as it struggles to meet the conditions of its third bailout program.

Meanwhile in eastern Europe, governments have become increasingly vocal in their opposition to the EU's migrant policy and proposals that each country should take a quota of migrants to help share the burden of hundreds of thousands of people from war-torn countries in the Middle East and Africa.

In addition, Europe's relationship with Russia (and whether to extend economic sanctions on its neighbor when they expire next year), Turkey (with whom it has a fragile migrant deal) and the rest of the world also hang in the balance.

In Juncker's address on Wednesday, he said that the EU also needed to protect its industries and workers, tackle tax evasion and promote investment. He said that terrorism was also a threat and that a "collective approach" was needed to tackle it. "We need to show terrorists that they have no chance when they try to attack (European) values."

There is a distinct worry in the corridors of Brussels and Strasbourg, where the EU's major institutions are based, that anti-EU sentiment is rising and that the entire project and union of 28 (and soon to be 27 after Brexit) countries could be disintegrating.



Carsten Nickel, deputy director of research at Teneo Intelligence, said in a note Tuesday that "the track record of turning the speech into political action is poor" and there was no reason to believe this speech would be any different.

"Against the backdrop of growing political fragmentation, a busy electoral calendar in 2017, and distrust for Juncker in key capitals such as Berlin, there is no reason to assume that this time will be different. In reality, it will be a major victory for the European project if in the coming months, leaders like Chancellor Angela Merkel are able to fight off East European demands for the outright repatriation of EU powers."

"Beyond the 2017 election cycle, the room for institutional build-out will remain limited given the by-then likely consolidated power base for Eurosceptic forces in many member states," he added.

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The 165m Second City Crossing, which will open next year, will enable more frequent, reliable and flexible services on the busy tram network, which carries more than 35 passengers a year.

The first phase of the route from Victoria station to a new stop at Exchange Square was opened by TfGM in December 2015, thanks to a grant from the European Regional Development Fund which fast-tracked the process.

The remaining civil engineering works are due to be completed by the end of the year, meaning the city will be free of Metrolink construction work in time for the festive periods when a Christmas market attracts millions of visitors to the city.

The Second City Crossing is expected to open in early 2017 despite worries that construction delays would cause TfGM to postpone the opening until the summer. The line is part of the Grow project, which will have invested more than 1bn in Manchester city centre infrastructure improvements by 2017.
The Private Railcar Food and Beverage Association, Inc. (PRFBA) announces its formal creation, comprised of 13 global food and beverage companies and manufacturers headquartered in North America.

In September of 2015, a group of 10 food and beverage companies got together for three days to discuss improvements to managing and utilizing their private railcar fleets. From this summit, the PRFBA organization was born. In January of 2016, the association became incorporated and 12 members joined officially as the charter members. Since that time, one more company has joined the association with several others in the works.

Membership is per company and each company can appoint one or more designated representatives. In most cases, each member company has a primary DR and a back-up DR on the membership roster. The PRFBA membership voted in a Board of Directors in February, which consists of three member BODs and one ex-officio, BOD (non-member).

PRFBA members meet regularly either in person or on the phone to discuss opportunities and solutions to their similar challenges with railcar service. The membership also collaborates with other trade associations with regard to industry changes and legislation, such as FSMA, that directly impact the food and beverage arena.

The Association meets with the four Class 1 North American railroads at least twice per year as a group and the BODs meet with the railroads as well throughout the year.

The Association has provided the members with a forum to work together to harness the railroad service and ultimately provide a better foundation for private railcar food and beverage shippers in North America.

Some thoughts from the PRFBA members:

The Association has provided McCain Foods an opportunity to meet other private railcar food and beverage companies and has allowed me to collaborate and share ideas with regard to railcar service improvements, as stated by Charles Penrow, McCain Foods.

The Private Rail Food and Beverage Association has provided Land O Lakes, and myself, a deeper understanding of the challenges and benefits faced by the rail shipping community and enabled our collaboration with other shippers and rail providers to improve our processes and planning. We expect our involvement in the association to provide us a platform where we can further develop our rail network processes and utilization, as well as assist us in further developing our transportation team members, as stated by Jim Carver, Land O Lakes.

The ability to optimize network efficiencies (empty miles, load factors, capacity, lead times, service expectations), particularly within a rail network, are difficult to achieve as a single organization. PRFBA offers us the capability to work in partnership with other supply chains and rail providers to bring our scale together and present opportunities that would not be there otherwise, as stated by Rocco Palmieri, The Kraft Heinz Company.
The Suez Canal has been a lifeline for global commerce and for military power-projection since its inauguration in 1869. For nearly a century, it was the Royal Navy's vital link to most of the British Empire. Today, it remains a critical enabler of U.S. naval power, increasing the on-station time of American warships and their responsiveness to emerging crises.

Over the last several decades, U.S. Navy use of the canal has become a matter of routine, uninterrupted by occasional turmoil in Egypt and wider regional conflagrations. But increasing instability in the Sinai could threaten this routine, a possibility the Navy should recognize and prepare for.

Ships transiting from the East Coast to the Strait of Hormuz save over 3,000 nautical miles relative to voyaging around Africa, or about eight days in transit. In a round-trip 180-day deployment, a ship can save 16 transit days, increasing its on-station time while saving fuel. By transiting the Mediterranean, a ship can achieve presence near other key hot spots and provide the crew with morale-boosting visits to European ports.

Moreover, the Suez Canal facilitates the rapid movement of ships between the European and Central Commands. The ability to readily shift ships between the Mediterranean and Red Sea provides commanders with operational flexibility at a time of sprawling regional threats in Libya, Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran. At present, a ship addressing a situation off Libya can reach the Strait of Hormuz in 4,000 nautical miles, enabling it to expeditiously respond to an emergent crisis. If that ship were unable to use the Suez Canal, it would have to transit nearly 12,000 nautical miles around the entire African landmass.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Navy's continued use of this lifeline is increasingly menaced by growing disorder in the Sinai, on the eastern flank of the canal. Sinai-based militants linked to the Islamic State launched nearly 400 attacks against military and civilian targets in 2015, killing nearly 300 people, both dramatic increases over prior years. While over 3,000 of those militants were killed in turn, and nearly 4,000 arrested, the violence does not appear to be abating. In recent years, attacks on a busload of South Korean tourists, and an aircraft full of Russian ones, have indicated the militants' anti-foreign intent...

The remainder of this commentary is available on nationalinterest.org.

Scott Savitz and Paul DeLuca are senior engineers at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation.

This commentary originally appeared on The National Interest on September 13, 2016. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
A recent report published by the Women and Equalities Select Committee in the UK Parliament expressed concern at the rise in workplace discrimination against expectant and new mothers in the UK. The report urged the UK government to do more to tackle this problem and recommended that it review the rights of pregnant women and mothers in the workplace.

The problems described in the committee's report do not solely relate to the UK and indeed may be found across Europe. The extension of maternity leave provision is one area being explored to help mothers balance their parental responsibilities while protecting their professional position. However, two opposing tensions exist  the potential impact on mothers, businesses and the economy from extending maternity leave provision, and the impact on the health of mother and child in not doing so.

The broad economic argument is that longer periods of leave can have a negative impact on both businesses and a mother's career prospects. The health argument is that returning to work too early can have a negative impact on the health of both mother and child, particularly when breastfeeding is curtailed. The World Health Organisation recommends that babies should be exclusively breastfed up to six months of age to provide them with the necessary nutrition for healthy growth and development.

In light of these two tensions, RAND Europe examined maternity leave provision across EU countries, in particular its link to the duration of breastfeeding among mothers and the wider economic implications of extending this provision to six months.

Studies have shown that breastfeeding significantly declines after working mothers return to work.

Our policy brief found evidence that a longer maternity leave is linked to longer periods of breastfeeding. Maternity leave that does not match or go beyond six months may mean that breastfeeding could be stopped at a crucial stage in the child's development, which could have future health implications for the child. Studies have shown that breastfeeding significantly declines after working mothers return to work, as they begin to complement it with formula or replace it altogether.

Overall, European countries have some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. This is perhaps surprising, as a key objective of the EU Maternity Leave Directive, which has been in place since 2011, is to safeguard the health of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding, and to protect infant health. Scandinavian and Eastern European countries reported the highest rates of breastfed children. Croatia reported the highest exclusive breastfeeding rates (52 percent) at six months compared to all other EU-28 countries, and provides ten weeks of post-natal mandatory maternity leave ( PDF ) in combination with 16 post-natal non-mandatory weeks remunerated at 100 percent of usual earnings.

In contrast, Ireland exhibits the lowest exclusive breastfeeding at six months, with less than one percent of infants at this age being exclusively breastfed, and it provides both the shortest provisions of post-natal mandatory (four weeks) and non-mandatory leave (12 weeks). Ireland is also the only EU country where all instances of maternity leave are remunerated at a flat rate, so is the same for all cases with no variation. However, when maternity leave provisions end, exclusive breastfeeding reduces significantly at six months in all cases.

A lengthier period of leave has the potential to damage a mother's career prospects and further career development.

In exploring the economic factors of extending maternity leave provision to six months, the career prospects of the mother were identified as a key issue. A lengthier period of leave has the potential to damage a mother's career prospects and further career development. Indeed, six months of maternity leave is associated with a dip in wages for mothers when they return to work. But further research ( PDF ) suggests that extending maternity leave can have a positive effect on women's employment rates, with 12 to 26 weeks' leave associated with a 4.3 percent increase in predicted female employment.

Assessing the economic cost to businesses of extending maternity leave provision is difficult, as a wide variation in provision exists across all EU member states and in the policies of individual companies. Furthermore, research on maternity leave programmes tends to focus on the impact on child health rather than on economic effects.

Extending European maternity leave policies to a six months' mandatory leave provision would likely be a complex and long process given the significant variation across countries. Any policy solution must strike a balance between protecting infant health through facilitating extended breastfeeding and mitigating any potentially negative impact on the mother's career progression and increased costs to business. Any future changes to maternity leave policies will have profound implications for the health and welfare of mother and child, and the wider economy.

Lucy Strang is an analyst and Miriam Broeks is an associate analyst at RAND Europe.

This commentary originally appeared on EurActiv on September 12, 2016. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
Spanish satellite operator Hispasat has reached an agreement with Italys Telespazio to distribute audiovisual content to 600 cinemas throughout Italy.





Following this multi-year deal, both films and live events will be transmitted on Ku-band via the Hispasat 30W-5 satellite and Telespazios Fucino teleport in Rome.The deal strengthens Hispasats position in the area of audiovisual content distribution to cinemas, following other similar moves such as the agreement with Spacenet in Mexico and with Spains Teatro Real, which included Ultra HD broadcasting On an industry level, the Hispasat- Telespazio agreement contributes to consolidate a new distribution model for cinemas, as films are still mainly delivered to theatres on hard disks, involving a complicated distribution infrastructure.The whole process is now replaced by a single, simultaneous transmission of the film via satellite to all of the cinemas. In this way, distributors will be able to send their content to Telespazio through the Hispasat 30W-5 satellite , and then content will be delivered to the cinemas from the Fucino teleport.
Russian Supreme Court upholds sentence for murder of judge

MOSCOW, September 14 (RAPSI, Oleg Sivozhelezov)  The Supreme Court of Russia has upheld the life sentence for Siraghudin Guchuchaliev who has been found guilty of several crimes, including the murder of judge Magomed Magomedov, RAPSI learned in the court on Wednesday.

Guchuchaliev was a leader of organized criminal group Shamilkalinskiy sector. During the hearings at the Supreme Court he asked to dismiss the Stavropol Supreme Courts ruling as unjust and transfer the case to the Supreme Court of Dagestan for another review.

The Supreme Court of Russia has softened sentences for some of the lesser crimes in the case, but has upheld life sentence for the grave ones.

Magomedov, who was on the Presidium of Dagestan's Supreme Court, presided over cases which involved members of illegal armed groups in the North Caucasus republic.
At this years Insurtech Connect conference, Insider Engage spoke to Pranav Pasricha, Swiss Re's global head property and casualty solutions, Reinsurance, to discuss why the protection gap is the biggest challenge the reinsurance industry faces today and how Swiss Re is using technology to support clients to respond to new and emerging threats.
realclearworld Newsletters: Europe Memo

Last September, as newly installed European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker prepared to deliver his inaugural EU State of the Union addressed, I wrote the following:

The questions before Europeans now are as simple as the politics are intractable: Does this moment of generalized crisis call for more integration, or less?

Fast forward one year, and the picture is different, and for the European Union, more dire. The politics are as ever intractable, but the questions are more complex and generalized crisis has turned into visible disintegration. Juncker will deliver his State of the Union address tomorrow, and the EU leaders will meet for their first major post-Brexit summit this weekend. We caught up today with Mark Leonard, founder and director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, to talk about the situation facing Europe.

Below is part one of the interview. In it, Leonard addresses the political counter-revolution at hand across Europe; the disruptive effect of interdependence on national politics; and why the European Union really finds itself in so much trouble.

The following interview has been slightly edited for clarity and brevity.

RCW: What will you be looking for from Juncker tomorrow? And from the summit?

Mark Leonard: I think the biggest challenge for Juncker is showing that he gets the depth of the crisis which the EU is in and that showing that he understands why theres so much anger and pushback against the European project in different capitals. I think were going through a counter-revolution at the moment. After several decades where the European project was tearing down barriers and walls between countries, removing borders, trade restrictions, and where the European project created a huge degree of interdependence between people in different places, now there is a sense in most capitals that many of the things which made people anxious and unhappy are a result of these very forces.

Theres this almost Marxist idea that if you create an economic base where everyones bound together and you have a single economy and a single currency, that there will be a political superstructure that follows and people will feel that they are in a community of fate -- there will be what Robert Schuman called a de-facto solidarity in the Schuman declaration that led to the formation of the European Union. Instead whats happened is that the things which scare people the most are in fact different features of that interdependence. The eurocrisis was the first big shock. It scared debtor countries because they found their sovereignty emasculated. But it also scared the creditors who didnt like the fact that they were exposed to debts that they didnt have any way of controlling.

That was followed by the Russian annexation of Crimea, which had foreign policy responses which also left a lot of countries uncomfortable. For the Eastern Europan countries it was seen as an existential threat. But for a lot of other countries it was seen as a distraction, and they felt they were being dragged into a conflict with Russia that they didnt want to have. And then the refugee crisis is the most dramatic thing. It has hit people in a different way, but like the Ukraine crisis has split Europe between east and west in a very dramatic way. And then terrorism comes on top of that.

So youve got these different levels of interdependence. The flow of people, capital, and finance, and then the movement of people, and the EU is seen as a force for globalization, rather than protection from globalization.

The one thing Juncker needs to do is to show that he gets that there is a major problem, and that Europe is scaring people rather than protecting them. His response has to be about trying to make interdependence safe again. There are a lot of different ways into that, but its quite a big challenge. Particularly to do from Brussels, where youre seen as the culprit of a lot of things people dont like.

RCW: How can Juncker try to push back against that perceived danger?

One of the reasons its so difficult is that all of those crises have had a very asymmetrical impact. The eurocrisis affects debtor countries in one way, creditor countries in another way, and countries not in the euro in a completely different way. The same is true of other crises. Therefore you need a lot of different responses that key into the anxieties of people. But some of it is also to acknowledge that there have been losers as well as winners from the last few years, and to think about how you make things better for those left out. So, free movement of labor, for example, which was a massive feature of the British referendum  it is maybe emblematic of the problem. On the one hand there is a big aggregate benefit for the UK. The economy has grown, you can see that on an aggregate level, free movement has had a fiscal surplus, that people who live here pay more taxes than they get from benefits. But at the same time, the benefits have not been shared equally. There are a lot of people in Britain who live in areas where large numbers of people come in, which has put extra pressure on public services, and has depressed wages in certain sectors of the economy.

Where there are winners and losers, you have to try to mitigate losses. In the UK people feel threatened by free movement. Its too late now because Britain has left the EU, but having some limits on free movement [would have helped] -- firstly, having more control over it, so you know where people are moving, and you can then redistribute resources. So if you have large numbers of people going to a particular area, there is a fund where local authorities can go to get resources to invest in school, hospitals, so the indigenous population doesnt lose out. Also, having much tougher restrictions on things that depress wages in certain areas.

I think in each area you need to think about a set of policies. On free trade for instance, theres a lot of opposition to TTIP and to other things, based on the idea that the EU goes one way: It liberalizes and doesnt protect. Its obviously difficult because the protections that people want have to be delivered at the national level.

But changing the framing, the language, and dropping some of the things that will upset people is a sensible response. Terrorism is another area where theres a huge amount of things that can be done that have been talked about for a long time. Giving the sense that the borders are well governed, and that information is being properly shared.

RCW: How important is it tomorrow for Juncker to deliver a message that can connect? How important is it to get the message right, right now?

Mark Leonard: I dont think its about a single speech or summit. I do think you need a clear idea firstly that the next phase of European integration is about de-risking interdependence, so you have a clearer idea of what the risks are. Then you have a policy response aimed at individual people and their everyday lives. Secondly, [communicate] that the highest purpose of the EU institutions in Brussels is about protecting and saving and empowering national governments that are really struggling to deal with great changes in the world. That would be another really powerful message. That Juncker sees his role as making national governments able to deliver basic things for their citizens. I think that would be another powerful message. Thats one of the things that was true about the European project at the beginning. There is this really famous book by Alan Milward about the European rescue of the nation-state. I think one of the reasons why the European project is in so much trouble right now, is because national governments are in so much trouble.

RCW: In the aftermath of the Brexit vote, weve seen a lot of smaller gatherings and EU forums - a reinvigoration of the Visegrad Group, the so-called EuroMed gathering. Is this helpful or hurtful for the European Union right now?

Mark Leonard: I think were in the middle of a period where a lot of things that might have looked like ways of pulling together, now look more like disintegration. Disintegration can take a thousand different forms. The most dramatic thing is countries voting by referendum to leave the European Union. But other symptoms are countries just not implementing EU decisions, whether its Italy ignoring capital requirements for banks, or Spain or Portugal breaking the fiscal rules, or France saying it wont implement the Posted Workers Directive. There are countries calling referendums on specific policies, like Hungary calling a referendum on refugee reallocation or the Netherlands having a referendum on the association agreement with Ukraine.

I think its in that kind of basket that you have these subgroups of the EU, meeting and increasingly trying to pull it in different directions. You had this attempt with [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel, [Italian Prime Minister Matteo] Renzi and [French President Francois] Hollande meeting, and then the Visegrad countries pulling in another direction. The EU is a big and complicated place, and its perfectly good practice for little groups of countries to come together and to push things theyre particularly interested in, because there are not that many issues that interest all 28 member states. But if it comes at a time where people cant seem to agree with anything at the EU level, then it can lead to a further Balkanization of the EU. And I think thats a particular danger between Eastern and Western Europe. Theyre much more divided than theyve been at any time since the Iraq War, and the idea of [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor] Orban and [Polish political leader Jaroslaw] Kaczynski running what theyve called a cultural counter-revolution is something which is very damaging to the basic idea of Europe. And I think the challenge for Merkel and the institutions, [European Council President] Donald Tusk and Juncker, is to see if they can reach out and deliver something useful to these members states. And also to be more flexible on things like the refugee quotas, or the capital requirements for Italy, or the fiscal rules for Spain and Portugal, to try and avoid doing things which will encourage people to mobilize against Brussels, because Brussels is the perfect enemy on any domestic topic.
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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 09/13/2016



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 09/14/2016



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

pro Cheryl Burke has revealed Ryan Lochte was actually physically injured during the Monday night scuffle between protesters and security."We have a quickstep this week and Ryan did injure his ankle a little when the protester got tackled, so we'll have to see how our first rehearsal goes. But at the end of the day, we are all just so grateful that no one was more seriously injured," Burke wrote in a People blog post.After Burke and the Olympic gold medalist performed their foxtrot routine and were being critiqued by judge Carrie Ann Inaba during ' Season 23 premiere, two protesters -- LA residents Sam Sotoodeh and Barzeen Soroudi -- ambushed Lochte onstage.The protesters told authorities Lochte had endangered Americans by fabricating a story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro during the 2016 Summer Olympics when, in actuality, he helped to vandalize a gas station and a security guard demanded money for the damages, according to ABC News."We were standing there listening to Carrie Ann give us her thoughts when I suddenly saw someone walking onto the ballroom floor in a T-shirt with a red line through Ryan's last name. My first thought was, 'Is this a joke? Is this scripted and no one told us? Too soon, guys,'" Burke wrote."But as soon as he started yelling, 'Boo! Lochte! Liar! Lochte!' I realized it was a serious situation. My mind started racing. My initial concern was if the guy was armed or not. DWTS is a family show and I knew there were kids in the audience and I just didn't want anyone to get hurt."Sotoodeh and Soroudi were tackled by security and escorted out of the studio. The protesters were ultimately arrested and booked for misdemeanor trespassing. Although the chaos was quickly taken care of, the incident left Burke and Lochte visibly shaken, hurt and distressed."I looked up to Ryan and I could tell he was on the verge of tears. I could feel his heart sinking into his stomach -- and to be honest, mine was too. They cut to commercial break and I just had him lock eyes with me and I was telling him, 'You're amazing. Don't forget why you're here,'" Burke wrote in the blog."I started getting teary eyed and apparently was shaking, but I didn't even realize that until someone else pointed it out to me. I just wanted to be strong for Ryan. The first thing he did was turn to me and say, 'I'm so sorry.' I just told him, 'Never tell me you're sorry again. These tears are just because I don't want you to be hurt or for you to lose your spirit.'"Burke, who said she feels like a motherly figure to Lochte in this competition, then hugged the Olympic swimmer's biological mother in the audience, who was "bawling.""I know it will probably take us a few weeks to put this incident behind us, but I know Ryan wants to move forward and he's not going to let this bring him down," the pro dancer insisted.
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First-time voters should be experiencing the excitement that comes with backing a candidate who shares the values and ideals they have for our country. Instead, when asked who they will vote for many students sigh, unprepared to argue which candidate they dislike less.
After bouncing back and forth between No. 20 and No. 21 for the past four years, the University of Georgia has broken back into the teens on the U.S. News & World Report's Best Public Universities list. UGA ranked No. 18 on the 2017 Best Public Universities list this year.
Imagine connecting with someone on Facebook or Instagram, forging what seems to be a flirtatious or romantic relationship, only to discover that your new "friend" is actually a scammer intent on getting dirt to blackmail you.

This new internet crime is being referred to as "sextortion." It's on the rise, and more children are falling prey with tragic results.

The trap is set with a friend request or hail from someone new via social media. You don't instantly recognize them, but they have some sort of connection with you  typically common "friends" or a linked history. For example, their profile indicates they went to your high school or worked at the company you left a few years back. These commonalities lead you to accept their friend request and soon they start to chat with you.

If you are responsive to the initial forays into engagement, they become more flirtatious. If you're receptive to that, they suggest a video chat. Once you move to a video chat forum your new "friend" suggests getting risque, often starting the ball rolling by taking off their clothes. As soon as you reciprocate and begin to engage in something compromising, the video chat ends.

Within minutes you receive a link to where the video of you on camera has been uploaded to a site such as YouTube. The sender tells you that unless you pay them, they'll send out the link to all of your friends, family, and social media contacts.

While this version of sextortion is growing more and more prevalent, with women in poor countries being coerced into participating as the "lure," it is just one of many ways that scammers are using compromising, embarrassing images or videos to attempt to extort money from victims.

Even if you know that you'd never engage in an online sex chat with a virtual stranger, "sextortionists" are stealing compromising images and videos using a number of methods, from stealing laptops, computers, flash drives and back up hard drives, to hacking into social media accounts and/or emails. If you have sexual or provocative images of yourself saved on your phone or device, they are in high demand by this new brand of criminal. More sophisticated "sextortionists" have even found ways to use malware on a victim's computer to hijack the web cam, capturing images of unsuspecting victims who have no idea that their computer's camera is capturing footage and transmitting it to hackers.

These hackers also use a number of methods to get access to your contacts. Whether it's through convincing you to install a malware program on your phone or computer, or by breaking into your email account, their objective is to get access to as large of a pool of distant connections as possible to create the most threat of embarrassment.

Interpol reports that "sextortion" crimes are increasing, citing "hundreds of thousands of victims." Social media gives these criminals easy access to personal details about victims. Publicly shared information, such as your high school or friends list allows them to create a fake profile that seems to be a "friend of a friend," or at least a distant acquaintance.

Yet the forum of social media or the internet at large allows "sextortionists" to ultimately retain a veil of anonymity. If one profile gets taken down, they simply create another, often using stolen photos or information from other accounts.

Perhaps the most troubling part is that, according to a recent Brookings Institution report, more than 70 percent of sextortion victims are minors (http://brook.gs/2cxfFSc ). Children are particularly vulnerable to the lure of a person interested in them, or the threat of social repercussions of embarrassing images being exposed online. In April 2016, the Justice Department declared in a new report that "sextortion is the most significantly growing threat to children."

These criminals use a variety of means to obtain images of young victims. The University of New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Research Center partnered with nonprofit Thorn to survey social media users who have been targeted by sextortion. They had more than 1,600 respondents. One 17-year-old victim describes how she was on a video chat site when a man began "choking a cat" on video. He told her he wouldn't stop until she showed him her breast. She did and he taped it, then threatened to post it to Facebook.

In 2015, an FBI analysis of 43 sextortion cases involving child victims revealed that at least two victims had committed suicide and at least ten more attempted suicide. This equates to roughly 28 percentof sextortion crimes involving minors resulting in suicide.

Here are some tips for helping to ensure your children don't become victims:

First and foremost, talk to your children. Discuss how everything they send out over the internet  whether it's in an email or text to another individual, posted to social media, or even shared using a "temporary" platform like Snapchat  could be saved, forwarded and shared with anyone else. Never send anything electronically that wouldn't be OK for the whole world to see.

Make sure they know they should come to you if they feel threatened, or if a situation has gotten out of their control. Promise you'll do everything to help without judgement.

Second, take steps to monitor and limit their online access to strangers. Install parental monitoring software. Tell your kids what you're going to be keeping an eye out for and why. Limit their access to social media by maintaining administrative control over their account and allowing your child to "friend" only those contacts you've approved.

Even if you feel a bit silly, cover their webcam with a piece of tape or other shield when it isn't in use.

Finally, never respond to threats. If you give in to extortion, it will never end.

For more information about how to protect yourself and your children from sextortion, see this press release issued by the FBI in July 2016: http://bit.ly/2cJlzS8.

Nerd Chick Adventures is written by Andrea Eldridge and Heather Neal from Nerds On Call, an onsite computer and laptop repair company in Redding. They can be reached at nerdchick@callnerds.com.
Owner Amin Wahbi and manager Alicia Stange at Anthonys Mediterranean Cuisine in west Redding

SHARE Turkish coffee and baklava Greek salad

By Marc Beauchamp

Seriously good Greek salad ... best coffee in Redding, a well-travelled friend said after I introduced him last week to Anthonys Mediterranean Cuisine on Eureka Way in west Redding.

My favorite menu items at Anthonys include the lamb and chicken kabob plate, the lamb gyro, the vegetarian dolmas with traditional tzatziki sauce, tabouli salad and, for dessert, the super-strong, black Turkish coffee and deliciously sweet baklava.

On Sunday evening, our second time at Anthonys in a week, I asked Cottonwood rancher Kevin Devine what he thought. He pointed to his empty, nearly spotless plate. Yes, Id come back. I asked him what he had. The kabob combo plate (with chicken and lamb, salad, rice and hummus) and way too many baklavas.

Anthonys is the third Greek/Mediterranean restaurant in Redding owned by Syrian immigrant Amin Wahbi. It opened in July 2015 across from Shasta High in the building that once housed Quiznos and Bartels Giant Burger. Wahbi opened the Greek Shack on Hartnell in 2011 and Xanders drive-through on Churn Creek in early 2013.

Anthonys earns 4.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp.com. Lee Anne S. of Citrus Heights wrote recently: Some of the best Mediterranean food Ive eaten; one person in our party was born and raised in Egypt and said it was fabulous!

The hummus, juicy chicken kabob and fresh salads all get high marks.

Wahbi arrived in Redding in 2008. His family hails from a region of Syria near the Lebanese border. Hes a member of Reddings Greek Orthodox Church. Father Nectarios Rozadilla offered the blessing at Anthonys opening last summer. The restaurant's named after his second son.

Manager Alicia Stange recommends the Fattoush salad and the Zaatar Manakeesh (a sort of pizza) topped thyme, Mediterranean oregano, sumac and sesame seeds. She suggests adding a sprinkle of feta cheese.

Note: Anthonys doesnt serve beer or wine. But there are plenty of beverage options. From Calypso and Huberts lemonade, to iced tea, Smart Water and Red Bull to Sno-Cones and old-fashioned bottles of Coke, Fanta and Sprite made in Mexico with real sugar.

As I was paying at the counter I couldnt resist buying a package of U.S.-grown Medjool dates, a heavenly fruit. Two pounds for $10.99 struck me as a good deal  and theyre exquisite.

Two years ago, after we chatted about the terrible Syrian civil war, I asked Wahbi how things were going with his life and business ventures in Redding. The futures good, thanks God, he told me in slightly accented English. With the opening of Anthonys on the west side of Redding it looks like that's still the case.

Thank you, Amin, for bringing your energy, work ethic, entrepreneurialism and some great Mediterranean food to Redding.

go now 

Anthonys Mediterranean Cuisine

Address: 2475 Eureka Way, Redding

Phone: 768-1333

Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Social media: Facebook

Owner: Amin Wahbi

Established: Summer 2015

Sample menu items:

Tabouli salad $5.99

Greek salad $6.99

Vegetarian dolmas $5.99

Lamb gyro plate $13.99

Kabob combo plate $13.99

Zaatar Manakeesh $3.99

Baklava $2.99

Turkish coffee $1.99
Artwork courtesy of Doug Rickard

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By Julie Marsh

Shasta College is hosting A New American Picture, an exhibition of color photographs by Doug Rickard. A Northern California-based photographer, Rickard creates images that push the genre of reference documentary photography forward in compelling ways. Rickard founded American Suburb X and These Americans, two archive websites dedicated to contemporary photography and American historical and cultural photography. Born in San Jose in 1968, Rickard studied at Shasta College before completing his education at UC San Diego. Now he has returned to his Shasta College roots with his latest exhibit.

What was your motivation?

I wanted to direct attention to the condition of the impoverished areas of the United States where opportunity to achieve the American dream is shattered. I saw that I could do a project that would comment on a myriad of things  technology, photography, race, class, American culture, privacy, surveillance, etc. I also had spent a huge amount of time looking through the FSA project that was done during the Great Depression and thought that in a strange way, Google Street View could allow for a parallel project to be done, one that used the internet entirely as the road and map.

Can you tell us a little about your pictures?

The early low-resolution Google images that I favored have a dissolved, painterly effect, and are populated with figures who acknowledge the camera, but whose faces are blurred, masking their identity. The photographs are then charged and imbued with a sort of surreal aspect and anonymity and even feelings of alienation and detachment.

The pictures are actually taken from about 8 feet in the air, so there is that added symbolism of power and control, which doesnt exist in the same physical manner between people. Something to be noted is the amount of movement within Google Street View. They take nine pictures and stitch them together. I probably took 10,000 images, which through extremely disciplined editing were ultimately consolidated into pictures that were coherent in color and composition

Have you had exhibits at other galleries and museums?

Yes, Ive created several series of work that have been published in many books and have been exhibited in galleries around the world including the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, Centre Pompidou in Paris and many others.

go now

See Doug Rickards work through Sept. 22 at the Shasta College Art Gallery (building 300 at the college). An artists lecture will be held 11 a.m. to noon Thursday in room 400 with a reception to follow in building 300. Admission is free. Shasta College Art Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays. Admission is free.
SHARE Les Baugh

By Nathan Solis of the Redding Record Searchlight

Shasta County Supervisor Les Baugh said he would withdraw his support for a new path forward for homeless services if it is not made clear who is taking the lead on the initiative between the city of Redding and the county.

At Tuesday's regular board meeting, Baugh asked why he received an invitation to a homeless workshop from Redding Councilwoman Kristen Schreder and why it looks that she is taking the lead.

"Who's in charge? Is it Ms. Schreder or is it now the county and city? I would say the county and the city were authorized on the path forward," he said.

Baugh said he voted on a homeless plan that gave authority to County Executive Officer Larry Lees and Redding City Manager Kurt Starman, who presented a modified plan to Schreder's plan that was the byproduct of a year of workshops and community input on how to revamp the county's Homeless Continuum of Care.

Baugh said the invitation to an upcoming workshop from Schreder has caused him and others confusion.

"It is not right. It needs to stop," said Baugh during the board meeting.

After the board meeting, Baugh said Schreder's actions are that of a lone wolf attempting to take away control from the county and COC executive board.

"These seem like decisions that we have to work together," Baugh said. "Ms. Schreder got the ball rolling and I give her that credit. She took that information and presented it to the board. But I have to say, once she presented that to the public, it's released to the public. I say let those bodies of government move forward."

This is a misunderstanding, said Schreder, who was authorized by the COC executive board to send the email, which is an invitation to a public workshop on gathering data for homeless services.

"I'm not acting on my own. I asked the Continuum of Care board and I presented the project that was funded outside of government," said Schreder.

In July Schreder presented a plan to revamp the COC and its partnership with local homeless service providers. The committee behind the revamp received community input for over a year, said Schreder.

That overhaul plan looked to hire a full-time administrator, assign a nonprofit to manage the program and purchase software to coordinate agencies already serving the homeless population.

In August the board of supervisors agreed on the need to do something, but the decision was to take the overhaul plan and trim out the new coordinating system. Instead, the path forward  as it was called would hire a full-time director and work with what was in place under the county's lead.

"It was a plan that did not have enough components to be as successful as it needs to be. They choose to do less," said Schreder, who voted against the plan at last week's Redding City Council meeting.

Schreder has always said having more comprehensive data will put the county in a better place when applying for federal funding.

Baugh took to Facebook and picked apart the plan presented by Schreder in July and said her actions are undermining the efforts of the county and city of Redding.

Baugh wrote, "As for me, I will continue to move forward, cautiously, questioning everything, embracing facts, not some 'feel-good' hurry-up-and-do-it-because-I-say-so approach. I absolutely believe that we can make a difference working together, with added emphasis on that together part."
Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight

People boat down the Pit River near Big Bend on Saturday. PG&E increased the flows on the river, which created a run of Class III and IV whitewater.

SHARE Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight People boated down the Pit River near Big Bend on Saturday. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. nearly tripled the flows on the river over the weekend, which created a run of class III and IV whitewater.

By Damon Arthur of the Redding Record Searchlight

Joe Riess of Weaverville has easy access to whitewater recreation.

He lives only 20 minutes from plenty of rapids on the Trinity River, but when he gets the chance, he takes advantage of the two times a year when the water levels on the Pit River are increased.

"It's a lot of fun. It's also something different," Riess said.

The section of the Pit River where the flows are increased also includes a lot of technical class IV rapids, he said.

"It's just really fun. There's a lot of fun moves" on the water, Riess said.

Twice a summer Pacific Gas and Electric Co. increases the amount of water flowing down sections of the river, upstream of Lake Shasta. During the weekend of Sept. 10 and 11, the flows nearly tripled, from about 450 cubic feet per second to 1,200 cfs.

Even during the drought, the Pit River and other streams in the watershed continue to flow at near-normal levels because they are fed by springs steadily released from large volcanic aquifers, according to PG&E.

PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno said the higher flows are required under the company's license to operate its dams on the Pit River. Reiss said he would like to see PG&E increase the number of high flow weekends.

The rapids below the Pit 5 Powerhouse are class III, IV and V and are for experienced paddlers only, PG&E said. Inner tubes are not recommended on the river during high flows, PG&E said.

According to a report on the Pit 5 stretch by American Whitewater, a big part of what draws people to the river is its wilderness appeal, with few roads and structures in the area. The class IV run begins just below the new Madesi River Access put in below the Pit 5 Dam, according to American Whitewater.

The first rapids are brushy, but they can be avoided by putting in below the rapids. The next rapids downstream are class V.

"It is a chunky, boulder strewn affair, with a partial portage option on the river left," American Whitewater said. From below the class V rapids to the Big Bend bridge are class III and IV rapids, the group said.

Kayakers can take out just below the Big Bend bridge on the right, American Whitewater said.

The entire run is 9 miles, but Riess said he usually runs a shorter 3-mile section that takes about 45 minutes to reach the bridge downstream at Big Bend.

The rapids draw whitewater enthusiasts from California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada. Most of the paddlers camp out and make a weekend of it, Riess said. He said he is concerned that if the number of users goes down PG&E could reduce the number of high flow weekends on the river.

He estimated this past weekend's whitewater run drew more visitors than he has seen in the four years he has been kayaking on the river.

Moreno said that the number of boaters on the water has to meet a threshold of 25 to 80 people on the water per day during high flows. If the number goes below that, then the number of high-flow days will be reduced from four to three  one weekend day in August and two weekend days in September.

So far the number of boaters on the water has met the threshold, Mareno said. One count this past weekend put the number of people on the water at 58, said Linda Holdren with Spring Rivers Ecological Sciences. Spring Rivers is contracted by PG&E to count boaters.
Firefighters mop up a fire Tuesday northeast of Red Bluff on Highway 36. The 360-acre grass fire was caused by a bird that flew into a power line, Cal Fire said. Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight

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Crews gain control of 360-acre fire

Firefighters had a 360-acre grass fire fully contained about three hours after it started Tuesday off Highway 36 near Hog Lake, northeast of Red Bluff.

The fire started when a bird flew into a power line around 11:10 a.m., said Kevin Colburn of the Tehama-Glenn Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Water slide tickets still up for sale

Tickets are still on sale for those who are interested in slipping and sliding on the giant water slide coming to Redding.

Slide the City's 1,000-foot-long inflatable slip and slide rolls out 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday on Placer Street. It is being paired with a festival, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., in the area of First Presbyterian Church, 2315 Placer St. That festival will include a Wild Kingdom animal show by Mutual of Omaha, climbing wall, bounce house and refreshments.

Proceeds from the two events will benefit an inclusive playground project at Kids Kingdom at Enterprise Park. The cost to replace the aging play structures and improve accessibility is $310,000. Of that amount, the city has raised $225,000.

Kim Niemer, community services director, has set a $20,000 fundraising goal from the Slide the City event. As of last Wednesday, more than 1,000 tickets had been sold, and organizers were looking to sell an additional 500 tickets by the day of the event.

For Slide the City tickets, go to http://bit.ly/2cmubyx.

Recreational vehicle burns in parking lot

Firefighters put out a fire in a travel-trailer at the Win-River Casino parking lot about noon Tuesday.

Crews had the fire contained within 10 minutes.

The owner suffered a minor burn while trying to put out the fire, which was caused by a malfunction, firefighters said. A nearby pickup suffered some damage to its paint job.

The RV was a total loss roughly estimated at $20,000, firefighters said.

Lassen blaze now 50% contained

A forest fire in Lassen County called the Willard Fire has burned 2,527 acres and was 50 percent contained Tuesday night, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The blaze is burning off of Willard Creek Road west of Susanville along the eastern perimeter of Lassen National Forest. Some 525 structures are threatened, but two homes and four other structures already have been destroyed. One person was injured in the blaze.

Firefighters have made progress in building and strengthening fire lines, but the area's steep terrain and dry conditions due to years of drought have made it difficult to extinguish the flames, Cal Fire said.

Total fire personnel number 1,673 while 125 fire engines, four air tankers, 14 helicopters, 39 bulldozers and 41 water tenders were assigned to the fire Tuesday.

Mandatory evacuations changed at 6 p.m Tuesday to advisory evacuations and only residents with IDs will be allowed back to their homes. Those areas include the Gold Run area and Hidden Hills Drive in addition to the Cheney Creek Drainage east of Devil's Corral, Cal Fire said.

Evacuation advisories were still posted for residents in the Susan Hills areas south of Susanville. The Bizz Johnson and Southside trails were closed because of the fire.

The fire started Sunday and its cause is under investigation.

The Willard Fire information number is 530-817-9956.

Gap Fire still burns in Klamath forest

The Gap Fire 20 miles west of Yreka continues to grow in Siskiyou County with 33,867 acres burned on the Klamath National Forest. It remained 85 percent contained Tuesday.

The U.S. Forest Service said new mapping methods revealed the fire's increase and that included all land in the perimeter of the fire.

Firefighters continued to mop up around containment lines. Crews will continue to put out isolated hot spots  including smoldering tree stumps and burning islands of vegetation  in the fire's western area.

A forest closure remains in place. A community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Horse Creek Community Church.

The cause of the Gap Fire is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the U.S. Forest Service tip line at 530-841-4474.

City Hall hosts Art in City exhibit

Redding's autumn Art in the City exhibit is on display and will be the focus of a reception later this month.

The free event is scheduled 5-7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Redding City Hall, 777 Cypress Ave., and will feature performances by local songwriters, Still Married and Cruz Slaughter.

Invited artists, whose work is featured in the exhibit, are Linda McGinnis, Janice Peterson, Patricia Cook, Betsy Spencer Judge, Eileen Born and students from the Redding School of the Arts. Born's artwork also is on display at Redding Library, 1100 Parkview Ave.

The autumn gallery will be available for viewing through Jan. 6. For more information, visit www.reddingart.org.

Driver rescued after car goes into river

A driver whose car went into the Sacramento River near the Redding Rodeo Grounds around noontime Tuesday was taken to a local hospital on a trauma alert.

The driver was still in the car when it went into shallow, according to dispatch reports.

Women attacked at mobile home park

Two elderly Red Bluff residents were attacked by a woman, including one who was hit with a broom.

On Monday evening the manager of the Casa Grande Mobile Home Park, Barbara Benson, 78, was notified of a woman in a grassy area at the rear of the park who was acting strangely, according to the Tehama County Sheriff's Office.

Benson and her sister, Sarah Correia, 76, tried to check on the woman, who then attacked the sisters. First Benson was attacked and then as Correia tried to get help from a neighbor she was also hit.

Correia grabbed a wooden-handled broom from a nearby trailer to defend herself, but the woman was able to pull it away. She then hit Correia with the broom, according to law enforcement.

Deputies arrested the woman, identified as Lisa Darlene Cook, 45, of Red Bluff, who lived on Casa Grande Drive, the same street as the mobile home park.

Deputies said alcohol was not a factor in Cook's strange behavior. There was no word if drugs or a mental health issue were to blame, said law enforcement.

Cook was booked into the Tehama County Jail on suspicion of elder abuse, battery with serious injury and assault with a deadly weapon, according to the sheriff's office.
'The Indian state is very benevolent when it comes to corporates.'

'Among top 100 companies, only 68 companies have entities that could be called unions.'

'When it comes to diversity in the workforce, the less said, the better.'



Among the CSR activities education tops the chart with 81 per cent adopting this as their mandate.

Corporate Responsibility Watch (CRW) India, a network of 15 voluntary organisations and independent consultants, has come out with a study of India Incs track record in meeting national voluntary guidelines on social, economic and environmental responsibilities. Tom Thomas, bottom, left, chief executive officer of Praxis, and convenor of CRW India, shares the outcomes of the study with Sudipto Dey. Excerpts:

Why did you feel the need for a fresh look at corporate Indias CSR spend?

A number of organisations and networks have been analysing CSR expenditure and are awarding corporates as best CSR entities. We were interested in taking a fresh look on CSR spend from the actual definition, that is, how responsible corporates are in their core business.

Our politics is of human rights, and we are looking at data through the lens of business and human rights, and the National Voluntary Guidelines (NVG) is a guiding framework for that.

The NVG truly defines social responsibility of corporates. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has mandated the top 100 companies to file their Business Responsibility Reports (BRR) against the nine NVG principles.

CRW has been analysing these for the past three years. We thought it was time to come out with a reality check on CSR reports that are being released almost every month.

So, is this a grudge report from social sector players?

It is not. It is primarily a struggle between the real narrative and a dominant narrative. The two per cent CSR agenda has taken over the discourse.

We just want to reclaim the agenda to mean business responsibility in core operations. We are not much interested in what companies are doing with the two-per cent profit, as we are keen to know how they are actually making profits.

The two-per cent agenda is the cheapest way to wash your sins - most religions have a higher percentage! The Indian state is very benevolent when it comes to corporates.

Has the mandatory CSR spend had any impact on adherence to environmental, social and governance (ESG) norms?

As indicated, ESG norms are broader than the current CSR agenda. The report analyses these from different fronts, and surely corporates are found wanting in a number of domains.

According to your study, there is a trend of reduction in labour unionisation among the top 100 listed companies, and a rise in use of contract workers. To what extent is the drive to facilitate ease of doing business responsible for these trends?

Firstly, even among top 100 companies, only 68 companies have entities that could be called unions. And, only 32 have more than 50 per cent permanent employees unionised.

Secondly, even in the past three years, contractual employees have increased among these companies.

Thirdly, we understand and convey to companies that workspace does not mean just their head office in Mumbai, but the entire supply chain. The firms do not extend their employment policies to the supply chain.

While this is the trend, the governments proposed policy changes are alarming. While a single window is being offered to create companies, the documents required for registering a trade union are being doubled.

The mindset of the policymakers can be assessed when one sees that starting a business has become easier than registering a trade union within the company. Hence, it is important for the government to understand that the existence of collective bargaining should be an integral part of ease of doing business!

How serious is the issue of businesses not taking responsibility for violations of ESG norms in the supply chain?

Companies cleverly make a distinction between their own employees and those in the supply chain. For example, most companies have very clear policies of prohibiting child labour in their workspace, but they are afraid of extending that to the supply chain.

How has corporate India fared when it comes to diversity in the workforce?

The less said, the better. Everyone knows how companies struggled in bringing the mandatory one woman on the Board of Directors. The deadline got extended twice.

Apparently, on April 1, 2015, there were still 247 out of the 1,451 listed National Stock Exchange (NSE) companies that did not comply.

Further, 300 directorship positions went to women in March 2015 alone. There are only 18 companies among top 100 where women form more than 20 per cent of the workforce.

Further, there are only seven firms where persons with disabilities form more than two per cent of the workforce. Only public sector undertakings declare numbers with respect to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. We do not have any information from other companies.

Would it be a fair assessment that the present CSR regime is focused more on compliance and inputs, and isnt outcome-oriented?

The problem is the very concept of CSR being reduced to chanda to wash or whitewash sins. In that sense, more than compliance or inputs, CSR has been defined in such a way that it is very comfortable territory for firms.

The previous government helped CSR in getting defined this way, neutralising their own good work in coming out with NVG in 2011. The new government is no different.

Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters
Mamata offered 1,000-acre land at Goaltore and said anyone be it the Tatas or BMW are most welcome to set up an auto plant in the state

Image: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee interacts with social activist Medha Patkar. ' Photograph: Swapan Mahapatra/PTI Photo

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Tuesday, handed over land 'parchas' and cheques to the farmers in Singur even as she sent messages to firms saying any company willing to set up auto firm in the state is "welcome".

Handing over parchas and cheques following a Supreme Court order in this regard, Banerjee, who had steered the massive agitation against the land acquisition for Tatas' Nano car factory in Singur in 2006, said, "We want industry but not through forcible (land) acquisition".

'Parcha' is a document which establishes the ownership of a farmer over a piece of land in revenue records.

The Supreme Court had on August 31 ruled that land acquisition process in Singur was faulty and not for public purpose and had directed the state government to return it to the farmers within 12 weeks.

Image: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee greeting villagers at Singur. ' Photograph: Swapan Mahapatra/PTI Photo

"I am giving a month's time. You think. We will give 1,000-acre land at Goaltore (in Midnapore). If anyone, be it the Tatas or BMW, wants to set up auto industry, they are welcome. We will be very happy," she said.

"We will keep the land. (If you want to set up industry) ...please contact our Finance Minister Amit Mitra or the chief secretary. We have land at Kharagpur, Panagarh, and other places. Our message is very clear. We must set up industry and save agriculture land," she said.

Image: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hands over land deeds and compensation cheques to farmers. ' Photograph: Swapan Mahapatra/PTI Photo

She said, "We are working with many of their (Tata) companies. Tomorrow we will have an agreement with one of their companies."

Criticising the previous Left Front government's policy, she said, "The difference is that we have the land bank, land map and land use policy. The Tatas could not set up (Nano) factory due to the stubborn attitude of the LF government over the 1,000-acre land (in Singur)."

Banerjee, who had resorted to hunger strike and dharna to oppose the "forcible" acquisition, recounted the memories of the days of agitation, and the people who helped her.

Image: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee greets a villager while Mayor of Kolkata Sovan Chatterjee looks on. ' Photograph: Swapan Mahapatra/PTI Photo

"I was beaten up by the police at midnight at the BDO office and was admitted to nursing home in serious condition. I will never forget those incidents," she said.

Banerjee also had a dig at the Congress, saying, "The UPA government was in power at the Centre then. But none had bothered to inquire about us."

Image: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mingles with Singur villagers. ' Photograph: Swapan Mahapatra/PTI Photo

Distributing land parchas to 9,117 farmers and cheques to 806 persons amidst jubiliation, she said, "Today I am happy because I kept my promise (of returning farmland)".

"We will also give Rs 10,000 to the farmers to ensure that the land can be made cultivable. Our government will extend all necessary help to the farmers including seeds and fertiliser," she said, adding the share-croppers will also get their share of compensation.

Also read: I think Ms Banerjee pulled the trigger, says Tata
How well do you know Amancio Ortega? Here are 10 facts about the reclusive owner of Zara.

Earlier this week Amancio Ortega Gaona, founder of the fashion giant Zara, is said to have surpassed Microsofts Bill Gates as the richest man in the world. According to Forbes, based on networth, Ortega at somewhere from $77.8 billion to $79.5 billion was marginally ahead of Gatess $78.5 billion networth.

Fortune.com points out, however, that there are different ways of calculating networth, and that according to Bloombergs Billionaires Index Gates was still riding high at number one slot with an estimated $89.7 billion, and Ortega trailing at $78.9 billion.

However, for someone whose early life was one of abject poverty, Ortegas accomplishment is remarkable.

Here are 10 things not many know about a man who may have dethroned Bill Gates.

1. Ortegas modesty is legendary. It is well known that despite being among the richest on the planet, he leads a modest lifestyle. He is known to eat lunch along with his employees in the staff canteen. It is also a common sight to see him on the factory floor, seated among his designers etc, discussing the product range. Zara today is a high street brand but its founder is known to wear the same blazer/shirt combo, neither of which is Zara. Ortegas modesty is legendary. It is well known that despite being among the richest on the planet, he leads a modest lifestyle. He is known to eat lunch along with his employees in the staff canteen. It is also a common sight to see him on the factory floor, seated among his designers etc, discussing the product range. Zara today is a high street brand but its founder is known to wear the same blazer/shirt combo, neither of which is Zara.

2. Many billionaires are known for their eccentricities, heres one about Ortega: He still buys coffee from the same cafe in La Coruna, Galicia, Spain, that he has been visiting for years, and ordering eggs and fries for breakfast. Many billionaires are known for their eccentricities, heres one about Ortega: He still buys coffee from the same cafe in La Coruna, Galicia, Spain, that he has been visiting for years, and ordering eggs and fries for breakfast.

3. Ortegas childhood was impoverished. His father was a railway worker and his mother was a housemaid, and the family was often unable to afford even the most necessary of items. Ortegas childhood was impoverished. His father was a railway worker and his mother was a housemaid, and the family was often unable to afford even the most necessary of items.

4. Born in Leon in 1936, Ortega started working, at 14, as a shop assistant at a local company in La Coruna called Gala. This is where he learnt to make clothes by hand. Gala is still around, and more people visit it today to ask after Ortega than to buy anything. Born in Leon in 1936, Ortega started working, at 14, as a shop assistant at a local company in La Coruna called Gala. This is where he learnt to make clothes by hand. Gala is still around, and more people visit it today to ask after Ortega than to buy anything.

5. Ortega set out organising women into sewing cooperatives, producing womens bathrobes, lingerie, and nightgowns. This is where he founded his first company, Confecciones GOA. Ten years later, it metamorphosed into Inditex, the fashion conglomerate which owns brands like Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius etc. Ortega set out organising women into sewing cooperatives, producing womens bathrobes, lingerie, and nightgowns. This is where he founded his first company, Confecciones GOA. Ten years later, it metamorphosed into Inditex, the fashion conglomerate which owns brands like Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius etc.

6. His first wife, Rosalia Mera, was his partner in Ortegas early venture, along with his siblings. They founded Zara in his living room, and their first shop opened in 1975 (it was originally called Zorba, after the couples favourite movie). Mera and he married in 1966 and divorced in 1986. But the couple never appeared together in public. His first wife, Rosalia Mera, was his partner in Ortegas early venture, along with his siblings. They founded Zara in his living room, and their first shop opened in 1975 (it was originally called Zorba, after the couples favourite movie). Mera and he married in 1966 and divorced in 1986. But the couple never appeared together in public.

7. Speed is at the heart of Zaras success. Its probably the only major brand which changes their stock twice a week. The average time for a new range to go from design to shop floor is a eye-blinking three weeks. Speed is at the heart of Zaras success. Its probably the only major brand which changes their stock twice a week. The average time for a new range to go from design to shop floor is a eye-blinking three weeks.

8. Ortega does not open about his personal life. In one of the few times he has done so, he revealed how hurt and humiliated he was as a child when his mother was refused credit by a bank. Ortega does not open about his personal life. In one of the few times he has done so, he revealed how hurt and humiliated he was as a child when his mother was refused credit by a bank.

9. Ortegas second wife, Flore Perez Marcote, is 18 years younger than him and was one of his co-workers. The couple have a daughter, Marta, considered his future successor. The father-daughter duo have a shared love for horse riding; he even purchased an equestrian centre in Galicia. Ortegas second wife, Flore Perez Marcote, is 18 years younger than him and was one of his co-workers. The couple have a daughter, Marta, considered his future successor. The father-daughter duo have a shared love for horse riding; he even purchased an equestrian centre in Galicia.

10. Ortegas pastime: Raising chickens and goats on his country estate. Not impressed? Well, he also owns a 40-metre yacht but it bears his signature frugality. And he owns a race horse. He also suffers from a fear of flying, and rarely if ever visits resorts frequented by the jet set. Ortegas pastime: Raising chickens and goats on his country estate. Not impressed? Well, he also owns a 40-metre yacht but it bears his signature frugality. And he owns a race horse. He also suffers from a fear of flying, and rarely if ever visits resorts frequented by the jet set.

Image: A file photograph of Inditexs Amancio Ortega (left) with Spain's Queen Letizia, during the latters visit to an Inditex factory in Coruna, northern Spain on December 2, 2008. Photograph: Miguel Vidal (SPAIN)/Reuters.
Three years after launching Big Bazaar Direct, Future group CEO Kishore Biyanis enthusiasm for online ventures has been tempered by growth concerns

Six months ago, Future Group Chief Executive Kishore Biyani was in a different frame of mind when it came to online ventures. The 55-year-old businessman, best-known for kicking off Indias modern retail revolution a decade ago, had just acquired e-tailer Fabfurnish and was putting his blueprint in place on how he proposed to move forward.

His plan, he said, was to merge his offline home furnishings business with the newly-acquired venture.

For a man whos been a fierce critic of e-commerce in India, the acquisition of Fabfurnish, his first in the online space, was billed by many as his acceptance, finally, of a trend that is rapidly gaining ground.

So what has prompted Biyani to go back to his old habit of criticising online ventures? His frustration became apparent recently when he said he was planning to shut Big Bazaar Direct, a three-year-old assisted e-commerce venture.

Assisted e-commerce means shopping with the help of franchisees who take orders from consumers on a tablet for products displayed in a catalogue. Biyani had started this venture in Nagpur, subsequently expanding to smaller towns and cities, where Big Bazaars physical stores were not present.

Citing unviability, however, he recently said that offline retail was far more profitable than the online business.

But experts say the real reason for failure of ventures such as Big Bazaar Direct is the lack of a clear differentiator in a crowded market. There are already quite a few players operating in the e-commerce space.

Some of them, such as Snapdeal, Flipkart and Amazon, are strong players which are capable of attracting a large number of consumers. The question is: How do you differentiate yourself from this lot? What is the unique selling proposition you bring to the table? says Harish HV, partner (India leadership team), Grant Thornton India.

Searching for buyers online

While Big Bazaar Direct clearly appeared to be struggling on that front, it is not the only one grappling with this issue. Most domestic big-box retailers, in fact, struggle to migrate consumers online, since the offline retail operations of the firm more often than not remain firmly entrenched in the minds of people. They are quite simply unable to make the switch in the absence of a differentiator.

As Arvind Singhal, chairman, Technopak, says, A customer walking into a store will not think of going online. He will more likely shop there (in the store). And the one shopping online will not think of going offline. He is there (online) because the e-channel is offering him what he wants: convenience, right assortment of products, quick delivery and so on.

Which is why identifying the right categories where an online operation can click is imperative, experts say. While Big Bazaar Direct does have quite a few categories that have migrated online - mobile phones, electronic goods, fashion, toys and so on - competition for the consumers wallet share within these segments is high.

Biyani demonstrated wisdom by keeping grocery out of Big Bazaar Direct, owing to the quick turnaround time that e-groceries typically demand. But the decision impeded growth, say experts.

Offline Big Bazaar stores are known largely for their value-for-money grocery operations, so consumers choosing to buy online typically looked for those products on Big Bazaar Direct and were disappointed at not finding them, resulting in poor sales.

Add to that the grim picture that e-groceries present as a category. According to a recent report on consumer trends by FICCI and PwC, grocery was the third category after homeware and household appliances where consumers did not buy online at all.

Of the people surveyed in the report, 23 per cent said they did not buy groceries online, marginally behind homeware (26 per cent) and household appliances (25 per cent).

The cost factor

There are challenges on the cost front as well. Spending on discounting, brand-building and delivery - which Biyani describes as customer acquisition and fulfilment cost - remains high in Indias $10-11 billion (nearly Rs 70,000 crore) e-commerce market.

While Biyani pegged this expense at 50 per cent of the total expenditure of doing business online, experts say it is much higher for others and the cost depends on a number of factors, including the speed of delivery.

In fact, among the reasons for the e-commerce sectors mounting losses - nearly Rs 8,000 crore (Rs 80 billion) in 2014-15; four times that of the previous year (2015-16 numbers have not been disclosed yet) - are deep discounts and companies increasingly taking stock of delivery themselves by setting up distribution centres offline.

While the goods & services tax, cleared by Parliament last month, will rationalise warehousing expenditure of e-commerce players to some extent, other costs such as advertising and brand-building will still remain high, say experts.

A mid-year advertising forecast by media agency Carat, released last week, reiterates this point. The forecast pegs Indias advertising growth for 2016 at 12 per cent, led by categories such as e-commerce, among others. Carat had made a similar projection earlier this year, underlining the importance of e-commerce to domestic advertising growth.

Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
We'd asked you, dear readers, to share your Onam pics.

Presenting the latest set of responses.

Take a look.

IMAGE: Savita Borkar, 30 from Mumbai sent us this lovely pookalam made at her office in Mumbai.

IMAGE: Pratish Nair, 34 shared this picture of a pookalam made by his wife Lathamobi Nair, 31.

Their one-year old daughter Tanishqa is seen marvelling at the pookalam in the photo. The Malaysia-based couple celebrate Onam by "making traditional Kerala food at home and sharing it with Malaysian neighbours."

IMAGE: Sushil from Yahoo, Bangalore shared this image of him along with with colleagues competing in vadam vali (tug of war) to celebrate Onam.

IMAGE: Jessy John shared this rather creative Onam portrait.

IMAGE: Deepu from Chembur, Mumbai shared this photo and wrote: " Onam is celebrated with a colourful pookkalam and the grand sadya in a vazhayila (plantain leaf). Get together with family is the essence of this celebration."

IMAGE: Here's a closer shot of the pookalam.

IMAGE: Deepika from Nagercoil sent us this image of a colourful pookalam.

IMAGE: Akash, 20 from Periyar, Kerala shared this image of Onam celebrations with a cute companion posing next to the pookalam.

IMAGE: Sandesh Nambiar, 21 shared this image of pookalam put together by Youth Wing members of Kannur Welfare Association (KANWA), Kalyan.

IMAGE: Saj Sadanand shared this image of his niece Shravika posing next to her pookalam.

IMAGE: And lastly, we have Sangeeth Mega, 34, from Sharjah, UAE shared this bright and colourful pookalam

Send us your Onam pookalam pictures to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: Onam Pics) and tell us how you celebrate the festival.



Don't forget to add your NAME, AGE and the place where you LIVE.



We will feature the best responses right here on Rediff.com.
'How can middlemen disappear as long as our political parties are sucking in massive amounts of black money?'

'There is an old political art well practised in New Delhi -- people create artificial problems and then solve it for you to earn your gratitude for a lifetime.'

IMAGE: Photograph: Kind courtesy Diego Verges. Kindly note: Image published only for representational purposes.

Investigating scams have been award-winning journalist Josy Joseph's specialty.

Currently the national security editor at The Hindu and a former Rediff.com correspondent, Joseph is passionate about exposing corruption and takes a hard look at the real beneficiaries of India's corrupt, crumbling system of governance in his book A Feast Of Vultures: The Hidden Business Of Democracy In India.

In an email interview with Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf, he explains how his book exposes the politician-corporate nexus in India and why he hopes it will be a record of contemporary India's history.

As a journalist, you have exposed scams like Adarsh and the naval war room leak. You have also written about the Commonwealth Games scam and the 2G spectrum allocation scam. So why did you feel the urge to write A Feast Of Vultures?

As reporters, we are always dealing with a tiny bit of a large puzzle. We are also hamstrung by space limitations, various kinds of censorships imposed by corporate, political and such interests as well as other restrictions.

I wanted to report and interpret modern India without any self-censorship, varnishing or any other considerations.

A Feast Of Vultures is my first step in this direction.

IMAGE: The Adarsh scam kicked up a huge political storm after it surfaced in 2010, leading to the resignation of the then Congress chief minister Ashok Chavan. Photograph: ANI

After reading your book, one gets the impression that India's natural resources are like a feast and corporate groups, in cahoots with politicians, have looted the country like vultures.

Can you tell us how this culture of looting developed in India post Independence?

It is not just the politicians or the corporates, but all of us, the Indian elite, who have conspired to loot not just the natural resources, but all the available resources of this democratic Republic.

The result is the horrifying reality that the world's largest democracy, which has been boasting of impressive economic growth for a quarter of a century, houses the globe's largest population of malnourished children, illiterates, people without bathrooms.

Ordinary people live in mortal fear amidst institutions that are deeply corrupt, misogynistic and insensitive.

The British structures that were inherited by the new democracy were mere colonial vestiges to rule a country top-down, so we see huge black holes of governance at the bottom of the pyramid.

We should have built our democracy bottom-up, but we are exploiting the top-down structures that we inherited to perpetuate an appalling model of democracy that is only aiding a small group of elite to flourish.

Liberalisation did not much to alter it. It was again a top-down effort. This status quo will only ruin the world's greatest experiment in democracy -- change is imperative.

Since you have worked on so many stories involving scams, can you tell us why we have not seen any big political leader in jail for a long duration till date?

Where has the system failed?

In a long term framework, probably Indian democracy is maturing. And we have seen a fair number of senior political leaders and civil servants going to jail.

However, many of them, as accused, were taken into custody to cool off public anger; rarely have they been convicted in a crime and sent to jail for the long term.

It is a fact that our judiciary has an inconsistent track record when it comes to quick convictions, the trial of the rich and famous and in dispersal of justice to the poorest.

Actually, the poorest in this country do not come to our courts, they settle for whatever justice, or injustice, local kangaroo courts, political thugs and a corrupt police disperse.

For all its glorious achievements, the Indian judiciary is yet not fully democratised and localised. Above all, access to it is very expensive.

IMAGE: Photograph: Vivek Prakash/Reuters. Kindly note: Image published only for representational purposes.

You mention three typists-cum-secretaries in your book: M O Mathai (who worked for Jawaharlal Nehru), R K Dhawan (who worked for Indira Gandhi) and Vincent George (who worked for Rajiv Gandhi).

Did the Nehru-Gandhi family create a culture of sycophancy for wannabe industrialists for whom the norm was, 'If you have access to them, business success was guaranteed'?

Of course, the dominance of the Nehru clan has dramatically, and mostly adversely, affected the democratisation of this country.

The way they chose to exercise power, through a select coterie and in an extremely undemocratic fashion, has empowered those few typists, members of their coterie, and assured industrialists that access to the Gandhis -- an approving glance from them in a crowd, a mere mention of their first name by a member of the Gandhi household -- were all-powerful access tools to flourish and succeed in modern India.

India migrated from colonial rule to a quasi-feudal set-up. Democratic elections were justifications for perpetuating this feudal set-up, both at the Centre and at the state levels.

Look at any state -- there is a political family, or a few families, who actually control the reign of power.

Do you believe that under Narendra Modi's rule the middleman culture has disappeared and transparency has become a reality for business houses?

Of course not! That is the perception created by a propagandist government that is more obsessed with image and media than governance.

How can middlemen disappear and transparency appear as long as our political parties are sucking in massive amounts of black money?

You must hang around New Delhi for a few days to easily pick up whispers about new middlemen, new agents.

You mention that the Bofors scam cost Rs 64 crore (Rs 640 million) and, by the end of the investigation, the CBI spent Rs 250 crore (Rs 2.5 billion) to investigate it.

Does no one in the government ask for accountability from the CBI on the money it spends?

Among all forms of accountability, the most (in)efficient is parliamentary oversight with all its weaknesses because there is no other forum that is diverse enough and representative of India.

There is not a single segment of Indian public life that is (not) governed by unwavering oversight, especially from Parliament.

Look at all our regulatory bodies -- many of them are mere shams.

The CBI will keep opening preliminary enquiries and close them; they will register FIRs and keep dragging investigations and finally claim no evidence -- there is enough evidence in recent times that some of it is being done for a payment.

The situation actually gets worse with the Indian intelligence services.

The Indian security establishment, including the investigating agencies, are in an urgent need of a trip to the dry cleaner.

IMAGE: Security personnel question children on a deserted street in Srinagar. Photograph: Umar Ganie

Speaking about insurgency, you say in the book that the mainstream media and security analysts have worked to create an ill-informed, often abusive and intolerant discourse.

What is their interest according to you in keeping public ill-informed?

There is an old political art well practised in New Delhi -- people create artificial problems and then solve it for you to earn your gratitude for a lifetime.

Something similar is visible in many governance and media discourses today. They will create fake problems, solve it with jingoistic flavour and earn applause.

Tired of applauding television commentators and experts and leaders dishing out complex arguments, we go to sleep, only to rise the next morning for another day of this incoherent circus.

There are many motives for most of the mainstream media to keep their countrymen ill-informed.

If you scientifically analyse Kashmir, the blame for the present flare-up might land at the doorstep of the present day government. But how many media owners want to take on a government today?

If you analyse the oligarchy-isation of politics, the blame will significantly lie with the Congress. But then, how will you manage glib-talking young Congress leaders in your studios?

So the twisted solution is when Kashmir flares up, we talk about Balochistan.

It is not possible to do such laughable circuses with patience and among learned people. So assemble a group of people whose only credibility is talking in high decibels, spitting hatred and saliva in equal quantity.

You (Josy Joseph, left) have been harsh on mining companies. Don't you think they are creating jobs whereas you argue that they are destroying India's environment and natural resources?

I am all for laissez faire capitalism, but it has to be practised responsibly and with great moral commitment.

There are enough examples of such responsible free markets across the world.

I have only been harsh about mining companies that are capricious, irresponsible and insensitive to their surroundings.

We can create jobs and economic growth without ruining ourselves.

The Modi government is giving NGOs a difficult time. Do you think its strategy is to target NGOs so that they do not obstruct the mining related work of big corporate groups?

The buzz in New Delhi about the government is that it is vigorously against transparency, and has an aura of autocracy around it, so we wouldn't really know the specific reasons behind its aggression against NGOs.

Much of the adverse image of the Modi government could be ill-founded propaganda against it.

The way it has been going after NGOs will dramatically backfire on it. I think there is need for the government to be more magnanimous than vindictive.

It is not just NGOs operating in (the) mining (sector); (NGOs) in (other) sectors have been facing the ire of the government (as well).

Your book talks about how politicians are using the State's muscle power to target the poor tribal population in the name of development.

In this scenario, do you foresee a future where only the courts can save democracy?

No single arm of governance can save democracy. I think India will move into a more equitable and fairer future in the wake of a massive youth movement, which is brewing across the country.

How it will play out is to be seen but, at the end of it all, we might have a better democracy, a better India.
Raising the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the United Nation, India on Wednesday accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations there as well as in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

In a scathing attack on Pakistan during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, India said the main reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan that stems from its territorial ambitions over the place that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggression.

Pakistan's dismal track record is well known and many countries have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure; and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva Ajit Kumar said.

India's credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that is deeply committed to the welfare of its people are well established and on the contrary, Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country including Balochistan, Kumar said.

Exercising its right of reply to the statement made by Pakistan, Kumar said Pakistan is a country, which has systematically abused and violated the human rights of its own citizens, including in Balochistan, as well as of the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan which has provided active support since 1989 to separatist groups and terrorist elements including those operating from the territory under Pakistans control.

"Pakistan has once again sought to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the garb of concern for human rights.

"J&K is an integral part of India and will always remain so. We reject attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has been regularly exercised by the people of J&K," he said.

In a no-holds-barred offensive, India said while advocating restraint to others, Pakistan has no hesitation in using air power against its own people.

"Pakistan also continues to provide sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists. It was, therefore, no surprise that Pakistan failed to convince the international community to secure the membership of the Human Rights Council last year," Kumar added.

India strongly rejects Pakistan's continued misuse of the Council to make tendentious references about internal matters pertaining to the Indian state of J&K, the ambassador said.

"This stems from Pakistan's territorial ambitions over Kashmir that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions. Pakistan continues to be in illegal occupation of a large part of territory in J&K," he said.

Reiterating that the situation in the Valley arose from the death of a self-acknowledged commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror group, India said it was further aggravated by sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Kumar said the high number of causalities sustained by Indian security forces is a reflection of the tremendous restraint they have displayed in difficult circumstances.

Kumar asserted that India has a robust institutional framework to ensure adherence to rule of law and respect for fundamental rights of the people in J&K, including independent judiciary, National Human Rights Commission, vibrant civil society and free and vocal media.

In contrast, the people of Pakistan as well as Pakistan occupied Kashmir have become victims of sectarian conflict, terrorism and extreme economic hardship due to Pakistan's authoritarian and discriminatory policies in complete disregard of human rights, he added.

Emphasising that terrorism was the grossest violation of human rights and should be so acknowledged by any impartial observer.

"The heart of the matter is that we are dealing with a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft.

"The world watches with concern as the consequences of Pakistans actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbour. All of us stand prepared to help, if only the creators of this monster wake up to the dangers of what they have done to themselves," the Indian envoy added.

"The institutions of governance in Pakistan have corroded to such an extent that it has become a hub for the global export of terror," he said.

The envoy also said that it will be in the fitness of things if instead of ritually raking up alleged human rights violations elsewhere, Pakistan were to focus its energies on improving human rights situation within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

It must also take action against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours who are roaming freely in Pakistan with impunity, so that terrorism emanating from Pakistan -- the gravest risk for peace and stability of the region -- could be addressed effectively, he added.
Curfew was lifted in all 16 police station limits in Bengaluru on Wednesday as the city bounced back to normal after widespread violence over the Cauvery water sharing row with neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

The country's IT capital bustled with activity with transport vehicles, metro back in service. Commercial establishments, schools and colleges were also reopened.

"Curfew has been lifted in all 16 police station limits of Bengaluru city from 9 am," City Police Commissioner N S Megharikh tweeted.

Curfew was clamped on the night of September 12 after violence erupted with dozens of buses and lorries with Tamil Nadu registration being set on fire as mobs let out their fury over reports of some incidents of attack on Kannadigas and their property in the neighbouring state.

The violence had also erupted within hours after the Supreme Court modified its September 5 order and asked Karnataka to release a reduced quantum of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

In its September 5 order, the apex court had directed the state to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water for 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers of the neighbouring state.

Though curfew was lifted, officials said prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC will continue until further orders as a precautionary measure.

"....peace has been restored, there is peaceful atmosphere where people can come out of their homes," state Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters after touring violence-hit areas along with senior police officials.

Megharik said, "There is no question of rail roko. Though we have lifted curfew in some parts of the city, section 144 is still on. Therefore, there is no question of rail roko or any kind of protest in coming days."

He said the police has not given any permission for pro-Kannada leader Vatal Nagaraj's party to stage rail roko on Thursday.

As many as 350 people had been rounded up and investigations are on to find out the culprits who indulged in violence.

The Cauvery unrest has claimed two lives in the city. One person had died in police firing on Monday while another succumbed to injuries he suffered while fleeing police lathicharge as he jumped in panic from a three-storey building.

In Mandya, the epicentre of Cauvery agitation, Tamils took out a procession in the city and protested against the Supreme Court verdict, carrying empty vessels.

The residents of a Tamil colony also condemned some incidents of attacks on Kannadigas and their property in Tamil Nadu and appealed to the neighbouring state chief minister to ensure safety of Kannadigas living there.

The 'Rythara hithrakshana samithee', (committee for protection of farmers' interests) headed by G Madegowda, which is spearheading the Cauvery stir, staged a dharna and said they have no other option but to continue their protests till water release to Tamil Nadu stops.

IMAGE: Police personnel keep vigil in a violence-hit area at Heganahalli in Bengaluru. Photograph: PTI
Four months after the murder of bureau chief of a Hindi daily Rajdev Ranjan in Siwan, the Central Bureau of Investigation will be taking over the investigation in the case.

CBI sources said a team will soon leave for Siwan after a case is registered by it in the murder of Ranjan, the Siwan bureau chief of 'Hindustan'.

Alleged gangster and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Shahbuddin, who was recently released on bail, was under the scanner of investigation agencies in the case, they said.

Bihar had transferred the case to the CBI. The agency is now all set to register an FIR under the charges of criminal conspiracy and murder, the sources said.

The state government had issued a notification requesting the CBI to take over the investigation of the murder case, a demand made by the kin of the journalist who was killed on May 13.

The case has again come into limelight as a photograph appeared of absconding suspects Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed with Shahbuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on Saturday last on bail granted by Patna high court.

"In exercise of the powers conferred under section 6 of Delhi Police Establishment Act 1946 (Act 25 of 1946), the governor of Bihar is pleased to accord his consent to exercise of powers and jurisdiction to the whole of Bihar to the members of Delhi Special Police Establishment to investigate/supervise and inquire into the Siwan Town P.S. Case No. 362/16, dated May 13, 2016 u/s 302/120 (B)/34 IPC and 27 Arms Act which is related to murder of reporter Rajdev Ranjan," the notification issued by Bihar home department had read.
The death toll due to dengue in national capital New Delhi mounted to 14 as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences confirmed the five cases of fatalities due to the vector-borne disease which has also affected over 1,150 people this season.

"The five deaths from dengue took place between September 1-13," a top AIIMS official said.

On Monday, the premier institute had said that it was looking into the details of these "five suspected cases".

Till Tuesday, at least nine deaths due to dengue were reported this year in the national capital, though the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, which compiles the report on vector-borne diseases on behalf of all civic bodies here, has maintained the death toll at four.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences is getting several dengue patients everyday in its fever clinics, though its laboratories are testing less cases as positive compared to over 1,440 chikungunya blood test samples which have tested positive till Tuesday.

At least 1,158 cases of dengue have been reported in the national capital with nearly 390 of them being recorded in the first 10 days of September, the month in which the vector-borne disease begins to peak.

387 cases were reported this month, marking a rise of over 50 per cent from the previous count, according to a municipal report released on Wednesday.

Over 770 cases were reported till September 3 this season. Out of the total number of cases, August alone has accounted for 652.

The last dengue fatality reported was of Iram Khan (25), a native of Meerut, who lived in Jamia Nagar in south Delhi, who succumbed to dengue on August 31 at Apollo Hospital.

The other three deaths reported by SDMC include Nazish (38), sister-in-law of Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan, who had died of dengue shock syndrome at Apollo Hospital on August 12. Muskan (12), a resident of Shaheen Bagh here, had died on July 29, while Deepak (19), from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, succumbed to the disease on July 27. Both died at the Safdarjung Hospital.

Besides, five other fatalities have been reported by different hospitals in the city, which have not been acknowledged yet by the SDMC.

This year, dengue cases have been reported rather early.

The vector-borne disease had claimed its first victim on July 21 when a girl from Jafrabad in northeast Delhi died at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital.

Last year, the city saw a staggering 15,867 dengue cases --the worst in 20 years--with the disease claiming 60 lives, as per municipal reports. In 2015, August and September had seen 778 and 6,775 cases respectively while October had recorded a staggering 7,283 cases.

In 2015, only six cases were reported in June, while 36 were registered in July.

In 1996, a severe outbreak of dengue had occurred in Delhi when about 10,252 cases and 423 deaths were reported.
In a stern message to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on Wednesday called for an end to all support, sponsorship and safe havens to terrorists and decided to strengthen security and defence cooperation.

During their talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism for achieving political objectives in the region as the two leaders had extensive discussions on the regional and bilateral issues.

Reiterating India's abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, Modi conveyed the country's readiness to consider further requirements for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

"To this end, the prime minister offered that, as a close neighbour and friend of Afghanistan and its people, India would allocate a sum of $1 billion," a joint statement said.

After the talks, the two sides inked three agreements -- Extradition Treaty, cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space.

Briefing the reporters, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, "The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives.

"They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond."

Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, the leaders called upon "the concerned" to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India. However, they did not name Pakistan.

Asked if India conceded to long-pending demand of Afghanistan for stepped up defence supply, Jaishankar said, "Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement".

However, the foreign secretary did not give any further details and only noted that this was discussed during the recent visit of the Afghanistan's chief of army staff to India.

The prime minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments.

Jaishankar also talked about India's offer of supplying 1.75 lakh tonne of wheat to Afghanistan, which was suffering shortage.

India wanted to supply the wheat and it made a request "months back" to Pakistan for the transit, he said, adding "we have not received any response".

Modi and Ghani also agreed that the strategic partnership council co-chaired by the external affairs minister and the Afghan foreign minister will meet shortly, review the recommendations of the four joint working groups dealing with diverse areas of cooperation and impart further guidance.

Recalling that India-Afghanistan bilateral development cooperation has assisted Afghanistan's own efforts for successful political, security and economic transitions, the two leaders noted with happiness the recent completion of major milestones such as Parliament building and the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam, the statement said.

Both leaders said they looked forward to the resumption of India-United States-Afghanistan consultations in New York later this month.

Prime Minister Modi conveyed to President Ghani that India would continue to engage with the international community to assist the Afghan president in all possible ways.

"In this context, the leaders underscored the significance of the Amritsar ministerial conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process on the forthcoming December 4, as well as the Brussels Conference on 5th October," the joint statement said.

The leaders also noted that the choice of Amritsar underscored the value of restoring connectivity and was in consonance with this year's theme for HoA: 'Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity'.

It also underscores that India and Afghanistan remain committed to the expeditious realisation of seamless two-way connectivity between south Asia and central Asia.

The prime minister invited the president to grace the inauguration of the Amritsar ministerial and he accepted the invitation.

Those trying to block Indo-Afghan trade will be blocked themselves: Ghani Later while addressing t the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tore into Pakistan's stance of "good terrorists and bad terrorists" saying the approach is "extremely shortsighted" and warned that those who try to block increasing Indo-Afghan trade will be blocked themselves. Mincing no words, Ghani said Pakistan is a country which celebrates "every single one of its defeat" as victory and every single one of its intelligence failure as a confirmation of conspiracy theory. The Afghan president also said countries that feel threatened by increasing Indo-Afghan cooperation, especially in the military side, "need to change their outlook and not blame others". Noting that stability does not come through the barrel of the gun, he said, "We see that there is a distinction between good and bad terrorists. Good terrorists are the ones that attack your neighbours, bad terrorists are the ones who attack you. This type of approach is enormously shortsighted. The blowback phenomenon is going to be bad. Terrorism will bite, like a snake, who feeds it". He stressed on the need for regional cooperation to fight terrorists and said one country's response is "totally insufficient". Asked about Pakistan blocking road route to Afghanistan via the Wagah border, Ghani said both countries need not to worry as their is air connectivity and efforts are on to increase that. However, he said those who try to block two great nations, will be blocked themselves. Told that they are reports that he had warned Pakistan that their export to central Asian countries through Afghanistan will be blocked, Ghani said he speaks sternly.

Photographs: @MEAIndia/Twitter
Facing flak over controversial Rashtriya Janata Dal strongman Mohammad Shahabuddins release, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar is mulling moving the Supreme Court for cancellation of his bail even as opposition National Democratic Alliance on Wednesday demanded his arrest in the journalist Rajdeo Ranjan murder case.

This has been an established process followed by Nitish Kumar government in the past 11 years that if the state is not satisfied with the bail of somebody, it goes in appeal in higher court, Janata Dal-United spokesman Ajay Alok said.

It has been done in the past and would be followed in the present case of Shahabuddin too, he said.

He said in such cases the concerned district administration makes a proposal if any condition of the bail has been violated and an appeal is moved for cancellation of bail.

With BJP questioning delay in appeal for cancellation of bail, the JD-U spokesman said courts were closed for festival and hence it is wrong to talk about delay.

Meanwhile, Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah said the district police was scrutinising if any condition of the bail has been violated in the case of Shahabuddin, a former RJD MP.

If any evidence comes to the surface indicating violation of condition of bail we will move for cancellation of bail in the case, the SP said.

The SP had said on Tuesday the police has taken cognisance of photograph of absconding suspects Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed in the killing of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan with Mohammad Shahabuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on Saturday on bail granted by Patna high court.

Notice would be send to Shahabuddin in this connection and police would also question him on it.

According to media reports, the chief minister recently held a long meeting with Advocate General Ram Balak Mahto and Additional Advocate General Lalit Kishore over the Shahabuddin release issue.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushil Kumar Modi demanded Shahabuddins arrest at a press conference held on the sidelines of a Mahadharna organised by NDA in Patna to protest against the state governments alleged lackadaisical approach to trials in all cases against the former RJD MP.

Fresh evidence has emerged in which a sharp shooter Md Kaif wanted by Siwan police in the Rajdeo Ranjan murder case has been seen standing close to Shahaduddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail last week in a video footage.

The evidence proves beyond doubt that Kaif, who is absconding in the Rajdeo Ranjan murder case, has close connection with Shahabuddin, he said.

In the light of this evidence the state government must arrest Shahabuddin without any further delay in the journalist murder case and direct Siwan police to question the RJD leader about his role in the journalist murder as it has sufficient documents to prove his role in the case with his name appearing several times in the case diary, he said.

Sushil Modi, a former deputy chief minister, further asked the state government to move Supreme Court seeking quashing of Shahabuddins bail in addition to a similar

petition that noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan will file on behalf of Chandrakeshwar Prasad alias Chanda Babu, the father of three youths killed allegedly by Shahabuddins men in Siwan.
Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi met President Barack Obama at the White House on Wednesday on her first visit to the United States since her party won a sweeping victory in last year's election, capping a decades-long journey from political prisoner to national leader.

Before the meet, the White House announced that the United States would "soon" lift its sanctions against Myanmar, the US President Barack Obama said but stopped short of giving a time frame for this.

"The United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that have been imposed on Burma for quite some time. It is the right thing to do in order to ensure that people of Burma see rewards from a new way of doing business," Obama told reporters in the Oval Office in a joint media appearance with the visiting Burmese Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi.

"Soon," Obama said when asked when these sanctions would be lifted.

Referring to the transition of Burma to elections, Obama said the new government is giving voice to the hopes and dreams to new generation of Burmese people.

As a consequence, the new government is in a position to begin shaking a remarkable social, political and economic transformation, he said.

Describing the progress made in Burma towards strengthening of democracy, Suu Kyi stressed on the need of lifting sanctions.

"We think time has now come to remove all the sanctions that hurt us economically," she said, adding the Burmese parliament in the next few weeks would bring in new investment law.

This along with lifting of sanctions, Burma would be a very attractive destination for people from all over the world, she said.

"We think, the country is in a position to take off," she said.

The Burmese Constitution, she asserted, is not entirely democratic, because it gives the military special powers.

"I want our military to be an honorable institution and capable of protecting and defending our rights... but we do not think, politics is a place for the military," she said, adding that her government would continue to work to make the Constitution truly democratic.

"We have reached at a point where people did not expect us to reach five years ago," she said.

But there is so much that now has to be done, she added.

She also referred to the steps taken by her government to look into communal strife in the country.

"We want to make sure that everyone who is entitled to citizenship is accorded citizenship as quickly and as fairly as possible," she said.

"This is what we are trying to do in Rakhine (State)," she added.

Image: US President Barack Obama talks to the media as he meets with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters
'Solace' emerged from the heart of a mother who knew what it feels like to be a helpless parent when treatment for a sick child is expensive.

Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier meets Sheeba Ameer, who immortalised her daughter's memory through Solace -- a non-profit organisation that works for children afflicted with cancer.

IMAGE: Sheeba Ameer, a selfless mother -- a mother to 1,500 children who look for solace at Solace. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sheeba Ameer

Sheeba Ameer epitomises a mother's fight against cancer.

In the process, she has become a 'Solace' for many mothers who fight similar battles, those mothers who have no means to provide proper treatment and after-care, and buy the right medicines for their children.

Even while she fought her battle for her daughter, she felt it was her responsibility as a citizen to support those who do not have the financial means like hers, and started the organisation, Solace.

Solace spends Rs 8 lakh (Rs 800,000) every month -- donations from kind-hearted people -- for the 1,500 children under its care.

Seven years after she started Solace, her daughter passed away, but Sheeba continued her journey, gaining energy and strength from her daughter's memory.

Countless awards have come her way for her selfless work, including the Malayala Manorama Vanitha Person of the Year and the CNN-IBN Person of the Year.

When I met her at the Solace office in Trissur, she was just back from Dubai after spending some time with her son.

Despite her son's protests, she rushed back.

"For the first time in our existence, we are short of cash, and as the fundraiser, my presence is needed here. I told my son, 'Umma will spend more time with you once this job is done'," Sheeba said.

Even when her daughter was ill and needed all her attention, she took time to work for the children afflicted with cancer.

IMAGE: Sheeba receives the CNN-IBN Person of the Year 2011 award. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sheeba Ameer

It was because of the upbringing her father gave, the kind of atmosphere at home he provided that Sheeba is today what she is.

He ran Jwala, a publishing house and a printing press. Like the name suggests, Jwala was revolutionary with almost all of Kerala's revolutionary writers writing for it.

Revolutionary poet Sachidanandan edited Jwala for a long time.

"I was fortunate to have brought up in a very liberal atmosphere created by my Vaapa (father) who was a reformist and a man with progressive thinking. There were no restrictions on us. We did not know the boundaries of any religion."

"It was a very rich childhood,: she recalls, "I grew up listening to revolutionaries like V T Bhattathiripad, M Govindan, Kadammanitta, etc. All the great writers visited our home and I was witness to all their discussions and debates."

As Sheeba was not a good student and preferred playing and climbing trees to books, she was married off at the age of 18 to Ameer, a marine biologist.

In no time, she was transplanted from the world of writers and revolutionaries, to Qatar.

"Somehow I could not adjust to the superficial life in the Gulf and my heart yearned to see rains, the paddy fields and the birds. But life went on and without me knowing, 15 years passed by. That was when we decided to come back to Kerala with our children, Nikhil and Nilufa; children and me first, and then Ameer."

A few days might have passed after they settled in their home with trees all around; from where she could watch the rains and listened to birds chirp.

IMAGE: "Like blotting paper, I wanted to absorb all her fears, pains and unhappiness," says Sheeba when she learnt that her daughter Nilufer (in the photograph) was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sheeba Ameer

Then her daughter fell ill. She was just 13.

The moment it was diagnosed that she was suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, her parents admitted her to the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai to give her the best treatment India could offer.

"In that one moment, life changed completely for me. Suddenly I became the most responsible person in the whole world. The only concern I had was that my daughter should not feel any pain, she should not feel unhappy and she shouldn't have any fear. I knew I have to make all that happen. Like blotting paper, I wanted to absorb all her fears, pains and unhappiness."

The treatment suggested was a bone marrow transplant and if not, her survival was just five months.

They met Dr Purvish M Parikh who had conducted the first bone marrow transplant in India, and it was decided that her son would donate the bone marrow.

"Though he was just 16, we did not even have to convince him. He was ready to do anything for his little sister. I still cannot forget that day. Both my children were in two different rooms -- my daughter was in one room getting ready for the transplant and my son was in the operation theatre giving his bone marrow in 8 syringes. I just sat there outside so helpless and clueless."

The bone marrow transplant was a success. Nilufer miraculously survived and she was fully cured of cancer.

IMAGE: As Sheeba and her husband Ameer gave their daughter the best possible treatment available in India, she saw around her thousands of children whose parents could not afford to provide them any treatment. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sheeba Ameer

Sadly, other problems surfaced; Nilufer's heart was affected by the chemotherapy. Because of the steroids used, both her hips collapsed by the time she was ready to leave the hospital.

"She was on a wheelchair for a few years, but she was such a fighter that she wrote her 10th standard exam and came out in flying colours. Later, she underwent hip replacement and went to write her final year BCom examination, walking," says Sheeba.

As Sheeba and her husband Ameer gave their daughter the best possible treatment available in India, she saw around her thousands of children whose parents could not afford to provide them any treatment.

"On one side, we were spending money without even blinking, and on the other, parents were crying not being able to find enough money to buy even medicines, let alone costly treatment like a bone marrow transplant."

"For us, money became such an insignificant thing in front of our daughter's life, but it was so precious, so valuable for the others. I was seeing the two aspects of money, what it can do and what it cannot. When we were spending Rs 3 lakh (Rs 300,000) a day, there were parents who could not even afford Rs 10,000 for their child."

"I saw with my own eyes that only those with money could afford the kind of treatment that was given to cancer patients."

Sheeba felt she should do something for those unfortunate children. Sitting by her daughter's side, she told Nilufer her plans and said she would call it Solace.

"That's what I wanted to do, give solace to those parents and children. My daughter was so happy to hear about my plans."

IMAGE: Sheeba felt the problems the children faced were her own and not just that of their mothers. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sheeba Ameer

The moment she returned from Mumbai in 2001 after three years of her daughter's treatment, she started planning for Solace.

"I felt if I did not do anything for those children, I would be doing an injustice to myself, to the childhood my father gave us, and to my father who made us socially responsible. My father had sold all the land he had to run the publishing house and a magazine as he considered it his responsibility towards society."

"Because of what my father taught us indirectly, I felt that the problems those children faced were my own and not just that of their mothers, and that it is my responsibility to take care of them the way I took care of my daughter."

Until then Sheeba was just a housewife taking care of her husband and children. For the first time in her life, she decided to come out of her comfort zone.

It was not a easy transition for her, as she faced stiff opposition from her husband. "His strong stance was that I should not do it, but I felt nobody in this world could stop me."

It was a tough decision to make, but her daughter and her father supported her wholeheartedly.

IMAGE: "I am gaining energy from my sadness to be a strong mother to Solace," says Sheeba, seen here with a relative of a cancer-afflicted child at Solace. Photograph: Kind courtesy: Solace/Facebook

She got in touch with Dr Divakaran who was very close to her father and ran the Pain and Palliative Care centre in Thrissur.

She decided to work there to learn the basics of care-giving before she started Solace.

"In fact, it was not only to learn but to have my freedom that I joined Pain and Palliative Care. I was so involved in it that soon I was taking care of paediatric palliative care and spending a lot of time at the paediatric ward at the medical College."

She did not stop with her work at Pain and Palliative Care. With the salary she received in eight months, she started an enterprise that designed Muslim bridal veil.

In no time, she picked up 28 women who were in need of succour -- abandoned wives, women with sick people at home -- and launched Blooming Pearls.

The enterprise became so successful that they were supplying Muslim bridal veil throughout Kerala.

"I started Blooming Pearls for the initial investment needed for Solace. I was juggling both my work at Pain and Palliative and Blooming Pearls but I became financially and emotionally independent. I did not have to be dependent on anyone for anything. I also did my homework on how to take care of an entire family when a member of the family is afflicted with cancer, and also how to run an organisation."

After seven years of juggling both careers, in 2007, she felt she was ready to start Solace.

Dr Divakaran and Dr Ajayan, along with nine others, joined as trustees. The first project was building a play station adjacent to the children's ward at the medical c ollege costing Rs 3 lakh. An organisation from Qatar provided the entire financial support.

IMAGE: Beginning with one centre in Thrissur, Solace has satellite centres in Kochi and Kozhikode and sub centres in Malappuram and Pattambi.

70 committed volunteers work for Solace.

Seen in the photograph is an ambulance operated by Solace. Photograph: Kind courtesy Solace/Facebook

The next mission was to provide life-saving medicines free of cost to all the children who come for treatment. Also in Sheeba's plan was to help them lead a quality life while the treatment was going on.

"My intention was to support the curative treatment of children and if needed, palliative care too, but the stress was on curative care because they were children. I did not want a single mother to shed tears for her child because she could not afford the right treatment for her child."

Sheeba says she could devote so much time for these children because of the support her daughter gave her.

"My daughter was my pillar of strength. I knew she would not be with me always, yet I wanted to give my time to other children. I do not know whether I did the right thing. She wanted me to get out and help other children like her, all the time encouraging me by saying, 'Umma, you should do this, you should be with Solace!'"

"She felt I was a super-mom and could do everything to help her. Similarly, she also felt that I could help every child who is suffering and every child who is sick. That confident she was of my ability."

Nilufer was by her mother's side for seven years after Solace began. She used to help her mother at the Solace office.

The girl who survived cancer and many other ailments died 16 years after she was first diagnosed with cancer, due to many complications.

"I fought like a tigress all the time, giving her strength to fight and hope. To her, there was nothing that her mother could not do, but a day came when I could not help her any longer. She was taken to the ICU one last time and after that, she didn't come back to me. Now, Solace is my daughter.

"My daughter was like a little star born to give me light and guide me in my endeavour. She went on a new journey when she realised that I had a firm footing on what I was doing. She knew I had the courage and strength to go ahead without wavering. She bid goodbye to the world leaving this mother to all the other children who need her. I am gaining energy from my sadness to be a strong mother to Solace."

IMAGE: Sheeba is now worried about finances. For the last few months, Solace has been unable to supply the rice kit (with all the essential food items) given to poor families with sick children. Photograph: Kind courtesy Solace/Facebook

Solace supports 1,500 children suffering from cancer, thalassemia, cerebral palsy, nephrotic syndrome, haemophilia, heart disease.

For the first time since she started Solace, Sheeba is worried about finances.

"Till now, finance was never an issue; somehow money just flowed in. Maybe because there are so many good people out there to give a helping hand to sick children. It is not that we are not getting money, but there are more children with us who need help than there are people who support us with money. The balance has tilted for the first time."

"When people come to know about Solace and come to us seeking help, we cannot send them away. We want to help every single genuine case that comes to us. We need Rs 9 lakh (Rs 900,000) every month for these 1,500 children but we get only Rs 8 lakh."

"We were never in such a situation before. Some of our friends are pitching in by printing wedding invitations with the message, 'Please don't bring any gifts, but donate to Solace.' I am positive we will overcome this."

In the meantime, the plan to build an After Care centre on a 20 cent (In Kerala, one cent equals 1/100th of an acre) plot donated by an organisation in Kuwait is going on. Sheeba feels it is as important as providing medicines.

"These children need a clean atmosphere after the treatment for at least 10 days and most of the parents cannot offer them that."

What saddens Sheeba is "The worst suffering in the world is what the parents of a sick child go through; the suffering becomes helplessness when they know that there is treatment for your child out there in all those super-speciality hospitals, but you cannot afford it."

"Can you compare this helplessness with anything else?"
Humana Inc. HUM recently announced the launch of a new healthcare network, named Wisconsin Value Network. This new network will present a premium quality health plan solution to employers in Wisconsin at a fairly reduced cost.

This Wisconsin Value Network will combine four major area healthcare systems  Ascension Wisconsin, Aurora Health Care, Bellin Health and ProHealth Care  into a single platform. This collaborative effort will facilitate Humana in delivering better service to its clients through an integrated healthcare network. Collectively, these four renowned hospitals will also support Humana in continuous delivery of its customized solutions at a much lower cost without compromising with the quality of service provided.

The employer groups in Wisconsin, which comprise roughly 2999 employees, are expected to be largely benefited by this unique provider network with innovative and cost-effective yet simple healthcare solution. Humana plans to begin quoting for Wisconsin Value Network on Oct 1, 2016. The coverage is expected to become effective from Jan 1, 2017.

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China: Xinjiang's universities force new push in 'political education'

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 22 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, China: Xinjiang's universities force new push in 'political education', 22 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd761e.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-22

A mosque in Turpan city in Xinjiang, June 27, 2013. AFP

Universities in northwestern China's Xinjiang region have begun a new push to strengthen faculty loyalty to Beijing, with instructors forced to write papers promoting "ethnic unity" and praising initiatives of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, sources said.

The move beginning Aug. 15 has introduced a range of new demands and has shortened the time available to instructors for summer break, one teacher in Xinjiang's mostly Muslim south told RFA's Uyghur Service.

"This year our summer break was cut short, and political studies have already begun," RFA's source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"We are writing and studying papers expressing support for [Chinese] president Xi Jinping's call to prevent Western ideology from entering the schools, along with various other directives sent out by the Education Ministry."

"This is our present situation, and it will be the same on Teachers' Day, Sept. 10, when we usually get a day off," he said.

"Our own course of political studies began on Aug. 15," another teacher said, speaking from Xinjiang's regional capital Urumqi.

"We are learning how to curb our students' inclinations toward religion, stamp out religious extremism, and promote ethnic unity [between Uyghurs and Han Chinese]," he said.

Calls seeking comment from several Xinjiang universities rang unanswered, but one Xinjiang teacher told RFA that faculty had been warned against speaking in interviews or taking phone calls from abroad.

In an Aug. 11 posting, however, the website of southwestern Xinjiang's Kashgar University boasted "increased political education and ethnic unity education" as school achievements in a quote by university president Erkin Omer, speaking to Han students visiting from China's Jilin province.

Obstacles to advancement

Strict political requirements have meanwhile created obstacles for teachers seeking advancement on the basis of academic accomplishments alone, one Xinjiang instructor told RFA, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"These have made it difficult for me to get a professor's title, or even an associate professorship, so I had to give this up," he said.

"Because some of my students were found praying, I was disqualified twice," he said.

"Many teachers have left their posts, and some have gone abroad. I might apply for early retirement as well because of the stress over politics."

Faced with growing assertions of Uyghur national identity in Xinjiang, China regularly conducts "strike hard" campaigns in the group's traditional homeland, including police raids on Uyghur households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on the Uyghur people's culture and language.

But experts outside China say that Beijing has exaggerated the threat from Uyghur "separatists" and that Chinese domestic policies are largely responsible for instability in the region.

Reported by Mihray Abdilim for RFA's Uyghur Service. Translated by Mamatjan Juma. Written in English by Richard Finney.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Activist hit by truck owned by Chinese copper mine company in Myanmar

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Activist hit by truck owned by Chinese copper mine company in Myanmar, 23 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd7714.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-23

Security personnel protect workers erecting a fence on land confiscated for the Letpadaung copper mine project in northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region, Dec. 23, 2014. RFA

A leading local activist said Tuesday that he and others were deliberately hit by a truck owned by a Chinese company that operates the controversial Letpadaung copper mine in northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region, fueling tensions between villagers and the firm.

Thwe Thwe Win, who has led protests against the mine, was hit by the truck after he and others went to the company's office in the town of Lepadaung when workers dumped waste soil on the grounds of three Buddhist pagodas and shrines, told RFA's Myanmar Service.

"We went there and asked about it," he said. "Then they hit us with a truck. I got caught on that truck."

Thwe Thwe Win said he and the others filed a complaint at the local police station against the Chinese driver of the truck, who does not speak Burmese.

"I've got pain in my left leg, toes, and back, and I have a stomachache," he said. "I had to get X-rays."

The large project run by China's Wanbao Mining Copper Ltd. Company and Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. (UMEHL), a Myanmar army-owned conglomerate, has come under fire by local farmers who have long protested the company's land takeovers in the area.

Wanbao resumed operations at Lepadaung in May, a month after the new National League for Democracy (NLD) party came to power under President Htin Kyaw.

Farmers who lost crops in 2014 and 2015 during land confiscations for the mine project have demanded proper compensation from Wanbao. The company, however, has said that it has offered them money, but they refused to accept it.

Years of protest

Under the previous government, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi led a parliamentary inquiry commission on the Letpadaung project, later calling for more transparency in its land appropriation process and for police riot-control training in the wake of a violent raid on protesters at the mine site in 2012.

Police had used canisters of phosphorous to disperse protesters, severely burning dozens of them.

In March 2013, the commission recommended that the project be allowed to continue and that compensation for local residents' land be offered at rates higher than those decided when the project began under the country's former military junta regime.

Later, Aung San Suu Kyi accused the administration of former President Thein Sein of ignoring the commission's recommendations to improve conditions at the mine, saying these had sparked clashes in December 2014 between police and farmers trying to prevent Wanbao employees from fencing off land for the project.

That incident left one farmer dead and dozens injured.

"The president has said not to expand land used for the project and not to confiscate land while the investigation is going on, but they are still expanding the land for the project," Thwe Thwe Win said.

"This project is not good for local people; it just destroys the environment," he said. "We will continue our protest because this project is something that shouldn't be allowed to continue."

The mine is one of several Chinese-operated megaprojects under way in Myanmar that have come under fire from local residents because of expropriated land and environmental damage.

Reported by Kyaw Zaw Win for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
By Bernardo Vizcaino

Sept 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia is taking aim at one of the biggest weaknesses of the global Islamic finance industry - the lack of an ample, reliable supply of sharia-compliant bonds - with one of the most ambitious schemes to boost issuance so far.

Although sukuk are a common funding tool across the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with sovereign and quasi-sovereign issues representing around two-thirds of total sales, supply is irregular, in particular for U.S. dollar-denominated deals.

Year-to-date, global sukuk issuance in all currencies totals $39.5 billion, Thomson Reuters data shows, down from $47.5 billion in 2015 - a year when it was cut by a sudden decision by Malaysia's central bank to stop issuing short-term sukuk.

Shrinking issuance can put Islamic banks at a disadvantage, limiting instruments needed to manage their money profitably and meet liquidity requirements. The International Monetary Fund has urged governments to ensure regular issuance by incorporating sukuk into national debt management strategies.

Indonesia is doing just that with an industry masterplan, unveiled last month, that envisages sovereign sukuk issuance rising to around 50 percent of total debt issuance over the next 10 years from around 13 percent last year.

Sovereign sukuk issuance would increase by around 5 percent year-on-year, with government agencies encouraged to use sukuk to fund infrastructure, agriculture and educational projects.

Anita Yadav, head of fixed income research at Emirates NBD in Dubai, said Jakarta's target is ambitious but there would be a natural incentive among issuers to meet domestic banks' appetite for Basel III instruments.

"The growth in domestic market may be easy to achieve but the growth in the international market will likely be slower."

GULF

Global sukuk issuance is lacklustre despite a surge in sovereign debt in the Middle East, where governments are scrambling to cover budget damage inflicted by low oil prices.

Story continues

Fresh supply may come in the next few months from Kuwait, which plans to raise up to 3 billion dinars ($10 billion) from international markets via bonds and sukuk.

Generally, however, governments have disappointed investors looking for more sukuk. In April, Abu Dhabi returned to the international market after a seven-year absence with a $5 billion conventional bond; Qatar raised $9 billion in May, the biggest bond offer ever seen in the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia, home to the world's largest Islamic banks, plans a debut sale of dollar bonds this year that could raise over $10 billion, but it is unclear whether sukuk would be included. In April, Riyadh raised $10 billion via an international bank loan.

Khalid Howladar, global head of Islamic finance at rating agency Moody's, said many Gulf governments were reluctant to fund deficits with sukuk because of less standardised and more complex structures, leading to higher issuance costs.

This conflicts with the mandate of government Treasuries to raise funding in a cheap and efficient way, he said.

Some foreign investors also prefer conventional bonds over sukuk for simplicity and familiarity of structures, said Yadav at Emirates NBD.

Indonesia hopes regular issuance can mitigate such concerns and provide benchmarks to encourage local firms to follow suit.

Unlike the Gulf, Indonesia is an established issuer of dollar-denominated sukuk; it raised $2.5 billion in February in a dual-tranche deal that was three times oversubscribed.

Jakarta is also expanding the investor base for its sukuk. Last week it sold 2.6 trillion rupiah ($197.2 million), more than targeted, using a new non-tradable savings sukuk aimed at retail investors.

Indonesia's drive may influence other countries seeking to develop their own sukuk markets. Last November, Pakistan's Ministry of Finance said it would reduce use of conventional debt by between 20 to 40 percent of total financing in favour of Islamic modes, though it did not specify a timeframe. (Editing by Andrew Torchia and Kim Coghill)
Chinese political prisoner ends hunger strike, transfers to another prison

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Chinese political prisoner ends hunger strike, transfers to another prison, 23 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd7814.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-23

Guo Feixiong in a file photo. Photo courtesy of Guo Feixiong

Chinese political prisoner Guo Feixiong is receiving hospital treatment after ending his hunger strike after more than 100 days last week, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

Guo, whose birth name is Yang Maodong, had been subjected to forced feeding after beginning his hunger strike in early May in protest at the treatment of political prisoners in China.

His lawyers had requested his transfer from Yangchun Prison in the southern province of Guangdong after a public outcry triggered by his hunger strike.

His defense lawyer Zhang Lei said he is currently in the hospital of Guangdong's Yingde Prison, suggesting that his request for a transfer has been granted.

"I haven't met with him yet [since the move]," Zhang said. "We will be visiting him at an appropriate time."

He added: "I don't know many more details of the situation, but the travel arrangements to get to Yingde Prison are slightly easier than they were for Yangchun Prison."

Treatment uncertain

Fellow rights lawyer Zhu Chengzhi, who has been a vocal supporter of Guo's, said it is still unclear whether Guo's other demands for better treatment for political prisoners, including himself, have been met.

"The authorities have now transferred him to another prison," Zhu said. "But we won't know for a while whether they are treating Guo in a more humane manner than before."

He said Guo's brother Yang Maoquan had visited him in the prison hospital on Monday, confirming that his hunger strike had ended.

Guo began his hunger strike on May 9, calling on President Xi Jinping to implement democratic reforms, end the use of electric shocks in prison, improve the treatment of political prisoners, and ratify a United Nations covenant on civil and political rights.

His action was prompted by a forced rectal cavity search at the instigation of state security police, as well as forced head shaving and verbal abuse from prison guards, his sister said at the time.

More than 400 rights activists across China have now ended a relay hunger strike in support of Guo, Zhu said.

But concerns about Guo's deteriorating health remain.

Bleeding stomach

His sister Yang Maoping, who is a physician, has raised concerns that Guo may be suffering from gastrointestinal tumors, as he has shown chronic symptoms but was denied more detailed tests while in Yangchun Prison.

"One of the more serious symptoms is that he is bleeding from the stomach," Zhu said.

Guangxi-based rights activist Qi Qinhong called on the authorities to release Guo on medical parole.

"His health is really very poor right now," Qi said. "During his spell in the detention center, he was basically unable to relax, and he was also tortured and mistreated in there."

"The only way of saving him is for him to be released to seek medical treatment."

According to the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), Yangchun Prison twice admitted Guo to hospital between April and May, but no diagnosis or medical treatments were offered.

Guo was sentenced last November for "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble" and "gathering a crowd to disrupt social order" after a prolonged period in pretrial detention.

During his sentencing hearing, Guo shouted in protest at his treatment while in police custody, where he was held in solitary confinement in a small, dark cell and denied permission to exercise outdoors since August 2013.

Calls to Guo's U.S.-based wife Zhang Qing rang unanswered on Tuesday.

Reported by Goh Fung for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Vietnam: Hanoi says beaches hit by the Formosa Steel plant spill are safe for swimming

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Vietnam: Hanoi says beaches hit by the Formosa Steel plant spill are safe for swimming, 23 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd79d.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-23

A woman collects dead clams on a beach at Ky Anh district, in the central Vietnamese coastal province of Ha Tinh, April 27, 2016. AFP

The Vietnamese government seems to be flailing in its attempt to convince people that the beaches along Vietnam's central coast are recovering from a devastating toxic chemical spill, even after top officials took a dip in the ocean to prove it is clean enough for swimming.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Tran Hong Ha told state media on Monday that most beaches in the four central provinces hit in April by the spill from Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Group steel plant are getting cleaner. Activists and local fishermen, however, say the government's record on the spill muddies the water.

"They have avoided answering our questions before, so now the people can't believe them even after they announced their results," blogger and government critic Nguyen Xuan Dien told RFA's Vietnamese Service.

"Their swimming is just a show because they did it before and nobody believed them then," he added. "They swam in the sea before, even when the water was toxic."

According to state media accounts, the Vietnamese government issued a report on Monday that deemed most beaches in Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue provinces safe for swimming and aquaculture.

'Why not go for a swim?'

To prove the point, Tran and other government officials went for a swim in the ocean at Quang Tri province's Cua Viet Resort, state media reported.

"Scientists have announced that the waters in the four central coastal provinces are now safe for swimming. Why not go for a swim?" Ha said, according to a Vietnamnet report.

While the government says the beach is safe for swimming and aquaculture, it stopped short of declaring the area safe for fishing within 20 nautical miles of the coast, according to the reports.

Dang Viet Hoa, a fisherman from Ha Tinh province's Dong Yen parish, questioned the government's findings, telling RFA fish are still dying.

"Announcing the result is their business, but we can't believe it," he said. "There are no fish in the deep sea. The only ones living are near the surface."

Nguyen Tu Cuong from the Vietnam Fisheries Society told RFA it had to examine the report before commenting.

"People who work with fish still can't resume their businesses," he said. "We will pay attention to this report, but we will have to analyze the whole report before issuing our official response."

'The sea is not safe for us to fish'

But Dang Viet Ho told RFA he doesn't have to wait.

"We are fishermen living in the area," he said. "We live with the sea, and we can say that the sea is not safe for us to fish."

Mai Trong Nhuan, a scientist who headed the government's team studying the impact of the disaster, told RFA that chemicals in the water and the seabed meet Vietnam's standards for beach activities and water sports.

While it may be safe to swim in the ocean or begin aquaculture activities, it is too early to tell whether or not it's safe to catch wild fish, and that the ecosystem also needs time to recover.

"Some fish have returned, but in order to protect the ecosystem we recommend against catching small fish because that will hinder the recovery of the ecosystem and the chance to catch big fish will diminish in the future," he said.

"At the moment, we can't be sure about the toxin accumulation in big fish found within 15 km from the coast," he added. "We therefore recommend not to catch fish within 15 km from the coast."

Nhuan said the marine ecosystem, including coral reefs, sea grasses and other marine resources that were seriously damaged, has begun to recover.

The Formosa Plastics Group acknowledged in June that it was responsible for the pollution that killed an estimated 115 tons of fish off the central Vietnamese coast

The company pledged to pay $500 million to clean it up and compensate people affected by Vietnam's worst environmental disaster, which has devastated the fishing and tourism industries in the region.

The government said in a report to the National Assembly in July that the disaster harmed the livelihoods of more than 200,000 people, including 41,000 fishermen.

Formosa Plastics's $10.6 billion steel complex in Ha Tinh province includes a steel plant, a power plant and a deep sea port, and is one of the largest foreign investments in Vietnam.

Reported by Mac Lam and Viet Ha for RFA's Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
North Korean traders in China on edge in wake of high-profile defection

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, North Korean traders in China on edge in wake of high-profile defection, 23 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd7a25.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-23

People watch a television news broadcast showing file footage of Thae Yong Ho, a top North Korean diplomat who recently defected to South Korea, at a railway station in Seoul, Aug. 18, 2016. AFP

Amid the news of the defection of high-ranking North Korean diplomat Tae Yong Ho in London last week, North Korean traders who work in China say they are fearful about what they say, yet envious of Tae's actions, sources said.

South Korean officials confirmed on Aug. 17 that Tae, a minister at the North Korean Embassy in London, defected to the South with his family in a rare defection of a high-ranking government official.

Jeong Joon Hee, spokesman for South Korea's Ministry of Unification, said Tae told South Korean officials that he defected because he was disgusted with the government of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, yearned for South Korean democracy, and worried about the future of his children, according to media reports.

"Because of this incident, North Korean traders in China are stressed out and very discreet about not being implicated in this matter, yet I perceive that they envy and want to applaud the defection of Tae Yong Ho's family," a source who knows North Korean traders in China told RFA's Korean Service.

The source and a North Korean trader, whom he has known for five years, watched South Korea's news coverage of Tae's exile last week.

The source said he was astonished when his friend opined that those who don't escape from North Korea when they have a chance to do so, including himself, "have no brain cells."

The source said he was surprised when his friend added that no one could blame Tae for defecting.

"Although I have friendly relationships with the traders, I empathized with his situation when he poured out his innermost feelings very plainly," the source said.

"He also expressed genuine surprise once he realized that Tae and his wife are descendants of the North's core group of 'partisan guerrillas,'" the source added, in a reference to the anti-Japanese guerilla group led by North Korean founder Kim Il Sung that resisted Japan's colonial rule over Korea, along with the so-called "Paekdu bloodline."

Tae's wife, Oh Sun Hae, is a relative of Oh Baek Ryong, who was close to North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un. The elder Oh was a vice chairman of the National Defense Commission (NDC) and chief of Kim Il Sung's security guards.

Hostages in their own country

The majority of North Korean traders' family members are "held hostage" inside the isolated country while the traders are in China or elsewhere, so most workers cannot consider defecting, another North Korean source said.

To ensure traders do not defect, North Korean authorities are known to dispatch inspectors to monitor the activities of workers while they are outside the country and summon their families back to North Korea to prevent mass defections.

"The descendants of the partisan guerrillas and Paekdu bloodline [of the Kim family] are the highest elite pedigree sustaining the North Korea regime, but they have not been properly respected since Kim Jong Un came into power," the source said.

He cited the example of O Kuk Ryol, a former NDC vice chairman who was called a "blood brother" of former NDC chairman Kim Jong Il, but lost all his positions last year.

"There has been talk among North Korean public officials that the partisan guerrillas are nothing now," he said.

On Saturday, North Korea state media branded Tae an embezzler of state funds, seller of state secrets, and child rapist, calling him "human scum" who defected rather than face up to his transgressions back in North Korea.

A considerable number of North Koreans working overseas are now trying hard to flee to South Korea, and observing how other high-profile defectors such as Tae manage to settle in the South, the sources said.

North Korea routinely exports workers not only to China, but also to Russia, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, and requires them to remit most of their earnings to the North Korean government.

Many of these workers will also attempt to escape if they have a chance, the two sources told RFA.

Roughly 1,280 North Koreans defected to South Korea last year, according to the South's Ministry of Unification.

Tae's defection came months after the U.N. Security Council imposed economic sanctions on North Korea for conducting banned nuclear and missile tests, and just before American troops began annual military exercises with South Korea.

Reported by Joonho Kim for RFA's Korean Service. Translated by Hyosun Kim. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Myanmar opposition party changes leadership, strategy

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Myanmar opposition party changes leadership, strategy, 23 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd7a7.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-23

Myanmar's new president Htin Kyaw (L) and outgoing president Thein Sein (R) shake hands during the handover-of-power ceremony in Naypyidaw, March 30, 2016. AFP

Myanmar's main opposition party elected members to new key positions on Tuesday, displacing ex-president Thein Sein as chairman of the former ruling party in a strategic reorganization before by-elections early next year.

Party members elected 237 central members and 38 central executive committee (CEC), representatives during a Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) conference at its headquarters in the capital Naypyidaw, said USDP spokesman Khin Ye.

Than Htay, a retired brigadier-general and former minister of rail transport and of energy, replaced Thein Sein as party chairman, he said.

Nine leaders from the military-backed USDP, including Thein Sein and vice chairman Htay Oo, now serve as members of the party's CEC, he said.

Others newly elected to party positions include former air force commander Myat Hein as vice-chairman, Thet Naing Win as general secretary, Khin Ye as disciplinary officer, and Soe Naing as head of operations, Khin Ye said.

New leaders have also been elected for all state and regional USDP branches.

Before stepping down, Thein Sein called for a reassessment of the 2015 general election results and party reform at all levels, emphasizing interparty consolidation, the revival of democracy within the party, and working with the new generation of USDP members, according to a report on Monday by China's Xinhua news agency.

Khin Ye indicated that more changes are still to come.

"The party's future agendas will be decided tomorrow, the last day of the conference," he said.

Preparing for by-elections

The changes come as Myanmar election officials announced Monday that by-elections to fill vacant seats in parliament will be held in January 2017 and national elections three years later.

"We heard that there are 13 seats to contest in the by-elections," Khin Ye said. "The USDP will contest them."

The USDP, which was in power from 2011 to 2016, lost by a landslide to the National League for Democracy (NLD) party in general elections last November.

Earlier this year, the NLD's Htin Kyaw became president, and NLD party chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi was appointed state counselor  a new position designed to give her considerable influence in the executive and legislative branches and make her Myanmar's de facto national leader.

Laws passed earlier by the military made her ineligible for the presidency because her sons do not hold Myanmar citizenship.

Aung San Suu Kyi also holds the positions of foreign minister, minister of the President's Office, and chairwoman of the government's peace negotiation arm, the National Reconciliation and Peace Center, as part of goal to forge lasting peace and national reconciliation in the country after decades of ethnic separatist civil wars.

The USDP grew out of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, an organization created by the former military junta that ruled Myanmar for 50 years.

The party won nearly 80 percent of the seats contested in the upper and lower houses of parliament during general elections in 2010, the results of which western countries considered fraudulent.

Reported by Kyaw Thu for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Police in Hangzhou shutter restaurants run by Chinese Muslims ahead of G20 summit

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 23 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Police in Hangzhou shutter restaurants run by Chinese Muslims ahead of G20 summit, 23 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd7b11.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-23

Armored vehicles are shown parked outside a Hangzhou shopping mall ahead of the G20 Summit, August 2016. Photo sent by a local resident

Authorities in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou are targeting restaurants owned by the mostly Muslim Uyghur ethnic group ahead of the city's hosting of the G20 summit in early September.

As rights activists call on the leaders of the G20 nations not to ignore China's human rights violations during the Sept. 4-5 summit, local residents said Uyghur-run businesses are being singled out for special security checks and closure by police.

"There is a noodle place run by people from Xinjiang near my home, and suddenly four busloads of police parked outside and got out," a Hangzhou resident surnamed Sun told RFA on Tuesday.

"I thought they were going to arrest people. They were even carrying guns," she said.

Neighbors later told her the police were under orders to shutter the restaurant for the duration of the G20 summit, she said.

"They brought the guns because they were afraid the Uyghurs would be unwilling to leave," Sun said. "Then they searched the whole place to make sure there was nobody left inside ... and shuttered it and sealed the doors with paper strips."

"So now they are temporarily closed," she said.

Calls to a number of Uyghur-run restaurants in the city rang unanswered during office hours on Tuesday.

'Stability maintenance'

In recent weeks, Hangzhou city authorities have shut down businesses and industrial facilities across the scenic city, ordered increased security checks on citizens, and packed large numbers of its citizens off on vacation in a bid to "maintain stability," residents said.

Two mobile divisions of the People's Armed Police have been stationed in the city on standby, including armored vehicles, which are parked in the city center and near the stadium, according to posts on social media.

For many, the security measures are a step too far, with checkpoints on all major routes into the city causing long delays for drivers.

One resident tweeted a photo on Tuesday showing an LED display by a major highway banning "all odd and even license plate numbers" from entering Hangzhou.

Meanwhile, police detained a woman after she refused to take a sip of a bottle of water she was carrying, when requested by the driver, local residents said.

Photos supplied by bystanders showed two police officers frog-marching a woman away from the bus.

"The police checks are very stringent," Sun said. "Every vehicle and every person entering Hangzhou has to be searched, along with all of their baggage. The searches are very thorough."

"I think they're really overdoing it this time," she said. "During the two days of the summit, all businesses near the venue will be forced to close and everyone will have two days off work."

Sun said she has been given eight days' leave.

"The only thing left to do is to leave town and take a vacation," she said. "The city's empty."

She said Hangzhou residents have been offered free entry to nearby tourist attractions, including Huang Shan, and to tourist destinations in the southwestern region of Guangxi, in a bid to get them to leave the city.

Crackdown 'worst in decades'

The G20 summit comes amid what activists are saying is the worst crackdown on rights activists in decades, and campaigners want global leaders to hold the ruling Chinese Communist Party to account.

Rights groups are citing the persecution of civil society groups and the increased targeting of dissidents, religious believers, and ethnic minorities in the name of "stability maintenance" under President Xi Jinping.

Hangzhou-based dissidents, including rights activist Zou Wei, have already been taken out of town on enforced "vacations," activists told RFA.

And rights activist Jiang Yalin, who has campaigned on behalf of families hit by the melamine-tainted infant milk powder scandal, said she has also had a visit from the local "stability maintenance" office asking about her plans.

"Some people from the Jinhua [district] stability maintenance office came by to look for me a couple of days ago, my husband told me," she said. "They wanted to know where I would be during the G20 in Hangzhou."

Jiang said she had already left town, however.

"My husband told me to take our kid outside the the city to get away from the summer heat," she said.

Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Cambodian general Hun Manet has a date in U.S. court

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 24 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Cambodian general Hun Manet has a date in U.S. court, 24 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd7c12.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-24

Jailed Cambodian opposition member Meach Sovannara (Top C) is escorted by police officials in front of the appeal court in Phnom Penh, Aug. 23, 2016. AFP

A Cambodian government official dismissed jailed opposition party spokesman Meach Sovannara's lawsuit in the United States accusing Prime Minister Hun Sen's son and the Cambodian government of wrongfully imprisoning the Cambodia National Rescue Party official.

Council of minister's spokesperson Phay Siphan told RFA's Khmer Service on Wednesday that the government is unconcerned about the lawsuit because Cambodia is a sovereign nation and does not come under U.S. law.

"In that case, they can do what they want," he told RFA. "If you want to file a complaint, do it because that court is not an international court that has jurisdiction, and it has no power to take any action or judge any country."

While the Cambodian government may be unconcerned about the lawsuit, Hun Manet, the prime minister's son and a general in the Cambodian military who is considered the successor to his father, has decided to hire an attorney to fight the lawsuit.

Morton Sklar, Meach Sovannara's attorney, filed the suit April 8 in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, alleging that Hun Manet's family connections and leadership role within Cambodia's security forces make him liable for the emotional and financial damage borne by Meach Sovannara's family for his imprisonment.

Meach Sovannara, who holds both Cambodian and U.S. citizenship, and 10 other opposition figures were sentenced to prison terms of up to 20 years on insurrection charges after a demonstration in July 2014 that resulted in violent clashes between protesters and security forces in Phnom Penh's Freedom Park.

Meach Sovannara and the other opposition activists received stiff sentences, but rights groups say that none of the defendants was identified as having committed an act of violence during the event.

A hearing on preliminary motions in the lawsuit is scheduled for Sept. 1, and Sklar says a ruling in Meach Sovannara's favor "could prove potentially embarrassing, [to Hun Manet and the Cambodian government] including their role in the violent attack on Paul Hayes when he was delivering service of process in the case."

Hayes was severely injured when he was allegedly beaten up by Hun Manet's bodyguards while attempting serving him with the subpoena in the lawsuit.

Online videos appear to show Long Beach police spraying tear gas at Hun Manet's bodyguards and protesters after a Hayes was allegedly assaulted by the bodyguards while serving Hun Manet with the subpoena in the Meach Sovannara lawsuit.

Sklar told RFA that the Long Beach Police Department has opened a criminal investigation into the altercation.

While foreign government sovereignty usually protects foreign officials from facing trial in the U.S. just as U.S. leaders are protected from lawsuits abroad, the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act contains an exception for violent action against U.S. citizens abroad, explained Sklar.

RFA could not reach either Hun Manet or defense ministry spokesperson, Chhum Socheat for comments, but Hun Manet's attorney, John Purcell told RFA that the accusations made in Meach Sovannara's complaint are "groundless."

Reported and Translated by RFA's Khmer Service. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Myanmar taps former U.N. chief to lead advisory commission on troubled Rakhine

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 24 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Myanmar taps former U.N. chief to lead advisory commission on troubled Rakhine, 24 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd7d1c.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-24

Former U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan speaks during the opening session of a forum on investment for sustainable development in Africa in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, June 21, 2016. Photo: RFA

The Myanmar government has chosen former United Nations chief Kofi Annan to head a newly formed advisory commission to help resolve human rights issues in troubled Rakhine state where the majority of the country's Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority group lives.

"The nine-member Advisory Commission, a national initiative to resolve protracted issues in the region, will be chaired by former secretary-general of the United Nations, chairman and founder of the Kofi Annan Foundation and noble laureate, Mr. Kofi Annan, and will be composed of three international and six national persons of eminence who are highly experienced, respected and neutral individuals," said an article in the government newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar based on an announcement issued Wednesday by the office of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.

She will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Kofi Annan Foundation, a Geneva, Switzerland-based nonprofit organization that works to promote better global governance and achieve a fairer more peaceful world, the article said.

The commission is tasked with reviewing humanitarian and development issues, access to basic services, the assurance of basic rights, and the security of the Rakhine people in western Myanmar, the article said, though it did not mention the Rohingya by name.

The Rohingya Muslims, most of whom live in Rakhine, have borne the brunt of decades of routine discrimination that also has affected the state's other minority groups, including ethnic Rakhine, Kaman Muslims, Christians, and Hindus.

"The commission will undertake assessments and make recommendations by focusing on conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance, rights and reconciliation, institution building and promotion of development of Rakhine state," the article. "It will also examine international aspects of the situation, including the background of those seeking refugee status abroad."

The commission's Myanmar members, which include both Buddhists and Muslims, are Win Mra, chairman of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC); Thar Hla Shwe, president of Myanmar Red Cross Society; Aye Lwin, a Muslim leader and founder of the interfaith group Religions for Peace Myanmar; Mya Thida, president of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of the Myanmar Medical Association and member of the Myanmar Academy of Medical Science; Khin Maung Lay, member of the MNHRC; Saw Khin Tint, chairwoman of the Rakhine Literature and Culture Association in Yangon and vice chairwoman of the Rakhine Women's Association.

Besides Annan, the two other international members of the commission are Ghassan Salame, a Lebanese academic and former senior advisor to Annan when he was U.N. secretary-general, and Laetitia van den Assum, a career Dutch diplomat and former advisor to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

After holding meetings with all relevant stakeholders, international experts and foreign dignitaries, the commission must submit its findings and recommendations to the Myanmar government via Aung San Suu Kyi and publish a report within 12 months, the article said.

Dismantling discrimination

London-based rights group Amnesty International welcomed the creation of the commission to address the human rights situation in Rakhine.

"For the commission to be truly effective, it must ensure an independent, impartial and thorough investigation of human rights violations in Rakhine state," said Rafendi Djamin, the group's director for South East Asia and the Pacific. "Only when the facts have been established can Myanmar move towards accountability and dismantling the systemic discrimination that Rohingyas face."

"However, a commission isn't needed to take immediate steps to restore rights and dignity to the Rohingya and other Muslims in Rakhine state," he said. "A first step would be to lift the restrictions on their freedom of movement, and allow them the chance to seek education, employment, aid and assistance."

Some 140,000 Rohingya Muslims were displaced after violence erupted four years ago between them and Rakhine Buddhists, leaving more than 200 dead and tens of thousands homeless after their houses were destroyed. The Rohingya, who bore the brunt of the attacks, were later forced to live in refugee camps.

About 120,000 Rohingya currently remain in the camps, while thousands of others have fled persecution in the Buddhist-dominated country on rickety boats to other Southeast Asian countries in recent years.

The government does not consider the Rohingya to be full citizens of Myanmar and denies them basic rights, freedom of movement, and access to social services and education.

Other plans for Rakhine

On June 1, the Myanmar government created the Central Committee for Implementation of Peace and Development in Rakhine State to put impoverished and strife-torn Rakhine on a path to peace and development.

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's de facto national leader, chairs the 27-member committee which include all government ministers and Rakhine state officials.

The National League for Democracy government has pledged to spend more than 70 billion kyats (U.S. $5.9 million) to develop Rakhine by financing goods and services that promote human resources, open migrant resource centers to help workers and conduct a transparent.

Kofi Annan, who was the U.N. secretary general from 1997 to 2006, and the United Nations jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.

He also was the predecessor of current U.S. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who will visit Myanmar at the end of August to participate in the government's Panglong Peace Conference, an effort spearheaded by Aung San Suu Kyi to foster permanent peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar after decades of ethnic separatist civil wars.

Reported by Kyaw Soe Lin for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
North Korea does an about face as authorities now fear the Notetel

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 24 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, North Korea does an about face as authorities now fear the Notetel, 24 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd7e14.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-24

A North Korean military parade passes statues of former leaders in a file photo. AFP

North Korea's most popular electronic gadget has suddenly caught the eye of the authorities who have become fearful that the device makes it too easy to watch forbidden TV stations and videos.

The Chinese-made Notetel may be primitive when compared to an iPhone or Galaxy Note, but its cheap price, small size, availability and functionality have made it a big hit with North Koreans.

While North Koreans love their Notetels for the device's ability to play DVDs, EVDs, accept USB sticks and SD cards, and its ability to tune in Chinese or South Korean TV stations, that very ability has Pyongyang worried, sources tell RFA's Korea Service. The EVD, or enhanced video disc, is China's equivalent to the DVD.

While the North Korean government recently legalized the Notetel, they are apparently having second thoughts, as the sources tell RFA that the authorities are now confiscating the devices.

"The most popular electronic product among North Koreans is Notetel from China," a source in North Hamgyong province told RFA. "Since people in North Korea are able to watch videos via DVD, USB or SD card with Notetel, and also watch Chinese TV programs with the device, the NK authorities ordered the forfeit Notetels."

Despite severe penalties, North Koreans appear to have a hunger for media other than the state-sponsored programming they are legally allowed to watch.

"North Korean residents seldom watch domestic TV, considering it a home decoration, rather, they frequently watch a small TV or a Notetel which is easy and quick to hide from sudden inspection," a source from South Hamgyong province told RFA.

Cost for the device runs from a low of about $33 for the most basic black-and-white model to around $66 for the newest models with the most features, according to the sources. The devices are particularly popular with students who use them for both education and recreation.

"If people adjust the antenna of small TV or Notetel, they can watch South Korean and Chinese TV programs under the blanket even at night," said the source from North Hamgyong province. "Most students own a Notetel,' which is intended for education, but it can been also used for watching illegal videos."

South Korean English study programs are a popular product for Notetel owners, the source said.

"North Korean authorities are even confiscating students' educational Notetels, but the upper class and executives avoid the authorities' inspections and keep their children's educational Notetels.

While Pyongyang wants to keep a lid on outside influences, they also want to ensure that inside influences that they deem inappropriate don't spread.

"A more important reason the North Korean authorities confiscated the small devices is that besides the outside TV programs and South Korean English programs, there is also the Wangjaesan Light Music Band Dance CD that North Koreans are passing around."

The band has been the focus of rumors and news reports, some were later discredited, that members of the Wangjaesan Light Music Band Dance and other popular North Korean musicians were executed.

The Wangjaesan Light Music Band's Dance CD contains decadent scenes such as half-naked women dancing in front of Kim Jong Un, and once the secretive video rapidly spread among residents, Notetel became a target of crackdown.

Reported by Sunghui Moon and Jieun Kim for RFA's Korea Service. Translated by Hyosun Kim. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Sister of Chinese political prisoner Guo Feixiong denied prison hospital visit

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 24 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Sister of Chinese political prisoner Guo Feixiong denied prison hospital visit, 24 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd7f14.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-24

Chinese activist Guo Feixiong, in file photo. Amnesty Internatoinal

The sister of prominent Chinese political prisoner Guo Feixiong has been denied permission to visit him in hospital following his transfer to another prison and the ending of his 100-day hunger strike, prompting further concerns about his well-being.

Guo, whose birth name is Yang Maodong, is currently in the hospital of Guangdong's Yingde Prison, where he was taken after requesting a transfer from Yangchun Prison.

He began his hunger strike in early May in protest at the treatment of political prisoners in China, and his lawyers had requested the transfer after a public outcry triggered by his hunger strike.

But when Guo's sister Yang Maoping, an experienced physician, tried to visit her brother on Monday, she was turned away.

"I am very angry and aggrieved about this," Yang told RFA on Wednesday. "I was stopped from going any further when I reached the hospital."

She declined to comment further, however, suggesting that her phone calls are still being monitored by police.

"It's really not very convenient for me to talk right now," Yang said.

Hunan-based rights activist Zhu Chengzhi, a close friend and long-time supporter of Guo's, said his new jail may have barred Yang because of her outspokenness on her brother's behalf.

"Guo Feixiong's sister has expressed her opposition [to his treatment] in very public ways, so they could be deliberately making things difficult for her," Zhu said.

"[She] is also a qualified doctor, and she has spoken out about his medical condition," he said. "She will be able to verify certain things and she is likely to be more accurate [than the authorities]."

Yang Maoping has raised concerns that Guo may be suffering from gastrointestinal tumors, as he has shown chronic symptoms but was denied more detailed tests while in Yangchun Prison.

Forced vacations for scholars

Guo began his hunger strike on May 9, calling on President Xi Jinping to implement democratic reforms, end the use of electric shocks in prison, improve the treatment of political prisoners, and ratify a United Nations covenant on civil and political rights.

His action was prompted by a forced rectal cavity search at the instigation of state security police, as well as forced head shaving and verbal abuse from prison guards, his sister said at the time.

More than 400 rights activists across China have now ended a relay hunger strike in support of Guo.

Earlier this month, London-based rights group Amnesty International launched a campaign calling for Guo's immediate release.

The group's members have also called on the authorities to ensure that Guo's treatment meets minimum standards laid down by the United Nations for the treatment of prisoners.

They have also called on the government to ensure he has access to ethical healthcare from an appropriately qualified practitioner.

Guo's continued incarceration comes amid growing concerns at the scale and brutality of China's nationwide crackdown on rights activists, non-government organizations (NGOs) and human rights lawyers.

On Tuesday, a United Nations-appointed human rights envoy said the Chinese government had interfered with his work during a recent nine-day visit to the country.

Philip Alston, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights said none of the meetings with academics he had requested prior to his arrival had been arranged.

"None of those meetings were arranged, and the message I got from many of the people I contacted was that they had been advised that they should be on vacation at this time," Alston told reporters at the end of his trip.

"The position that the United Nations has always followed and that I've followed in every other country that I've visited, and there are many, is that the rapporteur is entitled to meet with whomsoever he wants to meet with, that he's entitled to go wherever he wants to," he said.

China's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday denied having restricted Alston's activities, saying his account "did not accord with the facts."

Reported by Goh Fung for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Chen Pan and Lin Ping for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
China: Authorities force Uyghurs in Xinjiang's Yarkand county to perform tai chi in public

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 25 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, China: Authorities force Uyghurs in Xinjiang's Yarkand county to perform tai chi in public, 25 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd80f.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-25

The map shows Yarkand county, Kashgar prefecture, in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. RFA graphic

Local authorities in a county in northwestern China's Xinjiang region have forced Muslim Uyghur farmers, government workers, teachers, and the unemployed to participate in a mass event where they had to dress in traditional Chinese garb and perform tai chi, RFA's Uyghur Service has learned.

Uyghurs from the 25 towns in Yarkand (in Chinese, Shache) county of Kashgar (Kashi) prefecture performed in a so-called "10 Thousand People" national anthem and tai chi event on Aug. 18 at 12 Mukam Square in Yarkand, local sources said.

Tai chi is a centuries-old form of Chinese martial art that promotes serenity and inner peace through a series of slow, flowing body motions.

Many of the men and women, who had to dress in white and pink Chinese tunics and trousers for the event, came from the towns of Awatbazar, Beshkent, and Misha Yarkand, they said.

The purpose of the forced performance was to "foster the Chinese nation's valuable traditions and spread patriotic education" among the residents of Yarkand county, according to Tianshannet, a regional government news website.

"The Sing the National Anthem and Perform Tai Chi event is held to raise the Yarkand people's patriotic sentiments," said Wang Yongji, Yarkand's communist party chief, according to the report.

"We published everything [about the event] on the website clearly," said an official from Yarkand county's propaganda office, who declined to give his name. "I cannot tell you anything more about this."

Others interviewed by RFA were also reluctant to discuss the event.

"People who do not have jobs and government workers participated at once in this event," said a young Uyghur woman from Yarkand country who declined to give her name. "Private business owners were not called in."

The event lasted about four or five days and had about 20,000 participants, she said.

"I can tell you this much," she said. "It might not be good to talk much about it. Please ask other people."

'Push to assimilate'

Ilshat Hasan, president of the Washington-based Uyghur American Association, criticized the event as another attempt by China to weaken Uyghur ethnic and cultural identity and force Han Chinese identity on the predominantly Muslim ethnic minority.

"This Sing the National Anthem and Perform Tai Chi event is another indication of China's push to assimilate Uyghurs into Chinese culture and terminate their ethnic identity," he told RFA. "Tai chi is typical of Chinese culture. It has no connection to Uyghur culture whatsoever.

"In this event Uyghurs were dressed as traditional Chinese, indicating that China is getting more extreme in their push to assimilate Uyghurs," he said.

In April 2015, Chinese authorities forced Uyghur imams in Kashgar to dance in the town's main square and female teachers had to pledge not to teach Islam to children, according to a report in Pakistan's Express Tribune.

The imams were also forced to tell children that prayer was harmful for the soul and to chant slogans in support of the state over religion and declare that "our income comes from the Chinese Communist Party, not from Allah," the report said.

Xinjiang has been an autonomous region of China since 1955, though Beijing continues to crack down on its Uyghur inhabitants to prevent what it calls the "three evils" of terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism there.

Rights groups accuse Chinese authorities of heavy-handed rule in Xinjiang, including violent police raids on Uyghur households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on the culture and language of the Uyghur people.

But experts outside China say Beijing has exaggerated the threat from Uyghur separatists, and that domestic policies are responsible for an upsurge in violence that has left hundreds dead since 2012.

Reported by Irade for RFA's Uyghur Service. Translated by Mamatjan Juma. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Cambodia's opposition lawmakers call foul on court

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 25 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Cambodia's opposition lawmakers call foul on court, 25 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd81b.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-25

Cambodian opposition party deputy leader Kem Sokha at memorial service for slain labor activist in Phnom Penh, Jan. 22, 2015. AFP

Cambodia's opposition lawmakers lashed out Thursday at what they called the government's "use of the judiciary as a political tool" as the Phnom Penh Municipal Court announced that it plans to put Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) leader Kem Sokha on trial.

On Thursday, the court posted a notice dated Aug. 23 outside Kem Sokha's house, saying that it has finished its investigation and plans to try the CNRP's acting president for failing to appear as a witness in the government's attempt to build a prostitution case based on an affair the lawmaker is alleged to have had with a 25-year-old hairdresser.

"The CNRP's lawmakers take this as the use of the judiciary as a political tool to constantly persecute opposition members and their leaders that only escalates political tensions and hampers the future of free and fair elections," the country's 55 CNRP lawmakers said in a statement.

Kem Sokha has been holed up in the CNRP headquarters since heavily-armed police attempted to arrest him in May for ignoring court orders to appear as a witness in cases related to his alleged affair with Khom Chandaraty, who is also known as Srey Mom.

Under normal circumstance it takes the approval of two-thirds of the national assembly to lift a lawmakers' immunity, but Kem Sokha's was revoked under a clause in the Cambodian constitution that allows immunity to be lifted if a lawmaker is caught committing a crime red-handed.

CNRP lawmakers say the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the ruling Cambodian People's Party acted illegally by removing Kem Sokha's immunity.

"We absolutely cannot accept the move by the prosecution and the investigating judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal court to forward His Excellency Kem Sokha's case to trial without having his parliamentary immunity lifted first," the lawmakers wrote in a statement.

"Such a move is a grave violation of the Constitution of Cambodia," they said. "Failing to appear before the court as a witness does not constitute an in flagrante delicto."

The lawmakers called on the court to drop the charges, and senior CNRP lawmaker Son Chhay told RFA's Khmer Service that the statement is a first step taken to address the issue. It's unclear what the next step is.

"We will wait and see," he said. The CNRP leadership will meet and decide to cross that bridge when we come to it."

Reported for RFA's Khmer Service by Moniroth Morm. Translated by Naret Moung. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Independent People's Congress election hopeful jailed in China's Jiangxi

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 25 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Independent People's Congress election hopeful jailed in China's Jiangxi, 25 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd82d.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-25

Members of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee vote during their closing meeting in Beijing, July 1, 2015. Xinhua

Authorities in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangxi have detained an activist who tried to run as an independent candidate in elections to his local People's Congress.

Yang Wei, also known as Yang Tingjian, was detained by police in Jiangxi's Zixi county after he tried to fill out an application for candidacy in forthcoming elections to his local legislative body in Hecheng township, his father told RFA.

He said Yang Wei's bid for candidacy was initially blocked by the township government, so he tried to submit it at the county level.

"He went to the township to pick up a form to register his candidacy, but they refused to give him one," Yang Wei's father said. "They summoned him to the police station at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, and then they took him to the detention center at around midnight."

"We received notification at around 9 a.m. today that he is being held for 10 days' administrative detention," he said.

Administrative sentences of up to 10 days can be handed down by police to perceived "troublemakers" without the need for a trial.

"This was a verbal notification; they said they had given the formal notification to [my son]," Yang said.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party has warned that there is "no such thing" as an independent candidate in elections, and that anyone hoping to stand for elections this year to the People's Congress will first have to clear "due legal procedures."

This means candidates must be approved by local party officials who usually ensure that anyone lacking their support doesn't win, often by tampering with physical ballot boxes, paying for extra votes, or simply by having those who try to run detained.

Token 'democratic parties'

China will "elect" more than 2 million lawmakers at the county and township levels across the country to local-level People's Congresses in more than 2,000 counties and 30,000 townships over the next few months.

Opposition parties are banned in China, with the exception of a token group of "democratic parties" which never oppose or criticize the government. Anyone trying to set one up is likely to face a lengthy jail term.

Yang said his son had been under round-the-clock surveillance since he tried to register for the poll.

"Officials from the township government had been monitoring and following him 24 hours a day for the past few days," he said. "He had wanted to stand in the township People's Congress elections."

"I think they were trying to provoke him, to pressure him into losing his cool, so that they could arrest him," Yang said. "They really didn't want Yang Wei to run in the elections."

'Disrupting the election process'

Gansu-based rights activist Qu Mingxue said he had been formally arrested on suspicion of "disrupting the process of an election" after he tried to stand in June elections to the Yongjing county People's Congress, although the case against him was later dropped and he was released.

"[Yang Wei] is an admirable young man who voiced the aspirations of young Chinese people for democracy and freedom," Qu said.

"He went to collect an election registration form ... and got into a dispute with them, and they put him under 10 days' administrative detention," he said.

Qu said Chinese citizens have the right to stand as candidates in elections under the country's constitution.

Last year, authorities in the central Chinese province of Hubei also briefly detained grassroots election expert and former independent People's Congress deputy Yao Lifa after he discussed independent candidacy with his followers on the popular chat room app QQ.

In 1998, Yao became the first independent delegate to be elected to a municipal seat in a local People's Congress, campaigning for poverty alleviation and the rights of local people. However, he was shunted aside five years later and has been harassed ever since.

Yao, who inspired a national movement to field independent candidates in this year's government controlled People's Congress elections, reported torture and starvation during earlier periods in detention.

Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Visit from Chinese 'United Front' official sparks fears in Taiwan

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 25 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Visit from Chinese 'United Front' official sparks fears in Taiwan, 25 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd831c.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-25

Supporters of Taiwan independence protest visit to Taipei by Chinese Communist Party official, Aug. 23, 2016. RFA

A recent visit by a top ruling Chinese Communist Party official from Shanghai for talks on city-to-city ties has sparked political worries in democratically ruled Taiwan over what is a highly unequal relationship with its powerful neighbor.

Sha Hailin, who heads the Shanghai United Front Work department charged with bringing minority and "outsider" groups into the party's ideological fold, was met with angry public protests in Taiwan this week, amid fears that too cozy a relationship with Beijing could undermine the island's democratic way of life.

"Get lost, Sha Hailin!" read one placard outside the venues where the meetings were held.

"No to United Front! Communist bandits, get lost!" protesters chanted, using an insult dating back to the civil war era of 1946-1949.

Politicians and protesters also took issue with Sha's reception by Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je.

"Ko Wen-je is a traitor to Taiwan!" some protesters shouted, while politicians argued that Ko shouldn't have thrown a welcome banquet for Sha, who they said wasn't highly ranked enough to be treated on equal terms.

"Such forums should be attended by the mayors of both cities," pro-independence lawmaker Chou Ni-an of the Taiwan Solidarity Union party told journalists.

"Therefore if [Ko] meets with a United Front Work department official, it would be on an unequal footing," he said. "This is wrong. We don't need to endorse China's United Front Work."

Mutual praise

Ko was meanwhile praised by Sha at the end of his trip, which came as Beijing failed to pressure President Tsai Ing-wen into endorsing the "One China" policy, which accepts that Taiwan is a province of a divided China.

Ko told journalists: "We understand and respect the support for certain policies on the Chinese mainland, but at the same time, we hope that the mainland will support and understand democracy and freedom in Taiwan."

"Right now, Taiwan enjoys democracy, freedom, openness, and diversity. That is our overall situation," he said.

But Lai Chung-chiang, who heads a civic group set up to limit cross-straits pacts with China, said Ko's attempts to cozy up to Beijing were unwelcome.

"We completely reject this idea that Ko Wen-je has expressed, that everything will just keep running normally [if we allow closer ties with Beijing]," Lai said.

"The United Front project will fail here," Lai told RFA. "Taiwan is a democratic country, and we do not welcome United Front department chiefs here right now."

Sha denied any covert agenda to his trip, saying that cross-straits ties wouldn't be easy.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office announced it had suspended official contacts with Taipei earlier this year, after Tsai declined to endorse the One China policy consensus hashed out in 1992 talks with the then Kuomintang (KMT) government of Taiwan.

Pressure at home

Meanwhile, Tsai is coming under growing domestic political pressure after 100 days at the helm.

Her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which swept to power earlier this year amid fears of growing Chinese influence over Taiwan under her predecessor Ma Ying-jeou, still has a staunchly pro-independence wing, in spite of repeated warnings from Beijing that it will use military force to "reunify" Taiwan, should it move towards formal statehood.

As if to underline the sense of threat from the Chinese Communist Party, which has never ruled the island, Taiwan on Thursday launched its annual series of live-fire military drills, the first since Tsai came to power.

The war games are intended to simulate incoming attacks from China, the biggest threat to Taiwan's security, and Tsai on Thursday ordered the military to keep updating its defense strategy.

"Some of the challenges faced by our army come from external structural limitations, others are because our performance isn't good enough," she told troops at the Pingtung county army base after watching fighter jets and tanks fire live rounds.

She also pledged to update the military's equipment, following a series of gaffes including the misfiring of an anti-aircraft carrier missile towards China last month.

The United States last year announced a U.S.$1.8 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the first in four years, to counter the 1,500 missiles China has aimed at the island.

Support for self-rule

Beijing has said it is willing to deal with any party in Taiwan, as long as they recognize both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China and don't allow the island to move towards independence.

Repeated polls have shown that many of Taiwan's 23 million residents identify as Taiwanese rather than Chinese, and that there is broad political support for de facto self-rule, if not formal independence.

Taiwan has been governed separately from mainland China throughout an occupation by Japan (1895-1945) and since 1949.

Tsai, 59, is an academic-turned-politician who taught international trade law for 16 years, and who has served both as trade negotiator and mainland affairs adviser to successive Taiwan governments.

She mentioned the One China policy in her inauguration speech, but has stopped short of endorsing it.

Taiwan's former governing party, the Kuomintang (KMT), had seen itself as the legitimate ruler of a post-1911 Republic of China that was temporarily relocated to Taiwan after losing the civil war to Mao Zedong's communists in 1949.

In theory at least, it also laid claim to the whole of mainland China and the independent country of Mongolia, based on the borders of the old Republic.

But Tsai won a landslide victory on a DPP platform that affirms the island's separate identity from mainland China.

Reported by Hsia Hsiao-hwa for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Ho Shan and Chung Kuang-cheng for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Myanmar president visits Bagan to survey quake-damaged pagodas

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 25 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Myanmar president visits Bagan to survey quake-damaged pagodas, 25 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd837.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-25

Myanmar President Htin Kyaw (second, R) visits the ancient city of Bagan to survey earthquake damage to centuries-old Buddhist pagodas, Aug. 25, 2016. RFA

Myanmar's President Htin Kyaw visited the ancient city of Bagan on Thursday to survey earthquake damage to the centuries-old Buddhist pagodas that are one of the Southeast Asian country's main tourist draws, urging local officials to carry out repair work systematically.

About 200 of the town's pagodas in its famous archaeological zone suffered damage when a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday near the town of Chauk, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Bagan in central Myanmar's Magway region.

Though police and soldiers cordoned off the affected areas of the zone, Htin Kyaw said officials should quickly reopen places with undamaged pagodas for religious pilgrims and tourists to continue visiting.

"When we have to repair and preserve damaged pagodas, it should be done in a systematic way by taking time," Htin Kyaw said during a meeting with officials at the Bagan Archaeological Museum, adding that the restoration work should be done in a manner that preserves the structures' ancient heritage.

Htin Kyaw met with minister for religious and cultural affairs Thura Aung Ko and Mandalay region chief minister Zaw Myint Maung in Bagan. Zaw Myint Maung told him that the damaged pagodas would be repaired by local restorers and administrators working in collaboration with experts from the United Nations cultural body UNESCO.

The last major earthquake to hit Bagan was a 6.5-magnitude temblor that occurred on July 8, 1975, killing two people and injuring 15 others. It severely damaged more than half of the area's pagodas and temples and toppled the notable Buphaya pagoda, which broke apart and fell into the Irrawaddy River.

Restoration work was carried out on many of the damaged pagodas in the 1990s when a military junta ruled Myanmar, but was criticized by art historians and preservationists worldwide for its use of modern materials and scant adherence to original architectural styles.

Today roughly 2,200 temples and pagodas remain, many of which were built between the 10th and 13th centuries.

'Time to change the system'

Sun Oo, an architect and member of the Bagan Management Plan Organizing Committee who has been conducting a survey of the town's architectural heritage, told the Myanmar Times in June that more than 600 of Bagan's pagodas have been ruined by faulty renovation work, resulting in artificial replicas.

"It's time to change the system of putting conservation work out to tender," he was quoted as saying.

The Bagan branch of the Ministry of Culture's Archaeology and National Museum Department oversees the maintenance of the religious structures for which tenders are awarded for restoration work.

"The masons hired by the tender-winning companies do not have the required skills," Sun Oo was quoted as saying. "There are not enough masons qualified to do preservation work on valuable ancient architecture."

The Bagan Archaeological Zone is a main attraction for the country's nascent but growing tourism industry, popular with religious pilgrims and tourists who come and scale the ancient Buddhist monuments to watch the sun set.

In fiscal year 2014-15, roughly 242,000 tourists who visited the zone generated about U.S. $4.1 million, according to a May 2015 article in the Myanmar Times which cited figures from the Bagan branch of the Archaeology and National Museum Department.

In 1996, Myanmar officials put in an initial application for the Bagan archeological site and pagodas to become a UNESCO world heritage site, but the bids are said to have been rejected because of poor management strategies and improper restoration work.

Reported by Myo Zaw Ko and Kyaw Htun Naing for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Books defaming exiled Uyghur leader 'dropped off' at Australian mosques

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 26 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Books defaming exiled Uyghur leader 'dropped off' at Australian mosques, 26 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd8411.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-26

Uyghur leader Rebiya Kadeer speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, June 20, 2013. AFP

Cartons of books attacking the character of exiled Uyghur leader Rebiya Kadeer were recently left outside several mosques in Sydney, Australia, in an apparent bid to discredit the popular activist in the eyes of her supporters, sources say.

Copies of the book, titled The Uyghur Enigma, Discover Rebiya Kadeer, were dropped off in July and again last week in boxes containing multiple copies each outside Sydney's Gallipoli Mosque, Bonnyrigg Mosque, and another mosque and restaurant serving the city's Turkish community, a local activist told RFA's Uyghur Service.

"Five boxes, each containing 14 books, were left [at the third site], for a total of 70 books," the activist named Bextiyar Bore said.

"At the entrance to the Gallipoli Mosque there were seven boxes containing a total of 98 books, and at the Bonnyrigg Mosque we found 10 boxes, containing a total of 140 books," he said.

The book, published originally in English last year, described the formerly successful businesswoman Kadeer as a black marketeer and tax cheat and had been translated into Uyghur, Dolkun Isa  secretary general of the Munich-based exile World Uyghur Congress (WUC)  told RFA.

"We were shown security camera footage of the actual dropping-off of the books, and from what we saw we concluded that those who left the books were [Han] Chinese," Isa said.

"We informed the Australian authorities," he said.

Suspect language

"This book was written in language that reflects China's colonialist and dictatorial point of view," Isa added.

"There is nothing objective about it, and it won't fool the international community."

Amazon.com sells the book for $27 and identifies the publisher as based in Poland. The on-line seller lists the authors as Paul Laurence and Dalrymple Alexander, but offers no information about the pair, whose names are similar to those of long-deceased British figures.

"Exploring to startling discoveries [sic], and offers an opportunity for a new understanding of China's ethnic difficulties and the policies in place to resolve them," says the promotion on Amazon.

Rebiya Kadeer, 69, was released from a Chinese prison in March 2005 after being jailed for six years for sending politically sensitive newspaper clippings abroad, and went into exile in the United States. She now serves as president of the WUC.

Uyghurs in Xinjiang have long been subject to violent police raids on their households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on their culture and language by Chinese authorities who impose heavy-handed rule in the region.

But some experts outside China say Beijing has exaggerated the threat from Uyghur separatists, and that domestic policies are responsible for an upsurge in violence that has left hundreds dead since 2012.

China meanwhile regularly monitors Uyghur exiles overseas, with Australia's Refugee Review Tribunal concluding in September 2011 that the activities of Uyghurs living in the country were likely to be reported to authorities in Beijing, according to a Dec. 30, 2015, Reuters report.

Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFA's Uyghur Service. Translated by Mamatjan Juma. Written in English by Richard Finney.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Two political parties object to Myanmar government's Rakhine commission

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 26 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Two political parties object to Myanmar government's Rakhine commission, 26 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd86b.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-26

Rohingya gather for water at the Thel-Chaung displacement camp in Sittwe, western Myanmar's Rakhine state, Nov. 8, 2015. AFP

Two Myanmar political parties formally objected on Thursday to the government's newly created Rakhine State advisory commission to address human rights issues in the troubled western coastal region where tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims reside.

The day before, the office of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi announced the appointment of former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan to chair the nine-member commission, which includes three international representatives, four Buddhist and Muslim members from Myanmar, and two Myanmar government representatives.

But in a letter to the government on Thursday, the Arakan National Party (ANP), which represents the interests of the ethnic Rakhine people in Rakhine state and in the commercial capital Yangon, demanded that the commission be disbanded.

It said it objected to the appointment of three foreigners to the commission, contending that they would not be able to grasp the history and current situation in troubled, ethnically diverse Rakhine state.

"The State Counselor Office's statement said that the commission will review Myanmar refugees around the world," said ANP chairman Aye Maung. "Millions of refugees said that they are from Rakhine state and the review is likely to bring them back to the state. It could cause Rakhine people to be concerned about our ethnic sovereignty."

He also said the ANP would examine whether the commission is being formed in accordance with Myanmar's constitution which gives only the president authority to create such bodies.

State security issue

The opposition military-backed Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) also issued a statement on Thursday, noting that the commission's endeavors are to be "humanitarian" in nature and "ignore the state security issue" in Rakhine, according to a report in the online journal The Irrawaddy.

"We still don't know what the result will be," said USDP spokesman Khin Ye. "We will watch the commission because we are concerned whether security and national matters could be harmed."

One Rakhine citizen also objected to the appointment of foreigners to the commission.

"We are not comfortable having foreigners appointed to resolve domestic problems," Thar Pwint, a resident of Rakhine's capital Sittwe, told RFA's Myanmar Service.

To be effective, the commission must adopt a careful and measured approach, said political analyst and commentator Yan Myo Thein.

"To solve the challenges practically, the commission must approach local people carefully and avoid extreme actions," he told RFA.

A diverse committee

Besides Annan, the two other international members of the commission are Ghassan Salame, a Lebanese academic and former senior advisor to Annan when he was U.N. secretary-general, and Laetitia van den Assum, a career Dutch diplomat and former advisor to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

Win Mra, chairman of Myanmar's National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC), and Saw Khin Tint, chairwoman of the Rakhine Literature and Culture Association in Yangon and vice chairwoman of the Rakhine Women's Association, are the commission's two Buddhist ethnic Rakhine members.

Aye Lwin, a Muslim leader and founder of the interfaith group Religions for Peace Myanmar, and Khin Maung Lay, an MNHRC member, will be serving on the commission as Muslim representatives.

Thar Hla Shwe, president of the Myanmar Red Cross Society and Mya Thida, president of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of the Myanmar Medical Association and member of the Myanmar Academy of Medical Science, are the two government representatives.

Future of the Rohingya

At issue for the committee will be the future of Rakhine's stateless, Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority.

The Myanmar government and the country's Buddhist majority call the Rohingya "Bengalis" because they consider them to be illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh, and deny them basic rights, freedom of movement, and access to social services and education.

Communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims four years ago displaced 140,000 Rohingya in Rakhine, where the majority of them lives, and left more than 200 dead and tens of thousands homeless.

The Rohingya, who bore the brunt of the attacks, were later forced to live in refugee camps, where about 120,000 remain today.

Aye Lwin said the commission will benefit from having members from different religions, and in foreigners members, in discussing the matter.

"I believe that we will have more justice than before because the people who will lead the commission are impartial and third-party intervenors," he said. "They are of different nationalities and religions, [including] Christians. They have diplomatic skills and are well-experienced."

Neutral individuals?

Though an announcement issued on Wednesday by Aung San Suu Kyi's office said the nine commission members selected were "highly experienced, respected, and neutral individuals," there are past indications that not all of them may be impartial, and that the Rohingya will continue to face a hard slog of it in Rakhine.

In a June 27, 2012, speech at Aloetawpyi monastery in Rakhine's Rathedaung township, commission member Saw Khin Tint referred to the Rohingya as "Bengalis," charging that they are "invaders" who have received support from the "Muslim Circle" and have lied about their history in Rakhine state.

She also contended that Western countries have bought into the image that the Rohingya are destitute and deprived of human rights in Myanmar.

"Although we [ethnic Rakhine people] have been pointing out the truth to the world, in return we've been misunderstood," she told RFA on Wednesday. "We hope we can get more understanding from the world when Kofi Annan, who is an impartial person, sees the real situation and truth in Rakhine state."

The Myanmar government will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Kofi Annan Foundation in September so that the commission can begin its work.

Reported by Thiha Tun and Thinn Thiri for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
China: More suicides reported in protest of destruction at Sichuan's Larung Gar

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 29 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, China: More suicides reported in protest of destruction at Sichuan's Larung Gar, 29 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd8723.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-29

Tibetan nun Tsering Dolma is shown in an undated photo. Photo sent by an RFA listener

Two more Buddhist nuns living at Sichuan's Larung Gar Academy have killed themselves following a suicide in July to protest Chinese authorities' destruction of large parts of the Tibetan Buddhist study center, with the attempted suicide of yet another woman blocked by friends at the last minute, according to Tibetan sources.

Tsering Dolma, aged about 20, hanged herself on Aug. 17 "when she could no longer bear the pain of seeing the destruction of Larung Gar," a source living in the area told RFA's Tibetan Service. "She left behind a note expressing her distress at the demolition and complaining that the Chinese will not let them live in peace."

A native of Mewa township in Marthang (in Chinese, Hongyuan) county in Sichuan's Ngaba (Aba) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Dolma had been seen before her death to be "depressed and worried" over Chinese authorities' destruction of thousands of dwellings at the academy, RFA's source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"So she hanged herself," he said.

A nun named Semga, a native of Dowa village in Ngaba's Dzamthang (Rangtang) county, also recently killed herself, though details on how and when she died were not immediately available, while a third nun attempted suicide "though others intervened in time and saved her," the source said.

The deaths follow the suicide on July 20 of Rinzin Dolma, a nun who hanged herself as Chinese work crews began to tear down monks' and nuns' houses to reduce what authorities have described as overcrowding at the Larung Gar academy in Ngaba's Serthar (Seda) county, sources said in earlier reports.

Many thousands of Tibetans and Han Chinese study at the sprawling Larung Gar complex, which was founded in 1980 by the late religious teacher Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok and is one of the world's largest and most important centers for the study of Tibetan Buddhism.

Orders from higher-up

The order now to reduce the number of Larung Gar's residents by about half to a maximum level of 5,000 is not a county plan "but comes from higher authorities," with China's president Xi Jinping taking a personal interest in the matter, sources told RFA in earlier reports.

Chinese authorities have stationed armed security forces at the work site and are warning that attempts at protest or resistance will be punished by arrests and incarceration, one source said, adding that armed police have also been deployed to nearby areas.

Informed by her friends of Dolma's death, officials of Larung Gar's government-appointed management committee said at first that they were unwilling to look into the case, but later came to try to claim the body, RFA's source said.

"They said that their duty according to official instructions was to be sure that the demolition goes ahead, though, and that they would not be held responsible for anyone's death."

Hearing this, the nuns "wailed in grief," he said.

Rights groups have slammed the government-ordered destruction at Larung Gar, with New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) saying that Beijing should allow the Tibetan people to decide for themselves how best to practice their religion.

"If authorities somehow believe that the Larung Gar facilities are overcrowded, the answer is simple," HRW China director Sophie Richardson said in a statement in June.

"Allow Tibetans and other Buddhists to build more monasteries."

Reported by Kunsang Tenzin for RFA's Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Organizing committee reviews final preparations for Myanmar's Panglong Conference

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 29 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Organizing committee reviews final preparations for Myanmar's Panglong Conference, 29 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd8814.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-29

The members of the Joint Conference Organizing Committee discuss the final preparations for Myanmar's Panglong Conference in Naypyidaw, Aug. 29, 2016. RFA

UPDATED at 10:26 A.M. EST on 2016-08-30

The organizing committee for Myanmar's Panglong Conference held a meeting in the capital Naypyidaw on Monday to discuss the final preparations for major negotiations with armed ethnic groups in a bid to end decades of ethnic separatist civil wars.

Leaders from the country's various ethnic armies have already arrived in the city for the five-day 21st-Century Panglong Conference, also called the Union Peace Conference, which begins on Wednesday.

The members of the Joint Conference Organizing Committee said they were still discussing the possible participation of three groups that began fighting together against government troops last year in the Kokang region of the northern part of Myanmar's Shan state  the Arakan Army (AA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance party (MNDAA), and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

But the online journal The Irrawaddy reported on Monday that the Myanmar military has decided to bar the three groups from attending, though they had expressed a readiness to participate, according to Zaw Htay, deputy director-general of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's office.

Because the groups have refused to issue a statement saying they will lay down their arms during talks with the military in the run-up to the conference, the government decided not to invite them, the report said.

Clusters of reps

All members of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), an alliance of nine ethnic armed groups that did not sign a nationwide cease-fire agreement with the previous government last October, will attend the peace conference in order to participate in political dialogue so it can push for the formation of a federal union in Myanmar.

Aung San Suu Kyi  Myanmar's de facto prime minister who is spearheading the peace negotiations  military commander-in-chief- Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the two speakers of the national parliament Win Myint and Mahn Win Khaing Than, and United National Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will give speeches at the Panglong Conference.

Nearly 80 speakers from three clusters that include representatives from the government, armed ethnic organizations, political parties and lawmakers, and the government military will also address the gathering of roughly 1,800 attendees.

Two ethnic leaders will be permitted to address the conference, said Sai Kyaw Nyunt, secretary of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP).

"We have proposed Khun Tun Oo, leader of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) to give a speech as one of the ethnic leaders," he said. "But if only one ethnic leader can give a speech, it is not sure that [he] will do so."

New KIA battle

In the meantime, new fighting has erupted between Myanmar government troops and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in northern Myanmar's Kachin and Shan states during an inspection of the Chinese border by government army troops, according to locals.

Some local residents told RFA's Myanmar Service that the current bout of clashes, which began in late July in Shan state, was started by Chinese-speaking armed groups in one of the KIA's battalion areas.

The Chinese-speaking troops are not related to the KIA though, said Colonel Nawly of the KIA, who blamed the current bout of hostilities on government troops that began military movements.

"It could have started during the government army's inspection of the Chinese border at Kanpiketi near border posts No. 5 and 6," said Zakhone Yein Saung, leader of Kachin Special Region 1.

Representatives from the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the KIA's political wing, have said they will attend the Panglong Conference.

Reported by Myo Thant Khine and Kyaw Myo Min for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Wife of slain Cambodian government critic leaves country

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 29 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Wife of slain Cambodian government critic leaves country, 29 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd8914.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-29

Bou Rachana stands in front of an image of slain husband Kem Ley. RFA/Sideth Cheu

The widow of slain government critic and scholar Kem Ley has left Cambodia with her children for an undisclosed country, a Buddhist monk who is a member of the pundit's funeral commission told RFA's Khmer Service on Monday.

Bou Rachana and her children are now in a secure place which cannot be disclosed, and she has prepared a letter of authorization for the funeral commission to hold a traditional 100-day funeral for Kem Ley on her behalf, said monk But Buntenh.

The ceremony will be held for three days on Oct. 14-16, though the committee must decide where to hold it, said But Buntenh, who , who is also president of the Independent Monk Network for Social Justice.

Nearly two weeks ago, Bou Rachana asked the CENTRAL, a labor-oriented NGO that provides legal aid to Cambodian workers, to prepare legal action related to the murder of her husband.

Kem Ley was gunned down in broad daylight on July 10 when he stopped in a Star Mart convenience store beside a Caltex gas station in the capital Phnom Penh.

Cambodian authorities have charged former soldier Oueth Ang with the killing, who has said he shot Kem Ley over a U.S. $3,000 debt.

Kem Ley was buried in southwestern Cambodia's Takeo province two weeks later after a weekend funeral procession that drew around 2 million mourners.

Just days before he was gunned down, he had discussed on an RFA call-in show a report by London-based group Global Witness detailing the extent of the wealth of the family of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for 31 years.

Reported by Zakariya Tin for RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Concerns mount for detained Chinese lawyers on 'disappearance day'

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Concerns mount for detained Chinese lawyers on 'disappearance day', 30 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd8a11.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-30

A screen shot from the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group's Facebook page showing detained family members and attorneys, June 7, 2016. RFA

Concerns are growing for the safety of dozens of human rights lawyers and associates locked up in an unknown location by the Chinese authorities in a crackdown that started in July 2015, as the international community marks a day of concern for the victims of enforced disappearances.

During a nationwide operation targeting rights lawyers, activists, their families and employees, at least 26 of the more than 300 detained, questioned or otherwise affected were subject to enforced disappearance, the Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) network said in a statement.

"Several are believed to be under close watch by police and essentially still in a state of enforced disappearance," the group said in a statement to mark the United Nations' International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance.

Some of those who remain incommunicado at an unknown location have even been officially released, including rights attorneys Wang Yu and Bao Longjun, Zhang Kai and legal assistant Zhao Wei.

Zhao Wei's own lawyer Ren Quanniu was also detained, incommunicado, after speaking out about the authorities refusal to allow him to meet with her.

Zhao's husband You Minglei said on Tuesday that he still has no news of her whereabouts since her "release" last month.

"We've heard nothing," You said, adding that a tweet Zhao sent about how good it felt to breathe "free air" was likely manufactured by the authorities.

"She was probably forced to send it," he said.

Fellow rights lawyer Wu Kuiming said most of the lawyers representing their colleagues have been prevented from meeting with them since the crackdown began.

"That also goes for my representation of Ren Quanniu," he said. "I'm his lawyer, and yet I have no way of getting in touch with him."

"Also, not a single one of Wang Yu's close friends has managed to meet with her or even get in contact with her [since she was released on bail]," he said.

Repeated calls to Wang Yu's cell phone resulted in a switched-off message on Tuesday.

Thirteen still incommunicado

Wu said the ruling Chinese Communist Party is unlikely to pay much attention to international calls for the release of the "disappeared" and detained lawyers, however.

According to CHRD, 13 individuals from the "709" crackdown are still being held incommunicado.

Activists Xing Qingxian and Tang Zhishun went missing in Myanmar last October and were secretly held in China for seven months before authorities informed their families that the pair had been arrested.

They had been trying to help Wang Yu and Bao Longjun's teenage son Bao Mengmeng flee the country to attend school, after his passport was confiscated during his parents' detention.

Enforced or involuntary disappearance constitutes a crime against humanity under international treaties.

Rights groups say that victims of enforced disappearance are at high risk of torture and other kinds of ill-treatment.

"The Xi Jinping regime has taken the abhorrent practice of enforced disappearance to a new level, attempting to justify it on the basis of flawed domestic law," CHRD said.

Under Article 73 of China's Criminal Procedure Law, police can hold an individual for up to six months in a secret location with no access to their family or lawyer if they are suspected of crimes involving state security, which are often vaguely defined.

China's systemic problem with torture in detention  and the over reliance on admittance of criminal wrongdoing to convict detainees  raises concerns that some individuals held in secret are mistreated in order to coerce confessions, CHRD said.

In a pattern that is becomingly increasingly common in political detentions, Wang Yu gave an "interview" to Beijing-backed media after being granted "bail," saying she regretted her actions, and blaming her boss at Fengrui, Zhou Shifeng.

Activists said at the time that her remarks are likely to have been scripted by state security police.

Zhang Kai's lawyer, Tan Chenshou, said his client had been forced into making comments critical of other rights lawyers detained in the crackdown, including Beijing Fengrui law firm partners and employees.

"He was under duress and in illegal detention," Tan told RFA on Tuesday. "He had been bullied and cruelly treated."

"He basically had no choice, and so he said what they forced him to say, but he doesn't hold those opinions," he said.

He said Zhang had issued a statement retracting his comments after critical comments were made about him online. "I think that's totally understandable," Tan said.

Yuan Shanshan, wife of detained rights lawyer Xie Yanyi said she and her family are increasingly concerned for his safety.

"This is unacceptable for them to do this; they are knowingly breaking the law, and they are doing it in a self-righteous way," Yuan said.

"It seems that there are no limits for them when it comes to what they think is legal."

Breaking international law

Maya Wang, China researcher at the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), said enforced disappearances are getting more and more common in today's China.

"The Chinese government has often resorted to such methods as temporary disappearances in recent years, for example, locking petitioners up in unofficial jails, or 're-education centers'," Wang told RFA.

"They also use long-term disappearances, for example in the cases of some human rights lawyers who have been held since July 2015 in locations unknown to their families or lawyers," she said.

"But these practices are in breach of international law, whether they are for short or long periods," Wang added.

"We call on the Chinese government to take steps to put an immediate end to them."

Reported by Wong Lok-to for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Xin Lin for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO--(Marketwired - Sep 13, 2016) - Ivanhoe Mines' (IVN.TO) Executive Chairman Robert Friedland and Chief Executive Officer Lars-Eric Johansson announced today that ongoing upgrading work financed by the company at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant has begun supplying an initial 11 megawatts (MW) of power to the national grid in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The upgrading - part of a program planned to eventually overhaul and boost output from a total of three hydropower plants - is being conducted by Ivanhoe Mines and its joint-venture partner, Zijin Mining Group, in conjunction with the DRC's state-owned power company, La Societe Nationale d'Electricite (SNEL).

At Mwadingusha, electricity now is being produced by the No. 1 turbine generator, the first of six installed at the dam's power plant that are being upgraded and modernized. It is the first step in a program based on an initial 2011 memorandum of understanding, and subsequent 2014 agreement, between Ivanhoe and SNEL.

The Mwadingusha plant originally was commissioned in 1930. Completion of the full upgrading and modernization of Mwadingusha's five other generating units that now is underway is expected to restore Mwadingusha to its installed output capacity of approximately 71 MW of power for the national grid. The upgrading work is being undertaken by a partnership between SNEL and Ivanhoe Mines Energy DRC, a subsidiary of Kamoa Holding Limited.

A ceremony last week marking the resumption of output from the first generator was attended by prominent officials, including the Governor of Haut-Katanga Province, Jean-Claude Kazembe Musonda; Haut-Katanga's Minister of Mines, Professor Willy Kitobo Samsoni; and members of the senior managements of SNEL and Ivanhoe Mines.

Mr. Friedland said a dependable power supply is essential to planned production at Kamoa.

"This first installation of modern power generating equipment at Mwadingusha is an important milestone in helping to secure long-term, sustainable and clean electricity for the Congolese people and for the development of our major, new copper mine at Kamoa.

"Mining and the supply of reliable energy are inseparable and we are committed to implementing energy-efficiency measures and supporting cost-effective ways of generating clean energy. Hydropower, with the virtues of being clean and renewable, is among the best energy solutions for our industry living with the realities of climate change," Mr. Friedland added.

Governor Musonda said Mwadingusha will help to address the DRC's electricity-supply deficit.

"Today, thanks to the private-public partnership supported by the DRC government, Ivanhoe Mines and SNEL have added additional megawatts to the national electricity grid. I urge SNEL to make sure that these additional megawatts are distributed in an appropriate manner to the targeted end users."

Minister Samsoni also complimented Ivanhoe, suggesting its initiative could be a model for other businesses.

"The provincial government will continue to support Ivanhoe Mines in the work it is doing with SNEL to successfully implement all the other projects it has in the DRC. Ivanhoe must be supported in its effort and used as an example for other companies to join in partnering with SNEL to solve the existing electricity problem in the DRC."

The DRC Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Energy, Matadi Manga Gamanda, said that Ivanhoe Mines can count on the support of the Ministry to continue to address the deficit in electricity in the DRC.

"We are very pleased with the private-public partnership between SNEL and Ivanhoe Mines. The electricity sector here has been privatized and it opens the door for other investors and companies to produce, transport and sell electricity in the DRC."

Photo 1. Jean-Claude Kazembe Musonda, Governor of Haut-Katanga Province, cuts the ceremonial ribbon for the inauguration of the first generating unit at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/IVN-photo1.jpg.

Photo 2. Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Energy, Matadi Manga Gamanda, (centre) and Vice-Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Energy, Maguy Rwakabuba Ribagiza (right), with Louis Watum, Managing Director, Ivanhoe DRC Operations (left): http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/IVN-photo2.jpg.

Photo 3. Mwadingusha's newly commissioned power-generating turbine No. 1: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/IVN-photo3.jpg.

Photo 4. Reconditioned crane and new alternator at Mwadingusha: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/IVN-photo4.jpg.

Mwadingusha dam

Mwadingusha is the first of three hydropower plants that Ivanhoe and Zijin plan to upgrade to secure a supply of clean, sustainable electricity for the Kamoa and Kakula copper discoveries in DRC's Lualaba province.

Upgrading of the other two existing hydroelectric power plants - Koni and Nzilo 1 - is expected to begin once upgrading work at Mwadingusha is completed.

The Mwadingusha and Koni plants are in cascade, with Koni directly downstream from Mwadingusha on the Lufira River at the mouth of Lake Tshangalele, north of Likasi and approximately 250 kilometres northeast of Kamoa. The Nzilo 1 plant, commissioned in 1952, is on the Lualaba River, downstream of Nzilo Lake and north of the city of Kolwezi, approximately 40 kilometres from the Kamoa mine development site.

The three plants, once fully reconditioned, could produce a combined 200 MW of long-term, electricity for the grid, which is expected to be more than sufficient to launch copper production at Kamoa.

Photo 5. Mwadingusha dam: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/IVN-photo5.jpg.

Photo 6. Mwadingusha hydropower plant and sub-station: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/IVN-photo6.jpg.

Construction and commissioning of a 120-kV power line to connect Kamoa to the national grid now completed

Construction of a 20-kilometre-long, 120-kV transmission line to supply construction power to the Kamoa site from the Kolwezi-Kisenge line, where it crosses the northern boundary of the Kamoa mining licence (see Figure 1), was completed in late August. In addition, a local company is constructing eight kilometres of 11-kV overhead power lines, cabling reticulation and five mini-substations for distributing 11-kV of electricity to the Kamoa mine development declines at Kansoko Sud, camps, offices and de-watering boreholes.

Power from the national grid is expected to be available to the Kamoa site in October 2016 after the final testing and commissioning of the 120-kV and 11-kV overhead powerlines and electrical substations at Kamoa.

Figure 1. Kamoa Project map shows the planned initial mining area at Kansoko Sud, the adjacent Kakula exploration area and existing and planned powerlines: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/IVN-Figure1-913.pdf.

Photo 7. 120-kV power line connecting Kamoa to the national electrical grid: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/IVN-photo7.jpg.

Kamoa Copper Project summary

The Kamoa Copper Project is a very large, high-grade, stratiform copper deposit with adjacent prospective exploration areas within the Central African Copperbelt, approximately 25 kilometres west of the town of Kolwezi and about 270 kilometres west of Lubumbashi. The Kamoa mining licence covers approximately 400 square kilometres.

Kamoa is the world's largest, undeveloped, high-grade copper deposit. Kamoa's Indicated Mineral Resources presently total 752 million tonnes grading 2.67% copper and containing 44.3 billion pounds of copper at a 1% copper cut-off grade and minimum thickness of three metres. In addition to the Indicated Resources, the updated estimate included Inferred Mineral Resources of 185 million tonnes grading 2.08% copper and containing 8.5 billion pounds of copper, also at a 1.0% copper cut-off grade and a minimum thickness of three metres.

Ivanhoe expects to have an initial independent Mineral Resource estimate prepared for the new, high-grade Kakula discovery at the Kamoa Project around the end of September 2016.

In 2015, Ivanhoe sold a 49.5% share interest in Kamoa Holding Limited, the company that presently owns 95% of the Kamoa Project on an indirect basis, to Zijin Mining for an aggregate cash consideration of US$412 million. In addition, Ivanhoe sold a 1% share interest in Kamoa Holding to privately-owned Crystal River Global Limited for US$8.32 million, which Crystal River will pay through a non-interest-bearing, 10-year promissory note.

The DRC government holds a 5%, non-dilutable interest in the Kamoa Project, which was transferred to the government in 2012 in accordance with the DRC Mining Code. Ivanhoe has offered to transfer an additional 15% interest to the DRC government on terms to be negotiated. Mr. Johansson said constructive and cordial negotiations between Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining and senior DRC government officials are continuing on this matter.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Stephen Torr, P.Geo., Ivanhoe Mines' Vice President, Project Geology and Evaluation, and a Qualified Person under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Torr has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is advancing its three principal projects in Sub-Saharan Africa: Mine development at the Platreef platinum-palladium-gold-nickel-copper discovery on the Northern Limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex; mine development and exploration at the Kamoa Copper Project - which includes the remarkable Kakula high-grade copper discovery - on the Central African Copperbelt in the DRC; and upgrading and exploration at the historic, high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-germanium mine, also on the DRC's Copperbelt. For details, visit www.ivanhoemines.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in the company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this document, the words such as "could," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "potential," "should" and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all available material information.

Statements in this release that constitute forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to statements regarding: (1) the expectation that when fully upgraded Mwadingusha will have an installed capacity of approximately 71 MW; (2) the expectation that Mwadingusha will be the first of three hydroelectric power plants to secure a supply of electricity for Kamoa; (3) the expectation that upgrading of the Koni and Nzilo 1 plants will begin once upgrading work at Mwadingusha is completed; (4) the expectation that the three plants, once fully reconditioned, will be able to generate an estimated 200 MW of power; (5) the expectation that the initial supply of electric power from the national grid will be available to Kamoa in October 2016; (6) the expectation to have an initial independent Mineral Resource estimate for the Kakula discovery around the end of September 2016; (7) the expectation that a power purchase agreement between Kamoa Copper and SNEL will be finalized in the near future; and (8) the timing and terms of transfer of an additional 15% interest in the Kamoa Project to the DRC government.

Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

All such forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Ivanhoe Mines' management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information or statements including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, or delays in the development of infrastructure, and the failure of exploration programs or other studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements also include those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the company's most recently filed MD&A as well as in the most recent Annual Information Form filed by Ivanhoe Mines. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information and statements, and the risks that could cause the actual results to differ materially are set forth in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in the company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis report and Annual Information Form, available at www.sedar.com.

This news release also contains references to 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, which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource estimates may have to be re-estimated based on, among other things: (i) fluctuations in copper; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) results of metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) changes to proposed mining operations, including dilution; (v) the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; and (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and licences.

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.
Cambodia: Interview: 'What the current government is doing against the opposition party is savage'

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Cambodia: Interview: 'What the current government is doing against the opposition party is savage', 30 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd8bb.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-30

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy discusses Cambodia's political situation with RFA, June 15, 2016. RFA

Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) President Sam Rainsy wants to end his self-imposed exile in time to cast a vote in the country's upcoming elections, but he faces arrest upon returning. He left the country following his removal from parliament in November 2015 by the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) over a warrant issued for his arrest in an old defamation case.

With voter registration in Cambodia running from Sept. 1 to Nov. 29, if he wishes to register, the window of opportunity for his return is relatively short. Local elections are scheduled for 2017, and national elections are slated for 2018.

In interviews with Radio Free Asia Khmer Service journalist Sarada Training this week, Sam Rainsy discussed his desire to return, what it would take and the campaign Prime Minister Hun Sen and the CPP are waging against the opposition.

RFA: What makes you believe that you will be able to return to Cambodia?

Sam Rainsy: It is based on my personal past experiences. It is not the first time that I have been forced into exile. This is the fourth time now. For each of the three previous occasions, I was always able to partake in the elections. I strongly believe that there will be a political solution, not just for myself and Kem Sokha, but for all jailed CNRP activists and NGO workers.

RFA: What would you need to secure your safety so you could return to Cambodia?

Sam Rainsy: I believe in international pressure. It works very well, and it will work again to defuse this current political tension. None of the previous political solutions came without international pressure. No government can survive without international support. Cambodia is not an exception. What the current government is doing against the opposition party is savage. That only increases international pressure. At some point, a solution must be found.

RFA: Kem Sokha has been holed up in the CNRP headquarters because of the actions by the government in relation to the cases involving his alleged affair. Now that the voter registration period is coming up, do you think he will be able to register to vote?

SAM RAINSY: The CNRP is not made up of just one Kem Sokha and one Sam Rainsy. It has millions of Kem Sokhas and Sam Rainsys in Cambodia. About 10 million Cambodians are voters. They want change. This change can only happen when all together we vote for the CNRP. What is most important is that we are united and ready to vote for the CNRP in the next elections. The CNRP victory is for all Cambodians.

RFA: You are in exile. Kem Sokha is in hiding. Prime Minister Hun Sen is launching an early political campaign in different parts of Cambodia. Do you think there will be a free and fair atmosphere for the next elections?

SAM RAINSY: Regardless of how unfair and unfree the elections could be, Cambodians are clearly aware of that. The ruling party is in a panic mode now. They are so frustrated about losing the elections that they have resorted to using the court and killings to intimidate the opposition. They know very well that if the elections are free and fair they will lose. Such cheap and savage means employed by the ruling party against us are enough to let people better know that we are stronger.

RFA: Does that say something about the CPP?

Since the CPP only persecutes the CNRP it means that the CPP is losing faith in its own ability to make a difference. Though there are several other political parties, the CNRP is being harassed by the CPP constantly and persistently. Cambodians trust only the CNRP to save our country from the current regime of dictatorship.

RFA: If you and Kem Sokha are banned from registering to vote, will the CNRP boycott the next elections?

SAM RAINSY: No, it won't. We will do our best to push for the elections. The change we envisage has to happen through peaceful means and through free and fair elections. I have strong faith in our people, and they will go out to vote for change.

Translated by Nareth Muong for RFA's Khmer Service.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Rights group says North Korea has expanded prison

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 8 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Rights group says North Korea has expanded prison, 8 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd8c1a.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-30

By Brooks Boliek

A satellite image of the Kyo-hwa-so No. 12 prison taken July 12, 2003 that is part of a Committee for Human Rights in North Korea report, Aug. 30, 2016. HRNK

The North Korean government appears to have enlarged one of its notorious prison labor camps so that it can handle an influx of female prisoners and expand its economic operations, according to a newly-released report by the Committee for Human Rights in Korea (HRNK).

Using global imaging technology to peer into North Korea as well as eye-witness accounts, the report details how the Kyo-hwa-so No. 12 re-education prison labor camp was enlarged to accommodate female prisoners in 2009.

The U.S.-based HRNK believes the expansion was needed in order to house a large number of female North Korean nationals who were forcibly repatriated from China.

"Their detention highlights the illegality of China's forcible repatriation of North Korean refugees to conditions of danger, despite overwhelming and justified fear of persecution, in direct violation of the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, to which China is a party," said HRNK Executive Director Greg Scarlatoiu.

Estimates of the prison population of Kyo-hwa-so No. 12 have ranged from 1,300 in the late 1990s to about 5,000 in recent years. Some 20 percent of the inmates are thought to be women, with 80 percent of those being females who were repatriated from China.

In 2014 a United Nations Commission of Inquiry found that North Korean authorities "subject those who were forcibly repatriated from China or were caught in the process of trying to reach China to torture, inhumane treatment and imprisonment."

Unlike the political prison camps, known as kwan-li-so, the kyo-hwa-so re-education prison labor camps also detain common offenders. Both types of detention facilities are known for extreme brutality.

While the prison, a part of what has been called North Korea's gulag, appears to have been enlarged to accommodate female inmates, the nature of the work prisoners are forced to do also appears to have changed.

Kyo-hwa-so No. 12 was established between 1980 and 1983 in an area known for agriculture, but a nearby copper mine seems to have emerged in importance.

"The importance of prison labor at the adjacent copper mine, confirmed by satellite imagery analysis, continues to focus attention on the tainted supply chain of North Korea's extractive industry," Scarlatoiu said.

Although the prison appears to have gotten bigger, it has also become more crowded, according to Joseph Bermudez, AllSource Analysis co-founder and chief analytics officer. AllSource, a global provider of high-resolution earth imagery, works with HRNK to monitor the North Korean prison camps.

"If the more recent figures are even close to accurate, then Kyo-hwa-so No. 12 is an overcrowded detention facility, judging by international standards," said Bermudez, a widely published analyst of North Korean military affairs.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Myanmar government halts operations at Kachin state jade mines

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Myanmar government halts operations at Kachin state jade mines, 30 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd8c5.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-30

Freelance miners dig for raw jade stones in piles of waste rubble dumped by mechanical diggers next to a jade mine in Hpakant, northern Myanmar's Kachin State, Oct. 4, 2015. AFP

Myanmar is suspending operations at more than 2,000 jade mines in the resource-rich Hpakant region of northern Myanmar's Kachin state until environmental impact studies have been completed, a state official said of the government's latest response to a series of deadly landslides.

The central government decided in July not to renew hundreds of existing jade mining licenses that expired that month until companies complete environmental impact assessments as part of a policy by the National League for Democracy (NLD) administration to protect the environment.

Hpakant, which lies 651 kilometers (404 miles) north of Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw, produces some of the highest-quality jade in the world, much of it exported or smuggled to China, where demand for the precious stone is high.

"They are not totally closed," said Win Htein, director-general of the Mining Department of the Ministry for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation in Kachin state, referring to the mining concerns in Hpakant. "It is a temporary suspension of mining permission."

All mining companies that want to continue to operate must submit environmental management plans starting Thursday.

With the government's decision not to renew jade mining licenses, more than 300 mining companies operating in Kachin state were supposed to have stopped their operations by the end of July, according to a report by the online journal The Irrawaddy.

So far, seven mining companies have offered tenders to implement environmental management systems, Win Htein said.

Other jade mining licenses in Kachin state will expire in 2018 but will be renewed only after the companies complete environmental management plans.

Seven hundred companies are currently operating in the jade mining areas of Hpakant, Lone Khin, and Mohnyin in Kachin State, according to The Irrawaddy.

Final warning

In a related development, the government of southern Myanmar's Tanintharyi region issued a final warning to 100 mines to suspend their operations, a state minister said Tuesday.

"If they do business illegally, they can face action according to the law," said Myint Maung, regional minister for natural resources and environmental conservation.

"We gave them two warnings every month, but they didn't listen to us, and [pollution] in the stream is getting worse," he said. "Also, the people who depend on this stream are suffering. That's why we are warning them a final time."

Myanmar's jade industry is worth U.S. $31 billion, according to a report issued last October by London-based anti-corruption and environmental advocacy group Global Witness.

Rights groups and local residents have protested against mining companies in recent months to get them to improve the safety of excavation areas in light of a series of deadly landslides caused by collapsing waste heaps.

They have also criticized the companies for the detrimental social and environmental impacts of their activities in the largely unregulated industry.

Reported by RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Two Thailand-based Chinese refugees return home 'voluntarily'

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Two Thailand-based Chinese refugees return home 'voluntarily', 30 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd8d14.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-30

Chinese asylum-seeker Xu Zhenxin is shown after arriving in Thailand, Nov. 20, 2015. Photo sent by a rights activist

A Chinese college student and political asylum-seeker detained in Thailand for having an expired passport is incommunicado after going back to China voluntarily, fellow activists said.

Xu Zhenxin, 19, was detained last month after Thai police asked for his identification en route to the northern city of Chiang Rai, where he had hoped to find work.

Veteran Thailand-based political refugee Li Yuzhou, who had been living in the country for seven years, also "voluntarily" returned to China, local sources told RFA.

Xu arrived back in China at Guangzhou's international airport on Aug. 24, after which he was briefly contacted by a fellow refugee.

"He got out of the airport after getting off the plane at Guangzhou airport, and I was talking to him by phone at that time," the refugee, who asked to remain anonymous, said.

"But we only spoke a few words, then he hung up."

The Thailand-based Chinese asylum-seeker said Xu said he was acting of his own free will, but that friends who met with him thought was "wasn't himself."

"He said he was determined to go home, and that he'd already bought the plane ticket," the refugee said. "But we haven't heard anything from him since, and we don't know if he's been detained or not."

'Miserable'

Thailand-based political activist Li Xiaolong said Xu had seemed miserable when he visited him last month at the immigration detention center where he was being held.

"Xiao Lin [another activist] later told me he had already attempted suicide," Li told RFA.

Xu arrived in Thailand last November after taking a cross-border bus to Vietnam and a flight to Bangkok.

He had already received approval for resettlement as a political asylum-seeker, and held a UNHCR letter of protection.

A former freshman student at the Nanjing Post and Telecommunications University, Xu described himself as a political activist who frequently handed out leaflets calling for democratic reform on the streets of the city.

He had been interrogated several times by the city's state security police, who had beaten him at least twice, fellow refugees told RFA.

He also spent a week in a "black jail," an unofficial detention center, they said.

Climate of fear

Xu's detention comes amid a growing climate of fear for Chinese dissidents who have sought political refuge in Thailand.

Claims of his voluntary return are also reminiscent of statements made by Chinese police that five Hong Kong booksellers detained last year for selling "banned books" to customers in China had willingly cooperated with police investigations.

Veteran refugee Li Yuzhou had also asked to go back to China after getting into an altercation last month with guards at the Bangkok Immigration Detention Center, Li said.

"The guards at the immigration detention center told my wife that he was sent back to China on Aug. 29," he said.

"[They said] that Li Yuzhou wanted to leave Thailand, because he would have been effectively locked up here indefinitely," Li said.

Thailand-based refugee Lin Dajun said Li Yuzhou had been talking of going back to China for the past couple of years, but his friends had tried to stop him.

"He had been talking about going back for the past couple of years, but a lot of people told him to wait and see whether the United Nations would help him or not," Lin said.

"The U.N. handled his case very badly, so this isn't a recent thing," he said. "We all told him that if he went home, he'd never get the chance to leave again."

Repeated calls to the Bangkok Immigration Detention Center rang unanswered during office hours on Monday.

Pressure to spy

Li Yuzhou fled China in 2002 after Beijing state security police put pressure on him to spy on fellow political activists in the Youth Study Group.

Li Yuzhou wrote about their demands and posted the information online. He then joined the Thailand branch of the banned opposition China Democracy Party (CDP) soon after arriving in the country.

He was detained in an immigration detention center in Sept. 9, 2009 after being accused of planting fake explosive devices, and had twice resisted attempts by the Chinese government to extradite him.

Li Xiaolong's wife Gu Qiao is currently facing deportation for illegal immigration after the family were rescued from the wreck of a sailing yacht off the coast of southern Thailand.

Gu, who holds no passport, is being held in an immigration detention center, and recently pleaded guilty to immigration offenses, paving the way for her repatriation.

Li was released on bail with the children, while another refugee who sailed with them, Zhao Wei, was released because he holds a valid Thai visa, as were two other members of the yacht's crew.

Gu was later transferred to the Bangkok Immigration Detention Center from a similar facility in Chumphon, where the rescue operation took place.

Two handed back

Li, a founding member of the banned opposition China Democracy Party (CDP) from the southwestern province of Guangxi, escaped China with his family in 2014, before being classified a genuine refugee by UNHCR.

He had set up a local chapter of the party while in Thailand, and was also vocal in the campaign to prevent the repatriation of Chongqing-based activists Dong Guangping and Jiang Yefei.

Jiang and Dong, who had fled persecution in their home country, were handed back to Chinese authorities last November in a move that drew strong criticism from the U.N. They are now in criminal detention in Chongqing, where they face subversion charges.

Jiang's wife Chu Ling and Dong's wife Gu Shuhua and daughter Dong Xuerui flew to Canada from Bangkok for resettlement as political refugees just days after the two men were repatriated. They now fear Jiang and Dong are at risk of torture and other violations of their rights.

Reported by Hai Nan for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
U.N. chief supports Myanmar advisory commission on Rakhine state

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 30 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, U.N. chief supports Myanmar advisory commission on Rakhine state, 30 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd8e14.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-30

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi address a news conferences in Naypyidaw, Aug. 30, 2016. RFA

UPDATED at 11 A.M. EST on 2016-09-01

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday threw his support behind a Myanmar commission to address human rights issues in troubled Rakhine state, chaired by his predecessor Kofi Annan, despite objections from ethnic Rakhine lawmakers.

"We are happy to see the encouraging steps you [the Myanmar government] have taken, including the establishment of a commission chaired by my distinguished predecessor, Mr. Kofi Annan, to look at the overall issues in Rakhine," Ban said during a speech after he met with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw.

Ban is in Myanmar to attend the government's Panglong Conference peace negotiations with armed ethnic groups, which begin on Wednesday.

"He [Annan] telephoned me in fact before he assumed his post and I assured him that the United Nations will provide full support, and I strongly advised him to work very closely with the State Counselor and also meet as many stakeholders as possible," Ban said.

Last week, the Myanmar government selected Annan to head its advisory commission to help resolve human rights issues in troubled Rakhine state, where the majority of the country's Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority group lives, facing persecution in the predominantly Buddhist nation.

The nine-member commission includes three international representatives, four Buddhist and Muslim members from Myanmar, and two Myanmar government representatives, who will try to find a lasting solution to the Rakhine issue.

The Myanmar government and Buddhist nationalists consider the stateless Rohingya to be illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh, though many have lived in Myanmar for generations, and deny them basic rights, freedom of movement, and access to social services and education.

The advisory commission will hold meetings with all relevant stakeholders, international experts, and foreign dignitaries, submit its findings and recommendations to the Myanmar government, and publish a report next year.

A 'complex' situation

Ban Ki-moon went on to say that he and Aung San Suu Kyi had discussed the latest developments in western Myanmar's Rakhine state, calling the situation "complex."

"I conveyed the concern of the international community about the tens of thousands of people who have been living in very poor conditions in IDP [internally displaced persons] camps for over four years," he said. "Like all people everywhere, they need and deserve a future of hope and dignity."

"This is not just a question of the Rohingya community's right to self-identify," he said. "The broader issue is that all of Myanmar's people, of every ethnicity and background, should be able to live in equality and harmony, side by side with their neighbors."

"People who have been living for generations in this country should enjoy the same legal status and citizenship as everyone else," he said.

Some 140,000 Rohingya Muslims were displaced after communal violence erupted four years ago between them and Rakhine Buddhists, leaving more than 200 dead and tens of thousands homeless after their houses were destroyed. The Rohingya, who bore the brunt of the attacks, were later forced to live in refugee camps.

About 120,000 Rohingya currently remain in the camps, while thousands of others have fled persecution in the Buddhist-dominated country on rickety boats to other Southeast Asian countries in recent years.

No need for commission

Meanwhile, an ethnic Rakhine lawmaker from the Arakan National Party (ANP) in parliament's lower house proposed an emergency motion on Tuesday to reform the Annan-led commission by reconsidering the appointments of the three foreigners.

"They appointed foreigners to resolve a difficult issue that local and domestic leaders can't even resolve," said ANP lawmaker Aung Kyaw Zan in an address to his fellow members of parliament. "This will turn a domestic issue into an international one."

He said there is no need for a new commission, but that the government should instead implement the recommendations of a previous commission formed under the former military-backed government, the online Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) reported.

The ANP sent a letter to the Myanmar government on Aug. 25, objecting to the appointment of three foreigners to the advisory commission and calling for it to be disbanded.

The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) also issued a statement last Thursday raising concern that the commission's work "could harm security and national matters."

Lawmakers will debate the proposal on Thursday, the DVB report said.

Ma Ba Tha criticism

Also on Tuesday, Myanmar's ultranationalist Buddhist monk group Ma Ba Tha criticized Annan's involvement in the advisory commission on social media, calling him a "kalar," a slur used in Myanmar against Muslims and Indians, according to an Associated Press report.

"A funny-looking and disrespectful person cannot talk about our own issues in the country," the posting said.

Furthermore, the group posted a photo of American actor Morgan Freeman, who is sometimes confused with Annan, marked with a red X next to the words "We no need Coffee [sic] Annan he go away," the AP report said.

Ma Ba Tha is believed to be one of the forces behind the deadly 2012 communal violence in Rakhine state and has often participated in demonstrations against the Rohingya.

Two days later, however, AP issued a corrected version of the story, saying that the Buddhist group's post insulting Annan was fake. It noted that Ashin Wirathu, one of Ma Ba Tha's leaders, said on his Facebook page that the post was from a phony account.

Amid the criticism of Annan's appointment, Zaw Htay, deputy-director general of the State Counselor's Office, said on Aug. 26 that the diplomat was selected to be the commission chairman in response to international pressure, the online journal The Irrawaddy reported.

He told a press conference in Naypyidaw that the decision to include international representatives had resulted from outside pressure after previous local commissions failed to resolve the Rakhine state issue, the report said.

Reported by Kyaw Min Htun and Win Ko Ko Latt for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Aung San Suu Kyi begins Myanmar peace conference on hopeful note

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 31 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Aung San Suu Kyi begins Myanmar peace conference on hopeful note, 31 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd8f14.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-31

Myanmar State Counselor addresses attendees on the first day of the at the Panglong Conference in Naypyidaw, Aug. 31, 2016. RFA

Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi kicked off the country's five-day peace conference among armed ethnic groups, political parties, military officials, and government representatives in the capital Naypyidaw on Wednesday in hopes of achieving the long-elusive goal of national reconciliation.

More than 1,400 people attended the first day of the 21-Century Panglong Conference, also known as the Union Peace Conference, which is being held in an effort to bring lasting peace to Myanmar after decades of ethnic separatist civil wars following its independence from British colonial rule in 1948.

Aung San Suu Kyi, National League for Democracy (NLD) party patron Tin Oo, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, parliament speakers Win Myint and Mann Win Khaing Than, military commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Karen National Union (KNU) chairman Saw Mutu Say Poe, and Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) vice chairman Gen N'Ban La addressed the attendees with opening-day speeches.

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's de facto national leader, said the nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA), which eight armed ethnic groups signed with the previous military-backed government last October, is the first step not only for peace, but also for building a federal union.

Other ethnic militias had refused to go along with the pact or had been excluded from it because they were engaged in ongoing hostilities with the Myanmar army.

"The new government is working hard for non-NCA armed groups to sign [the peace pact] because we need to go forward to future peace talks based on the NCA," said Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) government came into power at the beginning of April.

The military also has been working on ways to achieve peace in the country, said Min Aung Hlaing.

"We and our brothers  the armed ethnic organizations  are the ones suffering the most from the internal conflicts," he said. "The Tatmadaw [government military] will continue to support the peace process based on the three national causes of recognition of peace and stability, national reconciliation, and development."

'Here to show our support'

Though fresh fighting between armed ethnic groups and the Myanmar army in Kachin and Shan states have cast a pall over the conference, representatives from 17 other ethnic militias are attending the summit.

Three other groups  the Arakan Army (AA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)  were not invited to participate because they have refused to lay down their arms in advance of the talks.

The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), an alliance of nine ethnic armed groups that did not sign the NCA, are attending the conference to show their respect to and support of Aung San Suu Kyi and to advocate for a federal union in Myanmar.

"Despite the many difficulties of attending this conference, we are here to show our support and respect to Daw [honorific] Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD government, and because we really want a federal union," said General N'Ban La, UNFC chairman and vice chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

General Gwan Maw of the KIO told reporters: "We are attending the conference to honor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. What we understand is that today's conference is the first one, and many peace processes will be born from this conference."

According to the NCA, the groups that have not signed the agreement could not attend the conference, though the government and military wanted them to attend, said Zaw Htay, spokesman of the President's Office.

"That's why we discussed including them in the conference," he said. "The state counselor and military chief decided together to let Gen. N'Ban La, who is a leader of the non-NCA groups, give a speech."

"It is out of goodwill that they have been included the peace process," he said.

Aung San Suu Kyi's father, independence hero General Aung San, arranged the original Panglong Conference in 1947 to grant autonomy to the Shan, Kachin, and Chin ethnic minorities before Myanmar gained its independence from colonial rule by Britain.

But his assassination in July 1947 prevented the agreements made during the conference from reaching fruition, and many ethnic groups then took up arms against the central government in wars that continued for decades.

More talks in six months

The members of the Panglong Conference's central committee told reporters during a news conference on Wednesday that peace talks will be held after the conference, and that another peace conference will be held in six months.

"Other peace talks will be held after the conference, and we will discuss results from these talks during another peace conference that will be held in six months," said former Lieutenant General Khin Zaw Oo.

Though the parties involved will agree and disagree with each other during the talks, if they are unable to reach decisions, then they will take the issues to national-level peace talks, he said.

"If we still don't have a decision during the national-level talks, we will discuss the issues at another conference," he said. "It is as though there will be no end to the talks until we reach a union accord perhaps in 2019 or 2020."

Beyond political discussions, the parties to the talks will eventually discuss how to share natural resources like gas, minerals, and timber between the state and the ethnic regions where they are abundant. Another contentious issue is how and when the numerous ethnic armies will fully lay down their arms, and whether some would then be merged into a national military force.

Meeting with religious leaders

Ban Ki-moon, who has called the peace conference a "promising first step" to put an end to the armed conflicts, also took advantage of being in Naypyidaw to meet religious leaders whose roles are important to Myanmar's development process.

Ban met with Buddhist, Christian, Islam, Hindu and Baha'i leaders from the Religions for Peace Myanmar interfaith organization along with Aung Ko, Myanmar's minister of religion and culture, and Nyanissara Sitagu Sayadaw, a respected Buddhist scholar and preacher in Myanmar.

The U.N. secretary-general urged them to curb hate speech and discrimination in the predominantly Buddhist country.

"Ban Ki-moon said the international community is watching Myanmar, so it is important to work together to curb hate speech and discrimination," said organization member Kyaw Nyein.

On Tuesday, Ban indicated his support for the Myanmar government's creation of an advisory commission, headed by his predecessor at the U.N. Kofi Annan, to address human rights issues in the country's western Rakhine state where about 1.1 million Rohingya Muslims face persecution.

Because the government and Buddhist nationalists regard the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, they have denied them citizenship and basic rights, though many have lived in Myanmar for generations. The Rohingya are not a party to the Panglong Conference, although NGO activists from that Muslim community met with Ban before the talks.

Earlier in the day before the conference began, Ban met with representatives of civil society organizations over breakfast to get their views on the conference.

Reported by Win Ko Ko Latt, Thiri Min Zin and Zarni Htun for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Trapped in Cambodia's Prey Sar prison, Meach Sovannara keeps up the fight

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 31 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Trapped in Cambodia's Prey Sar prison, Meach Sovannara keeps up the fight, 31 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd91d.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-31

Jailed Cambodian opposition member Meach Sovannara (Top C) is escorted by police officials in front of the appeal court in Phnom Penh, Aug. 23, 2016. AFP

Meach Sovannara knows his chances of winning a reprieve in Cambodia's court system that could spring him from that country's notorious Prey Sar prison anytime soon are slim.

The Cambodian-American is serving a 20-year prison term for allegedly fomenting insurrection against a Cambodian government that has been dominated for more than three decades by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

While Meach Sovannara, the media director for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, has dual U.S. and Cambodian citizenship and his family still lives in Long Beach, Calif., he has been locked away in Phnom Penh since July.

"Our hope is very slim," he told RFA's Khmer Service after a recent hearing on his case in Cambodia's appellate court. "As of yesterday [Prime Minister] Hun Sen sent a political message purporting to have threatened the court just a day before the court heard our appeal."

Meach Sovannara and 10 other opposition figures were sentenced to prison terms of up to 20 years on insurrection charges after a demonstration in July 2014 that resulted in violent clashes between protesters and security forces in Phnom Penh's Freedom Park.

Although Meach Sovannara and the other opposition activists received stiff sentences, rights groups say that none of the defendants was identified as having committed an act of violence during the event.

Hun Sen announced on Aug. 22 that he would refuse to ask King Norodom Sihmoni to pardon any of the activists.

"As a former fighter, peace finder and national reconciliater, I will not sign a letter to set anyone free," he said during a forum in Phnom Penh. "Anyone who is found guilty by the court must go to jail."

Meach Sovannara says the remarks from the Cambodian strongman were, in effect, orders to the court.

"The court is surely a political tool," he said.

Even though Meach Sovannara says his hopes of getting relief from the Phnom Penh are thin, he isn't showing any signs of backing down.

"It should be time now that Mr. Hun Sen should know that enough is enough for him if he wants his children to do politics in the future," he said.

Looking to the United States

While the Cambodian court system is an unfriendly place for opponents of Hun Sen, Meach Sovannara is hoping that a novel argument in U.S. courts may help free him from Prey Sar.

The first hearings in the suit are scheduled for Sept. 1 in federal district court in Los Angeles.

Foreign government officials are generally protected by sovereignty from being brought to trial. But the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act recognizes exceptions that include violent acts again U.S. citizens abroad, and Meach Sovannara's case may be the first in the U.S. to test those exceptions, his attorney Morton Sklar told RFA.

"Our underlying lawsuit is based on some special U.S. statutes that allow the U.S. courts to deal with tort [compensation for damages] claims against foreign governments that engage in acts of torture and violent attacks against U.S. citizens abroad," Sklar said.

The suit contends that Cambodian Lieutenant General Hun Manet, Hun Sen's son, plays a "major role" in the Cambodian security apparatus that confronted protesters in Freedom Park in 2014 by virtue of his rank, family connections and position within the leadership's "inner circle".

The suit accuses Hun Manet of wrongfully imprisoning and torturing Meach Sovannara. The suit also names the Cambodian government as a defendant.

It alleges that Hun Manet's family connections and leadership role within Cambodia's security forces make him liable for the emotional and financial damage borne by Sovannara's family.

Hun Manet heads the Cambodian military's anti-terror unit, is deputy chairman joint staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and is the deputy commander of the Prime Minister's Bodyguard Unit  an elite unit that has often been at the center of complaints about rights abuses.

Hun Manet is widely viewed as his father's successor to the country's highest office.

'Substantial' involvement

"His involvement is pretty substantial all around," Sklar said. "Hun Manet is his father's right-hand person. He gets involved in a lot of stuff."

It's not the first time the Hun family has been sued in the U.S. In 2005, opposition leader Sam Rainsy and U.S. rights worker Ron Abney and others filed a similar suit alleging that Hun Sen was involved in 1997 grenade attack that killed at least 16 people and wounded at least 120. Abney was one of those wounded.

That suit was withdrawn in a political deal, but not before the U.S. courts entered a default judgment against Hun Sen, who had ignored the legal action. Sklar says Hun Manet learned from that case.

"Hun Manet learned that lesson," Sklar said. "That's why he has a lawyer. That's why he's offering a defense to the case."

RFA could not reach either Hun Manet or defense ministry spokesperson, Chhum Socheat for comments, but Hun Manet's attorney, John Purcell, told RFA that the accusations made in Meach Sovannara's complaint are "groundless."

Even before the opening arguments have been presented, the case has already taken a strange but violent twist.

As process server Paul Hayes was attempting to serve Hun Manet with a subpoena in the case during a visit the Cambodian general made to Long Beach in April, he was involved in an altercation with Hun Manet's security detail.

Online videos appear to show Long Beach police spraying tear gas at Hun Manet's bodyguards and protesters after Hayes was allegedly assaulted by the bodyguards while serving him with the subpoena in the Meach Sovannara lawsuit.

A criminal probe

According to Sklar, the Long Beach Police Department has opened a criminal probe into the event.

The incident at Long Beach's La Lune restaurant put Hayes in the hospital, and may have opened up a can of worms for Hun Manet.

One of the key claims in the early stages of the case concerns whether or not Hun Manet was actually served with the documents.

"The reason it didn't get into his hands, is that the process server, Paul Hayes, was about to do that," Sklar said. "He was about to deliver the documents when Hun Manet's bodyguards grabbed him, pulled him off his feet and threw him to the ground head first with very serious injury."

One of the questions the court will have to answer is whether the bodyguards illegally interfered with the service of the court papers.

"We have to get the full facts of what happened at La Lune restaurant related to the service and the attack on Paul Hayes in order for the court to answer the question as to whether service was adequate," Sklar said.

Reported by Yang Chandara and Moniroth Morm for RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong and Yanny Hin. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
U.S. woman held by China for 'spying' was tortured: Lawyer

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 31 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, U.S. woman held by China for 'spying' was tortured: Lawyer, 31 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd92b.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-31

Sandy Phan-Gillis (C) visits the North American Representative Office of Shenzhen, southern China's Guangdong province, in an undated photo. Photo courtesy of www.SaveSandy.org

A U.S. citizen indicted by Chinese prosecutors on espionage charges was forced to "confess to her crimes" under duress and torture, her husband and lawyer said.

International business consultant Sandy Phan-Gillis was arrested by Chinese police in March 2015 during a visit there as part of a U.S. trade delegation promoting business opportunities in her hometown of Houston, Texas.

She was held for more than a year in the southwestern region of Guangxi before being indicted by prosecutors earlier this week, paving the way for a trial at the Nanning Intermediate People's Court, although no date has yet been set.

A naturalized U.S. citizen of Chinese ancestry, Phan-Gillis has previously written in a letter to consular officials in China that her detention was politically motivated.

Phan-Gillis, 56, who is accused of spying for a foreign government between 1996 and 1998, faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Her husband, Jeff Gillis, has said the charges are "absolutely false."

Forced confession

Phan-Gillis' defense lawyer Shang Baojun told RFA on Wednesday that the charges are based on a confession that was forced from his client.

"She made a forced confession, under pressure from the investigating officers," Shang said. "I visited her at the beginning of the month."

"She's not doing too badly, though she has been held for a long time, more than a year," he said, adding that the defense team hasn't yet been granted access to the prosecution's files.

But he declined to comment further on the case.

"I can't give you any specifics because it involves state secrets," Shang said.

Jeff Gillis told RFA on Tuesday that he has only spoken to his wife once since her detention.

"I received a call from my wife inside the detention center, and she was surrounded by scary-looking security guards," he said in comments translated into Chinese. "She was very frightened."

"These people ordered her to say to me that I should stop talking to the media, and she begged me to tell them that I would stop publicizing her story through the media," Gillis said.

"It's very clear that she had been threatened; they threatened her with not getting her medication, with denying her a meeting with her lawyer, or visits from U.S. consular officials," he said.

Gillis said Phan-Gillis has "serious health problems," including high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.

"Threatening to take away her medication is not that different from threatening to kill her," he said.

"Chinese state security police abused my wife during the investigation; torture was used during the interrogations, leading to a heart attack, and to her being hospitalized on two occasions," he said.

Case handled correctly

China's foreign ministry has defended her detention, saying her case is being handled correctly.

"Based on our understanding, Phan-Gillis, because of her suspected crimes of espionage, has been charged according to law by the relevant Chinese department," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing.

"China is a country ruled by law. The relevant Chinese department will handle the case strictly according to law," she said, but gave no further details.

Phan-Gillis' detention was criticized by the United Nations' Working Group on Arbitrary Detention for violating international human rights norms.

The U.S. State Department has meanwhile urged China to resolve the case "expeditiously."

Reported by Lin Ping for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Hai Nan for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Delegates from Myanmar's largest ethnic army walk out of peace talks

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 1 September 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Delegates from Myanmar's largest ethnic army walk out of peace talks, 1 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd9321.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-09-01

Myanmar ethnic delegates wearing traditional dress arrive for the opening ceremony of the Panglong Conference in Naypyidaw, Aug. 31, 2016. AFP

Nine delegates from Myanmar's most powerful armed ethnic group walked out of peace negotiations on Thursday because of an apparent mix-up regarding badges, causing a minor glitch in the government's efforts to forge national reconciliation.

The nine members from the United Wa State Army (UWSA)  Myanmar's largest nonstate militia  who are attending the conference left after they were informed that they had been accredited only as observers and not as speakers.

"They gave me only observer cards," said USWA leader Nyi Yan. "They said they will change the card, but not yet. We have been told that we can't go to this place or that room. There are many restrictions for us. That's why [we left]."

Former Lieutenant General Khin Zaw Oo, joint secretary of the Panglong Conference's central committee, called the situation a "misunderstanding" and said he informed the UWSA representatives that they would temporarily have observer cards to enter the conference on the first day and make sure they get the other cards.

The five-day conference began on Wednesday in the capital Naypyidaw. This week's meetings are expected to be the first of many rounds of talks aimed at ending decades of war in multiethnic Myanmar, a former British colony also known as Burma.

"I saw them in the evening on the first day, and they asked me if they could speak during the conference because they only had observer cards," he said. "I told them that they can speak because they have been officially invited and are not observers. We gave them observer cards because that's what we had at the time."

Salai Lian Mong Sakong, a member of the Panglong Conference's central committee, said that organizers have given the UWSA representatives the equal rights that they had requested during the conference.

"When we went to the conference, we took name cards for all the ethnic groups, including them," he said. "But, they came in late and asked government officials for these cards so they could enter. The government officials didn't know about this because that is not one of their duties. We had to distribute the cards."

Wa Special Region

The 20,000-25,000-strong USWA is led by ethnic Chinese commanders and controls the Wa Special Region in eastern Myanmar's Shan state. It has previously received support and weapons from China, though the militia has not been involved in any clashes with government troops in recent years.

The UWSA, which has been accused of producing and selling methamphetamines and heroin in the region it controls, was one of the armed ethnic groups that refused to sign a nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) brokered by the former government last October.

The militia agreed in July to participate in the Panglong Conference, an initiative spearheaded by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to bring peace and national reconciliation to Myanmar after decades of ethnic separatist civil wars.

In late July, leaders from the group met with Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's de facto national leader, and military commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to try to build trust prior to the peace conference.

Policy of inclusion

In a related development, Arakan National Party (ANP) chairman Aye Maung on Thursday urged delegates at the Panglong Conference to review the policy excluding three armed ethnic groups from the summit so they can join the summit.

He also asked them to set a date for the nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) to be signed with ethnic militias who did not ink the original accord with the previous government last October.

The Arakan Army (AA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) were not invited to participate because they had refused to lay down their arms against the government military before the talks.

"I want to urge here that we review the inclusion of the AA, TNLA, and MNDAA in the conference so we can have national reconciliation and real federal union," Aye Maung said. "I want all of you to try to invite them."

"The ANP wishes to have a set date for the NCA after this conference ends," he said.

Federal democratic union

Meanwhile, some of the participants at the conference butted heads over the creation of a federal democratic union in Myanmar that would grant a degree of autonomy to various ethnic groups.

Most of the country's armed ethnic groups want a constitution based on a federal democratic political system that grants them federal autonomy. The groups do not want to write up a new constitution from scratch, but rather want to add to or amend basic draft constitution policies that were agreed to by the Federal Constitution Drafting and Coordinating Committee (FCDCC) in 2008. They also want to amend points that were added in 2015 by the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a coalition of armed ethnic groups that did not sign the NCA.

"The 2008 constitution is one that is very difficult to amend and causes more confusion for ethnic issues," said Sai Tun Aye, a researcher from the San Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP). "This constitution gives the military special power, so the military protects it."

"That's why ethnic people's issues, such as having equal rights and rights to have their own governance, are influenced by ethnic armed groups," he said.

But Myint Soe, a lawmaker from the military-backed Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP), said the current constitution allows for equal power sharing.

"We can also see in it that we have a good foundation to create a federal union by discussing the details of power sharing once we have a common agreement from the ethnic groups' peace talks," he said.

The Panglong Conference, also known as the Union Peace Conference, is being held in a bid to bring lasting peace to Myanmar after decades of ethnic separatist civil wars following its independence from British colonial rule in 1948.

Reported by Myo Thant Khine, Wai Mar Tun, Win Ko Ko Latt and Win Naung Toe for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
War of words over independence heats up ahead of Hong Kong election

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 31 August 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, War of words over independence heats up ahead of Hong Kong election, 31 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd935.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-08-31

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (2nd R) raises a toast with the head of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming, (3rd L) and unidentified PLA officials, October 1, 2014. AFP

As campaigning intensified in the run-up to Sunday's Legislative Council (LegCo) elections in Hong Kong, embattled chief executive Leung Chun-ying has been accused of provoking the spread of pro-independence rhetoric as a way of currying favor with the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Leung, who has recently warned schools that they should punish talk of independence for the former British colony, and whose officials have barred pro-independence candidates from standing in the current election, now faces a robust backlash for his focus on the topic.

Former colonial-era second-in-command Anson Chan has suggested that Leung is deliberately fueling the independence movement, in pursuit of a second term in office.

The next chief executive will be chosen by a 1,200-strong election committee that has been vetted by the Chinese government.

Speaking out about the warnings against discussing independence in schools, Chan said Leung was using a "sledgehammer."

"The way the government should approach this ... is to allow teachers and parents to examine the pros and cons, and allow the subject to be discussed openly," she said.

Chan added: "It almost leads me to believe that the chief executive has a hidden agenda. It's to create such havoc in Hong Kong that he has more reasons to persuade Beijing that a strong pair of hands is needed to keep Hong Kong in control."

Fanning the flames

There are even signs that Beijing wants to rein in the anti-independence rhetoric.

The Beijing-backed Sing Pao Daily newspaper, the oldest Chinese-language paper in Hong Kong, ran a front page splash earlier this week calling for disciplinary action against Leung, who it accused of fanning the flames of support for independence with his recent crackdown.

It also pointed the finger at Zhang Xiaoming, who heads Beijing's representative office in Hong Kong, accusing both men of "spreading the independence mindset" and for "creating social instability."

The paper was the latest in a long line of critics who accused Leung of being the "godfather" of Hong Kong independence in order to look good in Beijing's eyes by cracking down on it. Similar comments were also published in the Ming Pao newspaper.

Veteran political commentator Ching Cheong said the editorials suggest extreme displeasure in Beijing after headline after headline mentions a political idea that has only recently been discussed in public at all.

"The central government likely wants to draw a line under the topic of independence for Hong Kong, once and for all," Ching told RFA. "I'm pretty sure this is coming from very high up indeed."

"There's no way that somebody further down the food chain would be attacking the central liaison office."

Ching said Beijing will likely be looking for a political scapegoat, too.

"Independence has become the biggest problem to emerge in Hong Kong in the tenure of [President] Xi Jinping, and heads are definitely going to roll," he said.

Unhappy in Beijing

Political commentator Camoes Tam agreed.

"There are people within the Beijing camp who are very unhappy with Leung Chun-ying's performance," he said. "There are also people within the Xi Jinping administration, in particular, the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, who are very unhappy with the Central Liaison Office."

Tam said the liaison office under Zhang had been holding "community meetings" across the internal border in neighboring Shenzhen to direct people which way to vote in the LegCo election.

"This has never happened before, and I think they think they are going too far, and that they're out of control," he said. "This article has definitely damaged Leung's administration."

Other media commentators have drawn similar conclusions.

"This election ... has become a proxy war between Beijing and pro-independence forces," the Hong Kong Economic Journal said in a commentary article.

"And all because no other than Leung himself stoked the independence rhetoric, aided by Beijing's top official in Hong Kong," it said.

Candidates barred

Hong Kong's Electoral Affairs Commission has barred six would-be candidates from running for LegCo on the grounds that they support independence, even though they had signed a loyalty pledge recognizing that Hong Kong "is an inalienable part of China."

But the Economic Journal's political columnist S.C. Yeung said Leung had failed to distinguish between those in Hong Kong who support outright independence, and the "localist" movement that seeks to preserve the city's unique character while remaining under the Chinese flag.

"Leung is known to abuse his authority and expand its influence beyond his ambit," Yeung wrote. "He is only too willing to use everything at his disposal to stay afloat because he is sinking like a stone."

Recent opinion polls show that 63 percent of respondents disapproved of Leung, while just 19 percent approved of him. Younger, more educated people are the least likely to support him, the paper said.

Reported by Lam Kwok-lap for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Yang Fan for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
China: Tibetan monk missing in detention is found serving prison term in Sichuan

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 1 September 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, China: Tibetan monk missing in detention is found serving prison term in Sichuan, 1 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd9414.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-09-01

Tibetan monk Lobsang Kelsang is shown in an undated photo. Photo courtesy of an RFA listener

A Tibetan monk missing since his detention by police last year following a solitary protest in southwestern China's Sichuan province has been located by family members in a prison after being handed a three-year sentence in a secret trial, according to a Tibetan source.

Lobsang Kelsang, then 19, launched his protest at around 3:00 p.m. on September 7 on a central street of the main town of Sichuan's Ngaba (in Chinese, Aba) county and was quickly overpowered by police stationed nearby, sources told RFA in earlier reports.

"He was carrying a photo of [exiled spiritual leader] His Holiness the Dalai Lama over his head and was calling out for Tibetan freedom," one source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A Tibetan layman who attempted to interfere with the arrest was also detained, and police at one point fired gunshots into the air to disperse a forming crowd, a local source said.

Frustrated for months in their attempts to learn Kelsang's whereabouts in detention, family members have now learned he is being held in Deyang prison in Deyang City's Huang Xu town in Sichuan, a local source told RFA's Tibetan Service this week.

"He had been detained for a while in a prison in Maowun [Mao] county, and while there he was secretly sentenced to three years in prison and was moved to Deyang," RFA's source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Family members still lack full details of Kelsang's present condition, especially his health, and have not been allowed to meet with him," the source said.

Kelsang, a native of Ngaba's Meruma township, had been enrolled as a novice monk at Ngaba's Kirti monastery, the scene of repeated self-immolations and other protests by Tibetan monks, former monks, and nuns opposed to Chinese rule, the source said.

"In August this year, another Kirti monk, named Adrak, was also secretly given a three-year term," he said.

Sporadic demonstrations challenging Beijing's rule have continued in Tibetan-populated areas of China since widespread protests swept the region in 2008.

A total of 145 Tibetans living in China have now set themselves ablaze in self-immolations since the wave of fiery protests began in 2009, with most protests featuring calls for Tibetan freedom and the Dalai Lama's return from India, where he has lived since escaping Tibet during a failed national uprising in 1959.

Reported by Kunsang Tenzin for RFA's Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
U.N. to form experts group on human rights in North Korea: Official

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 1 September 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, U.N. to form experts group on human rights in North Korea: Official, 1 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd9514.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-09-01

North Korea is seen across the Yalu River from the Chinese border town of Dujiagou in a file photo. AFP

To support its monitoring of human rights violations in North Korea, the United Nations will soon establish a group of independent experts to assist newly appointed special rapporteur Tomas Quintana, UN human rights official Signe Poulsen says. Speaking in an interview with Ahreum Jung of RFA's Korean Service, Poulsen  representative of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul, South Korea  discusses the work of her office and the plans to form the experts group.

"Our office has been working for one year now, and we have a mandate which the Human Rights Council outlined for us. We do three main things: One of them is the monitoring and documentation of the human rights situation in the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea]  trying to find out what's happening, trying to update information, and also looking at the older cases from the past."

"A second area is keeping the issue of human rights visible on the international and national agenda. So, doing outreach, talking to the media, working with civil society to raise awareness about the situation in North Korea."

"And finally we also do technical cooperation or capacity-building, where we work with civil society and relevant governments, as well as other stakeholders, to try to raise awareness about the United Nations and how countries can work in cooperation with the United Nations on improving and promoting human rights in their own countries."

"So those are the broad areas we work on."

"Coming up in the near future, we have the General Assembly of the United Nations where two different reports on the human rights situation will be presented, one by the Secretary General and one by the special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the DPRK, Tomas Quintana."

"The group of independent experts was called for in a resolution of the Human Rights Council in March of this year, and that group will consist of two people who will support the special rapporteur in looking at what options for accountability might exist, not only internationally, but also in the regional and national framework."

"Their report will be published in March, at the next meeting of the Human Rights Council."

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Vietnamese parishioners march to protest lack of compensation from fish kill

Publisher Radio Free Asia Publication Date 1 September 2016 Cite as Radio Free Asia, Vietnamese parishioners march to protest lack of compensation from fish kill, 1 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fd9614.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

2016-09-01

A woman collects dead clams on a beach at Ky Anh district, in the central Vietnamese coastal province of Ha Tinh, April 27, 2016. AFP

Thousands of parishioners from the Roman Catholic diocese of Vinh in central Vietnam took to the streets on Thursday to protest against the Taiwanese steel firm whose local operations polluted the country's central coastal area and caused the nation's worst environmental disaster.

The members of Quy Hoa and Phu Yen parishes protested against a Formosa Plastics Group steel plant responsible for a release of toxic chemicals in April that killed tons of marine life and left fishermen and tourism industry workers jobless in four provinces.

In June, the company acknowledged it was responsible for the pollution that killed an estimated 115 tons of fish and pledged to pay $500 million to clean it up and compensate those affected by it.

The government said in a report to the National Assembly in July that the disaster had harmed the livelihoods of more than 200,000 people, including 41,000 fishermen.

About 3,000 parishioners from a church in Quy Hoa parish marched to the People's Committee office in Ky Anh township of Ha Tinh province, where the dead fish were first detected, said Nguyen Thanh Lang, head of the parish's ministry administration.

"Life is too difficult for us," Lang said. "It has been four months since Formosa caused the pollution and people still have no jobs. [And] our children can't go to school."

"We demand our right to a clean ocean and that our children can go back to school," he said.

At 9:45 a.m. local time, clashes between protesters and police erupted along Highway 1A, though no serious injuries were reported, sources said.

"Formosa paid U.S. $500 million [for the pollution], but the government has not paid the people," said Nguyen Thi Phan, another protester. "We are looking for money to send our children to school."

Last month local activists told RFA that families affected by the spill had lost their income and could not afford to pay school tuition.

'Vietnam doesn't need Formosa'

About 1,000 parishioners from Phu Yen parish carrying banners protesting against Formosa marched about four kilometers (2.5 miles) from their church to the place where fishing boats were anchored, according to parish priest Dang Huu Nam.

Plainclothes policemen stood by and took photos, but they did not interfere with the protesters, he said.

"We held many banners telling Formosa to leave Vietnam because Vietnam doesn't need Formosa," he said.

The protesters also demanded that Formosa be sued and that the compensation the company has already provided to the Vietnamese government be given to the villagers to clean up the polluted ocean waters.

Vietnam's one-party communist state closely controls and monitors the Catholic community, the second largest religious group in the country.

In August, more than 200 policemen blocked and assaulted some of the 4,000 Catholic parishioners who tried to march to Ky Anh township's administrative offices to protest government inaction over their loss of livelihood following the massive pollution-linked fish kill.

Before that, the marchers tried several times to demand relief from provincial authorities, but the police always stopped them, a protester named Phuong told RFA's Vietnamese Service last month.

Formosa Plastics' $10.6 billion steel complex in Ha Tinh province includes a steel plant, a power plant and a deep sea port, and is one of the largest foreign investments in Vietnam.

Reported by Mac Lam for RFA's Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

Link to original story on RFA website

Copyright notice: Copyright  2006, RFA. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.
Security Council approves proposed structure and size of UN Mission in Colombia

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 13 September 2016 Related Document(s) Report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on the United Nations Mission in Colombia Cite as UN News Service, Security Council approves proposed structure and size of UN Mission in Colombia, 13 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8fe8a40e.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

13 September 2016 - The United Nations Security Council today approved the Secretary-General's recommendations regarding the size, operational aspects and mandate of the UN Mission in Colombia, including the deployment of 450 unarmed observers and the establishment of operation in 40 locations.

The action - reflected in its unanimous adoption of resolution 2307 at a meeting on Tuesday morning - follows the adoption of an earlier resolution that established the UN political mission, as well as the agreements reached between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army (FARC-EP), including the 23 June pact on a ceasefire and a peace accord to end the 50-year conflict, which was signed on 24 August.

In the resolution today, the Council said it "welcomes the Secretary-General's report S/2016/729 and approves the recommendations therein regarding the size, operational aspects and mandate of the Mission."

In the report, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recommended 40 observers at the national level, 90 observers at the regional level and 320 observers at the local level, for a total of 450 observers. This was in addition to a number of civilians who will be deployed in the transitional local zones and other locations.

Mr. Ban recommended that the UN Mission operate in 40 widely dispersed locations: a national headquarters, eight regional headquarters and the 23 transitional local zones for normalization and eight transitional local points for normalization established under the ceasefire agreement.

The UN chief also recommended that "the Mission share with the Government the cost of activating and operating the mechanism, exclusive of government-provided security costs, in proportion to the number of United Nations observers and staff relative to the total number of mechanism personnel."

A mission planning team during its first regional visit in the country. Photo: UN Mission in Colombia

The UN Mission in Colombia, headed by the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Jean Arnault, was established through the Security Council resolution 2261, adopted in January 2016. The Mission is mandated to provide unarmed international observers to monitor and verify the laying down of arms, and be part of the tripartite mechanism that will monitor and verify the definitive bilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, following the signing of a peace agreement.

According to the Mission, it will be deployed in three phases. The first phase aims to establish the UN Mission's headquarters in Bogota and assess conditions at the eight locations, where the UN Mission will have its regional offices.

The second phase will focus on getting the Mission ready to operate at the local level along with representatives of the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP, and the third phase will include the deployment of all UN observers, and the full operationalization of the tripartite mechanism for monitoring and verification.

Colombia's steps towards peace are the culmination of various efforts. Since 2012, the parties had been in talks hosted in Cuba. Throughout the discussions, negotiators reached agreement on key issues such as political participation, land rights, illicit drugs and victims' rights and transitional justice.

In June, Secretary-General Ban travelled to Havana, where he witnessed the bilateral signing of a ceasefire and the laying down of arms and noted that the "peace process validates the perseverance of all those around the world who work to end violent conflict not through the destruction of the adversary, but through the patient search for compromise."
UN humanitarian official "deeply disturbed" by unrelenting attacks on civilians in Yemen

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 13 September 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN humanitarian official "deeply disturbed" by unrelenting attacks on civilians in Yemen, 13 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8ff4340e.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

13 September 2016 - The top United Nations humanitarian official in Yemen has voiced apprehension over a series of deadly air strikes on a water well which killed and wounded dozens of people in the country's centre.

"I remain deeply disturbed by the unrelenting attacks on civilians and on civilian infrastructure throughout Yemen by all parties to the conflict, which are further destroying Yemen's social fabric and increasing humanitarian needs, particularly for medical attention at a time when the health sector is collapsing," the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, said in statement issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) yesterday.



According to reports, on Saturday, 10 September, 30 people were killed and 17 others wounded, including first responders and two children, as a result of several air strikes on a water well in the village of Beit Saadan in the Arhab District, in the north of Sana'a Governorate.

Yemen has been engulfed in violence for some years now. A confrontation between the country's Houthis (Ansar Allah) and the Government of Yemen in early 2014 led to a Houthi advance on the country's capital, Sana'a in 2014, and an ensuing conflict which has involved support from outside parties. The United Nations has been heavily involved in efforts to resolve the crisis, and repeatedly said that there is no military solution to the Yemeni crises and has called for a return to peaceful negotiations.

Until they recently went into a break, Kuwait had been hosting peace talks - facilitated by the UN envoy - with the Yemeni sides. The break went into effect in early August.

On 4 August 2016 in Yemen, a group of internally displaced women stand in the Tharawan IDP camp in the outskirts of Sana'a. One woman holds the hand of a small girl with a bottle of water. By 11 August 2016, over 2.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) had fled their homes due to ongoing conflict. Photo: UNICEF/ Fuad

The conflict in Yemen, according to OCHA, has exacted a severe toll on civilians. More than a year and a half into the escalation of violence there, some 2.8 million people have been displaced and 13.6 million people are being targeted to receive humanitarian assistance. Nearly 100 humanitarian partners are participating in the humanitarian response across the country's 22 governorates.

The weekend attacks came after weeks of intensified air strikes and ground fighting across the country, including missile attacks from the direction of Yemen toward Saudi Arabia, Mr. McGoldrick noted in the statement.

"I call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, to recommit to the 10 April Cessation of Hostilities and to support the initiatives of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen," he added. "By doing so, they will help avoid further loss of life in Yemen and help position Yemen on a path towards peace."

While the primary responsibility for coordinating humanitarian assistance rests with national authorities, if international humanitarian assistance is required, then UN Humanitarian Coordinators can be responsible for leading and harmonizing the efforts of UN and non-UN humanitarian organizations with a view to ensuring that they are principled, timely, effective and efficient, and contribute to longer-term recovery.
More has to be done to deliver on European commitments for asylum seekers  UN refugee agency

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 13 September 2016 Cite as UN News Service, More has to be done to deliver on European commitments for asylum seekers  UN refugee agency, 13 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8ffb740c.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

13 September 2016 - Highlighting that the number of pledges to relocate asylum-seekers continues to be woefully low and its implementation slow and challenging, the United Nations refugee agency today called on European countries to do more to deliver significantly on the commitments they have made.

"Effective relocation is key to increasing solidarity and responsibility sharing in Europe, and ensuring the better management of movements," a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR), William Spindler, told a news briefing at the UN Office at Geneva today.

"This is particularly vital given the humanitarian situation in Greece, and the increasing number of people staying in Italy and applying for asylum," he added.

According to UNHCR, the number of people seeking refugee status in Europe has soared over recent years. This is due in large part to war in Syria and Iraq, as well as conflict and instability in countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea and elsewhere.

In their search for sanctuary, increasing numbers of refugees and migrants are crossing the Mediterranean, a perilous journey which has cost thousands their lives, according to UNHCR, which is pressing for concerted European action to prevent the loss of lives at sea, and works to ensure dignified reception standards, protection-sensitive asylum systems and durable solutions.

Last year, the European Union (EU) and UN Member States agreed on a two-year plan to relocate 160,000 asylum-seekers, mainly from Greece and Italy, to other European countries. However, until now only 4,776 asylum-seekers have been relocated from the two countries - less than three per cent of the original target, according to the UNCHR spokesperson.

Mr. Spindler pointed that first-time asylum applicants in Italy have increased by 53 per cent, to 72,470, this year compared to the same period in 2015, during which the total stood at

47,428, impacting the country's reception and asylum system capacity.
UN envoy: First full day of Syrian ceasefire sees "a significant drop in violence," but humanitarian access still needed

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 13 September 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN envoy: First full day of Syrian ceasefire sees "a significant drop in violence," but humanitarian access still needed, 13 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d9001b40c.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

13 September 2016 - Some 24 hours after the latest cessation of hostilities in Syria began, a United Nations envoy today said that despite allegations of mortar shelling and airstrikes yesterday evening, violence in the country has declined substantially.

"By early morning, every report we have been seeing indicates a significant drop in violence," the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, told a news briefing at the UN Office at Geneva. "Today, calm seems to have prevailed across Hama, Latakia, Aleppo City and rural Aleppo and Idlib - with only some allegations of sporadic and geographically isolated incidents."

Mr. de Mistura also reported that sources on the ground in Aleppo city said the situation had "dramatically improved" with no airstrikes, while the capital, Damascus, and central Syria also remained calm with "reports limited to some clashes around Harasta between government and opposition forces."

By early morning, every report we have been seeing indicates a significant drop in violence.

In addition, while incidents have been reported in the city of Al Qunaitra, capital of the south-western province of Quneitra, including between the al-Nusra Front and government forces, violence has dropped considerably compared to other days.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Syria is one of the most complex and dynamic humanitarian crises in the world today. Since March 2011, more than a quarter of a million Syrians have been killed and over one million have been injured. 4.8 million Syrians have been forced to leave the country, and 6.5 million are internally displaced, making Syria the largest displacement crisis globally.

In 2016, an estimated 13.5 million people, including six million children, are in need of humanitarian assistance. Of these 5.47 million people are in hard-to-reach areas, including close to 600,000 people in 18 besieged areas.
Progress in Libya marred by ongoing volatile security situation and economic challenges  UN envoy to Security Council

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 13 September 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Progress in Libya marred by ongoing volatile security situation and economic challenges  UN envoy to Security Council, 13 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d9005540c.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

13 September 2016 - Although political space has opened in Libya and there is progress in the fight against terrorism, the political divisions underpinning the North African country's conflict are deepening, a United Nations envoy warned today.

"Today more than ever, strong action is needed to convince Libyan stakeholders to build institutions that are open, participatory and able to address the needs of all of its citizens," the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya, Martin Kobler, said in his remarks to a UN Security Council meeting on the country.

Drawing attention to the challenging security situation, further illustrated by the most recent violence in the country's Oil Crescent area, Mr. Kobler called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent any damage to the country's important oil industry - its only source of income.

"Libyan natural resources belong to all Libyans," he said. "They must be protected and exported legally under the authority of the Presidency Council (PC). Otherwise, Libya's citizens will pay the price."

Mr. Kobler also heads the UN Stabilization Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which the Council has tasked by with supporting the Libyan political process through mediation and good offices. In addition, UNSMIL is mandated to conduct human rights monitoring and reporting, support key Libyan institutions and efforts to secure uncontrolled arms, the provision of essential services and delivery of humanitarian assistance, and coordination of international assistance.

Libyan natural resources belong to all Libyans

In his remarks, Mr. Kobler further informed the 15-member Council that forces loyal to the PC made progress in ousting the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) from its last remaining stronghold, the city of Sirte, in northern Libya.

Expressing hope that ISIS will no longer hold territory in Libya, he cautioned that the terrorist threat in the country will remain and that it will require continued vigilance.

Political developments

Turning to the political developments in the country, Mr. Kobler said that the country's House of Representatives recently rejected the current Government of National Accord that provided an opportunity for the PC to seek the endorsement of a unity government.

"Efforts must now be exerted to ensure that the House of Representatives and the Presidency Council work together towards meeting this important milestone," he said and noted that though there are differences of opinion on the Libyan Political Agreement, there is a clear recognition of its framework and value.

"It remains the only way forward in Libya's transition," he added.

Special Representative Martin Kobler of Germany. UN Photo/Kim Haughton

In his briefing, SRSG Kobler noted that UNSMIL, on 31 August, started a round of discussions with Libyan and international experts on national reconciliation.

"It is but a small first step of a process leading towards healing the wounds of the past," he said, adding, "We should help the Libyans find in themselves the willingness to forgive and overcome the past, and to build a new future together."

The Special Representative also reported that an agreement was recently signed between representatives of the cities of Misrata and Tawergha, which would allow a number of internally displaced persons to start returning to their homes before the end of the year. He noted that the agreement would give hope to the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Libya's armed conflict and political instability has impacted more than three 3 million people across the country. An estimated 2.44 million people are in need of protection and some form of humanitarian assistance - this includes IDPs, the non-displaced conflict affected population, refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants.

Also in his briefing, the UN official underscored the importance of strengthening the fundamental economic situation in the country.

He pointed out that government spending on salaries and subsidies are at 93 per cent of its total budget which itself is at a 75 per cent deficit, resulting in in the imposition of strict capital controls and the lack of liquidity.

"All our efforts can only succeed if the Libyans address the country's growing economic crisis," said Mr. Kobler. "To do so, it is imperative that the pipelines open, Libyan financial institutions become unified, and a national budget is approved."
Almost 300,000 migrants and refugees reached Europe over past 8 months  UN partner agency

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 13 September 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Almost 300,000 migrants and refugees reached Europe over past 8 months  UN partner agency, 13 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d90093410.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

13 September 2016 - Close to 300,000 migrants and refugees have reached Europe between the start of this year and mid-September, with most of them entering through Greece and Italy, according to an update from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) today.

Of the total of 294,450 migrants and refugees, 126,931 arrived via Italy and 165,015 via Greece - the former experienced a slight uptick compared to the time period of January to the end of September in 2015, and the latter experienced a fall of almost 50 per cent compared to same time period, from 381,996 to 165,015.

"While arrivals to Italy in 2016 largely have tracked 2015's monthly arrival patterns, those to Greece have diverged sharply - with many fewer migrants and refugees coming from Turkey this year compared with last year," IOM said in the update.

It added that while total arrival numbers are down, fatalities among Mediterranean migrants and refugees now stand, through this past weekend, at 3,207 - exceeding by 456 the total recorded during the same period last year.

The migration agency noted that, according to its Missing Migrants Project - which tracks deaths of migrants and those who have gone missing along migratory routes worldwide - Mediterranean fatalities for last year stood at 2,751 through 12 September 2015.

In recent years, Greece and Italy have become the main port of entry for many refugees and migrants trying to reach Europe by sea.

As for Europe's southern Mediterranean region as a whole, from January to the end of August, IOM noted that a total of 354,618 arrivals were recorded crossing the Mediterranean, or some 60,000 more than 2016's total so far.

In July this year, the General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution approving an agreement to make IOM part of the UN system as a related organization. IOM, which assisted an estimated 20 million migrants in 2015, is an intergovernmental organization with more than 9,500 staff and 450 offices worldwide. Founded in the wake of the World War II to resettle refugees from Europe, the organization celebrates its 65th anniversary in December of this year.
World leaders have 'shirked, not shared' responsibility on refugee crisis

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 13 September 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, World leaders have 'shirked, not shared' responsibility on refugee crisis, 13 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d901df4.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The abject failure of a United Nations summit to tackle the deepening global refugee crisis is a missed opportunity that will affect millions of the world's most vulnerable people unless leaders find alternative solutions to help them reach safety, Amnesty International said ahead of two high-profile refugee summits next week.

UN member states are set to adopt an ineffective refugee deal on 19 September. On 20 September, US President Barack Obama will appeal to leaders to make specific commitments that will help end the suffering of refugees across the world - a call that has so far been wilfully ignored.

"Faced with the worst refugee crisis in 70 years, world leaders have shown a shocking disregard for the human rights of people who have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict or persecution," said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

"We already know the UN summit is doomed to abject failure, while the Obama summit looks unlikely to pick up the pieces."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had proposed a Global Compact on Refugees that would have asked governments to commit to welcoming 10% of the world's refugees annually.

However, member states stripped the UN proposals of any substance, making sure there was nothing obligating them to take in specific numbers of people.

The Global Compact on Refugees will now not be agreed before 2018. Instead, states will issue the "New York Declaration" with token commitments but bereft of concrete responsibility-sharing measures.

"We have waited two years for this summit. World leaders should be announcing clear and concrete steps towards ending the refugee crisis. The UN had initially proposed an ambitious plan, but the European Union, Russia and China were among those who sacrificed refugees' rights for national self-interest and missed a massive opportunity to back a global solution to the crisis," said Salil Shetty.

"Instead of sharing responsibility, world leaders shirked it. The UN summit has been sabotaged by states acting in self-interest, leaving millions of refugees in dire situations around the world on the edge of a precipice."

"But governments should not be under the illusion that this lets them off the hook. UN member states have both a moral and a legal duty to welcome the refugees who need help today."

The day after the watered-down UN document is adopted, President Obama will host a Leaders' Summit in New York on 20 September designed to secure specific commitments from member states to offer safe and legal routes to refugees - something most of them have so far failed to do. He will also call on leaders to donate money to assist refugees.

Amnesty International is calling on governments, particularly from wealthier countries, to urgently make commitments to resettle significantly more refugees and provide them with legal ways to find safety, whether at the Obama Leaders' Summit or in the weeks to come.

"The Obama summit needs to re-invigorate efforts to solve the refugee crisis by showing that at least some governments have a firm commitment to helping refugees," said Salil Shetty.

"We desperately need a quick and decisive show of leadership from a core group of countries willing to take responsibility and immediately help by welcoming in some of the most vulnerable refugees and providing others with humanitarian, work and student visas. The more countries who step forward, the more workable a solution becomes.

"In the long-term, we need a more organized sharing of that responsibility, with states agreeing objective criteria to decide what proportion of the world's refugees each needs to take, based on their capacity to host them."

There are 21 million refugees in the world today, according to UNHCR, with only 14% of them in the richest parts of the world.

Together, Ethiopia, Kenya, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan and Turkey host a third of the world's refugees, while accounting for 1.6% of the world's economy. Right now, only about 100,000 refugees are actually resettled annually; 90% of them by just five countries (USA, Canada, Australia, Norway, and the UK).

Amnesty International has long lobbied governments around the world to do more to share responsibility to fulfil refugees' rights, and this week began a global campaign called "I Welcome" calling on governments to welcome refugees.

"World leaders have completely failed to agree a plan to protect the world's 21 million refugees - some of the most vulnerable people in the world. But where leaders fail, people of good conscience will act. Change starts with three short words: I welcome refugees," said Salil Shetty.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Myanmar at the UN: Keep pressure up on human rights

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 14 September 2016 Related Document(s) Myanmar: Why a UNGA resolution is still needed Cite as Amnesty International, Myanmar at the UN: Keep pressure up on human rights, 14 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d902254.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

As Aung San Suu Kyi arrives in the United States to meet with President Barack Obama and attend the United Nations General Assembly, the international community must maintain pressure on Myanmar's authorities to improve the country's human rights record, Amnesty International said today.

Aung San Suu Kyi's trip to the US comes as the new civilian-led government enters its sixth month in office. In this time, it has taken some steps to address human rights but still faces challenges bequeathed by a half a century of military rule.

"We have seen encouraging changes as Myanmar eases out from under the shadow of military rule. But there is still a lot more to do to ensure a decisive break with the country's ugly past of human rights violations," said Rafendi Djamin, Amnesty International's Director for South East Asia and the Pacific.

"For almost a quarter of a century, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution on human rights in Myanmar. It is important that the same happens this year. The gains made so far have to be consolidated and built upon, not left incomplete or eroded."

A new quasi-civilian government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, came to power in March 2016 after a resounding victory of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), in the 2015 elections. Upon taking office, it faced a daunting series of human rights challenges.

In addressing those challenges, the NLD's power is severely constrained by the enduring influence of the Myanmar military, which continues to control key ministries and can block constitutional changes with a quarter of all seats in parliament.

The importance of a UNGA resolution on human rights in Myanmar is further underlined by the fact that none of the recommendations made in previous resolutions have been fully implemented.

"When it comes to ongoing conflict, the plight of the Rohingya, humanitarian assistance for displaced communities, holding human rights violators to account, curbing hate speech, and reforming repressive laws, little has improved," said Rafendi Djamin.

"Any decision to drop the UNGA resolution should be based on an objective assessment of the human rights situation in the country, not on political considerations. The reality on the ground makes clear that it is still too early to relax international pressure."

Background

For the past 24 years, the European Union (EU) has introduced a resolution addressing the human rights situation in Myanmar at the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution brings much needed pressure to bear on Myanmar's authorities.

Amid signs that the EU may prematurely break with that tradition, Amnesty International and other non-governmental organizations have called on the international community to back a resolution this year to help Myanmar press ahead with much-needed human rights reforms.

The key recommendations laid out in last year's resolution (Resolution 70/233) have not been fully implemented.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Cambodia: Campaign of political intimidation must end

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 9 September 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Cambodia: Campaign of political intimidation must end, 9 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d903314.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Reacting to the conviction earlier today of Kem Sokha, the acting head of the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party, on charges under Article 538 of refusing to appear as a witness, Amnesty International said:

"Cambodia is in crisis with the government engaging in a campaign of intimidation against peaceful political and civil society activists, using frivolous prosecutions designed to punish, isolate and marginalise any peaceful dissent," said Josef Benedict, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for South East Asia and the Pacific.

"Today's conviction of acting opposition leader Kem Sokha for refusing to appear as a witness is yet another transparent act of political intimidation and the latest development in the ongoing campaign. The government's appears to believe that violating human rights is a legitimate tool of government, as is compromising the independence of the country's judiciary and the government's standing in the international community."

Amnesty International calls on the Cambodian government to immediately end its campaign of intimidation, to respect the rights of all civil society and political activists, and to ensure the independence of the judiciary.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Disclaimer

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
Bahrain: States must call for release of Nabeel Rajab

Publisher Article 19 Publication Date 14 September 2016 Cite as Article 19, Bahrain: States must call for release of Nabeel Rajab, 14 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d94bef4.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Human rights groups have written to fifty states urging them to publicly call for the release of Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights. Rajab, who was arrested in June, faces up to 15 years in prison for comments made on Twitter.

This week, Bahrain brought new charges against Rajab - this time of defaming the state - after he wrote to the New York Times.

The letter from 20 NGOs, including ARTICLE 19, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, urge countries to "speak out on Bahrain's continued misuse of the judicial system to harass and silence human rights defenders, through charges that violate freedom of expression."

Rajab has been in pre-trial detention since 13 June: he has been held largely in solitary confinement and whose health has deteriorated as a result. Since 2011, Rajab has faced multiple prosecutions and prison sentences for his vocal activism. He was placed on a travel ban in 2014 and has been unable to leave the country.

Rajab faces multiple charges of "insulting a statutory body", "insulting a neighbouring country", and "disseminating false rumours in time of war". These charges relate to remarks he tweeted and retweeted on Twitter in 2015 about allegations of torture at Bahrain's Jau prison, and the humanitarian crisis caused by the Saudi intervention in Yemen's armed conflict.

Rajab's next court date is 6 October, when he is expected to be sentenced.

The undersigned organisations are writing to you to urge the government to call publicly and privately on the government of Bahrain to release human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, immediately and unconditionally and drop the charges against him, as they relate solely to his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.

Nabeel Rajab's trial is ongoing and if convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison on charges relating to his criticism of Bahrain's participation in Saudi Arabia-led military operations in Yemen which, according to the United Nations, have so far been responsible for the deaths of more than 900 civilians, and included numerous unlawful airstrikes on markets, homes, hospitals and schools. The Bahraini High Criminal Court is scheduled to issue its verdict on 6 October 2016.

Nabeel Rajab's comments on Twitter about the Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen led to his arrest on 2 April 2015. Bahrain's penal code provides for up to 10 years in prison for anyone who "deliberately announces in wartime false or malicious news, statements or rumors. The authorities released him on 13 July 2015, but the Prosecution did not close the case and ordered his re-arrest on 13 June 2016. Nabeel Rajab is also facing charges of "offending a foreign country," - Saudi Arabia - and "offending national institutions," for comments about the alleged torture of inmates in Jau Prison in March 2015.

Nabeel Rajab is the co-founder and president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, and holds advisory positions with Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights, and the Gulf Center for Human Rights. Amnesty International consider him to be a prisoner of conscience. His human rights activism and his peaceful criticism of the Bahraini authorities has resulted in his imprisonment on two previous occasions, between May 2012 and May 2014, and between January 2015 and July 2015.

Your government has signed joint statements calling on Bahrain to improve its human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council in the past and we urge you to now make a public call for Nabeel Rajab's immediate and unconditional release.

Please find here attached a copy of an open letter written by Nabeel Rajab from his prison cell and published in the New York Times on 4 September 2016. The Bahraini authorities immediately responded to this letter and brought against Nabeel Rajab the additional charge of "undermining the prestige of the state".

Yours Sincerely,

 Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain

 Amnesty International

 ARTICLE 19

 Bahrain Center for Human Rights

 Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy

 CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation

 Clive Stafford Smith OBE, Human Rights Lawyer

 English PEN

 European Centre for Democracy and Human Rights

 FIDH, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

 Freedom House

 Frontline Defenders

 Gulf Center for Human Rights

 Human Rights First

 Human Rights Watch

 IFEX

 Index on Censorship

 International Service for Human Rights

 PEN International

 Rafto Foundation for Human Rights

 Reporters Without Borders

 World Organisation Against Torture, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Copyright notice: Copyright ARTICLE 19
Murdered Kurdish journalist's family appeals to international community

Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 14 September 2016 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Murdered Kurdish journalist's family appeals to international community, 14 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d94c544.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is relaying an appeal to the international community by the family of Wedad Hussein Ali, an Iraqi Kurdish journalist who was murdered near the city of Dohuk, in Iraqi Kurdistan, on 13 August. The family is seeking an international investigation into his death.

Wedad Hussein Ali, 28, died a few hours after being kidnapped by gunmen in Dohuk. According to local media reports, his body bore the marks of torture. He worked for RojNews, a news agency that supports the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The Dohuk police say they are investigating the murder but his family fears that it will go unpunished.

The family cites witness accounts as grounds for believing that he was still alive when his abductors dumped him at the roadside between Dohuk and the village of Semel. The family also questions the police decision to take him to Semel hospital, which was further away than Dohuk hospital, where he would have received better treatment.

"(...) we are calling on all international human rights organizations and those who defend freedom of speech, European and American consulates in Erbil to investigate and to put pressure on Kurdistan Regional Government so that an international independent committee may investigate the abduction of Wedad," the letter says.

The family says it does not trust the local authorities to solve his abduction and murder. It also reports that it is being watched and harassed by Kurdistan Regional Government officials.

Three other journalists have been murdered with impunity in Iraqi Kurdistan since 2008:

- Kawa Germyani, the editor of the magazine Rayal and a correspondent for the newspaper Awene, was shot by gunmen in Kalar (140 km south of Sulaymaniyah), on 5 December 2013.

- Sardasht Osman, a student who reported for various media outlets, was abducted on 4 May 2010 in Erbil and was found dead two days later in Mosul.

- Soran Hama Mama, who worked for the independent publication Lvin Magazine, was gunned down outside his home in Rasheed Awa, a northern suburb of Kirkuk, on the evening of 21 July 2008. He was just 23.

Most murders of journalists go unpunished in Iraq, which is ranked 158th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index and is especially dangerous for journalists visiting areas where fighting is taking place.

Click here to read the family letter
RSF responds to Gabonese government spokesman's criticism

Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 13 September 2016 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, RSF responds to Gabonese government spokesman's criticism, 13 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d94d564.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Responding to a Gabonese government charge of bias for not mentioning an attack on a state media outlet, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) emphasizes that it condemns all attacks on media and journalists without exception and reiterates its call to the authorities not to obstruct access to information.

During a news conference in Libreville on 8 September, communication minister and government spokesman Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze criticized RSF for not reacting to an attack on the pro-government newspaper L'Union, and thereby questioned RSF's impartiality.

"We defend all media outlets and journalists whenever they are the victims of violence and abuses, regardless of their political affiliation," RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said.

"We deplore the attack on L'Union as we do the attacks on opposition newspapers. No obstruction of the work of journalists should be permitted. This includes Le Monde Diplomatique reporter Olivier Piot, who was denied entry to Gabon on 10 September, in yet another example of the clampdown on media coverage being orchestrated by the authorities. Under what criteria are some journalists allowed into Gabon and other are banned?"

After the unrest and violence in Libreville on the night of 31 August, RSF issued a press release condemning the attacks on several media outlets and has continued to closely monitor events in Gabon ever since.

In that press release, RSF also urged the authorities to protect the media and to guarantee unrestricted access to information.

The National Council for Communication voiced concern on 7 September but RSF is amazed that, given the gravity of the situation, there has been no official condemnation of the violence against the media and journalists except the attack on Gabon TV journalist Jean-Raoul Mbadinga at opposition candidate Jean Ping's campaign headquarters on 9 September.

RSF also questions the effectiveness of the measures taken by the government to end the acts of violence that keep on targeting and media and journalists and its measures to restore communications networks, which continue to be partially blocked or slowed down.
Adnan Hassan Information hero freed after ten years in prison

Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 12 September 2016 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Adnan Hassan Information hero freed after ten years in prison, 12 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d94dc54.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is relieved to learn that Adnan Hassan, Iran's longest-held journalist and an RSF "information hero," was finally released on 10 September after nearly ten years in prison.

Based in the western city of Marivan, in a region where most of the population is Kurdish, Hassan was an ardent defender of the Kurdish cause, working for Asou (Horizon), a local weekly that was closed by the authorities after his arrest on 25 January 2007.

Initially held in Mahabad prison, where he was not allowed to see his family or his lawyer, he was sentenced to death by a Marivan revolutionary court in July 2007 on a range of charges including spying.

Iran's supreme court upheld the death sentence in October 2007 but, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of his lawyer Saleh Nikbakht and international pressure, overturned it in August 2008 after finally ruling that he could not be regarded as 'mohareb' (an enemy of God).

Retried twice before a court in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj, in September 2008 and January 2009, he was sentenced on the second occasion to a total of 15 years in prison. He has been released now under article 134 of the new Islamic penal code (as amended in 2013), according to which someone convicted of more than one crime serves only the main sentence.

"We welcome information hero Adnan Hassan's release and we salute the efforts of his lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht," said Reza Moini, the head of RSF's Iran/Afghanistan's desk. "This is a great victory for all human rights defenders but Hassan's release must not divert attention from the fate of all the other journalists who are unjustly imprisoned in Iran."

Iran is ranked 169th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index.
Iran: 5-Year Sentence for Dual National on Dubious Charges

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 13 September 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Iran: 5-Year Sentence for Dual National on Dubious Charges, 13 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d977594.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

An Iranian court has sentenced an Iranian-British dual national to five years in prison on national security charges. The family of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe told Human Rights Watch that Branch 15 of Tehran's Revolutionary Court sentenced her on September 6, 2016. She is one of a half-dozen Iranian dual nationals who have been arrested and prosecuted on vaguely defined national security charges in the past two years.

Ratcliffe works for the media development team at the Thomson Reuters Charity Foundation and lives with her husband and daughter in West Hampstead, United Kingdom. Iranian authorities arrested her on April 3, at the Tehran airport, when she arrived to visit family for the Iranian New Year, and detained her in Evin Prison. Authorities also confiscated her 22-month-old daughter Gabriella's passport, effectively barring her from returning to the UK. Ratcliffe's trial took place on August 14. She had access to a lawyer only three days before her trial, nearly three months after the Kerman Revolutionary Guard completed their interrogation.

"Ratcliffe's conviction and sentencing on unclear charges without any semblance of a fair trial is what amounts to 'justice' in Iran's notorious revolutionary courts," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director. "The authorities should immediately release Ratcliffe and other detained dual-nationals who have not been charged with a credible offense."

On August 7, Mizan, the Iranian judiciary's news agency, alleged that Ratcliffe was an "agent" for the Thomson Reuters Foundation  whose charitable work, Mizan said, was a cover for "spying and intelligence operations for Western governments," and part of "an infiltration project," a term hard-liners in the government regularly level against dual nationals who have been detained or imprisoned. Thomson Reuters Foundation rejected these allegations, calling them a "blatant attempt to seek to justify the imprisonment of British citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe."

In the past two years, intelligence authorities, especially the Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence unit, have arrested several dual nationals in Iran. In October 2015, Iranian authorities convicted the Washington Post correspondent in Iran, Jason Rezaian, and sentenced him to a prison term that was not revealed even to him and his lawyer. He was released in January 2016 as part of a prisoner swap between Iran and the United States after spending 18 months in a section of Evin Prison controlled by the Revolutionary Guards.

In the latest case, on July 11, Revolutionary Guard authorities in the city of Gorgan, in northern Iran, arrested and detained Robin Shahini, a dual Iranian-American citizen who had traveled to Iran to visit his family. On August 16, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported that Shahini was formally charged with "acting against national security," "participating in protest gatherings in 2009," "collaborating with Voice of America (VOA) television," and "insulting 'the sacred' on Facebook," but that his lawyer had not been allowed to see the evidence against him.

On June 6, following three months of interrogations, authorities in Tehran arrested Homa Hoodfar, a professor of anthropology at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. In early March, Revolutionary Guard intelligence agents raided Professor Hoodfar's home shortly before she was to leave the country, confiscating personal belongings, including her passports, research documents, and computer. The Hoodfar family said in a press release that Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court tried to dismiss the lawyer Hoodfar had chosen. On August 30, the family announced that Hoodfar had been hospitalized due to her rapidly declining health.

On October 15, 2015, Iranian authorities arrested Siamak Namazi, a dual Iranian-American citizen and the head of strategic planning at the Dubai-based Crescent Petroleum, while he was visiting his family in Tehran. On February 22, authorities arrested his father, 80-year-old Bagher Namazi, a former UNICEF representative in several countries. Both remain in detention on unclear charges.

In 2011, authorities arrested Kamal Foroughi, a British-Iranian businessman, and sentenced him to eight years in prison on charges of espionage and one year in prison for alcohol possession. His son Kamran Foroughi told Human Rights Watch that his 77-year-old father has just been diagnosed with cataracts and desperately needs an operation to avoid going blind. He was eligible for early release two years ago and has not seen his wife and family for more than five years.

Hard-liner factions in Iran have repeatedly warned about what they believe is a project led by the West to "infiltrate" the country and its core values. In the past two years, authorities have arrested several Iranian dual nationals accusing them of facilitating the "infiltration project." Authorities have also prosecuted several journalists, accusing them of being part of an "infiltration network" but have yet to offer any evidence supporting these allegations.

"The jump in prosecutions of Iranian dual nationals appears to reflect efforts by government hard-liners to keep Iran isolated from the global community," Whitson said. "Individuals should not have to suffer unjust prison terms because of a country's internal politics."

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was arrested in January, six months after he brazenly escaped prison in a 1.5-kilometer (one-mile) tunnel (AFP Photo/Yuri Cortez)

Mexico City (AFP) - A Mexican judge will weigh the extradition of drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman this month, and he could be in US custody later this year, a US official said Wednesday.

The US government official told AFP that the judge in Mexico City is expected to rule on the extradition on September 26, but Guzman could appeal the decision.

His lawyers say the process could take months or years to conclude, but the US official expects the extradition of the Sinaloa drug cartel leader to move much faster.

"We are still on track for him to be extradited before the end of the year," the official said on condition of anonymity to be able to speak freely about the case.

Mexico's foreign ministry gave the green light to Guzman's extradition in May, but the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel leader obtained an injunction in June.

If the judge rejects Guzman's legal petition, his lawyers would have 10 days to appeal to a higher court.

One of Guzman's lawyers, Jose Refugio Rodriguez, said the lower court judge could issue his ruling on September 26 but that "usually" such decisions can take a few days or even weeks.

In any case, Rodriguez said his client instructed him to appeal all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.

The US official, however, said the Supreme Court could simply refuse to take the case, paving the way for his extradition.

- Guzman 'not well' -

The powerful drug lord was arrested in January, six months after he brazenly escaped prison in a 1.5-kilometer (one-mile) tunnel, humiliating President Enrique Pena Nieto's administration.

Pena Nieto had opposed Guzman's extradition before his July 15 escape, preferring to prosecute the slippery prisoner in Mexico.

But the president called on the attorney general to expedite the extradition after Guzman's January arrest.

His extradition would set up a major US trial against a man whose cartel is accused of generating much of the violence in Mexico and providing tons of drugs to the United States.

Story continues

The foreign ministry accepted in May two US extradition requests. He faces cocaine smuggling charges in California and multiple accusations, including murder, in Texas.

Guzman was transferred in May from a maximum-security prison near Mexico City to a penitentiary in Ciudad Juarez, which lies at the border with the United States.

"He's not doing well. He's isolated, he doesn't go out with other inmates in the prison yard, they don't let him speak with anybody," his other lawyer, Andres Granados, told Radio Formula.

- Kidnapped son released -

Guzman's family faced a setback during his incarceration.

One of his sons, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, 29, was kidnapped along with five other men in a restaurant in the Pacific resort of Puerto Vallarta on August 15.

Guzman and the other men were released five days later following a negotiation, a Guzman family member said.

Authorities believe that the son, who is suspected of working for his father's gang, was abducted by the rival Jalisco New Generation drug cartel.

The US government official said US authorities believe Jesus Alfredo Guzman was released, but the reasons for the abduction were unclear.

"If you're going to kidnap someone like that, either you kill him so you can take over territory" or negotiate a deal, the official said.

"There's no evidence that anything in particular was exchanged," the source said. "It seems to indicate it wasn't very planned, they weren't certain what the objective was, and they reconsidered after holding him for a while."
Russia: Failing to do Fair Share to Help Syrian Refugees

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 14 September 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Russia: Failing to do Fair Share to Help Syrian Refugees, 14 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d977bd4.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Russia's contribution to meeting the needs of refugees displaced by the Syrian conflict has been negligible, while its military involvement in the conflict has been significant, Human Rights Watch said today. Russia should use the upcoming summit meetings on the global refugee crisis to make commitments to share responsibility for refugees in line with its capacity.

The United Nations Refugee and Migration Summit will be held on September 19, 2016, followed by a Leaders' Summit on the Global Refugee Crisis the next day.

Russia should also address serious shortcomings in its asylum system that are preventing most Syrian asylum seekers who have made it to Russian territory from receiving the protection they are entitled to under international law. Since 2011, Russia has not offered one resettlement place for Syrian refugees, and Russian officials have claimed the question of receiving Syrian refugees in Russia is "not on the agenda."

"Russia is extensively involved in the Syrian conflict but has done virtually nothing to help the 11 million people who have lost their homes and livelihoods as a result," said Bill Frelick, refugee rights program director at Human Rights Watch. "Russia has the resources to do much more, but it has yet to show any inclination to pull its weight."

The charity Oxfam International has issued a "fair share analysis" for the past several years on Syria-related assistance. Its calculations, based on gross national income, among other factors, have assigned Russia approximately 13 percent of the humanitarian funding burden. Oxfam calculated Russia's actual contributions to be 1 percent of its fair share, the lowest percentage of any of the 32 donor countries surveyed.

Human Rights Watch has extensively documented attacks carried out in the Syrian conflict with Russian support that have put civilians at risk. Russian forces have, in joint operations with Syrian government forces, attacked hospitals and schools, used internationally banned cluster munitions and incendiary weapons, and otherwise carried out indiscriminate attacks. Russia announced in late July that Russia and Syria would open three humanitarian corridors out of eastern Aleppo, in northern Syria, to allow civilians to flee the besieged area. But Russia has shown minimal commitment to assisting civilians once they have been displaced.

Russian officials have rejected any responsibility to do more to help refugees, claiming that Russia is doing its part simply by "assisting the [Syrian] government in combating terrorist groups." Russia contends that the burden of the Syrian refugee crisis should fall on those countries whose policies contributed to the war in Syria, without acknowledging that Russia has become a party to the conflict.

This resistance to participating in global responsibility-sharing is reflected in Russia's contributions to aid efforts for Syrian refugees. Russia did not participate in the February 2016 London Donor Conference, which brought together 45 countries and secured $US 6 billion in pledges for 2016 and US$6.1 billion in pledges for 2017-2020. Instead, according to data published by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Russia has contributed or pledged to contribute US$6.8 million to the UN funding appeals for the Syria crisis response  which amounts to 0.24 percent of the total of contributions so far, and 0.09 percent of the total requested by the UN for the year.

This low figure is consistent with Russia's prior contributions to UN humanitarian appeals since 2012, which have averaged around 0.4 percent of the total received and 0.3 percent of the total requested. While Russia has in some years offered bilateral or other aid not directed specifically at the UN appeals, the amounts have ranged from US$860,000 to US$1 million  not enough to offset the disproportionately low contributions to those appeals themselves.

Oxfam International has calculated that a Russian fair share of resettlement based on the size of the country's economy would be 33,536 places by the end of 2016. In response to the UN Refugee Agency's Syrian refugee resettlement appeal earlier this year, Russia pledged no refugee resettlement places, but only to provide university scholarships for 300 Syrian students.

For Syrians who have managed to flee their country and make their way to Russian territory, significant flaws in the Russian asylum system have prevented the vast majority from receiving meaningful protection. Due to these deficiencies, in February, Human Rights Watch urged Norway to give full consideration to asylum seekers' claims if they had travelled through Russia to reach Norway.

According to Russia's Federal Migration Service (FMS), about 12,000 Syrians are in Russia, including those with valid student or work visas and those who were living in Russia before the conflict began. But as of April, only two Syrians had been granted refugee status since 2011, and about 1,300 had been granted temporary asylum  a lesser form of protection. About 2,000 reportedly have some other form of lawful residence, but thousands more are living in limbo.

"While the Russian government is happy to send its forces to participate in the conflict, when asked to step up its humanitarian response it rejects any responsibility for assisting vulnerable people who flee their homes in search of safety," Frelick said. "Russia can and should increase its contributions and help to ensure that Syria's displaced can live in dignity and peace."

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
Russia: Government vs. Rights Groups

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 14 September 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Russia: Government vs. Rights Groups, 14 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d9782e4.html [accessed 30 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

For the past four years, the Kremlin has sought to stigmatize criticism or alternative views of government policy as disloyal, foreign-sponsored, or even traitorous. It is part of a sweeping crackdown to silence critical voices that has included new legal restrictions on the internet, on freedom of expression, on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, and on other fundamental freedoms.

Association of NGOs in Defense of Voters' Rights "Golos" (Moscow)  June 5, 2014 Regional Public Association in Defense of Democratic Rights and Freedoms "Golos" (Moscow)  June 5, 2014 Center for Social Policy and Gender Studies (Saratov)  June 5, 2014 (the organization was shut down  May 22, 2015) Women of Don (Rostov region)  June 5, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  February 29, 2016) Kostroma Center for Support of Public Initiatives (Kostroma)  June 5, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  June 19, 2015) Interregional Human Rights Association "Agora" (Kazan)  July 21, 2014 Regional public organization "Ecozaschita!  Womens' Council" (Kaliningrad)  July 21, 2014 Public Verdict Foundation (Moscow)  July 21, 2014 Human Rights Center "Memorial" (Moscow)  July 21, 2014 Lawyers for Constitutional Rights and Freedoms / JURIX (Moscow)  July 21, 2014 (the organization was shut down  May 26, 2015) Soldiers' Mothers (Saint Petersburg)  August 28, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  October 23, 2015) Freedom of Information Foundation / Institute for Information Freedom Development  August 28, 2014 PIR Center  September 3, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  February 24, 2016) Association "Partnership for Development" (Saratov)  October 2, 2014 (the organization was shut down  November 6, 2015) "News Agency MEMO.RU" (Moscow)  November 20, 2014 Regional Press Institute (St. Petersburg)  November 20, 2014 Moscow School of Civic Education  December 9, 2014 Rakurs, Arkhangelsk regional non-governmental LGBT organization  December 15, 2014 All-Russian movement "For Human Rights"  December 22, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  December 30, 2015) Human Rights Center (Kaliningrad)  December 25, 2014 Krasnodar Regional Social Organization of University Alumni  December 25, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  April 22, 2016) Regional social organization "Public Commission for Academic Sakharov's Heritage Preservation"  December 25, 2014 Resource Human Rights Center (St. Petersburg)  December 30, 2014 (the organization was shut down  November 3, 2015) Regional Public Organization "Man and the Law" (Republic of Mari El)  December 30, 2014 Center for Social Development "Vozrozhdeniye" (Pskov)  December 30, 2014 Public Human Rights Organization "Civil Control" (St. Petersburg)  December 30, 2014 The League of Women Voters (St. Petersburg)  December 30, 2014 (the organization was shut down  May 22, 2015) Free Press Support Foundation  December 30, 2014 Interregional Non-Governmental Organization "The Committee Against Torture"  January 16, 2015 (the organization was shut down  September 13, 2016) Educational Center "Memorial" (Sverdlov region)  January 16, 2015 Autonomous non-profit human rights organization "Youth Center for Consulting and Training"  January 20, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  July 22, 2015) "Information Bureau of the Nordic Council of Ministers in St. Petersburg"  January 20, 2015 Jewish regional branch of the Russian public organization "Municipal Academy" January 26, 2015 (the organization was shut down  May 22, 2015) The noncommercial partnership "Press Development Institute - Siberia"  January 30, 2015 Center for social, psychological and legal help to victims of discrimination and homophobia "Maximum" (Murmansk)  February 4, 2015 (the organization was shut down  October 28, 2015) Interregional public fund for civil society development "Golos-Povolzhye" (Samara)  February 6, 2015 Interregional charity organization "Siberian Environmental Center" (Novosibirsk)  February 12, 2015 Center for Civic Analysis and Independent Research / GRANI (Perm)  February 13, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  June 19, 2015) Municipal public organization "Samara Center for Gender Studies" (Samara)  February 16, 2015 Regional Fund "Center for Defense of Mass Media Rights" (Voronezh)  February 26, 2015 Regional Charitable Social Foundation "For nature" (Chelyabinsk)  March 6, 2015 Regional Ecological Social Movement "For nature" (Chelyabinsk)  March 6, 2015 Humanist Youth Movement (Murmansk)  March 13, 2015 (the organization was shut down  August 25, 2015) Regional Social Organization for Contribution to Harmonization of Interethnic Relations "Azerbaijan"  March 13, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  July 22, 2016) Regional Social Environmental Organization "Bellona-Murmansk"  March 19, 2015 (the organization was shut down  October 16, 2015) "Educational Center for Environment and Security" (Samara)  March 20, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  October 8, 2015) Foundation "Migration XXI Century"  March 27, 2015 Eco-logika (Rostov)  April 3, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  March 30, 2016) Transparency International Russia - April 7, 2015 Social Environmental Organization "Planeta Nadezhd"  April 15, 2015 Foundation for Consumers' Rights Defense (Novosibirsk)  April 17, 2015 (the organization was shut down  May 12, 2016) Civil Assistance Committee  April 20, 2015 Foundation 19/29 - Foundation for Support of Investigative Journalism  April 24, 2015 Commemorative Centre of History of Political Repressions "Perm - 36"  April 29, 2015 (the organization was shut down  August 18, 2016) Women's League (Kaliningrad )  April 29, 2015 (the organization was shut down  December 16, 2015) Legal Expert Partnership "Soyuz "  May 7, 2015 (the organization was shut down  25 August 2015) Center for Development of Non-Commerical Organizations  May 13, 2015 Club of Accountants and Auditors of Non-Commercial Organizations  May 13, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  March 30, 2016) Informational Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Northern Countries (Kaliningrad)  May 13, 2015 Sutyajnik (Yekaterinburg)  May 15, 2015 Human Rights Academy (Yekaterinburg)  May 15, 2015 Ecological Center "Dront" (Nizhny Novgorod)  May 22, 2015 The non-profit organization "Liberal Mission" Scientific Foundation of Theoretical and Applied Research  May 25, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended  September 11, 2015) The non-profit Dynasty Foundation  May 25, 2015 Union of Employers (Tula region)  May 28, 2015 Youth organization "Nuori Karjala/Young Karelia"  June 19, 2015 (the organization was shut down  March 25, 2016) Siberian Center for Support of Social Initiatives  June 19, 2015 Interregional Social Foundation for Peace in the South and in the Northern Caucasus  June 19, 2015 Informational Center "Free Inform"  June 22, 2015 (the organization was shut down  June 21, 2016) Center for Independent Sociological Studies (St. Petersburg)  June 22, 2015 Regional Organization for Population and Development  June 23, 2015 Geblerov Ecological Societ (Barnaul)  June 23, 2015 Association "Legal Basis" (Yekaterinburg)  July 3, 2015 Interregional Non-governmental Organization "Northern Environmental Coalition" (Petrozavodsk)  July 8, 2015 (the organization was shut down  December 1, 2015) Komi Human Rights Commission "Memorial" (Syktyvkar)  July 21, 2015 Altai Regional Public Fund for 21st Century Altai (Barnaul)  July 22, 2015 (the organization was shut down  March 28, 2016) Interregional Public Foundation for Civil Society Development "GOLOS-Ural" (Chelyabinsk region)  July 22, 2015 SREDA Foundation  July 28, 2015 Non-governmental environmental organization "Green World" (Nizhny Novgorod)  July 29, 2015 Civic Action Foundation (Perm)  August 5, 2015 Alliance of Funds of Local Communities of the Perm territory  August 11, 2015 Kabardino-Balkaria Human Rights Center  regional branch of the "For Human Rights" All-Russian movement (Nalchik)  August 18, 2015 (the organization was shut down  November 6, 2015) The Human Rights Center of the Chechen Republic (Grozny)  August 21, 2015 Interregional Social Ecological Foundation "ISAR-Siberia" (Novosibirsk)  August 26, 2015 Perm Regional Human Rights Center (Perm)  September 3, 2015 Siberia's lifeline (Novosibirsk)  September 3, 2015 Golos Foundation in Support of Democracy  September 4, 2015 (the organization was shut down  June 21, 2016) Jewish Cultural Center "Hesed-Teshuva" (Ryazan)  September 4, 2015 Sakhalin Environment Watch (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk)  September 18, 2015 Yasavey Manzara Information and Research Center (Naryan-Mar)  September 23, 2015 (the organization was shut down  June 15, 2016) Consumer Rights and Environment Protection Association "Princip" (Moscow region)  October 5, 2015 Far East Center for the Development of Civil Initiatives and Social Partnership (Vladivostok) October 13, 2015 Russian Research Center for Human Rights  October 20, 2015 Women of the Don (Rostov region)  October 27, 2015 Friends of the Siberian Forests (Krasnoyarsk)  October 28, 2015 Photography Club "Sobytiye" (Omsk)  October 28, 2015 (the organization was shut down  December 16, 2015) Research and Information Center "Memorial" (St. Petersburg)  November 6, 2015 Baikal Environmental Wave (Irkutsk)  November 10, 2015 (the organization was shut down  August 1, 2016) Glasnost Defense Foundation  November 19, 2015 Human Rights Institute  November 20, 2015 Center for Support of Indigenous Peoples of the North  November 27, 2015 Green World (Leningrad region)  December 2, 2015 Mashr (Republic of Ingushetia)  December 8, 2015 Woman's World (Kaliningrad)  December 11, 2015 Panorama Information and Research Center (Moscow)  December 18, 2015 Dauria Ecological Center (Chita)  December 30, 2015 (the organization was shut down  September 1, 2016) Yekaterinburg Memorial Society (Yekaterinburg)  December 30, 2015 Bureau of Public Investigations (Nizhny Novgorod)  January 14, 2016 Committee for the Prevention of Torture (Orenburg)  January 14, 2016 Institute of Forecasting and Resolving of Political Conflicts (Nizhny Novgorod)  January 22, 2016 Ryazan Historical, Educational and Human Rights Center "Memorial" (Ryazan)  February 1, 2016 Society of Assistance to Social Protection of Citizens "Peterburgskaya EGIDA" (Saint Petersburg)  February 2, 2016 (the organization was shut down  April 26, 2016) Center for Health and Social Support "SIBALT" (Omsk)  February 15, 2016 Chelyabinsk Regional Organ of Public Independent Action "Ural Human Rights Group" (Chelyabinsk)  February 15, 2016 Women of Eurasia (Chelyabinsk)  February 15, 2016 Ural Democratic Foundation (Chelyabinsk)  February 15, 2016 Legal and Social Support Charitable Foundation "Sphere" (Saint Petersburg)  March 1, 2016 Centre for Civic Education and Human Rights (Perm)  March 3, 2016 The International Development Fund for Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation "Batani" (Moscow)  March 11, 2016 Center for Social and Labor Rights (Moscow)  March 21, 2016 Arkhar (Gorno-Altaysk)  April 5, 2016 Publishing House "Valentin Manuylov"  April 15, 2016 Tengri School of Soul ecology (Altay) - May 17, 2016 Hanse Buero / Information Bureau of Schleswig-Holstein in Kaliningrad (Kaliningrad) - May 24, 2016 Krasnoyarsk Regional Public Organization Agency of public initiatives (Krasnoyarsk) - May 27, 2016 Saratov Regional Public Organization "Socium" (Engels) - May 30, 2016 Perm regional non-governmental organization "Perm Civil Chamber" (Perm) - June 9, 2016 Regional non-governmental organization Integration center "Migration and Law" (Moscow) - June 16, 2016 Non-Profit Partnership "ESVERO" (Moscow) - June 22, 2016 Andrey Rylkov Foundation for Health and Social Justice (Moscow) - June 29, 2016 Altai regional sport and patriotic youth public organization "Arctica" (Biysk) - July 6, 2016 Autonomous non-governmental organization "Free Word" (Pskov) - July 13, 2016 The Institute of Economic Analysis (Moscow) - July 22, 2016 Penza regional youth civic organization for prevention of negative phenomena among youth "Panacea" (Kuznetsk) - August 15, 2016 Samara regional, civic organization "American alumni club" (Samara) - August 26, 2016 Autonomous non-for-profit organization "Publishing house 'Park Gagarina'" (Samara) - August 31, 2016 Levada Analytical Center (Moscow) - September 5, 2016 Environmental Watch on North Caucasus (Maikop) - September 13, 2016

And the four NGOs which registered voluntarily:

Non-commercial Partnership "Supporting Competition in the CIS Countries"  June 27, 2013 "The Union of Young Political Scientists", KarachayCherkess Republican Youth Social Organization  December 15, 2014 Regional Social Movement "Novgorod Women's Parliament" (Veliky Novgorod)  March 6, 2015 Center of Independent Researchers of the Altai Republic  June 10, 2015

Leader of at least 1 NGO faces criminal charges personally:

Women of Don (Rostov region) - criminal proceeding is in process. Chair Valentina Cherevatenko faces up to two years in prison for "malicious evasion of the duty to file the documents required for inclusion in the register of nonprofit organizations performing the functions of a foreign agent."

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
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.
AUSTIN  A proposed textbook called 'Mexican American Heritage' was denounced as an error-plagued misrepresentation of Hispanic culture by more than 100 demonstrators just as the State Board of Education began the process of deciding whether to have it taught in Texas public schools.

'I would not want this book taught to my children,' said board member Ruben Cortez, a Democrat whose district includes the Coastal Bend, during a rally before the full board's hearing. 'This is not the Texas I know. This is not the Texas I love.'

The text, published by a company called Momentum Instruction, has been criticized by such organizations as the Texas House and Senate Hispanic caucuses, the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund and the largest Texas teachers union. Specifically, the objections centered on passages in the books saying people of Mexican descent have been stereotyped as 'lazy' and unambitious and immersed in a 'manana' attitude, suggesting that responsibilities are best shrugged until another day.

Several took offense at another portion that says the Chicano movement 'adopted a revolutionary narrative' bent on destroying Western society.

State Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso, said he was part of the Chicano movement as student in Pan American University  now UT-Pan Am  and said participants wanted to solidify their place in American life, not to withdraw from it.

'From my point of view, the well has been poisoned,' Rodriguez said, referring to any value the textbook might have as an instructional tool for schoolchildren.

More than 100 people signed up to testify on the textbook; most checked 'against' in the box seeking their viewpoint. Several said they simply wanted to 'comment on' the book. None indicated support for the book's adoption by the board.

Cortez, a Brownsville school board member before his election to the state board, has formed a committee of educators and activists to review the textbook and examine the allegations of bias. The group said it identified nearly 70 fact errors and more than 40 'interpretive errors' in its report.

Board members are not scheduled to take action on the textbook until November. Several members noted, without endorsing the book or its contents, that no other textbook on Mexican-American studies was submitted for their consideration.

Some, including Republicans Ken Mercer of San Antonio and David Bradley of Beaumont, pointed out the legislation passed in 2011 offered publishers a way of bypassing the state board and selling books directly to local school districts under limited conditions.

Former State Board of Education member Cynthia Dunbar, a conservative Republican, leads Momentum Instruction's education curriculum.

Dunbar, who served on the board from 2007 until 2011, told the Texas Tribune in a report published Monday that many of the errors cited are being corrected and disputed that it contains an anti-Latino stereotypes. She said the book points out that over the course of history, Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans have been victims of stereotype.

But several speakers suggested that the book does not provide sufficient attribution or context to debunk stereotypes they described as harmful to impressionable school-age children.

'Regardless of what was going through their minds of the authors,' said Emilio Zamora, a UT-Austin history professor, 'they need a crash course in Mexican-American history.'
The board of the Development Corporation of Abilene on Tuesday approved the yearly evaluation of Kent Sharp, director of economic development.

Sharp received a 4 percent raise, bringing his salary to $166,400, said Dave Copeland, president of the DCOA board.

The DCOA administers Abilene's half-cent sales tax for economic development.

'We went through a process where Kent did a self-evaluation, where his staff evaluated him and where we evaluated him,' Copeland said. 'It's obvious he's meeting expectations and doing a very good job.'

During the past year, the DCOA has approved funds to help bring in Prairie Dog Pet Products, expected to create 215 jobs; provided incentives to Broadwind Towers to expand its Abilene plant; approved a lease agreement with Hat Creek Carriers, a local vehicle transportation company; renewed a contract with Abilene Aero; and heard a five-year economic development plan for the organization.

In March, it approved $4 million in funding for Texas State Technical College to build a brand-new industrial training facility in Abilene.

Sharp, who has headed the DCOA since September 2014, came to Abilene from Gainesville, where he was director of that community's economic development corporation. He also has led economic development organizations in Big Spring, Stamford and Shamrock.

In Abilene, the sale tax rebate for August is down 6.78 percent from the previous year, reported Mike Rains, the city's director of finance. August's rebate was $3.02 million, representing July sales.

'We're now 3.71 percent below the year, and that's our last payment for the fiscal year,' Rains said of the period from October to September. 'So next October's payment will be the beginning of a new year. We're projecting that to be flat.'

Retail was down 5 percent, while food service was down 9 percent, Rains said.

From a historical perspective, for the past 25 years, the city has seen a 4 percent increase year-over-year, he said.

'Right now we're just under a 4 percent decrease, and this is also only the second time in 25 years we've had negative year-over-year fiscal year totals,' he said. 'So this is unusual, but it's becoming more and more (common) with the way the economic times are.'

State sales tax figures were down 1.59 percent, with oil-producing cities down 'quite a bit,' Rains said.

'We're hoping we're hitting bottom,' he said. 'We're hoping that starts to go up or stay the same for the next 12 months.'
A ribbon-cutting Tuesday afternoon celebrated the opening of one new building and offered a glimpse into the possibility of even more.

The new building is the third on a mini campus being built on Pine Street by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. It will house a master of public health degree program through Tech's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Students have been taking classes since January in another building.

During the ceremony, reference was made to the addition of two more buildings in the complex, which would bring the total to five. What programs those buildings would house wasn't announced, but several speakers referred to future expansion.

'We're not through yet,' said Tim Lancaster, a member of the Texas Tech University board of regents and president and chief executive officer of Hendrick Health System, located across the street from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center complex.

The mini campus started with the TTUHSC School of Nursing, followed by its School of Pharmacy. The new public health building matches the first two in the same Spanish architectural style familiar to visitors to Texas Tech's main campus in Lubbock.

On. Sept. 28, Tech officials will be back at the Abilene campus to announce the opening of the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health, an outreach and research center that will be located inside the new public health building. Bush won't be here for the ceremony but is expected to visit the institute next spring, a Tech official said.

The master plan for the Abilene campus of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center allows for two more buildings to be built, creating a circle of components with a courtyard in the middle.

'That is the long-term vision,' said Michael Molina, vice chancellor for facilities planning and construction for the Texas Tech University System.

Each component contains approximately 40,000 square feet and each houses a different health-related program. Molina and other speakers emphasized that future growth of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center programs will be on existing campuses, including Abilene.

Tedd Mitchell, president of TTUHSC, said it is better for everyone involved if the university expands its health programs on existing campuses, rather than looking at additional cities.

Lancaster noted that Mitchell is constantly getting calls from West Texas communities wanting to be the home of a new program and facility.

'I want him to always think about Abilene as the go-to place,' Lancaster said.

Various speakers at the ceremony praised Abilene community leaders for partnering with TTUHSC in developing the campus here. Several local foundations, businesses and financial institutions, in addition to city leaders, were cited.

The medical campus in Abilene brings more than just new buildings to town, Mitchell said. It also brings an economic boost. The economy in West Texas is oil- and energy-based, which is cyclical, but the health profession isn't, Mitchell said.

'You get a consistent and very strong economic base' with the health profession, he said.
As contests go, the bubble gum blowing competition at the West Texas Fair & Rodeo is about as simple as it gets.

Participants get two pieces of bubble gum and whoever blows the biggest bubble is the winner. The experts, however, say there is a strategy.

'You have to get past the sugar,' said Toby Moore, 16, who won the 14-16 age division with a bubble of 7 inches.

Toby wasn't the only winner in the Moore family. His sister Chloe, a fifth-grader at Wylie Middle School, won the division for ages 10-13 with a 5-and-1/2-inch bubble.

Additionally, sister Hailey, 17 and a senior at Wylie High, and their mother, Tammie, participated in the adult division with Tammie coming in fifth in the highly competitive division with a bubble of 6-and-1/2 inches.

Toby Moore's advice gets even more specific. He chews his first piece of gum until the flavor's gone, then adds half of the second piece until it gets juicy. He then takes the gum out of his mouth. His mother didn't ask him where he kept it until the competition, perhaps because there are some things a mom just doesn't need to know.

There are other factors involved as well. Tammie Moore likes to go first, so she doesn't have as much time to get nervous. Nerves evidently enter into the competition: Both Chloe and Toby said they always blow a bigger bubble after the contest, while they're just sitting around.

'Every time,' Chloe Moore said. 'Today, I blew an 8-inch bubble after the contest.'

Lorne Sloan, a frequent competitor in the adult division, agreed there is strategy involved.

Bubblegum contest at the fair. Posted by Posted by Abilene Reporter-News on Tuesday, September 13, 2016

'You have to get past the flavor,' Sloan said, adding that the bubbles come after the gum has outlived its purpose of tasting good. If you chew the gum too long, however, it loses its elasticity and won't work as well, he noted.

Despite all the talk of strategy, this year's grand champion said she has no idea how she won.

Kimberly Simpson, who blew a bubble measuring 8 inches, is an Abilene native who now lives in Midland and returns each year to go to the fair.

'I don't even chew gum very often,' Simpson said.

Simpson said she would be back to defend her title next year.

Carey Parsons, the volunteer who runs the contest, said people always return for the event.

'It's just timeless, old-fashion family fun,' Parsons said.

When she says family, she means it. The contest is run almost exclusively by Parsons' relatives (Sloan is a cousin), including her brother A.D. Bush, the Taylor County Precinct 3 constable, who serves as a judge, along with Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Bob Shea.

Parsons won the event as a child, saying it was one of her most vivid childhood memories.

Although some things have become lost arts, blowing bubbles with gum has not lost its charm. In fact, both Toby and Hailey Moore said, teachers at Wylie High School allow students to chew gum in class, information that Sloan, who grew up in less-enlightened times, found surprising.

'We used to have to get behind a book,' he said.'As long as it didn't pop, you were OK.'

A cash prize was awarded to the top three finishers in each division. The winners got $6.

In the Moore family, that money would go toward something special.

'If you win, you have to buy your own funnel cake,' Tammie Moore said.
WEDNESDAY

West Texas Fair & Rodeo

The West Texas Fair & Rodeo will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Taylor County Expo Center. Admission will be free until 1 p.m. The midway will open at 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults; $4 for students and free for seniors age 60 or older.

Food truck lunch

A food truck lunch fundraiser will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, 450 Pecan St. Proceeds will go to the American Heart Association.

Art film

As part of the 'This Is Modern Art' series, a screening of 'Julian Schnable: Art in Progress' will be presented at noon at the Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St.

Little League fundraiser

A fundraiser for Southern Little League is planend from 5-8 p.m. at DoubleDave's Pizzaworks, 4001 John Knox Drive. Participants must pick up a flyer when ordering or complete the flyer presented at www.facebook.com/abilenesouthern.

Square dance workshop

TYE  The Wagon Wheel Squares will conduct a square dancing workshop at 6:30 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel.

Other ...

Overeaters Anonymous, 8 a.m., Hinds Square Building, Room 112, 100 Chestnut St.

Blood drive, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Blue Cross Blue Shield, 4002 Loop 322.

Abilene Cactus Lions Club, 11:45 a.m., Cotton Patch Cafe, 3302 S. Clack St.

Abilene Wednesday Rotary Club, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway. $12 for lunch. Jo Ann Wilson, 325-677-6815.

Kiwanis Club of Abilene, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway Blvd.

Clearly Speaking Toastmaster Club, noon, Westgate Church of Christ, 402 S. Pioneer Drive. 325-795-5570.

Diabetes Support Group, 2-3 p.m., Stonewall County Library.

Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 5:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St.

Veterans Peer Support Group, 6 p.m., 765 Orange St. 325-670-4818.

Mid-week Al-Anon Family Group, 6-7 p.m., Open Door Building, 3157 Russell Ave. 325-698-4995.

Advanced Square Dancing, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wagon Wheel.

Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Broadway, Ballinger. 817-689-2810 or 325-977-1007.

DivorceCare support group, 7 p.m., Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave. 325-691-4200.

THURSDAY

West Texas Fair & Rodeo

The West Texas Fair & Rodeo will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Taylor County Expo Center. Admission will be free until 1 p.m. The midway will open at 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for students. Admission will be free in exchange for six empty Coca-Cola product cans.

Book reading

A reading of the children's book 'Little Beauty,' by Anthony Browne, will begin at 10 a.m. at The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. A limited number of copies of the book available for sale. To register, go to thegracemuseum.org.

Mac class

The MacUser Group will conduct a free Mac computer class at 1 p.m. at the Mockingbird Branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane.

Air Force appreciation

A celebration of the Air Force birthday will be held from 5-8 p.m. at The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. Art activities, cake and punch will be available, and the museum will kick off its new podcast for deployed personnel. The event will be free for active and former military and their families.

College night

A college night will be open from 6-8 p.m. at The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. Live music, food trucks and drink demonstrations by Monk's Coffee House will be available. Admission is free for college students.

Square dance workshop

TYE  A-Team will conduct a square dancing workshop 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel.

'Story @ The Center'

'Story @ The Center,' a monthly event featuring artists sharing personal stories, will be 7-9 p.m. at the Center for Contemporary Arts. The theme will be 'Processing.' Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

Other ...

Blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., TxDOT, 4250 N. Clack St.

Chronic Pain and Depression Group, 11 a.m. to noon, Mental Health Association of Abilene, 333 Orange St., 325-673-2300.

Abilene Founder Lions Club, 11:30 a.m., Al's Mesquite Grill, 4801 Buffalo Gap Road.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene, noon, Beehive Restaurant, 442 Cedar St. 325-695-0092.

Retired Military Wives Club social meeting, 1 p.m., Rose Park Senior Activity Center, 2625 South Seventh St. 325-675-6175.

Mental Illness Open Support Group, 1-2 p.m., Mental Health Association of Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300.

Abilene 42 Club, 6 p.m., Rose Park Senior Center.

Teen Recovery Group, 6-7 p.m., Mission Abilene, 3001 N. Third St.

Free certified nurturing parent class (all ages), 6-8 p.m., Mission Church, North Third and Mockingbird streets. 325-672-9398.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 6:30 p.m. Brook Hollow Christian Church. Weigh-in begins at 5:30 p.m. 325-665-5052.

Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 6:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St.

Gambler's Anonymous, 6:30 p.m., Unity Spiritual Living Center, 2842 Barrow St. 325-338-2575.

Round Dancing, 7 p.m., Wagon Wheel. 325-829-1517.

South Pioneer Al-Anon Group, 8 p.m., 3157 Russell Ave.

Unity Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St.

FRIDAY

West Texas Fair & Rodeo

The West Texas Fair & Rodeo will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Taylor County Expo Center. Admission will be free until 1 p.m. The midway will open at 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for students.

Chopper Madness

The Abilene Radio Control Society's annual Abilene Chopper Madness event will be open from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Seabee Park on Farm Road 600. For information, go to www.abilenercsociety.com. Free admission.

The Peddler Show

The Peddler Show: Perfect Street of Shops will be open from noon to 7 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. Sixth St. Admission is $7 for adults and free for children 12 and younger.

Art display

McMurry University art students will present displays from 3-5 p.m. in the Ryan Fine Arts Center and the Chapin Art Building on campus.

Party on the Patio

Party on the Patio, featuring Original KISS Army, will be open from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Kent's Harley-Davidson, 3106 S. Clack St. Food vendors will be available.

Dance

OPLIN  A dance featuring Muddy Creek will be 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the Oplin Community Center. Admission is $5. Information: www.grandoleoplin.com.

Street dance

RANGER  A street dance featuring Ricky Ishmael will be 9 p.m. to midnight on Rusk Street in downtown Ranger.

Other ...

Blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Roscoe High School.

Blood drive, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kwik Kar Lub, 4824 S. 14th St.

Abilene Chinese Corner, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Abilene Christian University library. lld09a@acu.edu.

Mid-City Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First Christian Church. 325-670-4304.

SATURDAY

West Texas Fair & Rodeo

The West Texas Fair & Rodeo will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Taylor County Expo Center. The midway will open at 1 p.m. Admission is $11 for adults and $4 for students.

Chopper Madness

The Abilene Radio Control Society's annual Abilene Chopper Madness event will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Seabee Park on Farm Road 600. Demonstration flights will begin at noon. For more information, go to abilenercsociety.com. Free admission.

The Peddler Show

The Peddler Show: Perfect Street of Shops will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. Sixth St. Admission is $7 for adults and free for children 12 and younger.

Walk to End Alzheimer's

The 2016 Walk to End Alzheimer's will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Rose Park Senior Center, at South Seventh and Barrow streets. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with a ceremony at 9 a.m. For more information, contact 325-672-2907 or krampy@alz.org.

Pet appreciation

The main event of Pet Appreciation Week will begin at 10 a.m. at Tractor Supply, 2249 State Highway 351. Pet adoptions, activities and drawings will be available, with the Abilene Animal Shelter present from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pet Appreciation Week will run Sept. 14-18. For more information, call 325-672-2179.

Big Weekend

RANGER  The Big Weekend festival will begin at 10 a.m. with the Big Parade on Main Street in downtown Ranger. Food, crafts, music, activities and more will be available. A rodeo will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Ranger Chamber Rodeo Grounds.

Movie at the library

A showing of a G-rated animated movie will begin at 3 p.m. at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Admission is free.

Beer, brats and Beethoven

The Abilene Philharmonic will conduct an Oktoberfest celebration, featuring food trucks, music and activities, from 4-7 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. Sixth St. The orchestra will present 'Beloved Beethoven' at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Admission to the Oktoberfest celebration is free; concert tickets range from $18 to $42. For tickets, or for information, go to www.abilenephilharmonic.org.

Tamale dinner

BALLINGER  A tamale dinner benefiting the Carnegie Library in Ballinger will be served from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Ballinger Community Center. A dance will follow from 7:30-11 p.m. Tickets at the door are $8 for the meal only and $20 for the meal and the dance.

Musical

ANSON  A country musical show will begin at 6 p.m. at the Anson Opera House. Brisket will be served at 5 p.m. for $7. Information: 325-338-2184.

All Around the Campfire

COLORADO CITY  'All Around the Campfire,' a night of campfire stories and songs, will be presented from 7-9 p.m. at Lake Colorado City State Park. Information: 325-728-3931. General park admission will apply.

Cabaret fundraiser

Jasmin Richardson will present a fundraiser cabaret, 'Just Jazz,' at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St. Tickets are $40. Proceeds will go to Abilene Christian University Theatre. For tickets, call 325-674-2787 or go to acu.edu/theatre.

Dance

SWEETWATER  A dance featuring Men With Hats will begin at 8 p.m. at VFW Post 2479, 216 Avenger Field Road. Admission is $10.

Other ...

Overeaters Anonymous, 10 a.m., Shades of Hope, 402A Mulberry St., Buffalo Gap. 800-588-4673.

Big Country Chapter American Association of Medical Transcriptionists meeting, 10 a.m., Arbec Room, first floor, Texas State Technical College, East Highway 80, Abilene. For medical transcriptionists or anyone interested in becoming one. 325-698-8898.

Abilene Society of Model Railroaders, 10 a.m. to noon, 2043 N. Second St.
Edith Hines, Abilene

As I write this, I remember 15 years ago.

My friend called me and said, 'There has been a terrible thing happening in New York City. The twin towers buildings were attacked by airplanes.' We quickly turned on the TV to see what had happened. And there it was on the screen. I can't even describe what I was seeing. This is America! This can't be happening to us. What's going on?

But now, 15 years later, we have come to realize that we have an enemy. Not because we are at war, but because of the Blessing that has been on our land.

I remember during World War II, how we were a very patriotic country. We stood behind our military. Proud to be Americans. Not only patriotic, but believing in God. A lot of stress was put on prayer for our nation. I believe that God is speaking to us. We need to turn again to God, who alone can keep us safe. There is much going on in our nation that we need to repent of  personally and nationally. I pray that He will guide us through this presidential election. Thank you, and God bless America.
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Talking Points:

NZD/USD Technical Strategy: Flat

New Zealand Dollar drops to challenge three-month trend support

Adverse risk/reward parameters argue against taking short trade

The New Zealand Dollar declined against its US counterpart after the formation of a Bearish Engulfing candlestick pattern, as expected. Prices are now challenging rising trend line support that has limited the downside and guided the pair higher since late May.

A daily close below trend line support  now at 0.7237  opens the door for a test of the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement at 0.7176. Alternatively, a reversal back above support-turned-resistance in the 0.7294-0.7308 area (23.6% level, double top) paves the way for a challenge of the 14.6% Fib at 0.7367.

Prices are much too close to near-term support to justify entering short from a risk-reward perspective. Positioning is made less attractive still considering the daily narrowing of the available trading range courtesy of an upward-sloping lower bound. Opting for the sidelines seems prudent for now.

What do past NZD/USD price patterns hint about current trends? Find out here!

NZD/USD Technical Analysis: 3-Month Trend Support at Risk



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Supporters of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) stand in the middle of a street in front of the CNRP headquarters in Phnom Penh, Sept. 9, 2016.

As Prime Minister Hun Sens elite military bodyguard unit continues to harass the opposition, a group of 36 countries approved a statement criticizing the current escalation of political tensions in the country.

The U.S.-backed statement delivered on Wednesday to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva by Ambassador Keith Harper, Washingtons representative on the panel, criticized Hun Sens government in general for a legal campaign that appears to target only the political opposition.

We are deeply concerned about the current escalation of political tensions in Cambodia, which threatens legitimate activities by opposition parties and human rights NGOs, the statement reads. There is particular concern about the appearance that legal action is being disproportionately pursued against critics of the government.

A spokesman for the Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) told RFA that their concern about the human rights situation fails to reflect the reality in Cambodia.

I think if we compare Cambodia to other countries concerning the human rights situation, it is getting better and the evaluation is inaccurate, Sok Eysan told RFA.

Hun Sen, his ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) and government prosecutors are pursuing a number of legal cases in courts they control against high-profile opposition party officials and rights workers, drawing widespread condemnation from the international human rights community as well as from foreign aid donors, excluding China.

Campaign of intimidation

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) President Sam Rainsy has been staying in France or traveling since an arrest warrant was issued for him in November over a 2008 defamation case and he was removed from his office and stripped of his parliamentary immunity. After Sam Rainsy left the country, the CNRP named Kem Sokha its acting president.

Kem Sokha was recently sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to a five-month prison term for failing to appear in court in a pair of cases associated with an alleged affair between the acting opposition leader and a young hairdresser.

Following Kem Sokhas conviction, Amnesty Internationals Deputy Director for South East Asia Josef Benedict called on the government to cease its campaign of intimidation.

Cambodia is in crisis with the government engaging in a campaign of intimidation against peaceful political and civil society activists, using frivolous prosecutions designed to punish, isolate and marginalize any peaceful dissent, he said

Sam Rainsy was also convicted by Phnom Penh Municipal Court in July for defaming National Assembly President Heng Samrin over a video posted on Facebook in 2015 that questioned his patriotism.

Heng Samrin was president of Cambodia from 1979 to 1992, leading a government installed following an invasion by Vietnam that ended the four-year rule of the bloody Khmer Rouge regime. Heng Samrin contended the Facebook statement negatively affected his reputation.

Concern over Kem Ley murder investigation

While the Cambodian government has been zealous in its legal pursuit of opposition politicians, pundit Kem Leys two-month-old murder case appears to be languishing.

The popular government critic was gunned down in broad daylight at a convenience store he frequented on July 10. While a former soldier was charged with the crime, many inside and outside Cambodia do not believe the governments story that Kem Ley was killed over a debt.

Kem Leys widow and their children have fled the country in fear of their safety. She criticized the investigation in a Facebook post marking the two-month anniversary of Kem Leys murder.

The U.S.-backed statement from Geneva singles out the murder, saying the crime has had a chilling effect that silences independent voices in Cambodia.

We lament the recent murder of commentator and analyst Kem Ley and note the chilling effect this crime has had upon civil society and independent voices in Cambodia, the statement reads. We call for a full and transparent investigation into Mr. Leys death.

Troop movements

As international concern builds, Hun Sen appears to be trying to intimidate the CNRP by a nightly deployment troops from the Prime Ministers Bodyguard Unit. The unit functions as a kind of Praetorian Guard for Hun Sen and his family, and is estimated to be comprised of 3,000 elite troops.

The unit has been linked to a deadly March 1997 grenade attack on the political opposition, and three members of the unit were given light sentences in May after they were convicted of assaulting a pair of opposition lawmakers outside the countrys National Assembly in October.

On Wednesday, unit commander Hing Bun Heang told The Phnom Penh Post the unit was within its rights to maintain security, as he criticized the CNRPs plans to create insecurity and disorder and warned that the drills would continue.

Not only last night, but tonight, tomorrow night  and well keep doing it, he added.

This exercise is for the security, safety and public order of the people, Hing Bun Heang said.

The CNRP is planning to mobilize nationwide demonstrations in response to what the party considers a campaign of state-backed legal harassment.

Hun Sen has vowed to crack down on protesters at any cost, and the nightly movements appear to be an attempt to intimidate the opposition.

Reported by RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Yanny Hin. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.
Tensions remained high amid tight security on the streets of China's rebel village of Wukan in southern Guangdong province on Wednesday, following street battles between local residents and riot police who fired rubber bullets and tear gas in a bid to end weeks of peaceful protests.



Dozens of people have been beaten or injured by rubber bullets and detained, including three villagers accused of encouraging foreign journalists to cover the protests and subsequent crackdown and an elderly disabled woman, local residents said.



Riot police were maintaining a security cordon around the village, which has been embroiled in a bitter land dispute since the removal of its former leader Xue Chang for corruption following a lengthy protest campaign in 2011.



While fresh elections brought former protesters into the Wukan village committee in 2012, three of its leaders have since been jailed on "corruption" charges that local residents say are trumped up by local officials as a form of retaliation.



"Some young people have been detained by police for talking to the media, including the foreign media," a Wukan resident who declined to be named told RFA. "They chased them and detained them here in the village ... around 2.00 p.m."



Police have now set up checkpoints on all routes coming into Wukan, the resident said.



"Anyone passing through any of these intersections gets their documents checked, and the smaller roads and pathways are blocked entirely," he said.



"The police are now in the alleyways, calling at villagers' houses, looking for five people they have arrest warrants for, and there are still five or six police vehicles patrolling around," he said.



He said none of the dozens detained in yesterday's raids has yet been released.



"They were even detaining people who took photos on their phone," the resident said. "How are the villagers to live? There's no difference between the government and armed robbers."



'No one is open'



An employee who answered the phone at a restaurant in Wukan said the mood in the once-feisty village is very low.



"We're not open for business today, because nobody is open," the employee said. "Things have been very tense here for the past couple of days."



"It's very quiet and [nobody's about]. We haven't been out this whole time," the employee said.



Calls to the the police department and government offices in nearby Lufeng city, which administers Wukan, rang unanswered during office hours on Wednesday, as did calls to the Lufeng People's Hospital, which is treating many of the injured.



Video footage of Tuesday's clashes showed people bleeding from flesh wounds from rubber bullets, ranks of police in riot gear marching through streets, and clouds of white tear gas billowing above the buildings.



Rocks and bricks lay littered on the streets after being used by villagers to fling at rows of riot police behind close-packed shields.



In Hong Kong, which shares Guangdong's cultural heritage and is the only Chinese city where Wukan's struggles have been fully reported, dozens of protesters marched to Beijing's representative office in the former British colony in protest at the crackdown on weeks of peaceful protests.



The group of veteran pro-democracy activists unfurled a banner outside the Chinese government's Central Liaison Office calling for the release of former Wukan village chief Lin Zuluan, who was jailed for three years on "bribery" charges by a court in Foshan last week.



Chanting "Release Lin Zuluan and the other Wukan villagers!" and "Standing up for your rights isn't a crime!" they fixed boxes looking like mooncakes, a traditional snack eaten at Mid-Autumn Festival, to the fence.



Some of the boxes carried slogans calling for a democratic China, while others read, in ornamental characters: "Support the fight for rights!"



Police tactics condemned



Richard Choi, deputy chairman of the Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China, condemned the use of rubber bullets in Tuesday's clashes.



"We strongly condemn the use of rubber bullets and tear gas by police, and their use of force to enter the village and detain residents," Choi said.



"We call on the international community to pay attention to the situation, so as to prevent further abuse of power and oppression by the Chinese government," he said.



"China isn't moving towards democracy. Even this example of grassroots democracy only lasted a short time, and the human rights situation has continued to worsen in the past few years, since [President] Xi Jinping came to power," Choi said.



Meanwhile, pro-democracy activist and lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung warned of parallels between events in Wukan and a recent campaign against a land deal in Hong Kong's Yuen Long district.



"To start with in Wukan, the [ruling Chinese] Communist Party village secretary used criminal gangs to beat up the villagers, and the villagers resisted, and new elections were called."



"In mainland China, it was in Wukan. In Hong Kong, it was Yuen Long," Leung said. "Yuen Long is the flip side of Wukan."



Candidates threatened



Recent elections to Hong Kong's Legislative Council were marred by threats against key candidates, including green activist Eddie Chu, who received multiple death threats in spite of winning a seat from the Yuen Long electoral district with a record number of votes in Sept. 4's poll.



Last week, the Foshan Intermediate People's Court sentenced Lin Zuluan to a jail term of three years and one month on "bribery" charges.



Lin was denied permission to see lawyers hired by his family, while many believe that his televised "confession" to the charges was made under duress.



His detention earlier this year sparked more than 80 days of protests by Wukan residents calling for his release.



While a small proportion of Wukan's lost farmland has been returned, local officials say the villagers must gather evidence to prove their ownership before any more can be handed over.



Reported by Wong Lok-to and Lam Kwok-lap for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.




Some of the damage to crops and houses that was caused by heavy flooding of the Tumen river along the road from Musan to Yonsa in North Hamyong province is shown in this photo provided by UNICEF DPRK, Sept. 13, 2016

North Koreans living along the Tumen River border with China on Tuesday described a hellish ordeal as the river rose swiftly, leaving many people scrambling for safety in a flood that has claimed at least 200 lives and devastated a wide swath of countrys poorest region.

The floods came through with such force that the Tumen River, which borders China, swelled rapidly, Dong Nam Kim, a North Korean defector and representative of the Free North Korea Global Network, told RFAs Korean Service as he relayed descriptions of the disaster from inside the country.

The water hit and destroyed villages in the Gangan Dong area in Hoeryong City, he said. Around 200 residents have been killed or are missing because of the rising flood water.

The floods ripped through the area Aug. 30 as Typhoon Lionrock lashed Northeast Asia from from August 29 to September 2.

North Korean authorities at first estimated that 44,000 people had been displaced between Onsong County, in the north, and Musan County, a major mining center 100 miles downriver.

The North Korean government has confirmed that 133 people have been killed and 395 are missing as a result of the floods, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Sunday.

But Kim said the number of dead and missing were understated.

About 400-500 households used to live in Gangan Dong, but that area was hit by the heaviest downpour, and now these households have clearly lost everything, he said. Nothing can be recovered. I asked about the expected casualties, and the sources said about 200 people have been killed or are missing.

Survivors are being housed in tents and in the Hoeryong Stadium, Kim said.

Floodgates opened

The floods may have hit the provinces in the north harder after North Korean authorities opened up the floodgates in the hydroelectric facilities upstream.

The reason for the sudden rise in the water is that several hydroelectric power generation stations located in the upper region of the Tumen River opened their floodgates, a North Korean defector who recently talked with his family in Musan County told RFA.

Its unclear why the North Korean government decided to open up the floodgates, but the North Korean defector said that with the rain falling at nearly four inches per hour caused the authorities to fear that the dams would burst, causing even more damage.

A large amount of water flowed into the Tumen River, and residents living downstream in areas such as Musan County, Hoeryong City and Onsung County were beset by severe floods, said the defector, who spoke on condition of unanimity.

While authorities may have saved the dams and prevented even wider destruction, they couldnt keep the lights on, as the flood knocked out transmission lines, power stations, roads and communications facilities.

The Ryungsoo Substation that feeds power to Hoeryong City stopped working due to the flood, cutting electricity and water supplies as well as communications, Kim said.

Cell Phone Jamming

While the flood knocked out communications, sources in North Korea and Chinese provinces across the Tumen River tell RFA that the North Korean authorities have also stepped up cell phone jamming.

Because they are sending continuous cell phone jamming signals, it is nearly impossible to use a cell phone, said a Chinese source. It has been a while since they sent electronic jamming signals, but immediately after the flood they sent out strong jamming signals.

A source in North Koreas North Hamgyung Province told RFA that people had to climb the mountains to make a call.

Because of the strong jamming signals people only can make a call from a high mountain, the source said. North Korea seems to want to prevent the spread of information on the flood victims situation to the outside world, so that they send cell phone jamming signals to the flooded areas.

RFA has previously reported that people living on the Chinese side of the border had their mobile phone service blocked by aggressive North Korean jamming.

An international pariahs humanitarian appeal

At least 140,000 people are in urgent need of assistance, the OCHA said in a statement. It estimated 100,000 people have been displaced and water supplies to about 600,000 people have been cut.

Of the more than 35,500 houses that were damaged, nearly two-thirds were destroyed. A further 8,700 buildings, including schools and public buildings, were damaged, and 16,000 hectares (39,540 acres) of arable land inundated, the OCHA said.

The government of North Korea, which called the deadly natural disaster the the strongest storm and heaviest downpour the country has experienced in decades, issued an unusual appeal for international help.

North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency on Sunday reported that the governing Workers Party called on its members and service personnel to respond to the flooding.

KCNA reported that the Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea has sent out a public appeal and announced that: We made critical decisions and redirected a nationwide 200-day mass mobilization campaign toward helping flood victims.

An inopportune time

North Koreas appeal for help could not have come at a worse time, coming after the country conducted its second nuclear test in eight months on Friday, an act of defiance that was widely condemned and is expected to draw more economic sanctions from the international community.

The test raises concerns that Pyongyang has moved a step closer to its goal of a nuclear-armed missile that could one day strike the U.S. mainland.

State TV said the atomic detonation  the fifth carried out by Kim Jong Un's isolated regime  "put on a higher level [the North's] technology of mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic rockets."

Seoul estimated the test produced the North's biggest-ever estimated explosive yield.

Fridays test detonation was smaller than both Hiroshima or Nagasaki, but it would still rip the heart out of a city, IHS Janes analyst Karl Dewey explained. If detonated in the middle of Lower Manhattan in New York, for example, it would destroy pretty much everything up to the West Village and down to about the New York Stock Exchange.

Reported by Young Jung and Sunghui Moon for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Hyosun Kim. Written in English by Brooks Boliek
Myanmar's State Counselor Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Barack Obama during a bilateral meeting at the White House in Washington, Sept. 14, 2016.

UPDATED at 9:36 A.M. EST on 2016-09-15

U.S. President Barack Obama said after a meeting with Myanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday that he is prepared to lift economic sanctions against Myanmar soon to boost trade and investment with the Southeast Asian nation.

In part because of the progress that weve seen over the last several months, I indicated, after consulting with Daw [honorific] Suu, that the United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma for quite some time, Obama said in remarks after the meeting at the White House. It is the right thing to do in order to ensure that the people of Burma see rewards from a new way of doing business and a new government.

Obama did not specify a particular date on which the removal of remaining sanctions would take place, only saying soon in response to a question.

The move is intended to provide incentives to American companies to invest in the country, formerly known as Burma.

The U.S. has more than 100 individuals and organizations in Myanmar on its official blacklist of companies prohibited from doing business with the U.S. Many of these entities have ties to the countrys former military junta, have been cited for their involvement in drug trafficking or money laundering, and trade in gemstones.

Despite the lifting of sanctions, several restrictions will remain in place, according to a U.S. State Department press release. They include a visa ban barring some former and current members of Myanmar's military from traveling to the U.S. and limitations on foreign assistance to the military.

The U.S. will also restore Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade benefits to Myanmar to boost its commercial and trading advantages, Obama said.

When Myanmar joins the GSP program in November, it will be exempt from duties on more than 5,000 product lines.

The United States Congress has been more than friendly towards our efforts towards democratic reform, and over the years, they have done many things for us, said Aung San Suu Kyi, who is on her first official visit to Washington after her National League for Democracy (NLD) party won general elections last November. And as we all know, sanctions have been one of the many steps they took in order to push democratic reforms in our country.

We think that the time has now come to remove all the sanctions that hurt us economically, because our country is in a position to open up to those who are interested in taking part in our economic enterprises, she said.

At their meeting in the White House, the leaders of the two countries agreed to form a bilateral partnership with annual dialogues, and the U.S. pledged to provide support for the Southeast Asian nations democratic and economic development.

The U.S. also said it will extend a loan guarantee with local microfinance institutions in Myanmar to provide more than $10 million in loans to small businesses there.

The U.S.-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business Council applauded the U.S.s readiness to remove remaining sanctions.

This action would remove the single biggest obstacle to U.S. companies engaging in Myanmar and allow U.S. companies to compete on a level playing field with competitors from Europe, Asia, and elsewhere, said Alexander Feldman, the organizations president and chief executive officer, in a press release.

CSOs want sanctions to remain

Myra Dahgaypaw, acting executive director of the Washington-based U.S. Campaign for Burma, called the lifting of sanctions "shocking" and atrocious.

By lifting the sanctions on Burma, the military and their companies, the U.S. will now be complicit in their ongoing atrocities, she said.

Because the sanctions specifically target certain companies, cronies, and military officials, they create a bargaining chip for government leaders to use to get what they need from the Myanmar military, she said.

Nearly 50 civil society organizations sent a letter to Obama dated Sept. 12 urging him to maintain U.S. sanctions against Myanmar because of the plight of the persecuted Muslim Rohingya minority group in western Myanmars Rakhine state and human rights abuses committed by the countrys powerful military.

While incremental progress is being made in Burma, it is vital that the U.S. continue to act in support of Burmas people, particularly those still suffering under the current government, their statement said. To lift sanctions prior to tangible change for suffering communities would be a disservice to those vulnerable peoples who deserve international protection.

The 46 organizations specifically say the U.S. should maintain sanctions until the Myanmar army stops violating international humanitarian law, and the government addresses the lack of citizenship for the Rohingya and offers them protections from persecution. They also want the sanction to be kept in place until the government makes progress in peace talks, properly manages natural resource extractions, and reforms the current constitution drawn up by the former military junta that ruled the country.

In May, the U.S. eased some of its economic sanctions against Myanmar to promote the Asian nations economic growth and political reform under the new, reform-minded government.

Washington also removed seven state-owned enterprises and three state-owned banks from its official blacklist and extended a measure to allow shipments to go through ports and airports in Myanmar, hoping to open up opportunities for trade and for more American companies to invest in the country.

Myanmar's military parliamentarian Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Moe speaks to reporters in Naypyidaw, Sept. 14, 2016. RFA Pressure at home

Though Aung San Suu Kyi has made headway with reform, overseeing the release of political prisoners and organizing a major peace conference initiative since the NLD came to power in April, she still faces pressure back home six months into the transition.

Lawmakers from the opposition military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and military members of parliament on Wednesday debated a proposal introduced last week to dismantle the countrys notorious Emergency Provisions Act of 1950, which has been used to arrest activists and jail dissidents.

Under the act, death penalties and life sentences in prison can be given to those who commit treason or sabotage against military organizations, Shorter prison terms can be meted out for a broad range of other offenses against the state, such as spreading false news, economic sabotage, and disrupting the countrys security.

A group of eight lawmakers, including three from the NLD, two military officers, two from the USDP, and an independent, participated in the discussion of the draft law.

This Emergency Provisions Act is not suitable for the current situation anymore and is unfair, said NLD lawmaker Myat Thida Tun. During all previous governments terms, people felt that this act didnt protect them, but rather oppressed them. I support the abolishment of this act because it can harm trust-building between ethnic groups and the government.

Aung San Suu Kyi has led the countrys efforts to reconcile armed ethnic groups and the Myanmar army which they have been fighting for decades so the country can achieve lasting peace and proceed with its political and democratic development.

Those who support keeping the law on the books, however, say the measure is necessary to prevent chaos and ensure stability in the country.

This law mainly protects the states and citizens interests, said military lawmaker Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Moe. If it is abolished, it would be dangerous.

Independent lawmaker Soe Thein, a former minister of the Presidents Office, suggested that a decision should be made only after further discussion of the act by experts.

This act should be abolished only after discussing its advantages and disadvantages with experts, he said. Making a law is very easy, but abolishing it is very difficult.

If there is disagreement between upper and lower houses over the draft law, lawmakers will take up the issue and decide it during a parliamentary session.

In May 2015, Myanmars lower house of parliament rejected a proposal by Aung San Suu Kyis NLDthen the main opposition partyto revoke the controversial law. The NLD has said that the law is used to curb political activity and instill fear in people.

The latest move is the third unsuccessful attempt by lawmakers to repeal or change the law since the beginning of the countrys reform period in 2011.

Rakhine commission proposal approved

Another problematic area for Aung San Suu Kyi is the approval on Wednesday of a proposal by the Rakhine state parliament to dismiss the newly appointed Rakhine advisory commission.

Aung San Suu Kyi created the independent commission in late August to review conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance, development issues, and strengthening local institutions in the restive western state. The nine-member commission headed by former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan must submit a report on its findings within 12 months.

Much of the commissions work is expected to focus on the plight of the 1.1 million stateless, Muslim Rohingya people living in Rakhine. Many Burmese refer to the Rohingya as Bengalis because they consider them illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh. The countrys Buddhist majority has long subjected the Rohingya to persecution and attacks and denied them basic rights, including citizenship.

Lawmakers from the Arakan National Party (ANP)which heavily objects to the presence of three foreigners, including Annan, on the commissionthe USDP, and the military supported the proposal and discussed standing behind the Buddhist majority in Rakhine in light of the governments efforts at national reconciliation.

The U.N. and international organizations never speak any sympathetic words about the ethnic Rakhine people, said lawmaker Aung Than Tin. Thats why we, the Rakhine people, dont trust this commission.

When commission members visited Rakhines capital Sittwe last week, they were met by Buddhist protesters who, along with ANP members, believe that the three foreigners will side with the Rohingya and will turn the issue into an international one. The commissions six other members are Myanmar citizens.

During its two-day visit to Rakhine, the commission members met 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.

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.

Because this issue can harm state security and citizens interests, it should be controlled through careful discussions with members of parliament, said lawmaker Lieutenant Colonel Min Oo. It is important for the Rakhine people to accept it because it is very sensitive issue for them.

Reported by Win Ko Ko Latt and Min Thein Aung for RFAs Myanmar Service and by Roseanne Gerin. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged $1 billion in economic aid to Afghanistan after holding talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in New Delhi.

A joint statement by the two leaders said the aid would be used for building capacity in education, health, agriculture, energy, and infrastructure in Afghanistan.

The two leaders also denounced the sponsorship of terrorism in the region, a thinly veiled dig at Pakistan.

Kabul and New Delhi accuse Islamabad of supporting militants that have carried out attacks in India and Afghanistan.

"The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives," said the joint statement.

Ghani, who arrived in New Delhi on September 14 on a two-day visit, is also expected to ask New Delhi for increased defense supplies, including lethal weapons from India, which for the first time gave four Mi-25 attack helicopters to Kabul last year.

Ghani, on his second visit to India since taking office in 2014, will also hold talks with the Indian business community and deliver an address at a prominent think tank in New Delhi.

Based on reporting by Hindustan Times and Indian Express


Two weeks ago, acting Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov convened in Grozny a conference of Islamic scholars to discuss the alleged abuse of Islamic ideas to propagate "extremism" and to establish the criteria for determining who are the true followers of the Sunna (the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad).

Conference participants, who included Ahmed El- Tayeb, rector of Cairo's Al-Azhar Islamic University, adopted a fatwa stipulating that the sole true adherents of traditional Islam are those who abide by Kalam scholastic theology, belong to one of the four madhhabs (legal schools), and follow the path of moral self-perfection espoused by the great teachers, primarily the Sufi sheikhs. It identifies the Salafi strain of Sunni Islam professed in Saudi Arabia as a "dangerous and erroneous contemporary sect," along with the extremist group Islamic State, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and the Habashis.

Several prominent theologians have taken issue with that ruling, however. The International Association of Islamic Scholars reportedly criticized the conference as "a shameful attempt to sow dissent within the Muslim community." Saudi professor Mohamad bin Abdel Rahman al-'Arefe had to disavow a report that he had branded Kadyrov an unbeliever and called for his death.



The Grozny conference was pegged to the 65th anniversary of the birth of Kadyrov's father, Akhmad, a former Chechen mufti whose four-year tenure as Kremlin-installed ruler after the 1999-2000 Chechen war is widely billed in official Chechen historiography as marking the final defeat of "international terrorists" -- a reference to forces loyal to then-Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov -- fighting in the name of Islam to "dismember the Russian Federation" by upholding Chechnyas proclaimed independence.

Ramzan Kadyrov was not present at the opening session of the conference; instead he met late that evening (August 25) in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is not known whether Kadyrov attended subsequent sessions: the proceedings were conducted in Arabic, which he has never publicly demonstrated any fluency in.

Even before the formal end of the conference on August 27, disagreement was said to have arisen among the participants over the wording of the fatwa that reportedly led to the Russian delegation leaving prematurely. (One of its members subsequently declared that they had planned to leave early anyway due to unspecified other commitments.)

The Muslim Spiritual Boards of Daghestan and North Ossetia and Russias Central Spiritual Board apparently did not send representatives to the conference. Nor did Russias Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin. The fatwa was nonetheless designated obligatory for all Russian Muslims.

The conference participants also adopted two further documents. The first was an appeal to Putin to ban Salafism in Russia and to designate as "extremism" any criticism of "traditional Islam."

It also proposed expanding the council of experts subordinate to the federal Justice Ministry, to whom courts would be required to refer any questions over whether or not a specific religious text was "extremist."

A further proposal was that the fatwa be regarded as the considered opinion of "leading Russian experts" when evaluating the activity of Muslim organizations and the preaching of individual clerics. Assuming that Kadyrov is counting on a key role in selecting those "experts" the fatwa could be adduced as legal action against respected Ingush clerics Khamzat Chumakov and Issa Tsechoyev, whom Kadyrov has publicly branded Salafis and threatened to kill.

The second document was a resolution calling for the establishment of a Council for Islamic Education, and also a Council of Ulema (Muslim scholars), which would rule on who is and is not a true follower of Sunni Islam.

Hostile Tone

The hostile and categorical tone of the fatwa, in conjunction with the proposals cited above, were widely construed by both clerics and secular commentators as an outright bid by Kadyrov to divide Russias Muslims into two categories: those who unquestioningly accept the importance he assigns to the teachings of the Sufi brotherhoods (and possibly also his own idiosyncratic and controversial version of what constitutes "traditional Islam" and those whose views are "erroneous."

What is more, as Saratov Oblast mufti Mukaddas Bibarsov points out, the question of who qualifies as a true follower of Sunni Islam was definitively resolved centuries ago, and has not (until now) been disputed. Bibarsov added that the fatwa fails to take into account crucial differences between Russias Muslim communities, specifically that Sufism is alien to the Muslims of Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, and the northwest Caucasus.

The fact remains, however, that the Grozny conference was held with the express support of the Russian president, who apparently sees no problem in implicitly empowering Kadyrov to rule on decisions central to the lives and well-being of millions of believers across Russia.

Addressing Chechen Interior Ministry personnel last week, Kadyrov described the Grozny conference as having the same effect on the "unbelievers" (meaning the Salafis) as a bomb exploding, given that "the most authoritative Islamic scholars proved in the course of this forum that there is no scientific basis to substantiate their pernicious ideas."



In other words, Kadyrov apparently believes he has been given carte blanche by respected clerics to take any action he likes to punish -- with impunity -- anyone who dares to question his own religious views.
So why is the Kremlin so afraid of honoring Boris Nemtsov's memory?

In the more than 18 months since the opposition leader and former deputy prime minister was slain, the authorities have repeatedly rejected appeals for a permanent memorial on the downtown Moscow bridge where he was shot dead.

And adding insult to injury, pro-Kremlin groups have repeatedly vandalized the makeshift memorials that Nemstov's supporters have erected there.

This week, however, Nemtsov's supporters are giving it another try.

State Duma deputy Dmitry Gudkov and journalist Timofey Dzyadko have sent 30,000 signatures to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin calling for a small plaque that simply reads: "In everlasting memory of Boris Nemtsov who was killed at this location on February 27, 2015."

Few, however, expect the effort to be successful.

Because for Vladimir Putin's regime, the memory of Boris Nemtsov is a dangerous thing -- perhaps more dangerous than Nemtsov the man ever was.

It's dangerous because it represents an honest form of politics that the Kremlin elite shuns.

It's dangerous because it reminds people of a man who was willing to give up his official privileges and take to the streets to fight for what he believed in.

It's dangerous because Nemtsov symbolizes the Russia that could have been -- but never was.

His memory will be honored someday, but certainly not by this regime. They're still afraid of Nemtsov and everything he represents.

Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page.
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."
Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev has cancelled a trip to the Czech Republic due to health reasons.

The 85-year-old had been scheduled to attend an international conference on European security in Prague from September 16 to September 18.

Organizers of the conference said on September 14 that Gorbachev's doctors advised him from traveling after he felt ill on September 13.

Gorbachev told the Interfax news agency that his decision not to travel to Prague "is not so much about the worsening of my health state, but about the large amount of work I am currently doing" at the Gorbachev Foundation think tank, one of the organizers of the conference.

Gorbachev, who was to be main guest at the event, was also scheduled to meet Czech President Milos Zeman.

Gorbachev's last official visit to the Czech Republic was in 1999, when he received the top state award, the Order of the White Lion, from former Czech President Vaclav Havel.

Gorbachev's liberalization policies in the 1980s known as "perestroika" led to the end of the Cold War.

Based on reporting by Interfax and ceskenoviny.cz


Mohammad Nayeb-Zehi was among the hundreds of worshippers who gathered on September 30 at the Great Mosalla, a religious site in Iran's southeastern city of Zahedan, for Friday Prayers.

Just hours later, the 16-year-old's family learned he was dead.

Nayeb-Zehi was among the scores of people gunned down by security forces in a brutal crackdown following anti-government protests in Zahedan, the provincial capital of Sistan-Baluchistan Province, which is home to the country's Baluch minority.

"He was a simple laborer and not political," Nayeb-Zehi's brother, Ahmad, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda in a telephone interview from Zahedan, adding that his sibling had been shot in the heart. "We're in pain, and we cannot accept it."

The crackdown in Zahedan came amid weeks-long nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died on September 16, days after she was detained by Iran's morality police.

In Sistan-Baluchistan, public anger at the authorities escalated amid reports that a 15-year-old Baluch girl had been raped by a police official in the province's southern port city of Chabahar.

The violence erupted soon after protesters gathered outside a police station near the central mosque in Zahedan. Members of the crowd chanted anti-government slogans, and some threw rocks. Security forces responded with deadly force by firing on the crowd from the station, according to witnesses.

Security forces also raided the central mosque and the nearby Great Mosalla and opened fire on worshippers using live ammunition, rights groups said, adding that many were shot in the head, heart, neck, or torso, revealing a clear intent to kill or seriously wound.

At least 94 people were killed and 350 wounded on that day, referred to as "Bloody Friday," according to the U.S.-based Iran Human Rights Documentation Center. At least 13 minors were among those killed, including Nayeb-Zehi.

The victims were overwhelmingly Baluch -- a mostly Sunni ethnic group that has long faced disproportionate discrimination at the hands of the Iranian authorities.

"He was martyred inside the Mosalla while holding his prayer mat," said Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi.

Nayeb-Zehi's family first visited Zahedan's Khatam al-Anbia hospital, hoping he was among the wounded. They later found his body in a seminary at the Great Mosalla.

"We entered a room there and saw about 10 bodies," said Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi. "[Mohammad] was among them."

He said the authorities prevented the family from filming the scene. "I told them this has to be documented, it has to be published by international media," he said, adding that footage later emerged on social media showing the gruesome scene at the seminary.

The family refused to send Nayeb-Zehi's body to the morgue. Instead, his body lay in the living room for around 24 hours before he was buried.

"We said he was martyred and there was no need for an autopsy," said Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi.

The authorities accused Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni militant group, of attacking the police station. The group is recognized as a terrorist organization by both Iran and the United States and has previously claimed deadly attacks in Sistan-Baluchistan targeting Iranian security forces.

But local and independent sources have rejected the authorities' claims.

The authorities have also reported a much lower number of fatalities, announcing that only 19 people, including several members of the security forces, were killed.

Ahmad Nayeb-Zehi said the authorities were "rubbing salt into the wounds of the people" by claiming "terrorists" were involved.

He said he witnessed a military helicopter shooting at civilians near the Great Mosalla. "I haven't even seen such scenes in Hollywood movies," he said. "A helicopter was shooting at people. A lady was shot in front of my eyes."

RFE/RL could not verify his account. But activists have accused security forces of shooting at protestors from helicopters.

"I don't know what the intention of this crime was," he said. "Our only demand from the establishment is for the murderers of our [family members] to be punished."

The killings have led to widespread anger in Sistan-Baluchistan, one of Iran's poorest provinces.

Anti-establishment protests have been reported in Zahedan since the crackdown, including on October 14 and October 21, when protesters took to the streets after Friday Prayers and chanted "Death to the dictator."

During his Friday Prayers sermon on October 21, influential Sunni cleric Molavi Abdolhamid Ismaeelzahi said senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were "responsible" for the September 30 killings.

"We are surprised by the silence of the high-ranking officials," he said in his sermon, which was posted on his website.

"Scores were killed here without any reason. I don't have the exact number. Some have reported 90, some say less, some say more," Ismaeelzahi added.

He also said people will not be satisfied until "those who killed the people" are brought to justice.

The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center said the events of September 30 amounted to "a massacre of protesters by security forces."

"The government's total denial of responsibility for the massacring of citizens by its security apparatus is consistent with similar past denials and is evidence that internal calls for investigation of such crimes are insufficient," said the rights group, which documents human rights violations in Iran.
The high-profile trial of a Kazakh businessman charged with attempting to overthrow the government, extremism, and illegal weapon possession has begun in Astana.

The Astana Military Court began the hearings behind closed doors on September 14.

Tokhtar Toleshov, chief executive of one of Kazakhstan's largest breweries, was detained in January along with 24 other suspects, including the ex-deputy prosecutor-general and the former chief of the South Kazakhstan regional police. All 25 men are on trial.

Toleshov's detention followed a crackdown by Astana on both pro-Russian and nationalist activists.

Toleshov had run the Kazakh office of a Russia-based organization called the Center for the Analysis of Terrorist Threats. He had also advised Russia's parliament on matters of economic cooperation and religion.

Based on reporting by inform.kz and nur.kz


A Kyrgyz man convicted of attempting to kill a prominent theologian has had his sentence reduced from life imprisonment to 20 years in prison.

Kyrgyz Supreme Court spokeswoman Ainura Toktosheva told RFE/RL on September 14 that an appeals court changed the sentence on August 29 because the maximum punishment for attempted murder is 20 years in prison.

On June 9, Bishkek's Birinchi Mai District Court found Alibek Tilek-Uulu guilty of attempted murder and sentenced him to life in prison.

Kadyr Malikov, the director of the Religion, Law, and Politics analytical center in Bishkek, survived the stabbing attack near his house on November 26.

Tilek-Uulu and another suspected attacker, Ryskul Beishenaliev, were detained in Turkey, from where they reportedly planned to go to Syria to join Islamic State militants.

Tilek-Uulu was extradited to Kyrgyzstan in March.
A court in Kyrgyzstan has sentenced two local women to prison after convicting them of attempting to recruit a young woman in the ranks of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Syria.

A court in the southern region of Jalal-Abad on September 14 sentenced local residents Mokhirakhon Akimzhanova, 55, and Nargizakhon Raimzhanova, 30, to six and seven years in prison, respectively.

The court said that Akimzhanova and Raimzhanova tried to persuade another Kyrgyz woman via the Internet to join IS extremists in Syria.

Investigators said that Raimzhanova's brother is fighting alongside IS militants in Syria.

In recent months, dozens of people have been detained or jailed in the former Soviet republics for allegedly recruiting fighters for extremist groups in Syria and Iraq.
Central Asia experts have recently voiced a consensus view: A leadership change in the region won't translate into real changes.

The verdict is logical. Yet a look at known trends suggests changes might come sooner than anticipated.

The pressure for change is likely to grow, especially, in Uzbekistan, as several forces are working against the status quo. Some of them are beyond the authorities' control, at least, in the short-to-medium term.

One obvious factor: The Russian economy, having entered what looks like a long-term recession, is unlikely to serve as a safety valve for Uzbekistan's unemployment problem. Some 2 million Uzbeks have been working in Russia, and the money they send home has propped up the Uzbek economy. As the jobs and remittances disappear, the Uzbek government will face a fiscal challenge. Already last year it was struggling to pay even the salaries of the police, a group whose loyalty is crucial. Then there are around half a million youths graduating from high school every year; they, too, need jobs.

Another risk factor is that Uzbekistan is losing its agricultural capacity. This is significant for an agrarian economy in which half of the people live in the countryside and one-third work in farming. In the decade from 1991 to 2001 alone, some provinces lost 14-15 percent of their arable land to soil degradation. Such loss almost certainly has continued apace, since there has been no discernable change in farming methods -- suggesting that today the situation is probably much worse. Adding to this, droughts appear to have become common and river flows are down: Local glaciers are losing about 5 gigatons of ice per year. (For comparison's sake, Germany consumes around 3.5 gigatons of drinking water annually)

Last but not least, civil-society activists are learning to be effective. The Cotton Campaign has been successful, and Uzbek officials can no longer ignore the calls to stop using forced labor. In Kazakhstan, rallies have compelled the government to suspend an unpopular land reform. Even Turkmenistan has seen public protests that halted bureaucrats' bizarre decisions.

Fleeting Loyalty?

With economic, demographic, and environmental trends that are clear, fairly rapid and in some cases mutually reinforcing, Uzbekistan seems to be headed toward an upheaval. And what happens there will affect the rest of Central Asia.

Recently, commentators have observed that a large number of young Uzbeks seem to genuinely mourn the passing of their country's leader Islam Karimov, who died earlier this month, and apparently don't mind the regime.

This loyalty, however, may prove fleeting, potentially echoing Egypt's experience. There, too, the majority of the population (75 percent) is under 25 and had known only one leader, Hosni Mubarak, who had ruled for almost 30 years. They had been indeed infantilized by a great leader narrative. Yet this didn't stop them from taking to Tahrir Square once a sufficient number of them realized the regime was failing to deliver jobs or opportunities.

The authorities have known of the challenges -- and ignored them for years and, in some cases, for decades, even as the problems grew deeper and wider. This makes their grip on power potentially brittle: They are fully in control until they aren't.

Thankfully, there is still time, and the new leaders might recognize they are facing forces they can't dictate to and thus choose to be pragmatic.

Potential Breathing Space

For example, Uzbekistan could replicate other dictatorships' success in agricultural reform. Back in the 1980s, both Vietnam and China solved pressing issues overnight by simply giving their farmers some breathing space. As a result, jobs were created, incomes rose, and people felt more content -- all improving political stability, a concept favored by Central Asian governments.

In the absence of such pragmatism, change could take a nonlinear path. This needn't be accompanied by bloodshed, as some might fear. The world has accumulated a treasure trove of knowledge that the regime and its opponents could use.

The experiences of other countries -- like the 1989 revolutions in Eastern Europe -- offer insight on how to steer such changes down a nonviolent path that improves life for most people, including the ruling elites. Even those transitions that have failed (the Arab Spring) or struggled to succeed (Ukraine's Maidan) offer valuable lessons on mistakes to be avoided.

In the meantime, human rights defenders, civil-society activists, and independent journalists can rely on the wisdom of an earlier generation. By 1982, the Soviet dissident movement had been crushed and its prospects looked grim. Andrei Sakharov, in a letter from his internal exile in Gorky, wrote, "Fortunately, the future is unpredictable and also -- because of quantum effects -- uncertain." Six years later, he elaborated in an interview, "I believe the future is unpredictable and uncertain, it is created by all of us, step by step, in our infinitely complex interaction."

T. Kamilev is the pen name of a Central Asian blogger.


The Russian military says its air force has struck Islamic State (IS) fighters preparing an attack on the Syrian city of Palmyra.

Russian news agencies quoted senior army official Viktor Poznikhir as saying on September 14 that the aircraft bombed the day before an area north of Palmyra where IS militants were concentrated.

Poznikhir said 250 fighters were killed and some 15 pickups with mounted machine guns and antiaircraft guns were destroyed in the strikes

He also called for a 48-hour extension of the cessation of hostilities in Syria that Moscow brokered with the United States last week.

He added that rebels had violated the cease-fire 60 times since it came into effect at sunset on September 12.

The truce does not apply to extremist groups.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
ON MY MIND

Vladimir Putin is not only bringing in a new generation of officials. As Leonid Bershidsky notes in a piece featured below, he's bringing in a new generation of ideologues.

There's new Kremlin chief of staff Anton Vaino, with his odd futurological theories; there's the openly Stalinist new education minister Olga Vasilyeva; and there's the the new Children's Rights Ombudsman Anna Kuznetsova, the staunchly traditionalist wife of an Orthodox priest.

In another piece featured below, Anton Barbashin shows how this social conservatism is being put into practice in Novosibirsk.

Putin appears to be laying the ideological groundwork for his fourth term in the Kremlin -- and possibly beyond. He's moving away from the functionaries he relied on until now, and bringing in the true believers.

If this trend continues, and the indications are that it probably will, the social conservatism and anti-Westernism the Kremlin has pushed for the past four years is probably here to stay -- and will become even more strident.

IN THE NEWS

The head of the Russian state air carrier serving President Vladimir Putin and other top-ranking officials have been placed under house arrest on charges of abuse of office.

The world's main anti-doping regulator says one of its principal databases has been attacked by a Russian hacking group linked to other notorious computer hacks, including that of the U.S. Democratic Party.

Russia has been stripped of two medals from the 2008 Beijing Olympics in doping retests.

Rights groups say the Russian-imposed authorities in Crimea are using threats and intimidation to get out the vote in parliamentary elections that Ukraine has denounced as illegitimate because they are being held on territory seized by Moscow.

Russia has accused U.S.-backed rebel groups of having repeatedly violated the latest cease-fire in Syria and urged the United States to pressure violators into compliance.

The fire safety engineer of a Moscow printing house where 17 people were killed in a fire last month has turned himself in.

The leaders of the separatists in Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have announced a unilateral cease-fire starting at midnight on September 14.

Ukraine says three government troops have been killed and 15 wounded in fighting with pro-Russia separatists in the country's east.

The Russian Finance Ministry has proposed cutting funding for state media.

An aide to a Chechen prosecutor has been detained over a shooting at a Moscow wedding.

Belarusian lawmaker Hanna Kanapatskaya, among the first opposition parliamentarians to be elected in 20 years, says she might even take part in a presidential election in the future "if my parliamentary tenure works well."

WHAT I'M READING

Propaganda And Subversion

Christopher Paul and William Courtney of the RAND Corporation have a new piece out titled: Russian Propaganda Is Pervasive, And America Is Behind The Power Curve In Countering It.

"Russia's approach to propaganda emphasizes creating first impressions, which tend to be resilient, and then reinforcing them through repetition," the authors write.

Likewise, defense analyst J. MIchael Waller, a member of the editorial board and the NATO Defence Strategic Communications Journal, has a piece out based on a lecture he gave to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center in Fort Bragg, North Carolina on "understanding subversion."

Putin's New Ideologues

In his column for Bloomberg, political commentator Leonid Bershidsky looks at the ideological traits uniting Putin's recent appointments.

"Putin is doing his best to fill the ideological vacuum in Russia since the fall of Communism. His officials are now messengers of a new platform that roughly matches the views of the religious right in Europe and the U.S., but with a Russian flavor," Bershidsky writes.

"If Putin were a U.S. president, these appointments would have been the equivalent of drafting top officials from the most extreme church congregations and conspiracy theory websites. This is something new for Putin: For most of his reign, his regime was distinctly non-ideological."

The Lessons Of Novosibirsk

Writing on the Kennan Institute's Russia Files blog, Anton Barbashin, managing editor of Intersection Magazine, takes a look at the rise of social conservatism in Novosibirsk.

"The message coming out of Novosibirsk resembles the general message of the defeat of the 20112013 mass protests: the harder the antigovernment forces strike, the harder the government will strike back," Barbashin writes.

"The goal of Novosibirsk was to show that any hope for change is illusory, any mass activity and civic cooperation punishable by law. On streets where only a few years ago artists and progressive youth marched the ultranationalists and Orthodox activists now hold sway."

Beyond Kremlinology

Sean Guillory of the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Russian and Eastern European Studies has a piece in OpenDemocracy explaining why Kremlinology isn't sufficient to understand today's Russia.

"I am not arguing for a total rejection of Kremlinology," Guillory writes.

"I simply urge us to recognise its limits. The real opportunity the Kremlins opacity offers is not doubling down on soothsaying and seating chart analysis, but shifting gears altogether. The locus of power may emanate from central Moscow, but the application of that power on Russians and their resistance to it is localised."

Previewing The Elections

Chatham House's Andrew Monaghan on what you need to know about Russia's September 18 legislative elections.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier says Ukrainian leaders have agreed to observe a new cease-fire for the country's east.

Steinmeier was speaking in Kyiv on September 14 at a joint press conference with his French and Ukrainian counterparts, Jean-Marc Ayrault and Pavlo Klimkin, following talks with President Petro Poroshenko.

"We came with a promise from Moscow that effective [September 15] there will be a truce that will last at least a week," Steinmeier also said, a day after the leaders of the Russia-backed separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared a unilateral cease-fire.

The sides earlier agreed to abide by a truce to coincide with the start of the school year on September 1, but it failed to stop the fighting between government forces and separatists that has killed more than 9,500 people since April 2014.

Ayrault urged the Ukrainian leadership to commit themselves more fully to the February 2015 Minsk agreement brokered by Berlin and Paris, saying, "There is no Plan B."

The peace plan envisages holding elections in separatist-held areas and partial autonomy for the country's eastern regions.

Klimkin said an agreement with Russia over "the sequence of steps and guarantees" for implementing the peace terms was needed.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, dpa, and AFP
KYIV -- Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko has announced that his office has opened a criminal probe of Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, raising the specter of another public blow to a fractious ruling coalition.

But while the September 14 statement was likely to erode confidence at home and abroad in the country's center-right government, which has been accused of foot-dragging on cleaning up rampant corruption and nepotism, its effect on Avakov was less clear.

The NGO activist whose complaint reportedly sparked the prosecutor-general's announcement said that as far as he knew, it was up to a special anticorruption prosecutor -- not Lutsenko's office -- to pursue the accusation.

In a televised interview with Channel 24, Lutsenko cited a letter of complaint from Vitaliy Shabunin, head of the Kyiv-based Anticorruption Action Center, saying, "I receive more than a dozen letters from people, including Shabunin, whose letter was the premise for an inquiry into -- you won't believe it -- Interior Minister Avakov."

Shabunin subsequently told RFE/RL that anticorruption investigations into any minister's actions fall under the jurisdiction of the National Anticorruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). Moreover, he said, he never sent any letter to Lutsenko about Avakov.

"Whatever letter and investigation Lutsenko is talking about is a mystery to me," Shabunin said.

Avakov is a member of the national populist People's Front party, which governs alongside Lutsenko's party, the president's Petro Poroshenko Bloc.

The People's Front has long advocated tougher action against Russia-backed separatists who are fighting government forces in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, earning it the nickname "party of war" in some circles. Some of its most prominent members have pushed for measures that include declaring martial law and labeled as "collaborators and terrorists" some journalists who have reported on the conflict.

Since taking power after the Euromaidan unrest that sent pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych fleeing to Russia in 2014, the Poroshenko Bloc and People's Front have grappled for the upper hand.

Avakov has gained clout as he survived one cabinet reshuffle after another. He was reappointed to the job in April after cabinet changes that accompanied the exit of fellow People's Front member Arseniy Yatsenyuk as prime minister in favor of Poroshenko ally Volodymyr Hroysman.

Shabunin said his anticorruption center brought to NABU's attention a case involving 18 hectares of land near the northeastern city of Kharkiv that is thought to be owned by Avakov's family.

Lutsenko's spokeswoman, Larisa Sargan, in a Facebook post downplayed suspicions that Lutsenko was in any way targeting Avakov. "The charges against the current interior minister could be interpreted as a matter of the imagination that cannot be grounds for prosecution of the minister," she said.

Sargan suggested the anticorruption center might be seeking to drive a wedge between the country's law enforcement authorities with its allegations, adding, "The [Prosecutor-General's Office] and the Interior Ministry are aware that they have a common enemy -- crime and corruption -- against which they are fighting."

Avakov has been singled out by Poroshenko allies in the past.

On August 24, Serhiy Kaplin, a Poroshenko Bloc lawmaker, introduced a bill calling for Avakov's dismissal based on perceived failures to safeguard Ukrainians or lead the fight against rising crime.

The two-year fight against Moscow-backed separatists since Russia forcibly annexed Crimea has sapped precious resources from Kyiv and left swaths of territory in Donetsk and Luhansk outside Ukrainian government control, increasing Ukrainian dependence on international loans and support.
When prospective voters in Novgorod recently received campaign materials from Russia's ruling party for this month's national legislative elections, they had good reason to scratch their heads.



Under the slogan, "Let's Build The Future Together!" was an illustration showing the new era United Russia apparently envisages for the city. It was an image of a Legoland-like scene showing modern high-rises and factories. The scene bore little resemblance to Novgorod, a smallish city midway between Moscow and St. Petersburg that is famous for its 16th-century kremlin, or citadel -- a major tourist attraction on Russia's Golden Ring of historic, riverside towns.

In fact, with its red double-decker bus, a train painted in the colors of Sweden's national railroad, and cars driving on the left side of the road, it didn't look like anywhere else in Russia either.



The Russian Internet was soon busy trying to learn where the picture had come from and why United Russia was using it as part of its campaign for the September 18 vote.



The source was soon discovered. The picture, and a handful of other, similar illustrations that appeared in the United Party's local election publication, turned out to have been purloined from a collection of drawings a Swedish illustrator prepared for a special supplement of Britain's Financial Times newspaper three years ago. The supplement, called The Specialist, targets readers interested in real estate and infrastructure, and the pictures were created to show an idealized urban environment.



The artist, Nils-Petter Ekwall, says he was taken fully by surprise when someone in Russia anonymously contacted him to ask whether he had sold his work to United Russia. The individual attached a scan of the party's publication.



There was a large logo, I didn't recognize what it was, of something like a polar bear with a Russian flag on top," he told RFE/RL on September 12. "I googled it and I discovered that it was actually the largest party in Russia, United Russia, which had used my illustration without telling me or asking me."



Ekwall's surprise prompted a Swedish TV station to ask United Russia if it had used the artist's works without observing his international copyright. A party official in Novgorod, Roman Zolin, confirmed the use but said it was limited to a small number of "postcards."



However, the truth turned out to be somewhat different.



"I got some information from people [in Novgorod] that this magazine is spread all over Novgorod," Ekwall says. "The circulation is 144,000 copies. That's larger than [just some] postcards."



Ekwall says he has alerted the Association of Swedish Illustrators and Graphic Designers and that he expects their legal representatives to take up the case, along with other groups involved in international copyright protection.



But whether United Russia will pay any more attention to his copyright now than it did before remains uncertain.



"Even after it became clear that, in fact, the circulation was much more [than acknowledged], they have not contacted me directly," Ekwall says.



As for why United Russia chose his pictures to illustrate the city of the future, the Russian-language Internet is still far from solving the mystery.



Commenting on one forum, one observer speculated it might be because Ekwall's drawings show a city with no inhabitants, as they detail infrastructure such as buildings, energy-transmission lines, and transportation.



"All just normal for United Russia," the observer quips. "A world where people don't matter".

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service correspondent Mark Krutov in Moscow
Uzbekistan's acting president, Shavkat Mirziyaev, has appointed Abdulla Aripov as deputy prime minister in charge of information and telecommunications, a similar position to one Aripov left four years ago.

Aripov left the post in August 2012 amid a corruption scandal involving allegations that licenses were illegally granted to Uzdunrobita, an Uzbek subsidiary of Russian telecom giant Mobile TeleSystems (MTS).

Uzdunrobita was controlled at the time by Gulnara Karimova, the elder daughter of late President Islam Karimov.

Aripov's departure from his post came as Uzdunrobita fell out of favor with the government, which revoked the company's license, accusing it of regulatory violations.

Karimova, once seen as a possible successor to her authoritarian father, was allegedly put under house arrest in 2014 amid widespread corruption allegations.

Aripov's new portfolio as a deputy prime minister also includes youth policies and culture.

The Uzbek government announced several other cabinet appointments on September 14, including new finance and education ministers.

Mirziyaev became interim president on September 8 following Karimov's death.
In a special meeting Wednesday, the Petersburg City Council did not reach a decision on who would succeed former City Manager William E. Johnson III, but the presence of a prospective candidate at City Hall fueled speculation that the council members already have made up their minds.

The possible appointment of Rochelle Small-Toney, a deputy city manager in Fayetteville, N.C., resulted in avid discussion among residents on various Petersburg-related message boards, because like Johnson  who was fired March 3 after a stream of complaints over his handling of the citys financial crisis  Small-Toney is no stranger to controversy.

In 2012, Small-Toney had to resign a previous position as the city manager of Savannah, Ga., after a series of problems.

But on Wednesday, she appeared optimistic that she soon would take on Petersburgs financial crisis, including a projected $12 million budget gap and nearly $19 million in unpaid obligations.

I wouldnt be in this process right now if I didnt think I was the right fit for the job, Small-Toney said in an interview Wednesday evening. At this point, it appears that there are elected officials who believe that I am the right fit.

Small-Toney disputed allegations of fiscal mismanagement during her tenure in Savannah.

You need to go back a little further; there were no financial mismanagement issues in Savannah, she said. The things that are out there in the media, thats one side of the story.

According to a report by the Savannah Morning News, the controversies included a multimillion-dollar backlog in purchasing operations; questions about her affiliation with an emergency management director who provided false information in a resume; doubts about the pay she approved for consultants; problems with her travel reimbursements; and a number of difficulties surrounding the purchase and attempted development of a shopping center.

Mayor W. Howard Myers, who left City Hall with Small-Toney more than an hour after the City Council meeting ended, rebutted the criticism of the councils likely candidate to steer the city through the current fiscal crisis.

If you can tell me you can find someone in life that has a squeaky-clean image, send them my way, Myers said in an interview.

In its nearly 90-minute closed meeting Wednesday, the City Council was unable to work out all details in what would be Small-Toneys contract, Myers said.

City Council members most likely will continue discussion of the city manager selection at Tuesdays meeting.

We need more time to make those decisions, he said.

Im not upset about it, and she was here as a part of the process, Myers said. Having her here was a wonderful opportunity for council to view her outside of the interview process. We selected her from a pool of applicants; we feel that she is quite capable.

Myers did not say whether the City Council is still considering other candidates or whether interim City Manager Dironna Moore Belton, widely considered a possible candidate for the job, still was in the mix. She did not attend Wednesdays meeting.

Since her appointment in March, Belton has worked to free up cash flow for the citys daily operations and asked the state for help in sorting out Petersburgs finances. In July, a team of state auditors under Virginia Secretary of Finance Richard F. Ric Brown identified the citys unpaid obligation and found that the budget gap was much higher than initially believed.

Small-Toney said that she would take a multifaceted approach to turn the city around.

Making it financially solvent certainly is the highest priority, but simultaneously, making the environment and the conditions such that the developers will want to continue to develop here, she said. This is a beautiful town, with many, many opportunities.

When asked why she wants to come to a city dealing with a massive financial crisis, Small-Toney said that she considers it a work of passion.

Its the same reason why firefighters run into the burning building; they have a passion for what they do, she said.

At her current position in Fayetteville, Small-Toney had a starting salary of $158,500. Details of her possible contract with Petersburg have not been revealed.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Small-Toney grew up in Wilmington, N.C. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1978 with a bachelor of arts in political science and received her masters degree in public administration in 1981.

For much of the 1980s, she worked as an intake counselor for a juvenile court in Durham, N.C., followed by a five-year stint in employee relations for the city of Wilmington.

She has been married to her husband, Leroy Toney Sr., since 1985. They have two adult children.

Small-Toney also has some Virginia roots: Prior to her tenure in Savannah, she served as assistant city manager in Charlottesville and in Danville.

Petersburgs City Council has been criticized repeatedly for excluding public input in their search for a new city manager and discarding a previous plan to appoint a member of the public to a panel tasked with reviewing applications.

In the application process for the citys top position that the council approved May 17, the body had agreed to vote to select one citizen to be a member of the interview and selection process.

Myers, who remains under fire for what critics call a lack for leadership, remains unfazed by continuing calls for his resignation.
Henrico Countys top prosecutor told a judge Wednesday that she intends to seek the death penalty in the case against a 23-year-old man accused of killing his parents on Easter Sunday.

William Roy Brissette is charged with two counts each of capital murder and use of a firearm in the deaths of Henry J. Brissette III, 59, and Martha B. Brissette, 56. The punishment for a capital conviction is life in prison or death.

The Brissettes were found shot to death March 27 in their home in the 3800 block of Forge Road, where their son also lived.

Henrico Commonwealths Attorney Shannon L. Taylor said her decision was based on the vileness of the crime and the likelihood of future dangerousness.

To obtain the death penalty, prosecutors must prove that William Brissette likely would commit future criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society, or that his conduct in committing the offense for which he stands charged was outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhuman in that it involved torture, depravity of mind or an aggravated battery to the victim, according to the state code.

The language in Taylors formal notice seeking the death penalty mirrors the laws.

Taylor now has until Nov. 8 to file a bill of particulars that details evidence to support the death penalty.

Capital defender Doug Ramseur, who with Jeffrey Everhart is representing Brissette, said he was disappointed with the decision and that it changes the focus of the defense.

Capital defense cases require intense evaluations of the defendants background and mental health, undergo heightened scrutiny from higher courts, and are very costly, Ramseur said.

During her five-year tenure, Taylor never has sought the death penalty.

In 2012, she downgraded a capital murder charge to first-degree murder in a gruesome slaying of a pregnant woman and her unborn child, citing the complexity of the charge and evidentiary problems in the case.

Gregory L. Nelson Jr. is serving a life term after he pleaded guilty to the amended charge in the womans death.

Under the original capital charge  a holdover from Taylors predecessor  Nelson could have been the first person in Virginia sentenced to death under a 2004 statute that creates a capital offense when an expectant mother is killed and her fetus also is willfully targeted and dies.

In 2013 in Henrico, Jamon Burroughs was charged with capital murder in the death of Farooq M. Bhimdi, who was shot inside his neighborhood store, but the death penalty was not pursued. A jury found Burroughs guilty in 2014 and sentenced him to life.

Death penalty cases have not been uncommon in Virginia  the state has executed the third-most inmates in the U.S. since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, behind only Oklahoma and Texas.

But Ramseur, whose office recently defended Russell E. Brown III in the capital murder trial of slain master state trooper Junius A. Walker in Dinwiddie County, said juries and judges are far more likely to impose a life sentence than death, such as in the Brown case.

Since the death penalty was reinstated, Virginia has executed 111 people. The last person executed, Alfredo Prieto in 2015, apparently was the first in modern state history carried out with a pending stay request before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Louise Thornton, who has taught in Prince George County for 50 years, is one of eight educators vying for the title of the states Teacher of the Year.

During a surprise visit to her classroom, the Prince George High School government teacher got word Tuesday morning that she was named the regions top teacher and now is in the running for the statewide designation.

Thornton began teaching history and government at Prince George High in the fall of 1967. She was 22.

Before moving to the high school, she spent a year teaching sixth grade at L.L. Beazley Elementary School.

I was led in the right direction because these young people are my family. And every year I get five families because I have five classes, Thornton said earlier this year.

Im glad Im a teacher. Not to say I havent had difficult experiences, but I wouldnt change a thing.

Thornton is one of eight teachers who got word Tuesday that they had been selected as their regions Teacher of the Year.

The teachers were nominated by their individual districts, and one was chosen from each of the states eight regions.

A group featuring teachers and industry professionals will decide on the state honor, which will be announced at a ceremony in Richmond on Oct. 17.

That winner will then be nominated for national Teacher of the Year.

Today, we recognize eight teachers in Virginia who exhibit integrity in their profession and inspire their students to high achievement, said Steven R. Staples, Virginias superintendent of public instruction, at an announcement in Fredericksburg on Tuesday.

These educators are recognized as leaders in their field, setting examples academically and personally among their peers and within their classrooms.

In addition to Thornton, who teaches in Region 1, the regional teachers of the year are:
CHARLOTTESVILLE  University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan looked forward to the schools bicentennial celebration during her annual address to the Faculty Senate on Monday.

The universitys bicentennial celebration will span two years. It will start in October 2017, which will mark the 200-year anniversary of the laying of the first cornerstone. It will end in October 2019, which is the 200th anniversary of the universitys founding  overseen by its first rector, Thomas Jefferson.

The future looks especially bright right now because were approaching a momentous period in our universitys history, one that will draw together every member of our community  those of us here in Charlottesville and others across the nation and around the world, Sullivan said during her State of the University address.

Dr. Robert W. Battle, a faculty member of U.Va.s School of Medicine, and Tom F. Farrell II, a former U.Va. rector and now president of Dominion Resources Inc., will head the bicentennial planning commission.

Sullivan said the bicentennial celebrations will include a look at the role of slavery in the universitys history. So far, the university is planning a restoration of the African-American Cemetery at U.Va. and a new course on the legacy of slavery.

After Sullivans speech, Battle talked about some of the other topics the commission plans to tackle: the history of race relations at U.Va., the role of women on Grounds and the future of education.

Its a time to be very honest about our history, but also to learn from it, he said.

The announcement comes during the same week as the completion of a two-year project to restore the Rotunda.

One of the objectives of the restoration was to make the Rotunda a gathering place for students. The structure, which once housed the universitys library, has become more of a tourist destination than student space in recent years.

With the reopening this fall, the Rotunda is once again serving as a center of student life and learning, Sullivan said.

Sullivan dedicated a portion of her speech to the universitys ongoing hiring push  which is central to the multiyear strategic plan (known as the Cornerstone Plan) that was approved in 2013.

Last year, U.Va. hired 107 tenure and tenure-track faculty, Sullivan said. The total number hired rises above 200 when non-tenure track faculty are included.

About 40 percent of tenure and tenure-track hires were women, and an additional 31 percent were underrepresented minorities, making it the most diverse hiring class in U.Va.s history, Sullivan said.

The Strategic Investment Fund came up during a question and answer session after the speech. Sullivan said the fund is an important part of the universitys long-term plan.

Up to this point, the administration has found about $55 million in efficiencies and savings, which helped pay for some of the improvements, she said. The administration is now looking to make major overhauls to technology and research infrastructure, she said.

The university spent the summer battling allegations  first brought by former Rector Helen E. Dragas  that the $2.3 billion fund amounted to a slush fund. Following an examination of the fund, state auditors said it was not a slush fund and that officials had not managed it unethically.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps vice presidential running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, will speak at Liberty Universitys convocation Oct. 12.

Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr., who has been a vocal supporter of Trump since after the real estate mogul spoke at convocation in January, said Pence reached out after a recent editorial in The Washington Post by Falwell.

I think students will very much enjoy hearing from Gov. Pence, Falwell said. I think hell be very well-received at Liberty. I dont think Donald Trump could have chosen a better running mate than the governor.

Pence represented Indiana in Congress from 2001 to 2013 and became the states governor in 2013. Falwell said he doesnt know what Pence plans to speak about.

Although nonprofit organizations, such as Liberty University, are prohibited from supporting or opposing political candidates, Falwell said his endorsement came as a private citizen, not as Libertys president.

Falwell is a member of the Trump campaigns Evangelical Advisory Board. Most of his counsel to the campaign has come via text and phone calls, he said.

Falwell previously said he invited all presidential candidates for the 2016 election cycle because school attorneys believe it would protect Libertys tax-exempt status as a nonprofit. He also has expressed interest in representing multiple viewpoints.

Libertys convocation, the thrice-weekly student assembly frequently drawing more than 12,000 people, was a campaign stop for several Republican hopefuls during the recent presidential nomination contest.

Republican presidential hopefuls Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson spoke at convocation, as did Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ended up losing the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush spoke at convocation in May 2015 before announcing his candidacy.
LEXINGTON  A Rocky Mount man convicted last year of displaying a noose in his yard has taken his case to the Virginia Court of Appeals.

At a trial last year in Franklin County Circuit Court, Jack Eugene Turner admitted he had hung a dark, life-size dummy in his yard during an ongoing feud with his neighbors, a black family.

A sheriffs investigator later said Turner admitted that he was a racist. But Turner is now challenging his felony conviction and on Tuesday in Rockbridge County Circuit Court, both his lawyer, Holland Perdue, and Assistant Attorney General Christopher Schandevel, presented oral arguments before a three-judge panel.

As he had at Turners trial, Perdue argued that the display fell under protection by the First Amendment.

True threats are not protected speech, Perdue allowed, but added that there was no direct threat to any individual, directly.

Your client ... is a self-described racist, Judge Richard AtLee observed. It was clearly an effigy of color. How on earth are they supposed to take that?

In a brief to the court, Schandevel argued that Turners actions constituted unprotected threats, a classification that Schandevel said remained unchanged by Turners standing as the owner of the property where the noose was hung.
A Spotsylvania County teenager who was part of a plot to shoot students and staff members at Riverbend High School last year is expected to spend the next four years in a prison program designed to improve his chances of a better future.

Tristen Smith, now 18, was sentenced in Spotsylvania Circuit Court on Tuesday to 10 years in prison on a conspiracy to commit murder conviction. He also received 40 years in suspended time on two burglary convictions he received in juvenile court.

But Judge Joseph J. Ellis agreed to place Smith in a prison housing the Youthful Offender Program, a four-year program that lawyers say provides job skills, mental health and substance abuse treatment and education to younger offenders.

Both Ellis and Commonwealths Attorney Travis Bird made it clear that Smith would serve his entire 10-year sentence should he fail to complete the program.

This is the last chance he will have for the state to have any lasting effect on his life, Bird said. Hopefully he will come out a better person.

Smith was 17 when the shooting plan was uncovered by the Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office, but was tried as an adult. His 16-year-old codefendant, Gavin Oztuna, was already convicted as an adult but received an indeterminate sentence in a juvenile facility when he was sentenced in April on the same charge.

Smith and Oztuna were arrested in October when police learned of a plot for a mass shooting at Riverbend High, where both of them were students. The scheme involved calling in a bomb threat and Smith shooting people as they came out of the school.

Police said they got the information and made the arrests long before the plan could have been carried out. Defense attorney John Spencer said Smith told him he was just acting out and never intended to actually shoot anyone, but we dont know if it would have happened or not.

According to court records, the two defendants exchanged text messages about Smiths desire to become the next school shooter. In the texts, Smith expressed frustration about how hed been treated at the school and said he was going to make everyone feel the pain they caused me.

Spencer said he had a tentative deal with the previous commonwealths attorneys office to have Smith sentenced as a juvenile, but Bird, who took over in January, nixed that idea. A juvenile disposition would have most likely meant incarceration for no more than six months, lawyers said.

Bird and Spencer eventually agreed to recommend the sentence that Ellis handed down Tuesday.

Ellis initially sounded like he would not accept the sentence. He berated Smith for his juvenile behavior, which included burglaries and drug and alcohol abuse starting at age 12. Ellis said Smiths actions merited decades behind bars.

Leniency has not served the commonwealth well when it comes to Mr. Smith, the judge said. It seems that the only way to protect the community is to lock you up until you are too tired to commit crimes.

But Ellis then said he would take a chance on Smith, largely because of his respect for Bird and Spencer.
Just days after The Times-Dispatch endorsed the Libertarian candidate for president, Gary Johnson committed the inevitable gaffe. During a discussion of ISIS, reporter Mike Barnicle asked him what he would do about Aleppo. What is Aleppo? Johnson answered with a question of his own.

It is the Syrian city at the epicenter of the war against ISIS, as everyone who follows the news knows. Hillary Clinton would have knocked the question out of the park. Trump probably would not have conceded ignorance but would have expressed incoherence. Johnson subsequently apologized for making a mistake presidential candidates are not supposed to make. He mistook the reference as an acronym, he explained. And he said presidents receive daily in-depth briefings on issues relating to national security. His humility struck observers as refreshing. A single gaffe is not disabling but Johnson has put himself on the warning list.
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One Student's Strategy: Live Home, Work

Sarah Swainson, Chattanooga State Community College

Just before Sarah Swainson graduated from high school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 2014, she landed a job as a server at a coffee shop, Milk & Honey.

She liked the job so much she decided to take a gap year between high school and college to work there full time, getting promoted to barista and then to manager.

The $18,000 she saved from her salary and tips while living at home gave her a huge financial cushion when she enrolled at Chattanooga State Community College in 2015.

Swainson was able to win a HOPE Scholarship, too -- an award funded by Tennessee's lottery and given out to students with a minimum of 21 on the ACT or 980 on the SAT and a GPA of at least 3.0. The scholarship covers her $2,000 per semester in tuition and will renew annually as long as she maintains the minimum 3.0 GPA.

Swainson is still working 20 hours a week at the restaurant and living at home, earning up to $500 a week, which helps her cover the cost of books, gas and cellphone as well as chip in for the family's groceries.

[Explore 10 ways that incoming freshmen can save for college.]

Swainson plans to transfer to the University of Tennessee -- Chattanooga in fall 2017, a school that will cost her twice as much in tuition. But by continuing to live at home and work, while maintaining good spending habits -- like resisting the urge to eat out several times a week with her friends -- she has eased her concerns about being able to afford the tuition increase.

"I take about 20 to 30 percent of my paycheck and set it aside for spending money, and the rest is for savings," says Swainson. "I haven't had to touch the savings yet," she says, so her kitty now amounts to $22,000.

What's the best way to juggle a part-time job and a full-time education? Swainson, who is planning a career in recreation management, says she takes time at the beginning of each week to draw up a plan of how she'll need to allot her time: which hours she'll be working, when she'll be in class and what pockets of each day will be left over for getting her studying done.

Story continues

One Student's Strategy: Find Scholarships

Jonathan Salazar, Duke University and Yale University

When Jonathan Salazar of Albuquerque, New Mexico, started looking for college scholarships, he was only in ninth grade -- and, boy, did the early planning pay off. All told, he was offered $1.8 million by schools that accepted him and ended up with $70,000 to use at $67,654-a-year Duke University.

Salazar, an excellent student who wanted to study out of state but couldn't afford to without plenty of aid, says he knew "I would have to apply for a lot of scholarships."

In addition to getting academic and need-based awards from Duke to cover tuition and housing and $1,500 from the New Mexico National Honor Society, Salazar was named a Gates Millennium Scholar.

Funded by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, the Millennium Scholars program supports 1,000 minority students a year. The rigorous application process -- Salazar had to write eight 1,000-word essays over six months -- paid off with $10,000 for his freshman year alone.

The Gates scholarship will renew every year, as his Duke award would have had he not decided to transfer to Yale University this fall for sophomore year. The Gates awards also renew through grad school in certain disciplines.

[Target these five best places to find college scholarships and grants.]

The other grants and awards he brought to Duke included $5,000 from the Hearst Foundation, whose Senate Youth Program sent him on a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., during high school.

Salazar also received about $5,700 in needs-based grant funding from the federal government. The Gates scholarship follows him to Yale, and the university is offsetting the balance with grants and a scholarship.

Besides starting early, Salazar went out of his way to form bonds with his teachers. "They're going to be your recommenders," he says. It was those relationships that guided him to the Gates program.

One Family's Strategy: Be a Landlord

Paige Adams, Kennesaw State University

Paige Adams, who graduates from Kennesaw State University near Atlanta in 2017, has had 80 percent of her $7,000-a-year tuition paid for by the HOPE Scholarship she won from the state of Georgia for those with GPAs of at least 3.0, with another award covering the rest.

Her other expenses? Before the start of freshman year, she looked for a way to live near the university without incurring thousands of dollars in housing fees.

Adams' mother and stepfather have a home just seven miles from campus, but they wanted to support her quest for independence. So the family came up with an innovative solution: Adams found a townhouse near campus that had gone into foreclosure, they snapped it up for $36,000 in cash, and Adams took charge of finding a roommate to help cover utilities, property taxes and maintenance.

The $500 per month her roommate pays in rent goes most of the way, with her parents helping out some, too. And Adams says that being a homeowner has offered her other benefits.

[Turn to the on-demand economy to pay for college.]

"I learned a lot about the foreclosure process, and I had to manage renovations," says Adams, who plans to attend veterinary school after graduation. "I've learned to pay bills and do home maintenance." So far, she has removed wallpaper from the kitchen, stained the kitchen cabinets, landscaped the backyard and changed out some doorknobs.

Adams also thinks her housing is more comfortable than a dorm or off-campus apartment would have been. "Some of my friends live five in a house," she says.

Her stepfather, Bruce Ailion, happens to be a real estate broker in Atlanta, but he says parents need no special training to use property ownership as a strategy for saving money on college. And it can pay off even after a child's graduation, depending on the location and purchase price.

"If you own a property that's close to a major university, it will always be in demand from renters," Ailion says. And it could be a good investment. He estimates that the value of his family's townhome, a 1,200- square-foot two-bedroom unit, has skyrocketed to $85,000 in just four years.

This story is excerpted from the U.S. News "Best Colleges 2017" guidebook, which features in-depth articles, rankings and data.





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U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith's office shares his weekly e-newsletter from Congress:

U.S., Superpower or Fictitious Kingdom?

On May 2, I wrote of an evolving situation in the South China Sea, where China was pursuing its objectives by building an airstrip on the Fiery Cross Reef. This reef is part of the Spratly Island chain claimed by China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Believing it has a historic right to dominate this region, Chinas long-term strategy is to turn the South China Sea into the equivalency of a Chinese lake. Allowing China to dominate this area would severely damage the ability of countries in Asia from shipping or receiving goods to/from other nations.

This situation has continued developing since May.

In July, as summarized in the Wall Street Journal, the international Hague Tribunal ruled that Chinas claims to historic and economic rights in most of the South China Sea have no legal basis and that China couldnt claim historic rights in all the waters within a nine-dash line used by Beijing to delineate its claims.

Chinese officials, however, stated that Beijing wouldnt comply with this ruling. Though the Wall Street Journal notes that the unanimous ruling is legally binding, they also state it can only be enforced through international pressure.

Originally, I asked: In the South China Sea, will the Administration do more than merely wag its finger and say shame, shame?

For months, they did nothing.

According to a Reuters report from August, Satellite photographs taken in late July show China appears to have built reinforced aircraft hangars on its holdings in disputed South China Sea islands, a Washington-based research group said. The hangars on Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs in the Spratly islands have room for any fighter jet in the Chinese air force, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said in a report on the photographs.

It appears, however, the Administration is finally starting to take a stand.

Business Insider recently reported that the US Air Force made history by flying all three operational bombers, the B-52, the B-1, and the B-2 over Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, before conducting drills in the South China Sea and Northeast Asia.

Business Insider summarized these developments, stating it essentially is the goal of US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) to constantly station nuclear-capable bombers in the Pacific in a visible effort to deter aggression in the region. But lately, the US has stepped up the presence, pulling out all three big bombers, while China has been acting increasingly aggressively towards their neighbors in the South China Sea. China, for their part, has attempted to establish a no sail zone, intruded into Japan's territorial waters, and flew bomber patrols of their own over the disputed islands and shoals since the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague ruled against their claims to the South China Sea. Now it would seem the US is answering.

My concern is that US involvement is late. The Presidents past inaction has set the tone with other world leaders. Their respect for President Obama, and therefore the United States, has waned.

For example, when President Obama met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington in March, Obama told Xi Jinping to stay away from Scarborough Shoal, another Philippine territory in the South China Sea. What does Beijing do? They deploy ships while President Obama and other world leaders were in China at the G-20 Summit.

Furthermore, when Air Force One landed for the G-20 Summit, there was no customary red carpet or rolling stairs greeting President Obama. As Charles Krauthammer described it, He is forced to exit  as one China expert put it rather undiplomatically  through the ass of the plane. An accident? I think not. The Chinese are known for pomp and circumstance.

Possibly most disturbing, North Korea on September 9, successfully tested a nuclear warhead, hours after President Obama left Japan, where he stopped on his way home from attending the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). South Korea, Japan and China condemned the test.

In July, it was reported that the Obama Administration asked China, which has the ability to do more, to take action against North Korea for their previous testing. China really hasnt.

My fear is that over the past few years, in spite of the fact that we have the most powerful military in the world, the United States is no longer respected as a superpower. Why? I believe its because of President Obamas fairytale view of diplomacy. (See Column 5.2.16)

Lets face it, the United States is being pushed around on the world stage. The President should have demanded that the United States be respected. He never should have exited through the ass of the plane. President Obama was treated by China as if he were the leader of the Kingdom of North Sudan.

Submitted by Kelly McCollum
Adidas has ended its partnership with the rapper formerly known as Kanye West over his offensive and antisemitic remarks. The German sportswear company said Tuesday in a statement that it does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech" and called Yes recent comments and actions unacceptable, hateful and dangerous." It comes after Adidas faced pressure to cut ties with Ye, with celebrities and others on social media urging the company to act. It said at the beginning of the month that it was placing its lucrative sneaker deal with the rapper under review. Adidas is just the latest company to end connections with Ye, who also has been suspended from Twitter and Instagram.
Donald Trumps vice presidential running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, will speak at Liberty Universitys convocation Oct. 12, according to President Jerry Falwell Jr.

Falwell, who has been a vocal supporter of the now-presidential nominee since after Trump spoke at convocation in January, said Pence reached out after a recent editorial in The Washington Post by Falwell.

I think students will very much enjoy hearing from Gov. Pence. I think hell be very well received at Liberty. I dont think Donald Trump could have chosen a better running mate than the governor, Falwell said in an interview with The News & Advance Tuesday.

Pence, a social conservative, represented Indiana in Congress from 2001 to 2013 and took office as the Hoosier States governor in 2013.

Falwell said he does not know what Pence plans to speak about.

Although nonprofit organizations, such as Liberty University, are prohibited from supporting or opposing political candidates, Falwell said his endorsement came as a private citizen, not as Liberty president.

Falwell is a member of the Trump campaigns Evangelical Advisory Board. Most of Falwells counsel to the campaign has come via text and phone calls, he said in an interview.

Falwell previously told The News & Advance he invited all presidential candidates for the 2016 election cycle because school attorneys believe it would protect Libertys tax-exempt status as a nonprofit. He also has expressed interest in representing multiple viewpoints.

Libertys convocation, the thrice-weekly student assembly frequently drawing more than 12,000 people, was a campaign stop for several Republican hopefuls over the recent presidential nomination contest.

Republican presidential hopefuls Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson spoke at convocation, as did Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ended up losing the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush spoke at convocation in May 2015 before announcing his candidacy.

Before Pence was booked, Steven Furtick, lead pastor of Elevation Church out of Charlotte, North Carolina, was scheduled to speak at convocation Oct. 12, according to the school website.

Sen. Tim Kaine, then-governor of Virginia, stumped for now President Barack Obama at convocation in 2008. Kaine is the vice presidential nominee for Hillary Clinton.
Goldman Sachs CIO Martin Chavez

Marty Chavez didn't always want to be a banker.

But a series of random events led the biochemistry major from New Mexico to where he is today  partner and chief information officer at Goldman Sachs.

Chavez is one of the most important executives at Goldman. He's the guy tasked with leading the firm's technology efforts, and he led the development of the firm's own programming language for risk calculations.

He also breaks the mold of a typical Wall Street executive. A onetime tech startup founder, he is part of a small group of senior Latino executives at Goldman; just 3.5% of the firm's senior officials and managers identify as Hispanic or Latino. When he joined the bank in 1993, he was one of the first openly gay employees. He sports a sleeve of tattoos.

Chavez spoke with interns around the world as part of the "Explore GS" series, a summerlong speaker series for interns at the firm. In the candid conversation, Chavez confessed that before going to Harvard, he had never been east of New Mexico, where he grew up.

While pursuing a PhD in computer science at Stanford, he was approached by a headhunter for Armen Avanessians, currently the chief investment officer of Goldman Sachs Asset Management's quantitative investment strategies team.

Avanessians was looking for entrepreneurs who were getting PhDs in computer science from Stanford. Chavez fit that bill. Avanessians believed that the future of finance was computational, and he wanted Chavez's expertise at the firm.

"When I first came into the business, I knew more about computers than markets," Chavez said. "I was hired to be what I was: a computer geek."

Buenos Aires

He eventually moved to the commodities trading desk, and in another random turn of events, he was approached by the head of that business to speak with clients in Buenos Aires. The person needed someone who spoke fluent Spanish, and Chavez also fit that bill.

Story continues

"Suddenly, I went from doing abstract math and software to talking to clients and understanding what we were doing for them and for the planet," he said.

Chavez goes back to the advice that Avanessians gave him years ago.

"I used to worry about a lot of things," he said. "And Armen told me, 'Marty, you are too caught up in spot volatility, in what's happening in this exact second. Just keep your eye out on what you see might happen in the future. That forward point hardly moves. And if you do that, you will calm down and be much more peaceful.'"

That advice, which echoes that of CEO Lloyd Blankfein, is something that Chavez lives by every day.

"If you chill out, you'll be much happier and much more effective in your career," he said.

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De Beers boosts Q3 output, maintains production guidance De Beers rough diamond production rose 4% to 9.6 million carats, mainly due to the treatment of higher grade ore at both Orapa in Botswana and South Africa as well as continued strong performance in Namibia, according to its parent company, Anglo...

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The U.S. State Department, U.S. Census Bureau and the United States Kimberley Process Authority (USKPA) have formalized a Public-Private Partnership as a measure of enhancing the process by which the US industry can acquire government validated Kimberley Process Certificates (KPCs) for the export of rough diamonds from the US, IDEX Online reported.

This system has been in place in the U.S. since the inception of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) in the U.S. in 2003.

The USKPA is a trade association formed in 2003 for the purpose of administering the issuance of KPCs and is managed by Dr. Martin Hochbaum, formerly of the Diamond Dealers Club of New York City. The Board of Directors of the USKPA consists of Dr. Hochbaum, Cecilia Gardner, President and CEO of JVC (who also serves as the USKPAs general counsel) and Mark Gershberg, President of Gemological Science International, located in New York and Mumbai.

Under the system in the United States, the USKPA licenses individual companies and common carriers to acquire and use KPCs. Each company who is licensed to export rough diamonds must file the electronic export information to the U.S. Customs and Border Protections Automated Export System.

The licensee must sign a licensing agreement which obligates it to meet the requirements for reporting usage of each KPC to U.S. government agencies, confirming receipt of parcels to the customers abroad as well as maintaining the security of the KPCs while in their possession. Each licensee is subject to performance reviews by both the USKPA and the U.S. government. The licensee must also warrant each shipment as fully compliant with the Clean Diamond Trade Act, the United States legislation which implements the (KPCS).

Deputy Assistant Secretary Andrew Keller of the U.S. State Department commented: Since the formation of the U.S. Kimberley Process Authority in 2003, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Kimberley Process Authority have worked closely to implement the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and enhance control of the rough diamond trade in the United States. With the formalization of a Public-Private Partnership between the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Kimberley Process Authority and the signing of a new MOU, we look forward to continued collaboration and progress in strengthening our domestic system.

Assistant Director for Economic Programs of the U.S. Census Bureau, Nick Orsini stated: The U.S. Census Bureau looks forward to strengthening the partnerships necessary to ensure the continued timeliness, quality, and transparency of export statistics on rough diamonds.

Said Dr. Hochbaum: The working arrangement that was put into place in 2003 allows dealers here in the United States to acquire efficiently and use KPCs for exports of rough diamonds in compliance with the standards of the KPCS. Signing the memorandum of understanding has formalized this partnership so that the parties are well informed of their roles and commitments. We appreciate the support and cooperation provided by the U.S. State Department and the Census Bureau that has always promoted compliant rough diamond exports from the United States.




Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC)s boss Ridge Nyashanu is facing demotion as output remains disappointingly low.

The country produced 972 765 carats of diamonds in the first six months of the year against a target of 6 million carats, a government official has said.

ZCDC had been the sole producer of diamonds in Marange since March this year.

NewsDay reports that the state-owned company was now hunting for a new chief executive officer to turn things around.

However, top mines ministry officials were said to be against the proposal.

Nyashanu has the ministers backing, but the board has resolved to redeploy him. He is supposed to be operating from the mine to pave way for another CEO starting this week, but he is still around, an unnamed source was quoted as saying.

The problem with ZCDC is that there are a lot of people who were hired, but they do not have operational knowledge. There is also too much interference on day-to-day operations at the mine. There is disunity and internal fights over how the company must operate.

Should ZCDC replaces Nyashanu this would be the third time the struggling diamond company would have changed its chief executive officer since formation in February.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




Venus Jewel, a leading Indian manufacturer and a globally renowned supplier of polished diamonds, continues to educate and inspire its customers through its unique Venus Online Challenge(VOC), which it now extends to the Asian Market through the Hong Kong Jewelry & Gem Fair, 2016.We rolled out the VOC at JCK, Las Vegas and continued it at IIJS and now we are bringing it to the HK show. This is to support our mission of constantly educating the customer about how easy it is to buy diamonds from our website www.venusjewel.com . This year the main attraction apart from the VOC will be the way we present diamonds to our customers. We invite all our customers, prospects, stakeholders and media partners to come & visit our booth #7S10, Hall #7 at the Asia World Expo (AWE) and experience it all said Rajesh Shah, Partner, Venus Jewel.Venus Jewel, Mumbai-based Company, manufactures more than fifteen percent of the global footprint of gem-quality diamonds of +1 carat, FL to VVS2 clarity in D to F colours. Besides being the first Indian manufacturer to become a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), Venus Jewel enjoys direct rough supply from reputed miners such as De Beers, ALROSA, Rio Tinto and Dominion Diamond Corporation. Being the official supplier of branded diamonds under De Beers Forevermark, Rio- Tintos Mine of Origin and Dominions CanadaMark programmes; Venus Jewel helps their buyers procure such branded diamonds under one roof.
ALROSA may start producing lab-made diamonds

14 september 2016 News

(izvestia.ru) - ALROSA, the world's largest diamond miner, is exploring the possibility of establishing its own operation to produce synthetic stones. Rinat Gizatulin, Vice President of ALROSA told this to the Izvestia Daily. However, analysts doubt that the company will be interested in starting its own production of synthetic diamonds as an independent business: rough diamond production is highly profitable for ALROSA and it makes no sense for the company to waste its time on producing lab-made diamonds on an industrial scale.

According to the vice-president of ALROSA, within the next year the company plans to formulate its further steps on the market of artificial stones and propose options for the approval of its shareholders. Since the project is only being discussed, the amount of possible investments and production is difficult to name.

"Before we start producing synthetic stones, we need to understand the prospects of this business and explain the need to work in this direction to shareholders," Gizatulin said.

The company has not decided so far, whether it will develop the new line of business on its own or in a joint venture with one of the existing Russian producers. Currently, there are at least three producers of synthetic stones in Russia based in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Novosibirsk.

According to Rinat Gizatulin, ALROSA has already created a think tank that monitors and analyzes the situation in this market. The company monitors the state of affairs in the market of synthetic stones to be able to respond to possible threats to the diamond industry, which may arise along with the development of technology.

"The main thing for us is to draw clear distinction between diamonds and synthetics. Our diamonds are created by nature millions of years ago, and any of them is unique. At the same time, we have been observing the developments related to synthetics for only 10 years, and we do not know what will happen with these stones in the future," Gizatulin said.

However, analysts doubt that ALROSA will be interested in rolling out its own production of synthetic stones as an independent business.




Poland's core consumer price index, which excludes food and energy prices, declined at a stable pace in August, data from the National Bank of Poland showed Tuesday.

The net CPI decreased 0.4 percent year-on-year in August, same as in July. The fall was in line with economists' expectations. In June, prices fell 0.2 percent.

On a month-on-month basis, the net CPI dropped 0.1 percent in August after remaining unchanged in July. Economists had forecast a 0.1 percent slump.

Overall CPI declined 0.8 percent annually in August after a 0.9 percent drop in July.

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.
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn said he has asked the Federal Trade Commission or FTC for approval to purchase up to a 50% stake in Herbalife (HLF).

Icahn made his comments late Tuesday at the Delivering Alpha conference in New York hosted by CNBC and Institutional Investor.

Icahn said he has weighed launching a tender offer for Herbalife and reinforced his opposition to fellow billionaire Bill Ackman, who has called Herbalife's model a pyramid scheme.

Shares of Herbalife were up 2.36% in after hours trade following Icahn's statement.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Bayer AG (BAYZF.PK,BAYRY.PK,BYR.L) is preparing to increase its takeover offer for Monsanto Co. (MON), according to media reports, citing people familiar with the matter.

Bayer to raise its offer to about $129 per share for Monsanto, compared with the $127.50 it proposed in early September, the reports stated.

The reports specified that the deal is likely to be announced as early as Wednesday morning in New York soon after Bayer's board meets to sign off on the deal.

Monsanto's management board is scheduled to discuss and potentially approve the proposal Tuesday, the reports said. Bayer's supervisory board is set to review the deal Wednesday.

As part of its latest proposal, Bayer will also offer to double, to $3 billion, the compensation it would have to pay to Monsanto if the deal is stopped by competition regulators.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Dunelm Group plc (DNLM.L) reported that its profit attributable to owners of the parent after tax for the 52 weeks to 2 July 2016 was 102.3 million pounds, an increase of 6.5% from the prior year's 96.1 million pounds. Earnings per share increased by 6.3% to 50.3 pence from 47.3 pence last year. This was a rise of 7.5% on a comparable 52 week basis.

After accounting for interest and foreign exchange impacts, profit before tax for the financial year amounted to 128.9 million pounds, an increase of 5.1%. On a comparable 52 week basis this represents an increase of 6.2% over last year.

Group revenue for was 880.9 million pounds, an increase of 5.4% for the full financial year and 7.1% on a 52 week basis. Like-for-like sales grew by 2.5% on a 52 week basis as a result of growth in both in-store LFL sales (+1.0%) and Home Delivery sales (+23.2%). Over the financial year as a whole, Home Delivery sales represented 7.0% of total (FY15: 6.1%).

"we believe that we continue to outperform the homewares market as a whole and therefore are confident of continuing to deliver on our growth ambitions, including new store openings which should number at least nine this year. We have the key infrastructure in place, the right team, a great heritage and a continued focus on product and people," the company said.

The company expects higher capital expenditure in the next financial year of approximately 50m to support the business' growth strategy.

The Directors proposed a final dividend of 19.1p per Ordinary Share for the period ended 2 July 2016 which equates to 38.6 million pounds. The total dividend of 25.1p represents an increase of 16.7% over the previous year.

The dividend will be paid on 25 November 2016 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 4 November 2016.

In the prior year, the Group made a special distribution to shareholders by way of a B/C share scheme. The amount paid to shareholders on 10 March 2015 was 70p per share, which equated to 141.7 million pounds.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Infosys (INFY) announced an agreement to provide engineering services to Ansaldo Energia, a producer of thermoelectric power plants. To support Ansaldo Energia, Infosys will expand its global service delivery network into Eastern Europe and Russia's established heavy engineering sector by creating two development centers - in Karlovac in Croatia and Moscow in Russia.

Ansaldo Energia supports public and private sector power producers with a range of plant engineering, manufacturing and service activities.

Infosys will deliver research and development service delivery and capabilities, along with engineering services to the enlarged Ansaldo Energia .

The new Infosys facilities in the two countries will have an initial combined capacity of up to 180 seats and operate as centers of excellence for engineering skills in turbo machinery, aerospace and automotive. As well as supporting Ansaldo Energia, the centers will support a wide roster of engineering clients. The new centers will initially be staffed by engineers that bring to Infosys extensive experience previously gained while they were part of Alstom.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Canadian stocks may steady Wednesday after falling sharply to 2-month lows in the previous session.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index plunged 248.04 points, or 1.7 percent, to 14,349.10, with gauges of all major sectors in the red.

Early signals are mixed this morning, with crude oil stuck near $45 a barrel.

Anxiety over the upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve meeting and concerns about the of the energy sector have been weighing on Canadian stocks this month.

The International Energy Association said global demand for oil is slowing but production continues to expand.

Refiners are "clearly losing their appetite for more crude oil." This will result in low oil prices for the time being.

TD Securities, a unit of TD Bank (TD.TO), is acquiring New York-based broker-dealer Albert Fried & Co.

W. Galen Weston steps down as executive chairman at George Weston Limited (WN.TO).

He is succeeded by son Galen G. Weston, who also retains Loblaw responsibilities.

Niko Resources (NKO.TO) denied an article in the Indian press with a headline of "Niko raises $300 mn using KG-D6 block as mortgage."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
 Lutsenko  20  2016, 06:53

Mechanical technician.      .

   ,   .    ,   .

25.12.13-IELTS 6.0 overall

23.12.15-1st letter to Shelly

28.01.16-Invitation to Skype interview

04.02.16-Skype interview with Shelly

24.02.16-Invitation to EV, Letter of support

12.05.16 - IELTS 6.5 overall

Tourist visa... where are you?...
By SA Commercial Prop News

2013 saw Marc Wainers Redefine Properties (left) and Norbert Sasses Growthpoint Properties (right) entangled in a protracted bidding war for Fountainhead Property Trust, which ultimately ended with Redefine acquiring major stake in Fountainhead.



Redefines planned takeover of Fountainhead Property Trust advanced another major step on Friday when Fountainhead approved the deal to go through and sell its entire property portfolio.

A year ago JSE-listed property heavyweights, Redefine Properties and Growthpoint Properties were entangled in a protracted bidding war for Fountainheads retail-dominated portfolio.

This became the biggest property bidding battle ever recorded in South Africas listed property sector.

SA's second-largest property company, Redefine, ultimately ended the escalating bidding war by withdrawing its offer and subsequently acquired most of Fountainheads shares  a move that made it difficult for Growthpoint to win a unitholder vote to secure the assets.

Growthpoint, SA's largest property company headed by CEO Norbert Sasse, later abandoned its quest to acquire the assets which paved way for Redefine.

Redefines acquisition of Fountainhead

In an email statement to SA Commercial Prop News yesterday, Fountainhead enclosed a decision to sell all of its assets in exchange for 82 Redefine shares for every 100 Fountainhead units held.

As part of the transaction Redefine will assume all of Fountainheads liabilities, including its interest-bearing debt. The transaction will be effective from 1 September 2014.



Details of the transaction were announced in a joint statement by Redefine and Fountainhead, which is managed by Fountainhead Property Trust Managers Limited (FPTML).



Marc Wainer, CEO of Redefine comments, We welcome this agreement and are pleased to be taking this transaction forward.



Redefine is the largest unitholder in Fountainhead, at 65,9%. It is also the owner of FPTML, the asset manager which controls the assets of Fountainhead.



The transaction is subject to the fulfilment of the usual conditions precedent including approvals from Fountainhead unitholders, the Financial Services Board and Redefine shareholders.



FPTMLs independent committee has endorsed the transaction and has recommended that Fountainhead unitholders, excluding Redefine which is a related party, do the same.



For Fountainhead investors, the transaction will provide exposure to a diverse portfolio of property assets valued at R44.5 billion, access to lower costs of capital and the benefits of economies of scale and cost savings thanks to synergies between both property portfolios.



For Redefine shareholders, the transaction means portfolio growth and diversification through the added benefit of increased exposure to retail property. The Fountainhead property portfolio valued at over R12 billion comprises 66 properties.



Once the transaction is finalised, Fountainhead will be delisted from the JSE.

Fountainheads unitholders will receive the final distribution for the six-months ending 31 August 2014. Their first distribution as Redefine shareholders will be for the six months ending 28 February 2015.
As Hillary Clinton copes with a health scare that has taken her off the campaign trail for a few days, one question that worried Democrats may be asking themselves is: Wheres Bernie?

Related: Why Hillary Needs Bernie Now More Than Ever

For almost 13 months, until he was forced to concede defeat in June, Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, mounted an insurgent and incessant challenge to Clintons claim on the Democratic presidential nomination.

Compared with the name-calling and outlandish insults that marked the Republican primary race, the Clinton-Sanders competition was a largely civil affair, though Sanders and his supporters have reason to be bitter. Just before the Democratic National Convention in late July, hacked emails released by WikiLeaks revealed that the Democratic National Committee under then-Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz had been working to undermine the Sanders candidacy.

After mounting angry protests at the convention, Sanders supporters ultimately quieted down and the leader of their leftist revolution offered a full if somewhat forced endorsement of Clinton. In a 30-odd-minute speech, preceded by about three minutes of applause during which he seemed to get emotional, almost nine minutes went by before he even mentioned her name. And when he did, he said the election was not about himself or Hillary or Donald Trump.

In the most passionate part of his speech, he talked about the improbable movement he started. Together, my friends, we have begun a political revolution to transform America and that revolution  our revolution  continues, Sanders said. Election days come and go. But the struggle of the people to create a government which represents all of us and not just the 1 percent  a government based on the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice  that struggle continues. And I look forward to being part of that struggle with you.

Related: 7 Ways Bernie Sanders Transformed the 2016 Election

Story continues

Then Sanders went back to Vermont to lick his wounds and create an organization, Our Revolution, that would perpetuate the movement that attracted so many Americans  many of them Millennials  disaffected from the political system.

But the organization had a shaky start marked by the resignation of key staffers, and Sanders finally put longtime aide Jeff Weaver in charge.

With that distraction behind him, Sanders was out stumping for Clinton in the battleground state of New Hampshire on Labor Day weekend. But after almost collapsing at a 9/11 memorial event in New York with what has been said to be a case of pneumonia, she clearly could use more of his help.

That was underscored by a new poll from Morning Consult Tuesday that found Sanders to be the most popular senator in the nation, with an 87 percent approval rating in his home state. His closest rival is Republican Susan Collins of Maine with 69 percent approval in her home state, and hes 36 points ahead of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky.

In an interview with Charlie Rose that aired today on CBS This Morning, Bill Clinton almost seemed to be reaching out to Sanders when he put a complimentary spin on what was at times a bare-knuckle fight with his wife. Bernie Sanders, I think, was a much more positive populist," Clinton said. "That is, he wanted to do things. He had an affirmative agenda. And so did Hillary, and they argued about which ones was better.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Young roster has high hopes for future. Only four seniors suited up.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The Security Council on Tuesday approved the deployment of a U.N. political mission to monitor a cease-fire between the government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

The resolution unanimously approved authorizes a mission made up of 450 observers and a number of civilians to be deployed in 40 widely dispersed locations to oversee the laying down of arms by the FARC and other aspects of the agreement.

Diplomats say the mission should be in place when the two parties sign a formal peace agreement on Sept. 26 in Cartagena and when the deal goes to a national referendum on Oct. 2.

On June 23, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC rebels signed a cease-fire and rebel disarmament deal that moved the country to the brink of ending the 52-year war.

"Colombians will have the opportunity to open the doors to a better future, with a stable and lasting peace which we have been able to construct with the support of the Security Council and the United Nations," Colombia's Ambassador Maria Emma Mejia said, thanking Britain for sponsoring the resolution authorizing the political mission.

British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft congratulated the Colombian government on reaching an agreement with FARC.

"It's a nice change from the normal routine to have a positive issue to be dealing with in the Security Council and it's also a pleasant change to be dealing with an issue where the government of that country has come to us, rather than us having to go to them. That is what the government of Colombia has done," Rycroft said.

Decades of fighting between guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and the armed forces has left more than 220,000 Colombians dead, some 40,000 missing, and over 5 million driven from their homes.
A life-sciences industry exists and grows because of innovation.

San Diego County is noted as fertile ground for innovative start-ups.

These facts have converged to create a local biotech cluster that excels at bringing creative new ideas to market.

It all began at UC San Diego and adjacent biomedical research institutions on the Torrey Pines Mesa. The sector now stretches north to Carlsbad and inland to Rancho Bernardo, reaching even Ramona.

REGIONS LIFE-SCIENCES SECTOR *Number of companies: more than 1,100 in 2014 *Members of BIOCOM, areas life-sciences trade group: about 800 *Main locations: Torrey Pines Mesa, Sorrento Valley, UTC area of San Diego and Carlsbad, but also stretches to Ramona and Rancho Bernado *Focus areas: biotechnology, biopharma, genomics, medical devices and in-vitro diagnostics *Workforce: estimated 51,000 employees directly or indirectly linked to this industry in 2014 *Average salary: more than $134,000 annually Sources: BIOCOM and San Diego Regional Economic Development Council

In the late 1970s, Hybritech pioneered the use of monoclonal antibodies as diagnostics. Today, Illumina of San Diego leads the world in developing advanced technology for sequencing DNA and Ionis Pharmaceuticals of Carlsbad leads the pack in using a broad method called antisense to create drugs that alter the effects of targeted genes.

In the case of innovation here and elsewhere, its inevitable that some companies fail, some succeed and get bought and some remain independent for decades. The local life-science economy also gets a constant transfusion of new companies and concepts.

The following story provides a look at five new to relatively new businesses that illustrate this process of discovery and innovation.

One of them, Synthorx in La Jolla, stands out because it is based on a first for synthetic biology, creation of the first self-replicating life form that can use two artificial DNA letters.

This feat opens up immense potential vistas for taming life to advance human needs and benefit the planet. It didn't arrive in a vacuum, because San Diego synthetic biology sector stands out for its accomplishments.

In 2010, scientists at the nonprofit J. Craig Venter Institute produced the first life form that uses a chemically synthesized genome. Earlier this year, scientists at the for-profit Synthetic Genomics published an article describing a microbe they had designed with a minimal genome, a tool for exploring life's functions.

And this summer, the for-profit Synthetic Genomics unveiled a potential replacement for the workhorse bacterium E. coli, an engineered bacterium that replicates far faster, speeding up experiments and production of biotech products such as drugs.

The other four companies, while not as well known, also demonstrate this principle:

*Solstice Biologics through RNA-based drug delivery. This field was pioneered by companies such as Carlsbad's Ionis Pharmaceuticals.

*Agribody Technologies through crop biology. The venture is part of San Diego's agribiotech sector, which has included companies such as Mycogen, developer of bacterial strains containing a natural bio-insecticide thats harmless to mammals.

*CureMatch through improved selection of cancer therapies. Finding more and better therapies is an intense topic of research at UC San Diego's Moores Cancer Center, where its scientific founder works. The nonprofit Clearity Foundation provide a similar service for those with relapsed ovarian cancer.

*Poseida Therapeutics through a collection of advanced genetic engineering technologies. This field dovetails with work in many different areas of biotechnology.

So here's a closer look at these companies and their potential contributions to human well-being.

Court Turner is president and CEO of Synthorx. / photo by Nelvin C. Cepeda * U-T

Synthorx

What could be more ambitious than redesigning DNA, the code of life for billions of years? Turning it into a profitable business, perhaps. That's what La Jolla's Synthorx, a spinoff of The Scripps Research Institute, is trying to do.

TSRI scientists led by Floyd Romesberg made two synthetic DNA letters co-exist alongside the natural four letters in a strain of E. coli. These two extra letters allow DNA to code for far more proteins than possible with just the natural set.

The letters, called X and Y, always match with each other, in scientific terminology they are called "base pairs." The four natural letters, A, T, G and C, do the same. A(denine) always pairs with T(hymine); G(uanine) with C(ytosine). Six letters in all, producing three base pairs.

The feat was a lot harder than it seems. The unnatural letters couldn't interfere with the four natural ones and must blend seamlessly with the DNA double helix. There were also safety concerns if life forms with artificial DNA escaped the lab.

But the letters Romesberg chose require chemicals that don't exist in nature, they must be manufactured. And the E. coli strain can't make them itself, they must be included with the bacterium's nutrients. So if the bacterium escaped into nature, it would lose its synthetic DNA. This was all described in a groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature in 2014.

Venture capitalist Court Turner of Avalon Ventures is leading the effort to turn this scientific breakthrough into the base of profitable products. That means making things people want to buy. In this case, the people are pharmaceutical industry executives.

Turner said he has been talking with these executives, and they are interested in whether Synthorx can make products that would be immediately useful, such as improved protein therapeutics. These cannot be manufactured at scale, as the cost and the difficulty of making them with traditional methods are roadblocks.

But if the code for making these proteins were programmed into Synthorx microbes, they would become biological factories, feeding off nutrients and converting them into advanced pharmaceutical products.

"This is the second company Floyd and I have founded together," Turner said. "We founded an antibiotics company called RQX Pharmaceuticals back in 2011. So once he had completed the experiments that were described in the Nature paper in 2014, we talked about starting a new company based on that technology.

"Because of our history together, we knew how to take an academic story and translate it into a commercial opportunity," Turner said. "Since we were successful with RQX, I think Floyd felt comfortable I would treat his latest accomplishments well."

Much more can be done than producing pharmaceuticals, Turner said, because synthetic biology's applications are immense. But you have to start somewhere, and most of all, prove that the concept works in practice. That's what Synthorx is now doing.

"It's one thing to be able to replicate in a Petri dish, or as we can do now, make proteins with synthetic amino acids in them," Turner said. "But in order for us to translate into a true commercial entity with a focus on drug discovery, it has to be amenable to large-scale production."

Thanks to Romesberg's more than decade and a half of research, Turner said, "it looks like there are no technological hurdles or show-stoppers that are going to keep us from meeting the objectives of the company."

Solstice Biologics has been striving to commercialize discoveries in RNA interference, or RNAi, by people such as Steven Dowdy at UC San Diego. / U-T file photo

Solstice Biologics

Conceptually bold, but extremely difficult in practice. That's a general description of RNA-based therapeutics, such as that developed by Ionis, the Carlsbad-based developer of antisense technology.

Solstice works with a different RNA technology, called RNAi, or RNA interference. This is a natural mechanism for controlling how messenger RNA, copied from its DNA template, is translated into proteins. It's an elegant mechanism that promises to deliver precise control of genes that are dysfunctional in disease.

But to be effective, RNAi drugs must first get inside the cell, where they can bind to messenger RNA. And getting across the cell membrane is a challenge. Their molecules carry a negative charge, as do cell membranes. And since like charges repel, the molecules don't cross the surface very well.

UC San Diego researcher Steven Dowdy and colleagues found an answer. They designed a form of double-strained RNAi with add-on molecules that mask its negative charge. Once the molecule is inside the cell, enzymes cleave away the add-ons, activating the drug. Dowdy published the research in 2014, demonstrating that the scientific concept was sound.

But as with Synthorx, proving the concept in the lab doesn't mean the technology works commercially. Curt Bradshaw, the company's chief scientific officer and co-founder, has been solving other hurdles, said investor and Solstice chairman Corey Goodman.

Less than a year ago, the last of the potential show-stopping problems was solved, Goodman said. Now Solstice is ready to select potential drugs and think about preparing for clinical trials.

Goodman said the Solstice RNAi technology solves a number of problems, such as reaching disease targets that drugs haven't been able to reach.

"With conventional drugs, we can target perhaps between 5 and 10 percent of the genome," Goodman said. "It means 90 percent of disease genes that we find are very hard to target. The promise of RNAi was that you would be able to target all of them."

Perhaps the most prominent RNAi company is Cambridge, Mass.-based Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. The company, which has a partnership with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, has amassed a market value of more than $6 million.

Alnylam has amassed an intellectual property portfolio, so any competitors in the field need to make sure their own patent protection is strong, Goodman said.

Bradshaw has led development of technology that Solstice can legally claim to protect its work, Goodman said. And when the protecting patents issue, Solstice will be able to talk more in more detail about its technology.

"What Curt has done is invented the best-in-class technology," Goodman said. This has not only been tested in rodents, but non-human primates, a closer model to human response, he said.

"In terms of dosing, in terms of half-life, it's simply the best in class," Goodman said. "And I couldn't have said that to you a year ago."

Solstice now has multiple avenues to bring its technology to market, Goodman said. It could develop the technology on its own, seek a partnership or get acquired by a larger drug or biotech company.

Jerry Feitelson is founder and CEO of Agribody Technologies. / photo by John Gibbins * U-T

Agribody Technologies

A growing global population and the vagaries of climate puts pressure on the world's farmers to more efficiently and reliably grow crops.

Yet at the same time, one of the potential solutions, transgenic plants, has been opposed by numerous environmental activists. Whether those activists are right or wrong, their opposition must be taken into consideration by commercial biotech companies.

Carmel Valley's Agribody Technologies proposes to answer this need through its non-transgenic gene editing technology. This technology changes the activity of genes without introducing genes from another species, said Jerry Feitelson, founder and CEO.

A growing global population and the vagaries of climate puts pressure on the world's farmers to more efficiently and reliably grow crops.

The technology regulates activity of a genetic switch by editing one of two genes. These genes make certain proteins, and the ratio of one protein to another affects several crops traits. These include delaying the time of sensescence, or fruit ripening; tolerance to disease and stresses such as drought, temperature, crowding and salinity; and increased production.

Genetically modification technology has been used for decades. For example, varieties of red grapefruit such as Rio Red were developed by irradiation to cause mutations. Most of these mutations were useless or harmful; but a few were found to be beneficial.

Gene editing makes the process less chancy, Feitelson said. The precise genes of interest can be altered without disturbing the others. And the genetic switch Agribody is targeting control several traits of interest.

"Plants are always undergoing all kinds of stresses; abiotic stress like not enough water, not enough food, too crowded; as well as biotic stresses, like insect attack, fungal attack, nematode attack," Feitelson said.

The common mechanism that these traits affect is called apoptosis, a switch that causes cells to self-destruct. The mechanism is at work in humans and other animals; causing infected or dysfunctional cells to die. Cells that evade apoptosis can eventually turn into cancer.

In plants, cancer isn't an issue, and delaying apoptosis preserves living plant cells longer. That's an advantage if you want crops to be harvested and brought to market without spoilage. This also increases resistance to stress and boosts plant yields.

"I sort of stumbled into this technology," Feitelson said. "I didn't seek it out actively. I was consulting for a breast cancer company in town. Because of a corporate merger they inherited a bunch of ag-biotech assets. And they're breast cancer people, they didn't speak the language. So they hired me a couple of summers ago to look at the (intellectual property)."

Feitelson said he found the patents to be very strong, but the existing business agreement were severely deficient. He rounded up ag-biotech veterans such as his old mentor, Jerry Caulder, Mycogen's former CEO. And they confirmed that the company could sell the patents for considerable money.

Feitelson was chosen to help lead the sale, but in a turn of events he was asked to instead buy the patents and form a company around them.

"I switched from a seller to a buyer in about 15 seconds," he said. "Last September, we signed three agreements for Agribody, the company that I formed, to acquire all these assets. The money was released from escrow, and Agribody is now a fully operational company."

Research technician Rebecca Codde works on DNA extraction at Poseida Therapeutics. / photo by Nelvin C. Cepeda

Poseida Therapeutics

Gene editing technologies such as CRISPR, which delivers easier and more accurate genome modification than previously possible, have revolutionized biotech research. Meanwhile, the application of immune therapy for cancer has strikingly improved outcomes for end-stage malignancies.

Poseida spans the spectrum, offering a suite of gene-editing approaches, including CRISPR. It's using these technologies to develop cancer immune therapy based on what are called chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR T cells. These are immune cells genetically modified to attack various cancers. Poseida is first developing CAR T cells to treat multiple myeloma.

Poseida, which recently emerged from "stealth mode", has attracted a top-tier range of scientific advisors, led by Harvard geneticist George Church.

"We were spun out of another company called Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals, and that happened at the beginning of 2015," said Dr. Nishan de Silva, Poseida's president and chief operating officer. "So even though Poseida is a young company, all the platforms we are using for our genome engineering come from Transposagen."

Kentucky-based Transposagen had earlier made a commitment to collect the "cleanest" genome editing technologies it could find, de Silva said. They used them for research purposes, such as creating custom cell lines, rat models of disease, and other non-therapeutic purposes.

The potential use of these technologies for therapeutics attracted the interest of Janssen Labs, which struck a deal with Transposagen to form a therapeutic-based company around these technologies, de Silva said.

Three technologies form the core:

*PiggyBac, a method of inserting genetic material into cells by using brief electrical pulses.

*NextGen CRISPR, a more accurate version of the basic CRISPR approach.

*XTN TALEN, another proprietary genetic engineering technology.

The goal is to use these technologies to make standardized CAR T cells that can be used in different cancer patients. Currently, these genetically engineered cancer killers are custom-made for each patient. This is an expensive process.

Off-the-shelf approaches are not only less expensive, they are prepared ahead of time, so patients can be treated immediately. Custom-made CAR T cells are produced by taking immune cells from the patients to be treated, genetically modifying them, and growing them into therapeutic doses. This takes time.

The Poseida approach to CAR T cells has other advantages, de Silva said. One, it targets two surface molecules present in the cancer, as opposed to one. This makes it more difficult for the cancer to evade the CAR T cell killers through mutation.

Two, the cells can be engineered with an "off" switch as a safety feature. Some patients have died because the immune response went into overdrive, producing too many toxic chemicals called cytokines in the cancer-killing process.

Three, the cells can be made to work better in solid tumors, which have a microenvironment that inhibits immune activity.

PiggyBac is important for adding these features, de Silva said, because it allows transfer of a bigger payload than is possible with viruses, another common method.

"We have all those things," in the genetically modified cells," he said. "We can have two specificities on a CAR, we can have a safety switch, we can knock out PD-1 (a pathway some cancers use), and others -- all in one step."

San Diego was the best place to do this because its biotech cluster offered what was needed for a therapeutic company. Kentucky, the home of Transposagen, didn't have those features.

"There's a lot of great scientists there, but not a lot of local companies that are developing biopharmaceuticals," de Silva said.

"In terms of building a team that has management experience, clinical development experience, regulatory experience, manufacturing etc., we thought it would be harder to access that talent in Kentucky than in one of the biotech hubs, which would be Boston, San Francisco or San Diego."

Janssen's presence in San Diego helped tipped the balance, De Silva said. Poseida first located itself in Janssen's JLABS incubator in La Jolla, and has recently moved out to its own offices.

CureMatch

Options for cancer therapy keep expanding. Beside the traditional options of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, cancer immunotherapy

Radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, gene-specific drugs and now cancer immunotherapy give oncologists more tools. But the profusion of choices makes choosing the best ones for each patient more difficult.

Dr. Razelle Kurzrock is a co-founder of CureMatch. / photo courtesy of UC San Diego (UC San Diego)

CureMatch was founded to guide oncologists in selecting making those optimum choices. Its founders include researcher and oncologist Razelle Kurzrock, who practices at UC San Diegos Moores Cancer Center.

That function is led at Moores and many other institutions by a tumor board, consisting of various oncologists expert in different facets of cancer therapy. These experts look at the patient's cancer from their different perspectives to formulate a treatment plan.

Kurzrock wanted to expand the information base for making this treatment plan, said Stephane Richard, CureMatch's CEO.

"While the tumor board is fantastic, it is still limited to the knowledge of the people around the table," Richard said.

CureMatch's approach is to develop software to help oncologists down the decision-making path. The software uses data analytics and rules to rate therapy options ranked on confidence of efficacy. Such a system will make it easier for oncologists anywhere to quickly tap into the latest knowledge.

"You can envision that such a tool could be useful for a tumor board, or for any oncologist, whether located in a great cancer research institution or a little hospital away from those cancer centers," Richard said.

The software is now being used by oncologist partners on an experimental basis to examine its effectiveness, Richard said. Once that testing is done, CureMatch can proceed to offer the service.

Part of the testing is to verify the accuracy of software recommendations by giving it information about actual cases, using de-identified patient information. The recommendations can then be compared with the actual course of treatment.

As the testing continues, the platform's accuracy will improve, Richard said. It then becomes a question of how good is good enough to release the software commercially.

"I would say in the next six months we should be able to provide this as a service," he said.

bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com
To find new treatments for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, scientists and drug companies are turning to stem cells.

Under a $15.4 million contract from the National Institute of Mental Health, Rusty Gage of the Salk Institute and Hongjun Song of Johns Hopkins University will lead a program to grow cells from patient volunteers for screening potential drugs.

Skin cells from the patients will be converted into stem cells and then into brain cells, providing a disease in a dish model of abnormal functioning. Potential drugs will be tested on the brain cells to examine their effectiveness in restoring normal function.

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Two drug companies, Janssen Research & Development and Cellular Dynamics International, are also taking part in the program. They can use their results for their own drug development programs.

 Courtesy of the Salk Institute, the Salks Rusty Gage, an expert on neuroscience and stem cells, explains how the latter can help find treatments for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

NIMH introduced this model in 2013 to encourage collaboration between researchers and drugs companies that can benefit everyone. These agreements are especially important for difficult diseases, such as Alzheimers. A reliable body of research increases the odds that companies can develop effective drugs.

Other academic partners are Anne Bang of Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute; and stem cell researcher Sue OShea of the University of Michigan.

The drug companies will help by contributing their own insights into how to most effectively translate the research findings into commercial programs, Gage said.

One of the things thats exciting for San Diego is working with Janssen, which has a big footprint here, he said.

Moreover, other drug companies will be free to use this pre-competitive research for their own proprietary commercial programs, Gage said.

Psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia fall under the category of difficult-to-treat diseases. Unlike Alzheimers, effective treatments exist. However, not all benefit, and these intractable cases present a severe challenge, causing distress to those affected and those close to them.

Bipolar disorder affects 2.6 percent of adult Americans, according to NIMH, and schizophrenia affects 1.1 percent. Treatments address symptoms, but generally dont address the underlying causes, which are largely unknown.

Meaningful results

By using stem cells, scientists hope to probe deeper into brain functions to find these causes. Theyre using artificial embryonic stem cells, which can be converted into nearly any cell type, including neurons and other brain cells.

These stem cells, called induced pluripotent stem cells, provide a way of creating human brain cells safely and ethically from patients in a way not possible before.

Stem cell researcher Shinya Yamanaka, who invented IPS cells in 2006, shared a 2012 Nobel Prize for his discovery.

Although most attention in the media has focused on the potential of IPS cells for directly repairing damaged tissues, scientists found a more immediate use as models for various ailments, including Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers.

Gage said the stem cell project is focused on getting results that make a difference to patients, not simply piling up research information.

Being able to replicate results is critical; Gage said. Recent studies have found that many research findings of potential therapies dont hold up in clinical testing. This is not only frustrating to patients, but failed clinical trials are expensive, and must be paid for with successful drugs.

The future of this will require more patients, replication between labs, and standardization of the procedures used, Gage said.

So if the team at Salk has made findings, other labs will be asked to replicate the results. Then the Salk team would re-confirm the finding on additional patients.

Using existing therapies better

UC San Diego Professor of Psychiatry Gregory Light said the stem cell strategy will yield benefits over the long term, but there are current treatments that can help patients right now.

Unfortunately, many treatments arent being used as effectively as they could be, said Light, who is also director of the Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. So his work is devoted to using laboratory tests of brain function to predict and monitor response to treatments.

Right now, treatments are delivered in the absence of information about individual variation in brain function, Light said. In other words, we use a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment-- theres tremendous variation in who responds and who doesnt.

Assessments of a patients state of mind rely relies heavily on the patients own self-reporting of complex inner experiences, which can be flawed because of the condition that needs to be treated, Light said. Assessments by therapists also involves significant subjectivity.

But more objective methods such as noninvasive brain wave monitoring testing can help inform treatment decisions, Light said. The monitoring can establish how a person is likely to respond to a given therapy. This saves time; if the treatment doesnt show signs of working, other treatments can be tried.

Its important to remember that quality treatment involves more than just finding the right medications, Light said. Much work is needed to help patients receive effective cognitive, psychosocial, and vocational interventions to enhance quality of life and outcomes, Light said.

In other words, the spectrum of a patients life needs needs to be addressed, not just a biochemical imbalance.

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - September 14, 2016) - WideOrbit has introduced a new booking calendar in its WO Digital Hub digital order management system. The drag-and-drop graphical interface enables publishers to easily place, manage and invoice advertising sold into multiple digital properties.

By presenting inventory and booking status in a graphical format, the WO Digital Hub booking calendar simplifies the process of managing ad placements across numerous media and formats, including web sites and episodic content like podcasts and print publications. The booking calendar lets users easily set ad placements and sponsorships by dragging-and-dropping reservations and bookings within a property, as well as from one edition to another.

"The launch of the WO Digital Hub booking calendar is consistent with our mission to make it easy to buy and sell advertising regardless of media type or ad format," said Lars Jiborn, General Manager, WO Digital Hub at WideOrbit. "Our booking calendar is built to use the fluid requirements of digital publishing as a springboard for developing solutions that also fulfill the needs of media companies whose heritage is in episodic content like magazines."

The booking calendar is included in the platform and available immediately to new and current WO Digital Hub customers.

WO Digital Hub and its new booking calendar will be demonstrated at major upcoming technology trade shows, including dmexco (September 14-16 in Cologne, Germany) and Folio: Show (November 1-2 in New York City).

About WideOrbit

WideOrbit is the leading provider of advertising management technology for cable networks, local television stations and radio stations. More than 3,000 broadcasters and networks leverage WideOrbit solutions to streamline operations, maximize revenue from traditional, digital and programmatic channels and extend their business across distribution platforms. Our clients include Entercom Communications, Entravision Communications Corporation, Gray Television, Inc., Meredith Corporation, NBCUniversal, The E.W. Scripps Co. and Tribune Media. WideOrbit is headquartered in San Francisco with offices across the United States as well as London, Paris and Gothenburg, Sweden.

WideOrbit and the WideOrbit logo are among the trademarks of WideOrbit. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. WideOrbit reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for errors that may appear in this document.  2016 WideOrbit Inc. All rights reserved.
For-profit college chain Bridgepoint Education must refund and forgive $23.5 million in private loans made to students for misrepresenting the amount of their monthly installment payments.

The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Monday that the San Diego company, which operates online colleges Ashford University and the University of the Rockies, also will pay an $8 million fine.

Bridgepoint deceived its students into taking out loans that cost more than advertised, and so we are ordering full relief of all loans made by the school, said Bureau Director Richard Cordray in a statement. Together with our state partners, we will continue to be vigilant in rooting out illegal practices facing student borrowers in the for-profit space.

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The fine was expected. In recent months, Bridgepoint has set aside $16.2 million to cover costs of the bureau settlement and a parallel probe by the California Attorney General.

The company, with nearly $346 million in cash and no long-term debt, has the balance sheet strength to absorb the fine, according to analysts.

But Bridgepoint and other for-profit colleges have been under the regulatory microscope in recent years. In July, the company disclosed that the Justice Department is investigating whether Bridgepoint violated the 90/10 rule, which forbids for-profit colleges from getting more than 90 percent of their revenue from federally backed student loans.

Mondays action involved private loans that the company made to students, not federally backed financial aid. It covers 1,277 students who received loans from 2009 to 2015.

Bridgepoint did not respond to requests for comment. In a statement, the company said it did nothing wrong and provided all appropriate disclosures to students.

The company said the allegations claimed some of its representatives told students verbally that loans could be repaid in installments in as little as $25 a month, when the actual monthly payments were higher.

Bridgepoint said it chose to settle the case in order to move forward. This agreement simply allows us to return our full attention and undivided focus to our students and their success, said Chief Executive Andrew Clark in a statement.

The for-profit education sector has been under siege from federal regulators concerned about high drop out and loan defaults rates. Last week, ITT Technical Institute shut down more than 130 locations in 38 states, including two in San Diego County, after the Department of Education cut off access to federal financial aid for new students.

ITT Technical Institute is shutting down more than 130 campuses nationwide after enrolling 45,000 students last year.

That follows last years bankruptcy of Corinthian Colleges, another for-profit education company that ran afoul of the Department of Education.

Under the settlement, Bridgepoint will refund all loan payments made by students, which total $5 million. It also will forgive $18.5 million in outstanding loans.

The company will offer students a financial aid shopping tool to help them understand what they are paying for school, graduation and loan default rates, potential salaries for their professions and post-graduation budgeting.

As with many for-profit colleges, Bridgepoints Ashford University has seen enrollment dip in recent years, falling from around 90,000 students five years ago to 48,895 students at the end of the second quarter.

Part of the fall-off stems from less aggressive marketing practices by the company. Ashfords accreditation agency required it to improve drop-out rates. As a result, the company is trying to better screen prospective students to make sure they are ready for college level classes.

In addition, the for-profit college industry has suffered from increased competition from non-profit schools offering online degrees. And analysts say fewer adults are enrolling in online colleges since 2011.

News of the fine was announced before markets closed. Bridgepoints shares ended the day down 7 cents at $7.07 on the New York Stock Exchange.

mike.freeman@sduniontribune.com Twitter @TechDiego
Starting next year, Aeromexico has plans to beef up its air service between Tijuana and China by adding a new nonstop flight to Beijing.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, parent corporation of Tijuanas Gen. Abelardo L. Rodriguez International Airport, said the new flight should begin sometime during the first three months of 2017. Aeromexico is the only Mexican airline offering a direct flight to Shanghai, which operates three days a week.

San Diegos only nonstop service to Asia is on Japan Airlines, which operates a daily flight to Tokyo. The addition of the Beijing flight would boost the number of seats available to travelers in the Tijuana/San Diego region flying to China.

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This new flight will improve the regions connectivity with Asia, said Cristina Hermosillo, president of Tijuana Economic Development Corp. It will provide business travelers with more options for traveling directly from Tijuana to China and is something that the region was demanding.

Tomas Ramirez, commercial director of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, said the company was awaiting approval from one of Chinas largest private operators before the new service can begin. It is possible the flight will also have an extension to Mexico City.

The Tijuana airport, which was expanded in 2012, is forecast to serve nearly 6 million passengers this year  a million more than in 2015. The goal of airport officials is to accommodate up to 10 million passengers within two years.

Access to the airport from San Diego was made easier earlier this year with the debut of the Cross-Border Xpress, a new international crossing leading directly into the airport. That project included construction of a terminal on the U.S. side of the border.

lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-2251 Twitter: @loriweisberg

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Classically trained in his native Taiwan, Chi-Yuan Chen is fully qualified for his position as principal violist in the San Diego Symphony. But he began to branch out as a young musician working with cutting-edge composers. It started in the early 2000s, when he studied at the prestigious New England Conservatory (NEC) and played at Tanglewood Music Center, the Boston Symphony Orchestras summer academy.

I performed a lot of new music there, said Chen, who later earned his doctorate from State University of New York at Stony Brook. I worked with Elliott Carter and other great composers. How do you define cutting-edge? To me, its being pioneers, starting a new era of music. Working with those composers developed in me a personal interest in new music.

Its important to preserve the classical roots, while developing to a different level. I was privileged to study at NEC, which had great composers and very good teachers. At the time I was there, students discussed music in lively ways. Nowadays, its much more competitive. I love chamber music because of the communication between musicians, and I get that in orchestra as well.

Adams, Atoms and Planets When: 8 p.m. Dec. 3; 2 p.m., Dec. 4 Where: Copley Symphony Hall at Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown Tickets: $20 to $96 Phone: (619) 235-0804 Online: sandiegosymphony.org

Chen, who turns 40 in November, communicates a lot.

In addition to being principal violist with the symphony, he plays in Camera Lucida, a chamber music collaboration between symphony musicians and the University of California San Diego Music Department. The group is presenting two concerts this fall (Nov. 7 and Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Conrad Prebys Concert Hall).

He regularly performs with San Diegos Art of Elan, which presents a mix of traditional and newly commissioned works throughout the county. In partnership with Art of Elan, Chen and the symphonys principal cellist, Yao Zhao, were heavily involved with this summers inaugural Bravo International Music Academy (BIMA), a two-week music education intensive for outstanding strings and piano students from around the world.

Chen met Zhao in 2006, when he joined the symphony. In 2009, the pair co-founded The Great Wall String Quartet, the resident ensemble of Beijings Great Wall International Summer Academy. The quartet is rounded out by two violinists, Wei Lu and Qi Zhou, who live and work in Germany. Despite the logistics, the foursome has toured Asia extensively.

The group released an album titled The Great Wall in 2012, has commissioned two pieces, and performs a blend of works by the masters and current composers.

Given the number of projects they do together, its no surprise Chen and Zhao are close friends. They share a passion for both traditional and new music.

Being such a knowledgeable artist, Chi-Yuan is very familiar with contemporary music as a language, Zhao said. Playing (contemporary) pieces is similar to putting a huge puzzle together. One needs patience, imagination and vision. And Chi-Yuan has all of those.

The energetic pair co-founded BIMA, an annual educational event that was launched in early August. It was held on the campus of San Diego State University, where Chen is a studio arts instructor.

He lives in North County with his wife, Hsin-Yee Wang, and son, Hayden Chen, a third-grader.

As a teacher at SDSU and BIMA, Chen is fulfilling his desire to help students learn their craft.

Ive always believed that its important to pass on what we learn from the masters to the younger generation, he said. I believe that is how classical music will survive in their hands.

In working with Chen in many settings, Zhao has observed his colleagues interaction with his pupils.

I have had the opportunity to be in many of his Chi-Yuans classes, Zhao said. I am always amazed at how he works with students differently, depending on their personality and style of playing.

Chens role with the San Diego Symphony includes mentoring.

Jahja Ling, the San Diego Symphonys music director, hired Chen as a section player in 2006 and chose him as principal violist last year.

Chi-Yuan shows leadership and respect for the other musicians, Ling said. He works well with his section and with the other string sections. You have to earn the respect, and he has. He is demanding, but  at the same time  very kind.

Before he became principal violist, I heard him with the Art of Elan. He was really outstanding in that concert. I thought, Wow, we have a section player who can play like that! He was terrific.

Chen is looking forward to the symphonys new season, which begins Oct. 14. In particular, he is enthusiastic about the Dec. 3 and 4 program celebrating the 70th birthday of acclaimed minimalist composer John Adams.

But Chen brings skill and energy to all the music he plays. He expressed gratitude for Lings guidance and excitement about the leadership of the symphonys CEO, Martha Gilmer. He will continue playing chamber music with Art of Elan and The Great Wall String Quartet.

Finding roots and preserving them is a key to wonderful art, Chen said. Its important that composers who create new music know the tradition and produce something on that foundation. I believe that if you have a good foundation, it will carry you much farther.

Creating art is different from making people amazed or amused. I take it very seriously. The tradition is important, but so are creative ideas. Musicians are like inventors. We need to know the theories behind things to produce something special that never happened before.

Wood is a freelance writer.
Ensenadas Sabina Bandera is the Queen of the Cart, whose tostadas de mariscos have been proclaimed among the best in the world by the Sultan of Street Food himself, Anthony Bourdain. But on a recent afternoon, the seafood legend is going off menu.

Cradling a hot, freshly made corn tortilla in her hand, Bandera sprinkles on some sea salt and quickly rolls it into the shape of a cigar.

Taste it, she says in Spanish, handing it to a visitor of her just-opened restaurant, Sabina Restaurante. This is what we made at home in Guerrero.

Go ahead, try to resist the charm, and food , of Sabina Banderas. At her new restaurant recently she proudly served her signature sea urchin and pismo clam tostada.  Alejandro Tamayo (Alejandro Tamayo)

When the steaming, salty tortilla elicits mmmms, Banderas eyes light up behind her oversize black hipster glasses. The woman known as La Guerrerense  a culinary legend to locals, tourists and highflying chefs from Bourdain to Chicagos Rick Bayless and San Diegos Brian Malarkey  knows she has hooked yet another devotee.

La Guerrerense seafood stand hums with activity as customers order from among the dozens of fresh tostadas.  Alejandro Tamayo (Alejandro Tamayo)

Plain, simple, humble and delicious have been La Guerrerenses trademarks since she arrived at the food cart on the corner of Lopez Mateo and Alvarado in this seaside city when she was 21. On her honeymoon from the state of Guerrero, she never left. Over the decades, the diminutive 61-year-old has built a global following, in part by charisma, in part being ahead of the culinary curve by insisting on using only the freshest seafood plucked out of the Pacific that morning. Today, Bandera is Mexicos unofficial food ambassador  and not because her cherubic smile is ubiquitous on YouTube, food blogs and jars of homemade chile sauces.

La Guerrerenses salsas.  Alejandro Tamayo (Alejandro Tamayo)

She represented her country at the World Street Food Congress in Singapore in 2013 and was one of the first signed up for Bourdains outsize (and long-delayed) street food market project in New York City.

Star fish: La Guerrerenses tostada of sea urchin, topped with pismo clam and dressed with sliced avocado. The San Diego Union-Tribune (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Bourdain anointed Banderas cart one of the best in the world on his show No Reservations in 2012, describing her signature sea urchin, pismo clam, avocado, chile sauce and peanut tostada, Le Bernardin-quality seafood in the street ... the woman is a genius. (Eric Riperts Le Bernardin holds three Michelin stars.)

Celebrity chefs from around the world sing La Guerrerenses, none more high-profile than Anthony Bourdain.  Alejandro Tamayo (Alejandro Tamayo)

The ensuing fame  and line of customers  hasnt seemed to go to Banderas curly-topped head. Her first restaurant, across the street from the cart, is decidedly low-key. Order at the counter and sit at one of the 80 indoor seats or on the patio. Its only open late on Thursdays and Saturdays, when seafood pozole (hominy soup) is served. Otherwise, it closes at 6 p.m.

The open kitchen allows you to watch the action, just as youd do on the street, and though shes moving back and forth between locations, Banderas children and longtime assistants ensure theres continuity.

Sabina Banderas smiling face graces custom bottles of wine and beer for the new Sabina Restaurante in Ensenada.  Alejandro Tamayo (Alejandro Tamayo)

The full street cart menu of more than a dozen ceviche tostadas (octopus, snail, scallop, clam, crab salad, shrimp, etc.) and seafood cocktails is available at Sabinas. And the lineup of hot foods, a new addition, is characteristically straightforward: fish tacos, clam chowder and her sought-after pozole.

Sabina Restaurante Where: Lopez Mateos, No. 917 (at Calle 1ra and Alvarado), Ensenada, Mexico Phone: (011) 52-646-174-0006 Online: laguerrerense.com

Outside of her tostadas de mariscos (my favorite is a mix of scallop and clam), the best of her hot dishes was the taco loaded with sweet, rounded shrimp floating in a creamy rancho sauce. And dont pass up the moist, dreamy chocolate cake, made by a friend of Bandera, and only available at Sabinas.

Decadent chocolate cake to finish your meal, made exclusively by a friend of Sabina Bandera.  Alejandro Tamayo (Alejandro Tamayo)

As happy as people are to be able to sit and enjoy Bandera cooking, theres something about eating street food on the street that you cant replicate in a restaurant. Its navigating the crowd, and the potholes on the sidewalk, its elbowing your way to get a spoonful of La Guerrerenses signature chile sauces. Its standing right next to her as she slices an octopus or avocado with precision.

Its having her hand you your tostada and smiling when you bite it and the shell shatters and the toppings fall out all over your plate, your hand, your shirt.

Theyre both the same, Bandera said when asked how the experiences differed. They are both mi cocina. They are both made with love.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hugo DAcosta, the biggest name in winemaking in Bajas Valle de Guadalupe, bottled beer and wine for Sabinas restaurant, complete with La Guerrerenses smiling face on the label.
What does music smell like?

That provocative question inspired the recently recorded scratch-and-sniff album by envelope-shredding composer and trumpeter Stephanie Richards. An assistant professor of contemporary music at the University of California San Diego, the 32-year-old Calgary native has collaborated with everyone from cutting-edge music icon Anthony Braxton and 2016 Pulitzer Prize winner Henry Threadgill to Kanye West, Common, Yoko Ono and comedians Denis Leary and Louis C.K.

Blessed with a rare combination of skill and imagination, Richards deftly blurs the lines between jazz, new music, experimental improvisation and performance art. Shes a maverick with a passion for creating aural adventure.

The Stephanie Richards Quintet When: 8 p.m. Nov. 3 Where: The Loft@UC San Diego, Price Center East, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla Tickets: Free Phone: (858) 534-8497 Online: theloft.ucsd.edu

I embrace all the colors of expression I can, and Im very interested in the senses, multidisciplinary works and gesture in music, said Richards, who performs with her quintet Nov. 3 at The Loft@UCSD.

I love working with lighting, choreography, puppeteers. ... And Im always interested in discovering the ways an audience can be engaging with a musical performance.

Richards arresting compositions include Water Colors, in which each musician performs in adjacent bodies of water (including inflatable plastic kiddie pools), and Rotations, a piece for carousel organ and 12 choreographed musicians who perform while on a moving carousel.

More ambitious still is her marching-band-inspired Trading Futures. Its 2011 performance teamed New Yorks nine-piece Asphalt Orchestra  which Richards co-founded  with more than 600 Wesleyan University students, who played on tin cans, tin foil, newspapers, fabric and other found objects.

Then there is her Urban Surveyor Project, which she launched last year in New York City. It is designed for Richards to compose music while she is situated in specific urban spaces. Together with the quartet she formed specifically for this project, Richards recorded her first USP album in the spring. She hopes to continue it in different cities, including Mumbai, Tokyo and Berlin.

She has a very original concept

Stephanies not running with the pack, and that takes a lot of nerve in itself, Threadgill said.

The celebrated saxophonist and flutist has featured Richards in his acclaimed band, Zooid, and hopes she will be part of his 2017 tour with Kestra, a 15-piece ensemble that combines the members of all three of his bands.

She has a very original concept about playing the trumpet, Threadgill continued. Shes a fine artist and has a lot of potential.

Trumpet star Dave Douglas heartily agreed. He has regularly collaborated with Richards, who is the vice president of his Festival of New Trumpet Music. The nonprofit event is held each September in New York.

When I think of Stephanie, I think of one word: community, Douglas said. She is really concerned about helping the community of creative musicians and supporting the growth of our field. She also happens to be an amazing trumpet player and composer. I am thrilled to work with her, and I know many other people who are as well.

Bass great Mark Dresser, who  like Richards  teaches at UCSD, has also collaborated with her on concert stages. He is quick to sing her praises.

Stephanie is a compelling improviser/performer/composer, Dresser said. She has a beautiful sound on the trumpet, is a superb musician and has the ability to morph her sound into many musical contexts. She's also a creative composer who navigates with fresh insight the worlds between notation, structured improvisation, and social contexts.

Her spirit is infectiously upbeat and this buoyancy infuses itself into the music, both on and off the bandstand. We're very lucky to have her in our community.

Richards and her husband, drummer and audio engineer Andrew Munsey, both work at UCSD. When school is not in session, they live in Brooklyn. On either coast, she stands out for her artistic daring as a composer and band leader, as well as for the intriguing ways she deploys her instrument, which can include playing her trumpet against the surfaces of various drums or inside a piano.

I was drawn to the trumpet, initially, because of its genre flexibility to play in orchestral, jazz and pop music, said Richards, whose early inspirations range from Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Igor Stravinsky to Joni Mitchell, James Brown and Radiohead.

As a trumpet player, Im probably most interested in the surfaces I can play against. Sometimes, instead of a (conventional trumpet) mute, Ill use a tin foil pie plate or even aluminum foil, which creates a fabulous sound. Or Ill play against water, where the bell of the trumpet is submerged or against the surface of the water. Ive also played with my trumpet up against balloons or large electric fans. Luckily, its a very resilient instrument!

No Rocky Mountain high

Richards began playing trumpet at 12 in her native Calgary. Her love affair with music really blossomed after her family moved to Denver when she was 16. Or, rather, after she left Denver as fast as she could.

I didnt take to it well! Richards said of the move to Colorado. So I went to the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan for my last year of high school. And thats what got me committed to this life of being a musician and artist.

She earned her bachelors degree from New Yorks Eastman School of Music in 2004, followed by a masters degree in music from Montreals McGill University two years later. In 2008, she received her masters in fine arts from the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, where she studied with such progressive jazz-and-beyond visionaries as bassist Charlie Haden and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith. Her time at CalArts opened her senses in fresh new ways.

More than a decade ago, while still enrolled at Eastman, she performed at a concert in Canada honoring Joni Mitchell, who attended and who Richards met at the time. It was an early highpoint for the budding trumpeter, who subsequently decided to move away from classical music and turn to the heady world of improvisation.

I needed to find the courage to star improvising, Richards recalled. Although Joni has been a big influence on me, in retrospect, I don't see that my transition from being a strictly classical player towards being an experimental improvisor as (stemming) from... meeting Joni Mitchell  rather, it was simply a good concert.

The pivot came less dramatically, but was more of a slow realization. I considered moving to Sweden to study classical trumpet in Malmo, with a wonderful teacher named Bo Nilsson, upon graduating from Eastman in 2004. I looked at my record collection, which was primarily jazz... I realized I could not ignore my true passion for creating new music, jazz, improvising and being an individual voice. That was when I instead choose to move to Montreal and (attend) McGill, and then L.A. and CalArts. And, at CalArts, I truly felt that I began my journey as a creative musician.

Her recently recorded scratch-and-sniff album, as yet untitled, teams her with noted pianist Jason Moran, bassist Stomu Takeishi and drummer Kenny Wolleson, the brother of former UC San Diego Art Power director Martin Wollesen. Present, but not heard on the album, is Los Angeles artist Sean Raspert.

Sean helped me design scents that evoke textures and feelings, rather than evoking tangible objects, Richards said.

What Im looking to try to do and create are smells that evoke a sense of space, shape, color and, mostly, feelings. If that can be woven in with the music thats being performed, I think it could be a very meaningful emotional engagement for the audience.

This might sound like a novel approach to some, a novelty to others. But Richardson leaves no doubt she is digging deep to find new artistic terrain by combing music with the sense of smell.

Some of my pieces rely heavily on the emotional and perceived structure and influence of the scents, and other compositions are detailed and through-composed, but are to be elevated by particular scents, she noted. I'm also interested in how improvising musicians can be influenced by the emotion of scents; by providing particular scents with each piece in a recording studio, I'm hoping to capture that influence.

Richards offered a sly pun to further elaborate on her approach.

I am not looking for common scents here, rather, scents that evoke a feeling of weight, space, shape, color and feeling, (such as) the smell of loss or the smell of a color, she said. This stems from my belief that scent is a performative art, much like music. And because they both exist in a naturally abstract space  without language, without concrete physical form  I am hoping that they can create a powerful emotional and deeply personal performative experience for an audience on this record.

She laughed.

Right now, at least, Richards noted with a smile, you cant buy a smell on iTunes!

george.varga@sduniontribune.com
Jared Nelson wakes at 7:30 a.m., gulps down a must-have cup of coffee, walks his dog, Spencer, and heads for California Ballet Company headquarters, where the responsibility for carrying on a soon-to-be 50-year legacy is beginning to shift to his shoulders.

Today, as always, its about looking forward. Theres work to be done to San Diegos longest-running Nutcracker, which will be staged at the San Diego Civic Theatre in December, a company class to teach, and a staff meeting where Nelson quickly consumes a bagel he found in his dance bag, his only sustenance for the day.

As the California Ballets recently appointed assistant artistic director, Nelson will open the companys 49th season with Jump Jive, a dance he choreographed for the Sacramento Ballet when he was 19, half the age he is now.

California Ballets Jump Jive When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14-15 Where: Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown Tickets: $40-$75 Phone: (619) 570-1100 Online: californiaballet.org

Its a daring amalgam of swing and classical dance that went on record as receiving the longest standing ovation in the companys history.

A bold blend of styles and pacing, Jump Jive combines Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy with the sultry song Fever and graceful pirouettes with the jives mooch step.

Its very 1940s, with a club atmosphere and different types of costumes  suits, dresses and sailor outfits, Nelson says.

My history includes tap so there will be tap dancing as well. A duet will be performed en pointe to the song Fever, but most of the dance is high energy and fun. I always want to keep the audience wanting more  bring things down, bring them back up, and end with a high note.

We were first introduced to Nelson, tall, blond and limber, when he choreographed and danced the lead in last years The Great Gatsby.

It was a role created for him by Septime Webre, the former artistic director of Washington Ballet, a company that, during Webres tenure, ballooned from a budget of $2 million in 1999 to $11.8 million.

A proponent of diversity, Webre cast African-Americans Misty Copeland and Brooklyn Mack as his leads in Swan Lake before Copeland was promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in New York.

While Nelson was still in his teens and a principal dancer with Sacramento Ballet, Webre gave him the lead role in Fluctuating Hemlines, a dance also included in Octobers program along with segments from The Great Gatsby and Francisco Gellas Suite Vivaldi.

He reworked the male solo part for me and actually made it harder, Nelson says. Then he stole me from Sacramento Ballet and I joined Washington Ballet.

Nelson was a principal dancer with Washington Ballet for more than a decade, working with such choreographers as Mark Morris, Paul Taylor and other dance greats before retiring and joining California Ballet Company as a guest choreographer and artist.

It was an idea Webre suggested to California Ballet founding director Maxine Mahon when as she was considering The Great Gatsby and her three-year plan.

He told me to take a look at Jared, and I did, Mahon says. His energy, his enthusiasm, his good looks  everything was pointing in the right direction, and I think he was genuinely interested in California Ballet. He had other opportunities out there that may have been better, but I think he liked what we built here.

Combining the precise lexicon of classical ballet with other genres of dance is tricky; its not just a matter of learning a new movement technique. Its the sort of challenge that attracts dancers and energizes a company.

Recently, Nelson says, four new male dancers have joined California Ballet, including Cuban twins Lester and Lawrence Gonzalez Ramos.

Brazilian-born principal ballerina Ana da Costa has performed as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby, a favorite role.

It was one of the best opportunities I ever had to be an actress, says Costa, who performs the pas de deux in Fluctuating Hemlines.

Jared is a talented choreographer who can put new and 19th-century repertoire together, and this is, for me, the biggest achievement. The movement is aesthetically beautiful.

California Ballet has a long history of delving into new dance territory and taking chances. The most important task ahead, Mahon says, is making sure that California Ballet Company continues to serve San Diego audiences.

Maxine is a pioneer, and I have the highest respect for her, Nelson says.

I want to create the most successful company that I can, and she is up for my vision. We are alike in that we have a love for classicism. And she loves the new stuff.

Manna is a freelance writer.
These are not naturescapes  those New Age, easy-listening mash-ups of birdsong and saxophone wafting through every hotel spa.

Its not music, but it might be musical. Its sculpture thats also performance, with the audience generating a composition in real time, together with nature and industry.

Its a genre-crossing concept that feels fresh even though its lineage dates to the surrealists and futurists of the early 20th century, at least.

The piece, Time Strata, will occupy the pier behind Barrio Logans Cesar Chavez Park over two weekends in October. Its anchored by three sound sculptures: Tide Rattler, a partially submerged raft made of vintage buoys with percussive hunks of bamboo and PVC pipe; Wheel Chime, a circle of bells that can be turned by wind or people; and Wind Harp, a 12-foot pillar of wood, stainless steel, concrete and harp strings.

Time Strata When: 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 22 and 29 Where: Pier at Cesar Chavez Park (formerly known as Crosby Street Park), 1449 Cesar E. Chavez Parkway, Barrio Logan Admission: Free Online: portofsandiego.org or facebook.com/usa.portofsandiego

In addition, several microphones placed around and under the pier feed sounds into a mixer, then into four digital consoles where participants sample and alter the sounds to create their personal sonic experience.

The artist, Margaret Noble, knows that its challenging to explain sound art. Shes still exploring the vocabulary and boundaries of the form.

Its not just sound, its not just sculpture, you get to touch it. But even though you get to touch it, it doesnt mean its a toy, she says. Theres this confusion for everybody. Its not just for pleasure, but I do want you to have something fun and meaningful, so Im learning how to navigate that.

For me, its kind of uncharted territory and everything is experimental.

Noble studied philosophy at the University of California San Diego, went to Chicago to get a graduate degree in sound art, and returned to teach at High Tech High. She creates objects that effortlessly move people back and forth between roles: viewer, participant, creator, listener. This cascading effect is one reason why Chris Warren, a sound artist, signal-processing researcher and musical-instrument inventor, calls her sound sculptures fascinating.

Her work has so much to do with human nature, he says. One of the most difficult things is figuring out how youre going to signal to the audience how they should interact. Her pieces are just designed in such a brilliant way that makes it perfectly obvious what you should do.

Suzanne Thorpe agrees. Shes a sound artist and doctoral candidate at UC San Diego.

Theres a sensitivity to how different materials interact that Margaret has thats not necessarily about being a visual artist or not a visual artist, Thorpe says. Its really about being awake and open to how the materials affect each other.

So why does sonic art still seem unusual 100 years after Luigi Russolo built his first intonarumori, or experimental noise instruments?

Noble, Warren and Thorpe cite multiple reasons: Its hard to exhibit properly. Curators might not know how to assess it, and there arent many collectors rushing to buy work that they cant see. Its difficult for sound art to break away from the paradigm of musical performance. It requires time and space to fully appreciate. Art galleries are often bare rooms with concrete floors, which means poor acoustics and one sound art piece overlapping another.

All of which makes the pier perfect. Time Strata doesnt compete with the environment; the art is powered by it. The fresh breeze off San Diego Bay, the smell of fish and saltwater, the movement of tugboats, jets and helicopters simply enhance the sounds, creating a concert between humans and nature.

Once the listener puts on headphones, though, theres a sensory disconnect. Imagine hearing sounds that cant be seen  metal railings vibrating, ship engines churning  while seeing things that cant be heard. Its a different kind of augmented reality, one that Noble hopes will make people orient their ears to the world as much as their eyes.

She compares it to familiar tools, like paint and a paintbrush. Its the same with weaving sounds. Heres a little of that, a little of this, how do these two layer, whats going to happen?

But natures not paint, and Noble cant control when the snapping shrimp will show up. They live under the pier, and despite being only an inch or two long, theyre one of the noisiest creatures in the ocean, generating a sound louder than a gunshot. Audio engineer Robert Mason will use a hydrophone (a microphone designed to work underwater) to capture the clacking and equalize it to a comfortable level, and fabricator Reuben Foat will bring visual polish to the sculptures. Noble frequently works with collaborators to realize her projects, since shes not trained as a visual artist.

Ive finally found a great way to integrate sound and visual in a natural way that works for me thats honest, but also is within my range, she says. Im not a painter, I dont know how to draw  and when I went to grad school, it was always sound for sounds sake. But the world doesnt work like that. 

I like the idea of inhabiting objects and making them come alive with sound.

Myrland is a freelance writer.
A U.S. Navy commander was arrested Monday on suspicion of trying to rape a woman in Valencia Park after her screams prompted a neighbor to call 911, San Diego police said.

Officers spotted John Michael Neuhart II running from the womans residence and chased him into a nearby canyon, said San Diego Police Lt. Paul Phillips. He was taken into custody about 3 a.m.

The 39-year-old naval aviator was booked into jail on suspicion of attempted rape by force and sexual assault with the intent to rape. He later posted bail, which was set at $100,000, and has a Superior Court arraignment set for Monday, a district attorneys office spokeswoman said.

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The victim, a Navy woman in her late 20s, was with friends at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel when they spotted Neuhart, who was an acquaintance, Phillips said. The two talked for a time, and when she went to go home, he went with her. When they got to the residence, he followed her inside.

The suspect immediately became forceful with her and attempted to sexually assault her, Phillips said. She was able to fight him off and began screaming very loudly.

A neighbor heard the screams, called police and then shouted into the home that the police were on the way, Phillips said. When officers arrived, the neighbor pointed them to a man bolting out the back door.

Phillips declined to say if either the victim or the suspect was injured.

Neuhart is based in Guam but was in San Diego for a Helicopter Sea Combat Commanders Warfighter Symposium, Navy public affairs Lt. Leslie Hubbell. Police didnt know if the victim was attending the same conference.

Hubbell said Naval Criminal Investigative Service has been notified of the arrest.

Neuharts Navy biography says he took command of HSC Squadron 25 in Guam in December.

Cmdr. William Eastham was given temporary command of Neuharts squadron, Hubbell said.

Neuhart received his commission in 2000 after graduating from Ohio State University. His biography said he flew 36 combat missions in Iraq, is credited with numerous individual rescues, and has logged more than 2,100 hours in the air, including on Seahawk helicopters.

He served as a weapons and tactics instructor in Fallon, Nev. He also served on the aircraft carriers George H.W. Bush, Harry S Truman and George Washington. His bio also notes he had courses at the Navy Leadership and Ethics Center in Newport, R.I., last year.

He has been awarded a number of commendations and achievement medals.

Winkley and Repard write for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

MORE LOCAL NEWS

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UPDATES:

Sept. 14, 6:12 a.m.: This story has been updated throughout with San Diego Union-Tribune reporting.

This story was originally published Sept. 13 at 6:25 p.m.
Civic leaders in San Diego are preparing to make a case to get more federal funding to help the homeless after years of receiving less than other cities with fewer people on the street.

Ending homelessness in San Diego is a bold goal that can only be achieved if we receive our fair share of resources, Scott Peters, D-San Diego, said Wednesday morning at a news conference at Father Joes Village in downtown San Diego.

San Diego County receives federal funding for homeless programs from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which bases its funding on a formula that many local people in the homeless arena have said shortchanges the region.

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San Diego at times has had the third-largest homeless population in the country, but was 18th in the amount of federal funds received to address the issue.

HUD Secretary Julian Castro announced late last month that the formula used to distribute money for homeless programs will be revised. The department has proposed four alternative funding programs, with each expected to bring more money for San Diego County.

While everyone at Wednesdays news conference said the extra money would be appreciated, it would not be an immediate windfall to the region. Of an estimated $100 million spent on helping the homeless in San Diego County each year, about $18 million came from HUD last year. Revising the formula is expected to bring another $2 million or $3 million.

HUD is accepting public comments through late September on the four proposed alternative formulas.

The formula HUD has been using gives more money to communities based on the age of its housing and whether the population is decreasing or not growing as fast as the rest of the country. The federal government uses a similar formula to fund community development block grants.

San Diego Housing Commission President and CEO Rick Gentry said that formula favored the East Coast but hurt the West Coast, which has newer housing and a growing population.

Gentry said all four proposed alternatives would benefit San Diego and other cities on the West Coast because they give greater weight to issues more directly related to homelessness.

A fifth alternative yet to be proposed could bring the area even more money, Gentry said.

If we give even greater weight to housing affordability, it would help not only San Diego but the whole West Coast, Gentry said. The fifth alternative also would give more weight to mental health and substance abuse issues.

While HUD did not ask for alternatives to the formulas already proposed, Gentry said one could be proposed because the department had asked for public comment.

Were saying, These are all fine and well rate them, and by the way, have you thought of this other way of doing this? he said.

Gentry said he would like all groups working on homelessness throughout the county to be in agreement when they make a pitch for one new funding formula.

Its unclear when, or even if, any new funding formula would go into effect. Peters said that although Castros announcement indicated a change was coming, he was not considering it money in the bank.

No matter what formula is adopted, speakers at Wednesdays news conference all agreed a change was long overdue.

At Father Joes, were frequently asked what we need to help more, said Bill Bolstad, vice president of capital development Father Joes Villages, reading a statement from the organizations president and CEO, Deacon Jim Vargas. The bottom line is, we need more funding.

Bolstad said Father Joes Villages helped more than 800 people off the street last year, but could have helped more if it had more resources.

For the last several years, the point-in-time count has indicated that approximately 8,700 homeless people are here in San Diego County on any given night, Bolstad said. Thats a staggering figure. Whats more staggering is that it doesnt have to be that way.

Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, said homelessness is an economic issue.

At the end of the day, San Diegos substantial homeless population is evidence that we need to protect and create more jobs, he said, adding that the chamber has been working with the mayors office and Housing Commission on the issue.

The funding formula alternatives are scheduled to be discussed at the Aug. 18 meeting of the Regional Continuum of Care Council, an association of 18 cities within the county, various nonprofit service providers and others who work on homeless services.

The Regional Continuum of Care Council oversees federal dollars that come to the region to address homelessness.

San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria, governance board chair of the council, said the goal of ending homelessness is being pursed throughout the county by civic leaders, including Mayor Kevin Faulconer and County Supervisor Ron Roberts, who attended the news conference.

The city and county of San Diego are together at the helm of the Regional Continuum of Care, he said. Were working closer than we ever have before on this problem because it is so very important, and this partnership is essential to our continual progress in trying to end homelessness in San Diego.
Updated: April 14, 2020

I became a member of IMG or the International Marketing Group four years ago. Occasionally, I write about my experience with them here.

Most of the stories I shared were about the financial lessons I learned in attending the IMG Wealth Academy. But today, Id like to give you a quick rundown of the top 10 benefits that every IMG member enjoy.

Youll see that its not just about getting access to free financial education, but more importantly  IMG members have direct access to financial products at discounted prices as well.

1. Financial education workshop

IMGs current mission is to financially educate 1 million Filipino families before 2020. Thats why more than ever, we are dedicated in promoting financially literacy by giving members free workshops.

Some of the seminars that IMG provides include discussions on practical money management, debt management, financial protection tools, and retirement planning.

2. Free financial check-up

To manage your health, you need to do regular medical check-ups. To make sure that your car is running in good condition, you also need to do regular car maintenance check-ups.

But what about your wealth and finances? When was the last time you had a financial check-up? In IMG, members get free financial check-up and are also taught how to do one.

3. Access to estate preservation program

When you die, your assets will be frozen and your family needs to pay estate taxes before it can be transferred to them. Estate taxes go as high as 20% of the current asset value.

So if you have P1 million in the bank, your family needs to pay P200,000 to the BIR when you die, before they are allowed to withdraw that P1 million.

Many use life insurance to cover the cost of estate taxes. However, thats not the only strategy that can help you minimize estate taxes. IMG members have access to such tools and services through its estate planning partner company.

4. Discount on car, home, property, and other non-life insurance products

The IMG Financial Center is a one-stop shop for financial products. Theres no need to go to different offices because everything is available there at special discounted prices.

For non-life insurance products, IMG is partnered with MAPFRE Insurance, QBE Insurance, Malayan Insurance, UCPB Gen, Prudential Guarantee, and many other insurance companies.

5. Discount from real estate companies

When you want to purchase a house and lot or a condominium unit, youll need to go through an agent who will earn sales commission from you.

IMG members bypass that middleman. Thats why they can enjoy discounted prices for real estate properties from Vistaland, Ayala Land, DMCI Homes, and SM Development Company (SMDC).

6. Access to affordable life insurance products and services

IMG is partnered with Philam Life, which provides the cheapest term life insurance in the market. Its a benefit exclusive to IMG members.

Philam Lifes term life insurance offer to IMG is renewable every year, until the age of 70, with terminal illness benefit (TIB) and; with accidental death, dismemberment and disability benefits (ADDD).

7. Access to short-term and long-term healthcare products and services

Most financial emergencies are medical emergencies. Furthermore, the number one expense when a person reaches their senior years is health costs.

IMG is partnered with Kaiser International Healthgroup, Inc.  a duly-accredited HMO in the Philippines, that provides short-term health insurance, as well as long-term healthcare products for when you reach your senior years.

8. Enjoy zero load benefits to various mutual funds

IMG members enjoy zero load benefits when investing in Soldivo mutual funds, Philam Asset Management Inc. (PAMI) mutual funds, Philequity mutual funds, ATR Kim Eng mutual funds, and Sunlife Financial mutual funds.

Typically, if you want to invest in these companies, youd have to go to each of their offices. But an IMG member just needs to go to the IMG Financial Center to invest in any or all of these mutual funds.

9. Business ownership program opportunity in the financial industry

For those looking to increase their cashflow and earn more income, IMG offers a business opportunity for members who want to have a career in the financial industry.

This is optional, and you are not required to sign-up for this program. But the opportunity will always be available for you as a member.

10. Opportunities to travel the world for free through the IMG business program

When you participate in the IMG business program, you become eligible to get free international trips to attend conventions and enjoy various local tour packages.

Its normal for the top performers of the IMG business to travel outside the Philippines at least 3 times a year for around one week every time.

ARE YOU INTERESTED TO JOIN IMG?

Then I encourage you to first watch a FREE Online Financial Coaching video, which you can do after you fill up the form below:

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Note: The link will be sent to your email address. Please check your Inbox, including your Spam folder. If you did not receive it, then please send me and email at readytoberich@gmail.com so I can send the link to you manually. Thank you.
Some people donate money. Some people donate time. Stephen McMeeken donates the gift of life.

Virtually every two weeks for the past 40 years, the Alpine retiree has rolled up a sleeve for the San Diego Blood Bank. McMeeken, 66, is the top donor in Blood Bank history, having given more than 152 gallons since 1976. Every other Monday for 60 to 90 minutes, hes hooked up to a machine that draws platelets from his bloodstream, which are red blood cells used for clotting and to replenish those cancer patients lose to radiation and other medical procedures.

McMeeken is a humble man of few words and doesnt donate blood for fame or recognition. Instead he gives in memory of a beloved nephew, who died six years ago after a 32-year battle with blood disease.

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He always knew I was donating in his honor, he said of his donations. Its giving back life. Every little bit is needed and theres always going to be people who have a need.

And that need has never been greater. David Wellis, CEO of San Diego Blood Bank, said that San Diego lags behind many other metropolitan cities in the percentage of residents who donate blood. Although 38 percent of Americans are eligible to donate blood, only about 10 percent do. In San Diego, the rate is just 3 percent.

Blood donations

People always ask me why were behind and all I can think of is because theres so much to do here in San Diego. They just dont think about it, Wellis said.

The San Diego Blood Bank, founded in 1950, has a database of nearly 1 million donors, but most of the names on that list are past, one-time or only occasional givers. The active donor list is just 75,000 to 80,000 people, who give a combined 100,000 pints each year.

Just a tiny sliver of that list are the super donors like McMeeken, whos about 13 gallons ahead of No. 2 donor, Robert Fisher of Pacific Beach, 79, who has also been giving blood since the 1970s, saying its his Christian responsibility to help others.

McMeeken said he started donating blood after the birth of one of his children. The hospital had a stork club that encouraged parents to give blood for babies and mothers who might need it. At first, it was just a sporadic thing, with McMeeken randomly visiting blood drives at schools and churches to give on occasion. Then in 1978 in Marshfield, Wis., McMeekens nephew was born with a disease that made his body deficient in white blood cells.

McMeeken couldnt give blood to his nephew from so far away, but he decided to to start giving regularly in his honor. Thats when he heard about platelet donation. A typical whole blood donation takes about 10 minutes and extracts a pint of blood, a procedure that can be repeated every eight weeks. Platelet donation involves separating the red cells from the bloodstream and circulating the blood back into the body, so donors can return every two weeks.

For many years, McMeeken gave platelets on Friday afternoons, after work from his job with CalTrans, where he was an appraiser for the Right of Way department that buys land for freeway projects. Since he retired, McMeeken switched to Mondays at the donor center near his East County home.

Phlebotomist Akeisha Climons said she always looks forward to McMeekens visits. Shes been drawing his blood for the Blood Bank for nearly seven years.

Hes very nice and pleasant to be around and he comes in faithfully, Climons said. He knows the routine well. He comes in and knows the steps and we chat a bit about his grandbabies. Hes a happy grandfather and his son even comes in to donate from time to time.

That son is Sean McMeeken, a music teacher at Granite Hills High School, who has himself given 15 gallons.

McMeeken said his routine rarely varies. He arrives around 1 p.m. and brings along his iPad, which he uses to read the daily paper and books. He doesnt eat any special meals to prepare. The 40-year ritual of needle pricks has created deep cavern on the insides of his elbow joints, but he said the process doesnt hurt or make him squeamish. It doesnt bother me a bit.

Wellis said the Blood Bank could use many more people like McMeeken and Fisher, who not only donate, but do it regularly during the times of year when supplies run low  summer months and the Christmas holidays. He said many people are misinformed on the FDA rules for blood donation and may, indeed, be eligible to give.

The FDA requires a body weight of at least 114 pounds and a person cant have low iron or a high heart rate at the time of donation. Donations are restricted from people with HIV or hepatitis A, B or C, and there are some travel restrictions. A new FDA rule requires that everyone now be tested for the zika virus. But most others can give, including cancer patients who have been cancer-free for at least a year. Platelet donation has the same rules, but requires more time from the donor.

McMeeken said he hopes his story inspires others to give and even one day become super donors.

So often I come out to give on Monday afternoons and of the 12 beds available, Im the only one there, he said. I would like to encourage everyone to come out and donate. They will be giving back life.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
The recently finalized U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement was supposed to ease tensions between longtime adversaries, but it may be having the opposite effect  at least on the sea.

Iranian small boats harassed American warships in the Persian Gulf on three occasions in the past week, with one face-off leading to shots fired into the water by a U.S. coastal patrol craft.

Screenshot from U.S. Navy video of four Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGCN) vessels taking on the guided missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) in the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 23. U.S. Navy video/Released (U.S. Navy video/Released)

Its not the first time American and Iranian sailors have gone toe-to-toe in recent years, but getting to the point of warning shots is rare, observers said.

Irans latest maritime behavior raises the question of impact on the regions sea lanes, where 20 percent of the worlds oil moves through the Strait of Hormuz. It also makes deployments more dangerous for American sailors, including thousands from San Diego, who regularly serve in the Persian Gulf.

The U.S. Navys top leader, Adm. John Richardson, suggested this could be the new normal with Iran.

This idea of competition at sea, what is the new normal, we have to be mindful that we dont become complacent as things get steadily busier, Richardson said Wednesday.

U.S.-Iran naval incidents On Aug. 23, four Iranian small boats harassed the U.S. destroyer Nitze in the Strait of Hormuz. The Nitze changed course, fired flares and sounded the ships whistle to warn the boats away. Still, two of the Iranian boats rushed to within 300 yards of the destroyer.

On Aug. 24 in the north Persian Gulf, the U.S. Navy coastal patrol ship Squall fired .50-caliber rounds into the water to chase away three Iranian boats. Those boats got within 200 yards of the Squall and the Tempest, which are 179-foot U.S. coastal crafts based in Bahrain.

Later on Aug. 24, an Iranian vessel harassed the U.S. destroyer Stout in the north Persian Gulf by making close passes three times. The Stout maneuvered away and employed devices to discourage Irans boat, defense officials said.

In January, 10 San Diego-based sailors were detained by Iranian small boats when two U.S. riverine craft strayed into Iranian waters and then one broke down. The American troops were released the next day unharmed, but U.S. officials said Iran broke international policy by arresting the sailors at gunpoint.

Also in January, Iran used a reconnaissance drone to buzz the U.S. aircraft carrier Truman. The prior month, Iran fired rockets close to the Truman while the ship was in the Strait of Hormuz.

In April 1988, American forces attacked two Iranian oil rigs and sank or damaged six Iranian vessels in response to the near-sinking of the U.S. frigate Samuel B. Roberts by an Iranian mine.

Experts said Iran is likely flexing its muscles to feel out its status after the nuclear agreement with the United States took effect in January.

That pact, which is intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, eased international sanctions on Iran and resulted in the payment of $1.7 billion owed to Iran.

It could be they are testing the waters and seeing how much did they actually get with the deal, said Erik Gartzke, a political science professor at UC San Diego. Are they going to get enough of a free hand that the compromises they made in terms of (nuclear) proliferating are worth it to them?

Luke Coffey, director of the Heritage Foundations Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies, said its no coincidence that this poke in the eye to the United States comes during American presidential election season.

In a way, its to show that this deal hasnt neutered Iran, that they can still be an actor in the region, Coffey said. Its to show the U.S. that we, Iran, are not going to let you act in this region without making it as difficult as possible.

Another theory is that some Iranians  including hardliners in Irans Revolutionary Guard, whose small boats patrol the Persian Gulf almost independent of the central administration in Irans capital of Tehran  wouldnt mind torpedoing any diplomacy with the United States.

The people interdicting U.S. ships arent the same people who signed the (nuclear agreement). This may be their way of expressing their opinion, Gartzke said.

Involvement by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps makes the situation particularly hard to read, observers said.

The guards naval vessels  18 Chinese-made patrol boats and several hundred small boats, according to a Congressional Research Service report this month  have a free hand in the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, Irans regular navy is assigned to other regions.

The Revolutionary Guard is an oddity: It acts as a personal unit of Irans Supreme Leader and doesnt report directly to the elected president.

Theres no equivalent group in the United States, Coffey said.

Retired Navy Vice Adm. Peter Daly, who heads the U.S. Naval Institute, said whenever the Revolutionary Guard is in the picture, its difficult to tell where the orders are coming from.

We never quite know who is calling the shots with (that force), Daly said. Its a bit of having it both ways. (Iran) likes that ambiguity. Because when it benefits them, they can say, This was a carefully orchestrated top-down message. And when the situation is different, they can say, We disavow it.

U.S. officials said the American warships involved in last weeks incidents were operating in international waters. Irans public reaction to these events, based on comments by its defense minister, was: If any foreign vessel enters our waters, we warn them, and if its an invasion, we confront.

Daly said part of the Strait of Hormuz, where Tuesdays incident with the U.S. destroyer Nitze occurred, runs across Iranian waters. However, longstanding practice allows international shipping to pass through there.

Iran frequently threatens to close the strait, to flex its political will.

No one interviewed for this story said they believe Iran wants to provoke an all-out war with the United States.

And even in these recent skirmishes, the Iranian boats pulled back when U.S. guns came out. The United States is the superior naval power, and Iranian sailors would fare worse if shooting starts, experts said.

However, this latest chapter of brinksmanship brings increased risks in the gulf.

We all agree its dangerous behavior, and when its done its going to get somebody killed, Daly said.
For three years, Islamic State militants controlled the Syrian border city of Jarabulus, transforming a once-tranquil place on the banks of the Euphrates River into a way station for jihadis who posed for photos at the border crossing from Turkey.

That ended Wednesday, when hundreds of Syrian rebel fighters backed by the United States and Turkey stormed the city, officials and activists said, ousting the militant group while also keeping Syrian Kurdish militias, Ankaras archfoes, from establishing a foothold in the area.

Turkish artillery pounded Islamic State positions in Jarabulus, about 60 miles northeast of the city of Aleppo and less than two miles from the Turkish border while Turkish and U.S. F-16s hit Islamic State targets from the air.

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 Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announces first co-ordinated offensive into Syria against Islamic State and Kurdish militia on Wednesday.

The U.S. also deployed A-10 attack planes and armed drones, and U.S. special forces advisors worked alongside Turkish commanders in Turkey, according to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the offensive was still underway.

The loss of Jarabulus marked the end of Islamic States presence along the 500-mile Syria-Turkey border. U.S. officials estimated that there had been 200 to 300 Islamic State fighters in the city.

Over the last five years, Turkey has provided vital support for the opposition, giving its fighters weapons and intelligence to mount operations against the Syrian government. In the past, it also turned a blind eye to militants, including those from Islamic State, arriving from abroad, who were then smuggled across the Turkish border into Syria to fight forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Yet Wednesdays offensive marked the first time Ankara had openly fought alongside rebel insurgents on Syrian soil. It was also a fulfillment of Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirims vow last week that his nation would play a more active role in the conflict, with the aim of preventing Syrias partition along ethnic lines  a veiled reference to Syrias Kurds.

The barrage, which began at 4 a.m., preceded a wide-scale offensive that saw dozens of Turkish tanks and armored vehicles cross into Syrian territory even as special forces units cleared the path for Syrian rebels  operating under the banner of the Free Syrian Army  to overrun the area.

The offensive, dubbed Euphrates Shield, was intended to strengthen Turkeys border security by clearing away terrorist groups, and support Syrias territorial integrity, according to a report by Turkeys state news agency Anadolu. Turkish President Recep Tayyep Erdogan said the assault was a response to terrorist attacks in southern Turkey in recent months  in particular, a suicide attack on a wedding in the city of Gaziantep on Saturday that claimed 54 lives.

Right now, unfortunately, all the attacks which happened in Gaziantep  brought this issue to this point, Erdogan told an audience at the presidential palace in Ankara. Turkeys patience has run out. This is the end. We said it needed to be finished and the process has started this morning at 4 a.m. We have to solve the problem.

Jarabulus is completely liberated, and the Free Syrian Army is now combing the area for any remaining Islamic State presence, said Mahmoud Ali, head of the pro-opposition Jarabulus Local Council, in a phone interview.

He added that the rebels had reached areas roughly six miles south of Jarabulus in their pursuit of the militants. The Sultan Murad Brigade, one of the rebel groups participating in the offensive, announced on its Facebook page that it had taken the city.

Abdul-Rahman Ali, another member of the Jarabulus Local Council, sent a video showing rebel fighters sitting on the sidewalk of a major thoroughfare in the middle of the city.

Ali added that the rebels had also taken a string of surrounding villages. The Associated Press and the Anadolu news agency both reported that Syrian rebels had captured the village of Kaklijah, about two miles south of the Turkish border near Jarabulus.

Anadolu reported that one Free Syrian Army rebel was killed and that 10 others were being treated in Turkey for wounds. Turkish and coalition jets took a heavy toll on Islamic State reinforcements coming from the Islamic State-held city of Al Bab, 40 miles southwest of Jarabulus, local media reported.

An unidentified source in the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the Turkish incursion, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency, describing it as a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty.

Fighting terrorism does not happen in the expulsion of Daesh and replacing it with terrorist organizations directly supported by Turkey, said the source, referring to Islamic State by its Arabic acronym. Damascus categorizes all rebel factions fighting the Assad government as terrorists.

The news agency also quoted a statement from Russia, Assads strongest ally, urging Ankara to coordinate with Damascus in the fight against terrorism.

Jarabulus was once best known as the home of an archaeological site excavated by T.E. Lawrence  known as Lawrence of Arabia. It was taken over by Islamic State in 2013.

The militants presence was tolerated by a Turkish government that saw them as a powerful deterrent to the increasing power of Syrias Kurdish political party, the Democratic Union Party, and the Syrian Kurdish militia, the Peoples Protection Units, or YPG.

Ankara considers the Democratic Union Party to be the Syrian offshoot of Turkeys outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which it has battled for decades. It says the Syrian party aims to create an autonomous Kurdish entity on Syrian soil, which would encourage Turkeys large Kurdish population to seek separation as well.

This month, the Democratic Union Party  which the U.S. has bolsteredas its primary anti-Islamic State ground force in Syria  joined forces with other rebel groups to rout Islamic State from Manbij, 20 miles south of Jarabulus.

The U.S. touted the operation as a success, but Ankara saw it as another step toward the linking of Kurdish-controlled areas along the Syrian-Turkish border. Kurds hold sway over a 170-mile swath of land extending from Syrias northeastern tip to the town of Kobani as well as part of Aleppo province.

After that victory, the Kurdish forces set their sights on Jarabulus, prompting Ankara to try to preempt the Kurdish assault with its own campaign.

Jarabulus was expected to fall soon anyway and  the Kurds would move in to take it, said Gareth Jenkins, an Istanbul-based security analyst. The [Turkish] offensive is a way to drive a wedge between the two Kurdish-controlled areas.

It also puts the U.S. in the position of supporting two rival forces.

At a news conference in Ankara, Vice President Joe Biden appeared to side with Turkey and threatened to cut all support to the Democratic Union Party if its militiamen did not withdraw to areas east of the Euphrates.

Yet at a news briefing in Washington, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the crux of U.S. strategy was to support local forces in Syria that are committed to fighting Islamic State.

The fact is there have been diverse forces inside of Syria that, yes, that include some Kurds. And were going to continue to support those  forces, he said.

Bulos is a special correspondent. Times staff writer W.J. Hennigan in Washington and special correspondent Umar Farooq in Istanbul, Turkey, contributed to this report.
History remembers them as the last two American pilots to die in Vietnam, killed when their Marine Corps helicopter went into the South China Sea during the frantic evacuation of Saigon on April 29, 1975. Their bodies were never recovered.

Now a group of retired Marines is asking the U.S. government to search for the CH-46 Sea Knight on the ocean floor and bring the human remains home.

Ive thought about it every day for 41 years, said Steve Wills, who was on the helicopter as crew chief and survived the crash. I think it would be a healing thing for the whole nation.

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One of the aviators was Capt. William Nystul, who grew up in Coronado. The oldest of four sons, he graduated from Coronado High and San Diego State. He was 29 when he died, married with a young son. His co-pilot, 1st Lt. Michael Shea, from El Paso, Texas, was 25.

Organizers of the Yankee Tango 14 Recovery Project (the name comes from the helicopters ID number, YT-14) said they have coordinates for where the crash occurred, about 17 miles off the coastal city of Vung Tau. They said the water is 65 to 100 feet deep, in an area with limited sediment accumulation.

We think the conditions are favorable, and the technology to survey the ocean floor and salvage whats there exists to get this done, said Colin Gregan, a retired Marine helicopter pilot from Arizona who is coordinating the effort. Theyve asked the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to approve a search.

Nystuls family wouldnt object if thats what the military wants to do, said his brother Steve, a physician in San Diego. But they also think there are better things to spend money on, such as caring for veterans with disabilities, he said.

I know my mother feels like she really doesnt need to have his remains home, he added, and I think the rest of us would be in agreement with that. I dont really understand how it would benefit anybody. Let them rest in peace.

So far, the government has also been lukewarm to the idea. In a letter to Gregan, a DPAA official said underwater investigations are difficult at best because currents and storms move wreckage around. He also noted a complication that speaks to just how chaotic things were as Saigon fell.

YT-14 wasnt the only helicopter to go into the sea that day.

Chaos at sea

It was called Operation Frequent Wind.

In the spring of 1975, two years after the Paris Peace Accords ended U.S. military involvement in Vietnam, the North Vietnamese Army began moving toward Saigon. U.S. officials put together a plan to evacuate the remaining Americans and their South Vietnamese allies by helicopter.

On April 29, after the Viet Cong shelled an air base on the outskirts of town and killed two U.S. Marines, the order to go was issued, passed along on Armed Forces Radio by code: An announcement that the temperature in Saigon was 105 and rising, followed by the song White Christmas.

People flocked to pre-arranged departure sites. Hundreds of others swarmed the U.S. embassy. Throughout the day, 80 helicopters flew about 1,000 Americans and 6,000 South Vietnamese to American aircraft carriers offshore.

South Vietnamese military pilots also flew out to the fleet in helicopters and airplanes, adding to the chaos. There were numerous near-misses as aircraft jockeyed to land. To make room on the flight decks, some 50 Vietnamese helicopters were pushed overboard. Other choppers were ditched intentionally by pilots who then swam toward the ships to be rescued.

YT-14 was on search and rescue duty off the carrier Hancock that day, ready to swoop in if other helicopters crashed and the crews needed to be pulled from the water. It took off at 6 a.m. for what would turn out to be about 17 hours of flying, interrupted a half-dozen times to land on the carrier to refuel.

About 1 p.m., Nystul and Shea came on board to relieve the original pilots. Nystul, who had been teaching at a fixed-wing flight school in Pensacola, was sent back to Vietnam for his second tour after about 20 hours of re-training in the CH-46. Shea, a CH-53 pilot, had about 25 hours of training in the 46 before he was deployed.

Wills, the crew chief and right gunner, and Richard Scott, the mechanic and left gunner, were the other crew members. It was a busy day. They transported refugees from one ship to another. They rescued a Vietnamese man who crashed his small plane in the water.

We were dodging aircraft left and right, Wills said in a phone interview from his home in Kalispell, Mont. The helicopter flew good that day.

At about 11 p.m., YT-14 was running low on fuel and needed to land on the Hancock. But there wasnt room. Nystul got waved off twice. Finally cleared to come in, he had to make a hard right turn away from the carrier to avoid being hit by a plane arriving from behind.

Missed us by less than 100 feet, Wills said.

He remembers the pilot telling the crew, Somebody is going to die up here tonight.

Into the water

Bruce Collison was a medic that night on board the Hancock. Now living in Sarasota, Fla., he recalls being on the flight deck, transfixed by the red, blinking anti-collision light of a helicopter overhead: YT-14.

It continued circling the length of the ship, running out of fuel, looking for a place to land, losing altitude with every pass, he said. Im convinced that if they had tried to land, with all the other helicopters there, some of them refueling, there would have been a total conflagration and a lot of people would have been killed. So they took it into the water instead.

Others have surmised that the pilots got disoriented; it was a pitch-black night, no visible moon, impossible to see the horizon. The last thing Wills remembers hearing over his headset was a voice saying: Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up! Then darkness.

He regained consciousness underwater and made it to the surface. His left leg was fractured and his right hip dislocated. His helmet had been torn off. He fired two pen flares, then activated his rescue strobe. Scott was nearby and turned on his strobe, too.

On the Hancock, Collison remembers seeing the two strobes and thinking, Great, there are survivors! Then it dawned on him: There should be four strobes.

Another CH-46 lifted off the carrier, and to those on the flight deck, it looked as if it might disappear, too. Its landing lights went under water. Moments later, the engines roared and it lifted into the air and back toward the ship, carrying the two survivors.

The next day, on board the Hancock, they held a traditional burial at sea for the pilots. There were no bodies, so they put mock corpses under the American flags, and slid those into the ocean.

We were numb like zombies, Collison said. Wed spent all day saving people and then we lost two Marines. Nobody wanted to be the last guy to die in Vietnam, and then it happened to two guys that we knew. The whole thing felt surreal.

Its part of military lore that no man is left behind, but the evacuation task force had orders to move on. Saigon had fallen to the Viet Cong.

A difficult search

The idea to search for the helicopter and recover any remains came up several years ago during discussions among retired Marine pilots, said Gregan, who knew the co-pilot Shea from flight school.

He put together a website (yankeetango14.com) with information about the crash, the Navys underwater survey and salvage vessels, and the flow of sediment in the area. He wrote letters and phoned the DPAA, the agency that has helped recover and identify the remains of more than 1,000 servicemen since the end of the Vietnam War. (An additional 1,600 remain missing.)

DPAA has the opportunity to demonstrate to the nation the importance of its noble mission by recovering the remains of the last USMC helicopter crewmen to perish in Vietnam, he wrote in one letter.

In response, Michael Fowler, the agencys director of communications and outreach, wrote, With the technology currently available, underwater investigations are difficult at best. He said there were more than 240 American aircraft lost over water during the war, and although many of them may contain human remains, efforts to locate them  usually relying on information from nearby villagers  have succeeded in locating only seven crash sites.

Additionally, Fowler wrote, the region in question is littered with helicopters making it almost impossible to find a particular one. He said the case file for Nystul and Shea is in a No Further Pursuit status and not scheduled for investigation or recovery.

Gregan said his group is undeterred. The recovery of 13 missing airmen off Cambodia in 1995  their helicopter was shot down during the Mayaguez Incident, two weeks after Saigon fell  shows it can be done, he said.

Our next step is to contact individual members of Congress and get their backing for the project, Gregan said.

Last August, the CH-46, which had been used by the military for more than 50 years, was retired in a ceremony at the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum. The Marines loaned one of their remaining copters to the museum, which has it on display.

The helicopter is painted in Vietnam-era colors. Stenciled on one side, near the main cabin entrance, is a tribute to Nystul and Shea. It lists their names, the ID number of their helicopter, and the date they died. And it includes the familiar silhouette from a POW/MIA flag, with these words underneath it:

You are not forgotten.

john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com
After days of waiting in limbo, hundreds of Haitians stranded in Tijuana on Monday lined up at a trailer near the border for appointments to be processed for entry into the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A previous appointment process had to be scrapped after authorities discovered an underground market had evolved, said a Mexican official with knowledge of the situation. The appointments were re-opened on Monday under a new system that involves the stamping of a Mexican immigration document.

A total of 930 people were given appointments, said the official, who said he could not give his name because his agency had not authorized him to speak.

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Migrant advocates said that hundreds began lining up overnight outside the Desayunador Salesiano Padre Chava, a soup kitchen and shelter near the border. The appointments were being given at a trailer on the shelters grounds operated by Mexicos National Migration Institute.

We are having an immigration crisis, said Rosario Lozada Romero, head of a municipal office that offers assistance to migrants, talking to reporters outside the center. I believe this is the beginning of a situation that is going to become even more difficult.

Tijuanas four major shelters have been grappling since May with the arrival of unprecedented numbers of Haitians petitioning for entrance to the United States, many through the U.S. asylum process. The crisis has been compounded with the growing numbers of Mexicans also seeking asylum.

Margarita Andonaegui, a founder of the Padre Chava soup kitchen, said Customs and Border Protection previously had been processing 100 people a day, but is only seeing 50 a day, and this has contributed to the backlog as more migrants arrive each day.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com
A former U.S. ambassador to Mexico has been in San Diego this week delivering this message: The U.S.-Mexico relationship is stronger than ever, even as anti-Mexico rhetoric has risen during the U.S. presidential campaign.

Were working together on more issues, in a closer way than ever before, Earl Anthony Wayne told an audience at San Diego State University on Monday night, where he was a guest of the Charles W. Hostler Institute on World Affairs.

Wayne, who served as U.S. ambassador to Mexico from 2011 to 2015, sounded the same theme on Tuesday morning during a breakfast hosted by the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies on the University of California San Diego campus.

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Wayne said he wants to share the facts about the importance of the relationship, and get people to have a little bit better understanding of why this relationship is so important to the United States, and not as its been described in a lot of the political debate thats going on.

Wayne spoke of bilateral trade that has boomed since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and growing economic integration of the United States and Mexico. He highlighted the collaboration of the two governments on a broad range of issues  from energy to the environment to security.

While illegal immigration from Mexico continues, Wayne pointed to a decrease, with the number of immigrants headed to the United States the lowest since the 1990s.

Mexico continues to confront issues such as poverty, corruption, and violence, Wayne said. But the United States also faces challenges, such as curbing drug consumption, and the country needs to move forward on immigration reform, he said.

Wayne said he has seen a growing spirit of collaboration emerge between the U.S. and Mexican governments. What weve done in the past four or five years with Mexico is that weve moved to a different mindset. Were now looking at shared responsibilities. Were dealing with problems and finding solutions.

Wayne retired from the U.S. State Department after a 40-year career. He currently is a public policy fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and teaching a class in foreign policy at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.

Each year, the Charles W. Hostler Institute on World Affairs hosts the Hostler Lecture Series at San Diego State University, where distinguished speakers visit campus to discuss timely global topics.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com
A man found by firefighters battling a blaze in a City Heights apartment died Monday night, a fire official said.

The victim suffered serious burns and was pronounced dead at a hospital, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesman Lee Swanson said.

Firefighters located the unconscious man, who was not identified, as they put out the fire in a first-floor unit of a two-story apartment building on Altadena Avenue near Sterling Court. The flames had broken out shortly before 11 p.m.

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The badly burned victim was taken to UC San Diego Medical Centers burn unit but did not survive. The man appeared to be in his 40s, Swanson said.

His roommate was shaken up and evaluated by medics without being taken to a hospital, Swanson said.

Fire crews had the fire under control in about 15 minutes.

Two other apartments sustained minor smoke damage. A man and woman in each of the units, along with the victims roommate, were displaced. The Red Cross was called to assist them with temporary lodging.

Investigators had not determined the cause of the fire. Damage was estimated at $250,000.
A U.S. Navy commander was arrested Monday on suspicion of trying to rape a woman in Valencia Park after her screams prompted a neighbor to call 911, San Diego police said.

Officers spotted John Michael Neuhart II running from the womans residence and chased him into a nearby canyon, said San Diego police Lt. Paul Phillips. He was taken into custody about 3 a.m.

The 39-year-old naval aviator was booked into jail on suspicion of attempted rape by force and sexual assault with the intent to rape. He later posted bail, which was set at $100,000, and has a Superior Court arraignment set for Monday, a District Attorneys Office spokeswoman said.

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The victim, a Navy woman in her late 20s, was with friends at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel when they spotted Neuhart, who was an acquaintance, Phillips said. The two talked for a time, and when she went to go home, he went with her. When they got to the residence, he followed her inside.

The suspect immediately became forceful with her and attempted to sexually assault her, Phillips said. She was able to fight him off and began screaming very loudly.

A neighbor heard the screams, called police and then shouted into the home that the police were on the way, Phillips said. When officers arrived, the neighbor pointed them to Neuhart, who was bolting out the back door.

Phillips declined to say if either the victim or the suspect was injured.

Neuhart is based in Guam but was in San Diego for a Helicopter Sea Combat Commanders Warfighter Symposium, Navy public affairs Lt. Leslie Hubbell. Police didnt know if the victim was attending the same conference.

Hubbell said Naval Criminal Investigative Service has been notified of the arrest.

Neuharts Navy biography says he took command of HSC Squadron 25 in Guam in December.

Cmdr. William Eastham was given temporary command of Neuharts squadron, Hubbell said.

Neuhart received his commission in 2000 after graduating from Ohio State University. His biography said he flew 36 combat missions in Iraq, is credited with numerous individual rescues, and has logged more than 2,100 hours in the air, including on Seahawk helicopters.

He served as a weapons and tactics instructor in Fallon, Nev. He also served on the aircraft carriers George H.W. Bush, the Harry S Truman and they George Washington.. His bio also notes he had courses at the Navy Leadership and Ethics Center, in Newport, RI, last year.

He has been awarded a number of commendations and achievement medals.
ITT Technical Institute, the national for-profit college chain that shut down this week, had two campuses in San Diego County  one in Vista and one in National City.

A federal Department of Education database with information on college metrics contains no information about the Vista campus and limited information about National City.

For instance, theres no information about the student-loan default rate for the National City campus itself  simply listing the institutes overall three-year default rate of 22 percent in 2013, the most recent year available.

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The data that are listed provide a picture of where National City fit in, among ITT campuses.

About 26 percent of students, one out of every four on campus, were able to graduate within six years, lower than the chains average.

From 2011 to 2013, an average of 32 percent of ITT students were able to graduate from a four-year program within six years, according to teh federal data.

ITTs most problematic four-year campuses for completion rate  among those that reported graduation rates at all  were Baton Rouge and Atlanta, at 10 percent each. The chains four-year campuses with the highest completion rate were Wichita at 60 percent and Houstons north and west campuses, at 52 and 50 percent, respectively.

The average net cost  or the amount paid after financial aid  to attend the National City campus in 2013 was $23,100 according to the federal data. The most expensive campus listed in the federal data was Grand Rapids, Michigan, at $25,200, and the least expensive was Tarentum, Pennsylvania, at $17,900.

More than 80 percent of National Citys students received federal loans to attend from 2011 to 2013. The campus in Austin had the highest proportion, with 92 percent of students receiving federal money. The Grand Rapids campus had the lowest proportion of students with federal loans, at 64 percent.

ITT Educational Services announced Tuesday that it will close all of its U.S. campuses, some 140 locations in 38 states, just days before the fall term was scheduled to begin. It also cut more than 8,000 jobs immediately.
Coleman University and local community colleges are reaching out to help former ITT Technical Institute students in the wake of their schools closure.

The private, for-profit school abruptly closed its 136 campuses in 38 states Tuesday, leaving behind more than 600 students who attended classes in National City and Vista.

The closure came shortly after the U.S. Department of Education placed sanctions against the school and had prohibited it from accepting any students paying for their tuition with federal student loans.

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ITT was nationally accredited but did not have the regional accreditation needed to transfer units to the San Diego Community College District, University of California or California State University.

Coleman University, a San Diego-based, private non-profit school with an emphasis on information technology, announced Wednesday that it would accept ITT credits, which likely will come as a great relief to many students who were close to earning a certificate or degree from the now-closed school.

Many students had taken out tens of thousands of dollars in federal loans to pay for ITT tuition, and whether they will owe the debt depends on their next move.

On Tuesday, U.S. Department of Education Secretary John King wrote in a blog that students who were enrolled when the school closed may have their loan forgiven if they enroll in a new school and restart their studies.

Students who enroll at Coleman or any other school that accepts ITT transfer units may not be eligible to have the loan forgiven, however.

Norbert Kubilus, president and CEO of Coleman University, said students will have to make the choice thats best for them.

Students who are within one or two terms of getting their bachelor degrees will have to weigh getting their loans dismissed against starting all over again, he said.

Students willing to start over may find it worth the wait financially. According to an online chart of course costs, ITT charged $493 a unit at all its schools outside of New Mexico, where tuition was $529 a unit.

Coleman University charges $345 a unit for undergraduate courses and $450 a unit for masters programs.

Nobody was available for comment at ITTs National City and Vista schools, which are closed and vacant, but Kulius said he heard the campuses had about 660 students, with more than 400 of those in National City. An ITT campus was still listed in Kearny Mesa, but it had actually closed earlier when the National City facility opened.

Coleman University has identified six ITT tech degree programs that had a large number of students who could transfer into Coleman programs, Kubilus said.

Kubilus said Coleman is waiving its application fee and degree residency requirement for students transferring from ITT programs.

Students can learn more about transferring into Coleman University, which is accredited by Independent Colleges and Schools, by calling (858) 499-0202 or e-mailing admissions@coleman.edu.

National University, another San Diego-based private university, also is considering how to help former ITT students.

We have received numerous calls recently from students seeking information on this situation, and we are discussing with each of them their options, National University President David Andrews said in an e-mail.

ITT was nationally accredited, and National University is accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which Andrews said creates a problem in transferring units.

We can evaluate their transcripts and see if there are opportunities to accept coursework credit, such as in cases where they have taken courses with a community college, and we will support them to the extent we can in identifying an appropriate pathway to pursue their education goals, he said.

At the community college level, MiraCosta College in Oceanside has created a frequently-asked-question page for students who might have attended the ITT school in Vista.

Southwestern College is focused on recruiting students who attended ITTs National City campus.

Staff members from the colleges Higher Education Center briefly set up an information booth in front of ITT in National City on Wednesday, and from 6 to 8 p.m. next Monday it will hold workshops with counselors, financial aid specialists and course evaluators in room 7216. The center is at 880 National City Blvd., National City.

Former ITT students also are asked to contact Virginia Castillo, education center technician, at (619) 216-6665, ext. 4853 or vcastillo2@swccd.edu.

gary.warth@sduniontribune.com 760-529-4939 @GaryWarthUT

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Jazz fans already know that KSDS is cool, swinging, bluesy, bopping, vintage and new.

For San Diego City College students, Jazz 88.3 is also educational.

The radio station, which for the past three years was named the best in the nation by JazzWeek, originates from studios on the campus and is broadcast from a transmitter and antenna at Mesa College, also in the San Diego Community College District.

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While the nonprofit, member-supported station is run by professionals, some on-air and behind-the-scenes work come from students in the colleges TV and film department, who also are on-air personalities in a separate digital radio station.

Professor Dave Sniff said the student-run station, which unlike KSDS plays a variety of genres, allows students to get actual on-air experience rather than just learning the mechanics of broadcasting in a classroom.

It was kind of frustrating teaching without a purpose, just teaching the theoretical instruction without having a real radio station for them to take what is taught and put in practice, Sniff said about SDS (Student Delivered Sound) Radio.

Both stations moved into a new buildings with top-line digital equipment, CD players and a turntable about two years ago, around the time SDS Radio was launched. Sniff, who also works at KFMB, said the college studios probably are the nicest in the county.

Besides working at SDS Radio, students produce a monthly news show thats broadcast at KSDS and perform a variety of other duties at the station, which has round-the-clock live DJs.

That itself makes the station a rare commodity in a field where automated pre-recorded programming is putting DJs out of work. The stations on-air personalities no doubt helped earn KSDS several prestigious recognitions, including four since 2011 from JazzWeek, which repeatedly has named it the top major market jazz station broadcasting 40 or more hours a week.

KSDS also received a Marconi Award as jazz station of the year in 1993 from the National Association of Broadcasters.

General manager Ken Poston estimates there are only 20 or 30 other jazz stations in the country that broadcast at least 40 hours a week, and even fewer who do so with live personalities.

DJ Gary Beck, 60, hosts a three-hour shift beginning at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. Sitting at the studio one recent morning, Beck waited until the last notes of a Freddie Roach song faded out before announcing the name of the song, the studio it was recorded in and every musician on the track.

His encyclopedic knowledge of jazz is one reason Beck, like many other KSDS hosts, has devoted followers who tune in just to listen to him.

The e-mails we get from around the world are phenomenal, he said about online listeners who have written from as far away as Russia and Iceland. You can be in a hut or you can be in the south pole and listen to it. And theyre loyal, too.

Becks attention to detail ensures there are no abrupt changes in tempos, genres or artists between songs, Poston noted.

Youll never hear Gary play John Coltrane followed by Louis Armstrong, Poston said.

You have to separate it and make it flow so you dont cause a car crash on the freeway, Beck added.

The station does mix things up, however. KSDS steers clear of light jazz but otherwise plays about every other form of the genre, a feat Poston likened to a rock station playing everything from Buddy Holly to Green Day.

Weekends are devoted to speciality shows, including Jim McInnes playing the blues, Ida Garcia playing swing, Janine Harty playing gospel and Chris Springer playing Latin jazz. Claudia Russell hosts a show featuring live performances from local venues Sunday nights, and Poston hosts his own show Saturday mornings.

Poston came to KSDS in July 2015 from the Los Angeles Jazz Institute, which he founded, bringing with him several vintage posters to decorate his walls and a lifelong passion and deep knowledge of the genre.

Since his arrival, Poston has introduced fundraising events that bring supporters and station personalities together to hear live music. A bus caravan recently took 800 people to 11 jazz clubs, and the station is playing a Sept. 17 concert with Big Jay McNeely at Smokeys Lake Wohlford in Escondido to promote its Saturday Night Fish Fry show featuring vintage rhythm and blues.

Were the voice of jazz in San Diego, Poston said. We feel its part of our responsibility to make sure the audience knows whats happening.

Like many people who have worked at the station, Beck was a radio student at City College, where he enrolled in 1974, one year after the station switched to a jazz format.

Down the hall, the next generation of DJs were hosting a mid-morning hip-hop show for students. Jon Sanders, 28, and Arban DePriest, 31, met in Sniffs class and have formed a partnership called Mac2Mac.

Neither had radio experience when they joined the class, but are so hooked that they continued to host the show throughout the summer and are still at it although the next radio class wont start until Sept. 21. It was delayed because too few students signed up but Sniff said its now full.

Their show focuses on local artists and includes interviews with performers.

We do whatever we can to interact with the community, Sanders said. There are hidden artists in every corner and crack in this city.

The two students arent sure about continuing in radio, but said they will have a lifelong partnership together working in music. For now, they are focused on their show and would like more students to take radio classes and build the program.

We want to have the best student radio station in the country, DePriest said.

KSDS can be heard on 88.3 FM, and SDS Radio is on 88.3 HD2. Listeners without an HD2 band on their radio can hear it through the KSDS webpage, https://www.jazz88.org/ksds.

gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

760-529-4939

@GaryWarthUT

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By the time Operation Splash is done with a new class of students, nearly 11,000 Chula Vista children will have learned how to swim since the program started nine years ago.

Students in the fourth grade from Greg Rogers School in the Chula Vista Elementary School District are three weeks into the annual water safety program, which officially kicked off Friday at the Loma Verde Aquatic Center.

Swim lessons are provided free through a partnership between the city and Kaiser Permanente, which funds Operation Splash with a $55,000 grant each year to reduce drowning, increase water safety and help children be more physically fit. According to the Chula Vista Fire Department, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death nationally for children ages 1 to 4.

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Thats why this program and partnership are so important to our school district, students, and parents. It helps save lives, boost students confidence and keeps them active, said Principal Erika Taylor, a former lifeguard. These programs help make a difference, helping our schools make a dent in childhood obesity while increasing overall fitness.

The health care organization started Operation Splash in 2006 and has provided about $5.3 million in grants to pay for programs that aim to to improve swim safety and expand access to public pools in communities throughout central and Southern California.

christine.huard@sduniontribune.com
Southwestern College students who sometimes dont get enough to eat now have a place to pick up some free food on campus through a new partnership with the Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

I think its wonderful for those who need it, student Valeria Pena said about the Jag Kitchen Food Pantry, which opened Tuesday.

This will be a really good opportunity for me and other students who need help with their food, said Pena, 20, a family studies student who works at the Chula Vista community colleges Child Development Center.

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A survey at the school last year found that more than 80 percent of students said they had experienced food insecurity, with many saying they sometimes eat cheaper, less-nutritious food or skip meals altogether.

Seventy-nine percent of students at the school also receive waivers from paying campus fees because of their economic situation.

Some college campuses, including San Diego City, Palomar and MiraCosta, already have created food pantries. More light was placed on the issue of student food insecurity in February with the release of a California State University report that found 24 percent of students in the system sometimes go hungry.

San Diego Food Bank CEO and President Jim Floros said Tuesdays event at Southwestern was just the first of what he said will be partnerships with all community colleges throughout the county.

Food Bank officials recently met with representatives of Cuyamaca, Grossmont and Mesa colleges to discuss bringing food pantries to their campuses, he said.

The organization already has a partnership with UC San Diego, which operates the Triton Food Pantry, and Floros said he is working with San Diego State University to open a pantry there.

The Southwestern pantry, named after the schools mascot the Jaguars, is neatly stocked with fresh fruit, produce, canned food and other items donated from the Food Bank, which Floros said will continue to donate produce and bread and sell non-perishable food at a substantial discount.

Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, spoke at the Tuesday ribbon-cutting and said the new pantry represents a growing awareness of hunger on campus.

We often think of our colleges as still in the era of Ozzie and Harriet, where mommy sent kids off to school and sent monthly care packages of chips and cookies, she said. Having spent 40 some years at San Diego State, I know thats not the norm anymore.

On Monday, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill introduced by Weber that makes it easier for colleges to accept donations from food banks and allows students to use EBT cards  formerly food stamps  at school cafeterias.

Weber said residual effects of Assembly Bill 1747 were public hearings that brought schools together to learn about a common problem on many campuses.

With the hearings we had, it created kind of a groundswell of people who felt, Were not out here by ourselves, Weber said. It connected campuses. They realized somebody else has this problem. Sometimes you think youre the only campus that has a problem.

The Southwestern pantry was organized by the schools Child Development Center, family studies department and Associated Student Organization, which united for the project following last years survey that found many students faced food insecurity.

Child Development Center Director Patricia Bartow, who also sits on the new Food Insecurity Planning Committee, said the food pantry was near to her heart.

Many years ago, I was a Southwestern college student, and I experienced food insecurity, she said. I was also living in a motel at the time, so I understand the challenges our students face each day that they dont know where their next meal is coming from.

Bartow said she spoke last year at a hearing on food insecurity and homelessness held by Weber, who chairs the Assembly Select Committee on Campus Climate.

It was our promise to her that wed bring a food pantry to Southwestern College, Bartow said.

Weber seemed to remember the meeting when she spoke Tuesday.

People generally dont do what I say, so Im just honored that someone was listening, she joked. I would like to translate that to my grand kids.

Interim Superintendent/President Robert Deegan, who retired from a similar role at Palomar College earlier this year, said he has been at Southwestern just five weeks but already is impressed with the schools commitment to help students.

I promise you, this will help peoples lives, he said about the pantry. This will change peoples lives.
The papers in her hand crackling, Maya Salameh stepped behind a microphone in the White House State Dining room Thursday afternoon and read:

I speak to you: terrorists, skyjackers, lifejackers and otherwise-flavored peddlers of sacred hearsay, she began.

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The 16-year-old from San Diego and four other high school students have been selected as the 2016 National Student Poets, and will spend the next year sharing their poetry, and encouraging others to write their own.

I speak to you, for senseless violence has no part in my definition of humanity, Maya said, ending her poem. I speak to you, because blind faith is no faith.

The 5-year-old program created by the Obama administration honors student poets from five areas of the country. Students begin the program by reading their poetry at a White House reception, then spend a year attending poetry classes and art festivals, and doing community service projects. Past student poets have focused on teaching poetry to female prison inmates, wounded veterans and children.

Maya said she hasnt decided on a project, but she would like to work with immigrants, especially children. She is the oldest daughter of Lebanese Americans, and the two poems she provided as examples of her work discuss the intricacies of being Arab-American and the effects of war.

When she visited Lebanon with her father toward the end of middle school, she began to think of herself as a writer.

It was when I realized that being Arabic could be seen as different, and not in a good way, she said. It really made me question my identity, what does it mean to be Arab or American?

Maya said shes often inspired by news events and writes poems on the bus or between classes.

Theres always these free spaces when no one is asking anything of you and no one tells you, this is this deadline. Thats where my mind can kind of gallivant wherever it wants, she said.

Students also get a $5,000 scholarship. Maya, a junior at the San Diego High School of International Studies, wants to study psychology or diplomacy, hopefully at a California university.

The event was another in a series of lasts before the Obamas leave the White House in January, and first lady Michelle Obama got teary eyed as more than a dozen alumni of the program stood to recite portions of a poem about how being a National Student Poet changed their lives.

We knew that we wanted to use this incredible platform of the White House to inspire our young people to dream really big for themselves, to think about what their lives could look like beyond what their everyday existence is like, Obama said.

More than 70,000 10th and 11th grade students have applied through the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, with just five selected each year by a panel of poets and artists.

We chose you because we believe you can handle this, Obama told the poets, some of whom were visibly nervous. You never know where youll end up.

Wire writes for the California News Group, publisher of the Union-Tribune and Los Angeles Times.

Heres the poem Maya read at the White House:

sacrilege incorporated

i speak to you

terrorists, skyjackers, lifejackers

and otherwise-flavored peddlers

of sacred hearsay

i speak to you

just fyi

just for your illumination

god is not

a mcdonalds franchise

you dont hold any right to sell, market, or

otherwise operate in his name

i speak to you

for now is the time

to open your eyes

to close your pocketbooks

no prophets have ever had

swiss bank accounts

i speak to you

for if you love god

you would not lie

in his name

you would not kill

in his name

you would not explode

in his name

i speak to you

for the only god you seem to know

is the god of destruction

always thirsty

for more blood, more tears,

more futures gone wrong

i speak to you

for children

belong to no creed

and if holiness exists

it is the selflessness that runs in their

veins

i speak to you

for the magnetic attraction of violence

keep no home

in the nonpolar

hearts of the young

i speak to you

for senseless violence

has no part

in my definition of humanity

i speak to you

because blind faith

is no faith
Regional environmental groups and some elected officials are bracing for a battle with San Diego Gas & Electrics shareholders over increasingly popular programs that put local governments  not utility companies  in charge of how much renewable energy residents can buy.

State regulators on Thursday approved SDG&Es request to launch an independent lobbying arm thats allowed to publicly oppose the municipal energy programs, which have offered ratepayers up to 100 percent green power.

Known as community choice aggregations, or CCAs, the programs give elected officials the authority to decide where to purchase energy  from solar operations to wind farms to natural gas plants. Under the arrangement, a local utility continues to operate the electrical grid but no longer controls what sources of power to buy on behalf of ratepayers in a particular city or county.

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The lobbying division approved Thursday, the first of its kind in California, comes as the state has four CCAs  and dozens more cities and counties poised to adopt or officially explore the programs.

After months of discussion, the California Public Utilities Commission unanimously voted for a resolution stating the utility can set up a lobbying division thats allowed to market against CCA programs as long as its funded exclusively by shareholders.

Ever since SDG&E submitted its proposal, the measure has drawn criticism among CCA advocates.

San Diegans want to see action on achieving 100 percent clean energy and bringing down carbon pollution, as well as more competition and local decision-making on energy choices, said Masada Disenhouse, co-founder of the climate change group SanDiego350.

They understand that SDG&E and the other utilities are obstructing progress in order to maintain their business model and profits, and frankly, theyre fed up, said Disenhouse, whose group collected more than 600 signatures opposing the lobbying division.

Officials connected with SDG&E have declined to say whether the new division  which will be housed under SDG&Es parent company, Sempra Energy  will speak out against CCAs.

We received the commissions final resolution. We are evaluating it to determine our next steps, said Maria McGregor, corporate communications manager for Sempra Energy.

The program is a means to provide factual information that helps cities and customers make well-informed decisions, she added.

After a pitched battle between the states first CCA, Marin Clean Energy, and the utility Pacific Gas & Electric, state lawmakers prohibited utilities from using ratepayer money to oppose the government-run energy programs.

However, the rules do allow companies like SDG&E to create a shareholder-funded lobbying division to address the issue of CCAs, as long as information and personnel arent shared between that division and its affiliated utility. A utilitys employees can be transferred to the division.

SDG&E and Sempra are calling their new division Sempra Services Corp.

I understand the anxiety and fear of the CCA proponents in San Diego, that theyll be overwhelmed by the ability of this entity to spend and have its speech drown out that of ordinary citizens, Commissioner Mike Florio said during Thursdays CPUC meeting in San Francisco. Unfortunately, in my view, our Supreme Court has found that corporations have the same free-speech rights as individuals, and whether we like it or not, thats the law of the land currently.

Ultimately, these issues are going to be hashed out in the political arena, he added. Big money doesnt always win, so best of luck to those who will be working under this decision.

While commission officials said SDG&E will be required to regularly submit monitoring reports to the CPUC to ensure compliance, the commission said it has no jurisdiction over the utilitys independent lobbying arm and cant regulate whether it is spreading factual information.

Industry watchers said the new marketing division could have a significant impact on the formation of CCAs, which require majority votes by elected bodies like city councils to be started.

Setting up a CCA in SDG&Es service territory just got more expensive, said Andrew Campbell, executive director of UC Berkeleys Energy Institute at Haas. Cities and counties that want to set up a CCA will need to budget more for marketing and information campaigns since SDG&E may be marketing against them.

Hopefully, households and businesses end up being better informed when they decide whether to join a CCA or stay with SDG&Es service, he added. Its also possible that the marketing will be confusing to people.

Rates offered by CCAs in the San Francisco Bay Area have been on par with investor-owned utilities like Pacific Gas & Electric, which has started offering its own 100 percent renewable energy product.

Likewise, SDG&E plans this fall to launch a program called SunRate that would offer customers up to 100 percent green energy, said Allison Torres, communications manager for the utility.

As the first California energy company to deliver 33 percent of its energy from renewable resources and to eliminate coal from its resources, we plan to continue to do everything we can to help the region reduce carbon emissions in a cost-effective manner to better the lives of our customers, she said.

All but two of the states coastal counties have adopted CCA programs or are exploring them, including several cities in San Diego County.

Solana Beach is likely to be the first in this region to vote on whether to establish a CCA. It has started seeking bids from outside companies to help design such a program for the small coastal city.

We are very disappointed in the ruling, said Lesa Heebner, a Solana Beach councilwoman. However, Solana Beach will not be stopped in our efforts to explore (CCA) and to inform our citizens with the facts, not spin, about the benefits.

The city of San Diego has pledged to run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 and is eyeing CCA as a potential way to reach that goal.

Other cities exploring the programs include Oceanside, San Marcos, Del Mar, La Mesa, Poway, Carlsbad, Escondido and Encinitas.
A team of marine researchers are listening for long-distance clicks and calls in an effort to study beaked whales, some of the most elusive animals on Earth.

The whales, with their elongated snouts and protruding tusks, dive more than a mile deep, and can spend an hour below the surface. Theyre rarely seen at sea, and although there are eight different species off the West Coast, theyre difficult to tell apart.

So to distinguish the various species and estimate their numbers, scientists are using acoustic buoys to track their calls.

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Its similar to the way ornithologists identify birds, but these researchers are searching the ocean with hydrophones to record the whale calls, hoping to match them to different kinds of beaked whales.

This is like going into a forest to record a macaw, said Jay Barlow, a senior research scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla. If macaws had never been recorded before, youre searching for a bird, and then trying to get a good recording.

Barlow, with colleague Jeff Moore, leader of the centers marine mammal and turtle division, are leading a 40-day cruise to deploy the free-floating buoys across the whales range. The devices will drift for weeks, recording the animals sounds, while researchers scan visually for the whales. By matching sightings to recordings of the whales echolocation clicks, they plan to develop acoustic profiles for each beaked whale species.

One of the exciting things is that there are still some mysteries in science, and for some of the species, we dont know which animal makes the call, Barlow said. We have catalogs of the species and we have catalogs of the calls, and we havent matched them up yet.

Beaked whales range from about 12 feet to more than 30 feet long, depending on their species, with narrow, beak-like snouts that inspired their names. They are toothed whales, along with dolphins and porpoises, but have only two teeth. Those evolved into protruding tusks that males use for fighting and luring mates.

Beaked whales are the deepest diving marine mammals, plunging more than a mile on hunts for squid, Barlow said. To survive those depths, he said, they have spongy lungs that collapse upon descent and reinflate when they surface. Their muscle tissue also has high concentrations of a chemical that stores oxygen, allowing them to go an hour without breathing.

Population estimates for the whales ranged from 8,000 to 25,000 in 1991. By 2008, follow-up surveys placed their numbers between 4,000 and 15,000. Scientists think theyre declining, but arent sure why.

They hope this study will help answer whether beaked whales are indeed decreasing, and which species have been the hardest hit. The new technology should yield fresh clues in that investigation, the researchers said.

The acoustic buoys theyre using each include two hydrophones, which researchers rely on to calculate the whales locations.

By measuring very carefully the time difference between when signal arrives on one hydrophone and the other, we can estimate how far away the whales are, Barlow said.

Then theyll apply statistical models to translate the number of calls recorded into estimates of how many whales there are.

This is really ground-breaking research, its the first time this approach has been used like this to estimate the abundance of any species, Barlow said.

Moore, who is traveling on the first leg of the cruise, which left San Diego Aug. 23, said the crew met warm weather, but few whale sightings. Nonetheless, theyve placed the buoys, some of which have drifted up to 90 miles, and are relaying their sonic chronicles of beaked whales.

The buoys are an improvement on previous recording devices, which were towed behind boats or fixed in place, Moore said. The new devices provide longer sampling time and a bigger range  about a million square kilometers. And since they float on their own about 300 feet below the surface, they get nearer the animals, and farther from ship noise, yielding higher quality recordings.

On the second leg, Barlow will pick up the buoys that Moore has placed, and their team will analyze the sonic messages they contain.

The ocean holds a lot of big mysteries, and a lot of them have to do with these rare and interesting beaked whales, he said.
The man identified nationally as the 10,000th Syrian refugee to resettle in the United States this fiscal year arrived with his family in San Diego by bus this past week after a grueling set of flights from Jordan to Los Angeles.

President Obama set a goal of taking in 10,000 Syrian refugees between Oct. 1, 2015, and this month. Some took that number as a cap, but the administrations intention was that America would take in at least that many.

Many came to San Diego  372 through the end of July. Thats just over half of the Syrian refugees who resettled in California in the same time frame and a substantial increase from the previous year, when 81 Syrian refugees resettled here.

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International Rescue Committee, one of four organizations that resettles refugees in San Diego, met the latest refugee family  Nadim Fawzi Jouriyeh, his wife and four children  and took them to a hotel, where they will stay until a new apartment in El Cajon is ready, according to David Murphy, executive director for the committee.

Refugees are people who have been forced to flee their home countries because of persecution, war or violence. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are about 21.3 million refugees in the world.

Murphy said that current conflicts around the world have produced the largest number of displaced people since World War II, which includes both the 21.3 million refugees and another 4 million people who are displaced within the borders of their home countries.

Nobody wants to be a refugee, Murphy said. You are forced to be a refugee.

He said refugees often wait years, and in some places even generations, to resettle. The refugees who are accepted by the United States go through screening that involves multiple in-person interviews with the Department of Homeland Security and background checks in numerous data bases, he said. The process takes about two years.

Once the refugees arrive, Murphy said, his organization gives them safety briefings based on their needs and previous experiences. Depending on where theyre from and what lifestyle theyre used to, some may have never used a key to lock a door before. Others have never driven cars.

Asmaa Kheiralleh, a Syrian refugee who arrived in February, recalled the fear she felt when she first came to the U.S. She said through an interpreter that she was afraid for the future because she didnt know what was going on. Shed left her home in Homs in 2012 with her husband and three children.

She said the most important thing for her now is for her kids to be successful in school and for her to find a job.

International Rescue Committee caseworkers guide the refugees through the acclimation process, working especially closely with them for the first three months. Many need help with English before they can find jobs. The organization offers vocational English courses in which refugees learn how to answer basic interview questions.

The goal, according to Murphy, is to get the families economically self-sufficient as quickly as possible. He said government stipends are small at $100 to $200 per person per month and only last for eight months.

The organization also employs former refugees. This week, one former refugee taught a class in Arabic about how to fill out a job application. He carefully wrote out any position on the board for people filling out the desired position field  emphasizing the importance of flexibility.

On the walls lining the classrooms, former students shared stories and words of encouragement. Many told tales of previous lives in their home countries as high-skill professionals such as dentists or engineers.

When they come to the U.S., they effectively start over, taking low-level labor or sales positions. Many try to go back to school for American accreditation in the field they used to work in.

Amin Alkhaled, another refugee from Homs, said through an interpreter that he remembered feeling happy and ambitious to create a good life for his family when he arrived in the U.S. in June. He said his flights to the U.S. were particularly exhausting because the family traveled during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims traditionally fast.

He said he doesnt care what work he does as long as he can support his family.

Im living for them, he said through an interpreter. He said hes worried about paying rent and doesnt want to depend on the public benefits that refugees are eligible for. He wants to be self-sufficient.

According to Murphy, many refugees end up with multiple jobs to make ends meet. He called it income patching.

Arriving refugees have no credit score, so the rescue committee also works as a lender to give them small loans and help them establish credit, Murphy said. The organization also provides financial counseling.

Khali A Shareef, who arrived in May, said he felt disappointed at first because he had to leave loved ones back home. Originally from Daraa, Syria, he spent five years in Jordan before coming to the U.S. He said now that hes gotten to know the community here, he feels more secure and is adapting.

The best moment so far, he said with a smile, was the day he got his driving permit.

Murphy said the Arabic-speaking community began to grow in El Cajon about 30 years ago, and now, with the influx of Iraqi and Syrian refugees to the county, that population has grown to a substantial presence in the community. He said banks and schools are hiring Arabic speakers to address the growing need.

San Diegos history as a haven for refugees began in the 1970s when Vietnamese refugees arrived in the area, and the county has continued to welcome refugees. Iraqis have been the largest group taken in by the county every year since at least 2008, according to data from the Health and Human Services Agency.

Refugees can apply for citizenship after living in the U.S. for five years.

Most want to become citizens, Murphy said. They cannot return home. They had the opportunity to come to America, and they want to make the most of it.

Refugees have become a hot topic in todays political climate, but that wasnt always the case, according to Matthew Soerens of Illinois, co-author of a new book called Seeking Refuge. He has worked at the faith-based organization World Relief for the last 10 years, and he said in that time, hes seen a big change in the way people react to refugees.

Refugees were never controversial, Soerens said. He said in recent years views on refugees polarized toward either compassion or fear. After the publication of images of Aylan Kurdi, the young boy who was found washed ashore in Turkey, Soerens said, he saw more volunteers than ever.

After terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, he said, he also saw more pushback than ever. He added that there was no evidence that the attacks were committed by refugees, but the fear was amplified anyway.
The American Muslim community has felt the effects of the 9/11 attacks for the past 15 years, according to Hanif Mohebi, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations chapter in San Diego.

As human beings, were all affected in negative way, but I think what hurts the Muslim community more is that fingers are pointed at us as if were part of the problem, Mohebi said.

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He said hes frustrated that he continues to be asked to answer for criminals that dont reflect him, his community or his religion.

Two 9/11 hijackers attended prayers in several local mosques, and, according to the 9/11 commission report, met an imam in San Diego named Anwar Aulaqi who later moved to Virginia before ultimately moving to Yemen to join Al Qaeda. Aulaqi was killed by a U.S. drone in 2011.

We have been saying for years now that our community is against all forms of violence, Mohebi said. No community should be blamed for the act of a few criminals. Extremism and terrorism have no religion.

He said the Muslim community gets held to a different standard, that churches, for example are not asked to account for someone who prays there who commits a violent act. He noted that if a violent act is committed by a Muslim, the word terrorist is quickly thrown around by the media and politicians.

How do you define terrorism? Weve been talking about it for 15 years, but we havent defined it, Mohebi said.

Mohebi talked about the threats and actual attacks that American Muslims have dealt with since 9/11, and he said the situation has grown worse over the past 15 years instead of better. He recounted incidents like the beating of a taxi driver while he was praying praying, a man who drove from San Diego to Michigan to bomb a mosque and kids getting bullied at school for their religion.

According to a 2014 survey conducted by CAIR in California, 55 percent of American Muslim students reported being bullied because of their religion. Twenty-seven percent of hijab-wearing students also reported discrimination from their teachers.

Unfortunately, there is fear that is being put in the hearts of people, Mohebi said. I hope there will be a time when we can get together as a community and talk about whatever it is that is making them fear us.

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During and after the divorce proceedings with his now ex-wife, Democratic House candidate Doug Applegate was twice issued a restraining order.

In 2002 and 2004, an Orange County Superior Court judge ordered Applegate to keep his distance from his wife.

Records also show that Applegate, who is challenging Republican incumbent Darrell Issa, was charged with driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit, reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs  all misdemeanors  in June 1999. He received five years of probation, and the charges were dismissed in 2005.

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Politico first reported the legal issues on Tuesday.

Court records show that in 2002, Priscilla Applegate, now Priscilla Greco, told the court that she was fearful for her life, and a judge ordered Doug Applegate to stay 100 yards away from her.

In 2004, she told the court she saw Applegate looking in at me through my window and that Applegate was looking through the windows at their childrens elementary school. In another instance he appeared suddenly from the shadows, she said in court records. Applegate was required by the court to relinquish firearms.

Just before the second restraining order was issued, Applegate had raised concerns about the behavior of his ex-wifes new romantic interest and the welfare of his children, according to court records.

Applegates campaign manager Robert Dempsey said the allegations were dismissed and the restraining order rescinded, and his handguns were returned. He said the revelations were a smear.

Applegate and his ex-wife both condemned what they called a political attack in statements released by his campaign.

This is a desperate and politically motivated attack from Congressman Darrel Issa on my family, said Applegate, an attorney and retired Marine colonel. I love my family and couldnt be more proud of the children Ive raised with Priscilla.

This kind of dirty personal attack is exactly whats wrong with politics, and voters deserve better. 

Im disappointed that someone is making disrespectful and uninformed personal attacks against our family, Greco said. Doug and I are parents first, and we raised two amazing children together. I support his run for Congress, and I will be voting for him in November, she said in a statement.

Dempsey said that Applegates top-secret security clearance was not impacted by the cases and that he was able to subsequently deploy with the Marine Corps where he advised generals on rules of engagement.

As Issa faces the toughest general election of his political career, and as Democrats have targeted the district as one they can possibly flip, Republicans wasted no time to try and get traction from the news. Democrats tried to shift focus to Issas own past legal troubles.

Issas campaign tried to portray Applegate as hostile to women. Also, the National Republican Congressional Committee said in an email that Applegates posts on social media about sticking up for women do not match his record.

Applegate has been vocal about womens issues in the past. Lets see how his rhetoric stacks up against how his wifes testimony about his actions, the NRCCs message said.

In response, Democrats launched salvos against Issas own brushes with the law.

Issa cant hide from his own record, said Barb Solish, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Issa has a long-ago list of run-ins with the law, including auto theft cases, an arson investigation, and incidents with firearms  issues that his campaign said are long-ago history.

The New Yorker magazine reported that in March 1972, Issa and his brother were were arrested in Ohio and charged with stealing a Maserati from a dealership. The case was dismissed. Later that year, the future congressman was pulled over and a police officer found a gun and ammunition in Issas car. He paid a fine and was sentenced to probation.

In 1980, Issa was charged in a car-theft case, but the charges were dropped.

In 1982, a manufacturing plant at Issas car alarm business in Ohio caught fire, and insurance investigators became suspicious for variety of reasons, but the fire marshal did not determine the cause of the blaze, and no criminal charges were filed, the New Yorker reported.

Issas campaign spokesman Jonathan Wilcox said it is inappropriate, unprofessional and indicates a clear hostility to Congressman Issa to question the incumbents legal record and his standing to critique run-ins with the law. But Wilcox added that Darrell Issas life story of his teenage years, Army service, early business career and extensive entrepreneurship in California is very well-known by voters who continue to support him for election every two years.

Issa finished the June 7 primary with 50.8 percent of the vote to Applegates 45.5 percent. It was the closest race that Issa has had since entering Congress in 2001. Since then, Issas districts boundaries, demographics and voter registration have changed to turn the district more purple. The GOP has an advantage in the district, with 39.6 percent of registered voters, versus 31.2 percent for Democrats. Another 24.3 percent are unaffiliated.

Applegate, who was outspent 16-to-one in the primary, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently put the challenger in their Red to Blue program alongside 47 other candidates.

The district includes includes Oceanside, Carlsbad and Del Mar in San Diego County, and San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano in Orange County.

Phil Willon of the Los Angeles Times contributed to this report.
A 34-year-old motorcyclist suffered serious injuries when he crashed into a parked car in Encanto Tuesday night, San Diego police said.

He wasnt wearing a helmet and was hospitalized with head and internal injuries, police Officer Dino Delimitros said.

The Harley Davidson rider was heading east on Wunderlin Avenue near 60th Street when he crashed about 9:15 p.m.

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He hit a parked white sedan and flew off the bike, police said.

Though his injuries were listed as serious, he is expected to survive, Delimitros said.
EurekAlert -- a widely-used web-based news service that serves the worlds science and medical writers -- was taken offline Wednesday morning due to a serious security breach.

The site, operated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, says in a statement, We are taking this step out of an abundance of caution. The integrity of content on our website is of the utmost concern to us.

On Sept. 11, we were notified of a potential breach to our system. An investigation revealed that our website had experienced an aggressive attack on September 9 that compromised usernames and passwords. As we were working to implement a secure password reset protocol for all registrants, the unknown hacker publicly released two embargoed EurekAlert! news releases. We then decided to bring the site down immediately, to protect other embargoed content.

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AAAS did not indicate who hacked into the associations computer system.

EurekAlert electronically distributes news releases that summarize the findings of scientific studies, including those produced by such institutions as UC San Diego, the Scripps Research Institute, and the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute.

gary.robbins@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @grobbins
A wealthy Mexican businessman accused of making illegal campaign donations to candidates in San Diegos 2012 mayoral race was convicted Friday of 36 counts including conspiracy to make political contributions by a foreign national.

Jose Susumo Azano Matsura, 51, also was found guilty in federal court of making contributions in other peoples names and falsifying records related to campaign finance. He could face prison time at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Dec. 12.

The jury, which deliberated about a week, was unable to reach a unanimous decision on whether Azano unlawfully possessed a firearm, and several other charges related to the other defendants in the high-profile case. U.S. District Judge Michael Anello declared a mistrial on those counts.

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Federal prosecutors had also charged campaign services specialist Ravneet Singh, lobbyist Marco Polo Cortes and Azanos son, Edward, with the same charges of conspiracy and falsifying records. Azano and Cortes were also charged with conspiracy to make donations in the name of another.

Singh, 44, was found guilty of all four counts with which he had been charged.

Edward Azano Hester, 24, was convicted of conspiracy and donations by a foreign national, but the jury acquitted him of six counts related to falsifying records and deadlocked on six others.

The jury found Cortes, 46, not guilty of four counts related to falsifying records. The panel did not reach verdicts on other charges against Cortes, including conspiracy.

The case focused on more than $500,000 of Azanos money that was funneled into the campaigns of Republican District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Democratic Congressman Bob Filner when both were running for San Diego mayor in 2012. Filner won the race but resigned several months later amid a sexual harassment scandal.

Azano money also went to the county Democratic Party and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, prosecutors said.

As a foreign citizen without legal status in the U.S., Azano was prohibited by law from donating to domestic campaigns. Although he lived in a Coronado Cays mansion and both his wife and son were U.S. citizens, Azano did not have a green card or any immigration status that would allow him to financially support political campaigns in this country.

The evidence included numerous bank records, emails and billing invoices that prosecutors said showed the route the money took from Azano bank accounts. The money made it into campaigns via straw donors  friends or family members who made donations to the Dumanis and Filner campaigns and were reimbursed by Azano, sometimes on the same day.

Prosecutors said that Azano secretly paid Singhs company, which specialized in political social media campaigns, to work for Dumanis and later Filner. The largest contributions went to supportive political committees, via a shell corporation owned by Azano, and through businesses owned by La Jolla luxury car dealer Marc Chase.

Chase testified that Azano asked him to make the donations during a meeting in the business tycoons Coronado kitchen. He said Azano later reimbursed him. Azano, a car buff, had purchased more than 20 luxury vehicles, including Lamborghinis and Rolls-Royces, from Chase, who pleaded guilty earlier in the case and agreed to testify against Azano.

Another key conduit was retired San Diego police detective Ernie Encinas, who was Azanos security chief. Prosecutors said he was the go-between who connected Azano and his money to the campaigns and political professionals.

Encinas agreed to cooperate during the investigation and pleaded guilty after Azano was arrested in January 2014. Though he was expected to be a star witness, the former police officer was never called to testify, either by the government or the defense.

The trial had several high-profile witnesses, including Dumanis and Sheriff Bill Gore. Dumanis testified that she had little memory of her interactions with Azano, other than she believed he was a legal resident and allowed to contribute to her campaign.

Azanos lawyer, Michael Wynne, argued his client was targeted and victimized by Encinas and Chase, who used his money to elevate their own status and businesses, then turned on their benefactor to aid the government investigation.

Wynne said after the verdicts on Friday that he and his client would continue the fight the case, even all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary.

I am absolutely confident that we will win on appeal, he said outside the courthouse. He declined to comment further.

Its not yet clear exactly how much prison time Azano could be facing. The conspiracy count and other charges each carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,00 fine. Falsification of records carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorneys Office said each of the defendants could receive the maximum on each count, but the judge is expected to consider a variety of factors (including the sentencing guidelines) before imposing the sentence.

Azano and Singh are scheduled to be sentenced on the same day. Azanos son will be sentenced on Dec. 5.

Meanwhile the judge has allowed the elder Azano to remain free until the next hearing. Prosecutors had asked for him to be placed in custody immediately in light of the verdicts, arguing that he is a flight risk because of his wealth as well as his business and personal connections to Mexico.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Pletcher cited the words of Azanos own lawyer when noting that Azano spent 800 hours traveling by air every year.

Wynne, however, said Azano does not have the financial resources he had before he was prosecuted in this case, noting for example that he no longer has any private planes. The attorney noted that Azanos wife is a U.S. citizen as is his 10-year-old daughter.

He has every reason to stay here, Wynne said, adding that his client is both a man of honor and a man of integrity.

An immigration lawyer told the judge that proceedings began about four or five months ago to make Azano a legal resident of the United States.

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Advocates hoping for reform at the California Public Utilities Commission were disappointed twice this week, as an overhaul bill died in the legislature and a court ruling allowed certain emails regarding the agencys response to the San Onofre failure to remain secret.

Lawmakers did pass two bills that imposed changes on the commission, which for two years has been under criminal investigation for backchannel dealings with utility executives.

Stronger reforms  agreed to in June by Gov. Jerry Brown and top lawmakers and embraced by both parties  were left in legislative limbo when the session ended at midnight Wednesday.

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Its another broken promise to the people of California and the original promise was half a loaf to begin with, said Jamie Court of Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica nonprofit group that has been critical of Brown and the utilities commission. We are getting about two slices of the full reform loaf we should be.

Brown spokesman Gareth Lacy issued a statement saying its unfortunate that two of the reform bills did not pass, but noting that two others did.

The Legislature approved significant PUC reforms and the Governor will sign those bills, he wrote in an email.

Among other changes, the failed legislation would have allowed for Superior Court review when regulators deny California Public Records Act requests. It also would have added an internal auditor to review commission decisions and prohibited former utility executives from serving on the commission for at least two years.

One of the two bills that did pass  and now await the governors signature  expands disclosure rules for private discussions between regulators and utilities or other stakeholders. It also raises the potential penalty for violations to $50,000.

The other bill sent to the governor calls on commissioners to improve transparency by making some records more available to the public.

Lawmakers who negotiated the compromise legislation this spring  winning Browns support  were hard-pressed on Thursday to articulate what went wrong.

I dont know how to explain to the people of California that their leaders let them down, said Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles, who proposed a constitutional amendment to strip the commission of most of its authority before agreeing with Brown and others to an overhaul with less fundamental changes.

You always have to decide whether a bill failed through incompetence or something more malevolent, he said. I have not decided which of those ended up killing the bill.

Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, said one sticking point was an existing law that allows commission employees to be charged with a misdemeanor if they release confidential information.

Hill said commission President Michael Picker wanted that provision removed but some of the regulated entities lobbied for it to remain. Still, he could not blame that impasse for the demise of the larger reforms.

You never know what the real reason is, Hill said of the legislative failure. You dont know why it happens.

Procedurally, the Assembly bill sponsored by Gatto did not receive a required hearing before the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications  the key panel chaired by Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego.

In a statement Thursday, Hueso blamed the bills fate on the legislative process, which required support from two-thirds of the Senate to move forward because amendments were made at the last minute.

The (Gatto) bill did not get the rule waiver it needed to be heard in the Senate Utilities (committee) after the deadline, he said.

The utilities commission has been under increased scrutiny since 2014, when emails released as part of a lawsuit showed that top regulators and utility executives routinely traveled, dined and socialized together and traded favors.

Last year, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that one focus of investigators was an undisclosed meeting at a luxury hotel in Warsaw, Poland.

At that meeting, former commission President Michael Peevey discussed with Southern California Edison a framework for a deal charging ratepayers billions of dollars for the failure of the San Onofre nuclear plant north of Oceanside.

Utility officials disclosed the 2013 meeting nearly two years late and the company was fined almost $17 million. The settlement deal, which now may be reopened, cost ratepayers $3.3 billion of the $4.7 billion in closure costs.

According to search-warrant affidavits filed by the Attorneys Generals Office last year, the criminal investigation is focused on improper discussions between regulators and utility executives, like the meeting between Peevey and Edison three years ago.

After two-plus years of investigation and at least six search warrants being executed at commission offices and elsewhere, no criminal charges have been filed.

San Diego attorney Michael Aguirre, who sued to overturn the decision charging ratepayers for the San Onofre failure, requested emails and other documents from the commission under the California Public Records Act as part of his review.

Aguirre filed another lawsuit last year after the commission identified 65 San Onofre-related emails between regulators and the Governors Office and declined to release them publicly.

A San Francisco Superior Court judge allowed the lawsuit to proceed but commission lawyers took their case to appellate court, saying the lower court had no legal jurisdiction to hear the case.

In a 16-page ruling issued hours before the reform legislation fizzled, the 1st District Court of Appeal reversed the Superior Court and prohibited it from conducting further proceedings in the case.

If there is a dispute as to whether the CPUC has complied with the PRA, filing an action against the CPUC in an appellate court  will not limit the publics right to access to the documents, the judges wrote.

Aguirre disagreed with the ruling, noting that aggrieved parties have a right to be heard at the Superior Court level, but not by an appellate court.

The appellate court waited until it was too late for the legislature to respond, then announced they were going to shield Gov. Browns files from disclosure, Aguirre said. They really are not interested in any kind of reform.

Two of the three judges that signed the ruling were appointed by Brown.

Besides allowing plaintiffs to sue the commission in Superior Court over public-records disputes, the Gatto legislation would have moved oversight of car services like Uber and Lyft away from the commission.

It also would have created a deputy director position in charge of safety and a chief ethics position, and directed the commission to work with federal regulators to move 3 million-plus pounds of nuclear waste from San Onofre away from the San Diego County coast.

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When key bills aimed at reforming the California Public Utilities Commission died last month, much of the blame was placed publicly at the feet of a Republican floor leader  someone not typically seen as a make-or-break figure in a Democrat-dominated legislature.

It turns out, the CPUC itself had some last-minute concerns about the overhaul that contributed to its demise.

A spokeswoman for Michael Picker, president of the commission, said that certain legislative staffers were concerned that his patron, Gov. Jerry Brown, would veto the reform measures.

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Legislative staff asked him about a veto and he did not respond, Pickers spokeswoman, Terrie Prosper, said via email. To further clarify, the CPUC does not decide the outcome of a bill.

The commission has been under criminal investigation for nearly two years, for backchannel dealings with utility executives regarding issues such as the failure of the San Onofre nuclear plant north of Oceanside.

Brown vetoed a slate of reform bills last year, saying they were contradictory and unworkable as a whole. He signed on for a reform package in June, after the Assembly overwhelmingly passed a proposed constitutional amendment to strip the utilities commission of much of its authority.

Among other provisions, the overhaul would have added an internal auditor to review commission decisions and prohibited former utility executives from serving on the commission for at least two years. The failed reforms were contained in Senate Bill 1017 and Assembly Bill 2903.

The last-minute concerns from the CPUC involved a provision of current law that makes it a misdemeanor crime for utilities commission employees to release information to the outside world  such as Wall Street investors  that has been deemed confidential or proprietary by utility companies.

Prosper said that provision needs to be removed, because its in conflict with California Public Records Act provisions that may require release of documents. The reform measures would have given Superior Court judges the ability to enforce the records act on the commission  something those judges cannot now do.

The problem is that Section 583 of the Public Utilities Code, which pertains to the CPUC, contradicts the Public Records Act because it imposes a misdemeanor for those employees who divulge confidential information, she wrote. SB 1017 would not have sufficiently amended this section of the law to the extent that would allow us to fulfill requests for records that are deemed confidential by utilities without the threat of a misdemeanor charge.

The bills died after they did not meet last-minute procedural hurdles.

Both Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, and Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles  who wrote the two failed pieces of legislation  were at a loss to specify why their bills did not receive the procedural votes required for passage.

You have so many stakeholders involved and very powerful special interests, Hill said. There were a lot of moving parts that couldnt come together.

Prosper said the commission was also stunned at the collapse of the reform legislation and had worked on these important bills very diligently with the legislative authors, and will be discussing next steps with the Governors Office.

The Governors Office did not respond to questions about Pickers conversations about a possible veto. The day after the agreed-upon reforms failed, a spokesman said Brown was disappointed the two reform bills did not pass but pleased to sign two others that included changes to utilities commission practices.

The bills Brown said he would sign impose stricter penalties for violating rules on so-called ex parte discussions, the backchannel communications that are the subject of the criminal investigation by the Attorney Generals Office.

They also call on the commission to improve public access to commission records.

Prosper said its perfectly appropriate for Picker to communicate with legislators on proposed changes to his agency.

Simon Mayeski, an activist with the good-government group California Common Cause and the green-energy nonprofit San Diego 350, said it was inappropriate for Picker to be involved in changes to the agreement between Brown and lawmakers.

Those folks are supposed to be representing all of us, protecting us and being fair and balanced and equal, he said of utility regulators. They havent been that as far as Ive been watching them.

Gatto issued a statement late last week calling his bills demise a breach of the reform agreement and pledged to get commission reform proposals in front of voters.

My office continues to hear scuttlebutt as to who banded together to kill the landmark CPUC reforms, he said. As details keep coming in, I have also been approached by like-minded reformers with resources to place a more comprehensive set of reforms on the ballot.

The utilities commission oversees water, power and telecommunications companies, and sets rates for electric monopolies. All five members are Brown appointees.

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A homeless man in Pacific Beach has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of San Diego and one of its police officers, accusing officials of targeting him for arrest because he is black and has no fixed address.

Zack Green, 68, who has been living on the street for more than 25 years and is well-known to police and residents, said his most recent arrest came over Labor Day weekend, when he was locked up for three-plus days on a charge of encroachment.

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The citation, an infraction, alleged Greens possessions were blocking a sidewalk.

They are just shaking me down, Green said in a telephone interview Monday. You get in their crosshairs, they come after you kind of strong.

Neither the police department nor the City Attorneys Office responded to a request for comment on Monday.

Green filed a claim against the city late last year, accusing the department of targeting homeless people and locking them up for days at a time, often without filing criminal charges. He also said police failed to return his dentures and Samsung cell phone once he was released from custody.

Police officials told The San Diego Union-Tribune in February that they treat all citizens the same whether they are homeless or not.

If youre a homeless person and youve got the right to walk around downtown, the police department is not going to contact you until one, youve broken the law and two, we get a call about your behavior, Capt. Charles Kaye said at the time.

City officials rejected Greens claim early this year. Green filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court last month.

This (harassment) was an official policy adopted by San Diego because the decision-makers believe that transients and blacks bring down property values, are concerned in maintaining the affluence of the beach area and with appeasing a socio-economically affluent voting block, the lawsuit states.

The complaint seeks $1 million in damages.
When you walk into a polling place this November and look at the 17  yes, 17!  state propositions on your ballot, you might think you mistakenly stepped into the cinema multiplex.

Weve got shoot-em-up violence: Proposition 63 would require background checks to buy ammunition and ban the possession of high-capacity ammo magazines used in so many recent mass shootings. It is being pushed by political rock star and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who hopes his sequel to a successful proposition will be winning the governorship in 2018. There is also the battle over death: Proposition 62 would get rid of the death penalty in California, while the competing Proposition 66 would speed stays on death row by streamlining death penalty appeals.

If you liked Cheech and Chong movies, youll love Proposition 64, which would legalize recreational marijuana. And when you read Proposition 60, you might blush and think you are in a different type of theater altogether  it Requires performers in adult films to use condoms during filming of sexual intercourse.

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What brought all of these blockbuster propositions  along with complex snoozers that change the process for approving state revenue bonds or for amending a state law that governs fees paid by hospitals  together onto one ballot?

Our long ballot this fall is a product of two recent trends. First, a few years back, Gov. Jerry Brown and the legislature agreed that all citizen initiatives should appear on the general election ballot, not in the primary. While they did that to jack up turnout for a key election, it made sense as a reform because it gives the bigger, broader electorate of voters who show up in November the final say on these controversial propositions.

The other reason the ballot is so long is that the price of entry for a proposition  the number of signatures needed to qualify it  rises and falls with turnout in state elections. Most measures need to be signed by 5 percent of Californias voters in the last gubernatorial election. Because so few voters turned out for Browns landslide re-election in 2014, getting on the ballot in 2016 required 365,880 valid signatures, down from 585,407 in recent elections. The hurdle to make the ballot hasnt been that low since the 1970s, when we were a much smaller state. So nearly every group that had been trying to qualify a proposition since the disco era was able to get on the ballot.

All of these forces accidentally caused this years direct democracy traffic jam. Its the longest ballot in years, and one that demands that voters do their homework to be prepared to say yes or no to complex, high-stakes policy choices. The number and variety of propositions in 2016 raises a question that Californians have been asking since the creation of the initiative process in 1911: Is this any way to run a democracy?

Political science research, much of it done at UC San Diego, provides a basis of evidence to inform this debate and let voters make up their own mind. Scholars have focused on the question of whether ordinary citizens with busy lives can learn enough about ballot propositions to cast a vote that reflects their policy positions. When the issues are clear and tap into our deeply held values, voting isnt all that complicated. That may be the saving grace of this years blockbuster ballot  because its propositions take on issues like gun control, the death penalty, pot and condoms, we dont need to scrutinize a long policy analysis to make up our minds.

But what about the hard calls on confusing propositions like the ones on hospital fees or revenue bonds? A landmark study that professor Arthur Lupia published when he was at UCSD showed how shortcuts can guide voters to the right choice. Looking at a complex set of auto insurance propositions, Lupia found that about one-third of voters had encyclopedic knowledge of what they did, another one-third knew the shortcut of which interest groups or political leaders supported which initiative, and one-third had little knowledge. The voters who knew the shortcuts could translate their policy positions into a vote just as accurately as the walking encyclopedias could.

Of course, that still leaves one-third of the electorate confused. What do they do? When professor Mike Binder was a graduate student at UCSD, he conducted a series of polls showing that confused voters did not, as conventional wisdom held, simply vote no. Instead, they often cast a ballot that didnt reflect their positions. But it turns out that these voting errors were random and canceled each other out. For instance, in 2008, there were just as many Californians who supported same-sex marriage but voted yes on Proposition 8  a clear but understandable error  as there were opponents of marriage equality who voted no. Changing their votes would not have flipped the outcome. Individual voters may have gotten it wrong, but the process got to the right outcome.

My research, which shows just how powerful campaign spending on ballot measures can be, points out a potential problem in a state where pharmaceutical companies have already raised $70 million to defeat Proposition 61 and tobacco companies $35 million to beat Proposition 56. Not every campaign can raise that kind of cash, which means that not all voices are heard in direct democracy.

The peoples process is not always fair and not always perfect. But our megastate has worked through massive ballots before  we had 20 propositions in the March 2000 primary  and well survive this blockbuster.
When the 2004 high school experience movie Mean Girls made the cliquishness of lunch rooms a central plot point, every student in America who saw it could relate in some way.

Who can forget Lindsay Lohans character, Cady Heron, spending her first day of school eating lunch in a bathroom stall? Or another student being banished from her regular table when one of her classmates yells, You cant sit with us!

That phrase still plagues some high schoolers facing the age-old problem of where to sit and who to sit with.

So when 16-year-old Southern Californian Natalie Hampton faced bullying in her own high school lunch room, she decided it was time to do something about it. She created an app called Sit With Us to make sure other kids dont eat alone at lunch or suffer the embarrassment of having others see them eating alone at lunch.

After I changed schools, whenever I saw someone eating lunch alone, I would always invite the person to join the group, the Sherman Oaks student said. Each time, the persons face would light up, and the look of relief would wash over the persons face.

Sit With Us allows friendly students to set up open lunches that anyone can attend. It also has a social media element where they can create profiles and chat about lunch plans.

Hampton told NPR that after so many times of trying to go up to people at lunch and being rejected, she used the app to solve that problem:

This way it's very private. It's through the phone. No one else has to know. And you know that you're not going to be rejected once you get to the table.  Natalie Hampton

The app is already receiving a lot of praise on social media for being inclusive and supportive of bullied teens.

What do you think of this new app? Let us know in the comment section.

And in the mean time, if youve forgotten how terrible a high school lunch room can be, Mean Girls still serves as a pretty spot on refresher:

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin
The signing of a farmworker overtime bill in California is no small feat for the multi-billion dollar industry or the largest farm grower state in the nation.

As Gov. Jerry Brown put his signature on AB 1066, the bill that expands overtime pay for farmworkers in the state, legislators remained split on the effects it will have on farmers and farmworkers alike for years to come.

Strong reactions came from both sides.

On one hand, legislators like Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), who authored the bill, and farmworker advocates like the United Farm Workers union cheered the passage of the law. On the other hand, opponents like Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) and state Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) lamented the damaging effects it may have on the industry and ultimately workers' pay.

Reactions to signing of AB 1066 Supporters celebrated the news Opponents weighed in as well

Currently, farmworkers in the state must work at least 10 hours in a day's work and 60 hours in a week before earning overtime pay. The law will grant them overtime pay after eight hours in a day's work and 40 hours in a week, essentially matching how other industries in the state pay workers. The law will be phased in over the course of the next four years, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Farmworker pay has been a contentious issue for the industry for decades and recent previous attempts to pass a similar law have been defeated. In 2010, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill and two years later another bill was defeated in a final Assembly vote.

And it could be a few years until the full effects of the law are felt, either at the grocery store or in farmworkers' paycheck. What is clear is that many labor and farmworker advocates see this as a historic passage second to the 1938 federal Fair Labor Standards Act that set the minimum wage nationwide.

Advocates of AB 1066 call it a historic bill

Will AB 1066 become the law that farmworker advocates have always sought or will this hurt the industry?

Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP)  A Virginia businessman with ties to conservative Christian groups that condemn homosexuality is set to go on trial in New York on charges he helped a woman and her daughter flee the country rather than share custody of the girl with the womans former partner when it was clear she was losing a yearslong custody battle.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Sept. 20 in Buffalo in the trial of Philip Zodhiates who is charged with international parental kidnapping and other counts stemming from allegations he drove Lisa Miller and her then 7-year-old daughter Isabella from Virginia to the Rainbow Bridge in New York where they crossed into Canada on Sept. 22, 2009 on their way to Nicaragua.

This case is about religious intolerance of same-sex relationships, said the prosecutions trial memorandum that was filed in federal court in Buffalo.

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Zodhiates has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His attorney did not return a phone call or email seeking comment on the upcoming trial.

But court filings by his attorneys maintain that Zodhiates allegedly helped Miller and Isabella leave the country before the Vermont family court judge issued an order transferring custody of the girl to Millers former civil union partner, Janet Jenkins.

A defendant cannot conspire to obstruct parental rights that do not exist, said Zodhiates filing.

Prosecutors allege that Zodhiates, whose direct mail company worked closely with conservative Christian organizations aware of Millers case and reached out to Miller and helped her break the law by taking Isabella outside the country in the name of those strong religious views.

It was Zodhiates, prosecutors allege, who arranged the flight of Miller and Isabella with the assistance of a number of Mennonites in the United States and Nicaragua who were also opposed to same-sex relationships, and help set her up after they arrived in the Central American nation.

Miller, who has been charged with similar offenses, but has not been arrested, and Isabella, now 14, are still believed to be in Nicaragua.

One of those Mennonites, Kenneth Miller, of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, who is not related to Lisa Miller, was convicted in 2012 in Vermont of arranging the flight of Lisa Miller and Isabella. Kenneth Miller is now serving a 27-month sentence at a federal prison in Virginia.

Lisa Miller and Jenkins entered into a civil union in Vermont shortly after the state became the first to legally recognize same-sex relationships in 2000. Miller bore the child, who was conceived through artificial insemination, and both acted as parents.

The two later split up and Miller later became an evangelical Christian and renounced her homosexuality. A child-custody case went to Vermont family court in 2004, after the couple dissolved the civil union. Lisa Miller, who moved to Virginia, had primary custody of Isabella, with Jenkins given visitation rights.

Courts in both states upheld the Vermont family court order and after repeatedly defying visitation orders, Miller became a fugitive in 2009 when it became apparent the court would transfer custody of Isabella to Jenkins. The court ordered the transfer on Nov. 20, 2009, effective Jan. 1, 2010. When the transfer was supposed to take place Lisa Miller and Isabella were gone.
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP)  Honduran authorities announced Thursday that they have arrested a sixth suspect in the March killing of environmental activist Berta Caceres.

Ricardo Castro, head of the Central American countrys criminal investigation unit, identified the suspect as 21-year-old Elvin Heriberto Rapalo Orellana, also known as El Comanche. He alleged that Orellana shot and wounded a Mexican activist who survived the attack.

Castro said that Orellana was the last of the suspects sought for allegedly carrying out the killing, but that investigators are still working to determine who ordered the attack.

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The other arrested suspects include an active duty army officer and at least one man who worked for a hydroelectric project opposed by Caceres.

The public prosecutors office has said three suspects arrested in May worked for or were direct employees of Desarrollos Energeticos SA, also known as DESA, which was developing the dam project that Caceres organization successfully stopped.

Hidroelectrica Agua Zarca Co., which is managed by DESA, said that only one of the men was employed by the firm and denied it had anything to do with Caceres killing.

Caceres, who had been awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for her work, was shot to death March 3 by gunmen who invaded her home. She had reported that she was the target of death threats from security personnel for DESA.

Caceres led the defense of the Gualcarque River in western Honduras, which is considered sacred by the Lenca people. The campaign she led successfully fought to halt the proposed Agua Zarca dam.
BEIJING (AP)  The suicide bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan on Aug. 30 highlighted the expanding threat of an ethnic Uighur militant group called the East Turkestan Islamic Movement  and the growing Chinese involvement in Syria and Afghanistan to combat it. The ETIM, also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party, has sought for decades to establish an independent state in Chinas far west for the repressed Muslim Uighur minority. The group has recently formally pledged allegiance to al-Qaida and has expanded its global operations, sending at least hundreds of fighters to Syria to wage holy war and carrying out attacks against Chinese overseas targets.

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DISCRIMINATION AND SETTLERS FUEL DISCONTENT, RIOT

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Uighurs (pronounced WEE-gurs) are a Turkic-speaking Muslim ethnic group native to Chinas far western region of Xinjiang, which was sporadically controlled by Chinese dynasties over the centuries. They have long complained of ethnic and religious discrimination under the majority Han, Communist Chinese government, which has placed restrictions on Islamic dress, education, food and prayer. Several decades of economic development have brought an influx of ethnic Han settlers into resource-rich Xinjiang, marginalizing Uighurs and fueling discontent that culminated in a deadly 2009 riot. Overseas Uighur groups and analysts have urged China to reconsider heavy-handed policies that could lead to Uighur radicalization, but with little effect. In 2014, China sentenced the economist and Uighur advocate Ilham Tohti to life imprisonment on separatism charges after he made calls for Chinese-Uighur reconciliation and greater economic justice.

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SEPARATISTS FIND COMMON GROUND WITH JIHADIS IN AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN, SYRIA

The decades-old Uighur separatist movement built its ties with fundamentalist and militant groups in the 1990s, when it settled in Afghanistan under Taliban protection. But both the Taliban and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden discouraged the group against attacking China, which they viewed as a shared enemy of the West. The ETIM, considered a terrorist organization by the United States, the EU and other countries, was believed to be pushed into Pakistans tribal areas after the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, but it moves between the countries porous border. After years of existing on the fringes of the global jihadi movement, Uighur militants began to make a name for themselves in 2015 in Syria, where most fought alongside al-Qaidas affiliate and swayed several key battles against pro-Assad Syrian forces. Both the Islamic State and al-Qaida have repeatedly sought to recruit them by highlighting the plight of Chinese Uighurs and condemning Chinas treatment of Muslims.

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MILITANTS TARGET CHINESE INTERESTS ABROAD

On Aug. 30, a man crashed a van packed with 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of TNT into the Chinese diplomatic compound in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, killing himself and wounding five people. Kyrgyz officials identified the bomber as Zoir Khalimov, an ethnic Uighur member of ETIM who carried out the attack with support from the Nusra Front, the al-Qaida affiliate in Syria. In Thailand, a trial began last month for two Uighur men charged with an August 2015 bombing that killed 20 people at a busy Bangkok shrine. The attack came weeks after Thailand forcibly repatriated scores of Uighurs to China, where they faced persecution. Chinese officials said the Uighurs were on their way to fight in Syria when they were arrested.

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CHINA RAISES INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT TO BATTLE MILITANTS

Although it has not deployed troops, the Peoples Liberation Army has ramped up its overseas involvement. A PLA admiral visited Syrian and Russian officials in Damascus in August to pledge non-military support for their war effort, adding to the conflicts complicated political picture. China has also offered training for Afghan police and tried to broker talks between the Taliban and Afghan government to stabilize another region it considers a haven for the ETIM.
Q: Youre a business columnist. Why homelessness?

A: I like a good mystery. The number of people living on the street in downtown San Diego has jumped by 43 percent in a single year. Nobody knows why. Thats interesting all by itself, and it really gets compelling when you see the preventable human suffering on display, in public. Many of these people have severe problems, yet they arent getting effective treatment.

Q: This column is more personal than your usual work. Why did you make that writing choice?

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A: This raises a second good reason for this project: I was briefly homeless in the early 1990s, the direct result of addiction to alcohol and other drugs. I felt obliged to disclose this to readers.

I eventually recovered, but only with the strenuous assistance of some truly heroic and determined people, and after several years of bouncing from jails to rehabs and group homes. The sad truth is that many street people wont be so lucky. How society deals with failure is a question we havent figured out in San Diego.

Focus: Street population soars after San Diego ups homeless spending

Q: What kind of problems are you seeing?

A: Health is the big one, everything from mental illness to cirrhosis of the liver and pancreatitis. Homeless people tend to get no treatment at all, or wait until a crisis forces them into emergency rooms, which is vastly more expensive and leads to poor health outcomes.

Theres also growing pushback from the public. As neighborhoods gentrify, the homeless are increasingly coming into contact and conflict with the rest of us.

Q: Theres always been homeless people. Should you be investigating a hopeless cause?

A: Its not hopeless. Other big cities, like Houston and Salt Lake City, have sharply reduced the number of chronic homeless people who camp on the streets, mostly by putting them in subsidized apartments. San Diegos leaders have pledged to do the same. Some obstacles are higher here, with soaring housing costs and neighborhood opposition leading the list. Still, theres no reason to believe San Diego cant succeed, too.

Q: What surprised you about this project?

A: No one person or agency seems to be in charge in San Diego County, even in a coordination role. Nobody knows how much money were spending from all the governmental and charitable sources. Instead, governments have spread funding and responsibility widely. This makes reporting much more difficult, not to mention time-consuming.

Another limitation is easier to understand. Officials dont have reliable data on the scope of the problem; how many people are living in cars, canyons, sidewalks, etc. These people are inherently hard to find and keep track of over time.

Q: So is there a business angle here?

A: The public has delegated the job of dealing with street people to government, which mostly relies on nonprofits to do the actual work  and nonprofits are businesses. So Im naturally interested in whether anybody is measuring results or otherwise making sure all our tax dollars are being spent wisely.

For example, local taxpayers spend nearly $400 million each year on homeless or those considered at risk. And thats just the money Ive been able to identify being distributed directly by San Diegos city and county governments. Charities add to the total, as do all the smaller cities outside of San Diego itself.

Between welfare, policing and emergency medical care, homeless people cost society a fortune. Our best evidence shows that putting a street person in an apartment, with few strings attached, can be dramatically cheaper.

Q: What the most important thing youve learned so far?

A: Every one of these homeless people has a story. Along with my colleague, the intrepid photographer Peggy Peattie, weve barely scratched the surface. We found one man sleeping on the sidewalk with no possessions, I mean zero, who said he was schizophrenic. Communication was hard, as internal voices seemed to drown us out. But then he would snap into coherence and connect with us. Such glimpses remind me that no life is worth wasting. Having had the experience of hearing voices  and answering back  I should know.

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  When ex-Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner became a registered sex offender for life last Tuesday, he joined a nationwide list of registered sex criminals that has grown dramatically in recent years to more than 800,000.

Even some who have denounced Turners six-month jail sentence as too lenient for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman question whether he should spend his life with the stigma and onerous restrictions of a registered sex offender.

They join a growing number of defense attorneys, advocates and judges who are questioning the fairness of applying lifetime, blanket restrictions to expanding definitions of sex crimes that frequently treat first-time offenders the same as serial rapists.

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In California, Florida, South Carolina and Alabama its impossible for people convicted of any sex crime to be removed from the online registries showing their pictures, addresses, convictions and probation details. Offenders have been turned into victims themselves when they are targeted in vigilante attacks or cant find jobs or places to live, critics say.

Stanford University law professor Michele Dauber, who lambasted Turners sentence as too lenient and is leading a campaign to oust the judge who imposed, said requiring the 21-year-old man to be registered as a sex offender until he dies may be too harsh.

No one should be defined by their worst decision for the rest of their life, Dauber said in an interview. Deciding who should be removed, which cases or crimes should qualify would require thoughtful legislation, a fair process and, of course, an unbiased judge.

Dauber stressed there are many criminals who deserve lifetime registration, but said at some point after at least 10 years on the registry Turner should be given a chance to get off it by proving he has successfully rehabilitated himself.

Turner was released from jail Sept. 2 and moved to his parents home in Bellbrook, Ohio, registering as a sex offender at the Greene County sheriffs office four days after his release from a California jail for good behavior after serving half his sentence. Protesters demonstrated in front of the home before and after his arrival and Turners parents told police eggs were thrown at the house.

Advocates for sex crime victims insist that lifetime registries make the public safer by preventing offender recidivism and giving citizens and police access to crucial information on the whereabouts of sex offenders and where they are prohibited from going  like schools and other areas frequented by children. Access to that information in 50 state registries plus a federal government registry, they say, far outweighs complaints about the registry burdens for criminals who have served their prison sentences.

Sex offender registries are an important part of the criminal justice system, said Staca Shehan of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Registries assist law enforcement and the public  to keep track of the locations of convicted sex offenders.

But some defense attorneys say registration has turned into such a harsh punishment that they now negotiate longer jail terms for their clients in return for prosecutors dropping sex offender registry requirements, trading incarceration for pleading guilty to charges that dont require registration.

At least a prison sentence ends, said Gary Goodman, a public defense lawyer from Palo Alto, California. Registration is forever.

Most states allow peeping toms and people convicted of crimes like indecent exposure to have their names removed from registries after 10 to 30 years of good behavior, while more serious sex crimes like rape and the sexual assault Turner was convicted of are punishable with lifetime registration whether they are committed by first time offenders or people with a history of sex crimes.

California attorney Janice Bellucci has filed more than 50 federal lawsuits challenging sex offender registration conditions in cases that have forced cities to amend or eliminate residency restrictions imposed on criminals listed in in the registries, rescinding prohibitions for them to be physically present in public places like street side bus stops and parks.

The U.S. Supreme Court in 2003 upheld the legality of sex offender registries, but the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last month that changes to Michigans sex offender registry law cannot be applied retroactively to offenders convicted before the changes were put in place.

Calling Michigans residency and loitering prohibitions for registered sex offenders similar to the ancient punishment of banishment, the appeals court panel wrote that the state brands registrants as moral lepers solely on the basis of a prior conviction.

Federal officials have been trying with mixed success for a decade to get all 50 states to adopt uniform registration requirements as part of a single national database they say would make the system uniform and improve tracking of sex offenders who move from state to state. But only 17 states have substantially compiled so far.

The federally registry has helped investigators quickly identify potential sex crimes suspects and capture offenders who have fled their home states, said Luis deBacca, the U.S. Justice Department official in charge of the federal sex offender registration and tracking office.

We really do see this as making a difference in the community, deBacca said.
The San Onofre nuclear plant may be offline, but an Obama administration official said Monday in San Diego that nuclear power is still very much a part of the nations energy mix.

We need a nuclear component, Franklin Orr, the undersecretary for science and energy of the U.S. Department of Energy, told a group of about 15 clean-energy business leaders.

The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, in the northwestern corner of San Diego County, is in the process of being decommissioned. The power plant closed in 2013 following the failure of replacement steam generators, which caused a small leak of radiation.

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San Onofre had provided about 20 percent of the power to large swaths of Southern California.

Nuclear is 19 percent of the electric generation (in the country) now, Orr told the Union-Tribune in an interview after the briefing. If you think about not having that available, then the business of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions just gets all that much harder.

Orr accompanied DOE secretary Ernest Moniz to Paris in December at the Paris climate summit, and the Obama administration has made reducing GHG emissions a cornerstone of its environmental and energy policies.

Orr said his comments about nuclear power were focused on the national energy mix, not specifically to southern California. He said that ensuring safety is absolutely essential.

At the same time, Orr mentioned the importance of steady flow from power sources such as nuclear, especially when output from wind and solar energy can be intermittent.

But one of the panelists at Mondays briefing said greater San Diego County had already moved beyond nuclear.

From a San Diego perspective, in my opinion, we have proven we can be nuclear-free, said Jason Anderson, president of Cleantech San Diego, a nonprofit aiming to increase renewable energy opportunities. It appears to me we can move beyond the power from that facility.

The Department of Energy and the Obama administration have touted an all of the above energy strategy that includes a variety of sources, ranging from renewables to oil and natural gas.

The strategy has sometimes led to criticism from opposite ends.

Backers of traditional energy sources have accused the administration of putting up roadblocks to oil and gas through a slowdown on leases and more regulations.

At the same time, some environmentalists complain the feds havent been aggressive enough against fossil-fuel production practices such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing  fracking, the process where oil and natural gas is extracted by using high-pressured liquids to break through rock.

Everybody has their view of what the energy mix should look like and thats fine, Orr, who joined DOE in December 2014. Ive argued ... for a diversified energy system and it will evolve in time. For example, natural gas is out-competing coal now on costs and that has a benefit of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

At a Democratic Party presidential debate March 6, Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont, said he was against fracking across the board and Hillary Clinton said, By the time we get through all of my conditions, I do not think there will be many places in America where fracking will continue to take place.

Orr said Monday that he disagreed.

I certainly would not support a doctrinaire, no fracking, period (policy), he said. Hydraulic fracturing has been used in oil and gas production for decades before the current controversies. We kind of know how to do it well.

rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune (619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP)  Hillary Clinton said Saturday that she was wrong to put half of Donald Trumps supporters in a basket of deplorables, but she didnt back down from describing his campaign as largely built on prejudice and paranoia. The Republican accused her of a grotesque attack on American voters.

Less than 24 hours after she made the comments at a private New York City fundraiser, Clinton said in a statement, last night I was grossly generalistic and thats never a good idea. I regret saying half  that was wrong. But she argued that the word deplorable was reasonable to describe much of Trumps campaign.

He has built his campaign largely on prejudice and paranoia and given a national platform to hateful views and voices, including by retweeting fringe bigots with a few dozen followers and spreading their message to 11 million people, the Democratic nominee said.

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Responding in a statement, Trump said it was disgraceful that Hillary Clinton makes the worst mistake of the political season and instead of owning up to this grotesque attack on American voters, she tries to turn it around with a pathetic rehash of the words and insults used in her failing campaign?

Trump added that Clinton was showing bigotry and hatred for millions of Americans, arguing that she was incapable to serve as President of the United States.

Clinton, who has said she is the candidate to unify a divided country, made the deplorables comment at an LGBT fundraiser Friday night at a New York City restaurant, with about 1,000 people in attendance. She has made similar comments recently, including on an Israeli television station.

To just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trumps supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right? The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic  you name it, she said, before stressing that other Trump supporters are frustrated and need sympathy.

Trump and his supporters quickly pounced on the remark, arguing that it revealed Clinton as disconnected from struggling Americans.

Wow, Hillary Clinton was SO INSULTING to my supporters, millions of amazing, hard-working people. I think it will cost her at the polls! Trump said in a tweet.

Running mate Mike Pence, in remarks at the Values Voter conference in Washington, shot back: The truth of the matter is that the men and women who support Donald Trumps campaign are hard-working Americans, farmers, coal miners, teachers, veterans, members of our law enforcement community, members of every class of this country who know that we can make America great again.

Of course, while Clinton is taking heat for her comment, Trumps brand is controversy. At a rally in Pensacola, Florida, on Friday, he said Clinton is so protected that she could walk into this arena right now and shoot somebody with 20,000 people watching, right smack in the middle of the heart. And she wouldnt be prosecuted.

Clintons rhetorical stumble came as the candidates head into the final two months of the campaign, with Trump trying to make up ground before the Nov. 8 election.

Clinton has not let the media into many private fundraisers, but press was allowed in to hear her remarks Friday. At the New York restaurant, Clinton bemoaned the people she described as deplorables, saying unfortunately there are people like that. And he has lifted them up. He has given voice to their websites that used to only have 11,000 people  now how 11 million. He tweets and retweets their offensive hateful mean-spirited rhetoric. Now, some of those folks  they are irredeemable, but thankfully they are not America, said Clinton, who was the countrys top diplomat during President Barack Obamas first term.

Clinton then pivoted and tried to characterize the other half of Trumps supporters, putting them in that other basket and saying they need empathy.

She described them as people who feel that the government has let them down, the economy has let them down, nobody cares about them, nobody worries about what happens to their lives and their futures, and theyre just desperate for change.

Seeking to explain the statements, Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill said in a series of tweets after the remarks that Clinton has been talking about the alternative right, or alt-right movement, which often is associated with efforts on the far right to preserve white identity, oppose multiculturalism and defend Western values. Merrill argued that alt-right leaders are supporting Trump and their supporters appear to make up half his crowd when you observe the tone of his events.

But the moment recalled comments about voters  also at private fundraisers  that have tripped up presidential nominees in the past.

Weeks before the 2012 election, Republican Mitt Romney landed in hot water for saying that 47 percent of the public would vote for President Barack Obama no matter what because they depended on government benefits and his job was not to worry about those people.

During the 2008 Democratic primary, then-Sen. Obama said that small-town voters cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who arent like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.

On Saturday, Clintons staff said she attended another fundraiser at the Armonk, New York, home of attorney David Boies. But reporters traveling with her campaign were not allowed in and did not see her.

Trump, meanwhile, did not address Clintons comment at his only scheduled public appearance on Saturday, a funeral in St. Louis for social conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly.

Trump noted that Schlafly rooted for the underdog, and the idea that so-called little people, or the little person that she loved so much, could beat the system  often times, the rigged system.

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Associated Press writer Steve Peoples contributed from St. Louis.
WASHINGTON (AP)  With a new promise of $20 million to help defeat Donald Trump, billionaire Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz becomes one of the top Democratic donors of the election

The Silicon Valley entrepreneur calls the Republican presidential candidate dangerous and divisive and says his appeal to Americans who feel left behind is quite possibly a deliberate con.

By contrast, Moskovitz says, Democrats and their nominee, Hillary Clinton, are running on a vision of optimism, pragmatism, inclusiveness and mutual benefit.

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Trump has struggled to gain traction among the tech elite, even though Republicans like House Speaker Paul Ryan have worked for years to strengthen the partys relationship with the industry.

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison gave $5 million to a super political action committee backing Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in the primary. He has not made a presidential contribution since Rubio dropped out. Republican Meg Whitman, the chief executive officer of Hewlett Packard, so despises Trump that she has vowed to invest significant money in Clinton, whom she endorsed last month.

One of the few tech leaders to warm up to Trump is PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland and was a Trump delegate.

Yet the billionaire who pumped more than $2.4 million into efforts to elect Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul four years ago hadnt written the Trump campaign so much as a $201 check as of July. 31, records show.

Trump has made few fundraising trips to Northern California, while Clinton was there a little over two weeks ago  and returns next week.

Moskovitz wrote about his planned Democratic contributions in a Thursday night posting on the website Medium titled Compelled to Act. Until now, Moskowitz had made only one federal campaign contribution, $5,200 in 2013 to Democrat Sean Eldridge. The husband of another Facebook co-founder, Eldridge unsuccessfully ran for a New York congressional seat.

Half of the $20 million Moskovitz and his wife, Cari Tuna, are giving will go to the League of Conservation Voters and to a political action committee called For Our Future. The latter group is a get-out-the-vote effort in battleground states that is paid for primarily by labor unions and hedge fund billionaire Tom Steyer.

Moskovitz and Tuna also are giving directly to Clintons campaign and to party committees helping Senate and congressional Democrats.

As a nation, we need to figure out how to bring everyone with us, and we believe the Democratic platform currently is more aligned with ensuring that happens, he wrote.

In comparison, Donald Trumps promises to this group are quite possibly a deliberate con, an attempt to rally energy and support without the ability or intention to deliver. His proposals are so implausible that the nation is forced to worry that his interest in the presidency might not even extend beyond winning a contest and promoting his personal brand.

Only Steyer has given more this year to Democrats, campaign finance records show. The Californian has put up almost $40 million so far, to promote environmental issues and help elect Clinton and other Democrats.

Follow Julie Bykowicz on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/Bykowicz.
 Zahn Innovation Platform Launchpad.mov

COLLEGE AREA

At San Diego State University, there is one room where students can dream, design, and develop products.

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The Zahn Innovation Platform Launchpad in the Education and Business Administration building, previously known as the Zahn Center, is a workspace to assist aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators launch their start-up ideas.

In 2012 ... it started based on the inspiration of Irwin Zahn, said Cathy Pucher, executive director. He wanted to give SDSU an opportunity to create a center that would allow students from all across the campus to solve problems and potentially create their own jobs.

Students go through an application process and those who get accepted into the Launchpad are able to work in the H.G. Fenton Company Idea Lab and create prototypes of their plans.

''In the Launchpad, we have one large open space and its designed so that students can come and go and work with their teams in an open and hopefully, inspiring space, Pucher said. We have a quiet room and a small office. Our pride and joy is our (lab).

Teams that work within the lab can create prototypes either by hand or through computer design on the machines in the lab. Then, students are able to get customer feedback and an idea of how it would function in the marketplace.

In the center, theyre going to have an idea and a lot of times its a really big idea, said Kyle Kitzmiller, lab manager. We scale that back a little bit (and ask) What do you want to test about your customer and what do you want to learn about your customer?,

For the past four years, a yearly showcase takes place for all the teams within the ZIP Launchpad where they compete for the best idea.

Our Zahn challenge is our yearly showcase for our teams, Pucher said. Its our super high energy, very exciting event. We use established entrepreneurs, both alumni as well as members from the San Diego community to be the judges.

The participants in the challenge are judged on the significance of the problem, a market opportunity, compelling solution, and whether it can scale and be differentiated from other products. The winners are awarded cash prizes that are donated by the Moxie Foundation, the gift-giving arm of the Zahn family.

Weve grown it to be a much bigger event, Pucher said. Weve been able to grow and expand upon that first vision.

A ZIP Design Thinking Lab will be added in the fall and in two years, the Launchpad will be moving into the new Engineering Interdisciplinary Science building.

Its a great time to be an entrepreneur at SDSU, Pucher said. Were one the many resources that can really help an entrepreneur mature.

Valerie Gonzaga is a member of the U-T Community Journalism Scholars Program.
A judge on Tuesday ordered some changes to a ballot statement opposing Measure B, a countywide initiative that would allow roughly 1,700 homes to be built near Valley Center.

Supporters of the measure sued county Registrar of Voters Michael Vu, alleging the opposition argument approved for the November ballot misrepresented facts related to the Lilac Hills Ranch housing development.

In his ruling, San Diego Superior Court Judge Eddie C. Sturgeon struck a key claim from the opposition statement, but otherwise made relatively minor changes in the wording.

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Both sides claimed victory in the case.

The biggest change the judge ordered had to do with a school that would be built by Lilac Hills developer Accretive Investments in conjunction with the master-planned community. Opponents had argued that the initiative did not require the construction of an elementary school, but Accretive recently signed a binding agreement with Bonsall Unified School District promising to build the campus.

Other wording changes were geared to slightly modify strong positions in the arguments and to correct a few miscalculations made by opponents. For instance, the number of homes that would be allowed should the measure pass would represent a 1,487 percent density increase over what current zoning rules allow for the 602-acre property, not a 1,581 percent increase.

Lawyers for Accretive argued that virtually every sentence in the oppositions argument and rebuttal argument contained factual errors.

Of the 25 points argued, the judge ordered revisions or slight wording changes to about half. Most changes were switching out phrases such as would force taxpayers to pay for road improvements to may require or changing statements like in violation of the County General Plan to inconsistent with the County General Plan.

Sturgeons ruling came a day before a deadline set by the Registrar of Voters to have the ballot information finalized.

Measure B will be decided by all county voters. It appears on the ballot after supporters of the project gathered more than 100,000 signatures.

For years, the project  which would be built roughly half a mile east of Interstate 15, just south of West Lilac Road in Valley Center  had been going through the normal planning process.

Last fall the countys Planning Commission narrowly recommended approval of the plan, but the final step in the process  a vote of the Board of Supervisors  never took place because Accretive withdrew its request.

Some speculated the company changed course because the states Fair Political Practices Commission ruled that Supervisor Bill Horn, who represents the area where the project would be built, should recuse himself because he owns property near the site. Horns vote was viewed as key to getting the project approved.

Supporters decided instead to go the ballot box route.

Accretive is expected to soon launch an expensive advertising blitz stressing to voters that there is a critical shortage of new housing in the county and that Lilac Hills will help alleviate what some fear is a looming economic crisis.

Opponents say the project represents terrible planning by building homes far from urban infrastructure, forcing even more cars onto an already overcrowded Interstate 15 and local roads, and creating a fire safety danger in an area sure to burn at some point in the future.
Right before our eyes, rapidly rising numbers of people are living  and dying  on the sidewalks, parks and canyons of San Diego County.

Something is deeply wrong. Unemployment has been falling since 2010. Public funding has poured into local homeless programs by the hundreds of millions each year.

Yet the tableau of squalor and suffering expands. In July, officials counted 1,162 people living outdoors in downtown San Diego  a 43 percent increase in a single year. Across the county, volunteers found 4,940 such people in January, up 19 percent.

Nobody knows why, or even has a good theory.

Dealing with homeless people is hard, dirty work, bereft of easy answers. Still, somebody has to do it. So far, we have outsourced our compassion to government, which mostly delegates the job to nonprofits, and they both are falling behind.

If youre anything like me, the emotional reactions that follow an encounter with a typical sidewalk resident arent especially praiseworthy.

First comes disgust and outrage, even anger. How do politicians and police allow this to go on; the trash, the public defecation, the open abuse of alcohol, heroin and methamphetamine?

Then comes compassion. These people are clearly sick, mentally ill. Cant anybody help them?

Yet hopelessness doesnt usually occur to me, perhaps because Im not like most people.

The Back Story: A look behind the reporting of homelessness

I was technically homeless over brief stretches in the early 1990s, interspersed with much longer periods in which shelter was a jail, rehab or group home.

My decline was swift. At 29 I was a successful business owner. By 32 I was camped in an otherwise abandoned building, the direct result of my decision to consume alcohol and other drugs, full time.

Was I morally flawed, a bad person? Certainly. I was also mentally ill.

Alcoholism has been considered an illness since 1956 by the American Medical Association, a designation later expanded to other addictions. One defining characteristic is that alcoholics cant reliably control their drinking. At some stage, we lose the power of choice.

A high-school linebacker and casual boxer, I became a serial victim on the street, rendered pathetically defenseless by alcohol. I was robbed at gunpoint twice, badly beaten several times. Less sensational ripoffs were routine.

Paradoxically, sloth was not among my problems. Staying intoxicated every day without reliable income was the hardest work Ive ever done.

View the Video Myron Wiltz

Showers became an infrequent luxury. Malnutrition pushed some of my teeth crooked. I was hearing voices, and answering back.

Survival required learning a new landscape. A storefront church gave out baloney sandwiches, but you had to be on time. A Taco Bell manager would roll leftovers into burritos and venture into my dangerous neighborhood after midnight to distribute them. If you showed a newcomer which bars would illegally cash food stamps, sometimes they would break off a few bucks.

I had several determined saviors. A police Sgt. Greene, head of something called Operation Street Corner, made it his mission to deprive me of liberty unless my behavior changed. A sober addict and microchip salesman named Joe, with a wife and baby who deserved his attention more, devoted long evenings to showing me how he had found relief.

Then there was Robert Cornelison of Laguna Beach, a retired Episcopal priest and sober drunk better known as Father Bob, who opened his home to the desperate. The list included addicts, prostitutes and various refugees from violence.

During my third go around at Bobs house, he made space for me on a living room couch. When I ran out of food, he would pull $20 from his pocket and ask a housemate to go with me, because grocery stores sell booze and I couldnt be trusted.

Bob liked to tell people there were only two rules: Dont run away, and dont hit the priest. In reality, he operated a grueling boot camp that taught integrity and accountability to serial liars, perverts and thieves.

Just as important was his example. One day I was on the couch feeling sorry for myself and here comes Bob, at age 69, carrying a man who was dying of AIDS up the stairs on his back so the man could enjoy some sunshine on the deck. When the man lost control of his bowels and soiled Bobs leg, the priest defused the mans humiliation with an off-color joke, set him down in a deck chair, and cleaned them both.

Eventually, Bob deputized me as consigliere, wheelman and pretend bodyguard as he pulled addicts and other crazies from scary places. A believer in the power of the group, he insisted that he needed my help. Today I understand that being present to the healing of others can be transformative, and key to lasting recovery.

Between the cop, the salesman and the priest, I somehow got sober, and have stayed that way for more than 19 years.

Recalling such good fortune, especially the vast human and financial resources required to change my behavior, brings me back to the vital matter of San Diegos chronic homeless.

Living on the street is deadly. One study puts the average life expectancy at 42 years for the chronic unsheltered homeless, compared to nearly 79 for the general population.

Seven people have died in just four months since the opening of Alpha Square, a new building in San Diegos East Village with 203 permanent apartments for the most damaged people from the streets.

None died from violence or overdose, said Bob McElroy, chief executive of Alpha Project, the nonprofit that manages the place.

They were just worn out, he said.

In this 2015 file photo, Alpha Project President Bob McElroy, center, walks with the nonprofits outreach team. He spoke with Otis Dixon, left, outside a store on Fifth Avenue in San Diego.  Peggy Peattie (Peggy Peattie)

We can safely assume that mental illness, whether organic or drug-induced, accounts for most of the problem. About a decade ago, British police conducted blood tests during a sweep of outdoor homeless and found four-fifths to be using Class A controlled drugs. Experts say many use street drugs to self-medicate organic psychiatric conditions.

Not everybody agrees, however. In the January surveys of San Diego County, just 8 percent of the unsheltered homeless reported substance abuse, while 14 percent reported other severe mental illness. Such statistics are to be viewed with skepticism, to put it mildly.

The vast majority out there, upwards of 80 percent, are mentally ill, McElroy said. In my 30 years, nobodys ever told me they are crazy.

In any case, street people are expensive for the rest of us. Nationwide, chronic homeless represent about 10 percent of the overall homeless population while consuming 50 percent of the government funding deployed against the problem. A single homeless alcoholic in Solano County cost taxpayers $1 million in medical bills.

View the Video Wadell Robinson

Spending on recovery can be dramatically cheaper. Keeping me in jail cost society $30,000 a year or so, not counting my three trips to county-funded emergency rooms. Today, between my job and investment income, I pay nearly that much in taxes.

Back story Business columnist hits the street, again

Driven by compassion and frugality, in 2005 officials in Utah launched a campaign to end chronic homelessness completely in the state. This year the state counted just 178 chronics, a 91 percent reduction over 11 years by one estimate.

Led for most of that time by Gordon Walker, previously a retired businessman, Utahs solution is a highly evolved version of a housing first policy that originated with an experiment in New York City. It boils down to coaxing people from the street into subsidized apartments with few strings attached, and then working on health care and other services.

In the olden days, the concept was you have to change your life, then we will give you housing, Walker (who retired again this year) told me in 2014. In our simplistic model, we will give you housing  because it will save us money  and then if you choose to change your life that is up to you.

On paper, San Diego is adopting the approach, in no small part because federal funding is shifting away from temporary shelter. In November 2014, the city unveiled a three-year plan to build some units and shift 1,500 federal rent vouchers to permanent housing. Yet the numbers of street people keep growing.

The big question is why. Its not for lack of effort, or resources.

San Diegos Regional Task Force on the Homeless, a data clearinghouse, counted nearly 9,000 year-round beds in January, a 66 percent increase from 2008.

Two years ago, the county government reported that it distributed $309 million among various homeless programs in fiscal 2013 from local, state and federal sources. Just last week, the San Diego Housing Commission, a city agency, said it spent $68 million in fiscal 2015.

Such public expenditure, plus an unknowable amount of private charity, is diffused widely. The task force says tax dollars flow to 45 agencies running more than 250 projects.

In Utah, where lawmakers authorized no extra money to kick off its campaign, Walkers first priority was to identify all the funding sources, public and private, and work to measure effectiveness, eliminate redundancy and get various actors to focus dollars in the most productive projects.

I can find no evidence that San Diegos effort is similarly coordinated. Nobody is in charge, and nobody knows how much total money is available, let alone precisely where or how its spent.

Some local experts speculate that as money shifts away from temporary housing, officials may be struggling to find permanent units fast enough in high-cost San Diego. Theres also some evidence that state policies to cut jail populations and reduce drug sentences are factors.

Here again, I havent found an official who has studied potential causes of this years sudden homeless increase with any rigor.

It is the most complex problem that we have, where people are craving simple solutions, said Todd Gloria, a San Diego city councilman who is running for a state Assembly seat, referring broadly to homelessness. Theres no single silver bullet, theres a million of them.

Homeless residents of the area outside the Neil Good Day Center move their belongings off the sidewalk in advance of the cleanup crews Monday morning.  Peggy Peattie / San Diego Union-Tribune (Peggy Peattie)

Perhaps. One thing seems clear: Absent a major expansion of charity or public spending, or both, officials will take a dollar from somebody on the low-income totem pole for every dollar that keeps a street person in a subsidized apartment.

Political pressure to do just that may build, particularly from downtown voters tired of disruption and squalor near their offices and luxury condominiums. Advocates must also convince those safely in the suburbs that mental illness is more like heart disease or cancer, and less like laziness or weakness of character.

Its a tough sell. Sure, experts say some homeless have lost the power to take their psych meds properly or arrest their addictions. A handout is a handout. Weve been fooled by experts before.

Another challenge is that mental illness reduces human function along a spectrum. Millions of heavy drinkers, depressives and even schizophrenics hold jobs and keep families. Others, like me, seem to be lost causes without determined intervention.

A hard truth is that many chronic street people, maybe most, will never recover. Science has not yet developed a way to sort prospects from the doomed.

Still, our best evidence suggests that giving them apartments is cheaper than letting them expire on the streets, not to mention better for tourism. No human decency required.

Dont get me wrong. Solving homelessness is far from easy. Public officials in San Diego seem earnest in their efforts. Its results that are lagging.

Success will require a change in attitude. My friend Father Bob, who died of cancer in 2008, demonstrated that my innate response of somebodys got to do something is far less effective than how can I help, followed by action, and more action.

FILE - In this Jan. 26, 2016, file photo, tents from a homeless encampment line a street in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles City Council will ask voters to pass a $1.2 billion bond measure to fight homelessness. The council voted Wednesday, June 29, 2016, to place a measure on the November ballot to raise a decades worth of funding to provide housing and services for the homeless and those in danger of becoming homeless. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File) The Associated Press (The Associated Press)

Correction: An earlier version of this column said that unemployment had been falling since 2000. The correct year is 2010.
Southern California Gas Co. agreed to a $4-million settlement Tuesday to end a criminal case filed by Los Angeles County prosecutors over the utilitys handling of the massive gas leak near Porter Ranch last year.

The gas company pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of failing to immediately notify the California Office of Emergency Services and Los Angeles County Fire Department of the leak that began on or around Oct. 23, 2015, in the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage field. The utility will pay the maximum fine of $75,000 for that three-day delay, according to the L.A. County district attorneys office.

The gas company will pay $232,500 in state penalties on top of that fine and $246,672 for the fire departments response to the leak.

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Three other misdemeanor counts will be dismissed when the utility is sentenced on Nov. 29.

This agreement ensures that Southern California Gas Co. is held accountable for its criminal actions for failing to immediately report the leak, L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey said in a statement.

The settlement agreement includes a host of safety measures that go beyond what is already required by state and local laws.

At a cost of $1.2 million to $1.5 million, the gas company will install eight infrared methane leak detection systems along the southern border of the Aliso Canyon gas field. It will also install real-time pressure monitors at each storage well. An outside company will be brought in to test and certify the instruments.

Under the settlement, the gas company agreed to hire six full-time employees to monitor those detection systems over the next three years. Employees will also undergo training related to leak detection.

In a statement, utility officials called the settlement another important step in our efforts to put the leak behind us and to win back the trust of the community.

But people living in nearby Porter Ranch pointed out that the settlement doesnt do much to prevent a leak  the measures instead focus on identifying a leak once its begun.

There is no change in the way the wells are configured in the field and the way they tap into the storage of gas, said Issam Najm, president of the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council. Therefore, to that end, we dont see that theres any substantive change in the safety of the system.

Alexandra Nagy with Food and Water Watch put it more bluntly: This fine is barely a slap on the wrist for SoCal Gas, whose parent company made $10 billion in revenue last year.

In February, the district attorney filed four misdemeanor criminal charges against the company, accusing it of releasing air contaminants and neglecting to report the release of hazardous materials until three days after the leak began.

The leak forced at least 8,000 residents out of their homes for months, costing Southern California Gas about $500 million, according to the utility. As people moved home, the gas company cleaned the interiors of 1,500 homes and the exteriors of 1,200 homes, along with schools, playgrounds and public parks.

Residents have complained of headaches, nosebleeds and nausea, which are short-term symptoms associated with an odor-causing additive in the natural gas.

The leak was finally capped in February.

Southern California Gas still faces civil lawsuits from thousands of residents.

The criminal plea does not alter the responsibility Southern California Gas has to all residents and businesses damaged and harmed as a result of this significant event, said plaintiffs attorney Paul Kiesel.

Some residents living near Aliso Canyon want it to be permanently shut down. Many of them are represented by the group Save Porter Ranch.

SoCal Gas themselves demonstrated why this unneeded facility must be permanently shut down and their guilt will be further proven as civil litigation proceeds, said Matt Pakucko, president of Save Porter Ranch. And we are concerned about what happens with the leak-detection system after three years. Residents of the area will still need to breathe in three years.

But gas company officials have repeatedly said that Aliso Canyon is an essential piece of Southern Californias energy infrastructure  a point that was reiterated by the utility Tuesday.

Aliso Canyon is critical to the reliability of natural gas and electricity services in Southern California. We are diligently working with state officials to complete a comprehensive safety review of the facility, according to a statement from the utility.

alice.walton@latimes.com
Target has introduced a way for in-store shoppers to rack up points from purchases through an experimental customer loyalty program.

Called Cartwheel Perks, the program is now being offered to people in the San Diego, Denver, Houston and St. Louis markets. Perks rewards Target shoppers with 10 points for every dollar spent in stores and is part of the retailers 3-year-old Cartwheel mobile app.

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Downloaded more than 27 million times, Cartwheel is a deals-centric app that offers people hundreds of digital coupons that can be redeemed with a single mobile barcode scan at the register.

In a recently updated version of the app, users in test markets will find a Perks page that provides an overview of the new points-based program and lets them choose from different rewards  say a pair of sunglasses, workout gear or laundry detergent  when they accrue 5,000 points.

We think of Cartwheel as a way of taking what, for many people, had been a process of clipping the paper coupon from a circular and bringing it the store, and integrating that experience into one digital, seamless app on your phone, said Eddie Baeb, a spokesperson for Target.

But now, he said, the idea is to simultaneously appeal to coupon-driven and rewards-motivated shoppers.

Pilot cities were selected based on whether they were a strong or weak market in terms of existing app usage, as well as other factors. San Diego was chosen, in part, because the region ranks among the top five nationwide for active Cartwheel users.

For now, the Cartwheel app and its associated Perks program are only available to in-store shoppers but the company said it is considering linking online purchases with points as well.

Though Target did not disclose its plan for rolling out Perks to other areas, the test represents a noticeable shift for Target, which has never offered a points-based rewards program outside of a small test in Raleigh-Durham. There, the company trialed a separate mobile application called Red Perks, but those users will eventually be transitioned to Cartwheel Perks.

Ultimately, the plan is to get the Cartwheel app, which collects valuable data on customers buying preferences, into the hands of more people. The company would also like to personalize the offers its presents to every individual at some point.

Of course, theres also this: Baeb said Cartwheel has found outsized favor with millennials, a bunch not often associated with coupon-clipping and that has no qualms about shopping online. Encouraging loyalty among this crowd seems key to bolstering sales in an increasingly challenging retail market, one where Amazon owns the ever-expanding realm of e-commerce.

Amazon captured $83 billion in e-commerce sales between July 2015 and July 2016, while its next closest rival, Wal-Mart, grabbed $13.6 billion during the same period, according to data from digital analytics firm eMarketer.
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Johor, Southern Malaysia -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/13/2016 -- BigFatPursePte Ltd, one of Singapore's leading financial education providers, has published a comprehensive article listing of all Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) and descriptions of the properties they own. The list can be read at http://www.bigfatpurse.com/reits/ or it can be downloaded as a free PDF.



A Singapore Real Estate Investment Trust (S-REIT) owns real estate such as office towers, retail malls, industrial, residential, hotel and healthcare properties. The REIT is traded on the SGX like shares. The new BigFatPurse report looks at all REITS listed on the SGX and provides investors with a quick introduction to each. The report is divided into six segments: Industrial, Retail, Commercial, Healthcare, Residential and Hospitality.



The company is composed of a group of Singapore residents with an interest in investments. They have been writing about personal finance since 2007 and have been recognized for their excellent financial education courses which empower mom-and-pop investors with practical financial strategies and tips.



The website for BigFatPurse was established to provide an organized resource for those seriously interested in improving their financial skills. The firm has developed a number of Pro Bono workshops for the public and corporations. They feel a corporate social responsibility to contribute to the financial literacy of the working class.



Topics covered in BigFatPurse talks include how to save money automatically, insuring being able to cover an individual investor's basic financial needs and simple index investing that builds wealth.



The recently published directory of S-REITS is the most recent example of the dedication of BigFatPurse to growing public financial knowledge. Many people who work diligently to manage investments properly make poor decisions, sometimes becoming victims of scams, because they lack a foundation of necessary financial knowledge.



To read or download the current list of Singapore Real Estate Investment Trusts, go to http://www.bigfatpurse.com/reits/. For information about courses and other useful articles from BigFatPurse, visit www.bigfatpurse.com



For More Information Visit Our Website: http://www.bigfatpurse.com/reits/



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Jakarta Barat, Indonesia -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/13/2016 -- The news that Kemejapriaku.com, an online store, sells various types of men's shirts may interest men who look for various types of shirts such as batik shirts, work shirts, flannel shirts and slimfit shirts. Kemejapriaku takes pride in saying that they are a trusted online store and that they bestow utmost care on customer satisfaction. Further, they sell latest models of men's shirts at wholesale prices.



Kemejapriaku.com says that since they are located in Jakarta, they can easily service the orders they receive throughout Indonesia. They also offer men's shirts on COD basis for those customers from West Jakarta who do bookings of more than 2 shirts.



They are highly focused on customer satisfaction and hence, they ensure to answer the queries of customers within 24 hours. The company takes pride in asserting that customers can have the latest models of men's shirts from them. In other words, they keep abreast of the latest trends in men's fashion, says the company.



Kemejapriaku.com continues to state that they can be relied upon for the quality of the men's shirts they are making available. Further, men can choose the items they need very easily as well.



About Kemejapriaku.com

Kemejapriaku.com, an online store, is selling men's shirts such as batik shirts, work shirts, flannel shirts and slimfit shirts. The company is a trusted online store and that they bestow utmost care on customer satisfaction. Further, they sell latest models of men's shirts at wholesale prices.



For Media Contact:

Company Name: Kemejapriaku

Address: Country Indonesia

City Jakarta Barat

Puri Kencana Kembangan Zip Code 11610

Contact Number: +62 812 9090 3132

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Email: admin@kemejapriaku.com

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Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2016 -- The report "Life Science Instrumentation Market by Technology (Chromatography, Flow Cytometer, Spectroscopy, PCR, Microscopy), End User (Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, CROs, Hospitals), Application (Research, Clinical & Diagnostic) - Global Forecast to 2021", analyzes and studies the major market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW).



Browse 96 market data Tables and 89 Figures spread through 320 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Life Science Instrumentation Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/life-science-chemical-biotech-instrumentation-market-38.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.



This report studies the global life science instrumentation market over the forecast period of 2016 to 2021. The market is expected to reach USD 64.52 Billion by 2021, at CAGR of 6.8% from 2016 to 2021.



A number of factors such as increasing spending on pharmaceutical R&D, growing food safety concerns, availability of public and private funding for life science research, and continuous technological advancements in analytical instruments are fueling the growth of the life science instrumentation market. On the other hand, presence of alternative analytical technologies, high cost of instruments, and need for skilled professionals are some of the key factors limiting the growth of the global life science instrumentation market.



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Based on the type of technology, the global life science instrumentation market is divided into thirteen segments, namely, cell counting, centrifuges, chromatography, electrophoresis, flow cytometry, immunoassays, liquid handling and robotics, microscopy, next-generation sequencing, PCR, spectroscopy, western blotting, and other technologies. The other technologies segment includes heat sterilization, colorimeter, fume hoods, incubators, laboratory balances, microplate systems, and laboratory freezers.



On the basis of end users, the global life science instrumentation market is segmented into pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; CROs; research institutions; hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories; academic institutions; forensic science laboratories; food and agriculture industry; environmental testing industry; and other end users.



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On the basis of applications, the life science instrumentation market is segmented into research applications; clinical and diagnostic applications; and other applications. The other applications segment comprises food and beverage testing, environmental testing, industrial chemistry, forensics, cosmetic industry, and petrochemical industry.



As of 2016, North America held the largest share of the global life science instrumentation market, followed by Europe. However, the Asia-Pacific market is expected to register the highest CAGR of 8.6% from 2016 to 2021. Factors such as strategic expansions by key market players in emerging Asian countries; growing pharmaceutical industry in India and China; and increasing government investment in biomedical industry in China and Singapore are stimulating the growth of the life science instrumentation market in the Asia-Pacific region.



About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors.



M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers.



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Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/13/2016 -- The report "Preclinical Imaging (In-VIVO) Market by Modality (Optical Imaging, PET, SPECT, CT, MRI, ultrasound, Photoacoustic Imaging, Magnetic Particle Imaging), Reagent (Optical Imaging Reagents, Contrast Agents, PET Tracers, SPECT Probes) - Global Forecast 2021", analyzes and studies the major market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the world (RoW).



Browse 83 market data Tables and 39 Figures spread through 161 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Preclinical Imaging (In-VIVO) Market"



http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/pre-clinical-molecular-imaging-market-841.html



Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.



This report studies the preclinical imaging market over the forecast period of 2016 to 2021. The market is expected to reach USD 910.4 Million by 2021; growing at a CAGR of 6.2% during 2016 to 2021.



On the basis of products, the global preclinical imaging market is divided into two major categories, namely, modalities and reagents. Preclinical imaging modalities market is further divided into seven imaging modalities, namely, optical imaging systems, preclinical nuclear imaging systems, micro-MRI systems, micro-ultrasound systems, micro-CT systems, preclinical photo-acoustic imaging systems, and preclinical magnetic particle imaging (micro-MPI) systems.



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Similarly, preclinical imaging reagents market is further classified into five segments, namely, optical imaging reagents, nuclear imaging reagents, MRI contrast agents, ultrasound contrast agents, and CT contrast agents. The modality segment is expected to command the larger share in the global preclinical imaging market in 2016. The larger market share of preclinical imaging modalities segment can primarily be attributed to the extensive application of imaging systems in preclinical research studies across the globe, high cost of the systems, and development & commercialization of technologically advance novel preclinical imaging systems.



A number of factors such as the technological advancements in the field of molecular imaging, increasing market demand for non-invasive small animal imaging techniques, and growing number of public-private initiatives and funding to support preclinical researches are propelling the growth of the preclinical imaging market.



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North America is expected to be the largest regional segment in the global preclinical imaging market in 2016, followed by Europe. However, the Asia-Pacific market is expected to be the fastest growing region with a double-digit CAGR during 2016-2021.



A number of factors including continuous government support for pharmaceutical and biotechnology R&D, increasing public-private investments to support radioisotope production, rising number of translational research activities, and evolving regulatory scenario across major Asian countries are stimulating the growth of the preclinical imaging market in the Asia-Pacific region.



About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors.



M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers.



We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository.



Subscribe Reports from Healthcare Domain @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Subscription.html



Contact:

Mr. Rohan

Unit No. 802, 8th Floor,

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Lewes, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2016 -- Did you know?



- InGen is the leading independent distributor of in-vitro diagnostics in France.



- With 13 offices and a team of 250 employees, Vienna, Austria headquartered, BiomedicaMedizinprodukte GmbH & Co KG is a leading distributor of in-vitro diagnostics in Central and Eastern Europe.



- MD Doctors Direct GmbH is dedicated to bringing a large selection of innovative, high quality laboratory and near-patient testing products to their diverse clientele in Switzerland.



- Cruinn Diagnostics Limited is a leading Irish distributor whose product portfolio covers a wide range of in-vitro diagnostics including clinical chemistry, immunoassay, haematology, microbiology, autoimmune serology and recently the introduction of real time molecular diagnostics.



- Axon Lab AG collaborates with reputable international supply partners in selling innovative medical diagnostics to clinics, doctors and the research sector in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Croatia.



These are just a tiny sample of the 1,000's of facts to be found in 'The Top 100 Distributors Of IVD Reagents, Instruments & Accessories In Europe'.



This unique and comprehensive report profiles the top 100 distributors of IVD reagents, instruments, and accessories in Europe. These companies partner with leading manufacturers and sell their products to hospitals and laboratories right across Europe: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.



Profile information for each company in 'The Top 100 Distributors Of IVD Reagents, Instruments & Accessories In Europe' typically includes:



Company Contact Information Address, Telephone and Fax Numbers, Email and Website Addresses



Key Company Decision Makers From CEO and Main Board, to Key Senior Managers



Specialised fields such as Company Description, Ownership, Manufacturers Represented, Countries Served, Year Established and Number of Employees.



Report Target Market:



1) Manufacturers



This report is perfect for manufacturers of IVD products who wish to identify all the leading distributors for their products in Europe.



2) Distributors



Usage: competitive analysis and strategic partner/alliance identification.



3) IVD Associations



'The Top 100 Distributors Of IVD Reagents, Instruments & Accessories In Europe' is ideal for IVD associations to identify new member companies.



Note: This major new report looks at all 100 of the top distributors of IVD reagents, instruments, and accessories in Europe companies like:



Launch Diagnostics Limited founded in 1990, the Kent, United Kingdom company is one of the major independent distributors in the United Kingdom, providing high quality diagnostic kits and laboratory instrumentation from world leading manufacturers to the Health Services of the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Ireland. The Company represents Arkray, Arlington Scientific, BioSystems, Cepheid, Corgenix, Devyser, Diamedix, DiaSorin, Diazyme, Dynex Technologies, EntroGen, EuroCloneDiagnostica, Fast Track Diagnostics, Focus Diagnostics, Fujirebio Diagnostics, Humasis, InterLab, IVD Research Inc, Liofilchem, Meridian Bioscience, MKL Diagnostics, Novatec Immuno-Diagnostic, OrgentecDiagnostika, Savyon Diagnostics, Stratec Biomedical, InstitutVirion\Serion and Wiener Lab Group. Launch Diagnostics is a member of the British In-Vitro Diagnostics Association and is led by John Twycross, Owner and Managing Director.



Rafer, S.L. With headquarters in Zaragoza, Spain and eight offices across the Iberian peninsula, Rafer S.L. has almost fifty years' experience marketing reagents and instrumentation from well-known international companies such as Asuragen, Inc., Diaxonhit Group, FAR Diagnostics, Luminex Corporation, Wako Diagnostics and VIRO-IMMUN Labor-Diagnostika GmbH. It has 40 employees.



Triolab AS Broendby, Denmark headquartered Triolab AS offers an extensive product range from point-of-care testing to full automation of clinical laboratories in the fields of coagulation, haematology, clinical chemistry, transfusion and transplantation diagnostics, molecular diagnostics and microbiology. Due to its extensive product range and vast experience in the field of clinical diagnostics, Triolab AS has customers in all healthcare segments, from small clinical laboratories to large laboratory centres and hospital departments. The Company has sister companies in Finland, Norway and Sweden. Together they are one of the leading diagnostic suppliers in the Nordic area. Triolab AS is part of the Swedish Addtech Group and is led by Finn Ulbk Andersen, Managing Director.



Report data field structure is as follows:



- Company Name

- Address

- Telephone

- Fax

- Email

- Website

- Parent Company Name

- Year Established

- Number of Employees

- Key Executives

- Company Description

- Manufacturers Represented

- Countries Served

- Location Status

- Ownership



Publisher is one of the world's leading companies in life sciences publishing. It has a large portfolio of best-selling reports spanning diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices. It's customers include most of the world's major companies in these sectors e.g. Abbott Laboratories, Alcon, Allergan, Aurobindo, Axis-Shield, Baxter, Bayer, B. Braun, BD, Biomet, BoehringerIngelheim, CareFusion, Covance, Covidien, C.R. Bard, Edwards Lifesciences, Fresenius, GE Healthcare, Genzyme, HemoCue, Intuitive Surgical, Ipsen, Medtronic, Merit Medical Systems, Millipore, Molnlycke Health Care, Novartis, Paul Hartmann, Philips Medical, Qiagen, Siemens Healthcare, Smith & Nephew, Synthes, Teleflex, Teva, Zentiva etc.. Publisher also counts many multinational financial services, law and management consulting firms such as Bain & Company, McKinsey & Company and The Boston Consulting Group among its customers.



Publisher currently has customers in some forty countries across the globe e.g. Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Finland, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.



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For more information Visit at: http://www.marketresearchreports.com/research-facts/top-100-distributors-ivd-reagents-instruments-accessories-europe



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Brooklyn, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2016 -- In the current competitive era, it is imperative to keep a track of the latest policies adopted by key companies operating in any market. This can help vendors, stakeholders, and clients form better decisions about the market. The study on the United States Stationary Fuel Cells market provides key insights into the competitive background of the United States Stationary Fuel Cells market. The research report covers a comprehensive analysis of all key organizations and new entrants operating in the United States Stationary Fuel Cells market. New strategies adopted by key companies are briefly evaluated by the analysts in the report.



The research lays its entire focus on the key local and international companies functioning in the United States Stationary Fuel Cells market. Every company is profiled with details such as production capacity, key areas of operation, new product developments, and revenue. Offerings of key companies are examined in the United States Stationary Fuel Cells market report. By using SWOT analysis, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of key companies are measured in the report. Moreover, analysts also study the status of research and development activities of all companies operating in the market.



To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @ http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=336629&type=E



Along with the information about the key companies and their developments, the research report also measures the cost, price, revenue, and gross of the companies. Statistics related to key firms provided in the report help vendors and stakeholders understand their dominance. The report provides data about the feasibility of new projects in the United States Stationary Fuel Cells market. The report highlights key factors that can assist the new entrants in increasing their contribution.



Details regarding new project investment are also given in the report by the analysts. The report is an ideal blueprint of the United States Stationary Fuel Cells market and provides the current scenario and future prospects of the market.



Browse Complete Report with TOC @ http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/united-states-stationary-fuel-cells-industry-2015-market-research-report.htm



Table of Contents



Chapter One Stationary Fuel Cells Industry Overview

1.1 Stationary Fuel Cells Definition

1.1.1 Stationary Fuel Cells Product Pictures & Product Specifications

1.2 Stationary Fuel Cells Classification & Application



Chapter Two Stationary Fuel Cells Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis

2.1 Stationary Fuel Cells Raw Material & Equipments Supplier and Price Analysis

2.2 Stationary Fuel Cells Labor & Other Cost Analysis

2.3 Stationary Fuel Cells Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis

2.4 Stationary Fuel Cells Manufacturing Process Analysis



Chapter Three Stationary Fuel Cells Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis

3.1 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Stationary Fuel Cells Capacity and Commercial Production Date

3.2 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Stationary Fuel Cells Manufacturing Plants Distribution

3.3 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Stationary Fuel Cells R&D Status and Technology Sources

3.4 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Stationary Fuel Cells Raw Materials Sources Analysis



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[NEW DELHI] Agricultural scientists have helped boost crop yields in China by living among farmers to transfer innovation from academia to the fields.

The science and technology backyard (STB) programme was initiated in 2009 with professors and graduate students from China Agricultural University (CAU) moving into villages in Quzhou County, Hebei province, to help smallholders improve farming practices.

If farmers over-invest resources into improving yields of one crop, they are in big trouble if that crop fails. Leah Samberg, University of Minnesota Twin Cities in the United States

Over five years, the countywide average yield of key crops such as wheat and maize increased from 62.8 per cent of what is theoretically possible to 79.6 per cent, according to a recent research study published in Nature. Following the success of the pilot programme, there are now 71 STBs operating in 21 of Chinas 23 provinces.



Usually, scientists take techniques and hope farmers can adopt them but they dont really think about what the farmers really need. In this study, we lived in the villages and worked together with the farmers. We asked them to put their experience and wisdom into the techniques and then revised them, says lead author Weifeng Zhang, a professor at CAU.



Using experiments to compare farmers practices against their own, the scientists identified the factors contributing most to yield gaps and came up with ten recommended practices to tackle them. After asking farmers for feedback, a revised set of recommendations were tested by 71 leading farmers and their yields increased from 67.9 per cent of what is attainable to an average of 97 per cent between 2009 and 2014.



Recommendations were conveyed through field demonstrations, farming schools, yield contests and posters along main roads. Loose cooperatives of 30 to 40 households were organised to help farmers bulk buy inputs or coordinate large-scale tasks like irrigation or ploughing.



Zhang believes the system should be replicated in other Asian countries as many face similar constraints such as decent access to inputs and the need for stable political and education systems.



However, Maximo Torero, director of markets, trade and institutions at the International Food Policy Research Institute, says it is not that simple though. Each region has different characteristics in agro-ecological conditions but also on their level of institutional development.



Focusing on yield gaps also ignores whether there is demand for extra crops, he adds, and other factors like infrastructure connecting smallholders to markets may be more important.

Leah Samberg, a research associate studying small-scale agriculture at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in the United States, says the approach does not differ greatly from other agricultural extension programmes that help farmers apply scientific findings through education.The STBs well-designed and participatory approach, long-time scales and diversity of factors are major strengths, she says, but reported yield increases cover a short period and may not be that robust.Samberg agrees with Torero that narrow focus on yield gaps for specific crops may be counterproductive as diversification makes farmers more immune to shocks. If farmers over-invest resources into improving yields of one crop, they are in big trouble if that crop fails, she notes.This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets South-East Asia & Pacific desk.

This article was made possible with support from Monsanto.
Engineering capacity is strongly linked to economic development, according to a study published today that brings together data from 99 countries to reveal the first global engineering rankings.



But the sector has poor visibility in development planning and education, and needs a clearer focus on fighting poverty, according to leading figures.



Facts about engineering capacity across the globe

India and Vietnam are future engineering hotspots

No developing nations feature among the top 20 countries on the new engineering index

Only two African countries, South Africa and Tunisia, have an index score above 40 per cent

Myanmar, Tunisia and Honduras have the highest proportion of female engineering graduates at 65, 42 and 41 per cent

The study, by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, comes as engineering and international development professionals gathered in London, UK, for the Engineering a Better World conference organised by the Royal Academy of Engineering this week (13 September).

It shows that, on average, a rise on the engineering index of 1 per cent is associated with 0.85 per cent rise in GDP (gross domestic product) per capita. The analysis considers engineering capacity measures such as workforce, output, prospective recruits and quality of research.



The report identifies India and Vietnam as future engineering hotspots. For India, this is linked to its booming urban population as well as growth in asset wealth and GDP  all leading to a rising demand for infrastructure and construction. Vietnams rise is also tied to GDP growth, as well as a high gender parity among graduates that raises its index score.



Addressing the conference via videolink, Bill Gates said having a market-driven engineering agenda is problematic and the sector needs closer links with efforts to fight poverty. Dame Anne Dowling, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, noted that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) give new impetus to this effort.



No developing nation features among the top 20 countries on the new engineering index. And only two African countries, South Africa and Tunisia, have an index score above 40 per cent, compared with the highest performers at over 70 per cent. Data was not available for many parts of the world, and much of the information that fed into the index come from European and Asian countries.



Joanna Maduka, President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, said the low visibility and esteem given to engineers in most African countries is a key issue. Taking charge of a research institute or ministry often amounts to relegation or punishment in politics, she told the gathering.



Literacy about engineering among the public and policymakers is still relatively low, Maduka told SciDev.Net. In fact this conference may be the beginning of [visibility]  I have my minister of science and technology here, she said, adding that the Nigerian government currently lacks engineering expertise in the committee charged with implementing the SDGs.



Raising the profile of engineering is one of Madukas priorities as president of the association, as are education and gender  themes that resonated throughout the day at the conference.

Ammenah Gurib-Fakim, President of Mauritius and a chemist, emphasised the role of early education, adding that engineers in developing countries are also held back by low funding , poor facilities and inadequate systems to support their careers.She also highlighted outdated curriculums that emphasise the social and administrative capacities favoured during colonial times.

Gender stereotyping is another obstacle, still rife in textbooks, said Gurib-Fakim, with girls often encouraged to study soft sciences.

Maduka told SciDev.Net the impact of culture and religion is strong in Africa. There are people who dont believe in sending the girl child to school. [And] the second there is difficulty in a family, the girl child is withdrawn from school.

Women currently make up 10% of engineers in Nigeria, according to Maduka, but things are improving.

The report finds a mixed global picture on gender parity, with many rich countries having a poor record and three developing countries among the leaders: Myanmar, Tunisia and Honduras have the highest proportion of female engineering graduates at 65, 42 and 41 per cent respectively, compared with 22 per cent in the UK and 21 per cent in Australia and the Netherlands.
Weeks after the company's struggle to determine the cause of Falcon 9 rocket's recent explosion on the Cape Canaveral pad, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) announced on Tuesday that the company aims to resume its Falcon 9 launch in November from an alternate launch site.

SpaceX still continues to sort the endless data related to its September 1 accident, which led to the explosion of its Falcon 9 rocket and the Amos-6 satellite it was carrying while making preparations for a static fire test. Nevertheless, the company announced plans to resume launches as soon as November from either Florida or California.

During a speech given last Tuesday at the World Satellite Business Week meeting in Paris, SpaceX's President Gwynne Shotwell stated the company's anticipations for a return to flight this November likely from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Details of the speech were first reported in the tweets of Peter B. de Selding, bureau chief for Space News.

Lockheed Commercial Launch (Atlas 5) & MHI (H2-A) both say they are working on launch prep to sharply reduce time from contract to launch.  Peter B. de Selding (@pbdes) September 14, 2016

The company has decided to shift the site to a nearby NASA pad for the next East Coast launch given the repairs that'll be required to launch the complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Station, reports arstechnica. SpaceX is also trying to finish up the work at the launch-pad at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base, Ms. Shotwell however, didn't tell whether the next launch would be from California or Florida.

In a brief interview, NASA chief Charles Bolden said that Mr. Musk has indicated the signs that "the next launch vehicle will be shipped to" the Launch-pad at Florida. As SpaceX uses the Falcon 9 to deliver cargo to the ISS, the last decision about the location of the next launch may also depend on SpaceX balancing the agency's need for supplies in orbit.

Bids for the launch of yet another G.P.S satellite, are due to the Air Force by coming Monday. It remains to be seen if SpaceX's recent fall-back damages its competitive position even if it's offering lower prices than ULA, reports Wall Street Journal.
Google's new Pixel launcher has not officially been released, but has been leaked to the masses, with the public citing a few tweaks and changes with the new official Google Launcher, dubbed the 'Pixel Launcher'.

Most noticeably, users will find that the calendar in new launcher now adapts to the current date, showing the current day's date. This feature had already been adapted in other launchers, as well as in Apple's own interface. At first glance, the launcher does not seem to be much different than what its predecessor looks like, apart from a few changes with the application, according to Android Police.

Fans of Android are certain that the change in name of the launcher indicates that the newer Nexus phones will also share that name. Google will officially drop the Nexus name in its newer models. The new launcher will be part of the new generation of Google phones.

Scrolling through the app is the same experience as before. Users will need to swipe up from the homes-screen to open the app drawer, while the general look of the launcher has been retained. Fans did expect an overhaul of the launcher with the release of Android 7.0 Nougat, but it seems that Google was saving it for its new Pixel phones, according to First Post.

Much like the Nexus launcher which was also leaked before, the Google search bar has been tucked away from the home-screen, only to be replaced by a space occupied for date and time as well as the Google search icon. The Pixel launcher will also work with Google Now and integrate various commands and gestures.

The most noticeable new feature in the of the launcher isn't on the surface. It is found in the settings of the launcher where the user can change the wallpaper. The launcher comes with its own set of wallpapers categorized based on the different styles. There is also a feature to automatically change the wallpaper of the phone every day to a fresh one, picked from Google off the internet, according to report by BGR.

Stay tuned to SWR for more updates on Google Pixel Launcher.
A team of five Russian meteorologists have reportedly been trapped on a remote ice covered Russian island since last two weeks as polar bears have sieged the place. The meteorologists are currently on an expedition on Troynoy Island which is located about 2,800 miles away from Moscow in Russia's Kara Sea.

According to Russian news agency TASS, Vadim Plotnikov, who is the head of the meteorologist team, informed the media agency via satellite phone that around 10 polar bears have surrounded their base. Some of the bears have taken to sleeping right outside the windows of the Arctic station. This has made it impossible for Plotnikov and his team to even go outside their weather station. In fact, they have been forced to abandon some of their work. The team has also lost one of their dogs to the polar bears.

Furthermore, the weather experts no longer have flare guns to scare off the bears. They have requested for more flares, dogs and small harmless explosive devices to scare away the beats away. It is to be noted that Russia has completely banned polar bear hunting as they fall under endangered species category.

Vassiliy Shevchenko, head of the Sevgidromet State Monitoring Network that owns the Arctic station, said they have already sent the ship with the aid, including more flare guns and dogs, to the team of scientists. The ship is expected to arrive one month from now, reported CNN.

Shevchenko added that they have issued a recommendation to the station members to use extreme caution and not to leave their base without any serious reason. They have been asked to continue only with possible meteorological observations. The bears are expected to leave the island in search for food at the end of October, or in the beginning of November when the near-shore waters off the island freeze.
LATTA, S.C.  The town council of Latta is holding a council meeting 7 p.m. Thursday and is expected to vote on Police Chief Crystal Moore's firing.

Moore sent the council agenda to news outlets on Wednesday afternoon. Moore said the vote is being held because council "did not follow their town ordinance" when she was fired on Sept. 8.

Town Administrator Jarret Taylor confirmed that a council meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday but did not disclose what the meeting's agenda would entail.

According to town officials, Moore was fired on Sept. 8 after a series of reprimands were filed against her for not following town policies. Moore had served a five-day suspension before the firing.

Moore's attorney, Malissa Burnette, said Moore should still hold her position as chief because the town council "failed to vote in open session on September 8 to terminate Chief Moore's employment." In a letter sent to Taylor on Monday, Burnette also said that state law prohibits public officials from taking action while in executive session and that all decisions must be made by public vote.

"Therefore, Crystal Moore still holds the position of Chief of Police of Latta, South Carolina," Burnette's letter said.

The following day, town attorney Janet Byrd released a letter responding to Burnette saying "no vote was taken or needed either in or out of executive session" to fire Moore as chief.

"As Town Administrator, Mr. Taylor has sole authority to terminate Chief Moore," Byrd said.

Byrd added that in keeping with a town ordinance, Moore's termination was discussed and approved by the council "without any formal vote" during a special emergency public meeting on Aug. 18. It was after this meeting that Taylor decided to suspend Moore instead, according to Byrd's letter.

Byrd said that in South Carolina, "employment is maintained only at the will of the employer."

"Thus, Mrs. Moore's termination stands."
FLORENCE, S.C.Sometimes a simple dot is the beginning of a masterpiece. Tuesday morning, students at Wallace-Gregg Elementary School learned to create their own masterpieces using dots in celebration of International Dot Day.

Dot Day was inspired by the book "The Dot" by Peter Reynolds. In it, a little girl discovers that sometimes all it takes to do something great it to make a small start.

Art teacher Jameka Haynesworth said that one thing she hears often from students is that they are incapable of doing something.

We hear all the time I cant make that, its too hard, Haynesworth said. A lot of times, we havent even started. I ask them if they havent even made a mark on their paper, how can they tell me that they cant do it. But thats a kid.

Haynesworth had previously talked with her students about warm and cool colors -- for instance, yellow versus purple -- so for the dot project she had them pick one of the palettes to use. She told them that the use of color, as well as the use of white space, worked to create their unique dot.

She first used the book last year for a project, Haynesworth said.

Last year, I used 'The Dot' for kindergarten, Haynesworth said. When I searched The Dot online, International Dot Day popped up. I missed it last year but I wanted to make sure we got to do it this year.

She is not the only Florence One teacher using the book.

There are other teachers in the district that use 'The Dot,'  Haynesworth said. One teacher at Timrod uses it every year for kindergarten and first grade. I am trying to do something this year with every grade. I put a dot in each teachers mailbox and they are supposed to have it separated into fourths and one student does a design on each one of the sections. When they are done, I am going to put them all together and make a giant mural on the wall.

Haynesworth said it is interesting to be able to take part in something that other schools and students are doing. She said she is trying to help them see past just the school they are in.

I have a lot of people that I graduated college with that are teaching, Haynesworth said. I told one friend that I want my class and her class to Skype. I am trying to do things to get them outside of the Wallace-Gregg box; that is the plan.

International Dot Day will take place on "September 15th-ish," according to the website thedotclub.org. Wallace-Gregg's projects will be completed and displayed on September 19.
DARLINGTON, S.C. - The Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center on Pocket Road in Florence hosted its annual Field Day on Tuesday in conjunction with the grand reopening of the renovated John B. Pitner Center. Clemson University President James Clements and South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers were the speakers.

The day began with tractor-pulled wagon and bus tours of the research fields and concluded with a ribbon cutting and tour of the newly renovated research center.

The $7 million renovation project included four new equipment labs for the Advanced Plant Technology Program dedicated to biotechnology. These and other new changes will allow scientists conducting research to be close to where the crops are being grown. Officials say it will benefit not only the Pee Dee region, but also the entire state.

In addition to bringing the 1980s center in to the 21st century, the Pee Dee Research Education Center has hired more specialists and updated programs to better service South Carolinas agricultural industry.

Clements said there is a $42 billion agriculture industry in South Carolina. He is proud of the partnering of Clemson University with the research center to aid agriculture in the state. He said that with this renovation Clemson and the Pee Dee Research and Education Center can expand its research and development with the goal of developing more quickly crops that are disease and drought resistant. They can also hire more specialists.

Before Tuesday, Clements toured the facility with Matt Smith, director of the Pee Dee Research and Education Center. He said he was blown away by the research being conducted at the center.

The newly renovated center will allow us to do even more work here, he said.

Weathers, the South Carolina commissioner of agriculture, also addressed the group. He said the average age of a farmer in South Carolina today is 60. He said something has to be done to find that next generation of farmers.

Matt Smith, director of the Pee Dee Research and Education Center, said the renovation project was the product of the vision and persistence of George Askew, vice president for public service and agriculture. Smith said it was with Askew's guidance that the project came to fruition.

Field Day is held annually as a way to showcase the research conducted at the station. Clemson scientists gave updates on their research projects during a tour of the fields. These included information about cotton and soybean breeding, cover crops, sorghum production, sugarcane aphid management in grain sorghum, bioenergy, irrigation, and fish productivity in private ponds.

Clemson Extension agent Tony Melton talked about tests conducted on various methods of pest control and irrigation on the 20-acre research plot, where he tries to improve yield potential of vegetables. He is also trying to grow larger sweet potatoes that are more suitable for processing and canning and develop a butter bean that is more heat tolerant, one that can grow in South Carolinas middle-of-summer heat.
After I read the letter from Mr. Neal Cameron that appeared in the Sept. 6 issue of the Morning News (Clinton not perfect but beats the alternative), I just could not be quiet and not respond.

I do not advocate divorce, but in today's world, approximately half of all marriages end that way. What that has got to do with being president of the United States is beyond me. If Hillary Clinton did not need Bill Clinton and his cronies, do you think they would still be married after all of his sexual escapades?

I also marvel at Mr. Cameron's ability to know what Mr. Trump wants or needs in a wife. I would bet my paycheck that the two have never discussed this item.

As far as caring? The only thing Hillary Clinton cares about is Hillary Clinton and her ego!

Intelligent? You may be right in to some extent because she is slick enough to avoid jail ... so far. If the U.S. Justice Department was not so rife with the likes of Loretta Lynch and other Obama questionables, she WOULD be in jail. The ordinary citizen would never see the light of day if they had done what she has done.

Female lawyer? She WAS a lawyer until she and Bill Clinton, BOTH lost their licenses due to illegal shenanigans.

I quote from Mr. Cameron, "She has never put this country in jeopardy." However, she did put four American lives in jeopardy and they ended up being murdered. But what difference does that make? Remember who said that, Mr. Cameron? As far as I know, Donald Trump has not put this country in jeopardy nor has he let four Americans be murdered.

Another quote, "The Clinton Foundation is doing a great job helping people all over the world." Mr Cameron, please open your eyes, and look at the millions of dollars they have taken in, from very questionable sources, and see how much it has really given. The amount is infinitesimal, and if you dig into it, I am sure the Clintons had an ulterior motive for every "donation" they made.

"She is not perfect." That is the understatement of the century.

Mr. Trump does speak his mind, and the liberal media jumps on his comments like piranha in a feeding frenzy. To me it is refreshing to have someone with enough backbone to say what really needs to said and not so overcome with political correctness that that they cannot even speak without fearing someone will be offended (the latest fad).

Think about it Mr. Cameron. Mr. Trump, the only candidate that does not owe something to someone and does not need their money is spending his own money to try to save this country from becoming a socialist state. What has he to gain except to keep our freedoms?

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton is trying to take over this country so she and the Democratic Party can eventually ruin our country and continue in the steps of our current, disgraceful president, Obama, the worst president this country has ever had.

HENRY H. HAM JR.

Leesville
Makaukau oe e Paani?  When the bodies of two serial killers are found on Five-0 property with chess pieces in their mouths, McGarrett and the team hunt for a vigilante as fear grows that tourists arent safe in Hawaii, on the seventh season premiere of HAWAII FIVE-0, Friday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Rosalind Chao guest stars as Governor Keiko Mahoe.

(Makaukau oe e Paani? is Hawaiian for Ready to Play?)

HAWAII FIVE-0 Season 7 Episode 1 Photos Makaukau oe e Paani?

Makaukau oe e Paani?  When the bodies of two serial killers are found on Five-0 property with chess pieces in their mouths, McGarrett and the team hunt for a vigilante as fear grows that tourists arent safe in Hawaii, on the seventh season premiere of HAWAII FIVE-0, Friday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Rosalind Chao guest stars as Governor Keiko Mahoe. Pictured: Grace Park as Kono Kalakaua. Photo: Norman Shapiro/CBS AA2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Makaukau oe e Paani?  When the bodies of two serial killers are found on Five-0 property with chess pieces in their mouths, McGarrett and the team hunt for a vigilante as fear grows that tourists arent safe in Hawaii, on the seventh season premiere of HAWAII FIVE-0, Friday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Rosalind Chao guest stars as Governor Keiko Mahoe. Pictured: Grace Park as Kono Kalakaua. Photo: Norman Shapiro/CBS AA2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Makaukau oe e Paani?  When the bodies of two serial killers are found on Five-0 property with chess pieces in their mouths, McGarrett and the team hunt for a vigilante as fear grows that tourists arent safe in Hawaii, on the seventh season premiere of HAWAII FIVE-0, Friday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Rosalind Chao guest stars as Governor Keiko Mahoe. Pictured: Daniel Dae Kim as Chin Ho Kelly. Photo: Norman Shapiro/CBS AA2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Makaukau oe e Paani?  When the bodies of two serial killers are found on Five-0 property with chess pieces in their mouths, McGarrett and the team hunt for a vigilante as fear grows that tourists arent safe in Hawaii, on the seventh season premiere of HAWAII FIVE-0, Friday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Rosalind Chao guest stars as Governor Keiko Mahoe. Pictured Left to Right: Grace Park as Kono Kalakaua and Daniel Dae Kim as Chin Ho Kelly. Photo: Norman Shapiro/CBS AA2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Makaukau oe e Paani?  When the bodies of two serial killers are found on Five-0 property with chess pieces in their mouths, McGarrett and the team hunt for a vigilante as fear grows that tourists arent safe in Hawaii, on the seventh season premiere of HAWAII FIVE-0, Friday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Rosalind Chao guest stars as Governor Keiko Mahoe. Pictured Left to Right: Grace Park as Kono Kalakaua and Daniel Dae Kim as Chin Ho Kelly. Photo: Norman Shapiro/CBS AA2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Makaukau oe e Paani?  When the bodies of two serial killers are found on Five-0 property with chess pieces in their mouths, McGarrett and the team hunt for a vigilante as fear grows that tourists arent safe in Hawaii, on the seventh season premiere of HAWAII FIVE-0, Friday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Rosalind Chao guest stars as Governor Keiko Mahoe. Pictured: Alex OLoughlin as Steve McGarrett. Photo: Norman Shapiro/CBS AA2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Singapore-listed POSH announced that it has signed a term sheet with Mexicos Grupo Pegaso for the latter to acquire interests in the companys joint ventures in Mexico.

The parties are now working towards signing a definitive agreement, POSH said in a brief statement.

POSH had said earlier that it seeks to use Mexico as a springboard into Latin America and will expand its presence there.

The newly-listed company is also seeking to expand its offshore fleet to include deepwater accommodation vessels and to explore the inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) business.

POSH, a 21% owned associate of Malaysian Bulk Carriers, has approved a capital expenditure budget of $291.5m to fund its fleet expansion programme.
New York Stock Exchange-listed Teekay LNG Partners is selling 2.8m common units and the underwriters have been granted a 30-day option to purchase an additional 420,000 units.

Teekay LNG said the proceeds to fund the equity portion of its first installment payment of $95m for six LNG carriers order at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering jointly with China LNG Shipping for the Yamal LNG project and to fund a portion of five M-type, electronically controlled, gas injection (or MEGI) newbuildings.

Citigroup and Credit Suisse are acting as joint book running managers in connection for the offering.
Last week the IMO Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention was finally ratified putting it into force from 8 September 2017. This heightened concerns from shipowners that the US Coast Guard (USCG), which has more stringent rules, was yet to give permanent approval to any systems currently on the market.

While a number, including those from Wartsila have Alternate Management System (AMS) certification from the USCG this is only valid from five years that the system was fitted to the vessel and there is no guarantee it will be valid beyond that. This would force an owner trading to the US to fit an entirely new system which has raised concerns from Bimco, ICS and Intertanko.

Wartsila has two systems - the Aquarius UV, which provides disinfection using ultra-violet light (UV) and the Aquarius -EC provides disinfection using sodium hypochlorite generated through side stream electro-chlorination both of which have AMS certification.

Responding to queries from Seatrade Maritime News about a claim on Wednesday that its systems would get full USCG type approval next year Joe Thomas, direct ballast water management systems and environmental solutions managing director for Wartsila Water Systems it had a programme in place with the USCG and DNVGL to conclude type approvals for both its BWTS systems in 2017.

We have already successfully completed USCG land based tests with Aquarius-EC BWTS and anticipate successful conclusion of all remaining testing within 2017. Aquarius-UV BWTS testing will commence shortly and will be concluded after Aquarius-EC, but within 2017 also, he said.

We are confident that our designs are robust and that USCG testing will confirm the suitability of our systems as already set out under the IMO Type Approvals received in 2012/2013.

I recognise that there are no USCG TAs (type approval) at present, but Wartsila remain focused on bringing testing with our products to a successful conclusion as soon as possible and so provide customers with robust equipment and service solutions that support all of their through life ballast water compliance needs, Thomas added.
The state-owned shipping conglomerate has scheduled a shareholders meeting on 28 August to discuss the proposal to order five 14,000 teu containerships and six 81,600 dwt bulk carriers.

Shanghai-listed Cosco has just ordered 10 bulker newbuildings at two domestic shipyards for a total of $262.5m, and sold eight elderly vessels to the scrapyards.
The $72m shipbuilding contracts were won by Chinas Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co, Oslo-listed EOC announced on Thursday. The contract comes with options for a further two sister vessels.

The shipbuilding contract price does not include owner furnished and nominated equipment, EOC stated.

The addition of these two new accommodation vessels is in line with the groups strategy to continue to grow its fleet and build on its platform as one of the largest offshore accommodation and support services providers in the region, it added.

Last week, EOC entered into an agreement with its largest shareholder, Singapores Ezra Holdings, to consolidate Ezras offshore support services division EMAS Marine under EOC.

EOC has also proposed a secondary listing on the Singapore Exchange.
Last week Marco Polo met with holders of its $50m 5.57% fixed rate bond issue that matures on 16 October to present a business review conducted by KMPG and seek an extension on the maturity of the bonds.

Marco Polo said bondholders at the meeting appeared generally supportive of the companys initiative. The meeting was adjourned till Friday 16 September to allow bondholders time to digest the information and give further feedback.

The company booked a first half loss of SGD1.1m ($801,800) hit by the sharp downturn in the offshore market.
DP World vice chairman HE Jamal Majid bin Thaniah has been in Kazakstan meeting with Prime Minister Karim Masimov overviewing the infrastructure developments it is involved in at the Port of Aktau and an inland container depot (ICD) at Khorgos in the east of the Central Asian country.

Construction of Khorgos Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Inland Container Depot (ICD) was inaugurated last month, both of which are to be managed by DP World under an agreement signed in 2013 with Kazakhstan National Railway Company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). DP World also has similar contract for the Port of Aktau in the Caspian Sea.

Kazakhstan is perhaps the worlds original cross border trade enabler as home to the longest segment of the ancient Silk Way. With the shift of manufacturing to central and western Chinese cities there is a new potential to develop a New Silk Way that links China and the West mainly by land, said DP Worlds vice chairman.

Transit times by rail from China to Europe are 15 days compared to 45 days via ocean shipping according to KTZ Express, a subsidiary of KTZ.

KTZ Express has been pushing rail cargo links with China and just last month opened up an office in Hong Kong to build-up import and export trade between Central Asia, China, Asia and Europe.

In Kazakhstan $3bn is being invested in rail infrastructure this year. In China KTZ Express is investing $100m in an intermodal freight and logistics centre at the port of Lianyungang on Chinas eastern seaboard. The 500,000 teu capacity a year facility aims to act as hub for cargo shipped into Lianyungang by sea Japan, Korea and South East Asia and then moved by rail to Kazakhstan.

Rail services will link into Khorgos as a distribution hub. Khorgos is a distribution hub designed for Chinese freight forwarders to access Central Asian markets by road and rail with minimal Customs regulations and tariffs said Henrik Christensen, president of KTZ Express Hong Kong.
The Singapore-flagged, 2012-built, POSH Mogami sank 2 nm off Sekupang, Batam Island Indonesia, with nine crew onboard, according to the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

It was reported that the semi-submersible barge was carrying out submerging trials at the time of the incident, the MPA said.

It said the Indonesian authorities had rescued six crew members and recovered the bodies of three who died in the accident. The three who died were Singapore, Myanmar and Chinese nationals the MPA said.



According POSHs website the 30,500 dwt semi-submersible barge was classed by ABS, and according to Indonesian press reports built at Cosco Zhoushan Shipyard.



As the flag state MPA said it was investigating the cause of the accident.

POSH is listed on the Singapore Exchange and part of the Kuok Group.
Net profit in the financial year ended 31 May 2014 was registered at MYR28.79m ($9.03m), jumping 113.9% from MYR13.46m posted in the previous year.

Revenue also surged 84.3% year-on-year to MYR254.27m.

We are optimistic in our outlook that new demand for OSVs with higher technical specifications suitable for deepsea operation will grow and demand for OSVs use in shallow remains firm, TAS Offshore commented.

Our built-to-stock business model has propelled the group to a favourable position to meet the market demand for the OSVs and shorter delivery time period required by the buyers, the offshore vessel shipbuilder said.

The Kuala Lumpur-listed company added that increase in demand for modern jack-up rigs entering the market will result in needs of more OSVs.

We expect the demand for both PSVs and AHTS vessels to be strong. We also expect some of these offshore developments to come from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and foresee the oil and gas industry in the region will require the provision of various OSVs, it said.
The five-year agreements each cover condition based maintenance for a total of 80 Wartsila 50DF dual-fuel engines, which can run on LNG, light fuel oil and heavy fuel oil.

Under condition based monitoring, maintenance of the units can be based on the actual state of the individual engine as monitored by internal sensors. Evaluation of data from the engine at Wartsila's condition based monitoring centre also allows for early detection of performance issues, therefore optimising performance and reducing downtime.

Such agreements are a significant part of Wartsila's business, with the company's services department accounting for 43% of sales in 2013.

TMS Cardiff Gas and Thenamaris LNG also opted for Online Remote Support, allowing Wartsila's experts to offer real time support to the ships' crews via the internet, without an engineer physically attending the vessel.

"We expect that this agreement with Wartsila will lead to higher availability, increased efficiency, reduced maintenance cost, and reduced risk for the DF Engines installed on Maran Gas Fleet. Wartsila's technology, global presence and local support are essential elements for supporting this agreement," said Andreas Spertos, technical director at Maran Gas Maritime.
Container throughput at Salalah reached 1.584m teu in the first half of 2016, a heartening 29% increase on the corresponding period in 2015 when taken in context with the current, depressed state of the global boxship market.



A new $143m, 1.26km deep-water quay which came on line last December and increased Salalahs general cargo and liquid bulk capacity to 20m tons and 6m tons respectively, has also contributed to a 10% H1 increase in general cargo handled. The terminal is now handling approximately 1m metric tons (mt) monthly, Gledhill says.

Located 170km east of the border with war-torn Yeman and south of the Straits of Hormuz, Salalahs proximity to the open sea and the main east-west trade lane is a lure for the largest ULCS - the weapons of choice in the economy-of-scale and eco-conscious arms race among the worlds major operators.

The port, 30% owned and operated by AMP Terminals, receives around 30 container liner service calls each month, linking Salalah to all the main ports in Europe, the Mediterranean, the US East Coast, East Africa, the Indian Sub-continent, the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf.

The 19,224 teu MSC Zoe, among the largest class of containerships currently in service, is the biggest vessel to call thus far and Gledhill sees the trend continuing at Salalah where 90% of container traffic is transhipment cargo movement.



With the shipping industry witnessing significant changes in terms of structure and alliances, we have seen enhanced connectivity to East Africa, Somalia and North Oman in 2016, he said.



We are actively engaged in discussions with the shipping lines who want to leverage the location of Salalah to increase penetration into regional markets like Yemen, countries around the Red Sea and Iran.

Gledhill says 16,000 teu capacity boxships are the largest vessels regularly calling at Salalah which placed demands on the port to meet the sustained ability to handle ULCS performance levels.

We are seeing a trend of deployment of these large vessels on major trade lanes and we expect to see more of these calls in the near future.

Salalah is one of the largest container ports in the Middle East with 2015 volumes topping 2.56m teu and 7.9m tons of bulk cargo.

The general cargo facility is currently handling 200,000 metric tons (MT) of limestone and approximately 550,000 mt of gypsum monthly, among other cargoes. The new berths are used for discharging grain and loading bagged cement as well as berthing of the multi-national Navies engaged in anti-piracy operation. It also handles cruise vessels.

We act as the container relay hub for East Africa, the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf and the Indian Sub-continent. Bulk cargo, Limestone and Gypsum are predominantly destined for the Indian Sub-continent. Cement is exported to the Red Sea and East Africa, Wheat is imported from Australia and liquid exports are predominantly to Europe and Asia, said Gledhill.


Archaeologists in Denmark have found evidence of a 3,000 year-old cooking mistake that casts some light into the everyday life of Scandinavian Bronze Age people.

Clear evidence for one of the most common mistakes in the kitchen  burning food -- lay in a clay pot that was excavated in central Jutland, Denmark.

The clay vessel was found, upturned and in near mint condition, at the bottom of what was once a waste pit.

RELATED: 2,000-Year-Old Butter Found in Irish Bog

"The pot is typical for cooking vessels in this region of Denmark. It was accompanied by several other objects fitting the dating," archaeologist Kaj F. Rasmussen from Museum Silkeborg, Denmark, told Discovery News.

He noted the discovery itself is a lucky breakthrough, since a vessel capable of surviving intact over the last 3,000 years is indeed a unique finding.

"Ordinarily clay pots will have been reduced to shards before deposition, or have been crushed by pressure from the covering earth," Rasmussen said.

WATCH VIDEO: Can Burnt Food Really Give You Cancer?
Rivers of blood are flowing through the streets of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, causing quite a gruesome scene, reports the Dhaka Tribune.

On Tuesday, Bangladeshis began celebrating Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, which honors the prophet Abraham's sacrifice of his son for God. As part of this honoring, animals, most commonly goats, are ritually sacrificed.

This year, the timing of the Eid al-Adha animal killings happened to coincide with torrential rain. As rainwater blanketed the city, it mixed with the blood of the sacrificed animals, and the result looked a bit like something out of a horror movie.
Photo: Children get an up-close look at a killer whale in San Diego's SeaWorld in 2014. Credit: Reuters California has become the first US state to ban both orca breeding and the captivity of the animals, also known as killer whales.

Governor Jerry Brown signed the California Orca Protection Act into law Tuesday, making both activities illegal in his state.

The law will go into effect in June 2017, CNN reports. Then, captive killer whales already in the state will only be allowed to be shown for "educational purposes."

RELATED: Sea World to Stop Breeding Orcas

The move comes at a time when signs seem to point toward an end to the animal's often controversial status as aquarium show draws whose homes are less than humane.

The possibility of a federal ban similar to California's was raised late last year by California rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), though no such nationwide law has yet been passed.

SeaWorld, for its part, announced at the same time a plan to phase out killer whale shows at its parks. And, in March of this year, the company announced it would stop breeding orcas.

RELATED: SeaWorld Announcement Sidesteps Call for Orca Sanctuary

The California law allows for killer whales to be rescued as well as used for research, but it urges the marine mammals' release back into the wild whenever possible, according to the International Business Times.

WATCH VIDEO: Killer Whales: How Captivity Affects Their Minds
Half of surveyed households have children who are regularly exposed to firearms, but only a handful report speaking to a pediatrician about firearm safety, according to a survey by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. In fact, according to one-third of more than 1,200 parents surveyed for the study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, any offer of advice by a physician regarding firearm safety or removing guns from the home would be considered offensive or simply ignored. Most parents, however, did express a willingness to have that conversation with a pediatrician. Thirty-six percent of respondents said they had firearms in homes with children, and the majority of those survey participants owned more than one firearm. An additional 14 percent who had no guns at home reported their children visit homes of relatives or friends who do keep firearms. RELATED: Is It Harder to Get Guns in Other Countries? "Many physicians feel a professional obligation to discuss gun-violence prevention, but they don't because they are not sure what to say or what they're legally allowed to say," study co-author Jane M. Garbutt said in a statement. In Florida the state legislature passed a law, the Firearm Owners Privacy Act, banning doctors from having a conversation about guns in the home with patients. Twelve other states have considered similar measures, though the Florida law is currently being litigated in a case of that sets up a clash between the First and Second Amendments, widely reported as "Docs vs. Glocks." The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) endorses physicians talk about firearms in the house with parents. Pediatricians are advised to advocate safe storage of guns if not removal of firearms entirely, the latter being the safest approach given the dangers posed to adolescents. WATCH VIDEO: How Are Suspected Terrorists Buying Guns In The U.S.?

In 2013, the last year for which data were available, 2,465 kids under age 20 died from firearm-related incidents. That's about seven every day losing their lives to firearms. In addition to the lives lost, 15,091 adolescents were treated in emergency rooms, and a further 6,213 were hospitalized, according to CDC data. The presence of guns in the household is linked to gunshot wounds in children, a AAP study published that same year concluded. RELATED: More Guns in U.S. Homes, More Kids Getting Shot A risks-benefit analysis published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine in 2011 of the potential liabilities and safety benefits of a gun in the home found that firearms were not only less likely to prevent or deter crime than unarmed households; they also increased health risks, particularly in homes with women and children. For households in which there are both children and guns, safely locking and storing firearms and ammunition, talking to children about the importance of gun safety, and discussing the issue with pediatricians can be important steps in minimizing the possibility of injury or worse. SEE PHOTOS: Muskets to M16s - All the Army's Guns

style="text-align: left;">There is no doubt that firearms have shaped the history of the United States. These tools of metal and wood are constantly argued about and, to some, are essential to liberty. The Second Amendment to the Constitution, debated and analyzed for years, reads: style="text-align: left;">Amendment II style="text-align: left;"> A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. The United States Infantry forces, or the ground forces of the U.S. Army, have carried many different weapons throughout history. Here's a look at the weapons that the men and women who have fought wars have carried throughout the years.

style="text-align: left;">1775 Brown Bess Musket WEIGHT: 10.5 lbs RANGE: 50-100 yds ROUNDS PER MINUTE: 3-4 depending on skill style="text-align: left;"> "This Long Land Pattern Brown Bess Musket was made about 1770 and is the type used by the British Army during the American Revolution." said David Miller of the Smithsonian Institute of American History A flintlock musket, the Brown Bess used a piece of flint attached to a metal holder (the cock -- so-named because it looked like the beak of a rooster holding the stone) and a piece of curved steel. style="text-align: left;">When the trigger was pulled, the flint would run along the steel creating sparks. The sparks would (hopefully) land in the flashpan, in which there was a small amount of black powder next to a hole that led into the main barrel. If the small amount of powder lit, the larger charge would (again, hopefully) also be set alight. style="text-align: left;"> The Brown Bess was a musket, which means it loaded from the muzzle, and fired a .70-caliber, or 7/10 of an inch in diameter, lead ball. Long and heavy, it was a weapon for both middle-distance and close-quarters fighting. A triangle-shaped bayonet allowed for spearing the enemy, and the large size and heavy stock allowed the men to use it to club, stab and fight in face-to-face combat.

style="text-align: left;">1775 Charleville Musket WEIGHT: 10 lbs RANGE: Effective: 50-75, Max: 100-200 yds ROUNDS PER MINUTE: 2-3 depending on skill style="text-align: left;"> The Model 1763 Charleville Musket, made in France, was the type of musket used by the Continental Army during the American Revolution. It is a .72-caliber flintlock designed in France. However, in an advance over the Brown Bess, the Charleville was one of the first weapons with barrel bands. The bands held the steel barrel to the wooden stock. style="text-align: left;">Using bands allowed the weapon to be more easily disassembled, cleaned and maintained. "The Charleville musket served as the pattern for the first muskets produced in U.S. government arsenals in 1795," Miller told Discovery News.

style="text-align: left;">Model 1842 U.S. Percussion Musket WEIGHT: 10 lbs RANGE: 50-75, Max: 100-200 yds ROUNDS PER MINUTE: 2-3 depending on skill style="text-align: left;"> "The Model 1842 was the first regulation musket produced in U.S. arsenals using the percussion system," said Miller, "It fired a .69-caliber ball and instead of a flintlock and used a small copper cap containing mercury fulminate to ignite the powder in the barrel." style="text-align: left;"> This was the first musket in American history to not use the flint-and-steel ignition system. Instead, the U.S. Infantry would be issued firearms with percussion caps. The cap was a small piece of explosive material placed over a nipple that led into the chamber. When the musket was loaded, the soldier could pull back the hammer, place a cap over the nipple and pull the trigger to smash the cap and fire the gun. style="text-align: left;">The idea is much like a cap gun of today. Apart from their firing mechanisms, this was the first time a U.S. armory had produced a weapon with all machine-made parts. Prior to this, most weapons were made by hand meaning each was similar, but unique. With the 1842 model musket, the parts were now interchangeable, allowing for faster repairs and increased versatility for gunsmiths.

Model 1855 U.S. Percussion Rifle WEIGHT: 9 lbs RANGE: Effective: up to 500 yds, Max: 1000 yards ROUNDS PER MINUTE: 2-3 As technology and industry improved, so did the weapons and the U.S. Infantry needed better, more accurate firepower. Rifling wasn't new in 1855, however, "this was the first general issue rifle in the U.S. military," said Miller. Even with rifling, accurate weapons in the hands of inexperienced soldiers was an issue. To increase the accuracy further, a new type of shot would be used called the Minie ball. Shaped a little more like a modern bullet, the .58-caliber Minie ball was made of soft lead and was designed to expand slightly during firing, causing the lead to fill the rifled grooves in the barrel and spin, increasing the accuracy. Inventor Edward Maynard proposed a new system called the Maynard tape primer. The system worked much like a cap gun of the 20th century. The caps were fed from a magazine over a nipple, eliminating the need to carry a separate box of caps. However, Miller said, "even as the U.S. adopted the Maynard system, the British were learning it did not work well in combat in the Crimean War." In the field the system failed often, and though implemented in the Model 1855, it was removed in the following iteration. The Model 1855 rifle pictured is seven inches shorter than the regulation Model 1855 Rifle-Musket.

style="text-align: left;">Model 1861 U.S. Percussion Rifle Musket WEIGHT: 9 Lbs RANGE: Effective: up to 400 yds, Max: 1000 yards ROUNDS PER MINUTE: 2-3 style="text-align: left;"> "The Model 1861 was the standard musket in use during the Civil War," said Miller. "The elimination of the Maynard percussion system was a major improvement (and) it fired the 58-caliber Minie bullet." style="text-align: left;">The Maynard tape system was scrapped as a failed experiment but the M1861 was essentially the same weapon as the M1855, The Springfield Armory (and partners) produced over one million M1861s. The American Civil War was on, and the U.S. Army needed the added weaponry to win the war. It was one of the first mass-produced weapons in U.S. history. style="text-align: left;"> The large caliber Minie ball, paired with the triangular shaped bayonet contributed to highest body-counts of any American conflict. These two weapons of war, combined with the lack of proper medical facilities, caused many Americans on both sides to die of disease or infection.

style="text-align: left;">Model 1873 Springfield "Trapdoor" WEIGHT: 9 Lbs RANGE: Effective: up to 400 yds, Max: 1000 yards ROUNDS PER MINUTE: 10+ (depending on skill) style="text-align: left;"> With the Civil War behind us, the Americans looked to westward expansion, and in the long period from 1873 until 1892 the "Trapdoor Springfield" was the U.S. Infantry's best friend, mostly. In the years since the 1861 model the paper cartridge has finally given way to a full "bullet" as we'd recognize it today. The major difference here is a self-contained cartridge, no complex pouring, ramming or firing procedure was needed. The operation, described by Miller was this: " style="text-align: left;">A thumb latch allowed the breech block to open and pivot forward and a metallic cartridge was inserted and fired. " Though still single-shot and black powder, the rifle performed admirably for the most part. At first, to save money, the Army issued copper cartridges which expanded and were caught in the breech making the rifle functionally useless. style="text-align: left;"> Unfortunately, the Army realized their mistake too late. Col. Custer and his men were using the .45-70 Springfield during the battle of Little Big Horn, and each copper cartridge caught in the barrel was devastating to their position. Eventually, Custer and his men lost the battle and were killed. After this disastrous loss, the Army ponied up for brass cartridges and added mandatory rifle practice of twice a week. A significant bump from the twice a month mandated previously.

style="text-align: left;">Krag-Jrgensen Model 1892 WEIGHT: 9 Lbs RANGE: Effective: up to 900 yds ROUNDS PER MINUTE: 1-5 round magazine style="text-align: left;"> The Krag offered many advances over the old Trapdoors, and was the first standard-issue repeating rifle used by the U.S. Army. Each weapon could accept five rounds into a small magazine box and then fire these repeatedly, to the chagrin of some of the accounting officers. style="text-align: left;"> The firearm was used in a few conflicts at the end of the 19th-century was quite accurate, and had the newer, smokeless, gunpowder. However, even with these updates, "the Krag proved to be no match for the Spanish Mauser rifles during the Spanish American War." said Miller. At the time the U.S. Army was late to adopt many new technologies, and while this may be the first standard-issue repeating weapon, the technology had been around for a long time already.

style="text-align: left;">Springfield Model 1903 WEIGHT: 8.7 Lbs RANGE: Effective: 656 yds, Max: 1,200 yds ROUNDS PER MINUTE: 15 style="text-align: left;"> "Based upon the German Mauser, the '03 Springfield was a vast improvement over the Krag rifle with a less complicated mechanism, a better magazine, and better .30-06 ammunition. " said Miller. style="text-align: left;"> The U.S. Army might have been slow to adopt new technology, but around the turn of the last century, the government began to re-tool weapons to copy better designs. The major advantage in the 1903 design was the stripper clips, which allowed the soldiers to fire much more quickly, as well as the redesigned shell with a pointed bullet -- still popular today. The '03 Springfield saw service from 1905 through the early stages of the Vietnam War.

style="text-align: left;">M1 Garand WEIGHT: 8.7 Lbs RANGE: Effective: 656 yds, Max: 1,200 yds ROUNDS PER MINUTE: 15 style="text-align: left;"> After the long life of the 1903 Springfield, the U.S. Army adopted the M1 Garand in 1936. Miller said, "The M1 was the first general issue semi-automatic rifle in the world." Finally, the U.S. Army was at the forefront of technology in the theater of war. style="text-align: left;"> Replacing the '03 Springfield the M1 Garand was called "the greatest battle implement ever devised" by General George S. Patton. Unfortunately, the '03 and the M1 served alongside each other for many years as the federal armories in the United States were having trouble making enough M1's. style="text-align: left;"> "The M1 was loaded with an 8 round en bloc clip;" Miller said, "the clip pops out with a distinctive >ping< when empty and another can be quickly inserted." The M1 saw service in World War II, Korea, and to a limited extent in Vietnam.

style="text-align: left;">M14 Rifle WEIGHT: 9.8 lb (empty), 11.5 lb (loaded) RANGE: Effective: 500 yds, Max: 875+ yds ROUNDS PER MINUTE: 700750 style="text-align: left;"> Starting in 1970 the M14 Rifle became the standard issue weapon in the U.S. Army. It's based on the M1 Rifle, but has a variety of improvements. First, they experimented with the M1, adding fully-automatic capability -- meaning holding down the trigger releases round after round, rather than one per trigger-pull. They also experimented with different barrel lengths, cartridge calibers and magazine sizes. style="text-align: left;"> The final version was more versatile and more powerful than the M1, but not as well received during the conflicts of the middle-20th century. The wood stock had a tendency to swell in humid environments like Vietnam and Laos. Plus, the increased weight and longer barrel made it unwieldy for jungle fighting, while the automatic firing was basically uncontrollable. The M14 was used through the Vietnam conflict and into the 1990s.
Hawaiian crows are among the top tool users in the animal kingdom, according to a new study that also suggests life on remote tropical islands promotes particularly industrious birds. The critically endangered Hawaiian crow, called 'Alala by Hawaiians, is now the second island bird found to be clever at crafting and using tools, according to the study, which is published in the journal Nature. The other is the New Caledonia crow, which also hails from a remote, tropical island. RELATED: Crows Caught on Camera Building, Storing Tools At first researchers thought the New Caledonia crow's tool skills were a fluke of nature, but now they suspect otherwise.

The new discovery "raises the intriguing possibility that there are some undiscovered (bird) tool users out there," project leader Christian Rutz from the University of St. Andrews said in a press release. "We had previously noticed that New Caledonian crows have unusually straight bills, and wondered whether this may be an adaptation for holding tools, similar to humans' opposable thumb." There are only just over 100 Hawaiian crows left in the world, and all are in captivity via the San Diego Zoo Global's Hawai'i Endangered Bird Conservation Program. They were taken from the wild and brought to San Diego as a last ditch effort to preserve the species through a captive breeding program. Later this year, some of the birds will be released on the big island of Hawaii to re-establish a wild population, according to Bryce Masuda, who co-led the new research and is conservation program manager of the San Diego program. WATCH VIDEO: Are Crows as Smart as Humans?

Rutz contacted Masuda about analyzing the crows' the tool use before the birds head back to Hawaii. "We had occasionally seen birds using stick tools at our two breeding facilities, but hadn't thought much of it," Masuda said. "We tested 104 of the 109 'Alala alive at the time, and found that the vast majority of them spontaneously used tools." The below unedited scene shows an adult male Hawaiian crow presented with a tool challenge:

Masuda and the other researchers believe that the tool use is part of the species' natural behavioral repertoire, rather than being a quirk that arose in captivity. During the study, the skill even revealed a bit of drama, showing how the very social birds interact with each other, and perhaps get on each other's nerves from time to time. The following video begins with several scenes of captive Hawaiian crows ('Alala) using stick tools to extract food from a wooden log. In the second scene, a pair can be seen interacting during the task. The female (on the right-hand side) picks up a stick to use as a tool, but the male (on the left) steals it. The male then uses the tool to extract food, which the female steals!

"Using tools comes naturally to 'Alala," Rutz explained. "These birds had no specific training prior to our study, yet most of them were incredibly skilled at handling stick tools, and even swiftly extracted bait from demanding tasks." The birds don't just use the tools; they essentially make them through modifications. The birds were seen breaking twigs to just the right size, sharpening the tips and altering them in other ways to their advantage. When many of us think of Hawaii, coveted vacations come to mind. Before humans came to dominate the islands and other problems arose (such as climate change, pollution, loss of habitat and introduction of other predatory animals) Hawaii, like New Caledonia, was a paradise for its native birds. Tool selectivity, modification and manufacture by Hawaiian crows can be seen in this clip:

Rutz said, "It is striking that both (crow) species evolved on remote tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean that lack woodpeckers and ferocious bird predators -- perfect conditions, apparently, for smart crows to become accomplished tool users!" Even very young birds have tool-using abilities:
A Japanese volcano that last erupted in 1914 could be set to blow in the next few decades, new research suggests. The pool of liquid magma swelling beneath Sakurajima volcano is growing every year -- a sign of a growing threat. "This big reservoir is growing, and it's growing at quite a fast rate," said study co-author James Hickey, a geophysical volcanologist at the University of Exeter's Camborne School of Mines in England. At the current rate, Sakurajima could erupt catastrophically in about 25 years, according to the study. RELATED: Rarely Seen Sub-Antarctic Volcano Erupts The new analysis could also help scientists better forecast when other big volcanoes could erupt, the researchers said. [Raw Video: Volcano in Southern Japan Erupts] Major eruptions Sakurajima volcano, located on the southwestern edge of Japan's Kyushu island, last erupted in 1914, killing 58 people and causing a massive flood in the nearby seaside city of Kagoshima. Sakurajima is fed by a pool of magma lying beneath the subterranean Aira caldera, and the filling of this magma reservoir causes the volcano to have minor eruptions roughly every day. In the 1950s, scientists tried to quantify the risk of future eruptions at Sakurajima by using a simple model, assuming the Earth's surface above the volcano was flat and that the pool of magma was spherical. The model had a big advantage: "You can basically solve it with pen and paper," Hickey told Live Science. WATCH VIDEO: 6 Insane Animals That Live in Volcanos

However, over the years, scientists realized that this ultrasimplified model did not match volcanic activity at Sakurajima. Better forecasts To better forecast eruptions at Sakurajima, Hickey and his colleagues developed a much more complicated computer model -- one that incorporated the unique topography of the area surrounding the volcano. That model also took into account that the Earth's crust is made up of different layers, with different properties. Then, the team incorporated data from seismometers and highly precise GPS devices placed in and around the volcano. Those sensors revealed tiny changes in the Earth that were clues to the activity of the magma pool deep below. RELATED: Undersea Volcanoes Could Affect Climate Change The researchers discovered that the reservoir of magma beneath the caldera was growing at a significant rate. From this model, they forecast that it would take 130 years from the past major eruption for the next one to occur -- meaning the region is due for a major explosion around 2044. The new model was better at capturing past behavior at the volcano, the researchers reported today (Sept. 13) in the journal Scientific Reports. It also found that the pool of magma beneath the caldera looks more squashed and oblong than spherical, Hickey said. Volcanologists don't have a crystal ball, however, and the current forecast could be slightly off because they assume a constant growth rate for the magma pool. But if the daily eruptions were to increase to two or three times per day -- releasing small amounts of that magma -- that could offset the growth of the magma pool, which could delay a deadly eruption for a long time, Hickey said. And even with highly accurate models, volcanoes sometimes surprise experts. For instance, in 2014, Mount Ontake volcano in Japan erupted without warning, killing about 57 people. However, leaders in the region are already prepared for an eruption in the near term: The Kagoshima City Office prepared a new evacuation plan after an eruption scare in August 2015 prompted an evacuation crisis, study co-author Haruhisa Nakamichi, associate professor at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, said in a statement. 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. Photos: Must-See Planet Pics

style="text-align: left;"> People are seen watching hot air balloons fly overhead during a two-day international hot air balloon festival in Eshkol Park near the southern city of Netivot, Israel on July 22, 2016. style="text-align: left;"> Credit: REUTERS/Amir Cohen

style="text-align: left;"> The full moon is pictured behind the Christ the Redeemer statue ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic games. style="text-align: left;"> Credit: REUTERS/Bruno Kelly

style="text-align: left;"> The "Never Summer Mountains" along Rocky Mountain National Park's northwest border appear relatively snow free despite the name. The image was captures with NASA's Landsat 8 satellite.

style="text-align: left;"> The lightning-ignited Fuller wildfire has covered more than 14,000 acres, according to the National Park Service, made worse by hot and dry summer conditions.

style="text-align: left;"> Some of the year's hottest temperatures occurred in late July, due to a "heat dome" or high pressure in the upper atmosphere that traps hot air from escaping. The air becomes even warmer as it's forced back down to the surface, according to NOAA. The National Weather Service issued heat alerts to more than a dozen states. style="text-align: left;"> Credit: NOAA

style="text-align: left;"> Pictured above is an ice eddy off the coast of Labrador, Canada. "When the ice melts or starts congealing," reports NASA's Earth Observatory, "it masses into chunks like crushed ice in a cocktail. Then, ocean currents stir those chunks into a cyclone-like vortex."

style="text-align: left;"> NOAA is expanding their use of drones to take measurements and map areas that are inhospitable to humans or would harm the environment or animals that live in study areas. style="text-align: left;"> Credit: NOAA
Japan has conducted extensive illegal whaling across the globe for over a decade, according to new research that finds the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has failed to properly manage the hunting of whales.

The new study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, expands earlier research that determined Japan regularly engaged in illegal killing of sperm whales in the North Pacific during the 1960s. The latest investigation finds Japan for at least 12 years also falsified data for catches of sperm whales south of the equator, with the impact likely still being felt today.

RELATED: Even Small Whales Worth $100,000



"Sperm whales were devastated by the catches -- 400,000 in the Southern Hemisphere, 315,000 in the North Pacific, and that doesn't include the huge number taken before 1900," Phillip Clapham, who co-authored the paper with his wife Yulia Ivashchenko, told Discovery News.

"We don't know the impact of these catches on this long-lived, very social animal," continued Clapham, who is the leader of the Cetacean Assessment and Ecology Program at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center's National Marine Mammal Laboratory. "They are difficult to study because they range so widely in habitats far offshore. But the catches must have caused massive disruption to the population and the tight-knit social system of the species."

A key method of controlling whale populations involves body length, which relates to their age and likely breeding status, particularly for females. The IWC previously set a minimum legal catch length of 38 feet.

For the study, the researchers compared whale length data from catches Japan reported to the IWC with data for the same period from the Soviet Yuri Dolgorukiy factory feet during 19601975.

The Soviets and other countries also conducted illegal whaling, but Ivashchenko, also at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory, managed to find formerly secret Soviet whaling industry reports in Russian archives.

Video Slideshow: Wondrous Whales from Drone's Eye View



"The data used in this particular paper were collected by Dmitry Tormosov, who hid 57,000 individual catch records (i.e., forms filled out on the deck of the factory ship) in his potato cellar in Kaliningrad for 30 years until after the Cold War," Clapham said. "We've seen the original data."

Prior to the 1972 implementation of the International Observer Scheme (IOS), which required that an independent inspector be aboard whaling ships, the Soviet fleet was documented as having killed 5,536 female sperm whales, of which only 153 were at or above the minimum legal length. During the same period, Japan killed 5,799 female sperm whales and reported 98.5 percent were of legal size.

WATCH VIDEO: Can Japan Kill Whales in the Name of Science?
Image: Mosiac of New Horizons images of Charon. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute When NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew through the Pluto system last year, scientists were surprised to find that Charon, Pluto's largest moon, has a dark red polar cap. A new study may have figured out the reason why: trapped gas. RELATED: Pluto Moon Charon 'Bursting' With Frozen Ocean? Lowell Observatory astronomer Will Grundy and colleagues combined analysis of New Horizons imagery with computer models to show that Charon's north pole grew cold enough during its century-long winter to trap methane escaping from Pluto. As sunlight returned to the pole, the methane was then converted into red-colored chemicals, known as tholins, the study shows. "Who would have thought that Pluto is a graffiti artist, spray-painting its companion with a reddish stain that covers an area the size of New Mexico?" Grundy said in a press release . "Nature is amazingly inventive in using the basic laws of physics and chemistry to create spectacular landscapes." WATCH VIDEO: Where Is New Horizons Now?

Surface temperatures during Charon's long winters dip to -430 Fahrenheit, cold enough to freeze methane gas into a solid. "The methane molecules bounce around on Charon's surface until they either escape back into space or land on the cold pole, where they freeze solid, forming a thin coating of methane ice that lasts until sunlight comes back in the spring," Grundy said. RELATED: Pluto and Moon Charon Not Cut From Same Cloth At point, the methane ice quickly vaporizes, leaving heavier hydrocarbons that were created from it on the surface. Sunlight further irradiates the hydrocarbons and turns them red. "New Horizons' observations of Charon's other pole, currently in winter darkness -- and seen by New Horizons only by light reflecting from Pluto -- confirmed that the same activity was occurring at both poles," Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab wrote in a press release about the study. "The distribution of dark, reddish material around Charon's northern pole is notable for its generally symmetric distribution across longitudes and its gradual increase with latitude, although there are local irregularities associated with craters, topographic features and perhaps subsurface variations in thermal properties," Grundy and colleagues write in this week's Nature. RELATED: 'Star Wars' and 'Star Trek' Collide on Pluto Moon Charon "These characteristics ... are consistent with our hypothesis that the combination of Pluto's escaping atmosphere and Charon's long, cold winters enables methane to be seasonally cold-trapped at high latitudes, where some is photolytically processed into heavier molecules that are subsequently converted to reddish tholin-like materials," the study shows. That left the team wondering if the process could be happening elsewhere. Nix, one of Pluto's four small moons, has a reddish spot, but it orbits farther away form Pluto and is much smaller, which would make the process less efficient, the scientists note. GALLERY: Dive Into Pluto's High-Resolution Landscape

Newly returned pictures taken by NASAs New Horizons spacecraft are giving scientists -- and the rest of us -- the most detailed views of Plutos stunningly diverse landscape. We continue to be amazed by what we see, NASA chief scientist John Grunsfeld said in a statement. The latest images form a strip 50 miles wide and were taken when New Horizons was about 15 minutes away from its closest approach to Pluto on July 14. PHOTOS: New Pluto Pics Show Beautiful, Complex World

As NASAs New Horizons spacecraft raced toward a July 14 close encounter with Pluto, the probes telescopic long-range camera got to work on a sequence of pictures that revealed features smaller than half of a city block. Plutos surface turned out to be unexpectedly diverse, evidence of a complicated and rich geology. The mosaic pictured here starts about 500 miles northwest of Pluto's smooth Sputnik Planum region and covers the rugged al-Idrisi mountains, the shoreline of Sputnik Planum and its icy plains. This image has been scaled and rotated, for the full, high-resolution view, check out the mission website -- which includes a video . PHOTO: New Horizons Returns Photos of Hazy 'Arctic' Pluto

Scientists arent sure yet how some of Plutos craters came to contain layers, such as the one picture here in the upper right. Layers in geology usually mean an important change in composition or event, but at the moment New Horizons team members dont know if they are seeing local, regional or global layering, NASA said. New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) took a series of images about 15 minutes before the spacecrafts July 14 close encounter with Pluto. The dark crater at the center of the image is apparently younger than the others because material thrown out by the impact is still visible. Most of the craters are within a 155-mile wide region known as Burney Basin, the outer rim of which appears as a line of hills at the bottom of this image. VIDEO: Fly With New Horizons During Stunning Pluto Encounter

New Horizons gathered a 50-mile-wide view of Plutos rugged northern hemisphere, including a 1.2-mile high cliff, seen here from the left to the upper right, during a series of pictures taken by the spacecrafts telescopic Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) on July 14. The cliff is part of a canyon system that stretches for hundreds of miles across Plutos northern hemisphere. Scientists believe the mountains in the middle are comprised of water ice that has been changed by the motion of nitrogen or other exotic ice glaciers over the eons. At the bottom of the image, which was taken when New Horizons was about 10,000 miles from Pluto, the badlands meet the giant icy plains of Sputnik Planum. PHOTO: Weird Woodworm-like Pits on Pluto Reveal Icy Puzzle
Exonym is an useful word: It refers to the name given to a place or group of people by those outside of the place or group. An exonym is a name, in other words, that foreigners or visitors use.

The indigenous people of the United States have been subjected to many different exonyms over the centuries. The terms currently in popular rotation are "Native American," "American Indian" or similar variations. Is there any one correct term to use?

Laura Ling explores the question in today's Seeker Daily report.

The quick answer is that there is no quick answer. Different people have different preferences regarding terminology in this area. In fact, there are many indigenous people who reject any general term, contending that the cultural diversity of the North America's various tribes cannot be homogenized. As such, many will instead identify themselves by tribe name -- such as Navajo or Cherokee.

As to how the name "Indian" got introduced in the first place, most people know this story: Legend holds that Christopher Columbus arrived in the Caribbean thinking he has reached the Indian Ocean. He referred to the indigenous people as Indians, and subsequent settlers repeated the mistake.

RELATED: Kennewick Man to Receive Native American Burial

The term "Indian" has been troublesome ever since. Many see it as a reminder of the country's brutal colonial past, based on a pejorative understanding of the indigenous culture. By the late 1960s, advocacy groups began using a new name that appropriated the controversial term, calling themselves the American Indian Movement.

The term Native American also began to emerge during this period. It's since been widely used by those who prefer to eliminate the "Indian" pejorative entirely.

Dr. Andrew Jolivette, professor and former chair of the American Indian Studies Department at San Francisco State University, says that no single term is appropriate in all instances when referring to the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

"On some days I might say Indian, other days I might say Native," Jolivette says. "And that's okay, we have to be comfortable in this society with the fact that identities are malleable -- they move, they change as we evolve and get older."

Check out Laura's report for more history and additional perspective from Dr. Jolivette.

-- Glenn McDonald

Learn More:

PBS: "American Indian" or "Native American"?

Washington Post: How the Redskins Got Their Name, and Why Just Maybe it Should be Changed?

Native Times: Native American vs. American Indian: Political Correctness Dishonors Traditional Chiefs of Old
Press Release

September 13, 2016 Legarda Files Reso Commending Lav Diaz, Charo Santos

for Golden Lion Win in Venice Senator Loren Legarda today filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 144 commending and congratulating the cast and production crew of the film Ang Babaeng Humayo (The Woman Who Left) led by its director, independent filmmaker Lav Diaz and actor Ms. Charo Santos-Concio, for winning the Golden Lion for Best Film award at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival. "As the first Philippine film to win the top prize at the oldest and one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, this latest victory serves as a concrete testament to the artistry and excellence of Filipino independent filmmakers and actors," said Legarda. "Congratulations to Lav Diaz for winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival! He has brought great pride not only to the Philippines but also to the region. I also commend everyone behind the film, including lead actress, Charo Santos-Concio, who has, once again, showcased mastery of her craft," Legarda added. Ang Babaeng Humayo was written and directed by Diaz, and produced by Cinema One Originals and Sine Olivia Pilipinas. Aside from Santos-Concio, other actors in the film are Michael De Mesa, Cacai Bautista, Shamaine Buencamino, Nonie Buencamino and John Lloyd Cruz. Among the 20 entries in the In Competition category of the 73rd Venice International Film Festival, Ang Babeng Humayo is the only film from Asia. The film, inspired by Leo Tolstoy's literary piece, "God Sees the Truth, But Waits" and revolving around the story of a wrongly convicted schoolteacher who seeks revenge, is described by the director as an existential discourse depicting "prison as a metaphor for the curse of living or life as a metaphor for prison."
Press Release

September 13, 2016 Koko supports mandatory registration of prepaid SIM cards Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Monday expressed support for Sen. Vicente Sotto III's proposal mandating telecommunication companies to register pre-paid subscriber identification module (SIM) cards to address abuses resulting from the loose sale of such cards in the country. The Senate President said that aside from preventing unscrupulous individuals and criminals in using pre-paid SIM cards in their illegal activities, the registration will also enhance government monitoring and collection system on the telcos. "I fully support Senator Sotto's move calling for the mandatory registration of pre-paid SIM cards. We have witnessed how criminal minds abused the non-registration and loose regulation on SIM cards -latest of which was the Davao City bombing where the bomb was allegedly detonated using a cellular phone," Pimentel said. Pimentel cited the Malaysian model in registration of pre-paid SIM cards. Aside from recording of SIM card users, the registration could also improve monitoring of sales and tax payment of telcos. "Aside from recording data of pre-paid SIM users, the registration can also enhance government monitoring of, and revenue collection from telcos as audits can be done easily based primarily on the recorded purchase of pre-paid SIM cards, and to ensure accuracy and validity of subscribers' records," Pimentel said. Since December 16, 2006, Malaysia mandated the registration of all SIM cards bought and issued in Kuala Lumpur before being activated. The registration is done at the point of purchase and takes only a minute or two. Under Sotto's proposed Senate Bill No. 7, the National Telecommunications Commission, in close coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and telco companies, shall formulate the necessary guidelines for the proper implementation of the pre-paid SIM card registration process. The bill also states that all mobile phone service providers shall require ownership registration as prerequisite to selling pre-paid SIM cards. The use of pre-paid SIM cards has flourished as these can be purchased practically anywhere by anybody without any need to present identification and/or credit background checks. In the Philippines, the subscriber base of pre-paid SIM cards grows dramatically each year, reaching an estimated number of almost 100 million, or about 90 percent of the entire cellular phone service market.
Press Release

September 14, 2016 SENATOR ALAN PETER CAYETANO'S STATEMENT ON CONGRESS' APPROVAL OF BILLS RESETTING THE 2016 BARANGAY & SK POLLS I welcome Congress' recent approval of bills seeking to postpone the upcoming October 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. This will definitely pave a way for our government to sustain the momentum of real change that started during President Rodrigo Duterte's term. The administration's strong policy against illegal drugs and criminality has done so much to improve the country's peace and order situation. Our local government units, particularly the barangays, play an important part in this ongoing war. It is, therefore, more sensible to reset the scheduled polls in order to allow incumbent barangay officials to continue implementing projects or re-align them in accordance to the thrust of the new administration. Furthermore, we in Congress recognize the need to introduce much-needed reforms that will strengthen the barangay's ability to govern and serve its constituents. It would certainly be a wise move to postpone elections as it would give us ample time to take a closer look at our Local Government Code and fortify its provisions on effective barangay governance. We are now witnessing the dawn of real change that was initiated by the new administration. While the practice of democracy remains imperative in our political system, there is an equally urgent need to sustain the government's efforts to protect the welfare of each Filipino and restore order in their lives. If we focus on ensuring that genuine reforms are on track today, future generations could wake up to a more peaceful and better nation tomorrow.
Press Release

September 14, 2016 Senator Gatchalian Calls for Abolition of Corruption Prone Road Board Senator Win Gatchalian renewed his call for the abolition of the Road Board at the Senate budget briefing with the Department of Transportation on Wednesday, explaining that the Road Board adds an unnecessary layer of bureacracy which makes the handling of Motor Vehicle User's Charge (MVUC) funds prone to mismanagement and corruption. "Over the years, the MVUC has become a sort of pseudo-pork barrel fund, which corrupt government officials and dishonest contractors have used to exploit public works contracts for their own personal benefit. The pockets of these crooks have become thicker and thicker while our roads continue to fall apart," said Gatchalian, a member of the Senate Committee on Public Works. Republic Act No. 8794, passed in 1999, imposed the Motor Vehicle User's Charge on vehicle owners and created special funds for the maintenance and repair of local and national roads, as well as for pollution control and safety works. Along with the MVUC, RA 8794 also established the Road Board - composed of members from various government departments, as well as private motorist and transportation group representatives - to administer the fund. Gatchalian's measure, Senate Bill No. 986, proposes to amend RA 8794 by abolishing the Road Board and transferring administration of the various funds directly to the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Transportation. "Putting public discretionary funds in the hands of politicians and industry insiders is a recipe for corruption. The dilapidated state of our roads can attest to that. Instead, it will be much better to put these funds directly under control of the government instrumentalities directly responsible for conducting road safety and maintenance operations," said Gatchalian.
Press Release

September 14, 2016 Legarda to DOT: Boost Int'l Marketing, Improve Infra to Encourage More Foreign Tourists to Visit PH Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has urged the Department of Tourism (DOT) to further boost its international marketing strategy to invite more foreign tourists in the country. "We should be more aggressive in our marketing strategies, especially by placing more Philippine tourism advertisements in international channels. We need to be top of mind among tourists. I regularly see in top foreign news channels those tourism ads from our neighbors in Asia like "Malaysia Truly Asia", "Incredible India," and "Wonderful Indonesia". The images are so riveting. I also want to see my country's ad as often as the others," said Legarda during the hearing for the proposed 2017 budget of the DOT. "We should also be focused on our messaging because while we have a lot of beautiful tourist spots in the country, we must choose only one message that will reverberate in people's minds," she added. Legarda said the Committee will support amendments to augment the DOT's budget for international marketing. The Senator also said that tourism infrastructure, such as airports, seaports, roads and bridges, is crucial in attracting more tourists. According to the DOT, the competitive advantage of the Philippines over other countries in Asia is that it is able to position itself as a multiple-gateway destination. For instance, in the Panay Region, there are three international airports--Kalibo, Caticlan and Iloilo. However, problems on airport infrastructure and traffic remain. In line with this, Legarda said that tourism infrastructure must be improved and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) must be decongested. "We should promote other international airports in the country such as the Clark International Airport, which will be the gateway not only to Central Luzon but also to the Cordillera Region," said Legarda. She also proposed the upgrade of other vital airports in the country, like the General Santos Airport, which is the gateway to Region 12 and even the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). "We really have to improve our airports and seaports because these are the areas where we first welcome tourists. They have a huge impact on the overall experience of visiting our country. The moment they step in, they should already feel welcome, happy and safe and they should leave our country feeling the same," said Legarda.
Press Release

September 14, 2016 2017 OFW aid fund is 'mere 4 hours' worth of OFW remittances'

Recto wants DFA's OFW help fund tripled to P1.5 B While earnings remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers have grown by 12.3 percent since 2013, or to $28.48 billion by end of 2015, the proposed budget of two diplomatic funds to assist OFWs in distress will remain flat at P500 million next year, or equivalent to a mere "one-third of one percent" of their contribution to the economy. "At that level, the government won't be able to help the Mary Jane Velosos of this county, and the thousands of our compatriots who need legal, medical, repatriation assistance," Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto said. Although Veloso is languishing in the Indonesian death row for heroin trafficking, "it should be remembered that she went there with the sole intent of becoming an OFW, and her misfortune is the reason why every year, we set aside funds to help victims like her," Recto said. Sadly, said funds are "perpetually low and grossly inadequate" to respond to distress calls by Filipinos abroad, lamented Recto. For 2017, the proposed Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is P400 million, the same as this year's, Recto revealed. Augmenting the DFA's ATN is the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF), which will have a proposed funding of P100 million, the same for 2016. To show how these amounts are drops in the bucket of OFW remittances, Recto said the P500 million is what OFWs send back home in "three hours and 23 minutes." "'Yang P500 million, 'yan ang remittance ng mga kababayan natin sa Hong Kong sa loob lamang ng apat na araw at limang oras. P500 million is also what OFWs in Italy remit to their homeland in just 12 days," Recto said. "Half a billion pesos is our katas mula sa Saudi in less than 34 hours," the senator pointed out. In local currency, last year's OFW remittances reached P1.3 trillion, or more than a tenth of the Gross Domestic Product. Allocations of other agencies for OFW assistance are also miniscule, Recto said, citing as an example the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) proposed P50 million budget of its Emergency Repatriation Program for 2017. "There's another proposed P68 million fund for "reintegration services" of DOLE but this will be for OFWs who are already home. Our focus should be on the quick-reaction funds for our diplomatic posts," Recto said. One agency which could help is the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA), but this agency funded by mandatory OFW contributions "issued a measly 119 plane tickets for repatriated OFWs last year," Recto said, citing a Commission on Audit report. "Hindi pa makakapuno ng isang eroplano. One third lang ng isang Airbus 320, at yan ay para sa isang taon," Recto said. This, despite OWWA spending almost P1.8 billion in 2015, of which P17 million was for the purchase of the 119 airline tickets. This low figure should not come as a surprise, Recto said, "because the number of returning workers given 'domestic transportation assistance' by OWWA was a mere 856 last year, halos wala pang tatlo kada araw." Recto urged the Duterte administration to hike funding for "the ATN, the LAF, the repatriation budget of DOLE, the OWWA programs and other similar programs." He recommended a minimum P1 billion for the ATN and P500 million for LAF, "or at least P1.5 billion, triple than what is proposed." The idea, he said, is to enlarge the kitty which the government can dip into to help Filipinos abroad who are in trouble with the law, who must be evacuated from places in turmoil, who need medical help, Recto said. A preliminary count made by Recto's office, based on recent official dispatches by the DFA's foreign posts to the home office, showed that 6,356 Filipinos were facing legal cases from July to December 2015. Also during that six-month period, 3,253 Filipinos reportedly benefitted from the ATN Fund. DFA pegged at 12.8 million the number of Philippine nationals abroad, including immigrants and permanent residents of other countries.
Press Release

September 14, 2016 SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA's PRIVILEGE SPEECH ON THE STATE OF JOB-SKILLS MISMATCH IN PH Mr. President, my dear colleagues, mga minamahal kong mga kababayan, isang mapagpala at magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. I rise today on a matter of personal and collective privilege concerning an issue very close to my heart - the prevalence of job skills mismatch in the country. Mr. President, the gap between education and available jobs is not a new issue: When I was TESDA's Secretary, it was one of our major concerns. Earlier this year, the International Labor Organization stated that job-skills mismatch remains a constraining factor for the growth of the Philippine economy. Kalimitan, hindi po tugma ang training at edukasyon ng ating mga kabataan sa hinahanap na kwalipikasyon ng mga employers. Just look at the classified ads every Sunday in Manila Bulletin or visit Phil-Job-Net and you will find that job opportunities abound. Not to mention are the job orders listed in the POEA website. Even the DOLE reported that out of the 4,239,392 domestic and international job vacancies offered in job fairs nationwide in 2014 and 2015, only 391,088 among 1,286,073 applicants were hired on the spot. According to the report, mismatch is strongly felt in the manufacturing, electronics and semiconductor and tourism - these are the sectors which are key employment generators based on the Philippine Development Plan. Samakatuwid, Mr. President, hindi po trabaho ang kulang, ang kulang ay mga graduates na swak sa trabaho. Job-skills mismatch is one of the causes of youth unemployment in the Philippines: Recent surveys reveal that Filipino youth suffers the highest rate of unemployment among age groups. The International Labor Organization estimates that unemployment rate among Filipino youth aged 15-24 averaged at 16.5% from 2010 to 2015. However, youth unemployment brought about by mismatch between workers' skills and labor market requirements is felt in many parts of the world - employers complain about the difficulty of getting workers who are fit for the job. Thirty-four percent (34%) of those who participated in the survey attributed this to a lack of technical competencies. The 2014 report of the Global Agenda Council on Employment identifies different forms of skills mismatch such as (1) Skills shortage, which means that the demand for a particular type of skill exceeds the supply of people with that skill at equilibrium rates of pay; (2) Qualification mismatch, which means that the level of qualification and/or the field of qualification is different from that required to perform the job adequately; and (3) Skill gap, which means that the type of skills is different from that required to perform the job adequately. Mr. President, lahat po ng mga nabanggit kong uri ng skills mismatch ay nararamdaman at nakikita natin dito sa Pilipinas, noon at hanggang ngayon. Bagamat marami na po tayong programa at mga batas na tumutugon dito, tila kulang pa rin o marami pa ring kailangang pagtuunan ng pansin. Malaki po ang magagawa ng Senado para tumugon sa problema ng job-skills mismatch sa bansa. It is for this reason that this representation filed Senate Resolution No. 129, directing the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development and other appropriate committees to inquire and review, in aid of legislation, the state of job-skills mismatch in the Philippines. I believe that we can address this issue by (1) partnering with industry associations; (2) strengthening our enterprise-based training; (3) expanding our technical vocational education and training; and (4) institutionalizing the Philippine Qualifications Framework or PQF. FIRST, there is a need for greater industry partnerships: Noong nasa TESDA pa po ako, nagdaos po kami ng mga industry forum, kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa kasaysayan ng ahensya kung saan inimbita namin ang mga employers para marinig namin ang kanilang pananaw tungkol sa isyu ng job-skills mismatch sa bansa. The forum was successful and it assisted us in TESDA in providing and improving our services in order to ensure a good match between skills acquired in education and on the job and those required in the labour market. The forum with the participation of various sectors was a great contribution to helping us bridge the gap between the programs being offered by TESDA and the demand of the market. In addition, we partnered with various industry associations to provide job opportunities to out-of-school youth and unemployed youth to train them in various qualifications. Aligning our educational curricula with the needs of the market will help address job-skills mismatch. The 2014 study of the Global Agenda Council on Employment concludes that "qualification mismatches are reflections of a misalignment between people's educational choices and labour market needs." As such, policy interventions should be geared towards improving the communication flows between education and training and the labor market. For example, if a certain region is a known hub for manufacturing plants, universities and/or teaching centers in that region should offer courses that are meant to supply the the demand of the job market in that particular locality. Pinag-aralan din po namin noon sa TESDA kung paano tayo magkakaraon ng Information System Strategic Plan o ISSP para sa mga negosyante at mga kababayan natin na naghahanap ng trabaho. Halimbawa, iyong mga negosyante na gustong mag-invest sa Bulacan o Cebu, puwede na nilang i-check online ang availability ng mga skilled workers dito tulad ng mga barista, bartenders, chefs, tour guides, at iba pa. Pwede ring i-check ng mga Bulakenyo o Cebuano kung anong mga kumpanya ang naghahanap ng mga empleyado at ano ang mga kwalipikasyon. In 2010, a World Bank study concluded that the low certifications of students in technologically-advanced areas is contributing to the job-skills mismatch in the Philippines. DOLE's Labor Market Information Report for 2013 to 2020 has identified 275 key occupations as in-demand, while 102 occupations have been identified as hard-to-fill from among key and emerging industries. Mr. President, our schools must use these data in preparing the courses that they will offer since they do not operate in a vacuum. We need to establish better linkages between our institutions to ensure that after our workers graduate from their courses, they will have suitable jobs. A mismatch between skills acquired in education and on the job and those required in the labour market comes with a great economic and social cost if we are unable to address this issue. Overqualified workers are not satisfied with their jobs and results in a higher turnover rate. Underqualified workers is a constant source of headache by employers and affects their productivity. SECOND, we also need to strengthen our enterprise-based training: This representation believes that employers' participation in tech-voc is necessary for the success of skills development activities through on-the-job training. I filed Senate Bill No. 208 or the "Enterprise-Based Education and Training Act" to help meet the demand of the economy for well-trained manpower and to ensure that the trainees will acquire the right competencies required for the job. However, enrolment in enterprise-based training lagged behind at only 408,882 or 4.11% of the total TVET outputs from 2010-2015. Mr. President, the government's partnerships with industry associations in the last six years prove that skills development activities can be a nexus where the pursuit of public and private needs intersect. Engaging the business community in education and training will help us reach out to as many people, especially the youth, who are seeking for jobs and other opportunities. THIRD, we need to strengthen and expand our technical vocational education and training: A recent ILO survey reveals that 31% of youth in low-income countries had no education qualifications at all. This representation believes that a technical education geared towards middle level manpower is one of the possible solutions to improve this number. Based on available data, technical vocational education graduates have an employment rate of 65.4%. For the past six years, there are 10,543,440 tech-voc graduates. From 2010-2016, a total of 1,286,029 graduates received technical vocational education training scholarships. The employment rate of those who graduated under the Training for Work Scholarship Program or TWSP is at 72% but when it comes to the IT-BPM industry, TESDA graduates had an employment rate of 70.9% while the electronics and semiconductor program recorded 91.4% employment rate. Ito ay malinaw na ebidensya na may trabahong naghihintay sa mga tech-voc graduates. Napatunayan namin ito sa TESDA noon. Lalo na po siguro kung palalawakin pa natin ang mga programa sa tech-voc. As I have already mentioned, the Filipino youth suffers the highest rate of unemployment among age groups. The large number of unemployed youth imply a large market for technical vocational education. This representation believes that "technical vocational education and training (TVET) will play a central role in the new education model that prepares students for tertiary education, middle-skills development, employment and entrepreneurship." Kaya't ako po'y natutuwa na sa mahigit isang milyong kabataang pumasok sa Senior High School ngayong taon, 40% po o mahigit 400,000 Senior High School Students and pumili sa tech-voc track. Sa kabilang banda, kailangan ding kontrolin ng CHED ang bilang ng mga kabataang nag-e-enrol sa mga popular but oversubscribed courses tulad ng nursing at HRM. Mr. President, improving our technical vocational education will also be in accord with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted in 2015 which provides that "[b]y 2030, increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship." FOURTH, and lastly, we need to institutionalize the Philippine Qualifications Framework: The Philippine Qualifications Framework embodied under Senate Bill No. 211, or an "Act Institutionalizing the Philippine Qualifications Framework, and Establishing the National Coordinating Council for Education" seeks to institutionalize the PQF articulated under Executive Order No. 83, series of 2012, issued by President Benigno Aquino III. The PQF harmonizes basic education, technical vocational education and training and tertiary education into a nationwide schedule of skills and competencies that incorporates an 8-level Qualifications Descriptors defined in terms of knowledge, skills and values, application, and degree of independence. With the PQF, students can gain a clearer picture of the competencies they need for their job interests while employers are able to easily identify the basic work skills their employees must possess. The PQF seeks to improve the competitiveness of Filipino workers by ensuring that education, training and certificates and licenses issued in the Philippines are also recognized by other jurisdictions such as ASEAN-member countries and other countries through Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs). However, the scope of MRAs should also encompass low- and medium-skilled workers such as construction, garment, fishing, and other sectors. Mr. President, kung mapagtutugma lang natin ang edukasyon sa mga eskwelahan at ang mga pangangailangang kwalipikasyon ng mga industriya, makakalikha po tayo ng maraming trabaho. Tiyak po ang asenso ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Napatunayan na po namin ito noon sa TESDA. At kahit saan po ako pumunta, bitbit ko ang ilang kwento ng tagumpay ng ating mga tech-voc graduates mula sa milyon-milyong Pilipinong nabago ang buhay dahil sa akma at de-kalidad na kasanayan: Tulad po ni REYNALDO CASERES, tubong Negros Oriental: Noon, wala siyang mapasukang disenteng trabaho. Pagkatapos kumuha ng Automotive Servicing NC II, nag-apply abroad at ngayon Truck Mechanic sa Automotive Holdings Group sa Perth, Australia. Noon, pa-sideline-sideline lang sa pagkakarpintero si RYAN CORDOVA ng Davao City. Dahil sa kursong Industrial Automation and Mechatronics NC III, Senior Automation Engineer na siya ngayon sa Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. At kahit hindi naman inhinyero si Ryan, "Sir Engineer" ang tawag ng mga tauhan nyang licensed engineers sa kanya! Si MARK ESCORA, isang polio victim at jeepney barker na hindi pinalampas ang TESDA scholarship program para sa Finishing Course for Call Center Agents. Ngayon, Escalation Supervisor na si sa Pan-Asiatic Solutions, isang BPO Company sa Bacolod. These stories show how the Filipino workers benefit from abundant opportunities through relevant skills. As I have mentioned, we can ease job-skills mismatch in the country by considering: how can we better involve our industries in the provision of skills, especially through apprenticeship or enterprise-based training; to what extent are we willing to expand TVET; and how can we fastrack the implementation of the Philippine Qualifications Framework. Mr. President, my dear colleagues, if our people have relevant skills: they will have more choices; they will be right for the job; the pursuit of happiness can be real for them. Sama-sama po tayo sa paglikha ng mga batas para tuldukan na ang job-skills mismatch sa bansa at palawakin ang choices ng mga manggagawang Pilipino. Maraming salamat po at pagpalain tayo ng ating Panginoon.
The steep mesa of dirt that looms where Candlestick Park once stood exemplifies how concerns about climate change and sea level rise are beginning to reshape some of the most valuable land on San Franciscos waterfront.

The mound of trucked-in soil is only the prelude to the construction of a shopping center and housing units where thousands of fans once cheered Willie Mays and Joe Montana. After the dirt is graded and compressed, the shops scheduled to open on the site in 2019 will be located at least 5 feet above the former level of the entrance to the stadium used by the Giants and 49ers  a height intended as a safe perch above the rising sea for another century or more.

Candlestick Points new topography signals whats in store on San Franciscos promising but problematic new frontier: As many as 24,000 housing units and expansive parks could fill four huge tracts of land at various sites along the bay. But these shoreline projects come with serious environmental risk, considering the most recent government forecast says tides in the bay could rise as much as 66 inches by 2100.

That scenario causes some experts to warn against any new bayfront development projects at all. Yet theres no denying that 21st century San Francisco has urgent needs, beginning with good housing at all price levels.

Thats why the city has pursued the rebirth of these four large sites: Candlestick Point, Treasure Island, a 14-acre parking lot just south of AT&T Park and a former steel works at Pier 70 below Potrero Hill. Its also why developers have sought to build the projects, despite the costs of everything from environmental reviews to special elections.

The fact is, this land exists. It would be overly cautious to rule these tracts off-limits because of environmental pressures that might not be felt in our lifetime. San Franciscans could benefit in decades to come if carefully planned projects create space for housing and jobs, as well as parks that bring people to the water  just as the Presidios Crissy Field was transformed from an industrial backwater to a beloved waterfront destination.

The quartet moving forward on our waterfront incorporates a variety of measures to cope with climate change that is expected to alter the bay. They also show that the science of sea level rise, still heresy in some parts of the nation, is taken seriously by local decision makers. And thats a good thing. Because if the current forecasts are accurate, the challenges we face will only increase with the passage of time.

Its not adequate to just try and hold back the waters, says Dilip Trivedi, a partner and principal in the Walnut Creek office of the engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol, which is involved in the design of all four sites. You have to build something resilient and work with the forces that you face.

If any project on San Francisco Bay seems to defy common sense, its the rebirth of Treasure Island.

The angled 400-acre oval was created in the 1930s to hold the Golden Gate International Exposition, a phantasmagoria illuminated after dark by 10,000 colored floodlights. In less than two years, 20 million cubic feet of sand were pumped up from the bottom of the bay and dumped inside a seawall formed from 287,000 tons of rock.

The island then became a naval base. Now, developers are getting ready to clear away the remaining military buildings and begin a 15-year project to build a virtual city in the middle of the bay  8,000 housing units, a hotel, a ferry terminal and maybe even filmmaker George Lucas expansive museum of narrative art. But before each stage of construction begins, the ground beneath must be remade  both to withstand large earthquakes and to prepare for the likelihood of higher tides and stronger storms brought about by climate change.

The west side of the island facing San Franciscos Embarcadero, where most development will occur, would be raised to create a plateau 36 inches above todays extreme high tide. New roads and building sites would be located 300 feet inland of the islands rim, with the space in between devoted to a park.

Besides serving as an attraction to visitors and potential residents, the landscaped park would serve as a buffer to absorb water that might surge onto the island during heavy storms at high tides. That should be sufficient if sea level rise through 2100 measures no more than 36 inches, the most likely scenario projected in 2012 by the National Research Council, rather than the 66 inches cited at the upper range.

Most likely, were fine to the end of century, Trivedi said. Worst case, at least 50 years.

Trivedi has specialized in marine engineering for 25 years, broadening his job description as sea level rise shifted from a scientific topic to a map-altering threat. Today, nearly all credible scientists anticipate that the pace of rising tides will accelerate after 2050 and continue as a byproduct of climate change.

On Treasure Island, the impacts would be most forceful where wave and wind currents have a clear path from the Golden Gate. Thats why the development team of Lennar, Stockbridge Capital Group, Wilson Meany and Kenwood Investments takes a flexible approach to the waterfront in its approved plan. While the long park along the west side will be fairly formal, much of the islands northern edge will be left open and eventually might become wetlands.

Moffatt & Nichol also worked with the developers on how to engineer the island so that  to be blunt  it wont dissolve during an earthquake. The 1930s construction recipe of submerged clay topped by thin sand, which could liquefy if a major temblor broke the seawall, will be strengthened by a super-dense compaction of new soil and sand atop the clay.

Trivedi has no pangs about working to engineer a landscape in the midst of environmental forces that might prove to be irreversible.

The reason we all live in the Bay Area is the bay, Trivedi said. We have a responsibility to plan in a responsible manner so that we continue to have access and safe conditions.

San Franciscos other bayside developments use variations of whats planned for Treasure Island, each plan adjusted to the particular site.

At Candlestick Point, where the higher ground level is the first phase in remaking what once held a 70,000-seat stadium and a 7,000-car parking lot, theres already a buffer: Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, which wraps the shore on two sides of the former stadium site.

At the shoreline, the state anticipates that some portions of the recreation area might be able to support new marshes while in others, according to a 2012 plan, engineered solutions may be necessary. Within the development area, the infrastructure plan for the project anticipates that if sea levels rise 55 inches, additional measures ... will be required, such as pump stations to send the water from large storms out into the bay.

Farther inland, things get easier: The former stadium site nestles the steep contours of Bayview Hill, so the site will be leveled off to ascend an average of 10 feet from the current shoreline to the pad that will hold the shopping center.

All this adds to the complexity of a project that includes the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard to the north and is expected to take at least 15 years. But Kofi Bonner, who oversees the development for FivePoint and Lennar Urban, says such steps are simply part of doing business.

People at this point are very cognizant about sea level rise, Bonner said. We have to be comfortable (with the long-term adaptation plans), but so do financiers and insurance companies.

As at Candlestick Point, the adaptation plan for Pier 70 backs into higher ground, in this case the Dogpatch neighborhood. The plan is to regrade the 28-acre site, once part of a shipyard that employed as many as 18,000 people during World War II, so that it angles up from the water to building parcels that would be high enough to stay dry even if the sea level does rise 5 feet.

It will be as if were tilting the site, like a tabletop, said Jack Sylvan, project manager of developer Forest City.

Which sounds simple, except that three historic industrial structures on low-lying ground are included in the larger redevelopment plans. In one case, an immense ghost of corrugated steel from 1941 where metal plates were cut and forged as part of the shipbuilding process, the preferred option is to jack up the gaunt frame, then restore the building at the new elevation.

We could leave it in a moat and build the soil up around it, Sylvan said. Sea level rise would never get to it, but youd feel like the building was in a bathtub.

The sites transition from todays shoreline to the planned development zone involves a concept called managed retreat. The slope would be terraced in a procession of paths and native plants, culminating in a landscaped strip located above the most extreme sea rise projections for 2100. Beyond that would be the Bay Trail.

This lets us provide for flexibility, said Sylvan, who is aiming for the decade-long project to be approved next year and begin construction in 2018. We want to design for today, but accommodate for what might happen in the future.

Theres less room to maneuver at the parking lot across McCovey Cove from AT&T Park.

The Giants would be the developer of whats being called Mission Rock, and the nine-block plan would extend the existing street grid east from Third Street to Terry Francois Boulevard. But the Port of San Francisco also wants the developments central streets and building sites raised to 66 inches above todays highest tide.

The solution is to shape what amounts almost to a flat-topped hillock within the site. New streets would extend up from the existing ones along the edge of the site. The central blocks would form a plateau at the 66-inch level and hold buildings as tall as 240 feet around a central plaza.

The buildings along Terry Francois would have extra-high ground floors with openings along a walkway several feet above the existing street, like loading docks of old, reachable by stairs or ramps. Facing Third Street, the sidewalk levels of inland towers might have tall stoops or multilevel lobbies.

To the north, along China Basin, the expansive park intended as a symbol for Mission Rock would fan down from the central blocks. The design might involve such touches as a tiered slope in one section that could double as informal seating for outdoor events.

A lot of engineering goes into this, conceded Kristen Hall of Perkins + Will, the planning firm working with the Giants. She said that, until this year, scenarios for the still-evolving plan set the central blocks just 55 inches above todays flood line. When city planners raised the bar to 66 inches, new studies were required to make sure that the slope of the streets wouldnt violate federal standards for disabled access and that the project would still pencil out.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Both are legitimate concerns. And both raise the question of what might happen if the projections of sea level rise are raised again.

That isnt a far-off prospect, say some experts in the field.

All of the science is pointing toward a higher number, and sooner, warned Kristina Hill, an associate professor at UC Berkeleys College of Environmental Design, who is researching urban design responses to sea level rise. We will likely have less time to do more than we now think we need to do.

Another skeptic is Orrin Pilkey, a professor emeritus at Duke Universitys Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences and co-author of the recent book, Retreat From a Rising Sea: Hard Choices in an Age of Climate Change.

Given the long-term nature of sea level rise, and the way that forecasts regarding tidal changes have tended to get more severe rather than less ominous, Pilkey questions the wisdom of high-density development in low-lying areas such as the four bayside parcels. After reviewing the adaptation strategies for the proposals, however, he was impressed that the city was requiring developers to take projections through 2100 into account.

Theres no sign of ignorance, or ignoring the subject, and thats pleasant to see, said Pilkey. He compared the citys approach to that of his home state of North Carolina, where the Coastal Resources Commission gives official credence only to projections that extend no more than 30 years into the future.

For their part, developers say they are looking to government for cues on what to do next.

Our job isnt to evaluate sea level rise data. Were developers, said Pier 70s Sylvan. Were relying on our experts, and on guidance from the city and state. Thats the job of regulatory bodies.

San Francisco is smart to require developers along the bay to plan not just a few decades ahead, but for 80 years and more. This is a case where relying on credible long-range projections is smarter than kicking the likely problem down the road to the next generation of decision makers.

And by setting the baseline at the National Research Councils 66-inch projection  unlikely, but possible  rather than the most likely mark of 36 inches, the city is erring on the side of caution.

Its also smart that each of the four developments discussed here is likely to include annual fees or taxes charged to property owners, along the lines of the Mello-Roos districts that have been created in the past 30 years to help fund infrastructure upgrades in new suburban neighborhoods and urban districts.

Here, the idea would be that after the initial infrastructure bonds are paid off, the future revenues would be set aside to fund adaptation as needed. If higher tides at some point bring about a call for berms at the waters edge, for instance, or new pumping facilities, money should be available.

These waterfront tracts are parts of the city that, redeveloped properly, can make San Francisco a better place. They also can serve as test labs of sorts, allowing development but also leaving room for future phases to be revised as we gain a better understanding of how sea level rise plays out.

Obviously, the stakes are high. But if these projects are done with far-sighted imagination, they can be used to model new forms of waterfront growth, keyed to the awareness that tides and shorelines can no longer be viewed as static, predictable things.

John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron

About this project

All credible forecasts indicate that climate change will cause sea levels to rise at an ever-more-rapid pace in coming decades, including the waters of San Francisco Bay.

Chronicle Urban Design Critic John King continues to explore this challenge, including the perils facing the citys crumbling Embarcadero, the potential rebirth of the South Bays salt marshes, and the creation of a small city on man-made Treasure Island.

The region needs to prepare for these shifting tides. We can protect ourselves and adapt in ways that are enticing as well as scientifically sound. But to do this, the Bay Area must begin planning for that future now and upend a half century of priorities that inhibits adventurous decision-making and design.

More online: www.sfchronicle.com/risingreality
Ten nonfiction writers have been longlisted for the National Book Award  all for the first time.

The longlist is a sober one, reflecting the tense state of race relations in the country and heightened political discord.

Three titles tackle racism and slavery head-on. They are Ibram X. Kendis Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas In America, Andres Resendezs The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America and Manisha Sinhas The Slaves Cause: A History of Abolition.

Resendez is a professor of history at UC Davis. Greg Sarris, in his review of The Other Slavery for The Chronicle, wrote, No other book before has so thoroughly related the broad history of Indian slavery in the Americas, and not just its facts but the very reason it has been overlooked.

Another longlisted title exploring racial inequality is Patricia Bell-Scotts The Firebrand and the First Lady: Portrait of a Friendship: Pauli Murray, Eleanor Roosevelt and the Struggle for Social Justice. Reviewing the book for The Chronicle, Edith Gelles called it well told, well researched and a poignant portrait of two women who were heroes of the civil rights movement and the struggle for womens equal rights.

Arlie Russell Hochschild, a professor emerita of sociology at UC Berkeley, made the longlist for Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, which was published last week. For the book, Hochschild interviewed Tea Party supporters in Louisiana. Conducted over the last five years and focusing on emotions, she wrote, I try to scale an empathy wall to learn how to see, think and feel as they do.

Also on the list is Viet Thanh Nguyens Nothing Ever Dies: Vietnam and the Memory of War. Nguyen won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for The Sympathizer, his first novel. In Nothing Ever Dies, Elizabeth Rosner wrote in The Chronicle, Nguyen aims his critical gaze toward the subjects of identity, power and trauma  individual as well as collective. He insists that in order to wrestle effectively with the troubling weight of the past, we must resist the temptations of amnesia, nostalgia and other constructed simplifications.

The 10 longlisted books were chosen from a total of 521 books submitted by publishers.

Here is the full nonfiction longlist:

Americas War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History, by Andrew J. Bacevich (Random House)

The Firebrand and the First Lady: Portrait of a Friendship: Pauli Murray, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Struggle for Social Justice, by Patricia Bell-Scott (Alfred A. Knopf)

Imbeciles: The Supreme Court, American Eugenics, and the Sterilization of Carrie Buck, by Adam Cohen (Penguin Press)

Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, by Arlie Russell Hochschild (The New Press)

Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, by Ibram X. Kendi (Nation Books)

Nothing Ever Dies: Vietnam and the Memory of War, by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Harvard University Press)

Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy, by Cathy ONeil (Crown)

The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America, by Andres Resendez (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

The Slaves Cause: A History of Abolition, by Manisha Sinha (Yale University Press)

Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy, by Heather Ann Thompson (Pantheon)

Finalists will be named Oct. 13.

The fiction longlist will be released Sept. 15.

More information: www.nationalbook.org

John McMurtrie is The San Francisco Chronicles book editor. Email: jmcmurtrie@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @McMurtrieSF
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San Francisco is poised to increase registration fees for short-term rental hosts fivefold, to $250 every two years, The Chronicle has learned. Coincidentally, Airbnb, the leading vacation rental company, is mounting an ad campaign in its hometown to buttress its frequent contention that most hosts are regular people making ends meet.

San Francisco legalized short-term rentals in February 2015 with considerable input from Airbnb, whose runaway success caused the long-banned practice to flourish. That law calls for the city controller to annually review the cost of enforcement and automatically adjust fees to cover costs, said Ben Rosenfield, San Francisco controller.

The way the ordinance is written, there is no discretion for our office, he said.

His staff tallied up the $850,000 annual budget for the new six-person Office of Short-Term Rental, which enforces the law, and weighed that against revenues from penalties. The office has levied about $1 million in fines and collected a quarter of that.

To make up the gap, the city charges fees to hosts. Some 1,700 hosts have registered, leading the office to arrive at the new $250 fee, up from the current $50 charged every two years. Rosenfield said the review waited until there was a full year of data; the fee will now be revised annually.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

Only a fraction of the citys estimated 10,000 hosts have complied with the citys registration requirement. Airbnb and hosts say that the registration process is cumbersome. But the net effect of so many hosts skipping registration is that the law-abiding ones are having to take up the slack for the scofflaws.

The controller sent a memo about the new fees on Friday. By law, they will take effect within 60 days unless the Board of Supervisors steps in to revamp the fees. That seems unlikely. The supervisors have unanimously passed legislation tightening the citys vacation rental laws and otherwise have shown precious little love for Airbnb, which many of them decry as depleting the citys housing stock.

Airbnb in turn has sued San Francisco in federal court over its latest attempts to call it and other vacation-rental companies to task when their users flout city registration requirements. That case is scheduled to be heard in early October. Meanwhile, the city has suspended enforcement of new laws that would penalize Airbnb for arranging rentals in homes that are not registered.

Airbnb said in a statement that the registration process needs reform, especially for infrequent hosts. Instead of meaningful reforms, middle class hosts now get a (fivefold) permit increase on top of the seemingly endless list of other requirements just for renting out a spare bedroom, it said.

Kevin Guy, who runs the Office of Short-Term Rental, said he will propose that the supervisors intervene. Any city office or the mayor can propose legislation, but it will take six votes to pass.

We have a concern about the chilling effect on registrations that such a dramatic increase could have, he said. Its our preference to keep the fee level to the current $50. Guy said it makes more sense to look to penalties on people running illegal hotels to make up the budget shortfall.

Our strong preference is to reward the good actors who want to be registered hosts, he said. Even without the fee increases, registrations have slowed to fewer than 100 a month, down from twice that earlier in the year. Guys office hosts frequent outreach events, but they have not enticed many hosts to go through the registration process.

Bill Barnes, a spokesman for city administrator Naomi Kelly, who oversees the rental office, noted that most city fees increase annually along with the Consumer Price Index, generally a modest 2 percent or so.

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Even before this latest development, Airbnb was preparing to make a case to Bay Area residents about how it helps hosts. Starting Wednesday, it will spend close to $1 million on a two-month TV and radio ad campaign featuring profiles of local residents who rely on the extra income from vacation rentals.

The gauzy, feel-good commercials stand in sharp contrast to some previous Airbnb campaigns. A year ago, it spent some $8 million to defeat Proposition F, a San Francisco initiative that would have severely curtailed vacation rentals. That campaign included many strident ads warning of dire scenarios, like neighbors snitching on neighbors. Around the same time, Airbnb tried to make a case about its usefulness to the city with a series of bus-shelter ads congratulating itself for remitting $1 million a month in hotel taxes. The effort badly backfired; locals slammed the ads tone-deaf approach on social media.

Airbnb is running ads similar to the latest San Francisco ones in New York, Los Angeles and Vancouver  all cities where its facing blowback from regulators and housing activists.

We wanted to ensure that policy makers as well as the broader community see the real face of S.F. hosts, said David Owen, Airbnbs head of policy strategy. We remain willing and ready to work wtih the city to craft sensible rules for vacation rentals.

Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com

Twitter: @csaid
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When TV writer Mike Judge re-created a high-stakes startup pitch contest in his HBO series Silicon Valley, viewers criticized him for hiring mostly male extras to act as spectators at the industry event.

Those werent extras, he told them. That was footage from the actual audience of TechCrunch Disrupt. The signature green spotlights lit up mostly young, mostly white and almost entirely male faces watching the Startup Battlefield.

This years Disrupt in San Francisco, the flagship event for the AOL-owned technology news site, told a different story. Held in a warehouse on Pier 48, the 2016 edition attracted 4,000 participants across a broad spectrum of nationalities and ethnicities and more women. Its first panel of seven Battlefield judges included three women from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

Its a far cry from just a few years ago, when Disrupt made national news  and not for a startup landing millions in funding or a big deal getting announced. In 2013, a couple of tech bros pitched a photo-sharing app called Titstare that, well, you get it. Another contestant feigned masturbation on stage. TechCrunchs editors apologized and promised to make changes.

Paul Chinn/The Chronicle

The incident in 2013 really made us wake up and say there are repercussions for not doing more, said TechCrunch editor Sam OKeefe, who runs the Battlefield program. So thats what we did.

The restroom lines at Pier 48 looked like years past, with long queues at the mens stalls and an inviting absence in front of the womens bathroom. But otherwise, things looked very different.

Speakers included Google executive Diane Greene and robotics pioneer Melonee Wise. A panel discussion dove into startup opportunities in womens health: Clue founder Ida Tin pitched a birth-control app that uses menstruation data. She was joined by Fertility IQ founder Deborah Anderson-Bialis and Naya Health founder Janica Alvarez, who described a smart breast pump.

Mamava, a Vermont startup which makes compact pods where nursing mothers can pump in privacy, set up a lactation booth at the conference. Not everyone got the message: BuzzFeed reported seeing a man in khakis using the booth to make a phone call Wednesday morning.

OKeefe now runs TechCrunch Include, an effort to promote diversity at TechCrunch events and in the broader community. The group this year gave free tables in Startup Alley to nonprofits and hosted 50 minority students. TechCrunch also made a more conscious effort to have a more diverse group pitching onstage.

Paul Chinn/The Chronicle

Trinity Ventures partner Anjula Acharia was on the first panel of judges for Startup Battlefield. The diversity of Disrupt judges impressed Acharia, she said.

Theyre not just talking the talk, Acharia said. Theyre trying to make positive changes.

However, funding is the real challenge for founders who are women and underrepresented minorities, she said. When Acharia agreed to meet Diishan Imira, founder of Oakland salon distribution company Mayvenn, he told her no other investor had agreed to meet him in the East Bay city. Despite these rebuffs, Imira persevered. Trinity, Andreessen Horowitz and other backers invested $10 million in the company.

Fetch Robotics CEO Wise agreed that funding diverse kinds of entrepreneurs remains the biggest issue. All the startups pitching at Disrupt hope to attract attention from the investors in attendance.

Paul Chinn/The Chronicle

The question is who gets funded, Wise said. None of these are going to get successful without funding.

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Wise said she experienced less bias in Silicon Valley than she did at home in Illinois. Silicon Valley, she said in her onstage interview, was the Holy Land for women in technology compared with the Midwest. She worries that the diversity conversation is dominated by gender, leaving out socioeconomics, ethnicity and sexual orientation. Ethnic minorities face a more strenuous uphill battle than women, she said.

Leslie Miley left his job as an engineering director at Twitter last fall and wrote about his concerns about the companys approach to diversity. He now works at Slack, the workplace-collaboration software company, and spoke at Disrupt on Monday. Diversity in technology requires more than improving the numbers, he said.

Its hard to encourage people to stay in a place that is hostile to them, Miley said.

Slack is now using techniques like blind testing, without names or educational backgrounds, to improve diversity among its workforce.

TechCrunch did not have demographic data available Tuesday but plans to release a report on the event later this year.

TechCrunch has not achieved all that OKeefe wants it to in terms of inclusion, but it has taken a step forward, she said.

Thats true in the tech community as a whole, she said. People are talking about this now. The industry as a whole has developed self-awareness, and its taken the first steps.

Jessica Floum is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jfloum@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @jfloum
Wells Fargo, battling outrage over revelations that 5,300 branch employees were fired for opening accounts without customers knowledge, said Tuesday it will eliminate all product sales goals in retail banking, effective Jan. 1.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco banks top executives tried to lay blame for the fiasco on underperforming employees.

The people were talking about here were not the high performers, Wells Fargo Chief Financial Officer John Shrewsberry said at a Barclays Global Financial Services conference in New York Tuesday. He added: It was people trying to meet minimum goals to hang onto their jobs, thats my take, its performance management.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, John Stumpf, the banks CEO, also seemed to blame employees who wouldnt honor the banks culture. There was no incentive to do bad things, he was quoted as saying.

In a live interview later Tuesday with James Cramer on CNBC, Stump said, Im responsible. Im accountable anytime something goes wrong at the bank.

Stumpf is scheduled to answer questions about the allegations at a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Tuesday.

Eliminating sales goals calls into question the bedrock of Wells Fargos retail banking strategy. For decades, it has focused on cross-selling, or getting customers to open multiple deposit, loan and investment accounts.

Every bank in the world wants to cross-sell, (but) it was heavily emphasized at Wells Fargo, said Piper Jaffray analyst Kevin Barker.

Ending sales goals will have an incremental impact on their fee income over a longer period of time. In the near term, its tough to see how the impact will really play out. Suddenly you may see fee income growth stagnate, Barker said.

Fees from checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgage, investment and other accounts made up about 40 percent of Wells Fargos 2015 revenue, Barker said. About 53 percent was interest income and the rest came from insurance brokerage, trading profits and other sources.

Wells is probably waiting until January to eliminate sales goals to gain time to come up with an alternative incentive system for its 100,000 branch employees. Plan A is to stop cross-selling. What they dont really have is a Plan B, said Brian Kleinhanzl, an analyst with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

In the CNBC interview, Stumpf said Wells is not abandoning cross-selling. We still love cross-selling, he said. Its just that one of the tools doesnt make sense anymore.

Wells Fargos stock price has fallen 5.6 percent since Wednesday, about twice the drop in the Standard & Poors 500 index.

On Thursday, state and federal regulators announced that Wells had agreed to pay a total of $185 million in fines and penalties to settle charges and potential charges that its employees, spurred by sales targets and compensation incentives, secretly opened more than 2 million deposit and credit card accounts without customers knowledge.

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Shrewsberry said the $185 million was fully accrued for at the end of the second quarter, which ended June 30. The bank has refunded about $2.6 million in fees to customers on about 115,000 accounts that might have been unauthorized.

Of the 5,300 fired, Shrewsberry said that about 10 percent are people that you consider to be managers, including store managers and higher. The bank has refused to reveal the highest-level person fired.

In July, Wells Fargo announced that Carrie Tolstedt, the senior executive who headed its retail branch network, has decided to retire at years end after a long and successful career. She was succeeded July 31 by Mary Mack. On Monday, Fortune reported that Tolstedt is entitled to $124.6 million in stock, options, and restricted Wells Fargo shares. The Financial Times put the value of her stock package, accumulated over 27 years, at $93 million. Some critics have said Wells should claw back that money.

Shrewsberry said about two-thirds of the account problems occurred in the Southwest, and the peak was in 2013.

He said the bank has already made changes to performance expectations, putting greater priority on customer service, loyalty and ethics. And today, when an account is opened, customers get a welcome email within an hour  so they know it was opened.

However, Kleinhanzl wonders why it took so long to change the sales goals. If you knew your compensation structure was a problem three years ago, why are you making this change today?
More than three hours deep into an evening of satisfaction, the Giants Tuesday night turned into the Ryan Schimpf story. If you dont find that depressing, in the wake of Monday nights complete stinker, a horde of fans will disagree.

The Giants were one strike away from a tribute to Hunter Pence, Brandon Crawford and the two men who sent majestic drives into the left-field bleachers, Angel Pagan and Gorkys Hernandez. One strike away from reprieve for Hunter Strickland, who was handed the closers role and, for this night, failed miserably. One more strike from left-hander Steven Okert, given the task of dispatching this mess, and all regression would be forgotten.

Instead, Schimpf unloaded on a 1-and-2 fastball from Okert, the ball landed over the center-field fence for a three-run homer, and as the Giants batted without success in the bottom of the ninth to complete a 6-4 loss, the stadium was half-full at best.

Two straight losses to the San Diego Padres, with a pennant race at hand, will make that happen. There are no real memories from Monday night, save perhaps the lovely image of San Diego starter Paul Clemens vomiting between innings. The sequel was a ninth-inning chamber of horrors, largely the sight of Strickland walking in a run when he wanted so badly to become the closer for real.

There is no such thing as raw desperation at this stage of the Giants plight, not with 18 games to go and so much in doubt, but this was a costly defeat. The Dodgers, still four games up in the West, took a tame and quiet 3-0 loss at Yankee Stadium. Consistently stifled of late by left-handed pitchers, they were five-hit by CC Sabathia and the Yankees bullpen, and two players who didnt even start  Jacoby Ellsbury and Didi Gregorius  hit consecutive homers off Ross Stripling.

It was a significant development because the Dodgers are still trying to pinpoint their No. 4 starter, for now and the postseason. Stripling seemed a logical candidate, but rookie Jose De Leon is making a strong case with two winning starts and an array of pitches (particularly the changeup) that made him so effective in the minor leagues.

Then theres Julio Urias, removed in the fourth inning Tuesday night (no runs allowed) and, despite his 4-0 record and 2.02 ERA since the All-Star break, apparently finished as a starter. The Dodgers have said that before, only to give the kid a reprieve, but now it appears hell be groomed as a reliever for the stretch drive and playoffs in an effort to limit his innings.

The really fascinating part, when the Giants arrive at Dodger Stadium to open a three-game series Monday night, will be Yasiel Puigs role. Hes been on respectable behavior since joining the team, contributing two home runs and a fantastic catch in left field behind Rich Hills bid for a perfect game Saturday. (You figure hell be in the lineup against Madison Bumgarner and Matt Moore, for the Dodgers currently rank last in the major leagues in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS against left-handed pitching.)

The Giants loss was equally significant in the race to indigestion, also known as the one-game playoff between wild-card teams. The Mets, routinely banking on the improbable after a frightful torrent of injuries, got a game-winning home run in Washington from a 27-year-old infielder, T.J. Rivera, getting his first crack at the show after six seasons in the minors (he just might stick, having won the Pacific Coast League batting title at .353 with Las Vegas).

The Cardinals kept the pressure on, as well, with a home victory against the Cubs. They had just about given up on former As first baseman Brandon Moss, who was slumping terribly at 1-for-41 and watched his left-field replacement, Jeremy Hazelbaker, break up Kyle Hendricks no-hit bid in the ninth inning Monday night. But Moss was back in the lineup, crushing a tie-breaking homer, and the Cardinals are banking on having several freshly recovered players  Almedys Diaz, Matt Holliday, Michael Wacha and Trevor Rosenthal  available at some point for the four-game series that begins at AT&T Park on Thursday night.

Do the Giants keep track of all this? Need they invest the time, or even a glance?

Sure, theyre all involved, said manager Bruce Bochy, admitting to some scoreboard-watching. But I keep an eye on us trying to win a ballgame.

What Bochy has seen, these past two nights, is the stuff of nightmares.

Bruce Jenkins is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: bjenkins@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Bruce_Jenkins1
Snowden features an ominous soundtrack, foreboding government characters and camera angles that look as if the director of the film were spying on his actors during production. Even a spaghetti colander is shot with maximum suspicion.

In other words, Oliver Stone is back where he belongs. Its unfair to play the his best film since  game, because Stones cinematic output is so polarizing. Just know that he has a subject he cares about, a budget to execute his vision and the kinetic scriptwriting matched with narrative momentum that made films such as Salvador, Platoon and JFK so memorable.

Snowden is not quite as excellent as that holy trinity, but it comes very close. Stone and co-screenwriter Kieran Fitzgerald compensate for the lack of traditional action with a coherent web of escalating menace. The only guns discharged by major characters in the film are used to shoot at pheasants. But to leave the theater is to feel the exhaustion of a dozen firefights.

The film begins like a Jason Bourne movie, minus the punching and car chases. CIA employee-turned-whistle-blower Edward Snowden (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meets three journalists in a Hong Kong mall and rushes them to a hotel room, where he tells his story.

Then we go into flashback, from Snowdens early military training to his rise in the CIA, to the crisis of conscience that led to his decision to copy and leak classified National Security Agency information to journalists.

This story itself was more journalistically told in Laura Poitras Academy Award-winning documentary Citizenfour, a fact that Stone seems to acknowledge, making Poitras a key character and leaving a clear trail for viewers to find her work.

Stone instead goes for an argument-building hyper-reality, clearly meant to shame his critics on the right and test the conspiratorial limits of his potential allies on the left. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton arguably come off much worse in Snowden than George W. Bush.

In the movie, sympathetic CIA middle managers offer warnings to Snowden wrapped in riddles. (Sometimes the more you look, the less you see.) When its time to confront a superior, Snowdens CIA mentor (a sinister and almost unrecognizable Rhys Ifans) appears on a TV screen that looks as if it were brought in from Times Square. Kylo Rens conversations with Supreme Leader Snoke in Star Wars: The Force Awakens were less grandiose.

There are no patriot-or-traitor debates in this film. Snowden is an unquestionable hero in Stones telling, seemingly guided by swelling strings or the staccato drums of a military salute every time he makes a decision to betray his employer.

None of the above makes Snowden an outstanding film. Stone does that, with his ability to keep everything coherent despite the fast pace, to give potentially mundane circumstances the feel of a good heist film and to make the stakes clear at all times  in the plot of the film, and then in a message to the audience as the credits roll.

Its a liberal companion to Clint Eastwoods almost equally strong American Sniper, both movies that choose a point of view over uncertain hand-wringing. The think pieces and punditry that rebut these films become part of the show.

The actors were probably weaned on Stones work, and buy in wholeheartedly. Gordon-Levitt is solid, adopting a deeper voice and a sober quirkiness as Snowden, and it never feels like an imitation. Nicolas Cage and Keith Stanfield offer depth as CIA allies. Artists as accomplished as Ben Chaplin and Joely Richardson show up for single scenes. Theres a uniformity to the urgency onscreen, as if Stone had injected everyone with a little bit of Al Pacinos DNA before the film started.

The only real structural misstep is the overemphasis on Snowdens romantic relationship with his girlfriend, Lindsay (Shailene Woodley), which begins as a lens into his motivations, then becomes repetitive. At 140 minutes, Snowden is rarely a slog, but there are a few minutes that could be shaved here.

Our screening for critics was preceded by a message from Stone, suggesting that audience members throw out their cell phones, before segueing into a joke about keeping devices silent during the movie. By the time the credits arrive, with the real Edward Snowden included, the idea of abandoning the grid seems a lot more serious.

Moviegoers will love or hate Oliver Stone and his politics until the end of time. With well-made movies such as Snowden, though, his skill as a filmmaker becomes much harder for the detractors to debate.

Peter Hartlaub is The San Francisco Chronicles pop culture critic Email: phartlaub@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @PeterHartlaub

Snowden

Drama. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo and Zachary Quinto. Directed by Oliver Stone. (R. 134 minutes.)

To see a trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlSAiI3xMh4
Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

An 88-year-old woman was brutally beaten by a pair of robbers who broke into her home near East San Jose, authorities said.

The vicious home invasion occurred just before 8 p.m. Monday at a home on the 200 block of North Cragmont Avenue in unincorporated Santa Clara County, said Deputy Rich Glennon, a spokesman for the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office.
Artist Jenny Holzer, famous for her poetic LED-stream text displays in architectural environments, has been awarded a major commission for a work to be integrated into San Franciscos new Transbay Transit Center. The Board of Directors of the Transbay Joint Powers Authority voted last Thursday, Sept. 8, to award a contract of $182,000 to Holzer for design and project oversight. Fabrication and installation are estimated at $740,000.

It was reported in 2011 that the authority had allocated a budget of $4.75 million for public art in the $6 billion downtown transportation hub, but it was not until last week that the authority approved the Holzer project.

Four other artists are also slated to make major works: Tim Hawkinson of Los Angeles will build a roughly figurative guardian towering 41 feet out of demolition rubble from the old transit center. Bay Area artists Julie Chang and Ned Kahn and New Yorker James Carpenter plan more architecturally integrated works  floors by Chang and Carpenter and a water feature by Kahn in the rooftop park.

Holzer has installed permanent LED works at the Reichstag and the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain and 7 World Trade Center in New York City. Her San Francisco installation will consist of 11-foot-high texts that will run around a glass enclosure surrounding a central atrium, visible from outside as well as from within the transit center. She plans to both compose her own texts and integrate the words of Bay Area authors.

Spoiler alert: I have been unable to see The Proposal at the Walter and McBean Galleries of the San Francisco Art Institute in its completed state, but I have a good sense of the exhibition. I went by as installers were finishing their work before the opening Saturday, Sept. 10. Years ago, as president of the institiute, I approved the show and its budget, which included some funds for project development.

I also had read a superb story in the Aug. 1 issue of the New Yorker, The Architect Who Became a Diamond. It tells of the artist Jill Magid and her fascinating quest to secure the return to Mexico of the archives of that countrys great modernist architect, Luis Barragan. The Proposal is but one part of that larger effort.

At least, thats one of the things Magids work is about. It also deals with scholarly obsession, the arrogance of wealth (corporate and individual), copyright law and, it would seem, an insidiously possessive kind of love.

As sometimes happens, though, the exhibition may be better as a book  or, in this case, as a magazine article. I could not recommend the work more highly, but its the concept that is the work of art; the New Yorker story isnt just a teaser  its a spoiler. See the exhibition, long planned by curator Hesse McGraw, first, then read Alice Gregorys piece.

Monterey Bay Aquarium/Monterey Bay Aquarium, photo by

The art of finance: The announcement last week that the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco has appointed a new chief financial officer was covered by The Chronicle. Its not the kind of news that would ordinarily excite our attention.

But nearly five years of instability at the museums have occasioned much public speculation over internal politics and financial matters at our largest visual arts institution. Thats why I am heartened by the news that a seasoned professional, Ed Prohaska, is coming to us after 14 years of service as CFO at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is widely considered one of the best-run cultural institutions in California.

As chair of the finance committee for the boards of KQED and the California Association of Museums, he has sat on the governance side of the table  rare experience for a staff member, even at the top level, and much needed in this situation, where the museums board has too often seemed to shirk its oversight duties.

Best of all, the announcement was made not by a trustee or the president (though I am told that the board was, appropriately, consulted), but by the new director. Ed ... will be a valued partner, operationally and strategically, Max Hollein said in a statement. Which is just as things ought to be: a strong director, taking charge, building his team.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Making the rounds: Over the course of just two weeks, pretty much every San Francisco gallery is opening an important exhibition. I havent seen them all, but I did manage to preview a good number. Among the wealth of excitements are three shows remarkable both for their visual intelligence and because they present artists who have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to abstraction.

At Haines Gallery, David Simpson is featured in a small retrospective titled Now & Then. Born in 1928, the Berkeley painter has maintained a vital career since the 1950s. I am most drawn to the earliest work (horizontal strata of solid color and glowing washes, like visual notations on journeys through austere landscapes) and the latest (glimmering surfaces that recall the magical effects of fog and light).

Gallery Wendi Norris

New Yorker Peter Young, 76, shows his Ellipse Paintings in his first solo show at Gallery Wendi Norris. Young takes the ellipse shape as a starting place and uses it engagingly, whether as a cool gray screen through which we view a field of pinks and greens or as elements of sunny, landscape-like compositions.

And, finally, Suzanne Blank Redstone, 71, is at Jessica Silverman Gallery in an exhibition of 1960s Portal Paintings. Silverman asked the artist to bring out works that had been languishing in storage for close to 50 years. They have a great midcentury look to them, with references to de Chirico and Mondrian. (And thats a sentence I would never have guessed Id write.)

Charles Desmarais is The San Francisco Chronicles art critic. Email: cdesmarais@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Artguy1
The riot brought change, but at a staggering cost.

The Chronicles front page from Sept. 14, 1971, covers the Attica Correctional Facility uprising in New York that left 43 dead.

The siege of Attica prison ended yesterday in the bloody invasion and mass deaths which five days of taut negotiations had sought to avert, the story read.

In the worst of prison tragedies, several hostages  prison guards and civilian workers  died when convicts slashed their throats with knives. Others were stabbed and beaten with clubs and lengths of pipe. Most of the prisoners killed in the assault fell under the thick hail of rifle and shotgun fire laid down by the invading troopers.

Despite the storys details, most of the hostages were killed in the nonstop shooting by state troopers.

As if to magnify the barbarity of the raid, the main photo on the front page shows guards holding sharpened spears that they were said to have used on the prisoners as they retook the facility.

One witness at the time said the inside of the prison looked like a war zone. That description seems accurate.

The recapture of the maximum security prison, the story read, was hampered by trenches dug by the convicts that had been filled with burning gasoline and ignited in cellblock corridors; by electrically wired prison bars separating detention areas; by homemade bombs and booby traps hidden in underground tunnels and conduits; by barricades and by salvos of Molotov cocktails and bursts from captured tear gas guns.

And by thousands of rounds of gunfire from New York state troopers.

As terrible as the riot and retaking of the prison had been, the event helped push forward the need for improved prisoners rights in the U.S. Thats small solace for the loved ones of those who died that day.

Hot time, summer in the city: The temperature rose to a sweltering 99 degrees at Civic Center yesterday afternoon for the hottest Sept. 13 in the citys history. Were sweating just reading that.

Top O the Top of the News: President William McKinleys 93-year-old cousin cant see anyone whod make a better president today than Nixon. Page 20. He cant see anyone, period  but whos counting?

More from the Archive The Vault Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond.

Top O the Top of the News No. 2: The new rule in mens wear is that there are no rules. Page 21. Thats clear with one look in a newsroom.

See more front pages: Go to SFChronicle.com/covers to search a database of hundreds of Chronicle Covers articles that showcase the newspapers history.

Chronicle Covers highlights one classic Chronicle newspaper page from our archive for 366 days. Library director Bill Van Niekerken and producers Kimberly Chua, Michelle Devera and Jillian Sullivan contributed to the project. Tim O'Rourke is the executive producer of SFChronicle.com. Email: torourke@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TimothyORourke
I think Islam hates us, said Donald Trump, several months before the candidate became the Republican presidential nominee. Trumps declaration was a continuation of his string of campaign slanders against Islam. It was rooted in the very ignorance and hate that produced Trumps proposed Muslim ban in December of last year, which he later revised to extreme vetting of Muslims seeking to enter the United States.

But more deeply, Trumps declaration is a strategic appeal to the Clash of Civilizations rhetoric that re-emerged after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. This is a worldview that pits Islam against the United States, as both a geopolitical nemesis and domestic rival that threatens to overtake the nation. It is what drives a still expanding surveillance state and exposes 8 million Muslim Americans to the dragnet of antiterror policing and rising hate violence.
The latest economic news from the Census Bureau Tuesday would seem to be a political godsend for Democrat Hillary Clinton: The nations median household income rose 5.2 percent in 2015, the biggest annual increase in nearly 50 years.

Not only did Democrats celebrate the news as proof that the Obama White House had revived the economy but also that a central tenet of Donald Trumps campaign  that the economy is, in the Republicans words, cratering, Third World and rigged  is fiction.

So, now, lets face it, Republicans dont like to hear good news right now, President Obama said Tuesday in citing the report at a rally for Clinton in Philadelphia. But its important just to understand this is a big deal. More Americans are working, more have health insurance. Incomes are rising. Poverty is falling. So the steps that we have been taking over these years, theyre paying off. Weve shown that progress is possible.

But the political impact of those positive trends could prove negligible in Novembers elections.

There tends to be a significant lag between when macroeconomic news gets reported and when it makes an impact on voters, said Ben Tulchin, who knows how economic news resonates in swing states from his days as a national pollster for Bernie Sanders presidential campaign. It usually requires several major positive reports for voters to notice it.

Sanders, who made closing the income gap the centerpiece of his campaign, said Tuesday that while the report showed much progress, the fact is that household incomes still are 1.6 percent below the 2007 level, the year before the last recession began. The wealthy, meanwhile, have never had it so good.

Despite Tuesdays report, expect Trump to ignore the statistics and continue to stress how badly the economy is doing, said John Powell, director of the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at UC Berkeley.

Trump feeds off of people feeling bad, feeling angry. Then he says, I can save you, Powell said. Much of their effort  by Republicans and Trump  is that they need to say that things are bad. Their campaign is one of deep anxiety and polarization, that the country is going to hell in a handbasket.

That lag between good economic news and voter reaction can be frustrating to campaign operatives and grassroots activists. While they might get excited about news of the latest positive jobs report or even major economic news like the census report, it might not mean much to someone who is working two jobs, or staring down a mountain of student loan debt, or unable to afford a house.

Affordable-housing and antipoverty advocates welcomed the report, saying there hasnt been enough discussion of those issues during the campaign. But they cautioned not to get too giddy about the positive trend lines in the report.

Even though poverty is decreasing, we havent seen the same rates of decline for people who are black, said Jessica Bartholow, of the Western Center on Law and Poverty in Sacramento. And women are still 35 percent more likely than men to be poor, she said.

Most frustrating, Bartholow said, is that poverty continues to be ignored in the presidential debate.

In terms of Americans potentially being able to afford housing, Tuesdays report is good news. But there are over 11 million people paying more than half of their income in rent  thats a record high, said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Regardless of its political impact, UC Berkeleys Powell holds out hope that Tuesdays report is the first of a series of positive economic trend lines for working people.

I think the numbers are quite significant. But one cycle does not make a trend, Powell said. Weve been in such a stagnant period.
San Francisco political races are known for under-the-radar candidates with, well, unusual ideas. Remember 2007 mayoral candidate George Davis, a nudist who wanted to make Golden Gate Park clothing-optional? In honor of that longtime tradition, weve got to hand it to Berta Hernandez for livening up the recent Chronicle Editorial Board meeting for District 11 supervisorial candidates.

She wants to become the citys first socialist supervisor and says the progressive and moderate factions of the Democratic party have failed to govern this city. (Those factions are represented in the race by front-runners Kimberly Alvarenga and Ahsha Safai, respectively.)

Hernandezs memorable ideas include abolishing the San Francisco Police Department, which she called a bunch of killers  rotten to the core. She would instead have the city police itself with unarmed community counselors.

She also wants to outlaw all evictions and make it illegal for landlords to charge more than 30 percent of a tenants salary in rent. And she considers the $15 minimum wage insufficient and believes it should be raised to $40 an hour.

There is no way you can live with less, she said. She also would expand the right to vote to undocumented immigrants, felons and children at least 14 years old.

The 53-year-old mother of two works as a community health educator for the Instituto Familiar de la Raza, which provides services to the Latino community in San Francisco.

I would be a better supervisor  I dont have ties to anything, she said, comparing herself to Alvarenga and Safai. Somebody has to say it. Thats why Im running. Im tired of nicey-nicey-nicey talk.

Readers might have other adjectives to describe her talk, but well leave that to you.

 Heather Knight

Advertising party: The California Democratic Party dropped a TV ad this week for East Bay Assembly candidate Cheryl Cook-Kallio, a Democrat who is taking on incumbent GOP Assemblywoman Catharine Baker. Its noteworthy because this the first party-funded Assembly ad in at least three election cycles in the Bay Area.

Then again, Baker is the only Republican in the politically deep-blue region, so its not like there have been a ton of opportunities to rain cash on the area.

But California Democratic Party spokesman Michael Soller told us that the party is funding the Cook-Kallio ad as well as one for Democratic challenger Abigail Medina, in the San Bernardino-area 40th Assembly District because these are races we believe that we can win. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon has mentioned the Cook-Kallio race as one of his top pickup targets in November.

The challenge, Soller said, will be getting Cook-Kallio and Medinas messages heard in the states two largest media markets  the Bay Area and Los Angeles  in a season dominated by a presidential race and 17 state ballot measures.

The hope is that the message implicit in the ad  which has Cook-Kallio campaigning door-to-door, answering questions from voters  inspires some grassroots help.

Even though there are more registered Democrats than Republicans in the district, which President Obama carried four years ago, Baker has won endorsements from The Chronicle and the East Bay Times editorial boards, praising her bipartisan record.

 Joe Garofoli

A tale of two polls: The South Bay congressional rematch between San Jose Rep. Mike Honda and Fremont attorney Ro Khanna now features dueling, though relatively elderly, polls.

In response to a mid-July internal poll from Hondas campaign showing their guy leading in his uphill re-election battle, Team Khanna has now released its own internal poll, this one a late June survey putting the challenger on top.

The Khanna poll, taken from June 26-30, showed Khanna with a lead of 42 to 36 percent among likely voters in the November contest, up from his 39 to 37 percent victory over Honda in the June 7 primary.

Hondas poll, taken three weeks later, July 17-21, gave him a 41 to 35 percent ratio. The percentage of undecided voters was nearly identical in both surveys.

There are a few takeaways from the polls.

First, the two 500-person telephone surveys were done by nationally respected Democratic pollsters (Celinda Lake for Honda and Paul Maslin for Khanna), not Petes House of Carpets and Robo-polling.

Second, any poll is a snapshot of voter opinion at a specific time. And a lot may have changed in the months since these polls were taken.

Finally, internal polls, which are used to make campaign decisions such as where and when to advertise, have to show the absolute truth about whats happening in an election effort, warts and all. A poll thats overly optimistic is far more dangerous to a campaign than one thats too pessimistic.

Having said that, though, campaigns decide when  and if  they will release their internal polls. And you can be sure that if the poll werent good news, no one outside the campaign would ever see it.

 John Wildermuth

Sticking up for Clinton: St. Helena Democrat Mike Thompsons news conference with House military veterans who support Hillary Clinton erupted in comedy when a reporter asked the members about their concern about Clintons health.

Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., grabbed the floor to say that having a cold or pneumonia or a fever has never been something that I thought warranted a lot of inquiries, as opposed to a guy who says, Im not giving you my income tax, I havent given you my background in charitable contributions, Ive given you an insane doctor, or a guy thats a fraud, he looks like something from outer space.

And you find a woman who says she had pneumonia and people are asking her, Why didn't you tell people that you had pneumonia? Dont you think people have a right to know?

Thompson, a Vietnam veteran, held the news conference at the Democratic Partys campaign headquarters in Washington. It followed three earlier events in his district featuring veterans calling Clinton the only candidate qualified to be commander in chief.

Thompson said Tuesdays conference was long planned and was not a response to the uproar over Clintons health.

Clintons woozy and early exit from the 9/11 ceremony in New York on Sunday underlined weeks of insinuations from GOP nominee Donald Trump that she lacks the stamina to be president. She said shed been diagnosed with pneumonia Friday but thought she could carry on.

 Carolyn Lochhead

Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com, jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com, jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com, clochhead@sfchronicle.com
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The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the largest residential complex in the history of the Mission District on Tuesday, 3 years after the so-called Beast on Bryant was proposed. The OK came despite criticism from some Mission residents that the neighborhood has too many luxury developments already.

But Supervisor David Campos, who represents the Mission District, said the project at 2000-2070 Bryant St. was a good deal that would bring much-needed affordable housing to the neighborhood.

Over the past year, developer Nick Podell took extensive strides to appease opponents, including giving adjacent land to the city for it to build affordable housing.

I believe that on balance this neighborhood is better off having this project approved than not, said Campos, who just a year ago supported an 18-month moratorium on the construction of market-rate housing in the Mission.

If I had it within my power, I would only be approving projects that are 100 percent affordable, Campos said. But at some point we have a responsibility not only to prevent bad things from happening. We also have a responsibility to make good things happen in the neighborhood. And as a district supervisor I have a responsibility to make sure that affordable housing is built.

As approved, the complex will contain one building with 191 market-rate apartments and a second building with between 100 and 136 affordable units. Podell would develop the market-rate units while the city would construct the affordable ones, one-third of which will house formerly homeless families. The city has reserved $30 million to construct those units.

The project had become a flash point in the debate over the citys housing crisis and the displacement of longtime residents who can no longer afford to live here. Those tensions are especially fraught in the Mission, a neighborhood famous for its arts and working-class Latino community, but where luxury condominiums and new restaurants are replacing rent-controlled apartments and laundromats.

The property at 18th and Bryant had been home to a treasured arts community, a 50,000-square-foot space for hundreds of dancers, painters, actors and circus performers, among others.

This project is not necessary and desirable, said Peter Papadopoulos of the Mission Cultural Action Network, who appealed the project on environmental grounds. This project will result in additional displacement. The influx of wealthier residents that will accompany this project will create pressure on lower-income residents and mom-and-pop businesses.

Papadopoulos and others argued that the project had gone through an invalid environmental impact review.

They said the review did not adequately consider the impact of increased traffic and congestion in the neighborhood. They also said it failed to consider the impact of 40 market-rate housing developments in the Mission, a number greater than was anticipated in the 2010 Eastern Neighborhoods plan, which rezoned the area.

Campos expressed sympathy for that point of view. At some point we do want to cap the number of units that are built as a way to protect the character of a neighborhood, he said.

But Campos said he could not in good conscience reject the project on the basis that it violated the California Environmental Quality Act. He said CEQA was not the proper forum to address concerns about displacement.

Critics of the Bryant Street project fear the market-rate building will be constructed years before the city builds the affordable project. The mayors office assured Campos at Tuesdays meeting that it will move immediately to build the affordable units on the donated property. Thats important because the city has received land dedications in the past, but then lacked the funds to get an affordable housing project built.

Kate Hartley, deputy director of the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development, said the city would immediately seek bids from developers to build the project. She estimated the developer would take a year to design it, with the permitting process taking another year.

The land Podell is donating has a market value of $22 million. Had his company not given the land or built affordable housing, it would have had to pay the city around $18 million. On Tuesday, representatives for his company said it would give $500,000 to help build a community arts center in the city-constructed building.

It remains to be seen what the approval of the Bryant Street project means for other market-rate Mission District housing projects in the pipeline. They include the Monster in the Mission at the 16th Street BART Station, which has been stalled by litigation between the property owner and the developer, and Axis Developments proposed 117-unit project at 2675 Folsom St.

In August, the Planning Commission approved the 157-unit project Lennar is proposing at 1515 S. Van Ness Ave. after it agreed to rent 25 percent of the units to low- and middle-income families.

Boe Hayward, the spokesman for the Bryant Street project, expressed happiness with Tuesdays vote.

It has been quite a ride, but after years of intense community engagement we are proud of this project and appreciate the support of the Board of Supervisors, he said. Fundamentally, it is a shame that a Mission project with unprecedented affordability faced such opposition.

Chronicle staff writer J.K. Dineen contributed to this report.

Emily Green is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: egreen@sfchronicle.com

Twitter: @emilytgreen
The meal-replacement drink Soylent, which debuted two years ago, was created by Rob Rhinehart to solve the problem of having to feed himself when all he wanted to do was work on his San Francisco startup.

Now, it seems, making a cup of coffee has also proven to be too much of a bother. Last month, Soylent debuted Coffiest, which adds coffee to the meal-in-a-bottles basic formula.

The company has since relocated to Los Angeles, but Soylent is still a quintessential Bay Area creation. For those ensconced in the other side of the local food world  those obsessed with restaurants and farm-fresh produce  the thought of drinking sludge instead of eating dinner is hard enough to swallow. Now Soylent is coming after our coffee, too?

To find out whether Coffiest could really pose an existential threat, we gathered a half dozen Bay Area coffee roasters to try it. We wanted their tasting notes because in order for a product to stand in for coffee, or food, it has to be at least tolerable to drink. We wondered what insight this craft coffee brain trust could give us on Coffiest.

Here are the basics: Coffiest adds coffee flavoring and coffee powder, in that order, to Soylents basic formula. There are also additions of a hint of cacao and a few other slight changes. Soylent is different from other protein drinks in that its vegan, with protein coming from soy, and essential fatty acids from bioengineered algal oil. The light-roast coffee is grown in India, a company spokesperson said, and provides 150 mg caffeine. Thats about the equivalent of a large cup of drip coffee, though it also has L-theanine, meant to counteract caffeine jitters.

While easy to dismiss, Soylent has had a life of its own, even spawning a series of sold-out dinner parties, called Future Repasts, where only Soylent is served. The company also has a social mission: It pledged to donate 1 million meals this year worldwide, partly through sales of Coffiest and a new Soylent bar.

Its products are a bargain, too, at $3.25 a bottle (less with a monthly subscription) per 14-ounce, 400-calorie Coffiest, which is less than a pour-over coffee. Its sold only at Soylent.com, by the case.

The esteemed  and some may say, brave  panelists were Jen Apodaca, director of roasting at Royal Coffee; Andrew Barnett, founder and owner of Linea Caffe; Nicholas Cho, co-founder and head barista of Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters; Keba Konte, founder of Red Bay Coffee; Judith Mandel, quality control specialist at Blue Bottle Coffee; and Eileen Rinaldi, founder and owner of Ritual Coffee Roasters.

Tara Duggan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan

On the overall taste

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

Its sort of like an oaty chocolate milk. Very lightly sweetened, with definitely a very thick and rich consistency. A little finely gritty on the back end.  Konte

Its kind of very generic. Its not very great but its non-offensive.  Barnett

I assumed it was going to be supersweet, in that way that generic drinks are sweet, and its not.  Rinaldi

Its a little bit like if a Frappuccino melted and made a baby with Metamucil.  Cho

On the actual coffee flavor

This stuffs really bad. This stuffs really bad. The coffees just not very good.  Barnett

Its like the carob of coffee. ... Like a really low-sugar chocolate shake with maybe some black cherries going on.  Apodaca

Its that kind of nondescript coffee taste you get from low-quality coffee.  Cho

The coffee flavor isnt distinguishable. I wouldnt be able to say its this style of coffee or this kind of roast.  Rinaldi

If the meal replacement doesnt have to taste like a meal, this isnt coffee so it doesnt have to taste like coffee, right?  Mandel

On the texture

Its the kind of thing that makes you imagine if you poured it in the drain, it would go, and it would stop, and it would go again.  Cho

Theres this dairy product in Finland that kind of stretches  its like a yogurt, but its stretchy.  Rinaldi

Its how I would have expected it to be. Something thats going to hold in your belly for a minute.  Konte

On the aftertaste

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

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Its like when you get a doughnut thats like hot out of the oven and youre really digging it because its sweet and it has good flavor. But when its not a good doughnut, and the ingredients arent good and it kind of leaves a coating on your tongue, and its just like, How do you get that off? And this is kind of like that.  Barnett

On potential uses

Say they have a new job or something, and its in the refrigerator; it would certainly prevent the headache from happening.  Rinaldi

Some people like to go to REI and get those fancy MREs. That could replace those. Theyre heavy ... but almost as an emergency sort of a thing.  Cho

On its impact on the coffee industry

In the coffee industry theres sort of the outdated idea that if Im going to Ritual Im only going to Ritual. Thats not true anymore. ... Part of the maturation of the industry is kind of like restaurants: You go to a really nice place with a Michelin star one night, and you might go to a fast-food drive-in on another day.  Cho

A lot of us in this room like to think (customers are) coming in for the flavor experience but thats just not true. You might have one expectation if youre standing in line at Blue Bottle, but a different expectation if youre camping. Depends on the context.  Rinaldi

Think of the 5-hour Energy shot. Most coffee people didnt see that as competition, but thats a direct industry competition. Why bother to deal with the hot drink and wait for it to cool when you can just have this over-the-counter drink.  Konte

How to make it better?

What if you put (it) in a blender with some ice? Someone will do it and proclaim that this is the new Frappuccino.  Cho

Maybe if you put it in one of those frothers?  Rinaldi

What if you add coffee to it?  Mandel
The odds are mounting once again that more destructive earthquakes will hit the bay region within the next 30 years.

Theres now a 72 percent probability  which means the odds are nearly 3 to 1  that one or more quakes with a magnitude of 6.7 or greater will strike along one of the regions faults in the San Andreas Fault system before 2043, the experts have calculated.

The last Big One was the Loma Prieta quake of Oct. 17, 1989. Its magnitude was 6.9, and it killed 63 people and caused $6 billion in widespread damage.

The Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities, a team of experts led by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey, released its latest outlook for future earthquakes last week, based on new information from recent quakes, improved mapping and new methods for modeling earthquake behavior.

The report also considers 32 smaller faults, from the Wright Way and Collayami faults near Clear Lake to the Reliz and Monterey Bay-Tularcitos faults between Salinas and Monterey, said David Schwartz, a geophysicist at the survey in Menlo Park and longtime member of the working group. Information on those faults was also used in the new probability estimates, he said.

Only a year ago, the working group estimated that the probability of one or more large quakes striking on any of the Bay Area faults was 63 percent. The new probability calculations put it at 72 percent.

Quake probabilities have risen more sharply for Bay Area faults largely because scientists have developed a new understanding of the stresses building up on one seismic fault that can cause stress on other nearby faults, and that several faults may be capable of rupturing together in large earthquakes, Schwartz said.

The probability of a large quake hitting somewhere along the East Bays Calaveras Fault has risen from 7 percent to 26 percent because of those phenomena, while the probability of a large quake on the Hayward combined with the Rodgers Creek Fault is now estimated at 33 percent, compared with an estimate of 31 percent a year ago.

For the entire length of the San Andreas Fault within the Bay Area, the Working Group now estimates the probability of a 6.7-magnitude quake somewhere on that fault at 22 percent, compared with 21 percent three years ago.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The probability of a large quake on the Green Valley-Concord Fault has risen much higher: from 3 percent a year ago to 16 percent today, the Working Group estimated.

On Wednesday, a quake with a magnitude of 3.5 was reported on the Hayward Fault near Highway 13 in Oakland. The tremor, which the USGS said happened at 12:30 a.m., was widely felt around the area. It occurred at a depth of about 3 miles and appeared to cause no damage.

David Perlman is The San Francisco Chronicles science editor. Email: dperlman@sfchronicle.com
Oscar de la Renta is in the midst of change. Peter Copping, who helmed the storied house for less than two years after the passing of the founder, departed this summer; Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia (of the new label Monse) were announced before Labor Day as the new creative directors. Kim and Garcia worked with the late de la Renta for 12 years and debuted their first Oscar collection in February. For the showing of the spring 2017 collection at the Morgan Library, the duo sat in the front row to watch the work of the studio design team walk the runway.

The collection looked back to many of the founders favorite themes: The ethnic textiles used on day dresses, peasant frocks and separates strongly recalled 1970s Oscar as did the khaki safari jacket. The knit skirt suits could have been pulled from any recent Oscar era, and the use of tiered shapes is a house perennial. The return of the full ball gowns and sparkling, feathered and beaded cocktail frocks seemed to be a message to the longstanding Oscar clients who couldnt reconcile their devotion to the house with Coppings vision. The house heard you, ladies.

Its going to be very Oscar, more than ever next time, said Oscar de la Renta executive at large Boaz Mazor following the show. Its only going to get better. We tried to be restrained, were keeping the big gowns for next time. Among the surprises in the collection were a number of ensembles with exposed midrifts, which Mazor explained was a nod to the younger clients who are comfortable showing more skin.

New York Fashion Week Stripes and showmanship as New York Fashion Week evolves

My first impression was it was super grand, Bay Area Oscar client Sobia Shaikh said. I saw lots of new edge to it as well. It looked new, fresh and young. What I saw today made me want so many of the pieces.

More stripes: Rosie Assoulin is the latest designer to plunge into stripes for spring, which were shown with the designers typical dedication to volume and old world glamour. From the oversize hats to the crisscrossing halter pieces, the designer seemed inspired by a fantasy summer of lounging and daytime cocktails. Swarovski crystals added sparkle, but the real stars of the show were the rainbow color combinations on several pieces, most notably a skirt and halter top whose petal -cut recalled a chic variation on the NBC peacock logo.

Proenza Schouler also showed stripes, but twisted, contorted and uneven as is the way of design duo Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. The labels use of shape remains masterful, whether bent, flared, slouched or belled (all of which were on display), and pleating has become a house signature. Although there was a quality of muchness again this season, its a restrained kind of maximalism that is based on an understanding of proportion and when enough is enough.

Johnson Hartig is having a red-hot renaissance. The showman behind Libertine said that business is up 400 percent in recent years, no doubt due to his extensive trunk sale touring and a swing of the fashion pendulum back toward excess. The maestro of maximalism celebrated Brit wit with Union Jack flag prints in abundance and portraits of Queen Elizabeth II. A white, neon paint-splattered chiffon dress was a beautiful abstract expressionistic departure from the sequins and beading elsewhere in the colllection and the Muppet fur-covered shoes were a fun, if entirely impractical touch throughout the collection.

Everyones taste had finally caught up with Libertine, Hartig said backstage following the show. Theres always someone who is first, but its very frustrating seeing mega-brands adopting our identity making billions of dollars from it and feeling dismissed. Touch wood, our business is greater than ever and we have a lovely life, but theres something about not appropriating ideas, they could at least acknowledge it. I think the savvy fashion person knows we were first and wants to stay true.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Asked what separates him from the new wave of maximalists Hartig had one word: Humor.

Sometimes its more subtle than at other times but its always there. One of the trims says Wake and bake me up before you go go, he laughed, referencing pot culture slang and the Wham! pop hit of the 1980s.

Speaking of humor and marijuana, accessories line Edie Parker went for both this season, with the signature resin clutches bearing words Weed, Shrooms and Kale among other things. The collection seemed to be a haute nod to hippie culture (perfect for the Summer of Love 50th anniversary in 2017) and also included picnic basket-inspired purses and stash bag drawstring sack purses. With potential legalization looming in California, both Libertine and Edie Parker are ready for the inevitable fashion tie-ins.

Tony Bravo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tbravo@sfchronicle.com
The views from atop Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County have long inspired photographers to make the climb to the summit. But few of their photos can compare to a night shot taken three weeks ago by Italian photographer Lorenzo Montezemolo.

Montezemolo hiked up the peak and set up his tripod as fog rolled in over homes twinkling in the darkness below. A full moon overhead supplied just the right amount of illumination for a three-minute exposure.
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Right after walking through the exit turnstile at Van Ness Station, Melissa Semcer heard her cell phone buzz, finding service that was lost during her Wednesday morning trip underground in San Francisco.

I was just on the train, texting someone who I was going to meet, and of course it didnt go through, said Semcer, an administrative law judge. And then I remembered: Im on Muni. Im not on BART.

But such an experience could become a thing of the past in 12 to 18 months, thanks to a plan announced Wednesday to bring cell service to most of the 5.25 miles of Munis subterranean routes, a breakthrough that Board of Supervisors President London Breed trumpeted as a game-changer.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency board is expected to vote Tuesday to allow BART officials, on behalf of Muni, to negotiate agreements with major cellular carriers to expand the existing underground network to the Muni tunnel from Embarcadero Station to West Portal Station. The new infrastructure will cost $5.9 million, which the carriers are expected to cover, and provide service to nearly 200,000 daily Muni riders, said BART Director Nick Josefowitz.

Though the BART tunnels are farther underground than Munis, BART riders have for years enjoyed subterranean cell service while their Muni counterparts have found their mobile phones, no matter how smart, outside the reach of cell towers.

Following the Municipal Transportation Agencys vote, the measure will go to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. The contracts under consideration with carriers could last as long as 15 years, or be as short as five.

The plan calls for piggybacking off the existing service on BART, which in 2004 became the first transit system in the nation to offer cell service for major wireless providers. The BART network is now used by AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and Metro PCS.

There are no plans to install free Wi-Fi on Muni, which BART scrapped after a messy trial period in 2014.

Stretches of the Muni subway are notorious for delays during peak hours, including routes running in the Market Street tunnel.

Josefowitz said that in the near future, commuters stuck underground on Muni will be able to shoot their bosses a text that theyll be late for work.

Even though we try so hard for people to not wind up delayed, just sometimes they do, Josefowitz said. Its important for them to be able to communicate that.

Besides not costing Muni anything, the cell-service deal could end up making money for the city if the transportation agency chooses to charge operating fees to carriers, Josefowitz said.

Ed Reiskin, the agencys director, said the cell-service initiative isnt distracting the agency from more pressing issues, explaining that many Muni riders have asked for underground cell phone service for a long time.

Its not detracting from our core needs, but its certainly an amenity for our riders, Reiskin said.

He also pointed out that cell service will be useful to city officials, especially when emergency personnel need to communicate deep underground in the Muni tunnels.

For now, the miles of Muni tunnels are some of the last places in San Francisco to escape people jabbering on their phones, often loudly and without much discretion. There are certain places on Earth where you dont want to have cell service, Josefowitz said. But Muni, he said, isnt one of them.

But regular Muni rider Terry McHugh, a retired San Francisco resident, disagreed.

Its going to be a generational answer, McHugh said of the benefits of having underground cell service on Muni. I dont need my phone for the short time Im in there. Personally, I can do without it, and I dont need people next to me yapping, anyway. Its just like airplanes. I would never, never want them to turn on cell service inside an airplane. Can you imagine?

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley
Daniel McPartlan / Daniel McPartlan

Shots were fired during a dispute between two men Wednesday morning a few blocks from San Pablo Park in Berkeley, prompting police to swarm the area in search of suspects, officials said.

Police received reports about 9 a.m. of gunfire near the park at Ashby Avenue and Sacramento Street, but by the time officers arrived, the shooter had fled, said Sgt. Andrew Frankel of the Berkeley Police Department.
San Francisco building department officials are being called before the Board of Supervisors to explain why the agency allowed the developer of the now-sinking Millennium Tower to avoid anchoring the condominium high-rise to bedrock, and why the city didnt tell prospective homeowners about the structures unusual settling before anyone moved in.

Many of the more than 400 buyers paid several million dollars for their condos in the downtown tower. The homeowners association says it is considering suing the developer and the public agency building the Transbay Transit Center next door, which the Millenniums owners have blamed for the towers problems, over the sinking.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin said Tuesday that the residents had arguably been defrauded  and didnt rule out the citys own culpability.

We are going to get to the bottom of how this happened, Peskin said at a City Hall news conference, complete with giant blow-ups of the 58-story condo tower and a potentially key city document showing that officials with the Department of Building Inspection were aware of the sinking problem in February 2009, two months before the agency gave the go-ahead for people to move into the high-rise at 301 Mission St.

Peskin called a supervisors hearing for Sept. 22 at which he said he would ask building officials to testify about the citys role in approving the Millennium. He also indicated he would explore whether officials had been pressured to approve the tower, though he gave no evidence that was the case.

I am led to believe there may have been some level of political interference, Peskin said, without elaborating.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom was mayor when the Millennium Tower was proposed and then constructed from 2006 to 2009. Frankly, I dont have any idea what he (Peskin) is suggesting, Newsom said Tuesday. As a consequence, I cant respond to it.

The Millennium has sunk 16 inches since opening in 2009, far more than the 6 inches that the builder initially predicted. A geotechnical engineer hired by the homeowners association warned in May that the tower was still settling at a rate of about an inch a year. He said the tower will most likely sink an additional 8 to 15 inches into the landfill beneath it unless steps are taken to stop it.

The buildings 2-inch tilt to the northwest at its base could get worse as well, geotechnical engineer Patrick Shires said.

In a letter to Building Inspection Director Tom Hui in preparation for next weeks hearing, Peskin raised a number of questions about the Millenniums construction.

He noted that among the 1,600 pages of documents on the project that the agency recently released to the media was a Feb. 2, 2009, letter to the towers consulting engineering firm from Raymond Lui, then the building departments deputy director for plan review services, asking about the towers larger than expected settlements.

What are the actual settlements now? What is the rate of settlements? Are the settlements still continuing? Lui asked in the letter.

Theres no evidence of a response from the firm, DeSimone Consulting Engineers, in the hundreds of documents that the Department of Building Inspection released, Peskin noted.

Stephen DeSimone, the firms owner, told The Chronicle that his outfit had responded to the letter, telling the city that the building was settling in accordance with the predicted settlement. He added that such a determination is not an exact science.

Peskin also said there is no paper trail showing why the city allowed tower builder Millennium Partners to sink the high-rises foundation piles 80 feet into the landfill, rather than 200 feet down to bedrock.

Peskin also noted that in 2008, building inspectors repeatedly asked about the towers prefabricated frame but that oddly, the subject of the structural foundation was not covered ... leading me to inquire whether or not there was a peer review of this critical aspect of the project.

DeSimone told The Chronicle that two independent peer reviews had been performed on the plans, at the citys insistence, before construction began.

Peskin also pointed to documents showing that in 2008, negotiations appear to have been ongoing to expedite safety inspections of the tower. On what basis did the city feel it should expedite the issuance of temporary occupancy permits? he asked.

Peskin asked that Amy Lee, acting director of the Department of Building Inspection when the Millennium was being constructed, appear at next weeks hearing of the supervisors Government Audit and Oversight Committee, along with agency officials Hanson Tom, William Strawn, Daniel Lowrey and Gary Ho. He said City Attorney Dennis Herrera will issue subpoenas if the five dont agree voluntarily to testify.

Officials with the Department of Building Inspection did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

One thing is incontrovertible  theres enough evidence that clearly shows Millennium Partners absolutely knew before they sold their first unit in the building that it was sinking, Peskin said in an interview. And to that end, I believe the city has a responsibility, when there is a failure to disclose, to make it right for the people who got cheated.

The towers homeowners association said it was notified of the problem only last year, well after the city apparently knew of the unusual rate of sinking.

Peskin declined to say how the city should make it right for the condo owners  including whether the city might be party to a lawsuit against the developer and its engineers.

P.J. Johnston, spokesman for Millennium Partners, said that suggesting the firm asked for or received any inappropriate treatment by city agencies ... is simply outrageous.

Johnston said the developer told the city in February 2009 that the sinking had surpassed expectations, but that at the time the drop was not severe enough to warrant informing prospective buyers.

We informed the city that the building had settled beyond 6 inches  to 8 inches  and that it was expected to settle another 2 to 4 inches, Johnston said. We also informed the city that the building could absorb that (drop) without any harmful effect.

Throughout the controversy, Millennium Partners has said the building is structurally sound. The company and the homeowners association are launching a new seismic study to determine how the high-rise would react in an earthquake, Johnston said Tuesday.

Safety is everyones top concern  appropriately so  and it is important to be able to reassure everyone that the building is seismically safe, Johnston said.

Millennium Partners conducted an earthquake safety study in 2014. Johnston said that nine-month study found there was no issue of safety, and he predicted the new study would produce similar findings.

The Millennium Tower is located on landfill, just off the bays original shoreline. It sits on a concrete platform, with piles that were driven 80 feet into dense sand, but well short of bedrock.

Johnston said the sinking had leveled off when the construction was completed in 2009  but started up again when digging began for the new Transbay Transit Center going up across the street.

The Transbay Joint Powers Authority, the public agency constructing the transit center, has denied causing the problem.

Peskin also wants to know whether other downtown high-rises were approved without going to bedrock.

We have to make policy decisions as to whether or not we are going to allow these kind of friction piling systems under very heavy, very tall buildings, he said.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross
Samsung plans to issue a software update for its recalled Galaxy Note 7 smartphones that will prevent them from overheating by limiting battery recharges to 60 percent.

The front page of the Seoul Shinmun, a South Korean newspaper, carried a Samsung advertisement on Tuesday announcing the software update for any users of the Note 7 who are continuing to use the smartphone.

The update for South Korean users will start Sept. 20, it said.

It was not clear when the update may be issued overseas. Also unclear was whether it will be forced on Note 7 phones regardless of user consent.

Samsung plans to begin issuing new Note 7s with batteries it says will not be prone to overheating starting Sept. 19 in South Korea. It recalled 2.5 million of the devices just two weeks after their release after dozens of cases in which batteries exploded or caught fire.

Real Estate

Hawaii most

expensive state

A new report shows that Hawaii has the nations highest average home prices as the cost of housing has soared over the last year.

The 2016 Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report ranked states based on their average price for a home with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Hawaii took the top spot with average home prices at nearly $905,000. Thats about $325,000 more than homes in the second-priciest state, Massachusetts.

Honolulu had the states highest average home prices this year at $1.2 million. The city ranked 14th among the nations municipalities, up from 17th in 2015.

The countrys most expensive market is Saratoga, where the average four-bedroom home costs $2.5 million.

Space

SpaceX to fly

in November

SpaceX, which lost a rocket in a launch-pad fireball Sept. 1, is seeking to restart flights in November.

Were anticipating getting back to flight  being down for about three months  and getting back to flight in the November time frame, Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell said Tuesday at an event in Paris. Well obviously take another look at the rocket, focus on the ground systems.

The company lost the Falcon 9 rocket in a blast that also incinerated an Israeli telecommunications satellite that Facebook had planned to use to improve Internet service in Africa.

SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, is still trying to determine the cause.

Utilities

$4 million deal

for gas leak

Prosecutors say they reached a $4 million settlement with a utility that had a massive gas leak that forced thousands of Los Angeles residents from their homes.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said Tuesday that the settlement requires Southern California Gas Co. to adopt expensive safety measures at its Aliso Canyon facility that go beyond federal and state requirements.

The company pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of failing to immediately report the gas leak.

The well leaked for nearly four months and led more than 8,000 families to move out of their homes in the Porter Ranch area of the San Fernando Valley.

Social media

Facebook apologizes

Facebooks chief operating officer has apologized to Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg for deleting a photograph from its pages and conceded that we dont always get it right.

Sheryl Sandberg said in a letter to Solberg that shed raised important issues about Facebooks decision to remove postings of a 1972 image of a naked, screaming girl running from a napalm attack in Vietnam. On Friday, following protests in Norway the Menlo Park company reversed its decision and allowed the photo Terror of War to be seen on its pages.

In a letter Saturday, Sandberg conceded that historical importance sometimes ... outweighs the importance of keeping nudity off Facebook, after Solberg had reposted the 1972 image and other photos with black boxes covering parts of the images.

Chronicle News Services
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While U.S. household incomes rose and poverty levels dropped, U.S. census figures released Tuesday show that many Americans  particularly those in high-cost housing states like California  continue to struggle.

The income gains, the largest since the U.S. Census Bureau began recording such figures in 1967, signaled a key turning point in the American economy as it continues to recover from the punishing recession of nearly a decade ago. Health insurance rates also improved across the country, particularly in California, the census data show. But the figures also show the improvements arent shared equally.

When you factor in our high housing costs, what you find is California has the highest poverty level in the nation, said Alissa Anderson, senior policy analyst with the California Budget and Policy Center in Sacramento.

The figures showed American household income increased by 5.2 percent between 2014 and 2015  from $53,718 to $56,516  while the official poverty rate fell by 1.2 percentage points.

This marked the first sustained increase in median household income since 2007 adjusted for inflation, just before the most recent recession.

While Tuesdays figures were primarily national  state and smaller geographic breakdowns will be released later  some of the data showed stark contrasts between the states.

Almost 8 million Californians, or 20.6 percent of residents, did not make enough money to pay for the basics needed to support themselves, according to an index in the census figures called the Supplemental Policy Measure.

The measure, which was first used in 2010, calculates poverty in a three-year index and factors in housing and other costs not included in the official poverty index, which is limited to cash income. The U.S. average was 15.1 percent.

Still, Tuesdays census figures were widely viewed as positive news for the country.

Its a very good picture both in terms of family income and health, said Ken Jacobs, chairman of UC Berkeleys Center for Labor and Research and Education.

The numbers showed that in addition to the income gains, only 9 percent of Americans lacked health insurance last year. That translates to almost 7 million fewer uninsured Americans in 2015 than in 2014.

In California, the state uninsured rate dropped dramatically  from 17.2 percent in 2013, before the major provisions of the federal health law known as the Affordable Care Act went into effect, to 8.6 percent in 2015, according to one of the two data sets released Tuesday.

California also had the largest one-year decline in uninsured, with a 3.9 percentage-point drop from 2014 to 2015.

California has both strong enrollment in Covered California and strong enrollment in Medicaid, said Jacobs, referring to the states health insurance marketplace and the state-federal health program for the poor. It really demonstrates how well California has done in implementing the Affordable Care Act.

Texas had the highest uninsured rate in 2015, at 17.1 percent, while Massachusetts had the lowest at 2.8 percent.

On Thursday, the Census Bureau will release single-year estimates of median household income, poverty and health insurance for all states, counties, places and other geographic units with populations of 65,000 or more. Additional figures will be released in October.

The bureau reported Tuesday that the percentage of Americans living in poverty, defined as only cash income, dropped to 13.5 percent in 2015 from 14.8 percent in 2014. While that marked one of the largest single-year declines in decades, it was still higher than the 12.3 percent poverty rate before the recession began in 2006.

Certainly, were trending in the right direction, Anderson, of the California Budget and Policy Center, said. But our key take-away is far too many people are struggling to get by.

Victoria Colliver is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vcolliver@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @vcolliver

Key census findings

Poverty: Some 43.1 million people, or 13.5 percent of Americans, fell below the poverty line in 2015  3.5 million fewer than in 2014. That amounted to 1.3 percentage point decrease in the poverty rate between 2014 and 2015, which is the largest annual percentage point drop in poverty since 1999.

Health insurance: The percentage of people without health insurance coverage for the 2015 calendar year was 9 percent, down from 10.4 percent in 2014. The number of Americans without health insurance declined to 29 million from 33 million over the period.

Income: The median income of Hispanic households increased by 6.1 percent between 2014 and 2015. Non-Hispanic white and black households saw increases of 4.4 percent and 4.1 percent respectively, while the change in Asian household incomes was not statistically significant.

Regions: The census provided some regional but not state data for changes in median household income between 2014 and 2015. Income increased 6.4 percent in the West, 5.1 percent in the Midwest, 4.9 percent in the Northeast and 2.9 percent in the South.
ALBUQUERQUE  Facebook has chosen a village on the edge of New Mexicos largest metropolitan area as the location for its new data center, an announcement that spread quickly Wednesday as elected officials celebrated a hard-sought win that could have ripple effects for the states struggling economy.

News of the social media companys decision to build in Los Lunas, just south of Albuquerque, comes after a roller-coaster contest between New Mexico and Utah to attract the facility.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich broke the news on social media, and the rest of the congressional delegation followed minutes later. Gov. Susana Martinez in a statement welcomed what she described as a stellar, cutting-edge company. In Los Lunas, village officials were rejoicing.

This is huge for the state of New Mexico, for the region, for the whole Southwest. This is a big win, said Ralph Mims, the villages economic development director.

The courting of the Menlo Park company began more than a year ago with a meeting between the Republican governor and Facebook executives. During a visit to California, Martinez and her economic development team pitched the sparsely populated state as a good place to do business.

New Mexico wasnt on the radar before that August 2015 meeting.

With the improvements weve made over the past several years, New Mexico is finally competing again, and in this case, its a big win for the people of our state and our economic future, the governor said.

While the project has enjoyed broad political support in New Mexico, local leaders in Utah pushed back against a tax-incentive plan they saw as too generous.

Utah supporters said the project would bring a high-tech cachet that could draw other companies to West Jordan, but critics said the cost was too high for land that could attract other development.

The village of Los Lunas, meanwhile, agreed to give up all property taxes for 30 years in exchange for annual payments from Facebook that start at $50,000 and top out at less than $500,000. The complex economic development agreement also involves tax breaks on billions of dollars in computer equipment over time.

In Utah, an initial $240 million tax-break plan publicly fell apart one night in August after several leaders said the lure was too rich. Talks were revived the next morning, but two weeks later, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said the deal looked dormant, if not dead.

Data centers are key to the booming cloud-computing economy, but they typically bring few local jobs.

Los Lunas officials have said the center would be a $1.8 billion construction project creating 300 direct temporary jobs and just 50 permanent jobs. Thats far fewer than the steady employment at the local Walmart distribution center.

New Mexico officials have appeared eager to please Facebook after the state was hit hard by a downturn in the oil and natural gas sectors. Santa Clara chipmaker Intel, meanwhile, has been cutting jobs at a major manufacturing plant that was an early beneficiary of similar property tax breaks using industrial revenue bonds.

Officials hope Facebook construction will spill over into other parts of the economy, including three industrial-scale solar power plants that would be built to offset electricity consumed by the data center.

Mims dismissed criticism of the package created to woo Facebook.

If you want to bring business in, you have to offer incentives, he said. This is the biggest thing since Intel, and you have to look at the economic development spillover. Its not just about the data center.

State officials say Facebook has committed to buying local materials and hiring local employees to the greatest extent possible.

Construction is expected to start next month, with the center opening in late 2018.
Technology and diversity were the talk of the town at TechCrunchs Disrupt San Francisco event this week.

Held this year in a warehouse space on Pier 48, the event is somewhere between a religious revival and trade show. It attracted some 4,000 attendees, including a mix of the usual suspects and new faces. Startups competed to pitch in front of an audience of fellow entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
At SFGATE, we're profiling contributing photographers of our Instagram page. This week, the spotlight is on Jay Dea.

A native San Franciscan born and raised in the Richmond District, Dea recently moved to the East Bay. He started up his @commutelife Instagram page several months ago to document his daily BART and Muni commute to and from his corporate job in San Francisco. It has since evolved to encompass street life in San Francisco as well.
Amid protests against same-sex marriage in Mexico, one boy stood up to the crowds of protesters on Saturday in a photo that has gained worldwide attention.

The 12-year-old is seen standing in front of an estimated crowd of 11,000 protesters in Celaya, Guanajuato, with his arms stretched out in an attempt to stop the crowd.

Reporter Manuel Rodriguez is credited with taking the photo of the boy. The crowds were in response to a move by Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto to legalize same-sex marriage in the country. Protests happened over the weekend in Chihuahua, Coahuila and Jalisco, Fusion reported.

Rodriguez said initially he thought the boy was just "playing" when he stepped in front of the crowds.

"At first, I thought the child was only playing," Rodriguez told Mexican newspaper, Regeneracion.

That wasn't the case, as it turned out.

The photographer later reportedly spoke with the boy and asked why he was there in front of the oncoming crowds. According to Rodriguez, the boy said, "I have an uncle who is gay and I hate people that hate."

Regeneracion and other news organizations who've shared the picture since have likened the photo to the infamous "Tank Man" photo of a Chinese man blocking a line of tanks at Tiananmen Square in 1989.

"The image recalls, for its elements (an individual of unknown identity facing a much larger force him to defend a cause that considers fair), the famous photograph of "Tank Man" protests Tiananmen Square, China, in 1989," Regeneracion wrote, according to USA Today.

Currently, same-sex marriage is allowed in several states in Mexico, including Coahuila, Quintana Roo, Jalisco, Nayarit, Chihuahua and Sonora, as well as Mexico City, the Guardian reported. Other states do not allow same-sex marriage.

Organizations such as the National Front for the Family called on opponents of same-sex marriage to protest over the weekend. Supporters for same-sex marriage marched on Monday, stated Mashable.
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Hoping to put the issue of her health behind her as she gets ready to return to the campaign trail, Hillary Clinton on Wednesday released an updated review of her physical fitness and details about a recent bout of pneumonia.

She is recovering well with antibiotics and rest, said her doctor, Lisa Bardack, in a letter released by her campaign. She continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as President of the United States.

The details made public by the Democratic presidential nominee included a description of the pneumonia diagnosis she received last week. Her illness became public after she left Sundays 9/11 memorial service in New York early and was seen on video staggering while getting into a van.

The health episode fueled long-simmering conservative conspiracy theories about Clintons health and provided a fresh line of attack for rival Donald Trump, who has frequently questioned whether Clinton has the stamina to serve as commander in chief.

Clinton, 68, has blood pressure of 100 over 70  within healthy levels and not signaling the need for any medications. She has also had a normal mammogram and breast ultrasound, according to the letter. Her total cholesterol was 189; her LDL or bad cholesterol was 103, and her HDL or good cholesterol was 56  all within healthy levels and not signaling the need for any medications.

The Republican nominee, meanwhile, handed over a one-page summary of a recent physical exam to the celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz while taping an episode of Ozs talk show. But voters will have to wait another day for details: the show does not air until Thursday.

In the end, Trump provided Oz with some information about his physical examination, including that he weighs 267 pounds, which the National Institutes of Health classify as obese for a man of about 6-foot-2.

The letter from Bardack, the chair of internal medicine at CareMount Medical in Mount Kisco, N.Y., said a chest scan revealed the candidate had mild, non-contagious bacterial pneumonia. She was treated with a 10-day course of Levaquin, an antibiotic used to treat infections.

The letter says the illness stemmed from a bout of seasonal allergies that developed into an upper respiratory tract infection and cough. Clintons pneumonia symptoms began around the start of this month, and she saw Bardack on Sept. 2 for a low-grade fever, congestion and fatigue.

The letter also notes that in January, during the run-up to the Iowa caucuses, Clinton received treatment for a sinus and ear infection that included placing a drainage tube in her left ear. A CT scan of her brain and sinuses showed no abnormalities and mild chronic sinus inflammation.
Happy Eid!!!Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne joins Durham Region Muslims in Eid celebrationWHITBY -- Durham Region Muslims celebrated Eid Al Adha, a holy holiday, alongside the Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne at an inter-faith service at the Whitby Abilities Centre on September 11.Story continues belowAdvertisementThe service featured prayers, speakers from several faiths, politicians, food, and music. Eid Al Adha is a Muslim holiday, also known as the feast of sacrifice, which commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham.Iman Habeeb Ali, who organized the inter-faith service, says he was happy to see the political support and the community coming together. Some of the politicians in attendance included MPP Joe Dickson, MPP Lorne Coe, and MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes.Story continues belowAdvertisementI believe that Abraham is the patriarch of Jews, Muslims and Christians, he said, adding he thought there ought to be a shared celebration. Its such a beautiful thing to do.Premier Wynne spoke at the service, thanking the Imans who lead the prayers, and referenced their prayers in her speech.The Lord did not put us on this planet to divide and harm each other The Lord put us on this planet to help, include each other in all institutions, like this one, which is an emblem of inclusion, she said, referring to the Abilities Centre.She noted that aside from first nations people, everyone in Canada has come from somewhere else, acknowledging Syrian refugees in attendance as the most recent people to come to Canada.Its wonderful you are here, the Premier said. We want you to be successful in the way our grandmas and grandpas were, and that means we have to work at it.Rama, one of the refugees, who came from Peterbourogh, said she was happy to be at an Eid celebration and that it was different to see how it was celebrated here from in Syria.
WASHINGTON  Interior Secretary Sally Jewell gave final approval in Palm Springs on Wednesday for a sweeping renewable energy development plan within nearly 11 million acres of public lands in Californias Mojave Desert, one of the largest intact ecosystems in the continental United States.

Jewell described the California desert as the epicenter of President Obamas goal to produce 20,000 megawatts of solar and wind power on public lands as a key element of his agenda to fight climate change, which she called the most pressing issue of our time.

The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, a joint effort between California and the federal government, sets aside more than 600 square miles of land for renewable energy development, with streamlined permitting for giant solar and wind plants, mainly in Riverside and Imperial counties. Another 625 square miles are available for potential development under stricter rules. More than 6,500 square miles are set aside for conservation, meaning industrial development is ruled out.

The plan, which is being administered by the Bureau of Land Management, has generated enormous controversy, pitting national environmental groups concerned about climate change against local conservationists who insist that the state should concentrate instead on rooftop solar, which generates power on developed land rather than in remote wild areas.

The solar and wind industries have criticized the plan as all but unworkable, as did off-road-vehicle recreationists.

The desert plan has taken nearly the entire eight years of Obamas presidency to complete, complicated by the need to reconcile two inherently conflicting goals: putting big solar and wind farms on public land to fight climate change, while at the same time conserving the fragile desert ecosystem, which scientists say is a large natural carbon sink.

Plant biologist James Andre, director of UC Riversides Granite Mountains Desert Research Center in the Mojave National Preserve, dismissed environmentalists who back the plan that treats public land ecosystems as commodities for industrial purposes.

Large environmental groups that support the administration on climate change hailed the plan as a way to save the Mojave from an onslaught of renewable-energy development while still using the desert to meet greenhouse gas targets.

The plan also got a strong endorsement from Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the California Democrat who has built her legacy on desert conservation.

With Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton promising to increase by tenfold the amount of renewable energy on public lands, supporters said that restricting that development to less intact areas of the desert will help preserve the rest.

We will be entering the next push for projects in a much more organized way than we were before, said Kim Delfino, California director for Defenders of Wildlife, which supports the plan. Eight years ago, it was a free-for-all out there. Now developers are being told these are the more degraded places to go.

Karen Douglas, a commissioner on the California Energy Commission and a key architect of the plan, said this week that meeting Californias ambitious climate goals will require industrial-scale solar of the kind that can be put in the desert.

She said that the state is also looking at other areas for industrial solar such as degraded farmland in the San Joaquin Valley but that the desert remains a really important part of our portfolio to meet climate targets.

The planning effort grew out of mistakes made early in Obamas first term, when billions of dollars in subsidies led to a solar and wind land rush in the Mojave and siting decisions that now are widely viewed as irreversible mistakes. The most prominent of these is at Ivanpah (San Bernardino County). Built on 6 square miles of endangered desert tortoise habitat with more than $2 billion in federal subsidies, the massive solar complex is still wrestling with thousands of fatalities of birds and bats zapped each year by its concentrated solar beams.

Delfino said the plan will stop the threat of industrialization of miles of pristine desert in places such as the stunning Silurian Valley at the gateway to Death Valley National Park.

But Randy Banis, who represented off-road vehicle users on the plans advisory committee, said the initiative drastically reduces recreational opportunities for the more than 5 million visitors a year who use desert lands that are all but inaccessible without a vehicle.

Shannon Eddy, executive director of the Large-Scale Solar Association, said the plan is a big disappointment. She called the plan out of step with climate goals ... a Model T in a Tesla world.

Carolyn Lochhead is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com
On Saturday, what would have been Leonardo Sanchez's second birthday, his family will not have the party they had planned.

Instead, they will hold a funeral.

In a tragedy that unfolded in a matter of minutes at a day-care center in West Jordan, a suburb to the southwest of Salt Lake City, Danielle Sanchez lost her son.

"He was a cute bundle of joy," Sanchez said to Salt Lake City's Fox 13. "He brought a lot of love."

Sanchez left Leonardo at West Jordan Child Center on Sept. 8. It would mark the last moment she saw her son alive. Around noon, the toddler was playing with other children at the center - not unusual for a boy who, according to his mother, was always the life of the party.

He crept beneath a bean bag chair at the day-care center to hide, according to West Jordan police who later reviewed security camera footage from that day. An employee of the center, seemingly unaware of Leonardo's whereabouts, then sat on top of the chair.

Why the employee did not notice Leonardo, or the child's apparent absence from the room, is unclear.

"I'm just confused," Sanchez said to NBC affiliate KSL. "I'm so confused on how you don't know where my kid is. How do you not feel him? How do you not hear him scream?"

She said that police told her that, for several minutes, the employee sat on the chair and read to other children. Sgt. Joe Monson, with the West Jordan police, called the incident a tragic accident. Police say Leonardo was under the chair for up to 15 minutes before the day-care center noticed he was missing. He suffocated beneath the chair and was discovered unconscious.

Responders attempted to resuscitate the toddler at the day care, the Saint Louis Tribune reported. He was pronounced dead at Salt Lake City's Primary Children's Hospital later that night.

On Friday, Dan Sanchez, the boy's father, told KUTV that the day-care needed to change its practices and be held accountable.

"We regret deeply the tragic death of a young toddler at our day care facility. No words adequately describe the depth of the sorrow we feel. And, of course, we do not pretend to understand how devastating this is for the family," West Jordan Child Center said in a statement Friday through its attorney Barry Johnson.

As Johnson told KSL: "We know the family well, we grieve with them, and we pray that God will provide them the comfort and peace they inevitably will need."

The day-care center had two violations in the previous five years, according to a spokesman for the Utah Department of Health's child-care licensing program; in one instance, children were left unsupervised. The department is investigating the circumstances of Leonardo's death.

As of Friday, no charges had been filed against the unnamed employee. West Jordan officials were unable to respond to a request for comment from The Washington Post early Tuesday.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post  Ben Guarino  NATIONAL  Sep 13, 2016 - 7:40 AM
Gun rights advocates dont enjoy being falsely depicted as dimwits who cant answer the most basic of questions about their No. 1 public policy issue.Thats the takeaway from a defamation lawsuit filed today against Katie Couric and the producers of  Under the Gun , a documentary about gun violence in the United States. Having debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January, the documentary itself came under the gun in May, when members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) claimed that it slighted them by mal-editing an interview in which theyd participated. In response to a question from Couric, the films narrator, the gun rights advocates were depicted as sitting in baffled silence for nearly 10 seconds.In fact, they had supplied an extensive response to Courics question.Many onlookers, including the Erik Wemple Blog , blasted the film for this portrayal. Couric, the global anchor of Yahoo News, initially stood by the product but ultimately apologized for the misleading edit. The films director, Stephanie Soechtig, wasnt so contrite. I think its sad to say that these eight seconds didnt give the VCDL a platform to speak. Their views are expressed repeatedly throughout the film; we know how they feel about background checks. They said it earlier in the film, said Soechtig in an interview after the furor Intransigence of that sort may bedevil Soechtig in a legal action filed by the VCDL and two gun rights defenders in the film  Daniel Hawes and Patricia Webb  against Couric, Soechtig, Atlas Films and Epix, the documentarys distributor. Filed in a Virginia federal court by Elizabeth Locke of Clare Locke LLP, the complaint states, The Defendants manipulated the footage in service of an agenda: they wanted to establish that there is no basis for opposing background checks, by fooling viewers into believing that even a panel of pro-Second Amendment advocates could not provide one. It seeks compensatory damages of $12 million, and punitive damages of $350,000 per plaintiff.mo




Juncker proposes EU military headquarters





Upbeat message - BBC News Europe editor Katya Adler, Strasbourg



Jean-Claude Juncker and his team agonised over the wording of Wednesday's speech.



The UK's vote to leave the EU is undoubtedly one of the biggest crises the bloc has ever faced but Mr Juncker was determined not to dwell on it.



There were few words on Brexit. His main message: "The European project continues. Let's choose to look forward. Be positive."



Applause resounded around the chamber of the European Parliament but how will the voters outside react?



Are they even listening? The drumbeat of nationalist, Eurosceptic populism reverberates around the continent. Public trust in the establishment is low - whether traditional politicans, bankers or EU bureaucrats - and Mr Juncker is an unelected president.

How did MEPs react?





Mr Farage accused the European Commission president of "sticking to dogma"



Anti-EU MEPs lined up to criticise Mr Juncker's rallying cry.



UKIP' Nigel Farage said it was "the usual recipe: more Europe, in this particular case, more military Europe''.



Peter Lundgren of the anti-migrant Sweden Democrats said his country had always been neutral militarily. "We don't want to be forced into this type of military co-operation," he said.



But Belgium's Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's lead negotiator on Brexit, said the EU still offered the "cure" for "the cancer of nationalism".



Anti-EU MEPs lined up to criticise Mr Juncker's rallying cry.UKIP' Nigel Farage said it was "the usual recipe: more Europe, in this particular case, more military Europe''.Peter Lundgren of the anti-migrant Sweden Democrats said his country had always been neutral militarily. "We don't want to be forced into this type of military co-operation," he said.But Belgium's Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's lead negotiator on Brexit, said the EU still offered the "cure" for "the cancer of nationalism".

What is the EU Commission president's state of the union address?



The president of the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, has delivered an annual state of the union address since 2010.



Modelled on the annual speech by the US president, its aim is to report on the condition of the EU and outline a future legislative agenda.





Juncker proposes EU military headquarters - BBC News

The president of the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, has delivered an annual state of the union address since 2010.Modelled on the annual speech by the US president, its aim is to report on the condition of the EU and outline a future legislative agenda.

BBC News14 September 2016The European Union needs a military headquarters to work towards a common military force, the Commission president has told MEPs in Strasbourg.Jean-Claude Juncker said the lack of a "permanent structure" resulted in money being wasted on missions.Part of his annual state of the union address was devoted to the UK's unexpected vote to leave the EU.He insisted that the bloc was not at risk and urged Brexit negotiations to take place as quickly as possible.Mr Juncker warned that the UK could not expect selective "a la carte" access to the internal market without accepting free movement of people.The single market has dominated the Brexit debate in the UK. Prime Minister Theresa May distanced herself from remarks by Brexit minister David Davis when he said remaining in the single market would be "very improbable" if it meant giving up control of British borders.The Brexit vote has given added impetus to plans for greater defence co-operation, because the UK has always objected to the potential conflict of interest with Nato.But Mr Juncker said a common military force "should be in complement to Nato". "More defence in Europe doesn't mean less transatlantic solidarity."A European Defence Fund would stimulate military research and development, he said.Mr Juncker admitted the EU was facing an "existential crisis", but he said it had to deliver "concrete results" in response - highlighting priorities including ensuring stability, security and tackling social injustice.He urged a renewed focus on the EU as a "driving force that can bring about unification, for instance in Cyprus"."Above all, Europe means peace. It is no coincidence that the longest period of peace began with the formation of the European community," he said.Splits in the Union had led to "galloping populism" and Europe had to be protected from them, he said.In a blunt criticism of recent attacks on immigrants in the UK, he said he would "never accept Polish workers being beaten up and harassed on the streets of Essex".EU leaders meet in Slovakia's capital Bratislava on Friday - without UK Prime Minister Theresa May.Late on Tuesday, their leader in the European Council - Donald Tusk - made his own intervention into the debate on the EU's future.In a letter traditionally written to leaders ahead of a summit, Mr Tusk suggested the EU should be mindful of its own ambitions in light of the Brexit vote."The keys to a healthy balance between the priorities of member states and those of the Union lie in national capitals," Mr Tusk said."The institutions should support the priorities as agreed among member states, and not impose their own ones."That remark contrasted with Mr Juncker's insistence on Wednesday that "too often, national interests are brought to the fore" in Europe.There were several other themes in Mr Juncker's speech, including:The Union's role in maintainingand sharing the burden of economic downturn, such as, he proposed, doubling investment in the EU to 500bn (425bn; $560bn) in the next five years and creating an investment fund for AfricaThe need forin the Union - he urged protection for unaccompanied minors migrating to the EU - but said this must "come from the heart" and could not "be forced or imposed"Promotingincluding strengthening the EU's borders and promoting greater security co-operation between member states, as well as greater military centralisation.
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A bit of history will roll through the countryside next month.

On Oct. 1, the Goldenrod Tractor Ride is set to take place. Area residents are invited to bring their old tractors for a 53-mile ride across Nebraska through the communities of Dodge, Douglas and Saunders counties.

This marks the sixth year for the event, which not only provides a scenic ride for old-time tractor enthusiasts, but raises money for charitable causes.

All proceeds raised through the 2016 event will be donated to The Hope Center for Kids-Fremont.

There will be a $20 donation for the ride.

On the day of the event, a drivers meeting will start at 8 a.m. at Hansen Tire, 1590 Morningside Road in Fremont. Participants are encouraged to come early for coffee and doughnuts and to complete a registration form.

Well be leaving from Hansen Tire at 8:30 a.m. sharp, said John Ferguson, organizer.

From there, participants will travel to Leshara for the first break. After that, the route goes to Waterloo for lunch. The Waterloo Fire and Rescue Department is hosting the lunch.

Cost of the lunch is $10. Each person will pay for his or her own lunch.

Next, tractor drivers will head to the Menards Distribution Center in Valley for an open house tour and on to Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area for a short break.

Plans are to be back to Hansen Tire at about 4 or 4:30 p.m.

The event is open to people with any make and model of tractor, 1977 or older. Drivers must have a valid drivers license. The tractors must be able to maintain a minimum speed of 13 miles per hour and have a clearly visible slow moving vehicle sign.

Only one person is allowed per tractor with the exception of a seat or setup designed for two people.

The tractors cannot pull campers, small carts or trailers. No dual allowed and all traffic laws will be enforced.

Throughout the years, the tractor drive has given participants a chance for fellowship and an opportunity to enjoy a scenic ride.

Its going to be a little later in the year (for the event), Ferguson said. Well see a lot more of the fall colors, which will be something different. We hope and pray theres going to be good weather.

The tractor ride also helps raise funds for good causes.

This year, organizers have selected The Hope Center-Fremont to receive the proceeds.

The Hope Center benefits youths in various ways. Youths are taught life and employment skills. They get homework help and are taken on college visits. They have the opportunity to hear about and grow in the knowledge of Gods love. They have recreational opportunities.

While there is no preregistration, its imperative that event organizers have a head count for lunch. So those planning to attend are asked to contact John at 402-720-9606 or Cheryl Ferguson at 402-720-2730 or email GOTRA@msn.com.

Ferguson also noted that area residents sometimes watch as the tractors roll by.

He plans to get ahold of nursing homes in Valley so staffers can have older residents outside when the tractors are in that community.

Thats one of my favorite things, Ferguson said. They see the old tractors and it reminds them of when they were running that kind of equipment.
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NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has sent Earthlings a few more photos to look over as it continues to explore the landscape of the Red Planet.

And this batch of photos looks oddly familiar.

The photos are from an area of the planet called the "Murray Buttes," which is a region of lower Mount Sharp. The Martian buttes and mesas rising above the surface are eroded remnants of ancient sandstone that originated when winds deposited sand after lower Mount Sharp had formed.

MORE MARS: 'Skeletal remains' spotted in NASA Mars rover Curiosity photo

"Studying these buttes up close has given us a better understanding of ancient sand dunes that formed and were buried, chemically changed by groundwater, exhumed and eroded to form the landscape that we see today," Curiosity Project Scientist Ashwin Vasavada says in a news release.

These findings could lead to more proof to the theory that Mars once hosted life. Furthermore it comes after the rover successfully found evidence in 2014 on the surrounding plains of Mount Sharp that ancient Martian lakes could have offered conditions that would have been favorable for microbes if Mars ever hosted life.

OTHER WORLD BEAUTY: NASA rover takes interactive 360-degree panorama of Mars

We haven't found any conspiracy theorists claiming they see a Glock, or an alien's skull or anything else, but we'll keep you updated if the theorists' imaginations can form something we can't.

But for the meantime, take a look at the rock formations shared by NASA and the conspiracy theories already created with other photos from Mars in the gallery above.

MORE SIGHTINGS? Pretty sure this skull found on Mars is that of an alien or Bigfoot
J.B. Wilsons set for Marin Theatre Companys August: Osage County, which opened Tuesday, Sept. 13, looks as if it could spring offstage and whack audience members upside the head.

That weapon is just a table, around which three generations of a family eat together, for the first time in years, in the wake of a ghastly shock. But that table, placed at the center of a wooden skeleton of a three-story house, is enormous, angled steeply from a second story down to the stage. (In the shows big meal scene, actors sit on the steps of two staircases, one on either side of it.) The set pieces boards widen as they get closer to the audience, creating the illusion that the table is even longer than it actually is, stretching toward a vanishing point skyward, like a bludgeon held in the hand of God.

It doesnt actually strike the audience, of course, but that table nonetheless fulfills the promise of its expressionistic design, meting out dolorous punishment on the cursed Weston family, and on one member in particular, who later says she was spoiling for a fight.

The curse on this rural Oklahoma clan isnt as explicit as it is in, say, Greek tragedy. The play alludes only vaguely to ancestors genocide of Indians, and no god or prophet directly tells the audience that the sins of the parents  addiction, squandered talent, meager love, unfair expectations and an incisive breed of cruelty that homes in on unhealed wounds  must be visited upon the children. But Tracy Letts drama carries so much moral heft, paints so full a portrait of the pain that only family members can induce, that its doom feels religiously ordained.

August: Osage County caused great fanfare when it premiered in 2007, winning the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for best play the next year. Revisiting it today, Jasson Minadakis, who directs a 13-member cast, makes the case that the play wasnt just a success of its moment but rather an enduring and unique contribution to the tradition of the American family play.

If The Glass Menagerie is a story of the prodigal son leaving home, and in Buried Child the prodigal son comes back to a home thats forgotten him, then August: Osage County writes the next chapter. We now live in a world where children, having long departed the family homestead, only visit. Ours is a society, the play attests, that will one day be defined by our failure to care for, to simply be with, our elders as they sicken and near the end of life  not that those elders make it easy, or even possible, to do so.

A defining image in this production is its final one: Violet (Sherman Fracher), the matriarch, having driven out all her relatives by blood and marriage, can seek solace only by weeping in the lap of Johnna (Kathleen Pizzo), the American Indian help her husband, Beverly (Will Marchetti), hired.

Minadakis cast is excellent in achieving that rare quality that is the backbone of every great drama: In each conflict, both diametrically opposed sides feel urgently, absolutely in the right. A special commendation goes to Arwen Anderson as Barbara, Violets imperious daughter, whose Im running things now! declaration at the close of act two feels both righteous and foreboding of still further hell.

A veteran of Bay Area stages, Anderson often plays roles in which she radiates goodness and openness, so to see her rankle, bloviate and flail with equal command is a true treat, but just one in a production thats full of them  assuming you can stand how close to home it might hit.

Lily Janiak is The San Francisco Chronicles theater critic. Email: ljaniak@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LilyJaniak

August: Osage County: By Tracy Letts. Directed by Jasson Minadakis. Through Oct. 2. Three hours, 15 minutes. $22-$60. Marin Theatre Company, 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley. (415) 388-5208. www.marintheatre.org

To see a video: https://vimeo.com/182468776
Helen (Johnson) Juul died Sept. 12, 2016, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Community.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Community Chapel in Blair. Burial will follow at Blair Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday at First Lutheran Church in Blair with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m.

Helen Ethel Johnson Juul was born on Feb. 3, 1924, on a farm near Kennard to Johnny Ben and Ethel Johnson. She grew up in Kennard and graduated from Kennard High School in 1941. After graduating, she moved to Omaha and worked at Union Pacific until she was married to the love of her life, Jim Juul, on Dec. 15, 1945.

They lived in Blair and Omaha for a short time and then returned to the family farm north of Blair where they spent their lives. After her daughters left for college, Helen started working in the food service at Blair High School. She would help prepare the food and then serve lunch to the children at West School. She loved being the Lunch Teacher as the kids called her.

Jim and Helen celebrated 68 years of marriage before Jim died on Dec. 18, 2013. Anyone who met them knew without a doubt, that they adored each other and their marriage was a testament of true love. After his death, Helen moved to Assisted Living at Shepherds Village in Blair. Helen loved spending time with her friends, listening to music, dancing and looking at family pictures. The family often heard comments about her blue eyes, her bright smile and her contagious laugh.

She is survived by her daughters, Jeannie Juul of Omaha and Barbara (Ron )Lau of Omaha; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Karyn Lomax (Jimmy), Sienna and Dreyson, Scott Lau (Katherine), Regan and Sawyer, and Mark Lau (Alice) and Sofia; brother, Glenn Johnson (Faye); several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Russell (Doriece) and Robert (Betty) Johnson; two nieces, Renee Johnson Morgan and Denise Johnson Rast; and one nephew, Donnie Johnson.

Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair is in charge of arrangements.
City Controller Ben Rosenfield released a long-awaited report on Tuesday that weighs in on one of the wonkiest but important policy questions before the city: What is the maximum amount of affordable housing the city should require developers to sell and rent without jeopardizing overall housing construction?

With the help of outside consultants and nonprofit and private developers, he concluded San Francisco should require between 14 and 18 percent of new apartment units be rented at below-market prices. For condominiums, he recommended a 17 to 20 percent requirement.

But its unclear whether the controllers math holds up in light of state legislation now before Gov. Jerry Brown that also seeks to maximize affordable housing construction, but through a different approach.

Known as density bonus, the state legislation says market-rate developers may make their buildings 35 percent more dense  above zoning restrictions, that is  depending on how much affordable housing they provide and at what price. The factors are complicated, but theoretically a 100-unit building could grow to 135 units if it meets certain requirements.

The question is how San Franciscos requirements would interact with the density bonus program, which Brown is expected to sign into law.

Affordable-housing advocates say developers in San Francisco can afford to rent and sell a higher percentage of below-market units than recommended by the controller because they will automatically qualify for the state density bonus program.

The controller appears to agree, or at least thinks the issue deserves studying.

Since the density bonus is likely to make a significant difference in the financial feasibility of future projects, we recommend completing this additional research before undertaking any legislative change to the inclusionary housing requirements, the report states.

The controllers office plans another analysis over the next two months that takes into account the state density bonus program. In the meantime, San Franciscos requirement that developers rent and sell 25 percent of units in new buildings at below-market prices will stay in effect.

That requirement was put in place by the June ballot measure Proposition C. The measure said the supervisors would alter the analysis based on a feasibility analysis  the controllers report.

While everything appears to be still in flux, the controllers report contains some important recommendations that arent affected by the density bonus program. Among them:

The city should impose higher affordable housing requirements on new condominiums compared with apartment buildings.

Whatever the starting requirement ultimately becomes, the city should increase it by 0.5 percentage points every year for the next 15 years.

The city should study how much to increase the fees developers have to pay the city if they opt not to build affordable housing.

The Board of Supervisors is unlikely to act on the controllers recommendations until he comes back with his analysis that factors in the state density bonus program. But dont expect the progressive supervisors to be happy with any recommendation of less than a 25 percent affordability requirement.

As Fernando Marti, co-director of the Council of Community Housing Organizations, said in a meeting about the report last week: Its going to have to go back to the Board of Supervisors and face this political laugh test.

Emily Green is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @emilytgreen
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While Carmel-by-the-Sea is celebrating a century of incorporation, its most famous landmark is working on a quarter of a millennium.

San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission  better known as the Carmel Mission  is a restored capsule of time and beauty that is both a major tourist attraction and a great source of local pride (along with some history-related animosity).

It was primarily from here that Father Junipero Serra, the recently sainted Spanish priest, ran the California mission system in the late 18th century.

While Serra set up shop on the current site in 1771, he actually brought his missionary work to the area a year earlier, in Monterey, where San Carlos Cathedral  the states longest continuously operated church  is located. But with a military base up on the hill a mile away, the missions indigenous female converts were routinely objects of the soldiers desires. This didnt exactly align with Serras moral philosophy, so he moved the mission 5 miles south.

Nowadays, people visit Carmel Mission to learn of the local history through its museum, cathedral, Indian cemetery and gorgeous Spanish-style courtyard. It hosts Sunday Masses, houses a grammar school and serves as a center for art and music.

It has its detractors, though. The mission  or at least the celebration of the mission and its founder  strikes a nerve with those who associate it with past enslavement of the indigenous population. Vandals hit the mission last September, when Serra was in the midst of being sainted. A statue of the padre was pushed over, and paint was splashed around the grounds, including on the gravestone of an Indian baptized by Serra.

9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. $6.50 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for children ages 7 and up (ages 6 and under free). 3080 Rio Road, Carmel-by-the-Sea, (831) 624-1271. www.carmelmission.org

 Laith Agha; travel@sfchronicle.com
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TOKYO  Among democracies in the developed world, Japan has one of the worst records of putting women in positions of political power.

Yet if, as widely predicted, Renho Murata, a member of the upper house of parliament, prevails in a leadership contest Thursday and becomes the first woman to lead the opposition Democratic Party, she will be the third woman to assume a high-profile political post in Japan in less than two months.

In July, Tokyo elected its first female governor, Yuriko Koike, and last month, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appointed Japans second female defense minister, Tomomi Inada. (Koike was the first.) Both are members of Abes conservative party, the Liberal Democrats.

A victory by Murata, 48, a former model and television news announcer who has served in parliament for more than a decade, would hardly usher in an era of female dominance. Women still represent less than 15 percent of all seats in parliament, and Abe was forced to concede last year that his government would not achieve its goal of placing women in 30 percent of management roles by 2020.

Still, with three women in positions that could be steppingstones to the prime ministers office, it would be a noteworthy moment for Japan, which is far behind nations like South Korea, Taiwan, Britain and Germany, which have elected female leaders, and the United States, which has its first female major party candidate for president.

Some analysts in Japan say elevating more women to leadership positions is long overdue.

Given that its already 70 years since the Constitution was established, where gender equality is advocated, I have to say it is too late, said Mayumi Taniguchi, a law professor and the founder and chairwoman of All Japan Obachan Party, a womens advocacy group, referring to the countrys constitutional prohibitions against discrimination by gender.

Japan has experienced such watershed moments before. Nearly 30 years ago, the Socialist Party, then Japans largest opposition party, elected Takako Doi as its first female leader. Doi helped bring more women into parliament, leading pundits to proclaim a Madonna Boom. But the trend did not last.

If she is elected party leader, Murata will be the de facto head of the opposition to Abe, who remains popular in Japan despite a sluggish economy and contentious security proposals.
1 Israeli raid: The Israeli military struck artillery positions in Syria on Tuesday after a projectile from that countrys civil war hit the Israeli-controlled part of the Golan Heights, but denied a Syrian claim that Syrian forces shot down two Israeli aircraft. The incident was the fifth case since last week in which fighting in Syria has spilled over into Israel. Israel has largely remained on the sidelines of the fighting, but has carried out reprisals on Syrian positions when errant fire landed in Israel.

2 Beheading videos: An Austrian court has sentenced a man to two years in prison for reposting videos online of beheadings by the Islamic State. The court convicted the 18-year-old of belonging to a terrorist organization. The man was not identified in keeping with Austrian privacy laws. His defense argued that he was traumatized as a child by fighting in Chechnya. The Austria Press Agency cited the offender as saying he was radicalized in prison while serving a 14-month sentence for robbery and other offenses.
Oliver Stone doesn't do short and sweet. He does long and developed. Most of the time, he's even really good at doing important, tense, conflicted moments in US history. If there's a confusing saga that's worth this kind of unweaving and reassembly, that of domestic surveillance whistleblower Edward Snowden seems to qualify; Stone conveys its importance in a story that feels expertly dramatic.

By now, the furor surrounding Snowden's remarkable 2013 actions has died down, and this biopic that hits the highlights of his forever-changed life revives a tale that could fall into the virtual weeds of computer jargon. Instead, it grows into a furious flower under the storied director's hand and with the solid foundation laid by an earlier award-winning documentary, Citizenfour, directed by Laura Poitras.

Stone is certainly sympathetic to his cause, sticking to the theme that Snowden has continued to preach: He leaked classified documents that revealed extensive data collection methods by the United States government so that the people of the nation could debate their use and consequences. Government officials say Snowden is far from a hero, having committed treason on the modern battlefield, and their perspective clearly wears the black hat in Stone's packed narrative.

Nevertheless, we already knew which side you're on, Oliver (and not just because of the pre-film reminder to silence phones, in which you say the devices and our voluntary disclosure of digital information will "be our undoing").

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's (Inception) depiction of boyish Snowden has audiences swooning for a loveable love story while cringing at the difficult decisions he makes. When the camera shifts in the final frames to the real Ed, the transition is seamless enough to reinforce how believable the effort came off.

Adding drama, and a bit of fiction, is Snowden's close confidant and career-building connection, Corbin O'Brian (Rhys Ifans from The Amazing Spider-Man), who appears from the beginning as a sort of Clint Eastwood-esque scary badass who could make you and all your kinfolk disappear. Modeled after Orwell's Big Brother, he serves as the face of the community that rationalizes what Snowden's character in the movie calls the US "running a dragnet on the whole world."

Then, back to reality, prolific Melissa Leo (The Fighter) plays filmmaker Poitras, the eyes behind Citizenfour, released in 2014. Footage from Stone's version closely mirrors the effect that Poitras produced when she accompanied print journalists who worked to break the story in the Guardian. It's great that Leo's Poitras has the unkempt look that you'd expect from a documentarian, yet she seems unnecessarily bedraggled. The real Poitras, a woman who has fearlessly produced a ton of work questioning other government policies, appears in recent photographs looking poised and clear and full of energy.

Nicolas Cage also drops in wearing a familiar character in what is perhaps one of the few stumbles from Stone. We love the close encounters with antique spy equipment, yet we wonder why Cage didn't get better lines.

Today, Snowden remains in Moscow with his girlfriend Lindsay Mills, whose presence in the film from Shailene Woodley (Divergent), by the way, adds more humanity to Stone's cyber sphere, if not particular depth. Just a step above being a man without a country, he's safe therefor the time beingfrom extradition to the US where he might face long imprisonment.

In a way though, he's already in prison. And if you're reading this on your computer or smartphone, so are you.



Snowden

Directed by Oliver Stone

With Gordon-Levitt, Cage, Ifans, Leo and Woodley

Violet Crown, Regal,

R,

134 min.

Santa Fe Reporter
On the Saturday morning of Labor Day weekend, when bulldozers started moving toward rock cairns and other culturally significant sites recently identified by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, Native Americans gathered first to watch, and then to stop them. The situation escalated as security teams arrived with dogs, and tribal protesters left bloodied and maced. The tribe had just filed papers documenting those sites to the court, and was still awaiting the decision on a requested injunction.

"How would the government or anybody feel if we went and started digging up Gettysburg?" asks Tyler Wade, from the Laguna Pueblo, who had gone to join the protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which has drawn thousands of Native Americans to North Dakota to stand in solidarity.

The Dakota Access Pipeline is a proposed 1,200-mile pipeline that would move crude oil across four upper-Midwestern states. Its path cuts within half a mile of the Standing Rock reservation and proposes to bore under Lake Oahe and the Missouri River, the source for drinking water for the reservation's 8,000 residents, as well as millions of people downstream all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Since April, a growing number of tribes have been represented in an ongoing occupation of the riverbanks and campaign to stop the construction, arguing that local tribes didn't have the chance to adequately review the area for and defend their cultural sites before construction began.

Their latest efforts through the court systems to obtain an injunction, which challenged the US Army Corps of Engineers permitting process, was denied, but federal agencies' intervention could affect tribes around the country.

Nearly all of the Dakota Access Pipeline's path lies on private land, so it needed almost no federal permitting of any kind.

"No federal agency had the ability to prevent DAPL's construction from proceeding on these private lands," wrote James Boasberg, US District Court Judge, in the decision issued on Sept. 9. "At most, the [US Army Corps of Engineers] could only have stopped these activities at the banks of a navigable US waterway. An injunction of an unlawful permitting now can, at most, do the same."

With 48 percent of construction complete and no sign that Dakota Access will stop construction even if the court stopped the permits for the 3 percent subject to federal jurisdiction, Boasberg wrote, the court was, in fact, "powerless" to prevent the harm for which the tribes sought the injunction.

Minutes later, the Department of Justice, US Army Corps of Engineers and Department of the Interior intervened, pausing construction on land bordering and under Lake Oahe until it could review previous decisions.

"Furthermore, this case has highlighted the need for a serious discussion on whether there should be a nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes' views on these types of infrastructure projects," the agencies' statement reads.

Those conversations should cover how to engage tribes on infrastructure-related reviews and decisions related to tribal lands, resources and treaty rights; and whether new legislation should be proposed to Congress.

"Our voices have been heard," Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II said in a press release following that announcement. "Native peoples have suffered generations of broken promises and today the federal government said that national reform is needed to better ensure that tribes have a voice on infrastructure projects like this pipeline."

In New Mexico, representatives from 19 pueblos have signaled their support for Standing Rock, as have chapters of the Navajo Nation and the Mescalero Apache Tribal Council. The Mescalero Apache tribe president wrote, "This is a fight that all tribes face."

"This decision came out of response to thousands of people going to Standing Rock and speaking up about this, and had people not gone there to defend land and water, I don't know that the Department of Justice, in collaboration with other federal agencies, would have released anything," says Rachael Lorenzo, of the Laguna Pueblo and Mescalero Apache tribe. "I do think it's a step in the right direction. It gives a way for tribes to really help legislators, and I would hope legislators are open to hearing what works for tribes and what doesn't."

Having watched the Gold King Mine spill last summer contaminate the land and water for hundreds of Dine people, Lorenzo says, sometimes the conversation seems to stems from a more philosophical core: "The water and the land are so sacred, and they can't be replaced, so it's hard for tribal communities and their government to work with federal or state agencies and even just ask the question, 'Why did this happen in the first place? Why are we in the position of having to come back to the table to explain why this is wrong?'"

In a Sept. 13 memo to employees, Kelcy Warren, chairman of Energy Transfer Partners, which is building the pipeline, declared, first, pride in the project as a safer and more efficient alternative for moving crude oil than the trucks and rails used now.

Of the recent federal request to voluntarily halt construction, he added, "We are committed to completing construction and safely operating the Dakota Access Pipeline within the confines of the law.  We intend to meet with officials in Washington to understand their position and reiterate our commitment to bring the Dakota Access Pipeline into operation."

The statement also pointed out that much of the pipeline's route through North Dakota runs adjacent to an existing natural gas pipeline, and that the area has already been "studied, surveyed, and constructed uponat least twice beforeover the past several decades," and that still, archaeologists, environmental inspectors or trained staff are on-site during construction. He also called concerns about water contamination "unfounded."

Wade is back in New Mexico for now, but he plans to return to North Dakota as soon as he can.

"The construction company is still working, just on the border of those 20-mile lines, so it's up to us to stop it," he says. "There was an action where two people locked themselves down to construction to stop construction today. These are every day battles that we're fighting in order to stop this pipeline."



Santa Fe Reporter
Fonterra Cooperative Group held a grudge against farmers who had left and offered them a worse deal than the rest of its suppliers as an act of revenge when it bought a failed Canterbury dairy business out of receivership, the Court of Appeal has heard.

The milk processor is appealing a decision by the High Court in Auckland last December, where Justice Matthew Muir ruled it breached the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) under which it operates by imposing inferior terms on farmers who had previously supplied New Zealand Dairies Limited (NZDL).

Fonterra acquired the independent processor's plant in 2012 and took on the farmers, who supplied milk from farms in North Otago and South Canterbury. Fonterra made a deal with the farmers, agreeing to buy their milk under a "growth contract", rather than a fully share-backed supply, where farmers purchase one Fonterra share for every kilogram of milk solids they supply in a season and are paid the farmgate milk price plus a dividend on each share.

Under the growth contract, the farmers were entitled to 5 cents less per kilogram of milk solids than the contract milk price and bought 1,000 Fonterra shares but couldn't "share up" - become fully share-backed - in their first year of supplying Fonterra.

According to DIRA, the legislation enabling the merger of the Dairy Board with the New Zealand Dairy Group and Kiwi Cooperative Dairies, Fonterra is not able to give new entrants different terms from its existing shareholding farmers. The high court judge found that the farmers qualified to become fully-fledged shareholders and Fonterra misled them about their ability to buy more shares.

In the second day of the appeal hearing, the farmers' lawyer David Goddard QC said he would spend most of his time on Fonterra's breach of DIRA, which was "at the forefront" of the respondents' claim.

There was no difference in the farmers' circumstances which justified Fonterra's lower offer to them and the milk processor bore a grudge because they had supplied Fonterra before switching to NZDL, Goddard said. The purpose of DIRA is to promote efficient operation of dairy markets in New Zealand.

"In a competitive market, the fact that people are displeased with someone because they've left and want to waltz back in is not a reason to pay them less, because someone else who didn't have that grudge against them would be offering them a competitive price and if you wanted their milk you'd have to match it," Goddard said. "There was nothing especially costly about this, it was very convenient for Fonterra."

Goddard disagreed with Fonterra's QC Jack Hodder's characterisation from yesterday of the 1,000 shares held by each farmer as a 'token', and said the whole point of the shareholding was for the farmers to become shareholders who were bound by Fonterra's constitution.

The payment of about $20 million in 'retros' - money which was owed to the farmers by NZDL which Fonterra agreed to pay as part of its deal - didn't justify the less desirable terms, Goddard said.

"The reason for these unfavourable terms wasn't linked in any way to the payment of the retros in a way that would happen in an efficient market."

Before making the deal in 2012, the farmers were told that nobody could get additional shares by Fonterra's Christine Burr, who was using the term in a technical sense to refer only to "dry shares" (shares not backed by milk supply) which Fonterra had put a moratorium on acquisition of in 2012 in the lead up to its implementation of share trading among farmers.

The farmers understood Burr as referring to wet (supply-backed) shares, which they wanted to acquire, Goddard said. They believed that Fonterra's board couldn't offer them any different terms, and that no other new suppliers would be getting additional shares, so thought there was no point in them pushing back against the terms. Fonterra stood to make a $20 million surplus from the deal, so the farmers had leverage, Goddard said.

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New Zealand's export trade with Iran hasn't picked up as hoped following the lifting of sanctions in February because the country's banks are wary of potential fines or exclusions from the US banking system should they fall foul of a quagmire of regulations and restrictions.

Along with other Western countries, New Zealand lifted sanctions against Iran in February after the country agreed to roll back its nuclear ambitions. However, New Zealand's export trade to the Middle East's second-largest economy hasn't stepped up despite the lifting of sanctions because banks are fearful they or their parent companies could face penalties in the US, which would outweigh any benefits from doing business with Iran.

"Global sanctions on banks creates a complex environment for our members and the sanctions relating to Iran are no exception," New Zealand Bankers' Association chief executive Karen Scott-Howman told BusinessDesk. Despite the easing of UN sanctions against Iran and the work that the government has already undertaken to help enable business between our countries, banks are currently of the view that the situation requires them to proceed very cautiously."

New Zealand's banks have been in talks with the government and the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control on the issue, however the roadblock isn't unique to New Zealand, with many international businesses, banks, and governments also looking to see how some of the larger deals that have been slated with Iran can be transacted.

An inadvertent breach of US, New York State, EU or other jurisdictions sanctions or anti-money laundering laws could have significant consequences for a New Zealand bank and its US operations as well as correspondent banking relationships," Scott-Howman said. "New Zealand banks are mindful that Iran has the potential to be a significant market for some of their customers and are actively working closely with the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to identify potential solutions."

Merchandise trade data from Statistics New Zealand shows trading in some goods such as dairy products, wool, and seafood continued throughout the sanction period. Some businesses have been able to export to Iran because their products fell outside the old sanctions regime or because their banks have been able to conduct significant due diligence.

Banks continue to monitor the global situation closely and are well positioned to respond should it change," Scott-Howman said. "If customers are looking to export or do business in Iran they should talk to their bank who will work with them on a case by case basis."

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(Corrects first-quarter goods balance to millions in fifth paragraph)

New Zealands current account balance turned to a deficit in the second quarter as a drop in services more than offset a pickup in exports.

The deficit was $945 million in the three months ended June 30, from a revised first-quarter surplus of $1.18 billion, Statistics New Zealand said. The annual deficit was $7.4 billion, or 2.9 percent of gross domestic product, from a revised deficit of $7.8 billion, or 3.1 percent, in the year ended March 31. A Reuters survey had forecast a gap amounting to 2.7 percent of GDP.

The biggest quarter movement was in the services balance, which fell to $587 million in the latest quarter from $2.89 billion three months earlier, as services exports dropped to $4.8 billion from $6.9 billion.

That largely reflected a drop in travel to $2.98 billion from $4.8 billion in the first quarter, a period that captures much of the peak season for tourists. Travel exports in both the first and second quarters were ahead of the same periods last year.

In seasonally adjusted terms travel services exports were little changed in the second quarter at $3.48 billion while travel services imports rose to a record $1.4 billion, mainly reflecting increased spending overseas by New Zealand residents.

The goods balance rose to $875 million in actual terms in the latest quarter from $592 million three months earlier as goods exports rose to $13.1 billion from $12.1 billion and goods imports rose to $12.3 billion from $11.5 billion.

The financial account balance fell to $1.49 billion from $1.98 billion. New Zealand investment abroad fell to $933 million from $2.8 billion, while foreign investment in New Zealand declined to $2.4 billion from $4.79 billion.

New Zealands net international liability position was $163.3 billion, or 64.9 percent of GDP at June 30, from $159 billion, or 63.9 percent at March 31. Net external debt excluding financial derivatives and equity was $141.6 billion, or 56.3 percent of GDP, up from $141 billion, or 56.7 percent at March 31.

(BusinessDesk)

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The government's agreement to pay for half of Auckland city's proposed 3.4 kilometre inner city rail link will help ease the city's funding pressures, the Local Government Funding Agency says.

Central government and the council today signed a heads of agreement that the Crown will pay 50 percent of the rail project estimated to cost between $2.8 billion and $3.4 billion, releasing the money in tranches, associate Finance Minister Steven Joyce and Transport Minister Simon Bridges said in a statement. That funding will become available once a separate sponsors agreement is signed detailing the project's budget, governance, delivery and how to respond to cost overruns.

When Prime Minister John Key indicated central government would support the project in January, the cost was thought to be about $2.5 billion.

The council had borrowings of about $7.61 billion as at June 30, up from $7.33 billion a year earlier, and estimates debt will rise to $11.6 billion by 2025 to pay for a series of infrastructure projects including the transport plan.

Auckland accounts for about a third of the Local Government Funding Agency's $6.6 billion in loans, below the 40 percent limit. The city can also raise debt internationally and has a retail bond programme on the NZX debt market.

The city rail link deal with central government "will take some pressure off Auckland Council's balance sheet," chairman Craig Stobo told a Local Government New Zealand briefing in Wellington. "We think we've got some capacity for them."

LGFA's lending to 51 councils was 24 percent higher than in August 2015, though the amount of debt local bodies had taken on was smaller than projected in their long-term plans with some capital expenditure projects deferred for a year.

Stobo said the agency was focused on the fastest growing councils and didn't have any concerns about LGFA's ability to fund capital expenditure programmes.

LGNZ president and Hastings district mayor Lawrence Yule said capital spending intentions were typically scaled back from those projected in the long-term plans as councils contend with tensions over rates increases and spending priorities.

"There's an argument that some councils aren't spending enough on capex to repair infrastructure - I think that's a strong argument," Yule said. "That same view is shared by the Office of the Auditor General - it's not just worrying about councils that borrow too much, it's actually (that) some councils aren't borrowing enough to fund infrastructure planning."

Last December, the Auditor General's report on 2015-25 local authority long-term plans found common weaknesses undermining infrastructure strategies were unclear on the effects of an aging society, lacked analysis to show the financial sustainability and affordability of projects, didn't make clear the long-term impacts of projects, and didn't take a deep enough view of long-term economic activities.

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Hillary Clinton became overheated and left a Sept. 11 memorial service abruptly after an hour and a half. Television cameras were rolling, allowing much of the world to see her being loaded into her van. She went to her daughters nearby apartment for a breather, emerged looking chipper, stopped for a picture with a child and drove off.

If it had ended there, the incident would have been unfortunate, but wouldnt have altered the course of the campaign. Instead, the public learned later that Clinton had been diagnosed with pneumonia on Sept. 9 and neglected to tell anyone.

The lack of transparency played right into Donald Trumps hands. Clinton began her career as a staffer on the Watergate hearings, yet she has repeatedly ignored the central lesson of the scandal: Its not the crime that gets you but the cover-up. Pneumonia is hardly a crime and neither is a private server, but by covering up both she made them seem worse. On Labor Day, she brushed off a coughing episode in Ohio merely as evidence that she is allergic to Trump. But four days later, a doctor put her on antibiotics for pneumonia and she didnt find it worthy of comment. Too bad she didnt get a prescription for truth serum.

Now the burden is on her to prove shes fine. She would have to drop and do 20 push-ups to satisfy Trump that she is. Just as he tried to delegitimize Barack Obama with birtherism, Trump has tried to Swift Boat Hillary by delegitimizing her physically. For months, the Republican nominee has been stoking the charge that something serious is wrong with her physical and mental strength and stamina. His wingman, Rudy Giuliani, directs voters to go to the internet and look up Clinton illness and watch a ginned-up video that makes it look as if Clinton is having a seizure. After the coughing, Trump tweeted that the media wasnt covering it enough.

Henceforth it will all be covered  every sniffle and every pause that could be a sign that her mind is going. In addition to his medical diagnosis, Trump has taken to charging that she doesnt look presidential, a catch-all that adds the dig that the little lady keeps a light schedule so that she can get home to bed early and isnt, obviously, a perfect male specimen of health like Trump himself, even though, at 70, hes two years older.

Trump himself has been somewhat wanting when it comes to his health records. First, he made public a laughable letter from his doctor  idiosyncratically addressed To Whom My Concern  that echoed Trumpian grandiosity with the assessment that the Donald would be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency. Then, with a good sense of timing, Trump got a physical last week, presumably at the hands of another physician, which he is releasing any day. Hes set to appear Sept. 15 on The Dr. Oz Show to unveil his personal health regime, presumably without pictures of his fast-food habits on his plane.

After the episode Sunday, he knew enough to let the facts stand for themselves, congratulating himself for taking no satisfaction in her troubles. On Fox News on Monday morning, he sent her a Hallmark card hoping she gets well soon. He inched back to his usual self a bit later on CNBC, saying, It was interesting because they say pneumonia on Friday but she was coughing very, very badly a week ago and even before that this wasnt the first time.

Getting pneumonia doesnt mean youre unhealthy. Its one of the many occupational hazards of the endurance trial a modern campaign is. But shes going to have a hard time proving shes healthy now.

Imagine an alternate drama. Clinton reveals before the weekend that she has pneumonia. She soldiers on. She kept her schedule, including the LGBT fundraiser with Barbra Streisand where the candidate offered her controversial description of some Trump voters as deplorables. She was up early Sunday, but the crowd, the sun (New York Congressman Joe Crowley said that he and Sen. Chuck Schumer had soaked through their suits), and the sadness of the day were too much and she left after an hour and a half. Most people would think she was a trouper to play through the pain and wish her a long nap in a cool room with a bowl of chicken soup.Instead, much of Sunday, no one knew what was going on. Information dribbled out. Her motorcade back to her home in Chappaqua, N.Y., was covered like O.J.s ride in the Ford Bronco. Hours later, a statement from her doctor came out. Thats no way to overcome a trust deficit.

Still, Clinton has nine lives. Terrible things happen  having to stand by her man after Gennifer Flowers, Whitewater, the health care debacle, Monica. But she has repeatedly turned adversity into triumph, not least by becoming the first first lady to leave the White House a year early and win a Senate seat in a state shed only visited as a tourist. Shes now the first female candidate for president. Memo to Trump and the men who love him: Underestimate her strength and stamina at your peril.
OK, so Gary Johnson probably isnt going to be the nations 45th president. And its doubtful Bill Weld will be replacing Vice President Biden. But the Libertarian candidates still deserve to stand on the debate stage and offer Americans their message of fiscal conservatism and social liberalism. If the Commission on Presidential Debates evaluated candidate credentials and not poll standings, Johnson and Weld would have been the first to qualify. Neither the Republican nor Democratic ticket can match the executive governing experience of the Libertarian duo. In fact, we havent had a third party ticket this qualified in modern history.

Johnson is a successful entrepreneur turned public servant. Sure, hes quirky. Its not everyday an Iron Man who wears Nikes with his suit and smokes pot seeks the nations highest office. But consider that he was twice elected governor as a Republican in the very Democratic state of New Mexico. His record included the elimination the state deficit and creation of a surplus before leaving office, all while reducing the size of state government (a feat accomplished by vetoing 750 bills during his tenure, more than all other 49 governors combined). Plus, he governed without an ethical blemish, quite a credential when viewed against the competition.

Then theres Weld. Central casting could not have delivered anyone more suitable. Harvard undergraduate. Then Oxford. And Harvard Law. Weld was a U.S. attorney  recommended for that job by Rudy Giuliani  who went on to head the Criminal Division of the Justice Department. Like Johnson, Weld was elected twice as a Republican governor in a Democratic state. In fact, when re-elected in Massachusetts in 1994, it was with the largest margin in state history.

Theres something else notable: They are truly running as a team. Watch them interviewed together and you will see their ability to finish one anothers sentences on matters of agreement, and willingness to amiably disagree. How refreshing.

Johnson and Weld, unlike the Green Party, will have their names on ballots in all 50 states. Their credentials make them worthy of standing on the presidential debate stage. But for that to happen, they need to quickly document the support at least 15 percent in an average of five national polls. So far, they have not met the threshold.

Still, there are signs of momentum, including the endorsement by a major daily newspaper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch. That embrace was a bona fide vote of confidence in Johnson and Weld, not just a rejection of Clinton and Trump. The editorial called Johnson a man of good integrity, apparently normal ego, and sound ideas, adding that he is, in every respect, a legitimate and reasonable contender for the presidency.

Anecdotally it seems like the largest impediment to their further ascension is the belief that they cant win, and the idea that any vote for the ticket helps or hurts someone else. Weld rejected this argument in an interview when he secured the vice presidential nomination.I would never use the word spoiler  Im very comfortable with where we are, he told me. Were going to speak truth to power and we are going to speak truths and we dont have to trim or modify our positions. And if we wind up nudging the Democrats toward the right on economic issues and nudging the Republicans to the left on social issues I think we will have done the country a really big favor.

Jesse Ventura, who in 1998 was elected governor of Minnesota under the banner of the Reform Party, bristles at the argument that a vote for Johnson-Weld is a waste.

Its ridiculous, he told me. When you vote, youre not there to pick winner, youre not there for a horse race. Youre there to pick the person you want most to be president. And if that person finished hypothetically fifth, so what? You did your job as a citizen to vote for a candidate of your choice.

When they come up with that nonsense about throwing your vote away, or electing someone else, thats their patented Democratic and Republican excuse for losing, Ventura added. When they lose  they dont assume the responsibility themselves. They point a finger at the third-party guy and say, Hes who did it. How arrogant to think that everyone who votes for Gary would vote for one of them had Gary not been there.

For those willing to listen, Johnson and Weld have offered a nuanced vision of independence and thoughtfulness. They refuse to campaign dirty and are even willing to utter the dreaded c-word: compromise. Which is another reason why they would add value to the debates. Putting Johnson and Weld on the stage would force their opponents to defend their views against independent thinking.

The Times-Dispatch endorsement said:

But our final decision to endorse the Johnson-Weld ticket, and to do so with great confidence and enthusiasm, came only after Johnson met with the editorial board last Monday morning. We found him to be knowledgeable but unscripted, reasonable and good-humored, self-assured but free from arrogance, willing and able to address every question, consistent in his beliefs without being dogmatic, even-tempered, curious  and in all respects optimistically, realistically presidential.

Admittedly, being unscripted has also hurt Johnson. Recently on MSNBC, he was flummoxed when asked his opinion on the Syrian refuge crisis in Aleppo. Whether that gaffe alone will prevent the Libertarians from reaching the debate threshold remains to be seen.

In the meantime, if a pollster calls your house, tell them youre for Johnson-Weld. You can always change your mind  after the debates.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged $1 billion in economic aid to Afghanistan after holding talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in New Delhi.

A joint statement by the two leaders said the aid would be used for building capacity in education, health, agriculture, energy, and infrastructure in Afghanistan.

The two leaders also denounced the sponsorship of terrorism in the region, a thinly veiled dig at Pakistan.

Kabul and New Delhi accuse Islamabad of supporting militants that have carried out attacks in India and Afghanistan.

"The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives," said the joint statement.

Ghani, who arrived in New Delhi on September 14 on a two-day visit, is also expected to ask New Delhi for increased defense supplies, including lethal weapons from India, which for the first time gave four Mi-25 attack helicopters to Kabul last year.

Ghani, on his second visit to India since taking office in 2014, will also hold talks with the Indian business community and deliver an address at a prominent think tank in New Delhi.

Based on reporting by Hindustan Times and Indian Express
The Philippines (winter 2014)Western US (fall 2011/2012/2013/2014)Turkey (fall 2010)France/Germany/Denmark/Hollan (summer 2010)Uganda/Tanzania/Kenya (winter 2010)China (fall 2009)France/Italy (summer 2009)South Africa/Lesotho/Mozambique (winter 2009)Southern U.S. (fall 2008/fall 2010/spring 2011)Spain and the Camino de Compostela (summer of 2008)Israel (winter 2008)Eastern U.S. (fall 2007)Great Britain (summer 2007)Venezuela (winter 2007)Japan (fall 2006)Croatia, Serbia, Czech Republic, Poland (summer 2006)Western US (fall 2005)Ecuador (winter 2005)Italy (spring 2004/summer 2009)France (summer 2004/2005/2006/2007/2008/2009/2010/2011/2012/2013/2014/2015/2016/2017/2018/2019)Iceland (summer 2003)Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia (Fall 2002)Minneapolis to Chicago (summer 2002)Bolivia (spring 2002)Scandinavia--Finland, Norway, Sweden (summer 2001)Hes followed the Tour de France seventeen times beginning in 2004 , riding much of each year's route, fully loaded, before or after the peloton and sent out regular reports during the race, also posted here.He has a long-running email list that he sends updates to every few days when he's on tour.You can write him at: george6567@yahoo.com. If you like, he'll add you to his e-list.He spends the rest of the year also on a bike, working as a messenger in Chicago.He's also an independent film enthusiast, attending or working at several major film festivals annually, including Telluride and Cannes. His coverage of Cannes is also included here in May of 2004-2015.For a "Chicago Tribune" article on George see the January 17, 2002 entry of the blog. There is also a "Hollywood Reporter" article posted October 25, 2005, and a "Streetwise" cover story posted on April 17, 2010 and stories in French newspapers the past few summers.(I'm Jeff Potter and I helped George get his blog going. I run OutYourBackDoor.com , where I report on a wide range of everyday, affordable, healthy outdoor action. I also sell some hard-to-find indy culture media and other goodies. Lotsa bike stuff!)
DES MOINES  Maybe you have already taken a photo of your favorite place in Iowa.

If you have not, grab your camera and take that shot and enter it in Keep Iowa Beautifuls seventh photography contest aimed at raising awareness of Iowas beauty. This photo contest offers both amateur and experienced photographers an opportunity to tell Iowas story in a fun, engaging way.

This is a great way for Iowa lovers to share what they like about rural and urban Iowa, said Gerry Schnepf, KIB executive director, in a news release. First place will receive $50, second place $25. Both will receive a one-year subscription to Pioneer Communications The Iowan Magazine.

The deadline is Dec. 23. Entries must be submitted as high resolution JPEG electronically to bjackson@keepiowabeautiful.com.

The $5 entry fee, contest rules and payment can be made at www.keepiowabeautiful.com/media/photography-content

Keep Iowa Beautiful empowers Iowans to bring cultural and economic vitality into communities through improvement and enhancement programs. By working directly with Iowa communities, corporations and private citizens, KIB is building new citizen pride in caring for Iowa.

KIB wants to learn what resonates with Iowans based on the photographs they share through this photography contest.

Photos and winners names will be posted on the KIB website and featured in the KIB newsletter.
Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501), today announced new upgrades and additions to its Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform (VSP) G series portfolio designed to reduce the ongoing costs of traditional environments and exploit and monetize data, which is too often trapped in silos of technology. Digital transformation has put data at the center of business strategy and has madeIT a key element of corporate success, but is also putting new pressures on IT to modernize processes, systems and skillsets. To help break down data silos and modernize storage management, Hitachi Data Systems has embedded NAS functionality, cloud optimization and enhanced VMware integration into VSP G400, VSP G600 and VSP G800 storage platforms to simplify and accelerate data center modernization efforts.

Optimized for the Cloud

Customers continue to re-assess their IT strategies to find ways to optimize and reduce the ongoing costs of traditional storage and cloud services, but they are in need of flexible solutions that can address disparate environments such as virtualization, remote and core data centers and dynamic cloud strategies, to meet infrastructure requirements for a variety of applications. As a cloud-optimized, unified storage platform, the VSP G series was built to meet these needs and continues to exemplify Hitachis strong investment philosophy in innovation, with more than 4,000 patents in SAN and NAS -related technologies.

Todays announcement addsthe option to include two high-performance NAS modules in the VSP G400, VSP G600 and VSP G800 systems. These modules help toreduce capital expenditures by providing a single, SAN and NAS storage platform for all workloads in a compact form factor. Operating costs also decline, as VSP G series systems require less power, cooling and space in thedata center. Adding further cost control, the new unified VSP G series offerings allow customers to leverage existing infrastructure investments regardless of environment  whether for remote offices where IP infrastructure is dominant to data centers utilizing robust Fibre Channel technology or a cloud environment employing Hitachi Content Platform (HCP), Hitachi Managed Cloud Services, Microsoft Azure or Amazon S3 cloud services. The data migrator to the cloud software feature allows customers to create automated and intelligent, content-aware data management policies. These policies ensure that data is automatically and seamlessly tiered to private, public or hybrid cloud platforms and freeing up critical Hitachi Accelerated Flash resources for Tier 1 applications.

Efficient and Granular Control of Virtual Machines

Hitachi continues to be in lockstep with VMware to deliver on thevision forsoftware-defined storage with full support for VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes. Thissupport allows customers to maximize resources, reduce storage complexity and increase efficiency by enabling application-specific storage service levels to be applied to each virtual machine (VM). In addition, Hitachi Virtual Infrastructure Integrator 3.0 delivers scalable VM protection by simplified VMbackup, recovery and cloning services for VMware vSphere-based infrastructures.

Comprehensive Infrastructure Analytics

Available across the Hitachi VSP family, the new Hitachi Infrastructure Analytics Advisor (HIAA) delivers increased performance while reducing costs and risk through intelligent analytics. HIAA quickly and proactively identifies, diagnoses and helps resolve potential performance and capacity issues, including those concerning third-party storage. The software identifies opportunities to improve performance and reduce risk through intelligent analytics with preemptive alerts. Customers can drive down costs with comprehensive capacity and performance planning using enterprise-scale IT analytics with long-term historical trending.

Hitachi Data Systems is the only IT vendor to address customer workload requirements from entry to mainframe with a single storage software platform. The powerful software capabilities built into Hitachi Storage Virtualization Operating System (SVOS) allow the entire VSP family to offer flash optimization. SVOS further supports native heterogeneous storage virtualization and multi-site, active-active storage as well as fully compatible data migration, replication and management from a single interface. HitachiSVOS provides system element management and advanced storage functions, such as storage virtualization, thin provisioning, service-level controls, performance instrumentation and security across multiple storage platforms.

Supporting Quotes:

Hitachi Data Systems continues to invest heavily in innovation and in its industry-leading Virtual Storage Platform to help customers transform and modernize their IT infrastructures. The ever-changing fundamentals of IT demand that storage systems areagile, reliable and cost-effective. The enhanced VSP family meet those needs and beyond, said Bob Madaio, senior director for Infrastructure Solutions, Hitachi Data Systems.

Achieving greater cost-efficiencies is paramount to our success. The automation and simplified management of the Hitachi VSP G series gives us the tools to effectively manage our storage requirements without compromising functionality or performance, said JanezGroznik, systems administrator, National University Library  NUK.

VMware and Hitachi have had a long-term partnership, and together, we continue to empower our mutual customers to simplify their IT operations and accelerate the adoption of the unified hybrid cloud. Hitachis unified storage solutions combined with support for VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes will enable enterprises to reduce storage complexity and cost, while increasing efficiency on their journey to a modernized, software-defined data center, said Skip Bacon, vice president, storage and availability, VMware.

As our multi-decade partnering continues, Cisco and HDS are driving to provide innovative data center solutions for our joint customers. Ciscos industry-leading network infrastructure provides high levels of flexibility and scalability demanded by software-driven dynamic IT application workloads and virtualized data centers. Cisco MDS Storage Directors and Nexus Switches fully enable Hitachis Virtual Storage Platform, and help ensure that customers can easily deploy and manage their enterprise and data center environments to scale, while delivering architectural flexibility and consistent networking across physical, virtual and cloud environments, said Sachin Gupta, vice president of product management, Cisco Switching.

The escalating volume of virtualized and cloud-based workloads isplacing severe strain on the networks. Hitachi Data Systems and Brocade have long partnered to deliver Fibre Channel and IP storage networking solutions that provide our mutual customers with greater application performance, reliability and security, said Jack Rondoni, vice president, storage networking, Brocade.

With demand increasing around virtualized environments, IT applications and data availability, customers cant afford a misstep. They need a reliable, scalable, high-performance solution that lowers risk, reduces operating and management costs, minimizes overprovisioning and maximizes existing assets. The Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform with native NAS functionality is a slam dunk, said Cheryl Neal, vice president, Avnet Data, Networking and Security business unit in the Americas.

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Raritan To Spin Off DCIM Business - Introduces Sunbird Software
NEW DELHI: In the context of the Indian Ocean region, India and Mauritius on Tuesday called for greater collaboration in the area of defense and security.

In a meeting with visiting Mauritian Finance Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that the long-standing partnership between India and Mauritius had played a critical role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region, according to sources here.

"In this context, both leaders called for greater collaboration in the area of defense and security," a source said.

"India offered to provide assistance in terms of hydrographic surveys."

Sushma Swaraj also appreciated Jugnauth's giving priority to visiting India on his first tour abroad, "which was in keeping with the very special 'blood relationship' between India and Mauritius".

Stating that India has always given full support to the development priorities of Mauritius, she said that both sides were finalizing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which the Metro Express project and other projects announced by Jugnauth in his budget could begin to be implemented.

"The long-standing request from Mauritius for restarting negotiations of CECPA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement) and PTA (Preferential Trade Agreement) had also been met, with discussions yesterday (Monday) in Port Louis," the source said.

Sushma Swaraj thanked Jugnauth for the "forward looking decision" which had allowed the protocol on the amendment of the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) and said this has added to Mauritius's financial credentials.

On his part, Jugnauth reiterated Mauritius's consistent support for India's candidature as a member in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council (UNSC).

"In terms of people-to-people contacts, the two leaders discussed the construction of the World Hindi Secretariat in Mauritius," a source said.

"The External Affairs Minister invited significant participation from Mauritius in the forthcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2017 to be held in Bengaluru."

Sushma Swaraj said that India would be sending a delegation to Mauritius this month to examine the Girmitya records for giving them Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.

Girmityas are descendants of indentured Indian labourers who were taken to Mauritius during the British rule.

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India To Lead World In Key Categories: U.S. Envoy
NEW DELHI: U.S. Ambassador to India Richard R. Verma on Tuesday said that by 2030, India will lead the world in key categories, including by becoming the third largest economy.

"The great promise in our (India-U.S.) partnership lies not only in our work together, but also in India's rising influence and confidence on the global stage, which of course is generated from strength here at home," Verma, who is of Indian origin, said while delivering the 17th Annual Justice Bodh Raj Sawhney Memorial Trust Oration at the National Law University here.

"By 2030 - less than 15 years from now - India will lead the world in key categories: it will be the most populous nation, with the largest middle class, the largest number of college graduates, the third largest economy, the most patent holders, and most mega-cities," he said speaking on the theme of "Advancing our Shared Values".

"You will lead the world in internet and smart phone users. Development and infrastructure growth will be phenomenal, just imagine how much will change given that two-thirds of the infrastructure and cities of modern India are yet to be built".

Speaking on India-U.S. ties, he said that the relationship has been "on a strong trajectory for the past decade, has made great strides in the past two years in particular".

"Our two leaders, Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and (U.S.) President (Barack) Obama have met eight times, including last week in China and then again in Laos," he stated.

"We have well over 100 initiatives that were launched in three big bilateral summits and there are nearly 40 government-to-government working groups that meet regularly on everything from global health and defense to cyber security."

Citing the reasons for the growth in ties between the two sides, one was the "certain chemistry between our two leaders, that's for sure".

"Second, so many people of goodwill have been working on this relationship for decades - and it's their hard work that has begun to pay off," the Ambassador said.

"And, third, our people-to-people ties have only grown stronger - there are now some three million Americans of Indian descent in the United States. They serve as a natural bridge for so much of what we do."

Verma described the Indian Constitution as a document that is the foundation for the shared values between India and the U.S.

"The American and Indian Constitutions start with the same three words "we the people," he said.

"We are governed by the rule of law, by the people and for the people. We have complex systems for checking and balancing government excess," he said.

He said both countries hold free and fair elections, both have federal systems, with strong and diverse states, with shared power between the central and state governments, both have bicameral parliaments, and the exceptional militaries of both countries are overseen by civilians.

"We do not share these values with every other country. As we know, not all countries choose democracy, inclusiveness, equal rights or free elections," the Ambassador said.

"Therefore, these are the roots of a special bond we share with India. The United States set out on this democratic path 240 years ago, while India shed its colonial rule some 70 years ago."

He said that when Obama visited India in January of 2015 as the chief guest for Republic Day celebrations, the US and India made their views clear in a joint agreement reached on the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific.

"It was not a long or complex document - it stands at just a bit more than a single page," Verma said.

"But its brevity belies the historic nature of the enterprise on which the United States and Indiaagreed to embark together."

The Ambassador said that India's rise not only presented opportunities for India, but can shape a brighter future for Asia and beyond.

"That is why the United States unabashedly supports India's rise as a great power on the world stage," he said.

"India's reach and influence reaches well beyond the Indian Ocean and South Asia."

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NEW DELHI: Automobile major Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) on Tuesday launched a new variant of its premium compact hatchback Elite i20 with automatic transmission and enhanced safety features.

According to the company, it has introduced new 1.4L Kappa petrol engine with four speed automatic transmission in Elite i20.

The company has also added safety reinforcement features such as six airbags, speed sensing auto door lock and height adjustable front seat belts on Elite i20 and i20 Active.

The Elite i20 has been priced between 7,75,828 and 9,01,812 for the automatic variant (Ex-Showroom Delhi). The i20 Active comes with a price tag starting from 8,33,467 to 9,71,269.

"The Hyundai i20 is a super performer brand in the premium compact segment," said Rakesh Srivastava, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, HMIL.

"Hyundai has developed a solid reputation for quality, design, performance and premium features. As customer centric company, our goal is to enhance overall value proposition of i20 brand and make it more aspirational and desirable for wide range of different people."

The i20 brand has crossed one million units in sales across the country.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Rumors have been afloat for more than a year that Schaffer's Tavern was sold. Well, turns out there's truth behind the talk.

Pending regulatory and Buildings Department approvals, Victory State Bank is taking over a long-term lease of the historic space at 2055 Victory Blvd. in Meiers Corners.

Construction of a new building will begin in early 2017, according to Joe LiBassi, Victory's founder and chairman. When that happens, proprietor Winky Schaffer and his family will retire from the restaurant business.

A final day of Schaffer's Tavern service has not been announced.

SOLID ROOTS ON STATEN ISLAND

Back in March, when rumors ran rampant of a bank taking over the spot, Schaffer shrugged off the chatter as he tended bar. He couldn't complain about business and admitted it's been a great stretch -- 83 years in Meiers Corners -- making the place the longest-running family-owned eatery on Staten Island.

"Hello, my friend! How ya doin'?" said Winky back on that balmy spring day. He reached over to the side to shake hands with a patron, then took back to his spot behind the taps filling chilled mugs with beer.

There's a lot of history within these knotted pine walls, many fond memories of families and neighborhood "good people" types, Schaffer has said.

And, the story of Schaffer's goes like this: Winky's grandfather, George, had a speakeasy, located at the top of Jewett Avenue at Victory Boulevard in the 1920s. (That's where a Burger King is now.) When Prohibition ended, George opened Schaffer's in its current building (2055 Victory Boulevard) purchased in 1933. The structure resembles a Bavarian tavern with its flower boxes and roof line.

Winky manages the restaurant with sons Chad and Troy. Some of the family members live in two apartments upstairs.

On Tuesday, waitress Mary Karpeles shuttled to tables Schaffer's famed pastrami and separate platter of tender, brown sauce-topped fresh sliced ham served with string beans and mashed potatoes. She's been a server at the restaurant for over 30 years and knows customers by name.

Other long-time employees are held in high esteem like the Schaffers' late bartenders -- Ed Cicci, Ed Lunny, Peter Barquin, Charles "Cookie" Farley, Ed Noonen -- who are memorialized in the front room.

THE FEEL OF SCHAFFER'S

Detail inside the two-room tavern include ceramic tile floors and auburn woodwork, both original to Schaffer's. Only the bar has changed: Seventeen years ago, a fire damaged a mantle that hung over the space and subsequently a carpenter named Joe Tuite built a new back-bar.

Other traditions in the place include small jars or bowls of hot red peppers and vinegar-pickled green tomatoes, potato pancakes and sauteed red cabbage.

Corned beef -- "Lean? Or do you like a little fat on that?" Winky will ask patrons who order the item -- is among the most popular eats along with house-made soups, wurst platters and stick-to-your ribs Bavarian comfort fare.

A further look around the space affords a view of a Rubsam & Hormann Atlantic Brewery barrel from the 19th century which hangs from a wall opposite the bar. The operation, once in Stapleton, was known as R&H for short.

Etched signs and hand-made, miniature Bavarian-style houses around the restaurant come from Joe Irlinger (aka "German Joe") of Dongan Hills.

Joe LiBassi said the bank designs are in its final stages. He hopes to have its grand opening in 2017.

"This will be our sixth branch on Staten Island with our brand of personalized customer service," said LiBassi. It will be Victory's first location on aptly named Victory Boulevard.
'Snowden': Josephn Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as NSA leaker Edward Snowden in Oliver Stone's drama 'Snowden.' (Jurgen Olczyk/Open Road Films)

In one of the final scenes of Oliver Stone's fact-based drama "Snowden," Joseph Gordon-Levitt's on-screen version of NSA leaker Edward Snowden appears before an auditorium full of people to deliver an impassioned defense of his decision to release - illegally -- thousands of classified documents exposing the American government's broad domestic surveillance apparatus. If anyone was the slightest bit unsure of how Stone views Snowden's actions, they need only scan the on-screen audience in that scene.

There, for a brief moment, one can see Stone himself, standing with the rest of the on-screen audience, and applauding Snowden.

Though just a cameo, it's a significant one. If the previous two hours hadn't made it abundantly clear, that moment -- and the sight of the filmmaker/provocateur applauding one of the most controversial figures of the past decade - leaves no confusion that "Snowden" is a hero piece, and an unapologetic one.

Anyone familiar with Stone's work, and his immense distrust of the American government, shouldn't be too terribly surprised by that. And to be honest, that's fine. Opinions today are sharply divided about Snowden's choice to go from CIA contractor to political activist: Is he a hero or traitor? A whistleblower or a rat? A people's champion or a deluded hacker? But once the fog of contemporaneousness lifts, history very well might look kindly on Snowden.

Regardless, Stone's characteristic on-his-sleeve political views aren't the problem with the often-sleepy "Snowden." Rather, it's that his film - the lag-prone script for which the filmmaker co-wrote with Kieran Fitzgerald - really doesn't tell us much that we don't already know.

That'll certainly be the case for anyone who saw director Laura Poitras' Oscar-winning 2014 documentary "Citizenfour," a remarkable bit of filmmaking in which her cameras captured the very moment - and the riveting aftermath - in which Snowden spilled the beans on the NSA's no-holds-barred dragnet of the American people.

For the most part, Stone's film is a dramatization of much of what we see in "Citizenfour," interspersed with scenes re-creating key moments from Snowden's personal life. The presumed goal there, in addition to explaining Snowden's rationale behind his actions, is to paint a full and honest portrait of the man behind the headlines.

But despite an eerily accurate portrayal of Snowden by Gordon-Levitt - who perfectly re-creates Snowden's robotic mannerisms, starting with his weird, clipped manner of speaking - Stone's film never really delivers on that promise.

He gives us snapshots of Snowden's pre-pariah life: a look at his aborted military career, a peek into his decision to sign on with the CIA, a glimpse of his relationship with longtime girlfriend Lindsay Mills (played by Shailene Woodley). But by the end of it all, Snowden - who early in the film shows a fascination for cryptography in a scene with an oddly cast Nicolas Cage - is still something of an enigma himself.

Part of that can be blamed on the film's lack of details. In one scene, dramatizing an argument between Snowden and Mills, we learn that he likes to play video games after work, for example. (What video game? That's potentially telling tidbit is never answered.) But that's the farthest "Snowden" goes to personalize him to any extent or to add to his already well-covered story.

Rather, Stone - who appears on-screen before the film to encourage audiences to stow their cell phones (which he says will "burn your life to the ground") during the movie - seems more interested in establishing for the record that he stands with Snowden and against government overreach.

The result is a slow, dense but worshipful film that, co-written by Stone with Kieran Fitzgerald, trades away the story's built-in thrills - such as Snowden's getaway from a Hong Kong hotel after releasing the documents, which is given perfunctory treatment at best near the film's end - in favor of talkiness and general point-belaboring.

Whether you agree with Snowden or not, it's undeniable that he is at the epicenter of what will likely go down as one of the major issues of the early 21st century. One way or the other, it can be safety assumed, the whole Snowden affair will be remembered, in history books and elsewhere.

The same, unfortunately, can't be said for Stone's "Snowden."

_____

SNOWDEN

2 stars, out of 5

Snapshot: Oliver Stone ("JFK") turns his lens once more to real-life drama, directing Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the story of NSA leaker Edward Snowden, who made reams of classified information public in an effort to shine a light on the U.S. government's domestic surveillance apparatus.

Cast

: Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Zachary Quinto, Melissa Leo, Rhys Ifans, Nicolas Cage.

Director

: Stone.

Rating

: R for language and some sexuality/nudity.

Running time

: 2 hours 13 minutes.
westerleigh.jpg

The city Health Department will conduct its second truck-mounted larvicide treatment in Westerleigh Thursday.

(New York City Health Department)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- To reduce mosquito activity and the risk of Zika and West Nile viruses, the New York City Health Department will conduct its second truck-mounted larvicide treatment in parts of Westerleigh on Thursday.

The treatment will take place between 9 p.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. the following morning, weather-permitting.

In case of bad weather, application will be delayed until Monday, Sept. 19, during the same hours.

The areas within Westerleigh are bordered by College Avenue to the north; Manor Road to the east; the Staten Island Expressway to the south; and Woolley Avenue to the west.

The Health Department monitors mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus and could carry the Zika virus, and applies pesticides to their breeding grounds when appropriate throughout the summer.

During warm weather, mosquitoes can breed in any still water standing for more than four days. In the targeted areas, existing hot and wet weather conditions are predicted to escalate a rise in mosquito populations, according to the city Health Department.

The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to eliminate any standing water. New Yorkers are also encouraged to mosquito-proof their homes and take precautions when spending time outdoors, according to the Health Department.

The Health Department will use naturally occurring and environmentally friendly larvicides to kill infant mosquito eggs before they grow into adults, according to a released statement. These products are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and will be used on mosquito-breeding sites throughout the mosquito season.

The Health Department recommends that people take the following precautions to minimize direct exposure:

Whenever possible, stay indoors during spraying. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions are encouraged to stay inside during spraying since direct exposure could worsen these conditions.

Air conditioners may remain on. However, if you wish to reduce the possibility of indoor exposure to pesticides, set the air conditioner vent to the closed position, or choose the re-circulate function.

Remove children's toys, outdoor equipment, and clothes from outdoor areas during spraying. If outdoor equipment and toys are exposed to pesticides, wash them with soap and water before using again.

Wash skin and clothing exposed to pesticides with soap and water. Always wash your produce thoroughly with water before cooking or eating.
South Korea Samsung Battery Fires

FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 file photo, customers wait for recall of their Samsung Electronics Galaxy Note 7 smartphones as powered-off Galaxy Note 7 smartphones are displayed at the company's service center in Seoul, South Korea. Samsung on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, plans to issue a software update for its recalled Galaxy Note 7 smartphones that will prevent them from overheating by limiting battery recharges to under 60 percent. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon. File)

(Ahn Young-joon)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The MTA wants riders and employees to avoid using Samsung Galaxy Note 7 cell phones, which have been implicated in fiery battery explosions, in stations or on buses and trains.

"MTA customers should turn off #Samsung Galaxy Note7 before entering station or boarding bus due to concerns device's battery can ignite," said a posting on the MTA Twitter feed.

Riders also should not charge phones on buses and trains, the MTA said.

The suggestions are being made as a precaution.

"No reported cases of #GalaxyNote7 igniting on MTA property, but customers and employees should avoid using them," said another message from the MTA.

The city Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to a query about whether the agency wants riders to shut their phones off on the Staten Island Ferry and in the St. George and Whitehall terminals.

Samsung has been "advising that you power down your Note7 and exchange it now, as part of our U.S. Product Exchange Program for all Galaxy Note7 owners. We strongly advise all customers to use this exchange program because your safety is our top priority."

The company has stopped selling the Galaxy Note 7.
ST. ANSGAR  Three generations of the Patterson family have worked in the soybean seed business.

Patterson Seed produces thousands of bushels of Stine seed beans, which are distributed throughout northern Iowa, southern Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Missouri and Michigan.

Soybean growers in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, along with the Patterson farm operation, produce 20 different types of Stine beans. With their expanding operation, Patterson Seed is currently constructing new office and warehouse space.

Today, Jeremy Patterson is the third generation to work in the business. Jeremys dad, Mike Patterson, was the first Patterson involved in the business, working for Harold Nickerson. Nickerson started the seed business located 8 miles northwest of Osage. Max Patterson, Mikes dad, later purchased the business in 1977.

In addition, Mikes wife, Lisa, has also played a big role in developing the business.

She has helped bag and did all kinds of other things throughout the years, said Mike.

Mike and Jeremy both acknowledged two of their long-term employees have had a great impact on building their business.

Tom Gerk, of rural Stacyville, was an employee with Nickerson Farms and joined the Pattersons when they bought the business. Teresa Dorsey, of Osage, who is the office manager, has been with the firm since 1999.

I began helping out as soon as I could lift 50-pound bags, said Jeremy. After high school, Jeremy attended the University of Northern Iowa where he obtained a Business Administration Degree in 2003. He returned to join the family business in September of 2005.

Jeremy explained how their soybean business operates.

When the soybeans are harvested in the fall, they are stored in steel bins. Thats when the process of producing seed beans begins, said Jeremy.

The beans are taken from the Pattersons on-site storage bins and unloaded into a gravity pit. From there they flow out of the pit into an elevator leg that transports them to overhead holding bins. The beans are then sent through a fanning mill where swift air currents blow out any foreign matter such as weed seed, dirt or other debris. Next, the seeds travel through a spiral-separator, where odd shaped beans are disposed of.

The soybeans then travel through a machine which treats them with various chemicals, specified by farmers and dealers who purchase the seed. These treatments can cost from $4 to $40 per bag, depending on specified treatment requested by the customer, said Jeremy. Other beans by-pass the chemical treatment area and are kept separate throughout the remaining process.

Untreated beans cant go through equipment which has handled treated beans. This avoids contamination, said Jeremy. Some of the seed will leave the plant untreated.

Some of the elevator legs that carry the beans are very gentle, because they are designed to handle potato chips, said Mike. We have these types of elevator legs so we dont damage the seed.

Both the untreated and treated seed beans are then sent to a bagger or stored in large bulk bins.

The seed beans are stored on-site until they are picked up.

Id say that 25 percent of our beans go in paper bags and 25 percent go into large totes or pro boxes, said Mike. This is where the business is changing, as 50 percent of the seed goes out in true bulk to large farmers or dealerships.

The Pattersons large warehouse will be filled and emptied about three times from October until May.

Mike said some of the new soybean technology headed for farmers fields are new genetic traits of beans, which can be used with chemicals that have previously been only used on corn.

New genetic beans have been developed that can be used with the herbicides using Dicamba, 2-4D, and Balance. Stine research plots with these beans are currently being tested on the Patterson Farm.

Mike said, A limited amount of Extend Beans, which will work with Dicamba herbicides, will be offered to farmers next spring.

Mike cautioned, New technology sounds great, but we dont know how it will work yet, and we dont know the cost of it. Farmers have various concerns. They dont know the cost of the seed, cost of the herbicide or the price of the beans when they sell.

The Pattersons pointed out Harry Stine, who heads the Stine Seed Company located in Adel, is an innovative corn and soybean breeder.

Stine recently helped to design a 20-inch row-crop planter with John Deere that plants current soybean seed populations but does a better job with equal distance spacing of the seed for better utilization of sunlight, and a quicker canopy production, which helps with weed control and preserves moisture to produce higher yields, said Mike.

This past spring, the Pattersons used the planter on some of their soybean acres.

Stine genetics is also working on soybean varieties that will produce angled leaves for better utilization of sunlight, said Mike.
Earlier in the year I totally fell in love with The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey after my beautiful weekend stay, enjoying incredible views and sampling Michelin-starred food at their restaurant Ocean by Mark Jordan as well as the chefs more casual Mark Jordan at the Beach.

I mean honestly who wouldnt fall in love with this beautiful place?

And its the perfect location for the annual Eat Jersey Food Festival running from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th November. The wonderful Executive Head Chef Mark Jordan, who honed his skills whilst working under Jean Christophe Novelli, will be joined some of the greatest chefs from Britain and the Channel Islands to celebrate the spectacular food and local produce in Jersey. Jersey is a small place but its foodie heaven with incredible seafood, beef from Jersey cows, the creamiest milk and the famous Jersey royals.

One of the signature events at the festival will be a pop-up restaurant on the 5th of November in partnership with Outlaws at The Capital. A stunning seafood menu created by Tom Brown from Outlaws in collaboration with Mark Jordan, will be the star of the show at Outlaws at Ocean and will available for lunch and dinner on the day.

Wishing I was back in Jersey on a hot day in London, I headed to The Capital hotel to sample a selection of the dishes that are currently on the menu at Michelin-stared Outlaws at The Capital. What I love about the Capital is that, like The Atlantic Hotel, it is a small family run property that has been passed down through the generations. Both are members of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World owing to their personal service, unique character and independent spirit. And when two of my favourite boutique hotels come together to celebrate good food and fine wine, I know Im going to be in for a treat.



I loved the chefs two-Michelin star restaurant in Cornwall, Restaurant Nathan Outlaw and I was excited to try his food at the Capital. Nathan and Head Chef Tom Brown source the very best ingredients and the freshest seafood from fisherman that they know. While fish is usually sourced around the coast of Cornwall, of course ingredients at pop up at The Atlantic will use the very best Jersey produce. I loved the fresh flavours of the starter, a simple seaweed cured salmon with cucumber chutney and horseradish cream, nothing too overwhelming on the plate just the salty flavours of the sea.

Next to me, one of the other diners enjoyed a very fine Boxeater beef tartare from Cornwall, enhanced with English mustard and sourdough for starters.

Though duck was an option, nearly everyone around the table chose the cod, as Nathan Outlaw is renowned for his excellent fish. An accompaniment of pickled mushroom, capers and red wine tartare dressing was light enough not to overwhelm the delicately flavoured and perfectly cooked fish. The dish was so well-balanced that I felt satiated and not overly full.



The dessert was equally refreshing, an elderflower ice cream sandwich with blackberries and cider. Certainly not a dessert thats going to leave you rolling on the floor feeling too full; a menu in perfect harmony.

As well as the collaboration with Outlaws at The Capital, there will be three other fine-dining events at Ocean Restaurant and Mark Jordan will be joined by the following starry chefs over the course of the weekend:

Andrew Fairlie from Andrew Fairlie Restaurant at Gleneagles

Andre Garrett from Andre Garrett Restaurant at Cliveden House

Simon McKenzie from The Brasserie Restaurant at The Old Government House Hotel & Spa, Guernsey

Matthew Peryer from The Restaurant at Lewtrenchard Manor, Devon

Steve Smith from Bohemia at The Club Hotel & Spa, Jersey

Robert Thompson from Thompsons, Isle of Wight

Nicolas Valmanga, Tassili at Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa

The festival rounds off with a fun Lobster and Burger event at Mark Jordan at the Beach, which showcases some of the finest Jersey beef and fresh lobster. Ive tried plenty of Jersey lobster and its just the best!

Sadly I wont be heading to Jersey myself to check out this wonderful festival but I was so happy to try Nathan and Toms wonderful food at the London restaurant.

Have you been to Jersey? Whats you favourite produce from the island?

I was kindly hosted by The Capital as part of a press event.
Trump hires advisers with fossil fuel ties

Last month, Donald Trump added Brooke Rollins and Kathleen Hartnett-White to his economic advisory council. Rollins is president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), while Hartnett-White has worked for the TPPF and the CO2 Coalition (formerly the George C. Marshall Institute), all of which are part of the web of denial receiving funding from the fossil fuel industry.

Hartnett-White told POLITICO in an interview that rather than listen to the conclusions of the worlds foremost climate science experts as summarized in the IPCC reports, she favors a commission that would develop an alternative scientific methodology and would include the voices of the less than 3% of climate scientists who reject the consensus on human-caused global warming.

She believes the sun had a powerful role in global warming. However, the sun has had an overall cooling effect on global temperatures over the past 60 years, as the IPCC reports have shown. She also loves fossil fuels and seems entirely opposed renewable energy and efforts to cut carbon pollution.

Hartnett-White co-authored a book with Trumps senior economic adviser Stephen Moore, as part of a TPPF effort to explain the moral case for fossil fuels and undermine the Obama Administrations Clean Power Plan. Moore has compared fracking to the cure for cancer, is a frequent Fox News and Wall Street Journal contributor, and was a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation  another fossil fuel-funded member of the web of denial. Moore has been encouraging Trump to push hard in favor of fossil fuels and against renewable energy. As a resultTrumps economic vision includes goals like:

Cancel the Paris Climate Agreement (limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius) and stop all payments of U.S. tax dollars to U.N. global warming programs.

And in the 2016 Science Debate, although he did pay brief, vague lip service to renewable energy, Trump entirely dodged the question about climate science, devoting a single dismissive sentence to one of the most important issues we face today:

There is still much that needs to be investigated in the field of climate change.

Hillary Clintons detailed answers provided a stark contrast to Trumps brief and vague responses.

Republican AGs take Big Oil donations, attack the Clean Power Plan

Meanwhile, investigative journalists at the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) uncovered a blatant example of the fossil fuel industry buying influence to undermine government efforts to tackle climate change:

Fossil fuel giants Murray Energy and Southern Company paid for meetings with Republican attorneys general to discuss their opposition to the Clean Power Plan less than two weeks before the same GOP officials petitioned federal courts to block the Obama administrations signature climate proposal, according to private emails

Coincidentally, Trumps newest adviser is a former lobbyist for Southern Company.

These fossil fuel companies were offered the opportunity to meet with GOP attorneys general in exchange for financial donations to the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) to help fund their re-election campaigns. The documents revealed that the attorneys then discussed the future of the fight to stop the Clean Power Plan.

According to materials reviewed by CMD, since 2015 RAGA has received at least $100,000 from ExxonMobil, $350,000 from Koch Industries, $85,000 from Southern Company, $378,250 from the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE), and $250,000 from Murray Energy. In total, fossil fuel interests, utilities and their trade groups have given more than $2.25 million to RAGA since 2015.

Subsequently, 15 Republican attorneys general took the Clean Power Plan to court to stop the Obama Administrations efforts to cut carbon pollution. As CMD research director Nick Surgey put it:

State attorneys general are supposed to enforce the law and serve the public interest, but instead these Republican officials have hung a For Sale sale on their door, and the fossil fuel industry proved to be the highest bidder. Its no coincidence that GOP attorneys general have mounted an aggressive fight alongside the fossil fuel industry to block the Clean Power Plan  that appears to be exactly what the industry paid for. Together, these documents reveal a sustained pattern of collusion between the fossil fuel industry and the Republican attorneys general on climate change obstructionism.

The situation is not dissimilar to Trumps donation to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who soon thereafter decided against pursuing an investigation intoTrump Universitys allegedly fraudulent activities. The Miami Herald suggested that Bondi was bought and paid for in the Trump University case. Bondi is also among the Republican attorneys general taking the Clean Power Plan to court.

Big Oil calls the shots for the GOP in all branches

And of course just a few months ago, Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a Resolution condemning a carbon tax for no apparent reason, except for possible pressure from fossil fuel industry campaign donors.

Big Oil thus appears to be calling the shots for Republican Party leaders at their highest levels in all three branches of US government
OSAGE  Osage community members interested in learning more about the OMU Community Solar Farm can attend an informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the Osage High School cafeteria.

The informational meeting will provide information on the voluntary subscription plan, timeframe for solar farm construction and other details associated with being a subscriber to the solar project.

OMU has a strong history of offering the community unique energy savings opportunities, said OMU General Manager Josh Byrnes.

OMU Accounting/Financial Director Laura Kuennen added, I feel that OMU has offered a unique subscription plan that is going to provide the electric rate payers of OMU an opportunity at being part of a renewable energy project.

For more information on the OMU Community Solar Farm Project, contact Josh Byrnes at 641-832-3731 or email at jbyrnes@osage.net.
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DES MOINES | The Iowa Supreme Court is considering whether Iowans may receive monetary compensation for rights violations committed by state government.

The court heard arguments Wednesday on portions of a lawsuit filed by Chris Godfrey, a former state workers' compensation commissioner.

Godfrey claims Gov. Terry Branstad reduced his salary because of political motivations and because Godfrey is gay and an outspoken advocate for gay rights.

The court also is considering whether Godfreys claims should be considered through the judicial branch or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.

The commission investigates claims of violations of the Iowa Civil Rights Act, which protects categories of individuals, including people who are gay, from discrimination.

Jeffrey Peterzalek, the states assistant attorney general defending Branstad, said a Supreme Court ruling allowing Godfrey to seek monetary damages would set a legal precedent.

Theres nothing in the facts of this case, or in the law of this court, or in the Constitution of this state that supports or compels this court to create a wholly new and unprecedented cause of action for damages, Peterzalek said.

Roxanne Conlin, an attorney representing Godfrey and a former political opponent of Branstad, said the Supreme Court should grant individuals the ability to seek damages to provide constitutionally protected redress.

Conlin said Godfrey also has a claim filed under the Civil Rights Act.

Statutes are at the whim of the Legislature. The Constitution is permanent. It tells us what our rights and duties are, presumably for all time, Conlin said. (A claim under the Civil Rights Act) is absolutely not enough to guarantee that these rights would be forever protected.  We should not be relegated to relying on the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

Godfrey was appointed workers' compensation commissioner by Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack in 2006 and was reappointed in 2009 to a six-year term by Democratic Gov. Chet Culver.

Shortly after Branstad, a Republican, was elected in 2010, his administration asked Godfrey to resign. When Godfrey refused, he said the administration threatened and eventually reduced his salary by $39,000.

The administration claimed Godfreys pay reduction was because of job performance. Godfrey disputed that, citing his positive work reviews and workplace ascension.

A Polk County District Court judge dismissed four of the claims; those are the claims being considered by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court at the moment is not considering the merits of Godfreys complaints, only whether he may collect damages. Depending on how the Supreme Court rules, the case could go back to district court for trial.

The court will consider the case before making a ruling. In the past two calendar years, the court has taken anywhere from less than a month to more than nine months to deliver a ruling. The current judicial term ends June 30, 2017.
A free exhibition of the work of S.T. Gill's work, once Australia's most popular artist, but now a forgotten name, is now showing at the National Library of Australia, running until October 16.

Fans of the British television series Doctor Who can admire Canberra collector Timothy Kirsopp's extensive collection of memorabilia from the series at Canberra Museum and Gallery. Free entry.

TODAY'S DAVID POPE:

Touch or click through for more David Pope

WEATHER

Keep your raincoats handy, Canberra is in for rainy conditions for the rest of the week.

Today: Cloudy. Very high (95%) chance of rain, clearing by the evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon. Max 15.

Thursday: Cloudy. High (70%) chance of showers. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h increasing to 35 to 50 km/h in the morning Min 4, Max 13.

Friday: Cloudy. High (70%) chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Min 4, Max 15.
A former union official struck a deal with prosecutors to give evidence against the CFMEU in a bid to avoid going to jail for blackmail, the Federal Court has been told.

Halafihi "Fihi" Kivalu was among Canberra union officials who allegedly moved vehicles and stood arm to arm when they blockaded a dance school construction project in Dickson during three consecutive days in June 2014.

Halafihi "Fihi" Kivalu. Credit:Jamila Toderas

He gave evidence on Wednesday in a case brought by Fair Work Building and Construction, which alleges the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Electrical Union and its officials breached the Fair Work Act during the blockade.

The federal construction watchdog claims the blockade was an attempt to force the builder, Built, to sign a CFMEU enterprise agreement.
CEDAR RAPIDS  Its a fact of political life that voters expect presidential candidates to issue at least some information on their health status, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said Wednesday.

He plans to issue his own version Thursday when he makes his annual birthday run from his suburban Washington house to the Capitol building.

Grassley, who will be 83 Saturday, regularly gets up at 4 a.m. and runs three miles four times a week. On his birthday, he runs 6.1 miles from Arlington, Virginia, to the Capitol. Since he wont be in Washington on Saturday, Grassley will make the run Thursday.

Grassley, who is facing a re-election challenge from 72-year-old Democrat Patty Judge, doesnt issue an annual health report per se, but said he thinks voters expect that from presidential candidates, especially in light of Hillary Clintons recent health problems.

If they werent running for president of the United States Id say its probably nobodys business, but its been kind of traditional here in the last several years, Grassley said.

Clinton appeared to collapse last week when she made an early departure from a New York City 9/11 tribute. Later, Clinton said she had pneumonia and left the campaign trail for a couple of days.

Republican Donald Trump was scheduled to release his health records on The Dr. Oz Show daytime television show, but said Wednesday he only would discuss general wellness and health topics in the news.

Grassley noted that presidents and their doctors routinely issue a health report after the presidents annual physical at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
The German chemical company Bayer said it will take over US seed giant Monsanto to become one of the world's biggest agriculture conglomerates.

The $US66 billion ($88 billion) deal - the largest corporate mega-merger in a year full of them - could reshape the development of seeds and pesticides necessary to fuelling the planet's food supply.

The deal is the largest all-cash buyout in history.

Bayer first made a $US62 billion offer for Monsanto in May and has increased its bid over months of negotiations. The all-cash deal is valued at about $US128 a share, making it the weightiest all-cash buyout in history, beating the $US60 billion deal between brewers Anheuser-Busch and InBev in 2008.

Bayer in the US is known largely for its pharmaceuticals, with scientists who developed modern Aspirin and Alka-Seltzer. But the deal would pivot the 117,000-employee company more towards its farm-targeting business in agriculture chemicals, crop supplies and compounds that kill bugs and weeds.
What does it tell us about our topsy-turvy financial world that the dinosaurs of iron and coal are making a comeback while the new wave of companies prospering in China have faltered.

Iron ore fanatic Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has added $3 billion to his wealth this year.

Kerry Stokes' media outfit Seven West Media might be inching back towards record lows  as you would expect but its mothership, Seven Group Holdings, has soared to a multi-year high on the back of a better -than-expected performance from mining-dependent Westrac business.

And who would have thought vitamin king Marcus Blackmore  who was on track to become a billionaire just before Christmas when the vitamin maker's stock hit a high of $220  has now watched his wealth plummet more than $400 million this year.
Australian avocado growers say shoppers could be in for a glut of poorer quality avocados, after Woolworths made changes to its supply chain earlier than expected.

Avocados Australia has called out the supermarket chain for not consulting with its suppliers after it stopped sourcing locally grown avocados for most of its Queensland stores, to be replaced by imported New Zealand avocados.

The decision came as local industry figures forecast growers would supply around six million avocados per week in September, with harvests up to Christmas expected to result in more than 17,000 tonnes of avocados, or 85 million avocados.



"Australian growers are very disappointed Woolworths has stopped sourcing locally grown avocados for most of its Queensland stores already, given the large volumes of Australian fruit that are currently available," said John Tyas, Avocados Australia CEO.
Women in politics and business are held to higher standards than men says former Twitter executive Kirstine Stewart, who has taken issue with recent comments made by former prime minister John Howard that gender parity cannot be achieved because women take on greater caring roles.

Ms Stewart, who on September 2 stepped down as vice-president of media for Twitter's North American media partnerships, said Mr Howard's comments  that "you will ever have a 50/50 thing because ... women play a significantly greater part of filling the caring role"  was based on old-fashioned notions that needed to be challenged at work and in the home.

"There's a presumption and expectation in a lot of circles that women are caregivers and it's taken as a done deal," she told Fairfax Media. Ms Stewart is in Australia this week to promote her book on women in leadership titled Our Turn.

She said technology had made it possible for companies to allow flexible working arrangements and men were increasingly prepared to step in and take on caring roles.
The head of Surf Life Saving NSW embezzled more than $3 million before he resigned from his job in July.

The NSW Supreme Court has heard Matthew Hanks admitted to defrauding the organisation in his resignation letter on July 13.

A spokesman for Surf Life Saving NSW said an internal investigation has been launched. Credit:Jessica Hromas

Justice James Stevenson said Surf Life Saving NSW is still investigating how much Hanks stole.

But its current estimate exceeds $3 million.
Making money for the government should not be the LDA's core function. Its real priorities must be the co-ordination and management of well paced and affordable land releases to meet the needs of our growing city that strike a balance between fair returns and social equity.

The move marks a belated recognition by the ACT government that despite its commendable record as a cash cow, the LDA has performed poorly.

The kindest thing that can be said about the decision to take responsibility for the infill redevelopment of land along Northbourne Avenue off the Land Development Agency is it is almost certainly for the best.

This hasn't been happening. As a result the LDA has been under fire from all sides over the slow pace at which land has been released, the significant reduction in the average sizes of blocks being offered for sale over the last decade, an undue emphasis on units and the exclusion of private players from new suburb projects.

It is close to a decade since Jon Stanhope set the agency the task of building up a bank of at least 1000 "build ready" blocks of land that could be sold through shop fronts to people planning to build a home.

It has never seriously attempted to meet this goal with the result this is the only jurisdiction in Australia where, unless you can find a builder who has an undeveloped block or three in their back pocket, you can't inspect a block, buy it and then start building.

It is an absurd situation and one that leads to long waiting times and massive inconvenience for people trying to negotiate the move from rental accommodation to a home of their own.

While Chief Minister Andrew Barr has to date been reticent about who actually will be looking after the development of tens of thousands of home sites along the corridor, it seems possible private interests may play a role.
There is a palpable sense of frustration within the Andrews government that its achievements are being drowned out by political white noise.

The Victorian economy is, by some measures, the strongest in the nation, and growing at its fastest pace for eight years.

The work at Bentleigh station on the Frankston line as part of the level crossing-removal project. Credit:Justin McManus

Since December 2014 (Labor's first full month in government), 114,000 jobs have been created, about 99,000 of them full-time.

The state is about to become a giant construction site. There are currently 35 level crossing-removal projects either completed, under construction or at the detailed planning stage.
The Callinan Report is a carefully measured and magisterially argued consideration of the effects of densely-clustered and late-trading alcohol venues on local communities. It deserves to be read by all Australians concerned about public policy, health and welfare.

As a city it is vital we think very carefully about how we define late-night vibrancy. We should never go back to the way things were before February 2014. Sydney has to be better than that.

End of an era: Bourbon Hotel, Kings Cross, Sydney, is on the market as a potential development project. Credit:John Reid

The majority of us in Kings Cross who fought to stop the rivers of grog are long-term residents. From 2007, we lost our bohemian and diverse mecca of cafes, cabarets, and, yes, some strip clubs when dodgy nightclubs, booze barns, convenience stores and fast food outlets took over. Alcohol Inc. is a major cartel in our hood.

Some mornings, as Professor Gordian Fulde said in the report, the St Vincent's emergency department was "like a military battle field" with "people bleeding, vomiting and unable to control bladders". On weekends our streets were like a warzone, where we were stepping over bodies and vomit.
Were those who argue that a plebiscite on same-sex marriage would be marked by abuse and rancour merely seeking to prove their point when they described those who do not support the case for change as bigots, homophobes, medieval, superstitious and zealots in yesterday's letters?

Gary Ireland Elderslie While I don't go along with same-sex "marriages" let's call it a partnership. I don't believe the government will be able to stop people being in same-sex partnerships, so why waste the money on a plebiscite. People cannot help how their genes turn out, so let them be happy in their "partnership relationship".



Ron Field Bermagui To prevent this plebiscite creating a precedent for resolving future thorny issues, those pollies supporting such opinion polls, should have the cost deducted from their salaries.



Fay Smith Tempe Countries are being bombed to smithereens, human beings bereaved, maimed and murdered, millions fleeing the bombs, those fleeing are abused and locked up in camps, some fleeing being tortured and left in indefinite detention. There is underfunding of health and education, one woman killed every week in Australia by her partner and funding cuts to places for these women to go, homelessness is on the increase. Instead time and a ridiculous amount of money is to be spent on asking people if they are for or against two people getting married. Why are religions not shouting from the rooftops about the real harm being done to human beings through the war industry, instead of interfering in two people's wish to get married?

There are too many to list all the countries that now have same sex-marriage; these include New Zealand, Sweden, Scotland and Ireland. The sky has not fallen in these countries. Patricia Philippou Waverley Les Hicks (Letters, September 14), the event that had the most impact in modern history on how marriages operate did not require a plebiscite. The contraceptive pill was made available, despite opposition, and marriage survived. Same-sex marriage will not affect heterosexual ones, I promise you. Christine Northam Caringbah MasterChef's gastronomic crime

Further to Lou Collier's suggestion that we've probably reached our "jumped the shark" hour with foodie culture, (Letters, September 14), I'm gobsmacked that a dessert-making competition is being presented on prime time TV with prizemoney of $100,000 up for grabs. Decadent concoctions that take hours to prepare. It was bordering on criminal negligence that the final of MasterChef 2016 came down to the contestants having to prepare a 91-step dessert over an allotted 5 hours. That was simply ridiculous and has turned me (and many of my friends) off MasterChef for ever. How can anyone justify that sort of food preparation? For a sweet end to the meal, can't it be as simple as a slice or two of fresh mango, or a scoop of chocolate gelato?



Michael Bird Lismore League players know their art too Andrew Dostine (Letters, September 14) should be aware that it's not only Herald journalists who are cultured. The novelty has worn off listening to Rugby League players say that something was surreal. I mean where do they find the time after all of their training to attend classes on surrealism? Joseph Boulous Merrylands

Dressing down Should we laugh or cry that in 2016 men in frocks are still getting their knickers in a knot over two men in suits. Craig Worsley Tweed Heads Turnbull's report card too generous, like his tax cuts to business Your report card on Malcolm Turnbull's first year in office was overly generous in the economy section. As noted, the only reason the economy is still in positive territory is an increase in mining revenue. This is a negative gift as it covers up the fact the economy hasn't changed to a newer, more innovative version. By far the biggest item in the economic landscape is the massive proposed tax cuts to big business over 10 years. They dwarf everything else and are generally believed to be a very poor strategy to drive innovation and growth. The rest of the economic measures in the proposed omnibus cost-cutting bill look like an ugly collection of ideologically driven cuts to the poor, to students and anyone but the wealthy. This is an economic strategy devoid of vision. A huge gift to big business and some meagre, nasty cost-cutting measures and nothing else. Your economics commentator must have rosy coloured glasses on.

Rob Bower Peregian Beach To commemorate the anniversary of Malcolm Turnbull's prime ministership, I would urge all of us to consider the achievements of this great leader. He, well he  he said he was going to  and then he  but  and then there was  but they  oh fiddlesticks. Budget deficit disaster. Stop the boats. Dastyari. Plebiscite. Tom Orren Wamberal Nation must face alcohol addiction

The independent Callinan review into the impact of the lockout and last drinks laws neatly cuts through the misinformation and conspiracy theories with the finding that Sydney's "grossly overcrowded, violent, noisy and dirty" late-night precincts have been positively transformed ("Lockout laws: the verdict", September 14). The claimed vibrancy in the city's alcohol hotspots apparently only emerged after far too many drinks. It is possible to have a nightlife that is fun and thriving but also sophisticated. It shouldn't mean bodies and bodily fluids on the streets. Until Australia sorts its booze culture out, turning off the taps for a few hours a night is entirely sensible. Better planning that keeps a lid on licence numbers in any particular area would also ensure the same mistakes aren't repeated. Stephen Pate Surry Hills Police, paramedics, doctors and nurses are the frontline people who have to deal with the effects of alcohol-induced violence in our society ("Easing lockout laws will bring more violence warns surgeon", September 14). I hope the state government will continue to listen to their voices before any changes to the lockout laws are considered. John de Bres Rose Bay

Multiple opinions on single-sex education So now we have proof that spending all that public money duplicating schools to cater for single-sex classes is a further waste of taxpayers' funds ("No benefit to single-sex education, Australian Psychological Society Congress to be told", SMH, Sept 13). It's time to call a spade a spade and recognise that all that pampering of private school students in their lavishly tailored, sometimes peacockishly ornate uniforms serves no real purpose other than as a vulgar display of wealth. And it's further proof that it is socio-economic advantage that makes the real difference, and that the Gonski reforms are more important than ever. Brenton White Mosman Regardless of the report's findings, many girls and boys prefer learning in a single-sex environment. Learning in a comfortable environment should never be governed merely by statistics. Janice Creenaune Austinmer

Wood for the trees The problem with people who leave the city for more remote places to get away from it all (Letters, September 14), then find they can't easily access things like the internet and health services, is that they end up writing letters to the paper complaining they don't have it all. Alicia Dawson Balmain Decision leaves a sour taste Evidently legal hands are tied by the inability of the independent planning assessment commission to allow the court to determine whether the Springvale mining project would have a neutral or beneficial effect on water quality. How depressing: the impact on our current and future water supply is at risk, but the court is unable to do anything about it.

Chris Bilsland Lane Cove So our environmental protection laws can't prevent saline water flowing into Sydney's drinking water. Maybe we will need to build a second desalination plant at Warragamba Dam. Cathy Merchant Hunters Hill Hot air on climate change From Senator Roberts, "It is basic. The sun warms the earth's surface. The surface, by contact, warms the moving, circulating atmosphere. That means the atmosphere cools the surface. How then can the atmosphere warm it? It cannot. That is why their computer models are wrong," ("One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts calls for 'Aus-Exit' from 'monster' United Nations in first speech", smh.com.au, September 14). Please someone, give this man a greenhouse.

Joe Forwood Grafton If One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts' comments about climate change in his first speech to Parliament reflect the understanding of thermodynamics he acquired while taking his engineering degree at the University of Queensland, then I suppose we should be grateful that he went into politics and isn't designing nuclear power stations or aircraft engines.



John Kot North Narrabeen Turnbull shoots and misses I note that you didn't score Turnbull's success with climate change policy. Is this because it is one complete miss and hence 0 out of 10?



David Curtis Fairy Meadow Boats policy saves money

Leo Sorbello (Letters, September 14) repeats the claim in your story that Australia has spent $9.6bn to stop the boats. This is untrue. The 2000 asylum seekers we have spent this money on were clearly on boats that were not stopped. The government has spent $9.6bn to maintain control of Australia's borders. To assess the value of this, commentators should estimate the cost of supporting more asylum seekers who would almost certainly have arrived should the Rudd government, followed by the Abbott government, have not stopped the boats. David Hand Newport One more question
What if our government really wanted to save money? As well as going after $6.7 billion in its omnibus savings bill, it could go after the billions more it costs to run our immigration detention centres: $9.2 billion in the past three years, $3.9 billion to $5.5 billion in the next four, according to the most complete accounting yet of the costs normally hidden in inaccessible parts of the the budget.

It comes as an Audit Office report identifies the cost per offshore detainee: a gobsmacking $573,100 per year.

For that price  $1570 per day  we could put them up in a Hyatt and pay them the pension 15 times over.

It costs less than half that, $200,000 a year, to house a typical onshore prisoner; a mere fraction of that, $72,000 including super, to pay a typical full-time worker, and just $20,700 a year to pay a full pensioner.
CEDAR RAPIDS  Theres more at stake than his Twitter account, Sen. Chuck Grassley said about asking the Obama administration to reconsider ceding authority over the internet to a multi-national panel.

If China wanted to censor my Twitter account they could do it right now, Grassley said with a laugh. The Iowa Republican is an active tweeter with 102,000 followers on the social media network.

Grassley and other members of the House and Senate have asked the Departments of Justice and Commerce to reconsider the transition that is scheduled to occur Oct. 1. The Obama administration has decided to turn over the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to multi-national authority.

Grassley is concerned that totalitarian governments  Russian, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China and, perhaps, North Korea  would censor what could appear on the internet.

As you know, Grassley and colleagues wrote, many in Congress have expressed concerns that this irreversible decisions could result in a less transparent and accountable internet governance regime or provide an opportunity for an enhanced role for authoritarian nation-states in internet governance.

The internet is to expand discussion and relationships, he told reporters. Weve seen China do a lot of censoring.

Iowans would be unlikely to see an immediate change if the transfer occurs Oct. 1, Grassley said, but depending on what happens in months or years down the road they might see a lot of difference. Thats why Im opposing the change.

Grassley was joined in the letter by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va.
The best Malcolm Turnbull could say of his first anniversary as prime minister was "so far so good". It's hardly a ringing endorsement. So far, his only real achievement is not quite losing the election to Bill Shorten. And this week, for the first time, the Labor leader's net Newspoll unpopularity was better than the Prime Minister's.

Along the Parliament House corridors, Labor MPs are now displaying in their office windows caricatures of a glum Malcolm Turnbull with the caption "fizza". As a gay-marriage, climate change and republic-supporting man of the left, Turnbull was every Labor voter's dream as Liberal leader. To be supported by large sections of the media, he had to be a man of the left; but to stay prime minister of a Coalition government he now has to become a person of the centre right.

Turnbull needs to stop looking like a loser and start preparing for the next election. That means giving his party's supporters something to cheer while also finding causes that will attract Labor voters to the Liberal side. That's not siding with the left. It's finding issues that his people will support and that many Labor people might too.

With such an agenda, even now Turnbull could rally the government and win the next federal election. Without one, or with something that's just Labor lite, it's increasingly clear that the government seems doomed to a heavy defeat.

So what should be done?
Clocking wind speeds of 300 km/h, super typhoon Meranti, now the Earth's strongest storm of the year, is forecast to graze Taiwan on Wednesday before barrelling into China.

The monster storm is the strongest recorded since 2013, when super typhoon Haiyan killed more than 6000 people in the Philippines.

Meranti prompted Taiwan officials to evacuate nearly 1800 tourists from offshore islands and close some schools and offices.

The storm produced gusts of 362 km/h Tuesday morning, along with waves around 14.5 metres, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre said.
I love my country, culture and way of life. My pride and patriotism were instilled in me from an early age when I watched the Australian flag raised every morning at school and sang the national anthem; watching our athletes compete on the world stage, proud to salute the Australian flag being raised to honour them as they took their place on podiums. It is about belonging, respect and commitment to fight for Australia. This will never be traded or given up for the mantras of diversity or tolerance. Australia had a national identity before Federation, and it had nothing to do with diversity and everything to do with belonging. Tolerance has to be shown by those who come to this country for a new way of life. If you are not prepared to become Australian and give this country your undivided loyalty, obey our laws, respect our culture and way of life, then I suggest you go back where you came from. If it would be any help, I will take you to the airport and wave you goodbye with sincere best wishes. Australia is predominantly a Christian country, but our government is secular. Our Constitution prevents governments from imposing religious rule and teachings. The separation of church and state has become an essential component of our way of life, and anything that threatens that separation threatens our freedom. Australia has embraced migrants from all different races, making us one of the most multiracial nations on earth. Most have assimilated and are proud to call themselves Australians, accepting our culture, beliefs and laws. I welcome them from the bottom of my heart. As they integrate and assimilate, the disruption caused by diversity diminishes. Why then has Islam and its teachings had such an impact on Australia like no other religion? Islam sees itself as a theocracy. Islam does not believe in democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, or freedom of assembly. It does not separate religion and politics. It is partly a religion, but it is much more than that. It has a political agenda that goes far outside the realm of religion. It regulates Muslims' social and domestic life, their legal system and politics - their total life. Australia is now seeing changes in suburbs predominantly Muslim. Tolerance towards other Australians is no longer the case. Our law courts are disrespected and prisons have become breeding grounds for Muslims to radicalise inmates. Muslims are imprisoned at almost three times the average rate. The rate of unemployed and public dependency is two to three times greater than the national average. Muslims are prominent in organised crime, with associated violence and drug dealing. Antisocial behaviour is rampant, fuelled by hyper-masculine and misogynist culture. Multiple social surveys find that neighbourhoods of Muslim settlement are suffering from collapsing social cohesion and fear of crime. Australians, in general, are more fearful. Not only is terrorism seen around the world but it is now part of our society, with Muslim refugees involved in the Lindt Cafe siege, the Curtis Cheng murder in Sydney and the stabbing of the two police officers in Melbourne. The Grand Mufti and other Muslim leaders are deafening with their silence, or lack of sympathy. Radicalisation is happening on our streets, in our suburbs and mosques. Yet, our leaders continue to tell us to be tolerant and embrace the good Muslims. But how should we tell the difference? There is no sign saying 'good Muslim' or 'bad Muslim'. How many lives will be lost or destroyed trying to determine who is good and who is bad?

Many more Australian Muslims have volunteered, or have tried to volunteer, to fight for ISIS than we have in our own Defence Force. ASIO has over 509 terrorist suspects under surveillance. Civil tension is on the rise across the country, led by Australians feeling the impact of Islam in their lives and a distaste for its beliefs. Their tolerance to our customs has seen Christmas carols no longer sung at some schools and Bibles not to be found in most hospitals. Some public swimming baths have times set aside for Muslim women only, and drivers licenses are obtained by Muslim women wearing the burqa and niqab. Prayer rooms are now provided in universities, hospitals, schools, airports and shopping centres to accommodate Muslims. Halal certification tax has been forced upon us, costing Australians approximately $10 million a year. Halal certification is not a religious requirement but a moneymaking racket, and certification is unnecessary for Muslims' welfare because non-halal products can be consumed, provided the word 'Bismillah' is said over the food and a prayer is recited. Muslims want to see sharia law introduced in Australia. This law is a totalitarian civil code which prescribes harsh feudal rules imposed on everything, firstly for Muslims, later for everyone. As long as Islam is considered a religion, sharia conflicts with our secular state. Islam cannot have a significant presence in Australia if we are to live in an open, secular and cohesive society. Never before in Australia's history have we seen civil unrest and terror associated with a so-called religion, or from followers of that faith. We have seen the destruction that it is causing around the world. If we do not make changes now, there will be no hope in the future. Have no doubt that we will be living under sharia law and treated as second-class citizens with second-class rights if we keep heading down the path with the attitude, 'She'll be right, mate.' Therefore, I call for stopping further Muslim immigration and banning the burqa, as they have done in many countries around the world. Burqas are not a religious requirement. Most Australians find them confronting, as did two of our former prime ministers. I am sure a lot of the women forced to wear them would love to cast them aside but live in fear to do so. In addition, no more mosques or schools should be built, and those that already exist should be monitored with regard to what they are teaching until the present crisis is over. Sharia law should not be acknowledged or allowed. And Australian companies should be banned from paying for halal certification. Australians have never been permitted to vote on immigration and multiculturalism. When have we been asked or consulted about our population? We reached a population of 24 million this year, 17 years ahead of prediction. Governments have continually brought in high levels of immigration, so they say, to stimulate the economy. This is rubbish. The economy is stimulated by funding infrastructure projects, creating employment. What major projects have we had in this country for the past 30 years? How many dams have we built in the past 50 years? The only stimulation that is happening is welfare handoutsmany going to migrants unable to get jobs. At present, our immigration intake is 190,000 a year. High immigration is only beneficial to multinationals, banks and big business, seeking a larger market while everyday Australians suffer from this massive intake. They are waiting longer for their life-saving operation. The unemployment queues grow longerand even longer when government jobs are given priority to migrants. Our city roads have become parking lots. Schools are bursting at the seams. Our aged and sick are left behind to fend for themselves. And many cities and towns struggle to provide water for an ever-growing population. Our service providers struggle to cope, due to a lack of government funding, leaving it to charities to pick up the pieces. Governments, both state and federal, have a duty of care to the Australian people. Clean up your own backyard before flooding our country with more people who are going to be a drain on our society. I call for a halt to further immigration and for government to first look after our aged, the sick and the helpless.

Foreign investment and foreign ownership are great concerns. The government finally released its register of foreign ownership, which reveals that foreign interests owned 13.6 per cent of Australia's farmland. That is 52 million hectares. It includes 30 per cent of the Northern Territory's farmland and 22 per cent of Tasmania's. The register fails to show the quality of the foreign owned land. Is it the jewels in the nation's agricultural crown? Let's have a register on all land owned by foreigners, including non-agricultural land and housing. And why is there no information on who owns our country's vital irrigation and water assets, despite this being promised? The registry is a disgrace. It makes me wonder whose interests this government is serving. Australia needs a national government, not a corporate one, not a union one, and not an alternative lifestyle one. Any foreign ownership is regrettable, but why are we allowing the Chinese government, an oppressive communist regime, to own our land and assets? Why are we allowing our ports, utilities, services, agricultural land, and industries, to be acquired by foreigners of any nationality? It is foolhardy to sell our water, agricultural landour food source!essential services and ports. This is not in Australia's national or security interests. This foreign takeover is destroying small towns across the nation. A farm once the home of an Australian family is now run by a manager. People move, less money is spent, schools lose students and then the town starts to die. Now these foreign owned properties become food bowls for their own countries. Tax is avoided, or very little paid, because they go straight from paddock to plate. Transfer pricing, which involves minimising taxation by artificially charging high prices or operating costs to subsidiaries in Australia, and other forms of tax minimisation, are a certainty. Housing is beyond the dreams of ordinary Australians. Why? Because they cannot afford to buy, due to foreign investors driving up prices. Officially, foreigners can only buy new housing, but this is not policed. If the Liberal Party wants a pat on the back for having reduced the purchase price to $15million before it has to go to the Foreign Investment Review Board, they will not get it from me. I intend to give them a kick up the backside. Australians have given their lives protecting this great land from foreign takeover. I can guarantee most did not want to go to war but knew it was their duty to ensure their loved ones lived in peace. But, more importantly, they fought for freedom. I want Australian land, houses and companies to remain locally owned, and I believe I speak for the majority of Australians. Our land and assets are not for sale. Governments are only caretakers of our assets. No contract has been signed giving them permission to sell them. If they cannot rein in the budget with overpaid public servantsone being the head of Australia Post, who is on $4.8 million per yearforeign aid, welfare fraud, politicians lurks and perks, including former prime ministers, and backroom deals for government jobs, then get out of the job of running this country. I warn this government and future governments: you never miss the water till the well runs dry. Australia's federal gross debt is currently $499 billion. Our interest payments are over $43.5 million a day. Out-of-control government spending, mismanagement of taxpayers' dollars, multinationals not paying their fair share of tax and welfare that was introduced to provide for the aged and sick, or as a helping hand for those going through tough times, has now become a way of life for some and is abused and rorted by others. Welfare costs the Australian taxpayer approximately $158 billion a year and this is expected to rise to $191 billion by 2019-20. Nearly one half of our budget is spent on welfare. This is out of control and must be reined in.

Farmers are screaming out for workers and small businesses have difficulty in finding people who want to work. Welfare is not a right, unless you are aged or sick. It is a privilege paid for by hard-working Australians. I support the government in wanting to stop school leavers going immediately onto welfare. What message are we sending them? Teach them how to apply for a job, rather than encouraging them to become dependent on money they have neither earned nor worked for. Then we have the single mums having more children just to maintain their welfare payments, and Muslim men marrying multiple wives, under their laws, then having multiple children at our expense while they collect thousands of dollars a week from the taxpayer. How many have ever held a job? Why would anyone want to work when welfare is so very lucrative? If people bring children into the world, it is their responsibility not the taxpayers'. Therefore, I propose that if a woman has a child, the taxpayer will support the first child, but, if they have more, there will be no increase to the welfare payment. Get a job and start taking responsibility for your own actions. Not only are we facing a crisis with welfare but also with our health budget. It also is being scammed, abused and rorted and is costing taxpayers billions. The Health Care Card has no identification on it, just a name and number. Anyone can, and does, take another person's card when visiting a doctor, especially those who bulk-bill. Prescriptions are collected at a cost to the taxpayer, if the cardholder is on welfare. Overseas tourists, illegals and those not entitled to Medicare use their family's card or a friend's card. Let me give an example. When one tourist visiting family fell sick, he went to the doctor and used his cousin's Medicare card. He ended up in hospital and died. The owner of the card had to admit it was not he. 'What happened?' you ask. Well, he just had to pay the hospital bill. We have to stop the rorts, mismanagement and abuse of our taxpayer-funded services, whether it be welfare, health or education. If you want to access these services then apply for an Australian identity card. You must prove you are entitled to apply for the card on a points system. There should not be any complaints because applying for a $30 phone plan is the same. So I will not accept do-gooders complaining about people's privacy. The card will have an identification chip, a photo and electronic fingerprint. If we are ever going to pull back our deficit we must stop the thieves. If you are not prepared to apply for the card, that is your choice, but expect to pay full price for doctors and prescriptions, and no more welfare handouts will be coming your way. Family Law would be the most discriminatory, biased and unworkable policy in this country. I referred to it in my maiden speech 20 years ago and still nothing has changedif anything, it is worse. As a nation, we should hang our heads in shame when, on average, three men, and occasionally a woman, suicide a day due to family breakdowns. The whole system is unworkable and is in desperate need of change. Children are used as pawns in custody battles where women make frivolous claims and believe they have the sole right to the children. Children have two parents and, until we treat mums and dads with the same courtesy and rights, we will continue to see murders due to sheer frustration and depression and mental illness caused by this unworkable system. Suicide is the only way out for those who feel there is no hope after facing years of costly legal battles. Their lives having been destroyed and the pain of missing their children are the reasons many end up in a state of depression caused by the trauma and in some cases the blatant vindictiveness from former partners. Child support is another contentious issue and should be revised. Some parents are left caring and providing for children without any financial help from the other parent. Others refuse to work so they do not have to pay child support. The system needs to be balanced, taking in the age of the child on a sliding scale and both parents' incomes should be taken into account. Non-custodial parents find it hard to restart their lives, with excessive child support payments that see their former partners live a very comfortable life. Make it fair with both custody and child support and most parents will gladly take on their responsibility.

I ask all parents: is it worth the pain and anguish to deny your child the love they so deserve from both parents? They are only children for such a short time and all children need both parents. Please put your differences aside, make your peace and come to agreements outside of law courts. The only ones to gain are the legal professions, who are rubbing their hands together watching the thousands of dollars coming their way. Is it worth losing the family home? Is it worth the grief it brings not only to you but also to your extended families, not to mention the children? At the end of the day, the answer is no. I speak from experience not only as a mum myself but also as a grandmother. I am not going to do a Derryn Hinch and speak for 45 minutes - oh, he still awake! I have a lot more to say but I have six years in this place - Derryn, sorry, you only have three - so there will be plenty of time. Oh, I can feel the Greens cringing - no they have left - and squirming in their seats at the thought that I could possibly be here for six years. In closing, I will finish on this note: very few of us ever travel a journey alone and nor should we. Our loved ones and friends we have accumulated along the way are an integral part of who we are. Three of my children are here today. They have been with me every step of the way sharing my triumphs and battles, my high points and the lowest in my life. I did not know my life was going to be such a roller-coaster of a ride. I love you with all my heart. But I hate to tell you guys: it's not over yet; buckle up. There are those who kept the political party I launched in 1997 alive for 13 years after I left in 2002 till I came back in November 2014. Special thanks to Ian Nelsen for never giving up and for asking me to come back and lead the party. James Ashby is a man I have the utmost respect and admiration for. Like myself, the establishment has also kicked him about unfairly. Your dedication and hard work beside me added up to the clincher that not only saw me win my seat but also saw the other senators win their seats. With deep appreciation and sincerity, thank you. Thanks to Sarah Beric. You took on a task unbeknown to you, from performing as a professional violinist to running a political office and campaigns. You have been invaluable. A couple of strangers came along at the right time, helped me spread my wings and gave me the support and assistance I needed that now see me standing on this floor today. These people are no longer strangers but dear friends, welcome at home any time for another lamb roast. Thank you, Bill and Renatta.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan says he expects that at least "thousands" of illegal guns to be handed over in a planned national firearms amnesty.

But the nature of the illicit market meant it was hard to know how many owners of illegal guns would actually be prepared to give them up, as opposed to serious criminals who will want to hang onto their weapons, he said.

Mr Keenan has confirmed Fairfax Media reports on Wednesday that the federal government will soon nail down an agreement with states and territories for a gun amnesty, two decades after the Port Arthur massacre prompted the successful gun buyback launched by John Howard.

"What we want to do is reduce the number of guns that are in the illegal and the grey market," Mr Keenan said on Wednesday.
1. Abbott new defence for Knights and Dames?

One expects one will not be amused by the latest revelation to spill forth from former Murdoch editor Chris Mitchell's tell-all book.

In his new book, in which he breaks off-the-record confidences of former PMs, Mitchell says Tony Abbott told him the Queen pressured the former PM to reinstate the universally-derided Knights and Dames honours which culminated in an Australia Day knighthood for Prince Philip.

Her Majesty The Queen receives Tony Abbott at Government House in 2011. Credit:Lyndon Mechielsen

According to Renee Viellaris, Mitchell writes: "He (Abbott) assured me that the knighthood was not his idea and that the Queen had been concerned that Prince Philip had honours from many Commonwealth countries but not for Australia." Yowza. [Courier Mail]
And that's where we will leave you today - but first, a recap.

As it has all week, the same-sex marriage plebiscite dominated the agenda - but we finally saw the legislation (which Labor has all but said it will be opposing) introduced into the House.

And it had some interesting bits and pieces contained within it about the publicly funded yes and no campaigns.

With the first anniversary of the Turnbull Government approaching - so are the critiques. Peta Credlin made her views clear - but does that mean Tony Abbott could ever be back? And has Malcolm Turnbull delivered - My colleague Peter Martin gives his view here.

Stephanie Peatling, Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen will be with you as soon as the Parliament files back in for the Thursday sitting day. Enjoy your evening - and thanks, as always, for reading.
Imagine it's lunch. You are holding a fat slice of watermelon. It looks delicious. You move in for a bite. But something goes terribly wrong. The fruit slips from your juice-slicked fingers. Time slows as the nutritious treat tumbles to the linoleum.

Eh. You shrug, scooping up the slice. Maybe you make a halfhearted attempt to brush it clean. Maybe you even invoke that childhood decree - the five-second rule - as you sink your teeth into its melon flesh.

Think it's safe to eat that piece of toast off the floor? Think again. Credit:iStock

If you are unfamiliar with the rule, if you were never a klutzy child with a sweet tooth and a fistful of M&Ms, it is simply this: If you drop food to the ground, you have a five-second window to pick it up and the snack will remain clean enough to eat.

Like most ideas concocted in cafeterias where the French toast sticks are haute cuisine, this rule does not hold up under intelligent, or basically any, scrutiny - including a study published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
But there's also no doubt that many wonderful things happen, each and every day; good people do good things all the time but unfortunately we don't hear as much about them.

And sadly, these things do happen. There's no doubt there are bad people doing bad things; there's no doubt there are troubles in the world; and here at home.

If we turn on the nightly news we're more than likely to hear horror stories about death and destruction; hate and horror; misery and murderous machinations.

How often do you hear people talking about the troubles in the world or referring to ways it's all going to hell in a handbasket?

I'm not in any way suggesting we live in a "perfect" world but what I do want to invite you to think about today is that we may well be living in a wonderful world; a world far more marvelous and inspiring than many of us realise.

If, for example, you head on over to a fabulous website called Our World in Data you might be surprised to learn that on pretty much every measure, the world is a better place now than it has been in previous years and decades.

There are significantly fewer deaths by war; more and more people living in democracy; income inequality has been reduced; poverty is declining faster than at any other time in history; life expectancy has massively increased; health inequality has massively decreased; and child mortality is markedly down. And that's just to list a few of the many surprising findings listed on this credible website.

So why do we feel so afraid and upset when we should be feeling satisfied and optimistic?

Well, I think there are a number of reasons for this. First and foremost, our media agencies tend to focus more on what's going wrong; on the negatives of life. I don't blame them for this, it's just the way it is. But we need to recognise it for what it is and understand that although those things do happen, they're massively over-represented online and on TV. So although there is "bad" in the world, there's not as much bad as we're often led to believe (if you haven't already done so, go and look at that website to which I referred earlier in this article).
More than half of girls in British schools and colleges have faced sexual harassment, according to a new report on Tuesday that called for sex education to be provided for all children in primary and secondary school.

A parliamentary committee report said sexual bullying had become an expected part of girls' everyday lives. The report found evidence that almost a third of 16 to 18-year-olds had experienced unwanted sexual touching at school.

More than half of girls in British schools and colleges have faced sexual harassment. Credit:Erin Jonasson

"Surely no one who reads or hears these striking statistics today could now deny how serious ... this problem is," Katie Russell of Rape Crisis, a charity which works with survivors of sexual abuse, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Young people told the committee that complaints of sexual harassment would often be forgotten, with no action taken.
No-one can remember exactly when Frances Goldin began attending Gay Pride in New York City, but, says the 92-year-old, it has been "since the beginning."

The Manhattan-based activist, literary agent and mother has held the same placard aloft throughout her time campaigning for gay rights since her two daughters came out as lesbians in 1970, the year after the city's Stonewall riots.

Frances Goldin with her famous sign at Gay Pride on June 30, 2013 in New York City. Credit:Andrew Burton/Getty

Written by a signwriter friend, the bold sign reads "I adore my lesbian daughters, keep them safe" and, more than 30 years on from its first appearance, it's still a fixture at the annual march for equality.

"Since the beginning of the parade, I've been going and waving my sign," Goldin told BuzzFeed. "It sort of hit a nerve with people, particularly those whose parents rejected them. The response to the sign is always so great  it urges me to keep going."
DES MOINES  Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps campaign launched a push Wednesday to garner the support of Iowa female voters by touting his plan to make child care more affordable for working families and single mothers.

Nearly 70 members of the Iowa Women for Trump coalition gathered at the state Capitol with Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, House Speaker Linda Upmeyer and other top GOP women to show their solidarity for the Republican nominee, who is locked in a tight race with Democrat Hillary Clinton in a key swing state.

Trump has not polled well among prospective female voters in light of past statements he has made about women, but Upmeyer said she believes that may change as the campaign focuses on issues like security, tax and regulatory policies, school choice and economic stability.

I think women are certainly beginning to make that shift, said Upmeyer, a Clear Lake representative. I think the more they learn about what Donald Trump has in mind, the more confident they become that thats a good decision.

Upmeyer said a consistent theme she hears on the campaign trail in Iowa is that Iowans are tired of the status quo, theyre hungry for change and they want to shake up Washington by backing a candidate who is not a career politician like Clinton.

Theyre tired of political elites who seemingly live above the law, laws where others would face penalties or maybe even prison time, she told a rally outside the Iowa Capitol building. You cant be trusted if no one believes what you say and you cant lead if the rules dont apply to you.

Reynolds said Iowa Republicans have the momentum, enthusiasm and determination heading in the buildup to the Nov. 8 election and they support Trump because he has shown himself to be pro-family, pro-child and pro-worker at a time when women have not fared well in the past eight years.

We are more insecure that we were eight years ago and were more vulnerable to terrorism, said Reynolds, who called Trump the candidate that stands with women on issues that we care most about.

As an example, Reynolds pointed to Trumps child care plan that would seek to make child care expenses tax deductible for families earning less than $500,000 and proposes to establish tax-free accounts to be used for childcare and child enrichment activities. Another provision would guarantee six weeks of paid maternity leave by extending unemployment insurance benefits to working mothers whose employers do not offer that benefit.

Childcare is the No. 1 cost holding back working families, Reynolds said, and Trumps plan would offer more flexibility that existing assistance plans. Hes elevated the conversation, she told reporters, weve got to figure our how its funded.

However, Democrats were quick to point out flaws in Trumps childcare plan that they say surfaced 456 days after he announced his presidential bid and oozes with what they called underlying misogyny while primarily benefitting the wealthy at the expense of working-class Americans.

This is Trumps latest attempt to salvage his disastrous polling numbers among female voters, said Iowa Democratic Party spokeswoman Monica Biddix. Trumps difficulty in securing the female vote stems from a litany of past, misogynistic statements and comments denigrating women and working mothers.

Biddix said the Trump plan ignores new fathers by providing maternity leave, rather than family leave, and implies that women should be the sole caregiver. The leave policy has no income caps and is only partially paid, they added, which would benefit higher income recipients.

By contrast, she said, Clinton has outlined a comprehensive paid family leave plan that includes leave for new fathers. It benefits all families and ensures the wealthy pay their fair share, she added.

Kate Waters, Hillary for Iowas press secretary, said Iowans wont forget Trumps hateful, offensive, and regressive feelings toward women that have shown he does not respect women or believe they deserve an equal place in America.

Kim Reem, vice president of the National Federation of Republican Women, said women stand with Trump in the quest to make America great again, telling rally participants Wednesday our presence today reflects two things: our party is coming together, we are unifying and women want Trump.
Advertisers, challenged with cutting through a cluttered marketing environment, sometimes aim to shock. Unfortunately while their aim may be to get their client noticed, our research shows they continue to glorify the violent exploitation of women.

This is despite increasing community support, matched by public policy efforts to counter violence against women.

Bulgarian magazine 12 ran this image as part of an editorial feature in 2012.

Flick through any glossy high fashion magazine today, and you will be confronted with images of women who have been assaulted, brutalised or murdered.

Not only are advertisements that feature sex and violence bad for business, but more importantly they are causing damage by normalising violence against women.
Tim Heiderich did not come to Sydney to fight for its arts culture. The former software developer left a six-figure job in Los Angeles to come to Sydney to complete a masters in film.

But the international student has become collateral damage in the University of Sydney's plans to close its art school at Rozelle.

"It's like that old story about the chicken and the pig that go into business. The chicken says, 'Hey, I'll provide the eggs and you provide the ham'," Mr Heiderich says.

"In this case, the students are the ones providing the ham."
Federal intelligence agencies are hiring hackers to test the security of government infrastructure and to attack foreign targets.

The recruitment drive, which offers recruits "a licence to hack", comes after a number of attacks on government agencies including the Department of Human Services during the census collection period.

Experts have warned of glaring holes in Australia's cyber security policy. Credit:Westend61

Other targets include Austrade, the Defence Science Technology Group and the Bureau of Meteorology, which was breached last year by Chinese-based hackers.

Another 97 federal departments have reportedly been told to encrypt more data amid hundreds of attempted intrusions every month.
A letter sent to federal Opposition Whip Chris Hayes has become the subject of a legal battle between rival factions inside a key Chinese community group, embroiling the Labor MP in an increasingly bitter dispute.

The letter's signatories are demanding to know how their "private" communication found its way from Mr Hayes' office to the board of the Sydney-based Australian Chinese Community Association (ACCA), which is now suing the signatories for defamation.

Opposition chief whip Chris Hayes is embroiled in a bitter dispute over a letter sent to him by prominent Australian Chinese Community Association members. Credit:Jane Dyson

Mr Hayes' key staff member, Adrian Wong, is on the ACCA board and is its assistant treasurer. The organisation receives hundreds of thousands of dollars in government funding.

Neither Mr Hayes nor Mr Wong have responded to questions from Fairfax about how the letter went from Mr Hayes' office to the ACCA board.
Sydney motorists who endure the heavily congested Parramatta Road and M4 are set for even slower trips for at least the next two years due to lane closures to allow for construction of the WestConnex motorway.

With construction ramping up on the first stage of the $16.8 billion project, Roads Minister Duncan Gay warned motorists to allow for extra travel times as a number of traffic changes were rolled out over the coming weeks.

"There is price for progress and part of that price is a slight delay over the next couple of years on a couple of these spots," Mr Gay said. "It will mean time delays of a few minutes."

The next significant change for motorists will be on Sunday night when a 450-metre stretch of a westbound lane on Parramatta Road between Ashfield Park and Bland Street will be closed for at least the next two years.
There will be deep disappointment from some groups of Sydneysiders that the recommendations contained in Ian Callinan's statutory review of the lockout laws did not go nearly far enough.

They were hoping the former High Court judge would call for the abolition of the 1.30am lockout at the very least and perhaps even a significant relaxation of the 3am last drinks rule.

Instead they got what can only be described as tentative half measures: the potential shifting of the lockout to 2am and last drinks to 3.30 on a two-year trial basis.

As has been observed by anti-lockout proponents, any relaxation is welcome but these measures, if adopted by the Baird government, are unlikely to resolve their complaints about the loss of late night culture in parts of central Sydney.
Apple faced an embarrassing technical glitch after some customers reported difficulties updating their iPhone operating system to the latest software, which has just become available.

After downloading the iOS 10 update, the smartphones or iPads shut down to install the software. Then, rather than the device automatically turning back on with iOS 10 installed, a screen appeared prompting users to plug their handsets into a computer, rendering the phone useless until they did so.

Hundreds of social media users complained about the issue to Apple's Twitter account. They said the bug left them unable to use their phones if the software update was completed by downloading it directly onto the phone, rather than through iTunes, Apple's music playback and management platform.
The US space agency is taking images of the Great Barrier Reef from 8.5 kilometres up in a specially equipped jet to gain a better understanding of what humans are doing to the largest living thing on Earth.

Using a state-of-the-art sensor that allows scientists to effectively build a naked map of the reef, with the atmosphere and water removed, the NASA-led project is part of the biggest survey ever conducted of the world's coral reefs.

A NASA-led project is surveying the Great Barrier Reef using a cutting-edge sensor to give a clearer picture of its health. Credit:NASA-JPL/BIOS

The images taken above six sections of the reef will be analysed at NASA's jet propulsion laboratory in California, giving a picture of how much is covered by coral, algae and sand
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) says it was not notified about an Aboriginal death in custody at Fulham Correctional Centre.

But Corrections Victoria told the ABC the legal service was alerted.

Fulham Correctional Centre. Credit:Angela Wylie

The 41-year-old inmate was found dead in the Gippsland prison on September 3. His death was reportedly not suspicious.

Aboriginal Legal Service chief executive officer Wayne Muir said in a statement earlier this month he was concerned they were not notified by the prison or Corrections Victoria.
A man has had his brand new Mercedes stolen at gunpoint in a terrifying carjacking outside Chadstone Shopping Centre.

Police say the carjacking took place in the carpark of the shopping centre, in Melbourne's south-east, just after midnight on Tuesday.

A man has been carjacked outside Chadstone Shopping Centre.

A 39-year-old Oakleigh man pulled up outside the entrance to a supermarket on the Dandenong Road side of the shopping centre when a dark-coloured car stopped behind him.

An armed man got out of the car and demanded the victim's car keys at gunpoint, police said.
DES MOINES  The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday on key questions regarding a lawsuit brought by a Des Moines water utility company against water drainage districts in three northwest Iowa counties over river pollutants.

The court will determine whether drainage districts should be immune from lawsuits and whether water utilities should be eligible for monetary damages over pollutants in its waterways.

Des Moines Water Works has filed a lawsuit against 11 drainage districts in Sac, Buena Vista and Calhoun counties over harmful nitrates in the Raccoon River, which flows through Des Moines.

The utility claims that the high level of pollutants comes from agricultural runoff in the three counties and that it spent $1.5 million in 2015 cleaning the water it delivers to its 500,000 customers.

This case is about responsibility for nitrates in the Raccoon River, said John Lande, an attorney for Des Moines Water Works.

The lawsuit is being considered by a district court judge, but before proceeding, the judge asked the state Supreme Court to rule on four questions:

Whether drainage districts, which were created to turn wet grounds into farmable land, are immune from this type of lawsuit.

Whether a ruling in favor of the utility could include monetary damages or simply more strictly enforced regulations.

Whether the utility has a right to sue.

Whether the utility has standing  in other words, tangible property that is being impaired  in order to receive monetary damages.

Michael Reck, an attorney for the drainage districts, argues that a centurys worth of legal precedence is on their side on all four questions.

You have answered every one of these questions before, Reck said. Every single one of them has been raised and answered.

Justice Brent Appel asked whether previous rulings, some of which date back to the early 1900s, are still right given changes over time to agriculture and the law.

Its right because you told us it was right, Reck said, referring to the Supreme Court and noting the Iowa Legislature has not acted to change the laws governing drainage districts.

Reck argued drainage districts were established for the common good and thus should remain immune from lawsuits.

Lande argued it is a common good for the drainage districts to be held accountable for polluting waterways.

The fundamental problem with the statute in this case is drainage districts are creating a problem they dont have to create, Lunde said. Drainage districts dont have to pollute in order to drain the land.

The court will consider the case before making a ruling. In the past two calendar years, the court has taken anywhere between less than a month to more than nine months to deliver a ruling.

The current judicial term ends June 30, 2017.
Melbourne Express: Thursday, September 15, 2016

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Train services on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines are still being affected by Wednesday afternoon's horror crash in which two women lost their lives.

A 71-year-old and 73-year-old, both from Camberwell in Melbourne's east, were killed when their car was crushed beyond recognition by an express train at Surrey Hills station about 4pm.

An emergency worker inspects the crushed car at Surrey Hills station. Credit:Eddie Jim

Witnesses said the car appeared to have been halfway through the Union Road level crossing when the boomgates came down around it.

The car was dragged underneath the train for about 100 metres. The mangled wreck of the car was wedged between the train and the platform for nearly three hours.
VicRoads has closed roads around Victoria because of the heavy rain and flooding. "Walpeup received 33.6mm in 24 hours, and their monthly average is 32.6mm," Mr Arndt said. And there is a lot more rainfall to come for regional Victoria "especially through central parts as the rain contracts to the east". A severe weather warning has been issued for the areas highlighted in yellow. Credit:Bureau of Meteorology

"There will be some showers in the west but they should ease, and there is a lot of water on the ground around the state," Mr Arndt said. A severe weather warning was issued at 6am on Wednesday for people in the Northern Country, North Central, North East and parts of the Central, East Gippsland and South West Forecast Districts. The current weather situation in Melbourne. Credit:Bureau of Meteorology There are a number of current flood warnings for the state: for the Snowy, Werribee, Barwon, Glenelg, Kiewa, Ovens and King, Campaspe, Loddon, Avoca, Wimmera and Murray rivers. Flood watches have been issued for several parts of the state.

Emergency services received about 70 requests for help overnight on Tuesday, with the SES expecting that number to climb as people wake up and notice damage or flooding at their properties. "Most of the calls are for property owners reporting flooding, asking for sandbags - water coming into properties, through gutters and ceilings," an SES spokesman said. "We've also had some trees come down due to the sodden nature of the state, it weakens the trees and that can blow them over," he said. "It's been a steady rise in the rivers, we' expect it to continue to soak in but there's always potential of a thunderstorm bringing a lot of rain down on a community so we need to be across that," the SES spokesman said.

He said the SES wanted to stress that those in towns with flooding do not attempt to drive in floodwater. "We know there's a lot of damaged roads and a lot of roads that will have water on them so we ask people to never drive over floodwater," he said. One person was rescued from flood waters at Waterloo, near Beaufort, with police, CFA and the SES all working together in the operation, The Courier reports. SES deputy controller of operations Craig Elliott told The Courier there were concerns for the township of Clunes, with fears the banks of Creswick Creek could burst in the middle of the town. However, Mr Elliott said the town of Creswick currently appeared to be safe, unlike when floods ravaged the town in 2010-2011.

"We had some concerns around Clunes overnight but that appears to be safe for now," he said. "The ground just can't soak up any more rain anywhere at the moment." Mr Elliott also sent out a strong message to those who tried driving through flood waters. The SES received 200 calls for assistance across Victoria from midnight on Monday, mainly for flooding emergencies. The spokesman said SES volunteers had been door knocking in regional towns, handing out sandbags and letting people know the risks of flooding.

A lot of the calls for assistance have come from the western part of Victoria, which has been hammered by rain in recent days leading to high rivers and flooding. Water is gushing through the Hume Dam spillway gates for the first time in six years. Water storages across Victoria are filling rapidly following steady rain over recent days and a wet winter. Major regional roads included parts of the Western Highway, the Wimmera Highway and the Pyrenees Highway have been closed due to flooding, with the VicRoads traffic map showing road closures scattered around Victoria. Trains commuters endured wet-weather delays of up to 50 minutes after a power outage brought the Metro network to its knees on Tuesday evening. There were delays on Wednesday morning to the Belgrave, Frankston, Alamein, Cheltenham and Upfield lines, from about 5.30am onwards.
The victims of Wednesday's fatal railway collision between a car and an express train have been identified as two women aged in their 70s.

A 71-year-old and a 73-year-old, both from Camberwell in Melbourne's east, were killed as their car was crushed beyond recognition at Surrey Hills station about 4pm.

Witnesses said the car appeared to have been halfway through Union Road level crossing before the boomgates came down around it.

The car was dragged underneath the train for about 100 metres, before being pushed against the platform.
The Turnbull government has not complied with a Senate order to release documents about the largely Federal-funded Perth Freight Link.

It was motioned by WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlam on September 1 and included providing an estimate of financial penalties the Barnett government could expose WA taxpayers to should project contracts be terminated.

Conservationists want the Roe 8 development stopped.

The road aims to divert heavy trucks onto a direct route to Fremantle Port and will be the state's first toll road, but has many opponents on environmental and Aboriginal heritage grounds.

The Labor opposition has vowed to axe the project if it wins the March state election, but has stopped short of saying it will tear up contracts.
Hat, sunnies, thongs. Passport, plane ticket and wallet.

You don't need much to travel to Bali, and if you forget anything, the usual logic is that you can always buy it in the shops for prices far cheaper than back in Australia.

Solemen founder Robert Epstone and Solemen colleague Sarah Chapman with Agus, who suffers from Harlequin ichthyosis, a genetic disorder that causes a hardening of the skin. Credit:www.solemen.org

But there are a few things you can't get, and if you're a local suffering from a rare illness, the things we take for granted in our local pharmacies are impossible to find on the shelves.

That's why the Bali-based not-for-profit Solemen is urging Aussies taking a trip to Bali to pack a few extras in their luggage:
A Perth man has spoken of his disbelief after a concreter he asked for a quote took one look at him and drove straight past, explaining later it was because he looked like a Muslim.

Omeed Mehdi is not in fact a Muslim, though he is soon to marry a Muslim woman. He was raised in Australia and has called it home for 26 years.

"I went and waited there at the site stood for a good half hour and SMSd him, asking how far away he was," he told News Talk 6PR on Wednesday.

"He didn't reply for a couple of hours, and then said that he was at the pub.
Beijing: Chinese police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at villagers and arrested 13 people on Tuesday in an early morning raid aimed at quelling unrest in Wukan, the southern fishing village thrust into international prominence five years ago for winning the right to elect its own leaders after mass demonstrations over government land seizures.

That symbolic victory has proved short-lived, however, with popular village chief and protest leader Lin Zuluan detained by authorities in June and charged with taking bribes in connection with construction projects in the city. He was sentenced to three years' jail last week, setting off a fresh rounds of demonstrations in the Guangdong village.

Footage circulating on social media showed police in riot gear clashing with hundreds of villagers hoisting the Chinese national flag, with numerous left bloodied and wounded. Another video showed police entering the homes of protest leaders in a late-night raid.
Washington: It looked like a one-two punch  US President Barack Obama was on the stump in Philadelphia, talking of Donald Trump as a fellow traveller of Vladimir Putin. But in New York and Washington the knives were out, as Democrats zeroed in on questionable conduct by Trump's charitable foundation.

In New York, Attorney-General Eric Schneiderman revealed he had opened an investigation into the Donald J Trump Foundation "to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities", based on troubling transactions that recently had come to light.

In Washington, the Justice Department was considering a request from Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee to investigate a $US25,000 ($33,200) donation by the foundation to Florida Attorney-General Pam Bondi while she was considering, and subsequently decided not to, investigate alleged fraud at the controversial Trump University.

Such are the twists and turns on the campaign trail. With Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton staying home on doctor's orders, to recover from a bout of pneumonia that caused her to collapse on Sunday, the Trump campaign seemed even more energised than usual  with Clinton on her back, Trump could strut the national stage as he pleased, playing offence instead of defence.
Stockholm: Ecuador has set an October 17 date for the questioning of Julian Assange in a Swedish rape investigation, a move that could end a four year long deadlock ever since the WikiLeaks founder took refuge in Ecuador's London embassy.

Swedish prosecutors said the questioning will be conducted by an Ecuadorian prosecutor. Swedish chief prosecutor Ingrid Isgren and a police investigator will be allowed to be present to ask questions through the Ecuadorian prosecutor, who will later report the findings to Sweden.

"After the report, the Swedish prosecutor will take a view on continuing the investigation," Swedish prosecutors said in a statement.

Swedish authorities want to question Assange, 45, over allegations that he committed rape in 2010. Assange denies the allegations.
CEDAR RAPIDS  Democratic U.S. Senate challenger Patty Judge is ratcheting up pressure on GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley to face her in more than two debates.

The six-term senator has accepted invitations from WHO Radio and Iowa Public Television to participate in face-to-face debates with Judge.

However, Judge called for four debates 77 days ago. With negotiations between the campaigns stalled, she has launched a website claiming Grassley has repeatedly attempted to dodge debating her.

The website includes a timeline showing Grassleys campaign has refused to respond to multiple requests to schedule debates in front of audiences across the state.

When it comes to debates, were more likely to get an answer out of the cardboard Chuck Grassley in our television ads, Judge spokesman Sam Roecker said Wednesday. Hes ducking debates and refusing to give voters across the state an opportunity to hear where the candidates stand.

Grassley campaign manager Robert Haus called the new website a smokescreen and an excuse, adding that he has clearly communicated with the Judge campaign and there can be no misunderstanding about what we agreed to.

Grassley told reporters Wednesday he accepted two debate invitations a long time ago (and) negotiations are still going on.

Roecker disputed that. As of Sept. 13, the Grassley campaign had not responded to a Sept. 1 letter calling for debate in Iowas four largest media markets or an email to Grassleys campaign manager last week seeking clarification on the debate calendar. There has been no discussion about debates since Aug. 5, he said.

Were going to debate, yes, Grassley told reporters Wednesday. I want you to know that I have always debated my opponents.

Thats more than can be said about Judge, according to Haus. She has debated opponents just once in four statewide races, although that may have been the choice of her opponents.

Its hard to take the Judge campaign seriously given the fact that Judge has skipped five debates during her primary race, Haus said. She continues to avoid the press at her meetings. She has held only one open press conference in the entire course of the campaign. She does not hold open town hall meetings to answer questions directly from Iowans.

In making its case for more than two debates, the Judge campaign noted that in the open-seat Senate race two years ago, Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Bruce Braley debated three times.

The two debates Grassley has accepted would reach statewide audiences and include broadcast, print and digital formats, maximizing the contribution of their debate formats, Haus said.

Judge, a former lieutenant governor, secretary of agriculture and state senator, challenged Grassley to four, live televised debates in the four major media markets as a way to treat Iowa voters in a fair and respectful way, according to campaign manager Joe Fox said.

Judge has accepted debate invitations from the Des Moines Register/KCCI-TV, KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, KTIV-TV in Sioux City and IPTV. However, Judge wants the public television debate to be in Davenport in partnership with KWQC and the Quad City Times. Shes also considering WHO Radios invitation.
Seul: International relief agencies have begun delivering food and other assistance to tens of thousands of North Koreans who lost homes in some of the worst flooding to hit the country in years.

North Korea reported hundreds of people dead or missing but has not publicly appealed for outside help, instead relying on internal mobilisation for relief efforts in the flooded provinces, near its northern border with China. The areas are among the poorest in North Korea.

North Koreans pick from a crop of cabbage covered in snow in Pyongwon county, North Korea. The harsh winter was made worst by widespread flooding. Credit:AP

Although some outside aid agencies have withdrawn from the country in recent years, a handful are still allowed to operate there.

The UN World Food Program said that it had delivered emergency food assistance, including fortified biscuits and beans, to more than 140,000 people. The outside help comes despite North Korea's defiance of sanctions imposed for its insistence on carrying out nuclear testing.
Bangkok: The death toll in Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody "war on drugs" has risen to 3426 since July 1 as the United Nations steps up its criticism of the crackdown.

The surge in killings includes, at time of writing, 1491 accused drug suspects shot in supposed police operations and 1936 killed by vigilantes and unidentified hit-men.

A daily kill-list published by the Philippine Inquirer newspaper points to serious discrepancies in police accounts of the deaths.

On Tuesday the list recorded that seven-month pregnant Yvonne Tapales and her live-in partner Mark Bacaluyos were killed in a "dawn gun battle with police" in El Salvador City on southern Mindanao island.
Debate surrounding terrorist attacks in Europe this northern summer has morphed into rhetorical overkill, as opportunistic politicians in France in particular focus on "situational dissuasion", which usually just means regulating access to guns and knives.

These politicians seem to have decided that the problem of how to stop terrorism is best approached through the prism of common delinquency - like, say, crime on the Paris Metro.

That approach is certainly easier than putting more effort into grass-roots policing, fixing overcrowded "jihadist school" prisons or trying to turn around the French suburbs, where poverty both material and spiritual underpins social exclusion, chronic failure at school and high unemployment across three generations of post-colonial immigration from North Africa. But those are the real challenges.

A good example of the limits of the "delinquency" approach is the southern French city of Nice, where on July 14 an Islamic State-inspired lunatic ploughed his truck into Bastille Day crowds, killing 86 people. Nice, troubled by what the French call "inter-community tensions", reportedly has more security cameras and municipal police per head of population than any other French city. But that did not stop the attack.
Washington: Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who served as President George W. Bush's top diplomat, derided Donald Trump as a "national disgrace" and an "international pariah" in personal email exchanges that were leaked online on Tuesday.

In the emails, reported by BuzzFeed News, Mr Powell also accuses Mr Trump, the Republican nominee for president, of having embraced what Mr Powell called a "racist" movement when he questioned the validity of President Barack Obama's birth certificate.

An aide to Mr Powell confirmed the hack and said, "They are his emails."

"Yup, the whole birther movement was racist," Mr Powell wrote in an email to a former aide, according to BuzzFeed. "That's what the 99 per cent believe. When Trump couldn't keep that up he said he also wanted to see if the certificate noted that he was a Muslim. As I have said before, 'What if he was?' Muslims are born as Americans everyday."
Columbus, Ohio: Donald Trump's presidential candidacy has triggered anguished soul searching among many college-educated and affluent Republicans who must decide whether to back him, sit out the election, or do the unthinkable: vote for his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

With less than two months to go before the November 8 election, rural, white voters who lack a college degree have flocked to Trump. But his brash style and lack of experience in government are a much tougher sell among well-off Republicans who have long been a backbone of the party, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling and interviews with Republican-leaning white collar professionals.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and Donald Trump, arrive for a news in Las Vegas in 2012 where Trump endorsed Romney. Credit:AP

Trump's hopes of capturing the White House may rest on whether he can win over enough of these voters in battleground states such as Ohio, Virginia and Colorado to offset Clinton's overwhelming advantages with minority voters, young people, urban voters and women.

"If you had told me two years ago that I would be voting for Hillary Clinton, I would have said, 'No freaking way'," said Michael Sheehan, chief operating officer of a Columbus-based apparel firm.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Justice Edison Kirindongo met with representatives of various unions namely the NAPB, ABVO and the WICSU/PSU to discuss the issues the unions wants to be regulated for prison workers. The unions had given the Minister of Justice an ultimatum to meet their demands by Tuesday, September 13th, 2016. One of the demands the unions made is proper safety and security for their members.

In an invited comment, Minister Kirindongo said that he met with the unions on Tuesday afternoon where they had a fruitful meeting. The Minister said it was not proper for him to release details of the meeting since the union has to meet with their members again to update them on the outcome of Tuesdays meeting.

Another issue that was addressed is the amount of prison guards that are out on sick leave that needs to return to work.

Minister Kirindongo also stated that he had to work over the weekend to meet the ultimatum given to him by the unions in their letter, however, he could not achieve all that they wanted because he still has to obtain information that was not available to him over the weekend.

The union called out their members on Thursday to a meeting which was held at the WICSU/PSU office where they held a lengthy meeting before walking over to the government administration building where they dropped off a letter to the Minister of Justice at the department of General Affairs. At the time the Minister was off island on a working trip but had to return to St. Maarten to deal with the issues of the Pointe Blanche prison most of which had to do with the management of the house of detention.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The contract for the new hospital that was supposed to be signed between the contractor INSO and the director of USZV on August 31st, 2016 is yet to be signed confirmed Minister of VSA Emil Lee. When asked about the signing of the contract Minister Lee said that negotiations are still ongoing especially how to best finance the new hospital.

Asked if there were problems that held up the signing the Minister said that there have not been any problems even though groundbreaking was scheduled for this month. He said they are exploring all possible options as to how to best finance the hospital. Asked by SMN News if there was not financing in place for the hospital already, the Minister said that he mentioned before that the Ministry will be exploring all possible means of financing in order to lower the cost for the construction and maintenance.

However, the explanations given by the Minister was not unexpected since the former chairman of the USZV board Dr. Michel Petit filed an official complaint against Minister Lee and USZV director Glen Carty for mismanagement of the USZV funds, especially the AOV pension funds.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health and Social Affairs and Labor Emil Lee announced at the weekly press briefing on Wednesday that there are now 54 confirmed cases of Zika on the Dutch side of the island.

The Minister said that the department of CPS has started fogging in targeted area to combat the zika virus and the war against the mosquito. Lee said the war against mosquito is multi-faceted most of which has to do with communication. However, the Ministry has charted a map in order to track the mosquito populations, this he said is to give CPS workers and volunteers a better idea as to where they need to allocate their resources.

He said currently CPS and their volunteers are walking through the various neighborhoods where they are finding many of the same problems they addressed before, one being the proper disposal and collection of garbage, old tires that are being stacked up, cistern overflow that is not properly covered and also water that is collected from air conditions. The Minister said even the cap of a bottle can harbor the breeding of mosquitos.

At the moment he said CPS is conducting fogging in targeted area, simply because fogging all over is not as effective since the pesticides used would also kill other insects and even increase the breeding of mosquitos. Lee said that his Ministry has established its own website where they post photos of what they found in the various neighborhoods, as well as the same information that can be found on the government website. Lee said the only downside to this is that his website may not be completed before the elections. (ministry.vsa.sx)

Asked if the Dutch side is coordinating the fogging with the French side, the Minister said that CPS is working closely with the French side as they fight the war against mosquitos.

Employers/ Employees Compliance guide now available.

The Minister also announced that the department of Labor now has in place pamphlets that outline the rights of the employer and the rights of the employees. He made clear that these are projects his Ministry working on. These pamphlets will be distributed to businesses who often time complaints that they do not know the rules. He said since the government is working on compliance they feel there is a need for both the employers and employees be fully informed when it comes to taxes and other dues that have to be paid.

Asked by SMN News if he is aware that a former employee from the department of Labor and Social Affairs that is now on pension has a job placement agency that is hiring workers for a number of large companies but has not been paying taxes or even medical for their workers.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Deputy Prime Minister Richard Gibson Sr confirmed on Wednesday when asked by reporters if the groundbreaking for the China Pearl of the Caribbean will be held on September 17th as scheduled. Gibson said based on his knowledge the ceremony will take place as he sees no reason to stop it. He further explained that the developer is busy with the invitations.

Ever since the Minister of Finance announced that St. Maarten has brokered a deal to have the Chinese invest in St. Maarten to construct a resort which will consists of 3560 rooms plus 450 units along with showrooms and other amenities to create a China hub of the Caribbean on St. Maarten several politicians and their followers have openly criticized the project even though at least three of the very politicians that are speaking out against the project went to China to broker a deal with the same investors but did not succeed.

Persons within the community also made an online petition asking for signatures to stop the project citing the lack of information on the project.

While those that are protesting the construction of the Pearl of the Caribbean in Belair they have remained silent on the project SBL will be constructing on the lot next door for some Venezuelan developers known as KARLIS.

The petition posted on Facebook is not factual since those that put the petition together did not do proper research or even questioned the government of St. Maarten prior to posting the petition online.
Cay Hill:--- The National Institute for Professional Advancement is hosting its second annual election for the NIPA Student Government also known as the Student Council. Students had the opportunity to express interest in the Student Government of which 30 students from the various programs showed interest. A meeting was held on September 13th, 2016, outlining the various positions which can be filled and the roles and responsibilities, as well as the key functions for each position. These positions include President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Historian/Communicator and Committee Chairperson. The objectives of the Student Government are: To enhance communication between students, management, staff and teachers, To promote an environment conducive to educational and personal development To promote friendship and respect among pupils  (no bullying) and To support the management and staff in the development of the school. The election is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 22nd and Friday, September 2016 which is a few days before the countries election is scheduled to take place. Students, who attended the meeting, were already brainstorming about fundraising, recreational and educational activities to promote school spirit, togetherness, and proudness at NIPA. The general public will be notified when The NIPA Student Government is formed, as well as who is serving in what positions.
DES MOINES  Opponents of an underground oil pipeline being constructed in Iowa delivered petitions to U.S. Department of Justice officials Wednesday bearing 33,000 signatures of people wanting President Obama and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deny pending permits and halt the project.

Make no mistake, this is far from over. We will stop this pipeline, Kari Carney, executive director of 1000 Friends of Iowa, told about 100 members of the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition, landowners and other Iowans who rallied at the banks of the Des Moines River before marching to the U.S. Courthouse to deliver the petitions. They also called on federal officials to investigate potential violations and injustices created by the faulty process.

The action came after three federal agencies last week announced they would temporarily maintain a halt on construction at one segment of the Dakota Access pipeline route that spans 1,134 miles from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping hub in Illinois.

Standing in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe that forced last weeks action in North Dakota, pipeline opponents in Iowa are demanding that Obama and the Army Corps deny the pending permits, rescind existing permits, honor tribal land treaties and stop the Bakken pipeline similar to the Keystone pipeline last year.

The entire process for approving this pipeline has been flawed from the beginning  from the Army Corps failure to require an environmental impact statement to the Iowa Utilities Board allowing construction to begin before the company had its permits, Carney said. Our water, land and climate are being threatened and we need the president to step in and say no.

Miriam Kashia, an Iowa City member of 100 Grannies for a Livable Future, said the pipeline is the product of a rigged process that granted illegal use of eminent domain authority for out-of-state corporate profits to proceed with a project that carries enormous environment and economic risks that threaten Iowas underground aquifers and waterways.

At this very moment, Dakota Access is boring under the Des Moines and Mississippi rivers. The ramifications of an inevitable spill are unthinkable, she said.

Last week, Iowa pipeline opponents who had written Obama seeking his intervention and an order requiring an environmental impact statement for the entire 1,134-mile pipeline route expressed disappointment with the response they got from the president but vowed to press on with their demands.

In his letter, Obama noted that his administration has made great strides in confronting climate change and noted that the federal government has strengthened so-called 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, Of course, 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. But he made no specific mention of the Dakota Access pipeline or taking any steps to intervene in the project.

Dakota Access, a Texas-based company, 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 this year will transport up to 570,000 barrels of crude oil daily from North Dakotas Bakken oil fields through Iowa to a distribution hub at Patoka, Illinois.

Last month 30 people were arrested at a construction staging area in Boone County as they protested the pipeline being built in Iowa. Also, a woman was arrested in Lee County for protesting the project, and organizers say they expect more demonstrations to occur.

A protest is planned for Saturday where workers are drilling underneath the Mississippi River between Sandusky and Montrose in southeast Iowa, organizers say.
One of the Largest Ever Found on Earth

Gancedo is likely the second or third largest meteorite ever found on planet Earth.

Over the weekend, a work crew used a crane to hoist a 30-ton meteorite out of the Campo del Cielo (Field of Heaven) about 670 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the border between the provinces of Chaco and Santiago del Estero.

The meteorite, named Gancedo, has been tentatively declared the second largest yet discovered on Earth. Careful weighing will have to be done before that title can be formally declared, as well as tests to confirm that it is an actual meteorite.

This confirmation seems likely.

The accurately named Campo del Cielo is blistered with craters caused by a powerful meteor shower 4000 to 4700 years ago. At least 26 craters spread across an area of less than 2 x 12 miles.

Excavation at the site has already revealed an estimated 100 tons of space debris.

The undisputed champion of meteorites is called Hoba and was found in Namibia almost a century ago. Hoba weighs a whopping 66 tons. Though it has been fully uncovered, it has never been moved from its discovery location due to its enormous size. Hoba is thought to have slammed into our planet about 80,000 years ago, and is estimated to be between 190 million and 410 million years.

Gancedo's competition for the second largest is El Chaco. Weighing in at 37 tons, Chaco is also from the Campo del Cielo, and is therefore a brother of Gancedo, so to speak, likely arrived in the same space shower.

"While we hoped for weights above what had been registered, we did not expect it to exceed 30 tons," the president of the Astronomy Association of Chaco, Mario Vesconi, told the Xinhua news agency. "The size and weight surprised us."

"We could compare the weight with the other large meteorite found in the province. Although we expected it to be heavier, we did not expect it to exceed 30 tons," Vesconi reported to the Argentinian government news service, Telam.

"We will weigh it again. Apart from wanting the added confidence of a double-check of the initial readings we took, the fact that its weight is such a surprise to us makes us want to recalibrate."

--------------------

About Meteorites

Eugen Zibiso Hoba, the largest known meteorite on Earth, was declared a national monument in Namibia in 1955. It has never been moved, but is a popular tourist destination, visited by thousands each year.

A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and impact with the Earth's surface. When the object enters the atmosphere, various factors like friction, pressure, and chemical interactions with the atmospheric gases cause it to heat up and radiate that energy. It then becomes a meteor and forms a fireball, also known as a shooting/falling star; astronomers call the brightest examples "bolides." Meteorites that survive atmospheric entry and impact vary greatly in size. For geologists, a bolide is a meteorite large enough to create a crater.

Meteorites that are recovered after being observed as they transit the atmosphere or impact the Earth are called meteorite falls. All others are known as meteorite finds.

Meteorites have traditionally been divided into three broad categories: stony meteorites are rocks, mainly composed of silicate minerals; iron meteorites that are largely composed of metallic iron-nickel; and, stony-iron meteorites that contain large amounts of both metallic and rocky material. Modern classification schemes divide meteorites into groups according to their structure, chemical and isotopic composition and mineralogy. Meteorites smaller than 2 mm are classified as micrometeorites. Extraterrestrial meteorites are such objects that have impacted other celestial bodies, whether or not they have passed through an atmosphere. They have been found on the moon and Mars.
"When you pay people a better wage," says Jackson, "more people are willing to do the work."

California has become the first state in the US to pay agriculture workers overtime pay. At $10 an hour overtime and $7.25 minimum wage, these strawberry pickers are by far the best paid farm workers in the U.S.

California Governor Brown has signed a bill to give farm workers overtime pay. The state will become the first in the nation to grant agricultural workers the right to collect overtime pay when the bill takes effect in 2019. Currently, California is one of only five states where the minimum wage, $10/hour, is greater than the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.

Assembly Bill 1066 will phase in the wage increases over the four years beginning in 2019. For farmers with 25 employees or less, there will be a delay of an additional five years for the increases. The bill was the brainchild of the United Farm Workers, an agricultural worker union founded by Cesar Chavez and now active in 10 states.

During seasons of harvest, hours for farm workers are usually longer. This requirement has been the reason given for exempting farmers from having to pay overtime in the past. The farm workers, however, believe they should be accorded the same protections under the law as workers in other industries. As reported by the Pacific Coast Business Times, Roman Pinal, regional director of the UFW, said, "Every industry has figured out how to usher in the 8-hour day and to compensate their workers time and half when they demand, when they require, more time."

The Western Growers Association, representing the state's farmers, are less sanguine about the new law, believing that with increased cost in wages, California may be pricing itself out of the market for food production.

California has become the first state in the US to pay agriculture workers overtime pay. At $10 an hour overtime and $7.25 minimum wage, these strawberry pickers are by far the best paid farm workers in the U.S.

Matthew Allen, director of California government affairs for the WGA said, "Our folks are very subject to the international marketplace and other pressures so it's not as easy as saying they'll pay the cost increase for the overtime." In fact, Allen noted, the average age of farm owners is rising toward retirement. He posited that some owners might decide to cease farming and sell their land rather than work in a decreasingly profitable environment. "This is a question of how difficult will we continue to make it for our farms to remain viable and successful in California, both in conventional and organic growing."

California growers already suffer from a multi-year drought, pest threats, multiple pesticide and fertilizer regulation, and a labor shortage, all of which have done their part to create a multi-billion dollar loss for the industry.

Pinal and legislators such as State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) believe the new overtime measure will ease the labor shortage. Increased wages should increase the motivation for workers to join the labor force in the fields.

"When you pay people a better wage," says Jackson, "more people are willing to do the work."
Powell: "everything Hillary touches she kind of screws up with hubris"

Powell was once discussed as a possible Republican Presidential candidate, but eliminated himself because his longtime wife suffers from bipolar disorder, and has, in the distant past, been hospitalized for Schizophrenia. This was not revealed in the e mails, but by Powell himself 8 years ago.

You've got to pity poor Colin Powell. A Republican moderate, he has never really been accepted by Democrats or Republicans. And now Buzzfeed has leaked his personal e mails, the veracity of which the professional soldier, neither admits nor denies.

Trump has always portrayed himself as an outsider. The newest leaks show that even moderate Republicans like Colin Powell and Condi Rice, suspect and dislike him.

In trouble over a private email server she wasn't supposed to have set up, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton blamed another former Secretary of State, Colin Powell. The X general appeared to be saying that everyone violated classified status. And everyone had a private email server, including Powell himself.

"Sad thing," Powell wrote a friend in a recently leaked Gmail , "HRC could have killed this two years ago by merely telling everyone honestly what she had done and not tie me to it."

"I told her staff three times not to try that gambit. I had to throw a mini tantrum at a Hampton's party to get their attention. She keeps tripping into these 'character' minefields," Powell lamented. He noted that he had tried to settle the matter by meeting with Clinton aide Cheryl Mills in August.

Powells emails confirm that there was no love lost between the Clintons and the Obamas. But then again it was known that they had a tense relationship in 2008, when HRC and BHO ran against each other for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Powell's private e mails were leaked by D.C. Leaks, an anonymously managed website that shares hacked emails from U.S. military and political people.

Leaked emails were shared to DCLeaks.com. The latest e mail leak in this campaign proves beyond a doubt two things: 1. Powell despises Trump; and 2. When you send an e mail, you are creating a permanent public record that will be leaked one day, if you are famous enough for anyone to care.

Interestingly, the release coincided with a hearing today at which two workers for Platte River Network, a company which electronically destroyed Hillary Clinton's e mails with "Bleach Bit", testified to Congress about that destruction. The two men, and a Clinton information technology staffer, asserted the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer questions.

But back to the good stuff:

The retired four-star Army general calls the the real estate mogul a "national disgrace" and an "international pariah," disparaging the GOP nominee's credibility in a personal email to former aide, now journalist Emily Miller.

Powell wrote that Democrats need not attack Hillary Clinton's Republican rival because Trump was "in the process of destroying himself without their help."

The colorful email was sent June 17, 2016 and was later leaked through a password-protected page on DCLeaks.com, a website that House lawmakers fear is linked to the same Russian hackers taunting Hillary Clinton's White House bid.

It's unclear how the email and other personal messages from Secretary Powell were obtained. The website keeps a portfolio of leaked documents for other public figures, such as Clinton herself and former President Bill Clinton.

In another leaked correspondence, Powell slammed Trump for egging on the "racist" birther conspiracy theory that questioned the legality of President Barack Obama's birth certificate.

"The whole birther movement was racist," Powell said in an email sent Aug. 21, also addressed to Miller, who now works as a political correspondent for One America News Network.

"That's what the 99% believe," Buzzfeed reported Powell as writing. "When Trump couldn't keep that up he said he also wanted to see if the certificate noted that he was a Muslim."

Powell came under fire most recently for encouraging newly-appointed Secretary of State Clinton to communicate with friends and world leaders through a private computer and email address to avoid "going through the State Department servers," he wrote in 2009.

The scrutinized habit among state officials of using personal email, computers and servers - like the one Clinton used at her Chappaqua - has raised concerns that a third-party could access potentially damning and even confidential documents.

Powell was once discussed as a possible Republican Presidential candidate, but eliminated himself because his longtime wife suffers from bipolar disorder, and has, in the distant past, been hospitalized for Schizophrenia. This was not revealed in the e mails, but by Powell himself 8 years ago.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has been caught up in Hillary Clinton's server woes.

While partying at a ritzy Hamptons gala in August, Powell denied he was the inspiration for Clinton's controversial server and told reporters the Clinton camp was trying to blame him for her technology woes. In an email shared by the Intercept, Powell said he used the Apollo event as a publicity stunt to fend off the Clinton camp.

"I had to throw a mini tantrum at a Hampton's party to get their attention," Powell wrote. Powell's emails are among the latest documents put on public display following a months-long hacking spree targeting high-ranking officials ahead of the November election.

Authorities suspect a hacker known as Guccifer 2.0 - possibly linked to Russia's military intelligence agency - is behind one chunk of email leaks that forced Dems chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to resign amid Clinton's historic party nomination. D.C. Leaks has a relationship with Guccifer, who now resides in a European jail. D.C. Leaks provided access to Powell's emails to a number of reporters on Tuesday.
Evan McMullin says Trump's Business Depends on Russian Oligarchs

Evan McMullin believes that America should be much more worried about presidential candidate Donald Trump's close ties to Vladimir Putin.

The former CIA agent and former Republican is so concerned about Trump's ties to Putin that he entered the 2016 presidential election as an Independent candidate in July in an eleventh-hour bid to bring some attention to the issue.

In an interview this week with CNN, McMullin asserts that his friends in intelligence have told him that Trump's previous business activities in Russia could have implications that jeopardize his candidacy.

"Donald Trump is dependent on Russian investments from Russian oligarchs associated with Vladimir Putin for his real estate development projects."

The potential for exposure by Putin puts the strong-arm Russian president in a position to coerce Trump into appointing Russia-favoring advisors and, should he win, implementing Russia-favoring policies as president.

"Vladimir Putin is one of the primary sources of instability in this world, and the thought that we would have a Republican nominee so 'in bed' with Putin, I think is so discouraging and really a bad thing for our country," McMullin said.

Since the Commander-In-Chief forum, McMullin has been even more critical about the constant praise Trump offers Putin, pointing out how unfortunate it is that we, as a country, have to debate on whether or not it's a good thing that a major party candidate is so fond of Putin.

"He is opposed to democracy, opposed to freedom, and opposed to our interests," McMullin said of the Russian leader.

McMullin believes that some of the appointments Trump has made to his staff support his claims. Paul Manafort, who was once Trump's campaign manager, was forced to resign from his position after his ties with a former Pro-Russian president of Ukraine became public knowledge.

He says other key members of Trump's staff have financial ties to Russia, including retired General Michael Flynn, who is also employed as an analyst by RT America. RT is a Russian cable network owned by the Russian government.

Trump actually invited Flynn, an employee of a Russian government-owned business, to join him at his intelligence briefing last week.

"An American president should never have these kinds of warm views of a Russian authoritarian like Vladimir Putin," McMullin said.

Evan McMullin: former CIA agent, former Republican, and the fifth U.S. presidential candidate.

McMullin is not the only former intelligence officer to suggest that Trump is being used by Putin.

"In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation," wrote Former CIA deputy director Michael Morell in a New York Times op-ed on August 5.

"He [Trump] may well pose a threat to our national security."

CIA officers are not known for liberal leanings. When men like McMullin and Morell question the reliability and loyalty of a major presidential candidate, it might be time for America to listen.

Evan McMullin is now either on the ballot or approved as a write-in in 20 U.S. States.
Promise Vess A2330 Wins 2016 New Product of the Year Award From Security Products Magazine

Posted by Publisher Peripherals

ORLANDO, FL  (Marketwired)  09/13/16  , the developer of the open storage platform for video surveillance, today announced that its network video recorder (NVR) has been named the 2016 New Product of the Year by Security Products magazine and securitytoday.com, the preeminent editorial website for the security industry. The Security Products New Product of the Year Award, presented at ASIS International, honors the outstanding product development achievements of security equipment manufacturers whose products are considered to be particularly noteworthy in their ability to improve security. Vess A2330 was recognized as the top NVR appliance for its outstanding combination of performance and value for entry-level video surveillance.

We are really excited about the value Vess A2330 offers to customers with a tight budget who do not want to sacrifice quality, said John van den Elzen, General Manager, Surveillance Business Unit, Promise Technology. Its great to see that our excitement has been shared by all the customers choosing Vess A2330 for their surveillance projects and by Security Products magazine for selecting it as the 2016 New Product of the Year.

Vess A2330 is a NVR optimized for entry-level IP video surveillance installations requiring a scalable, cost-effective solution that offers low latency recording, reliability and the flexibility to design your solution with any of the leading VMS and IP cameras. The new NVR supports up to 35 IP cameras per system and users can easily add capacity with Promise external storage.

To learn more about the Vess A2330 and Promises complete line of NVRs and storage solutions for video surveillance, please visit Promise at the Orange County Convention Center (booth #3138) during ASIS International from September 12  14 in Orlando, Florida. Follow Promise Technology on , or for updates throughout the show.

Promise Technology is a recognized global leader with 28 years of experience in the storage industry. Promise creates innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of the IoT, Cloud, IT, Rich Media, and Surveillance markets. From personal cloud appliances, to scalable enterprise IT Infrastructure, blazingly fast post production tools, video security solutions and hyperconverged systems, Promise adapts its products to meet the real-world challenges customers face every day. Promises highly experienced sales and engineering teams are strategically located throughout the Americas, EMEA, and JAPAC regions to provide unparalleled services and support to its customers around the globe. For more information, visit: .

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Dena Jacobson

949-453-8080

Dennis Lamers

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Ushio Koida

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Ya-Ping Hsu

+886-978695780
Chatsworth Products Introduces 60 C13 Outlet Count Monitored eConnect(R) PDUs

Posted by Publisher Hardware

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA  (Marketwired)  09/14/16  Chatsworth Products (CPI) popular eConnect power distribution units (PDUs) have been enhanced to include 60 C13 outlet configurations on select models, making it the industrys first intelligent PDUs equipped with highest outlet densities in a low-profile design.

As the demand for IT resources continues to rise, more companies are deploying 48U and higher server cabinets to support more equipment within defined square footage. The release of 60 C13 Monitored eConnect PDUs allows data center operators to optimize their investment in the taller cabinets, while still benefiting from all the features of the intelligent eConnect platform, stated Ashish Moondra, CPI Sr. Product Manager of Power, Software & Electronics.

CPIs 60 C13 Monitored eConnect PDUs include three-phase models that support up to 17.2 kW of power within North American markets and 22 kW of power within international markets. Additionally, all eConnect PDUs now include a 1 gigabit Ethernet card, which enables users to connect at faster speeds and ensures compatibility of PDUs with newer network switches shipping today.

In addition to these new benefits, CPIs eConnect PDUs also include these key features:

 enables users to link up to 32 PDUs under a single IP address using standard Ethernet cables, reducing installation time and costs

 patent-pending technology features locking outlets that securely fasten equipment to the PDU without the need for proprietary power cords, safeguarding power and eliminating the cost of additional accessories.

 rated to operate in temperatures as high as 149 degrees F (65 degrees C)

 available preinstalled in CPI cabinets, saving installation time

Select the best PDU for your application using CPIs . Compare up to four PDUs at once, then email or print the results. For complete product details and more free tools, visit CPIs eConnect PDU .

At Chatsworth Products (CPI), it is our mission to address todays critical IT infrastructure needs with products and services that protect your ever-growing investment in information and communication technology. We act as your business partner and are uniquely prepared to respond to your specific requirements with global availability and rapid product customization that will give you a competitive advantage. At CPI, our passion works for you. With over two decades of engineering innovative IT physical layer solutions for the Fortune 500 and multinational corporations, CPI can respond to your business requirements with unequaled application expertise, customer service and technical support, as well as a global network of industry-leading distributors. Headquartered in the United States, CPI operates from multiple sites worldwide, including offices in Mexico, Canada, China, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. CPIs manufacturing facilities are located in the United States, Asia and Europe.

CPI is listed with the General Services Administration (GSA) under Federal Supply Schedule IT 70. Products are also available through GSA Advantage and through Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), including GSA Connections and NITAAC-ECS III ().

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all information, CPI does not accept liability for any errors or omissions and reserves the right to change information and descriptions of listed services and products.

2016 Chatsworth Products, Inc. All rights reserved. Chatsworth Products, CPI, CPI Passive Cooling, eConnect, MegaFrame, Saf-T-Grip, Seismic Frame, SlimFrame, TeraFrame, GlobalFrame, CUBE-iT PLUS, Evolution, OnTrac, QuadraRack and Velocity are federally registered trademarks of Chatsworth Products. Simply Efficient, Secure Array, EuroFrame and Clik-Nut are trademarks of Chatsworth Products. All other trademarks belong to their respective companies.

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CLEAR LAKE | A Florida woman who police say had drugs in her pants and her underwear when being booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail in July was sentenced to 90 days in jail Monday.

Lauren Wasloski, 32, of Orange Park, pleaded guilty last week to possessing methamphetamine, oxycodone and marijuana.

A charge of possessing contraband on the grounds of a correctional facility was dismissed through a plea bargain.

She was fined $315 on each count.

Wasloski had meth, five tablets of the prescription drug oxycodone, marijuana and a syringe in her possession in the 200 block of Main Avenue in Clear Lake, according to court documents.

Police say she didn't have a prescription for oxycodone, which is a painkiller.

Officers say Wasloski attempted to hide drugs but they were found in her pants and underwear at the Cerro Gordo County Jail.

 Mary Pieper
OSAGE  An Osage woman accused of misappropriating funds from the Mitchell County Treasurers Office has pleaded guilty.

Tracey Mooberry, 46, on Tuesday filed a written plea of guilty to one misdemeanor charge of non-felonious misconduct in office.

In her plea, Mooberry admitted to misappropriating funds from December 2014 to May 2016.

Mitchell County Attorney Mark Walk has previously said the money, which was taken from cash tax payments, has been paid back.

Former Mitchell county employee charged with felony theft OSAGE | A former Mitchell County employee and current Osage School Board member was arrested

Mooberry was also a member of the Mitchell County Conservation Board and the Osage School Board at the time the charge was filed.

She has resigned from both positions.

If the judge accepts Mooberrys guilty plea, she faces up to one year in jail and a $1,875 fine.

Details of her sentencing were not immediately available.

 Molly Montag
Photo caption: Yabgo Mohammad Khan Kacho, King of Baltistan. (Rajrishi Singhal)

By Rajrishi Singhal, Scroll.in

Special to The Post

A guided tour of Ladakhs Turtuk village, in the mountainous region of Baltistan on the border of Pakistan and India, ended at what is known in these parts as the Royal Palace. After a long walk down narrow and undulating lanes in the crisp afternoon sun, shepherded by a nimble 16-year-old, we had arrived at what was supposed to be the highlight of our excursion. At first glance, it was slightly underwhelmingthe house is larger than its neighbours, but little else sets it apart.

The palace doors opened into a colonnaded courtyard that supported a verandah with no visible access. A short flight of stone steps, which rose steeply through a hidden corner, brought us to a figure supine on a floor mat. Our guide gently nudged the figure and the man stumbled out of his afternoon siesta, disoriented by the sight of so many strangers. He was feeble and slightly bent.

Smoothing the creases on his shirt and patting his disheveled hair into place, he led us into a room, apologising for not according us a better welcome. He explained, somewhat diffidently, that working the fields in the morning sun had induced a mid-day torpor.

He then sat on a couch, but not before picking up a wooden sceptre crested with a distinctive metal serpent head and placing it pointedly on his lap. He then became Yabgo Mohammad Khan Kacho, the king of Turtuk and the descendant of the Yabgo dynasty of Chorbat-Khaplu, a region that now falls beyond the Line of Control (LOC) in the contested territory of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Though he no longer enjoys the powers or the recognition of a former royal, he is known in these parts as the king.

Across the border

Turtuk is a quaint village perched barely 10 km from the Pakistan border under the benign gaze of the K2 peak. The village, located in the Sheyok river valley about 200 km from Leh, offers verdant relief amidst the spare and stark beauty of Ladakhs landscape.

Turtuk is in the Indian-administered part of the Baltistan region and borders Pakistans Gilgit-Baltistan area.

For years this region was largely forgotten by both the Indian and international media. But over the past month, it has received increasing attention following a public promise made by prime minister Narendra Modi to highlight the plight of the residents of Balochistan and PoK. He first mentioned this in his concluding remarks at the all-party meet on Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi on Aug. 12 and then again in hisIndependence Day speech on Aug. 15.

While Balochistan is a province in Pakistan that has been fighting for autonomy, Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of PoK.

The Gilgit-Baltistan territory is specialit is the crucible in which trade, culture, religion, languages, and cuisines from Europe, Central Asia, Afghanistan, and China came together for centuries. India has made many claims over the province and many analysts have recounted its recent political history.

Interestingly, a thin strip of this province juts into India.

The prime ministers reference to the three disputed areas set off a maelstrom of articles and op-eds (examples are here, here and here) as foreign policy and strategy experts parsed his words.

This prompted me to wonder: what would the people of Turtuk, just a stones throw away from Gilgit-Baltistan, make of Modis statement? Would they also be deconstructing his speech?

Overnight, a new country

One thing is certain: nationality or sovereignty are elusive if not transient concepts for the king and villagers here. And theres a good reason for this.

One night in December 1971, village residents went to sleep as Pakistani citizens. They awoke the next morning as Indians. Turtuk, along with three other villages in the vicinityTyakshi, Chalunka, and Thangwere occupied by the advancing Indian armed forces during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war.

Turtuk residents have only one grousethe Indian Army should have gone a little further and occupied the rest of Baltistan as well. The overnight change of sovereignty split many families along the Line of Controlparents on this side with children and grandparents on the other. Political conspiracies abound on why the Indian Army did not move further afield when it was there for the taking.

Kacho, Turtuks king, also has some family on the other side. He traces his lineage to the Ghaz tribe from West Turkestan, today known as Central Asia. His ancestor, Beg Manthal, came to Baltistan in 800 AD from Yarkhand (part of modern-day Chinas Xinjiang region) via the Saltoro ridge (west of the Siachen glacier) and conquered Khaplu, in modern-day Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Yabgo dynasty, Manthal onwards, ruled the Chorbat-Khaplu region of Baltistan for a millennium, expanding it over time to Ladakhs frontiers on one side and to the Ghizer district on the western edge of Gilgit-Baltistan. The dynasty ended in the first half of the 19th century when the Dogra empire, which had in 1846 taken control of Kashmir to form the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, expanded its kingdom to the north and east.

A wall at one end of Kachos room has the family tree painted on it, going back centuries. The king said the Indian Army helped him document this. In the face of an elusive administration, the Indian Army means many things to most Baltistan residentsemployer and buyer of locally-produced vegetables, milk, fruits and meat, as well as the provider of healthcare and education, and the occasional source of telecom network and other basic infrastructure.

The king describes himself as a writer and said his father didnt want him to work but instead spread the word about their family. He was not trained in anything but he was made to read a lot. He read books written by local historians and decided that the best thing to do would be to tell his people what they were all about.

But the Indian government banned his book based on complaints from a sect that saw blasphemy in his account of how their religious order was established, he said. He contested the ban in Indian courts and eventually won after years of litigation. But he rues the fact that he didnt retain a single copy of the bookhe doesnt even remember the name of the Delhi-based publisher.

Connected, yet isolated

Turtuk is a microcosm of Baltistans inclusive culture: a multi-ethnic village, with around 4,000 residents speaking different languages and praying to different gods. Different denominationsNurbakshi Shias, Sufis, Sunnis, Buddhists (and perhaps even Ahmadiyas and Ismaili Shias)live peacefully, farming and trying to make sense of the burgeoning tourism business. Turtuk was opened up to tourists only in 2010. The chairman of the local school and healthcare committee remarked that many old Turtuk residents had always longed to see cities, but now the cities were coming to see them.

Turtuk was an important junction on the Silk Route with ancient linkages to Tibet, Afghanistan, and the steppes of Central Asia. Today, a part of Chinas One Belt, One Road initiative, an attempt to resurrect the Silk Route that connected parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa, will now come close to Turtuk as it proposes to pass through Gilgit-Baltistan.

Turtuk residents fervently wish that the LOC opens up so they can meet families on the other side, re-establish social connections, and perhaps even resume commerce.

The king is still recounting the regions old linkages when his narrative is cut short by new arrivals, guests of a senior army officer posted in the vicinity. Yabgo Mohammad Khan Kacho apologises and rushes off to attend to the new rulers of Turtuk.

This piece was originally appeared in Quartz (qz.com).

See http://qz.com/780265/gilgit-baltistan-meet-the-king-of-a-forgotten-piece-of-land-between-india-and-pakistan/
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.
GARNERLt. Gov. Kim Reynolds toured Stellar Industries Inc. in Garner Wednesday, talking about housing, work force and economic development.

Shes looking at businesses that have invested back into their communities and are expanding, Hancock County Economic Development Director Jill Kramer said. Its always good for her and myself to look at Why are you building here? and look at the data.

Stellar Industries, founded in 1990, builds hydraulic truck-mounted equipment like hooklift hoists, container carriers, work truck accessories and more.

Its always nice to have a local and state official here, said Steve Schnieders, vice president of supply chain and operations at Stellar Industries.

Reynolds, who has previously toured the facility, was glad to see the company expanding.

This is a company thats growing, Reynolds said. I just dont want to hear the good news, I want to hear if theres issues that theyre facing.

The company is working on a 40,000-square-foot expansion on the west side of the facility.

The new building will increase factory flow and efficiencies, according to Schnieders, and the company is looking to add new work force with the expansion.

We are always looking for new work force, Schnieders said. Its a continual battle finding the appropriate work force.

Low unemployment in Hancock County and North Iowa in general can make it difficult for businesses like Stellar to grow.

We want to grow, we can grow, Schnieders said.

The company hopes to see the expanded portion open Jan. 1.

After the tour, Reynolds participated in a roundtable discussion at the facility with local officials to talk about housing, work force and more.

Reynolds visits all 99 Iowa counties each year and said she hears very similar concerns throughout the state.

Probably the two biggest challenges we have to economic development in Iowa and continues development in the state is workforce and housing, Reynolds said.

Reynolds said the state is looking to address the workforce issue through multiple approaches including education, bringing in more population to communities and more.
MASON CITY  Barbara J. (Church) Gaiser, 80, of Mason City, Iowa, died Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, with Pastor Michael Last officiating.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City.

Interment will take place in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Barbara Gaiser memorial fund in care of the family, Salvation Army Day Care (ADHC), 747 Village Green Drive S.W., Mason City, IA 50401, or Hospice of North Iowa, 232 Second St. S.E., Mason City, IA 50401.

Arrangements are with Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, Mason City.
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OSAGE  Osage School District voters rejected a $14.9 million bond issue for school building expansion projects Sept. 13.

The measure was rejected 704 votes no to 647 votes yes.

The vote was 52.1 percent no, 47.9 percent yes, short of a majority and well short of the 60 percent needed to pass a bond referendum in Iowa.

Superintendent Barb Schwamman said the bond committee was disappointed but it doesnt mean that it was not a good plan.

At Lincoln Elementary, the proposal included the addition of a new full-size gymnasium, an addition of two preschool rooms doubling as the buildings tornado-safe rooms, and the remodeling of the current gymnasium into a larger music classroom. Other remodeling would take place in the administrative office area.

At the middle school and high school building, a major focus was having more dedicated space for middle school students at the west end of the building and high school students at the east end, with shared space in the middle.

Major additions and renovations like a second competitive gymnasium, new music suite (vocal and instrumental), new office space including new secure entrances to the building, new cafeteria/kitchen space along with reconfigured driveways and parking.

According to the district, the plan to renovation was chosen after it determined construction costs for a new building could have topped $35 million.

The referendum called for property taxes to increase $2.70 per $1,000 of assessed property value. For the average assessed home in Mitchell County, which is $95,000, property taxes would increase by $10.79 per month or $129.59 per year.

Also during the election, Angela Nasstrom defeated Larry Plotske to fill a vacancy on the Osage School Board following the resignation of Tracey Mooberry early last month.

Nasstrom received 866 votes. Plotske received 448.

Mooberry was arrested in July for allegedly misappropriating funds while employed at the Mitchell County Treasurers Office, according to a criminal complaint.

Elsewhere in North Iowa, voters in the Northwood-Kensett School District approved the extension of its physical plant and equipment levy (PPEL).

Funds from the PPEL are commonly used to fund construction projects, building renovations or to buy buses or technology.

The vote was 77 yes, 22 no.

Its PPEL remains the same at 67 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. It was extended for 10 years beginning in the 2017-18 fiscal year.
NEW YORK  New software, previewed last night (Sept. 12) here at the American Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium, steps through every kink and curl in the complicated process of getting NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission to its faraway asteroid, Bennu.

The visualization, presented in the planetarium's dome, traced the spacecraft from its Sept. 8 launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, through its laborious journey away from Earth and toward a rendezvous with the asteroid's eccentric orbit. It will reach the asteroid in August 2018, map the asteroid and finally grab a sample, which will make it back to Earth in September 2023 and provide a window into the history of the solar system.

"Asteroids are recorders of specific time periods in the history of the solar system, and the meteorites that come from those asteroids help us to understand the story," Harold Connolly Jr., the mission sample scientist for OSIRIS-REx, told the crowd gathered in the planetarium. "Rocks are storybooks to a geologist, and minerals are the pages  and it's our job to understand how these rocks were formed, when they were formed, where they come from and how they have changed since they have formed." [Blastoff! OSIRIS-REx Launches To Asteroid Bennu (Video)]

OSIRIS-Rex's Touch and Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) will grab up to 2 kilograms (4.4 lbs.) of sample in just 5 seconds by blasting nitrogen down into the surface of the asteroid, Connolly said. This method will allow scientists to study fine particles in the asteroid that would have crumbled away if they had fallen to Earth in a meteorite.

A visualization with the open-source program OpenSpace illustrates the complex path NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will take to asteroid Bennu. (Image credit: American Museum of Natural History)

But first, the spacecraft has to get to Bennu. And, as demonstrated by the visualization (see a sample here), that is far from a straightforward task. For example, the craft will take a "cheap ride on the bus," Connolly said, by doubling back (from Earth's perspective) and whipping past Earth to gain speed. Plus, the craft will orbit the asteroid many times to image it and, eventually, find a safe landing site.

The OSIRIS-REx visualization was created in about a month in OpenSpace, a NASA-funded open-source platform in development to visualize space missions in 3D as they unfold. The Museum of Natural History's science visualization team is developing the platform in partnership with the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, the University of Utah's Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, and Linkoping University in Sweden. (You can download an early version of OpenSpace here.) In the museum's visualization, the spacecraft made it to the asteroid and screened a landing site right before the session ended, and the researchers opened the floor for a Q&A.

The museum also used the software last year for a real-time simulation of the New Horizons spacecraft's flyby of Pluto as the actual spacecraft reached the dwarf planet, said Carter Emmart, the museum's director of astrovisualization.

Connolly said he'll take a break from his research while the craft makes its way to the asteroid and back, but in 2023, it will be time for analysis.

The sample "will teach us about how elements are formed in stars, through the process of when the solar system was first beginning to be made, analyzing all the way to the current time period," Connolly said. "We can actually look at information in the grains that help us understand [their exposure to the sun, and] how much that surface has changed over the last million, 2 million, however many million years. So it's going to be, really, a quite interesting adventure for all of us."

Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
LONG BEACH, Calif.  Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says she supports plans to send humans to Mars, a central theme of the current administration's civil space policy.

In a response to a questionnaire on science policy topics released Sept. 13 by ScienceDebate.org that represent some of her most detailed space policy comments to date, Clinton said she would build upon the progress made by NASA in space science, technology and exploration.

"Today, thanks to a series of successful American robotic explorers, we know more about the Red Planet than ever before," she said in response to a question about what the nation's space goals should be. "A goal of my administration will be to expand this knowledge even further and advance our ability to make human exploration of Mars a reality." [How a Manned NASA Mars Base Might Work (Images)]

Human missions to Mars became a formal long-term goal of NASA's human spaceflight program in 2010, when President Obama gave NASA the goal of sending humans to orbit Mars in the mid-2030s, to be followed by humans landing on the planet. NASA has since made the "Journey to Mars" the central theme of its space exploration efforts, including everything from research on the International Space Station to its controversial Asteroid Redirect Mission.

Clinton did not discuss additional details about Mars exploration, including any changes she would make to NASA's current plans or budgets. She broadly endorsed, though, NASA's overall efforts in space science and technology, as well as efforts develop commercial space partnerships that resulted in the ISS commercial cargo and crew programs.

"As president, my administration will build on this progress, promote innovation, and advance inspirational, achievable, and affordable space initiatives," she said in her questionnaire response. "I will work with Congress to ensure that NASA has the leadership, funding and operational flexibility necessary to work in new ways with industry, placing emphasis on inventing and employing new technologies and efficiencies to get more bang for the buck while creating jobs and growing the American economy."

The Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, offered a briefer and more general response. "Space exploration has given so much to America, including tremendous pride in our scientific and engineering prowess," he said. "A strong space program will encourage our children to seek [science, technology, engineering and math] educational outcomes and will bring millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in investment to this country."

Trump did not formally support a human Mars exploration program or other specific initiatives in his response. He did endorse international cooperation, saying that "space is not the sole property of America."

Trump, in responses two other questions on innovation and research, briefly mentioned space. "Similarly, the federal government should encourage innovation in the areas of space exploration and investment in research and development across the broad landscape of academia," he said in response to a question on how the U.S. would remain at the forefront of innovation. He also said "a viable space program" was critical to long-term research.

The questionnaire responses represent some of the most detailed responses to date on the issue of space policy, a topic that rarely gets much attention during presidential campaigns but has received even less this year. Neither candidate has yet offered many specifics about their space policies if elected.

What comments the major candidates have made about space have sometimes been contradictory. "Honestly I think NASA is wonderful! America has always led the world in space exploration," Trump wrote in response to a question about NASA posed on Reddit.com July 27. But in a speech in Daytona Beach, Florida, Aug. 3, Trump, discussing the state of the space program, said, "We're like a third world nation."

Neither candidate has devoted much attention to NASA as part of planning for a presidential transition. A change in federal law allows major party candidates to establish transition teams after receiving their parties' nominations, rather than waiting until after the November election.

However, in an interview after a plenary session of the AIAA Space 2016 conference here Sept. 13, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said he was unaware of any contact with NASA from either candidate's transition team. "To my knowledge, we've not had any individual transition teams reaching out," he said.

Bolden, in a speech at the conference, said he hopes that NASA's Journey to Mars effort is retained by the next administration. "It's now up to us, all of us, to see it through beyond January," he told the audience.

One third-party presidential candidate, Jill Stein of the Green Party, also answered the space policy question. Stein said she supported the peaceful exploration of space, Earth observations from space and ensuring that space technology "benefits all the people of Earth."

"By focusing U.S. space efforts away from corporate and military interests, we can work to create peace here on Earth and in space, prevent the deployment of space weapons and instead focus on technologies to solve problems on Earth, not create new ones," she wrote.

Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party candidate for president, did not respond to the questionnaire.

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
Meir Moalem, CEO and Founder of Sky and Space Global and George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic pose in front of a LauncherOne model at the World Satellite Business Week Conference in Paris.

PARIS  Virgin Galactic announced a contract for four launches of satellites for a planned communications constellation.

The contract, with Australian company Sky and Space Global, covers launches of multiple satellites on each of four LauncherOne missions.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Virgin Galactic has previously offered LauncherOne missions for less than $10 million each. [Virgin Galactic's LauncherOne Rocket in Photos]

The launches will be the first LauncherOne missions to go into low-inclination orbits, with the rocket's carrier aircraft, a Boeing 747, taking off from an airport not disclosed in the announcement.

"Having a 747 as our flying launch site means that LauncherOne can tailor each mission to suit each customer," Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides said We've seen an enormous level of commercial and governmental interest in launches that can reach equatorial orbits without having to pay the large performance penalty associated with transfer orbits. We're very excited to have this agreement in place now with a great company like Sky and Space Global to deliver their satellites to orbit reliably, affordably, and flexibly."

"We are thrilled to partner with Virgin Galactic on our exciting missions and LauncherOne's first low inclination launches" Sky and Space Global CEO Meir Moalem said in a statement. "Just as we value purposeful innovation and customer service, Virgin Galactic shares our values and our vision for how communication can fundamentally improve lives. We have an ideal partner in Virgin Galactic's LauncherOne and its operational flexibility and are excited to work together to change the world for good."

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
MASON CITY  An expert witness testified Wednesday a Mason City nursing home provided substandard care for a woman whose family is seeking more than $10 million in damages.

Good Shepherd did not meet the standard of care for Maria Savas OBrien that respected her dignity as a human being, said Byron Arbeit, the plaintiffs first witness in the civil trial resulting from a lawsuit filed by Savas OBriens children.

The children  Stephanie Prohaski, Anthony Savas, Theodore Savas and Kris Christensen  claim their mother, who used to run the Poodle Lounge and was active in Mason Citys Greek community, died as the result of Good Shepherds negligence.

Arbeit, a former nursing home administrator from Florida who now acts as a consultant for nursing homes, testified Savas OBrien developed avoidable conditions such as severe weight loss and skin problems.

Savas OBrien also had avoidable falls while she was at Good Shepherd, according to Arbeit.

Mice in her room left droppings on her bed, her bedside table and her religious icons, he said. Bedbugs were also an issue, according to Arbeit.

During opening statements on Wednesday morning, David Schrock, one of the attorneys for Good Shepherd, said although patients in nursing homes have a right to expect professional and appropriate care, expectations have to be tempered with common sense and they have to be realistic.

He said it was difficult for the family to see their mother, who was their rock change as she aged. A lack of understanding of the medical realities was turned outward into anger, he said.

Savas OBriens own family physician said he examined her repeatedly and was not aware of any injuries or serious health conditions caused by Good Shepherd, Schrock said.

Savas OBrien was at Good Shepherd for two and a half years. She was admitted to the hospital in late March 2015 and died in early April 2015.

The initial lawsuit alleging negligence and breach of contract against Good Shepherd was filed in February 2015. It was amended to include the wrongful death allegation after Savas OBrien died.

Schrock questioned why Savas OBriens children kept their mother at Good Shepherd until just a few days before her death if they were so unhappy with the care she was receiving.

Savas OBriens children filed a complaint about their mothers care with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals.

State inspectors spent several days observing staff interactions with OBrien and other residents.

Although there were some mice in Savas OBriens room, that was due to construction work going on at the time, according to Schrock.

The state found the complaints were not substantiated, he said.

During his testimony Arbeit said the letter from the state after the inspection which was sent to Good Shepherd as well as to the family  said their rulings sometimes have to be made on current conditions because it is difficult to reconstruct what happened in the past.

He also said Good Shepherd knew ahead of time that the inspectors were making a visit.

During his opening statement, Benjamin Long, one of the attorneys for Savas OBriens family, said she initially was placed at Kentucky Ridge Assisted Living due to a mild case of dementia but went to Good Shepherd so she could recuperate from a broken pelvis after she fell.

Savas OBrien weighed 127 pounds when she was admitted to Good Shepherd but only weighed 84 pounds when she went to the hospital a few days before her death, Long said.

Steps could have been taken to prevent Savas OBriens numerous falls at Good Shepherd, such as having her in a common area rather than in a room by herself, according to Long.

He said the family is not claiming the certified nursing assistants at Good Shepherd, who he said love the residents, did anything wrong. Long said the CNAs rely on the facilitys records to provide adequate care, and those records were out of order and had gaps.

Schrock said Savas OBrien had a medical condition that made her feel full, meaning she would refuse meals.

Patients have a right to refuse meals and cannot be fed by force, he said.

Good Shepherd tried various kinds of nutritional supplements for her, according to Schrock.

Testimony resumes Thursday. The trial is expected to continue into next week.
The world is still vulnerable to a potentially catastrophic asteroid strike, according to President Barack Obama's chief science adviser.

NASA has made substantial progress in finding the asteroids that pose the biggest threat to Earth, but there's still a lot of work to do, said John Holdren, director of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy.

"We are not fully prepared, but we are on a trajectory to get much more so," Holdren said today (Sept. 14) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, during a discussion of the agency's planned Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM). [Images: Potentially Dangerous Asteroids]

Holdren cited the February 2013 meteor explosion over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk and the 1908 Tunguska airburst as reasons to take the asteroid threat seriously.

The Chelyabinsk strike, which injured about 1,200 people, was caused by an object that is thought to be about 65 feet (20 meters) wide. The Tunguska event was much more powerful; a space rock perhaps 130 feet wide (40 m) exploded over a mostly unpopulated region of Siberia, flattening 800 square miles (2,070 square kilometers) of forest. Both strikes caught the world completely by surprise.

"We know that this does happen," Holdren said.

Strikes such as the Chelyabinsk impact are thought to happen once every hundred years, he added, while Tunguska is regarded as a once-in-1,000-years event.

But, Holdren said, "if we are going to be as capable a civilization as our technology allows, we need to be prepared for even those rare events, because they could do a lot of damage to the Earth."

"This is a hazard that, 65 million years ago, the dinosaurs succumbed to," he added. "We have to be smarter than the dinosaurs."

ARM can help educate us, Holdren said. In late 2021, NASA aims to launch a robotic probe toward a near-Earth asteroid; the current target is a 1,300-foot-wide (400 m) rock called 2008 EV5, but thats not set in stone, agency officials said.

After it arrives at the asteroid, the spacecraft will pluck a boulder off its surface and then fly along with the space rock for a while, investigating the potential of a deflection strategy known as the "enhanced gravity tractor." (The standard gravity-tractor method calls for nudging a potentially hazardous asteroid off course over the course of years or decades, using the subtle gravitational tug of a tag-along robotic probe; this effect will be "enhanced" by the addition of the boulder's mass.)

The probe will then head back toward Earth, eventually placing the boulder in orbit around the moon. Astronauts aboard NASA's Orion space capsule will visit the purloined rock in the mid-2020s, agency officials have said.

The $1.25 billion ARM mission should help researchers learn more about asteroids and the resources they possess; demonstrate many of the technologies needed to get astronauts to Mars (which NASA aims to do before the end of the 2030s); help the agency practice human operations in deep space; and hone some of the skills that will be needed to deflect a potentially dangerous asteroid one day, Holdren said.

"The asteroid-retrieval mission makes sense in about five different ways," he said.

While smaller asteroids can do great damage on a local scale, experts think that space rocks must be at least 0.6 miles (1 km) wide or so to threaten human civilization. NASA scientists estimate that they have found at least 90 percent of these mountain-size, near-Earth asteroids, and none of them pose a threat for the foreseeable future.

Gravity tractors aren't the only possible defense against incoming asteroids. For example, dangerous space rocks could also be knocked off course by "kinetic impactors" (a series of spacecraft that slam into them). Some researchers have also proposed destroying asteroids with nuclear bombs; this is usually regarded as a last-resort strategy, to be used with space rocks that are discovered too late to deflect via gravity tractors and/or kinetic impactors.

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
A massive iron meteorite has been pulled out of its Argentine grave, after hiding underground for 4,000 years.

Discovered on Sept. 10 by Astronomy Association Chaco meteorite hunters, the so-called Gancedo meteorite is not your average chunk of space rock, it rivals the second largest meteorite ever found. Weighing-in at around 34 tons(68,000 lb or 30,800 kilograms), Gancedo is only bested by the 37 ton El Chaco meteorite that was also found in the same Campo del Cielo ("Field of Heaven") meteorite fall.* Gancedo and El Chaco are the largest fragments found so far from that historic fall.

RELATED: Russian Meteor Strike Aftermath

Gancedo is so-named after the village it was discovered near and in appreciation of the villagers who aided in the meteorite's recovery.

Though these specimens are undoubtedly giants among space rocks, the largest meteorite ever discovered is the monstrous Hoba West meteorite in Namibia, which is estimated to weigh 60 tons.

Campo del Cielo occurred around 4,000 years ago, scattering a huge number of iron-rich meteorites over a large area. So far, 26 craters have been found and around 100 tons of meteorite samples recovered. The Campo del Cielo region is around 600 miles northwest of Buenos Aires.

RELATED: Meteor Over Western US Was Reentering Chinese Rocket

In a video released online, the effort to pull the meteorite from the ground was documented. According to news coverage, after the meteorite was discovered the research team were inundated with water, so the decision was made to use heavy-lifting equipment to recover the meteorite.

*There appears to be some ambiguity as to the estimated weight of the El Chaco meteorite, with the lowest estimate placing it at 32 tons and the highest estimate placing at 37 tons. If the former is closer to its actual weight, the Gancedo meteorite is the second largest meteorite ever found.

h/t CNET.com

Originally published on Discovery News.
LONG BEACH, Calif.  The first launch of an Orbital ATK Antares rocket with a new first stage engine is now planned for early October, a company official said Sept. 13.

Speaking on a launch systems panel during the AIAA Space 2016 conference here, John Steinmeyer, director of business development at Orbital ATK's Launch Vehicle Division, said the company was working with NASA to finalize a date for the launch, which will carry a Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station.

"We're targeting an initial launch capability in early October. We're working with NASA to select an optimal launch date," he said. "We're very diligent in our preparations for that launch, and making sure we completely validate the system and the RD-181 engines."

The launch will be the first of a new variant of the Antares, known as the Antares 230. That vehicle replaces the AJ26 engines supplied by Aerojet Rocketdyne, used in the initial Antares missions and implicated in an October 2014 launch failure, with new RD-181 engines from Russian manufacturer NPO Energomash.

An Antares first stage with the RD-181 engines successfully completed a static fire test on the pad at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia, in late May. NASA and Orbital ATK were planning an Aug. 22 launch of the Antares, but postponed the launch Aug. 10. At the time, the company cited both the schedule of activities on the ISS as well as "continuing processing, inspection and testing" of the Antares for the delay, saying the launch would be rescheduled for the second half of September.

While NASA's web site still cites a September launch date for the mission, agency spokesman Dan Huot said Sept. 13 that the launch is now planned in three or four weeks.

Steinmeyer, in an interview after the conference session, didn't go into specifics about any technical issues encountered with the Antares during the static-fire test that may have contributed to the delay, but indicated any problems have been resolved. "We learned things. That's why we did the test," he said. "We've worked through all that."

A return to flight for Antares next month, sending a Cygnus spacecraft to the space station, would come as two other ISS cargo vehicles are facing delays. The Japanese space agency JAXA announced Aug. 10 that the launch of an H-2 Transfer Vehicle cargo spacecraft, originally scheduled for Oct. 1, would be delayed because of an air leak in the spacecraft. JAXA has not announced a new launch date for the mission.

SpaceX was scheduled to launch a Dragon cargo spacecraft to the ISS in November, a mission likely to be delayed because of the Sept. 1 pad accident that destroyed a Falcon 9 and its commercial satellite payload. SpaceX executives now say the Falcon 9 could resume launches as soon as November, but have not announced what mission would go on a return-to-flight mission.

Originally published on SpaceNews.
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But it could be even worse. The rebate to Britain's EU contributions negotiated by Margaret Thatcher has led to more than 110 billion euros in savings for the British over the years. Given that other net payers, including Germany, did not want to be made responsible for the additional costs this created, they were also given a rebate. In addition to Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria and Denmark also currently enjoy a reduction in what they must pay into the budget. After Brexit, this spat could intensify, especially given that France, which is also a net payer, doesn't get any rebate at all.

A paper by the Center for European Policy (CEP), set to be presented in Berlin this week, delivers numbers of a similar magnitude. The comprehensive study on redistribution in the EU shows that the remaining EU member states, above all Germany, are facing significant additional burdens.

From 2008 to 2015, the United Kingdom's contribution to the EU rose each year, to the point that it ultimately became the third biggest net payer into the EU's budget, the paper notes, with the average yearly amount paid by Britain pegged at 6.5 billion euros during this period. The only countries that pay more for European unity are Germany and France.

In 2015, the study found, Britain was in second place: The British paid 12.7 billion euros more than they got back from the EU. By comparison, Germany paid 15.6 billion. The paper also determined that the British paid more into the EU per capita than Germany did that year. "After this country's withdrawal from the EU, this net amount will have to be redistributed among the other member states," writes CEP report author Matthias Kullas. "The other major net payers -- especially Germany, France and Italy -- will be facing significant additional costs."

Brexit could also lead to painful shortfalls for the European Investment Bank (EIB), Kullas calculated. If the British were to withdraw their share capital in the development bank, it would result in a shortfall worth billions. The EIB would be forced to make fewer loans -- loans that are vital for infrastructure projects across the Continent.

According to Kullas, the British have thus far borne the greatest burden at the bank. Their share of total capital is 16 percent, but they only benefit from 8.8 percent of the loans. No other country has a larger imbalance.

A High Price for Germany

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble of Chancellor Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) already had his experts calculate what Brexit would mean for Germany's federal budget. His officials warned in an internal recommendation that Britain's departure from the EU would mean the "loss of the second biggest net payer." Following Brexit, Germany's share of the overall economic strength of the EU would rise from today's 21 percent to 25 percent. The consequence would be the "increase of the German share of financing of the EU budget by about 4.5 billion euros a year in 2019 and 2020," the officials wrote.

The assumptions were based on the current financial framework and did not include "any conceivable compensation." As an example, the paper cites possible future contributions made by Britain if it continues to have access to the EU internal market. The examples here being Switzerland and Norway which, despite not being EU member states, contribute to the EU's budget. The fees are essentially the price of admission to one of the world's largest free trade zones.

As a member of the internal market, Norway is required to pay about half what it would be required to contribute as a full-fledged EU member state. If Britain were to select this model, it would mean a smaller shortfall for the overall EU budget.

The German Finance Ministry paper also provides another example: a so-called "Lowering of the Ceiling program." Schauble's ministry believes it possible that the EU would undertake significant fiscal belt-tightening once Britain stopped paying into the EU budget.

For some time now, experts at the Berlin Finance Ministry have been mulling over possible "new priorities" for EU expenditures. "How will the EU budget be shaped in the future?" asked the title of one recent internal conference, to which Schauble's ministry also invited officials within the European Commission and other members states to attend in Berlin in mid-July.

In order to reduce the shortfall, other member states are likewise looking at ways to reduce EU spending. The main area under review by the fiscal experts is agricultural aid which, at around 55 billion euros each year, is one of the largest line items on the budget. The direct payments received by every European farmer for each hectare of land they own without any stipulations, for example, has come under criticism.

Thus far, no one in Berlin or Brussels is certain what measures will be used to protect the EU from the challenges created by the departure of a member state. It could be cost savings, continued contributions from the British or an additional levy for the remaining member states.

Denial in Brussels

As long as Britain hasn't taken the legal step of declaring its intent to leave by triggering Article 50, senior EU officials are essentially ignoring the issue. At a closed Commission meeting in the upscale Belgian resort city of Knokke in late August, none of the top EU officials present brought up the topic of Brexit. Last Wednesday, though, at least one commissioner dared to broach the subject, with Gunther Oettinger of Germany admonishing his colleagues that they need to finally start considering the effects Britain's exit might have on the EU budget. His words fell on deaf ears.

"I consider it to be very possible that the Brits will know exactly what they want at the start of negotiations, but that Europe still won't be able to speak with a single voice," European Parliament President Martin Schulz recently warned. The difficulties begin with the fact that it isn't yet clear what kind of future relationship the British will seek with the EU. That, though, will determine the price of future ties. It's clear that the government will not get the comprehensive access to the European internal market it is hoping for without paying a price. "If there is participation in several areas of policy, then the amount a country is expected to deliver also increases," says Jens Geier of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), who is deputy chair of the European Parliament's Budget Committee.

One example are programs aimed at promoting scientific research, like Horizon 2020. Given the participation of such elite British universities like Oxford and Cambridge, both the Europeans and the British have a strong interest in continued cooperation. But if the British want to tap the subsidies available through these programs, they will also have to continue paying into them.

In addition, expensive EU programs like regional subsidies are pegged to the internal market. If London wants to continue its participation, it will also have to pay its share. "The British could get into the strange situation in which they pay into the regional policies but don't get anything back again," says Geier.

Particularly puzzling for the EU is the fact that it is soon scheduled to revise its budget, the so-called Multiannual Financial Framework, with the Commission slated to announce its suggestions in the next few weeks. One of the main issues will be whether member states are prepared to provide additional money to Brussels in light of the new challenges created by the refugee crisis.

Sticking to Principles

If the British continue to delay their departure from the EU, a complicated situation will arise. The member states will be forced to negotiate the bloc's finances at the same time they begin Brexit negotiations. But how will Brussels be able to determine its budget without knowing how much the British government will be paying into it?

In this sense, current talks between Brussels and Switzerland over a new framework agreement could provide a model for negotiations with the British. One of the main sticking points in the talks is the so-called free movement of persons, with Brussels refusing to accept any limitations. The message to the British is clear: This divorce may get expensive, but the EU doesn't intend to abandon its principles.
Sex education is sexist, skewed toward heterosexual intercourse, moralistic, and just plain embarrassing, according to millions of students from 10 countries. American Psychological Association Professor Diane Halpern recently published a study on how students view sex education in the journal BMJ Open.

Halpern, an expert in sex, gender, and cognition issues for 30 years, looked at 55 studies that were conducted using the inputs of 1.5 million students, ages 12 to 18, from schools in the United States, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Iran, Brazil, and Sweden between 1990 and 2015.

According to the researcher, the conclusion is that almost all of the students find sex education, sexist, too scientific, and a bit creepy for a long list of reasons. The study found that teachers presented the information as overly scientific with no mention of physical pleasure and desire; female pleasure, precisely, was rarely referred to in the classes.

Professor Halpern said reviews of hundreds of studies led her to understand that most students are frustrated by the fact that their teachers treat sex ed like other topics like English or science. One student said:

Everything we got in our class had a really clinical feel. They dont mention anything about same-sex relationships.

Other students say during sex education classes, they feel that their teacher is shaming them. Educators often present sex as a problem and the only solution is abstinence. The concepts of pleasure and desire are never part of the conversation. Pandora Pound, a research fellow in public health research methodology at the University of Bristol in the U.K., shared:

They dont take into account that sex is a potentially embarrassing and anxiety provoking topic. The result can be awkward, painful and unsatisfactory for all involved.

Another common problem the study found is the fact that sex education is a program that is taught by a teacher. The pre-teens and teenagers said they felt uncomfortable and went as far as saying the learning experience was a bit creepy or weird. Moreover, listening to their educator talk about sexual organs, sexually transmitted disease, and the conception of a human being was not pleasant. One teacher even broke down and cried when she was faced with the reality that she had to talk about unintended pregnancies, abortion, masturbation, and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. A group of students recalled:

Our PE teacher Miss Plum, who was so uncomfortable giving her own presentation cried during it.

Pound added:

They describe it as cringey and embarrassing to have their teachers speaking about sex and relationships.[It] needs to be delivered by experts who are sex positive, who enjoy their work and who are in a position to maintain clear boundaries with students. We need to get the delivery right  otherwise young people will disengage.

Students complained that their schools intentionally ignored that their students were sexually active, which means there was not much talk about homosexual intercourse. Educators rarely spoke of the various types of contraception that exist.

However, they do strongly advocate the usage of condoms for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Halpern has also published a study blasting single-sex education by saying that the segregation led to stereotyping. She said:

The underlying biology, physiology and social psychology of learning is exactly the same (for both genders). We dont have sex-segregated workplaces so why would we have sex-segregated schools? Its all too easy to say boys are like this and girls are like that, but its simply not true.

Experts have been talking about reforming sex education for years, but nothing changed.
Brussels, Sept 14, 2016 (SPS) -The opinion expressed by advocate general of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in the case between the Polisario Front and the EU's Council on the Agreement on the liberalisation of trade in agricultural and fishery products with Morocco "paves the way for holding the self-determination referendum in Western Sahara," said lawyer of Polisario Front Gilles Devers.

"We welcome this opinion which confirms that Morocco has no sovereignty over Western Sahara. The advocate general affirmed that Western Sahara is a territory that must be decolonized. This opinion paves the way for holding the self-determination referendum," he told APS.

In his conclusions published Tuesday, the advocate general emphasized that "the European Union and its Member States have never recognised that Western Sahara is part of Morocco, or that the latter has sovereignty over that territory. Since 1963, Western Sahara has been included by the UN on its list of non-self-governing territories, which comes within the scope of its resolution on the exercise of the right to self-determination by colonial peoples."

According to the lawyer, "everything will change" as the principle of non-sovereignty of Morocco over Western Sahara has been arisen. SPS

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A Government consultation on taxing profits from developing land, specifically in relation to overseas businesses without a Permanent Establishment (PE) in the UK, will result in a balanced tax system says Peter Harker, a Director with UK top 20 Chartered Accountants Saffery Champness and a member of its Landed Estates and Rural Business Group.

Peter says:

This new measure will mean that the rules which allowed overseas property developers and investors to reduce tax payable have been amended so that everyone deriving profits from trading in land will be subject to the same taxation, regardless of country of residence of the company carrying on that trade. Overseas-based developers could previously exploit the system to pay lower tax than UK based developers undertaking the same activity.

This move will put all developers on an equal footing no matter the scale of development, ranging from a few houses on rural land to far larger projects. The new rules are coupled with further measures covering anti-avoidance, fragmentation and disguised trading or enveloping.

Ironically, the change comes just at the time when the price of UK farmland as an investment becomes more attractive for overseas buyers. Although still too early to have a definitive steer about the impact of Brexit on the farmland market, Savills in its report covering January to July 2016 says that land values fell by 2 per cent to date this year, and that supply of land is down 8 per cent compared to 2015.
But that is not what organic consumers want, says Eosta packing expert Paul Hendriks. Of course, the EU requires organic and non-organic products to be distinguishable, but that does not mean that organic must be packed - and certainly not in plastic. Hendriks helps supermarkets find other, more sustainable options saving a staggering 2.5 million plastic trays per year.

"There are many studies showing that the organic consumer has a strong dislike for plastic packaging" says Paul Hendriks, packaging expert at Eosta. Hendriks, who has been working for the organic produce distributor for 13 years, continues: "Logically speaking, one would not expect the most sustainably grown product to be packed in unsustainable material, in fact logically speaking, the most sustainable packaging form is not to pack at all !

Only pack when there is no other option

Hendriks is serious about this:

"Every time you handle a piece of fruit, you are adding resources and energy and often you also increase the chance of decay. If you can offer am unpacked product, that's always the most sustainable option. The leading Swedish supermarket chain ICA has turned this important insight into a formal packing policy: only pack if there's no other way. More supermarkets should follow their example."
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The signs confirm financial-services giant UBS ongoing move out of its longtime hub at 677 Washington Blvd. in downtown Stamford.

The Switzerland-based firm last month took down its signs bearing the companys three-key logo at the approximately 720,000-square-foot complex overlooking Interstate 95 and Metro-North rail lines. The removal corresponded with UBS putting up new signs this spring on top of and at the base of the building at 600 Washington Blvd. it now shares with RBS.

While a smaller UBS remains in Stamford, the city now grapples with a large  and highly visible  vacancy downtown. As other cities and towns in southwestern Connecticut face prominent idle properties, public officials and local business leaders express varying levels of concerns, but generally say those unused tracts will soon bustle again with tenants.

Its not unusual that a big, dynamic company grows here, makes it its Northeast headquarters and then departs or downsizes, said Sandy Goldstein, president of the Stamford Downtown Special Services District. Those are things that happen in a dynamic business environment.

Empty space

A small number of IT specialists for UBS still work at 677 Washington Blvd., representing a fraction of the contingent once based there. The relocation of employees from the property, which includes a 14-story office tower and a sprawling, 100,000-square-foot trading floor  started in early 2016. The move-out is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. Approximately 900 UBS employees now work at 600 Washington.

The departure fits into a broader strategy of UBS reducing its real estate footprint throughout the Americas. The company, like many in the financial sector, has experienced significant layoffs and missed a number of performance benchmarks in recent years. Its first-quarter net income this year fell by almost two-thirds compared with the same period in 2015.

For years, UBS had signaled it was contemplating a smaller footprint in Stamford. In late 2014, it hired the commercial real-estate firm Cushman and Wakefield to market 677 Washington Blvd. A message left for Cushman and Wakefield was not immediately returned.

Many in the Stamford business community said they were disappointed to see UBS leave one of the citys most recognizable buildings.

It was a sad day in Stamford the day they took those signs down, said Jack Condlin, president and CEO of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce. The mold was cast that it wasnt going to be a temporary shutdown.

In Danbury, the Matrix Corporate Center comprises one of the largest office complexes in Fairfield County, with 1.2 million total square feet. As the complex nears completion of a $20 million renovation, market materials show available blocks of space totaling up to 400,000 square feet.

One of the buildings largest tenants, Praxair, reportedly purchased the former GE Capital building in Danbury last year and will leave the Matrix when the renovation of its new building is complete. Praxair employs about 400 people in Danbury.

Our leasing activity continues to remains strong with the appointment of Cushman and Wakefield out of Stamford. We recently renewed a tenant of more than 20,000 square feet and we are entertaining proposals to lease more than 100,000 square feet, said Matrixs CEO, Enrico Scarda.

In Trumbull, the 253,000-square-foot space at 48 Monroe Turnpike was vacated by United Healthcare last year. United cited the buildings size in its decision to move into a 108,000-square-foot space at 4 Research Drive in Shelton.

In Greenwich, an approximately 3,800-square-foot building at 1 Boulder Ave., off East Putnam Avenue, has stood empty for about four years. It represents one of the lengthiest vacancies in town.

The property last housed PD Photo and Sophias Cafe. It initially emptied because the owners needed to attend to family issues, according to Greenwich Commercial Propertys Bill Mason, the buildings leasing agent. The property would have housed a School of Rock music school, but the town denied its lease application in 2012 because of a lack of parking.

In recent months, the property has undergone extensive renovations, including work on its HVAC and electrical systems, windows and facade.

Norwalk has faced only a handful of large-scale vacancies. Out of sight to most are two properties with significant openings: 10 Norden Place, in the Norden Park complex, and 230 East Ave.

Built as a military radar system production plant by Northrop Grumman before the contractor left the facility in 2012, Norden Park has seen the departures of Taucks headquarters to Wilton and Access International to 761 Main Ave. in Norwalk, north of the Merritt Parkway. Remaining tenants include CompHealth, a Salt Lake City-based company that provides health-staffing services; and Ventus, a provider of enterprise wireless-networking technology.

Filling the void

Business leaders and economic development officials are not expecting high-profile properties such as 677 Washington Blvd. to languish for years without occupants.

Another major corporation, a high-tech company, could easily come in there, said Goldstein, of the Stamford DSSD. Its a beautiful building, and it was constructed in a quality manner.

Matrix Group, which owns Danburys Matrix Corporate Center, announced early this year the company was considering reusing some of the space with amenities such as extended-stay facilities, an expanded conference center and residential housing.

In Trumbull, Rina Bakalar, the towns economic development director, said several parties are interested in the office center at 48 Monroe Turnpike although she declined to provide specifics.

Mason, of Greenwich Commercial Property, said he expects 1 Boulder Ave. to be leased by the end of the month, but he could not give details on the next tenant.
Hillary Clinton revealed a disconcerting flaw when she fell ill at a 9/11 event Sunday.

She showed us that she is human. Not the superhuman we have demanded she be, only human. That's something a woman can't afford to disclose when she's competing in a race that always has been dominated by men.

One of the lessons women learn early in life is that they've got to be tough in order to succeed. Fragility can be a fatal flaw that has brought an end to many a promising career.

Now that we have our first female presidential nominee from a major party, we are hearing about other rules that apply to women seeking the nation's highest office: Never let them see you cough or take a sip of water to clear your throat, and for God's sake, don't stumble while getting into your campaign SUV.

Pictures of the would-be commander in chief being supported by a staff member as she abruptly left the 9/11 memorial event in New York put Clinton's health on showcase in her contentious race against Donald Trump. And the video showing her nearly collapsing into the arms of Secret Service agents as she stepped into her vehicle was enough to convince some that she is hiding a serious illness. The fact that her doctor said later that Clinton had been diagnosed with pneumonia a couple of days before was met with skepticism. Her doctor's note carried far less weight than the one Trump's physician quickly scribbled giving him a clean bill of health while the candidate waited outside in a car.

At age 68, Clinton is two years younger than Trump. But by America's sexist double standard, she's the equivalent to 100. As a result, her health is deemed more vulnerable than even the Republican Party's beloved Ronald Reagan, who was 69 when first elected president.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani summed up Clinton's health this way after she attended a recent news conference with New York police officers. She "looked tired" and she "looked sick," he said.

The not-so-subtle point is that Clinton is an old woman, way past her prime and usefulness.

When it comes to electing a female head of state, the U.S. lags behind other countries, even some that are considered far less progressive. There are more than a dozen female presidents ruling countries such as Chile, South Korea and Liberia. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel has been calling the shots for more than a decade. And in Great Britain, Theresa May just took over as prime minister, following a path set by Margaret Thatcher in 1979.

But in the U.S., we are still lukewarm to the idea of having a woman at the helm of our government. Part of the reason is that many Americans still don't consider women equal to men.

We work the same jobs as men but with less pay. We work as hard as men do but often don't get the same opportunities for advancement. And as the recent debacle at Fox News shows, women are still subjected to sexual harassment and often treated as though they are a disposable commodity in the workplace.

So when Clinton stumbled on Sunday, she let her guard down and showed her weakness, her vulnerability. In that moment, it was easy to forget what an accomplished statesman she is, that she has served in the U.S. Senate and held one of the most important jobs in our democracy  secretary of state.

She didn't look like a seasoned diplomat. In the eyes of some, she was merely a woman, and a sickly one at that. Even some of her ardent supporters panicked. Is she strong enough to stand up to bullies like Vladimir Putin and loose cannons like Kim Jong Un? Is she a match for our most ardent foe, ISIS?

There's no question that Clinton is smart. She can run circles around Trump when it comes to, well, any issue. But for some people, that still isn't good enough.

So why did Clinton continue on the campaign trail, even when her doctor advised her to get some rest? Why did she open herself up to more questions about her health, her stamina, her ability to serve as the first female president? She kept going because she's a woman, a strong one at that. And a woman can't afford to stay home and nurse a cold  or even recover from pneumonia  when she's trying to break through a glass ceiling.
Make Connecticut Great Again raises some red flags, read the headline (news story, Sept. 8).

I certainly hope to raise a lot of red flags. Connecticut is in dire condition. How much more bungling leadership need we endure?

Here are some red flags!

The per tax burden, which represents the amount each taxpayer would have to send to Hartford to fill the current financial hole in Connecticut, is $48,100 according to the watchdog Truth In Accounting. This is the highest amount in the nation.

This week, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is selling a $1 billion bond issue after having sold a $500,000,000 bond issue a few short weeks ago. A Malloy lieutenant told a senior legislator that we need the cash flow from the bonding to cover daily operations. Another senior legislator was told by the Democratic senate president that he doesnt understand why the revenue-creating initiatives are not working, as tax receipts fail repeatedly to meet projected targets.

At the close of the 2015 legislative session, state Sen. Martin Looney, D-New Haven, and state Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, were backslapping each other after passing a budget with a vote down party lines included the second-highest tax increase  $1.3 billion  in state history. They called it a great budget for the people and businesses of Connecticut. The session culminated with GE announcing they had had it. Theyre leaving!

In 2012, after the legislature passed and the governor signed a massive spending budget that required the largest tax increase in our history, Connecticut lost its coveted AAA rating. Benjamin Barnes, secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, opined that Moodys was wrong in their analysis. The financial condition of Connecticut has continued to deteriorate.

The spending cap promised to the people of Connecticut when the income tax was passed is ignored by Democratic legislators in their quest to satisfy special interests and promote their social agenda. Instead of cutting spending and creating an environment conducive to creating jobs, Democratic leadership once again seeks to raise revenue off the backs of Connecticut taxpayers.

Under the direction of Malloy, our state is spending $300,000 to explore a mileage tax on motorists. Hearings are under way to increase Metro North fares, after 85 percent of the money in the transportation fund was diverted to non-transportation purposes in 2015. There has also been talk about bonding to cover pension liabilities, which would only exacerbate our current fiscal condition.

This past Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher aptly delivered a scathing indictment of public education in Connecticut, to the chagrin of plaintiffs looking for more educational dollars. The judge, a Malloy appointee, roundly criticized the irrationality of funding allocations, and of policies dictated by the union influenced, Democrat-controlled legislature to achieve social objectives rather than educational excellence.

The judge confirms what every student knows and educators will only admit under oath: public education in Connecticut is entirely social promotion, for there are no learning standards for advancement from grade to grade or for high school graduation. High schools, the judge writes, are graduating illiterates and supplying students with unearned diplomas.

Every concerned parent, teacher, and school board member should read Moukawshers Memorandum of Decision, which I have made available, in its entirety, in the Need To Know section of makeconnecticutgreatagain.us.

The Democratic Party controls the governorship, the state senate, and the state house. They control the leadership, set the agenda, determine the policies and legislate to suite their purposes. They have dominated the seats of power in Connecticut for decades. No other state in the union, with the exception of Illinois, is doing as miserably as Connecticut. We are No. 1 at being 50th.

Most of our Democratic legislative incumbents give priority to special interests that include the public sector unions, blindly follow the directives of their leadership, and do not understand the consequences of their actions. Such behavior disqualifies them for re-election. The Democratic Party continues to opt for policies that have failed time and time again.

Yes, on makeconnecticutgreatagain.us red flags are raised, and the crises in leadership offered by the Democratic Party is exposed. Contrary to the assertions of Democratic Party spokesman Leigh Appleby, there is nothing shady about exposing the deplorable record of Democratic incumbents.

Make Connecticut Great Again was not launched as a Political Action Committee and does not qualify under federal or state laws as a Political Action Committee, as intimated in various Connecticut newspapers. The PAC issue is a shameless distraction to divert attention away from the record of Democratic incumbents who forgot that their duty is to represent the people of Connecticut and not bankrupt the state with failed policies.

Barry Michelson is the founder of Make Connecticut Great Again and a member of the Stamford Republican Town Committee.
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Chimp attack victim Charla Nash said in a radio interview Wednesday morning that she cant recall anything about the 2009 incident, but they told me it had ripped off my face, and my hands looked like theyd been through a shredder.

After the attack left Nash without a nose, eyes or lips, she received the nations first double hand and face transplant at Brigham and Womens Hospital is Boston, where she now lives. Her body rejected the hands, but the face transplant was a success. The mauling left Nash permanently blind from an infection spread by the chimp.

Nash told radio hosts Chaz and AJ in the brief interview on WPLR that she never discussed the attack with Sandra Herold, her friend and employer at the time.

I wanted to talk to Sandra before she died, but I was not strong enough, Nash said.

She was brutally attacked by Travis, a chimpanzee Herold kept as a pet at her Rock Rimmon Road home in North Stamford, on Feb. 9, 2009. The animal was killed by a police officer after it charged him.

They asked my brother to pull the plug because I had no brain response, Nash told the radio hosts on Wednesday morning. The first thing I remember was asking my brother to turn the lights on in my hospital room, but he told me they were already on.

Nash suffered a setback in May, when her body began to reject the face transplant, after the medications she was taking to stave off rejection were reduced as part of a medical study. Nash told Chaz and AJ that she is getting by, but still has an active GoFundMe page.

I thought Id get more help from the state of Connecticut, or at least to have my day in court, but it costs money to do things like that, she said.

Nash had sought the claims commissioners and then the Legislatures approval to sue the state for $150 million, claiming among other things that state officials knew chimpanzees were too dangerous to keep as pets. Her bid was denied under the sovereign immunity law.

Herolds estate paid Nash $4 million in damages.
Venture-capitalist investment levels in education technology companies reached an all-time high in 2015 before cooling off in 2016. However, entrepreneurs and VCs looking for the next big thing in learning should take a good hard look at micro-credentialing, which could be the future of American higher education.

Related: 5 Growing Ed Tech Companies That Make the Grade

Micro-credentials, or nano-degrees, are already in place in some sectors. For example, a student seeking work in graphic design could take an intense 12-week course to learn Photoshop and Quark Xpress. Likewise, someone seeking a mid-career switch to marketing could take specific classes (online or in the classroom) to develop expertise in Hubspot or Salesforce.

Already, we see plenty of these kinds of courses on sites like Skillshare or Udacity, and via technology certifications. But the shift I see coming is much bigger. And it has the potential to disrupt the nation's entire higher education market.

Imagine a scenario where an individual with perhaps 20 or 30 micro-credentials becomes much more marketable than someone with the traditional four-year liberal arts degree. That should provide an inkling of what this is all about.

Higher education is ripe for a shakeup.

There is broad agreement in America that our historic approach of educating students by sending them to a four-year university or a two-year community college is no longer a guarantee of success. For starters, the costs are too high. The average price for tuition at a four-year public university has increased nearly fourfold since 1975; today, that average cost stands at $37,640, according to The College Board, Annual Survey of Colleges.

The price of tuition and board at private colleges has also risen dramatically (up 271 percent, to a total cost of $175,684) leading many to question the return on investment for the average degree.

The same is true for many professional degrees, where the return-on-investment question is particularly acute for all but the top graduate programs.

For example, the New York Times recently revealed that at Valparaiso University Law School, fewer than 70 percent of the most recent graduating class were employed. Furthermore, many of those who were employed were in jobs not requiring a law license; and only three out of 131 graduates worked in the kinds of large law firms that typically pay generous salaries.

At the same time, earnings for most middle-class Americans have stagnated. All in all, the current disconnect that exists between rapidly rising college fees and falling incomes is unsustainable.

Moreover, companies complain that new graduates leave college without the skills they need.

Politicians widely acknowledge that change is needed. Democrat Hillary Clinton wants to make tuition at public colleges and universities free for most Americans. And Republican Donald Trump is expected to announce that he wants college loan availability tied to whether a student is pursuing a degree that increases his or her job prospects.

Parents, students, employers and politicians all agree that the expensive qualifications offered by institutions of higher education today are not working for many Americans. The result has been intense pressure on U.S. colleges to overhaul their programs.

And, here, the answer that many believe will bridge the chasm between schools and employers is a shift to competency-based programs.

In that context, I anticipate that the next step, and ultimately the likely response to the current disconnect, will be a move to micro-credentialing -- courses teaching specific job skills -- and providing interesting opportunities for education tech and venture investors alike.

Related: 5 Fascinating Edtech Companies From National Education Week

Early experiments in coding 'bootcamps'

One area where this approach has already taken off successfully is the advent and proliferation of coding schools around the country. This year, 91 full-time boot camps will generate almost $200 million in revenue and teach nearly 18,000 students, up from just over 2,000 students in 2013, according to Course Reports Market Sizing Report.

While not inexpensive, boot camps teach coding languages such as Full Stack JavaScript and Ruby on Rails, which are in high demand in the industry. Many such boot camps guarantee job placements, and some partner with large companies, supplying newly minted programmers for corporate intern programs.

The average boot camp lasts 12.9 weeks and costs $11,451. While graduates do not walk away with a degree, they can call themselves computer programmers; and programmers earn a median annual wage of $79,530 -- almost twice the $44,592 that the average American worker earns.

By focusing on specific skills that can be vetted quickly by prospective employers, boot camps address the fundamental disconnect between traditional degree programs and the companies that need to employ new graduates.

A small number of schools are embracing competency-based approaches and realigning course curricula, but these are still early test cases. Harvard, MIT and other EdX partners are offering more bite-sized classes with specific skills attached. Partners of Udacity are delivering nanodegree programs in fields such as Android Basics, Machine Learning Engineer and Senior Web Developer.

Some courses are developed with industry leaders such as Amazon, AT&T and Google, which is perhaps why Udacity offers refunds to students who don't land a job within six months of graduation. Its an approach that has placed the VC-backed Udacity among the growing number of unicorns (private companies valued at $1 billion or more.)

Whats needed next

To be effective, third parties such as industry associations must formulate the criteria and skills that comprise each credential. Once they are validated, providers can develop appropriate curricula and employers can determine the mix of credentials that each job requires. Finally, industry and educators will speak the same language. Eventually, the traditional degree may become so disaggregated that students will build resumes from coursework and micro-credentials from a variety of providers (university classes, boot camps, MOOCs (massive online open courses), Lynda.com. Pluralsight.com, etc.)

Micro-credential programs will benefit greatly by creating a widely recognized digital badge, backed by third-party validation, making it easier for recruiters to find candidates on sites such as LinkedIn.

Already, VC investors have made big bets on the disaggregation of learning content, particularly at the higher education level. The next step is the proliferation of micro-credentialing and the ecosystem that will develop around those qualifications.

Related: More Startups Are Cashing in on the Growing Worker Skills Gap

And the companies that carve out sustainable business models as part of those ecosystems? They're likely to be the next ed tech darlings of the VC world.

Related:

The Next Hot Ticket in Ed Tech? Micro-Credentials

5 Growing Ed Tech Companies That Make the Grade

Topping the Growth



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RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 13, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today marked the official opening of the SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC Health Care, the first inpatient and residential hospice facility of its kind to serve patients in Chatham and its neighboring counties. The ribbon cutting gave community leaders, donors and other attendees an opportunity to view the Homes amenities and services. During the ceremony, SECU Foundation Board Chair Jim Johnson spoke briefly, highlighting the partnership of State Employees Credit Union (SECU) members and The Medical Foundation of North Carolina to help fund the Homes construction.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0d4e5676-fe31-4e9c-8724-bfe59d2dcff3

Johnson noted, SECU members are pleased to be part of bringing SECU Jim & Betsy Brian Hospice Home of UNC Health Care to fruition  a project that honors the vision and mission of Dr. James Bryan and UNC Hospice and enhances access to the end-of-life care choices for our States citizens. The Foundations funding for the new facility demonstrates our members recognition of the great need for hospice and palliative care services in Chatham and surrounding counties and certainly embodies our philosophy of helping others, also shared by Hospice and its generous community supporters.

UNC Hospice has been serving patients and their families in Chatham, Orange, Lee, Durham and portions of Alamance and Wake counties with in-home based care for 17 years. With UNCs strong commitment to providing hospice excellence and the critical need for expanding services for families in the region, an inpatient facility became a priority. SECU Foundations $1 million investment for the new Home will help the UNC medical community reach families with an alternative option for specialized care locally and a welcome reprieve to the economic and emotional hardships experienced during the final phases of a loved ones life.

We appreciate SECU members for their support. This is a beautiful facility with a wide range of amenities to make our patients and their families comfortable, but I believe it is our caregivers that will help make it feel like a home, said Brian Goldstein, MD, Chief Operating Officer, UNC Health Care. This includes a team of nurses, social workers, pastoral and grief counselors, and trained UNC Health Care volunteers with years of experience in hospice and palliative care services.

About SECU and the SECU Foundation

A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 79 years. The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trust and estate planning services, and investments through its partners and affiliated entities. SECU serves over 2 million members through 256 branch offices, nearly 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone and a website, www.ncsecu.org. The SECU Foundation, a 501c (3) charitable organization funded solely by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human services.
G erman crops giant Bayer clinched a $66 billion takeover of US rival Monsanto today after promising a higher compensation fee if the deal is thwarted by competition regulators.

Bayers 20-strong board signed off the merger after Monsantos executives, who include Scottish chief executive Hugh Grant, agreed to an improved $128-a-share offer.

The deal is the largest mergers and acquisitions tie-up this year. The breakthrough came after Bayer agreed to pay Monsanto, based in Missouri, a break fee of $2 billion, up from $1.5 billion, if the deal collapses because of competition concerns.

"We believe that this combination with Bayer represents the most compelling value for our shareowners, with the most certainty through the all-cash consideration," Grant said.

The merger is due to create the worlds biggest supplier of seeds and pesticides to farmers but faces several regulatory hurdles, which have proved a challenge to similar-sized takeover deals in the past.

The merged company would be responsible for about a third of all crop-related sales to farmers around the world. Bernstein research analysts say there is only a 53% chance the deal will be approved because of the regulatory problems, based on the results of a survey of shareholders in both companies.

Bayer and Monsantos controversial involvement in genetically modified foods and chemicals is also likely to attract attention from politicians and anti-GM protesters.

The offer, a 21% premium to Monsantos US share price yesterday, is the fourth time of asking for Bayer after it originally came in with a $122-a-share offer four months ago. That was increased to $125 in July and then again to $127.50 in recent days.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse advised Bayer alongisde Rothschild. Monsato used Morgan Stanley and Ducera Partners.
I F todays reports that were pressing ahead with Hinkley are right, we are witnessing Theresa Mays first mistake in Number 10.

The arguments against it are many and compelling, not least in the fact that we still dont know if the things ever going to work.

However, even critics like me can see that, with such a project being so far advanced in the planning, it was always going to be difficult for the PM to pull the plug.

Where May has gone so wrong is in the pointless loss of goodwill she caused with Beijing by suggesting Chinas involvement represented a security threat.

China is only providing the money for Hinkley, not building it. So not only is there little actual risk, but in raising such an alarm, May has needlessly offended one of our most important trading partners.

Her instincts on many areas of policy, from inequality and austerity to corporate governance are sound. But to cause such upset to China, then go ahead with the project a few weeks later anyway, will disappoint even her biggest fans.

Calamity Cameron

David Cameron has today rightly been accused by a Parliamentary inquiry of fuelling the rise of Isis through his botched intervention in Libya. But the result of his actions go further still.

The toppling of the Libyan regime left a vacuum of law and order in the southern Mediterranean state that opened the door to people-traffickers, hastening the tide of refugees into Europe. That in turn contributed to the Brexit vote, which threatens now to destabilise our economy.

Still, who could have guessed toppling a leader in that region with no plan of what comes next might not be such a great idea?

Rose out of his depth

The charmer Stuart Rose is a hard man not to like, with his evergreen smile and cheery wit. But his leadership of the Remain campaign was as woeful as that of the hapless Cameron-Osborne duo.

Not only did Lord Roses famous charisma desert him every time he saw a TV camera, but he couldnt even remember the name of his own campaign group. The impression given was of an Establishment dilettante who hadnt thought it through.

Typically, the former Marks & Sparks boss, as likely to be spotted at Harrys Bar as in a City boardroom, admitted with his trademark flip at a party last night: The whole thing was a disaster. As he told the Daily Mail: It was a train crash in every sense but it just shows that businessmen should never mix with politicians and vice versa. Quite.
A ny investors hoping for the so-called dead-cat bounce from Ocado were left disappointed today as the grocery delivery firms shares continued to slide.

The company found itself at the bottom of the FTSE 250 for a second day, down 17.7p, or 6.4%, to 260.3p, as brokers gave it the thumbs-down after yesterdays trading update, which sent the shares reeling 14%.

Chief executive Tim Steiner warned price-slashing from the discount supermarkets was eating into margins.

Exane BNP Paribas was largely to blame for Ocados prolonged stock-market malaise as the investment bank cut its rating to underperform in anticipation of the company missing annual profit forecasts.

Analysts at the broker even warned there would be little net profit growth over the next three or four years.

The FTSE 100 moved 32.50 points higher to 6698.13, with no major shocks in this mornings unemployment figures.

Among the blue-chips, UBS became the second broker this week to warn that the rally from HSBC shares has run out of steam.

Analysts at the Swiss broker cut their buy rating on HSBC in favour of a neutral stance and told clients: We see little in the operating environment and conversations with investors to justify a further re-rating of the stock.

UBSs number-crunchers also warned that HSBC is trading at its highest price relative to profit forecasts for six years. The shares shrugged off the gloom and advanced 3.5p to 562.8p.

Johnston Press, 1.5p better off at 16.5p, continued to rally after yesterdays meeting with Crystal Amber.

The activist shareholder is said to be pushing for change at the newspapers group, whose shares have plummeted 70% this year.

MartinCo, up 7.5p at 170p, said it was seeing signs of recovery after the Brexit blip that caused lettings transactions to stall. The comments came as the AIM-quoted estate agents group, which last week bought EweMove, said first-half revenues rose 12% to 3.7 million and pre-tax profits leapt 35% to 1.6 million.

Small-cap buyout group Key Capital dumped 3.7 million of shares in AIM-listed music equipment seller Gear4music, causing the shares to tumble 4.5p to 233p. Key retains a 15% stake in the company. The shares were sold at 210p, a tidy premium to the 139p Gear4music floated at in June last year.

Petrol forecourt retailer Applegreen, which floated on AIM two weeks after Gear4music, suffered a similar fate today as B&J Holdings, a vehicle controlled by chief executive Bob Etchingham and chief operating officer Joe Barrett, said it would cash in 23 million of shares in a placing at 383p a pop. The shares retreated 17.5p to 390p.
T he Mayor, Sadiq Khan, starts off his North American trip with a visit to Canada  anticipating a visit by Prince William and Kate  but it is his pointed rebuke to Donald Trump, about the importance of building bridges rather than building walls which has captured attention. He points out, very reasonably, that rather than excluding Muslims from the US, as Mr Trump formerly proposed, he should be welcoming to the US the millions of Muslims who love America and love Americans. Hes right.

Yet the primary purpose of his six-day trip is as a trade ambassador for London. As he says: Its really important that it reaches our American cousins that were going to carry on being a global city, a place for talent, for investment, for business. Post-Brexit, reassurance is his big aim: so much goodwill towards London on the part of investors and tourists depends on sending out the right message, and the Mayors insistence that London still welcomes Americans and Canadians strikes a good note.

But he will, interestingly, also be meeting the mayors of Montreal, Chicago and New York during his trip, thereby underlining the reality that the worlds great cities have more in common with each other than the nations of which they are part. When it comes to issues such as crime, ethnic integration, housing and environment, we share many of the same problems and can learn a great deal from each other. Good bilateral relations with other global cities will pay rich dividends for the Mayor  he may well find he feels at home in Montreal and New York.

The Mayor may not have a foreign policy, as sometimes Ken Livingstone seemed to want, but he does have a crucial role in reinforcing Londons reputation as an open and hospitable city. His visit is all too timely.

Bad judgment in Libya

Lord Richards, head of the armed forces during the 2011 military intervention in Libya, has made clear, as we report today, that both he and the then MI6 boss Sir John Sawers had doubts over whether toppling Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was in Britains vital national interest. Yet, it seems, when he raised his concerns, including over the legality of the British military action, he was seen as unhelpful. As a result he wants the National Security Council to be reformed so as to hold future prime ministers to account about going to war.

That reform would be less necessary if Cabinet government operated effectively, as it plainly did not in the case of Tony Blairs move to war in Iraq. In the case of Libya, as a swingeing report from the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee makes clear, there was wishful thinking before the event and a catastrophic failure to plan for the aftermath. The report is an indictment of David Camerons approach to military intervention. For Britain to fail to plan for the aftermath of intervention in one war, Iraq, was culpable, for it to do so again  without the excuse of American intransigence  is shaming. We and the Libyans are now living with the consequences.

Cutting-edge London

It is a sign of Londons excellence in biomedical research that most of the 800 million the Government is investing in the development of treatments for serious diseases has been awarded to hospitals in the capital. Beneficiaries of the funding include Great Ormond Street Hospital, for research into leukaemia, and University College London Hospitals, for work on immunological approaches to cancer treatment. For Londons global reputation in the medical arena continued funding of this research is vital. In the end, we will all benefit.
F ew families illustrate better the transformation of the City of London in the past three decades than the Cameron clan, in the form of the countrys recently resigned Prime Minister David Cameron and his late father Ian. Their fortunes have risen and fluctuated in line with those of the City since the Thatcherites unleashed the computerised City revolution called the Big Bang in October 1986.

Back in the mid-Eighties young David Cameron was studying at Oxford and pondering a career in politics. His father was a well-connected product of the old City, a citizen of the Berkshire stockbroker-belt and a partner at Panmure Gordon. In those days that meant upper-middle-class affluence and a very comfortable upbringing for the children, but not riches of the kind that became available later in finance.

As was the case for a great many families across the income scale in London and the South-East, when the Big Bang was detonated by Margaret Thatchers ministers it turned out to be a boon that had a transformative effect for those involved. Salaries rose and bonuses abounded. The Camerons did well in the process and Ian Cameron became wealthy enough to feel that he must establish a set of trusts and offshore arrangements to protect for future generations of Camerons what he had earned. There was controversy about this when it was revealed when young Cameron was Prime Minister.

Now his son has an open door to a very different kind of City existence  if he chooses to walk through it  one in which hundreds of thousands or millions of pounds can be earned.

As London has grown so dramatically and become the centre for international operations of major banks and asset managers it has become a standard manoeuvre for former leaders to enter this intoxicating world and make themselves much better off in the process. Former Chancellors are sought after by institutions such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley for their address books and insights into global trends and the secrets of power. Tony Blair is an adviser to J P Morgan, a role that drives his already furious critics to distraction. The practice of hiring former leaders has spread. In the EU, Manuel Barroso, the former president of the European Commission in Brussels, is currently under fire for his new role at Goldman Sachs.

It is not yet clear that Cameron will accept such a role himself. He has a book to write and his entrepreneurial wife Samantha is keen to start her own business. It would be unusual, however, if between strolls to the pub and charitable work Cameron did not find that it was worth spending a few days a month sitting through meetings at a major bank.

That prospect shows how much the City has changed. Most of the powerful institutions and banks which will consider offering Cameron a perch had only a small operation in London in the mid-Eighties. The Stock Exchange itself operated as a closed club in which foreign banks and firms were banned from membership. The Big Bang was a series of reforms which scrapped the old demarcations and introduced the switch from open outcry trading on the floor of the exchange to rows of traders sitting at screens. The foreign banks upped their presence and recruited tens of thousands of workers.

It changed the physical face of the capital too, in Canary Wharf, which grew out of the docks in the East End as a rival to the traditional Square Mile.

Despite several deviations  including the stock market crash of October 1987  the City boomed. It became a modern, digital version of what it had been in the Victorian era, a global hub, perhaps the global hub, for financiers and traders.

And then came the financial crisis of 2008, in which the Square Mile was heavily complicit. The Citys leaders had urged on banks such as RBS and fostered a culture of short-termism and aggressive accumulation of wealth. The shock when the bubble burst upended British politics.

Indeed, it discombobulated David Cameron in the autumn of 2008 because he had predicated his leadership of the Conservative Party on being a compassionate Tory with lots of taxpayers money to spend. He took over in government in 2010 when the outlook for the City and the economy was exceedingly grim.

More broadly, the crisis left us with an at best ambivalent view of the City and what it does. For many British taxpayers it still induces rage when they hear talk of bonuses and see City figures strutting about talking as though nothing too bad happened and their industry was not rescued by the rest of us.

That reaction is understandable, and the unwarranted excesses can be infuriating, but trashing the City will do no one any good. We need it to be successful more than ever.

The writer and biographer of London, Peter Ackroyd, dubbed the wider city voracious London and it is the Square Mile more than any other part of the metropolis which has sucked in talent, the greedy, the ambitious and the innovative, providing employment and opportunity for millions of souls down the decades and centuries. It is an engine of national growth as its tax revenues can be spent on public services.

That model is now at risk, not so much from Brexit but from unstoppable automation that will challenge the big banks. But fintech  financial technology and innovation  is also a great opportunity for London to invent new firms. The City is good at new technology and has a thriving fintech scene which  if encouraged  will make London a hub of the future.

In another 30 years let us hope the City is still going strong, providing employment opportunities for David Camerons children and their British contemporaries across the class divide.

Iain Martins book, Crash Bang Wallop: the Inside Story of Londons Big Bang and a Financial Revolution that Changed the World, is published by Sceptre
Y esterday you published a story based on an interview I gave to the Standard earlier this summer. I feel the article is not a fair reflection of my views. In particular, you interpreted my words as an acceptance that Police do target black people on streets, to quote the headline, and that the Met routinely discriminates against black people  I dont think those are reasonable summaries of the points I was making.

Yes, some police practice might be interpreted as discriminatory but that doesnt mean officers stop and search people based on prejudice. Likewise, discrimination may be the unintended outcome from performance measures but that is different from performance driving discrimination.

Your second headline, on page 2, read: Ive suffered racism at work, says Met chief. I am concerned that some readers would interpret that as racism from fellow officers. As I made clear in the interview I have not been the subject of racist behaviour from my colleagues but I have from the public.

It is a shame you did not publish parts of the interview where I talked about the progress in BME recruitment and the increased number of senior officers from minority communities. The Met has done much in areas such as stop and search yet there is more to do. However, the Met is made up of men and women from every background committed to making London safe. I felt that was a theme which I carried through the interview.

Chief Superintendent Victor Olisa (pictured above), Metropolitan Police

Grammar schools: a great divide

We are writing out of concern for the Governments selective school policy outlined in the Schools That Work for Everyone Green Paper. It is clear to us that the group of pupils most affected by these proposals will be disabled and pupils with special educational needs.

Indeed, the very purpose of selection is to filter out and further exclude such pupils. The Governments own statistics indicate that disabled and special needs pupils are already massively under-represented in grammar schools compared with the general secondary school population. Children with special needs statements or education, health and care plans represent a mere 0.1 per cent of grammar school pupils, despite making up 1.8 per cent of the whole secondary school population.

We are concerned that if new grammar schools are established their admissions policies will discriminate against special needs pupils. There will be groups of disabled children who will not pass the selection test  why should they be denied a good school place?

The introduction of greater selection into our education system would undermine disabled pupils human rights. What we should be striving for is an inclusive and non-selective education system that consists of mainstream schools that welcome all, irrespective of ability.

Simone Aspis, policy and campaigns co-ordinator, Alliance for Inclusive Education

M D Bennie suggests that those who oppose a return to grammar schools are ignorant and insulting [Letters, September 12]. Of course there will be people who will benefit from grammars but there will be many more who dont.

It is naive to assume a new version of such a system will be fair and not be hijacked by the middle class or the rich who, with a relatively small investment in extra tuition before the 11-plus exam, could slot their children into what is in effect free private education.

Last week our Prime Minister tried to justify this proposal by saying that for too many of our children a good school remains out of reach. That she does not feel obliged to resolve this travesty first is what I would call ignorant and insulting.

Craig Alexander

As a former grammar school student I must pledge my support to the proposals to increase the number of them in the UK. I come from a middle-class, comprehensive school background while many friends attended private schools. This only made me more determined to succeed.

Granted, there should be more opportunities for under privileged children to attend grammar schools. But if these schools aid our development and improve standards overall, isnt that a good thing?

M Bright

Camerons legacy will be long-lasting

It's all too easy to be harsh about David Cameron, given the way he chose to announce his retirement from the Commons and that he was the man who gambled and lost the EU referendum. But history will view him differently.

If Britain thrives after leaving the EU, as I believe it will, Cameron will be remembered as the man who gave Britain the opportunity to change its destiny. The occasional outburst of petulance, or even handing our country the chance to become a fairer and kinder society by introducing equal marriage for same-sex couples, will be forgotten.

He may be derided now but his long-term legacy will be the forging of a new, prosperous Britain. And that legacy will outlive him.

Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield (Con)

Resigning as an MP only highlights David Camerons lack of political leadership. That he would rather shirk his responsibilities to his constituents than sit on the backbenches shows how protecting his bruised ego presides over all other matters.

J Curton
Attendo is bringing together its care for older people in Scandinavia under a unified leadership. A simpler and clearer organisation improves Attendos ability to offer high-quality care services, to grow in own operations and to develop the business. Attendos operations within care for older people in Scandinavia have until now had a leadership that has been shared between Ammy Wehlin and Margareta Nystrom. Ammy Wehlin will now become the sole Business Area Director for care for older people in Scandinavia. In connection with this, Margareta Nystrom will leave her role and Attendo. Margareta has been a key person in Attendo for 23 years. She has gone all the way from licensed nurse to Business Area Director and has played an important role in the development of Attendo. I would like to thank Margareta for her great contributions in developing Attendo and the care sector in Sweden, and I wish her all the best for the future, says Henrik Borelius, President and CEO. Attendo AB (publ) For further information, please contact: Andreas Koch, Communications and Investor Relations Director Phone: +46 705 09 77 61 E-mail: andreas.koch@attendo.com Stefan Svanstrom, Communications Director Phone: +46 708 67 38 07 E-mail: stefan.svanstrom@attendo.com The information above is such that Attendo is obliged to make public pursuant to the Securities Markets Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. ___________________________________________________________ Attendo  the leading care and healthcare company in the Nordics Attendo is the leading private provider of publicly financed care and healthcare services in the Nordic region. The company was founded in 1985 and was first to provide outsourced care for older people in Sweden. In addition to care for older people, Attendo provides care for people with disabilities, individuals and families, and, in Finland, healthcare and dental care. Attendo has 19 000 employees and is locally anchored with over 500 operations in more than 200 municipalities in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. www.attendo.com
During a time when Vetements haute hoodies are harder to track down than Harry Potter theatre tickets and dressing like youve forgotten your gender is the fashion industrys favourite pastime, its not considered very cool to be girly. Sophia Webster is the exception to this rule.

I think shoes are an easy way to get your personality across, muses the shoe designer, toying with her waist-length blonde hair. Im a believer that if you wear something with confidence you can get away with anything.

Since launching her eponymous label in 2012, Essex-born Webster, 31, has been wooing fashions girly girls with her unapologetic passion for frills and fancy. Her design signatures, which include everything from flamingo prints to angel wings, are committed to standing out from the crowd. And nowhere is this more apparent than her newly opened Mount Street boutique.

Nestled among the slick stealth-wealth retail empires of Loewe, Celine and Balenciaga in Londons most prestigious shopping thoroughfare, Websters pocket-sized pastel-pink paradise is the perfect embodiment of her determination to put the fun back into fashion. Flamingo-embossed corner ceilings, stiletto heel coat hooks and a lavender and fluoro coral centrepiece sofa are just a few of the touches that make Websters bricks-and-mortar feel more like stepping into Barbies dream house than a shoe shop.

Sophia Webster - 124 Mount Street 1 /9 Sophia Webster - 124 Mount Street Sophia Webster The 124 Mount Street store Sophia Webster The 124 Mount Street store Sophia Webster The 124 Mount Street store Sophia Webster The 124 Mount Street store Sophia Webster The 124 Mount Street store Sophia Webster The 124 Mount Street store Sophia Webster Sophia inside her new store Hazlett-Beard

So it comes as no surprise that Webster is the ultimate girls girl. When we meet she sits perched on a candyfloss-pink shearling pouffe wearing a pair of her trademark stilettos in shocking neon.

I like to feel that were an approachable brand, she says. Theres no Pretty Woman moments around here. Its a very welcoming place. Its this inclusive attitude to luxury fashion that has seen her brand appeal to all types of women, from Kendall Jenner to JK Rowling. Im constantly surprised by the women who tell me they own loads of my shoes, she says. I feel like I have a responsibility to have something in every collection that my grandma could buy, or my aunt or my mum. I like to have something for everyone. I dont want it to feel like its not for certain people because its not like that at all.

JK Rowling in Webster's shoes (Nils Jorgensen/REX)

Of course its not everyone who can pull off a pair of crystal-encrusted pompom platforms. But Webster has developed a knack for finding the sweet spot between wow and wearability. For my first collection I wanted to get noticed but now its about doing that in a more refined way, she says. I will always do an all-singing-all-dancing version because thats the most fun to do."

"But then Ill also do them in a way for someone who doesnt want to wear that. We call it Sophia-sticated  sophisticated, but with a little bit of sass.

Webster, a graduate from the distinguished Cordwainers and Royal College of Art, has always had an eye for a money spinner, having first designed her now bestselling Chiara butterfly wing sandals during her masters degree. At the time my tutors said it was a bit commercial and I just didnt understand why that was a bad thing, she says. Surely that means someone is going to want to buy it? It was during this time that Webster met renowned shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood, who was to become her mentor for the next two years during what Webster describes as an intensive education in how to start a shoe business.

Just four years after launching her own label, things are looking bright. Along with her London store, Webster has a spot on the London Fashion Week schedule and is the winner of years BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund award  a prize designed to help support British talent on their way to becoming a global brand.

From just two collections a year, Websters annual workload has grown to include eight womenswear collections and four bag collections, along with a kids line and a bridal range. Thankfully, shes pretty good at time management, especially since having a child.

Having Bibi has made me a lot more focused, says Webster, who also has to work trips to her factory in Brazil into her schedule as mother of a two-year-old. Ive travelled a lot less after I had her but she comes to Brazil with me when I go. Weve scaled things back and allowed for people from the factory to come here so its cut down the amount of time I have to spend out there.

Scarlett Johansson is a fan of the brand (Broadimage/Rex)

Her husband Bobby, a former electrical engineer who also has a 10-year-old son, has been involved in the business from the beginning and is now CEO of the company.

He makes the sensible decisions, Im more of an emotional thinker and we meet in the middle. Hes the one who reminds me that fashion is a commercial thing, ultimately. There has to be a customer  someone to buy the end product. Theres a lot more black shoes since he started.

Her mum is her biggest fan and routinely wears her daughters creations to her job as a headmistress at a school in West Norwood. A lot of the women she works with come to my sample sales, so theyre known for all having really jazzy shoes, she says. I got her the Boss Lady pumps for her birthday but shes saving them for when she really needs to mean business. Maybe when shes got Ofsted in.

Bibi has also played an influencial part in her work, particularly when it comes to her increasingly popular flat-shoe offering. When I was pregnant I knew that I really needed to design some more flat, comfortable shoes. The sales team didnt know what was going on.

Inspiration also comes from her teenage icons, including the Spice Girls, Gwen Stefani and Diana Ross. Ive always really liked strong women who have their own style and have a lot to say. What about Theresa May? She needs some Boss Lady shoes. Ill make her a custom pair. In leopard print.

Theresa May's finest footwear - in pictures 1 /40 Theresa May's finest footwear - in pictures November 4, 2014 Wearing leopard print kitten-heel courts as she leaves Downing Street after attending cabinet Peter Macdiarmid/Getty October 5, 2009 Wearing red and black snakeskin courts on the stage as they address delegates at the Conservative Party Conference Christopher Furlong/Getty October 5, 2004 Wearing powder blue and black floral patterned ballet pumps as she arrives at the Bournemouth International Conference Center Jim Watson/AFP/Getty December 9, 2010 Wearing knee-high red suede boot as she leaves a cabinet meeting in Downing Street Matthew Lloyd/Getty November 5, 2013 Wearing over-the-knee patent boots as she arrives on Horse Guards in central London during the visit of South Korean President Park Geun-Hye Sean Dempsey/AFP/Getty June 27, 2016 Wearing pointed leopard print courts to a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street Leon Neal/AFP/Getty May 3, 2011 Wearing patent powder blue court shoes as she arrives in Downing Street to attend a Cabinet meeting Oli Scarff/Getty October 9, 2012 Wearing pointed leopard print courts with a burgundy print insert to deliver her speech to delegates during the third day of the annual Conservative Party Conference Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty October 16, 2012 Wearing pointed leopard print courts as she arrives at Number 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting Oli Scarff/Getty February 5, 2013 Wearing over-the-knee patent boots as she walks into Downing Street to attend a security meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden Peter Macdiarmid/Getty March 17, 2014 Wearing black lace up patent brogues with diamond studs as she launches HMC Protector Peter Macdiarmid/Getty June 5, 2013 Wearing pointed black patent sling backs as she attends the preview party for The Royal Academy Of Arts Summer Exhibition Tim P. Whitby/Getty June 23, 2013 Wearing Union Jack emblazoned trainers as she presents medals during the third day of the 2013 Samsung World Rowing Cup II at Eton Dorney September 30, 2013 Wearing black lace up patent brogues with diamond studs as she delivers her speech in the main hall on the second day of the Conservative Party Conference Oli Scarff/Getty June 10, 2014 Wearing snakeskin kitten-heel courts as she arrives for a cabinet meeting in Downing Street Carl Court/AFP/Getty June 11, 2014 Wearing patent red flats with pink bow detailing as she leaves the Royal United Services Institute Peter Macdiarmid/Getty September 30, 2014 Wearing navy suede courts with a chunky heel as she addresses the Conservative Party Conference Matt Cardy/Getty March 3, 2015 Wearing over-the-knee patent boots as she arrives for a Ceremonial Welcome for the President of Mexico Leon Neal/AFP/Getty May 21, 2015 Wearing gold studded black flats as she and David Cameron are accompanied by immigration enforcement officers into a home in Southall in London following an early morning raid on the property that yielded three arrests of illegal immigrants Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty July 8, 2015 Wearing black pointed flats with a red and pink kiss print as she leaves 10 Downing Street Peter Macdiarmid/Getty October 6, 2015 Wearing black suede courts with a chunky heel on the third day of the annual Conservative party conference Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty October 7, 2015 Wearing red, yellow and turquoise printed courts as she arrives for the fourth and final day of the Conservative Party Conference Christopher Furlong/Getty March 22, 2016 Wearing black suede shoe boots with a leopard print insert as she leaves 10 Downing Street Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty July 12, 2016 Wearing leopard print pointed flats as she leaves after attending a Cabinet meeting at Downing Street Carl Court/Getty December 15, 2004 Wearing calf-length suede boots in plum as she arrives at the 'Woman's Own Children Of Courage Award' at Westminster Abbey MJ Kim/Getty September 30, 2007 Wearing yellow and black patterned wellies during the 124th annual Conservative Party Conference at the Winter Gardens Christopher Furlong/Getty November 8, 2007 Wearing black pointed courts with silver ankle strap as she arrives at the Woman Of The Future Awards Jo Hale/Getty April 26, 2009 Wearing open-toe leopard print flats to speak at the Conservative Party Spring Forum Matt Cardy/Getty June 15, 2010 Wearing a patent red wedge as she arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting in Downing Street Peter Macdiarmid/Getty July 6, 2010 Wearing rainbow striped pointed pumps as she arrives in Downing Street Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

And while the PM is yet to step out in a pair of Websters power pumps, shes not short of admirers. As a brand weve got some fanatical fans, she says. With almost 800,000 followers on Instagram, Webster is savvy to the power of a strong digital presence. Were definitely part of the online generation, she says. Our website is our flagship. Theres nods to technology throughout the boutique, from the Selfie Station in the window  a light installation which makes customers look like they have angel wings when they look in the mirror  to the Snapchat parties she holds in store for her followers.

And what about Bibi? Is she following in her footsteps as girly girl? Shes not that girly. Shes very boisterous. Before she was born I bought her a set of rainbow tutus on eBay but she was bald for a year and a half and you cant put a bald baby in a tutu. She looked like a baby Phil Mitchell, she laughs.

But she loves shoes. She was testing a pair out for me yesterday. Well, if the shoe fits.
A rtists are questioning the status quo with a new exhibition at the Victoria Miro gallery that explores the language of protest.

Featuring both historical and contemporary works, the exhibition shows artists examining the socio-political issues of their day, including migration, censorship and struggles for equality and democracy.

The exhibition begins with 1936 painting Nazis Murder Jews by Alice Neel, which shows a Communist party torchlight parade on the streets of New York City. It then examines the power of words from slogans, graffiti, signs and newspaper stories, including Doug Aitkens Free, created this year using mirrors to turn the word into an ever shifting experiences.

The impact of borders and boundaries is also explored, including Yayoi Kusamas Prisoners Door, a sculpture that leaves the viewer in a place between release and containment. The work of Wolfgang Tillmans and Jules de Balincourts will help to explore ways in which we can make the plight of others visible whilst celebrating our own freedoms.

The gallery will work with human rights charity Reprieve for the exhibition; they provide free legal support to some of the worlds most vulnerable people.

Protest runs at the Victoria Miro Gallery from September 23 - November 5.

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Review at a glance









T he play within a play never fails. This new film from Lone Scherfig (An Education, One Day) is set in the film-making department of the Ministry of Information at the height of the Blitz.

Bright, brave Welsh ingenue Catrin (Gemma Arterton, better than ever) joins the unit as a scriptwriter in the middle of the Blitz, working on a ridiculous morale-boosting movie about twin sisters taking a small boat to Dunkirk to help in the evacuation.

Her co-writer is another superior male, Buckley, who tells her shes only there to contribute slop, dialogue for women  but, behind his specs and drab suit, hes Sam Claflin, Finnick from The Hunger Games.

So hows that going to shake down, once they go away together on location?

So far, so good, with top costuming and some snappy lines. What makes Their Finest a delight, though, is Bill Nighys brilliantly funny performance as vain, ageing thesp Ambrose Hilliard.

This is one of those films where, whatever the main narrative, youre just waiting for this character to come back on screen.

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Hes a hoot. Told he is very handsome, he says smoothly I know. When a genuine war hero proves unable to act, he is delighted. Im an actor, he points out.

People think anybody can do it. You have found that not to be the case, for which my sincere commiserations. Hes one, for sure, that Bill Nighy.

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T he fate of the embattled nightclub Boujis could be sealed with plans to convert the South Kensington building into a burger restaurant and takeaway.

The venue opened in 1992 and gained a reputation for attracting the young, glamorous, and wealthy  Princes William and Harry were once regular visitors and Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Lewis Hamilton have partied there.

But complaints from residents and police about violence, drug taking and noise put its licence in jeopardy.

In April, officers applied to Kensington and Chelsea council to close the nightclub, on Thurloe Street, after a reveller suffered facial injuries in an attack. It survived by agreeing to become a private members club.

Now it has emerged that Five Guys, the American burger chain which already has several branches in London and is co-owned by Carphone Warehouse billionaire Sir Charles Dunstone, wants to take over the Boujis building.

Rebecca Hurst, of the Pegasus Planning Group, which is acting for Five Guys, said: Five Guys [intends to] occupy four floors of the building with the dining area to be located on the basement floor and an element of outdoor seating at ground-floor level.

Neighbours who have campaigned against Boujis, however, are likely to be less than delighted by its successor. A recent study by estate agent Wetherell suggested the value of homes close to a concentration of fast food restaurants can be cut by up to 15 per cent.

Traci Weaver, chairwoman of the Thurloe Residents Association, said: Residents are generally horrified by the prospect of having Five Guys so near to their homes.

Converting the building will involve installing an extraction and ventilation system. Ms Hurst assured the council that advanced odour control systems would minimise kitchen fumes.

She said: When compared with the existing use, it is considered that, in terms of general levels of noise and disturbance, the proposed use will have a lesser impact on neighbouring residents and businesses.

When Boujis held on to its licence in April it released a statement underlining its commitment to stay open by developing a private members club. According to its website, however, the venue is currently closed, although applications to become a 500-a-year member are still being invited.

On the subject of the Five Guys bid, a spokeswoman for The Ignite Group, which owns Boujis, said: We are not commenting on that at all at the moment.

London's best burgers 1 /5 London's best burgers 30burgermain2070.jpg Coming right up: one of Shake Shacks smokeshack burgers AN23254248atmosphere_tray-b.jpg Tray bake: more Shake Shack burgers AN23861731BUN.jpg Hot hirata: an Asian steamed bun of the sort Flesh and Buns and Rock Lobsta will offer AN23247970Roasted salmon bu.jpg Fillet o' fish: The Happenstance's roasted teriyaki salmon bun

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T he bread and butter at Square Mile coffee in Bethnal Green is likely to have a particularly satisfying kick. Both the loaf and spread are made with coffee, well, leftover grounds and chaff  the dried skin that comes off the bean when its roasted and is usually thrown away. Square Mile also uses coffee to perk up gummy bears, and even furniture.

Meanwhile, the custard tarts at Climpson & Sons near London Fields are made with chaff, adding bitterness and depth to the time-honoured double act of custard and slightly salty, firm pastry.

Caffeine connoisseurs who bake are replacing self-raising with coffee flour  its made from the cascara coffee cherry that is usually thrown away, and its gluten-free.

As more speciality beans come to London, there is more scope for culinary experimentation. Theres also a growing awareness of reducing waste. Tim Ridley, food and drink consultant, says: Coffee adds earthy flavour and bitterness to dishes like roast pork, but with the rise of speciality coffee in London there are more coffees available with fruit-led flavours and higher levels of acidity. This creates opportunities to use coffee when fruit notes or sourness are required for structure or balance.

The caffeine content of grounds or chaff is low so using it is more about flavour than anything else. Climpson & Sons makes coffee barbecue rub and in San Francisco, Bluebottle coffee puts espresso in mustard, to bring out the flavour of ham and Gruyere.

Celeste Wong, who blogs at Girl in the Cafe, makes vegan mocha balls with filter coffee. She also uses coffee to marinate bacon. It caramelises the flavour without overpowering it.

The Climpson & Sons tart came out of the cafes experimental approach to what it doesnt use, says Nicole Ferris, acting managing director. Cascara is one to watch. It is produced in large quantities when ripe coffee cherries are pulped and usually broken down into fertiliser, but it also makes a good base for sodas.

Ridley says: The increasing volumes of coffee waste means its an exciting space. Its likely therell be more products soon.

But coffee going into food doesnt mean that you cant drink it too. Ferris says: Our tart is a play on the pastel de nata and it works well washed down with a great cup of coffee.

@susannahbutter

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W eve all been there. On a whim you wandered into a clothes boutique and felt the cold stare of the shop assistant wondering what youre doing out in espadrilles and a ripped T-shirt. And for a while in London going out to eat French food felt rather the same  only those who knew what they were talking about were welcome.

But thats changing, with a wave of casual French restaurants opening in the capital, where everyone from Millennials on a tight budget to cheese experts is welcome.

Theres Sardine, Alex Jacksons new restaurant near Old Street based around country French food; street food stall-turned-bistro The Frenchie; Cojean, the first of an ambitious rollout of elegant French takeaway cafes; and the French-American street food concept Le Bun, serving duck frites and cheesecake brulee.

This generation of French foodies wants to keep things casual. For Romain Jimenez and Nadia Halloway, the friends and former lovers behind The Frenchie stall and bistro, that has always been at the forefront of our mission. We want to serve great modern French food in a more relaxed bistro atmosphere. The Frenchies menu is based around duck confit burgers.

I grew up eating charcuterie every day in France and I really wanted to have it here in London, says chef Jimenez. His burgers are made up of a brioche bun filled with French cheeses, fried duck skin, rocket, mustard and truffle honey, combining a fusion of traditional and modern ideas.

Yet while the confit technique is a very traditional method of preserving food, Halloway says many of their customers still ask what it means and dont know about the two-day process behind it. A lot of people arent familiar with it  but Im glad they feel that they can ask questions.

You can keep duck confit for a long time, explains Jimenez, and theres less waste, which is useful for street food. You salt and cure it for two hours until all the moisture is removed from the meat, then you slow-cook it for four hours in duck fat, and then you fry it.

Stefan Chomka, editor of Restaurant magazine, says as restaurant food in general has become more accessible the trend has permeated French cuisine, with a rise in small, informal bistros such as Casse Croute, Petit Pois, and Blanchette, which focus on serving simple, bistro food with little fuss.

He believes the change from haughty to Le Casual has happened in two stages, starting with the rise of the grand French brasserie in London around 2012  with restaurants such as Zedel, Balthazar and Les Deux Salons  twinned with the growth of Cote which led to a resurgence in hearty, value-for-money French bistro food as part of the trend away from more formal, fussy dining. The rise of street food and the growth of no-reservation restaurants (twinned with rising rents) saw this move towards informality recreated in smaller neighbourhood bistros as peoples acceptance of more rustic French food grew.

Meanwhile Herve Durochat, owner of Casse Croute, the popular 25-seater bistro in Bermondsey, recently announced that his new breakfast and brunch restaurant Pique Nique will open in November. Having first opened the miniscule tapas bar Jose nearby he says a small space can help create a cosy atmosphere with more approachable service and food as you can reduce the menu and everything is fresh.

Durochats three-part formula for success combines service, food and atmosphere. If youre missing one of those three I believe you cant be successful. With a tiny place its very easy to fill up. We have 25 seats, so with 10 people it is already half full, whereas nobody wants to sit in an empty place that has space for 150.

Meanwhile, at Sardine, simplicity is key. Head chef Alex Jackson, who had no formal culinary training prior to working with chef-patron Parle at his previous restaurants, says his instinct is always to go for the simple option where nothings convoluted  if you have really great ingredients then you dont need to do a lot to them.

He explains: If you think about French cuisine the first thing that comes to mind  and its a big cliche  is a brigade of chefs with big tall hats making stocks and sauces. Its great, and I love all that food, but I dont really come from a technical background.When you get to the South of France theres a lot of fresh fish and really good vegetables, because the weathers good, and thats what ties it all together for me.

So should anyone be worried that low-key French dining could signal the beginning of the end of haute cuisine?

Absolutely not, argues Chomka, who sees the two things as being very distinct: French cuisine and cooking is more concerned with style and technique than ingredients and dishes, which is why many London restaurants still cook in the French style even if they may not be overly French, as seen in the use of sauces, butter and cream and presentation.

Le Casual dining is more concerned with dishes and a more relaxed way of cooking everyday food rather than that for a special occasion  the two have sat side by side for centuries in France, with countless bistros and fine dining restaurants living in harmony.

@vicstewart

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I n a private meeting room at the TUC conference in Brighton this week, key supporters of Jeremy Corbyn gathered with their calculators and maps to come up with a plan. They had just heard that the Labour leaders safe Islington North constituency was to be carved up under boundary changes, with chunks allocated to neighbouring seats, part of an effort to cut the number of MPs from 650 to 600, with London losing five of its 73.

His inner circle back at Westminster conducted a similar exercise and word soon spread among union delegates at the seaside town that the masterplan was everybody moves east. Corbyn should, they decided, get priority in the new Finsbury Park and Stoke Newington constituency over his parliamentary neighbour, long-term ally and former lover Diane Abbott.

The move quelled juicy rumours of an Abbott v Corbyn contest over the new seat  it takes in around half of each of their existing ones  which had many observers rubbing their hands with glee. It could be Jeremy and Diane slugging it out  and that would be a fascinating contest, especially given their romantic past, said one London MP.

A Corbyn ally told the Standard that the leader would still have a seat to contest as nearly 60 per cent of the new constituency is in his existing one. Under party rules an MP has a right to seek selection for a new seat if it contains 40 per cent of their previous one.

Fears that another close political ally, Islington South MP Emily Thornberry, could fall victim to the changes also appeared wide of the mark when it emerged that her seat would survive virtually intact.

Corbyn is said to be relaxed about losing his seat to boundary changes but with his main rival Abbott shunted over to the new seat of Hackney Central and her neighbour Meg Hillier moved to Bethnal Green and Bow under the contingency plan, that is hardly surprising.

The final move in the political chess game would be for Rushanara Ali to move to Poplar and Limehouse, where long-standing MP Jim Fitzpatrick confirmed to the Standard he is standing down.

London School of Economics professor Tony Travers suggested it could be a difficult juggling act for the leaders office to pull off. Its a bit imperial of them to say these five people want to keep their seats therefore their new constituency parties will choose them. Presumably its the members who make that decision. The difficulty for the leadership would be that they cant deliver all five. Any sense that even one wouldnt work would cause ructions.

Corbyn is said to be relaxed about losing his seat to boundary changes / Jane Barlow/PA

While Abbott might be prepared to fall on her sword for her old friend  though those who know her best claim its highly unlikely  the same couldnt be said for Hillier or Ali. It also raises the prospect of all-women shortlists as under party rules there would normally be one if the incumbent was female.

Any one of the women MPs volunteering to step aside for Corbyn would be a headache as he has committed to keeping the number of women MPs at pre-boundary reform levels.

Hillier, chair of the influential Commons Public Accounts Committee, was described as hostile to the leadership in a leaked internal party document, while both she and Ali backed the motion of no confidence in the embattled leader.

Fitzpatrick, another Corbyn critic, said he expected the pair to stay put rather than reshuffle to accommodate other people.

TODO: define component type brightcove

One London Labour member added: Theyre asking for them to voluntarily sacrifice themselves to give a free run to somebody they dont support Why would they do that?

Poplar and Limehouse might not be such an appealing prospect for Ali. If the Tories fielded a strong candidate and got out the vote on the Isle of Dogs and riverside developments they could overturn Fitzpatricks 6,000 majority.

The way the Labour Party is going at the moment, even seats that at the last election were fairly safe will be marginal by the next one, said one local councillor.

Hillier, who has the most to lose from a bruising contest with Abbott, brushed aside the proposals, suggesting Corbyns office was unnecessarily getting in a lather about them. They dont need to worry about anything yet because nothing is set in stone. Things can change dramatically. They did last time, she told the Standard. Its far too premature to talk about carving things up and doing deals. Its about the members and the Boundary Commission.

Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP: Diane Abbott

But opinion is divided as to who would win a contest between the two women.

James Goldstone, a former Labour staffer, tweeted: I think Meg Hillier would lose to any Corbynista going.

Others disagreed. Im not sure Diane could dislodge Meg if it was a straight fight, said Gurtig Sandhu.

One senior figure in the Hackney party said: Diane has her fans and hardcore acolytes in the constituency party. But even if you think shes just a media tart are you really going to vote against the first black woman in Parliament?

Hillier and Ali are already being urged to play ball. Hackneys Momentum account tweeted: The MP deselections present an opportunity to get MPs more in tune with Jeremy Corbyn.

And fears among moderates of a Momentum-led campaign to influence the selections appeared unfounded. The group is not as active in east London as many think.

The founding meeting of Momentum, London East End, covering an area with up to 10,000 party members, attracted just 50 people.

Labour senior MPs' resignations (and one sacking) 1 /46 Labour senior MPs' resignations (and one sacking) Hilary Benn, shadow Foreign Secretary - sacked Neil Hall/Reuters Lord Falconer, shadow Justice Secretary - resigned Jonathan Brady/PA Gloria De Piero, shadow Minister for Young People and Vote Registration - resigned AFP/Getty Images Heidi Alexander, shadow Secretary for Health - resigned Gareth Fuller/PA Lilian Greenwood, shadow Transport Secretary - resigned AFP/Getty Images Vernon Coaker, shadow Northern Ireland Secretary - resigned Jonathan Brady/PA Yvonne Fovargue, Yvonne Fovargue, shadow Business - resigned Neil Coyle, parliamentary aide to Chris Bryant - resigned AFP/Getty Images Seema Malhotra, shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury - resigned Lauren Hurley/PA Alex Cunningham, shadow Natural Environment - resigned Kerry McCarthy, shadow Secretary of State for the Environment - resigned Gareth Fuller/PA Wayne David, shadow Cabinet Office, Scotland and Justice - resigned www.waynedavid.co.uk Diana Johnson, shadow Foreign Minister -resigned John Stillwell/PA Steve Reed, shadow Local Government - resigned Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images Anna Turley, shadow Minister for Civil society - resigned Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Karl Turner, shadow Attorney General - resigned John Stillwell/PA Ian Murray, shadow Scottish Secretary - resigned Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Lucy Powell, shadow Education Minister - resigned Jonathan Brady/PA Chris Bryant, shadow Leader of the House of Commons - resigned Jonathan Brady/PA Toby Perkins, shadow Armed Forces Minister - resigned John Stillwell/PA Stephen Kinnock, parliamentary private secretary to Angela Eagle - resigned Stefan Rousseau/PA Jess Phillips, parliamentary private secretary to Lucy Powell - resigned PA Angela Eagle, shadow First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills - resigned Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images Lisa Nandy, shadow Energy Secretary - resigned Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images Owen Smith, shadow Work and Pensions - resigned AFP/Getty Images Nia Griffith, shadow Secretary of State for Wales - resigned Rex Jenny Chapman, shadow Education - resigned www.jennychapman.co.uk Roberta Blackman-Wood, shadow Housing and Communities and Local Government Shadow Minister for Housing John Healey Susan Elan Jones, shadow Wales Office minister Sharon Hodgson, shadow minister for children Melanie Onn, shadow deputy leader of the Commons Kate Green, shadow equalities minister Thangam Debbonaire, shadow culture minister Jack Dromey DM pics

Its largely made up of angry young women with dyed pink hair and old crusties, said one Labour member. I dont think Rushanara or Meg have anything to worry about with Momentum. Theyre not as strong in London as some people think.

The group poses a more serious threat in Haringey, Lambeth and Lewisham, where it is said to have plans to unseat moderate MPs.

Labour MPs across London are lamenting the shortage of seats. We just wont have the seats to parachute people into, one said. There will be casualties.

Not just among Labour. Education Secretary Justine Greening could have a fight on her hands with Treasury minister Jane Ellison in Putney, while international trade minister Greg Hands could lose his to Labour.

But for Labour, which is likely to lose 25 seats to the Tories 17, it is critical.

This whole thing is overlaid by the struggle between MPs and members, between Momentum and traditional Labour, said Professor Travers. It makes it rather like the Brexit negotiations or a very complicated game of chess. Its going to further sap the time and the energy of senior Labour members to act as an Opposition.

Most MPs are facing the upheaval with grim determination, although there are moments of lightness.

One politician, leaving a meeting on the boundary changes on Tuesday night, quipped: All-women shortlist in Islington, thats all we want.

Follow Pippa Crerar on Twitter: @pippacrerar
W ould you like to go to the Moon to see your next Audi? Now you can. The company is equipping its dealerships with virtual reality hardware and software so that a customer can see the car theyre interested in by using VR.

The company knows that many people have already researched the car theyre considering on the internet and only come into the dealership to talk about cost.

What Audi wants to do is to make the whole dealership experience more immersive and more of an engaging time. So you can sit down and put on the VR gear and look at any vehicle in the range in a variety of colours, finishes and indeed locations.

As we know, light plays a part in how a car looks or how a particular cabin finish can appear, so Audis VR system allows you to see your car in a variety of locations, from Paris to the Moon.

The car can be viewed through 360 degrees in three dimensions, and you can change everything from alloys to paint to accessories. You can even open the doors and climb inside to look around. The

software is powerful enough for you to see exactly how an aluminium finish looks, or what the paint looks like in various lighting scenarios.

This simulation tool will be run out through the Audi dealerships although theyre currently being tested in Germany. If you want a new Audi now in the UK you really will have to go and talk to that friendly dealer for real.
N ine Black Lives Matter activists who staged a controversial protest on the runway at City Airport walked free from court today with conditional discharges.

Around 9,000 passengers suffered disruption when the protest group evaded security at the east London airport at around 5.30am last Tuesday.

The activists donned wetsuits and used inflatable boats to cross the river and get on to airport land, then chained themselves to a large bamboo tripod for the five hour sit-in.

Westminster magistrates court heard 131 flights were delayed or cancelled as the protest chanted about the Black Lives Matter cause and climate change, filming themselves and streaming the footage online.

Protest at London City Airport disrupts flights

However, they later came under fire when it emerged the group is predominantly white, amid claims they had "hijacked" the Black Lives Matter movement.

Film student Esme Waldron / Kerry Davies/Daily Mail

At court this morning, the nine activists all pleaded guilty to aggravated trespass with intent to obstruct a person engaged in lawful activity.

District Judge Elizabeth Roscoe said the protest appeared to have "mixed motivations" as she imposed 18-month conditional discharges on seven of the group, and longer terms for two with previous convictions.

"It's quite clear this caused a lot of disruption to a great many people, doubtless many of whom were the people you were aiming at", said the judge.

Sama Baka, who lives on a houseboat, and actor Richard Collett-White / Kerry Davies/Daily Mail

"It may have caused a real upset to people who had similar beliefs to yourself."

She said it was obvious the protesters had deeply-held beliefs, especially around climate change, but added that she could not see the link to the Black Lives Matter movement.

In the protest, William Pettifer sat atop the bamboo tripod during the stunt, while the others eight sat on the ground and lay out protest banners.

Activist Alex Etchart pictured outside court today / Kerry Davies/Daily Mail

Prosecutor Philip McGhee told the court: "The nine defendants breached the perimeter of the aerodrome at London City Airport, by way of crossing the water to the runway using inflatable rafts under power, launched from Albert Island.

"They made landfall at the eastern tip of the active runway and climbed up steps from the water level.

"Having gained access to the runway, they made their way to the eastern end where they constructed a tripod made of three lengths of bamboo.

"Mr Pettifer was at the top of the tripod, and secured himself with chains. The remaining eight members secured themselves around the base by means of arm links.

"Their hands were joined inside metal or plastic tubes filled with expandable foam, which made their ability to separate themselves non-existent."

The activists in the middle of their runway protest / Danielo Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images

Mr McGhee said the group were "chanting things including Black Lives Matters and matters relating to climate change".

Among the group is Natalie Fiennes, 25, of Thurleigh Road, Wandsworth, a social justice campaigner and the cousin of actor Ralph Fiennes.

She was in the dock with Pettifer, 27, of Radford Mill Farm, Radford, Esme Waldron, 23, of Walmer Crescent, Brighton, Sam Lund-Harket, 32, and Alex Etchart, who both live on a houseboat, Sama Bakr, 27, of no fixed address, Deborah Francis-Grayson, 31, of St Mary's Road, Slough, Richard Collet-White, 23, of Spring Road, Kempston, and Ben Tippet, 24, of Thurleigh Road, Wandsworth.

Campaign: Protesters from Black Lives Matter UK on the runway at London City Airport / Black Lives Matter UK

Mike Schwartz, representing some of the group, spent several minutes explaining to Judge Roscoe the reasons behind the stunt.

"They took their actions in support of Black Lives Matter UK - in their view there's a need for white people to take responsibility in a society that privileges them through racism", he said.

"They were highlighting the negative impact of the airport on the local community, and a large element of the local community are black and minority ethnic."

He also said the project was to highlight the effects of climate change on black people in the Southern Hemisphere, and City Airport was targeted because of its heavy use by business people.

The judge replied: "So they feel the business community is a small part of the population?

"There seems to be a lot of mixed motivations, climate change, disadvantaged Third World countries, and Black Lives Matter.

"Black Lives Matter had been rather separate, I understood."

A second charge of aggravated trespass and an allegation of being unlawfully airside within a restricted area of an aerodrome were dropped by the prosecution this morning.

The group were all ordered to pay 95 costs each and the equipment used in the protest will be held on to by the police.

City Airport said they would not comment on the proceedings but a spokesman said: We would like to congratulate the Metropolitan Police for their safe and professional handling of the protesters last week.
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A British woman who was set on fire while wearing Islamic clothing in New York was not targeted in a hate attack, police have said.

American authorities confirmed they are no longer probing the case as a hate crime after linking the case to similar assaults on non-Muslims, Sky News reported.

Dressed in a hijab  a traditional Muslim garment which covers the hair and shoulders  the Scottish woman was attacked by a man with a lighter as she shopped on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue on Saturday evening.

The victim, a dentist from Glasgow, reportedly felt heat on her left side before realising her blouse was on fire.

As the 35-year-old was frantically patting the flames she saw a man, who was part of a group, walking off with a lighter in his hands, according to the New York City Police Department.

The woman, who has not been identified, was left with a charred hole on her ruined blouse but no injuries.

UK Muslim tourist's blouse set on fire in attack in New York - CCTV

Officers told Reuters that at least three other women, who were not dressed in Muslim clothing, were threatened with fire by what is believed to be the same group on yesterday.

The motivation for these crimes is not considered to be 'bias-related' at this time, police said.

No arrests have been made.
T he Government has been ordered to pay for the 13,000 to a convicted terrorist after a European court ruled that his human rights had been violated.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Scotland Yard had voiolated Ismail Abdurahmans rights to a fair trial and right to legal assistance during police interviews over a plot to attack London.

The ECHR ordered that 16,000 (13,600) of Ismail Abdurahmans legal costs must be paid as a seven-year court battle came to a head.

Abdurahman hid one of the failed bombers who attempted to launch a second round of atrocities on July 21 2005, just two weeks after the July 7 attacks that devastated London.

He hid Hussein Osman for three days, during a nationwide manhunt during which an innocent man, Jean Charles de Menezes, was killed.

A panel of 17 judges sitting in the ECHRs Grand Chamber found Abdurahmans rights to a fair trial and right to legal assistance had been breached by the Metropolitan Police, who initially questioned Abdurahman as a witness but failed to follow necessary procedure when he became a suspect.

The verdict was agreed by an 11 vote to six majority after lengthy consideration by judges from countries including Britain, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Macedonia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

Accomplice: Ismail Abdurahman (white top) with failed bomber Hussein Osman at Vauxhall train station / Metropolitan Police

A judgement released yesterday said: The Government [has not] demonstrated compelling reasons for restricting his access to legal advice and failing to inform him of his right to remain silent.

It was significant that there was no basis in domestic law for the police to choose not to caution Mr Abdurahman at the point at which he had started to incriminate himself.

The ECHR refused to award the full 36,000 that Abdurahmans lawyers requested, and did not conclude he had been wrongly convicted following the terror plot.

Abdurahman was jailed for eight years for giving shelter to Osman  one of five extremists who attempted to bomb the London transport network.

The bombers had made crude explosive devices using chapati flour, hydrogen peroxide and shrapnel, which failed to explode when the detonators were activated.

In the same hearing, the Grand Chamber threw out appeals by three other men convicted over the terror plot, who said their human rights had been breached.

Failed bomber: Hussein Osman (pictured) was one of the five would-be bombers / Metropolitan Police

In response to the judgement, a Home Office spokesman said: The British courts found that these individuals planned to bring terror to the streets of London just two weeks after 52 people were killed in the July 7 bombings. Had their plot been successful, it would have had devastating consequences.

We are pleased that the Grand Chamber has agreed with the British courts and has rejected the appeal of the three bombers. They remain behind bars where they belong.

Crude devices: a backpack used to carry explosives made from hydrogen peroxide and chapati flour / Metropolitan Police

But we are disappointed with the Grand Chambers decision in relation to Ismail Abdurahman, who was convicted of helping one of the bombers to evade capture.

"Although this does not overturn his conviction for this serious offence, we will now carefully consider the implications of the judgment for our procedures in this type of case.
T he mother of a teenage boy stabbed to death a year ago today has begged witnesses to come forward as his killer remains at large

Mohamed Dura-Ray was just 16-years-old when he was killed during a disturbance involving a large group of people.

Violence broke out on on Monday, September 14 last year in Canterbury Place, Kennington.

Police rushed to the scene and found Mohamed suffering from a single stab wound to the chest.

London's Air Ambulance was scrambled, but Mohamed was pronounced dead at the scene. He died just two weeks before his 17th birthday.

Victim: Mohamed Dura-Ray, 16, was stabbed to death near a playground / Metropolitan Police Service

Speaking a year after her son's death, Mohamed's mother Mariama Baby Leigh Kamara said: "I would ask that anybody with any information in relation to my sons death please come forward and speak to the police."

A 20,000 reward is also still on offer for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the death of Mohamed Dura-Ray.

Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Gwyn, of the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command, added: "It is now a year since Mohamed was attacked and his family naturally remain devastated by what happened and need to know who was responsible.

Stabbed to death: Mohammed Dura-Ray was killed when violence broke out between a large group

"Despite extensive enquiries, I know there remain witnesses who still haven't come forward and spoken to police. We need everyone who was there that night to tell us what they know about the events leading up to Mohamed's murder and also what happened before and afterwards.

"Maybe you weren't there that night but have heard talk since about who might be responsible or what happened. Please come forward and speak in confidence to my officers or anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers."

During the course of the investigation, eight men have been arrested. Seven were bailed pending further enquiries and subsequently released with no further action being taken against them.

Jordan Daley, 20, of Peabody Hill, SE21 was charged with murder on November 11, 2015 with murder. His case was later discontinued.

Anyone with information is urged to call the incident room at Lewisham on 020 8721 4805. To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via https://crimestoppers-uk.org.
A former mayor accused of raping a four-year-old girl has blamed the child for initiating sex acts and described her as willing.

Richard Keenan, 65, a former mayor of a city in Ohio, reportedly admitted to his wife that he had raped the the young girl over a three-year period, starting when she was just four.

But according to local press he told a social worker that the little girl was a "willing participant" in the crimes.

The Youngstown Vindicator reported that Keenan, who was mayor of Hubbard in 2010 and 2011, is charged with eight counts of rape and 12 counts of gross sexual imposition.

The allegations came to light after the girl confided in Keenan's wife who then confronted him.

He reportedly confessed to the before checking himself into a psychiatric facility because he had suicidal thoughts.

Rape charges: Keenan was arrested and taken to Turnbull County Jail following his admissions

He also made in-depth confessions to a pastor, a social worker and other family members.

According to reports, it was during discussions with a social worker there that Keenan is accused of blaming the girl, who he began abusing at the age of four, for instigating the incidents.

Ohio judges are now determining if Keenans admissions to his wife, as well as conversations with the pastor, can be used as evidence in his trial next year.

In the US state a person can testify against their spouse if they choose to do so. Members of the clergy cannot be forced to testify against someone about a confession or confidential discussion.

When Keenan was sworn in as mayor in 2010, he described himself as a Christian, saying: Dedicating my life to Jesus has changed my life.

He was booked into the Trumbull County jail last month and released the same day on bail.
T wo young men were ambushed by balaclava-clad muggers who lay in wait outside a star-studded urban awards ceremony.

The men, in their 20s, were stabbed and robbed by the gang as they left the second annual Rated Awards, hosted by BBC 1Xtra presenter Yasmin Evans at the Roundhouse in Camden.

One victim, age 20, was found lying in the street by a night porter at a nearby residential estate in Eton College Road. A second, aged 28, took himself to hospital with stab wounds.

Detectives from the Mets Trident gang unit are today hunting six suspects who fled the scene in a dark coloured Mercedes 4x4 following the attacks at 11.30pm last Wednesday.

Double stabbing: Police are hunting a gang of masked thugs after two men were stabbed in Camden / Google maps

Thousands of young people attended the bash, a celebration of Londons grime music scene, where guests included Idris Elba, Craig David and Tim Westwood.

Adi Are, 35, a night porter on the Eton Rise estate, said he discovered the 20-year-old victim lying on the pavement with stab wounds to his leg and stomach while on patrol.

He said: I passed by four young guys who were running away. The poor kid wasnt shouting, he was very quiet.

He is so lucky the stab wounds werent very deep, it couldve been much worse. The police were patching him up waiting for the paramedics to arrive.

Young guys are fighting now for things that dont make any sense.

Detective Constable Leigh Dooley said: The area would have been busy, even at the late hour of these offences, due to an event at the Roundhouse that night.

I am appealing for anyone who was in or around the area that may have seen or heard anything, to contact us.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information can call trident in confidence on 020 8201 2884, or contact police via 101. to give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
T wo prisoners have been arrested in connection with the murder of a former drug smuggler who was shot dead on his driveway in west London.

Father-of-three Redwan El-Ghaidouni was fatally shot as he sat in the drivers seat of his car outside his family home in Hillingdon last year.

The suspects, aged 39 and 35, were both in prison at the time of the murder and were arrested at separate jails on Tuesday.

Mr El-Ghaidouni, 38, had a history of drug convictions but had turned his back on crime since serving a jail term and was working at a car dealership when he was killed on February 3 2015.

He was shot multiple times as he sat in his car in front of the house he shared with his long-term partner and three young sons.

Victim: Redwan El-Ghaidouni, 38, was shot dead in his driveway in Hillingdon in February / Metropolitan Police Service

The arrests come after Scotland Yard offered a 50,000 reward for information leading to the prosecution of his killers.

Police have already arrested three men aged 30, 36 and 41 and a 35-year-old woman on suspicion of conspiracy to murder who are currently on bail.

DCI Noel McHugh, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "Extensive enquiries have been carried out and we have made good inroads into understanding the circumstances surrounding Redwan's murder.

"Our investigation continues and we are still very much encouraging people to come forward.

"I would like to thank all those who have assisted us so far and I hope the large reward on offer will prompt anyone who has yet to do so to approach us in confidence.

"We continue to look into his background for answers about what happened but, whatever the circumstances, his murder has left three young sons without a father and his long-term partner devastated."

Mr El-Ghaidouni was approached by a hooded man after he pulled into his driveway shortly after 7pm.

The man opened fire through the car window before running off through an alleyway.

The suspect was also caught on CCTV near the area in the days leading up to Mr El-Ghaidouni's death in what are thought to be aborted murder attempts.

Police are still trying to trace a man who was seen at around 6pm on the night the victim died, standing on a verge opposite his house.

Anyone with information can call police on 020 8785 8099 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A rmed police have apparently swooped on a street in south London amid reports of a gunman.

A section of Mitcham Lane in Streatham was shut shortly before 4pm because of a police incident.

Scotland Yard said police had been called to reports of shots fired.

Workers in the street told the Standard police marksmen stormed the road after the sound of a gunshot.

Police presence: At least five police cars line Mitcham Lane after it was shut because of a police incident

One woman, who didnt want to be named, said: I was just in the managers office when we heard what sounded like a shot and then lots of shouting.

We ran onto the roof and were told immediately to get back by police. There were about two cars and then suddenly another three turned up.

We dont really know what has happened but police said they think there is a gunman. All the shops are shut and the road has been taped off.

Sommelier Pierre Mairesse, 30, was on his way from the shops when he saw a flood of police cars.

He told the Standard: The street was full of cops, they were all armed and there were sniffer dogs as well. I didnt see what happened but the police said a firearm was involved.

I wasnt surprised to be honest, this area hasnt got the best of reputations."

Dramatic footage showed police breaking down a door next to a Sainsbury's supermarket in the road.

A Met Police spokeswoman said: "Officers are currently on scene.

"To date no victim has been found, and there are no arrests.

"Enquiries continue."
I ncredible time-lapse footage taken from the Shard shows how London was bathed in sunlight on the hottest day of the year  with several more days of sun predicted for the capital.

Video taken at the View from The Shard visitor platform, 800ft above the city, gave a unique perspective on 24-hours in the sweltering city yesterday.

The footage moves from the bright artificial lights of the sleeping city to the sun coming up over Tower Bridge.

Later, the sun breaks free of the clouds and hits the capital with its highest temperature this year  a scorching 32.2C in some parts.

Scorching: The capital had its hottest day yesterday

Beneath the bright blue skies, trains pass underneath through London Bridge station, packed with sweaty, water-swilling commuters.

The amazing clip captures a striking sunset over London, as people prepared for a warm and humid evening.

Yesterday, Gravesend in Kent was the hottest place in the country for over a century, with the mercury hitting a blistering 34.4C.

Sweltering: Astonishing footage shows how the capital got through the day

And although temperatures are not expected to quite hit those heights again today, the Met Office is predicting a peak today of 27C for the capital - hotter than Barcelona.

The hot and humid weather will continue into the night with temperatures of up to 20C into the early hours.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said temperatures would also remain high into tomorrow, without quite reaching the record levels of Tuesday.

London Heatwave September 2016 1 /13 London Heatwave September 2016 At midnight last night, the temperature was 19C Lucy Young A couple sits in the shade of a tree in Hyde Park Lucy Young Londoners take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather in Hyde Park Lucy Young Two sun-seekers relax on deckchairs in Hyde Park Lucy Young A jogger braves the heat for a workout in Hyde Park Lucy Young The hot weather brought a boost to London's pubs, bars and restaurants Lucy Young The hot spell is expected to last to the end of the week Lucy Young A Londoner basks in the sunshine on a deckchair in Hyde Park Alex Lentati An overheated swan is guided back to the Serpentine after getting lost in Knightsbridge Alex Lentati Samantha Batey enjoys the sunny weather inHyde Park today Alex Lentati

Mr Madge said central London could see thermometers getting close to the 30C mark yet again.

He said: "It's not necessarily the day-time highs that cause people problems.

It's the fact it's been so hot day and night that is the issue here."

But he predicted the heatwave is likely to come to an end by Friday, when a band of rain moves in from the Atlantic.

Heatwave: A Londoner catches some rays in the park / Alex Lentati

That could bring fresher weather and more seasonally normal temperatures for the weekend.

The heatwave has already led to a series of health warnings, with Public Health England (PHE) putting out a Level 2 alert for the capital.

Dr Thomas Waite, of the Extreme Events team at PHE, said: "The hot weather is now here and likely to continue until Thursday, including overnight.

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"It might be the end of the summer but those who are still at risk from the ill-effects of high temperatures are still at risk," he explained.

"That's why it's really important that we all think what we can do to make sure that older people, those with heart and lung conditions and those with very young children, don't suffer from too much heat."

The Red Cross has advised people to avoid the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of fluids and wear a hat to shelter from the sun's rays.
A motorcyclist is fighting for his life after he was hit by a lorry near Tottenham Hotspurs training ground.

The male rider suffered life-threatening injuries after the crash with the lorry in Whitewebbs Lane, Enfield just after 7am on Wednesday.

Police said the road has been closed in both directions at Spurs training complex in Hotspur Way while the man was treated at the scene before being taken to an east London hospital.

Enfield officers have warned motorists to avoid the area while emergency services attend the collision.

The Met said the lorry driver stopped at the scene and was assisting police with their enquiries.
A motorcyclist has died after crashing into a car at a busy south London road junction.

The 48-year-old rider was rushed to hospital following the collision at the junction between Morden Road and Jubilee Way in South Wimbledon last night.

Emergency services had been called to the scene, near a Homebase warehouse store, at around 9.10pm.

But, despite the efforts of doctors who battled to save his life, the man died in hospital later that evening.

Residents reported seeing a swathe of the road between Jubilee Way and Merantun Way cordoned off by police as they investigated the incident.

One neighbour told the Standard: The first we noticed was hearing a police officer outside tell a driver to turn around.

There were several emergency vehicles at the Merantun Way junction, blocking off the area while presumably treating the victim at the scene before sending him off to hospital.

He went on: Unfortunately, I can't say I'm too surprised about the accident.

The road is very busy, and late at night it's quite common for cars and motorcycles to speed up and down it.

Combine that with a terrible intersection - the Merantun Way junction is absolutely awful for both cars and particularly pedestrians - and you would almost expect more accidents than we already see here.

The driver of the car stopped at the scene and has not been arrested, police say.

Anyone with information should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Merton on 020 8543 5157.
ATLANTA, Sept. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apogee Interactive today announced the launch of Energy Advisor, the latest release of its flagship home energy analysis application. This upgrade will soon be available to the millions of households Apogee serves through contracts with hundreds of US utilities. This application analyzes customers energy use and provides personalized, actionable tips matched with relevant rebates and program offers for reducing usage and costs.



Available on utilities websites, in customer portals, and distributed to customers electronically, Energy Advisor is optimized for use on mobile devices. Customers begin by profiling their homes and habits in an interactive, game-like survey requiring less than a minute to complete. Upon completion, users see a report with specific recommendations for reducing their energy use including estimates of upfront cost, indication of difficulty level for implementing each measure along with how to explanations to help them get started. They can interact with graphical breakdowns of their monthly and annual use and even see a forecast of their projected energy bills.

Our utility clients see significant lifts in customer satisfaction, expanded program participation, and fewer bill-inquiries resulting from use of our applications, says Susan Gilbert, Apogee president and CEO. And customers want information relevant to their lives, therefore our tools deliver that as powerful, proactive messaging that drives program participation and cuts costs. She added, While we are upgrading all of our utility clients to the new release, our loyalty-licensing assures prices will not change from what was originally contracted even though the applications capabilities continually evolve.

According to Jeff Conklin, who leads JD Powers utility practice, just being aware of utility programs or participating in one boosts customer satisfaction by more than 10%, and a 2015 Accenture study documented that digitally engaged customers are 25 percent more satisfied with their energy provider than non-digital users. In addition to customer satisfaction lift, studies show that customers who use the Energy Advisor software see a 2% to 4% increase in energy efficiency.

With the Energy Advisor application in place, utilities can easily and cost-effectively expand their digital engagement initiatives. The proprietary AMES analytical engine powering the energy analysis provides accurate and consistent messaging. Many choose to deploy other proactive outbound communication tools offered as part of Apogees Empower platform, including personalized video messaging, mid-cycle bill alerts, and energy summary reports, all of which are proven to measurably increase customer satisfaction and engagement.

To learn more about the new features included in Energy Advisor, visit www.apogee.net.

About Apogee Interactive

Apogee Interactive is one of the nations leading providers of customer engagement software services for US energy utilities. Partnering with utilities since 1993, Apogee's digital engagement platform delivers proactive, personalized communication to residential and commercial customers nationwide. Apogee's proven SaaS platform enables more meaningful customer engagement, proven sustainable energy results, reduced operating costs, and improved program performance for utilities. For more information, please visit www.apogee.net and follow us on Twitter at @apoweb.
D avid Cameron just didnt seem to do strategy when he was prime minister. This is the criticism of the foreign affairs committee on Britains intervention in Libya  but it applies to a whole lot more than just that country.

We saw again the minimalist just-in-time, just-enough approach from his defence planning to facing down Russias President Putin in Ukraine, to dealing with Syria and his ultimate nemesis, Brexit. Too often it was a story of just too little, just too late.

In 49 pages, todays pithy report on the Cameron Libya adventure, the committee has delivered a more effective punch than the millions of words of the four reports on Britains debacle in Iraq. And of course, there hasnt been an inquiry into Afghanistan.

The report says that Camerons decision to commit British forces alongside the French and others in Libya in 2011 was based on erroneous intelligence and military assumptions. A humanitarian mission to shield the city of Benghazi from Gaddafis military drifted into a shambolic plan for regime change, to oust the dictator himself  with little thought of the consequences.

Cameron was desperate not to commit UK ground forces but in the end British and French special forces, and their pals and trainees from Gulf nations, led the attack that drove the Gaddafi clique from Tripoli.

In doing so, the Anglo-French-led coalition had aided unsavoury Islamist insurgent elements on the ground, among them allies of al Qaeda and a burgeoning Islamic State element. They are still there, using the huge stock of light guerrilla weaponry accumulated by Gaddafi. Libya today is one of the worlds great arsenals of the illegal arms trade.

The general anarchy in the contest of three local governments, and more than 10 times as many militias, makes it the launch pad of choice for migrants trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean, and playground for the global mafias.

One of Camerons biggest failures was to use the instruments he had created to plan strategy. In 2010 he set up the National Security Council, which was to oversee missions like Libya. In the event the NSC was largely ignored and deprived of vital intelligence information, says the report.

Specifically, Cameron went against the advice of his senior commander, General Sir David Richards, now a peer, who stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy which should plan for the aftermath of a regime collapse if necessary.

The working and structure of the NSC must now be examined to avoid similar future disasters.
B ritain's National Security Council must be reformed to stop the Prime Minister being able to order military action without being robustly challenged, an ex-defence chief said today.

Lord Richards, head of the armed forces during the 2011 military intervention in Libya, said both he and the then-MI6 boss Sir John Sawers had doubts over whether toppling dictator Muammar Gaddafi was in Britains vital national interest.

But when he raised his concerns, including over the legality of the British action, he was seen as unhelpful.

The swift ousting of Colonel Gaddafi by rebels after Anglo-French intervention was widely hailed as a success. But Libya then plunged into inter-militia and inter-tribal warfare, the economy collapsed, a migrant crisis escalated and Islamic State gained a stronghold.

In a new report, the Commons foreign affairs committee has strongly criticised David Cameron, saying he was ultimately responsible for the failure to form a coherent Libya strategy.

In comments echoing the verdict of the Chilcot report on Tony Blair and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the MPs concluded Britains intervention in Libya was not informed by accurate intelligence and was based on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the uprising.

Limited air and missile strikes to protect civilians in Benghazi turned into an opportunist policy of regime change while failing to recognise the threat to the city was overstated and the rebels included a significant Islamist element, the report said.

Lord Richards said the Government was united behind action to safeguard civilians as Gaddafis forces swept towards Benghazi but there was some division over regime change. Whether it was in our vital national interest to intervene is a matter for debate, he told BBC radio. He described the National Security Council as a little bit too neat in the way it operates and the intelligence on Libya as very hazy.

I suspect, and quite naturally, the Prime Minister will come into the committee having made his mind up broadly what should happen and then we tweak at the edges, he explained.

Probably, we need a more rigorous analysis in committee to make sure that initial analysis is right. There should be a robust process of discussion. But Lord Richards also advocated stronger military action, including boots on the ground, for both Syria and Libya once a decision was taken to get involved.

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The result of failing to act can be much more catastrophic... acting in a timorous, tentative way is the worst of all ways, he said.

Alistair Burt, Foreign Office minister for the Middle East and north Africa in 2011, defended Mr Cameron, saying the report was a very harsh judgment and pointed to the bloodshed in Syria.

There are no right answers in some of these cases. Every option has a bad outcome. What you do is try to mitigate the bad outcome, he said.

The committee also called for an independent review of NSC decision-making. Its Tory chairman, Crispin Blunt, said: The UKs actions in Libya were part of an ill-conceived intervention, the results of which are still playing out.

Mr Cameron argued the intervention was necessary to prevent a massacre. But the committee said once the immediate position of Benghazi was secure, there were options which could have delivered a political solution, including through Mr Blairs contacts with Gaddafi, who was killed by rebels that year.

The Foreign Office stressed the decision to intervene in Libya was an international one, called for by the Arab League and authorised by the UN Security Council.@nicholascecil
T ony Blair's notorious promise to former US president George Bush that "I will be with you whatever" over Iraq should have been shown to Cabinet before being sent, Whitehall's top civil servant has told MPs.

The vow was contained in a private memo sent to Mr Bush in July 2002 - eight months before Parliament voted for war - and was highlighted by this year's Chilcot report as a key moment when policy on Iraq was made without collective ministerial discussion.

Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood told a committee of MPs that any such documents should be subject to the approval of Cabinet.

Pressed over whether the principle of collective responsibility was observed in the run-up to the Iraq War, he replied: "Not at all times, no."

Giving evidence on the lessons to be learnt from the Chilcot report, Sir Jeremy told the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee: "I certainly agree that private memos from the prime minister to the president of the United States setting out what the government's position is should have been subjected to collective approval, and would be today."

He added: "I think the cabinet secretary in that situation should seek a one-on-one meeting with the prime minister to speak to them directly and say they really must share this collectively if it is going to become government policy.

"That's the way the rules of Cabinet work."

If a prime minister refuses to share such a document with Cabinet - as Mr Blair did - then the civil service chief has no sanction other than to resign his post, he added.

Sir Jeremy said that a review was under way within Whitehall about the lessons that should be learnt from the Chilcot Inquiry, which should be completed within months.

He defended the length and cost of the inquiry, which took almost seven years to report after being commissioned by former prime minister Gordon Brown in 2009 and left taxpayers with a bill of more than 10m.

The inquiry was "considerably cheaper" than other probes of a similar length, he told the committee, adding: "I don't think we should put a money constraint on it. Ten million pounds - if that's what it costs, that's what it costs."


A pple users have complained of their smartphones and tablets crashing after the company launched its latest update.

Millions of users were quick to download the latest upgrade of Apples mobile operating system, iOS, which runs the iPhone and iPad.

But many gave mixed reports on social media with some users claiming the update caused their smartphones and tablets to crash.

Apple issued a statement confirming a brief issue with the software update process affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability  but said it had now been fixed.

The free upgrade includes new features including an overhauled messages app with more emojis and animations, a new notification system for the lock screen and Siri being able to work with more apps.

All you need to know about the iPhone 7

iPhone and iPad users in the UK with a compatible device  iPhone 5 and newer, iPad mini 2 and newer  are eligible for the update.

Having been first revealed at the tech giant's developer conference in June, iOS 10 also sees more artificial intelligence implanted into the software, with the Photos app now better able to identify and show you photos in your library based on time, location, people and even the items in them.

The iOS keyboard has been given a similar intelligence boost, Apple said, and is now able to better understand context as you type, including showing you a snapshot of your calendar as you discuss making plans with contacts.

The firm's Apple Music has also been redesigned as part of the update, having been criticised for being confusing when it launched last year.

The new software will also come built in to the new iPhone 7, which along with the larger 7 Plus will go on sale in the UK on Friday after being announced in San Francisco last week.
A British man accused of a plot to shoot and kill Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has pleaded guilty to lesser charges following a court appearance.

Michael Sandford, 20, of Dorking, Surrey, tried to grab a police officer's gun and open fire at a Las Vegas casino where the billionaire businessman was due to speak.

He was arrested and charged over the incident in June and on Tuesday admitted being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and disrupting an official function at a court in Nevada.

Sandford faced up to 20 years in prison if found guilty at a trial but his early plea could significantly shorten his sentence.

Under terms of his agreement he could face up to 27 months in prison before he is deported. He will learn his punishment on December 13.

Presidential nominee: Republican Donald Trump was due to speak at the casino in June / Getty

His mother Lynne Sandford persuaded her son to sign the agreement after she flew to the US with a lawyer last week.

She said: The upshot of it is that there is no certainty. Even though he has signed the plea agreement, which should be the best option, it won't necessarily happen that way.

"The judge at sentencing can either agree with what is in the plea bargain or he can totally overthrow that and impose a punishment of his own."

His legal team said the 20-year-old suffers seizures, obsession-compulsion, anxiety and autism spectrum disorders and his mother said he was diagnosed as having had a psychotic episode at the time of the incident.

Family photo: Lynne Sandford and her son Michael / PA Wire

Mrs Sandford said her son told her he was "incredibly sorry and remorseful for everything," adding: "Everybody says this is not him - this is so opposite to what he is."

Last week's tearful reunion was the first time the mother-of-two had seen her son for first time since he left for America more than a year ago.

Sandfords sister and grandmother also made the journey to visit him at a remand centre.

Mrs Sandford added: "We were able to put our hands side-by-side through the mesh and I could at least feel the warmth of his hands through it.

But to travel 5,500 miles and still not be able to give him a hug is incredibly difficult.

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Mrs Sandford said her son had gone to the US because he "met a girl".

She told presenters: "We tried to stop him going but everyone told us he is an adult and we can't stop him."
A nurse who contracted Ebola has been cleared of misconduct over her return to the UK with the virus.

Pauline Cafferkey will still be able to practise medicine after a panel at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in Edinburgh found three charges against her were not proven.

The independent panel ruled the 40-year-old Scottish medical worker's fitness to practise was "not impaired".

Ms Cafferkey became infected with Ebola during a six-week deployment to Sierra Leone in 2014.

The NMC had alleged Ms Cafferkey allowed an incorrect temperature to be recorded during the screening process at Heathrow Airport towards the end of December that year and that she left a screening area without reporting her true temperature.

But the panel concluded Ms Cafferkey had not set out to mislead Public Health England.

In agreed evidence put before the panel, it was said screening staff from Public Health England at the airport "were not properly prepared to receive so many travellers from at-risk countries", and this resulted in the area being described as "busy, disorganised and even chaotic".

The hearing was told that a doctor took Ms Cafferkey's temperature and found it to be up to 38.3C. A high temperature can be an early sign of an infection.

Isolation: Pauline Cafferkey was flown to London's Royal Free Hospital when she fell ill / Lisa Ferguson/Scotland on Sunday/PA Wire

However, a lower temperature of 37.2C was entered on the screening form.

The nurse was eventually cleared for onward travel, arrived in Glasgow late in the evening and awoke feeling "very unwell" the following day, December 29 2014.

She was diagnosed with Ebola - with one of the highest viral loads ever recorded - and spent almost a month being treated in an isolation unit at London's Royal Free Hospital.

Medics said the early symptoms would have impaired her judgement and an allegation she had acted dishonestly at Heathrow were dropped on Tuesday.

In submissions on Tuesday, the NMC said Ms Cafferkey "potentially put the public at risk" through her actions and that her conduct had "undermined" public trust and confidence in the nursing profession.

But the nurse's legal team pointed to her "previously unblemished record" and insisted the legal threshold for a finding of misconduct against her has not been met.

Joyce Cullen told the panel that, in going to Sierra Leone, Ms Cafferkey had strengthened the reputation of the profession.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.
T ributes have flooded in to a "true adventurer" who was fatally stabbed while on a paragliding trip in Mongolia.

British tourist Steve Nash had been trying to cross a mountain range in the central part of the east-Asian country when he was attacked during a suspected robbery.

The 53-year-old experienced hiker and paragliding pilot died of blood loss and his body was found on September 1, local police said.

Today a 31-year-old man who was found to be in possession of a passport believed to belong to the victim was arrested on suspicion of the killing.

The suspect, identified only by his first initial, T, had recently been given a suspended sentence for stealing and also had 300 in local currency on him at the time of his arrest, local police said.

Mr Nash had been journeying across the country with friend Gareth Aston, but had been forced to continue solo after his companion retired with an injury.

Experienced: Mr Nash, 53, was a paragliding pilot and hiker. / PA.

The pair had been crossing the Khangai Nuruu mountain range on their paragliders - a challenge they had previously attempted 10 years ago - and had documented their progress online.

He was described by his family as an "experienced paragliding pilot" and in an interview with Red Bull, Mr Nash said he had around two decades of cross-country paragliding experience.

A final picture of Mr Nash was posted online on August 31, showing him being wished well for the solo leg of his journey by his friend and two Mongolian hosts.

According to reports, his wife noticed the satellite tracking system which he had been using to share the progress of his travels had stopped updating shortly afterwards.

His family said in a statement: "Steve Nash, age 53, married to Shirley was an experienced adventure paragliding pilot.

"During August 2016, Steve was on his second spiralling the steppes adventure to Mongolia, when his family were informed that he had died."

Friends and colleagues posted tributes to the veteran adventurer online.

Red Bull X-Alps, said to be one of the world's toughest paragliding and hiking races, which Mr Nash competed in, wrote on its website: "Steve Nash was well-known for his positive attitude, mental toughness and his true adventurer spirit."

It added: "We are deeply saddened by this tragic news and our thoughts are with family and friends."

One friend posted on Facebook: "To lose a friend and to hear his life was taken simply for a few montary (sic) items that will be soon spent or lost has really rocked me. RIP Steve Nash."

At the request of his family, donations have poured in to a JustGiving page set up by Mr Nash in 2015 to raise money for Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation.

One post on the page said: "I worked alongside Steve. He was as everyone has said, one of the best with an easy welcoming way for everyone he met. A fellow biker and a true enthusiast of life, he is and will be missed."
A Monarch airlines captain was forced to call 999 and have a group of women removed from his flight to Ibiza after they allegedly hurled racist abuse at other passengers.

Four women, thought to be aged between 20 and 25, were flying from Manchester to the party island last night when trouble reportedly erupted, the Manchester Evening News reported.

The group, who have not been identified, never left the UK after police were called when four separate groups of passengers asked to move away from them.

Amber Elouise Ferguson, 25, posted a picture of the abusive girls on Facebook and said passengers called 999 as the alleged abuse took place.

The captain also reportedly called the police after complaints were made to flight attendants.

Speaking from Ibiza, Ms Ferguson told the Mirror that the women abused her friends after they asked to be moved, before warning the 25-year-old that they would deal with her when she complained to an air attendant.

Another man who asked them to stop arguing was also apparently subjected to a "racist slur".

Ms Ferguson branded the womens behaviour as disgusting.

She told the Manchester Evening News : Everyone on the way to Ibiza gets merry and loud but its usually just fun banter.

They took it to a whole other level by using extremely racist words and threatening people. They caused nothing but trouble and verbally abused everyone in their path.

Its unacceptable, childish, uneducated behaviour. The girls should be utterly ashamed and disgusted with themselves.

It could have ended up being a very dangerous flight.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed they were called to the incident.

A spokesman for Monarch told the newspaper that four passengers were removed from the flight, operated by Smartylynx with 158 passengers on board.

He added: Monarch takes a zero tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour on board all of our flights. The safety and security of our passengers, crew and aircraft is our absolute priority.
D owning Street today slapped down Jean-Claude Juncker after he sparked anger by linking the murder of a Polish man in Essex with Britains decision to quit the EU.

In a keynote speech, the President of the European Commission sought to contrast conditions in Britain with what he called our European way of life.

We Europeans can never accept Polish workers being harassed, beaten up or even murdered on the streets of Essex, declared the head of the EUs Brussels bureaucracy in his annual State of the Union speech to the European Parliament.

Arkadiusz Jozwik, 39, died from head injuries after an attack in Harlow, Essex, over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Murder of Polish man in Essex condemned by Juncker

The Prime Ministers official spokeswoman said: Its important that we let the police carry out the investigations and that we dont pre-judge them.

Britain needed to send out a clear message about it being an open and tolerant country, she added.

The Government had spoken about its concerns over the rise in hate crime and had set out an action plan to tackle it.

In the same speech to MEPs, Mr Juncker also insisted that Britain will not be allowed to remain a member of the European single market if it seeks to regain full control over immigration.

He implied that the populism behind demands for immigration controls was behind racist attacks on migrants living in the UK.

The free movement of workers is as much a common European value as our fight against discrimination and racism, he said, adding: An integral part of our European way of life is our values. The values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law.

Harlow MP and skills minister Robert Halfon said: The vast majority of people in Harlow and Essex are the kindest and most decent people and Harlow is one of the most community-minded towns in Britain.

Moment Nigel Farage slams EU Brexit negotiator

Its very important that people like Juncker dont give the opposite impression, having never been to Harlow.

He invited the European Commission boss to visit the town.

In a hard-hitting message to UK negotiators, the European Commission president said the UK cannot expect a la carte access to the free trade zone once Brexit is delivered.

He also called on the Government to trigger Article 50  the formal process for leaving the EU  as soon as possible.

We would be happy if the request for Brexit could happen as quickly as possible so we could take the specific steps which need to happen, he said.

Theresa May has said she wants to wait until next year at the earliest to allow time for Britain to consider its aims.
A four-year-old boy who was pictured in the back of a car while his grandmother and her friend were passed out in the front from a suspected heroin overdose has found a new home.

The shocking pictures were uploaded to the City of East Liverpool Facebook page following the incident in Ohio last week.

Authorities said the decision to make the images public were to highlight a heroin epidemic sweeping across the state.

A police officer said he noticed a dark Ford Explorer being driven erratically near a school bus before it came to a stop.

He said he made contact with the driver, identified as James Acord, whose head bobbed back and forth while his speech was intelligible.

When the officer asked him a question, he replied he was taking his female passenger, named Rhonda Pasek, to the hospital.

The womans four-year-old son was sat on the backseat as the officer questioned the driver.

Police reports showed Acord attempted to drive away but was thwarted when the officer removed the keys from the ignition.

Both Acord and Pasek fell into unconsciousness and were given emergency treatment to reverse a heroin overdose before they were taken to hospital.

A small amount of pink powdery substance was found in a folded up piece of paper on the front seat between Paseks legs, the report added.

Both adults were arrested after receiving hospital treatment, while the young boy was taken to social services.

The child is now going to live with his great-aunt and great-uncle in South Carolina, Columbiana, ITV reported.

NBC News reported that the boy's grandmother had only been granted custody of him just six weeks before the pictures were taken by police.

Meanwhile, the woman's sister who the child will now live with hit out at the police's decision to publish the photos in which they did not blur the youngster's face.

"The city of East Liverpool humiliated my family and humiliated that little boy," the woman told NBC News.

"They could have blurred his face and they didn't. And now they're taking him away from my sister. I'm not condoning what she done, but what they did to her and what they're doing to her grandson is too much."

The case is being treated as a "suspected heroin overdose" and the boy's grandmother remains in jail awaiting trial on charges of endangering a child and public intoxication.


STATE COLLEGE, PA., Sept. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Steve Heinz, founder and CEO of EnergyCAP, Inc., has been invited to speak at the World Energy Engineering Conference (WEEC) in Washington, DC, later this month.

Heinz will be discussing the baseline modeling of building energy use and the challenges posed by extreme weather, especially when dealing with assessments for performance contracting.

"In many energy performance contracts, contractor payments and performance guarantees are based on ongoing savings measurement and verification [M&V] reports," said Heinz. "When the M&V process uses a comparison of post-project energy consumption with pre-project baseline consumption, adjustment for significant weather variations is crucial to accuracy. Recent extreme winter weather in much of the country, both extreme cold and extreme mild, has created challenges in classis weather adjustment procedures. I'll be discussing how to identify cases of extreme weather, and how to ensure fairness for both parties in M&V calculations."

This year, WEEC will be held September 21-23 in Washington, DC at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The Heinz presentation is scheduled for Thursday, September 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

WEEC is an annual international energy conference organized by the Association of Energy Engineers.

WEEC PROGRAMS:

http://www.energycongress.com/attend/conference-program_all_tracks

STEVE HEINZ PRESENTATION-M&V Challenges Due to Extreme Weather:

http://www.energycongress.com/conference-sessions-track-2/f2-2

About EnergyCAP, Inc.

EnergyCAP's purpose is to publish industry-leading software tools that help clients derive value from utility bills. For more than 30 years, the award-winning EnergyCAP software has helped 10,000 energy managers to track more than $25 billion in energy spending. EnergyCAP utility bill and energy management software helps users get value from their utility bills and meter data. Software features include bill entry (manual, spreadsheet import, and EDI), bill tracking, an optional AP/GL interface, customizable bill approval workflow, audits, rate schedules, interval and production data tracking, cost avoidance (M &V), issue tracking, submeter tracking, virtual meter formulas, re-billing, greenhouse gas tracking, 300+ reports, automated ENERGY STAR building data submittal, building benchmarking, and graphical PowerViews. Discover why EnergyCAP is America's #1 utility bill management software at http://www.energycap.com.

About the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), founded in 1977, is a nonprofit professional society of over 17,500 members in 98 countries. The mission of AEE is "to promote the scientific and educational interests of those engaged in the energy industry and to foster action for Sustainable Development." AEE offers a full array of informational outreach programs including seminars (live and internet based), conferences, journals, books, and certification programs. Find out more at http://www.aeecenter.org.

A photo accompanying this release is available at:

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=41392
R ivers of water and blood flowed through Dhaka after animal sacrifices mixed with rain in parts of the city.

Striking pictures show people wading through ankle-deep bloodstained water in the Bangladeshi capital after thousands of animals were slaughtered for Eid al-Adha celebrations.

The sacrifices, which are carried out in designated areas across the city, coincided with a heavy monsoon on Tuesday which led to roads being filled with blood in the Shantinagar suburb.

Critics blamed officials for a faulty drainage system which had exacerbated the flooding while authorities in charge of clearing the sacrificial mess were also blasted.

Wading through blood: People were seen walking ankle-deep through the blood-stained waters / AP Photo

Resident Tareq Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune: "Last year the city corporations launched a mass campaign to encourage people to use the designated spots and that caught our eyes.

What is Eid al-Adha?

I went to a spot in Mohammadpur last year, but this year, I dont even know where the spots actually are."

Eid al-Adha celebrations: Thousands of animals are sacrificed for the religious festival / AP Photo

An official told the newspaper authorities were working on solving the flooding issue.

The Eid al-Adha is one of the major festivals on the Islamic calendar and commemorates when the prophet Ibrahim showed readiness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael.

Livestock such as goats and cows are bought from markets and slaughtered by Muslim families as part of the festival after verses are read from the Koran.

The event, known as the Festival of Sacrifice, lasts four days.
J ean Claude-Juncker today set out plans to organise a common military force across Europe in the wake of Britain's decision to leave the EU.

The president of the European Commission argued countries should pool their resources together to save billions in his annual state of the union address in Strasbourg.

Mr Juncker said the force should act as a compliment to Nato and would not threaten the EUs transatlantic relations.

He said the European Union had taken part in more than 30 military and civil missions but needed more organisation to become more effective.

Revealed: Mr Juncker raised the prospect at the annual state of the union address in Strasbourg / AP Photo/Jean Francois Badias

Mr Juncker said: We dont have a permanent structure and without that we are not able to work efficiently. We must have a European headquarters.

And so we should work towards a common military force and this should be in compliment with Nato. More European defence in Europe doesnt mean less transatlantic solidarity.

From an economic point of view bringing together our military resources could be clearly justified.

He stressed lack of co-operation was costing the EU up to 100 billion euros per year, adding: We must do something in this area.

Part of his speech was devoted to Britains decision to leave the EU following the shock Brexit result in June.

Mr Juncker said the EU was not at risk as a result of Britains departure and urged for talks to secure its exit as quickly as possible.
A top nuclear scientist has issued a stark warning that North Korea may have the capacity to launch a devastating attack on the US within five years.

Recent nuclear tests carried out by Kim Jong-un are deeply alarming, said the former head of Americas nuclear laboratory Siegfried Hecker.

He said: With the two successful nuclear tests this year, we must assume that the DPRK [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] has designed and demonstrated nuclear warheads that can be mounted on some of its short-range and perhaps medium-range missiles.

Its ability to field an intercontinental ballistic missile fitted with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching the United States is still a long way off, perhaps five to ten years, but likely doable if the programme is unconstrained.

Professor Hecker, formerly director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, said that the countrys increased ability to produce nuclear weapons upped the chance that warheads would be sold to other governments or possibly terrorists.

Five tests conducted over a ten-year period, sufficiently spaced that the test results can inform the next test, are deeply alarming,

Professor Hecker wrote on 38 North, a North Korea monitoring website run by Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies in Washington.

His warning comes after an underground test in the secretive state prompted the US to fly two BI-B bombers over the nation in a show of strength and commitment to defending ally South Korea.

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General Vincent Brooks, the commander of American forces in South Korea, said: North Koreas nuclear test is a dangerous escalation and poses an unacceptable threat.

The United States has an unshakeable commitment to defend allies in the region and will take necessary steps to do so, including operations like this one today.
A group of scientists trapped in their Arctic hut for two weeks after being surrounded by vicious polar bears face a month-long wait to be rescued.

Local media reported the five Russian weather station researchers, based on the remote island of Troynoy near Siberia, had been besieged by around a dozen bears since August 31.

The team, which includes two married couples, have already run out of flares to ward off the bears and are unable to leave their station.

One of their two dogs has been mauled to death by one of the animals, while a female polar bear has spent several evenings outside their building's windows, making it perilous to go outside.

Vassiliy Shevchenko, head of the Sevgidromet State Monitoring Network that owns the station, told Russian news agency TASS there could be a wait of up to a month for help.

He said: "Instructions were given to the Mikhail Somov expedition vessel that will reach the station in about a month to deliver dogs, as one of the station's canines was killed by a bear, and also flares and other pyrotechnical devices needed to scare the animals away."

Mr Shevchenko said up to four bears were visible from the base at any given time and the researchers had been unable to use their weather equipment since they came under siege.

He told NBC News: "The bears live in the Arctic, you know - we can't ban them from hanging around.

"Worst case, the station chief has a gun."
C helsea Manning, the soldier imprisoned in the US for leaking classified information to WikiLeaks has ended a hunger strike after the Army agreed to allow her to receive gender transition surgery.

Her psychologist recommended in April that she be given the treatment for gender dysphoria.

Manning began the hunger strike at Fort Leavenworth military prison in Kansas on Friday, vowing to continue until she received better treatment.

I am unendingly relieved that the military is finally doing the right thing. I applaud them for that, Manning said.

This is all that I wanted - for them to let me be me. But it is hard not to wonder why it has taken so long. In any case, I hope this sets a precedent for the thousands of trans people behind me hoping they will be given the treatment they need.

Manning, who was arrested in 2010 as Bradley Manning, was convicted in 2013 in a military court of leaking more than 700,000 secret military and State Department documents to WikiLeaks.

Chelsea Manning as Bradley before arrest for leaking secrets / Gary Cameron/Reuters

Manning was an intelligence analyst in Iraq at the time. She is serving a 35-year sentence.

American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Chase Strangio said Manning should enjoy some peace knowing the medical care was coming.

Thankfully the government has recognised its constitutional obligation to provide Chelsea with the medical care that she needs and we hope that they will act without delay to ensure that her suffering does not needlessly continue.

Ms Strangio said it was worrying that Manning still faces administrative charges related to a suicide attempt on July 5 at the military prison.

She wants the Army to drop those charges and stop efforts to make Manning cut her hair to male hair length military standards.

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The ACLU filed a lawsuit in 2014 against the US Department of Defence over its refusal to treat Mannings gender dysphoria.
T wo police officers have told of their horror at discovering a woman's bound and gagged body inside a shipping container in an Australian backyard.

Queensland police sergeants Peter Venz and Sergeant Danny Rahe found the woman, later identified as Nikitah Beadman, who had been left to die at the Gold Coast property.

She had been suffering abuse at the hands of her boyfriend Robert Galleghan for more than a year.

Police said the abuse escalated three months after the relationship started in July 2011 and lasted until November 2012.

Officers then arrived at Galleghan's home and found a semi-naked Ms Beadman, who had been bound, gagged and tortured.

Police filmed the scene inside the trailer as evidence, as they feared Ms Beadman may not survive the ordeal.

"When the doors opened we've seen the trolley, like a fridge loading trolley, and we could see a body strapped to it" Sergeant Rahe said.

Still recovering: Nikitah Beadman was subjected to a horrific ordeal / A Current Affair

"That's when we went inside and probably saw the most horrific thing we've seen."

"My heart actually sank. It was evil and depraved what I saw.

"We were getting no movement out of her, we were getting no response out of her."

Sergeant Venz added: "She had a blue yoga mat strapped around her head with wire and she was wired all the way down the shopping trolley.

"The wire was so tight it was just cutting into her skin."

Sergeant Venz found tools to remove the wires in Galleghan's kitchen, and the pair managed to free Ms Beardman.

Ms Beadman said she recalls the moment the officers came to rescue her.

"I remember them apologising to me, she said. "They didn't think I was going to make it and there was wire inside of me.

"It was more of a torture way so I couldn't have kids."

And she said she is still living in pain from her brutal treatment in November 2012.

"I have got a lot of injuries still now," she said.

Abuser: Robert Galleghan was jailed for eight years

"I have got a twisted backbone and two rotated ribs, that in any sort of movement or any sort of exercise could pierce one of my lungs; I have got multiple sprains all through my back; I have got sciatic nerve damage; I have also got nerve damage in my right arm, that I still couldn't use for a year-and-a-half after - which was from the wire."

Galleghan was later apprehended and charged with torture, common assault and threatening violence.

He was been sentenced to eight years jail but could be eligible for parole in less than three years.
A mazon have a new device coming to the UK  and its seriously futuristic.

Named the Amazon Echo, its a speaker-based device that connects to your Wi-Fi, and has all sorts of tricks up its sleeves.

Heres what you need to know.

1) Its kind of like Siri

A major part of the Echo is the voice-control component.

Like Apples Siri, you can ask it questions  whats the news today? How hot is it in London?  but instead of getting web pages in return, it will read out the information you want to know through an in-built speaker.

As anyone whos tried the voice remote on the Amazon Fire TV, Amazons voice-recognition software is very strong  and can handle pretty much any accent you throw at it.

2) Its software is called Alexa

Amazons software has a name  and to activate the Echo, you have to say it out loud. Start your command with Alexa to activate the tech.

The Echo connects to Amazons Fire tablet devices, and to iPhone and Android using the Alexa app.

3) It can play your music

Whether you use Amazons own Prime Music service, Spotify, or TuneIn radio, you can use the Echo as a speaker.

You can ask Alexa to play a specific Spotify playlist, or find an artist on Apple Music  and have it play out of the device.

4) It can order your food  or an Uber

Alexa can interact with a variety of apps, including the likes of Just Eat, Uber, and National Rail.

That means you can ask it to re-order your last takeaway, or book you a car, or check the status of your commute  and the number of skills is set to grow as more apps become compatible.

5) It can interact with your Smart Home

If youve just shelled out on a smart boiler or heating system, the Echo can interact with that too  you can ask Alexa to turn your TV and lights on and off, turn the heating up, even make a coffee if your machine is Wi-Fi enabled.

6) Its out in the UK soon

Amazon Echo is arriving in the UK on September 28, after having been released in the US in 2014.

Arriving on October 20 will be the Amazon Echo Dot  an miniature Echo which is designed to run in a separate room to the main device.

7) Its not that expensive

The Amazon Echo costs 149.99  but Amazon Prime users who pre-order one before 5pm on September 16 will get 50 off. The Echo Dot costs 49.99.
HOUSTON, Sept. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TPC Group announced today that it has reached an agreement to sell its Baytown Operations to SI Group. The operations include manufacturing assets for nonene, tetramer, and other propylene derivatives, an on-site terminal and excess land adjacent to the facility. Nonene and tetramer are propylene oligomers used as intermediates in the production of plasticizers, detergents, lube oil additives, antioxidants, and other performance products.



In 2016, TPC Group has made great strides in our earnings and cash improvement plan, or ECIP, targeted to deliver more than $100 million of year over year improvement, said Ed Dineen, TPC Group Chairman, President and CEO. One key element of this plan was the sale of non-core assets of which the Baytown assets were the most leveraging components. While the Baytown assets and people have consistently delivered value to TPC Group, the proceeds of this transaction will allow us to strengthen and grow our core C4 processing, Performance Products and Fuels Octane businesses. On behalf of the entire senior leadership team, we want to extend our sincere appreciation for the commitment, dedication, focus and safe operations by the Baytown employees.

TPC Group and SI Group have had a longstanding partnership that extends beyond 25 years, said Frank Bozich, SI Group President and CEO. The addition of the Baytown facility further enhances our global capabilities by reinforcing our security of supply and enabling SI Group to better serve our customers in downstream markets, such as Fuel, Lubricant, and Oilfield. We are committed to the successful integration of this business, as its a vital component of our growth agenda.

About TPC Group

TPC Group Inc. is a leading producer of value-added products derived from niche petrochemical raw materials such as C4 hydrocarbons. The Company sells its products into a wide range of performance, specialty and intermediate segments, including synthetic rubber, fuels, lubricant additives, plastics and surfactants. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, and with an operating history of more than 70 years, the Company has manufacturing facilities in the industrial corridor adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel, in Port Neches, Texas and operates a butadiene product terminal in Lake Charles, Louisiana. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.tpcgrp.com.

About SI Group

SI Group is a leading global developer and manufacturer of chemical intermediates, specialty resins, and solutions that are critical to the quality and performance of countless industrial and consumer goods. Founded in 1906 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, SI Group is a family-owned company with over 2,700 employees worldwide. SI Group operates 20 manufacturing facilities on five continents with $1.6 billion in annual sales. In 2016, SI Group received a silver award for corporate social responsibility by EcoVadis, and is ranked among the top 13 percent of more than 25,000 worldwide companies. SI Group is The Substance Inside. For more information, visit www.siigroup.com.
CHICAGO, Sept. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transwestern today announces it held CREforge, a first-of-its-kind commercial real estate hackathon, which is a competitive event that challenges the technology world to find new solutions to everyday problems. On Aug. 26-28, Houston-based Transwestern introduced four companies in the commercial real estate sector to numerous designers, coders and software developers, who developed innovative solutions to the challenges posed by each business.



Some of the solutions explored include:

Using augmented reality to project 3D building renderings onto everything from tabletops to land sites, allowing clients to see a 360-degree view of a project before its actually built.

Capturing emotional data to inform the design of an office interior through a platform in which clients select images of various finishes and design features that are then instantly converted into a preliminary space plan and budget, providing a better starting point in the design of a new office space.

Creating artificial intelligence (AI) bots to pull data from multiple servers and quickly extract specific inventory, order and delivery information for clients, a function that used to take a half-dozen employees hours to complete.

Filling vacancies by utilizing dating-site algorithms to match commercial tenants with landlords through a bidding process, automating an otherwise manual process and saving considerable time while driving more competitive pricing.

Its no secret that commercial real estate is a late adopter of technology, said Mike Watts, Transwesterns Midwest president. Our industry is ripe for innovation, and theres no better place to move the needle than Chicago, home to one of the fastest-growing tech communities in the country.

Watts continued, CREforge is a way for us to show other real estate professionals  everyone from architects and developers to brokers and service providers  how we all can use technology to overcome obstacles and change the way we do business. While the hackathon itself is over, our effort to forge a synergistic relationship between tech and real estate is just beginning.

More than 150 people, including speakers, exhibitors and programmers, attended the event, where Transwestern was joined by Heitman Architects, Leopardo Cos. and ConneXion, each of which represents a different sector of commercial real estate. Developer teams that competed in CREforge were evaluated based on five criteria: creativity, complexity, utility, completion and ability to solve the challenge posed by each company. A panel of judges comprising tech industry leaders evaluated each of the solutions presented.

Heitman Architects posed the issue of assisting clients in visualizing how a completed renovation or development would look.

Most recently publicized by Pokemon GO, augmented reality  in which a real-world environment is digitally enhanced with text or graphics  is most commonly associated with the gaming industry. A team of developers used augmented reality to create a tool that would allow Itasca, Illinois-based Heitman Architects to project a scalable 3D rendering of a finished project on anything from a tabletop to a multi-acre development site.

This tool enables us and, more importantly, our clients to see designs through an entirely new lens, providing a 360-degree view of a project before its actually built, said Karl Heitman, president of Heitman Architects. With this technology, we can share our design vision with clients in a realistic virtual overlay that transforms their view of existing conditions. This enhanced augmented view of reality transports our clients virtually into our designs in real time. The result is that they become co-participants and take ownership of the vision.

Leopardo Cos. sought a streamlined process for clients, many of which have never gone through a buildout, to develop a defined vision and navigate the planning and approval process for a buildout.

With a goal of providing a starting point for discussion, a team of developers created an image-based platform that, by asking Hoffman Estates-based Leopardo Cos. clients to respond to questions relating to various finishes and design features, uses emotional data to map out not only what a space would look like, but also how much it would cost based on size.

Weve found that the design and construction process is intimidating to many companies because theyre faced with decisions they dont make in their regular course of business, said Daniel Klancnik, director of project solutions at Leopardo. Corporations can benefit tremendously from visualizing a space early in the process, affording them increased decision-making power that is helpful aesthetically and financially.

ConneXion needed a more cohesive IT solution to automate pulling inventory data from multiple servers that are connected but not communicative.

Realizing the resources that could be saved by pulling the information together into a centralized database, a team of developers created an artificial intelligence (AI) bot capable of logging into each server and pulling relevant data based on queries submitted via Facebook by Buffalo Grove-based ConneXion employees.

This exercise helped us realize we could automate a lot of the processes we currently do manually while also helping us enhance our clients experience by providing them with real-time data on demand, said Kyle Hanson, executive vice president of ConneXion. Its an example of how a small business can utilize technology to deliver a great customer experience at a reasonable price. This will allow us to redeploy assets in a way that is more efficient and visible to the customer, further elevating the service were able to provide.

Transwestern asked for a web-based platform that would bring lease negotiations out from behind closed doors and allow landlords and tenants to bid against each other to fill vacancies and drive more competitive pricing.

Lease Mingle, one of two auction platforms conceptualized at CREforge, utilizes dating-site algorithms to pair tenants with their ideal building, similar to how singles are matched through services like eHarmony and Match.com.

The second platform, Tennt, utilizes empirical financial modeling, but also assigns ratings to buildings based on weighted quality of space metrics that are difficult to quantify on a spreadsheet. These benchmarks are calculated using square footage, base rent and escalations, and tenant improvement allowances, but also intangible factors like location, workplace environment, amenities and brand image.

Data is presented using an online dashboard with charts and tables that are updated in real time as properties change their bids.

By adding a layer of transparency to lease negotiations, we can fill vacancies faster by eliminating some of the back-and-forth, ending up with terms that are agreeable to both owner and occupier, said Mike Watts, Transwesterns Midwest president. And its a solution that works for users of all sizes, including smaller tenants that otherwise might not have access to the tools and resources available to larger companies.

While the solutions created by the teams werent necessarily fully formed, the hackathon proved that each solution could be achieved with further investment. Programmers behind Tennt, the winning concept, received a cash prize and three HTC Vive virtual reality headsets. In addition, developers retained rights to all code developed as part of CREforge.

Until now, theres been a tangible disconnect between our industry and the innovative ideas coming out of Chicago-based startup incubators and accelerators like 1871 and Elmspring, Watts said. The workforce is changing and young professionals raised in the digital era want to be surrounded by technology at work as well as at play. The revolution in real estate begins now, and we are thrilled to be leading the way.

ABOUT TRANSWESTERN

Transwestern is a privately held real estate firm of collaborative entrepreneurs who deliver a higher level of personalized service  the Transwestern Experience. Specializing in Agency Leasing, Management, Tenant Advisory, Capital Markets, Research and Sustainability services, our fully integrated global enterprise adds value for investors, owners and occupiers of all commercial property types. We leverage market insights and operational expertise from members of the Transwestern family of companies specializing in development, real estate investment management and research. Transwestern has 34 U.S. offices and assists clients through more than 180 offices in 37 countries as part of a strategic alliance with BNP Paribas Real Estate. Experience Extraordinary at transwestern.com and @Transwestern. For updates from the Chicago and Rosemont offices, follow @TranswesternCHI.
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cachet Financial Solutions (OTCQB:CAFN), a leading mobile fintech provider of cloud-based remote deposit capture (RDC) and mobile money solutions, will present and exhibit at the 2016 RDC Summit in Orlando, September 14-16, 2016.



The 9th annual event, which convenes this week at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Florida, is the only conference focused on Remote Deposit Capture and its impact on the payments industry. Hundreds of attendees from banks, credit unions, government/regulatory agencies, corporations and solution providers attend to network and learn about the hottest topics facing the RDC industry today.

Cachets EVP of Sales, Larry Blaney, will present a session during the conference titled: Small Business RDC Innovations, which will share how financial institutions can seize the small business opportunity with innovative mobile-first RDC solutions. The session will be held on Thursday, September 15, at 2:45pm ET.

Cachet will also showcase innovative, mobile-first technologies to help financial institutions protect their core business and grow market share, including the companys omni-channel RDC solution, Select Business Merchant Capture. The cloud-based software solution enables financial institutions (FIs) merchant customers to electronically deposit checks from their desktops (PC or Mac), smartphones or tablets, eliminating the need to make a trip to the bank or ATM. The newly enhanced solution now offers single sign on for easy login with one set of credentials (user name and password) regardless of channeldesktop or mobile.

More and more FIs are choosing Cachets revolutionary RDC solution because it works seamlessly across multiple channelsPC, Mac, and mobileincreasing operational efficiencies, reducing handling costs, and mitigating fraud, said Jeffrey Mack, president and CEO of Cachet Financial Solutions. It is also unique as a true merchant capture mobile solution, versus a retail mobile deposit solution that has been rebranded as a commercial app, which is what many RDC providers offer today.

Cachets omni-channel Select Business helps FIs to better serve all their different business customers with one flexible solution that offers:

A unique API-driven business platform that enables integration with an FIs current treasury system and a single client portal

An intuitive user interface for easy navigation between deposits, reports and activities

Seamless integration for a consistent user experience across multiple channels

Enhanced mobile functionality with multi-check and video deposit capabilities

A streamlined workflow simplifying merchant on-boarding and user set up across platforms

Comprehensive audit reporting enabling an FI to more easily meet the latest compliance requirements

To learn more about Select Business, visit www.cachetfinancial.com or email info@cachetfinancial.com.

About Cachet Financial Solutions, Inc.

Cachet Financial Solutions is a leading cloud-based, SaaS technology provider serving the financial services industry with mobile money and remote deposit capture solutions for PC, Mac and mobile. Founded in early 2010, Cachet has quickly grown into a technology leader and trusted partner of some of the largest and most respected financial organizations. With remarkable growth, an impressive client base and award-winning technology, Cachet continues to drive innovation and deliver world-class solutions to financial institutions of all sizes.

Cachet believes that its industry-leading solutions can help the companys clients increase customer retention and revenue opportunities. Cachet's cloud-based technology platform simplifies development, deployment and servicing of consumer and commercial solutionsminimizing cost and accelerating speed-to-market for Cachets clients. Enabled by Cachet's suite of business and consumer solutions, financial institutions can better serve the needs of all their customers. For more information, visit www.cachetfinancial.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that would be deemed "forward-looking statements" under Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933. Words such as "may," "likely," "anticipate," "expect" and "believes" indicate forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. We discuss many of these risks in greater detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2016, under the heading "Risk Factors" and in the other reports we file with the Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
rvsunil wrote:

Hi,



First of all, I am overwhelmed with the volume of information that is available in the forum, thanks to expert people like yourself who have been enabling people to attain their dream of pursuing MBA.



As you would understand, I am new to set up and had some questions towards my quest of pursuing a global MBA degree. Please review through the information provided below and I sincerely hope that would equip you will all the information required to suggest me the way forward.



Background:



I am a chartered accountant from India with overall 10 years of post qualification experience. I also hold an additional certification from American CPA since past 6 years but not licensed as yet. I have the experience of working with global companies (American and European) in areas of accounting, taxation and financial reporting.



Extra curricular activity:



I have the experience of working as a part time lecturer in one of the private institutes which trains people to get CPA certification.



Expectation from MBA :



Since, I have the years of experience in finance and related field, I am keen on diversifying the skills into further niche areas of strategic consulting/ corporate finance. Based on the advice received from other senior members in the same field, I am keen on pursuing this course outside of India with an intent of gaining decent work experience as well.



Kindly advise me on the following:

Would an experienced candidate like me would be considered for US MBA? (finance specialization, no change)

Based on the background information provided above, let me know if I stand in a chance to have a 100% scholarship presuming that I manage to get a decent GMAT score (700+)

Can u recommend me some good colleges or programmes where I can seek further guidance, clearing the GMAT would be first priority though.

Knowing that visa regulations in the US would be a limiting factor from employment perspective, would it be wise decision from career standpoint to even consider Canada as an option



Apologies for making this long but I would appreciate if you can provide some insights on how I should be proceeding. Dedicated towards providing further information if required, thanks



SR

Dear SR,So of course you can make it into an MBA. The only question is WHICH MBAAnd I would love to recommend you some, but without a concrete GMAT a better understanding of what you actually did during those 10 years and more info about your profile it will be hard. Where do you work? What do you do? How quickly have you advanced? Do you have any leadership? What are your great achievements? Do you have notable community service or extra curriculars? Which school did you graduate from? What was your GPA?Also, can you be specific about your goals?I think Canada can be a great option as yes, the Visa is easier to get, but also the schools are easier to get into, but its easier to understand that once you have your actual test scores.I hope this helps, and if you have further questions, don't hesitate to write me!Best,JF
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-Melissa and the Fortuna Admissions Team



Melissa Jones | Fortuna Admissions - a dream team of former Admissions Directors from the world's top business schools



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Hi rasithaw Looks like you've got some great experience under your belt. Your GPA seems quite strong - have you taken the GRE or GMAT yet? It seems like you've got some good work experience plus being promoted definitely shows great career progression. So do you just have 3 years work experience in total? Depending on the school, 3 years can sometimes be a little light so you might need to get another year or two of work experience before applying. You've got some int'l exposure which is good as well as some extra curriculars - also is great to highlight your other hobbies/passions as this too is important for schools. It's really hard to say which schools to go for as there are so many. A few questions to answer first... do you want to go to a US school? Somewhere in Europe or Asia? Do you want a 2 year or 1 year program? Is an internship important to you? Do you thrive is small or large class settings? I'm guessing that if you want to end up in the US you want to focus on US schools? Have you done your research on schools yet to feel what might be the right fit for you?I would attend various info sessions, chat's online, talk to students/alumni, read student blogs etc to see with what resonates with you. If you'd like to chat further, we can set up a free 30 minute consultation where we can definitely help you in narrowing down your school choice as I know how overwhelming this can. Just sign up here: http://fortunaadmissions.com/free-consultation/ has a great reputation for our free consultations and we hear from candidates how helpful (and honest) they are so I encourage you to do it!Good luck._________________
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Walkers, runners, vendors, dog lovers, animal advocates and those who just want to celebrate fall are invited to the sixth annual Pawz Too Run on Oct. 8 on the Village Green in downtown Davidson.
For many years, the GOP has made the claim that it is the party that favors our veterans. This claim, with a little research, can be shown to be bogus.
The new approach to poetry that emerged between 1900 and 1920 sought to put aside the sentimentality and strict obedience to established forms that had characterized the Victorian poets of preceding decades. Many poets in both the United States and Europe had begun to experiment with free verse  poetry that does not adhere to set standards of rhyme or rhythm  and several magazines were founded in order to publish this new poetry. It was not until 1912, however, that the first real school of new poetry emerged from the chaos of experimentation .



With only a handful of adherents, but access to the editorial department of a key American literary magazine, Ezra Pound created and sustained Imagism by mere declaration. Pound, an American poet living in London, had at first open lines of communication with a small group of English poets who combined deep appreciation for Japanese verse forms, such as haiku, with experiments in free verse.



Although Pound was briefly aligned with this group, he soon found greater artistic affinity with Richard Aldington, a fledgling English poet, and Hilda Doolittle, who signed her poems H.D. One of H.D.s first poems, Hermes of the Ways, so delighted Pound with its crystal clear images and lack of ornamentation that he assigned her the penname H.D., Imagist and sent the poem immediately to the U.S. for publication in the magazine Poetry, for which he was serving as foreign editor.



In a later issue of Poetry, Pound articulated the guiding principles of Imagism, stressing that poets should treat objects directly, use no words that do not contribute to the presentation, and write according to the rhythm of the words rather than an accepted poetic form. In addition to his work with literary periodicals, Pound also edited an anthology of Imagist poems in 1914. Ironically, however, his insistence that no explanation of the Imagist movement be offered in the anthology backfired; readers did not understand that Pound and his Imagists were experimenting with a new form of poetry, and many of the anthologies were returned to the publisher.





(a) convince the reader of the significance of a literary figure

(b) explain the failure of an experimental type of poetry

(c) trace the development of a literary movement

(d) debate the merits of traditional forms of poetry

(e) introduce important contributors to a literary movement

Show Spoiler C



2. EACH of the following is cited in the passage as a goal of Imagism EXCEPT



(a) Challenge accepted standards for poetry

(b) Promote new and talented poets

(c) Concentrate on objects over ornate speech

(d) Experiment with free verse

(e) Praise Japanese verse forms

Show Spoiler E



3. The bolded passage most clearly implies which of the following about new poetry movements before 1912?



(a) Although many poets had begun to experiment independently with free verse, there were no clearly defined movements before Imagism.

(b) Movements adhered strictly to the established forms that had characterized Victorian poets.

(c) Although many poets had begun to experiment with free verse, none was successful enough to achieve lasting recognition.

(d) The sheer number of new poetry movements in the United States and Europe created chaos.

(e) Many movements founded magazines in which to publish their experiments with free verse.

Show Spoiler A



4. Which of the following, if added to the end of the last paragraph, forms the best conclusion to the passage?



(a) Because of this misunderstanding, Imagism failed to gain the recognition as a valid literary movement that it needed to survive.

(b) Despite this setback, however, Pounds articulation of the principles of Imagism had succeeded in presenting a viable alternative to traditional forms, and modern poetry set off in a new direction.

(c) Angered by this rejection, Pound adjusted his ambitions for Imagism and began encouraging fellow poets to write according to the rhythm of words, rather than accepted forms.

(d) On the other hand, even though most of the public did not understand the goals of Imagism, Pounds anthology sold several thousand copies.

(e) Additionally, several readers wrote letters to the editors of the magazine criticizing Pound and the Imagists for slavishly imitating traditional poetic forms.

Show Spoiler B



5. Which of the following is cited in the passage as a historical reason that Ezra Pound could play such a decisive role in the development of Imagism?



(a) He clearly defined the principles of Imagism in the pages of an influential literary magazine.

(b) He himself was a successful poet and was able to help others follow his lead.

(c) He was delighted by HDs use of images and lack of ornamentation.

(d) He was the foreign editor for an important American poetry magazine.

(e) He capitalized on an emerging taste for free verse in the United States and Europe.

Show Spoiler D 1. The primary purpose of the passage is to(a) convince the reader of the significance of a literary figure(b) explain the failure of an experimental type of poetry(c) trace the development of a literary movement(d) debate the merits of traditional forms of poetry(e) introduce important contributors to a literary movement2. EACH of the following is cited in the passage as a goal of Imagism EXCEPT(a) Challenge accepted standards for poetry(b) Promote new and talented poets(c) Concentrate on objects over ornate speech(d) Experiment with free verse(e) Praise Japanese verse forms3. The bolded passage most clearly implies which of the following about new poetry movements before 1912?(a) Although many poets had begun to experiment independently with free verse, there were no clearly defined movements before Imagism.(b) Movements adhered strictly to the established forms that had characterized Victorian poets.(c) Although many poets had begun to experiment with free verse, none was successful enough to achieve lasting recognition.(d) The sheer number of new poetry movements in the United States and Europe created chaos.(e) Many movements founded magazines in which to publish their experiments with free verse.4. Which of the following, if added to the end of the last paragraph, forms the best conclusion to the passage?(a) Because of this misunderstanding, Imagism failed to gain the recognition as a valid literary movement that it needed to survive.(b) Despite this setback, however, Pounds articulation of the principles of Imagism had succeeded in presenting a viable alternative to traditional forms, and modern poetry set off in a new direction.(c) Angered by this rejection, Pound adjusted his ambitions for Imagism and began encouraging fellow poets to write according to the rhythm of words, rather than accepted forms.(d) On the other hand, even though most of the public did not understand the goals of Imagism, Pounds anthology sold several thousand copies.(e) Additionally, several readers wrote letters to the editors of the magazine criticizing Pound and the Imagists for slavishly imitating traditional poetic forms.5. Which of the following is cited in the passage as a historical reason that Ezra Pound could play such a decisive role in the development of Imagism?(a) He clearly defined the principles of Imagism in the pages of an influential literary magazine.(b) He himself was a successful poet and was able to help others follow his lead.(c) He was delighted by HDs use of images and lack of ornamentation.(d) He was the foreign editor for an important American poetry magazine.(e) He capitalized on an emerging taste for free verse in the United States and Europe.
When Whitney Gilbert and Shadese (DeeDee) Griffith began dating more than a year ago, neither could have expected that they and their family w
Meanwhile, Pakistan 's iron and steel imports in July amounted to 257,000 mt, down 32.7 percent on month-on-month basis and rising by 79.1 percent compared to the same month of the previous year. In the given month, the value of Pakistan 's iron and steel imports was $134.95 million, decreasing by 31.6 percent month on month and up 27.1 percent year on year.
Tuesday, 13 September 2016 23:31:40 (GMT+3) | Sao Paulo

ThyssenKrupp -owned Brazilian slab producer Companhia Siderurgica do Atlantico (CSA) expects to invest BRL 10 million ($3 million) in a prototype that is expected to reduce emissions at its power plant in the state of Rio de Janeiro and could then be expanded to the groups mills.

The project will be developed within a three-year timeframe, and will include lab tests and a pre-industrial prototype of a technology that uses microwaves and ceramic to break carbon dioxide molecules, transforming them into oxygen.

Out of the total BRL 10 million investment, CSA will invest BRL 1.6 million through funds from the research and development (R&D) program it has with Brazil s electric energy agency, Aneel. The remaining BRL 8.4 million will be financed by the technology fund Funtec through Brazil s development bank, BNDES.

If approved, the technology could not only service the steel sector, but any industry, said Werner Riederer, energy efficiency manager at CSA.

Despite CSAs efforts to reduce emissions, the company does not have an environment license to operate. It has been operating under a TAC agreement, in which the steelmaker is expected to meet a series of obligations.

In August this year, Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors filed a lawsuit in an attempt to halt the companys operations. At the time, prosecutors demanded new analysis about the impacts of the mills activities on the environment.

Additionally, a body of public prosecutors in the state of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) was investigating the legality of fiscal benefits granted by both the state and the city of Rio de Janeiro to CSA.

Vale was a former partner at CSA.




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
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1. On a weekend road-trip, bananas do not travel well. FYI.

2. Read these 5 books next year.

3. I want my girls to chase after God. And be doctors or engineers, you know?

4. Best book on strategy I have read in a long time.

5. It was from this spectacular stage that the Kurds first stepped into the pages of history. Scholars debate the exact moment it occurred. Some argue it was around 3,000 BC in a Sumerian document that described a land of Kardo. Others contend that this appearing came four centuries before Christ when Xenophon recorded that retreating Greeks were harassed by Kardouchoi who dwelt up among the mountains . . . a warlike people . . . not subjects of the King.

-Steven Mansfield, The Miracle Of The Kurds (Amazon)
President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday signed a decree appointing judge Iulia-Cristina Tarcea as chair of the Supreme Court of Justice and Cassation (ICCJ), according to the Presidential Administration. Early this September, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM) Mircea Aron sad she would recommend Tarcea for the office.

The chairmanship of the Supreme Court was left vacant after its former holder Livia Stanciu filed for retirement as from July 13. Ever since then, Stanciu has worked as a Constitutional Court judge, following President Iohannis's signing the appointment decree. In her application posted on the CSM website, Tarcea states that ICCJ cannot take over court budgets starting January 2017 and she recommends deferring the enforcement of this provision as the most reasonable and realist solution.

She also said that the current ICCJ administrative capacity makes the enforcement of such a provision impossible, as the Supreme Court has been facing chronic space shortage for years, with the Economic Department's staff having had to work in various improvised offices. Tarcea added she is to focus her tenure on providing the proper space where the Supreme Court would be able to fully function. She also intended to propose bills on incompatibility and dissenting opinions. Another objective of her term in office would be finding a solution for timely resolution of appeals in the interest of the law and prior complaints, motivating and publishing decisions within the legal deadlines.

Agerpres
Romanian MEP Marian-Jean Marinescu, a deputy chairman of the European People's Party (EPP) group in the European Parliament, on Wednesday said that he believes Romania will very soon join the Schengen Area with its air borders.

"I believe we will very soon join the Schengen Area with its air borders. If we join now, it will be our airports that will go in. In 2017, there are elections in France and Germany," Marinescu told a meeting with Romanian journalists.

Although a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council and a European Council summit will not be held before December, the Romanian MEP said a decision on this matter could be made at any other ministerial meeting of the EU, provided there is political agreement.

Marinescu said the decision could apply as early as this year, with the end of the daylight saving time for the airports.

"That is what I feel; you have not heard me say anything like this before. I have seen President Hollande's statement yesterday [Tuesday] that Romania's airports should contribute more to the Schengen agreement than they are doing now," said Marinescu.

About the accession to the Schengen Area with the land orders, Marinescu said there is currently no one who could answer to such question.

"The reason why we have not entered the Schengen Area yet is the domestic policy of several member states," said the EPP MEP.

On a state visit to Romania on Tuesday, France's President Francois Hollande discussed equipping Romanian airports in a conversation with Romania's President Klaus Iohannis at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.

"Romania has got the equipment to control the movement of persons transiting through its airports that is very important to our security. To us, that is an essential point in the fight against terror, and that is why talks should be conducted in Brussels to see how we can make Romanian airports contribute to the Schengen Are through their efficacy," said Hollande, according to Agerpres.
In a press statement on Wednesday, the United States Embassy in Romania said Hans Klemm is ambassador to all of Romania. The statement came after Sfantu Gheorghe Mayor Antal Arpad posted on Facebook a picture of ambassador Hans Klemm holding on to the Szekely Land's flag. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) says the American diplomat's visits to Harghita and Covasna counties is part of any embassy duties to experience and document local realities for itself. The US Embassy said in the statement to AGERPRES that the ambassador travels to different regions of the country regularly and meets various groups of the Romanian society. It adds that as Romania's ally and strategic partner, the US supports and applauds democracy in Romania and the country's efforts to strengthen institutions through full and equal participation of all segments of the Romanian society.

At the same time, asked by Agerpres, MAE stressed that regarding the picture of the American diplomat "such visits involve understanding of and consideration for possible local sensitivities." "Ambassador Hans Klemm's visit in the country is part of the current duties of any embassy to document the realities in the host state for itself and to relate to the local officials. (...) As for the picture you are referring to, such visits involve understanding of and consideration for possible local sensitivities. We passed these remarks to our American partners in a conversation with the US Embassy in Bucharest," MAE said in an answer to AGERPRES.

MAE also expressed its conviction that "such visit also helps generate a correct image of the Romanian realities regarding minority rights and the intercultural model Romania promotes, which fully subscribes to standards in the field." Sfantu Gheorghe City Mayor Antal Arpad on Tuesday posted on his Facebook page a picture of him, the US ambassador to Romania and other local officials holding on to the Szekely Land's flag. "I gave the US ambassador a flag of the Szekely Land, a flag that has become the symbol of the lack of respect the Romanian authorities have displayed for the Hungarian community. I have to say that this flag was first seen in 1599, when the Szecklers fought alongside [Romanian ruler] Michael the Brave," the mayor wrote.
Estimados amigos,

Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia.

Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro.

Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras.

There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen.

You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.

No soy alguien que sabe, sino alguien que busca.

Only Gold is money. Everything else is debt.

Las grandes almas tienen voluntades; las debiles tan solo deseos.

Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada.

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.

If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.
Over its 115-year history, Monsanto has continually reinvented itself through technology and business mergers, marketing products that have both transformed agriculture and fueled heated controversy. Heres a brief glimpse at how the St. Louis-area company grew from modest beginnings into a global biotech giant.

1901

Monsanto is founded as an independent venture of John Queeny, an employee of Meyer Brothers Drug Co. Queeny originally set out to produce saccharin, an artificial sweetener, and named the company Monsanto after his wife, Olga Monsanto Queeny.

1910

Monsanto buys a lot owned by Diamond Match Co. for $75,000, shortly after Diamonds nearby building had burned to the ground.

1916

In January, Monsanto Chemical Works begins advertising in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

In December, Monsanto completes construction of a new employee services building. Situated on Lafayette Avenue, east of Second Street, the two-story building provides a lunch and recreation room, lockers and shower facilities for 300 workers at one time.

1917

Now calling itself Monsanto Chemical Works, the company makes a wide range of chemicals and drugs. For instance, Monsanto begins producing aspirin and continues to make its active ingredient  which it sold to producers of aspirin for retail sale  until late in the 20th century.

Monsanto buys 90 acres near East St. Louis, where it is to build a $1 million plant and employ 2,000 people in what is now Sauget.

1935

Monsanto begins its production of PCBs, chemicals used for insulation and cooling in electrical equipment. It eventually becomes the primary American producer of PCBs, accounting for an estimated 45 percent of the global supply.

Mid-1940s

Monsanto makes its initial foray into agriculture with Santobane, a pesticide that targets corn borers and other insects.

1955

The rise of oil-derived petrochemicals leads Monsanto to purchase Lion Oil Co., which makes ammonia and other products. This acquisition marks the start of a new phase of investment in chemical fertilizers, which become a main part of its business. The reliance on fertilizers ebbs by the 1980s as it gravitates toward other applications of agricultural science.

1965

Through 1969, Monsanto is one of nine contractors to produce the defoliating herbicide known as Agent Orange, used in the Vietnam War. Agent Oranges chemical mixture included toxic substances such as dioxin and continues to be a health concern for veterans who were exposed to it.

1969

After beginning product development and testing in the mid-1960s, Monsanto starts selling Lasso herbicide. The weed killer is a best-selling corn and soy herbicide in the U.S. for more than two decades.

1970

Only a year after Lassos release, Monsanto develops Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide. The highly effective herbicide would evolve into one of the companys marquee products  especially once aided by future innovations described below  and remains widely used today.

1977

Monsanto halts production of PCBs after studies expose the adverse environmental impacts of the non-biodegradable chemical. A federal ban on PCB production is issued in 1979. The company has retained many cleanup liabilities related to PCBs.

1983

After several years active in biotechnology, Monsanto becomes the first company to alter plant cells in a laboratory and to grow plants from genetically modified cells. Field tests of genetically modified plants would begin later in the decade.

1985

For $2.7 billion, Monsanto purchases G.D. Searle & Co., a producer of artificial sweeteners and prescription drugs. At the time, Monsanto officials said the acquisition aligned with the companys goal of moving away from the commodity chemical past and making a quantum leap into the future of pharmaceuticals, health care and biotechnology-oriented products.

1994

After undergoing years of regulatory review, Monsanto markets its first biotech product  a hormone known as BST, to be injected into dairy cows to boost milk production.

1996

The company begins to orient its portfolio around biotech seeds, as Roundup Ready soybeans are introduced, providing farmers with seeds genetically engineered to be resistant to Roundup and other glyphosate herbicides. Roundup-resistant technology enables farmers to apply herbicide without worrying about damaging their crops, but also leads to concerns about superweeds that develop glyphosate resistance of their own.

1997

Roundup Ready cotton and canola are introduced.

Monsanto spins off its legacy chemical business into an independent company called Solutia, remaking itself as a life sciences business. Monsanto retains its top money-making product, Roundup, and refines its focus to artificial sweeteners, drugs, herbicides, pesticides and seeds.

1998

Roundup Ready corn is introduced.

2000

Monsanto merges with Pharmacia Corp., a pharmaceutical company that in 2003 is swallowed up by Pfizer Inc. Pfizer splits off Monsanto as a standalone agricultural company and sells its shares in a public offering.

2015

The company continues to roll out seeds engineered with new herbicide resistance, releasing dicamba-resistant cotton. Dicamba-resistant soybeans would be introduced a year later. For each product, however, the corresponding dicamba-based herbicide still has yet to be approved.

Monsanto is rejected after making a $45 billion offer to buy Syngenta, a Swiss competitor that sells seeds and agricultural chemicals. Syngenta is sold in February 2016 to a Chinese company, ChemChina, for $43 billion.

2016

After months of back-and-forth talks, Monsantos board agrees to sell the company for $66 billion to Bayer of Germany.

Bryce Gray  St. Louis Post-Dispatch
While some U.S. politicians expressed concern at what the Monsanto merger with Bayer means for competition amid a consolidating agrichemical market, Missouris Congressional delegation had a bigger worry: jobs.

I will be monitoring Bayer/Monsanto and will be focused on whats most important: where the jobs are and where the jobs will be in the future, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said.

Blunts sentiment echoed that of others in Missouris delegation.

Congresswoman Wagner spoke to top executives of each company this morning and reiterated to them that her number one priority is protecting jobs in the St. Louis region that are critical to our local economy, said communications director Meghan Burris. She is proud that St. Louis is a leading biotechnology research and development hub, thanks in large part to Monsantos commitment to innovation and integrated solutions that help farmers.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., hesitated to weigh in while she wants to take more time to dig into it, a spokesman said. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth hasnt reviewed the proposal yet, but maintaining Missouri jobs is his first and foremost concern, his communications director, Kristina Weger, said.

Outside of Missouri, others raised concern about antitrust issues, including former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt.

The attempted takeover of Monsanto by Bayer is a threat to all Americans, Sanders said in a statement. These mergers boost the profits of huge corporations and leave Americans paying even higher prices. Not only should this merger be blocked, but the Department of Justice should reopen its investigation of Monsantos monopoly over the seed and chemical market.

Senators Mike Lee and Amy Klobuchar, the two top antitrust lawmakers, also expressed concern. "The transaction has the potential to result in a significant loss of competition and reduced incentives and ability to innovate, thereby raising prices," said Lee, a Republican from Utah.

Reuters and Jacob Barker of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this story.
Monsantos looming sale to Bayer AG could have a significant impact on the St. Louis region, but neither company is providing specifics yet on potential job losses.

In announcing the deal Wednesday, Bayer and Creve Coeur-based Monsanto said the combined companys seeds and traits business and its North American commercial headquarters would be based in the St. Louis area when the sale finalizes in 2017, while its global crop protection and overall crop science businesses will be based in Monheim, Germany. Bayers headquarters is in Leverkusen, Germany.

Bayer also said its crop science business would keep an important presence at its current U.S. headquarters in Research Triangle Park in Durham, N.C. But some of those functions would shift to the St. Louis region, said Liam Condon, who heads Bayers crop science division.

The commercial part of the business for Bayer, which is currently out of Research Triangle Park, that would move to St. Louis, Condon told the Post-Dispatch.

Details on specific job impacts probably depend on what the combined company ultimately looks like. Significant antitrust hurdles remain, and a combined company will probably have to sell overlapping businesses. In a conference call with reporters Wednesday, Bayer Chief Executive Werner Baumann declined to name which pieces he viewed as overlapping and said its way to early to talk about individual sites and impacts on individual sites.

Monsanto said Wednesday that it has 4,100 employees in the St. Louis region, not including several hundred remote workers, temporary employees or contractors.

Bayer has promised to find $1.5 billion in synergies over the next three years, a term that often means cost cuts in overlapping areas.

Anywhere theres duplication, theres risk of cuts happening, said Edward Jones analyst Matt Arnold, who covers Monsanto. Thats an unfortunate reality of mergers.

The biotech giants employees are primarily based at its Creve Coeur headquarters campus and its Chesterfield Village Research Center, where its spending $400 million to expand facilities.

The area is going to lose administrative jobs and jobs at the top, said Erik Gordon, an assistant professor at the University of Michigans Ross School of Business. There will be fewer finance, legal, and accounting people, he added. That is the price for Monsanto failing to win Syngenta. Swiss farm-chemical maker Syngenta rebuffed Monsantos takeover offers in 2014 and 2015.

In an interview with the Post-Dispatch, Monsanto Chief Technology Officer Robert Fraley said the Chesterfield expansion would proceed.

From a St. Louis perspective, from the very first discussions  consideration of St. Louis was right at the forefront, Fraley said.

When Monsanto announced its Chesterfield expansion in 2013, it said it had plans to add 675 jobs to the roughly 4,000 it employed in the region over several years, many of them plant scientists and other researchers. Fraley said some of the new Chesterfield greenhouses will be complete next month and a new building is slated to be finished next year.

We have plans to fully fill those greenhouses, Fraley said.

Still, corporate mergers often mean reducing overlap in top executive functions, which for Monsanto are based in Creve Coeur. The downturn in agriculture has already hit the company.

Monsanto announced a number of job cuts over the last year that were intended to pare its global workforce by 16 percent. Area jobs have decreased since March 2015, when the company employed about 4,300 people at its two main campuses in the St. Louis area, according to documents submitted to Missouri for tax incentives.

Over time, it may make sense to consolidate research operations within the larger company, said Thad Simons, managing partner at local ag-tech accelerator Yield Lab. And any cost cutting may fall more heavily on the U.S.

German companies have labor representation on their supervisory board, so they have greater challenges in reducing staff in Germany, Simons noted.

Even research and development, which is the lifeblood of long term success in this business, can be cut without sacrificing productivity if theres overlap, Edward Jones Arnold said. However, Monsantos industry-leading seed and trait research operations are probably relatively safe from Bayer cuts.

We can take solace in the fact that, in this particular case, theyre buying the people and knowledge base, Arnold said.

Representatives from Monsanto called Chesterfield Mayor Bob Nation on Wednesday and invited him to Monsantos headquarters Thursday to meet with Baumann and Monsanto Chief Executive Hugh Grant.

Were anxious to get more information, Nation told the Post-Dispatch. To the extent that were aware, the merger with Bayer would not have any significant impact on expansion plans in Chesterfield.  We are interested and concerned. We can only hope that their presence and quality jobs will remain here and grow beyond that.

Creve Coeur Mayor Barry Glantz, who also was invited to the Thursday lunch with executives, said the gesture was a good sign. Thats encouraging to me that theyd reach out to the community to give an indication about what their intentions are, and I think thats a positive first step, he said.

Still, Glantz said he was mindful that a change in ownership at Monsanto, a major employer and property owner, could have big consequences for Creve Coeur. The uncertainty surrounding the transaction is certainly disconcerting, Glantz said. We know what we have now and the uncertainty of what could happen in the future is always a question mark.

Executives visit Stenger

St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger said Bayer and Monsanto executives visited his office about three months ago and assured him of Monsantos long-term commitment to the region.

I cant tell you exactly the number of jobs theyll have, but they indicated to me that they plan to continue to have a strong presence in St. Louis County, Stenger said. Im cautiously optimistic but there are so many things yet to be seen. Its extremely important because theyre a key player in our agribusiness.

The scope of Bayers $66 billion acquisition of Monsanto invites comparisons to another corporate acquisition in the not-too-distant past: Anheuser-Busch employed more than 6,000 people in the St. Louis area when it was acquired by Belgium-based InBev for $52 billion in 2008.

After the acquisition, A-B InBev pared its area workforce to 4,000 by 2011, the last year the company provided local figures. In 2015, A-B moved its sales and marketing operations for the U.S. and Canada to New York, affecting several hundred jobs. A spokeswoman for the brewer declined to say how many people it currently employs locally, saying the company does not break out local workforce figures.

A-B InBev still employs thousands at its brewery south of downtown and elsewhere in the region. When outlining plans for its proposed acquisition of rival SABMiller, A-B InBev recently said St. Louis will continue to serve as the companys North America zone headquarters. Also this year, A-B InBev added 70 jobs when it invested $150 million to expand its aluminum bottle plant in Arnold.

Jacob Barker of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story contained an incorrect spelling of Bob Nation's last name.
Schnucks managers and union members faced off in court this week over whether the grocery store chain violated labor laws by ordering warehouse workers to stop handing out fliers at store entrances to protest job cuts.

One of the laid-off union employees testified he was thrown out of a Schnucks store for wearing an orange union T-shirt while shopping, and a union representative testified he was intimidated by a store manager who demanded he leave the grocers property while handbilling. Schnucks denies the charges.

Maryland Heights-based Schnuck Markets Inc., a privately owned company that operates 99 stores in five states, has 14,000 employees, 75 percent of whom are represented by one of various unions.

Whether its union warehouse employees have a right to hand out fliers on Schnucks property to protest layoffs is central to charges their union, Teamsters Local 688, filed with the National Labor Relations Board in April, alleging unfair labor practices.

Local 688 claims the employees have a right to hand out fliers on Schnucks property. Schnucks disagrees and contends the employees  whether they are union or not  have to follow a solicitation policy that required permission from store managers before they can hand out fliers. The policy was recently changed to prohibit solicitors of any kind.

After an investigation, the NLRB issued a complaint in late June alleging Schnucks denial of access to store property and ejection of an employee from an Alton Schnucks store while wearing a union T-shirt interfered with or restrained employees in the exercise of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. The NLRB is an independent federal agency that enforces labor laws.

At a two-day trial held Tuesday and Wednesday in downtown St. Louis, lawyers for Schnucks, the union and the NLRBs office of the General Counsel questioned union representatives and Schnucks employees about encounters between union members and store managers during five months of protests and handbilling.

Union members began handbilling outside the entrances of Schnucks stores in April after the grocery chain announced it planned to terminate the employment of about 200 union warehouse workers in Bridgeton, in addition to some managers, when it opened a new warehouse in nearby Kinloch. The jobs were outsourced to a third-party logistic provider that employs nonunion workers. The Teamsters union, which has nearly 7,000 members, called for a boycott of Schnucks stores in June as the labor dispute intensified.

Local 688 business representative Mike Schlueter, a former 27-year Schnucks warehouse employee, testified Tuesday that he participated in handbilling with Schnucks employees more than 100 times since April. Store managers repeatedly told handbillers to leave the premises before calling police. These folks are employees of Schnucks and have the right to be on the property, Schlueter testified.

At times, store managers exhibited intimidating behavior to the union members and representatives, Schlueter said, describing a female Schnucks manager in St. Charles County who told me she was going to physically remove me from the property, he testified, adding, I told her she should rethink that.

Richard Klug, a 22-year warehouseman at Schnucks Bridgeton warehouse, testified that Schnucks had notified him that his job would be terminated in either September or October as part of the shift to the Kinloch facility.

On April 24, Klug testified that during his nonwork hours, he visited a Schnucks in Alton while wearing an orange union T-shirt with a message referring to Schnucks as the greediest stores in town, a play on the Schnucks motto the friendliest stores in town. Klug testified that while shopping, a store manager told Klug that his shirt was a form of protest and that he had to leave the property.

On the stand, Thomas Moore, co-manager of the Alton Schnucks store, disputed Klugs account and said he had told Klug he could continue to shop if he turned his shirt inside out.

Was the tone of your conversation threatening? Schnucks attorney Kevin McLaughlin asked Moore.

No, it was really calm, Moore testified, adding that he had never called police to have Klug removed.

Other witnesses Schnucks called included Ryan Cuba, Schnucks chief store merchant, who testified that the chains solicitation policy is designed to minimize disruptions to customers and to create a safe shopping environment. Cuba said Schnucks stores used the area immediately outside the entrances and exits to sell hanging baskets, pumpkins and other merchandise.

We have received customer complaints, Cuba said about the handbillers presence at the doors.

Union members testified that after they were told by police at multiple stores to leave Schnucks property, they moved to public areas such as sidewalks near stores. However, those areas were less effective because there was less foot traffic, they said.

People dont want to stop when theyre driving 20 mph to get an informational piece of paper, Klug testified.

In opening remarks Wednesday, McLaughlin, Schnucks attorney, said the company had legitimate business reasons for its solicitation policy. We believe the evidence will support the company did not violate any provisions of the (National Labor Relations Act), he said.

A decision on the case, held at the Robert A. Young Federal Building, is not expected this week.

Among those observing the trial was Dan Garrick, 41, of Florissant, who has worked at the Schnucks warehouse in Bridgeton for 12 years and was notified by Schnucks that he will be among those laid off in coming weeks.

The CEOs dont care about employees anymore, Garrick said. I have a 16-year-old son in high school and I guess Ill collect unemployment or hopefully find something else. I dont know what Im going to do. I never thought Id be in this position.

The long-running dispute with the warehouse workers comes amid Schnucks contract talks with another union, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 655, which represents thousands of Schnucks cashiers and other front-of-store employees. Local 655s contract with Schnucks expired in May and has been extended until a new contract is signed.

Solicitation ban

Schnucks enacted a new policy in late August that banned all solicitors at its stores, a decision that drew outcry from charitable groups, including the Salvation Army, that have sought donations at the chain for decades.

Union officials say Schnucks solicitation ban was prompted by the allegations of unfair labor practices. In an emailed statement this week, Schnucks spokesman Paul Simon said the union issue was not related to the policy change.

We moved our donation programs and our support of area nonprofits from the store front to our successful My Schnucks Card (eScrip) program, Simon said.

The solicitation by nonprofit groups in front of Schnucks stores was a point of discussion during this weeks NLRB trial.

Youd agree Salvation Army and Girl Scouts sashes are different than what youre wearing, McLaughlin asked witness James Barrett, a union warehouseman at Schnucks Bridgeton facility who testified he wore union T-shirts while handbilling as many as 50 times this year.

I do not have a Girl Scout sash, Barrett replied.
Sometimes people complain that theater isnt fun.

These people need to see A Gentlemans Guide to Love & Murder, the blithe treat that opened Tuesday at the Fox Theatre.

If that doesnt make them change their minds, nothing will.

Set in London in 1909, this show comes loaded with theatrical plusses: a gorgeous and inventive set, comic songs, sight gags and dry wit, plus a slew of talented performers.

At the forefront stands John Rapson, playing many hilariously disagreeable characters. They are all members of the aristocratic DYsquith family  and they stand between our hero, a forgotten DYsquith named Monty Navarro (Kevin Massey), and his chance at a title and a fortune.

Whats Monty to do but kill everyone in his way?

That sounds a little like Sweeney Todd, but Gentlemans Guide has a light, deft touch, thanks to creators Robert L. Freedman (book and lyrics) and Steven Lutvak (music and lyrics). Several of their songs  I Dont Understand the Poor, (Its) Better With a Man, Poison in My Pocket  owe as much to parodist Tom Lehrer as to the legends of musical theater.

True, the songs might be even more enjoyable if every word were clear  but we can catch enough, and sight gags fill in the rest.

The shows success also owes a lot to Rapson, who, prior to those repeated deaths, delivers one loony DYsquith after another.

Its impossible to pick a favorite. But any show with jokes about Hedda Gabler (as played by the grand Lady Salome DYsquith Pumphrey) and a socially inept beekeeper gives Rapson room to shine. As he portrays different characters, he actually seems to shrink and grow as needed. Talk about range!

Massey doesnt have as much latitude as Rapson, but hes a charmer who makes us root for the bad guy. Ive Decided To Marry You, Montys song with the two beautiful ladies in his life (Kristen Beth Williams as sophisticated Sibella, Adrienne Eller as pure-hearted Phoebe), shows off Masseys limber dancing and comic timing to delightful effect.

One more thing ties it all together: The shows look. Scenic designer Alexander Dodge creates a kind of life-size puppet theater for the actors, full of surprises (portraits that turn into singing faces, door frames that suggest rooms where there are none). The projections designer, Aaron Rhyne, augments the set with witty effects that take us where only movies used to go. Linda Cho designed the pretty, and pretty funny, costumes.

Gentlemans Guide won the 2014 Tony Award for best musical, as well as the Tony for best director of a musical, which went to Darko Tresnjak. (Cho won a Tony, too.) That was for the Broadway run, of course. But the tour show at the Fox wears those laurels in style.
Around a century ago, you could purchase military-grade weapons on a picturesque island located in the Hudson River, not far from Manhattan.

The uninhabited, 6.5-acre rock-heavy island, called Pollepel, has suffered from its fair share of explosions, fire, and neglect. It's best known for its ruined castles, which were home to Francis Bannerman and his massive military surplus business, all housed on the island for decades and still spotted by those on passing MetroNorth trains. But before all that Pollepel Island was home to Native Americans, colonial trappers, smugglers, traders and prostitutes. Some of whom believed the island to be haunted.

A recent art installation by Melissa McGill, called Constellation, is running through next year, and is meant to highlight Native American ties to the island. The Lenape were the tribe indigenous to the area, and McGill was determined to incorporate their relationship with the island into her project. When she sat down with Hadrien Coumans, a director at the Lenape Center, and showed him a rough sketch of the project she envisioned, he immediately turned to her and said, Youre making Opi Temakan. Opi Temakan is the Lenape word for white road or milky way, a term for the path which connects our world to the next. From that early meeting on, Coumans and McGill worked closely in developing the project, which aims to create a bridge between the Lenape history and that of the Bannerman era.

The installation itself is composed of 17 LED fixtures atop metal poles which blink to life as the sun sets. This man-made constellation peeks through the crumbling ruins of Bannerman Castle and blends seamlessly with the night sky. The poles are painted to blend with their surroundings, and as the light fades the lights become indistinguishable from the real stars around it. The water, the island, and the looming ruins of Bannerman castle are as much a part of the project as the light fixtures themselves.

The project is subtle, and can be seen best from a boat circling the islandhere it is on a recent trip just after sunset:



The installation as seen from the ferry, more in the gallery above. (Chris Jones/Gothamist)

Since the American Revolution, there have been five owners of the island: William Van Wyck of Fishkill, Mary G. Taft of Cornwall, Francis Bannerman of Brooklyn, and The Jackson Hole Preserve (Rockefeller Foundation), which donated the island to the people of the State of New York. It's Bannerman who brought the castle structures to the island, which set it apart from any other in the Hudson.

Francis Bannerman was a Scottish immigrant to New York, and ran that aforementioned military surplus business, which was forced out of its 501 Broadway address in the early 1900s given the danger of storing ammunition in a storefront. Once on the island, he designed a castle and separate living residence stylized after his memories of castles in Scotland.

About ten years after he purchased the island, some stored ammunition exploded in the castle, but the business kept going after some rebuilding.

"[In] the late 1950s... the Castle was cleared of military surplus and live munitions were deactivated. Although a mishap or two occurred during the years of active operation, including the powder house explosion of 1920, it was not until after the State of New York purchased the Island in 1967 and a fire of undetermined origin in 1969 that the buildings fell into their present state of ruin."



Bannerman's Island, circa 1918. F2011.33.2136E. (Curt Teich & Co. Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York)

The New York State Parks Department started giving tours in 1968. The following year, however, a fire took out the floors and roof of the castle, and the island was made off-limits to the public... but not for good. The Bannerman Trust Foundation began a ferry service and tours of the island in the 2007, and locals had been visiting through that service (or on canoes and kayaks) ever since.

According to the Wall Street Journal, by 2014 the castle had "experienced a string of calamities since it was built in the early 1900s," more recently suffering from damage brought on by storms. Trustees have been trying to preserve the ruins, and Neil Caplan, founder of Bannerman Castle Trust, told them: "We're doing our best to save what we've got and keep going. For a little not-for-profit, we're like the little engine that could."

How to get there: While some of the walls have been stabilized, the Bannerman Castle Trust is always accepting donations so they can do more work, and the most fun way to contribute is by visiting. They host a variety of tours (walking, self-guided, or via kayak or ferry) through the end of October, as well a series of events (calendar here). From NYC, you'll need to get yourself to Beacon (kayak or passenger boat), Cold Spring (kayak), Cornwall-on-Hudson (kayak), or Newburgh (passenger boat) via MetroNorth. Tickets to get to the island cost around $35.

Additional reporting by Chris Jones.
HAZELWOOD  A Hazelwood police officer injured in a rollover crash in August was flown Wednesday to Colorado for medical treatment at the same facility treating Ballwin Officer Mike Flamion, who was shot in July.

Hazelwood officer Craig Tudor will be flown to the Colorado facility, according to a GoFundMe page set up on his behalf by the Hazelwood Police Department's Benevolent Association. The facility was not named in the post.

First responders were stationed on some of the overpasses along his route to Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield Wednesday morning.

Tudor, 37, was responding to an emergency call when his patrol car collided with another vehicle Aug. 25.

Tudor was westbound on Dunn Road near Interstate 270 with emergency lights and siren activated when an eastbound driver tried to make a left turn into the Village Square Shopping Center and struck the driver's side of Tudor's car.

His vehicle traveled off the right side of the road, struck an embankment and overturned. Tudor was pulled out of the vehicle and airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

Tudor is an 11-year veteran of the Hazelwood police force.
UPDATED at 9:30 a.m. Thursday with more details.

ST. LOUIS  Police believe a Laclede Cab driver discovered dead inside his taxi in the Central West End had been shot about seven to eight hours earlier during a robbery.

GPS data from the vehicle showed that the driver, Timothy Grice, 38, had parked his taxi in the 4900 block of Laclede Avenue just east of Kingshighway between the 2 and 3 a.m. Wednesday, according to Chief Sam Dotson.

At about 10 a.m., someone reported to police that a cab had been parked there for an extended period of time. Police then found Grice fatally shot in the head. His cellphone was missing, Dotson said.

Grice lived in the 4900 block of South Grand Boulevard.

Mary Nelton, a cashier at Laclede Cab for 11 years, spoke kindly of Grice. She said drivers were upset after learning of his death.

He was a very nice man, Nelton said. He was always very friendly.

She said drivers had no set shifts and kept their cabs 24 hours a day.

Rosetta Frazier, 74, lives in the same apartment building as Grice. She said she was shocked by the news. She used to sit at her window and watch as he walked his dog and came and went.

He was a friendly guy, Frazier said. He was a very, very nice guy. He was always pleasant and polite.

Christine Byers of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
DUPO  Melody Day spent most of the past 26 years searching for clues to find her missing mother  and collecting records and online information that might someday help identify a body, if it came to that.

On Tuesday, she said she was disappointed to learn that the key to the mystery had been sitting unnoticed in a Missouri Highway Patrol file.

In 2010, Day had learned from a Facebook posting that the decomposing body of a woman who apparently was beaten to death, had been found Aug. 26, 1990, in a secluded area of Pike County, Mo. That was the same month her mother, Cynthia Day, 38, was last seen.

There were similarities. Both women had hysterectomies, for example, and similar jewelry, body size and hair color.

Melody Day believed it was her mother. But she and her sister, Kimberly Day, both of Dupo, were told by Pike County sheriffs officials there was no way to be sure.

DNA testing was available but not as common in 1990. And there was no tissue left to test, because the victims bones had been boiled to preserve them and accommodate an attempt at facial reconstruction.

The women feared they would never know for sure. But the Facebook friend with the original posting called the Missouri Highway Patrol on July 26, asking investigators to see if there was anything available to help. It turned out, there was.

Pike County Sheriff Stephen Korte said Tuesday that an overlooked single thumbprint was discovered in Highway Patrol files, unbeknownst to his investigators.

A match was confirmed with an Illinois misdemeanor arrest file, and the sisters were told Monday. They said it felt like a slap in the face.

We told them to look for fingerprints, said Melody Day, 44, in an interview at her home Tuesday. And all this time, this thumbprint has been sitting there.

The family had kept faith of finding Cynthia Day, or her remains. Melody Days daughter, Kimiel Day, named her 7-year-old daughter Kimia Faith Louise  Louise for Cynthia Days middle name and Faith for the hope they held.

For it to be solved simply by a fingerprint leaves you astounded, Kimiel Day said Tuesday. Its crazy.

Korte said problems with the case track back to failure of police in the now-defunct Metro East stockyard village of National City, at the edge of East St. Louis, to record a missing-person report.

He said that made her disappearance invisible to Pike County detectives as they tried to identify the body.

The sheriff said the identification of Days remains will help the investigation, and that police have a person of interest.

Since the Day sisters came to his department six years ago, Korte said, his officers have researched the latest forensic technology and talked with specialists. He said he is unsure why the fingerprint never made it to his agency from the Highway Patrol.

We assumed we had everything they had in our case file, Korte said. I spoke to the lead investigator we had on the case and he said he didnt know that a print even existed.

Melody Day said her Facebook friend had queried the patrol directly, knowing it keeps fingerprint records.

The sisters frustration has been featured in the past in the Post-Dispatch and on TVs Dateline and the Discovery Channel, as well as other media.

They believe their mothers bones are still in a forensic lab in Colorado. The family plans to have them cremated, and to divide the ashes among them.

Kimberly Day, 42, is struggling with the transition from having a missing mother to a murdered mother.

Its like Ive got to start life over, she said, tears welling in her eyes. You get used to people saying, Oh, shes just missing, and youre living off that hope. Now youre not living off that hope.

The sisters last saw their mother Aug. 10, 1990. Kimberly took her newborn son and Melody, then a recent high school graduate, to a motel in Fairmont City where Cynthia Day lived with a boyfriend. They said she spoke of leaving him.

When they returned several days later, their mother and the boyfriend were gone.

The boyfriend later told police he saw Cynthia Day get into a truck in National City. It was a known prostitution stroll. The daughters have heard that their mother may have been a prostitute and drug abuser.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Highway Patrols Division of Drug and Crime Control at 636-300-2800 or the sheriffs office at 573-342-3202.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due an an editing error, an earlier version of this story misstated availability of DNA testing in 1990.
BERKELEY  A student found a loaded handgun in a bathroom at Berkeley Middle School on Tuesday morning.

The student found the gun on a toilet paper dispenser in a boys' bathroom shortly before 9:30 a.m., said Kevin Hampton, a spokesperson with the Ferguson-Florissant School District.

The student notified school administrators and security officials, who immediately went to the bathroom to recover the gun, Hampton said. Officials discovered the gun was loaded.

Administrators notified parents of the incident but did not send students home early or change the regular class schedule because there was no danger present to students after the gun was secured, Hampton said.

Berkeley police were working with school officials to investigate how the gun got into the school. Officials were reviewing surveillance footage Tuesday.

Hampton said any student responsible faces possible expulsion.

A McCluer High School student was arrested in August after officials found a loaded gun in his bag. The school is also part of the Ferguson-Florissant district.
UPDATED at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday with name of woman

ST. LOUIS  Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman Monday night in the Central West End neighborhood.

Police on Wednesday identified the victim as Monica Shaw, 54, of the 4100 block of Enright Avenue.

Shaw was shot in the 400 block of North Sarah Street, near Olive Street, shortly before 11 p.m. Monday, police say. The area is near the northeast boundary of the city's Central West End neighborhood.

Police found Shaw on the ground, unconscious and not breathing; she was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police have no suspects in her death.

Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting. Authorities asked anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
Updated 7:00 p.m.:

Missouri Senate lawmakers voted Wednesday to override Gov. Jay Nixons veto of the legislation that would eliminate permit requirements to conceal and carry a firearm.

Democrats who expressed fear that the bill would put weapons in the hands of those previously denied permits debated the bill at length, but in the end, the override was approved by a 24-6 vote.

Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a University City Democrat who spoke against the bill during debate, was not in the chamber when the vote was called, as Senate Republicans used a procedural maneuver to halt the two-hour debate.

The package at hand also included a lifetime concealed carry permit and added provisions for a stand your ground law in Missouri, giving people the legal right to defend themselves if they feel threatened.

Nixon has said the bill would make the state less safe and take power away from local law enforcement, who under current law issue permits to citizens who have completed a firearm safety training course and passed a background check.

Getting weapons without training raised a red flag even for gun-friendly Democrats.

I dont think its a burden to take an eight-hour course to understand the dos and the donts, the shoulds and the shouldnts, of carrying a loaded firearm, said Sen. Jason Holsman, a Kansas City Democrat who waved his own concealed carry permit while speaking on the Senate floor.

Sponsoring Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, said the bill would give law-abiding Missourians the right to conceal and carry in places that already allow permitless open carry.

Sen. Robert Dixon, R-Springfield, voted for the bill and expressed support on the floor, but questioned if its initial passage was rushed, before concerns could be raised.

"Wouldnt it be better for us to bring things before this body sooner than the last day of session?" Dixon asked.

The measure now heads to the House for consideration.

Earlier:

Missouri lawmakers have overridden Gov. Jay Nixons veto of a bill that would require Missourians to present photo identification before voting.

Similar to other laws around the country, its reflective of a broader ideological divide between Democrats and Republicans on voter access. GOP lawmakers argue the bill would prevent voter fraud, but their Democratic colleagues said it was an expensive solution in search of a problem.

But recent problems with absentee ballots in St. Louis  which have led to a special election being held in the 78th House District  served as fuel for supporters of the proposal in both chambers, who pointed to the incident as evidence voters should prove their identity before casting votes.

I couldnt even tell you who the candidates are, I dont know, but theres obviously a problem, said Sen. Robert Dixon, R-Springfield.

Sponsoring Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee's Summit, maintained the bill was a common sense measure that would prevent impersonation at the polls, encouraging his colleagues to vote for an override after seeing these injustices happening in our election cycle.

Democrats fought against that argument. Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a University City Democrat, lamented Republicans who will use the incident to campaign for voter ID through commercials and fliers in rural and conservative areas.

It is not accurate for you to say to this body that having a photo ID would have eliminated the issue of absentee voter fraud, she said to Kraus. (This bill) is not solving anything whatsoever. Not anything.  This bill, in my belief, is a definite step backwards. What we should be promoting is inclusion and activism for all people.

Sen. Jamilah Nasheed of St. Louis also slammed Kraus for not reading the judges ruling in the 78th District case, though he pointed to new election this Friday while pushing for the legislation.

The real fraud is this bill itself, Nasheed said.

The measure is tied to a voter referendum clause, where voters will be asked to weigh in on the proposals constitutionality in November. The bill lawmakers overrode Wednesday lays out how the system would be implemented if voters approve the plan. If they do, the requirement goes into effect in 2017.

After more than two hours of debate, Republicans used a procedural maneuver, known as a motion to the previous question, to end debate and vote on the bill. It was overridden with a 24-7 vote.

Earlier:

Yoga classes and dance studios will be exempt from state sales taxes under legislation approved by the House and Senate Wednesday.

With little comment, the House Wednesday overrode Gov. Jay Nixons veto of Senate Bill 1025 on a 124-31 vote. It earlier moved through the Senate on a mostly bipartisan 29-2 vote.

Nixon had warned lawmakers that approving the tax break could hurt the states bottom-line at a time when he already has pared $115 million from the $27 billion spending blueprint because of a lag in revenues.

Earlier:

The Missouri Senate on Wednesday voted to override Gov. Jay Nixons veto of a proposal that would allow Medicaid providers to impose a missed appointment fee on MO HealthNet patients who miss or fail to cancel 24 hours in advance.

MO HealthNet is the name of Missouris Medicaid system, and this measure is part of a larger overhaul of state Medicaid rules. Under the bill, patients are charged $5 for the first missed appointment, $10 for the second and $20 for the third.

It allows providers to refuse to schedule new appointments until the fees are paid, and it also allows them to waive fees altogether, or elect not to charge them.

Supporters contend the bill will help prevent lost time and revenue to Medicaid providers, but Democrats argued it put an unfair burden on patients, particular those who are disabled or mentally ill, who may have a difficult time keeping track of appointments or who may rely on caregivers to get to the doctor.

Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, also said it failed to take into account emergencies that can happen due to things like inclement weather or mishaps with public transportation.

You need to know a day in advance that youre going to have a problem tomorrow morning, Schupp said. I dont think punishment is the way.

The debate grew heated when Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, called Republicans despicable for saying the bill would help people with chronic illness keep their appointments and stay healthier. She said those with those concerns should consider Medicaid expansion.

Efforts to expand Medicaid in Missouri have continually stalled in the state Legislature, which has GOP supermajorities in both chambers.

Acknowledging that supermajority, Nasheed said we can continue as long as we are in this chamber to be a voice for the voiceless.

The Senate sent the bill to the House on a 24-7 vote. Breaking party lines, Sen. Will Kraus, a Republican from Lees Summit, voted against an override. He ran unsuccessfully to be the GOP candidate for secretary of state this year. Sen. Jason Holsman, a Democrat from Kansas City, voted in favor of override.

Earlier:

The Missouri House has overridden Gov. Jay Nixons veto of legislation that would give farming and mining companies a larger say in the states water policies.

On a 111-46 vote, the measure altering the membership of the Clean Water Commission now heads to the Senate for further debate.

At issue for Nixon was a change that would limit the number of members of the public on the commission to no more than four, while at least two members would have to come from the agriculture and mining industries.

In short, the Democratic governor said, it would allow the commission to work without any members of the general public.

Rep. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, said future governors could name members who represent industries that pollute.

It removes a lot of the citizen input, McCreery said. We would be saying it is okay for the public to not have any input on clean water.

It kind of reminds me of the fox guarding the hen house, added Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Kirkwood.

But Rep. Tim Remole, a Macon County Republican, said the proposal will make the commission more equitable when it comes to farming issues.

This is to make a balance, Remole said.

House Bill 1713 was introduced in response to a decision by the commission last year to stop a large animal feeding lot in Grundy County.

The hog farm would have generated 90 tons of manure a year.

Updated at 1:50 p.m.

The House fell nine votes short Wednesday in an attempt to override Gov. Jay Nixons veto of a measure that would allow trucking companies to test special technology to reduce fuel costs.

Under House Bill 1733, trucking firms would have been able to use a wireless system to tether two trucks together. The truck in the rear position would presumably save gas by having the first truck cut through the air in front of it, while also controlling for speed and braking.

Nixon vetoed the legislation citing safety concerns. He suggested one of the trucks might not have a driver. But, supporters said Nixons concerns were unwarranted.

This has nothing to do with driverless trucks, said Rep. Charlie Davis, R-Webb City, who sponsored the plan.

Not enough of Davis colleagues agreed. House Bill 1733 needed 109 votes to move on to the Senate, but received only 100.

Earlier:

Republicans in the Missouri House Wednesday overrode Gov. Jay Nixons veto of legislation requiring voters to have a photo ID in order to vote.

The measure now goes to the Senate for further debate. It earlier was approved in that chamber with a veto-proof Republican majority.

Under the legislation, a voter without a photo ID could still vote if they sign a document. Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, said it would be unfair to make elderly and minority voters jump through extra hoops on Election Day.

The GOP-led push in Missouri comes as voter ID legislation in other states has been struck down by various state and federal courts.

Rep. Justin Alferman, R-Hermann, who sponsored the legislation, said provisions in House Bill 1631 will make it easier and cheaper to vote by promising to give voters free identification cards.

Under this bill, not a single Missouri voter will be disenfranchised, Alferman said.

Rep. Stacey Newman, D-Richmond Heights, said the measure also is expensive because it would cost an estimated $17 million.

Alferman said it would ensure elections stay clean at a time when voter fraud issues are swirling in St. Louis, where a special election is being held in the 78th House District after questions were raised about absentee ballot procedures.

Why are we so naive to think that it is not happening with in-person voter fraud? Alferman said.

The legislation is one piece of a two-step process at aimed bringing voter photo ID to the state.

In November, voters will have their chance to say if they want to put the requirements into law.

If the ballot initiative is adopted, the requirement would go into effect in 2017.

Earlier:

The Missouri Senate began veto session by voting to override Nixons veto of two bills  one that would exempt instructional classes offered at businesses like dance studios from the state sales tax and another that change the process for determining who is liable for damage caused by escaped livestock.

The veto of the first measure, sponsored by Republican Sen. Will Kraus of Lees Summit, was overridden on a 29-2 vote - not entirely unexpected, as it was overwhelmingly approved by both chambers.

Nixons concerns over the bill centered over lost tax revenue.

Places of amusement and recreation have always been subject to this particular tax, he said in his veto message, adding that it would further erode the tax base without requiring the creation of a single job.

Senate lawmakers engaged in a lively debate over the livestock bill, with some expressing concern that it would unfairly shift the burden away from farmers and animal owners. Under the measure, those seeking damages caused by escaped livestock would have to prove in court that its owner was negligent.

The Senate voted to override 24-7. The bills, SB 1024 and SB 844, are now headed to the House for a vote.

Earlier:

As she had promised, State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed kept her seat Wednesday while her Senate colleagues kicked off the veto session with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Nasheed, an African-American lawmaker from St. Louis, said she staged a protest in solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial oppression in the United States.

The pledge of allegiance and the national anthem stand not just for what America is, but for what it should be, Nasheed said in a statement Wednesday, saying she sat to bring attention to the injustices of police brutality, poverty, voter suppression, mass incarceration and more.

The pledge is traditionally recited before the Missouri Senate gavels into session, along with a prayer. Nasheed stood for the prayer but sat down as the pledge began.

Nasheed acknowledged to the Post-Dispatch previously that the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem are not the same, but that it represents the same when it comes to black people in America.

Minutes later, Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, a Republican, issued a statement saying he was saddened by Nasheed's choice to sit during the pledge because the pledge represented unity.

"There is no question of the senators right to remain seated during the Pledge, but its a question of the propriety of her action. I worry about the example she is setting, particularly for our young people," Kinder said. "I believe our best hope for tackling the tough issues of racial unity and economic opportunity is through the shared commitment to the principles and ideals that make America great."

Earlier:

JEFFERSON CITY  The House and Senate convene at noon Wednesday to consider whether to override Gov. Jay Nixons vetoes of 20 bills.

Tops among the proposed laws up for debate are a measure that would loosen state gun laws and a proposal requiring voters to show photo identification when they go to the polls.

Other measures that could come up in this election-year veto session include three tax breaks that Nixon says would blow a $60 million hole in the budget and legislation that would allow doctors to charge late fees for Medicaid patients who miss appointments.

The firearms legislation would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a background check or gun safety training. It also would expand a stand your ground provision allowing people to use a weapon if they feel threatened.

Law enforcement groups and police chiefs have sided with Nixon, a Democrat, and panned the measure, saying it will make Missouri less safe.

Two-thirds of the Legislature needs to vote yes to override. Republicans have enough votes to do that in both chambers.

The voter ID proposal championed by GOP lawmakers was criticized by Nixon and groups representing senior citizens and minorities as a way to suppress Democratic voter turnout.
Story updated at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday to include comments from Election Board chairman Erwin Switzer.

ST. LOUIS  A heated confrontation involving a candidates daughter. Unauthorized entries into a polling site. An improperly appointed poll challenger.

These are among the new details contained in documents obtained from the St. Louis Election Board and interviews concerning the now-negated Democratic primary for the 78th District Missouri House seat.

For weeks, debate surrounding the Aug. 2 Democratic Primary has focused on irregularities in absentee voting, some of which were featured in an Aug. 31 Post-Dispatch report. But the information gathered by the newspaper suggests that members of state Rep. Penny Hubbards family were seen on Election Day in or near two polling places. State law bans electioneering within 25 feet of the door of a polling place.

In one instance, Hubbards husband, Rodney Hubbard Sr., a candidate for Fifth Ward committeeman, parked his Mercedes in the grass a few feet from the entrance of a polling site at the Carr Square Tenant Management Corp. and watched voters come and go, two campaign workers say.

Hubbard is the executive director of the association, a low-income housing complex in north St. Louis.

Penny Hubbard defeated Bruce Franks Jr. in the Aug. 2 race, but a judge tossed out the results earlier this month after ruling that the Election Board had mishandled absentee ballots.

A do-over election is scheduled for Friday.

A recent records request from the newspaper produced a handwritten report from a roving deputy employed by the Election Board. The report states that Penny Hubbards daughter, St. Louis Fifth Ward Alderman Tammika Hubbard, arrived at the Downtown Patrick Henry Academy on Election Day with two men who were somewhat intimidating.

The report says that Tammika Hubbard had supposedly reprimanded an Election Board employee who had been in an argument with a poll challenger for the Hubbard campaign, pointing her finger in (her) face & calling her a bitch.

Under state law, campaigns can station their own poll challengers inside polling places to register objections when they believe elections statutes have been violated.

According to documents obtained by the newspaper, the argument between the Hubbard poll challenger and Election Board poll manager Shirley Conway began because the challenger initially refused to display her credentials and sign an oath that she would not reveal the vote count before the close of polls. Such a pledge is required by state law.

In an interview with the Post-Dispatch, Conway said another issue also contributed to the confrontation.

She was looking all on the (voting) machines, Conway said. I was telling her she couldnt do that.

Conway declined to elaborate and referred additional questions to the Election Board.

Another report from the Election Board said the challenger came in with an attitude because she was a family member of the Hubbards. Its not clear who authored that report, but another board record indicates it likely came from another roving deputy.

Tammika Hubbard arrived with two bodyguard types, according to a third board report.

State law forbids anyone from entering a polling site who isnt registered to vote there, with few exceptions: credentialed media and challengers, poll workers and judges, minor children accompanying voters, and law enforcement officers.

Tammika Hubbards polling site is more than half a mile west at the Carr Square Community Center, according to records at the Missouri secretary of states office.

Tammika Hubbard declined to comment for this story, saying on Twitter that she was focusing on her mothers new election for the 78th District House seat that is scheduled for Friday.

Poll challenger

The Election Boards reports also reveal that the poll challenger from the Hubbard campaign was Penny Hubbards granddaughter Errianna Washington.

Under state law, poll challengers have to meet the same criteria as election judges. Specifically, they cannot be second-degree relatives, such as a granddaughter.

When St. Louis Election Board Democratic Director Mary Wheeler-Jones heard about the incident involving Tammika Hubbard and the two men in the polling place, she called Mr. Hubbard to tell him that his family was not allowed in the polling site unless they were voting, according to a board report.

Asked by email on Tuesday afternoon whether Mr. Hubbard was Rodney Hubbard Sr., and why Wheeler-Jones contacted him rather than his daughter, board members and employees did not respond Tuesday night. Early Wednesday morning, Erwin Switzer, chairman of the Election Board, sent the Post-Dispatch an email, saying that a response by the newspaper's deadline was not possible due to the demands of preparing for the Friday election. He also said that since the newspaper's inquiry includes "legal questions," the board would first want to talk with its attorney, David Sweeney, who is out of town.

"We can assure you we are doing everything in our power to ensure that Friday's election occurs without some of the issues that occurred in the August primary," Switzer wrote.

Bob Hilgemann, chairman of the St. Louis Democratic Party Central Committee, said he learned only Monday about the problems with the poll challenger. He said the Election Board told him it would not allow Hubbard family members to work as poll challengers in Fridays election.

As committee chairman, Hilgemann signs an affidavit on each poll challengers credentials affirming that each individual is qualified and aware of the state law relating to challengers. He acknowledged that he doesnt always ask whether a challenger is related to a candidate.

Hilgemann said in the future, he would ask challengers to sign an affidavit themselves to affirm they understand the law. For Fridays election, he said, he personally researched each poll challengers background.

I made absolutely certain that nobody is a relative, Hilgemann said. Theres like eight or nine challenger/watchers.

Election Day

On Aug. 2, two supporters of a slate of candidates that included Franks were campaigning outside the polling place at the Carr Square Community Center. Another granddaughter of Penny Hubbard walked into the center with her children, all wearing Hubbard T-shirts, the campaign workers said. State law forbids campaign advertisements inside polling locations.

Maud Essen, one of the workers, said her colleague took pictures of Hubbards granddaughter and her kids. Other Hubbard campaign workers were in the area. She said she overheard one of them say: Some guy took a photograph, so hes going to come.

Then Rodney Hubbard Sr. arrived in a black Mercedes.

Everyone was scared, Essen said. He walked around talking to the different groups of people. Everybody just stood around waiting for him to talk to them.

Hubbard walked in and out of the polling site several times, she said. After about a half-hour, he climbed back into the Mercedes. Essen thought Hubbard was about to leave. Instead he drove onto the lawn a few feet away from the entrance.

I believe it was within 25 feet of the front door, Essen said. He points the front of the car at the sidewalk so that he can sit in air-conditioned comfort and watch all the people going in and out of the Carr Square Community Center.

In one picture provided to the Post-Dispatch, the black Mercedes is parked on the grass near the centers entrance. The drivers-side door is open. A man stands behind the glass doors just inside the center. He appears to be wearing a fedora, jeans and a black T-shirt.

On the back of the shirt, Essen remembered, were white capital letters spelling out a title: THE GENERAL.
JEFFERSON CITY  Backers of a Republican-led plan to loosen Missouris gun laws say they are confident theyll be able to override Gov. Jay Nixons veto of the measure during the Legislatures veto session Wednesday.

Senate Bill 656 would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. It was a priority for the GOP caucuses in the most recent legislative session. The package also included a lifetime concealed carry permit and added provisions for a stand your ground law in Missouri, giving people the legal right to defend themselves if they feel threatened.

Nixon, a Democrat, said last week that ultimately, the state would be less safe if his veto of the measure was overridden.

The firearms changes are among a handful of vetoes lawmakers are expected to debate on Wednesday. A proposal to require voters to produce photo identification at the polls is on tap for what could be a lengthy discussion.

Republicans control both the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities.

The gun measure passed in the Senate 24-8, and was approved by the House in a 114-36 vote, where three Democrats voted in favor of the bill and six Republicans were absent. To override Nixons veto, supporters need 109 votes in the House and 23 votes in the Senate.

That shouldnt be a problem, sponsoring Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield, said, because concerns that have been voiced by the Democratic governor since the end of session were debated at length when lawmakers first voted on the bill.

The same objections Gov. Nixon brought up, we were able to argue against them. So I would have been concerned if the governor had any new information that had been brought to light, or if there were any technical errors with the bill, Burlison said. In this case, there arent any.

But Nixon isnt the only one with objections. The bill also has been denounced by law enforcement groups, including the Missouri Police Chiefs Association and the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, who say that the consequences of the bill could be dangerous.

Make no mistake, we are staunch supporters of the Second Amendment, said Missouri FOP President Kevin Ahlbrand in a letter to the governor. We feel, however, that the enactment of SB 656, specifically the allowance of giving anyone not currently prohibited from possessing a firearm the ability to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, will cost not only citizen lives but will also be extremely dangerous to law enforcement officers.

Domestic violence concerns

Under current law, a person interested in getting a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Missouri must first submit to a criminal background check and complete a gun safety training course. Then, local sheriffs can issue permits to anyone with a clean record and no history of mental illness.

Burlison said that process was costly and infringed on Missourians constitutional right to defend themselves and their families.

So we currently have a situation where we make it difficult and expensive for people who want to express that right, Burlison said. Ive said before, we would find it appalling if we required citizens to pay a heavy fee, an expensive fee, and take classes in order to express their right to pray  or to vote.

Nixon has been vocal about the need for that training and background check, particularly for the safety of domestic violence victims.

Youve had thousands of permits that have been turned down by local sheriffs across our state, and I dont think its the job of Jeff City, especially after two and a half years ago we came up with a system thats working, Nixon said after speaking at the state fair last month.

In certain situations, like domestic violence and others, if a local sheriff thinks theres too much heat right now in a relationship to allow one of them to be walking around carrying (a gun) for a few months, then he ought to have the power to do that.

Colleen Coble, executive director of the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said the impact on vulnerable Missourians, such as those in abusive relationships, was not a central part of the debate around the legislation.

This is not about the full realm of belief about Second Amendment rights, but about the point of agreement about those who have been violent against family members and their partners have forfeited those rights, Coble said.

If the Legislature chooses to sustain the veto, then the few elements in Missouri law remain to protect domestic violence abusers from having firearms, Coble added. If the veto is overridden, theres serious work to be done in January to ensure domestic violence victims arent in danger, she said.

Rep. Stacey Newman, D-Richmond Heights, who has sponsored stalled gun violence prevention bills, said that in an otherwise banner year for domestic violence prevention  the Legislature passed several protective measures for victims in its most recent session  there was a dichotomy between that work and the push for SB 656.

It tells you the power the gun lobby has on state legislatures, she said.

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund recently launched a statewide ad in Missouri, featuring a woman who defended herself against a violent attack with a firearm.

Gov. Nixon is blocking legislation guaranteeing your right to defend yourself, says a narrator in the ad.

Burlison said that there had been misinformation about the bill and that plenty of people would still undergo training for permits, particularly if they want to conceal and carry in other states and certain parts of Missouri.

There are 17 locations (in Missouri) where a person is not legally allowed to carry unless they have a permit. There are many reasons why its still important for a person to get a permit, and that permitting process isnt going away, he said.

House Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, said he would be watching to see if any Democrats supported the bill in light of the endorsement Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Koster received from the NRA.

This Legislature has a pretty strong track record of protecting Second Amendment rights. I think it will be interesting if they break ranks with their candidate for governor, Richardson said.

Voter ID

Nixon also cautioned lawmakers not to override his veto of a law that would require voters to show photo identification when they go to vote.

Although voter ID laws in North Carolina, Michigan and Texas have been successfully challenged in three recent court cases, Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lees Summit, the sponsor of the measure, said he was confident there were enough votes to get the legislation on the books.

I think the bill is very well written to make sure no one is turned away without having the opportunity to vote, Kraus said.

In his veto message, Nixon said the proposed law attempted to solve a problem that didnt exist.

Missouri already has strong protections in place to prevent voter fraud, and voter impersonation fraud is an extremely rare occurrence, Nixon wrote. Putting additional and unwarranted barriers between citizens and their ability to vote is wrong and detrimental to our system of government as a whole.

In comments to reporters last week, he said the measure would unfairly target racial and ethnic minorities and elderly people.

If you dont have a government ID, you have to stand in line, away from the rest of your citizens, and youre forced to have your picture taken, Nixon said.

Kraus said the absentee voter scandal in the 78th House District that triggered a judge to order a new election was an example of how people attempted to influence elections.

Voter fraud does happen, Kraus said.

However, the allegations in the 78th District do not involve identification.

Kraus said he expected some filibustering from Democrats on Wednesday. But, he said, if the House overrides the veto, Democrats know they dont have enough votes in the Senate to block it.

I think that they understood that this was a priority for the majority party this year, Kraus said.

Richardson said he was confident the measure would make it out of the House.

Voter ID is something weve been working on for a very long time in Missouri. I anticipate well have a real strong vote of support on that, Richardson said.

Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, said the push could backfire if it instead mobilized minority voters.

This could work against the Republicans. This is a systematic attempt to disenfranchise minority voters, Nasheed said. The Republicans are going to do what they do best, which is pander to their base during the election cycle.

Tax breaks

Nixon also used his veto power in June to nix a handful of proposed changes in state tax laws.

The governor said the tax breaks could draw as much as $60 million away from important state programs.

Included is a plan to provide tax breaks for farmers who suffer losses from natural disasters, which he said could cost $50 million. Another so-called budget buster would provide a tax break for business owners who sell their company to their employees.

The measure would allow a 50 percent break in the capital gains tax for the sale of stock in a company to an employee-owned stock option program.
SHILOH  A Shiloh man won a $2 million prize from a scratchers ticket he bought at a local grocery store, the Illinois Lottery said Wednesday.

Patrick Emmerich bought the $20 ticket at the Dierbergs store at 4000 Greenmount Crossing. He scratched the ticket, revealed the prize and asked a clerk to double-check, the Illinois Lottery said in a press release. He immediately signed the back of the ticket.

"And then I stuffed the ticket down my shirt and went straight home," Emmerich told the Illinois Lottery.

Emmerich, who said he works at a factory in Belleville, told the Lottery he plans to invest, donate some money to his church, and buy a new car and trailer.

Two other $2 million tickets remain in the "$2,000,000 Extravaganza!" game.

Dierbergs gets a $20,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
CHESTERFIELD  Grading in part of a new subdivision site has been halted while a state agency reviews the discovery of old bones in freshly overturned earth, city administrator Mike Geisel said Wednesday.

Geisel said the bones might be several hundred years old.

Joe Harl, a consulting archaeologist who has frequently worked in the area, said the Chesterfield area had been the site of many Native American communities over the centuries.

The area affected is south of Wild Horse Creek Road near Deep Forest Drive. Geisel said a resident searching the area Monday evening for arrowheads had found several unearthed bones in ground recently graded to make way for new homes.

Work was halted Tuesday so state archaeologists could examine the location. Geisel called it an isolated find, and it has no effect on nearby traffic. The site is marked with orange tape to keep people out.

He said it was not on the map of the Bonhomme Creek Archaeological District, which includes sites dating back more than 4,000 years.

The bluffs have been mined for thousands of years for chert, often called flint, for arrowheads and other stone tools, Harl said.

Geisel said the state historic preservation office, part of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, would inform the city when construction could resume. Efforts to reach the department Wednesday for details were unsuccessful.
The NYPD is questioning the husband of a 45-year-old woman who was found dead late Tuesday night inside of a 2004 Nissan Maxima parked on a street corner in East New York. According to police, the unidentified woman was found inside the car at 1473 Blake Avenue after an onlooker had called 911.

According to an NYPD spokesperson, the woman's 57-year-old husband turned himself in to officers at the 78th Police Precinct in Park early Wednesday morning shortly after the woman's body was found. Sources told the Post that the man is believed to have been inside the car with the woman shortly before she was killed.

A witness initially called 911 to report seeing the married couple in the Nissan together, but the woman's death has not yet been ruled a homicide and the husband has not been charged, according to the Daily News.

The woman's body was discovered with multiple slash wounds to the throat and body, ABC notes. Officers also brought her husband to Methodist hospital after he surrendered, where he was treated for a lacerated hand, the network notes. A police spokesperson confirmed that no arrests have been made in connection to the woman's death and investigation is ongoing.
At least 45 little kids 3 years and younger, as of Aug. 31, 2016, have pulled the trigger on a gun and shot themselves or someone else nationwide this year. That unbelievable number includes toddlers barely able to walk. In 2015, Missouri was No. 1 in the country in toddler shootings and has no law holding adults accountable for these deaths.

The Missouri Legislatures response? Advance SB 656, which includes stand your ground defense of shoot to kill and permitless carry, which would abolish any training required for a concealed gun and make owning guns easier in our state.

For the first time I can remember, law enforcement, including the Missouri Police Chiefs Association and the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, adamantly opposed this gun lobby-sponsored gun bill, citing the danger to law enforcement safety, let alone the publics well-being. The Missouri Catholic Conference also publicly denounced SB 656, stating, Missouri citizens of good will, however, not to fall prey to the notion that we are somehow safer as individuals and as a society if everyone is always and everywhere armed.

With Missouri being the first state to push for a stand your ground defense provision since Floridas 2012 murders of Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis, the new defense would make it enormously more difficult for prosecution of unlawful shooters who claim self-defense. The American Bar Association last year recommended the repeal of all stand your ground laws, finding that a shooting is 350 percent more likely to be found justified if the shooter is white and victim is black.

So why on earth, with respected opponents revealing the dangers of SB 656, is the GOP majority insistent on it becoming law?

SB 656 represents life and death. SB 656, if law, will ensure that gun violence rates in Missouri will spike. SB 656, with the provision sheriffs will lose discretion on who is able to carry guns secretly, will guarantee more domestic violence victims, putting not just women at risk but all of their family members. With the ease of buying a weapon online with no questions asked, no background checks and no training required to carry a gun concealed, gun death rates, including suicides and children accessing guns, will definitely increase.

GOP legislators consistently bring up childrens issues such as addressing dyslexia and epilepsy, which are worthy causes, but stop short of addressing gun suicide rates of kids, school shootings or even keeping kids safe from accidental shootings, which are purely preventable. Their arguments against any overwhelmingly popular gun safety measures that would save childrens lives, such as universal background checks on all gun sales, include their right to self-defense or their personal interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.

Meanwhile, we are losing kids, especially our babies, to gun violence at alarming rates and no one seems to care in Missouris GOP-controlled Legislature. I can no longer bear to hear surgeons and emergency technicians tell of fruitless attempts to save these little kids. The anguish the medical community deals with every single day due to gun violence is thankless and haunting.

As I fight to uphold the governors veto of SB 656 as loudly as I can during the Sept. 14 veto session, I urge others to do the same.

Meanwhile, please keep your kids away from your guns at home and in the car. Missouris GOP Legislature is hell-bent on making sure theres more for them to easily play with and yes, kill themselves.

State Rep. Stacey Newman, a Democrat, represents Missouris 87th District.
Free-standing chain-link fencing can be put up in a very short amount of time at very little cost, and we all should commit to this solution until the killings in our schools stop.
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Stratford Foodbank is appealing to local schools, churches and community groups to consider collecting for the organisation this harvest time.

The foodbank is particularly looking for toilet rolls, tinned soup, rice pudding and childrens treats to feed those facing financial difficulty.

Since starting the service in January 2013 the foodbank has fed over 4,000 people, averaging a fairly consistent 100 people a month, of which 20% are children.

Foodbank manager Marion Homer said: Harvest is always a time where we are overwhelmed by the generosity of Stratford residents. Last Autumn I attended a number of harvest assemblies and was humbled by the sight of school children bringing their gifts to share with those less fortunate in our town.

I would like to encourage all schools, churches and community groups to consider if they can collect for us during this harvest festival and in exchange we can offer our services to speak at services and assemblies.

Foodbank food parcels use tinned and packaged items to provide 3 days worth of emergency food. All food items are tinned or packaged, the foodbank cannot store fresh or chilled items, and parcels are collated according to nutritional guidance set out by the Trussell Trust. Stratfords foodbank is one of over 400 Trussell Trust foodbanks currently in operation across the UK. It is staffed by 40+ volunteers and one part time manager.

Any groups wishing to collect either food or money for the foodbank, or would like to request a speaker for services or assemblies, should contact Marion Homer at info@stratforduponavon.foodbank.org.uk
(Updated - September 14, 2016 11:50 AM EDT)

Morgan Stanley downgraded Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) from Equalweight to Underweight with a price target of $7. The bank's bull case on the stock is $14 and its bear case is $3, and analyst Evan L Kurtz thinks risk/reward is skewed meaningfully to the downside. The stock is pricing in $2.75/lb copper, well above the bank's view for a $2.43 average over the next 3 years.

"On our math, the key copper asset sales that positively surprised the market earlier this year are consistent with a 6x EV/EBTIDA valuation on a ~$2.75/lb copper assumption. We believe the stock is currently trading at about 6x on $2.75/lb copper, which would indicate the remaining assets already trade at a similar value to those sold earlier this year," said Kurtz.

The analyst continued, "Freeport is currently negotiating a 10.64% stake sale of their largest copper asset, Grasberg, with the Indonesian government. The company has asked for $1.7 bn for the stake, while the government has said it is worth only $630 mn. In this note, we unveil our new Grasberg NAV. We value the stake at $1.25 bn, modestly above the midpoint of the current bid-ask."

Kurtz added, "We estimate this year's asset sales and equity issuance will lower debt levels from 5.1x in 2Q16 to 2.1x by the end of the year. Leverage is likely to continue to drop modestly again in 2017 since the company will be mining a high grade area of its key Grasberg mine. However, as the grade begins to normalize in 2018, a flat commodity price would cause leverage to climb back up to ~3.3x. Copper would need to rise closer to the $3/lb mark, in our view, for the company to be able to continue to both de-lever and pursue necessary mine extension capex at Grasberg."

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Freeport-McMoRan click here. For more ratings news on Freeport-McMoRan click here.

Shares of Freeport-McMoRan closed at $10.15 yesterday.
American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) has signed an agreement to sell four competitive power plants totaling approximately 5,200 megawatts (MW) for approximately $2.17 billion to a newly formed joint venture of Blackstone (NYSE: BX) and ArcLight Capital Partners LLC (ArcLight).

The sale agreement includes:

Lawrenceburg Generating Station, 1,186 MW natural gas, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Waterford Energy Center, 840 MW natural gas, Waterford, Ohio

Darby Generating Station, 507 MW natural gas, Mount Sterling, Ohio

Gen. James M. Gavin Plant, 2,665 MW coal, Cheshire, Ohio

AEP announced in January 2015 that the company was exploring strategic alternatives for these power plants, including a potential sale. All of this generating capacity is located in the region served by the PJM Interconnection.

"AEP's long-term strategy has been to become a fully regulated, premium energy company focused on investment in infrastructure and the energy innovations that our customers want and need. This transaction advances that strategy and reduces some of the business risks associated with operating competitive generating assets," said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer.

"Our employees have done an incredible job operating these power plants in PJM, and I'm confident that they will contribute to the future success of Blackstone and ArcLight. We will continue to operate these plants safely in the coming months while working closely with the Blackstone and ArcLight teams to obtain the regulatory approvals necessary to complete the sale. We also will be working with employees and community leaders to ensure a smooth transition," Akins said.

"Blackstone and ArcLight are two of the leading private equity funds focused on energy infrastructure, with significant investments and experience owning and operating power generation in North America and Europe. Combined they have owned and operated more than 38,000 megawatts of power generation globally, including operations in the PJM Interconnection, New York ISO and Electric Reliability Council of Texas competitive markets in the United States," Akins said.

The sale is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017. AEP expects to net approximately $1.2 billion in cash after taxes, repayment of debt associated with these assets and transaction fees. The company is evaluating options and will share details about its plans for investment of the proceeds from this transaction at an analyst day Nov. 1. These plans may involve reinvestment in its regulated businesses, including transmission; renewable projects; additional debt retirement; and share buybacks.

AEP expects to record an after-tax gain of approximately $140 million from the sale, subject to inventory true-ups, income tax and other adjustments.

The sale is subject to regulatory approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and federal clearance pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

Goldman Sachs and Co. served as AEP's lead financial advisor for the strategic evaluation of these assets. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. also served as a financial advisor for AEP during the process. Simpson Thacher and Bartlett served as legal counsel.

AEP owns 2,677 MW of additional competitive generation in Ohio. The company is continuing an independent strategic evaluation of that generation while also working on the restructuring of Ohio electricity regulations to allow those assets to be acquired by AEP Ohio for the benefit of its customers. AEP also is continuing a separate strategic review of its 48 MW hydroelectric Racine Plant in Racine, Ohio.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced that it has fined Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) $850,000 for failing to detect the conversion of more than $370,000 from five customer brokerage accounts by one of its registered representatives. Ameriprise failed to adequately investigate red flags associated with nine third-party wire requests, including that the funds were being transmitted to a business bank account associated with an Ameriprise representative. The conversion went undetected for two years because Ameriprise failed to establish and enforce a supervisory system reasonably designed to adequately monitor the transmittal of funds from customer accounts to third parties, including those controlled by registered representatives of the firm. After Ameriprise discovered the misconduct, it paid restitution, plus interest and related fees, to the customers. FINRA barred the representative in June 2014.

Brad Bennett, FINRA Executive Vice President and Chief of Enforcement, said, Ameriprise failed to exercise reasonable diligence in supervising the transmittal of customer funds to third- party accounts. Firms need to pay special attention when funds are wired from customer brokerage accounts to accounts controlled by registered representatives, and will be held responsible when their representatives use their insider status to prey upon customers.

FINRA found that from October 2011 to September 2013, a registered representative of the firm who worked as a sales assistant and office manager took more than $370,000 from five Ameriprise customers. The customers were the office managers family members, including his mother, step-father and grandparents as well as his domestic partner. The office manager converted the funds through a two-step process. First, he submitted request forms to transfer funds from the customers Ameriprise brokerage accounts into the business bank account of the office in which he worked, allegedly for the intended purpose of making investments. He then took funds from that account in order to pay himself additional salary, commissions he had not earned and other money to which he was not entitled.

FINRA found that Ameriprise failed to adequately follow up on red flags, including that the funds were being transferred to an account that the firm knew or should have known belonged to one of its registered representatives. The firm also failed to adequately investigate possible signature irregularities that it flagged on certain wire request forms. In addition, even though four of the nine wire requests were also flagged for further review for other reasons, Ameriprise failed to adequately follow up.

The conduct was discovered in September 2013 when another office employee found evidence in a trash can that the office manager had been practicing signing the signature of a family member from whom he was scheming to convert funds.

In settling this matter, Ameriprise neither admitted nor denied the charges, but consented to the entry of FINRAs findings.
Ethan Brown is a New York journalist turned private investigator for defense attorneys in New Orleans. In his new life, he's still making time for the odd writing project. In keeping with his past journalism workdoggedly researched and sensitively observed books and articles about street-corner mythology, horrible crimes, the Kafkaesque corners of the legal system, and the survival tactics of marginal peoplehis latest book is a real-life True Detective story, with more horrifying conclusions than anything on HBO. (There was speculation that the first season of True Detective was based on the same case Brown covers, but creator Nic Pizzolatto has denied that.) Brown's new book Murder in the Bayou, is the product of a five-year investigation into the fate of the Jeff Davis 8eight sex workers, who all ran in the same circles in the small, southwestern Louisiana town of Jennings, and who, one after one, turned up dead in the surrounding swamps from 2005 to 2009.

From the opening pages, Brown dispenses with the notion, favored by the local Sheriff's Office and once attractive to the national news media, that the killings are the work of a serial killer. Instead, he makes the case that the local cops, and the state and federal authorities that came to work with them on the investigation, have known of credible suspects in the murders since at least 2008 and done nothing. Worse than being ineffectual investigators, some in the town's law enforcement seem to be accessories to, if not involved in the murdersthis is according to witness testimony, voluminous law enforcement documents, and interviews. As opposed to sensational ritual killings, the murders seem to be the product of the local underworld of drug-dealing and prostitution, which has no bottom given that Brown's evidence strongly suggests that local law enforcement are in on the act.

The book includes accounts of Jennings officers stealing, buying, and selling drugs, shooting people under questionable circumstances, turning the local jail into a brothel where inmates sometimes screw their way to freedom, and maintaining close relationships with the same local hustlers who had associated with all of the dead women, and in some instances were with them the last time they were seen alive.

A photo posted by Jonathan Percy (@chartno3) on Jun 25, 2016 at 5:37am PDT

Jennings, Louisiana

The result is a narrative that is intensely claustrophobic, with all of Brown's interview subjects living under a shroud of danger. In re-investigating the murders, Brown attempts to reconstruct the frantic loops each of the dead women were constantly making in search of drugs, money, and safety, before the night they disappeared. There is no escapist thrill here, no Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson on the tail of a satanist pig man. There is only the feverish immediacy of a town where knowledge makes you a target and, with many police playing both cop and robber, it's impossible to know where to turn.

Revelations in the book are also making waves in the Senate race to replace Louisiana's prostitute-patronizing family values Republican David Vitter. In the course of reporting the book, multiple witnesses told Brown that one of Vitter's would-be successors was a regular client at a motel that doubled as a brothel and was owned by the candidate's aide. They said further that the candidate, Congressman Charles Boustany, had sex with some of the women who later wound up dead. (Boustany's wife has denied this in an extensive statement blaming the congressman's political opponents for getting the book written. Brown says he stands by his work and that he pursued his investigation independently, first for a magazine piece he had pitched, and then for the book.)

I spoke to Brown about his time in New York, how he parlayed being a club kid in the '90s into investigative journalism gigs, how New Orleans is treating the professional transplant crowd, and what precautions one takes when researching a book on drug dealers, crooked cops, and their roles in a series of unsolved murders.



Ethan Brown

The DC suburbs. In Maryland.

And when did you come to New York? I moved to New York in '94.

Why? I went to an art school in Vermonta very tiny art school, only a few hundred peopleand everybody that I knew moved to New York.

And how did you get into journalism? I graduated from Bennington with a BA in literature but not really any idea what I wanted to do. I moved to New York with no idea what I wanted to do and spent a couple of years working a lot of odd jobs, including working in a homeless shelter for a bit. And then, I had a longstanding interest, although it wasn't really career-based in any wayI really liked Greil Marcus. He was one of my favorite writers. Pauline Kael was one of my favorite writers.

There was also a female rock critic for The New Yorker who is now deceased, named Ellen Willis, who I was a huge fan of. One day I opened a newspaper, and there was an advertisement for a new program at NYU headed by Ellen Willis. It was a journalism master's. And I thought, "Wow, that's crazy, because I've been a fan of hers for a really long time. I should check it out."

I went to that program, and studied with Ellen, which was great. The other aspects of it were not great, like: I really had no interest in being a journalist really, so I didnt really like any of my classmates at all. Excluding one person, who was actually a very successful journalist: a guy named Dennis Lim, who was a big film critic for the Village Voice for a while. So, yeah, I thought that a lot of the journalists were incredibly dumb, particularly after my Bennington experience, which was really fantastic, and really challenging.

After my journalism program ended, I looked around for journalism jobs, and my first real job was working as an editorial assistant, a really low-level editorial assistant at Details. This was in the late '90s. I had a really good thought there, and the first investigative piece that I ever worked on came out of that.

I for much of the '90s was a big club person, like the whole Gatien empire stuff: the Limelight, the Tunnel, all of that. I was really heavily going out to clubs, and one night I was robbed at a club in a very methodical fashion. I had all of my stuff taken, and I asked around to people in the club scene about who may have done it, and they said that there was an organized gang that went around robbing raves and nightclubs, called Brooklyn Terror Squad. I thought, "Wow, that's really interesting."

I took it to my editor at Details, and he thought it was fascinating, but I was really young and inexperienced, and was unable to handle something like that. My editor called in Frank Owen, the journalist who broke the Michael Alig murder case at the Limelightif there there was any moment that was the downfall of nightlife in New York, that definitely is itwhich was great because he had a lot of investigative reporting experience, and I had no capacity to do something like this. But the arrangement was, I could assist on the story.



Ethan Brown's first big story (as a contributor), about the Brooklyn Terror Squad. (Details)

I assisted on the story and got some additional reporting credit, and what was interesting and very surprising was that the gang turned out to be vastly more significant than Id ever imagined. After the piece came out, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, based in Brooklyn, indicted the gang, which is crazy. They were federally indicted, and then there was, I believe, connections from the gang to an Israeli ex-kingpin who was one of the biggest drug dealers in actually the United States at the time.

So an incident where I got robbed turned into this gigantic investigative piece that was very impactful.

And what was methodical about you being robbed? What did that look like? I had a backpack and a bunch of other stuff, and basically I set it down next to my feet in a super crowded club and these guys were crawling along the floor and snatching peoples stuff and running. It wasnt obviously some brilliant heist or anything, it was just, "What the fuck are these guys doing crawling along the floor and grabbing people's stuff?" It was just interesting. It was so clear that they had come to this event to rob people.

So after that investigative piece that Owen wrote, I was really into the idea of doing more work like that. I stayed at Details a bit longer, then after that, I had a very odd, very short experience: a friend of mine was hired to basically run Teen People, which was a huge, huge Time Inc. property at the time. It was pretty much their biggest moneymaker. She asked me to help out there briefly, and it was a way out of a low-level editorial assistant job entirely.

I worked over there for a little bit and was freelancing at the same time, and the great thing about that job was that they just let me do whatever I want. Some of the things I did there were likethis is 1998 or somethingwe called Jay Z's publicist and were like, "Would Jay Z want to do something with us?"

Because he wasn't actually that famous at that point, and because that was such a huge Time Inc. property, everybody would say yes. And so, I, to use one example, spent the day Jay Z's record [Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life] came out, which was the first true commercial success for him, I spent the entire day with Jay Z, which is insane, especially looking back on it now.

It was his first true crossover record, you know. So I rode around with him that entire day and watched people recognize him, which I think was for him, the first actual star moment for him. He even wrote me a thank-you note, which I still have, after that.

And I was freelancing mostly at the time, too. Then I interviewed for a staff writer position at New York magazine. I got that job. I was hoping to do the investigative work that Id begun to do at Details.

In 1999, I had a cover story about ecstasy trafficking, which was the biggest-selling issue of the magazine that year. That resulted in me getting calls from book agents, which was a first. I had been writing about drug policy and drugs for a long time by that point, and I spoke to a book agent about doing a possible book about ecstasy and the history of ecstasy. We kicked it around for a year or two. But then 9/11 happened and made that completely irrelevant.

Why do you think it became irrelevant? 9/11 happened. There was a huge recession. Now all of a sudden, who gives a fuck about ecstasy? That world of the 90s, raves and ecstasy, that was it. It was over. It peaked in the late 90s. That project was basically abandoned. I went back to just trying to figure out what to do with myself at New York magazine.

I did a piece about the Black Top Gang in Harlem. It was sort of an embed piece with the NYPD. I did a couple of other things. Then, around 2002-ish, the feds started leaking to the press details about their Murder Inc. [Records] investigation, to the tabs.

At the time, there wasnt anything bigger in hip hop. So I was fascinated by that. I started to work on a piece about it. It was unclear what the piece was going to be. The piece ended up being about the investigation, but also about the shots being traded back and forth between 50 cent and Murder Inc. It was planned as a feature, and at the last minute put on the cover. That was another one that was huge. It was either the bestselling issue that year or at the top.

Russell Simmons flipped out about it and called my boss. I kept the letter he wrote to my boss.

What was his problem with the story? He felt it was negative. I dont know what it was saying. He didnt like the piece. It didn't make a lot of sense to me.

So I'd had literary interest since that, with the ecstasy [publisher], we were still talking. Then I got another wave of literary interest after that piece. A literary agent said, "Would you like to turn this into a book?" I said, "Let me think about it for a bit and get back to you."

I did a LexisNexis search about Kenneth McGriff, Supreme, Lorenzo Nichols, and all the big Queens drug dealers all in the background of the Murder Inc. case. There were hits in the tabs, but it was like a 400-word piece in the tabloids. There was nothing significant at all written about this. I was like, "Holy shit this is fascinating these guys were the most significant drug dealers in New York in the '80s and theres really nothing about them."

I worked on that project, which became Queens Reigns Supreme. In 2005, Murder Inc. was actually indicted, which surprised a lot of people, including me. and it changed the book completely. Because the book, for two years that Id been working on it, was about an investigation with essentially no conclusion. That really changed everything for the book. Random House got behind it in a big way. Also, 50 Cent became a gigantic star. That was the peak 50 Cent moment, because his film Get Rich Or Die Tryin' was about to be released.

And then I began to hear that the plot of the film incorporated a lot of elements of my book, not that it was based on my book, but it dealt with a lot of the same history. It included a character named Majestic who was clearly based on Supreme. The book had going for it suddenly an indictment and a huge Hollywood movie by hip hops biggest star. The book was published right in 2005 when those two things hit.

To back up a little bit, you're a white kid from the suburbshow did you come to focus on drugs, and gangs, and hip hop, and what in your background gave you an ability to navigate those worlds? Yeah, I became really interested in this stuff just from, it sounds weird, just from going out to clubs as much as I did, and being in this weird drug world in the 90s. I ended up doing a ton of self-teaching on this stuff.

For example, I was fascinated by the chemist who synthesized ecstasy, Alexander Shulgin, who passed a couple of years back. I did a ton of self-study on this stuff. Years later, I got flown out to San Francisco to interview Shulgin for Wired. I did a lot of reading.

I guess its also worth saying, especially since this is now a big topic in New York: Broken Windows in the '90s meant shutting down nightclubs. I got to see this firsthand. I became very interested in policing, very interested in drug policy, that whole world.

When my book came out in 05, I had drifted in and out of being published at New York magazine, even though i was working there. I remember thinking, "Do i want to stay in New York? Do i want to stay at New York magazine?" I had been coming down to New Orleans for years, starting in 2001. I remember thinking, "Its very cheap. Its one of my favorite American cities. I should move there. I looked at houses pre-Katrina, but didnt settle on anything. The book and Katrina happened almost simultaneously. I remember getting a call from my wife when i was sitting with Random House at a meeting that New Orleans is essentially underwater. Then i thought I should look at this even further in terms of possibly coming down here.

I was here, in New Orleans, in 2006 and a few days earlier there was a murder-suicide in the French Quarter that had gotten not only Nola media attention, but national and international media attention. A veteran killed his girlfriend, chopped her up, and jumped off the roof of a French Quarter hotel. I thought, "What an amazing story with all these dimensions to it." I immediately thought that the murder-suicide case could be a great book, particularly because of the Iraq dimension. I came down to New Orleans and began researching the case.

That book, Shake the Devil Off, was published in 2009. At that point, I decided for a number of reasons that I just wanted to step away from journalism.

In the past, you've talked about how interest in criminal justice issues in journalism was different when you were working in New York. Can you explain that? I would say pre-Black Lives Matter the interest in criminal justice, the way that it was covered, was entirely through the perspective of cops and DAs, and what you did as a reporter was talk to cops and DAs and write about what cops and DAs were doing, and if you wanted to be a successful reporter, you had to make friends with cops and DAs. I noticed, particularly with the reporters that I knew who were doing criminal justice, they were cop wannabes, and that was certainly not me. They were like overweight middle class white guys wanting to be Irish cops or something.

It was just not me. The other piece of it was, I had really strong feelings about drug policy and the drug war going back years at that point. These feelings were definitely not shared by other people in the writing-about-crime world. I was really interested in the whole sphere, not just the cop and DAs sphere. the whole sphere of drug dealers and drug users. It felt incomplete to me to just focus on the law enforcement side. and that changed in a hugely significant way, but not until 2014 when Black Lives Matter came about.

After the New Orleans book came out in 2009, I worked at this law office [dealing only with death-penalty cases] as a staff investigator for about two and a half years. I decided that I wanted to continue doing that work in private practice, and I've been doing that for four years. The only piece of significant journalism Ive done during that time was the Medium piece about the Jeff Davis 8.



A house in New Orleans's Upper Ninth Ward in early-mid 2008. (Nathan Tempey/Gothamist)

What was it like moving to New Orleans? When i got here in 2007, the population was totally depleted [It had gone from a 2000 Census total population of 484,000 to the mid-200,000s]. And then you had a lot of people who were here in some capacity, but were not here. The city was a mess. It was totally un-recovered. So it was really pretty shocking to come down here. 2007 was also one of the worst years in New Orleans history for murder [There were 209 murders]. It was very scary, particularly given how low the population was. The murders per capita were stunning [at over 71 per 100,000 people]. New York's rate is [4 per 100,000].

It was also interesting. At that time there was a sense that you didnt know how New Orleans was going to be resolved post-Katrina. I feel like there was a huge change here beginning in 2010 when Mayor Mitch Landrieu was elected, and Ray Nagin was out of office. The city in many senses has become much like it was pre-Katrina, which is tourism and prisons. Those are the main industries.

Have you seen an acceleration of people of your demographicprofessionals from the East Coastmoving there? Yeah. Pre-2010 I cant recall anybody that I knew being down here. In 2010, 2012 the big flood of people came down and there were all sorts of pieces people down here like to make fun of, the New York Times and whatnot talking about how cool New Orleans is. Since 2010 or '12, quite a few media people have moved here.

Do you miss New York? The big thing that I think I miss and I think other people who leave New York miss is public transportation. That sounds maybe weird, but its true. Not having a car, you know, walking everywhere. Thats a big thing that I miss. Also, conveniences, bodegas and whatnot. Those are the core things that I miss that are just not here, but they're not many places in America because we have shitty infrastructure.

I dont miss that New York has become such a wealthy and antiseptic place now. I dont really miss that. And also, down here, in New Orleans and generally in the South, people are prettynot just friendly, people have a kind of human quality that they dont have in New York. I was in New York this summer for quite a while doing some work, and the notion that you would just shove people, or shove my sonI have a 5-year-old sonor be an open dick to somebody for no reason. Its just unheard of down here. If you did that down here, youd end up getting hit, or worse. So its funny to see the difference.

Its very different socially here. There's no aspirational culture down here. New York is all about aspirational culture of some kind. You're either aspiring to make money or be recognized in some way. Its very non-competitive, even among the writer people down here.

Can you explain what you do as an investigator for defense attorneys, and how it differs from the popular conception of what a private investigator does? Sure. The popular conception is that private investigators do things like surveil cheating spouses or assist in some way in child custody cases. Thats not at all what I do, though it is what a lot of investigators do. My background is solely doing complex murder cases.

I do fact investigation, and in capital cases I do mitigation investigation, which is putting together a very complex social history of a client. The piece that is relevant to the work that I do as a writer has been my training in records collection, particularly working with Louisianas Public Records Act, which is actually a very good law. It's the basis of the work on the Medium piece and book about the Jeff Davis 8.

How does it compare to New York's Freedom of Information Law? My general impression is that its better. For example you can get police disciplinary records. [Ed. note: Even in a case where a judge has ordered it, that of one of Eric Garner's killers Daniel Pantaleo, the de Blasio administration is fighting such a disclosure.]

Theres quite a bit that you can get under the Public Records Act, and because this is Louisiana, theres also many parishes that are completely unaccustomed to getting public records requests. They may give you things that are not even public records. I have parishes that will send everything I ask for and not charge me a cent. Its interesting: Orleans Parish [comprised of all of New Orleans] is very combative. More than combativethey violate the Public Records Act constantly. So when I started working on the Jeff Davis 8 case years ago, I got pretty much everything i asked for. I dont think I was refused on anything. I also got things that were not public record.

I guess we should talk about your new book. Who are the Jeff Davis 8, and what is so disturbing about their case? From 2005 to 2009, the bodies of eight women from Jennings, which is the parish seat of Jeff Davis Parish, were found in and around Jennings, and one was found in nearby Acadia Parish. All of the murders are unsolved. All of the women were engaged in sex work to some degree. Six women were white, two black. The cause of death in most cases was suspected to be asphyxia. Both of the African-American victims were stabbed to death.

In 2008, a federal and state task force was created to solve these murders. That task force involves the FBI, the Jennings Police Department, the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Office. Theres been some extraordinary misconduct related to these cases.

One big example: A victim killed in 2007, Kristen Gary Lopez, was riding in a truck just before she was murdered with a number of people who are connected to her murder. That truck was purchased from an inmate who was close with Lopez by a high-level investigator at the sheriffs office. Purchased and resold. So a potential key piece of evidence in that Lopez homicide was mishandled. The investigator was investigated by the Louisiana Board of Ethics, and he was fined. Nonetheless, that investigator was promoted to run the evidence room by the sheriff at the time.

In 2009, a big investigation into one of the key suspects in the case, Frankie Richard (pronounced "REE-shard" in Cajun southern Louisiana), an investigation unrelated to the homicides, involves a number of people involved in the task force. Evidence disappeared, charges in the case were thus dropped. and the sheriffs office deputy who mishandled the evidence in that case, at the time of the mishandling of that evidence, was surveiled hanging out with Richard at his home. In one of many interviews with Richard, he said, "Id like to thank her for the misconduct that led to the charges against me and my family being dropped."

A photo posted by  (@wanderingtheworld89) on Aug 30, 2016 at 11:01pm PDT

Jennings, Louisiana

An arrest warrant issued in another case for a second-degree murder charge was dropped due to key pieces of evidence being lost. In 2007, two female inmates went to a police department investigator and said, "We have information about the Jeff Davis homicides." In statements, they told investigators that Frankie Richard, one of the prime suspects in this case, worked with sheriffs office to dispose of evidence in the Lopez case. The Jennings department investigator took audio of these interviews to the FBI, and he was then terminated from his job for doing that, primarily because he broke the chain of custody on the recordings.

An interesting piece of this that relates to your question is the federal-state task force on this case. Typically the feds are there in a resource-sharing role. Its not typically manpower. But in this case, I have looked at quite a few task force documents, and FBI agents are conducting many many task force interviews. Its in these interviews that the FBI heard many misconduct allegations. That opens question to me as to why nothing has been done about that. There's the question of why does the sheriffs office remain on this case when many of their employees remain implicated in this? Why havent these very serious allegations of misconduct been turned over to the Department of Justice?

[The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana acknowledged that it received a request for comment on the reported FBI laxity, but did not respond further.]

Do you have any idea offhand how many times people told you to fear for your life while working on this book? Many. From the beginning when I started working on this. I started talking to people in 2011, and the mother of Jeff Davis 8 victim Necole Guillory said she didnt want to pick up the newspaper and see my name in it. I've gotten all sorts of messages. Someone told me I wouldnt make it alive to see the book published. I was told that I was going to be robbed and killed in New Orleans, that it would be set up to make it look like a random robbery.

Ive gotten these things persistently from the beginning. Who knows how serious to take any of this. A lot of people like to puff up threats to make their work seem more dangerous than it is. One thing I take seriously as a threat is the Jeff Davis Parish sheriff published a letter about me on the sheriff's office website. I take that very seriously, especially given history of law enforcement out there. Its very frightening. It was basically a Most Wanted poster of me. For a few months after that I didnt go to Jeff Davis Parish. I would avoid it entirely, or if I had to see witnesses, I would drive into the parish, not get out of my car, pull up to house, and, not getting out of my car, call the person and say, "Come out to my car," and after they came out and got in, leave the parish immediately.

That really subsided after a few months.

Did you take other precautions while reporting the book? Throughout the process Ive never stayed overnight in Jeff Davis Parish ever, and when Im there the location of where Im staying is unknown its not in the parish. I do a short commute every day into the parish. I do a days work, and then go to hotel or motel outside the parish.

Do you ever get tired of, in your investigation work, and your journalism, and living in New Orleans, constantly dealing with the darkest parts of life, the worst of human impulses? Not really. The part of it that I get sick of is seeing the same sorts of bad practices over and over again, seeing DAs violate Brady, that ruling from the Supreme Court that says you have to turn over exculpatory evidence to the defendant. DAs constantly break the law on that.

I get tired of seeing all these cop shootings that go unpunished, seeing the drug war march on the way that it does. Theres this weird disjuncture on the drug war. We all know that its ridiculous, but if you go to courtrooms or DA's offices, its business as usual with the drug war. Thats the depressing part of it to me, the sameness, the same bad policies and practices that just march on and on.

Postscript: In a brief phone call, when asked to comment on the book's allegations, Detective Ramby Cormier of the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office said, "When we get a chance to read the book in its entirety... Definitely we want to read the book before we, you knowbut I did want to respond to your email and let you know that we got it. We need some time to look at the book, see what alls in there."

A witness's account in the book states that Cormier told her she shouldn't worry about being harmed by murder suspect Frankie Richard because, Cormier allegedly said, "He works for us." Asked about this claim, Cormier told Gothamist, "Im not going to comment on our interviews. But as you probably well know, because a person says something doesnt mean its always factual or accurate, you know. But I would say [Brown] has his sources. Whatever he prints, thats his opinion. Thats his right to do that. I cant really comment on any of our ongoing investigations."
Bayer and Monsanto (NYSE: MON) announced that they signed a definitive merger agreement under which Bayer will acquire Monsanto for USD 128 per share in an all-cash transaction. Monsantos Board of Directors, Bayers Board of Management and Bayers Supervisory Board have unanimously approved the agreement. Based on Monsantos closing share price on May 9, 2016, the day before Bayers first written proposal to Monsanto, the offer represents a premium of 44 percent to that price.



We are pleased to announce the combination of our two great organizations. This represents a major step forward for our Crop Science business and reinforces Bayers leadership position as a global innovation driven Life Science company with leadership positions in its core segments, delivering substantial value to shareholders, our customers, employees and society at large, said Werner Baumann, CEO of Bayer AG.



Todays announcement is a testament to everything weve achieved and the value that we have created for our stakeholders at Monsanto. We believe that this combination with Bayer represents the most compelling value for our shareowners, with the most certainty through the all-cash consideration, said Hugh Grant, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monsanto.



Enhanced Solutions for Growers



This transaction brings together two different, but highly complementary businesses. The combined business will benefit from Monsantos leadership in Seeds & Traits and Climate Corporation platform along with Bayers broad Crop Protection product line across a comprehensive range of indications and crops in all key geographies. As a result, growers will benefit from a broad set of solutions to meet their current and future needs, including enhanced solutions in seeds and traits, digital agriculture, and crop protection.



The combination also brings together both companies leading innovation capabilities and R&D technology platforms, with an annual pro-forma R&D budget of approximately EUR 2.5 billion. Over the mid to long-term, the combined business will be able to accelerate innovation and provide customers with enhanced solutions and an optimized product suite based on analytical agronomic insight supported by Digital Farming applications. These are expected to result in significant and lasting benefits for farmers: from improved sourcing and increased convenience to higher yield, better environmental protection and sustainability.



The agriculture industry is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges of our time: how to feed an additional 3 billion people in the world by 2050 in an environmentally sustainable way. It has been both companies belief that this challenge requires a new approach that more systematically integrates expertise across Seeds, Traits and Crop Protection including Biologicals with a deep commitment to innovation and sustainable agriculture practices, said Liam Condon, member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and head of the Crop Science Division.



We are entering a new era in agriculture  one with significant challenges that demand new, sustainable solutions and technologies to enable growers to produce more with less. This combination with Bayer will deliver just that  an innovation engine that pairs Bayers crop protection portfolio with our world-class seeds and traits and digital agriculture tools to help growers overcome the obstacles of tomorrow. Together Monsanto and Bayer will build on our proud tradition and respective track records of innovation in the agriculture industry, delivering a more comprehensive and broader set of solutions to growers, said Grant.



Value Creation



Pro forma sales of the combined agricultural business amounted to EUR 23 billion in calendar year 2015. The combined company will be well positioned to participate in the agricultural industry with significant long-term growth potential. Beyond the attractive long term value creation potential of the combination, Bayer expects the transaction to provide its shareholders with accretion to core EPS (earnings per share) in the first full year after closing and a double-digit percentage accretion in the third full year. Bayer has confirmed sales and cost synergies assumptions in due diligence and expects annual EBITDA contributions from total synergies of approximately USD 1.5 billion after year three, plus additional synergies from integrated solutions in future years.



Financing and Closing Conditions



Bayer intends to finance the transaction with a combination of debt and equity. The equity component of approximately USD 19 billion is expected to be raised through an issuance of mandatory convertible bonds and through a rights issue with subscription rights. Bridge financing for USD 57 billion is committed by BofA Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and JP Morgan.



Bayer has a proven track record of disciplined deleveraging after large acquisitions and believes that the strong cash flows of the combined business will contribute to improving its financial profile. Bayer targets an investment grade credit rating post-closing and is committed to the single A credit rating category over the long-term.



The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including Monsanto shareholder approval of the merger agreement and receipt of required regulatory approvals. Closing is expected by the end of 2017. The companies will work diligently with regulators to ensure a successful closing. In addition, Bayer has committed to a USD 2 billion reverse antitrust break fee, reaffirming its confidence that it will obtain the necessary regulatory approvals.



Headquarters and Employees



The combined agriculture business will have its global Seeds & Traits and North American commercial headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, its global Crop Protection and overall Crop Science headquarters in Monheim, Germany, and an important presence in Durham, North Carolina, as well as many other locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. The Digital Farming activities for the combined business will be based in San Francisco, California.



This combination is a great opportunity for employees, who will be at the forefront of innovation in our sector. This transaction also enhances Bayers strong commitment to the U.S., building on our 150-year history with operations across 25 states employing more than 12,000 people in the country. I am convinced that Monsanto will flourish as part of one of the most respected and trusted companies in the world, said Baumann.



Bayer has extensive experience in successfully integrating acquisitions from a business, geographic and cultural perspective, and remains committed to its strong culture of innovation, sustainability and social responsibility.



Advisors to the Transaction



BofA Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse are acting as lead financial advisors and structuring banks to Bayer in addition to providing committed financing for the transaction; Rothschild has been retained as an additional financial advisor to Bayer. Bayers legal advisors are Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (M&A) and Allen & Overy LLP (Financing).



Morgan Stanley & Co. and Ducera Partners are acting as financial advisors, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is acting as legal advisor to Monsanto.
Sempra Energy today announced several executive appointments as part of the company's ongoing leadership development and succession planning process.

Except where noted otherwise, all of the following appointments are effective Jan. 1, 2017.

"One of the cornerstones of our success has been our ability to organically develop a strong leadership team," said Debra L. Reed, chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy. "We and our board of directors spend considerable time and effort identifying talented leaders within the organization and exposing them to different aspects of our business. Today's appointments represent another step forward in our succession planning process."

Mark A. Snell, 60, president of Sempra Energy since 2011, announced that he plans to retire from the company March 1, 2017.

From 2006 to 2011, Snell was executive vice president and chief financial officer of Sempra Energy. From 2004 to 2005, he was group president overseeing Sempra Energy's businesses outside the California utilities. In that position, he oversaw all aspects of Sempra Energy's activities in competitive energy markets, including energy trading, electric generation, liquefied natural gas (LNG), pipelines and storage facilities, international utilities and retail energy marketing. Prior to that, he served as chief financial officer of this group.

Snell first joined Sempra Energy in 2001 as vice president of corporate planning and development. Previously, he held chief financial officer positions with Earth Tech, Inc., Dames & Moore, Inc., and Latham & Watkins LLP. Snell holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from San Diego State University.

Joseph A. Householder, 61, currently executive vice president and chief financial officer of Sempra Energy, will be named to the newly created position, corporate group president of infrastructure businesses for Sempra Energy, reporting to Reed.

As corporate group president of infrastructure businesses, Householder will oversee Sempra Energy operations in midstream, LNG, renewable energy and Mexico.

Householder has been Sempra Energy's executive vice president and chief financial officer since 2011. Previously, he was senior vice president, controller and chief accounting officer, overseeing the financial reporting and controls, financial planning and tax functions for Sempra Energy. He also served as vice president of corporate tax and chief tax counsel for Sempra Energy.

Prior to joining Sempra Energy in 2001, he was a partner in the national tax office of PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP and also served in several key management positions at Unocal Corp.

Earlier in his career, Householder served as an attorney and a certified public accountant at firms in the Los Angeles area.

Householder holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Southern California and a law degree from Loyola Law School. He also has completed the executive program at UCLA Anderson School.

Householder is a member of the board of directors of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., and also is a member of the Tax Executives Institute, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, California Bar and American Bar Association.

Steven D. Davis, 60, currently executive vice president of external affairs and corporate strategy for Sempra Energy, will be named to the newly created position, corporate group president of utilities for Sempra Energy, reporting to Reed. Davis also will chair the Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) boards of directors.

As corporate group president of utilities, Davis will oversee operations at Sempra Energy's utilities in California and South America.

Davis has served as Sempra Energy's executive vice president of external affairs and corporate strategy since last year. Previously, he was president and chief operating officer of SDG&E from 2014 to 2015. Prior to that, from 2012 to 2013, Davis was senior vice president of external affairs for Sempra Energy. Previously, he served as Sempra Energy's vice president of investor relations and corporate communications, and vice president of communications and community partnerships.

Davis was senior vice president of external relations and chief financial officer for SDG&E and SoCalGas from 2004 to 2006. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of customer service and external relations for SDG&E and SoCalGas and vice president of distribution operations for SDG&E. Davis first joined SDG&E in 1980 as an accountant.

Davis holds a bachelor's degree in business administration (with honors) from San Diego State University. He is a board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and also serves on the board of directors of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.

Jeffrey W. Martin, 54, currently chairman, president and CEO of SDG&E, will become executive vice president and chief financial officer of Sempra Energy, reporting to Reed.

In his new role, Martin will oversee all financial matters for the company, including business development and major acquisitions.

Martin has served as SDG&E's CEO since 2014 and as its chairman and president since last year. Previously, he was president and CEO of Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, LLC and its predecessor organization, Sempra Generation, from 2010 to 2013. Martin served as vice president of investor relations for Sempra Energy from 2006 to 2010. He joined Sempra Energy in 2004.

Previously in his career, Martin was senior vice president and chief financial officer of NewEnergy, Inc., served as corporate counsel at Tucson Electric Power Co. and was an attorney with the law firm of Snell & Wilmer, LLP, in Phoenix.

Martin has a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a master's degree in public administration from the University of Texas, El Paso, and a law degree from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla. He currently serves on the boards of directors of the California Chamber of Commerce and Edison Electric Institute, as well as the board of trustees of the University of San Diego. Martin is a member of the Western Electric Industry Leaders and the National Association of Corporate Directors. He also recently served on the boards of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Dennis V. Arriola, 55, currently chairman, president and CEO of SoCalGas, will become executive vice president of corporate strategy and external affairs for Sempra Energy, reporting to Reed.

In his new role, Arriola will be responsible for corporate strategy and will oversee all communications, government relations, regulatory and international affairs activities, as well as corporate social responsibility, for Sempra Energy.

From 2012 to 2013, Arriola was president and chief operating officer of SoCalGas. Previously, from 2008 to 2012, he left the company to work at SunPower Corp., a global solar panel manufacturer based in San Jose, Calif., where he served as executive vice president and chief financial officer.

From 2006 to 2008, Arriola was senior vice president and chief financial officer of both SDG&E and SoCalGas. Prior to that, Arriola also served as vice president of communications and investor relations for Sempra Energy and regional vice president and general manager of Sempra Energy's South American operations. Arriola first joined the company in 1994 as treasurer for Pacific Enterprises/SoCalGas.

Arriola has a master's degree in business administration from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University. He serves on the boards of directors of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Southern California Leadership Council, American Gas Association, California Business Roundtable and Latino Donor Collaborative.

Patricia K. Wagner, 54, currently president and CEO of Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, will become CEO of SoCalGas, reporting to Davis. Until she assumes her new position in January 2017, Wagner has been appointed an executive vice president for Sempra Energy, effective immediately.

Wagner has served as president and CEO of Sempra U.S. Gas & Power since 2014.

After joining SoCalGas in 1995, she held several leadership positions in the company, including: vice president of audit services for Sempra Energy; vice president of accounting and finance for SoCalGas; vice president of information technology for SDG&E and SoCalGas; and vice president of the Operational Excellence transformational program for SDG&E and SoCalGas. Wagner also has served in key management roles at SDG&E and SoCalGas in gas distribution operations and customer services.

Prior to joining SoCalGas, Wagner held management positions at Fluor Daniel, McGaw Laboratories and Allergan Pharmaceuticals.

Wagner has a master's degree in business administration from Pepperdine University and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She currently serves on the board of directors for Apogee Enterprises, Inc. Previously, she was a board member for the Classroom of the Future Foundation in San Diego and a member of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation. She also has volunteered with the Girl Scouts of America.

Effective immediately, J. Bret Lane, 57, has been appointed president of SoCalGas and will continue in his role as SoCalGas' chief operating officer, reporting to the CEO of SoCalGas.

Lane has been the chief operating officer of SoCalGas since 2014. Previously, he was the senior vice president of gas operations & system integrity for SoCalGas and SDG&E, responsible for all aspects of gas delivery services, including region operations, engineering, transmission, storage and pipeline safety.

From 2010 to 2012, he served as vice president of field services for SoCalGas and SDG&E. Prior to that, Lane was vice president of gas transmission & distribution for SoCalGas.

Lane was vice president of environmental, safety & facilities and chief environmental officer for SoCalGas and SDG&E from 2005 to 2008. Previously, he was vice president of labor relations, responsible for all collective bargaining with the labor unions at SoCalGas. Lane first joined SoCalGas in 1982 in the transmission & storage operations group.

Lane holds a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering from Oklahoma State University. Lane serves on the boards of directors of the Gas Technology Institute and Western Energy Institute, and on the board of advisors of the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center.

Scott D. Drury, 51, currently chief energy supply officer for SDG&E, will become president of SDG&E, reporting to Davis.

Drury has served as SDG&E's chief energy supply officer since last year, overseeing electric transmission operations, utility-owned power generation and energy procurement. Previously, he was SDG&E's vice president of human resources, diversity and inclusion from 2011 to 2015. Prior to 2011, Drury was director of safety and emergency services and director of supply management for both SDG&E and SoCalGas. From 1998 to 2007, he held various positions of increasing responsibility at SDG&E.

Drury holds a bachelor's degree in public administration and a master's degree in business administration from San Diego State University. He holds a certificate in human resources and labor relations from Cornell University. Drury serves on the board of directors of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and the advisory board of Alzheimer's San Diego.

Caroline A. Winn, 53, chief energy delivery officer for SDG&E, will become chief operating officer of SDG&E, reporting to Drury.

Winn has served as SDG&E's chief energy delivery officer since last year, overseeing electric distribution operations and gas services, customer services, and external and state legislative affairs for SDG&E.

From 2010 to 2015, Winn was vice president of customer services for SDG&E. Previously, she served as director of distribution operations, director of electric distributions operations, director of electric distribution services and director of supply management for SDG&E from 2000 to 2010.

Winn first joined SDG&E in 1986 as an associate engineer and has held positions of increasing responsibility with the utility.

She holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from California State University, Sacramento, and is a registered professional engineer in the state of California. Winn serves on the board of directors of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Western Energy Institute and the Classroom of the Future Foundation. She also serves on the board of advisors of the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center.
Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) September 14, 2016

Now offering Intelligence Security and Military Grade instruction, Scottsdale based Advanced Business Learning (ABL Academy) is currently enrolling for the following cybersecurity training preparation courses:

CISSP: This certification preparation program is intended for experienced IT security-related practitioners, auditors, consultants, investigators, or instructors, including network or security analysts and engineers, network administrators, information security specialists, and risk management professionals, who are pursuing CISSP training and certification to acquire the credibility and mobility to advance within their current computer security careers or to migrate to a related career.

PMP: This certification preparation program is intended for individuals in various job roles who are involved in leading, managing, and participating in small to medium scale projects. In this course, students will apply recognized practices of project management and understand a project's life cycle and roles and skills necessary to effectively initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close a project.

Security +: This certification preparation program prepares technology professionals to master technology systems found in varied information technology environments, from traditional devices and operating systems to mobile platforms. This focus area provides the skills and knowledge to apply industry best practices along with new, innovative solutions to troubleshoot networking and security operations across a variety of information technology infrastructures and devices.

Network +: This certification preparation program for the CompTIA Network+ improves a technician's competency in managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, installing, and configuring basic network infrastructure. This program validates the essential knowledge and skills needed to confidently design, configure, manage and troubleshoot any wired and wireless networks.

CEH: This certification preparation program is for individuals seeking the CEH certification. This program will significantly benefit security officers, auditors, security professionals, site administrators, and anyone who is concerned about the integrity of the network infrastructure.

Class schedules will start in late September for CISSP; PMP; Security +; Network +; CEH and more. Visit http://www.advancedbusinesslearning.com for further details on classes or contact the ABL Academy at: 480-222-7507 or 480- 339- 4851.

About Advanced Business Learning (ABL)

For over 17 years, Advanced Business Learning has been a leader in workforce effectiveness programs serving the US Government and Fortune 1000 clients across the country and around the globe. Their team of elite consultants, instructors and best-of-breed partners are dedicated to delivering relevant, results-focused programs that are cost effective and have a measurable impact on your company's short term goals and long term success.

Advanced Business Learning has a mission of bringing the same high quality DoD classroom experience with authorized CompTIA; EC-Council; ISACA; ISC2; and PMI materials plus military grade instructors, many with DoD experience and Secret clearances, to our certification exam prep courses where they ensure both certification exam readiness and application to real world work.

Media Contact:

Christine Holtz

Phoenix Marketing Associates

602-282-0202

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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/09/prweb13679124.htm
Ingenuity and Collaboration Prove Key as The Residences at Westgate Wins Best Architectural Design of a Multifamily Community at the SoCal Awards Presented by the Building Industry Association of Southern California and the Greater Sales & Marketing Council

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The worst housing recession in US history, a difficult design review process, and an existing historical structure couldnt stop The Residences at Westgate in downtown Pasadena from finally being realized thanks to a very patient development team and the architectural collaboration of Danielian Associates Architecture + Planning and COE Architecture. We started working on this project in our office in 2007, said Mojgan Momenan, Senior Project Manager for Westgate and Associate at Danielian. It could easily have been a different outcome, but patience and the teams ability to overcome design challenges paid off. To have this particular project win at the SoCal Awards is exceptionally rewarding.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914006346/en/

The Residences at Westgate located in Pasadena, CA (Photo: Business Wire)

One of the defining challenges of this project was having to account for an existing, historical structure situated within its infill location. The Werk Brothers Garage was ultimately incorporated as a focal element in the retail street scene along Green Street while the residences were built out around it. The garage provided inspiration for authentic material and color choices throughout the project, making for a seamless integration of the existing historical building into the new retail street scene and residential units above. The recession also meant changes in the projects builder team, starting out with Sares-Regis and ultimately completing construction directly with the project owner Equity Residential.

The Residences at Westgate includes 88 units, including studios, one and two bedroom dwellings, and lofts with mezzanines and approximately 16,500 SF of ground floor retail and restaurant space.

We are extremely proud of the entire project team and ecstatic to have this project recognized by the building community. This years finalists in the Multifamily Architecture category represented a literal whos who of our industrys best and we are honored to be included among them, said John Danielian, AIA, Principal at Danielian Associates. Our firm takes great pride in working collaboratively to develop design solutions that support successful projects and enable our clients to achieve and exceed their goals. The Residences at Westgate is a great story and a true testament to our firms guiding principles and core values.

The SoCal Awards were held on Saturday, September 10th, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA. The Residences at Westgate was announced the winner out of six finalists in its category, including Alterra at La Floresta by Van Daele Homes and Bassenian Lagoni; Avanti by The New Home Company and Robert Hidey Architects; Mason at Playa Vista by Brookfield Residential and KTGY Architecture; Modera Glendale by Mill Creek Residential Trust and KTGY Architecture; and Vireo at Esencia by William Lyon Homes and Mark Scheurer Architect.

About Danielian Associates

For nearly 50 years, the Danielian Associates has artfully planned and designed trend-setting, forward-thinking homes and sustainable residential communities in 44 states and 14 countries worldwide. Each and every project connects places with people while uniquely reflecting the areas verve and vibrancy.

For more information, please visit www.danielian.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914006346/en/

Danielian Associates Architecture + Planning

Cassie Cherry, 714-345-0207

[email protected]

Source: Danielian Associates Architecture + Planning
BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanath Rajapakse, PMP, CISA, has been promoted to Director at Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C.

Sanath joined Freed Maxick's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) group in 2012. He specializes in risk management, business process alignment and improvement, project management, information technology consulting, regulatory compliance, and various audit and attestation services.

Sanath will focus on expanding Freed Maxick's Technology Consulting services and provide support, oversight and leadership for the Firm's ERM clients.

Prior to joining Freed Maxick, Sanath was a Director in the Advisory Services practice at a national firm. He is a member of the Project Management Institute, and the Information Systems Auditing and Control Association (ISACA).

Sanath is a welcome addition to the Director group of Freed Maxick.

About Freed Maxick CPAsFreed Maxick CPAs, P.C. is one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in Western New York and a Top 100 largest CPA firm in the United States. Serving closely held businesses, SEC companies, governmental and not-for-profit clients across New York as well as nationally and internationally, Freed Maxick mobilizes high-performance professionals to guide client growth, compliance, security and innovation. Freed Maxick specializes in the healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, banking, agribusiness and private equity sectors, and has more than 300 professional and administrative personnel, and offices in Buffalo, Batavia, Rochester and Syracuse, New York. Visit www.freedmaxick.com or follow on Twitter @FreedMaxickCPAs

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160912/406528

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/freed-maxick-cpas-pc-promotes-rajapakse-to-director-300327864.html

SOURCE Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -- (Marketwired) -- 09/13/16 -- Aden, one of the largest port cities in Yemen, has recently banned weekday use of qat. Amid a profusion of mixed reactions to the edict, Haitham Alaini urges Aden officials to take their ban one step further, and to replace the crop entirely. In rationalization of his plea, the respected philanthropist points to the World Bank's statements and suggestions on Yemen's production of qat.

Qat is both a national crop of Yemen and an addictive pastime. Upon ingestion, the leaves give an effect similar to that of several concentrated cups of coffee. Deeply intertwined with Yemeni culture, the herb is commonly featured during wedding celebrations and given as a gift. By some estimates, the staple crop accounts for more than ten percent of the national GDP, and provides employment to fourteen percent of the country's working population.

At the prohibition's announcement, some citizens felt that the government was intruding into their daily lives, while others, including Haitham Alaini, embraced the idea of removing the leaf entirely from Yemeni culture. The forward thinking entrepreneur insists that if Yemen is to develop, a ban is not what his country needs, but a concerted effort to replace the crop. Geologic studies from the past ten years have consistently shown that qat shrinks underground water reservoirs, leading to cracks and fissures that can stretch for hundreds of yards. In an effort to sufficiently irrigate their land, farmers drill deeper for water, causing further damage to the earth.

Haitham Alaini maintains that, while it would take time to implement, Yemen should consider the World Bank's recommendations to replace qat. The process will prove invaluable to stabilizing Yemen's environment and increase the quantity of water available for the thirsty. The foundation, a proponent of developing countries, advocated assisting farmers in the development of alternative, high-value crops such as olives, almonds, and coffee. The Yemeni government could ease this transition by offering credits for farmers shifting to high-value crops, promoting the role of the Cooperative Agricultural Credit Bank, expanding non-farm livelihood activities, and establishing a fund to compensate farmers for ceasing qat production.

Haitham Alaini is a Yemeni entrepreneur and philanthropist. He received a degree in economics from George Washington University, and upon his return to Yemen, created his own construction business specializing in oil and gas infrastructure. Over the course of the last twenty years, the Yemeni patriot has gained invaluable experience, as well as attained a profound respect for the professionals of Yemen and its surrounding regions. An admirer of nonprofits like the Acacia Foundation who work tirelessly to improve the education and health of the Yemeni people, Alaini strives to highlight beneficial resources for his fellow citizens, exemplify how businesses can support Yemen, and to demonstrate his love for his country. To learn more about Haitham Alaini and the Future of Yemen, visit: http://www.haithamalaini.org

Haitham Alaini -- Yemeni Entrepreneur and Philanthropist: http://haithamalaininews.com

Haitham Alaini (@haitham_alaini) -- Twitter: https://twitter.com/haitham_alaini

Haitham Alaini -- Stresses Importance of Preservation for Building the Future: http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/Haitham+Alaini+--+Stresses+Importance+of+Preservation+for+Building+the+Future/11992883.html

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/9/14/11G114085/Images/mw1asj81heeqcc79uu101cv2dqj2-e26b17c30fac8bc6957f17a0203a2b70.jpg

Source: HaithamAlainiNews.com
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Sept. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) announced today that its newly established Huntington Ingalls Industries Scholarship Fund has awarded 78 scholarships to pre-kindergarten and post-secondary students.

HII first announced in March that it was establishing a scholarship fund that would be administered by Scholarship Management Services, a division of Scholarship America. The scholarship fund was formed to provide financial assistance to qualified and selected dependent children of HII employees who are pursuing a post-secondary college or technical/vocation degree and dependent children who are enrolled in quality pre-kindergarten school readiness programs.

Its exciting to see 78 children positively impacted by HIIs scholarship fund, and this is only the beginning, HII President and CEO Mike Petters said. As we continue this scholarship fund going forward, the number of children benefiting from this opportunity will grow. I know first-hand how this kind of opportunity can positively change someones path in life. I hope that for these 78 children, the HII scholarship fund will do just that.

The opportunity to establish the program is the result of Petters declining his 2016 salary, but for $1, to fund the program. Other contributors who want to assist in the efforts to provide assistance to the children of HII employees may also donate to the scholarship fund.

Of the scholarships awarded, 30 were granted to post-secondary students in four-year education programs, 16 were granted to post-secondary students in two-year technical/vocation programs, and 32 were granted to students in pre-kindergarten school readiness programs. The parents of the scholarship awardees work across the HII enterprise.

Children of all HII employees are eligible to apply for the scholarship fund, with the exception of children of senior executives and those employees who have been with the company for less than two years. Guidelines and applications for the 2017 program will be available in early 2017.

Individual award amounts range from $1,500 for selected students enrolled in a two-year college program to $3,000 for selected students enrolled in a four-year program; the post-secondary awards are renewable for recipients who remain in good academic standing. The fund also awards scholarships of up to $3,000 for pre-school education costs.

The selection process for awards is independent of HII and based on both academic scholarship and financial need. No employee or officer of HII plays a part in the selection process.

Huntington Ingalls Industries is Americas largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of engineering, manufacturing and management services to the nuclear energy, oil and gas markets. For more than a century, HIIs Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs nearly 35,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit:

HII on the web: www.huntingtoningalls.com

HII on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuntingtonIngallsIndustries

HII on Twitter: twitter.com/hiindustries

Source: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
A Wells Fargo branch is seen in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, U.S. on February 10, 2015. REUTERS/Jim Young/File Photo

By Ross Kerber

BOSTON (Reuters) - An activist investor said on Wednesday it is "inevitable" that Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE: WFC) will face critical shareholder resolutions after the bank agreed to a $190 million settlement with regulators over fake consumer accounts.

Tim Smith, who leads shareholder engagement efforts at Walden Asset Management in Boston, said his firm is talking with investors including state pension funds and labor groups about submitting resolutions for the bank's springtime shareholder meeting that may call for things like clawing back executive pay or requiring the company to report on its governance procedures.

The largest U.S. bank by market capitalization last week said it would pay $185 million in penalties and $5 million to customers that regulators say were pushed into fee-generating accounts they never requested.

Its inevitable that Wells Fargo will face a series of critical shareholder resolutions in light of this scandal, Smith said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

A Wells Fargo spokesman declined to comment.

Federal prosecutors are in the early stages of an investigation into sales practices at Wells Fargo, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Shareholder resolutions could be a black eye for San Francisco-based Wells Fargo, which has avoided some of the investor backlash that other large banks faced coming out of the financial crisis under pressure from Walden and other activists.

JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) for instance agreed to publish a report in 2014 outlining improved controls it put in place including pay clawbacks and minimum share ownership requirements for leaders.

Also, in 2015 pension funds including the California Public Employees' Retirement System challenged Bank of America to split the dual roles of its chair and CEO Brian Moynihan, though their efforts failed.

Smith said a move to split the dual roles of Wells Fargo Chairman and CEO John Stumpf is also a possibility. A vote in April to require an independent chairman at Wells Fargo drew support from only 17 percent of votes cast.

Asked about Wells Fargo's recent settlement, Calpers spokeswoman Megan White said via e-mail the system "will be reviewing the issue in our proxy vote" and declined further comment.

Sanjay Sen, chief investment officer of BloombergSen Investment Partners in Toronto, which has about 2.3 million Wells Fargo shares, said via e-mail that his firm would support any resolution that improves Wells Fargo's management or corporate culture.

Considering the intense focus of regulators and popular distrust of big banks "It really is crazy how stupidly Wells management has behaved," Sen said via e-mail.

(Reporting by Ross Kerber in Boston. Additional reporting by Dan Freed in New York. Editing by Chris Reese and Andrew Hay)
U.S. soldier Chelsea Manning, who was born male but identifies as a woman, imprisoned for handing over classified files to pro-transparency site WikiLeaks, is pictured dressed as a woman in this 2010 photograph obtained on August 14, 2013. Courtesy U.S. A

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. soldier Chelsea Manning, serving a 35-year prison term for passing classified files to WikiLeaks, ended her hunger strike on Tuesday after the Army said she would be allowed to receive gender transition surgery, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said.

The 28-year-old Army private, who was born male but revealed after being convicted of espionage that she identifies as a woman, announced the hunger strike on Friday.

Manning's treatment will begin with the surgery that was recommended by her psychologist in April, the ACLU, which represented Manning, said in a statement. Manning is held in Kansas.

No transgender inmate has ever before received gender affirming surgical treatment in prison, the ACLU said.

"I am unendingly relieved that the military is finally doing the right thing. I applaud them for that. This is all that I wanted  for them to let me be me," Manning said in a statement, though she went on to criticize the government for taking "so long."

A spokesman for the defense department said it would not comment on the matter in order to protect patient confidentiality.

Manning in July tried to commit suicide over what her representatives said was the government's denial of appropriate treatment for her gender dysphoria, a condition in which a person feels their physical gender is the opposite of the one he or she identifies with.

The Army announced later that month that it would investigate Manning for misconduct in connection with the attempt to take her own life, a probe that could lead to indefinite solitary confinement, reclassification into maximum security or additional prison time.

According to Manning's representatives, doctors have recommended that as part of her treatment for gender dysphoria the soldier, who began hormone therapy in 2015, be allowed to follow "female hair grooming standards."

ACLU staff attorney Chase Strangio said in Tuesday's statement that the government plans to still enforce the male hair standards.

Manning, a former intelligence analyst in Iraq, was sentenced in 2013 to 35 years in prison after a military court conviction of providing more than 700,000 documents, videos, diplomatic cables and battlefield accounts to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks. The case ranked as the biggest breach of classified materials in U.S. history.

Among the files Manning leaked in 2010 was a gunsight video of a U.S. Apache helicopter firing on suspected Iraqi insurgents in 2007, an attack that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff.

(Reporting by Eric Beech in Washington and Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Mohammad Zargham and Andrew Hay)
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton coughs onstage during a campaign stop at the 11th Congressional District Labor Day Parade and Festival in Cleveland, Ohio, United States September 5, 2016. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

WHITE PLAINS, New York (Reuters) - Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko next week at the United Nations General Assembly, her campaign said on Wednesday.

She will also meet with other leaders, the campaign added.

(Reporting by Amanda Becker; Editing by Susan Heavey and Chizu Nomiyama)
Police said on Wednesday that the man who allegedly set a Muslim woman's blouse on fire over the weekend may have targeted three other women on the same night. The man appears to have approached all of the women with a handheld lighter and attempt to spark their clothing.

According to the latest information, the three additional female victims were not wearing hijab, unlike the first reported victim. The initial attack announced by the NYPD, against Scotland tourist 35-year-old Nemariq Alhinai, prompted a Hate Crimes Task Force investigation. "Hate Crimes is still looking into it, but it looks like it may not be bias-related," an NYPD spokeswoman said.

A group of five peopletwo women and three men, including the suspectallegedly approached a woman wearing shorts and long shirt outside of the Tiffany & Co. store at 727 Fifth Avenue around 8:45 p.m. on Saturday. Cops said the suspect approached the victim, who was window-shopping, from behind and appeared to "ignite a lighter next to her leg." The startled woman was not injured, but quickly headed north towards East 57th Street. The suspect headed south. About fifteen minutes later, 35-year-old Nemariq Alhinai realized that her blouse had been set on fire. She was standing in front of the nearby Valentino store at 693 Fifth Avenue.

Then, around 10:00 p.m., two women on the D/F train platform at Bryant Park said they were approached by a man who "placed" a flame "near their respective arms." The man, approximately 6'0" and wearing a white t-shirt, fit the description of the attacker in the other two incidents. Police said he was holding a lighter, and was with a group of people.

"You shouldn't burn people," one of the women said, according to the police report.

"I don't smoke, you can smell my breath," the man responded. He and his companions apparently fled when the women got on an arriving F train.

Police released additional surveillance footage of the suspect. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information in regards to the above incidents is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
By Igor Ilic

ZAGREB (Reuters) - Croatia was preparing for tense coalition talks on Monday after weekend elections put the conservatives unexpectedly ahead, but short of the seats needed to form a government.

A surge in support for leftist populists saw the Social Democrats, who were widely expected to come out with the largest number of seats, lose ground in a poll where the turnout was a fifth lower than in the last one just 10 months ago.

This reflected popular anger at politicians who are seen to have exploited nationalist rhetoric rather than tackle the country's economic woes, with the populist left Zivi Zid (Human Shield) alliance rising from one to eight seats on promises to be tough on banks and corrupt politicians.

Most opinion polls had suggested the Social Democrats would win around 60 seats, and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) would be behind. This was actually the reverse in the election.

Led by former diplomat Andrej Plenkovic, the HDZ won 61 seats in Zagreb's 151-seat parliament and will now need to move quickly to avoid further anger from a disillusioned public.

Unemployment is at 13 percent and European Union authorities are urging Croatia to address public debts that eat up 3.5 percent of economic output in interest payments alone.

Plenkovic helped the HDZ win back ground it lost to rivals after its previous government collapsed in June after only five months in power amid rows over political appointments with its coalition partner. The HDZ beat the Social Democrat-led alliance, which won 54 seats.

"We are the party that will have the privilege of forming a stable government," Plenkovic said as he claimed victory early on Monday.

SDP leader Zoran Milanovic, a former Prime Minister, said he would not stand as leader in the next party election which will take place in the coming months, but did not resign with immediate effect as some had expected after the result.

Plenkovic's more moderate tone might make for a more stable coalition, although the Most ("Bridge") party, the likely kingmaker with 13 seats, showed little sign of compromising.

Among Most's initial demands were changes to the financing of political parties, lower taxes for businesses and an Adriatic economic zone - a bold proposal that would likely require extensive consultation with Croatia's European Union partners.

"The SDP is realistically too far behind to be in the race to form a future cabinet and if Plenkovic manages to establish a reasonably good cooperation with Most, the government could be stable," said political analyst Ivan Rimac.

But any government will struggle to deliver reforms being urged by the EU, which is monitoring Croatia's debt-burdened economy and an investment environment it sees as business-unfriendly.

"(HDZ) would need to strike an agreement with a diminished Most and at least one more small party," said Otilia Dhand, an analyst at risk consultancy Teneo, highlighting the risk that the new cabinet could be as fractious as the old one.

(Editing by Thomas Escritt and Alexander Smith)
The Pfizer logo is seen at their world headquarters in New York April 28, 2014. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File photo -

By Natalie Grover

(Reuters) - A serious warning on Pfizer Inc's (NYSE: PFE) quit smoking drug should be removed, 10 of 19 independent panelists to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended on Wednesday, after reviewing additional trial data on the controversial treatment.

Pfizer's Chantix was approved about a decade ago, but thousands of reports of mental health problems in users led to the FDA imposing the "black box" warning - the most severe available - in 2009.

On Wednesday, four of the 19 panelists voted to update the language in the box warning - of neuropsychiatric risks including suicidal thoughts, hostility and agitation - while five recommended retaining it.

The 10 who voted in favor of removal stressed that the benefits of quitting smoking far outweighed the potential severe side-effects of the drug, and that the evidence of causality between Chantix and the side-effects was not clear enough to warrant a black box.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, accounting for about 1 of every 5 deaths, according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pfizer failed a previous attempt to get rid of the boxed warning, after the FDA went along with a panel recommendation in 2014 to retain it pending the outcome of the additional study.

Since then Pfizer has released results from the study that compared either Chantix or GlaxoSmithKline Plc's (NYSE: GSK) Zyban, with a placebo or a nicotine patch in patients with and without a history of psychiatric disorders.

FDA staff on Monday issued a scathing review of how the study was conducted by Pfizer, flagging multiple inconsistencies across the 140 sites and multiple countries in which data was collected.

But when the FDA conducted its own analysis, excluding data they deemed unreliable, the results appeared to be consistent with Pfizer's conclusion that Chantix does not significantly increase the incidence of such side-effects.

The discussion among panelists on Wednesday ranged from whether certain adverse events were the result of tobacco withdrawal or the drug, as well as the trend of a higher number of psychiatric side-effects seen in patients with a history of mental illness.

Patients with psychiatric disorders are far more vulnerable to tobacco addiction, and less likely to be prescribed treatments for smoking cessation, they noted, saying that the exclusion of the boxed warning would go a long way in improving statistics.

Some panelists who voted to modify the warning or retain it in its present form, said they were fearful of setting a dangerous precedent for other drugmakers looking to remove such warnings off of their products, or that Pfizer's implementation of trial design left a lot to be desired.

The FDA is not obligated to follow the recommendations of its panel, but typically does so.

(Reporting by Natalie Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Don Sebastian and Andrew Hay)
By Alister Doyle

OSLO (Reuters) - Norway's prime minister said on Tuesday she wanted to work with Facebook to promote education in an apparent gesture of peace after a row with the company for deleting a Vietnam War photo of a naked girl fleeing a napalm attack.

Facebook re-instated the 1972 Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph on Friday after Solberg and others accused Facebook of censorship and of editing history by erasing the image from their accounts under its restrictions on nudity.

Facebook backed down, ruling that the historical importance of the photo outweighed the company's nudity rules. And Solberg said she hoped for cooperation between the social media giant and her elected government.

"We have been working with Facebook and other social media on education, especially in conflict areas," she told Reuters. "So there will be reasons for us to have contact with them on several issues."

"That's my main reason for trying try to be in contact with them ... if you are really going to get education into conflict areas, social media is probably one of those platforms they can use," she said.

Solberg, of Norway's Conservative Party, welcomed a personal letter from chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg thanking Solberg for her role and saying the company would learn from the dispute.

"It was a humble letter," Solberg said. She and Sandberg met at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last year.

At the time, Norway's NTB news agency said Solberg asked Facebook's help with ways to help train teachers and to ensure schooling in war zones or other areas in crisis.

Still, Solberg also said Facebook should admit more clearly that it acts as an editor of the Internet.

"They are editing and then they have to be honest on the editing," she said. "They have to make sure that they are not editing ... history or political activism through the way they are editing," she said.

The 1972 photograph, dubbed "Napalm Girl", by Nick Ut of the Associated Press, shows screaming children running from a napalm attack. A naked nine-year-old girl, Phan Thi Kim Phuc, is at its center.

Facebook bars nudity with some exemptions, such as photographs of nudes in art. It is unclear exactly how disputes over its "Community Standards" reach top management.

(Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 28, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar

By Suzanne Barlyn

(Reuters) - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday issued long-anticipated proposed cyber security regulations for banks and insurers in the state, the first of their kind in the United States by any state or federal agency, the governor said in a statement.

Cuomo's planned regulations for institutions overseen by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) would require companies to set up cyber security programs and appoint a chief information officer, among other measures, according to the governor's office.

The planned regulations, in the works since 2014, follow a series of high-profile hackings of U.S. companies and three surveys by the regulator about cyber security programs at a total of nearly 200 companies under its watch. One NYDFS report last year revealed that a third of 40 banks in a 2014 survey did not require outside vendors to notify them of data breaches, which could compromise bank data.

The regulations aim to provide institutions with flexibility to adapt to technological innovations while reducing vulnerabilities, NYDFS Superintendent Maria Vullo said in a statement.

NYDFS regulates state-chartered and foreign banks licensed to operate in the state, including Goldman Sachs Group, Barclays and Deutsche Bank, and all insurance companies that do business in the state.

It previewed the plan in a November, 2015 letter to other state and federal regulators. That same day, U.S. prosecutors unveiled criminal charges accusing three men of helping run a sprawling series of hacking and fraud schemes, including a huge 2014 attack against JPMorgan Chase & Co , that generated hundreds of millions of dollars of illegal profit.

Among the planned requirements: board chairmen would have to file annual certifications with NYDFS, stating, to the best of their knowledge, that their companies' cyber programs comply with the regulation.

Other measures would include appointing overseers for outside vendors and limiting access of customers' non-public information, such as social security numbers, to employees who need those details, according to the proposal. Systems would have to include multiple steps for verifying user identities.

Institutions would also have to regularly test their cyber security systems. The chief information security officer would have to present twice-yearly reports about progress and vulnerabilities to the board of directors and make those findings available to NYDFS.

Before the plan becomes final, the public will have 45 days to submit comments, once the proposed regulations are published in the New York State Register.

(Reporting by Suzanne Barlyn; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, G Crosse and David Gregorio)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday lifted decade-old sanctions against Ivory Coast, the world's biggest cocoa producer, citing a successful presidential election last year and its progress in tackling illegal trafficking of arms and natural resources.

The sanctions were imposed in February 2006 under President George W. Bush against Ivory Coast political figures for blocking a 2003 peace process. The country had been split in two since a 2002 civil war launched by rebels against then President Laurent Gbagbo.

Wednesday's move follows the lifting a 12-year-old arms embargo and asset freezes and travel bans against six individuals by the UN Security Council in April, including against Gbagbo, who is on trial before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

"Cote dIvoire has taken important steps to strengthen its governing and economic institutions and reconcile the differences that led to war," White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

"Challenges remain as the country continues to tackle difficult land reform issues and works to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are felt throughout the Ivoirian population," he said.

Five years after the country's civil war that followed a 2010 presidential election, Ivory Coast has been reborn as one of Africa's economic stars and held up by many as a model of post-conflict reconstruction.

Deep-seated tensions between supporters of Gbagbo and President Alassane Ouattara, who won the war with French backing, continue to simmer, however.

The White House's Price said tackling difficult land issues and ensuring that everyone benefits from Ivory Coast's economic rise remained as challenges for the government.

(Reporting by Roberta Rampton and Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Andrea Ricci and James Dalgleish)
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2016

Commission file number 000-55369

ADAIAH DISTRIBUTION INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Poruka iela 3 Madona

LV-4801 Latvia

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(775)375-5240

(Telephone number, including area code)

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the last 90 days. Yes x No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer, "accelerated filer," "non-accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer  Non-accelerated filer  Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: 141,000,000 shares as of September 12, 2016.

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ADAIAH DISTRIBUTION INC.

(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

BALANCE SHEETS

Three Months Ended Year Ended July 31, 2016 October 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (Audited) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash $ 210 $ 2,491 Inventory - - $ 210 $ 2,491 FIXED ASSETS Furniture & Equipment 8,000 8,000 Accumulated Depreciation - F&E (2,035 ) (1,713 ) Sewing Shop 16,940 16,940 Accumulated Depreciation - Sewing Shop (1,800 ) (1,482 ) $ 21,105 $ 21,745 TOTAL ASSETS $ 21,315 $ 24,235 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable - - Product Paid - Pending Shipment - - Deferred Tax Liability 3,894 3,894 Loan Payable - Related Party 1,415 1,415 TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 5,309 $ 5,309 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock: authorized 750,000,000; $0.001 par value; 141,000,000 and 5,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of July 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015 5,000 5,000 Additional Paid in Capital 39,000 39,000 Profit (loss) accumulated during the development stage (27,994 ) (25,074 ) Total Stockholders' Equity $ 16,006 $ 18,926 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 21,315 $ 24,235

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

2

ADAIAH DISTRIBUTION INC.

(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended From Inception (September 12, 2013) to July 31, 2016 July 31, 2015 July 31, 2016 July 31, 2015 July 31, 2016 REVENUES Sales: Merchandise Sales $ 10,944 $ 19,379 $ 26,823 $ 84,837 $ 223,969 Total Income 10,944 19,379 26,823 84,837 223,969 Cost of Goods Sold: Pillow Purchases 10,930 15,642 22,961 69,423 157,334 Sales Commission - - - - 3,180 Total Cost of Goods Sold $ 10,930 $ 15,642 $ 22,961 $ 69,423 $ 160,514 Gross Profit 14 3,737 3,862 15,414 63,455 Operating Expenses: General and administrative $ 483 $ 2,470 $ 6,782 $ 59,688 $ 87,561 Total Expenses 483 2,470 6,782 59,688 87,561 Income Before Income Tax $ (469 ) $ 1,267 $ (2,920 ) $ (44,274 ) $ (24,106 ) Provision for Income Tax - - - - 3,894 Interest Income 0 0 0 5 6 Net Income for Period (469 ) 1,267 (2,920 ) (44,269 ) (27,994 ) Net gain (loss) per share: Basic and diluted $ (0.00 ) $ 0.00 $ (0.00 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (0.00 ) Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Basic and diluted 141,000,000 5,000,000 141,000,000 5,000,000 141,000,000

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

3

ADAIAH DISTRIBUTION INC.

(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended From inception (September 12, 2013) to July 31, 2016 July 31, 2015 July 31, 2016 Operating activities: Net Income $ (2,920 ) $ (44,269 ) $ (27,994 ) Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operations: Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (decrease) in Inventory - - - Increase (decrease) in Accounts Payable - - - Increase (decrease) Accum Depreciation 639 638 3,835 Increase (decrease) in Pending Shipment - - - Increase (decrease) in Deferred Tax Liability - - 3,894 Net cash provided by operating activities (2,281 ) (43,630 ) (20,265 ) Financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock - 40,000 44,000 Due to related party - 110 1,415 Net cash provided by financing activities - 40,110 45,415 Investing activities: Furniture & Equipment - - (8,000 ) Sewing Shop - - (16,940 ) Net cash provided by investing activities - - (24,940 ) Net increase in cash (2,281 ) (3,520 ) 210 Cash, beginning of period 2,491 7,927 - Cash, end of period $ 210 $ 4,407 $ 210 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period Taxes $ - $ - $ - Interest $ - $ - $ -

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

4

Adaiah Distribution Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

July 31, 2016

Note 1: Organization and Basis of Presentation

Adaiah Distribution, Inc. (the Company) is a for profit corporation established under the corporation laws in the State of Nevada, United States of America on September 12, 2013.

The Company is in the development phase of its custom pillow distribution business. As such, the Company is subject to all risks inherent to the establishment of a start-up business enterprise.

The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of Adaiah Distribution, Inc. (the Company) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Notes to the financial statements which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015 as reported on Form 10-K have been omitted.

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to Adaiah Distribution, we, us, our or the company are to Adaiah Distribution, Inc.

Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Due to the limited level of operations, the Company has not had to make material assumptions or estimates other than the assumption that the Company is a going concern.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

ASC 825, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments. ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value estimates discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of July 31, 2016.

The respective carrying values of certain on-balance-sheet financial instruments approximate their fair values. These financial instruments include cash, accrued liabilities and notes payable. Fair values were assumed to approximate carrying values for these financial instruments since they are short term in nature and their carrying amounts approximate fair value.

5

Adaiah Distribution Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

July 31, 2016

Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share

The Company computes earnings (loss) per share in accordance with ASC 260-10-45 Earnings per Share, which requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share on the face of the statement of operations. Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive earnings (loss) per share excludes all potential common shares if their effect is anti-dilutive. The Company has no potential dilutive instruments, and therefore, basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are equal.

Revenue Recognition

The company follows the guidelines of ASC 605-15 for revenue recognition. Revenue is recognized when the product has been prepaid by the customer, shipped from either Adaiah Distribution or one of our vendors and the product has been delivered and signed for by the customer as evidenced by the shipping company. Customers are allowed to return the products within 30 days for a refund, if the packages are unopened.

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of: (i) taxes payable or refundable for the current year and (ii) deferred tax consequences of temporary differences resulting from matters that have been recognized in an entitys financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the deferred tax assets reported if based on the weight of the available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

ASC Topic 740.10.30 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprises financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740.10.40 provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. We have no material uncertain tax positions for any of the reporting periods presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company does not expect the adoption of recently issued accounting pronouncements to have a significant impact on the Companys results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

Note 3: Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of:

July 31, 2016 October 31,

2015 Furniture & Equipment $ 8,000 $ 8,000 Sewing Shop $ 16,940 $ 16,940 Accumulated Depreciation $ (3,835 ) $ (3,196 ) $ 21,105 $ 21,744

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. The Company utilizes MACRS 200 DB HY  7 years for furniture and fixture depreciation and ADS straight-line  40 years for the sewing shop depreciation over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

6

Adaiah Distribution Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

July 31, 2016

Note 4: Concentrations

Sales are made without collateral and the credit-related losses are insignificant or non-existent. Accordingly, there is no provision made to include an allowance for doubtful accounts.

Note 5: Legal Matters

The Company has no known legal issues pending.

Note 6: Debt

Nikolay Titov, the Director and President of the Company, has from time to time loaned the Company funds for operational costs. The amount, $1,415 at July 31, 2016, is being carried as a loan payable. The loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and due upon demand.

Note 7: Capital Stock

On October 28, 2013 the Company authorized 75,000,000 shares of commons stock with a par value of $0.001 per share.

On October 28, 2013 the Company issued 4,000,000 shares of common stock for a purchase price of $0.001 per share to its sole director. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of $4,000.00.

In January 2015 a total of 1,000,000 shares were issued to a total of 30 shareholders for $.04 per share for total proceeds of $40,000. The shares were registered pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that was declared effective on November 3, 2014.

On November 29, 2015, the Company's board of directors elected by unanimous written consent to file Articles of Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation with the Nevada Secretary of State to (i) increase the Company's authorized number of shares of common stock from 75 million to 750 million, and (ii) increase the Company's total issued and outstanding shares of common stock by conducting a forward split of such shares at the rate of 25 shares for every one (1) share currently issued and outstanding (the "Forward Split"). On December 4, 2015, the Company filed such Articles of Amendment with the Nevada Secretary of State. The record date for the Forward Split is December 1, 2015.

On December 4, 2015, the Company filed an Issuer Company-Related Action Notification Form with FINRA requesting that the aforementioned Forward Split be effected in the market. Such notification form is being reviewed by FINRA.

On December 2, 2015, the Company by written consent of the Board of Directors approved the issuance to Mr. Nikolay Titov of 16,000,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock in exchange for continued services as the sole member of the Board and the Company's sole executive officer. These shares are being issued subsequent to the stock split and increased the Company's total issued and outstanding shares following such stock split to 141 million shares.

As of July 31, 2016 there were no outstanding stock options or warrants.

7

Adaiah Distribution Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

July 31, 2016

Note 8: Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of: (i) taxes payable or refundable for the current year and (ii) deferred tax consequences of temporary differences resulting from matters that have been recognized in an entitys financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the deferred tax assets reported if based on the weight of the available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

ASC Topic 740.10.30 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprises financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740.10.40 provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. We have no material uncertain tax positions for any of the reporting periods presented.

Note 9: Related Party Transactions

The Company's sole officer and director is involved in other business activities and may in the future, become involved in other business opportunities as they become available.

The Company has a related party transaction involving a significant shareholder. The nature and details of the transaction are described in Note 6.

Note 10: Going Concern

The accompanying financial statements and notes have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern.

For the period from inception (September 12, 2013) to July 31, 2016, the Company generated $223,969 in revenues and a net gain (loss) from operations of $(27,994). The Companys ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Companys ability to generate sufficient revenues to operate profitably or raise additional capital through debt financing and/or through sales of common stock.

Management plans to fund operations of the Company through the proceeds from the recent offering of common stock pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1, private placements of restricted securities or the issuance of stock in lieu of cash for payment of services until such a time as profitable operations are achieved. There are no written agreements in place for such funding or issuance of securities and there can be no assurance that such will be available in the future. Management believes that this plan provides an opportunity for the Company to continue as a going concern. The failure to achieve the necessary levels of profitability or obtain the additional funding would be detrimental to the Company.

Note 11: Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated events subsequent to the date these financial statements have been issued to assess the need for potential recognition or disclosure in this report. Such events were evaluated through the date these financial statements were available to be issued. Based upon this evaluation, it was determined that no subsequent events occurred that require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

8



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report 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. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, should, expects, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, potential or continue or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks in the section entitled Risk Factors and the risks set out below, any of which may cause our or our industrys 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.

Forward looking statements are made based on managements beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

Our financial statements are stated in United States dollars ($US) and are prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

In this report, unless otherwise specified, all references to "common stock" refer to the common shares in our capital stock.

As used in this annual report, the terms "we", "us", "our", Adaiah" and Adaiah Distribution mean Adaiah Distribution Inc., unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

Results of Operations

Our total assets at July 31, 2016 were $21,315, which was comprised of $210 cash in the bank and $21,105 (net) in furniture and equipment and a sewing shop. We currently anticipate that our legal and accounting fees over the next 12 months as a result of being a reporting company with the SEC, and will be approximately $10,000 per year.

We received the initial equity funding of $4,000 from our sole officer and director who purchased 4,000,000 shares of our common stock at $0.001 per share.

In January 2015, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock to 30 independent persons pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 for total cash proceeds of $40,000.

On November 29, 2015, the Company's board of directors elected by unanimous written consent to file Articles of Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation with the Nevada Secretary of State to (i) increase the Company's authorized number of shares of common stock from 75 million to 750 million, and (ii) increase the Company's total issued and outstanding shares of common stock by conducting a forward split of such shares at the rate of 25 shares for every one (1) share currently issued and outstanding (the "Forward Split"). On December 4, 2015, the Company filed such Articles of Amendment with the Nevada Secretary of State. The record date for the Forward Split is December 1, 2015.

On December 4, 2015, the Company filed an Issuer Company-Related Action Notification Form with FINRA requesting that the aforementioned Forward Split be effected in the market. Such notification form is being reviewed by FINRA.

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On December 2, 2015, the Company by written consent of the Board of Directors approved the issuance to Mr. Nikolay Titov of 16,000,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock in exchange for continued services as the sole member of the Board and the Company's sole executive officer. These shares are being issued subsequent to the stock split and increased the Company's total issued and outstanding shares following such stock split to 141 million shares.

Our revenue for the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 was $10,944 and $19,379, respectively. Our cost of goods sold for the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 was $10,930 and $15,642 resulting in a gross profit (loss) of $14 and $3,737, respectively. Our operating expenses for the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 were $483 and $2,470, respectively. Our net income (loss) for the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 was $(469) and $1,267, respectively.

Our revenue for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 was $26,823 and $84,837, respectively. Our cost of goods sold for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 was $22,961 and $69,423 resulting in a gross profit (loss) of $3,862 and $15,413, respectively. Our operating expenses for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 were $6,782 and $59,688, respectively. Our interest income for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 were $0 and $5, respectively, resulting in a net income (loss) of $(2,920) and $(44,269), respectively.

Our revenue from inception (September 12, 2013) through July 31, 2016 was $223,969. Our cost of goods sold for the same period was $160,514 resulting in a gross profit of $63,455. Our operating expenses for the same period were $87,561, with interest income of $6 and provision for income tax $3,894, resulting in a net income (loss) of $(27,994).

As of July 31, 2016, there is a total of $1,415 in a loan payable that is owed by the company to its officer and director for expenses that he has paid on behalf of the company. The loan payable is interest free and payable on demand.

The following table provides selected financial data about our Company for the period from the date of incorporation through July 31, 2016. For detailed financial information, see the financial statements included in this report.

Balance Sheet Data: 7/31/2016 Cash $ 210 Total assets $ 21,315 Total liabilities $ 5,309 Stockholders equity $ 16,006

Plan of Operation for the next 12 months

Because we were not able to raise sufficient capital to execute our full business plan, we are now engaged in discussions with third parties regarding alternative directions for the Company that could enhance shareholder value. As of the date of filing this Report on Form 10-Q, we have not entered into any definitive agreement to change our direction. The description of our business below assumes that we will continue with our business as originally planned. However, as noted above, we are in discussions that could lead to another direction for the Company.

If we do not have the revenues we require to operate for the next 12 months funds may be loaned to us by Mr. Titov, who has informally agreed to advance us funds, however, he has no formal commitment, arrangement or legal obligation to advance or loan funds to the company.

If we need additional cash and cannot raise it, we will either have to suspend operations until we do raise the cash, or cease operations entirely.

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Based upon the 50% completion of our recent offering, our plan of operations for the next twelve months is as follows:

Expand our office in Latvia

Month 1-2

Our office in Latvia located in Poruka iela 3 Madona LV-4801 Latvia. Our president and director, Nikolay Titov currently takes care of our administrative duties from this office in Latvia. This office will be expanded with necessary office equipment; the cost of the equipment should not exceed $5,000 in expenses. This office will be used for communication with customers and distributors and hold all related samples and paperwork as well as serving as a shipping destination if necessary.

Develop Our Website

Month 2-5

During this period, we intend to begin expansion of developing our website. Our president and director, Nikolay Titov, will be in charge of this planned expansion. We plan to hire a web designer to help us with the expansion in web site design and to help us develop our website to its full capacity. We do not have any written agreements with any web designers at current time. The website development expansion costs, including site re-design and implementation will be $2,500. Updating and improving our website will continue throughout the lifetime of our operations.

Development and manufacturing of the product

Month 3-6

During this period, our suppliers will continue to develop and manufacture custom made neck, head, donut, lumbar, decorative, throw and orthopedic pillows, per our specific customer specifications, which we are going to distribute to those specific customers. We began to have those customers in small quantities, but expect to have many more in the near future. Right now we are focusing on distributing mainly ready made products from our suppliers, however we have produced a small number of custom pillows in our sewing shop and sold those in the quarter ended April 30, 2015. We will have to pay for development of the products: design of the pillow cover components and design of the product, and must pay for manufacturing of the samples, we anticipate these costs to be approximately $4,500.

Establish relationship with Distributors and Operators

Month 6-12

We have already identified major distributors of neck, head, donut, lumbar, decorative, throw and orthopedic pillows in the USA and intend to market directly to these distributors upon completion of Public Offering. The initial list of distributors we obtained using internet. Once they were identified our independent salespeople made contact via telephone or e-mail. Future distributors we are planning to obtain via expo and trade shows. We are planning to focus our business plan on the USA, Russia and the European Union for next year to establish relationship with major distribution companies, after that, depending on the success of our U.S. operations; we may expand to Canada and Mexico using the same strategy.

Our main clients are distributors but in some areas there are no distributors so we will sell directly to the public. Most of the revenue will be received from distributors as they are our main target market.

In places where no distributors are located we are planning to market our products using these resources:

- Internet advertising (Google AdSence) - Magazine advertising (Design Trade magazine) - Expo Show (TransWorld's Jewelry, Fashion & Accessories Show)

Marketing

Month 7-12

We plan to advertise through trade shows, a key component of our overall marketing campaign. Average trade show cost is about $3,700 for a booth and $3,000 to deliver goods  at least two shows per year .We also plan to print catalogues and flyers ($700) and mail them to potential customers. We intend to use marketing strategies, such as web advertisements ($2,000), direct mailing ($300), and phone calls to acquire potential customers. We intend to spend approximately $6,000 on marketing efforts during the first year. Marketing is an ongoing matter that will continue during the life of our operations.

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Other expenses

Other expenses will include hotels, traveling and miscellaneous shipping costs. The estimated cost of other expenses is approximately $2,700.

Nikolay Titov, our president and director will be devoting approximately twenty hours per week to our operations. If we are able to expand operations attract more and more customers to buy our products, Mr. Titov has agreed to commit more time as required.

Our suppliers will continue to sell product to us which we will in turn sell directly to stores and also to distributors of pillow products. We will order and sell both non-custom off the shelf pillows offered by our suppliers and also offer custom order products, first on a small scale, produced in our sewing shop in Russia and eventually on a larger scale when we are able to negotiate large orders with our suppliers, of which there is no guarantee.

We purchased a sewing shop in Russia on January 28, 2014 which allows us to offer all types of custom made pillows. Prior to us obtaining the shop our suppliers in China were quoting very high prices for the smaller volume custom pillows. Now we will be able to fulfill smaller custom orders at a lower cost. This facility will only be used to fulfill orders for custom pillows.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At July 31, 2016 the Company had $210 in cash and there were outstanding liabilities of $5,309. Our director has agreed, verbally, to continue to loan the company funds for operating expenses in a limited scenario, but he has no legal obligation to do so.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management maintains disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In connection with the preparation of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out by management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of July 31, 2016.

Based on that evaluation, management concluded, as of the end of the period covered by this report, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting information required to be disclosed, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commissions rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

As of the end of the period covered by this report, there have been no changes in the internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended July 31, 2016, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting subsequent to the date of managements last evaluation.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

(a) On February 8, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Registrant accepted and approved the resignation of David L. Hillary, Jr., CPA, CITP the companys independent registered public account firm. The report of David L. Hillary, CPA, CITP on the Company's financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2015 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor was qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

There were no disagreements with David L. Hillary, CPA, CITP whether or not resolved, on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to David L. Hillary, CPA, CITPs satisfaction, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report on the registrant's financial statements.

The registrant requested that David L. Hillary, CPA, CITP furnish it with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the above statements. As of the date of this filing we have been unsuccessful in obtaining the letter from David L. Hillary, CPA, CITP. If, in the future we receive the letter an amended report on Form 8-K will be filed.

b) On February 23, 2016, the registrant engaged Darrel Whitehead, CPAs as its independent accountant. During the most recent fiscal year (since inception) and the interim periods preceding the engagement, the registrant has not consulted Darrel Whitehead, CPAs regarding any of the matters set forth in Item 304(a)(2)(i) or (ii) of Regulation S-K.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

The following exhibits are included with this quarterly filing. Those marked with an asterisk and required to be filed hereunder, are incorporated by reference and can be found in their entirety in our Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed under SEC File Number 000-55369, at the SEC website at www.sec.gov:

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Adaiah Distribution Inc. Registrant Date: September 12, 2016 By: /s/ Nikolay Titov Nikolay Titov (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer & Sole Director)

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EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Nikolay Titov, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q.

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.

Date: September 12, 2016 By: /s/ Nikolay Titov Nikolay Titov Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Nikolay Titov, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q.

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.

Date: September 12, 2016 By: /s/ Nikolay Titov Nikolay Titov Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Adaiah Distribution Inc. (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the period ending July 31, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, Nikolay Titov, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certification as of the 12th day of September 2016.

By: /s/ Nikolay Titov Nikolay Titov Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Adaiah Distribution Inc. (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the period ending July 31, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, Nikolay Titov, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(3) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (4) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certification as of the 12th day of September, 2016.


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 8-K



CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of report: September 14, 2016

(Date of earliest event reported)





E*TRADE Financial Corporation

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)





Delaware 1-11921 94-2844166 (State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1271 Avenue of the Americas, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10020 (Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

(646) 521-4300

(Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



Item 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

E*TRADE Financial Corporation (the Company) is presenting at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference today. A copy of the Companys updated presentation is available on its corporate website, about.etrade.com .

Investors should note that the Company announces material financial information in SEC filings, press releases, and public conference calls. Based on guidance from the SEC, the Company may also use the Investor Relations section of its corporate website, about.etrade.com , to communicate with investors about the Company. It is possible that the financial and other information posted there could be deemed to be material information. The information on the Companys corporate website is not part of this filing.

The information appearing in this Item 7.01 shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
It's tough out there in the dating world. Bartenders are forever judging you, women only want tall dudes, and you never know who's trying to screw you over on Tinder... unless you swipe right on New York City's alleged Tinder Grifter Brandon Kiehm, who is definitely (allegedly!) out to steal from you. Kiehm, who is still awaiting trial for allegedly scamming $26,000 from two women he met on Tinder in 2015, decided to take a chance on love again and scammed $10,000 from another woman he met on Tinder, according to a complaint from the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

Prosecutors say Kiehm, fresh off a bust in February this year, met a woman on Tinder in June. This woman said she saw Kiehm "almost every day" and that he spent a lot of time in her apartment, according to the criminal complaint.

At some point in the relationship, Kiehm allegedly told the woman that he lost his wallet and debit cards and asked her to lend him $10,000 so he could enter a poker tournament. He allegedly promised to pay her back with a wire transfer from his bank account, but the money never showed up after the woman gave him the money. Kiehm's alleged victim also told the D.A. that she found a pair of $100 shoes he bought, along with a receipt showing he bought them with her credit card, which she hadn't given him permission to buy.

Kiehm has been charged with grand larceny in the third degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree. It's the latest in a series of alleged scams that have made Kiehm increasingly infamous. Two women say he relieved them of the $26,000 after meeting them on Tinder and telling them a story about needing to pay for his sister's cancer treatments. His non-Tinder grifts have included allegedly stealing the credit card information from a man whose dog he was walking and allegedly stealing his neighbor's tax refund after helping prepare his tax return.
Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar Tuesday urged French industrialists, businessmen and investors to invest in Pakistan.

The minister was addressing MEDEF in Paris. MEDEF is a forum of French businessmen and enterprises having 800,000 members across France.

The minister said the investment climate in Pakistan is conducive to the European investment, according to a statement from the ministry of finance.

The population of 200 million offers business friendly opportunities to Foreign Firms, he said adding the foreign companies working in Pakistan are having unparalleled profits.

Pakistan offers business investment package which no other country from the region has offered, he said.

The finance minister said Pakistans strategic location makes it an attractive destination for foreign investment.

Pakistan has attained 4.7% growth rate which is better than the growth achieved in the last eight years.

The French companies should take full benefit of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project which will link Pakistan with Afghanistan, CARs and Europe, he added.

There has been an unparalleled investment in North Waziristan despite security fears, he said adding Karachi is opening up for various investment opportunities for foreign investment including France.
Pakistans Foreign Office on Tuesday condemned continued killings of Kashmiris, terming it unjustifiable.

We strongly condemn continued killing of more Kashmiris. Killing of #DefencelessCivilianKashmiris is unjustifiable and must stop! FO spokesperson Nafees Zakaria wrote on official Twitter account.

On this Mubarak occasion of #EidulAdha we remember our Kashmiri brethren as Indian forces unleash another reign of terror on the valley.

PM Nawaz Sharif dedicated this & all coming Eids to people of Kashmir who have sacrificed generations 2 achieve their right of self determination.

UN Human Rights Head confirms continuing reports of excessive use of force by Indian authorities in IoK.

UN HR head Zeid also confirms that Pakistan has accepted mission in tandem with mission to IOK, no response from India, he said.
Vegan chef sensation Chloe Coscarelli would seem to already have more than enough going on in her life these days, what with her always-mobbed flagship by CHLOE in the Village, a newish outpost in the Flatiron and one coming to Soho, plus a West Coast branch in LA and two opening soon in Boston.

But no! Coscarelli, along with partner Samantha Wasser, are not even close to being done with their scheme for vegan world domination, and so yesterday unveiled their first stand-alone bakery, Sweets by CHLOE. Located right next door to the CHLOE that started it all on Bleecker Street, Sweets serves as a showcase for Coscarelli's considerable pastry prowess (she did win TV's Cupcake Wars in 2010, after all) with mountains of vegan baked goodies.

Sweets by CHLOE has some of Coscarelli's greatest hits (the frisbee-sized Cinnamon Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookie, for example), but most of the menu here is totally new. You can buy whole three-layer cakes in varieties like Birthday, Carrot, Mocha Almond Fudge, and Hummingbird, which is "almond-scented" with pineapple, coconut, and walnuts, and is delicious. Most of these are also available as ridiculously hefty slices.



Caramel Banana Bread ice cream (Scott Lynch /Gothamist)

There are cupcakes galore, of course (we hear the Peanut Butter and Jelly is a big winner), as well as a selection of heavenly-looking, individual-sized pies. Breakfasty treats such as Cinnamon Rolls and Matcha Blueberry Muffins go well with Sweets's expansive coffee (hot and cold-brewed) and Bellocq Atelier tea programs. Raspberry Goji Bars, Black-and-White Cookies, cute little bottles of flavored almond milk, hunks of Matcha Chocolate Babka, Grapefruit Poppyseed Muffins... there is a staggering array of 100% vegan, 100% kosher treats here.

And Coscarelli and Wasser recently acquired Alchemy Creamery, the outfit that's been delighting vegans (and non-vegans) with their ice "cream" for a few years now at festivals and Fleas. At Sweets you can get scoops of the stuff in new collab flavorsthe Caramel Banana Bread is superbin cups or cones, with (presumably environmentally-friendly) push-pops coming soon.

There are only a couple of tables inside the bakery, and then just a few more out on the sidewalk (most of which will inevitably be snagged by CHLOE spillover diners), so you might have to get your goodies to go.

Sweets by CHLOE is located at 185 Bleecker Street just east of Macdougal, and is open on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and on weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (bychefchloe.com/sweets)
Traditional radio is on the decline, thanks to Internet-era mediums like podcasts and Sirius XM. But somehow, Z100's Elvis Duran has managed to keep the station's signature morning show going for the last 20 years, expanding from NYC to (for better or for worse) over 80 stations nationwide.

We stopped by Z100's studio (which, it turns out, is not at the top of the Empire State Building, but in Tribeca) to sit in on the show with Duran co-hosts Danielle Monaro, Bethany Watson and Skeery Jones, to name a few, and to chat about surviving on air in the age of the Internet.

How have you managed to keep the show going for the last 20 years? I think, believe it or not, we all genuinely love hanging out with each other. Several people on the show have been here for all 20 years, and along the way some people have come, like Dorothy skipping down the yellow brick roadlike, "Heres the Tin Man, lets bring him along." We have a list of employees thats close to 20...how have we kept it together? I think we all have that interest in pop culture, and the need to discuss it with each other, and that desire to connect with people out there who are listening to us with different opinions than us.

If youre a loudmouth like us, and you love to get things off your chest, and have that microphone as your mouthpiece, you get addicted to it. I cant imagine a day I couldn't do that. So we kept it going. It stays interesting for me, I guess.

What have you done to incorporate changing technologythe explosion of the Internet and social media, etcwithin the show? Well, first and foremost, if I have access to things like Gothamist or any great, rich website I can take from and get ideas from, we pull from those. The more available the merrier! Social media has given us the world at our fingertips every morning. And we watch it change, live. In the morning, in the old days, wed read the Post and that was what we had. That was great, the Post is fabulous, but now we have the news changing at NYPost.com every hour. Im watching peoples attitudes change while theyre sitting in traffic and texting us. Im including text as social media in thisweve had guests on, and in the middle of the interview, ill look up at the texts and people are saying, This guest is an idiot, get him off there. And Ill say thank you for coming in, and Ill politely end the interview because I can feel the human condition of whats happening out there in traffic. Its great, its like having a live producer in the studio with us.



(Scott Heins / Gothamist)

So if youre getting a lot of texts and Tweets that somethings not quite right with the broadcast, youll alter it? Yeah well change it, most of the time. Youre never going to make everyone happy all the time, but if you see an overwhelming response to something, saying, "No, you should change that," Ill sometimes apologize and say something like, Im so sorry, a lot of texts coming in, a lot of stuff online, people really hate what were talking about, and well do something else.

Can you think of any specific examples? Why would I bring those up? Im embarrassed about them!

Well, politics, for instance. Now, in this heated political environment, Im very careful to remain very neutral. The only thing about politics I do discuss is, be into them. Read whats online, read what the candidates are talking about, try to understand why people are fighting over what the candidates are standing for. But if anyone hears even a tinge of what they think is a lean to the left or the right theyll attack me, How dare you say vote for them, how dare you." And I will go back and bring it up as part of the conversation, like, Look, people are texting saying they heard me saying something about Hillary. I wasnt complimenting her as a candidate, I was complimenting something that was said in an interview. That doesnt mean Im voting for her. So we interact and respond to social media, swiftly. We know people typically are listening for 20 minutes at a time, so we got to get to it fast.

I remember during the 2000 election you were having people call in, telling you who they were voting foris that not done anymore? No, especially not this election season, because I personally feel that this election is pissing people off. So our job on this morning show, even though we probably all have an opinion and a side, is to keep it off the air. People arent turning to us for our political opinion, they dont want to hear us talk about anything except something to get them through the morning, make them happy, make them laugh, maybe make think a little. But I dont want to pit people against each other.

How do you put a show together? We dont. Thats kind of the magic of our show. A lot of industry experts look at how we do our show and just shake their head. We dont really have a plan, we dont have a grid. Ill come in in the morning, I have writers send me things overnight from the news or theyll see stories online, theyll go to Gothamist, go to other sources, and say, hey heres an idea, put it in your own spin and put it out there.

I've found in the past that if we planned the show a night before, once we slept and woke up we werent in that mood anymore. Because I really think doing a live show means you should be exploring your live feelings and planning is not good.

What are some of the hardest shows you've done? Its so easy to go back to 9/11or really, 9/12. It was the hardest show we had to do, but in hindsight it was also the most fulfilling, because we actually relearned the importance of what this communication is all about. Which is helping people, being there for them, no matter how huge the circumstance, no matter how minimal. If people are going into work and they just dread seeing that shitty boss, were there to make them laugh, you know, hang on.

What were some of your favorite show moments? When there's feeling. This show, we try to keep it fun. But when we do an about face and we talk about feelings... this morning I got emotional about the music business. Here at Z100, were kind of famous for breaking new artists and watching their careers bloom. I got emotional about it because weve seen some artists at the beginning, and they became big superstars. Weve seen the whole thing. I started tearing up, and that was real, that was what I was feeling, and thats what I try to do with our teamgo with it, if you have something on your mind, even if its a sad something or a moving something. Go with it. Some of my favorite shows have been the shows of honesty.



Elvis and Bieber. (Courtesy of Elvis Duran)

I remember when Lady Gaga was on in 2010, and she said something about how she'd been listening to Z100 her whole lifehave you had a lot of artists who are like, Ive been listening to you from the beginning, and now my music's on your show"? This is New York, we have something like 20 million people or so, and obviously some of them are going to become artists and musicians and get hits. Listening to Z100, they all had dreams of hearing their songs on this radio station. Being able to bring Lady Gaga in ,and being able to play her song for the first time on the radio, even though shes heard this song a million times in the studio, to watch her listen to it as its played on Z100, you can see in her eyes. Its like youre looking into a snowglobe, two snowglobes of happiness. Its really great to be on the 50 yard line where we are to see this game in action.

Youre syndicated all over the country now, but I still feel that the show is very New York. How do you keep it feeling so local? A lot of syndicated shows try to pretend to be in the city where theyre playing, which makes no sense. So we incorporate New York in our show, we fold it in.



Elvis with Billy Idol, back in the day. (Courtesy of Elvis Duran)

How has radio changed now that everything is so visual? Its great. Now we can paint pictures with words and back them up online. Its still first and foremost an audio medium, but to be able to explain things online, to be able to say, "Hey, go to ElvisDuran.com right now and youll see this story, and youll see this video, and we can talk about it, it gives us much more to talk about. The visual part makes it much more interesting. I love it more than ever.

The show feels very positive in a so-called age of snark. Do you guys intentionally keep it friendly? I think there is intention there, yeah. Everywhere you turn theres negativity, people making fun of each other. Its just too easy to find the negative and its too easy to transmit the negative. It takes a little more thought to stay positive, we try to stay positive as much as possible even if were in the shittiest of shitty moods.

And you guys talk about your personal lives a lot on the show. Was that a conscious shift, or have you always felt that the personality plus the personal life fit together? Im not too familiar with the landscape as far as other shows goI dont know what theyre talking about over there, but I do know from hearsay that a lot of other shows arent about the personal lives of the people presenting them. Because theyre blocking; they dont think its anyones business; theyre concerned about privacy, whatever. Our show is supposed to be about open, honest dialogue, and how can I expect people to believe were open and honest unless were being open and honest? So we draw a lot of our conversations from our personal lives as well.

And you came out on air in 2010. This comes up a lot, about me coming out on air. I was always out, I just never talked about it. Is there a difference? I guess. I guess I did come out, to our audience, anyway. I was in the dating world, and realized, "You know what? There are stories here that could be relatable." So I started talking about my personal life. I was always, in the past, the emcee of the show and would just talk about the personal lives of the other people on the show. I felt like, I was the one who keeps things moving, you know, who wants to get bogged down with my bullshit? But its very freeing. Its great to get things off your chest about whats going on in your personal life.



(Scott Heins / Gothamist)

What would you tell a kid whos trying to start out in radio now, in the age of the Internet? Well first of all, I would say, dont think about it as radio anymore, even if that is still our home base. You look at a map and you see 80-something stations that play our show. But lets face it, you know those transmitters are going to fall by the wayside someday, and were all going to be just online, which is where we wanted to be. And we have a huge portion of listeners listening online. I would say, get involved with a show like ours, and to intern is the best way to do it. 3 or 4 of the people on our show right now who have been here for 20 years started as interns, theyre still here. They wont leave.

The downside is, in this business, we are downsizing. Thats why you see our show on more and more markets, because theyre eliminating local shows and putting our show on. Im not a big fan of that, but Id rather our show be on there than someone elses so Ill take it. So, get in there, timing, luck, studying radio and mass communications is a great thing, because the discipline of college, I love. But interning is the best thing, without a doubt.

What are you going to do next? I dont know. I know Im going to keep doing this, Im just not sure where. Ive been doing the morning show on Z100 for 20 years, so, you know, Im not quite sure where I am in the Z100 timeline. Im just the keeper of the Z100 morning show, someone will eventually come along and take my place. But I will continue doing what Im doing somehow, somewhere, some place.

N.B. No one does Fridays better than Elvis Duran. Here's your 5 o'clock whistle!
Mr. Henderson brings to XOJET more than 20 years of experience in general management, commercial operations leadership and business transformation. Mr. Henderson also possesses an extensive background and proven track record in businesses that serve the Ultra High Net Worth community.

At XOJET, Mr. Henderson will lead the Brand, Marketing and Partnerships teams while also serving as a strategic partner to the CEO and other commercial leaders. Fully integrated within XOJETs bicoastal operations, Mr. Henderson will maintain an active presence in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Its astounding to see the progress XOJET has demonstrated over the past 10 years, and I am honored to join this extraordinary company at such an exciting inflection point, said James Henderson. XOJET has pioneered a better, smarter way for sophisticated clients to consume private jet travel, and I look forward to working with this outstanding team to deepen client engagement and expand our range of services as the leading provider of private aviation solutions.

Prior to XOJET, Mr. Henderson served as President & Chief Executive Officer  Americas for the Ferretti Group, a leading vertically-integrated yacht manufacturer. At Ferretti, he was responsible for overseeing brand building, client development, sales and service operations. Before Ferretti Group, Mr. Henderson worked with a range of luxury goods and premium consumer products businesses, including five years with the Red Bull Sauber Petronas F1 team managing commercial operations.

XOJET President & CEO Brad Stewart commented, After delivering record profitability in 2015, XOJET celebrated its 10 year anniversary by taking its seat at the table as one of the top three private jet companies in North America.

"Our vision and momentum has allowed us to attract great leadership talent such as James. James brings to XOJET a unique combination of world-class commercial leadership experience and a distinctive understanding of the luxury consumer. He also fully embodies the XOJET leadership mantra good people, good at their jobs.

Mr. Henderson received his MBA from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Aston University in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The private visit saw Prince Albert II embark on a helicopter flight over the regions three facilities that are owned by the international Privinvest Group: Nobiskrug, Lindenau and German Naval Yards.

Following the one-hour flight, Prince Albert II enjoyed the view from the Sky Lounge on the crane of the Kiel shipyard. At around 100-metres tall, the gantry crane is one of Kiels major landmarks, featuring a reception area and an impressive 360-degree panoramic view of the area.

After exchanging presents and adding an obligatory entry in the shipyards guest book, the visit came to a close. However, the two parties will soon be reunited at the upcoming Monaco Yacht Show, where Nobiskrug will be representing the company.

Susanne Wiegand, Managing Director of the three German shipyards, said: Of course, we have also invited Prince Albert II to visit our booth at the Yacht Show. We would be happy to see him again at this occasion.

The 2016 Monaco yacht Show will take place from 28 September  1 October at Port Hercules in the Principality of Monaco.
Germany Bayer Monsato

In this May 23, 2016 file picture the Bayer AG corporate logo is displayed on a building of the German drug and chemicals company in Berlin, Germany. Several reports indicate U.S. seedmaker Monsanto has accepted a $66 billion takeover offer from Bayer.

(AP)

German pharmaceutical giant Bayer AG is set to acquire U.S. seed company Monsanto for more than $66 billion, according to various reports.

By accepting Bayer's offer, it's the largest cash acquisition proposal on record, according to Reuters.

Monsanto's board in a meeting late Tuesday agreed in principle to Bayer's latest bid, which is above its recent offer last week of $127.50 a share, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Bayer's supervisory board is set to meet Wednesday afternoon, where it is expected to approve the company's latest takeover offer, according to the Journal.

A combination of the two businesses would create a giant seed and farm chemical company with a strong presence in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Both are familiar brands on farms around the globe.

Bayer's farm business produces seeds as well as compounds to kill weeds, bugs and fungus. Monsanto produces seeds for fruits, vegetables and other crops including corn, soybeans and cotton, as well as the weed-killer Roundup.

Monsanto Co. earlier this year announced that it had agreed to pay an $80 million penalty under a settlement to resolve Securities and Exchange Commission allegations that it had not properly accounted for millions of dollars paid to distributors as Roundup rebates. That had the effect of distorting the company's earnings reports for 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Monsanto's shares ended 0.8 percent lower at $106.10 in New York on Tuesday amid uncertainty over whether any agreed deal will clear antitrust hurdles. The stock later climbed to $108.79 in after-hours trading. Bayer shares ended trading in Frankfurt down 0.3 percent at 93.3 euros.



Information from the Associated Press was used in this report


Young & Franklin.JPG

Young & Franklin Inc., a maker of highly engineered valves and actuators for the aerospace and gas turbine markets, is being acquired by TransDigm Group Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio, for $260 million. Picturted here is Young & Franklin's headquarters at 942 Old Liverpool Road in Liverpool.

(Google Maps)

Liverpool, N.Y.  Young & Franklin Inc., a 98-year-old manufacturer of valves and actuators for the aerospace and gas turbine markets, is being acquired by TransDigm Group Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio.

TransDigm, a maker of aircraft components, said in a filing with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Young & Franklin for $260 million. It said it expects to finance the acquisition with cash on hand.

The acquisition includes Young & Franklin's subsidiaries, including Tactair Fluid Controls Inc. TransDigm said the purchase, which is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions, is expected to close by the end of the month.

The company did not say what impact, if any, the acquisition would have on Young & Franklin's operations and workforce in Liverpool. Young & Franklin's headquarters are at 942 Old Liverpool Road. Tactair is at 4806 W. Taft Road.

"Both Tactair and Young & Franklin are long standing manufacturers of proprietary products with established positions, strong aftermarket content and an outstanding reputation based on product excellence," W. Nicholas Howley, chairman, president and CEO of TransDigm, said in a statement. "The company fits well with our consistent product and acquisition strategy. As with all TransDigm acquisitions, we see opportunities for significant value creation."

Young & Franklin began as a tool and die maker in 1918 at 107 N. Franklin St. in Syracuse. By 2006, it employed 300 people.

TransDigm said Young & Franklin's revenues in 2016 will be about $75 million. Nearly 100 percent of its revenues is from proprietary products and about 70 percent is from sales to the aerospace industry, it said.

TransDigm reported a profit in the first three quarters of 2016 of $394.1 million, or $6.95 per share, on revenue of $2.3 billion. That represented a 29 percent increase compared with $305.5 million, or $5.34 per share, on revenue of $1.9 billion in the same period last year.

Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
Syracuse, N.Y.  Ed Riley, the developer who brought the Hotel Syracuse back to life with a $76 million renovation, wants to resurrect the Hotel Niagara, an icon of the Niagara Falls skyline.

Riley, of Camillus, said he plans to submit a proposal to redevelop the Hotel Niagara, which has a very similar history as the Hotel Syracuse, now named the Marriott Syracuse Downtown.

The 12-story Hotel Niagara was built between 1923 and 1925, yards from the entrance to Goat Island within Niagara Falls State Park.

With 193 rooms, the Hotel Niagara was among the city's finest lodging and banquet establishments. But like the Hotel Syracuse, it suffered from decades of deferred maintenance, neglect and multiple changes in ownership, and declined to a low-budget, limited-service hotel property that closed in 2007.

The hotel is the oldest standing hotel in Niagara Falls.

A restoration project that began in 2008 failed when the Great Recession struck. Later, the hotel was acquired for $4.4 million by the USA Niagara Development Corp., a subsidiary of the state's economic development agency, Empire State Development.

USA Niagara Development issued a request for proposals from developers Aug. 11. It said it is seeking proposals to restore the original grandeur of the historic property. Proposals are due Oct. 31.

Riley was one of about 50 people - including developers from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, New York City and Canada - who attended an informational meeting and tour of the hotel on Aug. 31, according to The Buffalo News.

Riley said he is putting a team together to submit a proposal to renovate and reopen the hotel. He said it will be made up mostly of the same team he put together to renovate the Hotel Syracuse, with the addition of representatives from the Niagara Falls area.

The larger Hotel Syracuse opened in 1924 and, like the Hotel Niagara, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It closed in 2004 but reopened in August as a 261-room full-service Marriott.

Riley's restoration of the Hotel Syracuse benefited from state and federal historic tax credits. The Hotel Niagara's restoration will be eligible for those same credits.

USA Niagara Development said the overall restoration costs of the Hotel Niagara are expected to be in the $20 million range. Historic tax credits could help cover approximately $5 million of those costs, it said.

Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
Syracuse, N.Y. - North Syracuse native Richard Gere usually can't go 30 seconds without being recognized, even in crowded New York City. So when he planted himself on a street corner, dressed and acting in character as a homeless man, he was certain he'd last all of 30 seconds before people realized it was him.

But he stood there for 45 minutes. People averted their eyes. "I was there 45 minutes and no one paid attention," Gere said to a crowd at the OnCenter. Upon seeing a homeless person, people would decide to avoid him or look the other way. "It's beyond being invisible. It's being a black hole."

Gere was the keynote speaker today at the Syracuse Salvation Army's Civic Awards Luncheon, which honored two doctors from Upstate University Hospital, along with the Sport Management Club at Syracuse University and Amy Robbins. For his movie about homelessness, "Time out of Mind", Gere visited homeless organizations across the globe, he said.

"I've not seen a program any better than this one right here in Syracuse," Gere said.

The Salvation Army runs six homeless shelters in Syracuse, including one for pregnant teens and teen mothers and their children. But its best known program is the annual Christmas Bureau, which supplies struggling families with Christmas gifts and books for children, along with food for a holiday meal. The Christmas Bureau helps 10,000 people every year.

When Gere spoke to media outlets about homelessness prior to the luncheon, he said he treats homeless people differently after spending more than a decade researching homelessness for his movie.

"I definitely make eye contact. It's very important, the human thought of 'I wish you well. We're in this together'," Gere said. And he gives money. "It doesn't matter what they do with it."

When Gere took the stage at the OnCenter, he pushed off the accolades that were mentioned in his introduction. "I've never heard such hyperbole," he said. "I'm Dicky. Dick Gere from North Syracuse."

It is the North Syracuse upbringing that shaped his sense of empathy and giving. His father, Homer, who was with him at the Salvation Army event, worked as an insurance salesman.

Gere remembers the phone ringing in the middle of the night, often. "If there was a fire, an accident, he was there. Not because it was his business. Because it was his heart," Gere said.

Gere noted the problems facing Syracuse: one in two children live in poverty; the city has among the highest concentration of minorities living in poverty in the nation. And he praised the Salvation Army and its supporters for tackling those issues with the same type of empathetic and generous spirit.

"I'm incredibly grateful to be a part of this," Gere said, then clasped his hands together in front of his heart.

Marnie Eisenstadt writes about people, life and culture in Central New York. Contact her anytime: email | twitter | 315-470-2246.
Apples across Upstate New York this fall will be smaller than normal, but probably sweeter, thanks to the effects of the summer-long drought that afflicted many of the state's orchards.

Even worse, some orchards, particularly in the LaFayette area south of Syracuse, lost a significant amount of apples due to an early warm spell last spring followed by a killing frost.

A few orchards have so little fruit they are not offering U-pick options this year -- some in Central New York suffered a loss of 40 to 60 percent of their crop due to the spring frost. Still, many others expect a normal year.

"For the most part, apples are going to be crunchy and sweet," said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, a trade group for the state's growers. "The sweet cider this year will be especially sweet."

Despite the weather damage, New York's apple growers are expected to pick 30 million cartons of apples this year, slightly more than the state's average crop of 28.6 million cartons over the past five years, the apple association says. New York is the country's second-leading apple producer, after Washington state.

"The drought was hardest in the area from Syracuse west to Rochester, which is our biggest fruit-growing region," Allen said. "Other parts in the state, especially to the East and Northeast, received a lot more rain."

Our 2016 guide to apple picking in CNY

A survey of Central New York apple growers shows the hit-and-miss nature of the weather problems.

Deer Run Farms in Lafayette suffered so much loss of apples to the frost, especially the early-ripening varieties, that it will not offer U pick. Instead, you can buy apples at the stand at 2695 Route 11A in LaFayette for the lower U pick price of 90 cents to $1 a pound. And the stand will have its fritters and other fall offerings.

"It's still apple season, so it's it good time to stop by," said Deer Run manager Jennifer Streeter.

Nearby, O'Neill Orchard, at 4872 Route 20 in LaFayette, posted this notice on its web site: "A warm winter resulted in an early bud break. Subsequent freeze/frost events contributed to varietal loss of up to 100% on certain varieties. APPLE PICKING WILL BE SEVERELY CURTAILED."

The much larger Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette fared better, mostly because it has so many acres of apples. "Even if one section of a variety like Empire was damaged, we have others," said Beak 'n Skiff's Danielle Fleckenstein. "We try to plant on hills, and valleys and flats so we are protected in that way. It's like every 20 feet is a different micro-climate."

Beak & Skiff is already open with its wide array of attractions at its Apple Hill Visitors Center, 2708 Lord's Hill Road in LaFayette. "Apples are going to be sweet this year," Fleckenstein said, echoing other reports.

In Cazenovia, meanwhile, Critz Farms is concentrating on its U pick and stand apples, but may need to buy apples elsewhere for its hard ciders. The orchard lost up to 60 percent of its crop.

"I have absolutely no Empire (an apple variety,)," Matthew Critz said. "And not much Macouns, either."

He said warm temperatures in March, followed by a sub-freezing plunge at the end of that month, were too much to overcome. Even the use of "smudge pots" to warm the trees couldn't help. "It was too cold -- no amount of smudge pots could help that," he said.

Concentrating on the U pick should lure visitors to buy apples and other products, and stop at Critz's tasting room for beer and cider, he said. "There's still a lot we have to offer."



Up in Oswego County, the frost was not an issue, said Eric Behling, owner of Behling Orchards, 114 Potter Road in Mexico. The drought was another matter.

"I had to irrigate for 60 straight says," Behling said, a number that shattered previous records. August brought some helpful rain.

"I think overall the crop looks pretty good, but size may be a problem," he said. He expects the Honeycrisp variety to be very good. "That's kind of a big apple anyway," he said.

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.
2016-09-13-mjg-Taylor1.JPG

Three-year-old Taylor Kilts hangs out with her father Mike Kilts and mother Ciara Gilmore at their home on Masters Road in Spafford on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016.

( Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com)

For nearly five hours Tuesday, 3-year-old Taylor Kilts was missing.

One moment the little girl with the her toe nails painted bright pink to match her pink top and pink striped leggings was playing with the neighbor's dogs. The next minute she was gone.

"I felt like I was having a million heart attacks," said her mother, Ciara Gilmore.

She and her daughter had been outside playing in a neighbor's yard on Masters Road in Spafford. Taylor liked her neighbor's two black labs and was often seen with them. Her mother said the young child, only 3-feet tall, loved big dogs.

When Gilmore realized Taylor and the two dogs were no longer around at about 10 a.m., she immediately began searching for her, calling the child's name, she said.

"You hear about it on the news and you always think, 'How does that happen?'" she said.



Neighbors started to help search and then by 11 a.m. the police were called in. The State Police soon had K-9 units sniffing the ground and a helicopter in the air looking for the little girl. Police cars lined a mile long section of Masters Road between Church Road and Sawmill Road.

For nearly five hours, the little girl walked along country roads, around ravines and through dense wood. The whole time one of the big dogs, Buck, stayed by her side (the other dog had run off; but was later found).

Taylor's dad, Mike Kilts, was at work at a nearby farm, but he said when his boss heard that Taylor was missing, he was ordered to go home.

"When I got home, within 20 minutes he had shut the whole farm down and brought everybody over here to help look," the dad said. "I was like, 'Wow.' They were in the middle of chopping corn --- they don't stop for anything."

The father estimated about 30 to 50 residents - some he didn't even know -- had to be out in the woods, helping search for his little girl before police arrived.

The woods are dense in that area, with dangerous steep cliff sides and ravines that create a maze of old four-wheeler tracks, the father said.

A neighbor on a dead-end road finally reported seeing Taylor and a black lab outside his home nearly a mile away, police said.

The man was chopping wood when he heard a young girl crying, Taylor's father said. The little girl told him "I'm not lost. Mommy is in the woods, somewhere," her dad said.

The little girl was quickly reunited with her family.

"I went the wrong way," Taylor said, matter-of-factly, recounting her impromptu hike as she stood with her parents safely back home in her own yard. "Next time I gotta go the right way."

"No, no more right or wrong way," her mother said.

"No more hikes for you unless you're with Mommy or Daddy," her father said.
2016-09-13-dn-penna5_3.JPG

Fred Penna. brother of Canastota Marine Pvt. Frank Penna, who was killed during World War II. His family was informed the Marines have recovered and identified his body. The body will be returned Thursday Sept. 15. and buried Say. Sept 17. Frank Penna was 24 when he killed, said his brother, Fred, who lives in Canastota. At 92, Fred is the only surviving sibling - there were four girls and three boys. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

(Dennis Nett)

CANASTOTA, NY - The remains of Pvt. Frank Penna are scheduled to arrive at Syracuse's Hancock International Airport Thursday morning and then be taken in a procession to Canastota.

Penna's family will greet the remains at the airport shortly after 11 a.m., where U.S. Marines will conduct a ceremony. The procession will then leave the airport, traveling down Interstate 81 and 481 to Route 5 in DeWitt.

The procession will then travel along Route 5 through the village of Fayetteville, where the fire department will honor Penna as it goes by. From there, the processional will head east on Route 5, turning left onto Main Street in Canastota, right onto Maple Avenue and then right onto Peterboro Street in the village.

The procession will then travel about 13 blocks from Maple Avenue to Hickory Street and stop at Fiore Funeral Home. It is expected to reach Canastota sometime around 12:15 to 12:30 p.m.

Dozens are expected to line the streets in the village to honor Penna, who was killed during a battle in the Gilbert Islands in the Pacific Ocean in 1943. His bones were recently identified through DNA, and he will be buried in the family plot with full military honors.

Canastota Marine Pvt. Frank Penna, who was killed during World War II. His family was informed the Marines have recovered and identified his body. The body will be returned Thursday Sept. 15. and buried Sat. Sept 17. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Members of the public can pay their respects from noon to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The funeral Mass will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Agatha's Church, followed by a burial with full military services in the family plot at St. Agatha's cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people make contributions to a charity of their choice.

The Canastota VFW will be open to the public for a reception after the funeral.
France Truck Attack

Forensic officers stand near a truck with its windscreen riddled with bullets, that plowed through a crowd of revelers who'd gathered to watch the fireworks in the French resort city of Nice, southern France, Friday, July 15, 2016.

(Claude Paris | AP)

Corri Zoli is director of research and assistant research professor at the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism, a joint graduate research institute shared between the College of Law and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. This essay is adapted from her piece on the Lawfare Blog.

By Corri Zoli | Special to Syracuse.com

There is a disconnect between what we talk about when we talk about terrorism and the facts evident in recent attacks. Take the idea that recent attacks in Europe are disconnected from global terrorism and are instead the acts of "lone wolves."

Corri Zoli is director of research and assistant research professor of international security at the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism at Syracuse University.

That was the narrative yet again after the Nice attack of July 14, 2016. It later emerged that seven accomplices of Tunisian-born French resident Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhle l-- who drove a 20-ton truck into Bastille Day crowds -- were charged with aiding in "murder by a group with terror links." Such accomplices contradict the "lone wolf" concept that fails to acknowledge a link between perpetrators and terrorist organizations such as al-Qaida or Islamic State.

In too many cases, the same story of the lone-wolf terrorist has been used to describe incidents in Orlando, San Bernardino, Ottawa, Bavaria, Belgium, Riyadh, Sydney.

Social scientists and legal scholars value "case facts" in their research on terrorism. With a data-driven view of the often painful facts associated with an attack, we can better advance our efforts to prevent terrorism. In that spirit, I make some recommendations for scholars, public servants, journalists and members of the general public who want to understand how terrorism is evolving.

Scripted and orchestrated violence

First, "lone-wolf terrorist" should be replaced with what is really at stake: "low-tech terrorism," a term that shifts how we orient ourselves to this global problem. After the initial shock of an attack, later analysis often shows that more than one person was involved, that an international network was used, and that the perpetrator's violence against civilians was scripted and orchestrated.

The Nice attack, for instance, was as part of multinational criminal infrastructure. Bouhlel was a resident of France and a Tunisian citizen who used weapons from Albanian contacts, communicated plans to contacts in Syria, sent images of his conduct and money to Tunisia, and scouted attack sites, per instructions from Mideast operatives.

Even if personal motives are found -- mental health, vendettas, workplace grievances -- savvy jihadist recruiters have often "touched" these individuals because of them, radicalizing them online via a tight-knit network of seasoned operatives.

Ultimately, the "lone wolf" concept misunderstands the nature of terrorism, which at its core is an act of strategic communication. It's about a weak group spreading a violent message using cheap and convenient means of attack: knives, homemade bombs, IEDs, cars, trucks, etc. This form of violent communication involves teamwork, whether direct "material support" or shared ideological, communications, criminal and recruiting networks. Some terrorist acts may appear isolated, random, and spontaneous--but that does not mean they are.

Better understanding these loosely organized jihadist networks means we have a chance to topple terrorism's organizational edifice. That means paying attention to individual terrorist acts and linking them to global trends, such as those tracked by the University of Maryland's Global Terrorist Data (GTD) project. Such data show increased jihadist attacks globally, thousands of jihadist groups adept at "low-tech" violence, and a broad use of various methods against "soft" targets.

Data also show how recent attacks follow a conventional approach, in which operatives -- no matter how plugged into the group -- play a key role before, during and after an attack. Terrorists announce their goals online, as they are trained to do, declare allegiances, make martyr videos, or post extremist material on social media. Contrary to the lone wolf myth, terrorist communiques reveal group commitment to organizations and causes, a large audience for such material, and willing participants worldwide.

Spreading weapons, money and ideology

Terrorism is built on real -- but often hidden -- global logistics, social and communications networks. Three of these were used in this summer's spate of attacks in Europe: trafficked weapons, illicit money transfers and online ideological communications. Many groups, including ISIS, go to great lengths to cover their organizational tracks, creating covert units -- such as Emni -- to "export terror abroad," including over 140 attacks worldwide since 2014. An imprisoned ISIS recruit recently told a New York Times journalist that ISIS undercover operatives are common in Europe to recruit new converts who are used as "clean men" (not yet in intelligence agency databases) to "help link up people interested in carrying out attacks."

Turning everyday objects into weapons and making public places settings for mass execution are tactics that serve the communications strategy of terrorist organizations, a method repeatedly pushed by ISIS. But this "low-tech" approach is not just a tactic of communications or warfare, it has come to define organizational operations. Such groups are intent on building both local and global movements by exploiting the basest sectarian, ethnic and religious differences; assembling seemingly unsophisticated, internationally dispersed cells; and relying on common criminals, the mentally ill, or simply naive, young, and alienated folks.

By not acknowledging the covert global logistics and organization structures of terrorist groups, government officials, journalists and law enforcement can unwittingly serve the strategic message terrorists want to communicate. By falsely attributing political violence to nebulous "grievances," we are led to believe that individuals are committing horrific acts without help.

In reality, such grievances are often supplied by terrorist ideologues who target vulnerable groups, including western-based immigrants. Heightening both real and perceived grievances is a pivotal first step in the radicalization process, and the recruiters doing this work have no intention of actually remedying these grievances. There is zero chance, for instance, that ISIS or al-Qaida will solve the social challenges -- war in Syria, sectarianism, lack of good governance -- that motivates naive recruits to join them.
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Polling place marker at the Camillus Fire Station in November 2014.

(David Lassman / The Post-Standard)

New York's long, electoral nightmare is almost over.

Tuesday was our third election day in 2016, a primary for statewide offices. This followed the primary for federal offices on June 28 and the presidential primary on April 19. Next, and last, will be the general election on Nov. 8. (We are not even counting village, school board and budget votes.)

Tuesday's party primaries decided who's running in November. There were a smattering of local races and a few surprises around the state.

But history will note this primary because voters in the 133rd Assembly District, in the Rochester area, overwhelmingly voted a dead man into office.

Incumbent Bill Nojay killed himself Sept. 9, the same day he was to turn himself in to authorities to face embezzlement charges. It turns out that electing a dead person is not as uncommon as you might think. We can only speculate why voters would do such a thing - out of respect, maybe, or protest, or weariness. Whatever the reason, pity the guy who lost to a dead man.

So we'll beat this drum one last time (in 2016, anyway). State lawmakers should act to consolidate primaries, which just might boost voter turnout and definitely would reduce voter fatigue.
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CoreLife Eatery, a Central New York-based active lifestyle restaurant, plans to open its newest location in New Hartford on Sept. 22.

(CoreLife Eatery)

Central New York-based CoreLife Eatery is opening its fifth location later this month in New Hartford, near Utica.

Spicy Chicken Grain Bowl at CoreLife Eatery.

CoreLife, which bills itself as an "active lifestyle" restaurant, has set a grand opening for 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at 4517 Commercial Drive, across from Sangertown Square shopping mall. Before that, it plans to offer a preview aimed at college students, from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20.

CoreLife, then simply called CORE, opened its first location in May 2015 near the Hafner's Farm Market at the corner of Taft and Buckley roads in North Syracuse. It rebranded as CoreLife Eatery and expanded to the Rochester area in March.

CoreLife's menu is built on greens (salads), grains (especially things like quinoa, farro, wild rice and rice noodles) and bone broth (the slow simmered base for soups). Meals are served in the "fast casual" or cafeteria-style -- you can order off the menu of different bowls or build your own by choosing ingredients. CoreLife also pledges that its food is free of trans fats, artificial colors, sweeteners, other artificial additives, growth hormones and GMO's.

CoreLife Eatery builds its menu based on greens, grains and bone broth for people with "active healthy" lifestyles.



The chain now has locations in the Rochester suburbs of Webster and Greece, and has one out-of-state location, in Strongsville, Ohio. The company announced in July it hopes to open 300 corporately owned or franchised locations within the next three to five years.

Aside from New Hartford, the company's web site identifies these communities for "upcoming" locations: Henrietta, NY; Columbus, OH; Vestal, NY; Trexlertown, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Wilkes-Barre, PA; Clarence, NY; and Dewitt, NY. It does not specify addresses or timetables for opening those locations.

CoreLife opened with three partners: Larry Wilson, a Binghamton restaurateur who operates 25 Moe's Southwest Grill and Hoopla! frozen yogurt locations; Todd Mansfield, a Southern Tier medical industry veteran who is CoreLife's go-to person on nutrition; and members of the Caveny family -- John, his wife Lisa and daughter Megan.

The Cavenys were the founders of Jo-Li-Me cafe, the restaurant that was converted into the North Syracuse CoreLife location (next to the Hafner's Farm Market at Buckley and Taft Roads.) They also operated a Jo-Li-Me in downtown Syracuse, but closed it earlier this year.

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.
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. -- Robert Lemp was three classes and a capstone project away from graduating when he learned his school, ITT Technical Institute, was shutting its doors.

Lemp, 51, of Syracuse is one of tens of thousands of students across the country who are stranded by the sudden closure of the for-profit school.

Lemp must now decide whether to discharge his loans and start all over again -- or continuing paying back more than $16,000 in loans on an education that he now considers meaningless while finishing up his degree at whatever school will take most of his ITT credits.

"It's a catch 22. Every option I've been given comes with a but, a second side," Lemp said. "I feel totally robbed now."

Lemp enrolled at ITT Tech two years ago. He was studying toward an associate's degree in network systems administration.

He was signed up to start two classes Monday in information security and communications.

Lemp was recruited to ITT in 2014, the same year that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued ITT, alleging it pressured students into taking out high-interest, high-risk loans.

Since, ITT has been investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as the federal Department of Education. Investigators have said that ITT is not in compliance with the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which ensures schools meet certain education and operation standards.

The Department of Education in August banned ITT from enrolling new students who use federal financial aid.

Federal aid made up 70 percent of ITT's $850 million revenues last year, according to the education department.

Robert Lemp said he was recruited to transfer to ITT Tech in Liverpool while the for-profit college chain was under investigation.

When Lemp was first approached by ITT, he was taking online classes with Kaplan University, he said. He said he would get phone calls three times a week from ITT for months before he decided to transfer to the school.

What finally appealed to him was ITT's pitch that he could get more hands-on experience with professors who would be available in person, instead of only through email.

After a few months on campus, Lemp was disappointed.

"I wish I would have stayed where I was," he said.

Lemp found that teachers could often only be reached via email. Administrators, he said, were unhelpful and unresponsive. Teachers varied in their abilities to engage students. The equipment and technology was sometimes out of date.

Most of all, "hands-on" learning -- the thing he was looking forward to the most -- meant working with "virtual machines," or desktop computers that are used to connect to other operating systems. For example, virtual machines let you use a Mac operating system on a PC.

"It was not the real thing. Nowhere close to the real thing," he said.

Lemp, a self-described hobbyist who said he loves to tinker with electronics, was especially disappointed that students did not physically open up a computer to work on the hardware for more than five months at the school.

Lemp said he was disappointed with the quality of education he received at the school. He attributes that in part to the school's lack of screening its students. He said that led to classes in which some students were technically advanced, and others couldn't find the computer's power button.

"Anybody who had the money -- as long as you had your high school diploma -- that was enough," Lemp said. "They take your money and hand you a piece of paper. There are no entrance exams. They didn't test students to see if they had the aptitude to learn. Some I felt so bad for -- they were being used."

Until last week when the for-profit school announced it would not open its campuses this semester, Lemp said he had not received any communication from ITT about federal sanctions or investigations.

Since, the school has only communicated with him through email. Lemp said he has called the Liverpool campus at least 5 times, as well another number for ITT. Each time, he was sent to an answering machines. He never heard back from the school.

According to Lemp, a staff directory within the ITT website's student portal has been wiped clean. He regularly used the directory to contact his teachers.

A message left by a reporter during business hours for Liverpool ITT Dean Paul Bakke was not returned. An email to Bakke bounced back, designated as "undeliverable."

Lemp said he finds what information ITT has provided -- mostly on its now barren website -- to be vague and sometimes misleading.

He's not sure how to feel about the federal education department's role in shutting down his school.

"On one hand I like what the government is trying to do in shutting these places down, but in the process of doing so they are going to hurt a lot of people."

Lemp viewed ITT Tech as a "foundation for the rest of his life," the phrase heard around the country in the company's frequent commercials. "Education for the future" is ITT's tagline.

For Lemp, an associate's degree would be proof he could go on to more schooling. It also represented the possibility of career that he felt was well-suited for him.

Lemp has relied on disability benefits for about 10 years. He has back and knee problems that prevent him from driving. He also struggles with severe anxiety, which has prevented him from holding down jobs. Lemp's goal is to be self-employed as an information technology consultant, a job that would allow him to work for himself and avoid large group settings that trigger his anxiety.

While Lemp has managed to live on disability payments, he said he wants to do more with his life and technical skills.

He has not yet decided what he will do next, but is attending information sessions for ITT Tech students at Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College. He is also exploring whether Kaplan University will accept some of his credits and he can complete his degree online.

"I would like to continue my education," he said. "I would like to pick up where I left off. I don't want to have to start all over again."

He would also like to pursue recourse against ITT. He would consider joining a class action lawsuit.

"I feel let down in every way, " he said. "I feel I did everything I could to get it right, to have it all thrown back in my face. It's messing with people's lives, their hopes and dreams and futures."

Reporter Julie McMahon covers Syracuse University and Syracuse city schools. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992
Bill Nojay

File photo: Assemblyman Bill Nojay during a gun-rights rally in Albany in 2013. Nojay won a primary Tuesday after shooting himself on Friday. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

(Mike Groll)

Bill Nojay, the state lawmaker who shot himself and died last Friday, won a Republican primary on Tuesday.

Nojay, of Pittsford, got 2,736 votes. His challenger, Richard Milne, got 1,763, according to unofficial results from the state Board of Elections.

The unusual situation means local Republican committee leaders must now select a replacement for Nojay for the general election.

Nojay is not the first dead person to win an election.

Mel Carnahan, the governor of Missouri, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000 about a month after he died in a plane crash. Carnahan beat U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft in the race. Carnahan's wife filled the senate seat until a special election in 2002.

Patsy Mink died of pneumonia a few weeks before the 2002 general election. She was a 12-term member of Congress and the first Asian-American woman elected to the House of Representatives. Her 2002 win came after a state funeral.

Other local officials across the country have died before Election Day and won office.

Nojay, a lawyer and AM radio host, died by suicide on Friday morning. He shot himself the same day he was due to face charges he embezzled money from a client, the Democrat & Chronicle has reported.
BUTTE -- A Texas man accused of the shooting death of a Whitehall man last year told investigators in Idaho he feared for his life when he opened fire on the man and two other men in a remote area near Butte.

Tony Dwade Sawyer, 48, appeared fidgety and repeated himself in a nearly hour-long video shown to jurors on Tuesday, the second day of his deliberate homicide trial in Butte district court. Sawyer insisted Steve Drury was going to take me out on Fish Creek Road about 13 miles southeast of the Mining City on Nov. 3, 2015.

Butte-Silver Bow County prosecutors allege Sawyer killed Joe Powers, 37, and injured Drury and Hunter Smith, and then fled in Drurys black Chevy Equinox.

Sawyer was charged with deliberate homicide and two counts of attempted deliberate homicide, all felonies, in connection with the late-night shooting spree.

In the recorded interview with investigators a day after fleeing Montana in a another vehicle owned by Drury, Sawyer admitted that he, Smith, Powers and Drury used methamphetamine before they drove to the rural road.

Sawyer was arrested in Idaho Falls on a warrant by law enforcement officers from the Bonneville County Sheriffs Office.

He (Drury) was going to take me out  that was his intention.  He took me up there to get rid of me, Sawyer says in the video, adding that he pleaded with Drury before he fired three rounds at Sawyer.

I fired one shot, he (Drury) hit the ground. I fired another shot and he rolled, he tells the two investigators.

Sawyer continues, admitting that he shot Powers and Smith, who were standing near the Chevy. One was in a ditch; the other ran down the hill, he says.

On Tuesday morning, Jefferson County Sheriffs Deputy Jason Korst testified that he was dispatched from Whitehall to Fish Creek Road about 11:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Jurors were shown dash-camera video of Korsts drive along Highway 2.

Deputy county attorney Michael Clague stopped the video at periodic intervals to query the deputy about road conditions and when he encountered a frantic, shaking Smith on Fish Creek Road. Korst testified blood was coagulated all over Smiths face below his lip where he had been shot.

Farther up the road the video showed Korst and a Montana Highway Patrol trooper walk toward a body lying in a ditch adjacent to the road. En route, he testified, they observed shell casings, footprints and tire marks before finding Powers deceased in the snow.

In later testimony, detective Kevin Maloughney of the Butte police explained to jurors how the crime scene was processed for evidence.

Clague presented the states exhibits documenting shell casings, blood droplets, tire tracks, footprint and tools the four men used to dig out the Chevy before the shooting, asking the detective to detail his findings.

The trial before Judge Brad Newman resumes Wednesday with prosecutors expected to call Smith and Drury  the surviving victims in the triple shooting  to the witness stand.
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Apple on Thursday issued a patch that addresses three recently discovered critical iOS zero-day vulnerabilities, and advised users to update their systems immediately.

State-sponsored actors exploited the flaws to target United Arab Emirates human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor, and a Mexican journalist who reported on government corruption.

Researchers at the University of Torontos Citizen Lab and security firmLookout discovered the vulnerabilities, which they dubbed Trident, after investigating suspicious text messages sent to Mansoor.

The messages included links to an exploit infrastructure connected with NSO Group, an Israel-based cyberwar company that sells the spyware product Pegasus exclusively to governments, according to Citizen Lab.

The NSO Group, which developed Pegasus, is owned by private investment firm Francisco Partners, Citizen Lab said. It reportedly has offered to sell the NSO Group, which it has valued at US$1 billion. The firm previously invested in Blue Coat Systems, which sold products to repressive regimes to aid their mass surveillance and Internet censorship efforts.

Apples response cements in my mind that it takes security seriously, said Bobby Kuzma, systems engineer at Core Security.

These are very complex exploits  and Apple has a patch out fixing them 10 days after it was notified, he told TechNewsWorld. Thats nothing short of miraculous.

Grade A Scary

The Trident vulnerabilities consist of the following:

CVE-2016-4657  an exploit targeting a previously undocumented corruption vulnerability in WebKit that allows execution of the initial shellcode;

CVE-2016-4655  a Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization bypass exploit to find the kernels base address; and

CVE-2016-4656  32- and 64-bit iOS kernel exploits targeting a memory corruption vulnerability that allows execution of code in the kernel. They are used to jailbreak an iPhone and allow software installation.

The jailbreak is the key here, Core Securitys Kuzma noted. Once youve broken out of the tightly compartmented application space in iOS, you can effectively and easily bypass all the security controls built into the device and the operating system. This is grade A scary stuff.

Pegasus on the Loose

The spyware Trident implanted appears to be NSOs Pegasus product, a highly advanced tool that makes use of zero-day flaws, obfuscation, encryption and kernel-level exploitation, Lookout noted.

Pegasus can use an iPhones camera and microphone to eavesdrop on activity. It can record the users calls over WhatsApp and Viber, logging messages sent in mobile chat apps, and track the users movements.

It includes a renamed copy of Cydia Substrate, a third-party app developer framework that facilitates recording of messages and phone calls from targeted apps, Citizen Lab said.

Pegasus clearly shows the dangers of mobile devices [that] can be transformed into ideal tracking devices, said Yair Amit, CTO of Skycure.

While Pegasus is a sophisticated tool thats likely to be used against specific victims, there are tools that allow attackers with minimal technical background to easily penetrate iOS and Android, he told TechNewsWorld.

News of the zero-day exploits led Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., who has a degree in computer science, to call for a congressional hearing on the issue of mobile security.
Alphabet has been facing significant roadblocks in expanding Google Fiber into new U.S. cities, in part due to significant competitive and legal challenges from incumbent broadband providers like AT&T and Comcast.

The companies currently are embroiled in a dispute over access to utility poles in Nashville, Tennessee, where Google claims that its competitors have been dragging their feet in making poles ready for Googles wires, even though the work has been approved.

Incumbent carriers have fought to block access to new entrants like Google Fiber, and local governments have tried to find solutions  like the One Touch Make Ready effort to get companies to share utility crews that would give broadband competitors equal access to attach their network equipment to telephone poles at the same time. The Nashville Metro Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed ordinance on Tuesday.

Talks recently broke down in Nashville after officials sat down with Google, Comcast, AT&T and others. AT&T has blamed Google for threatening to pack up and leave if it didnt get its own way in terms of local pole access.

Unfortunately Google entered the meeting with no intent of negotiating, AT&T spokesperson Brett Levecchio told the E-Commerce Times. We offered several solutions that would have addressed Googles concerns without government intervention, but Google refused to compromise.

AT&T, which offers fiber in 2.2 million locations within 29 metro areas in the U.S., plans to reach more than 14 million residential and commercial customers with fiber, Levecchio said.

Deep Cuts

While the wrangling wears on, Alphabet apparently has taken a hard look at Google Fibers bottom line.

If Google Fiber is not going to be building fiber networks in the next year or so, there are a lot of expensive people that the company will have to carry, broadband analyst Craig Settles told the E-Commerce Times.

Alphabet CEO Larry Page recently ordered Google Fiber to slash up to half of its workforce, in a bid to balance out the companys flagging subscriber figures, The Information reported. The news came just weeks after the company indicated it would shift to a wireless growth strategy to take advantage of its new Webpass broadband business.

Well short of its internal goals of 5 million subscribers, Google Fiber reportedly could see its workforce slashed in half to about 500 people nationwide, as it works to retool as a wireless broadband company.

Alphabet acquired wireless broadband provider Webpass earlier this year.

The layoff reports raise questions about how forthcoming Alphabet has been concerning the roadblocks it has encountered in its quest to grow the Google Fiber business.

This is confusing, because we thought Google Fiber was doing so well, said telecom analyst Jeff Kagan.

Apparently not. They recently announced they were moving from the wireline to the wireless business, he told the E-Commerce Times. Now this.

Behind the Curtain

Google Fiber stormed out of the gate, bringing the promise of significant competition to underserved cities with ultra-high-speed Internet service at speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. Google Fiber is much faster than traditional cable broadband.

Google Fiber currently operates in seven U.S. cities, including Kansas City, Missouri, where the company has its headquarters; Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Nashville.

The company has announced plans to expand into numerous other cities  including Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Huntsville, Alabama; Dallas; and others.

Alphabets Wireless Experiments

Meanwhile, Alphabet has been working on providing wireless high-speed Internet access to the home, company chairman Eric Schmidt said at the companys annual shareholders meeting this spring.

Better computer chips and more accurate wireless signal targeting have made point-to-point wireless Internet connections cheaper than laying cables, he indicated.

The technology apparently is capable of delivering Internet connections at 1 Gbps  equal to Google Fibers speed.

Google Fiber has been working on connecting wireless towers to existing fiber lines.

One of our early forays in testing wireless technology is a 3.5 GHz trial in Kansas City, Google spokesperson Kelly Mason told the E-Commerce Times this spring.

Google consultant Robert Iystad earlier this year presented the Kansas City Council with a plan to run tests on wireless Internet access in the city.

The company sought to put antennae on city light poles and other structures in eight areas for a two-year test, providing the infrastructure at a discount. It was granted access to the light poles.

The Tech Stuff

There are three Google technologies involved, according to Sue Rudd, a research director at Strategy Analytics. One is Google Fiber. Another is millimeter wave point-to-point access to fiber, and the third is small local cell sites for use on premises.

Millimeter wave spectrum is relatively unused. Even at 1 bit per Hz, you can get high speeds at high frequencies, Rudd told the E-Commerce Times. Millimeter bandwidth comes in chunks greater than 5 GHz, such as 20 GHz, and high frequencies are infinitely reusable because they dont go so far.

Googles goal is to utilize underused high-frequency millimeter wave spectra to create a global access network linking point to point to the nearest fiber, she explained. Distance is not an issue.

Playing With Millimeter Wave Technology

Experiments with using millimeter wave technology for WiFi networks date back at least a couple of years.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in 2014 was converting old drones into millimeter wave WiFi hotspots.

Also in 2014, Google began testing a WiFi network that employed millimeter wave and other WiFi technologies.

Google has been testing solar-powered drones to deliver 5G Internet using millimeter wave technology, in its secretive Project Skybender, at Spaceport America.

Starry early this year announced it was working on a millimeter wave WiFi network to be rolled out in beta in Boston this summer. Rollout dates for 14 other U.S. cities that are part of a 24-month pilot program  including San Francisco, New York and Washington, D.C.  have yet to be announced.

Facebook this spring announced new terrestrial connectivity systems that leverage millimeter wave WiFi, and said it planned to test the system in San Jose this year.

We think its great that others are exploring new and innovative ways to bring connectivity to more people, Starry spokesperson Virginia Abrams told the E-Commerce Times this spring. Our beta will launch as planned late this summer in the Boston area.

Why the Rush to High-Bandwidth WiFi?

Eric Schmidts  comments are just describing a way to solve the classic last-mile problem for fiber termination, Strategy Analytics Rudd noted in an earlier interview. This is a very well-known problem that now has multiple wireless point-to-point and even multi-point options many operators and enterprise vendors are looking at.

Possible vendors include premises, cell termination and even campus DAS interconnect players, such as Blinq, Bridgewave, Cambium Networks, Ericsson and NEC, she said.

The federal government is giving out grants to companies to provide WiFi service in rural areas, observed Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research, in an earlier interview. Some local providers are also encouraging this in areas where they arent providing service.

The allure of WiFi Internet is increasing, because some cities are getting fed up with companies tearing up their streets to lay cable, McGregor told the E-Commerce Times.

The result is, its the wild, wild west out there, and everyones trying to get into providing WiFi service, he said. Im looking into it myself.
Tracking user activity as a way of serving up ads is now common across pretty much the entirety of the web, but knowingly tracking children remains illegal, and four massive media companies have just paid the price for engaging in such activities.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that a settlement has been reached with Hasbro, JumpStart Games, Mattel and Viacom over the tracking and collection of personal information of children under the age of 13 - a violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

The two-year investigation found websites owned by the companies that are specifically aimed at children, such as those for My Little Pony, Neopets, Barbie, Dora the Explorer, Hot Wheels, and Nickelodeon, allowed third-party trackers.

All the organizations will now have to monitor for third-party trackers, conduct regular scans and vet vendors' data collection practices to ensure they comply with COPPA.

Additionally, JumpStart Games, Mattel, and Viacom will have to pay a collective total of $835,000 in fines. Hasbro avoided the financial penalty as its actions were found to be less severe and it is a member of the FTC's Safe Harbor program, which indicates a site complies with COPPA.

"We used to worry about our children wandering into bad neighborhoods," said Schneiderman. "Now our children live online, and we have to police the internet the same way we police the streets."

While the fine isn't going to have much of an effect on such large firms, it at least shows that authorities are taking a stand against companies flouting the rules when it comes to monitoring the online activities of kids.
Everyone is riding the virtual reality wave, even Toyota's new car.

The Japanese car manufacturer will be showcasing its new 2017 Prius Prime during TechCrunch's Disrupt SF 16, an event held for startup debuts. However, instead of the conventional rotating platforms, Toyota will allow people to take the new car for a drive  a virtual one.

Enlisting the services of neofuturistic concept artist Sydney Jay Mead, better known as Syd Mead, Toyota produced a virtual world that is filled with futuristic urban structures, vehicles and various landscapes. People can navigate through the simulated world using an HTC Vive VR headset. With the aid of a hydraulically driven mechanical bucket seat, the "4D" VR experience, which Toyota named as "The Impossible Quest," gets closer to the real-world conditions of driving a car.

Note that Syd Mead's projects are featured on films such as Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Blade Runner, Elysium and TRON.

"It's actually really convincing when paired with the movements from the seat," writes TechCrunch's Darrell Etherington. "You actually have to buckle up when you use it, which I thought was just something to encourage safety in a cutesy way, but which actually is designed to prevent people potentially being thrown from the bucket seat."

"You're behind the wheel of the new Prius Prime and must safely deliver a mysterious stranger and his even more mysterious package to his destination, all while outrunning and outmaneuvering a cadre of villains who are in pursuit," says Engadget's Andrew Tarantola who also got to try out The Impossible Quest. "The experience has the user navigating an ever changing cityscape."

Tarantola adds that to further enhance the experience, Toyota blasts the driver with air and water vapors at select moments. Successfully dropping the villains and arriving at the designated location, the passenger will show the driver that package's contents.

Complimenting VR driving experience is something akin to the Google's Tilt Brush, a program that lets users draw in 3D space. Originally, the Toyota planned to use Tilt Brush since it comes bundled the HTC Vive. However, with Tilt Brush's limitations in exporting finished pieces, Toyota employed Saatchi & Saatchi, a global communications and advertising agency, to create similar software.

So what's so important about exporting the artwork created by users that Toyota needed a whole new one designed? It becomes the content of the mysterious package that the passenger is holding. Hence, the driver gets to see his own creation. Yep.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
New details regarding Google's next-gen flagship smartphone have leaked. According to a new report, the HTC-built Google Pixel XL will be priced at $649, although it's not clear if that price is for the 128 GB or 32 GB storage configuration.

Google introduced its first smartphone, the Nexus One, in January 2010 and partnered with HTC to build the device. The company has continued to partner with several Android smartphone and tablet makers over the years to produce its Nexus lineup, but it now looks like the company is going to put an end to the Nexus brand.

The first concrete evidence of Google killing off its Nexus brand came in the form of the company renaming its Nexus Launcher, which had been available to download from the Google Play Store. Leaked images of its replacement, Pixel Launcher, were posted online via a reliable tipster, all but confirming Google's new smartphones would be Pixel handsets.

Since HTC kicked off Google's first Nexus smartphone, it only makes sense the company would be enlisted to build Google's first Pixel smartphones. The two new handsets have already been making headlines over the last few months, and in July, we learned that the pair was codenamed Sailfish and Marlin, along with a leaked render showing off the new design.

We just reported that a render of the Google Pixel Sailfish has appeared in a 360-degree video, and now, new details about its larger sibling, Marlin, which is expected to officially be called the Pixel XL, have emerged.

According to a post on Twitter from David Ruddock of Android Police, he claims that the Google Pixel XL will reportedly be priced at $649 when it's officially released. However, he says that he's not clear whether this price is for the 32 GB or 128 GB variant.

If we look at Google's current pricing structure for the Nexus 6P, which the Pixel XL is expected to replace, the 32 GB variant sold for $499, while the 64 GB model was priced at $549 and the 128 GB storage option carried a $649 price tag.

The Google Pixel XL is expected to boast a 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 Quad HD display and will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor and 4 GB of RAM. The handset is believed to pack in a 13 megapixel rear camera and 8 megapixel front-facing snapper.

With Google's upcoming Pixel event, which is rumored to take place on Oct. 4, we should begin to learn more extensive details regarding both the new Pixel (Sailfish) and Pixel XL (Marlin).

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Samsung's worldwide recall for the Galaxy Note 7 was spurred by the growing number of incidents of the smartphone's battery exploding. While the faulty batteries were said to be found in a small percentage of the Galaxy Note 7 devices sold so far, the company decided to take the safer route and issued a global recall for all units of the smartphone.

Unfortunately, a 6-year-old boy from Brooklyn, New York, became a victim of the Galaxy Note 7 issue, as the smartphone exploded in his hands.

The boy was said to be using the Galaxy Note 7 to watch videos at his home in East Flatbush on the evening of Sept. 10. Suddenly, the battery of the smartphone exploded, sending the Galaxy Note 7 to flames.

According to the boy's grandmother, Linda Lewis, the explosion was violent enough to set off alarms in the house. The family was able to call 911 just before 8 p.m. The boy was rushed to Downstate Medical Center, where he received treatment for the burns he suffered on his hands and body.

"He is home now," said Lewis. "He doesn't want to see or go near any phones. He's been crying to his mother."

Samsung has reached out to the Lewis family regarding the incident and, in a statement, said that it is doing everything it could for the family and the boy.

"Customer safety remains our highest priority as we are investigating the matter," the company added.

The incident is the worst fear realized for Samsung, as the faulty batteries of the Galaxy Note 7 have the potential to not only destroy property but also cause injury.

Last week, a Galaxy Note 7 exploded while left charging in the center console of a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Nathan Dornacher and his wife were unloading things from the vehicle, and when they came back, they found their Jeep engulfed in flames. Thankfully, there was nobody inside the vehicle when the fire broke out.

Samsung has requested Galaxy Note 7 owners to turn off their devices and have them replaced first, but some owners have not yet done so. Whether the decision to keep using the Galaxy Note 7 is an oversight or stubbornness, customers should realize the dangers of not heeding Samsung's warnings.

To ensure the safety of customers, there were rumors that Samsung might be planning to remotely deactivate recalled Galaxy Note 7 units that have not been exchanged for new ones after Sept. 30. The company has since refuted the claim, but hopefully no other people will be injured by the exploding batteries of the smartphone.

UPDATE: The smartphone that exploded in the hands of the 6-year-old boy was clarified by the mother to be a Samsung Galaxy Core, and not the recalled Galaxy Note 7.

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Proterra, an American manufacturer of all-electric zero-emissions vehicles, unveils the newest addition to its lineup of offerings, the Catalyst E2 bus.

The Catalyst Efficient Energy (E2) debuted during the American Public Transit Association's annual meeting. The new all-electric bus has a 440 to 600 kWh storage capacity, which helps it achieve a nominal range of up to 194 to 350 miles.

Proterra says that the Catalyst E2, with its nominal range, has the capacity to travel the mileage of most U.S. mass transit routes on a single charge. Moreover, the electric vehicle manufacturer says that the new bus offers a direct replacement to fossil-fueled transit vehicles.

When fully charged, the Catalyst E2 can run for more than 600 miles. This is according to the company's logs when the vehicle was tested last month within Michelin's Laurens Proving Grounds. The newly unveiled E2 sits atop Proterra's line of high-mileage buses, which includes the Catalyst FC and Catalyst XR series that have nominals of 49 to 62 miles and 136 to 193 miles, respectively.

"Proterra's primary goal has always been to create a purpose-built, high-performance electric vehicle that can serve every single transit route in the United States," says Proterra CEO Ryan Popple while noting that with the Catalyst E2, the company has achieved its goal. Topple went on further to say with E2 standing as a no-compromise replacement for fossil-fueled buses, the question should no longer be on who's going to adopt the technology first. Rather, it should be on who will commit to an efficient, clean and sustainable future of mobility.

According to Proterra's data, its Catalyst line has 30 percent fewer parts and up to 75 percent fewer brake repairs compared to diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG) and diesel-hybrid buses. Moreover, claims that its electric buses allow savings of $237,000, $194,000 and $151,000 in maintenance cost when compared to diesel, CNG and diesel-hybrid buses. These figures reflect savings computed during Catalyst buses' average lifetime.

Summing up the vehicle purchase price, fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance over a 12-year period, Proterra shows that its buses can save operators more than $450,000 when compared to diesel, CNG and diesel-hybrids.

Proterra buses within the US have a total of 2.5 million miles of revenue service. This translates to 540,000 fuel gallons displaced and more than 10 million pounds of carbon emissions eliminated.

"We just surpassed one million miles of revenue service with our battery-electric Proterra fleet, and we're looking forward to many more miles to come. Since our first EV bus procurement with Proterra in 2010, we knew that zero-emission buses were the future of mass transit. Now, with the new Catalyst E2, this vision is a reality," says Doran Barnes, executive director at Foothill Transit.

Proterra specifies that its current sales are up by 220 percent compared with 2015. The company will double its production next year to meet customer demand. This is made possible with the help of its manufacturing lines in both South Carolina and California that are expected to be fully operational by 2017.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 7 owners who refuse to exchange their devices now have a quick fix for the exploding battery issue: never fully charge the device.

Following an increasing number of reports regarding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 exploding batteries, the company was left with no choice other than to issue a global Galaxy Note 7 recall.

Samsung quickly set up an exchange program and strongly advised all Galaxy Note 7 owners to bring in their device and wait for a replacement once the battery issue is fixed. Despite the great risks an exploding battery poses, not all Galaxy Note 7 owners sent their device back to Samsung.

For those stubborn device owners who refused to exchange their Galaxy Note 7, Samsung now has a sort of solution in place to limit the risk of an exploding battery. More specifically, the company's quick fix is to charge the device's battery only up to 60 percent.

To make sure that device owners don't get a say in this and risk their safety, Samsung is making this mandatory through a software patch that limits the recharging. Galaxy Note 7 owners will not be able to go past that charging cap and fully charge their Galaxy Note 7. This cap aims to ensure that the battery does not overheat.

"It is a measure to put consumer safety first but we apologize for causing inconvenience," Samsung said in an ad on the front page of a newspaper in its home country of South Korea, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 owners in South Korea who ignored the company's recall message will receive the update patch starting on Sept. 20. Global users should get the same treatment shortly after.

Just to be clear, this does not mean that from now on, every Galaxy Note 7 unit will have a battery charging cap set at 60 percent tops. The defective devices returned to Samsung will be replaced and will be able to fully charge, with no charging limit. The cap applies only to devices that are potentially defective and have not been exchanged.

Considering that an exploding battery can cause some serious damage, however, it's paramount that all Galaxy Note 7 owners exchange their devices as soon as possible, if they haven't already.

For more information on how to exchange your Galaxy Note 7, check out Samsung's announcement from last week. Lastly, it's worth pointing out that Samsung refuted recent claims that it will remotely deactivate any Galaxy Note 7 units that have not been exchanged.

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At least a dozen polar bears have reportedly laid siege to an outpost that houses five Russian meteorologists on a remote isle in the Arctic.

The group of scientists is currently on an expedition on Troynoy Island about 2,800 miles away from Moscow in Russia's Kara Sea. The head of the team, meteorologist Vadim Plotnikov, sent news over the weekend that around 10 polar bears have surrounded their base.

However, Plotnikov and his team do not have any means of scaring off the animals, according to Russian news site TASS. With that, Russia is planning to send an emergency delivery to the team for protection, the report said.

What Happened?

About four to six polar bears remained on Troynoy Island during summer. Now, however, there are at least 10 adult polar bears and some cubs, said Plotnikov.

Plotnikov said a female polar bear has been sleeping under the windows of the Arctic station as of Saturday, Sept. 10. At any given time, at least four polar bears can be seen from the base, he said.

Because of the obstruction, the team's hydro-meteorological observations have been suspended. Scientists are blocked from reaching the station platform and studying other points.

"It's dangerous to go outside, and we've had to stop some of our work," said Plotnikov.

Unfortunately, the group has reportedly run out of flares to scare off the animals, and has lost at least one of their dogs to the polar bears.

Russian laws prohibit the killing of polar bears, which are considered as an endangered species, so researchers in the Arctic are often equipped with flares and rubber bullets to scare off the creatures.

It is not unusual for polar bears to approach outposts in the Arctic, but the event has intensified because of climate change, scientists say.

Melting sea ice and changing patterns in the population of polar bears' prey have triggered the "desperation" of the animals, forcing them to travel life-threatening long distances to hunt for food.

Emergency Delivery

Vassiliy Shevchenko, head of the Sevgidromet State Monitoring Network that owns the Arctic station, said a ship with provisions is on its way to the island to deliver aid, including more flare guns and dogs, to the group of scientists. The emergency delivery is expected to arrive one month from now.

Shevchenko suggests the personnel should tread carefully and with caution, adding that scientists should not leave the premises of the outpost and should only conduct accessible studies.

By the end of October or the start of November, Arctic waters will freeze and the polar bears will move out of the island to hunt for food, added Shevchenko. Until then, the polar bears' stakeout will continue.

Photo: Gary Bembridge | Flickr

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NASA's COral Reef Airborne Laboratory (CORAL) has landed in Australia to begin a two-month study of the largest reef ecosystem in the world, the Great Barrier Reef.

Mission objectives were relayed to media personnel present at the briefing in North Queensland's Cairns Airport by both NASA scientists and their collaborators from Australia, as well as what are expected to be learned as the researchers take a closer look at the Great Barrier Reef.

According to Eric Hochberg, principal CORAL investigator, the mission provides the clearest and most extensive image so far of the condition of a significant portion of coral reefs around the world.

"This new understanding of reef condition and function will allow scientists to better predict the future of this global ecosystem," he said, adding policymakers will also receive better information that will help them in crafting decisions involving resource management.

The Mission

CORAL is a three-year mission that uses aerial surveys and in-water validation activities to gather data. With the mission generating a uniform set of data from a large reef sample in the Pacific Ocean, researchers will be able to utilize these data in identifying trends in the conditions of coral reefs and environmental and biological factors that affect them.

In Australia, six sections in the Great Barrier Reef will be surveyed, from the north's Torres Strait to the south's Capricorn-Bunker Group. There will be two bases for in-water validation activities: Lizard Island Research Station in the north and the Heron Island Research Station in the south.

Aside from those from NASA and the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, researchers from the University of Queensland and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization will also be doing additional in-water validation activities.

For the aerial surveys, CORAL will be using the Portable Remote Imaging Spectrometer (PRISM) from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Literally gazing through the surface of the ocean, PRISM will create high-resolution images of light reflected in certain electromagnetic spectrum regions relevant to coral reef research. Mounted on a modified Tempus Solutions Gulfstream IV aircraft, the spectrometer will conduct aerial surveys from 28,000 feet in the air.

The Great Barrier Reef: An Australian Treasure

Situated off Queensland's Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef is made up of 900 islands and over 2,900 separate reefs, stretching over 1,400 miles long and covering some 133,000 square miles of area. It is also home to about 400 coral species. Because of the reef's significance, it attracts 2 million visitors every year, resulting in fishing and tourism industries generating billions each year. Ironically, human activity is one of the major threats the Great Barrier Reef is facing.

According to a study published in June in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, the Great Barrier Reef has deteriorated so much that it is being labeled as a last chance tourist destination, a place people travel to before it is gone.

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This year's iPhone launch was a mixed bag. Fans were mostly disappointed by the lack of a fresh design. At the same time, careless snobs were pleased by the iPhone's new water-repelling skills. Opinions were divided on the exclusion of the 3.5 mm jack. However, one things that got everyone excited was the iPhone 7 Plus' dual-camera setup. The phone's 12-megapixel camera module is coupled with 12-megapixel telephoto lens to help you zoom-in better. The additional lens also enables depth of field effect on the iPhone. Apple claims that their latest phone can capture the bokeh effect, which was previously reserved for the DSLR cameras. I don't doubt Apple's expertise in the photography department, but lets face it that the Cupertino company isn't the first one to implement such camera assembly in mobiles. Don't take my word for it, here's a quick list of smartphones that featured the dual-camera setup before the iPhone.



LG Optimus 3D

The Samsung SCH-B710 feature phone may have pioneered the dual-camera setup, but as far as the smartphones are concerned, LG's Optimus 3D was the first handset two lenses. Launched in 2011, the handset had a 5-megapixel dual camera meant for snapping stereoscopic (3D) images. To display 3D photographs, the Optimus 3D was equipped with a 3D screen, which was incredibly effective at causing headache and nausea.







HTC Evo 3D

The Evo 3D was HTC's answer to the Optimus 3D. The Taiwanese company's handset too featured a 5-megapixel dual-lens assembly to capture 3D images. The Evo 3D's screen packed in more pixel than its Korean competitor, but consuming stereoscopic content was a headache inducing affair nonetheless. At the launch, the HTC Evo 3D was priced at Rs 34,800.







HTC One M8

After the spectacular failure of the Evo 3D, HTC took three years to relight its love for dual cameras. This time around, the Taiwanese brand had a more sensible approach towards two camera system. The flagship phone M8's main camera was backed by a 2-megapixel depth sensor. Much like what Apple promises to offer today, the HTC One M8 made it possible for users to fiddle with the depth of field in 2014.







Huawei Honor 6 Plus

While the HTC One M8 was held back by a 4-megapixel camera, the Honor 6 Plus showed the world what a well thought-out dual camera can deliver. Huawei's phone comes with two 8-megapixel sensors. Like the HTC One M8, the Honor 6 Plus uses depth data to enable users to tinker with the focus point even after snapping a photograph. In terms of quality, the Honor 6 Plus has to be the best performing dual-camera so far.





Apple, iPhone
Apple, Google May Clash With India Govt Over Encryption | TechTree.com

India is reportedly compelling global companies to use technology cooked up in a government-funded lab and failure to join the effort could limit the tech industrys access to a vast and growing market. However, companies like Apple and Google are expected to resist opening up their phones and operating systems to the Indian registration, encryption and security technology. This is according to a Bloomberg report. [Read the full story here]

The initiative is part of the countrys biometric identity program, Aadhaar that kicked off in September 2010, and has been made popular by the Narendra Modi-led government collecting biometric information from all Indian citizens and storing the digitized data in a centralized database. The government has issued a unique 12-digit ID number to every citizen, who can use fingerprint and iris-scan authentication to access a range of public and private services. As of April this year, more than one billion people had signed up, or about 83 percent of the population.

An Aadhaar-compatible device offers two forms of authentication: India's Aadhaar biometrics and, preferably, a technology solution such as Apple's Touch ID. Users would be able to unlock their device and authenticate purchases via Touch ID as normal. Once Aadhaar is accessed, possibly via a dedicated app, it takes over its own security and encryption thereby locking out manufacturer safeguards. The mechanism is worrisome for companies concerned with user privacy, said an Apple Insiderreport.

As per the report, Ajay Bhushan Pandey, who heads the Unique Identification Authority of India, called for the meeting a few weeks ago and said, "Go to your headquarters and work this out so that we can have Aadhaar-registered devices.

It should be noted that Indias relationship with the global tech industry has become increasingly tensed. This year, the government banned Facebooks free web service and declined to relieve Apple from local sourcing rules and for opening its own stores.

For now, India is only asking manufacturers to consider Aadhaar integration. At present Samsung is the only global device-maker currently making an Aadhaar-friendly device, a tablet thats reportedly selling well. Microsoft is also reportedly working with the government to link Skype with the Aadhaar database so that the video calling service can be used to make authenticated calls.

For Apple, Aadhaar represents yet another roadblock to breaking into the Indian market. Besides privacy factor, Aadhaar may also be an issue for the rollout of Apple Pay, with India recently activating a digital payments infrastructure on its home-brew biometric framework.

At present, Indian authorities are asking politely. But this may not be the case, going forward, and looks like Apple, Google and other US tech companies are less likely to compromise without a fight over encryption.

TAGS: Apple, Google, Encryption
Professor Uses Face Scanning Technology To Find Bored Students | TechTree.com

Do you remember last time when you were bored in class? Most students find class lessons boring, no matter how studious or brilliant he or she is.

Wei Xiaoyong, a science professor at Sichuan University in China realized this fact of life. He said he is using facial recognition technology on his own students, determining exactly whos day-dreaming about going out for a movie class, or yearning for a weekend gate-away.

The scanning approach gauges the emotion on your face over time, helping Wei refine his lectures so that he doesn't lose your interest.

Five years ago, when I came to this university to teach, I came up with the idea of using facial recognition for attendance checks, said Wei in Digital Trends report. Over time, I realized there was other information we could gather from this data. For example, it is possible to figure out social networks in the classroom by looking at which students sat next to each other, he added in the Digital Trend report (read it here ).

WEi Also disclosed that most of the students taking up course because of this unique technique of teaching. Hence, the university offer them three weeks to get used to new classes, so if they dont like the system they can drop the class. After that three week period, we ask them to sign a consent form for video he added.

Xiaoyong developed the program on his own, which categorizes students expressions as either happy or neutral, using a curve that scans every impressionable youngsters face. If it sounds like a weird bit of voyeurism -- or a teacher acting too much like a cop with the help of technology -- take a breath, and give Xiaoyong a chance. He told reporters the tool can be used for a range of social sciences, psychological work and by educational researchers.

The program helps Xiaoyong to evaluate his own performance: If he gets a room full of deadpan stares, hell know when to move onto a different topic, or perhaps entertain students one or the other way to bring back their attention.

It's not guaranteed to be completely effective, of course (what if you're particularly stoic?), and it's easy to see students being nervous about the privacy ramifications of scanning faces. Wei is sharing his approach with other Chinese universities, however, which suggests that it's successful enough. And the underlying tech isn't limited to the classroom -- Wei sees it applying to psychology, social sciences and anywhere else where measuring emotional changes could be useful.

TAGS: biometrics, Face Swap, Scanners
Drivers honked, rolled their windows down and yelled to the more than 100 people lining the Higgins Avenue Bridge in support of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in North Dakota.

One woman on the sidewalk put down her sign to film her young daughter with her phone.

I want to have water! the girl yelled, quickly followed with my ears hurt, after a car drove by honking wildly.

At 4:21 p.m. Tuesday around 65 people lined the west side of the bridge, with signs, while one man beat a drum.

At 4:43 that number had doubled, with supporters lining both sides of the bridge to raise awareness about the threat they feel Dakota Access Pipeline represents.

Anyone who pays any attention to the science knows we have to make a change, said John Woodland, with 350 Missoula. Continuing to invest in fossil fuels, which the pipeline supports, isnt sustainable, he said.

Woodland said this protest was just one of many across the country Tuesday organized by 350, a nonprofit that organizes protests and movements against climate change.

Missoulas event was part of a planned "day of action, by 350. According to its website, hundreds of events were planned across the United States, Europe, Asia and New Zealand. In Washington, D.C., hundreds of people gathered across from the White House to listen to speakers on the issue, including former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

In Missoula, slogans on the bridge varied from the simple -- People over pipelines and quite a few Solidarity with Standing Rock -- to the largest banner, Sow the seeds of change. Two Northern Cheyenne flags and one Blackfeet tribal flag were held over the railing.

Courtney Little Axe held one of the Northern Cheyenne Flags. Shes Cheyenne and Shawnee and is going to school at the University of Montana.

She wore a shirt that read, protectors not protesters.

We (Native Americans) considered ourselves the water and earth protectors, since protesters kind of has a negative connotation to it, Little Axe said.

Little Axe heard about the event from an email from 350 Missoula that she then passed on to her friends. She was excited to be part of the worldwide show of support.

Im so happy it turned out like this, Little Axe, with traditional beaded earrings and fur braid wraps.

Missoula Police Sgt. J.C. Denton walked the line in plainclothes, asking everyone to stay out of the road and let people walk down the sidewalk.

You guys are entirely within your rights and this is cool, Denton said. Were here to help you guys as much as anything else.

The protest in Missoula was peaceful, with Woodland discouraging a small group from trying to block traffic on the bridge.

In North Dakota however, 22 people were arrested Tuesday for interfering with construction on the pipeline about 70 miles northwest of the main protest site.

Morton County, North Dakota, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Donnell Preskey said construction workers were "swarmed" by protesters and that two people had "attached" themselves to equipment.

Preskey said 20 people face charges of criminal trespassing. The two who tethered themselves to equipment also face charges of hindering law enforcement and disorderly conduct.

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple has asked for federal help in coping with the long-running protest of an oil pipeline that has drawn thousands to land near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.

Dalrymple said Tuesday that he's asked White House officials as well as three federal agencies to help supply people and money "to maintain public safety."

This specific section of the pipeline targeted Tuesday was not part of the temporary work stoppage issued by a federal judge or the section that the federal government asked Energy Transfer Partners (EPT) to voluntarily stop work on. ETP has said construction is continuing elsewhere.

In Missoula, Ray Kingfisher said he came to Higgins Avenue Bridge to stand with every Native American tribe and against environmental destruction.

Water is a human issue. If we dont have water, we dont have life, he said.

***

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
SAN FRANCISCO  In a visit to Tech Crunch Disrupt on Tuesday, Sept. 13, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said that when it comes to IT, the Defense Department (DoD) hopes to accomplish three things: to rebuild trust with Silicon Valley, to invest in its cutting-edge solutions and to harness the valleys copious amounts of talent for national security projects.At the event, Carter opened with an invitation to the industry to re-establish relationships that might have frayed in past years, and to secure new ones within the framework of defense initiatives, programs and public-private partnerships. Carter did not attempt to sidestep recent controversies around National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance and Apples refusal to build government backdoors into its encryption, and said that whatever happened next would require open communication on both sides."The only way to deal with that [industry mistrust] is to listen carefully and to dialog that and to try to solve problems together, he said.For his part, Carter said he has worked to build such bridges by reaching out to industry thought leaders like Jeff Bezos, and through instrumental programs such as the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx). The program, which is scheduled see more outposts pop up around the country, serves as a network of community R&D hubs to pioneer new military solutions. The successful work at the programs two locations  Palo Alto, Calif., and Boston  means coordination of additional outposts is expected to happen soon."That is the first of several tech hubs here and around the country," he said, "and its to create a presence here so people can get to know the problem sets that were working on and their importance, and give them a way to connect."Another example he mentioned is the launch of the DoD's Defense Digital Service that was modeled after the White Houses U.S. Digital Service (USDS). Like its sister organization, the service culls specialized talent from companies like Google and Microsoft for a year or two to think up new methodologies and tools for security. As a physicist with a bachelors degree from Harvard and a Ph.D. from Yale, Carter said he can personally relate. When he first began his career in government, he had no inclination to stay for so long  nor any expectation of the reward."But somebody gave me a chance, Carter said. They said, 'Hey Ash, just give it a try for one year, heres a really important problem and just give it a try.' And I did. And I got hooked because it brought together the two things that really jazz you up if youre a person, and particularly a technical person."These two things, he said, were a direct use of his knowledge and the opportunity to apply it in a place that mattered: defending our country and our people."For tech startups, he confirmed that this opening to engage was readily applicable to them as well. The DoD is scouting for startups with technologies that serve U.S. defense and intelligence needs. Like the CIA that launched the not-for-profit venture capital firm In-Q-Tel in 1998, the Defense Department is hunting for entrepreneurs that can offer ready solutions for big data, automation, bioengineering and encryption  a service where the government will invest heavily.The long-term goal is to create a pipeline for both companies and tech professionals to constantly engage in projects with government.While making this invitation to the tech community, however, he also had to acknowledge the major trust gaps that have been deepened by citizen surveillance.On the Justice Departments conflict with Apple to create backdoors, he said that he wouldnt pretend that the question was an easy one or that there was a quick solution. But he did say that it would likely require additional dialog, and that each case must be handled individually."I dont think theres one way," said Carter, "and I dont think its going to be a way thats invented by government."On the question of whether President Obama should pardon Edward Snowden before he leaves office, Carter said he would defer such a question to law enforcement, but added that he could not personally accept Snowdens release of such confidential government documents as a right course of action."That is something I cant condone ... Carter said. "This did tremendous harm to our security, it did tremendous harm to companies and their competitive situation in the world, and complicated our relations with foreign powers."Despite such issues, however, he re-emphasized that the path forward was all about meeting one another halfway."In order for us to work through this, were going to have to work together in partnership, said Carter. "I think that its incredibly important that the community that built, operates, innovates on the Internet, enjoys Internet freedom and values Internet freedom, works with the government."
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
STEVENSVILLE  In 1941, the Historic St. Marys Mission celebrated the 100th anniversary of the day the missionaries arrived in the Bitterroot Valley in response to repeated requests by Salish tribal leaders.

Close to 8,000 people came to experience the Founders Day celebration back then.

On Sept. 24, the mission will host the 175th anniversary commemoration of that event.

While Historic St. Marys Mission Director Colleen Meyer isnt expecting quite that large of a crowd, shes certain that those who do come will enjoy the expanded program and the varied demonstrations that volunteers will offer that day.

We do encourage families to come, Meyer said. There will be a lot of fun and interactive things for people to do. All of our staff will be in heritage dress, which will be very colorful. We invite anyone to dress in period costumes. It will add to the festivities.

This years Founders Day celebration is themed Friendships and Relationships.

Its fitting considering the history thats observed that day.

Through my research I find it very rare that an American Indian tribe invited white men onto their lands, Meyer said. Yet four arduous trips were made to St. Louis by the Salish Indians seeking the Black Robe missionaries to bring the Christian teachings to their people. This powerful story will be told in a re-enactment at St. Mary's Mission on Sept. 24 during our 175th Founders Day Commemoration.

The Founders Day celebration will also mark a first for the Bitterroot Valley.

The Montana Historical Society is holding its annual convention in Hamilton that same week. Its the first time the convention has been held in Ravalli County.

When we realized that the dates coincided, we traveled to Helena to meet with their directors, Meyer said. Were proud that our valley is hosting this annual history conference and that its closing event is our Founders Day anniversary.

The Founders Day Commemoration will get underway at 9 a.m. with the opening of exhibits and the soothing sounds of the Bitterroot Community Band.

At 10 a.m., Bishop George Leo Thomas will open the ceremony with an invocation that will be followed with a Salish smudge ceremony by Steve Lozar.

Last year was the first time that weve done this, Meyer said. It was very moving. Its very much an honor to have Steve Lozar agree to do this. Its considered a cleansing ceremony and way to honor all the people who have gathered together.

The annual re-enactment of the Salish Indians welcoming the Black Robe missionaries will be followed a dedication of the Salish encampment.

The Salish encampment represents the homeland of the Bitterroot Salish, Meyer said. It will be dedicated by Lucy Vandeburg representing the tribe.

Local historian Chris Weatherlys sign that features Louise Vandeburgs quote touching on the emotion the Salish experienced when they returned to their homeland will be unveiled at that time.

Following that, two descendants of women who found a way to bridge the gap between Indian and white people will offer their thoughts during a Friendships and Relationship Ladies Tea.

Salish tribal member Mary Ann Combs was 9 when the tribe was moved out of the Bitterroot Valley in 1891. Her memories of that forced move were captured in later writings.

Years later, Combs made trips back to the valley, where she met Margaret Sullivan. They became lifelong friends who often talked over tea.

Rachel Bawers of Arlee is the great-granddaughter of Combs. Francie Sullivan is Sullivans daughter.

The two women have never met before, but on Founders Day theyll share a cup of tea on stage and recall their memories of these two significant women.

They are both very excited about this, Meyer said. Rachel taught her great-grandmother to speak English. Francie thought of Mary Ann as a grandmother. Francie plans to bring some of her mothers teacups with her.

Other guest speakers include Joe McDonald, the past president of the Salish-Kootenai College; Bruce Whittenberg, Montana Historical Society director; and Brian Matz of Fonbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Brian Matz has researched and studied the archives and Jesuit records stored in St. Louis, Meyer said. It will be interesting and fun to hear him relate some of the stories that hes found from those writings.

After the formal ceremony, people will be able to enjoy a wide variety of exhibits, childrens games, and Salish dancing and drumming.

Well also have a mountain man encampment where people can take a step back in time, she said. Well also have a time capsule that includes items donated by the Salish Tribe, as well as schoolchildren at St. Ignatius and Stevensville, and the St. Marys Mission. It will be recovered in 25 years on the 200th anniversary.

At 5 p.m., Mass will be celebrated at the mission in honor of the invitation made by the Bitterroot Salish Indians to the Black Robe missionaries, Meyer said. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The event is free.
Thai telecom regulator has banned the import of a batch of Galaxy Note 7 smartphones that have faulty batteries.

Thai Airways International and its budget subsidiary Thai Smile Airways have also joined other carriers in banning the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from checked baggage and being used onboard.

The national telecom regulator has banned Thai Samsung Electronics from importing a batch of Galaxy Note 7 smartphones associated with a technical flaw that caused the phone to burst into flames.

Several airlines, including the national carrier Thai Airways, have imposed the same ban including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Etihad and Virgin Australia.

The powering up and charging of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 mobile phones is prohibited on all our flights, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said in a statement yesterday.

National Broadcast and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said Samsung had not yet imported its flagship Galaxy Note 7 model into Thailand.

Takorn added that the company could import Galaxy Note 7 smartphones that did not have safety problems at a later date, but it would have to show the NBTC that the models complied with the required electrical safety standards.

The NBTC move came after Samsung recalled 2.5 million phones last week after reports of the device exploding during or after charging.

Airline passengers were warned by US authorities not to use or charge the phones while on board planes.

Thai Airways International and its budget subsidiary Thai Smile Airways have joined other carriers in banning the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from checked baggage and being used onboard.

Pratana Patanasiri, THAI vice-president of aviation safety, said the ban was due to global recalls and sale suspensions of the Note 7 device after a number of batteries exploded. A similar explanation was also posted on the Thai Smile Airways website.

Mr Pratana advised passengers that in general, they should always tell flight attendants if their electronic devices break, become abnormally hot or are lost during flights.

He said the action falls in line with the safety directives of THAI and the European Aviation Safety Agency.

The growing list of other airlines that have imposed the same ban includes Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Etihad and Virgin Australia.

 See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/thailand-bans-imports-some-galaxy-note-7#sthash.ci6zePBh.dpuf
BUTTE-- A driving-under-the-influence trial for ex-Navy SEAL Rob ONeill has been continued to October, according to Butte city court records.

Billings-based attorney Mark Parker said Butte-Silver Bow County prosecutors last week requested more time due to a deliberate homicide trial currently underway in Butte district court.

Prosecutors asked for more time, and we gave it to them, said Parker.

The six-person jury trial is slated for Oct. 5.

ONeill, 40, told Butte-Silver Bow police that he took a prescribed sleep aid before he was found asleep at the wheel of a Nissan Sentra at a Town Pump convenience store on April 8. Several customers told a clerk that a man was sleeping in the running vehicle.

A police report stated that ONeill was hazy about whether he had been drinking or taken Ambien, a prescription drug used to treat insomnia. The Butte native was also unclear about where he had traveled from to his hometown.

ONeill was arrested and later refused a Breathalyzer test. He pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor DUI, a first offense, the day of his arrest.

In a statement released by his public relations firm, ONeill said he took a prescribed sleep aid to help with long-standing insomnia.

ONeill received national attention several years ago when he said he killed al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden during a U.S.-led attack in Pakistan in 2011.
Representatives of six German companies on Monday began their business trip in Vietnam to explore the potential of the local solar photovoltaic market.

The Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam, which organized the trip, said the representatives participated in a conference in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss and learn about investment opportunities.

They also presented their products and services to some 150 Vietnamese companies and participants, and attended bilateral meetings.

The group visited DBW Garment Factory, one of the latest commercial photovoltaic (PV) rooftop projects and an example of German solar PV technology in Vietnam.

German companies in the solar photovoltaic sector can now seize a number of attractive business opportunities along the value chain, said Peter Cattelaens, deputy program director of the GIZ Energy Support Program in Vietnam.

Project developers, sales and operation managers, suppliers, engineers and planning consultants will be required in the very close future to invigorate the growth of the Vietnamese solar photovoltaic market.

Participants in the business trip include major companies such as IBC Solar AG, M+W Group GmbH, Droege Energy GmbH, CARERA Solar/Hydro UG, ILF Consulting Engineers GmbH and Syntegra Solar International AG.

According to the Delegate of German Industry and Commerce, the potential for solar energy development in Vietnam is huge.

Solar resources are abundant with a daily average solar irradiation of 4-5 kWh per square meter in most of southern and central Vietnam. This makes the country comparable to developed solar markets in the region  including China, Thailand or the Philippines  as well as to mature international solar markets, such as Spain and Italy, the delegate said in a release.

Solar PV power generation capacities in Vietnam are expected to increase from around seven megawatts (MW) by at mid-2016 to 850 MW by 2020, 4,000 MW by 2025 and 12,000 GW by 2030.
A section of Dam Ha Dong Reservoir's main dam was also damaged on Thursday.

At least 115 households were evacuated and a town submerged after a dam collapsed early Thursday in the northern province of Quang Ninh; no casualties have been reported.



The secondary dam of the Dam Ha Dong irrigation dam broke at 5:30, flooding Dam Ha Town, the provincial paper quoted Hoang Giang, a Dam Ha District spokesman, as saying.

Giang said that incessant rains that began on Wednesday night overloaded the reservoir.

Water began spilling over the dam wall at around 4 in the morning and collapsing one of the three secondary dams, he said, adding that water level in the dam has increased to 60 meters deep at around 10:30 am on Thursday.

Dang Huy Hau, Quang Ninh's vice mayor, arrived at the site on the same day and oversaw the evacuation of 115 households in Dam Ha Town and Quang Tan Commune.

Relevant forces, including military units, were mobilized to repair the collapsed dam and provide emergency assistance as the flood waters began receding around noon on Thursday.

The material damages have yet to be calculated.

Located on the Dam Ha River, the Dam Ha Dong serves as a reservoir for the irrigation of nearly 3,500 hectares (8,648 acres) of agriculture land.

It also provides water to a community of roughly 29,000 people.

The VND500-billion (US$23.5 million) dam, which broke ground in 2006 and finished in late 2011, also prevents floods to the rivers lowlands.


A section of the Dak Mek 3 dam under construction in Kon Tum Province collapsed on November 22, crushing a truck driver standing nearby to death.

Authorities in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum said the section of a dam that collapsed and killed a man last week had not been built properly, with the investor including soil and rock in constructing the wall instead of just concrete.

The investor of the Dak Mek 3 hydropower plant, Hong Phat Mechanics and Construction Company, was not present at the press briefing held Thursday by the provincial administration to explain the accident.

Sixty meters of the 80-meter dam collapsed on November 22, killing a truck driver standing nearby.

Dang Thanh Long, chief of the office of the provincial People's Committee, said the dam construction had not followed the design, adding that the entire structure was thinner than it was supposed to be.

He repeated that the dam had to be of solid concrete, but the investor had used soil and rock, making the structure weaker.

He said the province has temporarily suspended the project and asked its investor to identify the persons responsible as well as hire a more capable supervisor to avoid similar incidents.

Local police have been asked to investigate the death of the truck driver, he added.

Long also criticized the investor for failing to report the accident within a day after it happened as regulated.

It had instead waited three days to inform local authorities on Monday, and also did so only after local media had found out and reported the accident.

Director Le Ba Thanh of the company then came up with different explanations.

He told Tuoi Tre a truck carrying rocks had hit the dam and caused a series of collisions.

Then he told Thanh Nien the dam failed to withstand a large amount of rock - about 700 cubic meters - poured upon it at the time.

Thanh's company had asked to invest in a series of three dams in the province, but only received approval for one with a budget of VND200 billion (US$9.51 million).

Construction of the dam began in March 2009 and some 80 percent of the work had been completed at the time of the collapse, Thanh said.

The dam was scheduled to start operating in the first quarter next year with an expected output of 7.5 megawatts and a reservoir capacity of 1.7 million cubic meters.

It was one of 40 "small" hydropower dams built or being built in central Vietnam. Dams with a generation capacity of less than 30 MW are considered small.

Quang Binh and Quang Ngai provinces have canceled several such dams, saying they would help little but cause as much damage as the big ones to the environment and people's livelihoods.
The Peoples Court in the southern province of Ca Mau has officially censured a judge for handing down a lenient sentence against a Vietnamese-American man convicted of having sex with an underage girl.

Du Thi Bot presided over the first trial of Tieu Van Luan, 57, in April which ended with a three-year suspended sentence.

According to the case file, the 15-year-old girl began to work as a waitress at a local restaurant in May 2015. But the owner Lam Thi Chau forced her to do sex work and collected half of the money.

Luan, who owns a large hotel in Ca Mau, paid to have sex with the girl.

In June 2015, Luan and Chau were arrested after the girl's family reported that her daughter was held against her will.

Luan then admitted to paying VND500,000 (US$23) twice to have sex with the teenager at a local hostel.

The judge's decision in April to give Luan a suspended sentence immediately attracted widespread criticism, prompting prosecutors to appeal.

An appeals court in June then sentenced both Luan and Chau to three years in jail.

In Vietnam, having sex with a child between 13 and 16 years old is a serious crime punishable by up to 15 years. Procuring sex with those in that age range may also lead to a 15-year jail term.
British soldiers stand guard during the visit of defence secretary Liam Fox at Misrata airport 200km (124.2 miles) east of Tripoli in this file October 8, 2011 photo.

Britain's 2011 military intervention in Libya, ordered by former prime minister David Cameron, relied on flawed intelligence and hastened the North African country's political and economic collapse, lawmakers said on Wednesday in a damning report.

Britain and France led international efforts to help oust Libya's then-leader Muammar Gaddafi in early 2011, using fighter jets to beat back Gaddafi's armies and allow rebels to topple the longtime dictator.

But Libya has since suffered years of chaos. Islamic State has gained a foothold, former rebels still fight over territory and people smugglers have set up a huge operation, sending tens of thousands on the perilous sea journey to Europe.

Cameron, who ran Britain from 2010 until July, had a "decisive" role in the decision to intervene and must bear the responsibility for Britain's role in the crisis in Libya, a report produced by parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee said.

"The UKs actions in Libya were part of an ill-conceived intervention, the results of which are still playing out today," said committee chairman Crispin Blunt, a member of Cameron's Conservative party.

"UK policy in Libya before and since the intervention of March 2011 was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the country and the situation."

The committee's statement said the "ultimate responsibility rests with David Cameron's leadership".

Earlier this year, U.S. President Barack Obama said European allies had become distracted from the Libyan crisis after the intervention. Obama's office later said he had not intended to be critical of Cameron.

Cameron stepped down as prime minister after losing a referendum to keep Britain in the European Union, and on Monday resigned as a member of parliament saying he did not want to become a distraction for his successor Theresa May.

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The report said his government failed to identify from intelligence reports that the threat to civilians was overstated and that the rebels included a significant Islamist element.

The post-intervention response was also lacking, it said.

"Our lack of understanding of the institutional capacity of the country stymied Libyas progress in establishing security on the ground and absorbing financial and other resources from the international community," Blunt said.
President Rodrigo Duterte holds up a photo, citing accounts of US troops who have killed Muslims during the US occupation of the Philippines in the early-1900s during a speech at the oath-taking of newly appointed government officials, at Malacanang palace in Manila on Sept. 12.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said hes considering buying weapons from Russia and China while also ending joint patrols with U.S. forces in the South China Sea.

In a televised speech Tuesday before military officers in Manila, Duterte said that two countries -- which he didnt identify -- had agreed to give the Philippines a 25-year soft loan to buy military equipment. Later, he said that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and technical people in the armed forces would visit China and Russia and see whats best.

While Duterte said he didnt want to cut the umbilical cord with his allies, the remarks were the latest to signal a shift away from the Philippine-U.S. defense treaty in place since 1951. Since engaging in a public spat with U.S. President Barack Obama last week, Duterte has denounced American military killings during the early days of colonial rule and called for U.S. forces to leave the southern island of Mindanao.

Duterte seems to be putting into action his latest remarks about trying to implement an independent foreign policy, said Eduardo Tadem, a lecturer of Asian Studies at the University of the Philippines. The problem is whats the quid pro quo? What will the Chinese especially get in exchange?"

I dont need jets

President Rodrigo Duterte holds up a photo, citing accounts of US troops who have killed Muslims during the US occupation of the Philippines in the early-1900s during a speech at the oath-taking of newly appointed government officials, at Malacanang palace in Manila on Sept. 12.

On Tuesday, Duterte said the Philippines needs propeller-driven planes that it can use against insurgents and fight terrorists in Mindanao. He said he wanted to buy arms where they are cheap and where there are no strings attached and it is transparent.

I dont need jets, F-16 -- thats of no use to us, Duterte said. We dont intend to fight any country.

Since 1950, the U.S. has accounted for about 75 percent of the Philippines arms imports, according to a database from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Russia and China havent supplied any weapons in that time, it showed.

The U.S. would probably move diplomatically to prevent the Philippines from procuring a major defense system from China, according to Jon Grevatt, an defense industry analyst at IHS Janes in Bangkok. The Southeast Asian nations defense procurement budget climbed to 25 billion pesos ($524 million) this year, up more than 60 percent from 2015, according to IHS Janes data.

Rub their hands with glee

To suggest that they would move away from the U.S. -- their long traditional partner -- is quite a move if it actually happens," Grevatt said. China and Russia would rub their hands with glee for any opportunity to enter the market."

Duterte also said the Philippines wont participate in expeditions patrolling South China Sea to avoid being involved in a hostile act. I just want to patrol our territorial waters, he said.

The U.S. began joint patrols with the Philippines earlier this year prior to Dutertes election win in May. The allies had sought to boost military cooperation to counter Chinas claims to more than four-fifths of the South China Sea, one of the worlds busiest shipping lanes.

Rock solid

In an e-mailed statement on Tuesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that defense relations with the U.S. remain rock solid and activities planned this year would continue without interruption. The military had yet to receive a specific directive on how Dutertes pronouncement on Mindanao would be carried out, it said.

Reacting to Dutertes pronouncement on Mindanao, Pentagon spokesman Commander Gary Ross said on Monday that the U.S.-Philippine relationship has been a cornerstone of stability for over 70 years.

We will continue to consult closely with our Filipino partners to appropriately tailor our assistance to whatever approach the new Administration adopts, Ross said.

Duterte spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a televised briefing earlier Tuesday that the presidents statement that American soldiers should leave Mindanao was not yet policy, but the basis for possible action.

Those statements are not policy set in stone, not policy yet, Abella said.

The move to end joint patrols in the South China Sea signals Dutertes intention to improve ties with China, according to Shen Shishun, a senior researcher at the China Institute of International Studies under Chinas Foreign Ministry.

The Philippines got little out of it, and it offended the Chinese, with whom they could have done more business with," Shen said. Duterte saw this point and made a practical decision."
Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani telephoned Iran President Hassan Rouhani against the backdrop of tensions between Tehran and Riyadh

Qatar's emir has urged Arab countries of the Gulf and Iran to settle their disputes through "dialogue", in a telephone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, state media reported Tuesday.

Against the backdrop of tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, the official Qatar News Agency said Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani telephoned Rouhani on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha feast, which Muslims began celebrating on Monday.

"The emir stressed that Gulf-Iran relations should be based on good neighbourly relations and mutual respect," reported QNA.

"Any Gulf-Iran disputes should be settled through negotiations and dialogue," the emir was quoted as saying.

QNA did not say specifically when the call was made.

It comes at a time of increased tensions and a full-scale war of words between opposing regional powerhouses Iran and Saudi Arabia over the hajj pilgrimage.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranians were this year blocked from joining the pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia for the first time in almost 30 years.

In response, Tehran called on the Muslim world to "punish" the Saudi government for its handling of the pilgrimage following last year's stampede disaster during the hajj.

In addition, Saudi Arabia's most senior cleric, Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, called Iranians "not Muslims".

And Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blasted the "incompetence" of the Saudi royal family.

The trading of insults comes on top of deep and bitter political schisms which sees the two countries support different sides in the Yemeni and Syrian conflicts.
U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval office of the White House in Washington November 9, 2015.

The United States and Israel have reached final agreement on a record new package of at least $38 billion in U.S. military aid and the 10-year pact is expected to be signed this week, sources close to the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

The deal will represent the biggest pledge of U.S. military assistance made to any country but also involves major concessions granted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to officials on both sides.

Those include Israels agreement not to seek additional funds from Congress beyond what will be guaranteed annually in the new package, and also to phase out a special arrangement that has allowed Israel to spend part of its U.S. aid on its own defense industry instead of on American-made weapons, the officials said.

Israels chief negotiator, Jacob Nagel, acting head of Netanyahus national security council, arrived in Washington overnight in preparation for a signing ceremony with U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice, according to one source familiar with the matter.

Nearly 10 months of drawn-out aid negotiations have underscored continuing friction between U.S. President Barack Obama and Netanyahu over last year's U.S.-led nuclear deal with Iran, Israel's arch-foe. The United States and Israel have also been at odds over the Palestinians.

But the right-wing Israeli leader decided it would be best to forge a new arrangement with Obama, who leaves office in January, rather than hoping for better terms from the next U.S. administration, according to officials on both sides.

A deal now allows him to avoid uncertainties surrounding the next president, whether Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump, and to give Israels defense establishment the ability to plan ahead.

Obama's aides want a new deal before his presidency ends, seeing it as an important part of his legacy. Republican critics accuse him of not being attentive enough to Israel's security, which the White House strongly denies.

Israel has long been a major recipient of U.S. aid, mostly in the form of military assistance against a backdrop of an ebbing and flowing conflict with the Palestinians and Israel's neighbors, as well as threats from Iran.

The 10-year aid packages underpin Washingtons congressionally mandated requirement to help maintain Israels qualitative military edge in the region.

Missile defense

The deal, known as a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, calls for at least $3.8 billion a year in aid, up from $3.1 billion annually under the current pact, which expires in 2018, officials say. Netanyahu had originally sought upwards of $4.5 billion a year.

The new package for the first time will incorporate money for Israeli missile defense, which until now has been funded ad hoc by Congress. U.S. lawmakers have in recent years given Israel up to $600 million in annual discretionary funds for this purpose.

Officials say Israel has agreed not to lobby Congress for additional missile defense funds during the life of the new MOU, a pledge expected to be made in a side letter or annex to the agreement. But the wording is likely to be flexible enough to allow exceptions in case of a war or other major crisis.

Barring a last-minute snag, the new agreement is expected to be officially rolled out this week, one source close to the matter said. Another source familiar with the negotiations confirmed that the signing would be "in the coming days".

It will not be signed by Obama and Netanyahu, who have had a fraught relationship, but instead by two of their senior aides, in keeping with the way the two governments have formally sealed previous deals of this type.

Netanyahu gave ground on several major points. He conceded to a U.S. demand for a gradual phasing-out of the amount of aid money - now 26.3 percent - that Israel can spend on its own military industries rather than on American products. The provision originated in the 1980s to help Israel build up its defense industry, which is now a major global player.

Netanyahu also agreed to end Israels use of 13 percent of the U.S. money on military fuel purchases, officials said.

Obama and Netanyahu will both be in New York next week for the opening of the U.N. General Assembly, and officials have not ruled out the possibility of a meeting on the sidelines.

Negotiators working behind closed doors had all but completed the new package several weeks ago. But an announcement was quietly put on hold as objections were raised by a key pro-Israel lawmaker, Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who had called for a more generous and less restrictive aid package, sources familiar with the matter said.

It was unclear, however, whether the administrations differences with Graham had been resolved or it had decided to go ahead with the announcement anyway.

U.S. congressional approval is needed each year for disbursement of the aid to Israel as part of the annual budget process. But little opposition is expected in Congress, where support for Israels security is strong.
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While tax assessors scramble to figure out how much everyone's property is worth post-flood, small government agencies like suburban and rural fire districts are holding their breath that their budgets won't be gutted.

When the governor declared a flood disaster, the assessor in every affected parish got a letter from the Louisiana Tax Commission reminding them they have to reevaluate property in the flooded areas. The assessors' evaluations determine how much government agencies can expect in tax revenue.

However, the state doesn't lay out a specific procedure for the emergency reassessments. Instead of calculating how much a house is worth, assessors are now concerned with finding out how much value has been lost.

"There's no standard out there that determines  how much of a reduction is warranted," said East Baton Rouge Assessor Brian Wilson.

"This is unprecedented."

Tax assessors preparing to reset property values in flooded Louisiana parishes Tax assessors are preparing to re-examine the value of property in flood-devastated areas of

Neither he nor Ascension Assessor Mert Smiley have laid out a specific formula for determining taxpayers' new property values. Tuesday, Smiley said his staff has been surveying the damage, and he hopes to publish in a few days a provisional list of the addresses to be reassessed. The assessors said property owners need to keep an eye on the process in case their homes were damaged but not reassessed, or if the new property value gets calculated incorrectly.

In Livingston Parish, Assessor Jeff Taylor is preparing to base the updated assessment on the water height in each house. Buildings that received less than 15 inches will probably get a discount based on one rate, while people above that level will likely get a higher reduction rate since the water will have damaged their electrical system. People who saw more than 4 feet and have to replace additional drywall and cabinets will probably see the highest discount rate of all, Taylor said.

However, his office has not yet determined what those reductions will be. They will be based on the estimated damage price per square foot and multiplied to account for the size of a building, Taylor said.

How long will the reassessment last?

"It's gonna take the time that it takes," Taylor said.

"We're just now getting into data collection.  There's going to be a lot of overtime."

Livingston Parish leaders like fire chiefs are waiting to hear from Taylor to see how much tax revenue they stand to lose, but Taylor said he's still waiting on word from the Federal Emergency Management Agency so he can start assessing the damage.

"I'm extremely concerned," said Brian Drury, chief of the Springfield-area fire district and president of the Livingston Fire Chiefs' Association.

Many local government agencies are completely or mostly reliant on their property tax millages. While a parishwide agency like a sheriff's office or school system may see a drop in property values in some places but not others, in the smaller fire, drainage, school and other hyper-local districts in Livingston Parish, just about every taxpayer flooded.

"I'm trying to stop my spending as much as I can through the end of this year," Drury said.

They'll still perform essential functions, but that new turnout gear is going to have to wait, and anyone who gets trapped in a car after a crash is going to have to rely on 10-to-25 year-old extraction equipment that was scheduled to be replaced.

"That's not gonna happen this year," the chief said.

Like Taylor, the East Baton Rouge and Ascension assessors said they also need FEMA flood data to push on with the reassessments.

None of the three men ventured a guess when asked how much their tax bases may have fallen since the flood.

East Baton Rouge's information technology and mapping professionals late Tuesday released new data comparing the pre-flood tax rolls with their latest stats on properties that flooded.

The city-parish staff looked at assessed property values. The assessed value equals 10 percent of the market value of all land and residential buildings and 15 percent of the market value of commercial buildings.

Wilson has said the city-parish saw a $135 million increase in assessed value between the 2012 and 2016 assessments.

New assessments used to set property taxes in East Baton Rouge coming out soon The tax assessor has finished his quadrennial survey of the parish, and property owners can 

The total assessed value of all the inundated properties is estimated at $723 million.

They won't all be total losses, but some may lose half their property value, at least in the short-term, Wilson said. He and the other assessors said they will have to keep updating the rolls in the coming years as people rebuild and values begin to rise again.

Taylor remarked that this large-scale reassessment will also give his staff a chance to check on properties that may not have been updated in the tax rolls for years. Normal assessments rely on nearby property sales, and in a rural area where land doesn't change hands often, the tax roll can become out of date.

"We're fixing those things.  It is not fair for people that pay their fair share," Taylor said.

The new data from the city-parish is also neighborhood-specific, broken down by U.S. Census blocks. Those units vary in size and population from one to another so they can't be directly compared. However, the map shows some general trends. In nearly every flooded block, most of the property value comes from residences. Some public land flooded around the airport and LSU, and commercial property was prevalent in flood-damaged areas such as those around the Mall of Louisiana and Cortana Mall.
The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, which has been working out of temporary facilities since its building flooded in August, began on Wednesday moving back into its warehouse in the Fraenkel Center on Choctaw Drive.

The Food Bank suffered damage to vehicles, forklifts, refrigeration equipment and more after its 170,000-square-foot warehouse, 10600 S. Choctaw, took on 4 feet of flood water last month. Four days after the flooding, the Food Bank went back to work at temporary locations, reaching almost 75 percent of its normal capacity, according to a news release from the nonprofit.

The return to its home base will allow the Food Bank to receive and distribute a larger amount of food items to its member agencies and the community, officials said in the news release. Once the move is complete, it will allow for volunteers to return and help stock and sort food items.

"Being able to move back into our warehouse facility on an expedited timeline will allow us to operate with much greater scale to help these families" affected by the flood," Michael Manning, president and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, said in a news release.

The move should be completed by Monday, Manning said.

The Food Bank, which serves 11 parishes, will continue to send its trucks into areas "particularly hard hit" by the flood, said Rachel Koch, public relations and community coordinator for the Food Bank.

The Food Bank began delivering truckloads of food, water and cleaning supplies directly to communities within days of the historical floods, Koch said.
BATON ROUGE (AP)  Attorney General Jeff Landry says two of his budget requests to lawmakers are being bottled up by Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration, including money Landry says is needed to defend recently-passed abortion restrictions.

Landry wrote to members of the Legislature's joint budget committee complaining that Edwards' Division of Administration has stalled the adjustments he wanted lawmakers to consider Friday. The attorney general suggested the delay was politically motivated.

"I believe that we should put the people's business ahead of politics, and these requests are matters of tremendous importance to the people of this state," Landry wrote in the letter, released to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne said politics had nothing to do with either rejection, but that the decisions were based on broader budget policy.

"He says that every move that's made is 'playing politics,' and that's simply not the case," Dardenne said Wednesday. "There are logical explanations."

The dispute is the latest in a series of clashes between the Republican attorney general and Democratic governor since the two men took office in January. They've disagreed over state budgeting, oil spill recovery spending and lawsuits.

Lanny Keller: An attorney general overplays his hand Far from the coast, but close to Gov. John Bel Edwards, is Natchitoches trial lawyer Taylor 

Landry's office, like other state agencies, must seek approval from the Division of Administration and lawmakers on the joint House and Senate budget committee to shift dollars among programs midyear.

The attorney general said he wanted to expand his office's Medicaid fraud unit with available dollars in his agency and sought $850,000 to defend abortion restrictions passed by lawmakers earlier this year and challenged in a federal lawsuit.

Dardenne said the investigation of Medicaid fraud cases is a joint effort with the legislative auditor's office and the Department of Health. Landry proposed to hire new staff and outfit them with state vehicles, Dardenne said, but neither of the other agencies had the additional money or extra staff to do the work Landry was suggesting.

"We felt like we needed to be consistent" across all three agencies, Dardenne said.

On the abortion lawsuit, Dardenne said Landry sought to take money from the state health department, which Dardenne said would force cuts in health services.

"He was trying to pick the pocket of the Department of Health to pay for that litigation," Dardenne said. "He's got to deal with that in his own budget."

Louisiana isn't enforcing the new restrictions  which would triple most women's waiting period for an abortion to 72 hours and ban a common second-trimester abortion procedure, among other things  while a judge determines whether to block the laws permanently.

"This litigation is complex and will require numerous medical expert witnesses and vigorous defense," Landry wrote. "The proposed budget is fiscally responsible."

The disagreement between Edwards and Landry comes after the attorney general earlier this year failed in his efforts to get a breakaway budget bill that wouldn't have required his midyear financing adjustments to go through the Division of Administration.

The House agreed to the concept, but the Senate rejected it and incorporated Landry's agency back into the main budget. Critics, including the governor, called the separate budget bill unconstitutional.

Landry referenced the breakaway budget idea in his letter to lawmakers, saying the current midyear budget adjustment process gave the administration "too much control over my budget and interfered with my ability to carry out constitutional duties and, therefore, impeded the operations of the office to which I was duly elected."
Several of Georgia-Pacific's Port Hudson mill employees in Zachary received donations during the August flood relief efforts from the company's mill in Hattiesburg, Miss. Georgia Pacific employees, from left, include Chris Zumwalt, of Hattiesburg; Bill Yeager, Kelley Dare and Lana Shaw, all of Port Hudson; Amanda Crowley, of Hattiesburg; Shannon Profy, of Port Hudson; and Chad Dillon, of Hattiesburg.
DENHAM SPRINGS  Residents packed Old City Hall's second-floor courtroom, overflowed to the stairwell and down into the lobby Tuesday night to voice their frustrations to Denham Springs officials about the regulations that could require some of them to elevate their homes before receiving permits to repair or rebuild.

Building Official Rick Foster said the city had received 260 applications for permits so far, and only 10 homes had been declared "substantially damaged"  meaning, the cost of repairing the home will exceed 50 percent of its fair market value.

+5 'It hit everywhere': Denham Springs devastated by record flooding Deanna Welch, her hair up and shoulders bare, sat out on the steamy sidewalk in a soggy offi

Homes in flood hazard areas that have been substantially damaged and are below base flood elevation must be elevated before the homeowner can receive a permit for repairs, according to rules the city adopted in order to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Foster said in all 10 cases in which the city declared homes substantially damaged, the homeowners agreed with the determination.

Councilman Chris Davis said the calculation can be skewed significantly by general contractor estimates, which must include overhead expenses that homeowners would not incur when buying their own supplies and doing the work themselves.

He suggested the city Permits Department should be able to accept a homeowner's repair estimate instead.

A licensed contractor is one of five sources for a repair estimate that the city can accept under the NFIP, according to a city-distributed flier on the topic. A local building and permits department also can make a repair estimate "where the unmanageable number of permits must be processed in a major post-disaster situation," the flier states.

Foster said having his limited staff perform repair estimate calculations is not feasible.

"If you think it's hard to get a contractor out there right now, imagine how hard it's going to be for our permit office," Foster said.

Davis said many homeowners either do not participate in the NFIP or would agree to drop their coverage for a private policy if it meant they could avoid having to elevate their homes.

Foster said there are 1,500 active NFIP flood insurance policies in the city  policies that could be put at risk or see significant rate increases if residents disregard the regulations and opt out of the insurance program.

Mayor Gerard Landry said a private insurance company may quote a lower rate today, then drop the policy and decline to renew it in future years. Private companies are not required to offer flood insurance, he said.

Residents concerned about having to elevate their homes should contact their congressional delegation, City Attorney Stephanie Hulett said.

"It will literally take an act of Congress to waive that requirement" for substantially damaged homes, she said.

Landry has been pushing federal officials, including members of Congress, to work on doing just that, Hulett said.

Debra Hebert said three different inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency had visited her home on Kline Street, just a few blocks from the Amite River. The home took on 8 feet of floodwater.

"One of them told me every single home on this street is going to have to be elevated," Hebert said.

Contractors' repair estimates for the home have varied widely, ranging from about $55,000 to $100,000, said Larry Chumney, Hebert's boyfriend.

"It's all over the map," Chumney said. "It's ridiculous."

Hulett stressed that residents should ask contractors for a "barebones" estimate.

"You don't want them to tell you how much it will cost to replace your marble counter tops and all the nice things you had in your home before the flood," Hulett said. "You want them to tell you how much it will cost to make the home livable. That's all."
With $100 million a year payments looming to repay the federal government for the state's share of the cost of the stronger post-Katrina New Orleans levee system, the state is trying to sell the idea that billions of dollars in coastal restoration work being done south of the city should count toward that amount.

The states payments will need to start as soon as the levee project is deemed completed, which could be in 2018 or 2019, said Johnny Bradberry, the governors adviser for coastal activities and chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

That's also when the state expects to start getting a greater share of offshore oil and gas money, to a maximum of $140 million per year. So far, thats the only place identified where the money for the $100 million annual payments can come from, leaving only a potential $40 million a year from that revenue source for coastal restoration projects, he said.

Instead of using the additional offshore oil and gas money, Bradberry would like to see the state given credit for coastal work south of New Orleans that would help protect that city's levee system.

Im not sure theyre going to buy it, but were talking all the way to the White House, Bradberry said on his way out to see one of the projects now underway at Shell Island.

Pumping sand on this barrier island off the coast of Plaquemines Parish has been completed, and work on building the marsh area behind the dunes is expected to begin this week.

The work were doing on barrier islands is the first line of defense, Bradberry said. Since 2007, $1 billion has been spent just on the barrier islands that line the coast, with a half billion of that in the works now, he said.

The $76 million worth of work on Shell Island, which over the years has split into west and east lobes, should be completed by the end of this year.

Previous work on the island has included several funding streams, including the berm to barrier island work BP paid for during the response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.

The most recent work comes from Natural Resources Damage Assessment early restoration money as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and involves creating more than 600 acres of land on the two pieces of Shell Island.

In all, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., the contractor, pumped the equivalent of 250 dump trucks of sand per hour since the work began on the islands in mid-March, said Brian Puckett, the project manager for the company.

The beach and dune sand was pumped up to 18 miles from the Mississippi River. The marsh is to be built behind the dunes, said Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority project manager Chris Allen.

While other marsh creation areas seed naturally in a short period of time, the islands will have vegetation planted to help speed up the process, which can be slower in more saline environments, Allen explained.

The quicker you can get the vegetation started, the better you can hold onto that soil, he said.

The state is closing in on having completed restoration of all the barrier islands in Barataria Basin west of the Mississippi River, with Shell Island to be finished by the end of the year, work on Chenier Ronquille ongoing and wngineering work nearing completion for West Grand Terre barrier island.

That will set the stage for additional work inside the Barataria Basin, with marsh creation and other restoration work.

One of the big projects on the books is the Mid-Barataria diversion that will take sediment and water from the Mississippi River into the marsh to the west. Bradberry said the state hopes to break ground on that project by 2020.
The White House is calling on Congress to approve a $2.6 billion federal aid package "as soon as possible" to provide funding for Louisiana housing and infrastructure needs following catastrophic flooding last month.

In a letter Tuesday evening, White House Budget Director Shaun Donovan asks House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Kentucky, to "provide additional funding to address Louisiana's unmet housing and infrastructure needs as soon as possible."

"Because the need for this funding arises from an unforeseen, unanticipated event resulting in the loss of life and property, these additional resources should be provided as emergency funding," Donovan wrote.

The letter comes just one day after Gov. John Bel Edwards and Louisiana's Congressional delegation sent separate letters to President Barack Obama urging him to push for additional aid for Louisiana in response to last month's catastrophic floods that left 13 people dead and thousands displaced.

Leaders are hoping that an aid package will make it through Congress before lawmakers recess for the month, leaving aid up in the air until after the November elections.

Edwards is returning to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to spend the next three days making the case for what he had recently tallied as $2.8 billion in relief.

This week's trip is the second in a series of envoys to seek money for the recovery efforts.

State leaders want the additional federal aid for housing, economic development and infrastructure flood recovery needs on top of assistance already being provided. Congress is attempting to reach an agreement on a continuing resolution to fund government past the November elections and prevent a shutdown. Some leaders have said they are hopeful that aid for Louisiana will make it through the shortened process, but others have remained skeptical.

Obama on Monday was scheduled to meet with congressional leaders to discuss a stop-gap measure to fund government into early December and prevent a shutdown at the end of this month. It's possible aid for the flood relief efforts could be coupled into that plan, but there's so far been no guarantee.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, in a press briefing Monday afternoon, said the president agrees with Edwards that "additional resources are likely to be needed to help the people of Louisiana recover," but said it will be on the GOP leaders in Congress to make that happen.

"The question now is, are Republicans in Congress going to do their job?" Earnest said. "They just got back from an uninterrupted seven-week vacation. Are they going to do right by the people of Louisiana? I think we'll find out."

Edwards is scheduled to meet this week with Obama, as well as the Louisiana Congressional delegation and influential lawmakers from other states.

Among those scheduled to meet with Edwards this week are U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin; House Appropriations Chair Rogers; U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada; Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Illinois; and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington; and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany on Wednesday blamed State Treasurer John N. Kennedy  one of his opponents in the U.S. Senate race  for spreading a story about the Lafayette congressman's alleged involvement with a murdered prostitute.

"The allegations made about me by Ethan Brown and spread by the Kennedy campaign are wholly and completely false. It is all total lies  and everyone, even John Kennedy, knows it," Boustany said in a news conference that marked the first time the Republican personally addressed the issue.

Boustany said Kennedy operatives sent numerous texts and emails last week almost immediately after BuzzFeed News reported the allegations detailed in a book published Tuesday.

"John Kennedy is the only candidate who has spread this false story against me. His staff was sending it to people all over Louisiana instantly after it appeared online. Many of you were the recipients of calls, texts, and emails from his staff and associates shopping this story. His campaign manager was exposed in a story in The Advocate last night (Tuesday) admitting to peddling these lies," Boustany said.

+2 Wife's defense of US Senate candidate spark objections from opponents Charges by the angry wife of Republican U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany defending him against pro

Kim Allen, Kennedys campaign manager, had texted a link to the BuzzFeed coverage of the books allegations to an elected official, saying: Not sure what this is all about but wanted to make sure you saw it.

Asked by The Advocate for comment, Allen emailed Tuesday, I send published news stories about Louisiana every day to interested parties.

"The book speaks for itself," Kennedy's spokesman Lionel Rainey texted moments after the hastily called news conference concluded.

"The Kennedy campaign did not write the book and did not publish the book," Rainey texted later. "The only reason the Kennedy campaign commented was because the Boustany campaign blamed the book on us and the other Senate opponents."

Published by Simon and Schuster, Murder in the Bayou is about the unsolved murders of eight prostitutes in the Jefferson Davis Parish town of Jennings from 2005 to 2009.

The author, Ethan Brown, wrote that an unnamed source in October 2012 told a task-force officer investigating the murders that Boustany was involved with at least one of the women. Brown provided no direct corroborating evidence for that claim.

He also wrote that a law enforcement officer in 2015 refused to confirm or deny the interview or say whether the FBI had received information that Boustany patronized any of the Jeff Davis 8, as the author called the murder victims.

The Advocate and other news organizations havent been able to independently confirm the allegations.

Boustany said he never spoke directly to the writer of the book  he heard about the questions from Jack Pandol, his communications director  and that the parts of the book involving him were lies.

Brown said Wednesday Pandol's comments were included in the book. "I stand by my reporting in the book, including the three questions I posed to Boustany and the responses I received from his communications director," he said.

The book also says a former Boustany employee was involved in the operations of a motel allegedly frequented by the prostitutes.

Boustany said he didn't know the low level field director was involved in the motel and that the employee resigned last week.

Boustany is one of 24 contenders on the Nov. 8 ballot in the U.S. Senate race, a seat that is open because Republican David Vitter  who found his bid for governor derailed, in part, by a prostitution scandal  isn't running for re-election.
Far from the coast, but close to Gov. John Bel Edwards, is Natchitoches trial lawyer Taylor Townsend, the former state representative who is the governor's pick to lead his legal team into the next big trial lawyer bonanza.

Well, maybe that's how oil companies see it, as they are the targets: A set of lawsuits, that the Townsend team would presumably combine into a major trial, seeks damages in the billions for coastal land loss.

Leave aside the dubious nature of the lawsuits themselves. After all, going back decades, companies have drilled and dredged and canaled into Louisiana's wetlands in search of the oil and gas that the state encouraged them to develop.

The defendant here ought to be the State of Louisiana, and its agencies, more than the oil companies. But the state is broke, and the oil companies have deep pockets.

The transparent goal in all of this is not a trial, but crowding oil companies into a "global settlement" that would have Big Oil pony up large sums for coastal restoration; there are many ifs in this deal, including how much the lawyers for the state would get paid and how, and how much would be siphoned off for coastal parishes' politicos to spend on other priorities.

But it's a big enough deal for politics to enter in the form of Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is just as transparently using his newly achieved office to campaign against Edwards for governor in 2019.

Landry has refused to approve Edwards' selection of lawyers, a process that in the past was more or less routine. In an earlier battle over coastal lawsuits, former AG Buddy Caldwell made clear that he objected to the filings by a New Orleans-area levee board, but that he would not stretch his authority to veto the hiring of counsel.

As Edwards told editors and reporters of The Advocate several months ago, the state is the client, not the attorney general, and the client picks his lawyer.

Landry's over-august view of his powers might stretch to blocking the legal team, for a time; Edwards' executive counsel is already talking about legislation to "clarify" the law, meaning curbing the AG's discretion for good and all.

So long as lawyers are legally enrolled at the bar, it is only reasonable that the governor is entitled to choose the representation of the state. It is headline-hunting, and not the interests of the state, that are at work in Landry's new declaration over the issue.

Matthew Block, the governor's executive counsel, is right to say that the AG's authority is a ministerial function, not a law empowering Landry to overule the governor.

Conduct of the state's legal business would become next to impossible if on trial day the state's side is argued by competing sets of attorneys because the attorney general disagrees with the governor's actions in a particular matter.

We saw eight long years of government-as-permanent-campaign under Bobby Jindal's administration, but Louisiana is not alone in seeing partisanship take the lead over government: attorneys general across the United States are asserting themselves politically in new ways, including taking actions that may not be approved of by governors or legislators in their states.

Landry is nothing if not ambitious, but he ought to remember that a little authority is a dangerous thing.

Email Lanny Keller at lkeller@theadvocate.com.
Maybe East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holdens staff is so on top of things that his trip to Taiwan last week, as thousands of residents continued to contend with the aftermath of epic August flooding, really didnt matter.

Business is still getting done, a testy Holden argued at a press conference after returning from the trip, so whats the big deal?

But heres a major piece of business that didnt get done: Neither Holden nor his staff told people where he was, and why.

Brushing off complaints about his curiously low profile throughout a long summer full of immense challenges, Holden insisted Monday that his globe-trotting mission, at the invitation of the U.S. State Department to attend the 2016 Global Harbor Cities Forum, could lead to economically beneficial international partnerships.

Well, maybe. But then why refuse to provide reporters any information other than a vague calendar entry, produced in response to a public record request, and an equally vague description of the voyage as a economic development mission? If the trip was so important to Baton Rouge, why not shout it from the rooftops?

The fact that Holden was in Taiwan, of course, meant he couldnt be in Washington, where a host of other elected officials lobbied Congress for a quick aid package to help get the recovery moving. Holden complained that U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond kept him off a panel of committee witnesses because hed signed up to challenge Richmond this fall, but Holden could have helped pushed the regions case anyway.

In fact, for someone hoping to go to Congress himself, youd think showing his stuff on Capitol Hill might be a bigger priority than whatever might come out of the Taiwan trip  not just for his constituents, but for himself.
When the American Red Cross announced it was closing the shelter at the Baton Rouge River Center on Thursday, Tameka Polk and the more than 400 displaced people taking refuge there panicked.

"We just asked, 'Are y'all just going to put us out? We weren't homeless before the flood,' " Polk said Tuesday afternoon as she tended to a stroller holding the 2-year-old son of a friend.

Their fears subsided when they learned Tuesday morning the shelter isn't being shut down, per se; it's being moved across town to the Stage 5 building at Celtic Studios on Airline Highway. And flood victims like Polk, who are still awaiting assistance to find temporary housing in the wake of last month's devastating floods, will be bused to the new location.

"We were overjoyed we heard we were going back there," Polk said.

As of midnight Monday, there were 630 displaced flood victims living in seven shelters across the state, according to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. The River Center in downtown Baton Rouge is serving the largest population, with 411 displaced victims counted on Monday.

The state on Monday had reported there were only 204 people in the downtown shelter. But officials said Tuesday the figure was lower because it didn't account for those individuals who had left the shelter during the day but returned at night.

Vicki Eichstaedt, a Red Cross spokesperson, said the disaster relief organization is closing the River Center shelter at the request of the city-parish, which is ready to put the facility back to its commercial use.

Baton Rouge Chief Administrative Officer William Daniel said they need the River Center by Thursday in order to prepare for several high-profile events in October, including Elton John's nine-city concert tour on Oct. 5.

"We've already canceled all of the September events. When things were being negotiated with the state to use the facility  we asked if they could tell us what date they could get out the River Center so we'll be able to do business," he said. "They came back with that date."

Because Patrick Mulhearn, Celtic's executive director, was happy to provide a place for evacuees to live  at least until November, when production begins on an independent feature film  Red Cross now has a little more time to help flood victims figure out their next step.

But the process is not happening quick enough, Metro-Councilwoman Tara Wicker said Tuesday.

"A bulk of these individuals were in rental situations. As I understand it, there are no resources available for property owners renting their properties," Wicker said. "We need assistance for them so we can put those rental properties back on the market."

Red Cross has been meeting with its shelter residents to determine their needs and offer solutions, Eichstaedt said.

"FEMA is offering a number of solutions: temporary shelter assistance, which sometimes includes short hotel stays, and the 'Shelter in Place' option," Eichstaedt said. "We're trying to counsel everyone to make sure they get in touch with caseworkers and explore what options might be available to them."

However, many flood victims still living in shelters aren't qualifying for help from FEMA. And those that are say the options being offered aren't viable solutions.

Polk's friend, Marie Johnson, said the Federal Emergency Management Agency did offer financial help in booking her a temporary hotel stay in New Orleans for her and her two small children.

But, Johnson said, "I have an 8-year-old in school here. That doesn't work for me.  They expect us to pull our kids out of school and start over."

Johnson was living in a Baton Rouge rental property that flooded. So was Mary Berthelot, who said she also hit dead ends with FEMA. Berthelot was also rejected for the limited financial assistance Red Cross is providing for qualified victims.

"They say there are these available hotels in all Houma, LaPlace and wherever else. They're trying to ship us off and forget about us," Berthelot said. "We are Baton Rouge people. They need to keep us here."

That's easier said than done, said Terri Ricks, deputy secretary for the state's Department of Children and Family Services.

Ricks said it's nearly impossible to accommodate the specific needs of flood victims right now, given the limited availability in the region's housing market after the floods.

"At this stage, everything is happening with a multi-agency approach," she said. "Every parish sees their residents as their responsibility. They don't want them to go. In no way is anybody being forced to go any place they don't want to go."

Ricks said she expects local governments to become more actively involved over the next eight weeks in finding suitable housing for evacuees still depending on shelters. She stressed that keeping shelters open for extended periods of time is not healthy for the flood victims.

"A month ago we had about 11,000 displaced individuals; today it's 600," she said. "No one is going to put these people out on the streets. There will be in-state options for people."
A long-awaited tax for a mental health center in Baton Rouge received wide support Wednesday from the Metro Council, and will go to voters on the Dec. 10 ballot along with several other tax proposals.

It's been a long road for the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and Mayor-President Kip Holden's administration as they've tried to sell the Metro Council on funding a crisis stabilization center. Holden and public safety leaders asked for it nearly two years ago as part of a public safety tax plan that Metro Council members rejected sending to voters.

BRAF began planting the seeds for the property tax's revival immediately afterward, taking council members on trips to San Antonio to see the type of center they envision. They and Metro Council members agreed Wednesday that the need for mental health services will be exacerbated after the recent floods that affected nearly 59,000 homes in the parish.

"We will save our parish millions of dollars," said Joseph Simmons, president of the board of directors for the nonprofit Maison Des Amis, which runs a group home for the mentally ill. "We will take care of those in need in a humane and a medically appropriate manner. And we will be doing the right thing."

If voters approve the mental health tax in December, the 1.5-mill property tax would cost $18.75 a year for someone with a $200,000 home that takes homestead exemption. It would be in place for 10 years, and generate $5.8 million a year for the day-to-day operations at The Bridge, the proposed center for short-term mental health treatment.

BRAF has tapped Rob Reardon, the former director of corrections in Lafayette, to lead the center. Criminal justice experts have repeatedly said the mentally ill wind up in jail when they have no place else to go, and that diverting people from jail would save the city-parish money in the long run.

The Bridge would be housed in the Baton Rouge Detox Center on South Foster Drive, spread across 40,000 square feet and with 30 beds.

"I think maybe people need more mental health services because of the flood than they did before," said Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso. "To me, voting for a tax is always very hard for me to do. But this is one I think is in the public interest."

Voting with Amoroso to place the tax proposal on the ballot were John Delgado, Tara Wicker, LaMont Cole, Joel Boe, Erika Green, Chauna Banks-Daniel, Donna Collins-Lewis, Chandler Loupe and Trae Welch.

The only two voting against it were Scott Wilson and Ryan Heck. Wilson said he could not support a new tax knowing how many people in his district, which includes the city of Central, are barely scraping by after the devastating floods. Heck said he disagrees with new dedicated taxes, though he supported renewals of dedicated taxes for fire departments Wednesday night.

Metro Council members put off voting on whether to place a dedicated tax for road improvements. Holden's administration has held public meetings about the tax over the past several weeks to hear from residents which roads in their neighborhoods need congestion-related improvements and in which areas they would like to see sidewalks and beautification projects.

"In some areas in our urban core, there were not a whole lot of capacity projects because we don't have major intersections," Wicker said. "The thing that got me excited were the enhancement projects."

The proposed 5-mill property tax would generate more than $600 million over the next 10 years, which city-parish Chief Administrative Officer William Daniel tried to sell as a boon for job creation. It would cost someone with a $200,000 home that takes homestead exemption $62.50 a year.

But council members said they were unsure what the finalized list of road and sidewalk projects looked like when they had to vote on it Wednesday. They asked for more time to review the plans, and should make that vote at the next Metro Council meeting on Sept. 28.

Voters will also be asked in December to consider adding a 2 percent occupancy tax to hotels in the parish but outside of Central, Baker and Zachary. The money generated would go to the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District, Visit Baton Rouge and improvements to the Baton Rouge River Center.

Several council members disagreed with the proposed tax's "in perpetuity" clause, saying it is a bad idea to have a tax that will live on forever without giving voters the ability to revisit it. But the council members could not line up the votes to put an end date on the tax.

Some in favor of the in perpetuity hotel tax said the constant stream of money will be needed. The Baton Rouge North Economic Development District is just now trying to get off the ground, and the city-parish is hoping to use bonds for River Center improvements.

"I would definitely, as a resident in north Baton Rouge, like to see more development," said Dezmion Barrow, who spoke in favor of the hotel tax. "I always question, why doesn't Plank Road look like Perkins Road?"

But some council members pointed to the Downtown Development District's property tax as a better form of government. They asked DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer about his dedicated tax, and he said his group only asks for it in five-year increments.

Rhorer said the DDD tax generated around $200,000 a year in its early days decades ago, but great vision and planning has helped revitalize downtown. He said voters have gained more trust of the DDD over time as well.

Metro Council members eventually agreed to place on the ballot two hotel taxes: one to fund the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District and the other to fund Visit Baton Rouge and the River Center.

With no objections, the Metro Council also placed a new 10-mill tax on December ballot for the Chaneyville Fire Protection district. The tax would cost someone with a homestead exempt $200,000 home $125 a year.

Chaneyville Chief Mark Strickland said the tax revenues will go toward hiring more firefighters. He said the department can afford only one firefighter to fill its 24-hour shift, and the extra money would give them the ability to hire two more.

The Metro Council also unanimously approved placing tax renewals on the Dec. 10 ballot for the Alsen-St. Irma Lee Fire Protection District, Brownsfield Fire Protection District, Chaneyville Fire Protection District, Pride Fire Protection District and the Consolidated Road Lighting District.
But Mr Byrne has interpreted the request as applying only to the Youtube airing, which he pulled down last night while the ad continued to air on commercial television networks on Wednesday night as it has since Sunday.

Mr Duncan wrote to Labor secretary Matthew Byrne asking him to stop using material filmed in Mr Barr's office, a request that looks likely to force Labor to scrap and re-shoot the commercial.

Mr Duncan said the advertisements breached guidelines which ban the use of Assembly facilities for electioneering. The television advertisements feature Mr Barr in his office speaking direct to camera about roads, buses and light rail, interspersed with shots of transport infrastructure.

"The advice that we've been given says it's about the ads on Youtube so until I hear otherwise I'll make decisions based on advice from the clerk and the speaker," he said.

He would not disclose how much the ad had cost, but confirmed other filming had been done in Mr Barr's office.

"We've filmed a number of options but how we use them is yet to be determined," he said. "All our advertising will adhere to the guidelines."

A government spokesman said no decision had been made on the ad, but there would be no further filming in the Assembly precinct. It was a long-standing practice for leaders to film messages in their offices, he said, suggesting Liberal Leader Jeremy Hanson had used his office to film a criticism of the ACT budget just a few months ago.



Under the caretaker conventions government premises could be used as the backdrop for political advertising, he said, accusing the Liberals of "petty point scoring".

Liberal campaign director Daniel Clode said if the advertising was not pulled immediately it would be a "flagrant breach" of the rules and a contempt of parliament.
Two-time Labor candidate Mike Hettinger has joined Richard Farmer's disparate team of candidates, which is led by conservative Geoff Kettle in Belconnen.

Mr Farmer said he would stand a full ticket of five candidates in the Belconnen seat of Ginninderra, a strategy to maximise the chance of getting a candidate elected, given most voters comply with the instruction to vote one to five in order of preference.

The Richard Farmer team standing for the October election, from left Lucinda Spier, Richard Farmer (party organiser, not candidate), Alan Tutt, Geoff Kettle, Peter Moore (organiser) and Mike Hettinger. Credit:Jay Cronan

He is also standing two candidates in the central seat of Kurrajong to target the Greens' Shane Rattenbury and Labor leader Andrew Barr, both of whom are in Mr Farmer's sights for their support of poker machines in the casino.

Mr Hettinger, a former US Air Force officer who stood for Labor in 2004 and 2008, will stand in Kurrajong. Chairman of the North Canberra Community Council, Mr Hettinger has been closely involved in inner north planning issues and said he had decided to stand because of the need for more transparency and accountability in government.
The Wharf Revue 2016: Back to Bite You. Written and created by Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott. Musical director Phillip Scott. Sydney Theatre Company. The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre. Until September 24. canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

The Wharf Revue rolls round each year like a returning chariot in Ben-Hur's race. In fact it starts in toga territory, having discovered years ago that the Romans and Shakespeare's Julius Caesar make a very good metaphor for Australian political shenanigans. Grand columns and arches roll up on the big screen, the pollies strut and pose on the surrounding stairs and a grand piano nestles at the heart so that Phillip Scott can strum his parodies.

Phillip Scott, left and Katrina Retallick in The Wharf Revue 2016: Back to Bite You. Credit:Brett Boardman Photography

This sustained sequence of plotting and snarling behind backs with Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott leaping in and out of a range of quickly recognisable parliamentary characters makes for a sustained and funny opening. The togas remain the same, even in the case of Katrina Retallick's powerful Julie Bishop. Scott leavens the snarling with a turn as a cheerful piano-playing plebeian, whose views are rather different to those of the patricians. Malcolm Turnbull remains a mysterious off-stage presence but Forsythe enters the arena as a beautifully belligerent Derryn Hinch.

After this the show becomes a little disjointed, although there are still delights. Fans of the late Bob Ellis will find a melancholy pleasure in Forsythe's gentle little portrayal of Ellis in Heaven and the people (and witticisms) he finds there. Forsythe as an unblinking Senator Pauline Hanson pairs with Retallick as a forthright Senator Jacquie Lambie. Forsythe's Bill Shorten gets elocution lessons a la My Fair Lady. And Biggins as a conspiratorial Tony Abbott takes on the revealing and concealing of fan dancing.
Former ACT chief minister Katy Gallagher has been promoted to leader of opposition business in the Senate, replacing Sam Dastyari who resigned last week after an ongoing donations scandal.

The role will pit her against manager of government business in the Senate Mitch Fifield, who she famously accused of mansplaining in a heated debate last year.

Senator Gallagher was appointed to the role by the leader of opposition in the Senate Penny Wong and said the promotion was "very unexpected".

"Part of the new job is to ensure business in the Senate runs as smoothly as possible and I'm sure that Mitch Fifield and I will work constructively and professionally to make sure that happens," she said.
Commonwealth Bank wrongly gave overdrafts to almost 10,000 people after its systems assumed customers applying for credit had no housing expenses and unrealistically low living costs.

The "system error," which has cost the bank $180,000 in fines and forced it to write off $2.5 million, also meant some customers were approved for a personal overdraft despite telling the bank their expenses exceeded their income.

Errors in CBA's automated calculator used to approve overdrafts meant the bank breached responsible lending rules. Credit:Glenn Hunt

The bank said affected customers would not have to repay debts resulting from the overdraft glitch, writing off $227 per customer, on average.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission on Wednesday said the country's biggest bank had breached responsible lending laws, because of flaws in an automated calculator used to approve customers for overdrafts.
The increase in the illegal use of firearms in Victoria causes me great concern.

While I know Australia has some of the strongest legislation in the world when it comes to guns and gun restrictions, I also know and understand this brings little comfort to those who have been impacted by gun crime within our community.

The number of incidents in which criminals possess or use firearms has been increasing in Victoria. Credit:Penny Stephens

I have been a police officer for more than 37 years, but I am also a parent. Like any parent I worry about my kids when they go out and hope they will make the right choices. Will they be safe? Will they look out for their friends? Will their friends look out for them?

I think we have done a pretty good job raising them. We have instilled them with good values and taught them to respect others. But, unfortunately there are people within our community who don't have the values that we would expect in our society and they have little respect for others. These are the people who cause me the greatest concern.
LINCOLN  The Logan County Board will consider changes to an existing conditional-use permit for the proposed Sugar Creek One Wind Farm to be located between New Holland and Middletown in Logan County.

Modifications have been made to the existing permit approved in June 2011, and the Logan County Zoning Board of Appeals approved the amendments last week. Those changes must now be approved by the County Board at the Sept. 20 meeting.

In April, American Wind Energy Management Corp sold the project to Apex Clean Energy, a renewable energy developer based in Virginia, but the permit remains valid, said Kyle Barry, an attorney representing the company.

Amendments are needed due to the change in ownership, changes in the wind industry since approval and changes in the plan since fewer turbines will be constructed, he said.

The ZBA approved the new conditions, which included setbacks of 1,225 feet, which is nearly 20 percent more than what is required by current ordinances, said Apex Project Development Manager Stan Komperda,

Construction could start next spring on the $300 million project, which covers more than 16,000 acres in Logan County and should be finished before the end of the year.

The new plans call for 77 turbines to be installed, a decrease of 40 from the original plans.

The planned turbines will be spaced a quarter of a mile apart, stand 492 feet tall and provide enough energy to power up to 80,000 homes, Apex officials said.

During construction, about 200 full-time jobs will be added. After construction, about 12 employees will be needed, Apex officials said.

Komperda said the company intends to be good neighbors and has been prompt in addressing questions, when possible, such as the impact of nearby real estate values.

Peter Poletti, who represents a real estate appraisal firm based in Collinsville, testified before the ZBA about property values.

He said a 2013 study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researched 51,276 home sales near 67 wind farms in 27 counties across nine states. All of the homes were within 10 miles of wind facilities, and the research indicated that even homes within half a mile of a wind turbine are not affected by its presence.

I dont believe this (wind) farm is likely to affect property sales at all, he said.
Just what shape and size will the potential marriage plebiscite campaign be? There may not even be one if the enabling bill is blocked, but the announcement of the date and release of details about campaign public funding resolves some of the outstanding issues, though much is still unclear.

The February 11, 2017 date means the plebiscite is now about five months away. Both sides now have time to make campaign plans, although the yes campaign is still distracted by its efforts to prevent the plebiscite occurring. The proposed date is very early in the year, and pre-poll voting will begin during January, the holiday period. The final two weeks of the campaign will overlap with return to school. Which side the early date will benefit is unclear.

All the indications are this plebiscite campaign will be a very big and fiercely contested struggle. Credit:Rob Homer

The yes and no campaigns will each receive $7.5 million to buy advertising and employ staff mainly. Each will add many millions to that figure in private funding through individual and corporate donations. The question of to whom the public funding is given still needs to be resolved, however. Let's assume that the government will either form or authorise yes and no committees after consultation, as was the case for the 1999 republic campaign. Once that happens the shape of the campaign, including the key leading figures will be clearer.

If 1999 is the model, then there should also be a separately funded and independent government information campaign of at least equal size. Remember the yes and no campaigns are never information campaigns but campaign-winning exercises, which is very different. But it is not easy, as 1999 shows, to present independent and unbiased information on a highly contested topic to the satisfaction of both sides as facts and language remain in dispute.
There's a soundtrack to tragedy.

A vibration that resonates, before reason and knowledge, a quivering harbinger that something, somehow, is wrong. For Julian Leeser, it was the sound of his mother's footsteps coming down the hall.

The usually measured, steady rhythm of Sylvia's passage towards his door had gently coaxed the new Member for Berowra from his slumber for as long as he could remember.

But there was something about the pace, something about the disjointed tempo that day two decades ago, which shook 20-year-old Julian Leeser from the last vestiges of his childhood before his mother even threw open his door.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made a spirited defence of his doomed same-sex marriage plebiscite as he introduced the bill to Parliament on Wednesday, saying "society would be stronger if more people were married".

At his most animated when berating Labor for its opposition to the public vote, Mr Turnbull argued a plebiscite was the best way to decide a matter on which Australians had such deeply-held personal convictions.

"We have to respect that it is a very big moral issue. It is an issue of conscience for millions of Australians," he said. "If ever there is an issue to be put to a plebiscite, this is one that can and should be, because it is a very straightforward question."

A year to the day since he toppled Tony Abbott, the Prime Minister argued that social attitudes to same-sex couples had changed rapidly in recent years and reiterated his personal support for gay marriage.
Television and radio stations would be forced to air advertisements for both the yes and no campaigns in the month leading up to a plebiscite on same-sex marriage, under legislation introduced by the Turnbull government.

The government acknowledges that the requirement "may affect the editorial independence of broadcasters". But it says the rule is necessary to ensure media companies "cannot selectively broadcast only one side of the debate" in the campaign.

The government would also introduce a new rule banning campaigners from sending unauthorised text messages or "robocalls" to argue their case on same-sex marriage. This is a response to Labor's "Mediscare" campaign in this year's federal election in which Queensland Labor sent out text messages purporting to be from Medicare.

Those breaking the rule would be liable for fines of up to $1800.
A defiant Malcolm Turnbull has claimed credit for stronger-than-expected economic growth in the first year of his prime ministership, declaring he deserves a "tick" for delivering economic leadership.

The Prime Minister has also cited his science and innovation agenda as one of the key reasons for higher growth and investment and stronger business confidence, saying it is "directly related" to the improvement.

Buoyed by the imminent passage of the $6.3 billion omnibus savings bill, which Labor and the government finally struck a deal on this week, Mr Turnbull had a clear message: strong economic management holds the key to his political revival.

He also signalled that he will be looking for further breakthroughs on budget repair.
And the job is a constant race against the clock: Presidents have as few as four years to pursue an agenda and cement a legacy. Burnout is endemic, and top White House aides typically leave after less than three years. "Given the short period you are in the White House, you leverage every minute to ensure that you can be there, fully committed and totally present," said Juleanna Glover, who served as press secretary to Vice President Richard Cheney during President George W. Bush's first term. Women often struggle just to get a foot in the door. Presidents typically select their most senior advisors from the male-dominated ranks of their campaigns. As late as the Eisenhower administration, the only women working in the West Wing were secretaries - and they were barred from dining with men in the White House mess. "Regardless of the weather, we had to slog out to any hole-in-the-wall we could find," recalled Patty Herman, who worked there until she met and married George Herman, the White House correspondent for CBS. "Now, I understand, that's changed." It's not pleasant to have to appeal to a man to say, 'Include me in that meeting' National security advisor Susan Rice

Once your foot is in the door, you have to get a seat at the table. Anne Wexler, who served as Jimmy Carter's assistant for public outreach, complained that Chief of Staff Hamilton Jordan never invited her to a key daily meeting where aides offered ideas to the president, even though Jordan publicly described Wexler as "the most competent woman in Democratic politics." "Personally, I never spent a great deal of time with the president," Wexler said in a 1980 interview for Carter's presidential library. "I think that was a mistake on [Carter's] part." Bonnie Newman got a job in the Reagan administration in 1981 after playing squash with Helene von Damm, who had acted as Ronald Reagan's personal secretary since the 1960s. Although von Damm had "access and proximity" to the president, Newman recalled, "There weren't a whole lot of other women" in the West Wing: "So when you looked around, you looked a little out of place." In Bill Clinton's presidency, several women gained greater influence, including the first lady, who spearheaded Clinton's signature health-care reform initiative. But Hillary Clinton retreated to a more traditional role after the initiative foundered. And the president's affair with intern Monica Lewinsky served to undermine his claims of gender progress. In the early days of the Obama administration, the West Wing was a well-documented bastion of testosterone, due largely to the dominating roles of men such as Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, now mayor of Chicago, and then-economic advisor Lawrence Summers. At a dinner in November 2009, several senior female aides complained to the president that men enjoyed greater access and often muscled them out of key policy discussions.

"If you didn't come in from the campaign, it was a tough circle to break into," said Anita Dunn, who left her post as White House communications director shortly after that meeting. Dunn says it was a matter of simple math: "Given the makeup of the campaign, there were just more men than women." The atmosphere has changed considerably in Obama's second term. Many of the original players have moved on. Today, Obama's closest aides - the ones who sit in the 7:30 a.m. meeting and earn the top White House salary of $176,461 a year - are equally divided between men and women. Overall, the average man still earns about 16 per cent more than the average woman. But half of all White House departments - from the National Security Council to the Office of Legislative Affairs - are headed by women. "I think having a critical mass makes a difference," said White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett, who came in with the president and remains one of his top aides. "It's fair to say that there was a lot of testosterone flowing in those early days. Now we have a little more estrogen that provides a counterbalance." National security advisor Susan Rice also has served throughout Obama's administration. In previous positions, Rice said, she had to push to get into key gatherings. "It's not pleasant to have to appeal to a man to say, 'Include me in that meeting,' " she said.

Now, said Domestic Policy Council Director Cecilia Munoz, "the folks who were jockeying to get into meetings or struggling over manifests are just kind of not around anymore." Today, "if we're not in the room," Rice said of herself and other senior female advisors, "it's not happening." Second terms have traditionally served as a critical period for women, an opportunity to move up after the men move out. After Obama's reelection, Jennifer Palmieri replaced Dan Pfeiffer as communications director. She remembers the moment the president expressed his confidence in her and shared his high expectations. "This is it, you're in the room. There is no other room: This is the Oval Office," Palmieri recalls him saying. "You're here for a reason, and I want to know what you think."

Sylvia Mathews Burwell, secretary of health and human services, describes a "woman pull" during Clinton's second term, when she was promoted from deputy chief of staff to deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget. Another woman, Maria Echaveste, got Burwell's former position, and a third woman, Minyon Moore, moved into Echaveste's spot. In George W. Bush's second term, Condoleezza Rice and Margaret Spellings were promoted to the Cabinet, becoming secretary of state and secretary of education, respectively. Other women moved into more senior White House jobs, including legislative affairs director Candi Wolff and press secretary Dana Perino. Regardless of when they served, women described a constant struggle to balance work and family, especially if they had young children. After Bush was elected in 2000, longtime aide Karen Hughes said she recoiled when incoming chief of staff Andrew Card tried to establish a 24/7 work schedule. Hughes said she called Bush and told him that she didn't "have to be there at 10:30 at night" to do her job. Bush responded quickly, Hughes said, telling Card: "Don't run off all my working mothers!"

Although Card made accommodations, Hughes left the White House after a year and a half, saying the job was too hard on her "homesick" Texan family. That fact hit her one Saturday morning, she said, when her teenage son asked her to bake him some brownies and she was simply too exhausted to do it. Sarah Bianchi had two children under 3 when she joined the White House in June 2011 as a deputy assistant to the president and the vice president's head of economic policy. She left in May 2014 to return to the private sector. "Half the battle from there is parenting," Bianchi said. "We're just not doing well enough on this." White House aides say a slew of recent changes has improved conditions for working mothers. Last year, when legislative affairs director Katie Beirne Fallon and public engagement director Paulette Aniskoff were pregnant, the General Services Administration set up a tasteful Japanese screen in a West Wing bathroom to provide a private spot for pumping breast milk. (Years earlier, then-deputy chief of staff Alyssa Mastromonaco had successfully procured a tampon machine.) Meanwhile, the administration encourages staff to take advantage of up to 12 weeks of paid medical and family leave - a much more generous benefit than what most federal workers receive.
Like many people her age, 26-year-old Cairns business owner Jada Moxham never thinks about retiring.

But unlike many of her peers Ms Moxham isn't getting any super contributions and it's not something she sees changing soon.

Jada Moxham and Leigh Newlan are unable to save for retirement. Credit:Andrew Watson

"There is nothing left after we've handled overheads and costs, so it seems silly to put anything aside for super," she said of the white water rafting tour business she runs with her partner Leigh Newlan.

"Business has been a bit slower than what we thought it would be.
A young man with autism was shackled for up to 24 hours a day during a nine-month ordeal at a Victorian hospital.

And for most of his stay at an Alfred Health hospital, he was not sick.

A young autistic man was shackled for up to 24 hours a day at a Victorian hospital during a "distressing" nine month saga. Credit:Louise Kennerly

He was often naked  because he did not like the feeling of clothes on his skin  and was unable to reach the bathroom because his ankles and wrists were strapped to a bed.

The Office of the Public Advocate became involved in the confronting case in January, appointing the young man an advocate.
Catalina Blandon didn't like the American dream, so she boarded a plane to Melbourne.

The Colombian had done her research, and knew the weather was going to be unpredictable. She had also read that there were a lot of koalas and kangaroos and that the residents were friendlier than Sydneysiders.

Colombian student Catalina Blandon arrived in Australia three years ago, and now calls it home. She is studying for a business diploma at a private college. Credit:Pat Scala

She initially thought she would only stay for six months to study English, but the 27-year-old has remained in Melbourne for three years and now calls it home.

Ms Blandon, who is completing a business diploma at a private college, is among about 175,000 international students who are bolstering the state's economy.
A man who police caught driving more than 100 km/h over the speed limit is withdrawing from methamphetamine, a court has heard.

Night patrol police discovered Boronia man Bradley Murdoch, 26, travelling about 100 kilometres over the speed limit in Derrimut in Melbourne's west shortly after midnight on Wednesday, and tracked him over the West Gate, Monash and East Link, Sergeant Kris Hamilton said in a statement.

Mr Murdoch allegedly dumped the car and fled the scene in Ferntree Gully, but was ultimately arrested.

He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, charged with recklessly driving about 145 km/h in a 40 km/h zone, placing people in danger of serious injury.

Mr Murdoch was also charged with trafficking and possessing drugs of dependence including methylamphetamine.
DECATUR -- With the second-largest railroad network in the U.S., its no surprise that Illinois also ranks second in railroad deaths.

With 37,500 railcars traveling every day over 7,400 miles of railroad track, motorists are going to encounter the railroad --- 333 million vehicles cross tracks daily. Last year in Illinois, 31 were killed and 80 injured in 140 crossing collisions. Also, there were 23 deaths and 18 injuries in trespassing incidents on railroad property.

For the third straight year, the state is recognizing this week as National Rail Safety Week in an effort to get injuries and fatalities involving the railroad down. The Macon County Sheriffs Office, Decatur Police Department, Illinois State Police, Millikin Public Safety, Norfolk & Southern Police, and the Warrensburg Police Department are teaming up with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and other law enforcement agencies in Illinois to spread the word.

We want to educate the public about rail safety, talk to them about what to do at crossings and about trespassing, Lt. Jamie Belcher of the Macon County Sheriffs Office said. Decatur has a whole bunch of tracks and crossings, and several big railyards that people trespass at.

Belcher said rail safety has been particularly important to him after, in one of his first days on the job in 1998, a father and son were killed in an accident at the crossing at Elwin Road and Illinois Route 48.

They were in a truck going to a track meet in Pana, Belcher said. The crossing didnt have arms and  we never did know exactly what happened, but he pulled out in front of a train heading from Decatur and it killed both the father and the son.

Afterward I was talking to the engineer and conductor and it upset them quite a bit. I dont think people always think about the trauma it causes them. Ive seen some quit after something like that.

In addition to being diligent about observation around crossings and never trying to beat the train, Belcher said trespassing on the tracks is another hazard.

Photographers will take clients to railroad tracks because they can take beautiful pictures out there, but a lot of times the rails have high speed trains, Belcher said. Or you see kids wanting to take selfies on them. Its possible to get caught in the rail and get hit by a train.

Its a situation where we always enforce it, but we step up the effort this week.
The head of Parks Victoria has been forced to stand down over "inappropriate behaviour" which the state's anti-corruption watchdog is to investigate.

The Parks Victoria board forced Bradley hand after he had served less than a year in the job.

Bradley Fauteux has been forced to resign as CEO of Parks Victoria. Credit:Simon O'Dwyer

The case is to be referred to the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission.

Minister for Environment Lily said while the matter was under investigation, the behaviour had breached public service standards.
A man who stalked and raped a woman he met on Facebook has been sentenced to six years in prison.

Anjan Shrestha, 29, had never met his victim in person, but recognised her as one of his Facebook friends as she walked past his car in Berwick, the County Court heard on Wednesday.

Shrestha, who maintains his innocence, changed his name and profile picture on the social media network after the attack to avoid getting caught, the court heard.

He had been driving around a nightclub about 2am in August 2014 to spy on his girlfriend, who he believed was cheating on him with other men, Judge Geoffrey Chettle said.

The victim, who cannot be named, walked past his car with her friend on their way to her friend's home. Shrestha turned off his headlights, following them to the kebab shop in his car.
UPDATE: A six-year-old boy missing overnight near Beechworth in north-east Victoria has been found alive.

Emergency services had been scouring bushland since the boy went missing from his family's property on Wednesday afternoon.

Police at the Wooragee property where Ben Dean went missing. Credit:Blair Thomson/The Border Mail

Ben Dean, who has Down syndrome, was last seen at the large rural property on Chiltern Road, Wooragee, 280 kilometres north of Melbourne, at about 5pm on Wednesday.

He was playing outside with a cricket bat shortly before he went missing.
A bartender in Melbourne's CBD was bashed after confronting three patrons who refused to pay for a $200 bar tab.

Police say three men allegedly assaulted the staff member at a bar in Meyers Place after finishing up a night of drinking in the early hours of July 18.

A still from CCTV footage from moments after a bartender was bashed. Credit:Crime Stoppers

The men had allegedly refused to settle a $200 bar tab, punching the bartender several times in the face and pushing him to the ground behind the bar.

They left by walking down Meyers Place towards Bourke Street, where they hailed a taxi.
Police have dropped charges against the woman accused of leaving her children at home unattended while she flew overseas to renew a visa.

The children, aged four and six, were taken into state care after police found them alone inside a Cloverdale home with the door unlocked.

Police had alleged the woman flew to renew a visa in June while the children's father was also overseas.

The court heard it was unlikely she would have received a custodial sentence over the charges laid in June.
Bangkok: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned he will smash planned opposition protests even as the West condemns human rights abuses in the country he has ruled with an iron fist for more than three decades.

Tensions have been growing in the capital Phnom Penh since Kem Sokha, deputy chief of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, was last week sentenced in absentia to five months' prison on charges seen as politically motivated.

Supporters of Cambodia's main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party listen to the party's deputy leader Kem Sokha on Friday. Credit:AP

Members of Mr Hun Sen's feared personal bodyguard have begun descending on the party's headquarters in the capital each night. Mr Kem Sokha has been holed up there for weeks to avoid arrest.

Navy ships and Chinese-made helicopters have also been deployed in a show of force designed to intimidate the party.
Donald Trump discussed his personal health during a taping of The Dr Oz Show on Wednesday morning and shared some of the results of his most recent physical examination, according to the show, not long after top campaign aides told reporters that he would not release any records on set and planned to talk about general wellness, not his personal health history.

Audience members who attended the taping told Bloomberg the episode revealed Mr Trump has high cholesterol, enjoys fast food, and wants to drop weight.

Donald Trump Credit:Bloomberg

Mr Trump said that he kisses his daughter Ivanka - who spoke on the show about Mr Trump's new child-care plan, according to the program - as often as he can, attendees said.

After the taping, the show emailed reporters a photo of Dr Oz studying at least two pieces of paper as he sat next to Mr Trump. But it remains unclear what those pieces of paper are and whether Mr Trump plans to release more detailed health records. The campaign has yet to respond to requests for those records.
DECATUR  Police broke up an alleged methamphetamine lab housed in a Decatur apartment Sunday night and arrested five people, and they bagged a burglar the next day.

Before they were finished cleaning up early Monday morning, police arrested another man they say had grabbed the opportunity to sneak into the apartment and empty its fridge and freezer of food.

He came out of the kitchen after 1 a.m weighed down with bags of meat, eggs and groceries valued at more than $100 and walked straight into the arms of waiting police officers, police said.

Police had first been alerted to the meth lab in the 1200 block of East Cantrell Street after a citizen tip about finding bags of garbage near the apartment stuffed with empty blister packs of cold medicine associated with drug production. The informant also told police there had been a significant amount of traffic through the apartment.

Officers swooped on the address at 11:45 p.m. Sunday and arrested Heather L. Lee, 26, who is on probation and has previous convictions for meth delivery and possession, according to sworn statements.

Lee was booked on a charge of aggravated meth manufacturing along with Natasha J. Lee, 29; Matthew A. Ginger, 27; Nathanial L. Brackett, 20; and Hannah M. Rice, 19.

The alleged opportunistic thief is Martin R. Allbritton Jr., 50, who was charged with one count of residential burglary.

Police said they seized meth and meth-making materials in the apartment, and found more meth-related trash and a bottle containing 78 grams of a liquid that tested positive for the drug in a car outside. This vehicle belongs to Nathanial Brackett.

The Decatur officers then called in a specialist chemical team from the Illinois State Police to clean up the apartment and car outside.

It was as officers were returning to the apartment, where the front door was left open, that they say they met Allbritton emerging from the kitchen. He told police he thought the occupants moved out and had come in to see if any food was left behind.

Police said Allbritton has four previous theft arrests and one conviction.
Mitsubishi Announces Line Up for 2016 Paris Motor Show

World Premiere of Ground Tourer SUV Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept

TOKYO - September 14, 2016: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announces the world premiere of the Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept[1] next-generation SUV at the 2016 Paris Motor Show[2]. The concept model is powered by MMCs own advanced plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) system using triple motors.

The centerpiece of the MMC booth, it will be based on a concept of the ability for cruising across a vast land. The Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept, along with a variety of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) and 100% electric vehicles (EV) supports the Driving Beyond: Another Step Forward with SUVs and Electric Power booth theme.

Joining the Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept at the MMC booth will be the Mitsubishi eX Concept, a compact SUV powered by a next-generation EV system, and 2017 model year European market versions of the Outlander and Outlander PHEV  all being shown for the first time.

The Outlander features a new floor console and improved interior trim quality as well as MMCs Forward Collision Mitigation System, now with a function to detect pedestrians, Blind Spot Warning and other advanced active safety systems. The Outlander PHEV meanwhile, adopts an EV Priority Mode that gives greater priority to all-electric operation as well as the same advanced active safety systems as the Outlander.

Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept: Outline

The Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept is a high-end next-generation SUV that easily takes many road surface conditions in its stride. Featuring MMCs latest design language together with MMCs advanced and proprietary electric and all-wheel control technologies, the Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept empowers drivers to pilot their car with confidence under a wide range of driving conditions. It stirs the drivers curiosity and sense of adventure as they seek to go further, as they seek to take a step beyond anything they have experienced before.

In its overall design, the Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept projects the image of a ground tourer  a car made for cruising across a vast land  expressing Functional Beauty, Augmented Possibility, Sculptured Dynamism, Japanese Craftsmanship.

The front visage with its forceful presence employs MMCs Dynamic Shield front design concept that portrays the front ends function of protecting both people and the car. From the side, the Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept uses horizontal lines to convey its high-end SUV styling and vehicle stability. With a muscularity and intensity that gives the impression it has been carved from a single ingot of steel, the body is clothed in classy styling that flourishes sculptured dynamism highlighted by precise detailing.

Inside, the Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept uses a horizontal dashboard that creates a spacious ambiance, making it easier for the driver to sense changes in vehicle attitude. Together with an instrument panel with a high center console, the cockpit-like interior wraps around its people, providing a sense of solace and security. Generous use of Burgundy[3] genuine leather trim, color coordinated with the exterior roof color is another touch in creating a classy and comfortable interior space.

On the technology front, in addition to outstanding environmental performance MMCs advanced triple-motor PHEV system delivers superior motive performance to empower drivers of any skill level to confidently follow new paths as they like through a multitude of different weather and road surface conditions, for an enjoyable and rewarding driving experience.

This PHEV system comprises a next-generation high-capacity drive battery package, three high-output and high-efficiency motors and an engine designed especially for the PHEV system featuring improved electricity generation performance and motive performance.

This combination delivers the punchy performance ideal for a ground tourer and makes for comfortable driving on longer trips as well with an electric-only range of 120 km and a combined hybrid cruising range of over 1,200 km. The triple-motor powertrain, with one unit at the front and two at the rear, delivers a dramatic improvement in the performance of its full-time four-wheel drive powertrain and MMCs own Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) integrated vehicle dynamics control system, bringing new levels of handling stability.

The Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept also adopts the latest in connected car technology in extracting its performance and functionality to the full. The technology feeds back to the car route information as well as data on weather and road surface conditions acquired from information networks and from on-board sensors and cameras in order to closely manage energy consumption such as electricity consumption and fuel economy as well as to provide all-wheel control best-suited to many motoring situations.

MMC lineup at 2016 Paris Motor Show
Land vs Air: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Defeats Aerobatic Twister Plane In ?Ultimate Hot Lap +VIDEO

 Jeeps high-performance Grand Cherokee SRT races aerobatic plane around course



 Stunt inspired by HEMI engines ?fighter plane heritage



 Grand Cherokee SRT and plane hit speeds of 140mph



 Race took place around Blyton Park Driving Centre, Lincolnshire



 Starting price for Grand Cherokee SRT: 66,865 OTR ($88,024)

LONDON - September 14, 2016: Jeep has displayed the raw power and speed of its 6.4L V8 HEMI engined Grand Cherokee SRT by becoming the first 4x4 vehicle to race a plane around a track  and winning.

The Jeep vs plane challenge was inspired by the origins of the HEMI engine which was first developed for the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft, and is now, in its latest form, housed under the bonnet of the Grand Cherokee SRT.

Blyton Park Driving Centre, Lincolnshire, hosted the head-to-head around its 1.8 mile circuit and saw both car and plane reach speeds in excess of 140 mph. While the Grand Cherokee SRT tackled the race track, the Silence SA1100 Twister plane navigated around seven-metre high pylons, as they both attempted to reach the chequered flag first.

Capable of reaching 0-62mph in less the five seconds, the 6.4L V8 HEMI powered Grand Cherokee SRT delivers a massive 461hp, and is packed full of high-performance technologies including launch control, Selec-Trac transmission and air-cooled 6 piston Brembo brake callipers which have a stopping distance of 116ft from 60-0mph.

The Grand Cherokee SRT was driven by Ed Morris  the youngest ever British driver to compete at Le Mans 24 hour, while the Silence SA1100 Twister plane was flown by Peter Wells, a specialist aerobatic pilot with over 25 years of flying experience.

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SULLIVAN  The day before he was found stabbed and lying next to his ex-girlfriend's dead body, Michael S. Yost allegedly spent more than six hours watching pornographic videos about pain, forced sex and murder.

That was the testimony Tuesday of Thomas Vagasky, special agent with Illinois State Police Investigations, on the second day of Yost's murder trial in Moultrie County Circuit Court.

Vagasky talked about the internet search history for March 3, 2015, recovered from Yost's cellphone over objections by Brad Rau, the Sullivan man's attorney and Moultrie County's public defender.

Rau said the proper foundation had not been established because neither Vagasky nor the state police sergeant who extracted the cellphone's data could explain how the forensic software worked.

That prompted State's Attorney Jeremy Rau to say the public defender was creating a standard of evidence courts to not require and Circuit Court Judge Dan L. Flannell overruled the objection.

The judge will decide the defendant's guilt or innocence after the Sullivan man waived his right to a jury trial on June 21.

Yost, 42, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the death of Sheri Randall, 43, on March 4, 2015.

Randall suffered 15 stab wounds, according to the state's attorney's opening statement Monday, and was found beside Yost in her Sullivan apartment on the floor of her bedroom, with both people partially covered by a blanket and four bloodied knives nearby. Yost's injuries included a punctured lung.

Vagasky, the lead investigator on the case, testified that the X-rated internet searches began about 9:30 a.m. the day before and ended about 3:50 p.m.

Kristy Dodd of Sullivan testified Monday that she and Randall arrived at The Landing, a bar in Sullivan, about 4 p.m. that day and that Yost was already there.

Testimony from Stephen Hulen, crime scene investigator with the state police, revealed that first responders found Yost's phone near a cinder block on the floor beneath a broken window in the bedroom of the victim's son, then 7 years old, and a second cellphone submerged in red-tinged water in the bathroom sink.

Other testimony involved the collection of evidence from the scene, with Rau questioning decisions by Vagasky and Richey about which items were tested and which were not.

Some of the state's case Tuesday was advanced by Ed Parkinson, an appellate prosecutor from Springfield.

Also, Moultrie County sheriff's deputy Brandon Beckwith testified about a handwritten letter he found in the waistband of Yost's boxer shorts as the defendant was being transported to Decatur by ambulance after an incident at the Moultrie County Jail on April 7, 2015.

The deputy said the letter was addressed to Yost's parents, Michael L. Yost of Tuscola and Linda Cain of Hammond, and signed by Michael.

Beckwith testified that the author wrote he could not live without Randall because she was and is my life and asked to be buried as close to her as possible in Oak Grove Cemetery in Bethany.

Yost also allegedly acknowledged in the letter that people think he killed her but only she and I know the truth.

The trial resumes at 9 a.m. today.
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Stephen Colbert aired a pre-taped show from last week Monday night, so it took him until Tuesday to get around to covering the big political story of the weekend: Hillary Clintons health scare.

Or as some are calling it, Lunghazi, the Late Show host joked. Not many people. So far, just me.

Wow, it has been a rough week for Hillary Clinton, Colbert said at the top of his monologue. She has been dropping in the polls, and over the weekend, even her immune system turned against her. No surpriseall the white blood cells are voting for Trump.

Quoting an unnamed Clinton aide , Colbert said the real problem on Sunday was dehydration, adding, She wont drink water, and you try telling Hillary Clinton she has to drink water. He eagerly accepted that challenge and made his pitch.

Secretary Clinton, what if I told you there was a non-alcoholic beverage you could get free from any faucet, even sometimes from the sky, Colbert said with glass of water in his hand. Its packed with oxygen, and get this, twice as much hydrogen. And its delicious. Like a tall glass of unflavored Gatorade.

As Colbert went on to say, this story combines the criticism that Clinton is too secretive and the fears that shes not fit enough to serve. Hiding her diagnosis makes all those Clinton conspiracies seem true, Colbert remarked. What else could be true? Is the Clinton Foundation really a big slush fund? Did they cover up an illicit cocaine ring? Is Hillary a blood-drinking extraterrestrial lizard in disguise?

And when Anderson Cooper asked Clinton why her campaign didnt tell the American people on the day she was diagnosed, the candidate said she just didnt think that it was that big of a deal. To this, Colbert shot back, Yeah, pneumonias no big deal when youre running for president. Just ask William Henry Harrison. Oh, wait, you cant, he died of pneumonia!
DECATUR  The Decatur School District's buildings and grounds department had a very busy summer.

At the school board meeting on Tuesday, Jim Gortner, director of buildings and grounds, gave a presentation on the capital projects.

The projects cost more than $2 million and included a new drive-through at Dennis School, repaving at Southeast School, a new roof and office remodel at Enterprise School, track replacement at MacArthur High School, repair and replacement of bricks at MacArthur, boiler replacement at Harris School, the demolition of Washington School and the removal of the concrete bleachers at Piggott Field.

Some of the projects included outside contractors as well.

Costs were largely covered by the 1 percent sales tax increase in Macon County that is dedicated to school facilities, Gortner said.

In other business, Lawrence Trimble was named the new director of student services. In the interim since Rochelle Clark left the district, retired principal Joe Smith has been filling the position. He said he will stay on long enough to help Trimble get settled.

The board had been set to consider contract extensions for interim co-Superintendents Bobbi Williams and Mike Dugan, but district attorney Brian Braun advised the board to withdraw those items from the agenda until his firm has drafted contracts for the board to approve, and the board did so.

An interorganizational agreement between the district and Heritage Behavior Health Center was revised to make billing consistent with standard medical billing methods. Services to students will be billed to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services grant at standard Medicaid rates.

Related to that agreement, data-sharing between Decatur schools and Fidelity EHR was approved by the board to allow access to data that must be used in reports on the program that are provided to the Illinois State Board of Education.
Chef Mathew Peters is chasing perfection.

It isnt some kind of lofty dream, but an actual exercise. For the past eight monthsfive days a week, at least 12 hours a dayhe has cooked an unchanging roster of dishes over and over again in a kitchen in the back of a winery in the middle of Napa Valley, California.

While it might sound like the plot of an intense foreign indie film, the disciplined routine is prepping Peters for the Bocuse dOrthe ultra-prestigious international cooking competition. Held every other year in Lyon, France, it will next take place in January 2017. Peters is the sole U.S. entrant.

America has competed in the culinary throwdown every year since legendary chef Paul Bocuse started his eponymous competition, in 1987, to publicize the rigors of fine cooking. The U.S. never finished in the top three until last year, when chef Philip Tessier took home the silver Bocuse statue. Peters has a serious shot at besting reigning champion Norway, as well as top teams from France, Sweden, and Denmark, and possibly winning the whole thing. (Everyone tap on a butcher block so as not to jinx him.)

In short, the contest is a big deal. So why have you never heard of it? Well, up until recently, America didnt have a program dedicated to supporting its Bocuse dOr team. That all changed eight years ago when chefs Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, and Jerome Bocuse founded The Mentor BKB Foundation, which funds the training of the countrys competitor.

It is a lot of pressure on the 32-year-olds shoulders, but Peters is used to cooking at the highest level, having worked at Alain Ducasses famed (and now closed) Adour and Thomas Kellers legendary restaurants the French Laundry and Per Se. Up until last December, when he won the nationals at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, which sent him on his way to the Bocuse dOr global competition, he was the executive sous chef at Per Se. But even for Peters, who is used to working long days, the competition training has been, he says, mentally and physically very draining.

Case in point: Like a twist right out of Top Chefs playbook, Peters just found out that he and his commis (assistant), Harrison Turone, will need to prepare a platter (big enough to feed 14) that plays off a traditional French chicken-and-crayfish dish and includes three intricate garnishes. It will be judged by a panel of 24 top chefs on several categories. Another fish platter is likely going to be added to the list of dishes he and Turone will be required to cook in the allotted 5 hours. Its experimental right up until the end really, he says. And thats not to mention all the action will take place in front of a crowd of spectators.

Peters and Turone (a 21-year-old prodigy) have the unenviable task of giving Boulud, Keller, and Jerome Bocuse regular tastings so they can assess their progress and give feedback. Its stressful at times. Its good stress. Motivational stress to a degree, he admits. Its not supposed to be easy trying to feed top chefs in the country.

But, he adds, Hopefully, you get used to feeding these guys so many times that when you get into the competition it just becomes easier.

Independent of those tastings, Peters estimates that by the time the competition starts he will have made the platters dozens and dozens of times. Its crucial to get as much experience [in] and as many runs as you can in to the point where youre just going through the motions, he explains. Were trying to perfect [the dishes] to the best of our ability all the way to the end of the competition.

The next few months will certainly get more intense as January inches closer and the hours of preparation grow longer. Will the chef ever want to make his competition dishes again after the big day is over? Hopefully, I am doing them again because that means things go well, he says, since everyone will want to try the statue-winning meal. If youre not doing them again then things just didnt go so well.
Republicans in an New York legislative district voted overwhelmingly for their incumbent assemblyman in a Tuesday primary. Theres just one problem: hes dead.

Bill Nojay, a New York state Assembly member from the states 133rd District scored a handy victory over his primary challenger, despite having killed himself four days earlier. Nojay took his own life on Friday, the same day he was expected to receive federal fraud charges.

Its not the first time a politician has won their race posthumously. In 2010, a Sacramento Democrat won a primary a month after her death, due to her overwhelmingly Democratic constituency. Earlier the same year, a Tennessee city ousted its unpopular mayor by electing a candidate who had passed the previous month. But even among this unfortunate group, Nojays is an unusual case.

Nojay was found dead on Friday morning, in the Rochester, New York cemetery where his family had a burial plot. A police officer witnessed Nojay shoot himself, Rochester police confirmed in a Friday press conference. But despite the incumbent candidates death, local Republican groups did not pull Nojays name from the ballot, or even support his challenger.

Despite the unexpected and tragic loss of our Assemblyman, the endorsement still stands, Republicans from the town of Hornell wrote, encouraging voters to back the dead candidate.

Their reasons are political. With Nojay dead, the chairmen from the three counties he represented can select a primary winner of their choosingand given the regions Republican bend, this candidate will likely win the general. None of the chairmen returned requests for comment.

All this might be upsetting to Nojays primary challenger, Richard Milne, who lost to a dead man and is still waiting for his partys blessing. Rather than wait for the county chairmen to give him the nod, he pulled his name from the election on Wednesday.

It's the process we have and I have to respect it. I dont believe the chairs acted in a professional way, Milne told The Daily Beast, adding that accepting the chairs nomination could make him beholden to party chairs if I were elected.

That perceived lack of professionalism was a growing problem for Nojay, a Trump-loving, part-time talk radio host, who found himself increasingly embroiled in legal trouble as the election neared.

In July it was announced that Nojay and three other American businessmen including Sichan Siv, a George W. Bush-appointed envoy to the United Nations, would be tried in absentia for an alleged fraud scheme in Cambodia. Nojay and his business partners are accused of running a rice-importing grift, allegedly swindling a prominent Cambodian dentist for $1 million.

They told me that if I joined the business and invested with them, they will prepare green cards for me and for my daughter who was studying in the United States, and we would become American citizens, the dentist Eng Lykuongs complaint read. Because I believed in them, especially Mr. Sichan Siv, who is a very famous person in the United States and is also a former American Ambassador to the United Nations, I then decided to join and invest with them, and I sent my own money, $1 million, to them via Mr. William R. Nojays bank account, transferring via the First Cambodia Bank in Cambodia in 2012.

But after Lykuong wired the money to Nojays account, the company shuttered, leading prosecutors to accuse him and his business partners of running a shell company.

Meanwhile, Nojays legal woes were growing stateside. One of his New York-based companies was the subject of a federal investigation for a questionable contract with Rochester schools. Then, two weeks ago, FBI officials told Nojays business partner that the assemblyman was under investigation for allegedly embezzling from a fund that held $1.8 million, the Democrat and Chronicle reported.

The latest charges facing Nojay came in a sealed indictment. But Curtis Dehm, an attorney for Nojays business partner confirmed to The Daily Beast that Nojay had been expected at a Friday morning federal court appearance. With Nojay dead, his business partners might never see the money he allegedly embezzled.

My client and his firm are in a very real sense victims, because theyre owed money, Dehm told The Daily Beast. Ultimately when someone passes away, criminal charges are dismissed.

Nojays constituency has also been left in the lurch. The right-leaning counties will likely vote for a Republican in the general electionthey just wont have any say in who that Republican will be.

Its definitely an unusual situation, Dehm said.
On Monday night, as actor Alec Baldwin was celebrating the arrival into the world of his new son Leonardo, a high-powered legal team acting on Baldwins behalf were simultaneously filing legal papers claiming that he had been cheated out of tens of thousands of dollars by the legendary 1980s New York art dealer Mary Boone.

In an extraordinary legal filing, and one which sheds a revealing light on the high-stakes world of celebrity art buying culture, Baldwins lawyer John Hueston, a former federal prosecutor who led the Enron task force prosecutions of Kenneth Lay and Jeff Skilling (and who also, intriguingly, brought several successful suits on behalf of the billionaire Bill Koch, arising out of counterfeit wine sold to him by various individuals and auction houses) alleged that Boone offered to obtain a famous piece of art that Mr. Baldwin was passionate about owning, in exchange for $190,000, but instead, obtained and delivered to Mr. Baldwin a copy that Ms. Boone had intentionally engineered to appear genuine.

Exact numbers are not mentioned in the suit. However, Baldwin is seeking exemplary damages.

The court papers, seen by The Daily Beast, allege that Ms Boone also intentionally, deceptively and falsely stamped the Mary Boone Gallery Inventory Number 7449 on the back of the painting delivered to Mr. Baldwinwhich was the very same Mary Boone Gallery Inventory Number that had been assigned to Mr. Bleckners 1996 Sea and Mirror.

Baldwin alleges in the filing that he received an email from the artist admitting the fraud and saying, Im so sorry about all of this. I feel so bad. What can I do to make this up to you?

According to Baldwins suit, Boone told him in a February 2010 email that the owners of Sea and Mirror lived in California and were asking $175,000.

The email included a flowery description of the work and a brief accounting of its history that touted the paintings provenance, Baldwin said in the complaint.

According to the filing, Boone admitted during a telephone call that she had in fact intentionally sold Baldwin a copy of the painting.

Amazingly, Baldwin then told Boone to purchase the actual painting, but according to the complaint, Ms. Boone has never obtained or delivered Sea and Mirror to Mr. Baldwin.

However, art world insiders and experts have been quick to pour undiluted scorn on Baldwins suit.

The actor is not claiming that the painting Boone sourced for him (for a paltry fee of $15,000) is a fake in the way most of us would understand that word.

The painting Baldwin received is indeed from the hand of Ross Bleckner.

It is called Sea and Mirror.

But Bleckner paints multiple versions of the same works, and Baldwin is alleging that he was ripped off because he was sold a later iteration of the work, not the 1996 original that he thought he was buying.

It is not inconceivable that a clever lawyer may well manage to convince a jury of the validity of Baldwins casebut the action has made him a laughing stock in the art world, singling him out as a classic know-nothing celebrity art buyer.

One art world source, who did not want to be named, drew comparisons to an episode in which Baldwin paid $95,000 for a Pat Steir at a charity auction without realizing the artist was seated next to him, as reported by Art News.

The same source said they had heard that Baldwin subsequently attempted to go back to Steir and try to swap the painting for something he liked more. (The Daily Beast has approached Baldwins representatives for comment, and will add to the story if they respond to our query.)

The case has done nothing to enhance the reputation of your average celebrity art punter. Most of these people dont even know how to tie their own shoelaces, says former London gallerist Alex Proud. They are gullible because they live in such isolation from the real world. They just go from first class lounge to agent to having someone hold their dick for them while they take a piss.

Detmar Blow, one of the few other gallerists prepared to comment on the record, told The Daily Beast, Mary Boone is a distinguished contemporary art dealer. I recall that Michael Caine said in his biography that actors houses are full of photos of themselves. Directors have Picasso, Matisse, Bacon and Freud on their walls. Celebrities, and especially, actors are rarely serious collectors of contemporary art.

To attempt to differentiate between different versions of a Bleckner, experts within the art world say, is like arguing one of Monets cathedral facades is more valuable than another because it was painted first.

As Jonathan Jones wrote in the Guardian, Bleckners work glories in repetition, adding, To love Bleckner you have to love all his paintings. It makes no sense to separate off one of his works and adore it alone. Its like saying, I hate most of Warhols work but I really love his orange car crash paintingsonly the orange ones, mind.

A New York City art world source with knowledge of the situation said, Some celebrities have been very difficult clients. They can be very demanding. You can often find they try to renegotiate after the fact. They are used to being able to do things on their own terms in other spheres of their life, and they want to do things on their own terms in the art world too. They dont necessarily want to play by the same rules as everyone else.

The source added that New York City art world chatter indicated that this was not the first time that Baldwin had made a mistake and misunderstood the art world and how it works.

Ted Poretz, attorney to Mary Boone said in a statement: Mr. Baldwins effort to intimidate Ms. Boone does not change the fact that his claims are false. Ms. Boone has no interest in misleading clients and we are confident that this frivolous and vindictive lawsuit will be dismissed.

Regardless of Mr. Baldwins unseemly reaction to his own misunderstanding, Ms. Boone offered him a full refund and took every step to handle this in a professional manner. Sadly, Mr. Baldwins decision to continue this personal attack is not surprising given his history of lashing out against anyone he believes is beneath him.
On Feb. 24, 1985, author Kurt Vonnegut attended the premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webbers Requiem Mass in New York City.

Although he liked the music well enough, he found the traditional 16th century Latin text to Lloyd-Webbers requiem off-putting to say the least. Vengeful and sadistic and about as humane as Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler was his description.

So Vonnegut set out to write his own text for a requiem mass. What began as an attempt to humanize a 400-year-old Latin text for a modern audience became nearly 30 years of musical collaborations for Kurt Vonnegut.

In the early 90s Vonnegut began his longest musical partnership and, later, friendship with conductor and composer Richard Auldon Clark. This fall, Vonneguts first and only opera will premiere in Indianapolis. The operatic setting of Vonneguts play Happy Birthday, Wanda June is the result of a 15-year collaboration with Clark and may very well be Vonneguts last work.

The original play version of Happy Birthday, Wanda June is Vonneguts loose reworking and update of the myth of Odysseuss return from the Trojan War that was meant as a commentary on the Vietnam War, and the nature of heaven and violenceamong other things. It premiered in October 1970 to mixed reviews, and Vonnegut continued tinkering with the play during its run until it closed in March 1971.

Vonnegut first met Clark in the early 90s after completing his Humanist Requiem with music composed by Edgar David Grana, whom Vonnegut had met by chance while on jury duty in 1984. But he was having trouble garnering interest in a performance.

Clark, who was then head of the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, got a call from a PR rep asking if he was interested in playing the piece even though it had been turned down by other orchestras. Clark had been a fan of Vonneguts since his teen years, and agreed without ever reading the score. If I can meet Kurt Vonnegut, Ill do it, he said.

Their first meeting was very businesslike, and only after Vonnegut had greatly enjoyed Clarks conducting of the Humanist Requiem did they begin to bond and collaborate on further projects.

Although Vonnegut had liked Clarks conducting of the Humanist Requiem, he was not happy with Granas music, and the piece received mostly negative reviews.

In the late 90s Clark introduced Vonnegut to composer Seymour Barab, who composed his own new original music for the text of the Humanist Requiem and turned it into the far more successful Cosmos Cantata in 2001.

Soon after the success of the Cosmos Cantata, Vonnegut had the idea to turn his play Happy Birthday, Wanda June into an opera. Clark again brought the idea to composer Seymour Barab, who didnt think it was possible.

Clark explains to The Daily Beast, Seymour just said, It cant be turned into an opera, it just wont work. Theres too much dialogue, theres too much going on, theres nothing to create arias with. Kurt was a little disappointed, but he really liked and respected Seymour, so he just let the project go for a little bit.

But a few years later, Vonnegut again brought up turning the play into an opera, this time with Clark as the composer. Clark had only composed smaller pieces and chamber music up to that point and never dreamed of doing an opera.

But Vonnegut insisted and Clark eventually agreed. One of the cardinal rules Vonnegut set for Clark in turning the play into an opera libretto was that they could cut text from the play, but not add a word nor alter the meaning in any way.

Most Americans when they go to a foreign opera love the music, they love the story, but they really dont know the words. You put titles up. Kurt was like No, the words, what Im saying is really important and that has to be served, Clark explained.

Collaborating proved an unorthodox arrangement, as Vonnegut was not only very protective of his words, but also the actual books they were printed in.

Clark describes, It was very funny. The very first time, I was sitting there with the play and I think I had a pen rather than a pencil, and I got ready to cross the line out in the book and before I could he was halfway out of the chair. No, no, no, dont do it in the book. Its out of print, there are very few copies left, dont fuck up the book. Write it down. And I had to write word for word everything I was using. I had this little notepad and I was just scribbling away terribly.

From 2002 to 2007 Clark and Vonnegut regularly met and worked on the libretto for Happy Birthday, Wanda June.

Their collaboration developed into a friendship over meetings at Vonneguts Manhattan brownstone, often at morning breakfast meetings discussing literature and music and drinking scotch together. Vonneguts famous dark wit and countercultural sensibilities unsurprisingly manifested throughout their friendship, though sometimes in surprising ways.

Clark was brought up in a strict, conservative Catholic family where cursing of any kind was strictly forbiddenespecially the F word. But his strict Catholic parents had no problems saying goddamn it. In their conversations Clark shared this with Vonnegut, who took it as an opportunity to buck the status quo.

Clark told The Daily Beast, We were doing this concert at Lincoln Center, and Kurt Vonnegut came to the concert. When I told him my mom he was going to be there, she was all excited because heres a big, famous guy. Shed never read any of his books or anything, she didnt know what kind of guy he really was, but she begged to meet him. I asked him if he would come backstage and meet my family afterward. Of course, no problem. Id love to. I said, Yes, but my moms really conservative. Be really careful, please, please. Oh, of course. Of course, Kurt told me.They come backstage and the first thing he does is walk up, shake her hand, and say, Your sons a fucking genius. I thought she was going to have a heart attack right on the spot. He just loved pulling stuff like that.

Clark and Vonnegut continued to create the libretto for Happy Birthday, Wanda June until the very end of Vonneguts life.

Shortly before he took that very tragic fall that put him in a coma, he sent me a brand new ending to the opera, Clark said. That very well could be the last thing he ever wrote as far as whats actually going to be performed and seen. Im sure people are always doing sketches and writing things out, but nothing else was ever going to be published or seen by him again except older work.

Vonnegut died from injuries sustained in a fall at his Manhattan brownstone in April 2007 at the age of 84. His death greatly affected Clark.

After he went into a coma and then died, I was very, very depressed. He was a dear, dear friend and mentor, and I just loved the guy. He was very much like a grandpa to me. I spent a great deal of time with him in the last 15 years of his life.

After Vonneguts death, Clark found the task of completing Happy Birthday, Wanda June too overwhelming. He had taken a faculty position at Butler University in Indiana in 2003, but the project never strayed too far from his thoughts, to the point where he found himself composing melodies in his head for it while driving.

Finally, in 2014, seven years after Vonneguts death, Clark was granted a sabbatical from teaching and set to work on the opera. It took a little over two years to fully write and orchestrate it.

In a final irony, Clark finished the final notes of the orchestration for Happy Birthday, Wanda June right around Valentines Day 2016, almost nine years to the day that Vonnegut, in 2007, had sent him the final new ending to the opera, less than two months before Vonnegut died.

In 2011, a new high-profile biography of Vonnegut, And So It Goes by Charles J. Shields, was published that depicted Vonnegut as a bitter, angry, and unhappy man.

Headlines like Kurt Vonnegut Died a Bitter Man and Biography Reveals an Unhappy and Nasty Writer circulated in the press to the point that Vonneguts son Michael released a statement repudiating the biographys characterization of his father.

Clark, too, disagrees with the characterization of Vonnegut as bitter or unhappy.

He was one of the most positive, enlightening men Id ever been around He had a very wicked sense of humor and he was very macabre, but bitter? No way. He just called it like he saw it. He found humor in it Bitter is not a word I would use at all.

He thought the only way to save humanity was in the artistic natures. You have to createpoetry, anything. You have to create. He did a lot of painting himself, a lot of drawing and sketching. On one of my orchestra scores he drew a picture of himself and signed it.

He just thought that one needed to lead a creative life, that that was the very essence of human existence. He didnt believe in God, he was president of the American Humanist Association. He believed in humanity, in people, what could be less bitter than that? He was a hero. Hell always be a hero to me.

Kurt Vonneguts final collaboration with Richard Auldon Clark, Happy Birthday, Wanda June, will have its world premiere Sept. 16 at Indianapolis Opera as part of the weeklong Vonneguts World festival in Indianapolis. For more information and tickets to Happy Birthday, Wanda June, please visit Indianapolis Opera.
A former ITT Tech recruiter in Arizona is suing the defunct for-profit school for ignoring her complaints about a student with a violent criminal past before he shot her on campus.

Whats more, Kristen Trease claims ITT Tech fired her the day she returned to work after nearly being killed.

ITT announced this month that it would be shutting down all campuses nationwide in the midst of a federal crackdown on the for-profit school. It has been under investigation for years for predatory lending and other shady practices. Among other sanctions, the U.S. Department of Education barred it from enrolling new students who use federal aid. The shutdown happened so quickly that some Nebraska students showed up to a graduation ceremonyonly to find out that it had been canceled.

Trease began working for ITT Tech in July 2010, and interviewed students and helped them enroll as part of her job.

Carlos Webb, who was on parole for previous offenses including kidnapping, burglary, and rape in nearby New Mexico, showed up to enroll at ITT about a year after Trease began working there. She was assigned to be his enrollment representative.

Mr. Webb consistently asked [Trease] out on dates and interrupted her meetings with other students in order to attempt to engage her in personal discussions, the complaint states.

When she complained about his advances and expressed concern about his criminal history, Trease said the school did nothing to protect her. The lawsuit claims ITT prioritized getting paid over Treases safety.

But Webb was soon back in prison after he unlawfully removed his ankle monitor at the end of the fall semester.

When he got out, ITT took him back, despite Treases protests. She was tasked with re-enrolling him and getting him an ID badge.

When [Trease] was not able to obtain an identification badge for Mr. Webb as quickly as Mr. Webb demanded, he confronted her, screamed at her, and told her that when she obtained his badge, she needed to keep it and rub it all over her chest, the complaint states.

She complained, but says ITT did not investigate her allegations. Instead, Trease claims, she was disciplined that February in retaliation for reporting harassment. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission supported her claims, according to documents filed in court.

Webb remained enrolled and on April 24, 2012, he shot Trease.

Webbs initial target was an ex-girlfriend, police said. But she refused to go outside the ITT campus with him after he flashed his weapon. Instead, Webb confronted Trease and forced her to her car.

She tried to run, but he shot her in the chest.

One of our representatives, she got shot by a student. Shes right now with all of us, one person said on a 911 call from the scene.

In the new lawsuit filed against ITT, Trease says she was also sexually assaulted by Webb, whose criminal record included sex offenses, during that incident. He fled the scene.

Webb surrendered at the house of a relative the next morning, but police found signs he hadn't planned to go peacefully.

The bullet had gone straight through Treases chest. It took her several months to recover, and she went back to work on Oct. 25, 2012.

ITT fired her the same day for issues related to your performance, according to a separation memo attached to the lawsuit.

She filed a complaint with the EEOC, which found she was discriminated against on the basis of her disability.

Webb was convicted and sentenced for attempted second degree murder, kidnapping, and two counts of aggravated assault. In March, an appellate court affirmed his convictions on all counts.

But Treases complaints about her workplace go far beyond the felonious student. She alleges that she and female co-workers complained about sexual harassment by an employee but that their superiors violated the companys confidential reporting promises and identified the women through an audio recording.

ITT Tech did not respond to a request for comment.
Comedian Lewis Black can still remember his days dodging Donald Trumps angry phone calls. Black had just gone on TV and mocked Trumps political ambitions and his businessand in doing so likened him to a Third World despot.

Theres one candidate whos got me really excited: Donald Trump! the comedian said (sarcastically and satirically, given Blacks socialist politics) during one of his recurring segments on The Daily Show. Now, you might say hed make a terrible president. I mean, the guy bankrupted his own casino. A casino! Where the house always wins! Unless its Donald Trumps house.

What this country needs is a crazy Third World dictator, and Donald Trump has what it takes to be that, Black continued. Hes already got a plane with his name on it, solid-gold buildings, a harem!  Hes even got the look of a dictator! Now, is [Trump's] hair any less crazy than [Kim Jong-ils] hair? And hes got what every good dictator needs: a ridiculously over-sized ego  This is what Ive been waiting for my whole life! A president whos not afraid to tell the truthabout being a lying asshole.

This wasnt in the heat of the 2016 presidential campaign, when the GOP nominee has become accustomed to being labeled an authoritarian or even fascist. This was back in March 2011, just as Trump was starting to transform himself into a national political hero of the far-rightparticularly the anti-Obama, racist birther movement.

The Daily Show segment was cheekily titled Trump 2012, and Trump, apparently, saw it and wanted to give Black a stern talking-to.

I did a piece about him in 2011 on how what America needs is a banana republic dictator, Black told The Daily Beast, during the last weekend he had to prepare before launching his latest Broadway run. His assistant called my assistant, said he wanted to talk to me. At first, it was like, What? Why would he call me? No one ever called me about anything I ever did on The Daily Show. So I said I was too busy and couldnt talk to him. I thought, Wow, Im a comic, hes an entrepreneura businessman. How is it that Im more busy than he is? Thats unbelievable.

But Trump persisted. It seemed as though he really, really wanted to chat with the stand-up comic who had made fun of his failure of a casino, compared him to murderous tyrants, and knocked his hairdo on Comedy Central.

A call came the next dayand I just said no, Black recalled. I didnt want to talk to him to legitimize him. Thats how I felt If I accept his call, that legitimatizes him. And I didnt want to give him any little sense of legitimacy that I could have given him by answering the phone.

Black says hes only had one other personal interaction with Trump: a similarly unpleasant New York experience that took place roughly 10 years ago at a star-studded Manhattan gala.

I have been within 10 feet of him at an event I was working, for some book event, at the [New York City] museumthe big one, with the fucking whale thing. And he was upset because he didnt get the right table. He was yelling about it.

At this point, the 68-year-old comedian has been writing and performing jokes about Trump for nearly three decades. The only difference today is that Trump is now one of only two people with a legitimate shot at becoming the next leader of the free-fucking-world.

When I first arrived in New York, I did a [TV] specialand I talked about Trump then, he said. Back then, the banks of New York City bailed him out, and I went berserk. And I didnt even know him then.

And his opinion of The Donaldas a vile, destructive rich-kid, and woefully immature force in American culturehasnt changed all that much since the 80s and 90s, give or take an adjustment or two for racial outrage.

Its appalling and its disturbing, Black said, when asked about the Trump campaign. And with a whiff of racism in it.

A lot has changed since I last spoke with Black in June 2015. For one thing, Trump was still something of a joke-candidate to pundits, reporters, much of the public, and the so-called, nebulously defined establishment. The smart money was still on Marco Rubio, or Jeb Bush, or whoever. The Muslim ban, the Muslim registry, the humane deportation force, going after the families of terrorist suspects and the other war crime proposalsthat was all still mercifully in our futures. The actual, real-life nomination of Donald Trump to become the new standard-bearer of the Republican Party wasnt a thought Black would have entertained. Not even after too many afternoon drinks, I never would have thought this was possible, is his phrasing.

Yeah, I can write funny about all these [candidates], Black told me last year. I mean, I dont even have to write funny about them, because theyre going to give me the stuff. Theyre gonna hand it to me: Donald Trump is running for president. Thats already a punchline. Thats the joke! The jokes done!

But the jokes on Black and all other voters who feel that theyve been handed the miserable choice between The Donald and Hillary Clinton.

At least Blackthe famously angry comedian (to the point that he was tapped to voice the character of Anger in Pixars 2015 film Inside Out)now has a new Broadway show that he can use to vent his frustrations.

On Monday, Black returned to New Yorks theater district for his first installment of Lewis Black: Black to the Future, a series of shows at the Marquis Theater that concludes in Octobershortly before Election Day. The shows, comprised of mostly new material, will focus on just how pissed off he is about this election, Clinton, Trump, and more Clinton, and yet more Trump.

Its the right time, this is really when it starts, Black said. What weve been doing is a ludicrous exercise that no other country on this Earth has any wish to do to itself. No one. Nowhere else on the planet tortures themselves in this fashion. NOBODY! And weve never nominated two people distrusted this much, or disliked this much. Never. Again, this is not the way its supposed to work!

And Blacks views on Hillary Clinton (both Clintons, actually, if you rewatch his act from the 90s) are far from flattering.

There seems to be a lack among the Clintons where theres a lack of common-fucking-sense, he observed. The deeper problem with Hillary is that she never went away. As Shakespeare put it, familiarity breeds contempt. It was him or somebody else. Its been too long.

Still, the bespectacled, highly political comic has no idea who hell pull the lever for in Novemberonly that the candidates name with not be Donald J. Trump.

Im being pushed by Trump to vote for anyone else, maybe someone of another species, he said, dejected. If push comes to shove, yeah, I could see voting for her. But Im certainly not going to be happy about it  But once he said Mexicans were raping, and pillaging, and stealing our avocados, the ballgame was already over for me.

For now, Black maintains that there is roughly an equal chance of him voting for Clinton as there is of him writing-in Pillsbury Doughboy.

Thats a candidate I can get behind, he said. Therell be biscuits, and chocolate chip cookies, at least palpable things I can hold on to. Until the rest of the country fixes itself, at least Ill have a snack.
On USA Networks hit series Mr. Robot, Rami Malek is a man divided. His cyberpunk hacktivist Elliot Alderson has been wrestling with himself, so to speak, throughout a second season thats also seen the 35-year-old breakout star earn his first Emmy nomination and the biggest buzz of his career to date.

A week before the Emmys, Malek debuted another rumination on the theme at the Toronto Film Festival. He stars in the Y2K-set Busters Mal Heart as a man whom lifes ponderous forces has split into two, a role that suggests there are more personalities to the enigmatic searcher hes been playing for mainstream audiences on Mr. Robot.

The similarities between these kindred tormented souls are no accident. I see huge parallels, Malek told me this week in Toronto, where the surreal character piece from writer-director Sarah Adina Smith (Midnight Swim) both confounded and charmed critics. Big time.

I look at what I do on Mr. Robotwhat Elliot goes through on Mr. Robot, he corrected himself, as a crisis of man questioning his place in society. Its a very sociopolitical issue and problem that hes addressing. With this story, its a greater question of mans ability to effect his placeand when I say his I mean his and hers and ours, in the universe.

If we are able to alter the progress of the mechanism of our universe do we have the ability to alter anything? Do we really have freedom?

Approaching the end of a day filled with interviews, Malek sipped fernet and Coca Cola, a taste he acquired while unwinding in Argentina after filming 2010s The Pacific. I went to live in Argentina, he explained. I thought I was going to live there. I thought, Im doneIm living here until I fix my head again.

The reset must have worked, because in the ensuing years Malek started booking some of the biggest films of his career. Roles in studio blockbusters like Battleship and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn boosted his IMDb Starmeter, and a run of smaller films boosted his indie cred: The Master, Aint Them Bodies Saints, and his 2013 breakout, Short Term 12.

But, the fernet: Its got 40 fucking medicinal herbs in it, he grinned, offering Smith a taste. Its gross, and I think its so fucking delicious.

Maleks intensity and versatility are put to mesmerizing use in Busters Mal Heart, a fractured tale that sees one man navigating three disparate, cosmically connected realities. As Jonah, the night manager of a nondescript hotel in a middle-of-nowhere town, he whiles away late nights staving off a tedium thats slowly driving him mad, the dream life he longs for with his wife (Kate Lyn Sheil) and young daughter inching away with each passing shift.

Looming over Jonahs nights is the escalating paranoia of Y2K mania, underscoring how few films truly remind us how terrified we were that the year 2000 would end modern life as we knew it.

I was preparing myself for death, admitted Smith. I really thought mutually assured destruction was going to happen, all the nuclear arms were going to go off and the world was going to end. It was a great moment for me because I fully accepted deathand then nothing happened.

I think everybody at one point was like, its midnight, and I might die, but I probably wontlets just see what happens, laughed Malek.

Malek also plays a lone wild-eyed mountain man terrorizing the winter homes of Montana and a fisherman adrift at sea, whose fates are all tied to a mysterious drifter who shows up offering big answers and warnings of doomsday (DJ Qualls).

I think there are different facets in all of us, and if you invest in one aspect wholeheartedly you can create another being out of that, said Malek. We looked at this idea of love and freedom and the question of, if those are such big feelings, can they exist together in equilibrium? There is a man in the heart of Jonah who wants to love so much, and its overwhelming to a degree where that love is so strong that it splits a man into two. I think one is still searching for a knowledge of what it is to exist with love, that type of powerand the other wants freedom. The two, for him, cannot co-exist.

It was a profound piece, Malek said of Smiths script. I felt like I was reading a short story, and one that I was riveted by. You know how you want to read short stories because inevitably theres a lesson for you at the end of it? You feel like, OK, that was written with purpose and I enjoyed the hell out of it, I am moved, and I am different for some reason or another.

Smith met with Malek before Mr. Robot came out, became a cable network hit, and plastered his face all over town on billboards and bus ads. Malek remembers his nerves: As an actor youre always skeptical somewhat. You think that you have the opportunity and then theres always this doubt; am I going to ruin this for myself by sitting down and actually meeting someone?

As an artist and actor I knew he was right for it but was worried we were somehow too late to this boat, that we missed the train, Smith smiled. When we sat down in that coffee shop somebody recognized him right away and I was like, Oh, fuck.

Smiths sophomore feature has been described, for lack of more convenient terms, as an experimental drama. Its more like a philosophical exploration whose themes are big and universal, and to Maleks alter ego, tragically elusive.

Life, in a big way, can be very graceless and its funny for that reason, she said. Even in our darkest moments you think the universe can align to give us some grace, but often times its notits banal, or its clumsy, and I thought that was true to life.

I think one of the marks of going crazy is that you begin to infuse meaning where normally there wouldnt be, she continued. I wanted to tell a story about a guy whom thats happening tobut maybe it is leading somewhere, maybe it is pointing in a direction that sheds some truth on the nature of the universe.

You know whats crazy? Malek countered. When you go off on those trips, you start questioning: Why did I infuse meaning where there was really none? That was just me in that moment. But you so adamantly know it when youre in that place, that its right.

He admits that the striking parallels between Mr. Robot and Buster at first gave him pause, worried about repeating similar notes on the same theme. Then, he says, he decided to lean into the recurring questions that kept drawing him in.

I thought, I could shy away from this because there are similarities, he said, or I could go full steam ahead and get more invested in something I am concerned about, and I think many people question. Questions that Ive been asking myself. And I think the more attention that we bring to that, the more progressive we will ultimately be.
One teenager is ready to testify against dozens of California cops, alleging they abused their power and used her for sex. But she wound up in a Florida jail after one accused department arranged for her to go to rehab.

The woman, who goes by the alias Celeste Guap, claims approximately 30 officers had sex with her, some while she was underage, and claims other officers asked to act as her pimp, or paid her off in money or protection.

Seven of these officers from the Oakland, Contra Costa, and Livermore police departments now face charges for underage sex, obstruction of justice, engaging in prostitution, and public lewdness. As the accusatory witness for the prosecution, Guaps testimony is key; without it, theres no case, as Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley said on Friday.

But in a remarkably lucky break for the officers accused, Guap, 19, left California before the sentencing. Her lawyer says the arrangement smacks of a coverup.

Two weeks ago, one of the police departments implicated in her case, the Richmond PD, paid for her to go rehab out of a state fund for drug recovery and even drove her to the airport where she boarded a flight for South Florida.

Only three days into her rehab stint, Guap was arrested for allegedly biting a security guard.

Until Wednesday, Guap was in jail and the case against California cops was on hold.

It is our understanding the Richmond P.D. and particularly leadership engaged with a local agency and brought her here under false pretences, Guaps lawyer Pamela Price said in a Friday afternoon press conference, after Guap was released from jail.

The case began last September, after Oakland police officer Brendan OBrien was found dead of an apparent suicide, accompanied by a note accusing multiple officers of having sex with an underage girl, and accusing Guap of blackmailing him. In May it was revealed that four Oakland officers had been placed on administrative leave for alleged sexual misconduct. The following month, Guap stepped forward in local media, alleging years of sexual exploitation at the hands of over two dozen Bay Area officers.

Price says Guap was the victim of child sex trafficking since she was 12. She was still being exploited at 17, when she allegedly met Officer OBrien while running from a pimp. Instead of arresting her, OBrien allegedly struck up a flirtation with the underage girl. After OBrien, officers allegedly began reaching out to Guap on social media. Some paid her for sex in money, food, or tip-offs of upcoming busts against sex workers, Guap said.

Other officers colluded to act as Guaps pimp, Price said, telling reporters that you cannot have this many officers engaged in this conduct across county lines without internal communication.

On Friday, the Alameda County District Attorneys Office announced chargesincluding multiple felony accounts for underage sexagainst seven of these officers. But until Guap returns home to the Bay Area, the case cant proceed.

The Richmond Police Departmentwhich houses five officers accused of having sexual relations with Guap when she was an adult, and who are not among the officers facing criminal chargeshad tried to send Guap to rehab in July. It offered to pay for a $40,000 stay at the Florida center on the states dime.

Guap declined the offer, as she told KRON4 television station.

You going to Miami? reporter Haaziq Madyun texted her in July.

I rejected it, Guap answered.

You feel like RPD was just trying to get you out of town? Madyun asked.

Yeahlol, she replied.

Price said Guap did not require rehab.

She is not a drug addict, she said Wednesday. She is a child victim of child sex trauma and sex trafficking.

But something changed over the course of the next month. In August, Guap texted Madyun again, telling him she would seek rehab for substance abuse and after that one for sex addiction. She added that the Florida clinic would help distance her from the unfolding case. I think it [will] help me, getting away from the mess feel me[?]

Richmond police allegedly described rehab as a getaway. They said it was a paid vacation, to consider it a paid vacation, Guap told ABC7s Dan Noyes before boarding a flight to Florida. A Richmond police officer drove her to the airport on Aug. 26. Three days later she was in a Florida jail.

Price called it a carefully orchestrated transition from victim to felon.

The Richmond Police Department used funds from the states Victim Compensation Program to send Guap on her cross-country flight to a detox clinic on the South Florida coast, the department revealed in an internal investigation. Initially the department was silent on Guaps trip, before owning up to their involvement last week.

We were purposeful in trying to protect the human dignity of the teenage witness since we opened the case, Police Chief Allwyn Brown said in a Thursday misconduct investigation. He denied that police had attempted to remove Guap, instead pinning the departments media woes on her lack of reticence to be so publicly braggadocious about her own behavior and health issues.

The Richmond Police Department did not return multiple requests for comment on why it sent Guap to a Florida detox clinic instead of similar centers in the Bay Area. The Florida clinic even advertises its partnerships with other rehab facilities nationwide.

She has no family there or any ties to Florida, or any reason to be there, Price wrote on her website, other than someone in Bay Area law enforcement thought it would be a good idea for her to go there.

Once in rehab, Guaps situation quickly deteriorated.

An arrest affidavit from the Floridas Martin County Sheriffs Office describes Guap having a violent episode. Shortly into her stay at the clinic, Guap allegedly ran out into the road; three days earlier, on her way to the center, she had told a reporter that she might jump from the clinics van and into the highway. After a clinic staffer convinced Guap to come back inside, Guap allegedly became confrontational, lunging at staffers and attempting to pull over a safe. When a security guard attempted to restrain her, she allegedly bit him on the arm, leaving a mark.

She was slapped with a felony battery charge. The charge is usually handed to people who cause permanent bodily harm, attack someone with a deadly weapon, or knowingly attack a pregnant person. If convicted, she faces 15 years in prison. Her bond was set at $300,000.

Of the eight people booked in Martin County on aggravated battery charges, Guap has the highest bond, matched only by a person charged aggravated assault on a pregnant woman. Guaps aggravated battery bond is $50,000 higher than that of a 48-year-old accused of aggravated battery on an officer with a vehicle.

Martin County police said Guaps record in California played no role in her charges.

We were not aware of [Guaps] past history. It was only brought to our attention after her arrest when the California media began to contact us, Christine Weiss, a public information officer for the Martin County Sheriff, told The Daily Beast. She added that an aggravated battery charge for a bite wound is not beyond the pale. I believe its happened in the past. There was an altercation prior to when she bit someone. Its not uncommon to have that verdict for biting.

On Monday, assistant state attorney David Lustgarten downgraded Guaps charges to misdemeanor battery. He hadnt seen enough evidence to prove she committed a felony, he told SFGate. Hes offering Guap a plea deal, one that might let her return to California to testify.

But while Guap returns, the officers accused in the Bay Area case will likely not see the inside of a courtroom. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley has announced charges against seven officers, but says they wont officially file until Guap comes home.

The Alameda County District Attorneys Office did not make arrangements for or participate in sending her to Florida, OMalleys office said in a Friday statement. To the contrary, we protested her removal from California where she could receive the services she wanted and requested. An agency outside of Alameda County made arrangements to send her out of state, against our wishes and advise.

Now headed home, Guap hopes to return to school and eventually become a veterinarian. Price, meanwhile, plans to press criminal and civil charges against the officers in the hopes of proving a cover-up.

I hope I get to make that argument in closing arguments in front of a jury, Price told reporters.
Three Phoenix police officers were just standing outside a gas station early Tuesday morning when a man rammed his car into them at high speedand the whole thing was captured in a surveillance video.

Police say Marc Payne, 44, deliberately crashed his red sedan into the officers, seriously injuring two of them. The third jumped out of the way. Payne then got out of his car and struggled violently with the cops for a few minutes before they finally arrested him.

Authorities say Payne has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
If you believe that prisoners should receive treatments deemed medically necessary by the American Medical Association, you should be fine with your tax dollars paying for Chelsea Mannings sex reassignment surgery.

Just hours after BuzzFeed News reported that the transgender prisoner and former WikiLeaks source ended her hunger strike with assurances that the military would provide surgery, a predictable chorus emerged on the right. Their chief grievance: the allocation of tax dollars for a procedure that has long been recognized by major medical associations as a medical necessity for many transgender individuals.

Hot Air columnist Jazz Shaw bemoaned the additional taxpayer funded medical expenses that the surgerywhich has not yet been officially confirmed by the militarywould entail. Shaw went on to cite anti-LGBT physician Dr. Paul McHugh to claim that sex reassignment surgery is dubious in its medical benefits at best.

Over on The Blaze, Jon Street was careful to refer to Manning's potentially forthcoming procedure as a "taxpayer-funded gender reassignment surgery."

Breitbart commenters have already worked themselves into a froth over the idea that the military would pay for Mannings treatment, writing complaints like I dont want my tax dollars going to this!!! and Where is Congress. There is no way we the people should pay for this!

On social media, too, the reaction was swift and kneejerk:

Of course, all of this is just an echo of what happened when Manning secured hormone therapy in February 2015. Breitbart announced, Congratulations, Taxpayers, You Get To Pay For [Chelsea] Mannings Hormone Therapy, using her previous name instead of her chosen name in a flagrant violation of journalistic standards. And Russian news agency RT was sure to highlight in its headline that Mannings hormone therapy would be taxpayer-funded.

According to the medical community, however, there is no question that both hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery can be medically necessary for individuals suffering from gender dysphoria. In a statement to BuzzFeed News, Manning said her physician had recommended sex reassignment surgery in April 2016.

According to the American Medical Association, An established body of medical research demonstrates the effectiveness and medical necessity of mental health care, hormone therapy, and sex reassignment surgery as forms of therapeutic treatment for many people diagnosed with GID [gender identity disorder].

In a position statement, the American Psychiatric Association [r]ecognizes that appropriately evaluated transgender and gender variant individuals can benefit greatly from medical and surgical gender transition treatments and states its opposition to exclusions of coverage for such medically necessary treatment when prescribed by a physician.

As far back as 2007, the American Academy of Family Physicians argued that insurers should provide coverage for comprehensive care of transgender people including mental health care, and, when medically necessary, gender reassignment surgery.

And, according to the World Professional Association of Transgender Health, sex reassignment surgery has proven to be beneficial and effective in the treatment of individuals with transsexualism, gender identity disorder, and/or gender dysphoria. WPATH has repeatedly emphasized that this surgery can be medically necessary.

Even if youre willing to dismiss the combined wisdom of the AMA, APA, AAFP, WPATH and other medical organizations as mere political bias, Mannings surgeryif it takes placeis not likely to cost you very much money, as The Daily Beast has previously reported.

The municipalities and organizations that have disclosed the cost of providing transition-related health care have not seen much strain on their bottom line.

The city of San Francisco, for example, has been providing transition-related health care to government employees since 2001, initially estimating that there would be $1.75 million in claims annually. But a 2006 report found that there had been less than $77,000 in claims per year for the first five years. The cost per employee for adding this coverage was less than a dollar per yearso affordable that the insurer decided to treat the benefit just as it does other medical procedures such as gallbladder removal or heart surgery, according to then-mayor Gavin Newsom.

The surgery itself is not that expensive either. Some treatment centers provide sex reassignment surgery for transgender women for less than $20,000, including fees. The average cost of a knee replacement is over $10,000 more than that estimate.

So even though transgender rights are certainly controversial in the comments section, multiple major physicians associations agree that sex reassignment surgery is a well-established and often medically necessary form of treatment. And theres no evidence that providing this treatment for all transgender prisonerslet alone a single onewould create a significant burden for the American taxpayer.

If youre OK with Uncle Sam paying for prisoners to receive antidepressants or knee surgery or a CPAP machine, theres no reason to get worked up over Chelsea Mannings medical treatment.
DECATUR  Gov. Bruce Rauner told more than 200 police officers gathered in Decatur on Tuesday they were the best of the best and one of his goals in fixing the state's economy was to give law enforcement all the resources it needed.

Rauner was a keynote speaker during the 2016 Illinois Criminal Patrol Conference hosted at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel by Decatur Police and the Macon County Sheriff's Office.

The event, attended by officers from all over the state and beyond, is a four-day workshop to improve police skills in handling everything from traffic stops to giving court testimony.

Rauner, dressed casually and wearing cowboy boots, praised the attendees for wanting to increase their professional abilities.

You guys are the best, you are our heroes, everyone one of you; you are here trying to improve your skills, share knowledge with each other and strive for excellence, God bless you," he said.

The governor said the officers did their jobs in amid dark days, citing everything from terrorism coming in from abroad to violent home-grown gangs. We live in extraordnarily dangerous times, more dangerous then maybe ever in our long history, I don't know.

He said law enforcement needed the resources to get the job done, and his goal was to repair the state's finances and grow its economy while cutting wasteful bureaucracy so those resources would be there.

Rauner said fixing finances in a state that hadn't had a balanced budget in 30 years would also mean there was more money for all top priorities, such as education funding, and that would make life easier for police, too.

I want more resources in our school system because we are not educating our young people effectively and too many of them are getting drawn into gangs, in part, because our education system is failing, he added.

The governor went further, citing a bad economy that doesn't generate enough good jobs as a destructive force that damages the social fabric by stressing citizens as it plunges them into poverty and despair. He called it a vicious cycle that hurt everyone and left law enforcement facing increased problems with less means to cope.

Rauner also praised the people of Illinois as the best and most hard-working in the nation, pledging to fix the economy and turn the state around.

I promise you we are going to get there, he said. I am one of the most persistent sons of a gun on the planet.
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.
DECATUR -- Colleen Dale was one of the few who walked past the Know Sepsis Save Lives presentation at the Hickory Point Mall who knew what exactly what sepsis is.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection causes it to damage its own tissues and organs, which leads to inflammation and dehydration.

If not treated, sepsis can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and even death. It's the ninth-leading cause of death in the United States; it kills more than 258,000 people a year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Most people don't even know what it is or how it causes death," Decatur Memorial Hospital RN Katie Knapp said.

Knapp, and fellow RNs Hannah Sinclair and Andrew Kirby -- all three new nurses on the cardiac unit -- were set up in the mall early Tuesday morning handing out pamphlets with information about sepsis, along with magnets and pens.

"There are a lot of walkers out at that time, and a lot of the walkers are older, so this was our target group," Sinclair said.

Dale and her daughter Sammie of Forsyth were mall-walking when they encountered the sepsis presentation. Dale said she knew about the disease because she has a daughter who is a physician's assistant, but it hit home recently because an older neighbor of her's had it.

"She's in her late 70s, and she had pneumonia," Dale said. "They took her to DMH, and they figured out she'd developed sepsis. It affected her walking, breathing, speech and memory."

Anyone can be at risk for sepsis, though those at higher risk include those with weakened immune systems, who are bedridden, who are premature infants, who are 65 and older or who don't have a spleen.

To prevent sepsis, maintain a healthy lifestyle, wash your hands frequently and, when taking antibiotics, take the entire course and don't take them if it's not necessary.

"The most common things that turn into sepsis are pneumonia and urinary tract infections, but you can see it anytime bacteria is introduced," Sinclair said.

Sepsis can be treated successfully if the signs and symptoms are recognized early and the appropriate antibiotic therapy is administered. DMH has an adult sepsis protocol and is currently developing a pediatric sepsis protocol, according to DMH Marketing Director Mike Cassell.

Dale's neighbor was one of the lucky ones whose sepsis was caught in time.

"She was in the hospital for about a week, but she's home now," Dale said. "She's still recovering, but she's doing much better."
Dear Dr. Roach: Would you tell me about the causes and treatment of COPD? I would like to know if medication is available, and whether the progression of the disease can be slowed or stopped. Is exercise appropriate? Also, I have seen ads for stem cell therapy; does this hold any promise?

-- S.F.

A: COPD, which stands for "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," is a lung disease that limits the ability to move air into and out of the lungs. It is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., and the fourth in Canada. The two most-common forms of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Some people have symptoms of both asthma and COPD. COPD is occasionally misdiagnosed as asthma. The earliest symptom of COPD is shortness of breath on exertion, and the other important symptoms are cough and sputum production.

In the U.S. and Canada, about 80 percent of people with COPD have a history of smoking, the rest having exposure to dust and fumes in the environment.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin is an enzyme that some people are missing: These people are prone to develop COPD and liver disease. This happens in people who have never smoked, but smoking dramatically worsens the condition. People with COPD should be evaluated for this enzyme deficiency as early as possible.

Treatment for COPD is designed to improve symptoms and slow progression of the disease. Inhaled medicines to reduce obstruction, such as albuterol and ipratropium, are effective for short-term improvement in symptoms. Inhaled steroids reduce exacerbations and modestly slow progression of the disease.

For the majority of people with COPD due to smoking, the most important therapy is quitting smoking as soon as possible. Pulmonary rehabilitation, physical therapy and supplemental oxygen improve certain subgroups of people with COPD. Surgery, including lung-reduction surgery and lung transplant, rarely are used, but they may be appropriate for some individuals.

I do not recommend stem cell therapy at this time, unless it is part of a clinical trial. You can find out about trials at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Reflux suppressant

Dear Dr. Roach: I am almost 78 years old and have acid reflux. It is pretty well under control. I have been on Prilosec or omeprazole (once a day, before breakfast) since 2009. I am careful about what I eat and when, particularly in the evening. We have raised the head of our bed about 4 inches. I have had one endoscopy to stretch a stricture, and the report is that everything looked OK.

In my desire to get off PPIs, my gastroenterologist has me taking a reflux suppressant, Gaviscon Advance, 2 teaspoons daily at bedtime. This nonprescription medication is ordered from England via Amazon. He says the product available in the U.S. does not have the ingredient that the Advance from England has.

The idea is that I begin tapering off the omeprazole and substituting the Gaviscon Advance. It also comes in chewable tablets. According to the bottle label, it forms a protective layer that floats on the stomach's contents, preventing reflux. I would like to have your opinion of this medication.

-- C.P.

A: The U.K. version of Gaviscon Advance contains potassium bicarbonate, an antacid, and sodium alginate, which is intended to form a physical barrier to reflux. I reviewed several scientific studies confirming its effectiveness, both in relieving symptoms and in protecting the stomach from excess acid. It's a novel approach to the problem, and it might be appropriate for someone who can't take other treatments or in whom other treatments do not work.

I had trouble getting it from the U.K. site, but none at all from the Canada Amazon site.
Marie Brizard launches contemporary redesign

Marie Brizard Wines & Spirits (MBWS) enters a new generation this year at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, with a revived new look for its liqueurs range that is creative, modern and guaranteed to impress buyers.

Since its creation in 1763, the Marie Brizard Anisette travelled through the centuries, never going out of fashion. Today, this iconic mix is back with a new look that is synonymous with freedom of mind, non-conformism and refinement. This new look asserts Marie Brizards strong personality through a new visual identity that cleverly brings some set traditions into play while breaking others.

The historical slender feminine lines of the bottle, which is a huge part of its success throughout the world, remain unchanged and are even enhanced with multiple facets, for a defined contemporary look.

The aromatic heart of each liqueur is a skilful blend of different spirits or infusions, or even both. This requires a great know-how and the amazing talent of a woman. Marie Gentil, master liqueur maker and an expert of flavours and aromas was both the keeper of Marie Brizards secrets and the one person responsible for carrying on her work, she personifies the soul of the brand and its standards of excellence.

Kevin Baker, Marie Brizards global travel retail director, says: Cocktails have been growing dramatically around the world and Marie Brizard is perfectly positioned to reflect that trend in travel retail. We have great tasting signature cocktails, while being the perfect partners as ingredients in any drink creation. The Marie Brizard brand is widely recognised amongst the worlds best mixologists for its quality and versatility and they enter the Marie Brizard Masters global cocktail competition in great numbers, culminating in the final in Bordeaux in November.

This years relaunch sees the unveiling of an exciting new design and activation plans to engage with travellers. The Cannes exhibition provides the opportunity to share those plans with global travel retail customers.

MBWS will also be showing the new look for its multiple award-winning Gautier range. Recognised as the best cognac in the world for the second year in a row, Gautier has undergone a major strategic makeover, with a new brand personality and package design based on craftsmanship, heritage, unique know-how, and generosity. An accessible craft cognac is Gautiers new brand territory, reflecting a unique and authentic relationship to the natural elements (wood, water, cognac eaux-de-vie) in the cognac making process while the new packaging boasts vivid imagery such as vineyards and rivers, giving a strong and contemporary visual identity.

The controversial and daring Shotka, a premium high strength flavoured vodka targeted at rebellious night-clubbing fans, will also be on display. Without the narcotic effects of this most hotly debated drug, cannabis-flavoured Shotka stands out with its unique and unexpected taste. First launched in Spain during Summer 2015 in a strategic partnership with Matinee Group, one of the most prestigious nightlife companies in the world, Shotka is the focus of a targeted activation program that will run throughout this year. While the ABV of Shotka has been lowered in domestic markets to qualify it as a Hemp Liqueur, the travel retail version retains its high strength of 50% ABV, making it a duty free exclusive.

Also on display will be Sobieski, 100% pure rye Polish vodka with an authentic, rich taste and a silky finish thanks to the high quality of the rye grain used in its production. Sobieski vodka has seen continuous growth since its international launch in 2001 and has received many prestigious awards.

9 September 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor
The State of Nature report, released today - whilst tells one cheering tale: of many successes in special places saved, new habitats created, and species dragged back from the brink of extinction.

But these efforts will have to be redoubled if we are to address the year-on-year loss we can chart back over nearly 50 years and - we suspect - has been proceeding unmeasured for decades prior to this.

Along with the other 48 authors of this report, I take some satisfaction in seeing the fruit of our long labours, and its contribution to the debate about the nation's wildlife and what needs to be done.

Furthermore, the publication stands as an achievement for the 50-plus partners in the UK report, with further organisations contributing to the national-level reports for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

These partners span the spectrum from the giants of UK conservation with membership measuring in the millions, through to the volunteer-run, back bedroom-based recording societies, and in-between encompasses a range of focussed conservation NGOs and outstanding centres of research.

We all share a common ground of dedication, expertise and determination, and it is surely sign of a healthy and mature conservation movement that we can come together, standing shoulder to shoulder.

A vast Peoples' Movement of volunteer naturalists

But more than everything, this report should stand as a tribute to the many of thousands of volunteers who collect the data upon which it is based. The UK has a long and proud history of recording its natural history and most of that recording has been done by amateurs.

Of course, back in the days of Gilbert White there was no such thing as a professional naturalist, but even though recent decades have seen the increasing emergence of the professional - those like me, and my State of Nature co-authors - we are still dependent on the amateurs, although tend to avoid that word given its inappropriate connotations of inexperience.

The volunteers we rely on are dedicated, experienced, expert, and in many cases easily the match for us professionals. They give up time, bear the financial costs, brave the elements, walk many miles, ignore the blisters and the midge-bites.

The Government's statistics estimate that these volunteers put as many as seven-and-a-half million hours into recording wildlife every year, and the value of the volunteer contribution to structured monitoring schemes is in excess of 8 million per annum, whilst that in wider wildlife recording is likely an eight-figure sum.

Whilst the 'Big Society' was a political buzz phrase with a shelf-life little longer than an electoral campaign, this is just that - volunteers contributing for the greater good, providing the evidence base upon which successful conservation must be based.
The new State of Nature report pools data and expertise from more than 50 nature conservation and other research organisations to give a cutting edge overview of the state of nature in the UK and in its seas, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.

It shows the UK's wildlife to be under considerable pressure with the negative pressures - primarily agriculture, climate change and a 32% reduction in funding for conservation - significantly outweighing the positive resulting in a net loss of nature.

This is a trend identified three years ago (2013) when the first State of Nature report was published (and reported on by the Ecologist at that time) with this new report concluding that current conservation efforts to reverse the decline are insufficient to put nature 'back where it belongs.'

And writing in his foreword to the new report, Sir David Attenborough agrees:

"The news is mixed. Escalating pressures, such as climate change and modern land management, mean that we continue to lose the precious wildlife that enriches our lives and is essential to the health and wellbeing of those who live in the UK, and also in its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories. Our wonderful nature is in serious trouble and it needs our help as never before."

UK 'leading ther world' in destruction of nature

Here are some of the key findings:

Between 1970 and 2013, 56% of species declined, with 40% showing strong or moderate declines. 44% of species increased, with 29% showing strong or moderate increases. Between 2002 and 2013, 53% of species declined and 47% increased. These measures were based on quantitative trends for almost 4,000 terrestrial and freshwater species in the UK.

Of the nearly 8,000 species assessed using modern Red List criteria, 15% are threatened with extinction from Great Britain.

An index of species' status, based on abundance and occupancy data, has fallen by 16% since 1970. Between 2002 and 2013, the index fell by 3%. This is based on data for 2,501 terrestrial and freshwater species in the UK.

An index describing the population trends of species of special conservation concern in the UK has fallen by 67% since 1970, and by 12% over the last decade. This is based on trend information for 213 priority species.

A new measure that assesses how intact a country's biodiversity is, suggests that the UK has lost significantly more nature over the long term than the global average. The index suggests that we are amongst the most nature-depleted countries in the world.

The loss of nature in the UK continues. Although many short-term trends suggest improvement, there was no statistical difference between our long and short-term measures of species' change, and no change in the proportion of species threatened with extinction.

Many factors have resulted in changes to the UK's wildlife over recent decades, but policy-driven agricultural change was by far the most significant driver of declines. Climate change has had a significant impact too, although its impact has been mixed, with both beneficial and detrimental effects on species. Nevertheless, we know that climate change is one of the greatest long-term threats to nature globally.

Well-planned conservation projects can turn around the fortunes of wildlife. This report gives examples of how governments, non-governmental organisations, businesses, communities and individuals have worked together to bring nature back.

We have a moral obligation to save nature and this is a view shared by the millions of supporters of conservation organisations across the UK. Not only that, we must save nature for our own sake, as it provides us with essential and irreplaceable benefits that support our welfare and livelihoods.

We are fortunate that the UK has thousands of dedicated and expert volunteers recording wildlife. It is largely thanks to their efforts, and the role of the organisations supporting them, that we are able to chart how our nature is faring.

The UK's Overseas Territories (OTs) are of great importance for wildlife globally; 32,000 native species have been recorded in the OTs, of which 1,500 occur nowhere else in the world. An estimated 70,000 species may remain undiscovered in the OTs.



A myriad of exciting and innovative conservation projects - but we need more!


Civil society campaigners have accused the European Union of pouring unprecedented amounts of state aid into a huge energy project that runs counter to its own climate change objectives.

Critics say funding the construction of new gas pipelines from the Caspian region is also causing misery to communities living along the 3,500 kilometre route, while helping to prop up an autocratic regime in Azerbaijan.

The concerns about the Southern Gas Corridor project come amid expectations that the European Investment Bank (EIB), which is owned by European Union member states, is about to provide the scheme with up 3 billion - its biggest ever lump sum.

"The Southern Gas Corridor clashes with the [climate] science", says Anna Roggenbuck, EIB policy officer at Bankwatch, a network of environmental groups in central and eastern Europe that monitors public lending institutions.

"Once built, this infrastructure will stay till 2050 and simply increase the cost of supply to the European Union, and will perpetuate the use of gas, [while] colliding with EU energy and climate change targets."

The Southern Gas Corridor is the name given to a range of fixed links - including the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) - needed to transport gas to Europe from the giant Shah Deniz gas field, in the part of the Caspian Sea owned by Azerbaijan, to the Adriatic coast of Italy.

The BP global energy company, which is a shareholder in the gas production, has claimed that the Corridor is the global oil and gas industry's most "ambitious undertaking yet" and is "set to change the energy map of an entire region".

EU's collision course on climate change and human rights

The European Commission was not immediately available for comment, but explained some of its thinking when the TAP part of the agreement was signed off last March. "The Energy Union framework strategy of February 2015 identified this project as a key contribution to the EU's energy security, bringing new routes and sources of gas to Europe", said Maros Sefcovic, vice-president responsible for Energy Union at the EC.

There was no reference from Sefcovic at that time to EU strategies for climate change or renewable power, but he did justify the need to breach competition rules against state funding, on the grounds that the project would not be built otherwise.

The EIB, which is owned by the EU member states, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), part-owned by the EU, and the World Bank are all talking about providing loans.
Statement Regarding the Arrest and Detention of PFA Executive Board Member Garo Yegnukian

We, the undersigned members of Academic and Executive Boards of Policy Forum Armenia (PFA), are gravely concerned that Mr. Yegnukiana member of PFAs Executive Board, a repatriated Diaspora activist, intellectual, and father of fivecontinues to be held in pre-trial detention since July 19, 2016 despite the nature of charges brought against him and deteriorating health conditions.

As we learn from his attorney, Mr. Yegnukian is being accused by the investigative body for engaging in the following four activities:

On July 18, 2016, after hearing from the members of the armed group Daredevils of Sassoon that the police were moving armored vehicles toward the occupied buildings, Mr. Yegnukian publicized that fact on Facebook; On July 19, 2016, he encouraged the movement of protesters from Liberty Square toward the area close to the police compound occupied by the Daredevils; Mr. Yegnukian spread disinformation (suggesting that food provided to the Daredevils by the police might be poisoned), thus discrediting the police; and He aspired to provide radio communication from outside to the Daredevils.

It is our understanding that these activities can in no way be construed as criminal, including under the Armenian legal code. Such charges undermine the individuals right of free speech and reinforce the atmosphere of fear and intimidation in Armenia. Sadly, these trumped-up charges are merely an excuse for Armenias law-enforcers to exercise the much abused right to pre-trial detention used extensively to stifle political dissent.

Having said this, we join the Armenian Bar Associations Armenian Rights Watch Committee in condemning the unlawful pre-trial detention of peaceful protesters in Yerevan, including that of Mr. Yegnukian. Our colleaguea well-known civil activist, who contributed so much to Armenias independence since late-1980sshould be released from prison immediately pending trial, if one ever takes place considering the nature of the above charges.

We call upon Armenias bilateral and multilateral partners to impress upon the regime of Serge Sargsyan that systematic repressions of political activists and dissidents cannot be tolerated and that the empty rhetoric about political reform will no longer be acceptable.

We stand with the people of Armenia as they continue their struggle for a more inclusive political system and better governance, against massive election fraud, systemic corruption, and oligarchy, factors that have prevented the economy from growing and weakened its defenses against external threats.

Gregory Aftandilian, Member of the Academic Board

Vladimir Airapetian, Member of the Academic Board

Viken Attarian, Member of the Academic Board

Hrach Gregorian, Member of the Academic Board

AnnaLee Saxenian, Member of the Academic Board

David Grigorian, Member of the Executive Board, Co-founder

Lusine Jagharian, Member of the Executive Board

Zaven Kalayjian, Member of the Executive Board

Cc: The United Stated Embassy in Armenia

Human Rights Watch

Freedom House

International Federation for Human Rights

Amnesty International

Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner
Spencer Petras had one of his best games at Iowa

Iowa Football
A new flight linking Brusssels and Yerevan flight should become a reality sometime this year.

Tatoul Margaryan, Armenias ambassador to Belgium, has met with Jean-Arthur Regibeau (Director of Multilateral Affairs at the Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs, Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) regarding the flight and a preliminary agreement has been reached.

The flight will be operated by Brussels Airlines.
Don Maize, Arturo Vargas and Judge Benny Wilson at the monument March 20, 2017

see original stories below

UPDATE: THE MARKER HAS BEEN SETThe Hansford County Historical Commission has been in the process of moving Historical Marker #2366 to the Hansford County Courthouse.The new star was ordered in April and arrived to Judge Benny Wilson's office where it awaits the granite marker to be moved to the courthouse lawn.to view the original story clickOn Tuesday, April 5, the Hansford County Historical Commission met at the Hansford County Library.For the past year, the HCHC has been working with the Texas Historical Commission to move the Hansford County Marker into the city limits of Spearman, namely to the Hansford County Courthouse.The marker was erected in 1936 and is located at a roadside park 2 miles NE of Spearman on Hwy 15.The sign has been vandalized in past years and is missing the bronze wreath and star.Hansford County Judge Benny Wilson has agreed to have the marker placed on the courthouse lawn. A group of volunteers will move the granite marker into Spearman and the HCHC will then replace the portions of the marker that are missing.In other business, it was discussed that the HCHC will begin to seek volunteers to upkeep the 13 markers located in Hansford County.If you are interested in a project like this for your youth groups, church groups, scouts, etc., please contact the HCHC.to view the information and waypoints of the marker please clickHansford CountyMarker Number: 2366Marker Title: Hansford CountyIndex Entry: Hansford CountyCity: SpearmanCounty: HansfordUTM Zone: 14UTM Easting: 305975UTM Northing: 4011550Subject Codes: COYear Marker Erected: 1936Marker Size: 36' Centennial - Highway Marker (pink)Repairs Completed: replace round plate - bullet holeMarker Text: Formed form Young and Bexas territories. Created, August 21, 1876. Organized, March 11, 1889. Named in honor of John M. Hansford; came to Texas in 1837. Member of the Texas Congress, Judge of the Seventh Judical District, 1840-1842. Died in 1844. Hansford, the county seat. (1965)Marker Text:Formed form Young and Bexar territories Created, August 21, 1876Organized, March 11, 1889Named in honor of John M. Hansford; came to Texas in 1837.Member of the Texas Congress,Judge of the Seventh Judicial District, 1840-1842.Died in 1844.
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If Jaguar Land Rovers new Darien dealership is a feast for the eyes in its design and display, a visit to its high-tech service bay offers fresh evidence of another sort for the senses.

Theres nothing like that new car dealership smell.

With its new Darien Centre dealership, Jaguar Land Rover is showcasing a new architectural design concept expected to be replicated at other Jaguar Land Rover sites in North America. Features in Darien include an enclosed bay allowing vehicle owners to speak with a service scheduler without having to step outdoors.

Jaguar Land Rover Darien Centre will hold an invitation-only grand opening for the new facility from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at 1335 Post Road just off Interstate 95 exit 11. Jaguar Land Rover North America CEO Joe Eberhardt is scheduled to attend.

It is a return home of sorts for the dealership, with Land Rover having opened its first North American dealership at the site in 1987. It moved up the Post Road a decade later to the Norwalk border, only to bounce back when the property became available anew. About 40 people work for the dealership, which opened in July after a rebuild.

Its a continuation for Jaguar Land Rover  back to its original home, said Nick Hilton, general manager of Jaguar Land Rover Darien Centre. We could have easily been the last of the old (dealerships), but we became the very first of the new. ... It was nice to be involved with it, to be the first  it has created a lot of interest in the brand.

Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG) bought Jaguar Land Rover Darien in January 2015, adding it to its Connecticut collection of dealerships including Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich, Porsche of Fairfield and Honda of Danbury. The Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based company is the second largest automotive retailer based in the United States, earning $93.5 million in the second quarter on global revenue of $5.3 billion, with sales up 7 percent from a year ago.

Penske Automotive is counting on the new design to help further increase sales, which were off slightly in the United States in the second quarter despite pockets of strong performances, including locally. Jaguar Land Rover sales are up 26 percent in the United States to date this year.

Connecticut and New York ... were up on new units (sold) and up on used, said Penske Automotive CEO Roger Penske in a July conference call. The customer-service side of this thing is key and we are not afraid to invest in facilities.

 An earlier version of this article misstated plans to introduce architectural changes nationally, which will occur at Jaguar and Land Rover dealerships.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-964-2236; www.twitter.com/casoulman
September 16 is National Guacamole Dayalso known as an excuse to go drink margaritas and eat tacos.

This Saturday, head out to one of southwestern Connecticut's many Mexican restaurants and celebrate this special holiday.
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Heres an unusual request you dont see often: Wanted ... deer heads.

Yes, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protections Wildlife Division is collecting deer heads to test for chronic wasting disease. DEEP says CWD is a relatively new disease and, consequently, there are a lot of unknowns. The disease does not cause an immediate, widespread die-off of deer, but there may be long-term impacts to the herd if CWD is allowed to spread.

The request comes at an appropriate time, because bow hunting season for deer (and wild turkeys) starts Thursday. The state does not want the heads of turkeys.

CWD has not been found in Connecticut, but DEEP wants to make sure it isnt our state by examining the deer heads.

Wildlife officials say there may be more deer heads available this season.

The outlook for the 2016 hunting season is good as hunting conditions this fall are expected to be better than 2015, said Rick Jacobson, Director, DEEP Wildlife Division. The best opportunities are in the southwest corner of the state and many of the shoreline towns, especially for bowhunters. Many landowners use the archery deer hunting season as a safe and effective method of reducing deer populations, especially in the more developed areas of the state where firearms hunting may not be feasible.

During the 2015 hunting season, 9,113 deer were legally harvested and reported. This represents a 20 percent decrease from the 2014 harvest.

Back to the deer heads.

In an attempt to make data collection easier, hunters should fill out a Deer Head Collection Tag (http://go.usa.gov/xBbpQ) to accompany heads. Arrangements can be made to have heads picked up, according to a post on the Connecticut Fish and Game Facebook page.

DEEP says chronic wasting disease is a naturally occurring disease of the brain and nervous system in deer and elk that belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies This disease attacks the brains of deer, elk and moose and produces small lesions that eventually result in death. CWD is similar to another TSE disease, scrapie, in sheep. No evidence exists that CWD affects humans or livestock, officials say.

Arrangements can be made to have heads picked up by emailing either william.embacher@ct.gov or andrew.labonte@ct.gov or calling 860-424-3011. More information on CWD is at http://go.usa.gov/xBj9j
NORWALK  A man with a gunshot wound walked into Norwalk Hospital for treatment early Tuesday morning.

Police were dispatched to the hospital at approximately 1 a.m. on a report that the man had suffered a non life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg. The Norwalk Police Departments Detective Bureau is investigating the incident and the mans claims that the shooting occurred in the area of Washington and Water streets.

While officers were at the hospital, a victim approached them and claimed to have been assaulted on Westport Avenue earlier in the evening in an apparently unrelated incident. That victim suffered non-life threatening in the alleged assault.

Police are asking that anyone who has information about either incident, to contact them at 203-854-3011 or anonymously at any of the following contacts:

Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111.

Anonymous internet tips can be submitted at norwalkpd.com.

Anonymous Text Tips can be submitted by typing NPD into the text field, followed by the message and sending it to CRIMES (274637).

llake@hearstmediact.com
NORWALK  A months-long investigation into complaints made by an elderly disabled woman regarding fraudulent use of her credit card and checks resulted in the arrest of a woman whom the victim considered a friend.

Karry Pauling, 29, turned herself into police on a warrant Tuesday and was charged with second-degree larceny, third-degree identity theft, third-degree forgery and illegal use of a credit card.

Police say the victim, who lives on Newtown Avenue, contacted police in May to report fraudulent purchases made on her credit card. She told police that Pauling, who has been a friend for eight years, has access to her credit card and checking account to run her errands.

The victim told police that in December 2015 Pauling told her that Paulings boyfriend had broken up with her and that she was having a difficult time financially.

Police said that the fraudulent purchases began in January 2016 and the woman had been notified by her credit card company about possible unauthorized transactions. The woman contacted police on May 16, 2016.

Credit card purchases were made to United Illuminating, a power company that services the Bridgeport apartment where Pauling had been living with her boyfriend, payments to Paulings cell phone provider, Optimum cable, Wendys fast food, Stew Leonards, Macys, Amazon, and various gas stations, police said.

Unauthorized charges on the Visa card totaled $4,620.25, police said. Additionally, police said there were $1,525,07 in checks written from the womans checking account.

On May 18, Pauling reportedly sent the woman an email apologizing for her actions and offered to pay the money back.

A warrant for Paulings arrest was applied for and she turned herself in to police headquarters. Police said that she told them that she was being evicted and had many hardships, and admitted to using the credit cards to pay bills.

Her bond was set at $6,500 and she was given a court date of Sept. 23.

llake@hearstmediact.com
WILTON  A Wilton woman faces charges after causing a two-car accident that sent two to the hospital, police said.

Police said that Sarah Gioffre, 49, ignored a stop sign as she attempted a turn on to Danbury Road from Catalpa Road around 3 p.m. As a result, she struck a vehicle traveling south in the left lane of Danbury Road.
Election year politics generates much rhetoric and confusion. And the media often adds its spin. But, fortunately, there are some books around that deal with reality and can cut through the nonsense. Most of these books were not written during this election year, but what they presented can be very eye-opening on the issues raised by politicians this year.

If you are concerned about issues involved when some people want to expand the welfare state and others want to contract it, then one of the most relevant and insightful books is Life at the Bottom by Theodore Dalrymple. It was not written this year and is not even about the United States, much less our current presidential or other candidates.

What makes Life at the Bottom especially relevant and valuable is that it is about the actual consequences of the welfare state in England  which are remarkably similar to the consequences in the United States.

Many Americans may find it easier to think straight about what happens, when it is in a country where the welfare recipients are overwhelmingly whites, so that their behavior cannot be explained away by a legacy of slavery or institutional racism, or other such evasions of facts in the United States.

As Dr. Dalrymple says: It will come as a surprise to American readers, perhaps, to learn that the majority of the British underclass is white, and that it demonstrates all the same social pathology as the black underclass in America  for very similar reasons, of course. That reason is the welfare state, and the attitudes and behavior it promotes and subsidizes.

Another and very different example of the welfare states actual consequences is The New Trail of Tears by Naomi Schaefer Riley. It is a painful but eye-opening account of life on American Indian reservations.

People on those reservations have been taken care of by the federal government for more than a hundred years. They have lived in a welfare state longer than any other minority in America. What have been the consequences?

One consequence is that they have lower incomes than any other minority  including other American Indians, who do not live on reservations, and who are doing far better on their own.

The economic plight of people on the reservations is by no means the worst of it. The social problems are heart-breaking. As just one example, the leading cause of death, among American Indian boys from 10 to 14 years of age, is suicide.

As regards black Americans, there is much talk about the role of police. If you want a book that cuts through the rhetoric and confusion, and deals with hard facts, then The War on Cops by Heather Mac Donald does precisely that.

On racial issues in general, the best economic survey is Race and Economics by Professor Walter Williams of George Mason University. Just the table on page 35, showing unemployment rates among black and white teenagers, going all the way back to 1948, should demolish all the rhetoric and spin that tries to conceal the deadly effects of minimum wage laws on unemployment among black teenagers.

No community is better off for having large numbers of idle young males, hanging around with nothing to do except getting into trouble. Many other issues are covered in Professor Williams book, including racial discrimination in general and the effects of various government interventions in the economy which disproportionately create problems for low-income minorities.

Among my own books, Basic Economics is probably best for people who want to look up a variety of economic issues, ranging from rent control to tax policies and international trade. It is written in plain English and has been translated into seven languages, so apparently many people find it useful and understandable.

For those who are especially interested in issues revolving around income distribution or the concentration of wealth, my Wealth, Poverty and Politics covers those issues and cuts through much political rhetoric on that subject.

So does another book on that subject: Whos the Fairest of Them All? by Stephen Moore. It was written four years ago, but it has a special relevance this year because Stephen Moore is now one of Donald Trumps economic advisors. That is one of the very few hopeful signs this election year.
Astros strike back to win Game 2 vs. Phillies, evening up World Series

The Houston Astros won Game 2 on Saturday night to send the World Series back to Philadelphia at 1-1.
Illinois State Police are seeking more than $2 million in cash that they allegedly found in a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban that was pulled over recently near Collinsville.

The driver, Yesenia A. Guillen, 38, and a front seat passenger, Francisca B. Encinas, 43, were charged by the Madison County States Attorneys office with two counts each of money laundering.

According to court records, the women are from Tuscon, Ariz. Their van was southbound on Interstate 55/70 near Collinsville when a trooper pulled it over early in the afternoon of Sept. 4. A juvenile was in the back seat, according to a sworn statement in support of the forfeiture.

The women gave police conflicting stories about their travel itinerary, according to the statement. After one of them reportedly allowed the trooper to search the van, a police dog alerted on the presence of narcotics inside the van. The trooper reportedly found a substantial amount of cash hidden in the natural voids of the vehicle, according to the sworn statement.

According to the Information charging the pair with laundering, police found 97 bundles, rubber banded together and not in bank wrappers inside the van.

The paperwork supporting the forfeiture request claims that the women had no visible means of support and admitted they were transporting the money to Reading, Pa., where contraband was removed and the currency was loaded into the vehicle and that said currency was to be delivered to unknown persons in California.

Police are seeking to have the $2.4 million in cash forfeited to them, plus more than $1,000 in cash allegedly found in Encinas purse.

Encinas is being held without bond at the Madison County Jail in Edwardsville. A hearing to revoke her probation has been set for Sept. 15. She also faces a Sept. 23 preliminary hearing at the Criminal Justice Center on the money laundering charge.

Guillens bond is set at $200,000.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will honor seven remarkable graduates at the 2016 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony A Night Among the Stars on Friday, Sept. 30 in the Morris University Center. These alumni have achieved exploits in their respective fields, are role models and are testaments to SIUEs educational excellence.

A cocktail reception in the MUC gallery will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dinner and an awards presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the MUC Conference Center.

Those selected for the Alumni Hall of Fame represent the best of SIUE, said Alan, Kehrer, SIUE Alumni Association president. It is our honor to induct these outstanding individuals.

The 2016 honorees listed by their college or school:

 School of Business: Raj Kumar, MBA 84

Raj Kumar began his career at Nestle Purina as a design engineer in February 1982 in the corporate engineering department. He eventually progressed to his role as director of operations performance in product supply at the St. Louis corporate headquarters. He has provided technical and management support to 18 dry pet food and canning pet food production plants throughout Nestle Purina PetCare North America. He is responsible for the energy and water conservation and reduction of waste in Purina businesses. He is a certified energy manager with the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). Due to his exemplary work in resource conservation and environmental sustainability, AEE gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award by declaring him a Legend in Energy in North America.

 College of Arts & Sciences: Fred Irby III, MM Music Education 74

Fred Irby III has been a professor of music at Howard University in Washington, D.C. since 1974. He is the coordinator of instrumental music, trumpet instructor, and founder and director of the internationally acclaimed Howard University Jazz Ensemble (HUJE). In 2008, Irby received an Achievement Award in Jazz Education and was inducted into the Grambling State University Alumni Hall of Fame. At the 2009 MENC Teaching Music Awards ceremony, he received the Disney Performing Arts Award for Excellence in Teaching Jazz. He was designated a Lowell Mason Fellow at a ceremony during the MENC 2010 Music Education Week. Irby travels internationally giving lectures and charity concerts for disadvantaged children and families.

 David Williams, BS Sociology 71

David Williams serves as a distinguished professor at the School of Policy, Government and International Affairs at George Mason University (GMU) in Arlington, Va. He is also the director of GMUs Center for Organizational Performance and Integrity (COPI). Before joining the faculty at GMU, Williams served as the Inspector General (IG) for the U.S. Postal Service. Williams has served as IG for the following five federal agencies: the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Social Security Administration, the Department of the Treasury, the Tax Administration of the Department of Treasury, and the acting IG for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Williams served in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence and began his civilian career as a special agent with the U.S. Secret Service.

 SIU School of Dental Medicine: Dr. Darryl Pendleton, DMD 86

Dr. Darryl Pendleton joined the faculty of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry (UIC COD) in November 2002. He currently serves as the associate dean for student affairs and diversity affairs and clinical associate professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. In addition, he serves as the director of the colleges Urban Health Program. Previously, Pendleton served as the director of multicultural affairs at the Marquette University School of Dentistry from 1994-2002. He also served as executive director of the Milwaukee Area Health Education Center from 1992 -2003. Pendleton will accept this award at the School of Dental Medicine Deans Scholarship Gala on Oct. 15.

 School of Education, Health and Human Behavior: Thelma Mothershed Wair, MSEd Counselor Education 72, PMC Educational Administration 78

Thelma Jean Mothershed Wair made history as a member of the Little Rock Nine, the African-American students involved in the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in 1957. This followed the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education decision in which it was determined that state-sanctioned segregation of public schools was a violation of the 14th Amendment and was therefore unconstitutional. She has spent her life championing diversity efforts. Wair has been the distinguished recipient of numerous awards. Her honors include the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Spingarn Medal in 1958, the Pere Marquette Discovery Award and the Congressional Gold Medal  the highest civilian award. She received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from SIUE in May 2016.

 School of Engineering: Thomas Niederhofer, BS Civil Engineering 80

Thomas Niederhofers 30-plus year career at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began in St. Louis. He is a member of the small group of volunteer Rescue Engineers across the country that supports the National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System. In August of 2002, he was asked to help manage the San Francisco based headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers US&R Program for four months during a transition office restructuring and ultimately never left that position. The US&R provides technical and operational support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) US&R program and other state, local and International Urban Search and Rescue Programs.

School of Nursing: Dr. Nelma Shearer, MS Nursing 88

Dr. Nelma Shearer is a highly acclaimed and accomplished leader and innovator who is making an outstanding difference in nursing education, research and practice. Throughout her career she has been a passionate advocate for advancing the health and well being of older adults, and for advancing nursing education. Her work has made a sustained impact on the nursing care of older adults through her work on health empowerment theory. She is a prolific and internationally, renown author, who has co-authored three editions of a widely used graduate level nursing theory text, Perspectives on Nursing Theory and another nursing theory text, Nursing Knowledge and Theory Innovation. She recently served as associate professor at Arizona State University and the director of its Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence.

 Graduate School: Bill Luan, BS Electrical Engineering 84, MS Electrical Engineering 85

Bill Luan is a senior program manager and regional lead in developer relations team at Google. He is responsible for running Google developer outreach programs in the Greater China Region, helping business partners adopting Google technologies and platforms for their business service innovations and new product development. He is an experienced manager in high-tech product development, information system design, business strategies and process planning, industry partnership building and technology training. During the past decade, he organized many technology conferences and built a large community of developers for web and mobile innovations with applications being used by millions of users around the world.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at siue.edu/homecoming/alumni. Free parking will be available in Lot B. For more information, call (618) 650-5176.
A decade of stable rates, significant infrastructure investment, and millions of dollars in capital credit returns were the marquee messages at Southwestern Electric Cooperatives 78th Annual Meeting of Members, held Saturday, September 10, at Greenville Junior High School in Greenville, Ill. About 2,700 people from Southwestern Illinois attended the meeting, which included breakfast, health screenings, activities for kids, and the co-op's business meeting and election of directors.

For the next 10 years, youre going to have no rate increases, Southwestern CEO Kerry Sloan told members. Were going to pay back $11 million in capital credits. Were going to pay down long-term debt by $18 million. Were going to put almost $46 million into the electric system. And were going to carry close to $10 million into 2026 to cover us in case theres a big storm or so forth.

Sloan reflected on his 20 years as CEO of the cooperative, noting changes in the national economy and the rising costs of everyday items during that time. He said the national average price of electricity had gone up 40 percent since he joined the co-op in 1997.

By contrast, Southwestern Electrics rates had increased about 13 percent since 1997 and are projected to remain stable through 2025.

He praised the membership and board, characterizing Southwesterns directors as people of character and integrity. They do what you would do. You elected these people; theyre nothing less than a reflection of you.

Sloan concluded his report by announcing his retirement.

What I had here was special, he said. It was special because Southwestern is an independent co-op, which means you control your own destinynot somebody sitting in Decatur or Indiana. You do. Its been an honor and a privilege working for you, he said. I wish you nothing but success.

Alan Libbra, president of Southwestern Electric, recalled interviewing Sloan in 1997.

He had some pretty strong opinions on what cooperatives did well, and he had stronger opinions about what they didnt do so well and needed to change. He said Sloan understood every aspect of the cooperative business, ranging from large scale power generation and transmission to electric distribution to the needs and expectations of the membership.

Libbra said Sloans single-minded member focus convinced the board to offer him the job. Everything was about the member. How does this action improve the lives of my members and the well-being of their communities? Every decision, every policy proposed, was looked at through that simple prism, Libbra said. Except for that one constant, as far as he was concerned, everything was open to question, and that suited us just fine.

When the board hired Sloan, Southwestern had recently broken ties with Soyland Power Cooperative, its wholesale power provider. Libbra said nine distribution co-ops left Soyland about that time.

You know how many are independent now? One. Us. Libbra attributed Southwesterns ability to navigate the wholesale power market to Sloans acumen and experience, saying other former Soyland co-ops lacked the management, will, and expertise to run an independent co-op to the benefit of their members. In my 40 years of business experience, hes the best problem solver Ive ever seen, Libbra said.

I would put him up against any manager in the country. Because of his ability, this co-op is millions and millions of dollars better off.

Libbra went on to describe Southwesterns future as vibrant and vital.

Regarding our rates, our financing, our infrastructure and what were putting into it the next few years, this cooperative is in the best condition its ever been, he said.

He addressed member questions and comments regarding election procedures and options, board per diems and employee compensation, member rates, wholesale power contracts, and the merits of belonging to a co-op compared to an investor-owned utility.

Libbra guided the crowd through an in-depth examination of the co-ops power purchasing history, using charts and graphs to illustrate what member rates would look like if Southwestern had pursued different options when the co-ops wholesale power contract ended in 2007.

He noted that of the options available at the time, the course charted by the board and management delivered the best outcome, in the form of the lowest rates, for the membership. He also pointed out that Southwestern rates rank among the lowest of any co-op in Illinois.

Following Libbras address, members received election results. Southwestern Electric members elected one member from each of the cooperative's three voting districts to serve on the co-ops board of directors.

From District I, incumbent Sandy Grapperhaus of Collinsville defeated challenger Thomas Schardt of Edwardsville. Grapperhaus received 885 votes, while 287 votes were cast for Schardt.

Ted Willman of Greenville, an incumbent from District II, defeated challenger Jeff Tompkins of Smithboro. Willman received 756 votes, while 413 members cast votes for Tompkins.

From District III, incumbent Ann Schwarm of Loogootee defeated challengers Jerry Laue and Tony Schlanser, both of Beecher City. Schwarm received 768 votes, Laue received 207 votes and 176 members voted for Schlanser.

Each director will serve a three-year term on the board.

Based in Greenville, Ill., Southwestern Electric is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative serving close to 23,000 residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial members in parts of Bond, Clay, Clinton, Fayette, Effingham, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Shelby and St. Clair Counties.
The board of Madison County Illinois Association for Home and Community Education attended a District 6 and 7 workshop at Effingham. The workshop was sponsored by the IL. IAHCE on Aug. 11. Board members who attended were Claudia Harju, Kathy Staroba, Vi Huebner, Candy Huckleberry, Priscilla Plocher, Maureen Betts, Emily McDowell, Carol Chappell, Connie Grapperhaus, and Eleanor Gregory. Packets for the next years positions were passed out at the end of the workshop. A patriotic quilt top was on display; many HCE clubs sent in a quilt block. When the top is quilted it will be raffled off in March 2017 at the State Conference in Peoria. The money raised from the raffle will be donated to either the Gary Sinise Foundation or Hope for Heroes. The theme for 2017 is Down by the Riverside.

On Aug. 23rd the Madison County Board held an officer training meeting. Packets from the IAHCE workshop at Effingham were distributed to all officers.
The Edwardsville Illinois Kennel Club presented donations of pet food and money to the River Bend Pet Food Pantry at their recent meeting.

Sandy Eaves and Evelyn Shermer were happy to accept the donations for the pantry. After accepting the donation, they talked about the food pantry.

We supply food to owners who are having financial difficulties, Shermer said. Our goal is to allow owners to keep animals in the home if they cant afford to feed them. The group distributes the food at the Alton Public Works department.

The group has relied mostly on word of mouth, flyers, and social media to reach out to potential clients. We were at the Alton Memorial Day Parade and at Alton School registration for grades K through 8, Eaves said.

People have to be on some kind of assistance, such as unemployment, or have a low income, Eaves said. If they make less than $20,000 for a single person or $32,000 for a family, they could be eligible.

There are limits to the program, Shermer said. We only give food for up to three pets. The pantry distributes food on the last Sunday of the month. Each person can pick up a months worth of food. The pantry will also give special food with a note from a veterinarian. We will if we have it, Eaves said, noting that they dont always have special food in stock.

We started distributing in May, Eaves said. We gave away 375 pounds of food in May. In August, we gave away 2,685 pounds. We expect it to grow.

The women said the group started after they saw a need. We did an outreach event at an Alton park for SNIP (Spay Neuter Illinois Pets). We gave out toys, collars, leashes and food, and we saw a need, Eaves said.

We had a former board member who did home visits with the Land of Lincoln legal aid society, Shermer said. She saw a need. She saw people feeding animals before they feed themselves.

SNIP formed an alliance with the Metro East Human Society and Partners for Pets. We decided we were going for it, Eaves said.

The pantry has donation bins at several stores in the area. They also have donation drives outside Wal-Mart.

We dont have a big sponsor, Eaves said. We mostly have individual donations from people, either food or donations of money. They had to buy large containers to hold the food, Eaves said. Its going a lot better than I thought as far as the food goes, she said.

People who want to either donate or use the pantry can find more information at the groups Facebook page by searching for River Bend Pet Food Pantry.
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Linkedin Masajeng Rahmiasri (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

A theatrical show based on the Mahabharata epic is set to be performed in two cities at the end of September by a team of Indonesian, Japanese, Malaysian and Filipino artists.

Dubbed Mahabharata Part 3: Kurusetra War, the show will highlight the culmination of Pandawa and Kurawas long-lasting conflict, which eventually lead the two deity-descendant families into war. This performance transcends time, country and religion. It also combines what is abstract and concrete, said the show's spokesperson Asa Rahmana as quoted by tempo.co on Wednesday. He added that the performance was "trying to find a fresh approach to the past and that the story would focus on the humans instead of the deities.

(Read also: Indonesian theater steals the show at Asian theater festival)

The play is part of a project helmed by Japanese director Hiroshi Koike from Tokyo since 2013. In Indonesia, his team are collaborating with the Kelola Foundation and Garasi Performance Institute.

Prior to the third installment, the team had performed Mahabharata Part 1 in Cambodia, Mahabharata Part 2 in India and Mahabharata Part 2.5 in Japan. In Indonesia, the show is slated to be held at Societet Militer in Yogyakarta Culture Park on Sept. 24 to 25 and Graha Bhakti Budaya in Taman Ismail Marzuki on Sept. 28 to 29. (kes)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Balikpapan  Tue, September 13 2016

Mulawarman Military Command chief Maj. Gen. Johny L Tobing is seeking reinforcements to guard the border with the Malaysian state of Sabah.

Based on our evaluation, we need 10 new posts in Malinau regency on the border with Sabah, said Tobing in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Friday.

With at least 20 additional personnel at each post, 200 more soldiers would be needed to man the new border posts. The proposal has been conveyed to the Indonesian Military (TNI) commander-in-chief.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

The Jakarta administration has spent only 40 percent of the total city budget, or only Rp 24 trillion (US$1.82 billion), up to September, an official has said.

The deputy head of the Jakarta Planning and Development Agency (Bappeda), Subagyo, said the percentage was higher than that spent in the same period last year, which was 21.7 percent.

The 2015 city budget was passed in May, while this year, the city budget became effective in January, said Subagyo in Jakarta on Wednesday as reported by kompas.com.

The administration has submitted a revision of the city budget to the Jakarta Council to reduce the figure to Rp 62.9 trillion from 67.1 trillion approved early this year. This is because some projects could not be implemented this year.

Subagyo, however, expressed optimism that budget spending could reach 90 percent by the end of this year, saying that many project contractors had not been paid as yet.

He said capital expenditure reached 26.9 percent, while the remainder was routine expenditure, such as for civil servants salaries. (bbn)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Pakistan  Wed, September 14 2016

Four Indonesian students arrested by Pakistani authorities on Friday in Gujrat district, 175 kilometers from Islamabad, were released on Tuesday afternoon, an Indonesian diplomat said.

Faiez Maulana from the protocol and consular section at the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that the students had been detained because their visas expired in December 2015. However, the problems have been resolved by the students school.

We contacted the school authorities on Sunday right after we received the information about the detention. The authorities said the students were in the process of repatriation to the school as they had taken care of the students documents, such as their visas, Faiez said over the phone, adding that the detention had no link to terrorism.

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Linkedin Syamsul Huda M.Suhari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

The world might know them as "sea gypsies" for living on sea, half-a-kilometer from the nearest coastline for centuries. But little might people know that the Bajo tribe, locally dubbed as the water tribe, currently are being choked by a water crisis.

The unique tribe and its village have become a tourist destination that has attracted thousands of local and foreign visitors. However, freshwater scarcity ironically has been troubling the 1,490 people living in Torosiaje village, Gorontalo, Southeast Sulawesi, for months.

The local administration actually had installed water piping last year, but the pipes continue to be clogged on a daily basis, forcing people to buy fresh water from the nearby village onshore for Rp 10,000 (76 US cents) per drum.

The water supply is more frequently clogged than normal. To save water, here the people take a bath and wash their clothes with seawater and use freshwater to rinse afterwards, said Jekson Sompah, the Torosiaje village chief, to The Jakarta Post recently.

Responding to the report, Pohuwato regency-owned water company (PDAM) head Hairudin Usman said frequent power outages by state-owned electricity firm PLN in the region disrupted the water supply to the Bajo tribes village.

Im not trying to shift the blame but they are the facts, he said, adding that the electricity-generated pumps were crucial as gravity and pressure-based plumbing were not capable of supplying isolated villages such as Torosiaje. (ags)
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

Big lenders are cutting their deposit rates ahead of the reference rate cut, the Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) says, forcing the institution to change the methodology used in calculating the deposit guaranteed rate.

Having cut its deposit guaranteed rate by 50 basis points (bps) to 6.25 percent, the LPS deemed the move too slow compared to the industry, which has earlier seen several deposit rate cuts.

"With Bank Indonesia (BI) now using their new reference rate system [7-day repo rate], banks will be faster in reviewing their deposit rate," LPS commissioner board head Halim Alamsyah said at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Responding to the changes, the LPS is identifying the leading banks in the market's deposit rate instead of composing an aggregate rate. "The bigger banks, and especially foreign banks, dare to borrow from the inter bank money market because they have a good reputation while smaller banks do not," Halim added.

The LPS rate lags behind the industry due to its role as a buffer for bank depositors. The big and systemic banks usually have bigger bargaining power over their depositors in determining deposit rates.

Smaller banks are more sensitive to the LPS rate as they must provide deposit rates in line with the LPS rate in order to have LPS' guarantee for their depositors, while at the same time reducing the margin they gain from their lending rates to debtors. (ags)
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

The government has pulled the brand Larutan Cap Kaki Tiga (also known as Three Legs Cooling Water in Malaysia and Singapore) following a Supreme Court decision in response to a UK citizens lawsuit.

The court ruled in September in favor of UK citizen Russel Vince, finding that the brand's logo resembled Isle of Man's triskelion flag. Isle of Man or Mann is a self-governing "Crown dependency" located in the Irish Sea. Crown dependency are territories for which the UK is responsible.

The court instructed the Law and Human Right Ministrys Intellectual Property Right Directorate General to pull the certificate and prohibit the use of the logo.

"Since Sept. 2, 2016, the brand had been pulled from the list," directorate spokesman Fatlurachman said in a press release on Tuesday.

Cap Kaki Tiga is a licensed product from Wen Ken Group Singapore made by PT Kino Indonesia. However, according to Vince's lawyer, Octavian Adhar, the court decision only affects the Indonesian market.

"The lawsuit is registered in Indonesia, not at Wen Ken Drug's headquarters in Singapore. Because our client saw the product is only distributed in Indonesia," Octavian said. (evi)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14 2016

JAKARTA: The Trade Ministry has called for Indonesian exporters with exposure to Egypt to adjust themselves to the new rules imposed by the African country, which hopes to promote its own local products and strengthen its currency.



The new rules, which were introduced on Jan. 16 before taking effect March 16, requires exporters to register themselves to Egypts General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) before shipping their goods.



Aside from that, exporters can only submit documents related to customs through appointed banks. Exporters should adjust themselves soon to avoid delays of goods accepted in Egyptian ports, said the ministrys foreign trade director general, Dody Erward, on Tuesday.



In addition to the GOEIC registration, the new rules, which can also affect Egyptian importers, also requires exporters to submit several export documents translated into the Arabian language, including trademark certificates, trade business licenses and quality test certificates (ISOs).  JP

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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

The fisheries industry has asked the government to review a policy on ships that it claims has crippled business.

Businesspeople with the Indonesia Fishery Industry Association (Gappindo) said they had seen a significant drop in exports and production after the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry put in place a moratorium on the use of foreign-made vessels.

The moratorium, which was implemented from November 2014 to October 2015, froze the operation of vessels with a capacity of 30 gross tons (GT). The ministry required them to undergo permit audits and demanded that their presence be replaced by locally made vessels.

(Read also: Anti-illegal fishing measures show results, time to cut red tape: Jokowi)

As many as 1,132 ships were pulled from operations during the period of the moratorium. Some 500 ships have been cleared in the audit, but the ministry is standing its ground and obliging locals to only use locally made ships.

We have no choice but to sell the 500 ships, but its hard to find buyers from abroad. We ask the government to review its policy because we bought the ships legally, but now the sudden change in regulation has brought us difficulties, Gappindo chairman Herwindo said after meeting with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin)

recently.

Businesspeople said production and exports had dropped significantly within the past couple of years and they questioned Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data showing a positive trend in the industry.

According to the Indonesian Marine Fish Farming Association (Abilindo), the production of groupers is projected to drop to 1,000 tons this year from 4,000 tons in 2014, while the Indonesian Tuna Association (Astuin) said tuna export volumes to Japan dropped by half to 7.5 million kilograms in 2015 from 2014.

BPS data, however, shows the overall industry grew 6.06 percent year-on-year in the second quarter compared to the same period in 2015.

Gappindo members also said the local shipyard industry could build vessels with a capacity of up to around 200 GT, but at higher price tags compared to what was offered overseas.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo held on Tuesday a limited Cabinet meeting at the State Palace to discuss the issue.

I have asked the coordinating maritime affairs minister and the maritime affairs and fisheries minister to take steps to accelerate the development of the fishing industry. Just remove complicated procedures that hinder investments, he said.

The President has issued a presidential instruction to accelerate the fisheries industry but the implementation of it remains uncertain.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Purbalingga, Central Java  Wed, September 14, 2016

Around 200 followers of Muslim sect Islam Aboge (Alif Rebo Wage) in Onje village, Purbalingga regency, Central Java, performed Idul Adha prayers on Wednesday, or two days later after most Muslims across the world generally celebrate the Islamic Day of Sacrifice, on Monday.

On Wednesday morning, hundreds of Islam Aboge followers gathered at the Sayyid Kuning Mosque in Onje village to attend a Quran recitation, after which they performed Idul Adha prayers, Antara news agency reported.

After the prayers, an Islamic teacher, Kiai Maksudi, gave a sermon delivered in Javanese, during which he explained about the concept of fastabiqul khairat or race each other in all things that are good.

The preacher also asked Islam Aboge followers attending the prayers to take the wholeheartedness of Ibrahims (Abraham) sacrifice of his son Ishmael as a good example of following Allahs command in their lives.

After the prayers, the followers shook hands in greeting each other as they chanted shalawat (prayers and praises to the Prophet Muhammad).

Speaking to journalists, Kiai Maksudi said Islam Aboge followers determined the fall of Idul Adha based on a method of calculation, which had been adopted since the era of Sultan Agung of Mataram in the 17th century. Belief in this calculations method has continued until now, he said.

Based on their calculation, Islam Aboge followers believed that this years Idul Adha, celebrated every Dzulhijah 10, fell on Wednesday. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

General Electric (GE) Oil & Gas has won a contract from British oil giant BP to build the third natural gas liquefaction facility in the Tangguh liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in West Papua.

The US-based company had previously won the first and the second tender from BP for an identical facility in the Tangguh project. GE invited its associate company, Imeco Inter Sarana, in the current project.

GE Oil & Gas CEO and president for its turbo machinery division Rod Christie said the Tangguh Train 3 plant was set to supply 3.8 million tons per annum (mtpa) of LNG, bringing the total supply of Tangguh LNG to 11.4 mtpa.

"Indonesia is one of the leading LNG suppliers in Asia and also one of the fastest growing economies in the world," he said in a press statement as quoted by kompas.com in Jakarta on Tuesday.

GE will supply the liquefaction components from its plant in Greenville, South Carolina, build as well as test them in its facility in Florence, Italy, before finally delivering the components to Indonesia planned for mid-2018.

In Indonesia, Ron further said, GE Oil & Gas would employ local manpower and hold training programs to develop their capacity. Most of the gas produced by the third train in the Tangguh project would also be allocated to supply the Indonesian market, despite rising energy consumption in the world by 3.9 percent, last year. (ags)
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya and Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

The government has given a green light to the controversial reclamation project of Islet G in Jakarta Bay to resume despite the ruling of the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) that had ordered a halt to any construction activities on the artificial island.

Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, along with representatives from the Environment and Forestry Ministry, held a meeting on Tuesday on the reclamation project at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry where Luhut serves as an acting minister.

"There was no problem with the PTUN's ruling because it was not yet final and binding," he told journalists on Tuesday after the meeting.

In a court ruling issued on June 31 in favor of local fishermen in Jakarta Bay, the PTUN ordered the developer of Islet G, Muara Wisesa Samudra, a subsidiary of property giant Agung Podomoro Land, to halt its reclamation activities because of the environmental damage and social impacts it was causing, as well as its lack of legal standing. The court also ordered Ahok to revoke the citys permit for the development, issued in December 2014.

Furthermore, Luhut said that the government would make a detailed announcement on the issue on Thursday. Tuesday's meeting had several changes in the schedule. Luhut and Ahok were first scheduled to hold a 1 p.m. meeting, but then postponed it to 5:30 p.m and moved it to Luhut's office before announcing that the meeting was again postponed. The meeting proceeded at 7:30 p.m. and was moved to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry office.

Previously in the State Palace, Luhut said the decision was taken after conducting thorough studies on the project. The government would also prioritize the welfare and livelihood of as many as 24,000 local fishermen in Jakarta Bay in accordance with the order of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

"Don't say that we will not take care of the fishermen. We will even provide them [with better facilities] with funds from the local administration and from the reclamation projects," Luhut said at the State Palace prior to his meeting with Ahok, adding that he urged the public not to politicize the issue.

The previous coordinating maritime affairs minister, Rizal Ramli, announced in June that the developer of Islet G had committed gross violations as the construction of the artificial island was taking place on top of underwater electricity cables and in shipping lanes. Thus, the government decided the developer should halt the construction, as it would also contribute to environmental damage and disturb vital strategic projects and ship traffic. (rin)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

The Indonesian government will bring back 700 Indonesian haj pilgrims who went to Saudi Arabia through the Philippines before facing legal process, an official has said.

Ronny Sompie, the Law and Human Rights Ministrys immigration director general, said on Wednesday that the Indonesian government would cooperate with the Philippine government to bring back the haj pilgrims through the Philippines.

We are trying to identify the names of the 700 haj pilgrims. Their names are in the hands of Philippine intelligence and immigration officials, Ronny said at the Ministry, adding that his office would be happy to receive suggestions on how to deal with the issue.

Minister Yasonna Laoly earlier said the Indonesian pilgrims passed Philippine immigration and entered Saudi Arabia with fake Philippine passports, using the Philippines' haj quota because of Indonesia's long waiting list for the pilgrimage.

Indonesians who register now to go on the haj will have to wait for more than 10 years before they can depart to Mecca. (wnd/bbn)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14 2016

Jakarta City Council plans to draft a spatial planning bylaw on the citys basements as the city begins projects that require underground space.

The bylaw was required given the number of projects using underground space that have been launched, said council head Prasetio Edi Marsudi.

The city has been using underground space to accommodate residents mobility. In particular the construction of Mass Rapid Transit [MRT], which is currently in progress, said Edi as quoted by beritajakarta.com on Tuesday.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14 2016

A fire razed four semi-permanent houses and a furniture workshop on Jl. Pulo Kambing in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, on Tuesday.

The fire began at 2 p.m. and is thought to have originated in a garbage dump next to the affected buildings, said Gatot Sulaiman, operations head of the East Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency.

We suspect that the fire spread from the garbage dump, but the police will investigate the incident further, he said as quoted by beritajakarta.com.

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Linkedin Rita Widiadana (The Jakarta Post) Durban, South Africa  Wed, September 14 2016

Gentle reminder: AIDS activists hold placards as they attend a march called Keep The Promise 2016 through the streets of Durban, South Africa, on the sidelines of the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) in mid-July. (JP/Rita Widiadana)

Thirty years ago, there was very little hope for people affected by HIV or AIDS, the most advanced stage of HIV, with many considering it a death sentence.

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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

Indonesia must diversify China trade

With Chinas demand for commodities showing a downward trend, Indonesia needs to explore cooperation in alternative sectors with the worlds second-biggest economy as the latter transitions from a manufacturing economy into a consumer- and service-led economy, experts and analysts have warned.

China has been a major export destination for Indonesian commodities, particularly coal and gas. However, the ongoing global economic slowdown and Chinas effort to promote the use of renewable energy has seen a brake being applied on the import of those commodities.

In 2013, China imported 266.7 million tons of coal from all over the world but this dropped to 155.9 million tons last year, according to data from the Geneva-based International Trade Center.

(Read also: Indonesia leans toward China)

Indonesias coal exports to China nosedived from 89.7 million tons in 2013 to 36.7 million tons in 2015. The export of liquefied natural gas to China, meanwhile, increased slightly from 2.3 million tons to 2.8 million tons in the 2011 to 2015 period.

In anticipation of Beijings attempts to transition from a growth model based on construction and heavy industry toward greater reliance on consumer spending and services, calls are mounting for the Indonesian government to take advantage of the change despite the economic turbulence that would occur during the transition period.

Chinas economy grew 6.7 percent in the first quarter of 2016, the slowest in seven years, and remained unchanged in the subsequent quarter.

A recent report by Deutsche Bank indicates that even a 1 percent point slowdown in Chinas real GDP could lead to a 0.5 percent decline in the global GDP and an almost 1 percent point drop in Indonesias GDP.

In order to tackle this, Bank Central Asia chief economist David Sumual said Indonesia could take advantage of Chinas consistent oversupply of processed goods and import them for domestic infrastructure needs.

We can also invite China to invest more here, especially in the infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, which the government has been focusing on. This way, the global overcapacity can be handled and we can fulfil our investment needs, he told The Jakarta Post recently.

Meanwhile, HSBC Indonesia managing director Ali Setiawan said that Chinas slowing economy was Indonesias chance to get creative as it had been spoiled for several years by Chinas high demand for commodities. We can no longer rely on China now that their growth is slowing down. Back then, there was a lot of development that needed a lot of commodities and we, like many other emerging countries, were spoiled. Now its time for us to get creative and think up new ways to grow, he said.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo displayed strong signals during the G20 Summit early this month, indicating that Indonesia would continue to maintain strong economic ties with China,

Several notable projects between the two countries have emerged recently, including Indonesias first ever high-speed railway, secured in a US$5.1 billion deal between a China-Indonesia consortium and a multi-billion dollar financing agreement between the China Development Bank and Indonesian state banks.

Speaking to reporters last week, Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chairman Thomas Lembong said that Chinese investors had already expressed great interest in Indonesias industrial sector, especially in the cement, metals and smelter sectors.

The governments enthusiasm for Chinese investments is palpable with the BKPM having established a China Desk earlier this year to help answer all investment-related questions from Chinese investors.

The BKPM recorded last year $21 billion in investment commitments from China. Of this amount, the agency has seen $2.1 billion in realized commitments. With the new China desk, the agency is aiming for a 42.86 percent commitment increase to $30 billion this year.
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Linkedin Mriganka Jaipuriyar (The Jakarta Post) Singapore  Wed, September 14 2016

Backed by top oil producers, Saudi Arabia and Russia, Indonesias refining sector development has finally picked up.

However, this may not be good news for oil product exporters.

The regions largest gasoline and gasoil importer has been notorious for planning a spate of refining projects with companies globally over the last two decades with no result. Indonesia last built a new refinery in 1994.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

The Indonesian Migrant Workers Network (JBMI) has called into a question President Joko Jokowi Widodo's statement that Indonesia would proceed with its plan to execute Philippine death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso during his bilateral meeting with visiting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the State Palace in Jakarta last Friday.

JBMI Hong Kong  Macau coordinator Sringatin said Jokowis decision showed his administrations uncompassionate character to the fate of migrant workers falling victim to human trafficking and drug syndicates.

Mary Jane is a victim, just like dozens of Indonesian female migrant workers who are currently facing the death sentence abroad. Moreover, a legal process to charge a recruiter, who had entrapped her, is still ongoing in the Philippines. Will the Indonesian government execute a victim who is still fighting for justice, she said as quoted by kompas.com in a written statement on Wednesday.

Sringatin further said Jokowis claim that Duterte had given the go-ahead for Velosos execution as the basis of his move was unacceptable. With such a decision, she said, Jokowi showed that he did not consider the fate of 209 Indonesian migrant workers currently facing the death penalty abroad, 63 of who were female.

The Indonesian government has adopted the Human Trafficking Law since 2007; thus, the government should uphold both justice and protection for trafficking victims, such as Mary Jane, Merri Utami [an Indonesian drug trafficker whose execution was cancelled in July] and other victims, in line with mandates of this regulation, said Sringatin.

President Jokowi reasserted on Tuesday that Duterte had given the go-ahead to Indonesian legal authorities to process the execution of Mary Jane's death sentence. (ebf)
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

Lender Maybank Indonesia has called on the Indonesian government to promote Islamic financing as an alternative funding to boost infrastructure projects in the country.

Maybank Indonesia president director Taswin Zakaria said infrastructure projects covered tangible assets such as land and equipment that could be securitized for Islamic financing such as sukuk.

"We view Islamic financing as an alternative, not a substitute, that can be used simultaneously with conventional financing [] Were looking to finance more government projects using Islamic loans," he said during Maybank's Invest ASEAN 2016 event on Wednesday in Jakarta.

Islamic financing, he further said, would attract money from the Islamic world, such as from Middle Eastern investors in Indonesia as the infrastructure projects were mostly supported by the government.

Maybank's sharia unit, Maybank Syariah, disbursed 80 percent of its Rp 10.8 trillion (US$817.25 million) loans in the first half of 2016 to the infrastructure sector. However, it is currently struggling with unsafe gross non-performing financing (NPF) of 5.58 percent.

Along with bank loans, the lender through Maybank Kim Eng Indonesia boosted Islamic financing in Indonesia last year by arranging sukuk totaling Rp 6 trillion (US$ 454 million) issued by big companies such as XL Axiata, Tiga Pilar Sejahtera Food and Maybank Indonesia itself. (ags)
Slowly, in fits and starts, more of Madisons top culinary positions are being taken by women, who serve as executive chefs, sous chefs and ch
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Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14 2016

Japan has expressed its commitment to expediting the processes related to the development of the multi-billion-dollar deep-sea port in Patimban, West Java, following the conclusion of a preliminary study for the joint project.



Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yasuaki Tanizaki claimed that the feasibility study for the project, conducted by the Indonesian and Japanese governments, had been completed. The study, for example, laid out how the port will support the economic development of the surrounding area in the next 10 years.



Our conclusion is the seaport is required. It is compatible with the Tanjung Priok and Kalibaru [ports], he said on Tuesday, referring to the countrys biggest trade gateway in Jakarta and its newly extended New Priok Port, respectively.



Japan is also in the process of drafting the detailed engineering design (DED) for the project, expected to be finished in the beginning of 2017, Ambassador Tanizaki said.



Meanwhile, the economic counselor with the Japanese Embassy, Mari Takada, said Japan would pursue the quickest method to expedite the DED.



The designated Patimban Port, located about 70 kilometers from the Karawang Industrial Estate and Bekasi in West Java via the Pantura toll road and 110 km via the Cipali toll road, will have a container capacity of 1.5 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) once it is partly completed by 2019 and will be expanded to 7.5 million TEUs by 2027, half that of Jakartas Tanjung Priok Port.



The Japan and Indonesia joint project is considered one of the national strategic projects, as it is expected to help ease the flow of goods and services into the country.



The megaproject was previously planned to be built in Cilamaya, also in West Java, but was moved to Subang over safety concerns.



The government expects the new port to provide more ease in the distribution of goods shipped into the country, which has been plagued by staggering logistics costs.



During a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in May, President Joko Jokowi Widodo also extended a guarantee to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that Japan could develop the project.



Japan has been conducting a feasibility study on the port since July, adding to the previous feasibility study on the project done by the Transportation Ministry.



The exact figure for the projects cost is still being calculated and is to be included in the DED. The government previously estimated it to hit US$3.08 billion, with the expectation that $2.2 billion of the total project cost would be covered by a Japanese loan.



However, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) slashed the limit of foreign loan participation in the project to just $1.7 billion, at least until 2019, citing administrative reasons.



Separately, Transportation Ministry port director Mauritz HM Sibarani said the current timeline for the Patimban project was on schedule.



We are expecting the loan agreement can be completed by March or April [next year], he said, adding that the timeline was made to adjust to Japans financial year. He cited that the land procurement was also ongoing, with a total of 300 hectares to be procured by the regional government, although the land for an 8 km access road was already secured.

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Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang The Jakarta Post/Jakarta (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

Despite public outcry and criticism of some of his policies, President Joko Jokowi Widodo has maintained a high approval rating, a public opinion survey has found.

In recent months, Jokowi has been under fire for some controversies including the recent fiasco over the citizenship of Arcandra Tahar, the former energy and mineral resources minister. Jokowis tax amnesty program has also been under scrutiny.

But all of this has not apparently impacted Jokowis popularity or his perceived acceptability. A recent study by the Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that a majority of Indonesians approve of him and his performance in government.

Of the 1,000 respondents that the CSIS interviewed for the survey, 66.5 percent said they were satisfied with the work of Jokowis administration. The survey recorded an 10.1 percent increase in popularity from what the administration achieved last year.

The study found that Jokowis strongest approval rating came from male respondents who resided in villages across Java. According to the study, his supporters are mostly less educated and come from low-income groups.

They attribute their confidence in Jokowis administration to improvements in four sectors  the economy, law, politics and the maritime sector. Among these sectors, the administrations economic performance was deemed the most lacking although respondents expressed confidence in the governments commitment to improving the countrys economy.

CSIS researcher Arya Fernandes said the high approval rating was due to Jokowis priority programs to provide accessible health and education through the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan), the Workers Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan), the Indonesia Health Card (Kartu Indonesia Sehat), the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) and the Prosperous Family Card (KKS).

The majority of the people regard these services as beneficial to them, Arya said on Tuesday.

The CSIS conducted the study from Aug. 8 to Aug. 15, not long after Jokowi announced his second Cabinet reshuffle.

The study found that public confidence in Jokowis ability to consolidate political support had also grown after two years of running the country. A majority, 56.8 percent of respondents, perceived more harmonious relations between the executive and legislative bodies.

They are confident that Jokowi can successfully manage the big political coalition that currently supports his administration following the inclusion of the Golkar Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN).

With the Golkar Party and PAN joining with the government, there are 386 out of 560 legislative votes now guaranteed for Jokowis programs, with 113 opposition votes for the Gerindra Party and the Prosperous Justice Party and 61 undecided votes belonging to the Democratic Party, which claims itself to be neutral.

The large legislative support given to Jokowi appears to be a positive thing for some but not for Phillips Vermonte, head of the CSIS, who says it could potentially negate peoples voices.

We dont see an effective legislative body that checks the work of the government, he said. The government will be uncontrollable.

Commenting on the study, Golkar politician Nurul Arifin said the party was long aware of Jokowis popularity, which motivated the party to nominate him for the 2019 presidential election.

We have been to more than 50 regencies throughout the country and we can see the massive support from the locals for Jokowi as reflected in the study, Nurul said. It is clear where the support for Jokowi comes from. Thus, we will focus on nurturing these voters because they are the true voters despite criticisms of the government.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

A political expert has warned a large coalition supporting President Joko Jokowi Widodos administration will weaken the system of checks and balances within the government as political parties in such a coalition tend to neglect public concerns and instead fight for the sake of their own interests.

The presence of opposition parties is needed to ensure the system of checks and balances in the current government runs well, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) executive director Philips J. Vermonte said on Tuesday.

He made the statement in response to the result of a recent CSIS survey that found 71 percent of 1,000 respondents believed Jokowi would be able to manage his supporting coalition, specifically after Indonesias second-biggest party, the Golkar Party, and the National Mandate Party (PAN) decided to support the government.

With Golkar and PANs support, Jokowi has stronger support at the House of Representatives, with 386 out of 560 lawmakers standing behind him.

The survey also found that, however, 51.4 percent of respondents believed House lawmakers had not monitored the implementation of the legislation properly, although 56.2 percent of those surveyed said the House had done a good job in creating laws.

Golkar lawmaker Nurul Arifin said although her party had joined Jokowis supporting coalition; it would not hesitate to criticize the government if necessary.

We will remain critical but of course we will deliver criticism through a proper channel, she said. (wnd/ebf)
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Linkedin Corry Elyda and Callista Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14 2016

Despite a court ruling that ordered a halt to the massive reclamation project in Jakarta Bay, the central government has made a decision to allow the project to proceed.

Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said on Tuesday that the project could recommence as all legal and environmental hurdles had been cleared and all that remained now were technical problems.

Luhut said the decision was made after taking into consideration a number of studies including on the fate of fishermen and their livelihoods once the reclamation project was complete.

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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

Lender Maybank Indonesia is pessimistic over credit growth next year and has said the double digit growth forecast by the central bank was too good to be true amid the weak real sector.

Maybank Indonesia has forecast credit growth at 7 to 10 percent next year and consumer loan growth at 10 percent, said the lenders president director, Taswin Zakaria.

"Our corporate loans are still hampered by weak commodity prices, while in the consumer segment, especially mortgages and car loans, we see weak demand," he said in Jakarta during Maybank's Invest ASEAN 2016 event on Wednesday in Jakarta.

Regarding the infrastructure sector, which the government is currently focusing on, Maybank Indonesia will focus on loans to the subcontractors.

"Five percent of the Rp 117.5 trillion [US$8.89 billion] in loans in the first half were disbursed for infrastructure. We hope to see it increase further next year," Taswin said.

Bank Indonesia recently projected 11 percent target for credit growth for next year, mostly from the infrastructure and consumer sectors as it had eased the loan to value requirement. (ags)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly defended on Wednesday the unusually speedy reinstatement of Arcandra Tahars citizenship and dismissed perceptions that the government had given the ex- energy and mineral resources minister preferential treatment.

It only took two weeks for the ministry to regrant Arcandra his citizenship after having lost his Cabinet position due to a dual nationality, which is illegal under the Indonesian laws.

Under normal circumstances, it can take people months or even years to regain their lost citizenship. The fast reinstatement process has spurred speculation that President Joko Jokowi Widodo intends to return Arcandra to his Cabinet post.

Yassona compared the restoration of Arcandras citizenship to the thousands of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia who lost theirs after casting ballots in Malaysian elections.

Arcandra's case has received additional attention because of its political overtones, Yasonna said.

Jokowi appointed Arcandra as energy and mineral resources minister on July 27. Twenty days later, he was dismissed for owning both Indonesian and American passports.

Yasonna said that Arcandra gave up his US citizenship on Aug. 12, approved by the US Department of State on Aug. 15. He automatically lost his Indonesian citizenship regardless, leaving him stateless.

However, the government is committed to helping stateless Indonesians regain their citizenship, Yasonna added. (wnd)
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Linkedin Ruslan Sangadji (The Jakarta Post) Palu, Central Sulawesi  Wed, September 14, 2016

The body of a suspected East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group member was found in the Puna River in Tangkura village, South Poso Pesisir district, Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

No identity card was found on the body but based on his physically distinct features, authorities suspected he was Andika Eka Putra, alias Andika, alias Hilal, a terrorist suspect included on the polices most-wanted list (DPO) from Poso.

The finding was based on a report from locals who said they found a dead body in the Puna River, said Operation Tinombala task force spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Hari Suprapto on Wednesday.

After receiving the report, a task force team was dispatched to the location to take and move the body to the Poso General Hospital.

The force also reported that its personnel had arrested Basri, alias Bagong, one of MIT top figures. Both Basri and Andikas body are on their way from Poso to the Central Sulawesi Police headquarters in Palu.

It was earlier reported that Basri took the position of MIT leader following the death of Santoso, alias Abu Wardah, during an ambush on July 18. Basri was convicted of mutilating a junior high school student in Poso and was sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2007. He managed to escape, joined Santosos group in 2013 and became his second-in-command. (ebf)

Busted: Operation Tinombala Task Force personnel escort MIT terrorist group member Basri, alias Bagong (center), arrested in Poso. (JP/Ruslan Sangadji)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

An official has admitted that the Law and Human Rights Ministry does not have a clear legal umbrella for reinstating the citizenship of Indonesians who have lost their nationality, however, the Citizenship Law holds to the basic principal that the country does not acknowledge statelessness.

The principal was used by the ministry to reinstate the citizenship of Arcandra Tahar, the former energy and mineral resources minister, said Freddy Harris, the ministrys director general for public law administration in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Arcandra used to have dual citizenship, Indonesian and US, which is illegal under Indonesian law, but he said that he had given up his US citizenship on Aug. 15.

Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said it took some time for the ministry to decide on Arcandras fate.

He further said that according to the Citizenship Law, he could not deprive Arcandra of his Indonesian citizenship as the law stipulated that officials who cause a citizen to lose his right to citizenship will be sentenced to up to three years imprisonment.

Hence, the ministry had decided to issue a ministerial decree, stating that Arcandra was an Indonesian citizen, Yasonna said. (wnd/bbn)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Wed, September 14 2016

For years the world has let a ruthless leader threaten East Asia at nuclear gunpoint. The region is inching closer to nuclear war because the world is powerless against a dictator whose survival can only be ensured if he has nuclear weapons at his disposal.

The man is Kim Jong-un, the absolute leader of North Korea. A combination of brutality, ferocity and ruthlessness are some of the keys to his success in maintaining power in the extremely impoverished nation. Unfortunately, his ambition is likely to go unchallenged because of the distrust among countries that would have enough power to stop his deadly adventure if they could cooperate.

China, Japan and South Korea are facing a new level of military tension as North Korea is no longer far from becoming a full nuclear state. Beijing is the only power that could halt Pyongyangs nuclear adventure, but even President Xi Jinping has refrained from going too far because he has little trust in Japanese leader Shinzo Abe. A total export ban from China would be the most effective way to force Kim to behave, but such a move is very unlikely.

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Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang, Haeril Halim, Ina Parlina and Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

Jakarta hinted on Tuesday that Philippine death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso may walk free if a court in her home country finds her not to be a guilty party in the drug trafficking case that she was involved in.

The Attorney Generals Office (AGO) said the execution of Veloso would not happen any time soon because the ongoing court process in the Philippines has not yet been completed.

The Philippine authorities have asked Veloso to testify as a witness in a trial in which she has been identified as a victim of human trafficking.

We have to respect the legal process in the Philippines, AGO spokesperson M. Rum told reporters.

Veloso was spared execution at the last minute before she was to face a firing squad in April last year after her alleged recruiter in Manila, Maria Kristina Sergio, admitted that she had duped Veloso into smuggling 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her suitcase into Indonesia.

The arrest was followed by strong support for Veloso from then Philippines president Benigno Aquino, who personally appealed to Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo to grant her clemency, saying she could be a witness in prosecuting drug rings.

Concern over Velosos fate mounted when Jokowi met his new counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte, who is notorious for his brutal approach to illegal drugs.

Under his watch, extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers and abusers have taken place on a wide scale in the Philippines. Various media outlets have reported that more than 2,000 suspected drug abusers and dealers have been killed since Duterte launched a war on drugs after he was sworn into office on June 30.

Since Jokowi took office in October 2014, he has ordered the executions of 18 people, most of whom were drug traffickers.

Although Jokowi and Duterte remained silent about Velosos fate after their meeting over the weekend in Jakarta, Jokowi opened up on Monday, saying that Duterte gave Indonesia the go ahead if Veloso is indeed to be executed.

The claim quickly triggered a response from Manila that directly clarified what Duterte said to Jokowi during the meeting. Philippine presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte only told Jokowi: Follow your own laws. I will not interfere.

While applying weaker pressure to prevent Velosos execution than his predecessor, Duterte refrained from directly supporting capital punishment for one of his own citizens.

Jokowi on Tuesday once again explained the results of his meeting with Duterte regarding Veloso.

He acknowledged that Duterte expressed his respect for the Indonesian legal system, which for him served as a clear message that Indonesia could proceed with carrying out the execution.

In the same event, Jokowi also praised Dutertes consistency in the fight against drug abusers and dealers, which is similar to his tough stance.

I see a high degree of consistency in Duterte in the battle against drug trafficking, he told reporters after the inauguration of the New Priok Container Terminal One.

Rum claimed that no instruction had been given by the President to the AGO on Veloso and the government was still monitoring the trial in Manila.

He said the AGO believed that the information provided by Veloso was still needed by the Philippines to uncover the human trafficking crime; thus, they would not rush to execute her.

Velosos lawyer Agus Salim said that he was preparing the paperwork needed for legal actions to anticipate an unfavorable verdict in the trial that may bring harm to his client.

Agus added that Veloso was scheduled to give testimony to the Philippine authorities, a plan that was still subject to close coordination between the authorities of both countries. (win)
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Linkedin Nethy Dharma Somba (The Jakarta Post) Jayapura  Wed, September 14 2016

Police in Papua have increased security measures by sending two special teams to Puncak Jaya regency following the fatal shooting of a teacher in the regencys Mulia district.

Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said Tuesday that the special teams would help local police and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel in Puncak Jaya to hunt down the perpetrators.

We will hunt down and arrest the perpetrators who committed the barbaric and inhumane act of shooting and killing a teacher who taught children everyday to become smart, Waterpauw said at Sentani Airport in Jayapura while seeing off the special teams.

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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

The National Police are stepping up the hunt for the gunman in a mysterious shooting that left a teacher dead in Mulia district, Puncak Jaya, Papua on Monday.

"Were paying [the case] special attention and our personnel remain on alert. There are at least three Mobile Brigade [Brimob] battalions deployed to secure the area," deputy National Police chief Comr. Gen. Syafruddin said on Tuesday.

The National Police will coordinate with Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel to maintain security, he added.

The unidentified assailant shot dead 27-year-old Ezra Patatang, a contract teacher at an elementary school in Mulia district at 6.30 p.m. on Monday, as he moonlighted as an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in Karubate village.

A preliminary investigation suggested that Ezra, whose body was found 10 meters from his motorcycle, was shot at close range, Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said.

Police have sent his body back to his hometown in Masamba, South Sulawesi. (rin)
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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has reiterated that continuing the reclamation project of Islet G in Jakarta Bay is in-line with the national interest, particularly in preserving Jakarta as the nation's strategic city and improve local fishermen welfare.

Apart from preventing land subsidence and easing annual flooding, the reclamation is important to increasing the supply of raw water to be processed as drinking water, according to Luhut.

"When the giant seawall construction has finished, research shows that seawater higher than 2 meters can be processed into drinking water. It can be pumped at a rate of 45 m cubic per second or about 40 percent of our water needs," Luhut said on Wednesday.

Speaking about the fate of fishermen, he went on, the government was improving their welfare by providing them with housing facilities, health services and education assistance for their children, as well as developing floating storage that would serve as a fish processing site.

On June 31, the Jakarta Administrative Court ordered the developer of Islet G, Muara Wisesa Samudra, subsidiary of property giant Agung Podomoro Land, to halt its reclamation activities, but Luhut said the decision was not binding as the Jakarta Administration appealed to a higher court.

He argued that state-owned electricity firm Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), and the Environment and Forestry Ministry had conducted a thorough study on the project that supported its continuation. (bbn)
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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

Indonesia is drafting a code of conduct to follow up on trilateral maritime cooperation it has agreed with Malaysia and the Philippines to strengthen security in regional waters, a senior minister has said.

Although an agreement has been signed by the three countries, were still mulling over a code of conduct and it cannot be composed in a hurry because it is related to laws existing in each of our countries, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto told journalists on Wednesday.

The minister said the code of conduct being drafted by the government would detail coordinated patrols through which the three countries would bolster security on their maritime borders, which have been prone to incidents of piracy and kidnapping in recent months.

The government is also working on a code of conduct to strengthen joint efforts to secure the release of hostages abducted by militant groups in the southern Philippines, he added.

Signed in August by the Indonesian, Philippine and Malaysian defense ministers, the trilateral maritime agreement lays a foundation for the three countries to hunt pirates in Philippine waters. Wiranto said the details were being deliberated so that the coordination would not contravene the laws of each country.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gave the go-ahead for Indonesia to pursue pirates into Philippine waters during his meeting with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in Jakarta last Friday. Commenting on whether Indonesian forces were allowed to enter the countrys waters in pursuit of pirates, Duterte said: "They can go ahead and blast them away." (ebf)
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Linkedin David Roman, Pooja Thakur Mahrotri, and Chanyaporn Chanjaroen (Bloomberg) Singapore  Wed, September 14, 2016

Never mind that Singapore is experiencing one of the worst property slumps in its history, demand for luxury housing is suddenly coming from an unexpected group: wealthy Indonesians.

This years purchases by Indonesian nationals of homes valued at S$5 million ($3.7 million) or more have already nearly quadrupled from last years total. The stepped-up buying coincides with the passage of a law in Jakarta aimed at getting Indonesians to repatriate or pay taxes on an estimated $300 billion that had fled to Singapore during previous periods of unrest, lest those who took their money out be found out for tax evasion -- a reason cited by three property agents as a primary reason behind the purchases. Indonesians were the top foreign buyers at the luxury OUE Twin Peaks tower, which went on sale in July.

Were seeing a big increase in Indonesians buying the most expensive property, said Ang Kok Leong, a senior agent at SLP Realty Pte, who cited Indonesians concerns about Singapores upcoming move to share financial information as the single biggest motivation for his Indonesian clients. These people are generally in tune with this kind of situation back home, so if Im not about to let the Indonesians know what I have, I will buy in Singapore.

Indonesia, Singapore and other countries are adopting global tax reporting requirements to tell each other about nationals holding assets abroad. Indonesians moving money into property are counting on only assets held in banks, not in real estate, being shared, agents and brokers say.

Surging Demand

While the numbers in the official data are small, they show surging demand that likely understates the real total. Indonesians bought 30 Singapore properties valued at S$5 million or more between the start of the year and Aug. 17, compared with only eight such deals for all of 2015, according to the governments Urban Redevelopment Authority. Disclosure of nationality is voluntary.

During the first half of this year, Indonesians bought 189 properties of all values in Singapore, 23 percent more than in the same period last year, data from Cushman & Wakefield Inc. show. While purchases from Chinese and Malaysians declined during the second quarter, transactions by Indonesians rose 19 percent.

Not all Indonesians buying real estate are seeking to avoid taxes, of course, and some may see value in a market that bottomed out in prime areas at the end of 2015. Indonesians are drawn to property in Singapores center, especially the Orchard Road area where the OUE Twin Peaks towers are located. Apartment prices there have risen 0.6 percent since their low at the end of 2015, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

At the OUE Twin Peaks development, where luxury condos in the second tower of the 36-story high rises went on sale in July, the developer sold almost half the first batch of 86 units with price tags of as much as S$4 million, with Indonesians the top foreign buyers, according to Propnex Realty Pte, a company handling sales for the project.

A Propnex agent who asked not to be identified said the strong demand from Indonesians came as a surprise. Its a marked change from past sales of downtown luxury homes, such as the Marina One Residences last year, when Indonesian buyers accounted for just three of about 200 units sold, Cushman & Wakefield data show.

Indonesian President Joko Widodos ambitious tax amnesty plan, under discussion since earlier this year and ultimately passed in June, is aimed at repatriating Indonesian cash stashed overseas while giving evaders a way to come clean.

Tax Rates

Under the amnesty, Indonesians are to pay a tax rate starting at 4 percent on declared property or funds left overseas. It increases in stages to 10 percent as the amnesty period draws to a close in March. Those who send their money home and keep it in Indonesia for at least three years pay 2 percent and are offered a wide range of possible investments. Those who dont declare and are found out face paying 200 percent of the tax owed.

The tax amnesty deal may attract S$5 billion to S$9 billion of Indonesian funds deposited in Singapore, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analysts Kevin Kwek and Norbert Topouzoglou wrote in a July 21 report. Most of the assets are probably invested in properties, securities or businesses, and are thus less likely to be repatriated quickly, they said.

Wealthy clients typically allocate about 20 percent of their assets to property, according to Evrard Bordier, Singapore-based managing partner of Swiss private bank Bordier & Cie. That percentage might increase because of the new tax transparency standards from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that both Singapore and Indonesia have agreed to, he said. They currently dont include reporting on real estate holdings.

Important Changes

This global shift into increased transparency will no doubt result in subtle yet important changes in the portfolio allocation of a typical high-net-worth individual, said Bordier, noting that the global trend toward sharing information across jurisdictions eventually will make hiding money in property difficult.

In response to a request for comment, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the countrys Ministry of Finance said Singapore is ready to help in any case of suspected cross-border tax evasion.

Singapore and Indonesia have yet to agree to the mechanisms needed for the automatic exchanges of information under OECD tax standards, due to come into effect by 2018. Until then, information transfers including information on property ownership take place upon request between the two tax authorities.

Expectations of motivating substantial repatriation whilst there are still doubts/lack of clarity may be overly optimistic, Vishnu Varathan, an economist with Mizuho Bank Ltd., said by e-mail. Declaring taxable monies to be repatriated could subject their accounts/finances to more scrutiny.

Zero Tolerance

Yet with the implementation of automatic exchanges of information between Singapore and Indonesia being just "a matter of time," Sum Yee Long, professor of accounting at Singapore Management University, said in an e-mail, "it does not make sense for Indonesians to hide their unreported income in Singapore via property purchases," which can be easily traced.

"The Singapore government has made it very clear that it has zero tolerance for illicit funds," he said.

Singapore is currently mired in its most prolonged housing slump on record. Home prices in the city-state fell for the 11th straight quarter in the three months ending June 30, posting the longest losing streak since records started in 1975.

Singapores government is holding steadfast on cooling measures it has rolled out since 2009, for fear of inflating a property bubble. The measures, including a stamp duty on foreign buyers, limit the investment appeal of what is still a key high-end housing market in Asia. Wealth advisers and property agents say property is often seen as a conservative investment option and a way to store wealth at a time of economic uncertainty and mediocre returns in financial markets.

Safe Haven

"Indonesians see Singapore as a politically stable safe haven," said Jasslyn Yeo, Singapore-based global market strategist for JPMorgan Chase & Co.s asset management unit. This is an important factor, especially at this time when you see so much instability in the region.

Indonesian wealth fled the country as far back as the 1960s when violence against ethnic Chinese was part of a campaign by President Sukarno to stamp out Communism. Other periods of instability include 1998, when anti-Chinese riots coincided with the ouster of President Suharto, and thousands of ethnic Chinese took refuge in Singapore and elsewhere.

Unlike Singaporeans, who mostly buy to reside in properties and take time to decide, Indonesians often close deals in a matter of days and arent picky about details, the agents say. They typically look for amenities such as hot tubs and swimming pools, as well as private elevator entrances, a feature that has become popular in recent years.

This kind of buyer, sometimes they will come wearing big sunglasses if theyre famous, so you dont recognize them, and often they come with their own family agent, said Kent Tan, an agent with realtor Home Guru Pte, who has seen a recent uptick in the number of queries by Indonesians. These buyers know Singapores market very well and have known it for many years.
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Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14 2016

A Syria-based Islamic State (IS) fighter from Indonesia named Bahrun Naim, widely considered a rookie by veteran militants, has gradually emerged as one of the most dangerous suspected terrorists in Southeast Asia.

Bahrun has been accused of masterminding, or being linked to, at least four of the latest terrorism plots in the region, including a plan to attack Singapore with a rocket from Batam, Riau Islands. In addition, the man is believed to have ordered Malaysian militants to attack selected targets in their country.

Unlike his fellow militants, Bachrumsyah and Abu Jandal, two other Indonesian militants who have aspired to become leaders of the pro-IS movement in the region, Bahrun has been openly and aggressively recruiting followers on social media.

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Linkedin Mario Rustan (The Jakarta Post) Bandung  Wed, September 14 2016

Fifteen years ago, world history restarted. After 10 years of peace and globalization, American primacy was crushed with the collapse of the twin towers.

Three years after Sept. 11, 2001, the United States was despised throughout the world, Tony Blair had fallen from being the worlds hippest leader to the pathetic sidekick of George W. Bush, and Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide were suspicious of each other.

That year was not exactly a peaceful time for Indonesians either. Blood was shed in several provinces due to religious conflicts and communal violence.

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Linkedin Paivi Hiltunen-Toivio, Johanna Brismar Skoog, Stig Traavik and Casper Klynge (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14 2016

This week, Indonesian State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno visits the Nordic countries, accompanied by a large delegation of state-owned enterprises.

The purpose of the visit is to explore how Indonesia and the Nordic countries can expand their partnership across an array of sectors.

We are proud to welcome the delegation as a concrete sign of the deepening partnership between Indonesia and the four Nordic countries of Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Individually we might be small in population in comparison to Indonesia, the worlds fourth largest country, but our economies put together would be the worlds 11th largest economy.

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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

A chemical toxicologist from the University of Indonesia's School of Mathematics and Science who appeared as an expert witness for murder defendant Jessica Kumala Wongso challenged prosecutors to make cyanide-laced Vietnamese coffee in court to prove the validity of the testimony of the National Police toxicologist who claimed Wayan Mirna Salihin died from cyanide poisoning.

If prosecutors want to make the cyanide-tainted coffee, we can make it in court. In a laboratory, the maximum cyanide limit that can be used is 10 milligrams per liter, where some people have suffered from dizziness only by its smell, toxicologist Budiawan told judges at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday.

He rebutted the testimony of police toxicologist Nursamran Subandi who served as a witness for the prosecution and said in a previous hearing that there could have been from 7,400 to 7,900 milligrams per liter of cyanide in Mirna's coffee, meaning Mirna would have consumed about 298 milligrams of cyanide with one sip of the coffee.

Budiawan said that amount of cyanide would have had a distinct smell that would filled the entire Olivier restaurant.

"The people there should have been disturbed by the smell. The people who were close to the cyanide could even have fainted because of the smell," he said.

However, prosecutor Wahyu Oktaviandi brushed off Budiawan's statement by saying that forensic toxicologist I Made Agus Gelgel Wirasuta, who had been presented as an expert witness by the prosecution, had devised and conducted six scenarios for coffee making using cyanide. He said Gelgel was fine afterwards and simulation produced reactions different from what Budiawan said they would. (rin)

Editorial note: Paragraph one of this article has been corrected.
Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

A chemical toxicologist testifying for murder defendant Jessica Kumala Wongso has questioned the method used by the police's toxicologist to determine the poison type found in victim Wayan Mirna Salihin's body as it was not clearly stated in the police report.

What was the method used by the toxicologist? The method to determine the poison as cyanide was not described in the police's report. From many different poisons, why did Nursamran finally conclude it to be cyanide? Budiawan, a chemical toxicologist, said in defence of Jessica Kumala Wongso to the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday, while referring to toxicology expert Nursamran Subandi from the National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim).

Budiawan said he believed Nursamran's estimation of the cyanide amount in the Vietnamese coffee was invalid. In a previous hearing, Nursamran stated that Mirna's coffee might have contained 7,400 to 7,900 milligrams per liter of cyanide.

Even if there was around 10 mg of cyanide per L, immediate evacuation of people around it would have needed to occur. If there was 7,400 to 7,900 mg per L cyanide in Mirnas coffee, the cyanide should have been smelled throughout the cafe, Budiawan added.

In line with Jessicas previous expert witnesses, the Australian forensic doctor Beng Beng Ong and medical doctor Djaja Surya Atmadja, Budiawan said a victim of cyanide-poisoning would have specific symptoms such as reddish skin and thiocyanate substances found in the liver. The witness felt this was not the case with the police's report that stated Mirna did not have any of those symptoms. (rin)
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Linkedin Armand Galang & Leila B. Salaverria (Inquirer.net) Central Luzon  Wed, September 14, 2016

Judge Anarica Castillo-Reyes, who is hearing the human trafficking charges against the suspected recruiters of convicted drug mule Mary Jane Veloso, will fly to Indonesia this month to observe Velosos deposition on her case from her prison cell in Jakarta, according to Velosos counsel.

A deposition is the testimony of a witness gathered outside the court for use in a trial.

Malacanang on Tuesday said Veloso was not about to be executed anytime soon for being a drug courier in Indonesia and that the administration would appeal for clemency for her later when the trial of her recruiters in the Philippines could help show her innocence.

Clarification

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella issued the clarification amid calls for the Palace to clarify the Jakarta Post report that Mr. Duterte had told Indonesian President Joko Widodo to please go ahead if you want to execute her (Veloso) during their meeting in Jakarta last week.

Malacanang said on Monday that what Mr. Duterte had told Widodo was follow your own laws, I will not interfere.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the statements of Mr. Duterte and Widodo were the samethe Filipino worker will be executedas Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Leila de Lima urged the Duterte administration to clarify its position on the fate of Veloso.

In a speech at Villamor Air Base, Mr. Duterte on Tuesday said he never mentioned Veloso during his meeting with Widodo.

The President said it would leave a bad taste in the mouth to beg for something from Widodo while he himself was waging a relentless campaign against illegal drugs back home.

What he told Widodo was that he thought it was a good thing that Indonesia had a death penalty, as it could bring things down to the barest minimum.

I said go ahead and implement the law. I never, we never, mentioned about Veloso, Mr. Duterte said.

He also told the Indonesian leader that the Philippines would respect the judgment of Indonesian courts.

It would have been a bad taste in the mouth to be talking about having a strong posture against drugs and here you are begging for something, he added.

Leniency

Abella said the Duterte administration would seek leniency for Veloso if and when the Indonesian Supreme Court decided to schedule her execution.

The Indonesian government has indefinitely postponed her execution after it allowed her to testify in the illegal recruitment case of the people who had hired her for overseas work, he said.

This was even before the meeting between Mr. Duterte and Widodo, he noted.

It is only after Veloso played her role in the recruiters trial that the Indonesian Supreme Court is expected to decide on her fate, Abella said.

The outcome of her recruiters trial could be used to help save her, the presidential spokesperson said. If it can be clearly seen that shes innocent, then that could be the ground for plea for clemency.

Consul to get deposition

The deposition will be undertaken by the Philippine consulate in Indonesia, said Velosos counsel, Josalee Deinla of the National Union of Peoples Lawyers.

Public trials require a witness to provide an oral account of his or her testimony before a judge. But the court allows deposition in cases when a witness is ill or is incarcerated like Veloso, who was found guilty of smuggling 2.2 kilograms of heroin into Yogyakarta airport in 2010.

Reyes announced her decision to go to Indonesia with the lawyers of Veloso and the accused illegal recruitersMa. Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilaoduring the last trial in August. The next trial is set for Oct. 27.

Sergio and Lacanilao are on trial for qualified trafficking for allegedly enticing Veloso with an offer of a job abroad but instead making her transport illegal drugs to Indonesia.

Deinla said there was no deadline set for the resolution of the case.

If everything goes as were hopingsuch as the court granting leave to take the deposition with no further objections from the defensethe deposition may be undertaken within the month, Deinla said.

Veloso was supposed to have been executed in April last year, but President Widodo postponed it, heeding the appeal of then President Benigno Aquino III to allow the Philippines time to prosecute Velosos alleged recruiters.

Witness vs recruiters

Aquino informed Widodo that Veloso was a vital witness against Sergio and Lacanilao.

As for reports that Mr. Duterte had given Widodo the green light to go ahead with Velosos execution, Abella said Mr. Duterte had said he respected the judicial process of Indonesia and would accept whatever decisions they would have on her case.

But this was assuming that Velosos role in the trial of her recruiter had been completed.

The Philippines would nevertheless appeal for clemency in the Indonesian Supreme Court should it decide to schedule her execution.

If and when the Supreme Court decides to act on the execution, that would be the time to present the compelling evidence of Velosos innocence as a justification for a plea of clemency, Abella said.

For Lagman, the statements of the Philippine and Indonesia leaders were one and the same.

No difference

There is no difference between the statement of the Indonesian president and our President. The bottom line is, Let the judicial processes proceed and he will not interfere, to ask for mercy. I think that is the bottom line of the statements, Lagman said.

The lawmaker wondered why Mr. Duterte honors the Indonesian judicial processes when he has been disregarding the judicial processes in the Philippines where drug suspects are caught and killed.

Heartbroken

De Lima said she was sad and heartbroken that the President will throw away all our efforts to save a life just like that, when it is still in his power to request the holding off of the execution.

She, however, said it should no longer be a wonder that Velosos life may be of no worth for an administration, which has adopted judicial or extrajudicial execution as policy.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said it was regrettable that we are now getting conflicting reports regarding the actions of the President on the Veloso case.

Santos, chair of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, urged the court handling Velosos recruiters to pursue the case more vigorously as its resolution could help the situation of Veloso.

Let us continue to pray for her, that her life be spared, he added.

With reports from Tarra Quismundo, Nikko Dizon and Julie M. Aurelio
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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

The European Union (EU) has devoted roughly half of its financial assistance to support ASEAN connectivity, specifically in sustainable and inclusive economic integration and trade.

The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of 2015 provides an opportunity to intensify EU-ASEAN cooperation, said Franck Viaul, the head of cooperation with the EU delegation to Indonesia.

Connectivity through sustainable and inclusive economic integration and trade is among three focal points in EU-ASEAN cooperation, aside from cooperation in climate change and disaster management and comprehensive communication.

Aside from concentration in selected sectors, we also work on larger multi-annual programs. Between 2013 and 2016, the average size of EU-ASEAN programs increased from 6.5 million to 22 million each," Viault said on Wednesday in Jakarta.

To share the EUs experience in integration, the economic bloc has offered ASEAN Regional Integration by the EU (ARISE)  a technical facility designed to help develop the ASEAN single market and production base with 15 million in funds from 2013 to 2017.

"The program will end next year," he went on to say, adding that the new ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (ARISE Plus) was expected to be approved this year.

In addition to that, the EU has provided 3.5 million in funds over three years to support ASEAN integration by strengthening law enforcement networks and cooperation at regional transit hubs. (ags)
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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

The EU launched the first edition of the EU-ASEAN Blue Bookan overview on development cooperation between ASEAN and the European blocon Wednesday.

Francisco Fontan, the EU Ambassador for the Blue Book launch ceremony at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, said the EU and ASEAN, as the two most advanced regional organizations in the world were committed to joint efforts in many areas.

"The EU has significantly increased in fact, more than doubled its development cooperation funds to support the ASEAN regional integration agenda from 2015 onwards. I believe that the enhanced EU cooperation with ASEAN, as outlined in this Blue Book, will contribute to an ever stronger partnership between the two regions," Fontan said.

The first dedicated development report highlights a number of joint efforts between the EU and ASEAN in 2015. The EU members represented the world's leading aid donor last year with 68 billion (US$76.3 billion) of funding, providing more than half of the total official development assistance.

EU funding for ASEAN regional development cooperation for the 2014-2020 period is set to reach 196 million. This comes in addition to EU bilateral cooperation with individual ASEAN countriesincludes more than 2 billion in grantsand assistance from individual EU members.

The programs are mainly on political and security cooperation, economic programs boosting harmonization of standards, transport and customs procedure statistics and intellectual property, as well as supporting higher education, small farmers, disaster management, the fight against climate change and overall policy dialogue. (ags)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, September 14, 2016

A world-class blue whale museum is slated to open on Jl. Gajahmada in Semarang, Central Java.

A 33-meter-long whale skeleton, which is currently undergoing a cleaning that can take up to three months, is said to be the highlight of the place.

Publicly listed herbal medicine producer PT Sido Muncul director Sofyan Hidayat, who is also a collector, told kompas.com the museum would become one of Semarang's primary tourist attractions.

(Read also: Semarang to rejuvenate Little Netherlands old town)

"The entire world will come to Semarang; this museum is the first in the world to display a 33-meter-long whale," said Sofyan in Semarang on Tuesday.

The skeleton of the rare species was reportedly found on Timor Island in West Nusa Tenggara. "Blue whales used to live in the North Pole under ice in water 2,000 meters deep," he said. "This is real skeleton; I found the whale stranded and dead on Timor [Island]."

The museum will also feature original heritage collections from the Majapahit and Singapore kingdoms, with jewelry worn by the kings to precious artifacts and 2,000 keris (traditional dagger) that have the same length as a sword. "The keris collection from Majapahit are long and made from meteor stone; different from those of the Mataram era that are usually short," said Sofyan. (kes)
Today's guest post was written by Emma Parker, Founder and Director of Playful Promises, a UK-based lingerie label known for trendy designs that manage to be vintage-inspired yet thoroughly modern.

Some time ago there was an article on the Lingerie Addict that raised some concern in me. It was well-meant and intended to help people make better ethical choices when purchasing lingerie. However to me, it read as a list of Made in the West brands, which I worry is a way of US and Europe-based brands exerting a type of cultural superiority over skilled workers in economies like India, China, or Mexico.

Going further, I believe it's false to assume Made in the UK or Made in the US garments are inherently better, and that this idea helps maintain a status quo which asserts an inherent inferiority to non-US, UK, and EU produced goods.

The 2013 disaster at the Rana Plaza Factory was tragic. It was a textbook case of greed over humanity, and rightfully chills most of us to the core. It made many people aware of the need to ask about ethical production in fashion. However, great care must be taken to not say clothes produced in Global North are good while those produced in the Global South are bad. The real situation is far more complex.

My brand, Playful Promises, has been manufacturing in China for around ten years now. My company also designs and manufactures undergarments for numerous "high street" or mass market retailers. At Playful Promises, we take strong action to ensure the factories we use operate within acceptable ethical guidelines. The main code of practice for these guidelines is the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code.

The ETI Basecode is based on the International Labour Organization's Conventions and Recommendations, and it covers such things as fair working hours, rates of pay and the right to form unions.

Third party companies such as Intertek and SGS perform ethical audits to make sure factories are compliant with the ETI Basecode, thereby ensuring these reviews are independent. The main purpose of these audits is not to pass or fail factories in a way that could shut them down and take take away peoples livelihoods, but to work with factories on benchmarks and plans that will help to make them better employers and suppliers.

My main production experience is in China. And making garments in China does not mean they're inherently "bad" or low-quality. Playful Promises does not own the factories we work with. Instead, they're owned by Chinese people, and we sub-contract our orders to them. Most of our factories are smaller, with a staff of less than 40 workers.

For the last 12 years, I and my team have traveled to China regularly, usually between 3-6 times per year. In addition to the fun things like designing, sampling, and sourcing, we also review factory audits and make sure our factories are complying with extra health and safety measures such as providing metal gloves for workers who cut fabrics and having a metal and needle policy on-hand (so that you, the consumer, do not accidentally receive sharps in your undergarments).

Whilst I generally believe the ETI Basecode is a force for good (and for big factories, it usually is), it can also feel like an exercise in the most awful form of cultural imperialism to be marauding around factories in China telling them that they should run their companies the way we would be required to in the UK. Many of these external regulations take no account of differences in working patterns. Nor is there any attention given to differing cultural attitudes around work commitments and employment contracts. Ill give a couple of examples to highlight these points.

In the US and Europe, companies close down for only a few days national holidays per year. Employees take their annual leave at different times, but the company as a whole stays open. In China's garment factories, the factory itself closes for a set period of time, and everyone takes their annual leave at the same time, usually for an extensive period. This means employees tend to work longer hours per week, but they also have longer holidays. During Chinese New Year, for example, most garment workers take 4 weeks of leave. There are also Spring and Autumn Festivals, and most factories close around 3-7 days for each. In addition to these closures, there are another 4 days national holidays when a factory will close for 1-2 days at a time. All together, this works out to roughly 2 months of leave per year, which is much higher than US or European factories, but is "balanced out" by longer work weeks. Another example is giving notice when it's time to leave a job. In US and European companies, extensive notice is typically given, so one's old employer has enough time to find a replacement. In China's garment factories, this concept is quite different. Factories ensure workers give notice by taking a financial deposit from them (usually equivalent to one month's wages), and returning this deposit if they gave one month's notice to the company before leaving. However, because guidelines insist that Chinese factories use European-style work contracts (i.e. no deposits), it means employees often leave without giving notice. European brand dont understand why a factory can't know how many workers they'll have from month to month (especially after a major holiday, like the Chinese New Year). I believe it would have been a better solution to remove the policy of deposits, but to get someone on board who understood local culture for a better solution.

On a more personal level, it is quite insulting to Chinese factory owners to suggest they would abuse their staff if I or another Western company wasnt there to monitor them. I often find myself apologising and attempting to explain that it's part of my responsibility to my customers to make sure the work place is safe. Yet I can't help but imagine how I would feel if I was selling my goods to a company in China and they kept stopping by to check my office every 3 months to make sure I wasnt abusing my employees and colleagues. I would be outraged - as would most Western companies.

The next point this leads me to is pay. In the factories we work with, everyone earns above the national minimum wage set by the Chinese government (which is a living wage that varies by region of the country). The lowest paid workers (those earning exactly minimum wage) are performing relatively unskilled tasks like attaching hang tags to garments and packing them in polybags. Most sewing workers earn around two to three times the minimum wage and a skilled pattern maker or production manager earns 4-6 times the minimum wage per month.

Interestingly, lingerie manufacturing has evolved very little in regards to automation and all goods are made literally by hand. The definition of handmade at this point is a marketing term that simply means one person finished the garment from beginning to end, often on a sewing machine.

However, all lingerie is - even garments from China - is made by hand by skilled individuals with sewing machines. And while I'm not suggesting Made in China lingerie is equivalent to artisan-made lingerie, there is still an undeniable level of skill involved.

Also, it is worth remembering that garment employee experiences in the West are not universally positive or ethical either. A recent study found garment workers in Los Angeles made as $3.80 per hour, which is almost a third of what is required by law in the state of California.

At the end of it all, what I'm trying to say is that it's worth questioning yourself if you blindly put faith in the Made in the UK or Made in the USA labels. There are good and bad employers in every country. There are many skilled workers in every country. And skilled garment workers in companies like China dont deserve to be considered inferior simply because they're located in China.

Perhaps the best way forward is encouraging more transparency in the supply chain so that we as consumers can know which brands and manufacturers are committed to producing quality goods with workers paid a fair wage - no matter where in the world they are produced.
When Yuh-Line Niou came out victorious in the battle for Sheldon Silvers former assembly seat it was a repudiation of the stubborn grip Mr. Silver held on the Lower Manhattan district he had dominated for decades. Nious triumph over (interim Assemblywoman Alice) Cancel, as well as four other opponents who promised a post-Silver fresh start for the district, may confirm that Mr. Silvers clout is truly on the wane  and that voting patterns may have reflected the shifting demographics in the area. [New York Times]

A Lower East Side woman, Linda Ceasar, was arrested yesterday, three months after her sons father was found dead in the Bronx. [Daily News]

Theres a meeting to discuss improvements at Tompkins Square Park tomorrow night. [EV Grieve]

Heres the schedule for San Gennaro. [Time Out]

Have you ever seen that old photo showing a woman holding up a sign that reads, I adore my lesbian daughters? The woman is legendary Lower East Side activist Fran Goldin. Heres part of her back-story. [BuzzFeed]

A Fashion Week profile of Lower East Side shop owner Maryam Nassir Zadeh, the woman behind one of the most tastemaking boutiques in New York. [Vogue]
Today the city is expected to announce plans to create a two-way bike lane on Delancey Street, leading to and from the Williamsburg Bridge. The idea is part of a larger initiative to make accommodations for commuters as the MTA plans for a shutdown of the L Train tunnel between Manhattan and Brooklyn in 2019. The story was first reported late last night by the Wall Street Journal.

The proposal is part of the Department of Transportations five year plan. It encourages stepped up bike usage, as well as improved mass transit. According to the Journal:

The plan, to be released Wednesday, also calls for a new, indoor, city-owned secure bicycle parking site on the Manhattan side of the bridge, near connections for four other subway lines. The site could serve as a prototype of a new kind of bicycle-storage system near transportation hubs The two-way Delancey Street protected bike paths would run from Allen Street east to the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge, under current city plans. Under a pilot project, parking for dozens of bicycles would be made available next year, officials said, inside the Delancey and Essex Municipal Parking Garage, a 24-hour-a-day facility on Essex Street. Nearby is a subway stop on the F, J, M and Z lines. Similar secure bicycle parking will be provided in warm weather at transit hubs next year as part of the pilot.

Transportation and safety advocates have been calling for protected bike lanes on Delancey Street for many years. Its a plea that, until now, the Transportation Department, has rejected. Well have more throughout the day as this story develops.

UPDATE 11:01 a.m. The DOT has now made its strategic plan public. Heres what the document says regarding Delancey Street.

DOT will continue to develop bike access plans to its bridges and will implement four bridge access projects in the next two years. The agency will continue implementation of its Harlem River Bridges Access Plan and develop a plan for a protected bicycle lane on Delancey Street to better connect cyclists to the Williamsburg Bridge, the busiest East River bike crossing.

In a separate section of the report, the agency states:
Yuh-Line Niou came out victorious tonight in the battle for Sheldon Silvers former Assembly seat. In the Democratic Primary, she beat out five other candidates to win the race in the 65th Assembly District. Among those defeated tonight was Alice Cancel, who won a special election in April to serve out the remainder of Silvers current term.

Here are preliminary results from the State Board of Elections:

Yuh-Line Niou: 2742 votes, 31.55%

Jenifer Rajkumar: 1612 votes, 18.55%

Paul Newell: 1381, 15.89%

Alice Cancel: 1069 votes, 12.30%

Don Lee: 984 votes, 11.32%

Gigi Li: 827 votes, 9.51%

(A total of 8692 votes cast; 43094 registered Democrats in 65AD)

Niou and her supporters celebrated a hard-fought victory at Hotel Chantelle, the club on Ludlow Street. It took us two tries, she exclaimed, in brief remarks. Back in the spring, she ran unsuccessfully on the Working Families Party line after the local Democratic County Committee chose Cancel as its nominee.

Niou continued, This victory silences the voice of hate, of racism, of division  desperate pleas of a clubhouse and a so-called progressive who reverted to Trump-style attacks We are smarter. We are better than those who claim to be Democrats but run like Republicans. We need unity and I will provide that unity in the Assembly.

[These remarks were an apparent reference to an anonymous flyer that surfaced during the final week of the campaign. The flyer insinuated that Niou was being supported by politicians seeking to pander to the Chinese vote.]

Niou is virtually assured of winning the General Election in November (the 65AD is overwhelmingly Democratic). Her victory is precedent-setting. She joins Ron Kim, Nious former boss, as only the second Asian-American in the State Legislature. Tonight, Niou said, We are a caucus of two, finally I am humbled to be the first Asian American to represent Chinatown or any part of Manhattan in the State Legislature.

Niou thanked key supporters, including New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Sen. Daniel Squadron and Assembly member Kim. She also expressed her gratitude to the Working Families Party and local supporters, such as former City Council member Allan Gerson and Chinatown leaders, including Virginia Kee, Justin Yu, Chris Kui and Chung Seto.

Now we begin the hard work of governing, said Niou. We live in a time of voter dissatisfaction with the status quo. We need to work hard to give the voters the change that they deserve.

Niou, 33, was formerly chief of staff to Assemblyman Kim, who represents sections of Queens. She came to New York in 2010 to take part in the National Urban Fellows Program. Previously, Niou worked as a legislative assistant in Washington State and as a lobbyist for the Statewide Poverty Action Network. She lives in the Financial District with her fiance (the wedding was delayed due to the assembly campaigns).

Sheldon Silver held the Lower Manhattan seat from 1976 until his conviction on federal corruption charges last year. Cancel had the backing of the Truman Democratic Club, Silvers political organization. She is already raising the possibility of challenging Niou in a couple of years. Heres a statement Cancel released a short time ago:

This has been an incredible journey, one that could not have been done without the unwavering support of my husband, my family, and my supporters. While I am disappointed that I will not be able to continue to work as your representative in the New York State Assembly, that certainly does not mean the task is done. I will never stop fighting to improve the quality-of-life of the community or stop bringing attention to the issues most important to us: affordable housing, local control of education, over development, and rejuvenating Chinatown small businesses. I was honored to have been challenged by some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated candidates, who brought an incredible amount of talent and earnestness to this campaign. A crowded primary points to a robust and thriving democracy, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in such a diverse and devoted field of candidates. I congratulate Yuh-Line on a hard-fought victory. I look forward to working with her on continuing to improve the lives of the residents of the 65th Assembly District. This district has been my home for 30 years, I remain as its District Leader and I know you will see me again in two years.

More reaction to come tomorrow.
This week sees the release of the highly anticipated Blair Witch, the sequel to the classic found footage horror The Blair Witch Project.

Adam Wingard's update follows on twenty-two years after the disappearance of Heather Donahue in the Black Hills in Maryland, with her brother James and his fellow college students venturing in to the notorious forest to search for his lost sister.

In honour of the return to the terrifying Maryland forest and the rise of the Blair Witch, we take a look at some of the most renowned found footage films in the subgenres history.

So grab your shaky handy-cam and sit tight, things are about to get jumpy...

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Advertised as real life footage found after three student filmmakers went missing while shooting a documentary, The Blair Witch Project may well be the most famous and chilling found footage film there is.

In the students attempt to make a documentary about the Blair Witch legend, all that is left behind of their time in the woods is the footage of their time in the woods. Events and sightings such as eerie sounds, creepy rock and twig formations and even a missing party member eventually leads the filmmakers to believe that the Blair Witch maybe isnt just a legend after all. The lines between reality and fiction really start to blur and we cant help but wonder if something really is hiding in the woods

Truly terrifying stuff, that inspired a whole generation of cheap genres filmmakers to pick up their cameras and give this whole 'found footage' thing a go.

Cloverfield (2008)

Captured on a hand-held video camera, J.J. Abrams' and Matt Reeves' Cloverfield documents a group of friends who venture into the streets of New York to find a lost friend while a destructive monster terrifies the city. The erratic taping shows brief glimpses of a colossal monster which creates chaos across the city.

With collapsing infrastructure, mass evacuation and a decapitated statue of liberty, this shaky recording gives an authentic feel to a huge-scale creature-feature disaster film. The length of the whole thing is also just about the same length as a long-running MiniDV tape which is used in camcorders. Could it get any more authentic?

Although it couldnt quite convince people that this was something that actually happened (like The Blair Witch Project) its still a pretty solid addition to the found footage genre.

The Visit (2015)

More faux-documentary than found footage, M. Night Shyamalans most recent thriller tells the story of two siblings who go to stay with their estranged grandparents.

With some already questionable behaviour and unusual rules, grandma and grandpas behaviour becomes alarming and siblings Becca and Tyler start to suspect something isnt right.

The film is shot entirely in the documentary style by the eldest sibling Becca, who wants to document the meeting and visit to their grandparents house for the first time. In true M. Night Shyamalan fashion, a terrifying twist results in a dramatic turn of events, all of which Becca films on her camera. Not Shyamalans best work, but still a truly creepy story and very fitting for the found footage style.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

Now an established and seemingly never ending horror franchise, Paranormal Activity truly terrified audiences on the release of the first instalment.

When a young couple move into a new home husband Micah is already a keen camera user, but when strange things start to happen at night they worry a ghostly presence may have followed them to their new home. In Micahs scepticism he sets up his camera in their bedroom to record any activity. They soon realise that their suspicions are very much confirmed and a demonic presence wreaks havoc in the house.

The realism of the camera set up terrified audiences on its release, and has since made five more (slightly questionable) additions to the franchise, reigniting the found footage hype-train that Blair Witch so readily started out.

Chronicle (2012)

It might be mostly horror that's dominated the found footage sub-genre, but way back when it was still in the teething stages, Max Landis and Josh Trank injected a spot of superhero action into the proceedings.

Not only was Chronicle one of the freshest and most exciting origins stories around when it landed in a year dominated by Avengers-hype and other existing properties, but it also took plenty of neat liberties with the POV style, having certain characters use their powers to help capture some incredible sweeping shots and using nearby CCTV cameras to fill in the blanks where necessary.

It never felt cheap or restricted by its medium, covered plenty of new ground within the world of superheroes and even managed to introduce Hollywood to Michael B. Jordan and Dane DeHaan whilst it was at it too.

Let's just ignore what Trank did next and accept that, in short, Chronicle is an essential part of the found footage cannon.



Words by Ben Robins

[Rec] (2007)

Pretty much the grandaddy (or maybe the eccentric Spanish uncle) of all found footage horrors, [Rec] rewrote the book on low rent scares, and did so quite a few years before a lot of the other notable hits too.

Shot entirely through the point of view of a news crew trapped inside a quarantined apartment block, the action is confined to just a small group of locals and a few boarded-up apartments, making for one of the most claustrophobic entries on the list. Not to mention that the central horror in question - a flesh-eating virus that turns its hosts into bloodthirsty zombie-type things (put it this way, they move fast) - keeps things insanely tense at every turn.

It also just happens to have one of the best direct horror sequels around too, in the cleverly titled [Rec] 2 - although it's certainly worth staying well away from the franchise entries that followed, especially the pointlessly similar American remake.

Words by Ben Robins

Blair Witch is released in the UK this Friday.
T

oday marks the final day of 2016s Hajj pilgrimage to the Islamic holy city of Mecca. Millions of Muslims make their way to the city each year to form the largest annual gathering of people in the world  but what does the Hajj entail?

For Muslims the Hajj forms one of the mandatory Five Pillars of Islam, alongside faith, prayer, charity and fasting, and must be carried out by all able-bodied adults at least once.

Hajj 2010 (Fadi El Binni/ Flickr

The Hajj rituals themselves mirror the actions of the prophet Muhammad, but aspects of the journey stretch back to the time of Ibrahim, the biblical prophet Abraham.

Over the course of five days, pilgrims perform several key acts that form the basis of the pilgrimage.

Ihram

Muslim Pilgrims wearing their ihram (Fadi El Binni/ Flickr

Upon arrival at a predesignated Miqat (a station where a pilgrim may begin the Hajj ritual), subjects adorn themselves in white, seamless cloth that emphasises equality between all Muslims.

Ihram is a state of holiness that highlights purity and demonstrates Gods equal opinion of all believers, regardless of their individual wealth.

Tawaf and Saey

Pilgrims perform the Saey via air-conditioned tunnels (Fadi El Binni/ Flickr

The practise of Tawaf involves walking counter-clockwise seven times around the Kaaba: the oldest site of Islamic worship and the focal point of Islamic prayer. This act expresses the unity of all Muslims in their worship of God.

Following the completion of Tawaf, the practice of Saey requires gatherers to walk the distance between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah seven times, both of which are now located within the Grand Mosque complex.

The Saey commemorates the wife of Ibrahims quest to find water in the desert for her prophet son, Ismail.

Mina

Over 100,000 tents accommodate pilgrims at Mina during the Hajj (Nasya Bahfen/ Flickr

Following morning prayers, travellers depart for the tented city of Mina, located around eight kilometres from Mecca. Pilgrims gather at Mina for prayer and remain at the site until the following morning, when they set out for Mount Arafat.

Arafat

The holy site of Mount Arafat is believed to be where Muhammad made his final sermon (Mohamod Fasil/ Flickr

Hajj followers arrive at Arafat before noon, where they spend the day in the vicinity of Mount Arafat to contemplate past sins and repenting.

This marks one of the cornerstones of the Hajj and the pilgrimage is considered invalid unless this step is completed. Mount Arafat itself is believed to be the site of Muhammads final sermon.

Muzdalifah

Muslim pilgrims watch sunrise before they make their way to cast stones at a pillar symbolizing the stoning of Satan (Nariman El-Mofty/AP)

Pilgrims leave the site of Arafat for Muzdalifah before sunset on the second day, where they pray and gather 49 pebbles for the following days Stoning of the Devil ritual.

Pilgrims then spend the night at Mina, in preparation for Ramy al-Jamarat the next day.

Ramy al-Jamarat

Stoning the Devil (Fadi El Binni/ Flickr

On the third day of the Hajj, pilgrims perform the ritual of the Stoning of the Devil at Mina, where they throw stones at the largest of three walls (formerly pillars) comprising a re-enactment of actions by Ibrahim and his rejection of the temptation to disobey God.

The conclusion of Ramy al-Jamarat marks the beginning of Eid al-Adha.

Eid al-Adha

A man transports sheep during the first hours of Eid al-Adha in Kabul, Afghanistan (Massoud Hassaini/AP)

The festival of Eid al-Adha is observed by Muslims across the globe, during the period of Hajj. Those in attendance at Mecca typically perform or arrange for the ritual sacrifice of an animal, and men shave their heads.

Whilst women do not shave their heads, they are permitted to cut the tips of their hair instead.

Tawaf al-Wadaa

Pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times (Fadi El Binni/ Flickr

In the final Tawaf, pilgrims bid farewll to Mecca, circling the Kaaba a further seven times. Visitors ask God to protect them in health, and grant them future returns to the Sacred House.
Everything is political is the thought of Michael Sani, the business studies teacher-turned-social entrepreneur whose life aim is to get you engaged - and Im not talking about putting a ring on your finger.

In 2010, Sani co-founded Bite The Ballot, an organisation that helps marginalised communities and young people in the UK get engaged in politics.

When Sani realised hed never voted, he founded a lunchtime club at a school in Dartford, which brought students together to talk about the problems of political engagement. Since, its grown to become part of a movement of organisations that helped get 1.85 million people on the electoral role in nine days. In Sanis words, It was massive.

The man, who Obama described as an agent for change, is no doubt a trailblazer amongst young Brits. But his organisation - which collaborates with the likes of Tinder, Uber and Deliveroo, as well as Facebook and Twitter - isnt just about voting.

Bite The Ballots primary focus is to make young and marginalised people play a key role in decisions that affect them. Voting is only one part of that, Sani tells to me in a South East London accent. If we all become political and begin to influence the things we want to see and the things we want to change, then in numbers we can begin to see change.

Bite The Ballot is about bringing politics to where people are. Its about removing barriers and illustrating to people the link between the personal and political.

As well as engagement, Bite The Ballot is about fighting the politics of hate and fear. Its about opportunity and about hope, Sani says Look at where we are now. Weve got the rise of the far right, in France and Poland. In the UK, post-Brexit weve got bands of people picking holes in each other. The reality is the political climate caused this.

Where does all this apathy come from? Sani thinks its threefold: education, media, and, class.

Theres no political education, no sense of empowerment, if you look at schools attended by those with a working class background. Theres nothing to understand your role as a citizen, or the role you play in the world.

"When theres no education, theres a lack of understanding in the process of change and people dont understand the power they have - that causes disillusionment. You tie that in with the main stream media, which is very much about fear and division, and can sometimes be guilty of painting a bleak picture of society.

"Then you add the political class and you just see them being so different to themselves - male, stale and pale - very elitist. The people in power are rarely effected by the decisions they need to make, especially when it comes to social justice and equality - because their lives have been very different.

"When you put all those together, the outcome that we see is the majority of people turn their back on it. They think nothing will change; they think its all the same. But what we should do, is turn (and say) theyre all the same.

Everyone should leave school or education with a conscious understanding of how the county and the world is run; the role they can play in it.

Sani adds that students need to know who they go to if they want to create change or protect something. Its our human right to be able to make change and want change. It should be part of the national curriculum.

This isnt just lip service: Bite The Ballot is now working with kids as young as four, to make sure they ingrain the importance of political passion at a time while children are still creating their value system.

Were looking at young peoples exposure to empathy and resilience, critical thinking, compassion and composure. All of these are character virtues and values that you would want in abundance if you were making decisions. You want your decision makers to feel this - not make decisions based on a balance sheet and numbers, but on how its going to affect peoples lives, he says.
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Former Justice David Prosser, who retired earlier this year from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, said recently that he was "quite uncomfortable" with special-interest money flooding into Wisconsin elections. PHOTO BY JOHN HART/STATE JOURNAL
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Prosecutors charged a La Crosse felon Tuesday with 14 crimes stemming from a Sept. 7 shooting and earlier gun threats.

Jeremy Rigelsky, 27, is charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with two counts each of attempted homicide and pointing a firearm at another, four counts of felon in possession of a firearm, three counts of carrying a concealed weapon, two counts of disorderly conduct with use of a dangerous weapon and operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent, all as a repeat offender.

He remains jailed on a $100,000 cash bond and returns to court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.

Rigelskys spree began early Aug. 29, when he pointed a gun at a woman at a house in the 900 block of Ferry Street and threatened to kill her at gunpoint after they drove to near the Seventh Street boat landing later that morning, according to the complaint. He threatened the woman and her boyfriend with a gun in the following days.

Rigelsky early Sept. 5 confronted three people walking on Mormon Coulee Road, showed a gun tucked in his waistband and threw his drivers license at them before driving off, according to the complaint.

About 1 a.m. Sept. 7, Rigelsky at close range fired three shots into the passenger side of a car occupied by the couple from the earlier incidents while driving south in the 800 block of Copeland Avenue in a stolen car, reports stated. One shot struck a backseat passenger in the thigh. The victim was treated at Gundersen Health System.

The woman said Rigelsky targeted her because he believed she contacted his probation agent to report he had a gun; another witness said she owed him money for meth, according to the complaint.

Police found Rigelsky in a vehicle parked outside 1019 Redfield St. about 7 a.m. Sept. 8 and a loaded handgun missing its serial number under his seat. Prosecutors charged the driver, 30-year-old Blong Vue, with possession with intent to deliver meth after investigators found 9.3 grams of meth in the car, according to the complaint. Vue said he had been using meth with Rigelsky for about one month.
RACINE  A 36-year-old Racine woman pleaded no contest on Tuesday to a felony bomb-scare charge for allegedly calling in a fake bomb threat to a Mount Pleasant company, claiming to be affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist group.

Thania A. Rodriguez, 36, of the 500 block of Shelbourne Court, is accused of calling in the phony threat on Dec. 17 to Seda North America.

Rodriguez was a temporary worker with Seda, 12501 Globe Drive, when she reportedly borrowed another workers phone and made the call.

The threat, which was reportedly delivered via a 71-second voicemail message, said, in part: This is ISIS, ISIS going to explode Seda. This is a bomb threat for Seda, believe it or not, this is ISIS  we are already installed at Seda. You will be down today.

The message was left just after 9 a.m. When management heard the threat at 10 a.m., the plant was evacuated and temporarily shut down, the complaint states.

Rodriguez was also charged with misdemeanor unlawful use of a telephone, but that charge was dismissed and read into the record, according to online court records.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 22.
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RENEW Wisconsin , the Madison advocacy group for renewable energy, is one of five winners of the national 2016 Regulatory Champion of the Year awards, honored by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council .

RENEW was praised for fighting a proposal by We Energies, of Milwaukee, in 2014 to charge extra fees to customers who generated their own power. The fees would have added about $20 a month to the bills of solar-equipped homes and thousands more a month for farmers with power generated from cow manure, the Madison organization said.
A Wittenburg man who allegedly stole a car in Eau Claire was chased by Dane County deputies at speeds up to 100 miles per hour early Wednesday morning, before road spikes were deployed to slow the car so the driver could be arrested.

It happened at about 2 a.m., starting on Highway 51 near the airport and ending on Highway 18/151 in Fitchburg, the Sheriff's Office said.

Christopher Bong, 21, was taken into custody, tentatively charged with operating a vehicle without owner consent, first-degree reckless endangerment, eluding and operating a vehicle while under the influence.

According to the incident report, deputies spotted the alleged stolen Ford Taurus near Amelia Earhart Drive on Stoughton Road in Madison, and made a traffic stop, but Bong drove away.

"He led deputies on a 29-minute pursuit through Madison, the town of Blooming Grove, Monona and Fitchburg," said Sgt. Mica Weber. "The pursuit reached a top speed of approximately 100 mph on I-39/90."

Road spikes were deployed and the car slowed, eventually coming to rest against a guard rail on Highway 151 near McKee Road.
Smart Motors has filed a lawsuit against a former company officer accusing him of stealing money and services from the company worth about $3 million over a period of more than 10 years.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in Dane County Circuit Court, states that over the summer, Smart discovered that the former officer had been systematically stealing money from the company utilizing numerous schemes that he had devised, which included deceptive check requests to Smarts accounting department for unauthorized uses, theft of cash bonuses intended for sales representatives and payments made to a sham company that the former officer had created.

The former company officer, who resigned in June, is not being named by the State Journal because he has not been arrested or charged with a crime. Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain said Tuesday that a law enforcement investigation is ongoing.

The man did not immediately respond to a phone message left at his home.

According to the lawsuit, about half of the $3 million was taken through fraudulent sales performance incentive funding formulas (SPIFFs), which are cash bonuses paid to employees for some sales, and through the sham company.

The lawsuit alleges that the officer created a separate category of SPIFFs that were not documented and only required approval from himself, and the money went to him. He stole $752,120 using the special SPIFFs, the lawsuit states.

Starting in 2004, the lawsuit claims, the officer created a sham company called Creative Marketing Solutions and had Smarts accounting department give checks for the company directly to him. They were charged to Smarts institutional advertising account, the lawsuit states.

In all, from 2004 to May 2016, $797,625 was paid to the sham company, according to the lawsuit. Smart alleges that the officer chose the name for the company because it was similar to Creative Marketing Specialists, a company that Smart had previously used for marketing.

Smart also alleges that the former officer made unauthorized personal purchases on his company-issued credit card worth $604,465, for such things as event and airline tickets and personal travel expenses. The lawsuit states that $163,920 of that was spent at Stop-N-Go stores between 2010 and 2016.

Other company funds taken by the officer paid for Downtown apartments, a personal business venture, payments to girlfriends, unauthorized use of rental vehicles by friends and relatives, vehicle purchases and leases.

The lawsuit also claims that the ex-officer inflated his salary by failing to repay portions of his compensation that he had asked to be prepaid, after the actual amounts of vehicle sales percentages and profits he was entitled to receive had become known.
A new batch of leaked documents provides the most complete record yet of how Gov. Scott Walker raised millions of dollars for a supposedly independent, tax-exempt group during the 2011 and 2012 recalls  activity that prompted a now-halted John Doe investigation into whether Walker's recall campaign circumvented state campaign finance law.

The newly revealed donations to the Wisconsin Club for Growth included six-figure sums from a lead producer who later stood to benefit from changes slipped into the 2013-15 state budget.

The more than 1,300 pages of documents were posted online Wednesday by Guardian US, an arm of the British-based newspaper The Guardian. It's unclear how the newspaper obtained the documents, which had previously been held under seal.

An article published by Guardian US based on the documents includes previously unreleased information about the effort by Walker to raise millions of dollars for Wisconsin Club for Growth, a nonprofit group that coordinated the fundraising effort to help Walker and Senate Republicans beat back recall attempts in 2011 and 2012.

The disclosures come weeks before the U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider a petition by prosecutors to overturn a Wisconsin Supreme Court 4-2 decision quashing the investigation.

The documents also provide additional insight into why the prosecutors who have led the investigation argue conservative justices Michael Gableman and David Prosser should have recused themselves from the case.

Walker, in a May 2011 letter to Republican strategist Karl Rove, wrote that his chief political adviser R.J. Johnson ran the efforts to elect Gableman in 2008 and re-elect Prosser in 2011. Johnson was under investigation for his role in coordinating advertising for both the Walker recall campaign and Wisconsin Club for Growth, which is organized as a tax-exempt 501(c)4 group.

"Club for GrowthWisconsin was the key to retaining Justice Prosser," Walker wrote to Rove.

Johnson affirmed the group's role in a December 2010 email to Club for Growth director Eric O'Keefe, saying "Club is leading the coalition to maintain the court."

Lead industry gives

The documents reveal previously unknown donations to the group, such as $750,000 from Harold Simmons, the deceased billionaire owner of NL Industries, which produced lead used in paint before such paint was banned, given in three checks, two from a company Simmons' owned, Contran Corp., in April and December 2011 and January 2012. He died in December 2013.

The company stood to benefit from laws Walker and the Republican Legislature passed in 2011 and 2013 that granted immunity to lead paint manufacturers from lawsuits seeking damages for lead poisoning.

The Legislature amended the law in a so-called "999 motion" in the 2013-15 budget to apply retroactively. Such motions, passed by the Joint Finance Committee and later adopted by the full Legislature and governor, is a catch-all motion in which the names of the authors aren't disclosed.

The lead paint law was a top priority for the state's business lobby, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, after a 2005 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling exposed lead paint manufacturers to liability for damages in lead poisoning lawsuits. The lead author was Democratic appointee Justice Louis Butler, who Gableman defeated in 2008.

Previously released court documents showed mining company Gogebic Taconite gave the group $700,000. Walker and Republicans later eased mining regulations to help the company build an iron ore mine that ultimately fizzled.

The article lists other donations to the group, some of which were previously revealed publicly, such as $15,000 from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and $2 million from Eau Claire-based home improvement retailer Menards. It includes new information about Walker visiting Trump's New York headquarters two months before the recall election, a meeting set up by his campaign, and Trump writing a $15,000 check to the Club for Growth on the same day.

Another previously undisclosed check to Wisconsin Club for Growth for $10,000 from finance executive Frederick Kasten Jr. includes a memo line that reads: "Because Scott Walker asked."

The documents show Walker also solicited donations from several wealthy individuals, many of whom or their companies made contributions to the Club, not Walker's campaign. Contributions from Wisconsin donors and companies included $25,000 from Brookfield-based Hammes Co., $25,000 from Green Bay-based Schneider Enterprise Resources; and $100,000 from Ted Kellner, CEO of Milwaukee-based Fiduciary Management.

Among others from whom Walker sought money, the records show, were business magnate T. Boone Pickens and Lowry Mays, then-chairman of Clear Channel Communications.

In an August 2011 email, after the first wave of Senate recalls, Walker asked "did I send out thank you notes to all our (c)4 donors?"

No disclosure key

Just before the recall, Walker's campaign was allowed to raise unlimited donations, however those donations had to be disclosed publicly. Donations to the Club are not required to be disclosed, a point Walker was encouraged to emphasize in his meetings, according to the documents.

The documents confirm that Walker and his campaign were the primary parties under investigation, according to a Milwaukee County investigator's affidavit that launched the John Doe in August 2012. The evidence came from emails obtained as part of a May 3, 2012, search warrant in a prior John Doe investigation.

"The purposes and goals of this John Doe investigation" was to look into "an agreement or understanding related to the solicitation" by Walker and his campaign for contributions to 501(c)4 organizations and determine whether they were trying "to circumvent" Wisconsin campaign finance laws "for a criminal purpose," Milwaukee County investigator Robert Stelter wrote in the previously unreleased court document.

No charges have been filed as a result of the John Doe. A spokesman for Walker's campaign emphasized a 2014 statement from the lead John Doe investigator saying Walker was not a target. However, legal experts have noted a "target" in a John Doe investigation is someone whom investigators are prepared to charge with a crime, distinct from a person who is simply a subject of investigation.

"Several courts shut down the baseless investigation on multiple occasions, and there is absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing," spokesman Joe Fadness said.

The documents bolster the argument by John Doe prosecutors that Walker's campaign and Wisconsin Club for Growth effectively functioned as a single entity during the recall campaign, said Brendan Fischer, a campaign-finance expert and attorney with the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center in Washington, D.C.

"Wisconsin Club for Growth truly was not independent, and I think that's something these documents show," Fischer said.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court halted the secret investigation last year saying it was based on an invalid legal theory.

The court also initially ordered all of the evidence be destroyed. The state court later ordered the evidence be turned over to it for safekeeping, though that won't happen until all appeals of its decision are exhausted.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to review the petition to hear the case on Sept. 26. It could decide whether to accept or reject the case soon after.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said Wednesday in response to the leak "the materials are secret and the release of the John Doe evidence without court authorization is not merely a violation of the John Doe secrecy order; it is a crime under Wisconsin law."

"We support any effort that may be undertaken to determine the source of these newest leaks," Chisholm said.

Law not retroactive?

Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said the documents raise questions about contributors to Wisconsin Club for Growth.

"It raises so many questions about what they asked for in return and what they might have been provided in return," Barca said.

Since the state Supreme Court's ruling, the Republican-controlled Legislature changed state law to clarify that the activities being investigated are legal. Specifically the law allows campaigns to coordinate with so-called issue advocacy groups.

In a court filing last month, first published by conservative website Wisconsin Watchdog, the prosecutors noted that the new law did not include a provision retroactively legalizing activity that was previously prohibited.

"Accordingly, respondents who are subjects of the investigation may yet be prosecuted," Chisholm and his fellow district attorneys wrote.

State Journal reporter Mark Sommerhauser contributed to this report.
A lawyer has a duty to society to make the law right, to apply the law rightly, and to advocate for rights, says Montreal human rights lawyer Michael N. Bergman.
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures as he leaves an appearance on a television talk show, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Trick or Treat: Why do we do it? According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween is the countrys second largest commercial holiday, boasting an estimated $3.1 billion in candy sales. The roots of the holiday stem from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain in which people gathered during the Middle Ages, dressed and performed as ghosts and demons...

Covering the gap The lump shows up at a routine mammogram. The thyroid has enlarged. Theres blood in the stool. The EKG reading is abnormal. Every one of these indicators are symptoms of potentially life-threatening conditions or disease. These conditions are often identified through preventive screenings at the local health department, and additional...

KICK OFF EVENT The BCHF welcomes Tim Tebow on Thursday, November 10. The Heisman trophy winner will speak at the Burke County High School J.D. Smith Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Tickets sales benefit the foundation and its mission to serve our communitys underprivileged. For tickets, call 706-55-3456.

Breast Cancer; Burke Health asks if you are at risk Convenient appointments using state-of-the-art 3D technology can be performed right here in Waynesboro at the new Burke Imaging building at the Burke Health campus. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, accounting for 30% of all diagnosed cancers. In addition, early onset breast...
Organization: IMK Business

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Job Summary: The Field Assistant

supports sales and marketing managers by tracking, investigating, and reporting

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Responsibilities: Key Duties andResponsibilities:



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Updates managers by consolidating, analyzing,

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Moments after Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's public meeting ended in Mirzapur, locals once again broke into fights over khats and within seconds decamped with all the cots from the venue.

The locals were seen running away with cots from the venue, despite announcements made by organisers to leave the cots, khaat chodke chale jao.

One of the local expressed his displeasure about not being able to get any cot to take back home.

We were told by a party worker that we will get free cots and shirts after the meeting but we didnt get anything, said a local.

Gandhi, however, was talking about the failure of the Akhilesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh.

Just months before the elections, Yadav wants to repair the cycle (mascot of Samajwadi Party), he said.

Referring to Tuesday's development of Yadav taking away key ministerial berths from his uncle Shivpal Yadav, Gandhi said, Tyre of the cycle is already punctured, yesterday Akhilesh Yadav ji threw the wheel out.

This was the third such incident in Rahul Gandhis ongoing Kisan Yatra meant to strengthen the Congress in the run-up to the legislative polls early next year.

The first took place at Rudrapur assembly constituency in Deoria district, from where the Delhi-bound Kisan Yatra started on September 6.

Rahul is currently leading a 2,500 km-long Kisan Yatra in UP in a bid to boost the partys vote count.

The Deoria to Dilli yatra, which started from Panchlari Kritpura village, was marked by a door-to-door campaign of collecting Kisan Mangpatras (charters of farmers demands), one-to-one interaction with farmers through Khat (cot) Sabhas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday expressed concern over the continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objective.

They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond.

Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, both leaders called upon the parties concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India.

Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in India-Afghanistan strategic partnership agreement.

It was agreed that the Strategic Partnership Council headed by the External Affairs Minister of India and the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan will meet shortly, review the recommendations of the four Joint Working Groups dealing with diverse areas of cooperation and impart further guidance.

Modi reiterated Indias abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. The PM fondly recalled his visits to Kabul and Herat in December 2015 and June this year respectively.

He mentioned that he cherished both the warm reception he had received during those visits and the fruitful discussions then and in his other meetings with the President in Tehran (May 2016) and Tashkent (June 2016).

Both leaders expressed their happiness at the close and regular consultations between India and Afghanistan at all levels, which have served to guide their strategic partnership and strengthen all-round cooperation.

Recalling that India-Afghanistan bilateral development cooperation has assisted Afghanistans own efforts for successful political, security and economic transitions, the two leaders noted with happiness the recent completion of major milestones such as Parliament Building and the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam.

The President stressed the significance of the PMs assurance conveyed during the joint inauguration of Storay Palace on August 22, 2016, via a video link that 1.25 billion people of India firmly stand with their Afghan brothers and sisters.

He conveyed Indias readiness to consider further requirements of Afghanistan for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

To this end, the Prime Minister offered that, as a close neighbour and friend of Afghanistan and its people, India would allocate a sum of USD one billion.

The PM also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments.

The leaders expressed satisfaction over signing of the Extradition Treaty, the agreement on cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space during the Presidents visit.

It was also stressed that expeditious implementation of the trilateral agreement involving Afghanistan, India and Iran, signed in May 2016, using Chahbahar will augment connectivity within and of the region. In this context, the leaders appreciated the recent decision taken by the three countries to convene a joint forum involving important stake holders, including from business and industry.

Both leaders welcomed intensification in the interaction involving India and Afghanistan with regional and other countries and international organisations to foster peace, stability and development in Afghanistan.

They appreciated, in particular, the outcome of the India-Iran-Afghanistan trilateral consultations and looked forward to the resumption of India-US-Afghanistan consultations in New York later this month.

PM Modi conveyed to Afghan President Ghani that India would continue to engage with the international community to assist the Government of Afghanistan in all possible ways.

In this context, the leaders underscored the significance of the Amritsar Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA) on December 4 as well as the Brussels Conference on October 5.

They noted that the choice of Amritsar underscored the value of restoring connectivity and was in consonance with this years theme for HoA: Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity.

It also underscored that India and Afghanistan remain committed to the expeditious realisation of seamless two-way connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia.

The PM invited the President to grace the inauguration of the Amritsar Ministerial.
US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts in New York on Sunday to discuss responses to North Korea's latest nuclear test, South Korea's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

The three countries are pushing for tough new UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea after the isolated country on Friday conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test.

The blast was in defiance of UN sanctions that were tightened in March.

China, the North's chief ally, backed the March resolution but is more resistant to harsh new sanctions this time after the United States and South Korea decided to deploy a sophisticated anti-missile system in the South, which China adamantly opposes.

South Korea said Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and his counterparts Kerry and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida will meet during the annual UN General Assembly to discuss putting further pressure on North Korea.

The United States wants China to do more, with US Defence Secretary Ash Carter last week singling out the role he said China should play in curbing its neighbor.

Testing times

North Korea has been testing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate this year under young leader Kim Jong Un.

On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with South Korea's Yun by phone, expressing Beijing's opposition to the North's latest nuclear test but also reiterating opposition to the planned deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THADD) anti-missile system in the South, China's foreign ministry said.

China is North Korea's most important diplomatic and trade partner and refuses to cut the country off completely, fearing it could collapse.

Beijing's official People's Daily newspaper on Wednesday called the United States a troublemaker and said it has no right to lecture China about taking responsibility for reining in North Korea as tensions on the peninsula are a direct result of US actions.

In a commentary, the ruling Communist Party's official paper said the United States was pretending it had nothing to do with the North Korea issue and was putting the blame on others.

"People have reason to doubt whether Washington is willing to make the effort to push the North Korea issue in the direction of a resolution," the paper said.

China and Russia have pushed for a resumption of six party talks on denuclearisation in North Korea. The talks, which also involve Japan, South Korea and the United States, have been on hold since 2008.

Washington has said it is willing to negotiate with the North if it the country commits to denuclearisation, which Pyongyang has refused to do.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will seek Cuba's help in responding to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs during a rare visit to Havana next week, a spokesman said.
Samsung plans to issue a software update for its recalled Galaxy Note 7 smartphones that will prevent them from overheating by limiting battery recharges to 60 percent.

The front page of the Seoul Shinmun, a South Korean newspaper, carried a Samsung advertisement on Tuesday announcing the software update for any users of the Note 7 who may be disregarding its recall notice and continuing to use the smartphone.

It is a measure to put consumer safety first but we apologize for causing inconvenience, the advertisement by Samsung Electronics said. The update for South Korean users will start Sept. 20, it said.

South Korean media earlier reported the software update plan, citing Samsung.

It was not clear when the update may be issued overseas. Also unclear was whether it will be forced on existing Note 7 phones regardless of user consent. Yonhap News Agency reported that Samsung is in talks with mobile carriers to deliver the same update to keep battery power at 60 percent or below at all times.

Samsung plans to begin issuing new Note 7s with batteries it says will not be prone to overheating starting Sept. 19 in South Korea. It recalled 2.5 million of the devices just two weeks after their launch after dozens of cases in which batteries exploded or caught fire. Samsung says the problem stems from a manufacturing glitch in the batteries.

Samsung is the worlds largest smartphone maker, and analysts said the recall may leave a larger impact on its brand than earlier estimated. Aviation regulators and airlines have deemed the Note 7 a flight hazard and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is considering an official product recall.

The company has urged consumers to immediately turn off the phones and get them replaced with the new Note 7.

But implementing such a large-scale recall is a challenge. Consumers have to visit Samsung service centers or retailers twice  once to get a replacement phone  not a Galaxy Note 7  and have a safety check of their existing Note 7, and a second time to get a new Note 7. South Koreans are traveling for one of the two biggest national holidays of the year starting Wednesday, which complicates the recall plan.

Samsung offered free pizza to apologize to workers at mobile carrier shops who have been handling the unprecedented recall. Some will work during the holidays this week as Samsung plans to keep its service centers open.

Lee In-tae, an employee at a SK Telecom shop in central Seoul, said two pizzas were delivered to the shop during lunchtime on Tuesday with a letter from Samsung that included an apology for causing inconvenience with the recall. South Korean media said Samsung gave free pizzas to all employees at local handset shops and mobile carriers.

We ate the pizza among a few of us, Lee said by phone. He and his co-workers have been handling complaints from Note 7 consumers. We have to do all the recalls here, do all the work and listen to all the bad things. But it feels like (Samsung) is trying to make up for it with that, he said, referring to the pizza.

Samsung did not answer emails and calls seeking comment on Tuesday.

Analysts said the software update appears to be a last-ditch effort to contain the crisis.

Samsung has to contain the battery explosions but people are not returning the phones, said Peter Yu, an analyst at BNP Paribas. It is taking a desperate measure.

Keeping the battery level low could reduce the risk of overheating, but would be equivalent to getting a downgrade of a top-of-the-line phone, said Kim Young Woo, an analyst at SK Securities. The Galaxy Note series are among the most expensive handsets made by Samsung.

It means that the phone has not been optimized before the release, Kim said.

Canada issued a recall notice on Monday.

The company did not say how many more battery fires in the Note 7 have been reported since Sept. 1, when 35 cases were confirmed. In announcing its recall, the Canadian government said one case was confirmed in Canada while Samsung received more than 70 reported cases in the United States alone.

(AP)
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman during a Monday evening address at Ariel University indicated he will stand at the side of IDF Sgt. Elor Azariya even if the court ruled that he erred. Azariya faces manslaughter charges for shooing at a wounded terrorist from point blank range in Hebron on Purim.

Lieberman added In a democratic country, anyone who has not been convicted is innocent, and for sure this is the case when dealing with IDF soldiers who are serving a mission, sent by Am Yisrael into the friction with a hostile populations and to confront terrorism.

Lieberman added that to his sorrow, there were many in the media and political community who were quick to convict the soldier before the trial began, calling on them to refrain from acting in this way in the future, especially when dealing with a soldier, who should be given the benefit of the doubt.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Two female IDF soldiers using Waze to navigate found themselves in a PA (Palestinian Authority) village in the Tulkarem district under attack with rocks. The soldiers were extricated by PA security forces.

The two were driving a military vehicle on Monday, 9 Elul, leaving a Jordan Valley base heading to a paratroop command location where they serve. They explained to investigators they were relying on the Waze app to direct them to their destination and before they realized what had occurred, they were in a PA autonomous area.

After realizing their error, the soldier called police and they were instructed to continue driving towards Israeli territory. A PA policeman in civilian clothing saw the IDF vehicle and told the soldier to turn to a different direction but they ignored his instructions. As they continued driving they came under attack. The plainclothes policeman summoned assistance and the soldiers were extricated unharmed.

IDF personnel are instructed not to rely on Waze for navigation as this is not the first occurrence of a driver being directed into a PA area.

YWN-ISRAEL adds there is a setting avoid PA areas in the app when downloaded in Israel.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photos via Media Resource Group)
Israel says it has successfully launched a new spy satellite that can gather intelligence on Iran and other regional adversaries.

The Defense Ministry made a brief announcement of the launch Tuesday and said more details will follow.

An Israeli security official says the Ofek 11 is the countrys most sophisticated spy satellite to date. Another official says it can transmit high resolution images in color and relay images from nearly anywhere around the world.

The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media.

(AP)
Former Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday suffered a stroke and was rushed to a hospital.

The 93-year-old politicians condition was reportedly critical and was on a respirator.

Peres, 93, has held virtually every senior political office in Israel over a seven-decade career, including three terms as prime minister as well as stints as foreign minister and finance minister.

He won the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in reaching an interim peace agreement with the Palestinians. As president, a largely ceremonial office, he cultivated an image as the countrys elder statesman and became a popular fixture at international conferences like the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Peres has remained active since completing his seven-year term as president in 2014, and is one of the countrys most popular public figures. He often hosts public events at his peace center, bringing together Arabs and Jews in efforts to promote peace and coexistence.

It is interesting to note that the Oslo Accords were officially signed at a public ceremony in Washington, D.C., on September 13, 1993. Peres suffered stroke on September 13, 2016. The Oslo Accords were signed in the presence of PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and U.S. President Bill Clinton. The documents themselves were signed by Mahmoud Abbas for the PLO, foreign Minister Shimon Peres for Israel, U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher for the United States and foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev for Russia.

he Accord provided for the creation of a Palestinian interim self-government, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The Palestinian Authority would have responsibility for the administration of the territory under its control. The Accords also called for the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from parts of the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

(Chaim Shapiro  YWN / AP)
8:00AM IL: The following update was provided on Wednesday morning 11 Elul by Prof. Rafi Walden, a son-in-law of Mr. Peres. We are happy to see that when the anesthetic drugs were paused briefly, we realized he responds and is probably attentive to what we tell him. he shook our hands.

Walden continued At present, he is stable as we continue remaining at his side. We call on all of Am Yisrael to connect to us with tefilos and hope that he will make a recovery.

Officials at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital list the former president in serious/stable condition, adding he suffered a serious stroke. The bleeding in his head stopped during the night and now doctors are working to assess the former presidents neurological status.

It is confirmed that he held the hand of one of the physicians treating him.

The Chief Rabbis of Israel call on the tzibur to be mispallel for Shimon ben Sara bsoch kol cholei am yisrael.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman on Wednesday afternoon 11 Elul arrived at Sheba Medical Center to inquire into the condition of former President Shimon Peres.

In an update received on Wednesday morning, the former President was described in serious/stable condition, adding he did squeeze the hand of one physician when asked to do so.

Inquiries into his well-being were also made by President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Litzman said There appears to be a little improvement from last night and Bezras Hashem, I hope that Peres will be back with us.

As the international community views Peres as a regional peace-maker, the press is already gathered in the lobby of Sheba Medical Center for any eventuality as the doctors continue giving periodic briefings on the condition of the 93-year-old former president who suffered a hemorrhagic stroke.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photos: Media Resource Group)
Republicans have gained ground on Democrats in registering voters in three battleground states and kept their razor-thin advantage in Iowa  encouraging news for Donald Trump eight weeks before Election Day.

Republicans added hundreds of thousands of voters to the rolls since 2012 in states including Florida and Arizona, and narrowed the gap in North Carolina, according to data compiled by The Associated Press. In Iowa, Republicans prevented Democrats from surpassing them, aided by a court ruling upholding a ban on voting by ex-felons, who often register as Democrats.

As Election Day approaches, voter registration drives are in full swing.

Hillary Clintons campaign is staging registration rallies and appealing in particular to non-whites and young people, who are more likely to vote early  if they vote at all. Trump is relying mostly on a base of white voters, urging supporters to be vigilant for voter fraud and rigging.

The Clinton campaign cannot come close to our output, said Sean Spicer, the Republican National Committees chief strategist, in a campaign memorandum Monday.

The latest registration numbers arent an assurance of new voters for Trump. Some changes reflect those who have died and been removed from the list, while others are inactive, not having voted in recent elections. In Florida, newly registered Hispanics are turning against the Republican nominee, stung by his anti-immigrant rhetoric. And Democrats historically have done well in signing up new voters in the final stretch.

But the figures, when available, offer important clues as to how each party stands.

___

IOWA

Iowa is a bright spot for Trump among battleground states, with Republicans now holding an edge of 19,000 total registered voters over Democrats, 691,000 to 672,000. While independents are the most numerous at 755,000, much of the states Republican establishment has rallied around Trump. A state court in June upheld a ban on voting for an estimated 20,000 ex-felons, many of them African-American.

The race is about even and very close, said Gov. Terry Branstad in a recent AP interview. In the run-up to the states early voting, which begins Sept. 29, the Trump campaign struggled initially in its ground game, leading Branstad to offer advice to the New York billionaire on how to get a leg up: TV advertising, appealing to the states farmers.

Branstads son, Eric, is running Trumps campaign in Iowa.

___

FLORIDA

Both campaigns have heavily targeted Florida, but Democrats have seen their advantage shrink to 258,000 active voters  down from 535,000 in 2012. Overall, Democrats declined to 4.69 million compared to a 4 percent rise for Republicans to 4.4 million, driven by Republican gains among white voters. Registered no party independents jumped 13 percent to 2.9 million.

The state imposed voter restrictions in 2011, including cuts to voter registration and early voting, that have since been softened.

But the picture remains murky.

The Republican advantage is primarily due to declines among previous Democratic voters  deaths, moves out of state and voters removed after being inactive for long periods, as well as switches to the Republican Party.

Democrats are registering more new voters than Republicans. Nearly half of all first-time voters registered since 2013 were non-white, many of them Hispanic.

Since January, of the 121,000 newly registered Hispanics, 42 percent are Democrats and 41 percent are no party, compared to 16 percent for Republicans. Its a shift from the Jan. 1, 2013 to Aug. 1, 2016 period, when newly registered Hispanics were most likely to pick no party. Before 2013, Hispanics had more frequently opted to register as Republican, with 39.5 percent of them Democrats, 30.5 percent no party and 28.4 percent Republicans.

Theres little question that the rise in Democratic registration of Hispanics in Florida is a reaction to the rise of Donald Trump, said Daniel Smith, a University of Florida professor who analyzes trends.

___

NORTH CAROLINA

Democrats hold a clear registration advantage in North Carolina, but the gap has narrowed.

A Republican-controlled legislature in 2013 imposed a voter ID law and curtailed early voting and registration. But a federal appeals court in July invalidated the law as discriminatory against blacks, who are more likely to vote before Election Day.

Democrats hold a lead of about 645,000 voters. Thats down from an advantage of 818,000 in 2012.

Despite a registration deficit, Republicans have been successful with voter turnout, currently holding the governorship and both Senate seats. Obama lost the state by 92,000 votes to Mitt Romney.

Election officials predict high overall turnout, spurring an appearance by Clinton in Charlotte last week.

___

WEST

In the diversifying West, Democrats regained their edge in Colorado, but face challenges in Nevada and Arizona.

Boosted by rapid Latino growth, Colorado saw an increase in registered Democrats since 2012, compared to a 1.5 percent decline for Republicans. That allowed Colorado Democrats to surpass Republicans earlier this year for the first time in more than 20 years. For 2016, the state will conduct all-mail balloting, believed to slightly favor Democrats.

In Nevada, where Trump is competing hard, Democrats maintained their advantage, but Republicans have narrowed the gap.

And in Arizona, traditionally a Republican state, the picture was mixed. Republicans grew at a faster pace, but the biggest jump was among independents, to 1.4 million. Republicans hold a registration edge of about 159,000, although an influx of Hispanic voters and third-party interest have given Democrats hope.

The state has been receiving national attention with a recent hack of voter registration records.

The Homeland Security Department has suggested federal involvement to protect election integrity. But some conservatives oppose that, citing a risk of Democratic rigging. For 2016, Arizona placed new limits on mail-in ballot collection, which Democrats are challenging in court as restrictive.

(AP)
Chareidi soldiers, all immigrants, were informed that they will partake in a day of fun with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott at a water park that has mixed swimming and water activities. Their request not to attend was rejected as the soldiers were told their commander insists on their attendance.

Hundreds of soldiers who immigrated to Israel and joined the IDF were given a day of fun to thank them. The decision was made to host the event in a water park near Netanya and they were told the IDF chief was also going to attend. While most of the 400 immigrant soldiers were pleased, the approximately 40 chareidi soldiers were not and they immediately began efforts to be excused from the event which clearly poses halachic problems for them.

The chareidi soldiers report their commanders told them When the IDF Chief of Staff gives you a gift, everyone must attend. One soldier tried explaining it is simply prohibited according to halacha, asking to be excused, however his plea was not heard. The soldier asked his rav, who told him he may not attend, adding he would do his best to use his influence to have him excused. The rav turned to the head of the Knesset Education Committee MK (Shas) Yaakov Margi for assistance. Margis office turned to the office of IDF Chief Eizenkott but has yet to receive a response.

The IDF spokesman responding to the report states that any request from religious soldiers to be released from the activity for religious reasons will be honored.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Three mortar shells landed in northern Israel on Tuesday, 10 Elul, in yet another case of the ongoing civil war in Syria spilling over the border. The latest rocket fire landed near Kibbutz Zivan, which is near Route 98. Bchasdei Hashem there was no loss of life, injuries or property damage.

The rockets on Tuesday landed less than 24 hours after the previous spill over incident, and several hours later, the IAF responded. The air strikes were directed at artillery cannons aligned with the Assad regime.

On Tuesday, the SANA News Agency reported Syria claims to have shot down an IAF fighter plane and drone. The IDF spokesman unit reported that anti-aircraft fire was detected but it was not close to any IDF activity and the SANA agency report was simply untrue.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
A joint operation of the Shin Bet, Israel Police and the Defense Ministry Crossings Unit has uncovered a car theft ring which stole SUVs from Israel for use by Hamas in Gaza. The vehicles crossed into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom Crossing.

It is reported that at least 100 vehicles were stolen in 2016. Three Bedouin residents of southern Israel have been taken into custody; Said, Faris and Noah Mutzleh, all residents of Segev Shalom.

The suspects allegedly dismantled the vehicles and hid the parts in shipments to Gaza and then assembled the vehicles on the Gaza side of the border.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
One must commend Arab MKs for their honesty for being politically correct is less important for them, as they prefer to say what they really feel, something seen less commonly among Jewish elected officials.

Following reports that former President Shimon Peres suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, Arab MK Basel Ghattas has some harsh words for Peres, who remains in serious/stable condition in Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital. Ghattas used Facebook to express his anger and disdain for the former president.

He refers to Peres as a pillar of the Zionist project, expansionist colonialism. In describing Israel ninth president Ghattas used words like cruel and extreme, accusing Peres of doing the most serious damage to his people, the Palestinians.

Refusing to wish him a recovery, Ghattas added He is a demagogue responsible for war crimes against us. We will not participate in the festival of sadness and sorrow

He stated that despite it all, Peres earned a Nobel Peace Prize and after he is dead, he will be remembered for being a tyrannical personality who was responsible for war crimes against us.

He added Peres is covered from head to toe with blood rejecting any effort to elicit as statement of sadness or concern for Mr. Peres current condition.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
[By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times]

Disturbing images with warning signs. Of late, we have been seeing much of them. Evil and vile terrorists and murderers bring carnage to the world. The media rushes to show everyone the disturbing images. Sometimes the family wants them released. Sometimes they dont.

When they do it, the mandatory warning signs appear  which just serve to pique the readers interest even more.

This past summer, the family of South African athlete Oscar Pistoriuss murder victim, Reeva Steenkamp, had recently begged that the images of her murder be released to the public. Perhaps there was good reason for their position, as the popular Paralympic and Olympic athlete had received a slap on the wrist in two trials.

The media, however, is aware that for some reason people are attracted to gory images. It is a form of visual candy  or clickbait. The problem is that there are some serious halachic issues involved in printing disturbing issues.

This is particularly germane to Jewish people because of the proliferation of gory images that are displayed whenever there is a terrorist incident in Eretz Yisroel. The temptation on the part of the media to display images of the carnage is too much for them to overcome.

EMOTIONAL PAIN

Firstly, as a general rule it inflicts severe emotional pain on the families of the deceased, and can inflict that damage for decades to come. A grandchild whose grandmother was depicted in a photograph can be deeply embarrassed  even if the granddaughter was not even born yet. The pain to parents, to spouses, and to children who remember their father or mother in quite a different manner can often be very significant.

TZELEM ELOKIM

Man was created in the image of Hashem. On account of this, we must realize that when a body is shown in desecration, it reflects chalilah on the Creator. The Rambam in his Moreh Nevuchim (chapter One) explains this concept as reflecting the high level of spirituality that lies within man. These pictures undermine that message.

NIVUL HAMAIS

The Gemorah in Bava Basra (154a) discusses the prohibition of Nivul Hamais  desecrating a body. True, this Gemorah only refers to physical desecration. However, if we examine the Gemorah in Moed Kotton (27b) about the changes in burial customs regarding the dead who were poor and the dead who were rich we see that the issue of desecration, nivul hamais, also refers to saving them embarrassment. In other words, we see that kavod hamais refers to non-physical issues as well  which would include the showing of disturbing pictures.

IN ONES OWN EYES

Another reason brought down by the commentaries regarding the prohibition of looking at the face of the deceased (Maaver Yaavok Sifsei Ronenus chapter 9 cited in response of the Rishon lTzion YD Siman 18  third explanation) is that it causes the deceased to be thought less of by the living.

FORGETTING TORAH KNOWLEDGE

There is another issue that is discussed in the Gemorah in Horios (13b) looking into the face of the deceased is listed as one of the ten things that causes a person to forget ones learning. While this does not compare to the previous issues, it nonetheless is not something that is innocuous.

NOT EVERYONE REACTS THE SAME

Often we have a tendency to extrapolate our own feelings to how others feel or should be feeling. It could be that we are so inured to such images that we do not realize the effect it has upon others.

The media should be sensitive to these images because of these halachic issues and because of the basic Bain Odom lchaveiro issues. May Hashem bring the yeshua quickly and remove from us all such pain.

The author can be reached at [email protected]
Agudath Israel of America urges New York City Councilmembers to cast their vote in favor of Resolution 1058-2016, the Anti-BDS resolution.

The BDS movement seeks to exclude Israel from the economic, cultural, and academic life of the rest of the world, and targets not only the Israeli government but Israeli academic, cultural, and civil society institutions, as well as individual Israeli citizens and, in some cases, even Jews of other nationalities who support Israel.

The BDS movement is widely, and not without reason, seen as a manifestation of animus against Jews as a people, and thus well deserves the opprobrium this resolution will communicate.

It is especially appropriate that the legislative leadership of New York City, which is home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel, go on record condemning this misguided, dangerous movement to delegitimize Israel.

(YWN Desk  NYC)
The Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition, representing the greater Flatbush Jewish community, strongly urges members of the City Council to support Res. No. 1058-A condemning all efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the global movement to boycott, divest from, and sanction the people of Israel.

At its heart, BDS does not aim to affect positive political change or improve the situation for Palestinians. BDS objective is to delegitimize Israel and undermine its right to exist. BDS does not seek Israeli- Palestinian peace. Instead, many of its proponents seek to destroy Israel.

As Governor Andrew Cuomo stated New York stands in solidarity with Israel today and always. This state will not stand for the politics of discrimination in any form, and we will continue to demonstrate our unwavering support for the people of Israel in the fight for freedom, liberty and democracy

BDS offers nothing positive or constructive to the conversation. It instead provides opponents of Israel with a platform for hatred and a forum to spew anti-Semitism. As children and grandchildren of holocaust survivors, the Flatbush Jewish community rejects the counterproductive and mean-spirited BDS effort and call it out for the prejudicial campaign that it is. 

We strongly encourage City Council members to stand with Israel, support Res. No. 1058-A and repudiate hatred and bigotry.

The Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition, FJCC unites and represents the greater Flatbush Jewish community, the largest in New York, on communal, civic and political concerns.

Josh Mehlman  Chairman

Malcolm Hoenlein  Honarary Chairman

Chaskel Bennett  Co-Founder

(YWN Desk  NYC)
Job hunt: David Cameron

Where now for David Cameron? City-wise, he has strong connections to Panmure Gordon.

Three generations of his family were senior partners. But the brokerage firm is rather small potatoes these days.

A lucrative global role at Sir Alan Parker's PR firm Brunswick, which has a vast Washington operation, seems more realistic.

The palm-greasing duo have a healthy history of log-rolling. Cameron, 49, recommended Parker for a knighthood two years ago.

Parker, 60, in turn, allowed the ex-PM to roost at his 18million Kensington home after vacating Downing Street.

Rotund hedge fund tycoon Crispin Odey, 57, predicts a Donald Trump victory in the US election.

'He appeals to a lot of people who have the feeling that, in the past 30 years, their life has got much worse and they have not had any of the benefit of the glut of money. At the same time, the rich are doing better than ever.'

Odey's comments should set nerves jangling, chez Clinton. He forecast Brexit months before the referendum  despite polls predicting otherwise.

The decision on whether the Chinese-backed Hinkley Point power plant gets the go-ahead is the source of increasing Soviet-style paranoia around Whitehall.

Whispers a mole: 'Officials are even refusing to discuss the matter down the telephone in case someone is listening in. Whether from the Chinese government or our own.' Trust no one!

Roaring Zeus Capital broker Adam Pollock has written to fellow shareholders of Lincs FM calling on them to remove the radio station's long-standing chairman, former SDP fossil Ednyfed Hudson-Davies, 86, and chief executive Michael Betton.

Pollock says no dividends have been paid for years and regards Betton's 300,000 salary as excessive.

He wants to install Leeds United's ex-chief Adam Pearson as a replacement. Booms Pollock, 55: 'It's time for some new blood. The past ten years have been disastrous.'

The Wall Street Journal reports US firms are encouraging executives to conduct walking meetings.

As well as stimulating the grey cells, the practice has health benefits. A 30-minute 'walk-and-talk' can burn over 100 calories.
A friend and I flew with Thomas Cook to the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh last November.

A few days before we arrived, terrorists bombed a plane, killing all 224 people on board.

We were able to fly out, but flights back were cancelled. We feared we would be stranded for days and tried to contact Thomas Cook to find out what was happening, but staff kept telling us the wrong thing.

We spent more than 200 calling them in the UK. Eventually we were told to go to the airport, where Thomas Cook staff would be on duty 24 hours a day.

We were left stranded in Egypt following the terrorist bombing of a passenger jet

But when we arrived, after paying for a taxi, there was no one to help us. Another worker told us to call the firm on a particular date for more details. Fortunately, we didn't listen and kept checking their website.

In the end, our flight was delayed for just 24 hours, but we still ran up 450 costs in extra accommodation, phone bills, food and taxi fares.

Once home, we contacted Thomas Cook to refund these extra costs, but it has refused our request.

H. V., Newcastle.

It's difficult to overstate the chaos in Sharm el-Sheikh last year. Once flights restarted, only a limited number were allowed to depart at any one time.

You were among a backlog of 20,000 tourists waiting to get home.

It's easy to imagine the strain tour operators such as Thomas Cook were under. But the shoddy way you've been treated by them since your return really takes the biscuit.

Usually if a flight is cancelled with only a few days' notice, you can be entitled to compensation of up to 335. But if the reason for the delay is out of the airline's hands  and in this case it was  it doesn't have to pay.

After a terrorist attack, our return flights from Egypt were cancelled and we've been left 450 short by Thomas Cook

Crucially, though, airlines must still cover reasonable food and accommodation costs under an EU law called EC261/2004. You pointed this out repeatedly to Thomas Cook, yet it still claimed it was not required to cover the costs.

After I contacted Thomas Cook, it apologised for its treatment of you and says it will reimburse the full 450.

In its defence, the company says it sent texts and emails to customers stuck in Egypt last November. You're adamant none reached you, so it's just as well you had the presence of mind to check the website regularly.

YOU HAVE YOUR SAY - COMPENSATION FROM TRAVEL FIRMS Every week Money Mail receives hundreds of letters and emails about our stories. Here's what you had to say about our guide to claiming from travel firms if your journey went wrong I've been fighting for months with a ferry company that refuses to give me compensation in cash. It keeps telling me I can only get vouchers. It's ridiculous. I turn 80 next month and don't think I'll be on a ferry again any time soon. N. P., via email I'm still waiting for an airline to refund my original fare and pay compensation for a cancelled flight in June. You have to apply through a link on its website and there is no other way to chase a claim. No address, no phone number, nothing. J. P., Bristol. I feel sorry for travel companies when they have to pay out hundreds of pounds for a three-hour delay. This can be more than the customer had paid for their ticket in the first place. Not all delays are the travel company's fault and sometimes technical errors happen, as with anything technical. People expect way too much. M. D., Doncaster. I claimed with the help of the CAA and the airline just ignored me. My flight was to Kuala Lumpur and delayed by more than 12 hours. I heard nothing from the CAA in over a month so I went to the small claims court online, paid 35 and got an instant reply after the summons was issued. They settled in full: 510 plus 35 court costs. T. S., Sherborne, Dorset. The CAA is still investigating my complaint from April. But even the regulator can't take legal action for you  all it can do is offer advice. L. M., Southampton. If you do get compensation for your flight delay this year, don't complain next summer when the prices of flights shoot up. N. T., Manchester. If there is a problem with French trains, you will get a refund, but only if it is a TGV  if it is a TER train, you won't get anything. My sister-in-law has just found this out for herself. She travelled back to Paris and her train broke down and was three hours late arriving  so she missed her flight and the next one  and had to stay overnight at the airport. S. P., Southport, Merseyside. UK regulators are a waste of space. They are excellent at getting you to submit all your details, but toothless when it comes to getting compensation. You have to wonder what exactly their true function is, apart from information gathering. S. V., Wallasey, Merseyside.

I am writing in utter disbelief at the incompetence, fast developing into pantomime, that I am experiencing with my Post Office credit card.

I made a 149 hotel booking using the card, only to find an unexpected 12.51 charge next to the amount on my statement.

This was a surprise since a direct debit was set up when I opened the account a year ago. Customer services told me the direct debit had lapsed due to non-usage, but agreed to a refund.

I paid the 149 over the phone. But I was contacted by them to be told the payment hadn't gone through. So I made a second payment  only to find two payments on my bank statements for 149, made to Post Office credit cards on April 1 and April 7.

Customer services promised a resolution within five working days. But in July I was told it could take eight weeks.

At the age of 77, I can ill afford to be out of pocket.

C. F., Surrey.

More than two months after you contacted Post Office Money about the mistake, it finally sent a letter resolving the problem.

Direct debits can go dormant after as little as six months to protect customers from having them open indefinitely.

As you say, Post Office refunded the charges, but inexplicably mislaid your first payment and asked for a second.

'I paid 149 using my Post Office credit card and was then charged 12.51 in interest'

Post Office has now found the money, returned it and apologised for the 'poor level of service', offering you 100 as a goodwill gesture.

The eight weeks the Post Office refer to is the amount of time they have to resolve a complaint before you can take your case to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

But those eight weeks start from the time your issue is recorded as a complaint, so any previous to-ing and fro-ing does not count.

When something goes wrong, give the firm one chance to fix it. On your next phone call say you wish your problem to be treated as a formal complaint to trigger the beginning of the eight weeks.

If you don't hear anything, go to the Ombudsman once the eight weeks are up.

Call 0800 0234567 or visit financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT I've had a truly awful experience at Pontins holiday park in Camber Sands. We paid 300 for a holiday and were really looking forward to having a break. But when we arrived, the apartment was filthy and my 18-month-old picked up a discarded medicine tablet from the floor. We left in horror. Ive tried to contact Pontins to get my money back and heard nothing. K. M., via email. Pontins Camber Sands manager told me you will be given a full refund for the holiday and apologised profusely for the state of the apartment. I sent an 100 Waitrose gift card to my granddaughter as a wedding present, but it was stolen in the post. I went to my local Waitrose to block it and they confirmed it hadnt been used. I sent the receipt to John Lewis, the owner of Waitrose, to get my money back, but havent heard anything. A. B., Horley, Surrey. The confusion is because you went into a Waitrose branch to register the card as stolen, but sent the receipt to John Lewis. Waitrose is sorry for the mix-up and has sent you a new card. I have 5 in a TSB account I forgot Id opened 15 years ago. Who do I contact to get it? My friend who recently died also had 5 in an old account. Can someone get that back, too? T. S., Boston, Lincs. Give your name, address, previous addresses and account number, if you have it, to your local TSB branch. Or write to TSB Bank Plc, Ariel House, 2138 Coventry Road, Sheldon, Birmingham B26 3JW. The family of your friend or executor of their will can follow this process. Also call Lloyds Bank on 0345 3000 000 as its possible they have the account, since Lloyds and TSB only separated in 2013. Or try the free tracing service mylostaccount.org.uk I have a 10,000 annuity that pays a small amount each month. Is it possible to cash it in for a lump sum? A. C., Sherborne, Dorset. Not yet. New rules are being introduced next April that should allow you to do this, but you cant cash it in until then.

In the week before last Christmas, I visited my Barclays branch to close my cash Isa account. I was told a cheque for 5,500 would be sent to me.

I have still not received it. Two months ago, I wrote to head office asking them to settle this debt. Again I got nothing.

W. A. C., Hampshire.

Barclays posted the cheque to your old address  were you were living when you opened the account in 2009.

This was not your fault. Barclays had your new address, but sent the cheque to the old one.

It has apologised and paid you the money.

The good news is you have received compensation of 8 pc interest for the time it had the funds, far and away more than you'd have earned elsewhere.

They have also paid 250 to apologise for the inconvenience.




Stylish: The Duchess of Cambridge in an LK Bennett dress

When Darren Topp was last seen publicly, he was telling MPs how the disgraced owner of BHS had threatened to kill him after he discovered a 1.5million discrepancy in the firm's accounts.

But now the collapsed department store's former chief executive has seen a dramatic change in his fortunes after being given the top job at one of the Duchess of Cambridge's favourite fashion labels.

Topp, 43, has been unveiled as the chief executive of LK Bennett.

He brings with him Michael Hitchcock, a former financial consultant at BHS who joins the fashion firm as chief financial officer.

One of Sir Philip Green's former lieutenants, Topp served as chief operating officer at BHS before being promoted to interim chief executive in March last year.

Green flogged the company for 1 to Retail Acquisitions, an unknown company spearheaded by serial bankrupt Dominic Chappell.

BHS went bust in April and Topp's relationship with Chappell quickly soured, with Topp alleging the threats were made by Chappell after he questioned the former racing driver over a 1.5million transfer of BHS money to Sweden.

'If you kick off about it, I'll come down there and kill you,' Chappell is alleged to have said.
Victims of a cruel banking scam on Twitter face losing every penny.

Crooks are posing as bank customer service staff on the social media website to try to dupe customers into visiting a dodgy website or clicking a link so the fraudster can steal their financial details.

Most banks have a dedicated account on Twitter for customers who need instant help.

Risk: Criminals are posing as bank customer service staff on Twitter to try to dupe customers into visiting a dodgy website

Those who have used the service often say it's an efficient way to get a response to basic complaints as the bank must be seen to be acting swiftly in public.

But fraudsters are setting up profiles that look almost identical to these official bank help accounts.

They are then swooping on customers who ask for help from the official accounts and trying to lure them to dangerous websites.

Crooks are posing as customer service staff on Twitter to con users out of their cash

For example, three fake NatWest profiles appeared online last week and the conmen behind them started contacting customers.

The victims were sent a link to a website that looks almost identical to the bank's.

In other cases, fraudsters are using the Twitter scam to trick customers into handing over their bank details or to install dangerous software on their computers.

All the major banks say they've seen instances of fraud like this.

But Money Mail has learnt that customers who go on to lose money having being hit by the scammers are at risk of being denied a refund.

Bank insiders say refunds for fraud would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

If you think you have fallen victim to a banking scam, contact your bank as soon as possible as well as reporting it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

a.rouse@dailymail.co.uk




Wipro Limited operates as information technology (IT), consulting, and business process services company worldwide. It operates through three segments: IT Services, IT Products, and India State Run Enterprise Services (ISRE). The IT Services segment offers IT and IT-enabled services, including digital strategy advisory, customer-centric design, technology and IT consulting, custom application design, development, re-engineering and maintenance, systems integration, package implementation, cloud and infrastructure, business process, cloud, mobility and analytics, research and development, and hardware and software design services to enterprises. It serves customers in various industry sectors, such as healthcare and medical devices, consumer goods and life sciences, retail, transportation and services, communications, media and information services, technology products and platforms, banking, financial services and insurance, manufacturing, hi-tech, energy, and utilities. The IT Products segment provides a range of third-party IT products comprising enterprise platforms, networking solutions, software and data storage products, contact center infrastructure, enterprise security, IT optimization technologies, video solutions, and end-user computing solutions. It serves enterprises in various industries primarily in the India market, which comprise the government, defense, IT and IT-enabled services, telecommunications, manufacturing, utilities, education, and financial services sectors. The ISRE segment offers IT services to entities and departments owned or controlled by the Government of India and/or various Indian State Governments. The company was incorporated in 1945 and is based in Bengaluru, India.
XO Group Inc. provides multiplatform media and marketplace services to the wedding, pregnancy and parenting, and local entertainment markets primarily in the United States. It operates a network of Websites under various brands, including The Knot, which offers wedding resources and marketplaces through wedding Website and mobile apps, national and local wedding magazines, and nationally published books; and The Bump, a pregnancy and parenting brand that provides personalized information, content, and tools for navigating the journey from fertility to pregnancy and parenting through the toddler years. The company's network of Websites also comprise GigMasters, an event marketplace for finding and booking the entertainment and vendors for birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, corporate events, and others. It also offers local online advertising programs, such as online listings, digital advertisements, and direct email marketing; and national online advertising programs consisting of display advertisements, custom and brand-integrated content, direct emails, and placement in its online search tools. In addition, the company provides transaction offerings that include a registry service, which enables users to create, manage, and share various retail store registries from a single source; and retailer and local vendor offerings, such as invitations, stationery, reception decor, and personalized gifts. Further, it publishes The Knot national and regional magazines. The company was formerly known as The Knot, Inc. and changed its name to XO Group Inc. in June 2011. XO Group Inc. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
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..

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The following companies are subsidiares of Iron Mountain: AB Archyvu Centras, AB Archyvu Sistemos, AB Archyvu Sistemos Estonia Branch, AS Archivu Serviss, Accutrac Software Inc, ArchivesOne, Archyvu sistemos, Arhiv-Trezor d.o.o., Ausdoc Group Pty Limited, Ausdoc Holdings Pty Limited, Bonded Services (International) B.V., Bonded Services Acquisition Ltd., Bonded Services Group, Bonded Services Group Limited, Bonded Services International Limited, Bonded Services Limited, Box Butler, Britannia Data Management Limited, Capital Vision Holdings SAS, Capital Vision SAS, Connected Corporation, Cornerstone Records Management, Crozier Fine Arts, Crozier Schweiz Ag, Custodia S.O.S. SA, DBJ Limited, DMS Storage s.r.o., DigiGuard, Disaster Recovery Services Limited, Docscan Cape Town Proprietary Limited, Docscan Proprietary Limited, Docu-File JHB Proprietary Limited, DocuTar Iratrendezo es Tarolo Szolgaltato Kft., DocuVault, Docufile (Pty) Ltd, EAC Invest, Eurospags Investments ApS, EvoSwitch, F.T.S. (Freight Forwarders) Limited, F.T.S. (Great Britain) Limited, F.T.S. (Road Transport) Limited, FTS Bonded Limited, Fairfield Fine Art, File Express Limited, Film Media Services Limited, First International Records Management AG, First International Records Management LLC, Fleet Freight Limited, Fontis International GmbH, Fortrust, G4S Secure Data Solutions Colombia, Glenbeign Records Mangement (GRM) DWC-LLC, Global Logistics Worldwide Limited, Haworth Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Haworth Group Limited, Hays IMS, Helcom Limited, IG2 Data Security, IM Mortgage Solutions LLC, IMI Investments Two Ltd, IMSA Peru SRL, IO.com, Information Storage Consolidation Co, Iron Mountain (Deutschland) Service GmbH, Iron Mountain (Espana) Services S.L, Iron Mountain (Gibraltar) Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain (Ireland) Services Limited, Iron Mountain (Nederland) Data Centre B.V., Iron Mountain (Nederland) Data Centre Holdings B.V., Iron Mountain (Nederland) Data Centre Services B.V., Iron Mountain (Nederland) Services BV, Iron Mountain (Schweiz) AG, Iron Mountain (UK) Data Centre Limited, Iron Mountain (UK) EES Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain (UK) PLC, Iron Mountain (UK) Services Limited, Iron Mountain A/S, Iron Mountain Acquisition Holdings Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Argentina S.A., Iron Mountain Arsivleme Hizmetleri A.S., Iron Mountain Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd, Iron Mountain Asia Pte Limited, Iron Mountain Australia Group Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Australia Group Services Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd, Iron Mountain Austria Archivierung Gmbh, Iron Mountain BPM SPRL, Iron Mountain Belgium NV, Iron Mountain Bulgaria, Iron Mountain Canada Operations ULC, Iron Mountain Ceska Republika S.R.O., Iron Mountain Chile S.A., Iron Mountain Chile Servicios S.A., Iron Mountain Cloud LLC, Iron Mountain Colombia S.A.S., Iron Mountain Cyprus Limited, Iron Mountain DIMS Limited, Iron Mountain Data Centers LLC, Iron Mountain Data Centers Services LLC, Iron Mountain Data Centre Pte. Limited, Iron Mountain Data Management (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Iron Mountain Data Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Iron Mountain Deutschland GmbH, Iron Mountain Do Brasil Ltda, Iron Mountain Document Holdings Sweden AB, Iron Mountain Document Storage Services LLC, Iron Mountain EES Holdings Ltd., Iron Mountain Enterprises Sdn. Bhd., Iron Mountain Espana SA, Iron Mountain Eswatini (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain Europe (Group) Limited, Iron Mountain Europe Ltd., Iron Mountain FZ-LLC, Iron Mountain Finland OY, Iron Mountain France S.A.S., Iron Mountain Fulfillment Services Inc., Iron Mountain Global Holdings Inc., Iron Mountain Global LLC, Iron Mountain Group (Europe) Limited, Iron Mountain Hellas SA, Iron Mountain Holdings (Europe) Limited, Iron Mountain Holdings (France) SNC, Iron Mountain Holdings Sweden AB, Iron Mountain Hong Kong Ltd., Iron Mountain Incorporated, Iron Mountain India Private Ltd, Iron Mountain Information Management LLC, Iron Mountain Information Management Services Canada Inc., Iron Mountain Information Management Services Inc., Iron Mountain Intellectual Property Management Inc., Iron Mountain International (Holdings) Ltd, Iron Mountain International Holdings BV, Iron Mountain Ireland Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain Ireland Limited, Iron Mountain Korea Limited, Iron Mountain Latin America Holdings Sociedad Limitada, Iron Mountain Lesotho (Proprietry) Limited, Iron Mountain Luxembourg Sarl, Iron Mountain Luxembourg Services S.a.r.l., Iron Mountain MDM Limited, Iron Mountain Macau Limited, Iron Mountain Magyarorszag Kereskedelmi es Szolgaltato Kft., Iron Mountain Management Services GmbH, Iron Mountain Mayflower Limited, Iron Mountain Mexico Holding S. de RL de CV, Iron Mountain Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Iron Mountain Mexico Servicios S. de RL de CV, Iron Mountain Mortgage Finance Holdings LLC, Iron Mountain Mortgage Finance I LLC, Iron Mountain Nederland B.V., Iron Mountain Nederland Holdings B.V., Iron Mountain New Zealand Limited, Iron Mountain Norge AS, Iron Mountain Participations SA, Iron Mountain Peru S.A., Iron Mountain Philippines Inc., Iron Mountain Poland Holdings Ltd, Iron Mountain Polska Services Sp z.o.o., Iron Mountain Polska Sp. z.o.o., Iron Mountain Receivables QRS LLC, Iron Mountain Receivables TRS LLC, Iron Mountain Records Management (Puerto Rico) Inc, Iron Mountain Records Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Iron Mountain SRL, Iron Mountain Sdn. Bhd., Iron Mountain Secure Shredding (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain Secure Shredding Canada Inc., Iron Mountain Secure Shredding Inc., Iron Mountain Services Private Ltd, Iron Mountain Services S.A.S., Iron Mountain Shanghai Co Ltd, Iron Mountain Singapore Pte. Ltd., Iron Mountain Slovakia s.r.o., Iron Mountain South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South Africa Information Management (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South Africa Records Management (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South America Sarl, Iron Mountain Southeast Asia Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain Sweden AB, Iron Mountain Taiwan Ltd., Iron Mountain UK Services (Holdings) Ltd, Iron Mountain US Holdings Inc, Iron Mountain Vietnam Company Limited, Iron Mountain d.o.o. Novi Banovci, Jigsaw Freight Limited, Jigsaw Pieces Limited, Jin Shan Limited, KDM Spectrumdata Pty Ltd, KH Data Capital Development Land LLC, Lane Archives Technologies Corporation, Livevault, Marshgate Morangis Sarl, Mimosa Systems, Nettlebed Acquisition Corp., Novo Group Limited, Novo Holdings Limited, Novo Overseas Limited, NxtGen Data Center & Cloud Services, OEC Records Management Company Private Limited, OSG Records Management (Europe) Limited, OSG Records Management Center LLC, OSG Records Management Centre LLC, OSG Records Management Crypto LLC, OSG Records Management Foreign LLC, OSG Records Management LLC, OSG Records Management LLC (Ukraine), OSG Records Management LLP, OSG Services sp. zoo, Oda International Management Corporation NV, Osrecki d.o.o., PT Iron Mountain Indonesia, Preferred Media Ltd, Prism Integrated Sdn Bhd, Recall, Recall (London) Limited, Recall (Shanghai) Ltd., Recall Europe Finance Ltd., Recall Europe Limited, Recall GQ Ltd, Recall Holdings, Recall Holdings Limited, Recall India Information Management Pvt. Ltd., Recall International Pty Limited, Recall Italy SRL, Recall Limited, Recall Overseas Holdings Pty Limited, Recall Shredding Limited, Recall Technology Pty. Ltd., Recall Total Information Management India Pvt. Ltd., Record Data Limited, Royal Seal S.R.O., SIA RIATech, Saracen Datastore Limited, Shanghai Iron Mountain Data Storage Co. Ltd., Shuttle SRL, Startify, Superior Storage Limited, UAB Confidento, and Xepa Digital.

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The following companies are subsidiares of UnitedHealth Group: 1070715 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, 1st Avenue Pharmacy Inc., 310 Canyon Medical LLC, 4C MSO LLC, 4C Medical Group PLC, 5995 Minnetonka LLC, ABCO International Holdings LLC, ACN Group IPA of New York Inc., ACN Group of California Inc., AHN Accountable Care Organization LLC, AHN Central Services LLC, AHN Target Holdings LLC, AMIL International S.a.r.l., APS  Assistencia Personalizada a Saude Ltda., ASC Holdings of New Jersey LLC, ASC Network LLC, ASC Operators-East Bay LLC, ASC Operators-San Francisco LLC, ASC Operators-San Luis Obispo LLC, ASC Operators-Santa Rosa LLC, ASC Operators-South Bay LLC, ASV-HOPCo-SCA Cornerstone LLC, ASV-HOPCo-SCA Florida LLC, AbleTo Behavioral Health Services P.C., AbleTo Inc., Accurate Rx Pharmacy Consulting LLC, Administradora Clinica La Colina S.A.S., Administradora Country S.A.S., Administradora Medica Centromed S.A., Advanced Surgery Center of Clifton LLC, Advanced Surgical Center LLC, Advanced Surgical Hospital LLC, Advocate Condell Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Advocate Southwest Ambulatory Surgery Center L.L.C., Advocate-SCA Partners LLC, Aliansalud Entidad Promotora de Salud S.A., All Savers Insurance Company, All Savers Life Insurance Company of California, Alliance Surgical Center LLC, Allina Health Heart and Vascular Surgery Center LLC, Allina Health Surgery Center-Brooklyn Park LLC, Aloha Surgical Center LLC, Ambient Healthcare Inc., Ambient Holdings Inc., AmeriChoice, AmeriChoice Corporation, AmeriChoice of New Jersey Inc., American Health Network of Indiana Care Organization LLC, American Health Network of Indiana II LLC, American Health Network of Indiana LLC, American Health Network of Kentucky LLC, American Health Network of Ohio Care Organization LLC, American Health Network of Ohio II LLC, American Health Network of Ohio LLC, American Physicians Inc., Amico Saude Ltda., Amil, Amil Assistencia Medica Internacional S.A., Angiografia e Hemodinamica Madre Theodora Ltda., Anne Arundel-SCA Holdings LLC, Anne Arundel-SCA Surgicenter LLC, Antelope Valley Surgery Center L.P., Analisis Clinicos ML S.A.C., Apothecary Holdings Inc., AppleCare Medical Management LLC, Aquitania Chilean Holding SpA, Arcadia JV Holdings LLC, Arcadia Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., ArchWell Health LLC, ArchWell Health MSO LLC, ArchWell Health Professional Services Holding Co., ArchWell Health Professional Services of Alabama LLC, ArchWell Health Professional Services of North Carolina P.C., ArchWell Health Professional Services of Oklahoma LLC, Archwell Health Professional Services of Arizona LLC, Archwell Health Professional Services of Nebraska LLC, Arise Physician Group, Arizona Physicians IPA Inc., Arlington Surgery Center LLC, Aspectus Inc., Associacao Lusiadas Knowledge Center  Health Education and Research, Audax Health Solutions LLC, Aurora Hospitalist P.C., Austin Center for Outpatient Surgery L.P., Avella Specialty Pharmacy, Aventura Medical Tower Surgery Center LLC, Avery Parent Holdings Inc., Aveta Inc., AxelaCare Intermediate Holdings LLC, AxelaCare LLC, B.R.A.S.S. Partnership in Commendam, BOSC Holdings LLC, BSC Holdings LLC, Ball Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Banmedica Colombia S.A.S., Banmedica Internacional SpA, Banmedica S.A., Barranca Surgery Center LLC, Beach Surgical Holdings II LLC, Beach Surgical Holdings III LLC, Beach Surgical Holdings LLC, Beaver Medical Group P.C., Bedford Physicians Risk Retention Group Inc., Behavioral Healthcare Options Inc., Beltway Surgery Centers L.L.C., Benefit Administration for the Self Employed L.L.C., Benefitter Insurance Solutions Inc., Bergan Mercy Surgery Center LLC, Bergen-Passaic Cataract Laser and Surgery Center LLC, Bessler MD PLLC, Bind Benefits Inc., Bind LH Holdings Inc., Bind Re Inc., Birmingham Outpatient Surgery Center Ltd., Birmingham Outpatient Surgical Center LLC, Bloomfield ASC LLC, Blue Ridge Day Surgery Center L.P., Blue Ridge GP LLC, Blue Ridge Properties LLC, Boca Raton Outpatient Surgery & Laser Center LTD., Bordeaux Barbados Holdings I SRL, Bordeaux Barbados Holdings II SRL, Bordeaux Barbados Holdings III S.r.l., Bordeaux Holding SpA, Bordeaux International Holdings Inc., Bordeaux UK Holdings I Limited, Bordeaux UK Holdings II Limited, Bordeaux UK Holdings III Limited, Bosque Medical Center Ltda., Brandon Ambulatory Surgery Center LC, BriovaRx Infusion Services 102 LLC, BriovaRx of Florida Inc., BriovaRx of Maine Inc., BriovaRx of Massachusetts LLC, CCEC Anesthesia Management LLC, CDC Holdings Colombia S.A.S., CLISA  Clinica de Santo Antonio S.A., CMO  Centro Medico de Oftalmologia S/S Ltda., CMS  Central de Manipulacao e Servicos Farmaceuticos Ltda., COI  Clinicas Oncologicas Integradas S.A., Cabin Enterprises LLC, Cabin Holdings LLC, California Medical Group Insurance Company Risk Retention Group, Camp Hill Ambulatory Centers, Camp Hill-SCA Centers LLC, Capital City Medical Group L.L.C., Cardinal Holding Company LLC, Care Improvement Plus Group Management LLC, Care Improvement Plus South Central Insurance Company, Care Improvement Plus Wisconsin Insurance Company, Care Improvement Plus of Texas Insurance Company, Care Logistics LLC, CareMount Dental Member LLC, CareMount Health Solutions ACO LLC, CareMount Health Solutions Employer LLC, CareMount Health Solutions LLC, CareMount Holding LLC, CareMount Medical Foundation Inc., CareMount Value Partners IPA LLC, Carr PLLC, Casa de Saude Santa Therezinha Ltda., Castle Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Castle Rock SurgiCenter LLC, Catalyst360 LLC, Catamaran 2 Unlimited Company, Catamaran Finance Ireland Unlimited Company, Catamaran S.a.r.l., Cedar Park JV Partners LLC, Cedar Park Surgery Center LLC, Cemed Care  Empresa de Atendimento Clinico Geral Ltda., Center for Quality Improvement LLC, Center for Restorative Surgery at Maple Grove LLC, Center for Surgery of North Coast L.P., Central Indiana Care Organization LLC, Central Ohio Care Organization LLC, CentriHealth Corporation, CentrifyHealth LLC, Centro Medico Hospitalar Pitangueiras Ltda., Centro Odontologico Americano S.A.C., Centro de Entrenamiento Capacitacion en Reanimacion y Prevencion Limitada, Centro de Servicios Compartidos Banmedica SpA, Centromed Quilpue S.A., Centros Medicos y Dentales Multimed Ltda., Centura-SCA Holdings LLC, Centurion Casualty Company, Channel Islands Surgicenter L.P., Channel Islands Surgicenter Properties LLC, Charleston Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Charleston Surgery Properties LLC, Charlotte Surgery Center LLC, Charlotte Surgery Properties LTD., Charlotte-SC LLC, Chatham Orthopaedic ASC LLC, Childrens Surgery Center LLC, Citrus Regional Surgery Center L.P., Claims Management Systems Inc., Cleburne Surgical Center LLC, Clinical Partners of Colorado Springs LLC, Clinton Partners LLC, Clinica Alameda SpA, Clinica Bio Bio SpA, Clinica Ciudad del Mar S.A., Clinica Davila y Servicios Medicos S.p.A., Clinica Iquique S.A., Clinica Medico Cirurgica de Santa Tecla S.A., Clinica Portoazul S.A., Clinica San Felipe S.A., Clinica Santa Maria S.p.A., Clinica Sanchez Ferrer S.A., Clinica Vespucio S.A., Clinica del Country S.A.S., Coachella Valley Physicians of PrimeCare Inc., Coalition for Advanced Pharmacy Services Inc., Cobranzas Banmedica SpA, Cogent Healthcare IPA of New York Inc., Cogent Healthcare Inc., Cogent Healthcare Management of New York Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Arizona P.C., Cogent Healthcare of California Prof. Corp., Cogent Healthcare of Georgia P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Illinois LLC, Cogent Healthcare of Iowa P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Jackson MS LLC, Cogent Healthcare of Jacksonville LLC, Cogent Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Missouri Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Montana P.C., Cogent Healthcare of New Jersey P.C., Cogent Healthcare of North Carolina P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Oregon P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Pensacola L.L.C., Cogent Healthcare of Tennessee P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Washington P.C., Cogent Medical Care P.C., Cogent Patient Safety Organization Inc., Cogent/Endion Medical Care of New York P.C., Collaborative Care Holdings LLC, Collaborative Care Services Inc., Collaborative Realty LLC, Colmedica Medicina Prepagada S.A., Colonial Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Colorado Innovative Physician Solutions Inc., Colorado Springs Surgery Center Ltd., Comfort Care Transportation LLC, Comprehensive Hospital Physicians of Florida Inc., ConnectYourCare Inc., ConnectYourCare LLC, Connecticut Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Connecticut Surgery Properties LLC, Connecticut Surgical Center LLC, Consorcio Regenero S.A., Constructora Inmobiliaria Magapoq S.A., Consumer Wellness Solutions Inc., Continuum Physicians Group Inc., Continuum Physicians Group of Washington PLLC, Cornell Surgicenter LLC, Cornerstone Surgery Center LLC, Cornerstone Surgicare LLC, Corpus Christi Endoscopy Center L.L.P., Country Scan Ltda., Critical Care Physician of New York P.C., Critical Care Physicians of Illinois LLC, Critical Care Physicians of New Jersey PC, Critical Care Physicians of Pennsylvania P.C., Cross Timbers Surgery Center LLC, Cypress Care Inc., DBP Services of New York IPA Inc., DSP Flint Real Estate LLC, DSP-Building C LLC, DTC Surgery Center LLC, DWIC of Tampa Bay Inc., Dallas Inpatient Specialist PLLC, Danbury Surgical Center L.P., Day-Op Surgery Consulting Company LLC, Definity Health, Dental Benefit Providers Inc., Dental Benefit Providers of California Inc., Dental Benefit Providers of Illinois Inc., Denton Endoscopy Surgery Center LLC, Denton Surgery Center LLC, Derry Surgical Center LLC, Diagnostico Ecotomografico Centromed Ltda., Diasnostico por Imagenes Centromed Ltda., Digestive Disease Center L.P., Dilab Medicina Nuclear Ltda., Diplomat Blocker LLC, Diplomat Corporate Properties LLC, Diplomat Pharmacy, Diplomat Pharmacy Inc., Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy Great Lakes Distribution Center LLC, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy of Chicago LLC, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy of Ft. Lauderdale LLC, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy of Los Angeles County LLC, Distance Learning Network Inc., Divisadero Holdings LLC, DocASAP Inc., DocASAP India Technologies Private Limited, DocASAP US LLC, Doctor + S.A.C., Dry Creek Surgery Center LLC, Dublin Surgery Center LLC, Duluth Surgical Suites LLC, Durable Medical Equipment Inc., E Street Endoscopy LLC, EM Orange Tree LLC, EP Campus I LLC, EPIC Health Plan, EPIC Management Services LLC, East Bay Endoscopy Center L.P., East Brunswick Surgery Center LLC, Echo Locum Tenens Inc., Electronic Network Systems Inc., Elual Participacoes S.A., Emerald Coast Surgery Center L.P., Emisar Pharma Services LLC, Emmaus Holdings LLC, Emmaus Surgical Center LLC, Empire Physician Management Company LLC, Empremedica S. A., Endion Hospitalist North P.C., Endion Hospitalist of Western New York P.C., Endion Medical Healthcare P.C., Endion Medical Services P.C., Endoscopy Center Affiliates Inc., Enterprise Life Insurance Company, Equian, Equian LLC, Equian Parent Corp., Esho  Empresa de Servicos Hospitalares S.A., Everett MSO Inc., Excelsior Insurance Brokerage Inc., Executive Health Resources Inc., Executive Surgery Center L.L.C., Eye Clinic Oftalmologia Clinico Cirurgica e Diagnostico Ltda., Eye Specialists Surgery Centers LLC, FMG Holdings LLC, Family Health Care Services, Family Home Hospice Inc., Ferrell Physician Services P.C., Fideicomiso Clinica Barranquilla Portoazul FA-517, First Coast Orthopedic Center LLC, First Family Insurance LLC, Florence Surgery Center L.P., For Health Inc., For Health of Arizona Inc., Fort Sutter Medical Building a California Limited Partnership, Fort Worth Endoscopy Centers LLC, Fortified Provider Network Inc., Foundation Surgery Affiliate General of Huntingdon Valley LLC, Foundation Surgery Affiliate of Huntingdon Valley L.P., Franklin Surgical Center LLC, Freedom Life Insurance Company of America, Freeway Surgicenter of Houston LLC, Frontier Medex Tanzania Limited, FrontierMEDEX Inc., FrontierMEDEX Kenya Limited, FrontierMEDEX US Inc., Fundacion Banmedica, GLBESC LLC, GRANTS PASS SURGERY CENTER LLC, Gadsden Surgery Center LLC, Gainesville Surgery Center L.P., Gainesville Surgery Properties LLC, Genoa, Genoa Healthcare Inc., Genoa QoL Wholesale LLC, Genoa Technology Canada Inc., Genoa Technology Inc., Genoa Telepsychiatry Inc., Genoa of Arkansas LLC, Gladiolus Surgery Center L.L.C., Glenwood Surgical Center L.P., Glenwood-SC Inc., Global One Ventures LLC, Golden Gate Endoscopy Center LLC, Golden Outlook Inc., Golden Rule Financial Corporation, Golden Rule Insurance Company, Golden Triangle Surgicenter L.P., Grandview Surgery Center LTD., Greater New Haven ASC LLC, Greensboro Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Greenville Surgery Center LLC, Greenway Surgical Suites LLC, Grossmont Surgery Center L.P., Grove Place Surgery Center L.L.C., H&W Indemnity SPC Ltd., H.I. Investments Holding Company LLC, HCP ACO California LLC, HCentive Technology India Private Limited, HFHS-SCA Holdings LLC, HMG Holding Corporation, HMG Holdings LLC, HMP of Baltimore  USH P.C., Harken Health Insurance Company, Harrison Endo Surgical Center LLC, Hawthorn Place Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., Hays JV Partners LLC, Hays Surgery Center LLC, Health Care-ONE Insurance Agency Inc., Health Inventures Employment Solutions LLC, Health Inventures LLC, Health Plan of Nevada Inc., HealthCare Partners ASC-LB LLC, HealthCare Partners Affiliates Medical Group, HealthCare Partners Management Services California LLC, HealthCare Partners RE LLC, HealthEast Surgery Center-Maplewood LLC, HealthFirst IPA Inc., HealthMarkets Group Inc., HealthMarkets Inc., HealthMarkets Insurance Agency Inc., HealthMarkets LLC, HealthMarkets Services Inc., HealthSCOPE Holdings Inc., HealthScope Benefits Inc., Healthcare Solutions Inc., Healthplex America LLC, Healthplex Dental Services Inc., Healthplex I.P.A. Inc., Healthplex Inc., Healthplex Insurance Company, Healthplex of CT Inc., Healthplex of DC Inc., Healthplex of MD Inc., Healthplex of ME Inc., Healthplex of NC Inc., Healthplex of NJ Inc., Healthplex of TX Inc., Heartland Heart and Vascular LLC, Help Seguros de Vida S.A., Help Service S.A., Help SpA, Hemonefro  Hemodialise e Nefrologia Ltda, Highlands Ranch Healthcare LLC, Home Medical S.A., Honodav SpA, Hospice Inspiris Holdings Inc., Hospitais Associados de Pernambuco Ltda., Hospital Alvorada Taguatinga Ltda., Hospital Ana Costa S.A., Hospital Santa Helena S.A., Hospital de Clinicas de Jacarepagua Ltda., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of Broome County PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Binghamton P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Buffalo P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Newburgh P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Nyack P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Patchogue P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alabama  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alabama  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alaska  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alaska  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Goodyear Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Nogales Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Phoenix II Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Phoenix Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Sierra Vista Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Tucson II Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Tucson Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arkansas  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arkansas  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Buncombe County PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Apple Valley PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Bakersfield PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Camarillo PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Crescent City PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Fairfield PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Fremont PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Grass Valley PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Jackson PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Oceanside PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Oxnard PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Salinas PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - San Bernardino II PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - San Bernardino PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - San Leandro PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Sonoma PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Stockton II PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Stockton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Thousand Oaks PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Vacaville PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado - Brighton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado - Denver PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut - Manchester LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut - Rockville LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut - Wallingford LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of DC PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of DC  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of DC  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Delaware  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Delaware  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Ft. Lauderdale LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Jacksonville II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Jacksonville LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Palm Coast LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Fredericksburg LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - Atlanta PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - East Point PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - Lavonia PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - Savannah PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Hawaii - Kealakekua Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Hawaii  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Hawaii  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Idaho - Nampa PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Idaho  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Idaho  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Downers Grove LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Elmhurst LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Rockford LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Winfield LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana - Clinton LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana - Mishawaka LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana - Terre Haute LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa - Cedar Rapids PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa - Mason City PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas - Topeka LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas - Wichita II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas - Wichita LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Alexandria Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Bossier City Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Lake Charles Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Shreveport Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine - Bangor PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine - Lewiston PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Cheverly PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Cumberland PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Frederick PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Laurel PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Rockville PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Brockton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Dorchester PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Framingham PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Holyoke PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Natick PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Norwood PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Springfield PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Stoughton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Taunton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Worcester PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Alpena PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Dowagiac PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Escanaba PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Grand Blanc PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Grayling PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Kalamazoo PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Plainwell PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Port Huron PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Saginaw PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Tawas City PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Minnesota  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Minnesota  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Mississippi LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Mississippi  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Mississippi  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri - Bridgeton Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri - Richmond Heights Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Billings PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Butte PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Miles City PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Missoula PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Multiple Practice Sites LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nebraska  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nebraska  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Henderson Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Henderson II Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Las Vegas Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Las Vegas II Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada  TCG Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada  TCS Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Hampshire  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Hampshire  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Jersey - Hackensack PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Jersey - Paterson PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Jersey - TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Jersey  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Mexico - Clovis LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Mexico - Rio Rancho LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Mexico - TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Mexico - TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New York PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - Burlington PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - Clyde PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - Elizabeth City PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - Jacksonville PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - New Bern PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - Rocky Mount PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Dakota  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Dakota  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Akron Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Batavia Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Canton Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Cincinnati II Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Cincinnati III Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Cincinnati Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Circleville Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Columbus II Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Columbus Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Dover Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - East Liverpool Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Fairfield Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Martins Ferry Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Westerville Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Youngstown Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio  TCG Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio  TCS Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oklahoma - Oklahoma City LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oklahoma  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oklahoma  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oregon - Portland PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oregon  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oregon  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Pennsylvania P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Pennsylvania  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Pennsylvania  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Rhode Island  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Rhode Island  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Richland County Ltd., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of San Luis Obispo County Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Carolina - Aiken LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Carolina - Rock Hill LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Carolina  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Carolina  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Dakota  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Dakota  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Tennessee  Columbia PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Tennessee  Franklin PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Tennessee  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Tennessee  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Amarillo PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Atlanta PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Austin II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Austin PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Bryan PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Burnet PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Corpus Christi II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Corpus Christi PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Cypress PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Dallas PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - El Paso II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - El Paso III PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - El Paso PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Fort Worth II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Fort Worth PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Fredericksburg PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Houston PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Humble PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Kerrville PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Kyle PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Livingston PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Lubbock PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Lufkin PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Mount Pleasant PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Plainview PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Rockwall PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Round Rock PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio III PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio IV PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio V PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio VI PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio VII PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Marcos PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Texarkana PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Tyler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Utah  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Utah  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Vermont  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Vermont  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Alexandria LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Front Royal II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Front Royal LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Mechanicsville LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Midlothian LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Richmond II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Richmond LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Winchester LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Arlington PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Auburn PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Bellingham PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Bremerton PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Burien PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Coupeville PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Enumclaw PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Federal Way PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Gig Harbor PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Lakewood PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Mount Vernon PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Puyallup PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Tacoma II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Tacoma III PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Tacoma PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Vancouver PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington County LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia  Martinsburg PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia  South Charleston PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia  Wheeling PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Wisconsin Ltd., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Wyoming - Casper LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Wyoming  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Wyoming  TCS LLC, Hospitalists Management Group LLC, Humedica, Humedica Inc., Hygeia Corporation, Hygeia Corporation Ontario, IEC Holdings LLC, IHD Holdings LLC, INOV8 Surgical at Memorial City LLC, INSPIRIS of Texas Physician Group, Illinois Independent Care Network LLC, Imagen Technologies Inc., Impel Consulting Experts L.L.C., Impel Management Services L.L.C., InTouch Pharmacy LLC, Indiana Care Organization LLC, Indiana Endoscopy Centers LLC, Inland Surgery Center L.P., Inmobiliaria Apoquindo 3001 S.A., Inmobiliaria Apoquindo 3600 Ltda., Inmobiliaria Apoquindo S.A., Inmobiliaria Clinica Santa Maria S.A., Inmobiliaria Vinamed Ltda., Inmobiliaria e Inversiones Alameda S.A., Inpatient Services P.C., Inpatient Specialists of California P.C., Inspiris, Inspiris Inc., Instituto Radium de Cammpinas Ltda, Inter-Hospital Physicians Association Inc., International Healthcare Services Inc., Inversiones Clinicas Santa Maria SpA, Ironman Holdco Inc., Ironman Intermediate Holdco LLC, Isapre Banmedica S.A., JPM Healthcare LLC, Johnston Surgicare L.P., Joliet Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Jordan Ridge Family Medicine LLC, Joyable Inc., Kansal Inc. A Professional Corporation, Knox Diagnostic Imaging Center LLC, Kokomo Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, LDI Holding Company LLC, LDI Management Services LLC, LGH-A/Golf ASTC L.L.C., LHC Group, La Esperanza del Peru S.A., Laboratorio ROE S.A., Laboratorios Medicos Amed Quilpue S.A., Landmark Group Holdings LLC, Landmark Health Holdings LLC, Landmark Health LLC, Landmark Health NY IPA LLC, Landmark Health NY PO LLC, Landmark Health Technologies Private Limited, Landmark Health of California LLC, Landmark Health of Massachusetts LLC, Landmark Health of North Carolina LLC, Landmark Health of Oregon LLC, Landmark Health of Pennsylvania LLC, Landmark Health of Washington LLC, Landmark India LLC, Landmark Intermediate Holdings LLC, Landmark MSO LLC, Landmark Medical of Idaho PC, Landmark Medical of Massachusetts PLLC, Landmark Medical of Tennessee PC, Landmark Primary Care LLC, Laser Acquisition Holdings III LLC, Leehar Distributors LLC, Lemhi Ventures Fund I LP, Lemhi Ventures Fund II LP, Level2 Medical Services P.C. Alaska, Lexington Surgery Center Ltd., Liberty Anesthesia Services LLC, LifePrint Health Inc., LifeWell. Ltd. Co., Lifeprint Accountable Care Organization LLC, Limestone Medical Center LLC, Litomedica S.A., Logan Surgical Suites LLC, Lotten-Eyes Oftalmologia Clinica e Cirurgica Ltda., Louisville S.C. Ltd., Louisville-SC Properties Inc., Loyola Ambulatory Surgery Center at Oakbrook Inc., Loyola Ambulatory Surgery Center at Oakbrook L.P., Lusiadas - Parcerias Cascais S.A., Lusiadas A.C.E., Lusiadas Algarve S.A., Lusiadas S.A., Lusiadas SGPS S.A., Lutheran Campus ASC LLC, MAMSI Life and Health Insurance Company, MCNA Health Care Holdings LLC, MCNA Insurance Company, MCNA Systems Corp., MD Ops Inc., MD-Individual Practice Association Inc., ME AHS UC LLC, MGH/SCA LLC, MHC Real Estate Holdings LLC, MIAMI SURGERY CENTER LLC, MSLA Management LLC, Main Line Spine Surgery Center LLC, Managed Care of North America Inc., Managed Physical Network Inc., Mansfield Endoscopy Center LLC, March Holdings Inc., March Vision Care IPA Inc., March Vision Care Inc., March Vision Care of Texas Inc., Marin Health Ventures LLC, Marin Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Marin Surgery Holdings Inc., Marlin Holding Company LLC, Maryland Ambulatory Centers LLC, Maryland-SCA Centers LLC, Massachusetts Assurance Company Ltd. PIC, Massachusetts Avenue Surgery Center LLC, McKenzie Surgery Center L.P., MedExpress Primary Care West Virginia Inc., MedExpress Urgent Care Alabama LLC, MedExpress Urgent Care Inc. - Ohio, MedExpress Urgent Care Maine Inc., MedExpress Urgent Care New Hampshire Inc., MedExpress Urgent Care of Boynton Beach LLC, MedSynergies, MedSynergies LLC, Medical Clinic of North Texas PLLC, Medical Hilfe S.A., Medical Support Los Angeles Inc., Medical Surgical Centers of America Inc., Medical Transportation Services LLC, Melbourne Surgery Center LLC, Memorial City Holdings LLC, Memorial City Partners LLC, Memorial Houston Surgery Center LLC, MemorialCare Surgical Center at Orange Coast LLC, MemorialCare Surgical Center at Saddleback LLC, Mesquite Liberty LLC, Metro I Stone Management Ltd., Mid Atlantic Medical Services, Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee, Midlands Orthopaedics Surgery Center LLC, Midwest Center for Day Surgery LLC, Mile High SurgiCenter LLC, Mississippi Medical Plaza L.C., Mobile Medical Services of New Jersey PC, Mobile-SC LTD., Modality Accountable Care Organisation Limited, Moen M.D. P.C., Mohawk Surgery Center LLC, Monarch Management Services Inc., Montgomery Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Monument Health LLC, Moore Orthopaedic Clinic Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Morris County Surgical Center LLC, Mt. Pleasant Surgery Center L.P., Multiangio Ltda., Murrells Inlet ASC LLC, Muskogee Surgical Investors LLC, Mustang Razorback Holdings Inc., My Wellness Solutions LLC, NAMM Holdings Inc., NPN IPA Washington PLLC, NSC Channel Islands LLC, NSC Greensboro LLC, NSC Greensboro West LLC, NSC Lancaster LLC, NSC Seattle Inc., NSC Upland LLC, Naperville Surgical Centre LLC, National Foundation Life Insurance Company, National Pacific Dental Inc., National Surgery Centers LLC, Navigator Health Inc., Nebraska Spine Hospital LLC, Neighborhood Health Partnership Inc., Netwerkes LLC, Nevada Pacific Dental, New Orleans Regional Physician Hospital Organization L.L.C., New West Physicians Inc., New York Proton Management LLC, Newton Holdings LLC, Niagara Hospitalist P.C., Nomad Buyer Inc., North American Medical Management California Inc., North Coast Surgery Center Ltd. a California Limited Partnership, North Dallas Surgical Center LLC, North Kitsap Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, North Puget Sound Oncology Equipment Leasing Company LLC, Northern Nevada Health Network Inc., Northern Rockies Surgery Center L.P., Northern Rockies Surgicenter Inc., Northern Utah Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Hills JV Partners LLC, Northwest Medical Group Alliance LLC, Northwest Spine and Laser Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Surgicare LLC, Northwest Surgicare Ltd. an Illinois Limited Partnership, OC Cardiology Practice Partners LLC, OCC MSO LLC, OSB  Tecnologia e Servicos de Suporte Lda., Omesa SpA, OmniClaim LLC, Oncocare S.A.C., One World Surgery, Ophthalmology Surgery Center of Dallas LLC, Optimum Choice Inc., Optum Bank Inc., Optum Biometrics Inc., Optum Care Inc., Optum Care Networks Inc., Optum Care Services Company, Optum Care of New York Management Inc., Optum Clinics Holdings Inc., Optum Clinics Intermediate Holdings Inc., Optum Compounding Services LLC, Optum Digital Health Holdings LLC, Optum Direct To Consumer Inc., Optum Financial Inc., Optum Frontier Therapies Holdings LLC, Optum Frontier Therapies II LLC, Optum Frontier Therapies LLC, Optum Genomics Inc., Optum Global Solutions Colombia S.A.S., Optum Global Solutions India Private Limited, Optum Global Solutions International B.V., Optum Global Solutions Philippines Inc., Optum Government Solutions Inc., Optum Growth Partners Holdings Inc., Optum Growth Partners LLC, Optum Health & Technology Holdings US Inc., Optum Health & Technology Hong Kong Limited, Optum Health & Technology India Private Limited, Optum Health & Technology Servicos do Brasil Ltda., Optum Health & Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd., Optum Health & Technology US LLC, Optum Health Plan of California, Optum Health Services Canada Ltd., Optum Health Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Optum Health Solutions UK Limited, Optum Health and Technology FZ-LLC, Optum Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Optum Hospice Pharmacy Services LLC, Optum Inc., Optum Infusion Services 100 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 101 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 103 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 200 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 201 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 202 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 203 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 204 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 205 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 206 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 207 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 208 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 209 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 301 LP, Optum Infusion Services 302 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 305 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 308 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 401 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 402 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 403 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 404 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 500 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 501 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 550 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 551 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 553 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 554 Inc., Optum Insurance of Ohio Inc., Optum Labs Inc., Optum Labs LLC, Optum Life Sciences Canada Inc., Optum Management Consulting Shanghai Co. Ltd., Optum Networks of New Jersey Inc., Optum Operations Ireland Unlimited Company, Optum Oregon MSO LLC, Optum Palliative and Hospice Care of Pennsylvania Inc., Optum Palliative and Hospice Care of Texas Inc., Optum Perks LLC, Optum Pharma Services Holdings Inc., Optum Pharmacy 601 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 700 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 701 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 702 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 704 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 705 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 706 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 707 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 800 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 803 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 805 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 806 Inc., Optum Public Sector Solutions Inc., Optum Rocket LLC, Optum SCA CS JV Holdings LLC, Optum Senior Services LLC, Optum Services Inc., Optum Services Ireland Limited, Optum Services Puerto Rico LLC, Optum Solutions UK Holdings Limited, Optum Technology LLC, Optum UK Solutions Group Limited, Optum Venture Global Partners II LP, Optum Venture Global Partners LP, Optum Venture Partners II LP, Optum Venture Partners III LP, Optum Venture Partners LP, Optum Washington Network LLC, Optum Women's and Children's Health LLC, Optum of New York Inc., Optum360 LLC, Optum360 Services Inc., Optum360 Solutions LLC, OptumCare ACO New Mexico LLC, OptumCare ACO West LLC, OptumCare Clinical Trials LLC, OptumCare Colorado ASC LLC, OptumCare Colorado LLC, OptumCare Colorado Springs LLC, OptumCare Endoscopy Center New Mexico LLC, OptumCare Florida CI LLC, OptumCare Florida LLC, OptumCare Holdings Colorado LLC, OptumCare Holdings LLC, OptumCare Management LLC, OptumCare New Mexico LLC, OptumCare New York IPA Inc., OptumCare Portland LLC, OptumCare South Florida LLC, OptumCare Specialty Practices LLC, OptumHealth Care Solutions LLC, OptumHealth Holdings LLC, OptumHealth International B.V., OptumInsight Holdings LLC, OptumInsight Inc., OptumInsight India Private Limited, OptumInsight Life Sciences Inc., OptumRx Administrative Services LLC, OptumRx Discount Card Services LLC, OptumRx Group Holdings Inc., OptumRx Health Solutions LLC, OptumRx Holdings I LLC, OptumRx Holdings LLC, OptumRx Home Delivery of Ohio LLC, OptumRx IPA III Inc., OptumRx Inc., OptumRx NY IPA Inc., OptumRx PBM of Illinois Inc., OptumRx PBM of Maryland LLC, OptumRx PBM of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumRx PBM of Wisconsin LLC, OptumRx PD of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumRx Pharmacy Inc., OptumRx Pharmacy of Nevada Inc., OptumRx of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumServe Technology Services Inc., Oregon Healthcare Resources LLC, Oregon Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Orlando Center for Outpatient Surgery L.P., OrthoNet Holdings Inc., OrthoNet LLC, OrthoNet New York IPA Inc., OrthoNet West Inc., OrthoNet of the South Inc., OrthoWest MSO LLC, Orthology Inc., Orthopedic Center of Palm Beach County LLC, Orthopedic Surgery Center of Palm Beach County LLC, Orthopro Management LLC, Ovations Inc., Owensboro Ambulatory Surgical Facility Ltd., Oxford Benefit Management Inc., Oxford Health Insurance Inc., Oxford Health Plans CT Inc., Oxford Health Plans LLC, Oxford Health Plans NJ Inc., Oxford Health Plans NY Inc., P2P Link LLC, PCCCV Inc., PHC Subsidiary Holdings LLC, PHYSICIANS DAY SURGERY CENTER LLC, PMI Acquisition LLC, PMSI Holdings LLC, PMSI Settlement Solutions LLC, POMCO Inc., POMCO Network Inc., PPH Holdings LLC, PPH Management Company L.L.C., PPH-Columbia Inc., PPH-Gardendale Inc., PS Center LLC, PacifiCare Health Systems, PacifiCare Life Assurance Company, PacifiCare Life and Health Insurance Company, PacifiCare of Arizona Inc., PacifiCare of Colorado Inc., Pacific Cardiovascular Associates Medical Group Inc., Pacific Casualty Company Inc., Pacifico S.A. Entidad Prestadora de Salud, Panama City Surgery Center LLC, Park Hill Surgery Center LLC, Parkway Surgery Center LLC, Patient Care Associates L.L.C., PatientsLikeMe, Patrimonio Autonomo Nueva Clinica, Payment Resolution Services LLC, Peninsula Eye Surgery Center LLC, Penzo Enterprises LLC, Peoples Health, Peoples Health Inc., Perham Physical Therapy LTD, Perimeter Center for Outpatient Surgery L.P., Pharmaceutical Technologies LLC, Physician Alliance of the Rockies LLC, Physicians Health Choice of Texas LLC, Physicians Health Plan of Maryland Inc., Physicians' Surgery Center of Downey LLC, Pinnacle III LLC, Plano de Saude Ana Costa Ltda., Plus One Health Management Puerto Rico Inc., Plus One Holdings Inc., Pocono Ambulatory Surgery Center Limited, Polar II Fundo de Investimento em Participacoes Multiestrategia, Polo Holdco LLC, Pomerado Outpatient Surgical Center Inc., Pomerado Outpatient Surgical Center L.P., Post-Acute Care Center for Research LLC, Practice Partners in Healthcare LLC, Preferred Care Network Inc., Preferred Care Network of Florida Inc., Preferred Care Partners Holding Corp., Preferred Care Partners Inc., Preferred Care Partners Medical Group Inc., PreferredOne, PreferredOne Administrative Services Inc., PreferredOne Insurance Company, Premier Choice ACO Inc., Premier Surgery Center of Louisville L.P., Premiere Medical Resources LLC, Presidio Surgery Center LLC, Prime Health Inc., PrimeCare Medical Network Inc., PrimeCare of Citrus Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Corona Inc., PrimeCare of Hemet Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Inland Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Moreno Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Redlands Inc., PrimeCare of Riverside Inc., PrimeCare of San Bernardino Inc., PrimeCare of Sun City Inc., PrimeCare of Temecula Inc., PrimeDoc St. Francis P.C., PrimeDoc of Richmond P.C., ProHEALTH Care Associates L.L.P., ProHEALTH Care Associates of New Jersey LLP, ProHEALTH Medical Management LLC, ProHealth Physicians ACO LLC, ProHealth Physicians Inc., ProHealth Proton Center Management LLC, ProHealth/CareMount Dental Management LLC, Procura Management Inc., Professional Coverage Services PLLC, Progressive Enterprises Holdings Inc., Progressive Medical LLC, Promotora Country S.A., Pronounced Health Solutions Inc., Prosemedic S.A.C., Prospero Benefits Management LLC, Prospero Care Management LLC, Prospero Management Services LLC, Providence & SCA Development LLC, Providence & SCA Off-Campus Holdings LLC, Providence & SCA On-Campus Holdings LLC, Providence & SCA Outreach Markets Holdings LLC, Pulse Platform LLC, QoL Acquisition Holdings Corp., R Cubed Inc., RABessler M.D. P.C., ROC Surgery LLC, ROCS Holdings LLC, RX Ricardo Campos Ltda., Rally Health Inc., ReMedics LLC, Real Appeal Inc., Redding Surgery Center LLC, Redlands Ambulatory Surgery Center, Redlands-SCA Surgery Centers Inc., Reliant MSO LLC, Reliant Medical Group Inc., Reliant Medical Group The Endoscopy Center LLC, Research Surgical Center LLC, Resonancia Magnetica de Colombia Ltda., Resonancia Magnetica del Country S.A., RightCare Solutions Inc., River Valley ASC LLC, Riverside Corporate Wellness LLC, Riverside Electronic Healthcare Resources Inc., Riverside Medical Management LLC, Riverside Surgical Center of Meadowlands LLC, Riverside Surgical Center of Newark LLC, Robert A. Bessler MD PLLC, Rockville Eye Surgery Center LLC, Rocky Mountain Health Maintenance Organization Incorporated, Rush Oak Brook Surgery Center LLC, SC Affiliates LLC, SCA AHN JV Holdings LLC, SCA Alaska Surgery Center inc., SCA Athens LLC, SCA Austin Holdings LLC, SCA Austin Medical Center Holdings LLC, SCA Aventura Holdings LLC, SCA BOSC Holdings LLC, SCA Bloomfield Holdings LLC, SCA Cedar Park Holdings LLC, SCA Clifton LLC, SCA Colorado Springs Holdings LLC, SCA Community Service Foundation, SCA Cottonwood Holdings LLC, SCA Danbury Surgical Center LLC, SCA Denver Holdings LLC, SCA Development LLC, SCA Duluth Holdings LLC, SCA Duncanville Holdings LLC, SCA Duncanville MSO LLC, SCA ESSC Holdings LLC, SCA Englewood Holdings LLC, SCA Global One Holdings LLC, SCA Greenway Holdings LLC, SCA Grove Creek Holdings LLC, SCA Guilford Holdings LLC, SCA Hays Holdings LLC, SCA Health Value Enterprise LLC, SCA Heartland Holdings LLC, SCA High Point Holdings LLC, SCA HoldCo Inc., SCA Holding Company Inc., SCA Holdings Inc., SCA IEC Holdings LLC, SCA Indiana Holdings LLC, SCA Lutheran Holdings LLC, SCA Maple Grove Holdings LLC, SCA Mohawk Holdings LLC, SCA Murrells Inlet LLC, SCA Northern Utah Holdings LLC, SCA Northwest Holdings LLC, SCA Outside New Jersey LLC, SCA Pacific Holdings Inc., SCA Pacific Surgery Holdings LLC, SCA Palisades Holdings LLC, SCA Pennsylvania Holdings LLC, SCA Pinnacle Holdings LLC, SCA Premier Surgery Center of Louisville LLC, SCA Providence Holdings LLC, SCA ROCS Holdings LLC, SCA Rockledge JV LLC, SCA Rush Oak Brook Holdings LLC, SCA SSSC Holdings LLC, SCA Sage Medical LLC, SCA Sage Medical MSO LLC, SCA San Diego Holdings LLC, SCA Skyway Holdings LLC, SCA South Ogden Holdings LLC, SCA Southwestern PA LLC, SCA Specialists of Florida LLC, SCA Specialty Holdings of Connecticut LLC, SCA Stonegate Holdings LLC, SCA Surgery Holdings LLC, SCA Surgicare of Laguna Hills LLC, SCA Teammate Support Network, SCA West Health Holdings LLC, SCA Westgreen Holdings LLC, SCA Woodbury Holdings LLC, SCA eCode Solutions Private Limited, SCA of Clarksville Inc., SCA-Albuquerque Surgery Properties Inc., SCA-Alliance LLC, SCA-Anne Arundel LLC, SCA-Applecare Partners LLC, SCA-Bethesda LLC, SCA-Blue Ridge LLC, SCA-Bonita Springs LLC, SCA-Brandon LLC, SCA-Castle Rock LLC, SCA-Central Florida LLC, SCA-Charleston LLC, SCA-Chatham LLC, SCA-Chevy Chase LLC, SCA-Citrus Inc., SCA-Colonial Partners LLC, SCA-Colorado Springs LLC, SCA-Connecticut Partners LLC, SCA-DRY CREEK LLC, SCA-Davenport LLC, SCA-Denver LLC, SCA-Denver Physicians Holdings LLC, SCA-Derry LLC, SCA-Doral LLC, SCA-Downey LLC, SCA-Dublin LLC, SCA-Encinitas Inc., SCA-Eugene Inc., SCA-First Coast LLC, SCA-Florence LLC, SCA-Fort Collins Inc., SCA-Fort Walton Inc., SCA-Franklin LLC, SCA-Frederick LLC, SCA-Freeway Holdings LLC, SCA-Ft. Myers LLC, SCA-GRANTS PASS LLC, SCA-Gainesville LLC, SCA-Gladiolus LLC, SCA-Glenwood Holdings LLC, SCA-Grove Place LLC, SCA-Hagerstown LLC, SCA-Hamden LLC, SCA-Hilton Head LLC, SCA-Honolulu LLC, SCA-Houston Executive LLC, SCA-IT Holdings LLC, SCA-Illinois LLC, SCA-JPM Holdings LLC, SCA-Kissing Camels Holdings LLC, SCA-MC VBP Inc., SCA-Main Street LLC, SCA-Marina del Rey LLC, SCA-Mecklenburg Development Corp., SCA-Memorial City LLC, SCA-Memorial LLC, SCA-Merritt LLC, SCA-Midlands LLC, SCA-Midway Management LLC, SCA-Mobile LLC, SCA-Mokena LLC, SCA-Morris Avenue LLC, SCA-Morris County LLC, SCA-Mt. Pleasant LLC, SCA-Naperville LLC, SCA-Naples LLC, SCA-New Jersey LLC, SCA-Newport Beach LLC, SCA-Northeast Georgia Health LLC, SCA-PORTLAND LLC, SCA-Palm Beach LLC, SCA-Palm Beach MSO Holdings LLC, SCA-Panama City Holdings LLC, SCA-Paoli LLC, SCA-Phoenix LLC, SCA-Pocono LLC, SCA-Practice Partners Holdings LLC, SCA-River Valley LLC, SCA-Riverside LLC, SCA-Riverside Partners LLC, SCA-Rockville LLC, SCA-Sacred Heart Holdings LLC, SCA-San Diego Inc., SCA-San Luis Obispo LLC, SCA-Sand Lake LLC, SCA-Santa Rosa Inc., SCA-Somerset LLC, SCA-South Jersey LLC, SCA-Sparta LLC, SCA-Spartanburg Holdings LLC, SCA-St. Louis Holdings LLC, SCA-St. Louis LLC, SCA-St. Lucie LLC, SCA-SurgiCare LLC, SCA-Swiftpath LLC, SCA-VERTA LLC, SCA-VLR Holdings Company LLC, SCA-Wake Forest LLC, SCA-Western Connecticut LLC, SCA-Westover Hills LLC, SCA-Winchester LLC, SCA-Winter Park Inc., SCA-Woodlands Holdings LLC, SCAI Holdings LLC, SCLHS-SCA Holdings LLC, SCP Specialty Infusion LLC, SHC Atlanta LLC, SHC Austin Inc., SHC Hawthorn Inc., SHC Melbourne Inc., SJ East Campus ASC LLC, SRPS LLC, SSSC Holdings LLC, SVHS-SCA Florida JV LLC, Sacred Heart ASC LLC, Saden S.A., Sage Medical Prof. LLC, Salem JV Holdings LLC, Salem Surgery Center LLC, Salveo Specialty Pharmacy Inc., San Diego Endoscopy Center, San Diego Sports and Minimally Invasive Surgery Center LLC, San Francisco Endoscopy Center LLC, San Luis Obispo Surgery Center a California Limited Partnership, Sand Lake SurgiCenter LLC, Santa Barbara Endoscopy Center LLC, Santa Cruz Endoscopy Center LLC, Santa Helena Assistencia Medica S.A., Santa Rosa Surgery Center L.P., Santos Administracao e Participacoes S.A., Sanvello Health Holdings LLC, Sanvello Health Inc., Sanvello Health Limited, Scanner Centromed S.A., Seashore Surgical Institute L.L.C., Seisa Servicos Integrados de Saude Ltda., Senate Street Surgery Center LLC, Senior Benefits L.L.C., Serquinox Holdings LLC, Servicios Integrados de Salud Ltda., Servicios Medicos Amed Quilpue S.A., Servicios Medicos Bio Bio Ltda., Servicios Medicos Ciudad del Mar Ltda., Servicios Medicos Santa Maria Ltda., Servicios Medicos Vespucio Ltda., Servicios de Entrenamiento en Competencias Clinicas Ltda., Serviclinica Inmobiliaria S.A., Serviclinica S.A. Ex Los Leones La Calera, Servisalud Inmobiliaria S.A., Servisalud S.A. Ex Los Carrera Quilpue, Shark Holdings P.C., Sierra Dental Plan Inc., Sierra Health Services Inc, Sierra Health Services Inc., Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company Inc., Sierra Health-Care Options Inc., Sierra Home Medical Products Inc., Sierra Nevada Administrators Inc., Sistema de Administracion Hospitalaria S.A.C., Small Business Insurance Advisors Inc., Sobam  Centro Medico Hospitalar S.A., Sociedad de Inversiones Santa Maria SpA, Solstice Administration Services Inc., Solstice Administrators Inc., Solstice Administrators of Alabama Inc., Solstice Administrators of Arizona Inc., Solstice Administrators of Missouri Inc., Solstice Administrators of North Carolina Inc., Solstice Administrators of Texas Inc., Solstice Benefit Services Inc., Solstice Benefits Inc., Solstice Health Insurance Company, Solstice Healthplans Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Arizona Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Colorado Inc., Solstice Healthplans of New Jersey Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Ohio Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Tennessee Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Texas Inc., Solstice of Illinois Inc., Solstice of Minnesota Inc., Solstice of New York Inc., Solutran LLC, Somerset Outpatient Surgery L.L.C., Sound Inpatient Physicians Inc., Sound Inpatient Physicians Medical Group Inc., Sound Inpatient Physicians of Ohio LLC, Sound Inpatient Physicians of Texas I Inc., Sound Inpatient Physicians  Michigan PLLC, Sound Intensivists of Nevada RBessler M.D. PLLC, Sound Kenwood Hospitalists of Cincinnati Inc., Sound Kenwood Hospitalists of Cincinnati LLC, Sound Physicians Advisory Services Inc., Sound Physicians Alaska Hospitalist Group LLC, Sound Physicians Anesthesiology of Texas PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Arizona Inc., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Georgia P.C., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Illinois LLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Kansas LLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Kentucky PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Louisiana Inc., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Michigan PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Nevada Bessler PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of South Carolina LLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Southern California P.C., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Texas PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Washington PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of West Virginia PLLC, Sound Physicians Holdings LLC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of Arizona Inc., Sound Physicians Intensivists of Georgia PC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of South Carolina LLC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of Virginia LLC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of Washington PLLC, Sound Physicians Palliative Care of Maryland P.C., Sound Physicians Telemedicine Inc., Sound Physicians of Florida IV LLC, Sound Physicians of Georgia III P.C., Sound Physicians of Hawaii Inc., Sound Physicians of Idaho PLLC, Sound Physicians of Illinois LLC, Sound Physicians of Indiana LLC, Sound Physicians of Iowa PLLC, Sound Physicians of Kankakee Illinois LLC, Sound Physicians of Massachusetts II P.C., Sound Physicians of Massachusetts Inc., Sound Physicians of New Jersey LLC, Sound Physicians of New York PLLC, Sound Physicians of North Carolina PLLC, Sound Physicians of South Carolina LLC, Sound Physicians of Wyoming LLC, South Arlington Surgical Providers LLC, South County Surgical Center LLC, South Sound Inpatient Physicians PLLC, Southern California Medical Practice Concepts LLC, Southland Hospitalists P.C., Southwest Medical Associates Inc., Southwest Michigan Health Network Inc., Southwest Surgery Center LLC, Southwest Surgical Center LLC, Space Coast Surgical Center Ltd., Spartanburg Surgery Center LLC, Specialists in Urology Surgery Center LLC, Specialized Pharmaceuticals Inc., Specialty Benefits LLC, Specialty Billing Solutions LLC, Specialty Surgical Center LLC, Spectera Inc., Spectera of New York IPA Inc., Sports and Spinal Physical Therapy Inc., St. Cloud Outpatient Surgery Ltd. a Minnesota Limited Partnership, St. Cloud Surgical Center LLC, St. Louis Cardiovascular Institute LLC, St. Louis Specialty Surgical Center LLC, Stonegate JV Partners LLC, Stonegate Surgery Center L.P., Summer Street ASC LLC, SunSurgery LLC, Surgery Center Holding LLC, Surgery Center at Cherry Creek LLC, Surgery Center at Cottonwood LLC, Surgery Center at Grove Creek LLC, Surgery Center at Kissing Camels LLC, Surgery Center at South Ogden LLC, Surgery Center at St. Vincent LLC, Surgery Center of Boca Raton Inc., Surgery Center of Colorado Springs LLC, Surgery Center of Des Moines LLC, Surgery Center of Easton LLC, Surgery Center of Ellicott City Inc., Surgery Center of Fairfield County LLC, Surgery Center of Fort Collins LLC, Surgery Center of Lexington LLC, Surgery Center of Louisville LLC, Surgery Center of Maui LLC, Surgery Center of Mt. Scott LLC, Surgery Center of Muskogee LLC, Surgery Center of Rockville L.L.C., Surgery Center of Southern Pines LLC, Surgery Center of The Woodlands LLC, Surgery Centers of Des Moines Ltd. an Iowa Limited Partnership, Surgery Centers-West Holdings LLC, Surgical Care Affiliates, Surgical Care Affiliates LLC, Surgical Care Affiliates Political Action Committee, Surgical Care Partners of Melbourne LLC, Surgical Caregivers of Fort Worth LLC, Surgical Center of Greensboro LLC, Surgical Center of San Diego LLC, Surgical Center of South Jersey Limited Partnership, Surgical Center of Tuscaloosa Holdings LLC, Surgical Eye Experts LLC, Surgical Health LLC, Surgical Health of Orlando LLC, Surgical Hospital Holdings of Oklahoma LLC, Surgical Management Solutions LLC, Surgicare LLC, Surgicare of Central Jersey LLC, Surgicare of Jackson LLC, Surgicare of Jackson Ltd. a Mississippi Limited Partnership, Surgicare of Joliet Inc., Surgicare of La Veta Inc., Surgicare of La Veta Ltd. a California Limited Partnership, Surgicare of Minneapolis LLC, Surgicare of Minneapolis Ltd. a Minnesota Limited Partnership, Surgicare of Mobile LLC, Surgicare of Mobile Ltd., Surgicare of Oceanside Inc., Surgicare of Owensboro LLC, Surgicare of Salem LLC, Surgicenters of Southern California Inc., Symphonix Health Holdings LLC, T.M. Carr M.D. P.C., THE SURGICAL CENTER OF THE TREASURE COAST L.L.C., THR-SCA Holdings LLC, TeamMD Holdings Inc., TeamMD Iowa Inc., TeamMD Physicians of Texas Inc., TeamUP Insurance Services Inc., Tecnologia de Informacion en Salud S.A., Texas Health Craig Ranch Surgery Center LLC, Texas Health Flower Mound Orthopedic Surgery Center LLC, Texas Health Orthopedic Surgery Center Alliance LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Alliance LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Bedford LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Chisholm Trail LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Irving LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Las Colinas LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Preston Plaza LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Rockwall LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Southwest Fort Worth LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Waxahachie LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Willow Park LLC, The Advisory Board Company, The Alaska Hospitalist Group LLC, The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company, The Eye Surgery Center of the Carolinas L.P., The Intensivist Group of Langhorne LLC, The Lewin Group Inc., The Outpatient Surgery Center of Hilton Head LLC, The Polyclinic MSO LLC, The Surgery Center of Easton L.P., The Surgical Center of Connecticut LLC, Thomas Johnson Surgery Center LLC, Three Rivers Holdings Inc., Three Rivers Surgical Care L.P., Tmesys LLC, Topimagem Diagnostico por Imagem Ltda., Touchpoint Health Plan, Trails Edge Surgery Center LLC, Trauma Surgery Affiliates LLC, Travel Express Incorporated, Treasure Valley Emerald Properties LLC, Treasure Valley Hospital Limited Partnership, Tri-City Medical Center ASC Operators LLC, Tri-County Surgery Center LLC, Trinity Cardiovascular Care PLLC, Tufts Health Freedom Insurance Company, Tufts Health Freedom Plans Inc., Tuscaloosa Surgical Center L.P., U.S. Behavioral Health Plan California, UCSD Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, UCSD Center for Surgery of Encinitas L.P., UCSD Surgical Center of San Diego LLC, UCSD-SCA Holdings I LLC, UCSD-SCA Holdings II LLC, UHC Finance Ireland Unlimited Company, UHC International Services Inc., UHC of California, UHCG Holdings Ireland Limited, UHCG Services Ireland Limited, UHCG  FZE, UHG Brasil Participacoes S.A., UHG Holdings UK IV Limited, UHG Holdings UK V Limited, UHG Holdings UK VI Limited, UHIC Holdings Inc., UMR Inc., UPHT-SCA Holdings LLC, USHEALTH Academy Inc., USHEALTH Administrators LLC, USHEALTH Advisors LLC, USHEALTH Career Agency Inc., USHEALTH Funding Inc., USHEALTH Group Inc., USMD ASC IV1 LLC, USMD ASC IV2 LLC, USMD Administrative Services L.L.C., USMD Affiliated Services, USMD Holdings Inc., USMD Hospital at Arlington L.P., USMD Hospital at Fort Worth L.P., USMD Inc., USMD PPM LLC, Unidad Medica Diagnostico S.A., Unimerica Insurance Company, Unimerica Life Insurance Company of New York, Unison Health Plan of Delaware Inc., United Behavioral Health, United Behavioral Health of New York I.P.A. Inc., United Group Reinsurance Inc., United Health Foundation, United HealthCare Services Inc., United Medical Park ASC LLC, United Resource Networks IPA of New York Inc., United in Advancing Health Equity Foundation, UnitedHealth Advisors LLC, UnitedHealth Group Employee Assistance Fund, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, UnitedHealth Group International Finance Ireland Unlimited Company, UnitedHealth International Inc., UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services LLC, UnitedHealthcare Benefits Plan of California, UnitedHealthcare Benefits of Texas Inc., UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of California Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Georgia Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas L.L.C., UnitedHealthcare Consulting & Assistance Service Beijing Co. Ltd., UnitedHealthcare Europe S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare Global Medical UK Limited, UnitedHealthcare Inc., UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of America, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of Illinois, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of the River Valley, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Designated Activity Company, UnitedHealthcare Integrated Services Inc., UnitedHealthcare International Asia LLC, UnitedHealthcare International I B.V., UnitedHealthcare International II S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International III B.V., UnitedHealthcare International III S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International IV S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International VII S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International VIII S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International X S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare Parekh Insurance TPA Private Limited, UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley Inc., UnitedHealthcare Service LLC, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits LLC, UnitedHealthcare of Alabama Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Arizona Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Arkansas Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Colorado Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Florida Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Georgia Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Illinois Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Kentucky Ltd., UnitedHealthcare of Louisiana Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New England Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New Mexico Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New York Inc., UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Ohio Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Oklahoma Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Oregon Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., UnitedHealthcare of South Carolina Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Texas Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Utah Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Washington Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Midlands Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Rockies Inc., Unity Health Network LLC, Upland Holdings LLC, Upland Outpatient Surgical Center L.P., Urgent Care Holdings Inc., Urgent Care MSO LLC, Urology Associates of North Texas P.L.L.C., VERTA MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC, VPay Benefits Corporation, VPay Inc., VPay Intermediate Holdings LLC, Valley Hospital L.L.C., Valley Physicians Network Inc., Vascular Labs of the Rockies ASC LLC, Vascular Labs of the Rockies PLLC, Via Vitae MSO LLC, Vida Integra S.p.A., Vida Tres S.A., Virtua-SCA Holdings II LLC, Virtua-SCA Holdings LLC, Vivify Health Canada Inc., Vivify Health Inc., WESTMED Practice Partners LLC, Wake Forest Ambulatory Ventures LLC, Walnut Creek Endoscopy Center LLC, Walnut Hill Surgery Center LLC, Wauwatosa Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Wauwatosa Surgery Center LLC, Wayland Square Surgicare Acquisition L.P., Wayland Square Surgicare GP Inc., Waypoint Minnesota PC, WellMed Medical Management Inc., WellMed Medical Management of Florida Inc., West Coast Endoscopy Holdings LLC, WestHealth JV Holdings LLC, WestHealth Surgery Center LLC, Western Connecticut Orthopedic Surgical Center LLC, Westgreen Surgical Center LLC, Wilson Creek Surgical Center LLC, Winchester Endoscopy LLC, Winter Park LLC, Winter Park Surgery Center L.P., Woodbury Surgery Center LLC, XAS Infusion Suites Inc., XLHealth Corporation, XLHealth Corporation India Private Limited, divvyDOSE, divvyMED LLC, eCode Solutions LLC, gethealthinsurance.com Agency Inc., hCentive Inc., inPharmative Inc., naviHealth Care at Home LLC, naviHealth Coordinated Care LLC, naviHealth Coordinated Care SC P.C., naviHealth Holdings LLC, naviHealth Inc., naviHealth Michigan HBPC P.C., and naviHealth SM Holdings Inc..

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By Mark Hallum

State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) beat back a challenge from community organizer S.J. Jung and will represent the 16th District for the eighth time since 1999.

Final unofficial results from the state Board of Elections put Stavisky at 57.29 percent of the vote and Jung with 42.11 percent in the Democratic primary.

The incumbent held a celebration of her victory over Jung at Good Kitchen Seafood Restaurant at 135-29 37th Ave. in Flushing.

This election was about issues, not personalities and the voters of District 16 demonstrated their belief in civil and human rights, Stavisky said of her victory.

Jung ran against Stavisky in 2014 and won about 40 percent of the vote.

Last night, the voters have spoken and I humbly accept the results of the primary, Jung said. In a different capacity, I will continue to tackle these issues and make my contributions to the community.

Over the course of the race, Jung attempted to have Stavisky thrown off the ballot by challenging her petition signatures. The battle went to a Board of Elections hearing, which reduced her 3,515 signatures by about 2,200, then to the State Supreme Court, which left the incumbent with just over the required minimum of 1,000. Stavisky spoke out about Jungs opposition to abortion and LGBT rights, which drew protests from Democratic lawmakers in the borough.

Voter turnout at the polls for Tuesdays Democratic primary was weak in the hotly contested race between the candidates.

Maria Nickens, coordinator of the poll site at Benjamin Cardozo High School in Bayside, said only about 30 voters had arrived between 6 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to vote in the Stavisky vs. Jung race. She said she did not expect turnout to exceed the 140 voters who showed up at the site for the Democratic congressional primary in June.

The issues which mattered to her in this election were housing and the homeless problem. She lives in Bayside, and although school overcrowding does not affect her, she knows the problem needs to be addressed by elected officials.

As she spoke, poll workers yawned waiting for voters to arrive. The only people circulating through the halls of the high school were students making their way to class.

The Taiwan Center in Flushing shared the same stagnant atmosphere.

Leola Wayne, the coordinator at the Taiwan Centers polling station in Flushing, said they had only had 41 voters between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. This was ground zero in the Stavisky-Jung race. Poll workers chatted among themselves to keep busy.

But a sudden spike at Cardozo around 4 p.m. brought in about 100 voters.

Korean-American voter Daniel Kim said his ballot was cast in the spirit of improving business opportunities for Korean immigrants, who he claims have been leaving the city in the past decade. Jung is a Korean-American immigrant who has built a successful life in Queens as a businessman and former president of the MinKwon Center for Community Action.

Hopefully, hell put us on the map and give us some good representation, Kim said. The cost of living is too ridiculous here. A lot of Koreans dont think there is any merit to staying in New York  in America.

Baysider Mike Cohen said he has always voted at the Cardozo HS poll site. But this time, the Board of Elections decided to flip the script and assign him to a different poll site. He said the issue was with his last name, a problem he believes would be unheard of in a presidential election.

Throughout the battle for the district, which stretches from Woodside to Bayside and up through much of Flushing, Jung was the recipient of a backlash over his stance on preventing marriage equality from being depicted in textbooks and his strict pro-life position.

Meanwhile, Stavisky collected endorsements from a slew of organizations, Queens elected officials, members of Congress and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The European Union should set up a headquarters to coordinate efforts towards creating a common military force, European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday.

"We don\t have a permanent structure and without that, we are not able to work efficiently and so we must have a European HQ and work towards a common military force," Juncker told the European Parliament in his annual State of the Union address.

The speech was dominated by Britain\s shock June vote to quit the European Union, depriving it of a major, nuclear-armed NATO military power but one which had also been hostile to any suggestion the bloc should have its own army.

Juncker stressed that post-Brexit, the EU\s remaining 27 member states had to stick together and that included taking on increased responsibility for their defence.

"We can no longer depend on the power of individual member states and together we have to make sure we protect our interests," he told MEPs.

Twenty-two of the EU\s 28 member states are also members of the US-led NATO alliance, headquartered in Brussels, but Juncker insisted the bloc\s military ambitions would not undercut this key relationship.

"This should be complementary with NATO  more European defence does not mean less transatlantic solidarity," he said.

Juncker gave no further details although it is expected that any such EU military HQ would also be based in Brussels, home to all its major institutions.

As well as an increased military role, Juncker also said the EU will have to step up its diplomatic presence, suggesting the bloc should have a single foreign minister.

Current foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini was doing a "remarkable job" in promoting peace in Syria but backed up by the member states, she should now have a seat at the negotiating table, he said.

SOURCE: AFP
Besieged Syrian civilians waited desperately for aid on Wednesday as relief convoys remained on hold despite a significant drop in violence under a ceasefire brokered by Washington and Moscow.

The truce that began at sundown on Monday is part of the latest bid to end a five-year conflict that has killed more than 300,000 people.

The US-Russian deal aims to end fighting between President Bashar al-Assad\s loyalists and a wide range of rebels, but excludes jihadist forces like the Islamic State (IS) group.

The UN\s Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura on Tuesday hailed the truce for bringing about "a significant drop in violence" despite isolated incidents.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, said it had recorded no deaths in the country since the truce took effect.

But there appeared to be no progress on another key element of the agreement: unhindered aid access throughout the country, particularly to areas like rebel-held east Aleppo.

Millions of Syrians are in desperate need of assistance, especially in besieged and hard-to-reach areas with severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine.

Aleppo, Syria\s second city, is a particular focus after weeks of heavy fighting. The eastern neighbourhoods where some 250,000 people live have been under government siege for most of the last two months.

UN aid trucks are waiting north of Aleppo in Turkey, but a Syrian security source told AFP on Wednesday that the regime had yet to withdraw its forces from the key Castello Road running to the Turkish border.

The demilitarisation of the road, to allow for unimpeded aid deliveries and civilian movement, is a key plank of the US-Russian deal.

David Swanson, the spokesman for the UN\s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Turkey\s Gaziantep, said the agency had 20 trucks loaded with a month\s worth of food rations for 40,000 people waiting on the border.

"The main issue at this point is ensuring all parties to the conflict are on the same page This is a very complex environment and we need security guarantees," he told AFP.

Swanson said it was unlikely security concerns would be resolved within the coming hours, allowing the convoys to move.

"Based on what we\re hearing from the ground, it\s not likely to happen today."

Residents in Aleppo have welcomed the lull in the fighting that has ravaged Syria, displacing more than half the population and leaving former economic powerhouse Aleppo divided and destroyed.

But they expressed frustration about the delay in promised aid to eastern districts.

"The truce is good, but it\s not enough. We want food to come in," said Abu Jamil, a resident of the Ansari neighbourhood in the besieged east.

"The situation is still bad as the markets are empty," the 55-year-old told AFP.

The deal calls for the truce to be renewed every 48 hours, and for Washington and Moscow to begin unprecedented joint targeting of jihadists like IS and former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front if the ceasefire lasts a week.

Initially, the deal allows the Syrian air force to continue strikes in areas where IS and Fateh al-Sham, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, are present.

But once the joint Russian-US targeting begins, government warplanes "will no longer be able to fly in any areas of Syria where there is opposition or Al-Nusra Front presence," a senior US administration official said Tuesday.

So far, only minor incidents have been reported, with the Russian defence ministry saying Tuesday it had recorded 23 rebel violations.

The Observatory reported minor violations by both sides, but no casualties.

"It is very positive," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman.

"If things continue on this path it will be a positive development in protecting Syrian civilians from killing, fighting and displacement."

But there remains deep scepticism about whether the truce will hold, with the opposition yet to officially sign on.

A crucial part of the deal calls on non-jihadist rebels to break ranks with Fateh al-Sham ahead of joint US-Russian operations against the group.

But many Islamist rebel groups cooperate closely with Fateh al-Sham, and the biggest of them  the powerful Ahrar al-Sham group  has criticised the terms of the Russian-US deal.

If the deal does hold, it could open the door to new peace talks to resolve the conflict, with Russia saying De Mistura could invite government and opposition representatives to new talks "at the very beginning of October".

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.
Support your favorite area nonprofit during Texoma Gives, a 16-hour fundraising effort Thursday.

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By Judith McGinnis of the Times Record News

Texoma Gives' 16-hour campaign for online donations to 146 area nonprofit begins at 6 a.m. Thursday and ends at 10 p.m. The first-time effort gives donors a clickable opportunity to help organizations that make a difference in their communities.

According to Teresa Caves, president of Wichita Falls Community Foundation, organizer of Texoma Gives, the campaign has several goals: To focus on philanthropy for one day in the service area, help nonprofits with online giving and social media training, and get donors and nonprofits excited about giving.

The minimum TG donation is $25. There is no maximum. WFACF has secured prize dollars for involved nonprofits from community supporters and partners. Prizes depend on the donation totals at different times, a count of "unique" first time donors and random drawings.

Numerous nonprofits have special activities scheduled on Texoma Gives campaign day, an effort to encourage and help donors. Among these events are:

Wichita Falls Community Foundation, with support of partner American National Bank, will offer a free hot dog lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a big tent in Parker Square

Wichita Theatre will live stream performances and interviews on Facebook each hour on the hour from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Scarlet Letter Ministries will offer a deluxe hot dog lunch and live music from Pleasant Valley Gospel Choir and others at the corner of Seventh and Travis streets.

YMCA of Wichita Falls, for a donation to its Capital Campaign, will give a free express car wash, provided by All American Super Care Care Supercenter

Kemp Center for the Arts and Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, 1300 Lamar, will host the Mad Hatter's tea party from 4 to 6 p.m. The Mad Hatter will recite riddles and poetry, and supporters are invited to dress characters from Alice in Wonderland. There will be food, arts activities and a "musical petting zoo"

Wichita Falls Downtown Development will host "Sundown in Downtown," an evening of live music, prizes and more from 5-9:30 p.m. at Park Central at Eighth and Scott streets.

United Regional Foundation and Children's Miracle Network will hold Dunk-a-Hunk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the corner of Grace and 13th streets. A dunking booth filled with Wichita Falls Wildcats will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hot dogs will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Zavala Hispanic Cultural Initiative will host a concert at 7 p.m. at Akin Auditorium at Midwestern State University featuring pianist Martin Camacho and tenor Edgar Villalva.

CASA will have representatives to help people log on to Texoma Gives at three restaurants. The "Eating for CASA" effort will benefit from meal sales at Chili's from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Jason's Deli, 4-9 p.m., and Texas Roadhouse, 5-10 p.m.

The Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee will be on the Planet Fitness parking lot on East Kell with lots to eat. There will be live broadcasts with local DJs from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; pickup of pre-ordered Krispy Kream doughnuts at 6:30 a.m.; sandwiches from Deli Planet's Hoagieslingers food truck from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from Red River Hot Dog.com from 11 a.m. to sold out.

P.E.T.S. Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic volunteers will make several stops to help people make online donations on smartphones and tablets; cash and checks will be also be accepted. Among them will be Gidgets Sandwich Shack, 701 Ohio, from 8:15 to 11:30 a.m. (donors get free bag of cookies); Gypsy Kit, 900 Eighth St., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Ford House, 5401 Kell, 3-6 p.m.; P.E.T.S. clinic, 500 Wichita St., 3-5 p.m.; and Uncorked, 3115 Kemp, 8-10 p.m.

Wichita Adult Literacy Council, 4309 Jacksboro Highway Suite 105, will help people make online donations. Call 940-766-1954.

Nocona Lucky Paws Animal Shelter, 643 Airport Road, Nocona, will have open house for the new shelter and a meet-and-greet with adoptable pets beginning at 9 a.m.; free hot dogs at 11 a.m.

Taft Counseling Center, 4722 Taft Blvd Suite 2, will have tablets and phones set up for people to drive by and donate from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Snacks and drinks will be offered.

The Kitchen/Meals On Wheels of Texoma, will offer a cupcake to every person who makes a Texoma Gives donation to their programs at Ganache Cupcake Lounge or The Shoe Closet at 11 a.m.

Christ Academy, 5105 Stone Lake Dr. will serve Dr Pepper floats in the library from 2:30-4 p.m.

Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU, 2 Eureka Circle, will have a free outdoor concert at 6:30 p.m.

Holliday Public Library, 201 Main Road, Holliday, will serve free hot dogs from 5-7 p.m.

Red River Valley Museum, 4600 College Drive, Vernon, will have happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. serving beer, wine and light refreshments.

Family Promise of Lawton (Oklahoma), 501 SW 17th St., will hold a grand opening for its day center from 4-6 p.m.

For a complete list of the 146 nonprofits donors can choose from in Archer, Baylor, Clay, Jack, Montague, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise, Young counties in Texas and Jackson, Stephens, Comanche counties in Oklahoma, go to texomagives.org
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By Times Record News

An Oklahoma man has been arrested in connection with an alleged sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl in 2014 in Wichita Falls.

Jonathan Matthew Simon, 30, was booked into Wichita County Jail Tuesday night after being charged by sealed indictment for aggravated sexual assault of an 8-year-old child.

According to court documents:

On Jan. 28, 2014, Wichita Falls police were sent to the emergency room at United Regional Health Care System for a possible sexual assault. The girl's mother told an investigator the girl said that Simon had sexually assaulted her one night at a home in the 1800 block of Ninth Street. The girl described the incident to a forensic interviewer at Patsy's House Child Advocacy Center, saying she was in bed with her siblings when Simon crawled in with them

Simon remained in jail Wednesday afternoon in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Lauren Roberts/Times Record News

By Christopher Collins of the Times Record News

At least two more city of Wichita Falls employees may have been exposed this year to hydrogen sulfide, a poisonous gas that killed two workers at the city's wastewater treatment plant in July.

Documents obtained by the Times Record News through a state open records request show that at least two more instances of workers being exposed to the gas have been reported to the city's Human Resources office.

Those are in addition to reports made in connection with a July 2 incident that later claimed the lives of maintenance workers Daniel Arredondo and David Sheppard. The two died after being exposed to large volumes of the gas while repairing a pipe valve that was leaking sewage inside the wastewater treatment plant.

But a third employee may have been harmed by the gas, an injury report shows.

The employee is not named in the report submitted by the city to the newspaper  state law allows governments to withhold certain information from documents when it's related to medical or personal information  but he is identified as a "lead operator" at the plant.

On July 5, the operator filed an injury claim with the city, which is important documentation should the employee seek workers' compensation in the future. The worker wrote that he suffered from "possible H2S inhalation" while he was "inspecting a broken pump leak."

Records previously obtained by the newspaper show that two men with the title of "lead operator" were working at the time Arredondo and Sheppard were called to repair the leaky pipe valve. Those records showed that at least one of the operators suspected conditions inside the plant could be dangerous but did not measure air quality before calling the mechanics to the site.

In the injury report, several questions were unanswered by the employee. The questions included who the supervisor was at the time of the incident and whether he was notified, if protective equipment was worn, what could have been done to prevent the injury, and whether training had been provided that could have prevented the injury.

Some of those questions were answered by a supervisor in a related report.

It's unknown whether the operator or the families of Arredondo and Sheppard have filed workers' compensation claims in the cases.

Another injury report shows that on July 20, a backhoe driver may have been exposed to gas rising from a manhole near Midwestern at Holliday Creek. The gas apparently leaked into the backhoe, which had its windows closed, through the air conditioning system.

The employee "retreated upwind" when an alarm alerted him to the presence of unsafe levels of gas in the area, a supervisor wrote. It was noted that adequate safety equipment was not being used.

It still is unclear what caused the buildup of hydrogen sulfide that killed Arredondo and Sheppard and injured a third employee. City administrators have ruled out several possibilities but have not come to any definite conclusion.

RELATED: Read the incident reports below
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Born March 29, 1952 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Oklahoma natives Merlin and Maxine Spangler, Sheri graduated to Heaven on July 2, 2016 after waging war with cancer. She spent her last few weeks surrounded by many family and friends at Friendship House in Solvang. California.

After high school, Sheri attended Midwestern University in Wichita Falls and Santa Barbara City College. She enjoyed forty years running her own business as an accountant, approaching each client with her personal and gracious style. "Pretty Blue Eyes" captured the heart of and married Michael Wilden Magrill on May 29, 1981. After several years residing in Texas, work brought Mike and Sheri to California in 1987. Mike retired at the end of June and was able to spend focused time with Sheri as she ended the struggle with her illness.

Her husband, Mike, her daughter Cheril Bailey-Magallanes, three grandchildren, Taylor, Brendon and Emily Magallanes, of Buellton, and her sister Carolyn Stevens from Wichita Falls, lovingly cared for Sheri. Remaining family members, all from Texas and including brother-in-law Ray Stevens, sister-in-law Myra Osborn, nephew Raymond Perry and niece Dawn Perry-Wilson, great-nephews, Collin Perry, Austin Ray and Ethan Wilson, and great-great nieces Chloe and Hannah Perry, and great-great nephew Noah Perry, supported her with prayers and words of encouragement. Many dear friends spent hours at her side, especially members of her home group from Valley Christian Fellowship.

Sheri was interred at a private family ceremony at Oak Hill Cemetery in Ballard, California. Friends and family were invited to honor Sheri's life at a memorial service held on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church. The service was officiated by Rev. Al Oliver and Rev. Jay Marshall.

Donations may be made in Sheri's name to the Solvang Friendship House for which Sheri did accounting for twenty years. (Donations may be made online through their website: http://www.solvangfriendshiphouse.com.) Further inquiries may be directed to Loper Funeral Chapel Directors (805-688-6684).
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Why does Donald Trump say such nice things about Vladimir Putin and Russia? What is Trump hiding in the tax returns he refuses to release? And are those two questions related?

Voters should demand answers. Until we get them, we can only speculate about Trump's weird admiration for a strongman who presides over a system of autocratic cronyism, flouts international law with his territorial ambitions, works against U.S. interests in hot spots around the globe, and apparently might have even deployed computer hackers to meddle in our election.

There may be nothing nefarious here; perhaps Trump just admires Putin's swaggering style. But there are reasons to wonder whether Trump's warm-and-fuzzy feelings are prompted by financial motives.

"Reasons to wonder" normally do not qualify as legitimate fodder for journalism, but these are not normal circumstances. Trump has broken with four decades of precedent and adamantly refused to let voters see his tax returns. His excuse  that he is under audit  is bogus. Given his history as a swashbuckling wheeler-dealer, including four corporate bankruptcies, there are legitimate questions about his finances. Yet he stonewalls, knowing that speculation does not qualify as proof.

Here's what we know. In July, Trump said in a tweet that he has "ZERO investments in Russia." If this is true, the more relevant question may be the extent to which Russian oligarchs, by definition beholden to Putin, have investments in Trump and his empire.

In 2008, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., said at a New York real estate conference that "Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets." Referring to the Trump Organization, where he works with his father, he added that "we see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."

That boast would make perfect sense. Following the bankruptcy of Trump Hotels and Casinos Resorts in 2004  which involved three casinos in Atlantic City and one in Indiana, and allowed Trump to get out from under an estimated $1.8 billion in debt  banks became wary of lending to Trump, according to widespread reports.

A 2010 federal lawsuit alleged that much of the money that financed the Trump SoHo luxury hotel development in Manhattan, which broke ground in 2006, came from a shadowy Iceland-based corporate entity. The suit alleges that "the money behind" the firm was "mostly Russian," and that the Russians involved "were in favor with Putin."

Trump was not charged with any wrongdoing in the suit, but the suit does strongly suggest that if traditional lenders were reluctant to get involved with Trump, Russian money had no such compunctions.

Which raises an obvious question: To what extent are Trump and the Trump Organization dependent on Russian investment? We have no way of knowing. Examination of Trump's tax returns might provide the answer.

We do know that Trump considered Russian oligarchs prime customers for high-end properties. In 2008, he sold a Palm Beach mansion to billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev for $95 million. Less than four years earlier, Trump had picked up the property at a bankruptcy auction for $41 million  meaning he made quite a tidy profit. Rybolovlev, who was then worth nearly $13 billion, is not believed to be as close to Putin as some of the other oligarchs, but neither is he in any sense an opponent of the regime.

Despite earlier claims to the contrary, Trump now says he has never actually met Putin. He tried his best to do so in 2013, when he took his Miss Universe pageant to Moscow, but Putin canceled a planned meeting and sent a lacquered box as a present instead, along with what was described as a warm note.

In his campaign, Trump has been consistent in calling for better relations with Russia. He has accepted Russia's annexation of Crimea as a fait accompli and suggested he might not come to the aid of the Baltic States if Russia invaded. Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort did extensive work on behalf of Viktor Yanukovych, the thuggish Putin-backed Ukrainian president who was ousted in 2014 and now lives in exile in Russia.

As a general rule, I don't believe in conspiracy theories and I do believe in coincidences. But Trump's chest-thumping "America First" attitude toward the rest of the world seems to make an exception for Russia, and we need to know why.

Trump supporters will say I'm speculating without the relevant facts. I say provide them: Release the taxes, now.

Eugene Robinson's email address is eugenerobinson@washpost.com. He writes for The Washington Post Writers Group.
SHARE Shawn Garcia, a civil engineer and project manager for the city looks over a site where 400 feet the Indirect Potable Reuse pipeliine was bored under U.S. Highway 287 20 feet underground. The 17-mile permanent pipeline can carry about 16 million gallons per day of treated effluent water from the treatment plant on River Road to Lake Arrowhead. Torin Halsey/Times Record News Torin Halsey/Times Record News Project Manager Shawn Garcia, left, Public Works Director Russell Schreiber and Utilities Operations Manager Daniel Nix, right, look over the chlorine contact basin at the River Road Wastewater Treatment Plant. The basin is the final step of treatment before the water flows into the Wichita River and away from Wichita Falls. The new Indirect Potable Reuse system will capture about 16 millions gallons a day and instead pump it to Lake Arrowhead, where it will blend with the existing reservoir water. Torin Halsey/Times Record News Crews lay a 500-foot section of high-density polyethylene water pipe in a trench near Lake Arrowhead. The 36-inch line will carry treated effluent water from the River Road Treatment Plant 17 miles to the lake, where it will be blended with the lake water. Torin Halsey/Times Record News Crews perform foundation work on a new pump station and basin at the River Road Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will send about 16 million gallons a day of treated effluent to Lake Arrowhead. The water will be blended with existing lake water in the reservoir system.

By John Ingle of the Times Record News

Work on a project that will pump 16 million gallons daily (MGD) to Lake Arrowhead is well underway as construction crews install new equipment at River Road Wastewater Treatment Plant and on the permanent reuse pipeline.

Wichita Falls Public Works Director Russell Schreiber said a unit that will provide additional phosphorus removal is being installed at the plant and it will dispense another level of disinfection in the early stages of the wastewater treatment process. It was a step required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, he said.

Once the wastewater effluent has gone through its stages of disinfection, it will travel through a gravity-fed pipe from a chlorine contact basin at the plant to the first of two new, 1,000-horsepower pump stations. The water will be pumped up to a new filter house, which will run the wastewater effluent through another cleansing process before ultimately being pumped some 17 miles to Lake Arrowhead.

Right now, the discharge is being sent down the Wichita River.

"That's 9.8 (MGD) going down the river every day," he said. "We're going to capture it."

The new system has been permitted to pump 16-20 MGD to Lake Arrowhead. Schreiber said the setup is automated and self-adjusts depending on the amount of product processed at the plant. It can send as little as 4 million gallons to the lake.

Shawn Garcia, project manager for the city, said that while work has been ongoing at River Road for some time, the crews are not behind. He said the first step for the pumps was to dig pits for the underground vertical turbine pump stations and prep the ground for the filter house. Construction crews also had to install 200 pilings for the foundation of the new equipment.

"We finally got to a point now to where we can start construction," he said.

Archer Western is the contractor on the River Road improvement project.

Schreiber said the actual amount of water sent down the pipe will fluctuate daily depending on usage. He said more people are showering, washing dishes or flushing toilets in the mornings and late evening, but not so much during the day or overnight.

Garcia said two types of pipe are being installed to carry the water from River Road to Lake Arrowhead. Water will flow through a 36-inch ductile iron pipe from River Road to the Wichita Falls Business Park on Fisher Road east of town. The pipe will be covered with polyethylene encasement wrap before it is buried.

He said crews are installing about 400 feet daily, which requires boring under roadways, including U.S. 287. It took three months to bore under the highway. To date, about 14,000 linear feet of the ductile iron has been laid.

The high-density polyethylene pipe used for the temporary, emergency pipeline during the drought is being reused for the connection from the business park to the lake. Garcia said they have not had to purchase any new HDP for the project.

About 65,000 linear feet of the HDP has been fused and laid along the route. Crews from Arkansas-based S&J Construction are now digging a trench and burying the pipe.

The entire project is expected to be completed by October 2017.
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EDUCATION

ALBANY LAW SCHOOL

Shahrokh (Seve) Falati joined as an assistant professor and as director of programs for patents, technology transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship. Falati will teach courses related to patent law, trademark and unfair competition law, and general intellectual property law, as well as launch Entrepreneurship Law in Emerging Technologies, a course designed to give students experience in representing new companies.

SARATOGA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

Pamela Howard joined as director of development. Howard previously held fundraising positions at the Albany Institute of History & Art and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany.

FINANCIAL

BALLSTON SPA NATIONAL BANK

Maria Nadoraski joined as a senior mortgage loan officer in the Latham office. Nadoraski has more than 15 years of experience and previously worked as a senior mortgage loan officer at a regional bank.

HEALTH CARE

DENTAL PRACTICE OF DR. WILLIAM PRIMOMO AND DR. ROBERT HERZOG JR.

Tricia Primomo joined as a dentist. Primomo is a member of the American Dental Association, the Dental Society of New York and the Third District Dental Society.

MEDIA

GRAMERCY COMMUNICATIONS

Nicole Parker was promoted to marketing manager. Parker, who specializes in video production, previously served as marketing coordinator.

32 MILE MEDIA

Lauren Herrington joined as a production manager. Herrington has more than a decade of experience in the communications and marketing industry and previously worked at Creative Communications Associates.

Jordan Forkey joined as senior editor/motion designer. Forkey has more than a decade of experience as an editor and motion designer and previously served as a senior video editor at Carr-Hughes Productions.

PROFESSIONS

MUTUAL OF OMAHA

Connor Crunden joined as a sales representative in Latham. Crunden previously worked as a driver's assistant at DeCrescente Distributing Co.

FITZGERALD MORRIS BAKER FIRTH PC

Jessica R. Coombs joined as an associate attorney in the Trusts and Estates Practice Group, working with clients to aid in Medicaid eligibility questions, estate planning, asset protection and long-term care planning. Coombs previously worked at Burke & Casserly PC.

SERVICES

ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE INVESTIGATIVE GROUP

Michael Parascondola joined as an account manager in the Clifton Park headquarters. Parascondola has 10 years of experience as a top-producing strategist.

PRIMEPAY LLC

Tim Beadnell was promoted to regional vice president of sales, north region. Based in Albany, Beadnell joined in 2011 and most recently served as area sales manager for Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts.

BESTPASS INC.

Deborah DeSorbo was promoted to fulfillment manager, overseeing transponder inventory, shipping and handling and associated account deployment processes. DeSorbo previously served as sales coordinator.

DWM FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

Andrew Piper was named a customer service team lead. Piper is a former operations supervisor for a regional specialty trades contractor.

Samantha Sommerman joined as vendor relations lead. Sommerman will focus on vendor development in high-volume and rural areas.

Jenny Segarra was named a customer service team lead. Segarra is an industry veteran with experience providing facilities maintenance solutions for national brands.

 Jennifer Patterson
Preview party for food, music Web series

Beats & Eats, a Web series launching later this year that explores the food and music culture of the Capital Region, will get a special preview during a fundraising event to benefit Albany Center Gallery from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the gallery in downtown Albany. There will be food, beverages, performances, a preview of the series, raffle and DJ.

Tickets, at $5 to $20, are available at eventbrite.com by searching for "Beats & Eats."

The gallery is located at 39 Columbia St. The promo video is at youtu.be/5bbT11bOJwE.

Troy's Brown's Brewing closes Malt Room

The Malt Room, a speakeasy in the basement of Revolution Hall in Troy for the past three years, closed after service on Saturday night. The parent company, Brown's Brewing, offered this explanation on Facebook: "The rationale behind the decision was collectively we didn't think it completely represented Brown's Brewing and was underutilized for such an amazing space."

The space will now be available for private parties, beer classes, etc.Brown's and Revolution Hall are located at 417-425 River St.

Local beer, wine at Make-A-Wish benefit

More than a dozen local breweries, wineries and distilleries will offer samples of their products during Cheers for Wishes, a fundraiser benefiting Make-A-Wish Northeast New York, scheduled for 6 to 11 p.m. Friday at Mallozzi's Ballroom, 1930 Curry Road, Rotterdam. There will also be food by Mallozzi's, raffles, auctions and stories of Make-A-Wish recipients. Proceeds go to the local chapter, which grants wishes of kids and teens who live in the 518 area code and have life-threatening medical conditions.

Tickets are $75 apiece ($60 for younger than 40) and are available by calling 456-9474.

Fall menu launches at Roux in Slingerlands

Roux restaurant in Slingerlands has introduced a fall menu with highlights including Korean-style beef short ribs, pork-shoulder meatballs with smoked-Gouda-Boursin fondue, rabbit campanelle, bacon-braised lamb shank and broiled or fried fish-n-chips with a whole bronzino..

Call 487-4358 for info or reservations. The address is 10 Vista Blvd.

Slidin' Dirty in national sandwich contest

Slidin' Dirty in Troy is one of 50 food trucks nationwide competing for votes in Hometown Breakfast Battle, sponsored by Thomas', the venerable manufacturer of English muffins (and bagels).

Slidin' Dirty's entry, a corned-beef-hash slider, will be available from its food truck this week (see schedule below) but not at the restaurant.

Voting began Monday and runs through Oct. 16. Consumers may vote once a day during the period and are eligible for prizes from coupons to $5,000 cash. Over the weeks of voting, trucks will be winnowed from 50 to 25, 10, five and two. The truck with the most votes at the end will receive $25,000.

Vote and see the Slidin' Dirty recipe thomasbreakfastbattle.com/recipes/corned-beef-hash-slider#.

The Slidin' Dirty truck will be at the following locations this week:

Thursday: Kiwanis Ice Rink, Saugerties (Hudson Valley Food Truck Festival); 4 to 9 p.m.; full truck menu.

Friday: Empire State Plaza, Albany, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; full truck menu. Also, Takk House 55 Third St., Troy (Collar City Beer Invitational); 5 p.m.; Thomas' slider only (full menu available inside Takk House for ticketholders).

Compiled by Steve Barnes. Items to be considered for publication must be submitted to sbarnes@timesunion.com. Visit his blog, blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping.
Albany

Albany High School will be able to expand a program that motivates students to pursue careers in the military after the Army agreed to fund a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the school.

The funding comes after months of advocacy by school officials and U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-NY, who visited students in the program in May. He later wrote federal officials urging full funding and recognition for the program.

"I was so moved by the cadets I met when I visited in May, and their heartfelt stories of how much this program has meant to them," Schumer said. "Each cadet talked about how their self esteem, sense of responsibility and academics have all been boosted since they joined the Henry Johnson Battalion. It was clear to me that this is a great program and deserved to be expanded."

Albany High launched the National Defense Cadet Corps last school year with 65 students. The corps is similar to a JROTC in most respects, except that it's funded by a school district and not the U.S. Department of Defense. Both programs were first created under the National Defense Act of 1916.

Because of the cost to run a program, which requires instructors, uniforms and equipment, the district was forced to cap enrollment at 75 students. Federal funding and JROTC status, which kick in next month, will allow it to expand. Based on demand, school officials expect enrollment to hit 120.

"It has been extremely popular at Albany High School, and this funding will support however many students choose to participate," said district spokesman Ron Lesko. "It's just a fantastic opportunity for Albany High School. It will open so many doors for our students."

The program is named after the famed African-American World War I hero from Albany who was denied the Medal of Honor for 93 years because of his race. He was posthumously awarded the nation's highest military honor in 2015.

Students are trained in leadership, citizenship, time management, communication and motivation, and promotes l fitness and a drug-free lifestyle.

"In addition to the opportunities JROTC provides, it also teaches important soft skills such as leadership and self-discipline that are so necessary to be successful in life," said Albany school board President Kenny Bruce. "It was a game-changer for me, and I think it can be a game-changer for so many of our students."

bbump@timesunion.com  518-454-5387  @bethanybump
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SCHENECTADY  A local Christian church is hosting "The Great Porn Debate" between porn star Ron Jeremy and Christian minister Craig Gross at Proctors GE Theater on Sept. 27.

The entertaining face-off has played around the country for several years, mainly on college campuses.

The Proctors event is being sponsored by CityReach Church, which has been holding Sunday services at Proctors through a rental agreement since it was founded last year by Pastor Jason Cooper and his wife, Danielle.

Proctors is renting the GE Theater to CityReach Church for "The Great Porn Debate" and is not the organizer or promoter. Tickets are $10.

More Information What: "The Great Porn Debate" with Pastor Craig Gross and porn star Ron Jeremy When: 7 p.m. Sept. 27 Where: Proctors, GE Theatre, 432 State St., Schenectady Info.: Tickets $10. https://www.eventbrite.com or 703-9792. See More Collapse

"They wanted to present this discussion and they're doing it on their dime, so we'll support that," said Michael Eck, a Proctors spokesman.

He said he does not anticipate any negative public reaction.

"We feel pretty strongly about being the community's living room and anything like this that fosters intelligent debate is welcome," Eck said.

Gross founded the Triple X Church six years ago "to tell the truth about porn" and to assist those who consider themselves victims of the porn industry. His not-for-profit organization provides special software for people who are trying to avoid viewing pornography on the Internet. He has garnered publicity for distributing to adult movie sets Bibles printed with the words, "Jesus loves porn stars."

Despite a receding hairline, chunky physique and ordinary looks, Jeremy became world-renowned in the adult film industry by appearing in and directing hundreds of X-rated films during a three-decade career in the industry. His hairy body earned him the nickname "Hedgehog."

At an Ohio University event several years ago, a large crowd of male students stood, cheered and chanted Jeremy's nickname as he entered a ballroom for the debate, according to news accounts.

Jeremy counters each of Gross's objections by arguing that the porn industry empowers women and he cites financially successful porn stars such as Jenna Jameson.
ALBANY  University at Albany Provost James Stellar will lead the university as interim president once President Robert Jones leaves next week.

Stellar was named to the temporary position Wednesday after a vote by the State University of New York Board of Trustees at its monthly meeting, held this month at SUNY Cortland.

Stellar first came to UAlbany in February 2015 to serve as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Prior to that, he was at Queens College, a City University of New York institution, where he served as vice president for academic innovation and experiential education and provost and vice president for academic affairs.

"I just want to assure you that we have a great mission, handed to us by Dr. Jones but carried on by the entire campus community," Stellar told trustees Wednesday. "We have an agenda to accomplish that mission ... and most importantly, we have an excellent team of senior leaders that has trickled down all the way into the faculty, and we will deliver on that mission through our agenda. Have no fear."

His career in academia has been a long one. He started first as a professor in psychology and social relations at Harvard University. He also was a biochemistry researcher at Harvard Medical School, and went on to spend 22 years at Northeastern University in Boston, where he served for a decade as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

He earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in biological psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also completed post-doctoral research.

Stellar will receive an annual salary of $500,000, with $390,000 coming from state funds and $110,000 from the SUNY Research Foundation. He will also receive $5,000 a month as a housing allowance, and will be allowed use of a campus car or an automobile allowance.

"Stellar has a proven track record and many accomplishments at UAlbany," said SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher. "In fact, in the past year, he launched two new colleges in engineering and emergency preparedness. We are very confident that Dr. Stellar will be a strong leader for this transition and we are pleased to move his name forward as interim president of the University at Albany."

A search will be held for a permanent UAlbany president, though few details about this process have been released.

The leadership transition comes about two months after Jones announced he was leaving UAlbany to take his "dream job" as chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and vice president of the University of Illinois system.

The news of Jones' planned departure took the UAlbany community by surprise, with many expressing disappointment at losing a leader they say brought much-needed stability to the university during his tenure. Jones' arrival in 2013 capped a presidency search that had proceeded in fits and starts after the unexpected death of former President Kermit Hall in 2006.

Jones' last day is Friday, Sept. 23.

"I'm very pleased that Jim Stellar has been appointed to serve as UAlbany's interim president," Jones said. "He has been an outstanding provost, and will provide continuity and a deep understanding of the critical initiatives under way. I am confident that he will excel in this role."
White Plains

Hillary Clinton will be back on the campaign trail Thursday, after spending several days at home recovering from pneumonia.

Campaign spokesman Nick Merrill said the Democratic nominee will resume normal campaign activities later this week. Clinton is scheduled to address the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute dinner in Washington on Thursday evening and appear on "The Tonight Show" Friday.

Clinton's doctor diagnosed her with pneumonia on Friday and recommended she take five days off to rest, Clinton told CNN. Her campaign didn't disclose the illness until Sunday, after video circulated on social media showing her stumbling and being supported by aides after abruptly leaving a 9/11 memorial service in New York City.

She headed to her daughter's house in Manhattan before going to her home in Chappaqua, where she was examined by her physician. The doctor later said in a statement that Clinton was "rehydrated and recovering nicely."
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Beirut

With much of Syria calm for the past 24 hours, a powerful al-Qaida-linked group sharply criticized the U.S.-Russian-brokered cease-fire, saying Tuesday its real aim was to keep President Bashar Assad in power.

The extremist group was in talks with other rebel factions for a possible merger, a move that could dash Washington and Moscow's hopes of distancing it from the wider insurgency and sabotage the truce.

The denunciation of the deal came as activists and state media said the truce, which took effect at sunset Monday, was holding despite some violations. The Syrian army said it would abide by the cease-fire until midnight Sunday, while maintaining its right to defend itself against any violations.

The truce excludes al-Qaida's affiliate, known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, and the more powerful Islamic State group, which are both designated terrorist organizations by the United Nations. The first week will be crucial: During that time, all fighting between Assad's forces and the rebels is to stop, although Assad's forces can continue airstrikes against IS and al-Qaida-linked militants.

If the calm holds for seven days, the U.S. and Russian militaries would then set up a new center to coordinate strikes against IS and the al-Qaida affiliate, previously known as the Nusra Front.

Jerusalem

Former Israeli President Shimon Peres suffered a "major stroke" on Tuesday and experienced heavy bleeding in the brain, hospital officials said, as doctors raced to stabilize the 93-year-old Nobel laureate.

Dr. Itzik Kreiss, director of the Sheba Medical Center, told reporters outside the hospital near Tel Aviv that Peres experienced "lots of bleeding" as a result of the stroke. He said he had undergone a battery of tests, and that doctors planned to hold another assessment in a few hours.

Standing alongside Kreiss, Peres' son Chemi said the situation was "not simple," but that the family was trying to stay positive.

"My father is very special. I am keeping optimistic. Hoping for the best. But these hours are not easy," he said.

He thanked the Israeli public for offering its support and prayers.

Peres' office issued a statement early Wednesday describing his condition as "serious but stable." It said he remained hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

Earlier, Israeli media reported the bleeding had stopped. Dr. Shlomi Matezsky, one of the doctors treating Peres, told Channel 2 TV that Peres had regained consciousness and was on a respirator.

"He is on a respirator and lightly sedated but is conducting actions, what is called in medical terms 'simple actions' and is not currently unconscious," he said.
It has been six years since Renee Zellweger appeared on a big screen, and twice as long since she has channeled Bridget Jones, the British heroine who made charming sport of cataloging her romantic foibles.

The gap was by design: Zellweger, 47, an Oscar nominee for the first "Bridget" movie and a winner in 2004 for "Cold Mountain," stepped away from the Hollywood "cycle," as she called it, to take stock of her life. "I had a lot of promises that I made to myself, years ago, about things that I wanted to learn and try," she said.

She traveled, studied screenwriting  "I feel like I'm more articulate with my pen"  and helped create a TV pilot about female musicians in 1960s and '70s Los Angeles. No networks have bitten so far, she said, miming a tear.

Still, it seems to have re-energized her to perform. She returns in the third Bridget installment, "Bridget Jones's Baby," out Friday, with a script written by Helen Fielding, the novelist who created the character, along with "Borat" writer-producer Dan Mazer, and Emma Thompson, who also stars.

More Information At a glance "Bridget Jones's Baby" Stars: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey Director: Sharon Maguire Opens: Friday See More Collapse

"It was time" to return, Zellweger said in an interview in Santa Monica, Calif., near her home. And doing another Bridget "was a no-brainer. I was just so happy to be back in her world."

But sightings of Zellweger over the last few years also stirred up intense scrutiny of her appearance, including stunned reactions to her seemingly changed look on a red carpet in 2014. A slew of think pieces, about the undue pressure on women's beauty standards in Hollywood and beyond, and some less charitable commentary, followed. Zellweger eventually responded, in an August essay for The Huffington Post. "Not that it's anyone's business," she wrote, "but I did not make a decision to alter my face and have surgery on my eyes."

And she insisted that she did not follow the brouhaha over her looks, until she had to. She has no public presence on social media. "I don't participate in it, and I don't know what's being said about me or other people until someone makes me aware of it," she said. "And usually it's an email, 'I'm so sorry about ...'"

In person, Zellweger was softspoken and thoughtful, if reticent about discussing some of the latest turns in her career. But she remains dedicated to the work: She watched hours of birthing videos to prepare to play a pregnant Bridget. The character is now a television news producer, so Zellweger also trailed a British morning-show producer for research. That made her realize "how important it is that the actor is not verbose," she said, laughing. "I promised myself I would be very concise and quick with my answers from now on." These are edited excerpts from the conversation.

Q: Did stepping into Bridget's shoes again feel familiar, or like a challenge because so much time has passed?

A: Both. Familiar because the process is similar, and I feel like I know her pretty well, and a different kind of challenge, because I've never had to show the ways in which a person evolves in her life and the ways in which she doesn't. That's my favorite stuff, by the way  that she just can't help herself sometimes. She puts her foot in it, right? I love that she hasn't refined her social graces; I love that she still goes for it  even if she's uncertain what the outcome might be. I love that she's hopelessly romantic and optimistic.

There were interesting conversations with Sharon Maguire, the director, about how (Bridget) might have gotten her life together  she's a little bit more mature, she's progressed professionally, moved into property ownership in London and has achieved her ideal weight. And still her life is a relative mess. I like the message in that: that we can tick off the boxes, and yet we still don't quite have it together. And that's pretty much the truth of growing up, isn't it?

Q: You had that experience a bit. When did you realize that you wanted out of the Hollywood circuit?

A: I don't think anybody is born with the faculties to know how to navigate what comes with it. One of the things that I learned is that I didn't know how to establish a healthy balance. I felt an obligation to say yes whenever I was asked to do something on behalf of my work. And the years go by, and your family and friends understand that you have responsibilities, but they're going to have the barbecue anyway, and the wedding anyway, and the baby's having a birthday anyway.

I just missed out on a lot of things. I needed to stop so I could reassess and figure out how to allow for myself in my own life. I needed to grow as a person in ways that didn't revolve around my work.

Q: Were you nervous making that leap, taking a break?

A: I think not doing it was more frightening.

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Q: One thing that changed in your time away is that there is now a bigger platform for both criticism and support, via social media. A male critic for Variety wrote a review of the trailer for "Bridget Jones's Baby," in which he talked about your looks in a way that many people felt was sexist, and they didn't hesitate to call him out for it. Did that response feel helpful or empowering?

A: I'm grateful for that experience and that he chose to do what he did, because it brought me to a place where it was necessary that I stand up for myself. Which is not me. It's not in my nature to publicly explain myself. And it was probably time.

Q: Were you surprised at the level of scrutiny your appearance received in the last few years? Was that a consideration in coming back?

A: It's always part of the equation  that's been going on since 2000 (when she was cast as Bridget, a role for which she famously gained weight). Too fat, and then I was too skinny and then ... But I'm not alone in it; it's just part of the reality of this experience now. I'm not going to make my (career) decisions based on whether or not I'm going to have to tolerate that.

Q: Did you find, as many actresses do, that as you got older, the roles got more one-dimensional?

A: I don't think that's specific to aging. There's always been "the girlfriend," "the indiscretion"  that's always been in the mix. Is it something that I saw in the industry before I turned 40? Yeah. It's rare to read a great story that a woman my age would find relatable anyway. But now it seems that there's something else going on as well. There's really an unprecedented reset happening in our business  a little bit of an identity crisis.

Q: Another thing that's changed is a focus on pay equity in the business. Is that something that crossed your radar when working on any of the other Bridgets, versus now, getting paid as much as your male co-stars?

A: I don't think it occurred to me that that would be an issue  isn't that sad? But in this instance, I don't think it was an issue.
With Hillary Clinton leading Donald Trump in New York by 30 percentage points in recent polls, speculation abounds regarding the potential impact of a possible Democratic presidential tsunami on Republican control of the New York state Senate. That control is indeed at stake in this presidential year. But the main reasons are higher presidential year voter turnout and the vastly diminished GOP vote base in the state, not the Clinton/Trump contest.

Gerald Benjamin is distinguished professor of political science, associate vice president for regional engagement and director of the Benjamin Center SUNY New Paltz.

The Clinton campaign may have the capacity to turn a Republican loss in the Senate into a historic Republican disaster. But it has little incentive to do so.

After Democrats gained control of the state Assembly in 1974, a bipartisan, bicameral gerrymandering agreement evolved in Albany: Democrats redistrict the Assembly, Republicans the Senate, and the governor goes along. This allowed the Republicans to re-cement control of the Senate every 10 years. But decade by decade, the numbers got tougher for the GOP. As older stalwart partisans died off or retired, Republican Senate redistricters have less and less to work with; their gerrymandering requires close margins.

Presidential years were particularly tough. In 2008, New York voters returned a Democratic Senate majority (32 of 62 seats), even though elections were held in districts designed by Republicans. Senate Democratic infighting, corruption and general inability to govern contributed to their majority never gaining partisan control.

The Republicans won back the Senate in 2010, and therefore again dominated decennial redistricting, as they had since 1970. Nonetheless, Democrats won 33 of the 63 Senate seats in 2012. But they remained divided and again failed to govern.

Differences in turnout were critical to these outcomes. There were 3.2 million more voters for president in New York in 2012 than there were for governor in 2014. This increased turnout in presidential years is bad for the state Senate GOP. Total votes on the Democratic (1,461,410) and Republican (1,426,297) lines for state Senate seats in 2014  the gubernatorial year  were almost equal in number.

But in the preceding presidential year, the number of voters for Democrats for the state Senate (3.2 million) exceeded those for Republicans by more than a million (2.1 million).

Every election, many Senate seats go uncontested; 28 in 2012 and 23 in 2014. But even discounting them, the pattern remains the same  relatively equal vote totals for Democratic and Republican Senate candidates in the gubernatorial year; a big Democrat advantage in presidential years.

Barack Obama won well over 60 percent of the vote for president in New York in both 2008 and 2012. If Hillary Clinton beats Donald Trump in the state by 30 points, the current margin in the polls (and again discounting any vote for third party candidates), she will get 65 percent, not much better than Obama. So this argues that 2016 will again be bad but not awful for the GOP. After all, they stayed reasonably close in the last two presidential years.

Political science research shows that the Clinton campaign may be able to elevate turnout even further with an advertising blitz, adding to the danger for the GOP in the Senate. But it probably won't. Senate GOP candidates should take some comfort from the calculus required by the electoral college. It causes the Clinton crowd to spend their money in more closely contested states.

Handicappers are calling at least four of the 63 state Senate contests tossups. There are eight or nine other races they say are also likely to be close. Suburbs and exurbs on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley, where enrollment balances have been shifting for years, are the main battlegrounds. Some of these districts were sites of recent Democratic victories. Other seats are defended by aging Republican incumbents.

The GOP has been governing in a coalition with five Independent Democrats and Simcha Felder, a Brooklyn Democratic who caucuses with them. All six are likely to be re-elected. Marisol Alcantara, who won the Democratic primary for the 31st District seat in the Bronx with the Independent Democrats' endorsement, and is assured of election, is likely to join them. So that's seven.

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There are currently 30 Republican state senators. A net loss of six seats defines disaster for the Senate GOP. With fewer than 25 members, Senate Republicans could not assemble a governing coalition.

The mainstream Democrats could then govern without either the Independent Democrats or Felder, though they would likely seek a deal with each one or all of these members for insurance against the kinds of internal divisions that kept them from governing after winning majorities in years past.

Or the regular Democrats might lure away the Republicans' coalition partners. Possible, but not likely. Apart from clashing ambitions and interpersonal differences, these six or seven members have far more power, individually and collectively, if they retain autonomous actors.

The verdict: A GOP Senate loss in 2016?: likely.

Continued coalition government in the Senate?: also likely.
Proposed industrial action by the cleaning staff in Templemore Garda College, may be be postponed pending the outcome of talks between their trade union and their employers.

The cleaning staff are demanding better pay and conditions, including that female staff be paid on the same basis as male staff.

A branch of the trade union IMPACT had called for a 'work to rule' action to commence on September 19th next, on behalf of the workers in the College. Some 30 state employees are affected.

It's understood Garda management have now stepped in and asked the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to resolve the situation.

This week, branch representative Ellie Brennan told the Tipperary Star that the proposed action may be suspended pending talks between their local union branch and the Garda authorities.

The local branch executive are due to have talks this Thursday (Sept. 15th), where it will be proposed that the work-to-rule will be postponed.

It will be postponed while the talks are going on. But that has to be agreed by the FGE (Federated Government Employees) branch of IMPACT on Thursday, said Ms Brennan. FGE represents cleaners, service officers and some of the lower grades in the Civil Service. We're being invited to the WRC, and we're putting that motion to the local branch, to see if that's the best way forward, added Ms Brennan.

If the motion is adopted, talks between the FGE and the Garda employers will commence in the WRC some time in the next two weeks.

At issue is managements failure to hire enough staff to deal with increased student numbers as Templemore becomes fully operational.

IMPACT has also raised health and safety concerns, and staff are also frustrated that they are expected to carry out a wide range of extended housekeeping duties without receiving any additional reward.
Groups using Nenagh Arts Centre face an anxious wait over the coming weeks to see if the centre is to remain open.

Almost 30 groups use the centre either weekly or occasionally, including the Nenagh Players, AA, the Irish Music Academy, active retirement, mother and toddler groups, dancing and yoga.

However, the centre's board posted a notice on its website on September 8 saying It is with great regret that the board of directors of Nenagh Arts Centre Limited make the following announcement: At a meeting of the board held on Tuesday evening the 6th September 2016 the board reviewed the financial position of the company and having determined that the company cannot continue in operation by reason of its liabilities, the board unanimously passed a resolution to put the company into liquidation due to insolvency and to call an extraordinary general meeting of the members of the company on 20th September next to pass a resolution to wind up the company and to appoint Gearoid Costelloe of Grant Thornton as Liquidator. A meeting of the creditors of the Company will also be held on 20th September. The board hopes that a solution can be found to keep the building open for activities. We would like to thank staff and patrons of the Arts Centre for their support over the years.

Local TD Alan Kelly told the Tipperary Star that he had been in touch with the Department of Social Protection in relation to the centre and he was quietly confident that the building would remain open. He was trying to make sure that meetings would take place between all the relevent groups involved.

Tipperary County Council said in a statement that it understood that the board of Nenagh Arts Centre Ltd had made a decision to put the company into liquidation due to insolvency and to seek the appointment of a liquidator.

Tipperary County Council is a significant creditor of Nenagh Arts Centre Ltd. In the event of the appointment of a Liquidator, the Council will constructively engage in that process to seek to ensure that the substantial investment made in this important public facility is protected in the best interests of the people of Nenagh and its surrounding areas, the statement said.
[September 14, 2016] A.M. BestTV: The Rendez-Vous Conference: Brexit Has Insurers Exploring New Relationships, Changes to Operations

In this A.M.BestTV episode on location from Les Rendez-Vous de Septembre (Rendez-Vous) reinsurance conference in Monte Carlo, Monaco, the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union is setting off a host of potential changes within the London insurance market. Click on http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=rvs3916nc to view the entire program. Insurance executives spoke at the conference about how to position their operations for continued access across markets once Brexit becomes a reality. "Brexit is a factor for Lloyd's, because, obviously, Lloyd's has access as part of the European Union, in terms of passporting rights to the 27 member states," said John Nelson, chairman, Lloyd's. "About 11% of Lloyd's business is with the European Union, but a large part of that is actually reinsurance. However, reinsurance is largely unaffected by Brexit. Therefore, it is not a huge issue for Lloyd's, but it is an important one, since the company does maintain access to the European Union's single market." Alex Finn, EMEA insurance leader for PwC, said that no matter what market shifts occur because of Brexit, the industry would adapt. "In the long run, the insurance industry is going to survive, so it is going to go on," said Finn. "However, the reality is, there are short- and medium-term challenges the industry will face. In the medium term, it is probably going to have some restructuring, with higher capital costs as a result of that restructuring, and possibly, higher operational costs. Will they be hugely significant? No, but they could have an impact on the economics of the business." Other people that appear in this episode: Kathleen Reardon, chief executive officer, Hamilton Re;

Ben Reid, chief executive officer, London Market Group;

Eric Andersen, chief executive officer, Aon Benfield;

Julian James, president, global markets, Allied World;

Greg Wojciechowski, president and chief executive officer, Bermuda Stock Exchange; and

Darren Wray, chief executive officer, Fifth Step. Visit http://www.ambest.tv/rvs16 for full coverage of the 2016 Rendez-Vous and watch exclusive interviews with key reinsurance executives. Interviews conducted thus far include: Mike Van Slooten, international head of market analysis, Aon Benfield; Andrew Holderness, head of corporate insurance, Clyde & Co; James Kent, president, Willis Re North America; and many others.



Recent episodes of A.M.BestTV include: The Rendez-Vous Conference: Insurance Disruption Takes Many Forms; Fewer Aim for Core Risk : At Rendez-Vous, insurance leaders said that they hope to harness or head off market disruptors by remaking distribution and business processes or by finding new ways to share risk: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=rvs2916nc.

: At Rendez-Vous, insurance leaders said that they hope to harness or head off market disruptors by remaking distribution and business processes or by finding new ways to share risk: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=rvs2916nc. The Rendez-Vous Conference: Reinsurers Say Relevancy is Key to Expanding the Ranks of Insureds and Risks : At Rendez-Vous, reinsurance executives said their challenge is to convince insurers and the public that their products and services are affordable, valued and effective in guarding against a growing range of global risks: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=rvs1916nc.

: At Rendez-Vous, reinsurance executives said their challenge is to convince insurers and the public that their products and services are affordable, valued and effective in guarding against a growing range of global risks: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=rvs1916nc. Global Reinsurers Focus on Innovation to Maintain Relevance : A.M. Best Vice President Robert DeRose and Assistant Vice President Greg Reisner address the state of the global reinsurance market: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=globalre916.

: Vice President Robert DeRose and Assistant Vice President Greg Reisner address the state of the global reinsurance market: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=globalre916. Aon's Gray: Captive Sponsors Find Ways to Lower Cost of Risk: Nancy Gray, regional managing director, Americas, Aon Global Insurance Managers, said captive owners are resetting limits and deductibles while taking on new coverages, all with a goal of decreasing overall cost of risk: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=gray816nc. A.M.BestTV covers exclusive A.M. Best information and reports, targeted topics and key developments in the (re)insurance industry every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Sign up for alerts of episodes at

http://www.ambest.com/multimedia/ambtvsignup.html. View A.M.BestTV episodes at http://www.ambest.tv. 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 Company, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914006214/en/

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[September 14, 2016] Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia Awarded State Contract to Continue Serving State's Medicaid Population

Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia, which has been serving the state for more than a decade, was awarded a new contract by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) to continue serving members who participate in the state's Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids managed care program. DCH also awarded Amerigroup the Georgia Families 360 contract to continue providing health care coverage for Georgia's Foster Care, Adoption Assistance and select youth in the non-secure Department of Juvenile Justice populations, which Amerigroup has managed since 2014. Amerigroup is one of four Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCO's) selected to serve Georgians and the lone entity designated to coordinate care for the state's foster care population. Services under the new contract become effective July 1, 2017. "Amerigroup has served Georgians through the Georgia Medicaid program for more than a decade, and we are honored to have been selected to continue serving residents who need our help," said Fran Gary, president of Amerigroup Georgia. "Our members are our families, and each and every day, we strive to help them gain access to high quality health care services that can effectively help them improve their health and lives. We have made a lot of progress in the past decade, and we look forward to continuing to build better, healthier futures." Amerigroup isa leader in the health care delivery and technology arena highlighted by its work with Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth (GPT) to provide telemedicine services to members in a timely fashion, regardless of their geographic barriers to access. Amerigroup has also worked with nearly 1,000 Georgia medical providers to transform their delivery systems into Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs) to improve quality of care for members and better control costs. Additionally, since March 2014, Amerigroup has been the single managed care organization responsible for coordinating the care of Georgia children in foster care, children receiving adoption assistance and select youth in the juvenile justice system. Through this program, Amerigroup provides an innovative approach to delivering holistic care coordination to vulnerable youth with complex needs.



Amerigroup's new contract enables the health plan to continue coordinating medical, behavioral, dental and vision health benefits for members who participate in the Georgia Families Program. The Georgia Families Program includes various state Medicaid programs, including Planning for Health Babies (P4HB), PeachCare for Kids and the Georgia Families 360 program. Through its innovative approach and customized services, Amerigroup will continue transforming Georgia's health care delivery system and improving lives across the state. ABOUT AMERIGROUP COMMUNITY CARE OF GEORGIA

Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia helps improve health care access and quality for more than 375,000 low-income Georgians by developing innovative care management programs and services. Members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. Amerigroup Georgia provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. Through health education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain a healthy lifestyle. For more information about Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia, visit www.myamerigroup.com/ga. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914005983/en/

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[September 14, 2016] BizEquity and Equifax Partner to Deliver Big Data for Small Businesses

BizEquity, the world's leading online provider of business valuation big data, today announced a strategic relationship with Equifax, an information solutions and, global insights provider, to offer a new business valuation tool to help financial professionals prospect more effectively and small business owners better understand their business' worth. As part of the agreement, Equifax will license certain data assets, which include financial and business details of some 80 million companies, to BizEquity to pre-value over 71 million private businesses using its patented cloud-based valuation platform that harnesses sophisticated algorithms and big data knowledge. This will enable financial professionals, such as bankers, financial advisers and wealth managers, to provide their clients and prospects with real-time insight into the fundamental questions of what their business is worth and how they are performing - in a fraction of the time it takes to accomplish a traditional business valuation. "We are proud to team up with Equifax, a global leader in the world-wide data and insights business, to harness the power of billions of data elements and use this data to democratize knowledge for every small business around the world," said Michael M. Carter, CEO of BizEquity. "By jointly distributing the BizEquity service, targeting over 900,000 financial professionals, we'll both innovate and disrupt by delivering value to the commercial market." The new valuation service will help provide financial professionals with: prospecting intelligence and lead engagement

key business contact details

innovative big data analytics

a reliable and viable technology platform

the ability to build stronger client relationships "Combining our market-leading data assets with BizEquity's award-winning technology is an excellent strategic relationship and an example of how Equifax continues to create innovative alliances," said Joy Wilder Lybeer, senior vice president of Enterprise Alliances at Equifax. Some 10 million businesses are expected to change ownership over the next 10 years1. Moreover, with a sgnificant number of businesses looking for financing and with many proprietors planning retirement based on the sale of their company, business valuation knowledge is a vital service provided by financial institutions and advisors.



BizEquity has over 300 financial institutions as clients to it's private labelled service offering including leading wealth management firms, insurance carriers, and international banks, including Metro Bank US, American Bankers Association, Penn Mutual, Dynasty Financial Partners in New York; Mutual of Omaha; and one of the UK's largest wealth management firms. ENDS

BizEquity BizEquity is the world's leading provider of business valuation knowledge and big data. BizEquity has valued over 33 million private businesses and distributes it's patented cloud-based service through thousands of financial advisors to help better inform small businesses of their lending; insurance; and wealth management needs and potential. BizEquity is headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania but has offices around the world in key markets such as London; Singapore; and Delhi. Some noteworthy accomplishments for the company include BizEquity's CEO Michael M. Carter being named one of the top 100 leaders in Global Fintech; BizEquity being named one of the top 360 private companies by Entrepreneur Media; and BizEquity winning the FinTech growth and innovation award from Bank Director. For more information, please visit: www.bizequity.com. About Equifax Equifax powers the financial future of individuals and organizations around the world. Using the combined strength of unique trusted data, technology and innovative analytics, Equifax has grown from a consumer credit company into a leading provider of insights and knowledge that helps its customers make informed decisions. The company organizes, assimilates and analyses data on more than 820 million consumers and more than 91 million businesses worldwide, and its databases include employee data contributed from more than 5,000 employers. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. It is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index, and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. Equifax employs approximately 9,200 employees worldwide. Some noteworthy achievements for the company include: Ranked 13 on the American Banker FinTech Forward list (2015); named a Top Technology Provider on the FinTech 100 list (2004-2015); named an InformationWeek Elite 100 Winner (2014-2015); named a Top Workplace by Atlanta Journal Constitution (2013-2015); named one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies (2011-2015); named one of Forbes' World's 100 Most Innovative Companies (2015). For more information, visit www.equifax.com. 1 https://cabb.org/news/baby-boomers-incredible-numbers-are-buying-and-selling-businesses-part-1-2 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914005090/en/

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[September 14, 2016] React Mobile Brings Personal Safety to Walgreens Customers in Wisconsin

React Mobile, a leader in personal safety technology, today announced a retail distribution agreement with Walgreens that puts its React Sidekick, a wearable panic button that turns any smartphone into a powerful lifeline, on store shelves at select locations in the Midwest United States. As an immediate result of the agreement, the React Sidekick is now available to thousands of customers shopping at select Walgreens locations in Wisconsin. "Our rollout of the React Sidekick at Walgreens is just in time for the back-to-school season - when child and student safety is top-of-mind with families and school administrators," said Robb Monkman, Founder and CEO of React Mobile. "Walgreens shoppers are among the first to have access to the React Sidekick in a retail store location, where it's easy to see how simple and convenient this personal safety device can be to wear or carry - making personal safety accessible at the touch of a button." The React Sidekick, which can be worn on a clip or keychain, pairs with the free React Mobile safety app via LE Bluetooth. With a single click of the Sidekick, users can activate the app and issue an SOS (News - Alert) alert for immediate emergency assistance, even when their phone screen is locked or their phone is out of reach. The React Mobile safety app's "Follow-Me" feature shares the user's location with friends, family, administrators or colleagues, enabling them to track the user's whereabouts in real-time and follow him or her to safety. Users can also choose to automatically post their alerts to Facebook and Twitter (News - Alert). As Seen On TV, the React Sidekick retails for $69.00 and is also available at other online retailers, includin Target.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Kmart.com, Sears.com and at ReactMobile.com. Pricing and availability is subject to change.



For more information about the React Mobile, visit: http://reactmobile.com, or watch a short video of the Sidekick in action: https://vimeo.com/150820518 About React Mobile

React Mobile was established with the singular goal to help people in times of distress. The React Mobile safety system is the fastest way to reach a wide network of family and friends when it matters most. React Mobile's products center around wide spread emergency alerting with GPS location sharing. From families to large universities, React Mobile's products leverage technology to enhance the safety of students, employees, and loved ones.

React Mobile was the first to bring a panic button to market following a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2014. Since then, the company has secured key national partners such as such as Take Back the Night and is a Featured Safety Provider in the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) REALTOR Safety Program. React Mobile also has exclusive commercial contracts with Seattle University, Occidental College, Windermere Real Estate, BNSF Railway, Nortek Security and Control, Digistar (Asia), Qualico and many others. Click the following link to watch a short video out how React Mobile is keeping people safe: https://vimeo.com/177256242 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914005001/en/

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[September 13, 2016] Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar Copper Pipes, Coils and Fittings Market By Type, By Application, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2011 - 2021

LONDON, Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --



Rising infrastructure developments in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar are anticipated to boost demand for HVAC and plumbing systems, and thereby, drive the market for copper pipes, coils and fittings in these countries through 2021. Copper piping network is widely used in plumbing infrastructure, on account of its fitment application in water supply networks. Copper pipes and coils are also widely applied in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, due to their high resilience to changes in temperatures and longevity. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar witness hot climatic conditions, which results in high usage of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Further, expanding population base and high disposable income in all of these countries is projected to fuel demand for air conditioners and refrigerators in the coming years, thereby driving demand for copper pipes and coils. Additionally, these countries are highly dependent on desalination of sea water to address their need for potable water. Ongoing and future developments in strengthening and expanding water supply infrastructure is expected to positively influence the copper pipes, coils and fittings market in these countries during 2016-2021.



According to "Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar Copper Pipes, Coils and Fittings Market By Type, By Application, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2011 - 2021", the market for copper pipes, coils and fittings in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar is forecast to grow at a CAGR of over 8% through 2021, especially due to rising demand for copper pipes, coils and fittings from new building construction in these countries. Demand for copper pipes, coils and fittings in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar is met by ditributors, with the distributors importing copper pipes, coils and fittings from countries such as the UK, South Africa, etc. Few of the major brands of copper pipes, coils and fittings available in these countries include Mueller Industries and Maksal Tubes, among others. On account of rising demand for copper pipes, coils and fittings in the Middle East, Mueller Industries has announced plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Bahrain to address the growing demand in the Middle East & Africa regions. "Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar Copper Pipes, Coils and Fittings Market By Type, By Application, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2011 - 2021" discusses the following aspects of copper pipes, coils and fittings market in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar:







- Saudi Arabia , UAE, Kuwait and Qatar Copper Pipes, Coils & Fittings Market Size, Share & Forecast

- Segmental Analysis - By Type (K Type, L Type and M Type), By Application (Plumbing, HVAC & Refrigeration, and Industrial/OEM)

- Changing Market Trends & Emerging Opportunities

- Competitive Landscape & Strategic Recommendations



Why You Should Buy This Report?





- To gain an in-depth understanding of copper pipes, coils and fittings market in Saudi Arabia , UAE, Kuwait and Qatar

- To identify the on-going trends and anticipated growth in the next five years

- To help industry consultants and copper pipes, coils and fittings manufacturers and distributors align their market-centric strategies

- To obtain research based business decisions and add weight to presentations and marketing material

- To gain competitive knowledge of leading market players

- To avail 10% customization in the report without any extra charges and get research data or trends added in the report as per the buyer's specific needs



Report Methodology



The information contained in this report is based upon both primary and secondary research. Primary research included interaction with copper pipes, coils and fittings manufacturers, distributors and industry experts. Secondary research included an exhaustive search of relevant publications company annual reports, financial reports and other proprietary databases.





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4124985/



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/saudi-arabia-uae-kuwait-and-qatar-copper-pipes-coils-and-fittings-market-by-type-by-application-competition-forecast--opportunities-2011--2021-300327573.html SOURCE ReportBuyer

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[September 13, 2016] Caps and Closures Market in North America to Witness Growth Through 2020 Due to Increase in Demand for Child-resistant and Tamper-evident Closures: Technavio

Technavio analysts forecast the caps and closures market in North America to grow at a CAGR of more than 4% during the forecast period, according to their latest report. The research study covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the global caps and closures market in North America for 2016-2020. The report also lists beverages, food, personal care, and other industries (non-food sectors such as automotive, agrochemical, and chemical) as the four major end-user segments for this market. Light-weight caps and closures and short neck bottles will gain prominence during the forecast period. Light-weight packaging lowers transportation costs and thus helps in increasing sales through discounts among consumers with low purchasing power. It also makes the packaged products easier to handle. Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=52476 Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Technavio transportation and logistics analysts highlight the following three factors that are contributing to the growth of the caps and closures market in North America: Demand for child-resistant and tamper-evident closures

Branding through caps and closures

Increased R&D centers and enhanced usage of renewable raw material Demand for child-resistant and tamper-evident closures Child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging have gained a lot of popularity in the caps and closures market in North America. "In the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has endorsed rules that have made it compulsory to use child-resistant caps and closures for hazardous products such as household chemicals, pesticides, and cosmetics. These laws are mainly directed towards the protection of children who are less than five years old," says Sharan Raj, a lead analyst at Technavio for warehouse and storage research. Child-resistant closures are manufactured in such a way that they are difficult for children to open. For example, the lid of a bottle can be so manufactured that it can only be opned by pushing and squeezing it at the same time or peeling off a strong material from the lid. Many companies such as Global Closures System offer a wide range of closures that adhere to all the regulations formulated by local authorities.



Similarly, companies are producing tamper-evident closures to prevent unauthorized access to products. These closures have more than one entry barrier, which, once broken, makes tampering apparent to the observer. Tamper-evident packages also have distinctive seals or are made up of materials that are not readily available in the market to prevent counterfeiting. Branding through caps and closures

As competition in the market intensifies, the importance of branding also increases. Companies design customized solutions for clients as it is one of the ways for vendors to make a mark in the market. Vendors in this market are manufacturing caps and closures that have visual appeal in order to build an identity for their brand. They experiment with different colors and shapes to attract consumers. For instance, Van Cleef and Arpels launched a new perfume in 2016 with a Surlyn cap. The cap was designed to increase aesthetic value, achieve transparency, and other features. Companies use caps and closures to differentiate their products from those of their competitors. For example, Torani and its partners launched a new bottle closure in 2016 to make the brand popular among bartenders. The new closure allows quick service and reduction in waste. The demand for attractive packaging is increasing worldwide, especially for personal care products. The changing lifestyles of consumers have led to increased demand for convenient, disposable packages for personal care products. Companies are introducing products that enhance ease of use, transportation, and disposal. "Consumers have been quick to respond to value-added caps and closures such as dispensing closures and tamper-evident closures. Threaded closures make product dispensing easy and can be resealed," says Sharan. Many companies also customize their products to meet the needs of consumers. For instance, Borealis, a packaging company, manufactures caps and closures based on the lifestyles of its consumers. They offer lightweight solid caps and closures that are leak proof, easy to open, and suitable for use in all weather conditions - ideal for consumers who lead an on-the-go lifestyle. Increased R&D centers and enhanced usage of renewable raw material Vendors in the caps and closures market are using innovation and new technologies to introduce new and innovative products. For example, BERICAP runs five major R&D centers. Each of these centers is specialized in certain fields of closure technology. In addition to these centers, it also has satellite R&D centers in individual plants. Companies are looking for better performance, functionality, and convenience in caps and closures at low costs. To address this need, manufacturers are producing plastic caps and closures with additional features, such as anti-counterfeiting. Bapco Closures, a US-based closures manufacturer, has introduced caps made of a mixture of polymer and aluminum, eliminating the use of screw threads and thereby reducing costs. Technological innovation is also focused on the production of sustainable products. Many manufacturers of caps and closures prefer the use of eco-friendly packaging to promote environment sustainability. As a result of increasing environmental concerns, the emphasis is on the recyclability of materials used in caps and closures and the use of resins that are derived from renewable resources. For example, in 2016, Tetra Pak introduced a bio-based plastic bottle with cap in the US under the brand JUST Water, 80% of which is made from plant-based materials. Browse Related Reports: Global Metal Caps and Closures Market 2016-2020

Global Pharmaceutical Caps and Closures Market 2016-2020

Global Plastic Caps and Closures Market 2015-2019 Do you need a report on a market in a specific geographical cluster or country but can't find what you're looking for? Don't worry, Technavio also takes client requests. Please contact [email protected] with your requirements and our analysts will be happy to create a customized report just for you. About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160913005133/en/

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[September 13, 2016] Thales Cloud Key Management honored at 2016 Golden Bridge Awards

PLANTATION, Fla., Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Thales, leader in critical information systems, cyber security and data protection, is the Gold Winner of the Golden Bridge Award for Cloud Authentication Innovations for its bring your own key (BYOK) technology. The Golden Bridge Awards is an annual industry and peers recognition program honoring companies from all over the world that have achieved excellence. Winners were announced during an awards dinner and presentation on September 12, 2016 in San Francisco. Thales leads the industry where cloud security is concerned, providing key management capabilities for the leading cloud infrastructure offerings  AWS and Microsoft Azure  as well as the leading SaaS provider, Salesforce.com. Thales is clearly the company of choice to support our customers' cloud security needs. With Thales hardware security modules (HSMs) and key management on premises, organizations can take control of the lifecycle of the keys they use in the cloud, and revoke or retire those keys as necessary. This BYOK solution gives organizations flexibility in deploying applications in the cloud while retaining control of critical business operations in-house. Cindy Provin, chief strategy officer at Thales e-Security says: "As organizations focus on moving their more sensitive data and applications to the cloud, strong encryption key management is a critical consideration. The ability to manage cryptographic keys in-house and release them to cloud providers only on a 'need to use basis' is becoming an increasingly poerful tool and one that Thales has the proven experience and expertise to deliver. We are excited to have our market leading and innovative cloud security expertise recognized by the Golden Bridge Awards."



For industry insight and views on the latest key management trends check out our blog www.thales-esecurity.com/blogs Follow Thales e-Security on Twitter @Thalesesecurity, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube

About Thales e-Security Thales e-Security + Vormetric have combined to form the leading global data protection and digital trust management company. Together, we enable companies to compete confidently and quickly by securing data at-rest, in-motion, and in-use to effectively deliver secure and compliant solutions with the highest levels of management, speed and trust across physical, virtual, and cloud environments. By deploying our leading solutions and services, targeted attacks are thwarted and sensitive data risk exposure is reduced with the least business disruption and at the lowest life cycle cost. Thales e-Security and Vormetric are part of Thales Group. www.thales-esecurity.com About Thales Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Transport, Defence and Security markets. With 62,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of 14 billion in 2015. With over 22,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design and deploy equipment, systems and services to meet the most complex security requirements. Its exceptional international footprint allows it to work closely with its customers all over the world. Positioned as a value-added systems integrator, equipment supplier and service provider, Thales is one of Europe's leading players in the security market. Thales solutions secure the four key domains considered vital to modern societies: government, cities, critical infrastructure and cyberspace. Drawing on its strong cryptographic capabilities, Thales is one of the world leaders in cybersecurity products and solutions for critical state and military infrastructures, satellite networks and industrial and financial companies. With a presence throughout the entire security chain, Thales offers a comprehensive range of services and solutions ranging from data protection and trust management, security consulting, intrusion detection and architecture design to system certification, development and through-life management of products and services, and security supervision with Security Operation Centres in France, the United Kingdom and The Netherlands. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150929/271846LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thales-cloud-key-management-honored-at-2016-golden-bridge-awards-300327186.html SOURCE Thales

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[September 13, 2016] Ameritech College of Healthcare's CEO Named a Healthcare Hero by Utah Business

Ameritech College of Healthcare CEO Julie Aiken, DNP, RN, CNE, has been honored as a Healthcare Educator in the annual 2016 Utah Business Healthcare Heroes award, an honor that recognizes excellence and innovation within the healthcare system. She was recognized at a luncheon today at The Grand America in Salt Lake City. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160913006585/en/ Ameritech College of Healthcare CEO Julie Aiken, DNP, RN, CNE, has been honored as a Healthcare Educator in the annual 2016 Utah Business Healthcare Heroes award. (Photo: Business Wire) The Healthcare Hero honorees include physicians who go the extra mile, administrators who've helped transform their organizations, compassionate volunteers and others who have made a meaningful impact on healthcare in Utah. Aiken, who has served as CEO since 2014, joined Ameritech College of Healthcare in 2007 as a part-time faculty member. Shortly after earning her master's degree in nursing education in 2009, Aiken was asked to serve as director of the school's nursing program. It was in that director role that she began to effect change and rowth at the college.



As director of nursing, Aiken quickly began to focus on increasing the quality of the school by strengthening the nursing curriculum, and then selectively hired faculty with a passion for both nursing and teaching. The results have been striking. Ameritech College of Healthcare's associate nursing degree graduates last year passed boards on their first attempt at a rate of 95.3 percent, compared to 85.5 percent statewide and 84.5 percent nationally. The nursing program also earned its accreditation in 2010, which was recently renewed through 2023.

Aiken's hard work in transforming the college paid off when she was asked to serve as CEO in 2014. Since then, she has continued to further expand the nursing curriculum, recently launching the school's RN-to-BSN degree completion program. Aiken recently returned from a humanitarian trip to the Sub-Saharan African country of Malawi, where she helped build a school and train local obstetric nurses. She is also developing a program that will allow students to participate in the service project next year. "Julie was always an amazing instructor," said Linda Petersen, vice president of student affairs. "She's earned the respect of other educators who now realize she isn't leading just another private school. People know she's in the business of changing lives." For more information about Ameritech College of Healthcare and CEO Julie Aiken, view the profile video at Utah Business, visit www.ameritech.edu or call (801) 816-1444. About Ameritech College of Healthcare Since 1979, Ameritech College of Healthcare has been committed to creating outstanding healthcare professionals. Over the past several decades, thousands of graduates have chosen Ameritech to assist them with their career transition into a variety of healthcare- and dental-related fields. The college provides a fast track to a successful healthcare career through an expert faculty dedicated to the needs of the student. Students who graduate from Ameritech are better prepared for their healthcare field, have higher licensure pass rates and achieve better placement rates than other programs. The college offers programs in occupational therapy assistant, medical assistant, dental lab technician, and nursing, including both RN license and RN-to-BSN degree completion programs. Most faculty have years of practical experience in their professions and hold doctorate degrees in their related fields. For more information about Ameritech, please visit www.ameritech.edu or call 801-816-1444. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160913006585/en/

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[September 13, 2016] 'YES ON PROP 61' Launched Statewide Billboard Campaign on California Drug Pricing Measure

Yes on Prop 61/Californians for Lower Drug Prices today launched a statewide billboard campaign that features many respected organizations saying "Yes on Proposition 61." This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160913006691/en/ Images of the 'Yes on 61' billboards for the California Drug Price Relief Act ballot measure, with endorsements from AARP, CNA, VoteVets, the Urban League and Senator Bernie Sanders. (Graphic: Business Wire) Nearly 400 billboards across the length and breadth of California, from San Diego to Redding, will point out to voters that AARP California, the California Nurses Association, the Urban League, VoteVets, Sen. Bernie Sanders and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation all say "Yes on 61 for Lower Drug Prices." See attached PDF for artwork. "Opponents of Proposition 61 are going to spend nearly $100 million to lie to and scare voters and otherwise attempt to convince Californians to vote against their own best interests," said Roger Salazar, spokesperson for Yes on Prop. 61. "We may not have their millions, but Caliornians will see and hear our message - through targeted digital, television and radio ads and billboards like these up and down the state."



The Yes on 61 campaign yesterday also launched its first statewide television ad, a spot with a medical doctor and infectious-disease expert talking about the outrageous prices of prescription drugs, and how they threaten people's lives. The full ad can be viewed here and at www.YesOn61.com. Proposition 61, on the November 8 ballot, would require the state of California to negotiate with drug companies for drug prices that are no more than is paid for the same drugs by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Unlike Medicare, the DVA negotiates for drug prices on behalf of the millions veterans it serves, and pays on average 20-24 percent less for medications than other government agencies, and up to 40 percent less than Medicare Part D. Prop. 61 empowers the state, as the healthcare buyer for millions of Californians, to negotiate the same or an even better deal for taxpayers, saving the state billions.

Prop. 61 has been endorsed by AARP California, the California Nurses Association, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and his new organization Our Revolution (News - Alert), former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, civil rights and labor activist Dolores Huerta, the Rev. Al Sharpton, the Urban League, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Campaign for a Healthy California, Progressive Democrats of America, Social Security Works and the VoteVets Action Fund. In addition, Prop. 61 is supported by county Democratic parties in Alameda, Contra Costa, Madera, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Ventura and Yolo counties, numerous California Democratic Party (CDP) officials, including former longtime California Democratic Party Chair Art Torres, CDP Secretary Daraka Larimore-Hall and CDP Controller Hilary Crosby. A full list of endorsements can be found at http://www.Yeson61.com/endorsements/ www.Yeson61.com

Paid (News - Alert) for by Yes on Prop 61, Californians for Lower Drug Prices, With Major Funding by AIDS Healthcare Foundation and California Nurses Association PAC. FPPC ID#1376791 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160913006691/en/

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[September 13, 2016] Glispa Acquires Avocarrot Programmatic Native Advertising Exchange

BERLIN and SAN FRANCISCO and BEIJING and SAO PAULO and TEL AVIV, Israel and SINGAPORE, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Glispa Global Group, the mobile ad tech pioneer, announces the acquisition of Avocarrot, to further bolster its native advertising monetization business for app developers. Based in San Francisco and Athens, Avocarrot is a high-growth native advertising Supply-Side Platform (SSP) leveraging programmatic advertising and Real-Time-Bidding (RTB) technologies to help automate the buying and selling of mobile advertising. For more information about Glispa Global Group, Avocarrot and the acquisition: www.glispa.com Complements Both Glispa's User Acquisition and Monetization Business

The acquisition benefits Glispa's advertisers (demand-partners), as it immediately offers an additional channel for a programmatic marketplace. The combination of assets strongly complements Glispa's native advertising monetization focus (for app developers). Avocarrot will integrate with Glispa's Ampiri Mediation platform to seamlessly monetize app inventory via both programmatic and non-programmatic allocation in a single platform. Avocarrot, combined with Glispa's Ampiri native advertising monetization platform, bring: A leading RTB exchange that allows media buyers, trading desks and Demand Side Partners (DSPs) to buy native ad inventory via programmatic direct, private marketplace and open auctions

More than 50 leading DSPs and leading ad networks together globally, with the widest possible reach to native programmatic demand

An ad server that app developers and publishers can use to launch direct advertising campaigns or cross promotions of their own products

Four Avocarrot technical founders, including Conno Christou , Georgios Makkoulis, Giorgos Eracleous , Panagiotis Papageorgio as well as 14 additional engineers with a demonstrated expertise in programmatic native advertising in ad tech to join the Ampiri team of engineers and data scientists.



Avocarrot's programmatic exchange will soon integrate with Ampiri with a single user interface, a single SDK, and a combined integration of ad-networks and DSPs, all on the same platform. Integration with the Glispa Audience Platform will provide valuable user insights for profiling for increasing revenue.

"Together Glispa and Avocarrot have a distinct competitive advantage offering massive global scale for truly independent native advertising traffic," said Freddy Friedman, Chief Product Officer of Glispa Global Group. "Most mobile monetization companies focus either on programmatic advertising or on ad mediation and we've now strategically combined both in the most seamless way." "This is a key time in ad tech for a powerful player to cut through the noise in the app economy. Glispa's strong advertising footprint across 187 countries and our leading technology in programmatic native monetization provides tremendous value for our existing and future app partners. We couldn't be more excited to join forces with Glispa," said Avocarrot co-founder Conno Christou. About Avocarrot

Avocarrot is a programmatic SSP and Ad Exchange focused on in-app native advertising. The company is focused on building highly automated self-serve tools which have enabled thousands of publishers to monetize more effectively. Big apps like Reddit is Fun and ZapZap Messenger from big markets like US and Brazil, to smaller indie ones like PeruCholly in Peru use this technology in their core monetization strategy. About Glispa Global Group

Glispa Global Group is a mobile marketing ad tech company empowering clients to activate global audiences and move markets. Providing a full suite of technology-based services, Glispa partners with global advertisers, app developers and publishers, enabling them to reach their user acquisition and monetization goals. Our Glispa Performance Network helps advertisers drive mobile engagement to acquire high quality users, cost-effectively at scale. With our ad mediation platform, Ampiri, app developers gain full transparency and control over their entire mobile app inventory to maximize revenue potential, working with the largest global publishers and app developers. Our recently-launched social influencer network VOLTU connects advertisers with thousands of influencers worldwide in order to drive app installs, brand awareness and lifetime value. Headquartered in Berlin with offices in Beijing, Bangalore, San Francisco, Tel Aviv, Singapore and Sao Paulo, Glispa employs a multinational team representing 45 nationalities speaking 32 languages. To get started with Glispa, connect with us: http://www.glispa.com. Glispa Contacts: USA

Nicole DeMeo

[email protected]

+1 415 5332599 Germany

Melissa Bohlsen

[email protected]

+49.30.6098.48374 Southeast Asia

PRecious: Soraya Rosadha

[email protected]

+65-9272 3133 Business Development/Sales contact: Southeast Asia

Christian Nguyen

[email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160914/8521605820



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[September 13, 2016] DECENT Blockchain Platform ICO Raises Over 4138 BTC in Two Days

BLOKHUS, Denmark, Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Switzerland-based DECENT decentralized content distribution platform has announced the launch of its ICO in association with CCEDK, a Danish cryptocurrency startup crowdfunding solutions provider. The ICO has gained tremendous traction, raising over 4138 BTC in less than 2 days. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/407334 DECENT will allow content creators and enterprises to build a wide variety of applications on the open-source protocol to suit their requirements. DECENT based apps can be used for blogs, music publishing and streaming, e-book publishing, software sales, indie games development and more. Unlike other platforms, DECENT eliminates middlemen and third parties to maximize content creators' profits. The venture has attracted developers, ambassadors and business advisors from various parts of the world. By using blockchain technology with strong encryption protocols, DECENT ensures the confidentiality of information, preventing access and modification from third parties. Any content distributed over DECENT will stay encrypted until the intended recipient uses the right key to decrypt it for consumption. The DECENT (DCT) crypto-token crowd sale was launched on Sunday, September 11, 2016, at 1300 hours GMT. The 8 week long ICO saw a sale of over 25 million DCTs in the initial few hours. Proceeds from the ICO will be utilized by DECENT to fund the development of future releases, protocol optimization, maintenance, associated operational, administrative and logistical costs. Once the funds are allocated for these activities, any remaining funds will be utilized towards legal expenses and covering other marketing and community outreach costs. In order to launch a successful ICO, DECENT has entered into a partnership with CCEDK, a Danish cryptocurrency firm specializing in crowd-fundraising and promoting startups in the sector. The platform has struck a special deal with CCEDK to avoid the standard ICO pre-launch service on OpenLedger, directly entering the ICO stage. While explaining the service offered by CCEDK, its CEO and founder Ronny Boesing says, "CCEDK would normally offer the option to buy in early and trade immediately on OpenLedger. However, in agreement with DECENT's project leaders, we have decided not to include the ICO pre-launch service for this initiative. Instead, we are providing them with a tailor-made solution comprised of a combination of our services integrated with our ICOO (ICO OpenLedger) Economic Enterprise Engine." As a part of this partnership, ICOO will be one of the stakeholders in DECENT and ICOO token holders will automatically become indirect investors in the launch.







DECENT ICO Flow





ICO Timeline Offerings



Day 1 5000 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH + 50% bonus (up to first 10 million DCT sales) Week 1 5000 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH + 10% bonus Week 2 4500 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 3 4000 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 4 3500 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 5 3400 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 6 3300 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 7 3200 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH Week 8 3000 DCT/ 1 BTC/ 55 ETH

Participate in the DECENT ICO at  https://ico.decent.ch/home/register DECENT has already received widespread support from the industry as well as public. It has been part of various cryptocurrency and startup conferences. The platform has also forged partnerships with leading media outlets in the digital currency sector including NewsBTC, Cryptocurrency Magazine, Bitcoin News, Blockchain News, ICO Countdown, Forklog and 8BTC. DECENT has now secured a partnership with the mining pool MinerGate for future blockchain mining of their tokens DCT. The DECENT are optimistic that MinerGate's customer base of over 340 thousand people will ensure rapid development. MinerGate's CEO Claude Lecomte shares his thoughts on the new partnership: "DECENT will be a remarkable addition to our pool, as we believe in the philosophy of sharing and promoting digital content via blockchain technology and would love to share it with our clients, too. DECENT ICO is one of the few that makes sense, because our miners would love to expand their capacities, and DECENT gives rewards for hard drive storage space." About DECENT The Geneva-based foundation DECENT is the brainchild of two Slovakian founders, Matej Michalko and Matej Boda. It is a blockchain technology-based digital content publishing and sharing platform. The unified platform empowers content creators and consumers by offering a censor-free, independent publishing platform with micropayments based content monetization, voting and reputation systems. DECENT already has teams spread around the globe with offices in Switzerland and Slovakia; collaborators in Ukraine, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Australia. The DECENT decentralized digital content distributed platform has partnered with CCEDK to launch its highly successful ICO. Earlier, the company had raised 500,000 euros in funding from Element Capital LLC, a US-Chinese fund. Learn more about DECENT at  https://decent.ch Download DECENT Whitepaper from  https://decent.ch/src/decent-whitepaper.pdf Read more about DECENT on Forbes  http://www.forbes.com/sites/rogeraitken/2016/09/11/decent-crypto-investment-paves-way-to-decentralized-content-distribution-revolution/#3e3e9f38f942 Media Contact Contact Name: Ronny Boesing Contact Email: [email protected] Location: Blokhus, Denmark DECENT is the source of this content. Virtual currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and accounts and value balances are not subject to FDIC and other consumer protections. This press release is for informational purposes only. Related Links Bitcoin PR Buzz DECENT 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/decent-blockchain-platform-ico-raises-over-4138-btc-in-two-days-300327613.html SOURCE DECENT

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[September 14, 2016] I.C.E DATACENTERS - Opening of Flagship Datacenter in Markham

First Real Alternative to Downtown Toronto That Offers Geographic Diversity, Dense Carrier Presence and an Enterprise-Class "Green" Datacenter MARKHAM, ON, Sept 14, 2016 /CNW/ - I.C.E DATACENTERS, a carrier-neutral and independent provider of network-centric datacenters will be hosting its Grand Opening of I.C.E Toronto on September 15, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Markham Hilton at 8500 Warden Avenue in Markham. "Our customers are businesses whose critical functions all depend on their ability to interconnect with their global community of suppliers, customers and partners 24/7/365. This means reliability, speed and cost-effective access are mission critical. Toronto has developed into a major metropolis, North America's 4th largest, and one of its fastest growing cities. This growth has brought significant concentration and single-point-of-failure risks onto the supporting communication infrastructure; in particular with the vast majority of IP traffic being single-threaded through downtown Toronto. We address this massive business vulnerability at I.C.E Markham. We offer the same level of access to the global interconnect community, which includes national and multi-national carriers, ISPs and content and cloud providers while providing uncompromised geographic diversity to downtown Toronto," says Michael Bucheit, CEO of I.C.E Datacenters.



The Markham site is a purpose-built datacenter offering state of the art datacenter features which can accommodate flexible design solutions for a wide variety of customers. These include: 41,000 sqft. facility controlled 100% by owner/operator with additional 50,000 sqft. expansion option onsite

Access to 8MW of power, expandable to 16MW, from 2 independent substations

Low- to very high-density custom power solutions chilled by proprietary "I.C.E Box" cooling technology

Facility designed to Tier3 Uptime Institute standards

Green cooling design with low PUE and heat-recapture for community usage, connected to Markham District Energy cogeneration plant

for community usage, connected to Markham District Energy cogeneration plant Access to the most diverse carrier and fiber path solutions outside the downtown core

path solutions outside the downtown core Redundant dark fiber loop from Markham to Downtown Toronto and high capacity diverse connectivity to Montreal . "Our clients are looked after by a seasoned executive and operations team with 60+ years of datacenter and fiber network management expertise serving a global customer base in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. We are proud to bring our experience and resources to the GTA and help Toronto businesses continue to grow," said Bill Henneberry, Vice President of Technology and Operations at I.C.E Datacenters.

The Grand Opening will feature a ribbon cutting ceremony with Frank Scarpitti, the Mayor of Markham. Tours of our datacenter will take place during the event. Click here to RSVP for the event. About I.C.E Datacenters: I.C.E Datacenters (Interconnection & Colocation for the Enterprise) operates multiple datacenter locations in Montreal including a leading interconnection site at 875 Saint-Antoine and is now opening another flagship facility in Markham - I.C.E Toronto. I.C.E combines deep datacenter expertise serving Fortune 500 enterprises in the U.S. and Canada with know-how in operating high-speed fiber networks. I.C.E serves 100+ clients including global network providers, Fortune 500 companies in industry, e-commerce, financial services and healthcare, the government, cloud providers, ISPs, content providers and CDNs across its datacenter and fiber network in Canada. SOURCE I.C.E DATACENTERS

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NEW YORK  Ah, Kirk, my old friend. Do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold? It is very cold in space.

A shiver went through the audience in the Javits Center. Khan Noonien Singhs chilling line hasnt lost any of its menace over the last 34 years  if anything, its even more frightening, brought back on a big screen with full 4K resolution.

Paramount debuted Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Directors Cut in 4K at the Star Trek: Mission New York expo, and I couldnt resist checking out the movie for myself.

MORE: Top 10 Star Trek Games

I had every reason to be skeptical of it. While 4K resolution is great for home theater, actual film (rather than high-res digital recordings) looks better on a big screen. A directors cut often reintroduces critical material, but it can also make the movie feel bloated.

(Image credit: Blu-ray.com)

When youre dealing with a nostalgic movie, theres always the risk that it just wont be as good as you remember it. William Shatner (Kirk) and Ricardo Montalban (Khan) dont just chew the scenery in this film; they devour it.

Most of the film is rather quiet and dependent on two or three characters simply talking to one another. The plot-heavy narrative requires a lot of exposition. Last but not least, the action scenes in the movie are deliberate and suspenseful, a striking contrast to the high-octane extravaganzas in the more recent J.J. Abrams era of Star Trek films.

It took about 15 minutes for The Wrath of Khan to allay my fears completely.

(Image credit: Blu-ray.com)

In case you havent seen the 1982 film, heres a brief rundown of the plot: Way back during the original series, Captain Kirk exiled a genetically superior supervillain named Khan to a dangerous-but-habitable planet. Soon after the USS Enterprise left, an ecological disaster ravaged that world, causing Khan to commandeer his own starship, the USS Reliant, and seek revenge on Kirk and the Enterprises crew. Now, Kirk must command an Enterprise crewed by Starfleet trainees to prevent Khan from taking control of the Genesis Device, a planetary weapon that can transform a dead world into one that's teeming with life.

MORE: How to Binge Watch All of Star Trek

When Lt. Saavik (played by Kirstie Alley before she joined the cast of Cheers) fails the Kobayashi Maru training test and presses Kirk for a solution, only to be met with a coy smile, I smiled, too. But when Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) gives Admiral Kirk an exquisite pair of reading glasses as a birthday present and exhorts him to get back in the captains chair, I was sold. I knew the movie was the real deal.

(Image credit: Blu-ray.com)

These pensive moments of character development, which juxtapose the camaraderie of good friends with the unease of growing older, are something that the newer Star Trek movies havent really gotten the hang of yet. Even so, these moments can be just as riveting as the biggest explosion in the most intense starship battle  and in this case, they are.

William Shatner gets a lot of (sometimes justified) grief for his compulsive overacting, but when the man needs to tone it down, he absolutely can. Seeing Kirk, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and McCoy take stock of themselves and their situation before the action really begins is one of the reasons why the movie can justify a cavalcade of emotional gut punches later on.

(Image credit: Blu-ray.com)

The Directors Cut is rather sparing with the material it adds, but includes a few scenes that probably should have been in the movie to begin with. When Scotty (James Doohan) introduces Kirk to his nephew, Peter (Ike Eisenmann), it makes Scottys distress over the novice engineers fate later on much more understandable. Kirk, Spock and McCoy have an extended conversation about the Genesis Device, recalling some of the classic antagonistic dialogue between the three from the original series.

Beyond that, what can you say about The Wrath of Khan that hasnt already been said? Its a gorgeous, dramatic, fun movie, and Nicholas Meyer, the films director, gave the Javits Center audience a long talk about his thought process just before the screening. Even though Meyer is not a diehard Trekkie, the man is a genius when it comes to balancing character interactions, plotting intense battle scenes and packing expository dialogue with subtle character touches.

(Image credit: Blu-ray.com)

While the whole movie holds up spectacularly, two moments in particular held me rapt. The first was the final showdown between Kirk and Khan, as the Enterprise and the Reliant, both ships battered almost beyond repair, face off in the sensor-dampening Mutara Nebula.

The battle is essentially submarine warfare. Neither ship can see the other, which makes firefights fast and furious, while most of the confrontation is simply Kirk and Khan, thinking, strategizing and waiting.

MORE: 12 Star Trek Episodes to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary

Few modern movies would trust their audiences to follow a suspenseful climax rather than an action-packed one; the new Treks dont, for example. But the scene is riveting, building and building upon itself until Khans final speech, channeling Captain Ahab from Moby-Dick with an intensity that would have seemed comical if Ricardo Montalban had possessed any less confidence about his role.

The second scene that reaffirmed my total faith in the film was  well, this is a pretty big spoiler, so if you havent seen it, you might want to scroll back up.

Ready?

When Mr. Spock sacrifices himself to save the Enterprise, I dont think there was one dry eye in the theater. Most of these fans had seen Wrath of Khan before; many of them had seen it a dozen times or more. But the scene is well-executed and has lasting consequences for the characters.

As Spock straightens his uniform one last time, his decorum unquestionable even in the face of death, my chest tightened; as he slid down the glass wall, trying to hold his hand to Kirks through a thick pane of glass, I felt my heart breaking, just as it does each time I watch the scene.

(Image credit: Blu-ray.com)

This is the kind of scene, I thought, that 2013s Star Trek Into Darkness (essentially a remake of Wrath of Khan) did not have the courage to do. When reboot Kirk pulled off the same self-sacrificing maneuver, and reboot Spock vowed to avenge him, it wasnt a tearjerker; it was a big joke, a reference for the audience to chuckle at and pat themselves on the back for having seen the original. Not to mention that reboot Kirk is restored to health a few scenes later. Spock Prime doesnt get better (not in this film, anyway), and Kirks eulogy for him is one of the most moving moments in the series.

In spite of Spocks death, The Wrath of Khan does not end on a sour note. Kirk feels rejuvenated and hopeful, ready to set out on another intergalactic adventure. Striking this near-perfect balance between exuberance and pathos, action and drama, storyline and character development is no mean feat, and some fans would argue that Star Trek has never done it better than in this particular film.

I dont know when Wrath of Khan in 4K will be available for streaming or UHD Blu-ray viewing at home, although its definitely on the way. If you can see it in theaters, film is still the way to go, but the 4K remaster is about as good as it gets on the small screen.

Just make sure you have copies of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home ready to go. The three films form a narrative trilogy  one, thankfully, that wraps up with a happy ending.
If we were to poll the readers of this article, we would likely find that the vast majority of readers  if not all  regularly shop online, make banking transactions online, fill out registrations and applications online, pay taxes online and maybe even vote for contestants in reality shows online. Yet Americans cannot vote for candidates for public office online.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Voting online would certainly be a lot more convenient than standing in line on Election Day. Voters could cast their ballots from home or work, and when they had time during the day. It might also increase voter participation in federal, state and local elections, especially among young people.

But experts warn that online voting isn't as simple as it sounds. Even though it has already been tried in a few places around the world, it probably can't be secured. We already worry about hackers stealing our credit cards and our identities. If we voted online, we would have to worry about hackers stealing our elections, too.

The history of online voting

Voting online isn't a new idea. In 1999, then-President Bill Clinton asked the National Science Foundation to look into the viability of online ballots. Arizona Democrats and Alaska Republicans gave online voting a try in 2000 during the primaries.

MORE: Best U.S. Election Apps

In 2000, the U.S. military launched a pilot program to let active-duty personnel stationed overseas vote in domestic elections. Four years later, the program was terminated after an independent report found serious security risks. In 2010, Washington, D.C., experimented with online voting for military and absentee voters, but it was considered a failure as security experts found the system easy to hack.

Voting online would certainly be a lot more convenient than standing in line on Election Day.

Utah Republicans had the option to caucus online during the 2016 primary season. Each voter registered online and, in turn, received a PIN to be used to cast a vote. But the system created long waits for voters confused by the process, reported the The Salt Lake Tribune.

Several countries have experimented with online voting, but none has forged ahead as far as the tiny Baltic country of Estonia, where nearly a third of ballots are cast online. But Estonia's elections don't look anything like those of the United States, where more votes are cast in some cities than in all of Estonia.

The Estonian online voter must plug a national ID card  mandatory for all Estonians older than 15, and each of which has an embedded encrypted chip  into a card reader attached to his or her computer. It sounds secure, but two independent assessments, led by Verified Voting in 2011 and the University of Michigan in 2014, found serious flaws with the system.

"What we found alarmed us," wrote the authors of the 2014 report. "There were staggering gaps in procedural and operational security, and the architecture of the system leaves it open to cyberattacks from foreign powers, such as Russia. These attacks could alter votes or leave election outcomes in dispute. ... We urgently recommend that Estonia discontinue use of the system."

Estonia has instead beefed up the cryptography on its chips, although both reports said the greatest weakness was the servers that counted the ballots.

What has taken off in the U.S. is online voter registration. According to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, 39 states have or will soon have online voter-registration opportunities, and residents of 34 states can look up their voter-registration information online.

If we voted online, we would have to worry about hackers stealing our elections.

"Automatic voter registration is the gold standard of modernized registration," the Brennan Center's website said. "It builds on other reforms to bring voter registration to the 21st century  which are increasingly commonplace across the country."

Yet even online voter registration carries risks. In August 2016, the FBI revealed that foreign hackers, possibly working from Russia, had breached voter-rolls databases in Arizona and Illinois. If online voter registration is the gold standard, would online voting be the platinum standard? Right now, it appears to be the invisible standard.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Making voting as easy as shopping on Amazon

Despite the security risks, there are many proponents of online voting. Some argue that online voting would boost turnout and grant political power to groups that traditionally don't vote as often as others.

"Online voting would eliminate voting barriers for many different communities, including people with disabilities and the elderly, who have a hard time getting to the polls," said S. Nadia Hussain, program director for Vote Everywhere, an advocacy group that, according to its website, seeks to "strengthen democracy by leading long-term voter engagement, public policy and social justice initiatives."

"People can often take for granted that they can find their polling place, walk in and vote," Hussain added. "However, not all polling places are disability accessible even though legally, they should be."

Hackers anywhere in the world could take advantage of a vulnerability in voting software and could potentially decide the president and other political leaders.

"It's still not perfect, since online voting does require a computer and internet," she said," but it does open up more options, which is very important to the population in general."

Cyber the Vote, a blog that advocates online voting, dismisses concerns about ballot security as a smokescreen devised by politicians who want to keep people away from the polls.

"Our inability to modernize has been due to a variety of causes, led by an election administration and integrity culture that is resisting automation," Cyber the Vote publisher Rob Weber wrote on the site in June.

"Both the media and the public have a warped view about voting convenience," Weber added. "We see long lines as an expression of patriotism. ... . What we almost never see are all the voters who walk away from those lines and don't vote."

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Only as secure as the rest of the internet

Technical experts see things differently. Online voting won't work, they argue, not because political forces are out to disenfranchise the young, the elderly or the disabled, but because it simply can't be secured.

Securing our votes isn't the same as securing our financial transactions, said Kevin Du, professor of computer and network security at Syracuse University and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

"Banks have money, but spend a lot of time to protect infrastructure," Du said. "If they lose something, they can write it off, because it's money."

However, voting is different because we're talking about power, and power is difficult to quantify.

"I can imagine this will become a huge business for hackers," Du said. "If voting is online, it's more beneficial  they can change your vote, they can deny someone from voting, they can do a lot to mess with power."

MORE: Trump vs. Clinton on Your Digital Security, Privacy

We've already seen how low technology  the hanging chads in Florida's 2000 presidential vote, for example  could alter the balance of power, and that was by voters in a single state. Hackers anywhere in the world could take advantage of a vulnerability in voting software and could potentially decide the president and other political leaders.

Based on how frequently government agencies have been hacked in the past few years, chances are good that malicious actors will have little trouble getting into the networks  as the FBI recently warned may already have happened.

"There's no way with any reasonable amount of resources that you can guarantee that the software and hardware are bug-free and that they haven't been maliciously attacked," Stanford computer-science professor David Dill stated in June in Futurity, a science-news website run by five dozen English-speaking universities worldwide.

Online voting would eliminate voting barriers for many different communities, including people with disabilities and the elderly, who have a hard time getting to the polls."  S. Nadia Hussain, program director for Vote Everywhere

"Voted ballots sent via Internet simply cannot be made secure, and make easy and inviting targets for attackers ranging from lone hackers to foreign governments seeking to undermine U.S. elections," reads the website of Verified Voting, a nonprofit group dedicated to transparent and accurate elections. "There is no way to guarantee that the security, privacy and transparency requirements for elections can all be met with any practical technology in the foreseeable future."

Unless voters demand online voting, or until security professionals find a way to improve the security of internet voting systems, expect to continue to see long lines at the polls on Election Day for years to come.
Wonderland Festival is in its sixth year and has just unveiled a stacked and uniquely eclectic lineup  something wed like to see more of. After all, why cant you have Skegss and Flight Facilities on the same lineup?

Punters heading down to Perths scenic Kitchener Park Woodlands will also get to experience sets from the likes of Hayden James, The Jungle Giants, and Asta. Plus, theres still more acts to be announced.

But the bands and artists arent the only draw. Subiacos Kitchener Park is a gorgeous urban hideout filled with lush greenery and fauna. You can trek the winding trails deep into the centre of this scenic forest in between sets.

The stage will be flanked by beautiful old pine trees as some of Australias finest live acts put on powerhouse performances. You can check below for the full lineup as well as all dates and ticketing details.

Wonderland 2016

Flight Facilities

Hayden James

The Jungle Giants

Asta

Skegss

Winner of Jack Rabbit Slims Jamboree Band Comp

The Wastelands (Acts TBA)

Saturday, 3rd December 2016

Kitchener Park Woodlands, Subiaco, Perth

Tickets: Wonderland Festival
Melbourne artist The Outdoor Type has been impressing on all fronts since his debut last year, and continues his hot streak with new single Rumination.

He insisted on recording this one live with his band, assisted by producer John Castle (Cub Sport, Vance Joy, Dustin Tebutt) and mixer Steven Schram (San Cisco, Tigertown, Tiny Little Houses). The result is a soaring, spacious track that glimmers with positive energy.

The song is about the nature of the modern, routine-driven, fast-paced,nine-to-five, mortgage til you die time that we live in, says Zack. Its a rejection of that  and, at the same time, a want to prove to yourself, or to others, that you are capable of all those things.

Zack released The Outdoor Type EP in 2015, before signing with U.S. indie label Nettwerk Records alongside fellow Aussies Boy & Bear and Hermitude. Having supported acts like Vera Blue, Alex Lahey and Tiny Little Houses, hell now be taking to the festival stage this year at NYE On The Hill, as well as launching into his own tour (dates below).

Rumination is out through Habit Record Co., and can be streamed below.

TOUR DATES

Friday 28th October || Rare Finds, OAF Gallery Bar || Sydney

8pm  Free entry show with Allan Smithy and SCABZ

Saturday 29th October || Black Bear Lodge || Brisbane

8pm  Free entry show

Friday 4th November || Grace Darling Hotel || Melbourne

8pm  Tickets from Oztix
A triple j veteran has called on listeners to send January 26 A.B. Originals fiery collaboration with Dan Sultan to the top spot of the national youth broadcasters annual Hottest 100 countdown, which its been confirmed will be held on that very date in 2017.

Taking to Twitter, Nina Las Vegas, a triple j alumnus since 2004 who was the host of House Party from 2009 to 2014 before leaving the station, wrote, Now is the time to start campaigning for [A.B. Originals] January 26 to win triple js Hottest 100.

Briggs, one half of A.B. Original, responded with, love ya Vegas! The DJ and label heads tweet comes after triple j confirmed next years countdown broadcast would take place on Australia Day, despite a campaign to see the date of the broadcast changed.

A growing number of Australians believe changing the date of the Hottest 100 would show solidarity with Australias Indigenous community, including Briggs, who recently said that changing the date would be an obvious salute towards Australias Indigenous population.

January 26 is a biting anti-Australia Day anthem whose lyrics rip apart what A.B. Original call a farce of a holiday. They screaming love it or leave it / I got more reason to be here, if you can believe it, Briggs raps.

Now is the time to start campaigning for #ABOriginalGE (@BriggsGE & Trials)  January 26 to win @triplej's #Hottest100.  Nina Las Vegas (@ninalasvegas) September 13, 2016

Elsewhere, Briggss partner Trials spits, How you wanna raise a flag with a rifle to make us want to celebrate anything but survival / You watching tele for The Bachelor but wouldnt read a book about a fuckload of massacres.

Las Vegas isnt the first to suggest January 26 would be a fitting track to top the Hottest 100. Many triple j fans have taken to Twitter to encourage fellow listeners to vote for January 26 in the upcoming Hottest 100 voting round, which traditionally opens in December.
Community radio music directors often have an encyclopedic knowledge of local music and an insatiable thirst to keep their ears ahead of the curve. So in this Tone Deaf series, the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) invites music directors to highlight new Aussie tunes that you might have missed.

In this edition, Aeron Clark from Edge Radio in Sydney contributes with a selection of tracks currently making their way to community radio through Amraps music distribution service AirIt.

Check out Aerons selections below and if youre a musician you can apply here to have your music distributed for free to community radio on Amraps AirIt.

Den  Poltergeist

The debut single from Sydneys DEN is an invigorating aural assault. Screeching guitars, and wonky, sometimes ethereal synths are densely layered over pummelling drums to create a perfect midnight road trip soundtrack.

Ross Henry  The Deep

Ross Henrys meticulously constructed soundscapes keep drawing me in. The mesmerising percussion on this track forms the backbone for swirling layers of electronica and Henrys ridiculously smooth vocals. I kind of want to set my alarm for 2am so that I can get up and listen to it on repeat in the dark.

Quivers  Pigeons

The debut album from Quivers, Well Go Riding on the Hearses, contains more shamelessly joyous sing-along moments than I know what to do with. Pigeons reminds us of the beauty that can be found in the mundane imperfection of everyday life, and in a great crew of your oldest mates.

Jade Imagine  Stay Awake

After kicking around with other acts such as Teeth & Tongue and Jess Ribeiro, as well as her own band TANTRUMS, this is the first offering from Jade McInally as a solo artist. A cruisy, fuzzed-out ode to lost sleep that makes me look forward to what she has in store next.

No Sister  Overpass

Originally from Brisbane, No Sister relocated to Melbourne last year and have just released their debut, self-titled album. Imbued with an unrelenting tension, Overpass is an addictive chunk of discordant, industrial post-punk.

Lizard Johnny  Disappears

Lizard Johnnys new EP has seen them shift towards a darker, more doom laden sound. The title track, Disappears is built on a deep bass line, with brooding, heavily distorted guitars shuddering slowly towards a hypnotic peak.

Rebel Yell  Take Away

The simmering second single from Rebel Yells debut EP Mother of Millions is an immersive, industrial combination of heavy beats and syncopated claps. Perfectly complemented by a video shot in the volcanic moonscape of Iceland, it boils away just below the surface, constantly threatening to erupt.

Orlando Furious  Chained and Satan

Orlando Furious debut album, Captain Granite arose from a period of deep personal uncertainty and touches on themes of love, identity and suburban complacency. Chained and Satan speaks hypnotically of our obsession with consumption and career, and the internal conflict and guilt that this can inspire.

Hideous Sun Demon  Oscillate

I could tell you that I like this song because of the meaty guitar fuzz, the booming bass line or the fantastic dynamic variation, but I think it probably also has a lot to do with the fact that the band manage to fit both orifice and oesophagus into the lyrics before theyve hit the 45 second mark.
Music videos can be some of the most shiny, polished, and seemingly-glamorous pieces of media youll find, but things tend to look a bit different once youre able to peer behind the camera.

Fresh off blowing us away at BIGSOUND, Melbourne guitar maestro Harts has just dropped one such video for his new track Power, and its a very pretty few minutes.

To give us an insight into how a clip like this comes together, hes given us a rundown of the day, as well as some gorgeous behind the scene shots of he and his various co-conspirators going about their business.

Power is out now, and is taken from his upcoming album Smoke Fire Hope Desire, which will be released this Friday via Dew Process/UMA.

Behind The Scenes Of Power

We wanted to make a performance based clip, Harts tells us, the intention interlacing with symbolic imagery of the songs message and meaning. The directors concept and execution of this idea was great, which made it a really fun video to shoot. And that jacket was fire hot Literally.

Compared to the process of songwriting and producing the process of shooting music videos is still very new to me. I havent really had too much experience doing music videos, this being my 3rd proper one Ive ever shot, but I was glad to have the opportunity to get back into it for the song Power, and It was exciting. Working with the director, Nima made it all the more enjoyable as he had a clear vision in mind, and a really effortless and efficient approach to achieving the results. Every shot was done in a day.

Music videos can feel a little uncomfortable for me, with the miming and such but honestly as the day progressed, filming all those performance shots, i got more comfortable with the directors style and that allowed me to trust his judgment and not hold back on the performance. Im glad i did, cos all those shots turned out great.

It was also a little practice for me performing the song in that fire hot red jacket, so if I whip it on stage next time, its not gonna hold me back!
KANSAS CITY INSIDERS REVEAL MORE CONCERN ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN CONVENTION HOTEL DEAL THAT'S FALLING APART!!!

"The revised contract for the convention hotel was taken off the TIF commission agenda tomorrow, at the request of the developer. Public Service Advocates had a meeting with Kerry Tyndall and Randy Landes yesterday, and these two City Hall corporate subsidy officials had even less to say than usual. The Mayor's ####### director henchman also attended the meeting as a political minder, texted notes somewhere, and contributed nothing of substance . . .

"There is a growing sense of unease that the City is getting in deep, despite the promises that taxpayers would not be footing the bill for Burke Plaza Tower hotel. The (few real) investors and the convention bureau have cowed the Mayor Sly James Administration into revenue guarantees. Troubled hotel indeed, looking not-so-good for taxpayers, and for other downtown hotels facing a monstrous, overly subsidized competitor. Like Power and Light do we have wildly inflated estimates of revenue propped up by public guarantees? For the sake of future generations let's hope not . . ."

This morning we awake to important Kansas City development news for all of the local movers and shakers who are eager to get down to biz.Sadly, it doesn't look like a proposed vanity project inside the loop is doing much of any business at all.To wit . . .Here's the word according towho obviously know the players and what's happening (and not happening) with this controversial project that continues to unfold . . .Checkit:Even closer to the source . . . Other insiders believe this hotel has beenfor quite some time.Developing . . .
MAYOR SLY HAS FINALLY DECLARED HIMSELF A KANSAS CITY GREATEST ENEMY OF THE 2ND AMENDMENT WHILST CALLING HIS OPPONENTS WHO WOULD PROTECT THEIR GUNS STUPID!!!

From The Kansas City Mayor's Office . . . Doubling Down on Stupid: Overriding the veto of Senate Bill 656

The Mayor of Kansas City has long been a strong advocate against the 2nd Amendment but this week has seen his disdain for the protection of Missouri gun rights reach new heights.To wit . . .There has been a lot ofwhile mainstream media has politely ignore the divisive issue.Reading the Mayor in his own words is the most important bit of information we can provide for local voters and residents as one of Kansas City's top elected officials is willing cast freely and openly cast pejorative terms toward his opposition and misrepresent advocates of the 2nd Amendment without question.Again, what's both shameful and important is thatin the MSM is willing to challenge his mayor on the topic while we've notedbut go unrepresented by local leaders and those who control the legacy media.Again, read the statement and you decide . . .I stood inside the, a tremendous facility in Kansas City. The Rose Brooks Center provides emergency shelter to women and children escaping life-threatening abuse. I cannot adequately express the gratitude that I have for the employees, volunteers and donors of Rose Brooks, because here in Kansas City, as we are seeing group violence go down as a result of the work of, domestic violence, sadly, is on the rise.I may start to sound like a broken record, but as long as my hands are tied on the issue, I will continue to use my voice to urge lawmakers to use their heads. Rather than looking for solutions to our gun violence problem, our legislature is poised to double down on stupid and override Governor Nixons veto of Senate Bill 656.If you liken our gun violence problem to lung cancer then this bill is the equivalent of lighting up a pack of cigarettes every night. Its fueling the problem  certainly not making it better. There are several issues with this bill worth noting:It completely eliminates the need to secure a permit in order to carry a concealed firearm. It also eliminates local sheriffs ability to determine who can and cannot carry a concealed weapon. According to a news article from MissouriNet, just last year alone, over 1,700 conceal and carry permits were turned down by sheriffs. There are people out that that local sheriffs KNOW should not be allowed to pack heat. A prime example would be domestic violence offenders. Allowing someone with a record of domestic violence offenses to carry concealed firearms has life and death implications.But that is only the beginning.This legislation endangers both our communities and our law enforcement who make every effort to serve & protect.Today I was joined by several concerned members of the community who wanted to share with you why this is dangerous territory to be treading in. Senate Bill 656 is a crippling piece of legislation that puts the lives of women and children, like the ones who call Rose Brooks home, in further danger. In addition, it doesnt take into consideration the needs of those on the front lines of ensuring their safety or the safety of any citizen, our law enforcement officers.This bill would put law enforcement at risk because they would have no way of knowing if someone is carrying a concealed weapon. And so to speak to you more about that, I want to welcome Deputy Police Chief Rose, followed by Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp, who will discuss the implications of the bill on law enforcement.As a father, its hard for me to imagine doing something as simple as letting my kids get behind the wheel of a car without having been trained how to operate a vehicle. I dont know that there are many parents out there who would feel comfortable doing that either. And yet the consequences of this bill allow the a person at least 19 years of age to carry a concealed firearm without any proper training.So, you need a drivers license to drive, you have to be 21 to buy liquor and yet, you can carry a concealed weapon at age 19 with zero training. That is ludicrous on its face.Domestic violence has steadily been on the rise in the State of Missouri. In 2015, Kansas City saw the most dramatic spike in domestic violence related homicides in years. More than 10 percent of the total homicides were the result of domestic violence incidents.I want to urge the Missouri Legislature to uphold the veto on Senate Bill 656. We have to stop politicizing an issue that has claimed far too many lives. Protecting the integrity of the Second Amendment doesnt mean that we should readily accept watching our children, friends and neighbors die at the hands of those who likely should not be carrying a gun in the first place.We have to take a long, hard look at what is happening in our own cities and cities across America. We cannot protect women and children from their abusers if we are making it easier for those abusers to carry a concealed weapon that could end their lives before they receive the protection and social services they need. We cannot continue to put the lives of our law enforcement partners in danger as they seek to serve and protect our community. And we absolutely cannot sit back and watch as lawmakers make it easier for criminals to commit slow motion mass murder in our neighborhoods and our schools.Its time to realize that reducing crime in cities takes the help of EVERYONE at the federal, state, and local level. Overturning the veto does nothing to make our neighborhoods or our residents safe. I urge legislators to use common sense on this issue and in doing so, help protect the lives of countless Missourians. And Ill be watching tomorrow (Wednesday, September 14) to see who votes to support this bill and will be personally inviting them to join me in a ride along with KCPD through the neighborhoods in our city who have been most impacted by gun violence.Im willing to do whatever it takes to make lawmakers in Jefferson City realize what theyre doing to us and I urge you to call your lawmakers and ask them how this bill protects our citizens. You can find their contact infoThe full text of Senate Bill 656 can be found here:#############
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As TopTenz has covered in other articles, the past was in some ways so much worse than we can relate to. But lets not assume that it was all terrible, or that everyone was too stupid to make life better for themselves. Our heads are full of flawed beliefs about the past. These myths are often created to make history more dramatic to keep students awake during class, to simplify the past for easy digestion, or to inflate our sense of superiority over some country or the past in general. Lets try to set some of those myths straight.

10. American Soldiers Won the Revolutionary War Due to British Tactics

One assumption often made about the Revolutionary War is that America won because British troops lined up in their bright red uniforms, which were perfect targets for American troops who were well-honed by their frontier lifestyle to become crack shots. The high British casualties at the famous Battle of Bunker Hill certainly seem to bear that out. But the truth was that a lot of American troops were actually much worse shots than the British, and with good reason. America was actually a mostly impoverished country before the revolution, and many of the regulars didnt even have enough money for a gun, let alone becoming the crack shots history has since painted them as. Their inaccurate fire simply wasnt going to exceed the casualties massed British fire could, especially since the smoke of battle meant that it would soon be impossible to even see the enemy.

Also, the Americans retreated and failed during numerous battles and fights until they began dressing in the familiar blue French uniforms. As attractive as the image of Americans winning by pluck and common sense, it was lining up in bright colors that won the war.

9. Marriages Were Between the Young Back in the Day

Its common to assume that people in the premodern eras would be mostly marrying in their early teens. Children would be needed to do the many chores as soon as possible, after all, and lives were shorter. Plus, we assume that people from days past wouldnt have the psychological sophistication we do now to realize how horrible it is to pressure people that arent yet fully matured into lifelong commitments.

But in places such as Medieval Europe, this wasnt the case. In France and Italy during those centuries, the average age of women during their first marriage was around twenty. For men, it was around thirty. For men, at least, thats about the same as it currently is in America today. Even in the rural areas, recorded ages for men during their first marriage are still a relatively old twenty-three, not far shy of middle age at the time.

8. Bathing Ended in Europe with the Roman Empire

Posterity likes to claim that the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD meant that culture and society went with it. And with that went the famous Roman habit of bathing. In reality, for almost a millennium after, bathing was considered not just a relaxing pastime but a popular social one. The Frankish monarch Charlemagne and his soldiers were particularly noted for going to bathhouses, which quickly attracted reputations as dens of sin among the Christians but persisted regardless.

What drove rigorous bathing out of fashion across Europe was the Black Death in 1346. In response to the death of about one-fourth of Europes population, people everywhere came to exactly the wrong conclusion. They believed that cleaning the dirt off the skin left pores open to being receptacles of infection. Not to mention, the sinful natures of bathhouses bringing the punishments of God. Ironically, this meant the Renaissance and the period where Europeans smelled the worst began at about the same time, rather than during the Dark Ages.

7. Religion Held Back Science

This is a popular tool of atheist spokespeople like Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens, who insist that people having religious beliefs was a loss for humanity. Inevitably, criticism of Charles Darwin, the house arrest of Galileo, and movements like Christian Science Cults will be used as evidence. Belief in forces and intelligences beyond nature intuitively seems as far from science as it gets.

This has been pretty much the opposite of the truth until recent years. Islamic scholars were the ones who preserved the findings of Greek scientists and mathematicians, and passed them on to European monks and other members of clergy. Pioneering physicists and scientists included Roger Bacon and Nicholas of Cusa, respectively a monk and a cardinal. Genetics pioneer Gregor Mendel was an abbot. Copernicus, Isaac Newton, and Johannes Kepler were all deeply religious people. In short, rather than being in opposition to science, historically science owes its very origins, in many ways, to organized religious institutions. They preserved the seed of learning, and provided for the scientists who fostered scientific advancement in Europe.

6. The Viet Cong Won the Vietnam War

Just like we want to portray the scrappy, underdog units of the Colonial army during the American Revolution as winning the war against the organized, trained British units, we believe that the Viet Cong guerilla tactics defeated the American military. They would strike, run to their tunnels where all the searching and destroying couldnt find them, and the Americans were basically forced out by frustration and public sentiment turning against the conflict.

This is incorrect. And it was understood to be incorrect by military analysts, even at the time, let alone with hindsight. While the infamous 1968 Tet Offensive drew a lot of publicity, it basically broke the back of the Viet Cong as even a guerilla unit. It was the intervention of the North Vietnamese Army that successfully engaged and gradually drove the Americans out of South Vietnam. The Communist government and military, people that would have been invested in making the victory look like it had been won with the support of the local population, did not consider the Viet Cong intervention to be relevant militarily.

This just goes to show that as much credit as we like to give to underdog guerrillas, they do not have the successful history that is often ascribed to them.

5. Democracy was First Invented in Greece

Given that the very word democracy is Greek in origin, we credit that eventually united collection of city-states with being the first ones to try that system of government. Thats not just wrong, its super wrong. Even by the lower estimates, its wrong by about a millennium. It was communities of India that, as early as 2000 BC, were having popular votes determine policies and electing officials.

The first credited community to attempt it was a village in the area of Malana Nala. In ancient times this never became anything like the dominant social structure of all India, with numerous monarchies existing alongside democracies.

4. The Third Reich was Super Efficient

By the time the 20th Century rolled around, there was a persistent stereotype that the Germans are a very efficient people. This reached its pinnacle when the Nazis took over and had the Gestapo monitoring the population for any hint of dissent. This was particularly good for the citizens after the end of World War II, who wanted to insist to the world that they had been under the jackboot of a regime too powerful and effective to be resisted.

These claims are undermined by the actual statistics. At the height of its powers, the entire Gestapo was only 16,000 members in 1944. And it wasnt even very well funded. Entire cities of hundreds of thousands of people had only a few dozens Gestapo operatives in them. Even these small groups were underfunded, which was to be expected considering the German government was on the verge of collapse. Tragically, this indicates that had there been wider spread opposition to the government and more attempts at resistance, the Gestapo would not have been very well equipped to deal with them. Those who genuinely wanted to see the overthrow of the Third Reich were effectively held at bay with an unloaded gun.

3. Jewish Slaves Built the Pyramids

While the intent of this list is not meant to be anti-religion, there are numerous pieces of evidence that cast serious doubts on the biblical assertion that slaves taken from Judea were involved in building the wonders in Ancient Egypt. Even Jewish scholars agree that theres almost no evidence of all inhabitants being taken on the journey voluntarily or in bondage. Theres not been so much as a shard of pottery, and no records from the areas around Judea of a mass movement like this. Besides, the major marvels of the Egyptian empire which would justify taking such an influx of slaves, such as the Pyramids, were built before the Judean religion was even created.

While the excuse is often made that the Egyptians would strike a humiliating event such as the departure of Jewish slaves from their control from the record, there are records in Egyptian histories during their wars with the Nubians. These indicate they did not consider an undesirable outcome reason to remove an event from the historical record.

On a more positive note, the evidence indicates that the Egyptians didnt rely on slave labor to produce wonders like the pyramids at all. True, the laborers who assembled them were from the lower classes and the intense labor certainly shortened their lives. But the laborers retained their status as citizens, were able to own private property, were paid, given full burial rites, and only worked for periods of roughly three months out of the year.

2. Romans Almost Always Wore Togas

Just about any portrayal of ancient Romans in popular culture is sure to put them in togas. This must have left many frustrated frat members who had to go to toga parties wondering how ancient Romans put up with such an inconvenient garment. Well, the fact of the matter was that many Romans wondered the same thing. The toga was a widely despised garment even on the rare formal occasions where it was worn, because it often meant having to hold part of it all day if you wanted to speak at a meeting. Plus, maintaining all the folds was a hassle.

It wasnt even necessarily considered a particularly esteemed or formal garment. Among women, it was a very popular garment. Among prostitutes, that is. With that in mind, its little wonder that more respectable women were sometimes forced to wear them as punishment. Its also probably why you dont see toga parties thrown by sororities.

1. Atheism is Relatively New

We assume that religions had such a hold on humanity of the past, that they would have made atheists outcasts if they were open about their lack of belief. We also assume that humans have to fill in their understanding of the world around them with something. Before the enlightenment and scientific method started explaining everything, its almost innate that ancient people would naturally plug gods and mysticism in there. It turns out that, actually, centuries before Christ there were societies that had no religion, no rituals, nothing of the kind, and they were all over the place.

In ancient Greece, there was Xenophanes, who around 500 BC was arguing that humans had just invented gods in their own image. Thats a view that would be quoted by European philosophers such as Ludwig Feuerbach during the Enlightenment. At the same time, tribes in Africa also went without any religious ceremonies or evidence of beliefs. Tribes in Sri Lanka did the same, and were found to still be doing so well into modern times.

In India, early disciplines of Hinduism also taught of a material world rather than one dominated by spiritual matters, such as one known as the Carvaka School. Also, in China as early as 300 BC, major Chinese philosophers like Xun Zi and Mencius were tearing into the whole notion of there being anything beyond the physical realm. Xun Zi in particular relished mocking the idea of prayers. In short, science answering many of realitys mysteries wasnt necessary for many people to reject the whole idea of religion.

Dustin Koski is one of the authors of the most hilarious and exciting fantasy book ever about fairies turning into monsters, Forust: A Tale of Magic Gone Wrong.

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The southern Aegean island region has entered into the digital era by adopting a complete tourism marketing strategy in its efforts to promote its destinations to visitors across the globe in new innovative ways. The new digital marketing strategy involves integrated social media network management and the presence of the islands on an interactive platform, allowing each island to separately promote its unique brand name online to prospective tourists.

The initiatives are undertaken within the framework of the 2016-2020 Strategic Tourism Development Plan road map of the specific Aegean region, in conjunction with Marketing Greece and SETE.

The interactive content management and communication platform aims at enabling an immediate, cohesive and effective communication between the southern Aegean islands. The innovative platform will act as very useful tool in the hand of local government and allow it to utilise new technologies to tap into a vat online audience of tourists around the world. Moreover, the website ellikenoother.aegeanislands.gr will host more than 40 thematic stories of the islands, while it will include special pages dedicated to every island with visitors feedback, sources through the hashtag #aegeanlikenoother.

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 prominent British newspaper Telegraph has very often paid tribute to Greece as a tourist destination with extensive, high quality coverage

The prominent British newspaper Telegraph has very often paid tribute to Greece as a tourist destination with extensive, high quality coverage.

Therefore, one cannot accuse it of anti-Greek stance and assume that Skopje or FYROM was mistakenly referred to as Macedonia next to a very interesting summer holidays guide for Greece as seen here on telegraph.co.uk. (08 Sep 2016- 25 remarkable things you did not know about Macedonia)

Maybe, however, here lies an opportunity for the London-based Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) office to rekindle its relationship with the editorial staff of the renowned British newspaper, by letting them know of this apparent oversight...

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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
As the Men regions specialist provider of savings and pension solutions, Takaud will take part in the seventh Global Pension and Savings Conference, organised by the World Bank from September 19 to 21, in Washington, DC.



Chief government business and communications officer Ebrahim K. Ebrahim will represent the Bahrain pension firm at the notable event, which is held every two years.



Takaud will participate along with delegates from every region of the world, pension experts from such esteemed institutions as Yale University and Wharton Business School, and representatives of pension commissions and retirement fund administrations from the UK, Albania, India, South Africa, Costa Rica and Cambodia, among many others.



The conference will address key issues of concern in this region and globally, including pension reforms, investment strategies, and attitudes towards aging, retirement and savings. The conference will culminate in hands-on workshops to develop strategies to supervise long-term investment outcomes and to improve pension administration.



The World Banks Global Pensions Conference will be followed in October by the Middle East Pensions Conference, which is being organised by Takaud under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain. The Middle East conference is attracting participation by high-profile delegations and speakers from international organisations such as the World Bank, former OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) experts, the World Pension Council, several government pension and regulatory entities, asset management firms, banks, financial services providers and large corporates from the MENA region.

The Conference will address the need for the Mena region to support personal and corporate retirement savings, and explore options beyond the sole provision by governments, in line with the World Banks recommendations.



Moreover, with the presence of substantial numbers of expatriate workers throughout the region, there is a need for this large working population to have options/access to regulated private-sector pensions, assuring them of some sort of retirement security.



The Middle East Pensions Conference will be held on October 18, 2016, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manama, Bahrain. - TradeArabia News Service


The president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, sought on Wednesday to rally support for the European Union (EU), saying the bloc battered by the UK Brexit referendum was not about to break up despite its existential crisis.



In setting out the Commission's plans for the first time since the UK voted to exit the EU on June 23, Juncker highlighted the British referendum as a warning that the EU faces a battle for survival against nationalism in Europe.



"The European Union doesn't have enough union," Juncker told the European Parliament in Strasbourg. "There are splits out there and often fragmentation exists ... That is leaving scope for galloping populism," he said.



But he underlined he believed the world's biggest trade bloc was still an important force. "The EU as such is not at risk," he said.



Proof of that, Juncker said, was the success of a new European investment fund that the former Luxembourg premier proposed to double to 630 billion euros ($707 billion) by 2022 to help with a sharp fall in spending since the global financial crisis, helping projects from airports to broadband networks.



"Our European investment fund will provide a total of at least 500 billion of investment by 2020, and will work to reach 630 billion by 2022," he said. "If with member states contribute we can get there even faster."



Juncker also wanted to extend the fund to the private sector in Africa to help curb emigration to Europe, starting with a pot of 44 million euros that could also be doubled later on.



An Africa fund was part of Juncker's efforts to stress a more positive agenda, particularly over the migration crisis that has deeply divided the European Union. He also had veiled criticism of eastern European countries unwilling to take in refugees from North Africa and the Middle East.



"Solidarity must come from the heart. It cannot be forced," Juncker said.



But the Juncker address offered few clues to the negotiations with London that the EU insists cannot start until Prime Minister Theresa May formally sets starts a two-year countdown to British departure. Juncker urged that to be done quickly. A summit of the 27 EU leaders in Bratislava on Friday is also unlikely to shed much light on the Brexit issue.



Instead, Juncker warned that the remaining EU governments should narrow their differences on addressing many problems facing their economies and societies, although he had no plans for "United States of Europe." Aides say he believes the divisions are as great as he has known them in three decades at the heart of EU politics.



"What are we instilling in terms of values in our children. Is this a union that has forgotten its past, has no vision for the future? Our children deserve better," Juncker said, speaking of his father, who fought in World War Two.



EUROPEAN INVESTMENT FUND



With Germany and France both facing major elections in the coming year, major changes in the Union are unlikely, but EU officials are concerned that left-right political tensions over fiscal policy in the euro zone or divisions over taking in refugees will jeopardise the cohesion of the bloc.



Juncker also urged states to complete the setting up of a European Border and Coast Guard, a project driven by last year's chaotic arrival of over a million migrants and refugees, and proposed new cooperation among EU armies, as well as pushing for an acceleration of capital markets union.



Claiming success in fostering investment by the application of seed capital and guarantees from the EU and national governments, the Commission has put the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) at the heart of its economic policy.



Set up last year to run for three years until 2018 with a target of mobilising 315 billion euros of investment, the current EFSI target is based on 21 billion euros of EU money being leveraged 15 times by other investors.



However, as the EU's current, seven-year budget programme ends in 2020, the total target will rise to 500 billion euros for five years and the Commission will call on member states to add to their contributions.



Brussels says the fund could also serve to bolster Internet connectivity across the bloc.



"We propose today to equip every European city with wireless internet," Juncker said.-Reuters
The UAE retail industry is poised for solid growth over the next four years, owing to a lot of macroeconomic factors including non-oil sector boost, population boom, tourism and massive economic growth in the country, said a report.



Considering Arabian economies, UAE economy has witnessed spectacular growth in past few decades. This growth is majorly attributed to oil sector of the economy which not only contributes to national income but is also an important source of foreign direct investment (FDI), stated Ken Research in its latest publication on "The Future of Retailing in the UAE to 2020."



Construction and tourism sector has also contributed to significant improvements in economy. And in last three decades, retail sector has observed spectacular growth and development, said the report, which provides snapshot of major retail sales and distribution channels gaining popularity in recent years.



Comprehensive data overview of the market, with retail sales value and forecasts to 2020 elucidates details of market and consumer trends of UAEs retail industry.



It provides comprehensive overview of qualitative and quantitative acumens which generated remarkable development in UAEs retail industry. It also gives detailed information about major products and segments in which growth is anticipated in forecast period.



The report highlights 26 groups and nine segment of the retail industry.



According to Ken Research, the food and grocery sector received maximum share of the industry. E-commerce has also boosted sales of the sector. Further, many economic policies of government to promote non-oil sector is facilitating growth in the sector.



The amazing growth in the sector is due to the following macroeconomic factors:



Massive economic growth: Outstanding economic growth of the economies of UAE after 1980s has led to significant rise of incomes and standard of living of people which is rising consumer demand for retail products.



Population boom: Population of UAE is rising significantly which is rising consumption demand in the economy. This is leading to expansion in production to fulfill massive consumer demand.



Tourism: UAEs economies like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are major tourist destinations and this tourism is providing major boost to the industry. Further, Dubai is hosting world trade expo in 2020 which is expected to uplift tourism industry laden to expansion of retail industry.



Economic diversification: Countries of UAE are heavily dependent upon oil producing sector. Now government is designing policies to promote growth in non-oil producing sectors like retail industry. This is not only increasing public investment in the industry but is also increasing FDI in the industry.



On the future outlook, Ken Ressearch said looking at the current consumer and market trends, enormous growth is expected in the retail industry of UAE.



"New channels of sales and distribution are introduced like hypermarkets, supermarkets, specialized retailers, etc. which will further improve sales in the sector. E-commerce is contributing in a spectacular manner to heighten sales further in the industry," it stated.



However few challenges like falling oil prices, excessive regulations in the economy, dearth of adequate investment in the industry may act as a constraint to growth of the industry, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
In last few years, there is the decrease in Indian agricultural exports to Russia and Indian government is discussing this with Russia. in a meeting with delegates of Rosselkhoznadzor, Russias phytosanitary (quality monitoring) body, the government asked for an increase in the allowed number of products and exporters.

Now Govt more concentrates on increasing export of dairy products, buffalo meat, groundnut, fish and seafood. A senior government officer told that for inclusion into the protocol on dairy product import from India-Russia has accepted Indian Veterinary Service proposals.

This month a meeting has been arranged for the Russia-India Intergovernmental Commission for commerce and economic, scientific, technological and cultural collaboration. On products of agriculture Governments of both nations will most likely produce a sub-group. For the Russian and Indian bodies to veterinary science and phytosanitary measures regularly, this will make the exchange of views on collaboration.

in 2013-14, as per a data, Indias total agricultural export fell by 25 per cent to $146.7 mn in 2015-16 from the $195.4 mn. This data was proposed by Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda). in 2015-16, from 214,198 tonnes in 2013-14 to 160,230 tonnes exports reduced by 25 per cent in volume in the same time period.

for dairy products that are given heat-treatment India has to set a standard form of the veterinary certificate, said by Rosselkhoznadzor official Vasily Lavrovsky. for Indian dairy product import (into Russia), Absence of a harmonised certificate might become an impediment. Two Indian plants interested in import of dairy products to the Russian market were included in (or) Register, he pronounced.

Export of fish and seafood to Russia Indian also wants to increase. For instruction about safety evaluation of these wares, there is an agreement has been made wherein Indian specialists will see Russia or their specialists will be arriving here.
About

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is responsible for communicating and implementing marketing strategies that promote all of the islands of the Bahamas as unique and exciting destinations. The moment your toes touch sand, and your gaze meets the water, you know youre in the islands of the Bahamas. Its about the comfortable ease, the instant sense of belonging, and finding that your departure from everyday life is also your arrival at an extraordinary place within yourself. Each island has its own identity and offers something different for everyone.
Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, September 14

The airport is all set to go international tomorrow evening with the maiden flight of Air India Express to Sharjah.

The long wait will end at 5.15 pm when Air India Express Boeing aircraft 737-800 arrives here from Sharjah at 5.15 pm. It will take off after an hour at 6.15 pm tomorrow. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, along with his delegation, comprising eight ministers and nine senior officers, will be present at the airport to head at least three ceremonies ahead of the take-off.

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Sukhbir will address a press conference at the arrival lounge of the airport. It will be followed by a cake-cutting ceremony before giving boarding passes to the passengers, who will be part of the historic journey. The Punjab Government delegation, led by Sukbir, will also be on the flight.

3.15-hour flight

The flight will take 3.15 hours to reach its destination, Sharjah, at 8 pm (Gulf time). The time difference between India and Sharjah is 1.30 hours. The flight departure from Sharjah to Chandigarh will be at 12.45 pm (local time) and it will arrive in Chandigarh at 5.15 pm.

Security being beefed up

To meet the international standards of security at the airport, the Punjab Police have approved an additional force of 200 personnel. A dedicated police station, having nearly 20 policemen, on the airport premises is already functional. Besides, the CISF, which has about 300 personnel to guard the premises, has also increased its strength. Mohali SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, who was present at the airport to take stock of the arrangements for tomorrows programme, said the additional force of 200 personnel and five new vehicles would be deputed at the airport soon. The process is under way. The airport is being guarded by the CISF, well-equipped commandos of the Punjab Police and other staff with top-class coordination, said the SSP.

Immigration counters set up

To facilitate international passengers, the authorities have set up 12 immigration counters, six each at the arrival and departure arenas, at the airport.

MIA to hold car rally

The Mohali Industries Association (MIA) has planned to hold a car rally from its office to the airport to make the moment memorable.

A five-member delegation of the association will also travel on the first flight to be part of the historic moment.

186-seater aircraft packed to capacity

The Air India Express 186-seater aircraft (all economy class seats) will fly to capacity.

All seats have been booked for the flight on Thursday. The response to international flights is encouraging, said sources at the airport. Passengers will be served food boxes and tea/coffee free of cost on the flight.

Fly to Sharjah thrice a week

The Air India Express flights to Sharjah will be thrice a week -- Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Initially, the cost of the return ticket is Rs 9,500.

City-Dubai flights from September 26

IndiGo will start its operations from September 26 with its daily non-stop flights from Chandigarh to Dubai. The return fare is Rs 9,999.

Airport yet to get a name

Over a year has passed since the airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11 last year, but it is yet to gets a name even though international flights are starting from Thursday. There were differences between Punjab, Chandigarh and Haryana over the final name of the airport. Though the Punjab Government has made up its mind to name the airport after Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, the authorities concerned are yet to reach a consensus in this connection.
Chandigarh, September 14

IndiGo has brought Chandigarh closer to Delhi with its second daily non-stop flight on the sector. These flights will give more choice to business and leisure travellers, who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options.

Speaking on the introduction of additional connectivity from September 12, Aditya Ghosh, president, IndiGo, said, We are very excited about the introduction of the additional service between Chandigarh and Delhi. Chandigarh has been a promising market for us at IndiGo. The new service will provide increased convenience for customers travelling from Himachal Pradesh and other adjoining cities of Punjab and Haryana.

He said, IndiGo will continue to expand its network to meet the requirements of both business and leisure travellers wherever they demand it. It is our constant endeavour to provide more flexibility of choice to our customers as IndiGo continues to offer them an on-time, hassle-free and affordable flying experience.
Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd)

Two months after the killing of Burhan Wani on July 8, the Army has returned in strength to South Kashmir, the core centre of the recent street turbulence, and has been tasked to restore the situation. What needs to be understood here is that the Army is not restoring law and order but a virtual public order situation which has seen complete paralysis and inability of the police forces to handle. This is the classic situation in which the Army steps in to execute its responsibilities in the realm of operations other than war, hybrid in nature.

What the Army will be dealing with is an intractable segment of population with a diffused and invisible leadership, backed by financial, ideological, psychological and planning support from across the LoC. Its a situation akin to 1989-90, made worse by emotions. However, the presence of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) today is a force multiplier and enabler unavailable then. Yet, there is a population, perhaps not as large as contemplated by the Chief Minister, which is pining for peace and is held hostage by the lumpen youth. It is this population whose conscience and courage has to be given a boost by the Armys unconventional operations.

The Armys forced vacation and reduction of strength over the past few years was due to the intense pressure that the local politicians imposed on the Government of India. A task in counter-insurgency/terror situations is never considered complete until the political legitimacy and authority is fully established. The clamour for withdrawal of the Army under the rabble rousing of the Deep State and separatists, on grounds of the presence of a trumped up figure of 7 lakh security personnel, led to incorrect decisions. Hopefully the lessons have been learnt.

The Army is currently tasked for restoration of the situation in South Kashmir but is deployed in good measure in North Kashmir too where its task towards restoration should also be mandated, lest there be doubts. It works on a principle of concepts which are based on the task, giving its commanders the required flexibility to function as per local conditions. The first point in the concept should clearly be the need for preventing any further alienation with all segments of society. That sets the tone for the degree of robustness in operations. Its not a carte blanche for use of armed force and no one understands this better than the Army itself.

The fact that there are no black and white situations here is an element for use of manoeuvre philosophy, something a modern army should invariably be executing, especially in irregular conflict situations. It is not flag marches but the show of force through domination of both physical and moral kind. The moral domination of the Army has always been its chief weapon and its commanders at all levels have been immensely proud of that fact; it sets them apart and creates an aura which must never be lost. In all other parts of the country the arrival of the Army to handle law and order is accompanied by a silent sigh of relief. People trust it to do the right thing, the fair thing, and its officers always have that capability to reach out to the people. It is a delight sometimes to see a young Army officer presiding over a meeting of elderly citizens, giving them all the respect due.

So there is no reason why the Army wont achieve the same thing in a public order distressed situation. In the domain of physical domination the move into the areas of South Kashmir is to occupy the physical space and reduce the burden of size of individual responsibility of sub-units of the RR and the CRPF. Simultaneously, if it is true that there has been a marginal surge in infiltration, the CI/CT operations must be conducted energetically and intelligently. These must be intelligence based and surgical. For that the assistance of the JK Police is mandatory. The intelligence grid has taken a beating but not to the extent it cannot be revived.

Conceptually, the most important task for the Army is not to go on an offensive mode; thats the most ham-handed way of doing things. The need is to bolster the morale and capability of the JK Police, which remains as good a force as ever. It only needs a boost and a bit of correction in terms of personnel drawn from the same area serving locally. The JK Police must be able to hold its police stations and ensure that all weapons, records and legal documents are immediately secured. A similar thing in restoration of order is to ensure that government employees can return to work unimpeded and the secretariats everywhere must get to function. These places must be secured with the help of the CRPF. No one really knows how much digitisation has been completed in land records as it only began less than a year ago; the state government can ill afford to have tehsil and district offices as the next targets to create mayhem in land records, which will add to the turbulence.

I would be naive if I did not appreciate that this time the degree of antipathy and alienation among the rural folk is manifold higher. The Army cannot expect a cakewalk in engagement through conventional methods but it also knows the pulse of the population and its basic needs. A combination of material and psychological engagement will help. I am aware that the inducted formations and units have trained themselves in their force ethos, an essential pre-requisite. You cannot have a bunch of non-professionals in the field with their understanding limited to inputs from social media.

The Army can do nothing on its own. It has to be a whole of government approach as anywhere in hybrid operations. It can and will lead by its professional and cooperative approach. The diffused leadership will need to be identified, engaged or weeded out. It must be replaced with the presence of elected political leaders whose movement and engagement with the people must be jointly facilitated by all security forces. The writ of the state has to return.

Lastly, the Armys RR formations and units remain the mainstay. Their resilience and knowledge of the physical and cultural terrain is the plus which should not be lost sight of. All operations of any variety must be under the control of the RR commanders with no ego and such like notions becoming obstacles. It will need immense energy and understanding, something Army personnel are known for. We should expect no miracles. Healing processes are slow but remaining loyal to the concept of operations is the winning factor.

The writer, a former GOC of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, is now associated with the Vivekananda International Foundation and Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies.
It was left to senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav to observe that it was a frightening situation that a curfew had to be imposed on Eid in Kashmir. Yadav speaks the language of a politician, whereas it seems a policeman is calling the policy shots in New Delhi. There is the endless cycle of protest, violence, and the inevitable response from the security forces. New Delhi appears to have settled for a policy of tiring out the street protesters; it does not want to give the impression of being less than a tough, no-nonsense executioner of law and order. The official stance is reported to be calculated on a premise that inspiration and instigation for the street protests are emanating from across the border, and that only a very miniscule minority is out there protesting on the streets while the overwhelming majority of Kashmiris wants nothing more than a semblance of peace and normalcy.

Each one of these calculations may be valid. Still the curfew-on-Eid was an overdone calculation. It has been noted that it was the first time in more than one hundred years that no prayers could be offered in Srinagars Jama Masjid. A community was made to feel that it was not allowed to observe its religious freedom. An unhappy feeling  anytime, anywhere. It needs to be pointed out that there was violence despite the curfew in various parts of the Kashmir Valley.

This curfew-on-Eid tapestry was in sharp contrast to the earlier inspired leaks about the possibility of a Vajpayee-era like Ramadan unilateral cease-fire. While it would be naive to discount Pakistans unabated interference in the Valley, it would be equally unwise to rely on the policeman to help seize the initiative away from the street protester. Pakistans unhelpfulness is a given, a constant and perhaps an unbreakable factor; but precisely because of this familiar meddlesomeness, New Delhi needs to let the politician do his trick and the diplomat practise his craft.
Chandigarh, September 14

Health Minister Anil Vij today directed the Deputy Commissioners and Civil Surgeons to take effective measures like fogging and anti-larvae spray to prevent the spread of malaria, dengue and chikungunya in the state.

He also directed the Civil Surgeons to ensure supply of medicines and proper management of beds in hospitals. Also, kits have been made available in all districts to test patients for dengue according to the prescribed norms. The private hospitals cannot charge more than the prescribed fee for Elisa test. They have to display the rate list, he said.

He said in case a patient was found suffering from dengue, he would be certified only by the laboratory of the district hospitals of the state government and no other hospital would confirm dengue at its own level. The rule was to be followed by allhealth centres, subdivisional hospitals and private hospitals, he said.  TNS
Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 14

The Haryana Statute Review Committee and the Police Department are heading for a face-off over the review of certain sections of the Haryana Police Act, 2007, including giving control of the police to the District Collector.

The police, in a representation to the committee, have objected to the clandestine manner in which it is reviewing the Act without consulting the stakeholders especially since there is no mandate for it, while committee chairman Justice Iqbal Singh dismisses the contention of the police.

I reject the argument that it is not within my purview to study the Act and will go by the law. I have received a representation from the IAS lobby about reviewing the Act and I am going ahead. The police have also sent a representation. I will apply my mind and arrive at a conclusion, Justice Singh said.

The government had, in July 2015, set up the committee to identify obsolete laws which are no longer needed or relevant and can be immediately repealed and which otherwise require changes and amendments to remove anomalies, ambiguities and inequities therein.

The police contend the committee has taken up the Haryana Police Act without there being any occasion to merit such an exercise.

Further, in a preliminary representation, the police have questioned the committees decision to review the Act since this is not mandated by the terms of reference of the committee.

The police say the Act was reviewed several months ago.

The representation by the DGPs office, says, Several rounds of meetings have been convened on the subject. But the Police Department is not aware of it. Only after some officers informally took up the matter, inputs from the DGP were sought.

Also, the police are sore about the fact that the committee is heavily skewed in favour of IAS officers; three officers are on the committee, while the Police Department is unrepresented.

Sources in the police said a delegation of officers called on Justice Singh and apprised him of the situation on the Act review. He seemed convinced and assured us that the police would be taken into the loop if anything more is considered in the matter. Since ours was a preliminary representation, the committee members said whatever clarification was needed would be asked in writing. Since nothing has come, the department believes the matter rests, a member of the delegation said.

The DGP, KP Singh, said the police had given a representation following queries of the committee. There has been no further correspondence. We presume the matter is settled, he added.

Justice Singh, however, said he would only get back to the police if the need arose. I have the representation and may or may not need them to appear before the committee, he said, indicating the matter was not closed contrary to the presumption of the police top brass.
Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Meham, September 13

Khap representatives, speaking at the Shaheed Samman Samaroh here today, pledged to put up a concerted fight till the Jats were granted reservation in jobs. Family members of those killed during the February quota agitation were honoured at the event that saw a massive turnout.

The organiser, Meham Chaubisi Sarvkhap Panchayat head Tulsi Grewal, announced that a rally would be held at Ramlila Grounds in Delhi in December. Prior to that, rallies would be organised in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. A yatra would be undertaken to mobilise support for the rallies.

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The speakers launched a scathing attack on the BJP government at the Centre and in the state for

"misleading" the Jats on the reservation issue.The community leaders, objecting to the anti-Jat tirade by the BJP's Kurukshetra MP, Raj Kumar Saini, alleged he had the Khattar government's tacit report.

They warned the BJP it would have to "suffer the consequences of not keeping its promises to the Jats" in the coming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

Assuring help to those arrested in connection with the quota agitation, the Jat leaders claimed the community stood united in its "struggle" and a joint meeting of Jat outfits would be held in Delhi on September 28 to chalk out a plan to resume the stir.

The Sarvjatiya Sarvkhap Mahapanchayat head, Dr Santosh Dahiya, and Jat reservation leader Hawa Singh Sangwan were among those who addressed the gathering. Addressing a rally in Hisar's Mayyar village, the All-India Jat Aarakshan Sanghrash Samiti president, Yashpal Malik, said they would resume their agitation when the next session of Parliament commenced.

The Congress as well as the BJP have betrayed the Jats on their demand for reservation. The central and state governments are adopting a dual policy and wasting time by prolonging the issue in courts," he alleged.
R Sedhuraman

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, September 14

The Supreme Court today rejected Haryanas plea for an early hearing of its dispute with Punjab and Rajasthan over the 109-km Hansi-Butana canal and made it clear that the case would be listed in due course.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice AM Khanwilkar said there was no need for an out-of-turn hearing as already there was unrest in Karnakata on the dispute over sharing Cauvery river water with neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

The law and order situation cropped up in Tamil Nadu following SCs order last week directing Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water for Tamil Nadu, which was subsequently scaled down to 12,000 cusecs a day till September 20.

Appearing for Haryana, senior counsel Jagdeep Dhankhar said the dispute over the canal had nothing to do with water sharing. He said his client had filed the suit in 2007 and the case was ready for final hearing as the evidence process was complete.

The apex court had agreed for final hearing in July, but the case was getting deleted time and again after appearing on the advance list. Now the case was likely to come up for hearing only on November 7, Dhankhar said and pleaded for advancing the hearing. But the Bench was not convinced.

In April 2014, Haryana had pleaded for using the canal under eight conditions, including a strict watch by a retired SC Judge/Chief Justice as well as the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of its drought-prone areas.

Haryana had said it was also ready to take its share of water only after Punjab and Rajasthan got their due from the Bhakra Main Line (BML) and this would allay apprehensions over possible misuse of the canal for drawing excess water from BML.

Rejecting the proposal, Punjab said this was nothing but old wine in a new bottle and the plea had been considered and rejected by various SC Benches.
Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 14

Infamous for gender bias, Haryana witnessed more cases of rapes and crimes against women than neighbouring Punjab, Himachal and Chandigarh in 2015.

Haryana contributes 2.4 per cent share in total sexual offences in the country against 1.7 percent by Punjab, 0.6 per cent by Himachal Pradesh and 0.1 per cent by Chandigarh.

According to the National Crime Record Bureaus (NCRB) annual report Crimes in India  2015 released recently, the rate of sexual offences (incidents of sexual offences per 1,00,000 of female population) in Haryana for 2015 was 11.6 against 10.04 in Himachal, 7.5 in Punjab and 9.4 in Chandigarh.

A total of 1,070 incidents of rapes were reported in Haryana in 2015, as per the NCRB report. Data of the Police Department in Haryana also shows that the incidents of rape have witnessed an increase in the state in the past four years.

The increase in the numbers is largely because of the fact that more women are coming forward to report crimes committed against them due to steps initiated by the state government, said Rajbir Deswal, Additional Director General of Police (Human Rights and Litigation).

Deswal said steps like opening of women police stations, online registration of FIRs on the Haryana Police portal Harsamay, complaints received on CM Window, etc., have encouraged women to come forward and lodge their complaints freely with the police.

He said the state police had ensured that prompt action was taken in all FIRs registered by women. He said the government was going to introduce mahila volunteers in all villages to check crimes against women.
Our Correspondent

Kangra, September 14

The Governing Council of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) of the Dr Rajendra Prasad Govt Medical College (DRPGMC) at Tanda today approved a budget of Rs 24.96 crore for the current financial year. Besides, Rs 1.50 crore was earmarked for the maintenance of the college in the first phase.

Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, who chaired the RKS meeting, stated this while addressing mediapersons at Tanda today. He said an eye bank would be opened in the college in November. A mental health centre of excellence would come up at a cost of Rs 35 crore in this college.

He said Rs 6.76 crore had been sanctioned for the construction of a trauma centre in the college, besides a maternal and child health care centre would also come up at a cost of Rs 4 crore here.

He said Rs 2 crore would be spent on a skill lab. A burn unit would be constructed at a cost of Rs 4.40 crore in the college. A sum of Rs 2.50 crore would be spent on the construction of a geriatric centre for old-age patients here.

He said five operation theaters would be upgraded and modernised at a cost of Rs 5 crore. A cath lab, to be built at a cost of Rs 5 crore, would be operational in the super specialty block within 10 days.

The Health Minister said for the first time in the state Fibroscan, costing Rs 2.75 crore, would be installed at Tanda for the early detection of liver diseases.

He said Rs 9 crore was spent on laying a gas pipeline and a oxygen plant in the hospital was ready for launch. He said efforts were on to break the nexus between doctors and chemists and 66 life-saving drugs were available in the hospital.

Kaul Singh said the number of faculty and nurses was more than required as per MCI norms so additional staff would be shifted to other medical colleges in the state with one promotion from assistant professor to associate professor for joining the new assignment.

The minister warned those employees of the medical college who defied the orders of the Principal, Medical Superintendent and the Additional Director and the government would take appropriate action against them.

Earlier, the minister dedicated a palliative care centre to the people and unveiled the portrait of Dr Rajendra Prasad in the super specialty block.

Kaul welcomed the newly admitted medical students on their first day in the college and released a students handbook containing information helpful for students.
Majid Jahangir/Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 13

Amid strict curfew across Kashmir on Eid, two youths were killed during protests and clashes that erupted across Kashmir which has left nearly 40 people injured.

The two killings took place in Bandipora and Shopian districts. Mustafa Mir, in his early 20s, was killed after he was hit by a tear-smoke shell during clashes in Bandipora town, while Shahid Ahmad was killed after being hit by a pellet in Bonabazar, Shopian.

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The locals in Bandipora blamed police for firing at Mir from a close range. However, the police claimed that the youth was killed during intense clashes which broke out in the area when people defied curfew restrictions.

In Shopian, the killing took place when violent clashes broke out in Bonabazar when people tried to defy curfew restrictions. Doctors at Shopian said Shahid was brought dead with pellet injuries in the chest. Many protesters were injured in the clashes in Shopian.

With these two fresh casualties, the death toll in the current unrest has reached 81. More than 10,000 people have been injured in clashes in over the past two months.

Nearly 40 protesters were injured in clashes on Tuesday in Srinagar, Shopian, Bijbehara, Tral, Kulgam, Bandipora and Baramulla.

The J&K government on Tuesday imposed strict curfew across the Kashmir Valley and did not allow Eid congregational prayers in Eidgah and main mosques amid fears of largescale protests and violence.

Government has deployed thousands of forces across Kashmir and pressed into service unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, for aerial surveillance to ensure peace.

Kashmiri separatist leaders leading the present agitation have called for a march to United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan on Tuesday.

No major Eid gathering was allowed in any part of the valley. Eid prayers were not allowed at Hazratbl shrine, Eidgah grounds and Jamia Mosque in downtown Srinagar and at scores of other Eidgahs in major towns of Kashmir as the government put in place strict curfew with police and paramilitary personnel preventing people from venturing out.

In the morning, people in Srinagar saw heavy deployment of police and other paramilitary forces, with lanes and bylanes barricaded by concertina wires. Scores of residents, who turned up at these barricades, were either turned back or told by the police and paramilitary personnel to offer Eid prayers in the local mosques.

The authorities in Kashmir have also snapped broadband internet facility on fixed landlines and private postpaid and prepaid mobile services since Monday evening. It is for the second time during the ongoing unrest that broadband internet services were suspended. Earlier, the communication was suspended on August 13.
Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 14

Just hours before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) commenced its session, including a discussion on the issue of safeguarding human rights, India and Pakistan had a full-blown cyber war.

Pakistan launched an operation called Twitter Storm to raise the Kashmir issue on the social media, which was countered by India.

Around 3 pm on Tuesday Pakistan-based cyber warriors launched Twitter Storm to make the #kashmirreferendum trend on the micro-blogging site Twitter.

It was to coincide with the opening of the 71st session of the UNGA in the United States (US) around 3 pm local time on Tuesday.

Keeping in mind the time gap between Pakistan and the US, Twitter Storm was launched to coincide with early morning in the US, when UNGA delegates were expected to take stock of news from around the world.

Within a short time, Indias cyber monitoring cells got wind of it and countered it, reducing the Twitter trend to nowhere near the top 10 global trends.

The Twitter feeds were traced. Around 75 per cent of the 1 lakh tweets on #kashmirreferendum originated from Pakistan.

Sources said the plan was put in place by Pakistan-backed keyboard warriors, who were given a time frame of tweeting the #kashmirreferndum around the globe.

Officially, Pakistan plans to raise the Kashmir issue at the UNGA. Pakistans stance is to demand a referendum in Kashmir.

Indian monitoring agencies traced that Pakistan-backed Twitter users were given time frames. For example, those in the US were told to start tweeting around 8 am local time on Tuesday.

Those in the UK were instructed to start around 1 pm, in the UAE at 4 pm, in Pakistan around 5 pm and in Australia at 10 pm. All this would coincide with early morning in the US.

Pakistan-backed Twitter handles tried to rope in a few Pakistani celebrities and tweets were shared by propaganda handles of a Pakistani political party, sources indicated after an analysis.

One of the videos shared was a 11-minute-35-second-long lecture by Hafiz Saeed, asking Kashmiris to stand by the Hurriyat and hailing the sacrifices of Kashmiri youth.

The India-based internet monitoring agency countered it and sent out some 11,500 tweets, which led to 18 per cent positive responses to Indias efforts in Kashmir. The number of neutral responses was 54 per cent, scuttling Twitter Storm.
Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 14

Phones remained silent and no greetings were exchanged on this Eid as the government imposed restrictions on telephone services and Internet on security grounds.

Fifty-year-old Mehbooba in Natipora, Srinagar, could not greet her ailing father in south Kashmir on Eid. She was desperate to talk to him but could not as the government had imposed a complete communication blockade as a law and order measure to tackle protests.

I have not been able to visit my parents in Pulwama for the last one month due to tense situation. Greeting them on Eid is the first thing I always do. However, today I couldnt wish my father. I am extremely unhappy about it, she said.

The communication blockade has made it impossible for people to wish their dear ones on this Eid, celebration for which began across the country on Tuesday.

I could not talk to my son in Saudi Arabia. He must be feeling very bad about it. The government has not only confined us to homes but they it has also deprived us from even talking to our children who are living at other places. This is no Eid for us, said Shameema Begum, who lives in Chanapora.

For the first time in many years, all 10 districts of the Kashmir valley are under curfew on Eid to prevent spread of violence. The Army has stepped in to prevent the fresh outbreak of protests in the Valley, which has been witnessing widespread agitation for over two months leading to death of 81 people so far. The trouble started on July 9 in south Kashmir following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.

Officials said the decision on Internet ban was taken after a review of the prevailing law and order situation.

Private service providers have been ordered to shut down their services for 72 hours. The BSNL too has been asked to stop its broadband services for Internet, said one official who did not want to be named.

Only BSNL post-paid services are working in the Valley but very few people have it.
Samaan Lateef

Tribune News Service

Srinagar September 14

The Valley was relatively peaceful today as the state government lifted curfew from all major towns of the Valley except Kulgam and Pulwama in south Kashmir. However, strict restrictions were imposed across Kashmir which has seen over two months of violence in which 81 people have been killed.

Heavy contingents of the police and the CRPF in riot gear were deployed in strength in all districts of Kashmir while barricades and concertina wires were laid at various entry and exit points in Srinagar and other districts to thwart the protests.

However, protests erupted in Tahab and Kakpora localities of Pulwama district where youth threw stones at security personnel, who in turn lobbed tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters. No one was injured in the clashes. Protests also broke out in Magam village of north Kashmirs Handwara subdistrict where youth threw stones on security men.

Violent protests erupted at Hard-Shiva village of Sopore sub-district of north Kashmir after the body of a local youth, Mansoor Ahmad Lone (25), was recovered from a stone quarry. Lone had gone missing on Tuesday morning after the Army allegedly raided Hard-Shiva village following a stone-throwing incident. Locals said people carried out a protest rally after Eid-ul-Azha on Tuesday and dispersed peacefully. However, a few youth, including Lone, went to pelt the nearby 22 Rashtriya Rifles camp with stones.

They alleged that the Army soldiers chased the youth, and after that Lone went missing. Superintendent of Police, Sopore, Harmeet Singh said, The police have filed an FIR with murder charges against the Army.

Singh said the family of the slain youth had filed a complaint alleging that the Army had abducted their son on Tuesday and killed him before throwing his body in a stone quarry. We will investigate the case to see the facts, he said.

Meanwhile, following the killing of a youth, Mustafa Mir, in Bandipora, on Tuesday, angry protesters set ablaze a showroom in the town last evening. The showroom belongs to BJP district president Sheikh Waseem Bari.

Fire tenders were rushed to douse the fire. While the building suffered partial damage, the showroom was reduced to ashes. A few stone-throwing incidents were reported from Bandipora today.
Majid Jahangir and Ishfaq Tantary

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 13

Two youths were killed and more than 100 injured in clashes today as protesters defied curfew restrictions in almost all 10 districts in the Kashmir Valley to offer Eid prayers. There were reports of clashes at 50 places, including Srinagar, despite the deployment of thousands of troops and the use of drones for aerial surveillance.

The separatists' march to the UN office was foiled. Lanes and bylanes in Srinagar were barricaded by concertina razor wires and the residents told to offer prayers at local mosques. The internet facility in the Valley was suspended  for the second time during the ongoing unrest.

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Mustafa Mir, 21, was killed in North Kashmirs Bandipora, 55 km from Srinagar, during clashes with security personnel. He was hit by a tear smoke shell. The locals blamed the police for the death. But a police officer claimed Mir had died of injuries during violent clashes in the area. Another youth, Shahid Ahmad of Uerpora Nagbal in Zainapora, in his twenties, was killed in clashes that erupted after the Eid prayers in Shopian district. He was hit by pellets in the chest and brought dead at the Primary Health Centre, Harmain, Chief Medical Officer Dr Abdul Rashid Najar said.

Special Director-General (Law and Order) Shesh Paul Vaid, claimed the forces had shown "maximum restraint" across the Valley, it being Eid. However, two unfortunate killings took place and it is not yet clear how these occurred, he said. Shahids body, that was found near Largam, was carried to the government hospital by locals who did not allow a post-mortem to be performed.They alleged he was injured during stone-pelting. The youth had been missing for two days.The police is investigating the matter," said an official spokesperson.

With two more killed on Eid, the death toll in Kashmir since July 8, has reached 81.
Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 14

The longest-ever fierce gun-battle between security forces and terrorists in Poonch town that lasted for almost 60 hours till Tuesday has underlined a shift in the strategy of terror groups  engage security agencies for longer period to inflict maximum collateral damage and seek utmost attention from the world community.

The four terrorists, who were gunned down by the Armys elite Para Commandos and J&K Polices Special Operation Group on the third day of the encounter, were a fidayeen squad (suicide attackers) but they kept the security forces engaged in the gunfight for almost three days.

It is also not clear as yet as how these four terrorists managed to reach the highly-guarded and populated area by crossing the Line of Control (LoC) as the Armys 93 Brigade headquarters and the office of Superintendent of Police (SP) are situated nearby the spot.

A clinical and surgical shift in the strategy of terrorists, including fidayeen, has been reported in the recent times. The fidayeen generally do not extend encounter for a long period as they come to either kill the people or get killed. Extending the encounters with security forces for longer period is aimed at gathering maximum attention from the world community besides inflicting maximum collateral damage to the forces, said a senior police official involved in counter-terrorism operations.

A policeman was killed while seven others received bullet injuries during the operation that had ensued around 7.10 am on September 11 morning.

Johnny Williams, the Inspector General (In Charge) of Police, Rajouri-Poonch Range, however, said the operation extended for a longer period because they wanted to avoid any casualty to the forces. Any interpretation can be drawn but we tried to ensure minimum collateral damage during the operation. Given the peculiarity of the situation, the operation got extended for third day, Williams said, adding, it is too early to comment about the identification and motive of terrorists.

Pertinently, three terrorists had kept the security forces engaged for 48 hours at the multi-storey EDI building attack in Pampore area from February 20 to 22 early this year. The operation was launched on February 20 evening after the terrorists attacked a CRPF convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway and took refuge in the multi-storey complex. Three elite commandos of the Army, including two officers, two CRPF jawans and 13 others were injured in the attack.

Similarly, the Pathankot air base that came under attack from terrorists was freed from intruders after 80 hours in January this year.
Manpriya Singh

Having assisted Ang Lee for Life of Pi, it was a no brainer that stylist and costume designer Poornamrita Singh gave an instant nod to the next challenging venture, this time Baar Baar Dekho. What, however, was a little off her career road was venturing into styling. Styling happened by chance. I have never taken up a professional course in styling or costume designing. While working at this production house called Genesis, I was put in charge of styling TV commercials quite a few times which is when I discovered my flare for the craft, shares the costume designer currently shooting in Romania for a TV commercial which is directed by Zoya Akhtar.

As for the film, it may have been criticized on countless counts, all of which she brushes aside with a, Creative art is subjective. Some people like a film, others dont.

Costumesplay a big role

In a film an actor is required to lose himself/herself and take on a new personality. As a costume designer, you play a big role in giving them an identity. Their clothes reflect their moods, their background, their experiences and make them real and relatable. In Baar Baar Dekho, I have tried to do the same with Katrina and Sidharth.

On the film

The looks for the film number into the thousands. It is very rare to do a film where you have to create both present and future fashion trends  let alone five of them in one film. The story is spread over several decades and spans different eras. We started by creating different trends for each decade. You will notice, as we go further into the future, the fashion inspiration goes further backwards from the 60s to the 40s to the Edwardian era.

The film was also shot in different locations, including Thailand, Scotland, Delhi and Mumbai. A separate look was created for each character depending on the setting. Thailand had a bohemian vibe which included swimwear. In contrast, Scotland was autumn and winter clothing whereas India was mostly wedding celebrations so the costume was Indian.

Script comes first, then the stars

The process of designing begins by understanding the script and what the story is trying to convey. Then, I move on to closely studying the characters, their interests, their passion, their occupation and so on - which has an indelible impact on their looks. The research happens accordingly. It is important to work in sync with the director and the cast to make sure what I deliver is what the director has envisioned.

Bollywoods best dressed

I think Kangana Ranaut is always impeccably dressed. Style is a personal interpretation so the way you can go wrong is to blindly copy trends rather than wear what suits your personality or body type.
Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, Sept 14

With Delhi reporting five chikungunya deaths this season, Health Minister JP Nadda held a meeting with central agencies involved with vector control and simultaneously sought a report on deaths from the Delhi Government.

Health Secretary CK Mishra and Director of the National Vector Control Organisation, the nodal agency maintaining data on dengue, chikungya and other diseases causes by vectors and guiding with advisories on the matter, were also present at the review meeting.

The meeting decided to seek coordination with the AAP-led Delhi Government which has been found wanting in addressing the chikungunya challenge. Ministry officials said health being a state subject, the Centre could at best extend support and issue advisories to help local administrations which must respond with their own municipal infrastructure to deal with mosquito breeding.

Delhi has seen five chikungunya deaths even though the disease is normally non-fatal. The deaths, which the Health Ministry will get investigated by central agencies, are believed to have occurred due to lack of vector control and subsequently proper symptomatic treatment of people reporting with the illness.

So far, dengue has claimed nine deaths in Delhi, much less than in past seasons, but chikungunya seems to be spiralling out of control.

Health Minister JP NAdda said there was no cause for panic and advised the ill to take symptomatic treatment and increase their fluid intake.

There is no vaccine for chikungunya nor is there any effective anti-viral treatment available. Like dengue, chikunguynya is best avoided through protection from mosquitoes.

Last fortnight, the Centre had asked all Delhi Government hospitals to remove vector-breeding locations on their campuses. The result of the request has not been positive.

Chikungunya symptoms include fatigue, muscle pain, headache and rash, and appear usually two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

The disease runs a limited course and is rarely fatal unless managed poorly.
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 14

A day after his Vamana Jayanthi greetings created a furore down South, BJP chief Amit Shah today appeared to balance out by also wishing Malayali friends on Onam.

Greetings to Malayali friends on Onam. May this auspicious festival shower happiness, peace and prosperity all around, Shah tweeted this morning to greet people on the festival that commemorates the homecoming of mythological lower-caste King Mahabali, whose rule was ended by Vamana, a Brahmin boy said to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Shahs tweet wishing people on Vamana Jayanthi was not taken too well by those who saw it as an attempt to change the discourse around the Mahabali legend. His greetings accompanied a poster that showed Vamana, a Brahmin, placing his foot over the head of a king, apparently Mahabali.

The tweet was seen as an attempt to undermine the legendary Asura king whose homecoming to Kerala is celebrated as the festival of Onam. Though it is connected with the Hindu mythology, the festival is also celebrated by a section among Christians and Muslims in the state.

While Shahs todays tweet is being perceived as a damage-control tactic, party leaders deny any such effort. They claim Shahs Vamana Jayanthi tweet was not meant to appease the upper castes or undermine those who believe in the Mahabali legend. The festival is also observed as Vamana Jayanthi, so where the controversy, they question. However, as per political observers, the main reason behind this anger among a section was that Shahs tweet followed a special edition of RSS mouthpiece in Malayalam, Kesari. In one of the articals, Kesari is reported to have dismissed the Mahabali legend as distorted falsehood.
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 14

BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday made amends by wishing his Malayali friends on the occasion of Onam, a day after his Vamana Jayanthi greetings created a furore down South.

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Greetings to Malayali friends on Onam. May this auspicious festival shower happiness, peace and prosperity all around, Shah tweeted this morning to wish people on the festival that commemorates the homecoming of mythological lower-caste king Mahabali, whose rule was ended by a Brahmin boy Vamana, said to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu.

His tweet wishing people on Vamana Jayanthi was not taken too well by those who saw it as an attempt to change the discourse around the festival and the Mahabali legend. Shahs greetings accompanied a poster that pictured Vamana, a Brahmin, placing his leg over the head of the king.

The tweet was also seen as an attempt to undermine the legendary Asura king whose homecoming to Kerala is celebrated as the festival of Onam. The festival is also celebrated by a section among Christians and Muslims in the state.

While Shahs todays tweet is being read as a damage-control tactic, party leaders deny any such effort. They claim Shahs Vamana Jayanthi tweet was not meant to appease upper caste or undermine those who believed in Mahabali.

A special edition of RSS mouthpiece in Malayalam, Kesari, in an article has reported to have dismissed the Mahabali legand as distorted falsehood, which also irked the community.
Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow/New Delhi, September 14

Differentiating between the family and government, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said everyone agreed with netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) when it concerned the family and party, but he had taken some decisions about the government on his own.

Who doesnt agree with netaji? I agree with netaji. ..I do whatever he asks me to do. But some decisions I have taken on my own....

Virtually confirming what probably triggered off the current crisis in the Samajwadi Party, the Chief Minister said: If outsiders start interfering, then how would I run the government.

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While Akhilesh did not take any names, political sources say that the Chief Minister was referring to a newly inducted Rajya Sabha MP, who claims to be a Mulayamwadi and not a Samajwadi.

This cryptic remark before the media at his 5 Kalidas Road residence this morning is the first reaction by an unruffled Chief Minister since the fast-paced family drama started unfolding since Tuesday.

(Read: Fight in SP a family drama to deflect peoples attention: BJP)

In his brief interaction, Akhilesh hinted at some outsiders putting pressure on netaji to coerce him to revisit some of his recent decisions, like dismissing the corrupt Ministers and replacing the Chief Mecretary.

Interestingly, just months before the Assembly election, the Chief Minister has decided to come into his own and shake off the critics allegation of Uttar Pradesh being ruled by four-and-a-half chief ministers.

While he cancelled all official engagements outside, Akhilesh stuck to his previously decided schedule and continued meeting people at his official residence.

He interacted with the media for a few minutes during one such cheque distribution function at his residence a little while ago.

With this statement, Yadav has put the party patriarch, Mulayam Singh Yadav, on the back foot.

All eyes are now fixed at Mulayam Singh. It remains to be seen how the grand old man works out a strategy preventing son Akhilesh and brother Shivpal Singh Yadav from pulling the party and government in different directions.

Speaking to reporters at Safai, Shivpal said he would honestly carry out whatever responsibility netaji hands him.

After that, he left for Delhi by a special chartered plane to meet Mulayam at his New Delhi residence.

The feud inside the Yadav first family spilled out in the open as Chief Minister Yadav has been attempting to assert himself in the party and the government in recent weeks.

The first open defiance not to toe netaji came when Akhilesh refused to endorse his fathers decision of merger of don-turned politician Mukhtar Ansaris Qaumi Ekta Dal with the SP.

Uncle Shivpal took it as a personal humiliation as he had brokered the deal under the instructions of netaji.

A few days later, all was said to be well within the Yadav first family, but an uneasy peace prevailed.

The dismissal of Mining Minister Gayatri Prajapati, reportedly close to netaji, on charges of corruption, triggered the fresh crisis.

Akhilesh followed it up with replacing Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal the very next day, who was close to uncle Shivpal.

Reacting to these decisions, in all likelihood taken without his nod, father Mulayam took away charge of the Samajwadi Party at the state level from son and handed it over to brother Shivpal.

Reacting to this, the Chief Minister stripped uncle Shivpal of his high-profile portfolios like irrigation and PWD.
Geneva, September 14

Raising the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the UN, India on Wednesday accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations there as well as in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

In a scathing attack on Pakistan during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council here, India said the main reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan that stems from its territorial ambitions over the place that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions.

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Pakistan's dismal track record is well known and many countries have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure; and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva Ajit Kumar said.

India's credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that is deeply committed to the welfare of its people are well established and on the contrary, Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country, including Balochistan, Kumar said.

Exercising its right of reply to the statement made by Pakistan, Kumar said Pakistan is a country, which has systematically abused and violated the human rights of its own citizens, including in Balochistan, as well as of the people of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

"The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan which has provided active support since 1989 to separatist groups and terrorist elements including those operating from the territory under Pakistan's control.

"Pakistan has once again sought to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the garb of concern for human rights.

"J&K is an integral part of India and will always remain so. We reject attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has been regularly exercised by the people of J&K," he said.

In a no-holds-barred offensive, India said while advocating restraint to others, Pakistan has no hesitation in using air power against its own people.

"Pakistan also continues to provide sanctuary to UN- designated terrorists. It was, therefore, no surprise that Pakistan failed to convince the international community to secure the membership of the Human Rights Council last year," Kumar added.

India strongly rejects Pakistan's continued misuse of the Council to make tendentious references about internal matters pertaining to the Indian state of J&K, the ambassador said.

"This stems from Pakistan's territorial ambitions over Kashmir that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions. Pakistan continues to be in illegal occupation of a large part of territory in J&K," he said.

Reiterating that the situation in the Valley arose from the death of a self-acknowledged commander of Hizb-ul- Mujahideen terror group, India said it was further aggravated by sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Kumar said the high number of causalities sustained by Indian security forces is a reflection of the tremendous restraint they have displayed in difficult circumstances.  PTI
Suresh Dharur

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, September 13

Poll strategist Prashant Kishors next destination may well be Andhra Pradesh. Though the Assembly elections in the state are still over two years away, the Opposition YSR Congress plans to engage his services to formulate a strategy to capture power.

The YSR Congress, headed by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, had narrowly lost to the Telugu Desam Party led by N Chandrababu Naidu in the 2014 elections.

We have approached Prashant Kishor to help us devise an appropriate strategy, party sources said. Kishor grabbed the national limelight when his campaign strategies for the NDA in the run-up to the 2014 General Election, including Chai Pe Charcha, proved a major success.

A year later, he was roped in by the Janata Dal (United) in Bihar. His poll strategy worked wonders and helped Nitish to regain power. At present, Kishor has taken up an assignment with the Congress to revive the partys prospects in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab where Assembly elections are due next year.

The YSR Congress, which has been in an agitation mode to highlight the failure of the TDP government in securing special category status for the state, is keen on drafting a political action plan to capture power in the next elections.
Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 14

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday assured the armed forces that he will take up the anomalies of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) at the highest level as he fully understands the matter. Subsequently, the services have expressed satisfaction but are still waiting and watching.

Till the evening, it was status quo as far as the decision to stop the implementation of the increased salary and emoluments under the 7th CPC is concerned, sources said. The implementation had been stopped on September 9 over unresolved anomalies which had surfaced in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) notification issued on September 6.

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In the afternoon, the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC) Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha issued a statement saying, The Raksha Mantri (Parrikar) is seized of all the issues and has assured to resolve them at the earliest. The Services are satisfied with the response.

The 7th pay commission anomalies were discussed between the Ministry of Defence and the forces for the second time in three days on today. Parrikar had met with Raha, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and the Adjutant General of the Army as the Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag is away.

Parrikar conveyed to forces that questioning the notification was questioning the decision of the government and a resolution of anomalies will be on top priority.

The government holds an opinion that amending a notification will take weeks and needs approvals. Meanwhile, Parrikar has asked the forces to implement the CPC and wait for the resolution of four key pending demands.

On September 12, Parrikar had asked the forces to implement the pay commission and grievances, if any, can be taken up later.

The MoD had notified the new pay commission on September 6 and the CoSC had met on September 7 which decided to withhold the CPC pending resolution of anomalies.

On September 9, the three services issues letters to their formations saying they have asked the government to hold in abeyance the implementation of the CPC in view of the unresolved anomalies.

The forces believe anomalies lower the status and pay parity of forces vis-a-vis their counterparts in the police and civilian administration.

The MoD had, in the past, conveyed to an empowered committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary that the status, pay and allowances of the armed forces be kept above all other fighting arms of the government. Parrikar had also taken up the case that issues of status, pay and allowances for the forces have to be paramount.
Amaninder Pal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 14

Two regional centres of Guru Nank Dev University, Amritsar, and 73 of its affiliated colleges from 2010 to 2015 had awarded 8,027 students with those degrees whose courses were not specified by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In its performance report released here today, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) observed that Jalandhar and Gurdaspur regional centres of GNDU along with 73 affiliated colleges awarded degrees of nine unspecified courses

The CAG observed that offering courses without UGCs approval was in violation of the UGC Act, 1956.

The report read that the authorities concerned apprised CAG officials that courses not specified by UGC had not been stopped but the degrees awarded to such students would be treated as valid degrees.

However, the CAG observed that the reply was not tenable as no university can offer degrees in violation of the UGC Act.

Vacant seats

Scanning records of 11 departments from 2010-15, the CAG observed that out of 1,430 seats in such departments, which included the department of architecture, computer science and engineering, human genetics, music, sociology and psychology, 899 seats remained vacant. The university needs to re-asses the requirement of courses concerned and increase or decrease the intake capacity accordingly, the CAG observed.

Decreasing trend in campus placement

Around 87 per cent IT, computer engineers and MBA professionals, who passed out from campus, secured jobs through the universitys placement cell in 2010-11. However, the figure reduced to 79 in 2011-12, 55 in 2012-13, 40 in 2013-14 and just 49 in 2014-15.
Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 14

It was perhaps the perfect setting that the Opposition Congress could have sought for an uninterrupted debate on the no-confidence motion against the SAD-BJP government, for which the party MLAs had been practising for days.

The Opposition benches did play to win the final match on the concluding day of the monsoon session, but the pitch was not the floor of the House. It was the lobby area of the Vidhan Sabha where the Congress MLAs staged a peoples assembly, a mock session on the no-confidence motion that otherwise was defeated.

It was a session where the number of legislators on the Opposition benches outnumbered those on the treasury benches that remained on the defensive and admissive. Speaker Tarlochan Singh Soondh, Banga MLA, was kind enough not to expunge any remarks, irrespective of whether they were laden with adjectives or barbs against the Akalis represented by Kuljit Nagra as the CM who dozed off during the session. MLA Sadu Singh Dharamsot, who enacted Deputy CM, showered praises on Sunil Jakhar while advising him not to side with the Opposition benches. OP Soni, MLA from Amritsar, drew attention of the Speaker towards the urban issues. Even in the mock session, Sunil Jakhar took the role of main speaker along with Channi, who preferred to mark himself as the Leader of the Opposition. Describing the blue-turbaned Akali as desi bulls who were out to ravage the prosperity of Punjab, Jakhar described the Deputy CM as the CMD of Punjab Corporation Limited that used governance for exploitation of resources.

The session ended with the House passing the no-confidence motion by majority against the ruling party.

It was no holds barred for the young brigade which overshadowed the veterans in the Congress Legislature Party during the last day of the session today.

Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Kuljit Nagra, Charanjit Singh Channi and Gurkirat Kotli went all out against the government as they hurled paper balls and books at Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal after he refused to continue debate on no-confidence motion.

The Congress legislators tried every trick to push the SAD-BJP on the backfoot before Tarlochan Singh Soondh hurled a shoe at Bikram Majithia. Senior MLAs Lal Singh, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Sunil Jakhar and Jagmohan Singh Kang seemed upset with the shoe throwing act. Many party MLAs were seen inquiring about the veracity of the comments allegedly made by Valtoha. Jakhar later said he did not agree with the aggression but for the undemocratic and dictatorial style of functioning of the ruling party and the Speaker.

Taking credit for putting up a stormy show, the young leaders did not miss to mention in informal discussions that it was their idea to stay back in the House for two nights.

Staying put for 40 hours, they hardly looked fatigued as they led the charge on the treasury benches.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 14

It was utter chaos at the Punjab Assembly session here on Wednesday as shoes were hurled at the treasury benches and books and paper missiles freely thrown at Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal that made the veteran Akali leader call it the worst day of his 60 years in politics.

However, despite the pandemonium, Bills were passed at breakneck speed as no less than 12 Bills were through in 30 minutes flat.

The Congress MLAs, who were in a cantankerous mood, continued to protest in the Assembly for the third day. The opposition legislators, who had gathered in the well of the House well before the start of the session, threw papers and books at the Speaker and treasury benches as soon as the session began. Extra security had to be deployed to guard the Speaker and House secretary Shashi Lakhanpal Mishra.

The Speaker suspended Question Hour and started with the business for the day. Raising slogans against the government, the Congress MLAs accused the Speaker of being partial. They even booed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal when he got up from his seat to speak.

Shoes were hurled at the treasury benches. Congress MLA Tarlochan Soondh hurled a shoe at Majithia.

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Soondh later said he had hurled the shoe at Akali leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, who had allegedly passed casteist remarks, but it missed him and fell near Majithia.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal deposited the shoe at the office of the Speaker saying an inquiry would follow.

Reacting to the development, Majithia called it a disgraceful act, adding that people would punish the Congress for this. He also sought Soondhs disqualification from the House.

Whereas Congress Legislature Party leader Charanjit Singh Channi said he supported Soondh for his act against someone passing casteist remarks.

Amidst the pandemonium, the Bains brothers sat in a silent protest.

Badal on Tuesday had tried to reach out to the protesting Congress MLAs to break the deadlock over their demand for resumption of a debate on the no-confidence motion against the SAD-BJP government, but had failed.

Meanwhile, expecting trouble, no visitor passes to the House were issued on Wednesday. Heavy security was deployed around the Vidhan Sabha.

Later, the House was adjourned sine die. This made the Congress decide to hold a mock Assembly outside the House.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 14

Uttarakhand Congress senior vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana has expressed concern over the rising number of dengue, malaria, chikungunya and chicken pox cases in Dehradun city. He has questioned the complacent attitude of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation authorities in the matter.

Dhasmana, while addressing a press conference here today, said there were nearly 3,000 dengue cases in Dehradun and surrounding areas and the situation was turning from bad to worse. Dehradun is facing an epidemic-like situation while the Dehradun Municipal Corporaiton authorities are in a deep slumber, he said.

Dhasmana said he had visited a number of localities in Dehradun city and found the civic condition to be poor. Various localities of Dehradun whether it is a posh locality or a slum are water-logged but the municipal authorities are making no effort to clear water, which is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes, he added.

He said he would be visiting all government or private hospitals in Dehradun for a week from tomorrow and would collect the figure of number of patients suffering from dengue, malaria, chikungunya or chicken pox admitted there.

Dhasmana said there was a big shortage of platelets at blood banks. I will visit colleges and institutions and urge students and employees to donate more blood, he added. Dehradun Mahanagar Congress president Prithviraj Chauhan was present.
Sandeep Rawat

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 14

Ward No. 21 comprises posh colonies, including Model Colony, Vivek Vihar, Adarsh Nagar, Raj Lok, Meena Enclave, Subash Nagar and Yogi Vihar, where residents are for long facing inconvenience due to waterlogging.

This ward on the city periphery has turned into a major residential and commercial hub but waterlogging continues to be a pain in the neck for residents. A poor drainage system is to blame for it and the problem exacerbates during the rainy season. During monsoon, Chandracharya Chowk and Bhagat Singh Chowk are flooded with rainwater, throwing life out of gear.

Whenever elections are round the corner, candidates raise this issue and promise people to come up with a solution after voted to power but nothing concrete has been done so far. The BJP and the Congress have been blaming one another for ignoring the problem of the ward residents.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat, during a visit to the city last month, had inspected Chandracharya Chowk, Vivek Vihar, Aawas Vikas, Bhagat Singh Chowk and the Tibdi bypass stretch and announced Rs 15 lakh from the disaster management fund to deal with the problem of waterlogging.

Now, with the laying of 1 feet wide sewer line from Chandracharya Chowk to New Haridwar Setu, through which accumulated water is pumped into the Ganga canal, residents hope it will give them relief. Councillor Rajesh Sharma says the sewer pipes should have been wider as it takes almost one hour to pump out water accumulated after rain.

He claims that under the Amrit yojana of the Central Government worth Rs 52 crore, the Municipal Corporation will come up with an effective system by ensuring sewage treatment, laying of a sewer pipeline and beautification of parks.

A long term solution to waterlogging will be provided through the Amrit yojana. I have met city legislator Madan Kaushik and Mayor Manoj Garg in this regard. We hope everything will be streamlined within two years, he said.

Meanwhile, the councillor also counted his achievements and claimed 95 per cent work on streetlights had been done, parks were well maintained, re-carpeting and patch work on several roads had been done and sewer and drains were being cleaned regularly. More than 12 projects of road re-carpeting or patch work in Model Colony, Aawas Vikas, Vivek Vihar, Meena Enclave and other areas of the ward are in the pipeline, he added.

Meanwhile, Congress Mahanagar president Anju Dwivedi, who resides in this ward, says several roads are in a dilapidated state. Even slight rainfall is enough to submerge the area, she said.

The City legislator, the Mayor and the councillor are all from the BJP. The situation is not sound in this ward. In fact, there is a huge resentment among people, who have realised the false claims being made by the leaders, Dwivedi said.
Saibal Chatterjee

Toronto, September 14

Celebrated Serbian director Goran Paskaljevic has put Uttarakhand on the world cinema map with his latest film Dev Bhoomi.

Dev Bhoomi, premiered at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival, offers a rounded and enigmatic view of life in beautiful Uttarakhand that was ravaged by floods and landslides in 2013.

Despite all social and ecological ills that the film dwells upon, Dev Bhoomi is aimed at upholding hope and humanity, says the 69-year-old Paskaljevic.

The film stars Victor Banerjee in the role of a man who returns to his remote Himalayan village after a 40-year absence to wrap up unfinished business. It goes into various challenges that the region facesobscurantism, limited scope for womens education and emancipation, and the scourge of the caste system.

But above all, Paskaljevic asserts, Dev Bhoomi is an ode to the beauty of Uttarakhand. India is a country that evokes very strong emotions, he says.

One either hates it and never returns or falls in love with it and keeps coming back. I fell in love with India. Dev Bhoomi germinated when Paskaljevic was the jury chief of the International Film Festival of India in Goa two years ago.

Banerjee was a member of the jury and the two men struck up a friendship and decided to work together on a film.

Our worldviews and cinematic interests were the same and so we hit it off instantly, says Paskaljevic.

Dev Bhoomi was jointly scripted by Paskaljevic and Banerjee and shot entirely in Uttarakhand. Although Dev Bhoomi is an Indo-Serbian co-production, it is really more a Serbian film shot in India. I did not want to be overly critical of things that are wrong here. It would not have been fair on my part. I am an outsider. I am nobody to judge, he says.

Besides Banerjee, the cast of Dev Bhoomi includes Geetanjali Thapa, Uttara Baokar and Raj Zutshi. For Paskaljevic, Indias appeal lies in its sheer riot of colours and the faces of its people. In Dev Bhoomi, both are lovingly captured by the directors long-time collaborator, Milan Spasic.

Despite the undercurrents of tension that run through its storyline, the film has a sense of serenity and repose. My idea was to capture the languid rhythms of life in the region, says Paskaljevic.

Paskaljevic is now keen to take Dev Bhoomi to India but he is unclear at the moment exactly how the distribution strategy will pan out. The film could definitely do with a run in the multiplexes, he says. PTI
Taipei, September 14

More than half a million homes lost power across Taiwan on Wednesday and five people were injured as Super Typhoon Meranti, which is believed to be the world's strongest storm this year, hit the island.

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau warned that the Category 5 storm threatened several southern and eastern cities, including Kaohsiung and Hualien, with strong winds, torrential rain and flooding.

Meranti, which grew in strength the closer it got to Taiwan, was carrying maximum winds of 227 km per hour as it clipped the south of the island, the weather bureau said. "This typhoon is the world's strongest so far this year," weather bureau spokeswoman Hsieh Pei-yun said. Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Centre said five persons were injured, while many power lines were brought down, some by falling trees, cutting electricity to 550,000 households.

"The damage from Meranti will continue to rise as the storm slams the island," said emergency centre spokesman Li Wei-sen. "Losses probably cannot be avoided, but we'll try to minimise casualties." Trains and shipping services were disrupted, while offices and schools in Kaohsiung and other cities were closed and almost 1,500 people were evacuated, the centre said.

Most domestic flights have been cancelled, including all of those from Kaohsiung airport, where international flights were also severely affected. Taiwan will feel the full force of the typhoon through Wednesday and into Thursday before it barrels into China, meteorologists said.

Meranti is expected to make landfall in the southern Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Fujian on Thursday, where authorities were cancelling trains and preparing to evacuate people, state media said. In Guangdong province, authorities ordered trawlers to return to harbour and fishermen to take shelter. The official China News Service said the storm could be the strongest typhoon to hit that part of China since 1969.

Meranti comes just over two months after the deadly typhoon Nepartak cut power, grounded flights and forced thousands to flee their homes across central and southern areas of Taiwan.

In 2009, Typhoon Morakot cut a swath of destruction through southern Taiwan, killing about 700 people and causing up to $3 billion of damage.  Reuters
Washington, September 14

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will return to the White House campaign trail on Thursday after taking a few days of rest to recover from pneumonia, her campaign has said.

"On Thursday, September 15, Hillary Clinton will deliver remarks in Greensboro, North Carolina and discuss her vision for an America that is stronger together," her campaign said yesterday.

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"She has spent the day catching up on reading briefings, making calls, and she watched President (Barack) Obama's speech in Philadelphia on TV," her spokesman Nick Merrill said, according to CNN.

Clinton, 68, was diagnosed with pneumonia last Friday and was advised rest by her doctors but she continued with her grilling campaigning schedule.

On Sunday, she fell ill at Ground Zero and was forced to leave the 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York early.

In a video posted by one of the spectators, she was seen fumbling while getting on a van, raising questions about her health condition. The development was made an issue by her political opponent.

In an interview on Monday, Clinton said she thought her falling ill at Ground Zero was not going to be "that big a deal" as she promised to resume campaigning this week amid calls for transparency into her health condition.

The health scare forced the former secretary of state to cancel campaign and fundraising trips to California and has fuelled concerns about her medical fitness less than two months to go for the November 8 election. PTI
Geneva, September 14

Raising the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the UN, India today accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations there as well as in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

In a scathing attack on Pakistan during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council here, India said the main reason for disturbance in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan that stems from its territorial ambitions over the place that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions.

Pakistans dismal track record is well known and many nations have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure; and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism, said Ajit Kumar, Indias Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva.

Indias credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that is committed to the welfare of its people are well established and on the contrary, Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country, including Balochistan, he said. Exercising its right of reply to the statement made by Pakistan, Kumar said Pakistan is a country, which has systematically abused and violated the human rights of its own citizens, including in Balochistan, as well as of the people of PoK.

The fundamental reason for disturbance in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan, which has actively supported separatist groups and terrorist elements since 1989. J&K is an integral part of India and will always remain so. We reject attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has been regularly exercised by the people of J&K, he said.  PTI
Washington: An Indian diaspora group will organise an inaugural ball for the 45th US President in January to highlight the importance of the community in American politics. To be attended by the who's who of the community, the second presidential ball being organised by Indiaspora on January 18 would signify the emergence of this small but powerful community in a big way, event organisers said. PTI

Manning ends fast, to begin gender surgery

Washington: Imprisoned transgender soldier Chelsea Manning ended a hunger strike after five days when the US army agreed to provide surgery to treat her gender dysphoria. The move is a major milestone not just for Manning, but for the US military, which in June announced it would begin allowing openly transgender people to serve. Manning was convicted in 2013 of espionage after admitting to handing classified documents to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. AFP

Quake-hit Italian town sues Charlie Hebdo

Rome: An Italian town hit by a deadly earthquake is pursuing legal action against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo for defamation over a series of cartoons about the tragedy. An earthquake last month killed at least 292 persons in Italy, most of whom lived in Amatrice, home to a famous tomato sauce amatriciana. One of the cartoons depicted the earthquake victims as sauce-splattered survivors, and layers of Lasagna with blood and feet emerging from it. IANS
Washington, September 14

The Obama administration is upping aid to Israel as part of the largest pledge of military assistance in US history.

Israel is set to get about $38 billion over 10 years, according to congressional and administration sources, up from the approximately $30 billion decade-long deal that expires in 2018, CNN reported. The memorandum of understanding sealing the arrangement will be signed soon at the State Department.

Talks to reach an agreement took months, unfolding behind closed doors at a time when US-Israel ties were strained by tension between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli frustration over the nuclear pact with Iran.

Its an important message to the region that nobody should misread the differences between the US and Israel when it comes to Iran or policy differences when it comes to the Palestinians, said David Makovsky, Director of the Project on the Middle East Peace Process at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

At the core, the US remains very committed to Israels long-term security.

Israeli perceptions that sanctions relief provided as part of the nuclear deal would allow Tehran to wreak havoc in the region drove Jersusalems argument that the deal should be much larger than previous packages, CNN added.

New York Representative Nita Lowey, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, on Tuesday said the agreement would put Israel in a better position to address turmoil and instability in the region and therefore be able to better protect its citizens and secure its borders. IANS
Beijing, September 14

The United States is a troublemaker and has no right to lecture China about taking responsibility for reining in North Korea as tensions on the peninsula are a direct result of US actions, the official Peoples Daily newspaper said on Wednesday.

While China has been angered by North Koreas fifth and largest nuclear test to date last week, it has also blamed the United States for taking what Beijing sees as equally provocative behaviour, like a decision to base the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile in South Korea.

China is North Koreas most important diplomatic and trade partner, and while China has signed up for tough United Nations sanctions on the isolated state, it refuses to cut the country off completely, fearing it may collapse.

The United States says it wants China to do more, with US Defence Secretary Ash Carter last week singling out the role he said China should play.

In a commentary, the ruling Communist Partys official paper said the United States was pretending it had nothing to do with the North Korea issue and was putting the blame on others.

People have reason to doubt whether Washington is willing to make the effort to push the North Korea issue in the direction of a resolution, the paper said.

At the start of the year after North Korea carried out its fourth nuclear test, the United States did not hesitate to increase irritations to the peninsulas security situation, did not hesitate to harm regional countries strategic security interests, strongly pushing THAADs deployment in South Korea, it said.

The United States is doing less and less for the public good in international affairs, but its vigour for troublemaking has not diminished an iota, the newspaper said in the commentary, published under the pen name Zhong Sheng, meaning Voice of China, often used to give views on foreign policy.

North Korea is an example of this, as are Washingtons brazen efforts to provoke problems in the South China Sea by claiming to be a protector of the rules, the paper added.

China has been infuriated by freedom of navigation patrols conducted by the U.S. in the South China Sea, where China is locked in disputes with several Southeast Asian nations.

The United States is an enormous obstacle to a resolution of the North Korea nuclear issue, the paper said.

The United States needs to seriously look back at how things have developed with the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula, and really think about an effective resolution method and assume its responsibilities.  Reuters
Candidates for State Senate District 37 and State House District 66 spoke at a Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce forum this week.

Sand Springs Chamber President Kristen Valentin said 36 people attended the forum at Sand Springs Tulsa Technology campus.

House District 66 candidate Dianna Phillips spoke about how the states budget woes could have been prevented.

One of the things we see in Oklahoma is a disconnect between leaders in Oklahoma City and the various districts, Phillips said. Our legislature knew going in we were going to have a massive revenue shortfall. One way [to prevent it] was to keep the income tax cut from happening...They finally introduced a bill, but it went nowhere...what did they do instead? They start cutting.

She said shes concerned about cuts to the Department of Public Safety, mental health facilities and education.

By cutting [funding for] education and mental health facilities, theyre not taking care of us, Phillips said. We need a change. We need people who will not only talk, but act.

Incumbent House District 66 Representative Jadine Nollan, who serves as assistant majority whip and on the long-term care and senior services, alcohol, tobacco and controlled substances and education committees, said she enjoys her leadership position.

It gives me the opportunity to keep my finger on the pulse of where people are coming from, Nollan said. Im grateful for the people Ive had the opportunity to work with in the district. We have a lot of expertise. I dont hesitate to draw on that expertise.

She said she didnt want to become a state representative for the power.

Serving as a state representative is not a position of power. Its about serving the people, Nollan said. I think Im more practical than political. I think partisan politics impedes progress...thats my least favorite part of politics...I think you have to have the whole story to come up with long-term solutions.

She said shes proud of legislative accomplishments in pensions, transportation and the state capitol.

Nollan also said she thinks legislators should look at which tax incentives are benefiting the state and which arent.

Incumbent District 37 State Senator Dan Newberry said hes proud of legislative accomplishments in tort reform, workers compensation and unemployment securities issues.

[Between 1983 and 1986] Oklahoma went through an oil and gas collapse. It was the worst wed experienced as a state. We went into a recession and stayed in it for 20 years, Newberry said. In the wake of the current oil and gas issue, our unemployment rate is holding. Thats significantly better than in the 80s.

He said he believes the legislature needs to work toward getting rid of regulations and streamlining state agencies.

District 37 State Senate candidate Lloyd Snow said hes running because he believes changes need to be made in education, health care and infrastructure.

We need a sense of reality, not rhetoric, Snow said. Weve got more kids in classrooms than weve ever had, we have more programs being cut...thats not right. Thats not what we elect [legislators] for...its a great state, but weve got a lot of problems. I think we have an obligation to do more for our grandchildren.

He said politics sometimes impedes legislators from implementing policies that are beneficial for citizens.

This past session, they had every opportunity to take action necessary to help people, help families, Snow said. Theres more politics at play than policies for the people. This is not my lifes passion. Ive lived my lifes passion, but I feel obligated...we can point fingers at the feds and I do, but weve got to look at ourselves first.

He said, if elected, hed work across the aisle to implement policies that are beneficial to citizens.

A good idea is not exclusive to one party, Snow said.
The Sand Springs City Council has entered into an agreement to be a part of a major redevelopment plan for the former Sheffield Steel mill in the middle of the city.

Officials said the project will breathe new life into a very visible part of Sand Springs.

This will be transformative for generations for the citizens of Sand Springs, City Manager Elizabeth Gray said.

The Sheffield Steel plant and rail line to Tulsa were purchased by Gerdau Ameristeel, which eventually halted production in 2009. OmniTRAX bought the site in 2014, apparently with plans for redevelopment.

Major highlights of the proposal include the demolition of some of the former mills massive metal structures, which directly abut the west side of Oklahoma 97 and can be seen from U.S. 412 toward the south.

About 26 acres of the property are planned for retail development. For city officials, that could translate not only to jobs but also sales-tax revenue.

Per the development agreement Monday, the city eventually would have an option to buy a 10-acre parcel for use as a public-safety complex. Officials said that project has about $10 million through the citys Vision renewal, which Sand Springs voters approved last fall.

Other public funding needed for the redevelopment would be for construction on Morrow Road along the projects north border from Oklahoma 97 to Broad Street, Gray said.

Weve been working on this for about six months, Gray said. But we want to give as much credit to the OmniTRAX people.

Sand Springs officials had previously planned the public-safety complex for property on the west side of the city, but met public pushback due in part because the proposed facility was not in a central location.

Gray and other officials said building the police, fire, 911 and municipal court facility on part of the former Sheffield Steel property is the perfect opportunity to keep it centralized.

Thats not a done deal either, Vice Mayor John Fothergill said. Were definitely going to take it to the public.

Fothergill said he hopes residents agree that a public-private partnership to redevelop the former steel plant is a strong opportunity.

It was something that we needed anyway, Fothergill said. We can put police just about anywhere, but you really want your fire department centrally located.

Fothergill said OmniTRAX has a track record of buying rail lines and then fueling development all along the lines.

I think its going to be bigger than this, Fothergill said. This is just the Sheffield site. That rail goes all the way through Sand Springs and into Tulsa and unincorporated (Tulsa) County property.

Fothergill pointed at Charles Page Boulevard, which runs along the line, as an area ripe for redevelopment.

Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith said she hopes the redevelopment of the property will repair damage to Sand Springs done when the jobs at the steel mill were lost.

When they lost those jobs, it was just brutal, Keith said. Elizabeth (Gray) is a hero in pulling this together. Shes bringing life back into the community.
School districts across Oklahoma will learn this week what their share of $40 million returned from the states excessive budget cuts will be.

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister is urging caution amid still-tenuous economic conditions.

We have been encouraging districts to be conservative in their planning for the remainder of the fiscal year with the economic uncertainties that continue to exist in Oklahoma. The return of these overcut funds, though welcome, does not change that guidance, Hofmeister told the Tulsa World.

The money, which could be available to schools across the state by mid-October, is from the fiscal year that ended June 30. State agencies had to take two cuts because of revenue shortfalls during Fiscal Year 2016, but as it turned out, their budgets were cut by $152.1 million too much.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education got the biggest share when the state released those funds Wednesday.

Of the education departments $40.2 million, 64 percent, or about $25.6 million, was appropriated as state aid for schools and another 27 percent, or $10.7 million, was appropriated for school employee health benefit allowances.

Steffie Corcoran, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Education, said each districts state aid amount will be available by the end of the week.

But another $3.4 million for the public school activities fund, which is a catch-all to fund everything from alternative education to remedial student services in schools statewide, will have to be distributed according to the state Board of Educations wishes.

Assuming the state board of education approves the Public School Activities fund recommendations (at its Sept. 22 meeting), we plan to combine those funds with the overcut (state aid) dollars, plus Octobers regular allocation, into the October payment to districts. This is scheduled for October 13, Corcoran said.

Rob Loeber, a spokesman for Jenks Public Schools, said his district has no specific plans for the money just yet.

Jenks and other school districts are playing it safe because the states sales tax collections continued to decline last month.

We are still waiting on more details from the State Department, but we have no plans to add additional expenditures, Loeber said. We are taking a conservative approach in case there is another state revenue failure. The only way we would add personnel would be due to the enrollment growth in our district  it would not be a result of added funds from the state.

Union Superintendent Kirt Hartzler echoed those sentiments.

As we watch the sales tax continue to decline, and certainly, the price of oil, we had better plan for another budget failure this year. Those two indicators alone tell us this is exactly where we were last year, he said.

Hartzler also pointed out that the $40.2 million returned by the state this week doesnt begin to cover for lawmakers elimination of $33 million in state funding for textbooks and a $38.2 million, or 30 percent, reduction in the public school activities budget for Fiscal Year 2017.

Even with this money, this is not going to make us whole. We may use some of this money to shore up those areas, mainly textbooks for us. We usually receive $800,000 from the state for textbooks and thats gone, he said.
TAFT  The federal Drug Enforcement Administration on Tuesday recognized 11 Oklahoma Department of Corrections employees who worked with the DEA and other agencies to break up a major drug trafficking organization inside the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

The DEA  part of the U.S. Department of Justice  issued letters of recognition during the Board of Corrections meeting in Taft to OSP Security Chief Chad Gilley, as well as OSP Capt. Michael Sudduth, Lts. Shawn Hovart, Thomas McClellan and Kevin Major; and Sgts. Daniel Dixon and Bruce Fry. Also honored Tuesday were Inspector Generals Office employees Kendall Ballew, Johnny Blevins, Tim Coppick and Kenneth Yott.

From the moment of the first call I made to the DOC and Inspector General, I had their full assistance, DEA Resident Agent in Charge Carl Gene Stewart said before issuing the certificates. They respected the integrity and discipline we needed in this investigation. It was the sum of everyones efforts that resulted in the successful dismantlement of this operation.

Stewart said the employees work on the investigation showed the full dedication the DOC has to Oklahomas citizens. He said the DEA would not have been able to infiltrate the drug ring at OSP and effectively shut it down without the efforts of DOC staff, adding that their help was significant regardless of each staffers separate role.

The U.S. Attorneys Office in Muskogee announced in March that federal prosecutors indicted Cody McClendon and 16 others following an investigation called Operation Home of the Brave, which uncovered information about a methamphetamine ring operated from OSP that had reported ties to the Indian Brotherhood gang.

McClendon and his associates, according to the indictment, sold the drugs primarily in Tahlequah but also throughout southeastern Oklahoma.

Prosecutors allege McClendon, of Tahlequah, and Michael David Lincoln of Tulsa  who are reportedly War Chiefs in the Indian Brotherhood  used contraband cell phones while incarcerated at OSP between late 2013 and Jan. 27 of this year.

The investigation coordinated by the DEA, DOC and others has led to 23 total arrests as of Tuesday, Stewart said.

Others indicted include Jacob Horton Masters of Tulsa; Bryan Steven Lafavor of Checotah; Hulbert resident Nathan Rowden Green; Brenda Aileen Airington of Kellyville; Samantha Smith of Muskogee; Regina Ann Ballard and Amber Claphan of Stilwell; and Tahlequah residents Donald Trammel, Teresa Chagolla, Dusty Allen Drywater, Ashley Noel Steele, Jimmy W. Sequichie Jr., Matilda Kay Birdtail, Frederick Petersen Beck Jr. and Gary Wayne Wilder.

Federal court records indicate Steele, who is charged with drug conspiracy, filed a notice Aug. 29 indicating she will plead guilty. Sequichie pleaded guilty Aug. 4 to charges of drug conspiracy and possession of a firearm while committing drug trafficking, and Smith noted her intent to plead guilty May 20.

At least five other plea agreements in the case remain sealed, records show. McClendon remains in U.S. Marshals custody in Muskogee County.

DOC Director Joe Allbaugh said in a news release that the end result of the investigative collaboration is enhanced public safety, adding that he will continue to work with the DEA and others to ensure crime is stopped and (put) criminals who try to taint the streets with poison like methamphetamine behind bars.
For a good snapshot of Jerry Cornelius civic-mindedness in action, Tulsans need look no further than the effort to save the Beryl Ford Collection.

Several years ago, when it looked like the extensive collection of historical Tulsa photographs would be leaving the city, Cornelius, a longtime commercial photographer, was one of the local residents who found that idea unthinkable and joined in a push to keep it in Tulsa.

After helping ensure that the collection would remain, Cornelius then threw himself into an equally vital mission: preserving it. As executive director over the collection, he led the effort to begin digitizing and cataloguing the more than 200,000 items.

His motivation?

As he once put it simply to the Tulsa World, so citizens have access to it in future generations.

A third-generation photographer and leader in his field who donated his talents and time to various community endeavors, Jerry L. Cornelius died Friday. He was 77.

A memorial service is set for 3 p.m. Wednesday at Southminster Presbyterian Church. Moores Southlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Cornelius was a native of Oklahoma City, where it was his great-uncle who became the first in the family to go into the photography business.

Cornelius moved to Tulsa as a child, and went on to graduate from Rogers High School in 1956. He then earned bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Oklahoma, where he was editor-in-chief of the Oklahoma Daily student newspaper.

In 1963, he joined his father, Meyers Cornelius, a former World War II combat photographer, to found Cornelius Photography in Tulsa.

The year also marked the beginning of his relationship with Rotary Club of Tulsa. For the next 53 years, it would serve as the main outlet for his volunteering. He served in various capacities including as club historian and Iba Awards committee member, and became the first to receive the clubs highest honor, the Service Above Self Award.

In other activities, Cornelius was active with masonic organizations, and as a member of the Tulsa Press Club was a contributor for many years to its annual Gridiron fundraiser as both a performer and cast photographer. He also enjoyed barbershop quartet and was a member and onetime president of the Tulsa Founders Chorus.

A leader in his industry, Cornelius was once the youngest president, at age 29, of Professional Photographers of Americas Oklahoma chapter. He was also holder of two PPA designations  master of photography and photographic craftsman.

The effort to save the Ford Collection was a Rotary Club of Tulsa-led project that began in 2004.

The project was so up his alley, said Cornelius daughter, Janet Carmichael. He loved Tulsa and Tulsa history. He was exactly the right person for it.

For her father, photography and history had always gone together, she said, adding that when he took a photo he saw himself as creating a piece of history.

In addition to his work with the Ford Collection, Cornelius maintained a large personal collection of Tulsa photos compiled from his and his fathers work. His family hopes to soon find a way to make that public as well.

We think thats what he would want, Carmichael said.

Cornelius survivors include his three daughters, Janet Carmichael, Jamie Danias and Andrea Spencer; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Turkeys foreign minister reiterated Tuesday Ankaras official arrest request to the U.S. for Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of leading the foiled July 15 coup that martyred 240 people.

Mevlut Cavusoglu said once more that Gulen, the leader of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), should be extradited to Turkey to face trial.

He added that all those abroad who are linked to the failed coup will have to account for it in the end.

The minister also told reporters in the southern province of Antalya following a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that further coup-related documents and information would be collected and sent to U.S. officials.

Cavusoglu was in Antalya to celebrate Eid al-Adha. He attended a ceremony and exchanged Eid greetings with Justice and Development (AK) Party officials and locals.

In his address, Cavusoglu stressed Turkeys ongoing fight against the Daesh and PKK terrorist organizations, which he said aim to destroy the peaceful environment across the country.

Pointing to Mondays bomb attack in the eastern city of Van, which left at least 53 people wounded, Cavusoglu asked: Why did they attack during the Eid? He said the PKKs real targets were Muslim and conservative Kurdish brothers.

He added: The PKK has nothing to do with the rights and culture of Kurds.

Cavusoglu vowed that counterterrorism operations would continue until terrorists were completely wiped out inside and outside the country.

On the recent truce deal between the U.S. and Russia in Syria, which officially came into effect Monday evening, he said: Turkey wants the cease-fire in Syria to be permanent.

Apparently, the regime [in Syria] does not want to comply with the cease-fire. As soon as it was declared, the regime violated it last night. We hope that everybody does their share to ensure that the cease-fire is permanent this time.

The truce deal aims to reduce violence, ease suffering and resume movement towards a negotiated peace and a political transition in Syria.

All attacks and airstrikes are to be halted and unobstructed access allowed to besieged areas, including the northern city of Aleppo.

Cavusoglu, noting that Syrian refugees in Turkey had begun to return to the liberated city of Jarabulus, said life would be normal again in the war-torn country as Daesh terrorists were removed from the region.

Anadolu Agency
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday gave an impassioned defense of the government decision to suspend 28 mayors from office over alleged terror links.

Some question how an elected official can get suspended, he told an audience in Istanbul. I say they can.

Being elected does not give you unlimited authority and powers to use against the government and people.

On Sunday, the Interior Ministry announced the replacement of the mayors with trustees, mostly in the east and southeast. Most of the suspended mayors are accused of links to the PKK terror group while four are said to have ties to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) behind the July 15 attempted coup.

If you use the machines delivered to you by the government for terrorist purposes instead of laying water or natural gas pipes or power cables, then the justice system will make you answer for it, Erdogan said, referring to instances where municipal diggers and other machinery had been used to dig ditches and build barriers to prevent security forces entering areas controlled by the PKK.

The president said those who used their powers in support of terrorism were not really mayors in the truest sense of the word.

Addressing an Eid al-Adha event at the Halic Congress Center, he added: Being elected does not give anyone the right and authority to offer given resources to terrorist organizations.

Turning to Mondays car bombing in the eastern city of Van that injured 53 people, Erdogan vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

Sooner or later, we will drown the scum who detonated a 1,000 kilogram bomb in Van on the first day of holy Eid al-Adha in their own blood, he said.

There is no other way around it. Nobody has a right to spoil these holy days. This scum will pay for it.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack, which seemingly targeted the local offices of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party. The PKK has previously used car bombs to target security forces in the region.

Anadolu Agency
Israel's military on Tuesday denied Syrian claims of shooting down an Israeli jet in the southwestern Syrian province of Quneitra.

Overnight two surface-to-air missiles were launched from Syria after the mission overnight to target Syrian artillery positions, the Israeli military said in a statement. "At no point was the safety of IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] aircraft compromised."

The statement followed shortly after claims by the Syrian Defense Ministry saying their "air defenses downed a military jet southwest of Quneitra and a reconnaissance aircraft west of Sasa town."

Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee announced earlier Tuesday that Israeli forces attacked a Syrian regime military position in central Golan Heights, in response to a shell that had fallen by mistake in the Israeli-held territory.

Last week, Israeli warplanes struck Syrian artillery positions after a shell hit the Israeli side of the Golan Heights.

The Golan Heights was occupied during the 1967 Middle East war and formally annexed by Israel in 1981 in a move that was never recognized internationally.

Since the signing of a 1974 disengagement agreement between Syria and Israel, a cease-fire line has separated the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from a Syria-administered buffer zone.

The agreement calls on both Syria and Israel to refrain from all military action in the area in line with UN Security Council Resolution 339 of 1973.

Anadolu Agency
The CEO of Ramps Logistics says he is "really really disappointed" with the Guyana Revenue A
It only took 10years but Bloody Mary, a controversial 2005 episode of South Park, finally made its Free to Air debut last night on SBS 2.

In 2006 Melbournes Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart wrote to SBS asking them not to air the episode, which features a statue of the Virgin Mary bleeding from the rear.

SBS bowed to pressure and withheld the episode, although it did air The Comedy Channel in the same year.

It also caused uproar overseas, with the US Catholic League demanding an apology and insisting the episode be permanently retired. New Zealands C4 also received howls of complaints from offended viewers and then-Prime Minister Helen Clark issuing a statement saying the episode sounded revolting.

In 2010 GO! pulled the episode at the last minute after a report on TV Tonight noting its surprise scheduling. It noted a very confronting story line which, with the best will in the world, is difficult to defend.

An SBS source indicated it was high time to debut the episode as part of its South Parks Most Shocking collection, which also includes Trapped in the Closet, The China Problem and Hell on Earth.

Those still curious to see the offending episode can catch it on SBS On Demand.
Dannii Minogue is returning a Reality TV judge, joining BBC Ones Let It Shine.

The series sees Take Thats Gary Barlow looking for five male performers to star in a stage musical, The Band  not to be confused with the musical Never Forget which debuted in 2007.

Im so excited to be returning to the UK and joining the judging panel of Let It Shine, the former X Factor judge said. To be a performer, you must have a burning desire to perform, then you train at all the skills you need to shine. This show gives everyone that chance. I cant wait.

The BBC revealed back in June that Let It Shine would essentially replace The Voice, which it lost to ITV. Graham Norton and Great British Bake Offs Mel Giedroyc are hosts.

The UK has previously had success with reality shows revolving around talent hunts for stage shows including The Sound of Music, Oliver! and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Source: Digital Spy
In case youve been living under a rock The Great British Bake Off is a phenomenon in the UK, pulling ratings of 13.5m.

And this week producers Love Productions confirmed the show would be moving from the BBC to Channel 4, triggering a huge reaction from UK viewers. Channel 4 is a public broadcaster but includes advertising.

Its not the first time the BBC has lost a flagship show to another broadcaster with ITV snaring The Voice.

Now hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins have confirmed they will not be following the show to its new home.

We were very shocked and saddened to learn yesterday evening that Bake Off will be moving from its home, they both said. We made no secret of our desire for the show to remain where it was.

Weve had the most amazing time on Bake Off, and have loved seeing it rise and rise like a pair of yeasted Latvian baps.

Were not going with the dough. We wish all the future bakers every success.

Earlier this week the BBC also issued a statement:

Working with Love Productions, we have grown and nurtured the programme over seven series and created the huge hit it is today.

We made a very strong offer to keep the show but we are a considerable distance apart on the money. The BBCs resources are not infinite.

GBBO is a quintessentially BBC programme. We hope Love Productions change their mind so that Bake Off can stay ad free on BBC One.

Commenting on the new 3 year deal, Richard McKerrow, Love Productions Creative Director said: We believe weve found the perfect new home for Bake Off. Its a public service, free-to-air broadcaster for whom Love Productions have produced high quality and highly successful programmes for more than a decade.

Its tremendously exciting to have found a broadcaster who we know will protect and nurture The Great British Bake Off for many years to come.

The series airs in Australia on LifeStyle FOOD.

Source: Digital Spy, Hollywood Reporter
Immigration. Same Sex Marriage. Detention Centres. Religion. Issues that divide us have been ripe for TV producers to embed polar opposites for some time now.

The latest of these is ABCs Recognition: Yes or No? with conservative columnist (and SKY News presenter) Andrew Bolt and Indigenous politician Linda Burney.

The central question is whether the Australian Constitution should be amended to recognise Indigenous Australians -potentially the subject of a Referendum vote. Essentially Burney believes it will heal the wounds of the past and achieve true reconciliation and equality. But Bolt is convinced such change would divide rather than unite us.

Should racism be in the Constitution? he asks.

Why should acknowledging (Indigenous Australia) divide us? Burney responds.

For this documentary both spend 4 weeks visiting corners of the country to meet Indigenous leaders, Constitutional experts and politicians. Its heavy on debate, but respectful at the same time, with a backdrop of grass roots Australia. Ive seen other docos in this genre that focus more on the conflict of its participants than is evident here.

Bolt and Burney visit Redfern, Darwin, Arnhem Land, Canberra, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, Melbourne and even New Zealand to hear opposing views on this topic. Amongst advocates for change are Stan Grant, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda, Mandawuy Yunupingus widow Yalmay Yunupingu and former NZ Prime Minister Jim Bolger. Opposing change is Cory Bernardi, Secretary of Recognise What? Wesley Aird and even Murrumu of Walubara, who renounced his Australian citizenship and proclaimed the Yidindji Nation outside Cairns.

During the one hour discussion Bolt makes some surprising claims (There wouldnt be many Australians more against racism than me, and Im Indigenous because I was born here.) but even his critics would be impressed that he sits down amongst Indigenous Australians to hear their arguments. He loves a good argument after all

In Arnhem Land he worries about a lack of basic education. You want to keep the culture going, but what about the kids? he asks.

Its scaremongering. It doesnt have to be one or the other, Burney insists.

Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda points out that Recognition will not undermine our past.

Youre not losing 250 years of history, youre gaining 70,000 years.

But there are also opponents within the Indigenous community that Recognition will not change justice, Indigenous health or address a lack of jobs. They want a full Treaty, as previously promised by Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

Burney & Bolt also travel to New Zealand to hear how the country addressed similar change with the Maori community. Liberal politician Corey Bernardi (complete with a flagpole in his kitchen) also tries to convince Burney that change is unnecessary, but with one of the weaker arguments in the doco.

The timing of the doco is rather curious -shouldnt this be tackling a Plebiscite question first?- but its participants are to be commended for having an intelligent, respectful discussion. Nobody raises their voice, nobody walks in a huff of camera, its polite agreement to disagree at most.

As TV its a rather heavy hour of policy and rhetoric, that could probably present with similar effect at a shorter running time.

But it does float well-rounded arguments which -shock, horror- also dispel suggestions of ABC bias.

If two opposing views can manage to spend 4 weeks together without it descending into a Reality TV hissy fit, maybe there is hope for us all yet.

Depending on how you phrase it, you could even change my mind, Bolt suggests. But dont count on it.

Recognition: Yes or No? airs 8:30pm Tuesday on ABC.
Part I: The fear of hopelessness

Editor's note: This is one of a three-part series about the obstacles U.S. Air Force Maj. Lukiah Mulumba and her family have faced with sickle-cell disease and how the Air Force helped her persevere.



Lukiah Mulumba had no idea that one day her resolve would be tested and her determination would touch the lives of millions.



Lukiah came to the United States from her native country of Uganda in 1995 on an educational scholarship when she was 22 years old.



She graduated with a bachelors degree in nursing and began working at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. She became pregnant during this time and learned that her first child would be born with sickle-cell disease.



Coming from Africa, sickle-cell is something that is treated as a taboo, as a horrible disease, said Lukiah, who is the primary care flight commander at the 325th Medical Group. When I was growing up, the people who are born with the disease were discriminated against, left to die. Families are destroyed. So I was very scared.



According to the National Institutes of Health, sickle-cell is a red blood cell disorder that results in abnormal hemoglobin. Healthy hemoglobin take up oxygen in the lungs and carry it to all the tissues of the body. Their disc shape allows for the flexibility to move through large and small blood vessels to deliver oxygen.



Sickle hemoglobin form stiff rods within the red cell, changing it into a crescent, or sickle shape. The cells are not flexible, and they can cause blockages that slow or stop the flow of blood, which means oxygen cannot reach the tissue.



The loss of blood flow can cause chronic and severe pain, and may also cause organ damage.



I was hiding a secret and was in denial about the diagnosis. One day, I was home alone with my newborn baby, Carol, and there was a knock on the door. Carols state screening test results arrived by FedEx. There was a letter from the state of Maryland, it explained that my daughter had a devastating disease. Shes going to live a hard life. She would have strokes, lung problems, and her brain would deteriorate, Lukiah said.



Lukiah was angry and alone, contemplating suicide. I had this strong feeling that said, No, dont do it. It was a devastating time. I was alone, cut off from my friends. I wasnt eating, and the child was losing weight. I did not have meaning to life. No one understood. I was living in a dark depression for two years.



Her friends knew the seriousness of the situation, since many of them worked with her as doctors and nurses, but Lukiah was ashamed that she was a carrier of the gene and had passed the disease to her daughter.



She decided to leave Baltimore and head northwest to Michigan, looking to get away from everything. I took a train and just disappeared in Michigan, thats where Abdullah, my future husband, found me.



The Mulumbas would soon find out that Lukiah was again pregnant, despite use of a birth control device. While expecting a second child, knowing she was a carrier of the Sickle-cell trait, Lukiah was confronted with a difficult decision.



A civilian doctor told us there was nothing more he could do and gave us information on local abortion clinics, Lukiah said. My husband held me and asked why I was crying. I said it was because I have a child with Sickle-cell, and Im pregnant again. He asked me if I believe in God, and I said yes I do. He said, Why dont we just lean towards God and struggle.




Barcelona have been named the winners of the the 2015/16 UEFA Youth League skills challenge after a competition that helped raise 21,000 for the UEFA Foundation for Children  watch their winning entry in the video player above.

Clubs in last season's competition were given the chance to submit a video of their UEFA Youth League squad showing off their tricks and the clips proved a huge hit on UEFA.com, our YouTube channel UEFA.tv and social media.

UEFA's jury gave the nod to Barcelona's keepy-uppy display among the 36 entries. They win a special educational session in their training facilities for their UEFA Youth League squad and the rest of the Barcelona academy.

Numbers from the 2015/16 edition:

Most viewed videos on Facebook

Arsenal: 4,375,892

Ajax: 2,893,492

Barcelona: 2,631,591

Money raised for UEFA Foundation:

From 36 entries (250 fee): 9,000

Ticket income from final week: 12,000

Total: 21,000

All 64 teams in the 2016/17 UEFA Youth League now have the chance to create and submit their own videos for this season's skills challenge.

Other skills from last season ...

Chelsea and Paris, last season's UEFA Youth League finalists, gatecrash UEFA HQ in Switzerland to strut their stuff ...

Finalists show off their skills at UEFA HQ

Real Madrid use their skills to take you on a tour of their facilities ...

Real Madrids UEFA Youth League skills challenge

Club legend Thierry Henry invites Arsenal's youngsters to prove their skills ...

2311_UYL Arsenal Challenge

Villarreal create a human castle ...

Villarreals skill challenge: Watch them build a yellow castle

Wolfsburg have a go ...

Wolfsburg youngsters show off their skills

Sevilla's challenge takes them from the gym to the pitch ...

1611_UYL Sevilla Challenge

Olympiacos get bored of life in the office and take to the pitch ...
Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
21 civilians were killed and another 94 people were injured as a result of fighting in Donetsk region during the first eight months of 2016.

Head of Ukraines National Police department in Donetsk region Vyacheslav Abroskin posted this on his Facebook page.

"21 civilians were killed and another 94 people were injured as a result of fighting in Donetsk region during the first eight months of 2016," he wrote.

He added that the number of criminal offenses, including serious and very serious crimes, declined in Donetsk region over the first eight months of this year.

According to Abroskin, decreased criminal rate in the region is a result of joint work of the National Police, the National Guard, the Security Service of Ukraine and the Armed Forces units.

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Militants launched 56 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas over the past day.

This is reported by the ATO Headquarters press center.

In particular, terrorists violated ceasefire 37 times in Donetsk direction. Grenade launchers, machine guns and small arms were used to fire at Ukrainian positions in Avdiyivka (18km north of Donetsk), Verkhniotoretske (22km north-east of Donetsk), Zaitseve (67km north-north-east of Donetsk), Novhorodske (34km north of Donetsk), and Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk).

Five ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk direction. The terrorists shelled Novooleksandrivka (65km west of Luhansk) and Novozvanivka (70km west of Luhansk), using grenade launchers, machine guns, and small arms.

In Mariupol direction, 14 violations ceasefire violations were spotted. The militants used grenade launchers and infantry fighting vehicles to shell Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol).

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One Ukrainian serviceman was killed, one soldier was wounded in ATO area in eastern Ukraine over the past day.

Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on the ATO, Colonel Andriy Lysenko said this at a briefing in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

One Ukrainian serviceman was killed, one soldier was wounded as a result of military operations over the past day, Lysenko said.

He added that the casualties had happened in Zaitseve town in Donetsk region.

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The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) will be included in the program of Ukraine-NATO cooperation on defense reform and security.

Acting Head of Mission of Ukraine to NATO Yehor Bozhok said in an exclusive interview with own Ukrinform correspondent in Brussels.

We include the SBU reform in the course of our cooperation with NATO, the diplomat said.

He also added that the NATO-Ukraine joint working group on defense reform is expected to hold a meeting.

According to Bozhok, apart from SBU, the NATO-Ukraine joint working group will discuss current reforms of the Defense Ministry and the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces.

Then the National Guard and the State Border Service will be reformed in line with NATO standards, he said.

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In January-July 2016, the amount of capital investments in Ukraine has grown almost by 10%, Ukrainian First Vice Prime Minister, Economic Development and Trade Minister Stepan Kubiv has said.

In the first six months of 2016, capital investments grew by 10%, actually by 9.6%. The net increase in foreign direct investments was recorded at $2.3 billion in January-July 2016, compared to $1.5 billion in January-July 2015, Kubiv said at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

In addition, he stressed that the reorientation of Ukrainian goods to foreign markets gradually takes place.

"Thus, the share of exports to the European Union countries in total volume of exports increased from 32.8% in the first six months of 2015 to 39.2% in the first six month of 2016," he said, noting about the ongoing reduction in trade with Russia.

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The GDP growth in the second quarter of this year was 1.3%, whereas it amounted to 0.1% in the first quarter.

First Vice Prime Minister, Economic Development and Trade Minister of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv said this at the Cabinets meeting, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We saw the growth of GDP by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2016 for the first time after a longtime negative dynamics and changes in GDP. It is a slight growth, but it is a signal that tells about a certain standard that we have expected. We saw the growth of GDP by 1.3% already in the second quarter," he said.

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The High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine every month receives over a thousand complaints against judges.

Chairman of the High Qualification Commission of Judges Serhiy Koziakov said today at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on preventing and combating corruption, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Dear colleges, every month we receive a thousand and more complaints, Koziakov said.

At the same time, he noted that as a rule relevant agencies in Europe receive only 300-complaints a year.

The commission is in the current composition after a nine-month break that was caused by the adoption of a law on restoration in the judiciary (then all members of the commission were discharged). By that time, we had had over 10,000 disciplinary complaints, Koziakov said.

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski, the presidents press service reports.

The sides stressed the importance of introducing a visa-free regime between Ukraine and the EU in the near future. In this context, Polish Foreign Minister said that Ukraine had done a lot of work to meet the requirements for the introduction of a visa-free regime with the EU, reads a report.

President Poroshenko thanked Poland for its active role in consolidating positions of EU states in support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, as well as for the assistance to Ukraine in implementing the program of internal reforms. He emphasized the need to develop economic relations between Ukraine and Poland, in particular in the energy sector. "There is no alternative to the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland, Poroshenko said.

In addition, the sides agreed to conclude a bilateral agreement on cooperation in defense in the near future, as well as to continue the cooperation through the Ukrainian-Polish-Lithuanian Brigade.

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The majority of Ukrainian believes that integration into the EU and NATO are the main vectors of the foreign policy.

Director of the Institute of World Policy Olena Hetmanchuk presented such results of the poll, conducted by TNS Ukraine at the order of the Institute of World Policy within the framework of the project "Audit of Ukraine's foreign policy", at the press conference Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We asked respondents to choose up to three options to answer the question of what the main priorities of Ukraine's foreign policy should be. We got the following results: a major priority is integration into the EU - 30.4%. The integration into NATO gained 27.9%," Hetmanchuk noted.

As evidenced by the poll results, the EU and NATO integration enjoys the biggest support in western Ukraine (48.6% for the EU and 40.9% for NATO), the least - in eastern Ukraine (23.7% for the EU and 20% for NATO).

The research was conducted on August 16-25, 2016 by online poll among the urban population aged 18-55 years. The poll was conducted on the entire territory of Ukraine, except Crimea. 1,000 respondents participated.

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| By Alex Likowski

Political leaders and leaders in higher education came together Sept. 13 to make a strong pitch to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to build its new headquarters in Maryland. At a news conference in Greenbelt, one of two potential Maryland sites, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Jay A. Perman, MD, and University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) President Wallace D. Loh, PhD, JD, announced their plan to form a joint national security academy that would support the FBI with expertise and training.

The Maryland Academy for Innovation and National Security would leverage and expand on existing programs at both universities in cybersecurity, counterterrorism, forensic biomedicine, law, and criminology. The academy, to be located at UMCP, would foster research, educate FBI agents, and expand undergraduate and graduate course offerings. The project also would be the latest undertaking of the UMB-UMCP strategic partnership, University of Maryland: MPowering the State. Four years old, the collaboration boasts significant accomplishments in innovation, educational advancement, and economic activity by leveraging the strengths of each university to tackle challenges together. During the last legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation that formalized the partnership and encouraged increased activity.

"The FBI is in the process of transforming itself into a law enforcement agency that's based upon intelligence and leadership," Loh said. "For that the FBI needs to be in close proximity to the two major research universities in the region, College Park and Baltimore." Loh also reminded those in attendance of the successful collaboration between the two universities and the FBI shortly after the September 2001 terrorist attacks. UMB's pioneering forensic DNA experts were able to sequence the precise strain of anthrax bacteria used to attack congressional offices and the main postal sorting facility in Washington, D.C. Computational scientists at UMCP were then able to produce a "bacterial fingerprint" used to crack the case.

UMB's Perman quickly followed up with a long list of academic and scientific resources UMB can and already does employ to benefit national security, providing expertise in areas such as cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and infectious disease prevention. "Our world-renowned University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security, led by Professor [Michael] Greenberger, is a leader in all aspects of national security and emergency response preparedness," Perman said. "We're already a key resource for the national security and crisis management communities. We train top-level enforcement and intelligence officers. We build capabilities in advanced data analytics and the nation relies on our leadership in containing and curing diseases, particularly infectious diseases of global impact. So imagine what we can do when we join our efforts with our colleagues at College Park."

In addition to the talent and expertise offered by the two universities, University System of Maryland Chancellor Robert L. Caret, PhD, argued that Maryland, at either of the two finalist locations, would be much more advantageous for the FBI than Fairfax, Va., the only finalist site outside of Maryland. "We have the talent. We have the expertise, and the quality of life is obvious," he said. "Maryland is No. 3 in baccalaureate educated individuals on a per capita basis, No. 2 in terms of advanced degrees on a per capita basis, No. 2 in the nation on a percentage basis of citizens who are employed in STEM occupations, and, most importantly for what we do, No. 1 in education."

Maryland Carey Law Dean Donald Tobin (left) talks with UM Center for Health and Homeland Security Director Michael Greenberger at the announcement of a national security focused partnership between the FBI, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the University of Maryland College Park.

Core support for the academy would derive from two academic centers, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) at UMCP, and the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security (CHHS) at UMB. Standing alongside CHHS Director Michael Greenberger, JD, START Executive Director William Braniff, MS, was cheered on by some of his students as he set the bar high for the new academy. "Through START and CHHS the Maryland Academy will be the national leader in terrorism and counterterrorism studies, the FBI's No. 1 priority, generating the best data in the world on terrorism, leveraging our flagship internship program that graduates 100 of the next generation of counterterrorism professionals every semester through in person online and simulation-based professional training and through our undergraduate minor, our practitioner-focused graduate certificate, and a forthcoming practitioner-focused PhD program."

Echoing Braniff's enthusiasm, Donald B. Tobin, JD, dean of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, expounded on CHHS' contribution to the academy, as well as the benefits of targeted legal degree and certificate programs. "For more than a decade Professor Greenberger and his staff have worked with private sector executives and government officials here and abroad to develop plans and policies and strategies that ensure the safety of citizens during natural and man-made catastrophes," Tobin said. "CHHS is also an important partner with the law school in our masters degree program that we launched last year here in College Park. Today more than 80 working professionals are candidates for Master of Science in Laws [MSL], as we call it. All of our MSL students must specialize in one of five areas. Cybersecurity and crisis management are two of our most popular tracks."

Maryland political leaders have wooed the FBI with the promise of tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure and road improvements during the more than two-year headquarters site selection process. A final decision is expected in the next few weeks. "This makes all the sense in the world," said Delegate Michael E. Busch, speaker of the House of Delegates, "not only in Maryland but hopefully on the national level when they award the FBI headquarters to Greenbelt, Md."
A young South Sudanese refugee tries to get a signal on his mobile phone in Nyumanzi refugee settlement, Adjumani, northern Uganda, in this 2014 file photo.  UNHCR/ Frederic Noy

GENEVA  As well as being essential for keeping in touch with loved ones, many refugees view access to a mobile phone and the internet as being as critical to their safety and security as food, water and shelter, according to a new report by UNHCR and Accenture.

The report, Connected Refugees: How the Internet and Mobile Connectivity Can Improve Refugee Well-being and Transform Humanitarian Action, is based on research undertaken in 44 countries on four continents. It shows that for many refugees a connected device is a lifeline and a critical tool for self-empowerment.

"In the world we live in today, internet connectivity and smart phones can become a lifeline for refugees."

The study finds that while affordability is often a barrier to connectivity, refugees living in urban areas tend to have similar access to mobile networks as other urban populations. But for refugees in rural locations the picture is very different, with only one in six located in areas with 3G access, and one in five having no mobile coverage at all  significantly lower than for the population at large.

Now resettled in Canada, Syrian refugee Kevork Eleyjian and his sisters chat with their mother in Beirut, Lebanon, through Skype in this March 2016 photo.  UNHCR/Giovanni Capriotti

Michael Mutinda, a teacher in one of the primary schools at Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, shows his pupils how a tablet computer works, in this 2014 file photo.  UNHCR/ D.Mwancha

Teens attend an extracurricular computer education class at Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan in 2015. The class is taught by a Syrian computer engineer through one of UNHCR's NGO partners.  UNHCR/ Tanya Habjouqa

Syrian refugee Bushra sits with her children in Jordan in 2015, showing them images and text messages from their father, who left months earlier for Europe.  UNHCR/ Tanya Habjouqa

Children at a school in Gbiti, Cameroon, play with cellular phones that they drew, in this 2009 file photo.  UNHCR/ Frederic Noy

"In the world we live in today, internet connectivity and smart phones can become a lifeline for refugees, providing an essential means for them to give and receive vital information, communicate with separated family members, gain access to essential services, and reconnect to the local, national and global communities around them, said Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Most importantly, connectivity can help broaden the opportunities for refugees to improve their own lives and pursue a vision of a future that would otherwise be denied to them, he added.

"Connectivity can help broaden the opportunities for refugees to improve their own lives."

The findings come at a moment when wars and persecution have driven more people from their homes than at any time since UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, began keeping records. At end of 2015, 65.3 million people were displaced worldwide, of whom 21.3 million were refugees.

Faced with a pressing need, the study recommends additional investments in three main areas, which together form the basis of a new UNHCR Global Strategy for Connectivity for Refugees. These include increasing the availability of mobile networks, improving affordability, and providing access to training, digital content and services.

Connectivity is a critical issue for refugees.

The report also identifies a number of strategic interventions to help ensure connectivity, ranging from partnering with Mobile Network Operators and other technology and communications companies to improve infrastructure, making targeted investments in infrastructure, and enabling an environment and system for digital service delivery.

Especially critical to this effort will be the engagement of the private sector, especially technology companies and mobile network operators. Accenture is particularly optimistic about the potential for UNHCR and the humanitarian community to work together with the private sector to improve the well-being and humanitarian support of displaced people through enhanced connectivity, said Dan London, group chief executive of Accentures Health and Public Service business.

Private-sector partnerships are essential to scale the connectivity interventions globally.

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations.

Drawing on the business model of the Accenture Development Partnership (ADP), the report also identifies ways to engage the private sector to solve the connectivity challenge, leveraging creative partnerships and smart investments. ADP harnesses the global capabilities and experience of Accenture to impact positively the lives of people in the developing world.

Private-sector partnerships are essential to scale the connectivity interventions globally, said Roger Ford, ADP managing director. Companies and corporations bring global reach, innovative business models, experience in the communications and telecommunications industries, relationships with government regulators and financial and human resources, all of which will be instrumental to connecting the worlds refugee population.
NEW YORK, 14 September 2016 - UNICEF is calling on world leaders to invest in better data on children, warning in a new analysis that sufficient data is available only for half of the child-related Sustainable Development Goals indicators.



The UNICEF analysis shows that child-related data, including measures on poverty and violence that can be compared, are either too limited or of poor quality, leaving governments without the information they need to accurately address challenges facing millions of children, or to track progress towards achieving the Goals.

To shine a spotlight on the lack of data, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and UNICEF today launched a time machine installation at the United Nations in New York. The Time Machine  a capsule structure that demonstrates data through art by translating childhood memories from data into sound - gives visitors and delegates attending the United Nations General Assembly from 14-30 September an opportunity to understand the data on children currently available and areas that fall short.

The world is committed to eliminating extreme poverty among children by 2030 and to reaching those furthest behind first. If we are going to succeed in achieving these ambitious goals, we first need data that tells us who these children are, where they live and what they need, said Jeffrey OMalley, UNICEF Director of the Division of Data, Research and Policy.



Examples of missing data:

 Around one in three countries does not have comparable measures on child poverty.

 Around 120 million girls under the age of 20 have been subjected to forced sexual intercourse or other forced sexual acts. Boys are also at risk, but almost no data is available.

 There is a shortage of accurate and comparable data on the number of children with disabilities in almost all countries.

 Universal access to safe drinking water is a fundamental need and human right. We have data about where drinking water comes from, but we often dont know how safe it is.

 Nine out of 10 children are in primary school, yet crucial data about how many are learning is missing.

 Every day 830 mothers die as a result of complications related to childbirth. Most of these deaths are preventable, yet there are critical data gaps about the quality of maternal care.

 Stunting denies children a fair chance of survival, growth and development. Yet 105 out of 197 countries do not have recent data on stunting.

 One in two countries around the world lack recent data on overweight children.

UNICEF has been actively supporting countries to collect, analyse and report data on progress for children for over 30 years. As part of these efforts UNICEF will continue to support direct collection of data through household surveys, and explore how new technological tools can help fill gaps in data.

UNICEF is calling for governments to invest in disaggregated, comparable and quality data for children, to adequately address issues including intergenerational cycles of poverty, preventable deaths, and violence against children.

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Notes to editors

Time Machine

UNICEFs Time Machine is an interactive and experiential installation that will be on display at the Secretariat Building during the UN General Assembly. The installation was built in partnership with Domestic Data Streamers, an agency based in Barcelona that explores new ways of communicating through data storytelling.

The Time Machine is open to media and the public in the Visitors Lobby at the United Nations Secretariat Building in New York until the end of September 2016.

For multimedia content of the Time Machine please visit: http://uni.cf/2cu5m4C.
Investment is key to the future we want. Investment fosters competitiveness through productivity and innovation. It promotes the greening of industry through improved energy and resource efficiency and lower environmental costs, and by reinforcing the efficiency of the circular economy. This was emphasized by LI Yong, the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Li was attending the 2016 China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), which ran from 8 to 11 September in Chinas southern port city of Xiamen.

Organized by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Fujian Provincial Government, and in cooperation with UNIDO, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other partners, CIFIT is one of the worlds largest international event promoting trade and investment.

Read Director General Lis keynote speech at the CIFIT

Around 500 business delegations from 100 countries and regions took part in this years CIFIT, which was composed of various international investment forums, seminars on investment issues and investment project matchmaking symposia, as well as a series of investment and trade exhibitions.

UNIDO organized several events on the sidelines of CIFIT in support of promoting bilateral and multilateral economic exchanges and partnerships. One of the events was the high-level forum on investment in Africa, which brought together over 300 participants, including senior decision-makers from China, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Senegal, as well as representatives from the private sector, academia and other international agencies.

Participants recognized the significant contribution of industry to job creation and poverty eradication, and for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa and globally. They also stressed that governments need to create an enabling environment for investors, and that localization strategies and environmental protection need to be highlighted.

During the forum, Director General Li, the former World Bank Chief Economist, Justin Lin, ministers of Ethiopia and Senegal, and representatives of the private sector took part in a panel discussion under the theme Into Africa: Investment in the golden land, which was broadcasted as a CCTV programme, called Dialogue.

Li highlighted UNIDOs flagship Programme for Country Partnership approach, which aims to increase large-scale public and private investment to accelerate the national industrial development agenda. The programme is being piloted in Ethiopia and Senegal, and has already shown impressive results since its launch in 2014.

In 2015, Peru became the third pilot country for the Programme for Country Partnership.

Read a press release on the high-level forum on investment in Africa

As a follow-up to the forum, UNIDO organized a business matchmaking session. It focused on exploring investment opportunities, particularly in Ethiopia, Senegal and Nigeria. The session provided a platform for government representatives, UNIDO project managers and potential investors to engage in a direct dialogue, exchange innovative ideas and discuss possibilities for joint projects.

Read Director General Lis opening remarks at the business matchmaking session

On the margins of CIFIT, UNIDO staged an exhibition, which showcased the cooperation between UNIDO and China in the last five decades. The exhibition was linked to the Organizations 50th anniversary being marked this year.

Opening the exhibition, Director General Li said: UNIDO has had the privilege to cooperate with China at various important cross-roads: in the early days, when China decided to open up to the outside world, in planting the seeds for Special Economic Zone development; and, more recently, since China has become the industrial powerhouse it is today, in the implementation of critical multilateral environmental agreements.

Today, Chinas role in fostering inclusive and sustainable industrial development in other developing countries and economies in transition through UNIDOs projects will be further reinforced, he added.

The UNIDO exhibition attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors. WANG Yang, Vice Premier of China, YOU Quan, Party Secretary of Fujian Provincial Government, and representatives of the Ministry of Commerce also visited.

Read Director General Lis opening remarks at the exhibition

On the sidelines of the event, Director General Li held bilateral meetings with several Chinese officials and representatives of the private sector to discuss technical cooperation projects.

By ZHONG Xingfei
There has been a decrease in the enrolment of freshmen in some Illinois State universities. The decrease of enrolment is state-wide as Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern Illinois universities are all affected by it. Many students, school leaders, professors and lawmakers are worried because of it.

One of the reasons this might be happening is because of the budget deficit Department of Education in Illinois, Chicago is facing. According to Chicago Tribune, universities with more stable funding did well with the enrolment. University of Illinois and Illinois State University both did fine with the enrolment of freshmen.

The financial mess has definitely something to do with it. The state budget is making the students and parents not want to enrol in a university that might not support their education. Eastern Illinois University has the highest negative. It is down by 25% this year; Followed by Southern Illinois University Carbondale with 23.7% decline. While Northern Illinois University has 20.2% decline, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has 7.7%.

Though Eastern Illinois University has the highest decline, president David Glassman is not much fazed about it. He said that if the budget issue is fixed, they know how to get students enrolling in their university again. A state senator, Sen. Laura Murphy, D-Park Ridge stated that she spoke with some students and most of them said they will not enrol in a school with uncertainty.

She added that the state's financial mess should be fixed immediately. "We have world-class universities, programs that are unique to the state of Illinois that should not be overshadowed by the budget issue."

Sen. Bill Cunningham, a Chicago Democrat on the Senate's higher education committee said the cutting of budget is alarming. He knew students were advised before enrolling that the program that they want might not be offered to these universities as they are closing more and more courses they offered before.
Students of Oklahoma University shared on Twitter their experiences with the university's "diversity" using the hashtag #yOUrbad. Most students were mad at the said university because they are showing a different image of the university from the one that exists.

Fox News reported that many students were at rage as Oklahoma University received an award for promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. For the students, it was far from what is really happening inside the university. People of colour and the LGBTQ community beg to differ.

Some tweets are about their experience with a professor limiting genders into two. There were some tweets which talked about how undocumented people are called "illegal aliens". Also, there are tweets that talks about how the University administration is not giving attention to these things as they do not experience these. They never see it as a problem because they never encounter any of these.

Emily Pham, management information systems senior, was the one who started the hashtag. She said that she wanted other students to share their experiences and personal encounters in the university. She wanted to show how the staff and administration truly deals with diversity and inclusion. She stated that as a woman of colour, it is very hard for her to voice out her opinion. She added that it is very hard to get attention for their problems as the University does not see it as a problem.

According to OU Daily, Oklahoma University President, David Boren, did not directly address the issue. He only said that Oklahoma University is committed into making the University as diverse as possible. Also, OU press secretary Corbin Wallace said that OU will be the most diverse when it comes to its students in 2020.

Another University admin, Vice President for the University Community Jabar Shumate, stated that the University's goal is to have a welcoming atmosphere. They understand the tweets and will address the issues. Pham said she wishes that the University will really work on these issues as other people only see it as nothing.
Is there a hope to finally see an alien or any creature on the moon? The photo appeared online reported shows a spike that could be an antenna of an alien on the moon.

Many publications revealed the controversial photo that was reported has captured an image of an alien's antenna. This object could be a roof of an alien base, according to Daily Mail.

The photo of lunar surface is actually taken by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). If you will focus on the photo, you may notice a spike object in the photo.

An alien or UFO hunter named Mark Sawalha claimed that the "spike" object in the NASA's photo lunarsurface is the alien's antenna. The UFO hunter also claimed that "aliens" created its bases on the moon as this place has minerals.

The UFO hunter believed that NASA knows that the object is an alien's antenna, but the agency chose not to publish it. Sawalha speculated that aliens' presence on the lunar surface may be the reason why the agency has not sent any manned spacecraft to Earth's satellite since the Apollo missions.



It is not easy to spot the "spike" object in the picture. But if you will zoom the photo, you will see the spike that casts a shadow. Aside from this antenna-like object, there is also a :clear plateau" under the antenna, according to the source.

Sawalha believed there could be some mining activities going on the Moon.

As Sawaha's claim has become viral, an expert spoke up, and shared his explanation about the mysterious object in the photo. He said that the "alien antenna" is just an optical illusion.

"In this case the vertical looking hill is more likely to be caused by shadows from a hill that has a steep bank or cliff face on the right-hand-side," Nigel Watson, author of the UFO Investigations Manual, told MailOnline.

Want to check the photo? Click here.




In 2010, Congress designated the second Sunday of September and the week after that as National Arts in Education Week. This year, as the nation celebrates arts, educators are focusing on how art can help a child succeed not only in school but also in life.

President Barack Obama himself acknowledges the importance of arts in the success of children. His No Child Left Behind Act puts art in equal standing with math, science, and other disciplines as the core subjects that will help children improve.

"The future belongs to young people with an education and the imagination to create," is one of his popular quotes in reference to education.

Imagination and creativity are not just limited to arts but can also be applied to solving problems. There have been many examples in the past and present how ingenuity and imagination have led to important innovations, discoveries, and inventions.

A report made by the Rand Corporation showed that visual arts does not only stimulate a person on an aesthetic level but it has enabled people to develop deep connections with the world around them as well as see things in a different perspective. Studies have also shown how arts helped improved the concentration, confidence, and motivation of a child.

In recent years, schools have integrated arts into their curriculum and teaching methods, which showed positive results. For example, using musical notes to teach fractions, creating plays and performances that teach history, and making children appreciate culture by playing classical music.

"If they're worried about their test scores and want a way to get them higher, they need to give kids more arts, not less. There's lots of evidence that kids immersed in the arts do better on their academic tests," said Tom Horne, state superintendent of public instruction of Arizona.

The government have seen the importance of art in a child's education and gave arts equal footing in the newly signed law, Every Student Succeeds Act, which succeeds Obama's No Child Left Behind policy.

The sad thing, however, is that despite the statistical results showing the importance of arts, there is still a lack of access to arts education across the nation. Moreover, there is also a significant difference in the access to arts education between different racial and socio-economic groups.

With the celebration of the National Arts in Education Week, there are hopes that there will be more awareness on the importance of arts and that equal opportunity for arts education will be given to all.
Education Secretary John King has launched his annual bus tour which kicked off on September 12 and will end up on September 16 in New Orleans. The "Opportunity Across America" tour, which celebrates the progress of education across the nation, will be the final one before King leaves.

King has only taken the helm as Education Secretary in March this year after which Secretary Arne Duncan announced his resignation. King, which served as deputy to Arne that time, was handpicked by Obama to serve as acting Education Secretary.

Assuming position for only such a short time, King has been honest and candid about his report regarding the state of education in the country. He said that under Obama's administration, the highest number of high school graduates has been recorded and many have access to free education in community colleges.

Under the Obama Administration, the Every Student Succeeds Act has been signed. This enabled students to have access to quality education. There's also the Pell grant which makes student loans more manageable. Despite this, he also added that education in America has still a lot of challenges to face.

"There is still 18 percent of kids who aren't graduating from high school in four years. And there are still too many kids graduating from high school without the skills they need for success at the next level," he said.

King's bus tour made its first stop in Bufford Middle School in Virginia where he was greeted by a band. The focus of that "Opportunity Across America" tour is on innovation and computer science. His next stop was Tennessee where he talked about improving access to community colleges and creating more rigorous standards for the K-12 program. He will also encourage educators and tackle leadership and growth as teachers.

After Tennessee, he will proceed to the Limestone Correctional Facility in Alabama and will talk to inmates about education opportunities they can access. In Arkansas, his topic will heavily focus on pre-school education while in Louisiana, he will also touch on the subject how flooding in the area has affected education. He will also talk about how to help those schools who have been struggling.

King hopes that the bus tour will bring more awareness about the things that have been accomplished and the things that still need to be done to maintain the progress that has already been made.

"It's important to me that this trip not to be just about celebrating the progress, but insisting that we have a lot more to do," he said.
Several universities have faced the issue of sexual assault in its campuses. Earlier this year, Yale and Stanford were placed under the spotlight for the rape allegations that its students faced.

Just this month, former Stanford University Brock Turner was released from jail after just serving half of the six-month sentence for his sexual assault case. The school maintained that it "did everything within its power to assure that justice was served in this case." According to CBC News, Stanford University is under more scrutiny now that Brock Turner is free and only served little time.

In a piece for The Washington Post last March, student defense lawyer Shanlon Wu shared his thoughts on how colleges and universities may have overcorrected in their response to campus sexual assault allegations. Wu noted that schools' recent mandates on new sexual misconduct codes and procedures, while well-intentioned, can actually pose grave dangers to accused students.

"As a former sexual assault prosecutor, I know firsthand that prosecutors and police both consider sexual assault investigations to be among the most difficult cases to investigate and prosecute," Wu wrote. "The cases do not get any easier in a campus setting, which probably accounts for the reluctance of many prosecutors to take on criminal cases that involve college students. Police and prosecutors are particularly leery of cases where alcohol may have rendered one or both parties poor witnesses."

It was noted that both the police and prosecutors make careful threshold determinations to decide whether a case has strong enough evidence to go forward to a trial. However, such threshold determination is usually missing in most campus sexual assault cases.

Furthermore, Wu revealed that nearly every allegation goes forward to a hearing with panels of students and administrator/faculty representatives functioning as both judge and jury. Colleges and universities insist that these panelists receive training, but the extent and caliber of the training remains unknown.

Colleges and universities should review and investigate each sexual assault allegation in their campuses thoroughly and professionally. "While every case deserves investigation, not every case deserves a hearing," Wu added.
A new study revealed that universities are failing to use Twitter effectively. Moreover, higer education institutions may actually be promoting "inaccurate" depictions of themselves through the microblogging site.

Times Higher Education reported that an analysis of the Twitter profiles of 2,411 higher education institutions in the United States showed that colleges and universities were largely using the social networking platform to highlight positive aspects of their institution. Schools using Twitter to engage in dialogue or debate and reach out to the community were lesser in number.

Royce Kimmons and Scott Woodward, of Brigham Young University, and Royal Roads University's George Veletsianos authored the study. They noted that colleges and universities should use Twitter to break down barriers with the wider community, not just as a marketing tool.

In their analysis, detailed in the journal "Innovative Higher Education," the authors revealed that 78.8 percent of 5.7 million tweets served to broadcast information. This includes posts that notify followers that a new issue of a university magazine has already been published.

Only 12.2 percent of tweets called readers to action, asking them to respond in a particular way. Examples are to "read," "retweet," "follow" or "join us." 10.1 percent directly engaged with another tweet or user.

It was also found that about four in 10 posts expressed positive sentiments such as "Welcome to campus new students! We're enjoying the day with these soon to be [team mascots]!" In tweets that contained images, 85.4 percent featured a positive image of the institution. About half of these tweets (47.8 percent) showed events like student activities, 24.9 percent showed campus scenes while 12.8 percent showed graduation ceremonies and the like.

According to Dr. Kimmons, assistant professor in instructional psychology and technology at Brigham Young, a university's Twitter accounts were "used almost entirely for branding and events management." "Rather than removing barriers, it seems that social media may actually be used to further polish the ivory tower image of the university by conveying inaccurate or incomplete messages about who attends and what goes on there," he said.
The new school year has reignited the debate on trigger warnings in classrooms. The University of Chicago stirred up controversy when Dean John Ellison revealed that their students should not expect trigger warnings at the institution.

"Our commitment to academic freedom means that we do not support so-called 'trigger warnings,'" Ellison wrote in a welcome letter to freshmen. "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 perspectives at odds with their own."

According to BuzzFeed, trigger warnings are broadly defined as a disclaimer of sorts about content that could be triggering for someone with a history of trauma. These can be shown in various ways.

The publication spoke with psychologists on what people should know about trigger warnings. Here are some things that everyone, including college faculty, should be aware of in order to help students.

1. Triggering materials doesn't just make an individual uncomfortable. According to California-based clinical psychologist Ryan Howes, people with a history of trauma (such as sexual assault) or PTSD "may feel a kind of sensitivity or hyper-vigilance around words or images that could bring that trauma to mind."

2. A trigger warning can have several forms. It can be shown as a note on a syllabus about graphic depictions of violence or a heads-up at the beginning of a lecture about campus rape statistics.

3. There should also be trigger warnings for content related to suicide, self-harm, addiction as well as eating disorders. Being unexpectedly exposed to imagery or content related to the things mentioned above can be harmful for someone who has a history of mental illness.

4. It is not meant to obstruct free speech and its goal is not to avoid all triggers. Colleges are not expected to limit discussions of potentially triggering material, especially when it interferes with academic freedom. The ultimate goal is that individuals recovering from trauma will eventually be able to deal with triggers effectively.

5. Both students and professors play a part in the use of trigger warnings. It's the professors' responsibility to include warnings before showing sensitive materials while students should also take responsibility in talking to their teachers in preparing for what to do when the situation arises.
September 14 2016

Flanagan Lawrence Architects have been appointed by the University of St Andrews to design a new home for the St Andrews Music Centre for the University of St Andrews.The centre will enable the institution to introduce community access, professional performance, tuition and rehearsal spaces as part of its undergraduate degree programme and will be built close to the Mediaeval centre of the town, opposite Sutherland Husseys Westburn Lane In a statement the university said: The Centre will be built on a site on Queens Terrace, St Andrews, which currently has temporary buildings and a car park. The new building will restore an historic quad and preserve the features of St Marys Quadrangle, while complementing the neighbouring St Regulus Hall student residence and the Bute Building.The University will work with Flanagan Lawrence to develop the brief, with initial designs expected to be unveiled later this year, and a full public consultation to follow.Completion is estimated by 2018.
Mother with hearing loss discovers rare tumor, helps pioneer surgery through ear

Ana Placencia, 46, of Temple, Texas, underwent one of the first endoscopic procedures done in the U.S. to remove an acoustic neuroma through a small incision in her ear canal. The mother of three says she traveled to UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas because she wanted someone experienced in endoscopic procedures. CREDIT: Courtesy of Ana Placencia.

DALLAS  September 14, 2016  Ana Placencia stretched in bed after waking up one Saturday morning, when suddenly the hearing in her left ear became muffled.

Not a big deal, she thought. Perhaps ear drops or a cotton swab would do the trick.

But the proper remedy proved far more elusive as she tried multiple home treatments over the next seven months, increasingly perplexed about why her ear would not unclog.

Turns out the mother of three had a vertigo-inducing tumor that had grown from one of her balance nerves  a rare condition that affects fewer than four out of every 100,000 people.

Her three-year journey for answers led her from her hometown of Temple, Texas, to UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where in August she underwent one of the first endoscopic procedures done in the U.S. to remove an acoustic neuroma through a small incision in her ear canal. Traditionally, surgery for such tumors has required removing a large piece of skull.

Maybe It Was Just Wax

Just one morning, all of a sudden I was stretching and it just clogged up, she said.

At first I thought maybe it was just wax.  I tried to clean it out, I tried over-the-counter drops and I did home remedies, she said. I used peroxide and soapy water and nothing worked.

More than half a year later, Mrs. Placencia decided it was time to see a doctor.

Youre Too Young To Have Hearing Loss

Mrs. Placencia, 46, first went to a general practice physician in her hometown who didnt know the cause of her hearing problem but referred her to an otolaryngologist for further examination.

Youre too young to have hearing loss, Mrs. Placencia said she was told by one physician.

The otolaryngologist did not have any immediate answers either, but warned there was an extremely remote chance she might have developed an acoustic neuroma, a rare benign tumor that if left untreated can cause deafness in the affected ear and in very rare cases be fatal.

An MRI was then ordered to look into her inner ear, and sure enough, thats what it was, she said.

A Little Frustrating

Mrs. Placencia met further with her doctor and initially decided against removing the tumor, in part because it was small and the chances of recovering her hearing were already slim.

She had MRIs every six months to check for tumor growth and continued adjusting to life without a functioning left ear.

Her husband and children  ages 9, 13, and 16  had their own adjustments to make at home.

When you talk to somebody who cant hear, its a little frustrating, said Mrs. Placencia, who often reminded her family to show her their faces when talking. We focused a lot on making sure I understood what they were saying.

Mrs. Placencias watch-and-wait strategy ended after an MRI last October revealed a slight growth in the tumor. So at that point, when I met with the doctor he said it might be a good time for you to do something to treat it, she said.

Less Invasive Is Better

Mrs. Placencia faced two basic treatment options: radiation or surgery that involves removing large amounts of bone from the skull around the ear.

She opted for the latter, partly because radiation presented the slight risk of developing a secondary cancer that could be fatal.

I wanted to go to someone who had more experience in these types of surgeries, she said.

Her online research led her to UT Southwesterns Peter ODonnell Jr. Brain Institute, where she met with head and neck surgeons Drs. Brandon Isaacson and Samuel Barnett, and settled on a surgery date.

Then shortly after arriving in Dallas for the operation, she got a call from Dr. Isaacson who told her about a new minimally invasive endoscopic procedure developed in Italy that could be an option since her tumor was still small enough to extract through the ear canal.

He said the recovery period may be less and the overall risks involved were equivalent, she said.  To me, anything that is less invasive is better.

Its Peace Of Mind

Mrs. Placencias surgery went smoothly and she was released from the hospital in two days  less than half the time normally required with traditional surgery.

She has experienced few of the normal side effects associated with the operation, including facial weakness or fluid leakage from the ear and nose. However, she still needs a couple weeks to recover from lingering dizziness before she returns to her job as a program director with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

While the surgery could not restore her hearing  which had become progressively worse over the last few years  Mrs. Placencia is looking forward to moving on with her life.

To me, its peace of mind, she said. Its gone. I dont have to worry about it right now.

About UT Southwestern Medical Center

UT Southwestern, one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institutions faculty includes many distinguished members, including six who have been awarded Nobel Prizes since 1985. The faculty of almost 2,800 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide medical care in about 80 specialties to more than 100,000 hospitalized patients and oversee approximately 2.2 million outpatient visits a year.

###

Media contact: James Beltran

214-648-3404

james.beltran@utsouthwestern.edu

To automatically receive news releases from UT Southwestern via email, subscribe at www.utsouthwestern.edu/receivenews
Skull base surgeons help pioneer method of extracting tumors from ear canal

Dr. Brandon Isaacson performs an endoscopic surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Isaacsons surgical team is helping pioneer a new minimally invasive procedure that extracts vertigo-inducing tumors from the inner ear without having to remove a large piece of skull. CREDIT: Douglas Preuss, Childrens Medical Center

DALLAS  September 14, 2016  A surgical team at UT Southwestern Medical Center is helping to pioneer a new minimally invasive procedure that extracts vertigo-inducing tumors from the inner ear without having to remove a large piece of skull, as is usually required.

UTSW Head and Neck Surgeons this summer removed acoustic neuromas through small incisions in the ear canals of two patients using an endoscope. They are believed to be the first such operations done in the U.S. since the method was recently developed in Italy. No other U.S. cases have been reported in the medical literature.

Although more study is needed to evaluate the surgerys outcomes compared with more standard procedures, the benefits  such as less pain and a quicker recovery time  are often seen with minimally invasive procedures compared to more invasive surgeries, said Dr. Brandon Isaacson, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery who performed the surgeries.

Dr. Brandon Isaacson demonstrates the monitoring capabilities of an endoscope at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Isaacsons surgical team is helping pioneer a new minimally invasive procedure that extracts vertigo-inducing tumors from the inner ear without having to remove a large piece of skull. CREDIT: Douglas Preuss, Childrens Medical Center.

Acoustic neuroma is a rare benign tumor involving the hearing and balance nerve that can cause severe hearing loss, dizziness, or vertigo, affecting fewer than 4 out of every 100,000 people, according to the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States. Untreated tumors can grow, causing deafness in the affected ear and in rare cases be fatal.

The slow-growing acoustic neuromas are typically managed through periodic monitoring with MRI, radiation or surgery that has traditionally involved removing large amounts of bone from the skull around the ear.

Dr. Samuel Barnett, Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery and Otolaryngology, is Co-director of the Comprehensive Skull Base Surgery Program at UT Southwestern.

The new minimally invasive endoscopic procedure could offer an early treatment option for patients who have growing tumors still small enough to extract through the ear canal.

The bigger it gets, the harder it is to treat, said Dr. Isaacson, Co-Director of UT Southwesterns Comprehensive Skull Base Surgery Program, part of UT Southwesterns Peter ODonnell Jr. Brain Institute.

One of his patients, Ana Placencia of Temple, Texas, waited seven months to seek treatment after first experiencing muffled hearing in her left ear. By the time she was diagnosed with the tumor and sought help from Dr. Isaacson, the ear had lost all function and could not be fixed.

But by opting for the endoscopic procedure, she avoided the radiation treatment she feared and was released from the hospital in two days  less than half the time normally required with traditional surgery.

At first I thought maybe it was just wax in my ear and not a tumor, said Mrs. Placencia, a 46-year-old mother of three. It was all of a sudden.

Dr. Isaacson and Dr. Samuel Barnett, Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery and Otolaryngology, perform the surgery using a camera attached to an endoscope consisting of a narrow, metal tube filled with fiber optic cables that transmit images to a TV screen. The surgeons make a small incision in the patients ear canal and use the endoscope to help find and remove the tumor.

The surgeons have been spearheading several endoscopy techniques for minimally invasive approaches to traditional open surgeries, such as fixing ear-drum holes and removing other types of rare tumors.

UT Southwestern has been a pioneer in identifying opportunities for minimally invasive surgery in several other areas, including efforts to develop magnetically controlled surgical instruments to reduce the number of entry ports into abdominal cavities.

For Mrs. Placencia, the decision of which kind of surgery to undergo was an easy one. Shes still recovering from lingering side effects of dizziness, but expects to miss only about a month of work and isnt feeling overwhelmed by pain.

To me, anything that is less invasive is better, she said.

Acoustic Neuromas are Rare benign tumors of the balance and hearing nerves.

Usually slow-growing and do not spread to other parts of the brain or body. But if left untreated, they can cause deafness in the affected ear and in rare cases be fatal.

Found in fewer than 4 out of every 100,000 people. They account for 7.5 percent of brain tumors.

Identified through initial symptoms of single-sided hearing loss, balance disturbances, ringing in the ear, ear fullness, or vertigo.

Treated through observation (MRIs), surgery or radiation. Sources: Acoustic Neuroma Association, UT Southwestern Medical Center.

About UT Southwestern Medical Center

UT Southwestern, one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institutions faculty includes many distinguished members, including six who have been awarded Nobel Prizes since 1985. The faculty of almost 2,800 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide medical care in about 80 specialties to more than 100,000 hospitalized patients and oversee approximately 2.2 million outpatient visits a year.

###

Media contact: James Beltran

214-648-3404

james.beltran@utsouthwestern.edu

To automatically receive news releases from UT Southwestern via email, subscribe at www.utsouthwestern.edu/receivenews
Role of Rocky Mountains in First Americans is UW Frison Lecture Topic Sept. 23

Bonnie Pitblado

Bonnie Pitblado will discuss The Role of the Rocky Mountains in the Peopling of the Americas as part of the 18th annual Frison Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology/Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month Lecture at the University of Wyoming.

Pitblado, anthropology professor and the Robert E. and Virginia Bell Chair in the University of Oklahoma Anthropology Department, will present her talk Friday, Sept. 23, at 4 p.m. in the UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

The lecture is the last planned event for Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month. The Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist is posting a Project of the Day on its website.

Each day, the office posts a short project biography featuring recent or ongoing archaeological investigations across the state. The bios provide updates on current research, highlight the breadth of individuals involved in archaeological inquiry statewide, and showcase the diversity of the archaeological record in Wyoming, says Judy Wolf, from the State Historic Preservation Office, located at UW. She is the Planning and Historic Context Development Program chief.

Wyoming projects can be viewed at http://wyoarchaeo.state.wy.us/index.php/learn/wyoming-archaeology-awareness-month/project-a-day.

In her lecture, Pitblado says that people first moved into the landscapes of the Americas approximately 13,000 years ago. Most researchers have thought it unlikely that the Rocky Mountains would be prized by these first Americans, she adds. Pitblado says this has been a significant oversight and that the Rockies have been important to people since at least the Clovis time.

She will discuss three related subjects: reasons that archaeologists should have been quicker to recognize the appeal of the Rockies to early hunter-gatherers; evidence for the timing and nature of the earliest human occupation of the Rockies; and most importantly -- yet perhaps least intuitively -- the character of the northeast Asian landscape that first Americans left behind.

For more information, call the UW Department of Anthropology at (307) 766-5136.
UW Conference Focuses on Energy Law and Policy Issues

Attorney and former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member Suedeen Kelly is the keynote speaker for the 2016 Landscape Discussion on Energy Law and Policy in the Rockies Conference at the University of Wyoming Friday, Oct. 14.

The event will feature top national, regional and local experts who will discuss current energy legal and regulatory topics, the role of technology in driving public policy and securing a sustainable natural resource future.

UWs Center for Law and Energy Resources in the Rockies (CLERR), and the School of Energy Resources (SER) will host the fourth annual conference from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the UW Conference Center.

The focus is on key energy issues in Wyoming, the Rocky Mountain region and the nation. Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead will provide a welcome introduction, and the conference will be moderated by former Gov. Dave Freudenthal.

Kelly, now with the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Field, is an internationally recognized energy industry expert. She represents a variety of clients in the electric and natural gas industries on business, regulatory, litigation, enforcement and policy matters such as electricity and gas markets, renewable energy, electricity transmission, carbon emissions, energy efficiency and distributed generation.

Nominated by Presidents Bush and Obama to three terms as Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member, Kelly resolved 7,000 disputes with published commission decisions and personally wrote 100 separate statements during her tenure. She is credited with spearheading change in numerous regulatory policies, including transmission interconnection and planning reform, integration of renewables into the grid, deployment of smart grid technology to the transmission grid, inclusion of smart grid demonstration grants in the stimulus effort and natural gas quality standards.

The Landscape Discussion on Energy Law and Policy in the Rockies Conference is a good opportunity for participants of all professions, not just attorneys, who are interested in learning more about the energy law and policy topics at issue regionally and nationally, says Temple Stoellinger, co-director of CLERR.

Conference session topics are: Public Land States in the 21st Century; Regional Energy/Natural Resource Litigation of Interest; and Changing Energy Markets: A New Reality.

For more information and to register for the conference, visit www.uwyo.edu/ser/conferences/upcoming-events/law-conf-2016.html. The conference cost is $50 for members of the public and is free to UW students and faculty members.

For more information, contact Emily Sorenson at serforum@uwyo.edu or (720) 979-7200.

CLERR provides a focal point for the many energy and natural resources activities at UWs College of Law and serves as a vehicle for outreach from the College of Law to the interested public. The interdisciplinary approach of the center allows for the exploration of the legal, social, economic, technological and political realities that affect energy and natural resources policy.

SER was created at UW in 2006 to enhance the university's energy-related education, research and outreach. SER directs and integrates cutting-edge energy research and academic programs at UW, and bridges academics and industry through targeted outreach programs.
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...
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is pleased to announce it will offer a series of distinctive and exciting lifestyle events unlike anything else offered on The Las Vegas Strip. A complete listing of events is detailed below:

February 15:

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will host an unparalleled monthly dining experience, known as The Fifteenth series, beginning with the premiere feast at Estiatorio Milos. The experience will feature extraordinary dishes prepared personally by Chef and restaurateur Costas Spiliadis of The Strips first Greek restaurant and commence with a wine social on the terrace as guests take in the spectacular Strip view.

Location: Estiatorio Milos (Wine Room) at 7:00 p.m. Price: $250 per person.



February 19 & 20:

Documentary Screening: Outside In: The Life and Art of Alfred McMoore

The event includes a screening about the schizophrenic artist Alfred McMoore, of whom The Black Keys are named after, and a Q&A session with Director Todd V.

Location: Mont Royal 1 Ballroom (Fourth Floor) from 5:00  7:00 p.m.

Price: $50.00 per person; includes open bar.



February 26:

Vintage: The Machine; A Pink Floyd Tribute

The second of the six-part Vintage Series, The Machine will perform Pink Floyd songs in two 65-minute acoustic sets. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Sommelier Bretton Lammi will present eight featured wines, each of which correspond with a matching song. Light hors doeuvres will accompany the tasting.

Location: Castellana Ballroom (Third Floor) at 7:00 p.m. Price: $75.00 per person.



March 15:

The second event of The Fifteenth monthly dining series will feature Chef Rafih Benjellouns authentic Moroccan cuisine in an exotic dining environment. Guests will relax on comfortable pillows and enjoy savory food by hand in true Moroccan style. Shoes will be left at the door and guests magically transported to Morocco for this truly distinctive experience.

Location: Nolita Ballroom (Fourth Floor) at 7:00 p.m. Price: $100 per person.



Tickets to each of these exciting lifestyle events are on sale now and available at: http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/experience/event-calendar.aspx, by calling 702-698-7475 or in person at the Concierge Desk.



WHERE:

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South

Las Vegas, NV 89109

[az_easel item=0470615311]
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...
By: Dezan Shira & Associates

Vietnams Ministry of Labor (MOLISA) has released the text of proposed technical standards that, if enacted, would apply to companies involved in commercial forging  a key component of heavy manufacturing and related production. Outlined at the circular level, details of the proposal were made public on August 23rd and have been issued as a means of improving safety standards for workers within the country.

Understanding Technical Standards

Under the proposed circular, the following aspects of the forging process are set to be standardized and have been detailed extensively within the public draft:

Requirements for the structural parts of the control system.

System requirements for hydraulic cooling lubrication

Requirements for pipes and pressure vessels

Requirements for shielding

Requirements for working platform and stairway work for workers

Electrical safety requirements

Exposure and impact of these changes will likely be dictated by the current practices of companies involved in forging.

Ensuring Best Practice

While the primary purpose of MOLISAs proposal is to improve technical standards within heavy manufacturing, a number of general guidelines have been included which will impact the manner in which forging is carried out within Vietnam. General safety regulations outlined in the circular include:

Regulations to ensure safety equipment forging presses in the manufacture, import prior to the market

Regulations to ensure safety equipment export forging presses

Regulations to ensure safety equipment forging presses in the market circulation

Prescribed safety equipment forging presses during use

Implications for Investment

With a growing manufacturing base, and an increasing ability to attract foreign investment in more capital intensive stages of the value chain, technical standards and general regulations alike will be of importance for a variety of producers in Vietnam. For those currently invested, safety standards should be reviewed to ensure that compliance can be achieved.

Alternatively, those considering investment and seeking to utilize forged products should pay close attention to standards in order to assess the viability of different setup options. Depending on the nature of a given business, standards could impact the profitability of vertically integrating supply chains and therefore dictate methods of market entry.

In the event that the proposal is passed, changes will take six months to be implemented, thus giving companies a chance to assess their exposure and implement contingency strategies effectively. Nonetheless, it will be important to follow changes to understand amendments to the current proposal and to be prepared in the event of the proposals passage. For more information on aspects of the proposal or assistance in monitoring or complying with aspects of technical standards, please contact vietnam@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com.



About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email vietnam@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. 

Annual Audit and Compliance in Vietnam 2016

In this issue of Vietnam Briefing, we address pressing changes to audit procedures in 2016, and provide guidance on how to ensure that compliance tasks are completed in an efficient and effective manner. We highlight the continued convergence of VAS with IFRS, discuss the emergence of e-filing, and provide step-by-step instructions on audit and compliance procedures for Foreign Owned Enterprises (FOEs) as well as Representative Offices (ROs).

Navigating the Vietnam Supply Chain

In this edition of Vietnam Briefing, we discuss the advantages of the Vietnamese market over its regional competition and highlight where and how to implement successful investment projects. We examine tariff reduction schedules within the ACFTA and TPP, highlight considerations with regard to rules of origin, and outline the benefits of investing in Vietnams growing economic zones. Finally, we provide expert insight into the issues surrounding the creation of 100 percent Foreign Owned Enterprise in Vietnam.

Tax, Accounting and Audit in Vietnam 2016 (2nd Edition)

This edition of Tax, Accounting, and Audit in Vietnam, updated for 2016, offers a comprehensive overview of the major taxes foreign investors are likely to encounter when establishing or operating a business in Vietnam, as well as other tax-relevant obligations. This concise, detailed, yet pragmatic guide is ideal for CFOs, compliance officers and heads of accounting who must navigate Vietnams complex tax and accounting landscape in order to effectively manage and strategically plan their Vietnam operations.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the Hong Kong-Viet Nam Business and Investment Forum, Hong Kong, September 14, 2016 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

Speaking at the forum, PM Phuc announced the outcomes of the talks and meetings with Chinese high-ranking leaders as well as the strategic orientations to upgrade the two nations relationship with the focus on promoting economics and trade more effectively and sustainably.

This year, the two nations are striving to raise the two-way trade to US$100 billion, he said, adding that Viet Nam will become one of Chinas largest trade partners in ASEAN.

The PM introduced the nations socio-economic development performances, especially the business and investment environment, potentials and advantages.

Viet Nam commits to facilitating Hong Kong's investment in such areas as banking, finance, insurance, maritime transport, infrastructure, electronics, auxiliary industry and agricultural products.

He expected that as a leading financial hub, Hong Kong will uphold its status as a favorable market to mobilize credits for development, especially investment in infrastructure in Viet Nam.

Permanent Honorary President of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Jonathan Choi hailed efforts, measures and determination of the Vietnamese Government in enhancing economic growth over the recent years.

He said that the Vietnamese Government is pursuing a number of ambitious market reform programs and suitable policies to attract more foreign investment.

He asserted that the forum and a number of recently-inked agreements and contracts are crucial marks in the two sides relationship.

Acting Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Rimsky Yeun asked Vietnamese businesses to strengthen cooperation with their partners in Hong Kong, hoping the Vietnamese Government to create more favorable conditions for Hong Kongs enterprises to invest in Viet Nam in all fields.

Hong Kong will continue expanding investment in Viet Nam and supporting Vietnamese businesses to penetrate in Hong Kong and China, he said.

As many as 10 cooperative agreements and contracts, worth US$10 billion were inked at the event.

The forum, attracting the participation of around 300 investors in Hong Kong, was jointly organized by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and the Hong Kong  Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce.
IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, addresses a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in China AFP/Nicolas Asfouri

"There is a growing risk of politicians seeking office by promising to 'get tough' with foreign trade partners through punitive tariffs or other restrictions on trade," Lagarde said, according to prepared remarks.

Both US presidential nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have announced their opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Obama administration's signature Pacific trade deal.

Trump has proposed big tariffs on Chinese goods and denounced free trade agreements between the US, Canada and Mexico. British voters this year also chose to secede from the European Union.

In remarks she was due to deliver in an address in Toronto, Lagarde said she was "deeply concerned."

Without naming any candidate, she described an anti-trade political climate, noting that the growth rate for global trade stood at two percent.

Prospects for US ratification of the TPP in 2016 appear slim, with US lawmakers casting doubt that it will receive substantial backing or come to a vote.

"Against this background, recent news about multilateral trade negotiations have been quite discouraging," Lagarde said, adding that trade reforms could regain momentum "if the benefits are properly explained."

Trade, she said, resulted in more competitive industries, greater innovation and lower prices for consumers.
Oakwood Apartments is a serviced residential complex located in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, and will offer 68 units ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments.

It will also offer a range of facilities, including restaurants, a swimming pool, gym, sauna, bistro, and will target both long and short-term clientele. The project is currently in the pre-opening stage and is expected to be operational in the last quarter of 2016.

Oakwood Asia Pacific, 49 per cent owned by Mapletree Group, is a leading serviced apartment operator offering four brands for long and short-term stays. Oakwood Apartments is the upper-midscale brand within the companys portfolio.

The company specialises in the management of serviced apartments and extended-stay properties throughout Asia and Australia.

According to Nguyen Minh Son, CEO of Son Kim Land, Oakwood Apartments extends his portfolio in hospitality sector catering for luxury segment.

"We believe that Oakwood Apartments will not only improve the current limited high-end serviced apartment provision but also offer travelers memorable experience during their tenancy with our good location, upscale facilities and premium management services. That is the golden corporate philosophy we presistently follow," Son said.

Rudolf Hever, executive director at Alternaty, commented that the Ho Chi Minh City real estate market has continued to gather momentum this year, with the construction of residential projects progressing at a rapid pace. However, there remains a shortage of well-positioned serviced apartments that could cater for the demands of corporate travellers, both transient and long-term.

This source of demand is constantly growing as the economy keeps improving. The serviced apartment segment in Vietnam has fantastic potential and we believe Oakwood Apartments will be an excellent product offering single and professional couples a great alternative to traditional hotels, said Hever.
At a meeting with CEO & Chairman of the bank Park In-Gyu in the RoK on September 13, Secretary of HCM Citys Party Committee Dinh La Thang said his city welcomes Daegus plan.



The presence of the bank in the southern metropolis is welcome as a large number of Korean businesses invest in HCM City, he added.



The official said he hopes the branch will come into operation soon to promote the bilateral economic ties.



Daegus representative office was set up in HCM City in December 2014.



Cooperation between HCM City and Daegu city since May 2015 has opened up new opportunities for the two sides to implement cooperation projects.
Cuong said the province had mobilised search and rescue forces to look for the missing workers right after the incident.

A Lang Mai, chairman of the Peoples Committee in Nam Giang District where the power plant is located, told the media yesterday evening that he had not received information about loss of life or property damage. He said he and other district leaders were going to the scene of the accident, which is 80km away from the districts centre.

In the meantime, the districts authority bans local residents from going to the scene, he told the online newspaper zing.vn
Vietnamese people drank more than 3.4 billion litres of beer and another 342 million litres of spirits last year  a 40 per cent increase from 2010  putting the country in the top 10 global consumers of alcohol. - VNS Photo oan Tung

The latest report, produced by the Viet Nam Beverage Association, shows that Vietnamese people drank more than 3.4 billion litres of beer and another 342 million litres of spirits last year  a 40 per cent increase from 2010  putting the country in the top 10 global consumers of alcohol.

Early last week, the Health Ministry revealed results of a survey on non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors. The survey was conducted in 2015 by the ministrys Preventive Medicine Department and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on nearly 3,800 people aged between 18 and 69 in Viet Nam.

In the survey, more than 77 per cent of adult males and 11 per cent of females said they had consumed at least six units of alcohol in the past 30 days. More than 44 per cent of men and 1.2 per cent of women said that they had engaged in heavy episodic drinking.

The rate of male drinkers increased by 11 per cent while the rate of female drinkers went up 6 per cent compared to 2010 figures.

Survey findings show that 44 percent of men drank alcohol at a hazardous level, which means that within the last 30 days, there was at least one time they drank more than 180 millilitres of spirits or more than six cans of beer.

About half of all drinkers drove a vehicle within two hours of drinking.

Nguyen Phuong Nam, an expert from the WHO said one of the biggest concerns was that more young people were drinking alcohol.

The problem became more serious as the Vietnamese generally think drinking helps to build relationships, facilitate business and reduce stress, Nam said, expressing concern that up to 97 per cent of men said beer was not harmful to health.

Tran Quoc Bao, head of the Non-communicable Diseases Control Division under the Preventive Medicine Department, said that alcohol was an indirect cause for at least 30 diseases affecting many parts of body including the nervous and digestive systems. Alcohol can severely affect a foetus in the womb, and both the mental and physical development of drinkers.

Drinking alcohol also led to other risks such as unsafe sex, drink related injuries, violence and traffic accidents, Bao said.

Vice president of HCM City Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Le Thanh Ly, said that alcohol caused cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.

Up to 10 per cent of men aged from 50 to 69 in Viet Nam died of liver cancer caused by alcohol, three times higher than worlds average rate, Ly said.

Nguyen Van Hiep, 33, an office worker in Ha Noi said that now almost all people knew about the harm of alcohol, but few could say No to drinking, as it was part of social communication, business and culture.

Drinking can make gatherings and parties more fun, speed up business deals or it implies that you are sociable and friendly to others, he said, adding that sometimes he drank reluctantly and suffered serious headaches and exhaustion after drinking.

Hieps wife said that she complained all the time about his drinking but nothing had changed.

Whenever he leaves home to go drinking, Im worried until he drives home safely. I told him many times about the long-term consequences of drinking, but he doesnt seem afraid, she said.

Doctor Pham Thi Hoang Anh, head of HealthBridge Canada in Viet Nam, a non-government organisation working in health improvement, said that its easy now for Vietnamese youngsters to access alcohol. The country only bans advertising of drinks with an alcohol content of 15 per cent or higher.

She said policies to control alcohol consumption in Viet Nam were not strict enough given the low price of wine and beer.

The government should consider passing the Law on Alcohol Control, the draft of which was initially planned for submission by the Ministry of Health in 2017, but has now been delayed, she said.
Hosted by the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA) and supported by the Ministry of Construction (MOC), Vietwater is renowned as the flagship business platform in the drainage, sewerage, and water supply industries.

Featuring over 400 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions and 15 international pavilions, participants hail from France, Germany, Australia, Finland, Belgium, Japan, mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, just to name a few countries.

Vietwater 2016 expects to welcome over 10,000 trade visitors, professionals, consultants, engineers, key decision-makers, thought leaders, and government representatives.

According to Cao Lai Quang, VWSAs chairman, the Vietnamese water sector has seen more than its fair share of challenges, such as a shortage of investment capital, lack of clean water sources, especially in the context of the current drought, pollution, and salty marshes.

This exhibition is a golden opportunity for key players in the sector to exchange information, experiences, find new partners as well as update on new technologies, Quang said.

Under the same roof with the three-day exhibition, Vietwater 2016 will also host a series of Technical Seminars and Workshops.

In particular, Vietwater 2016 will be co-located with Vietnam's leading renewable energy and energy efficiency exhibition, RE & EE Vietnam 2016, which will work towards offering sustainable means of development in the water and energy sectors of Vietnam and the region.
File photo by ASSOCIATED PRESS

Middle-class Americans have more cash to spend or save, according to an annual report released by the Census Bureau on poverty and incomes Tuesday.


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President Barack Obama welcomes Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi to the White House Wednesday, where he is eager listen to her views on how far the U.S. should go in lifting sanctions on the southeast Asian country.

It will be her first visit to the U.S. as State Counselor and Foreign Minister  a position she assumed after her party's decisive win in last November's elections. The country's military era constitution bars her from holding the title of president because her late husband and children are foreign citizens.

Aung San Suu Kyi spent more than 20 years under house arrest in the country formerly known as Burma. Her meeting with Obama in the Oval Office is viewed as another clear indication that she is Myanmars de facto civilian leader.

Since taking office in late March, she has not called for an end to all sanctions, which are seen as leverage to encourage the military to allow more democratic reforms.



WATCH: Myanmar minority issue looms over Aung San Suu Kyi's US visit



Economic investment



At a conference on Myanmar in Washington on Tuesday, deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said the White House wanted to make sure that U.S. sanctions were not preventing economic investment that would help Myanmar's people. "The view of the government matters a lot to us," he said.

At Tuesdays daily State Department briefing, department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters the lifting of sanctions always was a response to democratic progress. We are not ready to pull back all the sanctions yet," he said. "Some of them will remain in place. We always retain the right to continue those as long as we feel they are useful.

Toner said the U.S. was happy to welcome Aung San Suu Kyi, adding that much has changed over the past few years in Myanmar. He said human rights concerns remained, and that the U.S. supported peace and steps toward a fuller and stronger democracy.

'Right thing to do'

Myanmar expert Lex Rieffel, a nonresident fellow at the Brookings Institution, a Washington public policy research group, told VOA: I think it is absolutely the right thing to do to consult with Aung San Suu Kyi and make sure that we don't get out of ahead of her and don't get too far behind her. This is a country that has so many problems. It is hard for Americans, I believe, to even imagine the number of problems, the difficulty, the complexity of the problems she faces as the leader of this country.

Rieffel said those problems include a lack of infrastructure, such as a huge shortage of electrical power needed to operate businesses.

Sanctioned items



Over the past 20 years, the White House and Congress have maintained a long list of sanctions on Myanmar, including restrictions on jade and gemstones, and on businesses linked to the sales of arms and illegal drugs. Obama eased some of the sanctions in 2013, and some major U.S. companies, including Coca-Cola and General Motors, have ventured into Myanmars economy.

Closer ties between Myanmar and the U.S. are viewed as one of Obamas foreign policy successes and part of his pivot to Asia. Rieffel told VOA that if Aung San Suu Kyi could succeed in leading the transition to democracy and helping Myanmar achieve peace after 60 years of civil war, it would be an inspiration to other countries around the world that have had protracted conflicts.
Dozens of trucks filled with elite soldiers from Prime Minister Hun Sens Bodyguard Unit on Monday night were deployed near the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party headquarters in an apparent show of muscle after the CNRP said it would stage large protests.

The move came after Hun Sen wrote on Facebook that he would rid the country of forces intent on destroying national security.

About two hours after the message was published, some 30 military trucks began to patrol the roads near the headquarters, while speedboats fitted with machine guns were dispatched to the Tonle Basaac river, which passes behind the building.

The authorities have indicated that the military may be used to arrest the CNRPs deputy president, Kem Sokha, who was convicted on Sunday for failing to appear in court in another, ongoing case, and sentenced to five months behind bars.

The opposition, however, said it was unfazed by the apparent act of intimidation, pledging to proceed with its plans for a mass demonstration.

For two straight days, the opposition party leaders have threatened national stability by organizing a mass demonstration to demand a so-called political solution there is no political solution or breakthrough for the political parties, because it is the courts decision and someone who does wrong cannot hold the nation hostage, and the political party, to hide his mistakes, Hun Sen wrote on Monday.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Defense said its forces were standing by to carry out orders to prevent large-scale demonstrations.

CNRP lawmaker Cheam Channy said the CPP should not be concerned about the planned demonstration because the CNRP only has the peoples will and will do it peacefully.

Sok Eysan, a CPP spokesman, said the planned demonstration was a threat to the ruling party and the government.

The government has a role and responsibility to maintain peace, stability and social order, so the government must respond, he said, adding that the CNRP was threatening the government. When [the CNRP] threatens the government with mass demonstrations, the government can also crackdown on protests.
Washington is accusing Beijing of unfairly tinkering with the price of corn, wheat, and rice in ways that hurt U.S. exports and farmers. Tuesday, President Obama said his administration filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization and will push hard to give U.S. farmers a fair chance to sell their goods on global markets. As VOA's Jim Randle reports, hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars are at stake.
When President Obama met with Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi at her home in Rangoon in 2014, he pledged continued support for the country's democratic reforms, and received assurances that despite difficulties those reforms would continue. Now it is time for a reality check.
Myanmar's State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi is visiting the United States just days after former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan visited her country in an effort to ease tensions between the Buddhist and Muslim populations. Rights groups are urging the Burmese leader to do more to ease the plight of the country's 1 million or more Rohingya Muslims, who are not recognized as an official minority. Zlatica Hoke reports.
Otitis media, or ear infection, is as common in kids as scraped knees, but it's a lot more difficult to treat, usually requiring a long course of antibiotics.

Daniel Kohane, a doctor at Boston Childrens Hospital, compared force-feeding antibiotics to children to full-contact wrestling. So, working at the Laboratory for Biomaterials and Drug Delivery at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he developed an antibiotic-infused gel to treat and cure ear infections with a single application.

Kohane said a clinician can squirt the gel into the childs ear during a single visit to the doctor. The gel forms a hardened plug, and the active ingredients are able to pass through the tympanic membrane, or eardrum, to treat the infection where it is needed.

Kohane said skeptical scientific researchers never thought it was possible to get the antibiotic past the eardrum. But the gel contains chemical permeation enhancers, compounds that have already received regulatory approval for other uses. Known as CPEs, they are structurally similar to lipids or fat molecules in the stratum corneum, the eardrums outermost layer. The CPEs insert themselves into the membrane, opening up molecular pores that allow the antibiotics to seep through.

Kohane said the ear gel causes fewer side effects than antibiotics.

I previously spoke about the convenience that this gives the parents," he told VOA, "but the other thing to understand is that current therapy is an oral regimen of 10 days. So when you take a drug orally, the drug has to go throughout the body to treat a really small piece of real estate inside the head. The entire body gets exposed to antibiotic, and this leads to a number of side effects, like diarrhea, rashes and things like that.

Antibiotic resistance

In addition to side effects, there is the problem of antibiotic resistance. When a child starts to feel better in a few days, parents may stop trying to medicate a squirming child, creating stronger bacteria and harder-to-treat infections.

The ear gel was tested in chinchillas, which were used because they have an ear structure and hearing range similar to those of people.

The gel dispensed high concentrations of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in the middle ear and completely cured ear infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae in 10 of 10 animals. Ordinary ciprofloxacin eardrops cured the infection in only five of eight chinchillas.

Researchers said there were no side effects beyond a slight, temporary hearing loss, like that caused by earwax. The problem could be solved, they said, by squirting less gel into the ear.

An article describing the ear gel was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Kohanes associate, Rong Yang, said she was surprised by comments from the papers reviewers at the journal.

They referred to this technology that we developed as exciting, innovative, unique, impressive, close to ideal, much-needed, said Yang.

Kohane added, "One reviewer asked us to change a comma. That was the sum total of the constructive criticism.

The next step is human clinical trials, which cant come too soon for many parents.
A Syrian cease-fire brokered by the U.S. and Russia appeared to be generally holding across the war-torn country Wednesday, but aid distribution to besieged towns and areas - a key part of the deal - remains on hold. The Syrian government has insisted any humanitarian assistance to the city of Aleppo has to be coordinated with Damascus.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon tried to break the impasse, urging Washington and Moscow Wednesday to push all warring sides in Syria to agree safe passage for desperately needed aid.

It's crucially important [that] the necessary security arrangements are agreed, Ban said. I have been urging the Russian government to make sure that they exercise influence on the Syrian government, and also the American side to make sure that Syrian armed groups ... also fully cooperate.

But the secretary-general's appeal had little immediate impact. Trucks loaded with a month's food supply for 40,000 people are stuck at the Turkish border, although Russian media report some supplies were distributed in Syrian government-held areas of Homs by Russian forces.

'Significant drop in violence'



Aid agencies say they are waiting in other cases for guarantees of safe passage from not just President Bashar al-Assads regime but also from other warring parties. Staffan de Mistura, U.N. special envoy for Syria, told reporters in Geneva, there has been a "significant drop in violence" and that the situation on the ground had dramatically improved, with no airstrikes."



ut he added that aid has not yet been delivered because the Syrian government hadn't sent a letter of authorization to the U.N., although he said he hoped aid conveys waiting on the Turkish-Syrian border would be able to commence deliveries some time later on Wednesday to the 250,000 civilians estimated to be in rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo.



Activists, skeptical of the chances of the cease-fire holding, noted to VOA that another cessation of hostilities brokered by Washington and Moscow earlier this year, which lasted for just weeks, also was undermined by the blocking of aid delivery.



We need to enter an environment where we are not in mortal danger, Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the U.N.'s humanitarian office [OCHA] said. More than half-million Syrians are estimated by the U.N. to be living in besieged areas.



Small cease-fire violations reported



Since the truce came into effect at sunset on Monday, coinciding with the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, both the rebels and Assad regime and its supporters have accused each other of sporadic violations of the cease-fire  although there have been no reports of any civilian deaths. Russian military officials claim U.S.-backed rebel groups have violated the cease-fire since it went into effect nearly two dozen times on the Castello road, a key route into insurgent-held parts of Aleppo.

A pro-opposition monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said pro-regime forces shelled two villages in Aleppo province and a suburb of Damascus as well as conducting airstrikes in northern Hama province since Monday night.



Rebel factions remain highly skeptical of the U.S.-Russia brokered cease-fire. In a statement after the cessation of hostilities went into effect more than 20 armed rebel factions, including the Washington-backed Free Syrian Army, said they were "fully aware of the trap being set to make us sink in a quagmire of concessions or lead us to infighting that divides our ranks and disunites us.



Rebel groups have doubts about targets



Rebel groups are also critical of the proposed joint U.S.-Russia targeting of the former al-Qaida affiliate Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, arguing "this would weaken the military power of the revolution and strengthen the Assad regime and its allies.



The chances of the cease-fire holding in many ways rests with what happens to aid deliveries and whether the regime allows humanitarian assistance to be distributed without either blocking it or directing it where it wants the help to go for political purposes, say activists.

The politics of aid in war zones is always complex but it has become especially so with the Syrian conflict where all sides have used aid to further their war aims, although the Assad government is seen by aid agencies as the biggest culprit of all.





Last week, more than 70 NGOs said they would refrain from information sharing with the U.N. because they believe the Assad regime has been allowed to manipulate aid and has too much influence over the $4 billion relief effort. In a joint letter to the organization they said manipulation of humanitarian relief efforts by the political interests of the Syrian government that deprives other Syrians in besieged areas from the services of those programs.

Little progress in reaching needy



Relief organizations complain that the U.N. has given contracts worth tens of millions of dollars to associates of the Assad regime, including some who are under U.S. and EU sanctions. According to an investigation by Britains Guardian newspaper on Monday U.N.-sponsored aid convoys only reach on average 33 percent of people to whom access was requested.



Twenty trucks carrying food and flour entered northern Syria from the Turkish border town of Cilvegozu on Monday, according to Reuters news agency. The aid convoy was not a U.N. one and it was unclear how far into the war-torn country it would be able to go.



The French medical charity Doctors without Borders said Tuesday that there are more than 150 medical facilities that are in urgent need of resupply. They urged all parties to allow the injured to be evacuated. But that is another issue that is likely in the coming days to prove controversial. The Syrian government wants medical evacuees from eastern Aleppo to be evacuated to areas it controls and not be sent to Turkey or to rebel-controlled areas.
With the November 8 U.S. presidential election fast approaching, preparations are underway for the first of three televised debates featuring Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican candidate Donald Trump.

The presidential candidates who will participate in the first debate have not yet been announced. Although Trump and Clinton are (near) certainties, not so certain are Libertarian Party candidate and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson and Green Party nominee Jill Stein.

Candidates must meet selection criteria established by the Commission of Presidential Debates (CPD), a non-profit organization that says its mission is to provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners.

The purpose of the criteria, according to the CPD, is to identify candidates whose support among the electorate places them among the candidates who have a realistic chance of being elected president.

The Johnson campaign has embarked on a push to be included in the debates. It has proposed a plan to the CPD that would allow him to participate in the first presidential debate by initially circumventing the selection criteria. The proposal calls for placing a third podium on stage and simply allow Johnson to take part in the debate. If Johnson does not meet the criteria for subsequent debates, the Libertarian Party would abandon efforts for continued inclusion.

With a full page advertisement in the Wednesday edition of the New York Times, Johnson has taken his proposal to a national audience, with an advertisement written in the form of a letter to the CPD.



Johnsons advertisement follows a recent announcement that his campaign will be on the ballot in all 50 U.S. states, the only candidate outside of Clinton and Trump to make that claim.

Johnsons quest to appear in the presidential debates appears to have broad public support. In an August 25 poll conducted by Quinnipiac University, 63 percent of the likely voters surveyed responded yes to the question: Do you think that Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate for president, should be included in the presidential debates this year, or not?

Johnson is currently polling at nine percent in the national polls, according to RealClear Politics national average. This compares to national averages of nearly 42 percent for Clinton and almost 40 percent for Trump.

Hundreds of people declare their candidacy for the U.S. presidency each general election period. Many of them are not associated with a major political party. To ensure orderly presidential debates, the CPD established the selection criteria to ensure participation is limited to the most viable candidates.

In order to participate, Johnson and Stein must meet the CPDs pre-established and objective criteria, which are as follows:

Be constitutionally eligible;

Appear on enough state ballots to have a chance of winning a majority vote in the Electoral College; and

Have at least 15 percent of the national electorate as determined by five selected public opinion polls.

The CPD has yet to officially announce which presidential candidates will participate in the first debate. It will make the announcement sufficiently in advance of the first debate to allow for orderly planning.

Participants in the second and third presidential debates must meet the same set of criteria.

The first debate will take place on September 26 at Hofstra University in the northeastern town of Hempstead, New York.
Hillary Clinton plans to return to the campaign trail Thursday after abruptly leaving a 9/11 memorial event in New York City Sunday, which her campaign at first said was due to overheating but later attributed to a pneumonia diagnosis she received Friday.

A video of the incident posted online shows Clinton propping herself up on a street bollard before stumbling into a waiting van with the help of Secret Service agents and her aides.

In a statement, her campaign said Clinton will be in Greensboro, North Carolina, Thursday to "discuss her vision for an America that is stronger together."

While Clinton continued to recuperate, she got a rousing endorsement from the country's number one Democrat and her former boss -- President Barack Obama.

"I am really into electing Hillary Clinton," Obama told cheering supporters in Philadelphia Tuesday. "I have seen how smart and savvy and tough she is. I had a front row seat for four years," Obama said of his former secretary of state.

Obama mocked Republican candidate Donald Trump, saying he "is not in any way, shape or form fit to represent this county abroad and be our commander-in-chief."

He belittled Trump's praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin as "a strong leader, because he invades smaller countries, jails his opponents, controls the press and drives his economy into a long recession."

Trump fired back at Obama on Twitter, accusing the president of allowing Russia to invade Crimea.

"Russia took Crimea during the so-called Obama years," Trump said. "Who wouldn't know this and why does Obama get a free pass?"

On his website, Trump posted a statement titled "Shouldn't you be at work?" in which he blasted Obama for neglecting his duties as president to campaign for Clinton. The Trump statement listed several "problems," including an incident over the weekend in which Iran threaten to shoot down two Navy jets flying in international airspace and a North Korea nuclear test that could be the country's most powerful ever, he thinks Obama could be solving in lieu of making campaign appearances.

Trump campaigned in the rural midwestern state of Iowa, promising to bring back jobs from other countries. He later appeared outside Philadelphia, where he unveiled details of his plans for making child care more affordable for American families and working mothers.

Trump touted the plan as a way to help working families deal with child care costs, which he said are one of the largest expenses for many families. The Trump proposal will allow families that make less than $500,000 annually to deduct child care costs from their income taxes. Trump also pledged to offer six weeks of maternity leave to working mothers whose employers don't already provide the benefit.

"The Trump reforms will allow a family to make the choice of whether a parent should work outside the home or not without bias from the tax code," Trump's campaign said in a statement. "Having employed and empowered thousands of women at every level throughout his entire career, Donald Trump understands the needs of the modern workforce."

The Trump plan received praise from at least five female members of Congress, including Rep. Cynthia Lummis, who called the proposal a "serious and balanced approach."

"Rather than empowering Washington, Mr. Trump will focus on providing regulatory reform to promote new family-based and community-based solutions, and also add incentives for employers to provide child care at the workplace," she said.

The latest polls show the race between Clinton and Trump tightening, with Clinton holding a 3- to 4-point lead.
The Ethiopian government pardoned more than 700 prisoners in celebration of New Year's Day on the Ethiopian calendar and the Muslim holiday Eid.

Among those released were people charged under the country's controversial anti-terror law. Critics of the law say it is used to stifle dissent and lock up political opposition members.

Ustaz Kamil Shemsu was imprisoned in 2012 when many Muslims in Ethiopia protested what they said was government interference in their religious doctrine. He was sentenced to 22 years.

"It's difficult to say I am happy because there are still other brothers left in prison," he told VOA Amharic.

Prisoners were released from Kaliti, Dire Dawa, Ziway, Shewa Robit and Harer, as well as other prisons administered by the federal government in the Southern region, Tigray region and Amhara region.

Hayatel Kubera was a freshman in college in Addis Ababa when she was arrested in 2012 and taken to an Ethiopian investigation center known as Maekelawi. She said she was arrested in relation to the Muslim protest movement and was still under investigation and awaiting trial at the time of her release.

"The prison suddenly called us last week on Monday, along with men and one woman, she said. They told us that the government doesn't want you to be imprisoned so you will be released."

Government media announced that the president signed the pardon for Muslim groups because they expressed regret, according to Ethiopian Prosecutor-General Getachew Ambaye.

In 2012, the Muslim community in Ethiopia was introduced to new religious teachings known as Al-Ahbash. The Ethiopian government considered the teaching to be modern and began trainings in the fall of 2011. However, it encountered stiff resistance from some Muslims uncomfortable with the new teachings. Students walked out of classes in protest, and demanded a change of teachers appointed by the government.

Silent protests and sit-ins at mosques followed, and the members of a 17-person committee selected to represent students were arrested and charged with extremism.

"The claim from the committee's side, and I think there is good enough evidence that support that, was that the Al-Ahbash movement was invited and forced upon the Muslim community, kind of like telling them what type of Islam they were supposed to be adhering to, which is a violation of the constitution," said Terje Ostebo, director of the Center for Global Islamic Studies and an associate professor at the University of Florida.

Muslims make up of 33.9 percent of the total population of about 100 million in Ethiopia, according to the Central Intelligence Agency.

Ostebo stressed that the government has released prisoners before, and that this holiday pardon doesn't necessarily signal a willingness to change.

"It's kind of common in Ethiopia that New Year is the time when you show leniency and grant pardons, he said. I'm not sure if I could put it that strongly that they are acknowledging any mistakes."

Yusuf Getachew, editor-in-chief of faith-based magazine Ye Muslimoch Guday, or Muslim Affairs, was one of the people released. He was arrested in July 2012.

"The government asked if we are going to accept the pardon or not, and we accepted it and that's why we were released," he said.

He had been sentenced to seven years.

Murithi Mutiga of the Committee to Protect Journalists said his organization was calling on Ethiopian authorities to free all prisoners of conscience.

"There is a very large number of people that have been detained within very secretive and large detention facilities that have done nothing else other than to simply do their jobs as journalists," he said. "I think the Ethiopian authorities would do a very good thing to just let all prisoners of conscience  please let them go."
The president of the European Commission has called for a European headquarters for a common EU military force in his annual State of the Union speech. Jean-Claude Juncker said Europes soft power' was no longer sufficient to meet the challenges of the modern world.

We must have a European headquarters. We must also organize ourselves to work toward a common military force and this should be in complement with NATO. More European defense in Europe doesn't mean less transatlantic solidarity, he told European lawmakers meeting in Strasbourg Wednesday.

A common European Union military force was something Britain had long resisted, but its influence is already diminished following the June vote to leave the bloc. The U.K. has not been invited to Fridays informal summit of EU heads of state in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Describing the EU as not in "top condition," Juncker was frank about the challenges facing the bloc.

I believe the next 12 months are decisive if we want to reunite our union, if we want to overcome the divisions between East and West, which have opened up in recent months, he said.

Those divisions threaten to overshadow Fridays summit, says Stephen Booth of policy group Open Europe.

Some of these issues between member states of the EU are existential, theyre not simply a matter of personalities. They are about the construction of the European Union.

Refugees



Eastern member states, including Slovakia, have resisted Brussels plans for a compulsory quota system to resettle refugees across the EU. The dispute escalated this week when Luxembourgs foreign minister said Hungary should be thrown out of the bloc for its hardline stance on the refugee crisis, which included erecting a border fence to keep out migrants.

I am urging the Slovak presidency to bridge the divergences and differences between those who are reluctant to integrate refugees in their societies and those who are convinced, as I am, that the fair share in the relocation and resettlement is of the essence, Juncker told Members of the European Parliament.

East and west



The divergences between east and west go beyond the refugee crisis, says Stephen Booth.

Particularly after the Brexit vote, the eastern European member states talk much more about sort of transferring power away from the institutions."

But these dynamics arent just between east and west, Booth went on to say. "They are actually between the Brussels institutions, their view of what the EU might and should look like, and an increasing desire from all member states to sort of have a much more intergovernmental approach.

The fractures between east and west could be further underlined next month, when Hungary holds a referendum on whether to accept EU refugee quotas.




In his annual State of the Union speech, the president of the European Union Commission has called for setting up a European headquarters for a common EU military force. Jean-Claude Juncker said Europes soft power' was no longer sufficient to meet the challenges of the modern world. Junker also expressed regret over Britains vote to leave the EU  but said the bloc would survive Brexit. More from Henry Ridgwell in London.
The German and French foreign ministers said on Wednesday an attempt to revive a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine from midnight could set the scene for agreement next week on further peace moves.

Visiting Kyiv with his French counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Ukraine had agreed to abide by a new seven-day truce proposed by Russian-backed separatists and explicitly backed by Moscow.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he also expected both sides to sign an agreement next week to withdraw their troops from the lines of conflict in three hotspots.

"In the next week we see an opportunity for a new dynamic in the conflict," Ayrault told reporters. The agreement is expected at a regular meeting on Tuesday of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) with both sides in the conflict. It would be monitored and verified by OSCE observers.

A cease-fire was launched to coincide with the start of the school year on September 1. It failed to stop all fighting.

"We are again at a crossroads," Steinmeier told a briefing. "We see a small sliver of hope in the back-to-school cease-fire... but it is not enough."

If the cease-fire holds and the agreement is signed as expected, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia could meet in New York next week on the sidelines of a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

That could prepare the way for a meeting of the leaders of the four "Normandy format" countries for the first time since October 2015.

Minsk deal stalled

"The presence of Jean-Marc and Frank-Walter here in Kyiv is evidence that the Normandy format works, that we must together force Russia to implement the Minsk agreements," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said at the briefing.

France and Germany helped broker the 18-month-old Minsk peace deal. Many of its key points, such as holding regional elections and returning control of Ukraine's border with Russia to Kyiv, have long been stalled.

"We understand that to implement the Minsk agreements, to force Russia to implement them, we need a clear idea of the sequence of steps and guarantees of their implementation from Russia," he said.

Moscow denies accusations by Ukraine and NATO that it helps the separatists with troops and arms in a rebellion in which over 9,500 people have been killed since spring 2014.

Ayrault and Steinmeier emphasized their support for Ukraine and their rejection of Russia's annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2014. Steinmeier said that as the OSCE did not recognize the annexation, it would not send observers to Russian parliamentary elections planned in Crimea on September 18.

Making his own separate trip to Kyiv, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Wednesday it was crucial for the West to maintain sanctions against Russia.

"Clearly it's up to the Russians primarily to make progress on the security side. But it's up to all sides I think in this conversation to make progress together," he said at a briefing.
Armed forces have agreed to accept the Seventh Pay Commission salaries while the government will still be working towards addressing anomalies.

By Manjeet Negi: Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar following Parrikar asking the defence service chiefs to implement the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations despite their genuine objections.

Armed forces have agreed to accept the Seventh Pay Commission salaries while the government will still be working towards addressing anomalies.

PARRIKAR MAY MEET MODI



Services are likely to issue notification for salary disbursal and pay commission acceptance soon. Parrikar may meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the issues raised by the Defence forces.

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Also read:

Seventh Pay Commission: Captain Amarinder asks Parrikar to stand by Defence forces



Last week, the three services - Army, Navy and the Air Force - had issued an open signal to servicemen informing them about the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission being kept in abeyance till anomalies are addressed.

GRIEVANCES OF THE FORCES

The major grievances of the forces include not being allowed non-functional upgrade (NFU) available to the bureaucracts. NFU allows bureaucrats who have been passed over to get a higher pay as soon as their batchmates make it to the next rank and a pay matrix that is separate from the civilians.

The government has formed an anomalies commission to look to into these issues. The military gets pension when no other service gets pension anymore, besides this, the military has been given One Rank One Pension (OROP), which is not available to any other service.

Sources say that government employees are likely to get a pay hike between 15-20 per cent over their current compensation.

Over 98.4 lakh government employees will be impacted by the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations. This figure includes 52 lakh pensioners.

--- ENDS ---
Musician "Trombone Shorty,'' known for his work to preserve the musical heritage of New Orleans, is one of five people being honored Wednesday with $250,000 prizes from the Heinz Family Foundation.



The Heinz Awards recognize innovative work in the arts, environment, human condition, public policy and economics categories.



Troy "Trombone Shorty'' Andrews started a foundation to provide New Orleans schools will musical instruments and a self-named music academy, where he created a music performance curriculum. He's also worked with Tulane University to provide musical training to talented high school musicians.



Other winners include Michelle Alexander, a civil rights attorney from Columbus, Ohio, who wrote the book, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.''



The foundation was started by Teresa Heinz to honor her late husband, U.S. Sen. John Heinz.
India promised $1billion in development aid to Afghanistan Wednesday during Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's two-day trip to New Delhi.

Officials from the two countries also signed three agreements, including a treaty that would allow them to extradite criminals, economic offenders and people linked to terrorist activity.



The atmosphere for this visit was in marked contrast to the last time Ghani was in New Delhi. During a visit in April of last year, he received a cold reception. At the time, Ghani was courting Indias rival, Pakistan, in a bid to improve the security situation in Afghanistan. He was hoping Pakistan would use its influence to bring the Afghan Taliban to the table to negotiate peace in Afghanistan.



Pakistan says it has limited influence with the Taliban and cannot force them beyond a certain point without facing resistance.



Since then, the Afghan president appears to have given up on Pakistan and has tilted toward India, in a move that has irked Islamabad. Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have been on the decline just as Afghanistans relations with India have improved.



Terrorism challenge



This was the eighth meeting between the Afghan leader and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who have also been in frequent contact via telephone or video conferences.



A large part of the discussion was devoted to the challenge of terrorism, according to Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar about the Wednesday meeting.



The two sides agreed that the use of terrorism as a tool to achieve political objectives was the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond, according to a joint statement.



The statement added, They called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India. This was an apparent reference to neighboring Pakistan, whom both have accused of sponsoring or supporting terrorism in the region - charges Islamabad denies.



While the statement held references to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defense cooperation, it did not mention any specific defense aid that India might provide Afghanistan at this time.



In the past, India has been hesitant in providing Afghanistan with arms or military equipment, focusing more on development assistance, mostly under pressure from the United States, so as not to alarm Islamabad.



However, this might not be the case in the future, according to Suhasini Haidar, the diplomatic editor of The Hindu, Indias leading English language daily.



Gen. John Nicholson, the commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, in a visit to India last month, expressed hope that India would assume a greater role in security assistance in Afghanistan.



Regional connectivity



Separately, Afghan and Indian officials also stressed the need to expedite the implementation of a trilateral agreement with Iran, involving a port at the Iranian city of Chabahar, that would enhance regional connectivity for Afghanistan but also allow it to bypass its neighbor Pakistan, which has given it limited access for direct trade with India.



President Ghani recently threatened to block Pakistans transit trade to Central Asia through Afghanistan if it did not allow Afghanistan to trade with India through Pakistan, the shortest land route between India and Afghanistan.



Pakistan allows trucks carrying Afghan fruit to the Indian border but not to return with Indian goods.



President Ghani also accepted Indian Prime Minister Modis invitation to attend the inauguration of a ministerial conference in December of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process, a regional grouping led by Turkey to help resolve Afghanistans security and development challenges. This year's conference is set to take place in Amritsar, India.
The Indonesian environment ministry has denied the Aceh provincial governments proposal to rezone part of Mount Leuser National Park for geothermal development, saving the lives of the tigers, orangutans, elephants and rhinos who co-exist there.

According to the environmental conservation group Mongobay, the ministry rejected Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah's plea that 8,000 hectares of the parks core zone be changed to a utilization zone so that a Turkish company, Hitay Holdings, could pursue geothermal energy development there. In an August letter, Abdullah noted that the project would help President Joko Widodo, who has pledged to add 35,000 megawatts of electricity to Indonesias skimpy energy grid by 2020.

Environmentalists, however, worried that such development would start a chain reaction leading to Leusers collapse  one authorities would be powerless to stop.

Anywhere you put roads, destruction follows, said Farwiza Farhan, chairwoman of Forest, Nature and Environment of Aceh, a nongovernmental organization. She said timber interests and small farmers used such roads to exploit forests previously inaccessible, leading to habitat loss.

Right now it is geothermal, but whats next? Even now, they [the authorities] cant protect Leuser, Farhan said.

Despite federal conservation laws, recent decades have seen illegal encroachment and logging whittle Leuser by about 5,500 hectares a year.

The Aceh governments geothermal plans had focused on part of the Kappi Plateau, a 150,000-hectare expanse considered Leusers most indispensable landscape.

Kappi contains some of the best forests remaining in the world, said Rudi Putra, founder of the Leuser Conservation Forum.

The areas many salt lakes and fruit-bearing trees, he added, make it an ideal habitat for creatures large and small. Some 200 endangered Sumatran elephants that occupy the plateau  about 10 percent of the worlds remaining population  would be imperiled if the geothermal plans were to go through.
U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday lifted decade-old sanctions against Ivory Coast, the world's biggest cocoa producer, citing a successful presidential election last year and its progress in tackling illegal trafficking of arms and natural resources.

The sanctions were imposed in February 2006 under President George W. Bush against Ivory Coast political figures for blocking a 2003 peace process. The country had been split in two since a 2002 civil war launched by rebels against then president Laurent Gbagbo.

Wednesday's move follows the lifting of a 12-year-old arms embargo, asset freezes and travel bans against six individuals by the U.N. Security Council in April, including against Gbagbo, who is on trial before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

"Cote d'Ivoire [Ivory Coast] has taken important steps to strengthen its governing and economic institutions and reconcile the differences that led to war," White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

"Challenges remain as the country continues to tackle difficult land reform issues and works to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are felt throughout the Ivoirian population," he said.

Five years after the country's civil war that followed a 2010 presidential election, Ivory Coast has been reborn as one of Africa's economic stars and held up by many as a model of post-conflict reconstruction.

Deep-seated tensions between supporters of Gbagbo and President Alassane Ouattara, who won the war with French backing, continue to simmer, however.
If all goes well, NASA will launch one of its most audacious missions in less than a decade.

It's called the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM). NASA and White House officials gave an online preview of the mission and also explained how it folds into the larger goal of getting humans to Mars.

ARM is a robotic spacecraft that officials hope will be launched into space in the next few years and make its way to a "near-Earth asteroid." To that end, the mission is similar to the OSIRIS-REx mission that was launched last week and is headed toward the potentially dangerous asteroid Bennu.

But ARM is much larger in scale, and will be testing a number of new NASA technologies that will be part of the greater manned Mars mission.

'Solar electric propulsion'

The engines on the ARM spacecraft represent the first big step forward. They employ a new propulsion system called Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP), which will use the energy of the sun to create electromagnetic fields that will "accelerate and expel charged atoms" to push ARM toward the asteroid.

SEP uses a lot less chemical propellant than the engines NASA used on the shuttle, for instance.

ARM will land on the selected asteroid to collect samples, which NASA scientist Michele Gates said may be as much as 20 percent water. The asteroid's makeup will help in the continuing study of the early days of our solar system, and Gates says the samples could be "volatile rich," containing nitrogen, carbon dioxide and ammonia.

Altering asteroid's orbit

The planned landing site is directly on top of a boulder, perhaps as heavy as 20 tons. The spacecraft will wrap three metal arms around the big rock, lift it off the surface and blast back off into space.

And then, in a test of technology NASA administrator Charlie Bolden said would prove that we're "smarter than the dinosaurs," the ARM spacecraft will attempt to alter the trajectory of the asteroid. It is a test to see if we can avoid getting hit by a massive asteroid like the one that struck Earth millions of years ago and ended the age of the dinosaurs.

The ARM spacecraft, now dragging the huge boulder, will spin around the asteroid, NASA says, and use "the mass of the spacecraft [and boulder] to impart a gravitational force on the asteroid, slowly altering the asteroids trajectory."

If it works, it could prove the simplest way to protect our planet from what Bolden called "those one-in-a-century" asteroid events like the 1908 Tunguska meteor that exploded in the atmosphere and flattened 2,000 square kilometers of forest in Siberia.

Moon gets its own satellite

Once ARM is done with that attempt to change the orbit of a large body in space, it will head back towards the earth and deposit the boulder it's been carrying in a safe orbit around the moon. The boulder would simply burn up in the atmosphere if it were to accidentally fall to earth.

Once the boulder is circling the moon, sometime in the 2030's, NASA will send a manned mission to collect samples from it using the new Orion spacecraft, and bring them safely back to Earth. This mission and the technologies created by it could open the way for what Bolden calls the potentially lucrative commercial mining of asteroids.

The ARM mission accomplishes another important step in our movement into space, while testing Solar Electric Propulsion, the Orion spacecraft, and a new space launch system for the Mars mission.

Preparing for Mars

NASA Administrator Bolden calls it the second phase of our journey beyond Earth. The first is what he calls "the Earth reliant phase," where everything we do in space starts and ends on Earth.

This new generation of spacecraft will establish us in what he calls a cis-lunar phase, where we can use a stable orbit around the moon and its gentle gravity as a jumping off point for any missions beyond Earth. In the final "earth-independent" phase of planning to go to Mars, Bolden says, we either "need to take stuff with us, get it on the way or make it wherever you go."

Bolden says that third phase is so close he can taste it. And if the timeline stays on target and the expected $1.4 billion worth of funding gets approved, we might have a new rocky neighbor orbiting the moon within a decade.
The U.S. military says three airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria during the last week may have resulted in civilian casualties.

In a statement released Tuesday, the U.S. Central Command said an airstrike near Deir Ez Zur on September 7 struck a non-military vehicle that drove into the target area after a coalition aircraft released its weapons.

On September 10 near Raqqa, a coalition airstrike against an IS target may have resulted in the deaths of civilians nearby.

In a third coalition airstrike September 12 near Ash Shaddadah, what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released.

The statement did not give a number of dead or injured.
Israeli elder statesman Shimon Peres is in serious but stable condition after suffering a major stroke Tuesday. He is in a medically-induced coma at the Intensive Care Unit of a Tel Aviv area hospital after experiencing significant bleeding in the brain.

As the nation nervously watched and waited, Peres survived the night and his condition improved.

All the parameters are stable: blood pressure, heart rate, blood saturation, Peres son-in-law and personal physician Rafi Walden told reporters, adding that this gave him a certain optimism. The chances of survival are pretty good. As for the degree of neurological recovery, nobody can say at this early stage.

Doctors encouraged by test

"We are happy to remark that when the sedation was a little lessened he was reactive," Walden said. "We'll keep very close to him during the day; and hopefully next time when the sedation will be lessened we hope we are going to be able to get in touch with him."

Peres is 93 years old and despite suffering a mild heart attack in January, he has been active in public life since then with a grueling schedule. Walden said that prior to the stroke, he was in perfect condition.

Peres has been in the forefront of Israeli public life for nearly 70 years. He served twice as prime minister, along with extended terms as foreign, defense and finance minister.

Ironically, he earned the label the loser because he ran for office five times between 1977 and 1996 but never won a national election. Rather, he inherited the post of prime minister twice, for instance, after Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated in 1995.

Peres losing streak finally ended in 2007 when he won the ceremonial office of president. He was widely acclaimed as an outstanding ambassador for Israel in the role of the moral voice of the nation.

Nobel winner

Peres was a hawk-turned-dove and this was embodied in two key roles. First, in the 1950s, he became the father of Israels nuclear program.

While Israel has never admitted it, experts believe the Jewish state possesses some 200 atomic warheads, making it the only nuclear power in the Middle East. For Peres, and others, the nuclear program serves as the ultimate deterrent for a tiny nation surrounded by Arab and Muslim enemies.

The ultimate about-face came in the 1990s when he became the architect of the historic Oslo Accords with the Palestinians, signed with much fanfare on the White House lawn in 1993. The following year, Peres won the Nobel Peace Prize along with then Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The treaty was revolutionary because most Israelis had long regarded Arafat as an archenemy and arch-terrorist.

At the Nobel ceremony, Peres spoke of a New Middle East ... A Middle East without wars, without enemies, without nuclear warheads ... There was a time when war was fought for lack of choice. Today, peace is the no-choice option.

Under Oslo, Israel handed over the Gaza Strip and six of the largest Arab cities in the West Bank to the newly-established Palestinian Authority headed by Arafat.

But Peres credibility was badly shaken at home after a wave of deadly Palestinian suicide bombings against Israeli civilians. These attacks caused him to lose national elections in 1996 to the hawkish Oslo opponent Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in his fourth term as prime minister today.

When Peres ended his seven-year term as president in 2014, he remained highly visible in public life, meeting foreign diplomats and celebrities, promoting Israeli hi-tech, inventions and products, and sending out frequent posts on his Facebook page. He was especially active in the Peres Center of Peace, which promotes coexistence between Jews and Arabs.
Pakistan continues to be racked by terror and violence despite efforts by the Pakistan military that have marginalized militant groups in some key areas.

"Though the Pakistani army did an excellent job of degrading the capacities of the Pakistani Taliban and other powerful anti-state groups, you have still got terror groups ready to mobilize," said Michael Kugelman, a senior researcher at the Wilson Center, a global policy and research forum in Washington.

In two attacks this week, on the first day of Eid al-Adha, one person was killed and over a dozen injured. In the first attack, a suicide bomber targeted a Shiite mosque in Sindh province, and then a bomb targeted police vehicle in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province.

A suicide bombing in Quetta last month killed over 75 people and injured more than 80. Another suicide attack on a court complex earlier this month killed at least 14 people and wounded about 50 others in Mardan. The Mardan bombing occurred hours after four suicide bombers assaulted a Christian neighborhood in Peshawar.

The attacks came after the Pakistan army announced that a two-year operation against the Pakistani Taliban in the semi-autonomous tribal regions had cleared militant groups from the area.

With terrorists being chased across the country, we are determined not to allow them to return and reverse our gains, Pakistani army spokesman Asim Bajwa recently said on his official Twitter account.

Other threats

But experts say that while the operation has limited attacks by the Pakistani Taliban, other militant groups are capable of striking in the country.

More importantly, and more dangerously as we take a long view of Pakistan's terrorism trajectory, these potent groups in Pakistan still benefit from extremist ideologies, which, despite pledges by the Pakistani government, have not been weakened in a big way, analyst Kugelman said.

He added that Pakistan was rife with the extremist ideologies that fuel terror.

Some Pakistani media and human rights groups have been critical of the Pakistani army for what they call a lack of transparency in its counterterror operations. The isolated western tribal regions that have been a stronghold for militant groups largely remain inaccessible for outsiders. That has left the army's public relations office as the main source of news about the military's operations to clear the region of militant groups.

The army says it killed over 3,500 militants, including many commanders, during the operation.

Restrictions on access to these conflict zones imposed by the government limited the information available to civil society and nongovernmental actors about possible abuses in these areas, the U.S. State Department said in its annual worldwide human rights report.

The lack of transparency masks how deeply militancy has become part of Pakistans social fabric, analysts said.

We need reforms in this country, said Pakistan-based defense analyst Saad Mohammad Khan, a retired military leader. If we want to eliminate the extremist narrative, we must introduce reforms in our education system, madrassas [religious seminaries] and foreign policy  which support extremism.

Punjab province

While the Pakistani government has attempted with mixed results to contain militant groups in northern and western parts of the country, Punjab, the most populous province, remains a harbinger for militant groups. The Pakistan parliament has been embroiled in a debate about why the military does not do more in Punjab to curb militancy.

The military says it consistently tries to uproot militants. Last weekend, Army troops conducted an anti-terror operation between South Punjab and Baluchistan. The military said eight militants were killed.

"Terrorists of all organizations, including Haqqanis, including Afghan Taliban, have been killed and some apprehended ... so if you say that you know actions have not been taken or [are] not being taken, that is wrong, army spokesman Bajwa said recently.

But the U.S. and Pakistans neighbors are demanding that Pakistan do more to curb militancy as Taliban and other militant factions infiltrate Afghanistan from Pakistans porous border

Afghanistan has repeatedly accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani terrorist network. Pakistan has said it has some influence over the group but denies providing sanctuaries to them.

Unless Afghanistan has peace, the region cannot be peaceful, former Pakistani military leader Khan said.
Days before an election expected to extend Kremlin dominance over Russia's parliament, the sole liberal opposition member, Dmitry Gudkov, is waging what he fears is a losing battle for political survival.

His re-election campaign ran out of money this week, he cannot get TV air time, his meetings are disrupted by people shouting him down, and a fake newspaper handed out to voters has cast him as a U.S. stooge involved in a shadowy Jewish-Ukrainian conspiracy to seize power.

Before the funding dried up, Gudkov thought he had an even chance of re-election to the 450-seat Duma, or lower house of parliament, on Sunday despite what he calls a dirty tricks campaign.

But after several promised big campaign contributions failed to materialize, 36-year-old Gudkov  who used to represent the Just Russia party before it expelled him in 2013 for helping to organize anti-Kremlin protests  is not so sure.

"Some donors are not picking up the phone, others have refused. Some have been got to, others have taken fright," he said on social media Wednesday. "We'll have to wind up the campaign headquarters. There's no more money. I will continue to hold voters' meetings ... but this is unlikely to be enough for victory."

His struggle  that of a former establishment insider turned rebel  underlines how difficult it is for anyone outside what the Kremlin regards as the political mainstream to have their voice heard in a tightly-controlled system.

It also shows how the liberal opposition is struggling to compensate for a lack of access to money, state media, and tacit official support by trying to run grassroots campaigns.

Opinion polls suggest Sunday's election, the first to the Duma since a similar vote in 2011 led to street protests in Moscow over allegations of ballot rigging, is unlikely to alter parliament's current makeup radically.

Gudkov, whose father Gennady was expelled from parliament in 2012 after taking part in protests against President Vladimir Putin, has been holding five voter meetings a day in the northwest Moscow district he is contesting.

Always accompanied by two bodyguards after men he called provocateurs tried to draw him into fights at election meetings, he tells voters he wants a change in Russia's leadership and a return to genuine political debate, with less money spent on defense and more on health and education.

Gudkov accuses his rivals of being behind the dirty tricks but is careful not to name names, apparently concerned this would give them an excuse to tie him up in legal actions.

Fighting the tiger

In past elections, anti-Kremlin candidates have complained of coming under the kind of pressure that Gudkov says he is now experiencing.

A former journalist, Gudkov is running for re-election as a candidate of the Yabloko (Apple) party, a liberal opposition group which had some success in the 1990s. It had no seats in the outgoing Duma however, where Gudkov sat as an unaffiliated member.

Gudkov likens the Kremlin to a tiger. At a recent voter meeting outside a crumbling Moscow supermarket in the shadow of drab Soviet-era tower blocks, he told a small audience of pensioners he had to contest the elections despite the odds.

"People tell me these elections are not fair so why bother playing with this tiger," he said. "I say I'm not playing, it's not a game, it's about our lives. I would be delighted to participate in fair elections but they don't exist, so I'll take part in the elections we have."

One woman regularly tried to shout him down, screaming out her support for rival candidates, while others subjected him to hostile questioning about the source of his financing.

Gudkov has been crowd funding his campaign and estimates he has spent around $350,000 so far. That, he says, is at least 3 million roubles ($46,000) short of what was needed to finish his campaign properly. He has used social media to spread his message and, until the money ran out, had hundreds of young people handing out leaflets on his behalf.

Before the funding dried up Wednesday, Gudkov told Reuters why his fortunes mattered. "Russian democrats need a success story," he said. "Young politicians in the regions who really want change don't know how to bring it about. We need a win to show them it's possible."

Familiar faces

As things stand, the ruling United Russia party, led by Putin loyalist Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, has a majority in the Duma and can easily pass any laws it wants.

The other three parties in parliament  the Communists, Just Russia and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia  are formally designated as opposition parties. But when it comes to major legislation, United Russia can rely on their support.

Kremlin critics say they are all pro-Kremlin and exist only to create the illusion of a multi-party democracy in what is a de facto one-party state. The leaders of the three parties, two of whom have been familiar faces to voters for the last 20 years, reject that and say they represent a genuine opposition.

Held during an economic crisis which has eroded living standards, the vote is seen as a dry run for Putin's expected re-election campaign in 2018. Putin has said it's too early to say if he will seek another term.

Pro-Kremlin officials are casting the parliamentary election as the fairest contest of its kind in modern Russian history.

A new head of the central election commission has been appointed and regional and Kremlin officials have been fired in the runup, creating the impression that the ruling elite is renewing itself.

The authorities have also resurrected an old voting system viewed as more equitable, which means that half of parliament will be decided by people voting for individuals with the other half drawn from party lists as usual.

Few doubt United Russia will win, though its margin of victory could be slimmer than in recent elections with some opinion polls showing apathy levels are high and its support lower in places. Some pollsters privately predict it will increase its support nonetheless.

Gudkov says low turnout will play into the Kremlin's hands because it can rely on state workers, whose livelihoods depend on its largesse, delivering a sizeable vote. The lower the turnout, the greater the proportional significance of this bloc.

Waiting game

Politically-related financial problems are something Gudkov says he and his family are used to. Gennady, his father, says he was forced to sell the family business  a sprawling private security firm which employed 4,000 people  for a small fraction of its real value in 2012 after coming under Kremlin pressure for his opposition activities.

The Kremlin denies it uses officialdom to pressure businessmen or politicians into selling assets to settle political scores. Gudkov junior demurs.

"It was revenge for our activities on the street," he said of the sale. "Since we supported people taking to the streets we have faced problems in business, in politics, and in parliament."

On Wednesday, Gudkov made what he said was a last gasp appeal for campaign donations.

But he says time is on his side. "I don't believe the current system has a future because we need to carry out economic reforms. But that's impossible without carrying out political reforms too, and Putin doesn't want to share power.

"That means the system's days are numbered. Their time is coming to an end whereas we are younger. I hope we'll live to see change."
Naqvi has urged the Human Rights Commission and Chief Justice to look into the matter as it violates the principles of natural justice.

By Vidya : Terror accused Abu Jundal's lawyer, Advocate Asif Naqvi has written to the State Human Rights Commission and Chief Justice of Bombay High Court complained against Superintendent of Arthur Road Jail for not allowing him to meet Abu Jundal.



SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

Naqvi in his complaint elaborated a sequence of events that transpired on 13 August. He stated he had gone to the Mumbai jail to collect some important papers from Jundal at 1pm and was made to wait for 2 hours after making an application to the superintendent. After he was allowed inside the jail's second entrance , he was asked to deposit his wallet and mobile phone. However an officer from the jail told him that another advocate Wahab Khan represents Jundal so Naqvi will not be allowed to meet the accused.

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Naqvi lodged a complaint with authorities but they did not relent. Naqvi represented Jundal in the Aurangabad arms haul case in which he was convicted and Jundal had told Naqvi to file an appeal. The original court papers of the case are with Jundal in the jail which is why his lawyer needed access to Jundal to seek instructions and file the appeal in the Bombay High Court.

According to Naqvi, he "received another letter from the jail on September 9. The letter was from Jundal asking me to meet him. But time and again the jail authorities are refusing and not allowing me to meet the accused."

Naqvi has urged the Human Rights Commission and the chief justice to look into the matter as it violates the principles of natural justice.



2 LAWYERS 2 CASES

Advocate Wahab Khan too said that the jail authorities were wrong in denying access to Jundal. "Naqvi has represented Jundal in the Aurangabad arms Haul case. He has the vakalatnama, how can the jail authorities deny access to Naqvi? I am only representing Jundal in the 26/11 trial while another lawyer is representing Jundal in his Delhi case" said Wahab.

Also Read: 2006 Aurangabad arms haul: 26/11 plotter Abu Jundal, 6 others get life sentence

--- ENDS ---
Senators John McCain and Ben Cardin introduced a bipartisan bill Tuesday that will provide increased financial and military aid to Myanmar, also known as Burma, which is nearly a year out from its first democratic election in nearly five decades.

Cardin said the legislation recognizes that the current sanctions levied against the country are based upon a time when the Myanmar government was far more oppressive. He said it grants relief for those sanctions, but also sets out standards for future relations between the U.S. and Myanmar.

It offers economic assistance, it offers ways in which we can have direct involvement people-to-people as well as military-to-military, he told VOA. It also provides further ways in which our two countries can work together.

The Burma Strategy Act of 2016 sets guidelines for sanctions relief and calls on the Secretary of State to modify or lift sanctions going forward based on the countrys progress in making changes to its transparency practices and other good governance goals.

The bill ramps up economic assistance from the U.S. seeks to pressure international financial institutions to support initiatives in Myanmar. It also authorizes the U.S. military to engage Myanmar's soldiers in English language training and other programs designed to reinforce civilian control of the military.

After nearly 50 years of military rule, Burma has achieved a historic milestone with a democratic election and successful transition of power to a civilian-led government. This extraordinary development warrants reconsideration of U.S. policy towards Burma, and this legislation seeks to usher in a new era of relations between our two countries that will support continued progress towards democracy, human rights and peace for the Burmese people, McCain said in a statement.

The introduction of the bill coincides with a visit to the U.S. by Myanmar's State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and long-time human rights activist. Suu Kyi is scheduled to meet with several members of Congress during her visit.

Suu Kyi spent years under house arrest under Myanmar's military dictatorship prior to the 2015 election in which her National League for Democracy party won power. She has two sons who are British citizens, which according to Myanmar's constitution bars her from serving as president, so she was given the title of state counselor and foreign minister instead.
Swedish prosecutors say an Ecuadorian official will interrogate WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on their behalf next month in the South American country's embassy in London.

Assange is accused of rape in an investigation stemming from his visit to Sweden in 2010. He denies the allegations and avoided extradition from Britain in 2012 by seeking asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.



Swedish prosecutors said Wednesday they have received notice from Ecuador that an Ecuadorian prosecutor will question Assange on Oct. 17. They said Swedish investigators will be allowed to be present and ask follow-up questions through the Ecuadorian prosecutor.



The interrogation has been delayed multiple times as the two countries discussed conditions and timing.



Swedish prosecutors say they need to question Assange before deciding whether to formally charge him.
While Iran has said it publicly supports the cease-fire in Syria brokered by the United States and Tehrans ally, Russia, it is not party to the agreement. International observers say that in the long run, they do not see Tehran supporting a full-fledged truce. They predict Iran will continue to engage anti-Syrian-government forces on the battlefield.

Iran and its proxies in Syria, including Lebanese Hezbollah, are equally insistent that Assad must remain in power, while the main Syrian opposition group insists in negotiations that President Bashar al-Assad must step down within six months of a transitional process, said Phillip Smyth, a Syria analyst at the University of Maryland.

Tehran says it will not compromise on Assads status, especially because it has lost hundreds of fighters  including some top commanders  in battles backing Assad.

Key role for Iran

With 8,000 elite troops in Syria, and thousands more fighters from its proxy Hezbollah, Iran has played a key military role in Syrias civil war in support of the Assad regime.

A cease-fire and a suspension of the war is the desire of everyone, Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior Iranian adviser, said in state-run media. However, if the cost of it is that the enemies of the government and people of Syria misuse it, not only will this cease-fire not be successful, but it will be harmful.

Iran has been battling rebel groups in Syria, including Ahrar al-Sham and Jaish Sham, who have called the truce unjust and non-democratic and want Assad ousted. The rebels vow to continue their fight.

This cease-fire is more of a friendly agreement between Russia and the USA as they share common interests. ... Some of the most aggressive groups have rejected it and are not even involved, said Pirouz Mojtahed-Zadeh, a Britain-based Iranian geopolitical analyst and historian.

'Tehran plans no exit'

And it means that Iranian and Hezbollah fighters are likely to engage rebels militarily during the cease-fire, especially in the Damascus area and Aleppo, where Iranian forces have been fighting rebels, analysts say.

Tehran plans no exit from Syria. ... They are entering a new phase of operation, using this cease-fire as a strategic measure to harmonize their future attacks and make them more precise in terms of palpable military conquests, said Amir Houshang Aryanpour, a retired Iranian naval officer in Washington.

There were several breaches of the cease-fire Tuesday, reportedly in areas of Aleppo, Homs and Hama, where Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militias have been heavily involved in battles.

Iranians and their proxy fighters will remain in Syria as long as the Assad government remains in power, said Richard Weitz, a military expert at the Hudson Institute, a domestic and foreign policy research group in Washington.

Tehran and Moscow have been aiding the Assad regime in a dual military strategy: Iran has provided ground troops and Russia has provided air power. Last month, Tehran allowed Russian bombers to conduct raids on Syria from Iranian bases.

Tehran-Moscow strategy?

A temporary cease-fire may be part of the strategy between Tehran and Moscow to help Assad win the war, some experts say. Iranian envoys rushed to Moscow for talks with the Kremlin as soon as the cease-fire was announced last weekend.

I have very little faith in the truce and think the Russians and Iranians will only allow a temporary respite before resuming efforts to retake all of Aleppo and other parts of so-called useful Syria, said Barbara Slavin, acting director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council, an international affairs think tank in Washington.

Neither Assad nor his allies, including Iran and Hezbollah, recognize Sunni groups as legitimate actors in the political scene in Syria.

A cease-fire with the groups that do not have any clear identity, and constantly use new names for themselves to evade being put on the terrorist list and are not loyal to any commitment, is meaningless, said Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Supreme National Security Council of Iran, according to Iranian media.
A decision by Thailands military government to end military trials for most civilian crimes is drawing praise and skepticism from rights activists and lawyers, who say further steps are needed, including a return of freedom of assembly.

Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha issued the order ending the military courts jurisdiction over offenses linked to internal security, sedition, and insulting the Thai Royal Family.

Military control

Soon after coming to power in May 2014, the military initially imposed martial law. But the junta, known as the National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO), later strengthened its hold by way of an interim constitution allowing for trials through military courts.

Since then, the military courts have heard more than 1,500 cases involving more than 1,800 people throughout the country, most on weapons charges.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wonsuwan said the new order reflected the governments confidence over control over the country. But in comments to Thai media, he warned the order would be reinstated if the domestic situation changed.

Rights groups: freedom of assembly must be restored

Angkhana Neelapaichit, a member of the Thai Human Rights Commission, said while the commission welcomed the move, it called on the government to take further measures to advance human rights.

The cases that they will send to the civil court, I think this is very good. For me I think its like the government has come to respect the rights of people more but we have to try more to convince the government to accept the rights of people for freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. It might be the next step, Angkhana said.

The United Nations Human Rights Office for South East Asia (OHCHR) also welcomed the governments decision, but called for the policy change to be applied retroactively.

But Prime Minister Prayut ruled out any transfer of security related cases that are still pending in military courts.

Legal rights advocates also questioned the military courts procedures.

Criticism of military courts

A report by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the Thai Lawyers for Hunan Rights (TLHR) to the U.N. Human Rights Council raised irregularities in the military courts, including a failure to grant public access in some cases as well as long administrative delays.

Kingsley Abbott, an ICJ Asia Pacific representative, said doubts were raised over the military court processes, with the 500 civilian cases still to be heard.

More than 1,000 civilians have already been through that court system and have faced unfair proceedings and unfair trials, and many of whom have been convicted some for merely exercising their rights of freedom of expression or freedom of assembly, Abbott told VOA.

Among those charged include a board member of Amnesty International in Thailand, Baramee Chaiyarat, who is also a coordinator with the non-government group, Assembly of the Poor.

Criticism of royal family not allowed

In cases of Lese Majeste, a crime imposed for insulting the monarchy, a military court imposed sentences of 30 and 28 years in jail for a man and woman arrested after several Facebook posts deemed critical of the Thai Royal Family.

A representative with the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Sirikan Charoensiri, said the military court process was also weakened by questions over its independence.

We have the military government, we have the coup detat, they dare to use the military court over civilians and most of the civilians are those opposed to the regime. Sirikan said. The military court itself is the body under the Ministry of Defense. The defense minister is a member of the NCPO. So this is what I would call the militarization of the justice system.

Military has strong control

Rights lawyers have also claimed that at least 18 people held in military detention since May 2014 have raised allegations of torture.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights say the allegations of mistreatment by the police and military are not being adequately investigated, including charges of the use of electric shocks, mock execution and other death threats.

Rights activists say the Thai military has the power to detain civilians at military camps for up to seven days without charge, while restrictions on freedom of expression remain in place.

But Pornpen Khongkachonkiat, Director of the rights group, Cross Cultural Foundation, fears more people may be facing abuse but are fearful of raising the allegations with authorities.

The system is not supportive. So they tend not to report because they think that further on it will be a bigger problem that will be on them. So the role of us  the human rights defender is to open the space for victims to speak, Pornpen said.
The state of New York has opened an investigation into the family foundation of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump after published reports claimed that he has not donated any money to the charity since 2008 and once used the foundation's money to buy a life-sized portrait of himself.

"We have been concerned that the Trump Foundation has engaged in impropriety," New York's top law enforcement official, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, said Tuesday. He previously had alleged that the real estate investment courses that Trump promoted at Trump University amounted to "straight up fraud" because students were taught little after paying thousands of dollars in tuition. Trump has rejected those accusations.

The family foundations operated by Trump and his Democratic opponent, former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton, have figured prominently in their 2016 campaigns leading to the November 8 national election to pick the successor to President Barack Obama. Republicans have accused Clinton of operating a "pay to play" scheme, giving wealthy Clinton Foundation donors access to officials at the State Department while she served as the country's top diplomat from 2009 to 2013.

Schneiderman said, "We have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York." Democrats in the House of Representatives also asked the national government's Justice Department to investigate the circumstances of Trump's $25,000 political donation to the Florida attorney general at a time when her office was deciding whether to open a probe of Trump University operations and then did not.

Left-wing hit job

Trump called Schneiderman's new investigation "another left-wing hit job."

The Washington Post reported that Trump spent $20,000 that had been set aside for charitable purposes to buy a 1.8-meter painting of himself.

President Barack Obama, in a rousing endorsement of Clinton as his successor at a rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, praised her family's charitable work while mocking Trump's.



You want to debate foundations and charities? he asked. One candidates family foundation has saved countless lives around the world. The other candidates foundation took money other people gave to his charity and then bought a six-foot tall painting of himself.

He joked, I mean, he had the taste not to go for the 10-foot version.

The back-and-forth accusations over the Trump and Clinton foundations came as leaked emails from Colin Powell, another former U.S. secretary of state who served under Republican presidents, showed him offering negative views about both candidates.

National disgrace

In one June email, Powell called Trump a "national disgrace and an international pariah."

In another message, he complained about Clinton's handling of emails using her unsecured private email server rather than a more secure government server while she was at the State Department. He complained she was trying to link her email system to the somewhat similar way Powell handled his email when he was secretary of state from 2001 to 2005.

"Everything [Clinton] touches she kind of screws up with hubris," Powell wrote last year. In another one, in early 2016, he said, "I didn't tell Hillary to have a private server at home, connected to the Clinton Foundation, two contractors, took away 60,000 emails, had her own domain."

Clinton has repeatedly said she made a mistake in using the private email server. U.S. investigators concluded in July that she was "extremely careless" in her handling of national security material in the emails but that no criminal charges were warranted.

Clinton remained off the campaign trail for a third day Wednesday as she recuperates at her New York home from pneumonia. Aides said she plans to resume campaigning Thursday with a speech in the mid-Atlantic state of North Carolina, one of numerous closely-contested states where she and Trump have made frequent appearances.

National polls continue to show Trump closing the 8-percentage-point advantage Clinton enjoyed last month, now down to a 2-point edge.

Trump and Clinton square off in the first of three planned face-to-face debates on September 26, with the other two set for October.
Facebook and Twitter have teamed up with nearly 30 other companies to tackle a growing trend of "fake news" circulating on social media, the group announced Wednesday.

First Draft Coalition, a group formed in June 2015 which includes the New York Times, Washington Post, Buzzfeed News, Agence France Presse, and CNN as well as the two social media giants, said it will work together to improve the overall quality of news found on the internet.

The group announced a number of initiatives, such as creating a voluntary code of practice, promoting news literacy among social media users, and launching a platform in October that will allow members to verify questionable news stories.

The trend of fake news caught the public's attention when Facebook announced that its "trending news" feature would be decided by an algorithm instead of human editors.

Some unsubstantiated reports have still circulated, raising questions about the algorithm and the vulnerability of such programs to hoax articles posted with the intent of generating online ad revenue.
Investing in rural areas is crucial to slowing the migration of millions of desperate people from farms to city slums, helping to end poverty and boosting the economies of developing countries, a U.N. agency said Wednesday.

Three quarters of the world's poorest and hungriest people live in rural areas, yet these are often ignored by governments and development experts, the U.N. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said.

Small farmers produce 80 percent of the food eaten in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, and 2.5 billion people worldwide depend directly on small farms for their incomes, the agency said.

"The development community needs to ... redouble efforts to help them to achieve dignified and prosperous livelihoods ... free from hunger and filled with hope," IFAD president Kanayo Nwanze said at the launch of the 2016 Rural Development Report.

Many governments and experts think of development in terms of urbanization and the growth of industries and services, said IFAD's Paul Winters, who heads the team that wrote the report.

More than 50 percent of the world's population now lives in cities, a rise from 33 percent in 1960, according to the World Bank.

"My big concern is countries are basically going to ignore the rural sector  and the fact that a huge number of the unemployed and the poor are in rural areas," said Winters, head of IFAD's research and impact assessment division.

"They're basically going to export poor people from rural areas to urban slums  and that's a failure of policy," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview.

IFAD's report studied 60 countries and found that economic growth alone was not enough to tackle rural poverty. Policies and investment by governments and businesses were also necessary.

Countries which had developed their rural areas the most included China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Ecuador, Cameroon, Malawi, Mozambique and Ethiopia.

Last year, world leaders committed to an ambitious plan to end poverty and hunger by 2030.

But these goals will not be met unless governments and the private sector invest more in technology, communications and better roads in rural areas while helping small farmers meet the demands of growing urban populations and large food businesses, development experts said.

"Rural transformation is not automatic. It is a choice," said Nwanze, who was awarded last week the first Africa Food Prize, which recognizes those leading efforts to transform farming in Africa.
U.S. officials said the United States would sign a record 10-year multibillion-dollar security assistance deal with Israel on Wednesday  "the single largest pledge of bilateral military assistance in U.S. history."

The State Department confirmed the deal Tuesday, without placing a dollar figure on the aid package. But sources close to the deal said it was valued at $38 billion. The current 10-year package, which expires in 2018, is valued at $31 billion. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu originally sought $4.5 billion annually.

U.S. officials said the new deal would phase out Israel's ability to spend part of the U.S. funding on Israeli military products. Instead, it would require the Jewish state to buy U.S.-made weaponry. It also would end Israel's practice of seeking additional funds from Congress beyond what had been guaranteed in earlier packages.

Israel's chief negotiator, Jacob Nagel, the acting head of Netanyahu's national security council, was reported to be in Washington ahead of the signing ceremony. He was expected to sign the deal with U.S. Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon.

Negotiations leading to the deal were largely concluded weeks ago. But the package was delayed over a dispute between the Obama administration and a key U.S. lawmaker, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who had argued for a more generous and less restrictive aid package.

The Washington Post reported Sunday that the dispute centered on disagreement about funds for Israeli missile defense. The Obama administration insisted on limiting missile defense spending to $500 million a year, and on including that sum in the annual aid disbursement. Graham, whose Senate appropriations subcommittee oversees foreign aid, wanted to retain the practice that allowed Israel to lobby Congress for ad hoc disbursements earmarked for missile defense.

U.S. lawmakers in recent years have provided Israel with up to $600 million in discretionary funding for missile defense.
Widespread corruption in Afghanistan has substantially undermined U.S. efforts to rebuild the county, according to a report released Wednesday

The U.S. government's Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko said corruption has fueled grievances against the Afghan government and channeled material support to the insurgency from the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sopko's report says corruption remains an enormous challenge to security, political stability, and development, and urges the U.S. mission to make anticorruption efforts a top priority.

The report offers a number of recommendations for implementing a U.S. interagency anticorruption strategy in Afghanistan.

Although the United States injected tens of billions of dollars into the Afghan economy, it contributed to the growth of corruption by being slow to recognize the magnitude of the problem, the role of corrupt patronage networks, and the ways in which corruption threatened core U.S. goals. It said certain U.S. policies and practices exacerbated the problem.



Endemic problem

The report titled, "Corruption in Conflict: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan,'' quoted Ambassador Ryan Crocker, who re-opened the U.S. Embassy in Kabul soon after the September 11, 2001, attacks and served again as ambassador in 2011-2012 (and who is a member of Broadcasting Board of Governors which oversees U.S. international broadcasting, including the Voice of America) as saying that "the ultimate point of failure for our efforts ... wasn't an insurgency. It was the weight of endemic corruption.''



"The corruption lens has got to be in place at the outset, and even before the outset, in the formulation of reconstruction and development strategy, because once it gets to the level I saw, it's somewhere between unbelievably hard and outright impossible to fix,'' Crocker said.
The United States and Israel signed a landmark 10-year military assistance agreement Wednesday, as U.S. lawmakers of both political parties stressed that Congress will determine actual aid levels to the Jewish state.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) promises to provide Israel with a record $38 billion from 2019 through 2028, boosting the yearly commitment from $3 billion to $3.3 billion and locking in an additional $500 million annually for Israeli missile defense.

White House National Security Advisor Susan Rice underscored the ironclad bond between the United States and Israel at a signing ceremony held at the State Department.

This [MOU] marks a significant increase over our existing funding, and it will ensure that Israel has the support it needs to defend itself, by itself, and to preserve its qualitative military edge, Rice said.

Representing Israel was Acting National Security Advisor Jacob Nagel, who said the aid package "strikes the right balance between the needs and capabilities of both countries and enables Israel to better defend itself, by itself against any threat.

Nagel said the MOU will fund a robust missile defense to counter threats in the region.



Backdoor effort

The aid package was the product of months of delicate negotiations between the U.S. and Israel, and included stipulations that rankled some U.S. lawmakers. Israel agreed to use the aid to buy American-made weaponry and agreed not to lobby Congress for additional funds.

That is a backdoor effort to basically take over the appropriations process, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told VOA. Under this construct, Congress has been dealt out, and I will not accept that.

The MOU is not binding on Congress. Its an annual appropriation, added Graham, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee.

On that point, the Senates second most powerful Democrat agreed.

The actual funding is going to be subject to congressional action, said Minority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois. They [the administration] can make a recommendation of what we expect to give to Israel, but Congress makes the final decision.

Graham said the MOU provides Israel with certainty about the assistance it will receive, but at levels below the $4 billion in total military assistance that committees in both houses of the Republican-led Congress formulated for 2018.

Its hard for me to believe that in 2018 the conditions in the Mideast are going to be such that we need to lock in a lower [aid] number, Graham said. I think its nickel-and-diming Israel.

Durbin was more upbeat on the MOU.

I am prepared to support it, he said. We stand behind Israels right to exist."



U.S. commitment unwavering

The signing ceremony provided a rare moment of congeniality between the Obama administration and the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a statement, President Barack Obama said the MOU underscores that the United States has been Israels greatest friend and partner. This commitment to Israels security has been unwavering and is based on a genuine and abiding concern for the welfare of the Israeli people and the future of the State of Israel.

Obama restated Americas commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, adding that the MOU will help further a core U.S. objective: that Israelis can live alongside their neighbors in peace and security.

The president is a true friend of Israel, Durbin said. Its also true that he disagrees with some of the policy decisions made by the Netanyahu government, particularly when it comes to settlements and negotiations.

But the president has been committed to Israel. This memorandum of understanding is a long-term commitment by our nation to continue this alliance, the Democratic senator added.

I wish the administration had been as hard on the Iranians as they have been on Israel, Graham complained. They are walking on bended knee through glass to keep the Iranian agreement thats a disaster. They are accommodating Iran at every turn, but they are grinding Israel down here.

VOA's Nike Ching contributed to this report from the State Department.
By PTI: at DCW

New Delhi, Sep 14 (PTI) The Anti Corruption Branch has sent a notice to DCW chief Swati Maliwal informing her that she will be questioned next week in connection with a complaint of illegal recruitments at the womens panel.

ACB chief Mukesh Kumar Meena confirmed that a notice had been sent to Maliwal.

"She has been sent a notice informing that the ACB officials will be visiting the DCW office on Monday at 11 AM to question her," said an ACB official.

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When contacted, the Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) said that it has not received any notice till now.

The probe has been taken up by the ACB on a complaint by former DCW chief Barkha Shukla Singh.

In her complaint, Singh had claimed that several AAP supporters were given plum posts in the womens panel.

Last month, ACB officials had visited the DCW office to collect certain documents pertaining to two complaints: one alleging "nepotism and favouritism" by Maliwal in appointing employees to the body and the other about "misuse" of her official position.

This time, the questioning will be pertaining to the complaint by Barkha, said the officer.

Earlier, Maliwal had rubbished the allegations, saying the staff is needed in her office considering the number of cases the womens panel handles.

"During her tenure of nine years in DCW, Barkha Shukla Singh handled only one case. During this period, the commission made no recommendation to the government and conducted only six visits despite having a staff of about 50 officers," she had said.

Singh, in her complaint, listed named of 85 people who, she claimed, got jobs "without requisite credentials". PTI SLB GJS SMN

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President Barack Obama has announced that the United States is prepared to lift economic sanctions on Myanmar, following talks at the White House with the country's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

After their meeting Wednesday, both leaders spoke to reporters in the Oval Office. Citing that countrys remarkable social and political transformation, Obama said, "The United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma for quite some time.

After their remarks, a reporter shouted a question at the president about the timeline for lifting U.S. economic sanctions, and Obama replied, Soon.

WATCH: Obama on Aung San Suu Kyi's outreach to ethnic minorities

Earlier, he sent a letter to Congress saying the administration is moving to restore trade benefits to Myanmar that were suspended more than two decades ago because of human rights abuses.

Speaking alongside Obama, Aung San Suu Kyi thanked him personally for being the first U.S. president to visit Myanmar. She also thanked the Congress for putting pressure on Myanmar to restore human rights.

But she said the time has now come for the U.S. to lift all sanctions, saying unity also needs prosperity, because people, when they have to fight over limited resources, forget that standing together is important.

She pleaded for people to visit and invest in the country, saying, I expect businessmen to come to our country to make profits. She said she expects Myanmars legislature to pass a new investment law she hopes will be very attractive to countries around the world.

Aung San Suu Kyi acknowledged that while Myanmar has made progress in its transition to democracy, there is "so much that has to be done." She cited continuing tensions among its135 ethnic groups, and said her administration is focused on the situation in Rakhine state, saying "communal strife is not something we can ignore."

WATCH: Aung San Suu Kyi on importance of national reconciliation

Some human rights leaders say it is too soon to lift sanctions on Myanmar because the governments human rights record has been mixed, particularly with regard to the rights of religious minorities and its indifference to the suffering of the Rohingyas.

The White House says Aung San Suu Kyi has made significant progress on these human rights concerns since she took office six months ago. Obama conceded there is a lot of work that remains to be done, but marveled at how far Myanmar has come.

If you predicted five years ago Aung San Suu Kyi would now be here sitting as the dually elected representative of her country, many people would have been skeptical. But it is a good news story in an era in which so often we see countries going in the opposite direction."

Obama urged Americans to travel to Myanmar, saying it is a beautiful country with a rich culture and wonderful people.

Congressional meetings

Aung San Suu Kyi also is meeting with key members of Congress during this visit, and is likely also to try to persuade them this is the right time to lift economic sanctions.

But after a breakfast meeting Wednesday with some congressional leaders at Vice President Joe Bidens residence, influential Republican Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker put out this statement:

While we certainly appreciate the work Aung San Suu Kyi has done to ensure a democratic transition in Burma, I am somewhat appalled by her dismissive reaction to concerns I raised this morning about the problem of human trafficking in her country. After witnessing her lack of regard for Burmas dismal track record on this issue, I plan to pay very close attention to her governments efforts to prevent innocent human beings from being trafficked and sold into forced labor and sex slavery.

Corker has been a leading advocate in the Senate against global human trafficking.

This was Aung San Suu Kyi's first visit to the U.S. as state counselor and foreign minister  a position she assumed after her party's decisive win in last November's elections. The country's military era constitution bars her from holding the title of president because her late husband and children are foreign citizens.

Myanmar's de facto leader

Aung San Suu Kyi spent more than 20 years under house arrest in the country formerly known as Burma. Her meeting with Obama in the Oval Office is viewed as another clear indication that she is Myanmars de facto civilian leader.

Over the past 20 years, the White House and Congress have maintained a long list of sanctions on Myanmar, including restrictions on jade and gemstones, and on businesses linked to the sales of arms and illegal drugs. Obama eased some of those sanctions in 2013.
It seems simple enough: Find out what young Americans know about the world and their place in it.

So, earlier this year, the Council on Foreign Relations and National Geographic commissioned a survey "to gauge what young people educated in American colleges and universities know about geography, the environment, demographics, U.S. foreign policy, recent international events and economics."

Well, evidently, it wasn't that simple, because most of the students who took the survey failed miserably.

Go here to test yourself take a shorter version of 75 question survey.

General knowledge?

The survey was given to more than 1,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 26 who had attended a college or university. It asked a broad series of questions on issues that the surveyors believe should be general knowledge for all U.S. college students.

And putting aside who's to blame, the students didn't know most of the answers.

Quoting from the foreword of the study, "Only 28 percent of respondents knew that the United States is bound by treaty to protect Japan if it is attacked. Meanwhile, only 30 percent knew that the constitutional authority to declare war rests in the legislative branch of the U.S. government."

And only 29 percent were able to pinpoint Indonesia as being a Muslim-majority country when offered the choice alongside South Africa, Armenia and India.

Downside of internet

Part of the problem, according to the surveyors, is that it's becoming harder to get good, solid, authoritative information about what is going on in the world, thanks to the internet.

"People don't know what to believe anymore, so right now, when you go online, you never have to encounter anything that is different from your worldview because it is coming into your news feed," said Susan Goldberg of the National Geographic Society. "You're not going through a newspaper, going through looking at headlines, saying, Isn't that interesting? I don't agree with that. "

Another problem, according to Richard Haass of the Council on Foreign Relations, is that this kind of material isn't being pushed on students in the classroom. "The problem is schools do not require that students take these courses in order to graduate," he said. "There is a fundamental difference between offering a course and requiring it."

If such information isnt required in the curriculum, the surveyor says, the country will end up with more leaders like Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson, who had no idea where, or even what, the city of Aleppo, Syria, was when asked about it during an interview.

"We as a society need to challenge a candidate who doesn't know what Aleppo is," Haass said, "or who does not know basic issues, whether it is about immigration or trade or American obligations around the world."

The upside

It's not all bad news.

The students surveyed had an improving grasp of geography and some of the most important issues facing the planet, such as global warming and renewable energy. And they acknowledged the importance of the material they were being asked about, even though they didn't know much about it.

To Haass, that suggests the solution is finding ways to get them good information, both in school and online. To help, the Council on Foreign Relations is creating a new initiative called CFR Campus, designed "to build the essential knowledge, skills and perspective that form the backbone of global literacy."

The National Geographic Society has long pushed international literacy with its annual Geography Bee and funding for exploration.

But for Haass, it's about the U.S. being able to continue what he says is the proactive leadership role the nation plays around the world.

"There's no alternative to a successful, orderly world where the United States plays a large role," he said. "But then we have to have the young men and women prepared to play those significant roles, and this study suggests that we are not producing them in significant numbers or proportions to fill those needs."
Venezuela on Wednesday decried a decision that could see it suspended from the Mercosur trade bloc as the crisis-stricken leftist country grows increasingly isolated in South America.

Socialist-led Venezuela has been at the center of a fight over the rotating presidency of Mercosur and has lost its weight in the once staunchly leftist bloc.

The founding members of Mercosur will give Venezuela until December 1 to meet its membership requirements or be suspended from the bloc, said the Foreign Ministry of Brazil, which like several other countries in the region has recently shifted to the right.

"Trying to destroy Mercosur via illegal ruses is a reflection of intolerant politics and the desperation of bureaucrats," Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said on Twitter.

All Mercosur members but Uruguay blocked Venezuela from assuming the rotating presidency in June, accusing the OPEC nation of failing to incorporate a joint economic accord and a commitment to protect human rights.

Brazil's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the ultimatum for Venezuela was meant to "preserve and strengthen Mercosur."

The bickering over leadership has stalled Mercosur's everyday operations and trade negotiations with other countries, ultimately forcing Uruguay to accept a tougher stance against Venezuela, a Brazilian official familiar with the matter said.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc officially started his high-profile visit with Chinese officials in Beijing Monday, amid simmering tension over the territorially-contested South China Sea issue.

The first official visit to China by a Vietnamese premier in six years, Phucs trip came at the invitation of Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang. Vietnamese and Chinese media are reporting that Phuc and Li jointly pledged to "manage maritime differences" and "maintain peace and stability" at a Monday news conference that followed wide-ranging talks at the Great Hall of the People.

Phuc's visit coincides with the launch of annual Sino-Russian naval drills, which, according to Chinese military officials, will include simulated "seizure and control" of contested islands and shoals. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the training exercises aren't "against any third party.

State Department spokesman John Kirby addressed the Chinese-Russian wargames Monday, saying the U.S. doesn't perceive them as a threat.

"The only thing we are mindful of is that the exercise should be in accordance with international law, not raising tensions," he said.

Duong Danh Dy, a former senior Vietnamese diplomat who once worked as general consul in Guangzhou, says the invite extended to Phuc clearly shows that China wants to ease tensions.

Vietnams capacity is growing, so it cannot be ignored in the disputes over the South China Sea, he said, adding that Vietnam is not an important factor in Beijing-Moscow relations.

Trust-building

Some view Phuc's visit as part of Vietnam's trust-building efforts with its northern neighbor  the most populous country in the world  part of a comprehensive diplomatic campaign to gather support from the international community.

In a keynote speech during his visit to Singapore last month, Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang warned that any countries that engage in armed conflict over the resource rich waterway will be destined to lose more than they would gain from combat. He did not mention any country by name.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Xuan Cuong, head of the Institute of Chinese Studies, says the two nations are facing both opportunities and challenges.

The two sides still have differences over the South China Sea issue," he said. "The visit is a chance for them to find solutions and strengthen mutual trust.

But Dy, the former diplomat, says it may be a long time before the two nations find common ground amid conflicting claims of maritime sovereignty.

Building trust will never happen," he said. "They only make [an] effort to prevent wars from breaking out. Thats it.

The news portal of the Vietnamese government quoted Phuc as saying that he would engage with Chinese officials on exchanging measures to stabilize relations between the two countries.

During talks, both premiers witnessed the signing of agreements on trade, production capacity, infrastructure, education and tourism.

Phuc is on his first official visit to China since assuming office in April.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOA's Vietnamese Service.
Tajamuka-Sesijikile spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi, has been granted $100 bail by the High Court after spending about a month in remand prison.

He was arrested by the police who accused him of being part of a group of political activists that set on fire a police vehicle during recent riots in the capital city over the deteriorating social and economic situation in Zimbabwe.

His lawyers have dismissed the allegations as trumped up charges.

Meanwhile, the activist group Tajamuka-Sesijikile released gory pictures of renowned and award-winning actor, Silvanos Mudzvova, who was allegedly abducted by unknown assailants at 11pm yesterday, beaten up and left stranded at Nharira Hills, a few kilometres outside Harare.

In the pictures, Mudzvova has lacerations all over his body and an injured right toe with a peeled skin.

Mudzvova was reportedly abducted at gunpoint by six armed men from his home.

The abduction of Mudzvova came at a time when President Robert Mugabe threatened to punish people protesting against his government.
Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

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By PTI: Visakhapatnam, Sep 14 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said he accepted special financial package from the Centre with hope that it will be in the interest of the state.

"I accepted the special package for the sake of development of Andhra Pradesh with hope that it will be good for state," Naidu told students of a college here.

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Naidu has been under fire from opposition parties for "failing" to secure the special category status for Andhra Pradesh post its division in 2014.

The special package announced by BJP-led NDA government at Centre last week includes full funding of Pollavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance.

Andhra Pradesh suffered financially because of creation of separate state of Telengana in June 2014.

BJP is an ally of TDP in Andhra Pradesh as well at Centre.

Referring to criticism by opposition parties, the Chief Minister said, "I am not scared of any high command. Public is my high command. I fear only for the problems and thats why I have accepted the special package."

He also defended Union minister and BJP leader from state M Venkaiah Naidu who has been target of opposition for "failure" to get special category status. PTI CORR NSK DIP RDS

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The plane Su-34 is produced by Russian Sukhoi aircraft corporation, weighs 45 t, carrying 8 tons of weapons with a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, with a ceiling of 18,000 m and a tactical radius of 4,000 km. Su-34 bombers have been tested in actual fighting in Syria, launching bombs and rockets directed by laser, infrared beams, TV, GPS. One of the conclusions drawn by Russian military experts, was to expand the capabilities of this aircraft ground attack missions, to replace the armored Su-25 planes, whose resource is running out.

Russian military aviation has 100 planes Su-34, so that until 2022, when 100 Su-25 unmodernized and 150 Su-24 unmodernized, will be withdrawn from the endowment, the number of Su-34 will rise to reach 250.

In close support missions, the aircraft Su-34 should enter into range of portable surface to air missiles (MANPADS), anti-aircraft artillery caliber machine guns and small endowment land forces. To counter this, the Su-34 will need armor plates to protect the flight deck, engines, fuel tanks and flight control vital mainframe systems. Dome cabin and its front window must also armored. Armor plates will be made of titanium with a thickness of 15 to 30 mm, nylon coated with multilayer (which stop fragments resulting from the explosion). It must withstand armor-piercing projectiles or explosives over the caliber 23mm up to 57mm caliber.

Su-34 already has an advanced equipment of electronic countermeasures against missile ground-to-air portable (MANPADS) systems and short-range missiles, guided by radar. It is composed of handset radiation L150 Pastel digital radar, jamming radio station components and laser self-protection KNIRTI (SPS-171 / L005S Sorbtsiya-S) launchers mounted on top of plans and traps heat APP-50.

Armor design and testing of the Su-34 is nothing quite so difficult for Russians, since experience with Su-25s armor is successful one. Su-25 has a length of 15.5 m, 14.3 m span the height of 4.8 m, while the Su-34 has a length of 23.3 m, and its size of 14.7 m, a height of 6 m. Therefore, the armor of Su-34 will weigh 800 to 1000 kg, as opposed to that of Su-25 which has mass of 500 kg. The process will end in 2018 when a first group of 12 Russian Su-34 bombers will became operational for ground-attack missions.

Su-34 equipped with three additional tanks can fly 8 hours without fueling in the air. Another advantage for armored aircraft Su-34 is that it can find and discover for yourself targets on land or sea through research assignments, being mounted under the fuselage container M400 containing infrared sensors Raduga, panoramic rooms AP-403 and AP-404 plan -inclinate AK-108FM or container type M402 Pika SLAR (side-looking airborne radar). As an airplane bomber, Su-34 is best in aerial interdictions, that bombing from high altitudes, medium and large distances to supply routes and enemy troops in depth. During the bombing missions, the Su-34 can be used as a jamming platform to cover assault units striking, using jamming container L175V / KS418 equipped with DRFM (Digital RF Memory). One multifunction radar on board enables the discovery and classification of hunting enemy aircraft. For this purpose Su-34 is armed with long-range air-to-air missiles R-77, R 27 and R-73 short-range. After downing a Russian Su-24 aircraft to Syriaby Turkish F-16, Su-34 received air-to-air missiles.

The benefits of armored Su-34 are arising from the ability to develop long (up to two hours without feeding in air) at heights 8000-12000 m, where with the help of the sensors onboard, the pilot familiarize themselves with the tactical situation on ground or sea surface. During this time the pilot seeks permanent changes in the field, depending on who selects targets. Selecting and following of targets are done using electron-optical equipment Platan mounted Su-34 aircraft fuselage. It is equipped with a laser target marker which measures the distance to the target using a laser rangefinder precision.

The attack of ground targets is exersised from heights of 1000-3000 m, by bombs, air-ground missile with rocket blocks UB 16/32 cal. 57 mm (PRND) and GSH-30-1 cannon board, caliber 30 mm (1,800 projectiles cadence / min). The armored Su-34 will ensure extremely precise support for land forces fighting terrorist groups without causing collateral damage and risk being downed. If the situation in eastern Ukraine will deteriorate, armored Su-34 armored could become nightmare for Ukrainian army.

The need of a such of aircraft of ground support becomes a common one, although only the US and Russia each have one type of such aircraft. Lacking a new type of aircraft for close support, the Americans gave up their plan to remove 240 aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt II, 30-40 years old, extending them until 2028 resource.

A-10 planes are extremely resistant, specialized on support of troops on the ground, especially in anti-armor operations. A-10 is equipped with a cannon rotary GAU-8 with six pipes, caliber 30 mm (cadence 3,900 projectiles / minute, missiles with depleted uranium), bombs guided by laser, bombs in boxes with routing systems independent JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) air-ground missiles and AGM-65 Maverick. In the first Gulf War (1991) US A-10 aircraft destroyed 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 other military vehicles and 1,200 artillery pieces.
Dank as they may be, Denzel Washington is not here for your memes. After an admittedly amazing photo of the actor was captured at last years Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight in Las Vegas, the internet consumed it, digested it, and regurgitated #uncledenzel, a goofy version of Washington with an overbite partial to boiled ribs, wearing a Bluetooth, and trying to date your mom. Well, it turns out Denzel knows about his namesake meme, and he thinks your whole life is trash. Those who can, do. Those who cant do talk about those who can, Washington told Global Grinds BlogXilla during an interview about The Magnificent Seven. Now can you, or can you not? Are you just one that sits on the sideline to talk about other people, or can you step up? Ah, after all this time, now you know for sure: It is you who is truly the #uncledenzel.

For all those who laughed at "Uncle Denzel" Mr. Washington has a message he wants me to give to you. #Mag7 pic.twitter.com/9kOVbQ3kXQ  The Almighty Xilla (@BlogXilla) September 14, 2016
Can a First Lady catch a break? Thats not a question so much as our pitch for the tagline of Michelle Obamas inevitable Bridesmaids-style comedy shell release about a year after her husband leaves office  its inevitable, just watch this clip with Ellen. Best bet: The film will star Michelle, Ellen DeGeneres, and both Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Kate McKinnon as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who all get up to no good when Barack leaves to go to Russia for the weekend and Michelle discovers Malias pot stash (in a Roseanne-style twist, its actually Baracks old stash).
By PTI: New Delhi, Sept 14 (PTI) Vice President Hamid Ansari will embark on a visit to Venezuela tomorrow to attend the 17th NAM Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi not going for the meeting of the Cold War-era bloc.

Modi is only the second Indian Prime Minister to give a NAM Summit a miss after Charan Singh in 1979.

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The summit, which started yesterday and will end on September 18, is taking place in Venezuelas Margarita Island and has meetings scheduled in three consecutive segments -- meeting of senior officials, foreign ministers meeting and a conference of heads of state and government.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit is expected to bring together leaders from the 120 developing countries that are its members. The NAM Summits have been among the largest gatherings of countries, after the United Nations.

"The summit is expected to deliberate on issues of contemporary relevance and concern such as terrorism, UN reforms, the situation in West Asia, threats to peace and security, UN peacekeeping operations, climate change, sustainable development, economic governance, south-south cooperation, refugees and migrants, and nuclear disarmament," a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

"All these issues are of relevance in the context of the discussions that will take place at the United Nations in coming months," it said.

NAM is also an important forum for interaction with partner countries across continents, including from Africa, Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs), with whom India has long-standing development partnerships in a spirit of south-south cooperation, the statement said.

"NAM continues to represent space for action in pursuance of the collective interests of the developing world, along with the G-77, especially on subject such as the reform of the global economic system and disarmament. At the United Nations, the NAM is an influential grouping on a range of issues such as UN peacekeeping and disarmament," it said.

India has a close bilateral engagement with Venezuela, the host of the 17th NAM Summit.

Venezuelas Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez had led a high-level delegation to India last month when she had personally extended the invitation to India to attend the NAM Summit. She had also held talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during the visit.

India is one of the founding members of NAM and it had hosted the 7th NAM Summit in 1983 in New Delhi. The last NAM Summit was hosted by Iran in 2012. PTI ASK SC

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Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images

Naya Rivera, known to viewers as the acid-tongued mean girl Santana from Glee, is also known to tabloid readers as an acid-tongued mean girl who allegedly keyed Mark Sallings Lexus. But shes here to set the record straight: He didnt have a Lexus! The 29-year-old actress has published a tell-all book, Sorry Not Sorry, chronicling the roughly quarter of a century between her first major role as Hillary on Eddie Murphys The Royal Family to her time on Ryan Murphys musical extravaganza Glee. For a working actor, shes refreshingly upfront, talking about fights on Glee, her philandering exes Big Sean and Mark Salling, her struggles with anorexia, her boob job, her abortion, and her marriage to her husband, Pitchs Ryan Dorsey. Here at Vulture, weve read the book and culled the best moments from it. Grab a cookie  its tea time.

She was there when Redd Foxx died.

Rivera landed her first major role when she was 5 years old on CBSs The Royal Family, created by Eddie Murphy and starring Della Reese and Redd Foxx. Rivera played the youngest grandchild, Hillary, and she says Foxx would tell people he was actually her grandfather, and she even started to believe him. When they were running lines, she remembered, [A]ll of a sudden he kind of slumped over and fell to the floor. When some people thought he was doing a bit, it was Della Reese who realized that something was wrong and called the ambulance. She remembers the entire cast and crew went to the hospital:

We sat there, his TV family and his real family, all mixed together in the waiting room, praying and trying to comfort one another. When the doctor came out to tell us that Redd had passed, he delivered the news to the entire group.

She loves her boob job!

Some of the money Rivera made as a child actor eventually went into her Coogan account, which she would be able to access once she turned 18. Her first major purchase was a boob job, which she loves: More than ten years after I got my boobs, they still make me happy when I look in the mirror. It might have even been the best $8K Ive ever spent. In fact, her art teacher was so impressed by them, Rivera gave her a referral.

Riveras first kiss was with Tahj Mowry (yes, the little brother of Tia and Tamera!).

They met on a print shoot when they were 4, and their moms became friends. They were on-again-off-again for a while before he ended things because he needed to date someone more on his financial level, she writes. Dick. Were still friends.

Mark Salling was a hot dumpster fire from the beginning.

Rivera met Salling on Glee in 2009, when he was still a major looker, she writes. She said their first date was right before Halloween, and he picked her up in a complete piece-of-shit car with trash just rolling around in the backseat, got stoned, took her to In-N-Out, and then to Fright Fest at Magic Mountain. I just focused on his biceps and tried to ignore the cloud of marijuana smoke billowing around my head, Rivera writes.

They dated for three years, but he wanted her to keep it a secret, because he said that his publicist wanted him to appear single. She says they would have large, dramatic fights, and she believed he was cheating on her.

She didnt key Sallings car; she dumped dog food and bird seed all over it.

Her first media scandal was an Us Weekly scoop claiming she had keyed Sallings car in a jealous fit. After hearing through other members of the cast that Salling had sex with another woman, she and her best friend bought dog food, Coca-Cola, eggs, and bird seed, and then dumped all that shit over his car while he was away for a few days.

She adds that while she generally doesnt regret any of her bad relationships, she draws the line at her relationship with Salling. I think everyone should have that one relationship where you look back and ask yourself, What the hell was I thinking? Youll learn something and you wont regret it, writes Rivera. Unless, of course, that relationship was with someone who had a sizable stash of child porn on his computer. Then, by all means, regret everything.

Big Sean: also trash.

She writes about her year dating and later becoming engaged to Big Sean in a chapter entitled The Best Worst Year Ever. She remembers the first time she realized that Big Sean was a selfish person, when she got news that her Glee co-star Cory Monteith had died.

I started to realize that I was dating an incredibly selfish person. I shook Sean awake and told him that Cory had just died. He just said, Oh man, babe, Im really sorry about that, and rolled over and went back to sleep. I was crying and kept coming in and out of the room as I went out into the hallway to make phone calls, and he never got out of bed or even so much as sat up and turned on the light. This still blows my mind to this day.

And that time she saw little Ariana Grande in Big Seans house.

After the two got engaged after just six months of dating, she says that Sean became completely unresponsive. I was starting to see that the realities of a relationship just werent sexy to a rapper who wanted to have his cake and not just eat it too but spread frosting all over the place. (Too much? Sorry not sorry!) Then when he was avoiding her, she went to his house, only to find someone on his couch.

Guess what little girl is sitting cross-legged on the couch listening to music? Cmon, people, Im not going to tell you, but you can guess because its not that hard! (It rhymes with Smariana Schmande, if youre really having a hard time.)

Yes, Glee was just one big orgy.

All right, now, lets get to the juicy stuff. She says the cast had the sex drive of bunnies and the bed-hopping skills of a polygamist cult. Rivera writes that they would party a lot at Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitzs house, which they nicknamed the Love Nest after a tabloid rumor called it that. She doesnt give too many details, though, writing, What happens at the Love Nest stays at the Love Nest. She does recall one moment at McHales birthday when she and Cory Monteith were sharing an American Spirit cigarette and he asked her, How come, out of everybody here, you and I have never hooked up? He adds, Weve never even kissed! Then she says that she pecked him, and it never came up again.

Then theres some heavy innuendo that she hooked up with Chord Overstreet when he joined the cast for season two. Heres how she describes the scene:

Any time a new person was added to the show, it was like fresh meat being dropped into a piranha tank. Eyebrows went up and hormones started churning at the thought of new hookup potential. Lucky for me, Chord Overstreet joined the cast right after Mark and I were donze, and the minute I saw him it was like a lightbulb went off. You dont know my drama with Mark, I thought. Hey, I said to Chord, lets hang out!

Rivera suggests Santana and Brittany didnt get serious at first because of Fox.

Santana and Brittany (played by Heather Morris) become a canonical lesbian romance. But it took a little while. In the beginning, Santana and Brittany, Heathers character, were just allowed quick pecks, because the writers had to assure the network that they were just dipping their toes in the gay pool.

Time for some Lea tea.

In the section From one bitch to another , Rivera writes that she wasnt going to use the book to take down Lea Michele. I have better things to write about, Rivera writes. I dont hate Lea, and I never have. But she thinks their relationship soured once she moved out of the background. I think Rachel  erm, I mean Lea  didnt like sharing the spotlight, Rivera writes. She had a hard time separating work from our outside friendship, whereas it was a lot easier for me  Lea was a lot more sensitive, though, and sometimes it seemed like she blamed me for anything and everything that went wrong.

And there was that time when she almost got fired from Glee.

For Old Dogs, New Tricks, the penultimate episode of season five, written by Chris Colfer, one Glee star pitched a fit about the animals on set, causing her to amp up her bitch factor. The unnamed actress then did the classic move where she locked herself in her trailer, and refused to come out, halting production. Eventually, Rivera was frustrated and walked up to the producer and told him, If you would kindly get up and handle something  anything  that would be awesome. She writes:

He lost it, and started screaming at me in front of the crew. Ive been running this show for six years! he yelled. Without raising my voice, I responded, Yes. Poorly. Oooh, girl, wrong thing to say, cause after that, Nay Nay didnt get asked back to work.

Rivera says that she and the producer cooled off over the summer and came to an understanding. The producer said he had nothing to do with rumors that she had been fired. It sounded like there was a giant blinking arrow pointing right at a certain person, Rivera writes. So I guess you can throw a bitch fit, lock yourself in your trailer, and stall production, yet still allegedly find the time to leak stories to the press. Who in Barbra Streisands nose could you be talking about, Naya?

Getting an abortion was one of the hardest decisions shes ever had to make.

Rivera first started dating her husband, Ryan Dorsey, back when she was still on Glee, breaking up with him for what she admits was no good reason. After the split, she learned she was pregnant but decided to have an abortion, which she says was one of the most difficult decisions shes ever made. I dont think I ever emotionally healed from the abortion, she writes. I think choosing to have an abortion is almost harder than choosing to have your own child, because you make that choice knowing, or at least suspecting, that many moments of your life will now be tinged with regret.

Telling her husband about her abortion was when they got back together.

Before she told now-husband Dorsey about the abortion, she said she needed him to sign a confidentiality agreement. This sounds like a dick move, but I was scared, she writes. I didnt know how he would react. After she told him, he said, I wish I would have done something better, to make you feel like you could have trusted me with that information, because I would have loved to be there for you. They later got married and now have a baby boy, Josey.


Photo: Saeed Adyani/Netflix Inc

Honestly, someone should have canceled the entire Rayburn family, oh, about 45 years ago. Unless the show introduces a time machine (note: please do this), the Floridian clan still has a whole season to wreak havoc on one another. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix has informed Sony that Bloodlines upcoming 2017 season will be its last. The move makes Bloodline only the third Netflix original canceled by the platform; Lilyhammer and Hemlock Grove also bowed after three seasons. Netflix has also slashed Bloodlines season order from 13 to ten episodes, but to be fair, those last three episodes were just various Rayburn family members bodies being pitched into the river one right after the other.
Rosalba Torres Guerrero , Alex Descas, Isabelle Huppert, and Agata Buzek in BAMs Phaedra(s). Photo: Stephanie Berger.

Near the end of the three-and-a-half-hour slog that is Phaedra(s)  just when youve given up hope for it and, indeed, all existence  something wonderful happens. Until then, the production, which opened last night as part of BAMs Next Wave festival, has been interesting mostly as a catalogue of the latest Euro-avant-garde tics and obsessions. Theyre all there: the droning music, the two-way mirrors, the live video feed, the body fluids, the haute couture, the stiletto heels, the simulated sex, the fixation on plumbing. Also checking off a box on the packing list is a movie star, in this case the great French actress Isabelle Huppert. In recent years Ive seen at least four shows that juggle these same basic elements, including the Sydney Theatre Companys version of The Maids, which starred Huppert and Cate Blanchett. That one wrangled its cliches quite well, but make no mistake, Phaedra(s) is name-brand trash; its designer, Malgorzata Szczesniak, must have rung up quite a charge at PretensoMax.

How did one of Western cultures oldest stories, already well known before Euripides staged his version of it in 428 B.C., become a parody of storytelling itself? Call it the revenge of the dramaturgs. The fundamental tale is apparently no longer difficult enough to relate: Phaedra, kidnapped from her native land to become Theseuss queen, conceives a passion for her stepson, Hippolyte. Bad things ensue; depending on the retelling, these include some combination of alleged rape, real rape, sea monsters, suicide, mad horses, and murder. The common central theme is the violent aftermath of undisciplined love, not only for individuals but society.

As the lit-crit parenthetical s in Phaedra(s) indicates, this production by the Odeon Theatre de lEurope (in French, with English surtitles) intends to complicate and multiply the story. To that end, the director Krzysztof Warlikowski, working with dramaturg Piotr Gruszczynski, has mashed together three more-or-less contemporary takes on the tale. The first is the work of the Lebanese-Canadian writer Wajdi Mouawad, who has envisioned Phaedra (Huppert) as a post-punk incarnation of Aphrodite, vomiting and menstruating and writhing in lust for her rebellious leather-pantsed amour. (In case you need more writhing to get the point, the production helpfully provides a nearly nonstop belly dancer.) After more than an hour, this metaphysical pornography finally ends in the Phaedra-kills-Hippolyte-then-herself option, but by then Hippolyte has for some reason been reimagined as a dog. Never mind; here comes Phaedra No. 2, in a version drawn from Sarah Kanes 1996 play Phaedras Love. (Kane called it, with grim irony, my comedy.) This time Huppert is a semi-narcotized redheaded royal, a Sarah Ferguson on Klonopin, and her Hippolyte is a dissolute post-frat princeling caged in the castle, jerking off in his socks, playing with a robot car, and staring at the plasma TV. (We are shown the shower scene from Psycho perhaps ten times; I never envied Janet Leigh before, but at least she got clean.) A few sex acts later, the lights come up mercifully but mystifyingly for intermission.

Huppert, who at 63 has been going to acting extremes for 45 years, is excellent thus far, if you can be excellent picking through a dump. Wearing her Dior, Givenchy, and Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent outfits, she has conveyed both the intense glamor of classical royalty and, lets say, a convincing animal nature. Her technique is astounding and fearless; there is no point at which you dont believe she has fully re-created within herself the conditions of each particular scenario. But if her voice and gait no less than her wig and gown change radically with each new Phaedra shell she inhabits, this is an interior and mostly empty expertise, like private dancing. Something in the material must have evoked a response large enough to make her follow it through  its a beast of an evening even more for her than for us  but nothing in the first three hours makes it possible for an audience to care the way she does. She is merely impressive.

And then, as I say, after the intermission, when the Kane version of Phaedra eventually gives way to one based on a character from several J.M. Coetzee novels, something marvelous happens. Huppert is now playing Elizabeth Costello, a famous writer being interviewed on the subject of Eros. This has very little to do with the story at hand  Costello is mostly concerned with sex between gods and humans, not mothers and stepsons  but at least it is funny, with Huppert giving a master class in character comedy while Andrzej Chyra, formerly the dissolute Hippolyte, nails the sly intellectual preening of a second-rate French interlocutor. Then, suddenly, Huppert leaps from her seat as if bitten by something and enters what appears to be a different dimension. This turns out to be the dimension of actual drama: Racines 1677 verse drama Phedre. Passionately, and yet almost instantaneously, Huppert is operating within the restraint of the stately French alexandrines, and all the false emotion and sketch comedy of the previous Phaedra iterations gets wiped away. Here is the real thing, wrenchingly delivered.

And then, just as quickly as it appeared, it is gone. Back comes Elizabeth Costello for a snarky coda; down the onstage porcelain sink swirls any sensible, let alone useful, incarnation of the tale. Buh-bye now.

The problem with this sort of avant-garde isnt its checklist of tired tropes; these can be revivified. Its that they are mostly engaged regardless of context or human connection. They are self-gratifying at best. When Phaedra No. 2, in the Sarah Kane segment, asks her Hippolyte why, if sex is so dispiriting and empty, he continues to have it, he answers, Lifes too long. Thats dark  but not, alas, sufficient justification for wasting an evening of it with this.

Phaedra(s) is at the BAM Harvey Theater through September 18.
Heres one small fraction of the main attraction  First look at my Touch Me number from @RockyHorrorFOX pic.twitter.com/kw0NqwyT8m  Victoria Justice (@VictoriaJustice) September 14, 2016

Its astounding, time is fleeting until Foxs adaptation of Rocky Horror Picture Show airs on October 20  it feels like just yesterday we were fawning over the first pictures of Laverne Cox as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Now, with just over a month to go, Victoria Justice, who plays the shows lead square-gone-sexually-aroused-loose-cannon Janet, took to Twitter to release a short teaser from the show. It the video Justice sings the chorus to Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch-A Touch Me, with the lyrics popping up sing-a-long style for those who havent yet memorized all the songs of the movie-musical cult classic  which seems impossible. What else would you be doing as a weirdo teenager every Saturday at midnight?
By PTI: From Aditi Khanna

London, Sep 14 (PTI) WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, holed up in the Ecuadorean embassy here, will be interrogated at the mission on October 17 by an Ecuadorean official on behalf of Swedish prosecutors over rape allegations against him.

Assange will be questioned by an Ecuadorean prosecutor and Swedens chief prosecutor and a police investigator will be allowed to pose their questions through him, it was confirmed today.

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"After the report, the Swedish prosecutor will take a view on the continuing of the investigation," Swedish prosecutors said in a statement.

Ecuadorean prosecutor Wilson Toainga will take the statement and would also be responsible for "the possible taking of samples of body fluids" from Assange in an attempt to end a four-year impasse since the Wikileaks founder sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden on rape and sexual assault charges.

The 45-year-old is wanted in Sweden in relation to a 2010 rape claim, which theAustralian national denies.

He has fought against being extradited to Sweden, saying he fears he would then be transferred to the US to face charges on Wikileaks activities.

Swedish prosecutors have pushed for Assanges extradition since 2010, when they issued a warrant for his arrest following sexual assault allegations by two female Wikileaks volunteers.

Ecuador had said last month that it would allow him to be interrogated about the allegations.

In 2012, while on bail, he claimed asylum inside the Ecuadorean embassy in central London after the UK Supreme Court had ruled the extradition against him could go ahead.

A UN working group had ruled in February thatAssangewas being arbitrarily detained.

However, the UK Foreign Office has called for the UN decision to be reviewed, sayingAssangewas staying in the embassy voluntarily and that the UK had a legal duty to extradite himto Sweden. PTI AK PMS AKJ PMS

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By PTI: From Yoshita Singh

New York, Sep 14 (PTI) A group of Baloch activists has held protests against Pakistan outside the UN headquarters here, demanding freedom andhighlighting Pakistans crimes against humanity in Balochistan.

The protest was organised by the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) yesterday across the street from the world bodys headquarters, around the time the 71st session of the General Assembly opened in the UN.

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Waving the US and Baloch flags, the small group of protesters held banners of Stop Human Rights violation in Baluchistan, Stop Bombing Balochistan and Balochistan is not Pakistan and stood around five dolls, smeared in red colour to portray blood and placed on the ground on a white banner that read Save Baloch Children.

Some wore white T-shirts with the slogan Dire Human Rights Violations in Balochistan written in black.

The men and women protesting shouted slogans of India help Balochistan, Freedom for Balochistan, Stop Genocide of Baloch People, UN UN Where are you, Stop funding Pakistan, Balochistan is another Bangladesh and Stop breaking Balochistan.

The protestors accused Pakistani forces of killing around 5,000 over the past few years and causing nearly 20000 forced disappearances in Balochistan.

FBM said in a statement handed out at the protest that the demonstration aims to highlight the "illegal occupation and Pakistani state?s crimes against humanity in Balochistan, and to give awareness about Baloch national struggle for freedom."

"It is the responsibility of the United Nations to take notice of the violations of its charter and state brutalities by Pakistan in Balochistan," FBM said.

The organisation said Pakistan has been committing gross human rights violations and killing innocent Baloch people since it occupied Balochistan in 1948 and "Pakistani state has made life difficult for Baloch by target killings, indiscriminate bombardment and enforced-disappearances."

The protests come just a week before heads of state and government descend at the world bodys headquarters for the high-level General Debate of the 71st UNGA session.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address the General Assembly on September 21, five days before External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addresses the gathering of world leaders.

TheUS has said it does not support independence for Balochistan and respects the unity and territorial integrity of Pakistan.

In his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talked about the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit and Balochistan and said people from there have thanked him for raising their issues. PTI YAS NSA

--- ENDS ---

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Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization will host three public meetings to show proposed concepts for improving the U.S. Business 77 corridor.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

Noon to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, with presentations at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., at the Lacy-Lakeview Chamber of Commerce, 501 E. Craven Ave.

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, with a presentation at 6 p.m., at the Waco Multi-Purpose Center, 1020 Elm Ave.

A question-and-answer session will follow each of the presentations.

For more information, visit ww.77corridorstudy.com.

NARFE meeting

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday at Uncle Dans Barbecue, 1001 Lake Air Drive.

Sue Swanner and Ida McBride will discuss what they learned at the NARFE national convention in Reno, Nevada.

Optional dining begins at 12:30 p.m.

For more information, call Gerald Hatfield at 772-3543.

Crawford homecoming

Crawford High School cheerleaders are having a homecoming parade at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, starting and finishing at the high school parking lot, 200 Pirate Drive.

The parade will feature 32 entries.

The parade will be followed by a senior slide show and a nonfire bonfire about 8 p.m. in the high school gym.

Additional homecoming festivities will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the schools cafeteria, with lunch served at noon.

For lunch reservations, call 749-0446 or email bslaughter@crawford-isd.net.

Womens networking

The Waco chapter of the National Association of Female Executives Women Information Network will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Rosatis Pizza, 824 Hewitt Drive in Woodway.

Laveda Brown, president and CEO of the Cen-Tex African-American Chamber of Commerce, will give a talk titled Networking: First Impression Is Key.

For more information, call Glenda Ruiz at 723-2404.

HWF lecture series

Historic Waco Foundations 2016 House and Family Lecture Series will continue at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Earle-Napier-Kinnard Historic House Museum, 814 S. Fourth St.

The lecture will focus on newly discovered facts about the Earle-Napier-Kinnard House and the families that lived there.

Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call 753-5166.

Huntingtons group

The Central Texas Support Group affiliate of the Huntingtons Disease Society of America will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Room B16 of the Education Building at Highland Baptist Church, 3014 Maple Ave.

Local group coordinator Phil Holmes will give an advocacy update.

For more information, call 235-9353.

Submit items for Briefly in printed or typed form to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco 76702-2588; fax to 757-0302; or email to goingson@wacotrib.com at least one week before an event.
The Waco Hispanic Museum at the South Waco Community Center kicks off Friday with music, art and a shout.

The museum holds its grand opening from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the center, 2815 Speight Ave., with a follow-up event from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Friday ribbon-cutting ceremony falls on the Sept. 16 anniversary of Mexican independence from Spain, and museum chairman Louis Garcia will commemorate the occasion about 5 p.m. Friday by leading a grito, the traditional shout for liberation.

I cant holler very loud, Garcia said. I may very well try to find someone who can do it loud and clear.

Garcia and other Hispanic museum leaders have been working for nearly a year to create a variety of exhibits at the city-owned community center and to tell the story of Hispanic families that helped make Waco what it is. Artifacts include a charro suit and quinceanera dress, as well as old family photos and newspaper articles.

The exhibits introduce visitors to mostly forgotten Hispanic Wacoans, including Jose Guerra, a World War I doughboy; Lucille Moreno Flores, a World War II Army Air Force sergeant and Veterans Affairs nurse; and Eugenio Mendoza, a Hispanic civic leader killed in the 1953 Waco tornado.

The museum also features contemporary paintings by Waco artists and an intricate wall hanging by textile artist Rocio Ramirez Landoll. The work depicts a family split in two by a wall that juts out of the wall hanging, and a three-dimensional heart is suspended above the wall.

Landoll, who was installing the work Wednesday, said it reflects the anxiety and isolation of immigrants who feel split between two countries. Landoll, a naturalized American citizen who was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, said she is proud to be part of the museum, which she called a great achievement for Latino culture.

Waco City Councilwoman Alice Rodriguez, a leader in the museum effort, said that culture wasnt always appreciated. Rodriguez recalled that she got in trouble for speaking Spanish at school recess when she was in first grade at a South Waco elementary school.

A leader in the museum effort, she said it is important to preserve Wacos Hispanic heritage and educate the next generation about it.

What we want to do is make it a cultural education for our kids, she said.

The focus is on Waco families and bygone Hispanic neighborhoods, including Calle Dos and Sandtown, which will be the subject of future special exhibits, Rodriguez said.

Garcia said the small museum is just a start, and the group wants to continue building its collections. Garcia, whose grandparents moved here in the early 20th century, said he hopes to see more in the collections about more recent immigrants.

So many people have come here in the last 30 to 40 years, he said. I want to get them involved.
Investigators initially had no reason to doubt that Caitlyn Reed took her own life until forensic evidence and changes in David Zahirniaks story led them to charge Zahirniak in her death, a detective testified Tuesday.

McLennan County Sheriffs Office Detective Brad Bond was one of 10 witnesses prosecutors called in opening-day testimony in Zahirniaks murder trial in Wacos 54th State District Court.

Zahirniak, 45, of West, is charged in the April 2014 shooting death of Reed, the 21-year-old mother of two young sons who dated Zahirniak after leaving her husband.

In opening statements, defense attorney Jessi Freud, who is representing Zahirniak with Alan Bennett, told the jury that Reed was struggling with depression and anxiety and took her own life at her rented trailer house on Tokio Loop near West.

Prosecutors Robert Moody and Hilary LaBorde are building their case around evidence that Zahirniak was physically abusive to Reed and killed her in retaliation after she filed aggravated assault charges against him. Reed was hospitalized after the incident in which she filed charges against Zahirniak.

Bond testified he interviewed Zahirniak after Zahirniak and his friend went to check on Reed because she didnt show up for work. Zahirniak and Reed both worked at Slovaceks store in West.

Zahirniak told Bond that despite their volatile relationship and breakup, he had been staying at Reeds house for the past week. He told the detective they had enjoyed a romantic evening at home the night before.

Zahirniak told Bond that Reed left for work the next morning about 8:30 a.m., and he went to a friends house until he went to work later that morning.

After Zahirniak was charged with beating Reed with a cane and putting her in the hospital, Reed changed her phone number and the locks on the doors and got a protective order against Zahirniak.

Zahirniak told Bond that because his key didnt work anymore, he went around to the back of Reeds house to gain entry. Bond said Zahirniak told him he couldnt remember whether he tried to call Reed to check on her before he drove to her house. But later, he told Bond he didnt have her new phone number.

Bond said he eventually asked Zahirniak about the pending assault charge, and Zahirniak told him Reed intended to drop the charges. Bond said Zahirniak pulled a letter from his pocket, which he said Reed wrote three days before her death, in which she professed her undying love for him.

Zahirniak told the detective he didnt know much about guns and assumed that Reed got the .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol from her father. Zahirniak told Bond the last time he fired a handgun was long ago, and it was a revolver. Bond said Zahirniak told him he never touched the pistol that day, which was found lying on the floor in a bedroom.

Reed was sitting up in the middle of the bed and sort of slumped over when Zahirniak found her, he told the detective. He told Bond she was still alive and making gurgling noises.

Bond said Zahirniak told him initially that he panicked and fled the trailer. But later, Zahirniak changed his story and told Bond he grabbed her, saw the gunshot wound to her chest and pulled her into the hallway, where he started CPR by breathing into her mouth.

Bond said he did not notice any blood on Zahirniaks face, hands or clothing, which he said likely would have been present had he carried her from the bed and performed CPR.

Bond said he confronted Zahirniak with bullet-trajectory evidence from holes deputies found in the trailer walls that he said were inconsistent with Zahirniaks version of events. He said Zahirniak did not change his story about finding Reed slumped over on the bed.

In other testimony, Deputy Brandon Paranuk told jurors about his investigation of an incident about three weeks before Reed died in which she reported that Zahirniak beat her with a metal walking cane and fists.

Paranuk said Reed was reluctant to press charges because she was on probation for endangering a child and feared her probation would be revoked.

Zahirniak sent Reed text messages after the assault in which he threatened to get her probation revoked and said their relationship was over, Paranuk said.

Brothers testimony

Caitlyn Reeds older brother, Keith Reed, told jurors he didnt approve of his sisters marriage to Zach Goates because they both were too young, and she got pregnant at 17. But Keith Reed said he really didnt like her seeing Zahirniak, whom he said was old enough to be her father.

Keith Reed said his sister and Zahirniak met while working at a pizza restaurant in West. Zahirniak moved in with Caitlyn Reed and her husband after his home was destroyed in the West Fertilizer Co. explosion in 2013.

Later, their relationship grew, and Caitlyn Reed left her husband and moved in with Zahirniak, Keith Reed said.

He said he found out his sister took her fathers gun to protect herself from the abusive Zahirniak even though she did not know how to shoot.

Keith Reed told jurors his sister was not suicidal because she was making plans and focused on upcoming events with her two sons.

Other witnesses, including Caitlyn Reeds estranged husband and one of her neighbors, testified that they saw evidence that Zahirniak was physically abusive to Reed and that she was afraid of him.

Goates said Reed would not have committed suicide because she loved her sons too much.

Prosecution testimony resumes Wednesday morning.
A million-dollar budget gap must not be allowed to derail the project to build an east riverwalk to McLane Stadium, Waco Mayor Kyle Deaver said Tuesday.

In a budget and audit committee meeting, Deaver said the project is essential for connecting the stadium to downtown.

We cant not do this, Deaver said. Its just a matter of what we can do.

Dillon Meek, the only other council member present at the meeting, agreed.

I think its a really critical project, Meek said. Its a critical next step in making downtown more pedestrian-friendly and user-friendly.

Parks staff had budgeted $3.3 million for constructing the 0.6-mile lighted concrete trail, with $2.7 million coming from a federal transportation grant and $676,000 from the city. But on Aug. 30, the low bid came in at more than $4.4 million.

Even with contingency funds the city had set aside, city officials would still have to find nearly $800,000 to bridge the gap.

City parks staff advised against rebidding the project, saying there is no guarantee prices would do down. City park planner Tom Balk presented a list of possible design changes Tuesday that could bring down the overrun by as much as $595,000.

Some of those changes would fundamentally alter the project and were not recommended by staff, including using decomposed granite instead of concrete in some sections and eliminating a $200,000 bridge over a ditch on the edge of McLane Stadium, with a bypass leading to the stadium entry.

If youre just a riverwalk user, thats effectively a dead end, Balk said.

Parks officials were more favorable about using steel supports instead of concrete, using a less costly coating on the metal understructure and eliminating a $210,000 overlook across from the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.

Bridge is essential

Deaver said the bridge to Baylor is essential, and he doesnt want to lose the overlook, which is the only place on the trail with benches. Deaver also said he is skeptical about scrimping on metal coatings.

I dont want to do something well pay the price for later, he said.

Deaver said staff should pursue some cost-saving measures, including using metal instead of concrete supports, but the city also should be prepared to shoulder the entire cost if necessary.

Assistant City Manager Jack Harper said the city may have enough fund balance left over from the 2015-16 budget year to cover the entire cost. Harper said the funding picture will become clearer in mid-October, when the city gets its next sales tax reports.

In the meantime, the city is required to give an answer by Sept. 29 to the Texas Department of Transportation on how it will proceed with the project, but Harper said not all funding decisions have to be made by then.

The council has until Nov. 15 to award the contract for the project. Construction is to begin in January, with an opening expected in spring 2018.
One hundred years ago, Jeannette Rankin was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first woman to hold national office in the United States  four years before women in every state were allowed to vote.

Baylor University faculty panelists honored Rankin and nine other trailblazers Tuesday at Boundary Breaking Women, held at Baylors Bennett Auditorium.

When you break that boundary, when you crash through that ceiling, one of the things we have to look for is which kind of women  I think all of these women probably do  become what we call the thin edge of the wedge, Baylor history professor Joan Supplee said. If you break through the fence, its all good, but if you dont take the rest of the cows with you, who cares?

Rankin was elected to represent Montana in 1916 with about 7,500 votes, and she previously spoke before the state legislature in favor of womens suffrage, Supplee said. Rankin introduced the bill that led to the 19th Amendment and nationwide womens suffrage.

Assistant religion professor Natalie Carnes told the story of Margery Kempe, who is known for writing the first autobiography in the English language in the mid-1400s.

Kempe lived a life of praying, beer brewing and bearing 15 children and was known for her roaring, unexpected sobbing fits during pilgrimages, Carnes said. The image of Kempe stirring a cauldron of beer evoked name-calling, she said.

It is annoying when people challenge social conventions. It makes things a little bit awkward, Carnes said. Sometimes women are called a word thats a cross between witchy and bossy. Men are not called these words. Women are called these words when they assert themselves in a way that is annoying, in a way that challenges the social conventions of womanhood.

Barbara Jordan, a Houston native and the first black woman elected to the Texas Senate in 1966, fought discrimination and unfair urban contracts and legislation, said Gaynor Yancey, a social work professor who presented Jordans story during Tuesdays event.

She is known for how she literally stayed to the Constitution and to the processes of the Constitution, Yancey said. Out of that comes this: We find when we have President Lyndon B. Johnson and the civil rights message he wants to bring in 1967, after the horrible days of the mid-60s, he called Jordan and asked her to read the message and asks her to make changes if it is not what needs to be said.

Baylors womens and gender studies program and department of history co-sponsored the second annual discussion. Lisa Shaver, director of the womens and gender studies program, introduced the panel.

Last years panel presented picks for the woman the U.S. Department of the Treasury should put on the new $10 bill. In April, the Treasury announced that Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist, would replace Andrew Jackson on the front of $20 bill, and Alexander Hamilton would remain on the front of the $10 bill.

Other profiles at the Tuesday panel included:

Mary MClintock, an American who helped draft the Declaration of Sentiments at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848

Frances O. Kelsey, a Canadian pharmacologist who fought against the passing of the dangerous drug thalidomide, and was given the Presidents Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service by President John F. Kennedy

Artemisia Gentileschi, an Italian Baroque painter and the first female artist to receive major commissions and redefined self-portraits

Sandra Day OConnor, the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, from 1981-2006 and oftentimes the swing vote

Phillis Wheatley, the first published female African-American poet, born in West Africa in 1753 and sold into slavery in the United States seven years later

Olympe de Gouges, a French playwright and feminist in the late 1700s who challenged inequality in Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen

Marina Raskova, a World War II Soviet pilot who trained senior officers at the age of 22 and wrote an autobiography
By PTI: Thane(Maha), Sep 14 (PTI) Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane today said better days for Congress will come both in the state and across the country.

Rane met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the residence of civic chief Sanjeev Jaiswal here when he had come to worship Lord Ganesha.

"We exchanged greeting and there was no political discussion," Rane told reporters on his meeting with Fadnavis.

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"Better days for Congress party will come both in the state and across the country," he added.

Rane, who was earlier in the Shiv Sena, demanded that reservation should be given to Maratha community.

He said several mega agitations are being organised seeking reservation for the community.

"I am of the opinion that they (the Maratha community) should be given reservation," Rane added. PTI COR NRB SMJ RDS

--- ENDS ---
Three Waco police officers were cleared Wednesday of wrongdoing in the May 17, 2015, Twin Peaks shootout that left nine people dead and 18 wounded.

Our department, along with numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, has worked tirelessly on the still-ongoing investigation of Twin Peaks, Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said in a statement. We have completed an exhaustive internal investigation on the officer-involved portion of the incident, which was reviewed by the Texas Rangers. The three officers have been cleared by the investigation, and the action of the grand jury affirms those findings.

The grand jury no-billed 15-year veteran officer Andy ONeal, 11-year veteran officer Michael Bucher and nine-year veteran officer Heath Jackson in the Wednesday hearing. McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna and two Texas Rangers presented the cases to the grand jury, Reyna said.

These officers acted professionally under very difficult circumstances, Waco police interim Chief Frank Gentsch said in a statement. Im glad to have this caliber of officers protecting our city. I appreciate the job conducted by the department investigators, the Texas Rangers, the McLennan County DAs Office and the grand jury in this case.

The officers will immediately return to full duty, Gentsch said. Swanton did not immediately return a voicemail.

Four of the people killed in the shootout and one of the wounded were struck with bullets from .223-caliber rifles, the only type of firearms police used at the scene, according to an Associated Press report. Two of the bikers killed also were struck with other types of bullets, according to the AP report.

It is unclear whether bikers fired the same caliber of bullets. Twelve long guns were reportedly recovered from Twin Peaks, which could include rifles.

Brent Stroman, Wacos police chief at the time of the shootout, has said three officers fired a total of 12 shots. No other law enforcement officers fired their weapons, Stroman has said, and the rifles were used in a semiautomatic setting during the shootout, not fully automatic.

Stroman has said the three officers were on administrative leave for about two months after the shootout and then were placed on administrative duty.

Authorities confiscated about 475 weapons from Twin Peaks, including 151 guns, in addition to knives, brass knuckles, batons, tomahawks, weighted weapons, a hatchet, stun guns, bats, clubs, a machete, a pipe, an ax, pepper spray and a chain.

Police arrested 177 bikers after the shootout, and 154 have since been indicted.
Veteran journalist Alan Miller tells the story of the high school students who, years after the fact, didnt know that Osama bin Laden had been killed. These were seniors, no less  in a journalism class at a well-regarded New York City charter school.

Their reaction was Wait, what? Hes dead?  said Miller, who won a Pulitzer Prize as a reporter for the Los Angeles Times.

His story, though, has a happy ending. After immersion in the News Literacy Project, a Bethesda, Maryland-based nonprofit organization that Miller founded to give teenagers the tools to know what to believe in the digital age, the students became news junkies. They were seriously annoyed if their classroom copies of The New York Times didnt show up on time.

Every bit as dead as bin Laden, it sometimes seems, is many American citizens basic knowledge of news. Young people, especially, get their news in isolated bursts on their phones (the experts call this disaggregation). That makes it harder than ever to tell established truth from opinion, propaganda or pure fiction.

In this fact-challenged presidential campaign, these skills are needed more than ever.

You could see that last week when, during NBCs Commander-in-Chief Forum, moderator Matt Lauer didnt even raise a skeptical eyebrow as Donald Trump claimed  again, and falsely  to have opposed the war in Iraq from the start. Although, as a broadcast pro, Lauer should have been far better prepared to parry this and other politically expedient flights of fancy, his ailment  apparent ignorance  is a common one.

Consider Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnsons query in an MSNBC interview: What is Aleppo?

Theres a cacophony of untrue information out there, and its drowning out whats dependable and accurate, said Leonard Downie Jr., former Washington Post executive editor, whose new book, The News Media: What Everyone Needs to Know, provides some help in question-and-answer form. (For example: How dependent is journalism on leaks? and How are private interests trying to manage news now?)

Were surrounded by more news options than ever, said Downie, whose co-authors are C.W. Anderson and Michael Schudson. Thats far more than the couple of local Cleveland newspapers and three TV networks that he grew up with. All those new options dont add up to people being better informed, but more likely cosseted by information that confirms their biases.

One leading corrective is happening at Stony Brook Universitys Center for News Literacy, founded by former Newsday editor Howard Schneider, where the first news literacy course was taught in 2007. More than 16,000 students have taken the course at the university and elsewhere, including in 11 countries. Soon, a six-week MOOC (massive online open course) will spread the word much further.

Were teaching students to evaluate the evidence and the quality of the sources, and to actively seek out information that doesnt confirm their world view, said Richard Hornik, who joined Stony Brook after many years at Time magazine.

The growth of truth-seeking efforts like The Posts Fact Checker or Politifact is great, he said, but these efforts dont do much good if news consumers are unable to decide who or what to believe. Or worse, dont care.

Another New York-based effort, the Lamp, tries a different approach: It encourages students to break the news through what DJs would call a remix: They create videos using bits and pieces of political ads, blog posts and their own researched commentary.

What ties all these efforts together is encouraging critical thinking and skepticism: Whats true? Whats spin? Which sources can be believed?

A few weeks ago, one of Facebooks trending topics was the reported firing of Fox News star Megyn Kelly. A breathless report had circulated that Kelly was a secret liberal who wants Hillary Clinton to be president. The story hit the top of the trending topics list and was shared widely before being debunked elsewhere (and then removed from the trending list with no explanation)  once again proving the adage that a lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth puts on its shoes.

If you were versed in news literacy, you might have checked out the source, looked around in vain for a reputable outlet that was also reporting it, and decided not to believe it.

Rumors about a TV personality may not matter much. But what about the reporting of the number of civilians killed by American drone attacks? What about a candidate playing fast and loose on foreign policy?

News literacy is an urgent mission, Miller told me, pointing out that even the best news organizations may find it impossible to get people to pay for their expensive news-gathering if they cant distinguish real news from rumor and hoax.

And theres a price to pay: Citizens who dont know much, and dont care to find out, will get the government they deserve. And that would be even worse than Megyn Kelly getting fired.

Margaret Sullivan is The Washington Posts media columnist.
WAHOO  Charged with manslaughter, Randall McDuffee made his first appearance before Saunders County Court Judge Patrick McDermott this morning.

McDuffee, of rural Yutan, was arrested Sept. 9 and charged with manslaughter in regard to the death of his sister, Michelle McDuffee.

Michelle McDuffee died March 3 from blunt force injuries of the head that occurred in December 2013, according to the autopsy report.

McDuffees attorney, Christopher Lathrop, requested a preliminary hearing, and that date was set for Nov. 2 a 9 a.m.

The case is expected to be bound over to Saunders County District Court, said Deputy County Attorney Demi Herman.

Lathrop requested that bond be set at $50,000, as McDuffee is employed full time and the original charges in 2013 were for assault.

Herman requested $150,000 due to the felony charge.

McDermott set bond for $100,000 with a 10 percent cash option.

The charge of manslaughter is a Class III felony and carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine with a minimum of one year in prison, McDermott said.

According to court documents, emergency responders found Michelle McDuffee unresponsive and lying on the kitchen floor on the morning of Dec. 8, 2013.

She did not live with her brother, but was visiting from Colorado, said Saunders County Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz.

Michelle McDuffee was transported by the Yutan squad to Lakeside Hospital in Omaha with severe brain injuries and then to University of Nebraska Medical Trauma Center for surgery.

She never regained consciousness and died March 3, 2016.

McDuffee will remain in the custody of the Saunders County Sheriffs Department until bond is posted.
WAVERLY  When Alie Saenz of Waverly filled out all the needed paper work to attend the Varsity Spirit Spectacular in Disney World in December, how she was going to pay for the trip was the farthest thing from her mind.

The Waverly High School cheerleader received word several weeks ago that she was selected to attend the event. Thats when it hit her she had to have the money to get there and back.

Entered her dads mother.

Leonor Saenz told her granddaughter that she would make tamales if Alie could sell them. Money raised will go towards the Florida trip.

The other catch was that Alie had to help make them, never dreaming that the family would spent a long Saturday make dozens and dozens of them.

We put it out on Facebook what we were doing, and within a short time, we had sold 50 dozen tamales, her mother, Brooke said.

They were made and Alies father, Omar began to made deliveries.

It was a family affair, she said adding that it took them 15 hours to complete the orders.

Alie said she got right in the middle of it.

We had a process set up that gave everyone a job and we were able to keep up with everyone, she said adding that her grandmother worked until late that night finishing up the orders.

Being the oldest grandchild, the junior said she listens to her grandmother.

She is always giving me advice, she said. We have a good relationship.

And that is good, as the family will meet again this weekend to make another 20 more dozen of tamales.

We have done this before to raise money, so we knew it would take some time and family effort, Brooke said. But this was a way for her grandmother to help.

Alie said she is one of 538 cheerleaders from 35 states invited to the spectacular.

In the next few weeks, I will getting a DVD of the cheer we have to do, she said. She will set out to learn it, as once she arrives she will immediately have to demonstrate that she knows the cheer. From there, she will rehearse with other cheerleaders three or four hours a day. The rest of the days will be spent exploring Disney World.

There is just a limited time of practice, she said adding that she wouldnt be wearing her maroon and white cheerleading outfit, but instead will be given a red and green outfit to perform in.

She will be selected for either Team Mickey or Team Minnie and will take part in a Meet and Greet Breakfast that she and her mother will attend before returning home to Nebraska.

With all the free time, Alie plans to explore Disney World.

It is my favorite place to visit, she said. In fact, my dream is to work there some day.

Not as a cheerleader, though. She would like someday to be the character Jasmine.

I have always wanted to be a princess, she said.

But for now she is happy to be a cheerleader and is looking forward to the December trip.

Cheerleading has kept me involved in school sports, Alie said. I wouldnt attend them if I wasnt a cheerleader.
Stat govt faces flak, for not implementing Crime Control Act, but a Patna HC said that it could be imposed only in cases that are 9 months old and not more.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: Facing huge loss of face after dreaded gangster turned politician Md. Shahabuddin was released on bail from Bhagalpur jail last week, the Nitish Kumar government is in consultations with legal experts to challenge his bail in the Apex Court.

SPELT OUT STATE GOVT POLICY



After senior ministers remained non-committal on the government's move for last two days, the party spokesperson Ajay Alok spelt out the state government's policy in cases where bail granted to criminals are unwarranted."For last 11 years, this has been the government policy that if the state feels that a bail granted to a criminal is unwarranted, it moves to a higher court for rejection of the bail", said Ajay Alok.

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CCA FOR 9 MONTHS ONLY



The state government which is facing flak for not invoking Crime Control Act on the dreaded gangster, however, expressed its helplessness in doing so citing a Patna High Court verdict. Bihar Minister Lallan Singh said that according to a Patna High Court order dated 26 Aug, 2014 in 'Kaushal Mahto vs Bihar Govt case,' The Court had said that CCA could be imposed only in cases that are only nine months old and not more."How can we impose CCA on Shahabuddin when he was in jail for last 11 years and Rajiv Roshan murder is more than 9 months old in which Shahabuddin has got bail", said Lallan Singh.

VICTIMS' FAMILIES FILING FOR SHAHABUDDIN'S BAIL CANCELLATION



On the other hand, Chandrakeshwar Prasad, father of three sons who were killed by Shahabuddin will be moving Supreme Court on Thursday and will be filing a petition for cancellation of Shahabuddin's bail.

Asha Devi, wife of journalist Rajdev Ranjan has also moved the Apex Court on Wednesday for a SC monitored probe in her husband's killing.

Also Read: NDA stages mahadharna, demands Shahabuddin's return to jail

Victims family to challenge Shahabuddins bail in SC tomorrow

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Patna/Siwan, Sep 14 (PTI) Facing flak over controversial RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddins release from jail, the Bihar government is preparing to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the bail granted to him by the Patna High Court.

"This has been an established process followed by Nitish Kumar government in the past 11 years that if the state is not satisfied with the bail of somebody, it goes in appeal in higher court," JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said.

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"It has been done in the past and would be followed in the present case of Shahabuddin too," he said.

In such cases the concerned district administration makes a proposal if any condition of the bail has been violated and an appeal is moved for cancellation of bail, the spoksperson said.

With BJP questioning the delay in appeal for cancellation of bail of the former RJD MP, the JD(U) spokesperson said courts were closed on account of festival.

Meanwhile, Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah said the district police was scrutinising if any condition of the bail has been violated in the case of Shahabuddin.

"If any evidence comes to the surface indicating violation of condition of bail we will move for cancellation of bail in the case," the SP said.

Sah had yesterday said that police have taken cognisance of the photograph of the absconding suspects in the killing of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed, with Shahabuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on Saturday.

A notice would be sent to Shahabuddin in this connection and police would also question him on it, he said.

Media reports said the chief minister recently held a long meeting with Advocate General Ram Balak Mahto and Additional Advocate General Lalit Kishore over the Shahabuddin release issue.

Shahabuddin was in jail for 11 years in connection with dozens of cases against him and was granted bail on September 7. PTI SNS KK BSA

--- ENDS ---
The family of recently bankrupt business man "Diamond" Joe Gutnick is back in the mining game after the Northern Territory government gave clearance for Merlin Diamonds to start exploring a deposit formerly owned by Rio Tinto.

Merlin Diamonds announced this week that it is planning to recommence operations at the Merlin diamond mine, 900 kilometres south east of Darwin.

Mr Gutnick stepped down as chairman of Merlin Diamonds days ahead of entering into bankruptcy, leaving the company in the hands of his eldest son Mordechai.

Mr Gutnick still has a nearly 40 per cent stake in Merlin through various entities owned jointly with his son Mordechai and wife Stera.
By PTI: Bhubaneswar, Sep 14 (PTI) Intensifying the stir against Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh, the ruling BJD today sought Presidents intervention and demanded immediate withdrawal of clerances accorded for construction of the controversial dam.

BJD leaders staged a dharna in front of Raj Bhavan here opposing Polavaram project and a party delegation led by Tribal Development Minister Lal Bihari Himirika submitted a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee through Odisha Governor S C Jamir.

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?We demand immediate stop to construction of Polavaram project. We have also demanded reduction of dam height. The party has also sought the Presidents intervention to prortect the interest of tribal people of south Odisha," Himirika told reporters after submitting the memorandum.

The memorandum also said the central government agencies violated norms of Godavari Water Dispute Tribunal judgment while according several clearances for Polavaram project. It questioned how the Ministry of Tribal Affairs give clearance to Polavaram project without holding gram sabha in Odisha where thousands of adivasis would suffer.

Ministry of environment and forest has also accorded environment clearance in a "fradulent" manner, it said.

The party alleged that due to the construction of Polavaram project at least 6,818 tribal families would be displaced, while the memorandum said 25 villages under Motu Tehasil in Malkangiri would be submerged.

Terming the erstwhile UPA government and the present one of NDA at the Centre as "anti-Odisha", BJD demanded justice for the tribal people.

"Odisha government is not opposing Polavaram project per se. We are opposing it since its height has been raised to 150 metres. No public hearing or gram sabha has been conducted in this regard. The National Green Tribunal has served notice to the central government on this account," Samir Dash, BJD spokesperson at the dharna, said.

Meanwhile, the ruling party planned protest meetings in front of collector offices in the seven southern districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal on September 20.

The party will also observe peaceful strike in these districts on October 1, Dash said adding BJD president Naveen Patnaik has appointed observers and co-observers for each of these districts for smooth conduct of the programme. PTI AAM KK KUN

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Film star and comedian Amy Schumer has been hospitalised for a bout of food poisoning during a trip to Paris with her boyfriend, a situation she nevertheless managed to mine for humour.

The 35-year-old New York born stand-up comic and actress revealed her plight via Instagram.

"Thanks for everything Paris! Except the food poisoning," she said.

The post was accompanied by an image of Schumer and her boyfriend Ben Hanisch looking unwell in bed.
Millions of people have been affected by a global Gmail outage, frustrating users across the world.

Google, the $700 billion technology giant behind the email service, began investigating issues at 1.16am AEST on Thursday according to a service disruption notice posted to users.

"Based on reports, it affects only Google for Work Gmail users," Google wrote on its Apps Status dashboard.

"We will provide more information shortly."
The federal government is poised to announce a national gun amnesty following an unprecedented wave of violent firearm-related crime in Melbourne.

State and federal ministers and attorneys-general requested an amnesty be considered by senior officials in the National Justice and Policing Senior Officials Group last year.

These officials gave a unanimous in-principle support for an amnesty last month.

State ministers must agree to proceed, however, support for an amnesty is strong and it is understood the timing will be settled before the end of the year.
Lead discovered in the water at Perth's new children's hospital has been traced to an outside source, Premier Colin Barnett says.

"My understanding is the source of the lead has been detected. It relates to the supply of water going into the hospital, it's not something internal in the hospital, look, that will need to be confirmed, but ... it can be fixed," he told media at a press conference on Wednesday.

Treasurer Mike Nahan, who has responsibility for the project, would confirm only that an "intensive, systematic investigation" was in its final stages.

"We are confident that the water quality issues, which are confined to the PCH site, will be resolved very soon," Dr Nahan said.
Swift, decisive action by Perth firefighters saved the historic and popular Albion Hotel from ruin by fire on on Tuesday evening.

An open fireplace flue sparked the fire, which quickly tore through the roof space of the 19th-century state heritage-listed hotel on Stirling Highway, Cottesloe.

"I could see flames gushing through the windows of the top story as I pulled up," Dave, a witness, told News Talk 6PR.

"They have got the place evacuated now.
Patrick Norman Pat Chapman is a 34-year-old, Caucasian male who was last known to be in Piedmont which is near the area of Greenville, Missouri on May 10, 2020.

Pat had stayed the night with a friend and his wife at their home. In the early morning when the friend woke to go to work.

Pat was gone in his own Burgundy color 1995 Ford Escort. That is the last anyone was known to have seen him. The vehicle was later recovered on May 29, 2020 in Mill Spring, Missouri.
By PTI: Kuala Lumpur, Sep 14 (PTI) Newly found debris, suspected to be that of Malaysian Airlines MH370 has burn marks, suggesting that a fire broke out on the plane before it vanished mysteriously over the Indian Ocean in 2014, according to media reports.

The five peices of the debris discovered by American independent investigator Blaine Gibson were handed over to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in Canberra on Monday, over two-and-a-half years after the plane carrying 239 people, including five Indians, disappeared.

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The ATSB has previously analysed several pieces of debris and concluded that four of them were "almost certainly" from the missing plane.

Gibson, has previously found other pieces of the debris of the Boeing 777 that were confirmed to be from MH370, the Guardian reported.

"If they are confirmed as MH370 and if the fire was before the crash, this is significant evidence of what caused the planes demise," Gibson said.

Gibson, whose private search is self-funded, described the items as shattered composite panels with hexagonal honeycombing inside. Both had evidence of blackened singeing and burning to off-white paint on both sides.

He said he believed the parts were likely to be from an internal section of the plane, such as the cabin or cargo area, rather than a structural piece involved in flying, such as the wing.

However, he warned it was too early to draw firm conclusions ? or even to know if the debris is from the missing MH370 plane.

The parts, found by a local fisherman in southeast Madagascar, near Sainte-Luce, could have been burned after the crash once they washed ashore, he said.

In July last year, a flaperon was found on RAunion Island off the coast of Madagascar. It was the first piece to be formally identified as part of the MH370 wreckage.

Flight MH370 went missing on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with available data indicating that the plane flew into the waters of the southern Indian Ocean.

More than 1,10,000 sq km of the seafloor have been searched so far for clues to or debris of the missing jetliner. PTI KJ AKJ KJ

--- ENDS ---
Pro-Tamil groups have planned for week-long protest and today cadres of the May 17 movement protested in front of the Shastri Bhavan in Chennai.

By Pramod Madhav: Tensions in Chennai is on the rise as more and more videos of Tamilians being attacked in Karnataka continue to surface. Pro-Tamil groups have planned for week-long protest and on Wednesday 'May 17 movement' cadres protested in front of the Shastri Bhavan in the city.

They said that Tamil Nadu is being deliberately targeted by the National government and that the state should get Cauvery water unhindered.

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Thirumurugan Gandhi, convenor of the May 17 movement stated that the riot in Bengaluru, where Tamil people were targeted and their properties were damaged, was premeditated. "This is a well planned event by the BJP and RSS goons in Karnataka. Activists in Karnataka are not involved in this. Only goons are involved. We will not spare them. If they touch Tamilians in Karnataka, we will not spare them".

The situation got tensed as activists tried to burn pictures of Sonia Gandhi and Modi. Police had to enter the protest grounds and arrests the crowd as they tried to break the barricade and enter Shastri Bhavan.

Students in the protest raised slogans against Indian secularism.

Police detained the protesters and brought the situation under control.

Also Read:

Cauvery row: Normalcy returns to Bengaluru, partial curfew in force

Cauvery row: Pro-Tamil groups protest against Karnataka



Cauvery water dispute in numbers



Cauvery water dispute: PM Narendra Modi appeals for restraint



--- ENDS ---
The WCO, in cooperation with Mongolian Customs, and supported by the Customs Cooperation Fund of Japan, organized a Risk-based Passenger Selectivity Workshop in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 5 to 9 September 2016. The workshop was attended by 29 Customs officers from both Headquarters and field-level offices.

Mr. Bat-Erdene Yondon, Deputy Director of the Law Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Department attended the opening together with the WCO representative. In their opening remarks, Mr. Yondon and the WCO representative highlighted the importance of a risk-based approach while selecting the passengers, cargo and conveyances to be directed to physical examination. They also emphasized the relationships between risk-based selectivity and effective resource allocation, trade facilitation and targeted controls.



Main elements of risk management at the organizational level including principles, framework and process were covered during the first day of the workshop; then the focus was placed on risk assessment, profiling and targeting, including information and intelligence. Risk-based passenger selectivity-related topics were outlined throughout the entire Workshop. Several group work activities and practical exercises assisted participants to link the theory with practice. They were also trained on behavioral analysis and questioning techniques in order to identify anomalies which would contribute to risk-based selectivity practices. Each session was followed by a lively "questions and answers" session.



During the workshop, participants actively engaged and discussed how to identify and address risks as well as how to develop an effective profile by using the methodology explained in the WCO Customs Risk Management Compendium. Case studies and practical exercises also contributed to their further understanding of the topic.
Here's a timeline of the age-old dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the waters of River Cauvery.

By Sanjana Agnihotri:

River Cauvery, which originates from Kodagu's Talakaveri region in Karnataka and flows down through Tamil Nadu into the Bay of Bengal, has been an apple of discord between the two states for ages.

The water war took an ugly turn this month after the Supreme Court asked Karnataka government to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

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Here's a timeline of the dispute that has been raging between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for a very long time:1960s



Under the interstate agreements of 1872 and 1924, the states used to share Cauvery. But then, in the 1960s, Karnataka proposed to build new reservoirs along Cauvery's tributaries, which was rejected by the Planning Commission and the Centre.

However, Karnataka government is said to have gone ahead with the project with its own funds, building four reservoirs. This diverted water from Cauvery and triggered protests by Tamil Nadu.



1970s

In 1970s, a 'Cauvery Fact Finding Committee' was set up to inspect the ground realities and formulate a report. The final report came in 1973 and inter-state discussions were held on the basis of that.

In 1976, after another 3 years of discussion, a final draft was prepared on the basis of the CFFC findings. The draft was accepted by all states and the central government also made an announcement on it. But when Karnataka began construction of the Harangi dam in Kodagu, Tamil Nadu went to court and demanded a Tribunal under the Interstate River Water Disputes Act ( ISWD) of 1956.



1980s

Tamil Nadu withdrew its case but demanded the constitution of a tribunal and the two states started negotiating again. The negotiations continued till April 1990 and haven't yielded any results so far.

After the Supreme Court directed the then PM VP Singh government to constitute a tribunal, a three-member tribunal was formed and headquartered in New Delhi. All the states presented their demands. Karnataka asked for 465 Tmcft (one thousand million cubic feet), Tamil Nadu wanted that the flow should be in accordance with the terms of the agreements of 1892 and 1924.

After the tribunal was set up, Tamil Nadu demanded a mandatory injunction on Karnataka for the immediate release of water and other relief. In June 1991, Tamil Nadu was given an interim award and Karnataka was forced to accept it. This led to widespread demonstrations and violence in parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Many Tamil families fled from Bangalore in fear of being attacked by pro-Kannada activists.



1995

In 1995, when the monsoons failed badly in Karnataka, the state found it difficult to comply with the interim order. Tamil Nadu took the issue to Supreme Court but the court asked the state government to approach the tribunal. Meanwhile, the SC also asked the PM PV Narasimha Rao to find a political solution.

PM Rao met the chief ministers of the two states and got Karnataka to release 6 tmcft water.

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However, Karnataka maintained that the Interim award was not 'scientific' and was flawed because it was ambiguous on distress sharing (failure of monsoon).



1997

In 1997, Cauvery River Authority was formed to ensure that the implementation of the Interim order is successful. Karnataka opposed the power given to the authority, which was to take over the dams if the interim order was not fulfilled.

The government then came up with another plan and set up two bodies- Cauvery River Authority and Cauvery Monitoring Committee. While the CRA consisted of the PM and the chief ministers of all the court states, the CMC was an expert body which consisted of engineers, technocrats who would take care of the ground realities and submit reports.



2002



It was in 2002 that the tribunal realised that it had overlooked a major point while deciding interim- distress sharing. After the monsoon failed in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the reservoirs in both the states fell to low levels and Karnataka refused to release any water.

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A meeting of CRA took place in which an angry Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jalayalalithaa walked out. The Karnataka government was asked by SC to release 1.25 tmcft water every day and the state pressed for another meeting.

Tamil Nadu CM boycotted the meeting again and this time Karnataka government refused to release any water because of the protests in the Cauvery district. Things took an ugly turn and film actors and people from both the states came on the streets.

Tamil TV channels and screening of Tamil films were blocked in Karnataka, buses entering from Tamil Nadu were barred from entering the state.



2005

Karnataka refused to implement the distress sharing formula, cutting out Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. However, after six rounds of talks the following year, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu farmers tried to come up with a solution.



2007

After 16 long years, Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal gave its final order. It ordered allocation of 419 tmc ft of the water of Cauvery to Tamil Nadu, 270 tmc ft to Karnataka, 30 tmc ft to Kerala and 7 tmc ft to Puducherry.

This order, however, did not sit well with the people, and the dispute continued as the states filed petitions to review the decision.

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2012

In 2012, the then-prime minister, Manmohan Singh, directed Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. This directive, too, did not impress either of the chief ministers of the two states -- Jayalalithaa and Jagadish Shettar who termed it as "unacceptable".



2013

The Centre notified Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award in February 2013. In March that year, Tamil Nadu approached the Supreme Court to direct to the Water Ministry's constitution of the Cauvery Management Board.

Tamil Nadu government had also sought Rs 2,480 crore compensation from Karnataka that year for "not following CWDT orders".

As the Union water resources secretary chaired the supervisory committee's first meeting, Tamil Nadu government demanded its share of Cauvery water for June as per the Tribunal's award.

To that, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah responded that water cannot be released "as and when" Tamil Nadu demands. Tamil Nadu, then, filed contempt plea with the Supreme Court against Karnataka.



2016

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court asked the Karnataka government to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu on a daily basis for the following 10 days. However, as the government began releasing water, protests against the SC directive became intense in the state.

Hit with the wave of outrage and protests, Karnataka government filed a plea asking Supreme Court to modify the order. In response, SC pulled up both states, asking the people "to behave", and turned down the plea.

The court, however, reduced the quantity of water to be released from 15,000 cusecs to 12,000 cusecs.

After widespread violence in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and the imposition of Section 144 in Bangaluru, the dispute began fizzling out yesterday.

However, the Cauvery water-war is far from over.

--- ENDS ---
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently concluded his first official visit to China. Among other highlights, Trudeau attended the 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit, spoke to many high-ranking leaders in the Chinese government, and solidified bilateral trade agreements between Canada and China.

The leaders of both countries were able to reach a consensus on a series of issues. The two sides signed 56 new contracts and agreements worth $1.2 billion. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy, clean technology, infrastructure, agriculture, transportation, financial services, science and technology.

Another major highlight was the finalization of the Canada-Hong Kong Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). Trudeau and Leung Chun-ying, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, jointly announced the agreements entry into force on Sept. 6.
Rajdev Ranjan was killed in May by five bike borne assailants. Motive behind murder is unknown.

By Shivendra Srivastava: CBI will probe murder Case of Bihar Journalist Rajdev Ranjan. He was killed in May by five bike borne assailants.

Rajdev Ranjan worked for the Hindustan, a Hindi daily and sister paper of the Hindustan Times and one Bihar's largest circulating paper for 20 years. The police launched a manhunt to catch the killers. The motive behind the murder is unknown.

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It is believed that he was killed by Mohammad Kaif, a local henchman who is allegedly associated with RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin.

Siwan was the stronghold of former RJD parliamentarian Mohammad Shahabuddin, who was released from Bhagalpur jail on September 10. He was in jail for 11 years for the abduction and murder of two people in 2004. Kaif was spotted there with a group who was present to receive Shahabuddin post release.

This sparked off a controversy when wife of slain journalist Asha Ranjan blamed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for being lenient on the accused.

Later the opposition too opposed Shahabuddin's release and asked the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to send him back to jail.

According to sources, the CBI is likely to reach Siwan in 1-2 days to take over said case and start probe.

Also Read: Victims family to challenge Shahabuddins bail in SC tomorrow

Lalu's son spotted with Shahabuddin's sharpshooter, creates controversy



--- ENDS ---
WSU Students Participate with Suicide Prevention Walk in Downtown Ogden

September 14, 2016

OGDEN, Utah  Weber State University students will join the Northern Utahs suicide prevention coalition (NUHOPE) in the ninth annual suicide awareness walk Sept. 24 in downtown Ogden.

The 1-mile walk, held in conjunction with Ogdens Harvest Moon Celebration, will begin at 10 a.m. with a flag ceremony and an opening speaker on the corner of 25th Street and Lincoln Avenue.

The 2016 Utah Student Association board, made up of the student body presidents of 10 Utah universities and colleges, has agreed to make mental health its top priority this year. WSU student body president Greg Woodfield will attend the walk and encourage the campus community to do the same.

Over the last two years we've lost three people on Weber States campus who I knew  people I associated with, spoke with and called a friend, Woodfield said. Oftentimes, I wonder what I could have or should have done. My goal is to help more people in need of mental health counseling by using the resources at Weber State and other universities.

This years speaker will be Ret. Army Sgt. Josh Hansen, a two-tour Iraq war veteran who served as an IED (improvised explosive device) hunter. In 2007, Hansen was wounded in action and evacuated from Iraq to recover. His battalion lost six men in combat and another four to suicide once they returned home. Ever since his return, Hansen and his wife, Melissa, have devoted their lives to helping veterans with service-connected physical, mental and emotional injuries through their non-profit organization Continue Mission.

Continue Mission, like NUHOPE, is dedicated to raising mental health awareness and taking an active role in suicide prevention.

This walk allows our community to honor the loved ones theyve lost, to celebrate the survivors and to come together, said Kristy Jones, NUHOPE chair. It also brings awareness to suicide prevention, which is more important than ever now that Utah has the fourth highest rate of suicide deaths in the nation.

Suicide is currently the leading cause of death among 10-17 year olds in the state, and much of NUHOPEs efforts in suicide prevention focus on this age group. The group offers suicide prevention trainings throughout northern Utah and supports Hope Squads  school-level suicide prevention groups  in schools throughout Davis, Morgan, Ogden and Box Elder School Districts.

We are excited to have our Hope Squads lead the walk this year, said Nathan Alexander, program coordinator at in the Dumke College of Health at Weber State and this years NUHOPE Walk Chair. Theyre a great example of suicide prevention efforts in the community, and their participation highlights the importance of addressing suicide prevention in our schools and throughout the community.

Check-in for the walk begins at 9 a.m., Sept. 24 on the 200 block of 25th Street, where representatives from local organizations will distribute information. Walkers are encouraged to register early at nuhopeutah.org/nuhope-walk. Registration is free and attendees will receive a NUHOPE Walk T-shirt while supplies last.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Welcome to Weird Science DC Comics, the DC Comics site for the common man and woman. We love comics and hope you do too. Remember, our reviews are only one persons opinion and doesnt mean you have to agree or disagree, just be you.
5 deaths were reported at the Apollo Hospital, 4 at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and 1 death at Hindu Rao Hospital.

By India Today Web Desk: Death toll due to chikungunya has risen to 10 in the capital. 5 deaths were reported at the Apollo Hospital, 4 at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and 1 death at Hindu Rao Hospital.



A 75-year-old man died due to the mosquito-borne disease at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Earlier this week, three men in their 60s succumbed to the disease at the hospital.

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READ: Delhi: Dengue-chikungunya outbreak worries shoo away tourists

75-year-old Prakash Kalra was a resident of Mathura. He died of kidney failure as a result of complications arising from chikungunya.

According to the hospital, R. Pandey, 65, admitted to Ganga Ram on September 11 from Ghaziabad-based Yashodhara Hospital, died on Monday morning.

"Pandey's test for the vector-borne disease came positive with an extremely high viral count," said a senior official of the hospital.

Pandey, a diabetic, died after sepsis set in due to chikungunya fever. He died at around 4.30 am

Another patient to succumb was 61-year-old Uday Shankar, who died on Monday afternoon.

"Shankar, a resident of Dwarka, was admitted to Ganga Ram on September 11. He collapsed due to chikungunya-led complications on September 12. He had reported positive for chikungunya on September 8 at the OPD," said the official. Shankar was also suffering from a kidney ailment.

READ: Defective fogging machines add to woes amid rising chikungunya, dengue cases in Delhi

The third death due to chikungunya complications was of 62-year old Ashok Chauhan.

Earlier on September 1, a 22-year-old-woman succumbed to chest infection which set in as a result of chikungunya, at MCD's Bara Hindu Rao Hospital.

Taking cognisance of the deaths, the Delhi government on Tuesday announced an additional 1,000 beds for fever patients and a helpline number to provide information to people.

The beds will be provided in the three nodal hospitals for vector-borne diseases - Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospital and Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital. It also announced a Control Room with a helpline number -- 011-22307145.

Photo: Newsflicks

FULLY PREPARED TO DEAL WITH CHIKUNGUNYA: DELHI HEALTH DEPT



Urging the people to not panic due to the rising cases of dengue and chikungunya, Delhi government's Health Department said that it is fully prepared to deal with vector-borne diseases.

"The government has established dedicated Fever Clinics in its 26 hospitals (functional 24 hours), 262 Delhi government dispensaries (functional from 8 am to 4 pm) and 106 Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics (functional from 8 am to 2 pm) to cater to fever patients," said an official statement.

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According to the Delhi government, the treatment, lab diagnosis of dengue and chikungunya, are available free of cost in all Delhi government health institutions.

The Delhi government has said that private hospitals and nursing homes can increase their bed capacity.

The government has deployed manpower to fever clinics and emergencies and also ensured that hospitals provide drinking water with ORS in all the hospital OPDs.

READ: Co-infection of dengue and chikungunya doubles risk of virus evolution

Delhi's Health Minister Satyendar Jain, who was in Goa and returned Delhi on Tuesday afternoon, said the situation in Delhi government hospitals is "much better" than in the hospitals run by the Centre and civic bodies.

"We're not denying anyone a bed and have made all facilities available to deal with such cases. We have opened 262 fever clinics in Delhi. Please avoid self medication and do not panic," Jain said in a press conference here.

He accused the BJP-controlled civic bodies of not taking preventive steps to control the spread of vector-borne disease.

Union Health Minister J.P Nadda said that Delhi Government needed to be more serious on the epidemic situation.

He assured all technical help to the Delhi Government to tackle the rising cases of chikungunya and dengue.

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Civic bodies have put the figure of dengue, chikungunya and malaria infections at 1,158, 1,057 and 21 respectively till Sep 10.

READ: Chikungunya spreads wings to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh

- With inputs from IANS



--- ENDS ---
Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High 71F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 14, 2016 | 06:54 AM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY

Two people face drug charges after a traffic stop Tuesday in McCracken County.

The McCracken County Sheriff's Office says a deputy saw a vehicle, driven by 31-year-old Deantonio McGee of Paducah, traveling on Lone Oak Road without head lights and with expired registration plates.

After stopping the vehicle for the traffic violations, deputies reportedly found numerous illegal items inside the vehicle, including 4.8 grams of suspected methamphetamine packaged for sale, digital scales, hydrocodone and other assorted items of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies also said a passenger in the vehicle, 23-year-old Sara Johnson of Calvert City, tried to conceal three individually wrapped bags of suspected marijuana.

McGee was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and trafficking in controlled substance. Johnson was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with physical evidence, trafficking in controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

Both were arrested and booked into in the McCracken County Regional Jail.
Even with 5-0 lead, Verlander can't get 1st World Series win
By The Associated Press Sep. 13, 2016 | 07:25 PM | FRANKFORT, KY

The University of Kentucky says it does not object to Attorney General Andy Beshear intervening in its lawsuit against the student newspaper.

The university is suing the Kentucky Kernel over its efforts to obtain documents relating to the sexual assault investigation involving a former professor. The Kernel sought the school's investigative documents, but the school refused. The Kernel appealed to the attorney general, who ruled the university violated state open records law.

The university then appealed the attorney general's ruling by suing the Kernel.

Beshear has filed a motion to intervene in the case. In a motion filed Tuesday, lawyers for the university say "a clear controversy" exists between the university and the attorney general. A judge has scheduled a hearing on the issue for 1 p.m. Friday.
By The Associated Press

By The Associated Press Sep. 13, 2016 | 07:30 PM | BOWLING GREEN, KY

Officials at Western Kentucky University are investigating after someone slipped a statement under an assistant dean's office door, attacking her race.

WKU Provost David Lee told the Bowling Green Daily News Monday that Assistant Dean Michelle Jones of the University College recently found the statement in her South Campus office.

He says the note attacked Jones for being African-American and said she should go back to Africa.

Lee says they are determined to find out who wrote the note.

Last month, a black student at WKU found her parked car keyed with a racial epithet and other scratches.

WKU President Gary Ransdell said in a statement Sunday that police are investigating both incidents. He says the actions of the few do not represent the entire university.

___

Information from: Daily News, http://www.bgdailynews.com
AAP has blamed Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and municipal corporations for lack of preventive measures while the Delhi government is facing accusations of being negligent over the rising number of Chikungunya cases.

The Delhi government is blaming the Centre and MCDs for lack of preventive steps as it faces the accusation of being negligent over the rising number of Chikungunya cases.

By Mail Today Bureau: As the city is facing a major health crisis, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi and the BJP government at the Centre have started blaming each other for the outbreak of the vector-borne disease.

AAP has blamed Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and municipal corporations for lack of preventive measures while the Delhi government is facing accusations of being negligent over the rising number of Chikungunya cases.

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Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who returned from Punjab on Monday, said L-G Najeeb Jung and PM Narendra Modi should be questioned over the issue as powers rested with them. "CM n min left wid no power now, even to buy a pen. LG n PM enjoy all powers wrt Del.

LG abroad. Question them for Del, (sic)" he tweeted. While his Cabinet minister, Kapil Mishra, claimed that the Delhi government was at the receiving end of a criminal conspiracy as part of which the L-G deliberately sent the health secretary on a 12-day leave.

QUESTION MODI AND JUNG

"This is a criminal conspiracy against the people of Delhi. First, the health secretary was transferred despite (Deputy CM) Manish Sisodia's request not to do so. Then the person who sat on the file of Chinese Manjha ban for six days was made the new Secretary. He refused to meet Health Minister Satyendar Jain time and again since being appointed. And then the L-G deliberately sent him on a leave of 15 days and disappeared himself.

Where did he go?" Mishra questioned. Water Minister claims that Principal Health Secretary Chandraker Bharti is on leave till September 16. His leave was sanctioned by the L-G office on September 6. "No one knows where the mayors, councillors, the seven MPs and India's Health Minister are. Medicine was not sprayed, fogging was not undertaken," he said.

Virtually, the entire Delhi Cabinet is missing from action as ministers including Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai and Imran Hussain are out of station. While the CM is scheduled to undergo a throat operation in Bengaluru on Tuesday, his deputy Sisodia is in Finland to study its education system. Jain, who holds the Health portfolio, was touring poll-bound Goa and returned to Delhi on Tuesday afternoon. Rai is in Chhattisgarh and Hussain is on Haj pilgrimage.

Only Water minister Kapil Mishra was stationed in Delhi and was taking questions from media. Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain, who came back from Goa, targeted the L-G and MCDs for the lack of preventive measures before the onset of the Monsoon.

"The responsibility of curbing and preventing dengue, malaria and chikungunya lies with the MCD. We had called a special Assembly session to discuss the degrading condition as it seemed that the corporations are purposefully trying to lead the Capital into an epidemic," said Jain.

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Blaming the MCD, Jain said the L-G and the central government should be questioned for the ongoing health crisis. "Two MCD mayors are out of Delhi, ask them why? Their only work is to ensure cleanliness," Satyendra Jain said.

The municipal leaders, however, said while their responsibility was limited to the prevention of the vector-borne diseases, all attempts are being made to contain it. Subhash Arya, leader of house, South Delhi Municipal Corporation, said several attempts to meet the Delhi government ministers to discuss the health condition in Delhi failed due to their absence from the city.

ALSO READ:

Delhi's municipality blames residents for inadequate support to control dengue, chikungunya

Chikungunya in Delhi: Five dead, AAP and MCD trade barbs



--- ENDS ---
Here are the answers to all your queries about Chikungunya, the vector-borne disease currently looming over Delhi-NCR.

By Mini Dixit: With Chikungunya claiming a total of eleven lives in the Capital till now, the vector-borne disease and its menace seems to be turning into a worrisome affair.

Speaking to India Today Digital, Padma Shri winner and vice-chairman & director of Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Dr Sanjeev Bagai, answered a set of six frequently asked questions about the disease currently affecting many parts of Delhi-NCR.

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Q: What are the sure-shot symptoms of Chikungunya?

A: Chikungunya can be recognised with the help of the following symptoms:

1. High grade fever (with or without rashes)

2. Joint pain

3. Rashes

4. Nausea

5. Vomiting

6. Headache

Also Read: Are you equipped to deal with Zika? 3 important prevention tips from a doctor

Q: When should you see a doctor?

A: An individual should see the doctor immediately if his/her body temperature rises up to 103 degrees, with or without the presence of rashes. A visit to the doctor is also recommended when a 100-degree fever is accompanied by rashes and body ache.

One can wait for 24 hours in case the body temperature is between 100 to 102 degrees, without the presence of rashes.

Watch: We're taking steps to end mosquito breeding in Delhi: Union Health Minister

Q: When does Chikungunya become fatal?

A: When Chikungunya is accompanied by neurological complications, a loss of sensation or the Landry Guillain-Barre Syndrome (LGBS)--a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves--the risk of it turning fatal increases.

Q: A recent research suggests that woman tend to get bitten more than men. Is this true?

A: Incorrect. It has nothing to do with gender; the Aedes Aegypti mosquito can bite any exposed body parts, irrespective of the gender.

Also Read: Delhi in ICU: Chikungunya death toll rises to 10 in the national capital

Q: Is a particular age bracket more susceptible to Chikungunya?

A: Children and the elderly are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with Chikungunya. Those with kidney diseases and hypertension can also contract the disease based on the principle of co-morbidity--when two disorders or illnesses occur in the same person, simultaneously or sequentially.

Q: Is there a particular medicine to cure Chikungunya?

A: While a particular vaccine for Chikungunya isn't available yet, consuming Paracetamol 500 mg can be highly instrumental in reducing body temperature. As for vomiting, one can have Paridon D. Apart from the medicines, a person suffering from the disease should resort to hydration and complete bed rest till Chikungunya's 10 to 14-day-long cycle meets its end.

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Dr Bagai also busted the following myths.

1. Does body odour attract mosquitoes?

"No, it doesn't."

2. Does having a live hen in the house prevent mosquitoes from breeding?

"That's absolute nonsense."

--- ENDS ---
The five Indian nationals face heavy punishments as China has among the strictest drug laws in the world. Mere possession of more than 10 kilograms of cannabis can bring between seven years in prison to life imprisonment.

If found guilty, the five are likely to be formally charged in China.

By Ananth Krishnan: China has asked India and other governments to warn their citizens about China's strong drug laws after five Indian nationals were arrested in Kunming and face the prospect of heavy sentences after being caught with 24 kg of the drug hashish, an extract from the cannabis plant.

CAUGHT AND HOW

Five Indian citizens were caught while entering Kunming airport, arriving from Kolkata on China Eastern airline flights on August 24 and September 6. The Indian Embassy has been notified of their detention and been granted consular access on September 21.

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The five Indian nationals face heavy punishments as China has among the strictest drug laws in the world. Mere possession of more than 10 kilograms of cannabis can bring between seven years in prison to life imprisonment, while penalties for smuggling or sales are even stronger.

The five men from Kolkata were identified as Sheikh Ahmad Ali, Akrar Khan, Feroz Khan, Sheikh Ismail and Maqsud Alam. They have been accused of concealing the drugs in food packets and in the linings of laptop bags. They could not be reached for comment.

Official sources told India Today they will have the chance to evaluate the charges when consular access is granted.

COMING TO CHINA, OBSERVE OUR LAWS: GOVERNMENT

In a statement to India Today, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it hoped that "Governments of related countries could educate their citizens coming to China that they must observe China's laws and shall not engage in illegal activities."

"Drug crimes are universally accepted grave crimes which bear severe harm to the society," the ministry said. "China has been cracking down on drug crimes in accordance with the law. Judicial departments have been trying related cases according to the law, justly and independently, and fully protecting the legal rights of the litigants."

The statement added that the case was under further investigation and that the Kunming Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau had informed the Indian Embassy about the case.

If found guilty, the five are likely to be formally charged in China. Drug smuggling is a serious offense in the country and authorities have shown little leniency in the past, with legal experts often citing China's past history in dealing with opium smuggling as one reason for harsh penalties.

Heavier sentences have been awarded in the past for smuggling cocaine or heroin, drugs which call for harsher penalties under Chinese law. Cases involving hashish may bring lesser sentences, but the quantity of drugs involved in this case may bring a heavy sentence, experts have said.

In 2009, a British national Akmal Shaikh, a Pakistani-British businessman, was executed for allegedly bringing in 4 kilograms of heroin into Urumqi airport in Xinjiang. Earlier this year, Juliana Lopez, a 23-year-old 'beauty queen' from Colombia, was sentenced to prison for 15 years having been caught with 610 grams of white powder that contained cocaine at Guangzhou airport.

--- ENDS ---

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By PTI: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Sep 14 (PTI) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend this years UN General Assembly instead of President Xi Jinping who last year made a big splash making a state visit to the US and meeting top American business houses.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying today said that Lis trip will last from September 18 to 28 during which he will also visit Canada and Cuba.

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Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong said that Li in his speech to the UN General Assembly will outline Chinas stance on global governance and international order and its measures to cope with global challenges.

Li will also hold talks with state leaders of other countries during his stay in New York.

"China hopes to take the premiers UN tour as an opportunity to strengthen communication with other sides and underline the basic norms of international relations. The international community should jointly establish a new international order with cooperation and reciprocity at its core," Li Baodong told reporters today.

As for the premiers visit to Canada, the first by any Chinese premier in 13 years, Li Baodong said it shows the importance China attaches to the development of bilateral ties with Canada and will inject a strong impetus into future development.

Cuba, the first country in the Latin American and Caribbean region to have diplomatic ties with China, is the last stop on Lis visit.

Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao said Li will discuss with Raul Castro Ruz how to strengthen the China-Cuba friendship and cooperation.

The two sides will also sign cooperation documents in areas such as the economy, technology, energy and nuclear power. PTI KJV ZH

--- ENDS ---
A driver plowed into two police officers outside a Phoenix gas station on Tuesday and scuffled with a third policeman who managed to get out of the way in a scene captured on surveillance video.

The Phoenix police chief is denouncing what he calls a "violent, intentional act."

Police say Marc LaQuon Payne will likely face three counts of attempted first-degree murder.
By PTI: messages

New Delhi, Sep 14 (PTI) The Central Information Commission has cautioned the Prime Ministers Office to adopt "due seriousness" in the handling of Right to Information applications and provide responses within the mandatory time limit.

The matter relates to one Mohammed Khalid Jilani who wanted to know from the Prime Ministers Office whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given the messages on the occasions of Bakra Eid in 2014, and Baravafat and Eid-ul-Fitr in 2015.

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Jilani sought to know complete details of the messages, if these were given, along with the mode of communication. He also asked if the Prime Minister had attended any Roza-Iftar party in 2014 and 2015, and the details of such programmes.

Jilani claimed before the transparency panel that the response to his one question was provided after four months of filing of the application while for the remaining two he was given a reply after 10 months.

"After 10 months, the PMO informed me that if I needed this information, I have to go through the website of the PMO. If they had to provide me the link of the website, they could have done so within one month of filing my RTI," Jilani said.

He also said that his first appeal to the PMO was responded to after 64 days as against 30 days mandatory limit under the transparency law.

Jilani demanded that penalty be imposed on the PMO for not adhering to mandatory limit of 30 days in responding to RTI application.

The PMO, in its response, said it had issued an interim reply stating that information shall be provided as and when received from the offices concerned.

Chief Information Commissioner R K Mathur said it is observed that information to the appellant was not provided within the stipulated period of time. However, there was no mala fide on the part of the respondent (the PMO).

"The respondent is advised to be cautious in future and ensure that RTI applications are dealt with due seriousness and information is provided within the stipulated period of time to the appellant. If the CPIO (Central Public Information Officer) has to seek information from some other officers, they may have to be treated as deemed CPIOs and be responsible for providing information within stipulated time limits," Mathur said. PTI ABS SMN RT SMN

--- ENDS ---
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/09/2016 (2237 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DANIEL McIntyre, the former long-time superintendent of Winnipeg schools, has become the 43rd inductee into the Winnipeg Realtors Citizens Hall of Fame.

McIntyre may be remembered because of a Winnipeg high school in his name, but the entire school system in Winnipeg might rightfully be named after him. In fact, a city ward is named after him.

He was superintendent of Winnipeg schools for an incredible 43 years, from 1885 to his retirement in 1928. He oversaw the growth of the school system from the very beginnings of the then-rapidly growing city when there were only eight facilities. When he retired, there were more than 80 schools and tens of thousands of students.

The Winnipeg Realtors Citizens Hall of Fame program, founded in 1986, honours outstanding citizens who have brought recognition to the city or have made outstanding contributions to Winnipegs quality of life. They are selected from the fields of professional, public affairs and voluntary service.

Each inductee has a likeness sculpted and displayed at the Citizens Hall of Fame site in Assiniboine Park.

Rick Preston, chairman of the associations Citizens Hall of Fame program, said, We have always felt education is one of those undeniable and essential underpinnings of our Citizens Hall of Fame inductees drive to succeed and to enable them to attain their goals.

Daniel McIntyre was indirectly responsible for 10 of the inductees early education.

McIntyre started his career as a teacher in New Brunswick and then went on to graduate in law from Dalhousie University in 1882.

When he settled in Winnipeg, he briefly articled in criminal law but quickly went back to his roots in education.

As an engaged professional educator in the formative years of the city, McIntyre was at the forefront of many of the citys fledgling institutions.

He was co-founder and first president of the Childrens Aid Society and a co-founder of the School for the Blind in Manitoba and was an active volunteer, especially helping those underprivileged and challenged.

He was awarded an honorary doctor of laws from the University of Manitoba in 1912 and in 1924 Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute was opened and named in his honour.

In 1935, he received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contribution to education.

Gordon Davies and David Rich, descendants of the McIntyre family, will accept the Citizens Hall of Fame bronze medallion at an induction ceremony at the school named after him on Thursday. It will be permanently installed in the schools library.

On Friday, McIntyres bronze portraiture created by local sculptor Erin Senko will be installed at the Citizens Hall of Fame site at the southeast corner of Assiniboine Park.

McIntyre joins other members of the Citizens Hall of Fame who helped build the city, including Ashdown, Dafoe, Nanton and McClung as well as more recent civic leaders such as Israel Asper, Robert Chipman, Samuel Freedman, John Hirsch, Duff Roblin and Steven Juba, the first recipient.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 14 (PTI) Shares of Coal India fell nearly 3 per cent today after the company reported 14.7 per cent decline in consolidated net profit for the quarter ended June 30.

After making a weak opening, the scrip further lost 2.72 per cent to Rs 321.70 on BSE.

At NSE, shares of the company declined by 2.7 per cent to Rs 321.50.

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Coal India (CIL) yesterday reported 14.7 per cent fall in consolidated net profit at Rs 3,065.28 crore for the first quarter due to decline in sales.

CIL had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 3,596.93 crore in the year-ago period. Consolidated profit includes profit of jointly controlled entities and associates. Net sales of the company during the quarter declined by 6.1 per cent to Rs 17,796.05 crore, the coal major said in a filing to BSE yesterday.

Total expenses of the PSU declined to Rs 14,834.20 crore in April-June this year, from Rs 15,320.81 crore in the corresponding quarter of previous fiscal. PTI SUM BAL

--- ENDS ---
Opinion

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This article was published 13/09/2016 (2238 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the past decade, Manitoba Hydro has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to bring northern First Nation communities along as partners in the development of new generating stations.

These partnerships were trying to accomplish two main goals: first, to ensure First Nations were fairly consulted about the impact of these projects to avoid the destructive and disrespectful mistakes of past dam builds; and second, to ensure those communities received social and economic benefits that would materially improve their lives.

Has it worked? A newly released report from Manitoba auditor general Norm Ricard offers some intriguing food for thought.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The Keeyask dam project near Gillam.

Ricard examined Manitoba Hydros partnership agreements with four northern First Nations involved in the Keeyask generating station, 700 kilometres north of Winnipeg on the lower Nelson River. A number of concerns were raised.

The auditor was not satisfied the ratification process  by which band members authorize the chief and council to negotiate the parternships with Hydro  was properly managed. In particular, the auditor said Hydro is not doing enough to ensure ratification votes are adequately monitored and verified.

Other concerns were related to payments Hydro made to First Nations.

During the last 15 years, Hydro has paid nearly $170 million to four First Nations  Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation, York Factory First Nation and Fox Lake Cree Nation  who are partners in Keeyask.

Most ($146 million) went to process costs. The remaining money is devoted to adverse effects programs.

Process costs help First Nations hire lawyers and consultants to negotiate a partnership agreement, participate in environmental and regulatory assessments and to make informed decisions about the development project based on independent legal, professional and technical advice, Ricard wrote.

Adverse-effects programs include infrastructure upgrades on reserve, hunting and fishing programs, educational programs and initiatives to promote language and cultural traditions.

The auditor said Manitoba Hydro is doing a fair job of meeting its obligations under the process-cost and adverse-effects programs. However, there were problems with oversight.

On expenses, the auditor was concerned Hydro was not doing enough to verify claims from First Nations were valid.

Two of the Keeyask partner First Nations were found to have been submitting and receiving payment for ineligible expense claims. In one instance, Hydro paid out travel expenses that were submitted twice. At another First Nation, there were concerns about a $75,000 ceremony to mark the signing of the partnership agreement.

Hydro responded with special audits and has twice introduced new administrative measures that seem to address most of the auditors concerns.

However, there is a broader question raised by the auditors report: has all this money made any net positive impact on the lives of the people living in the four First Nations?

The benefits to First Nations and other northerners from the construction of hydro projects are ambiguous. At the back end of construction, there is profit-sharing, although in this uncertain energy market, one has to wonder what profits there are to be shared.

There are jobs to be had in the north during the planning and construction of the dams. However, when the project is completed, only a handful of people are needed to operate the generating equipment. Despite its enormous cost, Keeyask has limited economic spinoffs once it is operational.

We know this because this is the scenario unfolding with the Wuskwatim dam and the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

Prof. Peter Kulchyski, head of the University of Manitoba department of native studies, said the only legacy from the construction of the dam is a training centre, but it is unclear how much of a benefit it provides, particularly when there arent many jobs to be had on reserve. On top of this, he said, the dam is still inherently disruptive to the environment and traditional land around the First Nation.

There are still lots of negative impacts from these projects in terms of the harm it does to traditional lands, Kulchyski said. At the same time, there are really very few positive, long-term impacts we can identify.

Sheila North Wilson, grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, the umbrella organization for northern First Nations, agreed more needs to be done to improve the long-term economic effects of hydro partnerships. She said more needs to be done to not only train First Nations people to work on construction of the dams, but also to educate a new generation of aboriginal lawyers, engineers and environmental experts. There are still too many people from the south making a living off these projects, she said.

Making First Nations partners in the construction of multibillion-dollar generating stations is a good and just idea. However, the partnerships being offered by Hydro are imperfect. Huge sums of money are paid to First Nations, but far too much of it flows through them and into the pockets of consultants who neither live nor really work in the north. At the completion of the construction phase, there is little in the way of tangible, long-term social or economic benefits.

No matter how you cut it, $170 million should be enough money to dramatically improve the lives of people living in those four First Nations. If we are not accomplishing that, then its time to come up with a whole new definition of partnership.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 13/09/2016 (2238 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Brandon Police Service is under investigation after a man hit his head while in the back of a police cruiser that was rear-ended by another police vehicle.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba is investigating after it said the man received minor injuries while in the custody of a Brandon police officer. The police watchdog was advised by Brandon Police Service that early in the morning onSept. 10, an officer was escorting an intoxicated man to the Brandon Correctional Centre. During the course of the transport, the man hit his head on the interior of the car, resulting in a small laceration over his left eye.

Also while en route, the police car was hit from behind by another police vehicle.

TIM SMITH / BRANDON SUN FILES Brandon Police Services headquarters building on Victoria Avenue.

The IIU was notified by the Brandon Police Service on Sept. 12. It has assumed responsibility for this investigation in accordance with the Police Services Act. Investigators were immediately deployed to Brandon, the unit said in a post on its website. The investigation is ongoing, so no further details will be provided at this time.

The IIU investigates all serious incidents involving police officers in Manitoba, whether occurring on or off duty.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/09/2016 (2238 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE PAS  The last major hurdle to the largest casino in northern Manitoba moving to Assiniboia Downs is the provincial government, say the owners of Aseneskak Casino near The Pas.

Without moving to a larger market, the casino on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation will have to shut down in the next 21/2 years, Chief Clarence Easter of Chemawawin Cree Nation said Tuesday.

We need their blessing on the location and we need a bigger market, Easter said.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The Aseneskak Casino at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation is not generating revenue.

A memorandum of understanding still exists between the casino and Peguis First Nation to relocate the casino to land near Assiniboia Downs, he said.

Chemawawin is one of six First Nations from the areas Swampy Cree Tribal Council, which owns the casino.

In 2015, the Free Press reported the partnership was in the midst of negotiating a deal with Peguis First Nation to move the casino, which is involved in a joint venture with Assiniboia Downs.

Easter said talks with Peguis Chief Cindy Spence have been optimistic and Peguis remains on board with supporting the relocation. A request for comment from Spence was not returned. The casino would be part of a multimillion-dollar plan to turn 36 acres of the Downs into an urban reserve with the Manitoba Jockey Club  which operates Assiniboia Downs  as a partner.

The jockey club, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak also support the move, said casino CEO Suzanne Barbeau-Bracegirdle.

Final approval falls to the Pallister government, and so far, no one is ready to give the location a green light.

Crowns Minister Ron Schuler and Justice Minister Heather Stefanson met with the casino owners Monday, but werent ready to reveal their stance, Barbeau-Bracegirdle said.

They asked a lot of questions. They didnt say they wanted us to stay, but they also didnt say they wanted us to leave, she said.

In a prepared statement, Stefanson said her government wont make politically motivated agreements like the former NDP government without a solid business plan from the casino.

Our government is currently conducting a broader review of the implications of relocated or expanded gaming in Manitoba.

The 2016 Manitoba Gaming Market Study indicates that the gaming market is oversupplied throughout the province, including in Winnipeg. Any change in capacity must therefore be supported by a solid market analysis and business plan, she said.

The study called Manitoba one of the most penetrated gaming markets in North America. It noted any expansion in Winnipeg would take away from the two casinos in the city.

KRISTIN ANNABLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Chemawawin Chief Clarence Easter and CEO Suzanne Barbeau-Bracegirdle on the casino floor. The casino wants to move to the Winnipeg area. They met with two PC ministers Monday.

Easter said the casino hasnt made a profit in the past 10 years as VLTs have expanded elsewhere and online gaming has become more prevalent.

Ten years ago, 200 people would go to the casino on a Saturday night. Now, a busy night means 80 customers, he said.

Tuesday afternoon, 24 customers were in the casino for an area that can operate up to 600 gaming machines. There are six gaming tables in use, while the casino has a licence for 40.

We have all these other machines we arent using that is not generating revenue for our partners, Barbeau-Bracegirdle said.

The casino is one of the top five employers in The Pas, a town with a population of 5,500.

There are about 140 jobs on the line if the casino shuts down  a major blow for The Pas, which is facing the loss of more than 300 jobs if Tolko Industries closes Dec. 2 as planned.

However, Easter said they plan to start a program that will move employees to the new location, allowing them to live part time at the site of the casino.

kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 14/09/2016 (2237 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Indigenous representatives have the chance today to give Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan feedback on the countrys Defence Policy Review.

Sajjan said even though the public feedback into the review finished in July, he still wanted to hear more from the voices of indigenous people.

Its an important viewpoint, he said. (We heard) whats important to them. Everything from certain programs in the military And how to make these programs better.

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Defense Minister Harjit S. Sajjan was in Winnipeg today involved in a discussion with indigenous leaders and groups to gain their perspective on Canadas Defense Policy Review.

Todays meeting on the future of Canadian defence is an essential first step to ensure that indigenous voices are heard, he said.

Sajjan, a former member of the military himself, said he was stationed at CFB Shilo for three months back in 1985.

After Sajjan spoke to the media, Ron Swain, national vice chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, said he told the minister that indigenous communities should be given the same right as municipalities and provinces to call in the armed forces when needed.

We should be able to trigger the same response, Swain said. Wed like them to come and defend our rights. Swain said about a dozen people were meeting with the minister today including individuals and organizations like the Metis National Council and Indian Friendship Centres.

Swain said it is also important for indigenous people to have dialogue with the defence minister and the armed forces because we are the fastest growing segment of Canadian society and our young men and women need jobs.

The government and Canadian Armed Forces have been reviewing the countrys defence policy since April.

The government hopes to have a new policy in place by next year. It is the first review of defence policy in two decades. The meeting in Winnipeg began with a pipe and smudge ceremony by Marcel Hardisty, a keeper of traditions and ceremonies from Wanipigow First Nation.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/09/2016 (2237 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Trudeau government is actively considering major electoral reform in Canada. Its preference is for a ranked ballot model over our current first-past-the-post (FPTP) system.

But the pushback from the opposition parties has forced the federal Liberals to retreat. The problem now is the electoral clock is running out  especially since Elections Canada says it needs a decision by late 2017 to be ready for a federal vote in 2019.

Here on Prince Edward Island, Im not sure what to make of the latest push for electoral reform. There is a plebiscite scheduled for the week of Oct. 27 to Nov. 7, where voters will have several methods (including the Internet) of expressing their preference.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) is moving ahead on electoral reform; Prince Edward Island Premier Wade MacLauchlan (right) has a front-row seat to public consultations for a similar movement in PEI.

Only recently has Elections PEI launched a public education campaign. But most Islanders are not paying a whole lot of attention to the issue. After all, this is a province with a traditional, parochial and slow-to-change political culture within a mostly closed two-party system (the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals) in which those parties benefit enormously from the existing FPTP model.

Neither party has said publicly which model of electoral reform they support. And with a plebiscite offering five different options  specifically, the status quo, FPTP plus party leaders, dual member mixed proportional representation, a preferential ballot and a mixed member proportional (MMP) model  the silence from the mainstream parties seems rather strange.

Clearly, a provincial government is asking a lot when it expects its citizens to understand the finer points of various electoral models and systems. Where exactly are they going to find the time for this  let alone the inclination and interest?

In November 2005, Islanders were bombarded with information about the advantages and disadvantages of just one model  the MMP system. Because they had trouble grasping all the ins and outs of the model, confusion set in; people tuned out and turned away from the process altogether (in a province that routinely manages 80 per cent voter participation rates.)

Similarly, Im less convinced 16-year-olds should be permitted to participate in the plebiscite. I do wonder about their level of interest and political acumen to engage intelligently in the process.

It may be the provincial government is engaging youth because it is worried about the voter participation numbers replicating the 33 per cent turnout in the 2005 referendum on electoral reform.

My main concern, though, is with the use of a ranked ballot system for the plebiscite, where citizens will be asked to rank the five options in order of preference. This is being done because the governing Liberals wanted to put in place a threshold number of 50 per cent plus one vote. So even if one of the electoral options on offer does not secure a majority as a first preference, it is likely to do so when second choices are factored in.

But it is worth noting no other electoral reform plebiscite or referendum in Canada has used either a ranked ballot or a 50 per cent plus one vote threshold. Previous referendums in British Columbia, Ontario and P.E.I. set the threshold for acceptance at 60 per cent of overall voter support.

Why the change on P.E.I.? Were not talking about minor tinkering here. This is potentially introducing fundamental change to how governments are elected in the province (and what the nature of those governments looks like).

One of the critical questions here is the impact or effect of using a ranked ballot. Does it favour one option over another? Will it only complicate and confuse matters further for Islanders? Could it contribute to a lower turnout?

It is possible that by employing a ranked-ballot system, the sitting government (with a wink and a nudge from the opposition PCs) is hoping to favour the status quo option of FPTP. It is certainly the option that is most likely to receive the largest number of second choices. Its basically the old adage: better the devil you know.

But what is most troublesome is the very real possibility one of the options will garner majority support on the second ballot with only a minority of voters showing up. How legitimate, credible and democratic would that vote be if less than 40 per cent of Islanders bother to vote in the plebiscite?

Unfortunately, this electoral reform initiative on P.E.I. seems designed to reinforce the status quo FPTP. If that is indeed the case, I dont know why we bothered embarking on this process in the first place.

Peter McKenna is professor and chair of political science at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown.
Opinion

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This article was published 14/09/2016 (2237 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Its 160 acres of prime real estate in one of Winnipegs toniest neighbourhoods, and still it remains vacant, undeveloped and an eyesore to the thousands who drive past it daily on Kenaston Boulevard.

Kapyong Barracks  the former home to the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry, which relocated to CFB Shilo in 2004, leaving the barracks abandoned  has been the subject of much legal wrangling between the federal government and Treaty 1 First Nations governments  Brokenhead, Long Plain, Peguis, Roseau River, Sagkeeng, Sandy Bay and Swan Lake. The bands became interested in the property in 2001, but in 2007 Ottawa decided to make the property strategic and to sell it to the federal agency that markets this type of surplus property.

Then began a protracted legal fight with the federal government. Ottawas stance was it didnt have to consult fully and substantially with First Nations on the future of the site because of its special status as a strategic property. Last fall, in the midst of a federal election, then-prime minister Stephen Harper announced his government was going to drop any further court appeals on the issue, opening the door for discussions. A new deal was put on the table, and in September 2015 there was optimism development could proceed in the near future.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Kapyong Barracks

But that optimism has waned.

Talks on how the land will be used, at what price and whether it can be designated as an urban reserve have been ongoing since the federal Liberal government came to power. As the Free Press has reported, it appears discussions have been put on pause because of changes at Peguis First Nation more than a year ago. Cindy Spence took over as the first female chief of Peguis after a nail-biter of an election in the spring of 2015, defeating incumbent Glenn Hudson. The election was fought largely on issues of transparency, including concerns about negotiations on Kapyong as well as a development deal with the Manitoba Jockey Club to develop Assiniboia Downs as an urban reserve. But the clock is ticking, and now its time to move forward.

As time moves on, the potential for prime real estate in Winnipeg remains untapped. After spending more than $1 million in legal bills fighting the courts decisions, Ottawa also remains on the hook to maintain the barracks to prevent total decay along with paying for its annual property taxes. Since 2004, Ottawa has paid $11.7 million in total taxes on the property.

More than that, the city is missing out on even higher tax revenue it could pull in if the land was fully developed.

The court decision made it clear the government doesnt have to sell it to First Nations, it must only act as a willing seller. This is a file that has been open for too long, and its time for the two sides to work out an agreement that will have some benefit. There not only has to be pressure placed on the Liberal government in Ottawa, but on the Treaty 1 officials here in Manitoba to broker a deal.
CALEDONIA  Robert Albrecht of La Crescent was sentenced Tuesday to serve an additional 92 days in jail for shooting a friend at close range with a .45-caliber handgun on Dec. 14, 2015.

The shooting left a quarter-size hole in the victims torso and left him unable to continue working.

Albrecht, 38, had a blood-alcohol level of .20 at the time of the shooting, which he originally claimed was accidental before admitting, I picked up (the gun) and (expletive) shot him.

Judge Matthew Opat handed down a sentence of one year plus one day in jail, with credit for 274 days already served, during sentencing Tuesday at the Houston County Courthouse. In addition, Albrecht must pay $8,573.12 in restitution. Albrecht was found guilty in July of one felony count of terroristic threats and one felony count of discharging a firearm within a municipality. The jury acquitted him of several other charges, including first-degree assault.

Prosecutor Sam Jandt had requested a stay of judgment, calling the defendants pre-sentencing investigation report one of the most disturbing case files Ive ever read. The PSI shows an absolute lack of remorse ... he needs supervision.

Defense attorney Ben Smith countered that Albrecht had expressed remorse on several occasions and that Albrecht had a history of mental issues due to a traumatic brain injury as a child and the absence of his mother in his life. Smith requested the court execute the year-to-day sentences as they stand, also asking for the restitution to be waved, stating it is not meant to be a punishment, and should be regarded as a different legal matter.

Albrecht, wearing an orange prison-issue uniform, his hands shackled in his lap, offered a brief apology after receiving his sentence, stating Im sorry I hurt (the victim). Im really sorry for my actions.

Opat suggested Albrecht send a letter of apology to the victim, who had gone to Albrechts home before the shooting took place after hearing he had had a bad day.

Mr. Albrecht, what you did to somebody else is not something that should occur at any time. There is no doubt in this courts mind what you did was reckless. The victim came to your home out of concern for you, and you showed a lack of concern for him.
The Winona County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a half-cent sales tax for road repair and maintenance.

Tuesdays approval of the resolution was primarily to work toward solving the $3.5 to 4.4 million per year funding gap for roads and bridges in the county. The tax, which is projected to generate $1.68 million per year, will be used solely for county road and bridge infrastructure.

Unlike cities, which need both legislative and voter approval for broader half-cent sales taxes, a county board can approve a transportation-specific sales tax with a public hearing and a vote.

The tax passed in a 3-2 vote, with commissioners Jim Pomeroy and Greg Olson voting against.

Pomeroy said using the tax would not hold the Minnesota Legislature responsible for funding roads and infrastructure throughout the state. He was also skeptical the tax would ever be repealed.

I understand the difficulty were having with county roads, I do believe there have been problems legislatively  but I do believe the gas tax should be the primary source, Pomeroy said. Im going to vote against this in hope the Legislature will get it right.

Olson raised other objections, saying the businesses he had talked to were concerned about the extra costs.

For the other commissioners the money outweighed any potential problems.

Commissioner Marcia Ward said the Legislature isnt appearing to change, so the county could leverage this money on their own and dissolve the tax if it did receive further funding.

In my opinion we cannot levy enough local property taxes, Ward said. Thats what our task is, is to maintain county infrastructure.

Commissioner Steve Jacob also supported the tax, which puts Winona County on equal footing with most of its neighbors, who have already implemented it.

Anyone who travels outside of our county is paying for this  meanwhile, transient people who come through our county, theyre not paying, Jacob said. This is one of the few places where Im able to be supportive of a revenue increase.

County eyes 6 percent levy increase

A similar discussion ended the meeting in the boards working session on the proposed budget and property tax levy.

Ken Fritz, county administrator, said that since the previous meeting the county had been able to lower the projected deficit from around $2.5 million to $1.9 million.

But since that point, theyve run out of things to cut.

We dont have any more rabbits to pull out of our hat, Fritz said.

The discussion ended on the note of looking at somewhere around a 6 percent property tax raise, which would amount to around $18 for a home valued at $130,000 in Winona County. With that, the county would still likely have to spend just less than $1 million in reserves.

But, as Fritz and several commissioners noted, an increase even to that extent would not be more than maintaining the current state of the county government.

The budget does not include any new positions and not every budget expense, including $80,000 for ongoing jail costs, $20,500 in replacement dive equipment, and several other costs in information technology.

A rise in expenses and falling revenue, including money from the state and federal government, make for funding shortfalls.

This is a very conservative budget, Fritz said. Regarding services, if you look at the departments, even in community services, there are only a few areas that are not mandated.

Ward said that was exactly why the budget wasnt something she would call bare bones.

Were not doing anything new, were not doing anything innovative, Ward said. Its nothing to get excited about.

She said she wouldnt vote for an increase while the county has over $17 million in reserves, though that money is part of the countys policy to set aside a set amount of operating expenses for both emergencies and other reasons, including bond ratings that lets the county borrow money at favorable rates.

Jacob spoke of weaning off spending reserves, which was a factor in the budget shortfall for 2016. While he said he would not likely support a tax increase of that proportion, something other than burning through the reserve funds was necessary.

Six percent is the number it takes to stay at zero, Jacob said. Thats not an increase or a decrease.

The board will set the preliminary levy and the date for the Truth-in-Taxation hearing at its Sept. 27 meeting.

I understand the difficulty were having with county roads, I do believe there have been problems legislatively  but I do believe the gas tax should be the primary source. Im going to vote against this in hope the Legislature will get it right. Jim Pomeroy, Winona County commissioner
The six journalists were attacked by the coal mafia in Tinsukia, Assam when they had gone for their professional duties.

By Manogya Loiwal : Despite several promises made by the new Bharatiya Janata Party government to curb the anti-social activities in Assam, the government seems to be failing to deliver on the promises made.

The coal mafia which has been operational in the region from past several years was exposed by the local journalists over the past few days.

Acting on behest of the influential people, the members in support of the illegal activities resorted to attacking the mediapersons who have been making all possible efforts to bring the truth to the fore.

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Also read: Assam Govt secondary schools to be declared tobacco-free zones



ATTACKED BY COAL MAFIA



The journalists went to Margarita area to gather the facts related to the alleged illegal smuggling of coal from Coal India when they were attacked by more than 40 people suspected to be involved with the coal mafia.

India Today journalist Manoj Dutta was also among those assaulted by the mafia men.

The journalists alleged that they had to request the Superintendent of Police MJ Mahanta for intervention as both the Ledo and Tinsukia police station refused to take any action.

Also read: Assam has immense potential in plastic industry

The six journalists were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.



SMUGGLING UNDER POLITICAL PATRONAGE



However, the victims alleged that smuggling was being conducted under the supervision of BJP MLA Bhaskar Sharma's right arm Kuldeep Singh and Sandeep Sethia.

The victims also added that coal worth crores is being smuggled each night by the mafias from the mines and are exported to Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

Following the incident, several unions such as All Assam Tribal Student Union, ATSA called for a 24-hour bandh demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

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The southeast corner of Minnesota is a special place to live. Its small towns, productive farmland, celebrated trout streams and scenic woodlands make it a unique blend of economic and recreational opportunities. In other words, a great place to raise a family.

But maintaining this unique balance and meeting the needs of all the interests in our area is not a simple matter. In light of the issues facing us. I believe Vince Ready is the candidate for Winona County commissioner best prepared to guide our district.

A commissioner plays a vital role in balancing all the expectations of the people in our county. Weve seen what happens when commissioners fall into tunnel vision on difficult issues. With his varied experiences and strong personal character, Vince Ready has the broad perspective necessary to handle the complexities our county faces.

Vince is truly a servant at heart. He proudly served our nation in the military in Vietnam. He worked as an emergency room nurse for more than 30 years, helping those in need of immediate medical assistance. His extensive list of volunteer activities includes assisting kids at the St. Charles Schools and working with the Meals on Wheels program.

Because of his varied life experiences, Vince recognizes the complexity of balancing the needs of farmers, homeowners, outdoor enthusiasts and business interests. He knows that all these parties have valid concerns about where Winona County moves in the years to come. He understands his role as county commissioner is to look at the big picture, to see things from every vantage point and then make a decision that will best serve the entire area for the long term.

Vince Ready has shown by the way he has lived his life that he is the candidate committed to all the people of Winona County. He will represent us with integrity and honesty as a public official who knows his job is to serve everyone. We need a man like Vince Ready in our government. I urge you to vote for Vince Ready, the real peoples candidate, for Winona County commissioner.

Mike Smith,

St. Charles
Hillary Clintons latest health episode is about a lot more than her overall health and whether or not shes healthy enough to serve in the nations highest office. It again exposed her lack of judgment.

Clinton has been coughing and hacking her way through the campaign for several months now.

After her Labor Day episode, she tried to explain away her coughing fits as allergies, even saying she was allergic to Donald Trump. But on the 15th anniversary of the jihadist terror attacks upon the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, it got worse.

Clinton could not finish the program and had to leave. On her way out, video clearly caught the former secretary of state appearing to have passed out and ultimately falling into the arms of Secret Service who assisted her into a van.

It had finally become evident that something more is wrong with the presidential candidate. Initially, her staff tried to write it off as nothing more than a slip off the curb. The video was very unconvincing as we saw her initially fall slightly backward.

By the end of the day, Clintons doctor announced her patient had pneumonia and had been diagnosed the previous Friday. This is where Clintons judgment comes into play.

If we assume the account is accurate, 68-year Clinton ignored her own health. Pneumonia can be very serious, if not fatal, in people over the age of 65. Clintons campaign would have been better served announcing her illness immediately and pulling her off of the trail.

While announcing her illness may have been fodder on talk-radio, it would have been a prudent move and most Americans would have considered the decision reasonable. In the end, Clinton decided it was more important to hang out at a fundraiser with Barbra Streisand after getting her diagnosis.

Instead, the lady who already has trouble with public trust once again attempted to lie her way into believability. Public trust in Clinton already is nearly non-existent, so adding another lie to the mix isnt a big deal. But you do have to ask yourself, is it really pneumonia?

Clintons coughing episodes are documented at TheAmericanMirror.com where videos show her coughing her way through the campaign as far back as Jan. 25. That time she excused herself during a speech at the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. She has had seven coughing fits prior to her 4-minute episode on Labor Day.

Coughing fits like Clintons could be caused by a number of illnesses  respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema come to mind in addition to pneumonia. Is it possible she has had pneumonia for the past 8 months? Thats not very likely.

The image of her needing assistance while walking isnt new, either. In August, photographs emerged on numerous websites showing she needed help climbing what appear to be seven steps into a building while campaigning in South Carolina. The image of her outreached arms grabbing for support is alarming when you consider shes allegedly a healthy 68-year-old woman running to be President of the United States.

It also raises the question as to whether or not she actually was in the bathroom when she failed to report to the debate stage after a commercial break last December. Did she experience a similar episode of light-headedness or did she really become the first candidate to miss her cue while stuck in the ladies room?

Clinton first fell on her way to a White House meeting in 2009 when she fractured her elbow. The injury was serious enough it required surgery. The secretary of state was walking to her car inside the dry basement of the State Department. She also fell while boarding a plane in 2011.

In January 2013, she had surgery to remove a blood clot that resulted from a concussion she suffered in another fall two weeks prior to that. It was an incident in which she again fainted. She hit her head and the clot was the result of hemorrhaging along the side of her head. The clot was in a vein where blockages often lead to strokes.

Its hard to believe this is the same media that mocked Gerald Ford for his pratfalls and Dick Cheney for having congestive heart disease. Instead, in this race, theyve mocked anyone else who questions her health.

Its time to question the truth about her health. Maybe just this once, she could come clean about what is really going on with her.
Area Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will hit the streets to sell popcorn

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from communities across south central Wisconsin will be hitting the streets to raise money through their annual popcorn sale. The sale will run from Sept. 16 through Nov. 1.

Seventy percent of each sale will go directly to support Scouting in the area. Many Scouts use the funds to attend camp each summer.

The popcorn comes in 14 flavors and varieties including: chocolate-drizzled caramel with nuts, sweet and salty kettle corn and movie theatre with extra butter.

New this year are the Mauve popcorn varieties. Mauve popcorn contains antioxidants and has virtually no hulls (which means less flossing after every bowl). Theres no artificial anything in the Mauve Popcorn.

Scouts will be going door-to-door and setting up stationary stands. Those interested in purchasing popcorn who cannot find a Scout canvisit www.glaciersedge.org or call 608-310-7300.
Paying for gas at the pump might cost you more than just the listed price.

Card skimmers  surreptitious devices that steal bank card information with a swipe  are popping up all over Wisconsin, including in Madison. So state officials on Tuesday warned consumers to be watchful for any evidence of skimmers or unusual account activity.

Five skimmers have been discovered in gas pumps in Madison since early August, prompting the Madison Police Department to alert every gas station in the city to check their pumps.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said the five Madison stations were Whitney Way Mobil, 699 S. Whitney Way; Farzo LLC, 699 S. Gammon Road; MS Mobil, 3019 E. Washington Ave.; BP Amoco Food Shop, 318 S. Park St.; and Avenue Shell, 4821 E. Washington Ave.

State investigators found those five skimmers and another 10 across the state during inspections of pumps conducted over the past five weeks.

Other card skimmers were discovered at Newville Travel Plaza in Edgerton, J&R Express Mart in Janesville, Milton Travel Center in Milton, Tri-Par Qwik Stop in Random Lake, Camp Douglas BP in Camp Douglas, Dino Stop II in Lake Delton, 7 Eleven in Franklin, Open Pantry in Brookfield, BB Mobil Mart in Appleton and Jackson Street Mobil in Oshkosh.

Police spokesman Joel DeSpain said once skimmers are found, they are removed, and owners are encouraged to check their pumps daily. Police will also share photos of what skimmers look like to gas station owners. Officers will be going to each station to walk employees through what they should be looking for, DeSpain said.

DATCP spokesman Bill Cosh urged consumers to ask stations about steps theyre taking to secure their pumps. The skimmers, either internal or external, read information off cards without the consumer knowing, so accounts can be hacked.

The FBI and IRS have been conducting local skimming investigations at gas stations and ATMs but havent released information about arrests.

Police and IRS agents temporarily shut down several area gas stations several weeks ago, but DeSpain told the State Journal the skimmers found were not from one particular chain or owner.

The investigation by DATCP first found one card skimmer inside a gas pump, which prompted Madison police to encourage other operators to check their pumps, DeSpain said. Five skimmers were found in all, but we cant say there might not be others, DeSpain said.

DATCP said Tuesday that inspectors have recently become aware of skimmers in gas pumps throughout Wisconsin.

A consumer may likely have no indication that they used an altered dispenser until they find a discrepancy on their bank statements, said Frank Frassetto, division administrator of trade and consumer protection.

The best defense against card skimmer theft is a strong offense, so we strongly encourage shoppers to pay close attention to their monthly statements and to regularly check their credit reports, Frassetto said.

Gas pump skimmers are either external, with a false card reader fitting over the real card reader, or internal, with a communication cable containing a recording device put between the card reader and the main board.

DATCP said consumers can protect themselves from card skimming by wiggling the card reader on the pump  a skimmer might feel loose and fall off  or checking the pump to see if any security seals have been broken. If a seal is compromised, tell the station manager.

DeSpain said customers worried about having their personal information stolen can take steps to alleviate concerns.

Pre-pay for your gas inside the station or pay in cash, he said. And check your credit report for any unusual activity.

What happens when a card skimmer is found on a pump? DATCP said station management would be informed by the inspector, the pump would be taken out of service and law enforcement would be notified, because the presence of a skimmer makes the pump a crime scene.
An in-depth investigative report from the Guardian U.S. sheds new light on the relationships between Gov. Scott Walker and donors to the Wisconsin Club for Growth during the governor's 2012 recall election, raising questions about influence over at least one legislative effort that would have benefited one significant donor.

The Guardian U.S. sifted through a set of 1,500 leaked documents from the John Doe probe into Walker's campaign and conservative groups that supported him during the recall effort, including Wisconsin Club for Growth. Some of the documents have been seen before, while others were published for the first time on Wednesday.

The documents show multiple instances of Walker soliciting contributions from wealthy donors not for his campaign, but for Wisconsin Club for Growth.

The report raises questions about legislative efforts to shield lead paint manufacturers from lawsuits seeking compensation for lead poisoning. The leaked documents show $750,000 in donations to Wisconsin Club for Growth from Harold Simmons, the owner of one of the United States' leading producers of lead used in paint until it was banned.

"In the same time frame" the donations occurred. Walked signed into law changes passed by the Republican-led Legislature that would have made companies like NL Industries effectively immune from compensation claims for lead paint poisoning.

According to one document cited in the report, a lobbyist for NL Industries suggested to Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, which language should be used to make the effective immunity retroactive. The phrase suggested by the lobbyist is the one that was added to an amendment, which was passed and signed into law but later blocked by a federal court.

A spokeswoman for Fitzgerald did not immediately return a request for comment.

Federal courts have since overturned most of the changes outlined in the Wisconsin law.

"But the point remains: had the new provisions been allowed to stand, they had the potential to save the company and others like it millions of dollars in damages," the report reads.

The Guardian U.S. report notes there is no evidence Republican legislators tried to change those laws as a direct result of Simmons' donations to the group that supported some of them in their recall elections. But it closes with questions about the appearance of quid pro quo resulting from that relationship.

Walker's campaign pushed back on the report.

"As widely reported two years ago, the prosecutors attorney stated that Governor Walker was not a target. Several courts shut down the baseless investigation on multiple occasions, and there is absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing," campaign spokesman Joe Fadness said.

Documents previously released from the Doe investigation showed that mining company Gogebic Taconite had donated $700,000 to Wisconsin Club for Growth before the Legislature passed a bill softening environmental regulations on iron mining throughout the state.

In a 4-2 ruling last summer, the state Supreme Court ordered an end to the John Doe investigation. Prosecutors have since asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn that ruling, arguing some of the justices who ruled in favor of shutting down the probe should have recused themselves since they had received donations from the groups being investigated.
By PTI: Ahmedabad, Sep 14 (PTI) Dalit organisations, fighting against "atrocities" on the community in Gujarat, today announced holding of "rail roko" agitation at some places in state on October 1.

Dalit leaders associated with Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti and Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch said they will stop trains at two to three places.

The call was given at a gathering of dalits held in the city tonight.

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"To highlight the issue of atrocities on dalits in state, we have called for a rail roko protest on October 1 at some places in Gujarat. We have also urged dalit leaders in other parts of country to engage in similar kind of protest on that day," said Subodh Parmar, who is associated with both these dalit bodies.

Parmar claimed the stir is not limited to the cause of dalits only, but they also wanted to highlight issues concerning tribals, OBCs and farmers as well.

At the gathering here, dalit leaders sought "explanation" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is scheduled to visit tribal districts of Dahod and Navsari.

Modi will celebrate his 66th birthday in tribal-dominated Dahod district on September 17.

"As our PM is coming here, we want to ask him what happened to more than 12 lakh pending applications of tribals, who are demanding land rights since many years?" he said.

Dalits have upped their ante since some youths of the community were flogged at Una in July, allegedly by cow vigilantes for skinning a dead cow.

In a bid to highlight the issues affecting them, many dalits have stopped disposing of carcasses in many parts of the state.

The Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti and Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch yesterday launched "Badbu (stench) Gujarat Ki" campaign and sent around 1100 postcards with a small message to Bollywood icon and Gujarat tourism brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan.

"Badbu Gujarat Ki" is a parody of the Tourism Departments famous television advertisement "Khushbu Gujarat Ki (scent of Gujarat)" featuring the megastar. PTI PJT PD NSK SMJ RDS

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By Anusha Soni: While the Supreme Court constitution bench is yet to decide whether right to privacy is an explicit fundamental right or not, a public interest litigation has been filed challenging the new privacy policy of WhatsApp which has been introduced on August 25 for its users.



DATA SHARING PACT

Delhi HC while hearing a public interest litigation asked WhatsApp to submit it's response as to whether it's new policy is violation to the right to privacy. The court sought clarity from Whatsapp, Facebook on data sharing pact between the two. Earlier the court had issued notice to the Centre seeking its response. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India told the Delhi High Court that government has no jurisdiction over messaging service WhatsApp.



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ONLY PHONE NUMBER, NAME SHARED

Representing the messaging service WhatsApp, Senior Counsel Siddharth Luthra told High Court that the service provides end to end encryption to ensure safety of data shared and under new policy, only phone number and name is shared with Facebook. No data shares between users is retained by Whatsapp.

The company has been asked to file an affidavit by September 14.

PIL FILED

The public interest litigation has alleged that under the new privacy policy , WhatsApp will share data with Facebook and the consumers are not given the real choice of opting out of sharing their data with third party like Facebook.

WHATSAPP POLICY UNCLEAR



The plea says that WhatsApp new privacy policy merely gives an opt out option for commercial content and advertisements. The second key point that the plea raises is that WhatsApp policy on users who have ceased to use messaging service is not clear. It is not clear what the company does with the data of consumers who stop using WhatsApp. The public interest litigation filed by Karmanya Singh and Shreya Sethi alleges WhatsApp policy violative of the right to privacy.



NEXT HEARING



Delhi HC will hear the matter next on September 21 as WhatsApp new policy comes into effect on September 25.

Also Read : WhatsApp iOS 10 update: Now ask Siri to make calls, send messages

5 signs your crush is WhatsApp stalking you











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Global Payments Inc. provides payment technology and software solutions for card, electronic, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through three segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions, and Business and Consumer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization services, settlement and funding services, customer support and help-desk functions, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security services, consolidated billing and statements, and on-line reporting services. This segment also provides an array of enterprise software solutions that streamline business operations of its customers in various vertical markets; and value-added services, such as point-of-sale solutions, and analytic and engagement tools, as well as payroll and human capital management services. The Issuer Solutions segment offers solutions that enable financial institutions and retailers to manage their card portfolios through a platform; and commercial payments and ePayables solutions for businesses and governments. The Business and Consumer Solutions segment provides general-purpose reloadable prepaid debit and payroll cards, demand deposit accounts, and other financial service solutions to the underbanked and other consumers, and businesses under the Netspend brand. It markets its products and services through direct sales force, trade associations, agent and enterprise software providers, referral arrangements with value-added resellers, and independent sales organizations. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
The following companies are subsidiares of Stanley Black & Decker: 2315708 Ontario Inc., 3-V Fastener Co. Inc., 3xLOGIC Dalian Technology Company Limited, 3xLogic Florida LLC, 3xLogic Inc., 3xLogic Indiana LLC, 8 Commerce Drive LLC, ADT France, ASIA FASTENING (US) INC., Advanced Turf Technologies LTD, AeroFit LLC, AeroScout (US) LLC, AeroScout Industrial, AeroScout LLC, AeroScout Ltd., Aeroscout (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Al Khaja Pimex LLC, Allan Brothers, Automatic Doors Systems, Automatic Entrances of Colorado, Avdel Holding Limited, Avdel Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited, Avdel UK Limited, Aven Tools Limited, B&D Holdings Inc., B.B.W. BAYRISCHE BOHRERWERKE GmbH, BD Precision (Hong Kong) Limited, BD Suzhou (Hong Kong) Limited, BD Suzhou Power Tools (Hong Kong) Limited, BD Xiamen (Hong Kong) Limited, BDB Ferramentas do Brasil Ltda, BDC International Limited, BDK FAUCET HOLDINGS INC., BLACK & DECKER (SUZHOU) CO. LTD., BLACK & DECKER (SUZHOU) POWER TOOLS CO. LTD., BLACK & DECKER (SUZHOU) PRECISION MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., BLACK & DECKER ASIA MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS 1 S.a.r.l., BLACK & DECKER ASIA MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS 2 S.a.r.l., BLACK & DECKER DE REYNOSA S. DE R.L. DE C.V., BLACK & DECKER GLOBAL HOLDINGS S.a.r.l., BLACK & DECKER GROUP LLC, BLACK & DECKER HOLDINGS LLC, BLACK & DECKER INC, BLACK & DECKER INDIA INC., BLACK & DECKER INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS S.A.R.L., BLACK & DECKER INVESTMENT COMPANY LLC, BLACK & DECKER SHELBYVILLE LLC, BLACK & DECKER SSC CO. LTD., BLACK & DECKER TRANSASIA S.a.r.l., BLACK AND DECKER S.A. de C.V., Bagley Road LLC, Baltimore Financial Services Company Unlimited Company, Baltimore Insurance Designated Activity Company, Bandhart, Bandhart Overseas, Bed-Check, Belco Investments Company Unlimited Company, Besco Investment Group Co. Ltd., Besco Investment Holdings Ltd., Besco Pneumatic Corporation, Besco Pneumatic Corporation, Best Lock Corporation, Black & Decker, Black & Decker (Czech) s.r.o., Black & Decker (Ireland) Inc., Black & Decker (OVERSEAS) GmbH, Black & Decker (Thailand) Limited, Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Black & Decker Argentina S.A., Black & Decker Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Black & Decker Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Black & Decker Distribution Pty. Ltd, Black & Decker Europe, Black & Decker Far East Holdings B.V., Black & Decker Finance, Black & Decker Finance (Australia) Ltd., Black & Decker Finance SAS, Black & Decker Funding Corporation, Black & Decker Hardware Holdings B.V., Black & Decker Healthcare Management Inc., Black & Decker Holdings (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Black & Decker Holdings B.V., Black & Decker Inc., Black & Decker International, Black & Decker International Finance (UK) Limited, Black & Decker International Finance 1 Unlimited Company, Black & Decker International Finance 3 Designated Activity Company, Black & Decker International Finance Holdings (UK) Limited, Black & Decker International Holdings B.V. & CO. KG, Black & Decker Investments (Australia) Limited, Black & Decker Investments LLC, Black & Decker Limited BV, Black & Decker Luxembourg S.A.R.L., Black & Decker Mexfin LLC, Black & Decker No. 4 Pty. Ltd., Black & Decker Puerto Rico Inc., Black & Decker de Colombia S.A.S., Black & Decker de Panama LLC, Black & Decker del Ecuador S.A., Black & Decker del Peru S.A., Black & Decker do Brasil Ltda., Black and Decker de Costa Rica Limitada, Blick Plc, Bostitch-Holding L.L.C., Bristol Industries LLC, Bulldog Barrels LLC, C&C Enterprise Co. Ltd., CAM International Holdings Inc., CAMACC Systems Inc., CONNEXCENTER SA, CPE Acquisition Co., CRC-EVANS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC., CRC-EVANS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC, CRC-EVANS WELDING SERVICES INC., CRC-Evans B.V., CRC-Evans Canada LTD., CRC-Evans International LLC, CRC-Evans Offshore Limited, CRC-Evans PIH Servios De Tubulao do Brasil Ltda, CRC-Evans Pipeline International Inc., CRC-Evans Pipeline International Sdn Bhd, CWS Industries (Mfg.) Corp., Chesapeake Falls Holdings Company Unlimited Company, Chesapeake Investments Company S.A.R.L., Chicago Steel Tape, Chiro Tools Holdings B.V., Christie Intruder Alarms Limited, Clarke Security Services Incorporated, Columbia Manufacturing Company Incorporated, Compass Corporation, Compass II Co. Ltd., Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing, Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing LLC, Constellation (Luxembourg) Holdings S.a r.l., Contact East, Craftman, Cub Cadet LLC, DADO Inc., DEVILBISS AIR POWER COMPANY, DIYZ LLC, DeWalt Industrial Tools S.p.A., Dewalt Industrial Power Tool Company LTD., Doncasters US Holdings Inc., Dubuis et Cie SAS, E.A. Patten Co. LLC, ELU B.V., ELU Power Tools LTD, EMHART TEKNOLOGIES LLC, Eastern Vault & Security, Emhart Guangzhou (Hong Kong) Limited, Emhart Harttung A/S, Emhart Harttung Inc., Emhart International Holdings Limited, Emhart International Limited, Emhart Teknologies (Thailand) LTD., Excel Industries, Excel Industries Inc., F. Robotics Acquisitions Ltd., Facom, Facom Belgie BV, Fastener Jamher Taiwan Inc., First National AlarmCap LP/Premiere Societe en Commandite Nationale Alarmcap, First National AlarmCap. Trust, Frisco Bay Industries, GDX Technologies, GMT China, GRUPO BLACK & DECKER MEXICO S. DE R.L. DE C.V., GUANGZHOU EMHART FASTENING SYSTEM CO. LTD., Gamrie Designated Activity Company, Garden Way LLC, Generale de Protection, HSM Electronic Protection Systems, Hangtech Limited, Hardware City Associates Limited Partnership, Hefei INTACA Science & Technology Development Co. Ltd., Herramientas Stanley S.A. de c.v., Horst Sprenger GmbH Recycling-tools, Hustler Turf Equipment Inc., I.D.L. Techni-Edge LLC, INFASTECH CAMCAR MALAYSIA SDN BHD, INFASTECH DECORAH LLC, ISR Solutions, IguanaFix, Infastech (China) Limited, Infastech (Korea) Limited, Infastech (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Infastech (Mauritius) Limited, Infastech (Shenzhen) Limited, Infastech (Singapore) Pte. Ltd, Infastech Company Limited, Infastech Fastening Systems (Wuxi) Limited, Infastech Holdings (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Infastech Intellectual Properties Pte. Ltd., Infastech Receivables Company Pte. Ltd., Infastech/Tri-Star Limited, InfoLogix, InfoLogix Systems Corporation, Infologix - DDMS Inc., Infologix Inc., Innerspace Products, Interfast B.V., Irwin Industrial Tool Ferramentas do Brasil Ltda., JAFFORD LLC, JRB Attachments LLC, JennCo1 Inc., Jewel Attachments LLC, Jiangsu Guoqiang Tools Co., Jiangus Guopiang Tools Co. Ltd., Jointech Corporation LTD., K.And.M. Holdco Products Ltd., Kodiak Mfg. Inc., Lista International Corporation, Lux Star International S.a r.l., M. HART DO BRASIL LTDA., M.P.N. HOLDINGS LIMITED, M.T.D. France SAS, MTD Asia Hong Kong Limited, MTD Austria Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H., MTD Consumer Group Inc., MTD Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, MTD Deutschland Verwaltungsgeschellschaft mbH, MTD Europe Holding GmbH, MTD Holdings, MTD Hungaria Kft., MTD International Operations Inc., MTD Investments Australia Pty Ltd., MTD LLC, MTD PRODUCTS ITALIA S.R.L., MTD Poland Sp. z.o.o., MTD Products AG, MTD Products Australia Party LTD, MTD Products Benelux B.V., MTD Products Company, MTD Products Czech Spol. s.r.o., MTD Products Denmark ApS, MTD Products Inc., MTD Products India Private India Limited, MTD Products Limited, MTD Products New Zealand Limited, MTD Products Nordic AB, MTD Products S.A. de C.V., MTD Products Singapore, MTD Schweiz AG, MTD Southwest Inc., Mac Tools Canada Inc., Maquinas y Herramientas Black & Decker de Chile S.A., Microalloying International Inc., Microtec Enterprises, Moeller Manufacturing & Supply LLC, Monarch Mirror Door Co., NEWFREY LLC, NFASTECH COMPANY LIMITED, NIscayah, NSW Fabristeel Netherlands B.V., National Manufacturing, Nelson Bolzenschwei-Technik GmbH & Co. KG, Nelson Bolzenschwei-Technik GmbH Verwaltungs GmbH, Nelson Fastener Systems, Nelson Fastener Systems de Mexico SA de CV, Nelson Saldatura Perni S.r.l., Nelson Soudage de Goujons SAS, Nelson Stud Welding (Tianjin) Company Ltd., Nelson Stud Welding Canada Inc., Nelson Stud Welding Inc., Nelson Stud Welding India Private Limited, Nelson Stud Welding International LLC, New FEP Co. LLC, Newell Brands - Tools Business, Nippon Pop Rivets & Fasteners LTD., Niscayah Asia Limited, Niscayah Group AB, Niscayah Holdings Limited, Niscayah Investments Limited, Niscayah Teknik AB, Novia SWK SAS, OSI Security Devices, Onglin International Limited, P I H Holdings Limited, P&B Re Holdings LLC, PIH Services Limited, PIH Services ME LLC, PIH Services ME Ltd., PIH Services ME W.L.L., PIH U.S. LLC, PIPELINE EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES SARL, PORTER-CABLE ARGENTINA LLC, PT Stanley Black & Decker, Pacom Group AB, Pacom Systems (North America) Inc., Pacom Systems Espana S.L., Pacom Systems Pty Limited, Paladin Brands Group Inc., Paladin Brands Holdings Inc., Paladin Brands International Holdings Inc., Panalok Limited, Pengo Corporation, Pillo Health, Pinnacle Electronic Systems, Pipeline Induction Heat Limited, Pipeline Induction Heat Limited, Powers Fasteners Australasia Pty Limited, Powers Fasteners Inc., Powers Fasteners Inc. (Panama), Powers Rawl Pty. Ltd., Powers Shanghai Trading Ltd., Precision Hardware, Prikos & Becker LLC, Pro One Finance SAS, QRP Inc, RCTENN LLC, RIGHTCO II LLC, Rawl Australasia Pty. Ltd., Rawlplug Unit Trust, Refal Industria e Comercio de Rebites e Rebitadeiras Ltda., Remington LLC, SBD Cayman LLC, SBD European Investment Unlimited Company, SBD European Security Holdings S.a r.l., SBD European Security International Unlimited Company, SBD European Security Investment Unlimited Company, SBD Holding AB, SBD Insurance Inc., SBD MDGP Partnership Holdings LLC, SBD MDGP Partnership Holdings S.a r.l., SBD Manufacturing Distribution & Global Purchasing Holdings L.P., SBD Niscayah S.a r.l., SBD Property Holdings LLC, SBD UK Canada Holdings Inc., SPIRALOCK GLOBAL VENTURES LIMITED, STANLEY BLACK & DECKER HUNGARY KORALTOLT FELELOSSEGU TARSASAG, STANLEY BLACK & DECKER IBERICA S.L., STANLEY BLACK & DECKER MOROCCO SARL, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS ONE HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS S1 HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS S2 HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY ENGINEERED FASTENING EASTERN EUROPE SP.Z O.O., SWK (U.K.) Holding Limited, SWK (UK) Limited, SWK Utensilerie S.r.l., Scan Modul, Security Group, SecurityCo Solutions Inc., Shanghai Emhart Fastening System Co. Ltd., Sidchrome Tool, Sielox Security Systems, Societe Miniere et Commerciale SAS, Sonitrol, Sonitrol Distribution Canada Inc., Sonitrol Security Systems of Buffalo Inc., Southern Monitoring Services Limited, Specialty Bar Products Company, Spiegelberg Manufacturing Inc., Spiralock Corporation, Stanley Access Technologies LLC, Stanley Atlantic Inc., Stanley Black & Decker (Barbados) SRL, Stanley Black & Decker (Hellas) EPE, Stanley Black & Decker Asia Holdings LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Asian Holdings B.V., Stanley Black & Decker Australia Pty Ltd., Stanley Black & Decker Austria GmbH, Stanley Black & Decker Belgium BV, Stanley Black & Decker CCA S. de R.L., Stanley Black & Decker Canada Corporation, Stanley Black & Decker Cayman Holdings Inc., Stanley Black & Decker Cayman International Financing LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Centroamerica S. de R.L., Stanley Black & Decker Chile L.L.C., Stanley Black & Decker Colombia Services S.A.S., Stanley Black & Decker Czech Republic s.r.o., Stanley Black & Decker Deutschland GmbH, Stanley Black & Decker Distribution SAS, Stanley Black & Decker Finance 1 LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Finance 2 LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Finance Limited, Stanley Black & Decker Finance Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker Finland Oy, Stanley Black & Decker France SAS, Stanley Black & Decker France Services SAS, Stanley Black & Decker Hermosillo S. de R.L. de C.V., Stanley Black & Decker Holdings Australia Pty Ltd, Stanley Black & Decker Holdings S.a r.l., Stanley Black & Decker IP Holdings Limited, Stanley Black & Decker India Private Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International FZE, Stanley Black & Decker International Fiance 2 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 1 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 2 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 3 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 3 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 4 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 4 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 5 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance L.P., Stanley Black & Decker Ireland Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker Italia S.r.l., Stanley Black & Decker Latin American Holding BV, Stanley Black & Decker Latin American Investment Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker Limited, Stanley Black & Decker Limited Liability Company, Stanley Black & Decker Logistics BV, Stanley Black & Decker MEA FZE, Stanley Black & Decker Manufacturing SAS, Stanley Black & Decker Middle East Trading FZE, Stanley Black & Decker NZ Limited, Stanley Black & Decker Netherlands B.V., Stanley Black & Decker Norway AS, Stanley Black & Decker Partnership Japan, Stanley Black & Decker Partnership Japan Holdings S.a r.l., Stanley Black & Decker Polska Sp. z o.o., Stanley Black & Decker Precision Manufacturing (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Stanley Black & Decker Romania SRL, Stanley Black & Decker Slovakia s.r.o., Stanley Black & Decker Sweden AB, Stanley Black & Decker Turkey Alet Uretim Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Stanley Black & Decker UK Group Limited, Stanley Black & Decker UK Limited, Stanley Black & Decker de Monterrey S. de R.L. de C.V., Stanley Black and Decker Commercial Private India, Stanley Black and Decker Security Solutions Mexico S.A. de C.V. (fka DEWALT INDUSTRIAL TOOLS S.A. DE C.V.), Stanley CLP3, Stanley Canada Holdings L.L.C., Stanley Chiro International Ltd, Stanley Convergent Security Solutions Inc., Stanley Engineered Fastening Benelux B.V., Stanley Engineered Fastening France SAS, Stanley Engineered Fastening India Private Limited, Stanley Engineered Fastening Industrial Deutschland GmbH, Stanley Engineered Fastening Italy S.r.l., Stanley Engineered Fastening Spain S.L.U., Stanley Europe BV, Stanley European Holdings B.V., Stanley European Holdings II B.V., Stanley Fastening Systems Investment (Taiwan) Co., Stanley Fastening Systems L.P., Stanley Fastening Systems Poland Sp. z o.o., Stanley Feinwerktechnik GmbH, Stanley Grundstuecksverwaltungs GmbH, Stanley Healthcare Solutions France Sarl, Stanley Housing Fund Inc., Stanley Industrial & Automotive LLC, Stanley Infrastructure LLC Formerly f/k/a International Equipment Solutions ("IES"), Stanley Inspection L.L.C., Stanley Inspection US L.L.C., Stanley International Holdings Inc., Stanley Israel Investments B.V., Stanley Logistics L.L.C., Stanley Pipeline Inspection L.L.C., Stanley Safety Corporation LLC, Stanley Security AS, Stanley Security Alarmcentrale B.V., Stanley Security B.V., Stanley Security Belgium BV, Stanley Security Canada ULC (fka 3xLogic Holdings Inc.), Stanley Security Denmark ApS, Stanley Security Europe BV, Stanley Security Federal Systema LLC, Stanley Security Holding AS, Stanley Security Limited, Stanley Security Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Stanley Security Nederland B.V., Stanley Security Oy, Stanley Security Singapore Pte. Ltd., Stanley Security Solutions (NI) Limited, Stanley Security Solutions - Europe Limited, Stanley Security Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Stanley Security Solutions Inc., Stanley Security Solutions India Private Limited, Stanley Security Solutions Limited, Stanley Security Sverige AB, Stanley Technical Services Ltd., Stanley Tools SAS, Stanley U.K. Holdings Ltd., Stanley UK Acquisition Company Limited, Stanley UK Services Limited, Stanley Works (Europe) GmbH, Stanley Works (India) Private Limited, Stanley Works (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Stanley Works (Wendeng) Tools Co. Ltd., Stanley Works Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Stanley Works China Investments Limited, Stanley Works Holdings B.V., Stanley Works Limited, Stanley-Bostitch S.A. de c.v., Stanley-Bostitch Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Stichting Beheer Intellectuele Eigendomsrechten Blick Benelux B.V., SureHand Inc. f.k.a. SBD Aura Inc., Sweepster Attachments LLC, THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION, TOG Holdings Inc., TOG Manufacturing Company Inc., TSI Monitoring LLC, TSI Sales & Installation LLC, The EAP Acquisition Co. LLC, The Farmington River Power Company, The Ferry Cap & Set Screw Company, The Stanley Works (Langfang) Fastening Systems Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works (Zhongshan) Tool Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works Israel Ltd., The Stanley Works Limited, The Stanley Works Pty. Ltd., Tong Lung Metal Industry, Troy-Bilt LLC, Tucker Fasteners Limited, Tucker GmbH, Tucker S.R.O., Universal Inspection Systems Limited, Venus Enterprise Co. Ltd., Visiocom International Pte Ltd, Voss Industries Inc., Wintech Corporation Limited, XMARK Corporation, XMARK Corporation., Yong Ru Plastics Industry (Suzhou) Co. Ltd, and Zag USA Inc..

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The following companies are subsidiares of Pentair: ACP Pleatco Blocker Corp., APEL International LLC, Air Capital Filtration LLC, Aplex Industries Inc., Aquion, Aquion (Xi'an) Water Treatment Equipment Co. Ltd., Aquion Hong Kong Limited, Aquion Inc., Be the Change Labs Inc., Bylin Engineered Systems Inc, Century Mfg. Co., Clean Process Technologies, ClearWater Tech L.L.C., ETE Coliban Pty Limited, Enviro Water Solutions LLC, Erico Global, Everpure Japan Kabushiki Kaisha, Filter-Medic LLC, FilterDeal LLC, FilterSoft LLC, Fleck Controls Inc., Goyen Controls Co. Pty. Limited, Goyen Valve LLC, Greenspan Environmental Technology Pty Ltd, Guardian Filtration Products LLC, Haffmans B.V., Haffmans North America Inc., Hawley Group Canada Limited, Hypro EU Limited, Jung Pumpen GmbH, Ken's Beverage, Lincoln Automotive Company, MECAIR S.r.L., Manitowoc Ice, McNeil (Ohio) Corporation, Milperra Developments Pty Limited, Milton Acquisition ULC, Mobile Pool Builder Inc., Moraine Properties LLC, Nijhuis Pompen B.V., Nuheat, PES Pty Ltd, PFAM Inc., PTG Accessories Corp., Panthro Acquisition Co., Pelican Holding Corporation, Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems Inc., Pentair Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Pentair Canada Inc., Pentair Clean Process Technologies India Private Limited, Pentair Commercial Services LLC, Pentair Denmark Holding ApS, Pentair Federal Pump LLC, Pentair Filtration Sales & Service Company LLC, Pentair Filtration Solutions LLC, Pentair Finance Group GmbH, Pentair Finance S.a.r.l., Pentair Finance Switzerland GmbH, Pentair Flow Control International Pty Limited, Pentair Flow Services AG, Pentair Flow Technologies LLC, Pentair Flow Technologies Pacific Pty Ltd, Pentair Flow Technologies de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Pentair France SARL, Pentair Germany GmbH, Pentair Global Holdings B.V., Pentair Global S.a.r.l., Pentair Group (Thailand) Limited, Pentair Holdings Inc., Pentair Holdings S.a.r.l., Pentair Housing Inc., Pentair Housing LP, Pentair Inc., Pentair International (UK) Ltd, Pentair International Holding S.a.r.l., Pentair International Sarl, Pentair Investments Switzerland GmbH, Pentair Ireland Limited, Pentair Janus Holding LLC, Pentair Janus Holdings, Pentair Kenya Limited, Pentair Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Pentair Management Company, Pentair Manufacturing Belgium BV, Pentair Manufacturing Italy S.r.L., Pentair Middle East FZE, Pentair Nanosoft US Holdings LLC, Pentair Netherlands Euro Finance B.V., Pentair Netherlands Finance B.V., Pentair Netherlands Holding B.V., Pentair Pacific Rim (Water) Limited, Pentair Pacific Rim Limited, Pentair Philippines Inc., Pentair Pleatco Acquisition LLC, Pentair Residential Filtration LLC, Pentair Sales LLC, Pentair Sudmo GmbH, Pentair Tamimi LLC, Pentair Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Pentair Transport Inc., Pentair UK Holdings Limited, Pentair US LLC 1, Pentair US LLC 2, Pentair US LP, Pentair Valves & Controls del Uruguay S.A., Pentair Water (Suzhou) Company Ltd., Pentair Water Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Pentair Water Australia Pty Ltd, Pentair Water Belgium BV, Pentair Water Brazil LLC, Pentair Water France SAS, Pentair Water Group Inc., Pentair Water Holdings LLC, Pentair Water India Private Limited, Pentair Water Italy S.r.l., Pentair Water LLC, Pentair Water Latinamerica S.A., Pentair Water Operations Australia Pty Ltd, Pentair Water Polska Sp.zoo, Pentair Water Pool and Spa Inc., Pentair Water Proces Technologie Holding B.V., Pentair Water Process Technology B.V., Pentair Water Purification Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Pentair Water Spain S.L., Pentair Water Treatment (OH) Company, Pentair Water Treatment Company, Pentair Water Treatment Private Limited, Pentair Water do Brasil Ltda., Pentair Water-Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Penwald Insurance Company, Pigeon Point Systems Inc., Pleatco, Pleatco Holdings LLC, Pleatco Intermediate Holdings LLC, Pleatco LLC, Pleatco Mexican Holding Company LLC, Pleatco Mexicana S. De R.L. De C.V., Plymouth Products Inc., Porous Media Corp., Procam Controls Inc., Rocean, Seneca Enterprises Co., Shupeco LLC, Sta-Rite Industries LLC, Sta-Rite de Mexico S.A. de C.V., TVS Filters Acquisition LLC, Tupelo Real Estate LLC, Tyco Flow Control, U.S. Milton Holdings Inc., Union Engineering (NingBo) Co. Ltd., Union Engineering A/S, Union Engineering Holding LLC, Union Engineering Latam Ltda, Union Engineering North America LLC, Urban Organics Pentair Group LLC, Urban Organics Schmidt Real Estate Group LLC, Urban Organics St. Paul LLC, Water Ingenuity Holdings Corp., Webster Electric Company LLC, X-Flow B.V., and delMAC Filters LLC.

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Aam Aadmi Party Minister Kapil Mishra writes open letter, urges everyone serious about Delhi's well-being to come together in the fight against dengue and chikungunya.

By India Today Web Desk: Someone in almost every home in Delhi is unwell today. We have two options before us.

Either we continue to fight against each other and indulge in blame games, leaving Delhiites, who are caught in the crossfire between AAP govt, the civic bodies, LG and the Centre, struggling for answers. Or we bury our differences, and let's all come together to weed out health hazards of dengue and chikungunya that have been plaguing residents for quite some time now.

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Kejriwal has to undergo a surgery today. I spoke to him last night. He said, "We need to rise above petty politics and join hands to fight against these diseases. Delhiites together are capable of making miracles happen (ensure this target is achieved)."

Also read: Also read: 2 more chikungunya deaths in Delhi, toll touches 6 in 3 days



COME TOGETHER FOR A CLEAN DELHI



Let us all take a pledge. For the sake of a healthier Delhi, let us put aside our differences and unite to emerge as a force that can rid the city of mosquitoes and other ailments.

Seven AAP MPs, 70 MLAs and 272 councillors can come together to finish this task. We need to take charge of our responsibilities. Every municipal councillor, every MLA and MP needs to understand their role.

I propose that all municipal councillors and MLA must take to the streets today evening. Hold door-to-door campaigns, carry out fogging and cleanliness exercises wherever possible. Hold counselling sessions on how people can fight dengue, chikungunya and other illnesses. They must hold a huge public awareness campaign. If the municipalities face a dearth of resources, then they must all get together to address that shortage. The only goal must be finding a solution, not try to slur each other.

Also read: Co-infection of dengue and chikungunya doubles risk of virus evolution



AAP TO LEAD CAMPAIGN



All Aam Aadmi Party MPs must lead this drive. They must talk to councillors or MLAs in each ward in their Lok Sabha constituencies, seek reports on the current status and chart a strategy on the way forward. The MPs must take the initiative in lesser-known or inaccessible areas. Such prompt steps will add a great deal of positivity to the campaign and energise the same.

I appeal to workers of all parties to make this a common goal for Delhi's welfare.

It's time we stop quibbling about who's done or not done what. Not to ask and argue over who has carried out their assigned tasks responsibly and who have, even in relative terms, shirked work. This tendency of fault-finding with each other can wait for another day. For now, let's pitch in where someone else may have lacked so that the 'Clean Delhi' mission is overall successful.

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Also read: Chikungunya in Delhi: Five dead, AAP and MCD trade barbs



I will personally call up all MPs and senior officials and appeal to them to join this campaign. I will also urge the Union Health Minister to provide the necessary resources and guide us on how we can make this drive a hit. All MPs in Delhi must contact MLAs and councillors. They must rope in people from every school, every Residents' Welfare Association and social organisation to ensure collective success. I think it is possible for activists and workers of AAP, BJP and Congress to participate actively in this drive.

PROMOTE DRIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA



Imagine what a wonderful message of unity will go out to people if a Congress councillor is carrying out fogging in his ward and a BJP or AAP councillor is standing next to him in support. Click pictures together and show them to the world.

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I will talk to BJP's Manoj Tiwari (of my area) and offer that we together conduct fogging exercise in the evening. Will appeal to former Congress MP Sri Prakash Agrawal to also join in.

In the same way, MPs, MLAs and councillors can together have plans for the rest of Delhi. Details of plans and the timings of upcoming joint campaigns can be put up on social media. I urge the media to promote this campaign strongly. If only you all have a strong will, Delhi will stand strong together and win against these health hazards. Amen.

--- ENDS ---
CACI International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides expertise and technology to enterprise and mission customers in support of national security missions and government modernization/transformation in the intelligence, defense, and federal civilian sectors. It operates in two segments, Domestic Operations and International Operations. The Domestic Operations segment offers information solutions and services to the U.S. federal government agencies and commercial enterprises in the areas, such as digital solutions, C4ISR, cyber and space, engineering services, enterprise IT, and mission support. The International Operations segment provides a range of IT services, proprietary data, and software products to the commercial and government customers in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, and internationally. The company designs, implements, protects, and manages secure enterprise IT solutions. It also offers software-defined, full-spectrum cyber, electronic warfare, and counter-unmanned aircraft system solutions; and platform integration and modernization and sustainment, as well as system engineering, naval architecture, training and simulation, and logistics engineering. In addition, the company provides enterprise cloud solutions for classified and unclassified networks; and intelligence support that ensures continuous advances in collection, analysis, and dissemination to optimize decision-making. CACI International Inc was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.
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 Greenbrier Companies, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets railroad freight car equipment in North America, Europe, and South America. It operates through three segments: Manufacturing; Wheels, Repair & Parts; and Leasing & Services. The Manufacturing segment offers conventional railcars, such as covered hopper cars, boxcars, center partition cars, and bulkhead flat cars; tank cars; double-stack intermodal railcars; auto-max and multi-max products for the transportation of light vehicles; pressurized tank cars, non-pressurized tank cars, flat cars, coil cars, gondolas, sliding wall cars, and automobile transporter cars; and marine vessels. The Wheels, Repair & Parts segment provides wheel services, including reconditioning of wheels and axles, new axle machining and finishing, and downsizing; operates a railcar repair, refurbishment, and maintenance network; and reconditions and manufactures railcar cushioning units, couplers, yokes, side frames, bolsters, and various other parts, as well as produces roofs, doors, and associated parts for boxcars. The Leasing & Services segment offers operating leases and 'per diem' leases for a fleet of approximately 8,800 railcars; and management services comprising railcar maintenance management, railcar accounting services, fleet management and logistics, administration, and railcar remarketing. This segment owns or provides management services to a fleet of approximately 444,000 railcars for railroads, shippers, carriers, institutional investors, and other leasing and transportation companies. The company serves railroads, leasing companies, financial institutions, shippers, carriers, and transportation companies. The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
B&G Foods, Inc. manufactures, sells, and distributes a portfolio of shelf-stable and frozen foods, and household products in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The company's products include frozen and canned vegetables, vegetables, canola and other cooking oils, vegetable shortening, cooking sprays, oatmeal and other hot cereals, fruit spreads, canned meats and beans, bagel chips, spices, seasonings, hot sauces, wine vinegar, maple syrups, molasses, salad dressings, pizza crusts, Mexican-style sauces, dry soups, taco shells and kits, salsas, pickles, peppers, tomato-based products, baking powder and soda, corn starch, cookies and crackers, nut clusters, and other specialty products. It markets its products under various brands, including Ac'cent, B&G, B&M, Back to Nature, Baker's Joy, Bear Creek Country Kitchens, Brer Rabbit, Canoleo, Cary's, Clabber Girl, Cream of Rice, Cream of Wheat, Crisco, Dash, Davis, Devonsheer, Don Pepino, Durkee, Emeril's, Grandma's Molasses, Green Giant, Joan of Arc, Las Palmas, Le Sueur, MacDonald's, Mama Mary's, Maple Grove Farms of Vermont, McCann's, Molly McButter, New York Flatbreads, New York Style, Old London, Ortega, Polaner, Red Devil, Regina, Rumford, Sa-son, Sclafani, Spice Islands, Spring Tree, Sugar Twin, Tone's, Trappey's, TrueNorth, Underwood, Vermont Maid, Victoria, and Weber and Wright's. The company also sells, markets, and distributes household products under the Static Guard brand. It sells and distributes its products directly, as well as through a network of independent brokers and distributors to supermarket chains, foodservice outlets, mass merchants, warehouse clubs, non-food outlets, and specialty distributors. The company was formerly known as B&G Foods Holdings Corp. and changed its name to B&G Foods, Inc. in October 2004. B&G Foods, Inc. was founded in 1822 and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Box, Inc. provides a cloud content management platform that enables organizations of various sizes to manage and share their content from anywhere on any device. The company's Software-as-a-Service platform enables users to collaborate on content internally and with external parties, automate content-driven business processes, develop custom applications, and implement data protection, security, and compliance features to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry standards and regulations. It offers web, mobile, and desktop applications for cloud content management on a platform for developing custom applications, as well as industry-specific capabilities. As of January 31, 2022, the company had approximately 100,000 paying organizations, and its solution was offered in 25 languages. It serves financial services, health care, government, and legal services industries in the United States and internationally. The company was formerly known as Box.net, Inc. and changed its name to Box, Inc. in November 2011. Box, Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in San Francisco Bay Area, California.
Tableau Software, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides business analytics software products. It offers Tableau Desktop, a self-service, powerful analytics product with data; Tableau Server, a business intelligence platform for organizations; Tableau Online, a hosted software-as-a-service version of Tableau Server; Tableau Prep, a data preparation product for combining, shaping, and cleaning data; and Tableau Public, a cloud-based platform for analyzing and sharing public data. In addition, it offers Visual Query Language (VizQL) for databases, which is a computer language for describing pictures of data, including graphs, charts, maps, time series, and tables of visualizations; Live Query Engine that interprets abstract queries generated by VizQL into syntax understandable by database systems; and Hyper, an in-memory data engine technology that helps customers to analyze a range of data sets by evaluating analytical queries directly in the transactional database. Further, the company provides support, maintenance, training, and professional services. It serves organizations in various industries, including business services, energy and telecommunications, financial services, life sciences and healthcare, manufacturing and technology, media and entertainment, public sector, and education, as well as retail, consumer, and distribution industries. The company sells its products directly, as well as through indirect sales channels, such as technology vendors, resellers, original equipment manufacturers, independent software vendor, and distributors in the United States, Canada, and internationally. Tableau Software, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Wells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. The Consumer Banking and Lending segment offers diversified financial products and services for consumers and small businesses. Its financial products and services include checking and savings accounts, and credit and debit cards, as well as home, auto, personal, and small business lending services. The Commercial Banking segment provides financial solutions to private, family owned, and certain public companies. Its products and services include banking and credit products across various industry sectors and municipalities, secured lending and lease products, and treasury management services. The Corporate and Investment Banking segment offers a suite of capital markets, banking, and financial products and services to corporate, commercial real estate, government, and institutional clients. Its products and services comprise corporate banking, investment banking, treasury management, commercial real estate lending and servicing, equity, and fixed income solutions, as well as sales, trading, and research capabilities services. The Wealth and Investment Management segment provides personalized wealth management, brokerage, financial planning, lending, private banking, and trust and fiduciary products and services to affluent, high-net worth, and ultra-high-net worth clients. It also operates through financial advisors. Wells Fargo & Company was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Many tour operators are now gearing up with precautionary steps for foreigners arriving in Delhi during the peak tourist season set to begin from October this year.

Foreign embassies, with offices in New Delhi, have also issued medical instructions for their respective nationals, keeping in mind the increasing number of dengue & chikungunya cases being reported in city.

By Soudhriti Bhabani: As the Capital reels under the deadly vector syndrome and battles severe threats of mosquito-borne infections like dengue and chikungunya, in-bound tour operators dealing with foreign arrivals into Delhi have ample reasons to be worried.

Many tour operators are now gearing up with precautionary steps for foreigners arriving in Delhi during the peak tourist season set to begin from October this year.

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Amid reports of the first death from the vector-borne disease, the inbound tourist operators are keeping close watch on the situation.

Delhi registers about 35 per cent of India's total foreign tourist influx as they use the national Capital as a transit during their travel. The Delhi-Agra-Jaipur Golden Triangle Circuit is must for majority of those arriving in Delhi.

"We are advising all foreign tourists to take proper precautions and to carry medical kit with them. They are also aware of the disease. We have contact numbers of physicians ready so that we can immediately refer any foreign tourist for treatment whenever necessary," said Rajesh Rana of Inbound Travel, Delhi.

Rana said that the fear factor is "not so much as of now" but no chance would be taken with anyone diagnosed with dengue or chikungunya symptoms.

PHYSICIANS ON TOUR OPERATORS' SPEED DIAL

India is targeting to attract 1 per cent of world tourists by 2020 and about 2 per cent by 2025, banking heavily on India's strong tourism potential. However, the tour operators are apprehensive about the way things are getting managed by the Aam Admi Party (AAP)-controlled Delhi government amid the blame-game between the state government and the BJP-led civic bodies.

Expressing concern, tour operators said that the government should issue advisory to maintain cleanliness in endemic areas, conduct control programmes on the elimination of mosquito-breeding sites by regular inspections and educate local residents to regularly empty standing water, keeping outside areas free from waste items in which water may collect.

"The Delhi government must take preventive measures and provide facilities to tourists visiting India," said Ajay Prakash, former president of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI).

As part of their regular health protection guidelines, the foreign embassies, with offices in New Delhi, do issue medical instructions for their respective nationals. Earlier, the UK embassy had issued health advisory on chikungunya sharing vital information about its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and epidemiology.

They UK advisory says "supportive nursing care and relief of symptoms are the standard treatment." As part of prevention, they had said that there is no vaccine or drug to prevent chikungunya.

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Similarly, the US embassy in New Delhi also issued health advisory for their tourists visiting India, saying on their website: Outbreaks of mosquito-borne viral diseases such as dengue and chikungunya occur in various parts of India each year.

You should check these sites shortly before travelling to India. Further health information for travellers is available from the WHO."

ALSO READ:

Defective fogging machines add to woes amid rising chikungunya, dengue cases in Delhi

Chikungunya spreads wings to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh



--- ENDS ---
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.
By Amit Kumar Chaudhary, Nitin Jain: Abdicated by its top caretakers at the peak of the dengue and chikungunya outbreak, Delhi's health system has become infected with touts cashing in on crippling shortages of blood, an India Today investigation has found.



As city hospitals burst at the seams with patients diagnosed with the debilitating mosquito-transmitted illnesses, brokers roamed around freely to sell blood and donors to desperate relatives, the probe revealed.

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ALSO READ | South Delhi hit hardest by dengue-chikungunya outbreak



At hospitals run by the Delhi government, most of whose ministers were out on tour when dengue and chikungunya spiked, several staff and touts were found to be profiteering from the ongoing crisis.

BLOOD RACKET THRIVES AT LNJP



At Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP), the largest run by the Delhi government, India Today's crew met an employee to inquire about blood availability on the black market.



Posing as relatives of a critical dengue patient, the reporters feigned urgency. Within minutes, the staff activated his network and called brokers for supplies.



He introduced the journalists to a blood tout, who negotiated the deal.



"I'll get blood for you from here," the broker claimed.



The hospital staff standing beside warned about the "no-return policy" of their shady business.

ALSO READ | Ministers nowhere to be found as Delhi left reeling with Chikungunya and Dengue



"There shouldn't be any issue later, meaning you refuse to take it once it's arranged," the employee said.



The two men then quoted a bill of Rs 3,000 for a single unit and promised to arrange eight as requested.



This gang of hospital staff and middlemen told India Today's journalists that they would not be required to donate their blood in order to get their quotas.



Only cash works in their trade, they suggested.



"You'll get your eight units. You just have to manage how you carry them," the tout said.



India Today investigation found illegal trading of platelets and professional donors as demands soured from dengue and chikungunya patients.

GTB: BROKERS PREY ON THE DESPERATE



"If it's about platelets, it will cost Rs 12,000," said an agent.



He agreed to organize eight units of blood and three units of platelets, totaling Rs 64,000.



India Today's special crew visited Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital (GTB), another healthcare facility managed by the Delhi government.



At its parking lot, a fixer offered both blood and a donor in exchange for money.

ALSO READ | Distinguish between mild fever and dengue, doctors tell panicked patients

"We need B-," inquired the undercover journalist.



"If it's available, we'll give it you. You'll have to pay," the tout answered.



"But we have no donor," the reporter said.



"You don't, but we do," the tout replied and asked for Rs 3,500 to get a blood donor. "We'll send in a clean donor. We don't send dirty (unhealthy) boys. We don't have such boys either."

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AIIMS: BLOOD RACKET UNEARTHED



At the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi (AIIMS), India's largest government-run hospital, a group of touts promised to outsource college students as professional donors.



"We are so scared, we need five units of blood," an undercover reporter told Mahesh Punjabi, a broker operating around AIIMS.



"No issues. Don't worry. You will get blood, be it five, 10, 15 units or more," Punjabi claimed. "We will have college students to come in. They'll be paid."

ALSO READ | Co-infection of dengue and chikungunya doubles risk of virus evolution



After some bargain, he fixed the blood price at Rs 2,800 a unit.



Additionally, Punjabi quoted Rs 6,000 for one unit of platelets.



RML: STAFF SELLS BLOOD FROM BLOOD BANK



An India Today journalist also discovered how insiders at the central government's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML) were possibly selling blood from its blood bank.



Sachin, an RML blood-bank staff, demanded Rs 10,000 a unit for supplies.



"How much money?" asked the undercover reporter.



"Rs 10,000," replied Sachin.



He claimed he would also arrange platelets from what he called were his links in a Red Cross blood bank.



Sachin sought Rs 30,000 for two units of platelets.



"It's too expensive. Isn't it? asked the reporter.



"Expensive? Why?" quipped Sachin. "We are giving platelets also. You don't find it anywhere and still you are cribbing about money. Your work will be done." he said.

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WATCH:



ALSO READ:

Delhi: Dengue-chikungunya outbreak worries shoo away tourists





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CrossAmerica Partners LP engages in the wholesale distribution of motor fuels, operation of convenience stores, and ownership and leasing of real estate used in the retail distribution of motor fuels in the United States. It operates in two segments, Wholesale and Retail. The Wholesale segment engages in the wholesale distribution of motor fuels to lessee dealers, independent dealers, commission agents, and company operated retail sites. The Retail segment is involved in the sale of convenience merchandise items; and retail sale of motor fuels at company operated retail sites and retail sites operated by commission agents. As of December 31, 2021, the company distributed motor fuel on a wholesale basis to approximately 1,750 sites located in 34 states; and owned or leased approximately 1,150 sites. CrossAmerica GP LLC operates as the general partner of the company. The company was formerly known as Lehigh Gas Partners LP and changed its name to CrossAmerica Partners LP in October 2014. The company was founded in 1992 and is based in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
BT Group plc provides communications services worldwide. Its Consumer segment sells telephones, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi extenders through high street retailers, online BT Shop, and Website BT.com; and offers home phone, copper and fiber broadband, TV, and mobile services in various packages. The company's EE segment offers 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile network services; broadband, fixed-voice, and TV services; and postpaid and prepaid plans, and emergency services network. This segment also sells 4G mobile phones, tablets, connected devices, and mobile broadband devices from various manufacturers. Its Business and Public Sector segment provides fixed voice, mobility, fiber and connectivity, and networked IT services to retailers, utilities, public sector, healthcare, sports, construction, finance, and educational sectors. The company's Global Services segment offers business communications and ICT services comprising BT Connect, BT Security, BT One, BT Contact, BT Compute, BT Advise, and BT for financial markets. This segment serves approximately 5,500 customers in 180 countries. Its Wholesale and Ventures segment enables communications providers and other organizations to provide fixed or mobile phone services. Its ventures provide mass-market services, such as directory enquiries and payphones; and enterprise services comprising BT Fleet and BT Redcare. This segment also provides broadband and Ethernet, voice, hosted communication, mobile virtual network operator, managed solutions, machine-to-machine, roaming, and media services. The company's Openreach segment engages in the provision of services over the local access network; and installation and maintenance of fiber and copper communications networks that connect homes and businesses. The company was formerly known as Newgate Telecommunications Limited and changed its name to BT Group plc in September 2001. BT Group plc was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
Defence sources said the pilot spotted fire during the take off roll, aborted the take off and carried out safe exit.

By PTI: Indian Air Forces Jaguar aircraft, a deep strike fighter plane capable of carrying nuclear payload, today caught fire minutes before take off at Ambala air base but the pilot got out safely.

Defence sources said the pilot spotted fire during the take off roll, aborted the take off and carried out safe exit.

"Today evening at Ambala air field, a Jaguar aircraft aborted takeoff while getting airborne for a routine night flying mission. The pilot carried out safe and quick exit. The aircraft caught fire," an IAF spokesperson said in New Delhi.

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A court of inquiry has been ordered into the accident.

On Saturday, another MiG-21 trainer aircraft crashed in Rajasthan's Barmer district but no loss of life was reported with both the pilots ejecting safely.

The MiG-21 T-69 aircraft, which took off from the Uttarlai airforce station in Barmer, crashed near the airbase.

Ambala Deputy Commissioner Prabhjot Singh, quoting a senior IAF official, said the incident occurred at around 8 pm. "The pilot is safe and has been taken to Army hospital for a check-up," Singh said. SAP MP COR SUN VJ GS MNG SK SK

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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.
ONEOK, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in gathering, processing, storage, and transportation of natural gas in the United States. It operates through Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids, and Natural Gas Pipelines segments. The company owns natural gas gathering pipelines and processing plants in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions. It also gathers, treats, fractionates, and transports natural gas liquids (NGL), as well as stores, markets, and distributes NGL products. The company owns NGL gathering and distribution pipelines in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado; terminal and storage facilities in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois; and NGL distribution and refined petroleum products pipelines in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, as well as owns and operates truck- and rail-loading, and -unloading facilities connected to NGL fractionation, storage, and pipeline assets. In addition, it operates regulated interstate and intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines and natural gas storage facilities. Further, the company owns and operates a parking garage in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma; and leases excess office space. It operates 17,500 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines; 1,500 miles of FERC-regulated interstate natural gas pipelines; 5,100 miles of state-regulated intrastate transmission pipeline; six NGL storage facilities; and eight NGL product terminals. It serves integrated and independent exploration and production companies; NGL and natural gas gathering and processing companies; crude oil and natural gas production companies; propane distributors; municipalities; ethanol producers; and petrochemical, refining, and NGL marketing companies, as well as natural gas distribution and electric generation companies, producers, processors, and marketing companies. The company was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
By Jugal R Purohit: Indian Navys Western Naval Command (WNC) began a process to integrate and empower senior sailors and is conducting the maiden Master Chief Petty Officers (MCPOs) conference at Mumbai. The two-day event began on September 14 and henceforth will be an annual affair. The conference was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

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The MCPOs are the senior-most rank sailors in the navy, and thus have significant experience. The first ever conference of sailors with rich expertise and experience is aimed at participative management, with analysis and views being put forward in professional and frank manner. The conference is covering the entire spectrum of Naval Operations, HR issues, Technical and Administrative challenges, Maintenance philosophies and harnessing of Information Technology.

The MCPOs from naval units in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka, are participating in the conference as delegates. The conference is also being managed by senior sailors, including preparation of agenda, presentations, discussions, and issue of proceedings. In his opening remarks, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra stressed the importance of empowerment at all levels, including intellectual empowerment. He urged the participations to contribute effectively through objective analysis and discussions.

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Scorpene submarine leak: Navy says operational deployment will be unaffected



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Ecopetrol S.A. operates as an integrated energy company. The company operates through four segments: Exploration and Production; Transport and Logistics; Refining, Petrochemical and Biofuels; and Electric Power Transmission and Toll Roads Concessions. It engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas; transportation of crude oil, motor fuels, fuel oil, and other refined products, including diesel, jet, and biofuels; processing and refining crude oil; distribution of natural gas and LPG; sale of refined and petrochemical products; supplying of electric power transmission services; design, development, construction, operation, and maintenance of road and energy infrastructure projects; and supplying of information technology and telecommunications services. As of December 31, 2021, the company had approximately 9,127 kilometers of crude oil and multi-purpose pipelines. It also produces and commercializes polypropylene resins and compounds, and masterbatches; and offers industrial service sales to customers and specialized management services. It has operations in Colombia, the United States, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe, South America, and internationally. The company was formerly known as Empresa Colombiana de Petroleos and changed its name to Ecopetrol S.A. in June 2003. Ecopetrol S.A. was incorporated in 1948 and is based in Bogota, Colombia.
Koninklijke Philips N.V. operates as a health technology company in North America and internationally. It operates through Diagnosis & Treatment Businesses, Connected Care Businesses, and Personal Health Businesses segments. The company provides diagnostic imaging solutions, includes magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography (CT) systems, X-ray systems, and detector-based spectral CT solutions, as well as molecular and hybrid imaging solutions for nuclear medicine; integrated interventional systems; echography solutions focused on diagnosis, treatment planning and guidance for cardiology, general imaging, obstetrics/gynecology, and point-of-care applications; proprietary software to enable diagnostics and intervention; and enterprise diagnostic informatics products and services. It also offers acute patient management solutions; emergency care solutions; sleep and respiratory care solutions; and electronic medical record and care management solutions. In addition, the company provides power toothbrushes, brush heads, and interdental cleaning and teeth whitening products; infant feeding and digital parental solutions; and male grooming and beauty products and solutions. It has a strategic collaboration with Ibex Medical Analytics Ltd. to jointly promote the digital pathology and AI solutions to hospitals, health networks, and pathology laboratories worldwide, as well as a strategic partnership agreement with NICO.LAB. The company was formerly known as Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. and changed its name to Koninklijke Philips N.V. in May 2013. Koninklijke Philips N.V. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
By Smita Sharma: India has announced an additional 1 billion USD development assistance towards reconstruction efforts in war ravaged Afghanistan. The announcement was made after delegation and restricted talks were held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in the national capital. India recently completed long pending infrastructure projects including Afghanistan's new secure parliamentary building, Friendship Dam in Herat, Zeranj Delaram Road, as well as renovation of the historic Storay Palace. But according to sources, instead of major infrastructure projects whose implementation gets impacted by security situation on the ground, projects towards capacity and capability building will find precedence. New Delhi will identify further projects in spheres education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy and strengthening of democratic institutions in Afghanistan.

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TERRORISM KEY ISSUE IN TALKS

Terrorism and regional security situation was a core issue at the talks between Modi and Ghani. The two leaders who have met eight times in various locations across the globe, shared concerns about the new face of terrorism. Briefing the media on the visit Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, "Large part of political discussions were on what President Ghani described as changing face of terrorism where earlier heads of states and leaders where targeted, now entire nations are targeted. President Ghani pointed out that new wave is well funded and supported by Narcotics trade" .

The joint statement issued after the official talks ,without naming Pakistan, focussed on cross-border terrorism that both India and Afghanistan are victims of and underlined the need for an end to sanctuaries of terror as well as its financing.

'The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives. They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond,' the joint statement read.

Later addressing a select gathering of strategic experts at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses on President Ghani talking about distinction between good and bad terrorists ,emphasised," Terrorism is a snake that will bite." He also stressed that the excesses by Pakistani forces in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Balochistan are not spoken of in its media. "The violence there needs to be stopped," said President Ghani.

TRANSIT TROUBLE

Apart from terror, transit and trade remain key issues. Even as Delhi and Kabul are cooperating closely ,transit route via Pakistan remains a major hurdle. Delhi has reiterated its willingness to supply 1.75 lakh tonne of wheat to Afghanistan which is facing a food shortage. But the supply has been held up by Islamabad despite South Block's request to the Nawaz Sharif government some months back. President Ghani recently threatened to not allow transit access for Pakistan into Central Asia if its concerned were not addressed ,including transit for products from India through Wagah. India is keen to supply world class and easily affordable medicines to Afghans via road and air. Afghans form an impressive percentage of India's medical tourism inflow.

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India and Afghanistan signed an Extradition Treaty, agreement on cooperation in civil and commercial matters and Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on Wednesday.

THREE TO TANGO

Following trilateral discussion with Iran, India and Afghanistan will soon resume their trilateral dialogue with the US after a gap of nearly three years. While officially India continues to maintain its focus is on civilian aid, sources suggest the two sides will step up their strategic partnership including more defence supply from India. To bolster its stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan, United States is also looking at the goodwill that India enjoys with the neighbouring country. The intensification of engagements will continue with the Brussels conference on Afghanistan on 5th October as well as Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process in Amritsar on 4th December, for which President Ghani has been invited. The Strategic Council headed by the two Foreign Ministers will also meet soon.

ALSO READ:

Wagah border open for Afghanistan to trade with India, says Pakistan



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India had managed to obtain a special NSG waiver in 2008 to facilitate signing of the civil nuclear agreement with America, with the help of diplomatic heavy lifting from Washington DC.

By Smita Sharma: In signs of slow progress India and China sat across the table in Delhi on Tuesday to discuss India's membership bid to the Nuclear Suppliers' Group.

The arms control consultation followed directives issued by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi after their Delhi Dialogue on 13th August.

The talks were co-chaired by Amandeep Singh Gill, Joint Secretary for Disarmament and International Security of the Ministry of External Affairs and Ambassador Wang Qun, Director-General of Arms Control Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

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ALSO READ: Exclusive: NSG, Pakistan in focus as Modi arrives in China for G20



A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said ,"the two sides focused in particular on an issue of priority for India - membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)."

"The talk covered issues of mutual interest in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation.The discussions were candid, pragmatic and substantive," it added .

CHINESE CHECKERS - TWO STEP APPROACH FOR TIME BUYING?

Ambassador Wang Qun had led the Chinese delegation at the closed door plenary session of the 48 members' elite nuclear group in Seoul in June this year.

India had hoped for its membership bid to sail through, with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressing optimism at a press conference close to the meeting.

But India's hopes hit the Great Wall of India wherein the official statement blamed it on 'procedural hurdles persistently raised by one country' ,while Beijing's interlocutor claimed, 'dozens of countries shared China's concerns at the meeting.'

The Chinese Foreign Ministry in its detailed statement on Tuesday said Beijing shared its principled positions and views on the question of a non-NPT states' participation in the NSG . However, in signs of engagement China has agreed to discuss issues of procedure and principle through bilateral exchanges with India as well as the multilateral level with the group.

"China supports the notion of two-step approach within the Group to address the above question, i.e., at the first stage, to explore and reach agreement on a non-discriminatory formula applicable to all the non-NPT states, and to proceed to take up country-specific membership issues at the second stage," read the Chinese statement .

A senior diplomatic source though cautioned China could use this two-step approach to simply 'drag its feet' and 'prolong the process.'

ALSO READ: Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou, Pakistan, NSG on agenda





ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM- NPT AND PAKISTAN

India had managed to obtain a special NSG waiver in 2008 to facilitate signing of the civil nuclear agreement with America, with the help of diplomatic heavy lifting from Washington DC.



But for a full fledged membership enabling decision making rights, India's not signing of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has been raised as a procedural hurdle and rallying point by handful of countries including Austria,New Zealand,Ireland,Norway,Switzerland and China.

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Chinese foreign ministry in its statement pointed out that crux of the non-NPT nations' inclusion question is 'how to address the gap between the existing policies and practices of the non-NPT states and the existing international non-proliferation rules and norms based on the NPT as the cornerstone.

The focus on non-discriminatory process by China is seen as pushing for entry of its all weather friend Pakistan as well into the club, despite Islamabad's controversial nuclear history. India, Pakistan , Israel and South Sudan remain the only four UN member states that have not signed the NPT. The NPT has 190 signatories today and accords Nuclear Weapons' State status to only five countries.

INDIA REMAINS HOPEFUL

However, according to sources, South Korea and Argentina are specially pursuing back door diplomacy, and Delhi is still hopeful of a special plenary before the year ends to take up its specific application.

Strong support from Americans has been key to Delhi's nuclear energy demands and supply for it to fulfill its international climate change commitment.

Meanwhile, the Indian and Chinese interlocutors will now meet in China for the next round of discussions on a mutually convenient date.

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ALSO READ:

Pakistan qualifies for NSG membership: Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry

Kerry, Sushma co-chair talks as India, US reaffirm need for Pakistan to fight terror



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Mark your calendars for the arts at W&M

Art & culture at W&M A new exhibition at the Muscarelle features the best in contemporary marine art. Sheri Farabaugh, "Green Lips"

Art & culture at W&M A new exhibition at the Muscarelle features the best in contemporary marine art. Lisa Horrigan, "The Finish  Post Race"

Art & culture at W&M Cherokee Chief Cunne Shote, painted by Francis Parsons in 1762. A new exhibition at the Muscarelle explores the Brafferton Building's history as an Indian school. Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gift of the Thomas Gilcrease Foundation, 1955.

Art & culture at W&M Dancevent features original choreography by W&M dance faculty, performed by faculty, Orchesis Modern Dance Company and guest artists. Photo by Geoff Wade

Art & culture at W&M A new exhibition at the Muscarelle displays the best of contemporary maritime art. David Bareford, "A Spanking Breeze on a Starboard Tack" Photo - of - Hide Caption

The new semester brings with it a vast array of opportunities for people to enjoy the arts at William & Mary. For more events happening at William & Mary this semester, see the university's online calendar. - Ed.

Art

The Muscarelle Museum of Art opened two new shows on Sept. 10, with a big announcement expected later in the semester. Building the Brafferton: The Founding, Funding and Legacy of Americas Indian School, examines the history of the 1723 Brafferton in light of trans-Atlantic trade networks, politics of church and state and Englands colonial enterprise in North America.

Historical paintings, engravings, archival documents and contemporary Native American Art explore the founding, funding and legacy of one of the nations oldest institutions of higher learning. The exhibition is curated by Danielle Moretti-Langholtz, anthropology research assistant professor at William & Mary, and Buck Woodard, manager of Colonial Williamsburgs American Indian Initiative, and runs through Jan. 8, 2017.

The Muscarelle will also exhibit Contemporary American Marine Art: 17th National Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Art, through Dec. 2. Hosted every three years by museums across the country, the American Society of Marine Artists juried exhibition comprises top contemporary marine art. Through a partnership with the Virginia Coastal Policy Center at the W&M Law School, the Muscarelle is devoting its First Tuesday Lecture Series, free and open to the public, to the discussion of marine topics. Its Third Thursday Lecture Series, also free and open to the public, focuses on the Braffertons history.

The Department of Art and Art Historys Andrews Gallery opens the semester with the Repository of Missing Places, 30 years of work by Charlottesville painter Richard Crozier. The show runs through Sept. 28 on the first floor of the free gallery, located behind Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall.

The Andrews Gallery next hosts an exhibition of works curated by Brian Kreydatus, associate professor of printmaking and life drawing at W&M, running from Oct. 6 through Nov. 4. A reception, free and open to the public, will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20.

The Andrews Gallery finishes out the semester with the annual exhibition of work by W&Ms Catron Scholars, running Nov. 15 through Dec. 1. A reception, free and open to the public, will be held at 5 p.m. on Nov. 17.

Art historian Elizabeth Boone, a specialist in the pre-Columbian and early colonial art of Latin America, will appear as art and art historys 2016 Distinguished Speaker. She will deliver "Spatial Grammars: At the Juncture of Art and Writing in the Painted Books of Aztec Mexico, at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, in Room 107 of Ewell Hall. A reception follows the lecture.

Dance

Orchesis Modern Dance Company will present DANCEVENT, original choreography by dance faculty members performed by faculty, Orchesis and guest artists, from Thursday, Oct. 20 through Sunday, Oct. 23. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Admission: $7-$12.

Ewell Concert Series

The music department will kick-off the Ewell Concert Series with a free performance at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25 in Ewell Hall featuring pianist Aimo Pagin. Pagins musical expression and technical skill have drawn widespread praise.

After winning first prize at the Concours Musical de France in Paris at age 14, he went on to win more at numerous national and international competitions. Pagin has appeared as soloist with the New Symphony Orchestra (Bulgaria), the Berliner Symphoniker, the Bucarest Philarmonic and Orchestre National de Montpellier.

The series continues at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23, in the Williamsburg Library Theatre with jazz pianist and harmonica virtuoso Harris Simon. Originally from New York and now a music faculty member at W&M, Simon has performed with many well-known jazz greats, including Sonny Fortune, Clifford Jordan and Dexter Gordon, and has appeared at jazz festivals around the world. In 2013 he performed at Carnegie Recital Hall in a program of poetry and music sponsored by the Muscarelle. Simon is a regular at An Occasion for the Arts and the Williamsburg Winter Blues Jazz Fest, and last season was featured soloist in the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestras Cabaret and Cocktails Concert. Admission: $10 for general public, $5 for students. Tickets on sale at the door. Reception follows the concert.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m., William & Mary welcomes vocal ensemble Heinavanker to the Ewell Recital Hall in a free performance. The group, under the direction of composer Margo Kolar, explores early sacred music, ancestors traditions and contemporary imagination. Ancient Estonian runic songs and folk hymns are an important part of Heinavankers repertoire. The ensemble has recorded and appeared at music festivals worldwide.

Music

The free Family Weekend Concert will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23 in Ewell Recital Hall. Performances include America the Beautiful and Edward Elgars Pomp and Circumstance No. 1.

Delta Omicrons Fall Music Festival will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 in Trinkle Hall, featuring nine campus music groups performing over three hours. The festival raises money for national music education organization Music for All. Campus organizations will host booths (costing a certain number of tickets) offering games, food and education. Tickets are 50 cents each and can be purchased at a reduced price in the Sadler Center before the event or at full price at the festival.

The 2016 Homecoming Concert, Music of the Americas, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, in the Sadler Center, offers works by North and South American composers, including Vincent Persichetti, Astor Piazzolla and Arturo Marquez. Admission: $10 general public, free for students with ID.

The Halloween Concert will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28 in the Sadler Center and feature Camille Saint-Saens Danse Macabre, Modest Mussorgskys Khovantchina Overture and Night on the Bald Mountain, Andre Caplets The Masque of Red Death and Joseph Holbrookes The Raven, op.25. Admission: $10 general public, $3 students.

The free Electronic & Computer Music Concert at Ewell Recital Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m., showcases the work of composers in the fall semester computer music class, ranging from abstract soundscapes and ambient music to plunderphonic collage, generative music and new techno.

The annual Fall Concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 in Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall and feature the overture and opera arias from Mozarts Nozze di Figaro and Georges Bizets Carmen Suites, selections from Suites No. 1 and No. 2. Admission: $10 general public; free for students, children under 18 and veterans.

In addition, W&Ms Music of India Ensemble will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, and the Opera Workshop will present a scene recital at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10. The W&M Department of Music presents a student recital at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14, including a varied selection of piano instrumental and vocal compositions. All three are presented in Ewell Hall; admission varies.

W&M music is also offering two music lectures in the fall. American Music in the Kingdon of Hawaii, 1793-1893, presented at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, in Ewell Hall, features University of North Carolina Greensboros Revell Carr discussing changes to the islands music and culture with the introduction of American music. Carr explores the tension between missionaries and sailors over music and dance in the burgeoning metropolis of Honolulu and examines how Hawaiians negotiated identity by developing new genres combining ancient traditions with musical innovations.

The second lecture, held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, in Swem Librarys Ford Classroom, features Tom Moore discussing the lost history of the flute. The instrument and its repertoire from 1800 to 1850, when it evolved from a one-key instrument to its modern form, has been largely ignored by both historians and practitioners.

Theatre

W&M Theatre launches the semester Sept. 22 with The Laramie Project, directed by Elizabeth Wiley, associate theatre professor. The play explores the aftermath of the brutal 1998 killing of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, who was gay. During the trial of the men accused of killing Shepard, Moises Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project constructed a deeply moving theatrical experience from interviews conducted with members of the community and their own experiences in Laramie. The Laramie Project is a breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable. The show runs Sept. 22 through Sept. 25 in Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The Addams Family, directed by Laurie Wolf, associate director of theatre, runs for two weekends: Nov. 10 through Nov. 13 and Nov. 17 through 20, in Phi Beta Kappa. The production, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, tells the story of Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, who has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family  a man her parents have never met. And if that werent upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something hes never done before  keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesdays normal boyfriend and his parents. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Writing

W&M senior Melissa Commander was last year awarded the Concord Traveling Scholarship, which she used to visit Cuba this summer alongside her Cuban-born grandmother. Commander will recount her travels in a reading and slideshow presentation at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, in Ewell Recital Hall. The talk is free and open to the public; reception follows.

The Cloud Lecture series will host Catherine Robson, New York University English teacher, at 5 p.m. on Sept. 29, in the Tucker Theatre. Robson is a specialist in 19th-century British cultural and literary studies whose work has appeared in a range of scholarly journals. Her publications have focused on childhood, memory and death and the bonds between individual literary works and cultural shifts on these topics. Her current book project, a study of Germany's capture of British regional voices during World War I, considers oral performance (especially poetry recitation) and mass elementary education in 19th-century Britain.

The Patrick Hayes Writers Series kicks off this semester with the appearance of Jace Clayton, a.k.a. DJ Rupture, at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, in the Tucker Theatre. Claytons debut book, Uproot: Travels in 21st Century Music and Digital Culture, was released this summer. Clayton uses an interdisciplinary approach to focus on how sound, memory,and public space interact, with an emphasis on low-income communities and the global South.His essays have appeared in New York Times Magazine and Washington Post, among other publications. Recent projects include Sufi Plug Ins, a free suite of music software-as-art based on non-western conceptions of sound and alternative interfaces and The Julius Eastman Memorial Dinner, a touring performance piece for grand pianos, electronics and voice.

The series continues at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3, in the Tucker Theatre, with short story writer and journalist Amy Hempel. Hempel published her first short story collection, Reasons to Live, in 1985, and has followed with three additional collections as well as Tumble Home, her first novella.

Her stories, essays and journalism have appeared in Vanity Fair, GQ, Harper's Magazine and Playboy, among others. Considered a minimalist, Hempel is one of a few writers who have built reputations on short fiction. She leaves her stories' narrators unnamed, as "there are more possibilities when you don't pin down a person with a name and an age and a background. Hempel is a creative writing professor at the University of Florida, and was Briggs-Copeland Lecturer of English at Harvard from 2009 to 2014.
VIMS team embarks on expedition to Arctic seas

Arctic expedition Principals Deborah Bronk and Rachel Sipler, who are co-leading the team, on the deck of the RV Sikuliaq Photo by K. Kenny

Coastal research: VIMS technician Quinn Roberts with professor Deborah Bronk in the coastal Chuckchi Sea. VIMS photo

Sikuliaq scientists Scientists and crew pose for a photo aboard the RVIB Sikuliaq. Photo courtesy of K. Kenny

RVIB Sikuliaq The research vessel icebreaker Sikuliaq Photo by Mark Teckenbrock

Shrinking Arctic Sea ice: Average sea ice extent for August 2016 was 2.16 million square miles, the fourth lowest August extent in the satellite record. This is 397,685 square miles below the 1981 to 2010 average for the month (orange line) and 344,000 square miles above the record low for August set in 2012. Courtesy of the National Snow and Ice Data Center Photo - of - Hide Caption

A research team from William & Marys Virginia Institute of Marine Science has embarked on a month-long expedition to the coastal seas of northern Alaska, sailing aboard the nations newest icebreaker to study the role of nitrogen in Arctic food webs.

The goal of their voyage into the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas is to follow-up on a tantalizing discovery they made during a 2011 research trip to the same area, when they found  at least for their coastal study sites  measurable rates of nitrogen fixation, a process that plays a key role in marine food webs and climate change but was previously thought restricted to much warmer waters.

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which certain bacteria and related microbes transform gaseous nitrogen into a form that plants can use for growth. These plants  typically microscopic phytoplankton  in turn support zooplankton, fish, and other larger organisms up the ocean food chain.

Rachel Sipler, who co-leads the VIMS team with Professor Deborah Bronk, says, If we find that nitrogen fixation is widespread, it will change the way we think about future scenarios for the changing Arctic marine ecosystem, subsistence fishing, and, potentially, commercial fishing in the Arctic.

Better understanding the magnitude and geographic extent of nitrogen fixation in Arctic waters is particularly important given the recent decrease in the regions sea ice, which is now only half as extensive in summer as compared to 1980, when satellite records began. Less sea ice means more sunlight for marine photosynthesis and the possibility of a more robust food web that could boost fish stocks and ultimately help pump carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the deep sea, where it contributes nothing to current global warming.

But priming of this biological pump requires lots of nitrogen fixation, more than was previously thought underway in the cold waters of the far north. If the current expedition confirms the researchers earlier measurements and reveals that nitrogen fixation is taking place on a large scale, it would, says Sipler, transform our understanding of areal patterns of productivity in the Arctic Ocean and significantly enhance its significance as a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Research at sea

The VIMS team  Sipler, Bronk and graduate students Jenna Spackeen and Brianna Stanley  will conduct their study by collecting water samples at coastal and offshore sites throughout the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. Their ship, the 261-foot RV Sikuliaq , is one of the most advanced university research vessels in the world, with the ability to break ice up to 2.5-feet thick. They wont, however, need that capability on the current voyage, as they purposefully chose September as the month when sea ice reaches its annual minimum, and populations of nitrogen-fixing marine bacteria their annual peak.

Also aboard are scientists from the University of California Santa Cruz and Oregon State University. The UCSC researchers are working closely with the VIMS team to study nitrogen fixation, while the OSU team is focusing on studies of primary productivity  the amount of organic material generated by marine plants through photosynthesis. The research cruise is funded by the National Science Foundation.

For each water sample collected during the voyage, the scientists will identify the kinds of marine bacteria present, use genetic analyses to map their distributions, and compare rates of nitrogen uptake and photosynthesis with water temperature and salinity. The ultimate goal, says Sipler, is to determine the extent of nitrogen fixation in the context of other key biogeochemical and microbial processes.

A conservative estimate  extrapolated from the results of their limited 2011 study  suggests what they might find: that nitrogen fixation in the Arctics coastal waters could alone account for almost 3 percent of the global total of marine nitrogen fixation, and more than 7 percent of that total if it occurs across all the Arctic Oceans ice-free waters. These are significant values for an area where this fundamental biochemical process was recently thought to have no effect.

Sipler adds that from a climate-change perspective, the most pressing question is whether nitrogen fixation has always occurred in the Arctic or is an emerging phenomenon. A 1961 study in the same area of coastal Alaska found no evidence of nitrogen fixation in marine waters, and scientists have in other areas correlated increasing rates of nitrogen fixation with increasing temperature.

If nitrogen fixation in the Arctic Ocean is indeed increasing as these lines of evidence suggest, its effects could spill out into other ocean basins  notably the North Atlantic, long a major harvesting ground for commercial fisheries.

If fixation is providing a new source of nitrogen, says Bronk, the resulting boost in productivity would likely draw down dissolved phosphorus within Arctic waters, and ultimately reduce the amount of phosphorus reaching the North Atlantic, potentially reducing productivity within that region as well.

Phosphorus, like nitrogen, is a key nutrient in marine food webs. As nitrogen fixation makes more nitrogen available to fertilize marine plants, their need for phosphorous grows apace  like the need for more jelly upon discovery of a new jar of peanut butter. The concern with a reduced flow of phosphorous into the North Atlantic is that a shortage of this nutrient  rather than nitrogen  could become the factor that limits the productivity needed to support its fisheries.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sept 14 (PTI) With "positive atmospherics" in Indo-Nepal ties which had witnessed a strain in the recent past, India is looking at a "substantive" outcome from Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahals four-day visit starting tomorrow.

India, however, wants Nepal to take steps to address the concerns of its citizens, especially those in Tarai, over its newly adopted constitution, as it feels the more the process in this regard gets delayed, the situation will "worsen and can get messy again".

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The caution comes ahead of Prachandas visit to India during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Indian leaders.

"Atmospherics and vibes are positive after Dahal, better known as Prachanda, replaced K P Oli who was adamant about not supporting amendment in the constitution," government sources said, adding that Prachanda has spoken in support of addressing grievances in this regard.

"There is still a lot of uncertainty. The longer the delay, the more complicated it will become," they said, even as they acknowledged the enormity of the task facing the Nepalese leadership, saying that it is not easy to come to common ground.

They said the passage of a constitution amendment would require two-thirds majority, technically possible but not an easy task for the ruling alliance, but added that they were "reasonable confident that an amendment will be registered".

If all goes well, the Indian President may visit Nepal and the vice versa, they said, adding that "very, very intensive bilateral engagements" have been going and it reflects the desire of both the countries to step up relationship, putting behind the strain seen earlier.

"These are much better times for relationship, but pitfall remains," they said.

Both the sides will work to sort out technicalities over hydro-power projects of 6800 MW in Nepal so that these could take off the ground.

On the unrest in Nepal after the new constitution was adopted, they said the Himalayan country then thought that it is better to have a constitution than not having one and problems can be resolved later.

The Indian view was that unrest in a border region like Tarai, will affect Nepal as well as India and it wanted Nepal to address the peoples concerns. PTI KR PYK SC

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China News on Women





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By PTI: From Harinder Mishra

Jerusalem, Sep 14 (PTI) Shimon Peres, former Israeli president and Nobel laureate, suffered a massive stroke and was in "serious but stable condition" today with the Jewish nation praying for 93-year-old veteran politician who first attempted to end the century-old conflict with Palestinians.

Rafi Walden, the son-in-law and personal doctor of Peres, said the statesman seemed "responsive" when taken out of the induced coma for a short while overnight.

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"We were happy to see that when there was a short pause in the anesthetics, we realised that hes responsive, that hes probably attentive to what were saying to him. He shook our hand," Walden said.

Peres was rushed to Israels largest Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv after he suffered the stroke yesterday. He made it through the night and was being taken to the neurosurgical intensive care unit, the centres head Itzik Kreiss said.

Kreiss said the stroke had caused "lots of bleeding".

Peres was "in serious but stable condition", doctors treating him said. In January, he had undergone a successful minor surgery at the same hospital after suffering a small heart attack.

The veteran politician was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his contributions in reaching an interim peace agreement with the Palestinians, along with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

The Oslo peace accords constituted a historic breakthrough in the conflict between Jews and Arabs in Palestine. It was the first peace agreement between the two principal parties to the conflict: Israelis and Palestinians.

The elder statesman is one of Israels most admired symbols and the last of its founding fathers. Peres has held almost every major political office since Israel was founded in 1948, including three terms as prime minister and stints as foreign and finance minister.

He was the architect of Israels secret nuclear programme. As a defence official in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Peres was involved in establishing the nuclear reactor in Dimona.

His office said the former president received a pacemaker last week.

Concern and well wishes poured from across the political spectrum. The chief rabbis of Israel have called on the public to pray for Peres recovery.

"Shimon, we love you and the entire nation is wishing for your recovery," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted.

In a statement, President Reuven Rivlin said he was "following with concern the updates from the hospital, and pray together with the entire people for my friend Shimons recovery." PTI HM ABH

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The Five Biggest Cities in Ethiopia

5. Bahir Dar

Bahir Dar, in north-western Ethiopia, is the fifth biggest city in Ethiopia with a population of 348,429 people. The city is the capital of the Amhara Region and is administratively designated as a special zone. The origin of the city is unclear but the first known mention of it date to the late 16th and 17th centuries when Pedro Paez, a Spanish Jesuit missionary, constructed several buildings in Bahir Dar.

The population composition of Bahir Dar is as follows- Amhara ethnic group (93%), the Tigrayan (4%) and all other ethnic groups (3%) of the population. Almost 90% of population practice Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity and Islam is the second most widely practiced religion in the city. Natural attractions in Lake Tana and the nearby Blue Nile River and Blue Nile Falls render the city an attractive tourist destination in the country. The city also had the honor of being awarded the UNESCO Cities for Peace Prize in 2002 due to the way the city addressed and handled the challenges of rapid urbanization.

4. Gondar

Gondar is the fourth largest city in Ethiopia with a population of 358,257 people. Gondar is classified as a woreda in the Semien Gondar Zone which is in the Amhara Region. Located just north of Lake Tana, the city sits on the Lesser Angereb River, surrounded by the Simien Mountains to its southwest. The city was founded during the Solomonic Emperors of Ethiopia, having been founded by Emperor Fasilides in 1635 to be the capital of Ethiopia. Gondar served as the capital until 1885 when Emperor Tewodros II moved the capital to the city of Magadala.

Amharas constitute 90% of the population of Gondar. The Tigrayan make up about 6%, and the Qemant make up about 2% of the population of the city. The remaining ethnic groups make up 2% of the population. 84% of people of Gondar follow Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, about 12% follow Islam, and about 1% of the population follow Protestant Christianity. Gondar hosts the ruins of ancient Ethiopian empires in the Fasil Ghebbi, a popular tourist attraction in the city.

3. Mek'ele

Mek'ele is the third largest city in Ethiopia with a population of 480,217 people. It is the capital of the Tigray Region, and it is classified as a special zone administratively. Mek'ele was founded at some point in the 13th century and started to become a major city in the 1870's. The population of Mek'ele is overwhelmingly Tigray, who make up about 96% of the population, while about 2% are Amhara and the remaining 2% are other ethnic groups. 93% of the people of Mek'ele follow Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. About 6% of the population practices Islam and all other religious are about 1%. Mek'ele has a reputation as being the political, economic and cultural center of the northern part of Ethiopia. The two major landmarks in the city are the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front Monument, which is visible from any vantage-point in the city and the complex of three castles built by Emperor Yohannes IV in the late 19th century that now serves as a museum.

2. Dire Dawa

Dire Dawa is the second largest city in Ethiopia with a population of 1,274,869 people. It is one of two cities in the country that have the special status as chartered cities, with the other being Addis Ababa. Dire Dawa is located on the Dechatu River in the eastern part of Ethiopia. The city was created in 1902 once the line of the Imperial Railway Company of Ethiopia was established to connect to the site of the former village of Addis Harar, which became Dire Dawa. The population of Dire Dawa is pretty diverse with 45% of people being from the Oromo ethnic group, 25% are Somali, 23% are Amhara, 3% are Gurage, and 1% of the population are Harari. About 70% of the population follow Islam. About a quarter of the population, 25%, follow Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, about 2% are Protestants, and 0.4% are Catholic. The city is known for being an industrial center, having several large market centers and Haramaya University is located just outside of town.

1. Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the largest city in Ethiopia and one of the ten largest cities in all of Africa with a population of 4,567,857 people. Addis Ababa is not only the capital of Ethiopia, but it also has a special status as a chartered city. The capital is located at the foot of Mount Entoto and also helps to form part of the watershed for the Awash River. Emperor Menelik II founded the city in 1886 after the site was chosen by his wife, Taytu Betul. In 1889 when Menelik II became Emperor of Ethiopia he declared Addis Ababa as the capital of Ethiopia.

As the capital city, Addis Ababa has great ethnic diversity. 56% of the population are Amhara, 34% Oromo, 16% Gurage, 5% Tigray, 3% Silt'e, and 1% Gamo. About 75% the people in Addis Ababa follow Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, 16% follow Islam, 7% are Protestant Christians, and 0.5% are Catholic. The capital is often referred to as the "political capital of Africa" since it is home to many continental and international organizations, like the African Union, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and many more groups. The capital is also home to many cultural sites like the Imperial Palace, National Palace, Holy Trinity Cathedral and various museums.
Al Ain, located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and has been awarded the title of "Green City" due to the amount of greenery present. In contrast to the modern development of cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Al Ain has managed to preserve major aspects of traditional desert living. At only 75 miles south of Dubai, Al Ain has become a popular tourist attraction, with visitors escaping from coastal humidity and enjoying the relatively clearer air in this part of the country. Al Ain is one of the oldest continually populated areas in the entire world, with discoveries of human living dating back to 3000 BC.

Al Ain Oases

The Al Ain Oases is the largest in the city of Al Ain. Al Ain Oases houses an ancient water system called a falaj, which transports water from boreholes or an aquifer under a hill to a convenient place in which plants can be watered and for humans to drink. The falaj system still continues to this day in Al Ain Oases and supplies the date palm groves with the water they need to survive and produce dates. This system is ideal in an unforgivably arid environment such as Al Ain. The oases has been very well preserved with many traditional houses, buildings, restaurants, and mosques throughout, there is a focus on maintaining aspects of traditional Bedouin culture within this site.

Bidaa Bint Saud

Located 15 Kilometers from Al Ain is the Bidaa Bint Saud site. This site is hard to miss as the rock formation towers 40 meters high, 800 meters long and 25 meters wide. This site has unearthed many Iron Age relics, including double-edged swords that can be as long as 40 centimeters (1.3 feet). A water system that could be up to 3000 years old was discovered here in the 1990's; this system would have made life a lot easier for early inhabitants and even small scale farming was possible during this time due to the water system. Nowadays, this area is completely fenced off to preserve what is left from the Iron Age, as people would often go into the area and keep anything they found. Many of the discoveries here, including jewelry and tools, are housed in the Al Ain Museum.

Hafit

Hafit is known to the locals as Jebel Hafit which translates to "empty mountain." This mountain and summit are located in Al Ain, but parts of the mountain cross the border with Oman. The road to the summit stretches 17 miles up Hafit and rises approximately 4000 feet once at the summit. This road has been called the "greatest driving road in the world" by some driving publications, and it is easy to see why. The road is immaculate and smooth, giving drivers an easy climb to the peak. Tombs that have been discovered at the base of Hafit have been found with skeletons draped in prized objects such as pearls. Some of these tombs have housed artifacts from Mesopotamia (modern Iraq which shows the degree of trading present within Al Ain. Hafit is also known for a wide variety of animals such as bats, foxes, and snakes to name a few.

Hili

Hili is known as the Hili Archaeological Park and has housed remains of humans that lived in this area 4000 years ago! Excavations of this site began in the 1960s and have unearthed many relics from as far back as 2700BC. Some of the excavated buildings include houses, towers, and tombs. In Hili, one of these towers has been rebuilt and is an interesting tourist attraction for visitors. Tombs played an important role in mass or family funerals of early inhabitants and the largest tomb discovered here was 2.5 meters high and 8 meters wide. This tomb was restored in 2005 and gives tourists and visitors a look into how the tomb originally appeared.
10. South Saskatchewan

At 865 miles (1,392 kilometers) long, the South Saskatchewan River is the tenth longest river in Canada. The Rivers goes through the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, starting from the where the Bow River and Oldman River meet and going until its mouth at the Saskatchewan River Falls. In 1967 the Lake Diefenbaker resistor was created to use the water from the South Saskatchewan River to generate hydro-electric power for SaskPower to provide to the province of Saskatchewan. During the first half of the 1900s the river would fully freeze over in winter time, which created dangerous conditions and the ice even destroyed a bridge one year. In 1967 the Gardiner Dam was constructed to divert a large part of the South Saskatchewan into the nearby Qu'Appelle River. This caused the river to have less power and not cause damage during winter but it has lower the level of the river enough to cause permanent sandbars. The South Saskatchewan River has thirteen connecting tributaries, three major islands on it and is home to about a dozen different species of fish such as the rainbow trout and the goldeye. In a 2009 report by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Canada, the group reported that the South Saskatchewan River was most at risk as its flow had been reduced by 70%, and steps needed to be taken to protect and restore it.

9. Churchill

At 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers), the Churchill River is the ninth longest river in Canada. The river runs from its mouth in Hudson Bay to its source at the head of Churchill Lake going through the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Churchill River's main tributary is the Beaver River and the two join together at the Lac Ile-a-la-Crosse. Starting in the 1700s and through the 1900s the Churchill River played a major part in the voyageur highway for fur traders to get their furs to market to sell or be shipped overseas. The Churchill River is also home to about a dozen fish species, including the yellow perch, northern pike, burbot, and white sucker. The river is named after John Churchill (1650-1722), who was the 1st Duke of Marlborough and the Prince of Mindelheim.

8. Peace

At 1,195 miles (1,923 kilometers), the Peace River is the eighth longest river in Canada. It originates from the Rocky Mountains in British Colombia and from there goes northeast through the northern part of the province of Alberta. The rivers primary source is the from the Finlay River, its source confluence meets at the Williston Lake and the mouth of the Peace River flows into the Slave River. The river is called the Peace river due to the Treaty of Peace celebrated between the Danezaa and the Cree in 1781, which made the Peace River a border between the two. Since the late 1800s, people have been using the soil along the Peace River to produce wheat, pulp and paper plants in Alberta and British Columbia. The river is also important in terms of natural gas and oil production for Canada. Currently, there are four communities and a number of Indian Reserves as well as provincial parks and wild-land reserves along the Peace River.

7. Saskatchewan

At 1,205 miles (1,939 kilometers), the Saskatchewan River is the seventh longest river in Canada. The Saskatchewan River flows across the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, its primary source confluence meeting with the North Saskatchewan River and the South Saskatchewan River. The mouth of the river ends by going into Lake Winnipeg. Early on in Canada's history the river was important in terms on pre-contact with first nations, the fur trade and settlement early on in settling the Canadian west. In the 1700s and the 1800s the river was a major source of fur posts for the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company. Currently, there are a handful of hydroelectric power plants on the river to provide electricity to people in the area from the river's water. The Saskatchewan river has a wide variety of such fish species as walleye, mooneye, burbots, and others.

6. Columbia

At 1,243 miles (2000 kilometers), the Columbia River is the sixth longest river in Canada. The source of the river is from the Columbia Lake. Then the river runs through the province of British Columbia in Canada and the state of Washington and Oregon in America. The river's mouth empties into the Pacific Ocean in Clastop County, Oregon and in Pacific County in Washington. The Columbia's drainage basin is almost as big as all of France and goes into seven American states and the Canadian province of British Columbia. For centuries, the Columbia has been a key transportation route, starting of by being important for fur trading in the late 1700 and 1800s. The as settlers started to come to the region, steamships and then later railroads along the river being key in shipping cargo and trading. Starting in the late 1800s the river has been heavily developed with locks being built, dredging enlarging shipping channels, dam impounding reservoirs and the production of nuclear power. The river is home to 14 hydroelectric dams (3 in Canada, 11 in the U.S.) that provide power to people in the regions around it. The river supports species of anadromous fish (Chinook, Coho, Sockeye Salmon and Steelhead) that migrate from the Pacific Ocean to the fresh water tributaries of the Columbia. The introduction of dams along the river, over-fishing and predators now thriving in the slower water have severely harmed the salmon habitats in the Columbia over the course of the last century. The dispute between the United States and British ruled Canada was settled in 1846 with the Oregon Treaty that established the border along the 49th Parallel up to the Strait of Georgia.

5. Slave

At 1,453 miles (2,338 kilometers), the Slave River is the fifth longest river in Canada. The river starts from the confluence of the Peace River and the Riviere des Rochers out of the Peace-Athabasca Delta and flows through the province of Alberta until its mouth empties into the Great Slave Lake. The river's name comes from the Athabaskan language's name for the South Slavey (Deh Co, Dene Tha') group of the Dene first nations people. In the 1800s the Slave River was a key transportation route for shipping cargo, but this stopped being the case once railway service came to the region. The river is also home to the northernmost river pelican colony in North America, as well as being world famous for its whitewater kayaking which is considered to be some of the best on the planet.

4. Nelson

At 1,600 miles (2,574 kilometers), the Nelson is the fourth longest river in Canada. The Nelson River's source arises from Lake Winnipeg and from there it runs through the province of Manitoba until it reaches its mouth in the Hudson Bay. Along the way the Nelson's two major tributaries are the Burntwood River and the Grass River. Fort Nelson (trading post) and Port Nelson (shipping port) where located at the mouth of the Nelson along Hudson Bay and was a key trading and shipping area in the early 1700s. Today, Fort Nelson no longer exists, while Port Nelson is a ghost town. The Nelson' River has the Jenpeg Generating Station and Dam to provide hydroelectricity to the number of various small communities that live along the river. The Nelson River is named by a Welsh explorer, Sir Thomas Button (???-1634) who in 1612 wintered at the mouth of the river and named it after ship master Robert Nelson who died there that winter.

3. Saint Lawrence

At 1,900 miles (3,057 kilometers), the Saint Lawrence is the third longest river in Canada. The Saint Lawrence River's source comes from Lake Ontario and from there it runs through the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, as well as the state of New York until it reaches its mouth at the Gulf of Saint Lawrence going into the Atlantic Ocean. The river served one of the main routes for exploration of the interior of North America by European explorers and has been an important transportation hub, especially with the opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway in 1959 that lets ocean vessels sail all the way to Lake Superior. The river is also home to four archipelagos, including the Lake St. Pierre Archipelago which was classified as a biosphere world reserve in 2000. The river is also home to nine different species of whales have been known to make their residence. The boundary dispute over the northeastern region between the United States and then British owned Canada that was in the area by the Saint Lawrence River was resolved in 1842 with the Webster-Ashburton Treaty.

2. Yukon

At 1,979 miles (3,184 kilometers), the Yukon is the second longest river in Canada. The Yukon River's source is from the Liewellyn Glacier at Atlin Lake and from there it runs from the provinces of British Columbia and Yukon, as well as the state of Alaska until it reaches its mouth at the Bering Sea at the YukonKuskokwim Delta. The Yukon River's biggest role was during the Klondike Gold Rush (1896-1906) when it was one of the major ways for gold prospectors and miners to travel. The so called Thirty Mile section of the Yukon, which stretches from Lake Laberge to the Teslin River is part of the Klondike Gold Rush International Historical Park and is also designated a national heritage river. Until the 1950's when the Klondike Highway was completed in the area, the major method of transportation was to sail the Yukon via paddle-wheel riverboats.

1. Mackenzie

At 2,635 miles (4,240 kilometers) long, the Mackenzie River is the longest river in Canada, the second longest river system in all of North America, and the twelfth longest in the entire world. The river's source starts at the Great Slave Lake and travels through Canada's Yukon and Northwest Territories. The massive area that it passes through is extremely isolated, and comprised of varying tundra and forest habitats, and is covered in ice for much of the year in places. The river finally ends at its mouth at the Arctic Ocean located in the Beaufort Sea.The Mackenzie River's watershed is one of the largest and considered to be one of the most intact ecosystems in all of North America, covered mostly by forest with some wetlands. The area is home to 53 different fish species, 215 bird species that have been observed living in the area or passing through while migrating and various types of trees. Most of the human activity on the Mackenzie River watershed is resource extraction of oil, gas, lumber, uranium, gold, and tungsten at various locations in different provinces. These activities have began to pose ever greater threats to the river ecology of the Mackenzie River's headwaters in recent years.
Queen Elizabeth

By: Mahesh Sarin

(Scroll down for video) The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom, launched an investigation after a video that surfaced on the Internet, showed a guard of Queen Elizabeth snorting a white substance while on duty.

The incident allegedly unfolded at the St Jamess Palace in London on Monday.

The video was taken by 27-year-old Lieutenant Charles McLean.

McLean posted the video by accident on the Internet, and it went viral. 41-year-old Major James Coleby was recorded snorting the substance inside the palace during an alcohol-fueled party.

The video also showed 27-year-old Captain Alex Ritchie, leaning over a ceremonial sword while chopping up the white substance with a plastic card.

Coleby then bent over the sword and allegedly snorted the suspicious white substance. A woman could be heard screaming at Coleby, telling him to not do it.

McLean, Ritchie and Coleby were all on duty at the time of the incident. Guards are allowed to drink alcohol while on duty, but they are not allowed to use drugs.
Cindy Jean Underwood

By: Wayne Morin

Police arrested a woman after punishing her boyfriend by putting out a lit cigarette in his eye.

The woman of West Virginia, is behind bars over the assault.

Police said that the woman placed the lit cigarette in the eye of her boyfriend, during a heated argument.

39-year-old Cindy Jean Underwood was arrested after attacking Jeremy Hughes, at the home they shared in St. Albans.

Underwood and Hughes allegedly got into an arguing because he came home late at night. At one point, Underwood became very angry, and poked Hughes in the eye with her lit cigarette.

Police discovered the injury to his eye when they were called to the scene on a complaint of destruction of property.

Hughes told police that he was unable to see and officers called an ambulance. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Underwood has been charged with felony malicious wounding. She was booked into the South Central Regional Jail in Charleston, where she is being held on $10,000 bail.
By India Today Web Desk: Looks like CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is not alone after his midair throne goof-up.

Jesus could walk on water.

Moses could part the water.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan can do both. pic.twitter.com/cUXVDWn60s Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) August 22, 2016

After his episode sparked a series of memes on social media, along comes a Japanese government minister who went under fire for a similar reason.



Vice-Minister for Reconstruction Shunsuke Mutai criticised over piggyback demand. https://t.co/TIgWx5t2bx pic.twitter.com/7x9GnV2X0E Mulboyne (@Mulboyne) September 11, 2016

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Vice Minister of Reconstruction Shunsuke Mutai opened the floodgates of criticisms after he demanded a colleague to carry him through puddle in a storm ravaged town.

He was on an official visit to the northern town of Iwaizumi ravaged by Typhoon which claimed the lives of 20 people.

Just because he forget to wear rubber boots during the visit, he asked a junior colleague to carry him through a big puddle of water.

The pictures posted online, instantly went viral and Mutai faced the wrath of Twitter, with people calling him 'shame of Japan.' The minister had to apologise to the locals for his inappropriate conduct and for his lack of sensitivity



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Chief Justice of India TS Thakur said that already the selection of judges is an arduous process and once the collegium gives its recommendations, government must respond quickly with either rejection or acceptance.

By Anusha Soni: In what comes as another crucial move to expedite the judicial appointments, the Central government represented by the Attorney General told the Supreme Court that the government is not dragging its feet on the judicial appointments and there is no situation of 'logjam'.

GOVERNMENT SUBMITS DETAILED REPORT

Attorney General was responding to a public interest litigation which sought expediency in judicial appointments. Centre told the apex court that the government is dealing with the issue on a priority basis. The government further submitted a detailed report on the appointments' process so far.

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Centre further assured the apex court that there is no situation of confrontation and the government is working to ensure appointments done in timely fashion.

Also read:

Top SC judge demands transparency in judicial appointments



Expressing his concern over delays, Chief Justice of India TS Thakur said that already the selection of judges is an arduous process and once the collegium gives its recommendations, government must respond quickly with either rejection or acceptance.



"Just visited Chattisgarh, the HC is working only with 8 judges while the strength should be 22," said CJI TS Thakur while responding to Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi's assurances.

Rohatgi responded by saying government is not indulging in blame game and judges of High Court of Chhattisgarh, Madras and Kerala have been processed. The apex court has further put the matter for detailed hearing on September 30.

DETAILS OF THE CASE



The judicial appointments have been the bone of contention between the Centre and the judiciary ever since the apex court struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill of the government which brought executive into the process of appointment of judges. Recently on the Independence Day, CJI TS Thakur took a direct dig at the Prime Minister when there was no mention of judicial appointments in his Independence Day address.

The rifts within the collegium have been brought in the open with one of the top five judges, Justice Chelameswar refusing to be a part of collegium due to absence of transparency in appointments process.

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Accompanied by a medical officer and equipped with basic medical amenities such as stretcher and first aid box, the bus will provide medical aid to children from 13 projects of the Aasraa Trust.

By Press Trust of India: German airline Lufthansa today donated a mini bus to Aasra Trust to help the NGO provide medical aid and educational support to over 1,300 economically disadvantaged children from the streets and slums of the city.

Accompanied by a medical officer and equipped with basic medical amenities such as stretcher and first aid box, the bus will provide medical aid to children from 13 projects of the Aasraa Trust.

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Additionally, the bus will provide commute to over 800 children for the Trust's after school support programme.

MEDICAL AID TO CHILDREN

The bus was handed over by Lufthansa Passenger Airlines Director for South Asia Wolfgang Will and Sangeeta Sharma, Senior Manager, Marketing and Product, Lufthansa India in Dehradun.

"We are happy to strengthen our association with Aasraa Trust that has enabled us to touch young lives and provide them with an opportunity of a better future. Through our latest initiative we hope to expand our contribution to provide necessary medical aid to these children while continuing our support to their education," Will said after handing over the bus to the Trust.

AID TO CONTINUE

Noting that it was not a one-time initiative, he said similar endeavours will be continued by Lufthansa in collaboration with Help Alliance, the airline's employees' aid organisation under its corporate social responsibility in the future.

"Lufthansa has been in India for over 50 years and India is an important market for us. As part of our social commitment, Lufthansa India will continue to focus on humanitarian activities such as health programmes and education in partnership with Help Alliance," he said.

Help Alliance is the employees' aid organisation of Lufthansa German Airlines, promoting sustainable human, social and economic development.

Employees of Lufthansa in India as well as from abroad have frequently volunteered to support the several welfare programmes in India over the past few years.

--- ENDS ---
The Partei fur Soziale Gleichheit (Socialist Equality Party, PSG) held its fourth meeting in a series on Sunday in Berlin-Wedding as part of its election campaign for the Berlin Senate. The guest speaker was Alex Lantier, a representative of the International Committee of the Fourth International from France who travelled directly from Paris to Berlin.

Christoph Vandreier, the deputy chairman of the party and a candidate in the Berlin election, greeted him with the words, Could there be a more relevant issue, on this, the 15th anniversary of 9/11, the terrorist attacks on 11 September, 2001, in the United States? Since then, warmongering has intensified around the world. This is connected with sweeping attacks on the working class. The experience of French workers is of the greatest significance for workers here in Berlin, throughout Europe and globally.

In France more than any other country, it was becoming clear that the war drive and attacks on the social position of the working class are incompatible with democratic rights. The state of emergency, which has repeatedly been extended by the Hollande government, was directed against strikes and protests by workers demonstrating against the hated labour law, Vandreier continued.

The state of emergency in France and the intensification of the class struggle in Europe

Alex Lantier began his speech by detailing the terrorist attacks of November 13, 2015 in Paris, in which 130 people lost their lives. He drew attention to the fact that many of the attackers were already known to the police and were able to repeatedly cross the French and Schengen zone borders unhindered in the weeks leading up to the attacks.

Immediately after the attacks, the Socialist Party (PS) government of Francois Hollande imposed a state of emergency, which suspended basic democratic rights such as the right to protest and the right of assembly. The emergency laws were passed almost unanimously by the National Assembly and remain in force today. Significantly, all representatives of the pseudo-left Left Front led by Jean-Luc Melenchon voted for the laws in the first round of voting last November.

The Left Front is the French sister party of Germanys Left Party. During his talk, Lantier presented a photo showing the chairman of the Left Front, Melenchon, next to Oscar Lafontaine, the former chairman of the Left Party. The two men have been close friends for years.

Lantier noted, The state of emergency was not directed against Islamic State, but against the Muslim population and the working class in France. He presented statistics released by the French interior ministry in January. According to this, 3,021 house searches were conducted, but there was only one trial held on charges of terrorism.

Thousands of apartments belonging to Muslim families were searched. For damage caused, such as broken down doors, no compensation was offered. Environmental activists who wanted to protest in Paris at the climate change conference were placed under house arrest. In December, striking Sodexo workers were fired and Goodyear workers sentenced to prison terms.

The restriction of democratic rights by the state of emergency was combined with the passage by the PS government of the hated labour law, named after labour minister el-Khomri, This legislation was drafted with the assistance of the SPD and Peter Hartz, the author of the notorious Hartz laws in Germany. The el-Khomri law extended the work week, undermined working conditions and suspended the basic rights of French workers.

With his attempt to establish the power to withdraw French citizenship in the constitution, Hollande was drawing on the fascist laws of the Vichy regime.

Lantier also showed that the advanced preparations for the construction of a police state and the establishment of dictatorship was an expression of the deep crisis of capitalism and was aimed at preparing for the outbreak of explosive class struggle in France and throughout Europe.

He described in detail the protest movement in the spring. Since March, millions of workers and youth repeatedly took to the streets to protest against the el-Khomri labour law. On March 31, 1.2 million people took part in nationwide marches. On April 5, 130 protesters were arrested. On June 15, Prime Minister Valls threatened to ban protests against the law. He thus made it absolutely clear that the state of emergency was directed against the working class.

Lantier examined the role of the pseudo-left organisations and their academic stooges, which are playing a critical role in supporting the emergency laws and the preparation of dictatorship against the working class. Parties like the New Anti-Capitalist Party (NPA) and Left Front in France, and the Left Party in Germany are bourgeois parties which defend the capitalist system and provide it with a left cover. They represent a section of the privileged petty bourgeoisie, which is hostile to the working class and prepared to do anything to block a revolutionary development.

Lantier ended his contribution by calling for the building of an international movement against war. The most important ally of workers and youth in France opposed to the reactionary policies of the Hollande government were workers and youth in Germany and all other countries. In the struggle for socialism, against austerity and war, the PSG and the supporters of the ICFI in France fight for the united socialist states of Europe, he concluded.

A lively discussion developed following Lantiers speech, above all on the role of the Left Party.

One member of the audience, who had lived and worked in the GDR (German Democratic Republic), said he had come across the PSG when he searched for the words war and Germany online. Several articles against war appeared, and it was for this reason that he had come to the meeting. He asked the question if, given the far advanced preparations for war, the PSG should align itself with Left Party representatives like Bodo Ramelow or Sahra Wagenknecht so it was not politically isolated. The Fourth International was after all not well known by the masses, he said.

Andy Niklaus, who lives in Wedding and is a candidate in the election in District 7, responded, How can one ally with a party which invites General Kujat to a party meeting? In our election campaign and struggle against war, which we have made the main issue, we are finding considerable support.

There is growing opposition to war and social attacks in the working class. But this was being systematically suppressed by the trade unions, Left Party and their pseudo-left supporters. The working class could only be mobilised in struggle against these organisations, Niklaus stated.

Niklaus noted that he had worked at the Berlin public transport company (BVG) for 25 years and explained the role of the Ver.di trade union, which, in cooperation with the SPD and Left Party, had forced through major pay cuts and attacks on working conditions. As part of the election campaign, he wrote an appeal to his colleagues at the BVG and workers throughout Berlin to organise independently of Ver.di and the other trade unions and build workplace support committees for the PSG.

Alex Lantier intervened in the discussion, We do not yet have a mass organisation in France, but despite this I do not feel isolated. Francois Hollandes PS is isolated. Many workers share that view. If we looked for allies among the NPA or the Left Front, we would isolate ourselves from the working class. There is no support in the French working class for the justification of the Vichy regime, no support for cuts and no support for war.

Ulrich Rippert, chairman of the PSG and lead candidate in the Berlin election, said during the discussion, The talk we heard today made very clear that a massive movement in opposition to the PS government has developed in the French working class. This was systematically blocked by the trade unions, the Stalinist Communist Party and all of the pseudo-left organisations. The political independence of the working class has to be fought for against these tendencies.

Rippert described the role of the Left Party and its predecessor, the PDS. The PDS intervened 25 years ago to reintroduce capitalist relations into the GDR. Its pro-capitalist orientation was part of its political DNA. In addition, he showed how the Left Party bears considerable responsibility for the rise of the AfD. Firstly, the Left Party supported social attacks and carried them out with extreme ruthlessness wherever it wields political power. In this way they create the misery that is exploited by right-wing demagogues. Because they carry out these right-wing policies in the name of the left, they contribute to the frustration which nourishes the AfD.

Endrik Bastian, who also grew up in the GDR and is a candidate in the Mitte 5 electoral district, focused on the role of the Left Party and its PDS predecessor in his remarks: The PDS and Left Party were always brought into government when attacks against the working class had to be imposed which the CDU or SPD could not have managed to implement alone.

He recalled the Magdeburg Model, which assured PDS backing for an SPD minority government in Saxony-Anhalt. Their policies resulted in unemployment of 20 percent and the transformation of full-time jobs into low-wage positions. The Magdeburg Model was the precursor to Hartz IV and further attacks. If there is talk today about bringing the Left Party into government once again, this must be taken as a warning of the sharp attacks being prepared in the period ahead.

Enrico, 29, a student of history and philosophy at the University of Potsdam, attended his first PSG meeting. He told the WSWS, I thought the talk was very good. It was convincingly demonstrated that the development towards a police state in France is already very advanced and that the state of emergency is above all directed against the working class.

Much of what was spoken about has already occurred to me. I received the invitation to the meeting at a PSG information stand. My impression is that you are the only serious left-wing party. This is what we really need, especially because of the rightward shift in Europe. Asked about the war danger, he said, The militarisation against Russia and developments in Turkey, I think its disturbing.

The next meeting on Thursday concludes the PSGs election campaign. It is entitled Vote against war and militarism! Vote PSG!

At the meeting, representatives of the ICFI from several countries and representatives of the PSG will discuss a socialist programme for the building of a socialist society which links opposition to war with the struggle against inequality, the strengthening of the state apparatus and xenophobia.

Thursday, 15 September, Ufa-Fabrik, (Theatersaal), Viktoriastrae 10-18, 12105 Berlin.
Supporters of the Socialist Equality Party presidential campaign of Jerry White and Niles Niemuth campaigned in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant over the weekend, to bring a socialist and antiwar program to Brooklyn workers.

Bed-Stuy in north-central Brooklyn is, by New York standards, a neighborhood, but is the size of a small city with over 150,000 inhabitants. After the 1930s, it was the home to thousands of Brooklyn Navy Yard workers, many of them African-American, and boasted the second largest black population in New York City after Harlem. It was stricken by deindustrialization and, after the 1980s, incomes substantially declined.

The neighborhood remains working class and poor on the whole. Although it is still predominantly African-American, in recent years mass immigration to New York, as well as the pressures of the housing market, have brought on a substantial demographic transformation. On any given day on Fulton Street, its main commercial area, one can hear many languages spoken besides English, including Arabic, Bengali, Creole, French, Spanish, Urdu and Wolof (a language of West Africa), and, as with much of New York, a truly international view of the problems facing the working class can be found in discussions there.

There are many small businesses along with fast-food establishments and discount clothing stores, and, in the warmer weather, unemployed and underemployed workers trying to eke out a living selling bottled water, food or goods. Public benches along the street are filled with the destitute, including untreated mentally ill who are often homeless.

Bedford-Stuyvesant has one of the highest proportions in New York City of homeless students in public schools, at over 15 percent. Sixty-one percent of students who do have housing receive a free lunch in school, meaning that they live in poverty or only slightly above the poverty line.

Perhaps the greatest social pressure on workers here is the housing crisis. Bed-Stuy is currently one of the national epicenters for gentrification. Thousands of residents are forced out of their homes each year because they cannot afford skyrocketing rents. Buildings are often purchased by investors who pay cash, and landlords rent apartments to better-off middle class people who are in turn priced out of even more costly neighborhoods elsewhere in the city. Luxury condominiums are being built and sold at a frenetic pace, and a three-unit brownstone, the hallmark of Brooklyn architecture, can sell for as much as $2 million.

On Fulton Street over the weekend, the SEP campaign team handed out hundreds of election programs and over a thousand leaflets advertising the appearance of Jerry White in the neighborhood on September 27. SEP supporters engaged in dozens of conversations with workers on the social crisis directly impacting their lives as well as the war drive of US imperialism and the need for socialism.

In discussing the 2016 elections, it was difficult to find an ardent supporter of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. Some workers felt that Trump should be kept out of office at all costs, and so were reluctantly voting for Clinton. One worker said heatedly that he was not going to waste his vote.

But by and large, most people who spoke to the SEP campaigners did not feel they had any real choice in the election, and it was precisely this that attracted many into a discussion on the socialist campaign of White and Niemuth.

Joncear Black, a homecare worker, for example, remarked, There is no democracyjust one set enjoying the wealth of the country. We are still in poverty and cannot buy food or pay for rent. A workers party would be good for everybody.

Gary Smith, a social worker, stopped and explained his views: Im against both Trump and Clinton. They are both old wine in a new bottle because they wont prosecute the predatory banks and corporations. Have you heard of the idea of collateral consequences? Eric Holder had this idea when he was defending Arthur Andersen during the Enron scandal. The idea was when you criminally prosecute a company, it can go bankrupt, and Arthur Andersen did. To avoid this collateral consequence, there has never been a criminal prosecution of a big bank or company since. AIG, Bank of America, HSBC, Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs have robbed the guts out of companies, and there is no criminal prosecution.

Holder continued to go along with this as attorney general. He was for fines only, and the fines have been small enough that they mean nothing to the big corporations. When the big banks crashed the economy by driving Lehman Brothers into bankruptcy, it was to make Goldman Sachs bigger, and Holder went along with that too. I dont buy Hillary for what she has done.

Another man who took the SEP leaflet said, I am Muslim and Trump is a racist. The US government makes the countries in the Middle East drown in war. They should leave them alone.

One woman, Pancy, stopped and turned back after reading at the leaflet she had taken. This is interesting. At this point I will vote for Hillary against Trump. But I will come to your meeting to learn more. In further discussion about Clinton, Pancy was surprised and disturbed to learn that the Obama administration had deported over 2 million undocumented immigrants.

Kurtis Bell, a professor of political science at Columbia University, told a campaigner, I agree with you 100 percent. The root is class warfare. Both parties are playing what I call sensationalized politics, catering to a specific constituency that has their own agenda, not what we generally refer to as the people. Both cater to elitism, and nobody talks about the working poor, Black, white and Latino.

Kurtis expressed sympathy for the campaign of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and wished that Hillary Clinton had taken Sanders as her running mate. She didnt do that, he said, because Sanders doesnt have an air of elitism as Hillary does, which could have negatively impacted against her.

The SEP supporter noted that Sanders campaign had consciously, from the beginning, sought to pull back into the Democratic Party youth and workers who were estranged from the establishment parties, and that Clinton was attacking Trump from the right on the issue of war.

Lance Bovain, a maintenance worker, told the SEP campaigners, I dont think wars are necessary. Killing just results in more killings. In this election, Trump is wishy-washy so you dont know what he stands for. The working class should have a party to oppose war.

Joshua Williams is an unemployed youth who told campaigners, I think the prospects for a bigger war are very high. I hear this not from the mainstream media, but from other sources. I think these bigger wars include the potential for nuclear war and disaster.

I dont like Hillary Clinton because she hasnt met a big donor she doesnt like. Both she and Trump are very likely to start a war. And I didnt support Bernie Sanders. I think the working class should have its own party. I am OK with getting rid of capitalism.

Amadou, an engineering student from West Africa, said about the election, This is a weird election since none of the candidates are expressing what they are going to do. Maybe they dont have an idea of what they are going to do.

When an SEP campaigner pointed out that both Clinton and Trump expressed their support for war, he responded, War is not a solution, it is something that only creates more problems. You see poverty here since everything is going towards war. We need to be spending to build and not destroy. It has been like this for more than two decades, why is everything going to war and not education?

Bernard Thomas, who works for the Department of Education, said, There are not a lot of good choices this election. You have one candidate that wants to isolate a whole group of people, and the other one you cant trust at all.

You see all these politicians forget about the homeless or that the rent is going up. Instead, they are focused on putting people in jail. It is like they want to make the jails rich. Both these candidates arent really honest about their policies.

Asked what kind of candidate he would like to see, he added, I want a candidate that is for single parents, or the average Joe that cant pay his rent. We need to be taxing the rich.

When an SEP campaigner pointed out that there was no money for working class people because everything was done to benefit the rich, including preparation for war, Thomas agreed and said that he was interested in hearing Jerry White speak.
Scottish director David Mackenzies ninth feature film, Hell or High Water, a Western-influenced, buddy-chase movie with a social conscience and superb performances, has been highly praised.

This reviewer endorses the praise with a minor but necessary qualification. The directors decision to follow a little too closely the buddy-chase plot pattern diminishes Hell and High Waters most vital feature: a critical look at American finance capitalisms brutal machinations.

Unemployed Toby Howard (Chris Pine) and his brother Tanner (Ben Foster), who has spent the last 10 years in prison, go on a bank robbery spree in West Texas to meet overdue alimony payments to Tobys divorced wife Debbie (Marin Ireland). The aim is to prevent foreclosure of their now-deceased mothers property by the very same chain of banks.

The fact that oil has been discovered on the propertya fact that informed the banks decision to sell their mother a mortgage she could not repayis not lost on Toby. He calculates that if he pays off the mortgage he can then put the property in the names of his two sons, Justin (John-Paul Howard) and Randy (Christopher W. Garcia), and guarantee them a better life than he and his brother have had.

The brothers robberies draw the attention of Sheriff Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) and his deputy, Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham). After obtaining evidence from not only the banks in question, but the diners and single casino in the area as well (Toby and Tanner make additional money by gambling with the stolen money), the sheriff comes to the conclusion that Toby is the smart, thoughtful brother, while Tanner is the wild one who handles the dirty, dangerous side of their business.

This notion is proven correct when the brothers hit a larger bank and Tanner kills two people during his and Tobys escape. Sheriff Hamilton and his deputy follow the brothers into the West Texas desert where various dramas unfold, eventually leading to a somewhat disappointing coda.

While Hell or High Water is a variation of the Western genre, it does extend the reach of such moviesand almost all American movies of the few decadesby satirizing religion and political correctness, and by offering glimpses of the consequences of the American finance oligarchys cupidity.

Taylor Sheridans screenplay contains a number of such glimpses, e.g., the sequence during which Sheriff Hamilton spots the bank manager and he says to his partner, That looks like a man who could foreclose on a house. During a brief history of how the American Indians were robbed of their property, Alberto tells the sheriff, Now, its the banks who are doing the robbing. Later in the movie, Toby explains why he robbed banks: Ive been poor my whole life. Its like a disease passed on from one generation to the next. But not my boys.

Cinematographer Giles Nuttgen (Fundamentals of Caring, Water) paints an even sadder portrait of the consequences of American financial capitalisms consequences by presenting a sun-colored Texas landscape littered with In-Debt? billboards, abandoned, dilapidated homes and disintegrating small towns.

The performances are uniformly inspired. Jeff Bridges Marcus Hamilton is a deceptively complex man itching to retire: he aims racially charged jokes at his American Indian deputy, but he becomes a cold-blooded predator when he hunts down his deputys killer. He spends a great deal of his time apparently doing nothing in particular, yet he invariably provides a matter-of-fact, spot-on assessment of Toby and Tanners next move.

Ben Foster is excellent in the role of the cynical, fearless Tanner Howard. He confronts a much larger Comanche Indian (uncredited) during a poker game and carloads of cops chasing him toward the movies end with the same mixture of inevitability and downright pleasure.

Chris Pine as Toby Howard is the movies biggest acting surprise, considering his resume of predictably unexciting action movies and Star Trek iterations (unfortunately, his next four movies are of this variety). His Toby can exhibit an uncommon sensitivity and selflessness but is also capable of frightening bursts of anger. Pine makes these seemingly disparate traits part of a whole cloth.

Like other movies of its type, Hell or High Water doesnt feature many women characters. But even though their roles are small, three women make a strong impression. Dale Dickey (Winters Bone, Aint it Nowhere),an extremely hardworking and under-appreciated actor, brings a high degree of credibility to her role as bank employee Elsie (the first bank hit by Toby and Tanner), who remains unflappable when the brothers, dressed in dark hoodies and toting guns, threaten her.

Eighty-eight-year-old Margaret Bowmans role as a waitress in the T-Bone Diner lasts no longer than a minute or two. But during that time, Ms. Bowman delivers a perfect rendering of a waitress in West Texas (or any diner or factory bar) who doesnt have time to chat or put up with nonsense in general.

Debrianna Mansini brings both tenderness and desperation to her role as a Vernon Diner waitress.

In an interview with online publication Collier, David Mackenzie stated that while he is an outsider from Scotland whos spent only a little bit of time in the West before [making the movie], I feel like [the movies] a little snapshot of a nation.

Mackenzie has indeed delivered a remarkable snapshot of the economic and social conditions blighting present-day America. But toward the end of the movie, the Western buddy movie plot forces Hell or High Waters most important theme into the background.

To the directors credit, Hell or High Waters obligatory chase scene doesnt feature bodies exploding through the air or other computer-generated special effects. There are no heroic deathsin an interview with the Guardian, Mackenzie stated emphatically, I cant f------ bear superheroes, so I wont be doing one of those [movies]. In fact, the killings that do occur are shot in such a realistic, objective manner as to appear to be undermining cliche-ridden chase scenes, which is exactly the point.

But because the chase scene is placed toward the movies end (where else would a director place a chase scene in a buddy movie?), the critical look at Americas economic and social conditions is forced into the background. Even the codaa final meeting between the sheriff and Tobyfails to bring together the earlier verbal and visual references to Americas collapsing social conditions with a larger understanding of the source of these conditions.

Nonetheless, David Mackenzies new movie is informed by a high degree of empathy for his characters plight, which is rarely found in present-day filmmaking. A deeper, historically driven portrait of contemporary America has yet to find its way into filmmaking, but Hell or High Water has taken a welcome step.
From 2007 to 2014, the United States tripled the deployment of special operations forces to Latin America, according to documents obtained via FOIA request by the non-profit Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

The deployment of Green Berets, Navy Seals and other elite units to Latin America is bound up with American imperialisms preparations to suppress the outbreak of social struggle in Central and South America and is also aimed at countering the growing influence of China in the region.

The August 30 WOLA report notes that US special operations training is aimed at improving technical skills like pistol and rifle marksmanship, urban combat, intelligence gathering, or riot control among the Latin America security forces. Government documents show that the training programs are aimed at building partner capacity, countering transnational threats, and ensuring domain awareness, which allows the US to gain regional access with a minimal footprint. The number of training events increased 29 percent from 2013 to 2014.

Joint training exercises also support the militarys National Security Strategy at a relatively low-risk, low-cost, and low-signature. In other words, the presence of American troops in nearly two dozen countries allows US imperialism to exercise an enormous amount of coercion on the political life of these countries without the cost and political fallout of open military occupation. In this vein, government documents also highlight how training activities often enhance US influence in host countries.

The report notes that the increased presence of special forces in Latin America lays the basis for an expanded US presence in the region. Special Operations Liaison Officers are currently positioned in 14 US embassies, including four in Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador and Peru). By 2019, the report notes, US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) will have funding to place liaison officers in 40 countries, presumably including a number of new ones in Latin America.

The United States government treats the entire Latin American region as its imperial staging ground, asserting its ability to station troops and operate bases. The WOLA report notes that the US conducted 21 training exercises in Honduras from 2007 to 2014, 19 in Colombia and El Salvador, 18 in the Dominican Republic, 16 in Belize, 15 in Panama, 13 in Brazil and 11 in Guyana, Peru and Jamaica. US elite units also trained soldiers in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, Paraguay, Suriname, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Argentina, the Bahamas and Uruguay.

The elite units of many of these governments effectively serve as extra-judicial death squads, giving the lie to claims that the US military is engaged in humanitarian or democratic intervention abroad. The presence of the US military in countries like El Salvador, Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala and Mexico has coincided with drastic increases in state repression and violence, in some cases creating civil war-like death rates for the civilian population.

For example, a US State Department report from 2015 notes that in Honduras, three soldiers were arrested and their unit commander temporarily suspended in connection with an investigation of alleged torture of artisanal miners working in a mine that had been closed for safety reasons. Though the soldiers were captured on video torturing the workers, an appeals court provisionally dismissed charges against the three soldiers.

In El Salvador, the countrys human rights investigator stated that between June 2014 and May 2015 there were 2,202 complaints of human rights violations, 92 percent of which alleged human rights violations committed by the National Civilian Police and the military. These violations included arbitrary deaths, situations that verge on torture, and possible executions between police and supposed criminals.

These are mere snapshots of the crimes committed by the armed forces trained by US military advisers, many of whom learned the trade in the criminal wars waged by the US in Iraq and Afghanistan, where torture, execution and mass murder were the standard operating procedure of the occupying armies.

The true purpose of the increasing US role in Latin America is to assert hegemony over the regions resources and cheap labor on behalf of American banks and corporations. The presence of US military forces is required to keep the region under US control and to ensure that the US is well-positioned militarily in case of war with China.

A 2015 US Army War College article by Professor R. Evan Ellis, titled The Strategic relevance of Latin America for the United States puts the matter clearly:

To view the matter through a military analogy, Latin America is the unoccupied high-ground overseeing the US position. A responsible commander would recognize that the occupation of that high ground by an adversary poses an unacceptable threat to his force, and thus would dedicate resources to block the adversary from doing so. By this analogy, it would be a grave error for the United States to conclude that, in the absence of serious threats to the United States from Latin America, it is okay to merely watch as potential future adversaries such as Russia and China expand their positions in the region. While such neglect, in the short term, may free up resources to continue other engagements abroad, over the long term, willing cessation of its own neighborhood by the U.S. is the single factor most likely to force the United States into a chaotic retreat from its external engagements.

There is another important reason for the increased US troop presence in the region. The US fears the outbreak of social opposition in Latin America and is prepared to crush it through invasion and the establishment of right-wing military and paramilitary units trained to kill workers, students and peasants who oppose the demands of Wall Street and US imperialism. Aware that Latin America is the most socially polarized region of the world, the architects of US imperialist geostrategy fear the outbreak of mass social upheavals in Latin America. The groundwork for cracking down on such a revolutionary upsurge of the impoverished Latin American masses is being prepared by the US military through the expansion of military training programs.
In a 3-0 ruling, a panel of US appellate court judges on Monday struck down a complaint challenging the legality of Michigans emergency manager law. The suit was originally filed in March, 2013, but the Detroit bankruptcy proceeding put a freeze on civil actions against Michigan state officials. After two years of legal wrangling, the petitioners submitted a new brief last March, claiming that the law violated the US Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The plaintiffs claimed that Michigans emergency manager law infringed on the right to collective bargaining, the right to an elected government, freedom of speech, the right to petition local government and the right to equal protection under the law.

The current version of the emergency manager law, Public Act 436, was signed into law by Republican Governor Rick Snyder on December 26, 2012, just seven weeks after more than 2.3 million people voted to overturn the previous emergency manager law, PA 4 of 2011, in a popular referendum. PA 436, drafted with the involvement of Democratic State Treasurer Andy Dillon, was virtually identical to the previous law, with the notable exception that it was made referendum-proof.

A legal loophole in the Michigan Constitution states that the power of referendum does not extend to acts making appropriations for state institutions. PA 436 was included in an appropriations provision, supposedly giving it iron-clad legal protection against being overturned.

This legally shady conspiracy had the backing of high-placed officials of both Republican and Democratic parties. In fact, the Obama administrations justice department submitted a friend-of-the-court brief specifically endorsing its use in the Detroit bankruptcy proceedings.

In the Cincinnati-based appeals courts opinion on Monday, Judge John M. Rogers wrote, Improving the financial situation of a distressed locality undoubtedly is a legitimate legislative purpose, and PA 436, while perhaps not the perfect remedy, is one that is rationally related to that purpose. The emergency managers powers may be vast, but so are the problems in financially distressed localities, and the elected officials of those localities are most often the ones whothrough the exercise of their powersled the localities into their difficult situations.

The legal opinion continues, Plaintiffs are still provided a vote. PA 436 does not remove local elected officials; it simply vests the powers of the local government in an emergency manager.

As a legal precedent, the appeals court cited a 1982 US Supreme Court ruling in the case Rodriguez v. Popular Democratic Party , in which the Court rejected a challenge to a procedure whereby vacancies in the Puerto Rico legislature could be filled on an interim basis by political parties. The Court reasoned that [t]he right to vote, per se, is not a constitutionally protected right, and that the Constitution does not compel[] a fixed method of choosing state or local officers or representatives.

In denying the claims made by the plaintiffs, the court dredged up the most anti-democratic legal pretext. According to the court, the population of the country has no inherent right to choose its representatives, and thus a financial dictator imposed on the basis of a law previously rejected by the population is entirely in order.

The anti-democratic law enabled the governor to appoint emergency managers with dictatorial powers over municipal governments and school districts and allowed for the abrogation of union contracts, in order to ensure financial accountability. Since its enactment, the law was used to force the city of Detroit into bankruptcy, allowing for the looting of city workers pensions and the monetization the citys assets, including the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD). Several emergency managers were appointed to Flint, where they were responsible for the decision to cut the city off from its source of treated water from Lake Huron supplied by the DWSD and switch it to the toxic Flint River.

State-appointed emergency managers over the school districts of Detroit, Muskegon Heights and Highland Park are responsible for continuing assaults on teachers and public education, including by advancing the reactionary agenda of privatizing schools altogether.

The original complaint against the emergency manager law was filed by a group of union officials, municipal officials and pastors, led by Catherine Phillips of AFSCME Council 25. The suit served as a fig leaf to cover up for the despicable role that the unions played throughout the bankruptcy of Detroit. Without their acquiescence to the plan of adjustment imposed by Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr and bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes, the operation could not have been pulled off.

It is not surprising that the courts struck down this legal challenge to a measure that has repeatedly proven valuable to the corporate and financial elite.
The Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported last week that BHP Billiton is demanding that the majority of its Queensland coal miners accept a three-year wage freeze in a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA).

The move, labelled by the AFR as unprecedented, is part of a broader offensive against the jobs and working conditions of workers that has accelerated following the collapse of world commodity prices.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) threatened the mother of all fights in forthcoming negotiations, but the union has played the central role in imposing the job and wage cuts of BHP and the other major mining companies.

The EBA negotiations cover mines owned and operated by BHP Billiton-Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), a joint venture of the two major corporations. BMA is the largest Australian-based coal mining concern and reportedly the worlds largest supplier to the seaborne coking coal market.

The agreement is set to cover three of BMAs minesat Saraji, Goonyella and Peak Downsin Queenslands Bowen Basin region. In addition to the wage freeze, BMA is reportedly demanding an overhaul of conditions. These include a change to the calibration of superannuation payments that could cost workers up to $4,000 a year and the doubling of rents on company-provided dwellings to $160 a week. Productivity bonuses are to be slashed.

The AFR noted: BMA is the biggest single employer of coal miners in Queensland and its agreements have traditionally stood as industry benchmarks for the unions.

BMAs enterprise agreement demands are modelled on an EBA pushed through by the Australian Workers Union (AWU) at the BlueScope steelworks in Port Kembla, near Sydney. The company and the union coerced workers into accepting the deal, under threat of the closure of the entire plant if it were not ratified.

The AWU agreement included a three-year wage freeze, the destruction of 500 jobs and the elimination of conditions. The EBA was hailed as groundbreaking by the Australian Financial Review and game-changing by BlueScope.

Speaking to the Queensland Times, Mackay district president of the CFMEU, Stephen Smythe declared he was surprised that BMA leaked details of the proposed wage freeze to the press. Smythe complained that the union was yet to discuss the demand with the company. His remark underscored the fact that the CFMEU is seeking to keep coal miners in the dark, while working out a means of pushing through BMAs demands.

The union has already imposed an effective wage freeze at the Poitrel mine in Queensland, a joint venture between BHP and Mitsui. The agreement, endorsed by the CFMEU in October, mandated no wage rises in its first year and pay increases of just 1 percent in each of the following two years.

At the time, the AFR noted that the deal amounted to a real wage cut and commented: There is a gathering bank of evidence that says the unions aggressive narrative sits a good distance from its negotiating reality. On the unions posture of opposition, it stated, if there is any spin it is being generated by a union that seems oddly uncomfortable with the commendable and mine-sustaining financial sense that is being translated into industrial agreements.

The CFMEU has established a host of agreements facilitating major restructuring cuts carried out by mining companies since the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008. The assault on jobs, wages and conditions has been intensified in the wake of sharp falls in commodity prices last year. In January, BHPs share price fell to $14.06, the same level it traded at in 2004, triggering panic in financial circles over the future of the company.

While coking coal prices have rebounded 73 percent since historic lows in February, largely on the basis of increased buying from China, there are ongoing indications of uncertainty in the sector. Fitch Ratings agency noted yesterday that the boost in sales was a product of Chinese government regulations limiting coal production, rather than a growth in underlying demand. Across its operations, BHP reported a year-on-year loss of $US6.235 billion last month.

In this context, the union has done everything it can to slash the companys costs.

In June last year, the CFMEU and BHP imposed an EBA covering workers from the engineering company, Downer EDI, who were employed at BHPs Blackwater mine. Two months later, BHP expanded the number of roles it was outsourcing to Downer EDI workers and announced 306 job cuts at the site, including 210 workers directly employed by BHP.

The restructure reportedly followed a commitment by Downer EDI to carry out its functions at a cost of 60 percent less than BHP, including by paying its workers up to 25 percent less, with lower overtime rates and greater flexibility provisions.

The union also endorsed an agreement covering contract workers carrying out overburden management at Saraji, another BMA mine. That deal scrapped an already agreed upon 4 percent pay rise and stipulated that pay rises over the following years would not outstrip award rates.

As well as imposing regressive EBAs, the CFMEU has suppressed any industrial or political struggle against widespread job-cutting across the mining industry. Between 2012 and the beginning of 2016, almost 75,000 positions have been axed in the sector. In the first two months of this year, 2,000 jobs were destroyed. In June, the National Australia Bank predicted that a further 50,000 retrenchments would occur in the sector during the next two and half years.

The consequences for workers of the CFMEUs close collaboration with the major mining companies has been underscored by the emergence, late last year, of cases of black lung in Queensland. The disease, caused by exposure to coal dust, is incurable and can result in an agonising death.

For over three decades, the union, along with the companies and successive governments, claimed that black lung was eradicated. It then emerged that the diseases existence was documented in workers compensation claims and mines routinely operated at well over the mandated dust limits. The CFMEUs claims to have been unaware of the existence of the disease and the unsafe conditions that produce it are not credible.

The author also recommends:

Australian mining unions ram through new productivity agreement

[25 October 2012]
In another indication of the terrible price paid by working people in the United States and all over the globe for the crimes of US imperialism, a new report from Brown University estimates that Washington has squandered nearly $5 trillion since September 11, 2001 on the wars launched under the pretext of fighting terrorism.

The report coincides with the 15th anniversary of 9/11, with 10,000 US troops still in Afghanistan, 15 years after the US invasion of that country, and an estimated 6,000 in Iraq. Hundreds more special operations forces have been deployed to Syria, where the US is fighting for regime change in a de facto alliance with that countrys affiliates of Al Qaedawhich was supposedly the principal target of the last decade and a half of war.

While the financial costs of these wars are staggering, bordering on the unfathomable, the author of the report, Boston University professor Neta Crawford, correctly places them in their far broader, and more horrifying, context of the trail of blood and destruction that US military operations have left in their wake:

...a full accounting of any wars burdens cannot be placed in columns on a ledger. From the civilians harmed or displaced by violence, to the soldiers killed and wounded, to the children who play years later on roads and fields sown with improvised explosive devices and cluster bombs, no set of numbers can convey the human toll of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, or how they have spilled into the neighboring states of Syria and Pakistan, and come home to the US and its allies in the form of wounded veterans and contractors.

Some of these numbers are also quantifiable, and appalling, from the over one million Iraqi lives lost to the US invasion of 2003 to the more than 12 million refugees driven from just the four countries laid waste by US wars: Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Syria. In addition, there are the nearly 7,000 US troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with roughly an equal number of private contractors, as well as the 52,000 officially listed as wounded in combat and the untold hundreds of thousands more suffering from traumatic brain injuries, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other mental health problems resulting from multiple deployments in dirty colonial-style wars.

Nonetheless, the report argues persuasively that it is also vital to make a serious and comprehensive evaluation of the real financial costs of these wars.

The overall cost of US imperialisms wars includes the $1.7 trillion directly appropriated by Congress to wage them as so-called Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). This is above and beyond the Pentagons base budget, which totals some $6.8 trillion from FY2001-2016.

By defining these wars as OCOs, Congress, together with both the Bush and Obama administrations, has acted as if they are some kind of unforeseeable emergencies that could not be planned for within the governments normal budgetary process, even as they dragged out for a decade and a half. As a result, they were freed from any kind of normal fiscal accountability, with no taxes or other revenues allotted to pay for them.

In addition to this direct war funding, the report includes the costs of veterans medical and disability care, allocations for Homeland Security, interest on Pentagon war appropriations and future costs for veterans care.

This last cost is estimated at amounting to at least $1 trillion between now and 2053. The basis for such an estimate is made clear by the presentation of some alarming statistics.

By the end of 2015, more than 1,600 soldiers who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan had undergone major limb amputations as a result of wounds suffered in combat. A total of 327,000 veterans of these wars had been diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury as of 2014 and by the same year fully 700,000 out of the 2.7 million people deployed to the war zones had been classified as 30 percent or more disabled.

The report points out that Veterans Affairs is the fastest growing department in the US government, with its staffing levels having nearly doubled since 2001 to 350,000 workers. Yet, according to another recent report, it still lacks sufficient funding to fill thousands of vacancies for doctors and nurses and to finance badly needed repairs to its hospitals and clinics.

In addition to these costs, the report estimates that, unless Congress changes the way that it is paying for the wars, even without their continuation, cumulative interest on war appropriations made just through FY2013 will amount to a staggering $7.9 trillion by 2053.

The report recalls that as the Bush administration was preparing to launch the war of aggression against Iraq, the administrations chief economic adviser Lawrence Lindsey came under intense fire for estimating that the upper bound costs of the war reached between $100 and $200 billion. This estimate was roundly rejected by everyone from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to House Democrats, who put the figure at roughly $50 billion, which it is now clear underestimated the real cost by a factor of 100.

Reflected in these wars, both in the criminality with which they were initiated and fought, and in the way they were funded, are the financial parasitism and socially destructive forms of speculation that pervade the workings of American capitalism as a whole.

By keeping the wars costs off the books and relying on an all-volunteer military to fight them, the US ruling class also hoped to dampen the popular hostility to militarism.

The new report does not attempt to estimate the wars broader impact on the economy and the living standards of broad masses of American working people. Another report issued two years ago by Harvard University conservatively estimated that the cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars amounted to $75,000 for every American household.

The report points to previous studies indicating that the wars cost tens of thousands of jobs and significantly reduced investment in infrastructure. The vast amount of resources diverted into slaughter and destruction in the Middle East and Central Asia could have funded the $3.32 trillion that the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) says must be spent over the next decade to fix Americas crumbling ports, highways, bridges, trains, water and electric facilities and paid off the entire $1.26 trillion in student debt, with money left over.

Instead, the elected officials of both major capitalist parties have continuously insisted that there is no money for jobs, decent wages, education, health care and other basic necessities, while spending unlimited money on militarism and war, leaving the bill to be paid for through the intensification of austerity measures directed against the working class.

The human and fiscal toll wrought by the wars of the last 15 years are only a foretaste of the global catastrophe that is threatened as US imperialism prepares for far larger wars, with its military escalation focused ever more directly against the worlds second and third largest nuclear powers, Russia and China.
By India Today Web Desk: After deciding upon a destination to visit, one of the first things we worry about as travellers is the bookings. Be it the flight, the train, or the hotel, one needs to make sure that everything is booked and sorted, before setting out. But the question is, which platform you use for doing the bookings.

According to a recent study by leading travel booking portal, MakeMyTrip, as published on the Indian Express, mobile phones are the most preferred platform for travel bookings.

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Also read: Travelling solo is the most preferred choice among Indian women, say experts



The study was conducted on the basis of how people used MakeMyTrip to make bookings between the months of January and June this year. According to the study, as much as 46 per cent of the travellers used the mobile application of MakeMyTrip to make their travel bookings, as compared to 17 per cent last year.

The study has also revealed that there has been a whopping 313 per cent hike in mobile transactions done during this period for bookings in comparison to last year.

"Mobile as a booking medium and hotels as a category have significantly evolved. With the growing use of smartphones, the app and the mobile usage is on a high. This has thus made the young travellers shift from offline to online in the travel industry," Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and CEO-India, MakeMyTrip told Indian Express while commenting on the study.



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By PTI: Mission

New Delhi, Sep 13 (PTI) Municipal Corporations were unable to utilise funds allocated under the Centres Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) with the NDMC "failing" to spend a single penny out of the Rs 46.28 crore allocated to it, a study report says.

According to Delhi Citizens Handbook 2016 prepared by Centre for Civil Society, North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) received Rs 46.28 crore under the SBM for 2015-16, but the civic body could not spend a single amount and the entire corpus of these funds is "lying unutilised".

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Similarly, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) managed to only spend 0.25 per cent out of the total received amount of Rs 31.63 crore.

However, out of 4,656 community toilets constructed under the Swachh Bharat Mission, most of them have been constructed by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).

The report comes amid sudden rise of Chikungunya and dengue cases. Three persons have died due to Chikungunya while dengue has claimed nine lives so far in the national capital.

"For the financial year 2015-16, the NDMC received Rs 46.28 crore under the SBM. Currently, the entire corpus of these funds is lying unutilised. Out of the Rs 31.63 crore received by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), only 0.25% (or Rs 7.93 lakh) has been spent," the study report stated.

Under the SBM, the national capital will receive a total of Rs 360.01 crore over the course of the entire Mission Period (Oct 2014-19). As of May 2016, Delhi has received Rs 139.60 crore.

The DUSIB notifies certain areas as slums, where with the passage of time, the buildings have become dilapidated and the basic civic services are missing.

Apart from this, DUSIB has been also assigned the role of looking after the Jhuggie Jhompri Squatter Settlements/Clusters by way of provision of civic amenities and their resettlement too.

DUSIB is not an Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and thus, is not entitled to funds under the SBM. However, the State Mission Directorate has re-allocated funds worth Rs 51 crore by transferring them from the ULB(s) to DUSIB.

However, both NDMC and SDMC said that it is too early to give details of expenditure which will be available only after work orders for different heads like Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and sanitation projects are executed.

"We are working on different projects under the SBM. There are a number of heads under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Unless the work is complete, it will be difficult to give the exact figure of spending which will be available by the end of this year," said Rajesh Bhatia, Vice Chairman of North Delhi Municipal Corporation.

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Shailendra Singh, Chairman of Standing Committee of SDMC said, "It is the initial stage of fund expenditure and it is too early to give details of spending. The details will be available only after work orders for different heads like IEC and sanitation projects are executed." PTI BUN/VIT IKA DV IKA

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A federal jury deliberated for two days before awarding $15,500 to a man who was handcuffed, kicked and punched by an Orlando, Florida, police officer during a protest.

Jurors said former officer William Escobar used excessive force and caused injury to Refus Holloway in 2014. They didn't find wrongdoing on the part of a second officer, Joel Williams.

Escobar was fired by the department after the incident.

The Orlando Sentinel (http://bit.ly/2cSQwqq ) reports the officers were responding to reports of a fight that ended before they arrived. Escobar accused Holloway of charging at him and ignoring commands. A video taken by Holloway's sister showed Escobar kicking and punching the man as he was handcuffed on the ground.

Escobar was acquitted last year of misdemeanor and battery charges.

___

Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
COVINGTON, Ga. (AP) - Officials in a Georgia county say they've canceled a meeting involving a mosque planned for the area due to security concerns.

Earlier, some Newton County officials had said they planned to vote Tuesday to lift a ban on building permits for places of worship. The ban was prompted by opposition to a planned mosque and cemetery on 135 acres in the county, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of Atlanta.

Newton County Commission Chairman Keith Ellis said the meeting was called off because of concerns about crowd control and hostile social media posts.

There was no immediate word on whether Tuesday's meeting will be rescheduled.

The Covington News reports (http://bit.ly/2cUhWZ0) that unless another special meeting in scheduled, the commission's next chance to vote on ending the moratorium for places of worship will be Sept. 20.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - A federal report says the pilot of a small plane that crashed off Florida's coast, killing both people aboard, was trying to avoid a thunderstorm moments before it went down in the Atlantic Ocean.

The SunSentinel reports (http://bit.ly/2cE5KPG ) that the National Transportation Safety Board found that air controllers told 73-year-old pilot Frederick Gautzsch of Boca Raton to fly three miles offshore to avoid the storm.

Gautzsch acknowledged that and then radioed that he was turning the Cessna 172 just before the Sept. 3 crash off the Hollywood coast.

Gautzsch and 66-year-old Robert Chartrand of Quebec, Canada were killed. The wreckage was found about two miles offshore in about 15 feet of water. The pair had been heading to Ocean Reef Club airport in Key Largo from Pompano Beach Airpark.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - Bainbridge State College is offering a hand of help to students who were displaced after the sudden closure of ITT Technical Institute.

The Georgia college has welcomed the former students to explore transferable course options that will assist them in earning their degrees. Students are being encouraged to visit the Bainbridge campus and meet with counselors.

Bainbridge State College looks forward to serving the needs of students from ITT Technical Institute, said Dr. Stuart Rayfield, Interim BSC President. This is certainly a difficult and stressful time for everyone involvedand our goal is to create a seamless transition for ITT students into one of our related programs. Our admissions staff and advisers are available to help in any way.

To further assist out-of-state students, the college is offering in-state tuition for Florida, Alabama and South Carolina residents.

For more information on Bainbridge State College, click here or call The School of Health Sciences & Professional Studies at (229) 243-4250.
CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (AP) - Authorities say an infant and a young child have been killed in a northwest Georgia house fire.

Glenn Allen, a spokesman for Georgia's fire marshal, tells The Associated Press there were five children and two adults in the Walker County home when the blaze broke out shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Allen said the parents were able to get three of the children out of the house, but an 8-month-old infant and a 6-year-old child were killed.

Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson tells The Chattanooga Times Free Press that the parents believe the fire started after the mother lit a candle.

Allen said the exact cause was not yet known early Tuesday.

Allen said the fire happened in the Chickamauga area, about 15 miles south of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
ADEL, GA (WTXL) - In response to recent spikes in crime around the community, multiple law enforcement agencies came together and conducted a sweep that started at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The operation lead to the arrest of 11 suspects. They were jailed on charges ranging from violations of probation, to felony drug and weapon charges.

Police said they also seized $7,533 in cash, illegal drugs including marijuana, cocaine, and prescription pills, and a firearm, during the operation.

More than 50 officers comprised of members from the FBI Street Gang Task Force, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Cook County Sheriffs Office, Adel Police Department, Sparks Police Department, State of Georgia Probation Office (Department of Community Supervision), AD Probation and The District Attorneys Office assisted.
PANAMA CITY, FL (WTXL) - Attorneys said a Panama City man was charged for his alleged involvement with the production and distribution of child pornography.

The U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release, that David Rossner, 35, allegedly persuaded a minor to send him sexually explicit content so that he could make child pornography in December 2015.

Attorneys also alleged that throughout 2015 and 2016, he received, distributed, and possessed child pornography.

Rossner's trial is scheduled for November 21 at 8:15 a.m.

The case is being investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and the Bay County Sheriffs Office.

To access public court documents online, visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida here. For more information about the United States Attorneys Office, Northern District of Florida, click here.
MIDWAY, Fl. (WTXL) -- Tropical Storm Julia is raising eyebrows as the first Atlantic tropical cyclone to form over land. It is not a threat to the local area as it pushes to the northeast virtually over the southeast Georgia coastline. As it moves, coastal flood threats as well as inland flood threats will be the main hazards from Julia, stretching from Brunswick, GA, toward Charleston, SC.

Tropical Storm Ian continues to spin in the open Atlantic and it poses no threat to any landmass. It may strengthen somewhat over the next few days as it accelerates north.

In addition to Ian and Julia, there are two tropical waves that have significant chances of developing. One is located over the Cape Verde Islands and it has a 70% chance to develop into a depression or storm in the next two days. One behind it (still over Africa) has a 40% chance to develop in the next five days.

Chief Meteorologist Casanova Nurse has your evening update. Be sure to check tonight, after your evening news.
By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 14 (PTI) In a stern message to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan today called for an end to all support, sponsorship and safe havens to terrorists and decided to strengthen security and defence cooperation.

During their talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism for achieving political objectives in the region as the two leaders had extensive discussions on the regional and bilateral issues.

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Reiterating Indias abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, Modi conveyed the countrys readiness to consider further requirements for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

"To this end, the Prime Minister offered that, as a close neighbour and friend of Afghanistan and its people, India would allocate a sum of USD 1 billion," a joint statement said.

After the talks, the two sides inked three agreements - Extradition Treaty, cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Briefing the reporters, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, "The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives.

"They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond."

Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, the leaders called upon "the concerned" to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India. However, they did not name Pakistan.

Asked if India conceded to long-pending demand of Afghanistan for stepped up defence supply, Jaishankar said, "Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement".

However, the Foreign Secretary did not give any further details and only noted that this was discussed during the recent visit of the Afghanistans Chief of Army Staff to India.

The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments.

Jaishankar also talked about Indias offer of supplying 1.75 lakh tonne of wheat to Afghanistan, which was suffering shortage.

India wanted to supply the wheat and it made a request "months back" to Pakistan for the transit, he said, adding "we have not received any response". MORE PTI SAP/PYK RT

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Every morning for the last 175 days, the couple is coming to Azad Maidan in anticipation of getting justice but so far all in vain.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: From 175 days, it has become a regular exercise for Subhash and Shalmali Mahapatra to put up a banner at Azad Maidan, Mumbai and sit to protest against the corrupt system that has denied them justice.

Every morning for the last 175 days, the couple is coming to Azad Maidan in anticipation of getting justice but so far all in vain.



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NEVER GOT THE HOUSE



In 2011, a broker along with two others cheated them by selling a house and taking Rs 14 lakh from them. They never got the house, neither the money back. Even after registering a complaint with police, no action has been taken.

Also read: No entry for LGBT? Mumbai restaurant bars person over sexual orientation

"Since 2011, my wife and I are fighting for justice. Earlier during the Congress-NCP government, some leaders promised that they are with us and we will get justice but nothing happened. And now even in this government, it is the same story," said Subhash Mahapatra. "To have your own house in Mumbai is everyone's dream. I also had such dream but the cheaters took my money and disappeared. Now I don't have any money and we are somehow managing our dialy life," added Subhash.



KNOCKED EVERY DOOR

The frustrated couple has approached all the political leaders and officials to get justice. After the new government took over, they thought that they will help them but their expectations were dashed again. Tired of the situation, the couple also tried to immolate themselves outside the chief minister's residence for which they faced jail later.

"I have no option left now. For whom should we stay alive? That's why we thought it better to end our life. Police didn't take any action against the cheaters but put us in jail for trying to end our life," said Shalmali.

Also read: Arrest Kapil Sharma for illegal constructions, says Mumbai advocate

Uneducated and poor, Subhash now doesn't have money to hire a lawyer who can approach courts for justice. Subhash is a musician and used to play music in restobars in Mumbai. But due to the regular protest at Azad Maidan he has not gone to work from the last 175 days.

HOPE FOR JUSTICE

To purchase that house, he had sold his wife's jewellery and his village land. He had borrowed some money from his family also. Now their last hope is Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who recently acted promptly on Kapil Sharma's tweet. Subhash and his wife feel that only he will give them justice as all others have failed.

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"If the chief minister can take cognisance of Comedian Kapil Sharma's tweet, I hope he will take cognisance of my case also. He is our last hope to get justice," said Subhash.

Also read: Nagpur-Mumbai expressway DPR to be out by month-end: Fadnavis

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You are the owner of this article.
NACHES, Wash. -- The Rock Creek Fire burning in national forest land northwest of Naches is now 90% contained, and officials have canceled the
More than 20 firefighters from Yakima County Fire District 5 battle a fire in large log decks at Waupaca Materials at 81 N. Track Rd. in Parker, Wash. on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. The company chips logs into compost and mulch, and the fire was caused by equipment that processes logs.

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By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Sep 14 (PTI) On the eve of his maiden visit to India, Nepalese Prime Minister Prachanda today expressed his governments commitment on amending the new Constitution to make it acceptable to all sides and said that his trip to New Delhi was not linked to it.

"There is no connection between my India visit and the matter relating to constitution amendment," Prachanda said while talking with the leaders of agitating Madhesi parties and ethic groups at the Prime Ministers office today.

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Prachanda will travel to New Delhi tomorrow for a four-day goodwill visit, his first foreign visit after assuming power some six weeks ago.

Constitution amendment is "our internal matter and we will resolve the issue within the country" by holding political dialogue, he said.

"My India visit is a diplomatic issue aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries," he said.

Gap between the government and the agitating United Madhesi Front on the issue of constitution amendment has been narrowed down, he said, adding that both the sides should create an environment of trust for resolving the matter.

"The government is serious about making the constitution acceptable to all sides," the Prime Minister said.

The Madhesi parties had led a six month-long agitation, mainly to protest against the seven-province federal model enshrined in the Constitution. At least 50 people were killed during the protests in south Nepal last year over the issue.

Prachanda has also briefed the Parliament abouthis upcoming visit to India.

While addressing the House, he said that his visit to India would focus on strengthening the bilateral ties.

He said that he would urge the Indian government to help complete the construction of Postal Highway at the earliest.

The work of Postal Highway, also known as Hulaki Rajmarg, has been affected because of the delay in getting consent for selection of contractors from the Indian government nine sections. The project has been divided into 17 sections.

India had signed an agreement to give Rs 8 billion as grant to build 607-km stretch of the 1792-km road project.

The Prime Minister said he would also hold discussion with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi regarding implementation of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Development Project and assistance for post-quake reconstruction.

India last year promised to provide USD one billion financial assistance to Nepal for the reconstruction works after the devastating earthquakes.

Prachanda said he would raise the issues including construction of integrated check post at Birgunj and cross-border inundation.

He made it clear that he would sign no agreement with India against national interests. He said he would inspect Nathpa Jhakri Hydropower Project in Himachal Pradesh and also visit Patanjali Yogpeeth and its industrial/manufacturing units in Haridwar during his four-day entourage to India.

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Prachanda yesterday briefed President Bidya Devi Bhandari abouthis upcoming state visit to India. PTI SBP ZH AKJ ZH

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Last week, Dr. Dov Shimon, a surgeon, testified in the trial of IDF soldier Elor Azaria. Dr. Shimon was summoned to give testimony on behalf of the defense to substantiate an opinion written by Professor Yehuda Hiss, the ousted head of the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute.

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Prof. Hiss's hypothesis was simple: The terrorist, who had been shot by soldiers after attempting to stab them, immediately died of wounds sustained in that first shooting. When Azaria arrived at the scene 11 minutes later and shot the terrorist in the headhe shot a corpse. It's all a big misunderstanding.

"It's likely that the deceased's death was caused by an acute respiratory failure in conjunction with air embolisms to the heart and brain following an injury to the right lung by two bullets," wrote Hiss.





Sgt. Elor Azaria (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

It reminded me of the Bus 300 affair. In April 1984, four Bedouin teenagersall about 18 years oldhijacked an Egged bus on its way from Tel Aviv to Ashkelon. They demanded the release of hundreds of Fatah prisoners in exchange for the hostages on the bus. Sayeret Matkal commandos stormed the bus and killed two of the hijackers. The other two were captured and taken out of the bus. We, a small group of journalists, saw them at that pointbeaten but very much alive. We also took their photos. Shortly thereafter, we were informed that they had died during the raid.

When a photo of the two living hijackers made the papers, and questions started popping up, two well-known doctorsone of whom was a recipient of the Israel Prizewrote opinions that stated the two terrorists were dead when they were taken off the bus. The blows they suffered caused fatal damage to their internal organs. The Shin Bet agents didn't know this. So no one was to blame, really.

Dr. Dov Shimon (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

When I received that opinion from one of the suspects' lawyers, I couldn't believe it. One guy can die without knowing it, sure, but two? Two people dying and then keep on singing happens only in the opera.

The truth came out years later: The two were murdered in cold blood by Shin Bet agents. The storm within the Shin Bet and outside of it was so big that the medical opinions were all but forgotten. The doctors were not punished or reprimanded, their reputation was not tarnished, their fame did not die out. The courts continued accepting professional opinions from doctors, economists, engineers, architects, and military officers in reserves. There is probably no better, more credible system. Normally, the judges are too polite to ask the honorable witnesses who exactly paid them and with whose coin.

From day one, the Azaria trial has been fought in two courts: The military one in Jaffa and that of public opinion. The fight in Jaffa is relatively simple: It focuses on evidence. The prosecutor, Lt. Col. Nadav Weisman, currently has the upper hand on that front. The fight for public opinion is far more complicated: In practice, it was already won the very first day. A poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found that 65 percent of Jews in Israel justify Azaria's actions, while 51 percent justify the soldiers who are threatening to stop serving if he is convicted.

Prosecutor Lt. Col. Nadav Weisman (Photo: Yariv Katz)

Azaria's legal and political defense teams hope the verdict given by the court of public opinion influences the verdict given by the military court. Public opinion is their most effective weapon. For this very reason, the prosecution is worried.

On September 19, two major generals in reserves, Uzi Dayan and Dan Biton, will testify on behalf of the defense. On September 27, Brig. Gen. (res.) Shmuel Zakai will testify. The law requires expert witnesses to submit their professional opinions in writing ahead of their testimony in front of the court. The opinions submitted by Dayan and Biton were different to what they said on the topic to the press. The disparity tells us more about them than about the shooting in Hebron. Uzi Dayan prides himself on knowing how to recite all of Nathan Alterman's poems. He knows the lines, but he failed to internalize the core values the poems are based on.

There have been cases dealing with norms of fighting in the IDF from day one. It's easy to say that when it comes to this loaded issue, Israeli public opinion has changed: It's because of 49 years of occupation; it's because of the continuing right-wing regime; it's because of Netanyahu. It's easy to say that, but those might not exactly be the facts.

I had the honor of covering quite a few cases like this. Some of them I even broke myself. All of them featured massive disparities between IDF orders and the Israeli law on the one hand, and public opinion on the other.

When Rafael "Raful" Eitan was the IDF chief of staff, he exploited the power he was given to distort justice and send a message. In Raful's eyes, anyone who killed an Arab was innocenteven if the Arab was an innocent bystander or a captive bound hand and foot. An innocent civilian was murdered by an off-duty civil defense soldier on a main street in Jerusalem; bound captives were murdered in Lebanon. Raful mitigated the punishment of these murderers willy-nilly, setting them free. What's interesting is that he had the complete opposite views on looting. Looters were punished to the full extent of the law. The message was clear: Murder was okay, theft was not. Property was more precious than life.

Rafael 'Raful' Eitan (Photo: AFP)

The military judicial system refused to accept Raful's policies. The law was changed, and the IDF chief's pardon power was reduced. Later rulings by the High Court of Justice revoked the option from the IDF to settle for disciplinary action in such cases. The investigation is criminal in nature; the sentencing is handed out by the court.

Raful was a bold fighter and a failing IDF chief who left the IDF stranded in Lebanon for an entire generation. When it came to fighting norms, he adopted the ones he grew up onwhat he learned from his father's actions and what he learned in the paratroopers in the 1950s. The pardons he handed out didn't hurt his position. On the contrary, the Israeli public loved him. He built an entire political career on that love.

Public opinion hasn't changed, the IDF's senior command did. The change is entirely for the better: The IDF today has more respect to the law, to instructions, to procedures, and more service awareness. In the past, there were those in the IDF who preferred soldiers and commanders operated within a cloud of ambiguity. Today, the high echelons of the IDF realize that clarity is vital for the military's operations. It's vital because of the dilemmas created by the occupation. In a state of ambiguity, the IDF will suffer.

The change for the worse is in the involvement of the public in the process. The Azaria trial is the first in which the influence of social media on the IDF's law enforcement was clearly felt. While in the past, officers and soldiers put on trial would ask their friends for money so they could afford good lawyers. Azaria doesn't need friends. His lawyers complained early in the trial that they were not compensated for their services, and then, in one fell swoop, social media helped raise over NIS 600,000 to foot their bill.
Former President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres's condition is serious, but stable following a stroke on Tuesday.

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In an update to the press Wednesday afternoon at about 3:40pm, Prof. Yitzhak Kreiss, Director of Sheba Medical Center, said that the statesman's condition had slightly improved, but warned that his condition was still very serious. They stated that he would remain in the neurological intensive care for the next 24 hours.

Prof. Kreiss updating the press

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Earlier in the day, Kreiss and Prof. Rafi Walden, personal physician and son-in-law of Shimon Peres, announced, "When there was a pause in the administration of anesthetic drugs, we realized that he is responsive and probably attentive to what we tell him. He squeezed our hands."

Peres' family continues to be by his side at the hospital

In a statement Wednesday morning, Prof. Yitzhak Kreiss said, "Mr. Peres made it through the night safely. His condition is stable. Serious, but stable. We are moving him to the intensive care unit of the neurology department for further treatment and observation. He is still under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team of experts and will undergo another assessment in the afternoon. We are in close contact with the family, which has accompanied him and not left his bedside. We are sharing all decisions with the family."

Shimon Peres (Photo: AP)

Walden, said, "I would first of all like to express deep appreciation to the wonderful team at Sheba, which diagnosed the problem from every possible angle and made great (treatment) decisions. The family is obviously in the picture and we are at his side. We were happy to see that when there was a pause in anesthetic drugs, we realized he was responsive and probably attentive to what we tell him."

"Now, to ensure that his condition remains stable, he is sedated once more so he doesn't over exert himself. The next attempt we make at waking him up, I hope we will be able to communicate more with him. At the moment, he is stable and we will continue to be by his side. We call on all of Israel to join us in hoping and praying for his recovery," Walden added.

Peres suffered a stroke on Tuesday evening and was rushed to Sheba Medical Center earlier in the day after consulting with his doctor and informing him that he was feeling weak.

An initial CT scan showed a brain hemorrhage, and the doctors decided to sedate the former president as he undergoes medical treatment in the ICU. A second CT scan to further assess his condition showed no improvement.

Shimon Peres and Bill Clinton (Photo: Sa'ar Yaakov, GPO)

International worry over the health of the former president has included former US President Bill Clinton expressing his well wishes for his ailing former counterpart.

Clinton has called the Peres family repeatedly, inquiring as to Shimon Peres's wellbeing. Clinton and Peres worked together on the Oslo accords.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair even called the family to express his well wishes for former President Peres's speedy recovery

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Bill Clinton speaks at Peres's 90th birthday

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Health Minister Yakov Litzman visited the hospital wing where Peres is hospitalized at Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer on Wednesday.

He said "we can be a bit more optimistic today than last night", as he was leaving the hospital.

Litzman added that "we are continuing to pray for the recovery of Shimon Peres, Israel's ninth president. I was in the ward in Sheba, such a special hospital, to asses the situation. The medical staff and nurses told me that they consulted with well known doctors outside of Israel, and that these doctors agreed with the form of treatment being provided."

"I'm not a doctor, nor am I a medical expert," the health minister then went on to say. "I can only say that the treatments are very special and together I hope, God-willing, that Peres will return to us."

Peres meets former British PM Cameron (Photo: Mark Neiman, GPO)

Doctors continued to work into the night and after conducting a series of tests, they detected bleeding of the brain. By the late evening, they were deciding on whether it was necessary to perform surgery or not.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken to the head of the Sheba Medical Center and received an update on Peres's situation.





Peres with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Photo: Mark Neuman, GPO)

"I wish former President Shimon Peres a speedy recovery. Shimon, we love you, and the entire nation prays for your recovery," Netanyahu wrote on social media.

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri added prayers of his own in the traditional Jewish manner of invoking his mother's name, writing on Twitter, "I pray for the recovery of Shimon, son of Sarah, the former president and prime minister of Israel."

Shimon Peres with Rabbi Ovadia Yoseph (Photo: Kobi Gideon)

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman wrote on his Facebook page, We are all praying for the wellbeing of former president Shimon Peres and hope that he will, once again, prove that he knows how to come back from difficult situations.

Meanwhile, Opposition chairman Isaac Herzog, who lead the Labor party in which Peres spent most of his political career, arrived at the hospital to visit the former president.

Shimon Peres in his youth (Photo: Shimon Peres Archives)

Israel's Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau called on the public to pray for Peres, saying "Mr. Peres has earned many credits in his many years of service to the people of Israel (in working to) strengthen the security of the State of Israel from its day of formation, and it is appropriate for everyone to join the prayer for his recovery at this time."

The Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, also called to pray for Peres, saying, "To his credit is the saving of the world of Torah by establishing the exemption (from IDF service) to yeshiva students and his great appreciation to the Torah."

His son Hami said, These are not easy hours for me or my family. My father has suffered, as you know, complications and I want to thank, first of all, the medical team at Tel Hashomer which is checking him and advising us. It seems that we will soon be required to make decisions but not at the moment. Everything depends, of course, on how things develop and we cant say any more than this.

We are receiving many messages both from Israel and outside Israel, from all of our friends and from the people who love and know about this man and they are many," he continued. "My father is a special person and I remain optimistic. I believe and hope for the good."
Throughout his entire political career, Shimon Peres yearned for the people's love. He saw it go to othersthose he grew up in the shadow of, those he grew up with and those who were his rivals: Berl Katznelson, David Ben-Gurion, Moshe Dayan, Golda Meir, Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin, Ariel Sharon.

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He was in all the important crossroads: From before the State of Israel's establishment to the 2000s, from the War of Independence to the Second Lebanon War, and he held a key position in all of them, sometimes a decisive position. He did not receive the love he sought.

Peres remained a consensus  not thanks to peace, but thanks to himself, thanks to his status, his seniority, vitality, wisdom, age (Photo: AP)

Until the recent yearsthe years of reconciliation. When he was elected president in 2007, the Israelis saw his election as the righting of a wrong. Not just a correction of the president's image, after the Katsav affair, but of Peres' status among them. In exchange, he gave them seven good, glowing years in which he turned his reputation in the world into a defensive shield for the state and its government, and in which he rehabilitated the President's Residence.

He continued with this line even after leaving office, about two years ago. The pursuit of peace agreements, which Peres saw as his main task since the 1980s, did not bear real fruit. The majority of the public kept away from it. But Peres remained a consensusnot thanks to peace, but thanks to himself, thanks to his status, his seniority, vitality, wisdom, age.

In the eyes of his people, he ceased to be a politician. He became a historical figure, bigger than politics, bigger than day-to-day life, an image of a different league.

The Israelis' love follows him to the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, where he has been fighting for his life since Tuesday evening. This love no longer relies on anythingneither on political views nor on party memberships or past emotions. They would like to hear, once again, as they did in his previous visits to the hospital, that he is joking with his doctors.
JAKARTA -- Indonesian police say a senior figure from the East Indonesia Mujahideen militant group has been captured and one of the group's members killed in a joint operation with the military.

The capture of Muhammad Basri on Wednesday is another blow to the militant group, based in Central Sulawesi province. The group's leader, Santoso, who was Indonesia's most wanted Islamic radical, was killed by security forces in a shootout in July.

National Police spokesman Maj. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said the man shot dead Wednesday near Poso Pesisir village in the Poso district of Sulawesi was Andika Eka Putra.
A deal was signed whereby the Palestinian electrical grid will now be the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority on Tuesday, ensuring that the Palestinians pay their NIS2 billion debt to the Israeli Electric Corporation. The agreement will see a half billion shekels of the debt forgiven.

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The agreement was signed by the Head of the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) General Yoav "Poli" Mordechai in the presence of Minister of Finance Moshe Kahlon, Finance Ministry Director General Shai Babed, and the PA Minister of Civil Affairs Hussain al-Sheikh.

The finance minister updated both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on the issue, and didn't request a cabinet meeting.

Electircal worker working on power lines (Photo: Zohar Shachar)

Additionally, a sum of approximately NIS1.14 billion in frozen funds was transferred to the PA. The finance ministry said that the money had been frozen for 10 years, and was given back on the Palestinian promise that the money will only be used on Palestinian welfare and health services.

Over the last several years, the Palestinian debt to the Israel Electric Corporation has ballooned to NIS 2 Billion. The giant debt has become a huge burden to the Electric Corporation, and has kept the Corporation from providing more electricity to the Palestinians, thus choking their economy and their ability to develop economically.

'A stable Palestinian economy is in Israel's interest'

A high ranking finance ministry official said "this is a historic agreement. Minister Kahlon took the decision to deal with the issue, and we worked in a very comprehensive manner (to solve the debt problem). It's a new trade agreement and will change the status quo; Israel will get out of a situation whereby the Electric Corporation is forced to sell electricity in a decentralized manner to various companies or villages."

"There will be a physical, engineered separation between the electric corporation (and the Palestinian electrical grid)," he continued, "and the Palestinians will take on the responsibility of managing their electrical grid."

"This is a lot more wide ranging that just closing a financial gap  the electricity will be Israeli, but the transmission system will be Palestinian. It opens up the possibility of the establishment of a power station in the Palestinian Authority, and there are already rumors that a power station might be established in Jenin. On top of this, the Americans have agreed to pay NIS100 million ($26.4 million) of the Palestinians' electricity debt," he added.

Orort Rabin power station in Hadera (Photo: EPA)

Minster Kahlon said that "the agreements we arrived at instill confidence in the electric corporation and to the citizens of Israel that the PA's debts will be repaid. The agreement will cover and mitigate future conflicts. This is the first step in a long process, and the two sides will require dedication and determination to complete the outline of the blueprint."

"The agreement will ensure a constant energy supply and economic development in the PA. A stable PA economy is in Israel's interests economically, politically, and in terms of security. Anyone who believes that you can achieve a breakthrough between the two sides without direct negotiations and without preconditions is working against the interests of the nation. If we dont work to fix this historic problem between us and the Palestinians, we will have a crisis which we will have to pass on to our children, and it will be much more difficult to solve."

Meanwhile, PA Minister of Civil Affairs Hussain al-Sheikh said "by turning over the responsibility (for the electrical grid) will enable complete (Palestinian) control over the needs of the Palestinians (living in the West Bank). The agreement will enable the Israel Electric Corporation to send electricity to the PA via a central point of contact."
China said it did not have a position on the entry of either India or Pakistan into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

By Ananth Krishnan: China said on Wednesday it did not have a position on the entry of either India or Pakistan into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a day after talks were held in New Delhi to discuss the impasse on India's bid.

Following Tuesday's talks, Beijing in a statement reiterated its stand on a "two-step approach" that would first settle the issue of entry of all non-NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) countries, before addressing India's specific bid.

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READ| India, China engage on pragmatic talks to discuss India's NSG bid



Asked if this reflected China's desire to also include Pakistan along with India, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, "China does not have a position on the accession of any specific non-NPT country".

"China's position is very clear," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing.

"China is yet to form a position on the accession of any specific non-NPT country. But we are willing to have discussions with NSG members on the accession of non-NPT countries."

This was a similar stand voiced by China at the NSG's plenary in Seoul, where India's entry was stymied.

READ| Exclusive: NSG, Pakistan in focus as Modi arrives in China for G20



It remains unclear whether Beijing's reiteration of a two-step process may delay India's entry, with Delhi earlier hoping to settle the issue by the end of the year with the NSG set to hold a special session to discuss India's bid.

Beijing has however left the door open by agreeing to hold bilateral talks with India on the issue, with some experts suggesting that its emphasis on agreeing criteria in the first step was aimed at enabling Pakistan's entry at a future date.

Many of the NSG's 48 members are however unlikely to look upon Pakistan's bid favourably considering its track record on proliferation, which is once again in the limelight following North Korea's recent nuclear test.

On Tuesday's talks with India, Hua said countries were "yet to agree on the accession of any specific member into the group".

"That is to say, we first need to reach agreement that applies to all non-NPT countries, then we will talk about accession of a specific country". China, she added, will hold the next round of bilateral consultations with India between the directors-general of their disarmament departments.

READ| Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou, Pakistan, NSG on agenda



Following Tuesday's talks, Beijing said in a lengthy statement that it "wishes to see early commencement of an open and transparent inter-governmental process to undertake, in accordance with the mandate adopted by the NSG at its Seoul Plenary meeting, a comprehensive and thorough study on the question of the non-NPT states' participation in the NSG in various aspects".

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The statement called for a "two-step approach within the Group to address the above question, i.e., at the first stage, to explore and reach agreement on a non-discriminatory formula applicable to all the non-NPT states, and to proceed to take up country-specific membership issues at the second stage."

On Wednesday, China also announced that its State Councillor and top diplomat Yang Jiechi will travel to India on Thursday for a meeting of the BRICS countries' national security advisers.

The major agenda for the talks, she said, included anti-terrorism, cyber security, energy security, and the situation in West Asia and North Africa.

The meeting, which will lay the groundwork for October's BRICS Summit in Goa, underlined that the five countries were playing a bigger role in international affairs, Hua said.

ALSO READ:

Pakistan qualifies for NSG membership: Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry Kerry, Sushma co-chair talks as India, US reaffirm need for Pakistan to fight terror



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The two missiles fired at an Israel Air Force aircraft Tuesday mark a possible change in the Syrian security policy. During the five years of civil war in the country, Bashar Assad's regime has avoided retaliating against attacks which, according to foreign sources, were carried out by the IAF on Syrian territory and on the Syria-Lebanon border.

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Tuesday's missile fire may serve as a signal to Israel that from now on, the Syrian regime plans to respond to Israeli attacks on its territory. In addition, the "spillovers" the same daythe three mortar shells which landed in the Golan Heights within hoursmay be Assad's attempt to relay a message.

Syrian President Bashar Assad. A message to Israel (Photo: Reuters)

Israel's alleged attacks in Syria from the air and from the ground can be analyzed in three different types of events: When rockets or a terror attack are launched from Syrian territory to Israeli territory (violation of borders), when the Syrians or Iranians try to transfer weapons of a particularly high standard to Hezbollah, and in case of a real threat of chemical weapons being used by Syria or elements in Syria against Israel.

The spillover fire of the Syrian army and the rebels constitutes, according to the Israeli security doctrine, a violation of Israeli sovereignty on Syrian territory, and therefore leads to a response. The Air Force's strongest response, according to foreign sources, is when the Syrian army uses artillery and hits Israeli territory.

That is likely what happened Tuesday and is the reason why the Israeli response was carried out by aircraft. But unlike previous incidents, in which the Syrian army did not respond or did not try to prevent or disrupt the Israeli punitive action, on Tuesday it fired at the IAF aircraft.

False Syrian statement in Hebrew on 'Israeli plane's interception'

According to the Syrians themselves, their response included the firing of S-200 missiles, called Angara in Russian and SA-5 Gammon by NATO. This strategic missile against heavy bombers was produced in the Soviet Union in the 1960s and supplied to Syria during the War of Attrition along with other types of missiles.

The unusual thing about this missile is that its range is about 300 kilometers and its flight altitude is 40,000 metersmeaning it puts almost all civil and military aviation across the State of Israel in danger, including Ben-Gurion Airport and the Air Force base in Tel Nof.

Assad Sr. did things differently

At the time, when the Soviets supplied the missile to Hafez Assad, the current president's father, concerns were raised in Israel that this strategic weapon would endanger civil aviation flying to the country and over the country and would threaten Israel's connection to the outer world. A warning was relayed to the Syrians that if they used the strategic surface-to-air missiles, Israel would launch a harsh "strategic response."

The Syrians hardly ever used this very long-range, high-altitude missile during the War of Attrition, although they had ability to do so, but it now seems that Bashar Assad feels confident due to the Russian presence in his country. Israeli officials estimate that he has decided to change his retaliation policy and threaten IAF planes operating on his territory. That is the reason why, they believe, he used strategic missiles which despite being obsolete could still threaten Israel's civil and military aircraft, even if they do not flying directly over Syria and not even over the Golan Heights, but deep in the sea west of Syria.

The missiles fired by the Syrian army on Tuesday did not violate Israel's airspace and did not constitute a real threat to the IAF aircraft which struck in Syria from afar, but Assad has decided to signal to Israel that he will not tolerate such attacks anymore. He is therefore blowing the incident and its implications out of proportions in the Syrian media , knowing that Israel receives these broadcasts and the messages concealed in them.
Minister of Education Naftali Bennett has provoked the ire of teachers when he said that "Jewish studies and excelling in them are, to me, more important than mathematics or science" during a speech in Ceasarea.

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Bennett was quick to explain, saying, "I want every graduate of our education system to know how to write code and know what the Kiddush (a ceremonial prayer over wine said during the meal ushering in Shabbat) is."

Menashe Levy, the chairman of the Principals' Association in Israel, said "Bennett forgets that he is the Minister of Education for all students in Israel, and he needs to act like it. No subject is worth more than others. It is important to nurture students who have values and think, and the rest will follow."

Naftali Bennett speaking in Ceasarea (Photo: Studio A)

Math and physics teachers said Bennett's statements could harm efforts they are making to encourage students to invest in the sciences.

Professor Aaron Ciechanover, Nobel laureate for Chemistry in 2004 and Technion faculty member, said "I didn't hear exactly what Bennett said about Jewish studies and relations to the sciences, but if he did say it, I would hope he isn't serious.

"These things are sadly consistent with the decision to dismiss an entire generation of students from core studies that are essential not only for them to live their lives with dignity, success and health, but also for the State of Israel to be strong and robust. Judaism and the sciences are both important in their own right, but to rank them on a scale of importance is an act of folly. The comparison between the two is political and it's a shame it's coming from minister entrusted with fostering both subjects equally."

Professor Peretz Lavie, President of the Technion and Chairperson of the Association of University Heads, said Bennett's speech was "poetic," and it was tailored to please the audience at whom it was directed. Furthermore, he added, "Widespread education is an inalienable asset. Mathematics is important, so that's why it pains me that they gave up on core subjects for the Haredim."

In an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, Ynet's sister publication, Bennett further tried to explain himself. "We are Jews living in a Jewish state and are proud of heritage and tradition. I want every graduate of our education system to be able to converse in quality English and know why we say Selichot (Jewish penitential prayers said leading up to the High Holy Days). We need to let each boy and girl in Israel form their own identity. That is our job in the education system. Judaism and excellence are not mutually exclusive and we will continue to implement both full force."
MADRID - Spanish police seized nearly 15 tonnes of hashish from a boat off the southern coast in the largest drugs haul in the Mediterranean this year, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

Two people on board, from the Netherlands and Bulgaria, were arrested in the operation which began on Saturday night and culminated early on Sunday, the ministry said in a statement.

The seizure formed part of a pan-European initiative, Indalo, which responsible for monitoring illegal immigration flows and criminal activity along the Mediterranean coast from North Africa.
Syria accused Israel on Wednesday of attempting to sabotage the ceasefire brokered by the US and Russia

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The Israel Air Force attacked Syrian government targets in the Syrian Golan Heights on Tuesday night in retaliation for three mortars fired from the country into Israeli territory.

A statement issued by the Syrian Defense Ministry claimed that "this attack was launched by the Israeli enemy in support of the terrorists of Jabhat al-Nusra, and is a clear attempt to escalate tensions and bring about the failure of the US-Russian brokered ceasefire."

Extremist Islamist rebels fighting in Syria

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The regime of President Bashar Assad went on to say that "at 11:26pm Tuesday night, Israel attacked an artillery position at Ein el-Burj at the foothills of the eastern Syrian Hermon. The area was attacked by two rockets fired by aircraft flying within the occupied territory (Israel). One artillery battery was destroyed and another one damaged as a result."

The Syrian army and its allies Hezbollah and Iran have been battling for control of the Israel-Syria border with various Syrian rebel groups. The rebels have launched a campaign aimed at taking over the last regime strongholds on the Golan, including the town of Madinat al-Ba'ath and the area of Khan Arnabeh outside of Quneitra. The Assad regime has responded to these attacks with heavy artillery fire.

There have been three fire spillover incidents on the Golan Heights over the past few days as the warring sides clash near the border.

In a statement following its retaliatory attack, the IDF said it "views the Syrian regime as responsible for anything that happens in its territory, but will not hesitate to act against other opposition elements in Syria."

Syrian President Assad out in public after the ceasefire came into effect (Photo: AFP)

This last part of the statement is quite unusual, and can be seen as an answer to the Syrian regime's claim that the IDF works in conjunction with the rebels.

Meanwhile, the front page headline of the Lebanese Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper al-Akhbar on Wednesday declared that "Syria has surprised the enemy; a new balance in the Golan."

The papers editor-in-chief, Ibrahim al-Amin, published an editorial which, while touching upon the subject of the US brokered ceasefire, also mentioned the change of policy by the Syrian regime.

According to al-Amin, Hezbollah is preparing for the possibility of a confrontation in southern Syria, particularly in light of recent information on Saudis intentionsin conjunction with the US, France and Jordanto launch a campaign in the south to make up for the rebels losses in the north of the country. In such a situation, Hezbollah can clearly see Israels role, particularly as these players dont object toand even preferIsraels involvement in the crisis and its assistance in attacking bases of the regime and its allies. This situation requires strategies that would pave the way, like the move done by the Syrian army yesterday when it announced its intention to stop any Israeli aggression.

Alleged video of IAF bombing in Syria

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Another story in the paper quoted Syrian military officials who repeated the claim that the Assad regime shot down two Israeli aircraft. They said one of the aircraft was a Skylark drone, which was downed using an anti-aircraft missile launched from southern Damascus. The other was a fighter jet, which was downed by an anti-aircraft missile fired from the northern Jabal al-Druze in the As-Suwayda region and allegedly crashed near the Israeli border in a village under rebel control.

The IDF has denied these claims, saying the anti-aircraft missiles were far from the Israeli aircraft and did not pose a threat to them at any point.

The same story quoted other Syrian officials as saying that "The Syrian response to the Israeli aircraft is a strong message that Syria would not allow Israel to adopt Jabhat al-Nusra to get a foothold in southern Syria."

The Syrian officials accused Israel of searching to influence the conflict and of helping Jabhat al-Nusra on the ground. "The decision to launch this recent campaign against the Syrian army is an Israeli political decision," one of the officials claimed.
LONDON- Britain and Argentina have agreed to work together towards removing measures restricting the oil and gas industry, shipping and fishing around the disputed Falkland Islands, Britain's Foreign Office said on Wednesday.

The two countries fought a war in 1982 over the British-run islands in the South Atlantic, known in Argentina as Las Malvinas, and the issue has continued to cause tensions in the two countries' relationship.

The Foreign Office said London and Buenos Aires had agreed their first positive statement about South Atlantic issues since 1999.
Arab Knesset Member Basel Ghattas (Joint Arab List) attacked former President Shimon Peres in a Facebook post in Arabic on Wednesday as Peres lies unconscious and fighting for his life in a hospital bed after suffering from a stroke.

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"Let us remember in his death his true essence as a tyrant," Ghattas's post said. He was directly responsible for various atrocities and war crimes which he committed against usHe is completely covered with our blood."

The Arab MK continued, saying "Is Peres's inevitable end coming close? We don't know. He has seven lives. But he is, without doubt, on his final journey. We must remember that he is one of the pillars of the arrogant, imperialist Zionist enterprise, and of the settler enterprise, along with being one of the most heinous, most brutal, and oldest in terms of age and results. He is the one who inflicted the most damage and brought a plethora of disasters to the Palestinian nation and to the Arab world. Yet despite all of this, Peres is viewed as a dove, and even won the Nobel Peace Prize."

MK Basel Ghattas (Photo: Balad)

Peres would not have been able to achieve this, Ghattas claimed, without the direct and indirect help we gave him throughout his life. We should not rush to support this festival of sadness and collective loss to the tribe."

MK Yoel Hasson (Zionist Union) came out in Peres's defense, responding that "before Basel Ghattas opens his mouth to say Peres's name, it might be worth it for him to take his immense contribution to Israeli-Arab society in particular and Israeli society in general into consideration. You are someone who doesn't come to Knesset meetings, even to just warm up your seat. You're a man who has scammed the Israeli-Arabs, abandoned them, and have worked unceasingly to strengthen Palestinian terrorists."

Hasson continued, asking "when was the last time Ghattas worked to advance education in the Arab sector? When did he ever care about those who have been injured by violence, the lack of proper infrastructure, or the dearth of public transportation in Arab communities?"

MK Yoel Hasson (Photo: Dana Kopel)

"Basel Ghattas is a festival of disgust and shame, a festival of provocation, evil, and shame, and a loss to his constituents. Even if Ghattas lives for 300 more years, he wouldn't even be able to come close to the amount of good which Peres did for the Israeli-Arab community."

MK Itzik Shmuli (Zionist Union) also came out swinging against the comments, according Ghattas of self-promotion and a provocateur: Ghattas is a small and wretched man and all his contribution to politics has amounted to sowing hatred and strife between people, support for terror and cheap provocation for his own self promotion. He is not worthy at all of even mentioning Peress name from his mouth.

MK Itzik Shmuli (Hagai Dekel and Yogev Atias)

Similarly, Deputy Knesset Chairman MK Meir Cohen also joined the rejection and issued his own attack against the comments: Basel Ghattas is a despicable person in the public domain. Comments such as these by haters of Israel have blackened our name around the world. He is a person who lives here and enjoys the fruits of the state but is constantly bashing it, Cohen said. And if that is not enough, he chooses to curse one of the greatest symbols of peace in the world. I hope that we will find the way to remove people like Ghattas from our parliament.

Ghattas's Facebook post

He went on to say that he was consoled by the fact that Ghattas does not represent the vast majority of the the Arab public, but the despicable extremists among them.

He called upon the head of the Joint List to condemn Ghattass inflammatory statements, before recalling a personal encounter with Peres during which the former president implored him to ensure the wellbeing of the Arab community.

I will tell you, Ghattas, that in my time as minister of welfare, Peres invited me to his office and asked me to utilize massive resources for the benefit of the Arab sector. He urged me to Make sure that not another Arab child will go hungry, Cohen concluded.
Terrorist Nur a-Din Hashiya , who murdered IDF soldier Almog Shiloni outside a Tel Aviv train station in November 2014, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday.

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In an unprecedented ruling, the district court determined that the 20-year-old terrorist will spend at least 40 years in prison and could not be paroled before that. Moreover, the parole board will not be able to even discuss mitigating his sentence until 15 years have passed, and Hashiya will not be included in any future prisoner swap deal.

The court also ordered Hashiya, who was convicted in May 2016, to pay Shiloni's family NIS 258,000 in compensation.

Terrorist Nur a-Din Hashiya (Photo Yair Sagi)

One of the judges stated in the verdict that the murder was ideologically motivated and that "it was only because Almog Shiloni fought back and thanks to his steadfastness that a much greater disaster was avoided. Shiloni's murder was traumatic for the entire nation. In my view, the murder was committed under exceptionally grave circumstances."

Yosef, Shiloni's father, thanked the court. "The terrorist wanted to carry out a major attack, and Almog prevented him from doing so by stopping him with his body and showing great bravery," he said.

"The judges made a unanimous decision, creating a precedent in which this horrible terrorist will go to jail for 40 years. We don't take this for granted, and we want to thank (the court) for their sensitivity," Yosef Shiloni added.

Yosef Shiloni, Almog's father, at court after the reading of the sentencing (Photo: Yair Sagi)

The father went on to say that "we felt Almog was with us all the way. As a family, we chose life, we founded a home for lone soldiers in his memory."

According to the indictment, Hashiya illegally entered Israel on November 9, 2014, seeking to stab a soldier and become a martyr. He bought a knife at the Jaffa flea market and made his way to the Hagana Train Station, where he noticed Shiloni who was in uniform and carrying an M-16 rifle.

The terrorist started stabbing Shiloni in an effort to snatch his rifle, but Shiloni fought him. A passerby who noticed the struggle chased the terrorist away. Hashiya was later captured in a nearby building by Border Policemen.

Shiloni was critically wounded and succumbed to his wounds the next day.

Almog Shiloni

Judge Miriam Diskin, who headed the judges' panel that convicted Hashiya, described the murder "a terrible, heart-wrenching affair."

"The attack was not spontaneous. He bought a knife at the flea market, and when he spotted the soldier, he decided to carry out his diabolical plan."

The High Court of Justice cancelled the demolition order for the terrorist's home, determining that the time that has passed from the attack and until the order was issued11 months laterwas too long and therefore would not help in creating deterrence.
International media forum saw their most prominent headlines dominated overnight Tuesday by reports about the hospitalization of former president Shimon Peres, who is fighting for his life after suffering a stroke the same night

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BBC reports on Peres's stroke (Photo: BBC)

The most established news agencies, such as Reuters, AP and AFP reported on developments in Peress situation as they occurred.

Photo: Washington Post

A number of other news outlets reporting on Peres included detailed profiles of the Israeli statesman, documenting his extensive political career as the former prime minister and former president of Israel, and emphasizing that he was a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Photo: CNN

Photo: The Guardian

Peres retired from public office in 2014 after his seven-year term as president ended. By then, he had been in Israeli politics for more than half a century, holding virtually every position in Israel's Cabinet, from minister of defense to prime minister, a position he held twice, CNN reported.

Photo: RT Russia

Also stating that Peres has held nearly every major office in the country, Britains The Guardian described him as The last of Israels founding fathers.

Even Arab and Muslim news sources did not fail to report on Peres. While the Al-Jazeera network reported noted other news reports and took a neutral stance, Press TV, an Iranian-owned and vehemently anti-Israel news channel, informed viewers that during his tenure as president, almost 4,00 Palestinians lost their lives during two wars initiated by the Israeli regime.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Wednesday the US military aid package which will be provided to Israel over the next decade.

In one hour an historic agreement will be signed in Washington between the US and Israel. The agreement pledges wide scale and unprecedented assistance to Israel in the coming decade. This is the largest aid package that the US has ever provided to any country.
Guatemalan authorities raided a yard belonging to a community of an extreme Haredi faction Tuesday Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) in the countrys capital Guatemala City after a number of serious child abuse complaints.

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Lev Tahor is an ultra-Orthodox sect comprised of predominantly Israeli Haredi extremists who leave their families behind in Israel as part of a wider boycott of Zionism. The group is widely considered to be a cult for its extreme conduct which adheres to the strict word of Jewish scripture.

Raid in Guatemala

The authorities arrested the leaders of the sect and also took dozens of Israeli children and babies in their possession. Since the raid, Israel has established contacts with Guatemala to coordinate the flight of the children back home.

The cult, which is headed by Shlomo Erez Helbrans, who 10 years ago was recognized as a refugee in Canada, consists of 230 members, 150 of whom are children. Until 2013, they resided in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts in the province of Quebec but were forced to move to Ontario.

Two-and-a-half years ago the Canadian authorities thwarted an attempt by the sect to send its adherents to Guatemala after the Canadian courts decreed that some of the children be transferred to foster families due to evidence proving that they were suffering serious abuse.

Raid on Haredi extremist faction

However, the sect succeeded in transferring a number of the children to Guatemala giving rise to a legal battle over the last few years to expel them back to Canada.

According to social services in Quebec and Ontario, they have evidence of instances of abuse including beatings, child marriage and illegal education.

One former member of the faction A. described the prevailing culture of brainwashing by the leader. People would follow us for him and report back to him. He would then take me and others for discussions which lasted for hours. The aim was to break your independent thought and to prove how big he was, A. recalled.

According to the Guatemalan authorities, Lev Tahor said that members of the cult were under national police surveillance.

Raid

Evaluations indicate that Helbrans made a decision to secretly transfer the cult to Guatemala after Canadian authorities began waging a legal battle against it and demanded that children be placed in the care of foster care. According to families in the cult in Israel, Helbrans abused the children with clubs, coat hangers and iron rods and would sometimes lock them in basements. Moreover, social services in Quebec received reports that the children were forced to marry as young as 14.

The raid in the groups yard came at the request of the Israeli government. According to a statement by the Guatemalan authorities, the evidence compiled showed cases of, among other things, of marriage between children, physical and emotional abuse against members of the community and against children. This evidence raises concerns about the physical and emotional well being of dozens of Israeli children currently residing in Guatemala under the sponsorship of the community.

Raid on Lev Tahor in Gutemala

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The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Attorneys Office, the Welfare Ministry and the Israel Police have been tracking the groups development for a number of years and are all in contact with the relevant bodies, both in Canada and Guatemala.

I hope this will be the end of the nightmare for many people and children, said A. He added that while he never witnessed any violence during his time in the cult, he heard about serious misdeeds.

I heard screaming from different houses of the cult members, and eventually I heard members telling about threatening acts such as humiliation, violence and whippings. One mother received orders to hit her child in the presence of others, the former member recalled.
By PTI: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Sep 14 (PTI) US President Barack Obama today notified to the Congress about his intent to restore trade benefits to Burma (Myanmar) that had been suspended more than two decades ago amid allegations of rights abuses.

In a notification to the Congress minutes before his meeting with Myanmar Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, Obama announced his intent to designate Burma as a least-developed beneficiary developing nation for purposes of the GSP program.

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"I am writing to inform you of my intent to end the suspension of preferential treatment for Burma as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme and to designate Burma as a least- developed beneficiary developing country for purposes of the GSP program," Obama said in a notification to the Congress.

The move is seen as commensurate to the progress made towards restoration of democracy in Myanmar which is still being called by the US by its previous name Burma. PTI LKJ SUA ZH SUA

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The shells fired at the Golan Heightsincluding those of Tuesdaywere not launched under orders from the Syrian regime. However, the launch of two surface-to-air missiles on Monday at Israeli Air Force planes was probably ordered by Assad. From the Syrians' point of view, it was a cautious step that didn't intend to damage the planes, but rather to convey the message: Support mebecause gone are the days when the Syrian army would restrain itself when it comes to Israeli assistance to the rebels in the Golan.

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At the beginning of the week, something happened in Syria. President Assad got a dual-powered flak jacket: Russian and American. Not only did he get the support of the two powers that would guarantee the continuation of his reign, but he also became the central axis in maintaining the ceasefire and the architecture of Syria on the day following the civil war. His self-confidence allows him to resume production of chemical weapons, to rebuild long-range missiles and rockets and renew his sophisticated military industry.

GOC Northern Command and Chief of Staff (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

He knows that the American government will swallow everything, and as for the Russianswho support this renewal in productionnobody dares to mess with them. It's no wonder that Assad felt safe enough to realize his threat from the past to settle accounts with Israel regarding the aid that it gave to the rebels in the Golan Heights.

The minister of defense and the prime minister have found themselves at a crossroads. They have to order a military response to the ongoing Syrian provocation. Otherwise, Israel will be seen in the area as weak in the area, and they will be thus internally. The public is already accustomed to this Pavlovian response. Former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon set the pattern of action: There will be no restraint when Israel's sovereignty is damaged. Any fire on Israeli territory, including accidental fire, will meet with a response. Minister Lieberman adopted this policy of sending messages through firing. This policy works like a reflex, while taking calculated risks, up to the beginning of the week.

Now Israel is faced with a dilemma: Should it respond harshly against targets that would be painful to the government or significant military targets deep in Syria, or to attack on the Golan border the firing cells. The temptation to put Assad in his place is huge, but in view of the relative quiet in Syria, Israel would appear to be a warmonger. A big military operation would force Assad to escalate in response, and from there the discussion of messages by fire would only deteriorate. There's no doubt that both the Russians and the Americans are trying to lower the temperatures on both sides.

Above every decision taken today in the State of Israel in light of the tensions on the Golan border, the famous statement of the late Ariel Sharon is hovering. After the terrorist attack at the Dolphinarium, he said, "Even restraint is strength." The State of Israel is strong enough to cause the Syrian regime irreversible damage inside of a few hours. So it can allow itself to hold a conversation by fire with the Syrian army in the Golan in a measured manner.
Israel and the US signed the terms of a new $38 billion aid package for Israel during a State Department ceremony on Wednesday.

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The agreement, which will go into effect upon the expiration of the current package in 2018, will last for 10 years. The deal is the largest ever delivered by the US to any country in its history.

US-Israel military aid signing ceremony

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The ceremony opened with a speech by the US National Security Advisor Amb. Dr. Susan Rice. I am delighted to join you as we reaffirm the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel," Rice said.

"For as long as Israel has existed, the US has been Israels greatest friend and partner. That iron-clad bond has endured Dor ldor, Hebrew for from generation to generation.

Rice also expressed her concern for Shimon Peres, who is fighting for his life after suffering a stroke on Tuesday evening. We are all praying for an extraordinary leader...President Shimon PeresIsraels national treasure, she said. "Our thoughts are with (him) and his family today."

Israel and US sign historic military aid agreement

The deal marks a significant increase over our existing funding and it will ensure that Israel has the support it need to defend itself by itself and to preserve it qualitative military edge, Rice proclaimed. The MOU was a reminder, added, "of the United States' unshakeable commitment to Israels security."

Speaking after Rice, National Security Council Acting Chairman Yaakov Nagal thanked all those involved, particularly President Barack Obama. He emphasized that the deal reflected the depth of the US-Israel relationship.

"Israel has no better friend, no more reliable strategic ally, no more important partner than the United States of America," he said. "Everyone can see and feel the special relationship between our countries and our people."

This unprecedented assistance will also cover the robust missile defense funding for the first time...A strong Israel is an island of stability in the stormy Middle East," Nagal continued.

National Security Advisor Susan Rice (Photo: AFP)

We believe that this assistance is not only a critical investment in Israel's security but also an investment in regional stability and...for the United States and its citizens," he added.

Following the ceremony, President Obama said that the aid will make a significant contribution to Israels security in what remains a dangerous neighborhood. He also stated his intention to press for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite deeply troubling trends on the ground that undermine this goal.

Ahead of the signing ceremony, leader of the Kulanu party and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon praised the agreement: Israeli civilians must be grateful to the American government for the largest ever military assistance deal signed between Israel and its most important ally, the United States, said Kahlon.

This agreement is yet another expression of the depth of the strategic relationship between the two countries. The defense budget is large enough in order to continue to support Israeli security research and development and local procurement so that our technological superiority can continue which is also based on local production.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama (Photo: AFP)

US Senator Tim Kaine, Hillary Clintons vice presidential candidate, also released a statement expressing his support for the deal, a statement which was emblematic of the bipartisan support to which Nagal referred.

After regular engagement with the Administration and Israeli government on this issue, I am pleased that an agreement has been reached to provide Israel with an unprecedented level of US military assistance in a consistent manner over the next decade, the statement read.

The United States maintains an unshakeable commitment to Israels security, its people and its future, and this deal is a tangible sign of our support to our strongest regional ally.
Some Muslims are apparently ready to go to any lengths to participate in the hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Strict quotas and expensive travel have pushed some pilgrims to smuggle drugs, forge passports and paperwork, and, in some cases, enter Saudi Arabia illegally.

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In August, 177 Indonesians were arrested after attempting to use fake Filipino passports to travel to Medina by means of a massive passport scam. It was also reported that another 500 to 700 Indonesians managed to enter Saudi Arabia using forged Philippine passports. A further 229 Indonesians were detained by the Saudis for not having proper permits. And, a Nigerian woman was found guilty of attempting to smuggle cocaine in order to pay for her hajj.

"The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and every Muslim has to fulfill this duty once in his or her life," Stephan Rosiny, a research fellow at the German Institute of Global and Area studies told The Media Line. "Saudi Arabia controls the hajj because it takes place in its territory, and the Saudi king calls himself the protector of the two holy sites, Mecca and Medina."

While this journey is only required for all able-bodied and financially stable Muslims, it is not only expensive, but nearly impossible to perform unless a pilgrim goes through a travel agency. Travelers to the kingdom are required to apply for special hajj visas, and each country has a quota of pilgrims it may send. "You have something like 1.5 billion Muslims nowadays and you cannot allow all Muslims to take part each year. Each country has a fixed quota of people who can come every year," Rosiny said. "It is a major source of income for Saudi Arabia. The pilgrimage and hajj have always been connected to business."

The quotas limit the number of Muslims allowed to enter Saudi Arabia because the country does not have the infrastructure or resources to support the massive amount of people who wish to perform the hajj. Not having proper documentation to travel to Mecca can result in imprisonment and exile.

With approximately 250 million Muslims, Indonesia has the largest population of Islamic devotees in the world, comprising over 12 percent of the world's Muslims. However, the Saudi government has capped their quota at 168,000. The Indonesian waiting list to go to Mecca for the hajj is 15 years.

Historically, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have a fraught relationship due to competing views on Islam. "It's a complicated relationship in terms of how they each view their own hierarchy. Saudi Arabia does not think Indonesia is very high in terms of other Muslim countries, and Indonesia has a self-consciousness about that," Aaron Connelly, research fellow at the Sydney-based Lowy Institute for International Policy explained. "The important thing about the relationship with Saudi Arabia is that many Saudis don't really consider most Indonesians to be good Muslims."

While many of the pilgrims go through third-party syndicates to help them get to Saudi Arabia, others resort to illegal activities.

Binuyo Basari Iyabo, a 55-year-old mother of three, was arrested at the international airport in Abuja, Nigeria by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for smuggling cocaine. Iyabo, who excreted some 82 cocaine pellets, was taken into custody while trying to board an Emirates flight on her way to Saudi Arabia as a hajj pilgrim.

According to Vanguard, a Nigerian newspaper, Iyabo admitted to trafficking the narcotics to help cover her trip to Saudi Arabia. "I wanted to expand my cosmetic business, but I have no money. My sponsor offered to foot my expenses to Saudi on pilgrimage. This was how I got involved in the act. I was excited until the issue of drugs was introduced," Iyabo said in an interrogation.

Not only is the pilgrimage expensive, but it can be dangerous as well. Last year, there was a stampede that killed some 2,236 pilgrims.

"Mecca gets really, really crowded," Shahed Khaled, a Saudi medical student said. "People die yearly because of that. It is, however, very organized if you stay calm and follow the rules."

Article by Katie Beiter

Reprinted with permission from The Media Line
Did you know there are 38 Amish families living near Pawnee City, Nebraska?

Most of the 50 Fun Club travelers on a recent one-day mystery trip had no idea traditional Amish families were so prevalent in the area. And those 50 travelers had great fun spending time on an Amish farm and getting acquainted with these kind and gentle plain people.

The Fun Club travelers visited an Amish buggy-makers shop where the proprietor answered dozens of questions about his work. They also visited two Amish stores located on farmsteads, they played with the Amish children and they got to ride in a horse-drawn Amish buggy.

The travelers also visited an Amish cabinet shop where the young carpenter explained the use of power tools which run on diesel fuel rather than electricity. The Fun Club enjoyed a delicious home-cooked meal made from scratch which was served by an Amish family in their home. After dinner they listened to an Amish man who explained their lifestyle.

Other activities:

Although the Amish activities were the most unique experiences of the day, the Fun Club also visited a number of other attractions in Pawnee County.

The group visited Heavenly Treasures which is housed in a former church that has been repurposed into a quilt shop in Pawnee City. The shop contains over 10,000 bolts of fabric which are piled high on shelves built atop the church pews. The beautiful stained glass windows of this former Baptist Church are almost lost amidst the huge collection of fabrics and quilting supplies.

Another interesting stop was the Tegtmeier Buffalo Farm. Jim Tegtmeier of Burchard lured his 40-plus head of grass-fed buffalo to the fence for Fun Club viewing. He explained his operation and answered questions about this unique hobby.

The Fun Club enjoyed a tasty lunch and a tour at the Convent House Bed & Breakfast at Steinauer. This historic building was formerly a convent for Benedictine nuns and a Catholic grade school. It is now an attractively repurposed facility that handles all types of activities and celebrations.

The group also toured St. Anthonys Church at Steinauer which is a restored 1926 church. It features a Romanesque architectural style, beautiful stained-glass windows, hand-painted wall murals and a large pipe organ. Following the tour, the group enjoyed a short concert by the church organist.

Mystery Travelers:

The Fun Club travelers were: Vauna Fort and Joan Gowen of Aurora; Curtis and Christine Huber of Central City; Sally Michl of Exeter; Donna OBrien, Doris Rogers, Nancy Seward and Diane Zeleny, all of Fairmont; Darlene OBrien of Geneva; Beth Uden of Grafton; Lee and Carolyn Cain of Gresham; and Maynard and Lila Senff-Miller of Hampton.

Other travelers were: Wilma Dick and Janice Siebert of Henderson; Mary Jo Karnopp and Cynthia Bolte of McCool Junction; Harold and Marie Jarmin of Osceola; Doris Djernes of Phillips; Nancy Knuth and Bette Tomes of Seward; Shirley Sloup of Staplehurst; Wally and Marlene Larson of Stromsburg; and Justine Wiemer of Waco.

And, the travelers from York were: Lois Winquest, Marjorie Bredow, Verleen Ellis, Carol Tienken, Larry and Beverly Langner, Alma Bailey, Marie Swartz, Rusty Newman, Curt and Mary Folkerts, Dick Foster, Adeline Otto, Nancy Obermier, Pat Naber, Harold and Jan Koeneke, Bernie Scripture, Bob George, Margaret Samson, Wendell Walkup and escorts, Bernice and Dave Mettenbrink.

Fun Club Tours

Watch for photos of this trip in a future York News-Times ADvantage. Please call the York Fun Club at 402-745-6477 or check the website www.yorkfunclub.com for information on future tours.
When BJP chief Amit Shah greeted Keralites on Onam through a poster showing Lord Vishnu's Vaman avatar placing his foot on Asura king Mahabali's head, he possibly didn't expect that it would offend Keralites.

By India Today Web Desk: Keralites around the world celebrate Onam, a 10-day-long festival, to welcome mythological Asura king Mahabali back to his long-lost kingdom, Kerala. Yesterday, on what is called as Uthradam, the 9th day of Onam, BJP chief Amit Shah put out a post from his social media accounts extending Vaman Jayanthi greetings to all, adding fuel to the ongoing row about Right-wing outfits trying to promote Onam as an upper-class, Hindu festival, going against the popular legend of king Mahabali's return.

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Here's Amit Shah's post:

LEGEND OF MAHABALI

The popular folklore has it that Kerala saw the golden era under Asura king Mahabali's rule. The most famous Onam song has lyrics that translates into, "Under Mahabali's rule, everyone lived with dignity and was treated equally; society free of crime and betrayal it was, and everyone happy". The Gods, ruled by Lord Indra, out of jealousy, wanted to end Mahabali's rule. The Gods went to Lord Vishnu, who agreed take the incarnation of Vaman and go to Mahabali to end his rule.

Mahabali, known for his generosity and as a man of his word, welcomed Vaman, a Brahmin, and told him that he could ask for anything. Vaman, a little boy, asked for a 3 feet of land and the Asura king complied. Lord Vishnu, who had incarnated as Vaman, grew to a gigantic figure, measured Earth using one foot, and the entire universe in his next. Mahabali, realising Vaman to be Vishnu in disguise, let Vaman place his third foot on his head and to be pushed down to the underground, a place called Patal. Mahabali had just one wish, to be able to return to his kingdom once every year and meet his people. Vaman granted this wish and hence, during Onam, every Malayali welcomes their beloved king, preparing colourful flower carpets and sumptuous feast called 'sadya'.



Annoyed by the right-wing agenda, Malayalis even trended a hashtag on Twitter, #PoMoneShaji, intended to sound like 'chal bey!'

#pomoneshaji ,Our Dravidian King #Mahabali was black ,But had a heart of gold unlike the Aryan #vamana who was fair skinned & full of #jumla Ajith Jacob (@AjithJPanicker) September 13, 2016

Your agenda will not work in my state.. Another trending getlost #PoMoneShaji ABDULLAH S (@Abdullah868) September 13, 2016

Isnt there a RSS man who has the spine to correct @AmitShah as he insults #Onam and Malayali. Any one with self respect to say #PoMoneShaji Raju P. Nair (@RajuPNair) September 13, 2016



KERALA CM'S MESSAGE TO AMIT SHAH

And it wasn't just on social media that Amit Shah was criticised for his post. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, "By eulogising Vamana and denigrating Mahabali in his Facebook post, BJP national president Amit Shah has humiliated Kerala and Malayali's national festival Onam. The belief behind Onam is of equality and egalitarianism and it is a festival celebrated by all cutting across caste, creed, religion and other barriers." He also demanded an apology from Amit Shah."

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Asserting that during Mahabalis's rule there was no evil, cheating and wrong doings and the people lived in harmony, the Chief Minister added that Malayalis see Mahabali as the symbol of equality and egalitarianism.

"By denigrating Mahabli and eulogising Vamana who had stomped Mahabali under the earth, the BJP president has buried the values of equality. The BJP president should immediately withdraw his statement and apologise to the people of Kerala," he said.





DAMAGE CONTROL



Realising his Vaman Jayanthi greetings irked Malayalis all over, Amit Shah extended fresh Onam greetings this morning from his social media handles.



And that seems to have cooled things down a bit. Keralites have been thanking and wishing Shah in return.



With the whole issue, not only did Shah irk Malayalis, he also let Keralites feel that he does not understand the state and its people well.



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"The site you are trying to access contains content that is prohibited for viewership from within Pakistan," reads the page when someone tries to access the website.

By India Today Web Desk: India Today's online portal (IndiaToday.in) has been blocked in Pakistan, according to a report in The Express Tribune.

As per the report, the move comes despite the Lahore High Court disposing of a petition seeking a directive to the government to block access to the website.

Referring to an India Today magazine cover that went viral, petitioner Abdul Hameed in his plea said that the magazine had recently published a 'derogatory photo' of Pakistan's Army chief General Raheel Sharif.

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Though the Lahore High Court Chief Justice observed that only the parliament was authorised to take a decision in this regard, he said elected representatives of the public should be approached on this account.

However, it seems that the website has already been blocked. "The site you are trying to access contains content that is prohibited for viewership from within Pakistan," reads the page when someone tries to access the website.

Though Pakistan has an elected government, extremists and people with sympathy for extremism eulogise the Army chief.

Recently, in an unprecedented turn of events in Pakistan, hoardings and posters came up across the country inviting the general to take over Pakistan's administration.

The biting cover came at a time when the relationship between the civilian elected leader and the Army chief have strained.

Not to forget that Prime Minister Modi's goodwill gestures and developing personal bond with Nawaz Sharif caused quite a consternation in Pakistan. So much so that the renewed peace talks got derailed and both sides hardened their stances.

Earlier, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had decided to crack down on illegal satellite dishes and Indian content that was being aired across Pakistan.



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VCAT ruled against the owners corporation of an Eaglemont townhouse after it banished a four-year-old cavoodle, Hamish, owned by Melbourne renter Madison Brewster, despite getting a consent from landlord and property owner Greg Watkins.

According to Caydon chief operating officer Jarrod Stratton, the recent VCAT determination could force many owner-occupiers to rethink blanket restrictions on pets.

Pet ownership is a lifestyle choice for hundreds of thousands of people so its actually counter-productive for a developer or owners corporation not to factor this into their policies and planning, whether for an existing housing development or one thats in the pipeline, said Stratton.

Pet ownership is certainly on the increase with many couples and individuals choosing not to have children, so we are finding that the option of having a small dog or cat in our developments is the expectation rather than the norm.

Stratton also cited a study from the Cambridge University titled, The Healing Power of Pets: Harnessing the Amazing, which showed that pets have therapeutic and relaxing effects on their owners, hence improving their health in as little as one month.

For Caydon, having pets in our apartment developments is a part of a deliberate well-being strategy that helps to transform buildings into interactive communities instead of just places where people live, he said.

Every one of our Melbourne developments is pet-friendly and we certainly discourage blanket bans that prevent owners and occupiers from having a small dog or cat.
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.
Five meteorologists posted on a remote Russian island are trapped for nearly two weeks, after being surrounded by a about a dozen polar bears.

By India Today Web Desk: Five meteorologists posted on a remote Russian island in the high Arctic are trapped at the weather station for nearly two weeks, after being "besieged" by a about a dozen polar bears, a report by Russian news agency TASS says.

"We have issued a recommendation for the station's personnel to use extreme caution, not to leave the station without a serious need and continue only with possible meteorological observations," said Vassiliy Shevchenko, the head of the Sevgidromet State Monitoring Network that owns the station.

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Initially, four to six polar bears stayed at the Troynoy island in the Kara Sea during summer, but now there are about ten adult bears and some cubs, according to station head Vadim Plotnikov.

On August 31, some of the bears killed two dogs stationed for protection, and the scientists have been stuck since. A female bear has also been spending nights under the station's windows.

Scientists have had to abandon certain meteorological observations that required going to observation sites, since they ran out of flares to scare the bears away. "Worst case, the station chief has a gun," Plotnikov told CNN.

An ship is en-route to the island to help the scientists, but will take about a month to reach. Expedition vessel Mikhail Somov will be carrying dogs, flares and other pyrotechnical devices needed to scare the animals away. The company is considering other options to attempt earlier delivery of the pyrotechnical devices.

This is not the first such incident on the island.

"Things like this have happened before on the Troynoy island because bears inhabit the area and people work there. At the end of October, or in the beginning of November the near-shore waters will freeze and the bears will leave the island in search for food," Shevchenko told TASS.

A similar incident occurred last year, when five hungry polar bears circled a Russian weather station on Vaygach island and prevented its staff from taking sea readings.

Keeping bears away is tough task due to their superior sense of smell -- they can smell prey from a kilometre away. In 2014, a bear found near an oil operation was relocated 40 kilometres away from the spot, but he returned anyway.

Polar bears are an endangered species and it is a crime to shoot them in Russia, unless done in self-defense.

Climate change has shrunk the floating ice -- their main hunting ground -- and has shifted patterns of their marine preys, pushing them to go near human habitats in search for food. Arctic ice cover fell to its fourth lowest extent in 2015.

--- ENDS ---
Spanish Health

Somerton, Arizona - On Tuesday, September 27th, Alzheimer Grupo de Apoyo (Alzheimers Caregiver Support Group) will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Somerton Library. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's can be challenging, but a support group can give you the reassurance you need. Connect with other caregivers and share tips, advice, and support.

There is no charge to attend.



Please note, this is a Spanish-language group.



The Somerton Library is located at 240 Canal Street in Somerton, AZ. For more information, call (928) 627-2149.
The merger will create India's fourth largest telecom operator by customer base and revenues while the merged entity will have the second-largest spectrum holding among all operators.

By India Today Web Desk: After Mukesh Ambani's daring Rs 1.5 lakh crore Jio gamble, country's two biggest telecom giants Reliance Communications and Aircel today announced the merger of their wireless operations to create a combined entity with assets worth Rs 65,000 crore.

The mega merger is termed as the biggest consolidation deal in India's telecom sector.

ALSO READ | Jio 4G one week later: The charm is gone and so has the speed

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The move comes at a time when Mukesh Ambani-owned Jio, in its bid to grab a 100 million customers in the shortest span, has launched free voice and data services from September 5 as part of a welcome offer that will continue till December 31.

RCom and Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB) hold 50 per cent each in the merged entity with equal representation on the board and committees.

MERGER WILL REDUCE DEBT BURDEN

The transaction will reduce RCom's debt by Rs 20,000 crore (USD 3 billion), while Aircel's debt would go down by Rs 4,000 crore (USD 600 million) on closing in 2017, the two companies said.

The merger will create India's fourth largest telecom operator by customer base and revenues. The merged entity will have the second-largest spectrum holding among all operators, aggregating 448 MHz across 850, 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz bands.

The entity will have assets of Rs 65,000 crore (USD 9.7 billion) and net worth of Rs 35,000 crore (USD 5.2 billion).

"Together with our partners, MCB, we are delighted to have taken the lead in consolidation of the Indian telecom sector, first, with RCom's acquisition of the wireless business of SSTL (Sistema/MTS), and now, with the combination of our business with Aircel in a 50:50 joint venture with MCB," Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani said.

LONG TERM VALUE FOR SHAREHOLDERS

This combination is expected to create substantial long term value for shareholders of both, RCom and MCB, given the benefits of the wide-ranging spectrum portfolio and significant revenue and cost synergies, he added.

"This deal further reinforces MCB's commitment to India.

Since acquiring Aircel in 2006, MCB has invested in excess of Rs 35,000 crore (USD 5.2 billion) into Aircel, making this one of the largest foreign investments into India, not only in the telecom industry but across all sectors," MCB said.

RCom will continue to own and operate its high growth businesses in the domestic and global enterprise space, data centres, optic fibre and related telecom infrastructure, besides owning real estate.

- With inputs from agencies



ALSO READ:

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Reliance Jio 4G Welcome Offer now available for all LeEco phones



--- ENDS ---
LIVE-2 Inning |30-34

NETHERLANDS VS PAKISTAN

NED 91/9 VS 11/0 PAK

Pakistan need 81 runs in 114 balls at 4.26 rpo
A Republican lawmaker from Michigan, who once voted for helmet laws to be revoked in the state, died on Monday in a motorcycle crash.

By India Today Web Desk: In 2012, Republican lawmaker Peter Pettalia voted in support of universal helmet laws being repealed in Michigan, US, making it not mandatory for motorcycle riders over the age of 20 to wear helmets.

This Monday, in a twisted game of fate, the 61-year-old politician lost his life in a tragic motorcycle crash.

What's even more ironical is that Pettalia, an advocate for motorcyclists' rights, was wearing a helmet when a pick truck hit him Monday afternoon.

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Michigan House of Representatives Speaker Kevin Cotter released a statement about Pettalia's death on Facebook.

Here's Pettalia speaking on Reading Month:

--- ENDS ---
Washington: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump today questioned President Barack Obama's move to hold election rallies in support of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton instead of focusing on resolving pressing issues facing the nation.

"Why isn't President Obama working instead of campaigning for Hillary Clinton?" Trump asked in a tweet, a day after the US President went on a campaign trail in the key battelground state of Pennsylvania in support of his former secretary of state.

"Russia took Crimea during the so-called Obama years. Who wouldn't know this and why does Obama get a free pass?" Trump asked in a second tweet.

In his election rally, Obama slammed Trump for his rhetoric and praising Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a fiery speech, Obama said Trump is not fit to be the president of the United States.

Clinton did not attend the rally.

She has been diagnosed of pneumonia and taking rest as advised by her physician. She would resume her election campaigning tomorrow from North Carolina.
Washington: The United States will provide Israel's military with USD 38 billion during the next 10 years, officials said on Tuesday, the largest batch of military assistance the US has ever pledged to another country.

Following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the State Department said the two countries had reached a 10-year agreement, with a signing ceremony planned tomorrow.

The US and Israel haven't disclosed the exact sum, but officials familiar with the deal said it totals USD 3.8 billion a year, up from the USD 3.1 billion the US gave Israel annually under the previous 10-year deal.

Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, planned to attend the ceremony at the State Department, a senior Obama administration official said.

Israel's acting national security adviser, Jacob Nagel, arrived in Washington ahead of the announcement and was also expected to attend.

Israel's government had no immediate comment on the deal. Under the agreement, Israel's ability to spend part of the funds on Israeli military products will be gradually phased out, eventually requiring all of the funds to be spend on American military industries.

Israel's preference for spending some of the funds internally had been a major sticking point in the deal.

The new agreement also eliminates Israel's ability to spend a fraction of the funds on fuel for its military.

In another apparent concession, Israel has agreed not toask Congress to approve more funds than are included in the deal, said the officials, who weren't authorized to discuss the details publicly ahead of a formal announcement and requested anonymity.

The agreement concludes many months of negotiations that involved a delicate calculation by Jerusalem about whether to strike a deal with the outgoing US president.

In February, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly floated the prospect of waiting for Obama's successor in hopes of securing a better deal.

But the Obama administration has been eager to lock in the agreement before leaving office to help bolster Obama's legacy and undercut the criticism that his administration was insufficiently supportive of Israel.

Obama's relationship Netanyahu has been famously fraught for years, and ties between the countries worsened significantly when the US and world powers struck a deal with a nuclear deal with Iran.

Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran to be an existential threat and disagreed sharply with Obama's contention that the deal actually made Israel safer by limiting Iran's nuclear program.
New Delhi: Calling for nations to have a common perspective on the issue of Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, Wednesday, said that terrorism must be

Speaking at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, Delhi, Ghani said, Terrorist organisations change very rapidly, even if their objectives remain the same.

States do not behave like maligned non-states actors vis-a-vis their neighbours, he said.

Making a distinction between good and bad terrorism is an approach enormously short sighted. Those who think they can manipulate the psychology of this phenomenon or affect the pathology of are mistaken, the Afghan president said.

Ghani added that terrorism is not a passing threat and is not a one-two year phenomenon.

Terrorism will bite probably like a snake. States need to have a common perspective, he said.

Slamming those who use religion as a guise for indulging in terrorist activities, Ghani said, It is unacceptable to speak in the name of Islam, Islam doesn't allow terrorism.

Terrorism must be condemned and we must stand together to condemn it, he said.
31-year-old Magomed Nurbagandov is being dubbed as 'Russian Robocop' after he was captured on video fearlessly defying terrorists.

By India Today Web Desk: A police officer is being dubbed as 'Russian Robocop' after a video showed him refusing to yield to terrorist demands.

Magomed Nurbagandov, 31, is being lauded across Russia for refusing to tell his colleagues of to stop fighting and then giving his captors a chilling stare.

On July 10, terrorists raided his camp in the woods, where he had been staying off-duty with his cousin in Dagestan, Russia. They killed his cousin in front of him and then discovered the pair's police credentials.

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They immediately tied him up, forced him on his knees, and demanded he tell colleagues to quit their jobs -- recording everything on their mobile phones. Despite the gun pointed to his face, Nurbagandov calmly looked at the camera and said, "Keep working brothers."

The terrorists went on to shoot him in the head.

Terrorists flash Nurbagandov's police credential at the camera. (Image: YouTube) Terrorists flash Nurbagandov's police credential at the camera. (Image: YouTube)

Initially the terrorists uploaded an edited version of the video -- Nurbagandov on his knees and being shot -- on their website. But, last week anti-terror forces shot them down in two separate raids and found the full video on their mobiles.

Russian authorities are now working to ensure Nurbagandov is given a posthumous award.



"In days to come, the leadership of the ministry will meet with Magomed Nurbagandov's family to personally thank his parents for bringing up such a decent son," Irina Volk, spokesperson for the Russian Interior Ministry, told the Mirror.

Another Russian soldier Alexander Prokhorenko became a worldwide phenomenon in March this year, when he called an air strike on himself to take out the ISIS terrorists surrounding him in Palmyra, Syria. He was dubbed as the 'Russian Rambo' for his bravery.

--- ENDS ---
Kathmandu: On the eve of his maiden visit to India, Nepalese Prime Minister Prachanda on Wednesday expressed his government's commitment on amending the new Constitution to make it acceptable to all sides and said that his trip to New Delhi was not linked to it.

"There is no connection between my India visit and the matter relating to constitution amendment," Prachanda said while talking with the leaders of agitating Madhesi parties and ethic groups at the Prime Minister's office today.

Prachanda will travel to New Delhi tomorrow for a four-day goodwill visit, his first foreign visit after assuming power some six weeks ago.

Constitution amendment is "our internal matter and we will resolve the issue within the country" by holding political dialogue, he said.

"My India visit is a diplomatic issue aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries," he said.

Gap between the government and the agitating United Madhesi Front on the issue of constitution amendment has been narrowed down, he said, adding that both the sides should create an environment of trust for resolving the matter.

"The government is serious about making the constitution acceptable to all sides," the Prime Minister said.

The Madhesi parties had led a six month-long agitation, mainly to protest against the seven-province federal model enshrined in the Constitution. At least 50 people were killed during the protests in south Nepal last year over the issue.

Prachanda has also briefed the Parliament about his upcoming visit to India.

While addressing the House, he said that his visit to India would focus on strengthening the bilateral ties.

He said that he would urge the Indian government to help complete the construction of Postal Highway at the earliest.

The work of Postal Highway, also known as Hulaki Rajmarg, has been affected because of the delay in getting consent for selection of contractors from the Indian government nine sections. The project has been divided into 17 sections.

India had signed an agreement to give Rs 8 billion as grant to build 607-km stretch of the 1792-km road project.

The Prime Minister said he would also hold discussion with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi regarding implementation of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Development Project and assistance for post-quake reconstruction.

India last year promised to provide USD one billion financial assistance to Nepal for the reconstruction works after the devastating earthquakes.

Prachanda said he would raise the issues including construction of integrated check post at Birgunj and cross-border inundation.

He made it clear that he would sign no agreement with India against national interests. He said he would inspect Nathpa Jhakri Hydropower Project in Himachal Pradesh and also visit Patanjali Yogpeeth and its industrial/manufacturing units in Haridwar during his four-day entourage to India.

Prachanda yesterday briefed President Bidya Devi Bhandari about?his upcoming state visit to India.
Rome: An Italian town hit by a deadly earthquake is pursuing legal action against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo for defamation over a series of cartoons about the tragedy.

An earthquake last month killed at least 292 persons in Italy, most of whom lived in Amatrice, home to a famous tomato sauce "amatriciana".

The complaint was based on two cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo after the quake, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.

One cartoon, entitled "Earthquake Italian Style", depicted the earthquake victims as sauce-splattered survivors, and layers of Lasagna with blood and feet emerging from it.

The cartoon immediately sparked outcry among Italians and prompted the French embassy in Rome to issue a statement saying the drawing "in no way represents France`s position".

The publication then responded with a follow-up cartoon suggesting the mafia was to blame, saying "it`s not Charlie Hebdo who built your homes, it`s the mafia!"

"It amounts to a macabre, tactless and inconceivable insult to the victims of a natural catastrophe," the town council`s lawyer Mario Cicchetti said after the legal move was announced.

In January 2015, two gunmen stormed Charlie Hebdo headquarters in Paris and killed 12 people, to "avenge" the publication of cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammad.
Bengaluru: Two days after violent protests against release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, Bengaluru is slowly limping back to normalcy.

After 2 days of being shut, some schools in the city will re-open today.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has convened a meeting on Law and order situation in the morning on Wednesday.

The government has decided to deploy additional central forces in the city and continue prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC till further orders.

Siddaramaiah has sought appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek his intervention to bail out the state from the present crisis as the storage position in reservoirs is poor.

Karnataka CM has asked the city police chief to get the city fully functional and peaceful.

State transport and city buses as well as Metro have resumed operation. As per reports, Karnataka Road Transport buses have started operating to all places except Tamil Nadu. Metro rail has also resumed its service in the city since yesterday night.

On Tuesday, PM Modi made an appeal for calm and said the situation is "distressful" and added that breaking the law is not a "viable alternative" since it was causing loss to the poor.

Modifying its September 5 order, the apex Court earlier on Monday asked the Karnataka Government to release to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water every day to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

It had earlier directed the Karnataka Government to release of 15,000 cusecs of water for 10 days as immediate relief to farmers in Tamil Nadu.

With ANI Inputs
Patna: The CBI will take over probe in the murder of Bihar journalist Rajdeo Ranjan who was killed in Siwan in May this year.

CBI sources said a team will soon leave for Siwan after a case is registered by it in the murder of the Siwan bureau chief of 'Hindustan'.

RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin, who was recently released on bail, was under the scanner of investigation agencies in the case, they said.

Bihar had transferred the case to CBI. The agency is now all set to register an FIR under the charges of criminal conspiracy and murder, the sources said.

The state government had issued a notification requesting the CBI to take over the investigation of the murder case, a demand made by the kin of the journalist.

"In exercise of the powers conferred under section 6 of Delhi Police Establishment Act 1946 (Act 25 of 1946), the Governor of Bihar is pleased to accord his consent to exercise of powers and jurisdiction to the whole of Bihar to the members of Delhi Special Police Establishment to investigate/ supervise and inquire into the Siwan Town P.S. Case No. 362/16, dated May 13, 2016 u/s 302/120 (B)/34 IPC and 27 Arms Act which is related to murder of reporter Rajdev Ranjan," the notification issued by Bihar home department had read.

Meanwhile, a major controversy erupted in Bihar on Wednesday after the surfacing of a photograph of an absconding accused in the murder of journalist with RJD chief Lalu Prasad's son and Health minister Tej Pratap Yadav.

Yadav, however, dismissed the charge and feigned ignorance about the suspect, Mohammad Kaif.

TV channels flashed photograph of Kaif with Yadav which went viral on social media.

Yesterday Kaif was seen in photographs and videos standing beside RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on September 10.

Appearance of Pratap in the same frame with Kaif drew severe criticism from BJP.

Kaif and Mohammad Javed, another absconding suspect in the murder of the scribe at Siwan in May, were shown in the same frame with Shahabuddin after his release attracting sharp criticism of the state government.

Following the surfacing of his photo with Kaif, the health minister told reporters that thousands of supporters and people meet him everyday and click photograph with him and it was not possible for him to know their background.

"How would I know who is a shooter from among 1,000 people who click photo with me?" Yadav said.

Yadav, who is elder son of RJD President Lalu Prasad, alleged that BJP was behind the controversy. "It is a conspiracy of opposition BJP. They bring some photograph from somewhere and make some false allegations."

His younger brother and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav jumped to his defence.

"Is it written on somebody's forehead what he is?" he said on the photograph of Kaif with Tej Pratap Yadav.

"Does Prime Minister Narendra Modi verify the background of everybody he shares dais in a function or meet?" he said in a counter-offensive against BJP.

Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Prem Kumar used the opportunity to attack the state government, saying this reflected the state giving shelter to criminals.

Meanwhile, Siwan Police said their were looking for Kaif and Mohammad Javed, who have been absconding in connection with the killing of the scribe of a Hindi vernacular on May 9 this year.

"We are conducting raids at their residences and other known whereabouts, but so far no success has been achieved," Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah told PTI.

Asked about photograph shown today of Kaif with minister Tej Pratap Yadav, the SP said, "Such things does not come under our domain. Our focus is to search for the absconders in the murder of the journalist."

Tejaswi Yadav said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph had appeared with jailed religious leader Asaram Bapu... Did Modi resign?"

He was reacting to a question that should Tej Pratap resign after the surfacing of a photo of him and absconding shooter Mohammad Kaif.

"We go to public platforms where it's not written on people's foreheads what somebody is," Yadav said.

To a barrage of questions on former RJD MP, he posed a counter question to mediapersons as to what good the debate on Shahabuddin would do to citizens of Bihar.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Congress on Wednesday hoped the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government will take a considered decision in challenging controversial RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin's bail plea in Supreme Court and will follow previous guidelines and established practices to decide on it.

Congress, which is a partner in the ruling grand alliance in Bihar, said the matter should not be politicised.

"There is no question of a political party taking a stand on the legal proceedings. These are established criteria in every state government as to when to and when not to challenge a judicial High Court order in the Supreme Court. We have no doubt that government will follow the guidelines.

"The state government will take a considered decision. Ultimately in these matters, the decision lies with the high court or the appellate court. Please don't try to politicise that. The state government through its established channels and used criteria for several years will decide that," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.

He also refused to be drawn in the controversy within the Samajwad Party-led Uttar Pradesh government saying, "it is their internal matter" but hoped there is governance in the state in the remaining period of its term.

"As far as UP is concerned, a political party in its formal briefing will not make any comment on the internal affairs of another party. It is their internal matter.

"We only believe that the remaining time of this government, at least the state gets governance, if not governance as one cannot expect of good governance from them," he said.

To a question on separatists leader Geelani not paying income tax, he said the Income Tax Act is the same for everyone in the country and cannot be suspended for an individual or a state and the authorities will take action once the facts have come out in public domain.

"I feel the Income Tax act is the same for everyone in the country. Income Tax Act cannot be suspended. Whenever facts come out, the department should analyse and should certainly take action accordingly. I don't think a law can have different yardsticks. The authority under the statute will take a decision," he said.
Patna: The Bihar government today gave its approval to the launch of student credit card scheme for the students passing Class 12th exam, under which they will get an interest free loan of Rs four lakh for pursuing higher studies.

The approval for the student credit card scheme was given at a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here. Bihar government is all set to launch the scheme from Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.

The programme forms an important component of the CM's 'seven resolves' which has been adopted by the grand secular alliance government as its policy of governance.

The cabinet also gave nod to 17 proposals of different departments at the meeting.

A proposal of the home department to pay compensation to victims of the Gopalganj hooch tragedy was also approved. A total of 18 people had died in the incident on that happened on August 16 and 17.

In an another decision the cabinet gave its nod for construction of boundary wall around temples.
Delhi/Patna: Bihar's ruling Janata Dal (U) has announced that the Nitish Kumar government will appeal against RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddins bail in Supreme Court.

"Yes, we will appeal," said JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok, in reply to a question on Times Now news channel.

RJD strongman walked out of prison on bail on September 10 after eleven years.

Noted lawyer and Swaraj Abhiyan leader Prashant Bhushan has welcomed the Bihar government move to oppose Shahabuddins bail in Supreme Court.

After coming out of Bhagalpur divisional jail, the four-time MP from Siwan had said - "For me Lalu Prasad is the leader" and "Nitish Kumar is the CM of circumstances".

Reacting to it, Bihar CM had said the next day that Shahabuddin's remarks was 'unimportant'.

Nitish had added that he would go by the people's mandate and not by what someone else says.

"We have not got the mandate to give reactions. You (media persons) too are wasting your time and space on this. The whole world knows what is the mandate of the people of Bihar. Should I go by the people's mandate or pay attention to what someone is saying? We have not paid attention to such things in the past. All these things are not important," he told reporters in Patna.

Shahabuddin, who is a member of RJD National Committee - the top decision making body of the party - is known to be close to the RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Various pending cases against Shahabuddin were reopened and he was sent to jail after Nitish had assumed power in 2005.

Shahabuddin got final reprieve when Patna High Court granted him bail in a case of murder of a witness in the 2004 killing of two brothers in Siwan.

He had got bail in nearly 12 other cases earlier.

(With Agency inputs)
Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and strongman of Siwan, Mohd Shahabuddin, who walked out of Bhagalpur jail last Saturday after getting bail in a murder case, appears unperturbed by the ongoing turmoil over his release.

Talking to CNN-News18 today, the RJD strongman said, "I am not a don but media is portraying me as one. I am in fact a victim of the system."

"I am a secular person and am here to protect interests of a secular front," Shahabuddin, who was released from the jail after 11 long years, said.

Just two days back, the dreaded don had made certain observations about the general changes that took place in the party while he was behind the bars. Shahabuddin had told media that he considers RJD chief Lalu Yadav as his only leader whereas called RJD chief's son Tejashwi Yadav a 'kid'.

"People may accept Tejashwi as a leader, but for me, he is only a kid. His father Lalu Yadav is my leader," Shahabuddin had said.

He, however, retracted from what he had asserted earlier and said he might accept Tejashwi as a leader in future. "Tejashwi is emerging as a natural leader. I may accept him as a leader if a situation arises," Shahabuddin said today.

Yesterday, the NDA submitted a memorandum to Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind demanding slapping the Crime Control Act against Shahabuddin.

The Patna High Court on September 7 granted bail to Shahabuddin in a case of the murder of a witness in the killing of two brothers in Siwan by bathing them in acid.
New Delhi: A nine-month baby girl suffering from dengue symptoms died after being denied admission in a prominent Delhi government hospital, her father said on Wednesday.

The father, Dharmendra, a security guard with the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, said his daughter was taken to the hospital after she suffered from vomitting, loose motion and high fever on September 7.

"As a hospital employee I knew the initial procedure and accordingly fulfilled the formalities and later took my daughter for medical check up at the paediatric ward and met its head," the anguished father told IANS.

"Though he admitted to the seriousness of the condition, the doctor refused to admit my daughter or go for any blood test at the hospital," he said.

Stating that the doctor recommended some medicines to stop vomitting and fever, Dharmendra said despite suspicion of dengue, the doctor promised that the blood test would be done the next day.

When the patient was taken on September 8, the father was told to come a day later.

According to Dharmendra, he visited the doctor and the paediatric department on September 9 and 10 even as his daughter's condition deteriorated.

The hospital authorities kept denying the blood test citing various reasons, delaying medication.

On September 11, Dharmendra again rushed to the hospital seeking assistance after his daughter's health slipped further. Again, she was not given admission. The girl then died.

"We pleaded with the doctor to admit her and even approached other hospital authorities but all went in vain. My daughter passed away," the man told IANS.

The hospital's Medical Superintendent, Amita Saxena, told IANS: "We have received a complaint from the father. We are looking into the matter."


Sadhuram 2 is an upcoming Tamil philanthropical thriller which is inspired from the Saw series. Now, James Wan, director of The Conjuring, has shared the first look poster on Twitter.

By India Today Web Desk: Director Sumanth Radhakrishnan's forthcoming Tamil philanthropical thriller Sadhuram 2, a crowd-funded film, is made from the contribution of fans of James Wan's Saw franchise.

The film, which hit the screens on Friday (September 16), is inspired by American psychological thriller Saw.

ALSO READ: Before Mani Ratnam's next with Ram Charan- A look at 5 films of the filmmaker that got shelved

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ALSO READ: Thodari- Dhanush's train journey to begin on September 22

Speaking about the film, director Sumanth said, "It was really difficult to get the film made because nobody believed in it. Nobody in India could watch 'Saw' on the big screen, so when some fans of the movie heard about my film; they came forward to support it."

James Wan, director of The Conjuring took to Twitter and shared the poster of Sadhuram 2.



While admitting that the film is based on Saw, Sumanth clarified it's not a frame-to-frame rip-off.



"Even though we've followed the same template used in Saw, we've managed to tone down everything. People who loved Saw and films that fall in the same league will love ours too. We've made an honest film," he added.

When asked why the film is being promoted as a philanthropical thriller, he said, "It's because it has social consciousness elements attached to it. It belongs to a completely new genre and we're eager to know how audiences react to it."

The film stars Yog Japee, Kaushik, Riaz and Sanam Shetty.

--- ENDS ---
New Delhi: A case of rape has been registered against a JNU PhD scholar for allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman on the pretext of marriage, police said on Wednesday.

A senior police officer requesting anonymity told IANS that the woman had approached the police on Tuesday evening complaining that the accused, Ajay Singh, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, had raped her on the pretext of marriage.

The accused was known to the victim since 2008, police said.

"The girl had come to Delhi in 2010 and since then they were in relationship. Singh despite repeated requests from the victim was not marrying her, hence she approached police," the officer added.

A case has been registered at south Delhi`s Vasant Kunj police station under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), police said.

Sources said that Ajay Singh is being questioned by police and he might be arrested after the statement of the woman is recorded under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Last month, a PhD scholar of Jawaharlal Nehru University was booked on rape charges.
Delhi: India on Wednesday raised the issue of human rights violation in PoK at the United Nations and said that Pakistan was fuelling unrest in Kashmir Valley.

India also raised the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the UN.

Responding to statement by Pakistan, Ajit Kumar (Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN), during 33rd Session of UNHRC said, "It will be in the fitness of things if Pakistan focuses its energies on improving human rights situation within Pakistan and PoK."

He added, "Also the use of phrase 'Indian-administered Kashmir (IOK) is an artificial one. Our Kashmir, J&K which is an integral part of India, represents all sections of our people unlike PoK.

Kumar pointed out that Pakistan's dismal track record was well known and many countries have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross- border infiltration, dismantle the terrorism infrastructure and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism.

On the other hand, he said that India's credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that was deeply committed to the welfare of its people were well established.

On the contrary, Pakistan was characterised by authoritarianism and absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country including Balochistan, Kumar said.

Later he was quoted as saying by ANI, "I made it very clear that entire J&K is integral part of India, what remains is vacation of illegal territory occupied by Pakistan," and added, "Explained in my statement problem of Pakistan sending terrorists across borders who mingle with crowds and we're trying to tackle that."

No comparison between J&K and PoK: India

Yesterday too, India, reacting to comments by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, had that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir had become a hub for the global export of terror.

Noting that the commissioner had received 'conflicting narratives on the cause for the confrontations', India had pointed out - "It would be recalled that the present situation arose from the death of a self-acknowledged commander of the terrorist organization, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, who was wanted for several terrorist acts. It was further aggravated by sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Terrorism is the grossest violation of human rights and should be so acknowledged by any impartial and objective observer. The high number of casualties sustained by Indian security forces is a reflection of the tremendous restraint they have displayed in difficult circumstances."

The statement by Ministry of External Affairs further had stated, "As regards the suggestion for a visit of a mission to both sides of the Line of Control, we would underline that there is no comparison between the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The former has a democratically elected government, while the latter has seen a Pakistani diplomat arbitrarily appointed as its head. The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is part of a pluralistic and secular democracy, where freedoms are guaranteed by an independent judiciary, an active media and a vibrant civil society. In contrast, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is administered by a deep state and has become a hub for the global export of terror."

"The issue of an external mission was considered by the All-Party Conference on 12 August 2016 that met to discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. It was unanimously felt that Indian democracy has all that is required to address legitimate grievances. Accordingly, an all-party delegation visited Srinagar. Despite cross-border terrorist infiltration that saw an encounter only yesterday, Government remains fully engaged in normalizing the situation as soon as possible," MEA had added.

Grant 'unconditional access' to both sides of Kashmir: OHCHR

OHCHR had yesterday asked India and Pakistan to grant it 'unconditional access' to both sides on the Line of Control to establish an 'objective assessment' of the situation in Kashmir.

In his opening statement at the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein had said, "Two months ago, I requested the agreement of the Governments of India and Pakistan to invite teams from my Office to visit both sides of the Line of Control."

"We had previously received reports, and still continue to do so, claiming the Indian authorities had used force excessively against the civilian population under its administration. We furthermore received conflicting narratives from the two sides as to the cause for the confrontations and the reported large numbers of people killed and wounded. I believe an independent, impartial and international mission is now needed crucially and that it should be given free and complete access to establish an objective assessment of the claims made by the two sides," he had added, as per PTI.

Hussein had further said that Pakistan had already handed over a letter formally inviting an OHCHR team to the Pakistani side of the line of control, but in tandem with a mission to the Indian side.

"I have yet to receive a formal letter from the Government of India. I, therefore request here and publicly, from the two Governments, access that is unconditional to both sides of the line of control," he had said.

Pak envoy briefs UN High Commissioner on Kashmir

On September 09, Pakistan had said that its special envoy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari had met UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.

Foreign Office (FO) had said in a statement that Leghari had briefed commissioner "about the ongoing critical human rights situation in Kashmir, underscoring that the matter was of great concern to all Pakistanis."

"He assured the Special Envoy that his office was carefully observing the situation in the area and was in contact with both India and Pakistan in this regard," the Foreign Office had said.

Leghari is one of 22 envoys appointed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to brief the international community about the situation in Kashmir.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Afghan President Ashraf Ghani here on Wednesday after the latter`s arrival here earlier in the day on his second official visit to India.

"Deepening dosti with Afghanistan. PM receives President @ashrafghani on his 2nd visit to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.

India and Afghanistan are scheduled to sign agreements following bilateral talks between the two sides.

Later in the day, Ghani, along with Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh, will address an interactive business meeting here.

The visiting dignitary will also deliver a speech at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses before paying a courtesy call on President Pranab Mukherjee in the evening
New Delhi: The much-awaited deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets is in the final stage, and will go to the Cabinet Committee on Security soon, said informed sources.

According to sources, the deal is likely to cost 7.87 billion euros, after a tough negotiation from the Indian side which also caused delay in finalisation of the deal.

Sources said offsets and service details also have been finalised and the work is being done on the Inter Governmental Agreement for the deal.

Once this is finalised, the documents will go to the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval.

A team from France in also present in the national capital, and both sides are keen to conclude the deal soon.

According to sources, the Prime Minister's Office has pushed for concluding the deal early, after more than year-long negotiations, in which price was a major sticking point.

In 2012, India decided to ink a deal for 126 Rafale jets.

As the deal could not work out, another deal for purchasing 36 Rafale combat jets in fly-away condition was inked during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France in April last year.

Both the sides also agreed to conclude an inter-governmental agreement for supply of the aircraft after which a negotiating team was constituted.

In an interview to IANS in May, Parrikar had said the deal is in the final stage and would be concluded in "a couple of months".


New Delhi: The armed forces today said they have raised "anomalies" in the 7th Pay Commission with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and were satisfied with his response that the issue will be resolved at the earliest.

The statement by the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC) Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha comes just days after the three services issued letters to their formations, saying they have asked the government to hold "in abeyance" the implementation of the CPC in view of the "unresolved anomalies".

The forces argue that the anomalies lower the status and pay parity of forces vis-a-vis their counterparts in the police and civilian administration.

Raha and Navy Admiral Sunil Lanba had also met with Parrikar on Monday over the issue.

The 7th Pay Commission anomalies in respect of the armed forces were discussed with the Defence Minister in detail by the Service Chiefs and the members of the Armed Forces Pay Commission Cell, a statement by Raha's office said.

The Defence Ministry is "seized of all the issues and has assured to resolve them at the earliest. The Services are satisfied with the response," it said.

The statement came amid reports that the forces were not happy with Parrikar's reply.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a PIL seeking to declare as "unconstitutional and illegal" the alleged release of government funds to Jammu and Kashmir-based separatists, saying the issue was within the exclusive domain of the Centre.

The court also castigated the lawyer, who had moved the PIL, for calling Hurriyat Conference leaders "separatists" saying it was a matter of perception.

"We are of the considered opinion that the grant of funds to the state of Jammu and Kashmir for the purposes of security or otherwise is within the exclusive domain of the Central Government. In a matter like this, we are of the considered opinion that a public interest litigation does not deserve to be entertained and, therefore, we are not inclined to interfere.

"That apart, needless to emphasise, it is not a judicially manageable proceeding and the Court should refrain from entering into the said area. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed," a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said.

The bench, also comprising Justice U U Lalit, expressed reservation on petitioner lawyer ML Sharma terming Hurriyat leaders as "separatists", and said "it's a matter of perception. Has the government declared them separatists? The conduct of a man may not be to the liking of others and they call him separatist, but you can't use that term in court".

The bench expressed further displeasure when Sharma said that "politicians are promoting terrorism."

"You cannot use such words in court. You cannot brand everyone like this unless someone is convicted. You can't just generalise everyone. This language cannot be used in court," the bench said while warning the advocate.

The PIL had claimed that more than Rs 300 crore was spent on the separatists on their stay at hotels, security and other expenses by the government, misusing the money.

Sharma claimed that the issue was a "big threat to the society" and only the judiciary could protect the country.

To this, the apex court said the judiciary cannot examine what funds are given to whom when it comes to managing the situation in a state like Jammu and Kashmir.

"Judiciary can only protect the constitutional provisions and values. Army and police are there to protect from any kind of threat. It should be left to the executive to decide what is best for the country," the bench said.
New Delhi: In a bid to stop the violence in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water dispute, a Kanyakumari-based activist today moved the Supreme Court seeking direction to the two states to act against those who had indulged in protests.

The apex court has agreed to hear the petition tomorrow.

An ugly battle ensued between the two states over the issue of sharing Cauvery water.

The situation escalated to a level where two civilians lost their lives.After violent protests against release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Bengaluru is limping back to normalcy.

Curfew was lifted in all the 16 police station limits of Bengaluru city from 9 a.m. today.Meanwhile, the security forces conducted a flag march in Kamakshipalya area where curfew has been imposed.

Pro-Kannada activists staged a protest in Channapatna on Bangalore-Mysore highway earlier today.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sought appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek his intervention to bail out the state from the present crisis as the storage position in reservoirs is poor.

Karnataka Road Transport buses have started operating to all places except Tamil Nadu.Metro rail has also resumed its service in the city since last night.

Modifying its September 5 order, the apex Court earlier on Monday asked the Karnataka Government to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water every day to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

It had earlier directed the Karnataka Government to release of 15,000 cusecs of water for 10 days as immediate relief to farmers in Tamil Nadu.
Bengaluru: Two days after violence shook Bengaluru in protest against Karnataka releasing more Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, the country's tech hub was back to normal on Wednesday.

"The city is back to normalcy, with shops, hotels, offices and private establishments opening in all areas except in northwest and southwest suburbs where curfew is in force till Thursday for maintaining law and order," a top police officer said.

Today, the district administration lifted curfew from all 16 police station limits of Bengaluru city.

With buses, taxis, autos and metro rail resuming service, thousands of people were seen commuting to offices and workplaces in and around the city.

Passengers going to or alighting at railway junctions and bus terminals in the city and the airport on the outskirts are able to get transport as trains, inter-state buses and flights are operating on schedule.

"Security across the city remains tight and ban order under section 144 of the CrPC on assembling of more than five persons at public places and populated areas continues till further order to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incident," said Police Commissioner N.S. Megharikh.

Most of the schools and colleges have declared holiday for Onam festival and remained shut in curfew-hit areas to avoid inconvenience.

"Educational institutions, offices and businesses will remain shut in curfew-bound areas as a precautionary measure," Megharikh told reporters here.

Situation at Mandya and Mysuru in the river basin remained under control amid peaceful protests by farmers, traders and youth against releasing water to the lower riparian state.

Meanwhile, state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is waiting for an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to seek his intervention in the inter-state water dispute.

"Siddaramaiah is waiting for an appointment with the Prime Minister from the PMO (prime minister`s office) to go to New Delhi as there is no response yet," an official from the chief minister`s office told IANS.

Siddaramaiah wrote a letter to Modi on September 9 for convening a meeting of the chief ministers of both the states and his intervention to resolve the vexed issue after the Supreme Court directed the state to release 15,000 cusecs of the river water to Tamil Nadu on September 5 for 10 days and extended it to September 20, reducing the quantum of release to 12,000 cusecs per day.

(With agency inputs)
Kochi: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah has landed in a soup by triggering a fresh controversy over the legacy of Onam, depicting the primarily harvest festival of Kerala as Vaman Jayanti.

Shahs tweet and Facebook post comes close on the heels of Kesari, the Malayalam mouthpiece of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), publishing a cover story contending that Onam marks the celebrtion of the birth of Vamana, one of the avatars of Mahavishnu, and not the homecoming of Mahabali, the king of the legends who is believed to have ruled over Kerala during a bygone golden era.

Shah had extended his greetings to Keralites on Onam eve through a tweet on Tuesday.

His post also carried a picture of the mythical Vamana with his left foot on King Mahabalis head, about to push him into the netherworld.

The author of the Kesari article had come up with the argument that there is no reference or explanation anywhere in mythology or epics to support the story that Mahabali was pushed to the netherworld by Vamana or about his annual homecoming in the Malayalam month of Chingam.

Reacting to the development, social critic Civic Chandran said, Onam was once an upper caste festival, but later on the subaltern classes too began celebrating it, giving significance to a black Maveli. The Sangh Parivar is trying to counter this revival.

Leaders of both the CPI(M) and Congress have come strongly against Shahs tweet and its implied message. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Shahs post was intended to humiliate Malayalis and their festival, which celebrated an egalitarian society.

If he has any propriety, Shah should withdraw his post and tender an apology, he said.

Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said Shahs post was the outcome of a conspiracy to give Onam an upper-caste dimension.

Keralities would not forgive him for his attempt to give a twist to the popular belief that Onam marked the homecoming of King Mahabali. CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran have also come out against the post.

However, BJP State president Kummanam Rajasekharan, while downplaying the issue, said that people of Kerala also worshipped Vamana.

Thousands of people have been worshipping Thrikkakara Temple, one of the temples dedicated to Lord Vamana. Vamana jayanti is complementary and supplementary to Onam celebrations and not contradictory, he said.
Addressing a rally in UP's Mirzapur, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi today attacked the Samajwadi Party over the recent power tussle within the Yadav family and Narendra Modi for globetrotting.

By Asian News International: Addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi today attacked the Samajwadi Party in the wake of the recent power tussle within the Yadav family. He said ahead of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh next year, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was trying to fix the cycle (election symbol of SP), implying restoring normalcy in relations among leaders of the Samajwadi Party. But that's not going to happen, Rahul added.



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SP's HOPES BLEAK: RAHUL

Suggesting that Samajwadi Party barely had hopes of being re-elected in 2017 polls, Rahul said, "The tyre (of the cycle) is already punctured. Yesterday, Akhilesh Yadav Ji threw the wheel out," referring to the development on Tuesday when the chief minister was removed as the party chief in UP, hours after he stripped uncle Shivpal Yadav of key ministries."



Also read: Fight in the government, not family, says Akhilesh Yadav on differences with uncle Shivpal



The Congress is hoping to make a comeback to power in the state after a gap of 27 years.



COTS TAKEN AWAY FROM VENUE



Meanwhile, after the public meeting in Mirzapur ended, locals took away the wooden cots (khats) from the venue, as an announcement 'Khaat chodke chale jao' was made. Some Congress workers were disappointed that they could not find a Khat (cot) after Rahul's Sabha got over.

UP: Locals take away wooden cots( Khaats) after Rahul Gandhi's public meeting in Mirzapur ends pic.twitter.com/lWXRvcXGko

ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

Mirzapur: Locals take away wooden cots while announcement says "Khaat chodke chale jao" after RGandhi public meet pic.twitter.com/mDjVquA08J ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

Also read: Shivpal says he will abide by brother Mulayam's decision

Rahul Gandhi also slammed Narendra Modi saying the Prime Minister was busy globetrotting while the farmers were facing many problems.

He said that if the Congress government was voted to power in Uttar Pradesh, a loan waiver for farmers would be announced within 10 days in sharp contrast to what the Modi government did, "Modi has waived off loans of Rs 1.10 lakh crore for industrialists but we will be waiving off the loans of poor farmers," he said.

The Gandhi scion added that his slogan was 'Karj maaf, bijli bill half'.



--- ENDS ---
Kolkata: Manager of 'Mocambo' Ashish Malik on Wednesday said the eatery doesn`t believe in discrimination, while asserting that the driver who had come along with a woman was `dirtily dressed`.

Kolkata`s oldest fine dining restaurant Mocambo has found itself in a soup, after a woman named Dilashi Hemnani alleged that the eatery did not let her driver inside for dinner.

"She was a well to do lady of course. When she came, she asked for a table for two. The person who was there said of course we will give you table. We don`t have any discrimination... we allow everybody. After some time, the person who was giving the table asked her...please call your friend and she pointed out to a guy, who was very dirtily dressed...absolutely dirty," Malik told..

Malik said his person in the restaurant had got perturbed and said that they could not give the driver a table.

"She said he is my driver...from 8`o' clock he is driving me. My person said we can`t give you a table but we can give a packing for him. She got very furious and started shouting. She said on humanitarian grounds you are stopping a person...this is not right," he added.

Malik said the eatery doesn`t stop anyone and they are not racist.

Mocambo is not racist but if a person is unclean then we have to draw the line somewhere: Ashish Malik,Manager pic.twitter.com/HB9v8lkXqS  ANI (@ANI_news) September 14, 2016

"We allow each and every person. Many families come with their maids, some come with their drivers. They are all well-dressed. They are sitting inside and having food...we never stop anyone...till today we have not done. She has a wrong conception that she has been insulted and a person has been insulted on humanitarian grounds...that is wrong," he added.

Malik said if a person is not clean and goes inside, they have to draw a line somewhere."Other guests were sitting...they will see...they will obviously feel bad. So, that`s the reason why we stopped him.

I don`t think we have done anything wrong. We have no dress code. Many people come in half-pants also...many in Bermudas, but they are well to do. When you will see them, you will understand the profile of the person...neat and clean, decent looking. If you are dirty, how can you allow a person?," he said.

The incident took place on September 9, when Hemnani walked into Mocambo along with her driver but failed to secure a seat even after waiting for some time and requesting to the staff.

Outraged at their behavior, Hemnani went on to allege that the restaurant deliberately chose to keep her away because she was accompanied by her driver who didn`t meet the restaurant`s standards of a well-dressed customer.

The Congress held a demonstration on Tuesday afternoon outside Mocambo asking for the manager to be arrested.
Bhopal: BJP veteran and Union minister Kalraj Mishra on Wednesday joined his colleague Nitin Gadkari, saying the catch-phrase "acche din" was indeed coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's predecessor Manmohan Singh.

"It is true that former prime minister Manmohan Singh had said that good days will come. To which our Prime Minister had said that when we come, good days will come," Mishra told reporters when his reaction was sought on Gadkari's comment.

However, seeking to dispel any negative perception, Mishra said people have faith in Modi and are confident that "acche din" will come. "I am sure that Gadkari too meant the same," he added.

Addressing a function in Mumbai yesterday, Gadkari had said, "Acche din maan-ne se hota hai (Good days depends on one's belief). It was at an NRI meet in Delhi that Manmohan Singh had said that 'Acche din ayenge' (good days will come)."

Gadkari had also said the slogan has become "a millstone around our neck."

The slogan was extensively used by Modi, who was then BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, during Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

Mishra said the NDA government is working to usher in "acche din" and that "an era of negativity in country has come to an end giving way to positivity".

"I can say with full faith that our government is taking ahead the process of ushering in 'acche din'. This has brought in positivity and positive thought has stemmed from it," the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Minister said.

He said the NDA government overcame "negativity" prevailing against the previous government which was "corrupt, scamster and could not provide security to country".

"Our government overcame this negativity. There might be comments like 'this should be done or that should be done', but positivity hasn't shrunk...People in villages are saying 'Modiji Karenge' (Modiji will do). They have faith," he said.

However, he dodged a query on when will the 'acche din' come.
New Delhi: More than Rs 100 crore were released by the Centre for various development projects in Manipur in the first five months of this fiscal, DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday.

Chairing a meeting of the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Singh said that among the northeastern states, Manipur is the major beneficiary of liberal funding and assistance from various central ministries.

An amount of over Rs 100 crore has been released by the DoNER Ministry in the first five months of the current financial year for various development projects in Manipur, Singh said.

The Minister said an amount of Rs 28.47 crore was released for different projects under NLCPR (Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources) and approximately Rs 75 crore was released for the NEC (North-Eastern Council) projects.

This is in addition to the various other fundings and budget releases coming to the state from other ministries of the central government.
Shillong: An opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion against the Mukul Sangma-led Congress government was admitted in the Meghalaya Assembly on Wednesday for its "failure on all fronts".

Speaker Abu Taher Mondal said the censure motion will to be taken up on Thursday after 12 noon.

On Monday, three opposition legislators -- James Sangma of National People's Party, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit of the Hill State People's Democratic Party and Jemino Mawthoh of the United Democratic Party -- had served notice for moving the no-confidence motion against the ruling Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) government.

Mondal admitted the no-confidence motion after 14 opposition members -- comprising eight United Democratic Party legislators, four Hill State People's Democratic Party legislators and two National People's Party legislators -- supported the censure move.

Interestingly, two opposition independent legislators Saleng Sangma and John Leslee K. Sangma were conspicuous by their absence.

However, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma termed the no-trust move brought by the opposition as "nothing new" to his government.

"This is not the first time that this government is confronted by such situation. The no-confidence motion against my government is also an indication that we are yet to get out of the symptom inflicted by political instability that the state in the past years has been confronted with," he told journalists.

However, the Chief Minister said there are many priorities for both the ruling alliance and the opposition to focus upon.

"I leave to the wisdom of the opposition whether it is appropriate for them to take up issues in the House through no-confidence motion," Sangma said.

When asked if the no-confidence motion sponsored by the opposition was influenced by members from the treasury benches in the backdrop of the rebellion against him, Sangma said: "My job is to ensure that the whole MUA stands united in its response to all issues raised by the opposition. How we do it and how we handle everybody is an internal exercise."

Asked whether he foresaw that the 11 Independent legislators, who are supporting his government, would cross-vote, Sangma said: "I do not doubt their (Independents) commitment in supporting the government."

However, Opposition leader Donkupar Roy said the no-confidence motion against the government was inspired by the rebel Congress legislators, who have been up in arms against the Chief Minister.

"If they (rebel Congress legislators) come out openly in support of the motion, I am sure this government is gone," Roy told IANS.

Admitting that there have been differences within the Congress party, veteran Congress legislator Salseng C. Marak, however, said: "The leadership issue cannot be discussed in the House as it is an internal matter of the Congress party."

Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee chief D.D. Lapang, who is also a sitting MLA, said the Congress legislature party and MUA legislature party have already issued a three-line whip directing all the members of the ruling coalition to ensure that they stand united against the no-confidence motion and the resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Mondal.

Mondal had set the date for taking up the resolution seeking his removal as September 16.

In the 60-member assembly, the ruling Meghalaya United Alliance comprises 30 Congress members, two from the Nationalist Congress Party and 11 Independents.

The opposition MPF comprises eight United Democratic Party legislators and two from the Nationalist People's Party.

The opposition Hill State People's Democratic Party, which has four members, and two Independents are not part of the Meghalaya People's Front.


Chandigarh: Punjab could not avail funds amounting to Rs 719.50 crore due to delay in submission of utilisation certificates to the Centre, according to a latest CAG report.

In a report tabled on the last day of the Punjab Assembly session, the government auditor said the 13th Finance Commission (TFC) in its report submitted on December 29, 2009, recommended release of Rs 5,510.27 crore under 22 grants including border areas, development of Kandi areas, heritage, police training, disaster relief for various schemes in Punjab.

To assess the optimisation of the grants received by Punjab government during 2010-15, an audit was conducted by test checking the records of the Finance Department and the administrative departments concerned in respect of eight grants, out of 22 grants under TFC.

The report on non-public sector undertakings for the period ending March 2015 said against the total allocation of Rs 5,510.27 crore under 22 grants recommended by TFC, the Punjab government could avail only Rs 4,886.95 crore (89 per cent) during 2010-15.

As regards with selected eight grants, against the allocation of Rs 3,466.80 crore recommended by TFC, the Punjab government availed only Rs 2,747.30 crore during 2010-15 and 21 per cent (Rs 719.50 crore) could not be availed due to delayed utilisation of funds and submission of utilisation certificates to the Centre and non-fulfillment of prescribed conditions for availing subsequent grants under TFC, it said.

Giving an example of shortcomings in utilisation of funds, the audit report, on the basis of examination of the records of Home Affairs and Police Department, said the first installment of Rs 50 crore was released to Punjab Police Housing Corporation (PPHC) after a delay of more than a year.

The amount was released for executing various works in piecemeal between December 2012 and September 2014 after a delay of more than a year which delayed the funds utilisation.

Further, out of third installment of Rs 50 crore received from Centre in February 2015, only Rs 35 crore was released to PPHC leaving Rs 15 crore unreleased, which adversely affected the works of upgrading training facilities for police personnel, report noted.

It said the Punjab Police DGP attributed the reasons for delayed funds release to non-clearance of bills by treasury.

In order to get fourth installment from the Centre, the state government submitted inflated utilisation certificate of Rs 135 crore whereas only Rs 50.24 crore were actually utilised as of July 2015.
Barpeta: A total of 1,913 of the 2,018 rhino horns stored in various treasuries of Assam have been examined so far by a panel which completed the checking of Barpeta treasury on Wednesday.

The with Rhino Verification Committee (RVC) has examined rhino horns in Golaghat (1193), Tezpur (56), Mangaldoi (59), Nagaon(550), Morigaon (22) and Barpeta (22), according to an official statement.

The condition of rhino horns in Barpeta treasury is not good as dampness from the old treasury building has damaged most of them, it said.

Three of the horns are in soiled condition and their composition could not be ascertained by the Forensic Science Laboratory test and therefore their samples were sent for DNA testing, it added.

The committee will check Guwahati treasury containing 99 rhino horns tomorrow, the statement said, adding that the Barpeta treasury contains horns from Manas Wildlife Sanctuary.

In Tezpur, a box stated to contain three rhino horns have not yet been checked due to its missing key and Nalbari treasury has one rhino horn.

Verification of horns is done to check their genuineness and updating the complete inventory of horns kept in various treasuries in the custody of Assam government since 1980.
New Delhi/Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday denied reports of any rift within his family and said that all members of the Yadav clan stand united and follow instructions of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Where have you found a family fight? This is a fight in government, not within the family, Akhilesh Yadav asked reporters today.

Further attempting to downplay the reports of his ongoing Cold War with his uncle, the UP CM said, ''I have only taken some decisions, but most are taken by SP chief Mulayam Singh, so don't misinterpret the decisions taken by the state government.''

However, Akhilesh refused to give a direct answer when being asked about rift with his uncle Shivpal.

When quizzed further, Akhilesh said that he is not aware of any rift in his family.

The reactions from UP CM came shortly after it was reported that a miffed Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has summoned him and his uncle Shivpal for a patch-up meeting in the national capital today as ongoing rift within his family widened.

Akhilesh Yadav too cancelled his official engagements in Lucknow for the day amid an all-out war with his uncle, which has brought the 44-year-old Chief Minister in direct confrontation with his father and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

All eyes are now on Mulayam Singh, who is in Delhi. Shivpal Yadav, made the Samajwadi Party's new chief in UP in place of Akhilesh on Tuesday, had this morning confirmed he will meet his brother today.

Shivpal Singh Yadav said today that he will take any decision only after speaking to the party chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav, a day after he was stripped off three key portfolios.

I will talk to Netaji (Mulayam) before taking a decision,'' he said while talking to reporters today.

However, Shivpal sought to downplay the signs of growing fissures in the Samajwadi Party.

Everything is okay within the party, Shivpal told reporters.

I will go to Delhi and talk to him, he said after being asked about the conversation he had already had with the SP chief.

Its his right (to take the decision) as the Chief Minister, Shivpal said this morning.

Shivpal also said that he will abide by whatever decision Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav makes about him, because the state's people "are with the leader Mulayam."

When asked pointedly whether he would resign as a state minister - he's now only in charge of wasteland development - Shivpal said he will make a decision on that only after he talks to Mulayam.

UP CM Akhilesh Yadav yesterday defied his father, Mulayam, by firing Shivpal, who's Mulayam's favourite brother. Mulayam had sought to install Shivpal as UP party chief, in son Akhilesh's place.

The "family feud" within the Samajwadi Party has escalated even as all parties are preparing for Assembly polls in UP, scheduled for early next year. Akhilesh is expected to meet the state's Governor at 10 am today, and there's speculation that he might ask for dissolving the government and calling state polls earlier than scheduled.

Akhilesh's move yesterday came soon after he removed Deepak Singhal, a Shivpal favourite, from the post of chief secretary. A day earlier, he sacked two ministers, Gayatri Prajapati and Rajkishore Singh, also Shivpal loyalists, and disregarded the counsel of his father and uncle.

Mulayam hit back, appointing Shivpal, as UP party chief, in effect sacking Akhilesh from the post. This position would see him play a key role in the selection of nominees for next year's assembly polls.

The jousting has brought out in the open, tensions that have been simmering in the party for a while now. In June, Akhilesh sabotaged Shivpal's move to ally with controversial politicians associated with a front called the Qaumi Ekta Dal. Akhilesh has been increasingly asserting himself as chief minister, even as Shivpal has refused to forego his claim on Mulayam's legacy.
Lucknow: With Samajwadi Party showing internal cracks as fued between Akhilesh Yadav and uncle Shivpal Yadav escalated into bitter war, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Wednesday cancelled all his meetings scheduled for the day.

As per the report, CM Akhilesh Yadav, who had to address two public functions in Lucknow today, cancelled both his appointments and reached his Kalidas Marg residence.

According to another media report, Samajwadi supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav asked his son Akhilesh and brother Shivapal to reach Delhi, in a bid to break the deadlock between the duo.

Mulayam has reportedly called a 'patch-up' meeting at his Delhi residence and has asked Akhilesh and Shivpal to resolve the dispute.

Amid talks of his resignation from the Uttar Pradesh cabinet, Shivpal Yadav, who was stripped off three key ministries by CM Akhilesh yesterday, told media today that he will abide by whatever decision Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav makes about him, as the state's people 'are with the leader Mulayam.'

I will talk to Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) before taking a decision,'' he told reporters today.

He, however sought to downplay the signs of growing fissures in the Samajwadi Party. Everything is okay within the party, Shivpal told reporters.

CM Akhilesh yesterday defied his father, Mulayam, by taking away key portfolios from Shivpal, who's Mulayam's favourite brother. Mulayam had sought to install Shivpal as UP party chief, in son Akhilesh's place.

The family feud within the Samajwadi Party has escalated even as all parties are preparing for Assembly polls in UP, scheduled for early next year.
Rampur: Samajwadi Party national general secretary Mohammad Azam Khan on Wednesday hit out at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat over his recent statement that construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was being ignored due to political reasons.

"If the RSS chief's knowledge was so meagre then he has no right to hold the coveted post in the saffron outfit," the minister said.

"I don't want to indulge in the controversy. But I would certainly advise RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to delve deep into opinions expressed by Bhim Rao Ambedkar before he embraced Buddhism," he added.

Khan also took a dig at BSP and claimed BSP founder Kanshi Ram demanded rights to build toilets at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

"BSP's role on the said count is unacceptable. Kanshi Ram failed to acknowledge that a place of worship must remain one," the state parliamentary affairs minister said.

Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khan alleged the PM had failed to deposit Rs 20 lakh in every Indian citizen's bank account.

"He (Modi) failed. Install me on the PM's seat and I assure I will give give concrete shape to promises made by the 'Badshah' (the PM)," he claimed, adding he could also transform the dream of an 'Akhand Bharat' (undivided India) into reality if given the seat.
Lucknow: Opposition parties on Wednesday poked fun at the ruling Samajwadi Party in view of the feud in Mulayam Singh Yadav family, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav should have repaired the "cycle" (SP's election symbol) four-and-a-half years back as his actions now mean nothing.

Rahul, in the course of his 'kisan yatra', said, "Akhilesh should have removed the defects from the cycle four-and-a-half years back. Now with elections hardly six months away, what does all this mean?"

He was apparently referring to Akhilesh's action of sacking two ministers on graft charges and shunting out the chief secretary, known for his closeness to senior cabinet minister and uncle Shivpal Yadav.

Rahul was speaking during a roadshow in Mirzapur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, from where he resumed his Deoria-Delhi mahayatra after a two-day break.

His barb came against the backdrop of BJP's charge that the Congress vice president was more vitriolic in his attack on the saffron party compared to Samajwadi Party and that there was a bonhomie between Rahul and Akhilesh -- both describing each other as "achha ladka".

BJP state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "The Samajwadi Party has totally failed in checking law and order, prevailing 'goonda raj', corruption and land grabbing and so it has resorted to these tactics for diverting people's attention to build up the image of Mulayam's son and chief minister."

Questioning both Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav on various decisions taken by them, Maurya said it has now been proved that the tussle for power and personal gains within the government and Samajwadi Party have become anarchic in which bureaucray is also being used as a tool without bothering for the interest of common people of the state.
Opposition which has found a volatile issue in form of Shahabuddin's release demanded that the dreaded gangster be sent back to jail.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: Opposition NDA in Bihar staged a day-long sit-in protest against the release of mafia don turned politician Shahabuddin from jail. Opposition which has found a volatile issue in form of Shahabuddin's release demanded that the dreaded gangster be sent back to jail.

The protest was led by BJP leaders Sushil Modi, Nand Kishore Yadav, Prem Kumar and former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi from HAM. After the protest in Patna today, the opposition will be organising similar protest across Bihar on Thursday.

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"SHAHABUDDIN'S RELEASE STAGED-MANAGED"

Speaking to India Today, BJP leader Sushil Modi alleged that the release of Shahabuddin has created panic amongst the people. Modi said release of Shahabuddin was staged managed by the state government and demanded the government moves the Apex Court against bail granted to the former RJD MP.

Also read:

Man wanted for journalist's murder received Shahabuddin when the don came out of jail

We tried our best to oppose bail to Shahabuddin, claims Bihar government

Nitish upset with Lalu's silence on Shahabuddin's attacks, may use Crime Control Act to jail don

"Why did the government not impose Crime Control Act against Shahabuddin soon after he was released to ensure that he is sent back to jail? The release of Shahabuddin is state sponsored", said Sushil Modi.

Modi said that after pictures of Shahabuddin with sharpshooter Md Kaifi, who is accused in journalist Rajdev Ranjan murder case went viral, the dreaded don should have been arrested by the police.

FEAR IN BIHAR OVER SHAHABUDDIN'S RELEASE

"Pictures of Shahabuddin with sharpshooter is enough evidence for the police to arrest Shahabuddin. He has spread fear in Bihar in last four days", said the BJP leader.

Modi further attacked Bihar's Health Minister Tej Pratap over his picture appearing with the same sharp shooter, Md Kaifi.

NDA demanded that the state government should immediately move the Supreme Court against the bail granted to Shahabuddin and take all possible steps to send him back to jail.

The opposition is also mulling to meet President Pranab Mukherjee over the issue in next few days.

--- ENDS ---
New Delhi/Lucknow: Senior Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav on Wednesday said that he is not angry with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and will abide by any decision taken by his brother and Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Shivpal Yadav, a top minister and a key figure in the ruling Samajwadi Party, made these remarks shortly after arriving at the IGI airport to meet his brother Mulayam.

Earlier, Akhilesh Yadav too denied reports of any rift within his family and said that all members of the Yadav clan stand united and follow instructions of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Where have you found a family fight? This is a fight in government, not a family fight, Akhilesh Yadav asked reporters.

Further attempting to downplay the reports of his ongoing cold war with his uncle, the UP CM said, ''I have only taken some decisions, but most are taken by SP chief Mulayam Singh, so don't misinterpret the decisions taken by the state government.''

However, Akhilesh refused to give a direct answer when being asked about rift with his uncle.

When quizzed further, Akhilesh said that he is not aware of any rift in his family.

The reactions from UP CM came shortly after it was reported that a miffed Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has summoned him and his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav for a patch-up meeting in the national capital today as ongoing rift within his family widened.

Akhilesh Yadav had too cancelled his official engagements in Lucknow for the day amid an all-out war with his uncle Shivpal Yadav, which has brought the 44-year-old Chief Minister in direct confrontation with his father and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

All eyes are now on Mulayam Singh, who is in Delhi. Shivpal Yadav, made the Samajwadi Party's new chief in UP in place of Akhilesh on Tuesday, had this morning confirmed he will meet his brother today.

Ahead of leaving for Delhi, Shivpal Yadav said today that he will take any decision only after speaking to the party chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav, a day after he was stripped off three key portfolios.

I will talk to Netaji (Mulayam) before taking a decision,'' he said while talking to reporters today.

However, Shivpal sought to downplay the signs of growing fissures in the Samajwadi Party.

Everything is okay within the party, Shivpal told reporters. I will go to Delhi and talk to him, he said after being asked about the conversation he had already had with the SP chief.

Its his right as the Chief Minister, Shivpal said this morning.

Shivpal also said that he will abide by whatever decision Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav makes about him, because the state's people "are with the leader Mulayam."

When asked pointedly whether he would resign as a state minister - he's now only in charge of wasteland development - Shivpal said he will make a decision on that only after he talks to Mulayam.

UP CM Akhilesh Yadav yesterday defied his father, Mulayam, by firing Shivpal, who's Mulayam's favourite brother. Mulayam had sought to install Shivpal as UP party chief, in son Akhilesh's place.

The "family feud" within the Samajwadi Party has escalated even as all parties are preparing for Assembly polls in UP, scheduled for early next year. Akhilesh is expected to meet the state's governor at 10 am today, and there's speculation that he might ask for dissolving the government and calling state polls earlier than scheduled.

Akhilesh's move yesterday came soon after he removed Deepak Singhal, a Shivpal favourite, from the post of chief secretary. A day earlier, he sacked two ministers, Gayatri Prajapati and Rajkishore Singh, also Shivpal loyalists, and disregarded the counsel of his father and uncle.

Mulayam hit back, appointing Shivpal, as UP party chief, in effect sacking Akhilesh from the post. This position would see him play a key role in the selection of nominees for next year's assembly polls.

The jousting has brought out in the open, tensions that have been simmering in the party for a while now. In June, Akhilesh sabotaged Shivpal's move to ally with controversial politicians associated with a front called the Qaumi Ekta Dal. Akhilesh has been increasingly asserting himself as chief minister, even as Shivpal has refused to forego his claim on Mulayam's legacy.
New Delhi/Lucknow: Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has reportedly called his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav for a patch-up meeting in the national capital on Wednesday as ongoing rift within his family widened.

Akhilesh Yadav too cancelled his official engagements in Lucknow for the day amid an all-out war with his uncle Shivpal Yadav, which has brought the 44-year-old Chief Minister in direct confrontation with his father and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

All eyes are now on Mulayam Singh, who is in Delhi. Shivpal Yadav, made the Samajwadi Party's new chief in UP in place of Akhilesh on Tuesday, had this morning confirmed that he will meet his brother today.

Shivpal Singh Yadav said today that he will take any decision only after speaking to the party chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav, a day after he was stripped off three key portfolios.

I will talk to Netaji (Mulayam) before taking a decision,'' he said while talking to reporters today.

However, Shivpal sought to downplay the signs of growing fissures in the Samajwadi Party.

Everything is okay within the party, Shivpal told reporters.

I will go to Delhi and talk to him, he said after being asked about the conversation he had already had with the SP chief.

Its his right (to take the decision) as the Chief Minister, Shivpal said this morning.

Shivpal also said that he will abide by whatever decision Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav makes about him, because the state's people "are with the leader Mulayam."

When asked pointedly whether he would resign as a state minister - he's now only in charge of wasteland development - Shivpal said he will make a decision on that only after he talks to Mulayam.

UP CM Akhilesh Yadav yesterday defied his father, Mulayam, by firing Shivpal, who's Mulayam's favourite brother. Mulayam had sought to install Shivpal as UP party chief, in son Akhilesh's place.

The "family feud" within the Samajwadi Party has escalated even as all parties are preparing for Assembly polls in UP, scheduled for early next year. Akhilesh is expected to meet the state's governor at 10 am today, and there's speculation that he might ask for dissolving the government and calling state polls earlier than scheduled.

Akhilesh's move yesterday came soon after he removed Deepak Singhal, a Shivpal favourite, from the post of chief secretary. A day earlier, he sacked two ministers, Gayatri Prajapati and Rajkishore Singh, also Shivpal loyalists, and disregarded the counsel of his father and uncle.

Mulayam hit back, appointing Shivpal, as UP party chief, in effect sacking Akhilesh from the post. This position would see him play a key role in the selection of nominees for next year's assembly polls.

The jousting has brought out in the open, tensions that have been simmering in the party for a while now. In June, Akhilesh sabotaged Shivpal's move to ally with controversial politicians associated with a front called the Qaumi Ekta Dal. Akhilesh has been increasingly asserting himself as chief minister, even as Shivpal has refused to forego his claim on Mulayam's legacy.
Mumabi: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday cautioned the Samajwadi Party while hinting at a crack in the party fold post Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav`s move to sack his uncle from all ministerial portfolios and said they will have to very soon take corrective measures to see that everything is in order.

NCP leader Majeed Memon pointed out that the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls will be a semi-final contest ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

"Uttar Pradesh is going to face the people`s mandate in a few months to come hereafter and it being the largest state of the country, it`s going to be margdarshak for 2019. As a matter of fact, this is something like a semi-final and therefore the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also pulling up its socks and trying its best to ensure that what result people gave them in 2014, that they literally swept Uttar Pradesh," said Memon.

The NCP leader also pointed out that Samajwadi Party boss Mulayam Singh Yadav may have many tough days to come to face hereafter even the present situation continues in his party.

"Although Modi wave has receded substantially anywhere else in the country also, but then they want to retain their upper hand in Uttar Pradesh and probably think of getting to power, which does not seem very probable in the present circumstances," said Memon.

"But as far as the ruling party is concerned...the Samajwadi has threat from the BJP, Congress and others because now Nitish and Lalu are also likely to plunge into Uttar Pradesh politics," he added.

Emphasizing on Amar Singh`s entry in the Samajwadi Party camp, Memon said very soon they will have to take corrective measures to see that everything is in order.

"Amar Singh`s entry also caused some kind of an anguish in Azam Khan`s camp and all these things are going on. But I am sure the necessity is to make everything in order and I think the Samajwadi Party would do that soon," he added.

Akhilesh Yadav yesterday divested party member Shivpal Yadav of all important ministerial portfolios including PWD, irrigation, cooperative, flood control and revenue and handed him the social welfare department.Prior to it, Shivpal had replaced him as its new chief in Uttar Pradesh on the instructions of Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The development came hours after Akhilesh shunted out state chief secretary Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal and replaced him with Rahul Bhatnagar.

The move comes at a time when the state is gearing up for assembly elections which is scheduled to take place next year.
Kolkata: West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra today assured businessmen that his state was not anti-industry, but was only trying to strike a balance between industry and people's rights.

"Balance is what we present, protecting rights of people and also inviting industry for job creation," Mitra said at the AGM of The Bengal Chamber.

He pointed out that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was protecting the rights of the people on one hand and pushing for industry on the other, as she not only invited the Tatas to invest more but took them with her to Germany as well.

Mitra said the MSME sector was an important sector and even in Germany the sector played an important role. West Bengal is showing encouraging performance in the sector.

Banerjee will meet deputy prime minister of Singapore at Bangkok in November and will discuss on transformation of Singapore and West Bengal, he said. The minister hoped that if everything worked right the Singapore deputy prime minister would attend the state's annual investment summit.

Meanwhile, Mitra urged the Bengal Chamber to adopt an ITI and a polytechnic institute and open a GST cell for corporates.
Aden: At least 12 rebels and three pro-government fighters were killed in fierce battles in southwestern Yemen on Wednesday, military sources said.

Loyalist forces attacked rebel positions in Kirsh area in Lahj province, killing seven insurgents, said General Fadhl Hasan, who is leading pro-government troops in the area.

"We will continue our advance towards Taez (city) to break the siege" imposed for more than a year by the Huthi Shiite rebels on Yemen's third city, Hasan said.

In Taez province, five Huthis and their allies were killed when loyalists backed by coalition air strikes and artillery fought off a rebel assault in Kahbub area, a loyalist military leader said.

Three pro-government fighters were also killed in the fighting, Colonel Abdulghani al-Subaihi said, in a mountainous area overlooking the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea.

The area is guarded by forces from the Saudi-led coalition, which intervened in Yemen in March last year to support President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's government after the Iran-backed rebels seized the capital Sanaa.

AFP could not independently verify the tolls and the rebels rarely acknowledge their losses.

Meanwhile, coalition air strikes today hit an intelligence building north of Sanaa, causing casualties, military sources said, without providing a toll.

Yemen's conflict has killed more than 6,600 people, most of them civilians, and displaced at least three million others, according to the United Nations.

Fighting has intensified since the collapse of UN-backed peace talks in Kuwait on August 6.
Aden: A drone strike in central Yemen has killed five al-Qaeda suspects, security officials and a tribal chief said on Wednesday.

The late Tuesday attack in Rada, a town in the central province of Baida, targeted a car carrying the suspected jihadists, a tribal chief told AFP.

The United States has been involved in a years-long unmanned drone campaign in Yemen and is thought to have carried out dozens of strikes against what it says are Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) members.

AQAP and the Islamic State group have exploited a power vacuum created by the conflict between the government and Iran-backed rebels to expand their presence in the Arabian Peninsula country.

The US has vowed to continue its campaign against AQAP, which it considers to be the Al-Qaeda network`s deadliest franchise.
Washington: Hillary Clinton has released new information about her health as she recuperated from a diagnosis of "mild, non-contagious" pneumonia, with her doctor stressing she remains healthy overall and "fit to serve" as president.

Pressure had mounted for the campaign to release information about the Democratic White House nominee's medical status after she fell ill at a 9/11 memorial event Sunday, and it was disclosed that she had pneumonia.

The former secretary of state, 68, "continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as president of the United States," her personal physician Lisa Bardack wrote in a detailed, two-page "summary update" on Clinton's health.

Bardack released Clinton's laboratory results that showed "normal" readings for cholesterol, triglycerides and other key readings.

"The remainder of her complete physical exam was normal and she is in excellent mental condition," she said.

Bardack also said Clinton has been taking the anti-coagulant Coumadin, and that her blood levels "have been relatively stable."

Clinton "is recovering well with antibiotics and rest" from her bout with pneumonia, she added.

Clinton had released a detailed statement about her medical history in July 2015.

Her campaign had been pressed to be more transparent about Clinton's health, particularly after it failed to reveal her Friday pneumonia diagnosis until Sunday, when she nearly collapsed as she left the Ground Zero site in New York.

Her rival Donald Trump is also being called on to reveal his own medical records, something he has not done save for a brief letter released last year by Harold Bornstein, the Republican nominee's doctor for 35 years, who wrote that Trump's health was "excellent and that a recent examination "showed only positive results."

Trump had another physical in recent days, and he went on the television set of celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz on Wednesday to disclose his new health records.

In a statement, the show said "Dr Oz took Mr Trump through a full review of systems." The show airs Thursday.
Ramat Gan: Former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres, the last of Israel`s founding fathers, showed improvement Wednesday following a major stroke, but remained in critical condition, doctors said.

Concerns mounted for 93-year-old Peres, widely respected as an elder statesman both in Israel and abroad, after he suffered the stroke and bleeding on Tuesday.

"He is still in a critical condition, stable, but we can see some improvement," Yitzhak Kreiss, director of the Sheba Medical Centre at Tel Hashomer in Ramat Gan, told reporters outside the hospital near Tel Aviv.

Peres was still sedated and breathing with a respirator, but doctors were seeking to reduce sedation to evaluate him and he was occasionally awake, Kreiss said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited his old rival`s bedside and told reporters in Hebrew, "we feel some relief... because this evening he is better than he was yesterday evening".

"With God`s help tomorrow he will be better than this evening," he added. "There is hope and there is prayer."

Peres, who was twice Israeli prime minister, has held nearly every major office in the country, including that of president, a mostly ceremonial post, from 2007 to 2014.

A former hawk turned dove, the highlight of his career came in 1994, when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Yitzhak Rabin and the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for his role in negotiating the Oslo accords with the Palestinians.

Peres`s personal physician and son-in-law, Rafi Walden, said the former president`s chances for survival were "pretty good," with no immediate threat to his life.

He added that Peres was responsive during treatment.

"When we lessened the sedation, he woke up -- not completely but definitely was responsive to our appeals to him," he told AFP.

"He squeezed my hand and was definitely listening and understanding what was happening."

Doctors have decided not to operate for the time being.

Zeev Feldman, president of the Israeli Neurosurgical Association and involved in Peres` treatment, told AFP "the fact that he regained consciousness gives us some cautious optimism".

"The processes can go wrong in the next 48-72 hours. Some situation may happen and that is why he is in intensive care," he said.Peres`s son Chemi told journalists late Tuesday that "we are going to have to take difficult decisions apparently later, but not yet."

"Myself and my family members are going through difficult times, difficult hours," he said.

"I know that my father did not care about anything as much as he cares about people, as much as he cares about Israel, the Jewish people, and the people in Israel," he said.

"And I will take this opportunity on his behalf to send all of you his love."

Statements of concern flooded in from across the political spectrum and dozens of journalists gathered outside the hospital, Israel`s largest, awaiting word on his condition.

President Reuven Rivlin said in a statement he was "following with concern the updates from the hospital, and pray together with the entire people for my friend Shimon`s recovery."

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog also wished the elder statesman a rapid recovery.

Nickolay Mladenov, UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said he was praying for Peres, calling him "a patriarch of peace and progress".In January, Peres was hospitalised twice for heart trouble.

In the first instance, the hospital said he had suffered a "mild cardiac event" and underwent catheterisation to widen an artery.

He was rushed to hospital a second time days later with chest pains and an irregular heartbeat.

Peres has sought to maintain an active schedule despite his age, particularly through events related to his Peres Center for Peace.

When leaving hospital on January 19, Peres said he was keen to get back to work.

"I`m so happy to return to work, that was the whole purpose of this operation," he said.

In March, he met visiting US Vice President Joe Biden.

Peres once confided that the secret to his longevity was daily gymnastics, eating little and drinking one or two glasses of good wine.

Having earlier hawkishly rejected any compromise with hostile Arab states, he said he was converted after 1977, when Egyptian president Anwar Sadat made a historic visit to Jerusalem, leading to the first Arab-Israeli peace treaty.

Born in Poland in 1923, Peres emigrated to what was then British mandatory Palestine when he was 11.

He joined the Zionist struggle in the 1940s and while hitchhiking met David Ben-Gurion, who would become Israel`s first prime minister.

He became director general of the nascent defence ministry at just 29 years old.

Beyond his accomplishments in the public eye, Peres was also seen as a driving force in the development of Israel`s undeclared nuclear programme.
Bangkok: A newly found debris suspected to be from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 that went missing in March 2014 may be the first piece of evidence supporting the theory that there was a fire on board the plane, said media reports.

Five pieces of debris were handed over to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in Canberra on Monday by American amateur sleuth Blaine Gibson, Efe news reported.

Gibson, who has previously brought 13 of the 27 suspected and confirmed pieces of wreckage from the flight to MH370 investigators, said two of the pieces were burned and carried singe marks on them.

"If those are found to be from Malaysia 370 and if it is discovered that the fire took place before the crash, then this is a real game changer that could help identify what was the cause of the plane`s demise," he said.

The debris was found on the coast of island nation Madagascar, located off the southeast coast of Africa, and where the majority of the suspected debris pieces has already been discovered.

The pieces resemble some of the paneling used in Boeing 777 planes and have the honeycomb pattern of Boeing`s composite materials, and the burn marks could support the theory that the plane was downed by a fire.

Flight MH370 with 239 persons on board went missing on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with available data indicating that the plane flew into the waters of the southern Indian Ocean.

More than 1,10,000 sq km of the seafloor have been searched so far for clues to or debris of the missing jetliner.
Pyongyang: A day after two US B-1 bombers flew over South Korea in a show of force following North Korea`s nuclear test, Pyongyang on Wednesday dismissed it as "bluffing" and "blustering" by Washington.

"They are bluffing that B-1Bs are enough for fighting an all-out nuclear war," CNN cited a statement from KCNA, North Korea`s official news agency.

Two of the powerful US bombers, joined by US and South Korean fighter jets, flew over Osan Air Base south of Seoul on Tuesday to show US anger with North Korea`s nuclear weapons test on September 9.

Pyongyang claimed Friday`s test showed it had a nuclear warhead that could be mounted on ballistic missiles, a possibility that increases fears for US allies in the region and also poses a threat to US bases in South Korea, Japan and Guam.

The US commander in South Korea, Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, called the North`s nuclear test "a dangerous escalation" and "an unacceptable threat".

A US intelligence official said North Korea is the only country in the world that threatens others with a nuclear attack, and that Pyongyang shows no signs of backing off its nuclear programme.

North Korea countered on Wednesday saying that it was the US that was inflaming tensions.

"The US imperialists keep letting their nuclear strategic bombers fly over South Korea in a bid to seek an opportunity of mounting a preemptive nuclear attack," the agency statement said.

North Korea`s military was prepared to stop any US moves, it said, with a closing warning to Washington.

"They had better stop their rash actions," the statement said.

North Korea on Friday carried out its fifth and most powerful atomic test, in which it reportedly detonated nuclear warheads that can be attached to its missiles.
By Javed M. Ansari : The ongoing battle for supremacy in the Samajwadi party between chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal Yadav is likely to escalate further with the latter expected to resign as a minister from the UP government.

This is the latest in the series of fast-paced developments within the Samajwadi Party. On Tuesday, party supremo Mulayam Singh replaced Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as head of the state unit by appointing Shivpal Yadav as the new state chief. Thereafter, the chief minister divested Shivpal Yadav of three posts he was holding in the government.

Graphic by Mohak Gupta

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He was considered the number two in the cabinet in terms of the pecking order and was handling important portfolios like Irrigation and PWD, Land Development, Revenue, Public Service department, Cooperatives etc.

THE FEUD

The feud between the uncle and nephew goes back a long time. Shivpal felt he should have succeeded Mulayam Singh Yadav as chief minister in 2012. The SP supremo has thus so far managed to get the two to work together by balancing things between the two.



Amar Singh's entry into the party and the Qaumi Ekta Dals merger with the party have once again brought the factional feud between the two into the open. Mulayam Singh had summoned a meeting of the CM, Shivpal and Ramgopal Yadav a fortnight back to get them to blur their differences and work together, evidently the truce between uncle and nephew did not last long.

ALSO READ: Shivpal Yadav replaces Akhilesh Yadav as Samajwadi Party chief

SPlit wide open: Shivpal Yadav replaces Akhilesh in party, CM Akhilesh strips uncle of ministries



--- ENDS ---
Istanbul: Turkey today blasted the United States' top diplomat in Ankara after the American embassy expressed concern over the ousting of two dozen mayors over suspected links to Kurdish rebels.

In a statement on Sunday, the US embassy in Ankara raised concerns over clashes in the southeast between protesters and police after 28 mayors were suspended mainly for suspected ties with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The embassy called for early local elections to replace the ousted mayors, who had been elected in 2014 polls, "in accordance with Turkish law."

The statement "is unacceptable, in particular for independent countries," Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said, attributing the comments to US ambassador John Bass.

Soylu said "the way he (the ambassador) spoke, like he was trying to provoke us... Has upset us." He said the US administration should warn the ambassador.

"That's what we expect because it is not the right approach," he said. "It is a test of sincerity. It is unacceptable."

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also conveyed Turkey's "concerns" over the embassy statement during a phone conversation with US Secretary of State John Kerry late Tuesday, foreign ministry sources said.

Speaking in the southern city Antalya Tuesday, Cavusoglu harshly criticised the embassy's statement, saying that the US ambassador was not "a governor" of Turkey. "None of you are the boss of Turkey," he said. "Your ambassadors are not a governor in Turkey. They should do their job properly."

Diplomats in the hugely sensitive post of American ambassador to Ankara often find themselves hit by brickbats from the government and Bass' predecessor Francis Ricciardone was often hit by similar criticism.

The row comes against the background of strained relations between the United States and Turkey, in the wake of the July 15 failed coup.

Ankara wants Washington to extradite Fethullah Gulen, who it accuses of masterminding the plot and is frustrated by American warnings that the process will take time.

Soylu, who took over from his predecessor Efkan Ala earlier this month in a surprise reshuffle, has hit the ground running in his first days in office.

The suspension of the 28 mayors was welcomed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a decision long overdue.

But in a symbolic gesture, Soylu also announced he was opposed to the removal of a Kurdish-language signs from Diyadin municipality.
Washington: The United States will strive to take in 110,000 refugees from around the world in the coming year, a senior Obama administration official said on Wednesday, in what would be a nearly 30 percent increase from the 85,000 allowed in over the previous year.

The increase reflects continuing concern about the refugee crisis stemming from Syria's civil war and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yet it's still far short of what advocacy groups say is needed to address an unprecedented crisis that saw some 1 million people pour into Europe alone last year.

The official wasn't authorized to discuss the numbers before an official announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Secretary of State John Kerry had previously suggested that the US target would climb to 100,000 in the coming year, but that the figure was a floor, not a ceiling.

He briefed lawmakers on the revised figure yesterday.

The 110,000 goal covers a 12-month period that starts next month. In the 12 months ending September 30, the US goal was 85,000, and in the three years before that, the target was 70,000 per year.

The White House has tried to emphasize that the refugee program is safe and doesn't pose a major threat to national security.

That concern was heightened last year after terrorist attacks in European cities, including some connected to people who had spent time in Syria.

Officials said that potential refugees would continue to be subject a rigorous screening process that typically lasts more than a year and involves both in-person interviews and examination of biographical and biometric information.

The announcement comes two weeks after the US announced it had met President Barack Obama's goal of admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees despite early skepticism that it would reach its goal.

Millions of Syrians have been displaced by a civil war that has killed roughly half a million people.

Republican governors have pushed back vehemently and tried to refuse to let them into their states, leading to a clash with the administration, which has maintained that states can't legally bar refugees who otherwise meet the criteria.

The administration did not release a breakdown of how many refugees would be accepted from specific countries in the coming year.

The US has tried to encourage other countries, too, to increase their contribution to alleviating the refugee crisis.

The official said increasing the US target this year reflected that strategy and Obama's belief that all nations need to do more to help the neediest.
Columbia: The United States made its biggest pledge of military aid in history on Wednesday, promising Israel $38 billion over ten years to buy advanced planes and weaponry and boost its missile defense shield.

Israel`s acting national security advisor Jacob Nagel and US Under Secretary of State Tom Shannon signed the deal at the State Department, bringing to an end months of wrangling over the details of the package.

US President Barack Obama has not had the warmest of relations with Israel`s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Washington in recent weeks stepped up its criticism of Israeli settlement building on occupied Palestinian land.

But officials from both sides were keen to stress the enduring bond between the countries and the central role the military alliance plays in securing Israel`s people in an unstable Middle East region.

"For as long as the state of Israel has existed, the United States has been Israel`s greatest friend and partner, a fact underscored again today," Obama said.

"This commitment to Israel`s security has been unwavering and is based on a genuine and abiding concern for the welfare of the Israeli people and the future of the State of Israel."

The deal covers the period from 2019 to 2028 and will see Israel receive $3.3 billion per year in foreign military financing -- up from $3.1 billion currently -- and $500,000 in funding for missile defense.

Israel is already the biggest single recipient of US military aid from the State Department`s foreign military financing budget, and also receives some direct support from Pentagon funds for specific projects.
Nearly 9000 land deeds were handed over to the land owners by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Singur.

By Romita Datta: The Singur saga has come full circle as Mamata Banerjee initiated the process of returning the land to the owners, who had been protesting against the forcible acquisition of land by Tata Motors for their car factory since 2006.

Eight years ago on Septembar 25, 2008, Banerjee, the then leader of the Opposition party, was stopped at the BDO office by the Left Front government from entering Singur. The police then switched off the power in the BDO office and resorted to lathicharge after that.

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Banerjee returned and sat on a 16-day dharna on the national highway.



PROMISE FULFILLED



Eight years since then, the political equation in Bengal has changed. Singur and Banerjee's Save Farmland Movement helped her defeat the Left for two consecutive terms.

Also read: Mamata Banerjee redeems promise, returns 9,117 land records to Singur farmers

Now with the Supreme Court verdict passing a ruling against the 1894 Land Acquisition Act and quashing the acquisition of land for Tata Motors, the TMC supremo could keep her commitment to the Singur people.

After coming to power, one of Banerjee's principal tasks was to return the land to the Singur land owners, as was her promise in the election manifesto. However, because of the legal battle the chief minister could not keep her word. But six years down the line in her second term, she is about to complete her unfinished task.



GRAND WELCOME



Singur was all decked up to give the chief minister a grand welcome. Ten to fifteen kms away from Singur, Banerjee's posters, hoarding and banners could be seen hanging on every tree along the National Highway as vehicles flashing Trinamool Congress flags zoomed past carrying enthusiastic supporters. Traffic was diverted for over 10 kms on the NH2 as only VIP SUVs made a beeline for the main podium of Singur Divas, where Banerjee was addressing the victory rally.

Also read: Bengal's Kalyani University bends rules to admit transgender student on humanitarian grounds



The main two-tier podium stretched for two kilometers, entirely taking up major portion of the highway. The asphalt road was covered with green carpets of Chinese grass to give a feel of the fertile agricultural land of Singur. A makeshift structure was set up bearing paddy saplings, which was symptomatic of the 997 acres of land yielding multi-crop, prior to Tata Motors taking over the land.

People from different parts of the state were brought to witness a historical moment when Banerjee handed over the cheques. Nearly 9000 land deeds were handed over to the land owners. Social activist Medha Patkar, who was also part of the Singur agitation, was present on the occasion.



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VICTORY OF PEOPLE AND EARTH



The chief minister while speaking on the occasion said that she was happy to keep her words. She added that it was a victory of people and of earth.

An emotional Banerjee said that the Left Front administration had ordered its police to beat her so badly that she could have died that day, when she was stopped at the BDO office. "My pulse rate dropped to 40 and I had to be hospitalised," she said.

Also read: Munnabhai thanks Mamta Banerjee for standing by him

"I decided either it will be a victory of democracy, victory of people or I will sacrifice my life for Singur," said Banerjee to the loud cheers of Singur people. She said West Bengal will cohabit both agriculture and industry as siblings and will be a model for the country.

"Here land will be taken through private purchase and through negotiation. Government will keep its hands off from acquisition," she added reminding that industrialists will have to directly buy land from people.



NEW OFFER FOR TATA MOTORS



The chief minister while referring to Tata Motors said she has 1000 acres of land readily available for the company if it wants to come to Goaltore, Burdawan and Kharagpur.

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"I give you a month's time, if you are prepared, tell me," she appealed to Tata Motors.

However, Tata Motors is yet to react to the Supreme Court verdict and has not responded to Banerjee's request to pull down their shed and shift their belongings.

"Anybody, be it Tata, BMW can come here. Land is ready in the land bank. But if Tata wants land here, I cannot give," she said.

Addressing the victory rally, she said that it was the false ego of the Tata Group that came in the way and bungled up their dream project in Singur.

The chief minister through the media asked Tata Motors to take the Supreme Court verdict sportingly. "As railway minister, Mukul and I gave them (Tata Motors) orders. Even panchayat department and PHE departments of the government gave Tata Motors the scope for investment," she said explaining that she has never allowed personal differences and ego to come in the way of development.

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UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav while speaking to the media had said, "If people from outside the family keep interfering, then how will things work."

By Vidya : Rubbishing reports of him being the "outsider" creating a rift in the first family of Uttar Pradesh, Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh today said, "Akhilesh has not taken my name not even hinted. He said some outsider. I got Akhilesh married. I took him to Australia for his studies with me. My relation with Akhilesh is such that if he repeatedly hits me, I will ask him if he is hurt."

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UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav while speaking to the media about Shivpal Yadav controversy earlier had said, "If people from outside the family keep interfering, then how will things work." Since then speculations have been ripe that he was hinting at the involvement of Amar Singh who has had a not-so-smooth relationship with the family and party.

Also read: Fight in the govt, not family, says Akhilesh Yadav on differences with uncle Shivpal

MULAYAM SINGH LOVES ME



Singh who is in Chennai to attend a wedding added, "The problem that everyone has is why Mulayam Singh loves Amar Singh so much. The solution to this is only with Mulayam Singh who can start hating me. I don't have any solution to this."

Though the chief minister has denied and Singh also refused to comment on the rift between Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal Yadav, the feud is now in public domain for everyone to see.



SHIVPAL YADAV CONTROVERSY



Akhilesh Yadav was stripped of his charge as party chief and replaced by Shivpal Yadav. Soon after the new post, Shivpal Yadav's portfolios in the UP Cabinet were taken away from him.

Also read: Shivpal Yadav replaces Akhilesh Yadav as Samajwadi Party chief

Shivpal Yadav even addressed a press conference today morning saying that he was going to Delhi to meet party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav to sort out the problem.

Graphic by Mohak Gupta

Amar Singh meanwhile refused to comment on the family feud saying, "Only Mulayam Singh has the right to comment in the party. If Mulayam Singh says I am guilty, I will accept it. I had once commented on something and he did not like it, which means it was a wrong comment to make. I do not want to start a controversy."

Singh added that he did not have time to indulge in the nuances of tricky politics right now as he had a few weddings in Chennai and Udaipur to attend to.

Singh reminded reporters about how he had been admonished by SP supremo Mulayam Singh for making a comment about Akhilesh Yadav in public and that he did not want to make the same mistake again, after having returned to the party fold almost after six years.

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Aspirin-maker Bayer's planned 58.8-billion-euro ($65.7 billion) takeover of the US seed and pesticide producer Monsanto is the biggest ever by a German company

German chemicals giant Bayer announced Wednesday a $66 billion deal to buy controversial US seeds and pesticides firm Monsanto, triggering immediate criticism from farmers and environmentalists.

After a months-long pursuit, Bayer said its US peer had accepted an improved offer of $128 per share for Monsanto in an all-cash transaction, avoiding the need to resort to a hostile takeover.

If completed, the 58.8-billion-euro deal would mark the largest-ever takeover by a German firm and would create one of the largest firms in the agribusiness sector.

"The combination with Monsanto represents the kind of revolutionary approach to agriculture that will be needed to sustainably feed the world," Bayer chief executive Werner Baumann told investors in a conference call.

But investors' reaction in the US, where Monsanto shares were 1.4 percent higher but remained more than $20 below the deal price, suggested deep market doubts that the deal can pass financial and antitrust hurdles.

Bayer's share price initially leapt on news of the deal but fell back as the afternoon wore on, gaining 0.3 percent to 93.55 euros.

And environmental groups geared up for a fight. In a nod to fierce opposition in Europe to Monsanto's use of genetically modified crops and its potent herbicide Roundup, Friends of the Earth labelled the tie-up a "marriage made in hell".

"This mega corporation will be doing its best to force damaging pesticides and GM seeds into our countryside," campaigner Adrian Bebb said in a statement.

The deal also spurred a hostile reaction from the National Farmers Union in the US, which said the Bayer deal, along with other pending agricultural mergers, "are being made to benefit the corporate boardrooms at the expense of family farmers, ranchers, consumers and rural economies."

The group said it looked forward to making its case at a congressional hearing next week to be chaired by Senator Charles Grassley, who has expressed skepticism about the current wave of consolidation.

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The deal is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, Bayer said, though it still requires shareholder and regulatory approval.

Baumann said that he had already "received encouraging feedback" from regulatory agencies.

"There is very little overlap" between the two companies that might concern regulators, Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant told investors on Wednesday. "I think it's a very clean deal."

But the Bayer-Monsanto tie-up comes in the wake of two other proposed mega-mergers involving US companies DuPont and Dow Chemical, and Swiss company Syngenta and ChemChina.

They also come as low crop prices take a toll on farmer incomes in many countries.

German Green Party MEP Martin Haeusling insisted that "it's up to German regulators and European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager to stop Bayer from dominating the worldwide agrochemicals market."

- A long engagement -

Bayer -- best known as the company behind aspirin -- has been wooing Monsanto since late May, when it made an initial bid of $122 per share, valuing the crop giant at $62 billion.

Monsanto rejected that bid, but said it was "open" to further talks.

The 153-year-old German chemicals behemoth then raised its offer twice more but was rebuffed each time as Monsanto held out for more money.

Under its final bid, Bayer also offered to pay Monsanto a $2-billion fee in case the merger is rejected by US or European authorities.

"We do not like this transaction, because we think that Bayer is overpaying significantly," wrote analyst Peter Spengler of DZ bank on Wednesday before the deal was confirmed.

But Bayer said that it expects synergy savings from the merger will allow it to add $1.5 billion to its underlying profit as measured by EBITDA within three years.

Added together, Bayer and Monsanto booked sales of 23 billion euros in 2015.

- Cries of dismay -

As well as Monsanto's genetically modified crops, environmental campaigners in Europe are also highly critical of its best-selling weedkiller Roundup, whose active ingredient glyphosate is suspected of being a carcinogen.

In Europe, debate about glyphosate has reached Brussels, where EU member states in July voted to restrict its use by the bloc's farmers for 18 months.

The merged firm "will play a defining role in deciding which seeds and pesticides come onto the market," warned Greenpeace agriculture expert Dirk Zimmermann.
European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager speaks at a debate on the EU's Apple ruling in back taxes at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on September 14, 2016

Members of the European parliament on Wednesday hailed EU anti-trust commissioner Margrethe Vestager as a "superheroine" for handing US tech giant Apple a 13 billion euro tax bill in Ireland.

For more than one hour during a debate about her August 30 ruling, almost all of the 30 MEPs who took the floor congratulated Vestager, a Danish politician with a steely reputation who smiled, took notes with a pink pen and thanked the speakers.

"When I was young in the 1970s, there was a television series, 'the six million dollar man,'" Dutch liberal politician Cora van Nieuwenhuizen told her. "This superhero has been surpassed by a superheroine, the 13 billion euro ($15 billion) commissioner!"

Philippe Lamberts, the Belgian co-president of the Green Party, also offered effusive praise.

"As an ecologist, I am opposed to human cloning, and yet, when I see you, I really want multiple Margrethe Vestagers," Lamberts said.

More compliments flowed from politicians like French socialist Pervenche Beres, who made her point raising her iPhone 6.

"We are all drugged, intoxicated by these machines. However, we are overjoyed that you have so severely punished this company," Beres said.

German ecologist Sven Giegold chimed in, saying: "We should give you a prize."

In announcing the ruling, Vestager said that Apple had received favourable tax terms that amounted to state aid -- illegal under its rules -- and ordered Ireland to collect the back taxes.

The ruling has angered Apple as well as the US and Irish governments. Ireland plans to challenge the ruling amid fears that accepting the windfall could scare away international investment and undermine a reputation for business-friendliness.

It came amid growing tensions between Washington and Brussels over a series of EU anti-trust investigations led by Vestager targeting other giant US companies such as Google, Amazon, McDonald's, Starbucks and Fiat Chrysler.

The daughter of two Lutheran ministers, Vestager is known for her no-nonsense style. And those who know her warn that she is a formidable negotiator who never gives up.

Sometimes nicknamed back home as "Margrethe III," an allusion to Denmark's Queen Margrethe II, she became her country's first woman minister, at the age of 29, when she was named in 1998 to the education and ecclesiastical affairs portfolio.

And under her leadership, her party doubled its performance in the 2011 parliamentary elections.
European plane maker Airbus on Wednesday suffered a fresh blow to its A380 superjumbo programme after Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it would not renew the lease on its oldest A380.

SIA, whose aircraft choices are closely watched by the global aviation industry, became the launch customer of the A380 in 2007 and now has 19 of the world's largest commercial aircraft in its fleet, with five more awaiting delivery.

"Our first five A380s are on 10-year leases, with options to extend. The first expires in October 2017, and we have decided not to extend it," SIA said in a statement.

"This decision was the result of a regular review of our fleet requirements, and decisions will be made on the four others later."

But it added that "we have five more (A380s) on firm order with Airbus, deliveries of which will start in the second half of 2017."

Shukor Yusof, an analyst with Malaysia-based aviation consultancy Endau Analytics, said he was not surprised by the announcement as there had been indications from SIA that they would not renew the leases.

"This is understandable given that while the A380 has been a very popular aircraft with passengers, my feeling is that it hasn't quite provided the economy and the profits that the airline had been expecting," he told AFP.

"I suspect that the other four leases will also not be renewed or extended for the same reason."

He said that a plane with four engines like the double-decker A380 cost more to maintain compared with twin-engine aircraft "so it doesn't really make much sense to operate these gigantic tools", he added.

Asked if it was a setback for the A380, Shukor said: "I don't think it's a positive sign for the A380 given that SIA was the launch customer for this aircraft."

He said demand for the A380 worldwide has struggled recently "not because it's not a good aircraft but because Airbus has produced another aircraft -- the A350 -- which has far better economy and residual value than the A380".

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Airbus in July announced it was slashing output of the A380 to one a month from 2018 because of weak demand, but expressed hope that the cutbacks would last for just a year or two.

In France, Airbus downplayed the SIA announcement, pointing to the five more A380s still on order and saying the one being returned would find a home elsewhere.

"It's an opportunity for another company to operate an A380 at cheaper cost," a spokesman told AFP.

The A380 is the world's largest civilian airplane, carrying up to 544 passengers in a four-class configuration or 853 in just a single class.

The jet -- which has four engines -- has a list price of $432.6 million.

Shukor said the decision not to renew the lease was in line with SIA's policy of wanting to run mostly newer aircraft.

The airline's fleet of 103 aircraft is among the youngest in the industry with an average age of seven years and seven months, the firm's website said.
"A NASA airborne mission designed to transform our understanding of Earth's valuable and ecologically sensitive coral reefs has set up shop in Australia for a two-month investigation of the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest reef ecosystem," reports NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory today.

Below, a NASA/JPL photo of the Gulfstream III carrying NASA's PRISM instrument being readied for science flights from Cairns, Australia.



Here's the JPL Announcement, in full:

At a media briefing today at Cairns Airport in North Queensland, Australia, scientists from NASA's COral Reef Airborne Laboratory (CORAL) mission and their Australian collaborators discussed the mission's objectives and the new insights they expect to glean into the present condition of the Great Barrier Reef and the function of reef systems worldwide.

"CORAL offers the clearest, most extensive picture to date of the condition of a large portion of the world's coral reefs," said CORAL Principal Investigator Eric Hochberg of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), Ferry Reach, St. George's, Bermuda, prior to the briefing. "This new understanding of reef condition and function will allow scientists to better predict the future of this global ecosystem and provide policymakers with better information for decisions regarding resource management."

CORAL's three-year mission combines aerial surveys using state-of-the-art airborne imaging spectrometer technology developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, with in-water validation activities. The mission will provide critical data and new models for analyzing reef ecosystems from a new perspective. CORAL will generate a uniform data set for a large sample of reefs across the Pacific Ocean. Scientists can use these data to search for trends between coral reef condition and the natural and human-produced biological and environmental factors that affect reefs.

Over the next year, CORAL will survey portions of the Great Barrier Reef, along with reef systems in the main Hawaiian Islands, the Mariana Islands and Palau.

In Australia, CORAL will survey six discrete sections across the length of the Great Barrier Reef, from the Capricorn-Bunker Group in the south to Torres Strait in the north. Two locations on the reef  one north (Lizard Island Research Station) and one south (Heron Island Research Station)  will serve as bases for in-water validation activities. Scientists from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the University of Queensland in Brisbane are collaborating with NASA and BIOS to conduct additional complementary in-water validation activities.



The Great Barrier Reef: Australia's National Treasure

Located in the Coral Sea off Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef encompasses more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. It is more than 1,400 miles (2,300 kilometers) long and covers an area of about 133,000 square miles (344,400 square kilometers). The largest single structure made by living organisms on Earth, the reef teems with biodiversity, including about 400 species of coral. It attracts about 2 million visitors a year; in turn, tourism and fishing generate billions annually and employ tens of thousands of people. However, the reef faces environmental pressures from various human and climate change impacts.

"The Great Barrier Reef is Australia's national treasure, so having a broader understanding of its condition and what's threatening it will help us better understand how we can protect it," said Tim Malthus, research leader of CSIRO's Coastal Monitoring, Modeling and Informatics Group in Canberra, Australia. "Along with surveying several large sections of the reef, CORAL will also survey the health of corals in the Torres Strait, a complex high-tide area that has been historically less studied. It is also opportunistic for us to see if the reef is recovering after the recent bleaching event."

Stuart Phinn, professor of geography at the University of Queensland (UQ), said CORAL will provide Australian coral reef science and management with unique new maps and mapping approaches. These will expand ongoing efforts to map and understand Great Barrier Reef dynamics. "Being able to support and collaborate on NASA's CORAL project will enable groups like ours to advance our capabilities and transfer them to Australian science and management agencies," Phinn said. "Part of this includes building a process for mapping the entire reef. UQ and CORAL will exchange field data, knowledge and experience to cross-validate mapping and monitoring approaches."

An Urgent Need for Better Data



Around the world, concerns among scientists, resource managers and the public that coral reef ecosystems are degrading at alarming rates due to human-induced factors and global change have motivated increased assessment and monitoring efforts. The urgency of the problem has forced estimates of global reef status to be synthesized from a variety of local surveys with disparate aims, methods and quality.

The problem with current assessments of reef degradation, said Hochberg, is that the data supporting these predictions are not uniform and surprisingly sparse. "Virtually all reef assessments to date rely on in-water survey techniques that are laborious, expensive and limited in spatial scope," he said. "Very little of Earth's reef area has been directly surveyed. More importantly, there are no existing models that quantitatively relate reef conditions to the full range of biological and environmental factors that affect them  models that can help scientists better understand how coral reefs will respond to expected environmental changes. CORAL addresses an urgent need in the face of ongoing worldwide reef degradation, and also serves as a pathfinder for a future satellite mission to globally survey the world's reefs."

Natural, balanced coral reefs comprise mosaics of coral, algae and sand on the seafloor that, together, drive the structure and function of reef ecosystems. When corals die, algae rapidly take over their skeletons. A non-stressed, healthy reef will usually increase coral coverage as it recovers from disturbance. But when a stressed reef is disturbed, the carbonate structure of its coral erodes, and the reef ultimately becomes a flat-bottom community dominated by algae, shifting rubble and sand, with little to no coral recovery. Such ecosystem phase shifts, as they are called, represent a radical change in a reef's character, marked by a decline in the diversity of reef flora and fauna.

CORAL will generate scientific data products describing coral reef condition, measuring three key components of reef health for which we currently have limited data: composition, primary productivity and calcification. Primary productivity is a measure of how much energy is available to drive biological activity in a reef system. Calcification measures the net gain in carbonates, which determine a reef's long-term growth.

PRISM: Shining New Light on Coral Reef Condition



To accomplish its science objectives, CORAL will use JPL's Portable Remote Imaging Spectrometer (PRISM). PRISM will literally peer through the ocean's surface to generate high-resolution images of reflected light in the specific regions of the electromagnetic spectrum important to coral reef scientists. Mounted in the belly of a modified Tempus Solutions Gulfstream IV aircraft, PRISM will survey reefs from an altitude of 28,000 feet (8,500 meters) to generate calibrated scientific data products.

"PRISM builds on an extensive legacy of JPL spectrometers that have successfully operated for NASA and non-NASA missions," said Michelle Gierach, NASA CORAL project scientist at JPL. "It provides the coral reef science community with high-quality oceanographic imagery at the accuracy, range, resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, sensitivity and uniformity needed to answer key questions about coral reef condition. PRISM data will be analyzed against data for 10 key biological and environmental factors affecting coral reef ecosystems, acquired from pre-existing data sources."

NASA collects data from space, air, land and sea to increase our understanding of our home planet, improve lives and safeguard our future. NASA develops new ways to observe and study Earth's interconnected natural systems with long-term data records. The agency freely shares this unique knowledge and works with institutions around the world to gain new insights into how our planet is changing.
Responding to the bombshell Kurt Eichenwald cover story in Newsweek on Donald Trump's tangled web of foreign business matters and the national security risks they'd pose if Trump were elected, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has questions. Twenty of them.

"Almost every foreign policy decision [Trump] makes will raise serious conflicts of interest," writes Eichenwald in Newsweek.

"From deals with known terrorists and dictators, like Muammar el-Qaddafi, to ties with controversial Russian figures, Trump's business career is full of sketchy relationships with foreign countries," Clinton's campaign responded today. "According to Newsweek, these ties would directly influence America's standing with allies, like South Korea, and adversaries, like Iran, if he becomes president."

1. Will you sever ties with your company linked to foreign leaders, questionable organizations, and criminals if you become president?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

2. How will you handle non-cancelable contractual obligations with parties whose interests conflict with those of the United States?

 Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

3. While refusing to release your tax returns, how will you confirm that you do not have dangerous financial ties to bad actors abroad?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

4. If you were willing to work with Qaddafia known terrorist and dictatoris there anyone you aren't willing to make a deal with? Who?

 Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

5. How can you be tough on Iran, given your business partnership with someone connected to Iranian money laundering? pic.twitter.com/1AdDm2kfvy  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

6. Given that you've already questioned our commitments to NATO allies, what is your answer to this? pic.twitter.com/qp5vMqtcs1

 Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

7. To what extent would your foreign policy be dictated by potential financial benefits for your business partners? pic.twitter.com/4Nd9KSdTfi  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

8. Will you disclose the nature of your personal and business relationships with all of the Russian oligarchs you are "close" to?

 Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

9. Have you or your campaign discussed U.S.-Russian relations with the Russian billionaires with whom you've done business?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

10. How did the Russian mob boss who ran a criminal organization out of Trump Tower get a VIP pass to your Miss Universe pageant in Moscow?

 Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

11. With business ties to politically-connected Indian developers, how can you conduct foreign policy that puts the U.S. above your profits?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

12. How can we be sure you'd be willing to be tough on any nation if necessary, if it would put your interests and profits at risk?

 Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

13. How can we know you won't (again) impulsively damage relationships with crucial allies to preserve your own ego? https://t.co/j1VtaFhA6C  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

14. We know you engaged extensively in pay-to-play here at home. Have you bribed foreign officials or other parties abroad?

 Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

15. To what extent are you and your family currently contractually tied to payments from foreign business partners, or governments?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

16. You've mentioned ~120 foreign deals, including in countries with national security implications. Where and with whom are you working?

 Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

17. Will your children disclose all of the foreign trips and business deals they've undertaken during the campaign, and with whom they met?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

19. In sum, how will Trump guarantee that if forced to choose between America's security and his own bank account, he won't pick the latter?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

20. It's pretty clear: Trump's spent his life unscrupulously looking out for his own wallet above all. Why would that change as president?

 Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

20 questions Donald Trump needs to answer about his businessand the national security risk it poses
A Facebook post about a young father who helped a stranger with her crying baby on a plane has gone viral for the right reasons.

By India Today Web Desk: Ask a parent who has travelled on a plane with an irritated baby, and they'll tell you that it's not often they come across understanding fellow passengers. But for Monica Nelson, a young mother from Atlanta, US, the experience was quite different.

Travelling on a Southwest Airlines flight, things started getting out of hand for Monica when her 20-month-old son, Luke, took to crying. Pregnant and exhausted, she tried her best to soothe the toddler, but it was in vain.

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Also read: A dying man and his sick son get booted off a plane, and co-passengers applaud

That's when the stranger sitting next to her stepped in and offered to help her. As other passengers watched, this man walked up and down the plane's aisle until little Luke fell asleep in his arms.

"It was such a relief because I was a little worried traveling with him without my husband there to help out," Monica told Today Parents. "I'm still very grateful -- he was so kind."

Also read: Plane makes emergency landing in India after woman gives birth on board



Moved to tears by this man's compassionate gesture, a passenger on the plane shared the story on Facebook, pointing out that he walked the baby around for "most of the flight from Minneapolis to Atlanta":

"On my flight back to Georgia, I saw this man, who was a stranger to this woman, offer to help her because she was pregnant and alone on the flight and her son was upset and fussy.

He did not complain, he just told her that he was a DAD, and wanted to help her so she could rest. This MAN walked the aisle most of the flight from Minneapolis to Atlanta comforting this woman's son as if he was his own.

I was in tears, not because he was white and she was black, but because it showed me today that there are still GOOD people out there in a world full of turmoil. Big UPS to this DAD and all the DADS out there. You are the real MVPS!"

The Facebook post is currently sitting on 1,27,000-plus shares.

Also read: Sonu Nigam breaks into an impromptu gig for fellow passengers on a plane

Monica identified the man by his first name, Reid, who had told her that his son's name is also Luke.

Kudos to this amazing dad (and here's wishing that little Luke gets to enjoy his next flight better)!

--- ENDS ---
Again and again, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker flouted election laws to raise millions from some of the richest executives and biggest corporations in America, illegally laundering the money through the nominally independent, nonprofit Wisconsin Club for Growth  and now we have all the details, thanks to an enormous leak of documents that a Wisconsin judge ordered destroyed.



The documents come from a failed bid by Wisconsin prosecutors to hold Walker to account. That case went all the way to the Wisconsin Supreme Court before the slim majority of Republican judges on the bench dismissed the case and ordered all documents permanently destroyed. As the documents  published today in the Guardian  show, some of those same judges relied on the money laundry that Walker used to get and keep his office to campaign for their own elections.





What's more, the documents reveal that the dark money that Walker raised translated into a tit-for-tat in the form of legislative and executive favors from the Wisconsin government  for example, NL Industries nearly escaped all punishment for the lead poisoning it induced in the people who lived and worked near its factory, thanks to a law that retroactively immunized them from liability for polluting (NL was only held to account when a court ruled that retroactive immunity was unconstitutional). Harold Simmons, owner of NL Industries, wrote three checks of undisclosed amounts to the Wisconsin Club for Growth  checks that Scott Walker solicited.

The trove is fascinating, and documented in eye-watering detail by the Guardian's team in a tremendous, deep interactive piece. There's lots of juicy notes, like the fact that Donald Trump gave big when asked by Scott Walker.

More significant, though, is the effect that this dump will have on the ongoing effort to have the Supreme Court review the Wisconsin court's ruling that exonerated Walker of wrongdoing. Until this leak, it seemed like any attempt would have quite a struggle ahead of it, thanks to the Wisconsin court's order that all the evidence of Walker's crimes be destroyed. With that evidence intact, we may see the Supreme Court's clerks be swayed into thinking that there's a chance to make significant law here.



Take David Prosser. He was one of the four conservative judges who approved the July 2015 ruling that terminated the John Doe investigation, sacked Schmitz from his position as special prosecutor and ordered the destruction of all the documents that had been collected (later that order was softened a little to a demand that the prosecutors hand in all the documents to the court which would keep them secret under seal). At precisely the same time as the six Republican senators were embroiled in their recall election, Prosser was in his own electoral fight for survival. He was up for re-election in April 2011 and facing a tough challenge from JoAnne Kloppenburg, then Wisconsin's assistant attorney general. The Prosser election and the recall election were intertwined in that Kloppenburg was attempting to turn her battle against Prosser into a referendum on Governor Walker's anti-union legislation, Act 10. Among the leaked John Doe files that the Wisconsin supreme court ordered to be suppressed are documents that underline how anxious Walker's circle were about the threat, as they saw it, to the court's conservative majority. In an email dated 14 December 2010, WCfG's director Eric O'Keefe says he's been in touch with Diane Hendricks, the owner of a roofing company who Forbes describes as America's richest self-made woman with a personal fortune of $5bn. Hendricks is a well-known funder of rightwing causes and individuals, among them Scott Walker himself who she was to go on to support with $500,000 in 2012 for his own recall election.

Because Scott Walker Asked [Ed Pilkington/The Guardian]
Canadians consume marijuana. They smoke it. They eat it. They use its extracts and derivatives.

Statistics Canada found that 43 per cent of Canadians over the age of 15 have tried the drug and 33.5 per cent have used it more than once.

Furthermore, in a 2015 poll by Forum Research just under one-fifth of participants, or 18 per cent, admitted to having consumed the drug in the past year, with an added 13 per cent saying they would be more likely to do so if it were legal.

And with Canada lurching towards legalization, many businesses are looking to get into the market, including Canada Post.

A task force studying the floundering Crown Corporation released a 94-page discussion paper earlier this week that found fundamental and transformational changes are need to save it from having to be propped up by taxpayers.

One of the changes suggested was the distribution of marijuana across the country by Canada's postal service, with its more than 6,200 post offices and pickup locations also getting in on the act.

The report estimates that 88 per cent of Canadian consumers live within five kilometres of a postal outlet.

Through its currently unparalleled national delivery network, Canada Post stands to capture a large part of the recreational shipment volume, says the report.

(It) is positioned to benefit from increased distribution revenues regardless of whether sales jurisdiction is accorded to the federal or provincial levels.

Francoise Bertrand, one of the task forces chairwomen, told the Toronto Star that sales could generate between $10 million and $20 million a year in delivery fees.

Theres not a huge amount of money, she told the newspaper.

Joanne McNeish, a professor at Ryerson Universitys Ted Rogers School of Management, told Yahoo Finance Canada in an email based on her own estimation the profits from deliveries would be relatively high but the net revenue will likely be small.

McNeish pegged the cost of delivery at between $2 and $5 based on the fact that the national mail carrier charges $12 charge per delivery for alcohol, which is much heavier than marijuana, and it will likely be more than a stamp but less than a parcel.

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She added that eight million Canadians could be considered potential marijuana users, which could translate to 31,000 orders a year based on the fact that many consumers may shy away from publicly purchasing the drug because of its social stigma and may prefer home delivery.

Mike Moffatt, a professor of business, economics and public policy at Western University, said Canada Posts potential foray into marijuana delivery could be beneficial for the Crown Corporation, but likely wont have the transformative effects needed to rescue its financial woes.

I think it shows that Canada Post is looking for any sort of revenue model it can get  theyre in a lot of trouble, he said, adding that this shows its desperation.

They keep talking about postal banking, and that kind of thing, so theyre looking for any revenue stream possible, but I think this is going to be a fairly small one.

In the report, the national mail carrier offered the July rollout of alcohol delivery from the LCBO in Ontario through Canada Post as a model to follow.

The LCBO said the new the service has been a success and expects 40,000 orders in the first year.

However, Moffatt was quick to put the number in perspective, noting that a similar number in terms of marijuana deliveries would represent a drop in the bucket compared to the millions of packages delivered by Canada Post.

I mean it is a rounding error  certainly, it is additional money, but in the grand scheme of things it is not transformative, he said.

He added that it is difficult to project a true outcome because there hasnt been any research on the subject, theres no precedent in terms of companies offering a similar service around the world and the rules governing recreational marijuana use have yet to be revealed.

But Moffatt remains unconvinced that mail-order weed would move the needle for the Crown Corporation.

However, he said the move could help it attract a new customer base among young Canadians.

Moffatt said the answer to Canada Posts problems likely wont come from one source, but a variety of new revenue increases across the board.

Theres no silver bullet for this organization, he said.

Canada Post posted $8 billion in revenue from operations in 2015, but the task forces report said a decline in letter mail deliveries is sapping these revenues and other operations have yet to make up the difference.
While businesses may be able to cut down on lines and make shopping easier by using self-service checkouts, they may also give thieves ready-made excuses for stealing products, according to a recent study.

The report, authored by professors Adrian Beck and Matt Hopkins of Leicester University, collected data through interviews with staff, security experts, app developers and visits to stores from four major retailers (two from the U.S., one from Belgium and one from Holland).

It also examined statistics on nearly 12 million shopping trips from the four retailers between December 2012 and February 2015.

The study indicated that the use of these self-service technologies and other apps used to make purchases lead to a loss rate of nearly four per cent, more than double the average.

Losing revenue is never good news for a business, but it seems even worse in light of the fact that a typical profit margin among European grocers is three per cent.

This means that many businesses that are employing these technologies are engaging in a largely unprofitable exercise, said the authors.

Self-service checkouts were invented in the 1990s and have become popular in with retailers worldwide. There are now roughly 200,000 machines worldwide and that number is expected to balloon to 335,000 by 2020.

The technology replaces the job of a cashier by having customers scan barcodes, input products such as produce themselves and place them into a bagging area. There, the weight is cross-referenced against previously stored data on the items.

From the retailers perspective, the benefits seem obvious: less investment required in staff and checkout technologies, with the former being the biggest expense they face. For the shopper it could mean the end of checkout queues as product scanning and payment can, in theory, be performed anywhere in the store at their convenience, Beck said in a press release.

To borrow a well-worn Top Gear phrase, What could possibly go wrong? Well, our research found that quite a bit could and does go wrong, with some potentially rather worrying long-term consequences.

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The problem with the process, according to the study, is that it removes human interaction from the equation, including the most important checkpoint -- where the payment is made, and could make it easier to tempt ordinarily law-abiding shoppers into theft.

The researchers say self-serve checkouts could lead to increase levels of shoppers skipping scanners either because of an intent to steal or because they were absentminded, distracted or a problem with the technology.

The study said there were also concerns about thieves creating and placing fraudulent self-scan labels on products.

To make matters worse, self-service checkouts could also give thieves ready-made excuses because they can blame the system, barcodes, their absentmindedness, or their lack of technological proficiency for walking out with unscanned items.

According to the study, staff were more than willing to accept these explanations as a defence and proving intent is difficult. 

Retailers also have trouble deciding whether or not to prosecute because it can be a legal and customer-relations minefield.

The paper said this, in turn, could make catching thieves highly unlikely.

In fact, the researchers said all these factors together could results in long-term rewards for thieves, as many could begin to perceive stores that utilize the technology as easy targets.

In an effort to offset this effect, the study offered several suggestions for retailers to cut down on theft.

Many of these involve further technological innovations, including product tags, such as RFIDs, that can communicate with their environment; sending customers messages via an app to reduce anonymity when they start shopping and alerts indicating if products have not been scanned; CCTV systems to conduct age-restricted checks; and location-based monitoring to ensure payment has been secured once customers have left a certain area.

The researchers also suggested some old-fashioned methods to crack down on theft such as putting more employees on the floor and stressing vigilance, as well as employing security guards.
Canadians often have to deal with the stereotypes about the Great White North when speaking with foreigners: No. We dont live in igloos. Yes. It is cold but not that cold.

But sometimes these assumptions work out in our favour. Take for example Dani Reiss, the CEO of Canada Goose, who was at a tradeshow in Germany during his early days at the company, when he realized that Europeans trusted Canadian-made outwear to withstand the rigors of a frigid environment.

For them, the connection between outwear designed for the coldest places on Earth and the Canadian climate was obvious, he told Yahoo Finance Canada in an email.

The company, originally called Metro Sportswear Ltd., was founded in a small warehouse in Toronto by Reiss grandfather, Sam Tick, nearly 60 years ago, and its goose-down parkas, jackets and other accessories are still made in Canada.

But for Reiss, the benefits of manufacturing its products in Canada go beyond their air of authenticity.

He said he takes pride in the fact that the people who sew the garments at the companys four wholly-owned facilities in Toronto, Scarborough and Winnipeg have been with them for generations and the role Canada Goose is playing in keeping manufacturing jobs at home.

I  see the impact every day from our commitment in the new jobs weve created and in the success weve had in rebuilding the Canadian apparel manufacturing infrastructure," said Reiss.

Im extremely proud of our leadership in this area.

Like the U.S., Canada has haemorrhaged jobs in the manufacturing sector, losing 278,000 jobs between 2000 and 2007, according to Statistics Canada, as companies moved abroad in search of cheaper workers or couldnt to compete with foreign operations.

Canada Goose efforts to get their products made at home stand out as production continues to migrate abroad.

At its peak in 1944, manufacturing represented 29 per cent of Canadas GDP. It dropped to 24.3 per cent in the 1960s, and it currently accounts for 11 per cent.

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Challenging environment

According to Marvin Ryder, a professor at McMaster Universitys DeGroote School of Business, part of the problem is that for many products, especially those he calls high technology such as phones, computers and TVs and textiles, there are inadequate facilities.

When an inventor creates a product and wants to get it made, they often cant afford the cost of building their own. So, they are forced to subcontract a company that already has a manufacturing facility  which, unless it is for food or alcohol, are frequently abroad.

It is just easier to go where they make things already, said Ryder.

Ryder said the other issue is that there is often a dearth of workers with the right skills.

As trade was liberalized and manufacturing moved overseas, workers who have the specialized technical skills to create products have also disappeared and now congregate where the factories exist.

And Canadian companies are faced with the challenge of training workers from scratch, which takes longer and could delay vital initial profits.

Ryder said once a country loses these parts of the supply chain it is very hard to get it back, noting that many have pushed for the federal government to bail out embattled aerospace manufacturer Bombardier so that its technical knowledge remains in Canada.

It is not that we cant reproduce that, but it is very expensive to reproduce it and a company would have to then work that into their cost of doing business, he said.

And so far, it is just easier in a global economy to go elsewhere.

Staying at home

There are benefits to keeping operations in Canada, however.

Ryder said despite there being access to cheaper workers abroad, Canadian manufacturers can often counter that by being more productive, which has led to the reshoring of some companies.

There is a point where what you make up in production efficiency does not necessarily cover the lower wages, so you can come back to Canada, he said.

He also noted that many countries that companies had chosen as home bases for their operations have seen the organization of labour movements, which in turn has created a demand for better working conditions, benefits and higher wages.

This has minimized the cost advantage even further, prompting some businesses to look at new Asian economies, and, Ryder predicts, to eventually consider countries in Africa.

Keeping production at home also has the added benefit of reducing transportation and logistics costs.

Ryder says this is the biggest problem involved with international manufacturing.

Transporting finished products to markets around the world can often involve several different forms, from ships, trains, trucks and planes, and costs rack up along the way.

Companies also have to deal with different rules and regulations abroad, and all the various parties involved.

Theres also the added issue of ensuring the quality of production. When Canadian companies subcontract internationally it is sometimes difficult to ensure products are made to the correct specifications.

As for the companies that stayed in Canada, many of them survived simply because they really good at what they do and have been recognized as such on the global stage, said Ryder, citing homegrown ice wines as an example.

If you make a really good product, the world will still order from you, he said.

If youre trying to sell something to the mass market at a lower price, the pressure to go overseas is just so huge, he added.

He said this is particularly the case for products that are priced at a premium. For these types of goods, consumers are willing to shell out more and thus companies can afford to keep production at home.

And for Canada Goose, whose jackets can cost more than $1,000, the approach appears to be working. It is hard to go far without spotting one of its trademark patches or fur-lined hoods in the winter, and its numerous imitators.

The company has quadrupled sales over the past five years, with revenues topping $392 million last year.

Jackets hang at the factory of Canada Goose Inc. in Toronto on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

Reiss admits keeping Canada Goose products made in Canada hasnt been easy, but theyve made it possible by purchasing and retrofitting facilities, developing its own manufacturing technologies to increase output and implementing employee training programs to expand capacity and ensure new sewers get the right skills.

When other apparel manufacturers moved their business offshore to improve margins, we stayed here because we believed that for us to be an authentic brand with strong, iconic values, and to make the warmest jackets for the coldest places on earth, they had to be manufactured in Canada, said Reiss.

It was a difficult call, but by making that decision and investing heavily in it, we became successful.

Ultimately, Ryder said it is vital that products are made in Canada because it helps the country retain technical knowledge and promote economic diversity.

Without diversity, an economy is at the mercy of one market, which can turn on a dime, he said, pointing to Albertas recent struggles.

When oil is booming, Alberta is booming. When oil is busting, Alberta is busting, he said.

If youre only good at one or two things then your economy lives and dies by those.
By Sergio Spagnuolo CURITIBA, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazilian prosecutors charged ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday with being the "boss" of a vast corruption scheme at state oil company Petrobras, in a major blow to the leftist hero's hopes of a political comeback. It was the first time that Lula, still Brazil's most popular politician despite corruption accusations against him and his Workers Party, was charged by federal prosecutors for involvement in the political kickbacks scheme at Petroleo Brasileiro, as the company is officially known. Public Prosecutor Deltan Dallagnol told a news conference that Lula will be charged with corruption and money laundering for leading a kickback scheme that caused an estimated 42 billion reais ($12.6 billion) in losses to Petrobras shareholders and tax payers. "He was the conductor of this criminal orchestra," Dallagnol said during a detailed presentation of the investigation. "The Petrobras graft scheme aimed at keeping the Workers Party in power by criminal means." Lula's lawyers said prosecutors lacked evidence to back up their accusations which were part of political persecution to stop him running in the 2018 election. "This Lula-centred farce was trumped up as an affront to the democratic state and intelligence of Brazilian citizens," one of Lula's lawyers, Cristiano Zanin, told reporters in Sao Paulo. Dallagnol stopped short of saying investigators would seek an arrest order for Lula, who became a hero to many poor Brazilians during his 2003-2010 government. The two-year-old Operation Carwash anti-corruption investigation, based in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba, has uncovered how political appointees named by Lula's Workers Party and its allies handed overpriced contracts to engineering firms in return for illicit party funding and bribes. The scandal helped topple the Workers Party from power last month by crushing the popularity of Lula's chosen successor, Dilma Rousseff. She was impeached by Congress on unrelated charges of breaking budget rules, amid rising anger over her handling of Brazil's worst recession since the 1930s. Dallagnol said that Lula, because of his control of the machinery of the Workers Party and the Brazilian government, was the central figure in the scheme. Prosecutors allege that the charismatic former union leader had personally received some 3.7 million reais ($1.11 million) in bribes, including a luxury apartment on the coast of Sao Paulo from one of the engineering and construction firms at the centre of the bribery scandal, OAS. Lula has denied ownership of the three-floor condo in Guaruja. Lula's case will go before crusading anti-corruption Judge Sergio Moro, who has jailed dozens of executives and others involved in the scheme. Former first lady, Marisa Leticia Lula da Silva, has also been charged. Lula has separately been indicted by a court in Brasilia for obstruction of justice in a case related to an attempt to persuade a defendant in the Petrobras scandal not to turn state's witness. BLOW TO LULA MYTH Lula, 70, has not ruled out running again for president in 2018, but a criminal conviction would bar him from being a candidate for the next eight years. His fall, as well as that of the leftist party he founded in 1980, has been dramatic. A one-time shoeshine boy and union leader who led massive strikes against Brazil's military dictatorship, contributing to its downfall, he was elected the nation's first working class president in 2002 after three failed campaigns. Wildly popular with Brazil's poor, Lula's social policies helped yank millions out of poverty and into the middle class, and he left office in 2010 with an 83-percent approval rating and an economy that grew at a blistering 7.5 percent. But two years ago, as the Petrobras probe became public, prosecutors began to slowly put Lula in their crosshairs. Many prosecutors and investigators say they cannot imagine such a powerful figure was unaware of the institutionalized corruption and political kickbacks taking place at Petrobras and other state-run companies. Marcos Troyjo, a former Brazilian diplomat and co-director of Columbia University's BRICLab in Rio de Janeiro, said he thinks Wednesday's charges are the first of many Lula will be facing in the coming months. "That means the Workers Party, which may have thought it would move comfortably into the opposition after Dilma's impeachment, will confront extreme challenges," said Troyjo. "It's certainly the beginning of the end to Lula's presidential aspirations for 2018." Recent polls have shown that despite the investigations targeting Lula and the Workers Party, he would be a favourite to win the next presidential election. "But these charges are likely too big a blow to the political myth of Lula, to the candidate Lula and to the Workers Party as a whole for that to happen," Troyjo said. ($1 = 3.3408 Brazilian reais) (Reporting by Sergio Spagnuolo; Writing by Anthony Boadle and Brad Brooks; Editing by Andrew Hay and Bill Rigby)
By Caroline Stauffer BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - The chief executive of the world's largest advertising company WPP told Reuters that Argentina's new government has made "significant" reforms in a short period of time and his group would like to make more acquisitions and investments in the country. High-profile British businessman Martin Sorrell also said in an interview on Tuesday the first signs of economic strain can be seen in post-Brexit Britain, even as the group's operations have looked to be recovering in recent weeks. Sorrell, in Buenos Aires for a government investment forum, said Argentina under pro-market President Mauricio Macri would be "high on the list" of countries Britain should sign a bilateral trade deal with as the South American country strives to avoid isolation. "The atmospheric changes that Macri has made as well as the physical changes dealing with the debt crisis and such have been very significant in a very short period of time," he said. There are risks, Sorrell said, including Argentina's historically volatile politics. "Lots of things can go wrong - there is volatility. Brazil is key," he said, referring to Argentina's main trading partner which like Argentina is now mired in recession. Companies tend to agree with the policies Macri has implemented since taking office in December, and his government is trying to convince them the changes will stick at this week's Argentina Business & Investment Forum. WPP, the owner of agencies Ogilvy & Mather, Young & Rubicam and JWT, acquired a 20 percent stake in Argentine technology company Globant in 2013 before it went public. Asked if WPP was considering more acquisitions in Argentina, Sorrell said "We'd like to do more," emphasizing that WPP tends to make small and medium-sized purchases. Argentina, Latin America's No. 3 economy, accounts for some $500 million of WPP's $20 billion of annual revenue, about the same amount as Brazil and less than Mexico. Asked if a "post-Brexit recovery" identified by WPP in July continued in August, Sorrell said "I expect it probably has," though he emphasized the longer term outlook was challenging. Sorrell is a vocal critic of Britain's move to leave the European Union. He praised the Bank of England for helping avoid an economic slowdown but said the first signs of strain are visible due to the potential for a prolonged negotiation and lack of clarity for businesses. "This is going to carry on probably until the end of 2019," said Sorrell, adding that he is doing more business in Germany post-Brexit. (Reporting by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by Andrew Hay)
By Shwe Yee Saw Myint and Antoni Slodkowski YANGON (Reuters) - Electricity-starved Myanmar is looking to overhaul its long-term power strategy, aiming to hike the planned share of hydropower in its energy mix at the cost of polluting coal as it tries to attract foreign investment. The new democratically-elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi has made job creation one of its top priorities in what is Asia's sixth-poorest country. However, with half of its people without access to electricity and major cities experiencing blackouts, finding investors is tough. Even tougher is getting them to back coal-fired plants given environmental concerns. Myanmar's initial plan was to boost coal's share to a third by the end of the next decade from just 3 percent now and to slash the contribution of hydro to 38 percent from 63 percent, according to the plan shown to Reuters by officials at the Ministry of Electricity and Energy. But most people are "reluctant to implement coal-fired power plants, that's why we won't be able to implement the planned coal power plant projects," said Aung Ko Ko, director of hydro and renewable energy planning branch at the ministry. "Hopefully hydropower will be the majority in the new plan," he said, estimating its share at 50-55 percent by 2030-31. Imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) could make up for some of the drop in coal use, Aung Ko Ko added. Nine key ministries, including energy, industry and mining, have met in the capital of Naypyitaw to coordinate their energy strategy with the aim to have a draft master plan ready by the end of the month, and under scrutiny are 49 hydropower projects approved by the previous government. Myanmar is reviewing these to see how quickly - if at all -they can be completed, how many more would be needed and how to secure funds, as it seeks to boost its power capacity to make the most of an unprecedented economic revival after 49 years of military rule that ended in 2011 and to sustain an economic growth rate of about 8 percent - one of the world's fastest. "The new government realizes these projects should be prioritised. She (Suu Kyi) allowed us to talk with potential international lending facilities like the ADB," a senior official at the department of hydropower implementation of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy said, referring to the Japan and U.S.-led Asia Development Bank. Several dams and power plants in Myanmar have until 2011 been financed by China and, while the West has since shown eagerness to provide financing for electricity projects in the country in a bid to increase its influence there, experts say shifting away from Beijing will not be easy. LIST OF 49 Of the projects under review, some 31 include Chinese investment and involve 11 Chinese companies. It lists names such as Beijing-based conglomerate Hanergy Holding Group Ltd and state-owned CPI Yunnan International Power Investment Co that is behind the controversial $3.6-billion Myitsone megadam project. The 2011 cancellation of the Myitsone remains a sore point between the two countries. Myanmar suspended the project citing environmental worries, but the decision was also seen as an attempt to distance itself from Beijing, an uncertainty that has stymied subsequent investment decisions. China has been asking to restart Myitsone, and finding a solution is crucial for Suu Kyi as she needs China's help in talks with ethnic minority armed groups, many of whom operate on the border between the two countries. A resolution could also help unlock more Chinese funds. "In my opinion, the developers of these projects (on the list) cannot get loans from Chinese banks because of the problems with Myitsone," said the energy ministry official at the department of hydropower implementation. Five projects on the list that are sponsored from Myanmar's budget have faced delays because the country does not have enough money to finance them, the official said. Seven others are being built by local firms. The rest will need to be financed by cooperation with foreign investors. For some of the long-stalled hydropower projects, Myanmar may open fresh tenders and seek loans from international lending facilities, the official said, adding that the World Bank and ADB, among others, were interested in supporting electricity and energy projects in the country. The private-sector lending arm of the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is reluctant to finance coal projects because of environmental concerns, said Vikram Kumar, who heads the IFC's operation in Myanmar. As of now, power consumption in Myanmar is one of the lowest in the world. Its per capita use averaged 164 kilowatt hour in 2013, according to the World Bank, the 11th lowest in the world and roughly on par with Sudan and Togo. "We need investment from abroad ... so many factors, so many risks, so many transactional challenges faced by the foreign investor - JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), IFC, World Bank and ADB have asked the government how to optimize and overcome these challenges," said Aung Ko Ko. "But the government is very new and they need time to optimize the power sector development." (Additional reporting by Yimou Lee and Aung Hla Tun; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
By Karen Freifeld NEW YORK (Reuters) - Opening arguments began on Tuesday in the trial of former American International Group Inc chairman Maurice "Hank" Greenberg over accounting fraud at the insurance giant some 16 years ago. Greenberg, 91, is facing civil charges from the New York Attorney General's Office of orchestrating a $500 million transaction to inflate the insurer's reserves and a $200 million transaction to hide underwriting losses. Former AIG Chief Financial Officer Howard Smith is also named as a defendant. The two men "designed, created, negotiated and implemented every major aspect" of the two fraudulent transactions in the case, Assistant Attorney General David Ellenhorn said in his opening statement. Greenberg, who sat at the defense table in New York state court in Manhattan, is expected to testify during the trial. David Boies, Greenberg's lawyer, said in his opening that the attorney general's office would not be able to prove any wrongdoing. "This case is devoid of any admissible evidence that ties Mr. Greenberg to anything improper in either of these transactions," Boies said. Vincent Sama, who represents Smith, will give his opening on Wednesday. The case, filed by then-New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer in 2005 and continued by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, did not go to trial for more than a decade, due to legal wrangling that twice made its way to the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court. Greenberg nearly settled the case in 2008 with a $100 million gift to charity, Boies told Reuters on Monday, but the market crashed that September along with the value of Greenberg's AIG stock holdings. Damages were dropped from the case in 2013 after Greenberg and Smith entered into a $115 million settlement with AIG shareholders, but Schneiderman wants to claw back millions in bonuses, plus interest, paid to the defendants during the period the alleged fraud took place. Ellenhorn said on Tuesday the state was seeking $46 million from Greenberg and $6 million from Smith, subtracting around $16 million the two paid in a 2009 settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over the improper accounting. The attorney general also is seeking to bar the executives from serving as officers or directors of public companies. Justice Charles Ramos of New York state court in Manhattan will decide the non-jury case, which may run into early next year with breaks between trial dates. "My fear is at the end of this trial I will know more about reinsurance than I ever wanted," the judge quipped. Leaving court on Tuesday, Greenberg told Reuters the case "never should have gotten to this point," but that it would be good "to set the facts out." The defendant, who is still the head of C.V. Starr, a private insurance company, said he was about to fly to Argentina for a conference. Greenberg led AIG for four decades before he was ousted in 2005. The following year, AIG paid $1.64 billion to settle federal and state probes into its business practices. The case is People v Greenberg et al, New York State Supreme Court, New York County No. 401720-2005. (Reporting By Karen Freifeld; Editing by Anthony Lin)
By David Ljunggren and Nia Williams (Reuters) - Canada's Liberal government on Tuesday expressed confidence it could appoint new panel members to assess TransCanada Corp's Energy East pipeline, even though industry observers say it might be hard to find qualified candidates. A three-person National Energy Board panel charged with assessing the project in the largely French-speaking province of Quebec quit last Friday after it emerged two members had privately met a TransCanada consultant before the hearings formally started. That unexpected move means the federal government now has to appoint a new panel for the board - which serves as the country's energy regulator - before the Quebec hearings can resume. "We'll find them," Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr told reporters. "That's our responsibility, and we'll take it seriously and we'll do it as quickly as we can." One source familiar with the file said Ottawa could have problems, citing a severe shortage of fluent French-speakers who knew enough about energy to be able to deliver a comprehensive and well-informed assessment on the pipeline. Pressed about a lack of bilingual experts, Carr replied: "I'm not concerned about that." NAB spokeswoman Sarah Kiley said by law, panel members must be able to hear evidence in English and French without an interpreter and be free of an apprehension of bias. Kent Fellows, a research associate at the University of Alberta's School of Public Policy, said it could be difficult to identify candidates with necessary expertise who have not been recently employed by the oil industry. "It's a fine line to find people who are familiar with the relevant issues but have not touched anything specific to do with Energy East," he said. The Liberal government has already promised to reform the NEB, which some critics complain is too close to the energy industry. Before the panel resigned last week, the NEB had been due to produce a final report by March 16, 2018. Carr said the hearings schedule "could be changed modestly", depending on whether or not the NEB decided to restart the process. Hearings had already taken place in New Brunswick, but were disrupted in Quebec by protesters. The setback came after the United States blocked TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline last year. Energy East, designed to carry 1.1 million barrels per day from Alberta's oil sands to the Atlantic coast, does not cross international borders and was originally seen as a less contentious project, but has also run into fierce opposition from environmental groups. (Reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Nia Williams in London; Editing by Alan Crosby)
[HarperCollins is publishing this month a new book on China by Alexandre (Sacha) Trudeau. PHOTO: Alexandre Trudeau]



China is a big deal with the Trudeaus. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just wrapped up an eight-day trip there to attend the G20 summit while his brother, Alexandre, is debuting a book about China this month.

There was no plan in that, laughs Alexandre, when asked if his publishing company HarperCollins aligned the launch with the prime ministers visit. They had wanted a fall launch because its a serious book and a time when people return to work, back from vacation.

Alexandre adds though his brother has read the book: He read it a week before he left for China and he told me it helped him get up to speed in what to think and feel about China.

Its marks a full circle, in a way, as both had been there as children. Back in 1990 just months after the Tiananmen Square massacre, the late prime minister Pierre Trudeau took his family there. In fact, the elder Trudeau had a deep curiosity and affection for China, visiting there for the first time in 1949 and then again in 1960. Subsequently he co-authored a book about that visit  Two Innocents in Red China  and then returned to the country as prime minister in 1973 and a few times after.



We wanted to take a trip from Chengdu to Kunming; its over some high mountains and quite spectacular, recalled Alexandre Trudeau about the 1990 visit, in an interview with Yahoo Canada News. But the authorities felt that such distinguished travellers should not be travelling on such a rough, local train.

The 42-year-old got to return to that area and was struck by what he calls one of the most impressive highways in the world from Chengdu to Kunming.

Its with this wonderment that the Montreal-based filmmaker and journalist  he pens occasional pieces for Macleans  launches his first book: Barbarian Lost: Travels in the New China.

Spanning a 10-year period, beginning in 2005, Trudeau would go to China once or twice a year, with the longest trip being two months. Sometimes, he also brought his family  his wife and three children, who are all under 10.

Story continues

The book is a departure for the muckraking journalist and filmmaker whose previous documentaries included Embedded in Baghdad (2003), his experiences in the capital as coalition forces invaded Iraq and 2008s Refuge about the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region.

China is a deep, difficult subject and its not an easy place to work in as a filmmaker, noted Trudeau. While the Chinese are very candid, they tend to keep their head low when there are cameras plus there is the language difficulty [whereas] in a book, you can take your time and expand the narrative. I wanted to build stories and have the reader feel close to the people that I draw out in the book.

Trudeau spoke to Yahoo Canada News about his time in China  where a young Chinese journalist served as his translator and fixer  and why he wrote the book.

Q: After visiting China over a 10-year span, what are the things about China that stand out for you?

Most of all, I watched Beijing change a lot. A whole section of a hutong (old village communities) that I had visited over the years was replaced by a park. I saw the creation of a new Beijing, as it hit its speed with a new downtown area. Young people there just dont remember what it was like before, they take for granted all the modernity that their lives [are surrounded by].

That drive from Chengdu to Kunming is incredible. You can get off in the high mountains to these little ancient villages, which are extremely isolated, and you can feel the effect of that development  mushroom entrepreneurs have sprouted. That was not possible before as the country was quite fragmented. The development has reached deep into the bosom of the country and connected these parts.

Its yin and yang when it comes to this  theres wonderful improvement and great loss  ancient neighbourhoods with their stone gateways and wood carvings are gone, making way for highrises and malls. But then to emphasize the loss is to make a mistake because there is also opportunity.

Q: China, in western media, is often presented with a political or economic lens, how do the Chinese see themselves?

The Chinese are more business minded if you compare them with Canadians who have ideas of responsible citizenship. They are dealing with their own lives and not whats going above their heads. If you want to be political, you join the [Communist] Party. Its an ancient way of dealing with government  so long as their lives are going well, the government is more or less legitimate and can carry on.

Political power is seen not unlike any other dynasty that has gone before it. But then, maybe its changing with this material freedom and comfort they have now. They are travelling and living abroad and beginning to experience different modes of what it means to be a citizen. It may be a slow thing but the Chinese may be becoming more politically sophisticated as time goes by.

Q: What did you learn in the process of making this book?

The title of the book hints at a documentary approach: Im assuming I know very little about China.

When they ask what is your profession, I sometimes say pilgrim. When I first started travelling, I was a hitchhiker, so I was putting myself at the mercy of other peoples kindness. Implicitly and explicitly, that was my fathers philosophy  he was the original rough and ready explorer. His idea of fun was to backpack travel.

[With this journey of the book] I changed and I hope the reader can participate in that. Theres a lot to learn in the story of China. You can get a sense of the human soul. Its about travelling  what you discover when you leave your home and your comforts.

I see now that Western influences are very superficial, that the West has had a great run for 500 years and pretty much controlled the planet. But China stands apart because it is so old and focused on itself.

Once one gets involved in China, you can look at the West from such a different point of view. I consider myself a devout disciple of individual freedom and thats a privilege of being Canadian. Hardcore individual freedoms do not occur without a cost. There is often a use of violence by Western powers to conquer [in the name of individual freedom].

As the world has grown small, resources are ever more limited, we have to start understanding about limits to individual freedoms  there are powerful lessons I learned from this.

Im a big fan of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. They can all teach people how to live in a world full of pressures, to find peace in a world of conflict.

Q: Some of what you do is political and now that your brother Justin is leader of Canada, have you thought of diving into that arena more fully?

I look at my personality and it seems so very far from the demands of political life. I admire what my brother is doing but he is constantly travelling. He has three small children who are about the same age as my kids and those are precious years.

A politician has to speak for everyone and I only speak for myself. Im an introvert. I cant do what he does  to always be there for the country, to be mindful of all its citizens.

When I wrote the letter [to Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale in February] asking him to allow Mohamed Harkat to stay in Canada, I was one of thousands of prominent Canadians petitioning the government to do so.

(Algerian-born Harkat is a former gas-station attendant who was arrested in 2002 on suspicion of being an al-Qaida sleeper agent, which he denies. In 2005, Trudeau offered to act as surety for Harkat during a bail application.)

I have been speaking out for years  long before my brother entered politics  about the problems surrounding security certificates.

I continue to be interested in justice above all else.

Q: What is it like between the two of you when you get together?

Our relationship long precedes his political career. We have fun together. We have always had this active, sporting relationship. He can be himself with me. We play, we joke and we have the same relationship we have always had.

It would be problematic for our relationship if I brought up political issues. Its not appropriate that I influence him in any serious manner.

The interview has been condensed and edited.

Below is a list of dates for Alexandre Trudeaus book tour:

Eden Mills Writers Festival and The Bookshelf, Guelph, Ont., Sept. 17

Ben McNally Books, Brunch Series, Sept. 18

University of Toronto, Ignatieff Theatre, Sept. 19

University of Waterloo, Sept. 20

Showcase Literacy, The Bookkeeper and Organization for Literacy, Sept. 21

Blue Heron Books, Uxbridge Music Hall, Sept. 22

Canada China Friendship Society, Ottawa, Oct. 12

Knowlton Literary Festival, Oct. 15

Paragraph Books, brunch event, Oct. 16

Drawn and Quarterly, Montreal launch, Oct. 19

Montreal Press Club, Nov. 11

Indigo Rideau, Ottawa, Nov. 24, 7 p.m.


By India Today Web Desk: The Supreme Court today declined to entertain a PIL seeking direction to stop alleged funding of separatist organisations in Jammu and Kashmir by the Centre and the state government, saying that the courts should refrain from entering the area.

Stating that this PIL does not deserve to be entertained, the bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit said the "grant of funds for the purposes of security and otherwise comes within the domain of the Central government.

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Pointing out that the issue raised in the PIL was not part of "judicially manageable proceedings", Justice Misra said that "in issues like this the courts have minimum role".

TOUGH STAND AGAINST SEPARATISTS



After Home Minister Rajnath Singh's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, briefing him on the separatists leaders' refusal to hold talks with the all-party delegation, 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.

Parrikar joins chorus for withdrawing facilities to separatists; says, action long overdue

Hurriyat praises and justifies presence of PLA inside PoK

After Hurriyat snub, Centre to crack down on separatists, withdraw security cover

--- ENDS ---
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada Carbon Inc. (the Company) (TSX-V:CCB), (OTC:BRUZF), (FF:U7N1), a company that is positioning itself as a leader in providing nuclear purity graphite, announces that it has recently held discussions with X Energy, LLC (X-energy) of Greenbelt, Maryland to supply Canada Carbons thermally upgraded graphite for testing as a component of nuclear fuel compacts (pebbles) to be used in their high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor development program. On July 5th, 2016, X-energy signed a five-year $53 million dollar Advanced Reactor Concept Cooperative Agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE partnership provides funding for reactor design, fuel development, and initial licensing activities for X-energys Xe-100 reactor series.



Each Xe-100 reactor will be fueled by approximately 170,000 pebbles. Each pebble is composed of a central sphere of uranium pellets embedded in a graphite matrix, which is then coated with a durable hard shell. The graphite matrix is comprised of ultra-high purity materials, specifically a blend of 64% natural graphite, 16% synthetic graphite, and 20% graphitizable resin binder. Canada Carbon is preparing approximately 12 kg of its thermally upgraded Miller graphite, which X-energy could then make into pebbles for testing.

Canada Carbon Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mr. R. Bruce Duncan commented, Being part of major development trials for pebble bed nuclear reactor fuel sponsored by the US Department of Energy would be a fundamental step forward in qualifying the thermally upgraded Miller graphite for additional high-value applications. As part of the pre-qualification process for the X-energy reactor series, Canada Carbon demonstrated continuity of supply to X-Energy. We have in excess of five tonnes of Miller graphite concentrate remaining from the pilot plant trials conducted by SGS Lakefield. We have also determined that a second bulk sample could be extracted from the Miller Project and processed, if the existing graphite concentrate supply is insufficient to meet future sample requests prior to putting the Miller Project into commercial production.

About X Energy, LLC: X-energy is dedicated to developing transformational nuclear energy solutions that change the world. The company is designing the Xe-100 series, an advanced nuclear reactor that will expand nuclear power into new markets in increments of approximately 50MWe. The Xe-100 series is designed to be small, simple and affordable. Key attributes of the design are that it requires less time to construct, with factory-produced components, and will be "walk-away" safe without operator intervention during loss of coolant conditions. X-energy is based in Greenbelt, Maryland. Twitter: @xenergynuclear; Facebook: facebook.com/xenergynuclear, www.x-energy.com.

CANADA CARBON INC.

R. Bruce Duncan

CEO and Director

Contact Information

E-mail inquiries: info@canadacarbon.com

P: (604) 685-6375

F: (604) 909-1163

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.

About Canada Carbon Inc.

The 100%-owned Miller hydrothermal disseminated and lump-vein graphite and marble Project is located 80 km west of Montreal in the Grenville Township of Quebec, approximately 7 km from the center of the town of Grenville. The Miller Project, which is the subject of the PEA and resource estimate, occupies less than  km2 surrounding the historic Miller Pit, within approximately 100 km2 of the mineral claims package held by the Company. In addition to the Miller Pit, numerous other historic graphite mines, exploration pits, and showings lie within the Companys mineral claim package and will become the subject of prospective exploration activities. Geophysical anomalies similar to the Miller Pit signature also add a significant number of exploration targets in addition to the historical showings.

The Miller Project has exceptional infrastructure already in place, situated within 2 km of major highways, rail, power and water. Paved roads come within 800 metres of the Miller Project development area, and abut or cross the claim boundaries in many places. Existing forestry roads crisscross the property, permitting vehicle access with very low impact on the environment. All mineral claims lie on private land.

A pilot plant scale flotation concentration program was conducted by SGS Canada (Lakefield), based on a blended 125 tonne sample obtained from all known graphite exposures at the Miller Project. The pilot plant concentrate graded 95% Cg or higher, and was upgraded to 99.9998% Cg by commercially available thermal upgrading techniques. The Company thereafter received a pricing letter for the 99.9998% purity graphite, assigning a market value of US$12,000-14,000/tonne for the high purity material. Upon request by ASTM International, the Company submitted samples of the thermally upgraded Miller graphite (99.9998% purity), for the development of a new nuclear standard test method for natural graphite. Four international laboratories, with membership in Subcommittee D02.F0 on Manufactured Carbon and Graphite Products of ASTM International, have completed the round-robin testing of the Miller graphite. The Company currently awaits the final ASTM report, certifying both the material and the new test method.

On November 16th, 2015 the Company signed a comprehensive agreement to sell 75,000 tonnes of architectural-quality marble material from the Miller property. This agreement was signed subsequent to an independent market assessment of architectural blocks and slabs of the Miller marble, which is the host rock of the Miller hydrothermal disseminated and lump-vein graphite. The agreed base valuation for marble blocks or slabs is $14 per cubic foot, which is approximately $184 per tonne.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect managements current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com).
NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LifeSci Advisors, a New York-based, life sciences focused investor relations consultancy, is pleased to announce today the opening of an office in Tel-Aviv, Israel. The establishment of an Israeli office, together with the recent expansion of its European team, reflects LifeSci Advisors increasing international focus.



Israel was selected as the location for LifeSci Advisors newest office due to the firms long-standing relationships with numerous companies and investors in Israel, together with Israels emergence as one of the worlds leading centers for life sciences. The Tel-Aviv office is being managed by Moran Meir Beres, who brings extensive senior level investor relations experience in Israel.

The environment of entrepreneurship and innovation in Israel has resulted in significant growth in the countrys life sciences sector. The opening of our new office marks a major commitment to the region and to the future of our firm, said Michael Rice, Co-founder of LifeSci Advisors. Having a local presence and local expertise in an area where we have already have significant business activity will allow us to better serve our existing client base and to expand our business further.

We are delighted to welcome Moran to LifeSci Advisors, continued Mr. Rice. Morans extensive track record in healthcare investor relations, together with her strong relationships in the financial community, positions her well to lead our efforts and further enhance our profile in Israel.

I am very excited to be joining LifeSci Advisors and view this as a great opportunity to work with an extraordinary international team, said Moran Meir-Beres. LifeScis services and capabilities are truly unique among investor relations firms and they have quickly established themselves as a major force in the industry. The firms focus on the life sciences sector and strong relationships with key industry investors globally provide Israeli companies with the opportunity to expand their visibility with investors world-wide.

Moran Meir-Beres brings over 15 years of investor relations experience, having worked with Israels largest and most prominent private and publicly traded companies. Prior to joining LifeSci Advisors, Mrs. Meir-Beres was a senior account executive at KM Investor Relations, where she provided companies from a wide range of sectors ongoing investor and financial media relations counsel, as well as advisory services related to public and private securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions and crisis management. Prior to joining KM, Mrs. Meir-Beres was part of the investor relations team at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Israels largest healthcare company. Moran earned her B.A. and Masters Degree in Law from Bar-Ilan University in Israel.

The establishment of the Tel-Aviv office builds on LifeSci Advisors ongoing international expansion. Earlier this year, the firm appointed Niki Dilger in London to lead its European institutional sales efforts. Complementing the firms headquarters in New York and the new office in Tel-Aviv, LifeSci Advisors also has operations in Boston, Chicago, London, and Geneva.

LifeSci Advisors Capabilities

Marketing/ Corporate Access: LifeSci Advisors markets its clients to the top investors in the life sciences across the U.S., Europe and Israel. Nondeal roadshows (NDRs) are arranged by the firms team of dedicated institutional salespeople, each of which has more than 15 years experience on Wall Street. So far in 2015, LifeSci Advisors has set up more than 2,900 1on1 meetings for its clients.

Advisory: LifeSci Advisors also provide its clients with independent advisory services and experienced counsel, leading to fully informed capital markets decisions. The firms relationships with the leading healthcare investment bankers used to make introductions and ensure that client companies are correctly matched with the appropriate banking groups. The advisory services include the ability to help companies regarding board and corporate governance matters.

Equity Research: LifeSci Advisors is unique in the investor relations industry in that its affiliate, LifeSci Capital (Member FINRA/SIPC), publishes highly differentiated equity research on client companies. This broadly-distributed equity research product provides a deep understanding of clients businesses and the opportunities they are addressing. The research is produced by a team of Ph.D.s based in LifeSci Capitals New York office.

KOL Events: LifeSci Advisors has a team focused on the planning and organization of Key Opinion Leader (KOL) events. These events bring together company management, researchers and, as appropriate, noted clinicians/KOLs, to create forums to discuss clinical and corporate developments. The goal is to lend valuable third-party validation to products under development at client firms, bringing insight and value to the healthcare investment community.

About LifeSci Advisors, LLC

LifeSci Advisors, LLC (www.lifesciadvisors.com) is a unique investor relations consultancy founded to provide companies in the life sciences a comprehensive solution to investor communications and outreach. With local presence in New York, Boston, Chicago, London, Geneva and Tel-Aviv, the firm provides the highest quality service for its clients through its deep sector specialization. Our roster of Ph.D.s enables us to better understand our clients' R&D, regulatory, and commercial strategy, and our team of financial services, investor relations, and public relations specialists help our clients effectively communicate their strategies to the marketplace. This combination of life sciences, financial services, and investor relations expertise allows us to provide a valuable and unique service offering to our clients.
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new primary school for 500 children in Minoterie, Haiti was dedicated today to the memory of Dobbs and Reed Eddings, who were tragically killed in a car crash in Charlotte, N.C. last year.

Following the accident, Gentry Eddings, a pastor at Forest Hill Church in Charlotte, and his wife, Hadley, asked that donations in memory of their sons go to Mission of Hope, Haiti, an organization they had both worked with in the past. Almost $200,000 was donated and their church committed to additional funds to collectively pay for construction of an elementary school in honor of Dobbs and Reed.

"Most people who live to be 100 don't leave a legacy like this," said Hadley, who was pregnant with Reed at the time of the crash. Dobbs was 2-years-old.

Mission of Hope completed construction on the Dobbs and Reed Elementary School last month. The school has already enrolled 360 children, whose education is made possible by individual sponsors through Mission of Hope. In total, 500 students will attend the school. The children will receive a hot meal every day and a Christ-centered education.

During the emotional ceremony today, Eddings family members and Forest Hill Church staff gathered with Mission of Hope to honor the memory of Dobbs and Reed and pray for the students who fill the classrooms.

"In a situation like this where so much bad has happened, this is one way we can really see God's goodness in this and how he can use evil and make it good," explained Hadley, who says she and her husband have forgiven the driver responsible for the accident.

Minoterie is just north of Port au Prince and has a high homeless population as a result of the 2010 earthquake. There are very few jobs in Minoterie, and very few children are educated. Mission of Hope is working to change this reality by educating the next generation and building sustainable housing in the community. The organization believes education is critical to bringing hope to the people of Haiti and to seeing a nation transformed.

For more information on sponsoring a child, click here.

For interviews or more information, contact Bridget Henderson at bridget@mohhaiti.org.

Photos accompanying this release are available at:

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=41399

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=41400
PASCAGOULA, Miss., Sept. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been awarded a $19.1 million contract modification for design acceleration on the U.S. Navys amphibious warfare ship replacement, known as LX(R).



This acceleration contract is extremely important for a shipbuilding program that is extremely important to this nation, said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. The LX(R) program will continue a stable, hot production line of talented shipbuilders and a robust supplier base across this country. The competitive value that Ingalls brings to design and build these affordable, capable and survivable warships is essential to meet the missions of our Navy-Marine Corps team.

In the original announcement on June 30, Ingalls was selected to perform the majority of the contract design work for LX(R) as part of the contract to build the amphibious assault ship LHA 8. Combined with a $13.7 million contract modification awarded on Aug. 26, Ingalls has received a total of $32.8 million for design efforts on the LX(R) program.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/file?fid=57c494672cfac21cbb8e3eac.

LX(R) will replace the Navys Harpers Ferry- and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships and will use the same hull as the San Antonio (LPD 17) class. Ingalls has delivered 10 of the LPD 17 ships to the Navy, is currently building the 11th, Portland (LPD 27), and has received more than $258 million in advance procurement funding for the 12th, Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28).

Huntington Ingalls Industries is Americas largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of engineering, manufacturing and management services to the nuclear energy, oil and gas markets. For more than a century, HIIs Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs nearly 35,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit:
A 105-year-old woman from Chhattisgarh, who built toilets at her home by selling off her goats, has been chosen as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan mascot.

By India Today Web Desk: Chhattisgarh's Kunwar Bai maybe well over the age of 100, but her zeal for a better life has not dimmed down. The 105-year-old, determined to stop the ritual of open defecation in her family, sold off some eight to ten of her goats to build toilets in the house.

And for this, she has not only been felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, but also picked as the mascot for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Kunwar Bai. Source: ANI/Twitter

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Earlier this year, when PM Modi was in Chhattisgarh to launch the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban (rural-urban) Mission, he felicitated Kunwar Bai. He was even seen touching her feet to seek blessings.

Modi will be felicitating Kunwar Bai at the 'Swachhta Diwas' function in New Delhi on September 17.

Kunwar Bai, who lives with her family in Dhamtari's Kotabharri village, has also been spreading awareness about the importance of using toilets to other villagers.

Kunwar Bai. Source: ANI/Twitter

11 outlandish ways people are trying to create a Swachh Bharat

Delhi reels under dengue-chikungunya outbreak, Swachh Bharat funds lie unused

Taking strides in Swachh Bharat, 325 villages declared open-defecation free in Odisha



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By PTI: New Delhi, Sep 14 (PTI) BJP MP Subramanian Swamy today moved the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the process to grant security clearances to companies for FM broadcast and restraining them from taking part in auctions if they are involved in criminal cases.

The Rajya Sabha MP, in his plea, said that Ministry of Information & Broadcasting had issued a notice on March 2, 2015 inviting applications from eligible parties for the Phase-III e-auction process of FM radio channels.

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In the course of processing their applications, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had denied security clearance to the Sun TV network of Maran brothers, resulting in cancellation of its pleas for auctioning, Swamy claimed.

The Sun Group, which is controlled by Kalanithi Maran and former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, is accused in the Aircel Maxis case and criminal cases filed by the CBI and the ED under various penal provisions were the main reasons for denial of the security clearance by the MHA for the e-auction process, the petition alleged.

"It is submitted that for the same auction process for another group, the Bombay High Court has also given a judgment thereby rejecting the plea of the private company to grant the security clearance once it was rejected by the nodal Home Ministry," he said.

The BJP MP has referred to the Madras and Delhi High Court judgements allowing Sun TV network to participate in private FM radio auction and said "the nodal ministry (MHA) failed to make a full-proof security clearance policy which is primarily the reason for the divergent views of different High Courts of the country."

"The inadequacy, vacuum and non-uniformity in the security clearance policy of the government has developed this problem where a tainted person or a company can be a part of a process which can have a serious impact on the national security of the country," it claimed.

Swamy has urged the apex court to "restrain the MHA and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to withhold the process of auction of private FM radio channels Phase III & airwaves of the entities or individual in view of the denial of the security clearance." PTI MNL PKS SJK RKS ARC

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By India Today Web Desk: Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma actress Disha Vakani aka Daya Ben is quite popular with the Indian audience today. But Disha had her fair share of struggles before she made a name for herself in the world of television.

Also read:Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah to Balika Vadhu: 5 longest running TV shows



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This may come as a shock to her fans, but the talented actress had kick-started her career with a B-grade Hindi film called Kasmin--The Untouch in 1997. Yeah, it has been that long since the actress made her debut in the industry.

The film had a number of bold scenes, and Disha had also indulged in some skin show.

A poster of the show. Picture courtesy: Instagram/tarakmehta_fc

Disha continued to struggle for at least a decade before she got her big break in the comedy show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.

In fact, Disha's success as Daya Ben in the aforementioned show has been so tremendous that the actress has now become a household name. Her brilliant comic-timing coupled with her unique body language has made everyone who has watched the show a big Disha fan.

And to be fair, Disha deserves all the fame and success that she has got. After all, the actress has really sweated for it.



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The hospital authorities did not provide me doctor's prescription note or death certificate, mentioning the cause of death," Chote Lal said.

Tea seller Chote Lal (above) spent wandering for five hours in a private ambulance carrying the dead body of his wife on the streets of east Delhi

By Mail Today Bureau: Delhi experienced a shocking incident where a 38-year-old tea seller spent five hours wandering in a private ambulance carrying the dead body of his wife on the streets of east Delhi. Later the body was kept at his village pradhan's house with the police's help and later cremated.

This brings to mind the heart-rending story of Dana Majhi who walked 10 km carrying his wife's dead body in Kalahandi district of Odisha.

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Chote Lal, a tea seller near Cross River shopping mall, kept shuttling his wife's body between the Hegdewar Hospital, his house in Kakrakrooma village and his tea stall seeking help to keep his wife Anju's body but he was denied entry by the landlord.



WANDERING WITH WIFE'S DEAD BODY

All that while he kept trying to arrange money needed to preserve her body in an air-conditioned ambulance and perform her last rites at a local cremation ground.

"Doctors at the hospital told me that my wife died due to 'chikungunya'. The hospital authorities, however, did not provide me doctor's prescription note or death certificate, mentioning the cause of death," Chote Lal said.

He alleged that instead of arranging an ambulance, the hospital staff asked him to take his wife's body home on his own. "I was alone but the hospital staff asked me to arrange an ambulance and take her body home on my own. They did not give me any documents," he said.

Clueless Chote Lal paid Rs 200 to a private ambulance driver to drop him home. Around 11 pm, Chote Lal arrived outside his rented accomodation. But the lanlord allegedly denied permission to enter his building with the body.

As opposed to his statement, the landlord said Chote Lal didn't have any documents of his wife's death that could prove that she died of Chikungunya and was admitted in hospital. However, his landlord gave him Rs 2,000 and asked him to return to the hospital and arrange the documents needed for the cremation process.

At the hospital, he was again stopped by the security guard as he did not have the proper documents. So, at last, he requested the ambulance driver to drop him near his tea stall where some of his friends lived.

But a Delhi police constable stepped up and made further arrangements for him. "Constable Vikram was patrolling the area when he spotted the ambulance and approached its driver who narrated the entire story. We provided Chote Lal all necessary help," said a senior police officer. The hospital administration is conducting an internal enquiry after the matter came to light.

ALSO READ:

Tribal man in Odisha had to walk 10 km carrying wife's body after being denied govt help



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Tej Pratap said people who were seeking his resignation for a picture with sharp shooter should first seek resignation from PM Narendra Modi for pictures with sex racket kingpin Tinu Jain.

Tej Pratap has written that earlier Jain was also a BJP member and he had connection from PM Modi to all top BJP leaders. (Twitter photo)

By Rohit Kumar Singh: On the back foot after his pictures with Shahabuddin's sharpshooter Mohammad Kaifi went viral, Lalu's son and Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav has released pictures of PM Narendra Modi with Tinu Jain, a person who used to run a sex racket.

Writing on his facebook page, Tej Pratap said people who were seeking his resignation for a picture with sharp shooter should first seek resignation from PM Narendra Modi for pictures with Tinu Jain.

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Tej Pratap has written that earlier Jain was also a BJP member and he had connection from PM Modi to all top BJP leaders.

Tej Pratap's tweet.

Two days after dreaded criminal and RJD leader Shahabuddin was released from Bhagalpur jail on being granted bail from Patna High Court last Wednesday, NDA delegation on Monday met Governor Ram Nath Kobind and submitted a memorandum.

The delegation led by senior BJP leader Sushil Modi along with BJP Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar, BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav and State President of HAM Brishan Patel requested the Governor through the memorandum to look into the issue of granting of bail to the dreaded criminal turned politician.

Speaking to India Today after meeting the Governor, BJP leader Sushil Modi alleged that Shahabuddin's release from jail was stage managed. He said the Bihar government deliberately did not let the trial begin in Rajiv Roshan murder case which facilitated Shahabuddin's release from jail.

"Its a stage managed release by the Bihar govt", said Modi.

LALU WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING SHAHABUDDIN RELEASED FROM JAIL: SUSHIL MODI



Modi alleged that RJD President Lalu Prasad was instrumental in getting Shahabuddin relesed from jail and his pressure worked on Nitish Kumar. Modi questioned as to why the state govt did not impose Crime Control Act on Shahabuddin to keep him in jail after he was granted bail.

"Lalu has got Shahabuddin released. Its surprising that the state govt did not impose CCA on Shahabuddin to ensure that he does not come out of jail. He can now influence probe in Rajiv Roshan and journalist Rajdev Ranjan case", said the BJP leader.

Modi said Nitish Kumar shouldn't let dreaded criminal like Shahabuddin remain outside for long and take steps to send him back to jail even if he has to sacrifice his govt.

"Nitish should sacrifice his govt if need be to send Shahabuddin back in jail" said Modi.

Modi said that Shahabuddin and rule of law cannot go together in Bihar and CCA must be imposed on him. He added that till the time CCA was not imposed, he should be directed to remain outside Bihar ( tadipaar).

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Modi demanded that the Bihar government should also immediately take steps to move Supreme Court against bail granted to Shahabuddin.

WATCH:

ALSO READ:

Lalu's son spotted with Shahabuddin's sharp shooter, creates controversy



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MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha on Wednesday not only abused Congress MLA Tarlochan Singh Soondh but also two particular Dalit communities which provoked the Congress member to hurl shoe at him.

By Manjeet Sehgal: The Akali Dal MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha who had earlier kicked off a controversy in Punjab assembly by saying that 'he was, he is and he will always remain a terrorist and had got away with it' has now created another row by making derogatory remarks against Dalits in the house.

Congress MLA Tarlochan Singh Soondh on Tuesday threw a shoe at the treasury bench in the Punjab Assembly, claiming it was aimed at Valtoha.



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The controversial MLA on Wednesday not only abused Tarlochan Singh Soondh but also two particular Dalit communities which provoked the Congress member to hurl shoe at him.

The shoe narrowly missed Punjab revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia and the house plunged into pandemonium.



VALTOHA DESERVES TO BE IN LUNATIC ASYLUM: CAPT AMARINDER

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday condemned the unparliamentary and derogatory language used by the Akali MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha against the Dalits in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha that has hurt and outraged the entire community.

"Valtoha seems to be suffering from acute mental perversion and severe psychopathic disorder for which he deserves to be in the lunatic asylum than in the Vidhan. Sabha", Capt Amarinder said in a strong statement while expressing anger and outrage over Valtoha's anti-Dalit remarks and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's silence over it.

The PCC president demanded registration of an FIR against Valtoha and his immediate arrest. "Valtoha is a serial offender, who also seems to suffer from pathological perversion and deserves both criminal trial and psychiatric treatment", he said, while asking the Chief Minister to better tame and put him under leash lest people are forced to treat his rabidity the way it should be.

"He should better have been treated for his mental sickness that time only and today he would not have humiliated our Dalit brethren", he said, while giving an ultimatum to the government to arrest him lest the Congress was forced to come out on streets and seek action against him.

CONGRESS LEGISLATORS BRING GOVT TO TOES

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Captain Amarinder Singh congratulated the party legislators for bringing the Akali-BJP government on its toes during the last session of the Vidhan Sabha in a most peaceful manner.

"The power of democracy and peaceful protest finally prevailed over the arrogance of the government", he remarked in a statement issued here today. "With an arrogant government and not an impartial Speaker, our members were left with no option but to resort to peaceful protests within the Vidhan Sabha and I am happy it worked well and brought into focus the issues concerning the state", he said.

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"This was the beginning of the final assault on the government for which the countdown has already started", he said, while adding, "this was necessary to crush the arrogance of the government that has always tried to use its brute majority to gag the voice of the opposition".

Captain Amarinder justified the continuous sit in by the legislators that lasted for two days and two nights, saying it helped in highlighting the issues for which the Congress party had sought a debate and which was refused by the Speaker.

The PCC president also thanked the party workers across the state for their solidarity and protests they staged all over Punjab against the government's arrogance by not allowing the debate.

ALSO READ:

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By Saurabh Vaktania: Controversies seem to be following Rahul Raj Singh, who was the boyfriend of late TV actress Pratyusha Banerjee, wherever he goes. In a fresh incident, a case has been registered against Rahul for molesting a south Indian actress at a hotel in Oshiwara in northern Mumbai on Sunday. The incident has been caught on CCTV cameras and cops are going through the footage for further investigation.

Actress Pratyusha Banerjee. Picture courtesy: YouTube

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While Rahul and his female friend have been booked for assaulting and molesting a 21-year-old south Indian actress and her male friend, a counter FIR has been filed by Rahul and his friend against the duo.



'RAHUL WAS DRUNK, MISBEHAVED'

The incident took place on Sunday night at the Bora Bora restaurant in Andheri West where Rahul and his friend had gone for dinner and a drink. The South Indian actress was dining with her male friend at the same hotel, according to police sources.



Also read: Pratyusha Banerjee's boyfriend Rahul would love to do Bigg Boss 10; here's why



The actress in her statement to the police said, "Rahul seemed to be completely in an inebriated state. At around 12.30 am when we were entering the restaurant, Rahul got furious after seeing us. He walked up to us and got into a heated exchange with my friend and then started hitting him. When I intervened to stop Rahul, he abused and attacked me. Even Rahul's female friend at the restaurant misbehaved with me and justified Rahul's boorish behaviour."



POLICE COMPLAINT FILED



The woman in her police complaint said, "Later, Rahul said that I have handled many women like you. Even in the Pratyusha case, police could not find anything against me. What you can do, you are nothing."

Later, the south Indian actress, along with her male friend, went to Amboli police station and filed an FIR against Rahul and his female friend. Rahul and his friend too filed a counter FIR against the south Indian actress.



Also read: Pratyusha Banerjee underwent an abortion days before her death







According to sources, Rahul had come to a producer's Andheri west office with some project a few weeks ago. Since the producer was busy with another project, he asked Rahul to come and see him later. Considering this a slight, Rahul refused to leave the producer's office, started smoking there and got into an argument with him. Rahul created the whole ruckus at the restaurant to take revenge against the producer in retaliation against the latter's not heeding Rahul's project in their meeting."

Sources said that Rahul was completely drunk at the time of the incident. He could barely walk. A police officer from Amboli police station said, "We have filed a cross case under section 354, 509, 504 and 34 of the IPC. We will verify the CCTV footage and take statements in the case. Further investigation is on in the matter before any arrests are made."

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By PTI: From Yoshita Singh

United Nations, Sep 13 (PTI) The 71st session of the UN General Assembly is set to begin here today, setting the stage for the annual high-level gathering of global leaders amid North Koreas growing nuclear threat, unprecedented refugee crisis and greater push to ratify the Paris Climate deal.

The session will be the last for Barack Obama as the US President and opens less than two months before America goes to polls to elect its next commander-in-chief.

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The 71st session is also the final one for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon with his 10-year tenure ending on December 31.

Heads of State and government and foreign ministers from 193 nations will descend at the world bodys headquarters here next week to participate in the high-level General Debate, which opens on September 20, to highlight their national priorities and global concerns.

Obama will give his last address to the General Assembly as US President on September 20.

India will be represented by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who will address world leaders from the iconic green lectern of the UN General Assembly hall on September 26.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given his maiden address as Indias leader in the General Assembly in 2014 and last year he had attended the Sustainable Development Summit when the ambitious 2030 global agenda was adopted by world leaders.

Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address the General Debate on September 21 and Islamabad has made it clear that he will raise the issue of Kashmir at the multilateral platform.

Last year, Sharif had proposed a four-point "peace initiative" on Kashmir.

In a strong response, Swaraj, in her address had said India does not need four points but just one that Pakistan should "give up terrorism and let us sit down and talk".

The 71st session is also expected to help efforts to secure early entry into force of the Paris Climate Change agreement.

US and China, the worlds largest emitters of greenhouse gases, formally joinedthe Paris climate accord earlier this, submitting their signed documents to Ban Ki-Moon in Hangzhou, China.

Given that the session will be the last for Ban as UN Secretary General, he will hold a special event on September 21, inviting world leaders to deposit their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The event will also provide an opportunity to other countries to publicly commit to joining or ratifying the agreement before the end of 2016. (MORE) PTI YAS PMS

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By India Today Web Desk: When rescuers found the frail puppy lying under a car, they thought he was dead. The team members of Animal Aid India, immediately rushed the dying pup to a hospital to treat him.

The rescuers were stumped by the spirit of the pooch who despite suffering from a raging infection, tried to get on his limbs. The animal welfare group recently released a heartwarming video tracing the miraculous recovery of the pup which they named Oliver.

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In the Facebook post charting Oliver's road to recovery, Animal Aid Unlimited wrote, 'But we thought he was dying. Yet within an hour, this gentle little sprite amazed us. He started looking around. He tried to stand.'

"Diagnosed with a raging respiratory infection, Oliver still had a two-month fight for his life ahead. But then, he beat the odds."

"Just watch this wonderful boy who came back from the dead."



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From April to September the Riot has been unstoppable

View the entire series at: www.vans.eu/shopriot

After six months of battling to qualify, the Vans Shop Riot finals take place this weekend at Parque Das Geracoes skatepark, Lisbon, Portugal.

The lineup up for this years Vans Shop Riot is complete and we will have fourteen shops from across Europe battle it out to determine who will be crowned champion for 2016. Titus (Germany) who won the riot last year will be early favourites with 2 x winners Black Sheep ( UK ) close behind. However, with many newcomers having made it to the finals and local heroes Bana rioting expect to see a close run final with some of the best skateboarding seen across Europe this year.

The Vans Shop Riot series was created back in 2009 with the intention of promoting the grass roots of European skateboarding, fostering team spirit and championing your local skate shop. The success of the series illustrates just how impressive our continents skate shops, skateboarders and scene really is, whilst also showing Vans commitment to our community. This will be highlighted even greater in the weekends finals.

Alongside the event Vans will be running art activations throughout Saturday & Sunday for people visiting including live footwear customisations, a Jon Horner exhibition and giveaway competitions including signed prints.

For those who dont know Jon Horner has worked across several projects within skateboarding from a collaboration with John Rattray for Thrasher Magazine to a multifaceted project for the union of Carhartt and Carve Wicked. Furthermore, he has immersed himself in a bunch of fundraising efforts for the charity Skatepal; and designed board graphics for Cliche, Death Skateboards, Lovenskate, The Friendship, Fancy Lad and more. Lately hes been doing work for Vans, with whom he has a deep affinity for.

Join the Facebook event here: http://bit.ly/SRFinals-2016

@vansshopriot on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook

Finalist Lineup:

Burnside, Holland

Lockwood, Belgium

Picnic, Czech Rep

Titus, Germany/Austria

Black Sheep, United Kingdom

Destroy, Russia

Bana, Portugal

Wall Street, France

Circus Circus, Denmark

Surfhouse, Estonia

Tactic, Spain

Gilis, Israel

Ministry of Concrete, Greece

Frisco, Italy
Fund Created for Southeast Asia Health Emergency Preparedness

Earthquakes, cyclones, and floods have caused health emergencies in the region in recent years, and emerging diseases that include SARS, MERS CoV, pandemic influenza, and Zika virus also have threatened residents in the region.

Calling it "a critical step for emergency preparedness across the WHO South-East Asia Region," the World Health Organization reports that member countries have agreed to set up a dedicated funding stream to build preparedness for health emergencies in that region, which is one of the most disaster-prone. "To date, post-disaster funding through South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund has done an excellent job of helping countries respond to health emergencies once they've occurred, as we saw most recently in Nepal and Sri Lanka. The new funding stream will allow countries to invest in infrastructure and human resources that will enhance preparedness," said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director of WHO South-East Asia.

Earthquakes, cyclones, and floods have caused health emergencies in the region in recent years, and emerging diseases that include SARS, MERS CoV, pandemic influenza, and Zika virus also have threatened residents in the region. Establishing a joint funding stream under the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to help countries better prepare for such events was seen by member countries as a key priority for the region's health agenda because, as of now, SEARHEF funds are disbursed only after a disaster has occurred.

"Enhancing health security is a critical component of our public health mission and a core part of WHO's work in the South-East Asia Region. The new funding stream for emergency preparedness established by member countries is an expression of the solidarity shared within the region, as well as recognition that preparedness is less costly than response," Singh said.

Other resolutions passed by the session called for promoting physical activity across the region and building up the region's health care workforce. "Effective promotion of physical activity needs commitment at the highest level, with leadership from the health sector absolutely crucial. In this regional committee meeting, health ministers have led by example, being role models for physical activity by themselves," Singh explained, adding that the current density of health care providers in the region is 12.5 per 10,000 people, well below the WHO-recommended minimum of 44.5 per 10, 000 population.

"Expanding health workforces across the region is one part of what countries in the region are trying to achieve, but we also need to increase staff retention, particularly in rural areas, as well as provide further training to health workers to enhance their skills," he said.

The meeting included health ministers and senior health ministry officials of the 11 member countries  Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.
Case Study: Pharmacy POS Automates Customer Service, Compliance, and Reporting

Tobins Pharmacy exploits the full functionality of its POS system to build on a century- old legacy of customer service.



Tobins Pharmacy is a bit of an anomaly, one that deserves a brief telling of its history. The family owned, 101-year-old business in idyllic and serene Oconomowoc, Wisconsin is best described as a highend department store that happens to feature a firstclass pharmacy and hearing aid center. Unlike the typical pharmacy in a convenience store trend that shapes the cookie-cutter business approach taken by the national drugstore chains, Tobins combines fine jewelry and cosmetics, womens and childrens apparel, home decor, Hallmark cards, kitchen gourmet, nutritional products and hearing aids with a high-tech pharmacy.

Doug Schultz, president of Tobins, gives credit for the stores unique and winning approach to his father, Don. It was Don who, after purchasing the original Tobins store in Burlington, Wisconsin, quickly built the banner into a six-store chain that featured an expanded product assortment to include high-end gifts, childrens apparel, cameras, electronics and home furnishings.

How could a retail concept that marries a century-old pharmacy with a high-end department store possibly work? The elder Schultz simply did what any retailer should do. He listened to his customers. The lakedotted landscape surrounding Oconomowoc, which sits on the Western fringe of Milwaukee, serves as home to some of the areas most affluent residents. Its close enough to the city for commuters, yet far enough away to keep major national department stores at bay. As he built the business, Dons customer-centric business sense led the way. When Don retired in 1981, he sold all but the Oconomowoc location, which he reserved for his sons Doug and Daveboth pharmaciststo manage. A new 22,000 square foot building went up in 2006 to support the $6.25 million business, facilitating the culmination of the unique retailing concept their father pioneered. However, the expansion of its store, coupled with a wide-reaching merchandise assortment that ranges from prescriptions and nutritional supplements to fine gifts, jewelry, cosmetics, apparel, greeting cards and hearing aids, placed a strain on the companys POS system.

A few years after moving into its new location, Tobins began experiencing difficulties with its old POS system, which was not designed for a store of its size. System lockups were a frequent occurrence during busy sales events. Business reporting was slow and difficult for employees to utilize, and physical inventories were very cumbersome and time consuming, says Schultz. The system wasnt designed to keep track of item sizes and colors, which Schultz deems essential in his companys fashion business. Frequent loss of communication between the POS system and the credit card processing server would create backups at the checkout. Our customers were very frustrated, even to the point of leaving their merchandise at the checkout counter and exiting the store, says Schultz. That cant be tolerated in a small town like Oconomowoc, especially by a retailer with a customer-centric mantra built on a 101-year-old reputation.

Pricing and promotions were suffering as well. Placing large numbers of items on sale was painstakingly slow, and any attempt to do so during business hours would cause our POS terminals to lock up, says Schultz. It was an equally sluggish exercise to use the systems duplicate customer merge feature. It would take 15 to 20 minutes to merge the sales history of duplicate customers with high purchase activity, he says.

In addition, the system was no longer being supported by its developerby the time it set out to find a new POS provider in July, 2011, Tobins had not received a software or service pack update to its old system since July, 2009.

As it set out on the path to discover its next POS system, Tobins had a few parameters in place. The company had just purchased a new, high-end server in 2011. It was running Microsoft Windows Server 2008. With a desire to keep these core pieces of infrastructure in place, Schultz headed up the search. We thoroughly researched two wellknown retail management systems before choosing Retail STARx from CAM Commerce, a subsidiary of Celerant Technology, says Schultz. His analysis of Retail STARx included a detailed and documented comparison of the features of Tobins previous POS system and those offered in the new one. Satisfied with his assessment, the implementation began in late August 2013. CAM Commerce Solutions tech support staff performed the initial setup, installation and onsite training, followed by a thorough and accurate mapping of data from the old system into Retail STARx by a CAM Commerce database conversion specialist. Next, the EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and pharmacy modules were implemented and tested.

Since being live on the new system for a little over a year, Tobins has realized a host of the benefits it sought, including, in Schultz words:

Fast and easy business management reporting

Fast creation of item price change batches and promotions

The ability to easily place large numbers of unrelated items on sale using a portable data terminal.

Ability to create and utilize barcoded coupons.

Ability to email receipts to customers

Real time price checks using a wireless portable data terminal.

Ability to associate a single or multiple line items on a POS invoice with the sales associate that sold the item/s to the customer for the creation of sales commission reporting.

More robust EDI ordering and receiving.

Ability to print a gift receipt only for selected items on the invoice.

Bidirectional pharmacy-POS interface with faster patient checkout.

Schultz says that generally, he measures the success of the implementation on whether owners, managers and staff are satisfied with their ability to run the business using the new system, the accuracy of pricing and purchase history, and customer satisfaction, all of which have had positive outcomes. That last bullet point, however, represents a unique need at Tobinsand one that couldnt be accommodated by any of the competitive solutions Schultz considered.

Particularly problematic at Tobins was that its previous POS solution did not feature a bidirectional interface with its McKesson EnterpriseRx pharmacy system. Retail STARx does, and the benefits to the retailer are numerous. Lets say a patient wants to purchase their prescriptions, in addition to Vitamin D3, fish oil, and an antioxidant, explains Schultz. All the sales associate needs to do is scan the bar code on one of the prescription labels, and any other prescriptions that are ready for pick up will appear on the POS screen, explains Schultz. In addition, when the initial Rx bar code is scanned, the patients name automatically appears on the screen, he says. We dont have to perform a customer name search and select an order to track their purchases anymore. The nutritional supplements and any other general merchandise the customer wants to buy can be scanned in the same transaction, the system prompts the patient to sign for their prescriptions, and the complete sale can be finalized. This integration saves a massive amount of time at the pharmacy POS terminals. If the same patient returns to the store in 3 months and forgot what brand of fish oil capsules they purchased in the past, the sales associate just does a patient name search and looks at their purchase history to find the product. Thats great customer service, says Schultz.

Because consumers pharmacy purchases are tracked and documented, the system also automates Tobins regulatory compliance for the sale of tracked chemicals, such as Pseudoephedrine. When a customer attempts to buy a tracked chemical, the system automatically notifies us if the purchase falls outside of the state or federal regulations, explains Schultz. The Retail STARx integration also alerts our IVR (interactive voice response) system when to discontinue calls to the patient regarding the status of their prescription orders. Many pieces of information are communicated from the pharmacy computer system to Retail STARx and vice versa in order to make things flow smoothly for the customer/patient and for our sales associates, says Schultz. In fact, before integrating with Retail STARx each prescription sale was taking 5 seconds longer because each one had to be manually released in the Enterprise Rx system. Schultz says the process is now completed in less than a second. Multiplied by hundreds of prescriptions per day, thats a measurable efficiency gain.

Because its Retail STARx POS system tracks purchases at the customer level, Tobins is capitalizing on targeted, digital customer promotions. Weve been able to save thousands of dollars per month by scaling back on print advertising because were seeing so much success from personalized digital outreach, he says. When product vendors offer special BOGO (buy one, get one) and free gift promotions, Tobins can quickly pull a list of all the customers who purchased products from that vendor in any given time period, organize it for relevance (those who made the most purchases go straight to the top), and begin a campaign that includes phone-based IVR, e-mail, and direct mail. Customer phone numbers are uploaded to the IVR server, then the IVR system simply dials each number and notifies customers of the current promotion. We recently learned the hard way just how valuable this automation is, says Schultz. During a recent cosmetic promotion, a glitch in the IVR system prohibited outbound calls. Sales were down nearly $8,000.00 in two weeks due to the problem.

Tobins Pharmacy is a sought-after place of employment due to its family-and community- oriented atmosphere, as well as the lucrative, commission-based sales associate opportunities it offers. The Retail STARx POS system helps us manage our sales associates commission earnings in an efficient manner, says Schultz. When a Tobins customer spends a large sum of money on clothing, for instance, shes likely to receive a considerable amount of service from a sales associate. Before that customer heads for the checkout, the associate who assisted her places a small personal bar code on each of the items she sold. At the checkout, the associate operating the POS scans those bar codes, and the sales are automatically attributed to the appropriate sales associate. Our commission program only applies to the sale of items that meet a specific margin threshold, and the system automatically identifies sales that meet our criteria, says Schultz. At the end of each month, we simply run a commission report in Microsoft Access (using ODBC to Retail STARx) that subtotals commissions for every employee, and reward those employees with their commission dollars. In a small, but bustling town like Oconomowoc, personal service and associates who are motivated to serve are customer experience differentiators at Tobins. IT automation helps the retailer take that experience to the next level. My guess is that there are very few small to medium sized retail stores that utilize their POS system at the level we do, says Schultz. Its one thing to have a retail management system, its another to make use of most of its features to run the business.

About Celerant Technology

Celerant Technology provides retail technology that offers unparalleled and seamless omnichannel integration to retailers across all industries. Consistently ranked among the top retail software providers on the RIS Software LeaderBoard since 2003, Celerant consistently accelerates business growth and efficiency through rich product features like POS, inventory management, advanced analytics, integrated ecommerce, mobile applications and back office reporting.



Other Success stories that may interest you:
Jardine Matheson Holdings will rejoin the Straits Times Index (STI) on 19 Sept 2016, replacing Sembcorp Marine in the index.

STI components are free-float weighted to ensure that only the investable opportunity set is included in the index. With the changes in STI components, Jardine Matheson Holdings is expected to be the 5th largest component in the STI, holding 6.5% of the total market capitalization (price x number of shares). This weightage can also represent the sensitivity of the STI to the change in the price of an individual stock. That is, every 100% increase in the price of Jardine Matheson Holdings would translate to 6.5% increase in the price of the STI, with all else being constant.

The inclusion of Jardine Matheson Holdings would also change the weightage of STI components. The following are the changes:

Source: SGX My Gateway

You can read more about the changes for the STI on the SGX My Gateway Update sent out on 19 September 2016.

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Read Also: 3 Things You Should Know About SGX Dual-Class Share Listing

Is This Something To Be Worried About?

It is not unusual for companies to be replaced during the semi-annual review. Previously, Jardine Matheson Holdings, Olam International, and Jardine Strategic Holdings were also replaced by SATS, UOL Group, and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group since they did not fulfil the liquidity requirement. For existing companies to remain in the STI, securities must trade at least 0.08% of their issued shares in 8 of the 12 months prior to the review.

What We Can Expect

In the short run, due to changes in the weightage of the individual components, there might be some fluctuations in the prices of individual components as funds which track STI. For example, Nikko Asset Management and SPDR STI ETF will be rebalancing their portfolio to reflect the change.

As for the long run, since Jardine Matheson Holdings is now the fifth largest STI component, we can see that the performance of STI is dependent on the performance of the stock. However, we can see the health of STI remains largely dependent on the 3 banks and 1 local telecommunication company as they take up 40% of the total weight.

As for Jardine Matheson Holdings, its re-entrance to STI might cause an increase in stock price as index fund trackers buy up to rebalance their portfolio. However, it is important for investors to conduct due diligence on the business growth stories and the potential long-term upside before investing in the stock.

Read Also: Why Long-Term Investing Isnt Always Better Than Short-Term Trading

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European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker insisted Wednesday that Brexit will not sink the EU, unveiling a raft of plans including a joint defence headquarters in a bid to unify the crisis-hit bloc. In his annual State of the Union speech, Juncker urged European Union nations to overcome deep divisions and the shock of Britain's departure in order to fight back against "galloping populism". "The European Union still does not have enough union," Juncker told the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, saying the "next 12 months are the crucial time to deliver". "There are splits out there and often fragmentation where we need further union -- that is leaving space for galloping populism," he added, in a speech that mixed German, French and English. Juncker's speech came two days before the 27 EU leaders meet without Britain in the Slovakian capital Bratislava, for a summit aimed at drawing up a roadmap for the post-Brexit future. The head of the EU executive warned Britain it could not expect "a la carte" access to the EU's single market if it brings back immigration controls, signalling a further hardening of Europe's position ahead of negotiations with London. "We respect and at the same time regret the UK decision, but the European Union as such is not at risk," said Juncker, who officially launched the Commission's Brexit "task force" on Wednesday. - Populists strike back - With EU nations deeply divided, in particular by the continent's biggest migration crisis since World War II, Juncker's speech focused on security and the economy to find ways of working together. "We must have a European HQ and... work towards a common military force," said Juncker -- referring to plans that have long faced British hostility and which will come up at Friday's summit. He stressed however that this should be "complementary with NATO" in reference to concerns that the EU will be treading on the toes of the US-led military alliance. Juncker also hit back at rising nationalism and racism, referring to the recent killing of a Polish man in Britain with the words: "We Europeans can never accept Polish workers being harassed, beaten up or even murdered on the streets of Harlow." But his speech was greeted with disdain by populist leaders in the European Parliament. Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party which led the push for Brexit, criticised the focus on "military Europe" and added: "Having listened to you, I am pleased we voted to leave." French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said Juncker had "refused to listen to the huge desire of European people to get their independence back". - Double your money - Juncker meanwhile proposed doubling the size of his signature investment plan to 630 billion euros ($708 billion), and announced measures to help young people hit by the eurozone debt crisis. In a bid to make Europe's digital economy more competitive in a tough global marketplace, he also unveiled plans to shake up copyright laws and roll out free wifi across towns and villages by 2020 and 5G mobile phone coverage by 2018. He also called for a new EU border and coastguard force to start work quickly with 200 guards and 50 vehicles deployed in Bulgaria by October. But the difficulties of keeping Europe united were underscored on the eve of Juncker's speech when Luxembourg's foreign minister said Hungary should be suspended from the EU for treating refugees like "animals". Juncker's performance in front of 751 MEPs was closely scrutinised amid speculation he has health concerns, despite strong denials by him and his spokespeople. His speech sets the stage for Friday's Bratislava summit where leaders will study a joint defence plan by France and Germany and other post-Brexit security plans. In a summit invitation letter published late Tuesday, EU President Donald Tusk said it would be a "fatal error" for the EU to ignore the lessons of Brexit and urged the bloc to be less "politically correct" on migration. The leaders will launch a "Bratislava process" of reforms that they aim to approve at a summit in Rome in March 2017 to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the EU, a senior EU official said.
Nigeria's largest airline Arik Air said Wednesday it had resumed services after a 24-hour suspension of flights that raised fresh alarm for the troubled aviation sector.

Thousands of passengers were stranded after the airline cancelled flights on Tuesday due to "pending approval of aircraft documentation related to insurance renewal."

It denied speculation that the real reason was unpaid fuel bills due to a dire shortage of dollars in the country because of a collapse in the price of oil, Nigeria's biggest export.

"While the current scarcity of aviation fuel has impacted on the operations of airlines in the country, Arik Air is in good standing with its fuel suppliers and has been meeting its obligations to them," it said.

Arik is the third Nigerian company and by far the biggest to be forced to suspend flights since the start of September, joining Aero Contractors and First Nation Airways.

The group is crucial to the domestic industry, responsible for 60 percent of flights with an international network that includes Johannesburg and New York.

Experts predict the sector and its customers face more turbulence, with no major recovery of the oil market in sight and the country officially in recession.

"Aviation's reputation is bad in our country, the companies do not pay their debts and nobody wants to give us loans," wrote Allen Onyema, director general of Air Peace, a competing airline, in an article published on Monday.

Nigeria has had no national airline since the collapse of Nigeria Airways in 2003 due to poor management and corruption.

But private operators have had a tendency to repeat the same mistakes as the state company, aviation experts say.

"The management of public and private funds is bad, and the other problem is the lack of regulation in the sector by government authorities," said John Oladipo Ojikutu, an aviation consultant.

The Nigerian state took seats on the boards of several carriers including Arik Air and Aero two years ago through its Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) charged with the recovery of debts.

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A few months after taking office last year, Muhammadu Buhari dismissed AMCON's director accusing him of corruption and he now wants to re-establish a national airline.

But the management problems have been compounded by a severe shortage of foreign exchange.

The country which derives 70 percent of its revenues from oil is suffering from the fall in oil prices and an insurgency that results in attacks on its oil facilities in the Delta region.

With the banks lacking sufficient liquidity, the country has drastically reduced its imports, especially fuel, and has seen the value of its currency fall.

Beyond fuel expenses, airlines' other costs are also mainly incurred in dollars for aircraft maintenance and employee training, said Nigerian economist Bismark Rewane.

Six Boeing 737s belonging to Aero that had been serviced abroad have never been returned because their owner failed to pay money owed.

"There is a lack of national and foreign currency in banks and these companies have a critical need for capital," said Rewane, an economist and director of the Financial Derivatives Company in Lagos.

"If Arik closes, then Nigerian aviation as a whole collapses. The future is not reassuring," he told AFP.
By India Today Web Desk: What would you have to say to a woman who is discussing the O word in the open in a largely conservative society?

Wait, not only is she discussing the O word openly--specifically for women--she's also trying to empower women through it. Empower women through orgasms, what? How is that even possible?

This is how--insisting on equality in the bedroom can help women achieve equal footing in boardrooms and politics, insists author Firliana Purwanti.

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Purwanti, author of The Orgasm Project--a 2010 best-selling book that documented sexual experiences of 16 Indonesian women--is trying to make people see this unconventional approach of hers in a country that has the world's largest Muslim population, Indonesia.

Dubbed as the 'Orgasm Lady', Purwanti believes that if women are empowered enough to voice their demands in the bedroom, they are more likely to take the fight for equality outside their homes.

By speaking up about sex, she hopes to spark discussion on issues such as virginity tests on women who want to join the Indonesia's military or police force and the ritual of female genital mutilation (FGM), reports Thomson Reuters Foundation News.

"Your body, your sexual pleasure is your autonomy. The state has nothing to do with it," Purwanti, 39, told Reuters.

A development worker by day, Purwanti says her campaign is to push back against Indonesia's obsession with virginity. In Indonesia, virginity tests and FGM remain very much a reality even today; so much so that Indonesia's top court is currently hearing a petition from conservative Islamic activists lobbying to outlaw sex outside marriage.

Purwanti new approach has garnered a lot of attention, especially from her male followers. "All this while we have been trying to engage men in women's movement, it's very difficult. But when it comes to sex, they are engaged immediately," laughed Purwanti, who is currently working on another book, about sex and politics.

Having divorced her husband recently, after a nine-year-long marriage, Purwanti plans to stand as a member of parliament in the next national elections, due in 2019, on a women's rights platform.

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Russia on Wednesday called for a 48-hour extension of the Syria truce it brokered with the United States last week. Moscow "calls for the extension of the cessation of hostilities on all Syrian territory for 48 hours," senior Russian military officer Viktor Poznikhir said in a briefing broadcast on state television. He added that rebels had violated the ceasefire 60 times since it came into force on Monday. "We also note that some groups controlled by the United States, such as Ahrar al-Sham, have openly stated their unwillingness to cease fire," Poznikhir said. "The greatest number of violations is associated with these groups." In a phone call with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Washington to ensure it separates moderate rebels from jihadist groups. Poznikhir also said that Russia had on Tuesday bombed the area north of the historic city of Palmyra, "where IS militants are concentrated," in the first such strikes since the truce came into force. The strikes, Poznikhir said, had killed 250 people and up to 15 trucks containing heavy machine guns. Poznikhir added that Moscow was "fully meeting its responsibilities" regarding the truce's implementation. The head of Russia's ceasefire monitoring centre in Syria, Vladimir Savchenko, said that the Castello Road -- the key supply route to the battleground city of Aleppo -- had come under mortar fire. He said that the attack could threaten the withdrawal of Syrian troops from the area, which is set to begin at 0600 GMT on Thursday. The truce that began at sundown on Monday, agreed after marathon US-Russia talks in Geneva between Lavrov and Kerry last Friday, is part of the latest bid to end a five-year conflict that has killed more than 300,000 people. The US-Russian deal aims to end fighting between President Bashar al-Assad's loyalists and a wide range of rebels, but excludes jihadist forces like the Islamic State group. The UN's Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura on Tuesday hailed the truce for bringing about "a significant drop in violence" despite isolated incidents.
The city-state could face plummeting birth rates.

While tourist arrivals have recovered from the Zika outbreak in Singapore, bouncing back to 12.5%, the effects of the mosquito-borne virus could take some time to manifest economically.

According to a report by Deutsche Bank, a drop in birth rates in Singapore is likely, given the risks that Zika bears to an unborn child.

The report said this could dampen domestic demand and hamper moves to boost population growth, which over time, could undermine Singapores growth potential.





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AFP News

Ukraine's maritime grain exports were halted Sunday after Russia suspended its participation in a landmark agreement that allowed the vital shipments, blaming drone attacks on its ships in Crimea. The July deal to unlock grain exports signed between Russia and Ukraine and brokered by Turkey and the UN, is critical to easing the global food crisis caused by the conflict. The agreement had already allowed more than nine million tonnes of Ukrainian grain to be exported and was due to be renewed on November 19. On Saturday, Russia said it was halting its participation after its army accused Kyiv of a "massive" drone attack on its Black Sea fleet, which Ukraine labelled a "false pretext". US President Joe Biden called the move "purely outrageous" while Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Moscow was "weaponising food". The centre coordinating the logistics of the deal said in a statement that no traffic was planned for Sunday. "A joint agreement has not been reached at the JCC for the movement of inbound and outbound vessels on 30 October," it said. "There are more than ten vessels both outbound and inbound waiting to enter the corridor." Ukraine and the UN have urged that the agreement remains in force. "I call on all states to demand that Russia stop its hunger games and recommit to fulfilling its obligations," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the Russian move "an absolutely transparent intention of Russia to return the threat of large-scale famine to Africa and Asia". "Just today, more than two million tons of food are in the sea. This means that access to food has actually worsened for more than seven million consumers," he said in his nightly address. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said: "It is vital that all parties refrain from any action that would imperil the Black Sea Grain Initiative which is a critical humanitarian effort". - 'Peddling false claims' - Sevastopol in Moscow-annexed Crimea has been targeted several times in recent months and serves as the headquarters for the Black Sea 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 on the port early Saturday. "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. 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. Moscow's military said ships targeted at their Crimean base were involved in the grain deal. The United Nations Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Amir Abdulla, reported that Russia had notified him earlier Saturday of "its concerns about the safety of movements of merchant vessels" under the agreement. 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. City authorities said 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. 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. bur-gw/bfm/caw/mca-yad/dva
i-D Magazine spent some time in Brighton with local ripper Josie Millard to discuss getting into skateboarding, the burgeoning girls skate scene and the joys of hitting the streets amongst other things. Backed up with plenty of footage of Josie ripping, this is well worth a watch!

The Cirencester Skatepark Scratch and Skate Jam 2018, organised by Decimal Skateshop, can now be seen courtesy of James Harris' lens.

Power moves from Bromley here as Blast Skates welcomes Joe Howard to the team with two minutes of RWTB assisted DIY quarterpipe shredding.

Here are our favourite shots from the #CanonFirsts competition, including the two winners

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UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik)  The Libyan forces loyal to the UN-backed government in Tripoli will soon expel the Daesh group from its only Libyan stronghold in the city of Sirte, the UN's special envoy for Libya said Tuesday.

"Forces loyal to the Presidency Council made impressive progress to oust Daesh from its last remaining stronghold in Libya, in Sirte. Very soon, Daesh will no longer hold territory in Libya," Martin Kobler told the UN Security Council.

The governments forces launched a ground offensive in May to retake the city from Daesh militants and have made considerable process, freeing most of Sirte more than a year after it was captured.
UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik)  International and local observers should be present in Libya to support the political process, the UN's special envoy for Libya Martin Kobler said at a UN press briefing on Tuesday.

"I called for international, but above all, local presence. There must be Libyan observers here, international presence, the League of Arab States, the UN, the ambassadors in Tunisia. I think it is important that the international community, but also the local observers, are just present in order to observe this very important process", said Kobler.

He also called for immediate cessation of hostilities and underlined the importance of creating a unified army structure. He drew attention to the economic development of the country, deploring its current state with the decreasing oil exports.
CAIRO (Sputnik)  Egypts maritime forces have detained over 400 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea who were trying to get to Europe illegally, spokesperson of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Samir, wrote on Facebook.

"The [Egyptian] Navy thwarted an attempt by 440 individual migrants to illegally cross the [Mediterranean] sea," Samir said on Wednesday.

According to the spokesperson, the migrants were of different nationalities and were trying to make their way to Europe on two ships.
Clinton is expected to resume campaigning on Thursday, following a bout with pneumonia that forced her abrupt exit from a New York City event honoring victims of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Steinberg said an investigation launched by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat and Clinton ally, into Donald Trumps charitable foundation is part of a strategy to discredit Trump as he catches Clinton in opinion polls.

"Yes, it is a distraction from Hillary's troubles," he said. "But it is part of Democrats Plan B now that it is clear Trump and his deplorables could win."

At a campaign rally last week, Clinton described half of Trumps supporters as "a basket of deplorables" for holding views the Democrat said are bigoted. Clinton has drawn criticism for that remark.

Political scientist and commentator John Walsh said attempts to uncover embarrassing information about Trump came after the Republican nominee made clear he wouldnt be deterred from championing improved relations between the United States and Russia.

"Trump should be congratulated for appearing on RT," Walsh stated. "It is one more sign that he means it when he says we should get along with Russia. It is all the more impressive because the prediction was that such a stance would cost him votes."

According to Walsh, the New York attorney generals probe of the Donald J. Trump Foundation is a ploy to divert Americans attention from issues and substantive differences between the candidates. He also called it a bid to discredit Trump without having to address some of the Republicans constructive foreign-policy ideas.

"This is the tip of an iceberg," Walsh said. "The bellicose Hillary Clinton, who has never seen a war she does not love, could tumble us into World War III, a nuclear conflagration. She will certainly lead us in that direction."

Trump has made clear his determination to pursue a more responsible course in international affairs if elected US president, Walsh insisted.

"There is every sign that Trump will lead us away from that. That is a question of survival for human civilization, and what could be more important than survival?" he asked.

Also this week, Democrats on the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee called on US Attorney General Loretta Lynch to investigate the Trump Foundation.
Earlier this year, a citizen's initiative proposing the forced deportation of criminal migrants gathered 54,000 signatures, which prompted a parliament debate. The proposal called for changes in the legislature that would allow the country to expediently eject non-Finns who have been convicted of serious crimes, Finnish national broadcaster Yle reported.

Additionally, rules for migrant centers may be reviewed, following the recent murder of an elderly Finn in the city of Kajaani in northern Finland, Finnish Interior Minister Paula Risikko told Finnish national broadcaster Yle. According to Risikko, the present routine, where accommodation centers house both asylum-seekers who received a positive decision and those who were refused, may lead to the emergence of ghettos and criminal gangs, which Interior Ministry would like to avoid.

Finland's Security Police (Supo) expects the number of illegal immigrants in the country to increase due to the fact that the Migration Board (Migri) has been rejecting more asylum applications. At present, there are about 3,000 refused asylum-seekers who have appealed Migri's negative decisions. Police fear that the people who have failed to obtain refugee status are likely to continue their stay in Finland without proper documents.
Russian meteorologists remain trapped inside a remote weather station in the Arctic region which is currently being besieged by about ten polar bears, the Russian newspaper Izvestia reported.

The Izvestiy Tsik weather station is located on Troynoy Island in the southern area of the Kara Sea near the Arctic Ocean.

Station chief Vadim Plotnikov was quoted by Russian media as saying that the polar bears started staking out the weather station late last month after eating one of the scientists' dogs.
By PTI: Panaji, Sept 14 (PTI) Goa RSS chief Laxman Behre today said they will not have a "confrontational attitude" towards BJP or any other party on the controversial Medium of Instruction (MOI) issue.

"Sangh will not have confrontational attitude towards BJP or any other party on MOI. But we will continue to extend our support to Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM)," RSS Goa Vibhag Sangh Chalak Behre told PTI today.

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BBSM has been aggressively demanding making regional languages the medium of instruction in primary schools of Goa and stopping grants to English medium schools. It has been at loggerheads with the BJP-led state government for the last couple of months on the issue.

Behres statement attains significance against the backdrop of BBSMs crucial meeting of September 16 where it will chart out a political strategy for the upcoming Assembly election due in March 2017.

He said he would not join BBSM on the dais during their functions, though he has been supporting the cause of mother tongue as MOI in elementary education.

"Sangh Chalaks never go on dais and give any statements. There is nothing in writing but it is always followed," Behre said, adding that RSS swayamsevaks will not be stopped from attending any of the BBSM meetings, including those organised by the Prant RSS.

RSS had relieved its former Goa Vibhag Sangh Chalak Subhash Velingkar from the post after BBSM announced its intention to form a full-fledged political party.

Behre said Velingkar very much remains to be a part of RSS and has been "relieved from the post so that he can work for BBSM". PTI RPS ARS BSA BAS

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According to child psychiatrist Louise Frisen, the Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital has seen a 100% yearly increase in children and adolescents who are unsure of their gender and looking for medical assistance. In 2012, the Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital saw only four referrals of this kind, as opposed to 116 cases in 2015. This year, the number of gender identity investigations is expected to increase to at least 200.

Contrary to the common misconception, the Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital often experiences very confident young people who appear sure of their cause, Frisen told Swedish national broadcaster SVT.

"It is so incredibly painful to live in a body one fails to recognize as his or her own. It should not be forgotten that it is also associated with mental illness and a very high suicide risk in case of failure to get access to gender-affirmative therapy," Frisen told SVT.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  After almost three years of bargaining, the trade union has been unable to clinch a deal with the government and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection on a pay rise for the Departments staff.

"This will be strike action on a major scale, an unprecedented escalation to make Government finally do something to end this 1000-day dispute," CPSU National Secretary Nadine Flood said.

"Based on previous experience this strike action has the potential to cause more significant disruption and delays for international air passengers and others," Flood added.
TOKYO (Sputnik)  The Pentagon has been boosting military presence in the South after the Norths recent nuclear test. It sent two B-1B Lancer bombers to the air base near Seoul and is reportedly planning to forward-deploy an aircraft carrier in the region.

"These extremely reckless provocations of the U.S. imperialist warmongers are pushing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the point of explosion hour by hour," Pyongyangs statement, published by the state news agency KCNA, read.

KCNA emphasized that the Korean People's Army had the means to counter all US acts of aggression and provocation, and was closely watching its military activity on the Korean peninsula.
BEIJING, (Sputnik)  Liao Yongyuan, former deputy chairman of PetroChina , is accused of large-scale corruption and power abuse on the grounds that his spending far outweighed his official income, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Xu Jianyi, ex-chairman of China's FAW Group, and Xu Gang, former Fujian deputy governor, are charged with large-scale bribery and malfeasance in office, the media outlet added.

In March 2015, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Chinese Communist Party's internal watchdog, launched a probe against PetroChina and FAW top officials over what it claimed was serious violations of law and party discipline.
BEIJING (Sputnik)  Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang will participate in the 71th session of the UN General Assembly on September 18-28, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday.

According to Hua, Li is also set to visit Canada and Cuba during his trip.

On Tuesday, the 71th session of the UN General Assembly kicked off under the presidency of Peter Thomson, the permanent representative of Fiji. The session is due to proceed to general political debates scheduled for September 20 through September 26, which will give floor to some 100 presidents and prime ministers.
TOKYO (Sputnik)  US Secretary of State John Kerry, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida will hold consultations on North Korea's ballistic missile tests on Sunday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly's session, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said.

"At the upcoming meeting, which will be held in an extremely grave security situation, the ministers are expected to discuss comprehensive and strong response to North Korea," the ministry said in a press release issued Wednesday.

On September 9, Pyongyang confirmed the detonation of a nuclear device at the countrys northeastern testing site. The government said the test showed North Korea was capable of mounting nuclear warheads on strategic ballistic rockets.
New Delhi (Sputnik)  Japan has been trying to convince India to purchase 12 Shinmaywa US 2 amphibious aircraft, a deal which was previously considered dead in the water. Moreover, Japan is willing to sell the fleet of aircraft at a bargain basement price of less than $1.6 billion.

This has provoked a strong reaction from the Chinese government as it believes that Japans move is aimed at forming a nexus with India in order to counter China at the South China Sea.

"I have noted this report. We hold no objection to normal state to state cooperation including defense cooperation, but if the report is true that if someone is making improper move then this is very disgraceful," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a press conference in Beijing.
Apparently unable to defeat the Afghan government with conventional tactics alone, Taliban and terrorist groups operating in the country now try to sway the hearts and minds of the local population in their favor, seeking to drive a wedge between civilians and security forces.

Second Vice President of Afghanistan Sarwar Danish told Sputnik that terrorist groups operating in the country now actively spread anti-government propaganda, aided by some unspecified foreign factions.

"During this time of celebration, certain circles of the Afghan society keep aiding the cause of our enemies, the terrorist groups, paying no heed to the interests of their people and to the national reconciliation. These people seek to gain glory and prosperity for themselves by talking about the resurgent terrorist threat in the country and the incompetent authorities inability to protect their nation. In doing so, they provide the militants with the ability to wage full-scale psychological warfare against the people of Afghanistan," he explained.
New Delhi (Sputnik)  India and Afghanistan signed a crucial Extradition Treaty to facilitate the exchange of wanted terrorists, which will strengthen their ability to fight it in the future.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani is on a two days visit to India; he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held bilateral talks. This is the eighth time that Modi and Ghani have met.

Glad to have met President @ashrafghani in Delhi. We had extensive talks on India-Afghanistan ties. @ARG_AFG pic.twitter.com/5EgOtwEXuN  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 14, 2016

India and Afghanistan agreed on a number of crucial issues, including jointly fighting the menace of terrorism. Without naming Pakistan, the leaders agreed to discourage the designs of those who support and sponsor terrorism and step up bilateral security cooperation.
New Delhi (Sputnik)  Afghanistan has suggested setting up a task force to take the strategic relationship between India and Afghanistan forward. The task force could meet during the Heart of Asia conference in December in India.

Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of Afghanistan, said that, Allocation of $1 billion by Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards the rebuilding and future of Afghanistan is a statement of belief in the strategic partnership between the two countries. There is need for the business chambers of the two countries to contribute towards Afghanistans efforts by setting up a target of $10 billion in trade and investment in the next five years.

As relations between India and Pakistan worsen, Pakistan has blocked roads to supply Indian goods to Afghanistan. Ghani said that cargo flights could be used for transporting Afghan goods that are in demand to India. And Indian products like tea could travel back to Afghanistan creating a value chain which can be affordable and sustainable. He added that Afghanistan also is looking to India to establish dry ports.
A huge falling star has been found which is world's second biggest meteor ever discovered. It weighs 30 tonnes (30,000 kg) and was buried five metres down in a field in Argentina.

By India Today Web Desk:

A humongous meteor has been found buried five metres down in a field in Argentina, which was discovered by scientists in an area called Campo del Cielo which translates to "Sky Field" or "Field of Heaven".

The meteorite was discovered last weekend by researchers from the Chaco Association of Astronomy and is world's second largest meteor which weighs 30 tonnes (30,000 kg).

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The society's president, Mario Vesconi, told local media that finding the rock "was a big surprise".

"The meteorite was buried about 5 metres deep and has a width of almost two metres," Vesconi said while talking to En Compactonea.

Photo: Twitter - @Livio_Gutierrez

This huge piece of boulder has been named "Gancedo meteorite".

The site is covered in craters and they came from an iron meteor shower around 4,000 years ago. The largest crater measures 91 metres across.

Some believe this meteor is the second largest meteorite ever found. The largest, known as Hoba, weighs 60 tonnes and lies in Namibia, Africa.

Photo - Twitter - @WOWFAKTA

Although nobody knows the value of the new rock, but local politician Livio Gutierrez called it a "milestone" - and hopes it attracts more tourism.



--- ENDS ---
"Of course this event causes great concern. Russias position is well known, we do not think this corresponds to the norms and principles of international law and deserves condemnation. We think such actions do not promote the establishment of security and mutual trust on the peninsula. Moreover, tensions are increasing," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"Moscow is ready for the closest coordination of its steps in order to work out an international reaction to Pyongyangs actions."

A new report from the private intelligence firm Soufan Group estimates that Pyongyang could have a nuclear-armed ballistic missile in the next four years.

"There is no public verification for North Koreas claim to have miniaturized a nuclear warhead for a ballistic missile, but estimates indicate it likely will be by 2020."
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  US Vice President Joe Biden and members of Congress met with Myanmars longtime opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss the Southeast Asian nations moves toward democracy, the White House announced in a read out.

"The Vice President and members welcomed the recent progress in Burma's [Myanmar] democratic transition," the read out stated on Wednesday.

The meeting took place earlier in the day at the US Naval Observatory, the read out stated.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Rosneft has carried out the first delivery of oil products to Greece's Hellenic Petroleum SA, the Russian company said in a statement.

A 30,000 ton batch of fuel oil has been loaded on the tanker Kriti Rock at the port of Tuapse for subsequent transportation to the port of destination, Aspropyrgos, the statement reads.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Iran is going to import salmon from Russia, countrys Deputy Agriculture Minister Ali Akbar Mehrfard said on Wednesday.

"Some species of fish such as salmon do not inhabit Iran and we got a permit on import of this species of fish from Russia. I think we will able to develop seafood turnover," Mehrfrad said a press conference in Moscow.

He added that Iran was going to double sea food production to increase its export, also in Russia.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  German pharmaceuticals giant Bayer reached an agreement with the US agricultural company Monsanto to buy the US-based corporation in a deal worth about $65 billion, media reported Wednesday.

In May, Bayer offered $62 billion to buy Monsanto, saying the pesticide and fertilizer producer was a perfect match for its agricultural business. The US company has rejected that proposal, as well as further bids of Bayer. Earlier in September, the German company announced that it had again increased its bid.

The two companies reached an agreement on valuing Monsantos equity at some $56 billion, but taking into consideration the US corporation's debt the deal was worth around $65 billion, the Financial Times newspaper reported, citing sources familiar with the deal.
Sweden's new arrivals, who possess little or no education, are a ticking time bomb for the country's labor market that can explode any time before the 2018 elections, economist Johan Javeus of the Swedish financial group SEB warned.

The record gap between the extremes of the Swedish labor market is expected to continue to increase. The difference in unemployment between highly educated native-born Swedes and their foreign-born counterparts, who typically only have lower secondary education, rose by more than 30 percent last year alone. The gap is expected to increase further, as Sweden took in a record of 163,000 asylum-seekers in 2015, of which only some 500 managed to find work, according to a report earlier this year.

"With all the new arrivals last year absent from the statistics, and we know that many of them had little or no education, the gap will continue to widen in 2017 and 2018," Javeus said, as quoted by Swedish newspaper Helsingborgs Dagblad.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, media reported that the German company and Monsanto reached the deal worth about $65 billion to buy the US-based corporation.

"USD 128 per share in all-cash transaction, represents 44 percent premium to Monsanto shareholders and an aggregate value of USD 66 billion Bayer intends to finance the transaction with a combination of debt and equity. The equity component of approximately USD 19 billion is expected to be raised through an issuance of mandatory convertible bonds and through a rights issue with subscription rights. Bridge financing for USD 57 billion is committed by BofA Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and JP Morgan," the statement said.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The Ford Motor Company will move all small car production out of the United States into Mexico within the next three years, Ford CEO Mark Fields said on Wednesday.

"Over the next two to three years, we will have migrated all of our small car production to Mexico and out of the United States," Fields said as quoted by NBC News.

In April, Ford announced its decision to create a new assembly plant in Mexicos state of San Luis Potosi.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The deal for German pharmaceutical giant Bayer to acquire US agricultural company Monsanto is a threat to the United States, US Senator Bernie Sanders said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The attempted takeover of Monsanto by Bayer is a threat to all Americans," the former presidential candidate stated. "These mergers boost the profits of huge corporations and leave Americans paying even higher prices."

Sanders wrote that regulators should block the merger, and he urged the US Department of Justice to reopen an investigation into Monsantos possibly monopolistic practices in the seed and chemical market.
Henkel, for his part, lamented the fact that many of ALFA's proposals fell on the deaf ears in Berlin because "we [Germany] believe that we should become the world champions in terms of morality."

"We want to save the world's climate, the euro, Greece and now, we are saving refugees from around the globe," he said.

According to Henkel, the main problem pertains to German Chancellor Angela Merkel's approach to the migration issue.

@dwnews The intention of Angela Merkel to welcome the refugees was humanistic. The problem was the implementation of this policy.  Domingo Trassens (@trassens) 6  2016 .

"No one understands why she welcomes hundreds of thousands of migrants in order to impose them on other Europeans who did not invite them," he said.

Touching upon Merkel's policy on refugees, Henkel said that "it comes from low self-esteem."

"Merkel has repeatedly justified her policy on refugees by hinting at our history," Henkel said referring to some Germans' guilt complex over Nazi crimes, something that he said helps to understand why some political decisions in Germany have moral connotations.

The refugee-related problem cannot be resolved with the help of the simple solutions offered by AfD, he said, adding that his party recommends the introduction of a so-called "breathable upper boundary," which means that the federal states and local authorities themselves would decide on how many refugees they can receive.

"This would prompt the population to show more drive in accepting the migrants," he said.

Separately, Henkel blamed Merkel for Germany's move to abandon its nuclear power plants (NPP) following the Fukushima disaster.

"It seems that a tsunami may ride roughshod over the Rhine or the Elbe to jeopardize reliable German nuclear power plants," he said recalling that the number of NPPs across the world increased after the Fukushima disaster and that only Germany plans to shut down its nuclear facilities.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The European Union is still "not enough a union" and there is much to be done in the social sphere, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday.

"One year ago, in September 2015 in my speech on the state of the European Union, I stated that the state of the union left much to be desired, I said then it didn't only apply to Europe that in our union there was not enough union. In spite of the progress, which has been made, it still applies," Juncker said in the annual State of the Union speech.

Juncker concedes social solidarity must be voluntary and cannot be forced. And therein lies the EU's biggest problem. #SOTEU  Patrick O'Flynn (@oflynnmep) 14  2016 .

He added that some things had improved, but others had not, for example "social injustice continues" and "Europe is not social enough."
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The European Union is "betraying" its historic values, showing lack of solidarity amid the ongoing refugee crisis, especially in respect to unaccompanied migrant children, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday.

"When it comes to managing refugee crisis we have started to see solidarity. I am convinced much more solidarity is needed, I also know that the solidarity must be voluntary I am asking as long and immediate action both from Greece and the European Union to protect what we call in French 'les enfants non accompagnes.' We want protection of these children, the European Union is betraying its historic values," Juncker said in the annual State of the Union speech.

Europe has been beset by a massive refugee crisis, with hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants fleeing crisis-torn countries in the Middle East and North Africa to escape violence and poverty. The majority of refugees cross the Mediterranean Sea and enter the European Union in Greece and Italy.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The European Union should create its headquarters in Europe, as well as to establish a European Defense Fund to bolster the bloc's common defense and promote security-related research and development, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday.

"We must have a European headquarters and so we should work toward a common military force. This should be in complement with NATO," Juncker said in the annual State of the Union speech.

France and Germany call for EU military headquarters, more cooperation with NATO, cross-border military planning. https://t.co/7QMKRDqV43  POLITICO Europe (@POLITICOEurope) 12  2016 .

From an economic point of view, bringing together the EU military resources could be clearly justified, he noted.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The leaders of self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) and Luhansk Peoples Republic (LPR) announced unilateral ceasefires effective midnight September 15 [21:00 GMT Thursday] and urged the Ukrainian government to follow suit on Tuesday.

"We regard this decision as an important concrete step aimed at consolidating the silence regime declared by the parties in connection with the September 1 new school year, at stabilizing the situation in the conflict zone and eventually at peaceful settlement in southeastern Ukraine in accordance with the Minsk agreements," the ministry said in a statement.

It called on Kiev to reciprocate Donetsk and Luhansks initiative "so that the ceasefire along the line of contact takes on a durable long-term nature."
KIEV (Sputnik)  The Ukrainian cabinet of ministers submitted $4.8 billion to next years budget on defense spending, totaling 5 percent of GDP and marking an increase of $560 million from this year, Ukraines Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said Wednesday.

President Petro Poroshenko argued earlier that the country could not afford to spend more than 3 percent of GDP on defense.

"We have identified the cost of 129 billion hryvnia ($4.8 billion) on the entire defense complex, which is 15 billion hryvnia ($560 million) more than last year. This corresponds to 5 percent of GDP," Groysman told lawmakers.
He added that Polish farmers are dissatisfied about the fact that while Ukraine's grain supplies are currently being shipped to Poland, Kiev won't import either Polish vegetables or Polish meat, which Piekarnik said results in Polish farmers suffering significant losses.

Touting the Association of Polish Fruit Growers as an "important" non-governmental organization, Piekarnik announced its plans to meet the producers of grain, beef, pork and other products so as to try to reach a consensus.

"Our goal is to return to previous relations with our Eastern partner. With speculations on Poland's economic cooperation with China gathering strength, we continue to insist that most of our products should be sold on the market we earlier entered," he said in an apparent reference to Russia.

He warned that manufacturers from China and South America may force Polish farmers out of the Russian market if the steps are not made in the direction of the normalization of Russian-Polish relations.

"We cannot supply the volume we now produce to other markets. We meet daily at the Russian Embassy to discuss the issue, and we see the Russian side's good will. In other words, sometimes both partners need to step back and concentrate on the economy, not politics. Our only desire is to normalize bilateral economic relations," he said.

The United States, the European Union and some of their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions since Crimea reunified with Russia in 2014; they have accused Moscow of meddling in an internal Ukrainian conflict.
While the UK, along with France, is a key military power in the EU, London had resisted attempts to forge a united European army, instead arguing that NATO should have primacy in the defense of Europe.

"A European Army is not remotely on the cards. We have a veto, we'll never join one, nor allow anything that undermines NATO," then UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said, a month before Brexit.

However, the UK's exit from the bloc has led EU leaders to renew their calls for closer military cooperation. Last week EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that Brussels now has a chance to implement the idea.

"For the first time since the failure of the European Defence Community in 1954, I believe a window of opportunity has been opened to give life to a European defence," she said, proposing that the EU set up a military headquarters in Brussels that would manage future military interventions.

Shortly after the Brexit vote on June 23, the Foreign Ministers of France and Germany presented Eastern European EU members with a plan for an EU superstate in the aftermath of Brexit.

At a meeting with the Visegrad countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia), France and Germany suggested a common European security and defense policy, dealing with all aspects of security and defense at the European level, which they called a "European Security Compact."
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann criticized German open door migration policy in the wake of recent arrests of the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) suspects.

On Tuesday, German police special forces arrested three Daesh suspects in northern Schleswig-Holstein federal state. According to the initial investigation, the suspects moved from Syria to Germany in November 2015 in order to carry out an attack or to await further instructions on behalf of the Daesh.

"The glaring gaps in controlling the immense flood of refugees, especially in the autumn of last year, is exacting revenge. We know in the meantime that IS has also purposefully used these vulnerabilities so that attackers can be smuggled into Europe disguised as refugees," Herrmann told journalists of the Funke Mediengruppe, as quoted by DPA news agency.
Speaking about the European way of life, Juncker said that it was worth preserving, but several people had forgotten what being a European meant.

According to Juncker, the integral part of Europe are: peace, EU values, effective justice system, data protection, cooperation with the bloc's neighbors (he also paid attention to the proposed free-trade Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Brussels and Ottawa), protection of EU workers and industries, such as agricultural sector and steel industry, as well as social policy. At the same time, this way of life opposed the death penalty, as well as discrimination and racism.

Europe That Empowers

Juncker said that Brussels should empower both the people living the abovementioned way of life and the economies of the bloc's member states.

Among the measures proposed within this framework, the president said about the necessity to respect copyright rules and to invest in connectivity, because the world is becoming digital.

In his speech, Juncker proposed to double the duration and financial capacity of European Fund for Strategic Investments.

"Today, we propose to double the duration of the [European] Fund [for Strategic Investments] and double its financial capacity. With your support, we will make sure that our European Investment Fund will provide a total of at least 500 billion [$561 billion at the current exchange rates]  half a trillion  of investments by 2020. And we will work beyond that to reach 630 billion by 2022," Juncker said.

He also spoke about the launch of an Investment Plan for Africa and the Neighbourhood that could potentially raise some 88 billion euro in investments.

Juncker added that Europe should invest in its youth, in their projects in order to eradicate youth unemployment and to support this group of people.

"I cannot and will not accept that Europe is and remains the continent of youth unemployment. I cannot and will not accept that the millennials, Generation Y, might be the first generation in 70 years to be poorer than their parents The European Union can also contribute by helping create more opportunities for young people," the European Commission president said.
"The EU has advocated joint EU-NATO cooperation in such spheres, among others, as cybersecurity and the fight against hybrid threats. Both spheres fall under Article 5, the principle of collective defense of NATOs founding treaty," the expert said.

"Thus the EU actually loses its strategic independency as it is obliged to act within the strategy of the alliance," Danilov explained.

Even though, he said, those are the same very countries which are NATO member states and potential members of the EU Defense Union, what is meant here is specific differentiation of labor between EU and NATO.

To be able to build up its own defense, Europe should have autonomy. However, it is binded to NATO agreements and therefore unable to set up its own project, the expert explained.

"Europe lacks autonomy and has to align with the policies pursued by NATO. It means that it's forces are guided by the US leadership," he said.

Danilov further said that the current US leadership however is questionable due to its vague security policy at times during the presidential race. He defined this year as "the year of instability and uncertainly" for the US and urged Europe to act on its own.

"On the one hand, Europe has got a chance to make more or less independent decisions," he said.

"On the other, it is still limited in its decisions by external circumstances," he noted, adding that if Europe makes any decisions on its autonomy without agreeing them with the US, there is high risk that such decisions will be extremely problematic.
PARIS (Sputnik)  Incumbent French President Francois Hollande will undoubtedly run for president in 2017, Didier Guillaume, the head of the Socialist group in the upper house of the country's parliament, said Wednesday.

"He will run for president in 2017 It's for sure. He will run for president because France needs him," Guillaume told the Europe 1 broadcaster in an interview.
"With regards to the Mediterranean route for refugees, a lot of people are fleeing to Europe from Libya. We need to reach an internationally-recognized agreement with the government of Libya in order to be able to send people home."

"In order to solve the migrant crisis in Europe, in order to restore peace for the citizens of the EU, it is necessary to reach an agreement with Libya and restore peace in that country. Otherwise, the situation which is happening today in the Middle East and North Africa will happen again in European countries," Kappel said.

African refugees and migrants regularly attempt to travel via Morocco to Spain, which has two enclaves, Melilla and Ceuta, that border Morocco in North Africa. Spain has erected three border fences along its border with Morocco, which migrants attempt to cross.

In June a group of 100 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa attempted to jump the fences and enter the EU, 30 of whom were successful. Over the first six months of this year, there were ten attempts by migrants to storm the fence, with some 50 migrants managing to get into Melilla, The Local reported.

In February the EU Commission declared that Spain's migration policy in Melilla and Ceuta, dubbed "hot returns," is compatible with EU law, although it has been criticized by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

Spanish security forces expel migrants discovered in the border region back to Morocco, which then sends them back to their country of origin.

Spain has also signed bilateral agreements with Mauritania and Senegal, and stepped up coastal patrols, maritime surveillance and border checks at its main ports to stop illegal migration.
The UK Parliament foreign affairs committee has released a damning report into the invasion of Libya in March 2011, when the United Kingdom and France, with the support of the United States, led the international community to support an intervention in Libya to protect civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.

Read the findings of our #Libya inquiry in our latest report https://t.co/f7mPMrxuzJ pic.twitter.com/UoVdKvArZo  Foreign Affairs Ctte (@CommonsForeign) September 14, 2016

The report found that: "This policy was not informed by accurate intelligence. In particular, the Government failed to identify that the threat to civilians was overstated and that the rebels included a significant Islamist element. By the summer of 2011, the limited intervention to protect civilians had drifted into an opportunist policy of regime change.

"That policy was not underpinned by a strategy to support and shape post-Gaddafi Libya. The result was political and economic collapse, inter-militia and inter-tribal warfare, humanitarian and migrant crises, widespread human rights violations, the spread of Gaddafi regime weapons across the region and the growth of ISIL in North Africa."
Interestingly, Schulz also seems to have the support of European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker, who comes from Europe's rival conservative bloc, with Juncker backing the German to remain in his post.

Juncker may endorse Schulz for re-election as the assemblys president, according to sources from the European Peoples Party group  Alessio Pisano (@AlessioPisano) September 7, 2016

"I am in favor of the European institutions being led for the next two-and-a-half years as they have been thus far. We need stability," Juncker told German newspaper der Spiegel in July.

'He Would be Declaring War'

However any attempt to extend Schulz's presidency into a third term would be in breach of a deal  signed by Schulz himself  between Europe's right-wing and left-wing parties, that stipulates the parliament presidency should rotate between the two camps every 30 months.

"We have an agreement with the Socialists  Martin Schulz signed it himself," an unnamed MEP from the conservative EPP group told AFP.

#Schulz elected EP Pres with 409votes. This is @EPPGroup & socialist MEPs taken together. We did our part, expect same support for #Juncker  Siegfried Muresan (@SMuresan) July 1, 2014

"If he puts himself forward again, he would be declaring war."

Critics have called for Schulz to honor his commitment and not run for the parliament's presidency in January, noting that he had not yet ruled out or declared whether he will run again.

Born in Germany in 1955, Euro Parliament president Martin Schulz tells SDLP launch his generation "was born in peace & raised in prosperity"  Sam McBride (@SJAMcBride) April 30, 2014

While supporters have praised Schulz for his role in raising the profile of the European Parliament, others have criticized his outspoken nature on certain issues and have taken aim at his perceived "autocratic style."

The Future for Schulz

While speculation is rife over Schulz's future with the European Parliament, there have also been reports that the former bookshop owner may be considering a bid to return to German domestic politics and take on Chancellor Angela Merkel in next year's federal election.

Schulz's SPD party are currently the junior coalition partners in Merkel's government, however there are fears the party may lose votes due to its support for Berlin's "open-door" refugee policy, which resulted in more than one million refugees from the Middle East arriving in Germany last year.

Right wing AfD currently third strongest party in German election poll, only 9 points behind Social Democrats. pic.twitter.com/jbMpm3wd8e  Peter Sparding (@PSparding) September 2, 2016

While Schulz has said that vice-chancellor Sigmar Gabriel is the "legitimate candidate" of the Social Democrats, he has not ruled running for the party's leadership himself, sparking speculation over his next move.
The academics are calling for the society to press Mr. Gove for a "full personal apology" to anyone that would have been offended by his comments likening his presence at the dinner to that of the head of racist group the KKK at a Black Lives Matter AGM.

The SLS did issue a statement following the remarks after concerns were raised and voiced on social media.

Statement Regarding the Societys Annual Conference Dinnner https://t.co/fcoVyQHC8M  The SLS (@legalscholars) September 11, 2016

However, according to the 100 academics, the statement simply does not go far enough.

'Hostile'

The initial statement said: "The invitation on behalf of the SLS was made and accepted when he [Gove] was Minister of Justice and Lord Chancellor (and months before the EU referendum campaigns had begun).

"In the course of his speech, aware that his academic audience might be largely hostile given his position on Brexit, Mr. Gove drew an analogy, the gist of which has since been tweeted."

'Regret'

"The Society wishes to distance itself clearly and unequivocally from this comment and sincerely regrets that it was made and caused offense."

Michael Gove, a Conservative politician was Secretary of State for Education from 2010 to 2014 and Secretary of State for Justice from 2015 to 2016 until he was sacked by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Mr. Gove also led the Vote Leave campaign ahead of the UK's referendum on its membership of the European Union and even threw his hat in the ring for the job as PM after David Cameron resigned.
Police believe that the "witch hunter" went to Malmo to find his ex-wife, who is now living under a new identity. In autumn 2015, he was arrested outside his brother-in-law's home. He admitted to a plan which involved kidnapping, tying up, decapitating and burning his relative.

The man was convicted and placed in a psychiatric facility after an examination showed he suffered from a mental disorder. Police discovered on his computer a list of 56 other people, whom he had selected as victims in the future.
According to Seibert, Germany will provide up to 650 servicemen for the Sea Guardian mission.

"The Sea Guardian operation will substitute Active Endeavour operation. The mandate is expected to become valid no later than December 31, 2017 The mandate will cover the entire Mediterranean sea," Seibert told journalists.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Four teenagers were arrested on Wednesday in the northern UK city of Leeds following a racist attack on a Polish man, local police said in a statement.

The four local males, aged 14, 15 and two aged 16, were arrested at addresses in the Armley and Bramley areas this morning (14/9). They have been arrested on suspicion of racially-aggravated grievous bodily harm and violent disorder in connection with the incident in Armley on Friday, September 9, in which the 28-year-old Polish man was attacked. They remain in custody at this time and will be interviewed throughout the day, the statement said.

The incident occurred on Friday when Polish man was attacked by a group of up to 20 teenagers. The man was cut in his head and sent to a hospital. His wounds are said to be no life-threatening.
As for the relay station at Ramstein which is being used to operate drones in the Middle East and North Africa, this station too is essential for the US, given geography and the curvature of the earth, the officer said.

In Scholz's view, US drone operations in and of themselves are "a clear violation of international law, since they take place in countries with which the United States is not officially at war, and the killings take place extra-judicially."

As for Germany's involvement in the drone operations via the provision of its bases, the military expert suggested that they effectively share the US status in violating international law, even if "our federal government has yet to interfere in the process, and behaves more like the famous three monkeys" (who see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil).

Naturally, the military expert noted, Berlin has the technical and legal capability to change its policy, especially given that US air bases on German territory are not US extraterritorial zones, but regulated according to bilateral treaties. This is especially true given that Germany pays part of the funding required for the upkeep of US bases on its soil.

Unfortunately, Scholz explained, "to date there has been no political will or even the possibility  due to American pressure, to put an end to the US deployment."
Amendments have subsequently been made to the reforms of the constitution, but critics still say the changes amount to political interference in the legal process. Judgements have been made against the Polish Government by the country's courts, but they can only become legal if the government publishes them, which it has chosen not to do.

Media Control

In January, the Polish parliament passed a new law that gives the government the power to directly appoint the heads of public broadcasters, which has been heavily criticized for being an effective clampdown on the independence of the media.

In a resolution, passed by 510 votes to 160 with 29 abstentions on September 14, MEPs voted on a proposition to remind Poland's government that "the European Union is founded on the values [] which were approved by the Polish people on the occasion of the referendum in 2003" and "operates on the basis of the presumption of mutual trust that Member States conform with democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights."

The motion referred to the "paralysis of the Constitutional Tribunal and the refusal of the Polish Government to publish all its judgments."

Meanwhile the European Commission has said that:

"There is a situation of a systemic threat to the rule of law in Poland. The fact that the Constitutional Tribunal is prevented from fully ensuring an effective constitutional review adversely affects its integrity, stability and proper functioning, which is one of the essential safeguards of the rule of law in Poland."

However, Poland is highly likely to ignore Brussels, plunging the EU into further crisis amid chaos over immigration, Brexit rising euroskepticism and calls for the fundamental reforms of the EU institutions
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  French prosecutors are seeking a three-year jail term for former French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry Jerome Cahuzac over tax avoidance and fraud, local media reported Wednesday, 10 days after Cahuzacs trial began.

According to the prosecution, Cahuzac has "sacrificed all principles for financial gain," Le Monde newspaper reported.

Eliane Houlette, the national financial prosecutor, also reportedly requested a two-year prison term for his ex-wife, Patricia Menard, who has "surpassed" her husband "in concealing his assets from the tax authorities."
Another example is the US military facility on another large Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia, which serves as a testing range for the newly released weaponry which pollutes the environment and threatens the health of local residents.

The economic damage is also substantial. NATO military operations around the globe cost the Italian defense ministry 55 million euro ($61.7mln) per day. If you take into account the expenses of other related ministries, the daily cost rises to 80 million ($89.7mln).

"This is the contribution of the country which has no interest in the military operation in any country of the world, because it is facing no threats," Grimaldi said.

The US military and political control over the Italian territory comes as the aftermath of the Second World War which deprived Italy of its sovereignty.

"I see no reasons for optimism in such a situation. What I actually see is the acknowledgment of similar subordination in other countries of the EU, and this aggressive strategy of NATO is leading us towards an epic failure," the journalist said.

However he added that he is certain that one day the authorities will finally come to their senses and change their stance towards the alliance.
Both Spain and Portugal are in breach of the SGP, triggering the warning from the Commission, which will lead to a fine of 0.2 percent of GDP. Spain's deficit hit 5.1 percent in 2015, while Portugal's is believed to have been 4.2 percent. Although threatened with a fine for being in breach of the SGP, neither country was , after Brussels decided it would give rise to further anti-EU sentiment in Europe.

Taken together with the Greek third bailout  the subject of disagreement between its creditors  as well as economic difficulties in Italy and Portugal, it is all a sign of the dysfunctionality of the single currency, because of a north-south divide in the economies of the member states. For the SGP to work, all euro member states must have similar fiscal policies  which they patently don't have.

"I think that there are limits to what a central bank can do. So the problem that I've said is not so much policy, even with the best of policies  and the policies have not been the best  but even with the best of policies it would have been virtually impossible to make the eurozone work, even with a genius as the policy maker," Stiglitz told Euronews.

He proposes three possible options for the EU: fundamental reforms in the structure of the Eurozone and the policies imposed on the member countries; a well-managed end to the single-currency euro experiment; or a bold, new system dubbed the flexible euro.
The Nordic fund is said to already own a significant portfolio of commercial properties, including large parts of other lucrative locations around central London, such as Regent Street and Mayfair, but it may be too early to estimate any valuation rise for investments whilst the UK Government is still unsure as to what its wider financial relationship with the EU will be.

Norway, although not a member state of the European Union itself, is closely associated financially with its membership in the European Economic Area (EEA) as a free trade member.

Following on from already wider international investment interests in London from countries such as Qatar and China who already have considerable property portfolios in the UK capital, many more global investors could still follow to cash in on a bargain.

Who needs an apartment?
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Paris police arrested five Syrians on suspicion of illegally storing arms and being part of a criminal group, local media reported Wednesday.

According to the RTL broadcaster, the arrest took place on Tuesday night in the 18th district of the French capital.
According to the poll conducted for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), a total of 54 percent of Germans said that they support the creation of the EU army, while 35 percent oppose the initiative.

The result is surprising as the defense policy is usually regarded as part of core sovereignty of a state. People [usually] openly oppose transfer of national competences in the defense policy to the European level, Michael Broening, head of the FES international political analysis department, said in a press release.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia may resume its fully-fledged participation in the work of the Parliament Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in 2017, Speaker of Russia's Federation Council Valentina Matvienko said Wednesday.

"I am not simply an optimist, I am an optimist-realist, and I believe that there are all necessary conditions for the Russian delegation to return to its work in PACE," Matvienko said following a meeting with PACE President Pedro Agramunt in Strasbourg ahead of the opening of the European Summit of Presidents of Parliament.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Council of the European Union ratified on Wednesday the creation of the new European Border and Coast guard agency, and it is expected to start functioning in mid-October.

"On 14 September 2016, the Council gave its final approval to the European Border and Coast Guard. The adoption of the regulation, which the Council approved by written procedure, paves the way for the Border and Coast Guard to begin its activities in mid-October," the EU body said in a statement.

The main role of the new agency is to help provide integrated border management at the EU external borders to ensure management of migration flows and provide a high level of security for the bloc.
"We must have a European headquarters and so we should work towards a common military force," Mr Juncker told the European Parliament.

"From an economic point of view, bringing together our military resources could be clearly justified. We could use cooperation because the lack of cooperation is something that is costing Europe 20 to 100 billion euros a year."

There have been ongoing rumours of plans to create an EU Army for a couple of years, which critics say would amount to a dangerous increase in the level of control that Brussels would hold over its member states.

Towards a Better Europe: @JunckerEU proposed a positive agenda of European actions for the next 12 months #SOTEU pic.twitter.com/w3cD7WD2ZM  European Commission (@EU_Commission) September 14, 2016

However, following Juncker's speech on Wednesday, EU officials stressed that a joint EU military force would not be the same thing as an EU army.

Currently, the UK's Brexit decision to withdraw from the European Union means the EU is about to lose its militarily most capable member state.

The Syrian Situation

Juncker also announced that the European Commission will propose a common European Defense Fund, "to boost military research and innovation" by the end of the year. He said that the EU should set it's sights on having a greater input in the management and resolution of global conflicts, including the Syrian civil war.

"The consequences for Europe of this conflict are immediate but where [is] the Union, where are the member states, in the negotiations to try to solve this conflict?" Juncker asked.

"I'm asking for us to draw up a European strategy for Syria," he added.

'Renegade' Members
MINSK (Sputnik)  Belarus is not going to suspend the construction of its first nuclear power plant despite environmental concerns by neighboring Lithuania, First Deputy Natural Resources Minister Iya Malkina said Wednesday.

Lithuanian environmental protection officials have earlier demanded that Belarus halt construction of the Ostrovets NPP to conduct additional stress tests.

"It is obvious for everyone today that Belarus will not halt the NPP construction. I cannot think of any reason that could force the government to do so," Malkina said.
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KIEV (Sputnik)  Ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, Kiev granting special status to the Donbass region and conducting local elections are preconditions for the next Normandy Four format meeting, French Foreign Minister Jean Marc Ayrault said Wednesday.

"There are various conditions, of course, which must be fulfilled to reach this goal. First of all, this is about ensuring security. We also noted ceasefire Another condition of political character is preparation of a draft Ukrainian law on local elections in Donbass, as well as granting this region special status," Ayrault told reporters.
KIEV (Sputnik)  The process of peace settlement in eastern Ukraine in the framework of the Minsk agreements is too slow in 2016, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Wednesday.

"We have just talked to [Ukrainian] President [Petro] Poroshenko and agreed that for past months, particularly since this February, we have carried out many negotiations  in Moscow, Kiev, Minsk and other places but honestly speaking this year the process of [implementing] the Minsk agreements turned out to be a snail and rather slow snail that does not move fast," Steinmeier said at a press conference with his Ukrainian and French counterparts.

Kiev launched a military operation in the country's east in April 2014 after the local residents of Donetsk and Lugansk regions refused to recognize new Ukrainian authorities, which came to power after the coup earlier the same year.
Another Bellingcat claim revolves around the suggestion that a missile defense space-based infrared system (SBIRS) successfully pinpointed the launch site. In fact, detecting a Buk launch using SBIRS system is virtually possible, given that detecting and determining a fired ballistic missile's trajectory requires more time than the Buk would be expected to fly.

As to the crucial Bellingcat claim  that MH17 was hit by a single Buk SAM in the hands of the Donbass militia, the report reiterated that this is a practical impossibility, since the detection range of a single Buk is limited to 120 degrees in azimuth and 7 degrees in elevation, and its effectiveness of fire is limited. A single Buk system can guard only a pre-assigned airspace sector with knowledge of its potential targets' parameters, up to and including enemy flight time (that is, to wait in 'ambush' mode). Independently and without this information, normally provided by support systems elsewhere in the military command, a single Buk is not capable of precisely locating and then hitting its target.

The detailed, technical and expert-oriented 31 page report leaked by Novaya Gazeta also revealed that Almaz-Antei took the unprecedented step of providing Dutch investigators with the genuine specifications of the Buk system. This, the report suggested, was meant to preclude the use of erroneous or otherwise inaccurate data which investigators obtained from various sources, including publically available materials. "The use of such materials inevitably led to erroneous results and conclusions. Precisely in order to avoid these mistakes, the decision was made to transfer the real technical characteristics of the Buk missile to the Dutch Safety Board," the report explained.

As for Bellingcat, the report saved a special criticism for them regarding the variant of the Buk missile used to shoot down MH17, suggesting that the group does not have and cannot know the precise technical characteristics and technical documentation which would enable them to make an accurate distinction between the variants of the 9M38 missile. As for Almaz-Antei, their report from October 2015 not only included this information, but even showed the results of two full-scale experiments to recreate the crash, conclusively demonstrating that the Malaysia Airlines Boeing was downed by an old Buk model fired from Ukrainian territory.
KIEV (Sputnik)  Ayrault and Steinmeier are visiting Ukraine on September 14-15. Earlier in the day, the German Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman, Sawsan Chebli, said that Steinmeier had plans to travel to the town of Kramatorsk, located on the territory controlled by Kiev.

"Tomorrow we will continue our [diplomatic] efforts not in Kiev, but in Donbas," Klimkin said at a joint press conference with French and German foreign ministers in Kiev.

Kiev launched a special military operation in Ukraines southeast in April 2014, after local residents refused to recognize the new Ukrainian authorities that came to power as a result of a coup. The years-long fighting has resulted in the destruction of important infrastructure and shortages of food, drinking water and electricity in Donbas.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  In July, Barroso, who served as the president of the European Commission from 2004 to 2014, took a job with Goldman Sachs bank on an undisclosed salary. This caused a wave of negative reaction from the European political establishment and society as the Goldman Sachs allegedly had helped Greece to reduce debt burden with cross-currency derivatives, worsening its debt crisis ahead of entering the euro area.

"We should now adapt the code of conduct in order to better clarify what former European Commission presidents and commissioners are allowed to do," Schulz told German newspaper Die Welt on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, incumbent President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker launched a probe into whether Barroso broke EU rules by taking a job at Goldman Sachs.
KIEV (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, Parubiy held a meeting with President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.

"We expect that this issue will be put on the agenda of plenary sessions in the first week of October and will be supported I really hope that this could be implemented and look forward to the successful and ultimate decision of the European Parliament," he said as quoted by the parliament's press service.

In 2014, Kiev and Brussels signed association agreement opening the way for Ukraine's integration into the bloc. It was formally ratified by all EU member states but the Approval Act for the ratification of the deal, adopted by the Dutch parliament in 2015, has not entered into force yet.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to provide a new $1-billion tranche of financial aid to Ukraine, according to a statement issued by the organization.

"The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the second review of Ukraines economic program supported by an arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The completion of this review enables the disbursement of SDR 716.11 million (about US$ 1 billion), which would bring total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 5,444.21 million (about US$7.62 billion)," the statement said on Wednesday.

On Monday, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said Moscow would vote against the new tranche of financial aid to Ukraine.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Most people who voiced support for the reintroduction of conscription were old, while the majority of polled young people also backed the idea, the Swedish news portal "News 55" said.

According to the survey, the return to compulsory recruitment was supported more by men than by women.

The survey was carried out by Public Opinion Research Institute Novus and included 1,000 respondents aged from 18 to 79.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Ukrainian party Opposition Bloc insists on making the procedure of receiving a tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) more transparent, the official website of the political party stated on Wednesday.

"Now this procedure is absolutely closed and unclear. And conditions for receiving IMF tranche satisfy neither society nor our political power," the leader of the Opposition Bloc, Yuriy Boyko, was quoted as saying on the website of the party.

The issue of tranche allocation was put on agenda of IMF Board of Directors on September 14.
DONETSK (Sputnik)  A new regime of silence has come into force in Ukraines southeast (Donbas), where Kiev forces are conducting a military operation against independence supporters, a representative of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) told RIA Novosti.

"At 00:00 on September 15 yet another ceasefire came into force. Before that, artillery fire was registered from the direction of the [Ukrainian] security forces on the territory of DPR," a spokesperson of the DPR Defense Ministry said.

Previously, a new ceasefire regime came into force in Donbas on September 1. The ceasefire agreement was reached between Ukraines conflicting sides during a Contact Group meeting in August.
The threat comes close on the heels of several Iranian announcements and ceremonies boasting about the capabilities of the countrys missile program. In late August, Iranian state media claimed that the military had deployed the newly acquired Russian S-300 missile defense system around the Fordo nuclear enrichment site, even though uranium-based activities there had supposedly ceased ahead of the January implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or Iran nuclear deal.

About a week prior to that, the Iranian Defense Ministry unveiled what was described as the most advanced and longest-range ballistic missile to be produced domestically by the Islamic Republic. Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan also asserted that the countrys military capabilities were generally on par with those of the rest of the world. Around the same time, he announced that Iran would be pursuing additional military technologies, including jet fighters, through its partnership with Russia.

None of these claims have been independently verified and Russia has not confirmed its own interest in such weapons sales. But the Iranian statements highlight the interest that Tehran has in bolstering at least the perception of a credible Iranian threat to the West. And that interest is further underscored by actual activities which began in earnest in January, with the arrest of 10 American sailors who mistakenly strayed into Iranian territory during a training exercise. This past weekends threat to US Navy aircraft could be seen as sending the message that even such accidental breaches will not be tolerated.

At the same time, many Western commentators observe that such statements serve to test the waters regarding what will be tolerated on the US side. And many of those same commentators have expressed frustration with what they see as a tepid response from the Obama administration. This was expressed anew in a Wall Street Journal article on the issue of Western nationals being held prisoner in Iran, on apparently false charges.

That article pointed out that the Iranian-British woman Nazanin Zaghiri-Ratcliffe, who was arrested while visiting family in Iran along with her two-year-old daughter, has now been handed a five year prison sentence after being accused of leading a foreign-linked hostile network. The Wall Street Journal explains that this incident and others like it are generally viewed as warnings to the Iranian diaspora, aimed at preventing people from returning to Iran in the wake of the nuclear agreement after having left in the wake of the Islamic revolution.

The article also takes a jab at recent US policy toward Iran and suggests that the Obama administration has permitted or enabled bullying behavior not just in the waters and in the air near Iran, but also toward American nationals inside the Islamic Republic. The article warns the British government against paying a ransom for Zaghari-Ratcliffe, as many critics believe President Obama did in the case of American prisoners who were released in January.

The US Congress continues to probe that incident, which the administration characterizes as the utilization of a debt settlement agreement in order to exert leverage over the Iranians to assure the release of four Americans named in a prisoner swap agreement. The presidents critics see no difference between this and a ransom payment. And on Monday, the World Tribune quoted one of those critics, Senator Marco Rubio, as saying Iran has pocketed this money and continued to hold and take more American hostages.

The money in question consists of 400 million dollars in repayment for a cancelled arms sale that was arranged prior to the revolution, along with 1.3 billion dollars in interest. Of particular concern to the critics is the fact that this money was delivered in the form of cash that was flown directly into Iran. And that concern has grown as the presidents opponents have probed further into the issue of the White Houses financial dealings with Tehran.

The World Tribune article notes that a recent report indicates that some of the unfrozen assets delivered to Iran during and after nuclear negotiations  as much as 33 billion dollars  may have also been delivered in the form of cash and precious metals. As well as quoting Rubio on hostage-taking, the article also points out that the White House and State Department have acknowledged that some of this money could end up in the hands of Iranian-supported terrorist groups, of which the Revolutionary Guards are one.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Lula da Silva could be arrested for owning a luxurious apartment on the coast of Sao Paulo, which was built by company OAS implicated in the Petrobras bribery scandal, the BBC broadcaster said. The apartment is worth approximately $550,000, the media outlet added.

The former leader denies allegations and describes the case as politically motivated. A judge is expected to rule out a decision on his case in a few days.

A huge corruption scheme was uncovered Petrobras in 2014, as it was revealed businesses paid more than $2 billion in bribes to sign contracts with the oil company and obtain projects which later increased in cost. The scandal triggered a large-scale inquiry and discontent with impeached President Dilma Rousseff who headed the company in 2003-2010.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The US delegation will include working-level representatives from the departments of Justice and Federal as well as the Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security, the release noted.

"Improving legal cooperation between our two countries has been one of several important topics discussed as part of the Law Enforcement Dialogue between the United States and Cuba," the release stated.

Multiple bilateral dialogues between US and Cuban officials have taken place since President Barak Obama restored diplomatic ties with the Caribbean island nation in July of 2015.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The Syrian opposition will not separate itself from Nusra Front elements if Damascus and Moscow violate the ceasefire agreement, a senior US administration official told reporters.

"This is one of the difficult parts to get the opposition to distance itself from al-Nusra [Nusra Front]," the official said on Tuesday. "It certainly is not going to happen if the [Syrian] regime and the Russians dont adhere to the cessation of hostilities."

The Syrian governments indiscriminate shelling, the official claimed, is the reason why groups are moving toward the Nusra Front in the first place.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The US Central Command (CENTCOM) admitted Tuesday that civilians could have been hit by coalition airstrikes launched against Daesh targets within the past six days.

"A total of three strikes within the past 6 days on [Daesh] targets in Syria may have resulted in civilian casualties," the statement read.

Two strikes on IS targets on September 7 and September 10 hit what appeared to be non-military vehicles as they drove into the target area after the missile was fired from the jet, CENTCOM said. On September 10, a group of civilians could have been hit by a strike on a nearby Daesh target.
"Those are two separate HIMARS systems  one going to be used in Turkey to support our operations, one in support of our operations in Iraq," Air Force Maj. Gen. Peter Gersten said during a Pentagon briefing last month.

The Iraqi unit will likely be placed in the Tigris River Valley.

Last week, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman John Dorrian said that 400 additional US troops had been deployed to Iraq in preparation for the assault on Mosul. According to Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, director of the US Defense Intelligence Agency, the Mosul operation could be initiated in two or three months.

The battle is anticipated to be especially challenging as experts fear that the estimated one million residents who remain in the city could be used as human shields.
TEL AVIV (Sputnik)  "In response to the projectiles which hit Israel today, IAF targeted artillery positions of the Syrian Regime in the Syrian Golan Heights," the statement by the Israel Defense Force spokesperson read.

Stray shells hit Israel-occupied territories five times within the past ten days as the Syrian offensive on militants along the border spilled over into Israel.

Hostilities between Israeli and Syrian forces escalated early Tuesday after the Syrian military said it had downed an Israeli warplane and a drone in retaliation for the latest airstrikes.
How will the joint Russia-US operations proceed once the ceasefire holds for the set period of seven days. Will the so-called "moderate" opposition be separated from the terrorists as stated in the agreement and how it will be done.

Finally, once the violence comes down, what will be next? This particular question is echoed by Bloomberg, whose columnist also notes that "the biggest problem, however, is that there is no inkling of how political issues will be addressed after a putative US-Russian victory over al-Nusra [Front] and Islamic State (Daesh)."

"Unless the two big players agree on a joint solution to push for, there will be too much uncertainty for local players and too many reasons to keep fighting," he notes.

Meanwhile, the US-based news website Vox has identified "three things to watch for in coming days" which will indicate that the ceasefire is "actually furthering" the rest of the agreement: "what counts as a violation of the ceasefire, whether Turkey decides to keep fighting, and whether US-backed Syrian rebels really do decisively part ways with their jihadist partners."

It is however interesting to note that on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged the United States to make the diplomatic deal transparent, saying it should be released so the public can assess any alleged violations of the ceasefire.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  A total of five coalition airstrikes killed six Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) militants in northern Syria near Yahmul, Kafr Ghan and Jakka, Turkish media reported on Wednesday, citing country's General Staff.

Along with killing militants, air strikes managed to destroy four mortar positions, Anadolu news agency reported.

On August 24, Turkish forces, backed by US-led coalition aircraft, began a military operation dubbed Euphrates Shield to clear Jarabulus and the surrounding area of Daesh, outlawed in Russia and many other countries worldwide.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Further promotion of settlement in Syria is hardly possible without the separation of modest opposition forces from terrorist groups, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

"The key task is to wait for the separation of moderate opposition from the terrorist groups. It is the principle objective without which further advancement is barely possible," Peskov told journalists.
On September 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kerry announced a new peace plan to address the five-year conflict in Syria that called for a ceasefire to come into force on Monday.

Failure of Peace Talks on Syria May Escalate Sectarian Conflicts in Middle East

The failure to bring peace to war-torn Syria through negotiations may increase the risk of sectarian conflicts in the Middle East and create Kurdish, Sunni and other enclaves, John Kerry said.

"If you fail to get a cessation in place now and we cannot get to the table, then the fighting is going to increase significantly You'll have massive potential increased sectarian conflicts  Sunni-Shia, Iran," Kerry said.

Conflicting sides in the region would become unleashed in case of a failure in the peace process, the US state secretary added.

"You could wind up with enclaves, conceivably a Kurd area, a Sunni and maybe even Sunni extremist area, a moderate-slash-whatever you want to call the western enclave that [Syrian President Bashar] Assad controls," Kerry noted.

Moreover, such a failure would add up to the current refugees flow to Europe, Kerry warned. It can further raise the level of extremism in the European countries and Russia, "where you have 2,000 [Chechens] who are fighting in Syria now, and they're worried about them coming home."
Her crime? Creating propaganda against the system and insulting the Supreme Leader.

Bayazidis letter states that because she comes from the deprived Kurdistan region, she is used to injustice and oppression from the regime but she will not stay silent.

She wrote: During the 90 days that I was in detention, they have tortured me with every possible method and every means. In the first few days of detention, the torture was so much that I could not even walk. My feet and my back were bruised and turned black. I was beaten so much that my mouth and my nose were bleeding. They did not have an iota of mercy on me.

Bayazidi said that when she pleaded for mercy or called out to God, she was told that there was no god in the Intelligence Agency.

She continued: At least twice they hung me by feet and by hands for several hours. In all the time that I was detained and interrogated, I was either tortured or blindfold and my eyes are now damaged and I feel that I have low eyesight and dimness.For 4 years I have been having breath shortness, and they did not give me my (oxygen) capsule to torment me more and extract confessions.

She said that not even animals are treated in the way that the Regime treat her.

She wrote: I was forced to make false confessions so that they could make cases against me and succeed in their inhumane tactics. I dont have anything to lose. I was tortured and threatened with rape and imprisonment in exile and they did the worst tortures on me. I have no fear now and I am not afraid anymore so it is my right to explain the truth.

She is currently denied phone calls and meetings; she snuck this letter out via a friend in order to expose the Regime.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  UK Prime Minister Theresa May welcomed on Wednesday the latest Russia-US deal on a new nationwide ceasefire in Syria, expressing hope for its implementation.

"The agreement, which has been reached between Russia and the United States about Syria, is an important agreement. And I think everybody in this House  we want to see that working, being put into practice and actually working on the ground," May said during the Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, the parliament's lower chamber.

On September 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry announced a new peace plan to address the conflict in Syria that called for a ceasefire to come into force on Monday.
Chief among the criticisms was the poor intelligence Cameron relied upon in the lead-up to the 2011 intervention.

The report criticized how the UK had "overstated" fears about the threat then Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi posed to his citizens, and how decisions taken on how to approach the conflict "were not based on accurate intelligence."

Cameron ignored/manipulated intelligence to bomb Libya. Heard this before? pic.twitter.com/KmQIeaDhGx  Ernie Warrender (@ErnieWarrender) September 14, 2016

"In particular, the Government failed to identify that the threat to civilians was overstated and that the rebels included a significant Islamist element," the report concluded.

The inability to identify moderate government protestors from Islamist elements was seen as a factor in the rise of Islamist violence in Libya, with the committee's chair Crispin Blunt saying the campaign "was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the country and the situation."

From Protecting People to Regime Change

Another severe criticism of the Cameron's government actions in Libya was how the military campaign shifted from being a plan that intended to protect to civilians, to one that was determined to overthrow Gaddafi and ensure regime change in the country.

The committee questioned the international coalition's actions in Libya following the initial military campaign.

Spreading 'democracy' is not just about a military intervention and a regime change #libya  Donjeta Miftari (@miftaridonjeta) September 14, 2016

"If the primary object of the coalition intervention was the urgent need to protect civilians in Benghazi, then this objective was achieved in March 2011 in less than 24 hours," the report found.

"This meant that a limited intervention to protect civilians drifted into an opportunist policy of regime change by military means."

If #Cameron is guilty of 'opportunist regime change' then he is guilty of a war crime #r4today  Michael Abberton (@MichaelAbberton) September 14, 2016

Blunt also noted that "other political options" apart from regime change were available in the country.

"Political engagement might have delivered civilian protection, regime change and reform at a lesser cost to the UK and Libya. The UK would have lost nothing by trying these instead of focusing exclusively on regime change by military means."

Poor Post-Conflict Planning
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  US President Barack Obama is ready to uphold Washingtons side of the US-Russian brokered ceasefire deal in Syria, US Secretary of State John Kerry said in an interview on Wednesday.

"It is very clear to me that the President [Obama] is intent on upholding our part of the bargain, which is, that if they [Russia] are going to see to it that [Syrian President Bashar] Assads air force is not flying anywhere our opposition is, we have to help in the fight against terrorism," Kerry told NPR radio station.

Kerry was responding to a comment made by US Air Forces Central Command commander Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian at a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia "calls for the extension for 48 hours of the regime of cessation of hostilities on the whole of the Syrian territory," Lt. Gen. Viktor Poznikhir, first deputy chief of the General Staff's Main Operational Department, told reporters.

According to the official, the ceasefire agreement was not fully implemented.

"As of this morning, the total number of violations by militants increased to 60 We also note that some armed groups controlled by the United States, such as Ahrar Al-Sham, announced directly their unwillingness to cease fire. The biggest number of violations is linked to these groups," Poznikhir added.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The United States will coordinate military activities with Russia against Daesh and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly al-Nusra Front, in Syria, US Secretary of State John Kerry said in an interview on Wednesday.

"No, to coordinate our activities against ISIL [Daesh] and Nusra," Kerry told NPR radio station when asked if Washington and Moscow will coordinate all military activities in Syria.

Kerry explained that the two nations remain on opposite sides on some issues in Syria, and that the United States will continue to support "the moderate, legitimate opposition," especially if those groups uphold the US-Russia brokered cessation of hostilities.
On September 14 two sailing boats set sail from the port of Barcelona on the Women's Boat to Gaza, in order to raise awareness of the plight of Palestinians living under blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The two boats are called "Amal" (Hope in Arabic) and "Zaytuna" (Olive), and are crewed by women from 15 different countries. One of the crew, Jaldia Abubakra, told Sputnik Mundo that the activists want to draw attention to the blockade of the Gaza Strip.

"I hope that we will wake up the conscience of humanity, and draw attention to this criminal blockade of Gaza, which has lasted for nearly ten years," said Abubakra, who was born in the city of Beersheba in southern Israel and now lives in Madrid.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The crisis in Syria, including sectarian tensions, will require "a number of years" to resolve, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Wednesday.

"How you are going to address those issues is really challenging," Brennan told his Washington, DC audience. "We dont have solutions that can be imposed, enforced upon the people. This is still going to take a number of years to come."

The CIA director called the Syrian crisis "the most complicated issue" he has ever encountered, due to many "internal actors, external actors, the sectarian tensions, the problems that have beset that country for so long that were suppressed because of the authoritarian regime under [President] Bashar Assad."
BERLIN (Sputnik)  According to Suddeutsche Zeitung, the consular offices will not resume the work till the end of the week. The media outlet added that the consular office in Istanbul cited the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, celebrated on September 12-15, as the official reason for the closure.

The source said that the information about terror acts is being checked, while it is still unclear who might be standing behind the terror threats.

In March, the German embassy in Ankara and consulate general in Istanbul were shut down as German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said there were "concrete signals" about attacks plotted by Islamic State terror group, banned in Russia and numerous countries.
ANKARA (Sputnik)  On Sunday, Turkeys Interior Ministry announced it had fired 28 provincial administrators and district governors for having links to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen The move was followed by clashes in the region. Later in the day, the US embassy said that Washington was concerned by the reported clashes. The embassy expressed hope that any trustee appointments would be temporary, and that local citizens would be permitted to choose new local officials "in accordance with Turkish law."

"Does the ambassador have a right to criticize the appointments made by the state in order to fight against terrorism? You continue to talk about the fight against terrorism. How can one create international anti-terror units and justify PKK terrorists at the same time? Our people will give an adequate response to those who are beyond the scope of what is permitted and allows himself inconsiderate behavior toward our country," Soylu told reporters, as quoted by the Anadolu news agency.

Earlier this week, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that attempts to give Ankara a democracy lesson were unacceptable.
NEW DELHI (Sputnik)  Joint military exercises between Russia and India, dubbed Indra-2016, will take place in the Russian Far East in late September  early October, a source in the Indian Defense Ministry told RIA Novosti Wednesday.

"The drills are scheduled to be conducted on September 22  October 2. Each side will have be represented by 250 servicemen," the source said.

The exercises will take place on the territory of the Russian Eastern Military District.
Earlier, Swedish leaders had toyed with the idea of stationing soldiers on the strategically-located Baltic island and even agreed to strengthen the island's staff from late 2017. However, some 150 mechanized infantry troops currently taking part in a military exercise were ordered to stay on the island ahead of the schedule.

"External factors in the world have deteriorated over time," the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Micael Byden, told Swedish national broadcaster SVT, explaining the decision about permanent battle group presence, which was obviously taken with an 'aggressive' Russia in mind.

However, Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist stressed specifically that there is no threat of attack.
Malakhit's General Director Vladimir Dorofeev said early last month the bureau had signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry to design the advanced nuclear submarine with construction to start sometime after 2020.

"The development will continue until 2020," Dorofeev told reporters and noted the importance of integrating the submarines into Russias single information space despite its stealth capabilities.
"Of course we took into account US-Georgia exercises considering that it involved about 1,500 personnel. We took their actions into consideration," Gen. Valery Gerasimov told reporters.

He added that the drills sparked increased interest on the part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states intelligence, but maintained that the maneuvers avoided border violations because Russian aircraft were scrambled at the approach of foreign warplanes.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Russian Helicopters company, part of the Rostec state corporation, will present current and future helicopter models at the Africa Aerospace and Defense-2016 (AAD 2016) exposition in South Africa, the company said in a statement Wednesday.

"We have a traditionally strong position on African helicopter market, and we see South Africa as an important region for our products' promotion. At this exposition we will showcase the current and future models of military helicopters. We hope that in the future this region's air fleet will include these aircraft as well," the company's CEO Alexander Mikheev said, as quoted in the statement.
New Delhi (Sputnik)  An Indian delegation is leaving for Russia to negotiate contracts on some very important defense acquisitions. Government sources told to Sputnik that a high level delegation will leave for Russia in a few days to discuss some strategic purchases for its maritime security.

Sources say that India would like to finalize a deal to lease some submarines from Russia. As the US refused to share technology for building a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the delegation would also start the discussion for a super-carrier with Russia. Last week, Russia officially offered its latest nuclear aircraft carrier 'Shtorm' to India.

Sources say that, India and Russia concluded two very important negotiations only last week. First, both nations agreed to license-build 200 twin-engine Kamov Ka-226T light multi-role helicopters and secondly, to jointly develop a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). It is expected that the Design and Development contract for the FGFA will be signed during Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to India in October this year. Indias Defense Ministry expects the project will be completed in next 8-10 years.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  "The new 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on security assistance that my administration signed with the government of Israel today is just the most recent reflection of my steadfast commitment to the security of the state of Israel," Obama said in a statement issued by the White House.

Earlier on Wednesday, US State Department Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon and the Head of Israels National Security Council Yaakov Nagel signed the MOU agreement, which consists of $33 billion in foreign military financing and $5 billion in missile defense.

"Both [Israel] Prime Minister Netanyahu and I are confident that the new MOU will make a significant contribution to Israels security in what remains a dangerous neighborhood," Obama noted.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Daesh has followed a very different model for a terrorist organization than that of al-Qaeda, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Wednesday.

"The phenomenon of [Daesh] is one that has not followed the model of al-Qaeda," Brennan said, contrasting the terrorist group with the organization responsible for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Brennan noted that Daesh has taken over large amounts of territory in Iraq and Syria and declared a caliphate, both of which were never pursued by al-Qaeda.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden needs to return to the United States and face charges for leaking classified documents to the media and exposing the US governments mass surveillance program, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

"[T]he policy of the Obama administration is that Mr. Snowden should return to the united states and face the very serious charges that hes facing," Earnest told reporters.

Earnest also reiterated that the White House does not consider Snowden a whistleblower.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Fewer than three-quarters of NATOs 28 members are on track to meet the goal of spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense spending in the coming years, US Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Hoyt Brian Yee said on Wednesday.

"All 28 Allies are moving toward spending at least two percent of GDP on defense with seventy percent already on track to meet that goal by 2024, the target date we reaffirmed in Warsaw this summer," Yee told a US Senate hearing on NATO expansion.

Currently, only five NATO members, the United States, Greece, Estonia, Poland and the United Kingdom, contribute the required 2 percent of defense spending to NATO.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The WikiLeaks website on Wednesday made public three reports on Assanges health state  the psycho-social and medical assessment as well as a physicians and a dentists report, all dating from different months of 2015. According to WikiLeaks, Assange has been living in "severely restrictive conditions of confinement within the small premises of the Embassy."

"Mr Assanges mental health is highly likely to deteriorate over time if he remains in his current situation. Such highly stressful circumstances, with no end in sight, can lead to unpredictable and sometimes very destructive consequences for individuals," the psycho-social and medical assessment said.

According to the report, people suffering from external conditions similar to that of Assange "may become very ill mentally and physically and carry out desperate acts to try and gain relief."
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The firing took place during a Sink Exercise training operation in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Guam, the release stated.

This event marked the first time that the Eagles from [F-18] Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 successfully fired a JSOW C-1 precision-guided gliding munition, a weapon that has not previously been used in an exercise of this nature, according to the release.

The Rentz sank within five hours of sustaining 22 hits, finally succumbing to Hellfire missiles shot by the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Squadron 12, the Navy said.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Palestine hopes its leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet in Moscow in October for direct negotiations, Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Hafiz Nofal told Sputnik on Wednesday.

On Monday, Nofal met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov to discuss efforts to revive stalled negotiations between the sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

"After my meeting with Bogdanov the situation is the following: the Israeli Prime Minister agreed to the meeting in Moscow and the Russian side is trying to find the suitable data, we hope next month," Nofal said.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The United States continues playing the "Russian card" in its electoral process, Moscow often witnesses manifestations of "blatant Russophobia," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

"We state that the Russian card and the card of our president at times becomes the deciding factor in the US electoral process. It would be much nicer if this card played a positive role," Peskov said when asked about US presidential candidates statements regarding Russia.
"Work is underway. We hope that international law will be observed  the relevant provisions of the Vienna Conventions  that our colleagues from the OSCE special monitoring mission will also watch over how these provisions are respected. It is part of their mandate, the rest depends on the common sense of the Ukrainian authorities," Karasin told RIA Novosti.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko instructed Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin late last week to inform Russia about the "impossibility of conducting Russian elections on Ukrainian territory."
Two days ahead of the publication of the inquiry report, due on July 6, 2016  which was expected to be critical of former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his foreign secretary  Straw wrote to Powell saying:

"As I'm sure you know, Chilcot is issuing this Wednesday at 1100 BST (0400 ET). I have an idea what is in it  and I'd be happy to talk that through with you if that would be helpful."
The logic of our position is that since we are talking about the document  whose importance is much wider that just for Russian-US dialogue or for what we hope is a positive impact on the situation in Syria  all colleagues and partners in the international community, including members of the UN Security Council, should be able to familiarize themselves with this document and its preceding agreements, the source said.

The ceasefire agreement entered into force at sundown Monday in Syria, with the first 48 hours giving way to five more days if the truce holds up.

The ministry source offered a range of options on how to reveal the details of the pact that Washington deems too sensitive to publicize.

"We ourselves hold briefings on this subject with other countries, meet at various levels and tell them. We know that the US is doing the same. There may be UN Security Council briefings and so on," the source said.

"Of course, we would be interested in the documents' publication to avoid omissions and opportunities to misinterpret what is laid down into these texts," the source stressed.
BEIJING (Sputnik)  On Tuesday, Washington extended trade restrictions valid since 1960 for another 12 months.

"We hope that the United States would completely remove economic blockade imposed on Cuba as soon as possible to meet aspirations of the international community," Wang told journalists ahead of the trip of Prime Minister Li Keqiang to Cuba.

Li who will visit Cuba after participating in the session of the UN General Assembly on September 18-28 is expected to promote bilateral contacts on the high level and to sign a number of trade deals, according to the Chinese diplomat.
KIEV (Sputnik)  Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ordered the countrys foreign ministry to file arbitration proceedings against Russia for an alleged violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), his spokesman said Wednesday.

"The president instructed the Foreign Ministry to initiate arbitration proceedings against Russia for its violations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea," Svyatoslav Tsegolko said in a Twitter post.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Paris is urging London to start Brexit talks before the end of 2016 or the beginning of the next year, French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said Wednesday.

"France wishes the current situation of uncertainty would stop pending, the Brexit talks, discussions would begin from now on until the end of the year or the beginning of the next year with the famous Article 50 of the [EU Lisbon] Treaty to be triggered," Le Foll told journalists, as quoted by the Ouest-France newspaper.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The United Kingdom and Argentina have agreed on the first joint positive statement on the South Atlantic and Falklands issue, the UK government said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The UK and Argentina are building a positive relationship based on areas where we so clearly agree," Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Alan Duncan said, as quoted in the statement.

The sides agreed to work toward removing restrictive measures around the oil and gas industry, shipping and fishing.
[September 13, 2016] Enterprise Networking Market Analysis By Equipment (Ethernet Switch, Enterprise Routers, WLAN, Network Security) And Segment Forecasts To 2024

LONDON, Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The global enterprise networking market is expected to reach USD 64.63 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing adoption of virtualization technologies by organizations to reduce the storage infrastructure costs is expected to offer lucrative opportunities to the market over the forecast period. Growing popularity of wireless equipment and strong demand for internet-enabled devices is expected to drive the revenue growth. Enterprises are favoring the advanced technologies and features such as 100G Ethernet switches and adoption of 802.11 ac standards. Additionally, the proliferation of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and expanding mobile workforce is expected to augment industry growth. The BYOD trend epitomizing the concept of any device used anywhere is fuelling the need for invasive wireless networks and mission-critical mobility applications. Growing IT infrastructure and increasing demand from economies such as India, Japan, and China is expected to fuel enterprise networking market growth. Rising bandwidth requirements and accelerating shift towards wireless systems are also projected to boost demand over the forecast period. However, rising security concerns and difficulty in managing complex networks is expected to hamper growth. The shift towards Software Defined Networking (SDN) has had a considerable impact on the router and switch market. The switch manufacturers are making their hardware more accessible through Application Program Interface (API) which exposes their configurable elements. This transition in design offers flexible and application-driven customization of network infrastrucure.



Moreover, small and medium-sized businesses are expected to continue investing in the networking market to make provisions for technological changes and to support their expansion goals. Government initiatives in developing economies are aiming at building smart cities, reducing the digital divide and improving financial inclusions are expected to augment the demand for enterprise networking market. Further key findings from the report suggest:

Ethernet switch is estimated to reach over USD 23.54billion by 2024 and growing at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2016 to 2024. Changing enterprise demand for high speed and better performance with a shift towards 40GE switching is expected to boost the sales of Ethernet switches. WLAN accounted for growing at a CAGR of over 8% from 2016 to 2024. This high growth can be attributed to continuous improvements in wireless technologies and standards that address the wireless applications. The Asia Pacific enterprise networking industry is expected to remain the largest market owing to the widespread implementation of hybrid IT environments among organizations. The regional industry is projected to account for over 40% by 2024, growing at a CAGR of over 7.0% from 2016 to 2024.

Enterprise networking vendors are evolving new business models to meet the demand of customers by offering new solutions that reduce cost, improves operational efficiency and replace legacy network infrastructure Key players in the enterprise networking market include Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Alcatel-Lucent, Brocade Communications Systems and Juniper Networks. Competition for enterprise customers and service providers is particularly intense and increasingly focused on pricing. Growing adoption of SDN has lowered the barrier to entry in the networking space, creating new competitors for hardware vendors. Customer adoption of SDN is propelling proprietary hardware vendors to adopt new strategies to protect their revenue bases. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3847280/ About Reportbuyer

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Turan reiterated that there are "no doubts that Fethullah Gulen and his movement have orchestrated the failed coup attempt in Turkey." It is absolutely clear, the politician added.

"It is a moment of truth for the US. If it values democracy and respects the sovereignty of our country, they should extradite Gulen in timely manner," he said.

"It is to a larger extent a test for the Americans than for us," he further added.

The politician explained that for its part, Turkey did its utmost form the legal point of view to extradite Gulen. However he further reiterated that it is a political issue.

The politician believes that while making the final decision, it is not availability or lack of necessary documents, which will play the key role, but the political benefits from the extradition or the refusal to do so.

"I am absolutely convinced that the US should extradite this terrorist leader to Turkey otherwise it will forever remain a dark spot in the history of America," he finally stated.
KIEV (Sputnik)  Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ordered the ministry earlier in the day to initiate the UNCLOS proceedings, nearly a month after Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkins announcement.

"Ukraine has initiated arbitration proceedings against Russia in accordance with the 1982 [UNCLOS] in order to protect its rights as a coastal state adjacent to the Crimea maritime zones in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait," the ministry said in a statement.
The agreement also contains a list of trade-related areas that could potentially profit from EU cooperation but not yet included.

The agreement will come into force after formal approval by the Council of the European Union and ratification of the text by the parliaments of the six African states.
In the meantime, Manoilo noted, following the can of legal worms which was opened by Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia, several more "unrecognized or partially recognized states have emerged in the world. Their fate has depended on the influence of external forces, as well as the success or failure of state construction in these territories."

The expert suggested that Russia, which borders the unrecognized Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as the partially recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia republics, "it's important and interesting to see global trajectories on the full-fledged independence of states." And "it's not a matter of looking to prick and prod someone, or support the movement for the secession of Texas," Manoilo emphasized. "Here what's important is to draw parallels between the processes of decentralization in the West and the former Soviet Union."

National self-determination aside, anti-globalist forces have also stepped out in favor of ending US geopolitical hegemony, Western economic-financial hegemony, or the power of supranational institutions such as the EU. Asked whether the ADR conference could be seen as another indication that the world is moving toward multipolarity, Manoilo explained that the prerequisites are there, but it will take time for them to be realized.

"I would put it this way: we are living in a decaying unipolar, America-centric world. Individual structures from this world still exist, but their influence is growing weaker. However, no one has yet proven that a multipolar world will necessarily take the unipolar model's place. For now, mutipolarity is a hypothesis, one not confirmed in practice. There is also the model of a 'nonpolar world'. In the world today two trends have intersected  globalization and regionalization; the two function as a kind of pendulum. This is the objective process in the development of the modern world system."
Guluzian posed the question whether a unified Russo-American front against terrorists in Syria could usher in "a new, more collaborative approach to US-Russia relations."

On the other hand, she stressed that the possibility of a renewed Cold war between Washington and Moscow triggers certain concerns among Americans.

Citing Cato Institute's latest study Guluzian highlighted that "millennials have grown weary of prolonged, seemingly endless involvement in global conflicts in the absence of a clear and present danger to US national security or a major international humanitarian crisis."

At the same time, there are those in the US who distrust Moscow and "view any attempt at establishing a positive trajectory in relations with Russia disdainfully," she underscored.

In his interviews on the John Batchelor Show US academic Stephen F. Cohen has repeatedly referred to the ongoing struggle between the "party of peace" and the "party of war" in Washington, predicting that the Syrian compromise may pave the way for the US-Russian detente and halt "the new Cold War."

Commenting on the recent US-Russian deal, Russian journalist Petr Akopov of Vzglyad online newspaper called attention to the fact that the agreement struck by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry has been presented by some US experts and media pundits as Washington's "capitulation" to Moscow.
To add to the US' growing discontent with Ankara, Turkey and Russia have signaled their readiness to resume the works on the Turkish Stream pipeline project, free trade agreements and using national currencies in bilateral trade, not to mention rumors about the Russo-Turkish plans to take their military cooperation to the strategic level, Sheikh stresses.

For its part, Turkey has every reason to distrust Washington.

First and foremost, Washington has not yet extradited cleric Fethullah Gulen, the alleged mastermind behind the July attempted coup, to Turkey, despite Ankara's repeated requests.

On the other hand, the US is unwilling to break its alliance with Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) military groups in Syria, designated by Turkey as "terrorists."

However, there is more to the problem than meets the eye.

In his op-ed for Hurriyet Daily News Turkish journalist Serkan Demirtas expresses concerns regarding the CIA's John Brennan latest remark on Syria's territorial integrity.

"I don't know whether or not Syria and Iraq can be put back together again," Brennan noted, as quoted by the Turkish journalist.

"Brennan's words sparked fresh questions about whether Washington was changing its line for redrawing the borders in the Middle East, as many suspect in Ankara, for the creation of a Kurdish autonomous entity in Syria," Demirtas highlights.
Meanwhile Russian military forces have maintained control over the Castello Road, a major artery into Aleppo, Krutikov notes, stressing that there is nothing left for the US-backed rebels but to reconcile themselves with this reality.

However, the Russian journalist warns that some of the so-called "moderate" rebels still remain a stumbling block in the way of the Syrian peace process.

The crux of the matter is that many of today's "moderates" in Aleppo, Hama and Damascus used to be "inveterate" jihadists, the analyst remarks referring to Syrian rebels which have been repeatedly spotted colluding with al-Nusra Front, former al-Qaeda affiliate.

To protect the Syrian rebels, "forced" into an "uncomfortable marriage of necessity" with the al-Qaeda franchise, Western decision makers called upon Russia to suspend aerial operations against jihadists and al-Nusra Front located near rebels positions.

However, according to Krutikov, the so-called "moderate" rebels were well aware of al-Nusra Front's terrorist activities. Many of them supported the jihadi regimes imposed on civilians on occupied territories as well as Wahhabi version of the Islamic teaching. Lots of "moderates" were involved in al-Nusra's brutal terrorist operations on the ground in Syria.

"Although American and European mass media continue to paint these rebels in glowing colors, in reality all of those who collaborated with al-Nusra Front and other 'cannibals' (including those of Fatah Halab) should be disqualified forever," Krutikov deems.
Emad Abshenass, editor-in-chief of the Iran Press newspaper, told Sputnik that the US uses all means available to spy on Iran and to assess the countrys defensive capabilities.

"Ever since the historical nuclear deal has been signed, the US keeps using the most sophisticated methods to provoke a harsh reaction out of Iran. They seek to determine how the Islamic Republic would react to different provocations and challenges, and to determine whether Iran gave up the 'Resistance and Opposition to the US' tactic," he explained.

According to Abshenass, the goal of US forces is to determine Irans readiness for military engagements and to gauge the countrys ability to detect airborne intruders.

However, the Iranian military is well aware of these intentions and reacts accordingly. He also pointed out that when Irans security is at stake, the Iranian military doesnt care about the nuclear deal, especially when an illegal violation of the nations aerial or maritime borders takes place.

"As for the reports made by American media, when some US military officials claim that a warning issued by Iranian forces to a US crew is "unprofessional behavior," lets consider the opposite situation. Imagine that, for example, Russian or Iranian aircraft conduct a similar maneuver in US airspace. Would the US military be content to passively observe such behavior? That would be a good way to determine whose behavior is professional and whose is not," he declared.

Abshenass also remarked that the US is willing to get its results at any cost, and is ready to sacrifice their hardware, and possibly even personnel, if it would help them to complete their objectives.

"An incident has already occurred when US spy drones intruded into Iranian airspace. The Iranian security forces were able to down and capture them intact in order to make copies of these drones  copies that turned out to be  in terms of technical characteristics  perhaps even better than the US originals. President Obama himself asked Iran to return all of the US drones remains. However, Iran refused to do so, and even presented one of the copies to its Russian allies," he said.

All in all, Abshenass surmised, Iran continues to upgrade its electronic security and early warning systems, and Iranian air defense forces stand ready to neutralize and destroy any enemy target that might attempt to violate the countrys airspace.
"And dont think for a moment that all of these corporate interests that are honeycombed now into positions in the government arent delivering to the corporate interests, from where they came, some form of benefit, in terms of reshaping government policy," he adds.

As long as we have the kind of campaign finance system we have, the system is going to be vulnerable to pay to play, and thats what were seeing right now, and it happens in both political parties, so its a rotten system."

Kucinich pointed out that the problem isnt limited to the Democratic Party.

"Both political parties are in trouble. There is an emerging force in America that doesn't rely on political parties for legitimacy, and the political parties  both Democrat and Republican  have become totally self-serving, captives of corporate interest, and unable to be able to address the practical aspirations of the American people for healthcare, for education, for jobs, for a clean environment, for protecting the globe, for peace," he said.

"And so we, today, learn a little bit more about the Democratic Party being for sale. Well, thats nothing new, nor is it new that the same goes for the Republican Party."
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Tuesday, Obama compared Putins approval ratings to the poll numbers of late Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. During a campaign speech for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, Obama also blasted her Republican opponent Donald Trump for praising Putin.

"I would not exaggerate, this unfortunate statement by President Obama, I am sure he is a person, who is educated enough to know that this kind of comparison is absolutely absurd. You know, sometimes politicians say things which they come to regret later," Churkin told RT broadcaster.

The UN envoy said that Russia should concentrate on the "problems at hand" despite such controversial statements being made by Western politicians from time to time.
[September 13, 2016] Global Center to Host Cleveland Healthcare Summit on September 29

As part of its year-long educational programming series, the Global Center for Health Innovation will host the Cleveland Healthcare Summit: Healthcare in the Digital Era on Thursday, September 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Global Center. Presented by Brocade (News - Alert) and the Global Center, the healthcare summit will focus on one of the most topical issues in America today, the transformation of healthcare in the digital era. The event is free. For registration and additional information, please visit the event web site. (http://www.informationsuperhighway2.com/). Panel discussions will focus on the industry, policy and technology and showcase some of the most notable voices in U.S. healthcare, including speakers from Cleveland Clinic, the University of California at San Francisco, Verizon (News - Alert), HIMSS and the Global Center. There will also be an on-stage discussion with Kelly Cronin, Director of the Office of Care Transformation in the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), a flagship initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Ms. Cronin will discuss her efforts to help establish and evolve America's health information technology agenda and will delve ONC programs and policies with HHS related halth reform implementation, and her pioneering efforts in support of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).



The Cleveland Healthcare Summit will feature two panel discussions, The Connected Patient: Implications of Care in the Palm of Your Hand and Managing Healthcare in a Hacker-Driven World. According to a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (News - Alert), 32 percent of consumers have at least one health, medical or fitness app on their mobile device. As smartphones, connected medical devices, and health apps continue to gain favor, a host of IT issues are also arising around patient information, e-visits, wearable electronics and other offshoots of healthcare transformation. The opening panel will explore the promise -- as well as the peril and policy implications -- of health care transformation. The panelists include Dr. Frank Papay, Cleveland Clinic; Dr. Rupa Dainer, Pediatric Specialists of Virginia; Peter Tippett (News - Alert), HealthCelerate; and, John Paganini, HIMSS.

The flip side of connectivity is that patients are more vulnerable than ever to cyber breaches. So are doctors, hospitals and entire health care systems, which are increasingly under attack. In the second panel discussion, industry experts Philip O'Reilly, Brocade; Nancy Green, Verizon; Dr. Parsa Mirhaji, Montefiore Medical Center; and, Dr. Russ Cucina, University of California, San Francisco will explore the pain and promise of "care anywhere" now that health systems are connected digitally, at the IP network layer and via wireless. Haley Sweetland Edwards of TIME magazine will serve as moderator for both panel discussions. For free registration and additional information, please visit the event web site. About the Global Center for Health Innovation Located in the heart of downtown Cleveland, the Global Center for Health Innovation is the trusted forum for learning, collaboration and discovery that powers healthcare transformation. A focal point for healthcare conventions, trade shows, and industry-specific meetings, the Global Center is home to more than 30 leading healthcare brands, including GE Healthcare, Siemens, Philips (News - Alert), Cisco, Johnson Controls, Forbo, and the Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) along with Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. About SMG In 2013, SMG, the nation's largest and most experienced convention center and facility management firm, assumed management operations for the Global Center for Health Innovation and the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. SMG manages more than 240 facilities throughout the world, including convention centers, arenas, theaters and performance venues, stadiums, and equestrian centers. Founded in 1977, SMG is the industry leader in exhibition venues throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean and brings experience and significant connections to national conventions and trade shows within the convention industry. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160913006576/en/

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President Rodrigo Duterte has said that U.S. special forces troops have to go from the southern island of Mindanao and blamed resentment from the local Muslim population on their presence. As the Philippines begins to assert an independent foreign policy, the U.S. government is sure to attempt to keep its grip on the country.

Muslims held Eid al-Adha celebrations earlier this week in France in a climate of growing Islamophobia. With the burkini ban a topic of intense debate and mainstream politicians pandering to fears over the state of secularism, will anti-Muslim bigotry be the dominant issue of the 2017 election? Becker is joined by Hafsa Kara Mustapha.

Whistleblower Chelsea Manning has started a hunger strike, protesting what she calls bullying on the part of the U.S. government and prison system and demanding dignity, respect and humanity. Will the government grant her demands? Michael Prysner, an anti-war activist and former U.S. Marine who took part in the occupation of Iraq, discusses the important of Chelsea Manning and her action.
Alas, the Two Sams never received their invitation to the preview for Oliver Stones Edward Snowden movie. This could be evidence that the US Postal System is broken. Either way, the ACLU of Massachusetts Kade Crockford got a sneak peak, and talked to us about this movie  and the related campaign to have Snowden pardoned.

Then, investigative reporter Greg Palast joins us to chat about how Republicans are trying to steal the election  again. Remember Florida 2000? Its deja vu all over again  all around the country.

Finally, John McCain is mad. While this might not be news, the subject of his anger is: the President is considering separating Cyber Command from the National Security Agency.
Emails leaked by hacktivist site 'DC Leaks', have revealed a private exchange between the former UK foreign secretary Jack Straw, and former US Secretary of state Colin Powell. The emails give an insight into the US-UK relationship and the concerns of the original architects of the 2003 Iraq Invasion, with Jack Straw suggesting that the silver lining of the UK's Brexit vote was that it distracted people from the release of the Chilcot enquiry. We speak to former MP and vocal opponent of the Iraq war, George Galloway.

The UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has today released a damning report into the invasion of Libya in March 2011, when the United Kingdom and France, with the support of the United States, led an intervention in Libya to protect civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi. The report states: "UK strategy in Libya was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the evidence." We speak to Professor Paul Rogers, Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford.

And we look at some of the more out there theories regarding Hilary Clintons health.
NIZHNY NOVGOROD (Sputnik)  The Russian Transport Ministry plans to send another group of airport safety experts to Egypt shortly with the aim of restoring flights between the countries, Minister Maxim Sokolov said Wednesday.

"We will go [to Egypt] with another inspection in the near future. We are working on this together with the Egyptian counterparts," Sokolov told reporters.

Russia suspended all flights to and from Egypt last fall after a Russian A321 plane crashed in the Sinai desert on October 31 while flying from the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg. All 224 people on board died in what has become the largest civil aviation disaster in Russian history.
As for the LDPR's success in overtaking the Communists, Fedorov suggested this had in part to do with their supporters being chipped away at by the Party of Pensioners, which has risen from 0.6% support in June to 2.4% as of the latest polling in September. Actively participating in pre-election debates on federal and regional television, the Party of Pensioners' slogans and policy proposals aimed at improving the lot of pensioners has taken voters from the Communists, according to pollsters.

At the same time, political analysts are in no hurry to bury the Communists. Higher School of Economics Professor Oleg Matveychev recently wrote that he expects the CPRF to get about 20% of the vote, with the LDPR taking third with about 15%. The professor cited social trends, including nostalgia for the Soviet Union, and the Communists' promises to improve health care, education and social security, to give them a good result. Nevertheless, the analyst also emphasized that he expects United Russia to maintain and strengthen its majority. In elections in 2011, United Russia squeaked by with 49.32%, taking 238 seats in parliament.

As for the smaller parties, which need to overcome a 5% barrier to make it into parliament, Matveychev said that only the Party of Pensioners has any sort of chance of squeaking in; other parties, including the conservative nationalist Rodina ('Motherland') and the liberal Yabloko have little chance of making it in, and are polling of 1% or less.

For his part, PolitRussia contributor Ivan Proshkin explained that apart from its association with the president, United Russia's lead can be chalked down to initiatives taken in the pre-campaign period, including primary elections in the spring  formerly a novelty for Russian politics. At the same time, the ruling party has taken to forms of direct contact with voters, including party forums and public meetings, leading to increased credibility in the eyes of voters, according to Proshkin.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to Dolgov, Russia has made many requests regarding the issue which were left unanswered by the US authorities. Some US adoptive parents avoid punishments for violating the childrens rights, while Washington provides no information on the investigation of "sales of underage Russians" online.

"All of these issues were yet again presented by the Russian side during the Russia-US consultations on bilateral relations in Moscow on September 14. Unfortunately, no clear answers were received. We are hoping that the United States will undertake specific practical steps to investigate violations of adopted Russian children, bring the perpetrators to real responsibility and will as promptly and fully inform Russia of the results of the investigation," Dolgov said in a statement.

He said that many Russian law enforcement bodies requests receive no response from the US authorities, which is a clear violation of the 1999 US-Russian treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Russian concerns over NATO enlargement and the pending accession of Montenegro as a new member of the military alliance are not warranted, US Senator Ron Johnson said at a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday.

"Russian concerns, however, are not legitimate," Johnson said of NATOs pending expansion to include Montenegro, arguing that "NATO remains a purely defensive alliance."

Johnson noted that Russia "views NATO expansion as a threat to its interests" and claimed that Moscow "appears determined" to prevent other countries from joining NATO.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Russia has voted against the disbursement of a new $1-billion tranche by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Ukraine, Russia Director at the IMF Aleksei Mozhin told Sputnik.

"All members of the IMF executive board, excluding Russia, unanimously voted to provide the financial assistance to Ukraine," Mozhin stated on Wednesday.
Almaz-Antey, the manufacturer of the Buk missiles and Russia's biggest defense contractor, conducted a separate probe into the crash, finding that the missile that hit the plane could only have been launched from the region of Zaroshchenske, controlled by Kiev forces at the time of the incident.

NOT MODERN RUSSIAN MISSILE

The authors of the draft agree with the thesis that the aircraft could have crashed after being hit by a Buk missile. However it says that the missile could not be the new Russian 9317 type, which is not used in Ukraine but is in service with the Russian military.

The Buk family of missiles were first produced in the Soviet Union and have since been in service in former Soviet states, including Ukraine. Russias army currently operates newer and upgraded versions of Buk, such as the 9317.

"Even if a Buk missile is to blame, it could not be the modern Russian missile 9M317. The main distinguishing feature of MH17 damaged fragments is the holes from the damaging elements of a size of 13 or 14 millimeters," the draft said, as quoted by the paper.

It rules out the involvement of the 9M317 in the accident as the missile does not have any elements that could cause such damage, the draft said.

MISSILE LAUNCH POINT CONTROVERSY

The draft also denies the "categorical" statement made by Bellingcat that the missile was launched from an area of Ukraine controlled by the pro-independence militia.

"The possible launch area was calculated [by Bellingcat] through the technique of inverse simulation Any other circumstantial evidence were not taken into consideration. Only technical details of the design and technical documentation were considered," the draft said.

According to the draft, Almaz-Antey denied the possibility of the missile being launched from the Snezhnoye town in Ukraine, citing investigative experiment results. The experiment reportedly showed that the damage to an aircraft caused by the missile launched from Snezhnoye would not match the damage made to the Malaysian Airlines plane.

The experiment also reportedly provided "visual confirmation" of Almaz-Antey claims that if a Buk missile had been launched from Snezhnoye, the aircraft would have been inevitably penetrated by it, which contradicts the evidence data of the crash.

RUSSIAN MISSILES DATA DECLASSIFIED AT SECRET

According to the draft, the Almaz Antey investigation has revealed that the Dutch investigators had been using often inaccurate information concerning the Buk missiles in their probe into the crash. Taking this into account, the Russian side has decided to take an unprecedented step  to declassify all data on the 9M38 and 9M38M1 missiles, the draft revealed.

"All information on the 9M38 and 9M38M1 missiles, requested by the Dutch experts, was forwarded to the experts of the commission," the draft said.

RIGGING IN TECH DATA

The authors of the draft denied Bellingcats "most powerful argument" against the Russian version of the crash  the opinion of technical experts.

"There are certain complaints concerning how the survey was conducted by the technical experts of the Dutch commission," the draft said.

According to the text of the draft, certain technical specifications that the Russian side had passed on to the commissions experts were either ignored or distorted if they "did not fit the main version."

According to the draft statement, the experts changed data on found fragments of the surface-to-air missile that could have caused the crash. The Russian side also blamed the Dutch investigators for not providing the details on the fragments in the Draft Final Report on the crash, submitted to Russia, which were published in the final version of the report.
Robotic technology could perform up to 20 percent of all medical tasks currently performed by nurses and other hospital personnel, a report by the Finnish EVA think-tank showed. The report was based solely on technologies already in existence or development, not possible future improvements.

According to EVA, Finnish nurses may soon be working side by side with their robotic colleagues, as Finnish hospitals, hospices and care homes may soon be partly staffed by automatons.

"Robots may serve for the transportation of patients and equipment, recording vital functions and measuring out medication," Mari Kangasniemi, one of the authors behind EVA's report told Finnish newspaper Uusi Suomi. "For instance, distribution of medicines by a robot has been proven to reduce mistakes and increase safety."
[September 13, 2016] Fitch Rates Holland Community Hospital (MI) 'A+'; Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings has assigned an 'A+' rating to the following revenue and refunding bonds issued through the Michigan Finance Authority on behalf of Holland Community Hospital (HH): --$39.2 million series 2016A; --$36.7 million series 2013A. The series 2016A bonds are expected to be structured as conventional fixed-rate debt. Bond proceeds will fund approximately $23.0 million of capital improvements, refinance approximately $19.1 million of outstanding series 2004B bonds and a $4.2 million Michigan Finance Authority HELP loan and pay costs of issuance. The bonds are expected to price on or about Sept. 22nd through negotiated sale. The Rating Outlook is Stable. SECURITY Bonds are payable from a pledge of the gross revenues of the obligated group and a security interest in collateral consisting of receivables and intangibles. KEY RATING DRIVERS BALANCE SHEET STRENGTH: HH's liquidity is a key credit strength. At June 30, 2016, HH had unrestricted cash and investment of $211.5 million, which equates to 351.6 days cash on hand (DCOH) and 227.7% cash to pro forma debt; both metrics well exceed Fitch's 'A' category medians of 215.5 DCOH and 148.6% cash to debt. LEADING LOCAL MARKET POSITION: HH is an independent community hospital with a leading inpatient market share of 54.5% in its two-county primary service area; more than twice that of its closest competitor. Good local demographic trends and a growing medical staff support stable inpatient volumes and solid operating performance. Further, HH has a collaborative relationship with Spectrum (News - Alert) Health, the largest system serving the West Michigan region, which should allow HH to maintain its current market position and support its strategy to expand selectively into adjacent markets. STRONG OPERATING PROFITABILITY: HH has a track record of strong operating cash flow. Operating EBITDA margins have been in line with or better than Fitch's 'A' category median of 10.3% in recent years, including 11.3% in fiscal 2016. MODEST DEBT BURDEN: HH has manageable leverage with low pro forma debt to capitalization of 21.9% and pro-forma maximum annual debt service (MADS) equal to 2.6% of fiscal 2016 total revenues. Historical coverage of pro forma MADS by EBITDA has been strong at 5.4x and 5.3x in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively, when compared to the 'A' category median of 4.5x. Capital needs are manageable, and the refunding plan will move HH to a more conservative, fully fixed-rate debt structure. RATING SENSITIVITIES SMALL REVENUE BASE: Holland Community Hospital's small revenue base inherently exposes the organization to greater operating volatility due to changes in physician staff and changes in local demographics and economic activity. However, Fitch believes HH's strong balance sheet, collaborative relationship with Spectrum and strong management practices serve to mitigate those risks and allow for ratings stability. BALANCE SHEET STRENGTHENING: Fitch expects Holland Community Hospital to maintain its historical profitability and operating stability going forward. Over the long term, continued operating stability combined with further strengthening of liquidity metrics could allow for positive rating movement. CREDIT PROFILE Holland Community Hospital is an independent community hospital in Holland, MI. It operates 173 acute care and 16 psychiatric beds with a primary service area covering the Ottawa and Allegan counties in the West Michigan region. Fitch's analysis considers HH, which is the only member of the obligated group. Non-obligated joint ventures and related corporations are recorded using the equity method. Total operating revenue in fiscal 2016 was $235.1 million. PLAN OF FINANCE Approximately $23 million of debt proceeds will be new money used to finance several capital projects including a surgical expansion, cath lab relocation, software updates, and other building and equipment improvements. Projects support growing service lines and maintenance of HH's already-high quality. Approximately $23 million of net proceeds will be used to refinance the series 2004B variable rate demand bonds and a 013 variable rate equipment loan from the Michigan Finance Authority. The refinancing will result in a more conservative debt structure: all fixed-rate bonds, amortizing over 30 years with level debt service through fiscal 2040.



STRONG BALANCE SHEET HH has a strong liquidity position, providing flexibility to fund capital needs and weather any unexpected operating stress. Unrestricted cash was $211.5 million as of June 30, 2016, equal to 351.6 days cash on hand (DCOH) and 227.7% cash to pro forma debt. Both metrics are well ahead of Fitch's 'A' category median metrics of 215.5 DCOH and 148.6% cash to debt. HH has built its strong balance sheet over time, primarily from retained earnings. There is also a board-designated foundation fund, which supports HH's community service activities.

LEADING MARKET SHARE HH has a strong market position in its two-county primary service area (Ottawa and Allegan Counties), with inpatient market share of 54.5% compared to 20.6% for its closest competitor, Spectrum Health. Its service area has sound economic indicators and is expected to experience moderate population growth over the medium term, supporting HH's favorable utilization trends and payor mix. Fitch considers HH's strong market position durable. Despite its smaller revenue size, HH recruits effectively and has a growing medical staff. Fitch believes HH benefits from its location along the shore of Lake Michigan from an employee retention and a physician recruitment standpoint as demonstrated by a low nurse vacancy rate of just 2.5% in 2016 and the addition of 92 physicians to the medical staff over the last three years. Strong quality metrics and physician alignment through Holland Community PHO benefit HH in its managed care relationships. Finally, HH has a very cooperative relationship with Spectrum Health System, the largest health system in the West Michigan region including several joint venture arrangements. CONSISTENT PROFITABILITY A track record of steady strong operating cash flow mitigates risk of higher volatility from HH's small revenue base. Operating EBITDA margins have been in line with or better than Fitch's 'A' category median of 10.3% in recent years, including 11.3% in fiscal 2016. HH is budgeting similar results in fiscal 2017, and is on track through three months ended June 30th with operating EBITDA margin of 11.7%. Growth initiatives include the current capital projects to support growing surgical and cardiology volumes, selective expansion into secondary markets through a joint venture, and expansion of 340B drug discount program eligibility across its physician groups. HH manages cost well, and a good relationship with nurses and staff provide additional operating flexibility. LOW DEBT BURDEN The new debt is not a concern at this rating level due to HH's manageable leverage position and low debt burden. Pro-forma MADS of $6.1 million is a slight increase from current MADS of $5.3 million. The 2016 financing will convert all of HH outstanding debt to fixed rate which is viewed positively. Pro forma debt to capitalization of 21.9% at June 30, 2016 and pro-forma MADS as a percentage of fiscal 2016 revenues of 2.6% both compare favorably to the respective 'A' category medians of 36.0% and 2.7%. Historical coverage of pro-forma MADS by EBITDA is strong at 5.4x in fiscal 2016 and 5.3x in fiscal 2015 and exceeds the 'A' category median of 4.5x. DISCLOSURE HH covenants to provide continuing disclosure, with the submission of audited financial statements within 180 days of fiscal year end. Quarterly statements will be provided within 45 days of quarter end. Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. Applicable Criteria Revenue-Supported Rating Criteria (pub. 16 Jun 2014) https://www.fitchratings.com/site/re/750012 U.S. Nonprofit Hospitals and Health Systems Rating Criteria (pub. 09 Jun 2015) https://www.fitchratings.com/site/re/866807 Additional Disclosures Dodd-Frank Rating Information Disclosure Form https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/press_releases/content/ridf_frame.cfm?pr_id=1011611 Solicitation Status https://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=1011611 Endorsement Policy https://www.fitchratings.com/jsp/creditdesk/PolicyRegulation.faces?context=2&detail=31 ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON (News - Alert) THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160913006659/en/

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KHANTY-MANSIYSK (Sputnik)  Yugra won the right to host the Olympiad at a meeting of the General Assembly of the World Chess Federation (FIDE), which took place in Baku on Tuesday. The tournament has been held every two years since 1931, and is the most popular and representative chess competition on the planet, involving most of the leading international grandmasters.

The 2020 Olympiad in Yugra is expected to bring together at least 2,000 players from 150 countries.

"Governor of the Autonomous Area Natalya Komarova submitted the bid to the Assembly members, an official from the department said. Our area outdid countries such as Argentina and Slovakia for the right to host the 2020 Olympiad. The Olympiad in Yugra will be held under the motto Uniting the Universe.
She noted it was important for her to be a speaker at the rally because, "We hear speeches of politicians, we hear speech of our headmen, we hear speeches from our chiefs, but we never hear speeches from our youth telling us what they want, how they feel about all this because this is going to directly affect them."

Charger also warned that the "mess" made today by the pipeline will affect the youth of the United States in the future.

The Dakota Access Pipeline Project aims to transport domestically-produced light crude oil from North Dakota through the states of South Dakota and Iowa into Illinois.

On Friday, the departments of Justice, Army and Interior said construction of the pipeline should stop until the environmental concerns are fully investigated.

Also on Friday, a US judge denied a request from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe to stop construction of the pipeline.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The Attorney General for the state of New York Eric Schneiderman said in an interview that he is looking into the Donald J. Trump Foundation, which is the charity run by US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

"We have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York," Schneiderman told CNN on Tuesday.

Schneiderman explained he is a regulator of non-profits in the state and his interest has been aroused because of concerns the Trump Foundation "may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view."
Linc Sample, the Boothbay Harbor resident who created the sign, insists that it has nothing to do with race and is simply a rallying cry in support of his interpretation of the Second Amendment, but many disapprove of his sentiment, given that his expression is a play on Black Lives Matter.

There have been some people that have asked me to take the sign down and I don't respond to that very well. It's my property, it's my sign. There's been some talk that I have hurt tourism. I don't believe that for a minute, Sample told local station WGME.

Sample has apparently been posting controversial right-wing signs on his property for years, but was motivated to make this after seeing an ad in a local paper expressing support for the assault weapons ban.
"China and the United States have a largely productive diplomatic and economic relationship, but the Chinese activities in the South China Sea, including building artificial islands and pressuring neighbors about ownership of the water space, creates tensions not only in East Asia but between the US and China," Stavridis said. "There is also competition in cyberspace."

In August, speedboats operated by Irans Revolutionary Guard Navy harassed US warships, and on Saturday the Iranian Air Defense Force threatened to shoot down a US Navy P-8 Poseidon and an EP-3 Aries surveillance aircraft that were patrolling 13 miles off the Iranian coast.

"The best hope of solving the Iranian problems are not military but through economic engagement. Those markets will open up," said Stavridis, who is the dean of Tufts Universitys Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

He is the only US Navy officer to have led the US Southern Command and the US European Command, and to serve as supreme allied commander, which is NATOs top military post.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Disputes between the United States and Russia are significant but opportunities exist for cooperation on pressing global issues such as Syria and arms control, US Naval Institute Board Chairman and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis told Sputnik.

"The disputes between Russia and the United States are significant, but we are not back in the Cold War and I assess the possibility of actual conflict between the US and Russia as very low," Stavridis, a retired US Navy admiral, said. "There are potential zones of cooperation: Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, piracy, the Arctic and other areas that might include, over time, both Syria and strategic arms control."

Although the United States and Russia negotiated a ceasefire agreement and developed a framework for standing up a Joint US-Russian Operations Center to coordinate airstrikes in Syria, Stavridis noted, concerns remain.
"For low-income individuals who have no net income tax liability, we will offer an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in the form of a childcare rebate that equals up to half of their total payroll tax  a major relief for low-income parents," Trump stated.

This would translate to as much as an extra $1,200 in EITC benefits for working families, he explained.

All US parents will also be offered the option of opening up accounts for their children with the first $2,000 in them tax-free.

"Our plan allows every parent in America to open up a Dependent Care Savings Account," Trump said. "Families can contribute up to $2,000 a year to these accounts completely tax-free."

Unlike the flexible spending accounts that already exist in the United States, the accounts will be available to all Americans, Trump explained.

"For low-income individuals, the federal government will provide matching funds  if parents contribute $1,000 dollars, the federal government will provide a $500 matching figure," he added.

Donald Trump also offered six weeks paid maternity leave for all new mothers as part of the family care reforms he unveiled in a speech in Aston in the US state of Pennsylvania.

"By recapturing fraud and improper payments in the unemployment insurance program, we can provide six weeks of paid-maternity leave to any mother with a newborn child whose employer does not provide the benefit," he said.

The maternity leave will be paid straight out of the unemployment insurance fund and the cost will be covered by savings within the program, he added.

Trump said his plan would also include incentives for more US employers to offer on-site childcare as well.

"Currently, only seven percent of employers provide the services. Our plan will expand tax deductions for employers, allowing companies to pool resources to provide shared childcare services," he stated.

Trump's Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, has promised 12 weeks parental leave for mothers and fathers and has said she would pay for it by increasing taxes on wealthy Americans.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  US President Barack Obama's administration plans to increase the number of refugees admitted to the United States in the 2017 fiscal year starting on October 1, almost by one third, media reported.

The incumbent administration is planning to admit 110,000 refugees in the 2017 fiscal year in comparison with 85,000 in 2016 and 70,000 in 2015, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing an annual refugee report to the US Congress.

According to the report, the United States is expected to admit at least 40,000 from the Near East and South Asia region, which includes Syria, and some 35,000 from Africa.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The Attorney General for the state of New York Eric Schneiderman on Tuesday started investigation into the activities of charitable foundation of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

According to media reports, Schneiderman started the investigation in order to check the information about the accuracy of the donations received by the Trump Foundation.

"My interest in this issue really is in my capacity as regulator of non-profits in New York state, and we have been concerned that the Trump Foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view," Schneiderman told the CNN broadcaster.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  An US bill that would allow terror victims of the 9/11 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia is "ill-advised" and threatens global stability, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said Wednesday citing the the head of the organization.

The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), approved by the US Congress last week, would override current Saudi claims to sovereign immunity, allowing families of September 11 terrorist attack victims to bring a long-standing federal court case against the Saudi government for allegedly sponsoring the 2001 attacks. US President Barack Obama announced plans to veto the bill.

"[Secretary-General Iyad Ameen] Madani said that in passing the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, or JASTA, Congress disrupts international relations, threatens to plunge the world economy into a depression, weakens the necessary alliances that promote peace and security around the world, and compromises the war on terrorism," the OIC's statement read.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  President Barack Obama should pardon National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden and admit that the US governments mass surveillance of Americans was wrong, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Executive Director Anthony Romero said on Wednesday.

"Edward Snowden acted patriotically, responsibly and with courage," Romero stated at a "Pardon Snowden" campaign luncheon in New York. "A pardon of Snowden would be good for America. It would be a powerful way for the President [Obama] to acknowledge that the government did wrong."

Romero pointed out that Snowden did not reveal to the public any of the classified US government documents he took.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The nature of American society is changing, making the United States a much more difficult country to govern because of the increasing passion and capabilities for privacy, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey said on Wednesday.

"The fundamental governance of the US is changing," Comey told a meeting at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "We are moving to a place where wide swathes of American life will be absolutely private outside the reach of judges."
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Vice News has filed a lawsuit in a US court to obtain Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audit records of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps tax returns from 2002 through 2008, Vice reporter Jason Leopold said on Wednesday.

"This week, Vice News filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit in US District Court in Washington, DC against the IRS demanding that the agency turn over all audits of Trumps tax returns from 2002 onward," Leopold stated.

Trump has claimed that IRS audits of his 2002-08 income-tax returns prevent him from releasing them to the public.
While Manning will receive the surgery, she will still be forced to comply with male hair styling rules.

"This is a monumental day for Chelsea, who can now enjoy some peace knowing that critically needed medical care is forthcoming, ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio told Reuters. "Thankfully the government has recognized its constitutional obligation to provide Chelsea with the medical care that she needs."

The whistleblower leaked thousands of classified Army documents to WikiLeaks in 2010, including diplomatic cables and airstrike videos, which later became known as the Afghan War Diaries. She was later charged with 21 counts of espionage and sentenced to 35 years behind bars in Fort Leavenworth, the only maximum-security military prison on US soil.

Speaking to Brian Becker on Sputnik Radios Loud & Clear, anti-war activist, Party for Socialism and Liberation leader, and former US Marine Michael Prysner discussed the importance of Mannings actions.

Today, we see that every politician has to say that they were against the Iraq War, or that they admit it was a mistake  I mean both presidential candidates, Trump and Clinton, either lie and say they were against it at the beginning or apologize for it and say it was a mistake, Prysner stated.

So now, something that is widely accepted as, at the very least, a complete disastrous mistake, but at worst an intentional grave crime against humanity, and even though this is accepted across the board, the person who played probably the biggest role in ending the war has received a life sentence, Prysner stated, though it is important to note that she did not receive a life sentence, but rather 35 years.

Prysner declared that we cannot overstate the role that Manning played in ending the Iraq War when she revealed the widespread abuse being committed against civilians and the complete impunity of the actions taken by US soldiers.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The US strategy of supporting unfettered NATO expansion without considering the ramifications of alienating Russia is an unbalanced approach to diplomacy, US Senator Rand Paul said during a congressional hearing on Montenegros accession on Wednesday.

"To say there are no [ramifications], and our avowed purpose is to tell Russia you cant tell us what to do, sounds a little schoolyardish to me and maybe not completely thought through or a balanced opinion," Paul stated in a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.

Additionally, Paul questioned whether it was more important for the United States to maintain diplomatic ties with Montenegro or Russia.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The United States and other countries need to condemn the purge of opposition and independent media in Turkey that has occurred since the attempted military coup on July 15, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said in a testimony to the US Congress.

"While it is important to condemn the coup attempt of July 15, we strongly urge Turkey's international partners, specifically the United States, to condemn the continuing purge of opposition and independent media that has followed the attempted coup," Ognianova testified on Wednesday to a subcommittee of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.

Ognianova also urged the United States and other countries not to honor any arrest warrants issued by Turkey for journalists.
Liverman was arrested under similar circumstances, logging into an account associated with an implicated account from an IP address belonging to his parents, with whom he lives. In the months prior to his arrest, Liverman had been publicly doxed by an anonymous Twitter user who linked his handles to accounts using his real name and photos.

Information published to Twitter included names, social security numbers, and phone numbers of individuals found in CIA director Brennan's email. All 20 people listed worked for the Obama transition team in 2008.

The hacking of the Brennan family account is a crime and the Brennan family is the victim. The private electronic holdings of the Brennan family were plundered with malicious intent and are now being distributed across the web," the CIA said in a statement following the release.

At least three other members of the group, located in the United Kingdom, are currently under investigation by the Crown Prosecution Service. Two were arrested earlier this year  a 16-year-old and a 15-year-old  but have not been identified, as they are minors.

Investigators believe that the group formed in July 2015 when a hacker identified as Cracka, one of the arrested teens, spoke to Boggs claiming that he had obtained the Social Security number of a US official and was now in control of his Comcast account.

The UK teens are believed to be behind the majority of the hacks.

In October, the hackers stated that, on a scale of one to 10, 10 being the most difficult, hacking into Brennans accounts was a one.

In some instances, members of the conspiracy uploaded private information that they obtained from victims personal accounts to public websites; made harassing phone calls to victims and their family members; and defaced victims social media accounts. At least three other members of the conspiracy are located in the United Kingdom and are being investigated by the Crown Prosecution Service, according to the DOJ release.
Tonight weve received several calls about clowns in a van and in wooded areas trying to talk to children. This behavior is not cute or funny. Understand that if officers see this behavior, youre going to have a conversation with them. And, if applicable, you may face criminal charges, the LaGrange Police Department posted to their Facebook page on Monday.

In Dublin, Georgia, nearly a three-hour drive from LaGrange, there was a report of a clown in the road that caused a car crash on Friday.

No one saw a clown at the time of the accident, Dublin Police Chief Tim Chatman told local station 11 Alive. It was a family member that reported it several hours later  that it was the reason why this accident occurred; because someone was in the road dressed like a clown.

The department has not ruled out the existence of a clown.

We can't say for certain that someone hasn't seen anyone looking like a clown, but we have had several reports where we assigned an investigator with this situation and we have yet to substantiate, said Chatman.

On Thursday evening however, two women in the Middle Georgia State University parking lot, in Dublin, around 11:00 PM reported seeing a car containing at least three clowns.

A car came up behind us and parked. I didn't think much of it, until my sister started freaking out, and she told me they were dressed as clowns, Michaela Brooks told the station.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet other heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Kyrgyzstan on Friday, the Kremlin said Wednesday.

"On September 16 Vladimir Putin will take part in the CIS Council of Heads of States in Bishkek. The CIS heads of state will summarize the activities of the interstate association in the context of the 25th anniversary of the CIS, and will exchange views on key issues of further development of the commonwealth," the Kremlin said.

The Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek hosts the CIS summit on September 16-17.
Commenting on Obama's statements, Gregory Copley, editor of Defense & Foreign Affairs, admitted that "in my 50 odd years covering the US government, I have never seen this level of partisanship within the administration where a sitting president actually regards the opposition party as the enemy of the state."

"This is simply ridiculous. By attacking Trump for his sympathy for Russia, Obama sacrifices the future of Russian-American relations for the sake of [Democrats'] victory in the elections, " Copley told RT.

American economist Richard Wolff, in turn, attributed Obama's stern language on Trump to attempts to strengthen the shaky position of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during the elections campaign.

"I think Obama is hoping that Russia's opponents will take his side and support Clinton's push for presidency. And he will say anything to help it," according to Wolff's interview with RT.

"A few days ago, Clinton suffered a series of setbacks after she made statements about Trump's supporters and her health. And I think they [those in the Clinton the headquarters] became a bit nervous, deciding to put pressure on Obama so that he can harden his rhetoric and help Clinton in the battle for the White House," he said.

Daniel Wagner, head of the company Country Risk Solutions, who is also an expert in international politics and economics, told RT that he "really does not understand why it is thought in America that if something is connected with Russia, it is automatically believed to be bad."

He said that the Americans are not in the know about modern-day realities, and that they do not know that different media platforms have the right to exist in the world.

"They do not know that RT is one of the world's largest media outlets, oriented towards a very wide audience. If I were Donald Trump I would have definitely appeared on RT. Even if I were Hillary Clinton, I would have done the same ", he said.
[September 14, 2016]

White House Announces Commitment from Codesters to Bring Computer Science to 5,000 Students at 100 Title I Schools in NYC

NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Codesters, a leading platform for K-12 computer science instruction, announced today its inclusion in a series of commitments revealed by the White House (@WhiteHouseOSTP) in support of the national Computer Science For All initiative (#CSforAll).

"Codesters is honored to be included in this critical initiative of the President and the Office of Science and Technology", said Gordon Smith, CEO of Codesters (@icodeinschool). Smith (@GordonMSmith) will join other national leaders in computer science education at the White House for today's announcement.

"At Codesters we believe that coding is the key students will need to unlock academic and professional opportunities in the future," added Smith.

Codsters has been instrumental in bringing computer science to schools across the country. In New York City, where Codesters is based, Codesters has been a key component of the citywide CS4ALL initiative.







Codesters is also a key partner in the CodeBrooklyn campaign (@CodeBrooklyn) championed by Borough President Eric L. Adams (@BPEricAdams) to advance computer science in Brooklyn's 500 public schools.

"Codesters has been essential to expanding the reach of computer science into underserved schools in Brooklyn", said Rob Underwood (@BrooklynRob), co-founder of CodeBrooklyn and Executive Director of TeachCS, which helps fund professional development for new CS teachers. Underwood is also a part-time strategic advisor to Codesters.

Codesters is also being included as a founding content partner of the national CSForAll Consortium (@CSforAll), which brings together and coordinates organizations and individuals working on computer science nationwide.

About Codesters

Codesters (www.codesters.com) is an online coding platform and curriculum that enables any motivated teacher to start teaching kids to code. Our unique platform combines a Drag-to-Text toolkit and built in support for graphics, animation, and interactivity with a learning management system and built-out coding curriculum. Codesters makes it easy for students to create fun and engaging projects and enables teachers to immediately get started teaching kids to code.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407464LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/white-house-announces-commitment-from-codesters-to-bring-computer-science-to-5000-students-at-100-title-i-schools-in-nyc-300327775.html

SOURCE Codesters
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  US President Barack Obama has signed an executive order to terminate a declaration of emergency in Ivory Coast following the African countrys successful October 2015 presidential election, US National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a press release on Wednesday.

"The United States congratulates the people of Cote dIvoire [Ivory Coast] for their resilience and commitment to a future of peace, democracy, and inclusive prosperity," Price said.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  US National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden said on Wednesday he did not plan to seek political asylum in Russia, but was forced to do so as a result of US government actions against him.

"When it comes to where I am, how safe I am, the ultimate decision about that has not been mine, but the State Department's," Snowden said at "Pardon Snowden" campaign luncheon in New York. "I did not pick a particular destination, I was trying to go to Lebanon."

In 2014, Russia provided Snowden a three-year residence permit after he leaked classified documents pertaining to US governments mass surveillance programs of American citizens.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  US State Department Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon and the Head of Israels National Security Council Yaakov Nagel signed the agreement, which consists of $33 billion in foreign military financing and $5 billion in missile defense, sitting at a table during a ceremony in the State Department treaty room.

"This memorandum of understanding is the single largest pledge of military assistance to any country in the United States history," Shannon said before signing the MOU document.

The new US-Israel MOU on security assistance will be effective for fiscal years 2019 through 2028, according to the State Department.
STEM

3D Printing, Online Learning Used to Teach Students About the Brain

A Pennsylvania State University research project is exploring the possibility of using 3D printing and interactive technology to teach middle school students about the human brain.

Researchers in the Brain3M project, funded by the Penn State Social Science Research Institute, have come up with a tailored online learning platform that allows students to go through a series of virtual 3D structure models and descriptions of the brain along with photos and diagrams that illustrate the complex concepts concerning how the human brain works.

Students in the Brain3M program each receive their own 3D printed model of the human brain so they can closely examine it themselves.

Likewise, students in the program each receive their own 3D printed model of the human brain so they can closely examine it themselves.

"The students can click on any parts of the brain in any order they want, so we're really letting them make their own decisions about their learning," said Jennifer Legault, a graduate student at Penn State's College of Information Sciences and Technology. "The kids seemed to like that they could take control of their own learning experience and go at their own pace."

In order to test the effectiveness of the Brain 3M project (which stands for mobile devices, magnetic resonance imaging and 3D models), researchers took pilot programs to the Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania Charter School and the Science-U summer camp that is held annually on the Penn State campus for middle school students.

Participants were taught two different lessons involving brain science, one with the interactive Brain3M website and the other with a PowerPoint presentation.

Although the sample sizes of the groups were too small to yet draw any substantial conclusions, researchers indicated that students were more excited and engaged by the Brain3M platform. All students received the 3D models of the brain on keychains as souvenirs.

"More than 80 percent of the participants said they would want to use this website again to learn about the brain," Legault said.
Policy

Clinton Campaign Launches College Cost Calculator

Over the last few months, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has voiced comprehensive plans to reduce the amount of debt for college students from low-income families. Yesterday, the Clinton campaign launched an interactive online tool aimed at showing voters how much college would cost under her higher education plans.

It is estimated that 40 million Americans have student loan debt. Through the college calculator, borrowers can input information, such as current student loan balance and how many years are left on the loan, to find out how much they would save if Clinton were elected. Similarly, prospective college students can use a separate portal to calculate the cost of their tuition at a two-year community college, four-year in-state and out-of-state institutions.

The college calculator is available on the Hillary Clinton site.
Personalized Learning

New Report on Personalized Learning Recommends Use of 'Learner Positioning Systems'

Achieving personalized learning in schools takes good technology programs, suggested a new report from Digital Promise. But it also takes something else: "learner positioning systems." These "LPSs" are akin to a GPS, except instead of telling people where they are geographically, they'd be used to help students and their teachers get a grounding in where the students are in their learning journey. That information might cover "a map of learning topics and progressions [and] a bank of programs and resources tied to the learning map."

The use of the LPS, stated "Making Learning Personal for All: The Growing Diversity in Today's Classroom," would help the student "self-identify" his or her strengths, preferences and challenges, set learning goals and find the appropriate resources to help meet those goals.

The need for personalized learning is growing as a result of the increasing diversity of the student population in the United States, the report stated. For example, whereas a classroom of 24 kids in the 1970s may have had five or six students requiring specialized interventions due to poverty, language skills or disabilities, now the demographics suggest that the count has risen to between 10 and 12 students  "each of whom research shows needs personalized approaches to learning."

Technology-enabled instruction has stepped into the education community as a way to deliver "more precise personalized learning," the report explained, particularly in two specific content areas: reading and math.

However, more work needs to be done to make that instruction more effective and "personal." Educators need to know "how to use technology to engage, motivate and personalize learning with their students." Software developers and designers need to "create tools that are more precisely and intentionally tuned" for individual learners. Researchers need to "evolve new methodologies that embrace the diversity of learners for testing the effectiveness of products, programs and interventions that personalize learning." And the students need to understand "their personal learning characteristics."

The report is the first in a new series from the education-focused not-for-profit that explores the impact of "learning variability" in student performance.

The report is freely available on Digital Promise's website.
STEM

Fayette County Schools Adopt Wireless Sensors for STEM Ed

Georgia's Fayette County Public Schools is adopting wireless sensors for use in STEM education across all 26 of its schools in an effort to encourage inquiry-based learning.

The district, which uses the Next Generation Science Standards, Project 2061's Benchmarks for Science Literacy and the Georgia Performance Standards, has selected Pasco Scientific's wireless line of sensors, which includes pH, pressure, temperature, current, conductivity, light, voltage and force and acceleration. Designed to simplify lab setup by eliminating the clutter of cables, the sensors are compatible with Windows, iOS, Android, OS X and Chrome.

The district will also adopt the company's Sparkvue data collection and analysis software and its Capstone data acquisition, display and analysis software, the latter for use in advanced placement courses.

"Fayette County Schools is dedicated to providing students with a world-class education," said Joseph C. Barrow, Jr., superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools, in a prepared statement. "We've implemented probeware products in kindergarten through 12th grade because we want students, even at an early age, to understand the nature of science. Science is not a body of knowledge for students to memorize; science is a way of knowing, and a way to make sense of the world around them. With the use of probeware products, students will be able to obtain and manipulate data in various forms, and communicate their findings in more efficient ways. This is essential as students look to advance and contribute knowledge of and to the world. Our teachers are excited about how this will transform their teaching and learning practices. We are most certainly excited about this partnership."
Internet Access

Oklahoma Governor Launches High Speed Internet Initiative

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has launched an initiative to bring high-speed broadband and digital learning opportunities to public schools across the state, according to the Associated Press.

The Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative will work with interested school districts and telecommunications service providers to increase the number of schools with fiber optic connections, improve the connections capacity and affordability and ensure that classrooms statewide have WiFi access to better facilitate digital learning.

Fallin said the technology creates digital learning opportunities that can provide every student with a personalized learning plan for such lessons as upper level math and science classes and concurrent enrollment courses.

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and EducationSuperHighway, a nonprofit focused on upgrading internet access in every public school classroom in the United States, are providing technical assistance to Oklahoma.
Itongadol.-You could be growing your own car fuel in some scummy green tank in your living room one day, with or without engineered fluorescent fish inside. No, you wouldn\t be gassing the car or powering the house with fish pee, but with hydrogen produced by engineered algae.

Hydrogen is widely touted as the fuel of the future and now Tel Aviv University scientists have made two crucial discoveries. One is how algae produce it. The other is how to make them produce more of it, so hydrogen can be mass-produced, cheaply, and used not only in public transportation but industry.

"For the last 12,000 years we have been using agriculture to make food, but when it comes to energy, we are still hunter gatherers. Agriculture for energy is the next revolution," research leader Assistant Prof. Iftach Yacoby, head of the renewable energy laboratory at Tel Aviv University, tells Haaretz. "There are other ways to produce hydrogen, but this is the greenest, and is the only agricultural one."

In two separate papers published in the international science press, the TAU team describes the discovery that algae produce hydrogen from photosynthesis, not in a microburst at dawn, as assumed until now, but all the time. Secondly and crucially, they have engineered a way to boost production nearly fivefold by genetic engineering.

In case that all sounds rather like a thriller starring a shaven-headed tattooed ex-con clad in inexplicably-sourced leather and armed with a vial of glowing green goo, think of this. The wheat we know and love isn\t the plant we began to cultivate 12,000 years ago. We changed it to enhance desirable traits. Doing the same to microalgae is next. If hydrogen-by-alga can be developed industrially, modern civilization could finally start getting over its addiction to oil, with all the geopolitical relief that would entail.

Making hydrogen all day long

Photosynthesis is a biochemical process by which competent plants, algae and bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy. Generally speaking, photoautotrophs start from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H20) that they first split into the composite atoms, carbon, oxygen and protons, using sunlight energy, then "cook" to make glucose sugar (C6H12O6).

When making sugar by photosynthesis, plants output some oxygen, chiefly during the day. The scientists worked with single-celled green algae and first of all discovered that in contrast to popular wisdom, algae produce hydrogen during the photosynthetic process all day, not in a brief burp at sunrise.

How could they be so wrong so long? A) "Because the amounts of hydrogen the algae produce at other times were miniscule," Yacoby explains. "Highly sensitive machinery was necessary to discern it." B) Also, the scientists had known that oxygen is deadly to a key stage in the algal hydrogen production process, which led them to a wrong assumption.

Oxygen stifles the relevant enzymes, called hydrogenases. They stop working, irreversibly, and scientists had assumed that the enzyme was simply not active in air-grown algae cells.

Actually, they discovered, the enzyme remains frisky and active inside oxygen-free zones inside the chloroplast (which is the organelle that contains the chlorophyll, the molecule central to photosynthesis). And thus the little alga continues to make hydrogen all day long.

More of a good thing

The next question was how to beef up production for industrial purposes. We clearly don\t need to engineer totally new hydrogenases that aren\t oxygen-sensitive, Yacoby explains to Haaretz.

What humanity needs is to get the algae to overproduce the enzyme and, as he explains, to reengineer it to have more power.

Currently most of the energy goes to sugar production, he explains. That is what the plant wants. We however would like most of the energy to be transferred to hydrogen production.

Why go through the trouble of engineering single-celled plants? Man knows how to produce hydrogen, doesn\t he?

He does, but not cleanly, Yacoby explains. "In the United States, 99% of the hydrogen produced is from natural gas." Cracking natural gas for hydrogen is not a green process, is toxic as hell and is energetically inefficient. Producing hydrogen through electrolysis requires electricity  which is not always available from green sources.

Biofuels are hardly the great white hope either. For one thing, when they\re burned (i.e., used,) we get carbon emissions. With hydrogen, the only emission is water vapor.

"Making ammonia for fertilizer so we can grow more corn so we can make more ethanol to fuel cars that pollute  this is not the most efficient practice one can perceive," Yacoby remarks. "Hydrogen is the only blue energy  no carbon emission from the exhaust."

He also points out that a hydrogen-powered car, and they exist commercially nowadays thanks to Toyota and now other car manufacturers, can run more than 500 kilometers on five kilos of hydrogen.

What about cost? Bioengineered algae sound expensive. The scientists have done the math and, says Yacoby, the production costs should be less than $4 per kilo of hydrogen, which, mileage-wise, is roughly equivalent to 10 liters of gasoline. National Renewable Energy Lab in Colorado thinks hydrogen can be made using the algae method for around $3 per kilo.
Paint Orange

Reuters/Navesh Chitrakar

Italy is in the middle of a period of amazing political and financial turmoil.

The country faces a constitutional referendum that could lead to the fall of its government. Its banking system is experiencing unprecedented problems thanks to a huge surfeit of non-performing loans, despite a rescue package for its weakest lenders.

All this turmoil adds up to make Italy the "biggest headache" for the rest of Europe, according to research from staff at Citi.

"While Italy needs Europe to get out of the woods, Europe might struggle to survive with a key partner lost in the woods. Five years into the crisis which led to the ousting of Silvio Berlusconi, Italy is still Europes biggest headache. And the headache might intensify in the coming months should Renzis government collapse."

In their latest analysis of the situation: "Talking About Italy Flirting with the Past: Is Italy Europes Sleeping Risk?"  Citi analysts led by Mauro Baragiola, Tina Fordham, Jonathan Stubbs, and Giada Giani, discuss Italy in depth, covering everything from the luxury goods sector in the country, all the way to the massive problem the country has with debt. Within the note, Citi staff discuss the five big issues that make Italy Europe's main "headache."

Italy's enormous debt problem

Mario Draghi

Reuters/Navesh ChitrakarFirst, the country's problems with debt are enormous, and are described by Citi as "A 2.2 trn 'Whatever it Takes' Headache." Essentially, the European Central Bank is bound by president Mario Draghi's famous statement that he will do "whatever it takes" to save the euro in 2012, Citi argues.

Italy has a public debt of more than 131% of GDP, and if that starts to go sour, things could get real ugly, real quick. As Citi notes: "The euro might come under renewed pressure on Italian public debt. And European partners might not want to have Italy run by parties targeting debt restructuring."

Story continues

Second, and equally important, is the rising swell of populist, anti-EU sentiment in the country, which Citi fears, could help spread this ill-feeling across the continent, especially if Matteo Renzi's government collapses and the Five Star Movement finds its way to power. As Citi notes, this is a big switch, given that the country's citizens have traditional been big Europhiles.

Here is the extract (emphasis ours):

"Whereas Italy is a founding member of the European Community and Italians used to be among the biggest supporters of European integration, the degree of EU/euro scepticism in Italian politics and voters is on the rise and relatively high."

"After Brexit, Vox Populi is spreading across the Continent, European institutions might not shrug off Italians criticism (also considering that Italys experience in the Eurozone has been somewhat disappointing  with 2015 real GDP per person lower than in 1999)  providing an efficient populist message across Europe for the many anti-establishment parties."

Another issue that Europe faces when it comes to Italy is the fact that many big institutions have substantial operations in the country, and should its stagnant economy get even worse, big companies could start to feel the pinch.

"Italy is a poor state but a rich country: whereas public debt might provide a headache for the European institutions, a further collapse in the Italian economy might be a big blow for the income statements of the many global companies that still have large B2B and B2C operations in Italy," Citi argues.

Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi gestures as he gives a public lecture at the University of Nairobi in Kenya Wednesday, July 15, 2015. Renzi is on an official visit to Kenya and also met with Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta. (i)

Reuters/Navesh Chitrakar

One of the issues we have highlighted the most about the Italian crisis in recent months is the country's ongoing banking crisis, which centres around the huge number of bad loans granted by banks in the country, particularly its third largest lender, Monte dei Paschi di Siena.

Some of the country's issues have been addressed through the creation of the Atalante fund, and a private rescue package for MPS, but issues still remain. Those issues could turn out to be systemic, Citi notes, potentially having serious knock-on effects

Here is the full extract (emphasis ours):

"Although a banking crisis in Italy should be theoretically ringfenced and have little impact on banks outside Italy, collateral damage cannot be ruled out given the systemic risk of the Italian banks as well as large Italian operations of European banks. EBA tests and the IMF recently highlighted some weaknesses in other European banks which might struggle to remain immune from a confidence crisis in Italy."

Finally, not only is Italy a political and an economic worry for Europe, it also has the potential to turn into a geopolitical headache, given its location on the fringes of Europe, and in a key region in turns of mass immigration from the Middle East.

"Given the situation in Libya, Italy might increasingly become the soft belly of Europe in fighting illegal immigration," Citi argues, adding that "Italy might have somewhat recovered the strategic geopolitical status it enjoyed during the Cold War as a crossroad between West and East."

NOW WATCH: STIGLITZ: It makes me crazy that everyone gets this wrong about the economy

See Also:

SEE ALSO: One chart shows all the risks that Italy's referendum poses to the country

DON'T MISS: CITI: Italy's potentially disastrous referendum is 'much ado about nothing'
By Joe Bavier ABIDJAN (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund could lift a suspension on payments aimed at helping Guinea-Bissau emerge from years of political turmoil following an evaluation mission this week, the institution's country representative said on Monday. The IMF agreed a programme with Guinea-Bissau last year after 2014 elections drew a line under a coup two years earlier - one of a succession that have spawned chronic instability and helped make the West African country a haven for South American cocaine traffickers. Disbursements were suspended in June, however, after the government took on 34 billion CFA francs ($58.3 million) in bad loans from two private banks. Donors followed suit and suspended budget support for 2016 equal to around 2.1 percent of GDP. IMF representative Oscar Melhado told Reuters by email that the Fund welcomed a government decision to cancel the bailouts, whose value amounted to around 5.5 percent of GDP. "The only remaining obstacle is the refusal of the banks to accept the bad portfolio back into their books," he said. The IMF had argued the bailouts benefited the wealthiest citizens and foreign investors. Authorities had said they were needed to shield the private sector from bankruptcy. Monday was a public holiday and the banks, Banco da Africa Ocidental and Banco da Uniao, were not available for comment. Melhado said the government should also commit to implementing prudent macroeconomic policies and key structural reforms during the visit due to begin on Tuesday, which constitutes the first and second reviews of the IMF programme. Disbursements worth 4.1 billion CFA could still be made this year if the reviews are approved by the IMF's board in December. Total donor contributions, including direct budget support and financing for targeted sectors and projects, typically make up around 80 percent of Guinea-Bissau's budget. After the IMF freeze, Finance Minister Henrique Horta described the economic situation, including a budget deficit amounting to about 3.5 percent of GDP, as "catastrophic". The government of Guinea, which is helping to mediate in its smaller Portuguese-speaking neighbour, said earlier this month that Guinea-Bissau would not be able to pay the salaries of civil servants and the security forces from October. "We hope that donors will resume support following the IMF. It would depend on each donor's policy," Melhado said. The IMF visit comes days after an agreement to form a new government, ending a year-long political crisis that has paralysed state institutions. ($1 = 582.9600 CFA francs) (Reporting by Joe Bavier; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
DENVER  Most presidential hopefuls spend their Septembers in places like Ohio and Florida, hoping to win over a handful of swing voters in battleground states. But Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson is crisscrossing the country in a desperate, last-ditch attempt to boost his national poll numbers and qualify for the presidential debates.

Johnson needs to reach an average of 15 percent in five national polls that the Commission on Presidential Debates relies upon to decide who qualifies for the first presidential debate on Sept. 26. But even his campaign manager acknowledges reaching that threshold is unrealistic.

Johnson currently is just below 9 percent in three of those polls with results available so far. He is campaigning from Maine to Florida to Washington State in hopes of closing the gap. But he may be raising his profile the wrong way.

Last week, Johnson became a viral sensation for being stumped by a question on national television about what to do about the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo. His baffled response  What is Aleppo?  ricocheted around the internet.

People get excited at one faux pas, complained Ed Crane, who runs an outside group that supports Johnson and bought $100,000 worth of national television ads to boost the candidates profile last week. To me, this overreaction is a sign that people are starting to worry about Gary.

The debates are the best and possibly only chance for the relatively underfunded former New Mexico governor and medical marijuana entrepreneur to become more than a protest vote. Supporters of Johnson and his vice presidential running mate, former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, hope that debates would let the ticket broadcast its socially liberal and fiscally conservative message to a far broader audience than the people who attend his rarely covered rallies.

It would be a huge amount for name recognition and exposure to the ideas, said Chris Rufer, a California tomato-processing magnate who has donated more than $1 million to Johnson and groups supporting him. Its very important that it happens.

But the poll numbers are daunting. All five polls  by the three major networks, Fox News Channel and CNN  were scheduled to have new results before the debate deadline. In the three that have come out  Fox, CNN and ABC  Johnson registered at 9 percent, 7 percent and 9 percent respectively. That means hed need to exceed 20 percent in the remaining two to clear the 15 percent mark on average.

Ron Neilson, Johnsons campaign manager, said in an interview that making the debates will be challenging. The 15 percent is somewhat, Ill say, unrealistic, Neilson said. Its probably too high.

Because of the widespread voter disgust with the two major-party candidates, Johnson has gotten more attention and support than many other recent third-party challengers, but his resources are still dwarfed by Clinton and Trump. For example, Johnson stirred excitement last month when he announced he had raised $2.9 million in the first two weeks of August. Clintons campaign said it raised $143 million that month and the Trump team reported a $90 million haul.

Johnson is airing $900,000 in national radio ads and $500,000 in television ads in 10 mostly Western states where his campaign thinks his message best resonates. In contrast, Clinton and her supporters have aired $150 million worth of ads, according to Kantar Medias Campaign Media Analysis Group. Trump and his supporters have spent less but have still bought more than $7 million in airtime going forward.

The campaign has been critical of the nonprofit Commission on Presidential Debates for the 15 percent threshold, and Neilson said the campaign is urging supporters to pressure the commission to relax its criteria.

Its a familiar role for the commission, which was formed in 1987 to organize presidential debates and has often been criticized and sued by third-party candidates who argue it favors the two established political parties. It is chaired by a former Republican National Committee chairman and Bill Clintons former White House press secretary.

The commission would not comment.

___

Keep track on how much Clinton and Trump are spending on television advertising, and where theyre spending it, via APs interactive ad tracker. http://elections.ap.org/content/ad-spending
WASHINGTON  A war of words over Donald Trumps deplorables is intensifying as Republicans and Democrats fight for political points over Hillary Clintons claim that many of the New York billionaires supporters are racist, sexist and homophobic.

Trump and his allies across the country insisted Tuesday that the Democratic presidential nominees comments reflect an out-of-touch elitist who looks down on working-class voters, akin to 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romneys assertion that 47 percent of Americans would never vote for him because they were dependent on the government. Democrats  and even some Republicans  warned, however, that this debate could backfire on Trump, drawing new attention to white supremacists and hate groups attracted by his America first message.

Indeed, former KKK leader David Duke offered fresh praise for the way that Trump and running mate Mike Pence are handling the controversy. But not all Republicans were pleased.

Lets remember that, weird as it may seem, a lot of voters are only just now tuning in, so they may not be aware of the fact that David Duke, various KKK organizations, the alt-right en masse, Vladimir Putin and other foreign authoritarian enemies of America  people who really are deplorable  are supporting Trump, said Liz Mair, a Washington-based Republican operative and a vocal Trump critic.

Speaking to donors in New York City on Friday, Clinton said half of Trumps supporters were in a basket of deplorables, a crowd she described as racist, sexist, homophobic or xenophobic. Clinton later said she regretted applying that description to half of Trumps backers, but stuck by her assertion that the GOP nominee has given a platform to hateful views and voices.

Trump and his team seized on the comments as his supporters across the country embraced a new rallying cry.

While my opponent slanders you as deplorable and irredeemable, I call you hardworking American patriots, Trump declared at a Clive, Iowa, rally.

In the crowd, one Trump supporter held a sign that read: Im not deplorable. Im just a hard-working, tax-paying American and proud of it! Another wore a homemade shirt that read, Im with deplorable.

It sums up what she thinks of American voters: that were dumb and stupid and cant make decisions for ourselves, said Charles House, 78, of Ankeny, Iowa. She looks down on us.

The night before at a rally in North Carolina, one Trump supporters violent outburst complicated his message.

As security escorted out several protesters, a man grabbed one protester around the neck, punched another in the face and slapped at another woman. The incident was captured by assembled television networks.

Indiana Gov. Pence, Trumps vice presidential running mate, refused anew Tuesday to say whether white supremacist Duke was deplorable. Pence has disavowed Duke, but said he was not in the name-calling business.

Duke, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat from Louisiana, was pleased with that. The whole idea that they were trying to make Pence call me names, basically, and he didnt bite on that was a real positive thing for all of us, Duke said on his daily podcast.

Michael Lawrence, Dukes campaign strategist, said Tuesday, Donald Trump is championing issues that David Duke brought forward decades ago, and we continue to support the Trump campaign.

Democrats have welcomed a debate that shines new light on some of the elements cheering Trumps candidacy.

In November, Clinton will need a strong turnout among President Barack Obamas coalition of minorities, women and millennials. Her campaign argues that Trump will struggle to connect with such voters if hes viewed as fostering white supremacists.

Bigotry is deplorable and I think she should stand by her guns, said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., a Clinton ally.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who chaired Clintons 2008 presidential campaign, said the Democratic nominees comments pale in comparison to Trumps.

His attacks on women and Muslims and immigrants, I mean literally youd run out of ink writing them all, McAuliffe said.

A pro-Clinton group, Priorities USA, began airing a new ad this week highlighting some of Trumps more provocative comments, including his aggressive references to protesters, such as, Id like to punch him in the face.

The GOP nominee and his campaign said Clintons comment plays into the idea that she is a sheltered elitist, who sees herself as better than regular people and above the law.

Rob Gleason, the chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, said it made sense for Trumps campaign to take advantage of the issue, quickly cutting an ad and using it as a rallying cry.

When somebody gifts you an issue, then you go ahead and run with it, he said. Still, he questioned whether it would have much impact. Im not so sure even if anyone understands that, he said.

Republican operative Ryan Williams, a former Romney aide, warned that the Trump approach carries risk.

Trump would be wise to take advantage of it, Williams said of Clintons comment, but he cannot miss an opportunity to criticize people like David Duke who support his candidacy.

They are deplorable, he added, but the vast majority of Trumps supporters are not.

___

AP writers Jon Lemire in Clive, Iowa, and Ken Thomas and Julie Bykowicz in Washington contributed to this report.
Bernalillo County produced its final list of candidates and questions for this years general-election ballot on Tuesday  a deadline mentioned in state law. And the sick-leave initiative wasnt on it.

Supporters of the proposal, however, say theyre still weighing their legal options for securing a spot on this years ballot.

County election workers, in any case, say they submitted a list of candidates and questions on Tuesday  the deadline was 5 p.m.  to the company that helps prepare the ballot.

The next critical date is about 10 days from now, when the ballots must be mailed to voters overseas or serving in the military, County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver said.

The ballot doesnt include the Albuquerque sick-leave initiative because Bernalillo County commissioners refused to approve it during a special meeting last week. They cited legal questions over whether the initiative had to be published in its entirety or just presented to voters as a summary, among other concerns.

A summary is all that would fit.

Supporters of the proposal challenged the countys decision in court, but State District Judge Alan Malott ruled against them Monday.

He said the full text of the proposal must go to voters and that the county isnt required to put it on the ballot this year.

As things stand now, that means the proposal would go to voters in next years city election, when voters head to the polls to pick a mayor and fill five City Council seats.

Supporters of the initiative say they are disappointed in Mondays ruling but havent decided yet whether to file an appeal.

Its been common in recent years for ballot disputes to end up before the New Mexico Supreme Court.

The proposed ordinance would require employers in Albuquerque, regardless of size, to allow their workers to earn paid sick time off.
Late last year, as Islamic State fighters battled to expand their stronghold on Libyas coast, militants came within 45 miles of the countrys sole remaining chemical-weapons site, unnerving Libyan and American officials who feared that potentially deadly chemicals could fall into extremist hands.

In May, when the fighters struck a mile from the lightly guarded desert facility, killing two security officersat a checkpoint, they decided it was time to act.

The Islamic States encroachment on an installation outside the remote oasis town of Waddan, where 500 metric tons of chemical-weapon precursor materials were stored, set off a hurried chain of events culminating in a disarmament operation involving the United States, European countries and the United Nations.

The international effort, which concluded last week when a Danish ship unloaded the materials at a German port for destruction, is one of the rare successes that Western nations can claim in Libya since dictator Moammar Gaddafis ouster in 2011 pitched the North African country into lawlessness and civil war.

The mission was also a sign of the risks posed by vulnerable chemicals, even if they have not been weaponized, in former dictatorships and failed states throughout the Middle East.

We were worried about this very dangerous material, said Mohamed Taher Siyala, foreign minister of Libyas unity government. If the Islamic State were to capture the chemicals, he said, it would be dangerous not [just] for us but for the international community.

The rush by the United States and its European allies to help Libya remove chemicals stored at the Ruwagha site, which had been Gaddafis chemical-weapons farm, was also an indication of President Barack Obamas administrations uneasiness about whether the shaky unity government would be able to secure materials that could be made into mustard gas.

We placed a high degree of interest in moving these chemicals out of the country, said a senior U.S. official, who like other officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the operation. We had been focused on it since we learned it was there.

The removal comes as U.S. warplanes continue daily strikes on Libyas coastal city of Sirte, where a small group of Islamic State fighters has managed to hold off militia forces affiliated with the Western-backed government for months.

Recent progress to weaken the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, has not ended the prolonged political crisis that has spawned competing governments in Libyas east and west and pushed the country to the brink of civil war. This week, a powerful eastern commander seized major oil ports, further inflaming tensions that have prevented the unity government  which the United States and its allies see as the sole path to stabilization  from consolidating its power.

According to a second U.S. official, links between the officials responsible for Ruwagha and the unity government were tenuous at best, adding to the sense of insecurity about the stockpile.

Not to suggest that there was friction . . . but they didnt have somebody that they would report to with clear distinction and chain of command, the official said.

The material at Ruwagha, which included phosphorus trichloride and 2-chloroethanol, was the final remnant of a once-formidable chemical-weapons program built up by Gaddafi.

When Libya joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2004, the Gaddafi government declared a host of material it held in its chemical arsenal, including a vast store of bulk sulfur mustard agent. After Gaddafis ouster, the new government came across additional chemical weapons, mostly artillery and bombs filled with mustard gas, which were then reported to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a global watchdog. By early 2014, all remaining weapons had been destroyed.

While some precursor materials were destroyed in 2015, nearly 500 tons of dual-use, toxic industrial chemicals remained at Ruwagha.

There was also an environmental hazard: The materials were stored in containers so corroded that chemicals were leaking into the soil.

Officials from the Libyan office responsible for chemical weapons had hoped to destroy the precursors domestically, using sophisticated plasma technology, but that proved impossible as a wave of kidnappings, insurgent attacks and militia clashes surged across the country.

Ali Gebril, who has been Libyas representative to the OPCW since 2010, said officials fears about the remaining material increased in December 2015, when Islamic State fighters attacked a checkpoint at a site named Kheshoom al-Khail, about 45 miles from Ruwagha.

While U.S. and Libyan officials believed the Islamic State did not know about the presence of the chemicals, they feared the site, which had also been used to store conventional weapons, might be targeted away. Already, Islamic State fighters were suspected of employing chemical weapons in Iraq and Syria; this week, U.S. warplanes destroyed a chemical-weapons factory in northern Iraq.

Their concern grew sharply when a second checkpoint was attacked in May, just over a mile from the facility. We started really to think how to remove the chemicals from where they are,  Gebril said, or at least to move them from that vulnerable location.

In mid-July, the unity government renewed an earlier request to the OPCW, more urgently this time, for help in removing the material. But securing international support to transport the chemicals would not be simple.

Under international rules, moving chemical-weapon material across international boundaries would require authorization from the United Nations. But officials worried that involving the world body might draw unwanted attention about the existence of the chemicals, including from the Islamic State.

Libyan officials also had a template as they made their request  the international collaboration to remove Syrias chemicals weapons in 2014. We told them it was an investment in world peace and security, Gebril said. We got huge support.

Rebecca Hersman, a former Pentagon official overseeing chemical-weapons issues who is now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the Libya operation, like the one in Syria, showed that such transport operations to remove chemicals could be cost-effective and safe, rather than importing people and capabilities into that dangerous environment to destroy them at the site.

In Washington, American officials received regular intelligence information and satellite imagery of the site. In mid-July, Libyan officials piled about 20 barrels  Canada had helped the government purchase new, safer containers  onto a small convoy of trucks and drove them across the desert to the coastal city of Misrata.

Many people believed we couldnt deliver and move the chemicals, Gebril said.

At the same time, U.S. and European officials were scrambling to coordinate a way to get the chemicals out of Libya. On July 22, the U.N. Security Council voted to adopt a British-drafted resolution authorizing member countries to transport the material from Libya.

The White House decided it would not call attention to the unanimous vote until the materials had safely left Libya. Everything we did we wanted to be just as low-profile as we possibly could, the second U.S. official said.

In late August, the materials were loaded at the port of Misrata onto a Danish ship, which was accompanied across the Mediterranean by Danish and British naval ships. They were bound for the German city of Munster, where the chemicals will be destroyed in a commercial facility over six to nine months.

While Libya remains perilously unstable, U.S. officials hope the operation can strengthen the unity government at a time when its future remains in doubt.

The lesson learned is that the international community still really cares about making sure that we put threats like chemical weapons back in the box and we can come together in difficult circumstances to make that happen, the first U.S. official said.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Gebril said the removal of deadly materials was one of the few things that Libyas divided society could agree on. It was in the interest of all Libyans to get these chemicals out of Libya and destroy them as soon as possible, he said.

libya
Earlier this summer, the folks behind ScienceDebate.org sent the presidential candidates a list of 20 questions that likely wont garner much airtime in the televised debates this fall. They asked about climate change, mental health, space exploration, vaccinations, antibiotic-resistant superbugs and the future of U.S. energy.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump both responded  though Clintons answers are twice as long and noticeably more detailed  and you can find their full answers here.

Perhaps the starkest contrast between the candidates, scientifically speaking, involves climate change.

Thats not entirely surprising. Clinton has embraced the Obama administrations efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and slow the effects of global warming and has vowed to push forward in the same direction. Trump repeatedly has said he isnt a believer that humans have played a significant role in the Earths changing climate, and he has called the concept of global warming everything from a hoax to bulls- to a scheme created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive. (He later said he was joking about the China tweet).

In his response to the ScienceDebate.org questions, Trumps campaign basically dodged the climate change question, writing that there is still much that needs to be investigated in the field of climate change.' (Nearly all climate scientists agree that human activity is contributing to the warming of the planet.) Trump wrote that perhaps the nations limited financial resources would be better spent making sure people have clean water, eliminating diseases such as malaria or developing energy sources that reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Clintons campaign wrote that when it comes to climate change, the science is crystal clear. Climate change is an urgent threat and a defining challenge of our time and its impacts are already being felt at home and around the world. Clinton goes on to detail specific goals if she were to take office, such as generating half the nations electricity from clean energy sources.

Aside from such obvious differences, however, Trump and Clinton seem to have at least a sliver of common ground when it comes to science and energy issues.

Nuclear power must be an integral part of energy independence for America, Trump responded to one question, calling nuclear a valuable source of energy.

Clinton wrote that the climate challenges are too important to limit the tools available in this fight, and that nuclear power is one of those tools.

Both candidates also appear to support space exploration and vowed to invest in it.

The cascading effects of a vibrant space program are legion and can have a positive, constructive impact on the pride and direction of this country, Trump wrote.

We must maintain our nations leadership in space with a program that balances science, technology and exploration, Clinton wrote, saying she would work to ensure NASA has adequate funding.

Even on vaccines, which Trump previously has suggested might contribute to autism (despite abundant scientific evidence that there is no link), both candidates in the recent survey sounded a similar note.

We should educate the public on the values of a comprehensive vaccination program, Trump wrote.

Clinton said as president, she would push to educate parents about vaccines, focusing on their extraordinary track record in saving lives and pointing out the dangers of not vaccinating our children.

In 2008, Democratic nominee Barack Obama and Republican nominee John McCain submitted answers to more than a dozen questions from the same group. In 2012, President Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney did the same. You can see their answers here and here.

As of Monday afternoon, the group was still waiting for answers from Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson. Green Party candidate Jill Stein submitted her responses, including her belief that climate change is the greatest existential threat that humanity has ever faced.

campaign-science
Gov. Susana Martinez traveled to Boston today for a quick trip during which shell meet with business executives in an attempt to highlight New Mexico and bring more jobs to the state.

Martinez, the states two-term GOP governor, will also attend Republican Governors Association meetings while in Massachusetts, according to the Governors Office.

The governor, who was elected last year as the RGAs chairwoman, has traveled out of state frequently in recent months. Most recently, she was in San Francisco last month for a similar mix of economic development efforts and political meetings.

As for her current trip, Martinez is scheduled to return to New Mexico from Boston tomorrow evening, spokesman Michael Lonergan said.

The RGA will pay for the governors trip to Boston, while her return trip will be covered by taxpayers.

Per the state Constitution, Lt. Gov. John Sanchez serves as acting governor while Martinez is traveling outside New Mexico.
SANTA FE  Two juvenile students at the Questa Junior/Senior High School were arrested Tuesday after authorities were alerted to a potential shooting and written hit lists threatening school staff members and students.

Eighth Judicial District Attorney Donald Gallegos said Tuesday night that the students, both male, made some threats, written and verbal, to some members of the school (staff).

It did involve the threat of the use of a weapon  a firearm, Gallegos said.

Authorities became aware of the alleged threat after a combination of teachers and students alerted school officials in Questa, he said. Questa is located in rural Taos County north of Taos and near the Rio Grande Gorge.

The district attorney did not know when that alert took place, but said he met with investigators and briefed school personnel on Monday night.

Questa Independent Schools Superintendent Valerie Trujillo sent a letter out Tuesday to parents, staffers and others informing them that students at both the middle/high school and Alta Vista Elementary were under a shelter in place order for part of the day.

We also had a police officer stationed at the school today, she wrote.

We were informed that there was going to be a potential school shooting involving two separate hit lists that contained staff and students at Questa High School. We are working closely with Law Enforcement and Juvenile Probation Office.

We cannot share confidential student or staff information, but our investigation is ongoing. At this time all of our students and staff are safe. All after-school and evening activities have been cancelled for today.

The two teens who were arrested were taken to the Taos County Juvenile Detention Center in Taos, and a delinquency hearing could take place as early as today after court documents are filed.

It is expected that both boys will be charged with at least two counts each of assault on a school member with intent to commit a violent felony, Gallegos said.
OK, so Gary Johnson probably isnt going to be the nations 45th president. And its doubtful Bill Weld will be replacing Vice President Joe Biden. But the Libertarian candidates still deserve to stand on the debate stage and offer Americans their message of fiscal conservatism and social liberalism.

If the Commission on Presidential Debates evaluated candidate credentials and not poll standings, Johnson and Weld would have been the first to qualify. Neither the Republican nor Democratic ticket can match the executive governing experience of the Libertarian duo.

In fact, we havent had a third-party ticket this qualified in modern history.

Johnson is a successful entrepreneur turned public servant. Sure, hes quirky. Its not every day an Iron Man who wears Nikes with his suit and smokes pot seeks the nations highest office.

But consider that he was twice elected governor as a Republican in the very Democratic state of New Mexico. His record included the elimination of the state deficit and creation of a surplus before leaving office, all while reducing the size of state government (a feat accomplished by vetoing 750 bills during his tenure, more than all other 49 governors combined).

Plus, he governed without an ethical blemish, quite a credential when viewed against the competition.

Then theres Weld.

Central casting could not have delivered anyone more suitable. Harvard undergraduate. Then Oxford. And Harvard Law.

Weld was a U.S. attorney  recommended for that job by Rudy Giuliani  who went on to head the Criminal Division of the Justice Department. Like Johnson, Weld was elected twice as a Republican governor in a Democratic state. In fact, when re-elected in Massachusetts in 1994, it was with the largest margin in state history.

Theres something else notable: They are truly running as a team.

Watch them interviewed together and you will see their ability to finish one anothers sentences on matters of agreement, and willingness to amiably disagree. How refreshing.

Johnson and Weld, unlike the Green Party, will have their names on ballots in all 50 states. Their credentials make them worthy of standing on the presidential debate stage.

But for that to happen, they need to quickly document the support of at least 15 percent in an average of five national polls. So far, they have not met the threshold.

Still, there are signs of momentum, including the endorsement by a major daily newspaper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch. That embrace was a bona fide vote of confidence in Johnson and Weld, not just a rejection of Clinton and Trump.

The editorial called Johnson a man of good integrity, apparently normal ego, and sound ideas, adding that he is, in every respect, a legitimate and reasonable contender for the presidency.

Anecdotally it seems like the largest impediment to their further ascension is the belief that they cant win, and the idea that any vote for the ticket helps or hurts someone else. Weld rejected this argument in an interview when he secured the vice presidential nomination.

I would never use the word spoiler  Im very comfortable with where we are, he told me. Were going to speak truth to power and we are going to speak truths and we dont have to trim or modify our positions. And if we wind up nudging the Democrats toward the right on economic issues and nudging the Republicans to the left on social issues I think we will have done the country a really big favor.

Jesse Ventura, who in 1998 was elected governor of Minnesota under the banner of the Reform Party, bristles at the argument that a vote for Johnson-Weld is a waste.

Its ridiculous, he told me. When you vote, youre not there to pick a winner, youre not there for a horse race. Youre there to pick the person you want most to be president. And if that person finished hypothetically fifth, so what? You did your job as a citizen to vote for a candidate of your choice.

When they come up with that nonsense about throwing your vote away, or electing someone else, thats their patented Democratic and Republican excuse for losing, Ventura added. When they lose  they dont assume the responsibility themselves. They point a finger at the third-party guy and say, Hes who did it. How arrogant to think that everyone who votes for Gary would vote for one of them had Gary not been there.

For those willing to listen, Johnson and Weld have offered a nuanced vision of independence and thoughtfulness. They refuse to campaign dirty and are even willing to utter the dreaded c-word: compromise. Which is another reason why they would add value to the debates. Putting Johnson and Weld on the stage would force their opponents to defend their views against independent thinking.

The Times-Dispatch endorsement said:

But our final decision to endorse the Johnson-Weld ticket, and to do so with great confidence and enthusiasm, came only after Johnson met with the editorial board last Monday morning. We found him to be knowledgeable but unscripted, reasonable and good-humored, self-assured but free from arrogance, willing and able to address every question, consistent in his beliefs without being dogmatic, even-tempered, curious  and in all respects optimistically, realistically presidential.

Admittedly, being unscripted has also hurt Johnson. Recently on MSNBC, he was flummoxed when asked his opinion on the Syrian refugee crisis in Aleppo. Whether that gaffe alone will prevent the Libertarians from reaching the debate threshold remains to be seen.

In the meantime, if a pollster calls your house, tell them youre for Johnson-Weld. You can always change your mind  after the debates.

Michael Smerconish writes for The Philadelphia Inquirer and is host of Smerconish on CNN. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
How do you have 47 fewer clients, one fewer facility, and still spend $8.3 million more? How in the world can it cost so much more to do so much less?

Especially in this challenging budget year, thats something Gov. Susana Martinezs administration, specifically the Children, Youth and Families Department, needs to figure out about the states juvenile lockups.

A new Legislative Finance Committee report says the state is spending 30 percent more on the system  $35.7 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $27.4 million in 2008  despite declining incarceration numbers and a shuttered 24-bed Ruidoso lockup. And while the emphasis since 2008 has been rehabilitation over incarceration, the average annual cost of confining a youth increased from about $115,000 in 2008 to $182,000 in 2015. It now works out to a staggering $498 per day.

By comparison, the U.S. average cost for housing a juvenile is about $149,000 a year, and Arizonas cost is around $106,000.

The bottom line of the legislative report is that CYFD should cut up to $2.7 million from its Juvenile Justice Services Division by shuttering another of the four remaining secured facilities, expanding community-based alternatives to incarceration and taking a hard look at staffing.

When CYFD closed its Lincoln Pines Youth Center near Ruidoso in 2013 after a sex scandal involving a female therapist and a 17-year-old inmate, it simply moved staff and programs. The LFC report found CYFDs remaining lockups have a staff-to-client ratio of 1-to-4, while federal requirements are 1-to-8 during waking hours and 1-to-16 during sleeping hours.

Theres no question the state seems to be going in the right direction when it comes to the number of incarcerated youths  though the LFC report does not explain how or why that decrease is happening, and if those youths who would likely have been locked up are benefiting from diversion programs.

Theres also no question that in a state with a small population, around 2 million, spread over a large land mass  the fifth-largest state in the nation  its a challenge to provide services in a cost-efficient manner.

But especially when the state is looking at a $589 million deficit, cost efficiency is a must. The states limited revenues must be directed at programming that works, whether its diversionary or corrections.

There simply isnt the cash to continue to do less with more.

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.
SANTA FE  Half a dozen people spoke in support of repealing Santa Fe Countys current animal control ordinance and replacing it with a new, stricter one during a public hearing Tuesday.

While no one spoke against the ordinance, commissioners said they wanted more time to contemplate different aspects of the proposal that calls for banning the use of chains and tethers to confine animals.

Speakers at the public hearing represented Animal Protection of New Mexico and a local group called Chain Free Santa Fe, which has collected 500 signatures from registered voters. They all asked that the county impose laws restricting the practice of chaining or tethering any animal, other than livestock.

Speakers said keeping a dog on a chain 24-7 was cruel and should never be done.

Theres no such thing as a bad dog, said Diana Dorantes of Chain Free Santa Fe, only irresponsible owners.

A man who said he was mauled by a pit bull that left him 25 percent disabled said he was OK with allowing trolleys that give dogs some freedom to run. Lets face it, not everyone can afford a fence, he said.

Commissioner Henry Roybal said he wasnt sure if tethering a dog to a 100-foot long trolley wasnt more humane than keeping one in a 15-by-15 foot enclosure.

I dont know what the dog would prefer, he said.

The proposed animal control rules would also differ from the current ordinance by disallowing mere voice command as a form of restraint and makes it clear that dogs cant run at large and must be kept within fences or other enclosures, even in rural parts of the county. Animals on sidewalks, streets and other public places would have to be on a leash.

Violations would be classified as a misdemeanor and would be punishable by a $300 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

There are some exceptions for dogs engaged in herding and hunting activities, for instance. Commissioner Liz Stefanics said there might be other cases worthy of exception. I think we really need to think about these options and exceptions, she said.

Stefanics said shed like some comparative data from other entities  such as Bernalillo, Los Alamos and San Miguel counties  that have recently revised their animal control ordinances to prohibit chaining or tethering animals.

City staff said they could collect that data but it probably wouldnt be available before the next public hearing on Sept. 27.

The city of Santa Fe has banned chaining dogs, but allows for animals to be tethered.

The proposed new ordinance also raises license fees for unaltered dogs from $10 to $25, and fees for altered dogs from $3 to $10. Licenses could be purchased for a period of one, two or three years.
WASHINGTON  Former Mexican President Vicente Fox amped up his criticism of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Tuesday night, describing the real estate mogul as an international threat who, if elected, could possibly provoke another world war.

This guy is a menace, Fox said in an interview Tuesday night. He is a threat. He could even provoke a third world war.

The hostile words came just two weeks after Trumps controversial visit to Mexico and his fiery speech hours later where he doubled down on promises to kick out millions of immigrants and build a border wall that Mexico would pay for.

Fox called Trump a false prophet who is taking the nation in a dangerous direction. Fox said he was among dozens of former prime ministers and presidents who oppose a Trump presidency.

To the American people, I tell them, when youre electing the president of the United States, at the same time youre electing of the leader of the world, Fox said.

The two have been feuding for months, ever since Fox famously declared that Im not going to pay for that (expletive) wall, when responding to Trump boasts that Mexico would pay for a proposed border wall  one of his signature campaign issues.

Trump has called Mexican immigrants criminals and rapists. He has also criticized the United States only female Hispanic governor and accused a U.S. district judge of being biased against him because the judge was of Mexican descent.

Fox spoke to reporters prior to speaking at the Washington gala for the National Hispanic Foundation of the Arts, which advocates for Latinos and the Latino image in the arts and media.

Felix Sanchez, chairman of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, said Fox was selected specifically because of his ability to go toe to toe with Trump and condemn his remarks.

His strong words should have come from more American politicians at that level instantly, Sanchez said.

Fox joked about Trumps use of teleprompters and about his campaign having found an actor who could be presidential to replace him. But he quickly got serious, his voice escalating, as he questioned why Trump is so mad and uses such violent language. He said the world has enough problems and needs peace.

Wake up, America. Wake up, America, Fox bellowed, pumping his fist. Dont follow this false prophet.

Earlier, Fox said Trumps rhetoric has only gotten worse since his trip to Mexico, which Fox described as a political stunt.

Many Mexicans, including Fox, were disappointed with President Enrique Pena Nietos decision to invite Trump to Mexico, let alone Pena Nietos failure to demand an apology for Trumps incendiary comments.

Fox blasted the visit, and he and Trump have continued to trade barbs on social media.

Former President Vicente Fox, who is railing against my visit to Mexico today, also invited me when he apologized for using the f bomb, Trump tweeted following the visit.

Fox responded: @realDonaldTrump, I invited you to come and apologize to all Mexicans. Stop lying! Mexico is not yours to play with, show some respect.

On Tuesday, Fox said the two nations need to focus on building bridges, never walls. He quipped that Trumps stupid wall wouldnt even work.

He cant be the president of this great nation, Fox said.
SANTA FE  Top New Mexico judicial branch officials urged legislators Tuesday to spare the state court system from the chopping block, saying even modest budget cuts could lead to employee furloughs, reduced court hours and pared-back drug court programs.

The state is facing a massive $589 million budget shortfall for the current and just-ended fiscal years, and spending cuts could be part of a budget-balancing fix thats expected to be debated in a special legislative session this month.

However, judicial branch officials say that theyve already taken steps to reduce spending  partly by reducing mileage reimbursement rates  and that any cuts over 1 percent would damage an already cash-strapped court system. They also gave lawmakers a budget request for the coming year that would increase court funding by roughly $7.7 million, or 4.8 percent, over this years levels.

Right now, were keeping our nostrils above the surface, but you can only do that for so long, Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Daniels told members of the interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee.

He also said that in light of the states budget situation, the judicial branch is not seeking funding for four additional judgeships around the state, even though such action was recommended by a panel of judges from around the state.

Court officials have sparred with Gov. Susana Martinezs administration in recent years over funding and other issues, and a spokesman for the GOP governor blasted the judicial branch Tuesday for seeking more money while the state grapples with a revenue downturn.

The judiciarys increases in spending have far surpassed increases in most other areas of government for several years, and the very fact theyre seeking an increase of this size now  once again  shows theyre not taking our budget challenges seriously, Martinez spokesman Michael Lonergan said.

Spending for the New Mexico court system is set at nearly $161 million for the current budget year, or about 2.6 percent of total state spending, and the judicial branch has pushed in recent years for higher salaries for judges and court clerks.

Lawmakers from both political parties expressed concern Tuesday about funding levels for the states court system.

Weve got to start thinking about the future of our justice system, said Rep. Jim Dines, R-Albuquerque, a retired attorney. Its being ruptured by the lack of funding, based on what I can tell.

Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque, said its wrong to suggest the judiciary is swimming in money, adding that drug courts and other specialty courts aimed at reducing recidivism have proved to be effective tools.

Legislators also heard dire budgetary warnings Tuesday from officials with the Law Office of the Public Defender, which provides legal representation to indigent defendants in New Mexico state courts.

Ben Baur, the states chief public defender, said the office will have to start declining cases in certain parts of the state due to a lack of funding, despite a constitutional requirement that representation be provided to all eligible defendants.

If you dont fund defense, the system doesnt work, said Baur, who added that the public defenders office would be seeking a 10 percent increase in funding in the coming year, which would allow it to hire 25 additional attorneys.
SANTA FE  The New Mexico Legislature has waded into the murky waters of impeachment three times in the past 11 years, so it may want to be ready for the next one, an interim committee was advised Tuesday.

The separate impeachment proceedings against a state treasurer, a Public Regulation Commission member and a secretary of state have pointed out possible stumbling blocks that may require some changes, the Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee was told.

The biggest issue: whether state law should be broadened to allow impeachment committees to issue subpoenas even when the Legislature is not in session.

That has come up for discussion after all three impeachment processes. It was included in recommendations made in early 2012, after impeachment proceedings against former PRC Commissioner Jerome Block Jr., but was never acted on.

I think everybody hoped it would never happen again, Douglas Carver, a former staff attorney with the Legislative Council Service, told the committee.

But four years later, it did happen again, and lawmakers began impeachment proceedings against then-Secretary of State Dianna Duran.

No public official has been impeached in state history. State Treasurer Robert Vigil in 2005, Block in 2011 and Duran in 2015 resigned their offices, halting the impeachment process after special committees in the House had begun investigating the criminal cases against them.

Its clear in the state Constitution that the House of Representatives has the authority to impeach a public official, who would then be removed temporarily from office, face trial in the Senate, and be removed permanently if convicted.

Beyond that, theres not much guidance as to how an impeachment should be conducted. Lawmakers had to come up with rules and procedures for the Vigil impeachment that became the template for the two subsequent proceedings. Carver said they should consider how much of that process they may want to put into law.

In 2015, before Duran resigned, legislators were considering whether to call themselves into session  which can be expensive and time-consuming  just to issue subpoenas for evidence in the pending criminal case against her.

State law currently allows the issuance of subpoenas by committees only when the Legislature is in regular or special sessions.

The subpoena issue is a potentially significant roadblock, Carver told the panel.

Carver said other impeachment-related issues the Legislature may want to consider include procedures for administering oaths to witnesses, how perjury would be handled, and how the open-meetings law applies to impeachment proceedings.

The committee agreed that legislation should be drafted for its review. Interim committees can endorse proposals for the full Legislature to consider.
Copyright  2016 Albuquerque Journal

The violent sexual attack that ended Victoria Martens life apparently was not the first time she was raped.

The 10-year-olds mother, Michelle Martens, told police she had allowed other men to sexually assault her daughter and said she had sought out the men online and at work. She told police she had set up encounters with at least three.

One of them was a co-worker. Two others she met online, including Fabian Gonzales, 31. He was to be the last.

Thats because Gonzales is accused, along with Martens and Gonzales cousin, Jessica Kelley, of killing and dismembering the little girl in one of the most gruesome crimes in Albuquerque history.

Martens, 35, told police she didnt do it for the money. She set up the sexual assaults because she enjoyed watching.

Martens statement to police is included in nearly a dozen search warrants obtained by the Journal. Investigators sought DNA evidence from the suspects, as well as multiple electronic devices and a camcorder they believed may have been used for sexual exploitation of children.

The documents offer a more complete picture of the late-night and early-morning hours when Victoria was reportedly killed and provide a glimpse into Martens alleged repeated abuse of her children. The Journal chose not to include some of the most disturbing details from the documents.

Martens told police she used the dating website Plenty of Fish to look for men to have sex with Victoria and possibly Victorias younger sibling, according to the records.

Michelle said yeah when asked if she would agree with them over the internet or over the phone that they would come over and have sex with her children, an investigator wrote in one of the documents.

Its unclear how long shed been arranging meetings before Victoria was killed or if police have identified any of those men.

Officer Tanner Tixier, a spokesman with the Albuquerque Police Department, said investigators are working with federal agencies to determine whether Martens or anyone else will face federal charges for alleged online activity.

He said he doesnt know whom police have interviewed and said if other arrests are made, it could take awhile.

This will be a very thorough, long investigation, he said.

The timeline of events that led to the girls killing is unclear, but neighbors saw and heard portions of it.

Around 10 p.m. the night of Aug. 23, multiple people reported seeing one of the accused, Kelley, 31, carrying Victoria in her arms down the stairs from an apartment.

Its unclear if the girl was alive or dead.

Are you ready? a neighbor overheard Kelley ask Martens.

Around 3 a.m. the next morning, the same witness heard screaming coming from the apartment.

Martens told officers the group gave Victoria methamphetamine orally for her to swallow.

Martens said she believes the methamphetamine was what killed Victoria, though police disagree.

Tixier said police believe she died later from strangulation or stab wounds.

Martens said she watched Kelley hold Victoria down while Gonzales raped and strangled her. Kelley then stabbed her, and she and Gonzales dismembered her body and set her on fire in the bathtub, according to the court records.

Witnesses said that around 4:30 a.m., Martens and Gonzales went to neighbors and said they had been attacked by Kelley. Martens said her daughter was still in the apartment. Neighbors called police, who found the grisly scene.

Investigators are looking into whether Martens ever videotaped or photographed the sexual assaults. They seized a camcorder and nine minidiscs, five smartphones, a thumb drive, iPod, cellphone, tablet and Kindle.

In my training and experience, those who are interested in the sexual exploitation of children are also interested in exploiting images of children for sexual gratification, an officer wrote in one of the search warrant affidavits.

Investigators are looking at the phones to see with whom Martens communicated prior to her daughters death.

Tixier said he didnt know what investigators found on the devices.

No incidents of physical or sexual abuse were ever reported to the Children, Youth and Families Department, according to a spokesman.

Through his attorney, the father of Martens other child said he had no knowledge of Martens alleged actions involving her children.

He is seeking orders of protection against all three suspects to protect his child if they are released.

The petitions he filed are based on the evidence released about Victorias murder as well as information his son has disclosed to him since the murder, said attorney Michelle Cortez in an emailed statement. He is both saddened and sickened by the events that have occurred, and he will do what he needs to do to protect his son.

At the time the warrants were issued, investigators had not found the weapon used to dismember Victoria, according to the records.

Two days after Victoria was killed, her grandparents told a detective they visited the apartment and found a gallon-size bag with a white, powdery substance that appeared to be a narcotic of some type in the apartment.

They also found a safe.

Police have said they could not determine whether the suspects were high on drugs during the rape and killing.

All three suspects are charged with kidnapping, child abuse resulting in death, tampering with evidence, conspiracy, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Kelley and Gonzales are also charged with criminal sexual penetration of a minor.

Service set for Victoria

The Martens family will hold a public funeral for 10-year-old Victoria on Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. at the Copper Pointe Church at 10500 Copper NE, near Eubank and Interstate 40, said Laura Bobbs, a family friend.

She said they are hoping the Office of the Medical Investigator will have released Victorias body by then, but if not they will still hold the service.

Its going to be a public celebration for those who want to come and pay their respects, Bobbs said. There are going to be hymns that Victoria liked and a slideshow with music in the background.
As the lawyer for the New Mexico Livestock Board stood before him last week, District Judge Dan Bryant asked what is sure to be a key question if the lawsuit over the future of the wild horses of Alto goes to trial.

How does the Livestock Board distinguish this herd from the Placitas herd in the Court of Appeals case? Bryant asked Asst. Atty. Gen. Ari Biernoff.

The judge was referring to a case in which the appellate court ruled last year that the Board shouldnt have treated a free-roaming herd of wild horses near Placitas as if they were estray livestock, just as they tried to do with the Alto herd.

To those who love Lincoln Countys free-roaming horses, the answer is self-evident. Theres no difference at all between the Alto horses and the Placitas horses, and the Livestock Board is wrong again.

The horse advocates may be exactly right. But that doesnt mean lawyers wont find plenty to argue about as they belabor what may look to equine-loving eyes like the obvious, if and when Bryant takes the bench to preside over Wild Horse Observers Association (WHOA) v. New Mexico Livestock Board.

Here are some of the legal and factual points a trial may raise:

1. The Court of Appeals opinion accepted WHOAs claim that the Board took the auctioned Placitas horses directly from public land before auctioning them. But the Alto herd was penned up by a private landowner who summoned the Livestock Board to collect them.

Well discuss later why it might matter a lot where the Board picked up the horses. But one side, or maybe both, may argue that the Court of Appeals was misinformed about where the Placitas herd was picked up and by whom.

Corrales attorney David G. Reynolds, an attorney for one of the private landowners who intervened in the Placitas case on the Livestock Boards side, told the News last month that the herd was actually captured on private property just like the Alto herd.

The point was never hashed out in court because 2nd District Court Judge Valerie Huling dismissed the case. The Court of Appeals sent it back to her for trial, but last week Huling dismissed it again because the Placitas horses are all gone and theres no longer any herd to argue over. As lawyers say, the case is moot.

But since Bryant may have to decide whether the Court of Appeals ruling controls the outcome of the Alto case, he might hear arguments or evidence that the relevance of the appellate court opinion should be discounted because it was based on incorrect facts.

2. The New Mexico Livestock Code defines a wild horse as an unclaimed horse on public land that is not an estray.

The wording of this statute is the reason it might matter where the Board picks up any given group of unclaimed horses. The Court of Appeals ruling never says what an unclaimed horse on private land might be, because it presumed the Placitas herd was on public land as the statute appears to require.

Biernoff told Bryant last week that this is a critical difference between the Placitas and Alto cases. But even if the facts show that both herds were actually taken by the Board from private land, the Board may still argue that the Court of Appeals ruling doesnt apply to the Alto herd.

Bryant could end up scratching his head over how much the extensive reasoning in the Court of Appeals decision depends on where the horses happened to be picked up.

He also may be asked to consider whether the legislature really intended to say that a wild horse suddenly stops being wild whenever it strays or is lured or led from public land onto private land.

Reynolds told the News a wild horse on public land turns instantly into a large packrat on private land in the eyes of the law. Since neither the statute nor the Court of Appeals ruling says anything about a free-roaming unclaimed horse on private land, he said, such a beast has no more legal standing or protection than a varmint.

But Albuquerque attorney Steven K. Sanders, who has represented WHOA in both cases, told the News last week before the hearing that this would be a travesty and could not have been what the legislature meant the law to say.

3.The Livestock Code says public land does not include federal land controlled by the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service or state trust land controlled by the state land office.

When you take all that away, plus all private property, an awful lot of Lincoln County is off the table as the kind of land on which a free-ranging horse can be considered legally wild, if the statute means exactly what it says.

Bryant ruminated aloud about that in court last Friday, even though nobody had asked him to. He seemed to conclude that in dealing with this case he will have to decide whether the Alto herd could have spent significant time on public land as the Livestock Code defines it.

Its hard to say how important that will be to the case. But if Bryant was already thinking about it on his own in a preliminary hearing, a smart lawyer would probably have to consider it very important.

4. The only other definition in state law of a wild horse besides the one in the Livestock Code doesnt seem to fit the Placitas and Alto herds.

The Court of Appeals opinion cited a New Mexico Administrative Code section that said a wild horse is a feral horse in an untamed state having returned to a wild state from domestication.

That doesnt describe the wild horses in these cases, which everyone seems to agree have never been owned by anyone in their lives.

But its still possible the code section may come into play anyway. Read on.

5. State law defines livestock as domestic or domesticated animals. WHOA says that means the Placitas and Alto herds cant be livestock. The Livestock Board begs to differ.

Biernoff indicated in last weeks hearing that the Board may try to portray the Alto herd as domesticated.

Well have testimony about how this herd was living, Biernoff told the judge. We believe that the horses were being fed, having social interaction with people. We might need more evidence on this.

Biernoff questioned some of Sanderss witnesses about the Alto horses docile behavior. Then he called Caroline McCoy to the stand. McCoy is the property owner who penned up the 12 Alto mares and foals for the Livestock Board to take away. She described how she led them easily into an enclosure while riding her all-terrain vehicle.

Finally Biernoff called a Lincoln County rancher named Ashley Ivins to testify. His main goal with Ivins seemed to be to have her describe her familiarity with the kind of mustangs found on federal Bureau of Land Management ranges and how different they are from the Alto horses.

Theyre true wild horses, Ivins said. Theyre mean and wild. They wont eat out of your hand or be near people.

So the definition of domesticated may be among the points Bryant will be asked to consider. And even if he agrees with the Board that the Alto horses have displayed domesticated behavior, he would have to weigh that against the fact that theyre also unclaimed and free-roaming.

Not many cases give a district judge the chance to address important gaps in the law left by both the states legislature and its second highest court. The novelty of the judicial opportunity could have been one reason Bryant put a stop to the Livestock Boards attempt to auction the Alto herd.

But the judge was clearly troubled by the possibility that the Livestock Board is finding it easier to win wild horse cases on the auction block than in the courtroom, especially after the Placitas judge concluded that if the herd is gone, the case goes away too.

Bryant asked Biernoff during the hearing how a court could ever get a chance to review the Livestock Boards actions and decide the legal issues surrounding New Mexicos unclaimed, free-roaming horses if the Board were allowed to keep selling them off as soon as it gets its hands on them.

Biernoff uttered some words in reply to the judges question, but they didnt contain a good answer. Thats because there probably isnt any.



2016 the Ruidoso News (Ruidoso, N.M.)

Visit the Ruidoso News (Ruidoso, N.M.) at www.ruidosonews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____
LAS CRUCES  A mother, a judge and a scientist each took the stage at the Domenici Public Policy Conference to share their unique view on improving care for people with mental illness and ending the cycling of mentally ill people through a justice system ill-equipped to help them.

More than 1,000 people registered for the ninth annual conference at New Mexico State University, which in its first day centered on mental illness.

Liza Long, author of The Price of Silence: A Moms Perspective on Mental Illness, described how she knew something was wrong when her toddler son would lose himself in uncontrollable, three-hour tantrums. But it would take years  and multiple encounters with the criminal justice system  before he was properly diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder.

Her now 16-year-old son suffered because of a brain difference, she said, describing the difficulties she faced trying to get him the right treatment.

If it that was hard for me as a highly educated, highly privileged white woman to get services, how hard is it if you are poor? she said. I just didnt think it was fair. I just didnt think it was right.

She became an advocate, and her son has become an advocate, as well, she said.

We want to blame the kids and we want to blame the moms, she said. That is what we do in our society.

Science, at least, may have at last moved beyond the era of bad mothers and bad genes, said E. Fuller Torrey, director of research at the Stanley Medical Research Institute.

Researchers now know that serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are not genetic diseases, Torrey said.Its not that genes dont play any role, but these are not genetic diseases.

That understanding has implications for the future of treatment, he said, which could lie in anti-inflammatory medications to treat inflammation in the brain or even in vaccines.

Steve Leifman of the Miami-Dade County Criminal Court Division stands at the intersection of mental illness and criminal justice every day. He has presided over a yearslong community effort to get treatment to those who need it and stop the cycling of the mentally ill through the justice system.

We have made mental illness a crime in this country, he said. Our crisis system and our laws are painfully antiquated, fragmented and do not reflect our science and medical research  and are in great, great need of reform.

Leifman described the changes he has helped spearhead in Miami-Dade County that have helped connect people with mental health services, reduced the jailed population by almost half and allowed the region to close down a detention center, he said.

Former U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, for whom the conference is named, served New Mexico in Congress for 36 years and made mental health legislation the anchor of his legacy.
For decades, leaders in Newton County, Ga., have tried to make things easy for anyone who wanted to build a church, with zoning rules that have a places of worship exception to streamline the construction process.

But recent plans for a mosque complicated things for county leaders.

About a month ago, word spread that Muslims wanted to build the countys first mosque on an empty plot at Highway 162 and County Line Road. Since then, a Muslim leader says, a quagmire of bureaucracy and Islamophobic public meetings have shined a glaring national spotlight on this county of about 100,000 people, 35 miles east of Atlanta.

The latest wrinkle came this week, when county commissioners, citing security concerns, canceled a meeting that was expected to allow construction of the mosque to move forward.

The concerns arose after a self-described militia group from a neighboring county posted a video on Facebook threatening to demonstrate outside the meeting with guns drawn.

Newton County has an interest in maintaining peace and public order while conducting county business in a responsible, conscientious, ethical, and professional manner, the county said in a statement defending the cancellation of the meeting, which had been scheduled for Tuesday. In this case, a self-made video circulated on social media of a militia group from a neighboring county, [that] may have been trespassing on private property, and exhibiting harassing or violent behavior. Unfortunately in todays society, uncivil threats or intentions must be taken seriously.

County leaders shouldnt allow themselves to be bullied into cancelling a public meeting on a controversial issue, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, of the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told The Washington Post.

A small group of anti-Muslim extremists were able to frighten a government body into canceling a public meeting, Mitchell said. That sends a dangerous message about the power of fringe extremists to affect elected officials.

American Muslims are accustomed to confronting anti-Muslim bigots like this every single day, he added. Weve seen worse than this. Weve heard worse than this. If American Muslims can stand up to these threats every day that we walk out of our houses, then a small group of elected officials can do the same thing.

The controversy began five weeks ago, when a local newspaper reporter discovered that a Muslim group had petitioned the county for permits to build a mosque and a cemetery, Mitchell said.

According to the Newton Citizen, the plan also calls for a burial preparation facility, a school operated by the mosque and 21 acres for residential use.

On Aug. 16, the county board of commissioners called for a moratorium on applications for construction permits for property to be used as a place of worship.

A week later, commissioners held a public hearing. They had to move the meeting to the county courthouse to accommodate all the people who signed up to speak. The line stretched out the door and snaked down the sidewalk.

You heard everything from How do you know theres not going to be an ISIS training ground? to worries about sharia law, Mitchell said. It was the greatest hits of Muslim paranoia.

A reporter for the Economist described the meeting:

Generally after declaring that they were in no way prejudiced, many of the speakers straightforwardly denounced Islam for its supposed violence and extremism. They predicted that Covington  a picturesque town, often used by filmmakers, in a pretty county of around 100,000 people  was set to become a hell of violence and jihad, in which their families would no longer be safe. Theyll kill Jews, Christians, anyone that dont believe in Allah, said one internet-expert. He suggested that his would-be neighbours rip out errant pages in the Koran to prove their good intentions. If you dont believe like they do, said another, you get your head cut off. Islam, declared a young man, is a death cult. This is not a religion, a female church minister insisted. Nobody from the proposed mosque was there to defend it, but one local Muslim was. Ive seen more hate tonight, he lamented, than he had in the eight years he had lived in the neighborhood. Get yourself a Muslim friend, he advised.

But behind the scenes, Muslim leaders were having productive conversations with county and church leaders, Mitchell said.

There would be no Islamic State training camp, they told worried residents, and no sharia law.

According to the resolution, the moratorium is scheduled to end Sept. 21. But a majority of commissioners had publicly said they would vote to remove the moratorium Tuesday.

A local imam offered to slow construction of the mosque and accepted invitations to attend Sunday church services.

We believe that building bridges with our neighbors is far more important than immediately building a new house of worship and cemetery, Imam Mohammed Islam, the leader of the Masjid at-Taqwa in Doraville, said in a joint statement with Newton County on Aug. 31.

But not everyone had a change of heart.

The militias video surfaced over the weekend, although it has since been taken down, county leaders said. Mitchell said the video showed three militia members flashing guns. One climbed a tree to hang an American flag on the property where the mosque would be built.

Days later, the meeting was scuttled.

The statement from the county said the video was posted by Chris Hill, the leader of the militia, which is called GSF III%.

In a Facebook video Tuesday morning, Hill encouraged militia members to show up at the Newton County courthouse  and to bring their guns  even though the meeting had been canceled.

They began rallying about 6 p.m. Tuesday.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, about two dozen people showed up to the protest  although organizers had said 150 planned to demonstrate.

One man carried a rifle on his shoulder and wore a bright green shirt that read Allah is not God Muhammad is NOT his messenger.

The protesters had strong words about the planned mosque.

Its a declaration of war against United States of America, protester Jim Stachowiak told Fox 5. Their ultimate goal is to impose Sharia law.

georgia-mosque
A decade ago, only a tiny fraction of the worlds oceans had been protected from overfishing and other environmental threats. The United States had scores of national parks and other landmarks. Other countries had safeguarded cultural, historical and natural treasures. But for the oceans, such efforts remained in their infancy.

Ocean conservation was an afterthought, said Matt Rand, who directs the Global Ocean Legacy project for the Pew Charitable Trusts. When you looked around the world a decade ago, very little investment was going into the conservation of ocean ecosystems.

A key example of how that began to change came in 2006, when President George W. Bush designated an island chain spanning nearly 1,400 miles of the Pacific northwest of Hawaii as a national monument. Last month, President Barack Obama expanded the Papahanaumokuakea (pronounced Papa-HA-now-moh-koo-AH-kay-ah) Marine National Monument to 582,578 square miles of land and sea, creating the largest ecologically protected area on the planet.

As government leaders, scientists and environmental activists from around the world gather this week at the State Department for what has become an annual global conference on preserving the oceans, roughly 3 percent of the worlds oceans are now protected. Thats a far cry from the 30 to 40 percent that many scientists think will be necessary over the long term to maintain the sustainability of the seas that feed billions of people and employ millions of workers. But its exponentially more than only a few years ago.

Im thrilled with the progress weve made, Secretary of State John F. Kerry, who engineered the first such gathering in 2014, said in an interview, even as he acknowledged that much more work lies ahead. Through my years in the Senate, there had been great [nongovernmental] oceans advocates. . . . But I think it needed the force of an administration and a department like the State Department to say, Were not going to leave you out there on your own. This is our responsibility, too. 

The Obama administrations embrace of the cause has emboldened ocean advocates and helped fuel a global push to set aside more protected areas.

Right now, Im more hugely hopeful for ocean conservation than Ive ever been at any other time in my career, said Janis Jones, president of the Ocean Conservancy, an environmental advocacy group. There are more and more people invested in protecting the ocean.

Those people include local advocates trying to protect marine species from threats that include plastic debris and the acidification underway as oceans absorb human-generated carbon emissions. But increasingly, it also includes high-level leaders in different parts of the globe.

Last year, for instance, the president of the tiny island country of Palau in the western Pacific Ocean pushed to create a marine reserve larger than California. President Thomas Esang Tommy Remengesau Jr. signed a designation to keep 80 percent of its territorial waters from activities such as fishing and mining. About the same time, Chile created the largest marine reserve in the Americas off its coast called Nazca-Desventuradas Marine Park. The area encompasses roughly 115,000 square miles  almost the size of Italy.

And last week, the presidents of Ecuador, Colombia and Costa Rica announced they would expand the marine protected areas under their jurisdiction to more than 83,000 square miles, creating a network of underwater highways that will allow wide-ranging species such as sea turtles and sharks more freedom to move without facing intense fishing pressure. Making the announcement, Ecuador President Rafael Correa noted his nations underwater territory is five times larger than its terrestrial one.

Aulani Wilhelm, vice president of Conservation Internationals Oceans Center, said the push to protect large parts of the sea signals a cultural shift.

Large-scale marine protected areas are the single largest driver for ocean protection right now, said Wilhelm, who led the public process that resulted in President Bush creating the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in 2006. It was a crazy idea back in 2000. And now its normal.

Wilhelm, who served as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration superintendent of Papahanaumokuakea from June 2006 to July 2014, said protecting those areas required a shift in mindset among policymakers. Once they accepted the idea of places in the ocean as part of a countrys cultural and historic heritage, she said, it became easier to declare them off limits.

Before, we thought about heritage as cathedrals or maybe Mount Kilimanjaro, Wilhelm observed, but not about wild oceans.

There remains considerable local opposition to restricting fishing activities in parts of the sea, whether its more than a thousand miles from Honolulu or off the coast of New England.

Eric Reid, general manager at a fish processing plant in Point Judith, Rhode Island, said in an interview that just because the reserve closes off a small fraction of the ocean does not soften the economic impact on communities that fish there.

If the state of Connecticut was turned into a monument and there was no economic activity whatsoever, or hit by a meteor or vaporized, the spin that could be used is its only 2 percent of the States, Reid said. But the people of Connecticut would be pretty uptight.

A group of marine biologists and conservationists decided more than a decade ago to spur an intentional competition among heads of state in which leaders would vie for the mantle of designating the largest marine reserve on Earth. When Bush invoked the 1906 Antiquities Act to protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in 2006, it ranked as the worlds largest protected area, but by earlier this year it had slipped to 10th in the rankings. With its recent expansion, it reclaimed the No. 1 spot.

Advocates have appealed personally to heads of state  and their spouses  to grant these safeguards. Two wildlife photographers, David Liittschwager and Susan Middleton, spent much of 2003 and 2004 documenting marine and terrestrial species on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and in the fall of 2005 the then-head of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, James Connaughton, gave their book Archipelago to first lady Laura Bush. The first lady, an avid birder, became a passionate advocate for creation of the monument and traveled there in 2007.

At times, scientists have even taken leaders underwater to view potential sites for protection. National Geographic explorer-in-residence Enric Sala went in a remotely operated underwater vehicle piloted by the president of Gabon to survey that nations offshore resources, and in 2014 President Ali Bongo Ondimba created a series of marine parks covering 18,000 square miles  23 percent of the waters under Gabons jurisdiction.

Sala wrote in an email that there is plenty of scientific evidence to show that large marine protected areas ensure their habitats are more resilient to climate change and boosts the size and reproductive capacity of fish there. Coral reefs have recovered in a protected area in the Pacifics Phoenix Islands Protected Area, he noted, where fishing is prohibited. And scientific analyses have found a fourfold increase in the biomass of fish in protected areas over time.

I saw that myself diving in the remote and unfished southern Line Islands in 2009, he said. These islands were hit by the strong El Nino of 1997-98, but 10 years later the corals looked pristine and healthy, as though that warming event never happened.

Historically it has been difficult to get momentum behind ocean conservation in part because so much of the ocean is considered international high seas, and no one leader or one country can decide to protect it. Sala said this is the area that policymakers need to eye next.

If nobody owns or is responsible for a patch of the ocean, it makes it much harder to create the coalition thats necessary and the authority thats necessary to move that ocean space into conservation, Jones said. Its really hard, because the lines are not clear.

She said that treating the oceans as a common space has hindered the worlds ability to safeguard them, and only in recent hears have nations made more concrete efforts to work together to grapple with which areas deserve protection.

Continuing to treat the ocean just as a global commons is really ruinous for us all, she said. When everybody is responsible, nobody is responsible.

Still, most experts said, many citizens in the United States and abroad have a hard time understanding the need for marine protected areas.

People get parks on land. They dont really get parks in the ocean. Not just green parks, but blue parks, said Jane Lubchenco, who served as head of NOAA during Obamas first term. A hundred years ago it was set in motion a movement to protect special places on land. Now is the time to think about protecting special places in the ocean.

oceans
On Saturday, a sailor on board the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower visited the aircraft carriers medical department, complaining of stomach pains.

The ships doctors would soon discover why: The sailor was pregnant.

Hours later, she gave birth to a 7-pound baby girl.

The infants date of birth? Sept. 11.

The place of birth: At sea, somewhere on the Persian Gulf.

Both the mother and the baby are healthy and are doing well, Cmdr. Bill Urban, a 5th Fleet spokesman, told The Washington Post in an email.

The baby may have come as a surprise to more than the other service members aboard the carrier.

The Navy was not aware of this pregnancy, Urban said. A Navy official said the mother claimed to be unaware of the pregnancy as well.

According to Navy policy, a servicewoman must notify her chain of command of her pregnancy no later than two weeks after a physician confirms it.

While a naval ship is in port, a pregnant servicewoman can remain onboard up to her 20th week of pregnancy. Servicewomen who are discovered to be pregnant while deployed are transferred to shore as soon as possible. Under no circumstance shall a pregnant servicewoman remain onboard past the 20th week of pregnancy, Navy policy states.

While it would have been preferred to send her to her homeport earlier, per policy, we are now focused on caring for the health and welfare of our Sailor and the newest member of our Navy family, Urban said in his email.

Urban would not say whether there are standard repercussions for a servicewoman failing to self-report a pregnancy.

The Navys regnancy FAQs include information about maternity uniforms and breastfeeding at work. But there does not appear to be a section that addresses what happens if someone does not notify chain of command of her pregnancy.

As I said, the Navy is focused on the health and welfare of the mother and baby right now, Urban said.

The Navy did not release the sailors name but said she is assigned to a squadron in Carrier Airwing Three.

The USS Eisenhower has been deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, part of the U.S. militarys intervention against the Islamic State. The aircraft carrier departed Norfolk, Virginia, on June 1 with more than 5,000 service members and civilians on board.

Despite being a formidable nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Ike, as the warship is nicknamed, was also surprisingly prepared for childbirth.

Urban said the family practitioner who delivered the baby Sunday aboard Ike is certified in childbirth and had prior experience delivering babies. In addition, many members of the ships medical department have been trained to deliver and care for a newborn, Urban said.

Infant diapers, baby formula and an incubator were flown out to the carrier on the day of delivery, the Virginian-Pilot reported. After a successful delivery on board the ship, the baby and mother were flown to a hospital in Bahrain by helicopter, Urban said.

The Navy confirmed that the mother is a U.S. citizen and said it is working on verifying the babys citizenship with the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain.

According to the State Department, in general, a person born outside of the United States may acquire citizenship at birth if the person has at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen and that parent meets certain residence or physical presence requirements including time spent abroad in the U.S. armed forces.

The Navy does not keep definitive records on babies delivered at sea. A Navy spokeswoman said in May 2003, a Marine gave birth aboard the USS Boxer while the ship was on deployment in the Persian Gulf.

That is the last time this has occurred, the spokeswoman said in an email.

This would, however, be far from the first time a woman gave birth without realizing she had been pregnant. Last year, a woman in Massachusetts only learned she was carrying a child about an hour before she delivered her baby.

Tuesday morning I woke up and I had crazy lower back pain, the woman told Bostons CBS affiliate. I thought I had put on some Christmas season weight, but I never thought I was pregnant. Never.

sailor-birth
After months of public speculation and more than a year of quiet negotiating efforts by state officials, Facebook has announced it will build a massive data center in Los Lunas.

Construction is set to begin next month.

Our Los Lunas facility will be one of the most advanced, energy-efficient data centers in the world, wrote the company in a statement. The Los Lunas data center will bring hundreds of new construction jobs, dozens of long-term operations jobs, and hundreds of millions of dollars in new investments to New Mexico.

Facebook is scheduled to break ground in October, and the data center is expected to be fully operational by late 2018. The first phase of the project  there could be up to six phases  will cost $250 million and bring an estimated 30 to 50 data center jobs and several hundred construction jobs to Los Lunas. The contractor is the Portland, Ore.-based Fortis Construction, which, according to its website, is hiring for several positions involving a large industrial project in New Mexico.

The Public Service Company of New Mexico said construction will begin on solar facilities to power the data center as soon as it receives the go-ahead from Facebook.

Gov. Susana Martinez called the deal a big win for the people of our state and our economic future.

Attracting Facebook to the Land of Enchantment required substantial investment on the local and state levels. Los Lunas passed both an industrial revenue bond measure of up to $30 billion, a $10 million Local Economic Development Act measure, and promised the company a monthly reimbursement of the villages share of gross tax revenues. The state also offered Facebook access to up to $3 million in Job Training Incentive Program funding, according to Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela, although it is unclear how much of the money Facebook will use.

Its also not clear how much direct tax revenue the project will generate for the state.

This is a major boost for New Mexico, Barela said. I am confident there will be many other companies that follow in Facebooks footsteps.

The proposed data center has generated breathless enthusiasm throughout New Mexico since the beginning of the summer, uniting interest groups here that have traditionally found themselves at odds. In the race to beat out Utah for the deal, New Mexico politicos demonstrated that the states regulatory process could move beyond dissension and procedural issues to be accelerated under certain circumstances.

The projects narrative was also notable for the way it illustrated the cloak-and-dagger atmosphere surrounding high-profile economic development opportunities. In both New Mexico and Utah, officials publicly referred to Facebook using code names, even when Facebooks identity was disclosed through public documents.

At Facebooks request, only certain public officials were authorized to speak about any aspect of the project, and dozens of government employees signed nondisclosure agreements. One Utah media outlet delayed breaking the Facebook story for months so as not to jeopardize the states chances of securing the data center.

Greater Kudu & Project Antelope

A news release from Gov. Susana Martinez said the process began 13 months ago, when a delegation that included the governor met with Facebook executives in California to pitch New Mexico as a target for investment. Barela said Facebook reached out a few months later to ask about the states availability for a data center project.

Then, on June 23, the Los Lunas Village Council approved an industrial revenue bond proposal of up to $30 billion for a company called Greater Kudu to build a data center. Little was disclosed about Greater Kudu beyond the fact that it was an limited liability company incorporated in Delaware. The council unanimously approved the proposal for Project Antelope without having been told the identity of Greater Kudus parent company.

The measure created a mechanism by which Los Lunas would waive the data centers property taxes in exchange for payments from Greater Kudu, beginning with $50,000 per year with the construction of the first building up to $100,000 per year with the construction of the sixth building. Facebook will be responsible for paying off the bonds.

Los Lunas Mayor Charles Griego said at the time that the project, which would be at Huning Business Park near Interstate 25 and N.M. 6, would create up to 50 jobs at the data center in its initial phases, as well as up to 300 construction jobs for seven years.

A few days later, a redacted document obtained by the Journal divulged additional details about the project, including the companys claim that the data center would generate multiplier spending effects that over 30 years could mean thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic impact.

Large data centers tend to create a follow the leader effect, Greater Kudu wrote in its industrial revenue bond application. Once one large data center project locates in an area, others follow shortly thereafter (and so do their vendors).

Powering Facebook

The identity of the parent company came on July 8 from an unlikely source: a regulatory filing from the states largest electric utility, PNM. In documents filed with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, PNM said Facebook had approached it about a potential data center project that the social media giant wanted to power with renewable energy. Although PNMs filing did not identify Los Lunas by name, the specifications of the data center matched those in the Los Lunas IRB proposal.

PNMs filing requested that the PRC approve a special services contract that would allow the utility to recover from Facebook the costs associated with providing the energy, at a cost to Facebook of up to $31 million a year. The data center would be powered primarily by three solar facilities, and PNM would build on Facebooks behalf. The PRC approved the contract on Aug. 17.

The story in Utah unfolded at a similar pace but with a vastly different tone. In early July, Utahs Rocky Mountain Power filed documents with regulators that disclosed Facebooks proposal. The filing sparked a public debate over the proposed data centers possible water usage, particularly in West Jordan, the city where the data center would have been located. Officials there estimated the data center would need 5.3 million gallons a day, though information on Facebooks sustainability website indicated the data center would likely use about 25,000 gallons a day.

The water is used in an evaporative cooling system.

A separate debate began brewing over the $240 million in tax incentives being offered to the company, which ultimately led to the incentive package being torpedoed by Salt Lake County and the Utah Board of Education. On Aug. 23, West Jordan announced it had ended negotiations with Facebook, only to announce the next day that negotiations had restarted, leading some Utah officials to dub the project the zombie deal.

Big project for state

Los Lunas legislators moved forward on Aug. 26 with the $10 million in Local Economic Development Act funds, which would be used to purchase water rights, as well as a monthly reimbursement to Facebook of up to 75 percent of the gross tax revenues the village would receive from the data centers construction and operation. The reimbursement is capped at $1.6 million a year.

The village also approved a water and wastewater agreement that guaranteed Facebook access to up to 4.5 million gallons a day. The agreement says that amount of water would be necessary only in a worst-case scenario.

On Wednesday, it became official. While Facebook and the Governors Office were expected to make an announcement about the project today, New Mexicos congressional delegation made a surprise announcement Wednesday morning.

Los Lunas Mayor Charles Griego said he is both excited and relieved that Facebook has made its decision.

Its a long process, said Griego. But this is the kind of project weve all been hoping for.

Pat Vincent-Collawn, PNMs CEO, said she thinks the Facebook deal could act as a template in the future, not only for companies seeking renewable energy or economic opportunities in New Mexico, but for the state itself.

This shows that when all of us really want something, we can put aside our differences and make it happen, she said. For New Mexicos sake, I hope that can happen more often.

FACEBOOK FACTS

 Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg

 Has its headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif.

 Is a social media and social networking service

 Is publicly traded (FB)

 Posted $17.93 billion in revenue in 2015

 Has six data centers around the world

LOS LUNAS PROJECT

 One to six buildings, each costing $250 million

 First phase fully operational by late 2018

 Estimated to bring up to 50 jobs at the data center and 300 construction jobs over seven years

 Expected to attract other companies to area

 Contractor is Portland, Ore.-based Fortis Construction

 Incentives: Up to $30 billion in IRBs, $10 million in LEDA, tax reimbursement up to $1.6 million, possible JTIP funding

 Requires capacity of 4.5 million gallons of water a day

 Code name Project Antelope
The German governments prediction spread quickly: 1 million refugees were expected to reach the country by the end of 2015, Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel announced on Sept. 14 last year. Only a month earlier, official estimates had put the number at 450,000 at most.

Virtually overnight, Germany had become the Western worlds main destination for refugees.

At the time, tens of thousands of people  most escaping the war in Syria  were stranded in Hungary, which had taken measures to stop the flow of refugees. A decision by Austria and Germany to open their borders to relieve the pressure was supposed to be a short-term solution. But the borders remained open.

Week after week, European Union governments revised their estimates upward as more people streamed in.

At first, the mood in Germany was generally welcoming. But tension and uncertainty soon replaced the initial excitement as Germans realized the challenges involved with absorbing so many people.

On Sept. 14, 2015, during a special EU session, German officials pressured other European countries to share the responsibility of accommodating refugees  without much success. World leaders will discuss the issue next week at a U.N. refugee summit in New York, the first of its kind, as governments deal with a global refugee crisis. While Germany will probably be publicly applauded for its commitment, the countrys recent experience might also provide arguments to those opposed to welcoming more refugees.

In the past year, Germany has changed. It has seen terrorist attacks on its soil, and attacks against refugees. But has Germanys experience with refugees been a success story or a failure? There are more than a million ways to see it.

Here are the stories of three Syrians who are trying to adjust in a country that is still coming to terms with the massive influx.

Tamara Nahar, 26

Tamara Nahar smiled as she stood in front of the painting that decided her fate.

It was of a shirt hanging upside down, with blood appearing to drip toward the lower end of the frame. She painted it in 2013 when she was still living in Syria, after a friend told her that soldiers had hung him upside down and beaten him.

Tamara paid a price for turning those memories into art: She was arrested and briefly detained.

But standing next to that painting this spring in Berlin, Tamara said she had no regrets.

When Syria tumbled into civil war, her work started to become more political  and that brought more risks. Her professors at Damascus University, where she was pursuing a masters degree, grew hostile toward her. But Tamara continued to organize art exhibitions.

She finally decided to flee, but her problems werent over when she reached Germany.

Germans who live in the countrys formerly Soviet east tend to have different attitudes about refugees than Germans in the West. Protests against more immigration and refugees have mostly taken place in the east. It has also been in eastern Germany where most physical attacks against refugees have occurred and where asylum centers have been burned down.

Tamara has experienced those regional differences. When she lived in Chemnitz, a city of 240,000 in eastern Germany, it was really hard to speak to other people, she said. Then she moved to the southwestern city of Tubingen. When I came here, I had friends, she said.

But attitudes have changed in some parts of the West, as well, since several attacks and sexual assaults allegedly by refugees, Tamara said in an interview this month. Now when she enters a tram, she said, passengers look at her with fear.

Tamara held her first art exhibition in April in Berlin. It was the moment she felt at home in the country for the first time  and the moment her journey out of Syria truly ended.

Her paintings have changed over the past year  they are no longer mostly red and black. Her latest work, Memory, shows flowers and butterflies. It looks like spring in Germany.



Enana Asr, 21

When did you know you were homosexual?

How did your parents react?

Why didnt you stay in Syria?

Her interviews at Berlins asylum agency seemed like interrogations, and I felt like the criminal, Enana said.

She thought she had left those kinds of attitudes behind when she fled Syria, where homosexuality is illegal.

In January 2015, Enana told her closest family members in Damascus that she was gay, and they seemed to accept her. But their attitudes changed when other relatives and neighbors reacted negatively. Enana soon stopped talking to her father, and her relationship with her mother became strained.

But even as the war raged, she was determined to stay in Syria and continue her studies in English literature.

One day, two soldiers on motorbikes followed her while she was riding a bicycle. Enana says they knew her, and they knew about her sexuality.

The bruises they left on her body would hurt for weeks.

It was the moment Enana decided to leave.

She traveled to Turkey with her mother and teenage sister, and then by boat to Greece. The hardest thing was that I had to worry about not just myself but also about two other people. It added responsibility, Enana said.

A month later, they were in Germany.

Relations with her mother slightly improved after they risked the journey to together. But then Enana sang at an LGBT festival in Berlin  an event that was supposed to mark for her the end of her oppression in Syria. In a text message following the event, her mother wrote that she was tarnishing the familys name, Enana said.

Enana has lost contact with her father and with her mother, who is still in Germany. My family didnt accept me as I am, so I gave up on them, she said in an interview. Enana found a place to stay in Berlin after approaching an LGBT association.

Enana now has a residency permit but is still waiting for one of the most important people in her life  her girlfriend, who is still in Damascus.



Nader al-Mahmoud, 25

German businesses hoped for people like Nader al-Mahmoud when the country opened its doors to more refugees a year ago. He is young, is educated and wants to stay in Germany, which is experiencing a severe labor shortage.

The welcoming and supporting vibes I received from the German people were surprising and spirits-lifting, he said in April. Two of his seven siblings are now also there.

But his transition has not been a trouble-free. Like other newcomers, he has faced growing resentment  from Germans but also from other refugees.

Syrian refugees are divided over Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. And rumors about Islamic State members arriving in Germany have led to suspicions and arguments among people living in asylum centers, and at times they have led to violent clashes in camps.

Nader said he wasnt interested in politics before Syrias uprising, but that changed when a friend was released from prison. I could not recognize my friends face anymore, he recalled.

He left Damascus in September 2015, several days after he learned that he would be drafted into the army.

After arriving in Germany, he was given a place to stay in an emergency center that accommodates 160 people. He liked being in Germany. But resentment against him and others has grown.

When Nader tried to search for an apartment in April, he encountered his first challenges. Few people are renting properties to refugees, he said.

Nader, who lives in Stuttgart, is still waiting to be relocated to a permanent place. The recent attacks might make his search even harder, Nader said in his apartment, which accommodates three people and looks like a hostel room, with one table and metal beds.

So for now he spends time in the nearby library instead, where he focuses on improving his German language skills. Its like a key to open the door to Germany, he said.

Recently, he completed a six-week internship with an IT company in Stuttgart. Nader used to work in the same field in Syria, but says he needs to improve his skills to work in Germany.

By offering apprenticeship programs to refugees, hundreds of enterprises hope to recruit young migrants for jobs that have remained vacant because no qualified German applicants have been found.

Nader has applied for several courses despite a huge knowledge gap. He is determined to close it.



Tarek al-Wawi, 34

When the German officer asked for his passport, Tarek had only his military ID to show him. He feared that German authorities would decide he had been on the wrong side of the war and not let him in.

An army deserter, Tarek had fled to Germany hoping to escape memories of the fighting and violence. Shortly after he arrived in the city of Tubingen, he sought psychological treatment.

Estimates of how many refugees have come to the country with mental health issues vary, but a German association of psychotherapists said last year that at least half who flee war zones may need psychological support.

Tarek had studied media and communication at Damascus University and founded a theater project. But in 2010, the year the Arab Spring started, he was drawn into compulsory military service.

Tareks loyalty to the president weakened soon after the uprising began. Tarek said he was repeatedly arrested by regime forces for refusing to participate in operations carried out in areas where civilians were present. In 2013, he was one of about 300 soldiers who defected to Turkey, driving to the border in a dangerous three-day journey, he said.

For more than two years, he worked for a radio station in Turkey that broadcast in Syria. But his work became increasingly risky as Islamist radicals started to send Tarek and others death threats.

He decided to escape to Germany in May 2015.

But Syria continued to haunt him. At night, he dreamed of his friend whose head shattered like glass when it was hit by a snipers bullet.

In an interview in July, Tarek said he had stopped attending therapy sessions, which the German government provided. He said that there were many reasons for his decision but that the language barrier made it hard for me to express my emotions in a language that I had been learning for less than one year.

Tarek said he tries to keep busy. He organized a Syria-themed evening for local Germans to share food, listen to music, dance and watch a movie. He also set up a photography workshop for other refugees.



Samir al-Hajjar, 20

When Samir woke up on April 15, he started crying: It was the day the memories of his fathers face started to disappear.

He had left his family behind in Damascus in October 2015. In Germany, however, he has struggled to find a new home. Keeping himself busy had helped, but without a job he just isnt busy enough.

Berlin became our safe place, Samir said. But he still struggles to call it home. Like many other refugees, Samir felt bureaucratic procedures took too long. So, he started working for free. We decided to offer our services to everyone, repairing lamps and plating walls, he said.

Tens of thousands of single male refugees are unemployed in Germany  a situation that politicians say could leave the newcomers particularly susceptible to jihadist propaganda or prone to commit crimes.

Born in Damascus, Samir grew up in Saudi Arabia, then moved back to Syria. Everything was ideal, he said of returning to his country of origin at that time. The revolution of 2011 changed everything. We, as a family, supported those chants, he recalled, referring to the opposition protests.

Samir was determined to graduate from high school despite the growing conflict, but he had become a vocal critic of the Assad-government. When the secret service became aware of his views, Samirs family urged him to flee.

The trip to Germany was tough, Samir said.

But the questions he faced after his arrival in Berlin worried him more.

At first, Samir lived at the Tempelhof refugee accommodation center  housed in an old hangar at an airport that Western allied forces used to fly in food and other goods to the city for weeks when the Soviet Union cut off supply routes.

Once a symbol of a massive humanitarian operation for Germans, the airport has since become a center in Berlins struggle to accommodate thousands of foreigners.

Around Easter this year, a German friend went on vacation and handed him the keys to her apartment. It made me feel  for the first time since I arrived in Berlin  as a normal person who is living a normal life, he said.

Over the next few weeks, he lived in the homes of other friends who had gone on vacation. In April, he finally found a permanent home, at a friends apartment. Still unable to work or study, he spends most days talking to neighbors and volunteering.

Samir was recently encouraged to apply for a scholarship at New York University, but he declined  not only because he still lacks official residency papers.

I would never leave this sexy city, he said, referring to Berlin.



Sakher al-Mohammad, 27

Six months after it all started, Sakher was sitting on the square that changed Germanys attitude toward refugees.

On New Years Eve, about 2,000 perpetrators assaulted at least 1,200 women in Cologne and other German cities, including Hamburg in the north, according to a leaked police report.

Sakher believed that refugees had to strongly condemn the attacks.

I started a campaign called Syrians Against Sexism,  he said, sitting at a cafe next to where many of the assaults took place. Police cars were parked outside the nearby train station, and armed officers walked around the square.

In Syria, Sakher worked as a journalist and had been critical of the Syrian government. He knows the impact that initiatives and protests can have on public opinion. Days after the assaults, he organized a protest on Facebook, drawing up to 500 participants, he said.

Sakher said he was lucky to be in the country. But not everything has been perfect, Sakher said.

He criticized the countrys refugee camps, saying the government had failed to properly monitor them. According to him, drug use was prevalent in the camps while he was there.

Even my German friends have started questioning me about the role of refugees in carrying out recent terror attacks, Sakher said. I expressed my condolences, but I still think it is unfair to associate me with those people. I fled to Germany to start a new life

germany-refugees
The remains of at least two Americans who died in Syria after joining a U.S.-backed Kurdish militia to fight the Islamic State are expected to be repatriated Wednesday, members of their families said.

The bodies of Levi Shirley and William Savage will arrive on a flight to Chicagos OHare International Airport, before traveling to their respective home states, said Shirleys mother, Susan, and Savages sister, Brenna. Kurdish groups transported the remains by ground from Syria to Iraq earlier this month, weeks after they were killed in combat against the Islamic State while serving as members of the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), a ground force aligned with the U.S. military.

The body of Jordan MacTaggart, a third American killed while serving in the YPG, also left Iraq in the last few days, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing Kurdish sources. Two planes carrying the three Americans were expected to travel through Amman, Jordan, before returning to the United States. The flights were paid for by Kurdish officials.

Turkeys hostile relationship with the Kurds  and its tension with the United States following the July coup attempt  complicated the effort to recover the remains. The body of Keith Broomfield, an American who was killed fighting against the Islamic State in June 2015, was repatriated to the United States through Turkey. But the remains of the other Americans were instead routed hundreds of miles east to avoid crossing the Turkish border.

Shirley, of Arvada, Colorado, died just short of his 25th birthday near the northern Syrian city of Manbij after triggering a land mine ambush July 14, his mother said. He had spent the better of the last two years in Syria fighting against the Islamic State, joining the YPG after poor eyesight prevented him from joining the Marine Corps.

Savage, 27, a native of St. Marys County in Maryland, was killed Aug. 10 while attempting to evacuate other people from a building that was under shelling by militants near Manbij, family members said. He, too, attempted to join the military but couldnt enlist because of a history of seizures, his sister said.

MacTaggart, of Castle Rock, Colorado, was killed early in August.

State Department officials have said that they were helping the families of the three men recover their remains. But the U.S. government has declined to offer official condolences, disappointing some of them.

The United States discourages citizens from traveling to Iraq and Syria, including to fight against the Islamic State. Hundreds of Americans are believed to have done so, however. The practice falls in a gray area: The United States regularly prosecutes Americans who try to assist or join the militants, but there are no known cases of citizens being charged for joining the U.S.-backed groups fighting against them.

syria-americans
Human rights activists have launched a campaign calling on President Barack Obama to pardon Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency contractor charged with espionage after he leaked documents revealing U.S. surveillance programs of breathtaking scope.

Snowden, who has been living in Moscow under a grant of political asylum since 2013, has been credited with sparking a global debate about the proper limits of government surveillance. He has also been accused of disclosing details of classified programs that have endangered national security in violation of the Espionage Act of 1917.

As a result of one document he revealed, the government was forced to acknowledge a program of bulk collection of all U.S. customers phone call data  times, dates and numbers dialed, but not content. That launched two years of debate that culminated in legislation outlawing such mass harvesting of phone records.

But other documents provided to reporters disclosed details that led, for instance, to the shuttering of what Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper described as the single most important source of force protection and warning for our people in Afghanistan. It was an apparent allusion to an NSA program that recorded all cellphone calls in that country.

Snowden, speaking from Moscow by video link to a news conference in New York City, said that he would return to the United States if he felt he would receive a fair trial. But, he said, the Espionage Act does not permit a public interest or whistleblower defense.

This World War I-era law does not distinguish between those who freely give information to journalists in the public interest or spies who sell it to a foreign power for their own [gain], he said.

The activists at the news conference called on Obama to act before he leaves office in January. Edward Snowdens case presents one for President Obama to use the presidential power of pardon proudly and unequivocally in recognition of one of the most important acts of whistleblowing in modern history, American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony Romero said at the news conference Wednesday.

The Obama administration has rebuffed efforts so far to win a pardon for Snowden, 33. Last year, Lisa Monaco, Obamas advisor on homeland security and counterterrorism, said in response to a We the People petition on behalf of Snowden: If he felt his actions were consistent with civil disobedience, then he should do what those who have taken issue with their own government do: Challenge it, speak out, engage in a constructive act of protest, and  importantly  accept the consequences of his actions.

A Justice Department spokesman on Wednesday said the departments position has not changed since charges were brought in June 2013. Mr. Snowden should return to the United States and face the charges filed against him, spokesman Marc Raimondi said. It is important to remember Mr. Snowden is not a whistleblower. He is accused of leaking classified information, and there is no question his actions have inflicted serious harms on our national security.

The campaign, launched Wednesday and called Stand up for Snowden, urged people to sign a petition on its Pardonsnowden.org.

snowden
Santa Fe-based film and documentary maker Patrick Bates, 65, was listening to music at home one night in March 2013 when he suddenly keeled over in his kitchen from cardiac arrest.

He would have died had it not been for his wife, Faye, who was trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. She immediately began pumping his chest. She slammed the couples cordless phone down on the floor next to her after dialing 911 to communicate with emergency workers on speaker phone without interrupting her frantic attempts to pump life back into her husbands heart.

I started CPR before 911 even responded and kept it up for at least six or seven minutes, Faye said. I told the emergency medical team to break down the door to get in because I couldnt stop doing CPR. I never stopped pumping, even as they came in and dragged Patrick by his feet into the living room, where they shocked him twice to get his heart to beat on its own again.

Fayes lightning response not only saved Patricks life, but allowed him to rapidly recover with almost no physical or mental complications from the episode, although he now has an internal electric defibrillator implanted in his chest.

Now, the couple dedicates time as volunteers to the nonprofit Project Heart Start, which uses an educational video that the Bates made to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and the need for all citizens to be trained in CPR.

On Wednesday, project leaders showed that video to business leaders at the Albuquerque Economic Forum, where they urged everyone to sign up for free training that the program offers for employees in any company or organization.

We have a fabulous 911 system in place here, and great hospitals with specialized heart care, said cardiologist and Project Heart Start founder Dr. Barry Ramo. The reason people are dying is because theyre not getting CPR before emergency responders arrive on scene. We need to get people trained in CPR so everyone can help save lives.

Apart from the immense emotional stress on families and co-workers when someone dies from cardiac arrest, it also inflicts significant losses on companies that must replace valuable employees, said Catherine Cooper of World Communications, which is assisting on Project Heart Starts Saving Albuquerques Hearts campaign.

A company will pay at least one-fifth of the value of an employees salary in training and other costs to replace people when they die, Cooper told Forum participants. Today were appealing to the business community to help foster a cultural change in Albuquerque. We want it to be seen as a civic duty to learn heart-saving skills.

About 400,000 people are afflicted annually in the U.S. by sudden cardiac arrest. About 90 percent die, largely because victims dont receive immediate CPR.

Project Heart Start has trained about 50,000 people to date in New Mexico since launching seven years ago, Cooper said. It spearheaded an effort in the state Legislature this year to make CPR training mandatory for high school students, which Gov. Susana Martinez signed into law.

As a result, 50,000 New Mexico students will now be trained every year, Cooper said.

The program pursues a train-the-trainer format, Ramo said, allowing citizens to themselves become CPR educators for others.

Project Heart Start offers hour-long training sessions for groups of 15 to 50 people in any company that requests it. Participants learn to recognize symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, how to perform manual CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator, and how to save a choking victim.

The project also strives to get defribillators installed everywhere.

We want to make defribillators as ubiquitous as fire extinguishers, Ramo said.

For more information, call Amanda Gabaldon at (505) 220-4275, write her at amandaga@nmhi.com, or visit www.projectheartstartnm.org.
Ares Management is reportedly seeking to raise more than $45bn for its latest batch of funds.
NEOGA -- Christopher Walk of Neoga has been selected as a recipient of a $1,500 Silver Scholarship from the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) for the 2016-17 school year.

Each year, IPPA offers scholarships to students pursuing a higher education degree at a two- or four-year institution who have a background in the pork industry. Recipients are selected based on activity involvement, GPA, and an essay detailing how the student plans to contribute to the pork industry in the future.

A total of $13,500 in scholarship money was distributed to nine students this year out of 40 applicants. Three levels of scholarships were available: gold, silver, and bronze. Funding for these scholarships is made possible through the Wilbert & Carol Keppy Foundation.

These scholarships are a great way to reward those students who have an active interest in the pork industry, said David Dedert, chairman of the IPPA Youth Committee. These students are the future of our industry and IPPA is happy to help them in achieving their dreams by contributing to their college education.

The son of Roger and Karen Walk, Christopher continues to be involved in the pork industry. He has held leadership positions in both FFA and 4-H and has also served as the Cumberland County Pork Ambassador. Walk is currently a junior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign studying agriculture business.
Story and photos by R. Scott Nolen

Earlier this year, on June 3, the Army Veterinary Corps celebrated its centennial by unveiling a bronze statue at the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Veterinary Corps members, including corps chief Brig. Gen. Erik Torring III, and several AVMA leaders attended an Aug. 6 ceremony at the museum, during which the statue was formally dedicated.

Created by local artist Donna Dobberfuhl and paid for by the AVMA, the statue depicts four Army veterinarians throughout the Veterinary Corps history, from its creation in 1916 to the present day. A veterinarian in a World War I Army uniform stands with a horse. To their left, a wounded military dog lying on a stretcher is treated by a modern-day veterinarian as the dogs handler comforts the animal. At the back, a veterinarian from the Cold War era inspects crates of military rations. To that figures left, a female veterinarian from the time of the Vietnam War sits at a field desk, peering through a microscope at a slide.





      Current and former Army Veterinary Corps chiefs: Drs. Michael Cates (2004-2008), Paul Barrows (1995-1999), Erik Torring III (2015-present), Clifford Johnson (1991-1995), Charles Elia (1972-1976), and John Poppe (2011-2015) 

The Army Veterinary Corps has a long history we can all be proud of, said Dr. Joe Kinnarney, the AVMA president at the time of the dedication. You, and those who have preceded you in service, have played an extremely important role in protecting our country against bioterrorism and other threats.

You have ensured the safety of the food that our armed forces personnel rely on. You have helped us make great strides in biomedical research and development. And of course, we cant overlook the fact that you do a stellar job providing care to working animals and the pets owned by service members.

AVMA, AVMF create scholarship

Dr. Kinnarney said the AVMA and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation are commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the Veterinary Corps by establishing a scholarship for U.S. military veterans pursuing a veterinary education.

Although financial support for veterans pursuing undergraduate degrees is readily available, scholarships for veterans in postgraduate education are very limited, particularly for veterinary medicine.

jtaggett avma [dot] org Several recognition opportunities and benefits are available respective to the level of donation to the AVMA/AVMF Military Veteran Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine, including a hand-crafted bronze maquette, a miniature version of the statue. For more information, contact Jodie Taggett, AVMA director of partnerships and program development, at

Related JAVMA content:
MATTOON -- Consolidated Communications is looking for volunteers to help make the 33rd Annual Special Olympics Family Festival (SOFF) a day to remember for approximately 700 Special Olympics Athletes on Saturday.

The greatest need remains Friend-For-A-Day volunteers to be paired with athletes for the festival.

You dont need to be an expert to be a Friend-For-A-Day, you just need to be a friend, said Vanessa Duncan, Area 9 director of Special Olympics Illinois. Have fun with your athlete companion and youll be doing a wonderful job. Just listen to the athlete and help them do what they enjoy at the festival, whether it be taking a picture together in the photo tent, enjoying a tractor ride, singing in the Karaoke tent or listening to Elvis Himselvis perform.

Unlike traditional Special Olympic events, SOFF is a non-competitive day centered on games and activities in a carnival-type atmosphere for pre-registered Special Olympic Athletes from Illinois Regions 8, 9, 10 and 17. At the beginning of the day, all athletes are paired with a volunteer Friend-For-A-Day who escorts them around the grounds as they participate in the various games and activities at the festival.

This years festival theme is The Greatest SOFF on Earth, featuring circus performers from Gamma Phi Circus, who will entertain the crowds.

The day begins around 8 a.m. with registration and concludes with a closing ceremony at 2 p.m. T-shirts and lunch will be provided to all volunteers.

SOFF is always an unforgettable day for the athletes and the volunteers, Duncan added. I encourage anyone who is considering signing up as a volunteer to just give it a try.

SOFF is a non-smoking event and is not open to the public. All SOFF volunteers must be 16 years of age or older and must sign up as a volunteer prior to the event. Volunteer registration is available online at www.consolidated.com/SOFFVolunteer, where you can sign up as a Friend-For-A-Day or general event volunteer.

Learn more about the event on the Special Olympics Family Festival Facebook page or watch their video. Call 800-434-SOFF if you have questions.

SOFF was founded by Consolidated Communications in 1984, and is organized by its employees along with partners from Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust.
The world faces the prospect of more tension with China over trade, security and human rights after Xi Jinping awarded himself another five-year term as leader of the ruling Communist Party and called for self-reliance in technology, a stronger military and protection of core interests abroad. At a party congress, Xi gave no sign of plans to change the "zero-COVID strategy that has frustrated Chinas public and disrupted business and trade. He called for faster military development and announced no change in policies that strain relations with Washington and Asian neighbors. Xi is tightening control at home and trying to use Chinas economic heft to increase its influence abroad.
Modified On Sep 14, 2016 01:31 PM By Raunak

Bang & Olufsens B&O Play range of audio systems will be available in Ford cars globally starting next year and these systems will be tailormade for each model.

Harman, which acquired Danish luxury consumer electronics maker Bang & Olufsens automotive audio business early last year, has signed an exclusive deal with Ford for its B&O Play audio system brand. Ford has said in an official release that the B&O Play audio systems, which will be available globally in the Blue Oval automaker's cars from early 2017, will be tailored specifically for every Ford model.

Customers tell us they value consistent, high-quality audio experiences, and our collaboration with Harman is helping provide that, said Raj Nair, Fords executive vice president, product development and chief technical officer. This is just one of the ways we are creating richer, more engaging in-vehicle experiences for customers.

Since Ford has teamed up with Harman for B&O Play, Sony will no longer be available in its cars soon. Sony-branded audio system debuted in Ford vehicles in 2003. Now, B&O Play audio systems will be available from 2017 and will be paired with Fords latest SYNC3 touchscreen-based infotainment systems that made its debut last year. Bang & Olufsen branded audio products are available in a wide range of Audi, Aston Martin, BMW and Mercedes-Benz car models.

Michael Mauser, executive vice president and president of Harmans lifestyle audio division said, Ford and B&O Play are a perfect match among brands that stand for quality, freedom and innovative design, coming together to revolutionize the driving experience for consumers.

Also see: Ford Mustang V8: India First Drive Review
09/14/2016

Photo (c) 0meer - Fotolia There are some places you simply don't use a debit card. A restaurant, for example, if the server takes the payment from the table to the cash register. A good rule of thumb is to never pay with a debit card if you can't see the card at all times.

It may be time to add gas stations where you pay at the pump to the list of places where you should not use a debit card. Scammers are able to use two different techniques to steal card data and both are increasingly difficult for consumers to detect, until they look at their next statement.

What's happening in Wisconsin provides a good illustration. The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has issued a consumer alert, warning that skimmers have been founded at numerous gas stations across the state.

Two types of skimmers

The department said its inspectors have found two types of skimmers. External devices fit over the actual card reader on the gas pump. When the consumer swipes a debit card, it can steal the data and record the PIN.

Internal skimmers can be even harder to detect. They typically are made of a simple cable with an in-line recording device that runs between the card reader and the main board. It records the card data, which is later retrieved.

"A consumer may likely have no indication that they used an altered dispenser until they find a discrepancy on their bank statements," said Frank Frassetto, Division Administrator of Trade and Consumer Protection.

Playing defense

Frassetto says the best defense is to closely monitor bank and credit card statements, looking for discrepancies. However, only using a credit card, rather than a debit card at pay-at-the-pump stations, will provide an extra level of protection.

Fraudulent charges on your credit card are usually limited to no more than $50 if promptly reported. But a thief with access to your debit card data can clean out your bank account. Some banks have policies that limit consumer losses in the event of this kind of fraud, but policies vary from bank to bank.

Meanwhile, it's best to avoid getting entangled in this kind of fraud, regardless of the payment type you are using. Wisconsin consumer authorities say you should quickly inspect a gas pump's card reader before sliding your card in the slot.

First, lightly wiggle the keypad. External skimmers may feel loose, or even fall off with pressure. Internal skimmers are harder to spot, but check to see if any security seals have been broken on the dispenser cabinet. That's a sign of tampering.

And just because this rash of skimmers was uncovered in Wisconsin doesn't mean you can relax if you live in Ohio. Scams are not limited by geography. This fraud was exposed in Wisconsin only because inspectors there found it. It could easily be happening where you live, but it just hasn't been uncovered yet.
Mass Surveillance: Cuba Filters Text Messages

Cuba's Communist government is filtering mobile phone text messages for key words such as "democracy" and "human rights" and then blocking them, dissidents said recently.

An investigative report by blogger Yoani Sanchez and journalist Reinaldo Escobar concluded that text messages failed to reach their destinations if they contained Spanish words for democracy, human rights or hunger strike, among others, as well as the names of some dissidents.

Eliecer Avila, head of opposition youth group Somos Mas, which participated in the investigation, said 30 key words that triggered the blocking had been identified but there could be more.

"We always thought texts were vanishing because the provider is so incompetent, then we decided to check using words that bothered the government," he said.

"We discovered not just us but the entire country is being censored," he said. "It just shows how insecure and paranoid the government is."

It was not clear for how long the filter had been in place. Cuba has repeatedly charged that the United States wants to use telecommunications to subvert the government and brands Sanchez and other opponents as mercenaries working with Washington.

News agency Reuters recently unsuccessfully tried to send messages containing the words "democracy," "human rights," "Somos Mas" and Yoani Sanchez. Other messages containing the Spanish word for "protest" went through. The messages that did not reach their destinations appeared as "sent" on the users' telephone.

Cuba arrived late to modern telecommunications, authorizing mobile phones in 2008 and Wi-Fi internet access only last year. Online, it blocks dissident websites and media it believes to be funded by the United States, but permits the websites of critical newspapers such as El Nuevo Herald and El Pais.

There currently are about 3 million mobile telephone accounts with local provider CubaCell, which is part of ETECSA.

Despite efforts by the Obama administration to link US internet providers with the country as part of a detente begun in December 2014, Cuban authorities appear more interested in working with Russia on cyber-security, while China provides most of the Caribbean islands communications technology.

Experts estimate that between 25 percent and 30 percent of Cubas 11.2 million residents has some Internet access, mainly through Wi-Fi, though it is sparsely used because of high rates. Some 5 percent of the population enjoys home-based Internet, which requires special government permission.

Reuters:
Ergot problems due to blackgrass and poor bean quality concerns are emerging this week, as many farmers in Scotland are still harvesting wheat.

Harvest in the Borders and across Scotland has been very variable, according to Bruce Ferguson, managing director at Aberdeen Grain.

See also: Harvest slump triggers cashflow warning

Across the board, yields match about the five-year average at best, while quality is extremely inconsistent.

Spring barley has varied depending on the area; it has been very good in the Borders, with low nitrogen, skinnings and reasonable screenings.

However, in central Scotland and Aberdeenshire, it has been more variable, while in Morayshire quality is better again, explains Mr Ferguson.

Second wheats in the Borders have not yielded so well, but the first wheats have done better, albeit no higher than the five-year average.

Further north the quality looks okay, but it is too early to tell what the yields will be like.

Oats

Winter oats have so far been of good quality and yielded reasonably well.

There have been no problems with the oats; all have been more than 50kg/hl and farmers are just getting into the wheats, says Mr Ferguson.

The quality of oat crops this harvest has been pretty similar to last year, while yields have reportedly been lower, according to Shaun Jenkins, grain manager at European Oat Millers.

There have been no issues with colour or skin finish, but quality is definitely poorer than last year. Hullability has not been as good and there will definitely be higher losses this year, he says.

Some specific weights have been low, ranging from 48kg/hl to 54kg/hl, with screenings at 3-5%, although kernel contents have been a bit lower than last year.

Ergot and blackgrass

In Lincolnshire, harvest has been much smaller than last year, according to Dan Murphy, laboratory and haulage manager at Woldgrain.

We have seen a lot of cereal and grass ergot, which we think is related to blackgrass, as it has been significantly worse than in previous years, he says.

Aside from the ergot, quality has generally been alright, with protein in wheats up to 15%.

The majority of Group 1s came in at about 13% protein or higher, while hagbergs have been good.

They [hagbergs] have ranged from 200 on Group 3 soft wheats to 400-plus for the Group 1 milling varieties.

Specific weights have been average, with most between 74kg/hl to 76kg/hl, he adds.

High nitrogens

Spring barley has been generally good, with very little pre-germination of malting barley, but a few samples of Propino had high nitrogen levels, so might struggle to find a domestic market, says Mr Murphy.

The majority are from 1.65-1.85%. Specific weights have averaged 65-67kg/hl.

Mr Murphy has also seen a couple of samples of beans that look good, with nice colour and size, but as crops have not started to arrive in bulk, he is uncertain of yields.

Poor peas

According to Guy Palmer, trader at Dalmark grain in Cambridgeshire, peas for human consumption have been terrible this harvest.

Yields have been dramatically down and some crops have almost failed, he says.

Winter beans have been okay so far, but will mostly go for feed as they are stained and broken due to being combined while very dry.

The majority of spring beans, though small, will go for human consumption, as they have good colour.

Wheats are good on the whole, with nice quality and high proteins. Group 1s off good land, where we would normally expect 13% protein, have achieved 15%, says Mr Palmer.

Yields are about average, while hagbergs have been fine. Specific weights in feed wheat have been 72-74kg/hl and milling wheats achieved 76-78kg/hl. Spring wheats have suffered badly from ergot, but otherwise have been good on the whole.

Shropshire

Across in Shropshire, Duncan Whiteman has finished combining at Arlescott Farm, Telford. Though his winter barley was disappointing, his oilseed rape came off well at 3.5t/ha and his Mascani oats yielded 8-8.2t/ha with a specific weight of 53kg/hl.

Skyfall was relatively disappointing, with specific weights around 68kg/hl, while the Reflection was excellent. It had some issues with yellow rust but that did not seem to affect it at all, he says.

Everything came in dry which was a real contrast to last year.
CHARLESTON -- Eastern Illinois University has been recognized in U.S. News and World Reports new annual college rankings, selected as No. 6 among the Midwests top public regional universities.

While this is down from No. 5 last year, Eastern still ranks high among over 30 institutions judged in this list.

The university also retained its status as the top Illinois public school on this particular list. However, it should be noted that others like Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Northern Illinois University and Illinois State University were placed on national lists.

Eastern also was ranked No. 40 out of 115 in this years listings among all Midwestern regional universities that offer a full range of undergraduate programs and some master's programs but few doctoral programs, according to the listing in the magazines 2017 edition of Best Colleges. EIU is the highest ranking public university in Illinois on that list as well.

The region encompasses Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

We are proud of our continuing recognition in (the rankings), EIU President David Glassman said in a statement. It publicly acknowledges Easterns proficiency for blending academic excellence with a world-class overall student experience.

According to the U.S. News and World Report, several factors are considered in ranking universities, including graduation and first-year student retention rates, assessment by administrators at peer institutions, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving and graduation rate performance.

Other factors that might play in college decisionmaking are not addressed in the ranking system such as location and the feel of campus life; the range of academic offerings, activities and sports; and cost, and the availability of financial aid.

Easterns faculty-to-student ratio played a heavy role in its higher standing on these lists. The university currently has a student/faculty ratio of 15:1 and only 3 percent of all classes have 50 or more students.

Despite this, to get on better financial footing, Glassman announced last week goals to increase the student/faculty ratios to 16:1 and increase the non-instructional student-to-employee ratio from 9.3:1 to 11:1 by the 2018 fall semester.

He said in that announcement that the university needs to move closer to university averages.

Like all of you here, I want to see this accomplished by increased enrollments rather than any further reductions in the size of our faculty and staff, he said in his address last week.

In addition, EIU continues to tout the highest freshman retention rate (77 percent) and the highest graduation rate (58 percent) among all Illinois public universities in its class, according to a press release.

Other university recognized ranks include:

No. 26 in Best College for Veterans in the Midwest

No. 372 in Best Undergraduate Business Programs
(ANTIMEDIA) North Dakota, September 13, 2016  It didnt take long after the National Guard was activated in North Dakota for militarized law enforcement to descend upon the site of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Today, mass arrests began as riot gear-clad police attempted to break up Native American opposition to the construction of the pipeline, which has been halted at one location but continues elsewhere.

According to independent news outlet Unicorn Riot, at least 20 protesters, or water protectors, have been arrested at gunpoint along with medics and two journalists. Police issued a one-time warning to water protectors that any trespassers would be arrested. The warning came after several people locked themselves to construction equipment in acts of civil disobedience on Tuesday.Unicorn Riot, which has been broadcasting live video of the tense standoff in North Dakota, says Facebook has been censoring their link from livestream.com.Commenters on their Facebook page were also complaining they could not share the video. Screenshots posted by page followers show Facebook blocked the link.A Unicorn Riot collective member confirmed to Anti-Media via email that Facebook was blocking the video link with its automated censorship system.At a critical moment of our coverage of a Dakota Access Pipeline direct action today, Facebooks automated censorship system blocked our video URL, shortly before two of our journalists were arrested onsite. As we started to cover todays direct action, our collective members immediately noticed that the full Livestream event URL ( https://livestream.com/unicornriot/events/6340986 ) was being blocked from Facebook. Posts and comments with the URL both immediately triggered popup security alerts. We tried putting the same URL through Bitly shortening and that official Unicorn Riot page post was deleted by Facebook within a few minutes. Finally we went with sharing our Live Channel URL on our own website which had the embed included on it.We also verified that the Facebook Debugger warned that our live video URL violated community standards. Both Facebook and law enforcement acted to block our media distribution today, but we will not let them stop our mission to amplify the voices of people who might otherwise go unheard, and broadcast the stories that might otherwise go untold.Also, as one member of the collective, I should point out it is obviously concerning when a large media conglomerate blocks URLs to competing video platforms.A surveillance plane was also seen patrolling the protest site, reports Unicorn Riot.Anti-Media has reached out to Morton County Sheriffs Department for comment and will update this story if they respond.This article (Breaking: Riot Police Begin Mass-Arrests at Dakota Access Pipeline, FB Censors Video) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Nick Bernabe and theAntiMedia.org. Anti-Media Radio airs weeknights at 11pm Eastern/8pm Pacific. Image credit: Unicorn Riot. If you spot a typo, email edits [at] theantimedia.org
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > The Unloved South Asian

by Apratim Mukarji

Can India get beyond firefighting as a foreign policy goal in South Asia, asks a scintillating analysis of Indias neighbourhood policy.1 Despite occasional prime ministerial announce-ments of henceforth paying special attention to nurture neighbourly relations, New Delhi lapsesalmost as if involuntarilyinto prolonged periods of neglecting South Asian capitals until some firefighting becomes absolutely necessary.

This ad hocism is of course most pronounced in the case of its most important neighbour, Pakistan, giving rise to an impression that India would probably have been happy if this particular neighbour could be wished away. Let us see how long it (Pakistan) lasts, Indias first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, once remarked.2 That not being the case, there is wonderment around the world that even after three wars and one undeclared war, innume-rable armed and diplomatic confrontations, a very difficult neighbourproving increasingly to be risky not only for India but also for the neighbourhood and elsewhere for nurturing and exporting jihadisNew Delhi continues to betray an obvious absence of long-term strategy.

A direct outcome of this singular inadequacy on Indias part is the following editorial, Another missed opportunity,3 a comment that is being used and re-used many times over throughout the parallel histories of the two countries and will probably continue to be used till eternity. It would be quite honest to admit that this particular lament sounds all too familiar to us. This weeks meeting between the Indian and Pakistani Foreign Secretaries in Delhi served as a reality check on the stalemate in the bilateral dialogue... Both countries have now officially confirmed that the talks bore no results. In a world where the US and Cuba have restored ties, Russia and China have formed a close partnership, and Iran has emerged from isolation, it is not too much to hope that India and Pakistan can at least discuss key issues.

Many a time Indias Pakistan policy has been identified as constantly oscillating between hauteur and appeasement, in all probability an indication of weakness. This is something which till the other day appeared to be incompre-hensible to the international community since India was considered far more powerful than Pakistan. As former diplomat, academic and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Prof M.L. Sondhi observed in the early 1970s, this obvious imbalance between the two giving rise to an acerbic relationship could only be remedied if both countries went nuclear. With this becoming a reality, Islamabad has no reason any longer to feel inferior, and should respond more confidently to Indias peace overtures. But somehow the old sense of rivalry between the two neighbours appears to have remained intact, and an uneasiness at the best and an outright hostility at the worst times continue to be the norm.

But surely New Delhi should have enjoyed normal relations with the other neighbours where the terrible baggage of partition does not colour views and policies. Yet, the same prevarication, alternation between warmth and coldness, tendency to self-glorify and impose ones own interest on a neighbour many times over poorer and less powerful than this country continue to guide Indias policy..

Let us review our relations with Sri Lanka, an island-nation always independent of India, as an example of New Delhis uneven and unpredictable policy formulation. On my second night in Colombo in 1990, I had an unforgettable experience. Sometimes I wonder if I shall see Sri Lanka annexed by India before I die, the lady I was sharing the table with sighed, startling me considerably. While in India, I had never come across any such intention on the part of the government. It was also a few months after the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) had left Sri Lanka in mid-1990, totally unloved and under a huge cloud of good riddance exclamations.

This reward came Indias way after it had sacrificed 1165 soldiers in about three years time (1987-90) in fighting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the north while the J.R. Jeyawardene Government was left free to fight the second Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) insurgency in the south. There was little doubt that had India not come to its rescue at the time, the government would have collapsed under the twin burden of fighting two deadly insurrections at the same time.

For months afterwards, society ladies in Colombos party circles would reminisce about their morning outings in front of the Indian High Commission on the Galle Road, throwing pebbles at the building and chanting Go back IPKF. When the Little Viceroy would drive out, our chanting would get an additional boosting, the ladies explained. The Little Viceroy was, of course, the redoubtable Indian High Commissioner, J.N. Dixit, who seemed to be completely unmoved by the outpourings of protest against his government.

Fortunately our relations with Bangladesh have been quite satisfactory lately as the Sheikh Hasina Government has been friendly to us. But Indias relations with Begum Zia-led main Opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), remains substantially frozen, and it is anybodys guess that once the Opposition returns to power, bilateral relations may well hit rock-bottom. Even Sheikh Hasinas friendship once dried up; on April 20, 2001, India was shocked by the horror of seeing repeatedly on the TV screen the bodies of sixteen Border Security Force jawans slung across poles like carcasses and being handed over to the Indian side. Cut to April 20, 2001 when a terribly shocked India came face to face with the pictures of sixteen Border Security Force (BSF) personnel killed, mutilated and slung across poles like animal carcasses and being borne by Bangladeshis to be handed over to the BSF. The shock was two-fold: India had been dealt an unacceptable treatment by Bangladesh which owed its very birth to this countrys all-out military help in 1971 and this atrocity had occurred under the watch of the friendly Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League Government.

What had gone so horribly wrong with India-Bangladesh relations? The A.B. Vajpayee Govern-ment was virtually clueless. So desperate was its need to learn the truth that the Prime Minister Office in its wisdom chose this writer to make an urgent clandestine visit to Dhaka in the guise of a scholar to ferret out the truth. A visa was obtained within a day and I was instructed to leave Delhi within a few hours. My visit, however, did not come to pass as second thoughts prevailed and the PMO had begun to learn the truth bit by bit.

That truth was ugly, establishing that the initial fault lay with the BSF. Since the liberation of East Pakistan, a simmering dispute had been brewing over some of the enclaves in adversarial possession. The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) captured the Pyrdiwah village on the border of Meghalaya in a surprising show of strength on April 15 and surrounded the 31-strong BSF post there. Bangladesh claimed that the village was its part while India insisted otherwise. It was in fact an Indian enclave within Bangladesh.

As tension between the two countries soared and the usual dispute-redressal mechanism was put into operation, the BSF perpetrated a blunder. In order to put pressure on the BDR, it sought to capture a BDR post in the Boraibari village on the border of Assam (though the official position was that the operation was the local commanders responsibility and that there was no such order from the higher-ups). This village was very much part of Bangladesh, and the sixty-odd-strong BSF patrol party was soon discovered and captured by villagers and handed over to the BDR. The Bangladeshis living in the village had long-held grievances against the BSF which had often fired at and killed them for illegal entry into India; so this was their chance for revenge.

While diplomacy came into play and the two neighbouring countries talked to each other back and forth, sixteen mutilated bodies of the BSF men came back to India causing extreme outrage, and Parliament was in tumult for several days. The setback for the Vajpayee Government was all the more galling because the incident occurred right at the moment when New Delhi was setting out to win Dhakas friendship for achieving several objectives. One of these was negotiating for a sizeable slice of natural gas supply from Bangladesh; another was promoting security and economic interests not only in that country but also beyond; yet, a third objective was to secure transit rights for Indian goods through Bangladesh for quicker access to the North-Eastern States. Above all else, New Delhi was keen to settle the land border between the two countries including the vexing issue of enclaves in adverse possession. It was another matter that almost all these issues were finally dealt with successfully a full fourteen years later.

India-Nepal relations were becoming increa-singly strained in early 1989 over what New Delhi perceived as Kathmandus and, more specifically, its royaltys penchant for raising irritating demands. Negotiations were on at the time over agreeing on a new trade treaty; and in New Delhis perception, Kathmandu was seeking to place itself on an equal footing with India which was not realistic and, therefore, not acceptable. While India was pressing for a single treaty to cover all aspects of economic relations, Nepal demanded that two separate trade treaties should be agreed upon. As negotiations stumbled on tricky points, the Indian Govern-ment all of a sudden imposed an economic blockade on Nepal. As many as 19 out of the total 21 border crossings between the two countries were blocked and supplies of all essential commodities from India to Nepal ceased. The Kolkata Port, the only sea route available to Nepal, and all the land routes connecting various North Indian cities to Nepal became inaccessible overnight. The blockade, which was apparently an Indian Government device to teach the aspiring Nepal (suspected to have been instigated by anti-Indian and pro-Chinese elements in the country) a bitter lesson, lasted from March 1989 to April 1990, forcing the landlocked Himalayan country into unending and unprecedented hardship affecting every segment of its society. In hindsight, after the blockade was lifted and the bilateral relations returned to an even keel, it was revealed that behind the surprising and condemnable Indian measure lay its desire to warn Nepal about seeking closer relations with China without its consent. The Rajiv Gandhi Government sought to establish that while Nepal was an indepen-dent and sovereign state, it must respect Indias pre-eminent position in South Asia and act accordingly.

But what happened in 2013 between India and Bhutan was all the more unexpected and difficult to explain. Under the existing trade agreement, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) was selling LPG cooking gas and kerosene at special subsidised rates to Bhutan and was compensated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in quarterly instalments of fund releases. It so happened that the instalment for the last quarter of October-December 2012 did not reach the IOC during January 2013. The IOC continued its supplies till June and then stopped, and for the month of July Bhutan was suddenly starved of the cooking gas and kerosene. Diesel supplies were fortunately not interrupted, but as every household in the Himalayan kingdom suffered terrible hardships, Indias only unwavering friend in the benighted neighbourhood, Bhutan, knocked at the regional superpowers door in sheer desperation. While the problem was eventually sorted out, it was never clear why this unpleasant episode happened at all. There was no answer to the question whether it was a diplomatic overkill or simply a bureaucratic bungling. Some doubts persisted because over the years and despite the excellent bilateral relations, there are a plenty of examples to show that Bhutan has gradually sought to ease out Indias overwhelming presence over its destiny.

In the meantime, New Delhi was forced to partake of a serial unpleasantness in its relations with the Maldives, a sphere of prickly neigh-bourly experiences. On February 6, 2012 the India-friendly President Mohamed Nasheed was toppled in a coup and was succeeded by an equally unfriendly Mohamed Waheed. While the event exposed a surprising development in a country which was considered to have been on a democratic path after many decades of authoritarian rule by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, it also showed once more the failure of Indian diplomacy not only to hold on to its sphere of influence but also to expand and build on it. Perhaps a complete analysis of the developments since then was provided by Nasheed himself.

I was sad when the coup took place, Nasheed said, because it seemed to me that India did not understand the seriousness of events in the Maldives. I do understand India has complex issues to deal with when engaging with its neighbours. I think India could have secured an election date much earlier though, had its diplomacy been a bit more forceful. Please dont get me wrong... In my years in prison, I read a great deal about the vision of Jawaharlal Nehru. I think that vision should inform Indias actions.4

Since then, the Maldives has successfully maintained its distance from India; Islamism has been growing steadily, and the country defied India repeatedly by establishing closer relations with China which led in turn to the emboldening of Sri Lanka under the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime to follow suit.

In 2015, Nepal revisited the sins of not listening to Indian reprimands. This time, the economic blockade remained undeclared, but the fact of an Indian hand in choking Nepal by the stalling of supply of essential commodities in the name of a Madhesi movement was too palpable. Ever since the Indian Government literally cold-shouldered what Nepal rightfully considered an achievementthe completion of the prolonged and often jinxed exercise over the new Constitutionand advised, quite publicly, to allow space for inclusiveness by providing adequate representation to the Madhesis, the main minority community considered close to India, the public mood was turning anti-Indian, and the blockade and resultant hardship in Nepal since then vitiated the bilateral relations a good deal.

Let us listen to the sane advice from a seasoned former Indian diplomat, Nirupama Rao. Nobody denies Indias immense power in Nepal, Rao and Atul Pokharel write. With power comes responsibility. As long as the people of Nepal perceive the outcomes of the special relationships to be unfair, it will be difficult to secure their cooperation. It is up to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi to change that. South Asia and the world are watching.5 It is important to note that in each of these countries except Bhutan, China has emerged in the last few years as Indias main rival and is expanding its sphere of influence consistently. It speaks little good about the regional superpowers omnipotency that with the fall of the pro-Beijing K.P. Oli Government in Nepal, a major Indian newspaper headlined its story as Olis fall good news for India, blow to China.6

Juxtapose the experiences of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka with Indian diplomacy over the years, and one begins to understand why the Indian is the Unloved South Asian.

Footnotes

1. Indrani Bagchi, Playing Yesterdays Game, The Times of India, July 27, 2016.

2. Nehru quoted in B.K. Nehrus memoirs, Nice Guys Finish Second, Penguin Books, New Delhi, 1997.

3. The Hindu, April 29, 2016.

4. Interview to The Hindu, April 20, 2012.

5. The Hindu, October 17, 2015.

6. TheTimes of India, July 25, 2016.

Apratim Mukarji is an analyst of Central and South Asian affairs.
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CHARLESTON -- The Coles County Board on Tuesday approved a request from county Clerk Sue Rennels to close her office to non-voting related services on the day before the Nov. 8 election.

For the move, Rennels cited expectations for a heavy workload leading up to and including Election Day, when a high turnout will be likely because of interest in the presidential election.

The board approved the request without discussion with an 11-0 vote. Board member Cory Sanders didn't attend the meeting.

The vote means services not related to voting -- such as marriage licenses, birth certificate copies and property sales recordings -- won't be available at the County Clerk's Office on Nov. 7.

Also in explaining the request, Rennels mentioned that Illinois now allows registration and voting up to and on Election Day.

New voters might take advantage of the last-minute chance to be eligible to vote and could increase customer traffic to the clerk's office on Nov. 7, she said.

She also said the day before the election is when her office staff is busy making preparations, such as setting up polling places and making sure election judges have their materials.

Rennels said she didn't know of any legal provision that allows the move. However, State's Attorney Brian Bower, who serves as the board's legal counsel, said Rennels has the authority to limit her offices services during that time.

Also during Tuesday's meeting, the board heard that its Buildings and Grounds Committee awarded bids for repairs to the steps on the north and south sides of the county courthouse.

Board member Nancy Purdy, who chairs the committee, said the contract for $61,780 went to Schultz Construction of Mattoon.

Purdy said the work is expected to start in about two weeks and will begin with the courthouse's south steps.

That's the location of the building's public entrance, so that will be moved to the north side while that work takes place, she said. The courthouse's handicapped accessible entrance at street level on the south side of the building is expected to remain open, however.

The board's other votes Tuesday included adopting a policy that state law requires to ensure fraud protections are in place.

The policy that addresses auditing procedures and financial oversight is now required as a part of any grant application by any county office, according to Kelly Lockhart, executive director of the Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission.

Lockhart said the county has many of the requirements already in place but the policy will conform to the required language and add provisions that are needed.
- Patience Jonathan has written to the EFCC to lift the restriction on her account

- The former first lady claimed the account which contained $31.4 million was for paying her medical bills and personal expenses

- The EFCC froze the account on corruption-related investigation

Patience Jonathan has written to Ibrahim Magu, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) explaining that the $31.4 million found in her account is for her medical expenses.

The former first lady had initially filed a suit against the anti-graft agency after the account linked to her was frozen.

The Guardian reports that the account is being fingered as one of those involved in an alleged fraud case before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos but Mrs Jonathan's counsel, Gboyega Oduwole has filed a case before the court, informing that his client is unhappy with the EFCC over the recent move to freeze the account.

Former first lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan has begged Ibrahim Magu, EFCC chairman

READ ALSO: Patience Jonathan linked to $20m financial scandal

Amajuoyi Azubike Briggs, an ex-presidential aide; Damola Bolodeoku, a former Skye Bank official; Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited had all been charged to court over their individual involvement in the fraudulent activities with companies without address.

Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited and Globus Integrated Services Limited were also charged with the same offence.

Vanguard however reports that Patience has now changed tactic and wrote directly to the EFCC boss asking for the sanction on her account to be lifted.

In a letter through her lawyer, Sammie Somiari, the former first lady explained to Magu that she was a law-abiding citizen and used the account to pay for her medical bills and personal expenses.

It is noteworthy to emphasise that the said accounts, which were in US dollar denomination, were card-based accounts and our client is the sole signatory to these accounts.

Our client has been operating the said accounts using the cards for her medical bill payments and purchases for her private purposes without any let or hindrance. Our client was therefore surprised when the said cards stop functioning on July 7, 2016, or thereabout. Our client immediately, thereupon, contacted Skye Bank Plc through our solicitors.

It was only then that the bank officials informed our client that the said accounts were placed on a No Debit Order following investigations and instruction from your commission and this is without notice to our client by either the bank or the commission.

Ibrahim Magu, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

It is in the light of the foregoing that we urge you to use your good offices to vacate the No Debit/Freezing Order placed on the said accounts.

Despite the foregoing, our client, who is a law-abiding citizen, has watched with surprise how efforts are being made surreptitiously to indirectly harass or harangue her and short-change her of her personal funds in breach of her fundamental human rights.

We urge you sir, to kindly intervene to stop the untoward and wrongful actions of your officials to embarrass, inconvenience and short-change our client.

It will be recalled that in February, 2013 while Goodluck Jonathan was still president, Patience had said she was affected by health challenges and that she underwent seven surgery operations within one month and the doctors had given up hope on her survival.

She claimed she even died but later woke up.

I remember when Chief Obasanjo was the President of the country, I was close to his late wife, Stella. We worshiped together in this chapel. It was a painful moment for me that time when she (Stella) died and her corpse was brought here.

That was how my corpse would have been brought here.

READ ALSO: Sagay says Patience must explain how she got $31.4m

It was not an easy experience for me. I actually died, I passed out for more than a week. My intestine and tummy were opened. I am not Lazarus but my experience was similar to his.

My doctors said all hope was lost.

A black doctor in London who is with us in this service was flown in when the situation became critical. It was God himself in His infinite mercy that said I will return to Nigeria. God woke me up after seven days.

I know that some people somehow leaked the information that I was dead. They are people that I trust and rely on; to them, I was dead and I would never return to the country alive. Some of them even sold my things off.

I wont say everything here. It is the Lords doing that I returned alive. When God says yes, nobody can say no.

People are always afraid of operation (surgery) but in my own case, while my travail lasted, I was begging for it (surgery) after the third operation because I was going to the theatre everyday.

Meanwhile, the EFCC arrested a driver, houseboy and two other domestic staff working with for Mrs Jonathan.

An EFCC source said: What we have noticed is that in order to conceal funds, what politicians and top civil servants do is to open bank accounts in the name of family or friends and then make themselves the sole signatory to the account.

Dont forget that we traced about 17 bank accounts to the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.).

Often times, they do this in connivance with bank officials and that is why the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has said henceforth, whenever we are investigating a bank official, we will probe the entire bank as well because these officials usually act under the instruction of their superiors.

Source: Legit.ng
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first of six stories in the JG-TC series, "Dopesick: The Heroin Epidemic." The term "dopesick" is what users say wh
Some people consider mothers to be deities; they believe it is not out of place for these special people to be worshipped.

The reason for this decision should not be far fetched as mothers will always go to any length in ensuring the safety of their children.

Age is nothing to these women; the moment they give birth and become mothers, their roles start. This role does not end with the graduation of their children; children will always remain their parents' babies.

A mother's love is selfless; she will travel miles on her feet if that will make her children happy. There will always be nights where she will sleep hungry in order for her children to be satisfied. Her children's happiness comes first as nothing gives her more joy than seeing her children happy.

At this point, it is important for us to make some clarifications; not all women are mothers even though all mothers are women. Now do not be confused by this; a woman who goes through labour pains and child birth does not encompass the real meaning of the word mother.

What do you say about women who give birth and dump their babies in bushes and dump sites? Are they even fit to be called mothers in the first place? Motherhood is a phase many women look forward to even though some of these women are not qualified by human standards to be called mothers.

A mother's role is always sacrificial; it requires patience and understanding as they have to show their love while guiding the children on the right path. The story of Meliah Md Diah, a 101-year-old woman, will tell you what a mother's love should be like. It is simply pure and unadulterated.

This old woman took care of her 63-year-old disabled son till she died; it is expected that a woman of that age will have issues moving round or remembering things. However, as muddled up as the thoughts of this woman could be at that age, she never forgot her son's name.

Caring for her son was the most important thing to her as she looked after his affairs till she passed on. Most women cannot be that understanding and patient when it comes to looking after disabled children.

Some of these women willingly give away children that are physically fit; do you think they will want to be stuck with an invalid for the rest of their lives? Meliah Md Diah must have gone through a lot while Abdul Rahman, her 63-year-old son was younger; she must have done everything she could to make him whole and normal.

The 63-year-old son could neither walk nor talk; yet, Diah did not cast him away. Despite her fading memory, she knew she had a son who depended on her. She saw to his needs despite her age.

She saw her son as a cross she had to bear; she stayed and remained devoted to him all her life. Situ Jaleha Yunus, the 101-year-old woman's niece said her aunt had issues breathing and was immediately taken to her son. Abdul Rahman was with her as she spent her last minutes.

The mother-child bond is a strong one; it is touching to know that despite the inhuman acts going on in the world, one could still get a love as deep and strong as theirs. This story will remind you of the beauty of motherhood; it will tell you of the struggles of women in other parts of the world.

The picture of Abdul Rahman paying lat respect to his mother has gone viral. See some of the pictures of the 101-year-old woman and her 63-year-old son below:

1. Meliah and her son

A mother's love is indeed pure.

READ ALSO: See the photos of the couple who lived in a cave for 54 years

2. Love at its peak

Their story is bound to touch you and change your views about life.

3. Touching

She must have gone through a lot watching him being helpless; he had a mother's love despite all.

READ ALSO: See what was done to man whose wife gave birth

4. Abdul Rahman paying his last respect

It must have been an agonizing moment for the 63-year-old man who had always been looked after by his mother. May her soul rest in peace.

Source: Legit.ng
- The minister of information, culture and tourism, Lai Mohammed says the claim by former first lady Patience Jonathan that the money found on one of her husbands aides belonged to her is the reason she is being probed

- Urges Nigerians to be patient with the federal government, adding that the hardship is being ameliorated due to the nations conscious investment in infrastructure

- Advises Nigerians against the purchase of foreign goods and services

Former first lady Patience Jonathan is under investigation by the EFCC over the sum of $15m traced to her.

The minister of information, culture and tourism, Lai Mohammed says the wife of former president, Patience Jonathan is being probe by the EFCC for claiming that the money found on one of her husbands aides belonged to her.

READ ALSO: Patience Jonathan begs EFCC to unfreeze her account

According to Vanguard, Lai Mohammed disclosed this on Tuesday, September 13, during a chat with reporters at his Oro residence in Irepodun local government area of Kwara state.

Speaking on the backdrop of the anti-corruption searchlight beamed on Patience Jonathan, the minister said former first lady initiated the probe herself when she claimed the money found on one of her husbands aides belonged to her.

On the state of the nations economy, the minister urged Nigerians to be patient with the federal government, adding that the hardship had been ameliorated due to the nations conscious investment in infrastructure.

READ ALSO: Sagay says Patience must explain how she got $31.4m

He said: We salute the courage and perseverance of Nigerians. We know what they are going through. It is not about trading blames, it is about those who used this or that.

Our dependence on oil formed over 60 per cent of our Gross Domestic Products, GDP. When oil price crashed, we had no reserves to cushion the effects. We did not invest in infrastructure. From records, a government spent N18billion on roads but spent N65billion on estacodes.

We have spent about N70billion on road this year. Between years 2012 and 2015 when oil was selling for $100 per barrel, they didnt pay contractors but now, we brought back Julius Berger to site, paying N30billion."

Mohammed advised Nigerians against purchasing foreign goods and services, insisting that emphasis should henceforth be placed on local contents to create employment opportunities.

In a related development, Lai Mohammed has said the members of the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) who are being probed by the present administration are those who have questions to answer on the mismanagement funds meant for prosecuting the war against Boko Haram insurgency.

He said the inability of the military to defeat Boko Harm under the previous administration necessitated the probe of those allegedly involved in the mismanagement of funds meant for prosecuting the war against Boko Haram insurgency.

Source: Legit.ng
Reports that Arik airline is planning on shutting down soon, continue to spread in the news media. This is as a result of the suspension of flight operations to all airports across the country due to its inability to secure aviation fuel, also known as JET-A1.

This is not however the first time an airline has shut down in Nigeria owing to various reasons. Here are the airlines that the Nigeria has lost so far:

1. Chachangi Airlines

Chachangi Airlines closed down in 2012

Chanchangi Airlines Nigeria limited was a privately owned and operated airline with its head office in the Chanchangi Office Complex in Kaduna, Nigeria. It operated scheduled domestic passenger services, with its main base at Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

The airline which was established on January 5, 1994 by Alhaji Chanchangi started flight operations to and from Kaduna, Lagos, Owerri, Abuja and Port Harcourt on 2 May 1997.

Chanchangi Airlines, failed to appear in court on April 1, 2012, to defend itself against charges filed against it by Ethiopian Airlines failing to settle a 14 million Br bill for maintenance services. It subsequently suspended all flights in 2012.

2. Bellview Airlines

A Bellview Airline flight crashed in 2005 killing 117 people

Bellview Airlines was an airline with it headquarters at Bellview Plaza in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. Founded in 1992 and it had 308 employees, while it operated scheduled passenger flights within Africa as well as to London out of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

In 2005, the airline suffered two incidents that were key to its eventual demise:

On October 22, 2005, Bellview Airlines Flight 210, a Boeing 737-200 aircraft with 117 people on board, crashed shortly after taking off from Murtala Mohammed International Airport en route to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, killing all 117 people on board. Bellview grounded all flights on the next day, but resumed operation again on October 24.

Also, on December 19, 2005, a Boeing 737 operating a Bellview Airlines flight between Lagos and Freetown made an emergency landing at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana due to hydraulical problems. On the following day, Nigerian authorities ordered all Bellview flights to be grounded and suspended the airline's license until December 22.

Operations slowed significantly after that and the airline eventually shut down in 2009.

READ ALSO: 9 facts to know as Arik Air hits the ground

3. Nigeria Airways

Air Nigeria has been known by several names from inception to demise

The airline which has been known by several names from Nigerian airways, Nigerian Eagle, Air Nigeria and Virgin Nigeria. It was founded in 1958 after the dissolution of West African Airways Corporation.

The Nigerian airways was owned by Nigerian government, and served as the country's flag carrier until it ceased operations in 2003.

Part of the problems that led to its closure included: mismanagement, corruption, and overstaffing, at the time of closure the airline, it had debts of more than US$60,000,000 (equivalent to $77,181,621 in 2015) and a poor safety record.

4. Sosoliso Airlines

The Sosoliso Airline flight that crashed in December 2005 was one of Nigeria's most horrific tragedies

Sosoliso Airlines was a scheduled, domestic, passenger airline. For much of its existence it had its head office in Ikeja, Lagos State. Originally its head office was on the grounds of Enugu Airport in Enugu.

It was established in 1994 and started operations in July 2000. On December 10, 2005, Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145 from Abuja to Port Harcourt crashed on landing with 110 people on board. Only 2 persons survived.

Pastor Bimbo Odukoya and over 50 students of Loyola Jesuit College, an Abuja-based secondary school, were among the dead.

It is reported that a witness states that the plane was struck by lightning about 40 or 50 metres from touching down and the fuel in the wing caught fire and it exploded.

This has not yet been confirmed by any authorities. Following the crash, president Olusegun Obasanjo ordered all Sosoliso planes grounded. The airline ceased to function in 2006.

READ ALSO: REVEALED! How Senate plans to help Buhari end recession

5. ADC Airlines

The ADC Airline flight crash in 2006 took the Sultan Maccido of Sokoto

Aviation Development Company (ADC) airlines was a Nigerian airline headquartered in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. It operated domestic scheduled services and regional charter flights.

On November 7, 1996 an ADC Boeing 727-231 Flight 86 en route from Port Harcourt crashed into the lagoon in Lagos 30 km from Lagos airport while trying to avoid a collision with another aircraft flying out of Lagos airport.

On July 29, 1997 a BAC One-Eleven 203AE landing at Calabar overshot the runway and an engine caught fire. There was one fatality.

On October 29, 2006 a passenger plane, crashed near the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Local radio called on doctors to rush to the scene. One hundred and four people were on board the Boeing 737-200, which was traveling to Sokoto, and hospitals report seven survivors were found  six in a stable condition.

The spiritual head of Nigerian Muslims, Sultan Maccido of Sokoto, died in the crash. His son, who is a senator, the deputy governor of Sokoto state and at least one other senator were also victims.

The airline has since been suspended in 2006 by the Nigerian government until further notice.

6. Okada Air

Okada Air was owned by Chief Gabriel Igbinedion of Benin

The owner of Okada Air was Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin. It was an airline based in Benin City, Nigeria. It was established in 1983 with a fleet of BAC-One Eleven 300s. It resumed charter operations in September 1983.

In 1984, a Boeing 707-355C was acquired for cargo operations. By 1990, ten BAC One-Elevens were bought, and eight more were acquired in 1991. The company was granted the right of operating international flights in 1992.

On June 26, 1991 a BAC One-Eleven 402AP, registration 5N-AOW belonging to Okada Air force-landed 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) off Sokoto Airport due to fuel exhaustion.

There were three fatalities, all of them passengers. The aircraft had been diverted from the original Benin CityKano route because of bad weather at the airport of destination. The airline ceased operations in 2002.

Source: Legit.ng
SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois State Board of Education is in the early stages of crafting legislation that would prohibit school districts from dropping students from their enrollment rosters for failing to meet minimum academic and attendance standards.

Under current state law, districts can deny enrollment for one semester to students 17 and older who in the previous semester failed to earn at least a D average or were absent more than 20 percent of the time without valid excuses. Because students are only required to attend school until they turn 17, the existing policy could increase the chances that at-risk students will drop out, state education officials say.

Thisll be an effort on our part to prevent these students from being pushed out of the system, Amanda Elliott, the state boards co-legislative director, told board members Wednesday during the first day of a two-day meeting in Springfield. Theres been a lot of conversations over the last couple of years and a lot of legislation thats been filed, and we think that this is an important component of that conversation.

State Superintendent Tony Smith said the proposal is in line with other efforts the board has made in recent years.

It resonates with conversations weve had at the board for the last year and a half about ways to connect and hold on to kids and not be pushing kids out, Smith said, so the fact that there are some areas in the law that make it possible seems in conflict with the position the boards taken.

Officials said school districts should be encouraged to provide services to those students to help them stay in school and graduate.

While the Illinois School Code gives districts the ability to deny enrollment based on attendance or academic performance, its unclear how widely the practice is used. Thats something board staff is researching.

Sarah Hartwick, the state boards other co-legislative director, told board members that the proposal is in its infancy, and the board still needs to have discussions with school administrators, teachers and others in the education community.

A spokesman for the Illinois Association of School Administrators couldnt be reached Wednesday for comment.

Elliott said the new proposal dovetails with a statewide school discipline overhaul that takes effect Thursday.

The new law, sponsored by state Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, is aimed at reducing the racial disparities in how suspensions and expulsions are meted out and cutting down on their overall use.

Among other changes, the law prohibits schools from suspending a student for more than three days unless his or her presence is an ongoing threat and all other options have been exhausted. School boards are also required to provide detailed justifications for suspensions and expulsions.

Lightford couldnt be reached Wednesday for comment.

Constantly suspending and expelling the very kids that need to be in school is one of the most counter-productive practices of our education system, she said in a statement on her website. We need to keep young people in school learning how to succeed and off of the street corner learning how best to end up in prison.
Some politicians are driven by love for their country or ambitions that they even risked their lives to secure a better future for their nation.

Though some people can easily argue that those who spend time at jail are all not saints, the sacrifice made by these people has to be appreciated.

Here are two Nigerian presidents who rose from prisoners to becoming the leaders of the nation.

1. Olusegun Obasanjo

Olusegun Obasanjo

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo is one of the most respected leaders in Nigerias history.

Obasanjo, credited with ending the civil war, first became the president of Nigeria after the death of Murtala Mohammed in the failed Dimka coup.

In 1995, OBJ was arrested on leveled up accusations of plotting a coup. It might be unconnected to that fact that he was an outspoken critic of the Abacha regime.

READ ALSO: Buhari may have serious problems  Amechi

However, he was released after the sudden death of Abacha in June 1998.

After his release, Obasanjo run for and won the presidential polls held in 1999, under the Peoples Democratic Party and also won a second term in 2003.

2. President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari

Former military ruler and the incumbent Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was detained in Benin City after a coup led by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1985.

Buhari's admirers consider that the general was ousted by corrupt elements in his government who were afraid of being brought to justice. However, Babangida justified his coup d'etat by saying that Buhari failed to deal with the country's economic problems.

READ ALSO: Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala Ruined Nigeria

He was released in 1988 and after three failed shots at the presidency, Buhari finally moved into Aso Rock presidential villa, as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015.

One of the most famous prisoners who risked his life for better future of his nation was Nelson Mandela.

Former South African president, Late Nelson Mandela

Mandela was sentenced to life in prison in 1962 for conspiring against the state after his militant group Umkhonto we Sizwe, launched a sabotage campaign against the government but was freed in 1990 after serving 27 years.

In 1994 Mandela became the first black President of South Africa.

Source: Legit.ng
Yes, Simon's Cat is between the covers again The new book is called Simon's Cat vs the World and you can win your own copy, acco...
2016 WSOP on ESPN: What Would You Do? (Or "I Wish This Wasn't Televised")

September 14, 2016 Martin Harris

Finally  finally!  the first episodes of the 2016 World Series of Poker Main Event are starting to appear on ESPN. The first two arrived this week, with the network picking up the action on late on Day 4.

This week's hands began after the dinner break when just 357 remained from the 6,737 players who started the event, with episodes covering the last couple of levels of the night until just 251 remained.

Two former Main Event champions had feature table time, with 2004 winner Greg Raymer and 2013 champ Ryan Riess both nursing short stacks. (Riess would go out in 271st for $36,708, while Raymer made it through to Day 5.) Several all-ins and busts were shown from outer tables, and we caught glimpses of eventual November Niners Cliff Josephy, Kenny Hallaert, and Griffin Benger.

At one point during the first episode Christopher Frank impressed with a big preflop fold of . It was a three-way hand in which Frank had opened, Robert Allain three-bet shoved a short stack, then Maxim Sorokin just called the shove from the blinds. Frank then reraised, and when Sorokin reraised back Frank thought a bit before letting his hand go.

Allain had , but as Frank had suspected Sorokin turned over (and would win the hand to knock out Allain in 291st for $32,130).

"That's gonna be on TV, right?" asked Frank afterwards, who pumped his fists and grinned a little afterwards, having been correct when making a tough decision.

Speaking of tough decisions  and the pressure being on television  we're selecting a couple of the more intriguing hands from this week's shows and putting the decision to you how you would play them. The first came right at the start of the very first episode, while the second kicked off the latter hour.

Hand #1

It's the feature table, and with 357 players left the average stack is 943,000. They've begun Level 20, with the blinds at 8,000/16,000 with a 2,000 ante.

Ryan Tococ is first to act under the gun. He has 721,000 to begin the hand, and after looking down at he raises to 35,000. It folds to Shaun Deeb in middle position who has nearly 1.5 million to start the hand, and Deeb three-bets to 102,000.

Everyone else folds  including Raymer who lets go of pocket sevens from the small blind  and Tosoc calls Deeb's reraise. Pot 246,000.

The flop comes . Tosoc checks, and Deeb bets 73,000. Tosoc calls.

The turn then brings the . "Lon, since the dawn of time a deuce on the turn does not change anything, anywhere, anytime, anyhow," says Norman Chad to his partner Lon McEachern, noting the deuce being an apparent blank.

Tosoc again checks, and when Deeb fires another bet of 173,000, Tosoc calls again with his overpair. The pot is up to 738,000.

The river brings the , putting two pair on board and prompting a repetition from Chad of his observation that a deuce on the river is also unlikely to have changed anything. Tosoc checks one more time, and this time Deeb pushes all in.

"Oh, man," says Tosoc with a grin. "I wish this wasn't televised. I'll look so bad if I'm wrong."

He has 371,000 left, meaning Deeb has put him to a test for his remaining chips. Eventually Deeb calls the clock, though with editing it isnt obvious how long Tosoc has tanked.

Ultimately Tosoc decided to call, and nodded when Deeb showed him .

"Nothing you can do," said Deeb. "It's the perfect run-off... I have all the missed draws." They discussed the hand a bit further afterwards before Tosoc departed in 357th place ($28,356).

Hand #2

Another tough decision came at the start of the second hour, a three-way hand that also involved Deeb, James Obst (who had the chip lead for much of the latter part of Day 4), and Valentin Vornicu.

Valentin Vornicu

We'll play along with Vornicu in this hand.

With about 280 players left, the average stack is just under 1.2 million. With the blinds up to 10,000/20,000 with a 3,000 ante, Vornicu  with 1.67 million to start the hand  chooses to limp in from late position with .

With 1.547 million in the small blind to begin Deeb calls, and Obst  the leader with 3.771 million  checks his option from the big blind.

"My favorite blinds," jokes Vornicu, referring to the two challenging competitors he's up against, albeit with position.

The flop brings Vornicu top two pair while also providing a possible made straight, a straight draw, and/or a flush draw for his opponents. Deeb leads with a bet of 36,000, and both Obst and Vornicu call.

The turn then brings the  a terrific card for Vornicu as it gives him a full house. Deeb fires 102,000 this time, and when Obst calls the pot is up to 399,000.

Both of his opponents seem to have caught something, but unless there's a straight flush sitting in the blinds Vornicu has best.

While Chad in his commentary suggested a call would earn Vornicu more value on the river, he chose to raise to 382,000. That chased Deeb, but Obst stuck around with a call.

The river brought the , and after Obst checked, Vornicu had another decision to make. There was 1.061 million in the middle. Vornicu had 1.22 million behind, while Obst had 3.33 million.

Unless we somehow fear that straight flush, this becomes a bet-sizing question. So we'll ask...

Vornicu chose to bet 925,000, prompting a smile from his opponent.

"Will this one make TV, you reckon?" said Obst. At last he did call, turning over for a flush, and Vornicu earned a big boost to his stack. (Incidentally, Deeb folded on the turn.)

Some intriguing decisions, made all the more so with the pressure of being televised. What did you choose? And what would you have done with Obst's hand following Vornicu's big river bet?

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Bouwinvest Residential Fund has signed an agreement with Noordas B.V., a joint venture between COD, Borghese Real Estate and Verweij Mungra Vastgoed, to purchase a block of 69 apartments, with 14 parking places and c. 196 sq.m. of commercial space that is under development in the former NDSM shipyard in

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First Impression  Mahindra Gusto might have born in India but it certainly doesnt look that way. Gusto looks totally Italian (thats where it was designed), at the same time not very plain, curvy or girly; it is simply flamboyant. Silhouette of Mahindra Gusto will give the impression that it looks like any other scooter in India. But as you move the spotlight over, every piece of Gusto will intrigue you, and thats when you will begin to like its style.

Exteriors  Mahindra Gusto looks loaded with accents and body lines that make the scooter look muscular but not too bulky. Starting with embellishments, Gusto has a silver-esque band on the front end carrying the company badge, from which large attractive side indicators with eye-shadow like trims emerge. Closing the gap between centre tunnel and blinkers, prominent wing shaped front grilles are placed, that gathers frontal attention. Slight folds beneath turn signals on the front apron of Mahindra Gusto help keep chunkiness of the fascia in check.

Similar scenario plays at the side of Mahindra Gusto. Side body panels are airfoil shaped with chiselled tapers and body lines culminating smoothly at the tail lamp, masking the overall stoutness of Gusto. Sharp body graphics, chrome GUSTO badging and the company branding surrounded by stylish indents complete the side profile of Mahindras new flagship scooter. Pillion grab handle in aluminium finish also plays a role in making Gusto look sporty.

Rear facade of Mahindra Gusto features large tail lamp assembly, but lights in it are cleverly crafted to look sleek. Centre of the housing has a motif in piano black finish, that manages add style. Light unit below has neat half-casing that saves the tail of Gusto from overhung appeal. Overall, mixed shapes on the body of Mahindra Gusto appear to compliment hefty as well as puny riders from varied angles.

Features  It can here-on be taken for granted that new Mahindra products will be known for its features. Mahindra Two Wheelers Limited created a stir in the market with the launch of Centuro commuter bike, which hosts a plethora of first time features that became its USP. We believe same is going to happen with Gusto. Best part is that Mahindra did not think out of the line to fit a new feature for bragging. They invented one that solves a prevailing problem among scooter users. Its a newly patented technology that allows seat height to be adjusted to accommodate riders of differing heights.

This is a first time ever facility that will enable tall and short persons in a family to use the scooter just as comfortably as the other. India being a market bearing extreme diversity in physique of people, such a feature would definitely turn heads, as we find many making decisions based on seat height and comfort. It is to be noted that Mahindra has tried about 27 iterations of seat mould to get the kind of wedge-y shape at front end, to give proper thigh support at both heights.

Mahindras next focus to influence prospective customers is utility factor. People commonly prefer scooters over commuter bikes for another reason that latter can easily accommodate everyday bags and equipment, and also make the weekend trip to farmers market a lot easier and safer. Not just attending to elderlies with multiple carry bag hooks and large under-seat box, Gustos quick storage compartment near speedo-cluster helps hold small carry items like wallets and sunglass pouches without having to open the seat and shove in and out every time. Mahindra Gusto also has a helmet hook under the seat which holds the strap tight as helmet is placed on the seat; this doesnt mean under-seat storage cannot gobble a half face helmet.

Another important feature in Mahindra Gusto is the provision of kick starter closer to the front end of engine unit, that helps rider to kick start without having to get down from the seat.

Engine & performance  Mahindra Gusto is powered by all-new all-aluminium 109.6 cc air cooled engine that produces 8 bhp max. power and 8.5 Nm peak torque on paper. It is mated to conventional CVT (Continuously Varying Transmission). The numbers are not really impressive, it is very close to that of rivals. But that doesnt mean it is going to behave the same way others do when you throttle up. Mahindra Gusto picks up from halt and during manoeuvres strongly, in such a way that you dont loose confidence of the tactic youre about to pull off. There is no extra blast of power compared to rest of scooters in the segment, but the power delivery is very linear and in control. Noise, vibration and harshness are all in appreciable levels (during first ride), and so is the rubber-band effect of CVT. Mahindra claims 63 kmpl mileage (as per ARAI tests).

Ride, Handling & Braking  Gustos telescopic front suspension and large 12 inch steel wheels provide commendable handling and ride quality. Well-tuned dampers and large tires help iron out innumerable glitches on roads. Shocks may feel a bit stiff for some, but considering this is a unisex product made for all age group, it should not be a problem. Overall, Mahindra Gusto is quite light to handle and it listens well to the riders rhythm. Braking performance of Mahindra Gusto is applaudable, which is direct result of large wheels and road hugging MRF tires. During high speeds and intense braking, Gusto maintains its composure with appreciable straight line stability.

Verdict  Considering Gusto is Mahindras first grounds-up scooter project, they have done a very good job. Essential factors of a scooter including dynamics, build quality and features are all up to the mark, given its introductory price of Rs. 43,000 (ex-showroom Mumbai). Mahindra Gusto has everything required to change the brand perception, which will pave way for success of future products as well, that intended to be built on the same platform.
Though Audi was the last of the German trio to enter India, the brand caught up with its rivals fairly quickly, thanks to its comprehensive portfolio and readiness to explore the unchartered segments of the nations luxury car market. Audi Indias current lineup comprises SUVs, sedans and sportscars of all shapes and sizes to suit a wide range of audience.

We recently had a rare chance of meeting the brands entire Indian portfolio at a secluded private runway near Hosur. Everything from the entry level A3, the deceptively quick RS6 Avant station wagon and the razor sharp R8 V10 Plus supercar were on the platter. This is how the day shaped up.

Sportscar Experience

The whole lineup was at our disposal for a day!

Well, its more like tasting shots than a platter. We got to do flat-out runs for about a kilometre down the straight stretch of the runway in any of the two sportscars.

Audi Indias sportscar fleet comprises the compact TT Coupe, aging S5, wolf-in-the-sheeps-clothing RS6 Avant and stunning RS7. Selecting any two out of these four was an extremely difficult task but it was made simple by other drivers who promptly stuffed themselves into the available pair of RS6 Avants, and a TT. So, it was the RS7 and S5 for me then.

The acceleration run on Audis sportcars down the air strip was massive fun. The RS7 is a real nightmare for most of the supercars out there.

The RS7 with its 4.0-litre TFSI V8 turbo petrol engine is a sedan which can keep pace with several popular supercars without breaking a sweat. The runway was a right setting to set the 560-strong cavalry loose. The car lunged forward like a ferocious predator and kept building up momentum at an alarming rate. Thanks to the Quattro systems ability to make the most out of the colossal torque of 700 Nm that is available between 1,500  5,500 rpm, 100 kmph came and went in a blink of an eye and the RS7 was already on the wrong side of 200 kmph before my feeble mind could fully fathom the serious nature of its acceleration. I have to admit that I chickened out and let go of the throttle several yards before the braking mark but I swear I saw 247 kmph on the HUD!

The S5 in comparison is not as scary but is properly quick nevertheless. The oldest of the performance Audis is powered by a 3.0-litre TFSI V6 turbo petrol engine which is mated to a 6-speed DSG and Quattro to belt out 333 PS and 325 Nm of torque. The motor has a glorious sound track and the performance to go with it. 230 kmph at the braking mark was achieved without any serious effort. Audi is just a few days from world premiering the new A5 which means the next iteration of the S5 with vast aesthetic and technological advancements is only a few months away.

The Q and A Drives

Our A6 just soaked up the bumps in comfort mode, thanks to the adaptive air suspension system.

The A drive involved a round trip of around 25 km from the runway to a pond through twisty and broken stretch of tarmac. This sector was aimed at demonstrating the sedan familys ability to cope up with Indian roads without compromising on comfort. Our steed for this assignment was the A6 diesel. With the Audi Drive Select system (incorporates adaptive air suspension) in comfort mode, the A6 sedan simply glided over most surface imperfections.

Irrespective of their size and heft, all the Q models felt absolutely at home while traversing the challenging off-road course.

The Q family was subjected to a short off-road course which obviously was designed keeping the capabilities of vehicles in mind. That said, the entire course was quite challenging and all the Audi SUVs ranging from the compact Q3 all the way up to the Q7 traversed the adversities with aplomb.

New Audi R8 V10 Plus

The piece de resistance, of course, was the new Audi R8 V10 Plus whose sheer presence itself primes your adrenal glands. When the 610 PS 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 motor fires up and settles into a mean grumbling idle, the seriousness of what Im about to undertake finally sank in and the child-like enthusiasm quickly transformed into nervousness! A strong urge to turn away and run almost overshadowed the anticipation of a thrilling acceleration.

Nothing prepares you for the brutal acceleratioon that the R8 V10 Plus is capable of.

The inner voice said, Dude, its not every day you get to go flat out on a 3.2-second supercar. So, man up and get it done! Moments later, I found myself strapped into the Audis most powerful road car ever, feeling glad that the balaclava and helmet concealed how nervous I was.

I fumbled with the seat adjustments, disengaged the electronic parking brake, slotted the gear selector into D/S and set the car in Dynamic drive mode. I decided to go for a rolling launch instead of relying on the launch control.

The traction offered by the Quattro system is simply amazing.

After holding the steering wheel firmly, the car felt absolutely planted even when it was standing still and this gave the much-needed courage to floor the throttle and keep it pinned down as long as possible. What ensued was a few seconds of mind-numbing acceleration which was so overwhelming that I had to fight off the urge to close my eyes! I honestly dont know what happened in the first and second gears but by the time the third gear kicked in roughly 4 seconds after the launch, the car was already past 125 kmph mark, accelerating furiously towards the horizon, with its V10 motor bellowing at the top of its voice. The R8 V10 Plus shot past 200 kmph mark in about 10 seconds from the start (in 5th gear) and kept building up momentum relentlessly. I couldnt get myself to take a quick glance at the speedo but I must have been doing a little over 250 kmph when I instinctively lifted off (several yards before entering the braking zone). The cars carbon ceramic disc brakes did a scintillating job of shedding all that speed well ahead of the point where the tarmac gave way to a field of grass. Thats it! I just pushed a supercar beyond 250 kmph and emerged alive!

255 kmph on the odo and the car was not in the braking zone yet!

Also read  New Audi Q7 Review

The whole episode lasted less than the time it took you to read the previous paragraph but the experience was so intense that Ill be able to relive each and every second of it for several years to come!

Photos
The Bajaj Avenger has to be credited for being a non-conformist offering which not only managed to sustain in the unforgiving market conditions but also garnered its own share of admirers despite not being attended to by the company for a long time. Now that Bajaj has started revisiting its forgotten models one by one (first Platina, then CT 100), the Avenger came into a focus again.

Without putting much into the project in terms of capital, the company gave the Avenger a well deserved shot in the arm. Final result is a set of three variants in two distinct flavors  Street (150 and 220) and Cruise (220). We spent some time with all the three derivatives and here is what we think of the Street twins. We will talk about the Cruise in a separate article.

What meets the eye?

The most significant addition to the new Bajaj Avenger Street series is the 150 cc engine which is derived from the Pulsar 150 but has been tuned to suit the cruiser (more about it later in the article). The Street 150 and 220 are visually identical but receive different paint jobs. The former settles for Midnight Blue while the latter dons Matte Black, both featuring excellent paint quality.

Matt Black paint job, full black color theme and alloy wheels enhance the Avenger Street 220s premium appeal.

The Street variants differentiate themselves from the Cruise 220 by means of a sportier flat handlebar, alloy wheels, rear view mirrors, clear lens indicators, different handle bar grips, contoured seats, new Avenger logos on fuel tank and a smaller grab rail. While the cruise prefers traditional chrome elements, the Street twins go for sporty black finish for pretty much every visible component including engine, front forks with rubber bellows, wheels, rear coil springs, headlamp, speedometer, fuel tank console, exhaust (with silver tip and guard), handle bar end weights, etc.

The Bajaj Avenger Street 150 is visually identical to its 220 cc sibling but sports Midnight Blue paint job.

The Street 150 and 220 target the younger audience with its sporty character. They clearly stand out of the usual compact premium motorcycle crowd in an urban environment.

How good is the 150 cc powertrain?

Bajaj never shies away from exploring an uncharted territory and the Street 150 compact urban cruiser is the latest testament to this fact. Neither the engine nor the platform is new but the marriage is, and a fresh proposition in a segment which is filled with familiar body styles and specifications is always a welcome addition.

The 149 cc engine sourced from Pulsar is tweaked to suit the cruiser.

The Bajaj Avenger Street 150 borrows its 149 cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine from the popular Pulsar 150. Mated to a 5-speed transmission, the motors 14.5 PS at 9,000 rpm and 12.5 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm havent changed on paper but the company claims to have altered its character to suit the cruiser.

For starters, the motor is tuned to achieve a flatter and stronger low- and medium-range torque curve. The bottom-end performance is further enhanced by employing a larger air filter and a 38-teeth rear sprocket.

The 38-tooth rear sprocket further improves bottom end performance.

The net result is plainly apparent right from the word go. The Avenger Street 150 moves off the block eagerly and the motor indeed has a strong low- and mid-range punch, alleviating any reservations one would have on the idea of a 150 cc cruiser. Naturally, there is nothing much to talk about its top-end performance but cruisers are hardly required to rev their heart out. So to answer the question directly, no, it doesnt feel underpowered.

The 150 cc variant can cruise comfortably at 80 kmph and the engine has to be worked hard to extract anything more than that. We managed a speedo indicated top-speed of 105 kmph with a little bit help from a downward slope.

The instrument console has a piece of digital display for odo and trip meters.

The 5-speed gearbox complements the engines cruiser friendly tune and the heal-and-toe shifter offers a positive feel. Obtrusive vibrations on the handlebar and foot pegs do creep in when the motor is pushed beyond its comfort zone, i.e. post the mid-range but the overall refinement level is well within the acceptable limit under normal operation.

Any mechanical changes in the 220 cc engine and gearbox?

The Bajaj Avenger Street 220 continues to employ the older models 219.9 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which breathes via a carburetor and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The motor dishes out 19 PS at 8,400 rpm and 17.5 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm, like before. However, the powertrain receives a new drive chain with better hardness and lubrication to enhance the life by 15-20%. The CDI (Capacitor Discharge Ignition) has been improved for sharper throttle response, and Bajaj also claims that various measures have been taken to improve NVH characteristics.

The 220 cc engine receives NVH improvements and a more durable drive chain.

In real world conditions, the Bajaj Avenger Street 220s engine felt pretty much same as before  bass rich idling sound, reasonable refinement, and strong performance throughout the first two-thirds of the rev range. The gearshift quality isnt any different from that of the Street 150. In other words, the Street 220 shares is fundamental characteristics with the Street 150 but is significantly faster and more relaxed.

Gearshifts are positive but finding neutral is tricky.

We managed a speedo indicated top whack of 120 kmph but the motor feels best while cruising at around 90 kmph.

Have new changes influenced its riding, handling and braking?

Compared to the old Avenger 220, the seat foam thickness has been increased to achieve 15 mm higher saddle height. This combined with a flatter handlebar alters the Avenger Streets ergonomics quite significantly. Though the low-set handlebar makes the rider lean further, the forward set foot pegs ensure that the authentic cruiser riding posture is preserved.

The flat handlebar makes the Avenger Sport variants nimble and urban-friendly.

The low slung Streets feel less inertial to directional changes, especially the quick flicks that is warranted by the city traffic. Slow speed maneuverability has improved too and its much easier to execute U-Turns. It has to be said that in an attempt to have better agility within the confinements of the city, the overall comfort level during a relaxed long distance cruising is compromised slightly. That said, the Avenger Street twins still are more comfortable than most of the 150-250 cc motorcycles out there. But if highway comfort is what you look for, then there is the Cruise 220 to meet your requirements.

Engineers have played with the second spring rate in rear suspension system to delay bottoming out on bad roads. The overall ride quality can be described as comfortable albeit with a hint of firmness, especially at the rear. Stability on bad stretches of roads is predictable and so is its behavior around the corners. Both Street 220 and 150 come shod with 90/90 x 17 front and 130/90 x 15 rear MRF Zapper tyres that offer good grip. Surprisingly, these are not tubeless tyres.

Both variants tend to lock up the front wheel under heavy braking.

While both variants employ a 130 mm rear drum brake, the Street 150 and 220 opt for 240 mm and 260 mm front disc respectively. The bite is progressive and adequate, but both cruisers displayed a tendency to lock up the front wheel under heavy braking. ABS would certainly be a valuable addition and it would be offered in the future (it will be compulsory on all motorcycles in India from 2017).

Should I ride one home?

The Bajaj Avenger Street 150 is the most affordable cruiser in the country.

The Bajaj Avenger Street 150 is a delightful combination of two entities (engine and chassis) which have already proven their mettle individually, and after our first ride experience, we cant see why they wont work well together. What the new variant offers is a completely different and attractive avenue for a young and budding biker to explore. At INR 75,000 (ex-showroom, New Delhi), one doesnt need to shell out extra in order to get his/her hands on something thats unlike other products in its displacement segment.

The new Bajaj Avenge Street 220 would appeal to audience that thought the old Avenger wasnt sporty enough.

Coming to the Avenger Street 220, the aesthetic enhancements and sportier character go a long way in increasing its desirability compared to the understated old model. People who looked elsewhere because the Avenger was too relaxed for their liking may change their mind after taking the Street 220 for a spin. It looks more upmarket than its INR 84,000 (ex-showroom, New Delhi) price tag would suggest.

To sum it up, the whole upgrade exercise has been done right!

New Bajaj Avenger Street 150  Photos

New Bajaj Avenger Street 220  Photos
Santro is the first car Hyundai launched in India, back in the late 90s. The car became the face of Hyundai India. Sadly, after 16 years in service, without major upgrade, Hyundai decided to stop production of Santro back in early 2015. This was a hard decision taken by Hyundai as the car was still clocking decent sales number of 3,000 units. But what it was also doing  eating into the limited production capacity of Hyundai India.

With new generation cars like Creta, Elite i20, Grand i10, Xcent on sale, which were not only more profitable, but were also more in demand, Hyundai India were left with no other choice but to discontinue the Santro from Indian market.

A few months later, Hyundai decided to discontinue another small car, the i10. This was done for same reasons mentioned above. Also, its sales are nowhere close to that of rivals Maruti Alto or Renault Kwid or the Tata Tiago. In order to increase their presence in the entry-level market, Hyundai is working on re-launching new generation Santro next year. It is this car which has now been spied again.

This new Santro will be better equipped to rival the competition. It will not only be bigger in dimensions, but will also offer more space on the inside as well as features. Extensive research has gone into the making of the new Hyundai Santro by the companys R&D center in South Korea.

This Made in India product is being developed at a cost of INR 1,000 crores and has been approved by companys headquarters in Seoul. New generation Hyundai Santro is estimated to be offered with either an 800cc or 1.0 liter petrol engine and will be the first fully automatic car in its segment while the automaker is also considering introduction of an AMT variant. Launch is scheduled to take place by H@ 2018, but it will most likely make its global debut at the 2018 Auto Expo in February 2018.

Set to come in with a new design and updated features, new gen Hyundai Santro is slated to be offered with enhanced engine, comfortable interiors, while pricing is estimated to be in the INR 4-6 lakh category. India will serve as the manufacturing base for the new Santro which will be sold across the globe, especially in those countries where small cars are in increased demand.

Hyundai (Grand) i10 Sport
Someone Is Learning How to Take Down the Internet

Over the past year or two, someone has been probing the defenses of the companies that run critical pieces of the Internet. These probes take the form of precisely calibrated attacks designed to determine exactly how well these companies can defend themselves, and what would be required to take them down. We dont know who is doing this, but it feels like a large nation state. China or Russia would be my first guesses.

First, a little background. If you want to take a network off the Internet, the easiest way to do it is with a distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS). Like the name says, this is an attack designed to prevent legitimate users from getting to the site. There are subtleties, but basically it means blasting so much data at the site that its overwhelmed. These attacks are not new: hackers do this to sites they dont like, and criminals have done it as a method of extortion. There is an entire industry, with an arsenal of technologies, devoted to DDoS defense. But largely its a matter of bandwidth. If the attacker has a bigger fire hose of data than the defender has, the attacker wins.

Recently, some of the major companies that provide the basic infrastructure that makes the Internet work have seen an increase in DDoS attacks against them. Moreover, they have seen a certain profile of attacks. These attacks are significantly larger than the ones theyre used to seeing. They last longer. Theyre more sophisticated. And they look like probing. One week, the attack would start at a particular level of attack and slowly ramp up before stopping. The next week, it would start at that higher point and continue. And so on, along those lines, as if the attacker were looking for the exact point of failure.

The attacks are also configured in such a way as to see what the companys total defenses are. There are many different ways to launch a DDoS attack. The more attack vectors you employ simultaneously, the more different defenses the defender has to counter with. These companies are seeing more attacks using three or four different vectors. This means that the companies have to use everything theyve got to defend themselves. They cant hold anything back. Theyre forced to demonstrate their defense capabilities for the attacker.

I am unable to give details, because these companies spoke with me under condition of anonymity. But this all is consistent with what Verisign is reporting. Verisign is the registrar for many popular top-level Internet domains, like .com and .net. If it goes down, theres a global blackout of all websites and e-mail addresses in the most common top-level domains. Every quarter, Verisign publishes a DDoS trends report. While its publication doesnt have the level of detail I heard from the companies I spoke with, the trends are the same: in Q2 2016, attacks continued to become more frequent, persistent, and complex.

Theres more. One company told me about a variety of probing attacks in addition to the DDoS attacks: testing the ability to manipulate Internet addresses and routes, seeing how long it takes the defenders to respond, and so on. Someone is extensively testing the core defensive capabilities of the companies that provide critical Internet services.

Who would do this? It doesnt seem like something an activist, criminal, or researcher would do. Profiling core infrastructure is common practice in espionage and intelligence gathering. Its not normal for companies to do that. Furthermore, the size and scale of these probesand especially their persistencepoints to state actors. It feels like a nations military cybercommand trying to calibrate its weaponry in the case of cyberwar. It reminds me of the USs Cold War program of flying high-altitude planes over the Soviet Union to force their air-defense systems to turn on, to map their capabilities.

What can we do about this? Nothing, really. We dont know where the attacks come from. The data I see suggests China, an assessment shared by the people I spoke with. On the other hand, its possible to disguise the country of origin for these sorts of attacks. The NSA, which has more surveillance in the Internet backbone than everyone else combined, probably has a better idea, but unless the US decides to make an international incident over this, we wont see any attribution.

But this is happening. And people should know.

This essay previously appeared on Lawfare.com.

EDITED TO ADD: Slashdot thread.

EDITED TO ADD (9/15): Podcast with me on the topic.

EDITED TO ADD (10/6): More.

Posted on September 13, 2016 at 2:09 PM  175 Comments
An international team of astronomers using Hubble have been able to study stellar evolution in real time. Over a period of 30 years dramatic increases in the temperature of the star SAO 244567 have been observed. Now the star is cooling again, having been reborn into an earlier phase of stellar evolution. This makes it the first reborn star to have been observed during both the heating and cooling stages of rebirth.

Even though the Universe is constantly changing, most processes are too slow to be observed within a human lifespan. But now an international team of astronomers have observed an exception to this rule. "SAO 244567 is one of the rare examples of a star that allows us to witness stellar evolution in real time," explains Nicole Reindl from the University of Leicester, UK, lead author of the study. "Over only twenty years the star has doubled its temperature and it was possible to watch the star ionising its previously ejected envelope, which is now known as the Stingray Nebula."

SAO 244567, 2700 light-years from Earth, is the central star of the Stingray Nebula and has been visibly evolving between observations made over the last 45 years. Between 1971 and 2002 the surface temperature of the star skyrocketed by almost 40,000 degrees Celsius. Now new observations made with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) on the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have revealed that SAO 244567 has started to cool and expand.

This is unusual, though not unheard-of [1], and the rapid heating could easily be explained if one assumed that SAO 244567 had an initial mass of 3 to 4 times the mass of the Sun. However, the data show that SAO 244567 must have had an original mass similar to that of our Sun. Such low-mass stars usually evolve on much longer timescales, so the rapid heating has been a mystery for decades.

Back in 2014 Reindl and her team proposed a theory that resolved the issue of both SAO 244567's rapid increase in temperature as well as the low mass of the star. They suggested that the heating was due to what is known as a helium-shell flash event: a brief ignition of helium outside the stellar core [2].

This theory has very clear implications for SAO 244567's future: if it has indeed experienced such a flash, then this would force the central star to begin to expand and cool again -- it would return back to the previous phase of its evolution. This is exactly what the new observations confirmed. As Reindl explains: "The release of nuclear energy by the flash forces the already very compact star to expand back to giant dimensions -- the born-again scenario."

It is not the only example of such a star, but it is the first time ever that a star has been observed during both the heating and cooling stages of such a transformation.

Yet no current stellar evolutionary models can fully explain SAO 244567's behaviour. As Reindl elaborates: "We need refined calculations to explain some still mysterious details in the behaviour of SAO 244567. These could not only help us to better understand the star itself but could also provide a deeper insight in the evolution of central stars of planetary nebulae."

Until astronomers develop more refined models for the life cycles of stars, aspects of SAO 244567's evolution will remain a mystery.

Notes

[1] The other star thought to have experienced the same type of helium flash event (see [2]) is FG Sagittae, located in the constellation Sagitta, making SAO 244567 the second of its kind. However, other objects undergoing similar "born-again" scenarios are known, including Sakurai's Object, located in Sagittarius.

[2] Helium flash events, also known as late thermal pulses, occur late in the evolution of about 25% of low- to medium-mass stars. After evolving off the main sequence, these stars enter the red giant phase, where the star expands dramatically. Various changes occur in the star's chemical and physical composition during this phase, until it has burnt most of the helium available in its core, which is by then composed of carbon and oxygen. Helium fusion continues in a thin shell around the core, but then turns off as the helium becomes depleted. This allows hydrogen fusion to start in a layer above the helium layer. After enough additional helium accumulates, helium fusion is reignited, leading to a thermal pulse which eventually causes the star to expand, cool and brighten temporarily.
With over 120,000 patients in the United States waiting for a kidney transplant, scientists and physicians are constantly looking to expand the pool of available organs through increasing donation and optimizing allocation. Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University analyzed data from thousands of transplants and developed a scoring system for donor kidneys that they hope might expand the pool of available organs in two ways. They published their findings in the Annals of Transplantation.

"The gift of life is so precious. It's imperative that we use each and every organ in the most efficient way for our patients, donors and their families," said Cataldo Doria, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Nicoletti Family Professor of Transplant Surgery and Director of the Jefferson Transplant Institute. "We decided to look closely at dual kidney transplantation and found that there may be ways to optimize their use by a scoring algorithm."

Dr. Doria and his team retrospectively analyzed United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data for 1,547 dual kidney transplants (DKT) and 26,381 expanded-criteria single kidney transplants (eSKT). Dual kidney transplants use two marginal donated kidneys in one recipient, increasing the amount of nephron mass and blood cleansing capability. Expanded-criteria single kidney transplants use kidneys from older donors or those with other certain risk factors. Thirteen donor variables were found to be significantly associated with graft survival including age, gender, body mass index, history of diabetes, hypertension, smoking and certain laboratory tests. Based on these criteria, the team developed a singular score for the donated organs which showed strong correlation with better survival in dual kidney transplants.

The scoring system could help expand the pool of available kidneys in two ways. First, by identifying which donor organs would be best transplanted together. The algorithm identified a score range where donors transplanted as dual had 70 percent greater median graft survival when compared with matched donors transplanted as single. Sometimes, kidneys with marginal function are offered to surgeon after surgeon as a single, who turn them down in the hopes of a better kidney in the future. This wastes precious time and sometimes the kidney isn't used. If both kidneys are offered at the same time earlier in the process, a surgeon might be more willing to take them for their patient as the amount of functional kidney cells is increased. Jefferson researchers theorize that better identifying dual transplant kidneys at the start of the donation process will prevent some kidneys from not being used.

Second, the researchers' score might also increase the amount of available organs by identifying which donors should not be offered as dual, because these donors did not demonstrate any improved median survival when compared with matched donors transplanted as single. "According to our matched samples, the 77 percent of dual kidney transplants with middle or low range scores had no better or worse media graft survival than matched single transplants," said first author Adam Johnson, M.D., M.P.H. "This suggests that those transplants may have been better used by two recipients or not at all."

Future prospective studies will be needed to demonstrate the external validity, but researchers are hopeful that the score may help standardize organ allocation for dual kidney transplantation in the future and save additional lives.
Implementing an analytic tool that allocates clinical care costs and quality measures to individual patient encounters was associated with significant improvements in value of care for 3 designated outcomes -- total joint replacement, laboratory testing among medical inpatients, and sepsis management, according to a study appearing in the September 13 issue of JAMA.

Fee-for-service payment models reward care volume over value. Under fee-for-service models, health care costs are increasing at a rate of 5.3 percent annually, accounted for 17.7 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product in 2014, and are projected to increase to 19.6 percent of the gross domestic product by 2024. Value-based payment models and alternative payment models incentivize the provision of efficient, high-quality, patient-centered care through financial penalties and rewards. Under alternative payment models, clinicians will theoretically deliver higher-quality care that results in better outcomes, fewer complications, and reduced health care spending. To implement alternative payment models effectively, physicians must understand actual care costs (not charges) and outcomes achieved for individual patients with defined clinical conditions -- the level at which they can most directly influence change.

Vivian S. Lee, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., of the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, and colleagues measured quality and outcomes relative to cost from 2012 to 2016 at University of Utah Health Care. Clinical improvement projects included total hip and knee joint replacement, hospitalist (physicians who practice in the inpatient setting) laboratory utilization, and management of sepsis. Physicians were given access to a tool with information about outcomes, costs (not charges), and variation and partnered with process improvement experts.

From July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, there were 1.7 million total patient visits, including 34,000 inpatient discharges. For total joint replacement, a composite quality index was 54 percent at baseline (n = 233 encounters) and 80 percent 1 year into the implementation (n = 188 encounters). Compared with the baseline year, average direct costs were 7 percent lower in the implementation year and 11 percent lower in the post-implementation year.

The initiative to reduce hospitalist laboratory testing was associated with 11 percent lower costs, with no significant change in length of stay and a lower 30-day readmission rate. A sepsis intervention was associated with reduced average times to anti-infective administration following fulfillment of systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria in patients with infection (7.8 hours to 3.6 hours).

"Implementation of a multifaceted value-driven outcomes tool to identify high variability in costs and outcomes in a large single health care system was associated with reduced costs and improved quality for 3 selected clinical projects. There may be benefit for individual physicians to understand actual care costs (not charges) and outcomes achieved for individual patients with defined clinical conditions," the authors write.

Editorial: From Volume to Value in Health Care

Michael E. Porter, Ph.D., of Harvard Business School, Boston, and Thomas H. Lee, M.D., M.Sc., of Press Ganey, Wakefield, Mass., comment on the findings of this study in an accompanying editorial.

"The study by Lee and colleagues in this issue of JAMA is an impressive and important step forward, not just for the University of Utah Health Care system but for the rest of U.S. health care and other health care systems around the world that are focused on value. The findings offer proof of concept that improving value by patient condition can lead to lower costs and better quality -- at the same time. There is much to be done and the road is long, but the report by Lee and colleagues points out how the path begins."
Does your toddler use a touchscreen tablet? A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology has shown that early touchscreen use, and in particular actively scrolling the screen, correlates with increased fine motor control in toddlers.

Smartphones and tablets are now commonplace at work and in the home. If you are reading this on your morning commute on public transport, it is likely to be on a touchscreen device, while surrounded by people who are completely absorbed by their own touchscreens.

There has been a dramatic increase in the ownership and use of tablets and smartphones in recent years. In the UK, family ownership of touchscreen devices increased from 7% in 2011 to 71% in 2014. It is therefore not surprising that children are using touchscreens from a very early age, but is this a good thing or not?

The effects of using touchscreens on young children are a concern for some parents and policymakers. Popular opinion holds that using touchscreens at an early age is likely to delay the cognitive development of children. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children should not be exposed to any screens, including touchscreens, before the age of two, and similar agencies in other countries have adopted these guidelines.

However, we don't yet know if these fears are justified, as it turns out that when it comes to touchscreens, they aren't backed by hard data. The current guidelines are arguably more of a knee-jerk reaction to a new technology than an informed health strategy.

Scientists have not yet extensively studied the relationship between childhood development and using touchscreens, because the technology is still so new and the children that have used it from early childhood are still very young.

Despite the guidelines, in reality many toddlers use touchscreens from a very early age. Dr Tim J Smith of Birbeck, University of London, realized that there is a need for more solid data and with the help of his collaborators at King's College, set up an online survey for UK parents to answer questions about their children's touchscreen use.

This included questions about whether the toddlers used touchscreens, when they first used one, and how often and how long they use them. The survey also included specific questions to assess the development of the children, such as the age that they first stacked blocks, which indicates fine motor skills, or the age they first used two-word sentences, which indicates language development.

In total, 715 families responded and the study confirmed that using touchscreens is extremely common in UK toddlers. "The study showed that the majority of toddlers have daily exposure to touchscreen devices, increasing from 51.22% at 6-11 months to 92.05% at 19-36 months," explained Dr Smith.

They found no significant associations between using touchscreens and either walking or language development. However, "in toddlers aged 19-36 months, we found that the age that parents reported their child first actively scrolling a touchscreen was positively associated with the age that they were first able to stack blocks, a measure of fine motor control."

It is not yet known if this correlation indicates that using touchscreens can enhance fine motor skills, or if children with fine motor skills are more likely to use touchscreens earlier, and so further work is required to determine the nature of this relationship more precisely. However, it is clear that the current generation of toddlers is adapting rapidly to this new technology and these children look set to use these devices throughout their lives.
Advertising prescription drugs to consumers is forbidden in most of the world, but since U.S. guidelines were relaxed in 1997, such ads have become nearly ubiquitous in American media. In a newly published review, Brown University researchers examined what has been learned since then about the effect of all that advertising on psychiatric conditions. They found that the data are very limited, but what does exist suggests that ads succeed in driving prescribing with potentially mixed effects on patient care.

"On a basic level, the goal of our review was to begin addressing an important and rarely examined public health question," said lead author Sara Becker, a research assistant professor at the Brown University School of Public Health and the Warren Alpert Medical School. "Is this enormous multibillion dollar industry of direct-to-consumer advertising of psychiatric medication affecting public health in a positive or negative way? There are many possible ways to answer this question -- we began by taking a close look at patient and physician behavior in response to these ads."

It's a germane question in psychiatry because in recent years, medicines for mood disorders and other conditions have become some of the most advertised and biggest selling drugs.

The new paper appears online in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

Reviewing the scant evidence

While doctors and others have been debating the perceived merits or dangers of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) for years, Becker and co-author Miriam Midoun found few studies that have analyzed how such ads affect encounters between doctors and patients and even fewer that have zeroed in on psychiatry. In fact, they could find only four studies that met their criteria for analysis -- studies that include advertised psychiatric medicines, tracked prescribing behavior based on patient requests for those drugs, and documented specific doctor-patent interaction at the point of care (rather than in general, or retrospectively).

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One was a randomized controlled trial, conducted in 2005, in which actors posing as patients presented to doctors with different degrees of depression. The "standardized patients" would then either ask for a specific brand of drug they saw on television, ask in general for an antidepressant because they viewed a commercial, or not ask specifically for a medicine. That study found significantly higher rates of prescribing when patients asked for the drugs than when they didn't. The other three studies all corroborated that trend, including a 2003 article in which the researchers compared prescribing rates in Canada, where DTCA is forbidden, to rates in the U.S.

Though the studies all suggest that most patient requests for medications will be granted, the three studies involving observations of real patients found that requests for medications are hardly a fixture of doctor-patient discussions. Requests for advertised drugs occurred less than 10 percent of the time in the studies, the authors found. The U.S.-Canada study, however, showed that U.S. patients asked for medications at more than double the rate of Canadian patients.

With advertising seemingly influencing some patients to ask for drugs and doctors often being willing to prescribe drugs when asked, one of the biggest questions is whether the right treatment is occurring for the right patients. The authors found only the randomized controlled trial had the strong methodological quality to address the issue.

Based on the data from the 2005 study, it appeared that when standardized patients with severe symptoms of depression asked for medication, they were more likely to get it. That could be good, Becker said, because people who objectively needed such care were getting it. But the standardized patients with less severe or transient depression (an "adjustment disorder") were also more likely to get prescriptions if they asked for them. That could create a problem, because in these cases medication wasn't medically necessary.

With the other studies also documenting increased drug requests and prescriptions for psychiatric medicines, Becker said, the limited evidence appears to support the possibility that DTCA has mixed effects on treatment quality. Its possible that DTCA may result in increased prescribing for patients who actually need it, but also overprescribing for patients who don't.

Ultimately, the field needs more data than these few studies have provided, Becker said.

"In 2007, the editor of Annals of Family Medicine referred to direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs as 'a huge, uncontrolled public health experiment on American people,'" Becker said. "Our review supported this statement. Very few rigorous studies have been conducted on DTCA over the past 20 years. But our review also didn't support a clear decision for or against DTCA -- the limited data aren't all bad or all good. It's possible that DTCA might help some people and might lead to over-prescribing in others.

"The most important conclusion of our study is that more research is needed."
New insights into the potential for new classes of HIF inhibitors to restore control of the hypoxia response -- representing the potential foundation of a new cancer-fighting strategy -- are the focus of recently published articles in Nature and Structure featuring work by Kevin Gardner of the City University of New York's Advanced Science Research Center (CUNY ASRC).

Some of the outcomes of this research, which began during Gardner's time at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, are currently in clinical trials as treatments for kidney cancer. A culmination of sixteen years of work, these new publications -- including researchers from the CUNY ASRC, UT Southwestern, and Peloton Therapeutics -- demonstrate that the compounds developed by Peloton are effective in more sophisticated models of kidney cancer.

"It's a dream of virtually everyone involved in biomedical research that a discovery you make yourself will make it out of the lab and into the clinic," Gardner said. "These papers represent a critical component of that jump, showing how a basic science discovery translates into the foundation for inhibiting kidney cancer in patient-derived tumor systems."

The article -- published in Nature on September 5 -- focuses on the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) system, a pathway known for over 20 years to be involved in cellular adaptation to low oxygen (hypoxia) in normal cells and commandeered in types of kidney cancer. The HIF-2 system -- originally cloned in the mid-1990's by UT Southwestern researchers Steven McKnight and David Russell as a transcription factor which activated gene expression under low O2 conditions -- has typically been considered undruggable like other intracellular, non-enzymatic targets due to several technical challenges entailed in targeting and inhibiting such proteins within the cell.

However, Gardner's studies revealed the HIF-2a component of HIF-2 contained a large internal cavity that might be a good binding site for drug-like molecules. Along with his colleague Richard Bruick at UT Southwestern, Gardner took advantage of this feature by using high-throughput screening to discover such compounds and demonstrating their efficacy through in vitro biophysical and biochemical experiments.

The research was later licensed to Peloton Therapeutics, a biotech startup, which has advanced the academic work conducted by the UT Southwestern team to new classes of compounds that are currently in clinical trials as treatments for kidney cancer.

While aspects of this work have moved into clinical translation, there remain fundamental questions on how HIF-2 works. In tandem with the Nature article, Gardner's continuing academic research on the HIF-2a component of HIF-2 is the focus of an upcoming article in Structure, also featuring Dr. Fernando Correa, co-first author for the article and former Senior Research Associate at the CUNY ASRC's Structural Biology Initiative.

A key aspect of this is that the HIF-2a drug-binding cavity breaks many of the traditional rules that govern how proteins typically fold and function. Understanding how the cavity remains open in the absence of compounds, and how it responds to artificial and natural ligands, gives new insights on how proteins in general react to changes in their environment.

To this end, the Gardner group collaborated with experts in the protein design community to repack the interior of HIF-2a, reshaping the binding site and effectively filling in the cavity with protein groups in lieu of a drug. As reported in the upcoming Structure article (Correa, Key, et al., 2016), these surrounding proteins accommodate these modifications with a range of impacts on structure and dynamics.

"This work gives us insights into basic rules to protein folding for this type of ligand-binding cavity, giving us clues to engineer new classes of protein-based sensors that respond to cellular signals and control outputs of our choosing," Gardner said.
The demand for family caregivers for adults who are 65 or older is increasing significantly, and family caregivers need more recognition, information, and support to fulfill their responsibilities and maintain their own health, financial security, and well-being, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Although caregivers' individual circumstances vary, family caregiving can negatively affect caregivers' mental and physical health as well cause economic harm, including loss of income and career opportunities. The report calls for health care delivery system reform that elevates family-centered care alongside person-centered care to better account for the roles of family caregivers and support their involvement in the care delivery process.

The committee that carried out the study and wrote the report found that by 2030, 72.8 million U.S. residents -- more than 1 in 5 -- will be 65 or older. According to the National Survey of Caregivers, in 2011, 17.7 million people -- or approximately 7.7 percent of the total U.S. population aged 20 and older -- were caregivers of an older adult because of health problems or functional impairments. This estimate does not include caregivers of nursing home residents. Furthermore, for most family caregivers, caregiving is not a short-term obligation. The median number of years of family care for older adults with high needs is five years. The proportion of older adults who are most likely to need intensive support from family caregivers -- those in their 80s and beyond -- is projected to climb from 27 percent in 2012 to 37 percent in 2050. Little action has been taken to prepare the health care and social service systems for this demographic shift, the committee said.

While the need for caregiving is rapidly increasing, the number of the potential family caregivers is shrinking. Current trends in family patterns -- including lower fertility, higher rates of childlessness, and increases in divorced and never-married statuses -- suggest a shrinking pool of potential caregivers in the near future. Unlike in the past, older adults will have fewer family members to rely on, more likely will be unmarried or divorced and living alone, and may be geographically more distant from their children

The committee found that family caregivers typically provide health and medical care at home, navigate complicated and fragmented health care and long-term services and support systems, and serve as surrogate decision makers. Although family caregivers play an integral role in the care of older adults with disabilities and complex health needs, they are often marginalized or ignored in the delivery of health care and long-term services and supports. They also may be excluded from treatment decisions and care planning, while providers assume their availability to perform the wide range of tasks prescribed by the older adult's care plan. For example, Medicare and other payers' financial incentives encourage shorter hospital stays with the implicit expectation that family members can support the older adult at home and manage the transition from hospital to home. In addition, providers expect family caregivers with little or no training to handle technical procedures and equipment -- such as feeding and drainage tubes, catheters, and tracheostomies -- and to manage and monitor an elder's condition. Family caregivers describe learning by trial and error and fearing that they will make a life-threatening mistake. Furthermore, family caregivers are typically provided little, if any, information and training to carry out the personal care and care coordination they are expected to deliver.

"Ignoring family caregivers leaves them unprepared for the tasks they are expected to perform, carrying significant economic and personal burdens," said Richard Schulz, committee chair and Distinguished Service Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh. "Caregivers are potentially at increased risk for adverse effects in virtually every aspect of their lives -- from their health and quality of life to their relationships and economic security. If the needs of the caregivers are not addressed, we as a society are compromising the well-being of elders. Supporting family caregivers should be an integral part of the nation's collective responsibility for caring for its older adult population."

Family caregivers have higher rates of depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and emotional difficulties, the committee found. Evidence also suggests that caregivers experience lower physical well-being, elevated levels of stress hormones, higher rates of chronic disease, and impaired preventive health behaviors. Family caregivers of significantly impaired older adults are at the greatest risk of economic harm, in part because of the many hours of care and supervision devoted to these family members. Moreover, the longer family members are engaged in caregiving, the more likely they are to suffer negative consequences -- such as anxiety, depression, social isolation, and financial losses. However, the actual consequences for individual caregivers vary depending on a host of individual and contextual characteristics. Despite the array of negative consequences, caregivers also report positive outcomes. For some, caregiving instills confidence, provides lessons on dealing with difficult situations, brings them closer to the care recipient, and assures them that the care recipient is receiving good care.

In today's world, family caregivers should not be expected to provide an array of complex care and support on their own, the committee said, and the emphasis on person-centered care needs to evolve into a focus on both person- and family-centered care. The report recommends that the next presidential administration take immediate steps to address the health, economic, and social issues facing family caregivers of older Americans. The secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with other federal agencies, and private-sector organizations should develop and execute a National Family Caregiver Strategy that recognizes the essential role of family caregivers to the well-being of older adults.

This national strategy should include measures to adapt the nation's systems for health care, workplaces, and long-term services and supports to engage family caregivers and support their health, values, and social and economic well-being, as well as address the needs of the increasingly culturally and ethnically diverse caregiver population. Specifically, the strategy should develop, test, and implement effective mechanisms within Medicare, Medicaid, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that family caregivers of older adults are routinely identified, assessed, and supported. It should also direct the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop, test, and implement provider payment reforms that motivate providers to engage family caregivers in delivery processes, across all modes of payment and models of care. In addition, the strategy should explore, evaluate, and adopt federal policies that provide economic support for working caregivers.

The committee also recognized that most state governments have yet to address the health, economic, and social challenges of caregiving for older adults, and it recommended that state governments should learn from the experience of states with caregiver supports and implement similar programs. The public's investment in family caregiving for older adults should be carefully considered, and public dollars should be shepherded responsibly, the committee noted. As federal and state agencies move to develop new programs and supports to address the needs of family caregivers, it will be important to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable caregivers and tailor eligibility appropriately.
The discovery of a rare gold coin bearing the image of the Roman Emperor Nero at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's archaeological excavations on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, has just been announced by the archaeologists in charge of the project, Drs. Shimon Gibson, James Tabor, and Rafael Lewis.

"The coin is exceptional," said Gibson, "because this is the first time that a coin of this kind has turned up in Jerusalem in a scientific dig. Coins of this type are usually only found in private collections, where we don't have clear evidence as to place of origin."

The gold coin (aureus) bears the bare-headed portrait of the young Nero as Caesar. The lettering around the edge of the coin reads: NERO CAESAR AVG IMP. On the reverse of the coin is a depiction of an oak wreath containing the letters "EX S C," with the surrounding inscription "PONTIF MAX TR P III." Importantly, these inscriptions help to work out the date when the coin was struck as 56/57 AD. Identification of the coin was made by the historian and numismatist, Dr. David Jacobson from London.

The coin dates to a little more than a decade before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, and was found in rubble material outside the ruins of the 1st Century Jewish villas the team has been excavating. The team has hypothesized that the large houses may have belonged to wealthy members of the priestly caste, and it may have come from one of their stores of wealth.

"The coin probably came from one of the rich 2000-year old Jewish dwellings which the UNC Charlotte team have been uncovering at the site," said Gibson. "These belonged to the priestly and aristocratic quarter located in the Upper City of Jerusalem. Finds include the well-preserved rooms of a very large mansion, a Jewish ritual pool (mikveh) and a bathroom, both with their ceilings intact."

This mansion and other like it, were utterly destroyed by Titus and the Roman legions, when Jerusalem was razed to the ground. It is likely, owing to the intrinsic value of the gold coin, it was hidden away ahead of the destruction of the city, and was missed by the marauding and looting Roman soldiers.

"It's a valuable piece of personal property and wouldn't have been cast away like rubbish or casually dropped. It's conceivable that it ended up outside these structures in the chaos that happened as this area was destroyed."

The image of Nero is significant in that it shows the presence of the Roman occupation and provides a clear late date for the occupation of the residences. There is no historical evidence that Nero ever visited Jerusalem. Tabor pointed out that the coin is dated "to the same year of St. Paul's last visit to Jerusalem, which resulted in his arrest (on the charge of taking Gentiles into the Temple) and incarceration in Caesarea." Last of the Julio-Claudian line, Nero was Roman emperor for fourteen years (54-68 AD). He had the reputation for being a tyrant, and some believed he was responsible for the devastating fire of 64 AD, which resulted in the burning of much of Rome.

The archaeological project has brought to light many other significant finds during the 2016 summer season, and work at the site will be resumed next year.
Regularly snapping selfies with your smartphone and sharing photos with your friends can help make you a happier person, according to computer scientists at the University of California, Irvine. In a first-of-its-kind study published just before back-to-school season, the authors found that students can combat the blues with some simple, deliberate actions on their mobile devices.

By conducting exercises via smartphone photo technology and gauging users' psychological and emotional states, the researchers found that the daily taking and sharing of certain types of images can positively affect people. The results of the study out of UCI's Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences were published recently in the Psychology of Well-Being.

"Our research showed that practicing exercises that can promote happiness via smartphone picture taking and sharing can lead to increased positive feelings for those who engage in it," said lead author Yu Chen, a postdoctoral scholar in UCI's Department of Informatics. "This is particularly useful information for returning college students to be aware of, since they face many sources of pressure."

These stressors -- financial difficulties, being away from home for the first time, feelings of loneliness and isolation, and the rigors of coursework -- can negatively impact students' academic performance and lead to depression.

"The good news is that despite their susceptibility to strain, most college students constantly carry around a mobile device, which can be used for stress relief," Chen said. "Added to that are many applications and social media tools that make it easy to produce and send images."

The goal of the study, she said, was to help researchers understand the effects of photo taking on well-being in three areas: self-perception, in which people manipulated positive facial expressions; self-efficacy, in which they did things to make themselves happy; and pro-social, in which people did things to make others happy.

Chen and her colleagues designed and conducted a four-week study involving 41 college students. The subjects -- 28 female and 13 male -- were instructed to continue their normal day-to-day activities (going to class, doing schoolwork, meeting with friends, etc.) while taking part in the research.

But first each was invited to the informatics lab for an informal interview and to fill out a general questionnaire and consent form. The scientists helped students load a survey app onto their phones to document their moods during the first "control" week of the study. Participants used a different app to take photos and record their emotional states over the following three-week "intervention" phase.

Subjects reported their moods three times a day using the smartphone apps. In evening surveys, they were asked to provide details of any significant events that may have affected their emotions during the course of the day.

The project involved three types of photos to help the researchers determine how smiling, reflecting and giving to others might impact users' moods. The first was a selfie, to be taken daily while smiling. The second was an image of something that made the photo taker happy. The third was a picture of something the photographer believed would bring happiness to another person (which was then sent to that person). Participants were randomly assigned to take photos of one type.

Researchers collected nearly 2,900 mood measurements during the study and found that subjects in all three groups experienced increased positive moods. Some participants in the selfie group reported becoming more confident and comfortable with their smiling photos over time. The students taking photos of objects that made them happy became more reflective and appreciative. And those who took photos to make others happy became calmer and said that the connection to their friends and family helped relieve stress.

"You see a lot of reports in the media about the negative impacts of technology use, and we look very carefully at these issues here at UCI," said senior author Gloria Mark, a professor of informatics. "But there have been expanded efforts over the past decade to study what's become known as 'positive computing,' and I think this study shows that sometimes our gadgets can offer benefits to users."
A team of scientists led by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers has found a faster and more precise way to detect salmonella in beef and chicken, a finding that could help prevent major illnesses.

Salmonella is the lauding cause of bacteria-associated foodborne illnesses in the United States, according to the study. Thus, early detection of the pathogen, by a rapid and sensitive test is important to prevent the illness.

In a newly published study, researchers artificially contaminated food with salmonella. They then tested the food samples using Salmonella-specific antibodies combined with a unique signal amplification technique. Their test found salmonella present after 15 hours and removed other microorganisms that sometimes clutter laboratory results. This is shorter than the two to three days it takes to detect salmonella in a culture, the study shows.

"The test has great potential as a simple monitoring system for foodborne pathogens in food samples, which can improve food safety and public health," said Soohyoun Ahn, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of food science and human nutrition and lead author of the study. "Even with all the strategies used to minimize contamination of beef and poultry, they are still one of the major food vehicles for salmonella."

The test would be suitable for any government research laboratory or industry that routinely tests for Salmonella, Ahn said.

Contamination of foodborne pathogens causes an estimated 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths annually in the United States, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control report in 2011.

Ahn sees the salmonella test showing similar potential for faster detection of other pathogens you can get from eating certain contaminated foods. A similar test has been developed for E. coli in milk and ground beef, and it performed well, she said.

The study is published in the Journal of Food Safety.
Physicians at Rush University Medical Center became the first in Illinois to inject AST-OPC1 (oligodendrocyte progenitor cells), an experimental treatment, into the damaged cervical spine of a recently paralyzed man as part of a multicenter clinical trial.

Dr. Richard G. Fessler, professor of neurological surgery at Rush University Medical Center, is principal investigator for the Phase 1/2a, multicenter clinical trial involving AST-OPC1 at Rush, one of six centers in the country currently studying this new approach.

Fessler injected an experimental dose of 10 million AST-OPC1 cells directly into the paralyzed man's cervical spinal cord in mid-August. These injected cells were derived from human embryonic stem cells. They work by supporting the proper functioning of nerve cells, potentially helping to restore the conductivity of signals from the brain to the upper extremities (hands, arms, fingers) in a recently damaged spinal cord.

Interim research results from the trial were announced earlier today at the 55th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), which is being held in Vienna, Austria, on September 14-16, 2016.

"Until now, there have been no new treatment options for the 17,000 new spinal cord injuries that happen each year," says Fessler. "We may be on the verge of making a major breakthrough after decades of attempts."

The next phase of the clinical research trial will involve a dose of 20 million oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which is the highest dose being studied in this study involving patients who have recently suffered a complete cervical spinal cord injury.

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"These injuries can be devastating, causing both emotional and physical distress, but there is now hope. In the 20 years of my research, we have now reached a new era where we hope to demonstrate through research that a dose of very specially made human cells delivered directly to the injured site can have an impact on motor or sensory function," says Fessler. "Generating even modest improvements in motor or sensory function can possibly result in significant improvements in quality of life."

Early research results from the trial were announced at the 55th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), which is being held in Vienna, Austria, on September 14-16, 2016.

"Our preliminary results show that we may in fact be getting some regeneration. Some of those who have lost use of their hands are starting to get function back. That's the first time in history that's ever been done," says Fessler. "Just as a journey of a thousand miles is done one step at a time, repairing spinal cord injuries is being done one step at a time. And, now, we can say that we've taken that first step."

The clinical trial is designed to assess safety and effectiveness of escalating doses of the special cells (AST-OPC1) in individuals with a complete cervical spinal cord injury. Thus far, three individuals have been enrolled in the study at Rush. The trial has involved the testing of three escalating doses of AST-OPC1 in patients with subacute, C5-C7, neurologically-complete cervical spinal cord injury. These individuals have essentially lost all sensation and movement below their injury site with severe paralysis of the upper and lower limbs. AST-OPC1 is administered 14 to 30 days post-injury. Patients will be followed by neurological exams and imaging methods to assess the safety and activity of the product.

"In the future, this treatment may potentially be used for peripheral nerve injury or other conditions which affect the spinal cord, such as MS," says Fessler.

For this therapy to work, the cord has to be in continuity and not severed, according to Fessler. The study seeks male and female patients ages 18 to 65 who recently experienced a complete cervical spinal cord injury at the neck that resulted in tetraplegia, the partial or total paralysis of arms, legs and torso. Patients must be able to start screening within 25 days of their injury, and participate in an elective surgical procedure to inject AST-OPC1 14 to 30 days following injury. Participants also must be able to provide consent and commit to a long-term follow-up study.

The study is funded by Asterias Biotherapeutics, which developed the AST-OPC1 (oligodendrocyte progenitor cells) treatment used in the study, and also in part by a $14.3 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

AST-OPC1 cells are made from embryonic stem cells by carefully converting them into oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), which are cells found in the brain and spinal cord that support the healthy functioning of nerve cells. In previous laboratory studies, AST-OPC1 was shown to produce neurotrophic factors, stimulate vascularization and induce remyelination of denuded axons. All are critical factors in the survival, regrowth and conduction of nerve impulses through axons at the injury site, according to Edward D. Wirth III, MD, PhD, chief medical director of Asterias and lead investigator of the study, dubbed "SCiStar."
In today's oceans, larger-bodied marine animals are more likely to become extinct than smaller creatures, according to a Stanford-led report. It's a pattern that is unprecedented in the history of life on Earth, and one that is likely driven by human fishing.

Stanford Earth professor Jon Payne puts modern extinction in context by comparing them with Earth's five previous mass extinctions.

"We've found that extinction threat in the modern oceans is very strongly associated with larger body size," said Jonathan Payne, a paleobiologist at Stanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences. "This is most likely due to people targeting larger species for consumption first."

In a new study, to be published in the Sept. 16 issue of the journal Science, Payne and his colleagues examined the association between extinction threat level and ecological traits such as body size for two major groups of marine animals -- mollusks and vertebrates -- over the past 500 years and compared it with the ancient past, stretching as far back as 445 million years ago and with a particular emphasis on the most recent 66 million years.

"We used the fossil record to show, in a concrete, convincing way, that what is happening in the modern oceans is really different from what has happened in the past," said study co-author Noel Heim, a postdoctoral researcher in Payne's lab.

Specifically, the authors found that the modern era is unique in the extent to which creatures with larger body sizes are being preferentially targeted for extinction. "What our analysis shows is that for every factor of 10 increase in body mass, the odds of being threatened by extinction go up by a factor of 13 or so," Payne said. "The bigger you are, the more likely you are to be facing extinction."

The selective extinction of large-bodied animals could have serious consequences for the health of marine ecosystems, the scientists say, because they tend to be at the tops of food webs and their movements through the water column and the seafloor help cycle nutrients through the oceans.

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Judy Skog, program director in the National Science Foundation's Division of Earth Sciences, which funded the research, said the findings should be incorporated into decisions about how we manage ocean resources like fisheries. "These results show that larger marine animals are poised to disappear from the seas faster than smaller ones," Skog said. "Studies of the fossil record indicate that this trend didn't exist in the past -- it's a new development in today's world."

While Payne and his colleagues did not directly examine why large modern marine animals are at higher risk of extinction, their findings are consistent with a growing body of scientific literature that point to humans as the main culprits. "It is consistent with the tendency for fisheries to first exploit larger species and subsequently move down the food web and target smaller species," said study co-author Matthew Knope, a former postdoc in Payne's lab who is now an assistant professor of biology at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo.

Science & Technology

It's a pattern that scientists have seen before. On land, for example, there is evidence that ancient humans were responsible for the massacre of mammoths and other megafauna across the globe. "We see this over and over again," Heim said. "Humans enter into a new ecosystem, and the largest animals are killed off first. Marine systems have been spared up to now, because until relatively recently, humans were restricted to coastal areas and didn't have the technology to fish in the deep ocean on an industrial scale."

If there is one silver lining in the troubling new findings, it's that there is still time for humans to change their behavior, Payne said. "We can't do much to quickly reverse the trends of ocean warming or ocean acidification, which are both real threats that must be addressed. But we can change treaties related to how we hunt and fish. Fish populations also have the potential to recover much more quickly than climate or ocean chemistry," Payne said. "We can turn this situation around relatively quickly with appropriate management decisions at the national and international level."

Other co-authors on the study, titled "Ecological selectivity of the emerging mass extinction in the oceans," include Andrew Bush of the University of Connecticut and Doug McCauley of the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Scientists using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have made the first detections of X-rays from Pluto. These observations offer new insight into the space environment surrounding the largest and best-known object in the solar system's outermost regions.

While NASA's New Horizons spacecraft was speeding toward and beyond Pluto, Chandra was aimed several times on the dwarf planet and its moons, gathering data on Pluto that the missions could compare after the flyby. Each time Chandra pointed at Pluto -- four times in all, from February 2014 through August 2015 -- it detected low-energy X-rays from the small planet.

Pluto is the largest object in the Kuiper Belt, a ring or belt containing a vast population of small bodies orbiting the Sun beyond Neptune. The Kuiper belt extends from the orbit of Neptune, at 30 times the distance of Earth from the Sun, to about 50 times the Earth-Sun distance. Pluto's orbit ranges over the same span as the overall Kupier Belt.

"We've just detected, for the first time, X-rays coming from an object in our Kuiper Belt, and learned that Pluto is interacting with the solar wind in an unexpected and energetic fashion," said Carey Lisse, an astrophysicist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, who led the Chandra observation team with APL colleague and New Horizons Co-Investigator Ralph McNutt. "We can expect other large Kuiper Belt objects to be doing the same."

The team recently published its findings online in the journal Icarus. The report details what Lisse says was a somewhat surprising detection given that Pluto -- being cold, rocky and without a magnetic field -- has no natural mechanism for emitting X-rays. But Lisse, having also led the team that made the first X-ray detections from a comet two decades ago, knew the interaction between the gases surrounding such planetary bodies and the solar wind -- the constant streams of charged particles from the sun that speed throughout the solar system - can create X-rays.

New Horizons scientists were particularly interested in learning more about the interaction between the gases in Pluto's atmosphere and the solar wind. The spacecraft itself carries an instrument designed to measure that activity up-close -- the aptly named Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) -- and scientists are using that data to craft a picture of Pluto that contains a very mild, close-in bowshock, where the solar wind first "meets" Pluto (similar to a shock wave that forms ahead of a supersonic aircraft) and a small wake or tail behind the planet.

The immediate mystery is that Chandra's readings on the brightness of the X-rays are much higher than expected from the solar wind interacting with Pluto's atmosphere.

"Before our observations, scientists thought it was highly unlikely that we'd detect X-rays from Pluto, causing a strong debate as to whether Chandra should observe it at all," said co-author Scott Wolk, of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass. "Prior to Pluto, the most distant solar system body with detected X-ray emission was Saturn's rings and disk."

The Chandra detection is especially surprising since New Horizons discovered Pluto's atmosphere was much more stable than the rapidly escaping, "comet-like" atmosphere that many scientists expected before the spacecraft flew past in July 2015. In fact, New Horizons found that Pluto's interaction with the solar wind is much more like the interaction of the solar wind with Mars, than with a comet. However, although Pluto is releasing enough gas from its atmosphere to make the observed X-rays, in simple models for the intensity of the solar wind at the distance of Pluto, there isn't enough solar wind flowing directly at Pluto to make them.

Lisse and his colleagues -- who also include SWAP co-investigators David McComas from Princeton University and Heather Elliott from Southwest Research Institute -- suggest several possibilities for the enhanced X-ray emission from Pluto. These include a much wider and longer tail of gases trailing Pluto than New Horizons detected using its SWAP instrument. Other possibilities are that interplanetary magnetic fields are focusing more particles than expected from the solar wind into the region around Pluto, or the low density of the solar wind in the outer solar system at the distance of Pluto could allow for the formation of a doughnut, or torus, of neutral gas centered around Pluto's orbit.

That the Chandra measurements don't quite match up with New Horizons up-close observations is the benefit -- and beauty -- of an opportunity like the New Horizons flyby. "When you have a chance at a once in a lifetime flyby like New Horizons at Pluto, you want to point every piece of glass -- every telescope on and around Earth -- at the target," McNutt says. "The measurements come together and give you a much more complete picture you couldn't get at any other time, from anywhere else."

New Horizons has an opportunity to test these findings and shed even more light on this distant region -- billions of miles from Earth -- as part of its recently approved extended mission to survey the Kuiper Belt and encounter another smaller Kuiper Belt object, 2014 MU69, on Jan. 1, 2019. It is unlikely to be feasible to detect X-rays from MU69, but Chandra might detect X-rays from other larger and closer objects that New Horizons will observe as it flies through the Kuiper Belt towards MU69.
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On Aug. 22, the California Court of Appeal held that an arbitration agreement in an employee handbook did not create an enforceable agreement to arbitrate (Esparza v. Sand & Sea, Inc., B268420).

The employee handbook at issue stated, "[T]his handbook is not intended to be a contract  nor is it intended to otherwise create any legally enforceable obligations on the part of the company or its employees."

Although the employee signed the handbook acknowledgement form, which mentioned the arbitration agreement contained in the handbook, the form did not state that the employee agreed to the arbitration. As such, the appellate court held that the trial court properly denied the employer's petition to compel arbitration.

This case emphasizes the importance of employers having standalone arbitration agreements for employees or removing landmines that may be lurking in their handbooks.

Employee Handbook

On her first day of work, the employee received an employee handbook. The first page of the handbook contained a welcome letter, which stated in part:

This handbook replaces and supersedes all prior verbal descriptions, written policies and other written materials and memorandum [sic] that may have been distributed, unless otherwise notes [sic]. Employees should understand, however, that this handbook is not intended to be a contract (express or implied), nor is it intended to otherwise create any legally enforceable obligations on the part of the company or its employees  Welcome aboard!

The rest of the handbook discussed various policies, including an "Agreement to Arbitrate," which provided that all disputes arising out of the employment context must be submitted to binding arbitration.

The last two pages of the 52-page handbook contained two identical policy acknowledgement forms: one acknowledgment form was labeled the employer copy, the other acknowledgement form was labeled the employee copy. The acknowledgements stated:

This handbook is designed to provide information to employees of [the Company] regarding various policies, practices and procedures that apply to them including our Arbitration Agreement  Neither this manual nor its contents constitute, in whole or in part, either an express or implied contract of employment with [the Company] or any employee.

The acknowledgements also stated:

I acknowledge that I have received [the Company's] Employee Handbook. I also acknowledge that I am expected to have read the Employee Handbook in its entirety no longer after [sic] one week after receiving it, and that I have been given ample opportunity to ask any questions I have pertaining to the contents of the employee handbook.

The employee signed the policy acknowledgement forms. After her employment ended, she filed a complaint against her employer alleging causes of action for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, wrongful termination and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The employer filed a petition to compel arbitration. The plaintiff opposed the motion on the basis, among other arguments, that she did not assent or agree to arbitration, but merely acknowledged that she would read the handbook.

Analysis

In concluding that the arbitration provision was unenforceable, the appellate court relied on Mitri v. Arnel Management Co., 157 Cal. App. 4th 1164 (2007). In Mitri, the employer sought to compel arbitration based on a handbook that contained a section titled, "Arbitration Agreement." The "Arbitration Agreement" section provided that all employees would be given a copy of an arbitration agreement that they were required to sign. In that case, the employer failed to provide any evidence of the signed arbitration agreement.

The court in Esparza found that Mitri was on point in two respects. First, the language in the company's handbooklike the handbook in Mitriindicated there was no intent to establish an arbitration agreement. In Mitri, the handbook referenced a separate agreement and stated that employees would be provided a copy of their signed arbitration agreement. As such, the court in Mitri concluded that the handbook provision did not constitute an agreement to arbitrate.

Here, the welcome letter explicitly stated that the handbook "is not intended to be a contract (express or implied), nor is it intended to otherwise create any legally enforceable obligations on the part of the Company or its employees." Applying contract law, the appellate court concluded that this language was clear and explicit: the welcome letter was not intended to create any legally enforceable obligations, including an obligation to arbitrate.

Second, the Mitri handbook acknowledgement failed to reference an agreement by the employee to abide by the arbitration agreement provision in the handbook. The court in Esparza found that the acknowledgement for the company's handbooklike the acknowledgement in Mitrialso undermined any argument that the handbook created a mutual agreement to arbitrate.

The handbook acknowledgement stated that the handbook was merely intended to provide information to employees about policies, including the arbitration agreement. Furthermore, the handbook acknowledgement stated that employees were expected to read the handbook within one week, thereby implicitly acknowledging that employees did not know the contents of the handbook at the time they signed the acknowledgement.

Additionally, the handbook acknowledgement stated that the handbook was company property which had to be returned upon termination of employment, thereby giving the plaintiff no notice that she was bound by the arbitration agreement after her employment ended.

The court differentiated Esparza from other cases in which arbitration agreements in employee handbooks were enforceable (See 24 Hour Fitness, Inc. v. Superior Court, 66 Cal. App. 4th 1199 (1998); Serpa v. California Surety Investigations, Inc., 215 Cal. App. 4th 695 (2013)).

The court reasoned that these cases never considered whether the parties had assented to an arbitration agreement in the first place. Instead, they only addressed the issue of defenses to the enforceability of existing arbitration agreements. As a result, the court found that these cases were not on point.

Recommendation

Employers seeking to create enforceable arbitration agreements with their employees should either have the arbitration agreements in a standalone document or ensure that agreements contained in a handbook are not undermined by "not a contract" language meant to affirm at-will employment which, if overbroadas was the language in Esparzacan be used to thwart the arbitration agreement's enforceability.

Almost all employee handbooks contain an at-will employment policy, but employment at-will does not mean that an arbitration agreement signed by an at-will employee is unenforceable.

It is sufficient to state that employment is at-will, leaving it at that. Stating that the handbook contains no contractual commitments at all may unintentionally lead to the result in Esparza. Employers should have their attorneys review not only their arbitration agreements but also their handbooks to ensure that "not a contract" landmines are edited or removed.

Henry D. Lederman is an attorney with Littler in Walnut Creek, Calif. Thomas J. Whiteside is an attorney with Littler in Irvine, Calif.  Littler. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission.
Tuesday, 13 September 2016 23:29:11 (GMT+3) | Sao Paulo

Peru s only iron ore producer Shougang Hierro Peru said this week its workers started a strike on Monday, which is expected to last for an indefinite amount of time.

Earlier in September, the companys affiliated union said the workers should go on strike as of September 12 if there was no agreement over the workers wages.

As previously anticipated by the union, the workers then initiated the strike, as there was no agreement between the two parties.

Employees reportedly want better wages and other labor benefits. Shougang said it couldnt estimate the impacts of the strike on its business, since it was expecting employees to go to work in the next few days.

Some 953 workers at Shougang are expected to join the strike.


Kiwi are endangered little birds that are native to New Zealand, and act as a fairly adorable unofficial symbol for the country. And, aside from being cute, they have some very unique characteristics which make them exceptionally awesome:

1. Kiwi moms are basically superheroes.

Female kiwis lay one of the largest eggs in relation to their body size of any bird in the world. A kiwi egg takes up about 20% of the female bird's body, and weighs about 16 oz. To give some perspective, a human baby only takes up about 5% of its mother's body. As the result of such a sizable egg, there is a higher percentage of yolk in kiwi eggs, which enables the kiwi babies to hatch fully feathered, healthy, and well on their way to independence.

2. They're ready to go steady.

Kiwi birds are among the few species that tend to live as monogamous couples, and often mate for life. During mating season, the males and females call out to their respective significant others at night, and meet in their nesting burrows every three days. Kiwi relationships have been known to last over 20 years.

Giphy
The last wild red wolves are about to be rounded up by the federal government and put in zoos to breed, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) announced this week. After three decades, the federal agency is stopping its Red Wolf Recovery Program, which sought to save red wolves in North Carolina. The red wolf once lived in states across the South from Texas to Florida, and as far north as Pennsylvania, but because of hunting and habitat loss, the wolf was nearly extinct by the 1970s.

Dodo Shows Soulmates Pig Loves To Launch Himself Onto His Dad's Lap

The now-halted recovery program began in 1980. It seemed successful when it brought the population up to about 150 wild red wolves in 2012, after breeding and releasing red wolves into Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina in 1987. But hunting and habitat loss have once again decimated the wild population. When coyotes - who have evolved to take advantage of the impacts of human beings on the environment - invaded the red wolf recovery area, the red wolf's comeback became even more complicated.

"Coyote hunters have shot red wolves in a tragic case of mistaken identity," according to Defenders of Wildlife. "The agency [FWS] sharply increased its removal of red wolves from the wild by landowner request, and in 2015 allowed a landowner to kill a mother wolf believed to be nursing." "[W]e said plainly that we made some mistakes in the management of the experimental population," Cindy Dohner, Southeast regional director for the FWS, said at a press conference on Monday. But the plan to round up the last of the wild red wolves and put them in captive breeding programs in zoos across the country - apparently without plans for eventually releasing them - is being called by some "a dangerous precedent" and a "devastating blow to the world's most endangered wolf."

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The German chemical company Bayer said it will take over U.S. seed giant Monsanto to become one of the world's biggest agriculture conglomerates.

The $66 billion (U.S.) deal  the largest corporate mega-merger in a year full of them  could reshape the development of seeds and pesticides necessary to fueling the planet's food supply.

Bayer first made a $62 billion offer for Monsanto in May and has increased its bid over months of negotiations. The all-cash deal is valued at about $128 a share, making it the weightiest all-cash buyout in history, beating the $60 billion deal between brewers Anheuser-Busch and InBev in 2008.

Bayer in the U.S. is known largely for its pharmaceuticals, with scientists who developed modern Aspirin and Alka-Seltzer. But the deal would pivot the 117,000-employee company more towards its farm-targeting business in agriculture chemicals, crop supplies and compounds that kill bugs and weeds.

Monsanto is the world's largest supplier of genetically modified seeds, which now dominate American farming but are still a major source of environmental protests in Europe and abroad. The 20,000-employee company also develops Roundup, the weed-killing herbicide.

Bayer's sales totaled 46.3 billion euro last year, or roughly $51 billion (U.S.), about 30 per cent of which came from its crop division. Monsanto's sales totaled $15 billion last year.

The deal is a sign of just how influential the industry of genetically modified seeds has become around the world. Decried as unsafe and chemically tarnished Frankenseeds by some environmental activists, they have also allowed for greater harvest efficiency, stronger pest resistance and more widespread crop availability around the world.

A National Academies of Sciences panel of experts said in May that there was no substantiated evidence that genetically engineered crops had triggered human health concerns or hurt the environment, though they added that more research was needed.

The companies portrayed the deal as a landmark that would help them invest more in seeds, pesticides and technology for the global harvesting of fruits, vegetables, corn, cotton, soybeans and other crops.

The whole agricultural industry around the world is basically going through a transformation. It's the last big industry in the world to be digitized, said Robb Fraley, Monsanto's chief technology officer. This allows to make more investments, have more capabilities and build better products for farmers, that they can use to grow crops with higher yields . . . and farm better, farm smarter.

The deal is likely to warrant intense scrutiny from American and German antitrust regulators, who will assess whether the merger would unfairly lead to higher prices for farmers worldwide. The new company would preside over roughly a quarter of the world's seed and pesticide supplies.

Regulatory crackdowns have busted several high-profile mega-mergers this year, including a $150 billion deal between pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Allergan.

Justice Department investigators have in recent years launched probes into possible anticompetitive practices in America's Monsanto-led seed industry, though a formal investigation was closed in 2012 without pursuing charges.

Bayer and Monsanto said on a Wednesday call that they would be seeking antitrust approval in 30 global jurisdictions. Bayer has committed to paying a $2 billion antitrust breakup fee if the deal falls apart.

Asked if they were worried over the uncertain regulatory challenge from a new U.S. presidential administration, Monsanto chief executive Hugh Grant said on a Wednesday call that the companies were much more focused on the innovation horizon than the political horizon.

Liam Condon, the head of Bayer's crop science division, said the company was pretty confident that the deal would be approved by regulators because both companies have highly complementary product lines and geographic offerings.

We have very, very little overlap, Condon said. The whole strategic rationale of the deal is built around encouraging more innovation.

David Balto, a former Federal Trade Commission policy director who now does legal work on mergers for farmers and consumer groups, said there was a strong chance the deal would be opposed by the Department of Justice.

Regulators, he said, will take a sharp look at the potential for a deal that would lead to few benefits for consumers and limit innovation.

Antitrust cops are learning they're cops, Balto said. The companies have chosen to do a deal in the year of merging dangerously. They are in for a tough time.

The companies said the deal, the largest German takeover of a U.S. firm, would help them save $1.5 billion through cost-cutting, added purchase power and other synergies within three years.

Monsanto's current headquarters, in St. Louis, will become the companies' commercial headquarters for North America, though it's unclear how the mega-deal could affect jobs there. Grant said on a Wednesday call that the merger would help the city become a global centre for the seed business, adding, This is good news for St. Louis.

A cadre of megabanks, including Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, will provide $57 billion in short-term bridge financing to help finalize the deal, the companies said.

The $100 billion global market of seeds and pesticides has grown increasingly competitive, as farmers duel for crop and market share on a planet whose population is expected to grow more than 30 per cent by 2050, to 9.7 billion people.

Tensions have escalated further because global crop prices have fallen for three straight years, squeezing profits and forcing the seed and agriculture industries to cut costs and trim their workforces. Monsanto said last year it would lay off 12 per cent of its employees, or 2,600 jobs.

Rival seed and chemical giants, including Dow Chemical, DuPont and Syngenta, have launched their own megadeals in recent months as part of a growing race to consolidation.

A Chinese state-owned chemical giant said in February that it would pay $43 billion for Syngenta, the seed and pesticide conglomerate. That deal faces a number of antitrust reviews but received clearance from an influential U.S. regulatory agency last month.

Bayer chief executive Werner Baumann said the deal with Monsanto would deliver substantial value to shareholders, our customers, employees and society at large.

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For auto workers in Oshawa, its do-or-die time.

In a city that was once synonymous with General Motors, theres no promise of any future auto assembly work beyond 2019, so there are real fears production could shut down altogether.

Thats why Unifor, formerly the Canadian Auto Workers union, has threatened to strike at midnight next Monday, unless it wins a commitment from the company for more future work in Oshawa.

If we dont nail it now, were not going to nail it done, ever, said Jerry Dias, the unions national president. If they are planning on closing Oshawa, then were going to have a strike.

GM officials have long insisted that it wont talk about new products in Canada until a collective agreement is signed first.

Thats why the union picked General Motors over Ford or Fiat Chrysler as its target to negotiate a contract that will hopefully set a pattern for the other two automakers.

Dias concedes choosing Ford or Fiat Chrysler would have been an easier path, but thats not his style or his unions style.

If there is an 800-pound gorilla in the room, you might as well deal with the friggin gorilla. Thats what General Motors is, said Dias in an interview on Tuesday, noting that a week after naming GM as the target company, there have been no discussions on the unions main demand.

We havent talked about product yet  they know they are going to have come clean realistically, he said.

We are prepared to fight to preserve the industry, Dias said, pointing to the 97 per cent strike vote of its 6,600 members at GM. But I am convinced were going to get a deal  the only question is when. I really hope we get it before the 19th.

The unions four-year contracts with the Big Three automakers expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 19, and that midnight deadline is fixed.

GM declined to comment on the talks, referring to an earlier statement issued when the company was named the target. At GM Canada we remain focused on working with Unifor to reach a mutually beneficial and competitive new agreement, the statement said.

Kristin Dziczek, director of research at the independent Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich., said the unions effort to secure a product commitment should be top of the agenda.

They have chosen the right battle, she said. Product has become the new job security  because if you have a product that sells well, then thats guaranteed work.

But Dziczek said it will be a difficult negotiation for the union, because the automakers have been doing well financially, setting record profits.

GM reported nearly $10 billion (U.S.) in profits last year and $4.8 billion (U.S.) in the first half this year.

They are not going to be taking to the membership an agreement that says, we gave up x, y or z, to get product commitments, she said, although GM will likely be pushing for changes to a hybrid pension for new hires and profit-sharing, both non-starters for the union.

Though Unifor has staked a new vehicle production in Oshawa as its line in the sand, Dziczek doesnt see anything that could go immediately to Oshawa, which has two production lines, given most vehicles are already assigned.

There are no products hanging out there looking for a home, she said.

In recent years, GM has closed the truck assembly plant in Oshawa and moved Camaro production to Michigan, so whats left is limited production of the Chevy Equinox and less popular vehicles like the Buick Regal, Cadillac XTS and the Chevy Impala.

Even though some analysts have speculated about GM pulling out of Canada altogether, Dziczek doesnt see that, especially since its CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, whose workers are covered by a separate collective agreement, is in high-gear, running three shifts.

I dont think they would pull out completely. There is nothing indicating that this is a pullout round of talks, she said.

John Holmes, an emeritus professor of geography at Queens University, said the unions strategy to make GM its target is to win government support.

I do think this is a very important round of negotiations for Canada  there is a lot at stake  including GMs future in Canada, he said.

But I wonder the degree to which the union is making commitments of new products such a central issue . . . whether this is part of the unions strategy trying to get jobs on the political agenda for the provincial government and the federal government, said Holmes, who studies the North American auto industry.

Dias acknowledges that the stars appear to be aligning now, given that both Premier Kathleen Wynne and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau understand the importance of auto manufacturing to the Canadian economy.

They get it. They are not foolish, he said, adding that the Stephen Harper government was resistant to investment. This whole thing about taxpayers money going for profitable companies . . . I understand the argument.

But these companies have options. So we can be puritans, and be holier than thou and not have any jobs. Then we would be fools. There would be no tax base, Dias said, noting other jurisdictions including Mexico are wooing car companies.

If GMs auto workers walk off the job next week, the union could immediately impact production at the CAMI plant, due to engines and transmissions built in St. Catharines, he said.

Those parts also go to nine U.S. assembly plants including ones that build the large SUVs that are selling well.

Dias travelled to Michigan last weekend to meet with Dennis Williams, president of the United Auto Workers, who has promised support, though he hasnt specified what it might be.

Dias said before the UAW headed into its last round of negotiations, he spoke at the unions convention, pledging Unifors support.

I pledged to the convention if there was a dispute in the United States, we wouldnt do one thing in Canada to undermine what they were doing, Dias said. We wouldnt beef up production with the engine plant, we wouldnt do anything.

And if push comes to shove, Dias said: Dennis will do the exact same thing, adding hes an incredible trade unionist and personal friend.

But Unifor is still hoping it wont come to that.

I understand that we have power  but the last thing in the world I want to do is use it. Any fool can fight, Dias said. It doesnt take a genius to have a fight . . . it takes real brains to find a solution.

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You have a consumer problem that should be easy to fix, but you cant sort things out. Many companies have communication rules that seem designed to frustrate you.

Thats where I come in. As a Toronto Star fixer since 1999, I can use my high-level contacts to help stranded customers get a hearing.

Here are two stories of people batting their heads against a wall of corporate indifference until they tried the media route.

Porter charged double for a flight

May Wong was at Bostons Logan Airport when she learned by email that Porter Airlines had cancelled her flight back to Toronto. She and her two companions had been placed on a next-day flight at 11 a.m.

She tried to reschedule to an afternoon flight at no cost, as promised, but the website link in the email didnt work. The toll-free phone lines were jammed, too.

After three hours, she cancelled the existing reservation and booked three new tickets on a Porter flight to Toronto at a cost of $808.14.

Porter, please respond by phone, web or email to confirm that you wouldnt dare to charge me twice for one flight after delaying us by an entire day, Wong (a VIP Porter customer) told the airline on July 25.

On Aug. 5, she received a $400 refund for the 11 a.m. flight and $150 in travel vouchers, to use by Feb. 4, 2017.

She asked for a review, since she was still out of pocket after paying for the more expensive replacement flight.

Porter initially denied compensation, saying her group had flown with another airline. Not true, she said, sending her Porter flight number.

A customer care co-ordinator sent another denial, saying it was not possible to give a partial refund for a ticket that had been used.

No other passengers had problems changing flights online, Porter said. And while the call centre was busier than usual, she should have held for an average wait time of 1.5 hours for an agent to be available.

Ive been a happy Porter user until now, but theyre trying to overcharge me and I cant let it go, she said, asking for a nudge.

Porter spokesman Brad Cicero shared good news within hours. An additional refund was coming. This makes for a full refund of $808.14 on the second set of tickets purchased, he said. The $150 in travel vouchers remain available to use in addition to the refund.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I am sorry that it was necessary, as this resolution should have been offered earlier in the process, given the unusual circumstances.

Ticketmaster cancelled his ticket

Bob Kapur bought a ticket for a Toronto concert by Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) on Sept. 12. He received a confirmation and thought things were fine until a week after his purchase in mid-August.

Ticketmaster said my order had been cancelled because the number of tickets ordered for this event exceeded the ticket limit posted online at purchase. But I bought only one ticket, he told me.

His call to the giant ticket seller led to an explanation that he frequently bought tickets (as tracked by his computers IP or Internet Protocol address).

That was true.

I attend about 100 shows a year. Im an avid concertgoer. Their assumption was that Im a scalper. Im not, he said. I was told to simply buy another ticket.

The problem is that the price I bought at was completely sold out and the only tickets available are $100 more than what I paid. To me, thats patently unfair.

He asked Ticketmaster to replace his ticket or cover the gap if he had to buy one at a higher price. Despite four escalations to customer service, he was still shut out.

I contacted Ticketmasters chief operating officer, Patti-Anne Tarlton, before 8 a.m. on a weekday. She responded 10 minutes later.

Thanks you as always for sharing, Ellen, she said. Will connect directly with Bob and close the loop to his satisfaction.

A few hours later, his original order was reactivated. He asked me to tell Tarlton  who is the niece of legendary Montreal concert promoter Donald K. Tarlton  that he was completely satisfied with the outcome.

In the case of Bob Kapur, I am afraid our systems high speed protections flagged the order erroneously, Tarlton said. Fortunately Mr. Kapur (with your assistance thank-you) brought it to our attention early enough for us to be able to intervene manually and release this same seat to him.

Ellens advice

Reaching the higher levels of a company often requires an assist from someone else. Ask any tough cookies you know for advice on how to complain effectively.

Ive seen many corporate honchos apologize after seeing customers rebuffed by front-line staff. They jump at the chance to win back clients who would have left and told their friends not to go near the company.

eroseman@thestar.ca

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When Irish playwright Sean OCaseys The Plough and the Stars debuted at Irelands national Abbey Theatre in 1926, audiences rioted.

It had only been a decade since Irelands Easter Rising rebellion that saw Irish Republicans fight to end British rule with almost 500 people killed, and the wounds were far from being healed. The play was scathing in its criticism of the Irish Citizen Army, which took part in the Rising.

It was really a terrible little revolution and it sparked this huge revolt in the Abbey. People were in an uproar. They tried to storm the stage and have the play taken off; it wasnt showing the revolutionaries in a very good light, says star James Hayes from London. It is quite a cynical, bold play.

On the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, the Abbey Theatre is returning to Toronto for the first time in 26 years in a restaging of the landmark play. It runs at the Bluma Appel Theatre from Sept. 14 to 18.

The Plough and the Stars follows the residents of a Dublin tenement during the riots. The play would become an Irish classic and was eventually made into a Hollywood film by John Ford, starring Barbara Stanwyck.

What was extraordinary for me is that a hundred years after the Rising Im standing on top of the Abbey Theatre rehearsing the play and you can see the flag of the General Post Office that was the headquarters of all the leaders who were eventually captured and shot. There is so much history there, says Hayes.

At the age of 75, Hayes is the grand old man of British theatre, having performed from the British National Theatres very first season in 1963. He has worked with the greats, including Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Anthony Hopkins and Michael Gambon.

His memoir, Shouting in the Evenings, is to be released later this month.

Born in Limerick, Hayes returns to his Irish roots with The Plough and the Stars in the part of Uncle Peter, a colourful member of the Irish National Foresters.

Uncle Peter has a very big chip on his shoulder about everything and he lives in the past. He goes on and on about patriotism but is the first to run from the sight of a gun, says Hayes. He is one of those characters who go about blowing trumpets about how marvellous this revolution is but are mostly stuck in pubs drinking about it.

As Uncle Peter, an almost cartoonish depiction of Irish Republican bluster, Hayes has the most difficult job in not allowing his character to fall into caricature and empty symbolism.

The women in the play are the more rounded characters. Uncle Peter is often the butt of jokes, says Hayes. Its hard to round him off to make him a more rounded human being, but there is a journey. Although the point may be that some of the men in this play have no journey at all.

This is also a strikingly contemporary adaptation of the play by director Sean Holmes and the centrepiece of his Waking the Nation season. The Toronto stop is the first in a North American leg that will see the play tour across the U.S.

With so many in Canada with Irish heritage, I would say Ireland and Canada are inextricably linked, says Abbey Theatre director Fiach Mac Conghail in a statement. Like all great plays, The Plough and the Stars is urgently concerned with its own time and yet it remains fiercely contemporary.

Its a pretty radical production, says Hayes. You might see someone in a 1916 soldiers uniform, then you see someone in a McDonalds outfit. It shifts back and forth.

Holmes wants the audience to understand that the lessons of 1916 are still with us today.

There is a line in the play by one of the British officers, irate that the Irish are engaging in guerrilla warfare, a foreshadowing of things to come in later decades.

Hes saying, Why dont they fight us properly face to face if thats what they want? says Hayes. This is really about very poor people who just want to have a better life and the circumstances that can lead to violence, and we see that today.

Whether audiences see echoes of Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq in the play remains to be seen.

This isnt about being a lovely period production. Its a work that still speaks to us today, says Hayes.

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CALGARYThe Alberta Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on appeals in the convictions of a Calgary couple found to have killed the mans 6-year-old daughter, Meika Jordan.

The Crown wants the appeal court to find Spencer Jordan and Marie Magoon guilty of first-degree murder instead of the original trial judges finding of second-degree murder.

Jordan and Magoon want to be acquitted or face new trials.

Last September, the pair were sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 17 years in the death of Meika, who was killed in 2011.

Appeal prosecutor Jolaine Antonio told the panel of three justices on Tuesday that the original trial judge erred by not finding the element of unlawful confinement in the conviction.

Antonio said the confinement began when Magoon burned Meikas hand with a lighter and pointed to that as the start of days of torture.

Antonio said Meika was kept contrary to a custody order while Jordan and Magoon covered for each other.

The two adults had each others backs, just not Meikas, Antonio said.

Court heard Meika was forced to run stairs, was repeatedly hit and dragged up and down the stairs by her ankles.

Magoons lawyer argued that the little girl was assaulted but not unlawfully confined.

Meikas mother and stepfather, Brian and Kyla Woodhouse, left court before the hearing was finished, overwhelmed with emotion at hearing the details of the little girls death replayed.

Its stressful. Its nerve-racking, Brian Woodhouse told Global News. The last time we were down here we thought it was the last time we would have to be down here and yet again here we are.

Absolute best-case scenario, all of their appeals get denied; they get told they are exactly where they are supposed to be and thats where they are going to stay. Theres still an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada thats possible.

(Global Calgary)

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Early last week, on a stormy evening in downtown Toronto, 34-year-old New Democrat MP Niki Ashton led a town hall discussion about Precarious Work in the Millennial Generation.

Ashton, who represents the Manitoba riding of Churchill-Keewatinook Aski and is the NDP critic for jobs, employment, and workplace development, spoke to a group of about 40 people  most of them under 40  in a drab room at the United Steelworkers Hall.

At the back of the room on a table near the door, there was complimentary coffee in self-serve, cardboard carriers from a nearby Krispy Kreme. And up front, there was a lot of anxiety.

A nearly broke 30-year-old sommelier and restaurant waiter lamented the lack of advanced scheduling and regulation in his industry; my dream, he said, is to be in the black.

A woman, who said she was there speaking on behalf of her 20-year-old niece, asked Ashton what could be done about employers who take advantage of their young charges.

And a young man who said he worked in the Trump hotel, of all places, told a story of bad bosses and worse luck.

Almost everyone sought lower tuition fees, a $15 or $20 minimum wage and an end to a culture of crappy contracts for young people that offer no security.

Some liked the idea of floating benefits, a dental plan, for example, that follows a person from job to job. Others, in traditional NDP fashion, wanted everything and more: an overhaul of the system as we know it.

Ashton took notes and like a northern Obama, she thanked folks for sharing. But she couldnt and cant  at least not yet  offer anything in the way of a policy antidote to their woes.

This is because the MP is in the middle of a cross-country tour of sorts, hosting town halls on the subject of precarious employment, listening to the grievances of young people from Halifax to the West Coast who feel they will never be able to settle down, have kids or (the biggest long shot, especially in Toronto and Vancouver) buy a house.

Ashton will present the findings of her tour  and she hopes, some policy solutions to the problem of precarious employment  at a forum in Ottawa at the end of October.

The MP sat down with me the morning after she led the town hall in Toronto, and though she couldnt tell me in specific terms how she would make life better for the 18-34 demographic, she did tell me this: In order to achieve any meaningful change, we need to first dismantle the popular stereotypes that millennials are lazy and disinterested.

This requires a shift in mentality, Ashton said, highlighting the fact that after she writes about precarious labour on social media: I still have to go on my own politician Facebook page and erase comments like, Oh get a job. 

The narrative of the ingrate millennial is so entrenched in our culture, she said, it turns up in places where people should really know better.

For example, Ashton told me that in the spring, she was at a committee meeting on employment insurance when a witness went on and on about how millennials just dont want to work.

This person made reference to some guy bringing his mom to a job interview, Ashton said, and even though the meeting was about EI and not this one guy, this is what my colleagues on both aisles chose to hook onto.

There was no evidence, she said, as to who this guy was or whether he was representative of a larger group of lazy people his age, and yet some of the older policy-makers in the room determined that this was a real problem.

Yes, apparently, our elected officials, just like your crotchety uncle, enjoy sharing stories about that one guy who just so happens to confirm everything wrong with kids these days.

The funny thing, however, is that Ashton  a member of Gen Y, albeit an old one (her contemporaries include Nicki Minaj, 33, and Drake, 29)  has been characterized as a stereotypically flaky and hypersensitive millennial herself.

This was evident when she took a day trip to the campaign offices of Bernie Sanders earlier this year, and was more or less characterized in the press as a kid playing hooky to see a rock concert. I guess I hit a slow news day, she recalled. Because everybody and their dog was into it.

And who can forget Elbowgate in May, when Ashton made the ill-advised and, frankly, absurd suggestion that Trudeaus accidental elbowing of a fellow MP on the floor of the House of Commons contributed to an unsafe workplace for women.

In the end then, Ashton isnt just battling negative perceptions about an entire generation, but negative perceptions about herself, too.

She hopes, however, that by making the issue of precarious millennial labour official, via town halls like the one she conducted last week, older leaders and perhaps the public at large will have a change of heart.

I hope so, too.

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OWEN SOUND, ONT.The former head of a cult-like church in Chatsworth, Ont., is headed to jail for 18 months.

Fred King, 57, pleaded guilty earlier this year to nine counts of assault  relating to his time as leader of the Church of Jesus Christ Restored from 1978 to 2008  and he was sentenced Wednesday in court in Owen Sound, Ont.

The abuse included squeezing a childs hand with crushing force for fighting with a sister, and beating a teen in church in front of its members after shed tried to run away.

He also beat a young man stripped of clothes in front of his mother, and then left him standing outside for hours at night as mosquitoes bit him.

Justice Clayton Conlan called the litany of physical abuse that King  who was known as the prophet  admitted to in court in May particularly disturbing as he accepted the sentence recommended jointly by the Crown and defence.

Another 16 charges against King were withdrawn by the Crown.

Kings brother Judson, 61, is scheduled to be in court Nov. 7.

The Oakville, Ont., man is charged with assault with a weapon, sexual assault and assault arising from alleged incidents between 1981 and 2007.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to approve at least one new oil pipeline project in his first term, with Kinder Morgan Inc.s Trans Mountain expansion to the Pacific Coast the most likely candidate, people familiar with his plans said.

The prime minister is seeking to strengthen environmental standards and build confidence in new regulatory rules while also stoking growth in Canadas sluggish economy by backing a pipeline. Trudeau therefore plans to neither approve all the projects under consideration nor reject them all, according to the people who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private.

Trudeau faces a series of high-profile energy decisions over the next three months, including a final cabinet ruling on Kinder Morgans Trans Mountain proposal and a legal appeal related to Enbridge Inc.s Northern Gateway pipeline. Trudeau will also decide on Petroliam Nasional Bhd.s Pacific NorthWest natural gas project, while TransCanada Corp.s Energy East pipeline is due for a decision in about two years.

Kinders proposal is seen as likeliest to win approval despite opposition among key figures in vote-rich Vancouver, the people said. The Trans Mountain expansion already has conditional regulatory sign-off from the National Energy Board.

Red tape and environmental opposition bogged down major Canadian energy proposals during the nine-year reign of the previous Conservative administration led by Stephen Harper. Northern Gateway, Trans Mountain and Energy East have all been delayed in Canada, while the Keystone XL pipeline to the Gulf Coast was rejected by the U.S. government.

Trudeaus government believes it must demonstrate to investors the country is capable of reaching consensus to build major energy projects, while not alienating environmentalists who make up a key constituency for the Liberal Party. The government hopes to approve one project before the next election in 2019, the people said.

The prime minister routinely says, when asked about pipeline issues, that his government is balancing environment concerns and the economy. Trudeau didnt specifically address his plans for Kinder Morgan when asked Tuesday afternoon. Theres always going to be speculation by one side or the other about what we might do, he told reporters in Ottawa. The fact is, we need to get our resources to market in safe and reliable ways.

Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr didnt directly answer when asked in a recent interview whether the government had decided it must build at least one pipeline.

We have an obligation to the proponents and to those people who are involved in each of these major projects to assess it on their own merits, and to determine the national interest on the basis of whats been proposed, and what has been recommended by the regulator, he said Aug. 25.

Trudeau has signaled he doesnt support Northern Gateway on its current route through British Columbia, and any major new routing could force the company to restart its approval process, the people said. A spokeswoman for National Energy Board, however, said thats not necessarily the case. If a route-change request is made we will take a look and develop a process for reviewing the application, spokeswoman Sarah Kiley said by e-mail.

Jim Prentice, former Alberta premier and federal environment minister, welcomed the news but warned Kinder Morgans project alone wont be enough.

We need pipelines, we need pipelines to the West Coast, and most advantageous for Canada of course are pipelines into the Asia-Pacific basin and Trans Mountain would certainly be helpful, Prentice, a Calgary-based adviser in the energy group at Warburg Pincus, said Tuesday at the Bloomberg Canadian Fixed Income Conference in New York. But we also need to bear in mind that Trans Mountain wont solve the problem because tankers that can navigate the region are too small to service Asia, he said.

Canada needs an energy port that can ship up to two million barrels per day to Asia, Prentice said, and Canadians should be concerned that investors are cooling to the countrys oil patch. The concern that really should alarm us as Canadians is low-cost capital is exiting the Canadian basin, he said.

Trudeau is also concerned about the electoral impact of Energy East, which is unpopular in Quebec, where the Liberals hold 40 of 78 electoral districts, the people said. TransCanadas plan would see a new pipeline delivering crude from the oil sands in Alberta to the Atlantic Coast via the second-most populous province, a much longer route than the other proposals.

The prime minister has spoken favorably about the Kinder Morgan pipeline in the past and his government is said to consider it a net-positive for its so-called progressive political movement nationally. Though opposed by Vancouvers mayor, it would be popular in Alberta, where Premier Rachel Notleys New Democratic Party government is advancing carbon-emissions limits favored by Trudeau.

Trudeaus cabinet has until December to make a decision on Trans Mountain. Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland are the loudest voices around the table in favor of energy sector development, the people said.

Kinder Morgans C$6.8 billion ($5 billion), 715-mile Trans Mountain expansion would carry Alberta crude to Vancouver, tripling capacity of an existing line to 890,000 barrels per day. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, environmental groups and indigenous leaders have all expressed opposition to the pipeline, though polling shows its generally popular in British Columbia and very popular in Alberta.

There is no consent there and we are at great risk of impacting Canadas most successful urban economy, Robertson told reporters in Ottawa during a June visit to advocate against the pipeline. Fifteen of the 184 Liberal lawmakers elected last year are from the Greater Vancouver area and were very vocal in opposing the Kinder Morgan pipeline, the mayor said. That certainly resonated and helped them get elected.

TransCanadas Energy East proposal has been beset by delays. The members of its regulatory panel resigned last week in the wake of conflict-of-interest allegations stemming from a meeting board members had with former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, who was working for the company at the time. The project also made headlines in last years election when it was revealed Trudeaus campaign co-chair, Dan Gagnier, was advising TransCanada on how to lobby whichever party won the vote.

Enbridges Northern Gateway runs through the Great Bear Rainforest, which the prime minister says regularly is no place for a pipeline. However, Trudeau has also made improving indigenous relations a top priority and Enbridge has expanded the potential stake for indigenous groups in the pipeline. In June, a court rescinded permits for the pipeline that had been approved under Harper. Trudeau has until Sept. 22 to appeal the decision.

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Calling Torontos Port Lands one of the biggest economic opportunities on the continent, Mayor John Tory pointedly urged his provincial and federal counterparts to keep their wallets open for the waterfront project.

Tory made the remarks Wednesday to Amarjeet Sohi, the federal infrastructure minister, and Bob Chiarelli, Sohis provincial counterpart, as the politicians confirmed $83 million in Port Lands flood protection funding.

Maybe we can take this flow that has begun today and turn it into a torrent so we can really get this going, Tory told the politicians gathered in a gravel parking lot in an industrial site alongside the Keating Channel.

Waterfront Torontos Port Lands plan would naturalize the Don River mouth, clean polluted soil and install basic infrastructure to pave the way for massive private-sector investment in vibrant new neighbourhoods.

Spreading Torontos explosive waterfront growth to the grey, gritty southeast shore is expected to bring offices and tens of thousands of new jobs, along with housing, parks and a station at the former Unilever site that would service both SmartTrack inner-Toronto transit and the provinces promised regional electric rail service.

But the estimated cost to get there is almost $1 billion  a figure expected to rise when more detailed studies are released this fall. The city has its share put aside but Wednesday marked the first time Ottawa and Queens Park committed to Port Lands funding.

The federal government is kicking in $32.5 million, while the province and city are each providing $16.3 million to remake the area around the old Essroc quay. Another $18 million will be spent on other flood-protection measures.

Some have suggested Toronto needs to bid for Expo 2025, or welcome a waterfront casino, to trigger the massive cash infusion needed over years to develop the Port Lands.

Tory rejected that, saying that regardless of what happens with discussions about the viability of an Expo bid, there is enough private sector interest in the east waterfront to get the job done with committed government support.

This is a great day but there has to be a few other days like this in the near future to get on with all of this, he told reporters.

When a reporter told Chiarelli there has been talk at city hall that the cash-strapped province isnt at the Port Lands table, he said: We put our portion in today and well be at the table from here on in.

Sohi announced a total of $1.1 billion in stimulus funding related to water and waste-water projects across the province, with the federal government paying half and the province and municipalities sharing the remaining cost.

As it announces money for shovel-ready projects, the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is finalizing details of the next step of its election pledge to spend $120 billion on infrastructure over 10 years.

Details of the rules for funding for new transformational projects will be announced in the coming months, Sohi said.

Councillor Paula Fletcher welcomed the investment as a promising start. The other governments have dipped their toes in the water, she said, and hopefully their legs will follow.

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Day two of the coroners inquest into the death of 26-year-old Eric Osawe focused on the testimony of three officers present when he was fatally shot by police in 2010.

Eight members of Toronto Polices Emergency Task Force responded to a request by the guns and gangs unit in the early morning of Sept. 29, 2010 to execute a search warrant at Osawes Etobicoke apartment. Osawe was thought to be in possession of a handgun and was a known drug dealer with a history of violence, according to Sgt. Scott Payne, the supervisor of the unit.

The team carried out a dynamic entry in which they forced open the door by swinging a heavy piece of metal before deploying a distraction device that emits a momentary bright light and heavy sound.

Payne said officers had just handcuffed Osawes brother in the living room, when Payne heard a pop from the nearby bedroom, followed by calls for a medic. Osawe was shot once in the back at close range by the weapon carried by Const. David Cavanagh, a fatal shooting that an Ontario court judge later deemed accidental.

Cavanaghs MP5 sub-machine gun fired while he and three other officers attempted to handcuff Osawe. He was struck by one bullet to the spine and died within 15 seconds.

The medic came in and immediately started working on Mr. Osawe, Payne testified. Because of the look on Daves face, I could tell he was distraught. He was looking to me, I guess as an experienced senior officer, (like) What do I do? Nothing was said, but thats what I gathered from it.

Const. Andrew Bozzer had been in the room with Cavanagh, attempting to apprehend Osawe, when the gun fired. Bozzer recalled Tuesday how the two had found Osawe on his bed and that he didnt comply when they demanded he show his hands and get on the floor.

He said Cavanagh moved towards the bed in an attempt to take control. Cavanagh and Osawe engaged in a struggle that wound up on the floor, with Osawe eventually on his stomach.

It was clear that he was actively resisting, even being assaultive, Bozzer testified.

Bozzer said he saw Osawes left hand sliding under a dresser and thought he might be reaching for a gun. Bozzer then kicked Osawes shoulder and pinned his left knee on Osawe to secure him, as he continued to resist calls to put his hands on his back, he testified.

At that moment, with Cavanagh behind him, Bozzer heard the gunshot. The entire struggle happened in a matter of seconds, he said.

Payne said his assumption is that all members of the unit carrying guns had entered the apartment with the safety switch off, a position he feels is safest.

When your adrenalines up, you dont want to be fumbling for the selector switch. If somebody points a firearm at you, you want to be able to act right away, and a tenth of a second might mean the difference between you going home that night, he said.

Payne said he told a distressed Cavanagh that the accidental shot could have happened to anyone on the team.

I still feel that way today, he said.

The inquest resumes Wednesday morning.

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Toronto police arrested a man Tuesday for an incident in which an Uber driver was hit by a stray bullet.

Investigators had been searching for a suspect since the incident happened in the Trinity-Bellwoods area in the early hours of Apr. 25.

Gunfire erupted outside a bar at Dundas St. W. and Euclid Ave., west of Bathurst St. at around 12:30 a.m. that night.

The Toronto Police Service say the bullet that hit the Uber driver, whose arm was grazed, was not intended for him.

Instead, police allege the suspect fired a gun towards a group of people he was arguing with.

Police say the suspect then fled in a vehicle.

Paul Weeden, a 24-year-old from Mississauga, faces 17 charges related to firearms, assault, criminal negligence, marijuana possession and having stolen property.

Weeden was scheduled to make his first court appearance at Old City Hall on Wednesday morning.

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All three major provincial political party leaders agree that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to clear the haze swirling around marijuana legalization.

In a rare display of unanimity at Queens Park, Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne, Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath are each urging Ottawa to provide some direction.

We need to get some clarity from the federal government on timeline and process, said Wynne, who has officials from 12 provincial departments working on a marijuana strategy dealing with health, justice and social implications.

All of the orders of government need to work together, because there are impacts.

Whatever the decisions are, there will be impacts on every level of government and on our jurisdiction, so I think that there needs to be that conversation that includes everybody as we could move forward.

Brown concurred that it would be better if there was clarity.

Theres an extended legal grey zone and theres a mandate that Prime Minister Trudeau has from the last federal election; everyone anticipates (legalization) is coming . . . . the Tory leader said.

Currently, scofflaws are able to operate illegal dispensaries, which is making things difficult for law enforcement officials.

Police officers are telling me theyre worried about drug-impaired driving and they need assistance to deal with it, said Brown.

So I think theres a lot of complications with this new initiative and the faster we can address those complications the better Ontario will be.

Horwath echoed that concern.

Unfortunately, at this point, theres more questions than answers about whats going to happen, said the NDP leader.

We dont know enough yet. Theres just too much uncertainty at this point to even know where the government is going to go.

Their comments came as the president of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce publicly asked Wynne to allow recreational marijuana to be sold by private retailers licensed by the government.

Allan ODette said municipalities should have a voice in the approval process for grow-ops and retail sites.

Licences should not be issued for communities which have voted against production or distribution facilities, said ODette, whose organization boasts 60,000 members across the province.

On Monday, Anne McLellan, leader of Trudeaus legalization task force, said Ottawa should go slow on reforming cannabis laws.

McLellan told the Star there is much Canada can learn from U.S. states that have legalized weed.

One of the things we have learned, or we have heard . . . , from states like Washington and Colorado . . . is take your time, said the former deputy prime minister.

Because its much harder to pull something back than it is to, perhaps, be a little bit more restrictive out of the box, and, then, as you learn, you maybe loosen things up a bit.

Critics note Ottawas languid approach has contributed to a Wild West atmosphere with cash-only storefront weed shops popping up all over Toronto.

Despite police crackdowns, the so-called dispensaries remain open.

While medicinal marijuana is legal in Canada, patients must have a prescription from a medical doctor.

It must be shipped by registered mail from one of the 35 Health Canada-licensed producers.

As of last month, patients with a medical prescription can also grow small amounts of marijuana for their personal consumption.

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LEAVENWORTH, KAN.  A transgender soldier imprisoned in Kansas for leaking classified information to the WikiLeaks website will end a hunger strike after the Army agreed to allow her to receive medical treatment for her gender dysphoria, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Tuesday.

Chelsea Mannings medical treatment will begin with surgery that was recommended by her psychologist in April, the ACLU said. Manning began the hunger strike at Fort Leavenworth military prison on Friday, vowing to continue until she received better treatment.

I am unendingly relieved that the military is finally doing the right thing. I applaud them for that, Manning said in a statement. This is all that I wanted  for them to let me be me. But it is hard not to wonder why it has taken so long. ... In any case, I hope this sets a precedent for the thousands of trans people behind me hoping they will be given the treatment they need.

Manning, who was arrested in 2010 as Bradley Manning, was convicted in 2013 in military court of leaking more than 700,000 secret military and State Department documents to WikiLeaks. Manning was an intelligence analyst in Iraq at the time. She is serving a 35-year sentence.

Army spokesman Wayne Hall didnt immediately respond Tuesday evening to a request for comment.

ACLU attorney Chase Strangio said Manning should enjoy some peace knowing the medical care was coming.

Thankfully the government has recognized its constitutional obligation to provide Chelsea with the medical care that she needs and we hope that they will act without delay to ensure that her suffering does not needlessly continue.

Strangio said its troubling that Manning still faces administrative charges related to a suicide attempt on July 5 at the military prison. She wants the Army to drop those charges and stop efforts to have Manning cut her hair to male hair length military standards.

The ACLU filed a lawsuit in 2014 against the U.S. Department of Defense over its refusal to treat Mannings gender dysphoria.

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NEW YORKTwenty former United Nations special human rights investigators added their voices on Wednesday to the growing calls for Iran to release a jailed Canadian-Iranian academic.

They raised Homa Hoodfars case as the UN continued its general assembly in New York.

The 65-year-old, who taught at Montreals Concordia University, has been held at Tehrans notorious Evin prison since June 6.

The former rapporteurs said Hoodfars academic work poses no threat to Iranian security and that she should be released immediately.

We stress that Iran is breaching its national constitutional principles by arbitrarily arresting and detaining people for simply expressing their opinion and conducting academic research, as is their professional right and duty, they said in a statement.

Hoodfars family has said the Iranian probe into the retired anthropology professor centred on her dabbling in feminism and security matters.

The former UN investigators described Hoodfar as someone who has dedicated her career to improving the status of women in the Muslim world. They added Iran is violating its own laws by detaining her.

It is unclear how feminism is a threat to Iranian national security, given that Iran has committed itself to the Sustainable Development Goal #5, which is gender equality, they wrote.

On Tuesday, Hoodfars relatives said the judge in the case had refused to accept her lawyer and had, instead, appointed one to his own liking.

Hoodfar suffers from a serious neurological condition and the family has said requests for a check-up by an independent specialist doctor have been ignored.

Nearly 5,000 academics worldwide have signed a petition this summer in support of Hoodfar.

Some rallied outside the Iranian Embassy in Dublin last week. (Hoodfar enjoys Irish citizenship through marriage.)

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Police in Asheville, N.C., have issued an arrest warrant in connection with an assault outside a Trump rally on a 69-year-old protester wearing an oxygen tank for treatment of COPD.

Police there also reported making five arrests in connection with scuffles in and around the rally Monday night, at which Trump criticized Hillary Clinton for calling some of his supporters deplorable.

The atmosphere grew tense as protesters repeatedly interrupted his speech. Some of them made obscene gestures as they were removed from the premises. At one point, a man took a fighting stance and then pushed and grabbed male protesters and swatted at a female protester. The protesters appeared to be in an antagonistic verbal exchange with the man.

Trump, at one point, commented, Is there anywhere in America more fun to be than a Trump rally?

The woman who was punched outside the venue, Shirley Teter, described herself in an interview with WLOS-TV as a lifelong protester, who got involved in the anti-Trump protest because the situation is sickening my heart.

At first, she told the station, she was having fun. Whenever groups of them would start chanting Trump! Trump! Trump! I would chant back, Dump! Dump! Dump! Dump! It was kind of comical.

Things got uglier as people were leaving, she said, when she taunted them, saying You better learn to speak Russian, a reference to Trumps admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The first two words are going to be ha ha, she told WLOS.

At that point, a man stopped in his tracks, and he turned around and just cold-cocked me, punching her in the face.

She said she fell on the tank she carried in a backpack and was treated at a hospital for sore ribs, a sore jaw and a scrape on her elbow.

Matt Price, a witness, told the Citizen-Times of Asheville that he saw Teter fall and heard a loud metal clank when her oxygen tank hit the ground. Then a little eruption ensued and some people chased down that guy and there as a little heated moment right there before the cops stepped in.

Police told the Citizen-Times they did not make an immediate arrest because they had not witnessed the incident.

The rally, at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, was attended by roughly 7,000 people. There were protesters, and scuffles, inside and outside the rally.

On Tuesday, police said they issued a warrant for Richard L. Campbell of Edisto Island, S.C., in connection with the assault on Teter. He could not be located for comment.

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VATICAN CITYPope Francis honoured the French priest who was killed by Islamic extremists while celebrating Mass, calling him a martyr on Wednesday and urging all people of faith to have the courage to denounce such killings as satanic.

Francis celebrated a morning Mass in memory of the Rev. Jacques Hamel, who had his throat slit July 26 in his Normandy church. Police killed the assailants, and Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL, claimed responsibility.

Hamels relatives, members of his Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray parish and the Rouen bishop attended the intimate Mass in Francis hotel chapel. In his homily, Francis lamented the persecution of Christians today and denounced Hamels slaying as the satanic thread of persecution.

Francis recalled that before being killed, Hamel cried out to his killers: Satan, get out!

This example of courage, and the martyrdom of ones own life, to give everything of oneself to help others, to make brotherhood among others, helps all of us to go forward without fear, Francis said.

He said Hamel was a martyr to whom all people of faith should pray for peace and also the courage to tell the truth: killing in the name of God is satanic.

Francis placed a photo of the elderly priest on the altar, and told the bishop that his photo could be exhibited in churches since as a martyr, he was already considered a blessed  the first step to possible sainthood.

Francis has previously sought to distinguish individual attacks against Christians by Islamic extremists and Islam itself. Immediately after Hamel was killed, he declined to label Islam as terrorist, but said every religion has extremist fringes.

Rouen Bishop Dominique Lebrun was asked by reporters afterward about the implications of the pope terming Islamic extremist attacks as satanic, and whether some might believe his criticism was an indictment of Islam itself.

The assassins, I think they accepted influence of the devil, of Satan. The assassins  just this, he said.

Hamels sister, Roslyne, who joined the Rouen pilgrimage group and attended the popes Mass, was clear that Islam itself wasnt the inspiration for her brothers death.

Our Muslim brothers pray to a God who is our God and who is a God of love, of tolerance of sharing, she told reporters. It is certain that these young men killed my brother, they assassinated him, in the name of a God who kills, and that is not the God of Islam and it is not the God of Christianity.

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This week in dregs: Doug Ford and Tony Clement spoke up, and what a spokes they had. Has someone set Time to Rewind?

A reminder to readers who cant remember who these two are or who, like me, made a manful effort to forget: Ford was the defeated Toronto mayoral candidate who, along with his late mayor brother Rob, disgraced himself in a multitude of ways. Short form: Rob was the chaotic drug-user who made a famously foul remark about sex with his wife, and Doug was the mean one. Tony Clement was the minister in the Harper government who cancelled Canadas mandatory long-form census and built the nations most expensive gazebo in his riding at our expense.

The Fords have written a book to be published on Nov. 22. This is the date JFK was shot to death, recalling the Fords passing themselves off as the Kennedys of, I guess, Etobicoke. Doug Ford announced Tuesday he would be running for office, but still didnt know if it would be at the municipal, provincial or federal level because the levels havent responded to his cries  dear levels, please take me, I am nice  but how grand if it were all three simultaneously.

Ford dragged a pile of reporters to his poolside (he also has a gazebo, a nylon one) and told them it would be the most exciting book this country has ever seen. I am already so excited you could toss and dress a salad with me. I quiver, I radiate, Im lit up like a solar-powered LED. I just spilled my drink, Doug.

The book will be titled FORDNATION: Two Brothers, One Vision: The Story of the Peoples Mayor and on its cover will be a photo of two huge heads staring off into space. What the heck? say their thought bubbles.

Ford said the book would be no holds bar (sic), would deal with the lying Toronto Star and, more importantly, would rock the media and the political world. Who cares, Ford had already rocked my world even before he wrote his rad book.

Reporters who had rolled their eyes earlier that morning when editors said youre doing Ford  its code for I hate you  were chastened. They had thought the world might rock on Nov. 8 with the possibility of a President Trump but no, there would be 14 further sleeps before the book came out.

Anyway, back to another disconnected dreamer and thats Clement, now running for the Conservative leadership. He has a 10-point national security plan to make Canadians safer, including jailing potential terrorists if they cant be watched 24 hours a day in some other manner.

Clement is a dreary man, possibly the dreariest. There were nine other points, which I cant track down, but possibly Clement is letting them drip out day by day to retain voter interest. I am now saying out loud My 10-point Plan to Rock Your World and wondering how Clement and Ford deliver lines like this with a straight face.

Very few people suspected of anything can be watched all day and night. I am now recalling police surveillance of Mayor Rob Ford, the vodka bottles and public urination, the police helicopter, remember that? Non-stop tracking is expensive and consumes every moment of time, as North Korea and former Police Chief Bill Blair well know. Cast your net that widely and youll end up with nothing more than a fish metaphor, as I have.

Clement suggests face-to-face video conferencing with immigrant hopefuls, so we can weed out terrorists. How hi-tech of him, how digi-vid. Where does he get these fancy ideas?

What worries me is that Clement hasnt Skyped, or shopped in a store, or imagined that people lie or that they arent interviewed in person before they get anything from anyone in modern times. You cant even change your health card without lining up at Canadian Tire ServiceOntario after weeks of carefully studying lineup and time-of-day data as you buy your pop-up summer gazebo and BBQ scrubbers.

You fill out forms. They question you. You are photographed. This is for a card you already have. Clement is so out there. My mind is totally blown.

I apologize for writing about these men, as Im not sure they remain in peoples minds except as a bitter residue. Should I keep you updated on Clements other bits of point or Fords promised naming of names in his daft manuscript? Or would you prefer that your world remain stable, beautifully matured, and unrocked? Email me with your thoughts.

hmallick@thestar.ca

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Re: Deadly drug epidemic sweeps Cincinnati, Sept. 11

Deadly drug epidemic sweeps Cincinnati, Sept. 11

I am disappointed by the Stars decision to compound the appalling lapse in judgment shown by Ohio police in posting a photo of a couple mid-overdose.

These people are in the midst of a medical emergency and unconscious. This was not the time to try and score political points. Supposedly, this was done to alert people to the dangers of narcotics use.

If shaming and blaming were helpful in getting people to stop using opiates, we wouldnt be in the public health crisis we are. Obviously, this doesnt help.

How about we try some compassion and support for a while, instead?

Arwen McKechnie, Ottawa

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NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of Biogen (BIIB) were advancing in early morning trade on Wednesday after the company reported that Tecfidera, its multiple sclerosis treatment, had positive results in both clinical and real world settings.

In studies, patients administered tecfidera had reduced time to first relapse vs. traditional treatments, according to a company statement.

Ralph Kern, senior VP of worldwide medical at the Cambridge, MA-based company, said the drug "demonstrates strong efficacy" in reducing disease activity over time.

Additionally, tecfidera's risk profile was assessed on nine years of treatment data and revealed that its benefits outweigh risks.

Biogen is planning to present data from the tecfidera study at the Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis later this month.

Separately, TheStreet Ratings objectively rated this stock according to its "risk-adjusted" total return prospect over a 12-month investment horizon. Not based on the news in any given day, the rating may differ from Jim Cramer's view or that of this articles's author.

TheStreet Ratings rated this stock as a "buy" with a ratings score of B.

The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its impressive record of earnings per share growth, increase in net income, revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and notable return on equity. 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: BIIB
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of Netflix (NFLX) were increasing in early-afternoon trading on Wednesday as the Los Gatos, CA-based video streaming service is partnering with the London-based telecommunications and television company Liberty Global (LBYTA) to offer Netflix content to all its customers.

Netflix programming will be distributed via an app on Liberty Global's set-top boxes, Liberty Global said in a statement.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Liberty Global will be given a share of the revenue Netflix earns from customers who subscribe to the streaming service via its boxes.

Liberty Global will immediately launch the app in the Netherlands and will release it in all areas where it operates by the end of 2017. The company has 29 million customers in 30 countries.

Additionally, Drexel Hamilton analysts said the deal signifies a shift in focus for multichannel video programming distributors, according to TheFly.

The agreement will also pressure other companies to integrate Netflix into their services, further propelling the streaming company's business, the firm said.

Drexel Hamilton maintained its "buy" rating and $110 price target on Netflix stock.

Shares of Liberty Global were higher in early-afternoon trading on Wednesday.

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:

TheStreet Ratings team rates Netflix as a Hold with a ratings score of C+. The primary factors that have impacted the rating are mixed - some indicating strength, some showing weaknesses, with little evidence to justify the expectation of either a positive or negative performance for this stock relative to most other stocks. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, expanding profit margins and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. However, as a counter to these strengths, it also finds weaknesses including disappointing return on equity, premium valuation and weak operating cash flow.

You can view the full analysis from the report here:

NFLX

NFLX data by YCharts
The Trump International Hotel opened Monday in downtown Washington. Its first group of guests included members of the National Confectioners Association. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

About 150 conference-goers arrived at the Trump International Hotel Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, the day after it opened, for an annual meeting of the National Confectioners Association.

But nobody wanted to talk about it.

Nope, said three representatives at the CandyPAC table when approached by a reporter. Not interested, added two women sitting outside the hotels presidential ballroom.

More than a dozen attendees turned down requests for an interview. The only one who agreed, a man from Montana, declined to give his name.

Its beautiful, he said of the $212 million luxury hotel, before adding that he was staying with friends outside of town. The Trump name didnt matter one way or another.

But, meeting planners and industry insiders say, the name  and the propertys association with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump  is likely to be the largest sticking point for the 263-room hotel, which opened to the public Monday.

This hotel is the new shiny penny in Washington  the only problem is that Donald Trump has his name on it, said Chryssa Zizos, president and chief executive of Live Wire Media Relations, whose clients include the Carlyle Group and Raytheon. People are really, really nervous about utilizing the hotels bigger spaces because its so polarizing. Theres a lot of stigma attached to it.

Zizos said none of her clients have yet booked events at the hotel, even though the months leading up to an opening are often the best time to snag low rates and coveted dates. Instead, she said, corporations, educational institutions and financial firms are opting for other high-end haunts in the District: the Hay-Adams, Jefferson and Ritz-Carlton.

Is someone going to spend $100,000 on an event that could potentially upset half of their attendees? she said. In six months, maybe. But right now, with tensions so high and the election so close, theres no way any of our clients are going to do that.

Representatives for the Trump hotel would not disclose how many meetings and events the property has on the books.

With 10 years of experience with Trump hotels, I can easily say the opening of Trump International Hotel Washington, D.C., has been the most successful in terms of opening bookings, interest from groups and large events, said Mickael Damelincourt, the propertys general manager, who last week told The Washington Post that he has booked more business at the new hotel than he had during the first six months of the Trump hotel in Chicago.

[Trumps new Washington monument is a luxury hotel his blue-collar supporters cant afford]

Trump hotels across the country appear to have taken a hit since Trump launched his presidential campaign last summer. Bookings at his hotels were down 59 percent during the first half of 2016, according to the travel site Hipmunk. Among the hardest hit was the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, which is offering nightly rates of $159 on the discount site Groupon.

Any group thats concerned that attendees would be offended by the Trump name is not going to take the risk, said David Loeb, a lodging analyst at investment firm Robert W. Baird & Co. Trump has made himself into a polarizing figure and polarization is never something you want to be associated with if youre a business that caters to the public  even to the very, very elite public, as this hotel would.

Hotels like the Trump International, which boasts 38,000 square feet of meeting space and a ballroom that seats 1,200, are built around attracting high-

profile events and other large group bookings, Loeb said.

Its a city center hotel, its got a lot of meeting space, so theyll want to have as many groups as they can, he said.

Nationally, business travelers  whether part of a meeting or traveling on their own  typically make up about two-thirds of hotel bookings, Loeb said. That figure, however, can be much higher at big-city hotels with abundant meeting spaces. (He estimates that the New York Marriott Marquis, for example, relies on business travelers for about 80 percent of its revenue.)

The National Confectioners Association, for its part, booked its annual legislative fly-in at the hotel over a year ago. A spokesman said he wasnt sure whether the group had booked the hotel before or after Trump announced his bid for the presidency in June 2015, but said the man behind the hotel had little bearing on his groups decision.

We booked the hotel based on the same criteria we always use: proximity to Capitol Hill and the availability of space to hold meetings, said Christopher Gindlesperger, vice president of public affairs for the association.

The aim of this years meeting, according to the groups site, is to protect your business from burdensome regulation and to promote a favorable confectionery business environment. Among the featured speakers: Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

The group has already snagged the Trump for similar events in 2017 and 2018. In previous years, it held its annual fly-in at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

[Mr. Trump, meet your new neighbors: The EPA and the IRS]

Robert DeSando, a meeting planner in Warrenton, has booked one event at the Trump: a 200-person annual meeting for a financial organization he declined to name.

He said the propertys lavish rooms and central location are its biggest selling points. (The group typically hosts its event at the Four Seasons in Georgetown.)

But first, well before booking the hotel, he had to ask a question hed never before had to consider in his career: Would the Trump name be a dealbreaker for attendees?

I made sure that the executives reached out to key people because it is an international meeting. I asked if they could please run that by their people, with a specific question: Is a hotel property with the name Trump [on it] going to be an issue? Would you not attend a program at that hotel? he recalled.

It turned out attendees didnt care, DeSando said. He went ahead with negotiations and booked a block of 150 rooms for March 2018.

[Trumps D.C. hotel is looking for a seamstress to turn old linens into rags]
Just how much power does a congressional committee have to issue broad subpoenas of state attorneys general and environmental groups?

Thats the issue the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology wrestled with Wednesday with members from both parties wrapping themselves in the First Amendment. Each side said the other was engaging in a kind of Red Scare, except instead of trying to squelch views on communism, they were attempting to silence views on climate change.

The background: In March, a group of the state attorneys general issued subpoenas for an inquiry into whether ExxonMobil concealed knowledge it had about climate change and misled the public and investors about its true views. The company says it has submitted about a million documents so far.

In response, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex.), as chairman of the House Science Committee, issued subpoenas in mid-July to the New York and Massachusetts attorneys general and nine environmental and nonprofit organizations, seeking emails, phone records and other documents about conversations they had before the investigation of ExxonMobil, including conversations among environmental groups.

Republicans said the committee subpoenas were needed to prevent a chilling effect that the investigations by state attorneys general were having on ExxonMobil and on how they might deter Exxon from pursuing its own scientific inquiries.

Democrats said the committees subpoenas threatened the environmental groups free speech, freedom of assembly and freedom to petition government, and the ability of the state attorneys general to determine whether ExxonMobil committed fraud by publicly saying one thing about climate change while internally saying another.

At a hearing Wednesday, Smith defended the subpoenas he issued, saying the committee had a constitutional obligation to conduct oversight any time it believed scientific inquiry was endangered.

The ranking Democrat, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas), replied that the law is clear: Fraud is not protected by the First Amendment. If any companies defrauded the public in their disinformation campaign on global warming, that is a matter for the state attorneys general, not the committee on science.

The witness panel included Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor who said that he agreed with the environmental groups on climate change but that the committee had every right to pursue its inquiry into the groups relationships with the state attorneys general through subpoenas.

It also included Elizabeth Price Foley, a law professor at Florida International University who said that federalism did not preclude the federal government from enforcing subpoenas and carrying out oversight, including into matters of scientific research.

Ronald D. Rotunda, a law professor at Chapman University who has been involved in litigation in Utah to transfer federal lands back to the states, testified that if congressional subpoenas could not be enforced then the Senate Watergate committee would never have gotten off the ground.

Rotunda said, We want to know whether there was a corrupt agreement between the attorneys general, environmental groups and George Soros, the billionaire investor who has supported a variety of liberal causes. He said the committee has a right to know whether [New York Attorney General Eric] Schneiderman is working on his own or is part of a corrupt deal to work with environmental groups.

He later said that the environmental groups would be proved wrong about climate change just as various studies, he said, had wrongly raised concerns about drinking coffee or eating red meat, eggs or whole milk.

Only Charles Tiefer, a law professor at the University of Baltimore and former acting general counsel to the House, said the committees subpoenas exceeded its authority.

He testified that Congress has never in more than 200 years issued a subpoena to a state attorney general. Tiefer said that fraud investigation is the legitimate bread and butter of state attorneys general and that if ExxonMobil did, in fact, say one thing about climate change internally and another publicly, that was something that could be investigated.

As for discussions between environmental groups and the state attorneys general, Tiefer said any contacts the groups had fell well within their rights to association and for the environmental groups to urge government to take action.

On Tuesday, a different group of law professors sent a letter to Smith defending the Union of Concerned Scientists, one of the groups subpoenaed. While Rotunda spoke of a corrupt agreement, the lawyers defending UCS said the group had conducted its activities publicly. They said the subpoenas placed an onerous burden on groups exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech and to petition government.

You have to go back to the Red Scare to find something similar, said Johnson, referring to congressional hearings in the 1950s into whether communists had infiltrated the U.S. government, Hollywood movie business and other parts of society.

There is obviously a political agenda here, I believe, said Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.). These types of scare tactics threaten the vital work of many organizations.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) bemoaned a breakdown in tolerance for people with different opinions and backed Smiths subpoenas. (The subpoenas were issued by Smith without a vote of the full committee.)

But Tiefer said the issue was whether Exxon committed fraud, adding that Exxon Mobil can take care of itself.

Clarification: This story left unclear the position of Ronald D. Rotunda, a law professor at Chapman University, on the issue of climate change. In testimony before the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Rotunda said: Now, I assume that global warming is real and humans cause it. He cautioned, however, that the government has repeatedly been wrong about what is scientific truth and listed studies of the effects of various foods.
Michel C. Bergerac, who led Revlons diversification into health care and lost control of the cosmetics-maker in a three-month battle with investor Ronald Perelman, died Sept. 11 at a hospital in Manhattan. He was 84.

The cause was respiratory failure resulting from coronary heart disease and hypertension, said his wife, Alice Bergerac.

Mr. Bergerac served as New York-based Revlons chairman and chief executive for a decade after company founder Charles Revson died in 1975. He resigned from the company in 1985 at the end of a bitter hostile takeover by Perelmans Pantry Pride Inc. Perelman paid $1.8 billion, or $58 a share, for Revlons stock, after initially offering $42 a share.

The takeover battle produced one of the signature deals of the 1980s, financed with $1.5 billion in junk bonds underwritten by Drexel Burnham Lambert. Advisory fees to the investment bankers and lawyers involved topped $100 million, setting a record payday for Wall Streets mergers and acquisitions specialists.

Mr. Bergerac walked away from the deal with about $35 million in severance compensation, including stock and stock options, the New York Times reported.

The fight over Revlon also pitted Perelman against Forstmann Little & Co., Theodore J. Forstmanns investment firm, which had an agreement with Revlon to buy two divisions if another bidder took control of the company.

The acquisition proceeded after the Delaware Supreme Court voided the agreement. Investment banker Felix Rohatyn of Lazard Freres and M&A lawyer Martin Lipton of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz also advised on the deal, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Michel Christian Bergerac was born in Biarritz, France, on Feb. 13, 1932. His father was an executive at a local electric utility, and his mother was a homemaker. An older brother, Jacques, became a Hollywood actor and married and divorced Oscar-winning movie star Ginger Rogers.

Michel Bergerac received a bachelors degree and a masters degree in economics from the University of Paris. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles on a Fulbright scholarship and obtained an MBA in 1955.

Mr. Bergerac was an executive with the Cannon Electric in Los Angeles starting in 1957. Cannon was acquired by International Telephone & Telegraph in 1963, and Mr. Bergerac was dispatched to Belgium to work at ITT Europe Inc. three years later.

In 1974, he resigned to become Revlons president. His $5 million contract, including a $1.5 million starting bonus and stock options that were soon valued at more than $2 million, prompted the Times in 1975 to call him the Catfish Hunter of American business, a reference to the New Yankees pitcher.

Bergerac is the first big corporate bonus baby, Pearl Meyer, executive director at Handy Associates, an executive compensation and search firm, said, according to the Times.

After leaving Revlon in 1985, Mr. Bergerac was chairman of M.C. Bergerac & Co., a private investment company. He also served on several corporate boards.

Mr. Bergerac enjoyed hunting big game in Africa, and his home in Biarritz was decorated with trophies including antelope, leopards and elephant tusks. He also like to go bird shooting in New York state.

He had children with his first wife, Norma Langstaff. He later married the former Alice Baer.

A complete list of survivors could not immediately be confirmed.

 Bloomberg News
Kurt Eichenwald is an experienced investigative journalist, with a best-selling book to his credit and years of work at the New York Times, Vanity Fair and now Newsweek.

So what was Eichenwald thinking Tuesday when he tweeted this:

I believe Trump was institutionalized in a mental hospital for a nervous breakdown in 1990, which is why he wont release medical records.

Theres no evidence that Trump was ever hospitalized for such a condition, and Eichenwald cited none.

The tweet was quickly deleted from Eichenwalds account, though not before it received hundreds of retweets and likes, spreading it far and wide across the Twittersphere.

Eichenwald and his Newsweek editor, Jim Impoco, didnt respond to repeated requests for comment Wednesday. But his bizarre and apparently erroneous tweet may offer another lesson in how social media has made it tempting for reporters to overstep the boundaries of professional conduct.

The ease of tweeting or posting on Facebook has sorely tempted more than a few journalists to do what theyre not supposed to do in their day jobs  namely, float opinions or publish rumors that would never meet the standards of their publications or networks.

While news organizations encourage journalists to engage with readers via social media, some reporters have gone further than merely fostering discussion or promoting their work. Reporters have lost their jobs or been disciplined by their employers for posts that call into question the reporters fairness or neutrality on a story. CNNs Elise Labott, for example, was suspended for two weeks last fall for tweeting a partisan comment about a House vote on refugees.

Most news organizations have elaborate codes of conduct for whats acceptable online. The rules basically boil down to this: Dont post anything that wouldnt be acceptable in a news story.

In our view, journalism is journalism no matter where it occurs, said Andrew Seaman, the chairman of the Society of Professional Journalists ethics committee. So if its not good enough for the paper, it isnt good enough for social media. . . . The quality of the journalism should remain the same.

Seaman, a reporter for Reuters, had a succinct reaction on Twitter to Eichenwalds deleted tweet Tuesday: Completely irresponsible.

Eichenwalds tweet appears to cross the usual lines. It is an unsupported and potentially inflammatory claim about a leading presidential candidate in the midst of a campaign.

Trump has sued reporters for controversial, though more carefully reported, statements before; he brought (and lost) a libel suit against then-New York Times reporter Timothy L. OBrien for OBriens contention in a 2005 book, Trump Nation, that Trumps net worth was substantially less than Trump claimed.

More recently, Trumps wife, Melania, has objected to published but unsubstantiated claims that she was employed by an escort service in the 1990s. She has hired Charles Harder, the lawyer who spearheaded the invasion-of-privacy suit brought by former wrestler Hulk Hogan against Gawker Media, to seek redress.

Eichenwalds Trump tweet came the day before Newsweek published a much-discussed story by him about the Trump Organization, the candidates sprawling business empire. The story raised important questions about potential conflicts of interest between Trumps extensive business holdings and U.S. national-security interests if he is elected president.

Eichenwald teased the story by tweeting on Tuesday afternoon, My big cover story in @Newsweek that could change the dialogue about this election season will be published online tomorrow.

A few minutes later, he posted his now-deleted comment about Trumps mental health, sowing confusion about what his Newsweek story would be about.

Not long after that, he tweeted that the two topics were unrelated: Folks: I dont have story coming out tomorrow that Trump had a breakdown. Order of tweets confused ppl, I believe.

He later said he deleted the tweet about Trumps mental health because people were confusing it with his forthcoming Newsweek story.

But Eichenwald never said he did so because it was wrong.

Seaman, in an interview, said journalists should hold themselves to a higher standard. I think its a heavy claim for a prominent journalist to just put [speculation] out on social media without additional evidence, he said. Speculation isnt journalism, and I think it makes the public distrust solid and evidence-backed reporting.
How hard could it be boil an egg? Funny you should ask. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

I think I may eat my eggs scrambled from now on. That might be easier than trying to hard-boil the blasted things.

At the very end of my Monday column  about ice cubes (more on which next time)  I lamented that seemingly every hard-boiled egg I peel these days wont surrender the precious albumin inside without the shell taking half of the white with it.

[My ice machine broke. I dont miss it. Join me on the artisanal ice bandwagon.]

Readers stepped in with all sorts of advice, based on family tradition, careful experimentation, random observation or the vast, unimpeachable resources of the Internet. After careful study, it all  forgive me  boils down to four factors: preparation, heat-application method, cool-down period and the ovum itself.

Vis-a-vis preparation, Julie Thomas of Silver Spring, Md., recommended adding a pinch of salt to a pot of cold water. Not salt, wrote Betty Bosley of Gaithersburg, Md. Baking soda, about a tablespoon. Wrote Betty: I heard this solution on a Geico radio commercial earlier this summer and it has worked great for me.

Well, Geico would know. . . .

Ann Simon of Oakton, Va., says to add a a negligent splash  roughly a teaspoon  of any kind of vinegar to the water when the eggs are boiled. They do not pick up the taste and peel pretty easily after that, she wrote.

Jo Bolig, of Fearrington Village, N.C., specified white vinegar, a non-negligent two tablespoons.

Jerry Sheldon of Rockville, Md., recommends adding a tablespoon of olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil or any other kind of oil.

Motor? Neats foot?

Well, now that I have an oily, salty, vinegary pot, what next? What comes next is method. Some readers recommended putting eggs in cold water then letting it boil. Others said to use a slotted spoon to gently lower eggs into boiling water. Still others said to stare intently at the eggs, hardening their innards with the concentrated power of your mind. (Just kidding.)

The length of time at boil varied. A full 10 to 15 minutes, said some readers. Only until the water boils, then allow to sit, said others. Or this, from Jayson Amster of University Park, Md.: Place eggs in boiling water. When the water returns to boil, leave for 4 min. Turn off heat, cover pot for 6 min. Dump hot water. Cover w/ cold water.

Jim Churchill of Alexandria, Va., isnt such a stickler about covering with cold water or plunging into ice baths. Let them sit until cool, even overnight is okay, he wrote.

But what if we shouldnt be eating hard-boiled eggs at all?

Kim Elliott of Bowie, Md., puts eggs in a pot with just a quarter-inch or so of water, brings it to a boil with the lid on, and then reduces the heat to steam the eggs for 12 minutes. Wrote Kim: I have found that you have to keep an eye on things to make sure the water does not boil away but the technique has been foolproof for me.

Many readers said a collapsible vegetable steamer is perfect for this.

A reader named James R. raised the tantalizing prospect of acquiring more equipment. Buy an electric pressure cooker, he wrote. Five minutes and a perfect hard boiled egg. They fall out of the shell.

They fall out of the shell. So many readers wrote variations on this, describing eggs that shed their calcium carapaces with the easy, gleeful abandon of a veteran stripper. Thats something I havent seen for many a year (the stripper or the EZ-peel eggs).

But what if, to paraphrase Shakespeare, the fault, dear readers, is not in our pots, steamers or pressure cookers, but in our eggs?

You must not use fresh eggs, wrote Donna Denney.

Jan Clarkson explained why: The thin membrane between the shell and white adheres tightly to both in new eggs. As eggs age, an air layer forms between the shell and membrane, making it easier to peel.

Some readers said they look in the store for the oldest eggs on the shelf. Others put their eggs aside, aging them like a cask of amontillado before consigning them to the pot.

Its ironic. We prize freshness in so many things, but seem to be better off with older eggs.

I dont have room to get into the finer points of cracking and peeling. Suffice to say there are many methods for that too, from rolling on the counter to shaking in a pot. Of all the cooking methods, Im most intrigued by steaming and will give that a try.

Or I could follow these detailed instructions from Ethel Morgan of Falls Church, Va.:

1. Go to Safeway or your favorite supermarket.

2. Go to the back of the store, where they sell eggs.

3. You will find white plastic bags each containing hard-boiled eggs! Six in each bag.

4. These eggs are peeled and the yolks are a lovely yellow  no green!

5. Buy them, take them home, and you have solved the hard-boiled egg problem!

But wheres the fun in that, Ethel?

Next week: Ice, ice baby.

Twitter: @johnkelly

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.


Freshman Prince Onwuvuche, 13, experiences virtual reality during an elective class at the Washington Leadership Academy in the District. The new charter school has been awarded a $10 million prize and plans to use the money to develop academic virtual-reality programs. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

When the Washington Leadership Academy opened its doors for the first time last month, it hoped students would be inspired not only by the stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings of the former seminary building it occupies but also by the unique brand of education inside its classrooms.

It wants to transform local students lives and give them unmatched opportunities in a school that looks like no other in the city.

Now, it also hopes to make a difference for students far beyond the District. The Washington Leadership Academy on Wednesday became one of 10 schools to win $10 million each to show how American public high schools can be reimagined to better serve young people.

[City living is difficult on a teachers salary. Could this new building change that?]

The $100 million investment comes via XQ: The Super School Project, a competition that philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs funded to infuse new energy into the nations high schools, where many still teach much as they did a century ago.

Laurene Powell Jobs arrives for a state dinner at the White House in August. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

Washington Leadership Academy co-founder Seth Andrew said he wants to create tools that will help schools radically reshape what and how students learn.

The academy, which opened its doors for the first time last month, combines online, project-based and service learning with new and emerging technologies such as virtual reality. Someday, the school would like to work with holographic teaching  which could allow a person in Arizona to show up, via hologram, in a classroom in Alaska  and it is putting its plans and operations online for anyone to copy. Eventually, the school will post its lessons, too.

There are millions of public school students who dont have access to the opportunities they deserve, Andrew said. Adding one more school is not the goal here, he said. You cant do it 100 kids at a time.

Philanthropists such as Bill and Melinda Gates, Eli and Edythe Broad and the Walton family, heirs to the Walmart fortune, have played a key role in spurring changes in U.S. education policy during the past decade, doling out millions of dollars in grants to encourage fast-growing charter schools, new Common Core State Standards and teacher evaluations tied to student test scores. The donations have inspired fierce criticism from those who accuse wealthy people of using private dollars to dictate public policy.

The XQ competition was envisioned as a different kind of philanthropy. It asked teams of people in communities around the country to dream up how high school could do a better job engaging kids and preparing them for the real world. Its not yet clear whether this approach will succeed in being less controversial.

The challenge drew applications from 700 teams of nearly 10,000 individuals  10 times the number that Russlyn H. Ali, XQs executive director, had anticipated. XQ had announced it would award five $10 million prizes, but Ali and Powell Jobs  who is the widow of Apples Steve Jobs  doubled that figure in response to the outpouring of interest.

[Laurene Powell Jobs donates $50 million to redesign high school]

Ali described the money as risk capital that would help the winning schools and others who care about education understand more about what might work  and what might not.

Winners were chosen by 42 judges, including many in the education reform movement, such as Teach For America CEO Elisa Villanueva Beard and Cami Anderson, the former superintendent of Newark Public Schools, as well as school system administrators, researchers, college professors, civil rights advocates, an immigration policy expert, a student activist and the artist MC Hammer.

Two of the winners are large, comprehensive high schools with more than 2,000 students: one in Houston, where students will work on solving local environmental problems, and one in Vista, Calif., where students will learn by examining and coming up with solutions for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

A school in Los Angeles will target foster and homeless youth, co-locating with shelters citywide and offer flexible scheduling for students with complex lives. Another will partner with a museum in Grand Rapids, Mich., putting artifacts at the center of the curriculum.

Half the winners are charter schools and half are part of traditional school districts; XQ didnt want to favor one type of school over the other. Those are just old fights, Ali said.

The ideas that rose to the top, Ali said, were those that didnt allow customs to dictate how schools would use time or space. They are beacons of whats possible. They will, I believe, excite the nation.

XQ expects to announce more financial awards, resources and support for other schools that had promising proposals but didnt make it to the final 10. Ali said there are dozens and dozens of ideas that they want to reward and cultivate.

The XQ prize is only the latest philanthropic boost for the Washington Leadership Academy. The Walton Family Foundation and Breakthrough Schools: D.C., a coalition of local and national donors, also have donated substantial start-up sums, perhaps in part because of Andrews track record.

Andrew  who recently stepped down from a White House job, where he was a senior adviser on technology  previously founded Democracy Prep, a network of 17 charter schools that serves primarily low-income students in New York, the District and elsewhere. Democracy Prep has posted impressive standardized test scores, but whereas it is a no-excuses school  with strict discipline and behavioral rules  Washington Leadership Academy takes a more relaxed approach.

[Education secretary calls on charters to rethink discipline]



Students walk to their elective classes at Washington Leadership Academy in the District. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

As they move from class to class, students dont have to walk silently in lines; theyre allowed to listen to headphones when theyre working independently in class; and they can slouch a little bit. Its a reflection of an evolution away from the no-excuses approach in the charter-school world.

Stacy Kane, Washington Leadership Academys executive director, said that as she and her colleagues visited other schools to build theirs, they saw graduates of no-excuses schools struggling with self-advocacy and self-direction.

The culture were trying to build here is not a lockdown, no-excuses culture. Its a relationship culture, Kane said.

The school sees itself as a place to refine and share ideas that could work anywhere. But the founders want to do more than be an example, they want to use the XQ money to create a library of lessons and courses, delivered via virtual-reality technology, that other schools can use.

Andrew said one of their first projects will be to create virtual-reality content for schools nationwide, such as a virtual-reality chemistry lab that could give hundreds of thousands of students a chance to learn science hands-on.

Washington Leadership Academy also is experimenting with a new approach to staffing, tapping into the freelance gig economy to hire part-time teachers with specific, hard-to-find skills, such as Silicon Valley programmers who dont want to leave their jobs but could teach a class remotely.

In-the-flesh freelancers are teaching many of the elective classes  which include photography, DJing and criminal forensics  that students take at the end of each long, 8:30-to-5 day.

The school also plans for all of its students to take computer science for four years, an effort to equip them with skills that are meant to set them apart as they go off to college and look for jobs.

By next school year, Washington Leadership Academy plans to more than quadruple the number of African American students in the city who have access to Advanced Placement computer science. In 2015, there were just 30 black students who took an AP exam in computer science. There are 110 freshmen at Washington Leadership Academy this year; almost all of them are black, and the school plans for each of them to be ready to take an AP exam in computer science at the end of their sophomore year.

Khalilah Sutton, 13, said she was excited about Washington Leadership Academy because she wants to work in the tech industry. Coding is one of her electives, in addition to her basic computer science course.

I chose this school because they had opportunities here that would help me achieve what I want to do later in life, she said.
Third-grade students at Carlin Springs Elementary School in Arlington, Va., work on a math lesson in September 2014. All of Arlingtons public schools were accredited this year. (Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post)

More than 4 in 5 Virginia schools received full accreditation, a modest boost from last year that reflects a rise in test scores and a new state law that eases accreditation standards for schools that have strong track records.

The state announced the results Wednesday, lauding teachers and educators for the steady rise in state standardized test scores. About 81 percent of Virginias schools received full accreditation, compared to 78 percent last year. The state said 59 schools that previously fell short of state benchmarks made big enough gains to earn full accreditation this year.

I hope these results will encourage teachers, principals and other educators in all of our schools as they strive to help students meet Virginias high expectations for learning and achievement, said Steven R. Staples, superintendent of public instruction.

A schools accreditation rating is based on the proportion of students who pass state standardized tests. For high schools, graduation rates are also a factor. Schools that persistently miss the mark lose accreditation altogether and receive state interventions.

[Virginia revises state accountability system]

Some of this years boost is tied to better test scores, which tumbled four years ago when the state toughened its exams.

[From 2015: More Virginia schools meet state benchmarks this year]

But a new law also eased standards for some schools, automatically granting accreditation to schools that were accredited for three previous years in a row, even if their scores slipped below the benchmarks. According to the state, 39 schools  about two percent of schools statewide  were fully accredited despite missing benchmarks.

Virginia also altered the way it calculates test scores for accreditation. It has always exempted the failing scores of certain transfer students and English language learners. This year, because of a new state law, it also exempted the failing  or absent  scores of students whose parents opted them out of state exams.

In one Alexandria school, Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology, officials found that Principal Brandon Davis had asked staff to contact the parents of students who were at risk of failing the exam to inform them of their right to opt out.

Twenty-six students, about 15 percent of those who take tests at the school, did not sit for at least one exam, compared with no opt-outs the year before. Cora Kelly received accreditation despite falling short on the state science exam because it has been accredited for the past three years. It is unclear how the opt-outs affected the schools accreditation numbers. Helen Lloyd, an Alexandria schools spokeswoman, said the data is not publicly available.

We stand by the validity of the test for those students who did test, Lloyd said.

In the rest of Northern Virginia, large school districts again fared better than the rest of the state, with 92 percent of schools receiving full accreditation.

A dozen schools in Fairfax County, home to the states largest school system, did not receive full accreditation, down from 15. Another school is at risk of losing its accreditation because of persistently falling short of benchmarks. Its status has yet to be determined.

The district noted that six schools that did not meet state benchmarks last year improved enough to earn accreditation this year. But Deputy Superintendent Steve Lockard said that the school systems overarching philosophy remains that students should be taking fewer standardized tests, and that classroom activities should not be solely oriented toward taking tests.

Loudoun County had one school fall short of full accreditation, down from two last year. All of Arlingtons schools were accredited, though the districts alternative high school program was partially accredited because of low graduation rates.

Prince William County had nine schools fail to receive full accreditation, up from six.

We still have room for improvement, and these results pinpoint where we need to focus. Superintendent Steven Walts said.

About a third of Alexandrias schools fell short of full accreditation, including one, the Jefferson-Houston School, that was again denied accreditation.
The parents of a preschool student in Prince Georges County said Tuesday that county officials recently informed them of an investigation into allegations that a bus aide molested their 4-year-old son last November, and they said they dont understand why it took so long to look into the alleged abuse.

Child Protective Services contacted the family last month, seeking help in identifying a boy believed to be their son in a still image from a video that apparently was made in November. The parents said CPS officials told them the video showed a bus aide having inappropriate contact with the child inside a school bus.

The parents identified the child as their son, they said. The father, who described his son as a special-needs child with verbal delays, said CPS officials indicated the video came to light when another preschool child complained in May.

Its unacceptable that they waited so long to notify us, said the father, whom The Washington Post is not identifying to protect the boy. He said he was shocked, hurt and crying when he learned of the alleged misconduct. The individual who did this to my child is still walking the streets.

Prince Georges police said Tuesday that they began a joint investigation with CPS in June related to the case. In August, investigators received more information from a family involved, they said, and they soon plan to bring the case to prosecutors for consideration of criminal charges against the bus aide, police Lt. David Coleman said. The alleged abuse involves one child, although other students were on the bus, he said.

John Erzen, a spokesman for the Prince Georges County states attorneys office, said that his office was notified of the case Tuesday and that prosecutors will be meeting with police within a week to determine whether charges are warranted. Sometimes, he said, further investigation is needed after such meetings.

It was unclear why the case was not made public sooner, especially given that the county school system has been receiving scrutiny for lack of transparency in alleged abuse cases and failing to safeguard the children in its care.

A school volunteer was indicted this year with 270 counts of child pornography and related charges amid allegations of video-recording children as young as 9 years old performing sex acts. More recently, federal authorities found corporal punishment and humiliation of children in the districts Head Start preschool program and revoked a $6.4 million grant.

[How a Maryland school system lost its Head Start grant]

Kevin Maxwell, the school system chief, said Tuesday that he placed the bus aide and a supervisor on administrative leave after he learned of the allegations during the first week of school in August. All parents with children on the bus have been notified, he said.

Maxwell on Tuesday cited another unspecified allegation of potential misconduct against a Prince Georges principal, but he declined to discuss details, saying that the allegation came by email and was referred to police. Letters to parents went home Monday saying that a principal was put on leave. The Post is not identifying the principal because no charges have been filed and the nature of the alleged misconduct has not been released.

These have been some very difficult months for our school system, Maxwell told reporters Tuesday afternoon.But we will continue to work on the culture in our school district.

School board member Verjeana M. Jacobs said the latest allegations of abuse are shocking and said it is troubling that school board members once again learned of them through media reports.

The incredible lack of accountability and transparency is the culture of the school system right now, Jacobs said. It seems the adults are more concerned with protecting themselves than ensuring a culture and climate of safety for children.

School board member Edward Burroughs III voiced similar concerns, asking: How many more incidents of abuse have to occur? This is not isolated. This is systemic and widespread.

Following the February abuse scandal involving school volunteer Deonte Carraway, Maxwell appointed a safety task force that recommended a series of improvements designed to protect students and ensure allegations of abuse are reported.

The school board took action to change district policies over the summer. Maxwell said he believes the improvements are having an effect.

[School system adopts new policies after sexual abuse case roils community]

I do believe that the training that we undertook as a result of the incident at Judge Sylvania Woods last year has increased, I know it has increased, the number of reports that we are getting in our school system, he said.

The father of the 4-year-old said the family and their attorney have plans to meet with police Thursday to review the footage from the bus video. Police declined to comment on whether there is a video or what it might show.

The father noted that the bus aide was assigned to his sons bus all school year, and he said he worried that the alleged abuse could have taken place repeatedly after the alleged incident in November. Looking back, the parents said they recall their son crying at the prospect of getting on the bus.

He didnt want to get on the bus, the mother said.
Fairfax County

These were among incidents reported by the Fairfax County Police Department. For information, call 703-246-2253.

Fair Oaks District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Cimmaron Oaks Ct., 3100 block, Sept. 9. A credit card was stolen from a residence.

Monument Dr., 11600 block, Sept. 8. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Franconia District

ASSAULT

Founders Hl., 5900 block, 4:42 p.m. Sept. 6. Malicious wounding.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Abilene St., 6300 block, Sept. 8. Items were stolen from a vehicle.

Amherst Ave., 6500 block, Sept. 6. A bag was stolen from a residence.

Aspen Park., 7500 block, Sept. 6. A bag was stolen from a vehicle.

Aspen Park., 7500 block, Sept. 6. A laptop was stolen from a vehicle.

Backlick Rd., 6600 block, Sept. 6. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Blackford St., 7400 block, Sept. 6. Cash was stolen from a residence.

Cather Rd., 5200 block, Sept. 6. Items were stolen from a vehicle.

Franconia Rd., 6100 block, Sept. 6. A ring was stolen from a residence.

Gunston Rd., 10500 block, Sept. 6. A phone was stolen from a business.

Hatcher St., 3200 block, Sept. 7. A laptop was stolen from a vehicle.

Kingstowne Towne Ctr., 5900 block, Sept. 6. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Kingstowne Blvd., 5800 block, Sept. 9. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Little River Tpke., 7200 block, Sept. 8. Cash was stolen from a business.

Marilyn Dr., 6200 block, Sept. 9. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

Norham Dr., 5800 block, Sept. 7. Property was stolen from a residence.

Old Keene Mill Rd., 7200 block, Sept. 6. Beer was stolen from a business.

Shuttington Dr., 7600 block, Sept. 7. An electronic device was stolen from a residence.

South Van Dorn St., 6700 block, 1:32 p.m. Sept. 3. An employee of the business reported that someone entered the business and took and undisclosed amount of cash. No suspect description was available at the time of this posting.

Springfield Towne Ctr., 6600 block, Sept. 6. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Viceroy St., 7700 block, Sept. 6. Coins were stolen from a vehicle.

Vincent Gate Terr., 5500 block, Sept. 7. Wheels were stolen from a vehicle.

Woodfield Estates Dr., 5800 block, Sept. 9. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

Mason District

ASSAULT

Little River Tpke., 6200 block, 6:16 a.m. Sept. 8. A woman was walking on a sidewalk when a man passed by and allegedly grabbed her from behind. The suspect pushed her to the ground and then fled on foot. The victim did not require medical attention. The suspect was described as black, about 20 to 24 years old, about 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 9 inches tall, with dark, short curly hair, and was wearing a flowered button-down shirt, black shorts, and black shoes.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Arlington Blvd., 6200 block, Sept. 9. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Arlington Blvd., 16500 block, Sept. 8. A credit card and a drivers license was stolen from a business.

Columbia Pike, 6400 block, Sept. 7. Plants were stolen from a residence.

Columbia Pike, 6500 block, Sept. 6. Items were stolen from a vehicle.

Columbia Pike, 6500 block, Sept. 6. Jewelry was stolen from a business.

Columbia Pike, 6500 block, Sept. 6. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle.

Crossroads Ctr., 5800 block, Sept. 9. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Cypress Point Rd., 6500 block, Sept. 6. A bag was stolen from a vehicle.

Evangeline Lane, 6300 block, Sept. 6. GPS device were stolen from a vehicle.

Glen Carlyn Dr., 3300 block, Sept. 9. A hat was stolen from a business.

King Louis Dr., 6400 block, Sept. 6. A bicycle was stolen from a residence.

Larchmondt Dr., 3600 block, Sept. 9. A purse was stolen from a vehicle.

Leesburg Pike, 5500 block, Sept. 6. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Leesburg Pike, 5500 block, Sept. 8. Shoes were stolen from a business.

Little River Tpke., 6200 block, Sept. 6. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Little River Tpke., 6500 block, Sept. 6. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Little River Tpke., 7000 block, Sept. 8. Cash was stolen from a business.

Pinecrest Office Park Dr., 4600 block, Sept. 8. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle.

Readsborough Ct., 3100 block, Sept. 6. A jewelry was stolen from a residence.

Seminary Rd., 5800 block, Sept. 7. Items were stolen from a business.

Sleepy Hollow Rd., 3200 block, Sept. 8. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle.

Wadsworth Ct., 4100 block, Sept. 9. A license was plate stolen from a vehicle.

Sixth St., 6400 block, Sept. 7. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

McLean District

ROBBERIES

Chain Bridge Rd., 1900 block, 7:43 p.m. Sept. 3. Robbery reported.

Fisher Dr., 7500 block, 9:17 a.m. Sept. 6. Robbery reported.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Balls Hill Rd., 1400 block, Sept. 7. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Balls Hill Rd., 1400 block, Sept. 9. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Boone Blvd., 8100 block, Sept. 6. Cash was stolen from a residence.

Chain Bridge Rd., 1400 block, Sept. 8. A phone was stolen from a residence.

Colshire Dr., 7500 block, Sept. 6. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Cornerside Blvd., 1500 block, Sept. 6. A wallet was stolen from a business.

District Ave., 2900 block, Sept. 9. A bicycle was stolen from a business.

Enola St., 7800 block, Sept. 6. Cash was stolen from a business.

Gallows Rd., 2900 block, Sept. 6. A laptop was stolen from a business.

International Dr., 2000 block, Sept. 6. Wallets were stolen from a business.

Leesburg Pike, 8300 block, Sept. 6. A wallet was stolen from a residence.

Merrilee Dr., 2800 block, Sept. 6. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Nutley St., 3000 block, Sept. 9. A purse was stolen from a business.

Peach Orchard Dr., 2000 block, Sept. 9. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle.

Pimmit Dr., 2200 block, Sept. 6. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle.

Turkey Run Rd., 800 block, Sept. 7. Items were stolen from a residence.

Tyco Rd., 8400 block, Sept. 8. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle.

Westmoreland St., 2000 block, Sept. 7. A checkbook was stolen from a residence.

Woodhurst Blvd., 1400 block, Sept. 7. Items were stolen from a residence.

VEHICLE THEFT

Avenir Pl., 2600 block, Sept. 9. A 2005 Lexus 330.

Mount Vernon District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Arlington Dr., 2600 block, Sept. 7. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle.

Richmond Hwy., 8700 block, 5:55 p.m. Sept. 5. Complainant reports that someone broke into the business and took a cellphone. No suspect description at this time.

Brosar Ct., 3100 block, Sept. 8. Bicycles were stolen from a residence.

Buckman Rd., 4200 block, Sept. 6. Tools were stolen from a vehicle.

Camden St., 8800 block, Sept. 7. Pearls were stolen from a residence.

Cameron Run Terr., 5800 block, Sept. 8. A ring was stolen from a residence.

Frye Rd., 8400 block, Sept. 8. Cylinders were stolen from a business.

Great Swan Ct., 7500 block, Sept. 6. Items were stolen from a residence.

Harrison Lane, 7200 block, Sept. 6. Clothing was stolen from a business.

Huntington Ave., 2300 block, Sept. 9. Beverages and snacks were stolen from a business.

Midtown Ave., 2400 block, Sept. 6. Bicycles were stolen from a residence.

Monticello Ave., 8500 block, Sept. 7. An electronic device was stolen from a residence.

Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., 3200 block, Sept. 6. A tire was stolen from a vehicle.

Parkers Lane, 2500 block, Sept. 7. A bookbag was stolen from a vehicle.

Parkers Lane, 2500 block, Sept. 8. A chainsaw was stolen from a residence.

Popkins Lane, 2600 block, Sept. 6. Items and cash were stolen from a vehicle.

Richmond Hwy., 6000 block, Sept. 7. A television was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 6300 block, Sept. 6. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 6300 block, Sept. 6. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 6600 block, Sept. 9. A bicycle was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 6700 block, Sept. 6. Earphones and cash were stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 6700 block, Sept. 7. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 7600 block, 3:14 a.m. Sept. 2. Officers responded to an alarm at the DTLR clothing store. Upon arrival, they found the front-door glass had been broken. The manager arrived and reported that nothing appeared to have been taken.

Richmond Hwy., 7800 block, Sept. 6. A wig was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 7800 block, Sept. 8. Items were stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 7900 block, Sept. 8. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 8000 block, Sept. 6. A bicycle was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 8200 block, Sept. 6. Cash was stolen from a residence.

Richmond Hwy., 8200 block, Sept. 8. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle.

Richmond Hwy., 8700 block, 4:44 p.m. Sept. 5. Complainant reports that someone entered the business and removed a cash register containing an undisclosed amount of cash. From video footage inside the business, the three perpetrators appear to be black and male, mid-teens to early 20s, 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 150 pounds. They were all wearing dark clothing. The investigation continues.

Rollins Dr., 1800 block, Sept. 8. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

Sonora Pl., 3900 block, Sept. 6. A license was stolen from a vehicle.

Sonora Pl., 3900 block, Sept. 8. Items were stolen from a vehicle.

South Kings Hwy., 6300 block, Sept. 6. A wallet was stolen from a business.

VEHICLE THEFTS

Richmond Hwy., 8500 block, Sept. 6. A 2005 Ford F350 truck.

Village Sq., 8600 block, Sept. 6. A 1995 Cadillac Deville.

Reston District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Cameron Glen Dr., 1800 block, Sept. 6. A wallet was stolen from a residence.

Centreville Rd., 2100 block, Sept. 9. A bag was stolen from a business.

Curved Iron Rd., 13100 block, Sept. 6. Cash was stolen from a residence.

Forty Oaks Dr., 1300 block, Sept. 8. A clock was stolen from a residence.

Freedom Dr., 11900 block, Sept. 7. A laptop was stolen from a business.

Hunters Woods Plaza, 2200 block, Sept. 7. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Ivywood Rd., 2400 block, Sept. 9. Backpack, watch and electronics from vehicle.

James Monroe Cir., 2500 block, Sept. 6. Cash was stolen from a residence.

Newbridge Ct., 11600 block, Sept. 8. Items were stolen from a vehicle.

Ripplemeade Ct., 2400 block, Sept. 8. A medication was stolen from a residence.

Stone Wheel Dr., 2200 block, Sept. 9. A license was stolen from a vehicle.

Winged Foot Ct., 2000 block, Sept. 8. A bag was stolen from a vehicle.

VEHICLE THEFT

Pond View Ct., 2100 block, Sept. 8. A 2008 Nissan Versa.

Sully District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Ashington Ct., 13800 block, Sept. 7. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

Braddock Springs Rd., 13800 block, Sept. 9. A phone was stolen from a business.

Flamborough Rd., 14600 block, Sept. 8. A phone was stolen from a vehicle.

Harrison House Ct., 5700 block, Sept. 8. A gun was stolen from a vehicle.

Maidstone Ct., 14800 block, Sept. 9. A cellphone was stolen from a vehicle.

Union Mill Rd., 6000 block, Sept. 9. Cash was stolen from a business.

West Springfield District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Americana Dr., 4300 block, Sept. 9. Property was stolen from a residence.

Americana Dr., 4300 block, Sept. 9. Tools were stolen from a residence.

Barrington Ct., 8500 block, Sept. 6. A bicycle was stolen from a residence.

Brook Ford Rd., 9000 block, Sept. 6. Bicycles were stolen from a residence.

Burke Centre Pkwy., 9000 block, Sept. 6. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Burke Commons Rd., 6000 block, Sept. 6. Clothing was stolen from a business.

Carrleigh Pkwy., 8200 block, Sept. 7. Property was stolen from a residence.

Fair Briar Lane, 12800 block, Sept. 7. A phone was stolen from a business.

Heritage Dr., 7800 block, Sept. 6. Beer was stolen from a business.

Heritage Dr., 7800 block, Sept. 9. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Holborn Ave., 4600 block, Sept. 6. Money was stolen from a business.

Ironmaster Dr., 9500 block, Sept. 7. Electronics and jewelry were stolen from a vehicle.

Jefferson Park Dr., 13800 block, Sept. 7. Property was stolen from a residence.

Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy., 12300 block, Sept. 6. Cash was stolen from a residence.

Little Cobbler Ct., 9600 block, Sept. 7. A gun was stolen from a vehicle.

Little River Tpke., 7300 block, Sept. 6. A debit card was stolen from a business.

Majestic Lane, 4000 block, Sept. 6. Liquor was stolen from a business.

McWhorter Pl., 7500 block, Sept. 8. Cash was stolen from a residence.

New Parkland Dr., 12900 block, 12:20 a.m. Sept. 4. A resident reported someone entered his garage and removed property from his vehicle. There was no suspect description.

Ravenel Lane, 5600 block, Sept. 6. Items and cash were stolen from a vehicle.

Reservation Dr., 7500 block, Sept. 8. Cash was stolen from a business.

Rolling Rd., 8000 block, Sept. 6. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle.

Sideburn Rd., 5000 block, Sept. 7. Items were stolen from a business.

Sideburn Rd., 5300 block, Sept. 6. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle.

Vale Rd., 9900 block, Sept. 6. Cash was stolen from a business.

Fairfax City

These were among incidents reported by the Fairfax City Police Department. For information, call 703-273-2889.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Chain Bridge Rd., 3500 block, 11:54 p.m. Aug. 27. Larceny.

Chain Bridge Rd., 3500 block, 4:51 p.m. Sept. 7. Larceny.

Pickett Rd., 3600 block, 10:58 a.m. Sept. 8. From vehicle.

VANDALISM

Colonial Ave., 9600 block, 3:56 a.m. Sept. 5.

Fairfax Sq., 3800 block, 6:14 p.m. Sept. 4.

Farrcroft Dr., 8:50 a.m. Sept. 8.

Falls Church

These were among incidents reported by the Falls Church Police Department. For information, call 703-248-5056.

ASSAULTS

Hillwood Ave., 300 block, midnight Aug. 30. Simple assault.

Oak St. N., 2300 block, midnight Sept. 4. Injury to officer.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Broad St. W., 800 block, midnight Sept. 4. Tampering with an auto.

Maple Ave. S., 400 block, midnight Sept. 2. Theft reported.

Wilson Blvd., 6700 block, midnight Aug. 29. From vehicle.

FRAUD

Broad St. E., 100 block, midnight Aug. 30. Credit card/ATM fraud.

VANDALISM

Chanel Terr., 100 block, midnight Sept. 4. Destruction of property.

Herndon

These were among incidents reported by the Herndon Police Department. For information, call 703-435-6846.

ASSAULTS

Dulles Park Ct., 600 block, 11:12 a.m. Sept. 4. Simple assault.

Elden St., 200 block, 3:14 p.m. Aug. 29. Simple assault.

Elden St., 700 block, 1:57 a.m. Sept. 4. Simple assault.

Elden St., 1000 block, 10:36 a.m. Sept. 4. Simple assault.

Trevino Lane, 1000 block, 6:50 p.m. Sept. 4. Assault reported.

Worldgate Dr., 13000 block, 3:44 p.m. Aug. 30. Simple assault.

ROBBERY

Alabama Dr., 700 block, 6:54 p.m. Sept. 3. A person was robbed.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Elden St., 1100 block, 2:01 a.m. Sept. 3.

Grant St., 1300 block, 9:26 p.m. Sept. 3. Residential.

Legacy Pride Dr., 500 block, 9:04 a.m. Aug. 30. Residential.

Leona Lane, 900 block, 12:22 p.m. Sept. 2. Tampering with a vehicle.

Van Buren St., 500 block, 4:04 p.m. Sept. 3. Tampering with a vehicle.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT

Kensington Pl., 500 block, 3:23 p.m. Sept. 4. Motor vehicle theft reported.

VANDALISM

Elden St., 200 block, 11:44 a.m. Aug. 30. Destruction of property.

Florida Ave., 500 block, 12:29 p.m. Aug. 30. Destruction of property.

Knight Lane, 1000 block, 10:57 a.m. Sept. 3. Destruction of property.

Worldgate Dr., 13000 block, 10:31 a.m. Aug. 30. Graffiti.

Vienna

These were among incidents reported by the Vienna Police Department. For information, call 703-255-6396.

THEFT/BREAK-IN

Desale St. SW, 1000 block, 10:52 p.m. Sept. 5. An officer responded to the listed area for a burglary in progress. When he arrived in the area he observed three juvenile subjects flee the backyard of a residence. He was able to detain all three subjects. After investigatin, the officer determined no burglary occurred, but an unlawful entry did. Custody of the three juveniles was transferred to their parents.
THE DISTRICT

18-year-old man

fatally shot in NE

A man was shot and killed late Tuesday afternoon in Northeast, D.C. police said.

Police said Tesean Jermaine Ashe, 18, of Southeast was found about 5:30 p.m. in the 700 block of 16th Street NE. He died at a hospital.

 Victoria St. Martin and

Martin Weil

Oxon Hill man, 19,

fatally shot in SE

A man was shot and killed late Tuesday in Southeast, police said.

At about 9:30 p.m., officers went to the 4600 block of Livingston Road SE after a shooting was reported, D.C. police said in a statement. They found Deon Calvin Smith, 19, of Oxon Hill, Md., suffering from gunshot wounds. Smith was pronounced dead at a hospital.

 Dana Hedgpeth and

Justin Wm. Moyer

Man is suspected

in serial robberies

Federal authorities said Wednesday that they caught a man suspected of robbing convenience stores and gas stations in seven instances in Maryland, the District and Virginia.

Alvin Ponson, 57, of Southeast is in the custody of D.C. police, according to the FBIs Washington field office. He is charged with robbery and other counts in the District and will probably face similar charges in other jurisdictions, the FBI said.

Ponson, authorities said, robbed stores and gas stations around the region from October 2015 through last week.

 Dana Hedgpeth

MARYLAND

D.C. man pleads guilty

in armed robberies

A D.C. man pleaded guilty to committing more than 10 armed robberies in three weeks in 2014, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Curtis Fogg, 29, held up hair salons, cellphone stores and fast-food restaurants in the District and Prince Georges County in a string of robberies between Aug. 14 and Sept. 3, 2014, the U.S. attorney for the District said in a statement. Two robberies, during which Fogg stole more than $3,000, occurred in the same hour, according to a list of the crimes.

Fogg pleaded guilty to nine counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, one count of using, carrying and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of armed robbery, prosecutors said. Fogg is to be sentenced in January.

 Justin Wm. Moyer

Police investigate suspicious death

Greenbelt police are investigating the suspicious death of a woman found in a parking lot suffering from head lacerations this month.

Police identified the woman Wednesday as Nicole Patrice McClain, 29, of Landover.

McClain was found at about 4:40 a.m. Sept. 4 in the 5800 block of Cherrywood Terrace, according to Greenbelt police. She was taken to a hospital, where she later died.

Its unclear how McClain was injured, and an autopsy to determine the cause of death is pending, police said.

 Lynh Bui
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan endorsed Republican Amie Hoebers bid to unseat U.S. Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) on Wednesday, citing her business background and likening her underdog campaign to his 2014 battle against the then-lieutenant governor, Anthony Brown.

A lot of people wrote me off when I was running and said that we didnt have a chance, and I proved them wrong, the Republican governor said. And I think she has the ability to do the exact same thing.

Hoeber, a defense consultant and former Army deputy undersecretary, is the second congressional candidate to be endorsed by Hogan, whose popularity is at record levels across the state. In July, Hogan endorsed Kathy Szeliga (R-Baltimore County), the Maryland Houses minority whip, in her long-shot Senate race against U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D).

[Hogan endorses Kathy Szeliga for U.S. Senate]

Speaking before a crowd of about 100 people at a retirement community in Gaithersburg, Hogan said he plans to do whatever he can to help Hoeber beat Delaney, including raising money and campaigning, and will join her on a visit to Western Maryland in early October.

Delaney, who is often mentioned as a potential 2018 challenger to Hogan and has been one of the governors harshest critics, is finishing his second term representing the 6th Congressional District, which stretches from affluent Potomac in Montgomery County to Marylands border with West Virginia.

He ousted incumbent Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R) in 2012 after the Democratic-controlled state legislature redrew the districts boundaries to favor Democrats. But Delaney barely survived a challenge by Republican John Bongino two years later, winning by 2,700 votes in the election that swept Hogan into office.

Matthew Crenson, a political science professor emeritus at Johns Hopkins University, noted Hogans sky-high approval ratings among both Republicans and Democrats and said that the 6th District race could be an interesting test to [Hogans] coattails.

Delaney has raised $1.1 million for his reelection campaign, more than twice the $419,000 that Hoeber has brought in, according to the most recent campaign finance reports.

Hoeber, who has already lent her campaign $350,000, said she had enough money of my own to contribute to the race and is not worried about Delaneys financial advantage. I am adequately funded, she said. Ill just leave it at that.

Delaney has tried to link Hoeber to GOP White House nominee Donald Trump, noting that she  unlike Hogan  has said she would back the New York billionaire.

On Wednesday, Delaney said in a statement that the governors decision to support Hoeber was not surprising. Of course the governor is endorsing her, thats his job as the top Maryland Republican, Delaney said. What Amie Hoeber needs to explain is her unwavering support for Donald Trump and his agenda.

There is no obvious mention of Trump on Hoebers campaign website, and neither Hogan nor Hoeber mentioned him at Wednesdays event.

Asked about Trump, Hoeber campaign manager Paul Ellington said that Hoeber made a pledge to support whichever candidate won the Republican nomination and has stuck to that promise.

Delaney and Hoeber are scheduled to appear at a candidate forum at Shaare Torah congregation in Gaithersburg on Monday evening. The campaigns are working out details of other debates and forums.
Corrections officers and medical staff of the Montgomery County Correctional Facility explain the treatment of the mentally ill inside the 40-unit crisis intervention center. (Astrid Riecken/For The Washington Post)

Maryland health officials say they have nearly eliminated the backlog of people who have been charged with crimes but require psychological treatment or evaluations, reducing the need to put those people in jails that cannot address their needs.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said the number of people on its forensic waiting list has dropped from a high of 84 in May to 12 this month.

The reduction, which was discussed at a legislative hearing on Tuesday, comes after mental health advocates and corrections officials raised concerns that a shortage of beds at Marylands five state mental hospitals had reached a crisis point.

[Mental health crisis ensnares inmates, judges, jailers and hospitals]

Some judges asked state health officials, including Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Van T. Mitchell, to appear in court to explain why they could not comply with legally binding orders.

In April, Mitchell sent a letter to a judge in Prince Georges County saying that the states mental hospitals were full but that he was creating a work group to address the situation and working on ways to move patients more efficiently through the system.

The problem dates back about 10 years, but it has grown worse recently. Experts say factors contributing to the rise include an increase in the number of people with mental illnesses being arrested and booked into jails without a corresponding expansion of state mental-health facilities; patients staying longer for acute illnesses; and private-care providers not accepting former criminal defendants who need ongoing help.

On Tuesday, health officials testified before lawmakers from state legislative committees that they trimmed the wait list in large part through a new initiative focused on discharging longtime patients who have been deemed medically ready for release.

Barbara J. Bazron, executive director of Marylands Behavioral Health Administration, said the agency discharged 49 of 98 people who met the criteria, but only after looking at their individual cases and individual needs . . . and connecting them to the services and support they need in the community.

Del. Kathleen M. Dumais (D-Montgomery), vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said the health department needs to tackle those remaining on the wait list with urgency, saying the patients sitting in jail are being illegally detained, and we need to find beds to treat them.

Health officials said they will follow the recommendations from the work group that Mitchell convened this summer to develop solutions for the backlog, including increasing bed capacity, adding more staff who are trained to deal with vulnerable populations, standardizing the processes for accepting and discharging patients at state mental hospitals and expanding the availability of crisis services and outpatient clinics.

Baltimore City District Court Judge George Lipman, one of three members of the judiciary at the hearing, credited Mitchell with being very sincere in taking ownership of the issue, but he noted that lawyers for the health department have argued that current law is not clear about whether state mental hospitals must accept all people who are ordered by courts to undergo treatment or evaluations. He asked the committees to reaffirm the legislative intent of the statute.

Sen. Robert A. Zirkin (D-Baltimore County), who chairs the Judicial Proceedings Committee, asked whether the legislature needs to tweak the language of the law to reaffirm its intent.

I think the statute is very clearly written, Lipman said, adding that the legislature could wait to see whether improvement continues before deciding whether to take action.

Lipman also said Mitchell needs to hire more mental-health employees.

He needs more staff, the judge said. We cant do it with smoke and mirrors. There has to be resources.
A large chunk of anticipated MGM National Harbor casino revenue is set to be diverted from school repairs to bolster a local high schools vocational programs, after a vote by the Prince Georges County Council late Tuesday.

The bill from council member Obie Patterson (D-Fort Washington) represented the only change to a proposed $4.5 million spending plan endorsed earlier this year by County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) and the Local Development Council, a group of citizens, business leaders and elected officials that makes recommendations on how to spend the money.

Baker has not indicated whether he would sign the bill.

[The casino money hasnt arrived yet, but the fight on how to spend it is on]

County law mandates that half of those fiscal 2017 local impact dollars, or $2.2 million, must go to education. Baker and the Local Development Council had originally proposed using the money to pay for structural repairs and mechanical projects at nine different schools.

But Patterson objected to that plan, saying such repairs should be funded through the regular school budget.

The local-impact dollars, he said, are new moneys that should go to creative projects and innovative ideas and those things we havent been able to do before.

The vote means that Crossland High Schools career academies  skills-training programs such as automotive repair, cosmetology, masonry, nursing and information technology  would receive $1.2 million. Patterson said the programs provide important opportunities for the nearly 25 percent of Prince Georges public school students who do not go to college.

It means we can make updates and buy new materials and equipment, said Crossland Principal Theresa Moseley Fax. She said the schools masonry program dates to the 1960s  as does some of the machinery in the classes.

The 7-to-0 council vote was celebrated by Crossland High School staff and students, including aspiring chef Jasmine Blackwell.

Before enrolling in the culinary arts career academy program in the 11th grade, the 17-year-old said, she had trouble finding her place in school. A year later, Blackwell is an award-winning pastry-chef-in-training with dreams of opening her own restaurant and traveling the world. The self-described extreme introvert said she is far more social, open and driven since becoming a part of Crosslands program.

The rest of the earmarked education dollars would go to replace windows, playground equipment and fire alarm systems at Thurgood Marshall Middle School and Glassmanor, Potomac Landing and Valley View elementary schools.

Several people objected to the compromise during Tuesdays public hearing and asked the council to adopt restrictions on the use of casino revenue for basic building work in future years.

Patterson said his bill was the culmination of a long fight to ensure that revenue from the casino directly benefits those affected by its opening and to hold the Baker administration accountable for the promises it made to residents when voters approved casino gambling in 2012.

The other half of the impact funds are slated to pay for additional police and fire personnel and services in areas near the casino, bolster workforce-development and youth-employment programs there, and provide scholarships and grants to students and local nonprofit groups.

Neither the Baker administration nor the Local Development Council took a position on Pattersons legislation. The County Council also passed an amendment clarifying that any future casino revenue above the 2017 projections must undergo the same allocation review, comment and approval process.
Prince William County

These were among incidents reported by Prince William County police for this edition of Local Living. For information, call

703-792-5123.

DUMFRIES AREA

ASSAULTS

Dumfries Rd., 17100 block, Aug. 31. A man assaulted a female acquaintance and fled with her 3-month-old child. A 44-year-old man was arrested.

Reservoir Loop, 16600 block, 4:27 p.m. Aug. 25. A male juvenile assaulted two relatives, a woman and a boy. A Dumfries boy, 13, was arrested.

WEAPONS

Vineland Pl., 3300 block, midnight to 7:30 a.m. Sept. 4. Someone fired a weapon hitting two residences. No one was reported injured.

MANASSAS AREA

SEXUAL ASSAULTS

Emerald Dr., 7500 block, Aug. 31. A man inappropriately touched a female juvenile acquaintance. A Manassas man, 20, was arrested.

Rixlew Lane, 8500 block, 2:25 a.m. Sept. 4. A man in a business inappropriately touched a woman.

ASSAULTS

Albermarle Dr., 7400 block, 12:38 a.m. Sept. 5. Someone fired a BB gun, hitting a woman in the leg.

Ashton Ave. and Rixlew Lane, 2:15 p.m. Aug. 31. During a fight, three male perpetrators assaulted a male juvenile acquaintance. An 18-year-old man and two Manassas Park juveniles, 14 and 16, were arrested.

Parkland St., 8600 block, 2:36 a.m. Sept. 4. During a fight, a male juvenile stabbed a man and another man assaulted him. The man was treated for injuries. Two male perpetrators, 17 and 21, both of Manassas, were arrested.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Bren Forest Way, 12700 block, 5 p.m. Aug. 19 to 5 p.m. Sept. 2. An attempt was made to enter a residence by damaging a rear door.

Festival Lane, 10300 block, midnight to 8:30 a.m. Sept. 4. Jewelry was stolen from a business entered by cutting a hole through a roof and cutting open two safes.

WOODBRIDGE AREA

ASSAULTS

Birchdale Ave., 14700 block, 7:07 p.m. Aug. 30. A man shot a male juvenile acquaintance, who was treated for injuries. A 19-year-old man was arrested.

Birchdale Ave. and Dale Blvd., 12:32 a.m. Sept. 7. Someone fired a weapon hitting a man in the leg.

Colby Dr. and Old Bridge Rd., 1:09 a.m. Sept. 3. Responding to a report, police officers found a man who had been assaulted. He was treated for injuries.

Dale Blvd. and Gideon Dr., 9:54 p.m. Sept. 2. During an argument, a man threw a rock at a female acquaintance, hitting her in the head and knocking her unconscious.

Endsley Turn, 14600 block, 2:23 p.m. Aug. 30. During an argument, a woman assaulted a male acquaintance and a man stabbed him. The acquaintance was treated for injuries. A man, 24, and a woman, 28, both of Woodbridge, were arrested.

Qualls Lane, 13000 block, 9:58 p.m. Sept. 2. During an argument, a woman stabbed a male acquaintance in the arm with a knife.

CHILD NEGLECT

Galt Ct., 16600 block, 8:17 p.m. Sept. 1. A woman left three young children alone in a residence. A Woodbridge woman, 29, was arrested.

ROBBERIES

Mathews and West Longview Drives, 8 p.m. Aug. 31. Two men exited a vehicle, assaulted a male juvenile pedestrian and robbed him of a bag.

Prince William Pkwy., 2600 block, 2:19 a.m. Sept. 1. Two gunmen in a hotel parking lot demanded property from a woman. A struggle ensued and the woman fled to a business. The gunmen fled with a purse and cellphones.

INDECENT EXPOSURE

Jefferson Davis Hwy., 14300 block, 3:43 p.m. Sept. 3. A man in a vehicle asked a female juvenile if she wanted a ride. When the girl refused, the man exposed himself.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Glenriver Way, 2600 block, 11:30 p.m. Sept. 5 to 5:30 a.m. Sept. 6. An attempt was made to enter a residence by damaging a front door.

Lynwood Dr., 5000 block, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 30. Cash, a laptop computer, a cellphone, jewelry, clothes and video game accessories were stolen from a residence entered by damaging a rear door.

Marsh Overlook Dr., 15500 block, 1:04 a.m. Sept. 5. A residence was entered by damaging a rear door. Nothing was reported stolen.

Princedale Dr., 13500 block, midnight Aug. 11 to 8:30 a.m. Aug. 31. Two firearms were stolen from a residence.

Manassas

This was among incidents reported by Manassas police for this edition of Local Living. For information, call 703-257-8000.

WEAPONS

Calypso Dr., 10200 block, 1 p.m. Sept. 2. A man shot a another man, who was treated for injuries. A Manassas man, 18, was arrested.

Manassas Park

No report was received from Manassas Park police for this edition. of Local Living. For information, call 703-361-1136.
A 77-year-old man riding a bicycle was struck and killed by a car on Monday in College Park, police said.

At about 7:30 a.m., officers were called to the 4600 block of Paint Branch Parkway for the report of a collision involving a car and a bicyclist, Prince Georges County Police said in a statement.

A preliminary investigation revealed a car was stopped at a red light on Paint Branch Parkway as Robert Dickey of Southeast Washington was riding his bicycle in the crosswalk and attempting to cross the street, the statement said. When the traffic light turned green, the car struck Dickey, who was taken to a local hospital where he died several hours later, according to the statement.

The driver of the car remained on the scene, police said, and no information about the driver or vehicle was immediately available.

Police asked anyone with information about the collision to call them at 301-731-4422 or submit a tip at pgcrimesolvers.com.
This website is intended for U.S. visitors only.
A D.C. man pleaded guilty to committing more than 10 armed robberies in three weeks in 2014, prosecutors said.

Curtis Fogg, 29, held up hair salons, cellphone stores and fast-food restaurants in D.C. and Prince Georges County between Aug. 14 and Sept. 3, 2014, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia said in a statement. Two of the robberies, during which Fogg stole more than $3,000, occurred in the same hour, according to a list of the crimes released by prosecutors.

Fogg pleaded guilty to nine counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery; one count of using, carrying and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and one count of armed robbery, prosecutors said.

We were able to arrest and prosecute a suspect who brazenly targeted businesses in our community in the summer of 2014, Prince Georges County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said in a statement. We are pleased he can no longer victimize anyone in our region.

Fogg will be sentenced in January, prosecutors said, and faces up to 22 years in prison.
A 15-year-old District youth fatally shot another teenager this month after a dispute between two rival neighborhood crews, a D.C. homicide detective testified Tuesday.

The testimony followed the arrest Monday of the teen in the brazen daytime shooting of Kevin Anthony Jackson II. Jackson, 17, was killed at around 2:15 p.m. Sept. 1 in the 1900 block of 16th Street SE, near Good Hope Road and Minnesota Avenue.



[Suspect 15-year-old charged with first-degree murder in fatal shooting of 17-year-old]

It was the teens first appearance in D.C. Superior Court since his arrest at school. He is charged with first-degree murder while armed.

It is rare for a 15-year-old to face a first-degree murder charge in the District, authorities said. The boy is charged as a juvenile and is being prosecuted by the D.C. attorney generals office. However, that office may ask a judge to move the case to adult court.

The Washington Post generally does not identify suspects charged in juvenile court. Court officials allowed The Post to cover the hearing  such proceedings usually are closed to the public  on the condition that the charged teen not be named.

Detective Jeffrey Weber, one of the lead investigators, testified Tuesday that the teen initially denied being at the scene where Jackson was killed. Detectives then told the youth that they had security video and a witness who placed him there.

The youth then told detectives that he had fired a shot into the air, Weber said, but later said he had fired at Jackson two to four times. Detectives found four bullet shell casings at the scene, the detective said.

Jackson was shot once in the head.

Weber testified that a witness told detectives that about 30 minutes before the shooting, the teen and his friends got into an argument with Jackson and his friends. Both of the youths, the detective testified, had associations with rival street crews.

A witness also told detectives that Jackson and others had jumped the 15-year-old in April, Weber said.

Jackson previously attended Anacostia High School but was not enrolled this year, school officials have said. It is not clear where the charged teen attended school.

A security video obtained by police shows the arrested teen walking up to the area where Jackson was killed while touching something in his waistband, which Weber said appeared to be the handle of a gun. The video shows the teen walking closer to where Jackson was standing, the detective said.

The video then shows the teen and other people running in various directions. The detective testified that the gunfire caused the group to run.

In questioning, the teens attorney, Prescott Loveland of the Districts Public Defender Service, was able to elicit that another witness identified someone who did not fit the teens description as the shooter. Also, the main witness in the shooting initially identified two other individuals as the shooter, before eventually identifying the teen who was arrested.

The detective testified that Jackson had a prior gun arrest, and a witness said Jackson and his friends were armed at the time of the altercation earlier that day, although there was no information as to whether a weapon was found near Jackson when he was killed.

The charged teen, dressed in what appeared to be a school uniform of khaki pants and a white, collared shirt, often chewed on his fingernails as he sat next to his attorney and listened to testimony. Throughout the hearing, his mother, who sat in the audience behind her son, sobbed as prosecutors and defense attorneys handed her tissues.

The teens attorney later argued that his client may have been acting in self-defense at the time of the shooting.

Magistrate Judge Errol Arthur rejected the attorneys argument and said that he found the teen to be a danger to himself and to the community. He ordered him to remain detained with the Districts Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services until his next hearing, on Thursday.

If the case remains in juvenile court and if he is convicted, the teen faces a maximum punishment of six years commitment to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, until he turns 21. If the case is moved to adult court and he is convicted, he could face a longer sentence.

Weber, the detective, also testified that police now think a second shooting that occurred around the same time about a block away is unrelated to Jacksons killing. In that incident, a driver for a pizza shop was wounded as he made a delivery, police have said.
Metro has disappointed many riders of late, and even as a way for a robber to make a getaway, it appears that the system may sometimes fall short of expectations.

D.C. police said that after a robbery Monday in the Woodley Park area of Northwest Washington, a suspect was spotted on a train and arrested.

They said a robber grabbed a smart phone from the hand of its owner about 1:15 p.m. in the 2600 block of 24th Street NW. Police said the robber fled into the Woodley Park Metro station. The station is at Connecticut Avenue and 24th Street, less than 100 yards from the scene of the crime.

A description of the robber was quickly broadcast to a variety of law enforcement agencies, police said. They said it was a Metro Transit Police officer who spotted someone who appeared to match the description of the robber.

He was sitting in the back of a subway car, police said. D.C. police said they were notified and the suspect was arrested. Police described him as a man of about 20. A police report said the arrest was made about 2 p.m. in the 3500 block of Connecticut Avenue. That is the site of the Cleveland Park Metro station, about a mile north of Woodley Park.

It was not clear how the robber gained access to the train platform and whether a fare was paid.
Calvert County

These were among reports received by the Calvert County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 410-535-2800 or 301-855-1194, the Crime Solvers line at 410-535-2880 or the state police Prince Frederick Barrack at 410-535-1400.

CHESAPEAKE BEACH AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Rector Lookout, Aug. 29. During a move to the county, a handgun was stolen.

DUNKIRK AREA

VANDALISM

West Ward Rd., 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Sept. 1. The finish on the hood of a vehicle was scratched.

OWINGS AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Lake Shore Dr., Sept. 1. Items were stolen from a house under construction.

PORT REPUBLIC AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Dogwood Ct., 5:30 a.m. Aug. 29 to 5:30 a.m. Aug. 30. A safe was stolen from a shed.

PRINCE FREDERICK AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Dares Beach Rd., 5:40 p.m. Aug. 29. A restaurant employee left a wallet in a restroom, where someone took it.

ST. LEONARD AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Williams Wharf Rd., Sept. 1. A vehicles validation tab was stolen.

Charles County

These were among reports received by the Charles County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. For information, call 301-932-2222 or 301-870-3232. The website ccso.us has crime statistics and information on crime prevention programs.

REWARDS FOR INFORMATION

Crime Solvers will pay a reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment. The 24-hour hotline is 866-411-8477. Callers may remain anonymous.

WALDORF AREA

ROBBERIES

Smallwood Dr., 300 block, 11:11 p.m. Sept. 6. A masked man hit a cash register several times in an unsuccessful effort to steal cash, and fled. A few minutes later, a convenience store was robbed, apparently by the same man. A West Virginia man, 45, was charged with armed robbery and first- and second-degree assault.

St. Marys County

These w ere among reports received by the St. Marys County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. For information, call 301-475-8008. To submit a tip, call Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333. The Leonardtown Barrack of the state police has an anonymous tip line at 301-475-2936.

CALIFORNIA AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Laurel Glen Rd., Sept. 4. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

CALLAWAY AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Mallard Pl., Sept. 3. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Widgeon Pl., Sept. 2. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

CLEMENTS AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Horseshoe Rd., Sept. 4, Property was stolen from a vehicle.

GREAT MILLS AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Great Mills, Sept. 2. Property was stolen from a vehicle parked at a high school.

Wolftrap St., Sept. 1. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

LEONARDTOWN AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Abraham Dr., Sept. 1. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Breton View Dr., Sept. 1. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Candela Pl., Sept. 1. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Key Way, Sept. 4. An attempt was made to forcibly enter a home.

LEXINGTON PARK AREA

ASSAULTS

Church Rd., Sept. 3. A male youth assaulted another male. A Lexington Park youth, 16, was charged with second-degree assault.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Columbus Dr., Sept. 4. Property was stolen from a home.

Great Mills Rd., Aug. 25. A credit card stolen from a vehicle was used at a grocery store.

Three Notch Rd., Sept. 3. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Willows Dr., Sept. 3. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

MECHANICSVILLE AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Golden Beach Rd., Sept. 4. Property was stolen from a home.

SCOTLAND AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Chesapeake Bay Dr., Sept. 4. Property was stolen from a home.
Barbara Carpaldi-Carrion has traveled Europe on trains, ridden subways in Rome, Vienna, Madrid and Barcelona. The New Jersey native considers herself a public transit veteran and said she never encountered a train so packed she couldnt find a way to squeeze in.

Until Metros Blue Line.

Carpaldi-Carrion tried to board a train at the Rosslyn Metro station around 5 p.m. one day last week. A crush of commuters jammed into the car so tightly that a mans messenger bag got stuck in the closing doors. Riders rushed to his aid, lest a malfunctioning door lead to two of the most dreaded words for any Metro regular: train offloading.

This is my first experience ever actually getting pushed out of a train said Carpaldi-Carrion, who had moved to Northern Virginia last week because of her husbands new job and was experiencing her first day on Metro. I just thought that was kind of crazy.

The mad rush is something regular Blue Line riders have come to expect. On most afternoons, riders say, cars on the line feel like locker rooms  hot, sweaty, smelly  a toxic mix for weary commuters, many of whom are leaving jobs in the District and headed to their homes in Northern Virginia.





You cant be claustrophobic if youre going to ride the Blue Line in the afternoon, said Jared Joe Haas, 35, who rides from Pentagon City to Rosslyn, where he takes Dari language classes.

He described a recent morning trip when riders bags got stuck in the doors two separate times.

Some people werent holding on to anything, he said. Random strangers were pulling people inside. Its almost like a team.

Metro ridership has declined dramatically over the past year  11 percent in the spring alone, according to the latest data. But youd be hard-pressed to find evidence of that on the crowded Blue Line. Metros latest Vital Signs report notes that the system has more instances of overcrowding . . . than last year at the same time, highlighting Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom as two pain points.

And riders shouldnt expect changes anytime soon; Metro says the overcrowding is still within acceptable standards.

[SafeTrack closures: These D.C. Metro lines and stations will be disrupted in the next year]

With the exception of two months at the end of 2015, Blue Line trains pulling into Rosslyn during the evening rush have exceeded Metros optimal crowding level of 100 passengers per car every month since the fall of 2014, right after the Silver Line opened.

When the Silver Line opened, Metro had to decrease Blue Line service because of the limited capacity of the Rosslyn tunnel, which in addition to the Silver and Blue lines is also used by the Orange Line. Metro cut the number of Blue Line trains, increasing the time between trains from eight minutes to 12 minutes.

To ease the blow to passengers, Metro boosted Yellow Line service from Pentagon southward in a program known as Rush Plus.

But crowds ballooned on Blue Line trains elsewhere in the system. Since crowding spiked in July 2015, with an estimated 130 passengers packing into some rail cars at rush hour, riders have seen little sign of relief.

[Blue Line riders ask why theyre always Metros punching bag]

This year, passenger loads during the evening rush at Rosslyn exceeded Metros crowding standards every month from January to April, the most recent data available. In February, observers noted 119 passengers per car; the maximum allowed under Metro standards is 120.

Metro says it hasnt had enough railcars to alleviate the conditions. The agency is counting on its new 7000-series trains to ease the problem. The agency also disputes complaints that crowding is worsening.

Blue Line load factor during this period is essentially unchanged compared to the same period last year and the measure remains within acceptable standards, Metro spokeswoman Sherri Ly said in a statement. Metro makes every effort to run 50 to 60 percent of all Blue Line trains as 8-car trains, the longest possible length, subject to railcar availability. As more and more 7000-series railcars arrive, we expect to be able to provide these longer trains more consistently.

[Metro fourth-quarter ridership plunges 11 percent]

The agencys SafeTrack maintenance plan has exacerbated the problem, inducing crowding through planned service reductions.

Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld said at a meeting last week that he wanted the agency to perform a top-down analysis of where service is needed, including on the Blue Line.

I think that on a fairly regular basis we should be doing an overall review of the entire system, he said, comparing it to Metros annual evaluations of bus service.

In the meantime, he said, the main solution Metro can offer is increasing the number of eight-car Blue Line trains. As more railcars become available following maintenance and air-conditioning issues over the summer, Wiedefeld said, more eight-car trains could be floated into service.

Metros last formal proposal to relieve Blue Line crowding came last summer. The plan would have reduced Blue Line wait times to eight minutes  but at the expense of four other lines. It failed to the gain support of the Metro board.

An afternoon visit to Rosslyn last week illustrated the impact extended waits can have.

Thirteen minutes? Aminata Kargbo, 28, of Alexandria said to no one in particular, peering up at the station board in disbelief. Thats very, very, very, frustrating.

Her new job in Herndon takes her from Pentagon City  where a bus drops her off  to Rosslyn, where she transfers to the Silver Line. How could she better spend that hour and 45 minutes?

Happy hour, sleeping . . . not being on the train, she said.

Jeff Larrimore, a government researcher who co-founded Save the Blue Line in 2014, said Metro needs to tackle the Blue Line issue with the same urgency it does other problems  like the way it addressed neglected maintenance with SafeTrack.

[Metro general manager proposes permanent end to late-night service]

Its encouraging that Metro acknowledges that this is an issue, Larrimore said. That being said, acknowledging the issue and actually doing something about it are two different things.

Barbara Hermanson, chairwoman of Metros Riders Advisory Council, said she hopes Metro can come up with an answer soon.

Wed like them to search for ways to add eight-car trains to Blue, she said. Of everything Ive heard, that might be the most feasible if we have enough cars.

She added: Its been a long time hoping that something would happen. But weve heard each time what seemed like really good reasons . . . that it was just really not something to focus on. Im really encouraged by [Wiedefeld] saying we do need to look at the balance like the bus does.

One stop away from Rosslyn at Arlington Cemetery, the Robbins family of Elmhurst, Ill., had plans to pay tribute to fallen soldiers when they were diverted by an afternoon downpour. Instead, they decided to continue on the Blue Line to Old Town Alexandria, where they were staying while visiting Washington.

But the first train that arrived was too crowded for the three of them.

Were kind of waiting to see if a train comes by thats a little bit emptier, Ken Robbins, 65, said.


The Confederate Appomattox statue at South Washington and Prince streets in Alexandria. (Dayna Smith/The Washington Post)

The Alexandria City Council will decide Saturday what to do about its multiple public commemorations of the Confederacy, after what is expected to be a heated public hearing.

Mayor Allison Silberberg (D) warned at a meeting Tuesday night that she will strictly enforce a three-minute rule that limits each speakers time during the hearing, a restriction she has not enforced in the past.

At issue will be the recommendations of a task force which last month advised the council to rename Jefferson Davis Highway (also known as Route 1), retain the Appomattox statue of the pensive, South-facing Confederate soldier at Prince and South Washington streets but add more context to it, and do nothing about the myriad streets named after Confederate heroes, unless residents petition to change the names of specific streets.

[Divided panel advises keeping a Southern statue, changing a highway name]

The task forces recommendations are advisory; it is up to the City Council to decide whether to accept them. The task force was divided in its decision; the two African Americans who served on the group said the advice should have gone further in clamping down on Confederate symbols.



Mayor Allison Silberberg in Old Town Alexandria. (Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

Silberberg, who became mayor in January, urged residents to be careful and respectful and understanding. Its a difficult subject for some, for many and for all of us.

The Civil War ended more than 150 years ago with the defeat of the rebellious states, but in Alexandria, the first Southern city occupied by Northern troops, indications abound that some secessionists never quite accepted their defeat.

A portrait of Confederate leader Gen. Robert E. Lee hangs in the City Councils chambers, for example, sharing pride of place with a portrait of the first U.S. president, George Washington. Both leaders spent time living in Alexandria, just across the Potomac River from Washington.

Tourism efforts in Alexandria focus greater on the citys role during the American Revolution rather than its slave-owning, antebellum past.

[Alexandria council to reconsider its Confederate memorials]

But in the summer of 2015, prompted by the shooting of nine worshipers at a historic African American church in Charleston, S.C., city leaders decided it was time to reconsider certain practices, such as whether city workers should hoist the Confederate flag twice a year at a major entrance to the city and in the public right of way.

The council last year decided to end the tradition.

That discussion prompted a subsequent examination of the citys many related Confederate markers: the plaque erected in 1929 at Pitt and King streets, which leaves out key details of the first Civil War-related deaths in Alexandria; the citys allowance of a privately owned statue of the mournful Confederate soldier in the middle of a busy intersection near the southern entrance to Old Town; the decision in 1953 to name north-south streets in the newly annexed West End after Southern military leaders, such as Gen. G.T. Beauregard, Maj. Eli Hamilton Janney, Gen. Jubal Early and many others.

The task force that studied what to do with those markers was created last year by then-mayor Bill Euille (D), the only African American to have held the citys top elected office. On Wednesday, Euille sent a letter to the City Council, urging lawmakers to adopt the task force recommendations. On Saturday, you will have the opportunity to both deal with history, and to make history, with your decision, Euille wrote.
A view of the property line between Paul and Patrice Linehan's home and the property of Gaver Nichols, an architect who is building a garage that blocks the only window on the west side of the Linehans house. (Patricia Sullivan/The Washington Post)

The garage under construction in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria may block the light and air to a neighbors kitchen window, but the building permit is legal, the city manager said this week in a memo to the City Council.

The garage being built by owner-architect Gaver Nichols, at 319 E. Monroe Ave., is two feet from the property line, blocking the only first-floor window on that side of Paul and Patrice Linehans home.

Nichols previously erected a fence even closer to the Linehans home, triggering an epic dispute that has enraged homeowners throughout the area. Nichols later replaced the fence with a trellis in front of the Linehans' window, which city inspectors said was allowed.

This weeks memo from City Manager Mark Jinks said city employees can encourage people to take neighbors concerns into account but ultimately we cant deny a garage permit that meets the letter of the law.

[In friendly Del Ray, a decidedly unneighborly dispute]





Jinks rejected an assertion by the Linehans attorney that the garage illegally obstructs light and ventilation, saying that city statutes on that matter do not apply and that the law actually precludes staff from considering light and ventilation issues in this situation.

Nichols, who designed, built and sold the Linehans house to them in the mid-1990s, helped push through a change in local zoning law in 2009 that reduced the required setback from the property line for garages from eight feet to one foot.

Roy Shannon, the Linehans attorney, said he and his clients are evaluating whether to appeal the building permit for the garage to the Board of Zoning Appeals or whether to take Nichols to court.

Its interesting to me that the memo says the city doesnt look at light and ventilation when considering these permits, Shannon said. You couldnt tell from the building permit that [the garage] would impact the Linehans house, he said. You dont know if hes going to build a garage with stepped or tiered construction that will let in light. This isnt a situation where the neighbors can go online and pull down his plans. You have to wait until construction begins to see the impact.

Nichols secured the building permit for the garage June 3, Jinkss memo said, and informed the neighbors within that time frame. Nichols had applied for and received a permit for the project nearly a year earlier, but that permit expired because Nichols did not begin work on the garage within six months.

Shannon said the Linehans may have gotten a phone call but not a letter about the current permit. He said construction began just before the July 4 holiday, when the Linehans were out of town for a week. The timing is critical because a permit can be appealed within 15 days of the start of construction or within 30 days of the permits approval.

The Linehans have said they dont have time to attend multiple city meetings or track bureaucratic changes, citing full-time jobs that require travel and the responsibilities that come with raising teenage sons.

They said their attempts to meet with city officials last winter to discuss the first permit took six months; Jinks said it was actually three months, with multiple telephone calls and emails.


Jude Elsanousi, 4, and her brother Anas, 5, play with goats and sheep at the Halal Farm in Dumfries as their father, Mohamed, follows behind. The animals will be slaughtered in honor of Eid al-Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post)

It was late afternoon on Monday when the Great Falls family of five piled into their minivan and headed for the Virginia countryside and an experience that Mohamed Elsanousi and his wife, Hanane Elabbassi, hoped their children would carry with them forever.

They had gone to a huge Eid al-Adha prayer service at the Dulles Expo Center and then a lavish holiday brunch with friends, and now they were going to roll up their sleeves and reenact a centuries-old religious tradition  sacrificing a sheep in the way that Islam prescribes.

Past the horse farms, cornstalks and the occasional Trump sign they drove, and then, suddenly, there it was: the Halal Farm sign, with another one beside it that said Eid Mubarak  a blessed holiday  in hand-painted Arabic. Behind the farmhouse, near the gravelly road, there were dozens of cars, the smoke of a few barbecue picnics, a pen full of sheep and goats, and a wooden shed where one family at a time could lead their selected animal. With the help of the farmer and butchers, they would perform the rite that commemorates Ibrahim (also known as Abraham) following Gods command to sacrifice his own son, only to have God replace the boy with a ram at the last minute.

As the countrys Muslim population grows, so too do the opportunities for Muslims to establish new faith traditions, blending ancient rituals with the latest American ways. The observant now can opt to slaughter their sheep for the holiday on a growing roster of farms; they can purchase organic, grass-fed meat for their feast from a green halal grocer, send money to a charity that will hand out food to the poor in inner-city Baltimore or attend an LGBT holiday barbecue in New York.

[An American couples Hajj journey: Its a mini United Nations out here]

For immigrants, the trip to the country to slaughter the animal is a means of establishing authenticity to heritage as they assimilate into suburbs and cities, send their kids to public schools and soccer camps, and go through the daily rituals of being American.

Elsanousi and Elabbassis brood is the embodiment of that hybridization. Theyre a multiracial, multilingual family with immigrant roots and a deep commitment to the melting pot.

Elsanousi grew up in Sudan; Elabbassi in Morocco. They met as students at Indiana University. He now runs a nonprofit group in the District that promotes interfaith peace-building around the world; shes been the den leader of their 11-year-old sons Cub Scout troop. At home they speak a mix of English and Arabic with their three American-born children; the Arabic, too, is a hybrid of the distinctive Sudanese and Moroccan dialects.



Jude Elsanousi, 4, with her parents, Mohamed Elsanousi and Hanane Elabbassi, takes some freshly grilled goat meat at the Shah Farm in Catlett, Va., during the Muslim holiday. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post)

Being part of a religious minority carries challenges; Eid is not a national holiday here, so parents and children often take just one day for a festival that can stretch to several in their homelands. But many say that status also inspires an appreciation of customs that can seem at risk of extinction after immigration.

We took it for granted growing up, Elabbassi said. Rituals here take special effort. As Muslims in the West, I want them to build childhood memories that help them to identify as Muslim Americans.

So many people want camel

There have long been American farms willing to sell their sheep and space to Muslims to perform the sacrifice on Eid, ranging from large-scale slaughterhouse operations like the one Elsanousis family visited last year, to Amish farms in western Pennsylvania. Muslims and religious leaders say the number is growing to accommodate a growing Muslim population.

But finding one can still feel daunting. You have to call a farm, and say you want to do this. Its sort of like, You want to do what? But you have to call the Jewish guy,  said Oz Sultan, who lives in Harlem in New York. If the farm agrees, you still have to go and catch the animal, subdue the animal, he said.

Or, he joked, you can hire a thousand artisanal hipsters to do it for you.



The turnoff for the Shah Farm in Catlett, Va. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post)

Mother and daughter, hands decorated with henna. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post)

Sensing a need, Mian Ajmal Shah, a Pakistani immigrant with no previous farming experience, opened his halal farm in Catlett, Va., six years ago, catering to a Muslim clientele that needs sheep and goats for holidays, births, weddings and other celebrations.

Day one of the holiday, Shah and his team helped customers slaughter sheep and goats. On days two and three, hes offering cows as well. And customers are clamoring for more. So many people want camel, he said. Its very tender  but we dont have camel.

Technically, its not necessary for Muslims  or anyone  to travel to a farm to kill a livestock animal. Federal law provides that individuals can slaughter their own animal on their own property, if they so desire. In Muslim-majority countries, courtyards and rooftops are often equipped for such events with drainage holes and faucets.

But with Muslims making up only around 1 percent of the U.S. population, at a time when verbal and physical assaults on Muslims are spiking, and with many Americans squeamish about animal slaughters in general, a farm can seem like the safest option.

Halal, like kosher slaughter, requires that the animal be subdued, but not stunned, before its death. The butcher makes a swift cut through the major artery and vein in the neck, and then the animal is meant to bleed out before being carved, according to both customs. There is a lot of blood, and sometimes the animal kicks involuntarily near the end.

Uninitiated, its not something that you would want to have done on your property and have neighbors see it, said Edward Mills, an associate professor of meat science at Penn State University.

Thats how Elabbassi felt about her two youngest, Anas, 5, and Jude, 4, when it was finally the familys turn to lead their sheep into the shed. Come on, she said, leading them away. Nabeel, 11, who his parents said had dissected a squid with his fifth-grade class last year, got to stay behind with his two older cousins to watch.

The parents believe in introducing their kids to the customs slowly, and with consideration of age. Later, inshallah, shell cherish these memories, Elabbassi said as Jude stuck a hand through the pens fence to pet a goat. I just want her to remember that this is a special day, not an ordinary day.

Options for observance

Charitable giving is a crucial part of Eid observance, but not everyones practice is the same.

At the farm, where everyone seemed to be sharing, Elsanousi and Elabbassis family munched on barbecued kebabs and watermelon slices while they waited for Shahs staff to carve up their sheep, and planned to give their own meat  which they later packed into a cooler full of ice for the ride home  to a couple of single mothers they know and to host a dinner party next weekend.

There are also a huge number of people, religious leaders say, who observe the holiday in different ways, and their options are growing too.

Theres a mix for sure, Rizwan Jaka, outreach director of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society Center, said of family Eid practice and celebrations. Some pay a charity overseas to slaughter an animal on their behalf and distribute the meat to the poor. Some purchase meat from a halal butcher, sometimes relying on their mosque to distribute the portion to the needy.

Syed Saboor and his wife in Westchester, N.Y., have removed animal sacrifice from their holiday tradition entirely, although the Saboors have gotten in the habit of throwing a massive annual potluck.

While Eid in Pakistan was always a family affair growing up, in New York, it has become a festival to share with friends  120 on this years guest list. The children decorate the house and help prepare traditional Pakistani fare. Its kind of nice to know that others feel that our open house is a tradition for them, too, Saboor said.

By nightfall on Monday, the first of Eids three days, Elsanousi and Elabbassi finally were ready to head home. They needed to stop first at another cousins barbecue in Gainesville, Va., where a relative declared Youre late! as they walked up to a cluster of picnic tables in the dark.

And then finally it was back onto Interstate 66 and up their quiet driveway. It was a school night, after all, and time for bed.
Groups on both sides of Nebraska's execution debate continued to spar Wednesday over exactly how much the death penalty costs the state.

Attorney General Doug Peterson pointed to what he called "serious inaccuracies" in a Creighton University economist's analysis showing Nebraska spends about $14.6 million per year on the death penalty.

At a news conference, Peterson stopped short of saying there are no additional costs associated with capital punishment.

But he noted figures in the economic analysis by Ernie Goss would put Nebraska's annual death penalty spending per inmate at 10 times, or even 20 times, the costs incurred by other states.

For example, while Goss' report notes California's death penalty costs an estimated $121 million each year, about three times Goss' figure for Nebraska, it doesn't mention that California has some 743 inmates on death row  far more than the 10 people awaiting capital punishment here.

"That simply does not make sense," Peterson said.

State Sen. Kate Bolz of Lincoln, a death penalty opponent, said Goss' study is consistent with others on the subject and that lawmakers have turned to him before for analysis of complex economic issues.

"Dr. Goss has given an exact cost to a system that common sense already tells us is more expensive," she said.

Attorneys who have represented clients on Nebraska's death row identified at least 40 appeals available to only death row defendants, Bolz said. For example, "Carey Dean Moore has been on death row and filing appeals more or less since I was born."

Peterson dismissed the argument capital cases are by nature more expensive than other first-degree murder cases.

"The longevity of the trial is not based upon whether the death penalty is being sought," he said. "What really drives the cost of any first-degree murder case is based on the complexity of the case."

The Legislature repealed Nebraska's death penalty in 2015. Voters will decide Nov. 8 whether to retain the repeal.
Junk food reigns supreme in the food holidays for the week of Sept. 14-20:

Sept. 14: National Cream-Filled Doughnut Day. Dunkin' Donuts offers these creamy facts: The Boston Kreme is the official doughnut of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives since 2003; Dunkin's Boston Kreme donut is sold in more than 32 countries; and each year for Halloween, the doughnut chain drizzles orange icing atop the Boston Kreme Donut, transforming it into the Boston Scream Donut.

Sept 15: National Double Cheeseburger Day. Americans apparently prefer their burgers made by someone else. According to Foodimentary.com, Americans eat more burgers out at restaurants or on the go than they do at home. The largest hamburger ever created was over 8,000 pounds and was cooked for a burger festival in Wisconsin -- the home state of the Hamburger Hall of Fame.

Sept. 16: National Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Day. This bread is one of the most requested in bakeries across the country, according to NationalDayCalendar.com. FYI: there is a National Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day Facebook page.

Sept. 17: National Apple Dumpling Day. Apple dumplings are made by putting cored and peeled apples on a piece of dough, sprinkling them with cinnamon and sugar, then folding the dough over the apples to form a dumpling. The dumplings are then oven-baked until tender. Apple dumplings are believed to be native to the Pennsylvania area of the United States and is a common delicacy among the Amish, according to NationalDayCalendar.com.

Sept. 18: National Cheeseburger Day. If a double cheeseburger didnt satisfy your craving, heres the weeks second cheeseburger holiday.

Sept. 19: National Butterscotch Pudding Day. Food historians have several theories regarding the name and origin of this confectionery. One explanation is the meaning to cut or score for the word scotch, as the confection must be cut into pieces, or scotched, before hardening. It is also possible that the scotch part of its name was derived from the word scorch, according to Foodimentary.com.

Sept 20: National Punch Day/Rum Punch Day. You pick which holiday to celebrate. According to History.com punch was invented as a beer alternative in the 17th century by men working the ships for the British East India Company. The men were given an allotment of 10 pints of beer per shipman per day. When the ships reached the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean, the beer held in cargo bays grew rancid and flat, so on shore the sailors created new drinks out of ingredients indigenous to their destinations -- rum, citrus and spices.
TENNESSEE

House expels member over harassment allegations

The Tennessee House voted Tuesday to expel state Rep. Jeremy Durham (R) afterf allegations of widespread sexual harassment.

The chamber voted 70 to 2 to expel a sitting member for the first time in 36 years.

The vote onDurham, of Franklin, followed an attorney generals investigation that detailed allegations of improper sexual contact with at least 22 women during his four years in office.

Among other things, the report alleged that Durham plied a 20-year-old college student with a cooler full of beer and had sex with her in his office in 2014. Another woman interviewed was a lobbyist who nicknamed Durham Pants Candy after she said he rummaged in his pocket before suggestively offering her a dirty, unwrapped mint.

Durham denied that the allegations in the report should be considered sexual harassment and said that an open floor session did not give him enough opportunity to mount a defense.

 Associated Press

NEVADA

Man faces prison time for grabbing gun at Trump rally

A British man has pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from an incident in which he grabbed a police officers gun with a plan to shoot Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Las Vegas.

Michael Steven Sandford could face about two years in a U.S. prison and be deported for his pleas Tuesday to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and disrupting an official function.

Sandford, 20, could have faced up to 20 years in prison if he had been convicted at trial of both charges.

Court documents say Sandford acknowledged reaching for the gun while Trump was on stage June 18 at a Las Vegas Strip hotel-casino.

Sandford didnt get the gun before he was arrested, and no shots were fired.

The documents say Sandford later told a federal agent that he drove from California to Las Vegas with a plan to kill Trump.

Family attorney Saimo Chahal says Sandford was delusional at the time.

 Associated Press

OHIO

Prison time for gang member in quadruple homicide

An 18-year-old suspected gang member has been sentenced to more than 172 years in prison for his role in a quadruple homicide during a robbery at an Ohio home last year.

Jordyn Wade was accused of helping an accomplice rob five people in Columbus, then standing with his gun drawn while the accomplice shot them. One person survived.

A jury convicted Wade in May, and a judge sentenced him Tuesday to 172 1/2 years in prison.

Co-defendant Robert Adams Jr. faces the death penalty if convicted during his trial next year. Wade wasnt eligible for the death penalty because he was a juvenile when the slayings happened.

 Associated Press

Teacher leaves loaded pistol in elementary school bathroom: A teacher at a Christian school accidentally left her loaded pistol in a bathroom, where elementary schoolchildren found it, state police said Tuesday. Beth Jean Dixon, 63, put her holstered pistol on a toilet tank when she used the unisex, one-toilet bathroom Aug. 25 at Cumberland Christian School in Chambersburg, police said. They said she forgot about it and left. Four children, ages 6 to 8, used the bathroom while the gun was on the toilet. One child told his parent, who told a teacher. Dixon, who has been charged with crimes including reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of children, has resigned from the school, police said.

 Associated Press
PHILIPPINES

President rejects joint patrols in disputed seas

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday that he will not allow government forces to conduct joint patrols of disputed waters near the South China Sea with foreign powers, apparently scrapping a deal his predecessor reached with the U.S. military this year.

Duterte also said he is considering acquiring defense equipment from Russia and China. The Philippines has traditionally leaned on the United States and other Western allies for its security needs.

The Philippine president has had an uneasy relationship with the United States but has tried to mend ties with China strained by South China Sea disputes.

Duterte said he wanted only Philippine territorial waters to be patrolled by his nations forces, not offshore areas that are contested. He added that he opposes Philippine forces accompanying foreign powers in joint patrols that could entangle his country in hostilities.

We do not go into a patrol or join any other army from now because I do not want trouble, Duterte said.

His rejection of joint patrols apparently goes against an arrangement announced in April by the U.S. and Philippine defense chiefs.

While visiting Manila, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter disclosed that U.S. ships had carried out patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea, a somewhat rare move.

On Monday, Duterte said he wanted U.S. military forces out of the southern Philippines.

 Associated Press

BRAZIL

Architect of Rousseffs fall stripped of seat

The once-powerful speaker of the lower house of Brazils legislature is the latest top politician to fall amid mammoth corruption scandals that have caused widespread anger among Brazilians.

In a 450-to-10 vote, the Chamber of Deputies stripped Eduardo Cunha of his congressional seat. He has been accused of corruption and obstructing justice.

Cunha proclaimed his innocence and said he was being punished for leading the charge to oust Dilma Rousseff from the presidency.

Cunha was the main force behind the impeachment process that led to the Senate trying Rousseff and removing her from office last month for allegedly shifting funds between budgets illegally.

With the loss of his seat, Cunha loses the partial immunity from prosecution that comes with the office.

Prosecutors accuse him of corruption and money laundering over his role in negotiating contracts with the state-run oil giant Petrobras.

 Associated Press

INDIA

Nearly 400 arrested amid violence in IT hub

Police arrested nearly 400 people amid looting and vandalism in Indias information technology hub of Bangalore after a curfew was imposed to quell violence set off by a court ruling over a disputed water source, a police officer said Tuesday.

Police gunfire killed one protester and injured another on Monday night after mobs set fire to dozens of buses, trucks and cars and attacked shops and businesses in Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka state.

A top police officer said there was no major incident after the curfew was imposed in parts of the city on Monday night. Protesters set some trucks on fire in rural areas of the state on Tuesday.

The Cauvery River, which originates in Karnataka and flows into Tamil Nadu state, has been the source of a bitter water dispute for decades. Indias top court last week ordered Karnataka to release water downriver to Tamil Nadu.

Karnatakas top elected official said Tuesday that he was bound by the court ruling but that there was not enough water to share.

Bangalore is home to top Indian IT and multinational companies.

 Associated Press

U.N. approves Colombia peace mission: The U.N. Security Council approved the deployment of a U.N. political mission to monitor a cease-fire between the government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. Diplomats say the mission should be in place when the two parties sign a formal peace agreement on Sept. 26 and when the deal is subject to a referendum on Oct. 2. President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC rebels signed a cease-fire and rebel disarmament deal in June that moved the country to the brink of ending its 52-year war.

Death toll in Tanzania quake rises to 17: The number of people killed in a rare earthquake in the Lake Victoria region over the weekend has risen to 17, a Tanzanian official said. The 5.7-magnitude quake also injured 252 people and displaced 840 families, George Simbachawene told the National Assembly. The shallow quake also was felt in western Kenya, in parts of Uganda and in Rwandas capital.

 From news services
Regarding the Sept. 11 front-page article Clinton says she regrets casting half of rivals supporters as deplorables :

Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president, should not have labeled half of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps supporters deplorables. Nevertheless, those who support Mr. Trump are aiding and abetting boorish, bigoted, bullying and other anti-social behavior. And that is not a small part of his resume; it is the essence of it as it pertains to the presidency. Ms. Clinton should be more careful with her words, but lets not lose sight of the relevant facts.

George Taft, Alexandria
Ehud Barak was prime minister of Israel from 1999 to 2001 and defense minister from 1999 to 2001 and 2007 to 2013.

During the past two years, a sense of gloom has taken over my country, as pride in Israels accomplishments and self-confidence grounded in reality have given way to fear-mongering, victimhood and internal quarrels.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enabled a militant, nationalist minority to carry out a hostile takeover of his party, Likud; to form a majority in his cabinet; and thus to hijack our national agenda in the service of a messianic drive toward, as its often put, a single Jewish state, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. This overarching ambition is bound to culminate in either a single, binational state, which, within a generation, may have a Jewish minority and likely a Bosnia-like civil war, or else an apartheid reality if Palestinian residents are deprived of the right to vote. Both spell doom for the Zionist dream.

Netanyahus reckless conduct has also undermined Israels security. Israel has reached a new military-aid agreement for the next decade with the United States. The damage produced by Netanyahus irresponsible management of the relations with the White House is now fully manifest. Israel will receive $3.8 billion a year  an important contribution to our security but far less than what could have been obtained before the prime minister chose to blatantly interfere with U.S. politics. Moreover, given the more than 20 percent cumulative rise in the cost of arms since the last 10-year agreement entered into force (in 2007), the newly agreed-upon amount represents no greater purchasing power  and even these funds will be conditioned on Israel refraining from requesting additional funding from Congress. Accentuating the degree of mistrust, according to new details reported Wednesday, the administration secured an Israeli written commitment to return any additional money that Congress might provide. In the past, Congress has added  with White House consent  $600 million to $700 million every year for Iron Dome and other defense systems.

Additionally, Israel will have to accept a gradual reduction of more than $750 million a year in funds for our defense industries. Consequently, either vital security projects will be canceled or the same amount will be reduced from important domestic programs.

Expressing our opposition to the Iran nuclear deal was certainly legitimate. But instead of holding a candid dialogue behind closed doors with President Obama, Netanyahu went behind his back to deliver a speech to Congress, shaking the foundations of bipartisan support for Israel and dividing Jewish opinion.

Likewise at home, Netanyahu has consistently nourished fear of existential threats and unleashed ghosts of enemies from within, when domestic realities called for unity and confidence and regional developments required a sober assessment and steady hand.

The Middle East is a tough neighborhood. Hezbollah, Hamas, the Islamic State and a more potent Iran are not imaginary adversaries. Yet as a former prime minister, defense minister and Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, I state unequivocally: While never to be taken lightly, none of these forces constitutes an existential threat.

Despite seven wars, two intifadas and a host of military operations, Israel has emerged as the most successful nation-building project of the 20th century: powerful scientifically, economically and militarily, with a vibrant culture. What made this possible is sorely lacking today: a vision that unifies; an action plan that is realistic; and bold, far-sighted leadership that navigates both while holding a compass, not a weather vane. Israel needs a policy that restores credibility to our relations with Washington; prioritizes the unity of the people over the unity of the land; enhances security via cooperation with like-minded nations; and promotes democratic values rather than messianic visions.

Our people need a policy that does not seek shelter in arguing over the availability of a Palestinian partner but rather takes the initiative by implementing the Security First plan recently presented by more than 200 of Israels most respected former top commanders. The plan would bolster our security while preserving the two-state option and prospects for regional cooperation.

Under Security First, Israel would withdraw none of its forces and hold overall responsibility for security over the West Bank as a security deposit until an agreement with the Palestinians ushered in other security arrangements. It calls for completion of the security fence around the West Bank major settlement blocks; a freeze on Israeli construction activities east of the fence; legislating a voluntary evacuation-compensation law to enable settlers who wish to relocate west of the fence to do so; establishing an administrative council and funding a development plan for the Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem; securing the status quo in all holy sites; authorizing Palestinian infrastructure, agriculture and housing development in the 60 percent of the West Bank that is under Israeli control; and issuing an unequivocal Israeli statement reiterating its commitment to a negotiated two-state solution and announcing that Israel has no claim to sovereignty over Palestinian areas beyond the security fence.

An alternative policy would also welcome the opportunity for an international conference on Middle East issues with leading moderate Muslim countries and embrace the Arab Peace Initiative as a basis for negotiations, subject to certain essential modifications.

We are strong and should be self- confident enough to take the initiative. Failure to alter the current course will exacerbate the challenges to Israels security, well-being, international standing and domestic cohesiveness. On the other hand, acting decisively will secure the Israel we fought for and unleash the talent and resourcefulness of our people to attain as-yet-untold achievements.

If the government doesnt steer away from its dangerous path, it will have to be replaced by a more responsible, attentive and courageous one  headed by whomever the people choose.
Consider two quotations, the first engraved in modern history and the other a week old, and ask yourself what they have in common:

This morning I had another talk with the German chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine. . . . I believe it is peace for our time.

And then: I think Id be able to get along with him. . . . 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.

The first quotation, of course, is from Neville Chamberlain in September 1938, at the time of the Munich Agreement that sought a peaceful accommodation with Germany, allowing annexation of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. The second, from last weeks NBC forum, is Donald Trumps encomium for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been attacking the United States and its allies in Ukraine, Syria and cyberspace.

The name given to Chamberlains policy was appeasement, and it has come to be seen as one of the catastrophic mistakes of history. But its easy to understand why accommodation with the German dictator seemed sensible at the time. The nightmare of war was still fresh for the British public. People were worried about jobs. Britain was exhausted and demoralized; Chamberlain judged that his country wasnt ready for another war.

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's been friendly towards him. (Adriana Usero/The Washington Post)

Political analogies are often unfair, especially ones that invoke the overused Munich parallel. But this one is worth considering: The problem with Trump isnt (as some critics have argued) that hes a reckless and potentially genocidal aggressor. No, the danger is that hes precisely what he says he is  a dealmaker who thinks he could craft agreements with despots that could bring peace and security.

Trump seems to see commitments made to smaller states as expendable in the process of making deals with the big guys. When he linked U.S. willingness to defend the Baltic states and other NATO allies to what they pay into the alliance, it was a Chamberlain-esque emphasis on national self-interest, as opposed to sticking your neck out for possibly undeserving little guys.

This idea of reaching agreements with Putins Russia isnt crazy, any more than was Chamberlains desire to escape war in 1938. And Trump actually deserves credit for raising this issue early in the Republican primary debates. But any such negotiation must be done carefully and unsentimentally, without the mutual self-congratulation that has characterized Trumps comments about Putin. Secretary of State John F. Kerry is pursuing his own version of a deal with Putin, in the Syria agreement announced Friday night. Kerry has concluded that theres no way to reduce the violence in Syria without working with Moscow. But Kerry has negotiated very cautiously, with the Pentagon looking over his shoulder at each detail before he signs off. He has specified what the Russians will have to deliver, in terms of calm on the battlefield and grounding the Syrian regimes air power, for this deal to work.

When U.S. leaders think about negotiating with Russia, they need to be sure their model is John F. Kennedy in the Cuban Missile Crisis, rather than Chamberlain at Munich. Appeasement happens when other nations are treated as sacrificial pawns, and when the adversary is sentimentalized. These are precisely the areas where Trumps comments have been worrying.

One of the most useful cautions about dealing with Putins Russia was offered by Hillary Clinton in a memo she sent President Obama in January 2013, just before she left office as secretary of State. In her memoir Hard Choices, she recalled: In stark terms, I advised the president that difficult days lay ahead and that our relationship with Moscow would likely get worse before it got better. . . . Putin was under the mistaken impression that we needed Russia more than Russia needed us.

Russia has been pushing the envelope of power at all its seams. The United States needs to establish clear limits  by negotiations, where theyre possible, and also by showing that its willing to use military power, if necessary. Thats precisely the tightrope that Kerry has been trying to walk  seeking more military leverage against Moscow, even as he negotiates. The test of Kerrys seriousness will be his willingness to walk away from the Syria deal if Russia doesnt deliver.

Were not in Neville Chamberlain territory, not even close. But this is a slippery slope, not just for Trump, but for the United States.

Read more from David Ignatiuss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Regarding the Sept. 10 Metro article  Basically, we are lost,  about residents being forced from a mobile home park in Manassas:

What am I missing? A land-owning company takes rent from 58 mobile home owners yet doesnt provide a sanitary environment. The city cites the company nine times for cracked water and sewer lines, but the owner claims it cant afford to fix them. The city then decides to reward this company with a $1.86 million payment for the property while stiffing the individuals living there. Sounds shady to me.

The 2012 Virginia Maintenance Code suggests that the law allows the state to sue the property owner to fix the problem and can even fix the problem and sue the owner for the cost. At a minimum, the property should be condemned (the city council called it a public-health hazard) rather than bought. Isnt there a lawyer who can help the owners of the trailers fight this questionable decision?

Vicki Rundquist, Sterling
BACK AT the start of this year, Republican leaders were full of promises that Congress could overcome inaction and partisan stalemate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said, Some thought the Senate could never be cured of its dysfunction and its gridlock. . . . We believed the Senate could be restored to a place of high purpose again. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (Wis.) declared, We need to raise our gaze. Well, gentlemen, it is now September, a dangerous virus has hit U.S. shores, and all Congress has contributed so far is bickering. Definitely time to raise your gaze  and do something constructive.

The Zika virus, transmitted by mosquitoes and by sex, has no effective cure or vaccine. To date, some 1,080 pregnant women in the United States and its territories, chiefly Puerto Rico, have been infected; the total number of infections is more than 18,000. For now, most cases involve travelers who brought the virus from abroad. Usually, infection causes a minor illness, but pregnant women are vulnerable because the virus can cause severe fetal birth defects. Florida has already identified two areas of Miami-Dade County where mosquitoes are spreading Zika; local governments are attempting to fight mosquitoes by spraying, but it appears that Zika will not disappear soon.

President Obama requested nearly $1.9 billion in emergency funds in February but ran into partisan delays and sniping. Republicans dithered, then approved a far smaller amount, attaching provisions they knew would be objectionable to Democrats, such as effectively denying money to Planned Parenthood clinics and rescinding some funding for Obamacare. These add-ons have nothing to do with fighting Zika but triggered vigorous objections from Democrats. When Congress returned from summer recess, a $1.1 billion Zika bill again stalled in the Senate. Now it seems the best hope for action is a Zika measure attached to a stopgap spending bill that could be voted on before the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30.

The president said Monday after meeting bipartisan congressional leaders that he is optimistic there will be some action. We hope he is right, because so far Congress has done little to justify optimism on this score. In the absence of approval for emergency funding, the administration earlier reprogrammed $589 million from other sources  chiefly Ebola-fighting money  to cope with the immediate cost of combating Zika. In recent days, the nations top public-health officials have warned that the money is running out. Moreover, this is no way to run a railroad. Vaccine development is a long-term project requiring difficult clinical trials, and to starve it for funds now will postpone the day when an effective vaccine will be ready.

This is a political season, and after Congress goes home again in a few weeks, voters will be asked to render a verdict on its performance. So far, the record is abysmal. Lets hope members raise their gaze before heading for the exits.
Joe Stewart and Patricia Bayonne-Johnson, both descendants of people sold as slaves by Georgetown University, arrive to hear about moves aimed at acknowledging and encouraging dialogue about the Jesuit-run universitys ties to slavery, in Washington on Sept. 1. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)

Norman Dovberg wrote in his Sept. 11 letter, How Georgetown should have addressed its history with slavery, that there has to be a reasonable statute of limitations on providing restitution for slavery. Perhaps, but we havent yet reached that limit. As long as we can identify the victims and the responsible parties, society must continue to correct past wrongs.

The cycle of poverty, joblessness, drug addiction, absent fathers, poor education and incarceration for African Americans is a legacy of slavery, and society has a responsibility to make amends. Georgetown University was not the only institution to profit from slavery. The entire U.S. economy  North and South  profited. Many descendants of Southern landowners owe their current wealth to slave labor. I am arguing not for cash reparations but for society to provide, through taxes, assistance for housing, education and health care to the descendants of slaves so that they can have opportunities to escape the chains of economic disadvantage.

Germany was sued and has paid reparations to many families of Holocaust victims. Sadly, too many families had no survivors. But we still recognize the rights of victims to recover their property.

We have to see the world through the values we hold to be true today and make amends for past wrongs. If we accept a statute of limitations, we overlook the very real impediments to the economic success of African Americans and Native Americans that remain as a legacy of slavery of blacks and genocide of Indians.

Dan Thompson, Silver Spring
Why does Mike Pence keep getting himself into such deplorable situations?

Donald Trumps vice-presidential nominee went on CNN on Monday evening, trying to make hay from Hillary Clintons calling half of Trumps backers racists and other deplorables. But the appearance backfired when Pence declined to label former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke deplorable, saying, Im not in the name-calling business.

Duke expressed satisfaction with Pences appearance. Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, in an exquisite Freudian slip, said Tuesday morning on CNN that Pence should call Duke deplorable, so that he doesnt get headlines saying, Mike Pence will not say Donald Trump [sic] is deplorable. 

Later Tuesday, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) issued a statement urging Republicans to call Duke the D-word.

But Pence, appearing before the cameras with House GOP leaders at Republican National Committee headquarters, said he had no wish to amend his description of Duke.

Pence allowed that the white nationalist is a bad man whose support we do not want. But, he repeated, Im not in the name-calling business, he said, because civility is essential and Im also not going to validate the language that Hillary Clinton used.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and the other leaders nodded as Pence said these words. Perhaps they understand why a white supremacist is deserving of civility at a time when Trump has dispensed with such niceties for everybody else  and why its name-calling to identify Duke as deplorable but not to call him a bad man.

Such awkward positions have become routine for Pence since joining Trump on the ticket. Ive always thought him an honorable and amiable man, and I accept his friends assessment that he took the job in hopes of changing Trump. Instead, it seems that Trump has changed him.

There was Pence, once a hawkish conservative, joining Trump last week in praise of Vladimir Putin, calling him a stronger leader in his country than Barack Obama has been in this country. (Maybe that has something to do with Putin being a dictator?)

There was Pence last month joining Trump in spreading conspiracy theories, declaring on talk radio that weve got to get to the bottom of whether an Iranian scientist was killed because of the revelations in Hillary Clintons email. The executed scientist, Shahram Amiri, had outed himself. Also in August, Pence suggested that the American tradition of birthright citizenship could be revisited as a subject for the future.

There was Pence in July, retreating from his support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, embracing Trumps border wall and saying Mexico will absolutely pay for it. That same month, Pence, who once called Trumps proposed ban on Muslims entering the country offensive and unconstitutional, declared himself very supportive of suspending immigration from countries with terrorist influences.

The vice-presidential nominee has picked his battles with Trump. He declined to join Trump in asking Russia to hack Clintons email, or in raising doubts that President Obama was born in the United States. Pence endorsed both Ryan and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in their primaries when Trump wouldnt.

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.

In this, he is very much like the man he stood with at the RNC on Tuesday, Ryan, who has condemned Trump for his textbook racism, for an anti-Semitic and ridiculous tweet, and for his praise of Putin.

But as polls show Trump cutting Clintons lead, Ryan swallowed any misgivings Tuesday morning and embraced the ticket almost as enthusiastically as Pence had. We feel the wind at our backs, said Ryan, introducing Pence, his former congressional colleague, as the next vice president.

Indeed, Pence and the House leaders made it plain at their joint session Tuesday that they were wholly and unreservedly embracing Trump.

Reporters crowded into a stifling RNC lobby where the party displays memorabilia of party greats and not-so-greats (a portrait of Abraham Lincoln shares equal billing with a photo of RNC Chairman Reince Priebus) and listened to GOP leaders recite Trumps slogan:

Steve Scalise (La.), the majority whip, saw people all around the country excited about this optimism that their ticket, the Trump-Pence ticket, is giving to making America great again.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), the GOP conference leader, added her excitement about the leadership of Donald Trump and Mike Pence . . . to help make America great again.

Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), the tongue-tied majority leader, detected a lot of excitement as [Pence] travels across the country with a number of members joining him in the future of making America great again.

Pence accepted their accolades and thanked House Republicans for rallying to the cause to make America great again.

A reporter asked Pence about Ryans earlier criticism of Trump. Pence dismissed the occasional differences of opinion, saying our goals are identical.

Thats increasingly true  because Pence and other Republicans have embraced Trumps goals.

Twitter: @Milbank

Read more from Dana Milbanks archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
The campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton released a letter from her doctor about her recent pneumonia diagnosis and other medical history. The Fixs Aaron Blake explains why. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

The campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton released a letter from her doctor about her recent pneumonia diagnosis and other medical history. The Fixs Aaron Blake explains why. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

Hillary Clintons campaign released a letter from her doctor Wednesday describing her treatment for mild bacterial pneumonia and painting an overall picture of good health in an attempt to put to rest concerns about her medical condition following her illness over the weekend.

The letter, from Clintons doctor, Lisa Bardack, noted that she received a CT scan confirming the pneumonia diagnosis and is now about halfway through a regimen on the antibiotic Levaquin. It came three days after Clintons illness caused her to stumble out of a memorial service and forced her off the campaign trail. Clintons campaign said the information updates a health history released last year.

[Hillary Clintons new doctors letter, annotated]

The campaign came under fire on Sunday, when Clinton fell ill at a Ground Zero commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. For 90 minutes after her abrupt departure, when she was seen buckling and stumbling into her van, the campaign offered no information on Clintons whereabouts or condition. It was many hours later before aides revealed the pneumonia diagnosis, which had come on Friday.

The remainder of her complete physical exam was normal and she is in excellent mental condition, Bardack wrote in the letter. She is recovering well with antibiotics and rest. She continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as President of the United States.

1 of 57 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail View Photos The Democratic presidential nominee hits the road after her partys national convention. Caption Hillary Clinton loses to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Nov. 9, 2016 Hillary Clinton speaks in New York while her husband, former president Bill Clinton, applauds. Melina Mara/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Issues surrounding health and transparency have swirled around Clinton and her Republican rival, real estate mogul Donald Trump, in the past several weeks. Clinton, who turns 69 in October, would become the second-oldest president to enter the White House (after Ronald Reagan, who also was 69), while Trump, who turned 70 in June, would be the oldest. Neither has any known major medical problems.

Clinton had previously released more extensive health information than Trump. She has also been the subject of persistent rumors and conspiracy-minded claims about her health. Although her campaign has dismissed such theories as bunk and even sexist, Clinton fed into them by ditching her press corps Sunday and not releasing timely information on her health or whereabouts.

Trump discussed his own health during a taping of The Dr. Oz Show on Wednesday morning. He shared some of the results of his most recent physical examination, according to the show, even though earlier top campaign aides told reporters that he would not release any records on set and planned to talk about general wellness, not his personal health history.

At one point during the show, which is scheduled to air Thursday, host Mehmet Oz asked Trump why he has not yet released his medical records, given that his health seems so strong.

Well, I really have no problem in doing it, Trump said, according to a brief clip released by the show on Wednesday afternoon. I have it right here. Should I do it? I dont care. Should I do it?

Trump then pulled two pieces of paper out of his suit pocket that he said contained test results from his latest physical examination and a letter from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. In the video clip, Oz is shown studying the two pieces of paper. Reporters were not allowed to attend the taping, and the campaign has not released the documents. The campaign also would not say what sort of medical records Trump plans to release or how many years they cover.

Bardack is the chair of internal medicine at CareMount Medical in Mount Kisco, N.Y., and has served as Clintons personal physician since 2001. Her letter also described various medications that Clinton is taking, including Coumadin, a blood thinner. And it describes Clintons normal-ranging vital statistics: blood pressure of 100/70; a pulse of 70; and a total cholesterol level of 189.

Video of Hillary Clintons departure seemed to show her buckling and stumbling as she got into her van. (Thomas Johnson/The Washington Post)

Bardack examined Clinton as recently as Wednesday and has done so several other times since she was diagnosed with pneumonia Friday, according to a campaign aide.

The letter shows that Clinton has normal-ranging vital statistics, according to several doctors who reviewed the information but have never treated her. Her blood pressure and cholesterol levels are good or excellent and place her at low risk for illness for a woman her age, the doctors said.

Clinton has received two vaccinations against pneumonia  Prevnar and Pneumovax  according to the letter. The new information also reveals more about Clintons pneumonia diagnosis. She was tested with a non-contrast chest CT scan, which discovered a small right middle-lobe pneumonia.

David Scheiner, who was Barack Obamas physician for more than two decades until his election in 2008, praised Clintons doctor for conducting a chest CT scan, which typically would not be done to diagnose pneumonia.

I have to give the doctor credit for that one, Scheiner said. Because she has had blood clots, I think in the back of the doctors mind was, could she possibly have pulmonary embolism? That was a very smart move on the doctors part.

But Scheiner said he was perplexed by some of the medications that Clinton takes. He said the blood thinner Coumadin can be hard to regulate and that better alternatives exist. In addition, the Armour Thyroid tablets she takes for hypothyroidism are used on only a small percentage of patients.

Thats a bit unusual, he said, noting that doctors rarely prescribe it.

Other doctors noted that while Levaquin is an appropriate treatment for her pneumonia, one of its side effects is dizziness and lightheadedness. That could have been a contributing factor to her fainting on Sunday, said Greg Rosencrance, an internist at the Cleveland Clinic.

Overall, Scheiner said the disclosures by Clintons campaign on Wednesday were in the right vein. But he argued that the current patchwork system that relies on campaigns to decide how much medical information to disclose, and often by a candidates personal physician, too often leaves Americans in the dark.

The question is how much info is enough? . . . I think we need to know everything about the candidates, and not just because these are two old geezers, said Scheiner, who has advocated for complete, objective health reports from any candidate who wants to serve as commander in chief and lead the worlds largest economy.

[It pays to read the warnings when you open up a prescription]

Clinton had previously released a letter from Bardack containing information about her health, medications and past health conditions, including a history of hypothyroidism and deep-vein thrombosis.

After Clintons pneumonia diagnosis, she kept the information secret and ignored her doctors advice to rest and modify her schedule. Instead, Clinton continued with a full day of campaign events, choosing to power through despite her illness.

But by Sunday morning, Clinton became severely dehydrated during the outdoor memorial at Ground Zero, according to the campaign. She left the event early and was seen in video footage buckling as she was helped into her van by her aides and security detail.

The campaigns long delay in providing information to the media and the public prompted criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike.

Clinton canceled three days of scheduled campaign events and has been resting at home in Chappaqua, N.Y. She is expected to return to the campaign trail with an event in Greensboro, N.C., on Thursday.

Obviously I should have gotten some rest sooner, Clinton said on CNNs Anderson Cooper 360 on Monday. I just didnt think it was going to be that big a deal.

Clinton previously suffered from severe dehydration in 2012, fainted and suffered a concussion. She was later diagnosed with a blood clot in her skull, discovered during routine testing while recovering.

At the same time, Clinton has criticized Trump for releasing a letter from his physician earlier last year that contained virtually no objective health information. Trump has since said that he would release more medical information from a physical he received last week.

Edward Geltman, a cardiologist at the medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, said the information released shows Clinton to be healthy, with normal range for vitals. Her blood pressure is on the low side of normal, he said, so she would be prone to fainting and sensitive to dehydration.

Geltman observed that the letter contained no information about the health of Clintons heart, such as an electrocardiogram. Those are fairly standard tests, and as people age, it is important to establish a baseline, he said. Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States. But because she does not smoke, does not appear to be particularly overweight and has good cholesterol levels, Clinton does not appear to be at risk for a heart attack, he said.

Doctors also noted that Clinton is on minimal medications and has had appropriate breast cancer screening  but there is no mention of colon cancer screening.

According to the letter, Clinton was diagnosed with a sinus infection and subsequently an ear infection in January, in the lead-up to the critically important Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.

She was treated with antibiotics and steroids. Later, a tube was placed in her left ear as part of the treatment.

Bardack wrote that the symptoms improved, and a follow-up CT scan showed mild, chronic sinus infections but no abnormalities of the brain related to those illnesses.

The campaign also released a comparable letter about Clintons running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, who was said to be in overall excellent health, according to a letter released from the attending physician for Congress, Brian P. Monahan, who recommended only that Kaine, 58, add a daily vitamin D supplement to his diet. Monahan has been Kaines physician for three years.

In his letter, Monahan noted that Kaines past surgical history is limited to tooth extractions. Kaines most recent electrocardiogram showed his heart appeared normal with the exception of a mild left atrial enlargement. No other problem areas were identified.

Brady Dennis, Jenna Johnson and Lena H. Sun in Washington and John Wagner in Las Vegas contributed to this report.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump tours the Flint water plant with utilities adminstrator Jolisa McDay, center, Wednesday in Flint, Mich. (Mandel Ngan/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images)

Donald Trump encountered resistance Wednesday during his first campaign trip to this majority African American city that suffered a water-contamination crisis, as a pastor who invited him to appear at her church asked him to stop politicking.

As Trump spoke in Bethel Methodist Church about Democratic rival Hillary Clintons failed policies, Rev. Faith Green Timmons interrupted him.

Mr. Trump, I invited you here to thank us for what weve done in Flint. Not to give a political speech, she said.

Trump relented, saying, Okay. Thats good. Im going to go back onto Flint.

The brief trip to Flint, a city gripped by poverty, marked Trumps latest attempt to boost his appeal to African Americans and other minorities who dont typically vote Republican. It also highlighted the awkwardness and the problems he has faced in his endeavor. The citys Democratic mayor raised objections to Trumps visit before he showed up.

Democrats have been skeptical of Trumps recent outreach, which comes after months of showing limited interest in reaching out to black communities and repeatedly antagonizing ethnic and religious minority groups.

Before the church stop, the Republican nominee visited a water treatment plant that is not currently operational.

Inside the facility, Trump walked slowly as he was guided by plant employee JoLisa McDay, 45, who explained to Trump how the water had been contaminated. Trump stayed quiet and tight-lipped as he followed McDay along the thick concrete floors, occasionally asking questions.

The drinking-water crisis started when the city switched its water supply in 2014 to cut costs and state officials failed to add the anti-corrosive materials necessary to clean the water, leading to lead contamination. At the time, Flint was controlled by an emergency manager appointed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder.

[Scathing report blames state officials for Flint water crisis]

Snyder, who has faced heavy criticism, has apologized for the fiasco that struck this city of nearly 100,000 residents. The crisis caused an alarming rise in lead levels in children who live here.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver (D) was not happy about the GOP nominees trip. She issued a statement on her Facebook page saying that neither Trump nor his staff have reached out since the crisis was declared an emergency. She said Trump did not let her know of his plans to visit this week.

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.

Flint is focused on fixing the problems caused by lead contamination of our drinking water, not photo ops, said Weaver, who supports Clinton and spoke at the Democratic National Convention.

Democrats have made the Flint water crisis a more prominent part of their campaign than Republicans. Clinton has made two stops in Flint this year. During one, she debated her Democratic primary challenger, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

At the church, Trump was introduced by longtime Ben Carson adviser Armstrong Williams and initially won applause. But some of the attendees were unhappy with the political tone of parts of his speech and called out their displeasure as he spoke.

As Trump left, an African American man shouted at the candidate, Are you sorry that you did not rent to black and Latino tenants? It was an apparent reference to controversy over the Trump organizations renting practices decades ago, when it came under scrutiny in the 1970s for its practices.

Others shouted at him but it was difficult to hear his response, as the press was rushed out.

As Trumps motorcade rolled through town between the water plant and the church, stopping traffic, onlookers snapped photos and waved. Some people showed signs of disapproval, giving a thumbs down or making an obscene hand gesture to the vehicles as they passed.

Trump aides said they expected the reception in Flint to be mixed but decided to come here to pitch voters usually averse to Republicans. Polls show Clinton leading in Michigan, even as the race has tightened in other states.

The aides added that Trumps trip was part of a broader emphasis on outreach to minority communities, with more deeply Democratic cities being targeted for possible visits in the coming days.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks at a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at a College of Southern Nevada campus. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Subbing for a sick wife, former president Bill Clinton delivered a meandering, folksy speech in this presidential battleground state on Wednesday, arguing that Americans should choose answers, not anger and elect his spouse.

Over the course of about 40 minutes, the former president spoke dismissively of Hillary Clintons email scandal, argued that Donald Trumps immigration proposals are misguided and suggested that the Republican nominees call to make America great again was racially tinged code for rolling the clock back 50 years.

Clinton also reported that his wife, who was diagnosed Friday with pneumonia, is on the mend, only he referred to her as having the flu.

Shes feeling great, and I think shell be back out there tomorrow, Clinton said of his wife, who plans to campaign Thursday in North Carolina. Its a crazy time we live in, you know, when people think theres something unusual about getting the flu. Last time I checked, millions of people were getting it every year.

Speaking in a state that he carried twice but polls suggest is surprisingly tight this year, Clinton framed the election as a choice between a candidate whos served others her entire life and is offering solid policy proposals and one who is appealing to a sense of road rage in the country.

1 of 57 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail View Photos The Democratic presidential nominee hits the road after her partys national convention. Caption Hillary Clinton loses to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Nov. 9, 2016 Hillary Clinton speaks in New York while her husband, former president Bill Clinton, applauds. Melina Mara/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

The former president said he understands the anger of Americans who havent had a pay raise since the recession, and he said those frustrations are making people more resistant to immigration reform.

People who are frustrated by the economic circumstances, and they need somebody to blame, he said.

But he ridiculed Trumps proposals to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants and build on a wall across the Mexican border.

The worst thing we could do is spend that kind of money on a wall that would be better spent on bridges, roads and airports, Clinton said.

Speaking of Trumps slogan, Make America Great Again, he said he was among those who knows what Trump really means  suggesting its a reference to a time when the racial order in the country was different.

You have to be a certain age, and it helps to be a white Southern man  I know what that means, he said.

The former president knocked the media for having spent so much time covering his wifes use of a private email server while secretary of state, a practice that he said has yielded nothing disqualifying.

Clinton pointed to a string of former Republican administration officials who have endorsed Hillary Clinton, an indication, he said, that there are no significant concerns about the national security implications of her email.

So would they have endorsed her, no? he said answering his own question.

Clintons visit attracted a throng of television cameras to the College of Southern Nevada but he spoke in a relatively small room at the two-year college, located several miles north of the Las Vegas Strip. Only about 150 chairs were set up in a multipurpose room of the student lounge, leaving a long line of students and others outside the doors.

An aide said Hillary Clinton planned to visit the same college campus but that the campaign had looked at other options for the specific event site.

Hillary Clinton and Trump are locked in intense contest for the Silver States six electoral votes, with recent polls showing a statistical dead heat and both making regular campaign stops. Clinton was last in the state late last month, delivering a blistering speech in Reno detailing Trumps ties to the alt-right, a movement she said is inspired by racism and other dark forces.

President Obama won here in 2012 over Republican Mitt Romney by nearly 7 percentage points, a margin that has many analysts puzzling over why polls suggest the race is much closer this time.

The state is home to sizable and growing population of Latinos that traditionally has broken heavily in favor of Democrats, and a Republican candidate who has taken a hard line on immigration issues.

A poll released earlier this week showed Clinton leading Trump in Nevada among Latinos, 65 percent to 19 percent  a smaller margin than Obama enjoyed over Romney in 2012, according to exit polls.

But 16 percent of Hispanics remained undecided in the Clinton-Trump race, according to the poll for Univision News by Bendixen & Amandi and the Tarrance Group. Democrats here express confidence that once those voters fully tune into the race they will side with Clinton.

Turnout remains a critical question, however, and it is unclear whether this years election will energize Hispanic Americans here and elsewhere to vote at higher rates than in previous years, when fewer than half cast ballots.

But many Hispanics distrust Clinton, including in Nevada, where 49 percent said she is a liar in the Univision poll.

Nevada, meanwhile, has been slower than many to recover from the Great Recession. The states unemployment rate remains among the highest in the nation, as does its share of homes with mortgages that are significantly underwater.

Trump has demonstrated an ability to tap into the economic anxiety of voters, particularly those in the working-class and in still-struggling areas of the country.

To this point, Clintons campaign has invested far more heavily in the state, where Trump has a golden-glass hotel bearing his name in Las Vegas.

Television ads from the Clinton campaign and an allied super PAC aired repeatedly during most commercial breaks during a morning news cast here Wednesday, alternately casting Trump as unfit to be commander in chief and Clinton as someone whos wants to bridge the countrys divides. Trump was absent from the airwaves.

Jessica Sanchez, an American Idol runner-up, warmed up the crowd for Bill Clinton, performing a song, Stronger Together, that was written for Hillary Clintons campaign and shares a title with her campaign slogan.
Aung San Suu Kyi visited the White House on Wednesday as Burmas de facto leader six years after she was released from house arrest, a triumphant moment for the democracy icon and for the Obama administrations policy of engagement with antagonistic or hostile regimes.

But unlike in Cuba or Iran, President Obamas decision to jump-start dormant U.S. relations with the long-isolated Southeast Asian nation in 2011 received critical support from Republican leaders. And the burgeoning democratic transition in Burma, also known as Myanmar, away from a half-century of brutal military rule could represent a rare bipartisan success story.

Washington is rolling out the red carpet for Suu Kyi, who had breakfast with Vice President Biden and congressional leaders before visiting the Oval Office. She will visit Capitol Hill on Thursday.

After her meeting with Obama, the White House announced that the United States would end a long-standing national emergency against Burma and further ease trade sanctions in the latest effort to normalize relations. Administration officials said they hoped the move will spur greater U.S. economic investment in the nation of 53 million people.

It is the right thing to do to ensure that the people of Burma see rewards for a new way of doing business, Obama said. He called Burma a good news story in an era when so often we see countries going the opposite direction.

Obama emphasized that Burmas reforms were not complete, and human rights groups warned that the administration was relinquishing critical leverage over the military, which retains significant power.

For her part, Suu Kyi has faced sharp criticism for failing to address ethnic violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority and sectarian warfare that has prevented a fully representative government. The military-drafted constitution prevented Suu Kyi from becoming president even after her National League for Democracy swept to power in historic elections last year. She has assumed a newly created role as state counselor, in which she advises President Htin Kyaw.

In response to international pressure, Suu Kyi recently presided over a first-of-its-kind political summit of tribal groups and established a commission, overseen by former U.N. secretary general Kofi Annan, to make recommendations on the ethnic clashes.

Unity also means prosperity, because people fight over limited resources, she said in the Oval Office, emphasizing it was time to end the sanctions.

But her warm Beltway reception is evidence of the political capital invested in Burmas fate on both sides of the aisle.

Obamas landmark 2012 visit to Rangoon, the nations former capital, not only was preceded by a visit from then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in December 2011 but was also followed by a trip by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) a month later.

McConnell had long been an influential voice on Capitol Hill in support of the sanctions on Burmas military rulers, and Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who had spent 15 years under house arrest before being freed in 2010, personally invited him to visit her in January 2012. McConnell met with her and other Burmese leaders and came away convinced that concrete reforms from the military regime were underway.

The country has made dramatic changes for the better, McConnell said in June 2012, citing the release of political prisoners and Suu Kyis election to parliament. That month, he introduced a congressional resolution that accommodated the Obama administrations waiver on restrictions on investment and financial services in Burma.

Derek Mitchell, who served as U.S. ambassador to Burma from 2012 until earlier this year, said Clinton reached out to McConnell on Burma during her first year at the State Department in 2009.

In my first meeting with him in 2011, he said, Our approach hasnt worked; we want to work with you,  Mitchell recalled in an interview. His people said, There are many political issues in Washington; this will not be one of them. We had a very productive partnership.

Erin Murphy, a former Clinton aide who accompanied her to Burma in 2011, said McConnells trip was perhaps more important than Clintons, even though it received less international attention.

I call it the trip that launched 1,000 trips, said Murphy, now a consultant on Burma in the private sector. At the time, they were not granting many visas. It was still tenuous and tentative. It was his vision: He was going to see the changes for himself.

Obama has had a frosty relationship with McConnell, now the Senate majority leader, who in 2010 said the GOPs most important goal was to make Obama a one-term president.

McConnell aides acknowledged a collaborative relationship with the administration on Burma. But they emphasized that the U.S. economic sanctions got results in pushing the military regime toward reforms, in contrast with Cuba and Iran, where Obamas outreach has been fiercely opposed by most Republicans.

Foreign policy analysts said geopolitical factors have contributed to elevating Burmas bipartisan appeal, citing the strategic importance of a nation that borders China and has had friendly relations with North Korea.

Both political parties saw Burma as a country that was really reeling under pressure from China, said Victor Cha, who served as Asia director for the National Security Council under President George W. Bush. In that sense, it was like pushing on an open door.

But Suu Kyis unique personal star power also helped bridge the ideological divide in Washington. The daughter of Aung San, the Burmese leader who secured independence from British rule before being assassinated, Suu Kyi long enjoyed a revered global standing for her push to restore democratic rule. She was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal during her previous visit to Washington, in 2012.

Inspired by Suu Kyis story, former first lady Laura Bush devoted attention to Burma while in the White House, prompting education initiatives. The George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas maintains a program to develop young political leaders in Burma.

George Bush and Laura Bush were very much engaged and focused on [Suu Kyis] incarceration and the sanctions themselves, said Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), a leading advocate for human rights in Burma.
Protesters in Aleppo, Syria,march to demand U.N. aid on Sept. 13 after a cease-fire took effect. (Modar Shekho/Associated Press)

Efforts to bring aid to Syrians amid a nationwide cease-fire stalled for a second day Wednesday, the United Nations and activists said, challenging a key part of a deal brokered by the United States and Russia to curb the violence and ease civilian suffering.

The cease-fire agreement took effect Monday and calls for

full humanitarian access to besieged populations. The truce

has largely held, but lifesaving aid remained stuck on the Turkey-Syria border, U.N. officials said.

Syrias government has not authorized a U.N. convoy carrying emergency food, the agency said Wednesday. U.N. officials are worried about attacks by rebels who have rejected the deal.

Youre talking about not only the Syrian government but also dozens of armed groups across the country  some of whom may have an agenda of their own, said David Swanson, a spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Carrying out a humanitarian operation like this is particularly complex, he said. And there are some parties to the conflict that are not fully on board.



[Children are even playing in the street]

The fact that the aid agencies cannot reach blockaded areas  even as the fighting subsides  speaks to the gravity of Syrias humanitarian crisis, and to how difficult it is even for world powers to impose their will on the warring parties.

The United States has backed some anti-government rebels, while Russia last year intervened on the side of the Syrian government. The cease-fire is the second attempt by the two countries to temper fighting that has now killed nearly half a million people. A cessation of hostilities brokered in February soon collapsed, and fighting intensified, killing scores.

U.N. aid delivery is lagging behind for a number of technical reasons, a senior U.S. administration official said in a briefing with reporters Tuesday.

We spent much of the day pressing not just the Russians  and, through the Russians, the regime  but also some of the opposition parties to make sure that we can get the kind of unfettered humanitarian access that our agreement with the Russians calls for, the official said.

A commander with the Jaish al-Mujahideen rebel brigade demonstrated Wednesday the ambiguity of the oppositions position on aid and the cease-fire.

No one on the rebel side will restrict the flow of humanitarian aid, said Abu Qaitaiba, who is based in Aleppo.

Unless it is part of a humiliating deal, he said. Which the Syrian people will not accept.

The United Nations said Wednesday that reaching residents in east Aleppo, a city divided and devastated by the war, is the agencys priority. At least 275,000 people in the rebel-held east have been almost entirely cut off from vital supplies, including food, water, medicine, electricity, it said.

The 40-truck convoy now on the Turkey-Syria border has enough food rations to feed about 40,000 people for a month, aid workers said. But the aid has been held up by a grueling process requiring dozens of approvals from senior and local Syrian officials.

The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha has also slowed progress, an aid official in the region said. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of aid delivery in Syria.

In Aleppo, residents said they need fresh produce, fuel and medicine for hospitals and clinics that have been targeted in government attacks. The prepared rations, however, include such items as rice, bulgur wheat, salt, sugar and vegetable oil.

We are in desperate need of medicine and so much else, Aref al-Aref, a medic and civil defense volunteer, said Wednesday. The people cannot endure much longer without supplies.

At the center of efforts to bring aid to Aleppo is a violent struggle over Castello Road, which is the only way into the eastern part of the city. The Syrian government controls the highway but is expected to withdraw to allow aid agencies access.

Pro-government media reports and rebel commanders say that the Syrian armys elite Tiger Forces unit already has pulled back from the road and that Russian marines are now manning it.

The agreement envisions Castello Road as a demilitarized zone, where there could be greater traffic, greater humanitarian traffic, unimpeded and unthreatened, the U.S. official said.

But since the cease-fire began, some residents of eastern Aleppo have staged demonstrations against U.N. aid coming through Castello to the city. Many there consider the United Nations, which works with the Syrian government for humanitarian access, complicit in the siege.

The aid is aimed at convincing the international community that the U.N. is doing their best to help civilians, Abdulkafi Alhamdo, a teacher and resident of east Aleppo, said of the terms of the cease-fire. But in fact they took sides with Assad years ago.

Mohab Abdelsalam, a rebel fighter with the Aleppo Revolutionaries, said his group has not been in touch with the United Nations regarding the aid convoys safety.

There are Russian troops [on the road], and we dont like it, said Abdelsalam, 26. But we will allow [the aid] because our people are suffering.

Habib reported from Berlin. Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed to this report.

Read more:

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Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Human rights activists have launched a campaign calling on President Obama to pardon Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency contractor charged with espionage after he leaked documents revealing U.S. surveillance programs of breathtaking scope.

Snowden, who has been living in Moscow under a grant of political asylum since 2013, has been credited with sparking a global debate about the proper limits of government surveillance. He has also been accused of disclosing details of classified programs that have endangered national security in violation of the Espionage Act of 1917.

As a result of one document he revealed, the government was forced to acknowledge a program of bulk collection of all U.S. customers phone call data  times, dates and numbers dialed, but not content. That launched two years of debate that culminated in legislation outlawing such mass harvesting of phone records.

But other documents provided to reporters disclosed details that led, for instance, to the shuttering of what Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper described as the single most important source of force protection and warning for our people in Afghanistan. It was an apparent allusion to an NSA program that recorded all cellphone calls in that country.

Snowden, speaking from Moscow by video link to a news conference in New York City, said that he would return to the United States if he felt he would receive a fair trial. But, he said, the Espionage Act does not permit a public interest or whistleblower defense.

This World War I-era law does not distinguish between those who freely give information to journalists in the public interest or spies who sell it to a foreign power for their own [gain], he said.

The activists at the news conference called on Obama to act before he leaves office in January. Edward Snowdens case presents one for President Obama to use the presidential power of pardon proudly and unequivocally in recognition of one of the most important acts of whistleblowing in modern history, American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony Romero said at the news conference Wednesday.

The Obama administration has rebuffed efforts so far to win a pardon for Snowden, 33. Last year, Lisa Monaco, Obamas advisor on homeland security and counterterrorism, said in response to a We the People petition on behalf of Snowden: If he felt his actions were consistent with civil disobedience, then he should do what those who have taken issue with their own government do: Challenge it, speak out, engage in a constructive act of protest, and  importantly  accept the consequences of his actions.

A Justice Department spokesman on Wednesday said the departments position has not changed since charges were brought in June 2013. Mr. Snowden should return to the United States and face the charges filed against him, spokesman Marc Raimondi said. It is important to remember Mr. Snowden is not a whistleblower. He is accused of leaking classified information, and there is no question his actions have inflicted serious harms on our national security.

The campaign, launched Wednesday and called Stand up for Snowden, urged people to sign a petition on its Pardonsnowden.org.

Read more:
Traffic on the embankment of the frozen Moskva River along the Kremlin Wall in Moscow this past January. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

U.S. intelligence agencies are expanding spying operations against Russia on a greater scale than at any time since the end of the Cold War, U.S. officials said.

The mobilization involves clandestine CIA operatives, National Security Agency cyberespionage capabilities, satellite systems and other intelligence assets, officials said, describing a shift in resources across spy services that had previously diverted attention from Russia to focus on terrorist threats and U.S. war zones.

U.S. officials said the moves are part of an effort to rebuild U.S. intelligence capabilities that had continued to atrophy even as Russia sought to reassert itself as a global power. Over the past two years, officials said, the United States was caught flat-footed by Moscows aggression, including its annexation of Crimea, its intervention in the war in Syria and its suspected role in hacking operations against the United States and Europe.

U.S. spy agencies are playing catch-up big time with Russia, a senior U.S. intelligence official said. Terrorism remains the top concern for American intelligence services, the official said, but recent directives from the White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) have moved Russia up the list of intelligence priorities for the first time since the Soviet Unions collapse.

[A battle over history suggests Cold War never ended]

Russian President Vladimir Putin talks to President Obama during a meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 meeting in Hangzhou, China, earlier this month. ( Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik/Kremlin pool/European Pressphoto Agency)

Though hidden from public view, the escalation in espionage activity is part of a broader renewal of conflict and competition between the United States and Russia after a two-decade lull. Surging tensions now cut across nearly every aspect of the U.S-Russia relationship.

The hack of the Democratic National Committee has raised fears that Russia is seeking to undermine democratic institutions if not influence the outcome of the American presidential race.

U.S. efforts to negotiate a cease-fire in Syria with Russia have divided Obama administration officials and served as a tacit acknowledgment that Moscows intervention succeeded in one of its principal aims: ensuring that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be in position to influence any Syria endgame.

Even an encounter between Obama and Putin at a recent summit in China turned, at moments, into an tense staring contest.

U.S. officials stressed that while the need for better intelligence on Russia is considered an urgent priority, there is no intent to return the CIA or other spy agencies to Cold War footings. At the height of that decades-long conflict, former officials said, U.S. spy agencies often devoted 40 percent or more of their personnel and resources to tracking the Soviet Union and its Communist satellites.

U.S. officials said that CIA and other agencies now devote at most 10 percent of their budgets to Russia-related espionage, a percentage that has risen over the past two years.

Critics contend that U.S. intelligence agencies have been too slow to boost collection against Russia and respond to its provocations abroad, repeatedly enabling Putin to gain an upper hand.

The Post's Ellen Nakashima goes over the events, and discusses the two hacker groups responsible. (Jhaan Elker/The Washington Post)

The failure to understand Putins plans and intentions has been the largest intelligence failure since 9/11, said Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Nunes said that despite a now well-established pattern of Russian aggression online, against neighboring states and in Syria, U.S. spy agencies have struggled to anticipate Moscows moves.

These should have been red flags, Nunes said, but we continue to get it wrong.

[Russian plan to get Trump in the White House? Intelligence officials skeptical.]

Timothy Barrett, an ODNI spokesman, said in an emailed statement: The Intelligence Community continues to maintain its focus and deep expertise on Russia, which has enabled us to understand Putins evolving worldview. The IC allocates resources directed against Russia commensurate with this evolving threat.

Barrett and a spokesman for the CIA declined to comment on the scope or nature of espionage activities against Russia. Senior U.S. officials said that divining Putins intentions is a particularly daunting task because of the Russian presidents leadership style.

Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. has said that Putin is impulsive and opportunistic rather than guided by consistent strategic aims that would help U.S. intelligence analysts understand or anticipate his moves. What his long-term plan is, Im not sure he has one, Clapper said in a CNN interview last year. I think he is kind of winging this day to day.

Former U.S. intelligence officials involved in spying operations against Russia disagreed, saying that Putins motivations are consistent and clear  to reclaim his countrys standing as a global rival of the United States, to destabilize Western governments that contest that aim and to constantly test how much Moscow can provoke its adversaries before they respond.

What hes basically doing is probing and saying: How far can I push? How much can I gain?  said Steven L. Hall, a former CIA officer who was responsible for overseeing operations in Russia and the former Soviet Union. The DNC hack is nothing more than a modern iteration of something the Russians and Soviets have been doing for a long time  trying to meddle in other countries politics to their benefit.

The greater challenge in gathering intelligence on Russias president, said current and former officials, is that because of Putins formative experience as a KGB officer, he takes extraordinary precautions to ensure that his plans are not vulnerable to foreign intelligence services. Critical information is kept to a tight circle within the Kremlin whose members are guarded in their use of phones, computers and other devices that might be penetrated.

[The Americans who think Putin isnt so bad]

Russias intelligence budget is probably a small fraction of the roughly $53 billion that the United States spends each year on espionage. But Russia aims a larger share of its resources at the United States, officials said, and takes advantage of a large disparity in manpower.

Russias foreign intelligence service, the SVR, is believed to have 150 or more operatives in the United States, officials said, concentrated not only in Washington and at the U.N. headquarters in New York but in San Francisco and other major cities.

The CIA, by contrast, has at most several dozen case officers  the term for agency employees responsible for stealing secrets abroad  based in Russia, with several dozen more scattered across Eastern Europe and the former Soviet states, former officials said.

Those numbers have expanded in recent years, the officials said, as the CIA has directed dozens of additional recruits emerging from its training campus near Williamsburg, Va., to assignments that will eventually involve espionage against Russia. But the officials said that few of those new hires have any Russian language abilities and will require years of training before they become productive case officers who can recruit and manage networks of spies.

It is a pipeline process, a former official said. It will be years before they can be used operationally. The official, like other current and former officials interviewed for this report, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence issues.

Former officials said there is an even greater imbalance in the counterintelligence resources the countries devote to tracking and disrupting the others spies.

The counterintelligence operation that [Moscow] runs against the U.S. Embassy measured in the thousands of agents, said Michael McFaul, a Stanford University professor who until 2014 served as U.S. ambassador to Russia. It always felt, especially sitting in Moscow, of course, that we were in a counterintelligence and collection battle that was an asymmetric fight.

The FBI broke up a sprawling Russian spy ring in the United States six years ago and maintains surveillance on dozens of other suspected Russian operatives in the United States, former officials said. Even so, the officials said that the number of bureau agents assigned to tracking Russian espionage is a small fraction of the personnel deployed for the equivalent purpose by Moscow.

Though outnumbered, the CIA has embraced a more aggressive approach to recruiting Russian officials to spy for the United States in recent years, former officials said. The agency has taken advantage of the surging number of high-ranking Russians who travel abroad  trips they would rarely have made when the Soviet Union was intact. CIA operatives are also more daring in their approaches to Russian targets, officials said, waving wads of cash to entice would-be recruits in a nation where the pursuit of wealth has supplanted communism as the prevailing ideology.

The more brazen behavior by the CIA has been met with an intensifying campaign of harassment of American officials in Moscow. In the most recent case, an American official returning by taxi to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow after dark in June was tackled and thrown to the ground by a Russian guard stationed at the gate.

The American was formally identified as a U.S. diplomat, but current and former officials said that he was a CIA officer operating under diplomatic cover in Moscow and had to be evacuated from the country to have his injuries treated. State-owned Russian television subsequently aired video of the brawl, depicting it as an act of bravery by a Russian guard seeking to protect the embassy from a dangerous intruder  an interpretation denounced by U.S. officials as preposterous.

Even during less combative periods in U.S.-Russian relations, American spy agencies kept some of their most sophisticated capabilities aimed at Moscow. Budget files provided to The Washington Post by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden depict Russia as on par with China and North Korea as an intelligence priority.

Despite Russias high-profile cyber-exploits, current and former U.S. officials said Russias digital espionage capabilities are inferior to those of the United States.

One entry in the Snowden files refers to a National Security Agency program that will attempt to penetrate the Russian intelligence services computer networks, increase access and gain expertise on all elements of Russias cyber programs, and strengthen the [intelligence communitys] ability to counter Russias potential to tap or disrupt the undersea and landline communication cables that carry sensitive U.S. data.

Even so, officials expressed concern that basic U.S. capabilities fell to levels that could take years to rebuild. The ranks of Russian analysts and speakers went through two stretches of resource drain, officials said, first during the peace dividend years after the Soviet Unions implosion and the second when Russian sections were stripped of people who were reassigned to counterterrorism units after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The House and Senate intelligence committees sought to accelerate that rebuilding process by steering tens of millions of additional dollars toward Russian-related espionage in the budget adopted by Congress last year. But officials said that U.S. spy agencies have been slow to spend that money and that the CIA has not been given any additional authority to mount covert operations beyond traditional categories of espionage against Moscow.

We have really talented people that need direction from the DNI and White House, a senior U.S. official said. There needs to be a robust presidential finding, the official said, referring to the authority required for covert activity, that would allow us to do a lot more.

Putin would probably be skeptical that U.S. spy agencies face any such constraint.

Clapper and other U.S. intelligence officials have said that Putins renewed aggression against the United States appears to be driven in part by his paranoia that the CIA and other agencies have been behind public uprisings  including throngs of demonstrators in 2012, scenes that analysts say unnerved Putin before his return to the presidency.

He assigns a lot of influence and agency to organizations like the CIA, McFaul said. He grossly exaggerates what they can do in the world and what they can do in Washington. But because hes got that mind-set, he wants to win that war.

Julie Tate contributed to this report.

Read more:

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Syria shows that Russia has built an effective military. How will Putin use it?
U.S. Undersecretary of State Tom Shannon (right) and Israeli Acting National Security Adviser Jacob Nagel participate in a signing ceremony for a new 10- year pact on security assistance between the two nations at the State Department on Sept. 14, 2016. (Reuters/Gary Cameron) (Gary Cameron/Reuters)

The United States signed an unprecedented pact with Israel that will provide the Jewish state with the largest amount of military aid ever awarded, $38 billion over 10 years, with promises of the latest in fighter jets, missile defense systems and cutting-edge technology.

The signing did not take place between President Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  or their defense secretaries  but occurred in a quiet ceremony on a top floor of the State Department, and neither of the men who signed the pact was a household name.

Instead, Israels acting national security adviser, Jacob Nagel, and State Department undersecretary of state for political affairs, Thomas Shannon, inked the deal.

The low-level optics for an aid package that both countries heralded as proof of the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel were remarkable.

Israeli and American negotiators have been wrangling for months over the deal, with public flare-ups. Earlier this year, Netanyahu warned that if he couldnt get a good deal with Obama he was ready to wait for the next president.

[Ten years after last Lebanon war, Israel warns next one will be far worse]

The two leaders have continued to work together but appear to have a sour relationship. Israeli commentators noted that this signing of the military aid package should have been a signal moment. Instead, it seemed designed to go to the bottom of the news cycle.

Neither Obama nor Bibi are breaking open the champagne on this one, said Aaron David Miller, a Middle East analyst with the Wilson Center, using the common familiar name for Netanyahu. Obama thinks he gave too much and Netanyahu thinks he didnt get enough. And the back story was pretty tortuous, riven by bad feelings and broken crockery over Iran.

Regardless, the new memorandum of understanding (MOU, as it is called) will provide Israel with a windfall of hardware and technology.

At the signing ceremony, national security adviser Susan Rice said the deal is proof of the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel.

No other administration has done more for Israels security, Rice said. This is the single largest pledge of U.S. military aid to any country in U.S. history.

For his part, Nagel said, Everyone can see and feel the special relationship between Israel and the United States.

Nagel confessed that the negotiations, even among such good friends, had many ups and downs, many obstacles.

In Israel, Netanyahu issued a statement praising the deal and saying that any disputes were part of a family feud. They dont influence our great friendship, Netanyahu said. He thanked the United States for its help.

Obama described the U.S. commitment to Israels security as unshakable.

For as long as the state of Israel has existed, the United States has been Israels greatest friend and partner, a fact underscored again today, he said in a statement. This commitment to Israels security has been unwavering and is based on a genuine and abiding concern for the welfare of the Israeli people and the future of the State of Israel.

But Obama also used the occasion to press for Israel and the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table in search of a resolution to their decades-old conflict. Eventually, he said, two independent states must emerge, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians.

[State Department criticizes Israeli settlement expansion, demolitions]

Ultimately, both this MOU and efforts to advance the two-state solution are motivated by the same core U.S. objective that has been shared by all administrations, Democratic and Republican, over the last several decades  ensuring that Israelis can live alongside their neighbors in peace and security, Obama said.

The U.S. military aid package to Israel will be $3.8 billion a year over 10 years, beginning in 2019. It amounts to more than half of all direct military aid the United States provides worldwide.

The funds will be disbursed in equal amounts of $3.3 million to purchase goods and services, and $500 million a year dedicated to Israels missile defense systems, which protect the small nation from possible attacks by militant groups Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Israel will be able to use the money to purchase F-35s, the most advanced fighter jet that the Pentagon possesses. It will be the only country in the Middle East to have the jets, a situation designed to help Israel maintain what is known as its qualitative military edge. The first of 33 jets are expected to be delivered in December.

Netanyahu appears to have agreed to several major concessions. The deal says that Israel cannot directly lobby Congress for more aid, unless it is at war.

The pact also ends U.S. aid to the Israeli military for fuel purchases  a high-ticket item.

The new agreement also ends the amount of the aid that Israel can spend on purchases from its own defense industry.

In the previous 10-year aid deal, Israel could purchase up to 26 percent of its military hardware from Israeli suppliers. This was unique in U.S. military aid packages. Israel said it was important to help the Israeli defense industry grow and mature, especially in high technology. The new deal phases that out.

Booth reported from Jerusalem.

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U.S. condemns Netanyahus charge that Palestinians want to ethnically cleanse Jews from West Bank

sGaza was really looking forward to elections. Now voters feel robbed.
A 26-year-old Geneva man convicted this summer of causing his infant son's death has been sentenced to up to 80 years in prison.

The Nebraska Attorney General's office said in a news release that Anthony Long was sentenced Tuesday in Fillmore County District Court. He received 50 to 60 years for child abuse resulting in death and 10 to 20 years for a count of child abuse resulting in serious injury.

Prosecutors said Long abused his 5-week-old son on April 26, 2014. Doctors had told police that the boy had brain injuries consistent with being shaken. The baby died June 3.
Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday announced a unilateral cease-fire starting at midnight Wednesday, a potentially major step in solving a conflict that has raged for more than two years.

The conflict between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government troops has killed more than 9,500 people since April 2014. Representatives of Ukraine, the separatists and Russia signed a February 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany in Minsk, Belarus, but frequent clashes have continued and political provisions of the agreement have never been implemented.

Alexander Zakharchenko, the rebel leader in Donetsk, made the cease-fire announcement in a recorded statement aired on Russian television Tuesday, berating Kiev for a lack of willingness to solve the problem in a peaceful manner.

Zakharchenko said he has ordered rebel troops to halt their fire at midnight Wednesday and urged Ukraine to do the same.

The separatist leader said the rebels are fully committed to the Minsk agreements and see them as the only solution.

Igor Plotnitsky, the separatist leader in the Luhansk region, also announced a cease-fire Tuesday.

It is the first time that the separatists, who are widely believed to be controlled by Moscow, have proposed a unilateral cease-fire.

At least three government troops had been killed and 15 wounded in fighting in eastern Ukraine in the previous 24 hours, officials said. One person was reported missing.

In Donetsk, the rebel mouthpiece Donetsk News Agency said three of its men had been killed.

The cease-fire announcement came a few hours after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that he expects parliament to vote soon on constitutional amendments granting more autonomy to Ukrainian provinces, including the rebellious eastern regions.

Decentralization is a policy that has no alternative, Poroshenko tweeted Tuesday. I expect the Verkhovna Rada to support the constitutional amendments regarding decentralization. The Verkhovna Rada is the Ukrainian parliament.

Ukraine has blamed Russia for not doing enough to get the rebels to relinquish control over parts of the shared border, while Russia is unhappy that Ukraine still has not adopted the constitutional amendments.

On Wednesday, Poroshenko is to meet with top diplomats from France and Germany and hold separate talks with the foreign ministers of Britain and Poland in what appears to be part of a diplomatic blitz to discuss the conflict settlement.
The eruption of a concerted anti-Chinese campaign in the Australian media and political establishment, particularly over the past fortnight, directed at vilifying anyone not fully supportive of Washingtons confrontational pivot against Beijing is a warning to workers, not only in Australia but internationally, of the advanced character of the US war drive in the Asia Pacific.

What began with the exposure of small payments by a Chinese businessman to opposition Labor Party frontbencher Sam Dastyari escalated last week into a full blown witch-hunt against any politician, business figure or organisation construed as questioning full support for the US military alliance or the increasingly shrill denunciations of Chinese expansionism, especially in the South China Sea.

The most explicit diatribe was written by the Sydney Morning Heralds international editor, Peter Hartcher, who called for a Four Pests Campaign, akin to that conducted by Mao Zedong, to eradicate rats, flies mosquitoes and sparrows and defend against agents of foreign influence. In his sweeping vilification, Hartcher targeted rats such as Dastyari, flies or supposed unwitting dupes of Beijing, including former Labor Foreign Minister Bob Carr, and mosquitoes or businessmen allegedly beholden to China, such as billionaires Kerry Stokes and James Packer.

Hartchers definition of sparrows or purveyors of Chinese influence encompassed not only Chinese-Australian organisations but placed a question mark over anyone of Chinese backgroundthat is, the half million Australian residents born in China and 150,000 Chinese students in Australian universities, not to mention many more of Chinese descent. Such anti-Chinese hysteria serves to pave the way for extensive police raids and arrests in the event of war with China, as took place with the mass internment in Australia of enemy aliens during the two world wars.

Those named by Hartcher are by no means hostile to the US and the American alliance but rather are concerned that a confrontational stance toward China will damage relations with the country, which is Australias top trading partner and a source of significant investment.

The most sinister insinuation appeared in the Australian Financial Review last week, implying that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, because of his business interests in China, was not trusted by Australian intelligence agencies. When President Barack Obama announced the pivot in the Australian parliament in 2011, Turnbull was somewhat critical of it and suggested an accommodation with China. Since becoming prime minister last September, he has toed the US line verbally on the South China Sea but not authorised a so-called freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) within the 12-nautical-mile territorial limits around Chinese islets.

Pressure from Washington for Canberra to conduct a provocative FONOP in the South China Sea has intensified following the July 2 federal election that Turnbulls Liberal-National Coalition won by the slenderest of margins. In its immediate aftermath, US Vice President Joe Biden visited Australia and stressed Washingtons determination to remain the dominant Pacific power.

In a pointed warning to any equivocators, Biden stressed: If I had to bet on which country is going to lead economically in the 21st century... Id bet on the United States. But Id put it another way: Its never a good bet to bet against the United States. A long line of visiting US admirals and generals had already made it publicly clear that Washington expected Turnbull to send an Australian warship to challenge Chinese claims in the South China Sea.

Bidens visit was the signal for the anti-China campaign now underway to create the poisonous climate for a FONOP provocation that has the potential to trigger Chinese retaliation and escalate into open conflict. A spate of lurid and unsubstantiated stories has appeared about Chinese hacking, the dangers to national security of Chinese investment and the network of Chinese influence in Australia. Even though a contrite Dastyari admitted his error and resigned as a Labor spokesman, government ministers on Monday lined up during question time to denounce Shanghai Sam.

Chinese influence pales into insignificance compared to the influence built up since World War II and wielded by the US throughout the Australian political establishment, the media, various think tanks, such as the US Studies Centre, and the state apparatus, especially the military and intelligence agencies. In 2010, a handful of Labor and union powerbrokers, later revealed as protected sources of the American embassy in Canberra, orchestrated an overnight inner party coup to oust Kevin Rudd as prime minister after he alienated the Obama administration by advocating a US accommodation to China.

It is this same pro-US apparatus that has sprung into action to brand as a Chinese fifth column those sections of the political and corporate elite who urge caution in becoming enmeshed in the American military build-up against China. The campaign, which also encourages anti-Chinese xenophobia, meets up with the needs of the ruling class to divert the huge social tensions generated by the widening gulf between rich and poor outward against a foreign enemy.

Whereas in the United States and Europe it is currently Russia that is the target for vilification, in Australia it is China and for definite reasons. The ramping up of anti-China propaganda in Australia takes place amid mounting concerns in Washington that Obamas pivot, aimed at subordinating China to American interests, has stalled. On the economic front, the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), which seeks to undermine Chinese influence in Asia, is unlikely to be ratified by the US Congress. Diplomatically, Obama was unable to press the recent East Asian Summit in Laos to confront China over the South China Sea.

As Biden declared during his visit, the US has no intention of relinquishing its position as the dominant Pacific power. It is now looking to Australia to step in and militarily challenge Chinese maritime claims in the South China Sea. Such a move would dramatically ratchet up tensions in the region, provide Washington with much-needed international support and, should Beijing react militarily, provide the pretext for the US to intervene more forcefully. Australian imperialism, which relies on US backing to prosecute its own interests in Asia and internationally, has provided military forces and political support to the US in virtually every predatory conflict since World War IIfrom the Korean and Vietnam wars to the latest US-led operations in the Middle East.

The ferocity with which longstanding political figures and wealthy businessmen are being vilified is a sign of the extreme geo-political tensions embroiling the entire region as the US and its allies prepare for war with China. It is also a measure of the fear in ruling circles of the widespread anti-war sentiment among workers and youth that will be unleashed as the war danger becomes more imminent.

The Australian working class, like its counterparts in China, Japan, the United States and the rest of the world, has no interest in a conflict between nuclear-armed powers. Its answer to the threat of war lies in the political fight being waged by the Socialist Equality Party (Australia) and its sister parties of the International Committee of the Fourth International to build an international anti-war movement to put an end to capitalism and its outmoded nation-state system, which is the root cause of war.
The US Air Force flew two B-1 strategic bombers over South Korea yesterday in a threatening warning to North Korea after its fifth nuclear test last Friday. The fly-past at South Koreas Osan Air Base was also designed to send a message to Beijing to ramp up pressure on its North Korean ally to comply with US demands.

The supersonic B-1 bombers were flanked by four US F-16 fighter jets and four South Korean F-15 warplanes. The B-1 bombers flew from Guam, where they are based as part of the US Pacific Commands Continuous Bomber Presence. The heavy bombers, which can carry a payload of 37.5 tonnes, were part of a squadron that conducted more than 630 raids over Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan in the first six months of 2015.

The US has carried out provocative fly-overs in the past. Following North Koreas fourth nuclear test in January, the Pentagon dispatched a B-52 bomber, accompanied by two South Korean and two US fighter aircraft, over South Korea on a deterrence patrol.

General Vincent Brooks, commander of US Forces in Korea, denounced North Koreas blatant disregard for its international obligations and warned that the American military would continue to enhance military readiness to take actions as directed to deter North Korea. He specifically referred to the stationing of a Terminal High Altitude Air Defence (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile system in South Korea, nominally targeted against North Korea but also part of US preparations for war against China.

Speaking to reporters, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Lee Sun-jin was even more bellicose. As we warned multiple times, if North Korea continues its aggressive behaviour and develops nuclear weapons, it will meet retaliatory actions that will shake the very foundation of the regimes existence, he warned.

South Koreas defence ministry claimed on Monday that North Korea was preparing for another nuclear test. Assessment by South Korean and US intelligence is that the North is always ready for an additional nuclear test in the Punggye-ri area, a spokesman said.

Following last Fridays test, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter reportedly told his South Korean counterpart the US was prepared to use all aspects of our extended deterrent capabilities, including conventional capabilities, missile defence and the nuclear umbrella. In other words, the Pentagon has the green light to use nuclear weapons in a conflict with North Korea.

Carter blamed China for not doing more to force North Korea to abandon its nuclear and missile programs. Its Chinas responsibility, he said. China has and shares an important responsibility for this development and has an important responsibility to reverse it.

Washington has mounted a concerted campaign to pressure China to choke off vital supplies, particularly of oil, to force North Korea to its knees or precipitate a collapse of the fragile regime. While Beijing agreed to a new round of punitive sanctions after North Koreas fourth nuclear test, it fears that Washington could use a political crisis in Pyongyang to oust the regime and unify the Korean Peninsula under the South Korean government, a formal US ally.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying lashed out on Monday, declaring that Carter was being unnecessarily modest for thrusting responsibility for handling North Korea solely on China. The cause and crux of the Korean nuclear issue rests with the US rather than China, she said, calling for dialogue, not unilateral action based on ones self-interest. Hua warned that unilateral action would only aggravate tension and complicate the issue.

Beijing has condemned North Koreas nuclear tests, well aware that Washington has exploited them to justify its military build-up in North East Asia, including the deployment of anti-missile systems and the Pentagons most sophisticated warplanes and warships. This is part of the broader US pivot aimed at maintaining American dominance in the Asia Pacific through all meansdiplomatic, economic and military.

The Obama administration has shunned Chinas attempts to forge a deal on North Koreas nuclear programs via six-party talks involving the two Koreas, the US, China, Russia and Japan. An agreement reached in 2007 for North Korea to shut down its nuclear programs was effectively sabotaged in 2008 when the Bush administration demanded additional verification procedures. Obama always insisted that North Korea agree to give up its nuclear arsenal as the precondition for any new talks.

In remarks to New York Times commentator Joel Wit, reported yesterday, a North Korean official declared: Its easier for us to build nuclear weapons than to be involved with you for decades, only to have agreements turn into useless scraps of paper.

The 2007 deal was not the only one to have been broken by Washington. In 1994, the Clinton administration pulled back from the brink of war with North Korea and signed an Agreed Framework under which North Korea shut down its nuclear facilities in return for supplies of fuel, along with the promise of two power reactors and eventual diplomatic recognition.

Clinton never kept the US side of the bargain and in 2001 President George W. Bush quickly wrecked the deal. In 2002, Bush branded North Korea as part of an axis of evil with Iran and Iraq, implicitly threatening Pyongyang with military attack.

North Koreas nuclear tests, however, do nothing to defend the North Korean people. They play into the hands of the US and its allies by handing them a pretext for an expansion of military forces in North East Asia. The fly-over by two US B-1 bombers is not simply a theatrical show of force, but a warning that Washington is prepared to use its massive military superiority against any perceived threat to its hegemony in Asia, either from North Korea or China.
About 100 anti-pipeline demonstrators picketed outside the world premiere of Deepwater Horizon at the Toronto International Film Festival on Tuesday.

The demonstration is against the 1,170-mile Dakota Access pipeline near a Native American reservation in North Dakota. Many protesters chanted Standing Rock, the Sioux tribe thats opposing the construction of the pipeline due to its potential damage to water supplies and ancestral sites, according to CBC News in Toronto.

Protestors of controversial oil pipeline in N Dakota outside the world premiere of "Deepwater Horizon" #TIFF16 pic.twitter.com/4F9IDzYgq7  Stuart Oldham (@s_oldham) September 13, 2016

The protesters began their demonstration outside the Roy Thomson Hall, site of the screening, before moving on through the downtown core area and causing traffic disruptions.

PROTEST:

King St + Duncan St

-Protest has moved

-Now blocking Bay St + Queen St

-Consider alternates

^dh  Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) September 13, 2016

On Sept. 9, the federal government temporarily blocked construction on part of the North Dakota pipeline, acknowledging that complaints from the Standing Rock Sioux and other tribal nations that their concerns had not been fully heard before regulators approved the project.

Deepwater Horizon centers on the massive 2010 explosion that killed 11 men working on the platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Mark Wahlberg plays an electrician on the oil rig. John Malkovich, Kurt Russell, Gina Rodriguez and Dylan OBrien also star.

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Lionsgate and Participant Media are teaming on the film, directed by Peter Berg from Matthew Michael Carnahans script. In 2011, the companies acquired feature rights to the New York Times article Deepwater Horizons Final Hour, written by David Barstow, David Rohde and Stephanie Saul.

Producers are Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Mark Vahradian, Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and David Womark.

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Toronto Film Review: 'Deepwater Horizon'
If there's a touchy subject in Turkish political discourse today - which is already rife with incrimination due to a failed coup attempt by the military in July - it's the Armenian Genocide in which nearly 2 million Armenians were systematically killed and forcibly relocated by Ottoman authorities beginning in 1915. The governments of Turkey and Azerbaijan still deny that such a thing ever happened, while the U.S. and Israel don't officially recognize it either, so as not to damage relations with Turkey, a crucial geopolitical ally for the West.

Writer and director Terry George, however, who rose to prominence making films like In the Name of the Father and The Boxer about The Troubles in Northern Ireland, has never been one to steer clear of difficult subject matter. Even genocide is a topic he's explored before: His 2004 film about the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi, Hotel Rwanda, garnered an Oscar nom for best original screenplay.

George's new movie is The Promise starring Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac, an epic romance set against the backdrop of the Armenian Genocide that bowed Sunday evening at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film has already been targeted by Internet trolls for its controversial subject matter. The YouTube trailer has more than three times as many dislikes as likes, an atypical distribution for the social media site that may suggest a concerted PR campaign against the film.

George talked to The Hollywood Reporter about how he got his political bearings for such a hot button project, about working in the vein of Warren Beatty's Reds and David Lean's Dr. Zhivago, and about how to take money from an advocacy organization without being forced to make "a piece of propaganda."

Congratulations on the premiere.

Thanks. I've debuted several movies here in Toronto. It's always good to do it here.

How did this project get going?

My agents came to me with this great script by Robin Swicord. They were fully financed and ready to go, and Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac were both very interested. We wanted to make something that was big and expansive, on the scale of Dr. Zhivago by David Lean or Reds by Warren Beatty. The story of the Armenian genocide has been suppressed by successive Turkish governments, and we were well aware of that, but we wanted to go after it anyway. At the beginning, we tried to fly under the radar as much as we could so that we didn't have to deal with outside pressure. So we shot in Spain and Portugal and Malta. We were crucially aware of what we were trying to do, so we said, let's get this thing made and put it out there, and then have the political debate and the conversation that we need to have. I talked to a couple of Turkish journalists about this, and some of them really liked the film, but not enough to go out there and put their name behind it.

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What obstacles did you encounter in making a film that deals with contentious subject matter like this?

Well, it's really a double edged sword because while this is a political film, it's primarily a love story. It's about a love triangle, or a love quadrangle, really. I wanted to make something that would appeal to audiences with no particular interest in the war or the conflict, that would stand on its own, because this is one of the most contentious subjects out there. Even now, they're locking up journalists who speak up on the matter. There was an article in the New York Times recently about how paranoid the government and the people are in Turkey now. They have the sense that they're being attacked by Western culture.

I assume you're referencing the recent failed coup attempt in Turkey. What wisdom have you gained from making explicitly political films in the past?

I've learned from films like In the Name of the Father and Hotel Rwanda that everything you put on screen has to be fastidiously researched. Even the fictional scenes that are woven throughout the real events and the real people you're portraying can't just be made up. They have to reflect something real that was going on at that time and place. The look, the feel, it all has to be real, and of course the actual names and dates do as well. It's important to be as accurate as you can, even with the fictional scenes embedded within your reality. So I would build up a dossier and work from that.

How did you actually go about figuring out what story to tell amid so many conflicting accounts?

Well, there's a library of revisionist and denialist material out there about the Armenian Genocide - you know, that it should be thought of not as a genocide but as a civil war. The other side is that this was designed, that it was planned. And as someone who studied these events, it's important to understand the political motivations of both sides so that we can have a discussion, but it's absolutely not a question of did it happen -- because it did -- but why did it happen. That's the question you need to get to.

What are you anticipating in terms of reactions to the film?

There's no doubt the Armenian community will embrace this film. And there's no doubt it questions the entire Turkish narrative. I'm sure it won't be shown in Turkey. At least, I'd be really surprised. But I developed a sort of mantra in the past about how to think about the reception of difficult stories like this one, which is, how will it play in Peoria, Illinois? If they don't get it in Peoria, then we've failed. So that became our attitude and catchword. I wanted to make a film that moves and enrages, that really evokes the spirit of rage, because that's what the events called for. Like David Lean's Zhivago. If we can do that, then we've succeeded.

How do you direct actors and individual performances when the scale or your story is so large?

When you're working with massive talents like Bale and Isaac, you really just step back and offer a few suggestions. We put a lot of research into costumes, mannerisms, accents, but that's all you can really do. Isaac is so facile with his voice. There was also an evolution in journalism at this time that Bale and I were intrigued by, from the straight reporting of more than a century ago to the more incendiary yellow journalism of the early 20th century. I wanted to embody those ideas. We also wanted a diverse cast, and we opened it up to actors from the Middle East. Unfortunately, we only had two Turkish actors, because many were afraid for their jobs and their careers and we understood that.

Where did the money for this film come from?

Well, we were fully backed by the Kerkorian Foundation. And we had an Armenian-American production company. So we obviously had their support throughout the process. But, you know, Queen Elizabeth funded Shakespeare, and no one calls Richard III a piece of propaganda. There's a difference between a perception of a story and the veracity of a story. We never wanted to dictate perception, just tell the truth. Of course, everything is subjective to one degree or another. If you've pointed a camera in one direction for 30 seconds and in another for 5 seconds, you've already made a judgment call.

Read more: 'The Promise': Film Review | TIFF 2016
Neruda, Pablo Larrain's biopic of Nobel-winning poet Pablo Neruda, will be Chile's submission to the foreign-language film category at the Oscars, the country's Culture and Arts Council president announced Tuesday.

The film premiered in May at the Directors' Fortnight in Cannes and is scheduled for U.S. release by The Orchard on Dec. 16. The project features Luis Gnecco (Narcos) as the poet and communist senator.

The story focuses on the political persecution Neruda suffered after he was ousted from Chile's Congress in 1948 and the manhunt for his arrest led by police commissioner Oscar Peluchonneau, played by Gael Garcia Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle).

Chile's Oscar submission in 2015 also was a Larrain film: Berlinale winner The Club. The filmmaker, whose Natalie Portman-starrer Jackie is receiving Oscar buzz for its lead and was recently nabbed by Fox Searchlight, was actually the last Chilean director to grab a foreign-language film nomination in 2012 with No, which featured Garcia Bernal as the publicist who developed a campaign to defeat dictator Augusto Pinochet's attempt to remain in power through a plebiscite.
From Good Housekeeping

A new unified dress code is in the works at an Alabama high school after nearly 100 of the school's students were turned away from their homecoming dance this weekend because of their "inappropriate" dresses.

Parents and family members of the devastated Opelika High School girls took to Facebook after the dance to share photos of the young women in their allegedly "inappropriate" outfits, local news station WTVM reports. They were outraged that the teens were turned away (and in some cases, even asked to leave) for what they considered to be perfectly acceptable dresses.

In a message to WTVM, one student's older sister wrote this about the dress pictured below: "Opelika High School, get it together! This is my beautiful baby sister and her date going to a casual homecoming dance. A teacher sent her out of the dance and told her that her dress is 'too short and inappropriate' to be wearing there. This is a church dress."

These students and parents don't seem to be acting unreasonably - the girls' dresses do appear to be perfectly appropriate for a casual high school dance. But the source of confusion becomes clear when the school dress code and the district dress code are compared side-by-side: According to Opelika High School's homecoming dance dress code (which school officials tell WTVM was distributed to students on Sept. 7), all dresses must be knee-length or longer. According to the district-wide Opelika City Schools student dress code, however, dresses and skirts need only hit mid-thigh.

Although none of the girls pictured in the above Facebook photos wore exact knee-length dresses to the dance, they certainly all met the district rule of mid-thigh. Mark Neighbors, the superintendent of the Opelika City Schools school district, acknowledged that the conflicting rules likely caused confusion, and he was quick to apologize and take action to make up for the mix-up.

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Neighbors released the following statement after the dance:

We are always trying to balance a good environment for our students while maintaining a positive culture and school environment. We realize that there is a conflict between the dress code guidelines in the Opelika City Schools Code of Student Conduct and the Opelika High School Student Handbook. It appears that some of the girls that were turned away from the homecoming dance last night did have dresses that were appropriate, and some of them were not. We apologize for the confusion and disappointment and will refund the cost of the dance ticket to those individuals who were turned away. We will correct the discrepancy in the code of conduct and student handbook to reflect the board policy. Once again, we apologize to our students and to our parents.

School officials tell WTVM that a second, free school dance will be held with the new dress code in place. The cost of dance tickets will also be refunded to those students who were turned away or asked to leave.

[h/t WTVM]

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City Attorney Jeff Kirkpatrick has appointed two Lincoln attorneys to represent the two sides of the city budget-tax rate court case this week in order to give them time to prepare for the case.

Rod Confer, former city attorney, now with the Knudsen Law Firm, has been appointed to represent the Mayor Chris Beutler administration, in the likely lawsuit.

David Bargen, with Rembolt Ludtke, has been appointed to represent the City Council -- in particular the Republican members of the council -- in the lawsuit.

The administration is expected to file a lawsuit next week after the Republican majority on the City Council approve the lower of two property tax rates.

The petition will ask the Lancaster County District Court to issue a writ of mandamus, ordering the council to approve the higher property tax rate needed to fund Beutlers budget.

The Republican majority on the council is expected to defend their position that they can approve a lower tax rate and also question the power of the mayor to veto the council-approved budget.

Beutler vetoed the council-approved budget. When that veto was not overridden, Beutlers original budget plan became the official budget for the city, based on the administration's interpretation of city charter and state law.

Kirkpatrick said he wanted to give the attorneys enough time to get ready for the case, which he hopes will be settled before an Oct. 5 deadline to get property tax rate information to the county clerk.

Because the city attorneys office officially represents both the council and the mayor, it was a conflict of interest for Kirkpatrick or his staff to participate in this lawsuit.

Kirkpatrick said he was looking for excellent attorneys, who had time to handle this case quickly and whose firms had no conflicts of interest.

The council is setting aside $30,000 from the citys contingency fund to pay the private attorneys.
japan oldest woman Misao Okawa

Japan doesn't really believe in dying young.

At least, not according to conventional timelines.

New data from the country's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare reveal Japan has broken its own record for most centenarians by population for the 46th straight year.

With 32,000 new 100-year-olds, there are now more than 65,000 people in Japan who've lived 100 years or more. Though it trails first-place US by roughly 10,000 centenarians, Japan's population is only a third of America's.

In other words, no country on Earth has a larger percentage of people who have reached their 100th birthday.

The feat sounds positive, especially in a country where longevity is so prized that September 19  Respect for the Aged Day  is a national holiday in which members of the 100-plus club traditionally receive a silver sake dish. But having so many people live that long is actually becoming a burden on the nation's economy.

Seniors, though revered, are eating up resources at a pace younger generations can't match.

In 2014, for instance, awarding 59,000 centenarians the silver dish cost the country approximately $2.1 million. Compare that to 1966, when the country only had to give out a few hundred. By 1998, the number had climbed to 10,000, and today the Ministry puts the total at 65,692.

Since the country only seems to be getting older, the government has decided that 2016 will mark the first year Japan swaps out its pure-silver dish for a cheaper, silver-plated alternative. New inductees will also receive a letter congratulating them on the accomplishment.

And the fall of the sake dish is not the only challenge Japan faces in dealing with its aging population.

Nationwide, an entire generation of Japanese citizens  going on two generations, in fact  are entering retirement age. Of the 127 million people who live there, roughly 25% are over 65. (Baby Boomers, by comparison, only make up 13.5% of the total US population.) By 2060, the proportion of people 65-plus in Japan could rise to 40%.

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On top of that, the generations that are supposed to replace the elderly aren't reproducing. Countries need a "replacement fertility rate" of 2.1 births per woman to keep the population from shrinking. Japan's fertility rate is 1.4  the result of women focusing more on their careers and the long hours workers typically spend at the office.

As a result, the country's economy has been shrinking for decades.

This dangerous mixture has led to what economists call a "demographic time bomb"  a doomsday-type scenario in which Japan could actually go extinct if it doesn't encourage its young people to start having kids.

In the face of these looming economic threats, spending less on sake dishes starts to seem like a pretty smart idea.

NOW WATCH: A Japanese lifestyle guru explains how to organize your home once  and then never again





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The boy who has become the face of an Ohio heroin epidemic after he was found in the back seat of an SUV with a couple passed out in front after an alleged overdose has found a new place to live.

An East Liverpool police officer discovered the 4-year-old after driving behind the Ford Explorer with two nearly unconscious adults in it. The two adults were reported to be the boys grandmother, Rhonda Pasek, 50, and her friend, James Lee Acord, 47, police said.

Read: Man Arrested for the 16th Time After He Allegedly Licked a Man and Tried to Bite Officer

According to NBC News, the boy, who has not been identified, will be living with his great aunt and great uncle in South Carolina.

Pasek, who was reportedly granted custody of the child just six weeks before her arrest, is currently awaiting trial after she was charged with endangering children and public intoxication, police said.

Im surprised she even has custody of that kid," East Liverpool Police Chief John Lane told InsideEdition.com. "This problem goes a lot deeper than just this."

After the photo was snapped of the child solemnly sitting in the backseat of the vehicle with the two dazed adults, authorities posted it to social media, and quickly received backlash for not blurring the boys face.

Public shaming. Totally ineffective as a deterrent. Shame on you for your poor judgment in taking and posting this photo, one user posted in a Facebook comment.

Read: 1-Year-Old Calls 911, Cops Arrive to Find Mother Surrounded By Drugs: Cops

The department, however, stood by their decision to post it emphasizing that its an epidemic that needs to be highlighted.

Its a photo that needs to be shared. Youve got to understand, this isnt a one-time deal, Lane said, pointing to how unfazed the boy was to see his grandmother and the man she was with unconscious. How many times has he sat playing there  and theyre there passed out with needles in their arms? This discussion needs to happen, he continued. This picture put out there makes it happen.

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Watch: TV Reporters Plead Guilty To Endangering Baby Found With Cocaine In System

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IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 14, 2016 / Khang & Khang LLP (the "Firm") announces a class action lawsuit has been filed against K12, Inc. ("K12" or the "Company") (LRN). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares between November 7, 2013 and October 27, 2015 (the "Class Period"), are encouraged to contact the Firm prior to the September 19, 2016 lead plaintiff motion deadline.

If you purchased shares of K12 during the Class Period, please contact Joon M. Khang, Esquire, of Khang & Khang, 18101 Von Karman Avenue, 3rd Floor, Irvine, CA 92612, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or by e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com.

There has been no class certification in this case. Until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. You may choose to take no action and remain a passive class member.

The complaint alleges that during the Class Period, K12 issued false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: that K12 published misleading advertisements about students' academic progress, parent satisfaction, graduates' eligibility for admission into the University of California and California State University, class sizes, the individualized and flexible nature of K12's instruction, hidden costs, and the quality of the materials provided to students; that the Company submitted inflated student attendance numbers to the California Department of Education in order to receive additional funding; that K12 was open to potential civil and criminal liability due to these practices; that K12 would likely be forced to end these practices, which would have a negative impact on its operations and prospects; and as a result of the above, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details emerged, shares of K12 fell in value, which caused investors harm.

If you wish to learn more about this lawsuit, or if you have questions concerning this notice or your rights, please contact Joon M. Khang, a prominent litigator for almost two decades, by telephone: (949) 419-3834, or via e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com.

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This press release may constitute Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions.

Contacts

Joon M. Khang, Esq.

Telephone: 949-419-3834

Facsimile: 949-225-4474

joon@khanglaw.com

SOURCE: Khang & Khang LLP
Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is, quite possibly, the best pound-for-pound energy stock on the planet. It boasts oil and natural gas operations, and it doesn't just produce -- it refines, too. That gives Exxon the ability to make money amid high oil prices and weather the lulls.

No, you're never going to jump into Exxon and expect a doubler within a year. But buying XOM on dips -- and reaping plentiful capital gains alongside plumped dividends for the trouble -- has been a winning strategy for decades. Heck, just ask someone you know who bought XOM a year ago and currently is up 20 percent and sitting on a 4 percent (and growing) yield!

[See: 6 Reliable Dividend Stocks Paying Out for 100 Years or More.]

That success has propelled Exxon into the ranks of Wall Street's largest stocks, and it's certainly the biggest energy player by market capitalization. Right now, it's worth just more than $350 billion, making it some $150 billion larger than rival Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A).

And with size comes great responsibility.

Many exchange-traded funds are "market cap-weighted," which means that the fund holds each stock at a percentage that is proportionate to their caps versus the other stocks it holds. More simply put: Bigger stocks make up a bigger percentage of the fund, while smaller stocks are "weighted" less.

That dynamic, more often than not, plays out well for companies that are heavy in Exxon Mobil shares, thanks to the energy giant's resilience and strong dividends. Yes, holding a lot of XOM instead of other stocks can put a cap on growth potential, but it can keep volatility down and sanity aloft.

Here's a look at the five funds that have the most weight dedicated toward Exxon:

iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers ETF (FILL). The FILL ETF is dedicated solely to energy stocks that play some part in the exploration and/or production of one or more energy sources. So you get focused production ("upstream") companies such as Occidental Petroleum Corp. (OXY). You get so-called "integrated" oil and natural gas majors (upstream, midstream and downstream) like Exxon.

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You even get coal players like Consol Energy (CNX). FILL even offers some geographic diversity, with only half the fund invested in American energy companies.

Exxon Mobil takes up a huge chunk of that at 17.5 percent of FILL's weight. Expenses are 0.39 percent, or $39 annually for every $10,000 invested.

Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE). While Vanguard's dirt-cheap VDE is a bit smaller at roughly 135 holdings to FILL's 180, it's also a bit wider in scope. You see, FILL's exposure to midstream and downstream operations is limited only to any integrated oil majors that serve in those capacities.

However, VDE actually invests directly in those two streams, even if they have no upstream business. So VDE still invests (heavily) in majors like Exxon and Chevron Corp. ( CVX), but also services companies like Schlumberger ( SLB) and pipeline firms such as Kinder Morgan (KMI).

[See: Oil ETFs: 8 Ways to Invest in Black Gold.]

Exxon makes up more than half of VDE's integrated weight, at 22.3 percent. Expenses are 0.1 percent.

iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor Energy ETF (ERGF). The ERGF is one of iShares' "Edge" funds, which take a flavor, then put it through a wringer consisting of a few quality screens.

Namely, ERGF takes an index of large- and mid-cap energy stocks, then looks for "proven drivers of return: inexpensive stocks, financially healthy firms, trending stocks and relatively smaller companies." The result is a select group of just 22 holdings, such as Concho Resources ( CXO), which is clobbering the market with 40 percent gains this year.

Still, market cap matters, so XOM is weighted at 22.9 percent ... and Chevron is a hefty 18 percent, itself. Expenses are 0.35 percent.

Fidelity MSCI Energy Index (FENY). If you want cheap sector exposure, Fidelity is your firm. While Schwab and Vanguard typically have this fund provider beat for things like large-cap stocks or broad bond exposure, Fidelity is the king of low-cost sector funds.

Such is the case with FENY, which is designed to provide broad American energy exposure for a mere 8 basis points. However, the fund is hardly broad in practice -- Exxon makes up 24 percent of the fund, and when you throw in CVX and SLB, nearly 45 percent of the fund is concentrated in just three holdings. Expenses are 0.08 percent.

iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE). If you love Exxon Mobil, but you don't want to hold just one energy stock, the IYE is the fairest compromise you can get.

At various points over the past few years, Exxon has comprised more than a quarter of this ETF's weight, though it currently sits at "just" 24.7 percent.

[Read: Why High-Yield Bonds Belong in Your Portfolio.]

Like FENY, this is a broad U.S. energy fund that ain't quite so broad, with top-three XOM, CVX and SLB coming in around the same 45 percent. Still, you do get access to nearly 80 companies in the oil and gas complex, and that covers all three streams. Expenses are 0.44 percent.





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A woman kisses her son while Trump speaks at a campaign event in Aston, Pa. (Photo: Mike Segar/Reuters)

ASTON, Pa.  Donald Trump was about halfway through his speech detailing a litany of policy proposals that would help ease the cost and burden of childcare on working parents when he was suddenly interrupted by a loud squeal.

A few feet away, a fidgety toddler tangled with his mother in the audience of a couple of hundred people gathered in a community center. The Republican presidential nominee was here in the Philadelphia suburbs to deliver what his campaign billed as a major policy address Tuesday night.

On stage, Trump briefly paused, and in the back, reporters wondered what would happen next. As a candidate, the impetuous celebrity businessman has famously shown little patience for interruptions, even from the children of his supporters. Just a month ago, in a moment that was replayed again and again on cable news, Trump seemed to grow irritated by sound of a crying child at a rally in Virginia, telling the mother half-jokingly, Get that baby out of here!

But on Tuesday, Trump seized on the restless child as a prop to illustrate his plan to help children and their parents. See! he declared, briefly breaking from his scripted remarks. That will be our first child! The audience, which was packed with women, laughed and clapped approvingly, as Trump smiled and quickly turned back to his teleprompter to continue the speech.

It was a lighthearted but telling moment for a brash candidate who has been famously undisciplined and unfiltered in his unlikely bid for the presidency. Trump used to be known for his rambling stump soliloquies, in which he seemed incapable of not voicing every thought in his head, no matter who it offended or how off-topic it was.

Trump talks with his campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, during a visit to Goodys Restaurant in Brook Park, Ohio. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)

But in recent weeks, under the influence of a new team of advisers including campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, the candidate has shown a new devotion to staying on message  relying at nearly every stop on the use of the teleprompter, a machine he once routinely mocked. While hes still known to ad lib, Trump has embraced more inclusive language, making direct appeals to African-Americans and minorities. And he has agreed to participate in smaller events like roundtables and town halls, which aides believe present him to voters as not only a blustery entertainer presiding over raucous rallies but also someone capable of being more even-tempered and presidential.

Story continues

The latest iteration of the new Trump has come in recent days as the GOP nominee, looking to take advantage of his rival Hillary Clintons time away from the political stage to recover from pneumonia, has sought to recast his candidacy yet again  presenting himself as a softer, more thoughtful contender who is also focused intensely on policy.

After months of offering few specifics on the policy agenda he would pursue as president and how exactly he would carry out his vague promise to Make America Great Again, Trump has delivered two of the most detailed speeches of his campaign over the last week  including Tuesdays childcare address and another last week focused on military readiness, both staged in the politically crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania.

Slideshow: Children at Trump rallies >>>

And on Thursday in New York, Trump is scheduled to deliver another major policy speech on what he said will be his economic vision for the country  remarks that are expected to be more detailed than the economic blueprint he unveiled in Detroit last month. Its going to be something special, like something this country hasnt seen in many decades, he said Tuesday night, previewing the remarks with his typical Trump flourish.

At the same time, the GOP candidate and his aides have sought to contrast that new policy focus with Clintons reputation as policy wonk by accusing her of peddling tired ideas and failed policies that have been pitched before. Those attacks have taken on a new dimension in recent days, as Trump has sought to capitalize on Clintons statement at a fundraiser last Friday that half of Trump supporters fall into a basket of deplorables.

Speaking at a rally in Iowa hours ahead of his child care speech Tuesday, Trump bluntly accused Clinton of running a policy-free campaign. She offers no ideas, no solutions  only hatred and derision, Trump declared. Its true, you see that.

With less than eight weeks to go before Election Day and a little over a week before Trump is set to meet his Democratic rival on the debate stage for the first time, the GOP nominee and his aides see the coming days as an important window for him to make his case anew to voters who have been skeptical of his surprising bid for the White House. That group includes white women and college-educated suburban swing voters  two blocs that have leaned Republican in recent elections but with whom Trump has struggled to gain ground against Clinton.

Trump greets flood victims during a tour of flood-damaged homes in Denham Springs, La., in August. (Photo: Max Becherer/AP)

But to the surprise of many Republicans both close to and outside of the campaign, Trump has taken steps to turn the tide as the campaign enters its final stretch  and so far, he appears to be sticking with it. After a rough August, in which Trump lost ground in the polls and was assailed by members of his own party for verbal and political missteps, including his criticism of the parents of a Muslim soldier killed in the line of duty, the candidate agreed to retool his message and schedule. His new approach is intended to redefine his image with swing voters turned off by the candidates inflammatory rhetoric that has been criticized as, among other things, anti-woman and anti-immigrant.

In recent weeks, Trump has taken his campaign to unlikely spots for a Republican candidate, including black communities where he sought to portray himself as inclusive and a candidate of change. What the hell have to you got to lose? Trump regularly asks minority audiences. Over the last month, Trump made a surprise visit to Baton Rouge, La., to meet with residents dealing with the impact of historic floods. He took his campaign to an inner-city church in Detroit and visited with pastors in Philadelphia. And on Wednesday, hes scheduled to visit the Detroit suburb of Flint, where hell meet with families affected by tainted drinking water.

With polls showing Trumps support among black voters in the single digits, its unlikely the GOP candidate will win over major numbers of African-Americans. But his aides acknowledge the candidates message is aimed not only at black voters but also at women and suburban swing voters who have been turned off by the candidates divisive rhetoric  portrayed by critics as inherently racist  going back to his campaign kickoff, when he called Mexican immigrants rapists and murderers. The goal, said one Trump adviser who asked not to be identified, has been to show that Donald Trump isnt who critics say he is.

And one way of proving that, aides say, is a new focus on specific policy heading into the final stretch of the campaign  to prove that Trump is more than just bluster. Its a shift in strategy Trump aides say insist was pushed by the candidate himself  even though Trump has in the past has said he finds policy speeches boring to listen to and boring to give.

As of late, his policy speeches are specific roadmaps so that when people say, I just dont know what they stand for, theyre just attacking each other Thats not true when it comes to him, Conway said. You may disagree with every single policy hes put forth, but at least you can read it, you can examine it, you can digest it, you can assess it.

But one danger in Trump suddenly pursuing a policy-based strategy is that it calls attention to how little he has actually invested in policy. While Clinton, like other presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle before her, has a policy shop made up of scores of experts on dozens of policy matters, Trump has a much smaller blueprint. He largely relies on his chief policy adviser, Stephen Miller  who previously worked on Capitol Hill for Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions  and a rotating cast of others, some formal advisers and some who weigh in occasionally on campaign matters. That includes Sessions and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as well as the candidates family members, such as his eldest daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner.

Ivanka Trump looks on as her her father speaks during a campaign event in Aston, Pa. (Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images)

One open question is whether Trump has enough time to undo the damage that he has done to his own campaign  particularly among women. For months, airwaves in Pennsylvania have been blanketed by television and radio ads that rehash the real estate moguls controversial statements, including his attacks on Fox News host Megyn Kelly and other women.

But on Tuesday, Trump sought to undo that damage by using one of his greatest strengths  his daughter Ivanka, who joined him in taking his message directly to the people he needs to back him in November: a roomful of women in the pivotal suburbs of Philadelphia. The policy and the speech, crafted in part by Ivanka, was notable in its expansion beyond GOP orthodoxy  including a pledge to allow six weeks mandatory paid maternity leave, an idea that has been rejected by many Republicans who have argued that requirement is too onerous for businesses.

But as striking as the policies were, equally as striking was Trumps delivery. Speaking in an unexpectedly subdued tone, the candidate pledged to be an impassioned defender of working moms and to help families struggling under the weight of childcare costs in a way they had never been helped before.

Right now, our politicians have locked our country into endless fights about small and petty things. Im asking the nation to lift our sights, and to imagine what we can accomplish if we work together, trust each other, and put the needs of our own citizens first, Trump declared.

In an aside at Clinton, whom he did not name, Trump criticized those in Washington who have disdain for the views, beliefs and attitudes of those who dont have political power. Those in leadership must put themselves in the shoes of the laid-off factory worker, the family worried about security or the mom struggling to afford childcare, he said. That means we need working mothers to be fairly compensated for their work and to have access to affordable, quality childcare for their kids.

As Trump spoke, Ivanka stood behind her dads left shoulder  an unusual move for a candidate who typically stands solo on stage during campaign events. And afterward, she and father worked the room together, shaking hands and posing for pictures.

Trump holds Tristan Murphy, 1, following a campaign event in Aston, Pa. (Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images)

At one point, the mother whose child had interrupted Trumps speech approached the rope line, and the candidate, who has only rarely interacted with babies on campaign trail, grabbed the toddler and raised him high in the air a few times like a scene from The Lion King. The crowd applauded and laughed, and photographers got the shot.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, the mother could barely contain her delight at Trumps interaction with her son. I was trying to get him to shake his hand, and he picked him up like he was Simba, she said.

Hunter Walker contributed to this story
By Ross Kerber

BOSTON (Reuters) - An activist investor said on Wednesday it is "inevitable" that Wells Fargo & Co <WFC.N> will face critical shareholder resolutions after the bank agreed to a $190 million settlement with regulators over fake consumer accounts.

Tim Smith, who leads shareholder engagement efforts at Walden Asset Management in Boston, said his firm is talking with investors including state pension funds and labor groups about submitting resolutions for the bank's springtime shareholder meeting that may call for things like clawing back executive pay or requiring the company to report on its governance procedures.

The largest U.S. bank by market capitalization last week said it would pay $185 million in penalties and $5 million to customers that regulators say were pushed into fee-generating accounts they never requested.

Its inevitable that Wells Fargo will face a series of critical shareholder resolutions in light of this scandal, Smith said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

A Wells Fargo spokesman declined to comment.

Federal prosecutors are in the early stages of an investigation into sales practices at Wells Fargo, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Shareholder resolutions could be a black eye for San Francisco-based Wells Fargo, which has avoided some of the investor backlash that other large banks faced coming out of the financial crisis under pressure from Walden and other activists.

JPMorgan Chase & Co <JPM.N> for instance agreed to publish a report in 2014 outlining improved controls it put in place including pay clawbacks and minimum share ownership requirements for leaders.

Also, in 2015 pension funds including the California Public Employees' Retirement System challenged Bank of America to split the dual roles of its chair and CEO Brian Moynihan, though their efforts failed.

Smith said a move to split the dual roles of Wells Fargo Chairman and CEO John Stumpf is also a possibility. A vote in April to require an independent chairman at Wells Fargo drew support from only 17 percent of votes cast.

Story continues

Asked about Wells Fargo's recent settlement, Calpers spokeswoman Megan White said via e-mail the system "will be reviewing the issue in our proxy vote" and declined further comment.

Sanjay Sen, chief investment officer of BloombergSen Investment Partners in Toronto, which has about 2.3 million Wells Fargo shares, said via e-mail that his firm would support any resolution that improves Wells Fargo's management or corporate culture.

Considering the intense focus of regulators and popular distrust of big banks "It really is crazy how stupidly Wells management has behaved," Sen said via e-mail.

(Reporting by Ross Kerber in Boston. Additional reporting by Dan Freed in New York. Editing by Chris Reese and Andrew Hay)
During an interview with the FOX Business Networks Stuart Varney, Actor Jon Voight, currently starring in Showtimes Ray Donovan, explained what its like to be a conservative in Hollywood.

I have many friends in Hollywood, people know I come to work, I dont proselytize and there are by the way many, many conservatives in Hollywood, they just arent very vocal, he said.

Is that accurate? I mean we dont hear from them very often  I can name a couple, here and there Varney responded.

Well, they kind of keep their heads down a little bit, but there are a whole lot of them, said Voight.

The Oscar winner, known for his roles in Deliverance (1972) and The Champ (1979) also discussed why hes a Trump supporter.

He loves people and hes very, very considerate and his heart goes out to people Hes not making it up when he sits with somebody whos suffering something and you can see him feeling for them. This is not an act, he said.

In between acting Voight is campaigning for Trump.

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till faida

Adblock Plus' big announcement that it is going to start selling ads with the launch of its first ad exchange didn't exactly get off to a good start  with Google and AppNexus publicly denouncing the project  but the ad blocking company is insistent it's still going ahead.

Here's an update of what's happened in the past 24 hours:

On Tuesday morning (EST), Adblock Plus announced the launch of its "Acceptable Ads Platform," powered by a UK-based ad tech startup called ComboTag.

Adblock Plus said the platform will contain a supply-side platform (SSP) that allows publishers to insert what it calls "acceptable ads" that are able to be served to its ad blocker users. The platform also comprises an ad exchange, allowing demand-side platforms (DSPs) to plug in to let advertisers purchase those whitelisted ad spots. Adblock Plus said ComboTag would bring its current demand-side partners, Google's AdX and AppNexus, into the exchange.

Initially, AppNexus confirmed it worked with ComboTag. Google said it had no knowledge of the arrangement with ComboTag and Adblock Plus' parent company Eyeo.

Later that day, AppNexus released a statement saying it had suspended its business relationship with ComboTag and its associated ad network Shefa Media. AppNexus said it would never have agreed to work with Adblock Plus because it thinks the ad blocker's business model is akin to erecting "toll booths on a public road" and "siphoning off" ad dollars that should be going to publishers. AppNexus said the only person who received details of the initiative was a junior support manager who had no authorization to sign off on it.

On Wednesday, Google's senior vice president of ads Sridhar Ramaswamy told journalists the company would also be ending its relationship with ComboTag because it "created this relationship with Eyeo, which is now going from being an ad-blocking company to being a provider of ads  this is not a business that we want to be a part of."

Google later released this statement: "We were surprised by the announcement and learned of it when we were contacted by press. We have no involvement in their program and this is not a business we want to be part of. We are moving to terminate ComboTags AdX account. "Ad blocking is a symptom of bad ads online and that's why we believe the industry needs to align around a standard--backed by data and insights from conversations with real consumers--for what constitutes a better ads experience online."

But despite two of the world's biggest advertising companies saying they want no part of Adblock Plus' pivot from ad blocker to ad seller and airing their grievances that they were not properly informed they were going to be linked to it, Adblock Plus says the project is still going full steam ahead.

A spokesperson for Eyeo, Adblock Plus' parent company referred our inquiries to Guy Tytunovich, ComboTag CEO.

Guy Tytunovich

He first addressed the apparent flip-flop from AppNexus, which Tytunovich says was initially on board with the project.

Tytunovich said: "We are surprised and disappointed that AppNexus had this sudden change of heart. However, wed prefer not to speculate about what happened in the course of yesterday, or who spoke with whom about what, or what conversations may have happened on Twitter."

Nevertheless, the Acceptable Ads Platform has close to "1,000" publishers signed up to take part so far, he said.

ComboTag and Eyeo are currently exhibiting at the huge digital advertising trade show Dmexco in Cologne to show off the platform. Tytunovich said the booth is "flooded with appointments and walk-up interest."

We asked for Tytunovich's reaction to Google terminating its relationship with ComboTag.

He responded: "Google  on our end nothing's changed. We work with countless of different partners on the demand side. It's an open platform after all. Considering the fact that all we're doing is helping the publishers improve their UX [user experience], and providing them with a way to reduce user churn and improve their yield, I don't see a reason of why anyone would be uncomfortable with it."

To that end, Tytunovich claimed more than 50 demand sources  advertisers, agencies, and agency trading desks  have approached ComboTag since Tuesday to take part in the Acceptable Ads Platform.

The Acceptable Ads Platform has yet to launch out of beta yet, so it's unclear how users will react. However, the majority of the 64 comments in response to Adblock Plus' blog post announcement were critical of the initiative.

"You disgust me. UNINSTALLED," wrote "Matt." Another user, "Marcus," wrote: "Sellouts. That you legitimize it with that most users can't find the non-intrusive ads button in your settings is just sad. Uninstalling."

"Bernice" said: "This is an absolute BETRAYAL of your users. I will be uninstalling your app after having used it for many many years."

It's only been one day and it's already been exceptionally messy, but the Adblock Plus Acceptable Ads Platform saga looks like it's nowhere near over yet.

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Cindy Lange-Kubick Columnist Cindy Lange-Kubick has loved writing columns about life in her hometown since 1994. She had hoped to become a people person by now, nonetheless she would love to hear your tales of fascinating neighbors and interesting places. Follow Cindy Lange-Kubick Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The man in the photograph has dark hair and a smile on his face.

Jay Oligmueller cant see the image as he climbs, but its taped to the air tank he wears on his back.

Lt. Michael Healey ...

Every step youre taking, every flight, youre thinking about that person, says Oligmueller, a Lincoln firefighter.

Engine House 41, the Bronx ...

Oligmueller knew Healeys name before he arrived at a Kansas City skyscraper on Sunday.

Died Sept. 11, 2001 ...

He changed his own Facebook profile picture to a picture of Healey before he left Lincoln with his family.

And he searched the internet for information, wanting to know more.

He found a photo of the New York firefighter grinning in his gear and helmet, another of him somber in a tie and white dress shirt, his lieutenant stripes showing on his shoulders.

He learned that the 42-year-old was married and had three children, and that he loved running and his job.

Oligmueller is 35. Hes married and has two boys; hes a runner, too.

And, like Healey, he loves being a firefighter.

The Pius X graduate was in college when the jets hit the World Trade Center Towers 15 years ago.

He listened to the first reports on the radio and sat transfixed in front of his television for the rest of that surreal day, images of planes and flames, fleeing workers and exhausted firefighters and two tumbling skyscrapers filling the screen.

He works at Station 6 in Lincoln now, a firefighter for 13 years, driving a fire engine for the past three.

A friend and fellow firefighter called him in June to see if he wanted to sign up for the Kansas City climb.

He helped me get registered, Oligmueller said, and Im glad because its hard to get in, it fills up rather quickly.

The first 9/11 memorial stair climb took place in Denver in 2005, when five Colorado firefighters climbed 110 flights to honor the fallen 9/11 firefighters.

The next year, 12 firefighters climbed. Every year, more joined them and firefighters in other cities began to organize events, too.

The Kansas City climb started in 2011 and, like others across the country, it has 343 spots, one for each firefighter killed that Tuesday morning. This year, it took four minutes for firefighters from Kansas and Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa and Oklahoma to claim the 343 slots.

Joining Oligmueller were six fellow Lincoln firefighters and one from Omaha.

A team, he says.

You start together and if someone needs to take a little breather, if someone needs help carrying something, you help them.

The men wore boots and bunker gear -- bulky tan pants and coats made of fire-resistant material. They tucked small American flags in their pockets. They wore helmets and air packs, axes and flashlights, two-way radios and heavy gloves, like firefighters climbing a burning, 110-story tower.

Like Healey, who was last seen in the World Trade Centers south tower and whose remains were never recovered, but whose voice was captured in a 911 call that morning asking dispatchers to send his squad to help.

I was just seeing if he could maybe possibly get us over there, Healeys recorded voice said. So, just keep us in mind.

Its the firefighter mindset, Oligmueller said. When the call comes, you go. And thats the way it worked Sunday.

The main thing was to make the climb together, just like we do on the job.

The Town Pavilion is a commercial office building, constructed of glass and steel. Oligmueller and his team climbed it 33 stories at a time, taking the elevator down when they finished each segment, before climbing again, and then again.

They passed photos of the fallen taped to the stairwell walls as they went, heat building inside their gear.

Immediately into the climb, youre feeling it, he said. You instantly know youre in for a challenge.

And it was a challenge, Oligmueller said, physically and mentally.

But he was buoyed by his team and by the other firefighters they encountered in the stairwells, all of them encouraging and motivating each other.

It took more than 90 minutes to make the climb. Stopping to rest. Drinking water. Taking turns leading the way.

For me personally, there was internal dialogue, just thinking about who youre doing this for, and what those guys faced on that day.

A crowd waited for them as they emerged from the elevators after each segment of the climb, holding out bottles of water and Gatorade, clapping and urging them on.

Oligmuellers wife, Amber, and their sons were among them.

I thought it was an amazing experience, she said. I dont even know how to explain it, I was just in awe.

On the fourth and final leg of the climb, the Lincoln firefighters climbed 10 floors and then took the elevator down, before climbing one final flight from the main lobby.

Before those last steps, they stopped one by one to ring a silver bell.

And to say the name of the firefighter whose photo accompanied them up 110 flights. Name after name after name, until 343 firefighters stood in the wide staircase.

The firefighter from Lincoln felt proud of his team, he said this week, back on the job in Lincoln.

Humbled to carry the memory of Lt. Michael Healey on his back.
An Airbus A380-841 airplane of Singapore Airlines takes-off from Zurich airport, Switzerland, April 14, 2016. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

On October 25, 2007, the Airbus A380 entered commercial service with a flight operated by Singapore Airlines.

The Singaporean national airline took delivery of its first five A380s on 10-year leases with options to extend.

On Wednesday, the airline announced that it will not renew the lease for the first of its Airbus superjumbos.

"The first (lease) expires in October 2017, and we have decided not to extend it," Singapore Airlines told Business Insider via email. "This decision was the result of a regular review of our fleet requirements."

As a result, Singapore's first A380 will be returned to its owners, Dr. Peters Group, once the lease runs out next October.

In addition, Singapore also said that it has not made up its mind on whether or not it will continue with the other four leased A380s.

A decision on fate of the remaining four leased superjumbos is expected to be made between now and April 2017, Aviation Week reported.

In total, Singapore Airlines operates the second largest A380 fleet in the world with 19- super-jumbos. The airline also has an additional order for five new A380s set to begin delivery late next year.

Over the past few years, Airbus has struggled mightily to find buyers for new A380s. It's a struggle that's now compounded by competition from the first group of off-lease A380s entering the second hand market.

In addition, Airbus also contends with A380s from current customers, such as Malaysia Airlines who is trying to dump its fleet of six superjumbos.

In a statement to Business Insider, Airbus wrote:

"We do not comment on the fleet plans of individual airlines. We are confident in the market for second hand A380s, which can be leased or acquired at attractive rates. This will offer a great opportunity for new entrants with new business models to start operating the A380."

Today's news is not exactly welcomed by an already struggling A380 program that's fallen short of the paradigm shifting expectations Airbus had when the $428 million jet debuted more than a decade ago.

Story continues

In July, Airbus announced at the Farnborough Air Show that it will slow down the production rate of the A380 by more than 50% starting in 2018.

Emirates remains the A380's largest and most influential customer. With 140 of the 319 A380 orders coming from the Dubai-based airline, the future of the aircraft is essentially pegged to Emirates.

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An Alabama teenager murdered his parents after getting in trouble over trashing the house during a raucous party, authorities said.

Jesse Holton, 17, denied fatally shooting his parents, Mike and April Holton, and was emotionless after his arrest, Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

The killings came after Holton apparently upset his parents Sunday when they discovered their son had thrown a party that included drugs and left the house a mess, according to the AP. His father, a former mayor of an Alabama town, had handcuffed his troublesome son in an attempt to discipline him, the AP reports.

17 yr old Jesse Madison Holton charged w/ murder of his father & former Eclectic mayor Mike Holton. @ALNewsNetwork pic.twitter.com/xM9yjjSD7j  Jeff Sanders (@JeffSandersNews) September 12, 2016

They had had problems with him in the past, Franklin said, adding that Holton will be charged as an adult.

The high school senior has been charged with murdering his father and is expected to be also charged in the death of his mother, pending autopsy results, according to People.

He hasnt shown any emotion at all. Most people would be bawling their eyes out if their parents had been killed, Franklin said.

[AP]
Alexis Bledel gives us a sneak peek at what Rory Gilmores grownup life is like

Alexis Bledel gives us a sneak peek at what Rory Gilmores grownup life is like

Were still a little more than two months away from the release of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, the hotly anticipated Netflix reboot of our favorite show. But lucky for us, the cast keeps offering sneak peeks into the lives of their characters  and we are devouring every crumb. (In case you hadnt already figured it out: SPOILERS AHEAD!)

The latest to open up is Alexis Bledel, who plays Rory Gilmore on the show. She recently spoke to Us Weekly about the twists and turns Rorys life has taken since she graduated from Yale and set out on her career path as a journalist (yes, she made that dream come true!)

She has been working hard, as she does. She started her work as a journalist at the same time that newspapers were going away. Her field changed dramatically as she was just kind of getting up and running. So thats where we pick up with her.

Bledel added that because Rory frequently travels for work, she hasnt had time to put down roots. She stated,

Its real time, so its been about eight years that shes been living a bit of a vagabond lifestyle, kind of chasing each story that she becomes passionate about and wants to tell.

Us also spoke to Scott Patterson, the actor who plays Luke Danes on the show, and he said he thinks there could be even more Gilmore Girls after the four-episode reboot. I cant say too much about how it ends up, he said. But for me, personally, I think it seems like there is some room, yes.

Dont toy with our emotions like that, Scott!

A Year in the Life hits Netflix on Nov. 25th and hopefully again on Nov. 25th, 2017 and 2018 and

The post Alexis Bledel gives us a sneak peek at what Rory Gilmores grownup life is like appeared first on HelloGiggles.
By Phil Stewart and Yeganeh Torbati WASHINGTON (Reuters) - For Pentagon officers who cut their teeth during the Cold War, the prospect of U.S. battlefield cooperation with Russia in Syria is not only uncomfortable. It's also unprecedented. Against that background, the reactions of U.S. military officials range from caution to outright skepticism over a Geneva-based "joint integration center" that may soon bring together American and Russian militaries to discuss shared targets for the first time since World War Two. "There are challenges with this. There is a trust deficit with the Russians," acknowledged General Joseph Votel, head of the U.S. military's Central Command, even as he voiced support for the initiative at a forum on Wednesday. U.S. officials past and present voiced concerns about the initiative, underscoring the Pentagon's long-public criticism about the way Russia had been waging war in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and over Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Evelyn Farkas, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense who specialized in Russia, warned of dangers ahead. "Conducting joint operations with the Russian military is fraught with political, military and potentially legal risk," Farkas told Reuters. Under the deal, the United States and Russia are aiming for reduced violence over seven consecutive days before they move to the next stage of coordinating military strikes against Nusra Front and Islamic State militants, which are not party to the truce. If the truce holds, coordination could even start on Monday. At that point, Russia and the United States could, in theory, gradually begin using the joint integration center to share targeting information. Officials stress the Geneva-based JIC would not be similar to JOCs, the joint operation centers typical in war zones, like Iraq, replete with classified computer systems and giant television screens that show live feeds from armed drones carrying out strikes. U.S. intelligence officials also have voiced concerns about sharing precise information on the positions of U.S.-backed rebel forces, given that Russia has targeted them in the past. "The Russians aren't using precision-guided munitions in Syria, which gives them a perfect excuse to say, 'Sorry, we weren't aiming at your guys'," said one U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. CIVILIAN CASUALTIES Working with Russia on targeting could risk linking Washington to any Russian misconduct. Other U.S. officials publicly sought to play down those concerns this week, with one Obama administration official saying: "While we may share information on that threat, Russia remains fully responsible for the conduct of its operations." There also is a legal hurdle. U.S. officials say Defense Secretary Ash Carter would need to issue a waiver to a U.S. law that puts strict limitations on U.S. military cooperation with Russia. Carter, a fierce critic of Moscow, was skeptical of military coordination with Russia during internal Obama administration discussions. He has publicly backed the agreement and said on Wednesday the ceasefire, if implemented, would ease suffering. "We in the Defense Department will play whatever role we have (in the process) with our accustomed excellence," he said. Advocates for the initiative say the international community has run out of good choices in Syria's war, in which more than 400,000 people have died and more than 11 million people have been displaced. "This whole war is the search for the least bad options," sad Anthony Cordesman at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Retired Admiral James Stavridis, a former supreme commander of NATO, supported the effort, even though he was not optimistic. "The odds are low of this working out, given competing if not opposing (agendas). But it is worth a try given the dire humanitarian situation," Stavridis told Reuters. (Additional reporting by Lesley Wroughton and John Walcott; Writing by Phil Stewart; Editing by Yara Bayoumy and Howard Goller)
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The mystery behind who bought the Anne Hathaway starrer Colossal appears to be solved.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter a new company formed by Radius co-founder Tom Quinn and Alamo Drafthouse owner Tim League nabbed the film on the ground here at the Toronto Film Festival. On Sept. 13, several publications reported that the film had been bought by a mysterious Chinese-backed company that would be revealed in the weeks to come.

The Colossal deal, which a source pegged at mid-seven figures, was negotiated by CAA.

Colossal executive producer Choi Pyung Ho has a relationship with Quinn dating back to Snowpiercer, which Choi produced and was one of Radius' biggest hits and became a became a cult classic on VOD.

Quinn and League are no strangers to shrouding their projects in mystery. The two, along with Radius co-founder Jason Janego, bought Michael Moore's Where to Invade Next at last year's festival but declined to give any further details on the name their company or the financing behind it.

That prompted speculation about whether or not the pair were being paid a fee to put out the movie that received a tepid response at the festival. That film, which was released in 300-plus theaters in February, flopped compared to Moore's previous films and earned less than $4 million.

Read more: 'Colossal': Film Review | TIFF 2016

But unlike Where to Invade Next, Quinn and League are planning an ambitious release on Colossal and beat out suitor A24 based on their unique pitch to market the film.

The pseudo-monster movie Colossal sees Hathaway star as a hard-partying New Yorker who uses her mind to battle a giant lizard half a world away in Seoul. Dan Stevens and Jason Sudeikis co-star.

Nacho Vigalondo wrote and directed the film.

Nahikari Ipina, Nicolas Chartier, Zev Foreman, Dominic Rustam, Russell Levine and Shawn Williamson produced Colossal, while Jonathan Deckter, Justin Bursch, Garrett Basch, Nacho Vigalondo, Chris Lytton also Lee Jea Woo also served as executive producers.

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The film made its world premiere in the Vanguard section of TIFF.
The Lincoln Independent Business Association said on Tuesday it would oppose a Southeast Community College-sponsored bond issue that would raise $369 million to pay for new construction and renovation across the colleges campuses.

In a news release, LIBA said its biggest concern with the bond issue is the simple fact that the request ignores the crisis we have with increasing property taxes that affect Nebraska families, businesses, and farmers.

It's the first time in 10 years LIBA has opposed a bond issue appearing on the ballot in Lincoln, said Coby Mach, LIBA's CEO, who discussed the issue Tuesday on his KLIN-AM talk show.

Tim Hruza, LIBAs legal counsel, said the group met with SCCs leadership several times beginning in February to discuss the proposal, but has not learned how the community college plans to move ahead if the vote is successful.

Theyve been more or less unable to commit to a direction, Hruza said. SCCs been asking for a lot of confidence and trust from us for their plans, but after multiple conversations, we never really got a hard answer.

If a majority of voters across 15 counties in Southeast Nebraska support the plan in November, the bond issue would add roughly $39 to the annual tax payment of a property owner living in a $100,000 home. Roughly $127 million would be spent on SCCs Beatrice campus, $88 million at the Milford campus, and the remainder in Lincoln.

One of those projects, according to SCC officials, may be construction of a new $120 million downtown Lincoln campus in the Telegraph District near 21st Street and Capitol Parkway.

In its statement, LIBA enumerated several reasons it opposed SCCs proposal, noting that the college board could later levy up to 2 cents per $100 in valuation to pay for construction and renovation without asking voters.

SCC is currently using 1.05 cents of that maximum 2-cent levy to help pay for learning centers in six locations. The bond issue, if passed, would add up to 3.9 cents to the levy.

According to LIBA, SCC was asked to include language in its bond proposal so that taxpayers could be assured their taxes would not be raised twice."

LIBA also said taxpayers will be responsible for paying millions of dollars in interest on the bonds, and that there is no termination date for payback of the bonds.

At a board work session in June, SCC officials said the bonds would be issued in several parts rather than all $369 million at once, both to keep pressure off taxpayers and to complete the construction in phases.

While SCC plans to build in the Telegraph District if the bond is successful -- SCC President Paul Illich said the recommendation came from Clark Enersen Partners, which worked with the college on its master facilities plan -- the cost estimates are based on the number of square feet that would either need to be built new or renovated.

Hruza said LIBA was very judicious in considering the bond proposal before stating its opposition.

We ask the community to think long and hard about this bond, he said. Its hard to evaluate from a taxpayer standpoint that that investment is the right choice for a voter to make this fall.
The mystery behind who will release the Anne Hathaway starrer Colossal appears to be solved.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter a new company formed by Radius co-founder Tom Quinn and Alamo Drafthouse owner Tim League will distribute the film that made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. On Tuesday, several publications reported that the film had been bought by a mysterious Chinese-backed U.S. studio that would be revealed in the weeks to come.

The Colossal deal, which a source pegged at mid-seven figures, was negotiated by CAA.

Colossal executive producer Choi Pyung Ho has a relationship with Quinn dating back to 2013's Snowpiercer, which Choi produced and was one of Radius' biggest hits and became a cult classic on VOD.

Quinn and League are no strangers to shrouding their projects in mystery. The two, along with Radius co-founder Jason Janego, bought Michael Moore's Where to Invade Next at last year's TIFF but declined to give any further details on the name of their company or the financing behind it.

That prompted speculation about whether or not the pair were being paid a fee to put out the doc that received a tepid response at the festival. That film, which was released in 300-plus theaters in February, was a flop compared to Moore's previous films and earned less than $4 million.

Read more: 'Colossal': Film Review | TIFF 2016

But unlike Where to Invade Next, Quinn and League are planning an ambitious release for Colossal, sources say, and beat out suitor A24 based on their unique pitch to market the film.

The pseudo-monster movie stars Hathaway as a hard-partying New Yorker who uses her mind to battle a giant lizard half a world away in Seoul. Dan Stevens and Jason Sudeikis co-star. Nacho Vigalondo wrote and directed the film.

Nahikari Ipina, Nicolas Chartier, Zev Foreman, Dominic Rustam, Russell Levine and Shawn Williamson produced Colossal, while Jonathan Deckter, Justin Bursch, Garrett Basch, Vigalondo, Chris Lytton and Lee Jea Woo served as executive producers.

The film screened in the Vanguard section of TIFF.
Buenos Aires (AFP) - Argentine farmers gave away tonnes of produce in downtown Buenos Aires Wednesday as part of a protest to demand access to credits to buy land.

People, many of them pensioners, formed long lines in the Plaza de Mayo to get free leeks, heads of lettuce, stalks of celery unloaded from the back of trucks.

Dubbed "el verdurazo," the protest was organized by the UTT farm workers union to press for passage of a law that would make credits available to small farmers to buy land.

"A big majority of small producers do not own the land we live on and farm, making us slaves to unregulated rents and constant uncertainty," the UTT said in a statement.

Agro Industries Minister Ricardo Buryaile dismissed the protest.

"Instead of a giveaway in the Plaza de Mayo, they should go and sell it at the fair," he said, referring to a network of markets that the government supports.
(Reuters) - A Florida man who investigators say posted anti-Islamic material on social media was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of arson in the fire that badly damaged a mosque attended by the gunman who committed the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, police said.

The arson suspect, Joseph Michael Schreiber, 32, faces at least 30 years in prison if convicted on pending charges of deliberately starting the blaze at the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce, where Orlando gunman Omar Mateen worshiped, police said.

Mateen was killed by law enforcement officers after shooting 49 people to death and wounding 53 others in June at a gay nightclub in Orlando, about 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Fort Pierce.

Fire erupted at the Fort Pierce mosque at about 12:30 a.m. EST on Monday, coinciding with one of the holiest of Muslim holidays, Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, and authorities immediately branded the blaze an arson attack.

The Lucie County Sheriff's Office told reporters afterward that surveillance video footage showed a man riding up to the building on a motorcycle, getting off the bike and approaching the mosque carrying a bottle of liquid and papers moments before flames erupted.

At a news conference announcing an arrest on Wednesday, Sheriff's Major David Thompson said Schreiber owns a motorcycle like the one seen in the video. Thompson said a tip from a member of the public led investigators to the suspect and his home, where a search turned up additional evidence tying him to the crime.

He was arrested without incident on Wednesday while walking along a sidewalk in Fort Pierce, Thompson said.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Chris Reese, Bernard Orr)
An Italian artist has taken news of Hillary Clintons recent health scare pretty hard, sending her a "get well" message for the ages  a portrait of the candidate and with the words, You Must, You Can plowed in a field.

Read: The Presidential X-Files: How Jimmy Carter Filed a UFO-Sighting Report in 1973

Artist Dario Gambarin used his skills to make the portrait in a field near Verona, Italy, after her campaign said the Democratic presidential candidate had been suffering from pneumonia since Friday.

(Dario Gambarin)

"I heard she was ill and I felt it was right to wish her well," he told InsideEdition.com. "For me, politics is like a sport and she is the team I like. When I saw she was getting flak for being sick, I wanted to draw more attention to her getting better."

He added: "This art is very difficult because it all depends on the weather, the terrain and ecology."

He doesn't really prepare for the artwork he creates in the field. He just gets on his tractor and begins to go to work with an idea in mind.

Gambarin took to his tractor and began carving the message that can be seen from the air.

(Dario Gambarin)

Gambarin said in a statement: "It's a way to say to Hillary, you have to keep going because you can become the first female president of the U.S."

The Clinton portrait took 8 hours to create. The finished product measured more than 524 feet by 426 feet by 459 feet.

(Dario Gambarin)

Read: Who Is Hillary's Mystery Woman? Internet in a Frenzy Over Woman Pictured by Clinton's Side

The artist has done land art like this before. In 2013, he created a portrait of former South African President Nelson Mandela after the former South African president's death.

He has also recreated the iconic expressionist artist Edvard Munchs Scream painting.

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The artist says he has been doing this for 10 years and his first was a portrait of President Obama with the message: The Hope Is in the Land.

He says he started doing this for a "new challenge" and wanted to use "natural resources" to make his art and "be outside more."

Gambarin said: "I wanted to do this and wanted to do something different."

Watch: Hillary Clinton Says She Feels Fine And Didn't Faint At 9/11 Memorial Service: "I Did Lose My Balance'

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The bomb fell at around midday. Dropped from a helicopter, the barrel burst open and spawned its contents onto the pavement: at least four metal cylinders that ripped open to release a greenish gas that smelled of bleach. Within minutes, residents began to hack on the fumes.

Rescue workers raced to the scene of the Sept. 6 strike, a crowded neighborhood in Aleppos Sukari district in the rebel-held eastern section of the city. The rescuers tended to dazed residents, some of whom were coughing violently, struggling to breathe. They helped a young boy strip off his clothes and hosed him down while rushing others to hospitals. The barrel bomb had left a small crater in a narrow street between apartment buildings. The canisters lay nearby. Later, one witness said he saw two dead chickens lying in the street, expired from the gas. At Aleppos al-Quds hospital, doctors scrambled to scrub patients bodies and administer oxygen to some of the more than 70 coughing, shaking patients.

Hamza al-Khatib, a surgeon at the hospital, said he immediately identified the airstrike as a chemical attack, based on the symptoms (coughing, a lack of oxygen, itching skin) and the smell on the patients clothes. He was shocked to see five and six year old children holding their own oxygen masks to their faces without help, like they were grown men, understanding that it is their way to relieve their suffering.

Ahmed Mustafa, a 28-year-old media activist and journalist with the channel Halab al-Youm (Aleppo Today), arrived in Sukari minutes after the bomb fell to document the attack. Later that day he was treated for the effects of the gas. My feeling was a sense of fear, sadness, death, he says in a text message. Witnesses, doctors on the scene, and international experts suspect the gas used in last weeks attack was chlorine, an easily manufactured substance that the regime uses as a low-tech but still lethal chemical weapon.

The attack on the urban area of Aleppo was the latest in a pattern of chemical attacks in Syria carried out by President Bashar al-Assads regime in territory held by armed opposition groups in the weeks and months before the partial ceasefire negotiated by the U.S. and Russia, which went into effect on Sept. 12.

Activists say these attacks could represent a worrying shift in regime tactics. In the past, chemical attacks have been seen as part of a deliberate effort by the regime to displace civilians from rebel-held areas. But now with the deployment of toxic gasses on the besieged eastern part of Aleppo, the attacks are targeting a captive population.

Its the first time this year Aleppo city was targeted by chemical agents. We had many reports before but we were unable to confirm itof using choking agentsbut the recent two attacks were completely confirmed, says Dr. Houssam Alnahhas, coordinator of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Taskforce of the independent Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations operating in Syria, speaking from neighboring Turkey.

At least two people died as a result of the attack last Tuesday, including a 13-year-old girl named Hajer Kyali, who died a day later after being admitted to an intensive care unit. Last Tuesdays bombing was at least the second toxic assault on the rebel-held section of Aleppo in the last two months. On Aug. 10, an apparent chlorine bombing struck Aleppos Zibdieh neighborhood, killing a woman and two children. Both attacks came before the current truce.

Even in the charnel house of the Syrian civil war, chemical attacks represent a special brand of horror for civilian victims. Chlorine can be deadly. As victims inhale, it reacts with the lungs, turning into hydrochloric acid. It dissolves the lungs as you breathe it in, and thats how kids usually die, says Dr. Annie Sparrow, assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, who has worked closely with doctors in Syria.

Physicians and human rights advocates argue the chlorine attacks are designed to sow terror, rather than cause mass casualties. Unlike ordinary bombs, or the makeshift barrel bombs used by the Assad regime, there is no sheltering underground from toxic gasses. In fact, experts say chlorine gas sinks after its released, potentially seeping into subterranean chambers.

The use of chlorine as a weapon of war dates back to World War One, when the German military unleashed green clouds of the gas on French Algerian troops at the second Battle of Ypres, reportedly killing thousands. The worlds horror at the Germans use of chlorine gas spurred international efforts to outlaw the use of chemical weapons in general. Chlorine is a legal industrial chemical, but its use as a weapon is now banned under the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention, which is the most universally accepted of the worlds disarmament treaties.

Its a terrifying weapon, says Ole Solvang, deputy director of the emergencies department at Human Rights Watch, speaking from Paris. It creates a lot of terror among the civilian population because unlike high a explosive weaponit explodes and you know whether youre injured or notis it over? And you can go on with your life. With these chlorine-filled barrel bombs, it impacts, and then you dont know, where did it happen? Will you be affected?

The attacks have continued long after an organized international mission removed the Syrian regimes known chemical arsenal from the country in June 2014. The removal was the result of the dramatic diplomacy that followed the August 2013 sarin gas attack in the rebel-held Ghouta area outside of Damascus in August 2013, in which as many as 1,400 people were killed. President Barack Obama threatened military action in Syria in response, having declared the use of chemical weapons a red line in August 2012. The Obama administration backed away from the brink of launching an attack on Syria after the Ghouta killings, after reaching a last minute agreement with Russia to dismantle the Syrian chemical arsenal.

Instead of halting chemical warfare in Syria, the 2013 international accord appears to have simply triggered a shift in the type of chemicals used. The international operation removed 1,290 metric tons of chemical weapons such as sarin, VX, and sulfur mustard, which forms mustard gas, all of which are banned under international law. The operation did not remove any stocks of chlorine, which can be used in everything from purifying drinking water to whitening laundry. As a result, the Syrian regime appears to have adopted a makeshift approach to chemical warfare, packing chlorine canisters into barrel bombs, crude metal containers that are pushed out of helicopters, often into civilian neighborhoods.

The attacks are widespread, many of them targeting rebel-held northwestern Syria. According to a report from the Syrian American Medical Society, 161 documented chemical attacks took place in Syria from the beginning of the conflict through 2015, the vast majority of them involving suspected chlorine gas. The report also says 77 percent of the attacks came after the U.N. Security Council resolution in 2013 that led to the destruction of Syrias declared chemical weapons stockpiles. Most of the attacks were carried out by the Assad regime, but the jihadists of ISIS have also been known to use chemical weapons, according to the report.

In the most recent pair of attacks in Aleppo, it was impossible for officials to carry out laboratory tests to confirm which chemical agent was used, since the area was under siege and no samples could be taken out of the city. But there is little doubt in investigators minds that the gas was chlorine. Medics reported symptoms consistent with past chlorine attacks: itching, coughing, and respiratory symptoms such as a lack of oxygen. The Health Directorate issued a medical report confirming chlorine toxicity following the Sept. 6 attack.

Official investigations have confirmed the use of chlorine in previous attacks. An investigative mission set up by the U.N. and the International Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons confirmed several attacks in a report to the UN Security Council in August.

Some experts say the regime may be experimenting with industrial chemicals in an attempt to sow fear among the public in opposition-controlled areas. Theyve kind of got a whole population where they can use any number of chemicals theyve got in their warehouses, says Sparrow, in a phone interview. Sometimes you think theyre just doing it for effect. Maybe theyre seeing if this one works. Maybe theyre doing it to terrify people because they know that anything that smells odorous and maliferous will be terrifying, because it will be.

Rights activists believe the unchecked use of chemical weapons in Syria could embolden combatants in wars around the world. If this continues without any kind of reaction, without any kind of consequences, then that sends a signal to actors in other wars as well, that this international norm on chemical weapons is not as strong as we thought it was, says Solvang.

A senior Obama administration official said the current ceasefire agreement negotiated with Russia should represent a significant step toward preventing the Assad regimes indiscriminate bombing. We will continue our efforts to hold the Assad regime to account for their actions, including the specific individuals who authorized and carried out these chemical attacks, said the official.

With reporting by Massimo Calabresi / Washington.
Ahead of a $369 million bond issue that will go before voters in 15 counties in November, the Southeast Community College Board of Governors approved a marginal drop in tax levy rates for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

Property taxpayers across the district will pay 7.52 cents per $100 of valuation next year, meaning the owner of house valued at $100,000 will pay $75.20 in taxes to support SCC.

That's a slight dip from last year's 7.57-cent levy, but with property valuations across the SCC district rising 3.78 percent this year, tax revenue is expected to increase.

SCC President Paul Illich said the college put forward a conservative budget a year after the Board of Governors approved a 26 percent hike in the tax levy.

And SCC's tax levy, he said, is expected to be the lowest among the six community college districts in the state.

Property tax revenue is the largest driver in SCC's general fund budget, accounting for $34.9 million next year, compared to $28.1 million in state appropriations -- a 2.6 percent increase.

The Board of Governors also approved a $1 tuition hike on both Nebraska and nonresident students earlier this year, bringing the per-credit hour rates to $61.50 and $75.50, respectively.

SCC expects to collect $21.7 million in tuition revenue.

Together, SCC's general fund budget for next year is nearly $86.4 million.

The increased budget will add instructors for courses in high-demand areas at SCC's traditional campuses, Illich said, as well as staff for learning centers set to open in York, Wahoo, Plattsmouth, Nebraska City, Falls City and Hebron.
Today in 5 Lines

Donald Trumps running mate Mike Pence spent the day with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill in an attempt to unite the party ahead of November. The Census Bureau released new data showing that the median household income in the United States rose from roughly $53,700 in 2014 to $56,500 last year, and the poverty rate fell to 13.5 percent. President Obama hit the campaign trail on behalf of Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia. Trump, alongside his daughter, Ivanka, will formally unveil his plan to provide federally-subsidized child care to Americans in a speech Tuesday evening. Senator Kelly Ayotte is expected to win her primary in New Hampshire, one of three states holding contests today.

Today on The Atlantic

Trumps True Test : Donald Trumps approach served him well throughout the primary season, but will this strategy hold up against Hillary Clinton when the two go head-to-head in the presidential debates? (James Fallows)

A Serious Look at Trauma: The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that one in five female veterans who use its health-care program screens positive for military sexual trauma. Heres how a California court system is working to help these women cope. (Juleyka Lantigua-Williams)

The Zika Outbreak in America: A funding bill to fight the Zika virus is stalled in Congress, but the virus has already infected 20,000 people in Puerto Rico and could wreak further havoc if the government fails to act more quickly. (Vann R. Newkirk II)

Follow stories throughout the day with our Politics & Policy portal.

Recommended: The Trump Surge

Snapshot

President Obama met with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi in the Oval Office on Monday. Carlos Barria / Reuters

What Were Reading

Throwing Money at the Problem: Republican donors concerned that Donald Trumps campaign will threaten the Republican majority in the House are donating record amounts to a super PAC. CNN reports the reason the outside group is pulling in more money this year is because donors are more comfortable with the wonky House speaker than the unpredictable billionaire nominee and want to ensure Ryan keeps his gavel. (Deirdre Walsh)

Story continues

Recommended: Colin Powell, the Last Reasonable Man

Rob Portman Is Crushing It: The junior senator from Ohio is doing unexpectedly well in what was supposed to be a competitive race against the states former Democratic governor, Ted Strickland, proving that being part of the GOP establishment might not be so bad after all. (Eliana Johnson, National Review)

Securing a Place In the Room: Women working in the White House face special challenges when it comes to making contributions to their male-dominated teams. And while there have been changes over times, women continue to fight for power in the White House. (Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post)

Republicans in the Fetal Position: A new report from BuzzFeed reveals a quiet panic among several members of the GOP establishment: What will they do if Donald Trump actually wins the White House? At least one Republican says hell be watching The West Wing and drinking a basketful of deplorable liquor. (McKay Coppins)

A Fatal Encounter: Police officers in the United States have killed more than 2,000 people since the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Vox provides a comprehensive list of these individuals and graphics visualizing the data. (German Lopez and Soo Oh)

Visualized

Why Dont People Vote?: An estimated four out of 10 voters stay home on Election Day. Take a look at these charts to see turnout rates based on age, race, education, election competitiveness, and a host of other factors. (Alicia Parlapiano and Adam Pearce, The New York Times)

Recommended: When Donald Meets Hillary: Who Will Win the Debates?

Question of the Week

Critics pounced on Today Show host Matt Lauer for his handling of NBCs Commander in Chief forum with Donald Trump last week, foreshadowing the level of scrutiny the moderators will face during this falls presidential debates. Anderson Cooper of CNN, Lester Holt of NBC, Martha Raddatz of ABC, and Chris Wallace of Fox News will moderate the debates, and they are already feeling the heat.

Who do you think would make the best moderatorand why?

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.
LIBREVILLE (Reuters) - The African Union says it plans to send observers to help Gabon's Constitutional Court with a legal complaint lodged by opposition leader Jean Ping, who accuses President Ali Bongo of cheating to secure victory in an election last month. The dispute led to riots that killed at least six people and brought unwelcome international scrutiny for Bongo, whose family has ruled the central African OPEC member for nearly 50 years. Ping, who officially lost by fewer than 6,000 votes, last week applied to the court to authorize a recount in the Haut-Ogooue province, Bongo's stronghold, where the president won 95 percent of the votes on a 99.9 percent turnout. The Peace and Security Council of the African Union requested that its executive branch deploy observers from other French-speaking African countries "to assist the Constitutional Court of Gabon", it said in a statement late on Tuesday. The European Union, which sent an official observation team to the election and has cited anomalies in the poll results from Haut-Ogooue province, will maintain observers in the country. It was not clear what level of access observers would have to the internal deliberations of the court, which is due to decide on the recount by Sept. 23. The government has stressed that the court is neutral and also accused Ping's supporters of irregularities in the polls, allegations repeated on Wednesday by Faustin Boukoubi, secretary-general of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party. Boukoubi also called upon the international community to act responsibly, though he did not specifically mention the African Union. "We have no doubt that our partners and the friends of Gabon will objectively involve themselves in preserving our peace and that no member of the international community will contrive to pour fuel on the fire," he told reporters. Ping says he has no faith in the judicial body because of its ties to the Bongo family. The head of the court, Marie-Madeleine Mborantsuo, was the long-time mistress of Ali Bongo's father Omar Bongo, who ruled for 41 years. Ping is himself a longtime political insider and was a close ally of Omar Bongo. He fathered two children with the current president's sister, Pascaline. Ali Bongo's opponents complained to the court after he won his first term in 2009, and the court upheld his victory following a recount. Gabon's former colonial ruler France, which has a military base in the country and a large stake in the oil sector via major Total, has urged the court to examine the opposition's complaint transparently and impartially. It has ruled out intervening militarily in the dispute, as it has done previously in parts of Africa. (Reporting by Gerauds Wilfried Obangome; Additional reporting by Aaron Maasho in Addis Ababa and Emma Farge in Dakar; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Alison Williams)
By Jamie Freed

SYDNEY (Reuters) - North American bidders will not need an Australian partner to bid for Australian electricity distributor Ausgrid, an adviser on the potentially A$10 billion ($7.46 billion) deal said, after the government rejected sole offers from Chinese interests.

Canadian funds such as Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Borealis Infrastructure had this month been advised during a roadshow that they did not need Australian partners if they bid through a consortium, the source told Reuters.

The adviser to the New South Wales state government, which is selling the asset, requested anonymity because he is not authorised to speak publicly.

An investment banker representing interested parties said he also had heard from colleagues at the roadshow that no Australian partners were necessary for North American bidders acting through consortiums.

"It was a surprise," he said, declining to be identified for reasons of client confidentiality.

"Everyone's starting assumption was you needed to have domestic participation."

Despite the guidance given on the North American roadshow, there was still significant uncertainty over what kinds of bids would be acceptable and whether the government would risk angering China by approving a majority foreign bid of any sort.

Australia last month blocked Chinese state-owned State Grid and privately run Hong Kong firm Cheung Kong Infrastructure (CKI) from bidding for a 50.4 percent controlling stake in Ausgrid, citing national security concerns.

State Grid and CKI are believed to have offered about A$13 billion for Ausgrid, the largest power network in the country.

A NSW government spokesman declined to comment on whether the state had received advice from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) on what sort of bids would be acceptable.

A spokesman for federal Treasurer Scott Morrison declined to comment on whether his office or FIRB had provided any advice to the state government.

Story continues

While China is Australia's biggest trading partner and a major investor, Canberra cooperates closely on intelligence matters with Canada and the United States. Canadian funds have participated in recent infrastructure deals in Australia including the sales of ports and rail group Asciano and transmission network operator Transgrid.

University of Western Australia international relations Professor Mark Beeson said Australia ran the risk of upsetting China if it allowed 100 percent foreign ownership of the grid.

The Chinese and others would not unreasonably ask, 'What is going on here?' he said.

Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang last month said the rejection of the Chinese bids was "protectionist and seriously impacts the willingness of Chinese companies to invest in Australia".

But an investment banker said allowing North American bidders to act through a consortium would help the government justify the rejection of State Grid and CKI, who had bid alone.

($1 = 1.3403 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Jamie Freed; Editing by Stephen Coates)
* Nth Americans told local partners not a requirement - source

* Investment banker says advice a "surprise"

* Australia cited security concerns in rejecting sole Chinese bids

By Jamie Freed

SYDNEY, Sept 14 (Reuters) - North American bidders will not need an Australian partner to bid for Australian electricity distributor Ausgrid, an adviser on the potentially A$10 billion ($7.46 billion) deal said, after the government rejected sole offers from Chinese interests.

Canadian funds such as Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Borealis Infrastructure had this month been advised during a roadshow that they did not need Australian partners if they bid through a consortium, the source told Reuters.

The adviser to the New South Wales state government, which is selling the asset, requested anonymity because he is not authorised to speak publicly.

An investment banker representing interested parties said he also had heard from colleagues at the roadshow that no Australian partners were necessary for North American bidders acting through consortiums.

"It was a surprise," he said, declining to be identified for reasons of client confidentiality.

"Everyone's starting assumption was you needed to have domestic participation."

Despite the guidance given on the North American roadshow, there was still significant uncertainty over what kinds of bids would be acceptable and whether the government would risk angering China by approving a majority foreign bid of any sort.

Australia last month blocked Chinese state-owned State Grid and privately run Hong Kong firm Cheung Kong Infrastructure (CKI) from bidding for a 50.4 percent controlling stake in Ausgrid, citing national security concerns.

State Grid and CKI are believed to have offered about A$13 billion for Ausgrid, the largest power network in the country.

A NSW government spokesman declined to comment on whether the state had received advice from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) on what sort of bids would be acceptable.

Story continues

A spokesman for federal Treasurer Scott Morrison declined to comment on whether his office or FIRB had provided any advice to the state government.

While China is Australia's biggest trading partner and a major investor, Canberra cooperates closely on intelligence matters with Canada and the United States. Canadian funds have participated in recent infrastructure deals in Australia including the sales of ports and rail group Asciano and transmission network operator Transgrid.

University of Western Australia international relations Professor Mark Beeson said Australia ran the risk of upsetting China if it allowed 100 percent foreign ownership of the grid.

"The Chinese and others would not unreasonably ask, 'What is going on here?'" he said.

Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang last month said the rejection of the Chinese bids was "protectionist and seriously impacts the willingness of Chinese companies to invest in Australia".

But an investment banker said allowing North American bidders to act through a consortium would help the government justify the rejection of State Grid and CKI, who had bid alone. ($1 = 1.3403 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Jamie Freed; Editing by Stephen Coates)
(Reuters) - A Baltimore commission has urged the removal of two city-owned Confederate monuments, including one to a Supreme Court justice notorious for a 19th century ruling against black Americans, the mayor said on Wednesday.

There is one problem - no one wants the large bronze statues.

The special commission appointed by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to study what to do with the city's four Confederate-themed monuments said that one to Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney should be removed, the mayor said in a statement.

Taney, a Maryland native, is best remembered for delivering the majority opinion in the 1857 Dred Scott case. The ruling found that African-Americans could not be considered U.S. citizens, whether they were free or slave.

The decision created a furor among abolitionists and free states just before the 1861-65 American Civil War, which ended slavery in the United States.

Maryland, straddling the North and South, was a slave state but remained in the Union during the war. The first fatalities of the conflict occurred in a Baltimore riot in April 1861.

In its report, the panel said that the double equestrian Lee and Jackson Monument to the two most venerated southern generals should be turned over to the National Park Service and placed at the Chancellorsville Battlefield in Virginia.

The report recommended retaining monuments to Confederate service personnel and to Confederate women in the majority black city.

Symbols of the pro-slavery Confederacy became a flashpoint for already troubled U.S. race relations after a white gunman massacred nine African-Americans in Charleston, South Carolina, last year. The assailant was seen in photographs posing with the battle flag carried by Confederate soldiers.

So far, Baltimore has not found a party to take and relocate the monuments, a spokesman for Rawlings-Blake said.

"We're going to be reaching out across the state to see if anyone would be interested in partnering with the city of Baltimore in obtaining these monuments," he said.

Story continues

In the meantime, the city plans to put up new signage at the four sites explaining their significance, the spokesman said.

Rioting broke out in Baltimore in April 2015 following the death of a black man, Freddie Gray, from a broken neck suffered in police custody. Six officers were charged but were either acquitted or had charges dismissed.

(Reporting by Ian Simpson in Washington; Editing by Alden Bentley)
PARIS  Banijay Group has appointed Lagardere Studios boss Takis Candilis to take on the newly-created position of head of scripted for Banijay Group.

Based in Paris, Candilis will be spearheading Banijays scripted production company in France and will oversee the entire scripted production business for the whole group.

Through his role, Candilis will aim at expanding the French scripted business and the international drama output.

We are extremely pleased to have one of the leading exponents of international scripted programming join us at Banijay Group. Takis has an extraordinarily deep knowledge and experience of developing and creating scripted con ten, said Marco Bassetti, Banijay Group CEO Group CEO. It is an important next step for the Group to grow its business in this important genre and, with Takis at the helm, we look forward to expanding our global presence in the drama arena.

Candilis, who announced his exit from Lagardere Studios last week, said it was an exciting time to arrive at Banijay Group following the recent merger which has made it the worlds largest independent content creation company.

There are many award-winning, fiction producers within the Group and I look forward to working with them to determine new projects and to support them as they develop and widen their production slates, added Candilis, who career in the TV industry spans over 40 years.

Before his 8-year tenure as president and CEO of Lagardere Studios, Candilis served as head of drama at Frances top commercial network TF1 and took the helm of TF1 Production in 2002. His producing credits include Navarro, LInstit and Quai No.1. Under his leadership, Lagardere Studios ventured into English-language productions, such as Tom Fontanas Borgia and Midnight Sun from The Bridge creator Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein.

Earlier this year, Banijay Group and Zodiak Media merged to become an indie production powerhouse boasting revenues of an estimated $1 billion.

Story continues

Related stories

Takis Candilis Exits Lagardere Studios; Christophe Thoral Steps In
Frankfurt (AFP) - German chemicals giant Bayer announced Wednesday a $66 billion deal to buy controversial US seeds and pesticides firm Monsanto, triggering immediate criticism from farmers and environmentalists.

After a months-long pursuit, Bayer said its US peer had accepted an improved offer of $128 per share for Monsanto in an all-cash transaction, avoiding the need to resort to a hostile takeover.

If completed, the 58.8-billion-euro deal would mark the largest-ever takeover by a German firm and would create one of the largest firms in the agribusiness sector.

"The combination with Monsanto represents the kind of revolutionary approach to agriculture that will be needed to sustainably feed the world," Bayer chief executive Werner Baumann told investors in a conference call.

But investors' reaction in the US, where Monsanto shares rose 0.6 percent but remained more than $21 below the deal price, suggested deep market doubts that the deal can pass financial and antitrust hurdles.

Bayer's share price initially leapt on news of the deal but fell back as the afternoon wore on, gaining 0.3 percent to 93.55 euros.

Meanwhile environmental groups geared up for a fight. In a nod to fierce opposition in Europe to Monsanto's use of genetically modified crops and its potent herbicide Roundup, Friends of the Earth labelled the tie-up a "marriage made in hell".

"This mega corporation will be doing its best to force damaging pesticides and GM seeds into our countryside," campaigner Adrian Bebb said in a statement.

The National Farmers Union in the US said the Bayer deal, along with other pending agricultural mergers, "are being made to benefit the corporate boardrooms at the expense of family farmers, ranchers, consumers and rural economies."

The group said it looked forward to making its case at a congressional hearing next week to be chaired by Senator Charles Grassley, who plans to press antitrust regulators to ensure that farmers benefit robust competition from suppliers. Grassley represents the farm-rich midwestern state of Iowa.

Story continues

"Iowa farmers who I've spoken with are worried about rising input costs, especially in an increasingly weak agriculture economy," Grassley said in a statement. "Today's announcement will only heighten those concerns."

The deal is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, Bayer said, though it still requires shareholder and regulatory approval.

Baumann said that he had already "received encouraging feedback" from regulatory agencies.

"There is very little overlap" between the two companies that might concern regulators, Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant told investors on Wednesday. "I think it's a very clean deal."

But the Bayer-Monsanto tie-up comes in the wake of two other proposed mega-mergers involving US companies DuPont and Dow Chemical, and Swiss company Syngenta and ChemChina.

They also come as low crop prices take a toll on farmer incomes in many countries.

German Green Party MEP Martin Haeusling insisted that "it's up to German regulators and European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager to stop Bayer from dominating the worldwide agrochemicals market."

- A long engagement -

Bayer -- best known as the company behind aspirin -- has been wooing Monsanto since late May, when it made an initial bid of $122 per share, valuing the crop giant at $62 billion.

Monsanto rejected that bid, but said it was "open" to further talks.

The 153-year-old German chemicals behemoth then raised its offer twice more but was rebuffed each time as Monsanto held out for more money.

Under its final bid, Bayer also offered to pay Monsanto a $2-billion fee in case the merger is rejected by US or European authorities.

"We do not like this transaction, because we think that Bayer is overpaying significantly," wrote analyst Peter Spengler of DZ bank on Wednesday before the deal was confirmed.

But Bayer said that it expects synergy savings from the merger will allow it to add $1.5 billion to its underlying profit as measured by EBITDA within three years.

Added together, Bayer and Monsanto booked sales of 23 billion euros in 2015.

- Cries of dismay -

As well as Monsanto's genetically modified crops, environmental campaigners in Europe are also highly critical of its best-selling weedkiller Roundup, whose active ingredient glyphosate is suspected of being a carcinogen.

In Europe, debate about glyphosate has reached Brussels, where EU member states in July voted to restrict its use by the bloc's farmers for 18 months.

The merged firm "will play a defining role in deciding which seeds and pesticides come onto the market," warned Greenpeace agriculture expert Dirk Zimmermann.
Clarence Christensen Jr. hasnt been to this place in years.

But on Wednesday, a bus carrying the 93-year-old World War II veteran pulled up before the main hangar of the Lincoln Air National Guard Base and let Christensen out to be greeted by Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, Nebraskas adjutant general, and other air guardsmen.

Whens the last time you were around airplanes? Bohac asked.

Its been quite some time, said Christensen, who retired from the Nebraska Air National Guard in 1978 as a lieutenant colonel.

Bohac pushed Christensens wheelchair through the hangar, past a massive Boeing KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft and up one floor to a conference room.

The former pilot and officer fought tears as he saw a roomful of nearly 50 Air National Guard members gathered to meet him.

Theyre all here to see you, Bohac said. Welcome, Colonel.

The Nebraska Air National Guard hosted a reception for Christensen Wednesday that included a tour of a KC-135.

Gayle Resh, a recreation therapist for Southlake Village Rehabilitation and Care Center, where Christensen lives, helped organize the event and said Southlake tries to connect its resident veterans with active-duty military personnel.

Christensen flew a B-24 bomber in World War II and safely guided his plane through southern European skies filled with antiaircraft shells. He and his crew flew 35 missions.

His son, John Christensen, shared the story of one particularly perilous mission in which his father flew with two engines shut down after taking fire. Clarence Christensen -- a self-described tinkerer -- managed to replace a fried wire on one of the two remaining engines by stealing wire from one of the destroyed engines.

After preventing the third engine from burning out, Clarence Christensen and his crew threw out every nonessential item from inside the bomber to make the aircraft as light as possible and managed to make it back to their base.

You got them home, Bohac said. Thats pretty amazing.

I had an awful lot of help from upstairs, said Christensen, whose actions earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He earned more accolades after winning the Ricks Trophy Race in 1958. Representing the 173rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, he flew his F-86D Sabre jet over the 850-mile course between Jacksonville, Florida, and Dallas in one hour and 48 minutes.

Christensen retired as operations commander for the Nebraska Air National Guard. On Wednesday, several former air guardsmen who served under Christensen shared stories of their time with him.

Bob Bailey, retired major general and son of Fred Bailey, who helped establish the Nebraska Air National Guard, described the first time Christensen visited the Lincoln base.

He had been working as a mechanic at a Valparaiso farm store and came to the base wearing coveralls and a seed hat, his hands covered in grease. He asked the base commander, Milton Hagelberger, if he was looking for pilots.

Yeah, we are," Hagelberger replied. "Do you know any?

Obviously, they figured out that he was one, and a real good one, Bob Bailey said.
We are on the verge of the largest all-cash deal, with Monsanto Company MON expected to collaborate with Bayer AG BAYRY. However, skeptics still question whether the $130 per share deal will overcome regulatory hurdles.



Slew of Bids, But Mostly in Vain



The German chemical behemoth, Bayer, had offered $122 per share for the buyout in May 2016. The proposal was rejected by the premium U.S. genetically modified seed manufacturer, on grounds of being insultingly low. Bayer gradually started sweetening its bid, raising it to $125 per share in July and further to $127.50 in early September. Monsanto did not accept the revised proposals at once but kept doors open for further negotiations. Analysts believe that the latest offer of roughly $130 per share would finally satisfy the renowned U.S. GMO producer. The new tender is worth $66 billion (inclusive of debt) and entails a higher break-up fee of $3 billion.



Bayer Deal the Best Option



The drop in commodity prices has put pressure on companies like Monsanto, with farmers lowering their demand for supplies. Weaker agro-product prices are currently weighing on farmers income, affecting their purchasing decisions.



At this stage, companies within the global seeds, traits and agricultural chemical industry are banking on the strategy of consolidation. While E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company DD and The Dow Chemical Company DOW inked a $130 million merger deal in 2015, Syngenta AG SYT agreed to be bought by ChemChina for $43 billion in Feb 2016.



Monsanto has viewed itself as an exalted buyer, rather than a target. However, the company failed to acquire Syngenta and also could not establish a concrete deal with the German chemical company, BASF. Bayers fourth time renewed bid of $130 per share, was higher than Monsanto's closing share price on Sep 13. Thus, the deal seems to be the only credible alternative for Monsanto at present.

MONSANTO CO-NEW Price

Story continues

MONSANTO CO-NEW Price | MONSANTO CO-NEW Quote

Regulatory Headaches

Even though the pact between Monsanto and Bayer would turn out to be the most valued deal of 2016, it is still far from being executed.



Though Monsanto has successfully enforced Bayer to raise its bid several times, the share price of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock remained largely below Bayers offers. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



Investors believe that the transaction would not have a smooth ride due to antitrust regulatory obstacles. The alliance between Monsanto & Bayer, Syngenta & ChemChina as well as DuPont & Dow Chemical would give rise to just a few global players within the industry. These three deals would put two-third of the global chemical and seed supply chain in the hands of only three large companies.

It is anticipated that the giant companies might manipulate prices within the industry, discouraging healthy competition. Therefore, these deals are likely to face challenges from the antitrust authorities in the near term.

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LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Bayer investor Royal London Asset Management said on Wednesday it backed the agreed deal for U.S. rival Monsanto, calling it "a great deal for Bayer shareholders".

At $66 billion, the largest-ever all-cash deal was finally agreed earlier in the day after months of discussions.

Senior Fund Manager Andrea Williams said RLAM was happy the deal had been agreed below market expectations, but said with Monsanto shares trading below the offer price, there was a risk the deal would not complete.

"The deal will face a number of hurdles, principally for U.S. national security issues such as production close to military bases, and from farmers who will see their choice of products limited further," she said in emailed comments.

(Reporting by Simon Jessop, editing by Huw Jones)
Reuters Videos

STORY: Russia's defense ministry said on Saturday (October 29) that British navy personnel blew up the Nord Stream gas pipelines last month. A claim that London said was false, and designed to distract from Russian military failures in Ukraine.Russia did not give evidence for its remarks. Here's the country's defense ministry spokesman, Igor Konashenkov."According to available information, representatives of this unit of the British Navy took part in the planning, provision and implementation of a terrorist attack in the Baltic Sea on September 26 this year - blowing up the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines."The Russian ministry also said that "British specialists" from the same unit directed Ukrainian drone attacks on ships from Russia's Black Sea fleet in Crimea earlier on Saturday. The Nord Stream accusations came amidst the worst crisis in relations between the West and Russia since the depths of the Cold War.Leading NATO member Britain firmly denied the claim that it had targeted critical Russian infrastructure, adding, quote:"This invented story says more about arguments going on inside the Russian government than it does about the West."A spokeswoman for Russian foreign ministry said Moscow will seek reaction from the U.N. Security Council. Russia, deeply isolated by Western nations since its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, has previously blamed the West for the explosions that ruptured the Russian-built Nord Stream pipelines on the bed of the Baltic Sea.But it had not previously given specifics on who it thought was responsible for the damage.A sharp drop in pressure on both pipelines, which were previously the largest routes for Russian gas supplies to Europe, was registered on Sept. 26. Seismologists detected explosions, triggering a wave of speculation about sabotage to one of Russia's most important energy corridors.Reuters has not been able to immediately verify any of the conflicting claims about who was to blame for the damage.
By Diane Bartz and Greg Roumeliotis

WASHINGTON D.C./NEW YORK (Reuters) - As the global agricultural sector races to consolidate, Bayer AG's (BAYGn.DE) $66 billion all-cash deal to acquire Monsanto Co (MON.N) will test growing political and consumer unease in the United States and abroad over the future of food production.

Bayers pesticide-focused agricultural business has few overlaps with Monsanto's dominant seed franchise, according to the companies' executives. Still, marrying two of the world's top farm suppliers, at a time when rivals are also merging, is fuelling concern over fewer players competing in the $100 billion global market.

Monsanto and Bayer "have chosen to do a deal in the year of merging dangerously," said David Balto, a former policy director at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. "They are in for a tough time."

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has called a hearing next Tuesday to scrutinize the wave of consolidation. Farmers in Iowa, the Republican senator's home state, are worried that seed and chemical costs are rising while a global glut of grain has pushed prices close to their lowest levels in years. Farm incomes have plunged.

Monsanto agreed to sell itself to Bayer for $128 per share in cash, yet its shares were hovering around $107 on Wednesday, reflecting the significant regulatory uncertainty surrounding the deal in the minds of investors. Bayer has agreed to pay Monsanto a $2 billion breakup fee if regulators thwart the deal.

The German company aims to create a one-stop shop for seeds, crop chemicals and computer-aided services to farmers.

That was also the idea behind Monsanto's swoop on Syngenta AG (SYNN.S) last year. The Swiss company fended off that offer only to agree later to a takeover by China's state-owned ChemChina.

U.S. chemicals giants Dow Chemical Co (DOW.N) and DuPont (DD.N) plan to merge and later spin off their respective seeds and crop chemicals operations into a major agribusiness.

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If all of the deals close, three companies would control nearly 70 percent of the world's pesticide market and 80 percent of the U.S. corn-seed market.

Other agricultural sectors are also consolidating.

Canadian fertilizer producers Potash Corp of Saskatchewan Inc (POT.TO) and Agrium Inc (AGU.TO) said on Monday they agreed to merge, sparking questions of whether the new company's potential pricing power would attract tough regulatory scrutiny. [nL3N1BO378]

INEVITABLE SCRUTINY

Dealmakers trying to push through aggressive mega-deals in corporate America have had a tough year.

Antitrust authorities have challenged deals ranging from oilfield services mergers to health insurance buyouts, while other regulators have sought to crack down on deals that aid tax avoidance or risk harming national security.

Wednesday's announced tie-up between Monsanto and Bayer, the largest-ever all-cash acquisition, will inevitably face an intense and lengthy regulatory process in the United States, the European Union and elsewhere, regulatory experts said.

"This merger is not a slam dunk," said Diana Moss, president of the American Antitrust Institute.

Hugh Grant, Monsanto's chief executive, told reporters on Wednesday the companies will need to file in about 30 jurisdictions for the merger.

The value of the assets that Bayer is willing to divest is to be revealed by next week, when details of the merger agreement with Monsanto become public, according to sources familiar with the deal.

Areas of potential overlap include some soybeans, canola and cotton seeds.

Bayer's share of the U.S. cotton seed market sits at 38.5 percent, while Monsanto is at 31.2 percent, according to data compiled by the Konkurrenz Group.

Monsanto and Bayer have had "initial contacts with regulatory agencies describing what this combination would be about," Bayer Chief Executive Officer Werner Baumann said on an investor call on Wednesday, and "received encouraging feedback."

TOUGH YEAR

But U.S. antitrust enforcers will look at more than product overlaps in assessing the proposed merger, said Moss.

"People don't get the enormous impact that these deals can have on innovation markets. You need more innovators in there battling it out so that you actually do produce new technology for farmers, she said.

The deals would leave farmers facing a duopoly in seed (Bayer/Monsanto and Dow) and two big firms in chemicals (Syngenta and Bayer/Monsanto), she said.

In terms of the U.S. corn seeds and traits market, according to Morgan Stanley Research, a merged Dow and DuPont would have about a 41 percent market share, while a merged Monsanto-Bayer would have about 36 percent share. In soybean seeds and traits, the group estimated a merged Dow/DuPont would have about 38 percent. Monsanto-Bayer would have 28 percent.

One unknown factor that will influence these ag-related deals is the U.S. political landscape after the November federal election.

Maurice Stucke, formerly in the Justice Department now with the Konkurrenz Group, said it was highly unlikely that Obama administration antitrust enforcers, who have knocked down a long list of big mergers in concentrated industries this year, would make the final decision in the Bayer-Monsanto deal.

"Merger reviews of this complexity would take six to nine months," Stucke said. "This would be the first major test of the new administration."

(Additional reporting by Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt, Germany, and Karl Plume in Chicago. Writing by P.J. Huffstutter in Chicago; Editing by David Gregorio)
London (AFP) - The head of the BBC's governing body has resigned after being asked by Prime Minister Theresa May to reapply for her job ahead of a major overhaul, the public broadcaster confirmed on Wednesday.

Rona Fairhead was only confirmed in her post four months ago by former premier David Cameron, a decision that his successor has now reversed.

In a statement, Fairhead said she believed there should be a "clean break" as the BBC implements major changes as part of a new 11-year governing charter due to be agreed with the government this year.

She was appointed to the four-year chairmanship of the BBC Trust in October 2014, but the post will technically be abolished under the reforms as the trust is replaced by a new Unitary Board.

In May, Cameron asked Fairhead to stay on and complete her term as chair of the new board, which will be more involved in the day-to-day running of the broadcaster.

But the appointment drew criticism from parliament's culture committee, which said the politically sensitive job should have been opened up to public competition.

May has now decided to re-rerun the process, according to a statement from the BBC Trust, and Fairhead said she will not be applying.

"The prime minister strongly encouraged me to take part in the new appointment process, for what would be a new four year term as BBC Chairman," Fairhead said.

"However, after much thought I have come to the conclusion that I should not do so.

"It is my belief that it will be better to have a clean break and for the government to appoint someone new."

The negotiation over the new charter is a delicate process for the BBC, which is widely loved in Britain but also draws political fire over its output because of its dependence on an annual licence fee.

The annual charge of A145.50 ($210, 184 euros) on all British households who watch live television raises more than A3.7 billion per year.

Ministers are due to present a draft of the new BBC charter on Thursday, according to the Financial Times, based on proposals published in May.
Berlin (AFP) - Branded a hotbed of lawless left-wing extremists after street clashes in July left over 100 police injured, one of Berlin's last squats has become the symbol of a raging battle over gentrification.

Its facade covered in murals and anti-capitalist graffiti, the occupied building at 94 Rigaer Strasse is among the squats that mushroomed across the city after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The centre of "the Berlin anarchist scene" according to Germany's domestic security service, it has become the focus of a heated law-and-order debate flaring ahead of elections on Sunday.

While some want to see the counter-culture bastion wiped off the capital's map, others defend it as a vestige of an old Berlin rapidly disappearing as property prices and rents rise sharply.

Tensions flared in June when hundreds of riot police were sent to clear part of the building and evict its motley crew of inhabitants, sparking a battle that has raged on the streets and the court rooms.

Located in grungy and hip Friedrichshain district, number 94, like other Berlin squats, is both a symbol and a victim of the city's huge transformation since German reunification a quarter century ago.

In the wild years after the 1989 fall of the Wall, which many Berliners remember with nostalgia, young people moved into abandoned buildings to party in techno raves, make art and experiment with free, alternative lifestyles.

Many squats were in working-class districts like Friedrichshain which, after the Wall fell, found themselves squarely in the centre of reunified Berlin.

Their Bohemian flair has since attracted a middle-class influx and driven up property prices, luring back absent landlords eager to turn crumbling buildings into multi-million-euro luxury condos.

- 'Orgy of violence' -

Many former squats have morphed into legalised "alternative housing projects", with only the political posters on their facades bearing witness to their turbulent history.

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But number 94 has pushed back against what many of its residents see as a police state serving greedy speculators.

Things escalated in June when riot police moved in to clear its ground-floor because the owner wanted the space back.

Some 300 officers ended up guarding the site -- used as a communal kitchen and dining area -- for three weeks to protect construction workers.

"Police were everywhere, we were asked for our IDs even when we were just walking down the corridors to go to the toilet," recalled one resident, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity.

Bands of militants repeatedly reacted, class warfare-style, by roaming Berlin's streets at night to vandalise new buildings and randomly set fire to expensive cars.

On July 9, some 3,500 protesters massed for what police described as Berlin's "most aggressive and violent demonstration in the past five years".

Dozens of people were arrested in clashes that saw demonstrators hurling stones, fireworks and bottles at the 1,000 police deployed for the protest.

Berlin's conservative minister in charge of security, Frank Henkel, called it an "orgy of violence".

Henkel -- the lead candidate for Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats in the city-state election -- insisted he wouldn't "look the other way when cars are burning, there is violence and intimidation".

Campaigning for a "Strong Berlin", he warned that the city must "take left-wing violence as seriously as right-wing violence", which has flared since Germany took in one million migrants and refugees last year.

The residents of number 94, undeterred, challenged the eviction attempt in court, and scored a surprise victory when the judge found the owner had failed to issue proper notice ordering them to leave.

Police were ordered to pull out in a verdict that deeply embarrassed Henkel and emboldened the left-wing activists to file a separate suit against the "illegal police deployment".

Declaring they wouldn't budge, they vowed to "replace the weakened state apparatus with self-organisation" and pledged "appropriate measures against gentrification and the right-wing threat".

- 'Defend each other' -

The building has become a cause celebre for Berlin's hard-left squatters and their sympathisers, including many people priced out of the booming housing market.

In a poll after the July clashes, 56 percent of Berliners surveyed said they favoured dialogue with the left-wing activists, while only 34 percent preferred tough police action.

The verdict was also cheered by activists squaring up for another eviction battle in neighbouring Kreuzberg district.

At the centre of it is Hans-Georg Lindenau, 57, who has run a "shop for revolutionary needs" since 1985, selling anarchist tracts and street battle gear ranging from pepper spray to helmets.

Previous owners failed to evict him, but the current one -- the eighth, Lindenau said -- has "more money, he has connections".

"Here, at Rigaer, everywhere... they are trying to make waves before the election to get votes," Lindenau told AFP, convinced he has been targeted "because of my political opinion".

In and near Rigaer Strasse, many neighbours also voiced support for their colourful neighbours.

One, who asked to be named only as Christof, said the violent demonstrations were "completely justified" because "it's through these actions that we defend each other".

A middle-aged man, who has lived in a now-legal squat at number 83 since the 1990s, argued that the police show of force sparked the violence and that both sides had overreacted.

Voicing fears that gentrification will kill the street's character, he confessed he had "divided" feelings.

"I'm not 20 anymore and I don't like finding a drunk man lying in my doorway, but I don't want this street to change," he said.

"There should be a place for different lifestyles."
Bethenny Frankels ex-husband, Jason Hoppy, isnt happy with her recent statements about their divorce from hell.

In a new interview with Us Weekly, Frankel opens up about her traumatic divorce battle with the 46-year-old pharmaceutical sales exec, and now Hoppys attorney, Bernard Clair is speaking out on his behalf.

WATCH: Bethenny Frankel Finalizes Divorce From Jason Hoppy More Than 3 Years After Split

In a statement obtained by ET, Clair, who represented Hoppy in his divorce from Frankel, calls the Bravo star insensitive, and her stories unproven allegations.

These retreads of unproven allegations say more about the seeming insensitivity of a parent of a young child who will one day possess the wherewithal to read old, stale and irrelevant articles and internet postings than it says about Jason, who is productively moving on with his post-divorce life and has no time to engage with his ex-wife on this subterranean level, Clair states.

While Frankel doesnt speak about the details of her divorce agreement with Hoppy, she didnt hold back when it came to sharing the traumatic details of her marriage and bitter split.

WATCH: EXCLUSIVE: Bethenny Frankel Explains Why Daughter Bryn Isnt Seen on Real Housewives of New York

I have cried enough tears to fill the Hudson River, Frankel tells Us Weekly. Id think, how could this go on for so long? Four years on a two-year marriage!

Frankel and Hoppy met in a New York City club in November 2008. Within 11 months, they were engaged with a baby on the way. While Frankel now admits their relationship had cracks, before they exchanged vows, the two nevertheless went forward with their March 2010 wedding.

You get on the ride, you want things to be perfect, and now youre pregnant and doing a wedding and the world is watching, the Skinnygirl mogul says.

Maybe I didnt love myself enough to make the right choice, she adds. I think people in a relationship should be fundamentally similar. I didnt realize how far apart we were.

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WATCH: EXCLUSIVE: Ramona Singer Promises 'Off the Rails Bethenny Frankel at 'Real Housewives of New York Reunion

According to Frankel, part of what separated the couple was that Hoppy resented her success. There can be issues when a woman is more famous and has a bigger income than the man, she explains.

Frankel eventually filed for divorce in Janurary 2013, with a custody agreement involving their now 6-year-old daughter, Bryn, finalized in June 2014.

WATCH: EXCLUSIVE: Inside Bethenny Frankels Glamorous Hamptons Home

Hoppy and Frankels divorce was eventually finalized in July, and Frankel  who says she ripped up her divorce docs and threw them in the indoor pool at the Four Seasons, where she and Hoppy tied the knot  is now happily moving on with a new man, banker Dennis Shields.

Integrity and kindness are so much more important than I ever realized, Frankel shares of her new relationship with the single father, because I didnt realize how many people dont have it.

One day, that will be just a blip on the screen, a scene on a reality show, she notes of her volatile divorce from Hoppy. I long for that to happen.

I feel like Im finally getting back to center, she concludes. Id say Im in the best place of my life.

Additional Reporting by Rande Iaboni

WATCH: EXCLUSIVE: Bethenny Frankel in Tears Over Recent Health Scare: 'I Really Tried to Hold It All Together

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The bloodline stops here: Netflixs Bloodline will conclude with Season 3, the streaming giant has confirmed. Additionally, the third runs order has been trimmed from 13 episodes to 10.

Bloodline Season 3 will be the shows final season, Cindy Holland, Netflix vice president of original content, told TheWrap on Wednesday. Todd A. Kessler, Daniel Zelman and Glenn Kessler (KZK) are thoughtful and visionary storytellers, who lead a prestigious cast, that includes Kyle Chandler and Ben Mendelsohn, who have both garnered two Emmy nominations for their roles on the series. Together, with our collaborative partners at Sony Pictures Television, they created a seductive show that Netflix viewers worldwide love and continue to discover.

Mendelsohn has also received a Golden Globe nod, as well as one Critics Choice Television Awards nomination. Neither TV brother won any of those, but both actors have done excellent work on the very good show.

Also Read: Emmy Quickie: 'Bloodline' Star Andrea Riseborough Praises Co-Star Sissy Spacek (Exclusive Video)

Holland concluded her remarks, We are looking forward to the exciting climax KZK have in store for the series conclusion in May 2017.

Bloodline was just renewed for its junior run in mid-July. Now, it wont go beyond that one.

The Florida Keys-set family drama also stars Linda Cardellini, Sissy Spacek, Norbert Leo Butz, Jacinda Barrett, Jamie McShane, Enrique Murciano, Katie Finneran and Chloe Sevigny. The first two seasons of Bloodline are currently streaming on Netflix.

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By Caroline Stauffer, Luc Cohen and Juliana Castilla

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - BP (BP.L) does not plan to increase annual investments this decade but still expects to bring nine new projects online in 2017 as it focuses on improving efficiency, Chief Executive Bob Dudley said in an interview on Wednesday.

Dudley met with government officials during an investment forum in Argentina and said BP is testing in the Vaca Muerta shale area, where U.S. rivals Exxon (XOM.N) and Chevron (CVX.N) have invested, and expects results next month.

BP said in July it continued to reduce costs and expected 2016 capital expenditures to come in below the previous target of $17 billion, and investments could drop to as low as $15 billion in 2017 if crude prices remain weak.

"I don't think we need to and I don't want to increase our capex for the rest of the decade. We've got to maintain that discipline," Dudley said.

He said BP's Pan American Energy LLC unit in Argentina would follow the same trend, with 2017 investment seen similar to or less than 2016, but clarified BP is not "putting the brakes on."

The "vast majority" of spending cuts implemented after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, one of the worst in U.S. history, were over, Dudley said.

Dudley met with Argentina's new President Mauricio Macri and with his finance and energy ministers this week, as nearly 2,000 executives visited Buenos Aires to hear the government's pitch at the Argentina Business & Investment Forum.

Macri won the presidency last year by promising to open Argentina's economy to foreign investment. While companies generally speak enthusiastically about Macri's policies, many are hesitant about Argentina's notoriously volatile politics and economic crises.

"(The forum) is to give us the confidence to know it will be stable going forward to be able to make decisions because we are in an industry where you make investment decisions 10 years out," Dudley said.

He reported being pleased with the "huge steps" made over the past nine months but said he would like to see infrastructure scaled up to bring down production costs as well as more labour flexibility.

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RENEWABLE EXPANSION

BP, like rival Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) but unlike Exxon and Chevron, lent its support to last years climate agreement in Paris that commits to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius.

To help achieve that objective, Dudley said BP plans to expand natural gas production to 60 percent of its portfolio by the end of the decade, up from a current 50-50 split with oil.

He added that the company was considering expanding renewable energy projects, including its biofuels operation in Brazil, despite the ongoing recession and political turmoil. The company employs 5,000 people at two large ethanol mills that Dudley described as "very successful."

"The crisis there has not really affected us," Dudley said, adding that Pan American Energy was studying wind energy products in Argentina's Patagonia region.

Dudley reiterated expectations for oil prices to average around $50 a barrel in 2016, up from $44 last year, and said he expected prices "north of $50" in 2017.

Dudley came under fire from shareholders earlier this year for taking a 14.13 million ($20 million) pay deal for 2015, up substantially from 2014, even though the company cut 5,000 jobs and reported steep losses as oil prices plunged.

BP's board initiated a review of its executive compensation practices in response, and Dudley said he expected that to yield changes.

"I'm sure the board will modify this  there's no question about it," Dudley said. "You can't be too short-term in how you reward executives, and I think the board is very clear on that."

(Reporting by Caroline Stauffer, Luc Cohen and Juliana Castilla; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)
The University of Nebraska broke a 24-year-old enrollment record this fall across all five of its campuses. And UNL set an all-time record with its enrollment this fall.

While speaking only of UNL, Chancellor Ronnie Greens comment could be applied across the board when he said, An enrollment win for the university is win for the state of Nebraska and beyond.

Greens remarks referred specifically to UNLs status as a land-grant college and hub for major research. But growth at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the University of Nebraska Medical Center enriches the state, students and local communities, too.

Demographics are doing their part to help, as is evidenced by the increase of students in the Lincoln Public Schools system. More high school seniors mean more freshmen the next year.

But the university system hasnt stood still waiting for more students to show up on its doorstep. Beefed-up recruitment efforts seem to be bearing fruit.

Director of Admissions Amber Williams described for Journal Star reporter Chris Dunker a system built around shoe-leather efforts, getting recruiters out to high schools around the state, making contacts and building relationships with students. Williams described 80,000 phone calls to prospective students and visits to 600 high schools and 400 college fairs.

The largest freshman class in UNLs history fueled a 2.5 percent increase in enrollment over last year and 12.5 percent over a decade ago.

Numbers like these tell only part of the story, and these gains would be short-lived if the education behind the recruiting efforts werent also top-notch and ever-improving. The influx of research funding, which surged under the leadership of the late Prem Paul, and the growth of Innovation Campus open doors for both student and faculty recruitment.

These enrollment numbers are worth celebrating, not solely because bigger is better. They are worth celebrating because of the efforts behind the scenes that are driving them and what these numbers say about whats going on in the university system as a whole.
By Sergio Spagnuolo CURITIBA, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazilian prosecutors charged ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday with being the "top boss" of a vast corruption scheme at state oil company Petrobras, in a major blow to the leftist hero's hopes of a political comeback. It was the first time that Lula, still Brazil's most popular politician despite corruption accusations against him and his Workers Party, was charged by federal prosecutors for involvement in the political kickbacks scheme at Petroleo Brasileiro , as the company is formally known. Public Prosecutor Deltan Dallagnol told a news conference that the Petrobras scheme had caused an estimated 42 billion real ($12.6 billion) in losses. Lula's lawyers said in a statement that prosecutors lacked evidence to back up their accusations which were part of political persecution to stop him running in the 2018 election. Dallagnol said Lula, who became a hero to many poor Brazilians during his 2003-2010 government, was being charged with corruption and money laundering as part of the scheme. "He was the conductor of this criminal orchestra," Dallagnol said during a detailed presentation of the investigation. "The Petrobras graft scheme aimed at keeping the Workers Party in power by criminal means." The two-year-old Operation Carwash anti-corruption investigation, based in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba, has uncovered how political appointees named by Lula's Workers Party and its allies handed overpriced contracts to engineering firms in return for illicit party funding and bribes. The scandal helped topple the Workers Party from power last month by crushing the popularity of Lula's chosen successor, Dilma Rousseff. She was impeached by Congress on unrelated charges of breaking budget rules, amid rising anger over her handling of Brazil's worst recession since the 1930s. Dallagnol said that Lula, because of his control of the machinery of the Workers Party and the Brazilian government, was the central figure in the scheme. Prosecutors allege that the charismatic former union leader had personally received some 3.7 million reais ($1.11 million) in bribes, including a luxury apartment on the coast of Sao Paulo from one of the engineering and construction firms at the center of the bribery scandal, OAS. Lula has denied ownership of the three-floor condo in Guaruja. Lula's case will go before crusading anti-corruption Judge Sergio Moro, who has jailed dozens of executives and others involved in the scheme. Former first lady, Marisa Leticia Lula da Silva, has also been charged. Lula has separately been indicted by a court in Brasilia for obstruction of justice in a case related to an attempt to persuade a defendant in the Petrobras scandal not to turn state's witness. BLOW TO LULA MYTH Lula, 70, has not ruled out running again for president in 2018, but a criminal conviction would bar him from being a candidate for the next eight years. His fall, and that of the leftist party he founded in 1980, has been dramatic. A one-time shoeshine boy and union leader who led massive strikes against Brazil's military dictatorship, contributing to its downfall, he was elected the nation's first working class president in 2002 after three failed campaigns. Wildly popular with Brazil's poor, Lula's social policies helped yank millions out of poverty and into the middle class, and he left office in 2010 with an 83-percent approval rating and an economy that grew at a blistering 7.5 percent. But two years ago, as the Petrobras probe became public, prosecutors began to slowly put Lula in their crosshairs. Many prosecutors and investigators say they cannot imagine such a powerful figure was unaware of the institutionalized corruption and political kickbacks taking place at Petrobras and other state-run companies. Marcos Troyjo, a former Brazilian diplomat and co-director of Columbia University's BRICLab in Rio de Janeiro, said he thinks Wednesday's charges are the first of many Lula will be facing in the coming months. "That means the Workers Party, which may have thought it would move comfortably into the opposition after Dilma's impeachment, will confront extreme challenges," said Troyjo. "It's certainly the beginning of the end to Lula's presidential aspirations for 2018." Recent polls have shown that despite the investigations targeting Lula and the Workers Party, he would be a favorite to win the next presidential election. "But these charges are likely too big a blow to the political myth of Lula, to the candidate Lula and to the Workers Party as a whole for that to happen," Troyjo said. (Reporting by Sergio Spagnuolo; Writing by Anthony Boadle and Brad Brooks; Editing by Andrew Hay)
Brasilia (AFP) - Federal prosecutors in Brazil filed corruption charges Wednesday against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, describing the popular leftist as leader of a massive embezzlement ring at state oil company Petrobras.

The charges allege that Lula received the equivalent of 3.7 million reais ($1.1 million) in bribes.

Among the allegations are that Lula and his wife received a beachside apartment and upgrades to the property from a major construction company, OAS, which was one of the players in the Petrobras scheme.

The allegations are not new but they now go before Judge Sergio Moro, head of the Petrobras investigation, who will decide whether to accept them, forcing Lula's case to trial.

Prosecutors singled out Lula -- who was president during much of the time that Petrobras was being systematically fleeced by a network of corrupt executives and politicians -- as the scheme's mastermind.

Prosecutor Deltan Dallagnol called Lula, 70, the "supreme commander."

Lula has repeatedly declared his innocence and says that the prosecution is politically motivated.

His attorney called the allegations "farcical."

Polls show the founder of the leftist Workers' Party to be a favorite for returning to power in the next presidential elections in 2018.

In the scheme, Petrobras, Brazil's biggest state company, gave over-inflated contracts to other big firms, such as OAS and construction rival Odebrecht.

The pay-to-play network also involved high-ranking politicians who took bribes from the contractors, sometimes for their own gain and sometimes to fill party coffers to fund election campaigns.

Lula was president between 2003 and 2010, when the scheme was at its height. Since then, dozens of politicians and some of Brazil's richest businessmen have been charged or convicted.

The judicial campaign is hugely popular among Brazilians fed up with runaway corruption. However, it has dovetailed with a bitter impeachment battle in Brasilia that ended last month with the removal from office of president Dilma Rousseff, Lula's hand-picked successor.

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Several close allies of her replacement, center-right leader Michel Temer, are now being investigated by the Petrobras prosecutors.

- Apartment suspicions -

The most concrete case against Lula has been based on his alleged ownership of a seaside apartment, which OAS reportedly gave to him and renovated.

Last month, police initiated the case against Lula, saying that he'd received benefits with the value of 2.4 million reals or about $743,000.

Lula, who came from deep poverty to become Brazil's most popular president, has railed against accusations that he could have been part of the corruption feeding trough.

He presided over an economic boom and was hailed internationally for social welfare policies that helped lift millions of people out of poverty.

He also was key in Rio de Janeiro's winning bid to host South America's first Olympics, which finished on August 21.

But with Rousseff being pushed out in a trial that convicted her of breaking budget laws, his legacy and power base is rapidly crumbling.

Even the Workers' Party, which dominated Brazilian politics for 13 years, is now in peril.

A conviction would dash Lula's hopes of running for a third term in office in the 2018 elections.

He has already been charged with attempting to obstruct investigations in the Petrobras case, in a probe dubbed "Operation Carwash."
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian prosecutors on Wednesday denounced former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as the 'general' in command of a vast corruption scheme at state oil company Petrobras aimed at keeping his leftist Workers Party in power. Public Prosecutor Deltan Dallagnol told a news conference that the Petrobras scheme caused an estimated 42 billion real ($12.6 billion) in losses. Lula's lawyers said in a statement that he strongly denied the allegations and would fight the charges. (Reporting by Sergio Spagnuolo; Writing by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Daniel Flynn)
(Adds details on negotiations and JBS)

SAO PAULO, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Brazilian meat packer Minerva SA said in a filing on Wednesday that it had received authorization from the Agriculture Ministry and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for two of its plants to begin shipping fresh beef to the United States.

Brazil has long been a major supplier of cooked beef to North America but it has been shut out of the U.S. fresh beef market. Gaining access to it was expected to open doors to other markets that are hard to enter such as Japan.

In August, Brazilian and U.S. officials finalized the exchange of food safety equivalence documents, a move that Brazil expects will increase its fresh and frozen beef exports by as much as $900 million a year to the United States.

The USDA said at the time it had determined that Brazil's food safety system for beef was up to U.S. standards and that raw Brazilian beef could be safely imported.

Individual meat processing plants must receive authorization from Brazilian and U.S. regulators after clearing sanitary inspection, before they will be allowed to ship to the United States.

The agreement, which took years to negotiate, is expected to benefit other Brazilian beef exporters, including JBS SA , the world's largest beef exporter.

(Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr and Reese Ewing; Editing by Richard Chang)
By Ana Mano and Aluisio Alves

SAO PAULO, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Postalis Instituto de Previdencia Complementar, the Brazilian pension fund for post office workers, is gauging how to offload 2.2 billion reais ($661 million) worth of bad loans after a planned sale collapsed amid management changes and feeble demand, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.

According to the sources, who requested anonymity because the plans are private, the failed sale could be revived once the fund's new management resumes an analysis of the loan portfolio. Options include a partial sale of the loans, or the setup of a credit rights fund through which the loans could be packaged into securities and sold to investors.

On Tuesday, Postalis Chief Executive Officer Andre Motta told Reuters the pool of bad loans has already been written off and has "zero accounting value." He admitted that selling shares in a credit rights fund, a structure known in Brazil as FIDCs, is an option.

Postalis, Brazil's largest fund by number of participants, extended loans to companies for years, a type of transaction that became increasingly popular among state-controlled pension funds during the leftist Workers Party's 13 years in power.

The fund set up several vehicles through which the loans were channeled into borrowers, some of which issued bank credit notes - known in Brazil as CCBs - that Postalis fully subscribed, the sources said.

Media representatives for Postalis said any option will comply with current rules for pension funds. They declined to elaborate further on the loans and potential actions.

The situation underscores how Postalis, which amassed billions of reais in losses this decade after pursuing risky bets, was burnt by a sudden deterioration in corporate creditworthiness and capital markets activity in Latin America's largest economy.

Postalis, which oversees 8.77 billion reais in savings for 143,000 postal workers, has run a deficit every year since 2011. The fund's investment bets ranged from the bad loans to holdings of Lehman Brothers Inc, as well as Argentine and Venezuelan government bonds.

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WEAK GUARANTEES

The bad loan portfolio included 56 contracts and involved 32 corporate borrowers, one of the sources said. According to the first person, privately-owned infrastructure company Multiner SA was Postalis's biggest borrower in the loan portfolio that the fund put up for sale.

Some of Postalis' borrowers who are in arrears have pledged to repay the fund, said Motta, who became CEO of the fund in July.

As a result, "we may not sell the entire portfolio," he said.

Last year, Postalis hired PricewaterhouseCoopers to oversee its first bad-loan sale, which attracted more than 10 distressed debt investment firms and had at least one bid, according to two of the sources.

The structure of some of the loan transactions and the quality of some guarantees used as collateral for the credits were among the factors that hampered the process, said two of the people who participated in the sale process.

"In some of the Postalis loans, the guarantees only existed on paper," one of them said.

Multiner did not reply to an email seeking comment. PricewaterhouseCoopers declined to comment.

Rio de Janeiro-based Multiner was targeted on Sept. 5 by a police investigation into the alleged siphoning of 8 billion reais of retirement money at state-controlled funds, including Postalis. Multiner said on Tuesday that the judge overseeing the probe, known in Brazil as "Operation Greenfield," had seized the company's assets.

Postalis's press office said Multiner is not the largest borrower in the portfolio, although it said the fund's investments "in Multiner have a material value."

($1 = 3.3272 Brazilian reais) (Writing and additional reporting by Guillermo Parra-Bernal; Editing by Paul Simao)
NBC Sports Philadelphia

The big hit eluded the Phillies in Game 2 of the World Series against Astros lefty Framber Valdez, who was filthy. Was he, perhaps, too filthy? Here's what the Phils had to say about Valdez' curious mannerisms on the mound. By Corey Seidman
Paris (AFP) - Britain will stay in the European Space Agency when it leaves the EU, but will have to renegotiate terms to continue participating in certain projects, the ESA said Wednesday.

The ESA is autonomous from the European Union and should not be directly affected by the "Brexit", Jean Bruston, head of the agency's EU policy office, told journalists in Paris.

Twenty EU countries -- including Britain -- belong to ESA, which gets about a quarter of its budget from the currently 28-member bloc.

The other two members are non-EU countries Norway and Switzerland.

Apart from its ESA participation, Britain is also party to several EU-driven space programmes.

These include the Copernicus satellite system to monitor environmental damage and boost disaster relief, and Horizon 2020, which seeks to boost scientific research and innovation.

"As soon as it (Britain) is leaving the EU it is not participating in these programmes any longer," said Bruston.

Furthermore, UK-based companies hold contracts worth tens of millions of euros from ESA to supply hardware for Copernicus as well as the Galileo satnav system, a rival to America's GPS.

"If nothing changes (and Brexit goes ahead), we would have to stop these contracts," said Bruston.

Britain could still contribute to Galileo and Copernicus if it negotiated a third-party agreement with the EU, which is what Norway and Switzerland have done.

As non-EU members, they make project-specific contributions to the EU. The ESA, in turn, can place contracts with companies in those countries.

Tweaks would have to be made in the existing EU-ESA agreement for the UK to follow suit, said Bruston.

Britain voted 52 percent to 48 percent in a referendum in June to leave the 28-member European Union, but has yet to invoke an article of the EU's Lisbon Treaty for the split to take effect.

ESA director-general Jan Woerner told AFP this week "the UK will remain a member state of ESA, this is very clear".

"But of course, as we are also dealing with European programmes like Copernicus and Galileo, and also the question of UK citizens working on the continent and all these legal issues, we have to take it into account."
By Alastair Macdonald

STRASBOURG (Reuters) - EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker warned divided Europeans on Wednesday that their Union was in an "existential crisis" after Britain's vote to quit and said leaders must pull together to stop it unravelling.

In his annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament, the Commission president said the bloc was not about to disappear - "the EU as such is not at risk" - but its ability to steer common policies was jeopardised by splits, so that it was "at least in part, in an existential crisis".

Though addressed to mainly sympathetic EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, his message was aimed squarely at the 27 national leaders who will meet on Friday in Bratislava to try and find a way forward following the decision of the absent 28th member state, Britain, to leave the bloc in June's Brexit referendum.

"Never before have I seen national governments so weakened by the forces of populism and paralysed by the risk of defeat in the next elections," said the former Luxembourg premier, a 30-year veteran of EU politics, referring to eurosceptics across Europe drawing inspiration from the British rejection of the EU.

"There are splits out there and often fragmentation," he added. "That is leaving scope for galloping populism."

The coming year sees Dutch, French and German elections, and anti-EU groups are riding high in polls. That limits appetite for big ideas from the Commission, however much Juncker sees his role as delivering proposals that governments can unite around.

While leaders were chasing votes by echoing eurosceptic opponents, Juncker said, only by cooperating to revive growth, strengthen trade, fight terrorism and secure EU borders could they "regain the trust" of citizens in their shared enterprise.

"Europeans are tired of the endless disputes, quarrels and bickering," he said. "Europeans want concrete solutions."

In an admission of weakness from a man who a year ago tried, but failed, to force countries to accept mandatory quotas of asylum-seekers as a million arrived in Greece, he conceded he lacked power to impose unity and must appeal to states for solidarity.

Story continues

CONCRETE PROGRAMME

As a result, the executive offered a legislative programme focused on modest areas of common ground. It included extending the "Juncker plan" for EU seed capital to bolster investment, a smaller scheme to help African business and so, perhaps, ease migration pressure, and reforms to promote the digital economy.

Juncker also highlighted recent EU decisions to show the Union working for ordinary voters - such as by handing Apple Inc a massive tax bill or scrapping planned curbs on mobile phone roaming that were seen as too soft on big telecom firms.

The Commission revived ideas for more cooperation among EU armies, now that British objections no longer count. Not all remaining member states are keen but EU defence projects can mean coalitions of the willing. The focus will be on pooling military equipment and promoting defence research.

Among eye-catching small initiatives was a proposal for a European Solidarity Corps to let young people, many of whom are suffering from stubbornly high youth unemployment, volunteer to help in crises like Italian earthquakes or Greek migrant camps.

There was, too, a promise of "free wireless internet" in every European village by 2020. There was little detail on that and the digital arena remains a battlefield fought over by competing industrial, national and other interests.

Juncker confirmed plans to promote funding of high-speed broadband and 5G mobile networks and to revise copyright for content posted online.

EUROSCEPTIC SCORN

The 48-minute speech drew a standing ovation from the main parties in an assembly dominated by supporters of closer European integration, but there was scorn from eurosceptics, including Marine Le Pen, the French National Front leader, and Nigel Farage, the triumphant Brexit campaigner from UKIP.

The pro-Brexit British Conservative leader, Syed Kamall, was also dismissive of "the same mantra" of more EU integration.

"The more you propagate EU supranationalism, the more nationalism has risen in our member states," he said.

Le Pen described Juncker's downbeat assessment of the state of the Union as "like a funeral for the EU". Farage seized on an ethics probe by Juncker into his predecessor Jose Manuel Barroso for taking a job at Goldman Sachs, to revive his accusation that the EU is run like a cosy club for big business.

Commission officials acknowledge that more ambitious plans to address key problems, such as the stability of the euro zone and coordination of national budgets, remain on hold until after next year's elections due to a split between a German-led north keen on austerity and a southern bloc with heavier debts.

On migration, asylum and borders issue, the Commission stuck to calls to implement existing policy, including a plan to share out refugees that is opposed by many in the east.

The Juncker address offered few clues to the talks with London that he insists cannot start until British Prime Minister Theresa May formally starts a two-year countdown to departure.

Juncker urged haste on that and reiterated the EU position that Britain could not retain its full EU market access if it blocks free immigration from the EU.

"There can be no a la carte access to the single market," he said of British hopes to cut immigration and keep free trade.

(Additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska, Alissa de Carbonnel, Jan Strupczewski, Marilyn Haigh, Francesco Guarascio, Foo Yun Chee and Robin Emmott in Brussels; Editing by Pravin Char)
By Alastair Macdonald STRASBOURG (Reuters) - EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker warned divided Europeans on Wednesday that their Union was in an "existential crisis" after Britain's vote to quit and said leaders must pull together to stop it unraveling. In his annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament, the Commission president said the bloc was not about to disappear - "the EU as such is not at risk" - but its ability to steer common policies was jeopardize by splits, so that it was "at least in part, in an existential crisis". Though addressed to mainly sympathetic EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, his message was aimed squarely at the 27 national leaders who will meet on Friday in Bratislava to try and find a way forward following the decision of the absent 28th member state, Britain, to leave the bloc in June's Brexit referendum. "Never before have I seen national governments so weakened by the forces of populism and paralyzed by the risk of defeat in the next elections," said the former Luxembourg premier, a 30-year veteran of EU politics, referring to eurosceptics across Europe drawing inspiration from the British rejection of the EU. "There are splits out there and often fragmentation," he added. "That is leaving scope for galloping populism." The coming year sees Dutch, French and German elections, and anti-EU groups are riding high in polls. That limits appetite for big ideas from the Commission, however much Juncker sees his role as delivering proposals that governments can unite around. While leaders were chasing votes by echoing eurosceptic opponents, Juncker said, only by cooperating to revive growth, strengthen trade, fight terrorism and secure EU borders could they "regain the trust" of citizens in their shared enterprise. "Europeans are tired of the endless disputes, quarrels and bickering," he said. "Europeans want concrete solutions." In an admission of weakness from a man who a year ago tried, but failed, to force countries to accept mandatory quotas of asylum-seekers as a million arrived in Greece, he conceded he lacked power to impose unity and must appeal to states for solidarity. CONCRETE PROGRAM As a result, the executive offered a legislative program focused on modest areas of common ground. It included extending the "Juncker plan" for EU seed capital to bolster investment, a smaller scheme to help African business and so, perhaps, ease migration pressure, and reforms to promote the digital economy. Juncker also highlighted recent EU decisions to show the Union working for ordinary voters - such as by handing Apple Inc a massive tax bill or scrapping planned curbs on mobile phone roaming that were seen as too soft on big telecom firms. The Commission revived ideas for more cooperation among EU armies, now that British objections no longer count. Not all remaining member states are keen but EU defense projects can mean coalitions of the willing. The focus will be on pooling military equipment and promoting defense research. Among eye-catching small initiatives was a proposal for a European Solidarity Corps to let young people, many of whom are suffering from stubbornly high youth unemployment, volunteer to help in crises like Italian earthquakes or Greek migrant camps. There was, too, a promise of "free wireless internet" in every European village by 2020. There was little detail on that and the digital arena remains a battlefield fought over by competing industrial, national and other interests. Juncker confirmed plans to promote funding of high-speed broadband and 5G mobile networks and to revise copyright for content posted online. EUROSCEPTIC SCORN The 48-minute speech drew a standing ovation from the main parties in an assembly dominated by supporters of closer European integration, but there was scorn from eurosceptics, including Marine Le Pen, the French National Front leader, and Nigel Farage, the triumphant Brexit campaigner from UKIP. The pro-Brexit British Conservative leader, Syed Kamall, was also dismissive of "the same mantra" of more EU integration. "The more you propagate EU supranationalism, the more nationalism has risen in our member states," he said. Le Pen described Juncker's downbeat assessment of the state of the Union as "like a funeral for the EU". Farage seized on an ethics probe by Juncker into his predecessor Jose Manuel Barroso for taking a job at Goldman Sachs, to revive his accusation that the EU is run like a cozy club for big business. Commission officials acknowledge that more ambitious plans to address key problems, such as the stability of the euro zone and coordination of national budgets, remain on hold until after next year's elections due to a split between a German-led north keen on austerity and a southern bloc with heavier debts. On migration, asylum and borders issue, the Commission stuck to calls to implement existing policy, including a plan to share out refugees that is opposed by many in the east. The Juncker address offered few clues to the talks with London that he insists cannot start until British Prime Minister Theresa May formally starts a two-year countdown to departure. Juncker urged haste on that and reiterated the EU position that Britain could not retain its full EU market access if it blocks free immigration from the EU. "There can be no a la carte access to the single market," he said of British hopes to cut immigration and keep free trade. (Additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska, Alissa de Carbonnel, Jan Strupczewski, Marilyn Haigh, Francesco Guarascio, Foo Yun Chee and Robin Emmott in Brussels; Editing by Pravin Char)
By Tom Gardner LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The failure of British authorities to bring one successful prosecution for female genital mutilation in more than 30 years is a "national scandal", lawmakers said on Thursday calling for greater action against professionals not reporting the practice. Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been a criminal offence in Britain since 1985 and new legislation in 2003 introduced a jail term of up to 14 years for British citizens carrying out FGM abroad, even in countries where it is legal. Last year the government made it compulsory for teachers, social workers, doctors, nurses and midwives to report FGM with campaigners fearing many cases are going unnoticed because they happen at a young age and abroad. British parliamentarians said in a report that they were "alarmed" by the lack of prosecutions and to learn that some clinicians were ignoring the legal duty to report cases to the police with some seeming to regard the duty as "optional". "We are dismayed that there have been no convictions for FGM-related offences," said Tim Loughton, interim chair of the Home Affairs Committee responsible for the report. FGM involves the total or partial removal of the clitoris and external genitalia. In extreme cases the vaginal opening is sewn closed. It can cause serious physical and psychological problems and complications in childbirth. In the first case of its kind in Britain, a doctor accused of stitching up a new mother was acquitted by a UK court last year after he argued his actions were in the best interest of a patient with severe bleeding. Official data released in July showed that a total of 5,700 new FGM cases in England were recorded in 2015-16, but only a small number had been cut in Britain. STRONGER SANCTIONS The committee recommended stronger sanctions for failing to meet the mandatory reporting responsibility, noting that prosecutions would remain unlikely without them, since daughters rarely report their parents to the police themselves. Worldwide more than 130 million girls and women have undergone FGM, according to U.N. data, with the practice prevalent across Africa, parts of the Middle East and Asia. The practice is much less common in the UK, although exact data is lacking. A study estimated in 2011 that about 137,000 women and girls in England and Wales had been subjected to FGM. "[These numbers] are still just the tip of the iceberg," Mary Wandia of Equality Now, a women's rights charity, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. The committee advised the government to look at the example set by France, where prosecutions for FGM have been more successful, saying there was a "strong case" for a system of routine medical examinations akin to the French model. The government's aim is to eliminate FGM "within a generation" with the previous government of David Cameron introducing powers to prosecute parents who fail to prevent their daughters being cut. The committee welcomed these measures, but criticised the government for providing insufficient resources to charities and campaigning groups devoted to tackling the issue. "The committee's review highlights the immense amount of work that still needs to be done in preventing FGM in our own communities up and down the country," the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) said in an email. (Reporting by Tom Gardner @tomgardner18, Editing by Belinda Goldsmith; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org)
Labor Day used to be a celebration of the power of American labor in the world marketplace. Sadly, this has changed over the years, as companies have laid off American workers and shipped jobs overseas. These same CEOs have accrued big salaries and bonuses while American workers' pay has languished or gone completely away.

It used to be that one wage-earner in a household could support a family in a middle-class lifestyle. As wages began stagnating, it took two incomes to support the same household. Now, it can take two or more incomes just to tread water. For those living in single-parent households with minimum-wage jobs, there is no hope of ever earning enough to pay rent and put food on the table, much less rise out of poverty.

This is unconscionable and needs to change. Please support increasing the minimum wage to a living wage, so that people can feed their families. Remember that working people made this country great, not the fat-cat CEOs. Next year, let's really have a reason to celebrate Labor Day.

Sherry Sharpnack, Lincoln
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's 2011 military intervention in Libya, ordered by former prime minister David Cameron, relied on flawed intelligence and hastened the North African country's political and economic collapse, MPs said on Wednesday in a damning report. Britain and France led international efforts to help oust Libya's then-leader Muammar Gaddafi in early 2011, using fighter jets to beat back Gaddafi's armies and allow rebels to topple the longtime dictator. But Libya has since suffered years of chaos. Islamic State has gained a foothold, former rebels still fight over territory and people smugglers have set up a huge operation, sending tens of thousands on the perilous sea journey to Europe. Cameron, who ran Britain from 2010 until July, had a "decisive" role in the decision to intervene and must bear the responsibility for Britain's role in the crisis in Libya, a report produced by parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee said. "The UKs actions in Libya were part of an ill-conceived intervention, the results of which are still playing out today," said committee chairman Crispin Blunt, a member of Cameron's Conservative party. "UK policy in Libya before and since the intervention of March 2011 was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the country and the situation." The committee's statement said the "ultimate responsibility rests with David Cameron's leadership". Earlier this year, U.S. President Barack Obama said European allies had become distracted from the Libyan crisis after the intervention. Obama's office later said he had not intended to be critical of Cameron. Cameron stepped down as prime minister after losing a referendum to keep Britain in the European Union, and on Monday resigned as a member of parliament saying he did not want to become a distraction for his successor Theresa May. The report said his government failed to identify from intelligence reports that the threat to civilians was overstated and that the rebels included a significant Islamist element. The post-intervention response was also lacking, it said. "Our lack of understanding of the institutional capacity of the country stymied Libyas progress in establishing security on the ground and absorbing financial and other resources from the international community," Blunt said. (Reporting by William James; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
London (AFP) - A British nurse who recovered after contracting Ebola in Sierra Leone in 2014 was Wednesday cleared by a disciplinary panel of misleading doctors about her health when returning to Britain.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) launched a disciplinary hearing against Pauline Cafferkey, 40, over accusations she knew her temperature was dangerously high when she received a screening check-up on arrival at London's Heathrow Airport -- but allowed a lower temperature to be recorded.

An independent panel in Edinburgh ruled that the three charges against her were not proven, that she had not set out to mislead health authorities and that her ability to practise again was "not impaired".

Panel chairman Timothy Cole said there was "compelling and clear medical evidence" that the illness impaired Cafferkey's ability to make clear decisions, according to the Press Association.

Her health was "going rapidly downhill" at the time of her screening and the process "occurred in circumstances characterised as disorganised and chaotic," he added.

The nurse's lawyer later issued a statement saying she would "never knowingly" put lives at risk and that she was "relieved the process is at an end".

Cafferkey became infected with the deadly virus while working in Sierra Leone in December 2014, but returned home unaware of her illness.

A doctor screening Cafferkey at Heathrow found her temperature to be 38.2 degrees, which would require further testing under rules imposed by health authorities.

- 'Very unwell' -

The doctor told the hearing that a member of the group recording the values -- "Registrant A" -- suggested it be noted down as 37.2 degrees, thereby avoiding having to undergo further tests.

"Registrant A stated... that she would record the temperature as 37.2 degrees on Ms Cafferkey's screening form and then they would 'get out of here and sort it out'," NMC representative Anu Thompson told the hearing Tuesday.

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"Ms Cafferkey has stated she recalls the words 'let's get out of here' being used but now cannot remember who said it or who entered the temperature of 37.2 on her screening form," Thompson added.

Cafferkey travelled to her hometown of Glasgow the same day as she arrived back in Britain. It was the next day that she was diagnosed with Ebola after waking up and feeling "very unwell".

Cafferkey was successfully treated within weeks of her diagnosis but suffered a relapse in October 2015, when she became critically ill with meningitis linked to Ebola.

She made a full recovery but was admitted for a third time in February to London's Royal Free Hospital, Britain's only isolation ward for Ebola, due to another relapse and again recovered.

More than 11,300 people died from the disease before the World Health Organization declared last month that the two-year Ebola outbreak in west Africa was over, although Sierra Leone has since recorded new cases.
From Seventeen

The summer before I turned 14, my family and I moved from Manila, in the Philippines, to California. We left because my father's investment bank was floundering and also because my parents could no longer stomach the gap between the lives of people like my family, who employed seven maids, and the lives of the majority of the population, who could barely afford shoes. Our new home outside of San Francisco was so small it could have fit inside my parents' old bedroom, but that was beside the point. We would become Americans-self- starters climbing the ladder of success one rung at a time.

In the Philippines, we all spoke and read English as well as Tagalog and worshipped American culture. So I was excited about the move, eager to become one of those confident American girls I'd seen in movies-like Jodie Foster's fearless character in the Disney movie, Candleshoe. (It's on Amazon Video: It's awesome.) But I was also terrified. The only Asian person I'd seen in American movies was Long Duck Dong in Sixteen Candles, a horrible caricature.

I was right to worry. At my fancy new high school, where I was on scholarship, mean girls treated me like a freak. They couldn't find the Philippines on the map, and a few asked me if we lived in trees. I was shocked and insulted by their ignorance. I didn't even try to channel Jodie; instead, I became mute. My only attempt at cool was dying the ends of my hair pink, which I quickly learned was against school policy. Miserable, I slunk through the halls, wishing I were invisible.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Melissa De La Cruz

At lunchtime, I sat by myself, embarrassed by the smelly and elaborate three-course Filipino meals my mom would pack for me. I'd go home and beg her for plain turkey sandwiches instead. I didn't really want to eat them; I just wanted to fit in. My mom tried to help: When my school had a Welcome Tea, she brought (soggy) homemade sandwiches . . . while the other moms dropped off chic boxes of Parisian macarons. I was mortified.

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A few months after our move, I met Ally, a girl in my neighborhood who went to a different school. Ally was friendly and curious about me and my family in a welcoming way-not as if we were space aliens. Ally loved my mom's fried bananas and laughed when I taught her Tagalog curse words. She was comfortable in my house, even though we couldn't put our feet on the furniture, and I felt unreserved in her house, in a way that I couldn't be anywhere else-school was cliquish and home was too strict. In America, my dad had told us, we'd have to work twice as hard to prove our worth, but with Ally I could just listen to music, watch TV, and be a regular kid.

Ally's acceptance helped me see that we all don't have to be alike, and that's what I needed to find my confidence in my adopted homeland. Eventually, I made a few friends at school. Then, over the years, I became class president and head of the honor society and got a date to the prom-all just by being myself.

This story was originally published in the September 2016 issue of Seventeen. Be sure to pre-order your copy of Seventeen's new YA novel by Melissa de la Cruz, "Something in Between," here.

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(Corrects paragraph 7 to show that three marine mammals died within four months in late 2015 and early 2016 instead of three orcas died at SeaWorld's San Antonio park within a six-month span in 2015)

By Sharon Bernstein

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) -

A member of the regulatory commission that controls coastal development in California was fined by the state's ethics watchdog on Thursday for voting on an expansion of SeaWorld's San Diego theme park while his wife owned stock in the company.

Gregory Cox, who is also a longtime member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement Thursday he did not know that his wife had purchased 500 shares of SeaWorld stock in January of 2015 for her personal retirement account, according to the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

"When I discovered the purchase, the stock was sold and the facts were reported," Cox said. "Both my wife and I deeply regret the oversight."

About three months after Cheryl Cox bought the stock for $8,679, SeaWorld filed an application with the California Coastal Commission to expand a facility at which captive orcas, or killer whales, are held and shown to the public.

Cox introduced a motion to support the project with limitations on the number of orcas involved, voting ultimately to support an amended version calling for an end to SeaWorld's orca breeding program. On Thursday, the California Fair Political Practices Commission voted to fine him $3,000.

The SeaWorld shows, which the park has since said it would end along with its orca breeding program, have been controversial for years, with public opposition growing after the 2013 documentary "Blackfish" depicted the captivity and public exhibition of killer whales as inherently cruel.

The criticism intensified after three orcas died at SeaWorld San Antonio within a six-month span in 2015.

SeaWorld said last month that it would stop breeding killer whales in captivity, bowing to years of pressure from animal rights activists. The company has also said that it will phase out its signature "Shamu" killer whale shows in San Diego with modified presentations of the animals that focused on conservation.

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Cox told the FPPC he discovered that his wife owned the stock in January while preparing his taxes and his annual disclosure of economic interests as a public official.

He asked her to sell the stock, and reported the conflict to the FPPC, documents show.

But the FPPC said Cox and his wife, a former mayor of the city of Chula Vista who sold her stock for about $9,593, were longtime elected officials who "had a high level of awareness" of conflict of interest laws.

Cox should have known that he had a conflict, the FPPC said.

(Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Bernard Orr)
(Adds U.S. trade official comment)

By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Canada has not yet managed to settle a long-running dispute with the United States over softwood lumber exports and is ready to resort to litigation if necessary, Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Wednesday.

Freeland, speaking to reporters after talks with U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and industry representatives in Washington, said increasingly protectionist trade sentiment in the United States was making the talks more complex.

"This is a notoriously, historically tough and complicated issue to resolve. There are still some fundamental areas of differing points of view between Canada and the United States," Freeland said.

U.S. producers complain that Canadian lumber is subsidized, and have in the past launched trade challenges that resulted in the United States imposing billions of dollars in tariffs.

The most recent round of arguments ended with a 2006 deal that expired in October 2015. Both sides agreed to take no action for a year after that, but without a new treaty, U.S. firms have made clear they will file new damage claims.

"If we don't reach a deal by (next month), negotiations very much can continue ... we are looking for a good deal but we are not looking for any deal," said Freeland, stressing that both sides were talking in good faith.

"We would prefer peace but if we have to fight, we'll fight, and we are absolutely preparing to litigate if that's the direction in which this issue goes. Canada has a very good record of winning cases at all levels on this issue," she added.

In response, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in an emailed statement that U.S. and Canadian negotiators were still working "intensively" to reach a deal that meets criteria laid out by U.S. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a June statement.

"The leaders agreed that a new agreement would be designed to maintain Canadian imports at or below an agreed U.S. market share," Froman said. "While these are difficult negotiations and significant gaps remain, the United States is committed to continued engagement with Canada to see if a new agreement can be achieved."

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Canada has in the past won softwood lumber cases at the World Trade Organization only to see them challenged by the United States.

Froman will soon visit Canada for talks with the domestic lumber industry, Freeland added.

Major Canadian lumber companies include Canfor Corp , West Fraser Timber Co, Interfor Corp and Resolute Forest Products Inc.

(Additional reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Bernard Orr)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, in this October 20, 2015 file photo. To match Insight MIDEAST-CRISIS-SYRIA/PUTIN REUTERS/Alexei Druzhinin/RIA Novosti/Kremlin/ Files

The cease-fire in Syria brokered by the US and Russia has temporarily put a stop to fighting in some parts of the war-torn country, but it could have unintended consequences that end up working in favor of the leader whom US-backed rebels are trying to oust.

The cease-fire, which went into effect on Monday, will in theory allow humanitarian aid to get through to besieged areas like Aleppo, a city where civilians have lived with daily bombardments and a dire lack of food and medical supplies. The cease-fire is also meant to facilitate joint efforts between the US and Russia to target terrorists in Syria.

The weeklong truce, however, has raised red flags for local actors who "see it as an Assad regime victory in disguise," according to a report published this week by The Soufan Group, a strategic security firm.

The concerns are derived from skepticism about Russia's true aim in the region. The country inserted itself into the Syrian civil war last year under the pretense of fighting terrorists, but Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to be more focused on bolstering the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, a longtime ally.

For instance, when a cease-fire was most recently put into place, Russia and the Syrian regime used it to regroup and eventually target moderate rebels who opposed Assad, senior Pentagon officials recently told Foreign Policy. Some anti-Assad rebel groups receive support from the US.

Fred Hof, a former special adviser for transition in Syria under Hillary Clinton, then the secretary of state, told Business Insider in an email that while it was "too early to tell who the winners and losers are" in the cease-fire, the truce could end up benefitting Assad at the expense of other interests.

"The agreement would be an unadulterated triumph for the Assad regime if the result is one ultimately reflecting the Russian-American neutralization of the anti-Assad Nusra Front, but with no corresponding strengthening of the nonextremist Syrian armed opposition," said Hof, who is now the director of the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council.

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Basically, if the moderate rebels fighting to oust Assad don't benefit enough from the cease-fire, then the Syrian regime, which is no friend to the US or the Syrian people, will be the clear winner of the deal.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (C) joins Syrian army soldiers for Iftar in the farms of Marj al-Sultan village, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria, in this handout picture provided by SANA on June 26, 2016. SANA/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

There are many players on the Syrian battlefield, and rebels encompass extremist elements  like ISIS and the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, which recently rebranded as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham  as well as moderate groups that want to oust Assad but don't share the Islamist goals of the extremist groups.

The US has called on Assad to step down but so far has declined to carry out direct military action to remove him from power, leaving that job for the rebels that have received US support.

Once the extremist groups are gone, Assad is likely to focus on destroying any remaining moderate elements of the opposition.

Robert Ford, a senior fellow with the Middle East Institute who was a US ambassador to Syria from 2010 to 2014, told Business Insider in an email that the cease-fire would benefit the Syrian government "if it is able to concentrate forces and attack against the former Nusra Front (now Fateh al-Sham), seizing strategic positions from it and setting itself up later to pivot against more moderate elements of the armed opposition."

Further complicating the situation is that moderate rebels have become increasingly enmeshed with Islamist groups, namely Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which is not a party in the cease-fire. Because the Islamist groups tend to have more arms and money than other rebel groups, partnering with them on the battlefield became a matter of survival for the moderate rebels.

As of right now, the moderate rebels would have to trust the US and Russia if they were to separate completely from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham.

"Separating from Nusra is something the nonextremist opposition would like to do, but under current conditions it would not be easy," Hof said. "But if it somehow happens and Nusra is subsequently neutralized, what would stop Assad and his allies from pouncing on the nonextremist armed Syrian opposition?"

A member of Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA), seen with a mural of the Islamic State in the background, stands guard in front of a building in the border town of Jarablus, Syria, August 31, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

To earn the trust of the Syrian opposition, the Americans would have to convince Russia that the US would take action if the Assad regime were to continue to massacre civilians, as it has done throughout the civil war.

"Nothing good will happen in Syria until civilians come off the bull's-eye," Hof said.

"Nothing good will happen in Syria until civilians come off the bull's-eye," Hof said.

"But the country's worst actors  the Assad regime, Russia, Iran, and ISIS  have used mass murder and terror to great advantage thus far."

And Russia isn't exactly a reliable partner in Syria.

"The Russians have consistently shielded the Syrian government from the repercussions of its renewed use of chemical weapons, war crimes such as indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas and blocking humanitarian aid access," Ford said. "They have repeatedly lied to try to absolve the Syrian government if its crimes."

Russia is therefore unlikely to help serve the ultimate interests of the Syrian people, which is deposing the despot whose regime has killed more Syrians than any terrorist group.

"The Americans should be very wary of any thought that the possibility of new US-Russian military coordination in Syria will lead to any change in Russian goals or behavior," Ford said. "There is certainly no sign that Russia is prepared to push really hard on the Syrian government to make some big compromises at a political negotiation the Obama administration hopes might solve the Syrian crisis."

Even US officials acknowledge that Russia might be less than trustworthy in this deal.

"I think we'd have some reasons to be skeptical that the Russians are able or are willing to implement the arrangement consistent with the way it's been described," Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said during a Monday briefing. "But we'll see."

NOW WATCH: Trump strikes back after 'Morning Joe' host says he sounded like 'he's had a lot to drink'





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* Polish 10-year bond yield touches 8-week highs * Regional yields track euro zone, Poland the most vulnerable * Stocks, currencies are marginally firmer By Sandor Peto and Marcin Goettig BUDAPEST/WARSAW, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Central European long-term government bond yields rose on Wednesday, led by Poland, tracking euro zone yields driven up by doubts over further European Central Bank (ECB) monetary easing.

Euro zone yields were near their highest levels since British voters decided in June to quit the European Union, after ECB Executive Board member Sabine Lautenschlaeger said on Tuesday the bank should hold off on new stimulus measures.

Monetary stimulus in the euro zone has also helped assets in the EU's eastern members, which have relatively fast economic growth and high debt yields.

The impact of the euro zone yield rise was mostly limited to government bonds in the region, and mainly long-term papers.

The region's main equities indices and currencies were mildly firmer at 0857 GMT. But Poland's 10-year government bond yield touched its highest level since July 20. Trading at 2.937 percent, it was 10 basis points up from Tuesday's lows.

Hungary's corresponding yield rose 4 basis points from Tuesday's fixing.

The Polish spread over the corresponding German Bund widened by 2 basis points to 2.89 percentage points. The yield curve steepened, with the yield on 2-year Polish bonds rising by only 4 basis points to 1.69 percent.

"If this tendency is continued, one cannot exclude a test of the 3.00 percent level in the 10-year sector by the end of the week," Bank Pekao said in a note.

A Budapest-based fixed income trader said the latest rise in world yields was fuelled by worries that the monetary stimulus by central banks in recent years had been inefficient.

Hungarian bonds, mainly at the short end and in the middle of the yield curve, are supported by expectations that the central bank will announce after its meeting on Sept. 20 a cut in the amount of funds that commercial banks can keep in the central bank's 3-month deposits.

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"Poland is different, negative news that causes worries comes out from Warsaw every week," the trader said, adding that the latest bad news was the dismissal of a minister.

Polish treasury minister Dawid Jackiewicz will be dismissed, the newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper said, citing unnamed sources.
The Nebraska Democratic Party said Wednesday it has helped register more than 6,000 voters this year and has edged ahead of Republicans in Douglas County.

"For the first time in awhile, Douglas County, the main population center in the 2nd Congressional District, has more registered Democrats than Republicans," State Executive Director Hadley Richters said.

The latest registered voter count from the secretary of state's office shows 128,491 Democrats and 127,265 Republicans in Douglas County.

Another 77,553 voters are registered as nonpartisan.

Omaha has been targeted by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's campaign as a battleground because of her potential to pick up an electoral vote in the 2nd District, which includes all of Douglas County and portions of substantially Republican Sarpy County.

Voter registration figures in Sarpy County show 49,316 Republicans and 28,989 Democrats.

Statewide registration figures give Republicans a huge edge: 568,764 Republicans, 361,362 Democrats, 239,305 nonpartisans.

"Hillary for America has demonstrated a clear investment in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District," Clinton campaign spokeswoman LeMia Jenkins said in an email.

"Hillary for Nebraska has specifically partnered with the Nebraska Democratic Party on voter registration for a coordinated campaign that is working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot," she said.

President Barack Obama won the 2nd District electoral vote in 2008, but lost it to Republican nominee Mitt Romney in 2012.
MILAN (Reuters) - The Giro d'Italia's 100th edition will start from the island of Sardinia in 2017, organizers said on Wednesday. The three-week grand tour begins with a stage from Alghero to Olbia before the peloton rides to Tortoli then Cagliari. "I am very proud to see that the Giro will start from my homeland," said Italian Fabio Aru, the 2015 Vuelta champion, who was born in San Gavino Monreale. "It would be fantastic for me to take part in the race." The Giro has only visited Sardinia three times -- in 1961, 1991, when it hosted the 'grand depart', and 2007. The rest of the course will be unveiled on Oct. 25, eight days after the Tour de France route is announced in Paris. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris)
By Dan Flynn

September 14, 2016  Reprints

Central banks, government regulations and Free Trade are the epitome of a Freudian Slip if said in one sentence. Government regulations and taxes burdening farmers of what they plant and how much they grow has the government dictating how they disperse what they grew. This is another extension of too much government meddling and not letting Free Markets seek their own level and what disaster they can conjure up next and cast further doubt on the horizon.

Today, all September grains expire.

In the overnight electronic session the December corn is currently trading at 330- ,which is  of a cent higher. The trading range has been 331- to 329-. Weather remains a huge factor as we head further into harvest when we worry about forecasts of frosts and Indian Summer. After Mondays USDA data we are all talking about yields and exports.

On the Ethanol front very quiet again with no volume again last night. The October contract has an Estimated Volume of 0 and Open Interest of 1,280 contracts. That tells me to be wary. The contract settled at 1.505 and is showing 1 bid @ 1.504 and 1 offer @ 1.508.

On the crude oil front, last nights API data was bullish versus the consensus of what prognosticators were predicting. Much lower builds attempted to trump the International Energy Agency (EIA) prediction that demand will slowdown and the oil glut will remain regardless of an OPEC-Non-OPEC agreement. We still have Tropical Disturbances that have investors concerned about pipelines and shipping in the strategic hub of the Houston Shipping Channel to the Henry Hub. In the overnight electronic session the October crude Oil is currently trading at 4490 which is unchanged. The trading range has been 4533 to 4487. This market is still feeling the effects of the IEA Fed and central banks whimsical predictions on our future.

With Natural gas, the squeeze is still on as the October contract is edging so close to $3. Weather will continue to be a factor as the government go green policies and regulations put coal plants out of business which is besides nuclear power the only viable substitute to keep the power grid going as we heat our homes this winter with demand at a premium. We do also have to watch the active Tropical events in the Atlantic as well. In the overnight electronic session the October Natural gas is currently trading at 2.974 which is 6- cents higher. The trading range has been 2.978 to 2.889. After yesterdays drama with no defined cause and effect and we weathered the storm it is time to lace em up and play.

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Cheryl Burke claims dance partner Ryan Lochte suffered an injury as a result of two men who stormed the stage to protest his involvement in Dancing With the Stars on Monday's season 23 premiere.

The DWTS pro, who came back this season for the first time since season 19, wrote about the frightening incident in a blog post published by People on Tuesday.

"This morning, I got up and headed to rehearsal with the other pro dancers," Burke shared. "Everyone is definitely a little shaken up about what happened, but it's good to be dancing and focused on next week's show."

WATCH: Ryan Lochte Protesters Storm 'DWTS' Stage During Live Show, Swimmer Admits He's 'A Little Hurt'

"We have a quickstep this week and Ryan did injure his ankle a little when the protester got tackled, so we'll have to see how our first rehearsal goes," she added. "But at the end of the day, we are all just so grateful that no one was more seriously injured."

According to the two-time DWTS champ, she still feels "100 percent safe in the ballroom," but is sure that security will be increased for next Monday's show. And, despite their decent premiere scores, she admitted that it "will probably take us a few weeks to put this incident behind us."

WATCH: Ryan Lochte Reacts to 'DWTS' Protesters: 'It Felt Like Someone Took My Heart Out and Tore It to Shreds'

Burke says the embattled Olympic gold medalist was nervous before their dance, but felt encouraged by those in the crowd who were cheering for him. After their foxtrot, Lochte apparently felt proud of their performance.

Burke then recounted the incident, explaining that it wasn't until the protesters were on the stage that she knew something was wrong.

"We were standing there listening to [judge Carrie Ann Inaba] give us her thoughts when I suddenly saw someone walking onto the ballroom floor in a t-shirt with a red line through Ryan's last name," she wrote. "My first thought was, 'Is this a joke? Is this scripted and no one told us? Too soon, guys.' But as soon as he started yelling 'Boo! Lochte! Liar! Lochte!' I realized it was a serious situation."

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WATCH: Cheryl Burke Speaks Out as Ryan Lochte's 'DWTS' Protesters Released From Custody

Burke said that her first concern was that the man was armed, and with children in the audience, things could quickly go from bad to tragic. But security rapidly responded to put a stop to the protest.

"I looked up to Ryan and I could tell he was on the verge of tears. I could feel his heart sinking into his stomach  and to be honest, mine was too," she recalled. "I started getting teary eyed and apparently was shaking I just wanted to be strong for Ryan."

PHOTOS: Complete List: 'Dancing with the Stars' Winners

"The first thing he did was turn to me and say, 'I'm so sorry.' I just told him, 'Never tell me you're sorry again. These tears are just because I don't want you to be hurt or for you to lose your spirit,'" she continued.

The protesters were released from police custody at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, with a court date set for Oct. 4, according to documents from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The two men were held overnight on a trespassing charge following Monday's filming.

See what Lochte told ET following the DWTS drama in the exclusive interview below.

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CHICAGO, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The last piece of Chicago's pension funding puzzle fell into place on Wednesday with final approval of a tax on water and sewer usage to save the largest of the city's four retirement systems from going broke.

The tax, passed in a 40-10 city council vote, is projected to raise an estimated $240 million a year once it is fully phased in over five years, helping Chicago gradually increase contributions to its municipal retirement system, which is projected to run out of cash within 10 years.

"Your acts today changed the course of the city's finances from insolvency to solvency," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said, praising aldermen for their "collective courage."

Credit ratings for the nation's third-largest city have tumbled into the low investment grade to junk levels due largely to an unfunded pension liability that stood at $33.8 billion at the end of fiscal 2015 for the four retirement systems.

Chicago has already authorized a phased-in $543 million property tax for its police and fire retirement systems and a telephone surcharge increase for its laborers' pension fund.

For the municipal fund, an actuarially required funding level would be reached in 2023, when the payment would spike to nearly $879 million from $577 million in 2022, according to city documents. The aim of the plan is to bring the retirement system's funded level to 90 percent in 2057.

Some aldermen have raised concerns that even with the new tax revenue, the city will be short $300 million in 2023.

The city's next step involves the Illinois Legislature, which will be asked in November to approve the new funding schedule for the municipal system, as well as one for the laborers' fund.

The Democratic-controlled legislature in May overrode Governor Bruce Rauner's veto of a new funding schedule for Chicago's police and fire retirement systems.

In a 26-21 vote on Wednesday, the city council authorized the sale of up to $3.5 billion of bonds for O'Hare International Airport.

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The city will refund up to $1.5 billion of general airport revenue bonds (GARBs) through Bank of America Merrill Lynch to save an estimated $187.2 million, according to a city briefing document. Another batch of GARBs worth as much as $1.5 billion will be sold through Morgan Stanley to fund a runway and air field improvements.

Loop Capital Markets will price up to $500 million of new and refunded passenger facility charge (PFC) bonds.

(Reporting by Karen Pierog; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China has detained the former head of the National Bureau of Statistics on suspicion of corruption, the state prosecutor said on Wednesday, as state media reported two senior executives from major state-owned companies had also been charged with graft. The cases were the latest in a rolling campaign to root out deep-rooted corruption launched after President Xi Jinping assumed office almost four years ago. The crackdown has targeted a broad swathe of high-ranking officials, from members of the military to former judges and various ministry chiefs, as well as numerous bosses of state-owned companies. Wang Baoan, a one-time deputy finance minister who became chief of the statistics bureau in mid-2015, was accused by the ruling Communist Party's anti-corruption watchdog in late August of serious violations of discipline, including extravagance, abuse of power and selling power for sex. The state prosecutor said on its official microblog on Wednesday it had launched a case against Wang, begun a formal investigation and adopted "coercive measures" against the former official, meaning he had been detained. It did not give further details. The corruption watchdog announced the investigation of Wang in January. He was later expelled from the party. It was not possible to reach Wang for a comment and unclear if he had been able to retain a lawyer. China's courts are controlled by the party, and convictions in such cases are generally a foregone conclusion. Xinhua state news agency said prosecutors had also charged Xu Jianyi, the former chairman of state-owned FAW Group Corp [SASACJ.UL], with corruption. Former PetroChina vice chairman Liao Yongyuan had also been charged, Xinhua said. It was not immediately possible to contact Xu or Liao. (Reporting by John Ruwitch in SHANGHAI and Beijing monitoring desk; Editing by Nick Macfie)
BEIJING (Reuters) - China will launch its second experimental space laboratory late on Thursday and another manned space mission next month, the government said, part of a broader plan to have a permanent manned space station in service around 2022. Advancing China's space program is a priority for Beijing, with President Xi Jinping calling for the country to establish itself as a space power, and apart from its civilian ambitions, Beijing has tested anti-satellite missiles. China insists its space program is for peaceful purposes, but the U.S. Defense Department has highlighted its increasing space capabilities, saying it was pursuing activities aimed to prevent adversaries from using space-based assets in a crisis. In a manned space mission in 2013, three Chinese astronauts spent 15 days in orbit and docked with an experimental space laboratory, the Tiangong 1, or "Heavenly Palace". China will launch the Tiangong 2 just after 10 p.m. (1400 GMT) on Thursday, a space program spokeswoman told a news conference carried live from the remote launch site in Jiuquan, in the Gobi desert. The Shenzhou 11 spacecraft, which will carry two astronauts and dock with Tiangong 2, will be launched sometime next month, mission spokeswoman Wu Ping said on Wednesday. The astronauts expect to remain in Tiangong 2 for about a month, Wu added. A smooth launch would impart a high-tech sheen to week-long celebrations of China's National Day, starting Oct. 1, as well as this week's shorter Mid-Autumn Festival holiday that coincides with the full moon. "Launching Tiangong 2 is a key battle in comprehensively completing the space laboratory stage mission, and will establish a firm foundation for our country's continued space station construction and operation," Wu said. Work on "quantum key transmission" will eventually be carried out at the laboratory, China's official Xinhua news agency said. The country launched the world's first quantum satellite in August, aimed at achieving "hack-proof" communications between space and the ground. China will launch a "core module" for its first space station some time around 2018, a senior official said in April, part of a plan for a permanent manned space station in service around 2022. China has been working to develop its space program for military, commercial and scientific purposes, but is still playing catch-up to established space powers the United States and Russia. China's Jade Rabbit moon rover landed on the moon in late 2013 to great national fanfare, but soon suffered severe technical difficulties. The rover and the Chang'e 3 probe that carried it there were the first "soft landing" on the moon since 1976. Both the United States and the Soviet Union had accomplished the feat earlier. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Gao Liangping and Michael Martina; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Beijing (AFP) - China's rice, wheat and corn subsidies are in line with WTO rules, Beijing's commerce ministry said after Washington launched legal action against what it says are "unfair" trade incentives worth $100 billion.

The United States alleges China, the world's largest producer of wheat and rice, doled out "market price support" for the grains above levels agreed at the Geneva-based WTO, making Chinese farmers more competitive around the world.

Beijing's commerce ministry said it had received the US request for consultations under the World Trade Organization dispute settlement mechanism but insisted its policy was legal.

"Agriculture is a fundamental industry in any country and is key to the economic interests of the mass of agricultural producers," an unnamed commerce ministry official said in a statement posted late Tuesday.

Government support for the sector was a "common international practice", said the official.

According to US officials, China has been paying higher subsidy levels than the internationally agreed 8.5 percent above reference prices for grain commodities.

US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that "if China is willing to operate a WTO-consistent trade regime" US agricultural exports to China could rise above their current $20 billion a year level, which accounts for 200,000 US jobs.

Many of those jobs are in states like Iowa and Kansas which, because of peculiarities of the US electoral system, have an outsized role in deciding presidential elections.

The 2016 election race has seen Republican and Democratic presidential candidates take a much more protectionist line on trade.

China has been the target of particularly tough campaign rhetoric.

The latest dispute marked the 14th WTO case launched against the Asian giant since US President Barack Obama took office and Washington has won every case that has been decided.

The official quoted in the Beijing commerce ministry statement said China "regrets the US request for the consultation... and will actively protect China's industrial and trade interests".

"China has always respected WTO rules, consistently supported Chinese agricultural production and development in ways in line with the rules and maintained the international trading system of farm produces," the official added.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's military has set up a new logistics support force as part of efforts to reform and modernize the world's largest armed forces, state media has reported. President Xi Jinping's push to reform the military coincides with China becoming more assertive in its territorial disputes with Asian neighbors in the East and South China Seas. China's navy is investing in submarines and aircraft carriers and its air force is developing stealth fighters. In January, China created three new military units, including a missile force that controls its nuclear deterrent. The new joint logistics force would better support military operations, the official Xinhua news agency said late on Tuesday. The move "is a strategic decision by the Communist Party's Central Committee and Central Military Commission to comprehensively deepen national defense and military reform", Xinhua cited Xi as telling a ceremony in Beijing. "It is of far-reaching significance to establishing a modern joint logistics support force with Chinese characteristics and building a world-leading military," he said. Support centers for the new unit would be established in five Chinese cities, Xinhua said, including Shenyang in the northeast, close to the sensitive North Korean border. Xi said the logistics body "is a main force in strategic battle support missions". The new force should "deepen logistics preparedness for battle and better integrate the force into the joint operations system and carry out real battle training", he said. Xi's reforms include establishing a joint operational command structure by 2020 and rejigging existing military regions, as well as cutting troop numbers by 300,000, a surprise announcement he made last year. China has been moving rapidly to upgrade its military hardware, but integration of complex systems across a regionalized command structure has been a major challenge. The move has proved controversial and Xi has run into opposition in the military, though, and the military's newspaper has published a series of commentaries warning of opposition to the reforms and concern about job losses. Xi has also made rooting out deeply entrenched corruption in the military a top priority. Dozens of senior officers have been investigated and jailed. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Paul Tait)
By James Pomfret WUKAN, China (Reuters) - Residents of a southern Chinese village once seen as a cradle of grassroots democracy were in shock on Wednesday after a "wild crackdown" by police in clashes with protesters which they said led to about 70 people being detained. Hong Kong rights activists fear Tuesday's violence marks a last-ditch push to silence Wukan, a fishing village in the province of Guangdong, which received international attention when a 2011 uprising over land grabs forced authorities to back down and grant local direct elections. "Most people have been scared badly," said a villager named Chen. "...This time it was a wild crackdown. They went after everyone, chasing them up into their houses, beating people." As she spoke, peeking nervously from behind curtains in her home, scores of riot and security police tightened a cordon around Wukan. Violence flared in the 10,000-strong hamlet early on Tuesday as police launched pre-dawn raids on homes seeking leaders of protests that had rumbled since June after the arrest of a popular leader. Village chief Lin Zuluan, one of the last of the 2011 protest leaders to remain in office, was jailed this month for three years on graft and other charges. Villagers pelted police with bricks as they advanced with shields, batons and helmets, firing rubber bullets and using tear gas. Some residents suffered wounds to their legs, mobile phone footage seen by Reuters showed. Many said the violence was worse than 2011, when the village was locked down for several months. While low-level democratic experiments have been tried in villages across China, Wukan's took place in the glare of both domestic and international publicity - and marked a rare moment when Communist Party officials backed down in the face of protest. WRISTS BOUND WITH NYLON Beijing leaders are fearful of growing calls for democracy and losing their grip on power. Weeks of "umbrella revolution" pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, to the southwest of Wukan, in late 2014 presented Beijing with one of its biggest political challenges in decades. According to the mobile phone footage seen by Reuters, elderly villagers and youngsters in school uniforms were among those detained on Tuesday. Three rows of villagers could be seen in the police station, their wrists bound with white nylon zipcords. Blue tear gas cartridges could still be seen strewn in the narrow alleyways, with black burn marks etched on to the concrete. "The whole village hasnt done anything illegal, we just want old Lin (Zuluan) to come out and to get our land back," said a villager surnamed Zhang. "But they dont care if were guilty or not guilty. They just beat us." An earlier microblog of Lufeng county police, who oversee Wukan, stated in a post that 13 people had been arrested for organizing illegal assemblies and using threats to force villagers to join protests. It has not been updated since Tuesday. Hong Kong media have reported that the police have also televised photographs of five village protest leaders, offering 100,000 yuan ($15,000) rewards for information on their whereabouts. Repeated calls to the Guangdong provincial government for comment went unanswered. (Writing by Greg Torode; Additional reporting by Hong Kong bureau and Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Advocates of marijuana legalization aren't waiting for the autumn leaves to dry.

With 54 days left until this November's election, a group pushing to eliminate Nebraska's penalties for those caught with small amounts of pot has already begun gathering signatures to put the issue before voters in 2018.

A separate group seeking a broader constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana entirely has also filed 2018 petition language with the Nebraska Secretary of State's Office.

That petition isn't yet circulating, but volunteers started gathering signatures for the more limited proposal Aug. 5, targeting high-traffic areas and events such as last week's Omaha rally by Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.

"We're in Lincoln three times a week," said Mark Elworth Jr., a perennial candidate for elected office from Omaha who drew up the petition language and is leading the campaign.

His petition would allow voters to eliminate penalties for people caught with an ounce or less of marijuana, while keeping stricter laws in place for dealers or those who possess greater quantities of the drug.

Nebraska technically decriminalized first-time pot possession in the 1970s, but anyone caught with an ounce or less is still subject to a fine. Lawmakers boosted the fine from $100 to $300 in 2008, and stricter, criminal penalties apply for second and subsequent offenses  including possible jail time.

Elworth said the most significant consequence for people who are caught with pot, particularly teenagers, is the permanent record it creates.

"We're trying to protect people," he said. "Those minor in possession tickets ... they can ruin people's lives."

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson opposes the initiative, and said legalizing less than an ounce of marijuana would send the "wrong message" that the drug is harmless.

"The commercial marijuana industry has significantly increased the potency of marijuana in the last five years," Peterson said.

Young people, particularly those predisposed to mental illness, are at greatest risk for experiencing long-term consequences from regular pot use, he said.

Elworth, 40, says he has been smoking marijuana since age 13. He calls his petition an "emergency" effort to put the issue before voters and possibly force state lawmakers to establish a formal medical or recreational marijuana program in Nebraska.

"The lawmakers are really out of touch with what's going on in our society," Elworth said.

Four states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana use in recent years, although pot remains prohibited under federal law. Voters in five more states  California, Arizona, Nevada, Maine and Massachusetts  will weigh in this November.

Those states are already among the 25 that have legalized marijuana for medical purposes.

Nebraska hasn't had a concerted effort to allow recreational pot, but a bill to create a medical marijuana system here stalled in the Legislature in April. Supporters briefly considered petitioning to put the issue on this year's general election ballot, but decided they didn't have enough time.

By starting his own petition early, Elworth hopes to avoid getting burned.

"You get two years," he said. "More time to get more signatures."

People who sign the petitions must be registered to vote in Nebraska, and petition signers' identities also become public record.

Supporters of the marijuana decriminalization petition hope to collect 15,000 to 20,000 signatures by year's end, then mount a more significant volunteer effort next year, with the possibility of hiring paid canvassers in 2018 if they get financial backing.

"We're trying to show them that we're serious," Elworth said.

He also backs petitions for the state to recognize three political parties  Legal Marijuana Now, Veterans Party for Nebraska and the Green Party  and allow those parties to nominate candidates beginning in the 2018 election.

Elworth ran for governor as a Libertarian in 2014, and this year came in fourth place in a four-man primary to represent north Omaha's District 13 in the state Legislature.

"To me, it's all about getting ballot access," he said. "The choices are so bad out there in Nebraska."
In its concerted effort to fortify its presence in China, Chubb Limited CB recently opened Guangdong Branch in Southern China. Through this new office Chubb will offer commercial property and casualty as well as personal lines products and services for property, casualty, marine, construction and energy, financial lines. It will also provide group as well as personal accident and health insurance.



In addition to the newest Guangdong Branch, Chubb has offices in Shanghai (China headquarters of Chubb) and Jiangsu. Setting up office in Guangzhou thus emphasizes Chubbs effort to expand its presence in the Southern China market.



According to the Chairman of Chubb Insurance Company Limited in China, Zhang Bei, Southern China is not only the trading and manufacturing center of the country but is also the fastest-growing insurance markets in China. The nation, therefore, remains a strategic market for growth for the property and casualty (P&C) insurer. Chubb expects to leverage its expertise to address diverse insurance needs and thus capitalize on the opportunities the Chinese market offers. To that end, the insurer recently introduced its marine service capabilities in the country, which will offer a wide range of specialized insurance solutions to meet the needs of importers, exporters and transport operators.



Chubb has been pursuing strategic initiative to ramp up its growth profile. Notably, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) P&C insurer has expanded the voluntary workplace benefits business of its unit, Combined Insurance, through a dedicated broker-focused channel. Also, a unit of Chubb Westchester  has broadened its service offerings. The company will now offer wholesale property, casualty and specialty small business insurance coverage to restaurants, retail businesses, lessor's risk only, concessionaires and caterers, fitness centers and personal improvement/enrichment schools. Collectively, these should position Chubb well for long-term growth. The expected long-term earnings growth of the insurer is currently pegged at 10%.

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NIAMEY (Reuters) - Thirty members of Boko Haram and five Nigerien soldiers have been killed in fighting in the southeastern Diffa region of Niger, the defense ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday. The clash took place Monday near the village of Toumour, near Lake Chad and the Nigerian border, an area that has plagued by violence from the Islamist militant group and is under an extended state of emergency. Boko Haram took the nearby town of Bosso in early June, in an attack that killed 32 soldiers and was the deadliest Boko Haram assault in Niger since April 2015. Since then, Chad has sent troops to help Niger wage a counterattack. Fighting began on Monday morning when the army fell into an ambush, the statement said, adding that six soldiers were also injured and two militants were captured. "The Boko Haram fighters were trying to prevent people from praying to mark the feast of sacrifice," said Laouan Boukar, a resident of Toumour, referring to the important Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha that was on Monday. Boko Haram has been trying to establish an Islamic state adhering to strict Sharia law in northeastern Nigeria since 2009. About 2.1 million people have been displaced and thousands have been killed during the insurgency. (Reporting by Boureima Balima; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Hillary Clinton has had a tough week, but heres something shes doing extremely well: raising enormous amounts of money. As of late August, Clinton had raised a total of $446.4 million (including through SuperPacs) compared to Donald Trumps $137.3 million. Thats a prodigious advantage and one that could certainly make the difference in a tight race. You would think the media would be all over this story, but theyre not.

Maybe thats because Clinton continues to rail about Big Money in politics, even as she rakes it in. Or maybe its because her giant cash advantage points up just how weak the candidate is. Even though Clinton has spent $349.6 million so far compared to Trumps meager $96.7 million, the race is nearly even.

Related: Democrat Clinton Raised More Than $140 Million in August

Still, Hillarys campaign apparently thinks money can buy her much-needed love. Early efforts to make Clinton more likable came up short as outings like the cross-country trip in her Scooby van and (secretly scripted) chance meetings with everyday Americans flopped. As the campaign has progressed, her unfavorable ratings have steadily climbed. A recent CNN poll shows her negatives are now worse than Trumps, and thats an accomplishment.

Consequently, she has fallen back on safe turf  raising buckets of money. She spent much of the summer holed up in one elitist encampment after another, schmoozing with billionaires, eager to curry favor with the Democrat candidate. She trolled for dollars in luxe enclaves like the Hamptons and Marthas Vineyard and scored big time  raising $143 million compared to Trumps $90 million. In the final two weeks of the month, The New York Times reports, Clinton scooped up around $50 million, averaging around $150,000 an hour

And, shes still at it. The events canceled because of her pneumonia included several more fund-raisers in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. Her focus on hauling in big bucks comes at a price, though. It takes her out of public view and makes you wonder--what is she telling all those billionaires?

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Donald Trump scored points in August by visiting flood victims in Louisiana and meeting with the president of Mexico. Hillary Clinton was resting and meeting with donors. Those gatherings are strictly off-limits to reporters who have had access to only 5 of more than 300 of Clintons fundraisers since the start of her campaign. So intense is the Clinton blackout that at a recent event in Marthas Vineyard, her aides asked drivers of the press vans to roll up their windows so Hillarys comment could not be overheard.



Related: Trump Raises About $90 Million in August

That secrecy prompts curiosity about what Clinton promises her devoted followers  those rich enough to shell out the required $250,000, for example, to attend a recent gathering in the Hamptons. Or those lucky enough to join the former First Lady in dancing with Jimmy Buffett, Jon Bon Jovi and Paul McCartney. It turns out she tells them what they want to hear-- that shell be more welcoming to businesses than President Obama. That shell have an open mind about banking regulation, reminding guests, as The New York Times notes, that she once represented the financial sector as a senator from New York. And on trade, that she may be flexible.

In other words, Hillary is pretty much dismissing the positions she took during the primaries to rid herself of the pesky Bernie Sanders.

Clinton wouldnt be the first candidate to say one thing in public and another behind closed doors. But her Jekyll and Hyde persona is jarring  the earnest do-gooder is ill at ease with the diva hanging out at Steven Spielbergs mansion. No wonder only 38 percent of voters  and only 29 percent of whites  thinks she cares about them.

Thats where the money comes in; she will use her hundreds of millions to plaster the country with ads demonizing Trump and paying thousands to turn out the vote.

According to one source, her campaign has spent $127 million on ad buys in seven toss-up states compared to only $18 million for Trump. In Pennsylvania, Clinton has reserved nine times as much TV time as Trump; in Ohio, her advantage is six to one. In New Hampshire and Iowa Trump has reserved zero air time  and Clinton has locked up a bunch.

Related: Worried About Trump, GOP Donors Back Paul Ryan and His Congressional Firewall

Clintons money haul will not only give her a big TV advantage, but it also allows her to open more offices, organize more phone banks, send out more flyers and otherwise invest in the machinery of delivering votes and voters on election day. One analysis claims Clinton has more than three times the number of campaign offices in swing states as Trump does.

In many states, Trump is represented mainly through Republican Party offices, which will be working to elect not just Mr. Trump but local officials as well. Thats not always ideal, and especially this year when the party is split in some key states (Ohio comes to mind). Obama adviser David Axelrod has said that Clintons money advantage could deliver a one to three percentage point difference in swing states. As the race tightens, that could be the margin of victory.

Trump has famously derided reliance on the kind of data that helped deliver an Obama victory in 2008 and has crowed about his unexpected success in winning the primaries despite organization and budget deficits compared to several of his rivals. His campaign hopes that the fervor of his followers will yield a large number of volunteers who will corral voters and produce a tide of donations as we near Election Day.

Trump and his supporters, in other words, are hoping for an upset  not only of Hillary Clinton but of the way we have elected presidents for decades. Will Americans deliver? Time will tell.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump's daughter on Wednesday touted the Republican presidential nominee's new paid maternity leave and child care proposals as "long overdue" changes, criticizing Democrat Hillary Clinton for not doing more to help families during her decades in public service.

"I think we took a giant leap forward with the plan and, you know, respectfully, Hillary Clinton has been around for decades and there's no policy benefiting either mothers or fathers in terms of paid leave," Ivanka Trump said in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America."

"We have not been in public office for the last several decades and she has. So she could have instituted some of those policies in that role and has not done so."

The proposals come with less than two months to go until the election, with the brash billionaire trying to step up his appeal to women voters.

Ivanka Trump called the proposals "long overdue" changes for an "inaffordable, inaccessible child care system that we currently have in place that's failing American families."

Unlike almost every other industrialized country, the United States does not guarantee paid time off for new mothers. Federal law allows 12 weeks of unpaid "family leave."

Child care is often very expensive.

Some companies, however, offer paid maternity leave of varying duration.

Ivanka Trump, a businesswoman and 34-year-old mother of three, joined her father in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Tuesday night to unveil his proposals, which include tax deductions for child and elderly care expenses, regulatory reforms and incentives for employers to offer workplace child care.

Women whose employers don't offer paid maternity leave will be entitled to six weeks off with compensation, the campaign said, with the money coming from existing unemployment insurance.

Clinton's campaign called Trump's ideas "out-of-touch, half-baked and ignores the way Americans live and work today."

"Instead of asking those at the top to pay their fair share, he's robbing Peter to pay Paul by raiding unemployment insurance funds, and giving the most to the wealthy while providing far less relief to middle-class and working families," senior policy advisor Maya Harris said in a statement.

Clinton has proposed allowing new parents -- both mothers and fathers -- to take 12 weeks of paid leave while receiving two-thirds of their normal salary. She has also called for capping the cost of child care at 10 percent of a family's income.
Washington (AFP) - White House hopeful Hillary Clinton will meet Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko later this month, her campaign said Wednesday, hoping to contrast her pro-Kiev stance with Donald Trump's embrace of neighboring Russia.

Officials said Clinton would meet the beleaguered Ukrainian leader, who has struggled to keep his country on track since Moscow annexed Crimea and ramped up support for separatists in the east of the country.

The Democratic presidential nominee and former secretary of state will hope the meeting, on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, will burnish her foreign policy credentials.

She will also use the occasion to express solidarity with Ukraine -- an implicit jab at Trump's respect for Putin, whom Clinton has called "dangerous."

Trump, her Republican rival for the White House, has been criticized for praising Putin and saying the Russian strongman is "far more" of a leader than US President Barack Obama.

Ukrainian officials said Wednesday that both Clinton and Trump had been invited to meet Poroshenko, but so far only Clinton had confirmed.

On the margins of the UN meeting Clinton also will hold a more politically risky meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who overthrew a democratically elected government in 2013.

Under Sisi, the Egyptian authorities have cracked down hard on dissent, banning unauthorized protests and jailing hundreds of opponents.

Clinton aides point out that Egypt remains a key player in the Middle East, helping combat terrorism and providing a rare Arab partner for Israel.

The meeting recalls Clinton's time as secretary of state, when she warned Obama about the risks of embracing an uprising against then-Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak.

Obama instead chose to embrace the popular revolt, which was followed by years of unrest and strained relations with Cairo.

The Trump campaign denounced Clinton's planned meetings, saying they "serve as a stark reminder of her failed leadership as America's top diplomat."

"Clinton's failed reset with Russia gave way to an invasion and annexation of parts of Ukraine, while the pro-western government of Egypt was replaced by the Muslim Brotherhood," said Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller.
(This Sept. 13 story corrects bureau's name to Federal Bureau of Investigation in paragraph 6, not Federal Bureau of Information) By Jonathan Allen NEW YORK (Reuters) - Two computer technicians declined to answer questions from U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday about the unauthorized private email system that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton used during her tenure as U.S. secretary of state. Paul Combetta and Bill Thornton repeatedly invoked their constitutional right not to incriminate themselves during about 10 minutes of questioning while under oath before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. A third technician, Bryan Pagliano, declined even to appear, despite a subpoena ordering his testimony. The investigation of Clinton's email system has become a troublesome issue for her presidential campaign, with Republican rival Donald Trump saying a recent finding by federal investigators that she mishandled classified government secrets in her email should disqualify her from office. Brian Fallon, a Clinton campaign spokesman, said in a statement it was up to the technicians whether to cooperate, "but we certainly are not prevailing upon anyone to cooperate with this sham of an inquiry." Clinton has said she regrets using the system in her New York home's basement for work. Voters have said in surveys the decision contributes to a feeling she is untrustworthy. Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey said in July there was evidence that Clinton and her staff may have broken the law with their "extremely careless" handling of classified government secrets, but concluded there were insufficient grounds to prosecute. Combetta and Thornton work for Platte River Networks, the Denver technology firm that managed Clinton's email servers soon after she left the State Department in 2013. They repeatedly invoked their Fifth Amendment protection from self-incrimination to each question from lawmakers. Jason Chaffetz, the committee's Republican chairman, eventually excused them out of what he called "respect" for their rights. Elijah Cummings, the committee's most senior Democratic member, expressed sympathy for the technicians, saying the Republicans were only trying to use them to embarrass Clinton. Chaffetz criticized Pagliano, who was paid by Clinton to manage her server while she was the nation's top diplomat, for not complying with the subpoena and said the committee would decide after the hearing whether to punish him. Pagliano was given a form of immunity from prosecution in 2015 for cooperating with the FBI as it looked into the mishandling of classified information over the server, but has otherwise cited the Fifth Amendment in declining to provide information to lawmakers. His attorney did not respond to questions. A fourth witness, Justin Cooper, testified for more than two hours about his role setting up the email system in 2009 while he worked a Clinton family aide. Clinton used an AT&T email account while a senator and a presidential candidate in 2008. Cooper said there was "a desire to change her email address because a number of people had received her email address over the course of those activities." A summary of the FBI's findings showed Combetta saying he used software called BleachBit to delete an archive of Clinton's work emails around the same time as a conference call with Clinton's lawyers, despite lawmakers seeking the records through a subpoena. (Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Bill Trott and Peter Cooney)
Mark Cuban and Hillary Clinton

The Hillary Clinton campaign is "horrible" at "driving the [media] conversation" and "sucks at spin," billionaire businessman Mark Cuban told Business Insider in an interview this week.

The owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, who backs the former secretary of state, was defending Clinton over a series of controversies, which included her use of a private email server, allegations of "pay to play" against the Clinton Foundation, and her recent health episode.

Cuban said all of those controversies, which have flourished in the media, are media-made issues.

"There's always going to be opposition, no matter who it is, in order to combat that opposition," he said. "You've got to have good spin, good [public relations]. It's the same as in sports."

"The Clinton staff sucks at spin and at anticipation and driving the message or driving the topics, driving the conversation," he continued. "Horrible at it. Horrible."

Cuban called Clinton's campaign "great at policy" and "great at the things that matter and the stuff that you really want to truly understand."

"But when it comes to the stuff that you know it's going to drive the headline porn, they are just not great," he added.

Cuban quote 03

In recent days, Clinton has faced questions about how transparent she's been about her health. The former secretary of state was captured on video struggling to walk on Sunday as she left a 9/11 memorial event in New York City early. Her campaign later said she had been diagnosed with pneumonia two days earlier and would take some time off the campaign trail to recover.

Clinton is set to return to the trail on Thursday.

Cuban said he understood how the media could use the incident as a proxy for her transparency about health, and added the campaign could've "minimized" the situation "a whole lot more than they did."

"She gets sick, she gets sick, but again it's not disaster because when it's been a week it works itself out," he said. "There's no disaster here. The quantity of coverage is more a reflection of filling time than anything else, because again, now you've got to cover the response."

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"And they could've minimized it a whole lot more than they did, but that's another example of the campaign staff not having a clue," he concluded. "But it's a shame for that to be the deciding factor in this election."

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For the 10th consecutive year, France's national cognac board (Bureau Interprofessionnel du Cognac, BNIC) is holding an auction in collaboration with Artcurial, selling 24 prestigious carafes containing precious cognacs, some more than a hundred years old. The "La Part des Anges" auction is an annual event that draws collectors from all over the world. It's due to be held September 22 in the French town of -- where else? -- Cognac. Find out more about the auction in this Q&A.

What is being sold in this auction?

Twenty-four prestigious carafes of cognac have been generously donated by some of France's top cognac makers. All are luxury items in their own right, both in their physical form and in their contents. The Hine distillery, for example, has donated a bottle of its 1916 vintage cognac in a beechwood presentation case finished with a design by contemporary artist, James Viscardi. Its auction price is estimated at 7,000 (approx. $7,865). Proceeds of the "La Part de Anges" auction are donated to charity. This year, funds will go to "Apprentis d'Auteuil," a foundation that helps young people experiencing difficulties in their home, school or social lives. This 10th edition of the auction is also being sponsored by Michelin-starred chef, Guy Savoy.

Who can bid in the auction?

Each year, collectors from all over the world head to this eagerly awaited event, which has become an early fall tradition. A charity gala dinner is also held to accompany the event. However, the auction is open to all wine and spirit lovers, who can bid for carafes live online at www.artcurial.com. Bidders will need to sign up at least two working days in advance. The Artcurial sales office can be contacted by email or telephone: bids@artcurial.com, +33 (0) 1 42 99 20 51.

What kind of price do carafes start from?

Carafes in the "La Part des Anges" auction start from an estimated price of 1,000 (approx. $1,124), for a Remy Martin bottle. This unique example of the limited-edition jeroboam-sized XO cognac was specially designed for the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. The bottle is even signed by that year's jury presidents, Ethan and Joel Coen, and jury members, Sophie Marceau, Sienna Miller, Xavier Dolan, Jake Gyllenhaal, Guillermo del Toro, Rossy de Palma and Rokia Traore. This lot is a truly exceptional gift, as it also includes a 24-hour VIP experience at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, including the chance to walk the famous Cannes steps for a movie screening.

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How much is the most expensive carafe expected to fetch?

The most expensive carafe is a Hennessy bottle estimated at 20,000 ($22,474). The cognac maker -- part of France's LVMH group -- has donated a carafe with an understated appearance, housing an exclusive blend of eaux-de-vie from a century-old cellar. The master blender has drawn on the contents of this prestigious storehouse to create an "Edition Particuliere" cognac especially for the "La Part des Anges" auction. It promises a timeless blend of remarkable intensity, reflecting the historic savoir-faire of the Hennessy distillery.

Where does the name of the auction, "La Part des Anges," come from?

"La Part de Anges" means "the angels' share" in English. This poetic and evocative name refers to a well-known phenomenon in the world of cognac making. As it ages, this French brandy draws flavor from the oak barrels it is stored in to mature. Since the cognac is in constant contact with air, some of the spirit's alcohol evaporates during the process. This is known as "the angels' share." The process also helps cognacs develop more complex and refined flavors.
Colin Powell called Donald Trump a national disgrace who is in the process of destroying himself in an email to a former aide that has been hacked and leaked online.

The former Secretary of State, who led the State Department under Republican President George W. Bush, confirmed the emails were authentic to NBC News, adding that the hackers have a lot more.

Powell made the comments about Trump in an email to a former aide on June 17, according to BuzzFeed News, which first reported the contents of the correspondence. In that email, Powell also blasted the Republican presidential nominee as an international pariah and said there was no need for Democrats to attack him because he was in the process of destroying himself.

Trumps campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

This is not the first time Powell has been indirectly pulled into the 2016 presidential election. Last month, Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton reportedly told FBI officials that Powell advised her to use a personal email account while she was Secretary of State.

[NBC]
colin powell

Colin Powell is no fan of Donald Trump.

In a slew of emails obtained by BuzzFeed News, the former secretary of state tore into the Republican presidential nominee, referring to him as an "international pariah" and a "national disgrace."

In one email, Powell denounced Trump for perpetuating the so-called birther movement that questioned President Barack Obama's US citizenship.

"Yup, the whole birther movement was racist," Powell wrote, according to the BuzzFeed News report. "That's what the 99% believe. When Trump couldn't keep that up he said he also wanted to see if the certificate noted that he was a Muslim."

In another exchange Powell went off on media, echoing the position of other lawmakers who believe the press helped fuel Trump's rise.

"You guys are playing his game, you are his oxygen," he said. "[Trump] outraged us again today with his comments on Paris no-go for police districts. I will watch and pick the timing, not respond to the latest outrage."

The real-estate mogul's White House run has been unlike any other in modern history. Many of the campaign's highs and lows have been covered from every angle  much to the chagrin of the GOP nominee himself  who often rails against the coverage while simultaneously generating new headlines.

When Trump publicly revealed the cellphone number for Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina in July, Powell reacted by saying, "Trump has no sense of shame."

The retired four-star general said he was strategic about publicly criticizing the brash billionaire to avoid enticing him.

"To go on and call him an idiot just emboldens him," Powell wrote.

Powell has also been critical of the fact that Hillary Clinton has invoked his name while wrestling with the controversy over her use of a private email server while she was in the State Department.

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"I have told Hillary's [sic] minions repeatedly that they are making a mistake trying to drag me in, yet they still try. The media isn't fooled and she is getting crucified," Powell wrote.

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Former Secretary of State Colin Powell slammed presidential nominee Donald Trump as a "national disgrace" and an "international pariah" in a personal email exchange that was leaked online by hackers.



The Daily Caller claims the estimated 30,000 emails, reportedly obtained by the website DCLeaks.com after being stolen by unnamed hackers, are dated back to June 2014. The most recent emails are from August 19, 2016.



Powell allegedly wrote the comments about Trump in a June 17, 2016, email to Emily Miller, a journalist who once worked under Powell as a deputy press secretary at the State Department. In the email, the retired four-star general said Trump "is in the process of destroying himself, no need for the Dems to attack him," according to BuzzFeed News. "Paul Ryan is calibrating his position again," Powell said of the Speaker of the House, who had only recently endorsed the Republican candidate at the time.



In another email to Miller, Powell described Trump's birther investigation as a "racist" movement that falsely suggests Obama was born in a foreign country.







"Yup, the whole birther movement was racist," Powell wrote. He also said Trump wanted to know if Obama was a Muslim. "As I have said before, 'What if he was?' Muslims are born as Americans everyday."



Powell also attacked Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, putting responsibility on her for the 2012 attack on the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.



In an email to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Buzzfeed reports Powell called Benghazi a "stupid witch hunt."



"Basic fault falls on a courageous ambassador who thoughts Libyans now love me and I am ok in this very vulnerable place," he allegedly wrote in the December 2015 email, referring to Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, one of four Americans killed in the incident.



He reportedly continued, "But blame also rests on his leaders and supports back here. Pat Kennedy, Intel community, DS and yes HRC," referring to Clinton.



In an August 2015 email cited by CNN, Powell dinged Clinton writing, "Everything HRC touches she kind of screws up with hubris."



Powell told Buzzfeed, "I have no further comment. I'm not denying it."
The true story of an accident at an Arkansas missile complex that nearly triggered an explosion 600 times more powerful than Hiroshima is the focus of the upcoming movie "Command and Control." Director Robert Kenner and producer Eric Schlosser discuss the movie and the lessons learned from the accident on Lunch Break. Photo: PBS
KINSHASA (Reuters) - Backers of Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila and part of the opposition agreed on Wednesday on the sequence of a series of upcoming elections, potentially removing a major obstacle to breaking a dangerous political impasse. The compromise came just two days after opposition leaders walked out of the talks on the timing of the presidential election, which was due to happen in November but which authorities say cannot be held before July. The opposition had insisted the presidential election be the next poll held. The government said local elections should take place first, likely further delaying the presidential vote. While Wednesday's agreement between the government and a group of opposition parties set no specific dates, the two sides agreed the presidential vote would be combined with legislative and provincial elections, with local polls to be held later. "This opens the way to a calendar that will mention the exact date of the handover of power between the old president of the republic ... and the newly elected president," said Vital Kamerhe, one of the leading negotiators for the opposition. Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba, who is representing Kabila's political supporters in the talks, confirmed the agreement. "We solemnly announce to you that we will finance these elections. Take note of it," he said. Despite the apparent advance in the negotiations, efforts to broker a peaceful exit from power for Kabila, who has led Africa's leading copper producer since the assassination of his father in 2001, remain fragile. Congo has never experienced a non-violent transition of power since independence from Belgium in 1960. Most major opposition parties are boycotting the talks, which they see as giving Kabila a chance to justify what they say is his plan to stay in power beyond the end of his mandate in December, breaking constitutional term limits. Diplomats and observers fear the political crisis could trigger a repeat of civil wars that killed millions of people between 1996 and 2003. (Reporting by Amedee Mwarabu; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Peter Cooney)
By Neil Robinson LONDON (Reuters) - The Premier League table has returned to familiar type after last season's delightful anomaly featuring Leicester City, with Manchester City and Chelsea now setting the pace and Manchester United back in the top four. Between them, those three teams have won the title in 11 out of the past 12 campaigns and are already marked out as favorites to contest the title this time round too. Antonio Conte's Chelsea have an early chance to set the weekend pace with the Friday night visit of Juergen Klopp's Liverpool, who return to London for the third time in five games after winning at Arsenal and drawing with Tottenham Hotspur. Stamford Bridge will be the backdrop to an intriguing subplot involving two of the most excitable managers in the league and goals should trigger wild celebrations on the touchline. On their day, Klopp's side are a match for the 'big three' and arrive on the back of the 4-1 demolition of last season's champions, Leicester. Although he did not score at Anfield, Daniel Sturridge looked back to his best and produced a stunning assist to set up Sadio Mane. Not surprisingly, Klopp is looking for more of the same. Asked on Wednesday how they would reach the same high pitch, the German said it was a case of "staying greedy". "The movements were brilliant. Daniel was involved in three or four goals. For the first one, it was a brilliant run," he added. Liverpool know they must nullify the threat of Diego Costa, who has scored four goals in as many Premier League games, but the Brazilian Oscar has been almost as influential in Chelsea's strong start. Statistics released this week by oulala.com show that since being handed a more deep-lying role by Conte, Oscar has made more successful passes and tackles and created more chances than in any of his four previous seasons with the Londoners. Victory would only put Chelsea top for less than 24 hours should Manchester City, still defending a 100 percent record since Pep Guardiola took the reins, then defeat Bournemouth, a team they have never lost to, at the Etihad on Saturday. Everton sit just behind Chelsea in third place and will be favorites to pick up another three points against Middlesbrough, particularly now that Romelu Lukaku, who scored a hat-trick against Sunderland on Monday, is back among the goals. At 35, Everton's Gareth Barry is expected to become only the third player to play 600 Premier League games, with only Frank Lampard (609) and Ryan Giggs (632) ahead of him. Leicester will hope their debut Champions League victory in Bruges in midweek will give them impetus to push their way back up the table after a poor start to their title defense as they entertain promoted Burnley. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will be looking for an early response from his players, whom he felt lacked the right mentality to win last week's Manchester derby. A trip to Watford, who were buoyed by last week's stirring comeback win at West Ham United, will test their mettle. Stoke City's Mark Hughes and West Bromwich Albion's Tony Pulis are the managers most in need of wins, against Crystal Palace and West Ham respectively, as early-season pressure begins to build. (Reporting by Neil Robinson; Editing by Ian Chadband)
A copper exchange traded note surged Tuesday and was testing its long-term resistance line after Chinas strong economic data eased growth concerns.

The iPath Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total Return ETN (JJC) gained 2.7% on Wednesday on over three times its average daily volume and was testing its resistance at the 200-day simple moving average as Comex copper futures rose 2.6% to $2.156 per pound. JJC was down 3.4% year-to-date.

Copper prices strengthened on an improved outlook on China, the worlds largest copper consumer, after the emerging economy revealed industrial output increased 6.3% in August year-over-year and accelerated from 6.0% growth in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

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With better than expected Chinese data appearing, we would expect dips to be well supported and to be followed by further strength, William Adams of Fastmarkets told Reuters.

Moreover, investment in buildings and other fixed assets outside rural households jumped to a better-than-expected 8.1% year-over-year for the first eight months of 2016 while retail sales expanded 10.6% in August from a year ago, the Wall Street Journal reports.

SEE MORE: Copper Conundrum: More Red Seen for the Red Metal

The improved data helped lift hopes that Beijings efforts to reverse the slide in investment growth are paying off as the stronger industrial activity last month had been somewhat driven by a recovery in investment spending, notably in the state sector.

Consequently, the data also suggested that downside risk for a third quarter GDP has diminished.

The demand picture is relatively good for copper in terms of China and I think weve worked through a lot of those excess inventories, Oxford Economics analyst Dan Smith told Reuters.

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For more information on the copper market, visit our copper category.

iPath Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total Return ETN
By Crispian Balmer and Silvia Ognibene ROME (Reuters) - Having pegged his political future to a referendum on constitutional reform, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi called up President Barack Obama's communications maestro Jim Messina for advice on how to win the do-or-die vote. Messina, who led Obama's successful 2012 re-election campaign, met Renzi's inner circle in late July to discuss what they should do to regain the initiative after opinion polls showed the Italian leader faced defeat. "The prime minister needs to be a bit more malleable," said Messina, according to someone present at the meeting. Renzi's advisers burst out laughing: "We don't need Obama's guru to tell us that," one said. Messina's office declined to comment. Seen by critics as arrogant and overbearing, Renzi is in trouble. He is struggling to sell his flagship reform to a skeptical public, the economy is slowing down again and the banks are beset by bad loans. EU allies are awaiting the referendum, which is expected by early December, with alarm, fearing a 'No' vote could revive political instability in the euro zone's third largest economy, with accompanying market turmoil. "The biggest worry I have is Italy," said a former top EU official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the subject. "If Renzi loses the referendum then the euro zone is in trouble ... Without Renzi we are in no man's land." Since Messina's visit, Renzi has changed tack to try to win over skeptics, adopting a less antagonistic tone and focusing on the merits of the reform rather than on his threat to quit. He told party supporters last month: "I made a mistake in making this too personal. We need to tell Italians that this is not a reform about one person, but a reform which will serve all of Italy." He has also started to lay the groundwork for possible defeat in an effort to allay investors' fears of political paralysis should his government fall. "Renzi tends to come across as arrogant, but maybe Jim Messina has had a positive impact because he is now using the right arguments on why people should vote 'yes'," said Roberto D'Alimonte, politics professor at Luiss University in Rome who has advised the prime minister on electoral reform. "No one knows how this will end. The outcome is incredibly uncertain, like the Brexit vote," he said, referring to the shock British decision in June to abandon the European Union. SEEKING STABILITY Buoyed by positive opinion polls, Renzi promised last year to resign if he lost the referendum on his flagship reform, which will shrink the Senate, the upper house of parliament, and strip it of the power to bring down governments. Renzi, who came to power two-and-a-half-years ago following an internal party coup, says this will bring political stability to Italy, which has had 63 governments since World War Two. Opponents, including within his own Democratic Party (PD), say the reform removes vital democratic checks and balances introduced after the war to prevent the rise of an all-powerful prime minister. Buoyed by his pledge to quit, Renzi's many foes across the political spectrum have united in calling for a 'No' vote, their arguments often having nothing to do with the reform itself. "A record number of immigrant boats coming to Italy. This is an invasion. Send the government home by voting 'No'," rightist leader Giorgia Meloni said on Twitter on Aug. 31, referring to a renewed influx of African refugees arriving from Libya. The latest survey, released by EMG Acqua on Sept. 12, put the 'No' camp ahead by 2.3 percentage points, up from 1.5 points a week earlier, suggesting a scandal shaking one of Renzi's most vocal opponents, the Five Star Movement, was not helping him. However, a source close to Renzi said private polls carried out by the PD at the start of September showed the 'Yes' camp was ahead by four points. Seeking to grab the initiative, the PD will soon launch a public information campaign, based on images of ordinary citizens with no mention of Renzi, said a senior party source. Looking to generate goodwill, the government has also floated potentially popular proposals, promising to facilitate early retirement, cut taxes and improve public sector salaries. Renzi originally said the referendum would be held in October, but with uncertainty over the outcome growing, the government is hesitating and has still not fixed a date. By law, it must be held in 2016. Two PD sources said they expected the date to be either Nov. 27 or Dec. 4. In the meantime, no major legislation will be put before the Senate, where Renzi has no clear majority, to prevent any political crises during the referendum campaign. ANXIOUS INVESTORS At the same time, major operations in the financial markets are being put on hold because investors are concerned about political instability. Italy's privatization program has been put on ice, Treasury officials say, while the country's third largest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, will almost certainly have to delay a desperately needed cash call. Renzi remains outwardly confident of victory, selling it to Italians weary of politics as way to get rid of 215 of the country's 315 senators and save 500 million euros ($560 million) a year as a result. But he also acknowledges that success is not certain, and in an effort to allay market fears, is playing down the risks of defeat, saying a 'No' vote will merely extend the status quo. In this context, he has ruled out elections before the end of parliament's term in 2018. Some politicians have speculated that if he loses, Renzi might tender his resignation, as promised, only for the Italian president to reject it, allowing him to carry on in power. But having promised to quit, any attempt to cling to office could wreck his reputation. "Renzi would emerge enormously weakened in the event of defeat and would lose all credibility if he carried on as prime minister," said Luiss University's D'Alimonte. A parliamentary source said possible replacement prime ministers were Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan or Industry Minister Carlo Calenda. Renzi would remain head of the PD and would stand for re-election in 2018, the source said, declining to be named. The prime minister's office declined comment. Underscoring the high stakes, Italy's foreign allies have unusually got involved in the debate, much to the anger of the opposition, urging the country to embrace change. The U.S. ambassador to Italy, John Phillips, said on Tuesday that defeat for Renzi "would mark a step back" for foreign investment in Italy. "What Italy needs is stability and this reform guarantees stability," he said. ($1 = 0.8902 euros) (Additional reporting by Noah Barkin; Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Giles Elgood)
Yet another report has emerged of roving clowns freaking out children, this time in Georgia.

Bibb County sheriffs deputies responded to a call early Tuesday morning of multiple people dressed up as clowns, chasing kids at a school bus stop.

Watch: Man Arrested for Allegedly Lying to Police About Clown Sighting at His Home

The terrified children said the clowns wore full makeup and carried fake knives, along with what were described as flashlights or laser pointer-type devices.

It was also reported that some of the kids have been getting friend requests on Facebook from people dressed as clowns and messages saying "I will find you."

Aisha Thompson told WGXA three of her children encountered three clowns while on their way to the school bus stop.

"They're still shaken up. My oldest daughter, she's the big sister of all four of them, she's shaking in her jacket. When I was hugging her she was shaking," Thompson said.

Her youngest son, Marlon, was even brought to tears.

"I was very scared, I started crying," he told WGXA.

This is the first report of its kind in the area, but the kids cops spoke to on Tuesday said this has been going on for the past few days in an area of Bloomfield, Georgia.

However, the last few weeks have seen a bizarre string of reports of incidents eerily similar to what Thompson's family described in Macon.

Just a day earlier, police in LaGrange, Georgia, reported receiving calls about "clowns in a van and in wooded areas trying to talk to children.

Watch: First Photos Show the Creepy Clown Allegedly Trying To Lure Kids Into Woods

"This behavior is not cute or funny. Understand that if officers see this behavior, youre going to have a conversation with them. And, if applicable, you may face criminal charges," local cops wrote in a Twitter post.

The situation in LaGrange has come two weeks after a South Carolina neighborhood made national headlines following reports from area kids of a group of menacing clowns that attempted to lure them into the woods near an apartment complex by waving large amounts of cash.

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The incidents drew enough attention and caused so much public fear that Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller held a press conference on the matter, in which he warned that his officers will arrest and charge anyone dressed up as a clown.

"It's illegal. It's dangerous. It's inappropriate, and it's creating community concern so it needs to stop," Miller said.

Watch: Man Can't Explain Why He Was Pulled Over in Clown Costume

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Crude oil prices fell after IEA report argued supply glut will continue

Global supply fell to 0.3 mb/d in August despite record OPEC output

IEA expects non-OPEC output will rise while demand slows next year

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Crude oil prices fell 2.7 percent today following the release of the International Energy Agencys monthly market report. The IEA downgraded their 2016 demand outlook, forecasting a gain of 1.3 mb/d versus 1.4 mb/d previously, noting that uptake is slowing at a faster pace than initially predicted. The agency cited a more pronounced slowdown in the third quarter of 2016 as driver of a further demand decrease.

Global oil supply decreased by 0.3 mb/d in August even as OPEC production increased again. OPECs near-record output continues to counter-balance sharp declines among non-member producers. The IEA expects non-OPEC supply will return to growth in 2017, following an 840 kb/d decrease this year. Total inventories increased to a record 3111mb in July but saw a sharp decline in August following the largest supply draw from the US in 15 years, which was broadly attributed to weather conditions.

Crude Oil Prices Fall as IEA Report Hints Glut to Continue



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PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Czech lower house approved a law on Wednesday aimed at limiting politicians' business interests, moving closer to clipping the wings of the country's popular finance minister, Andrej Babis. The conflict of interest law, backed by all parties except Babis's ANO movement, would ban all members of future cabinets from owning media outlets, and any companies in which they own large stakes would be barred from public contracts and non-automatic subsidies. Babis, potentially a leading candidate to become prime minister after next year's parliamentary election, is also the largest private employer in the country, with interests from farming and chemicals to newspapers and fertility clinics. "Oligarchs must make a choice between being in the cabinet and subsidies, public contracts and owning media," Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, whose Social Democrats are in government with Babis's ANO, said on Twitter. Some commentators argued that Babis could by-pass the new law by transferring ownership of media or firms to a partner or family member, but the vote was nonetheless hailed as a step in improving the country's political culture. Babis, likened to U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump and former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in the way he has mixed commerce and politics, has protested against the law, which was passed by 135 votes in the 200-seat chamber. "They are losers who do not know how the world works," news website www.idnes.cz -- one of the outlets Babis owns - quoted him as saying while watching the vote in parliament's lobby. The law still needs backing in the upper house, but Wednesday's vote pointed to broad support and the ability of the lower house to overturn any potential veto from the second chamber. One clause, introducing an outright ban on ministers owning stakes of over 40 percent in companies, was not endorsed by the center-right opposition Civic Democrats. But a ban on public contracts or subsidies would still be significant for Babis's Agrofert, a conglomerate of over 250 companies that does business with the state, such as the supply and storage of commodity reserves, and has received subsidies for various environmental upgrades. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka; editing by John Stonestreet)
Libreville (AFP) - The head of Gabon's top court, which has the pivotal task of ruling if President Ali Bongo's contested re-election is valid, is a former beauty queen whose affair with the leader's father produced two children.

Marie-Madeleine Mborantsuo is in the limelight in this oil-rich Central African nation where Bongo's victory is being challenged by his former brother-in-law, veteran diplomat Jean Ping.

"Here it's Dallas," the American ambassador Cynthia Akuetteh said, according to French media reports, referring to a wildly popular US television soap opera revolving around a filthy rich and feuding Texan oil family.

For over 20 years the glamorous 61-year-old has headed the nine-member Constitutional Court, dubbed the "Leaning Tower of Pisa" by the opposition for allegedly kowtowing to the Bongo regime.

But she is just one character in the tightly interlaced cast that makes up Gabon's political elite.

Ping held a succession of prestigious posts and was one of the longest-serving ministers of late president Omar Bongo, father of the current President Ali Bongo.

But upon Omar Bongo's death in 2009, Ping turned against Ali Bongo, who had stepped into the presidency.

The half-Chinese Paris-educated Ping had two children with Bongo's eldest daughter, but later wed an Ivorian.

Ping last week took his challenge of the result of the August 27 polls to Gabon's top court.

After riots broke out following the August 31 announcement that Bongo had been re-elected by fewer than 6,000 votes, he in turn claimed Ping had encouraged the violence.

Ping has asked for a recount in the ruling family's stronghold of Haut-Ogooue province, where Bongo won more than 95 percent of votes on a reported turnout of more than 99 percent.

Ping's supporters say that 17 people were killed at his party headquarters alone in a wave of post-electoral violence, but the interior ministry says the toll is three dead.

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- 'Peace in her hands' -

The Bongo family has ruled the tiny nation with an iron fist since 1967.

Mborantsuo, a former beauty queen from the Bongo stronghold of Haut-Ogooue, caught Omar Bongo's attention and was named to the Supreme Court when she was aged only 28.

She had an affair with him and bore him two children.

According to the opposition and the Gabonese media, she has amassed a formidable real estate portfolio at home and abroad.

"Nobody want to be in Mborantsuo's shoes," said a diplomatic source. "She is under enormous pressure from both camps."

Three of the judges are named by the president, three by the Senate and three by the former assembly president Guy Nzouba Ndama, who since the start of this year became a Ping supporter.

France, Gabon's former colonial ruler, has called for a fair ruling with Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault underscoring the need "to examine the objections transparently and impartially."

Opposition supporters say they will not allow Mborantsuo to uphold Bongo's victory.

"We will not let her do it," one said. "The only option is that Ali quits."

Ping has already warned that a "false step" by the Constitutional Court would cause deep and long lasting instability in Gabon.

"Peace lies in the hands of Marie-Madeleine," the opposition Echos du Nord newspaper said.
TORONTO (Reuters) - Actor and producer Matt Damon says scheduling prevented him from starring in "Manchester by the Sea," a film about a man consumed by grief over the death of his brother and who is made legal guardian of a teenage nephew. Casey Affleck, brother of actor Ben Affleck, was chosen instead to star in the film, which Damon supervised from its inception and produced. "I wouldn't have let it go to anyone but Casey," Damon told Reuters at the film's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Tuesday. "That was really the condition because I was ready to do it. We were actually in pre-production but our time got so squeezed that we said 'Okay, let's punt.'" For the production, which has been receiving rave reviews, Damon passed the directing baton to writer Kenneth Lonergan. "I commissioned him to write it five years ago and I was supposed to direct it," Damon said. "And then I read the first draft and I was just bawling my eyes out and thunderstruck and I just called him immediately and went 'Kenny, nobody else can direct this. This is a Kenny Lonergan movie. You have to direct it.'" Damon said he, Affleck and Lonergan had all worked together in the past, which made the process "comfortable." However, playing a man suffering from perpetual grief didn't come as comfortably for Affleck. "Every job has its own different challenges," Affleck explained. "In this case, that character has gone through a lot of hard stuff." Actress Michelle Williams plays Affleck's wife in the film and the cast rounds out with Lucas Hedges as the nephew and Kyle Chandler as Affleck's brother. The U.S. release of "Manchester by the Sea" is slated for Nov. 18. (Reporting by Reuters TV; Editing by Paul Simao)
YORKVILLE  A Milwaukee man who had a warrant out for his arrest was injured Wednesday after his vehicle crashed on Interstate 94 near a Highway KR on-ramp while fleeing Racine County Sheriffs Office deputies.

At 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, deputies stopped a southbound vehicle on I-94, officials said. As deputies approached the vehicle, the car drove south at a high rate of speed, said Sheriffs Lt. Steve Sikora.

Deputies began to chase the vehicle, then ended their pursuit because of the suspect vehicles high rate of speed and traffic conditions, Sikora said.

The car later was found crashed near the on-ramp of Highway KR, Sikora said.

Apparently, the vehicle exited I-94 at KR, failed to stop at a stop sign at the end of the ramp, tried to re-enter I-94, lost control and crashed, Sikora said.

The driver and sole occupant of the car, Terrence Andersen, 28, of Milwaukee, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints hospital, Sikora said.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the incident temporarily blocked all southbound lanes of the Interstate. Traffic had resumed to normal by 11:46 a.m., the DOT reported.

Andersen had an arrest warrant from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and also will be charged with multiple traffic violations, including fleeing from officers, Sikora said.
Hawaii may be known for its natural beauty but there also lurks a hidden danger within the scenic state.

Pop star Britney Spears learned about it the hard way last month when she nearly drowned while vacationing on the archipelago.

Read: Tourists Take Part in Cliff-Jumping Craze That Kills Dozens Each Year

She told BBC Radio after the incident: "The thing I didnt think about is when you come back you know the waves really come in hard and I got sucked under for like five minutes, literally almost drowned, and Im like, 'where is my security they're just going to let me die here?'"

On average, one tourist a week dies in Hawaii, most of them from drowning. That's 13 times the national average  and the number of drownings is on the rise.

Sandy Beach is one of Oahus most popular tourist spots. Even President Obama considers it a favorite place to body surf.

But signs warn of the dangerous shore break. Another reads "no swimming." But that usually doesn't stop tourists from jumping into the water.

One lifeguard told Inside Edition: We do lead the nation in the highest rate of broken necks and broken backs every year here at Sandy Beach.

In late August, Sacramento man Mike Droter, broke his neck while body surfing there.

Droter is paralyzed from the neck down. Video shows him playing around in the water right before the accident.

His fiance, Jordan Lova, told Inside Edition: He literally got into the water for a second then we turned around. He was facedown within seconds all of the lifeguards were running straight to him.

Now her 30-year-old finance can only whisper.

Lifeguard Kurt Lager say social media has encouraged dangerous behavior

Social media has changed lifeguarding for us, for sure. We get people going to new places trying to copy their friends or whoever that did a photo before, he said.

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Visitors are also getting into trouble at Laie Point.

Video shows three swimmers there, slammed by pounding waves over sharp rocks. Two people made it to safety but one was swept away. She was yanked forward and back until she was finally pulled to safety.

Over at Spitting Caves, one visitor sized up his jump. Surrounding him are plaques and flowers that memorialize the many tourists who lost their lives here.

Read: Hammock Havoc: Follow These Tips to Relax Safely in the Hanging Beds

They jump off 60-foot-high cliffs into the water below but sometimes they misjudge the current or the rocks.

The tourist jumped without a hitch. However, he was caught in a fast moving current but was ultimately able to grab hold of the sharp ledge and pull himself up.

Watch: Woman Taking Photo Dies in Plunge From Cliff After Tripping on Flip-Flops

Related Articles:
By William James and Geert De Clercq

LONDON/PARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Theresa May could announce as soon as Thursday whether Britain will go ahead with a $24 billion nuclear power project, laying down a marker on energy policy and her approach to investment from China.

Hours before a deal was due to be signed in July, the new prime minister stunned investors by putting it on hold. May said she needed time to assess the terms of a project that would see French utility EDF build Britain's first new nuclear reactor in decades, backed by $8 billion of Chinese cash.

After a review of the deal, including on the delicate issue of whether Chinese investment in nuclear infrastructure is a threat to national security, she has promised a decision this month.

One source told Reuters May was prepared to approve the deal, but with a set of new conditions. Another source said the decision would be announced in parliament on Thursday. British media reported that May would announce conditional approval within days.

A spokeswoman for the business department declined to comment beyond confirming the decision would come this month. A spokeswoman for May said no decision had been taken yet.

May's options are limited.

EDF's board narrowly approved the deal over concerns the up-front costs could jeopardise the firm's survival. Beijing has signalled any decision to cut it out of the deal would affect future Chinese investment in Britain, and critics say the British government has agreed to pay too much for the plant's output.

SECURITY FEARS

May, a former interior minister, has asked her security advisers to look at the implications of allowing China to invest in the nuclear industry, with the Hinkley deal being seen as a gateway to closer Chinese involvement in British nuclear energy.

According to a former colleague, ex-business minister Vince Cable, May had expressed concern at the "gung-ho" attitude that her predecessor David Cameron took towards courting Chinese investment.

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One of May's top aides, writing last year, said security experts were worried the state-owned Chinese group China General Nuclear Power Corp would in time gain access to computer systems that might allow it to shut down Britain's energy production one day.

A blueprint for averting such a threat may already exist.

China has a foothold in another key British infrastructure sector through telecoms firm Huawei, which supplies the software and equipment that channels phone calls and data around Britain.

In 2013 then-prime minister Cameron ordered a security review into Huawei's operations and concluded that greater scrutiny was warranted - including allowing Britain's GCHQ spy agency to take a leading role in senior appointments at a security centre in England where the firm's technology is vetted.

Aides to May declined to comment earlier this month on whether similar arrangements could be used in the Hinkley deal.

Sources familiar with the Hinkley issue said it was up to the government to come up with a 'Plan B'.

One option, to address the value-for-money concerns, would be to make acceptance of the deal conditional on renegotiating the price paid for Hinkley-generated electricity.

Under the proposals announced so far, the plant would be contracted for 35 years to sell energy to the British public at 92.50 pounds ($121.95) per megawatt hour - more than twice current baseload power prices.

Negotiating a lower price would ease criticism at home for May, but would raise a fresh question mark over the future of the plant. At least one EDF board member would reconsider their vote to approve the project if the terms changed significantly, sources said. ($1 = 0.7585 pounds) (Additional reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Karolin Schaps; editing by Andrew Roche)
Miami (AFP) - A Dominican woman wrongly classified as a man in a Miami prison and put in a cell with 40 male inmates is suing the authorities and seeking $750,000 in compensation.

The woman, Fior Pichardo de Veloz, a lawyer and mother of three children, was arrested in November 2013 on a charge related to drug trafficking.

She is suing the prison authorities on charges of violating her constitutional rights, negligence and violation of privacy after being harassed and threatened with rape in a 10-hour ordeal at the facility.

Months later, the authorities dismissed the charges and she returned to the Dominican Republic, where she lives.

In her suit filed this week in a US federal court in Miami, a medical examination at the time of her arrest determined that Pichardo had "non-traditional male characteristics" that warranted further review.

Questioned by AFP, the lawyers for the 54-year-old Dominicana did not explain the nature of those characteristics.

Three male nurses of the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department examined Pichardo and determined she was a man, according to the document obtained Wednesday by AFP.

Afterward, three prison officials reclassified her as a man after initially identifying her as a woman, and ordered her transfer to a male cell.

"After a 'review' by a nurse employed by Miami-Dade County, it was then determined that Pichardo had male reproductive organs and she was sent to a male-only facility. This identification was outrageously incorrect," her lawyers wrote in the court document.

"Pichardo is quite feminine and lacks any characteristics of someone who even remotely resembles a man," they said.

Confined with 40 male inmates, she was subjected to bullying and rape threats. According to the document, a prison official said to her in Spanish as he was locking her up: "Lucky if you live to see tomorrow."

Pichardo was forced to undergo two examinations of her genitals, which were photographed.

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Finally she was sent to a solitary cell, where she feared for her life when male guards ordered her to disrobe, leered at her and took pictures.

About 10 hours later, the prison authorities reexamined her case and admitted the gender error.

"Pichardo continues to suffer emotional distress, fear for her life, hopelessness, despair, mental anguish, fear for her safety, and fear of being raped," the document said.

In addition, Pichardo, who is a public official in the Dominican Republic, was publicly humiliated by the experience, it said.
(ASTON, Pa.)  Donald Trump rolled out a plan Tuesday aimed at making child care more affordable, guaranteeing new mothers six weeks of paid maternity leave and suggesting new incentives for employees to provide their workers childcare. Spurred on by his daughter, Ivanka, Trump waded into topics more often discussed by Democrats.

Trump unveiled the proposals in a speech in a politically critical Philadelphia suburb as he tries to build his appeal with more moderate, independent voters  especially women. Child care is one of the biggest expenses many American families face, surpassing the cost of college and even housing in many states.

We need working mothers to be fairly compensated for their work, and to have access to affordable, quality child care for their kids, Trump said in Aston, Pennsylvania. These solutions must update laws passed more than half a century ago when most women were still not in the labor force.

Trump proposed guaranteeing six weeks of paid maternity leave to employees whose employers dont offer leave already. The campaign says the payments would be provided through existing unemployment insurance  though it has yet to spell out how the system would cover those costs.

Trumps Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, has called for 12 weeks parental leave for both mothers and fathers paid for by taxes on the wealthy.

Trump previously proposed reducing child care costs by allowing parents to fully deduct the average cost of child care from their taxes. On Tuesday, he expanded that proposal to allow families with a stay-at-home parent to qualify for the deduction and to include costs associated with caring for elderly dependent relatives.

The deduction would apply only to individuals earning $250,000 or less, or $500,000 or less if filing jointly. But because Trumps proposal is a tax deduction rather than credit, its greatest benefits would go to affluent households. More than 40 percent of U.S. taxpayers dont make enough money to owe taxes to the federal government, meaning they would not benefit from a deduction. Lower-income earners would receive child-care spending rebates through expanding the existing Earned Income Tax Credit, the campaign said.

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Trump also proposed incentives for employers to provide child-care options at work. But some of his proposals to prod businesses and communities into providing childcare and other services are anathema to conservative orthodoxy.

At one point, Trump was interrupted briefly by a crying baby  but, unlike at a rally in August, he did not suggest he wanted the child ejected.

The timing, location and subject matter are no coincidence. Democratic presidential candidates have won Pennsylvania since 1992, but Trump hopes to flip the battleground to win the White House in November. And Trump has been trying to soften his image among college-educated women who have been reluctant to support a candidate who has made many derogatory remarks toward women.

Ivanka Trump introduced Trump in Pennsylvania and, earlier in the day in Iowa, the candidate credited his daughter for his action on the issue. She is the one who has been pushing for it so hard: Daddy, Daddy we have to do this. Shes very smart, and shes right, the candidate said.

The timing raised some eyebrows among skeptics.

Carmel Martin at the liberal Center for American Progress said the new savings accounts would create a potential tax shelter for wealthy people and that Trumps proposals remain tilted to the rich because the low-income child-care rebates top out at $1,200.

It would definitely work for Ivanka, but not for most American families, Martin said.

Trump laid out plans to create Dependent Care Savings Accounts that would allow families to set aside money to look after children or elderly parents. The accounts would allow tax-deductible contributions and tax-free appreciation and could be used to pay for child care, after-school programs and school tuition. To help lower-income parents, the government would match half of the first $1,000 deposited per year.

For elderly dependents, the accounts could be used to help pay for services including in-home nursing and long-term care.

Currently, families can set aside up to $5000 annually for child care expenses or elder care but not for school tuition and cannot carry over the amount in the account.

Trump did not lay out how much the proposals would cost, but insisted the extra spending would be offset by economic growth and other cuts.

Clinton, meanwhile, proposes that no family should spend more than 10 percent of its income on child care. To achieve this, Clinton would seek to boost federal spending on child-care subsidies and provide tax relief for the cost of child care to working families. Those benefits would be offered on a sliding scale based on need, though Clinton has offered few other details since introducing the plan in May.

___

Riccardi reported from Denver. Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report.
KENOSHA  Kenosha Police are investigating three separate bank robberies that occurred in a short time frame Tuesday afternoon.

According to a release from the Police Department, the first bank robbery occurred at Chase Bank, 2901 Washington Road, at 1:56 P.M. The second robbery occurred at 2:08 P.M. at the Chase Downtown branch at 5522 6th Ave.

Police said the third bank robbery occurred at 2:30 p.m. at the Johnson Bank branch at 3928 60th St.

The release gave few details on the incidents and the only description provided of the suspect described him as a black male.
If you only read one thing: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are promising to release new details on their health this week, but right now each appears to be waiting for the other to move first. Trumps campaign pushed back on reports that the candidate would reveal the results of a physical last week with television doctor Dr. Oz, instead saying he would release more details of his health soon. Oz is interviewing Trump about wellness in an interview set to air Thursday, and said Tuesday that he wouldnt seek to ask Trump about any topics he didnt want to discuss. Meanwhile, Clinton, who has been recuperating from a bout of pneumonia, is set to return to her campaign schedule on Thursday in North Carolina.

President Obama proved Tuesday why he is Hillary Clintons best surrogate. A natural campaigner who can speak to Clintons record, the president seemed to take pleasure in attacking Donald Trump as he boosted his one-time rival in Philadelphia. With an approval rating well above 50 percent, Obama stands to be an asset to Clinton in a way that recent presidents have not been able to be. And his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama, one of the most well-liked figures in public life, is getting in on the action too, with a campaign appearance for Clinton in Virginia Wednesday.

Donald Trump is set to reveal his comprehensive economic plan Thursday in a speech in New York. The GOP has a voter registration edge. And the White House plans to seek an increase in refugees in 2017.

Here are your must reads:

Must Reads

Donald Trump Joins the Mommy Wars

TIMEs Charlotte Alter on his childcare plan

Mike Pence Is Rebuffed as He Tries to Rally G.O.P. Leaders Over Deplorables

GOP leaders decline to join in rebuke of Clinton [New York Times]

Worried Republicans Are Pouring Resources Into North Carolina

GOP-leaning state starts looking Blue [Washington Post]

President Obama Blasts Donald Trump in Fiery Speech Supporting Hillary Clinton

TIMEs Maya Rhodan on Obamas first solo event for Clinton

Story continues

House Democrats Ask for Justice Investigation as New York AG Looks Into Trump Foundation

More pressure on Trumps charity [Washington Post]

Sound Off

We cant afford to treat this like a reality show. We cant afford to pretend like there is some equivalence here.  President Obama stumping for Hillary Clinton Tuesday

Families with a stay-at-home parent will be able to fully deduct the average cost of child care from their taxes. Im hearing, Wow!  Trump unveiling his early childhood policy proposals Tuesday evening

Bits and Bites

Michelle Obama Brings Voters Trust to Hillary Clintons Campaign [New York Times]

British Man Who Tried to Shoot Donald Trump Pleads Guilty [TIME]

Hillary Clinton to Rejoin Campaign Trail Thursday Following Bout of Pneumonia [Associated Press]

Republicans and Democrats Are Looking Less and Less Alike [TIME]

The rise of GOP mega-donor Rebekah Mercer [Washington Post]

White House to increase number of refugees to 110k in 2017 [CNN]

GOP Gains Ground on Dems in Voter Registration in Key States [Associated Press]
Donald Trump shared the results of a medical examination with Dr. Mehmet Oz during the taping of an episode of The Dr. Oz Show on Wednesday, the latest twist in the presidential campaign and its focus on the candidates health.

But it was unclear just how much medical information would be revealed, and the extent to which Trump would talk about his medical history. Some news outlets reported that Trump handed Oz a one-page summary of his exam, and that Oz told Trump he was slightly overweight at 267 pounds.

Trump, 70, was examined last week by his doctor, Dr. Harold Bornstein of Lennox Hill Hospital, who has been his longtime personal physician.

The show is expected to release clips of the interview later on Wednesday.

According to a release from the show, Oz took Trump through a full review of systems, including his nervous system, neck and back, hormone levels, cardiovascular health, respiratory health, gastrointestinal health, bladder or prostate health, dermatological health, history of cancer, and family medical history. The show said that all physicians do that when seeing patients for the first time.

There was some confusion as to just what Trump would reveal about his medical exam on the show. His campaign reportedly indicated that the results would be revealed, then on Wednesday morning indicated they would not. In any case, it is likely that there will be extensive scrutiny of the extent of the disclosure and when the media records will be released publicly.

Hillary Clintons campaign has said that they would release medical information soon, after she was diagnosed last week with pneumonia. She is expected to return to the campaign trail on Thursday.

The Dr. Oz show with Trump will air on Thursday.

Trumps appearance on Oz is unusual in that campaigns have traditionally revealed medical information in a press release or press conference. But Trump, joined by his daughter Ivanka on the program, is trying to boost his support among women, who make up a majority of Ozs audience.

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Oz was once dubbed Americas doctor by Oprah Winfrey, who helped boost his fame, but he has been the source of controversy in recent years. At a Senate hearing in 2014, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) slammed him for promoting dietary supplements as miracle products for weight loss.

Update: The Dr. Oz Show released a video clip of the show, in which Trump hands Oz two letters. One is the report and the other is from Lenox Hill Hospital, Trump says. So its unclear if these are the actual medical evaluation or letters based on the evaluation.

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Hillary Clinton Cancels West Coast Trip as She Recovers From Pneumonia
Donald Trump has been showing unusual restraint, expressing sympathy and using a light touch, in discussing Hillary Clinton's health since her campaign announced she has pneumonia.

This measured response could change at any moment, but so far Trump is not taking aim at his adversary's health and is not exploiting what he sees as a vulnerability or personal weakness. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee known for his slashing attacks and who earlier questioned Clinton's stamina, told Fox News that Clinton's health will be "an issue" but expressed hope that she will recover soon. "I just hope she gets well and gets back on the trail," Trump said.

He was also following one of the iron rules of politics: Don't get in the way when your opponent is making a blunder. Instead, Trump has been escalating his attacks on Clinton in an entirely different area -- for her remarks last week in which she described half of his supporters as a " basket of deplorables," such as racists, homophobes and sexists. Clinton later expressed regret for making the comments.

Trump said in Baltimore, "I was deeply shocked and alarmed to hear my opponent attack, slander, smear, demean these wonderful, amazing people who are supporting our campaign by the millions."

Democratic nominee Clinton is still struggling to get beyond her pneumonia scare. She told CNN Monday night that she didn't reveal her pneumonia diagnosis sooner because she "just didn't think it was going to be that big a deal." She said she is now "feeling so much better" and will be making appearances again in "the next few days."

What precipitated the health furor, the latest of many tempests in the 2016 presidential campaign, was Clinton's early departure from a public ceremony Sunday in New York marking the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A video showed she nearly collapsed as she entered a Secret Service vehicle while leaving the event.

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At first, her campaign spokesman said she was feeling "overheated." It was only later on Sunday, when her health was coming under new scrutiny, that the campaign revealed that she had been diagnosed the previous Friday with pneumonia. This set off a wave of criticism that Clinton was not candid about the pneumonia or her overall condition, and it revived arguments that she is too secretive.

[READ: Hillary Clinton Pneumonia Flap Highlights the Public Fight Over Privacy]

Brian Fallon, her campaign spokesman, told MSNBC, "I think that in retrospect, we could have handled it better in terms of providing more information more quickly."

Clinton canceled her appearances in California Monday and Tuesday while she is being treated with antibiotics.

Clinton told CNN her doctors advised her Friday to rest for five days, but she went ahead with a schedule that included the 9/11 ceremony, two fund-raisers and sessions with the news media.

[DECISION 2016: U.S. News Covers the Race to the White House]

"If it happens to you and you're a busy, active person, you just keep moving forward," she said, referring to catching pneumonia. "As soon as it became clear I couldn't power through, we put it [information about the diagnosis] out."

She said she would soon release more information about her health and urged Trump to do the same. The GOP candidate said Monday he would also release more health-related information.

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.
Donald Trump supporters and protesters alike gathered outside the water treatment plant in Flint, Mich., in anticipation of the Republican presidential candidates arrival Wednesday afternoon.

Trumps campaign announced late Tuesday that hed be making a last-minute visit to the struggling Michigan city, which is still reeling from the lead contamination of its municipal water supply.

An anti-Trump protestor waits for the Republican presidential nominee to arrive at the Flint Water Treatment Plant on Sept. 14, 2016. (Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

Flint resident Jeremy Drummond told Yahoo News that of the 60-odd people outside the water plant Wednesday, approximately 45 were there to protest Trumps visit. But the estimated 15 or so who had come to show their support for the White House hopeful were a decidedly louder bunch.

One Trump fan even came barreling down a highway in front of the plant in a huge, white semi that had been plastered with the moguls face and his slogan, Make America Great Again, in huge letters on the side.

Hillary for prison! Trump supporters yelled as the truck rolled by, its horn drowning out chants of Dump Trump from the protesters.

A truck with text supporting Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump drives around the Flint Water Treatment Plant while its driver waited for Trump to arrive. (Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

Im here today because most of the people that Ive seen on Facebook [are] saying Mr. Trump is not welcome in our city, and I just wanted to let him know that he is indeed welcome, said Flint resident Joyce Vincent, clad in a red Flint beanie and American flag-patterned pants. We appreciate him coming here, and I wish him the best.

Debbie Curtis of Saginaw, Mich., said that she, too, had made the 40-mile trip to Flint to welcome Mr. Trump, our next president, to the state.

Hes an awesome guy; hes strong, she said, raising her right hand into fist. Go President Trump!

Flint Councilman Eric Mays joins a demonstration against Trump ahead of his visit to the Flint Water Treatment Plant. (Photo: Jeremy Drummond/Yahoo News)

Among those who had come to protest the Republican candidate were Flint Councilman Eric Mays and Flint resident Steve Stickland, whose handmade sign read Flush Trump here on neon-yellow posterboard.

Meanwhile, about five miles away, a much smaller crowd had congregated outside Bethel United Methodist Church, where Trump was set to speak to a handful of local ministers, about 50 select residents, and even fewer members of the media.

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Brittany Ross, of Mount Morris, Mich., was among those waiting to catch a glimpse of the candidate from outside the church. The 21-year-old, first-time voter held a sign that read Flint needs Trump and said she supports the Republican candidate for president because hes not an establishment politician.

Brittany Ross, of Mount Morris, Mich., shows her support for Donald Trump outside Flints Bethel United Methodist Church. (Photo: Jeremy Drummond for Yahoo News)

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver  an avid Hillary Clinton supporter who spoke at the Democratic National Convention this summer  opposed Trumps plan to visit the citys water plant, insisting that the facilitys staff cannot afford the disruption of a last-minute visit.

Flint is focused on fixing the problems caused by lead contamination of our drinking water, not photo ops, Weaver said in a statement issued Tuesday night.

Apparently, others agreed with Weavers sentiment. Trumps speech at Bethel United Methodist Church was cut short after the candidate began attacking Clinton, his Democratic rival.

Mr. Trump, I invited you here to thank us for what weve done in Flint, not give a political speech, said Bethels Rev. Faith Green Timmons.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump smiles as he speaks at a campaign stop earlier this year. (Photo: Nam Y. Huh/AP)

To hear them tell it, members of Donald Trumps presidential campaign team think theyre finally on the right track after months of internal discord and poor poll numbers

After the Republican candidate appeared at the NBC News Commander-in-Chief Forum last Wednesday, Trump headed straight to his campaigns war room with his wife, Melania, and daughter Tiffany. According to an account of the night that a staffer gave to Yahoo News, the candidate pulled up a chair next to his rapid-response director, Steven Cheung, and hung out for a half hour. Melania sat across from them as Trump watched coverage of the forum and gushed about his rapid-response team.

I love the work you guys do. You guys are so fast, so quick, Trump said. This is where the action is.

As Trump left the war room, he got a standing ovation from the staff. The staffer who shared the scene described it as evidence of energy and excitement surrounding a campaign that is finally in sync. Indeed, prior to late June, Trump didnt even seem to have a rapid-response operation, which is a standard feature of most modern political campaigns.

Yahoo News spoke with senior members of Trumps team this week and heard the same thing from all of them: that the campaign has found a successful approach after making infrastructure upgrades and becoming more disciplined in messaging. And they all insisted the changes were spearheaded by Trump. Jason Miller, Trumps senior communications adviser, said he believes Trump has now hit his stride following a series of campaign shakeups.

This change in the campaign is Trump-driven. This is a candidate who is committed to winning, who has seen the campaign have a couple of earlier iterations and has now hit his stride, really hit his mark, Miller explained.

And the polls do show Trump is improving his position. According to the RealClearPolitics polling average, Trump is just 2.3 points behind Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton after being down as much as 7.9 points on Aug. 8. But despite team Trumps newfound swagger and some improved national numbers, some large voting blocs are resisting the retooled messaging. And Clinton still has a huge edge in campaign infrastructure.

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Miller joined the campaign in late June. On Aug. 17, Trump named Breitbart News Executive Chairman Stephen K. Bannon as the CEO of his campaign and made pollster Kellyanne Conway his new campaign manager. Conway replaced Paul Manafort, who subsequently resigned. Manafort was Trumps second campaign manager after Corey Lewandowski, who was fired in June following reports that he was engaged in a power struggle with Manafort.

Along with leadership changes, Miller said, Trump has changed the way he is presenting his message to voters. Lewandowski was infamously guided by the mantra, Let Trump be Trump. Now, Miller says the campaign has tweaked that motto.

Were going to let Trump be Trump; were going to do it smartly, Miller explained.

Miller said Trump has tried to highlight specific policy proposals, including for education, tax reform and veterans services, and has attempted to reach out to African-American voters. On Tuesday night, Trump gave a speech on making childcare more affordable. Miller noted that this policy push came as Clinton spent much of late August off the campaign trail, holding private fundraisers rather than public events, as she maintained a lead in the polls.

Hillary Clinton went on vacation, where she essentially was playing a prevent defense or she was just getting some extra rest, Miller said. But the fact of the matter is, she wasnt on the campaign trail aggressively pursuing the case. Trump was. We had a whole series of five or six policy addresses and announcements.

These policy proposals have come in speeches in which Trump draws on prepared remarks and a teleprompter, a clear departure from his earlier, more freewheeling public appearances. While many observers have called Trumps approach more scripted of late, Miller said this isnt the right characterization because Trump is personally dictating the content and setting of his speeches.

Mr. Trumps very smart when it comes to how to get his message across, said Miller.

Instead of scripted, Miller said he would describe the campaigns new approach as more disciplined.

I think more disciplined is the right word. And the reason why Ill say that is because this is Trump driving this, Miller explained. This is Trump saying: Heres the venue. Heres what I think is the best way to communicate the message. Heres how we make sure that its cutting through and its getting picked up.  Im passionate about this issue for the following reasons. I want to make sure I get all these points communicated.

Conway also stressed that Trump was the driving force behind strategic shifts in the campaign.

Its really him. Hes the captain of the ship, Conway said in a conversation with Yahoo News. She added: The rest of us are just, frankly, here to support that, to create the campaign infrastructure and the opportunities to allow him to flourish in front of voters themselves.

Jason Miller, Trumps senior communications adviser, speaks with media after a roundtable meeting with the Republican Leadership Initiative at Trump Tower in Manhattan in August. (Photo: Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

Of course, the idea that Trump has settled on a new, disciplined and policy-focused approach brings up several questions. Trump and Clinton are set to face off in three debates during the final weeks of the campaign. Its not clear how Trumps more disciplined strategy will translate in the debates, which are an unscripted affair. And with the many past changes to Trumps team and tactics, its also worth wondering if the campaign might change course again. Conway wouldnt answer a question about whether Trump might make yet another pivot before the race is over.

I cant say that. Im not giving up our strategy, Conway said. I would just say we have a winning formula.

While Trumps aides maintain that he is, as Conway put it, the ultimate decider on his campaign, Miller was vague about the teams structure. He declined to discuss the specific roles of different staffers because it could set up a negative construct that could affect the teams dynamic.

I dont know how much I really want to get into that because I think that everyone works so well together, Miller said. When you go through and start  especially at the top level of a campaign  start saying certain people are good at one thing, the implication is theyre not as good at the others.

However, Miller is willing to give some credit for Trumps policy push to Stephen Miller, a former aide to Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions who is a senior policy adviser on the campaign. The spokesman said Trumps policy shop has really grown under Stephen Millers guidance. Some critics have pointed out that many of Trumps policy rollouts seem to have been cribbed from other sources. And there has been extensive reporting from the Washington Posts Josh Rogin showing that Trumps policy shop in Washington D.C. fell apart amid allegations of mismanagement and unpaid staffers. However, Miller, the campaign spokesman, said the policy operation had simply been moved to New York and is doing better than ever.

The policy shop has shifted from being a D.C.-based operation to being a New York-based operation. New York is where all the action is for the campaign as far as the national level, Miller said. Obviously, then you have all of the important battleground states, but the national-level campaign activity is based out of New York. The policy shop has never been more active. Its never had so many products, so many big set pieces.

And Miller said Trumps recent focus on policy has resulted in a clear shift to where were going on offense after a series of negative headlines in early August, including extensive coverage of the candidates attack on the parents of a slain U.S. Army captain who spoke at the Democratic convention.

We had a nice bump coming out of the Republican convention. [Clinton] had an even nicer bump coming out of the Democratic convention. She dictated the tempo for a couple of weeks, Miller said. Theres a few issues that got sort of highly politicized at the Democratic convention, and then we really started getting things going.

According to Miller, there will be two main pillars to Trumps upcoming policy rollouts: the economy and national security. He also suggested that Trump will continue to step up his minority outreach efforts and will counter critics who have branded him as a divisive and even racist figure.

Its economic freedom and security and then national security. Those are the two things that are going to be the biggest drivers. Id say that theres a third thing thats really starting to pop up as a key campaign theme, and thats that Trumps trying to be a president for all Americans, Miller said.

Miller cited Trumps recent African-American outreach efforts as evidence of this push.

When Mr. Trump goes to an African-American charter school, an African-American church, hes asking for everybodys vote, said Miller, adding, So, when he talks about being president for all Americans, I mean, Trump has had more events in the African-American community in the last two weeks than Hillary Clinton has.

Although the Trump campaign is apparently aiming to improve his standing with minorities, the poll numbers have been particularly grim. Trump has seen single-digit support among African-Americans in many polls, and Clinton is leading him among Hispanics in key battleground states.

Kellyanne Conway discusses the Trump campaign on Good Morning America on Sept. 9, 2016. (Photo: Mae Astute/ABC via Getty Images)

Still, the Trump campaign clearly thinks the policy push and outreach efforts have set up a strong dynamic for Trump in which he is making a positive case as Clinton goes negative. Miller noted that Trumps recent shift has come at the same time that Clinton has repeatedly attacked his temperament and highlighted elements of his base that hold white supremacist views. Clintons comments included a remark at a fundraiser last Friday when she said to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trumps supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables, including people who have racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic views. Clintons statement has come under attack from the Trump campaign. Miller cited the deplorable comment as evidence that Clinton is going negative while Trump is focusing on positive aspects of his platform.

Theres zero positive information flow for Hillary Clinton right now, and the reason being is she doesnt know who she wants to be as a candidate, Miller said. Is she going to be the vile, vicious, negative, and nasty attack dog, or is she going to run a positive campaign?

A.J. Delgado, who joined the Trump campaign as a senior adviser earlier this month, told Yahoo News that Clintons deplorables comment created a juxtaposition that is quite ironic.

Weve heard for months, from some pockets of liberal media, that Trumps message is dark  yet it is Hillary who, on the weekend of 9/11, in a room full of rich elites, chose to insult half of America as either bigoted trash or desperate, jobless, dead-end folks while Mr. Trump continues to take his message of hope to the masses, Delgado said.

But the Clinton campaign seems satisfied with this dynamic. Some on Clintons team have even suggested they hoped to bait Trump into a conversation about elements of his base that might hold bigoted views. Matt Mittenthal, a spokesperson for the Clinton campaign, told Yahoo News the team is glad Trumps team wants to focus on Clintons deplorables comment. Mittenthal specifically noted that Bannon, Trumps campaign CEO, had once boasted that the conservative news site he ran prior to working on Trumps team is the platform for the white supremacist alt right.

The moral outrage from Trumps campaign this week is rich, and the issue of hate is a fight were eager to have. This is the man who spent 15 months insulting nearly every group in America, who has inspired white supremacists and courted conspiracy theorists and hired the promoter of a racist movement to be his campaign CEO. This is without a doubt deplorable, and its what his campaign has always been about, Mittenthal said.

The shifts in the Trump campaign havent been confined to leadership and messaging. Trump has also made upgrades to his infrastructure, an area where he had lagged badly behind Clinton. Besides establishing a rapid-response team, Trumps campaign has been scrambling to open up field offices in key battleground states. However, the campaign is still well behind Clintons on this front. Trump also began airing his first television ads of the general election campaign last month, but he still has bought far fewer commercials and raised much less money than Clintons team. According to data from Advertising Analytics, when funds from outside groups that support the candidates are included, Clinton and her allies had spent six times more on television ads than Trump and his backers as of Aug. 23.

So, even though polls have tightened somewhat, it remains to be seen whether any improvements the Trump campaign has made in recent weeks are too little too late. One Clinton campaign aide who spoke to Yahoo News laughed off the idea that Trump can do anything to overcome the deficits in his infrastructure at this point, with early voting about to begin in many states. The source pointed out that Clinton has had staffers on the ground in every battleground state since at least April.

Conway, Trumps campaign manager, acknowledged Clintons organizational and financial edge. However, she noted that the polls show the race still isnt over.

She has people over in Brooklyn who are in charge of, like, one county. So, shes got all of the kings horses and all of the kings men. All of their money, all of their support, including most of the media, Conway said of Clinton. And yet she just cant get it done. She just cant put him away.

Conway suggested that Clinton has been unable to completely pull away from Trump because he has been running a nontraditional campaign and delivering his message on social media and at his signature rallies rather than focusing on commercials.

All those conventional tactics dont work with an unconventional candidate, Conway said.

Miller, Trumps senior communications adviser, said hes quite happy with the state of the race and his candidates momentum.

It takes a little bit to figure out the best mediums and the best way to kind of hit your stride as a candidate, said Miller. And, you know what, youd rather have them pick that up as were entering into the final turn than have them having shot their wad in the first quarter-mile and now be falling behind on the track.
By Brian Oliver Sept 14 (Reuters) - A weightlifter who finished ninth in the London 2012 Olympics and was sent home from this year's Rio Games for doping is set to get a medal because a rival, who is already serving an eight-year ban has tested positive retrospectively. Tomasz Zielinski of Poland finished 22kg behind the top three in London in the 94kg category but because six of the eight lifters ahead of him have been caught out in re-tests he moves up to the bronze medal position. Zielinski and his brother Adrian, the 2012 champion at 85kg, were sent back to Poland in disgrace before competing in Rio when results of pre-Games tests were announced. With the top four in the 94kg in London all having been caught in the re-tests, gold will go to the lifter who finished fifth, Iran's Saeid Mohammadpourkarkaragh. Those in sixth and seventh places have also tested positive, so when the legal process is completed silver will go to eighth-placed Kim Min-Jae of South Korea and bronze to Zielinski, provided there are no more adverse findings. Samples from the 2008 and 2012 Games were re-tested by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who could not discount the possibility of further positives. The first two waves of reanalysis were carried out before and during the Rio Games and there are two more waves to come. The amended result of the 94kg category from London 2012 will not be officially announced until the retesting and legal process is complete. "The result management of the reanalysis of the samples of the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 and London 2012 is still underway and the IOC will continue to communicate on a case by case basis as soon as disciplinary procedures are completed," said an IOC spokesperson. "We do not have an exact timeline on when these results will be announced." Zielinski moved up when the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced on Tuesday a 47th retrospective positive in their sport. Anatoli Ciricu of Moldova, who was banned for eight years in 2015 after a second doping offence, was in line for the gold medal until the IWF's announcement. Ciricu, who turned 28 on Wednesday, was also banned for two years in 2007. His positive means Moldova will join eight other nations in being banned from the sport. The IWF, whose board meet in Beijing on the last weekend of September to discuss doping and sanctions, announced in June that any nation which had three or more positives in the IOC retests would be banned for a year. "It does not have to be ratified, the bans are automatic," Lilla Rozgonyi, IWF head of media, told Reuters. "As soon as a country has three cases closed by the IOC they will be banned. It could be tomorrow, it could take a month but it is automatic." The list of those who will be banned is: Kazakhstan 10 positives, Russia 9, Belarus 7, Azerbaijan 5, Turkey 3, Armenia 3, Ukraine 3, China 3, Moldova 3. Only Georgia, with one infringement, will escape a ban. (Editing by Toby Davis)
From LennyLetter

When my father was fifteen he packed his clothes in a cardboard suitcase, and, over his mother's tearful objections, caught the bus from Elton, his tiny hometown in the heart of South Louisiana's rice country, across the border to Port Arthur, Texas, a port town at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico. It was home to the nation's largest oil refinery. He moved in with his uncle, Madison Baszile, and finished high school in Port Arthur.

Madison was the most important man in my father's life. He initiated him into the world of men offering advice on everything from love, sex, and marriage ("Before you marry, go three deep," which meant before you tie yourself down, research the person's family back three generations, so you'll know what kind of people you're really dealing with) to financial matters ("Never touch the lump" - which meant save your money, spending only the interest you earn, if you have to, but never the principal - an idea he overheard while moonlighting as a cook for the white oil executives at Texaco).

By day Madison worked as a handyman at Texaco, stenciling warnings on the massive chemical tanks. By the time my dad moved in, Madison had worked at Texaco for almost fifteen years. He was married and had five daughters. He was a good husband and an attentive father. But like the other black families in Port Arthur, redlining limited Madison's housing options. He never had the luxury of researching his environment three deep. He bought a modest wood-frame house six miles downwind of the Texaco refinery. Day and night, a white plume billowed from the refinery's smokestacks. Sometimes the stacks spewed fire. The air reeked constantly - a sulfurous odor that you smelled as soon as you rolled into town.

Day and night, a white plume billowed from the refinery's smokestacks. Sometimes the stacks spewed fire.

Madison's oldest daughter, Alphamel, died in 1964. She died from fluid around her heart. She was 25 years old. Her weight could have been a factor in her death, but so could the toxic emissions - sulfur dioxide, benzene, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants - she inhaled daily growing up in Port Arthur.

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Madison's next daughter, Fayetta, was 43 when she died of breast cancer in 1993.

Sandra, Madison's third daughter, died of lung cancer in 2000, most likely because she smoked.

Charlotte, Madison's fourth daughter, was 60 years old when she died of breast cancer in 2003.

Of five daughters, only his youngest, Madiola, is still alive.

Before he passed away in 2000, I asked Uncle Madison if he was alarmed that, at that point, three of his five daughters had died. He was ambivalent about linking their deaths to the refinery. I was dumbstruck, but I got it. Like so many Port Arthur residents who depended on the oil and gas industry for their livelihoods, Uncle Madison was reluctant to blame the region's largest employer for his suffering. But it's hard to ignore the evidence.One in five Port Arthur households has someone in it struggling with heart problems, skin ailments, and respiratory illnesses such as asthma or bronchitis. Cancer rates among African Americans in Jefferson County, which includes Port Arthur, are 15 percent higher than in Texans in the rest of the state. The cancer mortality rate among African Americans in Port Arthur is 40 percent higher than among African Americans elsewhere.

The cancer mortality rate among African Americans in Port Arthur is 40 percent higher than among African Americans elsewhere.

Today Port Arthur sits in the shadow of the 4,000-acre former Texaco plant, now known as Shell/Saudi Aramco, the nation's largest oil refinery. The facility is on the receiving end of the Keystone XL tar-sands pipeline, producing 636,500 barrels of crude oil per day. Port Arthur used to have a bustling downtown with restaurants and department stores filled with white patrons, many of whom worked for the refinery. Today Port Arthur's population is mostly black. Austin Avenue, the main street, is all but abandoned. Since the 1980s, Shell/Saudi Aramco's white employees have moved north of Port Arthur to mid-county communities along Highway 287, towns like Nederland, which has a multiplex and a Best Buy, three seafood restaurants and a Smoothie King.

But my family's story isn't over.

By 1964, my father had moved from Port Arthur to Los Angeles, married my mother, and moved from Leimert Park to Carson, a suburb thirteen miles southwest of downtown. Like Uncle Madison, my father was a good husband and attentive father. He too wanted the best for his family.

Carson wasn't my parents' first choice of neighborhoods. They wanted to move to a new housing development in Torrance, a neighboring city closer to the ocean, but the builder refused to sell them a house. Emboldened by widespread redlining practices, the builder steered them and other black families to the Del Amo Highlands housing tract in Carson, an unincorporated part of Los Angeles County formerly home to landfills, refuse dumps, and auto-dismantling facilities. Carson sat in the shadow of Stauffer Chemical Company, maker of, among other things, herbicides for corn and rice.

My parents paid $32,500 for a four-bedroom, three-bath house on Cliveden Street. Every afternoon around three o'clock, the winds shifted, blowing fumes over our neighborhood, skunk-smelling fumes so powerful they turned the paint trim on people's houses a different color after a year. One of my earliest memories is of looking out of my bathroom window in the afternoons at an orange sky.

My family lived in Carson until 1971, when my parents drove fifteen miles south and put down a deposit on a new house in Palos Verdes, a community overlooking the Pacific Ocean known for its good public schools and clean air. For 37 years my parents believed they had outrun the effects of inhaling toxins spewing from the refinery. They believed the price they would pay for upward mobility would appear only on their mortgage statement.

They believed the price they would pay for upward mobility would appear only on their mortgage statement.

In 2008 my dad was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of soft tissue cancer called leiomyosarcoma. That Thanksgiving he stood in my kitchen in San Francisco and I felt the mango-seed-size lump that had grown on his rib cage. It was visible under his skin, and I couldn't help but think about Uncle Madison's warning. Until the cancer, my dad's health had been good. He died in 2011.

Is it possible my dad's death resulted from all those years in Port Arthur and Carson? I don't know. But it's hard to ignore the evidence. The Carson area has the highest concentration of refineries in the state of California. The benzene, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other toxins emitted from the refineries have been linked to asthma, chronic rashes, and leukemia. It's hard to forget that federal housing authorities sanctioned redlining in communities like Carson as early as the 1930s. Residents there, most of whom are black or brown, finally won their battle with the refineries in 2015 when they received a $90 million settlement from Shell.

But the damage had already been done. What I do know is that aside from Uncle Madison's family, we didn't have a history of cancer in our family until my dad's diagnosis. I know his siblings never moved to Port Arthur or Carson. They're still alive.

Natalie Baszile is the author of Queen Sugar, her debut novel, which is being adapted for TV by the writer and director Ava DuVernay and coproduced by Oprah Winfrey for OWN, Winfrey's cable network. She lives in San Francisco.
Harrowing surveillance footage released by police in Arizona reveals the moment they say a driver intentionally plowed into two cops while barely missing a third.

The three officers were in a Phoenix parking lot early Tuesday when 44-year-old Marc LaQuon Payne allegedly hit the gas and sent two of them flying while the third leaped out of the way.

In the video, the vehicle continues to speed ahead before violently crashing into a convenience store.

Read: For Her 3rd Birthday, Toddler Wears Uniform of Her Dad, Who Died in the Line of Duty

The two officers who were struck sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries. The third was also injured while arresting Payne, KPHO reports.

"They were victims of an unprovoked, violent, intentional attack, Phoenix police chief Joe Yahner said at a Tuesday news conference. "These officers could have easily been killed, and I thank God were not planning three funerals right now."

In the footage, one of the officers is tossed into the air by the impact with the car.

The suspect then struggled violently with the officers for several minutes before being taken into custody, according to a police statement.

Read: Army Staff Sergeant Charged in Death of Cop Who Was Killed On Her First Day on the Job

"I am outraged by this incident," said Yahner. "Our Phoenix police officers were targeted. We have all heard about officers being targeted and ambushed across this nation. But this happened here. This happened in Phoenix. This happened to your Phoenix police officers."

Payne faces three charges of attempted first-degree murder, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

Yahner said Payne also faces two counts of aggravated assault because of how close he came to hitting two clerks inside the convenience store in addition to the three aggravated assault charges related to the officers, one count of resisting arrest and two counts of criminal damage.

Story continues

Watch: 9-Year-Old Battling Brain Cancer Gets Sworn In As Police Officer

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RACINE  The trial of the 38-year-old man charged in the 1997 homicide of Illinois runaway Amber Creek is being postponed yet again  this time until late November.

James Eaton, who is accused of killing 14-year-old Creek and leaving her beaten and sexually assaulted body in the Karcher Wildlife Area in the Town of Burlington, was arrested in the Chicago area in April 2014 by Racine County Sheriffs deputies. The arrest was reportedly made after DNA from cigarette butts he discarded were tested and found to match DNA found on Creeks body.

Eaton and Creek are both of Palatine, Ill., a northwest suburb of Chicago. Creek died from asphyxiation after allegedly being choked and suffocated with a plastic bag, according to Eatons criminal complaint. She also suffered blunt-force facial trauma and pattern cutting injuries on her face, the complaint states.

Eaton, who has been at the Racine County Jail on a $500,000 bond for two years and five months, had most recently been set to have his case go to trial on Oct. 24.

That date was pushed back to Nov. 28 on Tuesday after the states new lead attorney in the case, Assistant Racine County District Attorney Robert Repischak, asked Racine County Circuit Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz for more time to review evidence in the case.

As the court is aware (Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete) was the lead counsel in this matter. He turned the file over to me before the Sept. 8 hearing date. I probably got the file before Labor Day. The file consists of 14 (3-inch-wide) binders filled with reports, Repischak told the court Tuesday.

Evidence

Going through those binders, Repischak said he discovered that there were people who had not yet been added to the witness list. He also told the court that after meeting with Wisconsin State Crime Lab staff he discovered that there were crime lab reports that his office had not yet seen, nor had the defense.

Eatons attorney, Katie Gutowski, took issue with the request for an additional adjournment, stating she would only be comfortable with the case being pushed back another two weeks so she could have access to any evidence that had not yet been turned over to the defense.

Gasiorkiewicz also expressed frustration with the added delay, but ultimately decided to allow for the month-long adjournment.

I expect no further delays in this matter; nor will I tolerate them, he said after setting the new date.

Despite the postponement in the trial itself, the parties are still slated to gather on Sept. 22 to consider a motion, that if approved by the court, would allow the defense to argue at trial that another man had motive and opportunity to commit the crime.

A much thinner Eaton, with a mustache, beard and wire-frame glasses, sat quietly in his jail scrubs throughout the course of the discussions on Tuesday.

In other matters, Gasiorkiewicz acknowledged that his new court reporter, Jennifer Schmaling, is married to Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling. He said he would be having a different court reporter fill in for her when the sheriff testifies during the trial.
Former government contractor Edward Snowden is lobbying President Barack Obama for a pardon. So under the Constitution, how does the President get his pardon powers and who can the President actually pardon?

Snowden has been living in Russia ever since he sent a huge cache of documents from the National Security Agency to journalists back in 2013. After the massive security leak, the Justice Department filed espionage charges against Snowden.

On Tuesday, Snowden told The Guardian he wants a pardon from President Obama.

There are laws on the books that say one thing, but perhaps this is why the pardon power exists  for the exceptions, for the things that may seem unlawful in letters on a page but when we look at them morally, when we look at them ethically, and when we look at the results, it seems obvious that these were necessary things, Snowden said in an interview via a video connection to Moscow.

The White House wants Snowden to return to the United States to face the espionage charges. Snowden is reluctant to do so, since he believes he wont get a fair trial.

The President has pardon or clemency power under Article II, Section 2, clause 1, of the Constitution, under the Pardon Clause. The clause says the President shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

The Office of the Pardon Attorney, which is part of the Justice Department, has handled such matters for the President since 1893, and it has a detailed description of the pardon and clemency process on its website.

Although the terms clemency and pardon seemed to be interchangeable in the Snowden discussion, in general terms executive federal clemency is granted after someone had allegedly committed a crime. In most cases, that person is convicted of a crime, and then granted a form of clemency.

In the case of President Richard Nixon, he was granted a pardon for any crimes he might have committed during the Watergate scandal, even though Nixon wasnt charged with or convicted of federal crimes. (This is known as a pre-emptive pardon.) Another way a person can receive clemency after a conviction is through a commutation of a sentence.

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A commutation of sentence reduces a sentence, either totally or partially, that is then being served, but it does not change the fact of conviction, imply innocence, or remove civil disabilities that apply to the convicted person as a result of the criminal conviction, says the Office of the Pardon Attorney.

A pardon allows a convicted person to reclaim lost civil rights after a conviction. A pardon is an expression of the Presidents forgiveness and ordinarily is granted in recognition of the applicants acceptance of responsibility for the crime and established good conduct for a significant period of time after conviction or completion of sentence, says the Office of the Pardon Attorney.

In the case of President Nixon, he was able to receive a pardon under the precedent of an 1866 Supreme Court ruling called Ex parte Garland, which allowed for a pardon granted by President Andrew Johnson to remain in force for a former Confederate politician.

Pre-emptive pardons remain rare. In addition to Fords Nixon pardon, President George H.W. Bush pardoned former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and former CIA official Duane Clarridge in late 1992 before they were tried on Iran-contra Affair charges. (Four others were convicted in the case and also pardoned.)

In general, President Obama has issued fewer pardons than other recent Presidents. Last month, Obama also told USA Today that he wouldnt make last-minute, politically motivated pardons and he thought pardon-seekers should follow Justice Department guidelines that require a five-year wait after a conviction.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Monday that the Obama administration wanted Snowden to return to the United States to face charges.

He, of course, will be afforded due process, and there are mechanisms in our criminal justice system to ensure that hes treated fairly and consistent with the law. And thats what the President believes, Earnest said.

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Edward Snowden. (Photo: Praxis Films)

The cybersecurity expert who hired Edward Snowden for his last job is laying out his lessons learned  but admits it would have been hard to stop the man who spilled some of the National Security Agencys most closely held secrets.

Knowing what I knew at the time, l would have hired him again, Steven Bay, a former cyberintelligence analyst for Booz Allen Hamilton, said today in Seattle at the IEEE Computer Societys Rock Stars of Cybersecurity conference.

Knowing what I know now, obviously, I wouldnt, he added.

Bay said todays talk marked the first time he discussed his side of the Snowden story in a public forum.

After the story broke, Bay lost his NSA access and had to switch to a different position at Booz Allen Hamilton, which was Snowdens employer for those crucial few months in the spring of 2013. Bay said he couldnt talk openly about the case until he left Booz Allen this June. Now hes the chief information security officer for NuVasive, a medical devices company in San Diego.

Nerded out at job interview

Snowdens timeline is well-known by now: After years of working at the CIA, and as a Dell contractor for the NSA, he applied for another NSA contract job in Hawaii with Booz Allen. Bay said he and his offices technical director interviewed Snowden at a Wendys restaurant near the agencys facilities in Kunia.

He was a highly technical person, Bay recalled. He was very passionate about internet anonymization, as hes come out and talked about. He claimed to have run two Tor nodes out of his home  and he also claimed to have known a zero day vulnerability within Tor.

Steven Bay

Snowden knew his stuff so thoroughly that Bay said the technical director took over the interview and basically nerded out for an hour.

Snowden got the job, and started working as an intelligence analyst at the NSAs facility in Hawaii at the beginning of April in 2013.

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Bay said two red flags came up in the weeks that followed. First, Snowden began asking about a highly classified mass-surveillance program thats now known to the public as PRISM. Bay had access to the PRISM data, but Snowden didnt.

Bay didnt give Snowden access to PRISM, but he did provide him with some data that in retrospect he shouldnt have. I shared a little bit too much information, Bay acknowledged today. He said thats what caused him to lose NSA access after the Snowden story broke.

A case of epilepsy?

The second red flag popped up when Snowden started coming in late to work, only a few weeks after starting the job. When Bay asked about it, Snowden told him he was suffering from epilepsy.

In response, Bay played the role of a supportive manager. Then, in mid-May, Snowden told him the epilepsy was getting worse and that hed have to go in for tests on the following Monday and Tuesday. If the results werent good, he might have to be out even longer.

Bay said he suggested that Snowden apply for short-term disability, but Snowden told him he didnt want to bother with the paperwork. Which made no sense to me  but to each his own. If he wanted to take leave without pay, take leave without pay, Bay said.

In reality, Snowden wasnt suffering from epilepsy. Unbeknownst to Bay, Snowden took off for Hong Kong on that Monday, May 20, carrying gigabytes worth of NSA data with him.

Bay said he received an email from Snowden the next day, telling him the test results were bad and that hed have to take more time off work. In a reply email, Bay reminded Snowden to check in with human resources about filing for disability.

Wednesday night, the next night, he emails me back, and says, OK, sounds good, Ill get in touch with HR. And that was the last I ever heard from him, Bay said.

Bay tried to check in with Snowden several times afterward, to no avail. At the end of the month, Bay called his boss in Georgia, asking what to do about Snowdens time sheet. In response, the supervisor alerted NSAs security team to Snowdens medical leave and his missing status.

Thank goodness he did this, Bay said. It really protected us at Booz Allen, and myself as well.

I was worried that he was dead

That was on a Friday. The following Monday, NSA officials told Bay they were on the case. All that week, he and NSA agents went searching for Snowden.

In my mind, I was worried that he was dead, Bay said. I was worried that he had an epileptic seizure of some sort, or a blackout while driving on the island, and he drove off a cliff and killed himself. Thats what I was concerned about. The thought that Ed could be doing any of this didnt even cross my mind.

Bay said The Guardian published its first story based on NSA leaks on the Thursday of that week in June. It was the talk of the agency, he said. A couple of days later, one of his best friends at work wondered out loud whether Snowden might be involved.

I thought, No way! Theres not a chance that Ed would do that. And I made the comment that that would be my worst nightmare, Bay said.

The next day  Sunday, June 9  Bay turned off his phone for a church meeting. When he turned it back on, he faced a torrent of texts. The first text was from his friend, reading: Sorry, man, it looks like your worst nightmare came true.

Are people going to die over this?

Thats how Bay found out Snowden was the leaker. Three years afterward, Bay still gets emotional when he remembers the moment.

I found an empty room at the church, and I broke down, Bay said. Every negative thought one could have, I had. There were thoughts of Im going to lose my job, Im going to be blamed, Im going to get fired, Im going to go to jail, Im going to be the scapegoat. And I started thinking about what this is going to do to NSA, what about all of our undercover agents, what if that sort of information gets out? Are people going to die over this?

Bay spent most of the rest of the day in meetings with executives at Booz Allen and agents from the FBI. Surprisingly, the FBI was totally cool, he recalled. I was expecting to be in a dark room with a hot light on me.  It was nice to hear, despite all these negative emotions that I felt earlier in the day, that nobody blamed us.

The days after that were devoted to damage control. Eventually, it came out that Snowden had been planning his moves for several years. The fact that he was skilled in information technology and gained access to classified information made him the ultimate insider threat, Bay said.

I was visiting with the director of NSA Hawaii, and he made the comment that, well, Booz Allen got caught holding the hot potato when the attack went out. Thats pretty accurate, he said.

It turns out, as [Snowden] admitted a few weeks later, he targeted our contract directly, Bay said. Somehow he figured out that our contract, and what we did on that contract, were the types of gates he needed to get access to.

American hero or Russian agent?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden in a movie opening this week, titled "Snowden." (Credit: Open Road Films)

Today, Snowden is seen as a hero by millions of people opposed to government intrusions and invasions of privacy. An Oliver Stone movie opening this week, titled Snowden, casts the whistleblower in a sympathetic light. But as you can imagine, Bay is not a fan.

The fact that Snowden has been given asylum by the Russian government, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, leads Bay to say that Snowden is probably colluding with that countrys security services.

I do believe that Ed has given up the goods to Putin, Bay said.

Snowden strongly denies making any such deal with Russian intelligence, or handing over any secrets to the Russians. Everything I had is in the hands of journalists, Snowden told the BBC last year.

It may take decades for history to render its judgment in the case of Edward Snowden vs. the NSA  but in the meantime, Bay had these pointers to improve cybersecurity:

Remember that insiders are the biggest threat to network security.

Malicious insiders can do the most damage. Some of the countermeasures involve technical controls and on-the-job monitoring  for example, looking for spikes in data traffic leaving the network.

Other countermeasures touch on hiring practices and the principle of least privilege. For example, Snowden retained network administrative privileges from a previous position at the NSA, which facilitated his access.

In data-sensitive work environments, removable drives should be disabled if not physically destroyed. (Snowden apparently used his network privileges to get around NSAs restrictions.)

Most insider breaches are caused inadvertently, and typically involve careless email use and Web browsing at work. Employees should be trained to guard against phishing attacks. Bay recommends conducting drills using fake phishing emails. Rickroll them, if you will, he said.

Another potential problem involves unauthorized use of online file-sharing services. Bay recommends blocking access to such sites as Google Drive or Dropbox from corporate networks unless the company specifically uses them for its own purposes.

More from GeekWire:
What do you do when you have the First Lady of the United States of America on your talk show? If youre Ellen DeGeneres, you take her shopping at CVS.

Like many, many Americans before them, for a segment for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Obama and DeGeneres spent some quality time wandering the aisles of a local CVS, which DeGeneres claims stands for cotton, vaseline, and stuff. Obama pushed her shopping cart around the pharmacy, while DeGeneres did her best to serve as her tour guide through the store, including stops at a Coinstar machine, perusing the magazine aisle, and picking out Halloween candy. It was an exciting trip to the store as Obama tried to pick up some earbuds for her daughter, Sasha, a Bernie Sanders sighting, and discovering the wonders of wine in a box.

In the end, though, the First Lady does not recommend DeGeneres as a shopping partner, saying: You are really not a good person to shop with. Watch the full clip below.
Emma Stone legit looks like Princess Belle on the red carpet

Emma Stone legit looks like Princess Belle on the red carpet

If you grew up loving Disney, were willing to bet there are few outfits more recognizable to you than Belles famous yellow gown from Beauty and the Beast. After all, what little boys and girls didnt grow up watching Disney movies on VHS, curled up on the couch, daydreaming about becoming a prince or princess (or hey  even a villain)? If you ever envied Belle for her gorgeous canary yellow gown from one of our favorite kids movies, youre sure to feel a similar flare of envy for Emma Stone.

Thats right: The young actress seriously looks like a Belle-look alike in her appearance at the 2016 Toronto Film Festival for her new film, La La Land.

Just check it out for yourself below:

pjimage (6)

The similarity is uncanny, are we right? And here are some more shots of Stone, so you can get the full effect:

2016 Toronto International Film Festival - "La La Land" Premiere

2016 Toronto International Film Festival - "La La Land" Premiere

And here she is with La La Land co-star, Ryan Gosling (AKA, Prince Charming):

2016 Toronto International Film Festival - "La La Land" Premiere

The post Emma Stone legit looks like Princess Belle on the red carpet appeared first on HelloGiggles.
* EU executive chief proposes to double investments in the EU

* Juncker launches plan to spur investments in Africa, Middle East

* Plan relies on EU budget, national and private contributions (adds details on investment funds, quotes from EIB chief)

By Francesco Guarascio

STRASBOURG/BRUSSELS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The president of the European Commission proposed on Wednesday a revamp of the bloc's investment strategy aimed at doubling the capacity of a scheme for boosting EU growth and jobs, while launching a new fund to help countries at the source of migrant flows to Europe.

Delivering an annual speech commonly used to set out EU priorities, Jean-Claude Juncker sought to rally support for the battered EU project in the wake of Britain's vote to leave.

He told the European Parliament in Strasbourg that the Commission plans to double to 630 billion euros ($707 billion) the capacity of an investment vehicle for Europe, and will launch a new 88 billion euro scheme to help growth in Africa and the Middle East to address the root causes of migration.

To finance riskier infrastructure or energy projects in Europe and help create new jobs, Juncker proposed doubling the capacity and duration of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), launched in 2015 with the aim of generating investments of at least 315 billion euros by 2018, of which 116 billion has already been raised.

The doubling is to be achieved with 26 billion euros of guarantees from the EU budget, up from the 16 billion pledged so far.

Under the new scheme, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU's financial arm, would contribute 7.5 billion euros, up from its current commitment of 5 billion to the EFSI.

The combined 33.5 billion euros of EU cash and guarantees would then be used to attract private investments totalling 500 billion euros, 15 times the original amount. The final objective of mobilising 630 billion euros by 2022 will depend on countries' contributions.

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But member states' financial backing is still under discussion. They also have a direct say on the EIB's participation in the plan, as shareholders of the bank. "I am pretty sure we will find a consensus on this within the next weeks or months," EIB president Werner Hoyer said.

An agreement is also needed with member states on which EU budget resources will be used for the expanded EFSI. Cuts to funds committed to EU projects usually face strong resistance in the EU Parliament and from states that benefit the most from the money.

TACKLING THE ROOTS OF MIGRATION

Juncker also proposed setting up a new financial scheme, built on similar mechanisms as the EFSI, to create infrastructure and jobs in foreign countries from where migrants usually come to Europe.

Migration flows from Africa and other poorer regions are not new, but an unprecedented wave of more than 1 million migrants last year prompted bitter divisions among EU states over how to share responsibility for them.

A deal with Turkey has so far greatly reduced the flow, but better conditions in the countries of origin of migration are seen as key to addressing the root of the issue.

"Today we are launching an ambitious investment plan for Africa and the neighbourhood which has the potential to raise 44 billion euros in investment. It can go up to 88 billion if member states contribute," Juncker told lawmakers.

The scheme is meant to attract private investments from an initial input of 3.35 billion euros from the EU budget and the European Development Fund, a financial tool funded by EU governments. ($1 = 0.8912 euros) (Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Hugh Lawson)
Trud (Bulgaria) (AFP) - The farms of the two old classmates sit side by side in the central Bulgarian countryside. On one, a fleet of tractors ploughs through endless golden fields of wheat. On the other, a woman picks raspberries in the searing sun.

While national grain association chief Svetoslav Rusalov, 43, enjoys a high annual turnover thanks to his crops, neighbour Nadya Petkova struggles to make even a tiny profit from her small organic farm near the village of Trud.

"It's all hand labour. Every grass stalk must be weeded by hand," Petkova, a former construction engineer and single mother of two, told AFP.

"I dream of buying a tractor."

On market day, her elderly parents lend a helping hand.

"I've been on the verge of giving up many times. But this is my vocation," the 43-year-old said.

The farms' differences in scale and wealth reflect the controversial way in which Bulgaria has chosen to hand out highly prized subsidies under the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The CAP offers a series of funding instruments to member states, including per-hectare payments to farmers.

Until this year, Bulgaria -- which joined the bloc in 2007 -- was one of the only countries to distribute these direct subsidies without putting limits on the amount given to one person.

As a result, "mega-farms" with easy-to-grow commodity crops for export began popping up in the EU's poorest nation over the past decade.

Today they dominate the landscape, with a typical size of around 2,430 hectares (6,000 acres or roughly half the size of Manhattan) -- nearly 10 times the European average of 250 hectares, according to the Bulgarian Economic Research Institute (ERI).

- 'Big, big money' -

Critics say this has distorted the ex-communist country's agriculture model by rewarding those who control the biggest lands and pushing out traditional products, which are harder and more expensive to cultivate.

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"We used to be famous for our white brine cheese that we exported. Now we export wheat and import milk and meat. Bulgarian vegetables have also disappeared from the market," said the ERI's agricultural expert, Ognyan Boyukliev.

In a recently published report, Boyukliev argues that the CAP has concentrated farmland and subsidies in the hands of a few millionaires.

Research shows some 100 agricultural holdings receive as much as 75 percent of the EU aid, which amounts to around 380 million euros ($430 million) for 2016 so far.

"If I work 30,000 hectares, multiply this by 150 euros and you get an idea of how huge a sum this is for a farmer in a country like Bulgaria. It's big, big money," Boyukliev told AFP.

Some observers accuse the government of creating incentives for policymakers and farming organisations to exploit the system.

"It has twisted the market and turned the subsidies into an income source for farmers who buy new homes and cars," agricultural analyst Nikolay Valkanov told AFP.

Earlier this year, Bulgaria introduced an annual cap of 300,000 euros in aid per applicant.

But experts argue this has merely prompted big land owners to register separate farms under the names of employees and thus still reap funding for each hectare.

- 'Vicious circle' -

Grain producers reject the criticism. Instead they argue that their efforts have revitalised massive swathes of land left abandoned after the fall of communism

In the 1990s, the government decided to return all the farming plots expropriated by the communist regime.

But the restitution proved a headache because of protracted ownership disputes and urban migration.

In the midst of the chaos, a handful of savvy entrepreneurs like Rusalov realised that Bulgaria's EU membership plans would pave the way to subsidies and began to snap up land cheaply.

"It should not be considered a problem that the majority of the funds go to a small group. The fact that there are farmers who consolidated the lands and made money out of it -- I see nothing wrong with that," Rusalov told AFP.

"It is normal that people are rewarded for their labour and the risk they took."

The EU Commission, the bloc's executive body, also defended the subsidies.

The spread of large-scale farms "is a long-term trend which is not unique to the EU, so it should not be labelled as the result of the CAP", Commission sources told AFP.

It's been a whopper year for grain producers who have harvested 5.6 million tonnes of wheat this summer, the highest since 1980.

Nearly 70 percent will be exported, mostly as forage for other EU countries.

The government recently promised more help for organic farmers like Petkova.

"Small farmers are the country's backbone but they aren't a state priority," she said. "If I had state backing, I would invest in modern machinery instead of sinking into this vicious circle without growth."
Strasbourg (France) (AFP) - Members of the European parliament on Wednesday hailed EU anti-trust commissioner Margrethe Vestager as a "superheroine" for handing US tech giant Apple a 13 billion euro tax bill in Ireland.

For more than one hour during a debate about her August 30 ruling, almost all of the 30 MEPs who took the floor congratulated Vestager, a Danish politician with a steely reputation who smiled, took notes with a pink pen and thanked the speakers.

"When I was young in the 1970s, there was a television series, 'the six million dollar man,'" Dutch liberal politician Cora van Nieuwenhuizen told her. "This superhero has been surpassed by a superheroine, the 13 billion euro ($15 billion) commissioner!"

Philippe Lamberts, the Belgian co-president of the Green Party, also offered effusive praise.

"As an ecologist, I am opposed to human cloning, and yet, when I see you, I really want multiple Margrethe Vestagers," Lamberts said.

More compliments flowed from politicians like French socialist Pervenche Beres, who made her point raising her iPhone 6.

"We are all drugged, intoxicated by these machines. However, we are overjoyed that you have so severely punished this company," Beres said.

German ecologist Sven Giegold chimed in, saying: "We should give you a prize."

In announcing the ruling, Vestager said that Apple had received favourable tax terms that amounted to state aid -- illegal under its rules -- and ordered Ireland to collect the back taxes.

The ruling has angered Apple as well as the US and Irish governments. Ireland plans to challenge the ruling amid fears that accepting the windfall could scare away international investment and undermine a reputation for business-friendliness.

It came amid growing tensions between Washington and Brussels over a series of EU anti-trust investigations led by Vestager targeting other giant US companies such as Google, Amazon, McDonald's, Starbucks and Fiat Chrysler.

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The daughter of two Lutheran ministers, Vestager is known for her no-nonsense style. And those who know her warn that she is a formidable negotiator who never gives up.

Sometimes nicknamed back home as "Margrethe III," an allusion to Denmark's Queen Margrethe II, she became her country's first woman minister, at the age of 29, when she was named in 1998 to the education and ecclesiastical affairs portfolio.

And under her leadership, her party doubled its performance in the 2011 parliamentary elections.
Strasbourg (France) (AFP) - European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker insisted Wednesday that Brexit will not sink the EU, unveiling a raft of plans including a joint defence headquarters in a bid to unify the crisis-hit bloc.

In his annual State of the Union speech, Juncker urged European Union nations to overcome deep divisions and the shock of Britain's departure in order to fight back against "galloping populism".

"The European Union still does not have enough union," Juncker told the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, saying the "next 12 months are the crucial time to deliver".

"There are splits out there and often fragmentation where we need further union -- that is leaving space for galloping populism," he added, in a speech that mixed German, French and English.

Juncker's speech came two days before the 27 EU leaders meet without Britain in the Slovakian capital Bratislava, for a summit aimed at drawing up a roadmap for the post-Brexit future.

The head of the EU executive warned Britain it could not expect "a la carte" access to the EU's single market if it brings back immigration controls, signalling a further hardening of Europe's position ahead of negotiations with London.

"We respect and at the same time regret the UK decision, but the European Union as such is not at risk," said Juncker, who officially launched the Commission's Brexit "task force" on Wednesday.

- Populists strike back -

With EU nations deeply divided, in particular by the continent's biggest migration crisis since World War II, Juncker's speech focused on security and the economy to find ways of working together.

"We must have a European HQ and... work towards a common military force," said Juncker -- referring to plans that have long faced British hostility and which will come up at Friday's summit.

He stressed however that this should be "complementary with NATO" in reference to concerns that the EU will be treading on the toes of the US-led military alliance.

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Juncker also hit back at rising nationalism and racism, referring to the recent killing of a Polish man in Britain with the words: "We Europeans can never accept Polish workers being harassed, beaten up or even murdered on the streets of Harlow."

But his speech was greeted with disdain by populist leaders in the European Parliament.

Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party which led the push for Brexit, criticised the focus on "military Europe" and added: "Having listened to you, I am pleased we voted to leave."

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said Juncker had "refused to listen to the huge desire of European people to get their independence back".

- Double your money -

Juncker meanwhile proposed doubling the size of his signature investment plan to 630 billion euros ($708 billion), and announced measures to help young people hit by the eurozone debt crisis.

In a bid to make Europe's digital economy more competitive in a tough global marketplace, he also unveiled plans to shake up copyright laws and roll out free wifi across towns and villages by 2020 and 5G mobile phone coverage by 2018.

He also called for a new EU border and coastguard force to start work quickly with 200 guards and 50 vehicles deployed in Bulgaria by October.

But the difficulties of keeping Europe united were underscored on the eve of Juncker's speech when Luxembourg's foreign minister said Hungary should be suspended from the EU for treating refugees like "animals".

Juncker's performance in front of 751 MEPs was closely scrutinised amid speculation he has health concerns, despite strong denials by him and his spokespeople.

His speech sets the stage for Friday's Bratislava summit where leaders will study a joint defence plan by France and Germany and other post-Brexit security plans.

In a summit invitation letter published late Tuesday, EU President Donald Tusk said it would be a "fatal error" for the EU to ignore the lessons of Brexit and urged the bloc to be less "politically correct" on migration.

The leaders will launch a "Bratislava process" of reforms that they aim to approve at a summit in Rome in March 2017 to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the EU, a senior EU official said.
Paris (AFP) - An ambitious EU-US free-trade agreement no longer enjoys political support in France, the country's junior trade minister said Wednesday, while conceding that Paris could not block the talks.

"The (European) Commission has the perfect right... to negotiate as long as it wants" on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), Matthias Fekl told the French parliament's European affairs committee.

But he said he would reiterate the "clear" French position in favour of ending the talks at a meeting of EU trade ministers in Bratislava on September 23.

The European Commission's mandate to negotiate the controversial treaty "no longer has France's political backing".

Fekl said the US side had failed to offer "any serious opening on any of the items that we wanted to put on the agenda," such as opening the public procurement market and protecting geographical labelling for products.

He had already signalled in August that Paris wanted to halt the talks, saying US negotiators were offering "nothing or just crumbs".

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said then that the negotiations -- which began in mid-2013 -- would continue.

The TTIP has become a hot potato as key elections approach in the United States, France and Germany.

Leaks about the proposed deal have sparked serious concerns among many Europeans that they will be giving up control over sensitive issues, such as the use of pesticides and hormones in food production.

Another issue that has raised hackles is plans for a special court to speed up cases by companies against governments over breaches of regulatory issues, which opponents see as giving firms a veto over public policy, particularly in social and environmental areas.
RACINE  A man was shot several times Wednesday afternoon in front of a residence in the 1600 block of Holmes Avenue, according to witnesses.

The shooting occurrred just before 2 p.m. Journal Times business reporter Mick Burke, a resident of the block, was one of several neighbors who heard the shooting and called 911.

According to police, the victim is a 36-year-old man. Burke said he saw three wounds to the man in his right arm and one wound to the lower stomach area. Other witnesses who ran to aid the man and removed his shirt said there were five wounds, Burke said.

The man was rushed by paramedics to Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints hospital. His identity and condition were not released on Wednesday.

Police spokesman Sgt. Adam Malacara said Wednesday night that the last he heard was that the victim was in surgery. Malacara said police would be issuing no further information on the incident on Wednesday night.

Burke said he was inside his home with several windows open when he heard four to five unmistakable shots. He ran to his door to see a man crawl or fall out of a red Pontiac coupe. At that moment, Burke also saw a blue sedan driven by what appeared to be a white male fleeing the scene southbound on Holmes. Other neighbors apparently described the driver as being Hispanic, Burke said.

Burke also observed that the drivers-side window of the vehicle had been shattered.

Police requested the Major Crimes Unit to respond to the scene. Holmes Avenue between 16th and 17th streets was closed for a time Wednesday while police investigated.

Evidence technicians were dispatched to the scene and police personnel were also sent to Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints hospital, police radio reports indicated.

Malacara said police investigators are interested in any additional information that anyone may have about the crime. Any witnesses or citizens with information are urged to call the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at (262) 635-7756. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime stoppers at (262) 636-9330, or text 274637 (CRIMES). Text message should begin with RACS.
By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Parliament urged Poland's eurosceptic government on Wednesday to resolve the country's constitutional crisis by the end of October, saying the paralysis of its top court was endangering democracy and fundamental rights. The resolution by the European Parliament, backed by 510 deputies against 160 with 29 abstentions, is not binding, but is a further step in a process that could end with Poland losing its voting rights in the 28-nation bloc. It follows a formal recommendation by the European Commission on July 27 for Poland to implement within three months measures to protect the powers of the constitutional court after a series of new appointments and reforms prompted fears over the court's independence. In its recommendation, the Commission asked Polish authorities to appoint to the constitutional court three judges that had been lawfully chosen by the previous parliament but passed over by the new government. Since winning an outright parliamentary majority last year, the Law and Justice (PiS) party has repeatedly tried to change the court's operational rules, including changing the order in which cases are heard. It has also scrapped the previous parliament's nominations for judges and put forward its own candidates. Poland's President Andrzej Duda, a former member of the PiS, which now holds majority in both houses of the Polish parliament, is refusing to swear in the three judges appointed by the previous parliament, but did swear in three candidates nominated by the PiS, despite the Court's objections. Warsaw says the changes to Poland's constitutional court are aimed at streamlining the institution and that it has a broad social mandate to carry out reforms. It accuses critics of taking sides with their political rivals. The Commission also asked Poland to publish all verdicts of the Constitutional Tribunal, as stipulated by Polish law. The Polish government is refusing to publish a number of the court's recent verdicts, including those ruling that recent changes to the tribunal violate the constitution. "The paralysis of the Constitutional Tribunal and the refusal of the Polish Government to publish all its judgments endanger democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law in Poland," the European Parliament said in a statement. Despite months of talks and pressure from the EU, as well as the United States, the European Commission's deputy head said on Tuesday the row with Poland was not resolved. "The Polish government must now act and bring this constitutional crisis to an end," socialist European lawmaker, Birgit Sippel said in a statement after the vote on the resolution in parliament on Wednesday. "The time for talking is over, the founding principles of the EU are not negotiable or changeable," she said. (Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
By Alastair Macdonald and Gabriela Baczynska STRASBOURG/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union will introduce stricter controls on its external borders, the head of its executive said on Wednesday, as the bloc looks for ways to assuage widespread concerns among its citizens over immigration and security. The EU hopes to deploy a new common force - the European Border and Coast Guard - for the first time next month, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said anyone from outside the EU would be registered on entering and leaving. "We will defend our borders. We will be very strict in terms of who can cross our borders and this is something that we are looking to implement by the end of the year," he said in his annual policy speech. EU leaders and officials in Brussels are focusing more on jobs, migration and security to rebuild popular trust in European integration, weakened by an uncontrolled arrival of more than a million refugees and migrants last year, Britain's vote in June to leave the bloc and a sluggish economic recovery. The Commission proposed in April an "Entry-Exit" system to better track third-country nationals traveling on a visa. Juncker said he would now present a bill to tighten controls on those who do not need visas as well. He urged the bloc to agree to send 200 more border guards and 50 vehicles from next month to help Bulgaria control its border with Turkey, one of the routes migrants and refugees used last year to get to Europe. While EU states mostly agree on steps to discourage labor migrants from reaching the EU en masse, they differ on how to treat refugees and are locked in bitter disputes on how to handle those already there. "Much more solidarity is needed, but ... that ...must come from the heart," Juncker said. The EU agreed to distribute among member states some of the migrants who arrived in Greece and Italy last year, but fewer than 5,000 people have so far been relocated and around 58,000 are still stuck in Greece. (editing by John Stonestreet)
Brussels (AFP) - European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has set up a special task force to carry out negotiations with Britain on its exit from the European Union, a statement said on Wednesday.

"This new task force will be composed of the Commission's best and brightest," Juncker said, adding that he had appointed a German deputy to the commission's French chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

"Together, Michel and his team will live up to this new challenge and help us to develop a new partnership with the United Kingdom after it will have left the European Union," Juncker said.

Barnier said on Twitter that "we are now finalising this UK negotiation team to be ready to start working on 1 October."

His new deputy, Sabine Weyand, is a senior Commission trade official.

The creation of the task force comes despite the fact that Britain has said it will not trigger the formal two-year negotiation period leading to a divorce from the EU until 2017 at the earliest.

The European Parliament has also appointed a separate Brexit negotiator, former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt.

Prime Minister Theresa May has said Britain needs more time to work out its negotiating position following the shock June 23 Brexit vote, while Brussels has refused to hold any talks until London formally notifies it of Britain's intention to leave.

In his annual State of the Union speech earlier on Wednesday, Juncker urged Britain to trigger the divorce as soon as possible, while insisting that the rest of the EU is "not at risk" from Brexit.

He called for EU-British ties to "remain on a friendly basis" but warned London could not expect "a la carte" access to the EU's single market if it brings back immigration controls.
Strasbourg (France) (AFP) - European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker will urge the EU to stick together after the trauma of Britain's vote to leave when he delivers a keenly anticipated State of the Union speech on Wednesday.

Two days before the 27 European Union leaders meet in Bratislava without Britain, Juncker is expected to unveil plans to boost prosperity and security in an increasingly uncertain and dangerous world.

His annual speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg will also be closely watched after reports about the 61-year-old's health, and criticism about his role in the failure to stop Britain crashing out of the EU.

Juncker's spokesman Margaritis Schinas said it was a "big European week" and added that the Commission chief would be "working for the unity of our member states, delivering for citizens."

EU leaders are trying to steady the ship after Britain's shock June 23 vote to become the first country to leave the union, already buffeted by a perfect storm of globalisation, terrorism and the biggest refugee crisis since World War II.

At the Bratislava summit they will start work on a roadmap for the future, including a joint plan by France and Germany for a "more active" European defence policy now that an always reluctant Britain is on the way out.

- 'A moment to unite' -

In a summit invitation letter published late Tuesday, EU President Donald Tusk said it would be a "fatal error" for the EU to ignore the lessons of Brexit, adding that Bratislava should be a "turning point' for securing the EU's borders.

The speech by Juncker, the head of the European Union's powerful executive arm, will set the scene for Friday's summit with a "positive agenda for the coming 12 months  backed by concrete proposals," a Commission spokeswoman said.

His key theme in Strasbourg will be keeping the remaining 27 member states together in the face of multiple challenges, and the means to build unity, European sources said.

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"This is not a moment to divide, it's a moment to unite," one source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The difficulties of keeping Europe united were underscored however on Tuesday when Luxembourg's foreign minister said Hungary should be suspended from the EU for violating democratic values and treating refugees like "animals".

Meanwhile Juncker will focus on the digital economy, his signature investment plan and measures to help young people hit by the eurozone debt crisis, with youth unemployment still at record levels in Greece and southern Europe.

Juncker is also set to discuss boosting cooperation with African countries to stem the migration crisis -- which has seen more than one million refugees and migrants flee to Europe from Syria and elsewhere -- and security in the wake of Islamic State attacks.

- 'What citizens want' -

The European Commission's recent decision to hit US tech giant Apple with a 13-billion-euro bill for back taxes in Ireland is also expected to feature, a decision many European lawmakers welcomed.

"That is the kind of Europe that citizens want," said the head of the parliament's socialist group, Gianni Pittella about the Apple verdict.

But Juncker's performance in front of more than 750 MEPs will also be closely scrutinised amid speculation about his health, despite strong denials by him and his spokespeople.

Reports about growing opposition to Juncker from Germany and some eastern European countries have also led to talk about his position as head of what he sees as a "political" Commission instead of just a bureaucracy.

A Czech minister even suggested earlier this year that Juncker should quit over Brexit but he has said the vote was an issue for the British people and that he did his best to keep them in.
NEW YORK  Is anyone else out there? Humans have asked this question ever since we could look up at the stars, but hundreds of thousands of years later, we still don't have a satisfactory answer. Logic would seem to dictate that there's other intelligent life out there, and yet it also suggests that if there is, it may have found us by now. While we may not have an answer for another few decades  if ever  we are slowly but surely getting closer.

A panel called "First Contact: Looking for Life in the Universe" at "Star Trek": Mission New York Sept. 4 gave the audience a look at the current state of humanity's search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). The "Star Trek" mythos came up surprisingly few times for a panel calling itself a "Trek Talk," but the subject matter was still appropriate, given the abundance of alien life on "Star Trek," both familiar and bizarre. Dan Werthimer, the SETI chief scientist at the University of California, Berkeley, and Bobak Ferdowski from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory oversaw the discussion, which covered the basics of astrobiology.

The two panelists spent a lot of time discussing the potential of finding life on Europa, an icy moon of Jupiter. Scientists have theorized that Europa has a liquid ocean buried beneath 30 miles of surface ice, and liquid water is potentially one of the most conducive environments for life to evolve, the panelists said. [13 Ways to Hunt for Intelligent Alien Life]

If we were to find life on Europa, Ferdowski and Werthimer explained, it would most likely be primitive. Humans may appear to be the dominant species on Earth, after all, but our overall biomass is pretty small when compared to wildly successful organisms such as bacteria, or even insects.

"Europa [may be] completely covered in water," Werthimer explained. "That's great for primitive life, but if you want technology, you've got to have some land surfaces as well." Organisms on Earth, he said, have evolved to fill even the most extreme niches, "but it won't necessarily evolve into something more complex than single-celled life  What are the pressures that make you want to go from 'I can feed' to standing and talking?"

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In fact, the relative likelihood of finding primitive versus sapient life was one of the recurring themes of the talk. Werthimer believes that humanity may confirm the existence of primitive extraterrestrial life within the next 20 to 30 years, especially if scientists can get missions to Europa, but technological life is harder to pinpoint, as we don't know how often it occurs.

Another potentially limiting factor is that intelligent life does not necessarily equate to technological life. Ferdowski and Werthimer pointed out that intelligent life (with varying degrees of what scientists would call "intelligence") has evolved many times on Earth. Humans are the most obvious example, but dolphins, octopi and crows are all fairly clever creatures, to say nothing of the other great apes, which share a lineage with humans.

Even if there's another technological civilization somewhere nearby, scientists are not exactly sure how to contact them. Radio signals seem like a safe bet; indeed, nearby stars have already seen "The Simpsons" and "I Love Lucy" from Earth's TV broadcasts. On the other hand, while radio signals travel at the speed of light, that won't do much good for an exoplanet that could be tens of thousands of light-years away.

On the flip side, given how fast life can (theoretically) arise and evolve on a planet, other civilizations could be millions or even billions of years ahead of Earth. We would have no idea how to monitor their communications, and they might not even be interested in ours. [The Strangest Alien Planets (Gallery)]

Ferdowski and Werthimer contrasted the Drake Equation, which suggests that sapient life in the universe should be at least somewhat common, and the Fermi Paradox, which questions why alien life is not observable if the universe teems with it. One potential answer to the Fermi Paradox includes an alien version of the "Star Trek" Prime Directive, which prohibits interference with less advanced cultures. Another suggests that not all technological civilizations are necessarily driven by exploration, and may have directed their efforts inward to cultural matters instead.

Assuming that scientists can find life, however, there is (at least) one very important question to answer: Does it resemble humanity on a genetic level?

"Did it have a different biogenesis?" Ferdowski asked. "If it's exactly the same as us, that probably doesn't mean there were two independent origins of life." In other words, if scientists find alien life that follows the basic biological dogma, such as translating DNA to RNA to proteins, it's very likely that all life in the solar system originated from a common precursor.

This theory, known as panspermia, suggests that extraordinarily simple, hardy life (or proto-life) could travel between planets aboard asteroids or other interplanetary debris. While this is harder to do once you get outside of a given solar system, it's entirely possible that life on Earth and, say, Europa could have originated from the same predecessor, the researchers said.

While Ferdowski and Werthimer did not come to any hard conclusions as to whether or not humanity can expect to find life, they did say that the question has far-reaching consequences, regardless of the outcome.

"It's a profound question either way," Werthimer said. "If we find the universe is teeming with life, we can learn a lot. If we find out that we are alone, that somehow life is incredibly rare out of the trillion planets, that's very profound also.

"If we find out we're alone," he added, "that means we'd better take incredibly good care of the precious life here on Earth."

Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.

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Washington (AFP) - At this stage in the US presidential race, the candidates' spouses should be everywhere, smiling themselves to exhaustion as they do their bit for the campaign.

But for the past two months Donald Trump's wife Melania has all but vanished.

The last big appearance of the 46-year-old former model born in Slovenia was at the Republican National Convention in July in Cleveland.

She gave a major speech designed to put a more human face on her husband, but which flopped miserably as it emerged her address plagiarized remarks by Michelle Obama from 2008 at the Democratic National Convention.

The ghostwriter of the speech took the fall and Melania Trump all but disappeared from the US political scene, where she was a rare presence anyway.

Last week she appeared briefly in New York as Trump gave a speech on national security, and accompanied her husband Saturday at the funeral of Phyllis Schlafly, a prominent American conservative.

But people have started asking what has become of Trump's wife, with the hashtag #WhereisMelania surfacing on Twitter.

The night before the September 11 anniversary last weekend, Melania Trump responded that she has been spending time with her family.

Before the Republican convention she gave several interviews in which she ardently defended her husband, criticized for his brash style, comments seen as racist and sexist and his lack of knowledge on issues both foreign and domestic.

At that time she said she preferred to focus on the education of her 10 year old son with Trump, Barron, at their home in Trump Tower in New York.

- To Twitter for defense -

Since the convention Melania Trump has been protecting herself. Her Twitter feed -- once a reflection of her jet set lifestyle and posh parties she attended, dressed to the nines -- has become a way for her to defend herself.

At the end of July her website was yanked after a controversy over an architecture degree that it mentioned but which Mrs Trump did not earn.

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"The website in question was created in 2012 and has been removed because it does not accurately reflects my current business and professional interests," she tweeted.

In early August, nude photos of Trump published by the New York Post triggered another mess.

They were supposedly taken in the US in 1995, but Trump always said she arrived in the country in 1996, so the shots raised questions about her immigration status at the time they were taken.

Trump, who has vowed to deport all immigrants who are in the US illegally, promised a press conference at which Melania, a US citizen since 2006, would provide an explanation.

Instead, a month later, Melania took to Twitter once again on Wednesday to respond to the controversy.

"I am pleased to enclose a letter from my immigration attorney which states that, with 100 percent certainty, I correctly went through the legal process when arriving in the USA," she tweeted.

In the attached letter, attorney Michael Wildes states: "Through an interview with Mrs Trump, we ascertained that the photo shoot in question did not occur until after she was admitted to the United States in H-1B visa status in October 1996."

In early September Melania Trump also sued two publications -- the Daily Mail online and the blog Tarpley -- for reporting she had worked as an escort in the 1990s. Trump sought $150 million in damages and interest.

At least two other websites removed similar stories, acknowledging they were based on rumors and apologizing to her.

In 1999, as Trump sought to become the presidential candidate of the Reform party, Mrs Trump told the New York Times she would be a very traditional first lady -- "like Betty Ford or Jackie Kennedy. I would support him".

But with the 2016 election less than 60 days away, there is little sign that Melania Trump will join her husband on the campaign trail any time soon.
Goh Chung Yong collected more than $100,000 from his client and used the money to clear his debts.

Housing agent Goh Chung Yong was in debt after borrowing money from loan sharks.

Desperate to repay them, the 48-year-old lied to a client that he needed money to pay the conveyancing lawyers for the purchase of the clients Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat in Yishun in 2015, the Council for Estate Agencies (CAE) said in a statement on Wednesday (14 September).

The client had earlier engaged Goh, who was then working for Propnex, to help him sell his flat in Sembawang and look for a new flat to buy in 2014.

The statement revealed that the Sembawang flat was subsequently sold for $360,000. The sale was completed on or about 7 January 2015 and the owner received the sales proceeds on the same day. Prior to that, the owner had agreed to buy a HDB flat in Yishun for $308,000.

Goh was fined $10,000 in court after he was prosecuted for handling transaction monies on Wednesday (14 September). He was convicted under the Estate Agents Act for handling $93,000 in cash on behalf of his client.

It is an offence for property agencies and agents to handle any transaction monies for or on behalf of any party in relation to the sale and purchase of any property in Singapore and the lease of HDB property.

The statement revealed that on or around 8 January 2015, Goh informed his client that he needed about $106,000 in cash to pay the conveyancing lawyers handling the purchase of his new Yishun flat. Trusting Goh, the client and his son met up with Goh at a bank in Yishun on the same day to withdraw the money.

Goh explained that $93,000 was for the conveyancing fee and he would pass the money to the lawyers. The remaining sum would be his commission for assisting in the sale of the Sembawang flat and the purchase of the Yishun flat, Goh told the client, who then handed him the money.

However, Goh did not pass the money to the lawyers and instead used it to clear his debts. Gohs lies were discovered after the lawyers contacted the client asking for the $93,000. The client informed the lawyers that he had made the payment to Goh but was informed by the lawyers that they did not receive the money.

After the client lodged a report to Propnex, investigations revealed that Goh had lied to the company that the $93,000 was stolen from his car and thus, he could not hand the money to the lawyers.

The company subsequently terminated Gohs services. Goh also returned the $93,000 to Propnex after he sold his condominium unit.
By Arno Schuetze and Greg Roumeliotis

FRANKFURT/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Chemicals and healthcare group Bayer AG (BAYGn.DE) is poised to announce the acquisition of U.S. seeds company Monsanto Co (MON.N) on Wednesday for more than $66 billion, clinching the biggest deal of the year, people familiar with the matter said.

By accepting Bayer's offer, the largest cash acquisition proposal on record, Monsanto is set to give the German company a shot at grabbing the top spot in the fast-consolidating farm supplies industry, combining its crop science business with Monsanto's strength in seeds. It will also set the stage for the deal to be closely scrutinized by antitrust regulators.

The breakthrough in negotiations, which follows more than four months of talks, came after Bayer further improved on the sweetened offer of $127.50 per share in cash it disclosed last week, the people said.

However, the deal will still value Monsanto at less than $130 per share, which the company was previously hoping to fetch, the people added.

Once St. Louis, Missouri-based Monsanto's board of directors approves the deal on Tuesday, Leverkusen-based Bayer's supervisory board will meet on Wednesday to also authorize the transaction, with an announcement expected before the stock market opens in New York on Wednesday, some of the people said.

It is still possible the board of either company could decide to walk away from the deal at the last minute, the people cautioned.

The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential. Bayer and Monsanto declined to comment.

Monsanto's shares ended 0.8 percent lower at $106.10 in New York on Tuesday amid uncertainty over whether any agreed deal will clear antitrust hurdles. The stock later climbed to $108.79 in after-hours trading. Bayer shares ended trading in Frankfurt down 0.3 percent at 93.3 euros.

Bayer said last week talks with Monsanto had advanced and that it was willing to offer $127.50 per share, up from $125 previously, valuing Monsanto at more than $65 billion, including debt.

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Sources told Reuters that topping up the price secured Bayer access to more privileged information on Monsanto's business performance and paved the way for more detailed negotiations.

"Given recent updates on the Monsanto approach suggest a final conclusion may be close, we suspect (Bayer) will work hard to try and reach a final conclusion before the Meet Management event, if possible," Jefferies Research analyst Jeffrey Wolford said in a research note before the news, referring to Bayer's presentations day for analysts and investors in Cologne next Tuesday.

Bayer's bid to combine its crop chemicals business, the world's second-largest after Syngenta AG (SYNN.S), with Monsanto's industry leading seeds business, is the latest in a series of major consolidation moves in the agrochemical sector.

U.S. chemicals giants Dow Chemical (DOW.N) and DuPont (DD.N) have agreed to merge and spin off their respective seeds and crop chemicals operations into a major agribusiness.

Syngenta last year fought off unwanted suitor Monsanto, only to later agree to a takeover by ChemChina.

(Additional reporting by Oliver Hirt in Zurich and Patricia Weiss and Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt; editing by Greg Mahlich and Andrew Hay)
By Arno Schuetze and Greg Roumeliotis

FRANKFURT/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Chemicals and healthcare group Bayer AG <BAYGn.DE> is poised to announce the acquisition of U.S. seeds company Monsanto Co <MON.N> on Wednesday for more than $66 billion, clinching the biggest deal of the year, people familiar with the matter said.

By accepting Bayer's offer, the largest cash acquisition proposal on record, Monsanto is set to give the German company a shot at grabbing the top spot in the fast-consolidating farm supplies industry, combining its crop science business with Monsanto's strength in seeds. It will also set the stage for the deal to be closely scrutinized by antitrust regulators.

The breakthrough in negotiations, which follows more than four months of talks, came after Bayer further improved on the sweetened offer of $127.50 per share in cash it disclosed last week, the people said.

However, the deal will still value Monsanto at less than $130 per share, which the company was previously hoping to fetch, the people added.

Once St. Louis, Missouri-based Monsanto's board of directors approves the deal on Tuesday, Leverkusen-based Bayer's supervisory board will meet on Wednesday to also authorize the transaction, with an announcement expected before the stock market opens in New York on Wednesday, some of the people said.

It is still possible the board of either company could decide to walk away from the deal at the last minute, the people cautioned.

The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential. Bayer and Monsanto declined to comment.

Monsanto's shares ended 0.8 percent lower at $106.10 in New York on Tuesday amid uncertainty over whether any agreed deal will clear antitrust hurdles. The stock later climbed to $108.79 in after-hours trading. Bayer shares ended trading in Frankfurt down 0.3 percent at 93.3 euros.

Bayer said last week talks with Monsanto had advanced and that it was willing to offer $127.50 per share, up from $125 previously, valuing Monsanto at more than $65 billion, including debt.

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Sources told Reuters that topping up the price secured Bayer access to more privileged information on Monsanto's business performance and paved the way for more detailed negotiations.

"Given recent updates on the Monsanto approach suggest a final conclusion may be close, we suspect (Bayer) will work hard to try and reach a final conclusion before the Meet Management event, if possible," Jefferies Research analyst Jeffrey Wolford said in a research note before the news, referring to Bayer's presentations day for analysts and investors in Cologne next Tuesday.

Bayer's bid to combine its crop chemicals business, the world's second-largest after Syngenta AG <SYNN.S>, with Monsanto's industry leading seeds business, is the latest in a series of major consolidation moves in the agrochemical sector.

U.S. chemicals giants Dow Chemical <DOW.N> and DuPont <DD.N> have agreed to merge and spin off their respective seeds and crop chemicals operations into a major agribusiness.

Syngenta last year fought off unwanted suitor Monsanto, only to later agree to a takeover by ChemChina.

(Additional reporting by Oliver Hirt in Zurich and Patricia Weiss and Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt; editing by Greg Mahlich and Andrew Hay)
By Ahmad Ghaddar, Ron Bousso and Dmitry Zhdannikov LONDON (Reuters) - Authorities in a port controlled by Yemen's Houthi movement have seized two oil tankers from international traders in a payment dispute, according to the ships' owners, an incident which could make it more difficult for the country to import vital supplies. Ocean Tankers, the Singapore-based owner of the two 74,000 tonne ships, the Chao Hu and the Hong Ze Hu, confirmed that the vessels were being denied permission to leave the Red Sea port of Hodeida, Yemen's second-biggest port, which is controlled by the Houthi movement that also holds the capital Sanaa. Importing goods into Yemen became a major challenge since civil war broke out in the country and a Saudi-led coalition imposed a maritime blockade in its fight against the Houthi group that drove President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi from Sanaa in 2014. Hadi's government now controls the southern port of Aden, but Sanaa and the north are in the hands of the Houthis and military forces loyal to their ally, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Yemen is the poorest country on the Arabian peninsula and depends heavily on imports to feed its nearly 25 million people. While Yemen has been able to import certain goods including fuel, trade has been increasingly hampered by dwindling cash reserves and limited access to foreign bank credit lines. "The vessels themselves are not under arrest but have unfortunately been caught up in a commercial dispute between cargo interests. The dispute is nothing to do with Ocean Tankers or our ships and we hope the dispute can be settled quickly," an Ocean Tankers spokesman said. Several trading sources close to the matter said the Yemeni authorities had barred the ships from leaving after failing to pay tens of millions of dollars for their cargoes of gasoline and gasoil. The cargoes are owned by Swiss-based trading houses Gunvor and Litasco, the trading arm of Russian oil company Lukoil, and were imported via CruGas, a London-based trader and regular supplier for Yemen's main oil company. A document seen by Reuters shows the Yemeni ministry of justice issued a Sept. 4 injunction instructing the shipping agent not to give the two ships departure permits. In response to the seizing of the Hong Ze Hu, charterer Gunvor filed a lawsuit on Sept. 6 at the UK High Court against CruGas, claiming nearly $39 million for losses suffered, according to a court filing seen by Reuters. Gunvor said CruGas owed it for demurrage -- a charge for failing to discharge the ship on time -- and pre-payment for the cargo of 30,000 to 35,000 tonnes. Gunvor and Litasco declined to comment. CruGas could not be reached for comment. Officials of the Houthi-controled government in Sanaa could not be reached during the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday. Sources at the port of Hodeidah said CruGas and the Yemen Oil and Gas Company (YOGC) were in a payment dispute over the delivery of fuel. According to Reuters ship tracking data, the two vessels have been anchored off the coast of Yemen for several months. LEGAL MISMATCH Sending oil products to a war zone is riddled with risks, from political factors preventing delivery to insolvency of the buyer and the risk of non-payment, Ben Heaney, head of political risk at French shipping insurance broker Aon France, told Reuters. This incident could have far reaching implications on Yemen's ability to import fuel or other goods in the future due to insurance risks that will make voyages costlier or in some cases impossible, Louis Bollaert, Aon's head of trade credit, political risk and surety said. "Any detention or frustration action in Yemen that affects the oil sector and is not resolved promptly will almost certainly lead to a total withdrawal of insurance and finance appetite to fund and cover these types of risks," Heaney said. According to Bollaert, the supply contract is governed by English law, while the injunction was made under Yemeni law, creating a legal mismatch. "It would be impossible for the tanker to maneuver in order to leave the port. Additionally, the safety of the crew is paramount, and attempting to defy local 'law' would certainly add unwelcome danger to the crews safety, in an already unacceptable situation," Heaney said. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of bunker fuel in the port of Hodeida as supplies on the vessels are expected to run out within a few weeks, the sources said. Crews on the Hong Ze Hu were replaced in recent days. (Reporting by Ron Bousso; editing by Peter Graff)
TOWN OF BURLINGTON  A 56-year-old Town of Burlington woman reportedly had three children in her vehicle when she was arrested for her third drunken driving offense earlier this summer.

Dorothy Cecilia Hallett, of the 8000 block of Truman Court in the Bohners Lake area, has been charged with three felony counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle after she was pulled over Aug. 3 near the Burlington Bypass.

A Racine County sheriffs deputy responded to the area at about 6:45 p.m. after an employee at the Waterford McDonalds, 815 Fox Lane, called authorities about the woman, according to a criminal complaint. The employee told a dispatcher the woman smelled of alcohol and stumbled about the restaurant before driving a minivan southbound on Highway 36 with three children in tow.

The deputy stopped the vehicle to check the welfare of the children and approached the driver, later identified as Hallett, who was reportedly drinking large amounts of water, according to the complaint.

The deputy reported that Halletts eyes were glassy and speech was delayed with long pauses between words. She reportedly said she did not drink any alcohol that day but refused to face the deputy, speaking only toward the center of the vehicle.

She was allegedly uncooperative during a preliminary breath test, sticking her tongue into it and blowing air out the side of her mouth, but eventually registered a reading of .10, according to the complaint.

Hallett is also charged with three counts of operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration with a child in the car, also felonies.

She made an initial court appearance Wednesday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 28.

Bond was set at $3,000. As conditions of the bond, Hallett is not allowed to drive or consume or possess alcohol and will be monitored by random testing, according to online court records.
Metropolitan Dry Cleaners is currently poised to have 11 locations capable of generating well in excess of $1.8 million in annual revenues for fiscal year 2017

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / September 14, 2016 / Experience Art & Design, Inc. (EXAD) and a Seller in the North Eastern United States have executed a Letter of Intent to acquire a seven-unit environmentally friendly, perc free dry cleaning company that offers a multitude of additional services ranging from executive shirt service to tailoring and alterations. Net cash flow from the operation in 2015 was over $250,000.

Metropolitan Dry Cleaners was approached by the prospective Seller who was looking to effect an off-market transaction in August of 2016, and the two companies have been in ongoing negotiations since then. EXAD is very grateful for the opportunity, and the Seller has kindly agreed to remain employed by the Company for a period of up to three years following the closing of the transaction.

The operation has been a trusted neighborhood brand for over 65 years. They are known for their continued innovation, leadership in green initiatives and expertise as highly trained dry cleaning professionals.

The transaction allows Metropolitan the opportunity to digitally expand through the re-branding of an existing dry cleaning app used by the Company, as well as expanding physical operations in a new region of the United States. Metropolitan and the Seller have agreed that should any real estate be sold in the future, Metropolitan will have the right of first refusal.

Metropolitan plans to expand pick-up and drop-off services within the geographic coverage area served by the existing seven units, as well as developing additional processing services that will be offered to the local community.

Closing and Name change Updates:

The audits for the two pending acquisitions in Florida are moving forward. EXAD supplied each company with a detailed list of information needed to complete their audit. One company has supplied all the information. This information has already been reviewed by EXAD's audit team and passed the feasibility review. That audit is in process now. The second company is still gathering the information needed and is expected to have the last open items to EXAD shortly. At that time the information will be forwarded to the audit team for a feasibility review. If it passes the feasibility review, it shall move forward with its audit.

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Audits normally take 60 to 75 days to complete and timing is dependent on the information provided by the Seller as well as the response time for additional information requests. EXAD uses a third-party CPA to help expedite the audit process. The CPA prepares the financials, footnotes, and does the testing, before handing the package over to auditors for final review.

The Closings for both companies are moving forward. The Closing Dates stated within the executed documents are based on strict timelines for delivery of documents and the availability of the auditors and the CPA. The Closings are contingent on audited financials for fiscal years 2014, 2015, and the first six months of 2016, which are in-line with the financial information represented prior to closing. If the information does not align then a write-down on the target company would be required prior to Closing.

EXAD is continuing its search for additional companies to acquire and enter into transactional documents to create a backlog of acquisitions. EXAD has already identified and reached out to several companies in the North Eastern United States, however these contacts are still at a pre-LOI stage. Closing times will vary from deal to deal making the backlog important for Metropolitan's growth so its success is not reliant on any single transaction.

EXAD has begun the process of a name and ticker change as part of its corporate strategy. The first of two filings with the State of Nevada are complete, the second filing will be done within the next 10 days. EXAD created a wholly owned subsidiary Metropolitan Dry Cleaners LLC in the State of Florida.

EXPERIENCE ART & DESIGN, INC., IN COMPLIANCE WITH SEC REGULATIONS, MAY IN THE FUTURE USE SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS LIKE FACEBOOK OR TWITTER AND ITS OWN WEBSITE TO ANNOUNCE KEY INFORMATION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REG FD.

For additional information about this release please contact:

Investor Relations:

702-347-8521

info@metropolitandrycleaners.com

http://www.metropolitandrycleaners.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27(a) of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, estimates of dry cleaning services and equipment markets, release of corporate apps, global dry cleaning services and equipment markets, growth of platform, target markets, product releases, product demand and, business strategy. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Details of the Company's business, finances, appointments and agreements can be found as part of the Company's continuous public disclosure as a reporting issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR database.

SOURCE: Experience Art & Design, Inc.
Following the controversial letter published last month by Dean John Ellison against trigger warnings and safe spaces at the University of Chicago, we highlighted many responses from members of the U of C community. Yesterday, more than 150 faculty members published a letter of their own in the student paper The Chicago Maroon. Heres the nut graph:

Those of us who have signed this letter have a variety of opinions about requests for trigger warnings and safe spaces. We may also disagree as to whether free speech is ever legitimately interrupted by concrete pressures of the political. That is as it should be. But let there be no mistake: such requests often touch on substantive, ongoing issues of bias, intolerance, and trauma that affect our intellectual exchanges. To start a conversation by declaring that such requests are not worth making is an affront to the basic principles of liberal education and participatory democracy.

The letter also touches on the idea of mutual respect as a crucial element in the free exchange of ideas (a theme weve touched on as well) and points out that the administration confusingly disconnects safe spaces it supports (see the list of mentoring services on the Colleges own website) from intellectual safe spaces that it does not, as if issues of power and vulnerability stop at the classroom door.

Recommended: The Perils of Writing a Provocative Email at Yale

The University of Chicago faculty is a dynamic one, but I cant remember too many faculty letters in my time. In recent years, faculty members in 2008 protested the creation of Milton Friedman Institute (for ideological bias) and called for the University to divest from fossil fuels. The Friedman Institute happened anyway (its now the Becker Friedman Institute) and divestment didnt.

Theres been a lot written about how not U of C the original letters language and wording seemed, and the members of staff weve heard from seem to agree on this front. Heres an excerpt of a letter sent to Dean Ellison from Jessica Haley, the Universitys Program Coordinator for Creative Writing and Poetics who is also an alum (she gave us permission to post, adding Thanks for giving alumni a platform outside of social media.):

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The letter is reductive to the point that it diminishes the larger project claimed by the administrations various statements, reports, and op-eds. It is enormously difficult to set up a classroom environment that can facilitate productive, challenging discussion within a diverse collection of very bright young people, but that is what we should be aiming to do. In our creative writing classrooms this can get especially tricky, as our students regularly read and write about deeply personal topics. It is up to our instructors (mostly OAA instructors) to set a tone for these classrooms that allows for open, honest, and respectful exchanges. It is hard for students to hear criticism about work that feels close to their very being, especially when the work deals with things like sexual assault, race, and grief. That difficulty is real, and it is part of the project of intellectual and artistic inquiry that the University of Chicago has the resources to take on [...] The terms safe space and trigger warning mean different things to different people. I understand the criticisms of how these tools are used in practice. I understand concerns about what could happen should the power of these terms expand unchecked. I cannot understand why your office thought it was acceptable to unequivocally dismiss these complicated, loosely-defined concepts in a space posing as a welcome letter to a whole new group of students. Those letters set a tone, of course, that is part of their function, and the complementary media campaign put out by the University over the rest of the week further underscores that this was all very intentional. But who was this specific letter really for? I dont think it was for the students, which subverts any kind of welcome gestured at here.

Many alumni have expressed that the letter seemed like a branding exercise for the University to energize alumni donation, as this new Baffler piece by alumnus Maximillian Alvarez argues. Alvarez ponders who whether the University is simply cashing in on the culture wars:

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
From Dr. Oz The Good Life

When Michael Kuluva's back gave out while walking to one of his college classes at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising six years ago, he never expected what would come next.

"I thought I might have a kidney stone because the pain was so predominant," he says. "When that was ruled out by my urologist, I was told to go to a rheumatologist. I lit up like a Christmas tree. All my joints lit up with inflammation."

Photo credit: WireImage Style360

At just 28, Kuluva found out he had rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic disease that affects joints in the body and causes pain, swelling, and redness, as well as fatigue and stiffness, says the CDC.

Although the majority of the estimated 1.3 million Americans who have RA are 40- to 60-year-old women, RA diagnoses in young adults like Kuluva is not uncommon. And while the symptoms of RA are hindering at any age, they're especially problematic for people whose careers depend on their joints working properly - like fashion design.

Not long before Kuluva's diagnosis, he was already a New York Fashion Week veteran, skyrocketing his career after collaborating with Just Dance 4 on an unforgettable runway show. Little did he know, he would soon be spending his time undergoing tests at the Mayo Clinic and going back and forth out of remission for years to come.

The thing about RA is that it's there for good, and there's not a whole lot that can be done. There are treatments that can help people manage the pain and swelling, but sometimes the flare-ups - whether from overexertion, poor sleep, stress, or an infection - can be so debilitating that those who suffer from the condition can barely get out of bed in the morning. So for someone who makes their living drawing, designing, and creating clothing lines, those symptom episodes are unbearable.

"It really limits my drawing and sewing capabilities sometimes, so I have great assistants to help out when my hands are unable to do what I want them to do, or my elbows won't move on a certain day," Kuluva says. "Being my own boss with my company, I'm able to be more flexible."

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Luckily, Kuluva isn't letting RA take control of his life. Instead, he decided to stop hiding behind the condition and instead highlight it in the only way he knows how: through a fashion show.

"This year, I knew I didn't have anything to lose. I really wanted to help spread awareness with younger people," he says. "So why not put it on the runway and put it in everyone's faces so they can have a better understanding of the disease?"

You'll see exactly where our pain is; where we feel pressure. You can view it from the clothing.

RA is much more than just your grandma's arthritis, and to put an end to the stigma, Kuluva teamed up with Seth Ginsberg, president and co-founder of CreakyJoints, a leading patient advocacy organization for arthritis. By working together, Kuluva's latest Tumbler and Tipsy collection has made an impact in more ways than one this year.

"We want to help people understand something they've maybe heard about, but don't necessarily know about," says Ginsberg, who was diagnosed with spondyloarthritis, a type of arthritis that attacks the spine, and sometimes the joints of the arms and legs, when he was 13 years old. "I'd like for people to be inspired to identify ways they can manage their arthritis successfully and follow in his footsteps in whatever it is they're passionate about."

As far as the collection goes, it still stays true to Kuluva's iconic, fun-loving brand, but this year some new additions have been added to his playful designs.

"I created very sporty, spandex-like material and garments that emphasize different bursts that would be on your elbows or different joints," Kuluva says. "When an outfit is completely worn, all the different joints light up with these bursts. You'll see exactly where our pain is; where we feel pressure. You can view it from the clothing."

By bringing arthritis to the forefront in a place where women and men of all ages gather, he hopes he makes his fans think differently about the condition and who it affects.

"Even though we don't look like we're suffering every day, we are. I hope people have the passion and awareness, and I also hope they get checked out themselves," Kuluva says. "Above all, we really want to put an end to this disease."

If you or someone you know has arthritis, visit CreakyJoints.com for resources and support.
Fathom, the social impact cruise line owned by Carnival and the only U.S. cruise line with approval to sail to Cuba, just announced two new sailings for its only ship, the Adonia, to the newly popular Caribbean island.

The trips are scheduled for the weeks of October 9 and November 6.

To accommodate the change, Fathom is re-routing two previously announced trips to the Dominican Republic, reports Skift.

Royal Caribbean and Norwegian are still awaiting approval from the Cuban government to begin cruising there.

Since our inaugural voyage in early May, we have experienced strong, continued demand from travelers wanting to travel to Cuba, said Tara Russell, president of Fathom and global impact lead at Carnival Corp.

Travelers who had planned to travel to the Dominican Republic with Fathom can either reschedule their cruise for another date or go to Cuba for no additional cost. They can also ask for a full refund.

Ten U.S. airlines are beginning flights to Havana and nine other Cuban cities this fall. And if you're looking to book a trip, check out 9 New Ways to Get To Cuba

Christopher Tkaczyk is the Senior News Editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @ctkaczyk.

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Sept 14 (Reuters) - Federal prosecutors are in the early stages of an investigation into sales practices at Wells Fargo & Co, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Wells Fargo said last week it would pay $185 million in penalties and $5 million to customers that regulators say were pushed into fee-generating accounts they never requested for.

Prosecutors, who have issued a subpoena for Wells Fargo's documents and materials, are yet to decide if any case, if pursued, would be along civil or criminal lines, the Journal reported. (http://on.wsj.com/2cIKpEM)

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Southern District of New York and the Northern District of California, the WSJ said.

Wells Fargo investor Tim Smith said earlier on Wednesday it was "inevitable" that the company would face critical shareholder resolutions after the giant bank agreed to a $190 million settlement with regulators.

Wells Fargo could not be immediately reached for comment.

(Reporting by Anet Josline Pinto in Bengaluru)
(Corrects paragraph 2 to make clear U.S. Attorneys' Offices are plural)

By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors have begun an investigation related to sales practices at Wells Fargo & Co that led the bank to agree to a $190 million settlement with regulators, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The U.S. Attorneys' Offices in Manhattan and San Francisco are investigating Wells Fargo, the person said, following a settlement announced on Sept. 8 over claims that some customers were pushed into fee-generating accounts they never requested.

Wells Fargo declined to comment on Wednesday. A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan also declined to comment.

"We don't comment on the existence or non-existence of any investigation," said Abraham Simmons, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Francisco.

The investigation was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The federal prosecutors' probes add a new headache for the company, which has been hit hard by allegations that its staff opened more than two million bank accounts and credit cards for customers without their consent to meet internal sales goals.

As part of last week's settlement, Wells Fargo agreed to pay $185 million in penalties and $5 million to customers. Wells Fargo also said that it had fired 5,300 employees over the sales conduct.

That settlement was with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney.

The bank neither admitted nor denied the allegations as part of the settlement.

On Tuesday, Chief Executive John Stumpf apologized and said the management takes responsibility for the problems identified in the settlement.

Although the bank eliminated sales goals for retail staff, Stumpf said "cross-selling" products from various businesses to customers is still important to expand its business.

(Reporting by Anet Josline Pinto in Bengaluru and Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Don Sebastian and Grant McCool)
WIND POINT  For the past six years, high school graduation rates for Racine Unified have been increasing. But data collected by Higher Expectations shows major gaps between different ethnicities and economic classes.

We have disparities in this community, in this county, Jeff Neubauer, executive director of Higher Expectations, said. Thats real. We cant pretend like thats not there. What we need to do is address it in a fundamental and effective way.

Members from many sectors of the Racine community converged on the Johnson Foundation at Wingspread Monday evening to learn about Higher Expectations 2015-2016 Annual Report: Measuring Progress Moving Forward. Higher Expectations started in 2014 as a collective impact initiative to create a capable and employed workforce in Racine County. The organization focuses on data to identify best practices and track the progress from birth to employment.

The disparities, according to the organizations data, begin as early as kindergarten. In total, the data showed that 78 percent of kindergartners were at or above the fall literacy marks for 2015-16 year. However, when broken down by ethnicity and economic status, it showed 88 percent of white children at or above the fall literacy marks as compared to 71 percent for African-Americans and 68 percent for Hispanics.

For kindergartners from non-economically disadvantaged families, 92 percent were at or above the literacy level, compared with 71 percent for children from economically disadvantaged families. Higher Expectations defined economically disadvantaged as those students who qualify for free or reduced-fee school lunch.

You can look at the percentage of children who are not prepared for kindergarten in our community... its about a quarter of the students, said Neubauer, a local businessman and former state legislator. Then you look at the high school graduation rate and a quarter of the students dont graduate. Hello! We need to work on kindergarten readiness.

The data also showed 92 percent of students were at or above the spring expectations for social and emotional development in 2015-16.

High school similar to kindergarten

The high school graduation rates for Racine Unified School District have been steadily increasing, rising from 68 percent graduating in 2010 to 74 percent in 2015.

But as with the kindergarten scenario, there are differences among ethnicities and economic classes. In 2015, roughly 85 percent of white students graduated high school, as compared to 68 percent for Hispanics and 63 percent of African-Americans. Non-economically disadvantaged students graduated at the highest rate, 85 percent, compared to 65 percent of economically disadvantaged.

Big gains made

Despite those numbers, the largest increases in graduation rates over the last six years have occurred with minority and low-income students. African-Americans increased their graduation rate 17 percent; Hispanics increased 8 percent and the economically disadvantaged increased 13 percent.

African-American graduation rates have gone up a bunch but theyre not anywhere near where they need to be, Neubauer said. The next logical step is to continue the work weve been doing for two years and we deepen and broaden our impact through our partners.

Neubauer hopes initiatives like the Academies of Racine will help not only improve education but also the local employment. The Academies of Racine is the new system implemented this year in Unifieds high schools which assembles students in smaller learning communities to provide real-world experiences with local businesses and professionals, linking schoolwork and the workplace.

This is not glamorous, silver bullet, solve-the-problem work, Neubauer said. This is roll up your sleeves, see where the data takes you, organize the people that are passionate about it ... to begin to move the needle.

The purpose of informing the community of these realities was so there can be a collective effort to improve the situation.

We have to use hard transparent, independent and fairly developed data to shine a flashlight as to what it is that were doing, Neubauer said. We dont use the data as a club to beat people to death.

Racine district 12 Alderman Henry Perez listened to the presentation and left feeling positive about the future.

I think theres good hope for our city, for our kids especially, Perez said. I think our minority students are going to benefit the most from this.

Those interested in learning more about the data can go to www.higherexpectationsracinecounty.org.
A Social Security Administration employee is refusing to watch a workplace training video about tolerance for the LGBT community because he says it violates his Christian faith  and hes willing to lose his job of 14 years over the matter.

David Hall, 42, of Tolono, Ill., who works in information technology for the federal agencys Champaign office, spoke to local media last week about his refusal to watch the 17-minute diversity training video and his belief that homosexuality is a sin.

The federal workers story started to gain traction after he spoke to the News-Gazette and WCIA-TV about how he was reprimanded and suspended for two days without pay. He said his request for religious accommodation to forgo the training was denied and he was suspended for two days. He further said he thinks the controversy could ultimately cost him his job.

They wanted me to certify that I had completed the training, he told the local CBS affiliate. Im not going to certify sin.

According to Hall, his problem with the video is that it was mandatory and that there was no other similar training for other groups, such as veterans, the disabled or ethnicities.

I would argue that its not a training video. Its promoting an agenda and a lifestyle that I simply dont agree with, he said to the station.

Doug Nguyen, the SSAs regional communications director for Chicago, confirmed to the News-Gazette that the administration recently announced a diversity-training program in support of an inclusive work environment.

This mandatory video training reminds our employees of their responsibility, as representatives of the agency, to provide the highest levels of service to our customers, Nguyen wrote in an email to the local paper. The training includes a brief session on tips for increasing cultural awareness in a diverse and inclusive environment. We are unable to comment on specific personnel matters.

Hall hired Chicago-based lawyer Jason Craddock, who did not respond to requests from Yahoo News for comment.
From LennyLetter

Photo credit: (ASHLEY LUKASHEVSKY)

When someone tells me about how difficult it is to talk about race in America, I'm always a little puzzled. Most days, it feels like that is all I do. I teach and talk about race everywhere, and I have for a long time. But the summer of 2014 and Michael Brown's killing in Ferguson, Missouri, changed everything for me.

The killing of Michael Brown made me sick for the reasons it made most people sick. As the news of his death flowed through my social-media accounts, I couldn't stop thinking about a dead body exposed to a community for hours on end. I thought about his grieving parents, who were forced to live their nightmare in public while defending their son. I was transfixed by the ethereal glow of tear gas pouring out into the night - the clouds of smoke and the squeals of protesters and bystanders searching for milk to cool the burning in their eyes while gasping for breath. No one should have to see or feel any of these things, but we all did.

When my husband told me that the Ferguson schools wouldn't be open for the first day of scheduled classes, my heart broke a little more. I've spent the majority of my life on a school schedule, so the first day of school is my sacred, secular holiday. Strangely, in times of tragedy, it's the little things that move you. It's the same way you can hold it together through a funeral, but the sight of deviled eggs at the reception afterward can send you into a primal wail. The thought of kids missing the first day of school sent me into action.

When my husband told me that the Ferguson schools wouldn't be open for the first day of scheduled classes, my heart broke a little more.

On Twitter, I asked my fellow educators - like me, most are dual citizens of Black Twitter and Professor Twitter - to consider devoting their first days of class to Brown, who had graduated from high school weeks before he was killed, and to all the kids in Ferguson. It was a small idea, a small contribution to something so deep, so rooted, so big, and so crushing that I didn't want to be alone. I used the hashtag #fergusonsyllabus.

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The hashtag was a plea: "Please talk about Ferguson. Find something to say. Our students are confused, scared, and they are getting a constant stream of arguing talking heads. They need us to talk." What happened next is the kind of thing that I never imagined - the Ferguson Syllabus became a thing.

Colleagues decided to reinvent their classes for the semester, adding topics like the militarization of the police, the rise of social movements, and Missouri history to their syllabi at the last minute. Friends tweeted pictures of slides and flyers that said #fergusonsyllabus on them at schools around the country. Several high school teachers found my e-mail and asked if I could help them subvert orders from school districts that no one talk about Ferguson. We figured out how to use civics classes strategically.

We figured out how to use civics classes strategically.

Tech-phobic teachers signed up for Twitter, and they found themselves connected to allies. My Twitter followers in Halifax, Nova Scotia, related #fergusonsyllabus to Afro-Canadian history, and they donated socially conscious books to prison literacy programs. If you search for #fergusonsyllabus today, you will find a chronicle of how educators stepped up and reimagined what can happen at schools when history is happening all around us.

My students did so much of the teaching that year. A group in my African American Women's History class gave a presentation on their trip to Ferguson to stand in solidarity with residents; they had driven thirteen hours to get to Missouri from D.C.. We talked about their Facebook arguments with high school friends.

I didn't realize that after the semester ended, I would continue talking my students through the many other flashpoints that came after Ferguson. When Freddie Gray's neck was broken in Baltimore, and Sandra Bland was found dead in a jail cell in a Waller County, Texas, jail, and Korryn Gaines was gunned down in her home, my students reached out and asked to talk. One of them tweeted: "I really need @DrMChatelain's class. No one talks about anything together in real life." As my students count the number of women, children, and men killed, the police officers unindicted and acquitted, and the structures unreformed, I have noticed their reactions change. Injustice does not shock them like it used to; increasingly fewer of them have to be convinced that ours is a troubled age when it comes to race and inequality. But they are also unafraid to speak to their experiences, to speak out against what they see as wrong, and to speak to each other about race.

Here is the thing: silence does not protect us; in fact it suffocates us. I'm humbled by the folks who do the heavy lifting for justice - the protesters who lay their bodies down on pavement, the mothers who utter their dead children's names every day in hopes that our society might finally honor them, and the organizers who clear their eyes and lungs and bring more and more people closer to the movement. Among all this bravery, I offer what I know I can do: the work of teaching people how to really talk, of encouraging kids to notice differences, of helping teachers overcome their biases and fears of the children they need to care about, and of getting my colleagues to see that everything - yes, everything - is about race. My sense of commitment to helping get these conversations started has been reanimated and reimagined by the increased visibility of Black Lives Matter after that fateful summer.

Here is the thing: silence does not protect us; in fact it suffocates us.

When I travel and speak, people tell me stories; sometimes they hold back tears and choke down shame in the moments before the snacks and drinks are served. I think about them often. The black girl - one of the few at her private school - who told me that she feels weird because her white friend's parents forbade her from going to the prom with a black guy. The white high school teacher whose parents were staunch integrationists, leaving him to grow up without neighborhood friends. The immigrant parents who revealed that they had been harassed and brutalized by police but had never talked to their kids about it until one of my events. It's powerful. It's emotional. After the panels are convened and I have answered my last audience question, I go back to the hotel room and sit quietly. Sometimes, I cry. Sometimes, I exhale because I'm thankful that the audience warmed up or a heated moment came and went. Then, I get ready for the next conversation.

Marcia Chatelain is the author of South Side Girls: Growing Up in the Great Migration and the host of the podcast "Office Hours: A Podcast." Oh, and she's a professor, too, at Georgetown University.
From Road & Track

When Ferrari launched the California T and 488 with their turbocharged V8s, it seemed the company's naturally aspirated V12 wasn't long for this world. It's only inevitable that the F12 and GTC4lusso's fuel-guzzling vestiges of the old school would go the way of the dodo right? Apparently, not, according to a very promising rumor.

German publication Auto Bild reports that the F12's successor, which is due in 2019, will use an updated version of the current car's 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V12. Yes, the same monster that dates back to the Enzo and makes an astounding 770 horsepower in the wild F12tdf (pictured above). If this report proves to be true, it's the best news.

While this engine won't be turbo- or supercharged, it is possible that it could receive some electric assistance, as we've previously reported. If Ferrari wants to beat the F12tdf's 770 horsepowerwhich you can bet it doesit'll likely need electrification in some capacity. It could be something as mild as an electric motor bolted to the crank to replace the starter motor.

Auto Bild also reports that the F12's successor will be smaller and lighter than the current car, making it more of an all-out supercar. Before we see its successor, though, Automotive News reports that the F12 will receive a mild refresh next year.

It's not that the turbocharged V8s in the California T and 488 aren't greatthey arebut naturally aspirated engines are great, and an increasing rarity. We should celebrate any company that commits to keeping it alive, especially in a V12.

via Carscoops

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Europe and Hollywood industries are expressing their alarm at a proposed overhaul of European copyright law that they fear will further erode the territorial licensing system their businesses count on for revenue.

The measures were unveiled by European Union President Jean-Claude Juncker in a speech Wednesday. The industry will likely have little quarrel with some of the changes, such as a proposal to force YouTube to adopt technology to automatically detect copyrighted works.

Of huge concern, however, is a proposed extension to digital platforms of existing copyrights which already facilitate cross-border transmission of TV programming for foreign cable and satellite operators.

Currently, cable operators in E.U. countries are allowed to re-transmit programming from other nations broadcasters whose satellite transmission footprint falls over their territory. Cable operators in Belgium, for example, are able to capture BBC signals and can re-transmit BBC programming as long as they clear rights with a collecting society and remunerate the BBC.

The European Commission argues that 49% of E.U. internet users access music or audiovisual content online. However, E.U. rules facilitating the clearance of rights for radio and TV programs by satellite transmissions and cable re-transmissions do not extend to digital and online transmissions or retransmissions, the commission said in a statement Wednesday.

It is therefore particularly difficult for broadcasters to make their content available on the Internet for users based in other E.U. Member States, it added.

As part of the E.U.s unified digital market drive, changes to E.U. copyright rules would extend the system of rights clearance for traditional satellite and cable to the online world, to broadcasters live-streaming and catch-up digital services, with rights being cleared centrally by collecting societies. Broadcasters would only be required to clear rights to programs in the TV operators country of origin.

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The move will facilitate the ability of broadcasters to offer these online services outside their countries of origin, said Guy Bisson at Ampere Analysis.

The regulation is no different from that in place for linear channels. But when it is added to other recent developments, such as Paramounts capitulation to pressure from European anti-trust authorities, the danger is that territory-by-territory licensing, the backbone of Europes film and TV industries, will suffer a death by one thousand cuts, Bisson added.

The International Federation of Film Producers Assn. (FIAPF), whose members include the MPAA, went further.

Benoit Ginisty, FIAPF chief representative, said in a statement Wednesday: With the regulation proposing to extend the principle of country-of-origin for licensing ancillary rights to broadcasters as announced today, the European Commission proposes a change which will have harmful effects for employment and economic growth in the film and TV sector in Europe.

The statement added: The legislative proposal will reduce private investment in film and TV production in Europe and will lead to more difficulties in distributing films and TV programs outside national borders. The result will be reduced choice of content online for European audiences.

According to the Commissions proposals outlined Wednesday, producers are able to opt out of allowing their film and TV content to be readily available on catch-up services in the same language all over Europe. Even if the opt-out is waived and the online content is made available, the fact that it cannot be dubbed or subtitled by foreign online operators COULD serve as some kind of barrier for its consumption.

That said, what concerns the industry, however, are practical considerations. One case in point would be that of a producer, negotiating in a weak position the sale of his rights with his home territory broadcaster in order to finance his film, meeting demands by that broadcaster that online rights to his film be available for online replay on online services in the E.U. outside the home territory of the broadcaster.

That availability could see online platforms programming the film before its potential theatrical release abroad in the E.U.

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(The following statement was released by the rating agency) SINGAPORE, September 13 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings confirms that the increase in the size of Export Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad's (MEXIM, A-/Stable) multi-currency medium-term note (MMTN) programme to USD3bn from USD1.5bn will not result in a withdrawal or downgrade of the rating assigned by Fitch to the programme. The programme is rated 'A-'. KEY RATING DRIVERS The programme is rated at the same level as MEXIM's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR). This is because the senior notes issued under the programme constitute direct, unsecured obligations of the bank, and rank equally with all its other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. Fitch notes that the rating is confirmed with respect to the programme and not to the notes issued under the programme. There is no assurance that notes issued under the programme in the future will be assigned a rating, or that the rating assigned to a specific issue under the programme will have the same rating as the rating assigned to the programme. This rating confirmation only addresses the effect of the upsize of MEXIM's MMTN programme on the current rating assigned by Fitch to the programme. This rating confirmation does not address whether the programme is in the best interests of, or prejudicial to, some or all of the holders of notes issued under the programme. RATING SENSITIVITIES Any change in MEXIM's IDR will have a corresponding effect on the programme rating. For further information on MEXIM's ratings and credit profile, see the rating action commentary www.fitchratings.com/site/pr/1010555 ">Fitch Affirms Two Malaysian Banks; Upgrades HLBB, dated 19 August 2016 at www.fitchratings.com.">www.fitchratings.com. MEXIM was established in 1995 and is 99.9%-owned by Malaysia's Minister of Finance (Incorporated). The Federal Lands Commissioner holds one ordinary share. MEXIM's other ratings are as follows: - Long-Term Foreign-Currency IDR 'A-', Outlook Stable - Support Rating '1' - Support Rating Floor 'A-' Contact: Primary Analyst Elaine Koh Director +65 6796 7239 Fitch Ratings Singapore Pte Ltd 6 Temasek Boulevard #35-05 Suntec Tower Four Singapore 038986 Secondary Analyst Tamma Febrian Associate Director +65 6796 7237 Committee Chairperson Grace Wu Senior Director +852 2263 9919 Media Relations: Leslie Tan, Singapore, Tel: +65 67 96 7234, Email: leslie.tan@fitchratings.com. Additional information is available on www.fitchratings.com ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE.
Rome (AFP) - Italian coastguards said Wednesday the bodies of five migrants were recovered while 650 others had been rescued during the day in several operations.

The rescued migrants were rescued from five inflatable boats and one small vessel, said a coastguard statement, giving details of six separate operations.

An Italian navy vessel and a Maltese non-governmental group's boat were involved, along with Irish navy patrol boat the James Joyce, which recovered five bodies, the statement said.

On September 5, operations in the Mediterranean area between Italy and Libya recovered 15 bodies in a single day.

Italy is sheltering growing numbers of would-be refugees as its neighbours to the north move to tighten their borders and make it harder for migrants to travel to their preferred destinations in northern Europe.

According to Italian interior ministry figures Wednesday, the number of migrants arriving in the country since the start of the year reached 128,397, up 5.15 percent compared to the same period in 2015.
Frankfurt (AFP) - German chemicals firm Bayer on Wednesday clinched a $66-billion deal to buy the US seeds and pesticides giant Monsanto, a high-profile takeover likely to face close scrutiny as debate rages in Europe over the use of genetically modified crops.

Here's what you need to know about the megadeal.

- The aspirin maker and the GM pioneer: a brief history -

Bayer was founded in Germany in 1863 as a maker of synthetic dyes for textiles before expanding into pharmaceuticals. It is still best known for making aspirin. More infamously, it briefly sold heroin in the early 20th century, marketing it as cough cure and morphine substitute.

Over the years the company grew through a series of acquisitions, becoming a drug and chemicals giant.

Today, Leverkusen-headquartered Bayer has annual revenues of more than 45 billion euros and more than 100,000 employees worldwide.

Monsanto was established by pharmacist John Queeny in 1901 in St. Louis, Missouri to produce saccharine.

By the 1940s, Monsanto was producing farm-oriented chemicals, particularly the widely used herbicide 2,4-D. Combined with another dangerous chemical, 2,4-D was used to make the notorious Vietnam War-era defoliant Agent Orange.

In 1976, it launched probably its most famous product, the weedkiller Roundup.

In the 1980s, its scientists were the first to genetically modify a plant cell. Monsanto then started buying other seed companies and began field trials of genetically modified seeds.

It eventually developed soybean, corn, cotton and other crops that were genetically engineered to be tolerant of Roundup.

Today, Monsanto has annual revenues of some $15 billion and some 25,000 employees.

- Fourth time's a charm -

Bayer had been actively courting Monsanto for months, but it was only after it increased its bid for a third time that Monsanto finally succumbed.

They shook hands on an offer of $128 a share for Monsanto, up from the $122 per share Bayer had initially offered in May, and valuing the US company at $66 billion.

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The deal takes the crown for the largest takeover of the year, dwarfing the $32 billion the Dublin-based pharma group Shire agreed to pay for US peer Baxalta in January.

It also marks the largest-ever takeover by a German firm.

- Why was Bayer so keen? -

Bayer, better known for its health products but also a prominent figure in the European agro-industry, wants to stake out a dominant position selling seeds and pesticides to farmers around the world.

It says "innovative" agriculture solutions are needed to feed the world's nine billion people by 2050, and it hopes to build on Monsanto's market-leading line in genetically modified crop seeds in the US.

Bayer was also lured by Monsanto's data analytics business known as Climate Corp, which provides farmers with precise data about their crops, a service Bayer believes will become increasingly sought-after.

Additionally, the industry has recently seen a lot of consolidation, meaning Bayer has to become a bigger player if it does not want to get left behind.

- Why is Monsanto so controversial? -

Many consumers and environmental campaigners, especially in Europe, have not accepted the use of genetically modified organisms.

They say GM seeds are dangerous to introduce to the farm and food system generally, and foods produced from GM crops could turn out unsafe to eat.

Monsanto has also come under fire in Europe over the possible health risks of its glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup, suspected of being a carcinogen.

- What does the deal mean for farmers and consumers? -

Well, it's not a done deal yet. The takeover is still subject to regulatory approval and will likely be closely scrutinised on both sides of the Atlantic.

Already there are concerns the latest mega-merger in the sector could put too much power in the hands of just a few players, pushing up prices for farmers.

The industry has already seen a tie-up of Swiss-based Syngenta with ChemChina, while US companies Dow and DuPont are also planning to merge.

The three giants born of these mergers would control two-thirds of the global market for seeds and pesticides.

The Bayer-Monsanto deal will also face strong opposition from environmental groups, with Friends of Earth calling it a "marriage made in hell".
A Florida firefighter was arrested Friday, September 9, and faces an aggravated manslaughter charge in the death of his 23-month-old son, Lawson, who was allegedly left in a sweltering pickup truck from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

On Friday morning, Troy Whitaker of Palm Harbor dropped his 5-year-old daughter, Addison, off at school, but never made the second stop at daycare, sheriffs spokesman Kavontae Smalls told CNN.

PHOTOS: Celebrity Deaths in 2016: Stars Weve Lost

Eight hours later, after running several errands including a trip to the grocery store, Whitaker, 41, discovered Lawson blue and not breathing in the backseat and began performing CPR, but it was too late. The toddler was pronounced dead at the hospital. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtiere told the Tampa Bay Times that Lawsons body temperature had reached 108 degrees.

Parents dont just get passes for neglecting their kids, Gualtiere told 10 News. When you look at Florida law, what it says is: If you commit child neglect and it results in a death, then its aggravated manslaughter. The charge is based upon the facts and the evidence.

Gualtiere added that some parts of Whitakers story didnt add up. He goes over to Publix with the deceased baby in his backseat, gets to Publix and goes inside and shops for about 40 minutes, comes out of Publix and puts the bags on the front seat where he's looking straight back at where the kid would be, the sheriff said. [He] says he doesnt see the kid, goes home, opens the exact same door to take the groceries out where he just put them in and now he says he sees the kid. So  there are some questions.

PHOTOS: Most Shocking Celebrity Deaths of All Time

Whitaker was released from the the Pinellas County Jail on $50,000 bail on Friday, the Associated Press reported.

A GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $6,500 for Whitakers legal fees, but was taken down on September 11, per Fox News.

Lawson is the 29th child to die of heat-related causes from being left inside a vehicle in 2016, according to the website NoHeatStroke.org.

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Related Content:
(Adds SEC comment)

By Zachary Fagenson and Daniel Bases

MIAMI/NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The city of Miami and its former budget director were found liable by a Florida jury on Wednesday for engaging in a financial shell game in a case brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stemming from a municipal bond sale.

Taking less than a day to deliberate, the jury found the city of Miami and former budget director Michael Boudreaux violated the federal Securities Act in the process of selling over $150 million worth of municipal debt in 2009.

In a 2013 complaint, the SEC alleged that the city and Boudreaux violated the anti-fraud provisions of federal securities law.

The nine-person jury found the city of Miami liable on two counts of violating the Securities Act and one count of violating the Exchange Act and Exchange Act rules. It found Boudreaux liable for two counts of violating the Securities Act, though in one count noted he did not use a fraudulent scheme to sell a security.

The SEC called Miami a "recidivist violator" of federal securities laws and warned that this first federal trial by jury against a municipality or one of its officers might not be the last.

"We will continue to hold municipalities and their officers accountable, including through trials, if they engage in financial fraud or other conduct that violates the federal securities laws," the SEC said in a statement.

Boudreaux was also found liable on two counts of violating the Exchange Act and Exchange Act rules.

"I'm very disappointed by all of this," Boudreaux told reporters as he left the courtroom.

Boudreaux's attorney, Benedict Kuehne, indicated plans to appeal the jury's decision.

"That the jury found Mr. Boudreaux did not engage in a fraud on count one raises significant questions about the validity of the entire verdict," Kuehne said.

City of Miami attorney Victoria Mendez said in a statement to Reuters: "While we respect the jury and the judicial process, we are disappointed in the jury's verdict. We are reviewing the record to determine how to proceed at this point."

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Amie Riggle Berlin, senior trial counsel for the SEC, told the court that the regulator would present its request for injunctive relief and monetary penalties within the next two weeks.

The lawsuit alleged both the city and Boudreaux failed to tell credit rating agencies and investors they had churned money through various city accounts in an attempt to keep its general fund above a minimum, city-mandated, $100 million mark.

According to the SEC's complaint, in 2007 and 2008 Boudreaux wrongly told city officials that certain amounts of money he planned to transfer into the city's general fund were unused, when in fact they were being redirected from the city's capital projects.

Boudreaux was fired in 2010.

"That the SEC has prevailed in this case is another reminder that the Enforcement Division in recent years has dramatically increased focus on municipal offerings, an area that will continue to attract regulatory scrutiny for at least the near term," said Jonathan Shapiro, a partner at Baker Botts in San Francisco, who was not involved in the case.

(Reporting By Zachary Fagenson in Miami and Daniel Bases in New York; Additional reporting by Jonathan Stempel and Dena Aubin in New York; Editing by Chris Reese and Bill Rigby)
ROCHESTER  A village resident can keep three hens and three turkeys on his property for part of the year.

The Rochester Village Board on Monday approved a request from resident Rob Fontaine, 35312 Washington Ave. (Highway D), to keep several chickens and turkeys on his 1.75 acre lot.

Fontaine originally asked to keep 10 chickens and three turkeys, which would be raised by his daughter to show at the Racine County Fair.

The board gave Fontaine permission to keep three hen chickens for egg laying  no roosters  and three turkeys to be raised for fair on his property, located in the Honey Creek neighborhood at the village's west end.

Fontaine sent a letter to his neighbors informing them of his request.

The boards approval came after another village couple was recently allowed to keep two or three chickens in their backyard at 407 Paul St.
By Paul Lienert DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co Chief Executive Mark Fields is looking for more deals to advance the automaker's expansion into ride services and autonomous vehicles, but will not rush to match big spending by auto industry rivals, he told Reuters. Investors comparing the size of Ford's investments to what other automakers have announced are "looking at the wrong scoreboard," Fields said in an interview at Ford headquarters on Tuesday, ahead of the company's annual late-summer investor meeting. "Don't confuse activity for progress," Fields said in response to questions about why Ford's future 'mobility' investments appear to lag those of competitors such as General Motors Co, Daimler AG and Toyota Motor Corp. Mobility is the term auto companies and investors use to describe the next wave of personal transportation, which is still largely car-based but includes a wide range of services from ride sharing to automated driving and parking. Fields and other top Ford executives are scheduled to meet on Wednesday with investors and analysts to address concerns that the automaker is heading into a cyclical downturn in the United States market, which generates the bulk of Ford's profit. Fields is expected to highlight the prospects for Ford to jump-start growth over the next several years by developing new businesses using autonomous, or self-driving, vehicles and internet-enabled services such as shuttle vans that can be hailed using a smartphone app. A Reuters analysis of automaker investments in future mobility startups estimates that Ford has spent less than $500 million in the sector over the past five years, while Toyota has spent more than $1.1 billion, GM more than $1.2 billion and Daimler more than $1.4 billion. So far, the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker has announced a steady stream of relatively small deals. GM, in contrast, has highlighted bigger moves such as its $700 million acquisition of driving startup Cruise Automation and a $500 million investment in ride services company Lyft. GM has outlined plans to use its alliance with Lyft to place electric and autonomous vehicles in ride services fleets, while expanding car sharing through its Maven brand. FORD GOES SMALL Ford has focused on smaller startups in such fields as laser sensors, mapping, artificial intelligence and data analytics. Last week, Ford said it had acquired Chariot, a San Francisco-based startup that provides a local on-demand shuttle service with dynamic routing capability. Fields said the company has a "contingency fund" to finance future investments that fit into Ford's long-range mobility strategy, but wants to "make sure we are investing wisely" in a field where less than half the prospects offer real value. Fields said Ford will leave all options open for partnerships and acquisitions to expand its services business. "It will take time to scale some of these new businesses," he said. Until then, Fields said those ventures will be funded in part by Ford's core business, including its high-volume, high-margin pickup trucks. Ford also will place "a high priority on stable and sustainable dividends," Fields said. Ford's current dividend yield is nearly 4.7 percent. Ford shares are down 12 percent for the year to date,reflecting investors' concerns that vehicle sales in the United States are slowing down. "Investors are so focused on when the next recession is coming and what happens to auto stocks in the recession, theyre not paying a huge amount of attention to whether GMs strategy of spending big to position itself for the next era of mobility or Fords strategy of going late with less of a checkbook is the right one," Barclays Capital analyst Brian Johnson said on Tuesday. Ford jolted investors on July 28 when it released second-quarter results that fell short of Wall Street expectations, and Chief Financial Officer Robert Shanks said the growth is over in the U.S. market. Ford shares fell 8 percent, and have not fully recovered since. GM shares are stuck in the doldrums too, down 9 percent for the year despite beating Wall Street profit expectations in the second quarter. (Reporting by Paul Lienert; Editing by Joseph White and Bill Rigby)
LONDON (Reuters) - Two former executives from Rupert Murdoch's British newspaper arm should be formally admonished after misleading a parliamentary committee investigating claims of phone-hacking, lawmakers said on Wednesday. Colin Myler, the former editor of the defunct News of the World newspaper, and Tom Crone, the tabloid's top lawyer, were found in contempt of the House of Commons over evidence they gave to its Culture, Media and Sport Committee in 2009, a report by parliament's Privileges Committee found. Myler and Crone have denied misleading lawmakers. The News of the World newspaper closed in 2011 after it was revealed journalists on the paper had been involved in hacking the voicemails on mobile phones of thousands of people, including that belonging to a murdered schoolgirl, to find exclusive stories. The paper's former editor Andy Coulson and a number of other former staff were convicted and jailed in 2014. Following a lengthy inquiry into phone-hacking, the culture committee concluded in 2012 that media mogul Murdoch was not fit to run a major international company and raised questions about the competency of his son James. The report also singled out the paper's final editor Myler, Crone and Les Hinton, the ex-head of his British newspaper arm then called News International, for having misled them in testimony. The Privileges Committee said it agreed with the conclusion that Myler and Crone had answered "questions falsely about [their] knowledge of evidence that other News of the World employees had been involved in phonehacking and other wrongdoing". However, it said there was insufficient evidence to find Hinton or News International guilty of contempt. In statements issued to media, both Crone and Myler disputed the conclusion and denied misleading lawmakers. "Had the appropriate standard of proof been properly applied, the Privileges Committee could not have reached a finding of contempt against me, given that the report identifies evidence which plainly contradicts their conclusions," Myler said. The Privileges Committee recommended the House of Commons agreed a motion formally admonishing the men for their conduct, a penalty that amounts to a slap on the wrist. (Reporting by Michael Holden)
CONCORD, NC / ACCESSWIRE / September 14, 2016 / Fortiline Waterworks ("Fortiline"), a portfolio company of CHS Capital LLC and one of the largest waterworks distributors in the United States, announced today it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired (the "Transaction") by MORSCO, Inc. ("MORSCO") of Fort Worth, Texas, as its waterworks distribution platform.

MORSCO, a portfolio company of global private equity firm Advent International ("Advent"), is a leading U.S. distributor of commercial and residential plumbing and HVAC supplies. MORSCO is one of the fastest growing companies in its industry with 140+ branch locations, more than $1 billion in sales and over 2,000 associates in 12 states. Advent will make a significant new equity investment to support the acquisition.

Mike Swedick will remain President and CEO of Fortiline, which will continue to operate as a standalone company, responsible for waterworks supplies distribution inside of MORSCO.

"On behalf of all the employees at Fortiline, we are extremely proud and excited to have signed an agreement to join the MORSCO family," said Mike Swedick, Fortiline President and CEO. "Our experience in dealing with the management team at MORSCO has been wonderful; I have learned that we have similar cultures and values, which will make this transition seamless. We very much look forward to continuing to build our waterworks platform while collaborating with the leadership team at MORSCO to build a world class distribution company."

Chip Hornsby, CEO of MORSCO, commented, "We are extremely excited to be partnering with Fortiline. Since the purchase of Morrison Supply Company in November 2011, our intent was to become a world-class distributor in plumbing, HVAC and waterworks. In less than five years, we have expanded coast to coast through acquisitions and organic growth primarily in plumbing and HVAC. The addition of Fortiline as a standalone waterworks business under the leadership of Mike Swedick further demonstrates our commitment to the waterworks industry."

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The closing of the Transaction, which is expected to occur by October 31, 2016, is subject to various conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. Until the consummation of the Transaction, MORSCO and Fortiline will remain independent companies.

About Fortiline

Fortiline Waterworks, headquartered in Concord, N.C., is one of the largest wholesale distributors of underground water, sewer and storm utility products in the United States. Founded in 1997, Fortiline distributes more than 75,000 SKUs to a diverse base of more than 4,500 contractor, developer and municipal customers through a network of 42 branches in 12 states in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. The company's vision is to be the preferred and most trusted resource for utility infrastructure product solutions and Fortiline backs that with specialty divisions and extensive inventory at locations across the country. To learn more, visit www.fortiline.com.

About MORSCO

MORSCO is a leading U.S. distributor of commercial and residential plumbing and HVAC supplies. The company was founded nearly 100 years ago in Fort Worth, Texas, and is now one of the fastest growing companies in its market. MORSCO is a private company sponsored by Advent International and led by a team of industry veterans. The MORSCO family of operating units consists of Express Pipe & Supply (CA), Farnsworth Wholesale Company (AZ), Morrison Supply Company (TX, OK, NM, LA, KS), Murray Supply Company (NC, SC, VA), Wholesale Specialties (CO), DeVore & Johnson (GA) and MORSCO's premier showroom offering in these markets, Expressions Home Gallery. For additional information regarding MORSCO or any of its brands, please visit the website at www.MorscoUSA.com.

About Advent International

Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors. The firm has invested in more than 300 private equity transactions in 40 countries and as of March 31, 2016, had $42 billion in assets under management. With offices on four continents, Advent has established a globally integrated team of over 180 investment professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on investments in five core sectors, including business and financial services; healthcare; industrial; retail, consumer and leisure; and technology, media and telecom. After more than 30 years dedicated to international investing, Advent remains committed to partnering with management teams to deliver sustained revenue and earnings growth for its portfolio companies. For more information, visit www.adventinternational.com.

About CHS Capital

CHS Capital is a Chicago-based private equity firm with over 25 years of experience investing in the middle market. Through partnerships with strong management teams, CHS Capital aims to accelerate earnings growth and drive value creation through human capital initiatives, performance improvement actions and strategic growth activities. Throughout its history, CHS Capital has made investments in over 400 businesses and invested $2.9 billion of capital. For additional information, please visit www.chsonline.com.

CONTACT:

Cathy Hein, Marketing Director

7025 Northwinds Dr., NW

Concord, NC 28027

704-788-9806

cathy.hein@fortiline.com



SOURCE: Fortiline Waterworks
Kiev (AFP) - The French foreign minister told Ukraine on Wednesday there was "no plan B" to a tattered blueprint for ending a 29-month pro-Russian revolt that has destabilised the European Union's backyard.

The visit by Jean-Marc Ayrault and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier for talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko came after one of the bloodiest days in weeks saw government forces and the separatists lose three fighters each.

International monitors warn that clashes in the former Soviet republic have returned to the highest level in a year.

The two European powers helped negotiate a February 2015 deal that was meant to end the bloodshed and decide the status of the rebel-run regions by the end of last year.

But the so-called Minsk Agreements and a subsequent series of ceasefires have done little to halt daily battles that have killed nearly 9,600 people and destroyed much of Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland.

Germany and France thus feel politically bound to find a lasting solution to one of Europe's bloodiest crises in decades and mend ties with Russia after accusing it of stirring and backing the revolt -- a charge Moscow denies.

The Cold War-style tensions have effectively frozen Western trade ties with Russia and torn apart trust at a time when Washington needs Moscow to resolve the complex wars in Syria and Iraq

Both Ayrault and Steinmeier urged Kiev's pro-Western leaders to commit themselves more fully to the 13-point plan agreed in Minsk under which the rebels would get partial autonomy within a unified Ukraine.

"There is no plan B," Ayrault said at a joint press conference in Kiev with Steinmeier and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin.

"The Minsk agreement must be implemented."

Steinmeier added "we came with a promise from Moscow that effective (Thursday) there will be a truce that will last at least a week."

Poroshenko on Tuesday urged parliament to pass "decentralisation" legislation that would give more freedom to regions like the separatist provinces of Donetsk and Lugansk.

Story continues

But lawmakers feel the measure and another law on elections in rebel-run regions would effectively cede the war zone to Russia and refuse to back the bills.

The resulting diplomatic stalemate has been reflected by warfare in which neither side gains ground while causing havoc that destroys homes and causes almost daily casualties.

Ukraine's foreign minister argued for his part that Kiev needed a "clear vision and consequential steps whose implementation is guaranteed by Russia".

Moscow says the terms of a peace deal can only be agreed in direct talks by Kiev and the rebels -- which Poroshenko has refused to hold

The two European diplomats are due Thursday to visit the government-held frontline city of Kramatorsk.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Fire from Syria hit the Israeli-held zone of the Golan Heights on Wednesday, the military said, the latest in a string of incidents ratcheting up tension between the uneasy neighbours.

"Earlier today a projectile fired from Syria hit the northern Israeli Golan Heights," an army statement said.

"No injuries have been reported."

There was no immediate report of an Israeli response.

On Tuesday Israeli aircraft struck Syrian army positions after stray fire from Syria's war hit the Israeli-occupied zone.

Syria said it had shot down an Israeli warplane and a drone, a claim denied by Israel.

The uptick comes as a new Syrian ceasefire brokered by Russia and the United States came into force on Monday.

The truce does not apply to areas held by jihadists such as the Islamic State group.

The Israeli army holds the Syrian government accountable for any fire from its territory, regardless of its source.

There were similar events in July and previously.

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.
Newspaper publishing companies, in a bid to diversify their revenue base, are making endeavors to expand their presence in broadcasting and digital products. These companies are aiming to lower dependency on soft print media business and traditional advertising, thereby reducing susceptibility to economic conditions. In sync with this trend, Gannett Co., Inc. GCI recently invested an undisclosed amount in Digg, a digital media company.

This Series C round of investment paves the way for USA TODAY NETWORK, Gannetts media network, to have access to Diggs industry-leading data. This will help in enhancing the networks content distribution capacities. Users too will be engaged in fresh content discovery and messaging products.

Moreover, USA TODAY NETWORK with unique digital visitors of over a 100 million per month and Digg with an audience of 40 million monthly fittingly set the stage for advertisers to reach a massive audience. Further, the collaboration would also provide complete advertising analytics to brand partners.

Gannett has been engaged in making strategic acquisitions since its Broadcasting and Digital, and Publishing properties were spun-off. The Broadcasting and Digital division formed a new entity called TEGNA Inc. TGNA.

With an aim to strengthen its position in the newspaper industry, Gannett, in Oct 2015 entered into a deal to acquire Journal Media Group, Inc., the owner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other newspapers. In Apr 2016, the company completed the acquisition of all of the remaining shares. Journal Media Group was formed after Journal Communications and E.W. Scripps merged their broadcasting operations and split the newspaper business. The merged broadcast and digital media company, headquartered in Cincinnati, retained the name, The E.W. Scripps Company SSP.

In Jul 2016, Gannett acquired the North Jersey Media Group Inc. The buyout includes The Record (Bergen County), the Herald News, as well as their associated digital assets. Gannett, which publishes USA Today and more than 100 other dailies, is expected to highly benefit from the aforementioned deal. This deal will also solidify the companys presence in New Jersey.

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Gannetts other strategic investments include buyout of digital marketing solutions company, ReachLocal, Inc. and a minority stake in Spirited Media, which operates the mobile news site Billy Penn in Philadelphia.

GANNETT CO INC Price

GANNETT CO INC Price | GANNETT CO INC Quote

Gannett, which is also making an active attempt to acquire tronc, Inc. TRNC, currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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A Florida university had a surprising visitor Monday evening when an alligator was seen roaming around campus.

Read: 450-Pound Snaggle-Toothed 'Monster' Gator Captured Near School

Students at Florida Gulf Coast Universitys Fort Myers campus reported seeing the gator roaming on school grounds near the library.

The library, located near a swamp, became the campus hotspot as the surprising guest strolled around.

Students posted about it on social media.

The students say the reptile ranged in size from 4-7 feet long.

It was probably the largest I've seen that close up. I was walking on the library lawn and heard a few students from across the lawn scream look out, said student Jackie Dawood. I turned to my right and saw a gator walking slowly my way. My jaw dropped and I moved out of the gator's way.

Another student, Gypsy Sanchez said: It was around for a while because my friend saw it on a completely other part of campus. They're usually in the lakes around campus, but I've never seen a gator that big in the lakes!

She posted video of the gator roaming around.

Warning: Video contains graphic language.

Yo welcome to Fgcu pic.twitter.com/g8RbnYP17C  Gypsy Sanchez (@Tipsyqypsy) September 12, 2016

Campus police Sgt. Brad Lambert told InsideEdition.com that gators on the campus are a pretty regular sight.

It is common for gators to come out of the water and sun themselves, they are never really aggressive, he said. They make it their home here.

Read: Horrified Parents Watch Alligator Chase Their Children Around The Neighborhood

He added that as long as students do not bother the gators, they can all coexist together. Bears and panthers have also been spotted on campus along with the gators.

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The reptile eventually retreated back into the water and was unharmed.

Lambert said campus police generally coax back into their habitat. If they show signs of aggression or pose a threat, they will call Florida Animal Fish and Wildlife for assistance.

Watch: After Boy's Death at Disney, Alligators Are Still in the Water Near Resort

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By Pavel Polityuk and Andrea Shalal KIEV (Reuters) - The German and French foreign ministers said on Wednesday an attempt to revive a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine from midnight could set the scene for agreement next week on further peace moves. Visiting Kiev with his French counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Ukraine had agreed to abide by a new seven-day truce proposed by Russian-backed separatists and explicitly backed by Moscow. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he also expected both sides to sign an agreement next week to withdraw their troops from the lines of conflict in three hotspots. "In the next week we see an opportunity for a new dynamic in the conflict," Ayrault told reporters. The agreement is expected at a regular meeting on Tuesday of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) with both sides in the conflict. It would be monitored and verified by OSCE observers. A ceasefire was launched to coincide with the start of the school year on Sept. 1. It failed to stop all fighting. "We are again at a crossroads," Steinmeier told a briefing. "We see a small sliver of hope in the back-to-school ceasefire ... but it is not enough." If the ceasefire holds and the agreement is signed as expected, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia could meet in New York next week on the sidelines of a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. That could prepare the way for a meeting of the leaders of the four "Normandy format" countries for the first time since October 2015. MINSK DEAL STALLED "The presence of Jean-Marc and Frank-Walter here in Kiev is evidence that the Normandy format works, that we must together force Russia to implement the Minsk agreements," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said at the briefing. France and Germany helped broker the 18-month-old Minsk peace deal. Many of its key points, such as holding regional elections and returning control of Ukraine's border with Russia to Kiev, have long been stalled. "We understand that to implement the Minsk agreements, to force Russia to implement them, we need a clear idea of the sequence of steps and guarantees of their implementation from Russia," he said. Moscow denies accusations by Ukraine and NATO that it helps the separatists with troops and arms in a rebellion in which over 9,500 people have been killed since spring 2014. Ayrault and Steinmeier emphasized their support for Ukraine and their rejection of Russia's annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2014. Steinmeier said that as the OSCE did not recognize the annexation, it would not send observers to Russian parliamentary elections planned in Crimea on Sept. 18. Making his own separate trip to Kiev, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Wednesday it was crucial for the West to maintain sanctions against Russia. "Clearly it's up to the Russians primarily to make progress on the security side. But it's up to all sides I think in this conversation to make progress together," he said at a briefing. (Writing by Matthias Williams and Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Andrew Roche)
By Karolin Schaps

LONDON (Reuters) - Good Energy, which supplies renewable power to British customers and generates some of its own, may sell more of its solar power sites as government subsidy cuts have made owning them less attractive.

The firm, which increased its electricity and gas customer base by 39 percent between June 2015 and June 2016 to 115,250, said the subsidy cuts meant in future it would focus less on solar power generation and shift to onshore wind instead.

"We have some (solar) development sites that we don't necessarily need to own long term. We can sell those sites because what we're interested in is the long-term power," Good Energy Chief Executive Juliet Davenport told Reuters.

The company owns and operates seven solar sites and two wind farms with a combined capacity of 52 megawatts (MW).

Good Energy has previously made money from selling sites, with the most recent transaction, the sale of the Wrotham Heath solar site, generating a net sales profit of around 500,000 pounds.

The British government has been reining in spending on renewable energy projects, announcing solar power subsidy cuts late last year.

"With the removal of subsidy support, our medium term generation focus has shifted to wind power," the company said in its half-year results report on Tuesday.

Although wind farm subsidies have also been announced, Davenport said cost cuts were more feasible in wind power and projects had been designed to be economic without subsidy contributions.

Good Energy reported a 72 percent rise in core profit to 6.2 million pounds in the six months to June 30 after a more efficient system to estimate customer demand meant it could optimise its energy buying, Davenport said.

Net debt rose slightly to 50.7 million pounds, and bringing down debt will be one of the company's priorities, she added.

"We're reviewing the overall funding strategy for the company," Davenport said, adding another share offer was one option being considered.

The company raised 3.1 million pounds in June through an oversubscribed share offer made directly to its customers.

(Editing by Mark Potter)
Diane Greene

On Tuesday, Google's cloud business announced that it won Evernote as a customer. Google didn't exactly steal Evernote away from a major competitor like Amazon Web Services, although it did win the contract against other bidders it won't name, it says.

Prior to coming to Google's cloud, Evernote was running its own servers in its own leased-space data center. Even so, this is a significant win for Google. Evernote claims 200 million users who have stored billions of notes and around 5 billion attachments.

What's unique about this win is that it goes against the typical arc of running a company, which is to start in the cloud and then, if and when you grow big enough, you fire up your own data centers.

Google's head of cloud computing, Diane Greene says she thinks that more companies which currently run their own data centers will follow Evernote's lead and ditch them for the cloud.

Amazon is already starting to see that occur, with a growing number of companies going all-in on its cloud and shutting down their data centers, including Intuit, a company where Greene is a board member.

Evernote is the first of such wins for Google's cloud. "You just couldn't begin to do what we do in our data centers with our scale. We spent $10 billion in capex last year," Greene says.

She says that Google won Evernote for a few reasons. Google can offer Evernote the security it needs, she says. Google employs 650 full-time security experts, she says.

Ignoring the naysayers

Then there's prices. Google has priced its cloud services low. Word on the street is that Google is more interested in beefing up its roster of customers than in the revenue and profitability of the deals, particularly as Google's cloud business doesn't need to publicly disclose its financials.

Evernote, as we previously reported, has been focused on cutting costs.

But most importantly, Greene says that Google won this contract because it's able to "partner" with Evernote.

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"They'll be able to innovate faster, partnered with us innovating on the backend for them," she said, speaking at the Disrupt tech conference in San Francisco on Tuesday.

And that, she says, is Google's main game plan for winning the cloud, even over rival Amazon which currently has a huge lead. Google believes it can build cloud computing into a bigger business than its internet ad business.

But it's become fashionable to say that it's already game-over for Google and that Amazon has won this market.

Greene isn't phased by the naysayers. When asked how she'll succeed, she said: "I think it's how we partner with customers. Engineer to engineer. Good engineer to good engineer."

In other words, it's not just Google's products that she's selling to companies looking to hire a cloud provider. She's selling access to Google's world-class, deep bench of engineering talent.

The company has long had the reputation of hiring only best and the brightest and that could prove to be her secret sauce.

NOW WATCH: Apple just overhauled texting on your iPhone  here's how to use the new Messages app store





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Mike Pence

Donald Trump's campaign has come out swinging after Hillary Clinton said half of her opponent's supporters fell into a "basket of deplorables," but GOP lawmakers don't seem to want to join in the lambasting, The New York Times reports.

The Democratic presidential nominee walked back her comment on Saturday, but the Republican campaign has already released an ad skewering her for it, and Trump has called her out for it in statements and speeches.

Mike Pence, Trump's running mate, met with Republican lawmakers in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to build party unity and encourage them to help the Trump campaign criticize Clinton for the remark, The Times reports, citing anonymous sources who had knowledge of the meetings.

GOP members of Congress, however  including Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Ted Cruz of Texas  were apparently unwilling to comply.

Also describing a larger refusal among GOP lawmakers to fully embrace Trump, the Times article described hesitancy related to the Trump ticket's reluctance to denounce former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke and Trump's praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In an interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN Monday, Pence danced around using the word "deplorable" to characterize Duke, insisting Clinton should "retract the entire statement" about the "deplorables" "without qualification."

NOW WATCH: Watch Donald Trump claim that Hillary Clinton could get away with murder





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(Story corrects university in eighth paragraph to University of Calgary, not University of Alberta) By David Ljunggren and Nia Williams (Reuters) - Canada's Liberal government on Tuesday expressed confidence it could appoint new panel members to assess TransCanada Corp's Energy East pipeline, even though industry observers say it might be hard to find qualified candidates. A three-person National Energy Board panel charged with assessing the project in the largely French-speaking province of Quebec quit last Friday after it emerged two members had privately met a TransCanada consultant before the hearings formally started. That unexpected move means the federal government now has to appoint a new panel for the board - which serves as the country's energy regulator - before the Quebec hearings can resume. "We'll find them," Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr told reporters. "That's our responsibility, and we'll take it seriously and we'll do it as quickly as we can." One source familiar with the file said Ottawa could have problems, citing a severe shortage of fluent French-speakers who knew enough about energy to be able to deliver a comprehensive and well-informed assessment on the pipeline. Pressed about a lack of bilingual experts, Carr replied: "I'm not concerned about that." NAB spokeswoman Sarah Kiley said by law, panel members must be able to hear evidence in English and French without an interpreter and be free of an apprehension of bias. Kent Fellows, a research associate at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy, said it could be difficult to identify candidates with necessary expertise who have not been recently employed by the oil industry. "It's a fine line to find people who are familiar with the relevant issues but have not touched anything specific to do with Energy East," he said. The Liberal government has already promised to reform the NEB, which some critics complain is too close to the energy industry. Before the panel resigned last week, the NEB had been due to produce a final report by March 16, 2018. Carr said the hearings schedule "could be changed modestly", depending on whether or not the NEB decided to restart the process. Hearings had already taken place in New Brunswick, but were disrupted in Quebec by protesters. The setback came after the United States blocked TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline last year. Energy East, designed to carry 1.1 million barrels per day from Alberta's oil sands to the Atlantic coast, does not cross international borders and was originally seen as a less contentious project, but has also run into fierce opposition from environmental groups. (Reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Nia Williams in London; Editing by Alan Crosby)
By Gene Emery

Sept 14 (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline's experimental vaccine to prevent the intensely painful condition known as shingles remained 90 percent effective in people over age 70 even four years after receiving the injection, according to data published on Wednesday.

In clinical trials, GSK's Shingrix has shown greater protection for older recipients than what has been demonstrated by Merck & Co's rival Zostavax vaccine. The drug is one of GSK's biggest new product hopes. It plans to file for U.S., European and Japanese approval this year, and the vaccine could reach the market in 2017.

The latest four-year data on Shingrix, which appears in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows it may also provide an additional significant advantage by maintaining its effectiveness over time.

"It's a real step forward for vaccinology for elderly patients," the study's lead author, Dr. Anthony Cunningham of the Westmead Institute for Medical Research in Australia, said in a telephone interview.

Zostavax efficacy declines with age, dropping to only about 18 percent in adults over 79 versus 70 percent for people in their 50s. A Kaiser Permanente study found it was 69 percent effective in patients age 60 and older, yet only 4.2 percent remained protected seven years later.

Researchers found no such drop with GSK's vaccine in the study of 13,900 volunteers over age 69.

"Although the follow-up period was limited to four years, there was little decline in effectiveness in the years following vaccination," said Dr. Susan Rehm, vice chairwoman of the department of infectious disease at the Cleveland Clinic, who was not involved in the study.

GSK had previously reported 90 percent protection with Shingrix in recipients over age 69.

It worked as well among people in their 70s as it did in people in their 80s and 90s, and that effectiveness "was maintained for the duration of the trial," said Dr. Kathleen Neuzil of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Dr. Marie Griffin of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in a Journal editorial.

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It also protected against residual pain caused by shingles in 89 percent of cases.

The risk of shingles, which is caused by reactivation of the chicken pox virus, increases with age. There are about 1 million cases of shingles in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Analysts are forecasting global Shingrix sales reaching $1.2 billion in 2021, according to Thomson Reuters Cortellis. The vaccine contains a component from U.S. biotech Agenus Inc , which is entitled to royalties on future sales, but no live virus.

The GSK vaccine was administered in two doses given two months apart, while Merck's is given in one injection.

Nearly 80 percent of those who received Shingrix had a reaction to the shot, such as arm soreness, including 12 percent whose reaction was serious enough to prevent normal activity. That compared with rates of 30 percent and 2 percent for those who received a placebo.

(Reporting by Gene Emery in Cranston, Rhode Island; Additional reporting by Ben Hirschler in London; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Matthew Lewis)
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We've all gone to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and just ordered guacamole and chips as a meal, right? Just me? Oh, okay...

Well either way, doing so is now officially socially acceptable. GUAC: Tacos & Tequila just opened in New York City's East Village, with guacamole as the menu's starring item.

SEE ALSO: Inside Kelloggs NYC, the fancy cereal cafe in Manhattan

A photo posted by GuacNYC (@guacnyc) on Aug 26, 2016 at 3:54pm PDT

We're here, where are you? Ask us how you can get a free margarita! #Free #Margaritas #Guacamole #Tacos #Tequila A photo posted by GuacNYC (@guacnyc) on Sep 2, 2016 at 3:16pm PDT

GUAC offers 11 types of guacamole, ranging from Traditional to Tequila Abanero to Exotic Mango to Fried Golden Bacon.

A photo posted by Sara Lehman (@somminthecity) on Sep 12, 2016 at 4:37pm PDT

While the avocado-based dip is GUAC's inspiration and centerpiece, they also offer a modest selection of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and fajitas.

Image: guacnyc.com

And of course, GUAC offers liquid complements for your guac in the form of tequila and margs.

Image: guacnyc.com

Our bodies are ready.

GUAC is located in New York City's East Village neighborhood.

[H/T: Time Out NY]
Uber driverless car

Uber is getting serious about driverless tech.

The popular ride-hailing service started its endeavor into the driverless car space by poaching around 40 engineers from Carnegie Mellon University's National Robotics Engineering Centre back in January. Since that time, Uber has acquired self-driving truck startup Otto for $300 million, and agreed to a $300 million alliance with Volvo to build self-driving cars.

And starting Wednesday, Uber will debut its efforts to the public by allowing select passengers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to hail a ride in one of its self-driving cars. At first the rides will be free, but an Uber spokesperson said that may change in time.

Uber self-driving car

Unfortunately, just because you live in or are visiting Pittsburgh doesn't mean you'll get to hail a ride. Uber will send emails to its most "loyal" customers early Wednesday morning. Uber declined to clarify how many customers will get an email and what exactly qualifies as loyal, but the company did tell Business Insider that how often a user hails a ride played a role in determining loyalty.

But don't be too hurt if you use Uber frequently and still don't get an invite  it also depends on location. Uber's cars can only operate in a limited area like downtown Pittsburgh and in the Shadyside neighborhood, so those who hail frequently in those locations are more likely to be chosen to participate.

Uber driverless car

If you get an invite, you first have to agree that you're OK getting picked up in one and being filmed during the ride. Uber is using the footage to gauge how people respond to being in a self-driving car so that it can figure out ways to reconfigure the ride experience to ensure people feel comfortable.

"This Pittsburgh pilot is our opportunity for real-world testing, so we can learn more about what makes riders feel comfortable and safe, and can continue to improve the Uber self-driving experience," said Emily Bartel, product manager at Uber's Advanced Technologies Center.

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Uber self-driving car

Once you confirm that you're okay trying out Uber's self-driving car experience, you can hail it by calling an UberX in the app. The app will alert you that a self-driving car is coming.

Once you're inside, you'll also have to confirm that you're ready to ride and that there aren't more than two passengers in the car. Uber places a limit because an engineer will take up the front seat to assess how the car is handling everything. There's also a driver present to take over in case anything goes wrong.

You must also enter your route before the trip begins and cannot alter it at any point because the cars are geographically limited as to where they can drive.

From my experience, being in a self-driving Uber felt a lot like riding in a typical car. It's definitely worth giving it a shot so you can see the tech firsthand.

NOW WATCH: These self-driving trucks may be the key to Ubers future





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By Jim Christie, Lisa Richwine and Tom Hals

(Reuters) - The bankruptcy of Korea's Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd <117930.KS> is causing ripple effects for importers bringing goods from Asian factories to U.S. malls by creating a shortage of trailers to move ocean-shipping containers on U.S. roads.

The world's seventh-largest container carrier has more than 500,000 containers, and many already are clogging up ports and truck yards, tying up trailers that cannot be used to handle other cargo. That is beginning to worry freight handlers at U.S. West Coast ports and is the first sign of knock-on effects from the failure of Hanjin.

The problem stems from Hanjin's shortage of cash, which has stranded $14 billion of cargo owned by companies such as HP Inc <HPQ.N>, Home Shopping Network <HSNI.O> and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd <005930.KS>. Much of the cargo is on more than 100 ships at sea because cargo handlers, tug operators and ports are refusing to work with Hanjin unless they get paid up front.

A lawyer for the shipper did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Terminal operators in the California ports of Long Beach and Oakland are not taking back empty containers. Many in the industry doubt Hanjin will pay storage costs, and a growing number of empty containers and the trailers they sit on are stranded.

"If it's not fixed in the next couple of weeks, I think you'll see a huge ripple effect across the industry," said Weston LaBar, executive director for the Harbor Trucking Association in Long Beach, California.

LaBar said there are thousands of Hanjin containers on trailers out of circulation, and the uncertainty surrounding Hanjin appears to be pushing truckers to lock in trailers from his organization's pool.

"We doubled in bookings this morning," LaBar said. "We have availability, but we're getting to the point where we may be leased out for our chassis."

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Shipping executives said there is ample supply of shipping containers, but trailers are limited. The West Coast ports previously have experienced brief shortages even when the stream of trade is functioning normally.

The Hanjin collapse has exacerbated the problem.

At GSC Logistics Inc, Chief Executive Officer Scott Taylor said he is stuck with nearly 80 empty Hanjin containers on trailers, racking up charges for cargo owners, that his company processed recently and could not return to a terminal operator at the Port of Oakland.

"If it says Hanjin on the side, there's no place for it to go right now," said Taylor.

Grocery chain Kroger Co<KR.N> told Reuters it has 880 shipping containers tied up on Hanjin ships. The company's lawyer, Ron Liebman, on Friday told a U.S. judge who is overseeing Hanjin's U.S. bankruptcy case that Kroger does not expect to be able to return the containers once it receives its products, creating a headache and added costs for the company.

Empty containers were sitting on trailers, said Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy for the National Retail Federation. "This is causing problems with the terminal operators and truckers who need the equipment" to haul full containers, he said.

Karen Vellutini, a vice president at Devine Intermodal, a trucking company in West Sacramento that services the Port of Oakland, said she expects the availability of trailer chassis to become a problem as the holiday season nears and as more Hanjin ships arrive in ports and unload containers.

"We're not seeing it yet, but it's inevitable," Vellutini said. "This problem is going to compound."

DROP-OFF POINT FOR CONTAINERS CONSIDERED

In Southern California, shipping industry executives are discussing setting aside a staging area where truckers could drop off empty containers to free up trailers, said Mario Cordero, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, which regulates carriers, terminal operators and ports.

"They are trying to address what could be even a greater crisis as these numbers mount," Cordero said.

"If those chassis get all occupied, or a good percentage of them, where the containers are just sitting on them with nowhere to deliver, that disrupts the supply chain," Cordero said. "We are certainly reaching the level we are concerned."

The commission is monitoring prices to make sure fees for leasing trailers do not become excessive amid the Hanjin problems, Cordero said.

Vellutini of Devine Intermodal said cargo owners could resort to buying the containers they are holding to clear up any legal uncertainty around them and to return chassis.

"People are waiting for the dust to settle to decide if they'll buy and get into the used container business."

(Writing by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware, additional reporting by Tom Hals, Nandita Bose, and Jessica Resnick-Ault; editing by Peter Henderson and Cynthia Osterman)
By Hyunjoo Jin and Cecile Lefort

SEOUL/SYDNEY (Reuters) - The chairman of Hanjin Group transferred 40 billion won ($36 million) to Hanjin Shipping on Tuesday to help unload cargo stranded on the troubled shipper's vessels, a spokesman said, but regulators warned securing further funds could take "considerable time."

The parent of Hanjin Shipping pledged last week to raise 100 billion won to help rescue cargo in the wake of the collapse of the world's seventh-biggest container shipper, including the 40 billion won from Chairman Cho Yang-ho.

About $9 million pledged by Choi Eun-young, a former chairwoman of Hanjin Shipping, has also come in, the shipper said.

Around $14 billion of cargo has been tied up globally as ports, tugboat operators and cargo handling firms worried about not being paid refused to work for Hanjin, which filed for receivership in a Seoul court on Aug 31.

Goods started to move this week as workers in California unloaded a second Hanjin ship, the Hanjin Boston, at the Port of Los Angeles on Tuesday, industry officials said.

Hanjin Shipping submitted early last week to a South Korean court that it could take an estimated 173 billion won ($154.5 million) to unload all stranded cargo, a Seoul Central District Court judge told Reuters.

Korean Air , the top shareholder of Hanjin Shipping, on Saturday approved a plan to lend the shipper 60 billion won, conditional on Hanjin Shipping providing its stake in Los Angeles' Long Beach Terminal as collateral. That deal requires the approval of other shareholders and creditors of the terminal.

It may take "considerable time" for Korean Air to provide the loans for Hanjin Shipping, South Korea's top financial regulator said, according to a regulatory official. "It is being reviewed whether it is possible to secure the funding" from Korean Air, Financial Services Commission Chairman Yim Jong-yong said at a meeting with South Korea's ruling party.

South Korea has said no government or central bank money would be directly injected into the firms restructuring in the ailing shipping and shipbuilding industries, though it is helping small-to-medium sized businesses hit by the restructuring.

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RISKS IN AUSTRALIA

In Sydney, the Hanjin California, which docked on Sept. 3, remained held in port following a court order filed by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd over unpaid fuel bills. Most of the containers on the 182-metre-long vessel have been offloaded, but some destined for other ports were still being held, port authorities said.

Six other Hanjin vessels were heading to Australia and risked being seized by creditors, two sources familiar with the situation said.

Unlike in the United States, Britain, Japan and provisionally Singapore, Hanjin has no protection in Australia against creditors for unpaid bills.

"It's likely someone will put a claim on the assets," said one of the sources, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

A spokesman for Glencore Singapore declined to comment on whether it had or planned to issue a warrant on more Hanjin vessels.

Some 93 vessels, or two-thirds of Hanjin Shipping's fleet, are not operating properly, including vessels seized, barred entry to ports or terminals, denied services or moving slowly, according to Hanjin Shipping data on Monday.

Truckers began moving freight from the Hanjin Greece out of the Long Beach port on Monday following a U.S. bankruptcy court's grant of protection. Both the Greece and the Boston were scheduled to move to docks in Oakland, California, in the coming days, industry officials said.

The Hanjin Gdynia also was headed toward the Port of Long Beach, a port spokesman said on Tuesday.

At China's southern Shenzhen Yantian Port, a customs official, who gave only her surname Li, confirmed local media reports that the Hanjin Rotterdam, carrying 9,300 containers, had been detained.

She told Reuters that the customs bureau would work through the upcoming Chinese holiday to process 3,000 of those containers so agencies can claim their goods.

The Shenzhen Yantian Port declined to comment.

Tina Liu, China country director at shipping consultancy Drewry, said there was a sense of panic among some shippers with cargo aboard Hanjin vessels and those planning to use the firm's ships in the next few months.

Chinese ports could face a logjam if they start to unload Hanjin ships, she said. "It's very likely to cause a constraint. If they're just holding the vessel in the anchorage it's less of a problem, (but) if you unload big containers your yard can face a bottleneck," she said.

Hanjin Shipping on Tuesday offered "a deep apology for causing damage to many interested parties" and said it set up an emergency management committee to deal with the cargo confusion.

(Corrects date Hanjin Shipping filed for receivership in paragraph 4)

(Additional reporting by Cynthia Kim and Joyce Lee in Seoul, and Brenda Goh in SHANGHAI; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Ian Geoghegan and Diane Craft)
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Roald Dahl was born 100 years ago today, and human beans everywhere are celebrating with scrumdiddlyumptious treats and splendiferous parties.

Even though Dahl passed away over 25 years ago, his stories and characters feel as relevant as ever. Dahl will never produce another book or send off a controversial tweet  but we can imagine what his characters would look like if they were living, breathing people.

SEE ALSO: People sharing Roald Dahl quotes on Twitter will brighten your day

Nearly everyone knows a Matilda in their class. We have all beamed over a Grandpa Joe and s**t-talked a Veruca Salt.

#WeAreAugustusGloop.

Here is a list of some our of favorite Roald Dahl characters, reimagined as actual human adults, living today.

1. Grandpa Joe/Bernie Sanders

Image: youtube/scott j. ferrell for getty

Bernie Sanders is everyone's (well, 43 percent of pledged Democratic delegates') favorite Grandpa. And Grandpa Joe couldn't be more like Sanders himself: generous, cantankerous, hunched, and in desperate need of a comb.

2. Willy Wonka/Lin-Manuel Miranda

Image: youtube/jim spellman for getty

Both Miranda and Wonka are endlessly imaginative, disgustingly popular leaders of creative empires. Everyone calls them geniuses because they  sigh actually are, and lines couldn't be longer for a ticket to their secret factory/matinee show.

3. BFG/The Rock

They're big (really, really big) and way nicer than you. Sure, they may look like terrifying cannibalistic monsters from the outside, but all they want to do is help sad kids and sweet moms.

4. Oompa Loompa/Donald Trump

Image: party delights/andrew harkin for ap

Small, orange men who built an empire, and who remain enormously culturally powerful  for reasons no one can quite understand.

5. Matilda/Simone Biles

Image: alex livesey for getty/amazon

Okay, Simone Biles is Olympic gold medalist, and Matilda tortures grown adults with her mind. But they're both obscenely smart, fiercely independent young women with seemingly magical qualities. Everyone has fallen in love with them, because everyone should.

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6. Grand High Witch/Ann Coulter

Tall, thin, and passionately dedicated to turning small boys into mice. They're priestesses of destruction, but also devilishly funny in ways that are sometimes painful to admit.

7. James (of the Giant Peach)/Ahmed Mohamed

James escaped Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, and moved to New York in a giant peach to end up in a really nice condo. Mohamed left a small town that thought he was a terrorist to attend a renowned school in Qatar, free of charge.

8. Boggis the Farmer from Fantastic Mr. Fox/Roger Ailes

Powerful gluttons who once owned sizable empires (that supported a lot of turkeys).

9. Fantastic Mr. Fox/Bill Clinton





Image: getty

Endlessly clever and shrewd, both Clinton and Mr. Fox get themselves out of every possible imaginable scrape  sexy and unharmed.

10. J.K. Rowling/Miss Honey





Image: getty

Two women who came from nothing and rose to success; infinitely kind adult humans who really understand children, and who we both desperately want to become our moms.

Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl.

BONUS: Corgi tea party
From Town & Country

Watch Walmsley-that's David Walmsley, editor in chief of Canada's Globe and Maill. He's a mild-mannered 45-year-old who doesn't look like a counterrevolutionary, but that is what he is in journalism. Most newspapers, deprived of revenue by the seductions and distractions of social media, have cut back on investigative reporting. Paul Steiger, former managing editor of the Wall Street Journal and founder of ProPublica, writes, "Many journalists and academics see in these cutbacks a threat to the democratic ideal of a well-informed public."

They are surely right. Falsehoods, manufactured by the hundreds in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and in the Brexit debate in Britain, go unchallenged, injustices exposed more slowly if at all.

Instance: For 50 years a hundred Canadians lived with multiple deformities because their mothers had been prescribed a pill for morning sickness, untested for its effects on the fetus by the incompetent German maker, but carelessly approved by governments and recklessly distributed worldwide by licensees. The Canadian thalidomiders had lived their daily ordeals, and died, all those years with minimal compensation; outrageously, the Canadian government had allowed the pill to stay on the market months after its devastating effects had been reported. By 2014 it was "an old story." The world had moved on. Soon enough the story would end, the injustice forgotten.

But a lawyer in Philadelphia, Stephen Raynes, could not forget. His late father, Arthur, had won a rare victory in the U.S. in the 1970s. Stephen secured an introduction to Walmsley, who also did something rare in this ever-speedier, easily bored world: He listened to an old story. He checked what Raynes told him. He met thalidomiders, he saw their suffering and despair, he assigned a brilliant writer, Ingrid Peritz.

On November 22, 2014, Walmsley, backed by management and ownership, launched an astounding campaign. A full front page for a start, but not for just one day; he published a series of dramatic front pages, and the opinion columns argued the case for 10 days, until Parliament resoundingly voted relief for the thalidomiders: Yea, 256. Nay, 0.

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Thalidomiders who were able to make the journey were in the gallery. It was a historic moment. But it wasn't enough for Walmsley and his team. What did "relief " add up to? Not much, not enough for the Globe and Mail. Through January and February the paper pushed for funding at a level that was just. In March the government offered a lump sum. The Globe decried it as paltry. In May 2015 money-real money-began to flow. Justice delayed was no longer justice denied.

This article originally appeared in the October 2016 issue of Town & Country.

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From Popular Mechanics

The Air Force is looking to replace its aging T-38 Talon jet trainers with some 350 new aircraft. Three teams have already submitted aircraft bids for the T-X program, and the final team to throw its hat in the ring is a partnership between Boeing and Swedish aerospace group Saab, which just unveiled a two-seater supersonic jet trainer for the competition.

"Our T-X is real, ready and the right choice for training pilots for generations to come," said Boeing Defense, Space & Security President and CEO Leanne Caret in a press release.

Photo credit: Boeing

Boeing's clean-sheet T-X trainer is designed to fly like a fighter, with a twin tail configuration similar to the F-35 and F-22 to give the aircraft optimal handling at all speeds. The Boeing T-X uses a single GE F404 afterburning turbofan, the same engine found on the F/A-18, giving the trainer the high G and high angle-of-attack capabilities required to mimic flight in modern fighters.

The aircraft uses some technologies found in the F/A-18 Super Hornet, developed by Boeing, as well as Saab's Gripen multirole fighter. Boeing has already manufactured one T-X that will fly for the first time before the year is out, and a second aircraft is also near completion, which will begin structural proof tests in the next few days.

Tiered, stadium-style seating provides maximum visibility in the cockpit for instructors and students to practice air traffic maneuvers and combat training. An advanced avionics system and large display screen are included to prepare pilots for the high-tech systems found in fifth-generation fighters like the F-35. The computer systems in the cockpit, as well as ground-based simulators, provide a number of training modules for students and tools for instructors in what Boeing is calling their "classroom in the sky."

When it comes to trainer aircraft, it is crucial that maintenance operations are as pain-free as possible, so a high wing design was used to provide easy access to the panels on the Boeing T-X. Optimized for Air Force ground equipment, the T-X uses fewer fasteners for the panels and parts from established suppliers to streamline the maintenance needs of the trainer.

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To win the $11 billion contract, Boeing and Saab will have to beat the likes of Lockheed Martin, who have partnered with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to develop the T-50A trainer, an upgraded version of the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle used by the South Korean air force; Northrop Grumman, which has teamed up with BAE systems and L-3 Communications on their clean-sheet version of the T-X, the "Model 400," which made its first flight last month; and finally a quad of Raytheon, Honeywell Aerospace, CAE, and Italian aerospace company Leonardo-Finmeccanica, which has developed the T-100 trainer, a modified version of the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master used by the Italian and Israeli air forces.

The Air Force is issuing its final request for proposals by the end of the year, and a downselect is scheduled for 2017. Initial operating capacity (IOC) for the trainer is planned for 2024. Four teams made up of the best aerospace companies in the world have submitted four aircraft bids-may the best trainer win.

Photo credit: Boeing

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Donald Trump on Wednesday taped an appearance on "The Dr. Oz Show" discussing his personal health and the healthcare policies he'd like to implement as president.

During the hour-long interview, the Republican nominee told Dr. Mehmet Oz that he would like to lose 15 to 20 pounds, audience members said. Oz was said to have agreed that Trump could stand to lose some weight.

A source who spoke with NBC News said that Trump told Oz he hadn't been to the hospital since he had his appendix removed at the age of 11. Trump also said he is screened for cancer on a yearly basis, according to the NBC News source.

Members of the media were not allowed to watch the interview, set to air on Thursday, forcing them to rely on a press release and members of the studio audience for information.

A press release from "The Dr. Oz Show" said Oz went through a "full review" of numerous body systems with Trump, but it was not immediately clear exactly what that meant. The systems were said to include head and neck, nervous system, hormone levels, cardiovascular health, and respiratory health.

Laurance Rassin, a Trump supporter who attended the taping, told CNN that the process was "very transparent" and that Trump "brought his medical records" with him. CNN reported that Trump provided Oz a one-page summary of a physical examination he underwent last week from Dr. Harold Bornstein.

"I think he has a great medical record right now. He has been healthy  he said he's been healthy. I believe him," Rassin said. "He's got a great report from his doctor, and I think that's great for his candidacy and ultimately great for America."

Rassin said that he thought Oz "was impressed" with Trump's health.

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Ivanka Trump joined her father during the taping to discuss his new child care and maternity leave initiatives.

Trump's appearance on "The Dr. Oz Show" came as his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, faced questions about how transparent she has been about her health.

The former secretary of state was captured on video struggling to walk on Sunday as she left a 9/11 memorial event early. Her campaign later said she had been diagnosed with pneumonia two days earlier and would take some time off the campaign trail to recover.

Clinton is expected to resume campaigning on Thursday.

NOW WATCH: Trump strikes back after 'Morning Joe' host says he sounded like 'he's had a lot to drink'





More From Business Insider


they pronoun gender neutral lgbt trans

"Every student should do the best they can."

If you're a grammar purist, that sentence may have made you cringe.

Standard English dictates the word "they," a plural pronoun, should never be used to refer to a single person. Since "student" is a singular noun, you'd need a singular pronoun like "he" or "she" to match it.

A high-school English teacher, however, wrote a convincing argument about why he'll no longer mark that usage as incorrect in his students' essays. His decision could reflect a dramatic shift in the English language.

In a column for PBS NewsHour, 38-year teaching veteran Steve Gardiner of Billings, Montana, said that forbidding the singular "they" has outlived its usefulness.

"I have burned up hundreds of red pens, and hours of time, correcting this grammatical usage based on a traditional gender binary of he and she. It's time to move on," Gardiner wrote.

"They" has gained considerable traction recently as a singular pronoun. The Washington Post added "they" to its style guide last year to accommodate "people who identify as neither male nor female." And in January, the American Dialect Society declared "they" its Word of the Year in a vote among linguists, grammarians, and lexicographers.

"It does say something about the way people are exploring gender and sexual identity, and perhaps a greater openness to accepting new ways of expressing that identity through language," Ben Zimmer, chair of the American Dialect Society's new words committee, told Business Insider in January. "It feels like an opening up of the language, allowing for a greater possibility of what these pronouns can refer to."

By accepting the singular "they," Gardiner wrote, we can finally throw away the awkward constructions English speakers have invented to circumvent the issue.

Decades ago, masculine pronouns could be used to refer to someone of either sex, like in the sentence "The writer must address his readers' concerns." In the legendary writing guide "Elements of Style," EB White and William Strunk advised rewording that sentence to "As a writer, you must address your readers' concerns," according to the New Republic's John McWhorter. It's a compromise that sacrifices the conciseness of the original, though.

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As society became more inclusive, English saw the advent of more workarounds, including the clunky "he/she" and the unpronounceable "s/he." And dozens of gender-neutral pronouns have been proposed over the years  including "heesh," "thon," and "zie," although none of them came close to catching on.

Meanwhile, the history of the singular "they" goes back centuries, as McWhorter pointed out in another piece. Shakespeare used the possessive form in his "Comedy of Errors," first performed in 1594:

"There's not a man I meet but doth salute me / As if I were their well-acquainted friend"

As singular "they" creeps into the lexicons of writers and media figures, it's only a matter of time before it becomes fully accepted. Ultimately, Gardiner acknowledges the fight against the singular "they" is futile:

"Having fought this battle with students for more than three decades, I am ready to admit defeat. Every student is going to write what they want. Every broadcaster is going to say what they want. There, I even wrote it myself, and most readers probably did not notice."

NOW WATCH: Here's footage of Brock Turner leaving jail after serving half of his 6-month sentence





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Days after the 15th anniversary of 9/11, Hulu is looking to take a closer look at that fateful day.

The streaming company is nearing a straight-to-series order for an adaptation of The Looming Tower, the nonfiction book which chronicles the events that led to the 2001 terrorist attacks, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Dan Futterman (Capote), Alex Gibney (Going Clear) and Legendary Television are behind the project, which is being eyed for a 10-episode pickup and a 2017 premiere. Lawrence Wright, who won a Pulitzer Prize for the 2006 book, will executive produce with Futterman and Gibney.

The Looming Tower examines the growing threat of Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida prior to 9/11, as well as the rivalry and lack of collaboration between the FBI and the CIA prior to the attack, which is still considered the deadliest on American soil.

Futterman's other writing credits include Foxcatcher, Gracepoint and In Treatment. Gibney, best known for his work on the Scientology documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, also is an exec producer on the Amazon series The New Yorker Presents and the Netflix docuseries Cooked.

News of the project comes as Hulu prepares to launch several new ambitious originals this fall, including the Hugh Laurie series Chance and the Jeffrey Donovan-led Shut Eye. The streamer's originals slate also includes The Mindy Project, Casual, The Path and Difficult People.

For Legendary TV, The Looming Tower would join a slate of five originals, including The Expanse for Syfy, Colony on USA, Love for Netflix, Fullscreen miniseries Electra Woman and Dyna Girl and ABC midseason comedy Downward Dog.
Marseille (AFP) - Human error was probably to blame for the death of a Filipino crewman on the world's biggest cruise liner the Harmony of the Seas, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

The 42-year-old electrical engineer was killed on Tuesday when a lifeboat became detached from the liner during a safety drill, sending it plunging 10 metres (35 feet) into the water while the ship was docked in the French port of Marseille.

Marseille prosecutor Xavier Tarabeux said the investigation had so far found no sign of "faulty equipment".

Investigators are now examining whether mistakes were made in the use of the lifeboat.

"The investigation is shifting towards the theory that human error was to blame," Tarabeux said.

Three Filipinos and an Indian man were also injured in the incident.

The men were carrying out a routine weekly safety drill on the 120,000-tonne ship.

Witnesses are being questioned and the Harmony of the Seas, which had been due to sail for Italy on Tuesday, has been forced to remain in port in Marseille while the investigation continues.

The ship's owners, Florida-based Royal Caribbean, said two of the injured men had been discharged from hospital, while two others who were more seriously injured were still receiving treatment.

Harmony of the Seas entered service less than four months ago, in late May.

At 66 metres (217 feet), it is the widest cruise ship ever built, while its 362-metre length makes it 50 metres longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower.
With everyone from Taylor Swift to the European Commission having their say on the 'value gap' argument, new research commissioned by international labels body IFPI shines a timely light on the ever-changing face of music consumption.

Key takeaways from IFPI's "Music Consumer Insight Report 2016" include the news that one-third (32 percent) of under-25-year-olds worldwide now pay for a music streaming service -- a rise of almost 40 percent on the previous year's total. When it comes to all internet users, aged between 16 and 64, the number is 18 percent, up from 15 percent in 2015.

The report, carried out by Ipsos Connect, who surveyed over 12,000 respondents in 13 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Germany and Japan, also states that nearly half (48 percent) of all internet users pay for music in some way, whether it be through purchasing a CD or download or subscribing to a service like Spotify or Apple Music. Meanwhile, over 80 percent of people who hold music subscriptions said that, in addition to streaming, they also purchase music in other formats, be it vinyl, CDs or downloads.

South Korea, Sweden and Mexico are identified as the most popular (per population) markets for subscription services, with about four in every ten people paying for a music subscription. In the U.S. and U.K., the number was around two in every ten; in Japan around one in every ten.

Despite the growth in licensed music consumption, copyright infringement has not gone away, with more than a third (35 percent) of respondents admitting to accessing illegal content in the past six months. Of those people, stream ripping is the fastest growing form of infringement, with 3 in every 10 respondents admitting to the practice, rising to almost half (49 percent) among 16-to-24-year-olds.

Search engines are also continuing to direct large numbers of traffic to unlicensed content, with a quarter of those polled (23 percent) saying that they use Google to get "free" music -- of which two-thirds explicitly searched for pirated content.

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In line with previous years, YouTube remains the world's most popular music service, with over 80 percent of its users saying that visited the site primarily for music. The number climbed to 93 percent among 16-to-24-year-olds.

Further insight into YouTube's user base was provided with the -- not entirely unexpected -- revelation that the vast majority of its traffic (over 80 percent) visited the site to access content that they are already familiar with, rather than discover new music or artists.

Commenting on the research findings, IFPI chief executive Frances Moore said that there were many positives for the music industry to take away from the research, but that it also "highlights the dominant position amongst music services of YouTube."

"Yet YouTube can get away without remunerating fairly artists and producers by hiding behind 'safe harbour' laws that were never designed for services that actively engage with and make available music enjoyed by the vast majority of its users," she went on to say.
Washington (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday resumed its bailout of war-torn Ukraine, approving disbursement of $1 billion from an aid package that had been held up in part on corruption concerns.

Kiev had been waiting for the resumption of lending since August of last year in a $17.5 billion program intended to help stabilize the country after the 2014 ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.

A message posted to the official Twitter account of Ukraine's current president, Petro Poroshenko, welcomed the news.

"The decision by the IMF suggests that the world recognizes - in Ukraine there are reforms and that qualitative changes occur, that the country is moving in the right direction," it said.

Ukraine has suffered deep economic decline after two years of war, with GDP contracting 9.9 percent in 2015. Wednesday's decision by the IMF Executive Board brings the total amount disbursed to about $7.62 billion, the Fund said in a statement.

The Fund's Executive Board said it approved the disbursement despite Ukraine's failure to meet several program targets, including on limiting debt, boosting reserves and easing foreign exchange restrictions.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said Ukraine had shown "welcome signs of recovery" despite long odds, with inflation receding and activity rising.

"While the social and economic cost of the crisis has been high, growth is expected to be higher in the period ahead," Lagarde said in a statement, noting that progress was far from complete.

"A sustainable recovery requires completing the structural transformation of the economy, where much remains to be done, including combating corruption and improving governance," she said.

Reforms proposed by the IMF have been unpopular but local lawmakers have adopted them.

The $1 billion approved Wednesday was short of the $1.6 billion expected in the latest tranche of lending but the Fund did not explain the difference.
(Adds statements from Poroshenko, Lagarde)

By David Lawder

WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said its board on Wednesday approved a long-awaited loan disbursement to Ukraine of about $1 billion after a review of the country's bailout program.

The IMF has agreed to pump $17.5 billion into Ukraine's economy in a four-year bailout, releasing the funds in installments subject to the government making progress on economic and anti-corruption reforms.

To date, Ukraine has received about $7.62 billion in the program launched in March 2015.

The latest disbursement was less than the roughly $1.7 billion anticipated, after some reforms required by the fund had stalled.

But the IMF said in a statement that the board had approved waivers for Kiev's failure to meet criteria related to international reserves targets, external payments arrears and foreign exchange restrictions.

President Petro Poroshenko said the disbursement would clear the way for an additional $1 billion U.S. loan guarantee and a new 600 million-euro loan from the European Union.

In a statement, he said a Russian attempt to undermine the IMF's decision had failed, and that the funds' release would help keep the hryvnia currency stable and aid the economy.

"The positive decision by the IMF is evidence that the world recognises that reforms are happening in Ukraine, that real and positive changes are happening in Ukraine, and that the country is moving in the right direction," Poroshenko said.

Last week, Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danylyuk said the IMF decision should clear the way for the sale of about $1 billion in U.S.-guaranteed bonds by the end of September.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said in a statement after the board's vote that Ukraine was showing signs of recovery and improved confidence, which she attributed to the implementation of reforms, sound macroeconomic policies and efforts to rehabilitate Ukraine's banking system.

"Further progress in fiscal reforms is key to ensure medium-term sustainability," Lagarde said, calling for pension reforms and tax policies that would avoid higher deficits, and the restructuring of state-owned enterprises.

(Additional reporting by Matthias Williams in Kiev; Editing by Alan Crosby and Richard Chang)
Wisconsin Democrats are criticizing Republican senators for a 2013 vote that would have given lead paint manufacturers retroactive immunity from lawsuits filed by people sickened by their product, after learning a prominent manufacturer boosted efforts to keep them in office.

Republicans pushed back on allegations of any quid pro quo arrangement, arguing they didn't directly receive money from the groups that would have benefited from the legislation.

Senate Minority Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, chastised Republican Sens. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, and Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls, on Wednesday, after the Guardian U.S. published a story based on leaked documents from a John Doe probe into Gov. Scott Walker's campaign and conservative groups that supported him during his 2012 recall election.

The report links their votes on the Legislature's powerful budget committee in 2013 to campaign donations made to the Wisconsin Club for Growth  a group that supported the senators when they were targeted in recall elections  by Harold Simmons, the owner of one of the United States' leading producers of lead used in paint until it was banned.

In 2013, the Joint Finance Committee inserted a provision into the budget aimed at blocking lawsuits against the lead paint industry. There are 171 ongoing lawsuits against companies like Simmons' NL Industries seeking compensation for children sickened by lead paint.

That provision was part of the 2013-15 budget's "999 motion," a document that is traditionally full of wish-list items for legislators and special interests and often introduced and passed in the middle of the night or early in the morning.

Simmons made three donations to the Wisconsin Club for Growth totaling $750,000 during the period during which Republicans including Walker, Olsen and Harsdorf faced recall elections.

In a statement, Shilling said that both Olsen and Harsdorf used their positions on the committee "to push through controversial changes in 2013 that shielded lead paint manufacturers after receiving secret financial help in their 2011 campaigns."

"We knew Gov. Walker was at the center of this criminal scheme to coordinate efforts with dark money special interest groups," Shilling said in a statement. "What we didnt know was how closely Senate Republicans worked with these special interests and how favors were doled out to lead paint manufacturers that bankrolled these secret campaign efforts. These new documents clearly highlight a disturbing pay-to-play scheme between out-of-state lead paint manufacturers and Senate Republicans."

Federal courts have since overturned most of the changes regarding immunity for lead manufacturers outlined in the Wisconsin law.

Olsen, currently in the midst of a re-election campaign, disputed Shilling's "pay-to-play" allegation.

"I think that's quite a jump," he said. "I voted for something in the budget and somebody else got some money ... that's not pay-to-play."

A Harsdorf aide did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Guardian U.S. report notes a series of occasions in which Walker appeared to solicit donations not for his campaign or for the Republican senators' campaigns, but for the Wisconsin Club for Growth.

The leaked documents include an August 2011 email with talking points provided for Walker by Wisconsin Club for Growth and Walker adviser R.J. Johnson.

Our efforts were run by Wisconsin Club for Growth ... who coordinated spending through 12 different groups. Most spending by other groups was directly funded by grants from the Club," Johnson wrote, celebrating the Senate seats Republicans held onto that summer.

Assembly Democrats made note of the Guardian U.S. reports headline, Because Scott Walker asked, in a Wednesday news conference responding to the report.

That note was written on the memo line of a check for $10,000 written by financier G. Frederick Kasten, Jr. to the Wisconsin Club for Growth.

It raises so many questions about what they asked for in return and what they may have been provided in return, said Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, of the contributions given to Wisconsin Club for Growth that appeared to have been solicited by the governor.

Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, said the leaked documents give the appearance that there is more payback than policy thats being reflected in our statutes.
India offered Afghanistan a fresh $1 billion in economic assistance after their leaders met in New Delhi on Wednesday to strengthen already close ties between the neighbours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India's commitment to helping the war-torn country strengthen its education, health, agriculture and other sectors during talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

In a joint statement, India announced the $1 billion offer, but there was no mention of providing weapons to help Afghanistan fight militants, which it has previously asked for.

Modi and Ghani called in the statement for an end to sponsorship and support of militants.

They did not name Pakistan, but they have previously accused their neighbour of supporting Islamic extremists.

"The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives," Indian foreign secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said.

"They called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India," he told reporters.

The Afghan government has accused Pakistan of supporting the Taliban, while Delhi says Pakistan supports rebels crossing the border into Indian-controlled Kashmir -- claims that Islamabad denies.

Ghani is expected to give a speech to a think tank on "global terrorism" later Wednesday as part of his two-day visit to the capital.

India, the fifth largest bilateral donor in Afghanistan, has been a key supporter of Kabul's government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the Taliban was toppled in 2001.

Delhi's active engagement has led analysts to point to the threat of a "proxy war" in Afghanistan between India and its arch-rival Pakistan.

Pakistan -- the historic backer of the Taliban -- has long been accused of supporting the insurgents in Afghanistan.

Modi visited Afghanistan in June to inaugurate a $290 million hydroelectric dam project, and opened Afghanistan's new parliament complex in Kabul in December, built by India at an estimated cost of $90 million.
By Sanjeev Miglani and Gopal Sharma NEW DELHI/KATHMANDU (Reuters) - India is likely to offer Nepal's new prime minister help building an east-west railway line and better access to its ports on his first visit this week, as it tries to regain ground lost recently to China. Prachanda, a former Maoist rebel commander, has chosen New Delhi as his first foreign stop, seeking to rebalance ties that chilled under his pro-China predecessor. K.P. Oli had sealed trade deals that sought to reduce landlocked Nepal's economic dependence on India. "Relations with India have become frosty for some time. I want to remove the bitterness," Prachanda told reporters on Tuesday evening in Kathmandu, adding India now "wants to help Nepal, which is in difficulties." Nepal has yet to complete a political transition after a decade-long insurgency and weeks of deadly street protests that brought down the monarchy nearly a decade ago. A new republican constitution is still a source of rancor for southern plains people who mounted a five-month border blockade that ended earlier this year. The country's last government said the fuel and trade embargo had the tacit backing of India - a charge New Delhi has denied. Prachanda said that, on his four-day trip starting on Thursday, the two sides would discuss the railway line stretching from Mechi in east Nepal to Mahakali in the west that India will help build. An Indian railway official said the project that runs parallel to Nepal's 1,030 km (640-mile) east-west highway has been talked about in the past, but that the two countries are now discussing financial terms. "The plan is to push forward immediately with this project. It's a big development project," said the official involved in preparations for the visit. The mountainous country has only one short rail line from Jaynagar on the Indian border to Janakpur. Another possible project, Prachanda said, was a hydro-electric power plant that could be built with Indian grant aid. VYING FOR INFLUENCE Nepal is one of several South Asian countries where India and China are vying for influence. India has long considered the country of 28 million people as a natural ally based on their close historical ties and long open border. But China has gained a foothold, rapidly building roads and hospitals while there was little progress on long-standing Indian proposals for hydro-electric plants and trade and transit corridors that became mired in political disputes. It is part of a broader push by China into South Asia, including a $46 billion economic corridor across India's neighbor and rival Pakistan and investment in a port in Sri Lanka, where a Chinese nuclear submarine docked in recent years. Under Oli's government, Nepal signed a deal to extend China's Tibet rail network to Kathmandu, created special economic zones for Chinese firms and sealed a long-term agreement for petroleum imports, alarming New Delhi. In July, Oli stepped down after months of stalemate over the new charter, which experts said underlined the vulnerability of governments in Kathmandu that take a stridently anti-India line. Prachanda may have chosen to come to Delhi first for that reason, they added. "It is the politicians' understanding that without keeping India in good humor they cannot remain long in power," said Guna Raj Luitel, editor of the Nagarik daily. RECALIBRATION India is still Nepal's biggest trade partner, donor and supplier of essential goods, as well as the only source of fuel for the impoverished country that is struggling to recover from two earthquakes last year that killed 9,000 people. "The previous government very definitely coordinated with China more explicitly than earlier governments. That was a response to the border situation and sent a message to New Delhi," said one Western diplomat, referring to the blockade on the border that ended in February. Prachanda is making "a deliberate recalibration away from what the previous prime minister planned, which was a closer relationship with China", the diplomat added. Nepali media said Chinese President Xi Jinping had put off a visit planned for October due to lack of progress on Nepal's part on the projects agreed between the two countries. Nepal's foreign ministry denied any cancellation but gave no date for the visit. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying would not directly confirm that Xi's October visit to Nepal had been canceled, but said instead that exact dates had not been set. "The term 'canceled visit' is not very accurate, because the two sides are maintaining communication on high-level bilateral exchanges through diplomatic channels," Hua told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday. The Annapurna Post said Beijing was particularly unhappy about Nepal's tardy progress on its One Belt, One Road initiative, Xi's signature project to build out infrastructure and establish new trade routes across the region. "Nepal should have moved faster on these projects as they are in our long-term interest. By now we should have submitted concrete proposals to the Chinese side on them," Mahesh Maskey, a former Nepali envoy to China, told Reuters. (Additional reporting by Douglas Busvine in NEW DELHI and Michael Martina in BEIJING; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's highest Islamic council has issued a fatwa on burning land and forests, a government official said on Wednesday, in an effort to halt the toxic smog that blankets the region each year. The fatwa is not legally binding but is aimed at discouraging plantation companies and farmers from clearing land using slash-and-burn methods in Southeast Asia's biggest economy. "There was a meeting between the environment minister and the Indonesian Clerics' Council, which issued fatwa no 30/2016 about forest and land burning law," said ministry spokesman Novrizal Tahar. "The point is that an act (of burning) that causes environmental damage, according to (the council) decision, is illegitimate." The council was not immediately available for comment and it was unclear why it had waited so long to make the ruling. Every year, Indonesia faces criticism from its neighbors Singapore and Malaysia over the smog, euphemistically known as "haze", and its failure to stop the fires from being lit. Last year's fires were among the worst in the region's history, with billions of dollars worth of environmental damage, weeks of flight and school disruptions and thousands suffering from respiratory disease. (Reporting by Berndatte Christina Munthe; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Nick Macfie)
An inquest has ruled that security forces gunned down four unarmed Muslim men in Thailand's conflict-hit south, a lawyer said Wednesday, a rare finding that could pave the way for landmark prosecutions of state officials.

No member of the Thai security forces has ever been jailed for extrajudicial killings or torture in the restive 'deep south', despite frequent allegations of abuses across a region that has seen more than 6,500 people killed since 2004.

The majority of the dead are civilians, killed by the secretive rebels or in raids by Thai security forces.

Two villagers and two students were gunned down on 25 March last year in a raid on Ban To Chut village in Pattani province when security forces, acting on a tip-off, opened fire on a group of suspected militants.

Initially authorities said the men were armed rebels but an investigating panel set up after the killings revealed the four to be unarmed civilians.

Wednesday's inquest at Pattani's court found "the men died from shooting by military personnel and policemen during a raid," according Abdulha Awaerputae, a lawyer from the Muslim Attorney's Centre representing the families of the dead men.

The court declined to give AFP details of the ruling.

Weeks after the killings Thai police said seven security officers would be charged with murder over the incident. But more than a year later no charges have been brought.

Campaigners hope the ruling will finally see criminal charges brought in the latest case to inflame resentment from local Muslim Malays towards the Buddhist-majority Thai state.

"Sadly this is not an extraordinary case... we have handled similar cases before," said Pornpen Khongkachonkiet of Amnesty International Thailand.

"But in the end you never see any punishment for the officials."

- 'Nothing has changed' -

Muslims in the region feel "nothing has changed since Tak Bai" she added, referencing the deaths in 2004 of scores of Muslim protesters detained by authorities which remains a clarion call for rebellion to this day.

Story continues

Rebels want autonomy for the culturally-distinct and Muslim majority southernmost provinces, which were colonised by Thailand more than a century ago.

But peace talks have floundered and the rebels may now be forcing the issue with widened violence.

Coordinated bombings in August in southern Thailand towns popular with tourists carried the hallmarks of the 'deep south' insurgents.

All the suspects named so far by police for those attacks hail from the region.

The bombings left four dead and sent a shudder through Thailand's key tourist industry.

Thai officials deny human rights abuses are systemic and say they do everything in their power to avoid harming civilians.

"When there has been a mistake, we cannot deny responsibility... but a court will decide whether authorities are guilty of rights violations," Colonel Pramote Prom-In, spokesman for the southern army, told AFP.

The commanders who ordered the Ban To Chut raid have been transferred, he added.
The internet has gone nuts over this pic of Gendry possibly filming for Game of Thrones

The internet has gone nuts over this pic of Gendry possibly filming for Game of Thrones

Warning! This post may contain spoilers if youre not caught caught up and possibly Season 7 spoilers!

Then again, it may not. Were honestly not really sure how to feel about this news.

gendry

If theres one thing Game of Thrones fans are in agreement on at the moment, its that the beloved Gendry is due for a comeback. Since the last Baratheon (technically half-Baratheon but it still counts) didnt return in Season 6, lots of people were starting to seriously wonder where he had gotten to. And while there were lots of very entertaining theories, nobody really knew for sure and just assumed hes been rowing his little boat for the past three seasons.

Finding Gendry pic.twitter.com/H2ao1XkViZ  Game of Thrones Meme (@Thrones_Memes) September 14, 2016

Some recently theorized that he might be in The Upside Down thanks to a glorious meeting with Millie Bobby Brown (aka Eleven).

But thanks to the power of social media, we may actually have some clues about a possible return.

Somebody snapped a picture of the actor who plays Gendry, Joe Dempsie, at the Belfast airport.

It was first reported by the website The Watchers on the Wall and picked up by The Huffington Post. Needless to say, fans are losing their collective mind since Belfast is Game of Thrones production headquarters (and other beloved GoT actors have already been spotted there).

Story continues

gendrya rise! king gendry baratheon has returned to claim the throne with (m')lady love arya stark pic.twitter.com/hd6AJCeDJZ  z*hra | 07.08.09 (@emiliuuhclarke) September 14, 2016

 GENDRY al fin ! pic.twitter.com/I244MJrLZl  Jon Snow (@JonSnowTM) September 14, 2016

Some people are even giving the actor the perfect travel accessory based on what his character has been up to this whole time.

Others are (understandably) losing their mind with happy excitement for seeing Gendry back in action.

Cries because Joe Dempsie is in Belfast so Gendry is coming back  Claudia (@claudiadontsurf) September 14, 2016

joe two weeks ago: gendry won't be coming back to the show



joe in belfast today: pic.twitter.com/axX2xhCnpv  brant (@MAISIESTARKS) September 14, 2016

Even the Twitter accounts dedicated to the famous lost rower are getting in on the excitement.

its me gendry ive come home now  gendry (@gendry_ebooks) September 14, 2016

While other characters are saying whats on everyones mind.

Dear Gendry,



Could you please row yourself back into the Riverlands and reunite with Arya?



Sincerely,

Everyone  King Jon Snow (@LordSnow) September 14, 2016

Just the *thought* of a Gendry return is enough to make people this excited, so imagine how mind-blowing it might be to see him (and Arya) share the screen once again.

I want Arya to casually burst into flames when she spots Gendry #GameOfThronespic.twitter.com/sAzfInYS9u  Charlie Schneider (@AwesomEmergency) September 14, 2016

The post The internet has gone nuts over this pic of Gendry possibly filming for Game of Thrones appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Tehran (AFP) - Despite hopes of a new dawn for Iran's economy after nuclear-related sanctions were lifted, major Western banks are reluctant to do business with the Islamic republic for fear of US retribution.

President Hassan Rouhani has said that to reach the target of eight-percent growth needed to modernise the industrial sector and relaunch the hobbled economy, Iran needs up to $50 billion in foreign investment every year.

But without the big foreign banks, that looks impossible.

"For the moment, the little European banks have agreed to work with us," said Parviz Aghili, head of the private Middle East Bank in Tehran.

They include banks from Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium, he said without naming them.

"But not a single medium-sized or big bank has so far agreed to do it," he added.

A major challenge is that while nuclear-related sanctions were rolled back in January under a landmark deal with major powers, the United States has maintained a raft of other penalties linked to ballistic missile testing and human rights violations.

Nearly 180 Iranian individuals and entities are still on the US sanctions list, notably the Revolutionary Guards, the ministries of defence, culture and intelligence, as well as defence companies, two airlines and several banks.

The Americans are "feeding a sort of Iranophobia so that in practice no one works with Iran," Amir Hossein Zamaninia, deputy oil minister, recently told the Middle East Eye website.

The limited number of institutions that do deal with the Islamic republic include Raiffeisen Bank and Erste Bank from Austria, Mediobanca and Banco Popolare of Italy, Germany's EIH, KfW and AKA banks, Belgium's KBC, ING of the Netherlands and Turkey's Halk, according to a banking expert in Tehran.

"These banks have established working relations with the Iranian banks to open letters of credit for fairly small sums of 10, 20 or 50 million dollars."

Story continues

But they lack the resources to finance big projects like the deal struck between Iran and European aircraft manufacturer Airbus for 118 airplanes, or oil and gas development projects, the expert said.

- American hurdles -

"The main obstacle for banking relations is the US Treasury, which is putting pressure on all countries and is blocking banking relations and the lifting of sanctions," Alaeddin Boroujerdi, president of the Iran's parliamentary foreign affairs commission, said recently.

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control, linked to the US Treasury, has yet to sign off on the sale of around 100 Boeing planes agreed earlier this year, or even the 118 Airbus planes -- which it is blocking on the grounds that some of the parts are from the US.

Banks face a mountain of due diligence work when dealing with Iran to make sure they do not fall foul of any US regulations.

"Banks need to consider the nationality of any companies and people involved in a specific transaction, and the Iranian beneficiary of the transaction, due to the limitations imposed by remaining UN, US and EU sanctions," said Henry Smith, an Iran analyst for consultancy Control Risks.

Complaints from Iran are frequent, and dominate discussions with visiting officials and diplomats.

The situation has also frustrated European governments, who are desperate to tap into one of the last frontier markets.

"It's completely unacceptable," French Environment Minister Segolene Royal said in Tehran last month where she was trying to set up business links for renewables companies.

"It's a real problem. It's been raised by the Iranian ministers but also by French businesses."

- 'Black sheep' -

For those hoping that the nuclear deal might lead to a broader rapprochement between Iran and the West, the signs are troubling.

"The reluctance of banks to do business in Iran has clearly bolstered interest groups in Iran that were at best sceptical of the deal and whether the US and other negotiating parties could be trusted," said Smith, the analyst.

"This severely limits the already limited potential for future engagement between Iran and the US."

With Rouhani seeking re-election next year, hardliners have used the financial blockages to suggest that he sold out the country's defences for scant reward.

For Aghili, there are two problems that Iran must overcome.

"First, we must modernise the banking system to adapt to the new international banking rules that have evolved a lot," he said.

Iranian banks, which have been cut off from the world for 15 years, must apply the new rules adopted by the international community to fight money laundering and terrorist financing, he said.

"Then there is the Iranophobia. Iran is always presented as the black sheep, which doesn't correspond to reality. That will take a year or two at least."
Dublin (AFP) - Ireland's economy rebounded with 0.6 percent growth in the second quarter -- a slight rise compared to the contraction seen in the first quarter, according to official data released on Wednesday.

Despite the growth rebound, net exports fell by 31 percent during the quarter ahead of the June 23 Brexit referendum.

In July, the country's central bank cut its GDP forecasts for 2016 and 2017 to 4.9 percent this year from a previous forecast of 5.1 percent on April 1 and to 3.6 percent next year from 4.2 percent earlier.

Ireland continued to show healthy employment growth at 1.1 percent, the second strongest performance in the European Union but, conversely, consumer spending in the three months fell by 0.5 percent after an increase of 0.7 percent the previous quarter.

Austin Hughes, chief economist at KBC Bank Ireland described the figures as "reasonably representative" but also gave a familiar health warning.

"We would caution that the detail of the national accounts data continues to reflect the heavy influence of particular developments in the multinational sector that may not always mirror conditions right across the Irish economy," he said.

Following heavy criticism of the Central Statistics Office announcement of 26.3 percent growth for the Irish economy in 2015, on Wednesday the agency also said it would launch an initiative to ensure figures better reflect the health or otherwise of the economy in future.

The figure was based largely in the inclusion of revisions in capital assets, leading many commentators in Ireland and internationally to term it "leprechaun economics".
By Luke Baker JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Former Israeli President Shimon Peres remains in a critical condition 24 hours after suffering a massive stroke, but is showing signs of improvement, his doctors said on Wednesday. Peres, 93, is still sedated and on a respirator, said Yitshak Kreiss, director of the Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv. But he is "a bit more aware" and "we can see some improvement", Kreiss told reporters. "We are trying to reduce some of the sedation in order to evaluate him, and that's a good sign," he said. Peres' son-in-law and personal physician Rafi Valdan said earlier in the day it was too soon to tell whether there was lasting neurological damage from the stroke that afflicted the right side of Peres' brain, but the broader health indicators were good. Peres, former president and prime minister, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994. He has had minor health problems over the past year while maintaining a busy public schedule. He held regular meetings on Tuesday and appeared in "perfect condition", Valdan said, before suffering headaches. He was taken to hospital for an examination and then suffered what Valdan described as a "massive stroke". INDUCED COMA When doctors briefly revived him from a medically induced coma, Valdan said, Peres was responsive, squeezing his hand and speaking a few words. Peres has been a part of almost every major development in Israel since the country's founding in 1948. In a career spanning nearly 70 years, he has served in a dozen cabinets and was twice a Labour prime minister. He ran for office five times between 1977 and 1996, but never won a national election outright. He shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Israel's former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for reaching, in 1993, an interim peace deal which never hardened into a lasting treaty. Rabin was assassinated in 1995 by a far-right Israeli who opposed the peace deal, and it was Peres who took over as prime minister after Rabin's death. At the next election, despite polls showing him far ahead, Peres lost to rightist Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu by fewer than 30,000 votes. Valdan said he did not believe there was an imminent threat to Peres' life, but called it a difficult time for the family. "We are very close to him," he said. "We are very moved and touched by his condition, but also very moved by the reaction of the Israeli public." (Writing by Luke Baker; Editing by Andrew Roche)
Ramat Gan (Israel) (AFP) - Former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres, the last of Israel's founding fathers, showed improvement Wednesday following a major stroke, but remained in critical condition, doctors said.

Concerns mounted for 93-year-old Peres, widely respected as an elder statesman both in Israel and abroad, after he suffered the stroke and bleeding on Tuesday.

"He is still in a critical condition, stable, but we can see some improvement," Yitzhak Kreiss, director of the Sheba Medical Centre at Tel Hashomer in Ramat Gan, told reporters outside the hospital near Tel Aviv.

Peres was still sedated and breathing with a respirator, but doctors were seeking to reduce sedation to evaluate him and he was occasionally awake, Kreiss said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited his old rival's bedside and told reporters in Hebrew, "we feel some relief... because this evening he is better than he was yesterday evening".

"With God's help tomorrow he will be better than this evening," he added. "There is hope and there is prayer."

Peres, who was twice Israeli prime minister, has held nearly every major office in the country, including that of president, a mostly ceremonial post, from 2007 to 2014.

A former hawk turned dove, the highlight of his career came in 1994, when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Yitzhak Rabin and the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for his role in negotiating the Oslo accords with the Palestinians.

Peres's personal physician and son-in-law, Rafi Walden, said the former president's chances for survival were "pretty good," with no immediate threat to his life.

He added that Peres was responsive during treatment.

"When we lessened the sedation, he woke up -- not completely but definitely was responsive to our appeals to him," he told AFP.

"He squeezed my hand and was definitely listening and understanding what was happening."

Story continues

Doctors have decided not to operate for the time being.

Zeev Feldman, president of the Israeli Neurosurgical Association and involved in Peres' treatment, told AFP "the fact that he regained consciousness gives us some cautious optimism".

"The processes can go wrong in the next 48-72 hours. Some situation may happen and that is why he is in intensive care," he said.

- 'Difficult times' -

Peres's son Chemi told journalists late Tuesday that "we are going to have to take difficult decisions apparently later, but not yet."

"Myself and my family members are going through difficult times, difficult hours," he said.

"I know that my father did not care about anything as much as he cares about people, as much as he cares about Israel, the Jewish people, and the people in Israel," he said.

"And I will take this opportunity on his behalf to send all of you his love."

Statements of concern flooded in from across the political spectrum and dozens of journalists gathered outside the hospital, Israel's largest, awaiting word on his condition.

President Reuven Rivlin said in a statement he was "following with concern the updates from the hospital, and pray together with the entire people for my friend Shimon's recovery."

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog also wished the elder statesman a rapid recovery.

Nickolay Mladenov, UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said he was praying for Peres, calling him "a patriarch of peace and progress".

- Daily gymnastics -

In January, Peres was hospitalised twice for heart trouble.

In the first instance, the hospital said he had suffered a "mild cardiac event" and underwent catheterisation to widen an artery.

He was rushed to hospital a second time days later with chest pains and an irregular heartbeat.

Peres has sought to maintain an active schedule despite his age, particularly through events related to his Peres Center for Peace.

When leaving hospital on January 19, Peres said he was keen to get back to work.

"I'm so happy to return to work, that was the whole purpose of this operation," he said.

In March, he met visiting US Vice President Joe Biden.

Peres once confided that the secret to his longevity was daily gymnastics, eating little and drinking one or two glasses of good wine.

Having earlier hawkishly rejected any compromise with hostile Arab states, he said he was converted after 1977, when Egyptian president Anwar Sadat made a historic visit to Jerusalem, leading to the first Arab-Israeli peace treaty.

Born in Poland in 1923, Peres emigrated to what was then British mandatory Palestine when he was 11.

He joined the Zionist struggle in the 1940s and while hitchhiking met David Ben-Gurion, who would become Israel's first prime minister.

He became director general of the nascent defence ministry at just 29 years old.

Beyond his accomplishments in the public eye, Peres was also seen as a driving force in the development of Israel's undeclared nuclear programme.
Welcome to KARMABrooklyn! We hope that the news and other information we post on this b log will be useful to residents and merchants in Kensington and Windsor Terrace. If you'd like to contact us, write to us at karmabrooklyn [at] gmail [dot] com.
Milan (AFP) - Italian bank BMPS named a new chief executive and announced the resignation of its chairman on Wednesday as part of a major management shake-up at the crisis-ridden lender.

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena said that Marco Morelli, who heads Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Italy, had been named to replace former CEO Fabrizio Viola, who resigned last week, reportedly under pressure from the government.

The chairman of the bank, Massimo Tononi, has also agreed to step down, the bank said, drawing a line under the previous management which oversaw a collapse in the bank's share price.

Fears for BMPS, which urgently needs new investment, increased in July when it was found to be Europe's weakest major bank in tests undertaken by the European Banking Authority.

The finances of Italy's third-biggest lender have raised concerns for the Italian banking sector more broadly and pose a headache for centre-left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who wants to avoid a state bailout.

BMPS, the world's oldest bank still operating today, unveiled a rescue plan in late July.

It would entail offloading non-performing or bad loans worth 9.2 billion euros ($10.3 billion) into a separate entity, while seeking investors to inject new capital of 5.0 billion euros into the bank.

But to complete the process and attract private funds, it needs to overcome deep scepticism among investors, having twice tapped the market for capital in the last two years.

Its share price has dropped almost 82 percent this year, according to the Bloomberg financial news service.

Morelli, 54, previously worked at BMPS as deputy general manager from 2007-2010 and has experience at a number of foreign banks, including UBS and JP Morgan.

He will earn 1.4 million euros in annual salary before bonuses, and will also be paid a 300,000 one-off fee at the start of his contract.
From Esquire

Sure England may have its Savile Row, but here in America we have Martin Greenfield. And if you're uncertain about this legendary Brooklyn tailor's bona fides, just ask president Barack Obama. Or any of the presidents, movie stars, athletes, and even a Catholic Cardinal, who've relied on this man for their expertly-crafted handmade suits. And now, thanks to J. Crew, you no longer have to travel to Greenfield's East Williamsburg factory to get your hands on one.

Available starting today at J. Crew's Ludlow Shop in New York, as well as online, is the Martin Greenfield for J. Crew Ludlow suit, which comes in both navy and charcoal glen plaid. It's a limited edition suit that's made entirely by hand at Greenfield's Brooklyn factory. It's also constructed of wool that comes from the American Woolen Company in Stafford Connecticut, which means that it's made entirely here in the U.S.A.

Photo credit: Shawn Brackbill for J. Crew

Greenfield, who's been hand-making suits for 60 years now, collaborated with J. Crew in order to offer his meticulously-crafted designs to a new generation who have discovered the power of a well-tailored suit. "Today, people are interested in a shorter, slimmer jacket and a suit that fits closer to the body, so it makes sense that they would come to us," Greenfield explains. "It's a look that lends itself to a handmade suit."

And while the Martin Greenfield version, which is based on the signature Ludlow cut, comes in at a higher price point than a standard Ludlow ($1,250 as opposed to $650), the fact that it's handmade entirely on these shores means it's still a bargain. If you want one though, you'd better act fast. These won't be around for long.

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UPDATE 9:15 P.M. with more information.

Jack Hofsiss, an expert in human frailty who in 1979 became the youngest director to win the Tony Award for his staging of The Elephant Man and later helmed the Jill Clayburgh film Im Dancing As Fast As I Can, died this morning at his Manhattan home. He was 65. His death was confirmed to Deadline by the New York City Medical Examiners Office, which gave no cause of death pending an autopsy.

I knew him as an artist and even more so as an amazing, deeply kind person, said producer James Freydberg, speaking via telephone from Los Angeles. I was a very strong supporter of his. He cared about everyone. I would hear from him usually when he had something he wanted me to look at.

While still in college, Hofsiss co-created and staged Senior Prom, a musical that by all accounts was Broadway bound, though it never completed the journey. Hofsiss was working for Joseph Papp at the Public Theater (he had a hand in casting A Chorus Line, according to a magazine profile by Don Shewey) when an up-and-coming producer named Richmond Crinkley sent him Bernard Pomerances script about John Merrick, a grotesquely deformed man who transitions from freak show act to social darling in Victorian London.

A minimalist production centered primarily on the physical grace of actor Philip Anglim opened in the Theater at St. Peters Church before moving to the intimate Booth Theatre in Shubert Alley. My life changed overnight, he told Shewey. Among the actors who would replace Anglim during the loing run were David Bowie and Mark Hamill; Bradley Cooper played Merrick in an acclaimed revival two seasons ago.

The show led to more assignments for Hofsiss in film and opera, including another story drawn from life about the addiction to Valium of filmmaker Barbara Gordon that became the basis of Im Dancing As Fast As I Can. Brooklyn born, educated by Jesuits and graduated from Georgetown University, Hofsiss was a gay Catholic who suffused his own spirituality as an outsider with the gift of profound insight, as those who knew him would attest.

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In the summer of 1985, Hofsiss dove into the shallow end of a pool at his rented Fire Island, NY home, breaking his neck and spine. The injury left him paralyzed from the chest down; recovery took more than year. Hofsiss remained active, however, working off-Broadway and pursuing projects, notably Albert Innauratos play Doubtless, a skewering of John Patrick Shanleys hit play Doubt that Hofsiss staged off-Broadway at 59E59 Theatres.

I was greatly influenced by this idea that we should think about our faith and question it and make our peace with it, Hofsiss told the New York Times, as opposed to having it shoved down our throats, as it was for Albert.

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Eric Bergren Dies: 'The Elephant Man' Writer Was 62

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Bradley Cooper & 'The Elephant Man' Head To London: It's Official
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will seek Cuba's help in responding to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs during a rare visit to Havana next week, a spokesman said, and also hopes to expand Japanese business interests on the island. Abe will become the first Japanese leader to visit Communist-ruled Cuba, which is one of North Korea's few diplomatic allies and is also slowly re-emerging after decades of international isolation and a U.S. trade embargo. His trip follows the normalization of ties last year between Cuba and the United States, former Cold War enemies, and U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Cuba earlier this year. Japan, South Korea and the United States have been strengthening their alliance since last week's nuclear test by North Korea, its fifth and largest, which alarmed its East Asian neighbors. "We would like to seek Cuba's understanding and cooperation for the resolution of North Korea-related issues such as abduction (of Japanese citizens), nuclear and missiles," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference on Wednesday. The United States has called for a swift and strong United Nations response to Pyongyang, while its envoy on North Korea has said Washington remained open to meaningful dialogue with the North to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Japan is also keen to build business ties with Cuba, which began normalizing relations with the United States in December 2014, before full diplomatic ties were restored. More than 100 U.S. business delegations have visited Cuba since 2014, although many U.S. companies say the decades-old trade embargo makes business almost impossible. "We aim to support Japanese companies' expansion there by encouraging Cuba, which has attracted global attention since the resumption of diplomatic ties with the United States last year, to improve its business and investment environment," Suga said. Last week, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that Abe had decided to forgive two-thirds of Cuba's 180-billion-yen ($1.75-billion) debt to Japan, as Tokyo seeks to build closer economic ties. Abe will formally announce the offer during his meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro, Kyodo reported. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will also visit Cuba, on a trip from Sunday until Sept. 28 that includes the United Nations General Assembly and Canada, but China's foreign ministry has not unveiled the Cuba visit dates. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Cuba in 2014, signing several investment deals between the two Communist-led countries. ($1=102.8900 yen) (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Additional reporting by Michael Martina in Beijing; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Paul Tait)
Days after Hillary Clinton's fainting spell and pneumonia diagnosis have thrust the issue of her health into the presidential campaign, the candidate's biggest Hollywood champion is coming to her defense.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, who has given millions to Democratic causes and is helping organize the showbiz community's support for Clinton, is downplaying the recent developments, which included Clinton nearly fainting after leaving a 9/11 memorial event on Sunday and the revelation that she had been diagnosed with walking pneumonia two days earlier. The DreamWorks Animation founder says she still is better prepared to lead the country than her Republican rival Donald Trump.

"Hillary is the Rock of Gibraltar," Katzenberg tells The Hollywood Reporter. "This [incident] was minor and irrelevant. She remains the single most qualified person to be the next president and everyone here in Hollywood and the rest the world knows it."

Read more: Hillary Clinton Says "I'm Feeling So Much Better" After Fainting Spell

Clinton, 68, was prepping to shake hands once again this week in Los Angeles on another round of fundraising events. But with the pneumonia diagnosis, she has elected to rest on the East Coast while her husband, Bill Clinton, fills in for her at a string of high-profile events. The former president was expected to attend and speak at pricey fundraisers at the homes of TV and film creator Seth MacFarlane and media mogul Barry Diller and wife Diane von Furstenberg.

For her part, Clinton explained the situation to CNN's Anderson Cooper: "What happened ... was that I just was incredibly committed to being at the memorial. As a senator on 9/11, this is incredibly personal to me. And I could feel how hot and humid it was, I felt overheated. I decided that I did need to leave and as soon as I got into the air-conditioned van, I cooled off, I got some water and very quickly, I felt better."

Clinton reportedly will return to the campaign trail on Thursday with a trip to Greensboro, N.C. She will follow it up with an appearance at the Black Women's Agenda forum in Washington D.C. on Friday.
The board of directors of New Jersey Resources Corp. NJR has approved a 6.3% increase in its quarterly dividend rate. The revised dividend of 25.5 cents per share will be distributed on Oct 3, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Sep 23.

The latest hike marks an increase of 1.5 cents from the prior payout of 24 cents per share and it reflects management's confidence in the companys financial profile and performance. The new annualized dividend amounts to $1.02 per share, up from 96 cents paid earlier, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.10%.

New Jersey Resources management has raised the dividend payout for 23 times in the last 21 years and the company has been paying quarterly cash dividends to its shareholders for over 64 years now.

Investment Plans

The company intends to achieve long-term net financial earnings growth of 59% annually on the back of infrastructure expenditure, midstream development, wind and solar investments, and expansion of customer base. The company added 5,289 customers in the first nine months of 2016 and is on track to add another 8,150, 8,550 and 8,750 customers in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, reflecting an annual growth rate of 1.6%.

NJ RESOURCES Price

NJ RESOURCES Price | NJ RESOURCES Quote

New Jersey Clean Energy Ventures (NJRCEV), an affiliate of New Jersey Resources, recently completed the construction of three commercial solar projects in New Jersey totaling 10.9 megawatts (MW) for an investment of $26 million. Construction of two more solar projects is underway, for a cumulative investment of $26.7 million. NJRCEV is spending nearly $84 million to construct, own and operate a 39.9 MW wind farm in Somerset County, PA. The majority of the electricity generated by the wind farm has been contracted under a 15-year power purchase agreement with Iron Mountain.

A Similar Move by a Peer

The board of directors of IDACORP Inc. IDA has approved a 7.8% increase in its quarterly dividend rate to 55 cents per share. The annual dividend stands at $2.20 per share.

Story continues

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

New Jersey Resources carries currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A couple of better-ranked stocks in the same space are Clean Energy Fuels Corp. CLNE with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and ONE Gas, Inc. OGS, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

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This is all kinds of eek.

Jonah Hill appeared on French television program Le Grand Journal last Friday, and the interview quickly went south after an excruciating exchange between the War Dogs star and host Ornella Fleury.

The TV personality started by ridiculing Hill's appearance, saying, "It's when I saw you get sodomized by a three-meter-tall demon in This Is the End that I told myself, 'Now that's the man of my dreams!'"

"I hear you get sodomized pretty often," Hill can be heard responding to the quip.

EXCLUSIVE: Jonah Hill Says He Was 'Scared S**tless' by Leonardo DiCaprio's Crazed Fan Prank

"Anyway, that's why I have a sexual fantasy with you, Jonah," Fleury continued, laughing. "My sexual fantasy would be that we'd meet up in a hotel room at night. We would chat, you'd make me laugh. You would make me laugh a lot! And then all of a sudden, you'd bring your friends [Leonardo] DiCaprio and Brad Pitt -- And then you'd go away!"

"I'm glad I came to this show to get ridiculed by a local weather girl," said a clearly perturbed Hill. "It's nice."

Watch the horribly awkward moment below.

WATCH: Jonah Hill Trims Down, Shows Off Slimmer Physique With Girlfriend in Los Angeles

The 32-year-old actor reportedly canceled his remaining French TV appearances over the tense exchange.

On Monday, Fleury took to her TV program to apologize for the uncomfortable incident, saying (via France's The Local publication), "Jonah, the problem is that for 10 years I have lived with you through your films. In fact Jonah, I really had the impression that I knew you so last Friday I thought I was just messing around with a friend, but the reality is that we are not friends."

WATCH: Jonah Hill Says He Snorted Too Much Fake Cocaine on 'Wolf of Wall Street' Set, Had to Be Hospitalized

"No, the reality is that you have two Oscar nominations and I have two videos on my YouTube account," Fleury added. "You have made films with Scorsese and Tarantino, and me, I have made an advert for Spontex [a cleaning products manufacturer]."

Story continues

No response from Hill to the apology as-of-yet, but he's been through worse!

Watch the video below to see Hill explain how snorting fake cocaine in The Wolf of Wall Street put him in the hospital.

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Strasbourg (France) (AFP) - The European Union should set up a headquarters to coordinate efforts towards creating a common military force, European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday.

"We don't have a permanent structure and without that, we are not able to work efficiently and so we must have a European HQ and... work towards a common military force," Juncker told the European Parliament in his annual State of the Union address.

The speech was dominated by Britain's shock June vote to quit the European Union, depriving it of a major, nuclear-armed NATO military power but one which had also been hostile to any suggestion the bloc should have its own army.

Juncker stressed that post-Brexit, the EU's remaining 27 member states had to stick together and that included taking on increased responsibility for their defence.

"We can no longer depend on the power of individual member states and together we have to make sure we protect our interests," he told MEPs.

Twenty-two of the EU's 28 member states are also members of the US-led NATO alliance, headquartered in Brussels, but Juncker insisted the bloc's military ambitions would not undercut this key relationship.

"This should be complementary with NATO -- more European defence does not mean less transatlantic solidarity," he said.

Juncker gave no further details although it is expected that any such EU military HQ would also be based in Brussels, home to all its major institutions.

As well as an increased military role, Juncker also said the EU will have to step up its diplomatic presence, suggesting the bloc should have a single foreign minister.

Current foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini was doing a "remarkable job" in promoting peace in Syria but backed up by the member states, she should now have a seat at the negotiating table, he said.
By Foo Yun Chee and Alissa de Carbonnel

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced measures on Wednesday to rein in the world's technology giants, improve broadband speeds and cut the cost of internet access, trying to rally popular support for an EU battered by Brexit.

The reforms are likely to shift some wealth from internet services such as Google and Facebook to European telecom groups, which have largely missed out on the tech sector's surging growth and have lobbied hard for more flexible rules that would give them more money to invest in faster broadband access.

They complain that Google (GOOGL.O), Facebook's (FB.O) WhatsApp, Microsoft's (MSFT.O) Skype and other services have made billions by piggy-backing on their networks for free.

Among the changes, Juncker wants to roll back European Union rules that bar the likes of Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE), Orange (ORAN.PA) and Telefonica (TEF.MC) from co-investing or sharing network capacity. The Commission would expand rules covering security and confidentiality for phone providers to internet-based communication services.

"We propose today to equip every European village and every city with free wireless internet access," Juncker told the European Parliament in Strasbourg, without giving more details of how the EU would help to achieve this goal within the next decade.

The plan would also extend the copyright powers of publishers, music artists and other content owners to seek a share of the revenue which internet services make from linking to publishing snippets of content such as news.

Juncker said the EU would also help to protect the personal online data of EU citizens through legal framework changes. The Silicon Valley tech giants are accused by European consumer groups of stockpiling users' data for commercial ends.

The unveiling of Juncker's reform plan starts what is expected to be a fierce fight among EU lawmakers, member states and industry groups before it can become law.

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INTERNET SETBACK

The plan will add weight to accusations from across the Atlantic that EU measures in recent years to protect competition and privacy and crack down on illegal state aid are targeting the U.S. tech giants unfairly.

Critics, including U.S. President Barack Obama, have said the Commission is using tighter regulations against Silicon Valley companies in the hope of creating regional versions of Google or Apple. Last year, Obama dismissed these moves as "commercially driven", taken because European tech firms "cant compete" with U.S. rivals.

The tech industry expressed its displeasure on Wednesday.

EDiMA, a trade group backed by top U.S. and European tech firms ranging from Airbnb and Candy Crush game maker King.com to Amazon (AMZN.O) and Google, called the copyright framework more 1916 than 2016.

"It does not reflect the current environment in which users access and consume content online and lacks the ambition called for by most European stakeholders and consumers to realise a Digital Single Market," EDiMA said in a statement.

Juncker's plans, highlighted in his annual State of the Union address, will be seen as an effort to counter euroscepticism by showing how technocratic institutions in Brussels can deliver improvements to people's lives.

The Commission's broader efforts to create the "digital single market" are seen widely as favouring domestic telecom and media companies. Only eight of the top 100 global tech companies are headquartered in Europe, according to an A.T. Kearney study.

Some of Juncker's consumer-friendly measures are also likely to impact the telecom industry, including a plan for free mobile roaming and wireless internet in cities across the EU.

In a surprise move this month before the speech, Juncker withdrew proposals to limit the number of days consumers can use their mobile phones abroad without paying extra fees after criticism that the rules favoured telecoms firms.

He ordered the draft to be revised in what allies and officials said showed the EU executive wanted to be seen to listen to voters three months after Britons opted to leave the bloc.

COPYRIGHT STORM

Juncker said that the EU would work to defend people's right to privacy, saying: "Europeans do not like drones overhead recording their every move, or companies stockpiling their every mouse click. In Europe privacy matters."

His copyright proposal could give publishers more bargaining power with Google when demanding payment from the world's most popular internet search engine. The outlines of this proposal stirred controversy when they were leaked last month but Wednesday's plan provided few specifics.

"The creation of content is not a hobby, it is a profession," Juncker said. "As the world goes digital we have also to empower our artists and creators ... I want journalists, publishers and authors to be paid fairly for their work."

Google called the plan a backward step for copyright in Europe that would limit its ability to help news publishers generate advertising revenue by sending traffic their way via Google's Google News and Search properties.

"After all, paying to display snippets is not a viable option for anyone," Google Vice President for global policy Caroline Atkinson wrote in a blog.

The Society of Audiovisual Authors, speaking on behalf of media licensing rights groups, praised elements of the package. However, it said the plan failed to provide an "unwaivable right to remuneration" for European film, TV and multimedia screenwriters and directors to make a living from their works.

Benoit Machuel, General Secretary of the International Federation of Musicians, said: "What we need is a right for all performers to be paid each time a performance is used online on iTunes, Netflix or Spotify."

Grassroots internet rights groups said the draft proposal to extend copyright for news publishers even to short sections of news repeats the mistakes of laws passed in Germany and Spain, which hurt publishers and internet users alike.

"We now have a proposal that is poison for Europeans' free speech, poison for European business and poison for creativity," said Joe McNamee, Executive Director of European Digital Rights. "It could not conceivably be worse."

The EU initiatives got a thumbs up from ETNO, the European telecoms operators' association whose members include Orange and Telefonica (TEF.MC).

"We need to ensure that the new Code (proposal) provides technologically-inclusive incentives, allowing our members to deliver a further increase in broadband investment," ETNO Chairman Steven Tas said.

The telecoms industry had already lobbied against the burden of the original proposal of allowing them to charge extra only for clients who use their phones abroad for more than 90 days a year or 30 in a row.

The European Consumer Organisation welcomed Juncker's reforms but expressed concerns they would favour dominant market players and do little to lower prices on international calls.

"Consumers need operators to compete with one another in the market to deliver innovative services at cheaper prices," its head Monique Goyens said in a statement.

(Additional reporting by Marilyn Haigh in Brussels, Eric Auchard in Frankfurt and Alastair Macdonald in Strasbourg; editing by Tom Pfeiffer and David Stamp)
Delhi airport authorities barred a prominent Kashmiri activist Wednesday from flying out of India despite holding a valid visa, a move his group described as an attempt to deny human rights in the violence-hit region.

Khurram Pervez, coordinator of the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), was on his way to Switzerland when immigration officials detained and blocked him from boarding his flight at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport.

He was scheduled to attend a UN Human Rights Council session from September 14-24 in Geneva, where he was expected to brief officials on the ongoing situation in Kashmir -- an area that has been reeling from almost daily protests and violence.

Authorities "told (Pervez) that due to orders from the Intelligence Bureau, he cannot travel to Geneva".

"It appears that Khurram Parvez is not being allowed to travel because he has been highlighting violations of human rights," Parvez Imroz, president of JKCCS, said in a statement.

"The Indian State seeks to isolate the people of... Kashmir at all costs, and disallowing human rights activists access to the UN is a part of this attempt to isolate and ensure impunity for violence and denial of human rights."

More than 80 people have been killed since July 8 when a young militant leader was shot dead by Indian soldiers, making it one of the deadliest bouts of violence in decades.

Both India and neighbouring Pakistan lay claim to the whole of the Himalayan territory, which has been divided between the two since they separated seven decades ago.

The two countries, which are both now nuclear powers, have twice gone to war over the territory and accuse each other of stoking violence.
Angry demonstrators are throwing stones at soldiers. In return, Indian soldiers are firing live bullets, tear-gas shells and lead pellets. Ambulances ferrying the injured make a beeline away from the city, where the hospitals are overwhelmed. On shop shutters and walls across Kashmir, fresh graffiti reads Burhan is alive and Go back India.

After Burhan Muzaffar Wani, the popular 22-year-old commander of rebel group Hizbul Mujahideen, was shot dead by the Indian army on July 8, tens of thousands of people showed up at his funeral procession. And that was just the beginning. A new uprising against Indian rule has erupted in this Himalayan region, killing at least 72 civilians and injuring some 10,000. About 500 civilians, mostly young boys, have suffered eye injuries from pellets; many of them may lose eyesight permanently. The government has been trying to quash the unrest, banning internet and mobile phone service and ordering newspapers to stop printing.

Two months later, the uprising continues  and some believe that the death of Wani, a charismatic figure on social media, has catalyzed a much broader  and much more militant  movement for independence from India.

Wani has revitalized the support for armed uprising against Indian rule, says Khurram Parvez, a prominent human-rights advocate in Kashmir. For one, it could mean the acceptance of armed resistance by the young educated class, and it could motivate young people to join militant groups, says Dr. Suhail Masoodi, who heads the Centre for Research and Development Policy in Kashmir. In the past, he says, Kashmiri militancy was largely perceived as led by the uneducated and underprivileged class. But Wani and his associates deconstructed this myth.

Lets back up a minute. For 69 years, both India and Pakistan have claimed as their own the former princely state of Kashmir. It continues to be divided between the two nuclear powers. A whopping half a million Indian soldiers are currently stationed in Kashmir. Since 1989, when the militancy started in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir, as many as 100,000 civilians have been killed, 10,000 have disappeared by force and around 8,000 mass graves have been found by human-rights groups. (The numbers are contested.) Between two hostile countries since the partition of British India in 1947  the incredible bloodshed of which some consider the subcontinents own Holocaust  this region has not had a day of political peace.

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Most radical militants might want certain things that a rock-throwing kid might not want or even know about.

Thinking about azadi [independence] has nothing to do with Kashmir and everything to do with Pakistan, says Irfan Nooruddin, director of the Georgetown India Initiative. Clearly, he says, Pakistan cant beat India in a war, but it can get to India through Kashmir, using irregular warfare. Since Partition, many Indians have considered Kashmir important for symbolic reasons  the majority-Muslim state helps justify the idea of India as a secular republic, he says. Its a place where Muslims and Hindus can peacefully coexist. For other Indians, he says, Kashmir has festered the wound that Pakistan was  the largest human mass migration in history.

Indians also have fears about what an independent Kashmir would mean for security. For a variety of reasons, Pakistan has come to believe that it has some sort of a claim on Kashmir, says Manoj Joshi, distinguished fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, who focuses on Kashmir. Pakistans best contribution, Joshi says, will be to do what it claims  give moral and political support and avoid arming, training and funding militants to attack India.

Gettyimages 602409516

Kashmiris carry the body of Javed Ahmad Dar during a funeral procession in Srinagar this month. Dar was shot during an August protest.

Source Waseem Andrabi/Getty

The status of Kashmir has been contested for generations. Indeed, many of todays militants have known military suppression almost all their lives, says Gautam Navlakha, a prominent civil-rights activist from India. Still, observers agree that the current uprising is markedly different from those in the past. It is more militant, and it is intensifying rapidly. Moreover, it gained wider purchase through the person of Wadi, who had not only broadcast to an educated, young audience, but had also recruited dozens of locals into the rebel group.

How long the uprising will last is uncertain, given the daily blows to business and the civilian casualties. Parvez predicts that India will soon have to concede freedom to the people of Jammu and Kashmir or else they will have to resort to extreme state repression. But others believe that the uprising will fizzle out, like others: A.S. Dulat, the former chief of the Research and Analysis Wing of Indias intelligence agency, suggests that 80 percent of Kashmiris want peace, and fewer than 20 percent are in the streets. None of the officials who were contacted for this story, from the Indian army, local police, intelligence and the regional government, were willing to comment.

Will the uprising bring about azadi or some other political solution? The idea of a full break from India remains controversial: In the most recent two elections, the majority of Kashmiri people voted in favor of more autonomy within India  that is, they wanted India to treat their home not as an occupied territory, but rather as a state of the union. And Nooruddin cautions against conflating youth support for militancy with hardcore militants. Most radical militants might want certain things that a rock-throwing kid might not want or even know about, he says.

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Keith Cox has been elevated to the role of president of production and development at TV Land.

Cox had been executive vice president of development and original programming. He will report to Cyma Zarghami, president of Viacoms Kids and Family Group.

Cox has had a hand in developing, producing and launching all of the channels current original scripted programs. The first, Hot in Cleveland, ran for six seasons and is now syndicated by CBS Television Distribution.

Prior to joining TV Land, Cox was executive vice president of comedy and alternative development at the WB Television Network, where he oversaw all of the networks half-hour and reality development of such hits as Ashton Kutchers Beauty and the Geek and 51 Minds Surreal Life. He joined the WB in 2001 as senior vice president, alternative programming at the WB.

Earlier, he worked at Greenblatt/Janollari as vice president of comedy and drama development, and he was part of the team that developed Six Feet Under, The Hughleys, and the online cult favorite, Heat Vision and Jack directed by Ben Stiller and starring Jack Black and Christine Taylor. Cox began his career as director of programming during the early days of FX before joining Warner Brothers Television, where he developed several shows for NBCs Thursday night line-up.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday sought to diffuse criticism of a U.S.-Russian ceasefire agreement on Syria arguing that without it violence would increase significantly with many more Syrians slaughtered or forced to flee the war-torn country. The deal struck between Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on Friday agreed to a seven-day period of reduced violence and increased humanitarian aid deliveries. If the truce holds, U.S. and Russian militaries would begin to coordinate air strikes against Nusra Front and Islamic State militants in an agreed area. The plan aims to bring together the warring Syrian sides for talks on a political transition, which would involve Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stepping aside. "It's a last chance to be able to hold Syria together," Kerry said in an interview with NPR's Morning Edition. "If you fail to get a cessation in place now and we cannot get to the table, then the fighting is going to increase significantly." He added: "What's the alternative? The alternative is to allow us to go from 450,000 people who have been slaughtered to how many thousands more? That Aleppo gets completely overrun? That the Russians and Assad simply bomb indiscriminately for days to come and we sit there and do nothing?" The five-year war has killed an estimated 430,000 people since the start of the conflict, with roughly 11 million people made homeless in the world's worst refugee crisis. Senior U.S. military and intelligence have criticized the plan saying Russia cannot be trusted. The plan envisions the U.S. military sharing targeting information for strikes against militants with Russian forces. Kerry said the agreement had the support of U.S. President Barack Obama, with whom he met on Tuesday. "Well, the president of the United States is ready and I think the military therefore will be ready," he said. "Nobody's asking people to abrogate our standards, but it is important for us to keep our part of the bargain," Kerry added. The agreement marks the biggest test yet by Washington that it can work with Moscow to end a war that President Vladimir Putin transformed a year ago when he sent warplanes to join the fight on Assad's side Kerry said moderate opposition fighters, backed by the United States and Gulf allies, had been losing ground to Russian-backed government forces. "The dynamic of Assad hammering them and Russia hammering them is going to drive them into the hands of Nusra and ISIL," said Kerry, "And you'll have a greater degree of radicalization of increased intensity." Twenty-four hours after the truce took effect, senior State Department officials said there had been a reduction in violence. U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura declared that U.N. aid access should be possible soon, including to eastern Aleppo, the rebel-held half of the city that is under blockade. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the most intense fighting since the ceasefire began took place on Tuesday night in the village of Maan in Hama province. Insurgents operating in the Hama area included jihadists and nationalist rebels fighting under the Free Syrian Army banner. It was not immediately clear whether the insurgents were part of the ceasefire, although the senior U.S. official said all groups except Nusra and Islamic State had to abide by the cessation of hostilities rules. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Michael Perry)
Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia, a key backer of Syria's rebels, has welcomed a ceasefire brokered by Moscow and Washington, but stressed President Bashar al-Assad's regime must abide by it.

A foreign ministry source quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency said that the truce which began at sundown on Monday "will contribute to relieving the humanitarian suffering" in Syria, and Riyadh is following developments "with interest."

"The kingdom stresses the importance of Bashar al-Assad's regime and his allies abiding by this truce," the source said late Tuesday, expressing hope that it could ultimately lead to a peaceful transition of power.

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said late Tuesday that there were reports of a "significant drop in violence" since the truce took effect.

But he said no aid had yet reached besieged civilians as foreseen by the truce deal because the UN was still seeking assurances for the safety of relief convoys.

Saudi Arabia has been a major backer of Islamist rebel groups in the civil war that erupted in Syria in 2011.

It was instrumental in the formation late last year of the High Negotiations Committee, an umbrella group uniting an array of rebel and political opposition factions.

Its rival Iran, the main regional backer of the Assad regime, has also welcomed the truce.
Kiefer Sutherland is hard at work on The Designated Survivor. (Photo: ABC)

Kiefer Sutherland is back in the spotlight as the star of a new show on ABC, The Designated Survivor, in which he plays the president of the United States. With that comes renewed interest in Sutherland  as well as some scrutiny of the 49-year-old actor. He met it head on in a New York Times article published today, which touched on his troubled history with alcohol.

Sutherland has a solid Hollywood career, but he also has a reputation for being a hard-charging drinker. There are stories of his public intoxication (as recently as last year) and involvement in barroom brawls, as well as claims of him being unprofessional on the set of 24 as a result of his drinking. In 2014, Freddie Prinze Jr., who did a stint on Season 8 of the Fox series, called Sutherland the most unprofessional dude in the world. But the most serious example of his trouble with alcohol were the 48 days he spent in jail in 2007, after his fourth DUI arrest. Despite his unsavory past, Sutherland has no qualms about discussing his relationship with booze.

Its been a part of my life, theres no denying that, he told the New York Times. Its not something I do alone. I like going out with friends after work. Its a way of letting loose. Having said that, I can tell you that if I look back on my life any of the negative things that have happened usually have [drinking] as a root cause, whether it was a DUI, or fighting, or a breakup, a relationship not working. Theres a price to pay for it. If you take a look at the songs, none of them are positive.

Related: A Look Back to When Julia Roberts Called Off Her Wedding to Kiefer Sutherland

The songs hes referring to are from his first album of country music, Down in a Hole, which was released earlier this year and is a journal of sorts. While the intensely personal album received decent reviews, and fans are undoubtedly looking forward to having Sutherland back on the small screen weekly, its hard to forget the lore that surrounds him and his party persona, which includes his infamous tackling of a Christmas tree in 2005.

It was harmless fun (for everyone but that artificial tree), but we hope hes learned from his past mistakes. Maybe his next album will be a little more light-hearted.
CAIRO (Reuters) - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will suspend flights to Cairo beginning in January as a result of Egypt's foreign currency problems, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. Egypt is facing an acute dollar shortage that has stifled the ability of some companies to repatriate earnings and transfer money abroad, with many waiting in lengthy queues for allocations from the country's central bank and others resorting to an expensive black market for dollars that cuts into profits. The country's net foreign reserves stood at $16.564 billion at the end of August, less than half the roughly $36 billion held in 2011 before an uprising drove away tourists and foreign investors, major sources of foreign currency. The bank has sought to preserve forex reserves for essential items such as food, fuel, medicines and manufacturing components. This has hit companies such as Air France-KLM - the airline told Reuters in February it was unable to repatriate any earnings for months. British Airways has said it faced similar problems, though it has not suspended flights to Cairo. "The devaluation of the Egyptian pound and the decision of the Central Bank of Egypt to impose restrictions on the transfer of foreign currency out of Egypt have a negative impact on results of KLM," a statement on the company's website said. KLM's final flight from Cairo will depart on Jan. 7, the company said. "After suspension of the KLM service to Cairo, Air France -KLM will maintain its presence in the Egyptian capital, with Air France operating six weekly flights out of Paris," the statement added. Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operate separate airlines as part of a joint airline group. Egypt reached a preliminary agreement with the International Monetary Fund in August for a $12 billion three-year lending programme that could boost its reserves and plug its funding gap, but the deal requires Egypt to secure $6 billion in bilateral financing. (Reporting by Lin Noueihed; Writing by Eric Knecht; Editing by Alison Williams)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday it viewed U.S. President Barack Obama's recent statements on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as anti-Russian and said they were unlikely to improve fragile relations between Russia and the United States. Obama on Tuesday strongly criticized Trump for praising Russian President Vladimir Putin and for appearing on a TV channel, RT, funded by the Russian government. "Unfortunately, we see continued displays of often hard-core Russophobia," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on Obama's intervention, told a conference call with reporters. "We can only express regret in this regard. "This rhetoric, which is being formulated in electoral campaign style ... is unlikely to help fledgling fragile attempts to build at least some sort of mutual trust." (Reporting by Denis Pinchuk; Writing by Dmitry Solovyov; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
As the Democratic Party scrambles to assess the potential impact of another trove of internal documents leaked by the hacking entity calling itself Guccifer 2.0, the Democratic National Committee finds itself in a war of words with the Kremlin, whose spokesperson condemned what he called blatant Russophobia on display in the US presidential election.

The documents, made available online yesterday, were released along with a rambling statement from the hacker at a security conference in London yesterday. So far, it is unclear whether the massive trove of documents contains any seriously damaging information. As of Wednesday morning, reporters and activists plowing through them had identified information likely to be more annoying than dangerous -- like the personal cell phone numbers of Democratic officials including, apparently, vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine.

Related: Worried About Trump, GOP Donors Back Paul Ryan and His Congressional Firewall

But the Democratic National Committee took immediate steps to blame Russian agents for the hack -- an opinion supported by multiple computer security experts -- and to tie them tightly to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

The DNC is the victim of a crimean illegal cyber attack by Russian state-sponsored agents who seek to harm the Democratic Party and progressive groups in an effort to influence the presidential election, said interim DNC Chair Donna Brazile in a prepared statement. Theres one person who stands to benefit from these criminal acts, and thats Donald Trump. Not only has Trump embraced Putin, he publicly encouraged further Russian espionage to help his campaign. Like so many of the words Trump has uttered this election season, his statements encouraging cyber crime are dangerous, divisive, and unprecedented.

Brazile was referring to Trumps repeated praise of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, as well as his offhand suggestion earlier this summer that Russian hackers might be able to access emails that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton had deleted from her controversial personal email server. In an interview that aired on Russian state-run network RT last week, Trump said that he doubted Russia was actually behind the attacks on the Democratic Party.

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An earlier leak of DNC emails revealed that officials with the ostensibly neutral party committee were strong supporters of Clinton during the Democratic primary, enraging supporters of her opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and forcing several resignations. Brazile is serving as interim DNC chair because former chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz was among those forced out by the previous leak.

Related: The Biggest Threat to the Economy? It Could Be the Election

On Tuesday, Brazile warned that whatever turns up in the latest leak might be false information planted by hackers. Our legal team is now in the process of reviewing these private documents, and attempting to confirm their authenticity, as it is common for Russian hackers to forge documents.

Russian officials have consistently denied any involvement in the attack on the DNCs email servers. In an interview with Bloomberg earlier this month, Putin argued that the identity of the DNC hackers is unimportant.

Listen, does it even matter who hacked this data? he said. The important thing is the content that was given to the public.

However, on Wednesday, in his daily call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov took a more aggressive tone, apparently in response to Braziles statement.

Related: Trump -- The Fed Is Conspiring Against Me

We state that the Russian card and the card of our president at times becomes the deciding factor in the US electoral process. It would be much nicer if this card played a positive role," Peskov said Wednesday during his daily conference call with reporters. Unfortunately, we see continued displays of often hard-core Russophobia. We can only express regret in this regard." He added, "This rhetoric, which is being formulated in electoral campaign style... is unlikely to help fledgling, fragile attempts to build at least some sort of mutual trust."

He seemed to be referring to an emerging arrangement between the US and Russia around a ceasefire in Syria, where the two nations have a common foe in the terror group ISIS but are supporting different factions that are also fighting each other.

Russian media also took exception to comments President Obama made while campaigning for Clinton on Tuesday. The president criticized Trumps praise of Putins popularity in Russia and compared him to deceased Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Saddam Hussein had a 90 percent poll rating. If you control the media and you've taken away everybody's civil liberties and you jail dissidents, that's what happens, Obama said.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
When you get down to it, good music, an iconic New York restaurant as the setting, a few celebrities thrown in, and some pretty glamorous clothes are really all you need for a great show. And at his presentation last night for New York Fashion Week, Brandon Maxwell gave us exactly that.

Brandon Maxwell at his spring 2017 runway show in New York City. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Designer: Brandon Maxwell started his label a little over a year ago, and since then he has dressed Naomi Campbell and Karlie Kloss, and of course we all know he is best friend and stylist to Lady Gaga. His clothes are glamorous and red-carpet-worthy, and his woman is definitely not one to catch the train or pound the pavement for a cab. Well-manicured, well-tailored, confident, and fun is what one expects from Maxwell.

From left, Steven Klein, Jussie Smollett, Naomi Campbell, and Lady Gaga attend Brandon Maxwells spring 2017 show. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Front Row: Seen for the first time this week was Lady Gaga, looking like a proud mama, and of course, wearing custom Brandon Maxwell. Naomi Campbell was there too, in a white silk custom Brandon Maxwell dress, and arriving with her fellow Empire colleague Jussie Smollett. The best front row sighting, though, goes to famed photographer Steven Klein, who brought his baby to the show and gave him (might be a her, one is not too sure) a bottle when the show started  front row sure is young these days!

Models dance down the Brandon Maxwell spring 2017 runway. (Photo: Getty Images)

Model Moment: Models glided down the runway and occasionally broke out into dance  because when good music is blasting, how can you not shake it up a little? Model Adwoa Aboah was our favorite, as she shimmied down confidently whilst holding a straight focus.

A model at the Brandon Maxwell spring 2017 runway show in New York City. (Photo: First View)

#WantItNow: This collection was luxurious with crepe black satin and silk organza worked into pleats and folds. While there were many #WantItNow moments, to me a beautiful silk ivory suit on a woman is the ultimate statement of powerful luxury.

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A model walks the runway in the Russian Tea Room for Brandon Maxwells spring 2017 show. (Photo: Nina Westervelt)

The Scene: The show was held at the iconic Russian Tea Room in midtown Manhattan in a salon room. Rather than ladies who lunch, editors who were hungry and hot filled up the space!

A model walks the runway at the Brandon Maxwell spring 2017 show. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Playlist: With a setting like the Russian Tea Room, you expect to hear a smooth soundtrack, perhaps some jazz or classical music? But when the show started, Shania Twains Man! I Feel Like a Woman blasted out and was followed by Brian Enos Babys on Fire, Gloria Gaynors I Am What I Am, and Helen Reddys I Am Woman, a mix that had all the editors wishing they were in the 80s, dancing to these songs and eating caviar!

A model at the Brandon Maxwell spring 2017 show. (Photo: First View)

Future Red-Carpet Fave: There were plenty to choose from in this collection! A silk bandeau crop top with tailored pants on the right body would be a dream.

A model at the Brandon Maxwell spring 2017 show. (Photo: First View)



This bra top with a one-strap dress is best-dressed-list-worthy.

A model at the Brandon Maxwell spring 2017 show. (Photo: Getty Images)



The Takeaway: A fashion show does not need a mega-size venue, fun gimmicks, or any Jenners, Hadids, or Kardashians to make it a great show! Good music and great clothes should do it just nicely, and Maxwell delivered.

Yahoo Style is live from #NYFW! Keep it here for your front-row view of the best looks and buzziest moments of New York Fashion Week.
By Jonathan Stempel

Sept 14 (Reuters) - The former law firm clerk whose tips about corporate mergers fueled an insider trading scheme in which one participant ate evidence written on napkins and Post-its in Grand Central Terminal was sentenced to nearly four years in prison on Wednesday.

Steven Metro, a former managing clerk at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, received his 46-month sentence from U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton, New Jersey, after pleading guilty last November to securities fraud and conspiracy charges, prosecutors said.

James Froccaro, a lawyer for Metro, declined to comment.

According to prosecutors, Metro, 42, of Katonah, New York, would pass tips about mergers and other transactions involving Simpson Thacher clients to his friend and law school classmate Frank Tamayo, a Brooklyn mortgage broker, from 2009 to 2013.

Prosecutors said that after getting the tips in midtown Manhattan bars and coffee shops, Tamayo would meet Vladimir Eydelman, then a Morgan Stanley stockbroker, at Grand Central's main clock.

Once there, Tamayo would show Eydelman the ticker symbol of the company involved, and then chew up and sometimes swallow whatever he wrote the tip on, prosecutors said.

Eydelman, formerly of Colts Neck, New Jersey, made most of the roughly $5.6 million profit from insider trading on at least 13 companies, while Metro made just $168,000, prosecutors said.

The scheme unraveled in early 2014 after Tamayo began to secretly record the other defendants.

According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which filed related civil charges, Tamayo in one conversation brought up the "boy at the law firm," prompting Eydelman to respond, "What's up with him ... does he still have the info?"

Metro's sentence was shorter than the 57 to 71 months he could have gotten under recommended federal guidelines.

Tamayo and Eydelman have also pleaded guilty. Shipp is scheduled to sentence them on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22, respectively, court records show.

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Neither Morgan Stanley nor Simpson Thacher was accused of wrongdoing.

The case is U.S. v. Metro, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, No. 15-cr-00028.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Bernard Orr)
Following a humiliating televised gaffe in which he couldnt identify Aleppo as an embattled Syrian city, Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson sought to reboot his campaign on Wednesday with the announcement that he will appear on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Johnson, the former two-term governor from New Mexico who favors the legalization of marijuana and minimal government control, displayed his ignorance and relative indifference to foreign policy and defense issues during an ill-fated appearance last week on MSNBCs Morning Joe program.

Related: Could Libertarian Gary Johnson Play the Spoiler in November?

But he and his running mate, former Republican Massachusetts governor Bill Weld, displayed no small political skill and organizational capability by qualifying to appear on the ballot throughout the country.

Not since 1996 has a third-party candidate appeared on every state ballot  a testament to a sophisticated and well-funded political ground game in which supporters had to collect the requisite number of valid signatures on petitions in order for Johnson to qualify for a spot on the November ballot.

Over the years, state lawmakers have developed ballot access procedures that make it difficult for third party or independent candidates to appear on the ballot. According to Ballotpedia, an on-line encyclopedia of American politics, independent candidates for president this year needed to collect in excess of 880,000 signatures overall in order to appear on the general election ballot in every state plus the nations capital. California demanded that independent candidates collect 178,039 signatures, more than any other state. Tennessee required just 275 signatures, the fewest of any state.

Johnson and Weld are hoping that this political feat will put added pressure on the Commission on Presidential Debates to allow Johnson on stage Sept. 26 when Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump go head-to-head in the first of three nationally televised presidential debates. For now, however, Johnson is being excluded from the debate because he hasnt reached the required 15 percent average in five major national polls since Labor Day.

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Related: Third Party Candidates Johnson and Stein Suddenly Hit a Rough Patch

The majority of the people are not happy with the two major party candidates and have been clear in their desire to hear from a credible alternative, Johnson and Weld stated in a full page ad in todays New York Times.

Clinton is struggling to retain a narrow lead in the polls over Trump after the latest flap over her health and her disparaging remarks about Trumps deplorable supporters. Clinton and Trump are both saddled with high negative ratings and are generally not trusted by voters.

A recent Quinnipiac University national poll released Aug. 25 showed that 62 percent of voters favored Johnson taking part in the debates. Many of those calling for his inclusion are young people, Latinos and active duty members of the military.

Moreover, a recent Washington Post/SurveyMonkey poll of more than 70,000 voters showed double-digit support for the Johnson-Weld ticket in 42 states; more than 15 percent support in 15 states; and 19 percent or more support in four states.

Related: Trump Says the Debates Are Rigged. Turns Out He's Right

We are successful governors who have achieved greater support by far in relation to campaign dollars spent than either the Republican or Democrat  and a majority of Americans want and deserve to hear what we have to say, Johnson and Weld said in the ad, an open letter to the debate commission members.

In arguing for a spot on the debate podium later this month, Johnson said that he would be willing to forgo appearances in the second and third debates if his polling averages still havent reached the 15 percent standard.

Precisely how much of a factor Johnson or Jill Stein, the Green Party nominee, will be in the general election contest is open to debate. The Green Party with Stein at the top of the ticket reportedly will be on the ballot in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

Johnson and Stein appear to be having some effect on the fight over the critical swing state of Ohio. According to a new Bloomberg poll released today, Trump is leading Clinton, 44 percent to 39 percent among the states likely voters. Johnson picked up 10 percent of the vote and Stein received 3 percent.

Related: Your Vote for a Third Party Candidate Wont Be a Waste in 2016

Nationally, the Real Clear Politics average of polls shows Clinton narrowly leading Trump, 41.8 percent to 40 percent, with Johnson at 9 percent and Stein at 2.8 percent.

During the most recent surveys, Johnson has toggled between 9 percent and 11 percent in a four-way presidential contest. The conventional political wisdom is that the third-party candidates probably hurt Clinton more than Trump, but probably not by much.

Nate Silvers FiveThirtyEight politics blog in early July concluded after analyzing 18 polls that Johnson and Stein at most would take about one percentage point away from Clintons margin on average.

Larry J. Sabato of the University of Virginia said in an email today that Its very unlikely Johnson will get the 15 percent necessary to be included in the debates. His percentage of the vote may decline as Election Day approaches. Its too early to say whether Clinton or Trump will be hurt more by the votes he receives.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Tripoli (AFP) - The head of Libya's UN-backed unity government called for urgent talks Wednesday after forces loyal to a rival administration seized the main eastern oil ports in defiance of world powers.

The seizure of all four export terminals in the so-called oil crescent was a major blow to Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj's government, which is almost entirely dependent on oil revenues for its income.

UN envoy Martin Kobler, who had called repeatedly for a halt to the offensive led by controversial military strongman Khalifa Haftar, was to brief the Security Council on the crisis later on Wednesday.

The Government of National Accord is the centrepiece of UN efforts to end five years of chaos in Libya since the overthrow of veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi and it now faces an even tougher battle to assert its authority over the rival administration in the east.

Sarraj said that Libya was at a "turning point" after the assault on the oil ports with its future as a united nation in serious question.

"I call on all sides to halt provocative actions and sit down urgently at the same table to discuss a mechanism that would enable us to get out of this crisis and put a stop to the conflict," the prime minister said.

"I am not prepared to rule one part of Libya nor to lead a war against another part."

It was the first fighting between the forces of the rival administrations since Sarraj established his government in Tripoli in March.

The capture of the oil crescent means that the rival administration now controls virtually all of the eastern Cyrenaica region.

The writ of Sarraj's government is confined to the western Tripolitania region where its forces have been battling jihadists of the Islamic State group in the coastal city of Sirte for months.

The Petroleum Facilities Guard, which had been responsible for the defence of the oil ports, has played a prominent role in the fighting against IS and Haftar's forces took advantage of the absence of many of its members to seize all four ports in just three days.

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Haftar, 73, who sees himself as Libya's saviour after battling jihadists out of most of the main eastern city of Benghazi, is the most powerful backer of the eastern administration.

Western governments have voiced serious concern that Libya's deepening divisions can only play into the hands of the jihadists and their efforts to establish a base in the North African nation just across the Mediterranean from Europe.

The United States and its European allies issued a joint statement condemning Haftar's offensive and calling for the return of the oil ports to unity government control.
It was 300 years ago, on Sept. 14, 1716, that Boston Light began shining forth, becoming Americas first lighthouse. While this extraordinary milestone is worth celebrating on its own, it is only a small part of a much bigger and more momentous story. From this impressive beginning, more than 1,000 lighthouses were built along the countrys sinuous and dangerous coasts to safely welcome mariners from near and far.

Though many of them have since become quaint tourist attractions rather than life-saving necessities, the lighthouse played an indispensable role in building the nation and contributing to its economic success.

Maritime commerce, the lifeblood of the colonies, made local officials eager to build lighthouses to show the world that their burgeoning ports could be safely navigated. This compelling rationale spurred Massachusetts to lead the way with Boston Light in 1716, which was followed by nine other colonial lighthouses, ranging from Charleston, S.C., to Portsmouth, N.H. The commerce fostered by those lighthouses, in turn, financially strengthened the colonies and helped them win the War for Independence.

During that conflict, lighthouses became key strategic targets. Since lighthouses do not distinguish between friend or foe, the colonial rebels doused the lights up and down the coast so that they wouldnt aid the British Navy in its maneuvers. At Boston Light, and the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, in New Jersey, however, the Americans failed. Despite multiple, bloody attacks on British troops guarding the lighthouses, American soldiers could not dislodge the enemy. And at Boston Light, the British exacted a terrible revenge. Just before the British Navy departed Boston Harbor for good, on March 17, 1776, British marines visited the lighthouse, placed a keg of gunpowder at its base, lit the fuse, and rowed back to their waiting ship. An hour later, a violent explosion turned the lighthouse into a heap of rubbish in the words of one eyewitness. But Boston needed the service that its lighthouse had provided, so, in 1783 a replacement lighthouse was built on the same spot as the old.

Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter

The leaders of the new nation that sprang into existence after the war clearly understood the critical importance of lighthouses to the countrys future, and that is why, on Aug. 6, 1789, the delegates to the First Federal Congress passed a bill that would transfer the responsibility for building and managing lighthouses from the states to the federal government. President George Washington signed it into law the following day, making Aug. 7, 1789, the official birthday of Americas lighthouse establishment.

Commonly referred to as the Lighthouse Act, it was only the ninth law passed by Congress. It also became Americas first public works program.

With this firm foundation, as the country grew, so too did the number of lighthouses, creating a gleaming necklace of beacons and literally lighting the way for the settlement of new territories and states. Thus, soon after citizens of the young nation made their way to the Great Lakes, the Gulf Coast, the West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii, lighthouses were built on those shores to help these new American outposts prosper.

The story of Americas lighthouses is about much more than just economic growth, mariner safety, military conflict and national expansion. It is likewise a history of lighting innovation. Lighthouse illuminants changed dramatically over time, running the gamut from whale, lard and vegetable oil to kerosene, acetylene and finally electricity. Similarly, crude lamps gave way to more sophisticated ones, and reflectors that did a poor job of projecting the light were replaced by the crown jewels of lighthouse illuminationFresnel lenses, which not only increased the intensity of the light, but also became one of the most important and strikingly beautiful inventions of the nineteenth century.

While all of Americas lighthouses required skill to build, a few, such as Minots Ledge Lighthouse, located a mile offshore from Cohasset, Mass., on a narrow outcropping of jagged stone that is submerged most of the time, posed such significant challenges that they are truly marvels of engineering, serving as testaments to human ingenuity.

At its core, however, the dramatic history of Americas lighthouses is about people, and an intriguingly diverse cast of compelling characters brings that history to vivid life. These include Founding Fathers, imperiled mariners and inspiring leaders, but, undoubtedly the most important actors are the male and female keepers, who faithfully kept the lights shining and the fog signals blaring.

Unlike so many government programs, the success of which can be measured by concrete outcomes, statistics, and cause-and-effect linkages, the success of the nations lighthouses is largely invisible and impossible to quantify, since it is measured by the number of accidents that dont happen. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that without their guiding lights and fog signals, Americas coasts would have been far more dangerous places for mariners and their ships, and the countrys, as well as the worlds, commerce and people would have suffered mightily as a result.

Although Boston Light is the only lighthouse that still has a keeper, and, in the era of GPS and sophisticated radar systems, lighthouses are not as critical to navigation as they once were, these magnificent coastal sentinels deserve the admiration of all Americans. Whether todays citizens are aware of it or not, lighthouses have had a dramatic and positive impact on their lives.

The Long View

Historians explain how the past informs the present

Eric Jay Dolin lives in Marblehead, Mass., and is author of Brilliant Beacons: A History of the American Lighthouse.


PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / September 14, 2016 / Lithium Exploration Group Inc. (LEXG) CEO Alex Walsh updates shareholders on company activities.

Dear Shareholders,

I will simplify this letter by breaking it out into clearly-defined sections that you can read and digest. We are officially embarking on new territory for our company and I want to give as comprehensive an update as I possibly can with this impersonal form of communication. We are excited about what we have been able to accomplish over the past few months and are looking forward to this new chapter in the company history.

Oil Well:

On Friday of last week, we made a deposit for the drilling of an oil well in McKean County, PA. The final installment for the well will go out this Friday. This week, they are making final preparations to the site and booking all of the sub-contractors required to perform the drilling and completion work. The goal is to initiate drilling next week. We are excited about the opportunity to enter the oil and gas industry at these prices. Our 'big picture' plan is to be able to scale this side of our business to acquire interests in these types of smaller fields that are not profitable at current oil prices and provide tremendous upside when oil prices rise over time. The size of this initiative is unknown today but we will acquire as many of these opportunities as we can until oil prices stabilize over $55 per barrel.

Testing of Oil Unit:

We finalized the preparation of the oil unit today here in Houston, TX, and have a load of oil arriving tomorrow morning and are ready to immediately begin our testing program on the Son Cav oil unit. This oil is a bit heavier than the oil we tested before Labor Day, so we are excited to see the results we will get. We have also made some modifications to the circulation to allow for greater volumes through the system, which will give us the opportunity to get more run time on the unit this week.

We are still in the process analysis and data collection phase but, ultimately, we want to be able to bring out an independent engineering firm to certify all of the run times and performance data to share with our shareholders and potential Son Cav oil unit customers.

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Debt Consolidation:

Last week we also entered into agreements to repurchase a number of outstanding notes so that we have fewer debt holders in the company. The goal with this effort is to have debt obligations with firms that have a long-term view of what we are trying to accomplish and will support us while we are executing, and be patient and flexible. We are turning a corner now and need to have engaged partners, not just financial partners.

The Son Cav oil unit has the ability to change the way small independent oil operators manage their fields and sell their oil. I would compare this to an agricultural technology that has the ability to take a crop after it has been picked and improve the yield and thus the revenue. The beauty of the application though is that the farmer (in this example) always knows what his yield will be and we are giving him the ability to make his 'farm' more valuable just by using the oil unit.

The technology's target market is not huge companies that have spent billions on infrastructure to treat their oil production. The target is the thousands of smaller operators that have a multitude of small fields that need help to improve the quality of their saleable oil. The efforts that we have made as a company to get to here are enough to write more than one memoir but they have been worth it and will provide long term stability and growth that shareholders are looking for.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Alex Walsh

CEO

Lithium Exploration Group

About Lithium Exploration Group

Lithium Exploration Group is a US-based exploration and development company focused on the acquisition and development potential of lithium brines and other precious metals that demonstrate high probability for near-term production. Currently the company is focused testing its Ultrasonic Generator Technology and the acquisition of oil and gas related assets in Western Canada. Lithium Exploration Group is traded on the OTCPINK under the symbol LEXG. Website: www.lithiumexplorationgroup.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains "forward-looking statements". Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future testing of the ultrasonic technology.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. We are not in control of lithium prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our most recent annual report for our last fiscal year, our quarterly reports, and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact Info

Shanon Chilson

480-641-4790

info@lithiumexplorationgroup.com

SOURCE: Lithium Exploration Group
The families of two California girls found dead in 1973 have waited nearly 43 years for answers and justice. Authorities tell PEOPLE they got some of that this week with the "long overdue" arrest of two suspects in the double homicide.



William Lloyd Harbour and Larry Don Patterson were arrested Tuesday in Linda, California, and Oakhurst, Oklahoma, respectively, the Yuba County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.



Sheriff spokeswoman Leslie Carbah tells PEOPLE the near-simultaneous arrests were coordinated to avoid having one suspect potentially tip off the other. The men are cousins, Carbah says.



Harbour and Patterson, both 65, were 22 when they allegedly killed Valerie Janice Lane, 12, and Doris Karen Derryberry, 13, in Olivehurst, California  blasting them apart with shotguns at close range, Yuba County Sheriff Steven Durfor tells PEOPLE.



He declined to discuss a motive or what the suspects may have said after their arrests, citing the ongoing investigation, but Durfor says the suspects allegedly had "a level of familiarity," at least, with the victims' families at the time of their deaths.



Durfor says that at the time of Harbour's arrest, he was living on the same street as some of the victims' relatives, about a block away.



 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.





'Long Overdue' Arrests Made of 2 Men, Now 65, in 1973 Slaying and Sexual Assault of California Girls| Crime & Courts, Murder, Shootings, True Crime



Durfor says this case has long lingered in the community's memory and that many investigators have tried to crack it.



He and Yuba County District Attorney Patrick McGrath informed both victims' families of the arrests Tuesday, and they have requested privacy.



Durfor says that at the meeting with the families, "enormous emotion [came] rushing back to them but also a tremendous amount of relief. And they acknowledged that it did bring some level of closure just having suspects identified."



"We're asking for the family to have time to process this news," Stan Vantassle, Doris' nephew, told the Associated Press following the arrests. "We would like to have time to come to grips with this."





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A Horrifying Crime

Doris and Valerie, close friends, had gone shopping on Sunday, Nov. 11, 1973, and were seen multiple times around town that day, Yuba authorities said in the news release. They were last seen around 9 p.m. and were found the next day, dead, after their mothers reported them missing.



Their bodies were found by a dirt road, according to authorities, having been fatally shot by shotguns at close range. Doris had been sexually assaulted before she was killed, Carbah tells PEOPLE.



The case went cold in 1976, despite more than 60 interviews and "significant investigative efforts," Yuba authorities said.





'Long Overdue' Arrests Made of 2 Men, Now 65, in 1973 Slaying and Sexual Assault of California Girls| Crime & Courts, Murder, Shootings, True Crime



And then, in March 2014, a break: A Yuba sheriff's investigator with "a little bit of down town" was reexamining the cold cases with an evidence technician, and she sent semen samples from Doris' body, which had been preserved since her death, Carbah says.



In December 2014, the DNA evidence came back as a match for both Harbour and Patterson, reopening the case, Yuba authorities said in the news release.



According to the AP, both men had previously committed crimes severe enough to warrant their DNA collection.



Harbour has previous felony drug convictions and Patterson was previously convicted for the 1976 rape of two women, Durfor tells PEOPLE. A warrant was also out for Patterson in Texas for allegedly failing to register as a sex offender, Carbah says.



Neither man was investigated in 1973, Durfor says. Patterson was later briefly examined following his rape arrest but no charges were filed, Durfor says.



After the suspects' match, Yuba authorities said they worked on a "renewed and expanded investigation" before presenting their evidence to the district attorney for warrants, according to the news release. Carbah says the work was kept tight-lipped even in the small Yuba department, as detectives combed through the decades-old case file and tracked down any surviving people from the original investigation.



A key part of their work was the care with which the 1973 evidence had been preserved, Durfor says  long before anyone could have imagined it would be forensically useful in the case of Doris and Valerie.





What's Next for the Case

Harbour had never left the Olivehurst community, Darfor says, and was easily apprehended. Durfor says the delay came in tracking down Patterson  a search that spanned five states before he was found living with relatives in the Tulsa County area of Oklahoma, using a P.O. box under his own name.



Now Yuba County authorities will seek Patterson's extradition to California, though an immediate timeline for that is unclear. Both suspects will be charged with murder.



The arrests were the culmination of the "tremendous" work of multiple agencies, Durfor tells PEOPLE, including: the Broken Arrow Police Department, Creek County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Tulsa County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshals.



Harbour will next appear in court Wednesday afternoon, Carbah says. He has not entered a plea and it was not immediately clear if either suspect had retained an attorney.



"I'm very proud of our department"  past and present  "that tirelessly went after this case and really took it personal," Durfor says.



He says, "I can't even imagine the suffering, the wondering, the grief that the families had been going through for decades."
Kaley Cuoco and Iggy Azalea are two of the famous faces participating in the Longines Masters of Los Angeles, scheduled for Sept. 29-Oct. 2.

Recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale, the Masters series ranks as one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the world, and this year, the Los Angeles installment will head south a bit to Long Beach, where it will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center. The event is the first FEI recognized CSI 5* show jumping competition on the West Coast and one of the first major international equestrian competitions following this summer's Rio Olympics.

Read more: Longines Becomes Official Title Sponsor of Three Masters Series Events

The Big Bang Theory star, who is passionate about horses and the sport of show-jumping, returns to the Longines Masters of Los Angeles to compete in a variety of events all weekend. Last year, she rode in the Pro-AM for Charity, an event that positions amateur riders against masters of the sport. Also scheduled to appear along with Cuoco is French actor-director Guillaume Canet.

For her part, rapper Azalea will host the opening gala. She, too, is passionate about the sport and admitted on Twitter earlier this year that she had planned to step up her equestrian activities this year: "Horse update, I've decided it is my 2016 resolution to compete in a three day event."

The American leg of the Longines Masters Series will feature seven Olympic medalists, including Team USA silver medalists Lucy Davis and Kent Farrington, who will compete against fellow Olympians with whom they shared the podium, including Team France gold medalists Kevin Staut and Roger-Yves Bost and Team Germany bronze medalists Christian Ahlmann and Daniel Deusser. Additional Rio Olympians confirmed to compete include Canada's Eric Lamaze, Netherlands' Harrie Smolders and Switzerland's Steve Guerdat.

Notable 5* riders from the United States include Georgina Bloomberg, Jessica Springsteen, Richard Spooner and others. The Longines Masters series also takes places in Paris and Hong Kong. More information can be found here.

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World #3 Simon Delestre from France will make his first appearance at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles after multiple years of competing in the Paris and Hong Kong legs of the international competition. (Photo courtesy: Longines Masters)
From Woman's Day

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Love Your Life, Not Theirs Book Sweepstakes: Beginning 9/13/16 at 12:01AM (ET) through 11/13/16 at 11:59 PM (ET) (the "Entry Period"), go towomansday.com/giveaways on a computer or wireless device and complete andsubmit the entry form pursuant to the onscreen instructions. Prizes & Approximate Retail Value:Twenty (20) Winners will each receive one (1) signed hardcopy version of Love Your Life, Not Theirsby Rachel Cruze from Ramsey Press. Approx.retail value of each prize: $24.99; total ARV of all prizes awarded: $499.80.Any difference between the stated ARV and the actual value of the prize willnot be awarded in any form.

3. ENTRIES: Limit one (1) entry per person per day for Sweepstakes. Multiple entries from the same person per day will be disqualified. Entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned. Proof of submission does not constitute proof of receipt. If applicable, illegible, inaccurate, lost, late, misdirected, incomplete, mutilated, postage due or mechanically reproduced entry forms or entry forms that have been tampered with will be disqualified. Online entrants must have valid email address and it is entrant's responsibility to update Sponsor of any change in email address. The mobile phone number and wireless service provider/carrier of mobile entrants (if applicable) will be automatically captured in the Sweepstakes database and all participation will be limited to that phone number unless entrant notifies Sponsor of a change. If there is a dispute as to the identity of an online or mobile entrant, the prize will be awarded to the authorized account holder of the email address or mobile phone. The "authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person to whom the email address or mobile phone is assigned by an internet service provider, online service provider, carrier, mobile phone provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning the email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address or responsible for assigning the mobile phone number.

4. ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are eighteen (18) years of age in their state or territory of residence at time of entry. Legal residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) who have reached the aforementioned age in their province of residence at time of entry are also eligible to enter. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Employees of Sponsor, its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, participating advertising and promotion agencies, independent judging organizations, and prize suppliers (and members of their immediate family and/or those living in the same of household of each such employee) are not eligible.

5. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: Expenses not specifically included in prize description and all taxes are the sole responsibility of the Winner. Each prize is awarded "as is" with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied outside of manufacturer's limited warranty. No transfer, assignment or substitution of a prize permitted, except Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize for an item of equal or greater value in the event an advertised prize is unavailable. The Winner is required to comply with any and all applicable federal, state, provincial, if Canadians are eligible to enter, and local laws, rules and regulations. All federal, state and local taxes, and any other costs not specifically provided for in these Official Rules are solely the Winner's responsibility. If the actual retail value of any Winner's prize is $600 or more, the Winner must complete a W9 form and supply Sponsor with his/her social security number for tax purposes. An IRS Form 1099 will be issued in the name of the Winner for the actual value of the prizes received. Sponsor shall have no responsibility or obligation to the Winner or potential Winner who are unable or unavailable to accept or utilize prizes as described herein. Entrants agree to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Sweepstakes. Winner may be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release and where legally permissible a Publicity Release within seven (7) days following the date of first attempted notification. Failure to comply with this deadline may result in forfeiture of the prize and selection of an alternate Winner. Return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate Winner. Winner hereby further agrees that it will sign any documents necessary to transfer copyright of his/her submitted entry, if applicable, to Sponsor within seven (7) days following the date of first attempted notification. By entering, Entrant grants permission for Sponsor, and any of its affiliates and subsidiaries, participating advertising and promotion agencies, and prize suppliers to use the entrant's submission (including an altered form of the entry), if any, for editorial, advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law. If images are being submitted to Sponsor as a requirement for entry, Entrants agree that they have all rights to use the images submitted and to allow Sponsor, any of its affiliates and subsidiaries, participating advertising and promotion agencies, and prize suppliers to reuse any of the images, without any liability, for editorial, advertising and promotional purposes. Additionally, acceptance of the prize by Winner constitutes permission for Sponsor and any affiliates and subsidiaries, participating advertising and promotion agencies, and prize suppliers to use Winner's name and/or likeness and biographical material for editorial, advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law. By accepting prize, Winner agrees to hold Sponsor, its advertising and promotion agencies and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, representative agents, successors, assigns, officers, directors, and employees harmless for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused by participation in the Sweepstakes or acceptance or use of the prize. Sponsor is not responsible for any printing, typographical, mechanical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Sweepstakes or in the announcement of the prize.

6. INTERNET/MOBILE: Sponsor is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor or presenter on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet, at any Web site, or via the mobile phone or any combination thereof. If for any reason the Internet or mobile phone portion of the program is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt of affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. Sponsor reserves the right to select winners from eligible entries received as of the termination date. Sponsor further reserves the right to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process. Sponsor may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Sweepstakes if it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes by cheating, hacking, deception or other unfair playing practices or intending to abuse, threaten or harass other entrants. Caution: Any attempt by a participant to deliberately damage any Web site or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such participant to the fullest extent of the law.

7. DISPUTES/CHOICE OF LAW: Except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by state or federal courts situated in New York, NY, (2) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, but in no event attorneys' fees; and (3) no punitive, incidental, special, consequential or other damages, including without limitation lost profits may be awarded (collectively, "Special Damages"), and (4) entrant hereby waives all rights to claim Special Damages and all rights to have such damages multiplied or increased. New York State law, without reference to New York's choice of law rules, governs the Sweepstakes and all aspects related thereto.

8. SPONSOR: The Sponsor of these Sweepstakes is Hearst Communications, Inc., 300 W. 57th Street, New York, NY 10019.

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Lyft is handing out cheaper rides for the safest and coolest reason

Lyft is handing out cheaper rides for the safest and coolest reason

Ever since ride-sharing apps debuted in our lives, getting around has been so much easier. We love the ease of using the app to call for a ride home, and theres a huge added benefit that these apps have made it that much simpler to get home when youve had a few at the bar. However, some people still find the cost of paying for a ride prohibitive, so sometimes these services arent helping prevent drunk driving as much as we would hope. But fortunately, Lyft is coming to the rescue with a new low-fare program specifically targeting the problem of drunk driving.

Lyft is partnering with Budweiser to be our new designated drivers, and we think this is a great plan.

A photo posted by Lyft (@lyft) on Aug 26, 2016 at 4:56pm PDT

According to Lyfts blog, now through the end of 2016, passengers over 21 can qualify for a $10 credit late at night on the weekends to discourage people from driving home when theyre impaired. Why, you ask? Because everybody deserves a designated driver, even if youre on a tight budget, Lyft explains on their blog.

Lyft is partnering with Budweiser for this initiative as a part of Budweisers #Giveadamn campaign.

The campaign launched during the Super Bowl with the badass Dame Helen Mirren, who is, as she puts it, a notoriously frank and uncensored British lady. She has a few choice words for drunk drivers, and she insists stop it!

Katja Zastrow, the Anheuser-Busch VP of corporate social responsibility, told Huffington Post, This ongoing Lyft partnership is the next step in spreading Budweisers Give a damn. Dont drive drunk. message.

Coupon codes for $10 off will be available to riders between 10 P.M. and 2 A.M. on weekend nights in 4 states.

A photo posted by Lyft (@lyft) on Aug 24, 2016 at 8:28pm PDT

This initiative is available in all the cities where Lyft operates in New York, Colorado, Florida and Illinois. The VP of Partnerships at Lyft, Oliver Hsiang, said, By giving passengers access to free rides each week, we hope everyone will think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking and look to Lyft as a solution.

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We love seeing these two companies take a big step to help out with a serious program. Cheers!

scream queens2

The post Lyft is handing out cheaper rides for the safest and coolest reason appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Exiled Maldives opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed has said he is in talks with the former president, who repeatedly threw him in jail, to "legally topple" the current leader of the troubled honeymoon islands.

Nasheed became the first democratically elected president of the Maldives in 2008, but now lives in exile in London after he was jailed on terrorism charges that he says were politically motivated.

In the past he has accused Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the Maldives for 30 years and is still regarded as the power behind the throne, of being behind his downfall.

But on Tuesday he indicated he wanted to bury the hatchet with Gayoom, amid reports of a rift between the former strongman leader and his half-brother, current President Abdulla Yameen.

"How can you build a future if you always want to go back to live in the past," Nasheed told reporters in Colombo via a video link from London.

"Yameens days are numbered. He has lost the support of the people and the international community. We can restore democracy in the Maldives."

Nasheed said he had forgiven Gayoom and was in talks with his faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) "for a new political alignment".

He did not disclose details, but said he had visited Colombo late last month to meet fellow dissidents and map out a strategy to "legally topple" Yameen.

He served repeated jail terms under Gayoom's autocratic leadership before winning the country's first democratic election in 2008.

There was no immediate comment from Gayoom, however, and diplomats in Colombo were cautious about the prospect of such an alliance.

"The opposition was expecting Gayoom to get a section of his party to withdraw support for Yameen late last month, but for some reason that did not happen," said one western diplomatic source in Colombo, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It is not easy for the opposition to organise any agitation inside the country because all their leaders are either in jail or in exile."

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- Unthinkable -

An alliance between the 78-year-old Gayoom and Nasheed was unthinkable even a few months ago.

But an intensifying crackdown on political dissent in the atoll nation of 340,000 people has dented its popular image as an upmarket holiday paradise.

Almost all key opposition leaders and a number of ruling party dissidents have either been jailed or gone into exile since Yameen took office after winning a controversial run-off election against Nasheed in 2013.

In July, Gayoom's daughter Dunya Maumoon quit as foreign minister saying she did not agree with a plan to bring back the death penalty after nearly seven decades.

Nasheed was jailed for 13 years in 2015 but granted prison leave earlier this year for medical treatment in London, where he secured political asylum.

A UN panel has ruled that his imprisonment was illegal and ordered the regime to pay him compensation.

The United States has said democracy is under threat in the strategically located archipelago, which sits on key international shipping lanes.

Yameen's spokesman Ibrahim Hussain Shihab has said there are differences within the ruling party, but that these are not serious.

Asked on Tuesday whether Gayoom would help bring down his own half brother, Nasheed replied: "Half brothers hitting at each other is Maldives politics."
Mark Cuban

Billionaire businessman Mark Cuban thinks Donald Trump's most brilliant move has been to avoid releasing his tax returns.

"The smartest thing he's ever done is not release them because he's created a talking point that just consumes more time so that he doesn't have to talk about anything of importance," Cuban told Business Insider in a Monday interview.

Cuban added that "we already know" what Trump's taxes would show regarding charitable donations, crediting Washington Post reporter David Fahrenthold for having already "ripped him apart" on it.

Fahrenthold recently wrote of how Trump used his charity as a vehicle to spend other people's money.

"So maybe his tax returns confirm or maybe they contest what he said," Cuban said. "But we already know he's full of s--- on tax returns on charity, right?"

Cuban mentioned the ongoing scandal regarding the Trump Foundation's illegal 2013 campaign donation to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, which has received increased attention recently after the Internal Revenue Service recently slapped the charity with a $2,500 fine. The Washington Post found that the foundation did not list the contribution in its tax filings, and Trump later reimbursed the foundation for the donation.

A Trump Organization senior vice president told The Post that it was "an honest mistake" that the contribution wasn't properly listed.

Bondi at the time was considering whether to take up a fraud investigation into the now-defunct Trump University. She decided against doing so.

"He tried to cover up the foundation's donation to Pam Bondi, and you know, the cover-up hasn't been worse than the crime, but that's OK, we already know," Cuban said. "So what are his tax returns going to tell us? The operational quality or earnings of his businesses on his K-1s?"

"Well we know he's in real estate, so we know he's going to have huge losses and he's going to work it that way," he continued. "I think maybe, if he gave them, all we're going to do is argue about the quality or what they mean, which again means not dealing with any other issue. It's just stupid. I get why everybody is doing it, but at the same time, it doesn't really accomplish anything."

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Cuban also said he "could care less" about Trump's running mate, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, recently releasing 10 years of his tax returns to the public, adding that Trump would almost certainly never release his tax returns.

"Why would he?" Cuban asked.

The Manhattan billionaire has repeatedly said he will release his returns once an audit from the IRS is completed. That may not happen before the election, Trump has said.

All major-party presidential nominees since 1976 have made their tax returns public.

Mark Cuban

Late last month, Cuban provided a different take on Trump's refusal to release his tax returns, using a 2013 deposition from Trump  uploaded by The Washington Post as a part of its "Trump Revealed" project  to make his point.

In that deposition, Trump said in response to a question about the development of Trump properties in Las Vegas and Chicago that he set up single-use subchapter S corporations to develop projects. He said he did not use the Trump Organization for those types of projects.

As Cuban pointed out, with an S-corporation, "the entire financial performance of his company becomes part of his tax return."

According to the IRS, S-corporation shareholders must "report the flow-through of income and losses on their personal tax returns and are assessed tax at their individual income tax rates." And S-corporations are responsible "for tax on certain built-in gains and passive income at the entity level."

"His personal tax returns would show the financial performance of his development projects," Cuban wrote. "Not good given how much he gets sued."

"It may also explain why reducing pass-through taxes is important to him," he continued. "I say 'may' because taxes are only paid if he makes a profit."

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton recently hit Trump in a major economic speech for his new tax position on what is known as pass-through income, calling it the "Trump loophole" and arguing that the tax break would be extremely beneficial to Trump.

Pass-through income "passes through" the business to the individual returns of its owners. CNBC's Robert Frank cast the loophole as the biggest tax break for the wealthy in Trump's plan. Though analyses have shown that a plan similar to Trump's would aid small businesses, most of its benefits would go to wealthier business owners.

Pass-through income today is taxed at individual rates, with a ceiling of 39.6%. Trump's plan slashes the tax rate for this income to 15%.

An analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities showed that the vast majority of pass-through income goes to the top 1% of earners, with the top 400 earners in 2013 acquiring 20% of their total income this way. For those 400 people, that came out to slightly more than $94 million each on average.

Cuban endorsed Clinton at a rally in Pittsburgh, his hometown, in July.

NOW WATCH: 'My friend died': Watch this emotional exchange between Joe Biden and a protester





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By David Randall

NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - With the U.S. stock market near record highs, some mutual fund managers say they are opting to go small, picking up the shares of companies with tiny market values that may have more room to grow.

Companies with smaller market capitalizations are typically seen as riskier because they may not trade as often or have the same financial cushion as larger companies.

Yet fund managers say that these companies look attractive at a time when larger companies struggle to post earnings growth, increasing the likelihood that small companies will become acquisition targets.

Earnings of the companies in the large cap S&P 500 are on pace to decline 2 percent in the second quarter, and 1 percent in the third quarter, according to Thomson Reuters data.

At the same time, the broad rally that has pushed the small-cap Russell 2000 index up approximately 11.5 percent over the last six months means that there are fewer small companies trading at attractive prices, leaving fund managers more willing to dip lower instead.

"We're finding more interesting stories the further we go down in market cap because it's more likely you will find something that's been overlooked," said Mike Balkin, a co-manager of the William Blair Small Cap Growth fund.

Balkin has been adding shares of companies that may be acquisition targets, such as remote control marker Universal Electronics Inc, a $1 billion market cap company that extended its agreement with Comcast Corp in March to provide voice activated remotes for the company's Xfinity cable system.

Shares of Universal Electronics are up 40.2 percent so far this year.

Overall, so-called microcaps have outperformed both small-caps and large caps over the last six months, with the Russell Microcap index gaining 12.6 percent, a 1 percentage point jump over the Russell 2000 and more than double the 5.5 percent gain in the S&P 500 over the same period.

Sandy Villere, a co-portfolio manager of the Villere Balanced fund, said that he is buying smaller companies as more investor money flows into dividend stocks such as telecoms and utilities.

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He has been adding shares of Taser International Inc , which makes non-lethal weapons and body cameras used by police departments. Shares of the $1.3 billion market-cap company are up 46 percent for the year to date.

"Money keeps pouring into the big, safe companies, and that's leaving these small growth names there for the picking," he said.

(Reporting by David Randall; Editing by Alan Crosby)
Lets just get Marshawn Lynch his own reality show. Heck, get him his own reality network at this point.

The retired (for now?) Seattle Seahawks running back has been on some adventures this year, and each is funnier than the last one. The latest is his appearance on Running Wild with Bear Grylls, an NBC show in which the British adventurer takes celebrities out in the wilderness and hilarity ensues. Lynch and Grylls spent two days in the French Corsican Mountains, at one point hunting down a pig for dinner  and starting a fire with one of Lynchs dreadlocks.

Marshawn Lynch on Running Wild (Photo by: Ben Simms/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Bruh cut off one of my dreads to start a campfire, Lynch said, according to the Seahawks website. And was juiced about it, Like oh my God, this is the best thing since sliced bread!'

But the best part came when Grylls is trying to get Lynch to carve up the pig so they can cook it. And Lynch is not having it.

Bear tells me like, Yeah, so youve got that knife, bring it out, were fitting to chop up this pig, Lynch said. Youre talking about what?

The whole two-minute video here is comedy:

BEST odd couple dynamic in history of pop culture!! Thank you @BearGrylls & Marshawn Lynch pic.twitter.com/KmTXVIyYEA https://t.co/2TZOCB42Hm  Ben Rogers (@BenRogers) September 14, 2016

More Marshawn, please. Any time. All the time. In any situation. Its gold.

      

Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!


759 SmartBurners to help protect 862 seniors (8 6 % with disabilities).

Federal grants are funded/administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

MISSISSAUGA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 14, 2016 / Pioneering Technology Corporation (PTE.V) (PTEFF), ("Pioneering" or the "Company"), a technology company and North America's leader in cooking fire prevention technologies and products is very pleased to announce today that Massachusetts' Worcester Fire Department received a $173,131 USD Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to support the department's cooking fire prevention program for the Worcester Housing Authority (WHA).

The announcement was made last Friday in Washington, DC by Congressman James P. McGovern and Senator's Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey who thanked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for providing the funding. These competitive grant programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

The Worcester Fire Department is working with the Worcester Housing Authority to implement a cooking fire education and prevention program at the four WHA apartment towers. The towers have 759 units and house 862 elderly residents (86% of those residents being disabled). The fire department will use the funds to equip all 759 apartment units with Pioneering's SmartBurners and to train WHA staff and educate their residents.

Pioneering CEO, Kevin Callahan said, "We take great pride in helping protect seniors, especially those with disabilities, so that they can live independently longer and with dignity. Helping people live independently longer delivers not only a better quality of life but also saves the government and taxpayers billions of dollars annually."

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking equipment is involved in 48% of all household fire in the United States and seniors and those with disabilities are at significantly higher risk. Cooking is the second leading reason that seniors are institutionalized after falls. Pioneering's SmartBurner with its patented temperature limiting control (TLC) technology helps prevent cooking fires before they start. This technology has now been installed on over 150,000 multi-residential stovetops (many of them in senior's facilities) throughout North America with 100% efficacy (zero reported cooking fires).

Story continues

About Pioneering Technology Corp: Pioneering, based in Mississauga, Ontario is an "energy smart" technology company and North America's leader in innovative cooking fire prevention technologies. Pioneering engineers and brings to market energy-smart solutions for everyday consumer appliances making them safer, smarter, and more efficient. The company's patented technologies/products address a multi-billion-dollar problem - cooking fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, stovetop cooking is the number one cause of household fire and fire injuries in North America (48% of all household fires - up from 20% in 1980). Pioneering's temperature limiting control (TLC) technology is now installed in over 150,000 multi-residential housing units across North America without a single cooking fire being reported and delivering a return on investment for its customers. Pioneering has proprietary cooking fire prevention solutions, including its trademarked Safe-T-element, SmartBurner, RangeMinder & Safe-T-sensor, for the majority of the more than 140 million stoves/ranges and over 140 million microwave ovens throughout North America. For more info, go to www.pioneeringtech.com .

For more information, please contact:

Pioneering Technology Corp.

Kevin Callahan, President & CEO

Phone: 905-712-2061 ext.222

Email: kcallahan@pioneeringtech.com

220 Britannia Road East

Mississauga, ON L4Z 1S6

For investor relations please contact:

Contact Financial Corp.

Rob Gamley

Phone: 604-689-7422

Email: rob@contactfinancial.com

1450 - 701 West Georgia St.

Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of the Company with respect to its performance, business and future events. Such statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results and events may vary significantly.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

SOURCE: Pioneering Technology Corp.
BOSTON (Reuters) - A Massachusetts police chief who was honored by the White House earlier this year for his innovative approach to fighting a heroin crisis in his city is now the subject of an investigation and has been placed on leave, officials said on Wednesday.

A statement from the city of Gloucester contained no details on the nature of the investigation of Police Chief Leonard Campanello, and city officials declined to answer questions.

A statement from Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken said Campanello was placed on paid administrative leave late on Tuesday.

An attorney for Campanello said the probe was unrelated to the police chief's professional duties and that he expected to return to work when the investigation is completed.

"It is our understanding that it has nothing to do with his duties as chief of police," attorney Terrence Kennedy said in a statement provided to the Gloucester Times newspaper on Wednesday. "We intend to cooperate fully with the city to bring this matter to a swift conclusion."

Kennedy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Campanello was named a "Champion of Change" at a White House ceremony in April because of his department's approach to drug addicts. The strategy called for persuading them to accept treatment and helping them find treatment options, rather than arresting them for low-level possession offenses.

The approach has been copied by dozens of other U.S. police departments.

(Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Bill Trott and Will Dunham)
Mina (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) - The governor of Saudi Arabia's Mecca region on Wednesday urged Muslim religious leaders to fight sectarianism, an indirect criticism of Shiite Iran.

Prince Khaled al-Faisal was speaking at a news conference to discuss the annual hajj pilgrimage, which ends on Thursday and has added to tensions between Riyadh and Tehran.

"I call on Muslim leaders, whether they are political leaders, ulemas (scholars), or intellectuals, to combat sectarianism," Faisal said.

For the first time in nearly three decades, Iran's 64,000 pilgrims are not attending the hajj in Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia after the two regional rivals failed to agree on security and logistics.

"Combat this sectarian divide between Muslims. Islam is one and only one religion," Faisal said in Mina, a pilgrimage site on the edge of Mecca.

Saudi Arabia is home to Islam's holiest sites, which pilgrims visit during the hajj, and is the seat of Sunni Islam which predominates in the Muslim world.

The kingdom is founded on the teachings of 18th century Sunni preacher Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab, whose ideas have themselves been decried by critics as a driving force behind sectarianism and an inspiration to violent jihadists.

Iran is the world's major Shiite power, and the two nations are at odds over a number of regional issues including the wars in Syria and Yemen.

The rivals have no diplomatic relations and have been engaged in a slanging match over the hajj since last week.

"Islam is unique. There is no multiple Islam," said Faisal, president of the Central Hajj Committee.

He said this year's hajj occurred without incident despite "the lies and allegations... of those who wanted to place in doubt the capacity of the kingdom to serve the pilgrims."

Among its concerns over Iranian participation in this year's hajj, Riyadh said Tehran had demanded the right to organise demonstrations.

Tehran in turn accused Riyadh of "blocking the path leading to Allah".

Story continues

Security was one of the contentious issues following last year's hajj stampede which, according to foreign officials, killed roughly 2,300 people.

Iran reported the largest number of victims, at 464.

Just days before the hajj began on Saturday Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei questioned Saudi Arabia's right to manage Islam's holiest sites.

He called the Saudi ruling family "puny Satans" who had politicised the pilgrimage. Khamenei also said Saudi authorities "murdered" the stampede victims.

Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh retaliated by telling a newspaper that Iranians "are not Muslims".

Reiterating a point made on Tuesday by King Salman, Faisal said Saudi Arabia does not interfere in Iran's internal affairs "but we don't permit the holy sites and the hajj to be used for political ends".

More than 1.8 million faithful from around the world have been attending the annual pilgrimage.
3rd NWA general convention today

After a hiatus of over one decade, Nepal Womens Association (NWA), a sister wing of Nepali Congress, is holding its 3rd general convention in the Capital from Wednesday.
You will melt when you hear Tori Kelly and Jennifer Hudsons version of Hallelujah

You will melt when you hear Tori Kelly and Jennifer Hudsons version of Hallelujah

Yas queens. These ladies can SING.

Youve got to watch Tori Kelly and Jennifer Hudsons rendition of Hallelujah that they performed at the world premiere of the movie Sing (in theaters December 21st) at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Tori took the stage first, joined midway through song by Jennifer Hudson, looking like the timeless legend she is in a sleek white pantsuit and the two belted out a heart-wrenching performance of Leonard Cohens Hallelujah.

Watching Jennifer lift into those hallelujahs gives us chills. We would have given anything to be in that theater.

giphy (3)

By the creators of Despicable Me, Sing is kind of Zootopia meets American Idol meets Empire Records. Set in a world inhabited by animals, its about Buster Moon, a dapper koala (Matthew McConaughey) who assembles a musical show to save his endangered theatre.

He calls on his talented friends, including a crooning mouse played by Seth MacFarlane (dude can sing too), our fave John C. Reilly as his sheep friend/colleague, Tori as a timid teenage elephant, Reese Witherspoon as an overtaxed mother with 25 piglets, Taron Egerton as an ambitious gangster gorilla, and Scarlett Johansson (who we know can sing) as a punk-rock porcupine.

The post You will melt when you hear Tori Kelly and Jennifer Hudsons version of Hallelujah appeared first on HelloGiggles.
From Town & Country

Metro-North Railroad retired its four bar cars in 2014, but here's some good news for straphangers: The mobile watering holes are returning!

Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy will announce this week "the purchase of 60 new M8 rail cars, 10 of which are bar cars," according to a report in the Connecticut Post. Malloy spoke out in favor of the 50-year-old service before the cars were retired two years ago, a move that had to happen because they could not be connected to a new set of cars joining the New Haven line.

At the time, the state's Department of Transportation was reported to be investigating options to offer the service again in the future, and now it looks like the days being able to order a beer on the ride home from New York City to Connecticut might finally be coming back.

The state spent $200 million on the 60 new cars, and fares are expected to go up by six percent on December 1. At least monthly commuters will be able to able to deal with the $25 fare increase by knocking back a beer.

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(Reuters) - Members of Mana, the Spanish-language pop band, are embarking on what they hope will be their most influential series of performances - the U.S. "Latino Power Tour" - seeking to encourage Latinos to use their power at the polls in the Nov. 8 presidential election. "We are so proud, on one hand 'Latino Power Tour,' it's a celebration, but we're also suggesting for Latinos to use their power with their vote. They can change history in this country," said vocalist Fher Olvera. The tour opened in San Diego on Sept. 9 and is scheduled to end in Los Angeles on Nov. 13. The band, sometimes referred to as "the U2 of Spanish rock," will perform in 18 major arenas across the United States. The band from Guadalajara, Mexico, has always been vocal about denouncing violence and corruption in its home country. Now, in the wake of some unfavorable comments about Mexicans by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump - who has also threatened to expel millions of Mexicans - Mana feels its influence can make a difference in the United States as well. "Latinos can move the scale of history in the United States, they can rewrite history and I believe they deserve a lot more than what has been given to them, and they have the power," Olvera said in an interview. For the "Latino Power Tour," Mana will perform a career-spanning set including greatest hits and songs from its ninth studio album, "Cama Incendiada" (Bed on Fire). It has also partnered with organizations including Voto Latino and local advocates to provide both inspiration and information Latinos might need to make their voices heard in the upcoming election. "More than anything, it's a huge celebration of the Latino community," said drummer Alex Gonzalez. "You know, the Latino community has given so much and has worked so hard here in the United States, developed the country, especially economically. On the other hand also, this tour is to emphasize Latinos to go out and vote." Mana has earned four Grammy Awards, eight Latin Grammy Awards and sold more than 40 million albums. (Reporting by Reuters TV; Writing by Melissa Fares; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
From ELLE

Oh, hey! Check this out, kids! Looks like your mom Michelle Obama is on television today, visiting Ellen DeGeneres on the set of her show.

On Tuesday, DeGeneres invited Obama to co-host the episode, show off her dance moves, and chat about what's to come when she leaves the White House after the election. Your mom did a super job, and everyone cheered for her!

Once she and DeGeneres cooled off and sat down, DeGeneres wanted to know how Obama feels about preparing to leave the White House.

"The girls have grown up in the White House," Obama said. "I mean the staff that's there, we see them every day. These are people who have helped us raise our kids. They've loved us, they've taken care of us. The minute we leave, that's it. It's really the people that we'll miss most."

And while she added that Sasha, 15, and Malia, 18, are ready to move out, she's sure "the girls will have a tough time."

"[T]hey won't be able to knock on a door and say, 'Can I see my room?' Ya know, that's not gonna happen," she said. "So we're trying to have them step back and really appreciate the walk on The South Lawn, sitting on the Truman Balcony. I mean, we just want to keep creating some memories for them as well."

Aw, moooooooooommm!

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First Lady Michelle Obama will make a return visit to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday, September 20.

This will mark the first ladys second appearance the CBS late-night show she first visited on September 28, 2015. This time FLOTUS is plugging Let Girls Learn, an initiative launched by the Obamas in March 2015 that brings together the State Department, USAID, the Peace Corps, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and other agencies and programs to help adolescent girls around the world go to school and stay in school.

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Satya Nadella Linux

Over the course of the 90's and '00's, Microsoft became notorious for competing aggressively with the very concept of open source  free software, developed by teams of volunteer programmers from all over the world.

Since Satya Nadella took the CEO job at Microsoft in 2014, the company's views towards open source have evolved. Microsoft has embraced open source, and even supports the open source Linux operating system on its Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform.

And if you didn't believe the love is real, GitHub  the so-called "Facebook for programmers," and the hub of the open source world  released new stats today about which companies have the most people contributing code to their open source projects.

And Microsoft weighs in at #1, with 16,419 contributors, edging out Facebook with 15,682.

Here's the chart:

github open source code

This is an important milestone for Microsoft, which has been fighting with Amazon to win customers over to its Microsoft Azure cloud.

The vast majority of businesses large and small have turned to open source programs in at least some capacity to help meet the demands of the internet era. The Linux operating system, once Microsoft's most bitter rival, is now the de facto standard operating system for lots of corporate servers, even if it never caught on as a desktop OS.

And so, Microsoft's kneejerk rejection of open source became a liability, as it tried to convince CIOs to move their server infrastructure up to the Microsoft Azure cloud. That's why Nadella has made it such a point to claim that "Microsoft loves Linux," and why Microsoft has released certain key technologies as open source.

So if Microsoft is #1 in the number of people contributing to its open source initiatives, it proves that the company is practicing what it preaches and not just talking a big game. With that many people, both Microsoft employees and not, contributing code to its projects, it's clearly making major headway in the community.

Story continues

The data isn't perfect, since it only relies on GitHub information available publicly  lots of businesses and project teams use GitHub in a private mode to quietly share their code. But it's still a big step forward for Microsoft.

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YENAGOA (Reuters) - A militant group in Nigeria's restive Delta region said it had attacked an oil pipeline operated by Shoreline and NPDC, according to a statement issued by the group on Tuesday. The group, which calls itself the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, said it "brought down the Afiesere-Iwhrenene major delivery line" in the early hours of Tuesday. Reuters could not immediately verify the attack. While several militant groups are in a ceasefire agreement with the government, others have continued to hit oil and gas production infrastructure in the region. (Reporting by Tife Owolabi; Writing by Libby George; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
From Woman's Day

The first time I laid eyes on my husband, Doug, I was walking down the aisle at our wedding. We were participants on the first season of the experimental FYI reality show Married at First Sight and, like the show's other stars, had agreed to marry the person selected for us by a team of relationship experts-on the spot. Our relationship had a rocky start at first, but after five weeks of living together, we grew to love each other. We decided to stay married.

After a year of marriage, I broached the subject of parenthood. I really wanted to be a mother, but Doug said he wasn't ready to have children until he completed some wild adventures. So we made a "pre-baby bucket list" and proceeded to follow through with some incredible experiences: aerial yoga, skydiving, and swimming with sharks. We grew closer together with each task completed. Finally, after finishing the bucket list, Doug was in a place where he was open to expanding our family.

Photo credit: Courtesy of FYI

Photo credit: Courtesy of Jamie Otis

I was home alone when I found out I was pregnant. I ran downstairs to my empty house and paced with tears in my eyes and the goofiest smile on my face. I didn't want to just call Doug to tell him the amazing news. The guy who loves the thrill of jumping out of an airplane with just a parachute on his back would surely like something more than a simple phone call to find out he's going to be a daddy. So I decided to surprise him. I set up a camera and placed three gifts on a table for him, each one offering a clue to the big news. I uploaded video from the reveal to my YouTube channel so friends and family could share in our joy.

Signs of trouble

I bled intermittently during my pregnancy, but everyone kept reassuring me that it was nothing to worry about. My sister, who's also a nurse, told me that it's normal for some women to bleed. I was always a bit skeptical but after every checkup appointment and ultrasound, our baby was always okay. I told myself I needed to stop worrying about it and just enjoy the pregnancy. This is my new normal, I thought.

Story continues

On June 18, I was in Miami hosting Married at First Sight Unfiltered, where I sit down with couples from the show to talk about how their relationships are going, when I experienced heavier bleeding than usual. I was concerned, so I went to the emergency room that night. My husband, Doug, flew down from New Jersey to be with me. I received a very thorough ultrasound similar to a fetal anatomy scan, which is typically done around the 20th week of pregnancy. We got a picture of our unborn son moving-he was absolutely fine. The doctor also checked that I wasn't prematurely ruptured or beginning to dilate. Everything was fine.

Photo credit: Courtesy of the Hehners

Photo credit: Courtesy of Jamie Otis

When I got home, I went to my regular OBGYN. She did a quick checkup and said the baby looked fine but suggested I see a high-risk doctor since I was in my second trimester and still experiencing bleeding. Doug and I made the appointment for July 2; the bleeding had altogether stopped at that point, so we were very optimistic. In fact, we were planning a gender reveal party for the end of that month and I was literally on Facebook making an "event" for the occasion as we walked into the high-risk doctor's office. This doctor, who I didn't know at all, looked at our unborn baby on the monitor for a minute or less before saying, "The prognosis is poor. You have very little amniotic fluid for the baby. We recommend you terminate your pregnancy."

We were in shock. Everyone else had said everything's fine. We didn't believe it, so we scheduled an appointment with another doctor in that same practice for the next week. In the meantime, we had lined up an appearance on the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda. On July 5, we announced that we were expecting on live TV.

But the second high-risk doctor said the same thing: that I should terminate my pregnancy. I had no amniotic fluid at all. Obviously, a fetus needs amniotic fluid to grow and thrive and develop in a healthy manner. The thing was, though, my baby still had a heartbeat. He was still alive. It was all too much.

I started searching different blogs to see if any other expectant moms had gone through something like this. There wasn't an awful lot of information out there so I just took what advice I could find. I read that coconut water could be helpful. I don't know a lot about pregnancy, but I am a labor and delivery nurse and I know that, especially in the beginning, bed rest, laying on your side, and being well hydrated are important things to do if your baby seems distressed at all. It may seem naive now, but Doug and I tried our best to "fix" the situation ourselves.

The hardest decision of our lives

A third and fourth doctor confirmed what the previous two had said, that the prognosis was poor. The baby wouldn't be able to develop the way he was supposed to, and if he did survive, he would most likely have brain damage and wouldn't be able to see or hear. The decision came down to whether or not we wanted to chance it and see if our son would develop properly. Inducing labor wasn't an option because I had just entered the second trimester. It was too early to save him. If we had been 24 weeks along things might have been different. The baby could have potentially continued developing outside of the womb. There were a lot of scenarios I had to weigh in my head. Doctors told me I didn't have to terminate the pregnancy, that I could 'wait and see what happens' but I was scared because I had read a blog post from a woman who was in a similar situation and chose to see her pregnancy through. Her child is now wheelchair-bound and fed through a tube. He has no quality of life. This woman wrote that she shares her experience not because she doesn't love her child, but because she does, and had she known what her child would suffer through, maybe she would have made a different decision. It's hard to see your child suffering day in and day out. Doug and I took that all this information into account before we made the hardest decision of our lives.

"Some people around us acted like our firstborn child never existed."

We tried to be selfless in our decision. We didn't want to put our child through a life of suffering. We prayed a lot. Doug felt that it would be selfish of us to hope for a healthy life for this child when every single doctor had told us there would be no quality of life for him.

At the advice of the fourth high-risk doctor, we decided to go through with the termination. Because I was 17 weeks along, we were able to deliver our baby. He was tiny, small enough to fit into my hands, and bruised. We got to hold him, kiss him, and say our goodbyes. I'm really thankful for that because, now, I feel like some people around us act like our firstborn child never existed. That really breaks my heart.

We took photos of our son, too. I've thought about sharing the images on my blog but haven't, because I know people will have things to say, both good and bad. I would love to hear the supportive feedback, but I can't bear the thought of opening the door for commenters to say anything negative about my son. But then I think, what about other women who've miscarried and want to share their children's photos? Someone's got to do it first so that other people will feel like they can. You don't want this child to be forgotten just because no one else got to meet him.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Jamie Otis

We put together a memory box where we saved all of our baby's ultrasound photos, his footprints on cardstock, the blanket the hospital gave us, and mementos from the day I told Doug we were expecting. Writing and documenting all of the feelings I had from the time I found out I was pregnant-even the miserable ones like morning sickness-helps me remember my child. He can't just be gone in history because he was never born. I hope that he is in heaven, bouncing on clouds and happy, and that he knows that he was wanted and loved.

The aftermath

Doug went back to work the very next day. I felt so alone and I didn't quite know why. Even though Doug, his family, and my sisters were very much there for me, I felt like no one truly understood what I was going through and that they just pitied me. No one knew this baby the way I did.

I decided to write about the miscarriage on my blog. It's the best thing I could've done at the time. Once I posted about how I was feeling, I heard from all of these women who had gone through similar experiences. It was comforting and I began to feel less lonely. Hearing from these complete strangers also confirmed that I wasn't being irrational, which I had feared. My husband had been able to return to work-why couldn't I control my emotions just as easily? It seemed like it was only a couple of days after the miscarriage and my family was expecting me to be a normal person again and just pick up where I'd left off, but I didn't know how to.

"People in my life tried to console me by saying things like, 'At least you know you can have a baby.' There was no empathy in it whatsoever."

People in my life, who meant well, tried to console me by saying things like, "At least you know you can have a baby," or "At least you weren't that far along in your pregnancy," but all I'd think is, Are you effing kidding me? Even something as innocuous as, 'It's God's timing, everything happens for a reason'-everyone always says that, for anything in life-is just not comforting. There's no empathy in it whatsoever. It's like saying, 'Oh, just try again. This happens to so many women.'

Comments like that were the last thing I wanted to hear when this baby I was looking forward to, who was so real to me, had just been taken away from me. I was angry. I vented about it on my blog, but now, looking back on it, I feel bad for people who really are just trying to find the right words and don't know what to say. It's hard. There really isn't anything anyone can say to ease the pain.

For the person trying to find the right words, simply saying, "I've never been there, I have no idea how you're feeling, but if you ever want to talk about anything, I'm here" is enough. Listening and holding her when she's crying and missing her child is enough. Those are the most comforting things you can do. Don't try to fill the silence with a bunch of words. Don't expect the woman to be better after a conversation, or a few days, or even a couple of weeks. It doesn't happen.

For the woman who has just experienced this loss, people may not know how to show their sympathy. Even your husband may not know what to say. My husband is grieving in his own way, even though to me it does not make sense at all. It does not mean he's not hurt too. He's trying to figure out his own way to get along.

"The minute you mention that you've had a loss, you can see in the other person's face that they want to run."

Miscarriage is a taboo topic in our culture-that's something I want to change. The minute you mention that you've had a loss, you can see in the other person's face that they want to run because it's the last conversation they ever want to have. They don't want to discuss it at all. Then you don't want to bring it up because you don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. It's such a controversial topic because the only people who are willing to talk about it is the people who've experienced it. You can talk about the death of a father, a grandfather, or even, unfortunately, an older child, and people respond because it's someone they knew. More people have gone through that type of loss. They've felt the pain and they understand it. The father of a living child understands the pain the mother goes through if that child passes, but when it's an expectant mother who has miscarried, no one knows what that feels like except that mother of the unborn child.

A few days after we lost him, Doug and I named our baby. We didn't want to keep calling him Baby Hehner because he was a person to us. The names we had been throwing around for our firstborn didn't seem appropriate though, because he became so much more special to me than any of those other names that I just thought were cute. I wanted something so meaningful for this child. That's why we decided on Johnathan, which means "gift from God." I don't know why God would give us this child just to take him away but I still consider him a gift from God. When you name your baby, you're sharing with everyone that he's real. This was more than a 17-week pregnancy that vanished; this was a baby who I loved. His name was Johnathan and he was my son.

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Here are some of the stocks the Yahoo Finance team will be watching for you today.

Monsanto (MON) shares were higher in early trading. Its finally official: The US seeds giant is being bought by Germanys Bayer for $66 billion, or $128 share in cash. This is the biggest takeover so far this year. Bayer expects the deal to close at the end of 201

Herbalife (HLF) jumped this morning after billionaire investor Carl Icahn said late yesterday that he asked regulators for permission to more than double his stake in the controversial nutritional supplements firm, which he currently owns a 21% stake in. Icahn also said the Herbalife may be better off as private company.

Viacoms (VIAB) newly appointed board meets for the first time today. The discussions will likely focus on the media giants dividend policy, the possibility of recombining Viacom and CBS, and potential deals involving Paramount Pictures. This comes as the company struggles with declining ad sales and stock price.

Wells Fargo (WFC) remains in focus after falling more than 3% on Tuesday, as Wells lost its spot as Americas biggest bank by market value to JP Morgan. This comes as CEO John Stumpf tries to contain the damage from the banks phony account scandal after paying $185 million to settle allegations the bank engaged in illegal sales practices. Stumpf says he wont resign even though he holds himself accountable. Hell face questions at a Senate Banking Committee hearing next week.
Arun III land acquisition snags on compensation

Landowners whose holdings will be acquired by the Arun III Hydropower Project have demanded a compensation amount
Kmart (6)

Moody's analysts say Sears and Kmart don't have enough money  or access to money  to stay in business.

In a note published Wednesday, the analysts downgraded Sears' liquidity rating, saying the company is bleeding cash and will have to continue to rely on outside funding or the sale of assets, such as real estate, to sustain operations.

"We recognize the risks associated with relying on these sources and continued shareholder support to finance its negative operating cash flow which is estimated by Moody's to be approximately $1.5 billion this year," the analysts wrote.

Kmart in particular is at risk of shutting down, according to Moody's.

"The ratings... reflect our view on the uncertainty of the viability of the Kmart franchise in particular given its meaningful market share erosion," the analysts wrote.

Sears said in August that its cash and equivalents have fallen to $276 million from $1.8 billion one year ago.

As a result, the retailer was forced to accept $300 million in financing from Sears CEO Eddie Lampert's hedge fund, ESL Investments, in the most recent quarter.

The company is losing cash as sales plunge at its namesake and Kmart stores.

Net sales fell 8.8% to $5.7 billion in the second quarter. Same-store sales plunged 7% at Sears stores and dropped 3.3% at Kmart stores.

sears worker

Sales have been falling for years.

Sears' sales dropped from $41 billion in 2000 to $15 billion in 2015.

Kmart, which merged with Sears in 2005, has seen its sales plunge from $37 billion to $10 billion in the same period.

Moody's analysts noted that Sears has a sizable asset base, but "its debts are significant with approximately $3.5 billion of funded debt as well as an unfunded pension and post-retirement obligation of $2.1 billion."

The company's minimum pension contributions are an immediate threat to its cash flow. In 2016 and 2017, minimum pension contributions total approximately $596 million, analysts said.

Story continues

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Neanderthal adult male head model Smithsonian_Museum of Natural History 2012 05 17

The key difference between human beings and Neanderthals is how we consume and expend energy. It goes a long way toward explaining why we survived to the modern era while our  literal  kissing cousins died out.

That's one of the interesting takeaways from a long article by Vox's Brain Resnick exploring the inter-species sex lives of Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis.

(Every living person not of exclusively African descent has some Neanderthal ancestry. It appears Neanderthals never made it to Africa.)

Resnick spoke to Bernard Wood, a paleoanthropologist at George Washington University. Here's the bit of their conversation that stuck out to me:

"They probably needed about another 600 or 700 calories a day more than a modern human" to feed their hardier bodies, [Wood] explains  great in times of plenty but catastrophic in a famine. They were the gas-guzzling pickup truck of the hominids. We were the smart car.

That goes a ways toward explaining why our species of human out-competed Neanderthals, even as we mated with them.

It's unclear how smart or social Neanderthals were, but we know they never formed the kinds of large, aggressive bands that Homo sapiens did. They were squatter than us, and bulkier, with wide bones and short foreheads. We also know their numbers dwindled, and then they disappeared around 40,000 years ago.

Wood's suggestion, that Neanderthals were simply not energy-efficient enough to survive periods of scarcity, is compelling. (Still, as he points out later, Neanderthals managed to survive for a million years, far longer than we have so far.)

To be clear: Wood doesn't claim that this difference in caloric need is the complete explanation for Neanderthals' demise, but he does conjure an intriguing image  a species that simply requires more resources than the world could always offer.

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By Trevor Hunnicutt

NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Davis Advisors has hired a prominent exchange-traded fund executive, he said on Wednesday, as stock fund managers seek to enter the fast-growing ETF business.

Dodd Kittsley, who left Deutsche Bank AG this summer, joined Davis as a director to help the Tucson, Arizona-based company market ETFs, he said in an interview.

The privately held company, a traditional stockpicker focused on identifying and buying cheap stocks, this year applied to offer its first ETFs.

Kittsley, an industry veteran who has worked for BlackRock Inc's iShares, recently left Deutsche Bank's U.S. asset management unit, where he had a high-profile role as head of strategy for ETFs and other similar products for two years, Reuters reported last month.

Despite the fast growth of those funds, traditional asset managers have often struggled to attract investors to their ETFs in a market dominated by a handful of players, including BlackRock, Vanguard Group and State Street Corp.

Deutsche's Asset and Wealth Management's Americas division is known for products that reduce the risk of currency devaluations, which lower returns on international stocks. Its U.S. ETF business managed $15 billion at the end of August, up from about $2 billion two years earlier, according to Morningstar Inc data.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Richard Chang)
Sept 14 (Reuters) - The following financial services industry appointments were announced on Tuesday. To inform us of other job changes, email moves@thomsonreuters.com.

JPMORGAN CHASE & CO

The company named Clarence Nunn to lead its middle-market banking team in Southeast United Statesand manage its franchise finance business.

CNH INDUSTRIAL NV

The tractor maker has hired Gideon Gent as head of capital markets for EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. He reports to head of financial markets Giovanni Somajni.

ARES MANAGEMENT LP

Boris Okuliar, a former UBS banker who was hired by The Carlyle Group in 2014 to bolster its credit investments unit, left the firm last week to join rival Ares Management in London.

GLILOT CAPITAL PARTNERS

Veteran technology dealmaker David Johnson has joined Glilot Capital Partners, which specializes in enterprise software and cyber security technology, the Israeli venture capital fund said on Wednesday.

EVERCORE LLC

The company has hired Cyrille Cotte, a Citigroup Inc director in the EMEA financial institutions group, as a managing director in the US firm's FIG business in London.

UNION BANCAIRE PRIVEE

The Swiss private bank appointed Charles Anniss as a small- and mid-cap portfolio manager to its European equities team.

AXIOMA INC

The innovative risk and portfolio manager appointed Steve Mann as chief marketing officer.

BTIG LLC

The brokerage service provider appointed Domingo Alonso as managing director.

(Compiled by Diptendu Lahiri in Bengaluru)
Sept 14 (Reuters) - Veteran technology dealmaker David Johnson has joined Glilot Capital Partners, which specializes in enterprise software and cyber security technology, the Israeli venture capital fund said on Wednesday.

Johnson most recently was a senior adviser to private equity firm Blackstone Group LP, where he was previously a senior managing director. He also is a former lieutenant to Dell Inc founder Michael Dell.

Johnson played a key role in Blackstone's exploration of a bid for Dell in 2013, pitting him against his former boss and private equity firm Silver Lake, which eventually took the computer maker private for $24.9 billion.

He was also involved in other Blackstone deals, such as the acquisition of Chinese information technology outsourcing company Pactera in 2014 for more than $600 million.

Johnson was not immediately available for comment.

During his more than three years at Dell, Johnson oversaw about 20 acquisitions that included the 2009 purchase of Perot Systems Corp for $3.9 billion.

Dell sold information technology services provider Perot to Japan's NTT Data Corp in March at a loss, for $3.05 billion.

(Reporting by Koh Gui Qing in New York; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
Every day, Kenyan and Ethiopian farmers pick a huge amount of fresh khat leaves  the herbal stimulant chewed to achieve a high similar to the effects of amphetamines  and sell it to traders who package it up and send it off to Somalia by truck and plane.

According to anti-khat campaigners, the drug trade in Kenya brings in upwards of $400,000 a day, thanks to healthy demand for khat in Somalia, where it is legal to chew the leaves but not to grow them. Some 15 cargo planes full of khat arrive in Somalia each day, where the leaves  which are also known as miraa  are promptly sold before they lose their potency after around 24 hours.

That means that the thousands of Kenyans who participate in the trade collectively lost millions of dollars when Somalia abruptly banned the trade last week, ahead of a regional meeting of African leaders in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

This is a big loss to us, Dave Muthuri, who chairs the Kenya Miraa Farmers and Traders Association, told journalists last week. Farmers are crying because of the loss they are incurring. It caught everyone off-guard.

A reason for the ban was never explained, although it was lifted relatively quickly after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, on Tuesday evening.

On Wednesday morning, two flights carrying khat landed in the Somali capital  which likely came as a relief not only to the traders who lost money from the ban, but also for the Somalis who are dependent on the highly addictive leaf. In recent years, researchers have said that Somalia has one of the highest percentages of khat users in the world, and that up to 75 percent of the adult male population chews the leaf. Somalia has only recently transitioned to shaky, partially democratic rule. In the years the country was ruled by warlords, the United Nations found that the khat trade helped finance their procurement of weapons.

Story continues

In the United States, United Kingdom, and most of Europe, khat leaves are banned and considered a substance as dangerous as many other illegal drugs.

On Twitter on Wednesday, one user suggested a new campaign slogan for Mohamud, whos up for re-election this fall: Lets Be High Again.

But anti-khat campaigners called the reversal an historic mistake.

The reversal is a historic mistake and lost opportunity and there should be political consequences in the coming Somali elections #KhatBan  Abukar Awale QAADIID (@Abukarawale) September 14, 2016

Photo credit: SIMON MAINA/AFP/Getty Images
The woman says she noticed when her left arm started to feel warm, and then realized her blouse was on fire. After patting the fire out, she noticed a man standing next to her with a lighter in his hand.
Chure forest encroached

A large area of Chure forest land at Chulachuli, Sakphara, Banjho, Mahamai, Danabari, Chisapani, Shantipur, Laxmipur, Kolbung, Irautar and Jirmale in Ilam is shrinking due to encroachment, the District Forest Office (DFO) said.
Seoul (AFP) - North Korea on Wednesday accused the United States of pushing the Korean Peninsula to "the point of explosion" after it dispatched two huge bombers in a show of force against Pyongyang.

The supersonic B-1B Lancers flew over South Korea Tuesday as Washington vowed its "unshakeable commitment" to defend its allies in the region following North Korea's fifth and largest-ever nuclear test conducted last week.

Washington called the demonstration "just one example of the full range of military capabilities". It took similar military actions following previous atomic tests.

North Korea labelled the flyover by the "infamous" nuclear bombers as Washington's attempt to seek "an opportunity of mounting a preemptive nuclear attack," referring to US plans to deploy further strategic assets to the peninsula.

"These extremely reckless provocations of the US imperialist warmongers are pushing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the point of explosion hour by hour," the state-run KCNA news agency said.

It warned that the North Korean army was fully armed with "all means for military counteraction" to strike back at any enemy attack in "a single blow".

Washington is planning to send the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS Ronald Reagan and the Japan-based Carrier Strike Group Five to South Korean waters next month for a joint naval exercise, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

A spokesman for United States Forces Korea declined to confirm the report to AFP, citing operational matters.

South Korea hosts 28,000 US troops as the two Koreas technically remain at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice instead of a peace treaty.

The bombers' flight came after the North on Friday carried out what it described as a "nuclear warhead test" and vowed to take further measures to increase its nuclear strike force "in quality and in quantity".
3 stars (out of 4)



Katie Holmes. Minka Kelly. Jeanne Tripplehorn. Sarah Michelle Gellar. Ginnifer Goodwin.

These are just some of the actresses who have played former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Natalie Portman is the first one to truly inhabit her.

She delivers her most memorable role since Black Swan in the much-buzzed-about drama and quasi-biopic, Jackie. Though not an ideal physical match, and, standing at 5-foot-3, shes nearly a half-foot shorter than the icon, the performance will surely stand tall come awards season. The movie recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and will be released by the end of the year.

This is not a Jackie who withers in the background as her husband, John F. Kennedy, ascends to the presidency and then is assassinated. Nor is she an enigmatic glamour icon in her trademark Chanel suit and oversized sunglasses. For the first time in ages (possibly ever?), she is depicted as a flesh-and-blood woman grieving her husband  as well the end of her fairy-tale Camelot life.

Natalie Portman Is Glamour Personified in This Jackie-Worthy Dress

The framework is simple (if a bit of a copout): At the end of 1963, Jackie gives an interview to a journalist (Billy Crudup) from her home base in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. In between puffs of a cigarette, she gives her perspective of that horrible day in American history and its chaotic aftermath. Judging by the weary look in her eyes and the arched tone of voice, its hard to believe that she is just 34 years old.



This is not a standard history booklike flashback. First we hear bullets piercing the black air. Then director Pablo Larrain cuts straight to a close-up of a sobbing Jackie in an airplane bathroom shaking violently as she tries to wipe her husbands blood off her face. (The beautiful and haunting score adds to the heightened emotion.) In the next few hours, she must watch solemnly as Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn is as president, tell her two children that their father is not coming home from Dallas ("He's with your brother Patrick in heaven") and organize her husbands official goodbye in the manner in which he deserves.

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Though the information here isnt terribly groundbreaking, Larrain has the vision to present Jackies turmoil almost like an upscale horror movie. With every passing moment, her life is slipping away and nobody can help make the pain go away. Certainly not her brother-in-law, Robert (Peter Sarsgaard), who tries in vain to shield her from the news that JFKs shooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, was killed. The Johnsons and their staff, meanwhile, gently request that she and her children move out of the White House.



Natalie Portman Is Pregnant With Her Second Child: Baby Bump Photos!

Its up to Jackie to summon her strength and persevere through the madness. And its up to Portman to carry the movie during its most superfluous scenes. (Theres a lot of talk devoted to how to plan a state funeral.) For much of the movie, Jackie is alone in a room  in the master bedroom taking off her blood-stained pantyhose, practicing her TV tour of the White House in 1961, readying herself for the burial. Portman has the screen presence to make those moments more captivating than they ought to be. If anything, the silence is devastatingly impactful: When Portman speaks in that demure New England dialect, she tends to come off too mannered. With every dropped "R," it becomes obvious Portman is trying very, very hard to be someone she's not.



Throughout her life, Jacqueline Kennedy tried in vain to hide herself. Shes still a mysterious figure. At least Portman has lifted the veil enough for us to get a peek.











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Perhaps the most famous piece of stage direction in Western literature occurs in the third act of Shakespeares classic play The Winters Tale: Exit pursued by a bear. Theres plenty of reason to think that being pursued by a bear, the most iconic image of Russia in international relations, is precisely how the United States must feel at the moment. Seemingly in every direction we turn, Russia is there, chasing our policy choices off the stage of world events. Despite valiant efforts to negotiate with Russia in Ukraine, Crimea, Syria, Iran, missile defense in Europe, NATO membership, and cybersecurity  to name just a few  Moscow and Washington have serious disagreements.

Its tempting to think that the root of these disagreements is the difficult personality and background of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who manifests genuine personal dislike for both the United States and President Barack Obama, as well as for NATO. Much of Putins political DNA is oriented toward conflict with the West. But even under the former KGB colonel, the United States has found zones of cooperation over time with Russia, working together on issues as diverse as counternarcotics, counterpiracy, security issues in Afghanistan, arms control, and counterterrorism, among others. And Secretary of State John Kerry has done heroic work with his counterpart in setting up a shaky but better-than-nothing cease-fire in Syria by negotiating with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.

Clearly, its possible for skilled American diplomats to establish a productive relationship with Russia. Thats not to suggest its easy  or that the outcome is entirely in Washingtons hands. But some approaches to negotiating with Russia work better than others. Here are a few tips, many drawn from the hard lessons I learned during my frequent conversations and negotiations with Russia as a NATO supreme allied commander:

Begin by understanding the Russian worldview. Russians see themselves as a powerful empire of enormous physical size with a distinct culture  a nation in every sense of the word. Russians are intensely proud of their language, the scope of their literature, and their scientific contributions. They understand that they lost the Cold War, but they also believe fiercely that the moves of the West after the fall of the Berlin Wall, especially NATOs expansion into the former Soviet allies, was a fundamental violation of perceived agreements. Leaving aside the veracity of the latter point, in negotiating with the bear, we have to understand how they see themselves.

Accept the supremacy of Putin. Russia has always followed the strong man approach to leadership. Some leaders are better than others  think Peter the Great as opposed to Ivan the Terrible; or Mikhail Gorbachev instead of Joseph Stalin  but, either way, the nature of Russian psychology is hierarchical. Today, the countrys leader is Putin, and the countrys political decision-making has been centralized under him. We will not succeed with negotiations at a lower level, and we will have to show a modicum of respect to Putin and recognize his overweening influence on all decisions.

Prepare for a long and difficult process. No matter the level or significance of the issue over which we will be negotiating, Russians will make it hard. They are deeply suspicious of nontrusted partners, and the United States tops the list. (As NATO supreme allied commander, I was not a negotiating partner that most Russians were inclined to welcome with open arms.) Even the atmospherics of negotiations will be suffused by distrust, outbursts of rudeness and skepticism, threats to crater the discussion, and frequent finger-pointing. Knowing that is their basic negotiating posture can make it easier to rise above provocations. And remember that Russians go into a negotiation thinking not how they can create a win-win outcome, but rather how they can defeat the other side.

Sharpen your logic. Russians value logic and direct exchanges and quickly become frustrated and disrespectful when confronted with emotional approaches to negotiating. They do not shy away from constructing elaborate schemes with deception and complicated maneuvers, much like a chess match. Its no accident that Russians are excellent chess players, having produced double the number of grand masters than the United States, despite having half our population.

Wait for it. Russians often think silently before jumping to answer a question or formulate a thought. It is rude to break into a silence after asking a question, and avoid the Western tendency to rush the conversation forward. Seemingly a minor point, but one that I have seen lead discussions in less productive directions if ignored.

Dont overlook the personal. Despite all the points above, personal relationships can be important to Russians. I was able to create real openings through memorable gatherings at either my official quarters in Belgium or similar settings in Russia. Vodka helps, although the stereotype of constant drinking and having to live up to the challenge of consuming more alcohol than an interlocutor is overstated. On the other hand, making meaningful, moving, and even poetic toasts is appreciated and remembered. There is a phrase in Russian  bratskiye otnosheniya  that is hard to translate, but it means roughly a deep level of trust sufficient to exchange truly meaningful information and views. It takes time to develop it, and you cannot surge otnosheniya for a crisis: You must invest in it over time.

Overall, we should remember Putins famous if somewhat ambiguous comments in December 2014 about Russia as a metaphoric bear. He said, They will always try to put him on a chain, and as soon as they succeed in doing so they tear out his fangs and claws. A bear in a corner is a dangerous thing. Thats why the United States needs to think carefully about not only its policies, but also about its approach to negotiations.

Photo credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
The time has come  New York Fashion Week is nearing its end. Joe Zee and co-host June Ambrose are recapping all there is to know before the style set jets off to Europe. From the front-row fixtures and the shows that made a splash to the key trends to note and the models to know this season, celebrity guests, fashion experts, and influencers are on hand to break it all down. Oh, and, of course, its Yahoo Style, so there will be games. Tune in at 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 15.



Yahoo Style is live from #NYFW! Keep it here for your front-row view of the best looks and buzziest moments of New York Fashion Week.
New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd cited the United States wars in the Middle East, financial collapse and trade deals as the root cause of some Trump supporters anger.

I would just like to say these voters who are angry have something to be angry about, said Dowd in a Wednesday interview with Yahoo News Bianna Golodryga. Most Americans dont even know what Sunni and Shia are, yet somehow we ended up in these 13-year wars. They didnt know what derivatives were, but the economy almost collapsed. They were told globalization was great, but it wasnt great for them.

Theres a reason theyre angry. There is a lot of racism and sexism, but its also legitimate reasons for anger.

Dowd also speculated on how Trump, who longtime acquaintances she interviewed never described as racist, ended up with supporters with such negative views of minorities.

He is a salesman and hes trying to make a sale in the moment. The only value he has is following the roar of the crowd to make that sale.

When he said the thing about the Muslims and the Mexicans and the wall he was able to beat those other 16 people and start out as number one, then he kept going in that direction, but the problem is that direction led him in a lot of dark places that might prevent him from being president because in the end, do Americans want to elect someone who is connected with that much hate?

Regarding Trumps Democratic opponent, Dowd said that Hillary Clintons lifelong desire to be a great public servant clashes with the side of her that mistrusts members of the media.

The paranoia, the wall, the defensiveness against the press caused her to do something that was so reckless and outrageous, said Dowd in regards to her handling of the private e-mail server. She apologizes, but you get the idea shes only sorry it became a fuss. Shes only sorry she has to say shes sorry.

I just wish she could kind of level with us.
Budapest (AFP) - Human rights campaigners on Wednesday urged voters in Hungary to boycott what they termed an "inhumane" referendum on migrant relocation under an EU quota plan.

The appeal was made by 22 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including the Helsinki Committees for Human Rights group.

"We have decided to campaign for the referendum to be rendered invalid (as) it does not allow promotion of our common values, has no sense and is inhumane," said a statement by the NGO collective.

Some eight million Hungarians are due to vote on October 2 on whether they support the EU quota plan -- which would oblige Hungary to take in a share of migrants without requiring parliamentary approval.

Several opposition parties have also voiced support for a boycott of the poll as Brussels seeks to resettle refugees among members of the bloc.

The scheme is designed to ease pressure on Greece and Italy, the main entry points into the bloc for migrants fleeing the Syrian civil war and has been approved by a majority of EU member states.

But Hungary and its right-wing Prime Minister and fierce Brussels critic Viktor Orban has led opposition to a mandatory scheme he views as a bid to "redraw Europe's cultural and religious identity" and an attack on national sovereignty.

Hungary built fences on its southern borders last year to stop the migrant flow after some 400,000 people transited the country while Orban has refused to take a single migrant under the plan.

Orban's government has plastered lampposts and billboards nationwide with posters linking immigration -- which Orban calls "poison" -- with terrorism and crime.

"Did You Know? Brussels wants to settle a city-sized number of illegal migrants in Hungary," reads one.

Polls suggest the anti vote will win out while the Zavecz polling institute suggests turnout will top 50 percent, the threshold for the result to be valid.

Opposition groups have denounced a "campaign of fear" they say the government is whipping up against migrants.
As a veteran of World War II, it was an honor to join with other, younger men and women who served their country in battle at the Sept. 7 presidential forum, hosted by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and led by the very dynamic Paul Rieckhoff. As I sat in that audience, I was filled with patriotic pride at the idea that the two people vying to be our next commander in chief would answer questions from a room full of vets, with voters watching on television.

The warm feeling in my gut turned into something significantly less pleasant, however, when Donald Trump, answering very simple questions, fought tooth and nail to obscure any semblance of a meaningful answer. Every word out of his mouth was designed to insult our armed forces and our constitutional system. How else can you describe his denigration of our military leadership? His fawning adoration for a thuggish Russian strongman whose attacks on democracy and free expression are counter to everything our nation stands for? He couldn't even resist the opportunity to score some points by publicly describing his classified briefing by intelligence agencies.

Read more: Debate Moderators, Take Note: Don't Be Like Matt Lauer (Guest Column)

It doesn't take chutzpah to talk like that; it takes a chilling contempt for the well-being of our nation and those who serve it. Or a shocking stupidity.

Worse, he was given the freedom to spout his insanity unchallenged. I was particularly saddened that in a room full of veterans, Trump wasn't asked about his own efforts to avoid military service. Nor was he challenged when he lied about his stance on the war in Iraq.

It was painful to watch NBC's Matt Lauer get taken for a ride by this demagogue. (And that's doubly true after watching him hound Hillary Clinton over her emails. Has there ever been soan equivalence as the one being drawn between Clinton's mistakes around her email policy and Trump's endless torrent of verifiably dishonest bullshittery?)

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Trump and Lauer at the presidential forum.

The story of this election is in part a story of the media's dangerous failure thus far to give Trump the scrutiny he deserves. There's a built-in incentive for the media to talk about the horse race. So instead of telling the simple truth that one candidate for president is qualified for the office and the other is not, they grade on a curve and talk about who's "exceeding expectations" or "looking presidential." Suddenly, the ability to read from a teleprompter - a practice that until recently was mocked by conservatives - is proof of Trump's newfound maturity. Instead of refusing to tolerate bigotry and hatred, we can grab some popcorn and wait to see what new depths the Republican nominee can sink to today. And even for the best journalists, Trump is hard to take on. It turns out, the bigger the lie, the harder it is, it seems, to call it out.

Read more: NBC Counters Criticism of Matt Lauer's Clinton Ties Ahead of Candidate Forum

As I sat in the room filled with vets watching Trump settle a little lower into the muck (brushing off sexual assault in the military as something we should just get used to), I was surrounded by living, breathing evidence - in some cases, people who had suffered terrible injuries or were wheelchair-bound - that the decisions the president makes have real consequences.

I said some months ago that I saw Donald Trump as the middle finger of the American right hand. Voters were so disappointed, so angry, about the failures of leadership they've seen all around them - in politics, in business, in education - that they were seizing the opportunity to tell the establishment: Take this!! My faith in the American people tells me I could still be right about that. Voters may channel their rage through Trump, but in my heart of hearts, I don't believe they will ever elect him.

Between now and Election Day, I'm sure lots of us will work like hell to make sure of that.

Norman Lear is a renowned TV and film producer and founder of People for the American Way.

This story first appeared in the Sept. 23 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
By Jack Kim and James Pearson SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea will have enough material for about 20 nuclear bombs by the end of this year, with ramped-up uranium enrichment facilities and an existing stockpile of plutonium, according to new assessments by weapons experts. The North has evaded a decade of U.N. sanctions to develop the uranium enrichment process, enabling it to run an effectively self-sufficient nuclear program that is capable of producing around six nuclear bombs a year, they said. The true nuclear capability of the isolated and secretive state is impossible to verify. But after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test last week and, according to South Korea, was preparing for another, it appears to have no shortage of material to test with. North Korea has an abundance of uranium reserves and has been working covertly for well over a decade on a project to enrich the material to weapons-grade level, the experts say. That project, believed to have been expanded significantly, is likely the source of up to 150 kilograms (330 pounds) of highly enriched uranium a year, said Siegfried Hecker, a leading expert on the North's nuclear program. That quantity is enough for roughly six nuclear bombs, Hecker, who toured the North's main Yongbyon nuclear facility in 2010, wrote in a report on the 38 North website of Johns Hopkins University in Washington published on Monday. Added to an estimated 32- to 54 kilogram plutonium stockpile, the North will have sufficient fissile material for about 20 bombs by the end of 2016, Hecker said. North Korea said its latest test proved it was capable of mounting a nuclear warhead on a medium-range ballistic missile, but its claims to be able to miniaturize a nuclear device have never been independently verified. [nL3N1BL1ND] Assessments of the North's plutonium stockpile are generally consistent and believed to be accurate because experts and governments can estimate plutonium production levels from telltale signs of reactor operation in satellite imagery. South Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo this year estimated the North's plutonium stockpile at about 40 kilograms. But Hecker, a former director of the U.S. Los Alamos National Laboratory, where nuclear weapons have been designed, has called North Korea's uranium enrichment program "their new nuclear wildcard," because Western experts do not know how advanced it is. PAKISTAN CONNECTION Jeffrey Lewis of the California-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies said North Korea had an unconstrained source of fissile material, both plutonium from the Yongbyon reactor and highly-enriched uranium from at least one and probably two sites. "The primary constraint on its program is gone," Lewis said. Weapons-grade plutonium has to be extracted from spent fuel taken out of reactors and then reprocessed, and therefore would be limited in quantity. A uranium enrichment program greatly boosts production of material for weapons. The known history of the uranium enrichment project dates to 2003, when the North was confronted by the United States with evidence of a clandestine program to build a facility to enrich uranium with the help of Pakistan. Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said in his memoirs that A.Q. Khan, the father of that country's nuclear program, transferred two dozen centrifuges to the North and some technical expertise around 1999. "It was also clear that the suspected Pakistani connection had taken place, as the centrifuge design resembled Pakistan's P-2 centrifuge," Hecker said in a report in May. Hecker reported being shown around a two-story building in the Yongbyon complex in November 2010 that a North Korean engineer said contained 2,000 centrifuges and a control room Hecker called "astonishingly modern." By 2009, the North had likely acquired the technology to be able to expand the uranium project indigenously, Joshua Pollack, editor of the U.S.-based Nonproliferation Review, has said. North Korea has not explicitly admitted to operating the centrifuges to produce weapons-enriched uranium, instead claiming they were intended to generate fuel for a light water reactor it was going to build. Despite sanctions, by now North Korea is probably largely self-sufficient in operating its nuclear program, although it may still struggle to produce some material and items, Lewis said. "While we saw this work in Iran, over time countries can adjust to sanctions," he said. (Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Committee formed to probe NAC Airbus incidents

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on Tuesday formed a six-member investigation committee to look into two separates incidents involving Nepal Airlines Airbus A320 jets.
Tuesday morning Hillary Clintons presidential campaign denounced a cartoon frog named Pepe.

For most of his lifespan as a meme on the internet, Pepe the Frog was a benign, if sometimes bawdy figure beloved by pop stars and teenagers alike. He was created by artist Matt Furie for a strip he started in 2005 called Boys Club, which Furie describes as a comic about life in your early 20s.

But reporters today are more likely to encounter Pepes smug visage in his latest incarnation, as MSNBCs Chris Hayes put it, people with Nazi frog avatars who are tweeting about the Jews.

After Hillary Clinton placed half of her rival Donald Trumps supporters in a basket of deplorables, Donald Trump Jr. tweeted out a modified image of the poster for the action movie The Expendables with prominent Trump supporters faces photoshopped onto those of the action stars. The image, which introduces the group as The Deplorables, includes Pepe in a Donald Trump wig. Reporters now often describe Pepe as a white-nationalist symbol rather than the chill and good natured frog he was intended to be.

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Furie lives in Los Angeles, where he works as an artist and illustrator, working on everything from magazines and record covers to clothing. I spoke to him Tuesday afternoon about the origins of Pepe, and how he feels about his mellow cartoon frog becoming a favored image of Nazis and white supremacists. What follows is a slightly edited transcript of our conversation.

Adam Serwer: Who is Pepe the Frog and how did you come up with him?

Matt Furie: Pepe started in the early 2000s, I had just been drawing a lot of frog faces, and I came up with a frog character to be one of four characters in a comic book that I did called Boys Club, and it started off as a zine, I would just publish it just for my friends and associates and stuff. You know just at Kinkos, make copies of it.

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Eventually I did some independent publishing with it, and I did about four comics called Boys Club, and Pepe is kind of like, in the comic version of him, in my version of him, hes just kind of an everyman frog, he lives with his three roommates, a dog, a bear and a wolf. It just kind of expresses early 20-something hedonistic lifestyle, of just hanging out, playing pranks on each other, eating pizza, partying, that kind of thing. A lot of bodily humor.

For whatever reason, the Pepe the Frog guy was singled out and started to evolve into this whole internet thing.

Serwer: How did it feel when Pepe turned into an internet meme?

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Furie: When it started out, it was just a thing that people would use on message boards. There was a six-panel comic page of Pepe taking a leak with his pants all the way down, and one of his roommates walks in on him. Later on theyre playing video games, and his buddy Landwolf says I heard you pull your pants all the way down to go pee, and Pepe responds by saying feels good man, he looks happy. So that was kind of cut out from there, and used in a viral way, people would say things like I just finished my final exam and theyd post the happy frog saying feels good man. So it was like kind of a positive reinforcement thing.

And then different bits and pieces were lifted from the comic until finally the sad frog one, which is the one hes most known for, was in a panel where he didnt really describe why he was sad, but he says, I always have time for eating pizza on a bagel, and then he sadly lifts up a pizza bagel into his mouth and takes a bite of it. So the comic itself is just mellow, hes just a chill frog and is pretty good natured.

It has a lot of pop culture references in it, they say got milk and that would be a yes, and just kind of all this funny stuff that is worked into my brain from growing up in the late 80s early 90s.

Serwer: Have you been able to make any money off the popularity of Pepe? Has it been financially beneficial for you?

Furie: Here and there, I just did an official, its called Pepe Official clothing line, one of the items of clothing is a button up white shirt, with a pattern of Pepes on it, and all of those Pepes were kind of reflections of those crudely drawn, it almost looks like kids did them on microsoft paint or something. It was kind of like a bootleg of a bootleg. So Im doing little enterprising things like that.

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Serwer: Prior to this year, did the ubiquity of its use and people using him in different contexts, did that ever bother you?

Furie: Its never bothered me, in fact its been kind of inspiring to me, just seeing how mostly kids and teenagers, and kind of the youthfulness of Pepe, is what Im attracted to, and its been an inspiration and something that Im proud of.

Serwer: How do you feel about the way its been adopted by the so-called alt-right?

Furie: My feelings are pretty neutral, this isnt the first time that Pepe has been used in a negative, weird context. I think its just a reflection of the world at large. The internet is basically encompassing some kind of mass consciousness, and Pepe, with his face, hes got these large, expressive eyes with puffy eyelids and big rounded lips, I just think that people reinvent him in all these different ways, its kind of a blank slate. Its just out of my control, what people are doing with it, and my thoughts on it, are more of amusement.

Serwer: So it doesnt make you uneasy at all that for some people its become this weird Nazi thing?

Furie: I think thats its just a phase, and come November, its just gonna go on to the next phase, obviously that political agenda is exactly the opposite of my own personal feelings, but in terms of meme culture, its people reapproppriating things for their own agenda. Thats just a product of the internet. And I think people in whatever dark corners of the internet are just trying to one up each other on how shocking they can make Pepe appear.

The interesting thing about this situation, is that Im talking to you, and its like a newsworthy thing that this cute, generally happy frog character has taken on a life of its own for better or worse. I think what is happening now is overshadowing the importance Pepe has as a symbol for youth culture, and its been taken out of context and turned into something other than that. I honestly just think its a phase.

Serwer: Maybe you dont have any insight into this at all, but why do you think they like Pepe so much?

Furie: One of the mutations of Pepe, hes gone through happy, to sad, to all these different things, to people remixing it in these different ways. I think the smug version of Pepe, which is him just having a smug look on his face, his thumb under his chin, that one was kind of adopted into the Trump supporters campaign or whatever, and kind of encompasses the archetype of a smug character. I think Donald Trump is kind of a cartoon character himself, so I think it was just a natural thing, maybe to appeal to younger people or something.

Serwer: Did you read the explainer Hillary Clinton put up? And if you did how did that feel?

Furie: I read it, and I thought it was funny. Like I said I think it downplays the fact that Pepe is more than, whatever is happening in the news today, especially to younger people and to teenagers. For example, I get emails pretty regularly, from kids, from high schools, who need my permission to use Pepe in their senior shirts, or their clarinet club, or their photography clubs, and I tell them to go ahead as long as they sell me a shirt.

So beyond whats happening today in the news, hes really important to kids. Ive got a cousin in suburban Ohio who plays volleyball, and she texted me because shes all excited because shes playing Team Pepe. So its cool for me to focus on the positive aspects of Pepe and really just see this as some kind of passing phase, because you know, everything changes.

Serwer: Do you have any regrets about Pepe or not having more control over his image?

Furie: I dont have any regrets about anything. I do my own thing, and if anything, its been kind of interesting to see all the evolutions of Pepe. Yeah, no regrets.

Serwer: Where would you rank Pepe among the pantheon of fictional cartoon frogs?

Furie: I think the king is probably Kermit the Frog, you know I grew up on the Muppets, Jim Hensons stuff. So nothing can really pass Kermit the Frog. But in terms of youth culture today, Id say number one.

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This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Historian Howard Zinn once said the most revolutionary act one can engage in is to tell the truth. In the case of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, and war hero Sen. John McCain, being a straight talker came with political consequences.

The daughter of working class Caribbean immigrants, the Brooklyn-born Chisholm was a trailblazer from the start, earning a masters degree in education at Columbia University before being elected to the U.S. Congress in 1968, just three years after the passage of the U.S. Voting Rights Act. And she was not afraid to shake things up. The unbought and unbossed leader was an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War and a vocal supporter of civil rights and womens rights, even hiring an all-female congressional staff.

With her landmark 1972 run for president, Chisholmthe first woman to run for the Democratic nomination and the first major-party African American presidential candidateencountered opposition from across the political spectrum, including from black male political leaders and mostly white feminist leaders. But her bold candidacy would forever alter the nations view of what a presidential candidate should look and sound like.

While Chisholm was confronting opponents and challenging stereotypes back home, naval aviator John McCain was fighting for his life as a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down in 1967 while on a bombing mission over Hanoi in the Vietnam War. After refusing early release and enduring episodes of torture, McCain, the son and grandson of two Navy admirals, returned home in 1973, and would embark on a national political career during the 1980s, earning a reputation as a political maverick for his willingness to buck his own Republican party on a variety of issues as a congressman and senator from Arizona.

As a senator respected on both sides of the aisle, McCain embarked on his first presidential campaign during the 2000 election, setting off aboard his famous Straight Talk Express and defeating Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the early favorite for the Republican nomination, handily in the New Hampshire primary. McCain would eventually lose the fiercely-fought primary contest and nomination to Bush but would return to the campaign trail eight years later in 2008 to secure the nomination, and demonstrate his maverick credential yet again with the selection of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, before losing in the general election to the historic campaign of Barack Obama.

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Having to postpone her wedding multiple times due to her battle with kidney failure, Heidi Fisk was ecstatic when Duke University Hospital, where she regularly stays, decided to put one together for her.

Heidi, 24, has been sick for six years and been with her boyfriend, Jerremie Duncan, for seven. She twice planned a September wedding, in honor of the month the two finally got together after knowing each other since kindergarten, but had to cancel both due to complications with her condition.

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I think love means sticking together no matter what obstacle comes your way, Heidi said after the wedding. "I've been through so much with hospitalizations and heart surgery, and sometimes I thought I wouldn't make it. And after all that, Jerremie is still here."

Her sister, Brandie Fisk, said she practically lives at the North Carolina medical facility and so the nurses banded together to do something for Heidi to cheer her up.

One of the [nurses] down there is always on the same floor. They got tired of seeing her so depressed and sad. They wanted to do something about it. So they come up with the wedding idea, said Brandie.

One of the hospital Chaplains presided over the wedding and nurses chipped in their own time and money to buy decorations, food and drinks. A cake was also made.

Her being sick and scarred she has lost a lot of confidence but just watching her be able to get married with someone shes known for such a long time was probably was one of the most marvelous things weve seen, Brandie said.

Several friends and family came down to participate in the wedding with Heidi, who is originally from Virginia, and she was able to stand for the 20-minute ceremony and dance the first dance.

Read: Father Suffers Fatal Heart Attack After Dancing With Daughter at Her Wedding

Although Brandie said Heidi was drained and exhausted after the wedding, it was all worth it.

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Im happy he just got her dream to come true, said Brandie.

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Damn german dams

Sometimes the world seems normal and boring. Other times, not so much. Sometimes, you realize it's a place where mad scier, architects spend decades trying to implement kooky plans to drain the Mediterranean Sea and join the continents of Europe and Africa.

Atlas Obscura writer Toon Lambrechts dug up this fascinating, discarded, real-life idea, which makes an appearance in the 1962 Phillip K. Dick novel "The Man in the High Castle" (the book that inspired the Amazon TV series of the same name).

sorgel

As Lambrechts explains, the actual plan to drain the Mediterranean wasn't a Nazi idea at all  though its designer was happy to pitch it to them once they took power.

German architect Herman Sorgel first proposed the scheme in 1929, then popularized it three years later in his book "Atlantropa." (Atlantropa was his name for the post-drainage Euro-African landscape.)

Lambrechts explains how it would have worked:

Not hampered by any sense of reality or modesty, Sorgel's Atlantropa design envisioned three gigantic dams which dwarf contemporary superstructures like Chinas Three Gorges Dam. The biggest barrage would be built across the Straights of Gibraltar between Spain and Morocco, separating the Mediterranean from the Atlantic Ocean. A second dam would block the Dardanelles and shut off the Black Sea. As if that were not enough, a third dam would stretch out between Sicily and Tunisia, cutting the Mediterranean in two, with different water levels on either side.

The result wouldn't have been entirely dry land between the continents, but a tremendous amount of hydroelectric power and plenty of new land to cultivate.

Sorgel apparently thought the project, concieved after World War I, would unite European nations in common purpose and ease post-war tensions. Lambrechts writes that the German public and media loved the idea, though the Nazis rejected it. Even though he was never successful, Sorgel continued to push for Atlantropa until his death in 1952.

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Read more about it at Atlas Obscura.

NOW WATCH: Scientists discovered something 'shocking' that could rewrite a key part of human evolution





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New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman revealed that his office has opened an investigation into Donald Trump's charity foundation "to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York."



"My interest in this issue really is in my capacity as regulator of nonprofits in New York state. And we have been concerned that the Trump Foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view," Schneiderman told Jake Tapper on CNN's The Lead late Tuesday. "And we've inquired into it, and we've had correspondence with them. I didn't make a big deal out of it or hold a press conference. We have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York."



The investigation comes as a series of reports by the Associated Press and The Washington Post have raised questions about Trump's charity, the Donald J. Trump Foundation. In a story published over the weekend, the Post reported that Trump had not donated to his own foundation since 2008 and alleged that he "spent $20,000 of money earmarked for charitable purposes by buying a 6-foot-tall painting of himself."



The Trump Foundation was fined $2,500 by the IRS earlier this month for making an illegal donation of $25,000 to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi in 2013, who at the time was considering opening an investigation into allegations against Trump University. Bondi dropped the case but Schneiderman later filed a fraud lawsuit against Trump University in August 2013. Both Trump and Bondi have denied any wrongdoing.









Hillary Clinton on Donald Trump: 'We Were Not Friends'





Jason Miller, a senior communications adviser for the Trump campaign, released a statement calling Schneiderman, a Democrat who supports Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, "a partisan hack who has turned a blind eye to the Clinton Foundation for years and has endorsed Hillary Clinton for president.



"This is nothing more than another left-wing hit job designed to distract from Crooked Hillary Clintonas disastrous week," Miller said.





Are you planning on voting in this year's election? We want to know! Take our survey: https://t.co/b6KMj1ZeAt a People Magazine (@people) August 15, 2016





Meanwhile, President Barack Obama criticized Trump and his foundation while campaigning for Clinton at a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday.



Referencing criticism the Clintons have faced over the Clinton Foundation, Obama said, "You want to debate foundations and charities? One candidate's family foundation has saved countless lives around the world."



"The other candidate's foundation took money other people gave to his charity and then bought a 6-foot-tall painting of himself. I mean, he had the taste not to go for the 10 foot version," Obama added to laughs.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday lifted economic sanctions that were placed on Ivory Coast more than 10 years ago during a civil war, citing a successful presidential election last year and progress on fighting illegal trafficking of natural resources. "Cote dIvoire has taken important steps to strengthen its governing and economic institutions and reconcile the differences that led to war," White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Andrea Ricci)
Consensus reached to set up 13 local units in Morang

After long rounds of discussion, the issue of the restructuring of local units in Morang has been settled with a consensus to establish 13 local bodies in the district.
Washington (AFP) - US President Barack Obama announced Wednesday after meeting with Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi that the United States is prepared to lift some sanctions on the southeast Asian country.

"The United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma for quite some time," he said, speaking in the Oval Office with Aung San Suu Kyi at his side.

Earlier, Obama notified Congress he was reinstating preferential tariffs for Myanmar, also known as Burma.
From Esquire

Because here in the shebeen we do nothing if not seek balance in all things, we must note that the forces demanding that the franchise be protected against the various legislators and secretaries of state seeking to carve it up had their winning streak in the Supreme Court end on Tuesday morning.

From Reuters:

The high court rejected a request by Ohio Democrats and let stand an August ruling by the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the 2014 law, which imposed new restrictions on when people could register to vote and cast ballots. Ohio Democrats argued that the law had a discriminatory impact on black voters. The law was one of numerous passed in recent years in Republican-governed states that Democrats and civil rights activists have said were intended to make it more difficult for voters including African-Americans, Hispanics and others who tend to back Democratic candidates to cast ballotsOhio's Republican-controlled legislature abolished Golden Week and shortened early voting to 29 days from 35 days. Ohio often is a pivotal state in U.S. presidential electionsGolden Week was created to make it easier for people to vote in Ohio after lengthy lines at polling locations marred the 2004 election. In 2008, 60,000 people voted during the Golden Week period and 80,000 did so in 2012.

This comes on top of the announcement by Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted-who is a star among the people who are doing the carving on the franchise-that, if you're waiting for an absentee ballot in Ohio, and you happen to be part of a certain 14 percent of the Ohio electorate, you might as well just tune in to the televised lottery show. Via Ohio.com:

Husted, a Republican in his second term as the state elections chief, has decided not to send absentee ballot applications to 1,032,775 registered voters who, reportedly, did not vote in the 2012 or 2014 federal elections (although many have voted in off-year elections) or who are thought to have moved.

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Surely, the vetting process was as rigid as it should have been, given the sacredness of the franchise and Ohio's status as a major bellwether battleground.

Oh, wait.

Some, a Beacon Journal investigation has found, have voted as recently as March and have not, in fact, moved. This includes some of the 36,822 Summit County voters who aren't getting the absentee ballot applications this year. Early voting begins Oct. 12. The practice reduces lines on Election Day. Most argue that it boosts turnout. And, without a doubt, it has been popular in Ohio. In 2012, 1.8 million voters, or a third who participated, voted early by mailing or handing in their ballots to a county board of elections in the five weeks before the November election. This year with the elimination of "Golden Week," which allowed voters to register and cast ballots all at once, the early voting period has been reduced to four weeks.

(It's here where we remind everyone that Ohio is governed by noted Moderate Republican Nice Guy John Kasich, who signed the bill eliminating Golden Week, and who is The Road Not Taken for everyone who'd rather not look the current Republican electorate in the eye.)

[contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related Story" customtitles="It Isn't About Revolution. It's About Voting Rights." customimages="" content="article.47116"]

Back in 1873, Ohio held a constitutional convention. A committee recommended enfranchising immigrants who had declared their intention to become citizens. This sent the convention up the wall. According to Alexander Keyssar in his essential The Right To Vote, the debate was not exactly elevated. The side in favor of enfranchising immigrants said that not doing so would imply that the European immigrants were inferior to native-born African-Americans, who had been enfranchised for all of three years. The opposition, as noted by Keyssar, went sailing off into the izonkosphere, never to return.

For example, there was this delegate from Butler, a guy named Lewis Campbell, who was very concerned aboutthings. Campbell issued a serious warning:

"it will be granted not only to the unnaturalized foreigner who comes here from European countries, but also to the unnaturalized African who might be brought overby Dr. Livingstone; and should he capture in the jungles of that benighted landa specimen of the connecting link between man and the animal, as described by the theory of Darwin, and bring him to Ohio, that link could not only claim to become a citizen of the United States but without nationalizationclaim to be sovereign, a voter and an office-holder"

Ha, ha, this is entirely hilarious. Imagine this Campbell guy. He thought The Missing Link was going to come over here and vote. And people believed him. And made policy based on this hilarious idea. Me? I've spent a couple of years listening to the arguments presented by people like Jon Husted, and watching the doings of the Congresses elected in 2010 and in 2014, and I think old Lewis Campbell was just being clairvoyant and we should have listened to the warning he gave us.

Click here to respond to this post on the official Esquire Politics Facebook page.

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Revlon just kicked off its 2nd annual 'Love Is On' Million Dollar Challenge on Wednesday  and the company's global brand ambassador Olivia Wilde is showing her support for the initiative with a special message for fans.



"I am so excited to announce today that Revlon is hosting their second LOVE IS ON Million Dollar Challenge," Wilde, 32, says in a video, shared exclusively with PEOPLE.



"At last year's finale celebration for their first crowd-funding competition, I got to see firsthand the positive impact the challenge had on so many great charities," the actress continues. "This year, Revlon has expanded the challenge to include and help even more women's health causes."





Olivia Wilde Helps Kick Off Revlon's 'Love Is On' Million Dollar Challenge| Olivia Wilde









According to Revlon, more than 100 women's health-related charities  including those that help fight breast cancer, cardiac health, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, diabetes and more  have signed up to compete in the online fundraising competition, which runs until Oct. 26.



And this year, "the challenge will award large cash prizes," shares Wilde, "including a one million dollar grand prize to the top five charities that raise the most funds over the course of the next six weeks."



The actress is urging her fans to raise awareness for other women. "Help spread the power of love by donating to your favorite charity a and remember to share with friends, family, fans and followers. Love, give, support," says the star.



You can make a donation at crowdrise.com/revlonchallenge.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  On the heels of North Korea's latest, and largest, nuclear test, here's a look at Lockheed Martin's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.

In July, Washington agreed to equip Seoul with a THAAD battery to further defend the region amid the North's missile tests.

A THAAD battery is made up of a four-part antimissile system. The graphic below shows the components needed for each enemy-target interception and how the unique missile-defense system works.

thaad 1200x

Here's a brief breakdown of the process:

1. Radar detects threat

thaad amanda raytheon

THAAD's first line of defense is its radar system.

"We have one of the most powerful radars in the world," Kyle Terza, of Space and Missile Defense Command and a former THAAD battery commander, told Business Insider in a previous interview.

Raytheon's AN/TPY-2 radar is used to detect, track, and discriminate ballistic missiles in the terminal (or descending) phase of flight.

The mobile radar is about the size of a bus and is powerful enough to scan areas the size of entire countries, according to Raytheon.

2. Weapon is assigned and target engaged

thaad launcher

Each launcher unit carries up to eight missiles and can send multiple kill vehicles at once, depending on the severity of the threat.

Once an enemy threat has been identified, THAAD's Fire Control and Communications support team kicks in. If there is a decision to engage the incoming missile, the launcher fires an interceptor to hunt for its target.

3. After launch, a booster splits from the kill vehicle and tracks the target before colliding with it

While in flight, the interceptor will track its target and obliterate it in the sky.

4. Target is destroyed using kinetic energy

Impressively, the THAAD interceptor does not carry a warhead. Instead, the interceptor missile uses pure kinetic energy to deliver "hit to kill" strikes to incoming ballistic threats inside or outside the atmosphere.

Story continues

NOW WATCH: Meet THAAD: Americas answer to North Korean threats





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Constitution amendment proposal unnecessarily linked with India: PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the efforts to register a constitution amendment proposal before his India visit have gone futile.
George W. and Laura Bush at the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on Sept. 11, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters)

George W. Bush has kept a low public profile since a February blink-and-you-missed-it stint on the campaign trail for his brother Jeb. The former president skipped the GOP convention in July and has kept his sharp criticisms of the partys nominee, Donald Trump, limited to speeches to private audiences.

But in a case of what might be called split-ticket campaigning, George W. Bush has been working mostly behind the scenes on a project that GOP leaders consider a top priority: keeping the Senate in Republican hands.

The former president headlined an event for Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire in May in his hometown of Dallas, the first of eight fundraisers he has done to date, according to a source familiar with his efforts. He appeared at others for Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri in St. Louis in June; Sen. John McCain of Arizona in Dallas in June; and Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio in Cincinnati and Columbus in August. That same month, Bush attended a fundraiser organized by Texas Sen. John Cornyn to help Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, as well as Joe Heck and Todd Young, who are Senate candidates in Nevada and Indiana, respectively. On Sept. 12, Bush held fundraisers for Young in Elkhart and Indianapolis.

Bush has at least six more events coming up. Hell raise money with Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for the Republicans Senate Leadership Fund at an upcoming event in Dallas, and for the National Republican Senate Committee in Washington, D.C. In October, Bush will headline fundraisers for Heck in Nevada, Rubio in Florida, Sen. Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania, and Sen. Richard Burr in North Carolina.

The former presidents schedule includes a blend of vulnerable incumbents such as Ayotte; promising challengers including Heck, who is vying for retiring Democratic Sen. Minority Leader Harry Reids seat; and longtime friends like Portman, who worked for Bush as U.S. trade representative and budget director.

The Republicans keep-the-Senate effort can certainly use the help. Twenty-four GOP senators are defending their seats, against just 10 Democrats having to do so, six years after the Tea Party-infused 2010 midterm elections. President Barack Obamas party needs to flip just four seats to control the chamber if Hillary Clinton wins. (Tim Kaine, as vice president, would break a 50-50 tie.) GOP strategists worry that Trump could be a drag on Republican candidates in toss-up states.

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The 43rd president left office deeply unpopular, weighed down by the war in Iraq and the collapse of the global economy. In 2008, GOP presidential nominee John McCain campaigned with him as little as possible. In 2012, Bush did not attend the Republican nominating convention in Tampa, and participated in the gathering briefly by video.

But his popularity has risen, and he rates in the high 40s in polls taken late last year and in early 2016. He remains a draw with conservative voters, including evangelicals.

Still, Portmans Democratic rival, former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, has tried to use the Bush endorsement to his own ends. Stricklands attacks have come on two fronts. First, Strickland has pointed to Portmans work as commerce secretary to advance global trade. Second, he has noted that Portman has endorsed Trump while Bush has criticized the self-described billionaire. Both Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, are among the Republican holdouts refusing to rally behind their own partys nominee.

Today is another reminder that Sen. Portmans full-throated endorsement of Donald Trump puts him out of step with Republicans like President Bush, Strickland campaign spokesman David Bergstein said in a statement in early August.

We welcome President Bush to come to Ohio anytime because its the perfect opportunity to discuss Portmans record in the Bush White House: As Bushs trade czar, Portman was the champion for unfair trade deals that cost Ohio hundreds of thousands of jobs, Bergstein added.

Portmans campaign declined to comment. But those attacks dont appear to have slowed down the Republican. He currently leads Strickland by 10 points in a RealClearPolitics average of polls. In a new poll out Wednesday, Portman led by a dominating 17 points.

Correction: This post initially identified Portman as Bushs former commerce secretary instead of U.S. trade representative.
Jerusalem (AFP) - The World Bank on Thursday said that international donor support is a must to maintain Palestinian budget-cutting achievements and stave off crisis.

It said in a report that over the past 10 years the Palestinian Authority had slashed its deficit by an amount equal to 15 percent of its Gross Domestic Product, "an achievement rarely seen in other places around the world".

But "the PA's finances remain fragile with declining budget support leading to a projected financing gap of about $600 million (530 million euros) in 2016," it added.

"In the short term, donor support and in particular budget support is essential to avoid a fiscal crisis leading to wider economic problems," the report said.

The findings are to be presented in New York next week to a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, which coordinates international donor support for the Palestinians.

"The PA's actions will not be enough to fully close the gap, particularly since local borrowing opportunities are now largely exhausted," the report said.

It said that the Palestinian economy would remain hobbled as long as the conflict with Israel continued, "but meaningful steps can avoid further deterioration".

It made particular mention of the Gaza Strip, battered in a July-August 2014 war between Israel and Gaza militants, which killed more than 2,200 Palestinians and 73 people on the Israeli side.

It said that of $3.5 billion pledged by donors for the strip's reconstruction, less than half had so far been disbursed.

"The situation in Gaza is of great concern and the conditions required for post-reconstruction sustainable economic growth are not being put in place," the bank's West Bank and Gaza country director, Marina Wes, wrote.

The fighting destroyed or damaged thousands of homes in Gaza and reconstruction has been painfully slow.

"Over 70,000 people are suffering from prolonged internal displacement," Wes said in the report.

"Only 10.7 percent of the 11,000 housing units that were totally destroyed in the war have been rebuilt to date, and about 50 percent of partially and severely damaged houses still need to be repaired."
By Andrew M. Seaman (Reuters Health) - Parents of children with cancer face difficult decisions, and a new study suggests that about one in six of them look back on some of their choices with a great deal of regret. Often, doctors can recommend a clearly preferable treatment. But sometimes, the study's lead author pointed out, parents may need to decide things like whether their child should take part in a clinical trial, or whether the child should have surgery. Parents may feel as if they have no control when their child is first diagnosed with cancer, and making decisions about treatment is the one thing they can do, said Dr. Jennifer Mack, a pediatric oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital. "We wanted to try to understand what parents experience and when they look back on their decisions, how they feel about them," she said. Mack and her colleagues surveyed 346 parents of children with cancer at two U.S. medical centers (one parent per family). The parents completed the surveys within 12 weeks after the cancer was diagnosed. Fifty-four parents, or 16 percent, had a high level of regret about their decisions, the researchers report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. About a third did not regret their decisions and would make the same choices again, and 45 percent had mild regret, the researchers found. Communication factors were tied to how parents felt about their decisions. Parents were less likely to feel regret if they reported receiving high-quality information, detailed information about prognosis, trusting their child's doctor or being comfortable in their decision-making role. Blacks, Hispanics and other non-white parents were also more likely to experience a high level of regret than white parents, the researchers found. Even when communication was similar for white parents and parents of other races, the non-white parents still felt more regret, Mack said. "There are probably other factors at work for racial and minority families that we need to work to understand," she said. It's important to do more research and understand these connections to make the process better, said Mack. The researchers caution that the tool used to measure regret tends to lump parents without strong feelings into the high regret category. Mack also said they didn't account for the children's roles in treatment decisions. She said it's important for parents to have ongoing conversations with their children's doctors and not feel rushed or pressured into decisions. "Sometimes there is urgency, but often there is time to keep having these discussions," said Mack. "Parents should feel empowered to do that." SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2cnpaJm Journal of Clinical Oncology, online September 12, 2016.
Paris Hilton is living the good life while doting on her niece. (Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for UNITAS)

Paris Hilton is constantly on the move. The 35-year-old heiress is one of Ibizas hottest DJs, the driving force behind a massive perfume empire, and a budding real estate mogul.

But one special baby is bringing the celebrity back to the simple life.

Instead of rushing off to a fashion show or club opening upon her arrival in New York City, Paris headed to the Hilton-Rothschild household to pay a visit to her sister, Nicky, and her 2-month-old niece, Lily-Grace Victoria.

Ive been with [Lily-Grace] every day since Ive been in New York, Paris told Yahoo Celebrity at her Bella New York magazine cover party in NYC on Tuesday. Im obsessed with her. Shes the most beautiful baby Ive ever seen in my life.

Paris thrives on keeping a busy schedule, but life suddenly slows down whenever shes around her newborn niece.

I literally cry when I hold her because Im so happy for my sister, she said. The emotion she feels has been on full display on social media, even as images of baby Lily-Grace have been kept off it. Paris instead throws back to tender pics of herself as a youngster with a baby Nicky to convey all the love and nurturing she feels for her niece. Paris and Nicky are as tight as can be, with Paris saying its like having a sister & best friend forever all wrapped into one amazing woman!

I am so happy for my sister @NickyHilton on her new baby girl Lily-Grace! She is so beautiful & precious! Im in love! ???????????????? So excited to be an aunt!  #AuntParis A photo posted by Paris Hilton (@parishilton) on Jul 10, 2016 at 11:27am PDT

Born on July 8, Lily-Grace has already had a profound effect on the Hilton clan.

Ive never seen my sister so happy, said Paris, who hosted one of Nickys two baby showers. It just brings me a lot of joy to see my sister and her family shes building.

Lily-Grace is Nickys first child with husband James Rothschild. Although Nicky, 32, tries to keep her daughter out of the public eye, the younger Hilton sister often shares glimpses of her new mom life on social media.

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Morning stroll  A photo posted by Nicky Rothschild (@nickyhilton) on Jul 26, 2016 at 6:24am PDT

#heaven A photo posted by Nicky Rothschild (@nickyhilton) on Jul 23, 2016 at 9:28am PDT

While Nicky is busy adjusting to motherhood in New York City, Paris spends the majority of her time 4,000 miles away living and working on the Spanish island of Ibiza. Her DJing career has taken off in Spain, prompting Paris to extend her residency through October.

But distance cant keep this aunt from precious niece time. Paris said shes already developed a special connection with Lily-Grace.

When we look at each other, she smiles, Paris beamed. I just have a bond with her. She is such an angel.

Paris is confident that Lily-Grace is next in the familys line of successful businesswomen.

Shes not even 3 months old yet but shes so intelligent, you can tell, the proud aunt said. Shes so special.

Lily-Grace could certainly learn a thing or two from Aunt Paris when shes older.

Its all golden for Paris Hilton, whos set to launch her 21st fragrance next month, Gold Rush for men. (Photo: Teresa Pyskaty/Bella)

This past summer, Paris launched her 20th perfume, Gold Rush. She is now preparing for the release of her 21st fragrance  a Gold Rush cologne for men  set to arrive next month.

When shes not working on the album that she wrote, recorded, and produced in Ibiza, Paris has been dipping her toe in real estate ventures. She just opened her first property in the Philippines and is currently looking at land in different parts of the world to find a home for her next hotel.

I literally dont really have any time off, but success is something that really fulfills me in life, Paris said. I feel very blessed.

And every time she looks at Lily-Grace, Paris is reminded just how blessed she is.

Ive never been happier. Literally the best summer of my life.
By James Oliphant FLINT, Mich. (Reuters) - The pastor of a black church in Flint, Michigan, stopped Donald Trump on Wednesday in the midst of his remarks criticizing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, and said the Republican presidential nominee was not invited to talk about politics. As Trump went after Clinton for her support of global trade deals, pastor Faith Green Timmons interrupted to tell Trump her church had not invited him to give a political speech. "Oh, oh, OK, that's good," Trump responded, shuffling papers on his podium at Bethel United Methodist Church. He then made a few remarks about fixing Flints drinking-water issues before departing. Trump was visiting the city to view its water crisis first-hand and extend his recent outreach to African-American voters ahead of the Nov. 8 election. Polls show black voters largely favor Clinton. He held an event at a black church in nearby Detroit earlier this month and has pledged in recent speeches to help the black community, which he has described as being besieged by poverty and crime. During his remarks on Wednesday, the New York real estate developer was also challenged by some members of the crowd of about 50 people, including a woman who accused him of discriminating against black renters as a landlord in the 1970s. "No, I never would, never would, Trump replied. Earlier in the day, he toured Flints water-treatment plant, which has been shut down since lead was found in the water supply. Residents of Flint asked a federal judge on Wednesday to order bottled water or filters be provided to them to prevent further lead exposure, 2-1/2 years after the city's water supply was found to be contaminated. (Editing by Richard Valdmanis and Peter Cooney)
Trump

A pastor interrupted Donald Trump's speech before a black church in Flint, Michigan, on Wednesday after Trump began to rip his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.

"Mr. Trump, I invited you here to thank us for what we've done for Flint, not to give a political speech," the pastor, Rev. Faith Green-Timmons, told the Republican presidential candidate.

"Oh OK, OK, OK, that's good," Trump replied. "Then I'm going to go back on to Flint."

The pastor's actions were met with some applause from the audience. Members in the crowd began asking Trump questions.

Trump replied to one, which couldn't be heard on the feed of the speech, saying "no, no, no, I never would."

The Manhattan billionaire promised to bring jobs back to Flint, saying that he heard a phrase that people used to build cars in Flint and couldn't drink the water in Mexico. Now, he said, the opposite is true.

Flint made national news earlier this year after the city's water supply was found to have toxic levels of lead, an effect of a decision by government officials to switch its water source.

Before being interrupted, Trump said Clinton "failed on the economy, just like she's failed on foreign policy."

"Everything she's touched didn't work out," he said.





More From Business Insider


Washington (AFP) - Pentagon chief Ashton Carter on Wednesday announced the creation of a new defense innovation center in Austin, Texas -- the latest expansion in an ongoing effort to connect with some of America's hippest tech communities.

Carter's project, called Defense Innovation Unit Experimental, or DIUx, already has offices in Silicon Valley and in the Boston area, home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Pentagon has a long history of collaboration with the tech community that has yielded or advanced new technologies including GPS and the internet.

Austin, the state capital of Texas, has long been known for being "weird," as it is fiercely liberal and attracts hipsters from around the country in an otherwise largely conservative southern state.

It also has become a tech hub, and is home to dozens of established tech firms and startups.

"I not only want to keep Austin weird; I'm counting on it," Carter said in prepared remarks delivered in the city.

"Because the creative thinking that happens in places like Austin is part of what makes our country so innovative and our economy so vibrant and strong."

Carter, a physicist and former Harvard University professor who delights in the US military's innovation in high-tech areas, has made repeated trips to tech firms -- mainly on the West Coast -- in recent months.

The Pentagon chief also praised Austin's "commitment to innovation, access to talent and academia, as well as the department's longstanding ties to Texas."

The Lone Star State also hosts an array of established defense firms that manufacture equipment, such as Marine Corps attack helicopters and the military's most advanced stealth fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II.
Faith and impermanence

It is the ubiquity of faith that inspired me to come up with these pieces of artwork, says Sanjeet Maharjan, speaking about his artworks-titled Aastha: An Imprint of Faith-which concluded at the Nepal Art Council on Tuesday.
By Jarrett Renshaw

Sept 14 (Reuters) - Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) ended its bid to take the company public on Wednesday, according to a regulatory filing, capping a string of bad news for the largest refinery on the U.S. East Coast.

"Given the market environment, with both very low refining profitability coupled with tight Bakken spreads, it was going to be a hard story to sell to investors. I don't think that's a surprise," said Matthew Blair, an equity research analyst at Tudor, Pickering & Holt.

The company, owned by Carlyle Group LP and Energy Transfer Partners LP, postponed an initial public offering in August 2015 after investors balked at the price per share.

Phil Rinaldi, the PES chief executive officer, said at the time: "We will return to the capital markets when the environment has improved."

The $250 million IPO valued the underlying refinery enterprise at $1.3 billion at the time.

But the pursuit officially ended Wednesday when PES asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to withdraw its petition for the offering. Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse were lead managers.

Last week, PES told employees its finances were "significantly stressed" and that it was slashing benefits, citing weak gasoline margins and high costs for renewable fuel credits, according to a letter obtained by Reuters. It has also delayed planned projects, the letter stated.

Local unions have also been asked to make concessions, a source told Reuters on Wednesday.

PES was formed in 2012, after two other refineries closed and political leaders urged Carlyle to salvage the facility. Reuters reported earlier this year that the owners were shopping the refinery complex.

Mark Routt, chief economist for the Americas at KBC Advanced Technology in Houston, said merchant refiners like PES, who have no marketing or retail arm, are being hurt by the cost of complying with U.S. renewable fuel standards as their crude supply costs have risen and margins have shrunk.

Story continues

He said some refining capacity in the North Atlantic Basin, which includes the U.S. East Coast and Europe, will have to be shuttered at some point.

PES enjoyed a boom after the acquisition, along with other East Coast refiners, taking advantage of the shale revolutions in North Dakota.

PES and others on the East Coast built large rail terminals to accommodate the Bakken flowing from North Dakota. The Bakken discount has disappeared, and so have the trains, forcing the region to rely more heavily on foreign, waterborne crude.

(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw in New York; Additional reporting by Jessica Resnick-Ault; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
An incredible photo of a woman and her child with a shadow of her late husband has hearts melting across the internet.

Phoenix photographer Laura Gordillo first captured Stephanie Summers in 2013 in Texas for a wedding anniversary photo shoot with her husband. The couple hadnt had professional photos for their wedding, so the shoot was a special moment for them.

Read: Twin Sisters Take Wedding Dress Pics With Their 80-Year-Old Dad Who Has Alzheimer's

"She had been following my work for a while and she was excited to hire me," said Gordillo. "They toasted with champagne and the shoot went well."

But, Summers husband, Taurean Summers, a paramedic, tragically passed away in a plane crash a year or so later in 2014. Summers was five months pregnant.

Stephanie reached out to me the next day... letting me know that he passed away and asking me if I had any more pictures, said Gordillo. I just printed some pictures out for her and mailed them to her. I could not stop crying.

A few months earlier, Gordillo had created an image in which she Photoshopped her niece's deceased grandfather into a picture for her Quinceanera. Summers saw the image and asked Gordillo to do something similar for her and baby, Taurean Jr.

The three traveled to the same locations that they had gone to for their previous shoot in El Paso.

I was very sad. As a mother and wife is couldn't imagine going through life without my husband. I also felt a sense of comfort to be able to do this for Stephanie and baby Taurean, said Gordillo.

Read: 'Fault In Our Stars' Couple Faces Tragic Ending: 'Thank You For Going On This Journey With Me'

Summers was in love with the photo, according to Gordillo, and they both Taurean and mom look at it every day.

"It turned out so beautiful. I didnt expect it to turn out so real. It took me a really long time to edit, said Gordillo. Before I posted it on social media I emailed it to her at 4 a.m. She said Im in tears this is perfect. Its like hes there. She said my son and I have a photo forever.'"

Story continues

Watch: Couple Gets Married A Year Early So The Groom's Dying Mom Can Attend

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(New throughout, adds details on alleged compensation disclosures)

By Jonathan Stempel

Sept 14 (Reuters) - Pacific Investment Management Co accused former star bond fund manager Bill Gross of leaking confidential bonus data and exercising "bad faith" in pursuing a $200 million lawsuit over his sudden September 2014 departure from the firm.

In a court filing dated Tuesday, Pimco said Gross admitted to having revealed 2013 compensation data to a Bloomberg News columnist after leaving Pimco, as part of his "sad obsession" with attacking the firm he co-founded and his former colleagues.

Pimco said Gross should be ordered to turn over materials it is entitled to see and be sanctioned for dragging his heels.

It cited, as an example, Gross' alleged failure to turn over emails about his exit from Pimco with the chief executive of his current employer, Janus Capital Group Inc, which Pimco said it uncovered through a subpoena to Janus itself.

Pimco, a unit of German insurer Allianz SE, said Gross' "egregious misconduct" supports its argument that it would have had "good cause" for terminating his employment.

In his lawsuit filed last October, Gross claimed that Newport Beach, California-based Pimco forced him to resign so it could distribute his bonus to others.

Patricia Glaser, Gross' lawyer, in a statement on Wednesday called Pimco's "off-topic insults and baseless accusations" an attempt to deflect blame from its own misconduct.

"The only party trying play 'hide the ball' is Pimco," she said.

Both sides are expected to appear in the California Superior Court in Santa Ana on Sept. 16.

Pimco said Gross' disclosures to the columnist at Bloomberg, which competes with Reuters News, included data for one-time Chief Executive Mohamed El-Erian, his successor Douglas Hodge, and Daniel Ivascyn, who succeeded Gross as chief investment officer.

It also said Gross admitted to giving compensation details to eight or nine managing directors prior to leaving Pimco.

Story continues

That revelation included a note to recipients, "let's get our fair share in December," according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss the note.

Gross denied that Pimco had a right to take any adverse action over the disclosures, according to Tuesday's filing.

Gross is worth $2.4 billion according to Forbes magazine, and has pledged to donate proceeds from his lawsuit to charity.

At Pimco, he built the flagship Pimco Total Return fund into the world's largest bond fund. Gross now runs the much smaller Janus Global Unconstrained Bond fund.

The case is Gross v. Pacific Investment Management Co et al, California Superior Court, Orange County, No. 2015-00813636.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel and Jennifer Ablan in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Leslie Adler and David Gregorio)
Wells lost its place as the top US bank by market value as CEO John Stumpf said he wont resign amid the phony account scandal that has already cost the bank $190 million in fines and restitution. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Stumpf laid blame on employees, not the banks culture.
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. PNC has agreed to pay atleast $24 million to settle a class-action lawsuit against Community Bank of Northern Virginia.



The Community Bank was purchased by Mercantile Bankshares Corp. in 2005, a year before PNC Financial acquired the Baltimore-based Mercantile. The company, thereby, assumed the on-going lawsuit against the bank.



The Virginia bank has been allegedly accused of charging excessive fees, including fees for unprovided services and paying kickbacks to a mortgage broker for referring customers to the bank. The plaintiffs comprise about 26,000 people who took secondary home loans from the bank, after receiving direct mails from the mortgage firm.



A three-arbitrator panel has been proposed by a federal judge to decide upon the settlement amount by the end of Mar 2017. The settlement will either be set at $24 million, as proposed by PNC Financial, or at $70 million as claimed by the plaintiffs.



PNC Financial spokesman, Fred Solomon declined to comment on the matter.



The company has faced several lawsuits earlier due to unfair lending practices. In Jan 2016, PNC Financial was charged with $32.3 million in a Florida federal class action lawsuit, where it was accused of overcharging homeowners for force-placed insurance. The plaintiffs, more than 130,000 borrowers, were allegedly forced to have hazard, flood, and wind insurance coverage on their properties.



Further, in 2013, PNC Financial paid $69.4 million to a fund and agreed to provide loss-mitigation and other foreclosure-prevention measures of $111 million related to a broad $9.3 billion settlement between 13 banks and federal regulators. Additionally, it paid $81 million to the government-backed mortgage firm Freddie Mac to settle loan disputes between 2000 and 2008.



Currently, PNC Financial carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the same space include Comerica Incorporated CMA, Enterprise Financial Services Corp. EFSC and Hancock Holding Company HBHC, each sporting a Zacks rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



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By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) - Passion should have been a prerequisite for Tottenham Hotspur on their return to the Champions League after a five-year absence, especially with 85,000 fans packed into Wembley Stadium. So it was surprising to hear manager Mauricio Pochettino lament the lack of it from his players after a disheartening 2-1 home defeat by Ligue 1 leaders Monaco in their Group E opener. Tottenham's fans set a new club record attendance for a 'home' fixture -- flocking to the national stadium in their droves. But they left disappointed, probably wishing the match had been played at White Hart Lane. The decision to play at Wembley was forced on the club as their historic White Hart Lane stadium, soon to make way for a new ground next door, has a reduced capacity of around 31,000. Judging by Wednesday's lackluster display in which Tottenham only shook off their apparent stage fright after goals by Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar put Monaco two ahead after 31 minutes, their Wembley stay may be shortlived. Pochettino, whose side's tenacity and energy saw them challenge for the Premier League last season before coming third, was deflated afterwards, and a little mystified. Monaco's manager Leonardo Jardim said his players had raised their game for the big stage and suggested the larger Wembley pitch had hindered Spurs. "No that's not an excuse," Pochettino, whose side beat Monaco 4-1 at White Hart Lane last season in the Europa League, told reporters. "We conceded a goal after 15 minutes that is difficult to accept when you play for Tottenham. "We needed to be more aggressive, more hungry and have more passion. We showed a lack of passion in the first half especially. It's shame because we fought so hard to be here and this was a big opportunity to give the fans a good victory. "We were better than them, created more chances, had more possession. But Monaco were more effective." The 85,011 crowd was a record for a British club at home in the Champions League, but the match lacked the intensity of Tottenham's memorable 2010-11 campaign when they won four of their five home fixtures to reach the last eight at the first time of asking. It was Tottenham's sixth match at the new Wembley and they have only won once -- the 2008 League Cup final against Chelsea. Switching grounds, it seems, is fraught with danger. Arsenal also struggled when they played their home Champions League matches at the old Wembley in 1997-98 and 1998-99 -- winning only two of six before abandoning the experiment. "All players, especially good players, love to play in a stadium that is brim full," Monaco's Jardim, who likened the win to his side's 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the last 16 in 2015, said. "I think it helped us more than them." Tottenham, who had chances to level on Wednesday after Toby Alderweireld halved the deficit, will hope for an improvement against CSKA Moscow and Bayer Leverkusen. (Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis)
By Brian Oliver (Reuters) - A weightlifter who finished ninth in the London 2012 Olympics and was sent home from this year's Rio Games for doping is set to get a medal because a rival, who is already serving an eight-year ban has tested positive retrospectively. Tomasz Zielinski of Poland finished 22kg behind the top three in London in the 94kg category but because six of the eight lifters ahead of him have been caught out in re-tests he moves up to the bronze medal position. Zielinski and his brother Adrian, the 2012 champion at 85kg, were sent back to Poland in disgrace before competing in Rio when results of pre-Games tests were announced. With the top four in the 94kg in London all having been caught in the re-tests, gold will go to the lifter who finished fifth, Irans Saeid Mohammadpourkarkaragh. Those in sixth and seventh places have also tested positive, so when the legal process is completed silver will go to eighth-placed Kim Min-Jae of South Korea and bronze to Zielinski, provided there are no more adverse findings. Samples from the 2008 and 2012 Games were re-tested by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who could not discount the possibility of further positives. The first two waves of reanalysis were carried out before and during the Rio Games and there are two more waves to come. The amended result of the 94kg category from London 2012 will not be officially announced until the retesting and legal process is complete. The result management of the reanalysis of the samples of the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 and London 2012 is still underway and the IOC will continue to communicate on a case by case basis as soon as disciplinary procedures are completed, said an IOC spokesperson. We do not have an exact timeline on when these results will be announced. Zielinski moved up when the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced on Tuesday a 47th retrospective positive in their sport. Anatoli Ciricu of Moldova, who was banned for eight years in 2015 after a second doping offence, was in line for the gold medal until the IWFs announcement. Ciricu, who turned 28 on Wednesday, was also banned for two years in 2007. His positive means Moldova will join eight other nations in being banned from the sport. The IWF, whose board meet in Beijing on the last weekend of September to discuss doping and sanctions, announced in June that any nation which had three or more positives in the IOC retests would be banned for a year. "It does not have to be ratified, the bans are automatic, Lilla Rozgonyi, IWF head of media, told Reuters. As soon as a country has three cases closed by the IOC they will be banned. It could be tomorrow, it could take a month but it is automatic. The list of those who will be banned is: Kazakhstan 10 positives, Russia 9, Belarus 7, Azerbaijan 5, Turkey 3, Armenia 3, Ukraine 3, China 3, Moldova 3. Only Georgia, with one infringement, will escape a ban. (Editing by Toby Davis)
First things first

The constitution cannot be an obstacle to finding a progressive solution to political and social problems
Newly-released police documents allege that the brother of the ex-wife of Dan Markel, the Florida State professor fatally shot execution-style in 2014, should be considered a suspect in his death.



However, State Attorney Willie Meggs disagrees, and dismissed the allegation as "speculation."



In May and June, authorities arrested and charged Sigfredo Garcia, 34, and Luis Rivera, 33, in Markel's death. Both have pleaded not guilty, and are scheduled to be tried together in November.



But in probable cause affidavits obtained by PEOPLE, local investigators allege the killing was not random and have pointed a finger at Charlie Adelson, the brother of Markel's ex-wife, Wendi Adelson. The affidavits list Charlie Adelson and his alleged ex-girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua, along with Garcia and Rivera, alleging that the four are "responsible for the murder of Daniel Markel."







The affidavits state Markel and Wendi Adelson were going through an acrimonious divorce and custody battle, and that Magabanua is the mother of Garcia's children. They allege Magabanua began receiving checks from the Adelson family's dentistry practice after the murder  and that Rivera and Garcia purchased several cars and motorcycles.



The affidavits also allege that Charlie Adelson had previously looked into hiring a hitman. The affidavits also analyze phone records between the two suspects in custody and the Adelson family.



 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.





State Attorney Refuses to Move Forward Against Ex-Wife's Brother

State Attorney Meggs has refused to move forward against Charlie Adelson, saying that while their guilt is a possibility, it cannot be proven.



"My opinion after reading those documents is there is no probable cause here to make an arrest," Meggs told the Tallahassee Democrat. "We kind of believe they were involved according to the police. But what we believe and what we think doesnat count. What evidence do we have?"



"When you read this stuff, you say 'these people had him killed.'" he continued. "I donat read it like that. How do we prove this? How do we prove what this officer believes, or thinks or suspects? What witnesses do we have for that purpose?"



Charlie Adelson's lawyer commended the prosecutor's decision.



"Mr. Meggs has spent the past 40 years as a prosecutor, with 30 years as State Attorney, and before that was a decorated police officer," attorney David Oscar Markus tells PEOPLE in a statement. "He is one of the most experienced State Attorneys in the nation and he knows probable cause when he sees it. We are thankful that he faithfully and honorably fulfilled his duties and did not approve this document, which amounted to no more than simple speculation after a truly exhaustive investigation."
West Midlands Police have released footage which they say shows murder suspect Tahir Zarif fleeing to Pakistan through Heathrow Airport. It comes as Zarifs accomplices Suraj Mistry and Lamar Wali were convicted on September 13 of conspiracy to commit robbery. Mistry was also found guilty of possession of firearms and of the manslaughter of 56-year-old Birmingham businessman Akhtar Javeed.

The gang had travelled from Derby in order to raid the premises of Direct Source 3 on Digbeths Rea Street South, police said. Javeed was a director of the company, according to records.

Officers said that though they believe Tahir Zarif was the one who pulled the trigger, Mistry and Wali were both charged with murder under joint enterprise, though neither were found guilty on that charge. Javeed was killed on February 3, 2016, and the CCTV which police say shows Zarif was recorded five days later, on February 8. Credit: YouTube/West Midlands Police
Police in North Carolina have issued an arrest warrant in the case of an 69-year-old woman who was assaulted outside a Donald Trump rally.

Shirley Teter, the woman who was punched, told local ABC affiliate WLOS that she was protesting outside the rally Monday and was taunting a Trump supporter, when a man stopped in his tracks, and he turned around and just cold-cocked me. Teter fell on an oxygen tank that she carries in her backpack and was taken to the hospital for sore ribs, a sore jaw and a scrape on her elbow.

Tensions were high between protesters and supporters, as the Republican presidential nominees speech was interrupted several times during the event, the Washington Post reports. Some 7,000 people attended the rally at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, and there were protests inside and out of the venue, which resulted in some five arrests in connection with scuffles at the Monday night rally.

North Carolina is expected to be a highly contested state this November. The state went for Barack Obama in 2008 before voting for Mitt Romney in 2012.
Hillary Clinton

A Morning Consult poll released on Wednesday revealed what voters thought of Hillary Clinton's Sunday health episode.

The poll found that 44% of registered voters believe Clinton's health would negatively affect her ability to serve as president, while 43% said it would not and 13% held no opinion.

Those numbers match up closely with the amount of support each candidate has in the polls. According to the RealClearPolitics polling average, Clinton is polling at 45.6%, and Donald Trump is polling at 43.5%.

By party affiliation, 23% of Democrats said Clinton's health would negatively affect her ability to serve as president, while 44% of independents and 69% of Republicans believed so.

On the flip side, 67% of Democrats said it would not affect her ability to serve, while 39% of independents and 18% of Republicans said it would not.

Voters were also asked whether they'd be more or less likely to vote for Clinton now that they're aware of recent health concerns. The split was relatively even, with 19% saying they were more likely to vote for Clinton and 24% saying they were less likely. Roughly half, 49%, said it made no difference in their vote.

The poll also found that 71% of respondents believe it's likely that Clinton, who is 68, will live long enough to serve a full four-year term if elected, while 22% believe it is unlikely.

Asked the same question about Trump, who is 70, 78% of respondents said it was likely he'd be able to serve a full four-year term if elected, while 15% considered that to be unlikely.

Attention has been drawn to Clinton's health after she was captured on video struggling to walk while leaving a 9/11 memorial event early. Her campaign staff first said she "overheated" and later announced that she was diagnosed on Friday as having pneumonia.

Clinton said on Monday that she thought the illness was not "that big a deal" and said she's "feeling so much better."

She is set to return to the campaign trail on Thursday.

Story continues

Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, have both wished Clinton a quick recovery and said they look forward to her getting back to campaigning.

Morning Consult polled 1,501 registered voters between September 12 and 13. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

NOW WATCH: 'Taco Trucks on every corner': Watch the stunning comments made by the leader of 'Latinos for Trump'





More From Business Insider


Scroll through Twitter or Facebook and sooner or later you're bound to see a complaint about an airline that lost a piece of luggage or a cable company that kept an irate customer on hold for hours.

As a growing number of brands use social media to engage with customers, some have invested financial and staff resources to resolve complaints online in real time. But should air your grievances on social media? The answer depends on a variety of factors, including how active the company is on social media and how soon you need a response.

[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]

Some companies actively use social media platforms to resolve issues, but others use mediums such as Twitter and Facebook to broadcast sales promotions or industry news. In fact, only about 10 percent of messages on social media actually receive a reply from a brand representative, according to a 2016 survey by Sprout Social, a social media management tool for businesses. So if you see that a brand doesn't engage with customers on social media, you could be wasting your time.

Christopher Elliott, journalist and consumer advocate for Elliott.org, says that for many complaints, it's best to put your grievance in an email so there's a paper trail or visit a store in person where it's harder to be ignored. But if you need immediate assistance (say your flight was canceled and you're waiting to speak to an agent in person or on the phone) or you haven't gotten a resolution through the regular modes of communication, social media might be the way to go.

If you want the company to respond quickly, Twitter is likely a better choice than Facebook because it's typically monitored more frequently, Elliott says. He adds that brands can't delete your tweet about or to them but they can delete comments on their company Facebook page. And depending on your privacy settings, you could post a rant on Facebook to your friends that the brand may never see.

Some brands -- notably Comcast, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines -- have social media teams that handle customer issues. When tweets include a team member's initials at the end, that's a telltale sign a social media team is fielding complaints or questions.

Story continues

A few years ago, when Jim Wang, founder of the personal finance blog Wallet Hacks, wanted to complain to Southwest Airlines about spotty in-flight Wi-Fi to receive a refund for the $7 connection fee, he tweeted at the airline. Southwest's social media team sent him a link to an online form within a few hours and Wang not only got a refund, he also got a $100 travel voucher.

"They're pretty responsive via Twitter," Wang says of the airline. "They've also responded pretty quickly to questions that I've tweeted at them too, [such as] how the Companion Pass works," he adds.

If you have a question that doesn't merit a phone call, posting your query on social media can also elicit an easy answer. When Celeste Altus, of Martinez, California, couldn't find Odwalla Organic Carrot Juice on store shelves, she tweeted to the juice company to ask if there was a shortage. The company responded the following day, noting the product had been discontinued and recommended other veggie juices. While this wasn't exactly the news she was hoping for, Altus appreciated the response. "Knowing someone at the company is reading these tweets and responding to them is good to know," Altus says.

If you do decide to take your complaint to social media, here are strategies that will boost the likelihood of a timely resolution.

[See: 11 Easy Ways to Slash Travel Costs.]

Mention the brand's official handle or page. The most social media savvy brands will get notifications when someone mentions their name even without tagging them on social platforms. But to ensure that the social media team sees your post right away, be sure to tag them by including the Twitter or Facebook handle.

If your complaint involves a health or safety concern, you could also tag a watchdog group like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in the same post. "Tagging an organization in a product complaint post makes it feel more authoritative and less like a rant," says Jonas Sickler, marketing director for ConsumerSafety.org, a website that includes product recalls and safety guides. Also, framing the incident as a concern or safety hazard rather than dissatisfaction will go further towards a suitable resolution, Sickler says.

Follow the brand's Twitter handle. If you tweet a complaint to a brand, they'll likely want more information via direct messages, which are private and don't have the same character limits as tweets. Make sure to follow the brand (or set up your account to accept messages from anyone) so that the brand can communicate with you via direct message and help get the issue sorted out quickly.

Stay calm. When contacting a company via social media, Elliott recommends being polite, persistent and patient. "Never threaten; always be nice and present your problem in the most neutral terms possible," he says. "Even if you have a problem right then and there, give them some time to figure out what's going on."

Remember that any public posts on social media can be seen by others (with Twitter changes, other users can see tweets even if you're mentioning the company at the beginning of your tweet), including potential employers, so don't post a rant. Another reason to keep your cool and keep it factual: Some companies now file libel suits against consumers who post hyperbolic negative remarks or reviews online.

Include specifics. If you can't sum up your issue in 140 characters, an email or letter might be better. That said, a few key details can give credence to your complaint and also help the company resolve the issue efficiently. "I always tell my friends, if you're going to complain, be as specific as possible," Wang says. If you're tweeting to an airline, for instance, include the airport codes for your itinerary, but don't share your record locator or confirmation number publicly.

[See: 10 Ways to Feel Better About Your Money.]

Escalate your complaint if needed. As Wang points out, the beauty of posting on social media is that you can write a quick post and go about your day instead of navigating a phone tree or sitting on hold. But if you don't get a response to your post and still need help, you may need to follow up by contacting the company via phone or email and providing additional details to process your complaint.





More From US News & World Report


Scroll through Twitter or Facebook and sooner or later you're bound to see a complaint about an airline that lost a piece of luggage or a cable company that kept an irate customer on hold for hours.

As a growing number of brands use social media to engage with customers, some have invested financial and staff resources to resolve complaints online in real time. But should air your grievances on social media? The answer depends on a variety of factors, including how active the company is on social media and how soon you need a response.

[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]

Some companies actively use social media platforms to resolve issues, but others use mediums such as Twitter and Facebook to broadcast sales promotions or industry news. In fact, only about 10 percent of messages on social media actually receive a reply from a brand representative, according to a 2016 survey by Sprout Social, a social media management tool for businesses. So if you see that a brand doesn't engage with customers on social media, you could be wasting your time.

Christopher Elliott, journalist and consumer advocate for Elliott.org, says that for many complaints, it's best to put your grievance in an email so there's a paper trail or visit a store in person where it's harder to be ignored. But if you need immediate assistance (say your flight was canceled and you're waiting to speak to an agent in person or on the phone) or you haven't gotten a resolution through the regular modes of communication, social media might be the way to go.

If you want the company to respond quickly, Twitter is likely a better choice than Facebook because it's typically monitored more frequently, Elliott says. He adds that brands can't delete your tweet about or to them but they can delete comments on their company Facebook page. And depending on your privacy settings, you could post a rant on Facebook to your friends that the brand may never see.

Story continues

Some brands -- notably Comcast, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines -- have social media teams that handle customer issues. When tweets include a team member's initials at the end, that's a telltale sign a social media team is fielding complaints or questions.

A few years ago, when Jim Wang, founder of the personal finance blog Wallet Hacks, wanted to complain to Southwest Airlines about spotty in-flight Wi-Fi to receive a refund for the $7 connection fee, he tweeted at the airline. Southwest's social media team sent him a link to an online form within a few hours and Wang not only got a refund, he also got a $100 travel voucher.

"They're pretty responsive via Twitter," Wang says of the airline. "They've also responded pretty quickly to questions that I've tweeted at them too, [such as] how the Companion Pass works," he adds.

If you have a question that doesn't merit a phone call, posting your query on social media can also elicit an easy answer. When Celeste Altus, of Martinez, California, couldn't find Odwalla Organic Carrot Juice on store shelves, she tweeted to the juice company to ask if there was a shortage. The company responded the following day, noting the product had been discontinued and recommended other veggie juices. While this wasn't exactly the news she was hoping for, Altus appreciated the response. "Knowing someone at the company is reading these tweets and responding to them is good to know," Altus says.

If you do decide to take your complaint to social media, here are strategies that will boost the likelihood of a timely resolution.

[See: 11 Easy Ways to Slash Travel Costs.]

Mention the brand's official handle or page. The most social media savvy brands will get notifications when someone mentions their name even without tagging them on social platforms. But to ensure that the social media team sees your post right away, be sure to tag them by including the Twitter or Facebook handle.

If your complaint involves a health or safety concern, you could also tag a watchdog group like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in the same post. "Tagging an organization in a product complaint post makes it feel more authoritative and less like a rant," says Jonas Sickler, marketing director for ConsumerSafety.org, a website that includes product recalls and safety guides. Also, framing the incident as a concern or safety hazard rather than dissatisfaction will go further towards a suitable resolution, Sickler says.

Follow the brand's Twitter handle. If you tweet a complaint to a brand, they'll likely want more information via direct messages, which are private and don't have the same character limits as tweets. Make sure to follow the brand (or set up your account to accept messages from anyone) so that the brand can communicate with you via direct message and help get the issue sorted out quickly.

Stay calm. When contacting a company via social media, Elliott recommends being polite, persistent and patient. "Never threaten; always be nice and present your problem in the most neutral terms possible," he says. "Even if you have a problem right then and there, give them some time to figure out what's going on."

Remember that any public posts on social media can be seen by others (with Twitter changes, other users can see tweets even if you're mentioning the company at the beginning of your tweet), including potential employers, so don't post a rant. Another reason to keep your cool and keep it factual: Some companies now file libel suits against consumers who post hyperbolic negative remarks or reviews online.

Include specifics. If you can't sum up your issue in 140 characters, an email or letter might be better. That said, a few key details can give credence to your complaint and also help the company resolve the issue efficiently. "I always tell my friends, if you're going to complain, be as specific as possible," Wang says. If you're tweeting to an airline, for instance, include the airport codes for your itinerary, but don't share your record locator or confirmation number publicly.

[See: 10 Ways to Feel Better About Your Money.]

Escalate your complaint if needed. As Wang points out, the beauty of posting on social media is that you can write a quick post and go about your day instead of navigating a phone tree or sitting on hold. But if you don't get a response to your post and still need help, you may need to follow up by contacting the company via phone or email and providing additional details to process your complaint.

Susan Johnston Taylor contributes to the money section of USNews.com. Her articles on business and personal finance have also appeared in or on The Boston Globe, Learnvest.com, Entrepreneur.com and FastCompany.com. You can find her on Twitter @UrbanMuseWriter.
Ganga Maya breaks her fast

Ganga Maya Adhikari has broken her hunger strike after 32 days after rights defenders convinced her that she should be strong enough to give her statement to fight legal battle for justice.
Leaks of hacked emails have, in general, been bad news for Democrats and Hillary Clinton in particular over the past few months. However, a release last night of emails stolen by unidentified hackers from the personal account of former Secretary of State Colin Powell offer at least some upside for the Democratic presidential nominee.

The emails, published by the website DCLeaks.com, make clear that Powell holds Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in extremely low regard. In one email, he refers to Trump as a national disgrace and said that he had not spoken much about the GOP nominee publicly because To go on and call him an idiot just emboldens him.

Related: Kremlin Pushes Back as DNC Blames Latest Hack on Trump-Friendly Russia

Powell, who ran the State Department in the first term of the George W. Bush administration and is also a respected former US Army General and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, does not temper his disdain for Trump. Powells contempt for the real estate mogul goes back to Trumps support of the birther conspiracy that alleged Barack Obama is ineligible for the presidency because he was supposedly not born in the US.

In an exchange with his former aide, Emily Miller, he wrote, All his lies and nonsense just pile up. I just go back to the unforgivable one. Trying to destroy the President elected by the American people with his fictitious investigation into this source of birth. Absolutely disgraceful.

The emails show that even after Trumps eventual nomination, Powell was being besieged by people practically begging him to come out and publicly denounce Trump. Powells replies regularly show him resistant to going public with his disdain for the candidate. In one email he writes, I am a private citizen with only one obligation and that is to vote.

Last month, in an email exchange, defense expert Harlan K. Ullman asked Powell when he would step up and throw the knock-out blow?

Story continues

I try not to bother someone who is beating himself and the GOP up, he replied. And please, don't start bugging me like every newsie and getter in town. If and when I do it will be known.



Related: Worried About Trump, GOP Donors Back Paul Ryan and His Congressional Firewall

In the same exchange, when Ullman describes Trump as mentally unbalanced and quite possibly deranged, Powell replies that there is No question about it.

Other emails show former Republican foreign policy hands, like Powells former assistant secretary of state Richard Armitage forwarding his former boss a link to former Daily Show host Jon Stewarts lengthy takedown of Trump. In late July, in an email exchange with foreign policy analyst Fred Kaplan, Powell refers to Sen. John McCains support for Trump, in an effort to win reelection, as pitiful.

In another email, Powell characterizes retired Gen. Michael Flynn, who is advising Trump, as a jerk who got canned from his job running the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Related: The Biggest Threat to the Economy? It Could Be the Election

The leak also shows two former Republican secretaries of state agreeing that the long-running investigation of the 2012 attacks on the US compound in Benghazi Libya, in which US Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens was killed, has been a witch hunt. More surprisingly, they also appear to agree that much of the blame for Stevens death belongs to the deceased ambassador himself, for misreading the security situation in Libya.

Benghazi is a stupid witch hunt. Basic fault falls on a courageous ambassador who thought Libyans now love me and I am ok in this very vulnerable place, Powell wrote in an email to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in December 2015. He continued, But blame also rests on his leaders and supports back here. Pat Kennedy, Intel community, DS and yes [Clinton].

Completely agree, Rice responded.

Clinton does not come out of the Powell leak completely unscathed, though. She has repeatedly tried to deflect criticism of her decision to use a private email server for her correspondence as Secretary of State by reminding people that Powell also used a private email account for some of his correspondence.

Related: Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan Have Cost the US Nearly $5 Trillion

In several emails, Powell expresses his frustration with Clinton and her camp trying to connect her email problems to his use of a personal AOL account. I have told [Hillarys] minions repeatedly that they are making a mistake trying to drag me in, yet they still try, he wrote in one exchange. The media isnt fooled and she is getting crucified...The differences are profound and they know it.

In a later exchange with a reporter, he addressed Clintons claim that she started using a personal account at Powells suggestion. I told her how I was using my personal computer for [unclassified] emails. I said nothing about servers, basements, domains, Clinton foundation, government employees, he wrote.

As recently as last month, he wrote, Sad thing [is] that HRC could have killed this two years ago by merely telling everyone honestly what she had done and not tie me into it. I told her staff three times not to try that gambit. I had to throw a mini tantrum at a Hamptons party to get their attention. She keeps tripping into these character minefields.

In another email, he notes, Everything HRC touches she kind of screws up with hubris.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
By John Walcott WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell revealed distaste for both U.S. presidential candidates, but leveled his most pointed criticism at Republican Donald Trump in hacked emails leaked by a group American intelligence officials suspect is linked to Russia. In an email to Reuters on Wednesday, Powell confirmed the authenticity of the thousands of hacked messages but declined further comment. In one of the leaked emails, Powell, a Republican, called Trump "a national disgrace" and an "international pariah" who allied himself with racists questioning whether President Barack Obama was born in the United States. "When Trump couldn't keep that up," Powell wrote in the hacked message, "he said he also wanted to see if the (birth) certificate noted that he was a Muslim. As I have said before, 'What if he was?" Muslims are born as Americans everyday." As for Clinton, Powell said in another email that the Democratic former secretary of state was "greedy" and had "unbridled ambition." The new batch of leaked messages, some from as recent as late August, has renewed concern in Washington about hackers meddling on behalf of Russia in the Nov. 8 election and U.S. politics. The White House so far has refrained from publicly blaming the attacks on Russia. "The United States has not made a formal determination in public about who may or may not be responsible," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters during a daily briefing. The head of the Democratic National Committee said on Tuesday the organization had been hacked by Russian state-sponsored agents who were trying to influence the U.S. presidential election. Some committee documents were leaked in July. In one of the newly leaked messages, from Aug. 21, Powell, the first black U.S. secretary of state, derided Trump's attempt to attract African-American voters. Powell wrote to a friend: "There is nothing he can say that will sway black voters so he might as well say it to white folks. He is at 1% black voters and will drop. He takes us for idiots. He can never overcome what he tried to do to Obama with his search for the birth certificate hoping to force Obama out of the Presidency. Or, demanding his school transcripts to see how he got into Harvard---(eg, affirmative action)."In the same message, Powell called Trump's claim that "within four years he would have 95 percent of blacks voting for him a schizo fantasy." 'SCREWS UP WITH HUBRIS' In a July 24, 2014, email, however, Powell made clear his discomfort with Clinton, writing: "I would rather not have to vote for her, although she is a friend I respect. A 70-year person with a long track record, unbridled ambition, greedy, not transformational" Clinton launched her second bid for the presidency in 2015. In another email, Aug. 18, 2015, he wrote, using her initials, that: "Everything HRC touches she kind of screws up with hubris." In some of the thousands of messages posted on the website DCLeaks.com, which include several exchanges with Reuters reporters, the former top diplomat and retired four-star Army general also expressed his displeasure with the Clinton campaign's efforts to equate his use of an AOL email address with her installation of a private server in her home.After it was reported that Clinton had told FBI investigators that Powell had advised her to use a personal address, he lamented that what he called her "minions" were "making a mistake trying to drag me in." Former National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, who served with Powell in Republican George W. Bush's administration, agreed, writing to Powell that: "I don't think Hillary's 'everyone did it,' is flying."Powell was harsher in an Aug. 21 message to a friend and former aide, writing: "Well, their email ploy this week didn't work and she once again looks shifty if not a liar. Trump folks having fun with her." A Clinton campaign spokesperson declined to comment. Trump's campaign did not respond to a request for comment. The Association of State Democratic Chairs sent a message, obtained by Politico, to its members on Wednesday warning that hackers are targeting state party officials and have successfully breached and impersonated some of them. (Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen, Mark Hosenball and Ayesha Rascoe; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Will Dunham)
Sept 13 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

Headlines

Bayer, Monsanto near finish line in $66 bln takeover http://on.ft.com/2ckpich

Rona Fairhead to stand down as chair of the BBC http://on.ft.com/2cpdkuT

Wada accuses Russian group of hacking files of U.S. athletes http://on.ft.com/2ckqigL

Senior Linde executives to go after deal failure http://on.ft.com/2ckrv7V

Overview

Bayer AG and Monsanto Co are close to announcing a deal where Bayer will buy Monsanto for just under $130 per share, people informed about the negotiations said.

BBC Trust Chair Rona Fairhead is to step down after Theresa May ordered a re-run of the process to find a head for the UK broadcaster.

The World Anti-Doping Agency accused a Russian cyber espionage group of hacking confidential files of athletes who competed at the Rio Olympics.

The top two executives at German industrial gases group Linde AG are to leave after the failure of talks with U.S. rival Praxair Inc about a merger.

(Compiled by Abinaya Vijayaraghavan in Bengaluru)
Sept 14 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the New York Times business pages. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

- The billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio on Tuesday defended the "unusual" culture at his $150 billion firm, Bridgewater Associates. Speaking at a hedge fund conference in Manhattan, Dalio said Bridgewater's policy of "radical transparency" was not for everyone. http://nyti.ms/2cDjskG

- The 11-year-old accounting fraud case against former American International Group chief executive Maurice R Greenberg finally came to trial on Tuesday in a state courthouse in Lower Manhattan. http://nyti.ms/2crbAR6

- In one of the earliest moves to bring employee benefits to workers in the so-called gig economy, Care.com, an online marketplace that connects millions of families with babysitters, nannies and caregivers announced on Wednesday that it would provide up to $500 a year for workers to use for health care, transportation or education expenses. http://nyti.ms/2cHOczo

- Google may have to pay publishers for their content. Facebook might, too. WhatsApp could have to follow tougher telecom standards. A new set of rules, expected to be unveiled by European Union officials on Wednesday, is likely to put new pressure on American tech companies. http://nyti.ms/2cq4sVP

- Southern California Gas Company, which operated a natural gas storage system that leaked last year spewing thousands of tons of methane and other chemicals into the air and forcing the evacuation of more than 6,000 people, reached a $4 million settlement with state prosecutors, officials announced on Tuesday. http://nyti.ms/2cvlyz9

- A Delta Air Lines jet skidded off a snowy runway at La Guardia Airport and nearly plunged into Flushing Bay last year because its pilot used excessive force to slow the plane as it landed, federal transportation safety officials said on Tuesday. http://nyti.ms/2cHJ9is

- Vice Media said on Tuesday that it was delaying the start of its daily HBO half-hour newscast by two weeks. The program, "Vice News Tonight," will now begin on Oct. 10 instead of Sept. 26, as Vice had announced. http://nyti.ms/2c9vpim (Compiled by Parikshit Mishra in Bengaluru)
Can women in power truly command respect if they are wearing high heels? Not according to a group of trade union leaders in the U.K., who are calling upon British Prime Minister Theresa May to ditch her signature kitten heels for flats so she can set an example by wearing sensible shoes.

The call for flats came out of a conference of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which represents union workers to the government, being held in Brighton, England. The conference is backing a new law that would ban policies that force women to wear heels in the workplace  a reaction to a much publicized incident in May, in which 27-year-old London receptionist Nicola Thorp was sent home for not wearing high heels at the office.

The TUC leaders are calling for Mays support on the effort, and for her to take a symbolic step  down and out of her much-talked-about kitten heels.

Our new Prime Minister may be well known for her leopard-print kitten heels, her leather boots, and her Jimmy Choos, but if she really wants to advance the cause for women in the workplace there are two things she can do, union leader Penny Robinson said, after removing her own high heels. The first is to make a point of wearing pumps, flats, and comfortable shoes for Cabinet, for PMQs [Prime Ministers Questions], and for meeting all those EU leaders. Let the media see that you can be the most powerful woman in the country  without needing to wear designer shoes to meet mens expectations.

Robinson added, For once, set an example we can actually be proud of.

But so far the request has fallen, well, flat  at least on Twitter:

Really?! How about NOT telling women (or men) what they can and cant wear? Concentrate on the politics. Ffs. https://t.co/z0VQKbjALK  Paula Taylor (@Paulaaarrrr) September 14, 2016

Ah, yes lets show were against telling women what shoes to wear by telling a woman what shoes to wear. Great idea!https://t.co/AqJk38zQca  Laura Kaitlin Dunn (@laurakait10) September 14, 2016

This is the most pointless anti-feminist pearl-clutching debate there is. Just let women wear what they want. https://t.co/eDnGlw0tOu  Fern Riddell (@FernRiddell) September 14, 2016

@FernRiddell so lets stop the forcing of wearing heels, by forcing women to wear flats? Hypocrisy much? How about giving women the choice?  Sarah Barmby (@leni_886) September 14, 2016

Fern Riddell, historian and author of The Victorian Guide to Sex, inspired a lively dialogue as she continued posting about the controversy, adding, Having a PM in leopard-print heels is great, and it doesnt have any impact on her ability to be or be seen as a powerful woman, and If Penny Robinson, GMB delegate, wants to further the cause of women, perhaps NOT attacking women for what they wear is a place to start.

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This is far from the first time theres been such scrutiny of the footwear  not to mention clothing, hair, and anything else having to do with style or beauty  of a woman in a position of leadership. To wit: Hillary Clintons pantsuits, Madeleine Albrights jewelry, Angela Merkels brightly colored jackets, and Christine Lagardes tailored suits.

And while Clinton, for the most part, has opted for sensible flats (particularly on the grueling campaign trail), many of the leaders, as well as their supporters, have noted that it should be the individuals choice, and no one elses.

At Tina Browns Women in the World summit, for example, May said during a stage interview: Im a woman; I like clothes. One of the challenges for women in politics, in business, in all areas of working life, is to be ourselves, and to say you can be clever and like clothes.

A recent Atlantic story concurred. Women leaders in business as well as in politics experiment with sleek dresses and chic stilettos, and their choices are rarely treated, in the media, as compromises to their power, the writer noted. Clintons pantsuits, for all they have accomplished for her candidacy, have called to mind [Margaret] Thatchers own sartorial motto: Never flashy, just appropriate. It will be a good day, though, when being flashy and being appropriate will not be assumed  in fashion as in anything else a woman might do  to contradict each other.

Something tells us that May, despite pressure from TUC, will continue to champion that belief.



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By Chine Labbe PARIS (Reuters) - France's financial prosecutor on Wednesday sought a three-year jail term for former budget minister Jerome Cahuzac, who was forced to quit government three years ago over the discovery that he owned a secret bank account abroad. Cahuzac, 64, a plastic surgeon by profession who was appointed budget minister when Socialist President Francois Hollande took power in 2012, stands accused of tax fraud and money laundering. "You have tarnished this country's honor," Prosecutor Eliane Houlette said. "What has not been repaired, and will never be, is the harm done to our country, which became a laughing stock." She also asked for a five-year ban from seeking elected office. Cahuzac's downfall cast a pall over Hollande's government in its first year, all the more so because he had stood up in parliament in December 2012 to declare: "I do not have and never had a foreign bank account, neither now nor before." The ex-minister, who had presented government proposals to clamp down on tax evasion in December 2013, quit three months later and admitted that he had indeed placed 600,000 euros ($667,000) abroad. Judicial investigators later unearthed an account opened at Swiss bank UBS in the early 1990s that was later transferred to Singapore under the codename "Birdie". Cahuzac, who wept in the dock on Tuesday as he hinted he had considered taking his own life rather than admit to lying, said that after the revelations surfaced in the press, Hollande had not asked him in a one-to-one meeting whether he held a foreign account. "This question, 'Do you or do you not have a bank account?', I was not asked that during that meeting, so if I lied, it was by omission," he said. "Unlike what was said, I never lied to the president's face." The prosecutor also sought a 1.875 million euro ($2.10 million) fine from the Reyl bank of Geneva, which in 2009 allegedly helped Cahuzac transfer funds to Singapore to avoid detection by French tax authorities, and an 18-month suspended jail term for its director, Francois Reyl. The bank denies any wrongdoing. Francois Reyl told the court he had only played a technical role in the confidential request from the former minister, which appeared to have no tax evasion motive to him at the time. (This story corrects Cahuzac's age) (Reporting by Chine Labbe; writing by Michel Rose; editing by Richard Lough and Mark Trevelyan)
Miami (AFP) - Men with localized prostate cancer were unlikely to die in the 10 years after diagnosis regardless of whether they chose surgery, radiation or no intervention at all, researchers said Wednesday.

The findings in the New England Journal of Medicine included more than 1,600 men aged 50-69 who agreed to be randomly assigned to either surgery to remove the tumor, radiation to shrink it or active monitoring -- a wait and see approach.

About one percent of men in the study died within 10 years of prostate cancer, "irrespective of the treatment assigned, a rate that was considerably lower than was anticipated when the trial commenced," said the study, led by Freddie Hamdy of Oxford University.

Of the 1,643 men in the study, 17 died of prostate cancer in the next decade after diagnosis -- eight in the active monitoring group, five in the surgery group and four in the radiotherapy group.

Those in the active-monitoring group were more likely to see the cancer spread elsewhere in the body, a process known as metastasis.

However, this disease progression did not make for significant differences in the likelihood of dying from cancer or any other cause in the 10 years after diagnosis, the study said.

A separate article in the same journal examined quality of life issues among the men who chose different options.

Surgery to remove the prostate had the greatest negative effect on sexual function and urinary incontinence, it found.

Men in the radiation group tended to experience more bowel problems after treatment than the other groups.

"Sexual function appears to be better in the radiation therapy group," said Louis Potters, chairman of the department of radiation medicine at Northwell Health in New York, who was not involved in the study.

Potters praised the research as "the first real effort to assess treatment approaches for prostate cancer."

"Despite the high prevalence of prostate cancer as the number one cancer in men, there has not recently been a study that has directly addressed observation, surgery or radiation therapy," he added.

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"As a result, men have had to make treatment decisions based on non-comparative data."

For John Burn, professor of clinical genetics at Newcastle University, the study provides "valuable information for men faced with difficult choices."

"The bottom line seems to be that for these men with localized prostate cancer, active monitoring is not significantly more dangerous and avoids the potential burden of medically induced sexual or bowel impairment," added Burn, who was not involved in the study.

"Many will conclude that doing nothing is preferable to surgery or radiotherapy. Obviously if there is evidence of spread the situation is different."
Protesting the Dakota Access pipeline Police use a water cannon on protesters during a protest against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, N.D., on Nov. 20, 2016. (Stephanie Keith/Reuters)

Hundreds of protesters opposed to a North Dakota oil pipeline project they say threatens water resources and sacred tribal lands clashed with police who fired tear gas at the scene of a similar confrontation last month, officials said.

An estimated 400 protesters mounted the Backwater Bridge and attempted to force their way past police in what the Morton County Sheriffs Department initially described as an ongoing riot, the latest in a series of demonstrations against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

A statement from the agency said one arrest had been made by 8:30 p.m. local time (0230 GMT Monday), about 2 1/2 hours after the incident began 45 miles (30 miles) south of Bismark, the North Dakota capital. About 100 to 200 protesters remained after midnight.

The Backwater Bridge has been closed since late October, when activists clashed with police in riot gear and set two trucks on fire, prompting authorities to forcibly shut down a protesters encampment nearby.

The $3.7 billion Dakota Access project has been drawing steady opposition from Native American and environmental activists since the summer.

Completion of the pipeline, set to run 1,172 miles (1,185 km) from North Dakota to Illinois, was delayed in September so federal authorities could re-examine permits required by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Plans called for the pipeline to pass under Lake Oahe, a federally owned water source, and to skirt the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation by about half a mile. Most of the construction has otherwise been finished.

The Standing Rock tribe and environmental activists say the project would threaten water supplies and sacred Native American sites and ultimately contribute to climate change.

Supporters of the pipeline, owned by Energy Transfer Partners, said the project offers the fast and most direct route for bringing Bakken shale oil from North Dakota to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries and would be safer than transporting the oil by road or rail. (Reuters)

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Gas bottlers unwilling to import LPG from Odisha

Paradeep, a petroleum refinery located in the Indian state of Odisha, has been cleared to export liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Nepali bottlers, but they are reluctant to procure its products because of the high transport costs.
From Cosmopolitan

Collette Moreno was on the way to her own bachelorette party, and she was choking. The truck in front of her and her best friend, Ashley Theobald, was spewing fumes that were aggravating Moreno's asthma, but Missouri Highway 5 had a double yellow line; they couldn't pass. Her friend tearing up, Theobald craned her head to the left. The coast looked clear. She tilted the wheel, guiding the Chevy Malibu across the lines, speeding up to make the pass quick. But as the Malibu sped forward, a Dodge Ram came cruising up a slight hill that neither of them had seen. Theobald swerved, but the Dodge swerved with them. The cars collided head-on.

On June 20, 2014, 26-year-old Collette Moreno died five weeks before her wedding, leaving her 5-year-old son motherless. But that, according to the internet, wasn't the worst thing that happened that day: eight minutes before the fumes and the double yellow lines, Moreno took a selfie - grinning from the passenger seat, with Theobald in the background driving in shiny heart-shaped sunglasses.

"Dying in a car crash...but first, LEMME TAKE A SELFIE!," an anonymous commenter wrote on a Daily Mail article about Moreno's death. "thats natural selection - idiots die," wrote another on a YouTube compilation video about selfie deaths featuring Collette, and, "With great selfies must also come great stupidity," commented a third.

"We were just beginning to learn about everything ourselves," Moreno's sister Samantha says over the phone. "It was just completely overwhelming and heartbreaking that people that didn't even know the situation were saying things."

Within a year of Moreno's death, the internet's selfie-death obsession peaked. While the Oxford Dictionary and Twitter named 2013 and 2014 respectively as the "year of the selfie," The Guardian called 2015 the year of the "dangerous selfie." The world had started seeing selfies not as a novelty, but rather caught squarely in the crosshairs of the cruel repercussions of a narcissistic culture. The names of people that accumulated on the Wikipedia page for "List of selfie-related injuries and deaths" became punching bags. To critics, the deaths validate what they want to believe about millennials: that they are self-absorbed, and self-absorption is an odious quality with odious consequences. Never mind that hardly any of these peoples' deaths were confirmed to be caused by a selfie.

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Moreno's photo, for example, had absolutely nothing to do with her death. But that didn't matter to the internet.

Collette Moreno was born on June 9, 1988, in San Diego, California, the eldest sibling to sister Erica and half-sisters Samantha and Breeanna. Like most modern 26-year-olds, she was hooked on social media - her Twitter bio still reads, "I'm addicted to social networking. #whyy?" She lived in Missouri, but with a lot of her family in San Diego she stayed in touch by sending them silly videos and photos online.

But Moreno had to grow up fast. "She met a boy in high school, it was her ninth grade," says Moreno's mother, Kelly Arie. "She graduated, and then the next thing I knew I was going to be a grandma." Moreno's son, Brayden, was born on September 27, 2008. Her love for him shows in her Facebook posts. In September 2009, Moreno lamented about how she wished she could make things better for Brayden, writing, "If i was in a dream world i wouldnt i wouldnt have to worry about how i am going to care take of my son and give him the best life possible." Another post reads, "I wish i didnt have to be at work today. I would love to lay around and cuddle brayden all day long!"

Moreno's relationship with Brayden's father fell apart, and while she was happy as a single mom, she hoped one day to fall in love again. A few years later, she met Jesse Arcobasso at a party, and they started dating. He was 25, she was 23, and the young couple was goofy and carefree. They dressed up as Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas one year for Halloween, and sent each other Snapchats of the weirdest faces they could make. Arcobasso tweeted in 2012: "u kno u r in a committed relationship when u get a call from ur girl at 946pm asking u to buy her tampons.#neveragain @ColletteMarie88." (Arcobasso did not respond to requests for an interview.)

After three years together, Arcobasso and Moreno stopped by a mall caricature artist, who drew a cartoonish Arcobasso holding a diamond ring and asking, "Will you marry me?" They set the date - July 26, 2014 - and decided to marry in Jamaica. Over the course of the next year, Moreno's Facebook feed slowly filled up with engagement photos, silly and sweet, and shots of the family-to-be: Brayden jumps on the couple's backs in their living room. Arcobasso gives Brayden a boost to put the star on top of the Christmas tree. Moreno leaps into Arcobasso's arms in an open field.

Moreno never made it down the aisle.

After the crash, Theobald, a pretty brunette who looks like she could be Moreno's sister, told Fox News that Moreno didn't appear terribly injured. "I was talking to her. She couldn't talk back but she was nodding at me," Theobald says through tears in the news report. "I didn't know it was as bad as it was because she wasn't physically super beaten-up."

An ambulance took Moreno to the hospital, where she would die a few hours later from injuries sustained in the crash. According to Moreno's family, Theobald is no longer in touch with them, and she did not return interview requests for this article.

Moreno's family isn't sure how the selfie got out. It first appeared on the website of a local Kansas City news outlet, KCTV. DeAnn Smith, the writer of the first article to include the selfie, did not respond to a request to confirm how the selfie was obtained, and a representative for KCTV said, "That information is not available." But it became the photo every news site used to cover Moreno's death.

Most of the news coverage about Moreno stated at least in the body of the article that she had snapped the photo a full eight minutes before the crash, but many readers missed this from the headlines like, "Collette Moreno Killed En Route To Her Bachelorette Party Moments After Taking Selfie," and "Bride-to-be, 26, killed in head-on car crash as she and best friend drove to her bachelorette party moments after pair snapped this selfie." Unfortunately, 55 percent of readers spend fewer than 15 seconds actually reading an article, according to founding CEO of Chartbeat Tony Haile. "One thing many people seem to have forgotten as a simple rule is to not distract the driver while driving. Maybe had she not looked over for just a few moments to take that selfie, she could have seen the truck coming," one commenter wrote on a Huffington Post article about the subject. The author of the Huffington Post article said in an email that he didn't think his headline mentioning the selfie was misleading, adding that "I can say I would never want any victim to be criticized."

Moreno isn't the only one who has been wrongly lumped into the selfie-death craze. In September 2015, the family of Kristi Kafcaloudis, a student who fell to her death from a cliff in Norway, came forward to clear their daughter's name after a similar internet mob.

"It was an accident. She was nowhere near the end of the rock, and not taking a selfie," her mother Milli Kafcaloudis said in a statement received by ABC. Kristi had taken the selfie earlier on the hike, according to Milli, and later was trying to walk around other tourists to get a better view at a popular scenic hiking area when the rocks gave, causing her to lose her balance. But initial reports said that Kafcaloudis "lost her balance while taking a photo at the cliff's edge" and "was taking a so-called 'selfie' when she lost her balance and plunged to her death."

Data journalism site Priceonomics estimated in January that, of the 49 people who have reportedly died while taking a selfie since 2014, "not a single death was caused by the selfie itself."

The Guardian issued a correction about Kristi's cause of death a month after the article ran, and some other sites followed suit, but the damage was already done. "Sometime in the future I may reflect on it with a broader perspective," Milli Kafcaloudis says in an email, "but for the moment I am just dealing with day to day life and trying to find my own balance with family and friends."

Kelly Arie's partner Rosa says seeing Moreno on those "Viral Selfie Deaths" lists, like "Moments After Their Selfies Were Taken These People Were Dead," "Here Are 7 Selfies That Were Taken Moments Before Death," and "8 Selfies Taken Moments Before Death," was even worse than the inaccuracy - it trivialized Moreno's death into a viral joke. "Every media site that I would find would post those stupid ten-top-selfies-before-death [lists], I would email them to take it down. I kind of went on a rampage with all of those," Rosa says.

The comments on the lists were more vicious than on the news reports. "I tried to stay away from it," Samantha says. "'She's obsessed with herself,' or 'she's conceited.' 'She just likes to take pictures all of the time,' and it's not like that. Women take pictures of themselves for many different reasons."

The only way to know why people spam the comment sections of articles about selfie deaths is to ask the haters themselves. "Short answer, narcissistic [sic] idiots lacking in common sense causing themselves harm or removing themselves from the gene pool is natural selection in action," says Pete*, a Redditor who has criticized several selfie-related deaths on the site.

The death-by-selfie hysteria produces responses that are almost uniform to Pete's, with little regard for whether the selfie caused the death or not. A Polish couple reportedly plummets to their deaths while attempting to take a photo and a comment reads, "It was probably wrong of me to have laughed when I read this headline but I just couldn't help myself" (the headline was "Polish couple fall off cliff and die while taking selfies"); a young father accidentally shoots himself allegedly mid-photo and someone tweets, "Laugh or Cry? Either Way, a Candidate for a #DarwinAward"; a Japanese tourist falls off the Taj-Mahal supposedly while snapping a photo of himself and a commenter writes, "Should call them self-obsessdies. With emphasis on the 'dies' bit at the end."

Because selfies are a relatively new trend, research on the topic is slim. In a study of 800 men, researchers in Ohio found a link between these types of photos and narcissism, even psychopathy. A Polish study of 748 adults and a second with 548 adults showed that in women, selfie-posting correlated with a desire for admiration, while in men, selfie-posting correlated with vanity, an inflated sense of leadership abilities, and a desire for admiration.

Albright College Associate Professor of Psychology Gwendolyn Seidman, Ph.D., warns that these findings should be taken with a big grain of salt. "Part of the issue with the research on selfies," Seidman says over the phone, "is that among certain social groups, posting selfies might just be so common that it doesn't really tell you anything about the person, because everybody does it. It's more likely that it's some cultural trend and not all young people are suddenly insane."

There isn't enough research to determine why alleged selfie deaths receive so much more online vitriol than other events, but Phil Reed, a psychology professor at Swansea University in the UK, hypothesizes that the perceived narcissism in selfie culture might be triggering to none other than the self-absorbed themselves.

Reed says that a lot of trolling and cyber bullying comes from a combination of anonymity and what he calls "the dark triad of personality characteristics" - sadism, narcissism, and psychopathy - in the commenters. "The negative comments about selfie deaths come probably from narcissists," he says, "who see somebody else getting attention."

Arie refused to let the internet commenters who'd made her pain so much worse bully her into signing off. "I post pictures of my daughter every single day. That's my way of dealing with it," she tells me over the phone. She tries not to think about the selfie and the comments and instead focuses on drowning them out with new content about her daughter. Every few days for two years, Arie has posted about mundane things like shoveling snow (reflecting on how much Moreno hated it) and singing Adele in the car with Moreno's niece and the feelings of dysphoria and despondency that come with losing a loved one on the "In Loving Memory of Collette Marie Moreno" Facebook page. In one post, Arie writes:

But it's hard work to control your - or your daughter's - narrative on the internet. Some online companies offer to help, for a high price. One company, Reputation.com, offers a service called ReputationDefender that buries your negative search results for a fees from $3000 a year to over $25,000 a year depending on the workload. Another, BrandYourself, offers a package that includes personal branding and suppressing negative search results for $599.99 per month.

Operating the tribute page is the family's way of reclaiming the daughter and sister they knew. In July, along with a photo of Moreno's sister Erica wearing a T-shirt with Moreno's smile beaming from the front, Erica writes:

Brayden, who turns 8 this month and is living with his father's sister, doesn't know the vitriol he might find if he were to Google his mother's name. His grandmother says she's wary about letting him online for this reason. But when he's old enough to use the internet alone, Moreno's family wants to make sure Brayden doesn't see the nasty comments and instead sees the good they saw in their daughter and sister: a well-loved, caring, complex, three-dimensional woman.

After a two-year-long battle of love versus hate, the "In Loving Memory of Collette Marie Moreno" Facebook page is finally inching its way up on the first page of Collette Moreno's Google results. Samantha hopes the symbolism isn't lost on people who post nasty comments online - eventually, positivity will win out. "Treat others how you want to be treated," she says. "That's how everybody should be treated, not just my sister in particular, but everybody."

*name has been changed.

Follow Brittany on Twitter.

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By Matt Spetalnick and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and Israel have agreed on a record $38 billion package of U.S. military aid and will sign the new pact on Wednesday, enshrining defense funding for Washingtons closest Middle East ally for the next decade, officials said. The deal will represent the biggest pledge of U.S. military assistance made to any country but also involves major concessions granted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to officials on both sides and U.S. congressional aides. Those include Israels agreement not to seek additional funds from Congress beyond what will be guaranteed annually in the new package, and to phase out a special arrangement that has allowed Israel to spend part of its U.S. aid on its own defense industry instead of on American-made weapons, the officials said. Israels chief negotiator, Jacob Nagel, acting head of Netanyahus national security council, arrived in Washington in preparation for the signing ceremony, and the White House also began briefing members of Congress on the deal. Nearly 10 months of drawn-out aid negotiations have underscored continuing friction between President Barack Obama and Netanyahu over last year's U.S.-led nuclear deal with Israel's arch-foe Iran, an accord the Israeli leader opposed. The United States and Israel have also been at odds over the Palestinians. But the right-wing Israeli premier decided it would be best to forge a new arrangement with Obama, who leaves office in January, rather than hoping for better terms from the next U.S. administration, according to officials on both sides. A deal now allows him to avoid uncertainties surrounding the next president, whether Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump, and to give Israels defense establishment the ability to plan ahead. Obama's aides want a new deal before his presidency ends, seeing it as an important part of his legacy. Republican critics accuse him of not being attentive enough to Israel's security, which the White House strongly denies, and of taking too hard of a line with the Israeli leader. Israel has long been a major recipient of U.S. aid, mostly in the form of military assistance against a backdrop of an ebbing and flowing conflict with the Palestinians and Israel's neighbors, as well as threats from Iran. The 10-year aid packages underpin Washingtons congressionally mandated requirement to help maintain Israels qualitative military edge in the region. Despite increased funding under the new package, Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a key pro-Israel lawmaker, said that while the agreement was "deserving of respect," it was too restrictive and not generous enough to meet Israel's needs. Efforts to finalize the deal had been held up over his objections, sources familiar with the matter said. MISSILE DEFENSE The deal, known as a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, calls for $3.8 billion a year in aid, up from $3.1 billion annually under the current pact, which expires in 2018, officials say. Netanyahu had originally sought upwards of $4.5 billion a year. The new package for the first time will incorporate money for Israeli missile defense  setting the amount at $500 million a year - which until now has been funded ad hoc by Congress. U.S. lawmakers have in recent years given Israel up to $600 million in annual discretionary funds for this purpose. Officials say Israel has agreed not to lobby Congress for additional missile defense funds during the life of the new MOU, a pledge expected to be made in a side letter or annex to the agreement. But the wording is likely to be flexible enough to allow exceptions in case of a war or other major crisis. The State Department and Netanyahus office coordinated the release of brief Statements declaring the deal was complete and would be signed at a ceremony in Washington on Wednesday. Neither side offered details. The pact will not be signed by Obama and Netanyahu, who have had a fraught relationship, but by two senior aides, in keeping with the way the two governments have formally sealed previous deals of this type. Nagel and U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon will sign the document. Netanyahu gave ground on several major points. He conceded to a U.S. demand for a gradual phasing-out, starting in 2020, of the 26.3 percent share of the aid money that Israel can spend on its own military industries rather than on American products. The provision originated in the 1980s to help Israel build up its defense industry, which is now a major global player. The issue was a major sticking point in negotiations. Netanyahu also agreed to end Israels use of 13 percent of the U.S. money on military fuel purchases, officials said. Obama and Netanyahu will both be in New York next week for the opening of the U.N. General Assembly, and officials have not ruled out the possibility of a meeting on the sidelines. U.S. congressional approval is needed each year for disbursement of the aid to Israel as part of the annual budget process. While Graham insisted the MOU would not be "binding on future Congresses," reaction was mostly positive on Capitol Hill, where support for Israel's security is strong. (Additional reporting by Luke Baker in Jerusalem; Editing by Alison Williams and James Dalgleish)
Regions Bank, a subsidiary of Regions Financial Corporation RF, announced that it has agreed to pay $52.4 million to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve the allegations of violating the False Claims Act. The company was accused of falsely certifying that mortgage loans, insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), were underwritten according to and complied with the requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

As part of the settlement, Regions Bank acknowledged that between Jan 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2011, it certified certain mortgages for FHA insurance that did not meet the HUDs underwriting requirements. However, the bank did not admit liability, in order to avoid potential future litigation.

Allegations

Since Jan 2006, Regions Bank has been a direct endorsement lender (DEL) in the FHAs insurance program. Under the program, if a DEL approves a mortgage loan for FHA insurance and the loan later defaults, the holder of the loan may submit an insurance claim to the HUD for any losses resulting from the default.

However, for a mortgage loan to qualify for FHA insurance, it must be underwritten according to certain guidelines issued by HUD. The FHA does not review the loan for compliance, but instead relies on the DEL to certify compliance.

In this case, the HUD insured hundreds of loans approved by the bank and had to suffer substantial losses when it paid insurance claims due to the banks faulty underwriting process. Furthermore, Regions Bank failed to follow the rules to make sure that the borrowers met the required standards, as part of its quality control process.

In addition, the bank allegedly did not take appropriate steps to deal with the loans which were found to be deficient, either in the underwriting process or when they became due. Further, the bank did not follow the appropriate self-reporting requirements in finding fraud, serious violations or other deficiencies with its loans.

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Financial Impact

At the end of the second quarter of 2016, Regions Bank established and disclosed reserves for the entire settlement amount. Therefore, this agreement will not have a material impact on the banks financial condition or results of operations. Further, the banks insurers have agreed to reimburse approximately $47 million of the settlement amount. The insurance recovery will be recognized in the third quarter of 2016.

Conclusion

FHA insurance and various other federally funded programs exist to make home ownership more affordable and available to lower income borrowers, and borrowers suffering from financial hardship. These programs incentivize lenders to giveloans to potentially riskier borrowers because the federal government essentially guarantees the loan and will reimburse the owner for losses associated with default. HUD and FHA have issued regulations and guidance that lenders are required to follow to protect the government. Unfortunately, in Feb 2016, Wells Fargo & Company WFC agreed to pay $1.2 billion to the DOJ, in a settlement over similar claims.

However, in the current regulatory scenario, banks should now start being more cautious about its activities and abide by the regulations as far as possible. Further, as Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department's Civil Division, said, Mortgage lenders that participate in the FHA insurance program must follow the requirements intended to safeguard its integrity and to protect homeowners. We will continue to hold responsible lenders that knowingly violate these important requirements.

Currently, Regions Financialcarries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Stocks that Warrant a Look

A couple of better-ranked Southeast bank stocks include Hancock Holding Company HBHC and Southern National Bancorp of Virginia Inc. SONA, both sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

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Harry Reid

After days of feverish coverage of Hillary Clinton's health on the campaign trail, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid says he wants the media to turn its gaze toward Donald Trump's physique, CNN reports.

Reid chastised the media's reaction to Clinton's recent health challenges Tuesday  coverage that boiled over last weekend when it was revealed she is recovering from pneumonia.

Reid complained that not enough attention is being paid to Trump's own medical status.

"He's 70 years old. He's not slim and trim," Reid said. "He brags about eating fast food every day. Look at his health a little bit."

Last month a New York Times story chronicled the 70 year old's penchant for fast food. The billionaire has also posted pictures of himself on social media enjoying KFC and McDonald's on his private plane.

Reid also pointed out Trump's refusal to show his personal tax returns despite Clinton having shared her own.

"I can't imagine you folks not being a little inquisitive about what he's done to cheat people in Atlantic City and everywhere," Reid said.

Speculation about Clinton's health grew louder after she was seen stumbling while leaving a 9/11 memorial event in New York City on Sunday. The former secretary of state has since announced that she's "feeling much better."

hillary clinton

The Clinton campaign's initial failure to disclose her pneumonia diagnosis was scrutinized by the press shortly after her illness was revealed. A staffer acknowledged they "could have done better."

The ordeal followed weeks of speculation from conservative news outlets that alleged Clinton was battling serious health problems. The Clinton campaign has refuted the claims and dismissed them as "paranoid fever dreams."

A campaign spokesman said more detailed medical information about Clinton would be released this week.

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Trump's own physical fitness is not entirely clear because the only medical information he has released was a hastily written letter from his doctor that simply declared Trump would be "the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency."

NOW WATCH: 'My friend died': Watch this emotional exchange between Joe Biden and a protester





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* Reliance Comm, Maxis to own half each of merged entity

* Companies say deal to reduce debt

* High competition fuelling consolidation in India telecoms (Adds details of deal, sector consolidation)

By Sankalp Phartiyal and Devidutta Tripathy

MUMBAI, Sept 14 (Reuters) - India's Reliance Communications Ltd will combine its wireless business with smaller rival Aircel to create the nation's third-biggest cellular carrier by subscribers, the companies said on Wednesday, as intensifying competition fuels consolidation in the world's second-biggest telecoms market.

Reliance Communications, controlled by billionaire Anil Ambani, will own half of the merged the entity, while Aircel's parent, Malaysia's Maxis Communications Bhd, will own the other half, the two sides said in a joint statement.

The deal will help reduce Reliance Communication's debt by 200 billion rupees ($3 billion), or more than 40 percent of its total debt, while Aircel's debt will fall by about 40 billion rupees, the companies said.

As of end-March, Reliance Communications had a net debt of 413.62 billion rupees, according to latest company data. Closely-held Aircel had 185 billion rupees of debt as of 2013, according to rating agency ICRA.

"We expect this combination to create substantial long term value for shareholders of both, RCOM and MCB, given the benefits of the wide-ranging spectrum portfolio and significant revenue and cost synergies," Reliance Communication's chairman Ambani said in a statement.

The companies had entered into exclusive talks in December last year.

India's telecoms market is the world's second-biggest behind China, with more than 1 billion mobile phone subscriptions, but tough competition means low margins for the 10 carriers.

Reliance Jio, a new telecoms venture backed by India's richest man Mukesh Ambani, Anil's elder brother, is expected to shake up the market and trigger a price war with its cut-rate offerings.

In the first sign of sector consolidation, Reliance Communications in November agreed to buy Russian conglomerate Sistema's Indian mobile phone business in an all-stock deal. ($1 = 66.9094 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Sankalp Phartiyal and Devidutta Tripathy, editing by Louise Heavens)
Netflix has apparently had its fill with the Rayburns and all their family drama: The streamer has decided that Bloodlines upcoming third season will be its last.

In a statement to TVLine, Cindy Holland, Netflix vice president of original content, said, Bloodline season three will be the shows final season. Todd A. Kessler, Daniel Zelman and Glenn Kessler (KZK) are thoughtful and visionary storytellers, who lead a prestigious cast, that includes Kyle Chandler and Ben Mendelsohn, who have both garnered two Emmy nominations for their roles on the series. Together, with our collaborative partners at Sony Pictures Television, they created a seductive show that Netflix viewers worldwide love and continue to discover. We are looking forward to the exciting climax KZK have in store for the series conclusion in May 2017.

RELATED Cable/Streaming Renewal Scorecard 2016: Whats Coming Back? Whats Cancelled? Whats On the Bubble?

According to THR, which first broke the story, Netflix recently notified Sony that not only would there not be a Season 4, but that Season 3  which was ordered back in July  would consist of just 10 episodes (down from 13).

Back in May, prior to the launch of the dramas second season, Chandler joked to TVLine that the Rayburns had enough secrets to keep the series going until Im 92.

Series creators Todd A. Kessler, Daniel Zelman and Glenn Kessler previously said they envisioned the series having a five- or six-season run. Were doing a TV series, so even in our own mind, were asking ourselves, Does this series have seasons in it?' Zelman told THR. When we pitched it and we thought about it, we were thinking five to six seasons down the line because we wanted to make sure it could hold that much material. So we certainly have ideas for where everything could go and hopefully where everything will go.

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Pretty Little Liars' Brant Daugherty to Recur on Netflix's Dear White People
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has launched an inquiry into The Trump Foundation after reports surfaced about troubling transactions made by the charity organization.

Read: Melania Trump Confirms She '100%' Went Through Correct Legal Process to Become U.S. Citizen

A scathing report on the charity in The Washington Post found some troubling transactions, including the claim that Donald Trump once used $20,000 of the organizations funds to buy a six-foot portrait of himself.

The Trump campaign is hitting back, calling Schneiderman, who is a Democrat, "a partisan hack and the investigation, "nothing more than another left wing hit job."

At the same time, Trump's candidacy was blasted by Colin Powell in leaked emails.

After the former secretary of state was hacked, one of the revealed emails shows him calling Trump a national disgrace with no sense of shame, and an international pariah.

Powell goes on to slam Trump for questioning President Obamas birth certificate saying, "the whole birther movement was 'racist.'"

Read: Who Is Hillary's Mystery Woman? Internet in a Frenzy Over Woman Pictured by Clinton's Side

Hes also raising doubts about Hillary Clintons health, saying, she doesn't look good.

He added: She is working herself to death."

Watch: Did Hillary Clinton Use a Body Double After Falling Ill at 9/11 Memorial Appearance?

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By Susan Heavey and Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Another Republican senator has moved closer to re-election while keeping some distance from Donald Trump, and experts say this suggests the party's presidential candidate may be having little down-ballot impact, at least at the primary stage. Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire still faces a tough general election challenge on Nov. 8, but on Tuesday she crushed a pro-Trump, Republican challenger in a primary contest. Ayotte garnered close to 80 percent of the vote. She has refused to endorse Trump, though like a number of Republicans, she has said she will vote for him. Some Republicans, such as Ohio Senator Rob Portman, have endorsed Trump, but excluded him from their campaigns. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska won her primary in August although she had said she did not know whether she would vote for Trump. Trump, a New York businessman who has never held elected office, at first attacked Ayotte. Then early last month he changed course and endorsed her, along with fellow Republicans House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator John McCain. With Ayotte's victory, all incumbent Republican senators running for re-election have won their primaries this year. This is not uncommon, but it is unusual for so many senators to hold their party's presidential nominee at arm's length. U.S. senators serve six-year-terms. One-third of the 100-member Senate faces voters every two years. The outcome so far shows some voters are distinguishing this year between Trump and the rest of the ballot, said Nathan Gonzales, editor of The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report, a nonpartisan newsletter. "His impact has been less dramatic than what was initially expected, but there is still time for things to get worse for the Republican Party," Gonzales said in a telephone interview. At a time when Republicans in presidential primaries basically rejected everybody from the status quo, they are not doing that in Senate or House primaries, Norman Ornstein, a political scientist at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, said by phone. Republicans are still worried that voters who do not like Trump will not turn out to vote for other Republicans in the general election on Nov. 8, Gonzales said. "Is there a Trump drag (on down-ballot candidates)? There doesn't appear to be much of one," said Jennifer Duffy, senior editor at the non-partisan Cook Political Report. Ohio's Portman, who has not appeared with Trump on the campaign trail, easily beat his primary opponent and has opened up a lead over his Democratic challenger in the general election. McCain and Ryan have had very public differences of opinion with Trump, but they also prevailed in their primary races. In New Hampshire, Ayotte beat her main primary challenger Jim Rubens by 78.9 percent to 17.4 percent, with 99 percent of precincts reporting, according to media reports citing the Associated Press. Ayotte still must take on Democratic New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan in the general election. Ayotte was leading Hassan by 52 percent to 44 percent in a Sept. 6-8 NBC/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll, according to the website RealClear Politics. "I think you probably have a lot of people in the primary, who were not going to pay as close attention to what she was saying about Trump," Ornstein said of Ayotte. "In the fall it may be a different matter, as certainly Maggie Hassan is going to try to tie her to Trump. (Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Jonathan Oatis)
Herbs smuggling goes unchecked

Smuggling of medicinal herbs from the northern region of Jajarkot district is on the rise.
Starting this year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens on Oct. 1. Since it's best to complete your FAFSA as soon as possible -- as some financial aid is first come, first served -- the class of 2021 should be thinking about financial aid right now. In particular, think about how financial aid will help you attend the best school for you.

Many students will likely come up with a plan that includes taking on student loans. According to the College Board, students and parents borrowed $106.1 billion in education loans in 2014-15. And while that's actually a decrease from earlier this decade, the average indebtedness of college graduates continues to ris e each year.

[Discover what you need to know about FAFSA changes.]

For the class of 2016, that meant graduating with an average of $37,173 in loans. Of course, that's just an average. Each student could owe more or less.

No matter which side of the debt equation you end up on, you'll want any money you borrow to be a wise investment. To help ensure it is, during your college-planning process take advantage of a great tool that the U.S. Department of Education offers: the College Scorecard. Here are tips on how to use this tool to your advantage.

-- Know before you borrow: At any given higher education institution, borrowing circumstances will differ from student to student. Some may receive help from their parents or work part time to decrease their indebtedness. Others may max out their loans even if they don't need to, such as to help with their living expenses.

Still, there's value in looking at the average indebtedness at each school where you plan to apply. You won't get the exact number that you'll borrow -- although some tools can give you a good estimate of this. But you could gain a better sense of each school's value based on how much their students borrowed, as well as how that compares with the national average.

[Discover the schools with the most students receiving merit aid.]

The College Scorecard makes such comparisons easy. This interactive online tool lets students look up different schools by program, location, size and other factors. From a borrowing perspective, this data includes the percentage of a school's students who receive federal loans, as well as their typical total debt at graduation.

Story continues

That latter number is important. Often, students and their families take a semester-by-semester approach to funding an education.

This can make it easy to lose track of the amount borrowed to date, which can lead to an unwieldy student loan burden post-graduation. By having an idea of this total per school, students can make a more informed decision.

-- Think about repayment now: Of course, just like with borrowing loans, repayment circumstances will differ by borrower -- even with students who graduated from the same school with the same major owing the same amount. Personal circumstances like health, employment and many other factors can have a great impact on one's ability to repay.

Still, knowing how students at specific schools handle their loans postgraduation is valuable information. Nationally, on average, 66 percent of a school's students are able to repay at least $1 of their principal balance on their federal loans within three years of leaving school, according to the College Scorecard. This indicat es students are making progress paying off their debt.

If you're considering an institution with a repayment rate below that average, you may want to investigate the school a bit more thoroughly. It doesn't mean you'll get a subpar education there. However, if many students at a particular school struggle to manage their debt, that could be indicative of a larger-scale problem with the school's job placement or financial education programs.

[Read this cautionary tale of student debt regret.]

-- Understand monthly payments and earning potential: One final student - loan-related feature to look at in the College Scorecard is the typical monthly loan payment for borrowers at specific schools.

While the typical overall debt can be eye opening, those large numbers may not immediately resonate with you. But the monthly amount should, since you'll potentially pay it every month -- 120 times.

To help you appreciate how that number could fit into your future budget, the College Scorecard includes data on how much students earn 10 years after entering a school. Again, this lets you see how the salaries of students from a particular school compared to others and to the national average, which the site lists as $34,300.

For additional analysis of this data, check out the report "Ranking Your College: Where You Go and What You Make," from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. This adds some additional wrinkles to the Department of Education's data, including reviewing how majors may skew the average earnings for a school, which could give you a clearer picture of your ability to repay.

Betsy Mayotte, director of consumer outreach and compliance for American Student Assistance, regularly advises consumers on planning and paying for college. Mayotte, who received a B.S. in business communications from Bentley College, responds to public inquiries via the advice resource "Just Ask" and is frequently quoted in traditional and social media on the topics of student loans and financial aid.
"I fucked up. I'm man enough to admit it." So begins Hard II Love, the eighth album by Usher. The R&B superstar has minted platinum by laying out his sins in the past  his 2004 album Confessions was one of the record business's last releases to pass the 10-million-shifted mark. More recently, though, his output has been defined by a willingness to seek out musical inspiration from cutting-edge artists and more obscure sonic impulses: 2012's critic-beloved "Climax" placed his falsetto against a skeletal drum machine; 2014's "Good Kisser" allowed him to get frisky over a barely there funk tableau. That adventurousness defines Hard II Love, which manages to stretch the boundaries of R&B while winding toward the brooding atmospherics that have enveloped much of pop over the past 12 months.

According to a Q&A Usher did before the album arrived on Tidal Monday night, Hard II Love is made for "men who don't think love is cool to do." It's a dense, lengthy album with dense layers and unexpected twists, with lyrics that are so plainspoken that at times they seem tossed-off (surely someone on his team could have intervened before he rhymed "phone calls" with "phones off" on the whirling "Make U a Believer"). The album's persistent darkness, in keeping with current radio trends, overtakes even uptempo tracks like the Pharrell-produced tease "FWM." But Usher  like any soul star worth his collection of Al Green albums  also knows that low-lit rooms are where a lot of the best action happens. "Let Me" spins off a stretched-out sample from Ready for the World's 1985 slow jam "Love You Down," and updates the idea of the uxorious tribute with spinning drum fills and Usher taking pride in his mate's ability to command equal pay (!). "Tell Me" is the album's sprawling, sensual centerpiece, an eight-minute-plus odyssey where Usher splits the difference between the sparseness of "Climax" and the slow-jam splendor of Confessions-era offerings like "Burn," with his falsetto guiding the romp.

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Hard II Love also has a decidedly Atlanta-centric bent; the spaced-out come-on "No Limit" features a fanciful verse from Young Thug, while the cavernous love song "Bump," which was produced by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, balances itself on a sample of crunk grandmaster Lil Jon barking out his signature "what." The enigmatic MC Future, meanwhile, duets with Usher on "Rivals," a muscular, downtempo track in which Usher tries to iron out differences with a resistant woman.



The album's two closing tracks represent an epilogue of sorts  their cinematic production values and triumph-tinged lyrics show that there are other things in life besides the battle of the sexes, and that even insurmountable tangles with the self can be won. "Stronger," in which Usher deals with the grief that hit him after the 2012 death of his stepson Kile Glover, uses cloud-borne piano riffs and a gospel choir to brightly underline its message of resilience. The Ruben Bladesassisted "Champions," which doubles as the theme to the Roberto Duran biopic Hands of Stone, feels like a 21st-century update of Babyface's "Change the World"; Usher and Blades trade off victory-minded platitudes in English and Spanish over gently strummed guitars, and the song's message  that America and other countries can thrive simultaneously, even building off each others' success  comes off more political in 2016 than it probably could have been foreseen, particularly for a closing-credits offering.

Usher says that it took about three years to release Hard II Love, and in that time the sound of pop music has changed dramatically. Hes paid just enough attention to pops new ideas to come out with an album that looks forward while remaining true to what's made him one of R&B's most reliable stars.

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Zurich (AFP) - Swiss luxury goods giant Richemont, which owns top global brands like Cartier, warned Wednesday that weak demand and restructuring costs would slash first-half profits despite a boost in UK sales from Brexit.

The world's second-biggest luxury group forecast operating profit 45 percent lower at the end of September, which concludes the first half of its 2016-17 fiscal year, compared to the same period last year.

Sales plummeted 14 percent during the first five months of the fiscal year, which Richemont put down to "the challenging comparative figures in 2015, the repurchase of slow-moving watch inventory and the difficult global environment."

One-time restructuring costs of 65 million euros ($73 million) will also dent profits during the six-month period, the firm said.

"We are of the view that the current negative environment as a whole is unlikely to reverse in the short term," it cautioned.

European sales plunged 20 percent, dragged down especially by France, which saw far fewer tourists than usual following several deadly terrorist attacks.

The picture was rosier on the other side of the channel, with Britain showing swelling sales since its referendum at the end of June dented the value of the pound, making luxury goods there less expensive for foreign visitors.

In the Asia-Pacific region, another key market for the group, sales contracted 12 percent amid particularly weak demand in Hong Kong and Macau, forcing the company to buy back excess stock.

Japan also reported significantly lower sales compared to high figures last year, while the strength of the yen depressed tourist spending in the country, Richemont said.

The company, which also holds such brands as Piaget, Jaeger LeCoultre and Van Cleef & Arpels, meanwhile hailed overall sales growth in mainland China and South Korea.

And it said "positive momentum" in jewellery and accessories in the Americas had been offset by weak demand for watches, pushing overall sales down eight percent.

Following the news, Richemont saw its share price slump 4.0 percent in mid-morning trading, to 57.40 Swiss francs, while the Swiss stock exchange's main SMI index inched up 0.1 percent.
New York (AFP) - Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union launched a campaign Wednesday to push President Barack Obama to pardon Edward Snowden, the fugitive intelligence whistleblower living in Russia.

High-profile lawyers and celebrities including writer Joyce Carol Oates and actor Martin Sheen have already signed the campaign's main prod, a petition at pardonsnowden.org that urges Obama to grant Snowden clemency before the president leaves office in January.

But the White House quickly said it had no intention of pardoning Snowden, a former contractor for the National Security Agency who released thousands of classified documents in 2013 revealing the vast US surveillance put in place after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest disputed that Snowden was a whistleblower and said he would enjoy legal due process at a trial in the United States, where he faces up to 30 years in prison for espionage and theft of state secrets.

"His conduct put American lives at risk and it risked American national security. And that's why the policy of the Obama administration is that Mr. Snowden should return to the United States and face the very serious charges that he's facing," Earnest told reporters.

In July, the White House rejected an earlier petition to pardon Snowden that had garnered more than 160,000 signatures.

The 33-year-old fled with documents to Hong Kong, where he hid among Sri Lankan refugees in cramped tenements, and later received political asylum in Russia after the United States revoked his passport while he was en route to Ecuador.

Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said that despite the White House's "not very positive reaction" initially, "we think it will change with the public's response" to the campaign.

Bernie Sanders, who ran a leftist campaign for the Democratic Party nomination to succeed Obama, offered his support, writing on Twitter: "The interests of justice would be best served if our government granted Snowden some form of clemency."

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- Leaks morally 'necessary' -

Snowden and his supporters argue that although he stole information, the revelations have benefited the public because they led to improved privacy protection laws.

In a videoconference Wednesday, Snowden reiterated that he could not receive a fair trial in the United States under the Espionage Act.

"It does not permit a whistleblower defense," he said. "The law does not distinguish between those who give free sensitive information to journalists and spies who sell it to foreign powers."

Snowden himself asked Obama for a pardon in an interview with The Guardian published on Tuesday, telling the British newspaper by video-link: "If not for these disclosures, if not for these revelations, we would be worse off."

"Yes, there are laws on the books that say one thing. But that is perhaps why the pardon power exists -- for the exceptions, for the things that may seem unlawful in letters on a page but when we look at them morally, when we look at them ethically, when we look at the results, it seems these were necessary things," he said.

The rights groups launched the campaign on the heels of a release of a biopic thriller, "Snowden," by anti-establishment director Oliver Stone.

"We hope that Mr. Obama has a stroke of lightning and he sees the way," Stone said last week at a screening at the Toronto Film Festival.

- Clock ticking on Russia residency -

Pop great Peter Gabriel released a song, "The Veil," to accompany the film. The video features cameos of Snowden himself, staring at a computer screen and walking through the woods, interspersed with footage of US analysts poring over photos of ordinary citizens in various states of undress.

The English singer said that Snowden's revelations "shocked the world and made it very clear why we need to have some way to look over those who look over us."

"With increasing terrorist attacks, security is critical, but not without any accountability or oversight," Gabriel said in a statement.

Sarah Harrison, a representative of the website WikiLeaks who helped Snowden flee Hong Kong and seek refuge in Russia, hoped the film would help rehabilitate his image but acknowledged she would be "very surprised" if he wins a pardon.

Snowden's residency permit in Russia runs out next year.

"Then the question comes up again of where he can be safe. Obviously, he'd love to go back home," Harrison told AFP last week.

Alternatively, "he'd really like asylum in a number of other countries, some European countries," she added.

"Maybe the situation will have changed in some of those, but sadly so far he's always been denied."
For more Entertainment Tonight videos visit Yahoo View.

Rose McGowan is reaching out to Shannen Doherty amid the former Beverly Hills, 90210 actress battle with cancer, and blaming Hollywood for their rumored feud.

In a lengthy Instagram post on Tuesday, 43-year-old McGowan acknowledged that the two had a funny history, and shared her thoughts on replacing Doherty on the WB series Charmed in 2001. Dohertys character was killed off the show after three seasons, the rumored reason being tensions between her and co-star Alyssa Milano.

As young women we were pitted against each other for societys pleasure, McGowan wrote, sharing a cartoon drawing of the two of them together, McGowan rocking her shaved do and 45-year-old Doherty wearing a headscarf. The rules of Hollywood engagement brainwashed into us were truly vile. The men & brainwashed women in our business made it so we couldnt be friends, I regret that. We were cast in this weird fake reality show where we were supposed to be enemies.

WATCH: EXCLUSIVE  Shannen Doherty Reveals How Beverly Hills, 90210 Foreshadowed Her Breast Cancer Battle

I resented it greatly, she added. I regret not being awake enough to articulate this to you at the time. Fear was drilled into me from day one in this town & you were the barometer by which my behavior was judged. I was under a microscope, one false move and Id be branded 'difficult just like you. I think we all know what happens when girls here get out of line.

The Jawbreaker actress spoke out against the Bag Girl Shaming she says Doherty received at the hands of the media, referencing reports that Doherty was difficult on both the sets of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed.

You cast a long shadow over my life, McGowan shared. We were both cast in a fake real life role, that of the Bad Girl.  But we were never the bad ones, it was them  the Beige Brained White Dudes in Charge.

Shannen, we didnt know it yet, but we were the good ones, she later continued. Two boss young women that scared the 'faux-liberals in provincial Hollywood, for that sin we got burned at the media stake, egged on by Hollywood who believe the press they start. There was a strongly inferred threat of me being blacklisted in TV as Id been in film. Instead of understanding that we were a different breed, they tried to crush us, but they couldnt. I send you strength.

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Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2015. ET spoke to the actress last Friday at the Stand Up To Cancer telecast in Los Angeles, where she gave us an update on her health. Her doctor revealed she was nearly finished with chemotherapy after starting the treatment in July.

Ive been given a really interesting opportunity and one that in a way, I kind of feel blessed, Doherty told ET exclusively. Cancer has in a strange way done some amazing things for me. Its allowed me to be more me, like much more in touch with who I am, and much more vulnerable and the person that I always was, but I think it got hidden behind a lot of other stuff.

Watch below:
Moscow (AFP) - Russia on Wednesday called for a 48-hour extension of the Syria truce it brokered with the United States last week.

Moscow "calls for the extension of the cessation of hostilities on all Syrian territory for 48 hours," senior Russian military officer Viktor Poznikhir said in a briefing broadcast on state television.

He added that rebels had violated the ceasefire 60 times since it came into force on Monday.

"We also note that some groups controlled by the United States, such as Ahrar al-Sham, have openly stated their unwillingness to cease fire," Poznikhir said.

"The greatest number of violations is associated with these groups."

In a phone call with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Washington to ensure it separates moderate rebels from jihadist groups.

Poznikhir also said that Russia had on Tuesday bombed the area north of the historic city of Palmyra, "where IS militants are concentrated," in the first such strikes since the truce came into force.

The strikes, Poznikhir said, had killed 250 people and up to 15 trucks containing heavy machine guns.

Poznikhir added that Moscow was "fully meeting its responsibilities" regarding the truce's implementation.

The head of Russia's ceasefire monitoring centre in Syria, Vladimir Savchenko, said that the Castello Road -- the key supply route to the battleground city of Aleppo -- had come under mortar fire.

He said that the attack could threaten the withdrawal of Syrian troops from the area, which is set to begin at 0600 GMT on Thursday.

The truce that began at sundown on Monday, agreed after marathon US-Russia talks in Geneva between Lavrov and Kerry last Friday, is part of the latest bid to end a five-year conflict that has killed more than 300,000 people.

The US-Russian deal aims to end fighting between President Bashar al-Assad's loyalists and a wide range of rebels, but excludes jihadist forces like the Islamic State group.

The UN's Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura on Tuesday hailed the truce for bringing about "a significant drop in violence" despite isolated incidents.
The 1967 Supreme Court case of Loving v. Virginia was a landmark moment in civil rights history, invalidating years of legislation prohibiting interracial marriage. The case had a major effect on U.S. history, and decades later, it was also used as precedent to argue against laws prohibiting same-sex marriage, but in reality, the couple at the center of the case were not interested in the national stage.



Married in 1958 in Washington, D.C., Richard and Mildred Loving soon moved to their home state of Virginia, where they were arrested and thrown in jail for violating the state's ban on interracial marriage. Now, director Jeff Nichols is telling their story with Loving, which just played at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.



Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga star as Richard and Mildred, and together with Nichols, they sat down at PEOPLE / EW / InStyle studio in Toronto to talk about the quiet pair at the center of this civil rights battle.



"The real challenge for me as Richard was that Richard was so shy of the cameras, so shy of any public interest in his case," Edgerton said. "He wasn't a poster child for the revolution, he never wanted to be. He wanted to stay in love and married to Mildred. And the risk was that that reluctance to be a public figure would translate as sort of an embarrassment or a shame, but he didn't have the words to really fight the law or express himself in the way that he really wanted to. All he felt was that something was very wrong, but he didn't know what to do about it."







For more on the Toronto International Film Festival, go to PEOPLE.com/tiff





RELATED VIDEO: TIFF 2016: Buzzworthy Films

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Richard died in 1975 and Mildred died in 2008, but Edgerton, Negga, and Nichols all emphasize how important it was to them to portray the Lovings' story as accurately as possible.



"We actually visited the jail cell that she was held in," Negga recalled. "It literally is tiny. It was this big. And to imagine a woman heavily pregnant, a young black woman, that was quite hard for me because I just thought, what an experience she must have had. It was very traumatic for her. I really felt for her."



Loving arrives in theaters on Nov. 4.
TMZ

Less than 24 hours after Ryan Lochtes inaugural performance on ABCs Dancing With The Stars was interrupted by protestors, the two men who ran onto the stage have spoken out about their intentions.

TMZ caught up with 25-year-old Barzeen Soroudi and 59-year-old Sam Sotoodeh on Tuesday afternoon, and the duo provided a number of reasons for their choice in rushing the stage during the live television show. Soroudi had this to say about the decision of the Walt Disney Company to include Lochte on the program and his personal thoughts from Rio:

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We didnt, obviously, agree with Walt Disney Company choosing Lochte to represent Americans. Yes, he did receive gold medals but what he did in Rio did not represent Americans well. We were actually at the Olympics, so what happened was once Lochte did what he did, embarrassed Americans, lied to Brazil the climate changed. So all the sudden, Americans became targets in Rio. The Brazilians obviously felt insulted and it became very difficult for many Americans there.

Later, Sotoodeh pushed back on the actions of security officials in diffusing the situation, running down his list of ailments in the aftermath. In addition, Soroudi spoke about being in Rio for the Olympics and how he felt the situation affected him personally.

Soroudi and Sotoodeh have already been referred to as cowards by at least one person affiliated with the show, and it seems doubtful that their on-air reflections for TMZ will garner any real support. At this point, this remains a tremendously bizarre situation that, quite fortunately, did not result in any serious harm to Lochte or anyone else on the television set.

Details will undoubtedly continue to emerge in this particular case, but for now, the protestors are free to speak their mind and everyone is safe.
Inundation victims urge PM to resolve issue during India visit

Residents of several Tarai villages have urged Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to raise during his upcoming visit to New Delhi the issue of inundation caused by the structures built by India along its border with Nepal.
By Cyril Altmeyer

PARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - France's Safran could make a decision on the potential sale of its Morpho biometrics and security business for more than 2 billion euros by the end of September, a person close to the process said on Wednesday.

The aerospace company expects to receive offers from five shortlisted bidders by Friday.

Chief Executive Philippe Petitcolin said in June that a buyer could be identified by the end of the year, but the company is preparing for a quick decision, the source said.

"Everything is happening so that it can be done by the end of this month," the person said, asking not to be identified.

Engine maker Safran, a partially state-owned French company which is refocusing on its core aerospace business after a review of its security-equipment activities, declined comment.

The shortlist of bidders is believed to include digital security firms Gemalto and Oberthur as well as three funds: Bain Capital, CVC Capital Partners and KKR.

In an earlier round, all five made indicative offers over 2 billion euros, a person familiar with the sale said in June.

The highest offer was worth about 2.2 billion euros, another person involved in the process said, adding that a third round of bidding could not be ruled out.

Oberthur and its majority shareholder, private equity firm Advent International, have offered to keep the business headquartered in France together with its research and development activities, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

Bain Capital and its partner French private equity firm Ardian have pledged to invest about 1 billion euros over 5-6 years to develop Morpho, a person familiar with the bid said.

Separately, Safran is in the process of selling Morpho Detection, which makes explosives detection equipment, to British engineering firm Smiths Group.

(Writing by Tim Hepher; editing by David Clarke)
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's quality watchdog said on Wednesday Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's <005930.KS> local unit will recall 1,858 units of its Galaxy Note 7 phones, after the Korean firm's product was found to have fire-prone batteries.

Samsung first halted sales earlier this month of the Note 7 in 10 markets, including South Korea and the United States, but not in China where it said the model was equipped with batteries from a different supplier.

The recalled phones were partly sold in China through an official Samsung website before the Sept. 1 launch, as part of a testing scheme, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said on its website.

Samsung, the world's biggest smartphone maker, has urged users of the Galaxy Note 7 to turn them in, and has run advertisements in Korea apologizing for the recall.

A series of warnings from regulators and airlines around the world has raised fears for the future of the flagship device, pushing Samsung shares lower.

Also on Wednesday, China's civil aviation authority said it will outlaw the use and charging of the Galaxy Note 7 on flights, and not allow them to be placed in checked-in baggage.

(Reporting by Paul Carsten and Beijing Monitoring Desk; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
The Sarah Jones Film Foundation is still forging ahead three years after the young camera assistants death on the set of Midnight Rider in Georgia. It is hosting two events this fall to promote set safety, the first being the third annual Walk for Safety held on September 25 in Los Angeles, beginning at the Santa Monica Pier at noon.

In Georgia on October 9, an Atlanta Field Day Event will take place to honor Jones life and bring together the TV and film community to keep up awareness about the importance of set safety. The Georgia event will be held at Oakhurst Park in Decatur, GA.

Jones parents, Elizabeth and Richard, will be in attendance at both events. We are doing this so that people dont forget, said Richard Jones. While we appreciate the legacy that Sarah has left, its not for Sarah, shes already gone. This is for the living and so we dont slip back into bad habits and ignoring safety standards on productions across the country.

Photos from both events will be shared on the SafetyforSarah Facebook page.

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Sarah Jones Opportunity Internship Names Its Second Recipient

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obama saudi

Saudi Arabia just one-upped the US.

The kingdom is once again the world's largest oil producer, surpassing the US, which had held the title since April 2014, according to the International Energy Agency's latest monthly report.

The report estimates that Saudi Arabia's low-cost oil fields have pumped out an extra 400 kilobarrels a day since May.

The US shut in about 460 kilobarrels a day of high-cost production over the same time frame.

Overall, Saudi Arabia's crude-oil supply remained near all-time highs at 10.6 million barrels a day in August, down slightly from 10.65 million in July. And output averaged 10.36 million barrels a day from January to August, up 200 kilobarrels a day from the prior year.

Screen Shot 2016 09 13 at 10.26.27 AM

"During much of this year, the Kingdom has drawn down its crude oil stockpiles to preserve exports and help cover growing demand from domestic refiners," the IEA added.

At the same time, total output in the US (a figure that includes natural gas) came in at about 12.22 million barrels a day in August. US crude production fell by 190 kilobarrels in June, the latest data available, amid lower Gulf of Mexico output, according to the IEA.

In other recent oil news, Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed at the G-20 summit in China last week to cooperate on oil and create a "working group" to stabilize markets. The next day, Iran gingerly offered some support for an oil-production freeze  though it did not agree to join one.

These developments are just ahead of the planned informal oil talks in Algiers, Algeria, on September 26 and 27, fueling speculation that producers might actually be able to agree on something.

"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," RBC's Helima Croft argued in a note on Thursday. "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."

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Iran Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh

Still, on Wednesday, the director for international affairs at the state-run National Iranian Oil Co., Mohsen Ghamsari, said 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 about 3.8 million barrels a day.

And last Monday, Al-Falih dismissed the need for a production freeze, leading analysts to wonder whether the Saudi-Russian agreement on oil cooperation would amount to anything.

Screen Shot 2016 09 08 at 11.51.19 AM

As such, other 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," a Macquarie Research team led by Vikas Dwivedi argued last week.

"Even if a 'freeze' truly materializes, it will provide little fundamental impact," Dwivedi added. "From a longer-term perspective, core OPEC and non-OPEC producers are eyeing $50+ levels to enable future growth."

"Thus, instead of a meaningful rapprochement among key producers, a 'freeze' may merely represent an opportunity to 'reload' only to resume oil market hostilities."

West Texas Intermediate crude-oil prices are down 1.7% at $45.52 a barrel, and Brent crude-oil prices are down by 1.1% at $47.84 a barrel as of 9:48 a.m. ET.

Screen Shot 2016 09 13 at 9.49.10 AM

NOW WATCH: KRUGMAN: There is an argument for doubling the Feds inflation target





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EDINBURGH (Reuters) - A Scottish nurse who contracted Ebola while caring for patients in Sierra Leone was cleared on Wednesday of allegations that she had put the public at risk by hiding the fact that she had a raised temperature when she returned to Britain. Pauline Cafferkey, 40, was infected in 2014, during an outbreak of the highly contagious disease that killed more than 11,300 people in three West African countries. The Nursing and Midwifery Council, which regulates the professions in Britain, held a two-day hearing in Edinburgh to investigate allegations that Cafferkey had allowed a wrong temperature to be recorded at London's Heathrow Airport on her return. She was also accused of failing to flag up her true temperature to medical staff at a screening area in the airport. The panel dismissed both charges of professional misconduct after hearing that she had been impaired by illness as she went through the screening area, described in evidence as chaotic and under-staffed. "Throughout her career Pauline has been motivated by a genuine desire to help other people even if this meant putting her own life at risk. She would never have knowingly put anyone in danger," her lawyer, Joyce Cullen, told reporters. Having been given the green light to leave the screening area and fly onwards to Glasgow, Cafferkey then became extremely unwell and was flown back to London to be treated in a special isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital. She spent close to a month there before she was discharged. She has continued to suffer from ill health linked to the consequences of her Ebola infection and was twice hospitalised again. Cullen told reporters after the end of the disciplinary hearing that it had been upsetting and stressful for Cafferkey, who would now continue with her nursing career in Scotland. (Reporting by Russell Cheyne in Edinburgh and Estelle Shirbon in London; editing by Michael Holden)
Rotterdam (Netherlands) (AFP) - With Black Friday and Christmas on the horizon, manufacturers and retailers would usually be dreaming of a fat boost to their bottom lines at this time of year.

But instead a "nightmare" is unfolding as an estimated $14 billion in goods lie stranded on the high seas thanks to the dramatic collapse of Hanjin, the world's seventh-largest shipping firm.

Ports are refusing entry to dozens of ships run by the South Korean company, for fear they will be unable to pay docking fees, leaving an estimated 500,000 containers stuck on its ships across the globe even as it pleads with creditors and starts a fire sale of vessels to other companies.

Particularly hard hit are firms transporting electronics and other consumer goods to stock up their retail partners ahead of the crucial festive season, when most of the year's profits are booked.

LG has 10 to 20 percent of its North America shipments handled by Hanjin.

"Black Friday is coming soon," fretted Cho Sung-Jin, head of LG's home appliances unit, referring to the day after Thanksgiving on November 25 when US retailers indulge in a mania of discounting.

"I'm not sure if we can cover demand with our current inventory in the US," he said, describing the situation as "worrisome".

Samsung, the world's largest smartphone maker, last week said it had $38 million in goods on board two Hanjin vessels, adding it was worried the goods would be seized by creditors if the ships do make it to dock.

Hanjin sought court receivership on August 31 in Seoul, in the industry's biggest ever bankruptcy filing, after its creditors rejected a plan to deal with a towering $5.37 billion (4.77 billion euros) of debt.

- BBQs all at sea -

A shipping industry insider based in Germany, who asked not to be named, told AFP: "The issue with Hanjin is a nightmare happening in the peak ahead of Black Friday and the festive season."

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The standoff could also hit consumers in their pockets as shipping costs surge, the insider said.

In Beijing, Stephen Zhu, Asia director for premium barbeque maker Weber, said two containers holding $800,000-worth of grills destined for Los Angeles and Australia were affected.

"We don't know what to do with these two containers now," he told AFP. "We will send our clients a new batch of products first and then deal with these two containers."

"Everyone is stocking up for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We can't let this delay our supply," he said.

In Rotterdam, port authorities confirmed to AFP there were Hanjin containers "both empty and full" stuck at the Euromax Terminal, and discussions were underway with the owners of the goods.

There are believed to be several thousand containers languishing at the western hemisphere's largest port.

One court in the US state of New Jersey did hand the South Korean company a temporary reprieve by allowing it to unload some cargo without fear of creditors seizing its ships.

And Hanjin announced Monday three vessels were in line to unload cargo at Long Beach in California once a fourth had cleared its cargo, easing pressure in the US market.

On Saturday a key member of the Hanjin group, Korean Air, agreed to a company bailout of 60 billion won ($55 million) but the government in Seoul insists there will be no official rescue.

Regulators have warned that securing further funds "could take some considerable time".

"What is of more concern is the fact that, as with every bankruptcy, a company has outstanding bills," Port of Rotterdam spokesman Sjaak Poppe told AFP.

"Given Hanjin's large debt, it's unlikely it will ever be paid," Poppe said.
Putting a home on the market is a difficult enough process as it is, so few homeowners consider the possibility of a deal falling through once they have accepted an offer.

"The buying and home selling process is very stressful for both sides because there's so many things that have to happen, and everything has to happen right in order for a deal to go through," says John Myers, owner and qualifying broker of Myers & Myers Real Estate Inc. in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A positive attitude is always important, but every home seller should be prepared to move forward quickly when a deal breaks down.

A real estate deal can fall through for a number of reasons, but is most often due to the buyer's inability to obtain financing based on his or her financial background, the home appraising for less than the agreed-upon price by the lender or the home inspection revealing major deficiencies.

In each of these situations, the seller can either try to salvage the deal or re-enter the market in search of the right homebuyer. Here's how to cope and decide on your next steps.

[See: 10 Tips to Sell Your Home Fast.]

When the buyer doesn't qualify for a mortgage. It's unfortunate when the buyer fails to receive approval from his or her lender based on financial history, but it's a hurdle the seller should be able to move past quickly since it doesn't reflect poorly on the home.

"That's something [the seller] can't control. If they have a good home, another buyer will come along," Myers says.

Sellers should get the home back on the market as fast as possible to avoid losing momentum. For Elizabeth Weintraub, broker associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California, a property re-entering the market for any reason is best framed as a new listing.

That's because a listing with zero or very few days on market typically has a positive psychological effect on buyers, who consider it a hot property they should snap up before someone else does. But a home that's been on the market for months may give buyers the impression that it has significant issues, even when that's not true.

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While multiple listing service rules differ throughout the country, Sacramento properties can be refreshed and listed with "zero days on market," along with a separate ticker for cumulative days on market.

"All of a sudden, it makes the listing very attractive," Weintraub says. "And you would be amazed how many homes sell. They could be on the market six months, and when you put them back as a new listing with zero days on market -- bam, they sell."

In other parts of the country, your listing agent may keep possible buyers in the wings with a backup offer during the due diligence process in case the deal fails. In Memphis, Tennessee, for example, it may make sense to mark a home as "under contract" while keeping options open, says Linda Sowell, owner and principal broker of Sowell & Company, a Memphis real estate firm.

"We usually don't take [the home] off the market until we've gone through an inspection period and an appraisal period. We leave them on but reveal it's under contract," Sowell says, noting an addition to the yard sign or update on the online listing will mark the home as under contract.

Since it's clear the seller and buyer are already in negotiation, Sowell says there are rarely showings for prospective buyers during the contract process. But it leaves room for communication, and interested buyers can keep an eye on the property in case it returns to the market.

[Read: What's Dragging Down the Value of Your Home?]

When the home doesn't appraise for the sale price. The lender's assessment can also prove problematic for a deal when the appraisal finds the home's market value to be lower than the price set in the contract.

In this situation, there's still a chance to salvage the deal. The buyer can come up with the difference between the appraisal amount and the sale price in cash. While this isn't always possible, Myers notes it's more common in hot real estate markets with bidding wars due to low inventory. A more likely scenario is for the seller to lower the price.

"I typically recommend the seller reduce his price to the appraised value so that they can close the deal. The reason is that if the home didn't appraise the first time, there's a good chance it's not going to appraise the second time if you didn't reduce the price," Myers says.

If the deal doesn't go through and you remain confident the property is worth more than the appraised amount, you can hire a separate appraiser to report on the property. This can help you determine the price of the property when you relist it. Still, there is always a chance the second appraisal will valuate the home at a lower-than-expected price.

Weintraub recalls a property she once listed for $1.2 million, but that appraised for $200,000 less. Weintraub and her clients believed the property's market value was more than the appraisal value and hired another appraiser for a second opinion. The move proved fruitful, as the home sold for $1.1 million.

"We were able to split the difference that way. It was worth the $700 that they paid for the appraisal if they got another $100,000 out of the deal," Weintraub says.

[See: 12 Home Improvement Shortcuts That Are a Bad Idea.]

When the home inspection uncovers problems. The home inspection portion of the due diligence process could reveal some unknown home defects, including a cracked foundation, mold or termite infestation.

In this case, Sowell says you have two options: "You either need to fix it, or you're going to have to reveal it on your disclosures."

A known defect is required by law in most states to be disclosed to buyers. If you don't want to put in the time and effort to abate the problem, you'll likely have to lower your asking price to entice buyers, as the property will be less appealing with work from the get-go. It's your choice whether to make the repair or leave it for the buyer, but you should weigh the cost of the repair with the amount you'll need to lower the asking price without fixing it.

Myers explains one advantage to forgoing repairs is that a lower price range draws a wider pool of buyers who may be interested in doing more work on the property they purchase: "I recommend they reduce the price to a price that will attract buyers that are willing to accept the home and the condition that it's in."





More From US News & World Report


NEWS BRIEF Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine announced a unilateral cease-fire Tuesday, the first to be proposed by rebel groups since violent conflict began in that country in 2014.

Alexander Zakharchenko, a Ukrainian separatist leader and the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, told Russian television the cease-fire would go into effect on Wednesday at midnight local time. Zakharchenko said his troops would cease military operations at that time, and called on the Ukrainian military to do the same. If successful, it could bring a pause to the two-year conflict that has killed at least 9,500 people.

Military units of Donetsk Peoples Republic do not consider it as a weakness rather than a demonstration of a good will, Zakharchenko said, according to Ruptly TV, a news agency funded by the Russian government. In case of any violation of the cease-fire by the Ukrainian side, our units will respond in kind. We wont allow shelling of our territory to continue unpunished.

Recommended: Colin Powell, the Last Reasonable Man

The Luhansk Peoples Republic, another self-proclaimed state in eastern Ukraine, also announced a cease-fire Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

Zakharchenko gave his support for the Minsk agreements brokered last year, in which representatives of the Ukrainian government and separatist groups agreed to a number of conditions, including the withdrawal of heavy artillery from eastern Ukraine and the establishment of a demarcation line between Ukrainian forces and separatist troops. Zakharchenko called those accords the only solution to the ongoing conflict. But the Minsk agreements have so far failed to stop the violence.

The cease-fire announcement comes hours after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he expects parliament to vote on a constitutional amendment to extend greater autonomy to the two rebel-controlled areas in eastern Ukrainea key concession to the two rebel groups who have long sought to assert their independence in the eastern region. Poroshenko has previously ruled out granting full independence in eastern Ukraine, warning that disunity would only allow neighboring Russia to destroy us from within.

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Poroshenko also announced his plans to meet with leaders from Germany, France, Britain, and Poland Wednesday, in which the situation in Ukraine is expected to be discussed.

The unrest in Ukraine first began in 2014 following the ousting of then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych by street protesters. Conflict flared when Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea one month later, and Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces have been locked in battle in eastern Ukraine since.

In the 24 hours before Tuesdays cease-fire announcement, Ukrainian government officials said three government troops were killed and 15 wounded. One person was reported missing.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Belgrade (AFP) - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Wednesday he feared for the stability of the Western Balkans, calling for a regional trade bloc as a way to overcome a painful past.

"I'm not afraid of our future economically speaking... but what we need actually is political stability in the region," Vucic told AFP in an interview at his government headquarters in Belgrade.

"That's why we're going to invest a lot of efforts, a lot of time, to secure that kind of political stability."

Vucic, who has pledged to lead Serbia into the European Union, said a particular problem was the relationship between Serbs and Muslims in the region.

Relations have remained tense, both within Bosnia and between capitals Belgrade and Sarajevo, since Bosnia's inter-ethnic conflict in the 1990s as communist Yugoslavia fell apart.

Serbia's frosty relationship with Croatia has also reached new lows in recent months, and Belgrade still refuses to recognise the sovereignty of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008.

Vucic said there was improved "trust and confidence" between Belgrade and Pristina, but he reiterated that Serbia would not let its former southern province get a seat in the United Nations.

Vucic, who became premier in 2014, admitted neighbourly collaboration was not easy after "not only decades but centuries of hatred and wars".

More than 130,000 people were killed and millions left homeless in the 1990s Balkan conflicts.

Vucic, a staunch ultranationalist at the time who became information minister under Slobodan Milosevic in 1998, has since remodelled himself as a pro-EU reformist.

"My dream is to have a customs union with all Balkan states, all the territories, with everybody. That's my dream. To have a unique market," said the premier.

- 'On EU path' -

He said this would not be another Yugoslavia but a market allowing for "richer people" and "better and bigger companies in this region."

Story continues

Speaking ahead of a two-day visit to France, Vucic stressed his government's enthusiasm to become an EU member, despite scepticism of enlargement within the 28-member bloc as well as among Serbia's seven million people.

"We have a majority of people that think that (the) EU is harming our national interest, that's the fact, I cannot deny that," Vucic said.

According to a survey published earlier this year, a referendum on EU membership would win the support of only 48 percent of Serbians.

But Vucic dismissed the idea of Serbia balancing itself between Europe and its close ally Russia.

Serbia refused to join with the EU in imposing sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, and Moscow also backs Belgrade by denying Kosovo's independence.

"We are on our EU path. The only difference is, yes, we would like to stay in a very good relationship with Russians," Vucic said.
Tika R Pradhan is a senior political correspondent for the Post, covering politics, parliament, judiciary and social affairs. Pradhan joined the Post in 2016 after working at The Himalayan Times for more than a decade.
donald trump hillary clinton deplorables late night seth meyers nbc

Seth Meyers pointed out the hypocrisy of Donald Trump's response to Hillary Clinton's "basket of deplorables" comment on Tuesday's "Late Night."

Although earlier this week, Meyers chastised Clinton for saying that "you could put half of Trumps supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables," referring to bigoted views among Trump's base, he has since turned his attention to Trump's response in a new "A Closer Look" segment.

After Clinton issued an apology for saying "half," but not for using the word "deplorables," the Republican presidential candidate called for her to fully apologize for the statement or step down from the presidential run.

"But if you had to drop out every time you insulted millions of people and refused to apologize, your campaign announcement speech would've sounded like this," Meyers said, before playing a clip showing Trump calling Mexican immigrants drug smugglers, criminals, and rapists in his in his July 2015 campaign announcement speech, then splicing in footage of Trump saying, "I am officially quitting."

Meyers agrees that Clinton made a "lazy, sweeping generalization," but says there's a "core truth" in her comment.

"You can't deny that Trump's candidacy has attracted support from white nationalists and their followers, like former KKK leader David Duke," the host explained. "And on top of that, polling suggests that two-thirds of Trump supporters believe Obama is a Muslim. And 59% of Trump supporters believe Obama was not born in the United States."

He then played a clip of one campaign reporter who said she's repeatedly told by Trump supporters that they believe Obama is a Muslim. They've also told her that he's an undercover operative, aka a "Manchurian candidate."

"Okay, but if Obama really is a Manchurian candidate, here's my question: What is he waiting for?" Meyers said. "When is he going to make his move? He's got like four months left. He is going to wait for his last day to say, 'As my final act, I'd like to announce these wetlands as a national park, and also, Sharia law is our Constitution now. Bye!"

Story continues

Watch the video below:

NOW WATCH: Clinton's latest ad slams Pence for refusing to call former KKK leader David Duke 'deplorable'





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A fourth grade teacher from Atlanta, who's being called the sexiest teacher alive, has been attracting numerous fans on social media who regard her as "#teacherbae."

Read: Ashley Graham Shows Her Sexy New Swimsuit Line for Women With Curves

Patrice Brown doesn't mind showing off all her curves in the classroom, and her sultry snaps have quickly gone viral.

 Today is a great day to have "Great Day" A photo posted by Paris Monroe (@triceyl__) on Sep 13, 2016 at 4:16am PDT

 #Work #ThankYouJesus A photo posted by Paris Monroe (@triceyl__) on Aug 4, 2016 at 4:06am PDT

Her voluptuous body is leading to a big debate  is she too sexy for the classroom?

Thousands have flooded her Instagram and Twitter accounts with comments.

She needs to wear something that fits her correctly not skin tight, one person wrote.

I dont know about body tight dresses for work, wrote another.

Read: Happy Birthday Bikini! Take a Look Back at 70 Years of Skimpy Swimwear

Another said: She can still dress attractively, but should dress more modestly.

But among the commenters, Brown has many supporters.

One person said: She's gorgeous and has curves.

A fellow educator wrote: She looks awesome! Some people expect us teachers to dress and act like nuns.

Brown recently posted about the critics with the phrase, "this too shall pass."

My only focus is to remain FOCUSED! #TheBiggerPicture A photo posted by Paris Monroe (@triceyl__) on Sep 12, 2016 at 5:57pm PDT

She says she's proud of her body and has no intention of changing the way she dresses.

Brown is said to not be in trouble with her school.

Watch: Ex-Teacher Reveals Illicit Details of Affair With Student, Including Sexy Selfies She Sent Him

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Election 2016 sometimes feels less like a national debate on which presidential hopeful possesses superior experience, better ideas and greater leadership bona fides  and more like a candidate-on-candidate slap fight over whos shadier, sleazier and more deviously opaque.

Hillary Clintons recent reticence to reveal her bout with pneumonia provides new fodder for those who find the former secretary of state is overly secretive. And what about Donald Trump, the billionaire businessman whos shrouded many of his financial dealings in mystery?

A new Center for Public Integrity/Ipsos poll shows only one in four respondents consider Trump honest and transparent about his financial, business or investment dealings. For Clinton, its about one in three.

Such data indicate that most Americans do not trust either candidate, which is further evidence that 2016 is a battle of the least popular candidates," Ipsos pollster Chris Jackson said. "This election is similar to giving a child the option of either finishing their vegetables or changing their kid brothers diaper.

Neither candidate deserves a transparency award. But a Center for Public Integrity analysis shows Clinton, when compared head-to-head with Trump, is the clear winner when it comes to making information available to the public.

A telling indication: Clintons campaign answered questions for this article while Trumps campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The Center for Public Integrity has explored the degrees to which Clinton and Trump have, across nine areas of concern to their campaigns, been transparent.

The areas include taxes, health, personal finances, press access and campaign money.

This story is part of Buying of the President 2016. Tracking the candidates, political committees and nonprofits that are making this presidential election the most expensive in history. Click here to read more stories in this investigation.

Don't miss another Politics investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email.

Health records

In 2008, questions about Republican presidential nominee John McCains health  he endured harrowing conditions in Vietnam as a prisoner of war, and later, underwent surgery for melanoma  swirled around the then-71-year-old candidate.

Story continues

So months before Election Day 2008, McCain let reporters review 1,173 pages of his medical records and interview his doctors.

In contrast, Trump, 70, released a four-paragraph medical history letter from a doctor who acknowledged taking all of five minutes to write it.

Clinton, 68, in July 2015 released a comparatively voluminous eight-paragraph health letter written by her physician.

The letters declared both Trump and Clinton healthy and fit to serve as president.

But several medical professionals and health policy experts interviewed consider the health letters a poor substitute for the candidates releasing actual records, particularly given how old they are  ages when medical problems become more likely.

If a person has any health risk that could lead to a problem, the public would want to know that, said Dr. Howard Brody, a physician and ethicist who recently retired from the University of Texas Medical Branch Institute for the Medical Humanities, where he for years served as director. And with presidential candidates, the public has become used to general openness about health.

Related: Poll: 2016 presidential candidates score low on financial honesty and transparency

In a statement, the Clinton campaign argued that Clinton is the only candidate in the race who has met the standard expected of presidential candidates and provided a detailed medical letter by her long time physician  Donald Trump has put forward a laughable letter that omits basic health information including the date of his exam, past medications, family medical history, heart rate, respiratory rate, EKG or cholesterol level.

Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, in a tweet Monday about Clintons health, declared that lack of transparency is an overarching theme for the former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state.

Trump last month promised to release his full medical records  no specific date provided. I think that both candidates, Crooked Hillary and myself, should release detailed medical records. I have no problem in doing so! Hillary? Trump tweeted Aug. 28.

Trump, on Monday, added that he recently underwent a medical exam, the details from which he said hed release this week on the Dr. Oz Show. On Wednesday, Trumps campaign reversed course, saying the full release would occur at a later date. But Trump did share a one-page summary of the exam with Dr. Mehmet Oz, indicating he weighs 267 pounds (later revised to 236 pounds) and takes a statin drug to control his cholesterol.

Clinton, who last week fell ill with pneumonia, is also going to be releasing additional medical information, Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon told MSNBC on Monday. Clinton offered almost no information about her condition until she nearly collapsed Sunday at a 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York City.

On Wednesday, Clintons campaign indeed released additional details about her bout with pneumonia, medications and overall condition. (Update: 10:25 a.m., Sept. 15, 2016: Trump's campaign released a one-page letter offering more details on Trump's vital statistics and lab work.)

The verdict: Clinton currently edges Trump on the technicality that her paltry medical letter, coupled with its Wednesday update, contain marginally more information than what Trump has released.

Both candidates may yet reveal more details. But neither candidate has remotely approached the modern transparency standard set by McCain  one that President Barack Obama and 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney also fell short of.

Related: Howard Brody quote

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Tax returns

Presidential nominees arent required to publicly release their income tax returns, but almost all do, according to the Tax History Project.

Some candidates are stingy, such as Romney in 2012, McCain in 2008 and 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry, at least when it came to the returns of his ultra-rich wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.

Seventy-one percent of respondents in the Center for Public Integrity/Ipsos poll said all presidential candidates should release their 2015 tax returns. Just 12 percent said the candidates should not.

Tax documents dont necessarily present a full picture of someones wealth, but they do provide more detailed information on decisions about charitable contributions, investment strategies and foreign holdings, tax reporter Richard Rubin wrote for Bloomberg last year.

Clinton has made public her annual income tax returns since 1977  a fact she has regularly touted as proof of her commitment to transparency.

Donald Trump is hiding behind fake excuses and backtracking on his previous promises to release his tax returns  what is he trying to hide? Clinton said earlier this year upon releasing her 2015 tax return.

In a statement to the Center for Public Integrity, the Clinton campaign further asserted that Trump is breaking with the long-standing bipartisan tradition of releasing his tax returns and is hiding the full extent of his financial entanglements.

Never has Trump publicly released a tax return, which would likely provide deep insight into the financial and philanthropic priorities of a man who ranks among the nations wealthiest.

Trump has offered various reasons for withholding the returns: hes being audited, theyre very big, people dont care, theres nothing to learn from them.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Trumps running mate, has released his tax returns. Pence told Fox News Trump will be releasing his tax returns at the completion of an audit.

Former IRS commissioners have said an audit does not prevent Trump from releasing his tax returns at his leisure.

The verdict: Itd be difficult for Clinton to be more transparent with her tax returns. Itd be difficult for Trump to be less transparent. Trump, however, still has time to make his tax returns public, ensuring that he doesnt become the first major presidential nominee in more than 40 years to not release his or her tax returns. Advantage Hillary.

Related: Poll: most people say 2016 presidential candidates should release tax returns

Campaign money

Both Clinton and Trump earn plaudits for the information they provide the Federal Election Commission about the people whove contributed more than $200 to their respective campaigns this election.

More than 95 percent of such Clinton donors provide complete information about themselves: name, location, employer and occupation, according to data provided to the Center for Public Integrity by the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan campaign finance research organization. Such information helps illuminate the economic interests of a candidates supporters.

Trump isnt far behind, with more than 92 percent of his major donors qualifying for full disclosure status, according to the Center for Responsive Politics rubric.

Theres no such parity when it comes to presidential campaign bundlers  usually wealthy and well-connected people who volunteer to raise hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars for their favored candidates political committee. They then deliver their cash stash in a bundle to their campaign of choice.

Since campaign finance laws prohibit individuals from contributing more than $2,700 to a federal candidate per election, bundlers help candidates efficiently collect money. Theyre a bit like overachieving PTA parents who crush school fundraising records  except the bundlers are more likely to own Bentleys and private jets.

Federal law doesnt require presidential candidates to disclose their bundlers, unless the bundler is a registered federal lobbyist.

But George W. Bush, Kerry, McCain and Obama are recent presidential candidates who have volunteered at least some information about their bundlers, lobbyist or not.

During the 2012 election, for example, Obama disclosed the names, states and cities of his bundlers. He also provided dollar ranges  $50,000 to $100,000; $100,000 to $200,000; $200,000 to $500,000; and $500,000 and up  indicating their bundling totals.

Romney became the first major presidential candidate since 2000 to release no bundler information at all.

Clinton calls her bundlers Hillblazers. Her campaign maintains a list, available on her website, of Hillblazers whove bundled at least $100,000  more than 870 bundlers in all.

While Clinton provides a city and state for each person listed, she offers no added detail about how much money a person has bundled. Nor does she provide additional identifying information about her bundlers. Thats hardly a problem if one wants to confirm the identity of Andrew M. Cuomo / Albany, N.Y. Its a touch trickier for, say, Richard Cohen / New York, N.Y.

Trump has so far played the Romney card, disclosing no information about his campaign bundlers. He has not said whether he will change his mind between now and Nov. 8.

The verdict: Overall, a win for Clinton. Sure, she could provide more information about her biggest bag men and women, and she falls short of the disclosure standard Obama set. But some bundler transparency is worth more than none, and none is all Trump has offered to date.

Related story: Small businesses for Trump: Just get somebody different in there

Related story: Liberal billionaires bankroll Hillary Clintons super PAC attack dog

Related: Poll: about half the people say Clinton released tax returns, a little more than half know Trump did not

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Personal financial disclosures

In mid-May, federal law required both Trump and Clinton to file personal financial disclosures that detail  to an extent  their assets and income.

The primary purpose of these disclosures, filed by senior government officials as well as candidates for federal office, is to assist agencies in identifying potential conflicts of interest between a filer's official duties and the filer's private financial interests and affiliations, according to the United States Office of Government Ethics.

Both Trump and Clinton fully complied with federal requirements and submitted their information without delay, even though federal rules entitled them to apply for up to two, 45-day filing extensions. They offered no more, and no less, than what the forms required.

The documents themselves have limits.

Candidates, for example, are only required to provide values of their assets in broad ranges, meaning a stock holding worth $2.5 million would be listed as being worth $1,000,001 to $5 million. If a candidate is exceptionally rich, as both Trump and Clinton are, such reporting wiggle room makes it virtually impossible for anyone to accurately calculate a candidates overall wealth.

Moreover, candidates arent generally required to list the values of their residences or vehicles.

The documents, therefore, are not of much use for determining how much of a billionaire Trump really is. But thats not Trumps fault.

The verdict: A tie. Both candidates filed their documents on time, without delay, in accordance with the law.

Websites

A candidates website is a likely starting point for someone itching for detailed policy information straight from the source.

As of early September, Clintons website featured an issues section containing information on six topic areas: economy and jobs, education, environment, health, justice and equality and national security.

These six topic areas are then broken down into sections detailing 38 separate policy matters  from LGBT rights and equality to Wall Street reform to protecting animals and wildlife.

Added up, Clintons issues section contains about 22,000 words, by the Center for Public Integritys count. Most of the individual sections contain fewer than 1,000 words each. But many provide links to supplementary material such as related speeches, campaign videos, blog items and fact sheets. The fact sheets alone contain about 120,000 additional words worth of information.

Trumps website features a positions section with seven topic areas: economic vision, pay for the wall, healthcare reform, U.S.-China trade reform, Veterans Administration reforms, Second Amendment rights and immigration reform.

Added up, Trumps issues section contained about 9,200 words as of early September. More than one-fourth of those words detail Trumps immigration and border wall plans.

Trumps website also contains separate sections for press releases, statements and issues. The issues section is composed of 21 YouTube videos, most featuring Trump himself discussing both broad-based topics  the economy, the military  and the decidedly esoteric, such as Trump University Truth and Live Free or Die.

The videos are thick with superlatives, thin on specifics and range from 28 seconds in length to 3 minutes 7 seconds.

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In one video from January, titled Self Funding, Trump makes statements that were largely true then, but demonstrably false now. Im totally self-funding my campaign so I dont have to take donors and special-interest people and lobbyists  I dont have to bring them in, Trump declares.

Except Trump is not totally self-funding his campaign, nor is he anywhere close to doing so. Rather, Trumps campaign has in recent months aggressively solicited money from individuals and political committees. Of the $128 million Trumps campaign has raised through July, $52 million has personally come from Trump. Separately, Trump has welcomed the support of several pro-Trump super PACs, which may raise unlimited amounts of money to promote or attack candidates.

The verdict: Clintons website features more policy information and covers more topics. A political novice who wants to learn where the candidates stand on issues will learn much more from Clinton s website than from Trumps website.

Related story: Donald Trump's big money bait-and-switch

Social media

You may consider Trump a blathering blabbermouth endlessly blubbering about one perceived ill or another: Muslims, Mexicans, Megyn Kelly, mosquitoes.

Then again, you may consider him a rare commodity in American politics: someone willing to communicate candidly with minimal self-censoring.

Trump calls CNN unwatchable. Sen. Ted Cruz is a nasty guy and a loser. Television host Bill Maher is an idiot. Trumps Twitter account is equal parts tornado, torpedo and vaudeville, smashing, attacking and entertaining its way to attention and tackling almost any topic that tickles Trumps fancy.

Its tempting to dismiss Twitter  and Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and others  as secondary to press conferences, campaign statements, commercials and other, more traditional forms of political messaging.

But Trump has 11.5 million Twitter followers. During Election 2016, reporters have written and broadcast hundreds of news stories about what Trump tweets.

Clinton has almost 8.8 million Twitter followers of her own, but her tweets come largely from her campaign, reveal less about the candidate and merit much less attention.

The verdict: Trump by a terabyte. No presidential nominee has ever, for better or for worse, been more unfiltered on social media.

Don't miss another Politics investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email.

Philanthropy

Presidential candidates are running to lead a country. How the candidates run their own charitable operations offers insight on how they lead.

The Clinton Foundation, in its own words, sounds like a leader and a winner. It exists to build partnerships of great purpose between businesses, governments, NGOs and individuals to work faster, better and leaner; to find solutions that last; and to transform lives and communities from what they are today to what they can be, tomorrow.

Like most charities, the organization  led in part by former President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea Clinton and formerly known as the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation when Clinton herself was directly involved  must file annual reports with the IRS detailing its finances.

Its done that, and more. In December 2008, as Hillary Clinton was poised to become secretary of state, the Clinton Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding requiring it to name its contributors.

On paper, the arrangement represents an unusual level of transparency among charitable initiatives, said Stacy Palmer, editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

But, as The Hill recently noted, the Clinton Foundation has repeatedly stumbled with transparency  hardly an insignificant issue for the free worlds leader.

The foundation failed to reveal hundreds of donors to a Canadian affiliate, slow-walked other disclosures and provided donation figures in broad ranges, making it impossible to determine how much money a litany of questionable donors  foreign governments, included  have given.

While Charity Navigator this month gave the Clinton Foundation its highest rating for operational strength and transparency, the nonprofit watchdog organization last year placed the foundation on a watch list  a move prompting significant blowback from Clintonworld.

Meanwhile, Clinton is facing endless attacks from conservatives who consider the Clinton Foundation a pay-to-play monstrosity  author and activist Peter Schweizer wrote a 256-page book, Clinton Cash, about it. Write the Clintons a big check, get access to Bill and Hillary, the criticism goes. Even liberals such as MSNBCs Rachel Maddow have questioned Clinton.

The illegality of the Clinton Foundation has left it woefully unpopular among voters, the Trump campaign said in an Aug. 25 statement, citing a Morning Consult poll.

Secretary Clinton, the other day your campaign said that voters who are concerned about the ethics surrounding the Clinton Foundation should not vote for you. Do you agree? Trump spokesman Jason Miller asked three days later, pointing to an MSNBC interview with a Clinton spokesman.

Blunting Trumps criticism is the fact that his foundation gave $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation years ago. (Trump defended the donation to Fox News, saying, The Clinton Foundation was helping with Haiti and with lots of other things, and I thought it was going to do some good work. So, it didn't make any difference to me.)

Trumps Donald J. Trump Foundation  a much smaller charity that in 2014 doled out less than $600,000 in grants, according to tax returns  has its own problems.

One big problem in particular: The Donald J. Trump Foundation straight up broke federal tax laws in 2013 when it illegally pumped money into a political organization supporting Pam Bondi, Floridas attorney general. Charitable nonprofits are prohibited from making such political contributions.

The $25,000 donation to a pro-Bondi political group  the latest campaign finance-related trouble Trump has faced  came six days after a Bondi spokeswoman said Bondis office was reviewing allegations against Trump University, Trumps for-profit program that offered courses in real estate investments. Critics have lambasted the program as a scam, scheme, fraud and lie.

Bondis office never pursued the Trump University matter.

After the IRS flagged the illegal donation, the Donald J. Trump Foundation coughed up a $2,500 penalty to placate the tax man.

"It was just an honest mistake," Jeffrey McConney, president and controller at the Trump Organization, told the Washington Post's David A. Fahrenthold. "It wasnt done intentionally to hide a political donation, it was just an error."

Bill Clinton, speaking this month to a crowd in Orlando, disagreed.

"My charity helps people, he said. His is used to pay off your attorney general.

This follows a damning report by the Washington Post that casts doubt on Trumps claims of charity. Trumps campaign refuses to provide documentation, including tax returns, detailing or verifying his charitable contributions.

He makes contributions personally, and theres no way for you to know or understand what those gifts are or when they are made, Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks told BuzzFeed.

CNNs Alisyn Camerota on Tuesday asked Conway, Trumps campaign manager, whether Trump would detail how much hes given to charity.

I doubt it, Conway replied. This is like badgering. I don't see it as journalism, I see it as badgering.

And this weekend, the Washington Post published a scathing report explaining how Trump has taken credit for charitable activity funded by other donors to his foundation.

The verdict: Politically speaking, there are no winners here. Both foundations are different in size and service, but neither Clinton nor Trump have done themselves election season favors this year through their charitable operations.

Regardless of what good the Clinton Foundation is doing and has done, it has grown into a massive albatross for Clinton. USA Today, the Boston Globe, Huffington Post  hardly Trump train passengers  have either called on the Clinton Foundation to curtain its fundraising or shut down altogether.

Trump, meanwhile, faces continued fallout from his charitys illegal political contribution: A Democratic organization has filed a complaint against the foundation with the U.S. Department of Justice, and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is opening an inquiry into the Donald J. Trump Foundation.

On balance, Trump has this election been less transparent about his philanthropy  to the extent hes genuinely philanthropic  than Clinton has been. If Trump is generous with his money, hes not offering much evidence of it.

Press access

Trump brings the fire.

Reporters are dishonest, scum, horrible, sleazy and disgusting and corrupt  although probably not worth killing. Theyre targets of mockery. They get tossed from Trump rallies. Their news organizations are blacklisted and banned from obtaining coverage credentials. And, of course, there was the misdemeanor battery arrest in March of then-Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who grabbed then-Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields after a news conference. (Lewandowski was not prosecuted.)

Clinton brings the ice.

First, there was Clintons reporter rope jail. Then, she went 275 days between bona fide press conferences  or maybe 278?  and all but froze out journalists traveling with her. Like Trump, she flew around the country on a different plane than reporters, only bringing the press aboard earlier this month.

So much for Clintons promise to a roomful of journalists gathered last year in Washington, D.C., for Syracuse Universitys Toner Prize political reporting award ceremony. There, Clinton said shed aim for a new relationship with the press and no more secrecy, no more zone of privacy.

Leaders of several journalism organizations consider neither Trump nor Clinton paragons of transparency.

Because of the power vested in the president, it is critical for the press to have access to the leading White House contenders so that the public stays well informed. As the general election heats up, both candidates can still do better on this score, said Jeff Mason, president of the White House Correspondents Association and a Reuters reporter.

If you want to be the leader of the free world, you shouldn't be afraid of holding a news conference and answering questions. If you want to prove to Americans you have the temperament to be president, you can't ban reporters because you don't like what they write, said Thomas Burr, president of the National Press Club and reporter in the Salt Lake Tribunes Washington, D.C., bureau.

Said Pam Fine, president of the American Society of News Editors: It doesnt serve the public when candidates either keep the press at arms length or constantly accuse the news media of being biased or self-serving.

Don't miss another Politics investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email.

Despite Trumps tempestuousness, the Republican nominee has in recent months repeatedly sat for lengthy, no-holds-barred interviews with national news outlets, including NBCs Meet the Press with Chuck Todd, CNNs The Lead with Jake Tapper, ABC World News Tonight with David Muir and Fox News Fox and Friends.

For example, while enforcing a ban on Washington Post reporters from campaign events, Trump was in the midst of 20-hours-worth of interviews for "Trump Revealed," said Michael Kranish, the books co-author and a Washington Post investigative reporter.

Thats a high level of access  he took our questions, he answered follow-ups, he repeatedly called back, Kranish said. Hed both complain and say he respected what we were trying to do.

NBC reporter Katy Tur, whos traveled with Trump for more than a year, chronicled in Marie Claire her roiling reporter-candidate relationship with the Republican candidate. Its boomeranged from him publicly demeaning her to sitting for exclusive interviews.

In contrast, New York Times reporter Amy Chozick, whos covered Clinton for more than eight years, described in a July interview on public radio program "Fresh Air" how Clinton has been very inaccessible in 2016 with the reporters who cover her most closely. Chozick confirmed in an email last week Clinton has only conducted a single one-on-one interview with Chozick during Election 2016 while keeping most of her traveling press corps at bay.

Clinton, Chozick said, was notably more accessible during her 2008 presidential run. She flew on the same airplane with reporters, regularly joked and chatted with them  glass of wine in hand, occasionally  and even called some of their significant others on Valentines Day to apologize for keeping them tethered to the campaign trail.

Clintons campaign parried such access criticism, noting that the Democratic nominee has sat for hundreds of interviews across the country from a wide range of outlets and has answered thousands of questions on every conceivable topic without ground rules on the questions that can be asked.

Indeed, Clinton has recently sat for high-profile interviews with NBCs Chuck Todd, CNNs Brianna Keilar and others.

But an analysis last month by National Public Radios David Folkenflik shows that some of the interviews Clinton has conducted have been with non-journalists, such as entertainers or even other politicians. Clinton favored television above all other forms of media and emphasized brief interviews with local television news stations, the analysis concluded. She also frequently graced local radio hosts with her calls.

The analysis also showed that Trump has appeared for more interviews than Clinton on Sunday morning public affairs shows.

The verdict: Trump is unquestionably hostile toward reporters. He may even hate them. Many journalists are concerned his love of press freedom is somewhere between his fondness for federal Judge Gonzalo Curiel and windmills. But by most measures, Trump has been more accessible to the press during Election 2016.

Related: Pam Fine quote

Emails, immigration, transcripts

Theres no Trumpian analogue to whats been Clintons most enduring transparency saga: her use of a private State Department email server.

Still unclear is why she had one, the degree to which she misused it and if she still continues to hide material the public is entitled to read. Oh, and why an aide destroyed two of Clintons BlackBerry devices with a hammer.

Last month, newly revealed emails showed how prominent Clinton Foundation donors had sought access to key officials at the Clinton-led State Department. The whole matter has been the subject of an FBI investigation. Trump says its worse than Watergate.

If youre not telling the truth about your conduct, then that is the exact opposite of transparency, said Tom Fitton, president of conservative nonprofit organization Judicial Watch, which has waged a years-long legal battle with the federal government to access Clintons emails.

Related: Tom Fitton quote

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And remember the paid, private speeches Clinton gave earlier this decade to Wall Street executives, including those at Goldman Sachs, the financial giant whose employees have over the years ranked among the nations most generous to Clintons political campaigns?

Despite criticism and calls by former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders to release transcripts of the speeches, Clinton has refused.

Trump isnt dogged by email or transcript issues, making a direct comparison with Clinton moot. But Trump has been party to a variety of other transparency flaps  most notably involving lawsuits, the details of which he often doesnt discuss.

Questions also remain about the immigration history of his Slovenian-born wife, Melania, who has all but disappeared since her speech at the Republican National Convention plagiarized parts of first lady Michelle Obamas 2008 Democratic National Convention speech.

On Wednesday, Melania Trump herself said she correctly went through the legal process in gaining her U.S. citizenship. She also released a letter from an immigration attorney, who said Melania Trump followed proper immigration procedures.

The verdict: Clintons secrets in part involve her service as secretary of state, the government official fourth in line to the presidency. They have caused her campaign sustained troubles that have yet to dissipate.

Her refusal to reveal transcripts of speeches to financial titans help fuel a criticism  raised again in recent days as she conducted a series of private fundraisers with some of the worlds most well-known people  that shes quite candid and accessible to people with massive wealth and a willingness to use it to help her.

(Clintons campaign noted that throughout this race, we have been the only campaign to provide press with background information about every fundraiser Hillary Clinton attends.)

And while Trump is no open book, his lack of transparency in these regards hasnt been nearly as much a campaign liability for him. Advantage Trump.

In conclusion

The Clinton campaign, in a statement to the Center for Public Integrity, said of Trump: We know the least about Donald Trump of any major party nominee in recent memory.

Trumps staff, meanwhile, has accused Clinton of waging a campaign to deceive media and the public.

But while Clinton is known for her secrecy, by virtue of her tax returns, her willingness to name campaign bundlers and list donors to her charity, she trumps Trump on the transparency issue, albeit incompletely.

Versions of this story appear on NBC News, Public Radio International and Philly.com.

This story is part of Buying of the President 2016. Tracking the candidates, political committees and nonprofits that are making this presidential election the most expensive in history. Click here to read more stories in this investigation.

Related stories

Copyright 2016 The Center for Public Integrity. This story was published by The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C.
Researchers have discovered the intact wreck of what they believe to be the HMS Terror, a British naval ship abandoned 168 years ago at the top of the Victoria Strait in Canada, the Guardian reported.

Scientists from the Arctic Research Foundation, a charitable organization created by tech tycoon Jim Balsillie, found the Terror almost by accident. The team had been searching for the ship for several years and were returning from a recent expedition when images of the wreck appeared on their sounder as they were heading back.

Using a remotely controlled vehicle, they entered the wreck and explored the mess hall, several cabins, and a storage room where they discovered canned goods and bottles of wine. The ship they found matches plans as well as historical accounts of the HMS Terror.

This vessel looks like it was buttoned down tight for winter and it sank, Adrian Schimnowski, the foundations operations director, told the Guardian. Everything was shut. Even the windows are still intact. If you could lift this boat out of the water, and pump the water out, it would probably float.

Canadian ship finds HMS Terror 168 years after it disappeared looking for Northwest Passage https://t.co/KhKa6wI4UM pic.twitter.com/cp6n5kVR8a Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) September 13, 2016

British explorer Sir John Franklin captained the HMS Terror, along with the HMS Erebus, in 1848. The doomed captain sought to complete the Northwest Passage, the icy route that connects the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean through the Arctic Sea.

Franklin and his crew of 128 men were forced to abandon their ships because of heavy ice in the Victoria Strait near King William Island in Canada. Taking provisions and lifeboats, the men fled the ship and eventually all perished.

The Royal Navy searched for the vessels for 11 years after the wreck and found no trace of either ship or crew. The mystery of the HMS Terror and the HMS Erebus had remained until two years ago, when researchers found the wreck of the Erebus following a tip from Inuit oral history.

Story continues

Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper had championed his nations exploration of the Arctic as a way of asserting Canadas sovereignty in the region while searching for deep-sea resources, the Associated Press reported.

Jess McHugh is a digital reporter for Travel + Leisure. You can find her on Twitter at @MchughJess.

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Simone Biles was arguably the biggest story of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but just a few weeks after earning four gold medals representing the United States, the talented gymnast is in the headlines for a less desirable reason. On Tuesday, a group of Russian hackers released confidential U.S. Olympic testing records. Biles name was part of the hack, and as a result, she revealed that she has ADHD and has taken medicine since her childhood.

This statement from Biles came on the heels of an official release from USA Gymnastics which explained that the 19-year-old has an exemption that allows her to take Ritalin.

https://twitter.com/USAGym/status/775764376485638144

As usual, Biles handled the matter with the utmost grace, letting the world know that she was not at all ashamed about the fact that she battles ADHD:

Having ADHD, and taking medicine for it is nothing to be ashamed of nothing that I'm afraid to let people know.  Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) September 13, 2016

Biles may not be the most famous athlete in the world, but for a brief time in the summer of 2016, she was high on the list. There is, of course, nothing wrong with legally taking a prescribed medication in order to function at the highest possible level, and Biles getting ahead of this with a clear and succinct statement is the best course of action.

Fighting against the stigma of ADHD is an ongoing battle, but Biles once again reminded us all of why she generated such an overwhelmingly positive response in Rio.
From ELLE

Simone Biles, whose matchless talent earned her four golds and the adoration of an entire nation last month, has spoken out about the ADHD medication she's taken "since [she] was a kid." And according to Biles, it's really NBD.

Having ADHD, and taking medicine for it is nothing to be ashamed of nothing that I'm afraid to let people know. - Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) September 13, 2016

The athlete tweeted the news after the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) revealed that Russian hackers had gained access to and released the medical records of several Olympic competitors. The data on Biles found that she'd tested positive for methylphenidate, which is more conventionally known as Ritalin and is used to treat attention-deficit disorders.

"I have ADHD and I have taken medicine for it since I was a kid," Biles wrote in a note posted to Twitter. "Please know, I believe in clean sport, have always followed the rules, and will continue to do so as fair play is critical to sport and is very important to me."

Ordinarily, WADA prohibits the use of the substance. But USA Gymnastics rushed to put out a statement this afternoon to explain that Biles is exempt from the ban.

"Simone has filed the proper paperwork per USADA and WADA requirements, and there is no violation," said Steve Penny, the president of USA Gymnastics, in a statement, adding that "Simone and everyone at USA Gymnastics believe in the importance of a level playing field for all athletes."

"Having ADHD, and taking medicine for it is nothing to be ashamed of," Biles tweeted. "[It's] nothing that I'm afraid to let people know."

Story continues

Read USA Gymnastics' full statement here:

USA Gymnastics statement regarding Simone Biles and WADA hack: pic.twitter.com/YTq2iVS7Vu - USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) September 13, 2016

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Selling Syria deal. Secretary of State John Kerry defended the agreement he reached with Russia on a Syrian ceasefire Wednesday, calling it a last chance to be able to hold Syria together, and warning that without an agreement that helps separate so-called moderate rebels from the Islamist Nusra Front, the fighting is going to increase significantly, killing more civilians. In an interview to be broadcast on NPRs Morning Edition Wednesday, Kerry also said he believes the rebels will make commonsense decisions to move away from Nusra if it means they might be targeted by U.S. and Russian aircraft.

What cooperation? The big question this week  and one of the Obama administrations biggest challenges  is how to coordinate strikes with Russia, should this ceasefire hold for a week. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and other defense officials have been very public critics of the idea, and the New York Times reports that Carter pushed against the agreement on a conference call with the White House last week as Mr. Kerry, joining the argument from a secure facility in Geneva, grew increasingly frustrated. Not everyone in the diplomatic corps is on board, either, as FP reported in detail earlier this week.

Lawyers, guns, and.But in order for the U.S. and Russia to begin sharing information on which targets in Syria to bomb, Carter will need to issue a waiver to get around a law passed by Congress prohibiting military cooperation with Russia, the AP reminds us. And what about killing civilians? Russia famously uses mostly dumb bombs that cannot be guided onto a target, potentially making the U.S. partially responsible for more civilian casualties.

The Air Force officer in charge of operations over Iraq and Syria, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, told reporters at the Pentagon Tuesday that the military is working out the legal issues, but Im not going to tell you I trust [the Russians]from our side, we have to do some planning and they need to do the right thing. Well see what happens from there.

Story continues

Here comes Moscows aircraft carrier. This fall, some Russian strikes in Syria may be launched from Moscows one and only aircraft carrier, the troubled Admiral Kuznetsov, which is embarking on what is the first-ever combat deployment for a Russian carrier. The ship has a long history of breakdowns however, and travels with its own tugs to tow it to shore. FPs Paul McLeary writes that given the ships outdated design, its dozen or so planes  U.S. carriers ferry at least 60 planes  will have to travel light, with half empty gas tanks and partially bare bomb racks.

Kremlin worried? One senior defense official told SitRep that some in the top echelons of the Russian military worry that Syria is a potential quagmire, and that within the military professional leadership [in Russia] there is some recognition that this is a pretty complex place, and Russias getting into something that could take years.

Bigger bang. An armada of twelve U.S. warplanes, including a B-52s, A-10s F-15s, F-16s, and F-18s launched a massive strike on a suspected ISIS chemical weapons production facility in Mosul on Monday, hitting 50 targets in the process, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian said. The massive complex had been a pharmaceutical factory that ISIS repurposed to produce chlorine or mustard gas  we dont know for sure at this point, the general said. For a video of the big boom, check here.

In another chemical weapons story, the Washington Post gives us the backstory on how the international community came together  largely in secret  to ship nearly 500 tons of dual-use, toxic industrial chemicals out of Libya earlier this month.

Israels $38 billion deal. Israel drove a hard bargain for months in negotiations with the United States over the terms of a new military aid deal, pushing for more funding and other concessions. But in the end, FPs Dan De Luce writes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed off. The two governments announced Tuesday they had wrapped up a new memorandum of understanding that will deliver an unprecedented $38 billion worth of arms to Israel over the next decade in what the State Department called the single largest pledge of bilateral military assistance in U.S. history. The package does not detail what military hardware Israel will acquire or when, but amounts to a nearly $40 billion gift card at the Pentagons weapon bazaar. FP recently ran a deep dive into some of the politics of the deal thats well worth the read.

Good morning and as always, if you have any thoughts, announcements, tips, or national security-related events to share, please pass them along to SitRep HQ. Best way is to send them to: paul.mcleary@foreignpolicy.com or on Twitter: @paulmcleary or @arawnsley

Philippines

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is once again calling the U.S.-Philippine military relationship into question, suggesting that the country buy weapons from Russia and China and end its joint patrols of the South China Sea conducted with the U.S. Navy. Duterte told a military audience that hed received offers for loans to purchase weapons from two unnamed countries, and that Philippine military envoys would visit Russia and China to assess their weapons exports. He also offered an implicit snub to recent U.S.-Philippine patrols of the South China Sea, saying, I just want to patrol our territorial waters.

While prospects for the U.S.-Philippine relationship look dimmer, Manilas relations with China appear to be on the upswing  or at least thats what one of Chinas top diplomats says. Reuters reports that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told Philippine diplomats that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is at a new turning point, following a low ebb in the aftermath of an international court ruling, brought by Manila, against Chinas South China Sea territorial claims in July. Liu said he hoped that the two countries can overcome their difficulties and that in future the Philippines can meet China halfway on tough issues.

Kenya

The Islamic State-linked propaganda outlet Amaq news agency has claimed an attack in Mombasa against a police station, according to Reuters, marking the debut act of terrorism by the group on Kenyan soil. Three women covered in conservative Islamic dress bluffed their way into a police station in order to set it on fire. Amaq later issued a statement describing the women as supporters of Islamic State, language frequently used to claim an association with attackers around the world.

Cybersecurity

Whos been testing out massive, county-level distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks against critical Internet infrastructure companies? Good question. Encryption and information security expert Bruce Schneier pens a piece for Lawfare in which he reveals that a handful of Internet critical infrastructure companies have told him that theyve recently been the target of larger, longer, more sophisticated DDoS attacks. The attacks, Schneier believes, appear to be probes designed to find weaknesses and evaluate defenses. At the moment, its unclear whos behind the attacks but Schneier speculates that it could be a nation-state such as China or Russia.

Russians intelligence hacked the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and published the medical information of American Olympians, the New York Times reports. WADA issued a press release stating that the agency, which played a key role in identifying the Russian intelligence-led doping program that lead to the disqualification of several Russian Olympians, was carried out by the APT 28 or Fancy Bear hacking group. Fancy Bear is widely believed to be linked to Russias GRU military intelligence agency. The hacked data of prominent American Olympians like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Simone Biles shows no evidence of cheating or doping but does reveal that some U.S. athletes sought and received official permission to temporarily take banned substances for specific medical conditions.

Marines

The Washington Post has new details on the treatment of recruits at Parris Island, where a 20 year-old Muslim recruit recently committed suicide during training. A drill instructor allegedly placed another Muslim recruit in an industrial dryer, barking racist accusations and at him and burning the man in process. The accusations surfaced in an investigation of practices at Parris Island following the suicide of Raheel Siddiqui. Investigators allege that drill instructors from the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion frequently used racist insults and sometimes showed up drunk for work.

Awards

Nearly 1,400 awards handed out by the military for valor in battle are being considered for an upgrade, Military Times reports. A review kicked off by Defense Secretary Ash Carter earlier this year has identified 1,357 medals, mostly Silver Stars, which could be eligible for upgrades to higher awards. The papers own analysis has found that troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have received the Medal of Honor at historically low rates.

Photo credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
By Dominique Patton and Josephine Mason

BEIJING (Reuters) - On the surface, the timing of the United States' audacious challenge to China's price supports for its grain farmers looks odd.

Farmers in the world's second-biggest economy are currently harvesting their first corn crop in a decade that will not be priced by the government, after Beijing launched efforts to reform its corn policy earlier this year. Furthermore, domestic Chinese corn prices are languishing close to multi-year lows.

But the steady erosion of the U.S. role in the world grain export market, a ballooning global crop glut and the years-long premium that Chinese grains have held over global prices help to explain what compelled the politically influential U.S. farm sector to file its case with the World Trade Organization.

European and U.S. regulators have criticized China's farm policies for years but the country's leaders have prioritized the sector to ensure self-sufficiency in staple food crops and boost rural incomes to address widening inequalities with urban residents. To do that, Beijing has set goals to provide jobs across the farm belt, feed its growing urban population and reduce its dependence on imports.

The U.S. appears willing to risk ratcheting up tensions in an already-fraught trade relationship as its own farmers grapple with record grain inventories and near 10-year lows in grain prices.

The two countries, the world's biggest agricultural producers, are already enmeshed in ongoing bilateral trade deal discussions and a Chinese investigation into alleged dumping of animal feed grains by U.S. producers. These tensions are what analyst Rosa Wang at Shanghai JC Intelligence Co Ltd believe sparked the U.S. action.

"It's totally related to the trade relationship," said Wang.

A ruling in the dumping case against U.S. producers of distillers's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), an animal feed made as a byproduct of ethanol production, was expected earlier this week.

Story continues

FALLING CLOUT

Part of the U.S. pain is explained by an historic shift in trade flows.

Between 2010 and 2015, the U.S. share of the burgeoning volumes of global exports of corn, wheat and rice shrank by a third as it was crowded out by rivals Brazil, Argentina and Russia, according to data compiled by Reuters.

Its portion of sales to China fell even faster, dropping by over 40 percent.

An even larger sticking point in the controversy centers on the difference in prices for grains between China and the United States that started to widen in early 2010.

The United States says the spread distorts world trade and gives Chinese farmers an unfair advantage over competitors.

Spot futures prices of wheat and rice in China averaged more than double their U.S. counterparts in August. Dalian corn prices were an average 1.7 times higher than Chicago corn prices.

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

Criticizing China's subsidies and forcing Beijing to overhaul its system may have unintended, painful consequences for U.S. farmers, analysts say.

They point to corn as an example.

Domestic Chinese corn shot to premiums over global prices after government help and that created huge opportunities for exporters to sell into China in recent years. In 2015, the country imported 4.7 million tonnes of corn as domestic prices averaged nearly 1,300 yuan ($195) per tonne more than the U.S. benchmark.

But, as China has dismantled its corn stockpiling and decade-old price support program this year, the spread in corn has dropped by roughly 30 percent to around 900 yuan per tonne.

And with that drop China's appetite for foreign corn has collapsed, falling 22 percent through July compared to the same period last year.

Ma Wenfeng, a senior analyst at Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultant Ltd, said on Wednesday that China's waning import appetite with the ending of the state support system was a bigger worry for the United States.

"It's because China doesn't support (it's corn farmers anymore)" that U.S. imports have dropped, he said.

(Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
Michelle Obama turned down role in 'The Simpsons'

US First Lady Michelle Obama once turned down a role on the popular animated sitcom "The Simpsons" with a hilarious note.
Brooklyn Cupcake

Carmen Rodriguez was in a bind. She was facing a job loss and trying to figure out what to do next.

Then it struck her. She would often rope her sister and cousin into helping her bake for the holidays. Why not launch a bakery?

Rodriguez and her sister launched Brooklyn Cupcake, a Williamsburg-based cupcake shop, creating Puerto Rican- and Italian-inspired cupcakes. The news spread quickly, she said, and the support came pouring in.

The fledgling business took off, and soon the sisters were approached by the Food Network, Whole Foods of Brooklyn, and Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises to stock their cupcakes. They were asked to host their cupcakes as part of the Brooklyn food cultural experience and were appointed the official cupcake of Brooklyn by the Prospect Park food court.

"We needed to build out a kitchen and we needed it fast," said Rodriguez.

They needed $20,000 to keep up with demand. They applied for a loan at a bank and were rejected. "We were only about two years in operation and still considered a startup. Receiving funding was next to impossible."

They were already customers of Square, having decided to use the Square reader and point-of-sale (POS) system for their nascent business after seeing an ad for the company. The sisters didn't know about Square Capital, the lending arm of Square, until they were unexpectedly offered a loan. They were shocked.

jack dorsey

"I was able to use the proceeds to secure the commercial kitchen space, build it out, and lease new equipment, which helped us to generate about $100,000 more in revenue that year," she said.

They have since used Square Capital loans four times to expand their business.

"Each time it gets easier and easier," Rodriguez said. "Just push the button and the funds are there, usually the next day. Square Capital was a game-changer for me and my family."

Behind the game-changer

Square was founded by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. Along with Twitter, Square saw a tumultuous start to the year. Square's net loss reached $96.7 million in the first quarter, nearly double the level at that time last year, because of a more than 70% increase in operating expenses. (The company settled a $50 million lawsuit by someone who claimed to be the creator of Square's credit-card reader.)

Story continues

But in Square Capital, a small but fast-growing part of the 1,449-employee company, Dorsey has a business with a ton of potential.

"Square Capital is probably the most profitable value-added service that Square provides," Tien Tsin Huang, a managing director in research at JPMorgan, told Business Insider.

Screen Shot 2016 09 09 at 6.13.52 PM

In the second quarter of 2016, Square Capital extended almost 34,000 working-capital loans to small businesses, totaling $189 million, an increase of 123% year over year.

The loans are funded by the company's own balance sheet as well as third-party institutional investors, with five new investors added in the second quarter.

Square Capital remains the largest revenue contributor to software and data revenue at Square, according to an August research note by Morgan Stanley. Software and data revenue came to $30 million, or about 17.5% of total revenue, in the second quarter.

The business opportunity is huge  99.7% of businesses in the US are small businesses, and 48% of US employees are small-business employees, according to the US small-business administration.

"It's such a big market and it's so underserved," Jackie Reses, Square Capital's CEO, told Business Insider. "That presents tremendous opportunity for Square and for Square Capital as we continue to expand, meeting the unmet demand small businesses have for access to funds they need to grow."

The flywheel of Square

Square Capital has a slightly different motivation to a bank. Whereas the primary business of a bank is issuing loans, Square is focused on generating additional revenues from the payments business. The idea behind Square Capital is that it provides funding to help small businesses expand, allowing them to generate more revenue. This in turn helps Square's main business, which makes money by charging a 2.75% fee on every swiped credit-card transaction.

Jackie Reses, CEO of Square Capital

Everything Square Capital does, according to Reses, "is to keep the flywheel of Square going as well. Everything we do will be connected to Squares purpose in some way."

Square Capital offers loans only to small-business owners who use Square's devices. The company gets unique insight into the real-time transaction data of its customers, which helps inform underwriting and risk models.

Square Capital then selects small-business owners who are eligible for a personal loan based on their activity with Square, and it approaches them with an offer.

The owners select which loan offer they want, and the funds are usually deposited by the next business day. The loan is repaid as a fixed percentage of daily card sales. That means that when business is good the business owner repays more; when business is slow they pay back less.

So far, default rates are about 4%, according to the company. "Square's scale and product ecosystem is the secret sauce of Square, not just Square Capital," Reses said.

According to JP Morgan's Huang, the strength of Square's customer-acquisition tool, with their core payments business, cannot be overestimated. "It allows them to get to know their customers, be proactive, and in turn sell value-added services like Square Capital. I think Square is the first nonbank to offer it up at scale using their own risk management."

Square recently launched products that provide sellers with more options to accept payments, including scheduled invoices, recurring invoices, and keeping a card on file.

A waiter serves dessert to a table of men listening to Chinese millionaire Chen Guangbiao during a lunch he sponsored for hundreds of needy New Yorkers at Loeb Boathouse in New York's Central Park June 25, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

The timing is great for the payments business

In August, Square announced a partnership with Upserve, a startup that processes card payments and provides business-management tools to small restaurants.

"The approach we took there was to go outside of Square, such that we could take our lending product and provide it seamlessly to another companys customers to give them a great experience," Reses said.

Square Cap receives anonymized transaction data from Upserve that allows it to apply its models for underwriting and risk just as it would if those businesses operated on Square. "We think that going outside of Square will be an interesting strategic long-term opportunity," she said.

The partnership has given Square a leg up in the restaurant business, where it hasn't traditionally done well, according to Neil Doshi, a managing director of research at Mizuho Securities USA.

"Upserve will fill that gap," he said. "The demand for their product is increasing, and they are looking to expand their existing customer space."

Reses hinted at an expansion of its product portfolio in the future. There are many pain points for small businesses, she said, that Square could serve. A coffee shop may want to open a second location and need a longer-term loan instead of a short-term one. A business may need money to invest in equipment in advance of having the cash flow.

"You can work through the ecosystem of what a business needs to continue and sustain growth and build out a fairly significant product portfolio, " Reses said.

There is potential for Square to expand beyond focusing on payments and to look to how they use the underlying customer data. "It's really about where our data and insights can drive a differentiated product," Reses added.

Visa credit card arranged on desks

Doshi is bullish on the company. "Our view is that a lot of companies are getting more interested in the SMB [small- and medium-sized business] market, and Square has pretty high take rates," he said.

Like Reses, he sees potential in expanding the startups' offerings.

"We view the payments business almost as a lead generation into selling higher-margin software and services, and that includes Square Capital," he said. "They could look at [small-business customers'] transaction data and provide them with more insight into scheduling, payroll, and market implications."

Because Square has a wealth of transaction data on a given small-business customer, it can analyze certain days or weeks that are busier for them than others, and help companies focus their marketing efforts, he said. They can also provide small businesses that may not be as business-savvy or software-savvy with the data and tools to run their business more efficiently and in a simpler way.

"There are a lot of interesting implications," Doshi said. "A lot of interesting use cases and a lot of opportunity."

Doshi predicts that Square Capital could soon move more upstream into larger businesses, perhaps working with companies that could provide more transaction data. For example, it could team up with larger firms like AmEx, Visa, or MasterCard.

EMV

James Faucette, an Executive Director in Morgan Stanley's equity research team, also sees an opportunity for the company to cross-sell software and data-analytics solutions to customers. Still, he said the "visibility is too limited" right now.

"Long-term profitability of the business is yet to be proven, but we see a path driven by scale," he said.

JPMorgan's Huang is also bullish on the company. "The timing is great for the payments business," he said. US retailers are increasingly converting to more secure EMV chip credit readers from traditional swiping, and Square's hardware is already chip-ready. "They are able to go to market with a lot of speed," he said.

Square isn't going to have it all its own way, though.

"A lot of the bigger players are moving downstream and this could be a problem for them," Doshi said. "Payments companies like Chase and PayPal want to move downstream to provide smaller loans to businesses."

JPMorgan's Huang sees a similar potential threat. "It's not a new market," he said. "We will see banks trying to pursue this market more aggressively."

But while the threat exists, it can present an opportunity. Doshi predicts that as the market grows, one of the larger players may even acquire Square for its technology.

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TORONTO (AP) -- In the middle of August, Alexei Ramirez hit a home run off Rays left-hander Drew Smyly.

Almost a month later, Ramirez connected again, this time helping give Smyly a win.

Smyly pitched 5 2/3 innings to remain unbeaten at Rogers Centre, Ramirez and Steven Souza Jr. hit home runs and Tampa Bay beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 on Tuesday night.

Ramirez's home run was his first since signing with Tampa Bay after being released by San Diego earlier this month. His previous homer, on Aug. 15, was a solo shot off Smyly at Tampa Bay when Ramirez was still with the Padres.

''When he came over here, I was like 'I know you remember that home run off me''' Smyly said. ''He's a good hitter, man. He's been around for 10 years.''

Ramirez wasn't sure what his future held when San Diego cut him loose, but he's happy for the chance he's been given.

''I thought it might have been the end of my season,'' he said through a translator. ''Here I am with an opportunity.''

The Blue Jays dropped into a tie with the Orioles for the AL wild-card spots. Toronto and Baltimore are two games behind Boston in the East.

The Rays have won seven of their last 11 games against the Blue Jays.

''If we could harness that and play the rest of the league like that, we'd be a pretty good ball club,'' Souza said.

Ramirez hit a three-run homer off Marcus Stroman (9-8) in the fifth, and Souza drilled a solo shot off Joe Biagini in the seventh.

Russell Martin had a two-run shot, but Toronto lost for the eighth time in 11 September games.

''It just wasn't our night,'' Martin said.

Smyly (7-11) came in 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA at Rogers Centre in five appearances, including three starts. He allowed two runs and five hits.

''That's a really tough lineup,'' Smyly said. ''Every time you face them, you know you have to be on point, you have to be commanding the ball well.''

Story continues

Toronto loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, but Edwin Encarnacion struck out against Danny Farquhar.

''I elevated a fastball and luckily he swung,'' Farquhar said.

The Blue Jays were without reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson for the second straight game. Donaldson is day to day with a sore right hip and hopes to return Wednesday.

Toronto has scored three runs or fewer in six of its past eight.

Martin chased Smyly with a two-out blast into the second deck in the sixth.

Stroman allowed three runs and four hits in six innings. The right-hander is winless in five starts since a home victory over Houston on Aug. 14.

''I thought he was good,'' manager John Gibbons said. ''We just came up short.''

DRAWING A CROWD

The crowd of 38,338 put Toronto over the three-million mark for the sixth time in franchise history and the first time since 1993. The Blue Jays have averaged an AL-best 41,460 this season. They have eight home games remaining.

POWER BALL

The Rays have hit 14 homers in their past six games. They need one more to match the team's single-season record of 199, set in 2009. The Rays have hit at least one home run in 16 of their 18 meetings with Toronto this season.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rays: LHP Xavier Cedeno is still bothered by a sore neck and will likely see a doctor when the team returns to Florida. Cedeno hasn't pitched since Aug. 29.

Blue Jays: Gibbons said Donaldson jammed his hip when he stepped on first base in Sunday's loss to Boston. The three-time All-Star third baseman is stuck in a career-worst seven game hitless streak. He's 0 for 23 with seven strikeouts in that span.

UP NEXT

Rays RHP Alex Cobb (0-0, 4.09) starts against Blue Jays RHP Marco Estrada (8-8, 3.68) in Wednesday afternoon's series finale. Cobb will make his third start since returning from elbow surgery. He's 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA in two career starts at Toronto. Estrada lasted a season-low 2 1/3 innings in Friday's loss to Boston.
Snowden

The "Pardon Snowden" campaign kicked off with a joint news conference on Wednesday put together by three human rights groups and interestingly, the man who seeks to benefit the most from it says he's sitting this one out.

"This is an independent campaign that was lead by Amnesty [International], the ACLU and Human Rights Watch," Snowden told the crowd at the conference (Snowden is under asylum in Moscow and addressed the audience through the use of a telepresence robot). "Im not actually involved in the logistics or the decisions for how things are handled."

When asked a follow-up question on why that is, Snowden explained his reasoning was similar to how he leaked the massive trove of top secret intelligence files  by giving them to accredited journalists who would decide whether a document was in the public interest before publishing, rather than simply dumping them on the internet like WikiLeaks would do.

"I am comfortable with the decisions Ive made. But I dont think its up for me to decide the direction of the future of our society," Snowden said. "I believe it's a participatory multilateral decision and we should intentionally remove the outside influence of a particular individual, and that includes myself. And thats why I do not, myself, ask for a pardon, and I never will."

Still, Snowden's supporters are certainly doing just that  starting with a public relations blitz, an online petition for clemency, timed to coincide with the release of a film about his work in intelligence and how he stole an alleged 1.7 million files from NSA while working as a contractor in 2013.

"This is just the beginning of this. I think were going to see an outpouring of support," said Anthony Romero, the executive director of the ACLU.

'This is his last chance'

Whether Snowden receives an outpouring of support in the coming weeks and months remains to be seen, but many believe the battle to secure a pardon from President Obama will be incredibly tough.

Story continues

"This is his last chance," Brad Moss, a national security lawyer, told Business Insider. "Aside from Obama having a last-minute 'I just feel so guilty' type of moment, I just can't see him doing it. I think the intelligence community would go ballistic."

Moss is not alone. Even one of the journalists who interviewed Snowden in Hong Kong, Ewen MacAskill, characterized the chances of a pardon as "remote," and Oliver Stone, the Academy Award-winning director behind "Snowden" expressed skepticism that he would return to the US on Tuesday.

But his supporters remain hopeful.

"By standing up for the privacy rights of his fellow citizens," Romero said. "Edward Snowden should be thanked and not punished.

That was a sentiment echoed throughout the call by various supporters of Snowden, which made him choke up with emotion at times.

"I have to say I am deeply appreciative. Im moved beyond words by the outpouring of support," Snowden said. "While I am grateful for the support given to my case, this really isnt about me. Its about us. Its about our right to dissent. Its about the kind of country we want to have. The kind of world we want to build.

He added: "I love my country. I love my family. And I have dedicated my life to both of them.

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Writing about climate change presents an interesting challenge.

It's a slow, constant process. Global temperatures rise a little every year, bit by bit accruing disastrous consequences. We get used to hearing that this year, like many years in recent memory, will be the hottest on record. That glaciers are melting. That food insecurity is increasing. That more and more people face climate-induced natural disasters.

As with any slow-moving (on human timescales) tragedy, it's difficult to sustain the degree of attention and horror that each new development deserves.

But then you see something like this:

That's a photo of a Swedish icebreaker sitting in open water at the North Pole, published about two weeks ago. (I first saw it retweeted on weather writer Eric Holthaus's Twitter account.)

Let's put that in context. The North Pole has been entirely covered in ice, including during the summer, for thousands of years. That was still the case when I graduated from high school, and I'm 24.

But a few years ago, predictions that our warming climate would cook the Arctic ice cap until it melted came true. Photos of a lake near the North Pole went briefly viral, then quickly faded from view. Now the Canadian Coast Guard can publish images of open sea at the North Pole and it can pass largely unnoticed.

(One caveat: Though the CCG describes this image as from the North Pole, we don't know exactly where in the Arctic sea it was shot. I've reached out to them for comment and will update if I hear back.)

Story continues

The thing is, people know that climate change is a problem. Gallup reports that 64% of US adults are worried "a great deal" or "a fair amount" about climate change.

It's hard to stay energized when there's so much else happening to worry about though, and that often means that the conspiracists and truthers are the loudest voices.

But in a world where a major presidential candidate can offer no policy proposal at all to address climate change, without any apparent political repercussions, I still think a picture of open ocean at the North Pole is worth paying attention to.

Update: In a statement on Twitter, the CCG said, "Due to ice drift, #Oden was ~0.75 nautical miles South of the geographic North Pole at the time of this photo." (That's .86 miles or 1.39 kilometers.)

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By Tanisha Heiberg JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's state-run Land Bank, a key lender to farmers, reported a 27 percent increase in annual profits to 396.2 million rand ($27 million) on Tuesday, despite the country's severe drought. "The structure of our loan book is made up of a very diversified portfolio of counterparties, diversified across regions and across commodities," Chief Executive Tshokolo Petrus Nchocho told Reuters. Total loans given by the bank increased by 3.2 percent in the face of the drought that cut the 2016 maize harvest by close to a third and has reduced the national cattle herd by around 15 percent. An El Nino weather pattern which ended in May triggered drought conditions across southern Africa with a government task force not expecting its effects to ease soon. "The majority of farmers who are on our loan book are long established strong commercial farmers who over the years have developed significant resilience measures," said Nchocho. ($1 = 14.4745 rand) (Reporting by Tanisha Heiberg; Editing by Ed Stoddard and)
By Christine Kim and Cynthia Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) - The South Korean government, long a bastion of support for the country's big conglomerates, is sticking to its hard-line stance on Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd , whose collapse is roiling global supply chains.

Since the world's seventh-largest container carrier filed for court receivership in late August, the government has sought to limit the impact on the export-dependent economy and Hanjin customers but is otherwise leaving the company to fend for itself.

"It now is entirely up to the court," a government official closely linked to the matter told Reuters, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue.

South Korea has said no government or central bank money will be directly injected into firms undergoing restructuring in the ailing shipping and shipbuilding industries.

Instead, it has extended aid to small-to-medium sized businesses jolted by the restructuring process, dishing out cheap loans and providing funds to maintain shipbuilding jobs and retrain workers in hard-hit regions of the country.

The government has also taken measures such arranging for rival shipper Hyundai Merchant Marine and smaller carriers to deploy ships to routes that were served by Hanjin.

In recent months, Korea Development Bank discussed arranging a merger between Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), itself under creditor-led debt restructuring. That effort ended when Hanjin sought court receivership after lead creditor Korea Development Bank halted support, Hanjin Shipping executive Kim Hyun-seok said last week.

KDB, which is also HMM's lead creditor, would be willing to back HMM's acquisition of Hanjin assets if it makes business sense and depending on the outcome of the receivership process, a KDB official told Reuters.

"Although we are considering ways to absorb Hanjin Shipping's market share, HMM is currently primarily focused on supporting cargo owners to minimize their difficulties," a spokeswoman for HMM said.

Story continues

POLITICALLY PALATABLE

The tougher government line with Hanjin marks a departure.

Last year, KDB and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Kexim) pledged 4.2 trillion won ($3.8 billion) in loans and equity to Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co Ltd , the world's largest shipbuilder.

That drew criticism after Daewoo Shipbuilding, which received a bailout some 15 years ago, shocked investors with a first-half operating loss of about 3 trillion won.

Kong Dong-rak, general manager at Korea Asset Investment Securities, said the government's decision was based on the cost of reviving Hanjin, given the high charter fees Hanjin is paying to shipowners and the industry's bleak near-term prospects.

Hanjin had debt of 6.1 trillion won at the end of June.

"The government decided it was time to cut them off because they knew they were sinking," Kong said.

Playing hardball with Hanjin, with just 1,428 employees in South Korea, is easier to do politically than with Daewoo Shipbuilding, which employs 38,000.

"Lazy thinking that the government will have no choice but to help shippers if they run into problems has ended up hurting trading companies," President Park Geun-hye said at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

"We will not sit silently by as corporate managements who do not aggressively try to recover their businesses and wait for the government to solve everything," she said.

A Hanjin Shipping spokeswoman declined comment.

Financial regulators blamed the carrier for a lack of information.

"We tried to set up countermeasures for logistics issues which will arise from Hanjin Shipping's court receivership, but we were unavoidably limited as Hanjin Shipping did not respond to any requests from creditors for information about cargo owners and sailing plans," FSC chairman Yim Jong-yong told a parliament hearing last week.

South Korea's trade ministry has been helping cargo owners and exporters, but not Hanjin itself, an official there said.

"All additional help that goes to Hanjin should be limited to supporting the offloading of cargoes. No more," said an official directly involved in discussions with creditors.

($1 = 1,115.3000 won)

(Additional reporting by Joyce Lee and Jane Chung; Editing by Tony Munroe and Lincoln Feast)
NRB governer urges parents not to send their children to foreign countries for work

Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank Chiranjibi Nepal has urged people not to send their children to foreign countries to work as 'there are many job opportunities for youths within the country'.
By Jeffrey Dastin

WASHINGTON, Sept 13 (Reuters) - A spat among airlines over which deserved the contract to fly U.S. government workers on certain routes intensified on Tuesday, with the chief executive of JetBlue Airways Corp calling rivals hypocritical for protesting its award.

The largest U.S. airlines have taken issue with a contract for federal employees to buy flights between New York and Milan in 2017 from JetBlue, which are marketed by the New York-based airline but operated exclusively by its codeshare partner, Dubai-based Emirates.

Delta Air Lines Inc, No.2 by passenger traffic, has said the award undermined the "Fly America Act" that requires taxpayer-funded travel to take place on domestic carriers, for the benefit of U.S. companies and jobs.

The contract also struck a nerve because Delta and peers are embroiled in competition and an ongoing row with Emirates. U.S. airlines have lowered fares to fill planes to Europe - a response in part to Gulf rivals that have added flights at a loss thanks to state subsidies, they allege. Emirates has denied it is subsidized.

The Fly America Act permits exceptions for codesharing agreements with foreign airlines, however. Carriers such as Delta and American Airlines Group Inc take advantage of this, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said.

"It's quite clearly hypocritical nonsense," Hayes said in an interview in Washington. "If the big three airlines can continue to win these contracts using their partners, flying on their partners' metal, why can't JetBlue?"

For instance, American won the contract for travel from Chicago to Abu Dhabi in 2017, but the flights are operated by Etihad Airways, based in the United Arab Emirates. American previously held the New York-Milan contract.

American said on Tuesday that U.S. carriers themselves operate flights between New York and Milan, distinguishing that route from those they do not serve where U.S. employees have no choice but to fly on foreign partners.

Story continues

American is "disappointed by the award," added Chief Executive Doug Parker at a conference in Washington.

Last year, JetBlue won the contract for Washington-Dubai flights, prompting United Continental Holdings Inc to cancel the route. Emirates operated the flights; a review by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found no objection.

The U.S. General Services Administration said all its contracts complied with the Fly America Act.

(Reporting by Jeffrey Dastin in Washington; Editing by Stephen Coates)
By Jeffrey Dastin

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A spat among airlines over which deserved the contract to fly U.S. government workers on certain routes intensified on Tuesday, with the chief executive of JetBlue Airways Corp calling rivals hypocritical for protesting its award.

The largest U.S. airlines have taken issue with a contract for federal employees to buy flights between New York and Milan in 2017 from JetBlue, which are marketed by the New York-based airline but operated exclusively by its codeshare partner, Dubai-based Emirates.

Delta Air Lines Inc, No.2 by passenger traffic, has said the award undermined the "Fly America Act" that requires taxpayer-funded travel to take place on domestic carriers, for the benefit of U.S. companies and jobs.

The contract also struck a nerve because Delta and peers are embroiled in competition and an ongoing row with Emirates. U.S. airlines have lowered fares to fill planes to Europe - a response in part to Gulf rivals that have added flights at a loss thanks to state subsidies, they allege. Emirates has denied it is subsidized.

The Fly America Act permits exceptions for codesharing agreements with foreign airlines, however. Carriers such as Delta and American Airlines Group Inc take advantage of this, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said.

"Its quite clearly hypocritical nonsense," Hayes said in an interview in Washington. "If the big three airlines can continue to win these contracts using their partners, flying on their partners' metal, why cant JetBlue?"

For instance, American won the contract for travel from Chicago to Abu Dhabi in 2017, but the flights are operated by Etihad Airways, based in the United Arab Emirates. American previously held the New York-Milan contract.

American said on Tuesday that U.S. carriers themselves operate flights between New York and Milan, distinguishing that route from those they do not serve where U.S. employees have no choice but to fly on foreign partners.

Story continues

American is "disappointed by the award," added Chief Executive Doug Parker at a conference in Washington.

Last year, JetBlue won the contract for Washington-Dubai flights, prompting United Continental Holdings Inc to cancel the route. Emirates operated the flights; a review by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found no objection.

The U.S. General Services Administration said all its contracts complied with the Fly America Act.

(Reporting by Jeffrey Dastin in Washington; Editing by Stephen Coates)
A week after Apple Music updated its subscription numbers (17 million) and quick on the heels of Pandora announcing licensing deals that should bring it closer to its own streaming service, Spotify has ust revealed an impressive bit of news of its own: 40 million -- as in, paid users to its premium tier.

It was also announced that Spotify's Chief Revenue Officer Jeff Levick has decided to leave the company -- actually, he left a week ago -- to free up time for family and other "passions that I haven't even really begun to explore because frankly, I just haven't had the time." Levick, formerly of AOL and Google, recently celebrated five years at Spotify and explained his decision in a post on Medium.

"Working hard is hard work," he writes. "And, I truly believe if you want to be on a winning team, you need to be your hardest working self. So, in looking at another five years on team Spotify, it started to become clear that maybe a change is in order."

Levick departs as Spotify prepares for its IPO, which sources peg for late 2017.

Can Spotify Survive the Impending Storm As It Prepares to Go Public?

Roughly the same time Levick made his announcement, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek logged onto Twitter to tease the new subscriber tally, telling his followers that "40 is the new 30." The last time the Sweden-based service released paid sub numbers was way back in March, when it hit 30 million. Spotify, with its free tier, hasn't said how many monthly active users it has since it crossed 100 million in June.

Attracting and/or converting 10 million users to its paid tier in roughly six months is a positive sign for the company, which has steadily grown while its biggest premium-only competitors, Apple Music and Tidal, duke it out by trying to lure in subscribers with exclusive releases. So far, Spotify has stuck to its all-tiers-or-nothing approach to releases, though the service is said to be close to softening that stance.

40 is the new 30.

Million. --- Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) September 14, 2016
Suitsupply Dallas 2

It's not glamorous. There are no fancy Fifth Avenue storefronts or Fashion Week shows. Even its name sounds more utilitarian than upscale.

But the European suit-maker Suitsupply has quietly made a name for itself as the place where convenience, quality, and price all meet  the place to reliably get a decent suit in a trendy cut.

Founded in 2000 in Amsterdam, the company landed in New York 11 years later and made a bit of a splash. GQ called it the "JetBlue of suits" for its aim to provide better service and quality at a lower price point.

But what really made tailoring aficionados take notice was a 2011 Wall Street Journal article, where in a blind test two suit experts compared a $614 Suitsupply getup with a $3,625 Armani suit and saw "little difference," ranking the suits in a tie for first.

Suitsupply holds up that article as evidence of its approach to keeping costs down with vertical integration and what it calls "destination" stores  locations that are off the beaten path and away from major shopping thoroughfares, like its rooftop store in Chicago and its villalike store in Greenwich, Connecticut.

"We shifted the whole category upside down," Suitsupply CEO Fokke de Jong told Business Insider.

Suitsupply attracts the man looking to buy his first decent suit without breaking the bank. The suits start at $500, trending upward based on fabric and style choice. But it doesn't only attract first-timers  even fashion industry icon Tim Gunn shops there, as he says it gives him options with quality fabrics to "have fun."

"Because if I spend thousands on a suit, I'm going to have to wear it over and over again," Gunn told Business Insider in January.

Suitsupply CEO Fokke de Jong and VP Nish de Gruiter at Miami location

Suitsupply uses imported Italian fabrics, sews its suits in China, and includes details you'd usually only find in suits that cost twice as much, like functioning button cuffs. De Jong compares Suitsupply's model to the way H&M and Zara brought more affordable clothing to a segment of the population  Suitsupply is just doing it in a higher tier of the market.

Story continues

"We've proven that we can make a product that's a lot higher in quality than people would normally expect for the price," de Jong said. "And I'm not saying a little bit. It's a lot."

Suitsupply considers itself a bit of a nonconformist and has been known for its provocative ad campaigns  one too hot for London that was later banned, and another that caught flak in America that showed women in bikini tops in censored and uncensored versions.

Suitsupply Vice President Nish de Gruiter says this risk-taking attitude also comes through in its suits, which are cut slimmer and tailored to be a little more experimental than those of traditional suppliers.

Suitsupply New York Soho

Now the company is poised to take over the rest of the country. Suitsupply has 19 stores in North America and six more opening before the end of the year, each offering in-house tailoring with most procedures done while you wait. Ten more stores will open on the continent in 2017.

"We base our store locations out of our online sales," de Jong said. "We have a very strong online business in the US, and that's a good pointer on where we want to be with our stores."

The company is experiencing success with online sales. About 30-40% of Suitsupply's sales are done online  a high percentage for a category in which shoppers might think they need to have a tailor's expert opinion before they purchase a product.

Suitsupply New York Madison Avenue

Suitsupply may have hit US shores at a good time  just when American men were finally waking up to the importance of both wearing a suit and how important it is to fit well, de Jong said. Suit sales in the US grew 10% from 2009-13, according to Fortune, and it's possible that Suitsupply's irreverent take on the serious classic propelled it to the forefront of the trend.

It hit about 170 million ($190 million) in worldwide revenue in 2015, with a growth rate of about 25% year over year, according to a report by the Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad. De Jong also said he expects the company to hit 200 million in revenue in 2016, according to the newspaper.

NOW WATCH: This suit color works for any occasion





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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. HOT is looking to expand its largest and globally acclaimed Sheraton brand in Quebec with the signing of the Sheraton Saint-Hyacinthe Hotel.



Owned by Beauward Shopping Centres LTD, Sheraton Saint-Hyacinthe Hotel will be located in Galeries Saint-Hyacinthe  a commercial and office complex comprising 150 stores with 500,000 square feet of retail space. Notably, the hotel is slated to open by the end of 2017.



Sheraton Saint-Hyacinthe will have 205 guest rooms including 28 suites, a third-party restaurant, fitness centre and indoor pool, along with Sheraton Club Lounge  a private space where guests can relish complimentary breakfast, drinks and evening hors doeuvres.



Moreover, the hotel will have 3,860 square feet of function space coupled with direct access to the municipal congress centre of Saint-Hyacinthe and Galeries Saint-Hyacinthe.

STARWOOD HOTELS Price

STARWOOD HOTELS Price | STARWOOD HOTELS Quote

Rationale Behind



Notably, in Jun 2015, Starwood had come up with an all-inclusive 10-point plan to put Sheraton Hotels and Resorts firmly back to global limelight.



The companys five-year vision -- Sheraton 2020 -- includes the commencement of a new enhanced food and beverage lobby program, commitment to improve guest experiences and service, the execution of profit-driving initiatives, and opening of more than 150 new Sheraton hotels worldwide over the next five years. We believe that the signing of Sheraton Saint-Hyacinthe is a step forward toward this goal.



Bottom Line



Notably, Starwood has been witnessing accelerated growth in Quebec and thus the addition of Saint-Hyacinthe Hotel justifies this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) companys decision to further expand in the region.



Also, it is to be noted that Starwood has inked a definitive agreement to be acquired by Marriott International, Inc. MAR, which will lead to the creation of the world's largest hotel company. Both the companies are awaiting approval from Chinese regulatory agency (MOFCOM) for the deal.



Stocks to Consider



Better-ranked stocks in this sector include PCM, Inc. PCMI and Outerwall Inc. OUTR. Both the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



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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



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Statoil ASA STO, operator of Johan Castberg project, has sent out a proposed impact assessment program for the largest field to be developed so far on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).



Per the schedule, the planned impact assessment program is a vital aspect of the arrangements before a final development plan for Johan Castberg is submitted in 2017. The plan will report the development, applicable development solutions and expected impacts on other businesses and communities. The planned program is being forwarded to consultative bodies so that they can submit any issues for debate during the consultation process associated with the Johan Castberg impact assessment work.



Per a spin-off report from Agenda Kaupang, based on an investment estimate in the range of NOK 5060 billion, the Johan Castberg project will be an important part of NCS investments in the period 20182022. The first phase of the Johan Sverdrup development is expected to be completed within this period. However, these plans may be adversely impacted if prices of oil continue to remain low.



Moreover, the estimated value creation in Norwegian supplies of goods and services to Johan Castberg is of NOK 29 billion. This amount exceeds half of the projects total investments. During the development period value creation in North Norway is projected to be NOK 1.7 billion.



Statoil has undertaken a comprehensive assessment of the possible power solutions for Johan Castberg, on behalf of its partners. The power solutions comprise full and/or partial electrification based on power from land as well as gas-fired power.

STATOIL ASA-ADR Price

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Owing to the long distance and technical challenges the cost of the measures associated with partial/full electrification will be high, from just above NOK 5000 per ton of CO2 to just above NOK 8000 per ton of CO2. Investment costs for full/partial electrification will span from over NOK 4 billion to over NOK 12 billion. The Johan Castberg power solution effort indicate that costs for land-based power, including technical challenges, signify a risk to both the timeline and viability of the project.



Johan Castberg will be equipped for future electrification by usage of alternating current technology in case this becomes an efficient and feasible solution in the future.



Due to the use of gas turbines, emissions from Johan Castberg will be 0.27 million tons of CO2 per year. This is equivalent to 2% of current annual emissions from the NCS.



The proposed impact assessment program covers only the offshore field development. It does not include a possible terminal at Veidnes, which is a separate project with a different timeline. Statoil is cooperating with the other licenses on Wisting, Goliat and Alta/Gotha to secure sufficient volume for the terminal.



Statoil 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.



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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>>



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Mark Yusko, founder and CEO of Morgan Creek Capital Management, is very bullish on a stock that noted short seller Jim Chanos of Kynikos Associates continues to attack: Alibaba (BABA).

"Jim Chanos says [Alibaba] is a fraud. It is not a fraud. It's the largest e-commerce company in the world; it's approaching Amazon for being the largest cloud company in the world; it's the largest payments company in the world," Yusko told investors at the Morningstar ETF conference last week. "It's a monster behemoth."

China's online retail market is the world's largest, with roughly $630 billion in sales last year, according to research by management consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

E-commerce in China is nearly 80 percent bigger than the United States', which it overtook some two years ago. Chinese e-commerce accounts for 13.5 percent of all retail spending, a higher share than that of all large economies except the U.K.

"People just can't comprehend that the middle class in China is bigger than the population of the United States and Europe combined," said Yusko, who runs the Morgan Creek Tactical Allocation Fund and previously managed the endowment offices of Notre Dame University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Yusko expects the double-digit growth for Chinese e-commerce to continue for the next decade. Alibaba's U.S.-traded shares have climbed more than 50 percent in the past year.

"BABA could double from here  easy," Yusko said.

On Tuesday, Chanos repeated his criticism that Alibaba's investors do not see full disclosure of the company's financials, while speaking at the Delivering Alpha conference sponsored by CNBC and Institutional Investor.

Chanos said he is concerned that Alibaba is growing its balance sheet faster than its business  in particular, its logistics arm. He has previously told CNBC he has " real questions" about financial metrics and cash flow for Alibaba and, he added, "We just don't see how profitable or unprofitable that business is."

Story continues

Joseph Tsai, vice chairman of Alibaba, said at the Delivering Alpha conference that Chanos "doesn't seem to try to understand the business and understand the power of the digital economy in China." He then invited Chanos to come to the company's headquarters. He also paid Chanos respect for his ability to "withstand that kind of pain" resulting from his short position.

Chanos has been among the most outspoken market critics of the Chinese economy as a whole and continues to make grim predictions, recently comparing the Chinese financial system to Wall Street before the housing crash.

While the short position Chanos has in Alibaba has not worked out, Yusko was right on one of his most bearish calls in recent years: In early 2015 he predicted oil would hit $30 when many thought crude had already hit a bottom. Yusko made a new big call on the energy sector at the Morningstar ETF conference and unveiled his own big short .





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Juba (AFP) - The South Sudan government has shut down the country's main English-language daily, which headlined news on a war profiteering report commissioned by actor George Clooney, the paper's editor told AFP on Wednesday.

Nation Mirror editor Simon Aurelious said officials from the National Security Service gave no clear reason for the closure, simply saying "the paper is indulging in activities incompatible with its status.

We were called today to the office of the National Security and after reaching there they showed us an order. The order is instructing us to close down, Aurelious said.

The paper's headlines Wednesday and Tuesday focused on a report released in Washington this week about the alleged implication of President Salva Kiir, rebel chief Riek Machar and the countrys army chiefs in corruption during the nation's three-year civil war.

The report by watchdog group The Sentry said leaders of the world's newest country had profited from a conflict that has driven a quarter of a million people from their homes and left tens of thousands dead.

One of the Nation Mirror headlines read Kiir, Machar and top Generals implicated in Sentry Report while another said Machars source of weapons uncovered.

The government has denied the report as "completely rubbish".

- Not the first time -

Aurelious said security authorities two weeks ago summoned him and demanded the papers management produce the author of a critical piece on the government.

But the Nation Mirror refused to give the writer's name.

They told us that if this is the case we are going to notify you to close down, he said.

In February last year the paper was shut down by government security agents for nine months after publishing details on the activities of rebels affiliated to Machar.

Alfred Taban, a veteran South Sudanese journalist who is chairman of the country's Association for Media Development, AMDISS, said the latest decision "is shocking news.

Story continues

We are yet to check with the Media Authority as to why they [National Security] are doing this, Taban said.

Taban spent 13 days in detention in July after writing an editorial sharply critical of Kiir and Machar.

The paper's closure comes days after the United Nations expressed concern over alleged threats by government officials against civil society activists in contact with a UN Security Council group that visited South Sudan to look at the possible deployment of a regional protection force.

The government rejected the idea.
After accumulating $42.7M through yesterday, Warner Bros/Village Roadshows Sully is expected to remain at a high altitude in its second weekend, potentially veering Lionsgates horror follow-up Blair Witch off a course toward No. 1.

Sullys midweek momentum  Tuesday was up 54% over Monday with $4.6M  points toward a second weekend near $20M, while Blair Witch is looking largely to lure a mid- to high-teens three-day with a shot at $20M at an estimated 3,000 engagements.

After surprising genre fans at Comic-Con with a sneak preview (its not The Woods, its the Blair Witch!), the Adam Wingard-directed film is said to be a truer sequel to the 1999 indie The Blair Witch Project ($60K production cost, $140.5M domestic cume) than its hastily executed 2000 Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 ($15M production cost, $26.4M domestic). With Blair Witch entering the marketplace, this is also where many say Dont Breathes pace (currently at $68.5M) slows down. Blair Witch cost $5M and carries an estimated P&A in the mid- to high-$20 millions. Thursday night shows kick off at 7 PM.

Bridget Jones's Baby

Older women are scheduling trips to see Universal/Working Title/StudioCanal/Miramaxs Bridget Joness Baby, which marks Oscar winner Renee Zellwegers return to the big screen after six years. Fandango reports that Baby already is this weekends biggest advance ticket seller. The threequel arrives 12 years after Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, and its actually expected to post the biggest opening out of the series with a mid-teen debut at 2,920 venues.

Insiders say the lag between installments boils down to the creative team nailing the right script. Currently reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes have responded positively at 82% fresh. Edge of Reason died here in the U.S. next to Bridget Joness Diary, $40.2M to $71.5M, however these chick pics clean up abroad, where theyve cleared north of $210M. The same is expected for Baby, which will hit the source materials UK homeland on the same day as the domestic along with 40 additional territories, including Australia, Spain, Mexico and Russia. Uni has select markets overseas for Baby. The pics pricetag before P&A is an estimated $35M, with Uni covering roughly a third of that with Miramax and StudioCanal covering the rest. Thursday shows begin at 7 PM.

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Snowden 2

Close to a year in the waiting, Oliver Stones Snowden, about NSA whistleblower and fugitive Edward Snowden, finally will surface at about 2,400 venues with a projected FSS between $8M-$10M. The Open Road Films release bounced around the calendar for several reasons: Initially it was a Christmas release, then landed on May 13 (there was talk the film would premiere at Cannes) before settling on this Friday. The first release-date change stemmed from Stone needing more time to edit, plus Snowden star Joseph Gordon-Levitt had The Walk in release last autumn as a potential awards contenders (which did not pan out). Open Road acquired Snowden before it was shot in November 2014, with the bulk of the $40M production cost being picked up by Vendian and Endgame.

RelatedEdward Snowden On Oliver Stone, A Society Of Surveillance & Seeing His Story Onscreen  Comic-Con

In order to draw in the nerd demo, who might be intrigued by the films subject matter, Open Road screened the movie at Comic-Con in July with a Skyped appearance by Edward Snowden, and a dais that included Stone, Gordon-Levitt, and Shailene Woodley. The pic also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival this past week. Snowden screens tonight in select theaters followed by a Fathom Event Q&A with Stone, Gordon-Levitt and Woodley in New York, joined by Snowden via satellite from Moscow.

PureFlix has the music documentary Hillsong: Let Hope Rise, which follows the rise of the Australian-based church that has launched a huge Christian music ministry reaching 50M around the world, spurred by its band Hillsong United. The 11-member music group led by Joel Houston performs to sell-out stadium crowds and has sold 16M albums. Current industry estimate for this title at 815 locations is around $4M.

Related stories

'Snowden' Review: Oliver Stone's Powerful Portrait Of The NSA Whistleblower Doesn't Take Sides

'Sully' Flies Higher In Offshore Debut; 'Suicide Squad' Squashes $700M WW - International Box Office Final

'Sully' Lands At $35M, 'Bough' Breaks With $14.2M - Monday B.O. Final
Nepal Women's Association convention kicks off

The third general convention of Nepal Womens Association, a sister wing of Nepali Congress, kicked off with an overwhelming participation in the Capital on Wednesday.
(Reuters) - Sunderland central defender Lamine Kone has signed a new five-year contract that will keep the Ivory Coast international at the Stadium of Light until 2021, the Premier League club said on Wednesday. Kone joined from French side FC Lorient in January and made 18 league appearances to help Sunderland avoid relegation last season. The 27-year-old, who has featured three times in the league under manager David Moyes this season, had been linked to Everton in the British media. "Lamine is an important player for this club and I made that clear to him from the outset," Moyes told the club's website (www.safc.com). "He has only been playing in the Premier League since January, but in that time we have already seen what he is capable of." Sunderland, who have one point from four games so far this season and are 19th in the 20 team league, travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. (Reporting by Ian Rodricks in Bengaluru, editing by Alan Baldwin)
By Jeff Mason and Timothy Mclaughlin WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi called on Wednesday for the lifting of economic sanctions against her country, and President Barack Obama, in their first White House meeting since she became leader, said the United States was ready to do so. "It is the right thing to do in order to ensure that the people of Burma see rewards from a new way of doing business and a new government," Obama said with Suu Kyi beside him in the Oval Office. The trip by Suu Kyi, 71, who like Obama is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, capped a decades-long journey from political prisoner to national leader after her party won a sweeping electoral victory last year. With Suu Kyi no longer an opposition figure, Washington has been weighing a further easing of sanctions against Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, as Obama looks to normalize relations with a country shunned when it was ruled by a military junta. "We think that the time has now come to remove all the sanctions that hurt us economically," Suu Kyi said, noting that the U.S. Congress had supported her country by backing sanctions in the past to apply pressure for democratic reforms. As Suu Kyi arrived for the meeting, the White House issued a statement saying it would reinstate Myanmar to the Generalized System of Preferences, or GSP, which provides duty-free treatment for goods from poor and developing countries. Myanmar was removed from GSP benefits in 1989 following pro-democracy uprisings a year earlier that were brutally suppressed by the ruling military junta. Myanmar will be back in the program on Nov. 13, U.S. officials said. Reinstating those benefits, combined with lifting sanctions, "will give the United States, our businesses, our non-profit institutions greater incentive to invest and participate in what we hope will be an increasingly democratic and prosperous partner for us in the region," Obama said. After visiting the White House, Suu Kyi met with some members of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol. She was to return there on Thursday for meetings with House and Senate leaders from both parties, although not Paul Ryan, the Republican House speaker. Ryan's aides said he had a scheduling conflict. Some members of Congress have expressed concerns about change in Myanmar and its human rights record. They have introduced at least two pieces of legislation seeking to give lawmakers some influence on the process of easing sanctions. Republican U.S. Representative Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented after meeting with Suu Kyi that while the new administration brought hope to Myanmar, he remained committed to efforts to protect its oppressed Rohingya Muslim minority. For Obama to lift sanctions, he would need to issue an executive order ending the national emergency declaration on Myanmar, first issued in 1997, which underpins sanctions, and revoke previous country-related sanction orders. A senior administration official said the removal of sanctions would not apply to military-to-military assistance. In a statement on Myanmar, the State Department said that several restrictions would remain in place, including barring visas for military leaders. 'NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO' The United States eased some sanctions against Myanmar this year to support political reform but maintained most restrictions with an eye toward penalizing those it views as hampering the democratically elected government. The sanctions announcement drew swift condemnation from rights groups, which said it forfeited leverage on Myanmar's military. "Lifting restrictions on doing business with Burma's military and its corporate enterprises, as well as the friends and cronies who been enriched by their decades of rule, is not the right thing to do," said John Sifton, deputy Washington director at Human Rights Watch. "It benefits largely them, and few others, and certainly not the people of Burma in general." Suu Kyi has been criticized for doing too little to address the plight of the Rohingya, some 125,000 of whom have been housed in temporary camps since violence in 2012. Myanmar law does not recognize the Rohingya as one of the country's 135 official ethnic groups, making them stateless. Seen as illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh, they are deeply disliked by many in Myanmar. "We want to make sure that everybody who is entitled to citizenship is accorded citizenship as quickly and as fairly as possible," Suu Kyi said. Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized what he described as Suu Kyi's "dismissive" reaction to concerns he had raised about her country's record on human trafficking. "I plan to pay very close attention to her government's efforts to prevent innocent human beings from being trafficked and sold into forced labor and sex slavery," the Republican said in a statement after a breakfast meeting with Suu Kyi and Vice President Joe Biden. (Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom, Patricia Zengerle, Roberta Rampton and Ayesha Rascoe; Editing by Bill Trott and Peter Cooney)
By Simon Lewis and Shwe Yee Saw Myint NAYPYITAW (Reuters) - Myanmar is making a push to overhaul rules on new foreign investment this week, officials said, as leader Aung San Suu Kyi bids to attract more overseas businesses to create jobs and improve the Southeast Asian country's crumbling infrastructure. Suu Kyi was meeting U.S. President Barack Obama later on Wednesday and could seek improved trade terms and an easing of U.S. sanctions that  while ostensibly targeted at the still-powerful military and its allies - are seen as stifling other investment from overseas. New investment approvals have fallen since Suu Kyi took power in April this year, following her National League for Democracy's (NLD) election victory in November, with some businesses and investors criticizing her for failing to prioritize the economy. Only a vague list of economic policies has emerged from the NLD during almost six months in office. Foreign investment approvals in the first six months of this year totaled $1.8 billion, according to state-owned media, compared with an annual figure of $8 billion in 2014-15, when a quasi-civilian government was in power. Aung Naing Oo, secretary of the Myanmar Investment Commission that approves major projects, said the political transition had meant a slow start to the year, but insisted the commission was on track to approve its targeted $6 billion of investments in 2016-17. "If everything goes well, our expectation is we will have a new and very attractive and very practical investment law before the end of 2016, or maybe by the beginning of 2017," he added. A planning and finance official said on Wednesday that the new Myanmar Investment Law had been approved by Minister Kyaw Win and should be submitted to the parliament this week. Maung Maung Win, deputy minister for planning and finance, had told Reuters on Tuesday that the new law, governing both foreign and domestic investment, would improve the investment climate. "There are more attractive points for the foreign investors," Maung Maung Win said of the new law, which will widen access to long-term land leases and ease restrictions on transferring funds. Long-term leases are currently restricted to big investors with permits from the investment commission, and the new law is expected to make it easier for smaller companies to secure tenancies, as well as leveling the playing field between local and overseas investors. Some foreign investors have previously complained that protectionist measures left over from decades of military rule favor local firms. Easing transfer restrictions should also make it easier for multinationals to repatriate profits. STRATEGIC CONTROL The new government, keen to take strategic control over investment, has brought the commission under closer supervision of the Ministry of Planning and Finance, Aung Naing Oo said. "For the promotion of investment in Myanmar, the top leadership will play a very crucial role in the promotion of business, the promotion of investment, the promotion of Myanmar," he said. Under the law, tax concessions will be granted "for the purposes of supporting the country's development by allowing investment in sectors which need to be developed, and for the proportionate development of the regions and states," according to a section of the draft law reviewed by Reuters. "The promoted sectors will be decided by the government - the cabinet," Aung Naing Oo said. Deputy minister Maung Maung Win said the government was still deciding on the sectors to prioritize. But the government's 12-point economic policy issued in July though - light on specifics - emphasized creating jobs, developing the rural areas where the majority of the country's 51.5 million people live and building infrastructure to address issues such as chronic electricity shortages. "You're going to have to make your case and reason why your investment requires help and tax concessions," said Thura Ko Ko, managing director of YGA Capital, a consultancy representing U.S. and regional private equity funds in Myanmar. (Additional reporting by Aung Hla Tun in YANGON; Editing by Alex Richardson)
By Simon Johnson and Johan Sennero STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The head of the far right Sweden Democrats said he aimed to win a quarter of voters at a 2018 election with a call for a total ban on new asylum seekers and saw signs mainstream parties may be seeking the party's backing in parliament. Jimmie Akesson's party has gained support over the last decade, rising from a fringe group with neo-Nazi roots to win 13 percent in 2014's election and hold the balance of power in parliament. Polls now give it about 17 percent. Its growth echoes that of populist parties in the Nordics, which either support or form a part of government in neighbors Norway and Denmark. But Sweden's political mainstream has so far shunned the Sweden Democrats due to their radical roots. That may change, said Akesson, who has purged the party of its more militant elements and whom many credit with making the Sweden Democrats respectable in the eyes of thousands of voters worried about declining schools, doctor shortages and rising crime figures. Last year's migrant crisis also boosted far right parties across Europe. "It will be hard to shut us out. We could even be the biggest party after the election," Akesson said. Akesson is part of a European backlash. An anti-Islam party leads polls in the Netherlands while the National Front's Marine Le Pen is strongly placed for presidential elections in April. A foothold in government for the party would mark a watershed in a country where generous asylum policies have until last year commanded automatic support across the political spectrum. Akesson said his party did not have to be a formal party of government, but wanted to put its stamp on key policy areas: immigration, law and order and the welfare state. "I don't care so much about portfolios or (ministerial) posts," he said. "For me it is the core policy that matters." SOFTER TONE? Flanked in his office by a photo of the Swedish royal family and of rock band Kiss, Akesson said he expected the party to get 20-25 percent of the vote in 2018. That would put it on an equal footing with the center-left Social Democrats - the larger party in the current minority coalition - and the Moderates, the biggest center-right group and part of the four-party Alliance opposition bloc. "The main scenario for me is that we build a government together with the Moderates and the(center right) Christian Democrats," Akesson said. The 2015 migrant crisis which saw 160,000 people seek asylum in Sweden has hardened voters' attitudes. Tough asylum rules introduced late last year by a hard-pressed minority center-left coalition have cut applications to around 20,000 so far this year. "We are still the party which has most credibility in immigration policy," Akesson said. "The other parties have confirmed our views. We were right and the voters see that." Neither the center right nor the center left parties can form a majority government without the support of the Sweden Democrats. Their refusal so far to treat with the far right has led to some degree of parliamentary stalemate. But Akesson sees signs that is changing. Earlier this month, the leader of the small, center-right Liberal Party called for the Sweden Democrats to be allowed to take part in cross-party discussions led by the government. The leader of the Christian Democrats - also part of the center right Alliance - has softened her tone. Still, the Moderate Party, the biggest center right party, has said cooperation is not on the cards. "The signal we get from ... the center-right parties is that they are ready in some form or another, to get our support in order to form a government," Akesson said. Some political analysts say Akesson ambitions may bear fruit. "The most likely scenario after the election is some sort of understanding between the Moderates and the Sweden Democrats with the Christian Democrats tagging along," said Nick Aylott, political science professor at Sodertorn University. Cooperation would have a price. Akesson said more asylum seekers should be turned around at Sweden's borders and there should be tougher rules for family reunions. "Our vision is a goal of zero for asylum-based immigration," he said. (Editing by Alistair Scrutton; editing by Ralph Boulton)
BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had not recorded a single civilian or combatant death from fighting in the first 48 hours of a ceasefire in Syria which came into effect on Monday night. But the monitor recorded a number of incidents of shelling by various rebel factions and of shelling and air strikes by pro-government forces around the country. These incidents caused material damage and some injuries, but no deaths, it said on Wednesday. The truce, brokered by Russia and the United States, is their second attempt this year to halt Syria's five-year-old civil war. Russia is a major backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while the United States supports some of the rebel groups fighting to topple him. The ceasefire does not include the insurgent groups Nusra Front, which has renamed itself Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, and Islamic State. Syrian government operations continued against Islamic State in areas controlled by the hardline Islamists around the country on Wednesday leading to the deaths of six civilians, the Observatory said. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Catherine Evans)
Tara Reid sparked concern among her fans on Wednesday, when she shared an Instagram pic of herself appearing to be severely battered across the face.

The 40-year-old actress' face is marked with dark purple bruises in the snap, with her black mascara and eyeliner smudged. Fortunately, Reid's alarming look is actually just for her new anti-bullying movie, Worthless.

"Everyone be kind to each other," Reid writes in the caption. "This is what bullying looks like. #Worthless."

WATCH: Tara Reid Won't Stop With the Bikini Selfies

Everyone be kind to each other. This is what bullying looks like. #WorthlessTheMovie #AntiBullying A photo posted by Tara Reid (@tarareid) on Sep 13, 2016 at 9:01pm PDT

On Monday, Reid announced her new project.

"I'm so excited being back in New Jersey where I was born and raised," she tweeted. "I'm shooting my new movie Worthless. It's an anti-bullying movie."

I'm so excited being back in New Jersey where I was born and raised. I'm shooting my new movie Worthless it's an anti bullying movie.  Tara Reid (@TaraReid) September 13, 2016

In July, Reid's rep accused Jenny McCarthy of bullying the Sharknado actress after she walked out of McCarthy's Sirius XM radio show following a shade-filled, cringe-worthy interview. Reid took issue with McCarthy asking her about her appearance on Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars, as well as her past experiences with plastic surgery.

"Tara is a positive person who is against women tearing each other down," Reid's rep told ET in a statement at the time. "She was bullied on Jenny's [show] and felt ambushed. She came into the show with a positive spirit and was in a happy mood. It was very unfortunate how Jenny shifted the conversation for her personal gain when the whole focus should be on Sharknado 4."

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WATCH: Tara Reid -- 'I'm a Prisoner in My Own Home'

ET sat down with Reid last February, when she candidly shared how negative comments about her body has affected her.

"I'm a human. If you cut me I bleed," Reid said. "I'm just like everyone else. I think that when people are famous, they don't realize that they are actually human."

Watch below:

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PM Dahal informs parliament about his India visit

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday informed the parliament about his upcoming visit to India.
Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris wax figures are on display in Berlin. (Photo: Matthias Nareyek/Getty Images)

Its been 105 days since the world learned Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris ended their romance, but theyre still very close in at least one part of it: Germany.

The Hofbrauhaus Berlin beer hall has created wax statues of the musicians  in traditional Bavarian garb  on display ahead of the citys annual Oktoberfest, beginning Sept. 23. Because nothing says Oktoberfest like Taylor and Calvin!

The many tourists flocking to the city, while celebrating a smaller version of the main festival in Munich, will surely appreciate the bizarre conversation pieces. After all, they bring up so many questions: Why do they have music accessories if theyre supposed to be busy serving brews and eating pretzels? Would the real Swift actually take that snack from her former flame? And, with that big felt hat, can Harris please star in a Harry Potter spinoff?

Wax Calvin Harris is ready for Oktoberfest. Hes even got his headphones! (Photo: Matthias Nareyek/Getty Images)

Of course Taylor Swift could rock a dirndl! (Photo: Matthias Nareyek/Getty Images)

Both Harris and Swift have been immortalized in wax before, at Madame Tussauds wax museum, but never together until now.

Related: Celebrity Breakups of 2016

The one bummer about the new figurines of Swift and Harris is that they cant actually have a beer together, because it sounds like thats exactly what the musicians need. Their breakup turned bitter in July. Tweets were exchanged, and bad blood was shed. However, Harris confessed last week that he regretted taking his feud with Swift public.

Its very difficult when something I consider so personal plays out very publicly, he told British GQ. The aftermath of the relationship was way more heavily publicized than the relationship itself.

Then he complimented Swift!

When we were together, we were very careful for it not to be a media circus, he said. She respected my feelings in that sense. Im not good at being a celebrity.

And during New York Fashion Week, Swift even sang along to a song of his that she wrote.

Anyone else up for a quick trip to Berlin?
Milania Giudice is only 10  but something tells us she's going to be quite the star.



Teresa Giudice took to Instagram to share a slew of photos and videos from her daughter's experience walking the Tumbler & Tipsy runway Tuesday evening at New York Fashion Week.



"With my beautiful Milania she did amazing tonight Tumbler & Tipsy Show," Teresa, 44, captioned a sweet photo of her and her daughter.





With my beautiful Milania she did amazing tonight Tumbler & Tipsy Show A photo posted by Teresa Giudice (@teresagiudice) on Sep 13, 2016 at 5:50pm PDT



The Real Housewives of New Jersey star later shared a solo shot of Milania decked out in her runway attire: a baby blue tutu and black t-shirt adorned with a thick gold chain.







"Milania just slayed the runway for Tumbler & Tipsy At #NYFWSS16 she did amazing she opened the show !!!!!!" gushed Teresa. "So proud of my baby."





Milania just slayed the runway for Tumbler & Tipsy At #NYFWSS16 she did amazing she opened the show !!!!!! So proud of my baby #TumblerAndTipsy #NYFW A photo posted by Teresa Giudice (@teresagiudice) on Sep 13, 2016 at 6:03pm PDT



The proud mother also posted an adorable video of her daughter making her way down the catwalk.



"So proud of my daughter Milania for being fearless and doing something she loves!" she wrote. "These are the moments I live for. That's my girl!"





So proud of my daughter Milania for being fearless and doing something she loves! Opening NYFW runway for Tumbler & Tipsy At #NYFWSS16 #TumblerAndTipsy #NYFW. These are the moments I live for That's my girl! A video posted by Teresa Giudice (@teresagiudice) on Sep 13, 2016 at 9:56pm PDT





Sisters A photo posted by Teresa Giudice (@teresagiudice) on Sep 14, 2016 at 3:51am PDT



And that wasn't even Milania's New York Fashion Week debut  she walked the Rookie USA runway with her sister Audriana, 6, last week.





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Milania & Antonia @rookie_usa fun night #jordan #hurley #fashionweek A photo posted by Teresa Giudice (@teresagiudice) on Sep 8, 2016 at 9:48pm PDT





Love my babies @rookie_usa A photo posted by Teresa Giudice (@teresagiudice) on Sep 8, 2016 at 10:09pm PDT



Fun fact? Kendall Jenner once walked the Tumbler & Tipsy runway back in 2012. See you on the cover of September Vogue in 2024, Milania.



The Real Housewives of New Jersey airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
(Adds details from Tesla)

Sept 14 (Reuters) - Tesla Motors Inc is investigating the cause of a fatal crash in China involving one of its vehicles, but has "no way of knowing" if its semi-automated Autopilot system was engaged at the time of the accident, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Because of the damage caused by the collision, the car was physically incapable of transmitting log data to our servers," Tesla said.

China's CCTV on Wednesday reported 23-year-old Gao Yaning died in January after crashing into the back of a road sweeping vehicle while driving a Tesla car on a highway in the northeastern province of Hebei.

Gao's family filed the lawsuit in a Beijing court in July against Tesla and the Beijing-based dealer who had sold Gao the car.

Tesla, in its statement, said it had "tried repeatedly to work with" Gao's family to determine the cause of the crash, but the family "has not provided us with any additional information that would allow us to do so." (Reporting by Brenda Goh in Shanghai and Paul Lienert in Detroit; Editing by David Gregorio)
By Jon Herskovitz

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - A 14-year-old girl, who shot a female schoolmate last week at a high school in west Texas and then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, intended to shoot her 14-year-old stepbrother, police said on Wednesday.

The schoolmate, who is 17, noticed the girl raising a handgun and ran for cover. The 14-year-old girl began shooting, hitting the schoolmate in the lower body as she fled before turning the gun on herself, said police in Alpine about 200 miles southeast of El Paso.

The names of the students involved in the Sept. 8 incident that stunned the rural town of about 6,000 people have not been released. The 17-year-old female has been treated for her wounds and is expected to fully recover.

The shooter is thought to have moved to Alpine, with her family about six months ago, police said. The stepbrother was not injured in the incident. Police have not given a reason why the girl intended to shoot her stepbrother.

The girl was found dead in a bathroom, with a 9-mm pistol recovered nearby. She brought the gun from home to the school in her backpack along with 18 rounds of ammunition, police said, adding that she had fired five rounds.

Police interviewed almost all of the 290 students at Alpine High School as a part of their investigation.

"It's not supposed to happen here. It has got us all in shock," Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson told reporters last week. "This is Alpine. It is a peaceful place to live and come."

The United States has long been plagued by shootings at schools and colleges, some of which have claimed dozens of lives. The deadliest mass school shooting was in 2007, when a gunman killed 32 people at Virginia Tech. In 2012, a gunman shot dead 20 children and 6 educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

The deadliest attack on a U.S. high school occurred in Littleton, Colorado, in 1999, when a pair of heavily armed teenagers shot dead 12 students and a teacher at Columbine High School, wounding 20 others.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
Instagram/iamzvelle

High heels and comfort are two concepts that just dont seem to vibeever.

Or do they? Its no easy task hunting down a heel that doesnt eventually make you want to saw your foot off. However, if you ask Elle AyoubZadeh about the topic, shes a lot more optimistic than you or I.

AyoubZadeh is the founder and head designer of Canadian footwear brand, Zvelle. Her chic line of vintage-inspired shoes have become a personal favourite of Canadas girl-on-the go, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau. On more than one occasion, Trudeau has been spotted pounding the pavement in Zvelle.

For every girl who has hobbled home in five-inch foot crushers, we asked this shoe guru the age old question(s): Do stylish and comfortable heels even exist? If so, how the heck do we identify them? We all want to look fierce while feeling like were walking on a bed of memory foam pillows, amirite?

ALSO SEE: Sophie Gregoire Trudeaus best style moments



Style and comfort should not be mutually exclusive. Its not any one thing that you do to make the design comfortable, its the sum of everything you do starting from what you think she will be doing in the shoes to heel height to things like hidden comforts to materials, explains AyoubZadeh.



Sophie Gregoire Trudeau in silver Zvelle flats on a recent trip to China. (Photo via Instagram/iamzvelle)

She also points out that what works for one person might not work for the next.

Keep in mind that everyones feet are different, she says. Some are wide, some are narrow, some have high arches, low arches, shorter toes, longer toes, high insteps, etc.

She adds that even current shoes trends have affected the changing needs of our feet.

Our feet have also gotten much wider compared to the past as a result of rise in the popularity of the sneaker, which allow the feet to spread. There is not one perfect style of shoe for everybody on the planet. The most important thing should be to shop and dress for yourself. You know your body and feet best and that should be your guide.

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To make things crystal clear, she offers a checklist of things to consider when shopping for heels.

ALSO SEE: Does taping your toes together make heels more comfortable?

Heel height: A six-inch heel is not designed for running in the airport, even though some may look glamorous doing it. The lower, the better.

Arch support: Is there any padding to support the arches and prevent long-term fatigue?

Heel support: Is there any padding there, and is the upper portion of the shoe going to hold your foot in? You dont want something youre going to be coming in and out of. You need your feet to be cupped in, which relives pressure from your toes (because you are not clinching them in to hold on to your shoe).

Gregoire Trudeau rocking pink suede Zvelle shoes and a Lucian Matis frock alongside U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama. (Photo Instagram/iamzvelle)



Insoles: You need a shoe with a good insole. Touch the inside of the shoe and see how your fingers feel. Good insoles dont necessarily mean lots of padding  its the quality.

Balance: You should feel overall support and balance immediately  so be honest with yourself. You dont want to be wobbling in your shoes.

Materials: Not all leathers or materials (non leather) are treated equally. You want something that will soften with wear.

Stylish and comfortable high heels do exist  but theyre a rarity. Given the gaping hole in the market, we have to wonder why designers arent clamouring to fill the gap.

Because the people making stylish shoes are not thinking about comfort and the people making comfortable shoes are not thinking about styleIt takes a lot of work to design something that is also wearable, explains AyoubZadeh. On the flipside, its easy to make something frumpy, but to make it stylish and timeless is not without its challenges.

Do you have any tips for making sure your shoes are comfortable? Let us know your tricks by tweeting @YahooStyleCA.
Image: A soldier guards the roadside checkpoint outside Srinagar International Airport in January 2009. By Jrapczak - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5659732

As the Kashmir unrest enters its 68th day, more than 80 have died so far and many more have been injured in the clashes between security personnel and protesters, which have been flaring up in the Valley since the killing of Burhan Wani, the Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, by security forces on July 8. The Valley has been reeling under curfew, with educational institutions, businesses and normal life getting disrupted.

The Kashmir conflict has been a long standing one, which can be traced all the way back to when the princely state was formed in 1846. We take a look at a timeline of events that led to the start of the conflict and how it has unfolded since:

1846: Following the signing of the Treaty of Amritsar on March 16, between the East India Company and the Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu, after the Sikh defeat in the the first British initiated Anglo Sikh war, the state of Jammu and Kashmir is created.

1932: Sheikh Abdullah forms the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, with Mir Waiz Yousuf Shah and Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas, to fight for the rights of Muslims in the state, against the Dogra king, Maharaja Hari Singh. Though Maharaja Singh is credited to have made primary education compulsory in the state, introduced laws prohibiting child marriage, he is unpopular in the Muslim dominated Kashmir. In 1939 Sheikh Abdullah renames it as All Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, and opens it for people of all religions.

1946: Quit Kashmir Movement is launched by Sheikh Abdullah, demanding the sovereignty of the people of Kashmir against the rule of the Maharaja. He is subsequently arrested.

1947: The British rule ends with India getting independence. Partition leads to the bifurcation of the country in to the Hindu majority India and Muslim majority Pakistan. While, in a bid to remain independent, Maharaja Hari Singh initially delays his accession to either Pakistan or India, an internal revolt in Poonch leads to an organised rebellion, supported by Pakistani forces and called Azad Army, against the Maharajas rule. The Maharaja signs the Treaty of Accession, post which Jammu and Kashmir comes under the Government of India on 27 October, 1947. This is supposed to be a temporary arrangement until a plebiscite which would allow Kashmiris to decide who they wish to join. A war breaks out between Indian and Pakistan over Kashmir. Thousands of Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus are killed during the riots that happen post the Partitioning.

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1948: India approaches the United Nations Security Council over the Kashmir issue. The Council passes a Resolution 47 asking for immediate ceasefire and calls on Pakistan to withdraw all military presence, and for India to cut its military presence to a minimum. It also directs that a plebiscite be held by the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the final decision be taken based on the result.

1949: A ceasefire is imposed between Indian and Pakistani forces. India now has control over most of the Valley, Jammu and Ladakh, while Pakistan gains control of what becomes Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The Line of Control becomes the international border between India and Pakistan on Kashmir.

1951: Elections are held in the state for the first time, which back the accession to India. While India says that the results show that a plebiscite is not needed, the UNSC says that a referendum is needed to take in the views of the people of the state.

1953: Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah, leader of the National Conference, is dismissed and arrested by pro-Indian authorities after he takes a pro-referendum stance. Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad is made the new Prime Minister and the new government in the state ratifies the accession to India.

1957: The Constituent Assembly of the State of Kashmir adopt a Constitution declaring Kashmir as a part of India. The UN passes another Resolution saying that this cannot be a final decision of the state.

1950s- 1962: In 1959, China annexes Tibet. There are rising tensions between India and China on border issues. These culminate in 1962 with the Sino-Indian War between the two countries, China overpowers the Indian army and lays claim over the easternmost part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, with China renaming It as Aksai Chin.

1965: Following Pakistans Operation Gibraltar, which was designed by the Pakistan Army to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir, and start a rebellion against the Indian administration, India launches a full blown attack on West Pakistan. A 17 day- war ensues causing thousands of causalities on both sides. The War ends after United Nations mandated ceasefire is announced with the Tashkent Declaration. While both sides claims victory, neutral assessments agree that India had an upper hand over Pakistan when the ceasefire was declared.

Image: Shikaras on the Dal Lake, Srinagar. Tourism has taken a hit with the constant unrest in the Valley. CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=423971

1971: Another war breaks out with Pakistan carrying out air strikes on 11 Indian airbases. India sends its troops to support Mukti Bahini, rebel forces of East Pakistan. With the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War, India defeats Pakistan and Bangladesh is formed. In 1972, the Simla Agreement is signed between Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, as a resolve to put an end to the conflict and confrontation. While paving way for the diplomatic recognition of Bangladesh by Pakistan, the Agreement also converts the cease-fire line into the Line of Control between India and Pakistan, separating the India and Pakistan controlled Kashmir.

1984: There are constant skirmishes around the Line of Control, which would subside only after a ceasefire is announced in 2003. India gains control of the Siachen Glacier, which is not demarcated by the Line of Control, through Operation Meghdoot.

1987: Farooq Abdullah, son of National Conference Leader Sheikh Abdullah, wins the elections. Protests breakout in Kashmir due to the elections which have been accused of being rigged, low levels of socio-economic development, which give rise to pro-independence insurgency in the Valley, with the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) heading it. The Muslim United Front also accuses the elections of being rigged. Disgruntled youth from Kashmir join the JKLF. Protests and anti-India movements gain momentum in the Valley.

1989: The Soviet occupation of Afghanistan ends, releasing a lot of militant power and weapons to Kashmir. Both training and weaponry are provided by Pakistan to militant groups fighting in Kashmir.

1990s: The Indian Army kill around 100 protesters at the Gawakadal Bridge, giving rise to massive insurgency. An estimated 1 million Kashmiris take to the streets on March 1, and more than 40 are killed. The Indian Army imposes the contentious Armed Forces Special Powers Acts (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmiri militants, primarily backed by Pakistan, and the Indian Armed Forces continue clashes. Around 1,62,000 Kashmiri Pandits leave the Valley.

1999: After militants cross over from Pakistan administered Kashmir into Indian administered Kargil, a war breaks out between the two nations. Pakistan, however, retreats, buckling from diplomatic pressure. Both the nations are nuclear-weapons equipped.

2001: Militants belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad carry out an attack on the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislative Assembly in Srinagar. A Tata Sumo loaded with explosives is rammed into the main gate. Three suicide bombers and 38 people are killed in the attack. Pakistani national, Wajahat Hussain, is named as one of the suicide bombers. India issues a strongly worded statement aimed at the Government of Pakistan. In December 2001, the Indian Parliament is attacked. Tensions raise between India and Pakistan, with threats of a nuclear war looming high. A war is avoided through diplomatic intervention.

2001-2010: Amid efforts to boost India-Pakistan relationships, militant attacks continue in the Valley, with talks facing a set back.

2010: In April 2010, three militants, who the Army accuse of infiltration, are killed at Machil Sector in the Kupwara District of Jammu and Kashmir. These three are later found to be civilians who have been killed in a fake encounter. Protests break out in Kashmir, with the Police using massive force to quell the protesters. A young Kashmiri, Tufail Ahmad Mattoo, dies after being struck by a teargas bullet, leading to further escalation of tensions. Protesters demand that the number of troops be reduced and that Indian forces Quit Kashmir. The protests only die down in September, after the government announces measures to ease the tension. These include release of all the students arrested during the protests, reopening of schools, financial compensation of USD 11,000 to the families of each of those killed, and discussions for reduction of troops.

2013: Kashmiri separatist, Mohammad Afzal Guru convicted for his role in the 2001 Parliament attacks, is executed in a secret operation code named Operation Three Star, and his body is buried in the Tihar Jail. Protests erupt across the Valley, and two people die. Amnesty International condemns the execution for the secret manner in which it has been carried out.

2014: Amidst a change of Guard in the Centre, with the BJP taking over, India cancels its talks with Pakistan and accuses it of waging a proxy war against India in Kashmir. In October, Pakistani and Indian Armies exchange fire across the border, killing around 16 people from both sides, and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes. This leads to heightening tensions in both sides. Both the Indian and Pakistani Defense Ministers warn of dire consequences if the other does not stop firing.

2015: In March, 2015, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed is sworn in as the Chief Minister, as the BJP backed Peoples Democratic Party comes into power. In September, a delegation led by DG Rangers Maj. Gen. Umer Farooq visits India for talks and both sides agree to stop ceasefire violations.

2016: Following the death of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, his daughter Mehbooba Mufti is sworn in as the first woman Chief Minister of the state, in April 2016. On July 8, the Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Burhan Wani, is shot dead by security forces. Large numbers of people, many of whom are young girls and boys, aged 15-20, reach Tral, his hometown, for his funeral, and major protests break out across the Valley. As fighting intensifies between protesters and the security forces, the Amarnath Yatra is suspended. The Government clamps down on local media, and additional troops are rushed to the Valley. PM Modi urges the Army to exercise absolute restraint, and to ensure that civilians are not harmed. Curfew remains as violent clashes continue. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions are closed and businesses take a hit. It has been 68 days since shut down has been imposed. Mobile, broadband and media communications remain suspended. For the first time, curfew is imposed on Eid-al-Adha and shops remain closed.
Back in June, Britains decision to exit the European Union was the biggest thing in global politics. Flags were waved, slogans were chanted, joy and despair were unconfined.

And now? There has been no Brexit recession. But there has been no Brexit decision, either. May has assured us that Brexit means Brexit  in other words, even though she voted to Remain, she will deliver on the voters decision to leave the EU. But what, precisely, does Brexit mean?

On that score, its all gone quiet  and it will apparently stay that way for quite some time. In the interim, the British press can happily occupy itself with arguments about grammar schools and giving the departing prime minister a kick up the backside on his way out.

There are three reasons why May has succeed in lowering the Brexit temperature from rolling boil to gentle simmer. The first is that the topic is, by its very nature, hugely important but hugely boring. The headline slogan is Take back control!  but the mechanism of doing that involves unpicking thousands of regulations and scrutinizing dozens of potential legal frameworks.

Even the big headline questions  such as whether Britain wants to remain a member of the single market (and enjoy tariff-free trade at the price of accepting unrestricted immigration)  break down into the question of what differentiates access to the market from membership of it into issues of financial passporting and WTO baselines and Canadian or Norwegian models.

The second reason is that these technocratic issues are meat and drink to May. Her Tory supporters may be painting her as the second coming of Margaret Thatcher. But there are aspects of her personality that are much closer to (whisper it) Gordon Brown. Like him, she successfully ran a major department (the Home Office rather than the Treasury) with a strategy of top-down command and control, mastering every detail while keeping both decisions and information as tightly controlled as possible. For May, inscrutability isnt a bug  its a feature.

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The third reason, which is closely allied to this, is the extent to which May has stamped her authority on government  and on Brexit.

Her masterstroke was to hand control of the departments overseeing the process to three rival Brexiteers  Boris Johnson, Liam Fox, and David Davis. Each has a healthy regard for his own ability and is not noted for a history of friendship or communality of political vision with the other two. Each also represents a separate institutional power base that will inevitably push against the others. (Not least because Foxs and Daviss departments, covering international trade and the Brexit negotiations, respectively, will need to filch staff from Johnsons Foreign Office.)

There is something else about this triumvirate: They are no threat to her. Johnson, the foreign secretary, is the biggest beast  Mays likely rival for the leadership until being knifed by his former Vote Leave comrade Michael Gove. But Fox and Davis were  to Westminster observers if not to themselves  on the downslope of their careers. The former, the international trade secretary, had left office in disgrace. The latter, having come in runner-up to David Cameron in the previous leadership contest, stormed out of the shadow cabinet to mount a quixotic campaign over civil liberties.

It was a sign of their diminished standing, perhaps, that neither of the two was involved at a senior level in Vote Leave. And this, too, is crucial, because it has given May enormous room to maneuver.

During the referendum campaign, the Brexiteers made certain promises about what Britain would look like after Brexit: Britains EU spending (the largely mythical $462 million a year) to go to the National Health Service, a points-based immigration system, scrapping value-added tax on fuel. One by one, May has brushed these aside. She was not part of Vote Leave and does not feel bound by its specific pledges.

So what will Brexit look like? It is impossible to tell what is happening behind the scenes, but so far any attempt by one of her three juniors to venture an opinion  whether it be Johnsons sending her his thoughts on what the red lines in negotiation should be or Daviss suggesting that Britain will probably leave the single market  appears to have been met with either a frosty silence or an outright rebuke by the prime minister.

What Brexit means, in other words, is what May wants it to mean. And she isnt telling anyone.

In terms of taking the heat out of the issue, this has been a masterstroke. The dilemma facing her, however, is that at a certain point, masterly inactivity simply becomes inactivity.

Earlier this week, I went to hear Ed Balls  formerly the shadow chancellor for the Labour Party, currently delighting the nation as a contestant on Britains version of Dancing With the Stars  talk about the lessons hes learned in politics. He said that, to him, Mays silence on the issue felt like a mistake.

Theresa May has been successful as a politician by not defining herself and keeping her head down, he said, which was a recipe for success in any job except prime minister. In particular, he said that the way she was standing back slightly above it and watching [Johnson, Fox, and Davis] fight it out felt like a mistake.

In some respects, its already clear what May wants from Brexit. As home secretary, she was constantly determined to cut immigration and constantly unhappy at the fact that European rules (and her colleagues desire to protect Britains lucrative trade in educating foreign students) prevented her from doing so. She believes she now has a clear instruction from voters to control immigration, even if it means that Britain takes an economic hit from leaving the single market.

But as for the rest of it? There are 1,000 decisions to make, each of them deeply contentious, many of which will need endorsement from a Parliament in which May has a slim majority in the House of Commons and a nonexistent one in the House of Lords, with interest groups and lobbyists and campaigners kicking up an almighty fuss all the while. The legalistic details involved mean that the process might, on many fronts, go rapidly from technical to nightmarish  as helpfully pointed out in a recent briefing paper by former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

May would obviously prefer to formulate her plans in private: Davis has said that neither the public nor Parliament will be given a running update. But as Cameron found out when he was trying to win concessions from EU countries before the Brexit vote, getting your negotiations done in secret is next to impossible  as is coming up with deals that are acceptable to both your audience at home and your partners abroad. Meanwhile, there is an economy to keep on an even keel, a party to keep under control, and all the other duties of a prime minister to carry out.

As of this week, May is mistress of all she surveys: streets ahead in the polls, unrivaled commander of the Cabinet, the previous Tory regime driven from power and, in the case of its leader, from Parliament. The problem for her is that whatever decisions she makes on Brexit, she will upset a large and vocal constituency. Perhaps thats why she seems so happy to postpone them.

Photo credit: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images
[Photo: Getty]

Theresa May is famous for her leopard-printed kitten heels, but shes recently been told to stop wearing them to work.

On Tuesday the TUC conference in Brighton passed a motion that called for the law to be changed to enable people to not be compelled to wear high heels at work - and a union representative at the event urged Theresa May to wear flats in solidarity.



According to The Huffington Post, GMB delegate Penny Robinson told the conference hall: We now have someone running the country who can set an example for the rest of us by making a point of wearing sensible shoes.

[Photo: Getty]



When Theresa May became Conservative leader and Prime Minister, I expected to read analysis of her policies, her priorities, and her approach to Brexit.

Instead, most of the newspapers concentrated on her love of shoes and extensive shoe collection.

She added: Our new prime minister may be well known for her leopard print kitten heels, her leather boots and her Jimmy Choos, but if she really wants to advance the cause for women in the workplace there are two things she can do.

The first is to make a point of wearing pumps, flats and comfortable shoes for Cabinet, for PMQs and for meeting all those EU leaders.

[Photo: Getty]



Let the media see that you can be the most powerful woman in the country - maybe the second after Frances OGrady (TUC general secretary) - without needing to wear designer shoes to meet mens expectations.

Or alternatively, instead of blaming May for whats in the newspapers, we should show her some respect by focusing on her skills as a politician instead of what shes wearing.

What do you think? Tweet us at @YahooStyleUK.



#TeacherBae: When Will Women Stop Being Criticised For Wearing Clothes?



The Medias Reaction To Having A Female Prime Minister


PM fiat to halt affiliations

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed Minister for Education Dhaniram Poudel to put the affiliation process of medical colleges on hold until a bill on medical education reform is endorsed by Parliament.
NEWS BRIEF German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Tuesday the three men arrested earlier in the day had links to the ISIS team that carried out the deadly attacks in Paris last November.

The menidentified as Mahir Al-H., 17, Mohamed A., 26, and Ibrahim M., 18were arrested after predawn raids in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. All were identified as Syrians, and de Maiziere said they were brought from Syria by the same group that smuggled the Paris attackers out of the country. They could have been a sleeper cell, de Maiziere said.

Deutsche Welle, the German broadcaster, reported the suspects came to Germany in November 2015 with the intention of carrying out a previously determined order [from IS] or to await further instructions.

The German Federal Prosecutors Office, in a statement, said Mahir Al-H. was trained in Raqaa, the de facto ISIS capital, in September 2015. It said he and the others were given passports, U.S. dollars, and mobile phones. They came to Germany from Syria via Turkey and Greece, the statement said. That is typically the route used by migrants fleeing Syria. The statement added extensive material had been seized, but noted no orders had been found for the group.

Recommended: The Many Scandals of Donald Trump: A Cheat Sheet

More than 200 federal and local police officers were involved in the predawn raids on six locations, including refugee shelters. That revelationeven if it turns out the men werent actual refugeesare likely to increase scrutiny of Chancellor Angela Merkels open-doors policy for those fleeing the Syrian civil war. Although the policy was popular at first, terrorist attacks across Europe, including in Germany this summer, have made Germans wary about the identities of those individuals being allowed to stay in their country without a rigorous screening process. Last week, Merkels party was pushed to third position by a far-right, anti-immigrant party in local election in the chancellors home state. Merkel, however, has defended her policy, saying recently that despite the influx of more than 1 million asylum-seekers since last year, Germany will remain Germany.

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Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
* Three bulk carriers sold charter-free at about market rates

* Two Hanjin container ships also up for sale - brokers

* Spike in freight rates not expected to last due to over-capacity

* Hanjin-owed vessels worth around $1.76 bln - industry estimate (Adds detail on ownership of vessels)

By Brenda Goh and Keith Wallis

SHANGHAI/SINGAPORE, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Three ships chartered to Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd have been sold and two more vessels are up for sale, ship brokers said on Wednesday, kicking off an asset sale sparked by the failure of the world's seventh largest container shipper.

Around $14 billion of cargo has been tied up globally as ports, tugboat operators and cargo handling firms worried about not being paid refuse to work for Hanjin, which filed for receivership in a Seoul court on Aug 31.

While some ships have been offloaded since then, bottlenecks are forming at some ports and truck yards as containers pile up.

Three bulk carriers, used for carrying commodities such as iron ore, coal and grain, were sold by lessors for a total of almost $39 million, according to data from ship valuation firm VesselsValue.

The largest, the 180,000 deadweight tonne (DWT) capesize Hanjin Matsuyama, was sold by Japanese shipping firm Kumiai Senpaku to Singapore-based Winning Shipping for $22.75 million, according to the data. An official at Winning said the deal had not yet been completed.

The five-year old ship, last tracked off South Korea, was sold charter-free, meaning it is no longer chartered by Hanjin Shipping, a ship broker told Reuters.

The two smaller 37,000 DWT handyside vessels have been sold to Greek buyers, also charter-free, the broker said.

Vessels that are sold can be bought by their new owners with existing charter, or rental, agreements in place or charter-free, meaning they can be hired out to new firms such as commodities companies.

With prices already depressed by over-capacity, the values achieved were in line with recent similar sales and estimates from shipping services firm Clarkson.

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Two container ships worth between $18-$22 million have also been put up for sale, two other ship brokers with knowledge with the matter said.

"Potential buyers have to register their interest by the end of this week with offers by the end of this month," said an Asian secondhand ship broker.

The vessels, both built in 2013, can carry up to 4,522 20-foot containers. The Hanjin Mar is currently anchored off the south coast of South Korea while the Hanjin Marine is heading to Prince Rupert in Canada, according to Thomson Reuters ship tracking data.

A spokeswoman for Hanjin Shipping said the two vessels were chartered and were being returned to the owners, declining to identify them.

Thomson Reuters data and Equasis, a European ship database, showed Panama-registered Tribridge Marine-Oceania and Tribridge Marine-Pacific as the registered owners, but Hanjin Shipping Holdings as the beneficial owner.

Shipbrokers expect more Hanjin ships to be put on the market although uncertainty about the company's future could delay progress and some could be sold off-market to other South Korean companies.

A court has given Hanjin until late November to come up with a rehabilitation plan that creditors agree to.

The fleet of 63 ships Hanjin owns is worth around $1.76 billion, VesselsValue estimates, well short of the $5.5 billion in debt the company reported as at the end of June, 2016. It had chartered a further 78 vessels before its failure.

OVER-CAPACITY TO REMAIN

While uncertainty around Hanjin Shipping has caused a spike in freight prices, few expect it to last.

Cargo ships of around 257.8 million DWT, equal to about 14.6 percent of the global fleet, are due for delivery from now to around 2019 and global seaborne trade growth is just 2.4 percent, Clarkson data shows.

That points to little short-term improvement in the shipping markets with no real return to profitability until 2019-2020, at least, analysts say.

Low scrap values and freight rates higher than operating costs mean there is little incentive for owners to scrap.

"The industry needs to break the trend of halting demolition activity as soon as the Baltic Dry Index (a basket of freight rates) improves marginally," said Peter Sand, chief shipping analyst at shipping lobby group BIMCO.

Around two-thirds of Hanjin's fleet are not operating properly, including vessels seized, barred entry to ports or terminals, denied services or moving slowly, according to Hanjin Shipping data on Monday.

That has delayed grain and oilseed shipment on key global routes, with cargoes carrying pulses from Canada to India running at least 15 days behind schedule.

"We have to queue again and look for other shipping companies which are already witnessing an increased demand for their services," said one Singapore-based trader who ships pulses from Canada.

(Additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin in Seoul, Naveen Thukral in Singapore and the Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
Image Source/Getty Images

Every morning at 4 a.m. a lowand very, very loudjetliner arriving from China roars overhead my house, says Murray Suid, who lives in Inverness, CA. He wouldnt go so far as to say he would have backed away from buying his home if hed known this in advance, but he has come to a firm conclusion: Different times of day really change the reality of a home.

The neighborhood might feel charming and laid-back during a warm Saturday morning open house, but what is it like when youre driving to work? Or waiting for Sunday church traffic to clear out?

Thats why David Feldberg, broker/owner of Coastal Real Estate Group in Newport Beach, CA, advises his clients to spend some time at their would-be house at all hours of the day and night to find out what it would really be like to live in the neighborhood.

Lets check out some of the times during the day and night buyers might want to visit a home they like, paying extra attention to local goings-on.

8 a.m.: Is your commute a slog?

Its just 10 miles to work as the crow flies, Lea Jacobson heard about a home she had her eye on in Portland, OR. But Jacobson was skeptical.

I am not a crow; I dont fly, she says. So she decided to see for herself by driving around the area at rush hour. While her commute ended up being doable, she definitely recommends doing the test drive. Track the actual time it takes to commute from your driveway to your office to determine how long those red lights are and how bad the backup is on the on rampand if you can stand it. If youre planning to take public transportation, give that a try, too.

10 a.m.: Do you hear what I hear?

Glenda Cook of San Antonio gets literally rattled by noise coming from the quarry a mile from her house.

I wish I had known how badly it would shake my house when they detonate rock in the middle of the day. The home builder never said a word during the buying process, and it still startles me when Im working in my office.

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Sussing out crazy noise from construction, traffic, or barking dogs isnt the only reason to visit your home midday.

I would also drive my street on a weekday and see how many people have cars in their driveway. Are there other neighbors around, or does it look like a ghost town? Feldberg says. For safetys sake, its nice to know that neighbors might be keeping an eye on your house if youre at work all day, and maybe even accepting your UPS shipments.

3 p.m.: Schools out

Is the home near a school? If so, you might want to hang out and see if the schoolchildren are going to be cutting through your yard and trampling your flowersor if the traffic is so busy you dont feel comfortable having your own kids walk home.

5:30 p.m.: Happy hour or sad hour?

Nows the time to check for traffic returning homeyours and everyone elses. If you are envisioning sitting outside relaxing with a glass of lemonade watching your kids ride bikes, you dont want to find out too late that Waze is redirecting traffic through your quiet neighborhood. And, adds Feldberg, you can check to see if other kids are out; its impossible to underestimate the allure of built-in playmates.

Another less-likely eventuality might concern your neighbors cooking habitsif dinnertime brings odors you find unpleasant, you might want to stay away.

9 p.m.: Time to par-tay?

Its a good idea to find out if your neighbors like to live it up, advises Liane Jamason, broker associate at Smith & Associates Real Estate in Tampa Bay, FL. Her client drove by for a week and discovered his potential next-door neighbor liked to have loud, wild parties nearly every night. Since my client worked in TV broadcasting and had to be up at 3 a.m. daily, he opted for a more peaceful neighborhood, she says.

Feldman recommends that his clients park their car in front of the house and roll down the windows to check the noise level, whether its urban commotion or suburban parties. A late-night visit can also give you an idea of how safe the streets feel after dark.

If you can go in the house, do. Tyler Hanway, who recently bought a house in Fairhope, AL, didnt realize until his first night in the home that his neighbors outdoor lighting shines into his master bedroom windows, filling the room with an orange glow.

3 a.m.: Planes, trains, and automobiles

And to return to the transportation theme that we started with, its not just airplanes that can disturb your sleep. Shawn Steen of Madison, WI, wasnt the least bit concerned about the train tracks behind her house: As a kid, her grandparents lived near train tracks, and her previous apartment was just two blocks away from a track.

I barely notice trains and thought, no big dealuntil the train behind my house started coming through every night at 3 a.m., blowing its horn less than 100 yards from my bedroom window. It was ludicrously loud.



Watch: The Features That Help a Home Sell Fastest

The post All the Times of the Day You Should Visit a Home Before You Buy appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com.
London (AFP) - After a dozen novels and 70 million book sales under his belt, British writer Frederick Forsyth told AFP he is giving up on thrillers because his wife told him he can no longer travel to adventurous places.

"I'm tired of it and I can't just sit at home and do a nice little romance from my study," said the 78-year-old, who revealed in a memoir last year that he had worked extensively for the MI6 spy service.

"I ran out of things to say," said the soft-spoken Forsyth, who trained as a Royal Air Force pilot before joining Reuters news agency in 1961 and beginning his career as a novelist in the 1970s.

After his last trip to Somalia as research for "The Kill List", Forsyth said his wife told him: "You're far too old, these places are bloody dangerous and you don't run as avidly, as nimbly as you used to."

Forsyth, who has only ever written on a typewriter, said he had tried an online search for Somalia but had been "very dissatisfied" with the results.

"There was some statistical information on Somalia but not what I wanted, which was atmosphere," he said.

He said his memoir "The Outsider" was his "swan song".

"How many bakers go on baking after 78?" he quipped.

In an interview on the sidelines of a speaking engagement organised by the London Grill Club, Forsyth also spoke about his work for MI6 in Africa and the former Soviet bloc during the Cold War.

The writer said he would submit draft pages from his novels to MI6 to check that he was not divulging sensitive details and they would sometimes come back with annotations and paragraphs underlined.

In "The Fourth Protocol", he said he avoided telling readers how exactly to trigger a nuclear weapon, after a bit of editing of the draft from MI6.

"You don't want anyone actually to do it!" said Forsyth, dressed in a light-coloured suit.

- Secret missions -

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Forsyth worked for Reuters and the BBC in the 1960s in France, Nigeria and East Germany.

While working as a journalist in 1968 in Nigeria, he was approached by an MI6 man called "Ronnie" who wanted "an asset deep inside the Biafran enclave" where there was a civil war between 1967 and 1970.

Then, in 1973, Forsyth said he was asked to conduct a mission for MI6 in communist East Germany.

"There was an asset, a Russian colonel, working for us deep inside East Germany and he had a package that we needed brought out," he wrote in his memoir.

Forsyth said he drove his Triumph convertible to Dresden and received the package from the Russian colonel in the toilets of the Albertinum museum.

He calls the secret services "our protectors" and said he was not paid for his work, adding: "I was only trying to help out the old country".

Talking about his work with MI6 could be formally a breach of the lifelong commitment to discretion undertaken when he signed the Official Secrets Act, but Forsyth said decades had passed and many secrets from that time had already been divulged.

- 'Insulting' Brexit campaign -

His first novel in 1971, "The Day of the Jackal", was about a fictional assassination attempt on French president Charles de Gaulle by right-wing extremists angry at his granting independence to Algeria.

It was turned into a classic film starring Edward Fox.

Other bestsellers quickly followed including "The Odessa File" (1972) and "The Dogs of War" (1974).

After the end of the Cold War, he wrote thrillers about al-Qaeda, drone warfare and rendition.

Forsyth also has a weekly column in the Daily Express in which he often writes about counter-terrorism issues, military affairs and foreign policy.

As a longtime advocate for Brexit, Forsyth said he was pleased with the result of the European Union referendum in June but found the campaign was "vituperative" and "unnecessarily insulting".

He said political correctness has become "a new religion" in Britain and is deeply critical of a justice system he sees as skewed towards the rich.

Following his retirement from fiction, he said he will focus now on a campaign for Alexander Blackman, a Royal Marine sentenced to life imprisonment for shooting an injured Afghan fighter in 2011.
PARIS (Reuters) - Olympique Lyon enjoyed a memorable Champions League opener in their new stadium after a classy performance by midfielder Corentin Tolisso helped them to a 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in a Group H clash on Wednesday. Having bid farewell to their old Stade de Gerland ground with three home defeats in Europe's premier club competition last term, Lyon delighted their fans in Parc OL and should have won by a bigger margin. The 22-year old Tolisso opened the scoring with a thumping 13th-minute header and set up the third for striker Gnaly Maxwell Cornet after Jordan Ferri made it 2-0 with a dinked finish early in the second half. Lyon missed a barrage of chances as the visitors barely got out of their own half for long spells. Dinamo keeper Adrian Semper saved a cheeky backheel from Cornet in the 10th minute but poor defending left the 18-year old at the mercy of Lyon's fluid 3-5-2 formation which had the Croatian title holders chasing shadows all evening. Dinamo twice hit the bar after the home side took their feet off the gas pedal, with El-Arbi Hilal Soudani missing the target from point-blank range before substitute Mario Situm rattled the woodwork with a fierce shot in the 87th minute. (Writing by Zoran Milosavljevic; Editing by Neil Robinson)
Tommy Chong spent nine months in prison back in 2003 for selling bongs across state lines, and now he is turning to President Barack Obama for help in order to expunge the felony.

The movie star and marijuana advocate told The Hollywood Reporter he is not bitter about the arrest, but he does believe now that times have changed with the growing legalization of pot, he should be let off the hook.

Chong has started a petition to the White House requesting a pardon before Obama leaves office. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the White House must issue an official response. At the moment, it has more than 12,000.

"I think it has a very good chance because Obama has admitted to smoking pot," Chong tells THR. It also helps that Obama has issued 562 commutations during his presidency, hundreds of which have been for low-level drug offenses.

Chong says his case could not be more low-level.

"I was a celebrity bust," Chong tells THR. "[Authorities] basically entrapped me and my company by asking that we ship bongs across state lines. So when we did make a sale, they immediately arrested me and charged me with using the post office to sell illegal paraphernalia."

Chong, 78, spent nine months behind bars at Taft Correctional Institution in California. His bust was part of a federal investigation to go after distributors of drug paraphernalia. His celebrity status made him a prime target, he says. "It cost me close to a million dollars, including $150,000 in cash from other sales, like T-shirts," Chong says.

The comic and actor wants to both clear his name and go back into business selling bongs, which he can't currently do with a felony on his record, he says. "I never stopped making them, I just had to stop selling them."

"It feels great," he says. "I represent a nice portion of the community which is growing, our constituency is really growing with all the legalization going on. I'm in a really good position."

Read more: Tommy Chong Fired Up Over DEA's Decision to Not Decriminalize Marijuana
EuropaCorp has closed a deal for U.S. distribution rights to the World War II comedy-drama Their Finest, Variety has learned.

The picture debuted at the Toronto Film Festival and centers around a group of filmmakers struggling to make an inspirational and patriotic film to boost morale during the Blitz of London. It stars Bill Nighy, Richard E. Grant, and Gemma Arterton and is directed by An Educations Lone Scherfig. There were several interested studios sniffing around the project in what was described as a heated bidding situation.

Calling the film a crowd pleaser, EuropaCorp CEO Marc Shumger said in a statement, Its all at once witty, heart tugging, and hilarious. EuropaCorp couldnt be more excited to partner with Lone and the production team to bring this brilliant movie to US audiences.

The deal is in the mid-seven figure range, with a a P&A commitment of roughly $7 million, according to a source with knowledge.

Variety critic Andrew Barker praised the film as a well-acted and enjoyable piece of entertainment.

Aiming for a target somewhere between Howard Hawks and Richard Curtis, Their Finest is the sort of crowd-pleaser that knows the difference between satisfying its viewers and flattering them, all the while showcasing surprising performances from Gemma Arterton and Sam Claflin, and an entirely unsurprising one from Bill Nighy  a master scene-stealer pulling off yet another brazen heist, he wrote.

In a year in which the lack of opportunities for women both on-screen and behind the camera is a topic of fierce debate, Their Finest boasts both a female director in Scherfig and a proto-feminist heroine for Arterton to sink her teeth into. The latter stars as a slop scriptwriter, charged with bringing a female perspective to war films produced by the British Ministry of Informations Film Division. Her current project involves British civilians rescuing soldiers after the retreat at Dunkirk.

As Toronto enters its one-week point, it has been a glacial market, although distributors are expected to close more deals in the days ahead. One of the only big sales has been for Jackie, starring Natalie Portman as the iconic first lady, which went to Fox Searchlight. Many of the big titles, including Nocturnal Animals, La La Land, Snowden and American Honey, came to Toronto with a distributor in tow.

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CAA and Hanway represented the filmmakers. Federica Sainte-Rose, head of worldwide acquisitions, and Aaron Michiel, exec VP of business affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of EuropaCorp.

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At the end of Diamonds Are Forever, audiences cheer when James Bond succeeds in blowing up the giant oil platform the evil Blofeld uses as his base. Its a spectacular finale, to be sure, though nowhere near as impressive as the real-life destruction wrought in Deepwater Horizon, a stunning Hollywood restaging of the explosion that consumed the Transocean deepwater drilling rig on April 20, 2010. Needless to say, no one cheers this time around: We all know that 11 men lost their lives in the accident, and that the ensuing oil spill became the countrys all-time worst ecological disaster. And yet, despite the fact that director Peter Berg presents the action as if everyone in the audience is an engineer, the excitement is undeniable. For a movie in which you cant follow whats going on for 75% of the time, Deepwater Horizon proves remarkably thrilling  and could well become one of the falls biggest hits when it opens Sept. 30.

Reteaming with Mark Wahlberg after what for both was a career-high collaboration on Lone Survivor (and drawing from some of the water-based visual-effects experience previously squandered on 2012s Battleship), Berg doesnt waste much time character-building before sending his blue-collar ensemble off to the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, some 49 miles from land in the Gulf of Mexico. Its a tough job, not just because this co-ed crew must spend the next 20 days away from their wives, boyfriends, and kids, but also judging by the tedious, ultra-technical work that awaits them once aboard.

On this particular rotation, theyre accompanied by a few suits from parent company BP (one is politely asked to remove his magenta tie, since thats the color of the most dire warning, and might make the others superstitious), who have come along to present Transocean crew captain Mr. Jimmy (Kurt Russell) with a workplace safety award. BP rep Donald Vidrine (John Malkovich) has also come along to apply pressure and speed things up, since the rig is already 43 days behind schedule delivering oil. But we know something the characters dont: Pressure is building deep below, and these pipes wont be able to hold the oil for long. Its kind of a cheat, not unlike insert shots of the fraying rope before a mountain climbers plunge, just so audiences arent caught by surprise when the rope snaps. We expect effects to be preceded by causes in the movies, even if the Deepwater Horizon crew had no such warning in real life  and millions were later spent trying to reverse-engineer what had happened.

To the extent that the movie has an agenda, it is not to demonize BP (although a total boycott of the brand by all Americans would be perfectly reasonable payback), but rather to acknowledge the men and women stuck on-board the Deepwater Horizon when things went bad and to honor their heroism in saving as many lives as they did. In the tradition of films such as Apollo 11 and Titanic, the human characters remain the focus, even as the surrounding spectacle threatens to overwhelm them. Wahlberg plays chief electronics technician Mike Williams, who puts others safety before his own while his wife does the worrying back home (Kate Hudson in a role with more dramatic heft than Laura Linneys recent, superficially similar turn in Sully). By acting the hero, Williams is able to save several of his colleagues  including Jimmy, technician Andrea Fleytas (Gina Rodriguez) and a guy pinned between steel railings by his own broken leg bone  and yet theres nothing unbelievable in the way he behaves. Both Wahlbergs performance and Bergs overall approach are fully committed to keeping things plausible, which is important, considering that in all likelihood, theres more CGI onscreen during the finale than in any of Wahlbergs Transformers movies. And besides, nobody wants to risk believability by making Williams all over-confident and invincible. The fact that we can relate is what makes his actions so inspiring.

Early on, when we meet Williams, his daughter Sydney (Stella Allen) reads a class paper about what her daddy does for a living. He tames the dinosaurs, she says, referring to the fact that fossil fuels derive from the long-extinct creatures, and her dad pours mud down pipes to keep the pressure from overpowering the system. The scene is meant to be foreboding (she builds a model using a soda can, which promptly explodes), but her description is presciently apt, considering what lies in store: When the raw crude bursts through those ultra-deepwater pipes, it arrives with all the force and destructive power of an unreasoning T-rex.

Deepwater Horizon has more than a little in common with Jurassic Park, both prime examples of our current era of effects-driven blockbusters, where the promise of CG carnage threatens to suffocate the pleasures of good, old-fashioned storytelling. Whats more, they both depict the consequences when nature fights back against greed and a total lack of humility  embodied here by Malkovich, who makes his character easy to hate as Vidrines avarice is surpassed only by his cowardice once the meltdown begins. Finally, imagine a movie in which all the dialogue sounds like Jeff Goldblums constant stream of chaos-theory mumbo-jumbo. Here, in order to heighten the realism, Matthew Michael Carnahan and Matthew Sands script is written almost entirely in terse, sciencey-sounding commands: Close that hatch! Flip that switch! Swing that crane out of the way! Run across the burning platform and restart that generator! Its enough to make ones eyes glaze over, which they start to do in the films first half.

And then, quite suddenly, all hell breaks loose  so forcefully that we never have time to stop and ask what exactly is going on at any given moment. We practically need a voiceover to explain what were looking at most of the time, and though DP Enrique Chediaks handheld lensing is intuitive enough  eavesdropping rather than anticipating, as a documentary crew might  the editing body-slams us all around the rig with little or no continuity between cuts. Amid such stylistic disarray, its hard to decide whether Berg is to be commended for staging such a logistically complex event (certainly visual effects supervisor Craig Hammack deserves hosannas) or ridiculed for making it so impossible to follow. And yet, the impact is undeniably visceral.

These engineers are doing their jobs, which are far too complicated for us to follow anyway. But once things go awry, they shift into self-preservation mode, and thats a universal enough instinct. If anything, Bergs seemingly disorganized approach adds to the movies effectiveness. While the editing keeps us constantly disoriented, Wylie Statemans hyper-real, Dolby Atmos-calibrated sound design often drowns out the dialogue, and yet the explosions physically make the theater shake around us, while the zings of flying shrapnel transform the space into a battlefield of sorts  one with more than just a lone survivor, but also infinitely more casualties. Deepwater Horizon doesnt engage nearly enough with the aftermath, focusing instead on whether these professionals get back to their families. While certainly worth the ticket price, the films happy ending is one of the unhappiest beginnings in environmental history.

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As financing shrinks for auteur cinema and the race to access strong projects intensifies, French sales agents and producers are diversifying and internationalizing their businesses.

A decade ago, only French powerhouses like EuropaCorp, Pathe, Gaumont and Studiocanal were involved in English-language projects with cast attached. Now, theres several medium-size French producers and sales agents who are involved in high-profile English-language projects and are seeking to expand their footprints abroad.

Nicolas Brigaud Robert, co-founder of Films Distribution, which has Francois Ozons Frantz playing at Torontos Special Presentation and Katell Quilleveres Heal the Living competing at Torontos second edition of Platform, says this internationalization trend stems the weakening of local film industries and public funding sources.

Most films no longer get financed in their country of origin, which is why producers are more and more relying on co-production and international sales to raise [funds], explains Brigaud-Robert, who is now co-producing select projects such as Sunset, the sophomore outing of Laszlo Nemes, who won an Oscar this year for Son of Saul.

Adds Brigaud-Robert, What happened to Metrodome and Fortissimo is symptomatic: The market is contracting, its more competitive, and at the same time, many high-profile auteurs cant get their films financed so the pressure is on sales agents shoulders  theyre being asked to find most of the financing and put large minimum guarantees to board films that puts them at risk because the truth is, nearly every foreign market is cash-strapped and there is no Eldorado of international sales.

Speaking of branching out overseas, Films Distribution  whose mini-empire already includes B for Films in Belgium and Films Boutique in Germany  recently invested in Fabien Westerhoffs London-based sales outfit Film Constellation.

The line between sales and production is blurring as producers seek foreign partners to finance their movies and sales agents look to board projects at an earlier stage and get more upside, says Gilles Renouard, co-managing director at Unifrance.

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Case in point: One of Frances hottest producers, Charles Gillibert, who has Olivier Assayass Personal Shopper with Kristen Stewart playing in Torontos Masters section, recently launched a sales company, Alma Cinema, while hes still working with third-party sales agents for select films such as Deniz Erguvens L.A. riot pic with Daniel Craig and Halle Berry that require a significant minimum guarantee.

Gillibert says getting into international sales allowed him to finance his films more efficiently and have a stronger, more global foothold on the market which is essential since hes working with filmmakers like Assayas, one of the few French auteurs who truly have an international profile.

International sales represent roughly 50% of the financing of Assayas films, from Sils Maria to Personal Shopper,  points out Gillibert.

Meanwhile, Indie Sales, the outfit launched by former TF1 exec Nicolas Eschbach and producer Eric Neve, is getting ready to launch a production vehicle. Indie Sales previously co-produced Stefano Sollimas mafia thriller Suburra, while Neve produced Daouda Coulibalys Malian crime thriller Wulu, which plays at Torontos Discovery. The outfit also has Tamara & The Ladybug, The Giant and My Life as a Courgette playing at Toronto.

Memento, which specializes in arthouse films and is divided into a sales banner (ran by Emilie Georges and Tanja Meissner) and distribution (ran by Alexandre Mallet-Guy), is also getting into production and is said to be considering the launch of a U.S. office. The outfit co-produced Asghar Farhadis The Salesman, which won two awards in Cannes and is playing at Toronto in the Special Presentation section; and is co-producing and selling the Iranian helmers next film with Penelope Cruz.

Bac Films is another medium-size company that is ramping up co-production and co-financing activities to board appealing British or U.S. projects with festival pedigree and commercial potential. Following Like Crazy, the Paris-based company is for instance re-teaming with Italian director Paolo Virzi on The Leisure Seeker with Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland. On top of selling it, Bac boarded the project at script stage and is co-producing, co-financing and handling worldwide sales on it.

Were going through a big transition time and theres so much competition to scoop top films  big companies are consolidating and medium-size outfits like Bac have to work like multi-tool knives and board projects at all stages, co-produce as well as source projects overseas, said Bac Films CEO David Grumbach, who is currently considering launching a division abroad.

Yet, over at Le Pacte, which has Arnaud des Pallieress Orphan playing at Torontos Special Presentation and Joachim Lafosses After Love in the Contemporary World Cinema section, Camille Neel, the companys head of sales, says the appeal for French-language auteur dramas is still alive.

Even if its a full-on drama shot in French, After Love sold well because of the cast (led by Berenice Bejo) and the director: Lafosse is a well-established auteur with a track record with family dramas; and above all, its a classic French drama thats easily marketable for distributors and has a clear target audience, says Neel.

If anything, says UniFrances managing director Isabelle Giordano, French sales agents and producers broadening perspectives and international ambitions are enriching French cinema, giving a multi-cultural profile and encouraging filmmakers to tackle contemporary topics that cross borders.

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On Sep 14, Zacks Investment Research upgraded TOTAL S.A. TOT to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).



Why the Upgrade?



TOTAL has been witnessing rising earnings estimates on the back of strong second-quarter 2016 results, wherein this integrated oil & gas company reported a positive earnings surprise of 20.0%.



Managements long-term plan is to increase production by an average of 5% per year between 2014 and 2019. Thanks to 20 major start-ups across the globe, five of which are scheduled for this year, the company now expects 2016 production to improve on a year-over-year basis. In fact, the company intends to boost production while reducing capital expenditure by 15%.



Meanwhile, TOTAL continues to make strategic acquisitions in high-potential areas and divest assets that are not in sync with its long-term objectives. On Jun 27, the company signed an agreement with Qatar Petroleum that gave it a 30% interest to operate the giant offshore Al-Shaheen oil field, which will help the company penetrate further into the Middle-east.

TOTAL FINA SA Price and Consensus

TOTAL FINA SA Price and Consensus | TOTAL FINA SA Quote

To cope with the sluggish commodity price environment, TOTAL has undertaken initiatives to lower its overall expenditure. The company has successfully cut operating expenses in accordance to its plans, and is even on track to exceed its cost saving target of $2.4 billion in 2016. In 2017, the company expects to save $3 billion. These cost savings initiatives will no doubt boost the companys margins.



The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 moved up 8.9% to $3.19 per share as 71% of the estimates were revised higher over the last 60 days. For 2017, 86% estimates were revised higher over the same time frame, lifting the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.8% to $4.22 per share.



Other Stocks on the Horizon



A few equally ranked stocks in the same sector include OMV Aktiengesellschaft OMVJF, Repsol, S.A. REPYY and Premier Oil plc PMOIY. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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We compared Donald Trumps and Hillary Clintons paid leave plans. (Photo: Getty Images)

Last night, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced his proposals for childcare reform and family leave that, consistent with the candidates favored rhetoric, will make America great again.



Trump is thought to have been heavily influenced to announce such policy proposals by his daughter Ivanka, who made child-care affordability and family leave a focal point of her speech when she introduced her father at the Republican National Convention in July. At that time, however, the candidate himself had yet to address the issues his daughter raised.

Trumps rival for the presidency, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, announced her paid family leave proposals back in early January.

Below, we break down the key differences in the two candidates respective plans in terms of who they benefit, who pays for them, and how much paid leave were actually talking about.

Maternity Leave vs. Family Leave

The first major difference between the Clinton and Trump plans is whom exactly they impact. Trumps plan calls for six weeks of paid maternity leave for mothers who do not already receive leave from their employer. Clintons plan, in contrast, is much more egalitarian  and gender neutral. The Democratic nominee has proposed a guaranteed 12 weeks of paid family leave that could be used for parents caring for newborns, parents caring for sick children, children caring for sick or elderly parents, or any other circumstance in which someone might need time off from work to care for a family member in some way.

The differences between a proposal for paid maternity leave and one for paid family leave are vast, not only in their economic implications, but also their social implications, especially regarding what the plans imply about each candidates thoughts about who, based on gender, is most responsible for parenting.

Speaking last night, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said of Trumps plan, We know men always want more money. What do women want? More time. And we are thrilled to finally have a president of the United States who is going to put the focus on working with women to make certain you can achieve your American dream.

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Its worth noting here that women do, in fact, want more money  or at least to earn the same amount for equivalent work as their male peers in the workplace.

As Maya Harris, senior adviser for policy to the Clinton campaign, said in reply to hearing Trumps proposal, Were not living in a Mad Men era anymore, where only women are taking care of infants. [Trumps plan is] just completely unserious. While his plan would undercut women in the workplace, it also provides no relief to working families.

A brief released by the Department of Labor points to the fact that while nine out of 10 fathers in the U.S. take some time off of work for the birth or adoption of a child, 70 percent of fathers take 10 days of leave or less.

Studies indicate that paternity leave has lifelong positive effects on both father and child: Dads who took two or more weeks of leave after welcoming a new child into the family were more likely to be actively involved in the care of that child nine months after its birth, and longer paternity leaves correlated to higher cognitive test scores for children later in life. And paternity leave helps mothers too: The increased use of paternity leave among fathers correlated to balancing the amount of time being spent by mothers and father on childcare and household chores  things that have been shown to allow women to participate more fully in the workforce and thus earn more. In other words, to truly change the way that mothers are able to participate in the workforce, we have to first change the way that fathers are able to access and take family leave.

Trumps proposal, with its focus on maternity leave only, also seems to leave out not only same-sex couples but also single dads who might be the sole parent in their household.

And while we have the Family and Medical Leave Act, Trumps plan provides no income for people taking time off to care for a sick parent.

Childcare

Trumps plan calls for the creation of dependent care savings accounts (DCSAs) so that families would be able to set aside pretax income to help pay for childcare. Total contributions to a DCSA would not exceed $2,000 a year per source (immediate family members and employers), and balances from these accounts could roll over from year to year. Trump also proposes a 50 percent match on parental contributions of up to $1,000 a year, or an extra $500 annually for qualifying parents.

Clinton has long proposed a cap of 10 percent of family income on childcare costs  while also increasing the quality of childcare available to families by increasing the wages of childcare workers through the Respect and Increased Salaries for Early Childhood Educators (RAISE) initiative. Clinton has also proposed scholarships of up to $1,500 annually for college students who are also parents to help make childcare more affordable and an increase of childcare on college campuses.

The current average cost of childcare in the U.S. is such that many full-time workers would need to devote their entire salaries to afford even the most basic help. Childcare costs more than rent in most places in the country. A study done by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) found that childcare is more expensive than in-state tuition at a four-year public college in 24 states and Washington, D.C. The report also found that childcare costs can range from just over $300 a month in rural communities to more than $1,400 in major cities, translating into median costs of approximately $4,000 to $17,000 annually, depending on where you live  figures that mean that the yearly median amount a two-parent, two-child family would need to earn to attain a modest yet adequate standard of living is just over $63,741. That figure can be as high as more than $100,000 for families in big cities.

And childcare is most expensive for young children. According to the Center for American Progress, many families pay close to $1,500 a month for childcare for two children (infant and toddler), an amount that is equivalent to eight weeks of groceries, 14 weeks of health insurance, and 24 weeks of student loan payments. And a separate report released this May by the group found that low-income families are disproportionately and systemically impacted by the high cost of childcare, finding themselves stuck in a system where they cannot get work without childcare and cannot access publicly funded childcare programs without work.

How Much Pay During Paid Leave?

The details are still hazy on how much pay will be granted to mothers using Trumps proposed six weeks of paid maternity leave; his plan specifies six weeks of leave through unemployment benefits. If this means that mothers will simply receive unemployment payments for six weeks, then they would earn, at maximum, $450 a week, or $2,700 for six weeks  an amount that is about half of what the average American worker makes a week.

Clintons plan for 12 weeks of paid family leave would guarantee that employees who have worked a certain number of hours would earn a minimum of two-thirds of their pay up.

And How Theyll Pay For It

Trump says his plan will be paid for by eliminating fraud in unemployment insurance, an amount estimated to be approximately $3 billion a year. But as many analysts have already determined, the cost of Trumps proposal would most likely be three times that amount.

Clintons plan is estimated to cost $300 billion over 10 years, an amount she says she plans on funding through, as the campaign put it, tax reforms impacting the most fortunate. (In other words: Those in the highest tax brackets will pay additional taxes to help fund paid family leave for all American workers.)

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Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump disclosed new health records during the taping of a medical chat show set to air Thursday, the same day his White House rival Hillary Clinton returns to the fray after being grounded by pneumonia.

With both candidates under pressure to share more medical data, Team Trump had raised -- then dropped -- the possibility of releasing the results of a recent physical during an appearance on "The Dr. Oz Show."

During recording of the segment Wednesday morning, Trump finally did present its celebrity host with results from an examination performed last week, according to a statement on the show's website.

In a snippet teased on the site, Mehmet Oz -- who is also a professor of surgery at Columbia University in New York -- is seen asking Trump:

"If your health is as strong as it seems... why not show your medical records?

"Well, I have really no problem in doing it," the 70-year-old Trump responds. "I have it right here. Should I do it? I don't care."

The Republican nominee goes on to pull the documents from his pocket, to cheers and applause from the show audience.

"As all physicians do when seeing a patient for the first time, Dr. Oz took Mr. Trump through a full review of systems," the show's statement said.

It said their hour-long one-one-one interview touched on Trump's cardiovascular health, family medical history and history of cancer, among other topics.

So far Trump had released only four paragraphs, written hastily by his doctor Harold Bornstein in December 2015, gushing about his state of health.

Following the revelation that Clinton, 68, was suffering from pneumonia, Trump vowed soon to release "very, very specific numbers" from a recent check-up with Bornstein.

Trump's Democratic rival was at home in Chappaqua, New York for a third straight day Wednesday, recovering from a health scare that has rocked her bid to become America's first woman president.

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She was forced to leave a 9/11 memorial event in New York on Sunday and was seen stumbling limp-legged into a Secret Service vehicle.

Clinton's personal physician only later disclosed she had been diagnosed with pneumonia two days earlier, raising questions about her campaign's transparency.

Trump's media-savvy disclosure -- regardless of how much substance the records contain -- will further up the pressure on her to share more health data as she returns to the trail Thursday.
By James Oliphant COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - Donald Trumps presidential candidacy has triggered anguished soul searching among many college-educated and affluent Republicans who must decide whether to back him, sit out the election, or do the unthinkable: vote for his opponent, Hillary Clinton. With less than two months to go before the Nov. 8 election, rural, white voters who lack a college degree have flocked to Trump. But his brash style and lack of experience in government are a much tougher sell among well-off Republicans who have long been a backbone of the party, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling and interviews with Republican-leaning white collar professionals. Trumps hopes of capturing the White House may rest on whether he can win over enough of these voters in battleground states such as Ohio, Virginia and Colorado to offset Clinton's overwhelming advantages with minority voters, young people, urban voters and women. "If you had told me two years ago that I would be voting for Hillary Clinton, I would have said, No freaking way, said Michael Sheehan, chief operating officer of a Columbus-based apparel firm. Sheehan is now leaning toward Clinton, the Democratic nominee, because he worries Trump would damage U.S. relations abroad. Reuters/Ipsos polling shows that Clinton is doing better among affluent and college-educated voters than President Barack Obama did four years ago, even among Republicans. Its a warning signal for Trump, who has been shunned by blacks, Latinos and millennial voters. In 2012, nearly nine out of every 10 Republicans with a college degree and annual income over $100,000 supported then Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Now, about seven in 10 support Trump. Romney won college-educated voters over Obama by 4 percentage points in 2012, but the Reuters/Ipsos tracking poll showed Clinton with a 48-28 percent advantage among those same voters last month. The same gap is playing out in key swing states. In Ohio, Clinton has a 47-36 percent edge among the college educated, according to a Monmouth University poll in August. Its amazing how few Trump supporters Ive run into, said James King, a partner in a prominent Columbus law firm who backed Romney in 2012 but who likely will vote for Clinton. Marsha Blackburn, a congresswoman from Tennessee who is one of Trumps biggest supporters in Washington, said Trump's proposal this week for a child-care tax credit was an example of policies that can appeal to more affluent Republicans. Trump still needs to keep pushing his economic message, keep talking about national security, keep talking about these issues that are so important to moms, these working-family issues, she told Reuters. ROMNEY REPUBLICANS Ohio, with its 18 electoral votes, is crucial for Trump and he has campaigned intensively in the state. But in populous, largely suburban central Ohio, Trump has a tougher task than in the rural counties that surround it. The local economy skews toward white-collar workers and professionals and does not depend on the manufacturing revival Trump has promised in his Make America Great Again message. Romney, the scion of a wealthy family and former private equity fund manager, was a more natural fit with many Republicans in the area. He epitomized what sometimes has been called the country club Republicans." They favor smaller government, less intrusive regulations and put less weight on conservative social values. Trump, the real-estate magnate from Manhattan, would seem similar, but some Republican professionals in central Ohio cant get past his temperament and comments like the one suggesting illegal immigrants from Mexico are rapists and murderers. Romney himself has been a fierce critic of Trump. Theres no way I could ever vote for that guy, said King, the law firm partner, adding that Trumps criticism of the family of a Muslim soldier, Humayun Khan, who was killed in action, soured him on Trump for good. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll of registered voters last month showed Clinton ahead among white, college-educated voters in Colorado, where she held a 55-23 percent edge; in North Carolina, where she held a 47-40 percent advantage; and in Virginia, where she held a 43-37 percent edge. Bradley Barbin, a white-collar criminal defense lawyer in Columbus, has decorated the walls of his office with Republican memorabilia stretching back a century. He faults Trump for stirring resentment and for encouraging violence at his rallies. Trump has denied there is significant violence at his events and has blamed the media for exaggerating scuffles with protesters. Barbin said he likely wont back Clinton. Do I know exactly what I am going to do? No. But I do know that Trumps the bigger problem, he said. Among affluent Republicans who do support Trump, several said that whatever reservations they may have about him as a candidate, it was more important to keep Clinton from the presidency. I think shes a bad person, said William Bay, a retired nephrologist who lives in Hilliard, a suburb of Columbus, who lauded Trump as an agent of change. Trumps campaign has long contended there exists a swath of Trump voters who wont talk to the press or pollsters for fear of being demonized, but who will show up at the polls in November. But it's also possible that some Republicans, once in the privacy of the voting booth, will go with Clinton because of their concerns about Trump. Barbin, the Columbus defense lawyer, said thats the takeaway from conversations with his peers. We all know, he said, that there are certain people you just cannot give that kind of unfettered power to. You just cant. (Additional reporting by Chris Kahn and Grant Smith; Editing by Caren Bohan and Ross Colvin)
Whether it was a calculated attempt to create interest in his appearance on the popular Dr. Oz television show, or that the right hand of the Trump campaign doesnt know what the left hand is doing, the Republican presidential nominee created confusion Wednesday morning about how much information he planned to release about his health.

Trump said on Monday that he would be releasing the results of a recent physical examination in an appearance on the show hosted by television personality and surgeon Mehmet Oz. But on Tuesday, his campaign manager began complaining about the level of scrutiny the candidate's health was receiving and insisted that demanding Trump release health records violates his privacy.

Related: Time for Clinton and Trump to Have Complete PhysicalsBy Independent Docs

On Wednesday morning, Trump spokesperson Hope Hicks told reporters that rather than discussing his personal health on the show, the candidate would instead discuss wellness in general and other vague topics.

Then, at the 10 a.m. taping of the program, Trump surprised the audience by asking them whether or not he should reveal the results of his physical.

Should I do it? I dont care. Should I do it? he said. Then, to cheers from the crowd, he produced two pieces of paper from inside his suit jacket.

Its two letters. One is the report, and the other is from Lenox Hill Hospital, he said, as evidenced by a brief clip released by the shows production company.

Related: Trumps Effort to Attract Women Angers Fiscal Conservatives

According to a release from the shows producers, Mr. Trump shared with Dr. Oz the results of his physical examination performed last week by Dr. Harold Bornstein, M.D. of Lenox Hill Hospital, whom [sic] has been Mr. Trumps personal physician for many years.

Additionally, as all physicians do when seeing a patient for the first time, Dr. Oz took Mr. Trump through a full review of systems including the following: Nervous System, Head and Neck, Hormone Levels, Cardiovascular Health and Related Medications, Respiratory Health, Gastrointestinal Health, Bladder or Prostate Health, Dermalogical [sic] Health, History of Cancer, Family Medical History  Occurrence of Alzheimers or Dementia, Heart Disease, Cancer in relatives.

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Because the show will not air until Thursday, there were few details available about the content of the test results or the findings of either Dr. Bornstein or Dr. Oz. Dr. Bornstein previously made headlines in the presidential campaign when he penned laughably hyperbolic letter praising Trumps astonishingly excellent health and promising he would be the healthiest person ever elected president.

Related: Worried About Trump, GOP Donors Back Paul Ryan and His Congressional Firewall

Reporters who quizzed members of the studio audience were provided sketchy and sometimes contradictory accounts of the proceedings, suggesting that a full accounting wont be available until the show airs tomorrow.

Trump, who has been actively sowing doubt and confusion about the health of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for months now is under increasing pressure to reveal information about his own health. At 70, Trump would be the oldest person ever elected to a first presidential term. He is plainly overweight and has a well-documented taste for unhealthy fast food. He also has no known exercise regimen.

After Clinton collapsed over the weekend due to what her campaign eventually said was dehydration caused by a bout of pneumonia, the health of the two candidates took on new urgency as a campaign issue. Clinton, though younger than Trump, will turn 69 this fall, and would be the second-oldest person elected to a first presidential term, after only Ronald Reagan.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Republican nominee Donald Trump has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a stronger leader than U.S. President Barack Obama. He has said the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State should leave Syria to Moscow. And he has hinted he may not defend NATO allies against Russian incursion.

But on Tuesday night, he asked why Obama gets a free pass for, presumably, allowing Russia to take Crimea.

Russia took Crimea during the so-called Obama years, Trump tweeted. Who wouldnt know this and why does Obama get a free pass?

The irony of hitting Obama for not preventing Russias invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea in 2014 was apparently lost on the social media prolific and apoplectic real estate magnate.

Trump has suggested hed recognize Crimea as part of Russia if elected, and beyond taking sovereign territory, also has directly urged Moscow to take Democratic rival Hillary Clintons emails. He frequently expresses his admiration for Putin, noting recently that the Russian leader who has cracked down on political opposition has high popularity in national polls  a point Obama mocked earlier Tuesday in a rally for Clinton.

Well, yes, so did  Saddam Hussein had a 90 percent poll rating, Obama said in his Philadelphia speech, comparing Putins tactics to those of the deceased Iraqi strongman. I mean, if you control the media, and youve taken away everybodys civil liberties, and you jail dissidents, thats what happens.

I have to do business with Putin. I have to do business with Russia. Thats part of foreign policy, Obama continued. But I dont go around saying thats my role model.

To help answer Trumps rhetorical question: Who wouldnt know this? here are a few choice examples of when he himself apparently did not.

July 27: Yes, we would be looking at that.

 Trumps response to a reporter asking whether, if elected, he would recognize Crimea as part of Russia and lift sanctions on Moscow.

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July 31: Hes not going into Ukraine, O.K., just so you understand. Hes not going to go into Ukraine, all right? You can mark it down. You can put it down. You can take it anywhere you want.

 Trump, speaking of Putin, on ABCs This Week

The people of Crimea, from what Ive heard, would rather be with Russia than where they were. And you have to look at that, also.

 Trump later in the same show

Aug. 1:

When I said in an interview that Putin is "not going into Ukraine, you can mark it down," I am saying if I am President. Already in Crimea!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2016

Photo credit: Kommersant Photo / Contributor
Donald Trump will release medical records on Thursday's broadcast of The Dr. Oz Show, as well as discuss the results of his most recent physical examination, according to information revealed during Wednesday's taping of the show.

Aspects of Trump's personal health including his hormone levels, cardiovascular and respiratory well-being and his family medical history also will be revealed on the show.

"Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sat down for an hourlong, one-on-one interview on The Dr. Oz Show with host Dr. Mehmet Oz to discuss his personal health, his views on major health care policy including their recently announced childcare plan and the major healthcare issues facing this country," reps for the show said Wednesday in a release.

"During the filming of the episode ... Mr. Trump shared with Dr. Oz the results of his physical examination performed last week by Dr. Harold Bornstein, M.D. of Lennox Hill Hospital, whom has been Mr. Trump's personal physician for many years," the statement continued.

A clip released by the show later on Wednesday included the exchange between the Republican presidential candidate and the TV doctor, in which Trump appears to hand over his medical records, which he had with him:

Dr. Oz: "If your health is as strong as it seems from your review of systems, why not share your medical records? Why not let people see?"

Trump: "Well, I really have no problem in doing it. I have it right here. Should I do it? I don't care. Should I do it? It's two letters. One is the report and the other is from Lenox Hill Hospital."

Dr. Oz: "May I see them?"

Trump: "Yeah, sure."

Read more: Colin Powell Calls Donald Trump a "National Disgrace" in Leaked Emails

The GOP presidential candidate has been criticized for failing to release personal documents, including his tax returns and medical records, during the course of his campaign. Trump is still the first presidential nominee in decades to withhold his tax returns.

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The disclosure comes as Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton recovers from pneumonia.

In a second clip from the episode, Trump was asked about his "stamina." Telling Dr. Oz that he is "just about the same age as Ronald Reagan," he told the host that he's confident about his health if voted into office.

"I feel as good today as I did when I was 30," Trump said.

On Thursday morning, just hours before Trump's appearance on Dr. Oz aired, the show released a third clip in which the candidate talked about his weight. Oz said Trump is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 236 pounds, but he thinks Trump's "body surface area and BMI is high."

"It's probably close to 30, which is sort of the barrier for most people," Oz continued. "Do your doctors or your family ever give you a hard time about your weight?"

Trump admitted he would like to lose some weight but that's been hard for him.

"Yeah, I think I could lose a little weight. I've always been a little bit this way," he said. "You know - I've sort of always been, I was probably a good swimmer. But I've always been this way. I think that if I had one thing I'd like to lose weight. It's tough because of the way I live. But the one thing I would like to do is be able to drop 15 to 20 pounds. It would be good."

Sept. 14, 12:39 p.m. Updated with a clip from the show.

Sept. 14, 4:45 p.m. Updated with second clip from the show.

Sept. 15, 8:44 a.m. Updated with a third clip from the show.
Question-answer session to resume in Parliament

After a gap of 15 years, the Legislature-Parliament is preparing to start a question-answer session in its meeting where lawmakers will be allowed to quiz ministers directly.
Washington (AFP) - Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump hit out at Ford Motor Co. for moving its production of small cars to Mexico, saying it should not be permitted to happen.

Speaking in Flint, Michigan, the economically depressed former home of General Motors most recently wracked by a scandal over its contaminated water supplies, Trump said Ford's move was another example of the erosion of US industry helped by open borders for trade with Mexico.

"More bad news for Michigan today," he said.

"It was just announced that Ford is moving all small car production -- all of it, 100 percent -- to Mexico. Over the next two to three years. This just happened. We shouldn't allow it to happen."

Trump was speaking hours after Ford chief executive Mark Fields confirmed to a gathering of investors that the automaker would move all of its US-based small-car production to Mexico over the next two to three years, according to reports from the event.

Ford had already made those plans clear earlier this year, but Fields' statement Wednesday added fresh fuel to the intense fight between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton to become the next US president.

"It used to be cars were made in Flint and you couldn't drink the water in Mexico. Now the cars are made in Mexico and you can't drink the water in Flint. That's not good," Trump said.

"Our jobs are going to other nations. Our money is going to other nations. We get nothing. We get no tax. We get unemployment. That's about it. Closed factories," he said.

Trump has campaigned on a platform of protecting US industry and jobs by rolling back trade agreements with other countries and building a wall between the United States and Mexico to prevent illegal immigration.
Los Angeles (AFP) - Since "Fargo" combined critical acclaim with big audiences, Hollywood executives have increasingly been reaching into studio vaults to convert the success of beloved movies into ratings on the small screen.

Film-to-television adaptations have actually been around for decades but demand for movie-inspired pilots in recent years has seen unprecedented growth.

Over the last two weeks, 18 hotly-anticipated series bound for TV audiences in the fall have been previewing at the annual PaleyFest television festival in Beverly Hills, California -- with almost a third based on movies.

Fox's "Lethal Weapon," and "The Exorcist" air this month while Robert Rodriguez's Latino-focused El Rey network brings back the vampire series "From Dusk Till Dawn" for a third season.

"I think the trend of remaking properties is very strong right now in Hollywood," Diego Gutierrez, the executive producer of "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series," told AFP at PaleyFest.

"It's always great to have source material that is strong and has legs."

Early October sees the return for a second season of "Ash vs The Evil Dead" on the Starz network and The CW's "Frequency" premieres a few days later.

HBO's "Westworld," based on the 1973 film of the same name, bows in October, while more than 30 film-to-TV conversions are in various stages of production.

- 'More eyeballs' -

Over the coming months and years expect to see "Rambo: New Blood," "Uncle Buck," "Tremors," and "Van Helsing" vying to emulate the success of "Bates Motel," "Fargo" -- one of the most nominated shows at this year's Emmys -- and "Hannibal."

The appeal of reimagining movies, say producers and their actors, is obvious.

Why risk making a pilot from scratch, spending months and a small fortune on filming, only to have it rejected, when you can reimagine an established property with a fan base already built in?

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"There's so much competition that it helps when a title is known -- it's going to get more eyeballs," Jordana Brewster, star of five of the "Fast and Furious" movies and lead cast member in the "Lethal Weapon" TV series, told AFP.

"They want the marketing already there. They want to be able to see the posters, see the t-shirts, see the hats," added Brewster's co-star Clayne Crawford, who plays Detective Martin Riggs, the character made famous by Mel Gibson.

"I worked on a show, 'Rectify' for five seasons or four seasons and no one cared."

The pendulum swing to TV has not gone unnoticed by Hollywood's A-list, who more and more have been finding meaty roles on the small screen when traditionally the career path has gone the other way.

Notable converts include two-time Oscar winners Jessica Lange, of FX's "American Horror Story," and Jane Fonda, who has been a regular in the first two seasons of Netflix's "Grace and Frankie."

- 'I love to work' -

Oscar nominees Clive Owen, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson -- both nominated for Sunday's Emmy Awards -- have all starred in their own shows while Hollywood heavyweights like Kiefer Sutherland, Don Cheadle and Matthew McConaughey have been blazing the trail for years.

Danny Trejo, one of the most distinctive character actors in cinema history, has established himself as Hollywood's go-to hard man over more than 200 movies, including "Heat" (1995), "Con Air" 1997" and "Machete" (2010).

The 72-year-old also has credits in dozens of TV series, including "The X Files," "Breaking Bad," and "Sons of Anarchy."

Trejo starred in "From Dusk Till Dawn" in 1996 and in the second series of the TV spin-off and says both big and small screen acting present their own challenges.

"You're going to bring your A-game wherever you go. You're going to be prepared, you're going to know your lines, you're not going to bump into the furniture and you're going to get along with each other," he told AFP.

"I love movies, I love doing film, but then TV is a lot faster. You've got to be on because they're shooting so many pages. Either way, I love the work."
Peter Dinklage Tyrion Lannister Game of Thrones 2015 Emmys

As blockbuster TV has become a bigger and bigger business for Hollywood, the allure of the Emmys has skyrocketed.

Networks, including streaming services like Netflix and Amazon, are spending a whopping $60 to $80 million on their Emmy campaigns this year, according to Bloomberg's Lucas Shaw, who cites people familiar with the costs. Bloomberg says even one "elaborate DVD mailer" to academy members can run $400,000 or more.

Why is that? It's because that's how people decide what's good TV. They are the only thing that seems to resonate with the general population, FX CEO John Landgraf told Bloomberg. One of HBOs most important business strategies was to have the most Emmy nominations each year."

Because of that, Emmy campaigns are a yearlong affair, plotted out like a political campaign, with consultants and events. Netflix itself sent out five separate DVD packages this year, Bloomberg reports.

Netflix scored 54 nominations this year, good enough for third place, but behind HBO (94) and FX (56). Netflix's 59% increase from last years nominations haul was also the highest percentage change of any network. FX fared well with a 47% increase, as did Amazon, with a 33% increase (though it only got 16 nominations). HBO, though it had the most nominations, saw a decrease of 25%.

This is good news for Netflix, as it shows that its big push for original content is starting to bear fruit. Netflix's original monster hit, "House of Cards," picked up a slew of nominations, as did docuseries standout "Making a Murderer" and comedies "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and "Master of None."

But Netflix is still looking for that elusive win for best drama or comedy. The Emmy's are Sunday, September 18th, at 8pm ET.

Here is a chart that shows the number of nominations by network:

screen shot 2016 07 14 at 6.11.57 pm

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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Two men linked through DNA testing to the 1973 murders of two girls in a small northern California town were arrested on Tuesday, more than four decades after the crime, authorities said.

William Lloyd Harbour, 65, was taken into custody on Tuesday morning at a traffic stop in Linda, California, some 40 miles south of Sacramento, the Yuba County Sheriff's Department said in a written statement.

Larry Don Patterson, also 65, was arrested in Oakhurst, Oklahoma. Both men were 22 at the time of the murders.

According to the sheriff's department, 13-year-old Doris Karen Derrybery and Valerie Janice Lane, 12, were reported missing on the morning of Nov. 12, 1973, after failing to return from a shopping trip to Linda the day before.

The bodies of the two close friends were found a few hours later alongside a dirt road in a wooded area of nearby Wheatland. They had been killed by shotgun blasts at close range.

The case remained unsolved until March 2014, when Yuba County Sheriff's investigators reviewing the case with improved forensic testing linked DNA evidence to Harbour and Patterson.

The DNA hit prompted a lengthy expanded investigation which culminated in the arrest of the two men, who were expected to face murder charges, the sheriff's department said.

Authorities did not offer a motive for the double slayings.

Meanwhile, more than 200 miles to the south, police and FBI agents spent last week digging at the edge of a California university campus looking for the remains of Kristin Smart, a freshman who disappeared 20 years ago.

There was no indication, however, that the two cases were related.

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb, editing by G Crosse)
By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In the first six months of 2016, two more militants released from the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have returned to fighting, the U.S. government said on Wednesday. Washington has confirmed that a total of nine people freed from Guantanamo have rejoined militant groups since President Barack Obama took office in 2009, according to a report issued on Tuesday by the Office of Director of National Intelligence, or ODNI. The report said the number of militants freed by the Obama administration whom U.S. agencies "suspect" of having returned to action dropped to 11 from 12 between January and July. An official familiar with the latest statistics said this number dropped because a freed detainee previously categorized as "suspected" of returning to the battlefield now has been confirmed to have done so. The United States opened the Guantanamo detention facility in 2002, the year after the Sept. 11 attacks by Islamist militants on New York and Washington, to hold what it described as foreign terrorism suspects. Most have been held without charge or trial for more than a decade, drawing international condemnation. Obama had hoped to close the prison during his first year in office. In February, he rolled out a plan aimed at shutting it, but that is opposed by many Republican lawmakers and some of his fellow Democrats. Overall, the figures released by ODNI still showed that the administration of Obama's predecessor, Republican George W. Bush, released far more detainees from Guantanamo than the Obama administration has. The figures show that 113 of the 532 detainees released by Bush - 21.2 percent - have returned to fighting, while the nine detainees released since 2009 who have re-engaged are only 5.6 percent of the prisoners freed by Obama. In all, the Obama administration has released 161 prisoners from Guantanamo since 2009, 17 of them in the first six months of this year, ODNI said. (Reporting By Mark Hosenball; editing by Grant McCool)
Refugees have proven to be a divisive issue on the campaign trail; Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump constantly rails against them, accusing the Obama administration of admitting what he calls would-be terrorists. He wont be happy Wednesday.

Thats because the White House plans to take in more refugees in the upcoming fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. The United States will admit up to 110,000 refugees in fiscal 2017, up from 85,000 this fiscal year. That amounts to an increase of 30 percent from 2016, and a jump of almost 60 percent from 2015.

President Barack Obama is expected to make the announcement next week during the United Nations General Assembly meeting. According to multiple reports, Secretary of State John Kerry briefed lawmakers on the plan Tuesday.

What happens next remains to be seen. Last year, with Syrian refugees flooding into Europe, the White House increased the number of refugees it would admit from the war-torn country. That led Republican governors in roughly two dozen states to express their opposition to receiving Syrians. Some governors filed lawsuits to stop refugees from coming to their states; they lost.

In a statement, Eleanor Acer, senior director for the refugee program at Human Rights First, praised the decision. But she noted Congress still has to provide money to screen more refugees entering the country.

Congress has a choice: it can advance U.S. national security and humanitarian interests by supporting  and urging bolder  U.S. leadership to address this major global crisis, or it can engage in petty partisan bickering that scapegoats the victims of terror and repression and undermines U.S. foreign policy and national security interests, Acer said.

Photo credit: BULENT KILIC/Getty Images
U.S. telecom regulator, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), yesterday, initiated stage 2 of the second part of the ongoing 600 MHz low-band wireless spectrum auction, popularly known as -- Incentive Auction. Stage 1 of the Incentive Auction witnessed total bids worth $23 billion after the twenty-seventh round of bidding. Notably, the FCCs first Final Stage Rule was that the minimum bid total should reach $15.9 billion for the spectrum auction to continue.

The Incentive Auction, which was initiated by the FCC on Mar 29, 2016, completed its first part in Jul 2016. In this part, which was essentially a reverse auction, the airwaves were freed by TV broadcasters who no longer had any productive use of the same. The TV broadcasters had agreed to free a substantial 126 MHz of spectrums for a massive $86.4 billion.

As per the Final Stage Rule of the FCC, the proceeds from the forward auction (net of bidding credits and impairment discounts) must be sufficient to cover Incentive Auction costs. These costs include the aggregate of broadcaster clearing costs, approximately $226 million to cover the FCCs costs for conducting the auction and $1.75 billion for the TV Broadcaster Repacking Fund. Accordingly, the forward phase of the Incentive Auction must generate $88.4 billion for the whole process to be successful.

The FCC has received as many as 62 applications for the second part of the Incentive Auction. All 62 bidders have made upfront payments. Important bidders include national telecom giants Verizon Communications Inc. VZ, AT&T Inc. T, and T-Mobile US Inc. TMUS, satellite TV operator DISH Network Corp. DISH and cable MSOs (multi service operators) Comcast Corp. CMCSA and Liberty Global Inc. Each of these stocks currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

In yesterdays auction procedure, the FCC reduced the event clearing spectrum size to 114 MHz instead of 126 MHz fixed earlier. However, 99.6% of the spectrum offered in this stage will be completely unimpaired compared with 97% that offered in the first stage. Importantly, during this stage of the bidding process, the FCC will negotiate with TV broadcasters to determine how much spectrum they will release to the forward portion of this event and at what price.

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Low-band spectrum is essential for wireless operators as the signals can be transmitted over longer distances and through brick-and-mortar walls in cities. However, several industry experts believe that telecom operators may be unwilling to shell out such a hefty sum for low-band airwaves.

Some industry watchers have also predicted that telecom operators might need around 70 MHz to 80 MHz of spectrums in the 600 MHz bands instead of the total freed up 126 MHz airwaves. In such a scenario, the FCC might have to conduct another round of reverse auction for a reduced volume of spectrum at lower prices.

The FCC was initially hopeful of completing the Incentive Auction process by the end of the third quarter of 2016. However, industry watchers are now expecting it to be more prolonged and continued till early 2017. Notably, the freed spectrums cannot be utilized commercially before 2020.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government plans to work with Myanmar to address corruption in the logging and mining sectors and to deal with human rights challenges in Rakhine State, a senior U.S. administration official said on Wednesday as President Barack Obama announced sanctions relief for the country formally known as Burma. "While easing these sanctions will support the governments goals, sanctions relief alone is not a panacea for all of Burmas challenges," the official said. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Chris Reese)
DUBAI (Reuters) - A senior Saudi policy adviser on Wednesday condemned a U.S. bill that would allow families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks to sue the kingdom for damages, warning it would stoke instability and extremism.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act," known as JASTA, on Friday.

JASTA would remove sovereign immunity, preventing lawsuits against governments, for countries found to be involved in terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

The White House has threatened to veto the measure.

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers who crashed airliners in New York, outside Washington and in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001 were Saudi nationals, but the Saudi government has strongly denied responsibility and has lobbied against the bill.

"This legislation sets a dangerous precedent in the field of international relations," Abdullah Al al-Sheikh was quoted as saying by state news agency SPA. Al al-Sheikh is the speaker of the Shura Council, an appointed body that debates new laws and advises the government on policy.

"(The bill risks) triggering chaos and instability in international relations and might contribute to supporting extremism, which is under intellectual siege, as the new legislation offers extremists a new pretext to lure youths to their extremist thoughts," al-Sheikh added without elaborating.

Some members of Congress have become increasingly vocal in criticizing Saudi Arabia, long a U.S. ally and trade partner.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on May 2 that the kingdom had warned the United States that the proposed law would erode global investor confidence in America.

(Reporting By Hadeel al-Sayegh and Noah Browning; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Secy shake-ups stoke policy instability fears

It may sound like a cliche, but most of those who join civil service as junior or senior officers aspire to become secretary at one point of their career.
By Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will give Israel $38 billion in military assistance over the next decade, the largest such aid package in U.S. history, under a landmark agreement signed on Wednesday. The deal, whose details were reported by Reuters earlier, will allow Washington's chief Middle East ally to upgrade most of its fighter aircraft, improve its ground forces' mobility and strengthen its missile defense systems, a senior U.S. official said. While the package constitutes the most U.S. military aid ever given to any country, it entails concessions by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to officials on both sides. Those include Israels promise not to seek additional funds from Congress beyond what will be guaranteed annually in the new package, and to phase out a special arrangement that has allowed Israel to spend part of its U.S. aid on its own defense industry instead of on American-made weapons, the officials said. Nearly 10 months of drawn-out aid negotiations underscored continuing friction between President Barack Obama and Netanyahu over last year's U.S.-led nuclear deal with Israel's arch-foe Iran, an accord the Israeli leader opposed. The United States and Israel have also been at odds over the Palestinians. But the right-wing Netanyahu decided it would be best to forge a new arrangement with Obama, who leaves office in January, rather than hoping for better terms from the next U.S. administration, according to officials on both sides. A new pact now allows him to avoid uncertainties surrounding the next president, whether Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump, and to give Israels defense establishment the ability to plan ahead. Obama's aides wanted a new deal before his presidency ends, seeing it as an important part of his legacy. Republican critics accuse him of not being attentive enough to Israel's security, which the White House strongly denies, and of taking too hard of a line with the Israeli leader. "DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOOD" The $38 billion memorandum of understanding covers U.S. fiscal years 2019-2028 and succeeds the current $30 billion MOU signed in 2007, which expires at the end of fiscal 2018. "Prime Minister Netanyahu and I are confident that the new MOU will make a significant contribution to Israels security in what remains a dangerous neighborhood," Obama said in a written statement. The agreement was signed at the State Department by U.S. Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon and by Jacob Nagel, acting head of Netanyahus national security council. According to a White House "fact sheet," the deal includes: -annual payments of $3.3 billion in so-called foreign military financing -$500 million a year for Israeli missile defense funding, the first time this has been formally built into the aid pact. -A phasing-out of a special arrangement that for decades has allowed Israel to use 26.3 percent of the U.S. aid on its own defense industry instead of on American-made weapons. -Elimination of a longstanding provision that has allowed Israel to use about 13 percent of the U.S. aid to buy military fuel. -The funding will allow Israel to update "the lion's share" of its fighter aircraft, including purchasing additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. Israel is scheduled to receive 33 F-35 aircraft, the first two of which will be delivered in December. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Susan Heavey and Howard Goller)
The next time Pittsburgh residents hail an Uber, they could have a new option: the company is kicking off its self-driving car pickup service in the city today.

The company announced that its opening up the feature to a select group of loyal Pittsburgh customers. If a self-driving Uber is available, it and a human safety driver will show up when requested. If one isnt, an UberX will show up like usual.

Youll find out soon enough if youre one of those select users, as the company will be emailing a few thousand frequent customers today. Theyll be able to hail a self-driving vehicle at no chargefor nowif their trip meets the criteria, notes the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The company admits that there will be questions about the technology, considering its still early in the self-driving game. Uber says the human test driver can always take control, however.

Self-Driving Ubers have a safety driver in the front seat because they require human intervention in many conditions, including bad weather, the company said in a blog announcing todays news.

And even when technology catches up to humans and can deal with those kinds of situations, Uber says ridesharing will still be a mix of services provided by both human drivers and self-driving Ubers, due to the limits of self-driving software and the skyrocketing demand for better transportation which people-powered transport is uniquely able to solve.

So What's it Like?

Uber took some journalists on a ride in Pittsburgh recently to show off the new self-driving option, including writers from TechCrunch, the Los Angeles Times, and The Verge, to mention a few.

They all seemed to have a similar experience: two engineers sitting in the front seat, one at the wheel, hovering and ready to take over if needed, and the other taking notes on a laptop. The consensus also appears to be that the car itself felt like a normal Uber vehicle, despite a tablet display in the back seat and a Lidar unit spinning on the top of the car.

Story continues

In general, it also seems that while there were a few lurching, jerky-jerky stops on each ride, for the most part the trip was smooth. The Verges Andrew Hawkins says his car dropped out of autonomous mode abruptly sometimes, but other writers didnt report that.

But after some initial nerves, everyone seemed to get, well, a little bored.

I got bored and started admiring the view out the window instead, writes the LA Times Tracey Lien, adding this was her second trip in a self-driving Uber, and her second time being bored.

It was so normal it got a little bit boring, writes TechCrunchs Signe Brewster, of her car, which obeyed traffic laws and stopped when it was supposed to, maneuvering around obstacles. The butterflies disappeared quickly.

Overall, riding in Ubers self-driving car was equal parts thrilling and mundane, notes Hawkins.

Human drivers did need to take over on some trips, but even that sounds like it was no big deal.

The driver took over only on one occasionwhen another vehicle ran a stop sign, Lien notes. And it was only obvious that hed taken over because I could see his arms move. The rest of the time, they remained still, his hands barely touching the steering wheel as it turned back and forth on its own.

If you live in Pittsburgh and end up hailing one of these self-driving Ubers, feel free to drop us a line about your experience at tips@consumerist.com.

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(Adds details, quotes)

By Estelle Shirbon

LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Britain and Argentina have agreed to work together towards removing measures restricting the oil and gas, shipping and fishing industries around the disputed Falkland Islands, both countries said on Wednesday.

Argentina claims sovereignty over the British-run islands it calls Las Malvinas, and the issue has strained relations for decades, culminating in a war in 1982.

Tensions flared last year, but Britain has been keen to improve relations since pro-business Mauricio Macri took over from Cristina Fernandez as Argentina's president in December.

"In a positive spirit, both sides agreed to set up a dialogue to improve cooperation on South Atlantic issues of mutual interest," said a joint communique by both countries.

"In this context it was agreed to take the appropriate measures to remove all obstacles limiting the economic growth and sustainable development of the Falkland Islands, including in trade, fishing, shipping and hydrocarbons," it said.

The communique was agreed following a series of meetings in Buenos Aires between Macri, Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra and Alan Duncan, Britain's minister of state for Europe and the Americas.

Britain said the discussions that had taken place did not affect the sovereignty issue and Britain remained clear in its support of the islanders.

The Falklands are inhabited by about 3,000 people, the overwhelming majority of whom say they wish the islands to remain a British overseas territory.

"The UK and Argentina have a broad relationship that goes beyond our differences," Duncan said in a statement.

"It's clear to me that Argentina is open for business. The measures agreed today demonstrate we can make progress through dialogue."

The last bout of serious tension over the Falklands came in June last year, when an Argentine federal judge ordered the seizure of millions of dollars' worth of assets owned by drillers operating in the Falklands area.

Story continues

This did not halt oil exploration, although efforts have been scaled down in recent times due to low oil prices on international markets.

The joint communique also said that both sides supported a project to use DNA to identify unknown Argentine soldiers who perished in the war and are buried on the islands. Discussions on that issue would continue in Geneva with input from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Both sides also agreed that additional flights would be established between the Falklands, which are located about 435 miles off the coast of Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina, and third countries in the region.

(Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Kate Holton and Ralph Boulton)
By Estelle Shirbon

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and Argentina have agreed to work together towards removing measures restricting the oil and gas, shipping and fishing industries around the disputed Falkland Islands, both countries said on Wednesday.

Argentina claims sovereignty over the British-run islands it calls Las Malvinas, and the issue has strained relations for decades, culminating in a war in 1982.

Tensions flared last year, but Britain has been keen to improve relations since pro-business Mauricio Macri took over from Cristina Fernandez as Argentina's president in December.

"In a positive spirit, both sides agreed to set up a dialogue to improve cooperation on South Atlantic issues of mutual interest," said a joint communique by both countries.

"In this context it was agreed to take the appropriate measures to remove all obstacles limiting the economic growth and sustainable development of the Falkland Islands, including in trade, fishing, shipping and hydrocarbons," it said.

The communique was agreed following a series of meetings in Buenos Aires between Macri, Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra and Alan Duncan, Britain's minister of state for Europe and the Americas.

Britain said the discussions that had taken place did not affect the sovereignty issue and Britain remained clear in its support of the islanders.

The Falklands are inhabited by about 3,000 people, the overwhelming majority of whom say they wish the islands to remain a British overseas territory.

"The UK and Argentina have a broad relationship that goes beyond our differences," Duncan said in a statement.

"It's clear to me that Argentina is open for business. The measures agreed today demonstrate we can make progress through dialogue."

The last bout of serious tension over the Falklands came in June last year, when an Argentine federal judge ordered the seizure of millions of dollars' worth of assets owned by drillers operating in the Falklands area.

This did not halt oil exploration, although efforts have been scaled down in recent times due to low oil prices on international markets.

Story continues

The joint communique also said that both sides supported a project to use DNA to identify unknown Argentine soldiers who perished in the war and are buried on the islands. Discussions on that issue would continue in Geneva with input from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Both sides also agreed that additional flights would be established between the Falklands, which are located about 435 miles off the coast of Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina, and third countries in the region.

(Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Kate Holton and Ralph Boulton)
KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday welcomed a decision by the International Monetary Fund to release additional aid worth $1 billion to Kiev, saying it showed that the world recognizes that Ukraine was carrying out reforms. The IMF's decision would also help keep the Ukrainian hryvnia currency stable and maintain macroeconomic stabilization, Poroshenko said, adding that a Russian attempt to undermine the IMF's decision had failed. "The positive decision by the IMF is evidence that the world recognizes that reforms are happening in Ukraine, that real and positive changes are happening in Ukraine, and that the country is moving in the right direction," Poroshenko said in a statement. The fund's decision paved the way for a $1 billion loan guarantee from the United States and a 600 million euro loan from the European Union, Poroshenko said. (Reporting by Natalia Zinets; writing by Matthias Williams, editing by G Crosse)
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday he was in talks with Russia and the United States to turn up the pressure on all sides in Syria to guarantee the security of a UN aid convoy to Aleppo.

Ban said 20 trucks loaded with food and other needed supplies were still at the Turkish border with Syria awaiting the all-clear for the journey to the battered Syrian city.

"It's crucially important (that) the necessary security arrangements should be given so that they can be allowed to cross the lines," Ban told a news conference.

"I have been urging the Russian government to make sure that they exercise influence on the Syrian government, and also the American side to make sure that Syrian armed groups, they also fully cooperate."

The convoy of aid was supposed to head towards Aleppo on Wednesday, but Ban said the security arrangements were still not in place, despite a truce agreed by the United States and Russia that went into effect two days ago.

"They are at the border with Syria. They are still there," Ban said.

Aleppo, Syria's second city, is in desperate need of humanitarian aid after weeks of heavy fighting. The eastern neighborhoods where some 250,000 people live have been under government siege for most of the past two months.

Speaking ahead of next week's annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations, Ban stressed that while many crises are causing "enormous pain" across the globe, "none is causing so much death and destruction and widespread instability as the worsening war in Syria."

More than 300,000 people have been killed in the five-and-a-half-year war in Syria where UN peace efforts have failed to unite the many players in the conflict behind a political settlement.
A newly discovered species of bee does things the hard way, gnawing its nests out of solid rock even when softer dirt is available.

This hard work appears to pay off, however, by providing the bees greater protection from the vagaries of life in the desert Southwest. The species, dubbed Anthophora pueblo, has been found in Utah, in southwest Colorado and in Death Valley in California, where it pocks vertical sandstone rock faces with tiny holes. Though the bees seem to be solitary nesters, they build these rocky alcoves next to one another, like insect apartment-dwellers.

"The bee is very unusual," study researcher Michael Orr, a doctoral student in biology at Utah State University, told Live Science. [See Images of the Sandstone Bee Nests]

Hidden discovery

The first hint of Anthophora peublo's existence dates back to the early 1980s, when entomologist Frank Parker  an author on the current study and the former head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Bee Lab in Utah  discovered bees nesting in holes dug into sandstone in Utah's San Rafael Desert. Parker chipped out a couple of blocks of sandstone and reared the bees until they emerged from the rock; the nests and bee specimens then sat in a museum collection, unstudied.

Flash forward to the present day, when Orr began doing fieldwork studying other members of the Anthophora genus. He'd seen bees using the sandstone nests, and when Parker told him about the original discoveries in the 1980s, he knew he had to investigate more fully.

He did some detective work to rediscover Parker's original field sites, where the gap is still visible from the chunk of rock he chiseled out 36 years ago, Orr said. Something else remains the same, too.

"One of the greatest moments for me of this project was going back and revisiting that site from almost 40 years ago, and just walking up and the bees are still there," Orr said. "They're still using this same spot."

Story continues

Orr and his colleagues discovered the sandstone-dwelling bees at seven sites total, the researchers reported on Sept. 12 in the journal Current Biology. They're mostly found in natural rock formations, but some nest in ancient Pueblo dwellings made by human hands  lending them their species name.

The bees, which are covered in the familiar black-and-yellow stripes, nest in sandstone at all but two sites, Orr said, where they burrow into silt. At these silt sites, the sandstone is about 2.5 times harder than the sandstones that the bees burrow into.

"They prefer it up until it's at a certain hardness threshold and then it doesn't make sense for them anymore," he said.

Costs of excavating

There's a cost to burrowing in stone. Older female bees commonly show wear and tear on their mandibles, Orr and his colleagues reported, and it takes more energy and time to dig through sandstone than dirt. However, there's evidence that building nests to last confers benefits to the bees' offspring, which may reuse their parents' tunnels. The bees are also able to hole up in their dwellings and delay emergence for up to four years when times are lean and not many desert flowers are blooming; sandstone probably protects the bees from erosion or flash floods better than dirt during these long quiescent periods, the researchers wrote.

While long-lasting nests used through multiple generations can attract parasites, the sandstone also seems to stymy freeloaders, the researchers found. In the sandstone blocks found in 1980, the nesting sites had been colonized by parasitic beetles called Tricrania stansburii. The larva of these beetles hitch rides on bees back to the bee nests. However, only six out of 69 larvae had successfully emerged from their nesting cells, Orr said. The rest died, unable to get out of the tough stone. The hardness of the rock seems to help keep the parasite population in check. [The 10 Most Diabolical and Disgusting Parasites]

The sandstone should also deter microbial parasites. "Sandstone has relatively little organic matter in it naturally because of the way it's formed, and because of that most of the microbes that are using it are making their own food through things like photosynthesis," which requires sunlight, he said. "Anything making its own food through photosynthesis will be much less likely to invade a bee's nest and eat the bee's food."

The bee nests also provide a sort of secondary shelter for insects and arachnids that can't chew through rock on their own, Orr said. At least 20 species use the burrows, about half of which are parasites. Other "renters" of the rock apartments include spiders, other bee species and wasps, he said.

In the future, Orr hopes to track the bees as they come and go to find out if they're entirely solitary or if they cooperate to share nests. He's also working to get the local Native American community involved in the study and to draw more non-scientists into noticing these odd bees.

"I'm hoping to build kind of this sort of citizen science network where people can report these nest sites to me," he said. Acting on tips and doing his own explorations, he's found more than 50 new nesting sites since the paper was submitted to the journal, he said.

Original article on Live Science.

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Clients can make transactions using only their smartphones.

United Overseas Bank is slowly getting rid of its plastic credit cards as the latest in its feats of contactless technologies is a mobile payment ability using smartphones for the convenience of its customers.

According to the bank, UOB cardmembers will be the first in the world to enjoy instant digital credit card issuance through their mobile gadgets.

Consumers today want hassle-free modes of payment anywhere, anytime. Weve all been in a situation where we are at a supermarket or restaurant offering promotions for a credit card we dont hold and wish we had that card right then. With instant digital card issuance, UOB cardmembers can apply for and receive a digital credit card in minutes and use it immediately to enjoy its benefits, said Dennis Khoo, head of UOBs Personal Financial Services in Singapore.

Aside from contactless cards, UOB is also rolling out Southeast Asias first near field communication (NFC) contactless automated teller machine (ATM). The technology will enable the banks clients to withdraw cash by simply tapping their smartphones.

Customers with MasterCard credit and debit cards on Apple Pay will be the first to enjoy the service.

UOB targets at least 60 contactless ATMS to be in operation by January 2017. By end of 2018, all its current ATMs will be replaced with machines enabled with NFC contactless capacities.

The first wave of UOB Contactless ATMs will be rolled out to high-traffic locations, such as Raffles Place, and selected UOB branches.





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Washington (AFP) - The United States and Israel put aside the antagonism between their leaders and reaffirmed their strategic bond on Wednesday, when Washington promised its ally an unprecedented $38 billion military aid package.

As Israel's national security advisor and a senior US diplomat signed the 10-year deal there was no sign of the distrust that has soured relations between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In recent weeks Washington has toughened its criticism of Israel's accelerated building of settlements on occupied land in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, warning that it could destroy hopes for peace with the Palestinians.

And Israel has made no secret of its fierce opposition to Obama's signature diplomatic initiative, the outreach to Iran which last year led to a deal to restrain Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

- Greatest friend -

Beyond that, Netanyahu and Obama have often rubbed each other up the wrong way and, while the Israeli leader has been accused at home of putting the alliance at risk, the president's domestic foes accuse him of snubbing his ally.

But the US-Israeli alliance pre-dates both men and the new 10-year deal will cover the terms of the next president too. The White House insists that the relationship is unbreakable and at the core of US regional strategy.

"For as long as the state of Israel has existed, the United States has been Israel's greatest friend and partner, a fact underscored again today," Obama declared, in a statement released to mark the signing.

But he continued pointedly.

"It is because of this same commitment to Israel and its long-term security that we will also continue to press for a two-state solution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite the deeply troubling trends on the ground that undermine this goal," he said.

"As I have emphasized previously, the only way for Israel to endure and thrive as a Jewish and democratic state is through the realization of an independent and viable Palestine."

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The deal covers the period from 2019 to 2028 and will see Israel receive $3.3 billion per year in foreign military financing -- up from $3.1 billion per year currently -- and $500,000 per year in funding for missile defense.

Even before this record package, Israel was already the biggest single recipient of US military aid from the State Department's foreign military financing budget, receiving itself more than half of the funds.

But the warm words at the ceremony and the historic nature of the sum could not fully paper over the tough negotiations that got the parties there -- and Israel did not get everything it wanted.

The deal will cover a decade in which Netanyahu's government fears that its old foe Iran -- released from international sanctions on its nuclear program -- will become even more aggressive in the region.

- Iron Dome -

Israeli reports have suggested that he sought up to $4.5 billion per year to maintain his army's quantitative and qualitative edge over its neighbors, and Netanyahu's friends in Washington were quick to complain.

And the huge headline figure of $38 billion came about by adding much of the funding that the United States already provides to support the "Iron Dome" missile defense system to the broader military financing package.

"We're almost the same as where we are right now," said Jonathan Schanzer, former US counter-terrorism analyst and vice-president of Washington think tank the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

And, while Israel will now be able to buy more of the latest F-35 fighter jets and CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor planes from American firms, it has lost a key source of support for its thriving defense industry.

According to the White House, under the arrangement Israel will lose its right, unique among US allies, to spend 26.3 percent of its US funding with its own arms manufacturers and will instead have to buy American technology.

Nevertheless, the alliance -- "iron-clad" in the words of US National Security Advisor Susan Rice -- remains, despite or perhaps even in part because of Obama's need to prove his feud with Netanyahu has no strategic consequence.

"It's a constant in the Obama administration: personal relations are terrible but everyone agrees the military relationship has never been stronger," Joseph Bahout of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace told AFP.

"That's the paradox. What we hear from Israeli officials is that they can't stand this administration but they've never been so spoiled, and Obama can insist that no one can accuse him of not loving Israel."
Hot Wheels Model S

Ford is holding its annual investor conference this week, and one of the big but not surprising announcements the company made was that it's moving all of its small-car production out of the US and into Mexico.

"Over the next two to three years, we will have migrated all of our small-car production to Mexico and out of the United States," CEO Mark Fields said, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is also effectively ending small-car production in the US, shifting its focus to more profitable pickups and crossover SUVs. CEO Sergio Marchionne has argued that a structural change is underway in the US market, making passenger cars a poor business to continue.

Neither automaker intends to completely eliminate small cars from its portfolio yet, although FCA is definitely headed in that direction.

Longtime industry observers will recognize a bit of deja vu here. Before the financial crisis, the big US carmakers, riding high on trucks and SUV sales, left the small-car market for dead. Let the Japanese and the South Korean automakers figure out how to build enough Corollas and Elantras to generate acceptable profits. We're sticking with the juicy margins on much larger vehicles.

Ford Super Duty

The Great Recession shook up this mode of thought, and before you knew it, General Motors was rolling out the Chevy Cruze, its most appealing successful small car, perhaps ever.

Now that the automakers are seeing record sales in the US again, and raking in money on pickups and SUVs, the small-car problem has returned. In Ford's case, because the automaker uses global vehicle platforms and has always been a strong presence in small-car loving Europe, there's no plan to jettison more modest vehicles.

But if Ford is going to keep them around, it needs to address the profit problem. Americans don't want to buy small vehicles at the moment (actually, they almost never want to buy small cars), so Ford's only rationale for continuing to build them is to satisfy more stringent federal fuel-economy standards in the future; and to have small cars around if gas prices spike and Americans go through one of their brief flirtations with Euro-scale rides.

Story continues

Mexico, with its rapidly growing auto industry just across the US border, makes for an appealing solution. Manufacturing capacity there is growing and labor costs are substantially lower than in the Upper Midwest. This has set off warning bells for the United Auto Workers, but their concerns should be placated if Ford and others add capacity  and jobs  on the pickup and SUV lines.

NOW WATCH: FORD CEO: This is why women and young people love SUVs





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Washington (AFP) - The United States on Wednesday accused South Sudan's leaders of "pillaging government coffers," as Washington endorsed a report on the corruption fuelling the country's civil war.

On Monday, Hollywood actor George Clooney and rights activist John Prendergast released detailed research on South Sudanese corruption compiled by their watchdog group The Sentry.

Later, the pair met with President Barack Obama at the White House to share their concerns and on Wednesday the State Department endorsed the report and warned that Washington could take action.

"The Department of State is pursuing measures it can take to deter corruption by South Sudanese officials," its spokesman Mark Toner said.

"We are working closely with The Sentry to ensure the information it has collected is used to that end."

The United States is a major aid donor to South Sudan and was the key backer of its struggle for independence, which was won in 2011.

But it has been deeply disappointed by the country's descent into chaos and civil war between President Salva Kiir and his former vice president Riek Machar.

"While leaders have been pillaging government coffers, international donors including the United States have remained steady supporters of the South Sudanese people," Toner said.

"And we are deeply disappointed that their leaders... have failed to put aside personal power struggles and individual enrichment for the good of their people."

The result of a two-year inquiry, The Sentry's report details how Kiir and rebel leader Machar profit from a three-year conflict that has driven 2.5 million people from their homes and left half the population dependent on food aid to survive.

The "key catalyst" of the war was "competition for the grand prize -- control over state assets and the country's abundant natural resources," notably its oil, it said.

Kiir's government spokesman has dismissed the allegations as "completely rubbish."
Baghdad (AFP) - The United States on Wednesday announced it was providing $181 million (160 million euros) in additional humanitarian assistance to Iraq ahead of an operation to retake the jihadist hub of Mosul.

The announcement was made by US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken shortly after he arrived in Baghdad for meetings, including with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

"Today I am pleased to announce that the United States is providing more than $181 million in additional life-saving assistance to help meet critical humanitarian needs of those displaced by conflict, including those who will be affected as Mosul is liberated," he told reporters.

Blinken said the additional funding brought to around $1.1 billion the amount of humanitarian aid from the US to Iraq since 2014, when the Islamic State group took over parts of the country.

The United Nations has warned that an upcoming military operation on Mosul -- Iraq's second city and IS' last remaining major stronghold in the country -- could displace up to one million people.

"The new funding... will enable humanitarian workers to preposition emergency food supplies and basic relief items," Blinken said.

He said it would also provide for health care and education, as well as camp management, which was identified as a major flaw during the displacement that resulted from an operation to retake the city of Fallujah in June.

Blinken said Iraqi forces backed by the US-led coalition had retaken 50 percent of the territory IS held in Iraq two years ago and added that nearly a million displaced people had been able to return to their homes in liberated areas.

"Ultimately however, victory against Daesh (IS) on the battlefield is necessary but not sufficient to give citizens the confidence, the support and the services they need to return home," he said.

The aid community has said that aid appeals remain massively under-funded, leaving the country unprepared for what the UN has warned could be Iraq's biggest humanitarian crisis yet.

Abadi has promised Mosul would be retaken by the end of the year but the scope of the humanitarian needs and the difficulty of bringing all political forces together could make that deadline a hard one to meet.

Around 3.4 million Iraqis have been displaced since the start of 2014.
Washington (AFP) - The White House has unveiled plans to increase refugee admissions to 110,000 next year, amid a fraught US debate over the appropriate numbers to take in.

Ahead of a summit on the global refugee crisis at the United Nations next week, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said a goal has been set of admitting around 30 percent more refugees in the coming fiscal year.

That would include around 40,000 people from the near east and south Asia -- a vast region that includes Syria.

Nearly five million Syrians have fled their country since war broke out in 2011, and the United States has committed to resettling 10,000 this year, an issue that has inflamed the 2016 presidential election race.

While offering the prospect of accepting more refugees, the White House was talking tough about security.

"It's important for people to remember that individuals who admitted to the United States under this program have to undergo more rigorous screening and vetting than any other individual that enters the United States," said Earnest.

"The president places our national security at the top of his priority list. And that certainly is true with regard to considering the admission of refugees to the United States."

The United Nations on September 19 will host the first summit on refugees and migrants, which will be followed the next day by a pledging conference for new offers of aid to refugees hosted by Obama.
Washington (AFP) - The United States made its biggest pledge of military aid in history on Wednesday, promising Israel $38 billion over ten years to buy advanced planes and weaponry and boost its missile defense shield.

Israel's acting national security advisor Jacob Nagel and US Under Secretary of State Tom Shannon signed the deal at the State Department, bringing to an end months of wrangling over the details of the package.

US President Barack Obama has not had the warmest of relations with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Washington in recent weeks stepped up its criticism of Israeli settlement building on occupied Palestinian land.

But officials from both sides were keen to stress the enduring bond between the countries and the central role the military alliance plays in securing Israel's people in an unstable Middle East region.

"For as long as the state of Israel has existed, the United States has been Israel's greatest friend and partner, a fact underscored again today," Obama said.

"This commitment to Israel's security has been unwavering and is based on a genuine and abiding concern for the welfare of the Israeli people and the future of the State of Israel."

The deal covers the period from 2019 to 2028 and will see Israel receive $3.3 billion per year in foreign military financing -- up from $3.1 billion currently -- and $500,000 in funding for missile defense.

Israel is already the biggest single recipient of US military aid from the State Department's foreign military financing budget, and also receives some direct support from Pentagon funds for specific projects.
Sydney (AFP) - The US envoy to Canberra has raised concerns about China buying political influence in Australia, after a raft of revelations over Beijing's financial support for influential figures.

Political donations from foreign sources have become a highly sensitive issue in Australia, which last week saw the resignation of a leading opposition senator after he admitted taking payments to cover expenses.

"We have been surprised, quite frankly, at the extent of the involvement of the Chinese government in Australian politics," departing US ambassador John Berry said in The Australian newspaper on Wednesday.

"It is an entirely different matter when the government of China is able to directly funnel funds to political candidates to advance their national interests in your national campaign," Berry said.

"That, to us, is of concern. We cannot conceive of a case where a foreign donation from any government, friend or foe, would be considered legitimate in terms of that democracy."

Foreign donations are illegal in the United States, Australia's closest ally, and Berry urged Canberra to clean up.

"Our hope is that, in resolving this, Australia will consider doing what many other democracies have done: that is to protect their core responsibility against undue influence from governments that don't share our values."

The opposition Labor Party -- reeling from Senator Sam Dastyari's sudden downfall after a donor with links to the Chinese government paid for one of his expenses bills -- has proposed a ban on foreign donations in election campaigning.

Dastyari, a high-profile powerbroker, had also reportedly contradicted Labor and government policy on the South China Sea.

However Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Liberal Party has also received large donations from Chinese firms and individuals, often with links to the Beijing government, and has shown little appetite for a ban.

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"Look, Australia is a sovereign nation, but I can see no argument of how a foreign government's involvement through political contributions advances Australia's interests," the envoy said.

"In our country it's illegal. It would be against the law for any foreign donation to be accepted by any level of government or member of government."

China's rise and its sweeping claims to the South China Sea have seen a dramatic sharpening of Sino-US rivalry.

Australia has also become increasingly concerned about the purchase of domestic infrastructure and land by foreigners, and recently banned a sale by the country's biggest private landowner to a Chinese-led consortium.

However, the government's first foreign land register last week showed that British and US investors own far more agricultural land in Australia than Chinese nationals do.
Three-member panel to pick names for NEA chief

Energy Minister Janardan Sharma on Monday formed a three-member committee to recommend a name for the vacant position of managing director at Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The UN Security Council on Wednesday urged South Sudan's government to take immediate steps to allow a new regional force to deploy in Juba as it weighed imposing an arms embargo.

Following a closed-door meeting, New Zealand Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, who holds the council presidency, said it was time for "actions, not words" from President Salva Kiir's government.

The council voted last month to deploy the 4,000-strong regional protection force (RPF) in Juba, which will be under the command of the UN peacekeeping mission.

The new force will help provide security in the capital and at the airport, and help protect UN facilities after Juba was rocked by heavy fighting in July.

Council members "call on the government to abide by the commitments it made and to translate them into concrete steps immediately," Van Bohemen said following the meeting.

"They called on the government to finalize with the United Nations the modalities for the deployment," he told reporters.

After initially opposing the force, Kiir this month agreed to the deployment during talks with council ambassadors who traveled to Juba for meetings with the leadership.

UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said the joint communique agreed between the United Nations and the Juba government on the deployment of the force "had not been acted upon at all".

Ladsous said it was now up to the council to decide on the next steps.

In the resolution, the council threatened to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan if the government blocks the regional force or impedes the work of UN peacekeepers.

- Russia opposes arms embargo -

US Ambassador Samantha Power said Kiir's government must quickly show that it will follow up on its commitment or it will face an arms embargo.

"If the government of South Sudan does not allow the regional protection force to deploy or does not allow the UN to move in a way that it needs to move to protect civilians, the United States certainly will support an arms embargo," Power told reporters.

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But Russian Deputy Ambassador Petr Iliichev said Moscow does not support a ban on arms sales to South Sudan, arguing that it would not help advance peace efforts.

"The government is going to stop the cooperation" with the United Nations if an arms embargo is imposed, Iliichev said.

"It will get them deeper into the trenches."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told the council in a report last week that the first advance teams of the new force could begin arriving in Juba by the end of this month.

Ban said he would report to the council in October on whether South Sudan's government is cooperating.

If he finds it is not cooperating, that would trigger a vote at the council on the proposed arms embargo.

New Zealand's ambassador said the council was ready to consider "the appropriate next steps" including a possible arms embargo.

South Sudan descended into war in December 2013 after Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

During the fighting in July, Machar, who had been persuaded to return to Juba to join a national unity government, fled the country and is now in Khartoum, having been replaced by Taban Deng Gai in Juba.

Aside from the tens of thousands of people killed in the conflict, the United Nations has reported shocking levels of brutality including gang rapes and the wholesale burning of villages.
New York (AFP) - A weekend attack in which a man set fire to a veiled British woman's clothing in Manhattan was not likely an Islamophobic attack, police said Wednesday.

The incident took place late Saturday in front of a luxury boutique on 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The woman, a 35-year-old tourist, said she was walking when she suddenly felt her shirt sleeve on fire.

Police at first said they were investigating a possible hate crime, but backtracked Wednesday, saying she was not likely targeted because of her clothing.

Two similar attacks were carried out against women in the same area Saturday night, police said. Neither woman was Muslim or wearing religious clothing.

Police said the investigation is continuing and no suspects have been arrested.

In August, an imam and his assistant were shot to death on the street near their mosque in the borough of Queens. An investigation into that incident has not yet established that it was an Islamophobic attack.

After the shooting, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that additional police officers would be deployed to secure mosques and the Muslim community.
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela on Wednesday decried a decision that could see it suspended from the Mercosur trade bloc as the crisis-stricken leftist country grows increasingly isolated in South America. Socialist-led Venezuela has been at the center of a fight over the rotating presidency of Mercosur and has lost its weight in the once staunchly leftist bloc. The founding members of Mercosur will give Venezuela until Dec. 1 to meet its membership requirements or be suspended from the bloc, said the Foreign Ministry of Brazil, which like several other countries in the region has recently shifted to the right. "Trying to destroy MERCOSUR via illegal ruses is a reflection of intolerant politics and the desperation of bureaucrats," Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said on Twitter. All Mercosur members but Uruguay blocked Venezuela from assuming the rotating presidency in June, accusing the OPEC nation of failing to incorporate a joint economic accord and a commitment to protect human rights. Brazil's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the ultimatum for Venezuela was meant to "preserve and strengthen Mercosur." The bickering over leadership has stalled Mercosur's everyday operations and trade negotiations with other countries, ultimately forcing Uruguay to accept a tougher stance against Venezuela, a Brazilian official familiar with the matter said. (Reporting by Caracas newsroom; Editing by Bill Trott)
A man stands close to the Cardon refinery, which belongs to the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSAn in Punto Fijo, Venezuela July 22, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

After months of rumors, Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA announced on Tuesday a bond swap for $7 billion in outstanding debt to help alleviate some of the company's financial stresses.

Eulogio del Pino, the company's president and Venezuela's oil minister, said the swap would allow investors to trade PDVSA notes due in October 2016, April 2017, and November 2017 in for new bonds that will mature in 2020, according to the Financial Times' Andres Schipani and Eric Platt.

And, notably, the swap is voluntary, meaning that whether or not this works depends at least partially on the participation of investors.

"If the government can persuade existing PDVSA bondholders to participate that will be positive for other bondholders as it might remove the near-term risk of default," argued the analysts at Exotix Partners in a note to clients.

"It would push back up to US$6bn of bond payments over the next 18 months and buy some breathing space, to allow time to implement reforms (and the recall vote)," they added.

However, the bond swap won't be the end of Venezuela's problems. As Edward Glossop, Latin America economist at Capital Economics, explained in a note to clients:

"...the bond swap is simply a case of kicking the can further down the road. Similarly large debt repayments are due beyond 2017. In particular, a huge $4 billion principal payment falls due in 2019. And worryingly, a total of $7.4 billion in principal payments are due in 2020 already, even before accounting for any principal payments on the new restructured bonds."

Against the backdrop of this, Venezuela is currently teetering on the edge of political and economic disaster, plagued by economic mismanagement, a chronic balance of payments problem, food and essential goods shortages, and looting and violence.

venezuela protest

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Most recently, Venezuelans protested in cities across the country in early September in order to pressure the authorities to call a referendum on President Nicolas Maduro's future. And before that, hundreds of thousands flooded Caracas in the biggest demonstration in decades.

And even if oil prices rebound to $60 per barrel by the end of 2017, as the Capital Economics team forecasts, exports revenues will be much lower than in the past.

"Against this backdrop, the country's economic crisis will rumble on and there remains a high chance of a sovereign default over the medium term," concluded Glossop.

NOW WATCH: Paul Krugman weighs in on the Apple tax debate





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Historys hit historical drama series Vikings is moving to Wednesday nights from its previous Thursday slot for the second half of Season 4, which will premiere November 30. Its also airing an hour earlier, at 9 PM.

Season 4 picks up following Ragnars (Travis Fimmel) defeat in a monumental battle in Paris against his brother Rollo (Clive Standen) and Ragnars disappearance following his humiliating loss. During the midseason finale, the series time-jumped to a new era in the characters lives.

In the midseason premiere, Ragnars reappearance in Kattegat triggers a chain of events no one  except the Seer  could have ever imagined. He unexpectedly arrives home to see what has become of his sons and to handle unfinished business in Wessex with King Ecbert (Linus Roache). Meanwhile, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) plans a power play in Kattegat and Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) prepares to fulfill his long-held dream to explore the Mediterranean in a sleek new boat built for him by Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard).

Vikings, from MGM TV, drew 4,3 million total viewers in Live +7 during its Season 4 10-week run in the spring, with 2,1 million A25-54 and 1.8 million A18-49. Season 5 is currently in production in Ireland.

This season is monumental and unlike anything weve ever done, said creator and writer Michael Hirst. Weve propelled Vikings to the topmost level of historical drama as we follow storylines inspired by real-life events such as Bjorn Ironside sailing through the Mediterranean and Ivar the Boneless becoming the most feared warrior of all time. Its not a story of one man but a saga of Ragnar and his sons.

From creator and sole writer Michael Hirst (Elizabeth, The Tudors), Vikings is a family saga that tells the remarkable tales of the lives and epic adventures of the raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages. Hirst executive produces with Morgan OSullivan of World 2000, Sheila Hockin, John Weber of Take 5 Productions, Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer and James Flynn.

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MGM Television serves as the worldwide distributor of Vikings outside of Ireland and Canada.

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Nueva Italia de Ruiz (Mexico) (AFP) - Soldiers man checkpoints in western Mexico's Hot Land region while police armed with assault rifles travel in convoys days after officers died when their helicopter came under fire and crashed.

The incident last week showed that the deployment of government security forces and the emergence of vigilante groups in recent years has done little to pacify the notoriously violent region in the state of Michoacan.

The Knights Templar drug cartel once held sway in the area, extorting anyone from lime growers to tortilla sellers, until self-defense forces emerged in 2013 and authorities took down its top leaders.

But the cartel's breakup led to the emergence of several smaller criminal groups. The helicopter crash showed that lawbreakers are well armed.

In the week before the helicopter was shot at while pursuing suspected gang leaders, authorities detained 12 people and seized an arsenal that included 12 rifles, one .50-caliber rifle, a grenade, two rocket launchers, two rocket-propelled grenades and 3,650 bullets.

The state prosecutor's office said Saturday it was investigating whether the helicopter smashed into a field after maneuvering to avoid bullets on September 6 near the village of El Chauz.

Days earlier, National Security Commissioner Renato Sales said the helicopter was "downed" by criminals who apparently fired a powerful .50-caliber Barrett rifle, killing the pilot and four state police officers.

- Code of silence -

While police face heavily armed criminals, fear has not left the rural towns of Michoacan.

In villages around the crash site, a region of lime and mango orchards, few people were willing to speak to reporters last week.

The few who spoke did so in a whisper, noting how the area was only safer now because of the sudden deployment of security forces.

Before the helicopter incident, "bad guys" roamed freely in the region, said one resident who requested anonymity due to security concerns.

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"I am sure that people know who are the criminals who ravage the populations of the region, but they don't want to say," Governor Silvano Aureoles said.

"And I understand it, because there's fear," Aureoles said at a news conference after the crash.

Former president Felipe Calderon chose Michoacan to send the first deployment of soldiers in his militarized war against drugs in 2006.

His successor, Enrique Pena Nieto, has kept troops in the streets since taking office in December 2012.

Patricio Madrigal, the mayor of Nueva Italia, a town near the crash site, said criminals used to be so powerful that they "practically picked mayors" in 2011 and 2012 elections.

By 2013, farmers were so fed up by the authorities' failure to stop crime that they formed vigilante militias and began to fight back.

The Knights Templar's top leader, Nazario "El Chayo" Moreno, was killed by troops in March 2014 while his successor, Servando "La Tuta" Gomez, was arrested almost a year later.

Since then, "everyone wants to take their place," Hipolito Mora, a lime grower and founder of the vigilante militias, told AFP.

"Many of those who are doing this damage (now) are people who were always members of the Knights Templar drug cartel," Mora said.

- Who's the enemy? -

A former vigilante who is now a state police officer said on condition of anonymity that in addition to remnants of the Knights Templar, groups such as the Viagras and the Trojans have appeared.

Members of the self-defense forces, meanwhile, have faced accusations of being infiltrated by drug cartels. Aureoles declared the end of vigilante militias in February.

"People knew where the enemy was before, what their strategies were. Now we don't know where they are," said Patricio Madrigal, a priest in the municipality of Nueva Italia.

"Maybe I shouldn't say this but the governor should know who they are," said the priest, who worked with a psychologist to create a group to care for victims.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) is forming a company with the former head of Israel's Shin Bet intelligence agency to develop cyber security systems for Internet-connected cars and self-driving vehicles, the partners said in a statement on Wednesday.

The new company, CyMotive Technologies, will be 40 percent owned by the German automaker and 60 percent by Yuval Diskin and two former colleagues who also had senior posts in the Shin Bet.

The statement did not say how much Volkswagen would invest in the venture, which has an office in a suburb of Tel Aviv and will also open one in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Building on its expertise in technology, Israel has emerged as a leader in the race to keep cars secure and prevent the nightmare scenario of a hacker commandeering your vehicle.

International groups including Harman International Industries and IBM have already bought local companies or invested in research centers.

"To enable us to tackle the enormous challenges of the next decade, we need to expand our know-how in cyber security in order to systematically advance vehicle cyber security for our customers," said Volkmar Tanneberger, Head of Electrical and Electronic Development at Volkswagen.

Diskin has been consulting on cyber security in the private sector since retiring from the Shin Bet in 2011 and will serve as CyMotive's chairman.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Mark Potter)
UK, Nepal sign MoU for Nepal's health sector reform

The United Kingdom (UK) has provided an assistance of 85 million Pound Sterling to Nepal for the reconstruction of health infrastructures devastated by the earthquake of April 25, 2015.
Mecca (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) - There are those who come from countries at war, others who saved their entire lives, and some making the pilgrimage for the umpteenth time.

They are among more than 1.8 million Muslim faithful who have spent the past few days at sacred sites around Mecca, Islam's holiest spot, for the annual hajj which ends on Thursday.

During the pilgrimage they follow the same route. But they have taken different roads to get there.

Here are some of their stories:

- A return to war -

In several days Abu Fadel al-Shaush will return to his home region of Rima in Yemen. There, he will again find war and the uncertainty that comes with travelling in a country where "you don't know if you will arrive safely."

Like him, 20,000 Yemenis performed hajj.

They escaped, for a while, from the country where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting rebels who still hold the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen.

Yemen's government accused the rebels of trying to stop Yemenis attending the hajj while the insurgents said Saudi Arabia used the pilgrimage for "political ends".

To get to Mecca, Shaush, 43, first had to travel east to Wadia, the only border crossing still open between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, which carries out regular air strikes in Yemen. Then he headed northwest to Mecca.

In all, it was a journey of thousands of kilometres (miles) by bus.

"If there was no vehicle I would have walked," said Shaush, who works for the justice ministry.

"A Yemeni will do whatever it takes to perform the hajj."

- 'All has changed' -

Talib ul-Haq first performed the hajj 40 years ago. At that time, aged 26, he was one of thousands of Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia.

Thanks to five years of labour in the oil-rich kingdom where Islam was born, he returned home to marry and raise six girls.

Now 66, he has come back with his wife and three youngest daughters to find that "absolutely everything has changed" in Mecca.

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"The first time I came by car, and I could almost park right at the entrance of the holy sites," he said.

Private vehicle access is now restricted so the rivers of pilgrims can flow freely.

Haq spoke on one of the many pedestrian walkways connecting the different stages of the pilgrimage, a total distance of about 15 kilometres (nine miles).

This time, he arrived by plane from Karachi at a cost of more than $7,500.

Wearing a blue jalabiya, a type of long shirt, and a black cap on his shaved head, Haq said that, despite the cost, he has experienced a priceless happiness "at seeing in reality the holy site to which I have faced to pray since I was small."

- Multiple pilgrimages -

In poverty-stricken Senegal, West Africa, Soukaeena Ba has a full life, between work as a judicial counsellor and her activities with an association of female legal experts.

So, "to keep grounded", she comes regularly to Mecca. At 60, she has performed the hajj more than five times.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and capable Muslims must perform it at least once.

Many poor Muslims must wait years for the chance, leading some critics to complain about those who make multiple pilgrimages.

This year Ba came with friends from her legal association.

Like other times, "I question again many aspects of material life," said the elegant mother wearing a white veil through which gold earrings are visible.

She says the challenge now, after returning home, is to maintain "the humility that enters us in Mecca when we face the grandeur of God."

- To find oneself -

Karim Rafass, 33, grew up in the south of France and now lives in the Gulf emirate of Dubai where he works in manufacturing.

This year he joined his parents and brother, who came from France, in Saudi Arabia to make the pilgrimage together.

"Performing hajj does not depend on being young or old because the reason you come here is to find your inner self," he said, holding his mother's arm to help her along a street in the middle of a crowd of pilgrims.

Although in material terms Rafass said he "had no financial difficulties," the pilgrimage asks "an investment of time". To attend, he had to ask his boss for time off work.

It was worth it because the hajj "is an exercise of faith."

- Helping the pilgrims -

Abdullah al-Ghamdi is not exactly a pilgrim.

Every year this Saudi Arabian doctor takes holiday during the hajj and goes to Mecca, which is northwest of his home in Baha city.

For three years the young man, with a moustache and imposing eyeglasses, has supervised a dozen student doctors and nurses who volunteer for the Saudi Red Crescent Authority.

"It's very important for me to help the sick or elderly pilgrims. It's my way of serving the holy sites," said Ghamdi, wearing a fluorescent orange vest over his navy blue uniform.
The pastor of a church in Flint, Mich., interrupted Donald Trump when the Republican nominee attacked opponent Hillary Clinton.

Trump was delivering a speech at Bethel United Methodist Church on Wednesday, speaking on the economy and Flints water crisis. Hillary Clinton failed on the economy, just like she has failed on foreign policy, Trump told the crowd. Everything she touched didnt work out, nothing.

He attempted to continue the attack, when the Rev. Faith Green Timmons approached the lectern to cut Trump off.

Mr. Trump, I invited you here to thank us for what weve done in Flint, Timmons said. Not to give a political speech.

Trump backed down, saying, O.K. Thats good. And Im going to go back onto Flint.

He returned to speaking about Flints lead-contaminated water, which has affected about 100,000 people since 2014 after the city left Detroits water supply and began using improperly treated water from the Flint River. Trump wrapped up his speech a few moments later, with a promise that the damage can be corrected.

Trumps first trip to Flint since the water crisis included a tour of the citys water plant that had its supply contaminated by lead.
Afghanistan has long been a corrupt place. The United States has nothing to make it better. In fact, its made it worse, according to new findings released Wednesday by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

In its first Lessons Learned report, the watchdog agency concluded that the American presence in Afghanistan since 2001 helped grow corruption by injecting tens of billions of dollars into the local economy with poor oversight and broken contracting practices. SIGAR also found the United States partnered with corrupt Afghan players.

Our report points out that while corruption in Afghanistan pre-dates 2001, it has become far more serious and widespread since then, SIGAR chief John Sopko said at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. But after 2001, internal drivers of corruption  including insecurity, weak systems of accountability, and the drug trade  combined with new drivers: a huge influx of foreign assistance, poor oversight of that assistance, and a willingness to partner with abusive and corrupt power brokers.

He added, The result for Afghanistan was systemic corruption  pervasive and entrenched, affecting the courts, the army and police, banking, and other critical sectors.

Spoke said graft undermined U.S. policy objectives; that the Pentagon, State Department, and USAID did not take anti-corruption efforts as seriously as they should have; and that efforts to nation-build ended up wasting money.

SIGAR also found systemic corruption within the Afghan government contributed to billions in wasted cash. Pervasive bad deeds within Afghan security ministries and the Afghan National Security Forces also contributed to wasted money.

American fuel has been stolen. Money meant to fight insurgents ended up in the hands of people like Ahmed Wali Karzai, former President Hamid Karzais half-brother, who built an empire in Kandahar Province with control over private security forces, contracting firms, and real estate. Drug traffickers with ties to Afghan politicians ended up receiving American money.

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Sopko has been sounding the alarm on wasted money in Afghanistan for years, but little has been done to improve the problem. He recommended all agencies providing cash to Afghanistan undergo a substantial review of their anti-corruption best practices. He called on Congress to pass legislation mandating U.S. agencies do more to stop graft.

After 15 years of war, and 2,174 American lives lost there, it remains to be seen if anyone will listen to him.

Photo credit: WAKIL KOHSAR/Getty Images
Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf will get grilled by the Senate Banking Committee next week about what the government has described as the banks widespread illegal practice of secretly opening unauthorized deposit and credit card accounts for customers. With public and political outrage still radiating after the bank got hit last week with $185 million in fines for opening more than 2 million sham accounts, Stumpf has started to tease out his defense in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

As the paper sums it up, the CEOs story goes like this: It was the employees fault.

There was no incentive to do bad things, Stumpf told The Journal.

He sounded a similar note on CNBC: "There is nothing in our culture, nothing in our vision and values that would support that. It's just the opposite. Our goal is to make it right by a customer every time 100 percent, and if we don't do that, we feel accountable."

Related: The Real Scandal at Wells Fargo  Execs Got Rich by Sandbagging Clients

That line is in keeping with San Francisco-based Wells Fargos efforts to portray itself as different from Wall Streets giants  as a bank that realizes that culture counts and strives to earn lifelong relationships, one customer at a time.

Its true that the bank has fired some 5,300 employees over five years for their role in the creating fraudulent accounts, and you could potentially dismiss those thousands of workers and millions of fake accounts as just a small fraction of Wells Fargos total corporate workforce (about 268,000 as of June 30) and account base. Or your alarm bells could be tripped by the fact that youve had to fire the rough equivalent of 2 percent of your employees and try to understand why so many workers have been engaging in fraud that cuts directly to the heart of the reputation youve long tried to cultivate with customers and investors.

In an interview with CNBC Tuesday, Stumpf said that about 1,000 people a year in the retail banking division of about 100,000 employees were to blame. Of 100,000, a vast majority do the right thing, he said. Every year on average for the last five years, 1,000 did not do the right thing. That is still 1,000 too many."

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Related: US Regulator Sees No Evidence of Wells Fargo Sales Problem at Other Banks

Stump's argument that there was no incentive for employees to open these fake accounts is undercut by the horror stories employees have told about the pressure they felt to sell customers additional accounts to earn bonuses or avoid having to work extra hours. Wells Fargo had set a goal of selling each customer at least eight financial products  a credit card or savings account on top of an existing checking account, for example  up from its current average of 6.27 per customer.

When cross-selling is based on efforts to generate more business from existing customers based on strong customer satisfaction and excellent customer service, it is a common and accepted business practice, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said last week in announcing its action against Wells Fargo. But here the bank had compensation incentive programs for its employees that encouraged them to sign up existing clients for deposit accounts, credit cards, debit cards, and online banking, and the bank failed to monitor the implementation of these programs with adequate care.

Stumpfs attempt to pin blame only on employees is not helped by the banks belated decision, announced Tuesday, to do away with those cross-selling sales targets brought to light by the scandal.

This is like McDonalds saying that now there is real meat in chicken nuggets. Comforting, perhaps, but what was in them before? says Julie Ragatz, director of the Center for Ethics in Financial Services at The American College of Financial Services.

Related: US Banks Just Set a Record for Profits

In Wells Fargos case, the practices in place up until now were clearly putting pressure on branch workers. Employee reviews on jobs site Glassdoor repeatedly cite the demands to generate sales. The higher ups are ALWAYS putting sales pressure on the branch managers which then the branch managers put pressure on the bankers and tellers for sales, one post from July said. Other employees have said they routinely signed up family members for additional accounts to meet their sales goals.

Stumpf seems to be arguing that the fired employees responded to those pressures in a way that was out of line with Wells Fargos culture, but how much can you really blame them? Imagine your boss threatening that you will have to work extra hours to meet your new account quota, or suggesting that you might not get your bonus or even keep your job if you dont do your part to help the branch open seven new checking accounts and sell 42 other products every day. "If you do not make your goal, you are severely chastised and embarrassed in front of 60-plus managers in your area by the community banking president," one former branch manager told the Los Angeles Times in 2013.

The chain of responsibility cannot be allowed to stop at low-level employees. To say that no one is responsible for the behavior of thousands of employees besides the employees makes no sense, says Ragatz. If the leaders were not complicit (which is doubtful) this is a classic example of a failure to supervise.

The Senate Banking Committee and Sen. Elizabeth Warren will surely hammer those points next week, looking for some measure of executive accountability. Wells Fargo has said that about 10 percent of the 5,300 workers fired were at the level of branch manager or higher, but its not clear whether top-level executives will be held accountable for the problematic practices.

Related: Wells Fargo May Take More Disciplinary Action Over Sales Abuses

Carrie Tolstedt, the executive in charge of the community banking division that generates most of the banks revenue and where much of the fraudulent activity happened, is retiring from Wells Fargo at the end of the year. Shell leave with $124.6 million in stock and options earned over her 27 years at the bank. In the July 12 statement announcing Tolstedts departure, Stumpf called her one of our most valuable Wells Fargo leaders, a standard-bearer of our culture, a champion for our customers, and a role model for responsible, principled and inclusive leadership.

In light of the scandal, that statement only raises questions about just what Wells Fargos culture has been  questions that Stumpf must address, and quickly.

"This is a wake-up call and should remind all of us that culture and compensation make a difference, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said Tuesday, according to CNBC. How you reward people, how you motivate people and what values you hold people to matters."

Based on some of his comments thus far, the CEO has yet to hear that call.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) CEO John Stumpf says he holds himself accountable for the alleged abusive account opening practices for his company but does not plan to resign.

"I think the best thing I could do right now is lead this company, and lead this company forward," he told Jim Cramer in an interview on " Mad Money " on Tuesday.

On Thursday, Wells Fargo was fined $185 million by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and two other regulators for employees opening bank accounts and credit cards that were not authorized by customers, in order to meet sales goals. Approximately 5,300 employees were fired in connection to the issue.











"We are sorry. We deeply regret any situation where a customer got a product they did not request," Stumpf said, "There is nothing in our culture, nothing in our vision and values that would support that. It's just the opposite. Our goal is to make it right by a customer every time 100 percent and if we don't do that, we feel accountable."

Carrie Tolstedt was the Wells Fargo executive in charge of the unit where employees allegedly opened unauthorized accounts. The bank announced her retirement in July, effective the end of the year. According to a Wells Fargo proxy statement, she is entitled to about $95 million in accumulated stock and options over her career, based on when the stock was trading around $49 per share last week.

Mary Eshet, spokeswoman for Wells Fargo, told CNBC that Tolstedt was not available for comment.



Stumpf did not comment on whether clawback provisions would be instituted for Tolstedt's pay.



"To the extent that is a consideration  we have a board process," Stumpf said.

Stumpf also confirmed that none of his personal compensation was tied to the product sales goals from the company, nor was compensation for any of the named executive officers.

But he said he considered himself responsible for any deviation from Wells Fargo's goals.

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"To the extent that we don't get it right 100 percent of the time, because that is our goal, if we don't make that plan, I am responsible. I am accountable. Anybody else in the company, we all feel when we fall short of that plan, we feel accountable and responsible. And we are taking action."



Moving forward, Stumpf still plans to embrace cross-selling and strong customer relations for the company. What will change are the tools utilized for product sales, he said. On Tuesday, Wells Fargo announced it would remove product sale requirements for its retail bank.

"Without giving you any guidance, I believe we are a growth company. We were a growth company yesterday, we are a growth company today and we are going to be a growth company tomorrow."

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Correction: This story was revised to correct that Carrie Tolstedt will retire at the end of the year, according to Wells Fargo. It also was revised to provide a lower value of her stock and options, based on a Wells Fargo proxy statement.







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From Good Housekeeping

Prince William and Kate Middleton will set off on their second royal tour of Canada this September, following their first visit in July 2011. In the lead up to their arrival, Kensington Palace has released details of the full itinerary. Here's everything you need to know about their trip.

Photo credit: Getty

1. It will be a busy week.

William and Kate will begin their tour in Victoria, British Columbia on September 24. They will make around 30 royal engagements before leaving on October 1.

2. It's William and Kate's first royal tour abroad as a family of four.

Yes, that means Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be joining their parents, so stay tuned for plenty more adorable photos.

3. They will be based in Victoria, British Columbia.

The family will stay at Government House, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia in Victoria. The house is located in the Rockland neighborhood, and if you'd like a taste of where the royals will be hanging out, it is open to the public for tours each Saturday.

Photo credit: Getty

4. There will be a lot of traveling around, in weird and wonderful ways.

With multiple engagements scheduled, the royals have carefully planned how to travel between each visit. These include a trip from Victoria to Vancouver via seaplane (said to be the fastest way to travel) and a ride on the Kitsilano Coastguard Station's hovercraft, which is used as a search and rescue vessel in this region.

Photo credit: Getty

5. Visits to local charities are at the top of the agenda.

The royal couple has arranged meetings at Sheway in Vancouver, a charity that supports vulnerable mothers, the Cridge Centre for the Family and the Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre in Victoria, among many other stops to promote good causes.

6. The couple will be treated to stunning scenery.

Royal officials have said that Monday, September 26, will be one of "the most beautiful days of the tour." This is when the William and Kate will visit the Great Bear Rainforest on the Central Coast of British Columbia. A visit to the beautiful Montana Mountain follows on Wednesday 28.

Story continues

Photo credit: Getty

7. We'll see the royal couple get dressed up.

After their trip to the rainforest, William and Kate will return to Victoria to attend an evening reception hosted by the province of British Columbia at Government House. Expect to see Kate in one of her favorite Jenny Packham gowns.

Photo credit: Getty

8. There's time for sports.

Will and Kate will go canoeing and fishing at the Haida Gwaii archipelago, and will try some sailing on the final day of the tour in Victoria. Let's not forget, Kate is a pro at water sports. She was seen enjoying a canoe session on Blatchford Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories during the 2011 trip. A few years earlier, Kate joined the Sisterhood challenge to row 21 miles across the English Channel in 2007.

9. There will also be a lot of eating and drinking.

On Tuesday 27, William and Kate will attend the Taste of British Columbia event at Mission Hill Winery. It's basically a fine wine and food fest which will celebrate agriculture in the region. Local cheeses and seafood are set to be on the menu.

10. A children's party has been planned!

While it's unlikely Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be seen at every public engagement, they are sure to make appearance at this kid-friendly event planned for Thursday September 29. Military families have been invited to attend, with "surprises" in store for the younger guests.

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VP, PM call on President

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal jointly called on President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Tuesday.
An Oregon white supremacist and his girlfriend who are accused of killing a 19-year-old black man now face new hate crime charges after police say the couple intentionally ran over the teenager because of his race and color.

Russell Courtier, 38, and his 35-year-old girlfriend Colleen Hunt were indicted by a grand jury on Monday for intimidation in the first-degree, the states bias crime statute, police said.

Authorities say Courtier mowed down Larnell Bruce last month after the two fought outside a convenience store, although its unclear what sparked the argument.

The couple chased Bruce down inside a Jeep after the teenager fled the scene, the Gresham Police Department said in a statement. Hunt, who was in the passenger seat, egged on her boyfriend to strike Bruce as the teenager attempted to run away from the couples vehicle, according to police.

Get him baby, get him, Hunt allegedly told detectives she said, according to court documents obtained by KOIN 6. Courtier and Hunt were already charged with murder and felony hit and run, the news station said.

Detectives determined that Courtier is a member of European Kindred and police said the suspects have clear ties to a white supremacist group. The affiliation to the group and the victim being black played a role in Bruces death, authorities said. Courtier and Hunt intentionally injured Bruce because of their perception of his race and color, according to the indictment.

The suspects, who are being held without bail, have pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, which could land them in prison for life if convicted, the Washington Post reports. Courtier on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to first- and second-degree intimidation, while Hunt pleaded not guilty to first-degree intimidation.

Hunts attorney, Jonathan Sarre, told the Post that the new intimidation charge isnt the biggest concern because its not the most serious crime that Hunt is accused of. Courtiers attorney could not be immediately reached for comment.
Value investing is always a very popular strategy, and for good reason. After all, who doesnt want to find stocks that have low PEs, solid outlooks, and decent dividends?

Fortunately for investors looking for this combination, we have identified a strong candidate which may be an impressive value; Domtar Corporation UFS.

COMPANY NAME in Focus

UFS may be an interesting play thanks to its forward PE of 11.91, its P/S ratio of 0.43, and its decent dividend yield of 4.65%. These factors suggest that Domtar Corporation is a pretty good value pick, as investors have to pay a relatively low level for each dollar of earnings, and that UFS has decent revenue metrics to back up its earnings.

DOMTAR CORP PE Ratio (TTM)

DOMTAR CORP PE Ratio (TTM) | DOMTAR CORP Quote

But before you think that Domtar Corporation is just a pure value play, it is important to note that it has been seeing solid activity on the earnings estimate front as well. For current year earnings, the consensus has gone up by 25% in the past 60 days, thanks to 4 upward revisions in the past two months compared to none lower.

This estimate strength is actually enough to push (TICKER) to a Zacks Rank #X (XXX), suggesting it is poised to outperform. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

So really, Domtar Corporation is looking great from a number of angles thanks to its PE below 20, a P/S ratio below one, and a strong Zacks Rank, meaning that this company could be a great choice for value investors at this time.

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Shares of the noted smartphone maker Samsung dropped 7% on September 12 as the company advised not to use and charge its high-end Galaxy Note 7 phone as they can turn inflammable while charging. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also issued a warning and told that it is figuring out a formal recall with Samsung.

Almost 24 out of a million phones have faulty production. The South Korean tech behemoth called for a global recall program as it has already shipped 2.5 million of this product. Apart from the product recall, offers of trade-ins and gift cards were also made to U.S. customers.

Thanks to the recall order and caution from U.S. regulators, shares of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. recorded its largest single-day plunge in prices on September 12. Samsung lost about 15.9 trillion of South Korean won in value.

How Harmful the Impact Is?

A group of analysts is of the view that the recall will meaningfully weigh on Galaxy Note 7 sales and can have a long-lasting negative impact on the companys brand image. It may also hamper the companys prominent emergence in the smartphone market. The recalls also delayed launches of the device in regions like Europe.

Research house Nomura slashed its forecast for Samsungs third-quarter mobile operating profit by 900 billion won to 3.1 trillion won responding to the Note 7 recall. Analysts are of view that even after the recalls and discounts offered, Samsung will likely take time to regain consumers confidence.

In fact, Samsung will likely fall behind Apple as the latter unveiled iPhone 7 last week. With this, users may incline toward high-end Apple products and cause Samsung to lose its market share to Apple. Investors should note that in the second quarter of 2016, Samsung had the highest market share (22.4%) in the smartphone segment followed by Apple (11.8%), as per satista.com (read: Should You Invest in Apple ETFs Following Buffett?).

However, there is also a bullish cohort, which expects that the stock to remain little changed from current levels in the near term. And with more shares left in its buyback program, which is expected to be completed by the end of October, and an inexpensive valuation, the downside is likely to be limited.

Story continues

Impact on the ETF World

The highest impact will be on South Korean ETFs as several of South Korean ETFs invest over 20% of the portfolio in Samsung (see all Asia-Pacific (Developed) ETFs here).

iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF EWY puts 20.84% weight in Samsung  its top holding (read: 4 Country ETFs to Gain from Oil Price Crash).

Deutsche X-trackers MSCI South Korea Hedged Equity ETF DBKO has 20.86% exposure in Samsung  its top holding.

SPDR MSCI South Korea Quality Mix ETF QKOR has 18.34% exposure in Samsung  its top holding.

WisdomTree Korea Hedged Equity Fund DXKW has about 11.1% weight in Samsung Electronics.

Among the other ETFs, iShares Asia 50 ETF AIA has about 11.6% weight in Samsung, PowerShares FTSE RAFI Asia Pacific ex-Japan Portfolio ETF PAF puts about7.5% weight in Samsung and WisdomTree Strong Dollar Emerging Markets Equity Fund EMSD has about 6.12% exposure to the stock (see broad emerging market ETFs here).

All the afore-mentioned ETFs will be in focus over the coming days on Samsungs recall issue.

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Saudi Arabia riyal

Recent developments in the OPEC universe have fueled speculation that oil producers might actually be able to agree on something at the informal talks in Algiers, Algeria, set for September 26-28.

Most notably, Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed at the G-20 summit in China last week to cooperate on oil and create a "working group" to stabilize markets  a move some analysts considered to be "another indicator of the extreme economic duress that producers are enduring."

And on the following day, Iran gingerly offered some support for an oil-production freeze  though it did not actually agree to join one.

But some, however, have argued that there remain several reasons the Saudis might ultimately be opposed to any tangible agreement.

"The slowdown in Saudi Arabia's economy has prompted the authorities to soften their opposition to a deal to freeze oil output," Jason Tuvey, the Middle East economist at Capital Economics, wrote in a note to clients.

But "while a deal is more likely than it was earlier this year, there are several reasons, including ongoing tensions with Iran, to think that the Kingdom will be hesitant to sign up."

Chief among them:

The kingdom would need to see oil prices increase to about $70 a barrel for any real improvement in its fiscal position, Tuvey said. In other words, a production freeze alone might not be alluring enough. The Saudis haven't capitulated to the wishes of other (struggling) oil producers to do anything about the lower prices for almost two years. And if they do so now, it could "be an enormous loss of face for policymakers," Tuvey argued. Plus, "shifting tack on oil policy would be an outright admission that the strategy to squeeze out high-cost producers has failed and would severely undermine the credibility of the government's diversification efforts," such as the Vision 2030 plan. And perhaps most obvious: the ongoing geopolitical tensions with Iran.

Story continues

For what it's worth, Khalid al-Falih, Saudi Arabia's oil minister, dismissed the need for a production freeze last Monday, leading analysts to wonder whether the Saudi-Russian agreement on oil cooperation would amount to anything.

Plus, the director for international affairs at the state-run National Iranian Oil Co., Mohsen Ghamsari, said last Wednesday 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 now produces about 3.8 million barrels a day.

Screen Shot 2016 09 08 at 11.51.19 AM

(It's worth noting that Iran's prior hard stance against any production freeze ultimately ended up being a major reason for Saudi Arabia's bailing on the meeting in Doha, Qatar, back in April.)

"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," a Macquarie Research team led by Vikas Dwivedi argued last week.

"Even if a 'freeze' truly materializes, it will provide little fundamental impact," Dwivedi added. "From a longer-term perspective, core OPEC and non-OPEC producers are eyeing $50+ levels to enable future growth."

"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 by 0.3% at $47.20 a barrel as of 10:37 a.m. ET.

Screen Shot 2016 09 14 at 10.37.09 AM

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More than one in 10 wildlife species in the U.K. are under threat of extinction, according to a new report.



The State of Nature Report 2016  to which more than 50 wildlife organizations contributed  found that of 8,000 species assessed according to modern Red List criteria, over 10 percent were under threat of vanishing from the U.K. altogether.

The report also found that between 1970 and 2013, 56 percent of nearly 4,000 "terrestrial and freshwater species" researched were in decline.

Moreover, 165 species  including the bog hoverfly, freshwater pearl mussel and high brown fritillary butterfly  were considered to be "critically endangered."

Contributing factors included changes in farming methods and climate change, the report said. The impact of climate change had been mixed, because it had benefited some species but harmed others.

"Escalating pressures, such as climate change and modern land management, mean that we continue to lose the precious wildlife that enriches our lives and is essential to the health and well-being of those who live in the U.K., and also in its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories," renowned broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough said in a foreword to the report.

"Our wonderful nature is in serious trouble and it needs our help as never before," he added.

It is not just species in the U.K. that are under threat from a changing environment and climate. A recent study from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and partners found that the American pika, a small plant-eating relative of the rabbit, was disappearing from parts of the western U.S. as a result of climate change.

The American pika is a small herbivore that lives in rocky slopes in mountain ranges in the American West. The USGS study, published in The Journal of Mammalogy, found that there was evidence of "widespread reduction in pika range in three mountainous regions including the Great Basin, southern Utah and north-eastern California."







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From Popular Mechanics

American cyclist Denise Mueller recently set a new woman's bicycle land speed record of 147 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. She rode just inches behind a modified Land Rover SRV that served as a pace car and used a tail fairing to shield Mueller from wind resistance while she made her run.

As you might imagine, the bicycle itself was also heavily modified for the world record attempt. The elongated frame, vibration-dampening seatpost, suspension fork, and custom 17-inch motorcycle wheels with bald tires help to lower Mueller's center of gravity for added stability and keep the ride relatively smooth even as she pushes 150 mph. In these land speed runs, it is critical that the cyclist stay within the draft zone of the pace car.

"Hitting a 140 mph wall of air will knock me off my bike," Mueller told Velo News.

Photo credit: Project Speed

And of course, you need a special gear configuration to pedal up to such crazy speeds. The pace car towed Mueller to about 90 mph, but the acceleration up to 147 mph was all from her legs. The bike's drive train uses two 60-tooth chainrings in a double-reduction configuration to provide a massive amount of torque, while keeping the chainrings far enough off the ground for clearance (something that would be difficult with one even larger chainring).

Bike gearing is often measured in gear inches-a measurement that takes the gear ratio of the drive train and multiplies it by the diameter of the rear wheel. With a standard 26-inch bicycle wheel, for example, a front chainring with 48 teeth and a rear cog with 24 teeth would give the bike a gear ratio of 2:1, and therefore the setup has 52 gear inches-2 times the diameter of the drive wheel. A very high gearing on a road bike will have about 125 gear inches. Mueller's custom bike has 488 gear inches, allowing her to accelerate by pedaling at about 102 RPM when she is already going more than 100 mph.

Mueller is planning future attempts to break the current men's land speed record, which was set in 1995 by Fred Rompleberg of the Netherlands and stands at 167 mph. To get those extra 20 mph and become the fastest person to ever ride a bicycle, Mueller's team Project Speed suspects they will need a six-mile track, two miles longer than the track they were working with at the salt flats.

Story continues

Here's to 170 mph.

Source: Velo News

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London (AFP) - Worcester flanker Alafoti Faosiliva has been handed a one-week ban after he was sent off against Gloucester last Friday.

The Samoan was given a red card when he appeared to lead with his forearm in a challenge on lock Mariano Galarza in the second half of a 23-23 draw at Sixways and was charged with striking.

The 30-year-old pleaded guilty and will be free to play again on September 18.

An RFU statement issued Wednesday said: "Alafoti Faosiliva of Worcester Warriors appeared before an RFU disciplinary panel this evening charged with striking with the arm and/or elbow, contrary to law 10.4(a).

"Faosiliva pleaded guilty and was given a one-week ban. He is free to play again on the 18th of September."
Washington (AFP) - World Bank President Jim Yong Kim effectively won a second five-year term after nominations to lead the global development bank closed with no other candidates proposed.

The World Bank executive board said in a statement that, following official procedures, it would formally meet with Kim as a candidate "with the expectation of completing the selection process by the 2016 Annual Meetings," which take place on October 7-9.

Kim, 56, a Korean-American medical doctor who has focused the World Bank on programs to reduce extreme poverty, earned solid backing for a second term from the United States, France, Germany, China, and other major shareholders of the bank.

But as with his first nomination in 2012, the bank was criticized from inside and outside for not truly opening the selection process to all comers and not managing it in a fully transparent mode.

Following an unwritten rule, since the World Bank was created in the wake of World War II to help rebuild the global economy, its leader has always been an American chosen by Washington.

In 2012, Kim did face competition when Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also contended for the presidency.

But no rivals surfaced during the three-week nomination period this time around, leaving Kim virtually assured of continuing in the job when his first term ends on June 30, 2017.

In an open letter in August, the 15,000 member World Bank Group Staff Association called for a more open and focused search and selection process that did not repeat "decades of backroom deals which, 12 times in a row, selected an American male."

Kim's first term has been marked by his campaign to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030; the bank's leadership in a 2014 campaign to halt the deadly outbreak of Ebola in West Africa; and its initial resistance to, and then tentative partnership with, the China-created rival Asian Infrastructure Bank.

But he has also faced rebellion from within the Washington-based bank over an ambitious and still-incomplete restructuring of how the huge organization manages its poverty-fighting and development programs. Lending for those programs is expected to hit $46 billion this year.

Story continues

In an employee survey, staff have reported feeling detached from senior management and unsure of the direction of policy.

"Only one in three understand where the senior management team is leading us," the Staff Association said in its letter.

"Even fewer believe that our senior management creates a culture of openness and trust."
New York (AFP) - Seedlings from the only tree to survive the World Trade Center collapse on September 11, 2001 will be given to two US communities and France, each the target of recent attacks.

San Bernardino, the California city where a couple gunned down 14 people last December and Orlando, Florida where a gunman killed 49 people at a gay nightclub earlier this year, will be offered "Survivor Tree" seedlings, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum said in a statement.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will officially accept a sapling in New York over the weekend on behalf of France, the consulate here announced Wednesday.

France has seen multiple recent assaults, from a rampage by IS gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris that killed 130 people in November to a grisly truck attack on a crowd in Nice in July that left 86 dead.

"After 9/11, the Survivor Tree became a symbol of our country's fortitude and resilience," 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels said in a statement released Monday.

"As the trees grow and thrive, we hope they will inspire the people of France, Orlando and San Bernardino as they continue to recover and heal," he said.

The survivor tree, a Callery pear, was discovered in the rubble of the World Trade Center in October 2001, during operations to clear the site. It has since been nursed back to health and replanted at the 9/11 Memorial.

Since 2013, the memorial has donated seedlings each year to three locations that have been struck by attacks, shootings or natural disasters.

Although most have been US cities, Madrid received a seedling to commemorate the 191 victims of a March 2004 attack by Islamist extremists who bombed packed commuter trains.

"The communities have committed to nurturing these trees to serve as landmarks symbolizing resiliency and hope," the 9/11 Memorial said.
Workers welfare package on cards

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has said that the Foreign Employment Act, which is being revised, would incorporate a welfare package for Nepali migrant working abroad as pledged by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during his recent address to the nation.
Chinas never-ending quest for the most impressive bridges just reached new heights.

The Beipanjiang Bridge in Chinawhich hangs over 1,800 feet above a rivercompleted construction on Saturday, the Guizhou provincial transport department announced in a statement.

The two edges of the impressive bridge were linked on Saturday, allowing the structure to become Chinas highest bridge. The bridge spans 2,362 feet between mountains, 1,854 feet above the Beipan River.

The previous record holder was the Si Du River bridge. It crossed a valley in the Hubei province and hung 1,627 feet above ground.

Beipanjing Bridge is expected to open later this year and will be used mostly by automobiles. It is expected to make travel from the Guizhou to Yunnan provinces nearly twice as fast.

When opened, the bridge will also gain the esoteric honors of second longest steel-trussed cable-stayed bridge and the 10th tallest bridge tower in the world.

Of the 20 main hyper-long bridges in the world, China has 17. Guizhou province alone has seven of them.

Last week, Chinas longest bridge, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon bridge, closed for repairs only two weeks after opening. Officials cited too much visitation as a main factor in the closure.

Cailey Rizzo writes about travel, art and culture and is the founding editor of The Local Dive. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @misscaileyanne.

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An exclusive live stream event on September 19 & September 20

On Monday, Sept. 19, and Tuesday, Sept. 20, Yahoo Finance will have an exclusive live stream from the 2016 Concordia Summit in New York, NY. The special coverage includes live access to more than 20 panels over two days, as the most prominent business, government, and nonprofit leaders from across the globe gather to examine the worlds most pressing challenges and identify avenues for collaboration.

Among the highlights, Yahoo Finance editor in chief Andy Serwer will sit for a live discussion with T. Boone Pickens regarding Americas energy future on Monday at 2:20pm ET, and a one-on-one conversation with Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett on the topic of philanthropy on Tuesday at 2:30pm ET. Also on Tuesday, Yahoo Finance will live stream a keynote address from George Soros, founder and chair of Soros Fund Management and the Open Society Foundation at 9:45am ET.

To complement the live-streaming coverage, the Yahoo Finance team will also be conducting a number of VOD interviews with conference participants, including former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Senator George Mitchell, CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden, and others.

Stay-tuned for a full schedule of events, and watch the live stream at: http://finance.yahoo.com/live/concordia/
(Reuters) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Tuesday he had opened an inquiry into the Donald J. Trump Foundation to ensure the Republican presidential nominee's charity was complying with state laws governing nonprofits. Schneiderman, a supporter of Trump's Democratic rival in the presidential race, Hillary Clinton, sued the real estate mogul and his now defunct Trump University for fraud in 2013, seeking $40 million in restitution plus penalties and other costs. In a CNN interview on Tuesday, Schneiderman said his office had now brought Trump's charitable foundation under scrutiny. "My interest in this issue really is in my capacity as regulator of nonprofits in New York state. And we have been concerned that the Trump Foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view," the elected Democratic official said. He added: "We have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws that govern charities in New York." He did not elaborate on what wrongdoing Trump's nonprofit might have committed. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung dismissed Schneiderman's assertions as entirely motivated by presidential politics, calling the attorney general a "partisan hack who has turned a blind eye to the Clinton Foundation for years." Cheung called Schneiderman's comments "nothing more than another left-wing hit job designed to distract" attention from Clinton's recent missteps on the campaign trail. Trump has accused Clinton of being corrupted by donors to the Clinton Foundation global charity founded by her husband, former President Bill Clinton, while she was U.S. secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. Clinton has dismissed Trumps allegation as a political smear. There has been no evidence that foreign donors to the foundation obtained favors from the State Department while Clinton headed the agency. Schneiderman made his remarks when asked on CNN about calls from Democrats in Congress for a federal investigation of a $25,000 donation in 2013 from the Trump Foundation to a political committee supporting Florida's Republican attorney general, Pam Bondi. Democrats have cited an Associated Press report that Bondi solicited the donation personally, around the time her office was debating whether to join New York state's investigation into Trump's real estate training school in Florida. According to the AP, Bondi, who was seeking re-election at the time, broke off the lawsuit deliberations after the check arrived. Bondi, who has endorsed Trump, has called the AP report misleading. (Additional reporting by Mohammad Zargham in Washington)
Washington (AFP) - New York state's top law enforcement official said he has opened an investigation into the Donald J Trump Foundation, citing worries the Republican presidential nominee's charity has been involved in "impropriety."

"My interest in this issue really is in my capacity as regulator of non-profits in New York state," Attorney General Eric Schneiderman told CNN.

"We have been concerned that the Trump Foundation has engaged in impropriety from that point of view," added Schneiderman, who has been at loggerheads with the bombastic billionaire for years over the Trump University real estate program, which he has called "straight up fraud."

The Trump Foundation has faced a series of damaging stories, including by The Washington Post, which reported over the weekend that the White House candidate himself had not donated to his own charity since 2008.

The Post also found other irregularities, including that Trump spent $20,000 of money that had been set aside for charitable purposes to purchase a six-foot (1.8-meter) painting of himself.

And in another move, the foundation made an illegal $25,000 donation to a campaign group affiliated with Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi in 2013 as she was considering joining Schneiderman's fraud case against Trump University.

"We've inquired into it and we've had correspondence with them. I didn't make a big deal out of it or hold a press conference," Schneiderman said.

"But we have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York."

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee issued an open letter asking US Attorney General Loretta Lynch to investigate the donation to Bondi.

"After receiving these funds, Mrs Bondi declined to further investigate Mr Trump's business interests. This fact pattern indicates that these payments may have influenced Mrs Bondi's official decision not to participate in litigation against Mr Trump," the letter read.

"A number of criminal statutes would appear to be implicated by this course of conduct."

Trump, in turn, has lashed out at Schneiderman personally for a lawsuit the state attorney general filed in 2013 against the real estate mogul over the now-defunct Trump University, calling him "Clockwork Eric."
This dad is practicing his Batman voice with his young daughter at their home in British Columbia, Canada. The voice, made popular after Christian Bales portrayal of Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolans trilogy, requires a particularly deep set of vocal chords. While the dad is able to pull it off, his daughter doesnt quite have the ability to hit those low notes. Credit: YouTube/dumo
Yes, its hard to to tell when one enters the city limits

Yes, they will make the city more inviting

Maybe ... does it really matter?

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  September 14, 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), Intel (INTC), Facebook (FB) and Alphabet ( GOOGL).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Tuesdays Analyst Blog:

Tech Stock Roundup: AAPL Event, INTC and McAfee, FB Accused

Apples (AAPL) event was the hottest event last week, and was accompanied with other things like Intels (INTC) McAfee carve out, the power abuse allegation on Facebook (FB), Alphabets ( GOOGL) scrapping of Project Ara, Intels Movidius buy and so on.

Heres a quick look at the top stories:

Apple's Latest Mega Event

Apples product launch events have always been mega affairs, but strangely enough the shares havent always responded in kind. Thats most likely because of investors buying into the hype ahead of and during the announcement to sell off thereafter and make some quick gains.

The pattern has been noticed in past years and this year was no different. So from Aug 31 to Sep 7, the shares gained 2.23%, losing as much as 2.02% the following day. Since this creates the impression that Apple under-delivered on the product launch, lets check out if this is true:

The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold-rated) company (You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here .) did launch a revamped iPhone 7 complete with new features like water-resistance, dust-resistance, new jet black and black colors, an enhanced camera feature, a new home button, more storage, wireless ear budsdid they leave anything out?

The question then is, if all this can get people to upgrade their phones because a product launch after all is successful only when it gets people to reach into their wallets. My bet is it will since there are enough 6, 6S and older models out there, so look for the share price to bounce right back.

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But Apple isnt only the iPhone company; that is just its biggest business. It is also the second-largest seller of wrist-worn wearables despite a late entry. Apple had a number of announcements for its Watch category, including an entirely new version featuring water resistance, faster dual-core processor, brighter display, built-in GPS and AI-powered activity-tracking feature. Theres also a new Pokemon GO app,

iOS 10 and Watch OS3 are also coming. Apple fans can get more details here: Here's Everything We Learned From Today's Apple Event

Intel Security with McAfee Again

The details of the deal to carve out Intels security division as a JV with private equity firm TPG were announced last week. The JV will be called McAfee (the security company that Intel acquired around six years ago for $7.7 billion, or a 60% premium and later renamed Intel Security to dissociate the brand name from its infamous founder).

TPG will pay just $1.1 billion for a 51% stake, which along with new debt of $2 billion values the company at around $4.2 billion. Intel Security General Manager Christopher Young will be CEO of McAfee. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017.

The question then arises as to what Intels ambitions might be with respect to PC level security. It doesnt look like Intel is totally giving up on PCs since it is retaining a 49% stake in the JV. At the same time, TPG does have a good track record of turning companies around and fresh blood, greater flexibility and focus might just do the trick. At the same time, this allows Intel management to focus on the data center, IoT and other areas that represent its strengths/opportunities.

Meanwhile, John McAfee, who sold his security business to Intel, now wants to rename MGT Capital where he is CEO as John McAfee Global Technologies. Intel says this infringes on the trademark McAfee, which he already sold off. So John McAfee sued Intel to be able to use his name. Complicated as ever, and its hard to tell how this case which way this will go.

Facebook/Zuckerberg Accused of Abusing Power

In a rather high-handed way, Facebook decided to take down the picture of a nude 9-year old war victim as she was running from a bomb in the Vietnam. The picture was part of a series on the Vietnam war posted by writer Tom Egeland who was thereafter prevented from posting another photo. Not just that: editor of Norwegian daily Aftenposten and Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solbergthat got similar treatment for posting the photo.

Facebook did nothing to show perspective with respect to the photo and rather than restoring the photo, a Facebook spokesman defended its actions by saying, Our solutions won't always be perfect, but we will continue to try to improve our policies and the ways in which we apply them. The editor protested, telling Zuckerberg in an open letter that he was abusing his powers and that you are restricting my room for exercising my editorial responsibility.

The photograph was taken by Associated Press photographer Nick Ut who also went on to win a Pulitzer Prize for spot news photography because of it. This kind of photograph has played a key role in evoking the emotions of common men and women none of whom wanted the Vietnam War, which ultimately led to its end

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In July, the Utah Department of Health was alerted to a person diagnosed with the Zika virus despite not traveling to a place with Zika or having sexual contact with a person who had. The person had, however, cared for an elderly male family contact who had contracted the virus while traveling and had died the month prior. (The researchers did not specify if the two people were related, but defined a family contact as someone who lived in the same household as the infected person or had direct contact with his body fluids).

The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched an investigation into the case in July, alongside Utah health authorities, and on Tuesday the agency released its report. Unfortunately, everyone is still stumped.

The elderly person who died with Zika had levels of the virus that were about 100,000 times higher than the average levels reported in other people with Zika. The family contact who later became infected told experts that they hugged and kissed the elderly man, and helped hospital workers hold him while stool was cleaned, though they did not have contact with the stool. There were 13 other family contacts who said they hugged and kissed the family member and five family contacts said they were present when his stool, urine or vomit were cleaned. Only the one person became infected.

The researchers also trapped mosquitoes around the homes of the people involved, and are in the process of testing them for Zika. However, they did not find either of the two types of the mosquitoes known to carry the virusAedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

Does this mean that Zika could be spread in ways beyond mosquito bites and sexlike kissing and hugging? As of now, public health experts say its unlikely, but admit they cannot explain how the person in Utah with no risk factors got the virus.

From what we have seen with more than 2,900 cases of Zika in US, non-sexual spread of Zika virus from one person to another does not appear to be common  this is the only case identified to date that has an unknown mode of transmission, CDC spokesperson Benjamin Haynes told TIME in an email. Several agencies conducted a thorough investigation in hopes of answering that question. We have not been able to definitively identify how the person was infected, and its possible we wont be able to make that determination.

The authors of the report concluded that although its uncertain close contact can be a source of Zika transmission, family contacts should be aware that blood and body fluids of severely ill patients might be infectious.
Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwe's high court on Wednesday ordered the release on bail of protest leader Promise Mkwananzi ahead of mass anti-government demonstrations planned later this week.

Mkwananzi, one of the most prominent activists campaigning for President Robert Mugabe to step down, was arrested during protests on August 26 and charged with public violence.

"He was given $100 bail," his lawyer Tonderai Bhatasara told AFP. "He was told to surrender his passport and to report at the police law and order section every Friday."

Mkwananzi, spokesman for the pressure group Tajamuka (We are agitated), has called for a national strike to pile pressure on Mugabe and the ruling ZANU-PF party.

The 92-year-old president has vowed to end a wave of recent protests against his regime, last weekend warning marchers that they were "playing a dangerous game".

Further rallies are planned for Saturday, despite a police ban on demonstrations in the capital Harare.

"Much depends on what protests take place... but there's likely to be deployment of public order policing and the use of teargas and possibly rubber bullets," Piers Pigou, of the International Crisis Group, told a briefing in Johannesburg.

"I think a big danger is if we see the deployment of ZANU-PF youths to take on (protesters) either in preparation for coming into town or indeed in central Harare."

The Tajamuka group also said Wednesday that another of its activists, actor Sylvanos Mudzvova, was being treated in hospital after being abducted, beaten up by assailants and dumped outside the city.

"Six men forced their way into his house," said Denford Ngadziore, a member of Tajamuka.

"He was found after nearly five hours. He is being treated for head, rib and leg injuries.

"We suspect it's ZANU-PF people who have been targeting Tajamuka activists. The regime has scaled up its violence against opponents."

Story continues

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said it had received reports that suspected ZANU-PF supporters were attacking people believed to have joined anti-government protests.

"The perpetrators were moving door-to-door in some cases forcing entry into victims' houses," the forum said in a statement, adding four victims had been beaten with barbed wire whips and thick sticks.

Street protests have surged in Zimbabwe over recent months, triggered by worsening economic problems and growing opposition to Mugabe, who has ruled since 1980.
Multiple reports said that Google has been working on a special new launcher app for its 2016 Nexus devices, the HTC-made Sailfish and Marlin. Since then, we learned that the Nexus line is dying, as the two devices will be called Pixel and Pixel XL. Google is apparently ready to head in a different direction with its Nexus devices, focusing on high-end design and specs, but also more customization options.

The brand new Nexus launcher is one way Google is reportedly spicing up the Android experience it offers on its smartphones. That launcher has been renamed to Pixel Launcher, and it's already available for download, at least unofficially.

DONT MISS: How to get the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus you want on launch day even without a preorder

Well known ROM developer LlabTooFer, who presented numerous leaks related to HTC devices in the past, is back with more information about the Pixel Launcher, complete with imagery and download links. As you can see in the following tweets, the Pixel launcher appears to be similar to the Nexus Launcher that was described in previous reports.

https://twitter.com/LlabTooFeR/status/775281660736704512

One of the things youd immediately spot is the fact that the Google Search bar you expect to dominate the screen has been neatly hidden away, though the functionality is still there. The Pixel Launcher should also sport Google Assistant features.

https://twitter.com/LlabTooFeR/status/775281835416907776

The new launcher is visually identical to the leaked Nexus Launcher, Android Police says, and there are no changes compared to previous versions. The Android site was one of the first to report on the rumored new launcher coming to the 2016 Nexus handsets.

https://twitter.com/LlabTooFeR/status/775334315634884608

Other changes include a new icon and a new version number. The latter suggests that the Pixel smartphone will launch with Android 7.1 Nougat on board.

You can download the Pixel Launcher right now, at least unofficially. Its not clear at this time whether other non-Pixel devices will get the Pixel Launcher, or whether existing Nexus handsets that run Nougat will also get it come October when the new Pixel phones are supposed to launch.

Story continues

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Shock cellphone bills are mostly a cliche by this point, but racking up a $9,000 bill without ever leaving the country is just plain impressive. That's why this Florida woman doesn't think Verizon is counting right, and listening to her side of the story, you have to agree.

Cleveland.com spoke to Valarie Gerbus of Tampa, Florida, about her recent Verizon shock. She received a bill totalling $9,153 from 569 gigabytes of data overage, on one line with a regular 4GB of data usage. Um, how?

DON'T MISS: Theres a secret fix for iOS 10s worst feature

The interview details the expected frustrating and obtuse experiences with Verizon customer support, but never really asks the important question: how could one person use that much data in that small amount of time? I just checked, and my monthly home internet usage is around 500GB, including a TV-over-internet box that streams hours of 4K every night and endless game downloading.

Gerbus reportedly uses a Galaxy Note 5, which doesn't have any historic data usage problems. It also should record cellular data usage on its own, separate from Verizon's tally, but that information hasn't been revealed.

Gerbus obviously claims that it's a technical flaw on Verizon's end. A Verizon rep reportedly told her she had visited Amazon a lot, which might be true, but I fail to see how that would cause such excessive data usage. More likely, something was wrong on Verizon's end that was misreporting data, or possibly a broken app that was silently downloading hundreds of gigabytes in the background.

In any case, Gerbus cancelled her account (causing a $600 fee!) and switched to T-Mobile, where users are throttled when they exceed their data allowance, rather than charged thousands of dollars.

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Users of Ingram Micro Inc.s IM Cloud Marketplace in Mexico can now avail Dropbox, Cirius and BitTitan services as well. This takes the total number of cloud solutions accessible through Ingram Micro in Mexico to approximately a dozen. However, the financial details of the deal have been kept under wraps.



About The Services



Dropbox is a file backup service that offers cloud-based file management, storage systems and client software. It enables users to access and synchronize files and use applications through multiple devices. Users can create a special folder on their computers, which can be synchronized for viewing on any computer. Files placed in this folder are also accessible through websites and mobile phone applications.



The Cirius Messaging platform helps users to send, receive and secure email and attachments on any device, anytime and anywhere. It protects data breach and information, maintains regulatory compliance, speeds up workflow and enhances the performance of enterprise networks.



BitTitan is a leader in cloud services and helps to send or receive mails from almost any source. It provides solutions that empower IT consultants and managed service providers to sell, onboard, and service cloud technology. Founded in 2007, BitTitan supports many leading cloud ecosystems including Microsoft MSFT Office 365, Amazon AMZN, Alphabet Inc. GOOGL, and Dropbox.



Deal Benefits



Through Ingram Micros Cloud Marketplace, channel partners can now seamlessly deploy these services in real time, providing customers with a complete and affordable solution that addresses the need to transition to the cloud in a simple and seamless fashion.



First launched in North America, the Cloud Marketplace was quite well received. This prompted the company to launch it globally. The integration of these services into Ingram Micro is aimed at making it easier for people and organizations to work with files on the go. Also, it will help to enhance the companys Security and Communication cloud solution offerings.



Moreover, it will broaden Ingram Micros capabilities as a cloud solution provider, thereby helping it to capitalize on the increasing opportunities in the space. Its easy accessibility will ensure monthly recurring revenues for Ingram Micro.



On the other hand, leveraging Ingram Micros distribution channels, Dropbox, Cirius and BitTitan will be able to market their products easily and expand in newer markets. According to Octavio Maynez, General Manager at Foro Web, "Ingram Micro continues to provide the innovative resources that help us preserve our trusted IT advisor status with customers". He further added, "We are excited to leverage a broader cloud catalog, powered by a leading automated marketplace to accelerate our go-to-marketing capabilities and effectively address business demand."



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INGRAM MICRO Price

INGRAM MICRO Price | INGRAM MICRO Quote

Bottom Line



Ingram Micro has been signing distribution deals with a number of original equipment manufacturers, thus expanding its product portfolio. The companys exposure to the cloud computing segment is also expected to act as a significant growth driver.



Additionally, managements focus on high-margin markets and strategic acquisitions to grow market share should help.



Though Ingram Micros high debt burden is a concern, we remain fairly optimistic about its strategic relationships with network giants such as Juniper Networks Inc., Cisco and International Business Machines Corp.



Currently, Ingram Micro carries Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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SEOUL (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics Co Ltd <005930.KS>, which has urged users of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone to turn them in due to fire-prone batteries, said it will perform a software update in South Korea that limits the devices' charge to 60 percent. The move comes as Samsung, the world's biggest smartphone maker, also ran local advertisements apologizing for a recall that is unprecedented for a company that prides itself on its manufacturing prowess. It has not decided whether to implement similar software upgrades limiting battery charging in markets other than South Korea, a company spokeswoman said. The software update, which will be automatic, will begin at 2 a.m. local time on Sept. 20, Samsung said in a statement. The firm has sold 2.5 million Note 7 phones in 10 markets including South Korea and the United States that are subject to the recall. Samsung plans to begin offering replacement phones with safe batteries on Sept. 19 in South Korea. A series of warnings from regulators and airlines around the world has raised fears for the future of the flagship device, pushing Samsung shares lower. South Korea's markets were closed on Wednesday for a public holiday. ($1 = 1,124.7700 won) (Reporting by Tony Munroe and Se Young Lee; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
Samsungs unprecedented Galaxy Note 7 recall is a nightmare for the company, and its effects will not disappear anytime soon. More and more reports detail instances where the brand new phablet exploded either during regular use or while charging. And with each Galaxy Note 7 going off, the company is losing more money.

The company recently urged US buyers to bring in their faulty units at once and announced that the first replacements units would be available in Australia starting next week. On top of that, Samsung has decided to stop promoting the Galaxy Note 7 on TV, at least in Korea, until sales resume.

DONT MISS: How to get the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus you want on launch day even without a preorder

According to Reuters, a person familiar with the matter said that Galaxy Note 7 commercials would run on TV until the end of their contracts, which should happen sometime this week. The person did not say when sales will resume in the country, and Samsung is yet to announce when sales will begin in the other markets where the phone was launched, or supposed to start selling.

Korea was the first market where Samsung halted sales following the numerous reports of Galaxy Note 7 explosions. Soon after that, Samsung initiated the worldwide recall of the product. At the time of its recall announcement, Samsung said that 35 incidents were investigated. Since sales began in August, some 70 units exploded in the US alone.

Meanwhile, Samsung announced that its finally working with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to handle the recall. Reports emerged online suggesting that Samsung might even deactivate Galaxy Note 7 units that arent returned to stores, but Samsung refuted that rumor.

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Two technology heavyweights lent their names to a campaign announced today in New York to ask President Barack Obama to pardon Edward Snowden.

Steve Wozniak, Apples co-founder, and Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, have listed their names in support of a presidential pardon for the whistleblower, joining the likes of George Soros, as well as actors like Daniel Radcliffe and Susan Sarandon. The full list of supporters names can be seen on a new website, PardonSnowden.org.

The campaign which calls on Obama to pardon Snowden while hes still in office is spearheaded by the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. Snowden himself appeared via video link from Russia, where he lives, at the press conference.

Anthony Romero, the national director of the ACLU, said that a presidential pardon of Snowden would be good for the United States; he acknowledged that Snowden did break the law but that there were mitigating circumstances that tilt the scales of justice away from punishment.

Edward Snowdens case presents one for President Obama to use the presidential power of pardon proudly and unequivocally, in recognition of one of the most important acts of whistleblowing in modern history, Romero said. By standing up for the privacy rights of his fellow citizens individuals who had no idea that the government had assumed such extraordinary and invasive powers in secret Edward Snowden should be thanked, and not punished.

Romero also spoke about what happened after Snowden leaked documents that revealed U.S. government surveillance programs.

Weve seen tech companies over the last several years enact significant encryption programs that protect the privacy rights of their customers, he added.

Snowden also emphasized the importance of computer security.

Id like to applaud the technologists, our scientists and leaders who, since the history of mass surveillance broke, have sought to resist this new and accelerating trend of overreach into our private lives, Snowden said, adding: Reliable uncompromised encryption is our only effective means for keeping our lights on and our roads open.

Story continues

While Romero and others called for Snowden to be pardoned before Obama leaves office, during questions from the media, Snowden resisted directly asking to be pardoned himself.

I wouldnt presume to instruct or direct the president in any way, Snowden said, when asked what hed like President Obama to do. As Ive said before, this is not a question thats for me to answer.

Snowden concluded by emphasizing that he gave the documents he leaked to journalists, who made the editorial decision of what to publish, and reiterated that the decision of whether or not he is pardoned is not his to make.

I do not myself ask for pardon and I never will, he said.

Follow Rob Verger on Twitter: @robverger

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Liv and Maddie are going to California! The identical Disney twins (played by Dove Cameron) are done with Stevens Point, Wis., and are starting a new life on the West Coast. Weve got an exclusive first-look clip from the Liv and Maddie: Cali Style premiere episode, Sorta Sisters-a-Rooney, and based on the video above, it looks like the Rooney sisters may never let Joey (Joey Bragg) and Parker (Tenzing Norgay Trainor) live down the fact that they destroyed their childhood home.

Related: Descendants Celebration: Dove Cameron and Co. Descend Upon Disneyland

And these relocated Wisconsin boys must feel really bad about their tunnel/yoga ball fiasco (watch the Liv and Maddie Season 3 finale if you need a refresher), so to make up for it, they are now the new cleaners at Aunt Denas beach house, where the bathroom floor is so pristine you can lick it. And Joey should know because he did.

Take a look at the video for a peek at the West Coast Liv and Maddie  and check out the present Maddie brings home for her two Mr. Cleans after a walk on the beach.

Liv and Maddie: Cali Style premieres on Friday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m. on Disney Channel.
Lithuania has selected Kristijonas Vildzuinas' Seneca's Day as its submission in the best foreign-language film category at the Oscars.

In a co-production with Baltic neighbors Latvia and Estonia, Vildzuinas, who made his name as a rock star in Lithuania in the late 1990s before turning to film, goes back a quarter of a century to set up his story on mid-life disillusionment.

Set in Vilnius in 1989, the final year of Soviet rule, teenage friends resolve to "live each day as if it were your last" in a group they call Seneca's Fellowship, named after the famous Roman philosopher. Broken apart by a love triangle, the friends drift apart. A quarter of a century later, with disillusionment haunting his apparently successful life, one member of the group feels he has betrayed his youthful ideals and delves into a Pandora's box of memories.

Vildzuinas has three shorts and three features to his name -- including Back to Your Arms, which was Lithuania's foreign-language Oscar entry in 2011. Industry observers in Lithuania are pinning high hopes on Seneca's Day, which he also wrote.

Produced by Lithuania's Studio Uljana Kim, Estonia's Amrion and Latvia's Locomotive Productions, the film, which was supported by state film funds in each country as well as Eurimages, stars Dainius Gavenonis, Marijus Mazunas, Elzbieta Latenaite and Ina Marija Bartaite.

Lithuania has never won an Oscar or even been nominated in the foreign-language category, although last year's entry, lesbian teen coming-of-age story The Summer of Sangaile, won the best director award in Sundance's World Cinematic class for director Alante Kavaite.

Read more: Oscars: Lithuania Nominates 'The Summer of Sangaile' for Foreign Language Category
IGAD Heads of State have pledged renewed commitment to support war torn Somalia.

In a communique released at the end of the one-day summit, held in Mogadishu IGAD Heads of State and governments welcomed the Somali governments commitment to a credible and inclusive electoral process.

(We) encouraged all Somalis to participate in the 2016 electoral process and hope that free and fair elections are conducted within the timelines, the communique stated

The high-profile meeting was represented by Ethiopias Prime Minister H.E Hailemariam Desalegn, who is also the chairperson of the IGAD Assembly, Kenyas President H.E Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, Ugandas President H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti, H.E Mohamed Yousif Abdelmannan and Sudans ambassador to Somalia H.E Mahboub Mohamed Maalim.

The IGAD heads requested the African Union Mission in Somalia to provide all necessary security for the electoral process, which will culminate in a presidential vote on 30th October 2016.

The summit also condemned continued attacks against the civilian population by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab and urged Somali security forces and AMISOM, to expand their operations, to enable them deal with the groups evolving terror threats.

In a statement issued earlier, the AU Special Representative for Somalia and Head of AMISOM Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira said the presence of the Heads of State in Somalia is a clear dividend of returning stability in the country.

It is an endorsement of Somalias recovery and a testimony of the resolve of the Somali people to imbibe a culture that promotes peace instead of conflict. As AMISOM, we will continue to work hand in hand with the Somali security forces to sustain the prevailing peace, Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira said, in a statement.

Story By Catherine Ageno
National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has issued a one-week ultimatum to the Ministry of Defence, Uganda Prisons Service and Mulago hospital to clear their arrears or they have their supply disconnected.

Dr. Silver Mugisha the managing director says they need that money to pay up the contractors, because they are laying pipes which have to be bought expensively yet a lot of money is locked up in unpaid bills.

Addressing journalists in Kampala on Tuesday, Dr. Mugisha said they had been assured by the permanent secretary in the ministry of finance that he had already paid the government agencies with express instructions for them to settle their accrued arrears.

Meanwhile, National Water and Sewerage Corporation has advised city residents to store enough water to take them to the weekend.

Dr. Mugisha says the corporation will again turn off water from the city to connect the new water system to the old network and storage tanks in Muyenga to improve water supply.

He added that last week the same was done but they had not communicated well to the public causing outcry.

Story By Stephen Otage
Saudi Arabia is ranked highest in mistreatment of Ugandan job seekers followed by Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, according to a research by Platform for Labour Action.

The June 2016 report handed over to parliaments committee on gender indicates that majority of Ugandans in the Middle East are victims of International Trafficking.

According to the findings of the study conducted between 2010 and 2016, 73% of the victims are employed as Domestic Workers, 16% commercial sex workers, while others are employed as casual laborers on farms.

Ms Grace Mukwaya, the Executive director, platform for Labour Action says most victims are falling prey to such dubious schemes due to high unemployment levels back home in Uganda.

Hon. Margaret Komuhangi, the Chairperson of Parliaments Committee on Gender says that the report will provide insightful considerations for legislation on externalization of labour.

Saudi Arabian authorities in Uganda are yet to respond to the horrifying findings.

Story By Moses Kyeyune
Leicester will have to write another fairytale to win the Champions League, according to manager Claudio Ranieri.

Last seasons surprise Premier League winners make their debut in the competition on Wednesday when they travel to Belgium to face Club Brugge.

Its impossible to win the Champions League, said Italian Ranieri. There are so many big teams. To win it we have to write another fairytale.

The Foxes are 50-1 to win Europes most prestigious cup competition.

Leicester captain Wes Morgan thinks his team can win the Champions League and has warned their rivals not to write them off.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 60F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Showers this evening becoming a steady light rain overnight. Low 52F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
ANGOLA  Charles Chuck Sheets was the man of the hour Tuesday when he received the Sagamore of the Wabash award at Trine University.

Sheets was presented with Indianas highest civilian honor by Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb. The award is signed by Gov. Mike Pence.

Despite the long list of his philanthropic and business accomplishments, Sheets remains a humble gentleman.

Upon approaching the podium, he was greeted by a sea of flashes from media, family and friends celebrating his impact.

I never thought the flashbulbs would wear out, Sheets joked.

He expressed his appreciation with another quip.

Ive been in the community 87 years and its great to live here. Im awed by the whole thing, he said. I just cant say how much I appreciate it. I just met (Holcomb) today. He has to be a good guy  he wears cowboy boots.

Sheets has left a permanent footprint on the Steuben County community.

He owns Sheets LP Gas and has been a real estate developer. Sheets created Country Fair Shopping Center and Angola Industrial Park with his brother, William, among other developments in Angola.

Sheets was one of the founders of the YMCA of Steuben County and a founding board member of the Steuben County Community Foundation. Earlier this year, his family donated more than 4 acres of land to the YMCA.

Hes been a force here at Trine, Holcomb said.

Indeed. Sheets established the Harcourt and Elsta Sheets Scholarship at the Steuben County Community Foundation thats designated toward Trine students in memory of his parents. Chuck and his wife, Ruth Ann, have supported the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts, the Humanities Institute and Trines general scholarship fund.

Chuck is a true Hoosier. Throughout his life he has contributed to the health and well-being of Angola, Steuben County, the state of Indiana and our country, said Earl Brooks, Trine president, in a letter nominating Sheets for the award. He is a gentleman of highest character who provides wise counsel and genuinely cares for everyone.

The Sagamore of the Wabash award, created during the term of Gov. Ralph Gates in the late 1940s, is the highest honor the governor of Indiana bestows. The term sagamore was used by Native American tribes of the northeastern United States to describe a lesser chief or a great man among the tribe to whom the true chief would look for wisdom and advice. The award is given to those with distinguished service to the state or to the governor.

Among these who have received Sagamores have been astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians and ordinary citizens who have contributed greatly to Hoosier heritage.
FORT WAYNE  Northwest Allen County Schools could lose an estimated $1.7 million annually if the Fort Wayne City Council chooses to eliminate the business personal property tax on new business equipment.

The resolution was scheduled to be discussed at Tuesdays City Council meeting as well as the Sept. 20 meeting.

NACS Superintendent Chris Himsel said the district doesnt have enough information to take an official position, but without replacement revenue and an overall game plan for the entire system, the district would oppose the plan.

The overall true issue comes back to the complexity of property tax caps and how all the different taxing units are inter-related and how the decisions made by one entity impact the other units, Himsel said. Other taxing units are doing the best things for their constituents. It comes back to a long-term solution that takes into account these unintended consequences (of property tax caps). I truly believe that none of the people back in the General Assembly back in 2008 intended to set up a system in which kids were going to lose transportation services, where resident would lose library services or fire protection services. That was never the intent.

Leaders from the city of Fort Wayne, city of New Haven, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne Community Schools, East Allen County Schools and Southwest Allen County Schools came together on Friday at Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henrys office to voice concerns about the proposal that could negatively affect services provided to the public and schools and increase taxes for some homeowners.

Himsel said a prior commitment prevented him from attending.

The plan could save select businesses from paying certain taxes, which would shift the tax burden to local governments, schools and homeowners. Taxes collected on business personal property total over $51 million per year countywide to help fund police and fire protection, neighborhood infrastructure improvements, enhancements to parks and assist school systems to educate children, provide bus transportation and other important education initiatives.

Although personal property taxes would be incrementally rolled back under the proposal, the plan provides for no designated mechanism to make up for the loss in revenue. Because of property tax caps, homeowners whose taxes are below 1 percent of assessed value could see a tax increase while also experiencing a reduction in services that those taxes pay for.

Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana are experiencing positive momentum, excitement, and investments like never before, said Mayor Henry. Its taken leadership and a commitment to being fiscally responsible to collectively get us to this point. Were moving in the right direction. Now is not the time to change course and put our future at risk.

The projected property tax impact when fully implemented could cost each entity the following amount:

 City of Fort Wayne  loss of $15.4 million in annual revenues

 Allen County government  loss of $6.6 million in annual revenues

 Allen County Public Library  loss of $2.5 million in annual revenues

 Fort Wayne Community Schools  loss of $7.9 million in annual revenues

 Southwest Allen County Schools  loss of $1.7 million in annual revenues

 East Allen County Schools  loss of $1 million in annual revenues

 City of New Haven  loss of $791,000 in annual revenues

 Homeowners whove not reached the property tax cap  two-thirds of homeowners countywide would see a collective increase of $7 million in property taxes.

We work really hard to provide efficient services for our kids, Himsel said. Transportation is huge for our kids. Having technology resources and having buildings that are in good repair and are safe and secure is important.

The Allen County Commissioners also released a statement, voicing their opposition for the plan.

The Board is concerned elimination of the tax would shift an unfair property tax burden on to homeowners and other property owners, the statement read. Another unintended consequence could be the creation of competition between Allen County and other neighboring counties which still have the tax in place. Additionally, there is no way to determine the fiscal impact elimination of the business property tax would have on political subdivisions since future equipment purchases are unknown. The Board is open to further discussion on the proposal, but believes that in a climate in which eliminating or raising multiple taxes is being discussed, caution should be exercised going forward.
STODDARD  A would-be once-and-future senator visited a family farm in Vernon County on Friday morning. But family farms arent what they were when Russ Feingold was elected to the Wisconsin Senate in 1982.

Or, for that matter, when he was elected in 1992 to the first of three terms in the U.S. Senate.

In 1982, the average Wisconsin dairy farm was home 42 milking cows. That number was 53 in 1992. Today that figure is 129, according to the Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Service. And the future of the states dairy industry probably looks a good bit more like Tim and Lisa Servais operation.

Everythings about cow comfort at Hamburg Hills Farm on a ridge of the same name between Stoddard and Chaseburg: The spacious free-stall barn has spectacular ventilation; a new milking parlor under construction is designed for quiet calm, with all the noisy machinery relegated to a basement below; and the Holstein cows line up to rub against a swinging cow brush.

Tim and Lisa Servais operation has 17 employees, five of them full time, who milk 320 cows, care for 300 young stock, and raise most of their feed on the 730 acres of Hamburg Hills and 750 more rented acres, whose owners accept less than market-rate rent because of the way the Servaises farm.

The operation is organic.

Feingold was impressed, calling Wisconsins farmers, the Servaises among them, the most innovative dairy operators in the world.

But he complained they arent receiving the attention they deserve.

Studies suggest Wisconsin has the fourth-worst roads in the country, Feingold said, urging a six-year federal transportation funding plan. (The current) three years isnt enough for states to plan.

And Feingold repeated his call for high-speed internet to be treated as a utility, comparing the importance of ensuring broadband service availability everywhere to the rural electrification efforts of the 1930s.

He excoriated U.S. Sen. Ron Johnsons position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal Feingold opposes.

TTP is a raw deal, he said, comparing it to the North American Free Trade Agreement. We know darned well hes for it.

Johnson, who ousted Feingold in the Republican wave election of 2010, and his spokesman have said the senator continues to gather information before making his call on the complex agreement.
Maintenance and wastewater treatment plant operator Chris Oliver told the Hokah City Council at its Sept. 6 meeting that the citys wellhead protection plan can proceed to its next phase.

A representative from the Minnesota Department of Health has been down to review the citys wellhead protection plan, which was the subject of a 5:30 p.m. public hearing. The plan, Oliver said, was started two years ago. Its at a phase now where, with council approval, the plans packet will be sent up to five agencies in the state capital for review and commentary.

Every community in the state of Minnesota needs to have this wellhead protection plan, Oliver said, and it really doesnt change anything we do or how we do it.

There was no public comment at the public hearing.

It was also suggested that Hokah should join MnWARN, which is free to join and free to stay in, Oliver said.

According to its website, MnWARN is a mutual aid agreement to provide a program whereby water, wastewater, and storm water utilities sustaining physical damage from natural or man-made disasters in the state of Minnesota can obtain emergency assistance, in the form of personnel, equipment and materials and other associated services necessary to protect the health and welfare of the utilities customers.

The board unanimously approved sending on the wellhead protection plan, as well as joining MnWARN. Councilor Judy Lonkoski was not present at the meeting.

Fishing easement

at Twin Creeks

Councilor Don Bissen wanted to know if city administrator Rod Blank has received a letter from the Department of Natural Resources on an easement along the creek banks. Bissen said theyre working with the DNR down at Twin Creeks to get them an easement along the creek for fishing rights.

I dont know why the city wouldnt do the same thing, Bissen said.

Its a substantial amount of money for the fishing rights, and theres no reason the city shouldnt pursue it, he said. They will also help fix the creek banks, too.

I dont know how long it would take, Bissen said, but they would more than likely come and do that.

Bissen said he would pass along the DNR contact information.

Theres really no downside that I see, he said, because you have to let people fish anyway.

Property maintenance

On CTH 18, Bissen said, just south of city hall, he wondered if the landowner should be maintaining that property.

I think we should tell him he should maintain it, Bissen said.

He said a portion of the land looks like a mess, and he speculated it was probably being ignored. He suggested a letter to the landowner, but Blank, who confirmed it was Nick Dahl who owned the land, said he would speak with Dahl directly, as he would be talking with him anyway.

Election judges

The council unanimously passed resolution 2016-20, approving its election judges. Their hourly rate of pay will be $10, and the head judge, $10.50. Donna Craig was approved head judge, with Pat Von Arx as backup. Other approved judges are Mary Jamesson, Hazel Iverson, Barb Kirchoff, Jeanette Steinke, Linda Hirschuber and Kate Elton.

Mayor Mike Walsh said, a couple of weeks ago, it was stated in a meeting that the council should be thinking down the road, which includes what the city wants to look like in five to 10 years.

Everybody just kind of think about it, Walsh said. Theres no bad idea.
Aug. 29

11:58 a.m.: Alexander R. Wallace, 22, Black River Falls, was cited for operating after suspension following a traffic stop on Highway 54.

7:19 p.m.: Jeffrey S. Perkins, 58, Black River Falls, was cited for speeding following a traffic stop on Highway 12.

Aug. 30

11:29 a.m.: Ian S. Paprocki-Lund, 22, Black River Falls, was arrested after causing a disturbance at his residence on Pine Street near Gilwest Street. Paprocki-Lund was not criminally charged and was instead cited for municipal disorderly conduct.

11:42 a.m.: Robert E. Buller, 87, Silvis, Ill., was cited for speeding and non-registration of auto following a traffic stop on Highway 12.

1:26 p.m.: Laurelei L. Ryan, 22, Black River Falls, was cited for theft after a shoplifting complaint at Gordys Market.

8:47 p.m.: Cordell D. Musser, 30, Newport, Pa., was cited for speeding following a traffic stop on Highway 12.

9:05 p.m.: Leah R. Melde, 30, La Crosse, was cited for speeding following a traffic stop on Highway 12.

9:29 p.m.: Jordan T. Miller, 19, Tomah, was cited for speeding following a traffic stop on Highway 12.

9:55 p.m.: Christian C. Cloud, 24, Black River Falls, was arrested and transported to jail after a report of a fight in the downtown area.

Aug. 31

1:25 a.m.: Trevor A. Riedel, 27, Black River Falls, was arrested on a warrant and transported to jail.

12:05 p.m.: Angela M. Sherman, 39, Black River Falls, was cited for speeding following a traffic stop on Highway 12.

1:32 p.m.: Aavrie E. Bork, 41, Hixton, was cited for a seat belt violation following a traffic stop on Highway 12.

Sept. 1

9:50 a.m.: Thomas J. Ristuben, 87, Black River Falls, was cited for failure to yield following a after not stopping for a stop sign on S. Second Street and striking a vehicle operated by Vern E. WhiteEagle, 40, Black River Falls. Both vehicles sustained damaged, and no one was injured.

1:55 p.m.: Theron J. Haas, 39, Black River Falls, was arrested on a warrant and transported to jail.

2 p.m.: Denzel T. Sanders, 25, Alma Center, was arrested on a probation hold and transported to jail.

6:12 p.m.: Jason M. Colorez, 35, Black River Falls, was cited for a seat belt violation following a traffic stop on Highway 54 near Highway 12.

Sept. 2

2:05 p.m.: Dalton A. Manthey-Lamon, 22, Merrillan, was cited for a seat belt violation following a traffic stop on Highway 54 near Highway 12.

2:40 p.m.: Candi M. Sina, 40, Cambria, was cited for operating after suspension and a seat belt violation following a traffic stop on Highway 54 near Highway 12. Heather K. Brockman, 29, Tomah, also was cited for a seat belt violation.

3:15 p.m.: Mark A. Hill, 41, Black River Falls, was cited for a seat belt violation following a traffic stop on Highway 54. Jeremy S. Firmreite, 28, Black River Falls, also was cited for a seat belt violation.

4 p.m.: A Donna Ks Bar and Family Diner employee reported two plate glass windows were damaged at the building at 44 Main St. Its believed the damaged happened overnight or sometime during the day. There are no suspects in the case.

4:30 p.m.: Ryan F. Newell, 39, Black River Falls, was cited for a seat belt violation following a traffic stop on Highway 54 near Highway 12.

5:10 p.m.: Trent A. Lien, 27, and Kali-Jo M. Lien, 22, both of Blair, were cited for seat belt violations following a traffic stop on Highway 54 near Highway 12.

Sept. 3

1:44 a.m.: An officer received a report of a broken window at the Edward Jones building on the 100 block of N. Second Street. The officer helped an employee tape and place cardboard over the window to help temporarily secure it.

2:30 p.m.: Dylan R. Bloczynski, 22, Pigeon Falls, was cited for a seat belt violation following a traffic stop on Highway 54 near Highway 12.

4 p.m.: Lloyd D. James, 71, Jackson, was cited for a seat belt violation following a traffic stop on Highway 54.

5:37 p.m.: Jacob M. Steines, 29, La Crosse, was cited for speeding following a traffic stop on Highway A near Alder Street.

6:52 p.m.: Matthew V. Eden, 33, Black River Falls, was cited for operating without proof of insurance following a traffic stop on Highway 12.

7:08 p.m.: Reuben J. Mikel, 43, Sparta, was cited for speeding following a traffic stop on Highway 12.

Sept. 5

10:10 a.m.: Kric V. Pettibone, 35, Hixton, was cited for operating without insurance following a traffic stop on Fillmore Street near Second Street.
All Americans will forever remember where they were and what they were doing on Sept. 11, 2001. That was the day America was attacked by terrorists in planes. Over 3,000 people died on American soil that day.

Sept. 11, 1976, was a day I will always remember. What was I doing? I was marrying Rob Skoug. Yup. 40 years ago. We were young. So very young. We had a lovely wedding at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Black River Falls. My father had died so my mother gave me away. She looked beautiful. I looked terrified. My old hard contacts were sliding off center and I was trying so desperately to make them swim into place. The church was packed. The Skougs and the Brynildsons covered quite a bit of family and friends. That was the day we started our life together.

Fast forward to our silver wedding anniversary. Twenty-five years. We were going to do something special. We flew to San Francisco. We ended up in California a few days early to road trip around Napa Valley and the redwoods up north. On Sept. 10 we headed into San Francisco on the Golden Gate Bridge with me screaming how cool it was to not only travel this famous orange bridge but to look out at the bay. We checked into our hotel and hit the wharf. Whew! Those seals were stinky. Not a lot of rain that year so water levels were a might low and tad murky.

But that didnt stop us from getting on the boat to Alcatraz prison. I have a picture of Rob inside one of the cells but no way  not me. I roamed around that creepy old place with my head phones on like all the other tourists, in awe that I was actually there. Later on we took in dinner at Bubba Gumps restaurant, which had lots of authentic props from the movie Forrest Gump. Again I floated around looking at everything feeling so relaxed on our vacation.

Rob and I headed back to the hotel and as it was getting dark  the atmosphere of the streets had changed quite a bit. Sinister is perhaps too strong of a word, but it did feel as if we should walk as fast as we could to our room.

The next day was our silver wedding anniversary. We could hardly believe it. Twenty-five years. Both kids were in college, and Rob and I were pleased we had made the effort to plan something special for this milestone in our lives.

The next morning we were up early as we were still geared for central time. I was in the bathroom a little after 6 a.m. when Rob, who is a news watcher, hollered for me to get out there. He sounded urgent. I got out there and he was on the end of the bed with his gaze glued to the television. Oh my God, the United States of America was being attacked right before our eyes. It was a smidge after 9 a.m. in New York City. I sat next to Rob as we saw the second plane hit the towers and we witnessed them as they collapsed. The mayhem and blood-curdling screams of those caught in this blaze and the surrounding area made me burst into tears. I didnt stop crying all day. We were able to call our children and knew they were OK. Both were at their respective universities. All campuses were on high alert. All planes were grounded. It was like they dropped from the sky immediately. San Francisco and Los Angeles airports went into shutdown. No flying in and no flying out. For days. It was Sept. 11, 2001. This was the day we would all remember, and not because it was our silver wedding anniversary.

We spent most of that day staring at the mayhem on TV with me calling the airport to see if we would be able to get home. I finally got an honest airport agent who said, You wont be leaving on a plane for a long time. I called Alamo Rent A Car. They let us drive our rental car home to Minneapolis airport for $70.

Rob and I packed the car. The hotel let me take a pillow and we headed home at 9 p.m. We were home in two days. Cars with California plates were heading east in droves. Everyone at the gas stations was comparing notes of where they were from and where they were going. I had heart palpitations all the way home. We listened to National Public Radio intently, and I had roaming charges on my cell phone but didnt care one dang bit. I needed to hear the voices of the people we loved  often.

We made it back. Our loved ones were fine. Friends and family of people we knew were missing. It was the day that changed us all.

Im flying tomorrow. I have all my little bottles of liquid in baggies, and I leave my nail files home. Ill have to take my shoes off and have all my stuff x-rayed. If I make the thing beep, I will be patted down. Does this make me mad? No. I will never forget that day, and we absolutely dont want it to happen again. If we end up having to be body x-rayed, well, big deal. Im sure those TSA folks dont want to see us that well anymore than we want to be seen.

Life changed on our Silver Wedding Anniversary. All in one day, we had hit a milestone in our marriage and forever after we and our country would never be the same.

Until next time 
Thursday, Dec. 1, is the deadline to submit applications for the fifth class of Jersey Youth Academy, scheduled for July 9-14, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio.

Jersey Youth Academy is an intensive educational program sponsored by the American Jersey Cattle Association and is focused on the Jersey cow and the various elements of the Jersey dairy business. Academy challenges participants to understand the long history and recent growth of the Jersey breed and shows them the many opportunities and challenges of the dairy business in the future.

The 2017 Academy class will meet leaders from the Jersey community and the support industry, and gain their unique insights about the dairy business with a specific focus on the Jersey cow. They will also tour Jersey operations and milk processing facilities, and participate in hands-on workshops ranging from linear type evaluation to marketing and promotion.

Youth who will be seniors in high school in the fall of 2017 through those with at least one year remaining in their undergraduate degree program at an accredited vocational school, college or university are eligible to apply. Applicants must be legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. A youth can participate in Jersey Youth Academy only one time.

A maximum of 36 youth will be selected based on merit, motivation and preparation for the program as reflected in the written application and goal statement. Applications are posted on the USJersey website and must be received not later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, Dec. 1.

All program, housing and transportation costs are paid by the Academys 501(c)(3) educational foundation. Contributors to the foundation represent a broad spectrum of Jersey breeder and dairy industry support, with the largest contribution to date coming from the all-donation National Heifer Sale in 2011.
After Rory Staunton fell at the gym and cut his arm in March 2012, the 12-year-old became feverish and vomited during the night, complaining of a sharp pain in his leg. When his parents called his pediatrician the next day, she wasnt worried. She said there was a stomach virus going around New York City, and his leg pain was likely due to his fall.

However, she advised his parents, Orlaith and Ciaran Staunton, to take the youngster to the emergency department because he might be dehydrated. There hospital workers did some blood work, gave him fluids and sent him home.

The next day Rorys pain and fever were worse. His skin was mottled and the tip of his nose turned blue. The Stauntons raced back to the hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care. The diagnosis: septic shock. Rory was fighting a system-wide infection that was turning his skin black and shutting down his organs. On Sunday, four days after he dove for the ball in gym class, Rory died.

It was frightening to think that something could kill my son so fast, and it would be something that I had never heard of, said Orlaith Staunton.

Shes not alone. Sepsis kills more than 250,000 people every year. People at highest risk are those with weakened immune systems, the very young and elderly, patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer or kidney disease and those with illnesses such as pneumonia or who use catheters that can cause infections. But it can strike anyone, even a healthy child like Rory.

Sepsis is a bodys overwhelming response to infection. It typically occurs when germs from an infection get into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. To fight the infection, the body mounts an immune response that may trigger inflammation that damages tissues and interferes with blood flow. That can lead to a drop in blood pressure, potentially causing organ failure and death.

Yet many people dont know about sepsis. Meanwhile, health care providers struggle to identify it early. Theres no simple diagnostic test and many symptoms  elevated heart and respiratory rates, fever or chills, pain  are common ones that are present in many conditions.

Now, a growing number of doctors, hospitals, patient advocates and state and federal policymakers are pushing to educate consumers and clinicians and ensure procedures are followed that focus on prevention and early detection.

The Stauntons established a foundation to raise awareness about the deadly infection, and in 2013, New York became the first state to require all hospitals to put in place procedures for its early recognition and treatment. This month, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a law requiring similar actions by hospitals in that state.

The federal Centers For Disease Control and Prevention is scheduled to release a study Tuesday about sepsis as part of an effort to draw attention to the importance of prevention and early detection of the disease.

Early treatment is vital, said Dr. Anthony Fiore, chief of the epidemiology research and innovations branch at the CDCs Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Its an emergency that you need to deal with, like heart attack and stroke.

When sepsis advances to septic shock, characterized by severely low blood pressure, each hour of delay in administering antibiotics decreases the odds of survival by an average 7.6 percent, one study found.

In 2013, sepsis, or septicemia as its sometimes called, accounted for nearly $24 billion in hospital costs, the most expensive condition treated. Up to half of people who get it die. Many cases are related to health care, such as catheter use or an infection acquired in the hospital, but large numbers come from outside the hospital, too.

As the front line in identifying these cases, emergency departments typically have sepsis protocols in place to screen for the disease.

Last fall, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services started requiring hospitals to measure and report on efforts to screen for and treat the illness. In addition, Medicare sets penalties for a variety of hospital-acquired conditions, including high rates of post-operative sepsis.

Patient advocates and policymakers agree that patients themselves are key to improving its prevention and early detection. Good hygiene can help prevent sepsis, including cleaning wounds. If someone gets injured, look for signs of sepsis, including rapid breathing or heart rate, confusion, fever or chills and pale or discolored skin.

Dont assume health care providers have it covered, experts advise. If you or someone youre caring for has these symptoms, ask the health care provider directly: Do you think it might be sepsis?

If someone gets injured, look for signs of sepsis, including rapid breathing or heart rate, confusion, fever or chills and pale or discolored skin. It was frightening to think that something could kill my son so fast, and it would be something that I had never heard of. Orlaith Staunton
With another 32 theses down, and dozens more to go, a Lutheran-Catholic document that caps five decades of theological discussions is considered another major step in repairing the rift between the denominations.

Were a long way from one church, but weve come together on so many things, said Bishop Jim Arends, head of the La Crosse Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are closer together.

The 931-9 approval of the document during the ELCAs Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans earlier this year and its aftermath were so emotional that tears flowed among the delegates, said Arends, of La Crescent.

The 120-page document, Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry and Eucharist, is the product of a task force created in 2011 as part of ecumenical dialogues between Lutherans and Catholics tracing back 50 years. As the 500th anniversary of Martin Luthers posting of his 95 theses disagreeing with Catholic teaching propelled the Protestant Reformation, the denominations continue to find common ground.

The document, which ELCA bishops and the Interreligious Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops affirmed in October 2015 and forwarded for consideration higher up their theological chains, chronicles 32 statements that the denominations agree are not church-dividing.

Recognition of each others baptism and that members of both denominations are members of the Body of Christ are among the most vital, Arends said.

The phrase on the way is very important, he said, because it acknowledges that differences remain.

The pact is considered to be on a par with a 1999 Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, one of the pivotal breaks Luther had with the church, along with his condemnation of indulgences as, in effect, tantamount to selling tickets to heaven.

In that decree, Catholics and some Lutheran bodies agreed that grace comes through belief in Jesus Christ, although their applications may differ.

Salvation by grace alone  we together understand that to be true, Arends said. The justification document was huge.

Contrasts remain, though, said Arends, whose synod includes 74 churches, partner camps, nursing homes and Lutheran campus ministries in southwestern Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota.

We are still not ready to say we are one church body  and we cant say we are totally welcome at one anothers communion, he said.

After the vote, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton presented a communion chalice and paten to Catholic Archbishop Denis Madden of Baltimore, who co-chaired the Declaration on the Way task force.

I thank you for allowing me and my colleagues to join you in the Eucharist celebrations, which have been a great joy and always a remembrance that soon we will be celebrating these together as one body, Madden told assembly delegates.

For many of us, that was much more moving than the vote, Arends said.

The Rev. Kent Johnson of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent, one of the delegates, described the new document as one hurdle, but a significant one.

Older theologians never thought they would see this in their lifetimes, said Johnson, associate pastor at Prince of Peace.

Arends and Johnson lauded 20-year-old delegate Khadijah Islam of the town of Onalaska, Wis., for her address at an assembly hearing about the significance of the document in general and for her personally.

To see this happen to Catholics and Lutherans, showing how they have things in common, is a super good model, Islam said during an interview.

The practical application in her life is the fact that she is godmother to 2-year-old Emmalynn Passe, the daughter of a Catholic family friend, said Islam, a member of Journey Lutheran Church in Onalaska.

Emmalynns mother said I was important to the family in choosing her to be godmother, Islam said.

Islams paternal grandparents are Muslim, but her family is Lutheran, she said.

Overall, the assembly was absolutely amazing, she said. There are some really progressive things going on, such as repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery that had claimed native lands for incoming Europeans.

Rejecting the doctrine affirmed the rights of indigenous peoples, as did assembly initiatives supporting Black Lives Matter, said Islam, adding, I have a pretty strong heart for social justice.
Nearly 30 years after it stopped producing power, Dairyland Power Cooperatives nuclear energy plant in Genoa is entering the final stretch of decommissioning.

Earlier this year, Dairyland turned over the license for the La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor to a private company under contract to remove the facility adjacent to Dairylands Genoa coal-fired plant.

The project is expected to cost about $85 million. As of last year, Dairyland had about $94.7 million in its nuclear decommissioning trust fund.

Brian Rude, Dairylands vice president for external and member relations, said the project, while expensive, will eliminate a major liability for the La Crosse-based cooperative.

As long as the buildings still exist there are always regulatory threats, especially, which result in higher costs. And of course we get no revenue, Rude said. So getting rid of the building will simplify our life, streamline it, and hopefully hold down future costs for our members.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a public meeting Tuesday on plans for the final decommissioning, which is expected to take about two years. The agency is also considering a request to redraw the site boundaries, which now include Dairylands neighboring coal plant and large swaths of nearby land.

The contractor, LaCrosseSolutions, is a subsidiary of EnergySolutions LLC, a nuclear waste-disposal company based in Salt Lake City.

According to plans filed with the NRC, LaCrosseSolutions will dismantle the compound of buildings on the site and ship contaminated materials to the companys disposal site in Clive, Utah. An estimated 95 percent of the waste will be concrete rubble and other components that will be put in containers and trucked to a rail loading facility in Winona, Minn.

Company spokesman Mark Walker said most of what remains at LACBWR should be class A waste, the lowest level of contamination. Any material found with higher levels of radiation will be sent to a hazardous-waste site in Texas.

Under the agreement, Solutions will remove everything down to three feet below ground and return the clean site to the La Crosse-based utility. Exposure to radiation at the cleaned site must be below the NRCs acceptable level of 25 millirem per year from a single source.

For comparison, the exposure from a chest X-ray or a round-trip flight to Europe is about 10 millirem.

This is really pretty minor, said Professor Jeff Bryan, who teaches nuclear chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Its about a thousand times lower than what is known to cause any kind of damage.

Marlayna Vaaler, who is overseeing the project for the NRC, said most decommissioned plant sites have levels closer to 10 millirem.

Most sites weve successfully decommissioned dont even come close, she said.

As the license holder, LaCrosseSolutions will answer directly to federal regulators rather than to Dairyland, said Cheryl Olson, who manages the plant and the dry cask fuel storage site for Dairyland.

It just makes more sense to get the middle man out of the picture, she said. Theyre the experts.

Most of Dairylands licensed nuclear operators took retirement incentives once the spent fuel was removed four years ago, leaving only Olson and one other nuclear engineer on staff.

Vaaler said the license transfer also provides better assurance that the work will be completed.

Its not just Dairyland thats going to come down on them, she said.

This is only the second such license transfer authorized by the NRC. EnergySolutions has used the same arrangement to decommission the Zion nuclear station in Zion, Ill.

Vaaler said she expects it will become a more common model as the nations aging fleet of nuclear plants are retired.

The tractor reactor

Built for the federal government by Allis Chalmers, the 50-megawatt plant was dubbed the tractor reactor and intended to serve as a demonstration facility. It was turned over to Dairyland for $1 and began operation in 1967.

The plant was shut down in 1987 when it became too expensive to operate a tiny but still heavily-regulated plant. (During its lifetime, LACBWR generated just more than 4 gigawatt hours of electricity. Thats about 0.05 percent of what Xcel Energys Prairie Island nuclear plant generated last year alone.)

Believing the federal government would honor its obligation to take possession of the spent fuel by 1998, Dairyland chose to keep the 333 uranium rods under water inside the plant.

Why would you move the fuel twice if you didnt have to? Rude said.

Dairyland finally sued the federal government for breach of contract in 2004, receiving $37.6 million in damages. Meanwhile it was costing the utility upwards of $6 million to maintain the shuttered facility.

The nuclear reactor vessel was removed in 2007 and taken to a burial site in South Carolina. In 2012, after six years of planning, the spent fuel rods were encased in dry storage casks that will remain in Genoa until the government opens a long-term storage facility.

Dairyland retains responsibility for the fuel, at a cost of about $2 million a year, and has filed a second suit against the government for breach of contract.

As long as the fuel is on site, were never done, Rude said.
The Tribune will provide a short biography and photo of each of the eight historic women being featured during the Silent City Remarkable Women of La Crosse cemetery tour, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse.

Mary Markos (played by Sara Pilatzki-Warzeha) immigrated from Syria, then part of the Ottoman Empire, to Pennsylvania with her family in 1900 at age 18. It was there that she met the Markos brothers, including Salem Markos, who would become her husband and bring her to La Crosse. They opened a store, Miriam became known as Mary, and she and Salem became active community members and civic supporters.
Globe University officials said Wednesday they dont know yet what impact a Minnesota fraud ruling and attempts by that state to de-authorize the school will have on its La Crosse Campus in Onalaska.

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swansons office filed a lawsuit against for-profits Globe and the Minnesota School of Business in 2014 claiming the institutions used deceptive practices to enroll students in criminal justice programs. As reported by the Star Tribune, state officials took steps last week to close the Minnesota campuses of the Woodbury-based companies after a judge ruled both schools committed fraud in marketing and recruiting for the programs.

Globes campuses ceased operating criminal justice programs, according to a statement from the university released after the ruling. The La Crosse campus used to have a criminal justice program, and as late as March of last year, recruiters at Globe were offering career day programs to local Minnesota and Wisconsin high school students interested in pursuing criminal justice degrees.

In the lawsuit, the attorney generals office argued the associate and bachelors degree criminal justice programs, with price tags of $35,000 and $70,000, targeted prospective students who wanted to become police officers. This was despite the fact that neither schools programs fulfill the requirements for graduates to become licensed police officers in the state because the university was not recognized by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.

To become a law enforcement officer in Wisconsin, a person has to complete a 720-hour training program, such as the one offered at Western Technical College at its Sparta campus. They also must have taken 60 credits of criminal justice coursework at an accredited university or two-year college, Wisconsin Department of Justice Training and Standards Bureau Deputy Director Stacy Lenz said.

Minnesota state law prohibits schools that have been found to have committed fraud from operating, the Star Tribune also stated, and Minnesota Higher Education Commissioner Larry Pogemiller ordered the schools authorization revoked last week. Swansons office is seeking restitution for students affected by the marketing practices and the judge in the case is also expected to impose civil penalties on the schools at a later date.

In an email statement in response to inquiries, Globe Senior Marketing and Communications Manager Michelle Knoll said the impact of these decisions on the La Crosse campus is unclear. She said Globe had not received formal communication from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education regarding actions they will take based on the court finding, and university administrators will continue to gather information and elicit conversations in order to make the best long-term decision for our students and staff.

The La Crosse campus opened in 2009 and currently has 104 students and 29 staff and faculty members. Globe offers bachelors degrees in business administration and information technology as well as associates degrees in both fields as well as massage therapy, veterinary technology and healthcare fields.

Globe University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. The agency accredits more than 240 institutions, many of them for-profits, and is facing its own troubles. In June, a federal panel voted to terminate the accreditation agency, Inside Higher Education has reported, and if completed, any college using ACICS would have to find a new group for accreditation.

In the only statement released since the ruling, Globe officials said the judge in the case had found the university to currently be operating in full compliance with Minnesota law. Despite the findings in regards to the criminal justice program, the university continues to be proud of its work and mission.

For nearly 140 years, both Globe University and Minnesota School of Business have trained career-ready graduates with the skills employers want, and our students need to succeed in the workforce, the statement read. Tens of thousands of our graduates are current, contributing members of our economy who worked hard to earn a degree to better their lives, as well as the lives of their families.
An attempted homicide charge filed Wednesday in Crawford County accuses an Iowa man of trying to kill another man during a concert in July 2013.

Anthony Runde, 34, of Dubuque, late July 13 or early July 14 struck Joshua Milligan, 30, also of Dubuque, in the head, causing severe brain trauma, according to the Crawford County Sheriffs Department.

Milligan was discovered alone and unconscious in a campground in the town of Bridgeport during the Rock on the River concert. Runde and Milligan had an earlier run-in in Dubuque.

A Crawford County jury on Sept. 9 indicted Runde for attempted homicide and aggravated battery. Dubuque police arrested Runde Tuesday and he remains in custody awaiting transfer to Crawford County.
CALEDONIA, Minn.  Robert Albrecht, 38, of La Crescent was sentenced Tuesday to serve an additional 92 days in jail for shooting a friend at close range with a .45-caliber handgun on Dec. 14, 2015.

The shooting left a quarter-size hole in the victims torso and left him unable to continue working.

Albrecht had a blood-alcohol level of 0.20 percent at the time of the shooting, which he originally claimed was accidental before admitting I picked up (the gun) and (expletive) shot him.

Judge Matthew Opat handed down a sentence of one year plus one day in jail, with credit for 274 days already served, during sentencing Tuesday at the Houston County Courthouse. In addition, Albrecht must pay $8,573.12 in restitution to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Albrecht was found guilty in July of one felony count of terroristic threats and one felony count of discharging a firearm within a municipality. The jury acquitted him of several other charges, including first-degree assault.

Prosecutor Sam Jandt had requested a stay of judgment, calling the defendants pre-sentencing investigation report one of the most disturbing case files Ive ever read. The PSI shows an absolute lack of remorse ... he needs supervision.

Jandt also asked for Albrecht to pay $180,000 in restitution to Mayo Clinic Health System, explaining that the defendant had a consistent work history and would be able to repay the amount over his lifetime. Jandt added that the victim was resentful about having to go on disability because he enjoyed his job, and chose not to be in the courtroom during sentencing because of his frustrations.

Defense attorney Ben Smith countered that Albrecht had expressed remorse on several occasions and that Albrecht had a history of mental issues due to a traumatic brain injury as a child and the absence of his mother in his life. Smith requested the court execute the year-to-day sentences as they stand, also asking for the restitution to be waved, stating it is not meant to be a punishment, and should be regarded as a different legal matter.

Opat chose not to award restitution to Mayo Clinic, calling the defendants ability to pay the amount out of reach.

Albrecht, wearing an orange prison-issue uniform, his hands shackled in his lap, offered a brief apology after receiving his sentence, stating Im sorry I hurt (the victim). Im really sorry for my actions.

Opat suggested Albrecht send a letter of apology to the victim, who had gone to Albrechts home before the shooting took place after hearing he had had a bad day.

Mr. Albrecht, what you did to somebody else is not something that should occur at any time. There is no doubt in this courts mind what you did was reckless. The victim came to your home out of concern for you, and you showed a lack of concern for him.
More than 40 percent of the 46,846 households in La Crosse County are teetering on the edge of financial insecurity, and 11 percent live in poverty, according to a new study from United Way of Wisconsin.

The situation is worse within the city of La Crosse, where 54 percent are pushed to the brink, according to figures released today, computed on the basis of United Ways ALICE initiative. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

The ALICE threshold chronicles people whose income is above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic needs such as health care, transportation and food.

The overall results were not particularly surprising for Mary Kay Wolf, executive director of Great Rivers United Way, although she said the 54 percent figure for the city of La Crosse stunned her.

It is an eye-opening experience for people who never had the light shown on it before, Wolf said in an interview Tuesday.

This report shows the need for communities to come together to find innovative solutions, and we need to include businesses in the dialogue, she said.

I think we struggle with jobs that pay moderate to higher income, she said. This (report) may bring people to the table who were not there before.

Stats on every county, municipality

The 280-page report, which drills down to include statistics for nearly every municipality in the states 72 counties, rates housing affordability in La Crosse County as poor, job opportunities as fair and community resources, good.

We should be concentrating on how to help people who are just one tragedy away from poverty, Wolf said. Living paycheck to paycheck means just one car repair or one unexpected medical emergency that forces people from survival mode into poverty.

The ALICE study uses federal and statewide statistics to create examples of bare-bones survival budgets for each county in the Badger State, with no provisions for savings in case of crisis.

For a single adult, the projected budget is an annual total of $21,804  an hourly wage of $10.90  with a monthly budget broken down to $416 for housing, $176 for food, $351 for transportation, $147 for health care, $165 for miscellaneous expenses and $562 for taxes.

For a household with two adults, an infant and a preschooler, the hardscrabble budget is $55,800 a year  $27.90 an hour  with line items of $699 for housing, $1,158 for child care, $533 for food, $702 for transportation, $587 for health care, $423 for miscellaneous and $548 in taxes.

Affording only a very modest living in each community, this budget is still significantly more than the federal poverty level of $11,670 for a single adult and $23,859 for a family of four, the ALICE report notes.

Some are able to claw their way out of financial holes with the help of public and private agencies.

Credit counseling to reverse fortunes

For example, Cory Smith of Sparta, a 40-year-old divorced father of three, is scrambling even though he earns about $21 an hour as a corrections officer for the state and falls below the ALICE threshold.

Smith said his financial straits resulted largely from his divorce, which was finalized a year ago after a years separation.

Basically, I went from a dual income of $80,000 to $90,000 to about $40,000. But there are still the same payments that have to come out for a vehicle, rent, electricity  , said Smith, who said he shares custody of his three children, ages 7, 9 and 11, 50/50 with his ex-wife.

Smith is consulting with Consumer Credit Counseling Services of La Crosse to stabilize his financial situation. He also has worked with Families First of Monroe County, a United Way agency, to help with school clothes and his electric bill because he is in a niche where he doesnt qualify for assistance otherwise.

The credit counselor helped me set up a budget so money goes further, Smith said, as well as to negotiate with creditors to agree on a payment plan instead of having to endure unrelenting pressure. Its not giving me more money, but teaching me to budget.

Its made me a lot more aware of where each dollar goes, he said.

It is a humbling experience, he said, because there is a stigma of calling people and telling them youre behind. But it is easier when you have somebody supporting you, such as a credit counselor.

I would like people to understand it is hard to make it without help, he said, adding, I would definitely recommend CCC.

Throughout Wisconsin, nearly half of 2.3 million households are unable to afford the states cost of living, with their situations still trailing pre-recession levels, according to the ALICE report, released in conjunction with the 42 local United Ways in the Badger State.

Nearly 671,000 Wisconsin households fall into the ALICE population, according to the report. That number is more than double the official poverty rate, which accounts for 289,209 households in the state.

We all know ALICE. ALICE is the recent college graduate unable to afford to live on his or her own, the young family strapped by child-care costs and the mid-career professional now underemployed, said Charlene Mouille, executive director of United Way of Wisconsin.

GRUWs Wolf: Seeking creative solutions

These folks are vital to our states future economic well-being, and they face barriers beyond their control, frustrating their ability to become financially stable, Mouille said.

When ALICE has to choose unlicensed child care or longer commutes or emergency room health care in exchange for putting food on the table, we all suffer the consequences  increased education costs, heavier traffic and higher health-care premiums, Mouille said.

United Way is committed to looking beyond the emergency Band-Aids and providing long-term solutions that will strengthen our communities, she said.

GRUWs Wolf said, What we hope to have is a community conversation with people around the table who have not been there before so we can have creative solutions.

Maybe companies can become involved in leadership development so employees can advance and find ways to create more affordable, quality child care, she said.
I sympathize with Terry Terrells conundrum about how to vote this year (Sept. 7 Tribune). I certainly share his distaste for both presidential candidates. I respect his struggle to come to some sort of rationale as I struggle with my own.

Mr. Terrell made a point I want to reiterate and emphasize for voters  as frustrated and undecided as I am. To paraphrase Mr. Terrell, it requires legislation by Congress for most of a presidents promises to become law. Therefore, for me, the more important votes I will cast are those for the congressional candidates who most closely reflect my values and views. They are the ones I want to represent me and the state of Wisconsin in the U.S. Congress.

As it does for Mr. Terrell, this does not turn for me on party platforms. Frankly, there are parts of both the Republican and the Democratic platforms that I both like and dislike.

I prefer a presidential candidate and congressional candidates who see strength in the citizens of this nation, confidence in their work ethic, honesty and integrity in the majority of people and, therefore, hope for a future that we can  together  make bright and look forward to.

Janet Melby,

La Crosse
Join Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources experts for an online chat about bobcats in Wisconsin that has been rescheduled to Thursday, Oct. 13, at noon.

Visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword chat to submit questions and view responses from DNR experts. Here, you can also view past chats and sign up to receive email notifications. For more information regarding bobcats in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword furbearers.
DATCP visit

Staff from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) visited and toured the Food Enterprise Center Aug. 16. DATCPs Buy Local Buy Wisconsin grant program has funded four of our tenants  Fifth Season Cooperative, B&Es Trees, Wisco Pop! and Fizzeology  and the group wanted to meet the recipient businesses in their production spaces.

According to a follow-up note from Kietra Olson, Angie Sullivan and Juli Speck, It was an absolute pleasure meeting you and touring your facility yesterday.

The building and the work you are doing is invaluable to our local food system and were so glad we were able to see it. DATCP provides many resources to help businesses grow and we appreciate their partnership!

CLA Foundation Grant

VEDA recently received a $20,000 grant from the CliftonLarsenAllen (CLA) Foundation in Minneapolis, Minn., to support our work of growing small and emerging businesses and building an entrepreneurial environment in the region. We were one of 17 awards from 50 applications chosen to complete a full application for the grant. Initially, the foundation received more than 80 nominations from employees in offices across the country.

The mission of the CLA Foundation is to promote and support diverse individuals and organizations by connecting networks, advancing work readiness, and creating career opportunities.

Employment/career building and entrepreneurship/small business are two areas the foundation focuses on.

Oct. 12 I&E Club

Plan to attend the next Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club meeting Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m. at the Food Enterprise Center. Thomas White will join us again to talk about the three Rs for evolving your business for growth and changing conditions. Thomas will lead a discussion on Re-assessment, Re-design and Re-engagement. His practical approach will give you a new perspective on your existing business, some ideas on how to make changes that help you grow, and a set of steps that support starting the process of new growth right away. Everyone is welcome and no reservations are required.

New Brochure

Want information about VEDA in a handy format? Pick up a copy of our new brochure which features our goals and accomplishments, photos and testimonials from businesses we help, a listing of Food Enterprise Center tenants, and more. VEDA brochures are available in Viroqua at the Chamber, food co-op, and a number of other locations. To receive a copy by mail, email Sue at snoble@veda-wi.org or call her at 608-638-8332.
An 18-year-old Tomah woman had to be extricated from her vehicle after it slammed into the back of a school bus in the town of Greenfield shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday.

According to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, a bus transporting Tomah Area School District students on Highway 21 east of Fort McCoy was stopped in the eastbound lane with its stop arm extended when it was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Corrin N. Jorgensen.

Her vehicle, a 1999 Buick, went underneath the bus, and she had to be removed by the Jaws of Life. She was transported to Tomah Memorial Hospital by Tomah Area Ambulance Service with non-life-threatening injuries.

The sheriffs office said the bus driver, Lori Couch, and 14 students were treated and released at Tomah Memorial for minor injuries.

School district business manager Greg Gaarder said in a press release that an initial assessment by emergency personnel at the scene gave no indications of injuries to any of (the) 31 passengers on the school bus. He said students were transferred to another bus and transported to Tomah Memorial Hospital for further evaluation out of an abundance of caution.

He said hospital staff and school district counselors were present to assist our students and their parents in assessing and processing the impact of incident.

Gaarder said the bus was carrying students from multiple schools and grade levels. He said students on the bus were either released to their parents or transported to class.

We appreciate the rapid response by all first responders involved in the accident and the work of the staff at Tomah Memorial Hospital, he said.
On a September day in 1856 a group of pioneers held the first fair in Viroqua's main street. Their goals were to exhibit the agricultural opportunities here, thereby drawing new business and commerce into the area. Little did they know their idea would blossom into a five-day spectacular that would eventually draw over 6,000 exhibitors and 25,000 spectators!

Season tickets for the Vernon County Fair

(excludes grandstand events)

$12 - Adult, 16 and up

$5 - Children, 6 to 15

Free - Children, 5 and under

Exhibitor tickets

(excludes grandstand events)

$10 - Adult, 16 and up

$5 - 13 and up (Junior Fair)

$3 - 12 and under (Junior Fair)

Daily admission (Thursday through Sunday)

(excludes grandstand events)

$7 - adults, 16 and over

$3 - children, 6 to 15

Free - children, 5 and under

Special admission days

(excludes grandstand events)

Wednesday "Entry Day" - free

Friday "Youth Day" - 12 and under free

Saturday "Military Day" - free (Active or retired military personnel with active ID)

Highlights

Sept. 15: Antiques and farm tractor pull 6 p.m.

Sept. 16: Modified farm tractors and truck pull 7 p.m.

Admission for the pulls is $5 - adults, 16 and over; $2 - children, 6 to 15; free - children, 5 and under.

Sept. 17: Draft horse show: 9:45 a.m. (free for all ages); kids tractor pull for ages 4-12 years old: 11 a.m.; harness racing: 1 p.m. (free for all ages); demo derby: 7 p.m. ($5 - adults, 16 and over; $2 - children, 6 to 15; free - children, 5 and under)

Sept. 18: Harness racing, 1 p.m. (free for all ages)

There is free parking on the fairgrounds.

Mr. Ed's Magical Midway

Wristbands - $20 (Wednesday and Thursday 4 to 10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) On Wednesday and Thursdays rides open at 3 p.m. (approximate) and Friday, Saturday and Sunday rides open at 11 a.m. (approximate).

Farmers market, Sept. 17

This weeks market is sponsored by Scenic Bluffs and will be set up at the VEDA parking lot, 1201 N. Main St., from 8 to noon. (Note location change due to the Vernon County Fair.) Visa/MasterCard accepted, as well as SNAP. For more information, call 637-2575.

Wednesday farmers market, Sept. 21

The Wednesday market is coming to a close at the end of this month. Be sure to stop by and stock up on your favorite items from local vendors from 3:30 to 7 p.m.. Visa/MasterCard and SNAP accepted.
Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby) said choosing to run for his seventh term as the 96th Assembly District representative was among the easiest decisions hes made when eyeing a political challenge.

Nerison has won six-straight races in the 96th, which includes all of Crawford County, all but one township in Vernon County and several townships in Monroe County. Hes challenged this fall by Alicia Leinberger (D-Viroqua).

Nerison, 64, said too many local constituents have asked him to stay in office for him to step away.

Choosing to run this time was not as hard as the others, Nerison said. People are telling me I cant leave yet. I feel I can get something done and do good.

Nerison said his voting record  he voted against Gov. Scott Walkers Act 10 and the Republican-driven 2015-2017 budget  leaves him frequently an outsider in his own party.

He said he understands the state needs to make some fundemental changes.

We have to figure something out for rural schools and it has to do with the school funding formula, Nerison said. We have declining enrollment in a lot of rural schools. School board members are left with about 15 percent of their budget that they can actually control. The question of fixing the school funding formula was going on for 20 years before I joined the Assembly.

I do think our state has good teachers, Nerison continued. Id stack our teachers against those from any state. People say, Look at Minnesota, wouldnt you want to have the money their schools have, too? And Ive talked to people from Minnesota and parents are not happy with the schools in Minnesota. I defend our schools here.

Nerison spent 40 years as a farmer and has headed up the Assemblys Committee on Agriculture since 2011. Nerison said his 40 years of experience as a farmer give him the insight to be a leader in a key area of state government.

What I hear from people is, Let me do my job, Nerison said. Do people think that farmers dont want clean water or fresh air? Thats one issue that bothers farmers  both big and small. All farmers should be profitable, whether theyre milking 30 cows, 200 cows or more. The ag industry in Wisconsin is an $88 billion industry. What Im trying to do is let people know that farmers care about clean water and fresh air  they just dont want there to be so many regulations they cant do their job.

Nerison spends time both in his district and in Madison on local issues and devoted a great deal of effort to finding a solution to the enforcement of rules that prevent people from crossing railroad tracks near the Mississippi River.

Across the district, this is the issue that people say impacts them the most, because they cant get to their favorite fishing spot and after so many years of access, theyre suddenly cut off, Nerison said. They want access to state land along the Mississippi River and they should have it.

One proposal to give state residents access was vetoed by Gov. Walker. Another passed the Assembly, but died in the state senate.

Nerison said he has devoted a lot of time to the issue and talked to all of the partners involved. He and his staff have investigated opening more crossing points. He wants more people to work together so that Wisconsins recreational land is accessible to the average citizen.

I will continue to fight for people to have access to state recreational land, Nerison said. We wont stop on this issue.

Nerison is pushing for more money to improve rural roads in western Wisconsin.

We need roads just like eastern Wisconsin, Nerison said. Hwys. 131 and 61 are in bad shape. I hear it all the time. This has to get fair for everybody. I dont like raising taxes unless there is a revenue source.I dont think theres a silver bullet for transportation, I just know more of the budget for transportation has to be shared so our rural roads are improved.

There are many things that take up Nerisons time  especially as the election nears. He has committed to a candidate forum at UW-La Crosse on Oct. 25.

I have been making myself publicly available on a daily basis, Nerison said. Im talking to people, answering questions and telling people my plans. My focus is to meet with constituents and deal with the calendar as it comes up in the final two weeks of the election.
The Chaseburg Sole Burner will be held at village park, Saturday, Sept. 24, beginning at 11 a.m. The run/walk is a powerful team-building health and wellness event that helps you join the fight against cancer and celebrate survivorship. The event engages business employees, families, friends, students, and local communities to share the benefits that come from supporting one of Americas most unifying causes.

The 2016 honorary chairperson for the 11th annual event is Tom Beck of Genoa, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2015 and is currently undergoing post chemotherapy treatments. He will be joined by a cast of cancer survivors all with their own story of triumph to tell. (Read Toms story in the Sept. 22 issue of the Westby Times)

Linda DeGarmo, Chaseburg Sole Burner event co-chair, said participation in events like the upcoming run/walk allows the American Cancer Society (ACS) to help people facing cancer today by finding cures to end the disease tomorrow. Last years event raised more than $100,000. Degarmo said it was such a humbling milestone to reach and the perfect way to celebrate 10 years of fighting back. This years organizational committee has another ambitious fundraising goal to raise $90,000.

The 30-plus teams already pre-registered for this year plan to beat cancer one mile at a time and DeGarmo said that the generosity of people involved will shine through even brighter than the hundreds of luminary candles that line the walking path every year.

Sole Burner participants and donors remember loved ones lost to cancer and honor those surviving the disease by dedicating luminaries. Each luminary bag is personalized with a name, photo, message or drawing honoring people whose lives were interrupted by cancer. The paper bags containing votive candles are illuminated after dark.

The luminary bags represent our mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends, coworkers, and so many others who have passed away or are battling cancer one day at a time, DeGarmo said.

Sadly DeGarmo said every year the small village of Chaseburg loses one or more of its own residents to cancer or because of the underlying effects of cancer. Earlier this month a local businessman, Danny Lepke, age 60, of rural Chaseburg, passed away. Lepke was diagnosed with cancer just months before his death and although his untimely passing was not listed as cancer, in the end, it was all directly related to his battle with the unforgiving disease.

We have to many good people struggling with cancer. The Chaseburg Sole Burner is our way of letting them and their families know they are not alone in the fight. Way too many Danny's, Jonathans and Bonnies have died from it already, and it is time to win this fight before we lose anymore, DeGarmo said.

The Wisconsin Blood Center is once again joining the Chaseburg Sole Burner by hosting a Be The Match national bone marrow registry event. People ages 18-44 can submit to a simple cheek swab and complete some paperwork while attending the Chaseburg Sole Burner to be added to the national bone marrow donation list.

DeGarmo wonders to this day that if an organization like Be a Match had been in existence when her own daughter was battling leukemia if Tammi might have had a fighting chance to survive instead of becoming a cancer statistic.

Nothing can bring out Tammi back, but if we can prevent another family from suffering like we have than any extra effort is worth it, DeGarmo said.

Join the 11th annual Chaseburg Sole Burner as walkers, runners and volunteers come together to honor cancer survivors, raise awareness about reducing cancer risk, and raise money to help the ACS fight the disease. There will be a wine cork raffle, jail and bail, vendor sales, apparel sales, silent auction, raffles, chicken dinners, dessert live auction, kids activities, and so much more. The bucket brigade will also be out in full force collecting donations.

We are a small community with a large heart and hope still lives on in this little town that someday cancer will cease to exist. We won't stop hoping or fighting until cancer is no more, DeGarmo said.

For more information on the ACS Chaseburg Sole Burner run/walk call Lori Francis at 608-783-5001, Extension 104 or e-mail lori.francis@cancer.org; or the 2016 event co-chairs, Linda DeGarmo at 608-452-3367 or Eric Ostrem at 608-452-3135. Information can also be found at http://community.acsevents.org/runwalkofchaseburg. The 2016 registration fee is $30 for adults, and $20 for kids. Register in advance or the day of the event. To pre-register go to www.soleburner.org/chaseburg
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What happens to our images on social media or the internet after we die?

Evan Carroll is someone who thinks a lot about this question. Carroll co-wrote a book called, Your Digital Afterlife.

He says there are companies that will collect your passwords and online information. These businesses then provide all the important details to your family so they can make sure your accounts are settled after you die.

Carroll said some online businesses will put together the digital story of your life -- to keep your memory alive long after you die. Some companies will even send out messages for you to your friends and family members after your death.

There are some concerns, however. Carroll said one problem is that it is normal to put off dealing with death. Many people hope and believe death is far off into the future.

Another problem is that companies sometimes go out of business. In other words, they might not be around when you die to send along your messages and passwords.

Your Post-Death Facebook Page

Facebook says it has 1.71 billion monthly users worldwide, making it the largest social media website.

Carroll said people are not happy getting messages on their Facebook Page about birthdays for friends who died.

Now, Facebook will let a friend or relative memorialize a Facebook friends page, as long as they can provide proof of the death. That can be a copy of a death notice reporting the death.

In 2015, Facebook set up another program. It lets a person choose a family member or friend who can supervise the individuals Facebook account after they die.

That person can write information about a memorial service, or share a special message or memory, Facebook said.

Digital Memories Created at Museum

One group working to create digital memories is the Hereafter Institute at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in California.

Started a year ago, the institute offers people the chance to learn how they can plan their digital afterlife.

People who visit Hereafter learn how personal information and video images can be placed into a piece of jewelry as a future memorial.

The founder of the institute is Gabriel Barcia-Colombo. He used old audio, pictures and videos to create a lasting video about his grandfather.

Video lets people think about how friends and family members moved, or reacted to jokes or how they laughed, he said.

Watching the images of his grandfather was important to him, Barcia-Colombo said. To be able to see him walking againwas very moving to me.

People who visit the institute get a body scan. They can then watch as an image of that body scan walks into the distance.

Carolina Miranda is a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times newspaper. She recently spent time at the Institute.

She said the image works as a memorial, although it is not exactly a perfect copy.

I dont think it would ever be in danger of becoming something that you could almost grow attached to because its a replacement of that person, Miranda said.

Barcia-Colombo said the goal of his institute is to make people think about what is possible and what they might want to do with their online memories after they die.

Elizabeth Lee reported this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted her report and did additional reporting. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. How do you want to be remembered online?

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Words in this Story

password - n. a secret word or phrase that a person must know before being given permission to enter a place or connect to a website or email

online - adj. connected to a computer, a computer network, or the Internet

digital - adj. using or characterized by computer technology

account - n. a record of money that has been paid and money that has been received

proof - n. something that shows something is true or correct

body scan - n. a machine that creates an image of a person's body
Muslim voters in the United States are increasingly moving toward the Democratic Party. They are expected to vote in record numbers for Democrat Hillary Clinton in the U.S. presidential election in November.

Muslim-Americans were once seen as supporters of the Republican Party. In fact, a large majority of them voted for Republican George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election.

But opinion surveys show they are more likely to support Clinton than Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, in the November vote. And some critics say the Republican Party has lost a chance to keep an increasingly influential group of voters.

Public opinion surveys completed after the 2000 election found that more than 70 percent of Muslim-American voters supported George W. Bush. Most of the 50,000 Muslim voters in the state of Florida marked their ballots for the then Texas governor. Experts note that Bush won the presidency only because he won in Florida. He captured the state after receiving 537 more votes than his leading opponent, Al Gore.

Muslim-Americans and many conservatives believed that Bushs victory in Florida showed the growing influence of Muslim voters. And they said it showed that Republicans and Muslims shared many of the same values and beliefs.



'Social and economic conservatives'



Suhail Khan is a well-known Muslim-American and a Republican. He once served as a board member of the American Conservative Union. In the magazine Foreign Policy, he noted that most Muslim-Americans are both socially- and economically-conservative like many Republicans.

Many Muslim-Americans and Republicans do share conservative values like supporting strong families and traditional marriage. They also oppose legalization of operations for ending pregnancies. Khan noted that about one-fourth of Muslim-Americans own small businesses. He said they support Republican efforts to lower taxes.

But some observers believe there is another reason so many Muslim-Americans voted for George W. Bush in 2000.

John Esposito is a professor at Georgetown University and wrote a book called The Future of Islam.

He says Muslim-Americans may have thought that Bush would have ideas similar to those of his father, former President George H.W. Bush. They liked the former presidents way of dealing with the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

But Muslim-Americans soon had different ideas about George W. Bush. In the 2004 election, more than 90 percent of them supported his opponent, Senator John Kerry. Four years later, 89 percent of Muslim-Americans voted for Democrat Barack Obama. In 2012, he won 85 percent of the Muslim-American vote, according to several estimates.



Islamophobia prompted a switch



So why did so many Muslims stop voting for Republican candidates after the 2000 election? The most common answer given by Muslim activists is that there was a rise in Islamophobia -- a fear or distrust of Muslims. Many Muslim-Americans also came to believe that U.S. foreign policy harmed Muslims around the world.

After the attacks of September 11, 2001, President Bush stated that the United States was not at war with Islam. But since then, Republican policies and comments have persuaded many Muslims that the party is home to many Americans who do not like them.

Robert McCaw is with the Council on American-Islamic Relations. He says sadly, the Republican Party over the past 15 years has become the political epicenter of Islamophobia, introducing anti-Muslim policy proposals or anti-foreigner laws in at least 10 state legislatures. This has really driven the Muslim vote out of the Republican Party.

But Islamophobia and foreign policy alone do not explain why Muslim-Americans have turned toward the Democratic Party. Georgetowns John Esposito says another reason might be the Republican position on immigration. He notes that most Muslim-Americans are immigrants.

The Democratic Party has been largely pro-immigration and supports social welfare policies designed to help immigrants. Esposito says the Republican Party is seen as supporting anti-immigrant policies.

The United States is home to about 3.5 million Muslims. About one-third of them are African-Americans, who have long supported Democrats. But most Muslims in the U.S. are immigrants. They have come from many countries, and most of them are conservative.

But surveys show that the children and grandchildren of Muslim immigrants are less conservative than their parents. Many second- and third-generation Muslims support Democrats and hold beliefs that are different from those of the Republican leadership.

Switching policies as well as parties



In 2011, the Pew Research Center reported that 70 percent of Muslims in the U.S. described themselves as Democrats or agreeing with Democratic policies. Only 11 percent said they were Republicans or supported Republican policies. Experts believe the numbers have not changed since the study was completed.

Robert McCaw says another survey found 55 percent of Muslim-Americans called themselves moderate and 26 percent claimed to be liberals.

Some experts thought conservative Muslims and Republicans shared common positions on such issues as homosexuality and the duties of government.

But the 2011 Pew survey found that Muslim-Americans have grown considerably more accepting of homosexuality since 2007. It found that 68 percent of Muslim-Americans wanted a larger government providing more services than a smaller government providing fewer services.



McCaw says, not only do they switch parties and now are voting Democratic, but theyre also adopting some of the policies and positions and ethics of the Democratic Party.

"Traditionally, a number of immigrants from the Middle East or South Asia are more socially conservative, and there was a place for them in the Republican Party. But I think as people grow and develop in America, [they] definitely change their views and preferences over time; and more importantly, their children grow up here and they might be voting different than their parents previously had.



Esposito says that Republicans and Muslims were never really natural allies. He says culturally and politically most Muslims are more like Democrats. He notes that surveys show many more Republicans than Democrats have negative beliefs about Islam and Muslims.



At home among Democrats



The 2011 Pew Research Center survey also found that only 15 percent of Muslims believe the Republican Party is friendly toward their community. That is compared to 48 percent of those asked, who see it as unfriendly. The center said that 46 percent of Muslims found the Democratic Party friendly toward them, and only 7 percent said it was unfriendly.

Sajid Tarar is a Muslim-American activist. He now campaigns for Republican candidate Donald Trump. He does not agree that most Muslims feel at home in the Democratic Party.

But studies show that the Muslim-American move away from the Republican Party has sped up following comments from Republican candidates, including Trump.

The businessman angered many Muslims when he said Islam hates us. He also suggested that all Muslims should be banned from entering the country.

Historically, few Muslim-Americans vote. But the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations has launched a campaign to register one million new voters. That would represent an increase of nearly 300,000 since the 2012 presidential election.



Muslim vote could affect tight races



Some political observers believe many Muslim-Americans will vote this year. Esposito predicts that as many as 80 percent of them will vote for Clinton.

While there are relatively few Muslim-American voters, there are large Muslim communities in Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania. These are also important states in the presidential election.

Muslim activists say the Muslim-American vote could decide who will win in these so-called swing states.



Im Pete Musto.

And Im Anne Ball.

Masood Farivar reported this story for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

epicenter  n. the part of the earths surface that is directly above the place where an earthquake starts (sometimes used figuratively, as in this article)

natural  adj. usual or expected
Recent stories about American presidential candidates have raised questions about how much candidates should say about their medical history while running for office.

In the United States, no law requires presidential candidates or presidents to release medical records or information about their health to the public. But one recent study of likely voters found that 86 percent of those questioned said a candidate's health is important to their vote.

Most presidential candidates are over age 50. This issue affects somewhat younger candidates, too.

John F. Kennedy was the youngest person to be elected U.S. president. He was 43 years old when he won the election of 1960. Kennedy had Addison's disease and back pain that were treated with drugs before he was elected. This information was not released to the public.

In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president with a clear disability: He had polio. Few photographs survived of Roosevelt sitting in his wheelchair. Late in his presidency, he also suffered from heart disease. The public never heard about his heart problems until Roosevelt died, just months into his fourth term in office.

The U.S. Constitution is clear that once a president has died, the vice president takes office. But questions have arisen throughout American history about what happens when a president is unable to carry out his or her duties, like when under anesthesia. Or the president could be in a coma and unable to communicate.

Following Kennedys death, Congress passed the 25th Amendment to the constitution. That amendment states, in part, that when a president is incapacitated, the vice president and members of the presidents cabinet can act. They can make a formal declaration to the leaders of the Senate and House that the president is unable to carry out his duties.

The vice president then immediately can act for the president.

But the amendment has never been used, even when former President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

President Barack Obama has released reports of his physical examinations periodically throughout his presidency and once during his campaign. He was not legally required to do so. This move has become a tradition for presidents in the years since the passing of the 25th Amendment.

In 2008, Obama defeated U.S. Senator John McCain for the presidency. During the election campaign, McCain released more than 1,000 pages of his medical records to the public. McCain was 72 years old at the time.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Esha Sarai wrote this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

anesthesia  n. loss of feeling in a person's body or part of the body through the use of drugs

page  n. a written record, the material written on a piece of paper

incapacitated  v. making someone of something unable to work

coma  n. a condition similar to deep sleep; being unable to communicate
STARTALK is a language immersion program for students and teachers.

Learning a language by immersion means a student is placed in an environment where only the target language is spoken.

The STARTALK program is designed to help more Americans learn languages like Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Persian, and Russian. Those languages are considered critical need foreign languages by the U.S. government.

President George W. Bush launched the program as part of a program known as the National Security Language Initiative in 2006.

This summer, VOA visited a Russian language class within STARTALK. Students and teachers attended classes at a school in Virginia. The teachers attended classes for two weeks, and the students for four.

In the classes, the American teachers and students only speak Russian. They also choose Russian names.

One student, 19-year-old Joseph Doran, chose the name Joseph Timofeyevich. He has spent some time living in Russia. When he was there, he says he ate borscht, the well-known Russian soup made from beets, seven times a week.

"I love Russian culture, language. I love reading Russian classical literature," Doran said. "It is a very interesting language. Russian people are very nice. I love the opportunities that open to me because I know Russian.

Charles Byrd is a professor of Russian at the University of Georgia. He was taking classes for two weeks in Virginia. He said he grew up thinking Russia must have been an interesting place. He had heard it called an Evil Empire when he was young.

Byrds parents were American diplomats. They always wanted to visit Russia, but they were not allowed to go.

The teachers who attend STARTALK each summer meet other teachers and improve their language skills. For the students, they can get better in a short period of time. If the students keep improving, they can point to the time they spent learning Russian one summer as an important first step towards future careers.

Betsy Sandstrom is a program director at STARTALK. She said there are a lot of good reasons for students to want to learn Russian.

"One person wants to become a Russian language teacher, another wants to be a politician," she said. "Knowledge of any foreign language is needed. And Russia is the largest country in the world."

Im Dan Friedell.

Anush Avetisyan reported this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted the report for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

What do you think of the language program called STARTALK? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story



initiative  n. a plan or program that is intended to solve a problem

immersion  n. a method of learning a foreign language by being taught entirely in that language

classical  adj. of a kind that has been respected for a long time

empire  n. a group of countries or regions that are controlled by one ruler or one government
An Asian chili sauce is winning over taste buds all over the United States.

Sriracha sauce now flavors many American-made products -- from popcorn to candy to beer. There are cookbooks explaining how to use the popular hot sauce. You can buy clothing decorated with the famous Sriracha rooster. Songs have been written about the hot sauce.

There is even a 2013 documentary film, Sriracha, about the history of the spicy condiment.

Trailer of the film Sriracha.

Sales of Sriracha are greater than $80 million each year. This success has made Sriracha, named after a city on Thailands coast, a household name in America. The popularity of Sriracha sauce is even more amazing considering the company that makes the sauce has never advertised.

The man who created Sriracha sauce is David Tran. He is an ethnic Chinese from Vietnam who immigrated to California. His sauce is made with red jalapeno peppers grown only on a farm in Southern California.

Tran's Sriracha sauce is hot on the tail of, meaning right behind, America's traditional best-selling spicy sauce, Tabasco. Tabasco has been sold for nearly 150 years. It is a Cajun-style pepper sauce that has more vinegar and is spicier than Tran's Sriracha sauce.

The hotness or spiciness of a sauce can be measured with something called the Scoville scale. The American Chemical Society tests and rates hot peppers. Tabasco is not only hotter but also five times more expensive than Trans Sriracha sauce.

The Louisiana-based company that makes Tabasco, is now making its own "Premium Sriracha Sauce."

In fact, large and small companies in the U.S. are using the Sriracha name on their own sauces. When David Tran made the sauce, he did not copyright the Sriracha name.

David Tran was a major in the South Vietnamese army. He created his first hot sauce in 1975. That year his country fell to the Communist North. Five years later, he began hand-bottling his new sauce for restaurants in the Chinatown area of Los Angeles, California.

Sriracha is a variation of the spelling of the Thai town of Si Racha. It is a seaside community on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand and it is famous for its sauce.

Thai people can be confused and dissatisfied when they learn that a sauce with the name "Sriracha" is made 13,000 kilometers away in the United States.

When he saw the American sauce in the red bottle with a white rooster on it, one government officer in the city of Si Racha said, What do you mean it's from America? Its name is Sriracha.

A Thai food writer in Thailand agreed. She said, "because of the name it's obvious that it should be from Thailand.

A VOA correspondent brought the American Sriracha sauce to a food market in Si Racha. Buyers and sellers there tasted the condiment, compared it to their local sauce and shared their opinions.

One woman who sells hot sauces said the American sauce is much saltier and spicier than the Thai sauce which is more sweet and sour. She adds, however, that Si Racha sauce has to be produced in Si Racha.

Her adult daughter compared the Californian sauce to ketchup, a popular American condiment made from tomatoes, vinegar and spices. She adds that the Californian sauce is a better match for the meat dishes preferred by foreigners, such as steaks. Thais, she explained, prefer a thinner sauce to eat with their dry noodle dishes.



"Both are good," she adds, but the American kind is "too hot."

But there is one thing food-loving people in the Thai city of Si Racha agree on -- the foreign sauce widely known among Americans as "the rooster sauce" is making its own way in the food world.

Im Anna Matteo.

The official Sriracha song

"Oh yeah, Huy Fong Sriracha, oh yes siree. It's made in America, land of the free. Though it might look peculiar, don't let the bottle fool ya (you). It's Huy Fong the American garlic chili pepper sauce."

Is Sriracha sauce a popular condiment where you live? What is the most popular condiment? Let us know in the Comments Section.

Steve Herman reported this story for VOA Learning English. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words and Their Stories

taste bud  n. one of many small spots on your tongue that give you the ability to taste things

flavor v. to give or add taste to a food

condiment  n. something (such as salt, mustard, or ketchup) that is added to food to give it more flavor

documentary  n. a movie or television program that tells the facts about actual people and events

household name  n. a person or thing whose name is very well-known

vinegar  n. a sour liquid that is used to flavor or preserve foods or to clean things

spicy (spicier)  adj. of food : flavored with or containing strong spices and especially ones that cause a burning feeling in your mouth

variation  n. something that is similar to something else but different in some way

confused  adj. being perplexed or disconcerted <the confused students>

dissatisfied  adj. not happy or pleased

sour  adj. of food : having an acid taste that is like the taste of a lemon
scholarship, news and new ideas in legal history
With nearly 3,000 reported cases of Zika throughout the U.S., the CDC said it's relying on Congress to pass funding.

Florida lawmakers join forces to get Zika funding

Sen. Nelson said public health needs to be a 'top priority' for Congress



It took a while, but according to lawmakers it's looking like funding may actually be a possibility.

Its time for us to get together, said Florida Senator Bill Nelson. I think were getting together.

Nelson joined a contingent of Florida Representatives at a news conference Tuesday, to urge the passage of House Bill 5958.

Words you rarely hear from a house member to senator," said Congressman David Jolly. "'Please jam us with a clean zika package and leave town so we have to accept it.'"

Previous attempts to pass a spending package failed. Democrats blame partisan riders.

Zika doesnt have anything to do with the confederate flag," said Nelson. "And zika doesnt have anything to do with defunding Planned Parenthood."

Nelson and other lawmakers at the news conference said public health needs to be Congress top priority moving forward.


The country's Southwest monsoon rains is likely to fall below average this year due to the absence of the La Nina weather pattern, a Reuters report said quoting two senior India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials on Wednesday.

Rainfall in September could be up to 15 percent less than average, the Reuters report added.

This year's below average rains, after two straight years of drought, could cut yields of summer-sown crops that are currently ripening for harvesting and also hit the planting of winter-sown crops like wheat and chickpeas.

Earlier on Tuesday, IMD said the Southwest Monsoon could start withdrawing in the next 3-4 days.

"Conditions are becoming favourable for withdrawal of Southwest monsoon from some parts of West Rajasthan during next 3-4 days," the IMD said.

The normal withdrawal of monsoon from West Rajasthan is September 1. Interestingly, it is also the frontiers where monsoon reaches last and withdraws first.

Last month, the IMD forecast above average monsoon rains, crucial for watering nearly half of the country's farmlands that lack irrigation facilities.

The IMD had forecast surplus rains in August and September, largely because of the La Nina, a weather phenomenon that cools the waters of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America that typically causes stronger monsoons across Asia, said one of the senior IMD officials.

"La Nina didn't develop. Instead we got lower rains in the second half," the official said.

Since the start of the monsoon season on June 1, rains have been 5 percent below average.

"Our forecast of a surplus rainfall has gone wrong," D. S. Pai, IMD's head of the long range forecast, confirmed to Reuters. "We will receive less than 100 percent rainfall this season."

India's weather office defines average, or normal, rainfall as between 96 percent and 104 percent of a 50-year average of 89 cm for the entire four-month season. The IMD in August forecast monsoon rains at 106 percent or above normal.

Last week, a U.S. government weather forecaster said La Nina conditions were no longer likely to develop during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter 2016/17. In June, the agency said there was a 75 percent chance La Nina would develop.

With agencies
New Delhi: Amid Opposition's criticism of alleged manipulation in Jan Dhan figures, government officials said on Wednesday that deposits under this flagship financial inclusion scheme has crossed Rs 42,000 crore-mark and the percentage of zero-balance accounts has fallen below 25 percent.

Since April, there has been an addition of about Rs 6,000 crore under the Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).

At the beginning of the financial year, the deposit base was about Rs 36,000 crore and it increased to Rs 42,504 crore as on September 7.

The balance in Jan Dhan accounts has been steadily rising and the government will use such accounts for direct benefit transfers with a view check pilferage, officials said, while adding that these balances have stayed with the banks for a long time.

As many as 24.27 crore accounts have been opened under the scheme and the percentage of zero balance has come down to 24.43 percent. "No target has been set for reduction of zero balance account, instead strategy is that these accounts are ready for DBT purpose and ensure that there are banking trails for various transactions," they said. Besides, the objective is to inculcate banking habits among unbanked population, officials added.

There were reports that some bankers have deliberately deposited small amount in PMJDY accounts so that they do not

remain under the category of zero balance.

The Congress today latched on to the reports of "sly game" of depositing Re 1 to reduce the number of zero-balance

Jan Dhan accounts to accuse the Modi government of "fooling the nation" through "lies, deceit and trickery". "Rhetoric and 'jumlas' having become the sole hallmark of this government. The Prime Minister seems to be buying the loyalty of people at the rate of Re 1," the party said.

PMJDY, a national mission on financial inclusion, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence

Day - 2014 speech and was formally launched by him on August 28 of same year with the main objective of covering all households with at least one bank account per household across the country.
Call it a Jio effect. Reliance Jio's rollout of the much-awaited 4G services earlier this month has clearly shaken up the telecom sector. Incumbent telecom operators are already feeling the heat and are fast changing their business strategy to stay in the competition.

Not to stay behind, Vodafone, too, has decided to shell out funds for its India operations. The global telecom giant is contemplating equity infusion of $3 billion or Rs 20,100 crore into its India arm by paring its debt, The Economic Times report said.

For the fiscal year 2015-16, Vodafone India's standalone debt stood at Rs 81,500 crore, the ET report said.

The planned equity infusion could be in the wake of heightening competition in the Indian telecom sector post the Reliance Jio Infocomm's entry, besides getting ready to bid for spectrum auction to be held early next month.

"Overseas market conditions make it favourable to replace the debt here with equity as the return on equity is higher here and it will cut the debt servicing costs," the ET report said quoting a source.

However, the company may defer the planned IPO of its Indian unit due to pressure on the overall valuations of the telecom stocks after Reliance Jio officially launched its service last week.

Vodafone India is planning to raise between Rs 13,300-20,000 crore through its public issue.

"We have started IPO preparations, which includes conversations with banks, but no final decision has yet been taken as to whether or not we will IPO," a PTI report had said quoting Vodafone spokesperson in June.
Moving away from the bitter past, the Mamata Banerjee government has said it will compensate the Tata group for losses incurred in Singur, and would offer them land for an industrial hub. The proposal is being made as the government is not in a position to settle the compensation in cash, and instead would offer the Tatas land and other business friendly measures.

Providing an alternative for the Singur land, the West Bengal government said it is ready to offer Tatas land at West Midnapore, Purulia.

"We have a land bank and a land map. We can also give 1,000 acres in Goaltore in West Midnapore. In Raghunathpur in Purulia, 2,600 acres of land is ready," The Indian Express report said quoting state finance minister Amit Mitra.

Prodding Tata Steel or Tata Metaliks to start a project, the finance minister said the government has also set aside 800 acres of land in Kharagpur and 700 acres of land in Panagarh aread of Bardhaman, the report said.

The total losses suffered by Tata Motors for its Singur project is likely to be around Rs 1,400 crore, the report said.

Recently, during her trip to Munich (Germany), Mamata Banerjee urged the Tata group that investment can still be made in several other parts of the state.

It was the Singur land agitation that had propelled Mamata into the political dominance in West Bengal.

The Tata group was forced to pull out of the state and relocate the plant lock, stock and barrel to Sanand in Gujarat following two-year-long agitation by farmers, lead by Mamata.

Around 2,200 farmers were 'unwilling' to part with their land. They owned about 400 acres, as per the claim made by Mamata.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court in its verdict asked the state government to return 997 acres of land to farmers, who are the original owners, in 12 weeks' time.
New Delhi: In the biggest consolidation deal in India's telecom sector, Reliance Communications and Aircel today announced the merger of their wireless operations to create a combined entity with assets worth Rs 65,000 crore.

RCom and Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB) hold 50 per cent each in the merged entity with equal representation on the board and committees.

The transaction will reduce RCom's debt by Rs 20,000 crore (USD 3 billion), while Aircel's debt would go down by Rs 4,000 crore (USD 600 million) on closing in 2017, the two companies said.

The merger will create India's fourth largest telecom operator by customer base and revenues. The merged entity will have the second-largest spectrum holding among all operators, aggregating 448 MHz across 850, 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz bands.

The entity will have assets of Rs 65,000 crore (USD 9.7 billion) and net worth of Rs 35,000 crore (USD 5.2 billion). "Together with our partners, MCB, we are delighted to have taken the lead in consolidation of the Indian telecom sector, first, with RCom's acquisition of the wireless business of SSTL (Sistema/MTS), and now, with the combination of our business with Aircel in a 50:50 joint venture with MCB," Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani said.

This combination is expected to create substantial long term value for shareholders of both, RCom and MCB, given the benefits of the wide-ranging spectrum portfolio and significant revenue and cost synergies, he added.

"This deal further reinforces MCBs commitment to India. Since acquiring Aircel in 2006, MCB has invested in excess of Rs 35,000 crore (USD 5.2 billion) into Aircel, making this one of the largest foreign investments into India, not only in the telecom industry but across all sectors," MCB said.

RCom will continue to own and operate its high growth businesses in the domestic and global enterprise space, data centres, optic fibre and related telecom infrastructure, besides owning real estate.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday denounced the sponsorship of terror in the region and vowed to further deepen bilateral cooperation.

India also pledged one billion dollars for the support and development of "a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan".

Ghani is on a two-day visit to India starting Wednesday.

"The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives," a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting said.

"They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond.

"Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, they called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India," it said.

Modi and Ghani reaffirmed their resolve to counter-terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement.

The two sides also signed an Extradition Treaty, an agreement on cooperation in civil and commercial matters and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in peaceful use of outer space.

"The Prime Minister reiterated India's abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. He conveyed India's readiness to consider further requirements of Afghanistan for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions. To this end, the Prime Minister offered that... India would allocate a sum of $1 billion. The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments," the MEA statement said.

The two sides also discussed quick implementation of the trilateral agreement involving Afghanistan, India and Iran, signed in May 2016, using Chahbahar port.
New Delhi: Delhi Police's Special Cell will probe the alleged threatening calls and messages received by mediaperson Dipak Chaurasia after his phone numbers were tweeted by AAP minister Kapil Mishra.

A case was registered at south Delhi's Hauz Khas police station on a complaint by Chaurasia's wife Anusuiya Roy earlier on Wednesday.

A senior police officer said the case has been handed over to the Special Cell as it is equipped with a fast surveillance system needed to track numbers, even from abroad.

The calls on Chaurasia's number were made from India as well as abroad, including from Canada.

"A criminal case under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 354D (stalking), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC has been registered at Safdarjung Enclave on the complaint of Anusuiya Roy, wife of Deepak Chaurasia, Editor-in-Chief, India News," said the officer.

Roy alleged that on the intervening night of 13-14 September between 11 pm and 4 am, Chaurasia received threatening calls and messages from unknown numbers.

The complaint also mentioned that the calls and messages started after Mishra tweeted Chaurasia's two mobile numbers.

"Investigation has been taken up. Serious efforts are on to identify the culprits. The calls on Chaurasia's number were made from India as well as abroad including Canada and the numbers are being verified," said the officer.

"We have registered the case against unknown persons only and the name of the minister is not there in the FIR," the officer added.

The incident happened after the mobile numbers of the Delhi government ministers were flashed in a programme on chikungunya hosted by Chaurasia on his channel.

Afterwards, Mishra retaliated by tweeting Chaurasia's number on his own twitter handle.

"Dear Dipak Chaurasia you just showed my personal number on your channel. I think this should not be one sided affair so I will share both your numbers. Enjoy," Mishra tweeted before giving the number on his handle asking followers to retweet the numbers.

Later, however, he deleted his tweet containing Chaurasia's numbers.

Delhi government's Health Minsiter Satyendar Jain too complained that he received 138 calls after his mobile number was flashed by Chaurasia on TV.

"138 calls received since 12.00am after my personal mobile no. flashed by Deepak Chaurasia on TV(Sic)," Jain tweeted.
New Delhi: Chandrakeshwar Prasad of Siwan, whose three of four sons were murdered allegedly by gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin, would on Thursday file an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging Patna High Court's order granting bail to the former RJD MP.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan's office said they were giving final shape to the petition in which they are challenging how bail can be given to a "history sheeter".

"We are filing the appeal on Thursday on behalf of victims' father Chandrakeshwar Prasad alias Chandra Babu. We are on way to give final shape to the appeal and it will be filed on Thursday in which several grounds are taken.

"We will be challenging how bail has been given to a person who is a history sheeter. Facts are being verified about the number of cases etc and convictions that have taken place against him," advocate Rohit Singh from Bhushan's office said.

Shahabuddin, who was granted bail by the Patna High Court on 7 September, was released from Bhagalpur jail on 10 September. He was in jail for 11 years in connection with dozens of cases against him. Controversial RJD strongman Shahabuddin was granted bail in the 2014 murder case of Rajiv Roshan, son of Chandrakeshwar Prasad.

Roshan was a witness to the murder of his brothers Gitish and Satish, who were drenched with acid in 2004. The trial for Roshan's murder is yet to start. Meanwhile, facing flak over Shahabuddin's release from jail, the Bihar government is also reportedly considering filing an appeal in the Supreme Court against the bail granted to him.

"This has been an established process followed by Nitish Kumar government in the past 11 years that if the state is not satisfied with the bail of somebody, it goes in appeal in higher court," JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said, adding that "it has been done in the past and would be followed in the present case of Shahabuddin too."
Srinagar: Authorities imposed heavy deployment of security forces in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir Valley on Wednesday as it remains shut for the 68th consecutive day.

"Sufficient deployment of security forces have been made in Srinagar and other districts to maintain law and order Wednesday," a senior police official told IANS.

Authorities had imposed a valley wide curfew on Tuesday following intelligence reports that the separatists planned a large scale violence after the Eid congregation.

Security forces were not stopping individual movement in Srinagar on Wednesday as people were seen moving in the old city as well as the uptown areas of Srinagar.

Most of the people moving in the city carried mutton of sacrificial sheep to their relatives and friends.

Muslims in the valley slaughter sheeps and goats on the Eid-al-Adha to commemorate the submission of Prophet Abraham to Allah's decree.

Reports from other district headquarters said individual movement of people carrying mutton were being allowed by the security forces.

All internet services, both on mobile phones and through broadband or landline connections, remained suspended for the third day on Wednesday.

Operation of mobile phones except BSNL postpaid phones also remain suspended for the past three days.

Incoming calls facility on all prepaid phones have been suspended in the valley since 9 July, a day after top militant Burhan Wani was killed in a gunfight with the security forces.

At least 85 people have been killed and around 11,500 injured in the worst unrest in the valley after the 2010 violence.

Educational institutions, main markets, public transports as well as other businesses remain shut throughout the valley.

Markets also remained closed in the valley on the eve of Eid which was unprecedented.

Train services between Baramulla town in the valley and Bannihal town in the Jammu region also remain suspended for the past 68 days.
Singur Diwas will be celebrated on 14 September.

Preparations are underway. National Highway 2 (NH2) on the busy Durgapur Expressway has been blocked one side and vehicles diverted to set up the 5,000 square feet stage for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who will lead the celebrations. It happens to be the same place where a decade ago Mamata had led the agitation paving a new way in the political bearing of the country.

Mamata is back at Singur again. She will celebrate with the farmers for the victory of the legal battle that had catapulted her to helm affairs in the state. People had already bestowed her moral victory by upstaging the then government for forcibly acquiring their farmland.

A decade has passed since then. The Supreme Courts verdict two weeks back calling the land acquisition as illegal has paved way for the return of land to the farmers. Mamata is eager to keep her promise made to her foot soldiers in the battle for farmers land. But the task is huge and the deadline challenging over the next 10 weeks.

The Hooghly district administration is busy these days mapping the 1,000 acre land lying unattended now. The acquisition was illegal then but the situation is confusing now. Everyone is concerned if they will get their due share. Or the return is just symbolic, says Prosenjit Das, an unwilling farmer who had refused compensation and had fought for his land. He is actively participating in the planning of the grand ceremony scheduled on 14 September. Initially, a few farmers will get back portions of their land from the chief minister on that day, he adds.

Questioning the judgement, he asks, But why should also those farmers, who had willingly given away their land for industry, get back the land?"

The unease is obvious and the divide deep. It is not just that the land is unusable in its present state and it will take not less than five more years to make it usable for farming again. The real issue is identifying the real owners and handing back their land. The lost years have made many claimants age and die. Priorities of the families have changed. Many have migrated and changed jobs. The agitators then who had added up to a number of around 10,000 farmers being affected were not just the ones who actually owned the land. Some were registered share-croppers (bargadaars), who had also received a share of the compensation package for giving up their claim on the land. But many were the daily wagers who worked as landless labourers in the farmland.

In the last decade, large scale migration took place and farmers turned to other jobs. Anima Das, the widow of Prasanta Das who had committed suicide by drinking pesticide in 2009 at the height of Singur land controversy, was never a beneficiary. They were unregistered share-croppers and had lost work and food after the land was taken over. Animas son is a school drop-out and daughter work in other peoples fields some 10 kilometres away. Had there been a factory around maybe we could have got work here, says her son Jayanta.

The last decade has witnessed massive migration of daily wagers and landless farmers from Singur. They were not compensated with work or skills then and do not find their space even now. Some changed jobs to learn new skills like that of carpentry and others found work in far off villages through the MNREGA scheme. The unease among the landless farmers is brewing with the announcements particularly at Singurs main villages  Beraberi, Gopalnagar and Dobandi  that had witnessed the massive uprising. Those who had been compensated will get back their land. They would lease out their land then and they would do so now if their land is returned. But where is the work for us? asks Anima Das.

A few of the unwilling farmers selectively confess that those who took centrestage after the uprising have been receiving Rs 2,000 per month, per bigha of the unused land that was acquired from the state government. But the landless farmers who lost their jobs did not find ways to get compensated.

Rajiv Ghosh is a 30-year-old government auditor who had been trained by the Tatas in the ITI College at Howrah for handling electrical appliances after his family received compensation in exchange of the three bighas land in Singur. He says in the last 10 years he finished his education and once the land is returned, he would look for options to sell it off again. In the last 10 years life has changed. We had given three bigha of our fertile land for industry, willingly and in the hope of work. The compensation money was divided among our family members. Now when the land is returned what use would it be for us? In the changed political scenario, we are an outcast in the village, he adds.

Similarly, Abhijit Das had received training in Pune by the Tatas. He was 20 then and his father had taken the compensation for the future of his children. Now he does not want to farm like his father. He works in Kolkata and says, If there was an option for a respectable job in Singur, I would have preferred to work there than toil in the fields.

Fifty-two-year-old Bijan Das had stood with the farmers and 'Didi' then. He still considers this victory to be a trendsetter for farmers' rights in the country. Yet he says priorities have changed. His father, the owner of eight bighas of land, had refused compensation. His land was very precious and wanted us to do farming. We had hired daily wagers to plough our land. Now my father is dead. The land has to be divided between four brothers and three sisters. Also, since the price of the land on the highway has gone up, no one wants to take the backyard and that brings in conflict at homes, he adds.

Small holding for farming has always been an issue. The administration wants to hurry up identifying the land owners and appear to clean up the mess. But those who have hopes of getting back their land believe that the land hawks are waiting for a buy off yet again. As soon as the land is returned, farmers will be left with little options and will have to wait for years to make their land cultivable.

Tatas claim that their stake in the land still stands, since the court has declared only the acquisition by the state as illegal. And that acquisition happened prior to the land being leased out to Tatas. Their case against the Singur Land and Rehabilitation Bill passed by the West Bengal government in 2011 is still pending in the Supreme Court and that is adding to the confusion.

Meanwhile, the district administration is working overtime to clear the approachable area near the deserted factory land so that a few portions can be made available for the return. But many still prefer to stay away from the farmland concerned and suspicious.

Hopes are flying high yet again in West Bengal after the chief ministers return from Germany after meeting investors. Some view that the Singur Diwas would be a day for surprise announcements in Singur. May be the welcome message of the chief minister have reached a few investors who would have plans for Singur yet again.
Singur: Redeeming a pledge she made years back, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday returned 9,117 land records to farmers and compensated 800 peasants from whom land had been taken against their will for the Tata Motors' Nano project.

Amid chants and songs eulogising the state and the chief minister, thousands watched as Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, personally handed out the documents to many of the farmers who responded with warm smiles and touched her feet in gratitude at the Singur Diwas venue at Sanapara.

It was the same spot of the Durgapur Expressway where Banerjee had held a 16-day sit-in protest in 2008 demanding 400 acres out of the total 997.11 acres acquired for the project be returned to the "unwilling farmers".

Lending a hand at the packed event were her party leaders including celebrities like actor Dev Chatterjee.

Intellectuals and activists including Narmada Bachao Andolan founder member Medha Patkar, who had supported Banerjee's staunch stance on the issue right at the outset, were also present.

A replica of an agricultural field installed at the venue in Hooghly district struck a chord with the peasants who erupted in joy and were overwhelmed with the celebrations which came two weeks after the Supreme Court struck down the land acquisition made by the erstwhile Left Front government and ordered the land be returned to the cultivators.
Refusing to give a direct answer over the rift within the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that the fight is in the government and not in the family.

"Where have you found a family fight? There may be problems in the government, but not in the family. This is a fight in the government not in the family," Akhilesh Yadav said.

Akhilesh said that he too will follow the directions of his father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. "If I have taken any decision, it was in consultation with 'netaji', but at times one has to apply his own mind and I too took some decisions on my own," he said.

#WATCH Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav says "This is a fight in Govt, not family" amid reports of rift in family pic.twitter.com/IHRS2h2t44  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

Ghar kay bahar kay log hastakshep karenge toh kaise chalegi (sarkar): Akhilesh Yadav, CM UP pic.twitter.com/7vgt9zRNZt  ANI (@ANI_news) September 14, 2016

Where have you found a family fight? This is a fight in government, not a family fight: Akhilesh Yadav, CM UP pic.twitter.com/SPnopBBcIN  ANI (@ANI_news) September 14, 2016

"How can an outsider be allowed to intervene in the functioning of UP govt? Some decisions were taken in consultation with Netaji (Mulayam Singh) and some I took on my own," Akhilesh Yadav added.

With strife in the ruling Yadav clan coming out in the open, Akhilesh skipped two official programmes outside his residence, perhaps to avoid the media, and allowed only "photo-op" for a function there.

But to a question, he said, "As far as family is concerned, everyone abides by what 'netaji' (Mulayam Singh Yadav) says and will accept his words."

Disagreements between Akhilesh and his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav have been reported on several occasions in the past, including on the choice of the official to be appointed as the state's chief secretary after Alok Ranjan's term ended, and postponing the merger of SP with Qaumi Ekta Dal.

Hours after SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav made his brother Shivpal Singh, senior cabinet minister the UP unit head of the ruling party, in an angry retort, the UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav clipped his uncle's wings by stripping him of the plum PWD, irrigation, and cooperative portfolios.

The Samajwadi Party top brass, meanwhile, swung into a damage control mode to keep the flock together ahead of Assembly elections, with Mulayam calling Shivpal and Ram Gopal Yadav for a meeting in New Delhi. As the state plunged into an unprecedented crisis, the chief minister stayed put in his 5, Kalidas Marg official residence since Wednesday morning to take stock of the situation and did not attend two official engagements perhaps to avoid the media.

Amid speculation that he will resign from the Akhilesh cabinet, Shivpal said giving and taking portfolios is the discretion of the CM and he will abide by the decision of Mulayam. "It is the discretion of CM to give (or take) portfolios and remove officers and keep his advisors. I will follow netaji's directions and will fulfil responsibilities given by him," he told reporters at Saifai, Mulayam's native village.

Sharp differences in the Yadav family came out into the open as the Chief Minister shunted Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal, barely two months after his appointment, setting off a chain of developments that saw the SP supremo ousting his son as state party chief and replacing him with Shivpal.

Shivpal was said to have shepherded the merger of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari's QED with the Samajwadi Party. He is now left with land development, water resources, and social welfare ministries.

An infographic on the Yadav family tree

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: The crisis in the Samajwadi Party refused to die down as senior party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav on Wednesday told party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav that he was being painted as a villain despite following his orders.

Shivpal, who is the younger brother of Mulayam, reached Delhi to meet the party chief at his official residence. In his over four-hour-long meeting, Shivpal told Mulayam that in the past four-and-a-half years, he has followed the party supremo's directions despite having difference of opinion on certain issues.

Sources close to Shivpal said he gave examples that as a senior minister in the Akhilesh government, he never publicly opposed the decisions taken by Akhilesh or Mulayam even though he may have expressed difference of opinion to them in private.

Later talking to reporters, Shivpal, however, rejected suggestions that there were differences within the party and the Yadav family. "Neither I nor Netaji (Mulayam) is angry. We all are happy... There are no differences," he said.

He also said that the decision on Cabinet portfolios are the discretion of the chief minister. "But Netaji has decided to appoint me as the party's state unit chief. My role is to bring back SP to power in next polls. I will fulfil my responsibility...I will not resign...I am still part of the cabinet," he said.

He said from re-inducting Amar Singh into the SP to experimenting with the 'Grand Alliance', he had always followed the directions of Mulayam. Still he has been painted as a villain.

As the meeting between the Yadav brothers was on, Rajya Sabha MP and media baron Subhash Chandra reached the residence of Mulayam and remained there for nearly two hours. Akhilesh had on Tuesday shunted out Deepak Singhal as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary after he reportedly attended a party here thrown by Amar Singh to welcome Chandra in Rajya Sabha without the CM's knowledge.
Chennai: A day after Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict AG Perarivalan was attacked with an iron rod inside the high security Vellore prison, DMK president Karunanidhi on Wednesday alleged that the incident showed that even a prisoner in jail was "not safe" in AIADMK regime.

He said the attack on Perarivlan was an example which "showed the extent of deterioration of law and order, and how even a prisoner in jail is not safe in this (AIADMK) regime."

In a statement, he said, "though Perarivalan was attacked by another prisoner, it leads to quesitons like how the assailant-prisoner got the iron rod and if inmates could get anything if they wanted."

Against the background of Tamil Nadu government's efforts to secure release of Rajiv case convicts continuing to be pending in the Supreme court, he blamed the state government for not "appropriately handling the issue vis-a-vis legal requirements to get remission for the seven Rajiv case convicts."

He wondered why the state government should take recourse to Sec 435 of CrPc to give them remission when the Constitution has empowered the state to remit or commute sentences under Article 161.

Stating that the AIADMK government should own up responsibility for the attack, he said it must take steps for the release of Rajiv case convicts and give proper medical treatment for Perarivalan.

Meanwhile, prison authorities in Vellore told PTI that Perarivalan was "doing well," and he continues to be lodged in the same High Security (HS) block. Rajesh Khanna, the prisoner who assaulted him, is lodged in another HS block, they said.
Sacked RSS Goa chief Subhash Velingkar has found a backer in Shiv Sena.

The Economic Times recently reported that the party approached Velingkar to form an alliance against the BJP for the upcoming assembly election in Goa.

Meanwhile, according to Livemint, Velingkar mentioned that he was open to forming an alliance with the Shiv Sena for the same Goa assembly elections that is said to take place in March 2017. Velingkar, in an interview with a Marathi news channel, had said that the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) in Goa, (the party he heads) would make sure that BJP will be defeated in the elections.

Velingkar, who was sacked as RSS Goa unit chief on 1 September, 2016, said that he would function independently of the parent body at least till the Assembly polls. He also blamed Union ministers Manohar Parrikar and Nitin Gandkari for his removal from the Sangh.

Velingkar, who was removed from the key post by the RSS, said the workers had "reinstated" him as the Goa "Prant Sangh Chalak." He was "relieved" from his charge of the state by the RSS in the wake of his forum Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) persistently challenging the BJP and its government in the state as part of its campaign for making the local language Medium of Instruction (MoI) in the schools.

The BBSM has been pressing for regional languages like Konkani and Marathi to be made the MoI in schools and grants given to the English-medium institutes stopped. Sangh said Velingkar was sacked because he was indulging in political activities, which as an RSS member he could not do.

Reacting to Velingkar's removal, more than 300 Sangh workers announced that they will quit the organisation and "defeat" BJP in the Assembly polls if he is not reinstated.

The aforementioned report in The Economic Times detailed that on 10 September, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut met Velingkar in Goa. The two reportedly discussed the issue of a tie-up and Raut, confirmed the report, had approached Velingkar for the latter's support for the Shiv Sena that is contesting 20 seats in the state.

Raut was quoted by The Economic Times as saying that, "We held discussions and sought support for our Sena candidates. We also told Velingkar that Sena is also open to a seat-sharing understanding by forming an alliance."

However, the Livemint report quoted an anonymous BJP official as saying that Shiv Sena was "exploiting" Velingkar and that it wanted "to ride piggyback in Goa to ensure damage to BJP in elections.

With inputs from PTI
There are some pretty good reasons why Prime Minister Narendra Modi isn't too enthusiastic about intervening in the Cauvery dispute, even though Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and some Tamil Nadu leaders insist that he should.

Modi is unlikely to directly intervene in the dispute, unless the Supreme Court asks him to find a political solution, as it suggested to PV Narasimha Rao in 1995 when he was the prime minister.

For one thing, Modi knows that any arbitration by him at this stage stands little chance of success and is even fraught with political risks. Besides, two other prime ministers in the past  Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002 and Manmohan Singh in 2012  burnt their fingers trying to end the sordid dispute.

Modi is also aware that, by turning himself into an umpire in the quarrel between the two states, he may only end up giving himself a political headache he can do without. If any suggestions that he makes by way of finding a solution happen to favour Karnataka, he will open himself up to the allegation of political prejudice. The BJP has a strong presence in Karnataka and is hoping to wrest the state from the Congress in the Assembly elections in 2018.

And even if he remotely appears to side with Tamil Nadu, it will embarrass his party in Karnataka no end. In fact, the Cauvery has become the latest stick with which the BJP in Karnataka is beating Siddaramaiah.

Its not surprising that Modi on Tuesday virtually gave both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu a polite brush-off by saying that the only course available to them is a legal one  which, of course, is a fact.

This dispute can only be solved within the legal ambit. Breaking the law is not a viable alternative: PM @narendramodi  PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2016

Modi made this clear even to the Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Deve Gowda who met him last week. It will be hardly a surprise if he repeats his position to Siddaramaiah as well, when the chief minister meets him, which he says he will. Siddaramaiah even says Modi should call both him and Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa for talks.

And above all, the history of prime ministerial interventions in the vexed dispute, is not a happy one, except in the case of Rao.

In 1995, Rao met with success in working out a solution when Tamil Nadu demanded an immediate release of 30 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of Cauvery water by Karnataka. He called the two chief ministers, Jayalalithaa and Deve Gowda, and got them to agree to a compromise figure of six tmcft.

But later, Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh had no such luck when the water in the river was scarce and Tamil Nadu made similar demands. Vajpayee was aghast to see Jayalalithaa stomp out of the meeting he called in 2002. And she refused to attend the next meeting that Vajpayee called and instead sent a minister. In 2012, it was the Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar of the BJP who walked out of a meeting convened by Manmohan Singh.

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu must fight it out at the CSC and then at the Supreme Court  but not on the streets. Thats what Modi is trying to tell the two states.

While Raos intervention came on the advice of the Supreme Court, Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh stepped into the scene as heads of the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) which existed then. Headed by the prime minister, it had as its members the chief ministers of not only Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, but even Kerala and Puducherry that have minor stakes in the Cauvery's water.

If Modi intervenes now, he has to do it on his own. The Supreme Court hasnt  at least till now  advised him to talk to the two warring chief ministers. And nor does the CRA exist.

The CRA has made way for the Cauvery Supervisory Committee (CSC) which, headed by the Union water resources secretary, consists of the chief secretaries of the four states, besides officials of the Central Water Commission.

Its this CSC that comes in handy for Modi to cite as a good reason to excuse himself from a direct participation in the Cauvery dialogue. As asked by the Supreme Court, the committee is already looking into the matter.

Modi will rely on supervisory committee

On 5 September, the court asked Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second) for 10 days. That would have amounted to some 13 tmcft. On 12 September, the court modified the release to 12,000 cusecs till 20 September, which would give Tamil Nadu approximately five tmcft more. Tamil Nadu wanted 20,000 cusecs as an interim arrangement.

The court is coming up with interim water release schedules till it gives a final ruling on Tamil Nadus demand for 50 tmcft. Now the CSC is trying to work out how much water Karnataka must release from 20 September onwards. The court is expected to rely heavily on the committees conclusions. And so will Modi.

Tamil Nadu considers the water being released now to be chickenfeed and is awaiting the courts final ruling. Karnataka says it is releasing water at a huge cost to its farmers and cant part with even a drop more. Tamil Nadus need is real, although its demand is too high to meet, if you look at the quantum of water available. Karnatakas crisis too is indeed grave. And the CSC is the right forum to decide on the issue after taking a close look at rainfall deficiency, water availability, the needs of the two states and the 2007 award of the Cauvery tribunal.

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu must fight it out at the CSC and then at the Supreme Court  but not on the streets.

Thats what Modi is trying to tell the two states.

The author tweets @sprasadindia
To begin with, BJP president Amit Shahs tweet and a Facebook post describing Onam, Keralas most famous harvest festival, as 'Vaman Jayanti' is a self goal for the partys attempts in the state where it has been struggling for a while to shed its Hinduvta character and make inroads to a wider vote base.

Such steps would backfire badly even among the Hindus on the fringe, who is beginning to have a leniency towards the BJP movement in the state, buying its development plank; and even among the traditional vote bank of elite Hindus. No one would want to be seen as part of the religious, divisive agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP to own a festival that belongs to people of all religions in the state.

It is only logical that there is an outrage against Shah. People do see a design to give a saffron colour to Onam by the BJP and RSS since Shahs 'Vaman Jayanti wish with the image of Vaman (an avtar of Mahavishnu) pushing Mahabali (a mythical king of a bygone golden period in Kerala) to the netherworld, came on the heels of a cover story in RSS Kerala mouthpiece, Kesari that said Onam marks Vamans birth, not the return of Mahabali.

Onam is probably the only ancient festival in India, which is not attached to any caste, religion or God. Unlike Diwali, Christmas and Eid, Onam always carried the true secular character with the tag of festival of Malayalees and not of Hindus alone. Shah and the RSS, thus, risk the displeasure of liberal middle class, which would be counterproductive to the partys slow political progress in the state. Thats the political side of the Shah-RSS Onam narrative.

Now, if one takes a closer look at Shahs version of Onam, the BJP president hasnt really said anything that is technically wrong. The BJPs state unit has duly defended the party presidents version.

Vaman Jayanti is celebrated across the country at this point of time, especially among the Vaishnavites to mark the incarnation of the fifth avtar of Lord Mahavishnu. Even during the Onam festival and associated ceremonies, Vaman is the main deity and object of devotion. Most households in the state will have idols made of clay or wood called Thrikkakkarayappan (The Lord of Thrikkakkara, probably the only temple in the state where Vaman is the main temple deity), which is worshiped on the eve of the Onam festival.

Thrikkakkarayappan (also known as mathevar in some parts of the state), figures prominently in Onam poojas and various offerings. Thus, Vaman is the main part of Onam ceremonies. Also, Vamanan is not really seen as the villain in the Onam story, but an incarnation of the kind, benevolent Lord Vishnu who agreed to end the growing fear psychosis among the Gods following an exponential growth in the popularity and image of Keralas Asura King, whose rule is associated with virtues of equality, prosperity, righteousness and mutual respect. Vaman agreed to resolve the issue amicably and used some tricks to exploit the generosity of the king and ultimately pushed him down to pathalam (netherworld). When Mahabali realised who Vaman was in reality, he prayed for permission to return to his kingdom once a year from pathalam to enquire about the welfare of his subjects. Thus, goes the story.

The point here is Vaman is not a hated figure in Kerala in the context of Onam, but the incarnation of one of the members of the Hindu holy trinity and in a mythical context, a supporting character who adds colour to the Mahabalis legacy. By wishing 'Vaman Jayanti', Shah did no wrong and would not have even invited a controversy had he avoided linking it to the context Onam just after RSS mouthpiece carried an article on similar lines.

But, the larger point here is that even though Shah is technically right in attaching bigger importance to Vaman, the fact is that the larger idea of Onam itself is not predominantly relied on any God, including Vaman or the Asura King himself. It is the remembrance of an egalitarian society  the true acche din prevailed in the kingdom during Mahabalis rule  equality, transparency, justice, sympathy, mutual respect and fairness in society.

In many ways, Mahabali was the first true socialist in Kerala and his small kingdom stood for all that is known as a Ramarajya. Onam is predominantly about revisiting the memories of that golden, bygone socialist era. The 10 days, beginning from Atham to Thiruvonam, is a period of escape, mentally, to those good old days from the current social set up that is diagonally opposite to everything Mahabalis time symbolised. In the old days, this was the only time for the poor workers in the predominantly agrarian society of Kerala to enjoy the luxury of eating and dressing up properly (as the harvest of crops left some money in their hands at the time of the year).

Often, even Mahabali appeared as a character only to enrich the spirit and ecstasy of those days, to give some colour. No one really cared Mahabalis visit happened or not. The concept was more important. The mythical king was never prayed or worshiped during Onam as one does in other religious festivals such as Eid, Christmas or Ganesh Chathurthi. The point here is, for Malayalis, Onam is not about Vaman, or for that matter, not really even about Mahabali. Its about memories. A time when the poor makes an attempt to dream of a society that treats everyone equally.

By aggressively overreacting to Shahs tweets and Kesari story, such as the #PoMoneShaji campaign, the social media Malayalees are only helping to damage the secular, sacred character of Onam. Instead, it would create division in public opinion on what really Onam is and what should it be called henceforth. One need not be surprised if we see 'Vamana Jayanti' yatras, Mahabali murdabad slogans or a petition in court seeking to rename Onam as 'Vaman Jayanti' by self-proclaimed Hinduvta saviours. The best response from Malayalees to Shah and Kesari would be to ignore their views and celebrate Onam as they always do. Overreaction to such statements only helps to open up Pandoras box.

Consider this question: If another leader from other religion tweets one fine morning that Onam is Christ Jayanti or Prophets Day or Budhhist Jayanti, we wouldnt once again start another campaign using a punch line from another Mohanlal movie. Would we?
If you recall, just a week ago, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi confidently defended the farmers after they indulged in fighting to take away free cots from his khat sabha in Deoria. We wonder what he will come up with now that a similar incident has happened for the second time.

No, we are not kidding. After Gandhi's public meeting ended in Mirzapur on Wednesday, locals again ran away with wooden cots (khaats) from the venue.

UP: Locals take away wooden cots( Khaats) after Rahul Gandhi's public meeting in Mirzapur ends pic.twitter.com/lWXRvcXGko

 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

The organisers of his campaign seemed to have learnt little after the Deoria incident. They still kept cots for the farmers, however, anticipating similar khat-loot, announcements of "khaat chodke chale jao (Leave without taking the cots)" were made.

Mirzapur: Locals take away wooden cots while announcement says "Khaat chodke chale jao" after RGandhi public meet pic.twitter.com/mDjVquA08J  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

Unfortunately, they were royally ignored by the farmers, who were also possibly encouraged by Gandhi's statement. As Firstpost earlier reported, Gandhi said, "Kisan khatiya le jata hai, to wo 'chor' kehte hain. Magar jab bade bade udyogpati Mallya jaise bhaag jate hain, toh usse 'defaulter' kehte hain (When a farmer takes a cot, he's called a thief. But when big industrialists like Mallya run away, they are called 'defaulter')."

He might have to come up with something better this time.

Gandhi was talking about the failure of the Akhilesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh during his public meeting in Mirzapur but it looked like the locals attended his rallies just to take away free cots.

Just months before the Assembly elections, "Chunav say kuch maheene pehle Akhilesh cycle theek karna chahtay hain, voh toh hogi nai (Just months before the elections, Yadav wants to repair the cycle (mascot of Samajwadi Party)."

Referring to Tuesday's incident of Yadav taking away key ministerial berths from his uncle Shivpal Yadav, Gandhi said that "Tyre of the cycle is already punctured, yesterday Akhilesh Yadav ji threw the wheel out."

Tyre of cycle is already punctured, yesterday Akhilesh Yadav ji threw the wheel out: Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/KBSxwXdorK  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

Gandhi, however, seems unperturbed by this and has been gleefully continuing his month-long Kisan Yatra. The organisers should have taken our earlier advice: Please be careful of what you put on the stage this time.

This incident also reminds us of what George Santayana once famously said: Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Lucknow: As open strife in the ruling Yadav clan pushed Uttar Pradesh into political crisis, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday cancelled some official engagements, while his uncle Shivpal Yadav, who was stripped of key portfolios, said he will abide by the directions of Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The SP top brass, meanwhile, swung into a damage control mode to keep the flock together ahead of the state Assembly elections, with Mulayam Singh Yadav calling Shivpal and Ram Gopal Yadav for a meeting in New Delhi.

As the state plunged into crisis, the chief minister stayed put in his 5, Kalidas Marg official residence since morning to take stock of the situation and did not attend two official engagements perhaps to avoid the media.

Amid speculation that he will resign from the Akhilesh cabinet, Shivpal said giving and taking portfolios is the discretion of the CM and he will abide by the decision of Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"It is the discretion of CM to give (or take) portfolios and remove officers and keep his advisors. I will follow Netaji's directions and will fulfill responsibilities given by him," he told reporters at Saifai, Mulayam's native village.

Asked about his future course of action, Shivpal said, "I will talk to Netaji (Mulayam). People of the state have full faith in Netaji and the Samajwadi Party." From Saifai, Shivpal flew to Delhi to meet Mulayam even as thousands of his supporters gathered outside his residence there and the PWD guest house to express solidarity with him as speculation was rife that he might resign.

The Mulayam family has been dogged by serious differences but matters reached a flash point on Tuesday after Chief Minister shunted out Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal, considered as his uncle Shivpal Yadav's favourite.

In a tit-for-tat action, Mulayam took away the post of UP Samajwadi Party chief from his son Akhilesh, perhaps to smooth the ruffled feathers of Shivpal. But, within hours a peeved chief minister hit back by clipping his uncle's wings by divesting him of his key PWD, Irrigation and Cooperative portfolios.

The crisis has come at a time when the party is in the midst of ticket distribution process and differences among its top leaders could upset the party's apple cart during the Assembly elections due early next year.

When the SP supremo had anointed his son Akhilesh as the chief minister in 2012 overlooking the claims of Shivpal, it was anyone's guess that the ruling party will face pulls and pressures very often.

It is no secret that Shivpal has harboured chief ministerial ambitions and did not take too kindly to his claims being overlooked in 2012.

To a question regarding SP's CM face for the 2017 polls, Shivpal today said it was for the party's Parliamentary Board to decide. He avoided taking the name of Akhilesh.

Akhilesh, with his youthful appeal and his promise of the SP turning over a new leaf, had played a major role in convincing the UP electorate that the lawlessness, which marked the SP's earlier tenure between 2002 and 2007, would be a thing of the past.

With Assembly polls inching closer, Akhilesh has been concentrating on sprucing up the image of his government and recently overturned the decision of his father on the merger of the Quami Ekta Dal (QED).

Shivpal was said to have shepherded the merger of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari's QED with Samajwadi Party.

When Akhilesh publicly nixed the merger Shivpal felt he was publicly humiliated by his nephew.

QED, an eastern UP-based political party is headed by ex-SP MP Afzal Ansari, who is elder brother of Mukhtar, now in jail in connection with the murder of a BJP MLA.

Akhilesh was adamant that the merger be called off because he wanted to maintain his clean image, once he had sought to establish by opposing DP Yadav in the party before the 2012 Assembly polls. His stand had won the party political mileage after it had lost power in 2007 on poor law and order, a matter snowballing into a major poll issue this time too.

Fearing that these issues might damage SP's electoral prospects, Mulayam has of late been quite critical of corruption and land grabbing by some ministers. This prompted the chief minister to sack two of them --Mining Minister Gayatri Prajapati and Panchayati Raj Minister Raj Kishore Singh -- recently in an exercise to come out as "Mr Clean".

The image of his government took a hit so much so that BJP president Amit Shah kept saying at public meetings that UP is run by three-and-a-half CMs  Akhilesh, Shivpal and Mulayam besides Azam Khan. Recently, Mulayam gave a stern warning to Akhilesh that the party would split into factions if Shivpal chose to walk away after the senior cabinet minister threatened to resign claiming that his repeated pleas to root out corruption was going unheeded.

Analysts say fragmentation of the vote bank will be of no help to the Yadav clan. As of now, all eyes are on Mulayam, who is huddled in a meeting with senior party leaders in Delhi for a patch-up between "chacha-bhatija (uncle-nephew)".

The internal tussles within the SP has also given fuel to opposition BSP to target it.

BSP chief Mayawati recently urged the Election Commission to declare the state elections early -- by January-February next year, arguing that the family feud within the ruling SP and "jungleraj" in UP would lead to chaos in governance in coming months and cause difficulty in holding "independent, impartial and peaceful" elections in view of "infighting within the first family".
So this is what happened:

It is war in the Yadav camp. Sharp differences in the Yadav family were open on Tuesday as Akhilesh shunted out Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal, barely two months after his appointment. This set off a chain of developments that saw the SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav ousting his son as the state party chief and replacing him with Shivpal.

Hours after Mulayam made his brother and senior cabinet minister the UP unit head of the ruling party, in an angry retort, Akhilesh clipped his uncle's wings by stripping him of the plum PWD, irrigation, cooperatives, flood control, land development and water resources, wasteland development, revenue, disaster relief and rehabilitation, and public service management portfolios.

"Singhal has been removed and put on wait list. Principal Secretary (Finance) Rahul Bhatnagar has been made new Chief Secretary," an official spokesman said in Lucknow.

Though no reason was cited, the SP insiders said the chief minister was not happy with him as he had attended a dinner hosted by the SP Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh in Delhi which Akhilesh gave a miss. Mulayam and some other top party leaders were present at the dinner.

Differences between Akhilesh and Shivpal have been reported on several occasions, including on the choice of official to be appointed as the state's chief secretary after Alok Ranjan's term ended, and stalling of Qaumi Ekta Dal's (QED) merger with the SP. Shivpal was said to have shepherded the merger of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's QED with the SP.

Singhal was earlier Principal Secretary (Irrigation), a department held by Shivpal. Hours after Singhal was eased out as the state's top bureaucrat, Mulayam's cousin and the SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav wrote to Shivpal, "SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav has appointed you as the president of the Uttar Pradesh unit. It is hoped that with your hard work, you will further strengthen the party."

A copy of the letter was also marked to Akhilesh. Not to take it lying down, the chief minister immediately divested his uncle of key departments, keeping with himself the PWD portfolio and giving irrigation to minister Awadhesh Prasad and revenue and cooperatives to Balram Yadav, an official release on Tuesday night said.

Shivpal, who is now left with land development, water resources and social welfare ministries, is likely to resign from the cabinet. Though there was no official word from him, sources in the party said he was most likely to tender his resignation on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, political circles were abuzz with talk of a possible split within the Samajwadi Party with the party honchos making no effort to hide an obvious infighting.

Samajwadi Party and the Yadav camp, however, is not new to these infightings. In fact, when Akhilesh Yadav met with the press to issue a statement on the ongoing power tussle, he refused to admit that there were any problems in the family.

#WATCH Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav says "This is a fight in Govt, not family" amid reports of rift in family pic.twitter.com/IHRS2h2t44  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

In fact, the 44-year-old chief minister was defiant as he said, "I take some decisions, Neta ji (Mulayam) takes others."

Trouble has been brewing in the Yadav camp for a while now, given the sour relationship between Akhilesh and Mulayam Singhs brother Shivpal. In August, following a nasty public spat, party supremo Mulayam tried to step in and the media was told all is well in the family. However, Mulayam quite blatantly sided with brother Shivpal.

While he (Shivpal) is busy doing his job honestly and efficiently, a conspiracy is afoot against him and responsible people in the government are humiliating him, Hindustan Times quoted Mulayam as saying in August. "But if Shivpal quits, the party will go to winds," Mulayam added.

The problem, many political observers have noted, is the generation gap within the party. While Mulayam wants to teach Akhilesh the valuable lesson that an electoral win will happen only if the party survives, Akhilesh wants to drive the point home that development and honest policing is what the UP government is all about. Like Ambikanand Sahay points out in this article, the generation gap is so wide within the family (and the party) that not only do the key players think differently, they even act separately. Blood is the only thing that unites them. Nothing else.

It becomes extremely tough for Akhilesh as well to run a government where his father and uncles hold the power reins in their hands. When Akhilesh assumed the CMs office, the cabinet was staffed with Mulayams loyalists.

"The principal secretary to CM, Rakesh Garg, and secretary to CM, Anita Singh, had both served in Mulayam's Pancham Tal as well. Mulayam even deputed his long-time personal security officer Shiv Kumar with Akhilesh. However, in the past two years, Akhilesh has brought in many officers of his choice to Pancham Tal," a report in The Economic Times said.

But with Shivpal being stripped off crucial cabinet portfolios, Akhilesh is sending a message to all his detractors and his family that he, as the chief minister, does not live in anyones shadow and will not compromise on crucial issues like law and order and corruption.

By removing ministers and the chief secretary, Akhilesh has tried to send out a message before the polls that he is the CM and the only centre of power in the government and that he has the courage to take tough decisions, a SP leader was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

With the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election around the corner, Akhilesh does not want the partys name to be mired with controversial people like Deepak Singhal, who is said to be close to former SP leader Amar Singh. Akhilesh is not very comfortable with Shivpals closeness to Amar Singh as well.

Reporting for DailyO, Sharat Pradhan wrote that Singhal, on more occasion than one, bypassed the CM and went ahead with rather 'shady' deals. For example, he allotted 450 acres of land in Greater Noida "at a throwaway price to Baba Ramdev" for setting up a giant Patanjali unit. The move did not go down quite well with Akhilesh. In fact, Singhals family member was rewarded a multi-billion distributionship of Patanjali products after the deal.

Since Akhileshs accession to the CM post in 2012, one of his biggest problems has been in managing his father and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam. Akhilesh and Mulayams politics are very different. Mulayam, being a war horse, tries to tell his son that elections are won by people and not officers while Akhilesh seems to be trying really hard to shut his detractors up by trying to fix the law and order situation in the state.

And at a time when the state Assembly elections, which is being touted as the biggest political event of 2017, is already approaching fast, the party needs to maintain the semblance of holding things together.
New Delhi: The spouse of slain scribe Rajdev Ranjan on Wednesday moved Supreme Court seeking transfer of probe and trial in the murder case to Delhi from Siwan in Bihar alleging that media reports have shown two absconding killers of her husband in the company of recently-released RJD leader Shahabuddin and Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav.

The furore over the release of the RJD strongman from Siwan has now reached the apex court through various petitions. Asha Ranjan, wife of Rajdev Ranjan who has filed the plea through advocate Kislay Panday, has sought reliefs including a direction to CBI, to which probe has been transferred, to take up the investigation forthwith in view of the fact that the proclaimed offenders, Mohd Kaif and Mohd Javed, have been spotted with Shahabuddin and the state Health Minister, where several cops were also present.

Simultaneously, Chandrakeshwar Prasad of Siwan, whose three of four sons were allegedly murdered by the gangster- turned-politician, would on Thursday file an appeal in the apex court challengingPatna High Court's order granting bail to the former RJD MP through his lawyer Prashant Bhushan.

The scribe, working with a vernacular daily, was shot dead on the evening of 13 May in Siwan town by some sharp-shooters allegedly at the instance of then jailed RJD leader, the plea alleged, adding that despite being named by the family of the journalist, Siwan police did not name Shahabuddin in the FIR as a key conspirator.

The plea also alleged that CBI, to which the case was handed over on 16 May by Bihar government, was yet take it up. Besides Bihar government, the plea has made Superintendent of Police of Siwan, Shahabuddin and Tej Pratap, minister son of RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad, as parties.

"The local police is harbouring and criminally colluding with the proclaimed offenders. If police is deliberately not arresting Kaif and the Health Minister is taking photographs with the proclaimed offenders, the life of Rajdeo Ranjan's wife and her two minor children is at stake," Panday said.

It has been alleged that the RJD leader was irked over ome reports by the slain journalist on the issue of murder of three sons of Chandrakeshwar Prasad. The leader has been convicted and awarded life term in one of the cases. "At this stage the petitioner has felt very insecure, terrorised and helpless with regard to the safety and security of her own self and of her two children...," it said.

The plea has sought lodging of an FIR against Shahabuddin and Tej Pratap Yadav for "conspiring, harbouring and sheltering proclaimed offenders" of the murder case. Raising the question of law, the wife of the slain scribe said sought transfer of "the entire proceedings and the trial...,in the interests of justice, to Delhi from Siwan." It also said that a status report be sought from the CBI about the progress made so far in the case.

"Direct the state to pay the appropriate compensation to the petitioner and her family members as per law," it said adding that the state be asked to ensure "respectable and appropriate free of cost and safe residential accommodation to the petitioner and her family out of Bihar".

The other plea, likely to be filed on Thursday by Prashant Bhushan, would challenge the Patna High Court's order granting bail to the former RJD MP. Advocate Prashant Bhushan's office said they were giving final shape to the petition in which they are challenging how bail can be given to a "history sheeter".

"We are filing the appeal Thursday on behalf of victims' father Chandrakeshwar Prasad alias Chandra Babu. We are on way to give final shape to the appeal and it will be filed Thursday in which several grounds are taken.

"We will be challenging how bail has been given to a person who is a history sheeter. Facts are being verified about the number of cases etc and convictions that have taken place against him," advocate Rohit Singh from Bhushan's office said.

Shahabuddin, who was granted bail by the Patna High Court on 7 September, was released from Bhagalpur jail on 10 September. He was in jail for 11 years in connection with dozens of cases against him.

Controversial RJD strongman Shahabuddin was granted bail in the 2014 murder case of Rajiv Roshan, son of Chandrakeshwar Prasad. Roshan was a witness to the murder of his brothers Gitish

and Satish, who were drenched with acid and killed in 2004. The trial for Roshan's murder is yet to start.

Meanwhile, facing flak over Shahabuddin's release from jail, the Bihar government is also reportedly considering filing an appeal in the Supreme Court against the bail granted to him.
When Afghanistans president Ashraf Ghani meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday, the background to their talks will be quite different from the one during Ghanis visit last year. Ghani is much wiser today about Pakistans intentions. He has no illusions about Pakistans intentions towards Afghanistan. In recent weeks and months he has made strong statements about Pakistans support to the Taliban and its lack of honesty in dealing with the Afghan government.

On Saturday, Ghani was reported to have threatened to block Pakistans land access to Afghanistan and beyond to Central Asia if India was not allowed land access through Pakistan. Islamabads reaction to Ghanis threat was on expected lines.

The Dawn newspaper reported that Pakistani foreign office spokesman had dismissed the demand and reiterated that the bilateral transit trade agreement APTTA (Afghanistan Pakistan Trade and Transit Agreement) does not involve transit to and from India (but) Pakistan continues to allow transit of Afghan fruit to India through Wagah as a special gesture.

Ghani, like his predecessor Hamid Karzai, has repeatedly asked Pakistan to include India in the APTTA. Although geographical location does not allow Afghanistan many options, Ghanis outburst reflects his growing frustration with Pakistan, which shelters Taliban leaders and has refused to help ease the security situation in Afghanistan. This is in sharp contrast to his perception of Pakistan and India after assuming power. Soon after the national unity government headed by him came to power in 2014, Ghani went out of his way to woo Pakistani military and ignored India.

On his second official visit to New Delhi starting Wednesday, Ghani will seriously seek Indias help and support to rebuild Afghanistan. He, like most Afghans, believes that unlike Pakistan, India is a true friend and is seriously interested in a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. Indian assistance to Afghanistan is the highest among regional powers at around $2 billion. Several infrastructure projects have been completed by India.

The Chabahar project in Iran that would help Afghanistan bypass Pakistan has been launched but much needs to be done before it truly becomes a port for Afghans to reach global markets. The building of terminals, completion of road links and the ensuring of security of movement of traffic to and from Afghanistan will take time.

On this visit, Ghani will expect India to provide more military hardware and repeat his demand for small arms, ammunition and spares. India has so far hesitated from proving any arms except for gifting Russian Mi-25 helicopters after Moscows nod. India cannot provide any military spares without Moscows clearance. Due to western sanctions on Russia, those donor countries cannot help but buy Russian spare parts. Last month, on a visit to India the US Commander of Forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, asked New Delhi to step up military aid due to this problem.

New Delhi has been wary of giving military aid to Afghanistan beyond the three choppers. The Taliban has already warned India against providing military aid to what it calls a puppet regime saying India-gifted choppers were used recently to bomb a bridge in Kunduz by the Afghan forces. However, it needs to seriously consider the request for arms made in India. The Modi government has moved away from the risk-averse strategy of the previous government when it comes to foreign policy.

Afghanistan calls for India to take some bold steps now. Conservative opinion among foreign policy experts is that India should stay away from any active involvement in Afghanistan.

It must be mentioned that some months ago when six former Indian ambassadors to Kabul came together under the banner of Aspen in New Delhi to discuss Afghanistans security situation, they all cautioned against any involvement. In fact, they predicted the fall of the unity government in Kabul and suggested that India wait and watch for next two years. The Modi government, which was given the defence shopping list last week, will have to move forward on this. Pretensions of being a regional power require a display of courage and Modi is no stranger to the need for India to come out and take risks.

Ghani, like most Afghans, believes that unlike Pakistan, India is a true friend and is seriously interested in a stable and peaceful Afghanistan

A similar request for arms has also been given to China. But, China has kept its military links minimal with Afghanistan fearing a backlash in its restive Xinjiang province where it is trying to get Kabuls help to extradite Uighurs. Writing in The Diplomat in June 2016, Ahmed Bilal Khalil, however,explained that there has been a steady rise in security cooperation between China and Afghanistan. He said Afghanistan and China have signed four MoUs regarding security and defence cooperation and bilateral exchanges between defense and security officials have also increased. In 2015, the Afghan minister of defence, minister of the interior, foreign minister, national security advisor, and other top security officials have visited China, while from Chinese side, the minister of public security, vice-president, and chief of the CMC General Staff have visited Kabul.

The security situation in Afghanistan remains volatile. Since the spring offensive by the Taliban began this year there have been several attacks in Kabul leading to around 400 deaths. Three of 34 provincial capitals are under threat of Taliban takeover. Heavy fighting is on for Tarin Kot, the capital of the Uruzugan province and Helmands capital Lashkar Gah. Kunduz remains under threat after two weeks of Taliban occupation earlier this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday on his second trip to India. Both the countries exchanged several agreements on extradition, mutual legal assistance treaty, peaceful uses of outer space, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

One more step in closer ties.Exch'ge of agreements on MLAT, Extradition & peaceful uses of outer space follows talks pic.twitter.com/4Hx5us0GCr  Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 14, 2016

Modi and Ghani expressed concern at the continued use of terrorism and violence in region for achieving political objectives. They also agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond. Both the leaders also reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation.

Both leaders (PM Modi and Afghan Pres.) reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation: MEA  ANI (@ANI_news) September 14, 2016

Later in the day, Ghani, along with Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh, will address an interactive business meeting.

The visiting dignitary will also deliver a speech at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses before paying a courtesy call on President Pranab Mukherjee in the evening.

Here is the India-Afghanistan joint statement released by MEA during the visit:

1. The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan His Excellency Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ghani was warmly welcomed on his working visit to India on 14 and 15 September, 2016. During the visit, he held discussions with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and will be received later on Wednesday by Rashtrapatiji.

2. Meeting President Ghani, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi fondly recalled his visits to Kabul and Herat in December 2015 and June this year, respectively. The Prime Minister mentioned that he cherished both the warm reception he had received during those visits and the fruitful discussions then and in his other meetings with the President in Tehran (May 2016) and Tashkent (June 2016).

3. Both leaders expressed their happiness at the close and regular consultations between India and Afghanistan at all levels, which have served to guide their strategic partnership and strengthen all-round cooperation.

4. Recalling that India-Afghanistan bilateral development cooperation has assisted Afghanistans own efforts for successful political, security and economic transitions, the two leaders noted with happiness the recent completion of major milestones such as Parliament Building and the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam. The President stressed the significance of the Prime Ministers assurance conveyed during the joint inauguration of Storay Palace on 22 August 2016 via a video link that 1.25 billion people of India firmly stand with their Afghan brothers and sisters.

5. The Prime Minister reiterated Indias abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. He conveyed Indias readiness to consider further requirements of Afghanistan for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions. To this end, the Prime Minister offered that, as a close neighbour and friend of Afghanistan and its people, India would allocate a sum of $1 billion. The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments.

6. The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives. They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond. Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, they called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India. Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement.

7. It was agreed that the Strategic Partnership Council headed by the External Affairs Minister of India and the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan will meet shortly, review the recommendations of the four Joint Working Groups dealing with diverse areas of cooperation and impart further guidance.

8. The leaders expressed satisfaction over signing of the Extradition Treaty, the Agreement on cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space during the Presidents visit. It was also stressed that expeditious implementation of the trilateral agreement involving Afghanistan, India and Iran, signed in May 2016, using Chahbahar will augment connectivity within and of the region. In this context, the leaders appreciated the recent decision taken by the three countries to convene a joint forum involving important stake holders, including from business and industry.

9. Both leaders welcomed intensification in the interaction involving India and Afghanistan with regional and other countries and international organisations to foster peace, stability and development in Afghanistan. They appreciated, in particular, the outcome of the India-Iran-Afghanistan trilateral consultations and looked forward to the resumption of India-US-Afghanistan consultations in New York later this month. The Prime Minister conveyed to the President that India would continue to engage with the international community to assist the Government of Afghanistan in all possible ways.

10. In this context, the leaders underscored the significance of the Amritsar Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA) on the forthcoming 4 December, as well as the Brussels Conference on 5 October. They noted that the choice of Amritsar underscored the value of restoring connectivity and was in consonance with this years theme for HoA: Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity. It also underscores that India and Afghanistan remain committed to the expeditious realization of seamless two-way connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia.

11. The Prime Minister invited the President to grace the inauguration of the Amritsar Ministerial. The President accepted the invitation.

12. The President will highlight to senior Indian industry and trade captains the economic opportunities and potential of Afghanistan. He will also deliver an address to a select gathering of strategic experts at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses on Fifth Wave of Political Violence and Global Terrorism.

With inputs from IANS.
Australian security experts fear that the inevitable fall of Islamic State (IS) could result in the attempted return of up to 100 Australian jihadists fighting in Iraq and Syria.

Terror experts believe Australian jihadists could use the combat skills acquired overseas to plot terrorist activities back on home soil, and with coalition gaining ground against IS, the caliphate could experience a mass exodus of foreign fighters if they feel they are losing the battle, Xinhua news agency reported.

With air strikes resulting in massive territory losses for the IS in the Middle East, Rodger Shanahan from the Lowy Institute of Foreign Policy told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that Australian counter-terror and immigration bodies need to be aware of foreign fighters attempting to return "home".

"Some of them will be seeking to come back to Australia," Shanahan said on Wednesday.

"What their intent when they come back to Australia is, that's going to be another thing that's going to exercise the minds of the security agencies."

Shanahan said it would be particularly dangerous if these jihadists were able to find a way back into Australia, as the skills they have acquired over time in the Middle East could be used against Australian citizens and landmarks.

"(The jihadists have acquired) the ability to plan, an awareness of operational security  so it makes them harder to track  and other more practical issues like bomb-making skills, an awareness of how you conduct planning and execution of an attack," Shanahan said.

"They have a range of skill sets that some of the groups that we've seen previously in the region overseas and some of the people in Australia have lacked to date."

Shanahan and the Lowy Institute implored the government to work closely with governments in the region  such as Turkey  to keep an eye on the possible return of foreign fighters.

Under the Australian law passed earlier in 2016, dual national Australians who travel to the Middle East to take part in conflicts have their Australian passports cancelled, while Australian citizens who join the fight face charges related to terrorism.

There are over a hundred Australian nationals who are fighting or supporting the fighting in Iraq and Syria. The government there is afraid that this could potentially mean the return of radicalised jihadists from these countries. Earlier this week the government introduced anti-terrorism laws which will be introduced in the parliament this week. They will allow the authorities to detain prisoners who pose a risk to the community after they have completed their prison sentence.



With inputs from IANS
New York: A group of Baloch activists has held protests against Pakistan outside the UN headquarters in New York, demanding freedom and highlighting Pakistan's crimes against humanity in Balochistan.

The protest was organised by the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) on Tuesday across the street from the world body's headquarters, around the time the 71st session of the General Assembly opened in the UN.

Waving the US and Baloch flags, the small group of protesters held banners of 'Stop Human Rights violation in Baluchistan', 'Stop Bombing Balochistan' and 'Balochistan is not Pakistan' and stood around five dolls, smeared in red colour to portray blood and placed on the ground on a white banner that read 'Save Baloch Children'.

Some wore white T-shirts with the slogan 'Dire Human Rights Violations in Balochistan' written in black.

The men and women protesting shouted slogans of 'India help Balochistan', 'Freedom for Balochistan', 'Stop Genocide of Baloch People', 'UN UN Where are you', 'Stop funding Pakistan', 'Balochistan is another Bangladesh' and 'Stop breaking Balochistan'.

The protestors accused Pakistani forces of killing around 5,000 over the past few years and causing nearly 20000 forced disappearances in Balochistan.

FBM said in a statement handed out at the protest that the demonstration aims to highlight the "illegal occupation and Pakistani states crimes against humanity in Balochistan, and to give awareness about Baloch national struggle for freedom."

"It is the responsibility of the United Nations to take notice of the violations of its charter and state brutalities by Pakistan in Balochistan," FBM said.

The organisation said Pakistan has been committing gross human rights violations and killing innocent Baloch people since it occupied Balochistan in 1948 and "Pakistani state has made life difficult for Baloch by target killings, indiscriminate bombardment and enforced-disappearances."

The protests come just a week before heads of state and government descend at the world body's headquarters for the high-level General Debate of the 71st UNGA session.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address the General Assembly on 21 September, five days before External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addresses the gathering of world leaders.

The US has said it does not support independence for Balochistan and respects the unity and territorial integrity of Pakistan.

In his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talked about the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit and Balochistan and said people from there have thanked him for raising their issues.
Washington: Aung San Suu Kyi's latest visit to Washington signals her transformation from long-imprisoned heroine of Myanmar's democracy struggle to a national leader focused on economic growth.

President Barack Obama will meet with Suu Kyi at the White House on Wednesday and will discuss rolling back more of the sanctions that were applied when the nation was under military rule. Suu Kyi will also be courting the American business community.

Suu Kyi's party swept historic elections last November. Her visit will be a crowning occasion in the administration's support for Myanmar's shift from pariah state to democracy.

The US has already eased economic sanctions but still restricts dealings with military-owned companies and dozens of officials and associates of the former ruling junta.
Beijing: China on Wednesday warned Taiwan that allowing the Dalai Lama to visit the island, which Beijing claims as its own, will "severely impact" ties.

The Dalai Lama, called a "traitor" by China for his views on Tibet, has been invited to Taiwan by one of its high-profile lawmakers, Freddy Lim, who met the Tibetan leader in India last week.

"The intention of some forces in Taiwan to collude with separatists seeking Tibet independence and to create disturbances will have a severe impact on relations across the Taiwan Strait," Ma Xiaoguangan, official in-charge of China's Taiwan Affairs, told the media.

"We firmly oppose the Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan in any form," Ma added.

The ties between China and Taiwan have soured after the newly-elected Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen declared she did not recognise the "One China" principle.

Following her refusal to do so, Beijing cut all its communication with Taipei.

If the Dalai Lama visits Taiwan, it can escalate the tension between the two entities.

China has accused the Dalai Lama of fomenting trouble in Tibet to separate it from the mainland. The Buddhist spiritual leader fled to India after a failed uprising in Tibet in 1959.

He has lived in exile in India since then.
Washington: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, in newly-leaked emails, criticised both major presidential candidates, calling Donald Trump "a national disgrace" and lamenting Hillary Clinton's attempt to equate her email practices with his.

The emails were first reported by Buzzfeed News late on Tuesday. Powell, a respected retired general who served under Republican presidential administrations, told BuzzFeed that he does not deny the emails' authenticity. In a subsequent statement to NBC News, Powell said "the hackers have a lot more" of his emails.

In the emails, Powell said he stayed relatively quiet during the rise of Trump, the Republican presidential nominee. "To go on and call him an idiot just emboldens him," Powell said.

The emails also include Powell's thoughts on Clinton's email woes. He criticised Clinton aides for tying him into the controversy over the Democratic nominee's use of a private email server while she was secretary of state. Powell has acknowledged using a commercial email address for some official business. Clinton avoided using the State Department's email completely, using a private email server.

In an email reported by NBC, Powell wrote that he had told Clinton's "minions repeatedly that they are making a mistake trying to drag me in, yet they still try." In another spot, he declared of Clinton that "Everything HRC touches she kind of screws up with hubris."

Among Powell's emails, however, are comments that reflect that he too sought to use private email as a way to avoid creating documents retained by the government. Decrying "friggin record rules," Powell wrote that he "saw email more like a telephone than a cable machine," in one email cited by The Intercept. "As long as the stuff is unclassified."

Congressional Democrats have seized on the use of a private email addresses by Powell and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as a foil for Republican attacks on Clinton. By suggesting that he didn't view work conducted via private email as a permanent government record, Powell could offer those Democrats additional ammunition.

The emails were posted on the website DCLeaks.com, a website which has been alleged to be an outlet for hackers tied to the Russian intelligence groups. The website, which says it intends to expose the misuse of political power, has previously released emails from other Washington political figures.
Washington: Donald Trump sees Russian President Vladimir Putin as his role model, US President Barack Obama has alleged, saying this makes Republican presidential candidate not fit for the White House.

"You know the pollsters call you up and say do you support the guy who, if you do not support him, he might throw you in jail, you say yes I love that guy. But think about the fact that is Donald Trump's role model, I mean I have to do business with Putin, I have to do business with Russia but that is part of foreign policy," Obama said.

"But I do not go around saying that is my role model. Can you imagine Ronald Reagan idolising somebody like that? He saw America as a shining city on a hill; Donald Trump calls it a divided crime scene," he said on Tuesday at an election rally in Philadelphia while canvassing for 68-year-old Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

"He is not offering any real policies or plans, just offering division and fear. And he is betting that if he scares enough people he might just scare up enough votes to win this election. Look, I believe Americans are not a fearful people. We do not look for being ruled.

"Our power comes from those ideals first put in to place right here in Philadelphia, that all of us are created equal, that we the people can form a more perfect union. We believe in democracy, that is what we believe in. And we do not believe that one person is going to do it for us. It is what we can do together, achieve by us," Obama said.

"It is hard and slow and sometimes frustrating to persuade people and work with them and form coalitions, but that is the necessary work of self government and that is what Hillary Clinton understands, because she has been through it. She knows that in a democracy, in a big, diverse country like this one, it does not work if we just demonise each other and call each other names. She knows that love trumps hate," he said.

Obama slammed Trump, 70, for appearing on a Russian television.

"You got Donald, who just last week went on Russian state television, to talk down on our military and to curry favour with Vladimir Putin. He loves this guy. Think about what has happened to the Republican party. They used to be opposed to Russia and authoritarianism and fighting for freedom and fighting for democracy.

"Now their nominee is out there praising a guy, saying he is a strong leader because he invades smaller countries, jails his opponents, controls the press and drives his economy into a long recession. No, look I am actually being serious - think about this. And when the interviewer asked him well, why do you support this guy? He is a strong guy, look, he has got an 82 percent poll rating," Obama alleged.

"Well yes, Saddam Hussein had a 90 percent poll rating, I mean if you control the media and you have taken away everybody's civil liberties and you jail dissidents, that is what happens," Obama added.
New Delhi: In a major boost to their energy ties, India and Russia launched a working group on Tuesday for creating an "energy bridge" for a possible direct gas delivery from Russia and also directed their concerned ministries to finalise "concrete outcomes" in key areas of trade and investment by the next month's summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The discussions were held during the 22nd Indo-Russia inter Governmental Commission meeting on Tuesday which were co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.

"The Intergovernmental Commission reviewed the preparations for the forthcoming India-Russia Annual Summit to be held in Goa on 15 October 2016.

"While expressing satisfaction at the progress made in regard to some projects, the Commission also directed concerned Ministries and departments to focus on key sectors in the trade and investment spheres to finalise concrete outcomes by the forthcoming summit in October 2016," MEA said after the meeting.

Noting that there has been substantial progress on the investment front with expanding cooperation in oil and gas sphere, MEA in a release said Indian and Russian oil and gas companies are working towards finalisation of investments in each other's countries.

"Both sides launched an industry level Working Group - led by Gazprom, biggest Russian gas company, and a consortium of Indian oil and gas companies- for creating an 'energy bridge' between the two countries through possible gas pipelines for direct gas delivery from Russia to India," it said.

India and Russia reiterated their strong desire to further broaden their strategic cooperation with emphasis on key sectors such as nuclear energy, space, modernisation, high technology, disaster management, and supercomputing.

Asserting that a new milestone was recently achieved in the India-Russia cooperation in nuclear energy with the dedication of Unit 1 of the Kudankulam nuclear power project by Modi and Putin last month, it said the two sides renewed their commitment to work together on remaining stages of Kudankulam 2,3,4,5 and 6; and other projects through localisation under the Make in India programme.

Stating that connectivity was a major theme of discussion during the meeting, it noted that implementation of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project and the launch of the 'Green Corridor' project for customs facilitation are major steps towards better connectivity and trade facilitation.

Cooperation between Indian and Russian railways in the field of dedicated freight corridor, modernisation of railway stations, and training of railway personnel emerged as a new area to broaden cooperation in transports and logistics, it added.

India-Russia cooperation in pharmaceutical sector is also expanding rapidly with Indian companies closely engaging with Russian partners to develop cooperation under the Russian 'Pharma 2020 programme'.

On the sidelines of the Commission's meeting, an Indian company Wockhardt and a Russian company PharmEco signed an agreement for joint project for insulin production in Russia under the Pharma 2020 programme.

Student and faculty exchange, cultural cooperation and tourism have emerged as new areas for bilateral cooperation,

it said, noting that there has been 20 per cent increase in the number of Indian students studying in Russia, while there has been 14 per cent increase in Russian tourist visiting India in recent months.

It further said that a series of activities were being planned to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the erstwhile USSR (now Russian Federation) in 2017.

"There will be a new emphasis on promoting cooperation among various states in India and federal regions in Russia, especially the Far East region of Russia- as attractive investment destinations," it added.
Geneva: Raising the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the UN, India on Wednesday accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations there as well as in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

In a scathing attack on Pakistan during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, India said the main reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan that stems from its territorial ambitions over the place that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions.

Pakistan's dismal track record is well known and many countries have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure; and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva Ajit Kumar said.

India's credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that is deeply committed to the welfare of its people are well established and on the contrary, Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country including Balochistan, Kumar said.

Exercising its right of reply to the statement made by Pakistan, Kumar said Pakistan is a country, which has systematically abused and violated the human rights of its own citizens, including in Balochistan, as well as of the people of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

"The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan which has provided active support since 1989 to separatist groups and terrorist elements including those operating from the territory under Pakistans control.

"Pakistan has once again sought to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the garb of concern for human rights.

"J&K is an integral part of India and will always remain so. We reject attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has been regularly exercised by the people of J&K," he said.

In a no-holds-barred offensive, India said while advocating restraint to others, Pakistan has no hesitation in using air power against its own people.

"Pakistan also continues to provide sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists. It was, therefore, no surprise that Pakistan failed to convince the international community to secure the membership of the Human Rights Council last year," Kumar added.

India strongly rejects Pakistan's continued misuse of the Council to make tendentious references about internal matters pertaining to the Indian state of J&K, the ambassador said.

"This stems from Pakistan's territorial ambitions over Kashmir that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions. Pakistan continues to be in illegal occupation of a large part of territory in J&K," he said.

Reiterating that the situation in the Valley arose from the death of a self-acknowledged commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror group, India said it was further aggravated by sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Kumar said the high number of causalities sustained by Indian security forces is a reflection of the tremendous restraint they have displayed in difficult circumstances.

Kumar asserted that India has a robust institutional framework to ensure adherence to rule of law and respect for fundamental rights of the people in J&K, including independent judiciary, National Human Rights Commission, vibrant civil society and free and vocal media.

In contrast, the people of Pakistan as well as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir have become victims of sectarian conflict, terrorism and extreme economic hardship due to Pakistan's authoritarian and discriminatory policies in complete disregard of human rights, he added.

Emphasising that terrorism was the grossest violation of human rights and should be so acknowledged by any impartial observer.

"The heart of the matter is that we are dealing with a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft.

"The world watches with concern as the consequences of Pakistans actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbour. All of us stand prepared to help, if only the creators of this monster wake up to the dangers of what they have done to themselves," the Indian envoy added.

"The institutions of governance in Pakistan have corroded to such an extent that it has become a hub for the global export of terror," he said.

The envoy also said that it will be in the fitness of things if instead of ritually raking up alleged human rights violations elsewhere, Pakistan were to focus its energies on improving human rights situation within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

It must also take action against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours who are roaming freely in Pakistan with impunity, so that terrorism emanating from Pakistan - the gravest risk for peace and stability of the region - could be addressed effectively, he added.
Beijing: India is "cozying up" to Myanmar because it is threatened by the growing strategic ties between China and Myanmar, a Chinese think tank has said.

However, the Shanghai-based think tank acknowledged that India had less barriers in building its relations with Myanmar as compared to China, which had strongly backed its erstwhile military junta.

Zhao Gancheng, director of Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies, Shanghai Institute for International Studies, said no matter how fiercely India and China compete to wield influence in the country, Myanmar will astutely maintain neutrality to gain the most benefits.

"Myanmar plays a vital role in India's Act East policy as its closest Southeast Asian neighbour. Bordering Myanmar, India's northeastern region has long suffered from chaos and an underdeveloped economy.

"Under such a background, New Delhi needs to enhance its collaboration with Myanmar in border areas for economic reasons." Zhao wrote in an oped published on Wednesday in the Global Times.

"More importantly, India sees the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Beijing and Nay Phi Taw as a threat. It hence feels the urge to take the offensive by cozying up to Myanmar in order to gain more influence in the country as leverage to counterbalance China."

The write-up made a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on the sidelines of the just-concluded India-Asean summits and the East Asia Summit in Laos in which he assured Suu Kyi that India stood by Myanmar.

"Compared with Beijing, New Delhi currently enjoys an advantage in strengthening its ties with Myanmar. Previously, China strongly backed military rule in Myanmar while the West vigorously ostracized it.

"Yet now, after Nay Pyi Taw's political and power shift, the nation's domestic public opinion holds a relatively negative attitude toward Beijing. Therefore, in terms of ideology, India seems to have fewer barriers to developing its relations with Myanmar."

Zhao argued even though China was of great importance to Myanmar, Nay Pyi Taw "will not put all its eggs in one basket".

"While New Delhi has always hoped it can draw Myanmar over to its own sphere of influence, the former is thus another basket for the latter to put its eggs in," he said.

The article said that despite India having an upper hand in Myanmar, its economic might was "limited" and "the economic and trade volume between China and Myanmar as well as Chinese investment in Myanmar have long left India's far behind".

"Situated on either side of Myanmar, China and India will keep competing for more influence in the country. Such a reality will long exist.

"Given Nay Pyi Taw's strategic geographical location, the nation will neither fully tilt toward China nor lurch toward India, but will only continue its balancing act and try to pursue friendly policies with the two big neighbours for the sake of gaining the most benefits."
Washington: Donald Trump's daughter on Wednesday touted the Republican presidential nominee's new paid maternity leave and child care proposals as "long overdue" changes, criticising Democrat Hillary Clinton for not doing more to help families during her decades in public service.

"I think we took a giant leap forward with the plan and, you know, respectfully, Hillary Clinton has been around for decades and there's no policy benefiting either mothers or fathers in terms of paid leave," Ivanka Trump said in an interview with ABC's Good Morning America.

"We have not been in public office for the last several decades and she has. So she could have instituted some of those policies in that role and has not done so."

The proposals come with less than two months to go until the election, with the brash billionaire trying to step up his appeal to women voters.

Ivanka Trump called the proposals "long overdue" changes for an "inaffordable, inaccessible child care system that we currently have in place that's failing American families."

Unlike almost every other industrialised country, the United States does not guarantee paid time off for new mothers. Federal law allows 12 weeks of unpaid "family leave."

Child care is often very expensive.

Some companies, however, offer paid maternity leave of varying duration.

Ivanka Trump, a businesswoman and 34-year-old mother of three, joined her father in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Tuesday night to unveil his proposals, which include tax deductions for child and elderly care expenses, regulatory reforms and incentives for employers to offer workplace child care.

Women whose employers don't offer paid maternity leave will be entitled to six weeks off with compensation, the campaign said, with the money coming from existing unemployment insurance.

Clinton's campaign called Trump's ideas "out-of-touch, half-baked and ignores the way Americans live and work today."

"Instead of asking those at the top to pay their fair share, he's robbing Peter to pay Paul by raiding unemployment insurance funds, and giving the most to the wealthy while providing far less relief to middle-class and working families," senior policy advisor Maya Harris said in a statement.

Clinton has proposed allowing new parents  both mothers and fathers  to take 12 weeks of paid leave while receiving two-thirds of their normal salary. She has also called for capping the cost of child care at 10 percent of a family's income.
India, responding to the UN Human Rights chiefs statement on Kashmir, emphasised its claim on the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) adding that the current violence has been instigated from across the border.

The whole state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of our territory. The two cannot and should not be equated, the Indian ambassador to the UN office at Geneva Ajit Kumar told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Wednesday.

Unlike Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, India has an elected democratic government in place in J&K and, therefore, the UNs usage of the term Indian-administered Kashmir is artificial, India argued.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al-Hussein had delivered an update to the UNHRC on 13 September where he had referred to the ongoing conflict in Kashmir and had publicly urged both the countries to grant his office access to India-administered Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

I believe an independent, impartial and international mission is now needed crucially and that it should be given free and complete access to establish an objective assessment of the claims made by the two sides, Zeid told the Council on Tuesday.

India said that it had noted the High Commissioners statement on J&K.

The current violence in the Valley has been choreographed from across the borders since the death of a known terrorist belonging to an internationally proscribed terrorist organisation  India has shared evidence of terrorists coming from across the border to mingle with the crowds and target Indian security troops and use human shields, India said in its response during a general debate on the High Commissioners update to the UNHRC.

High Commissioner Zeid Raad Al-Hussein had said that it continues receiving reports of Indian military troops using force excessively against civilian population under its administration.

Jammu and Kashmir has started to move towards normalcy after sustained and system-wide efforts by both the Central and the state governments, including the exercise of maximum restraint by our security forces, 7,000 of whom have sustained injuries till date, Kumar added.

Regarding the UNs public request for access to the troubled region, India only stated that it extends full cooperation to the High Commissioner  and the OHCHR  for the discharge of his mandate.

Pakistan has sent a letter to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on 9 September that it was willing to grant access to its side of the line of control but only if there is in tandem a similar mission to the Indian side of the line of control.

Kashmir has erupted into violence after a Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces in July this year. Since then, tensions have erupted in the Valley killing and injuring scores of civilians and military troops. This is one of the bloodiest conflicts the region has seen in the last five years.
Bangkok: A newly found piece of debris, suspected to be from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 that went missing in March 2014, may be the first piece of evidence supporting the theory that there was a fire on board the plane, said media reports.

Five pieces of debris were handed over to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in Canberra on Monday by American amateur sleuth Blaine Gibson, EFE news reported.

Gibson, who has previously brought 13 of the 27 suspected and confirmed pieces of wreckage from the flight to MH370 investigators, said two of the pieces were burned and carried singe marks on them.

"If those are found to be from Malaysia 370 and if it is discovered that the fire took place before the crash, then this is a real game changer, that could help identify what was the cause of the plane's demise," he said.

The debris was found on the coast of island nation Madagascar, located off the southeast coast of Africa, and where the majority of the suspected debris pieces have already been discovered.

The pieces resemble some of the paneling used in Boeing 777 planes and have the honeycomb pattern of Boeing's composite materials, and the burn marks could support the theory that the plane was downed by a fire.

Flight MH370 with 239 persons on board went missing on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with available data indicating that the plane flew into the waters of the southern Indian Ocean.

More than 1,10,000 sq km of the seafloor have been searched so far for clues to or debris of the missing jetliner.
United Nations: Expressing his commitment to Security Council reform, new General Assembly President Peter Thomson has called on the international community to move forward together in bringing about the change.

"The membership is unanimous in agreeing that reform is necessary to align the Security Council with the realities of the 21st century, not least of which will be the security consequences of climate change," he said on Tuesday after taking the oath of office.

"The community as a whole must move forward together in resolving reform," he said. "I am committed to facilitating this movement in the 71st session" of the Assembly which started on Tuesday.

Council reform is high on India's UN agenda as it aspires to a permanent seat on the UN's highest decision-making body.

The just-concluded assembly session that began in September picked up the reform agenda in earnest and held several sessions of Inter-governmental Negotiations (IGN), as the process is known, but it lost steam.

Now it is up to Thomson to give it another boost. "It's called UN Security Council Reform, not UN 'Security Council Do Nothing'," he told the media after his swearing-in.

"There will be no surprises," he said. "I will be consulting very widely on this as well as appointing leadership for the IGN process."

The head of the IGN, Sylvie Lucas of Luxembourg, is leaving the UN as her country's permanent representative and Thomson will have to appoint her successor.

Council reform "is something where the whole membership (is invested in)", Thomson said. "This is such an important issue for the house. The whole membership has to move forward together on this."

Thomson recently visited New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

His predecessor Mogens Lykketoft told his concluding meeting of the assembly session: "If you are serious about reform, all key players including the permanent five (council members) have to change the script and be willing to compromise.

"The work this year, facilitated by Ambassador Lucas of Luxembourg and building on last year's (negotiating) text and annex, points to a common understanding at least that we need an enlarged council  better reflecting the geopolitical realities of the 21st century," Lykketoft said.

Earlier, at a news conference, Lykketoft said he felt personally impatient with the glacial pace of the reform negotiations, which he attributed to the need for a two-thirds majority in the assembly to amend the UN charter and the ratification by permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the US for changes to the council.

"Most people realise how much of a Catch 22 it is," he said. "But what has happened over this year is still I think some small but important steps forward. (It's) a realization that we need a Security Council reform so that the council at last better reflects the realities of the 21st century."
Kathmandu: On the eve of his maiden visit to India, Nepalese Prime Minister Prachanda on Wednesday expressed his government's commitment on amending the new Constitution to make it acceptable to all sides and said that his trip to New Delhi was not linked to it.

"There is no connection between my India visit and the matter relating to constitution amendment," Prachanda said while talking with the leaders of agitating Madhesi parties and ethic groups at the Prime Minister's office on Wednesday.

Prachanda will travel to New Delhi on Thursday for a four-day goodwill visit, his first foreign visit after assuming power some six weeks ago.

Constitution amendment is "our internal matter and we will resolve the issue within the country" by holding political dialogue, he said.

"My India visit is a diplomatic issue aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries," he said.

Gap between the government and the agitating United Madhesi Front on the issue of constitution amendment has been narrowed down, he said, adding that both the sides should create an environment of trust for resolving the matter.

"The government is serious about making the constitution acceptable to all sides," the prime minister said.

The Madhesi parties had led a six month-long agitation, mainly to protest against the seven-province federal model enshrined in the Constitution. At least 50 people were killed during the protests in south Nepal last year over the issue.

Prachanda has also briefed the Parliament about his upcoming visit to India.

While addressing the House, he said that his visit to India would focus on strengthening the bilateral ties.

He said that he would urge the Indian government to help complete the construction of Postal Highway at the earliest.

The work of Postal Highway, also known as Hulaki Rajmarg, has been affected because of the delay in getting consent for selection of contractors from the Indian government nine sections. The project has been divided into 17 sections.

India had signed an agreement to give Rs 8 billion as grant to build 607-km stretch of the 1792-km road project.

The Prime Minister said he would also hold discussion with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi regarding implementation of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Development Project and assistance for post-quake reconstruction.

India last year promised to provide USD one billion financial assistance to Nepal for the reconstruction works after the devastating earthquakes.

Prachanda said he would raise the issues including construction of integrated check post at Birgunj and cross-border inundation.

He made it clear that he would sign no agreement with India against national interests. He said he would inspect Nathpa Jhakri Hydropower Project in Himachal Pradesh and also visit Patanjali Yogpeeth and its industrial/manufacturing units in Haridwar during his four-day entourage to India.

Prachanda yesterday briefed President Bidya Devi Bhandari about his upcoming state visit to India.
Beijing: China on Wednesday said it is yet to form a position on the accession of any specific non-NPT country into the NSG, as it parried questions on whether its "two-step formula" for allowing new members into the elite nuclear club was aimed at pushing Pakistan's case along with that of India.

India and China are "yet to agree on accession of any specific member into the group", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying told media referring to Tuesday's first round of talks between the two countries on India's admission into the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which controls global nuclear commerce.

Nearly two-and-a-half months after China scuttled India's NSG membership bid, a Chinese delegation led by Director General of Department of Arms Control Wang Qun held talks in New Delhi with Indian delegation led by Amandeep Singh Gill, Joint Secretary (Disarmament & International Security) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

During the talks, China proposed a two-step approach for admission of new members who are not signatories of nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which Beijing asserts is a must to join the NSG.

Asked about Indian media reports that the formula was aimed at pushing Pakistan's membership along with that of India, Hua said, "What you said is the Indian report. What I said is what DG Wang Qun said. China has not had a position on the accession of any specific non-NPT country. So first we need to have a proposal on the accession on all the non-NPT countries, then accession of specific non-NPT country," she said.

"That is to say, China is yet to form a position on any specific non-NPT country. But we are willing to have discussion with the NSG members on the accession of non-NP countries," she said.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement after yesterday's talks said, "China supports the notion of two-step approach within the Group to address the above question, i.e., at the first stage, to explore and reach agreement on a non-discriminatory formula applicable to all the non-NPT states, and to proceed to take up country-specific membership issues at the second stage. China, for its part, expressed its

readiness to actively participate in the above process within the group".

Hua said the next round of talks between the officials of India and China on the issue will be held in Beijing.

While blocking India's membership in the NSG with the NPT rider in the last few months despite majority backing, China has not openly spoke of its backing for Pakistan's membership along with that of India.

Officials say that China's emphasis on "non-discriminatory formula" could become stumbling block for India, considering strong reservations among several NSG members about Pakistan's track record in nuclear proliferation.

In the June Plenary of NSG in Seoul, despite strong American support, China stonewalled India's bid to join the group on the grounds that it was a not a signatory to the NPT.
Shimla: Tight security arrangements have been made here for a day-long tour Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, who will be visiting Jhakri in this district on 17 September.

Elaborate security arrangements are being made for the visit of Prachanda who would arrive at Sarahan by helicopter from Chandigarh, a senior police officer said.

Besides deployment of commandos, jawans of reserve battalion and security personnel in plain clothes, bomb diffusion and Dog squads would also be deployed, Inspector General of Police (law and order) ZH Zaidi said.

Also the area would be cordoned off a day in advance, he said.

During his tour here, Prachanda would visit the 1500 MW Nathpa  Jhakri and other projects of Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL), which also run the Arun-3 (900 MW) project in Nepal, he said.

The Prime Minister of Nepal would return in the afternoon after inspecting the project, the officer added.
Washington: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is gaining ground on Hillary Clinton, a new poll revealed on Tuesday.

The NBC News/Survey Monkey Weekly Election Tracking Poll found Democratic presidential nominee Clinton with a mere four-point lead on Trump, 48 per cent to 44 per cent.

The same poll last week found Clinton with a bigger lead, winning 48 per cent of the voters to Trump's 42 per cent.

Clinton had a 10-point lead over Trump in the same poll five weeks ago.

When third-party candidates are factored in, Clinton's lead slips further, with the Democrat garnering 42 per cent of the vote, Trump 40 per cent, Libertarian Gary Johnson getting 11 per cent and Green Party candidate Jill Stein at found per cent.

The poll finds Trump surging among independent voters, with the mogul trailing Clinton by only two points among those voters, 38 per cent to 36 per cent.

Trump used to be down among independents by double digits, NBC reports. Voters who describe themselves as independent are thought to be crucial to winning the presidency.

Favourability ratings for the two main presidential candidates are similar (38 per cent have a favourable view of Trump, 39 per cent of Clinton).

And the candidates share a similar unfavourable rating (60 per cent view Trump unfavourably and 59 per cent have that view of Clinton).

This week's NBC News/SurveyMonkey online poll surveyed 16,220 registered voters and was taken between 5 September and 11.
Aston (US): Donald Trump has rolled out a plan aimed at making child care more affordable, guaranteeing new mothers six weeks of paid maternity leave and suggesting new incentives for employees to provide their workers childcare.

Spurred on by his daughter, Ivanka, Trump waded into topics more often discussed by Democrats. Trump unveiled the proposals in a speech in a politically critical Philadelphia suburb on Tuesday as he tries to build his appeal with more moderate, independent voters - especially women.

Child care is one of the biggest expenses many American families face, surpassing the cost of college and even housing in many states.

"We need working mothers to be fairly compensated for their work, and to have access to affordable, quality child care for their kids," Trump said in Aston, Pennsylvania.

"These solutions must update laws passed more than half a century ago when most women were still not in the labor force."

Trump proposed guaranteeing six weeks of paid maternity leave to employees whose employers don't offer leave already.

The campaign says the payments would be provided through existing unemployment insurance - though it has yet to spell out how the system would cover those costs.

Trump's Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, has called for 12 weeks parental leave for both mothers and fathers paid for by taxes on the wealthy.

Trump previously proposed reducing child care costs by allowing parents to fully deduct the average cost of child care from their taxes. On Tuesday, he expanded that proposal to allow families with a stay-at-home parent to qualify for the deduction and to include costs associated with caring for elderly dependent relatives.

The deduction would apply only to individuals earning $250,000 or less, or $500,000 or less if filing jointly. But because Trump's proposal is a tax deduction rather than credit, its greatest benefits would go to affluent households.

More than 40 percent of US taxpayers don't make enough money to owe taxes to the federal government, meaning they would not benefit from a deduction. Lower-income earners would receive child-care spending rebates through expanding the existing Earned Income Tax Credit, the campaign said.

Trump also proposed incentives for employers to provide child-care options at work. But some of his proposals to prod businesses and communities into providing childcare and other services are anathema to conservative orthodoxy.

At one point, Trump was interrupted briefly by a crying baby - but, unlike at a rally in August, he did not suggest he wanted the child ejected.
United Nations: Amid continuing unrest in Kashmir, the UN Human Rights chief has said it is crucial that an independent, impartial and international mission be given free access to Indian as well as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to assess the situation on both sides of the border.

"I believe an independent, impartial and international mission is now needed crucially and that it should be given free and complete access to establish an objective assessment of the claims made by the two (Indian and Pakistani) sides," UN human rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein told the Geneva-based Human Rights Council on Tuesday.

"We had previously received reports, and still continue to do so, claiming the Indian authorities had used force excessively against the civilian population under its administration. We furthermore received conflicting narratives from the two sides as to the cause for the confrontations and the reported large numbers of people killed and wounded," he said.

Al-Hussein told the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council that two months ago, he requested the Indian and Pakistani government to invite his teams to visit the Kashmir valley and Pakistan-administered Kashmir to assess the situation, but has yet to receive a response from New Delhi.

The Pakistani side on September 9 formally invited a UN human rights team to visit the Pakistani side, but in tandem with a mission to the Indian side, al-Hussein said.

"I have yet to receive a formal letter from the Government of India. I therefore request and publicly, from the two Governments, access that is unconditional to both sides of the line of control," he added.

His remarks come as the Kashmir Valley has been on edge from past more than two months in which at least 85 people have been killed and over 11,500 injured in clashes with security forces.
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An all-sky view of stars in our Galaxy  the Milky Way  and neighbouring galaxies, based on the first year of observations from ESAs Gaia satellite, from July 2014 to September 2015. Credit: ESA/Gaia/DPAC

The first catalogue of more than a billion stars from ESA's Gaia satellite was published today  the largest all-sky survey of celestial objects to date.

On its way to assembling the most detailed 3-D map ever made of our Milky Way galaxy, Gaia has pinned down the precise position on the sky and the brightness of 1142 million stars.

As a taster of the richer catalogue to come in the near future, today's release also features the distances and the motions across the sky for more than two million stars.

"Gaia is at the forefront of astrometry, charting the sky at precisions that have never been achieved before," says Alvaro Gimenez, ESA's Director of Science.

"Today's release gives us a first impression of the extraordinary data that await us and that will revolutionise our understanding of how stars are distributed and move across our Galaxy."

Launched 1000 days ago, Gaia started its scientific work in July 2014. This first release is based on data collected during its first 14 months of scanning the sky, up to September 2015.

"The beautiful map we are publishing today shows the density of stars measured by Gaia across the entire sky, and confirms that it collected superb data during its first year of operations," says Timo Prusti, Gaia project scientist at ESA.

Artist's impression of Gaia mapping the stars of the Milky Way. Credit: ESA/ATG medialab; background: ESO/S. Brunier

The stripes and other artefacts in the image reflect how Gaia scans the sky, and will gradually fade as more scans are made during the five-year mission.

"The satellite is working well and we have demonstrated that it is possible to handle the analysis of a billion stars. Although the current data are preliminary, we wanted to make them available for the astronomical community to use as soon as possible," adds Dr Prusti.

Transforming the raw information into useful and reliable stellar positions to a level of accuracy never possible before is an extremely complex procedure, entrusted to a pan-European collaboration of about 450 scientists and software engineers: the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium, or DPAC.

"Today's release is the result of a painstaking collaborative work over the past decade," says Anthony Brown from Leiden University in the Netherlands, and consortium chair.

"Together with experts from a variety of disciplines, we had to prepare ourselves even before the start of observations, then treated the data, packaged them into meaningful astronomical products, and validated their scientific content."

In addition to processing the full billion-star catalogue, the scientists looked in detail at the roughly two million stars in common between Gaia's first year and the earlier Hipparcos and Tycho-2 Catalogues, both derived from ESA's Hipparcos mission, which charted the sky more than two decades ago.

A visualisation of how Gaia scanned the sky during its first 14 months of operations, between July 2014 and September 2015.The oval represents a projection of the celestial sphere, with different portions of the sky gradually appearing, according to when and how frequently they were scanned by Gaia. Credit: ESA/Gaia/DPAC

By combining Gaia data with information from these less precise catalogues, it was possible to start disentangling the effects of 'parallax' and 'proper motion' even from the first year of observations only. Parallax is a small motion in the apparent position of a star caused by Earth's yearly revolution around the Sun and depends on a star's distance from us, while proper motion is due to the physical movement of stars through the Galaxy.

In this way, the scientists were able to estimate distances and motions for the two million stars spread across the sky in the combined TychoGaia Astrometric Solution, or TGAS.

This new catalogue is twice as precise and contains almost 20 times as many stars as the previous definitive reference for astrometry, the Hipparcos Catalogue.

As part of their work in validating the catalogue, DPAC scientists have conducted a study of open stellar clusters  groups of relatively young stars that were born together  that clearly demonstrates the improvement enabled by the new data.

"With Hipparcos, we could only analyse the 3-D structure and dynamics of stars in the Hyades, the nearest open cluster to the Sun, and measure distances for about 80 clusters up to 1600 light-years from us," says Antonella Vallenari from the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF) and the Astronomical Observatory of Padua, Italy.

"But with Gaia's first data, it is now possible to measure the distances and motions of stars in about 400 clusters up to 4800 light-years away.

An all-sky view of stars in our Galaxy  the Milky Way  and neighbouring galaxies, based on the first year of observations from ESAs Gaia satellite, from July 2014 to September 2015. Credit: ESA/Gaia/DPAC

For the closest 14 open clusters, the new data reveal many stars surprisingly far from the centre of the parent cluster, likely escaping to populate other regions of the Galaxy."

Many more stellar clusters will be discovered and analysed in even greater detail with the extraordinary data that Gaia continues to collect and that will be released in the coming years.

The new stellar census also contains 3194 variable stars, stars that rhythmically swell and shrink in size, leading to periodic brightness changes.

Many of the variables seen by Gaia are in the Large Magellanic Cloud, one of our galactic neighbours, a region that was scanned repeatedly during the first month of observations, allowing accurate measurement of their changing brightness.

Details about the brightness variations of these stars, 386 of which are new discoveries, are published as part of today's release, along with a first study to test the potential of the data.

"Variable stars like Cepheids and RR Lyraes are valuable indicators of cosmic distances," explains Gisella Clementini from INAF and the Astronomical Observatory of Bologna, Italy.

A virtual journey from our solar system through the Milky Way, based on data from the first release of ESAs Gaia satellite. Credit: ESA/Gaia/DPAC; acknowledgement: S. Jordan & T. Sagrista Selles (Zentrum fur Astronomie der Universitat Heidelberg)

"While parallax is used to measure distances to large samples of stars in the Milky Way directly, variable stars provide an indirect, but crucial step on our 'cosmic distance ladder', allowing us to extend it to faraway galaxies."

This is possible because some kinds of variable stars are special. For example, in the case of Cepheid stars, the brighter they are intrinsically, the slower their brightness variations. The same is true for RR Lyraes when observed in infrared light. The variability pattern is easy to measure and can be combined with the apparent brightness of a star to infer its true brightness.

This is where Gaia steps in: in the future, scientists will be able to determine very accurate distances to a large sample of variable stars via Gaia's measurements of parallaxes. With those, they will calibrate and improve the relation between the period and brightness of these stars, and apply it to measure distances beyond our Galaxy. A preliminary application of data from the TGAS looks very promising.

"This is only the beginning: we measured the distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud to test the quality of the data, and we got a sneak preview of the dramatic improvements that Gaia will soon bring to our understanding of cosmic distances," adds Dr Clementini.

Knowing the positions and motions of stars in the sky to astonishing precision is a fundamental part of studying the properties and past history of the Milky Way and to measure distances to stars and galaxies, but also has a variety of applications closer to home  for example, in the Solar System.

In July, Pluto passed in front of a distant, faint star, offering a rare chance to study the atmosphere of the dwarf planet as the star gradually disappeared and then reappeared behind Pluto.

On 19 July 2016, Pluto passed in front of the faint star UCAC4 345-180315, offering a rare chance to study the atmosphere of the dwarf planet as the star first gradually disappeared and then reappeared behind Pluto. Credit: B. Sicardy (LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, France), P. Tanga (Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, Nice, France), A. Carbognani (Osservatorio Astronomico Valle d'Aosta, Italy), Rodrigo Leiva (LESIA, Observatoire de Paris)

This stellar occultation was visible only from a narrow strip stretching across Europe, similar to the totality path that a solar eclipse lays down on our planet's surface. Precise knowledge of the star's position was crucial to point telescopes on Earth, so the exceptional early release of the Gaia position for this star, which was 10 times more precise than previously available, was instrumental to the successful monitoring of this rare event.

Early results hint at a pause in the puzzling pressure rise of Pluto's tenuous atmosphere, something that has been recorded since 1988 in spite of the dwarf planet moving away from the Sun, which would suggest a drop in pressure due to cooling of the atmosphere.

"These three examples demonstrate how Gaia's present and future data will revolutionise all areas of astronomy, allowing us to investigate our place in the Universe, from our local neighbourhood, the Solar System, to Galactic and even grander, cosmological scales," explains Dr Brown.

This first data release shows that the mission is on track to achieve its ultimate goal: charting the positions, distances, and motions of one billion stars  about 1% of the Milky Way's stellar content  in three dimensions to unprecedented accuracy.

"The road to today has not been without obstacles: Gaia encountered a number of technical challenges and it has taken an extensive collaborative effort to learn how to deal with them," says Fred Jansen, Gaia mission manager at ESA.

"But now, 1000 days after launch and thanks to the great work of everyone involved, we are thrilled to present this first dataset and are looking forward to the next release, which will unleash Gaia's potential to explore our Galaxy as we've never seen it before."

Explore further Image: Star Mapper visualisation

More information: The data from Gaia's first release can be accessed at The data from Gaia's first release can be accessed at archives.esac.esa.int/gaia Fifteen scientific papers describing the data contained in the release and their validation process will appear in a special issue of Astronomy & Astrophysics. Journal information: Astronomy & Astrophysics
NC State researchers examine troves of data to find out why more than 1 million southeastern Piedmont residents have high levels of manganese in their well water. Credit: North Carolina State University

Utilizing a wide range of analytic tools, researchers at North Carolina State University have figured out why pockets of the southeastern Piedmont region contain high concentrations of manganese in well water, particularly in more shallow wells. The findings highlight the importance of testing well water to ensure its safety.

More than 1 million southeastern Piedmont residents in four states  North and South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia  use well water that has manganese levels above recognized water-quality standards, according to the study; recent health studies show associations between high well-water manganese levels and heart defects, developmental defects and cancer. Manganese in water can also stain clothes and household appliances, like dishwashers.

"We wanted to characterize the distribution of this naturally occurring element in both solid and water materials in the southeastern Piedmont, and we wanted to measure these concentrations from the soil surface all the way to the bedrock," said Matt Polizzotto, associate professor of crop and soil sciences and corresponding author of a paper describing the work in Environmental Science & Technology.

"We found that more shallow wells were more likely to have high concentrations of manganese," Polizzotto added.

"The Piedmont's geology and hydrology play a huge role in how manganese spreads," said NC State Ph.D. student Elizabeth Gillispie, lead author of the paper. "When bedrock weathers, or breaks down to form soil, you get a buildup of manganese in the saprolite, the layer just below the soil surface and near the water table. That's why some of the shallow wells have higher concentrations of manganese."

Yet the porousness of the North Carolina saprolite, where a great deal of groundwater is stored, helps move manganese deeper into the bedrock.

"When the saprolite is exposed to water, manganese can be released into the water and migrate down to bedrock aquifers," Gillispie said. "The fractured nature of the bedrock makes it difficult to track where weathered materials end up, because these fractures can take these materials far away from their points of origin."

The researchers analyzed a wide range of samples and assembled troves of data  from groundwater monitoring stations across North Carolina that paint a picture of the state's hydrology to databases of manganese concentrations in wells across the Piedmont  to capture the movement of manganese in soil and water in the Piedmont.

"We ultimately attempted to create an integrated model to really understand what's happening in well water from the surface to the bedrock, which means including geologists and hydrologists, along with soil scientists, to expand our knowledge," Polizzotto said.

The researchers suggest getting well water tested  especially water coming from more shallow wells  and then suggest using filters to mitigate high levels of any metals, including manganese. They also suggest burying new wells deeper into the ground, although they realize that process can be more expensive than building shallow wells.

Explore further Coal ash ponds found to leak toxic materials

More information: Elizabeth C. Gillispie et al. Soil Weathering as an Engine for Manganese Contamination of Well Water, Environmental Science & Technology (2016). Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology Elizabeth C. Gillispie et al. Soil Weathering as an Engine for Manganese Contamination of Well Water,(2016). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b01686
Due to inclement weather, Albergue SCM has cancelled tomorrow evenings Celebration of Mid-Autumn Festival 2016, originally scheduled to take place at 7.30 p.m. Next week, Albergue SCM will be providing mooncakes and fruits for visitors, free of charge. The giveaway will be held at 7 p.m. on 21 September (Wednesday) and will run on a first come, first served basis. Children will also receive gifts of traditional rabbit-shaped lanterns. The opening of Little Rabbit Lanterns  An Exhibition by Carlos Marreiros and Friends Part 11 will be launched at 6.30 p.m. on the same evening.

Air Macau plans daily flights to Fukuoka next year

Air Macau plans to offer daily flights between the city to Fukuoka next year, according to a report by Macao Daily News. The information was revealed during recent tourism-related meetings co-organized by the airline, Hong Kong and Japan. Air Macaus management said additional flights will be available for the public starting from the first quarter of next year. Currently, the company flies to Fukuoka four times a week, and will introduce another flight on 3 October. Air Macau started operating Macau-Fukuoka flights in March, with one flight every Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
The 11th Conference on Cooperative Development and Sharing of Chinese Resources (CCDSCR) will be held from 25 to 27 October at the MGM.

The CCDSCR is an international cooperation conference that aims to connect all libraries and research institutes around the world that possess Chinese documents, in order to improve the cooperation between them.

The event is co-organized by the Department of Public Library Management of the Cultural Affairs Bureau and by the Macau Library and Information Management Association.

This years conference will discuss digital works within libraries or information institutions. The topics discussed will include the dissemination and use of resources through technological means and cooperation and promotion, among others.

Participants from different countries and regions have been invited to attend the event. Aside from professionals from Macau, participants come from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom.

The conference will be conducted in Mandarin and English, with simultaneous interpretation of both languages.

Interested parties  including but not limited to representatives of libraries and news agencies from Macau and overseas, as well as those studying library science and information technology at the tertiary level  are welcome to register.


Chui Sai On yesterday [Macau time] met with the Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, during his official visit to Lisbon. During the meeting, the Chief Executive presented the results of the fourth Macau-Portugal Joint Committee that convened earlier in the day, focusing in particular on the strengthening of economic cooperation and Portuguese language teaching.

According to a statement issued by the Government Information Bureau (GCS), during the meeting with the Portuguese head of State, Chui mentioned that the local government is trying to diversify Macaus economy. The upcoming ministerial conference, the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Forum Macau), was also discussed.

Rebelo de Sousa highlighted that Chuis visit to Lisbon is evidence of the friendly relationship between Portugal and China, particularly Macau.

In a statement issued yesterday, GCS revealed details of another meeting included in the CEs program in Lisbon. As the Times reported yesterday, before meeting with the President, Chui was received by the Prime Minister, Antonio Costa.

During the meeting held at St. Bento Palace, Costa remarked that Macau is a bridge for the friendly relations between Portugal and China. The PM also mentioned that the plans to diversify Macaus economy could represent an opportunity for Portuguese companies to invest in the region.
Macaus medical professionals, as well as the medical system itself, are leading residents to give more money to neighboring Hong Kong as more and more Macau residents seek medical help in the neighboring region.

Data from the public hospital Conde de Sao Januario indicates that in 2014 2,000 patients were sent to Hong Kong for medical treatments. On average Macau spent about HKD200 million per year in providing the trips, according to a report by South China Morning Post.

In 2015, the region spent HKD7 billion on public health care, representing a jump from the HKD5 billion registered in the previous year.

Any non-local patients are obliged to pay HKD4,680 per day in order to stay in a Hong Kong hospital, whereas Hong Kong residents only have to pay HKD100 per day.

Despite the fact that Macau residents need to pay more in order to receive treatment in Hong Kong, they often still choose to go to the neighboring city for medical attention, even for minor treatments or medical check ups, the SCMP report points out.

Reasons behind this trend have been discussed at length in the city, and they mostly relate to the skills of Macaus doctors.

The three hospitals in Macau, Kiang Wu Hospital, Centro Hospitalar Conde de Sao Januario, and the University Hospital of the Macau University of Science and Technology, have a significant number of doctors graduated from medical schools in mainland China.

The Kiang Wu hospital employs over 340 doctors, two thirds of which have graduated from Zhongshan School of Medicine or are trainees from the School of Medicine of Jinan University.
The 2016 Hong Kong-Macau Visual Art Biennale recently finished its run at the Beijing Minsheng Art Museum. It is the fifth edition of the event, which launched in 2008.

The theme of the Biennale is Interactive Times. The event introduces works of art and design from mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong.

In this edition, Macaus exhibition space has been dedicated to the theme of Macau Good Design and features a total of 16 art pieces in four categories: Graphic Design, Animation, Video Design and 3D Mapping..

A sharing session with the artists was held on the launch day. Nearly 20 curators and artists from the three regions were invited to share their creative experiences and discuss each regions arts scene.

The exhibition ended in Beijing on September 9, and will travel to Dunhuang in Gansu Province as part of the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo from September 20 to October 8, before moving to the Henan Art Museum in Zhengzhou between October 19 and 30.
A seminar on Understanding Human Trafficking From A Global and Local Perspective was held yesterday. The topics discussed varied from the difficulties faced by the Macau police force in combating human trafficking, to the protection of minors.

Representatives from the Human Trafficking Deterrent Measures Concern Committee, the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), the Good Shepherd Centre and the Judiciary Police (PJ) all referenced their personal experiences in expressing their views to the participants.

Some victims (whose identities were not disclosed) were invited to share their stories.

Chau Wai Kuong, director of the PJ, informed that the Macau police force has been inspecting locations that have a high risk of human trafficking incidences occurring, night clubs in particular.

As to the victims identities, Chau revealed that 80 to 90 percent are mainlanders. According to him, some trafficking cases were coordinated by suspects from both Macau and the mainland.

Under Macau law, a suspect can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison for human trafficking. Twenty years, I personally think is enough, said Chau.

The police head additionally voiced his concern that it is not enough [to combat human trafficking] by simply relying on the police force. He urged the public to dial the 24-hour hotline to report any information regarding incidents of human trafficking: 2888-9911.

Juliana Devoy, director of the Good Shepherd Centre, the organizer of yesterdays seminar, voiced her opinions on the occurrence of human trafficking in Macau. Macaus situation is unique because of the casinos, which are a magnet for sex trafficking, she said.

Devoy expressed the belief that both the casinos and the government have displayed a high level of awareness of the problem. However, she advocated greater attention and reaffirmed the need for judges to receive training in order to identify a trafficking case.

Data from the Human Trafficking Deterrent Measures Concern Committee shows that up until June of 2016 there had only been two cases of human trafficking, involving two victims and one suspect. The data also shows that 2013 was the year with the highest number of cases between 2008 and 2016, with 35 cases involving 38 victims and nine suspects. Between this period, in 2009, 2014, 2015 and 2016, one-digit cases and suspects were recorded. Julie Zhu
Chinas national legislature expelled 45 deputies representing the northeastern province of Liaoning over allegations of electoral fraud yesterday, in the latest effort to root out corruption and the buying of offices within the countrys authoritarian one-party system.

No details were given of the action taken at an extraordinary session of the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee, which normally meets bimonthly.

The move followed an announcement last week that the former vice head of the Liaoning provincial legislature was under investigation on suspicion of taking bribes and committing other illegal acts related to elections.

The state prosecutor announced last week that it had taken legal action against the official, Zheng Yuzhuo, who will likely face formal charges and a trial. The provinces former Communist Party chief, Wang Min, was also taken into custody in August and expelled from the party on suspicion of having taken bribes.

Members of the rubberstamp national legislature are nominally elected from provincial, county and township bodies, although the process is highly opaque and exceptions are common. Although the roughly 3,000-member body only meets once a year for about two weeks, membership bestows considerable authority and access to inside information on government policies and projects.

The head of the legislature, Zhang Dejiang, pledged in 2014 to strengthen the bodys oversight of elections when speaking out against an earlier case of vote buying in the central province of Hunan.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pursued a sweeping campaign against corruption and waste at all levels, although its effectiveness is difficult to gauge due to the lack of a free press or supervision by bodies independent of the ruling Communist Party. AP
The endangered Patua language (a Macanese creole) is going to change its orthography in order to seek consensus among the community. This statement was made by the president of the board of the Macanese Association (ADM) and president of the Association for Macanese Education (APIM), Miguel de Senna Fernandes yesterday on the sidelines of a conference on language contact in Asia and the Pacific held by the University of Macau (UM).

The so-called spelling agreement is based on the fact that the current orthographic system is based on the Portuguese language and not all people who are interested in the language are able to read it.

Maybe this will shock some people a bit but I propose a new orthography for the Patua, he said.

There current writing does not convey the phonetics that should be in the language for people interested in learning, he added, concluding that the task will involve new mental gymnastics and a new technique to approach the language.

However, he reaffirmed that the adoption of a new system should not be that difficult as other forms of creole language have successfully undergone similar transitions, such as in Cape Verde.

There is currently no concrete timeline for the plan that is supported by Alan Baxter, who recently returned to Macau and is an expert in Portuguese-based creoles in Asia.

Senna Fernandes  one of the faces of the Patua dialect revival and member of theater group Doci Papiacam di Macau, which has performed on stage for every Macau Arts Festival to date  recalled that the language fell into profound disuse but had its importance shifted from practicality to a deeper meaning related to the identity [of the community].

In his opinion, the importance of the language is not restricted to the Macanese people but also for many others who are interested in the multiculturalism of Macau.

The motivation for the preservation of the language is not in terms of retaining its utility  or even any nostalgic feeling, he said, but as something that we preserve from our ancestors, the same way we keep some of their objects to recall where we came from.

Senna Fernandes claims that there is a rising interest in the language, even among those who are not learning it to regain their own heritage.

There are people totally new [to the language] that want to learn it. Naturally they learn [from] it a totally different perspective of the Macanese people, he said, commenting that for the time being, my answers to these people are never satisfactory, since we do not have much resources and hardware to offer them in order to support a learning method as I wish to do.

For the stage director of the Doci Papiacam di Macau group, if people laugh [in our shows, it] is because somehow they got touched by the message and they understood it and thats very important.

For him, the efforts to protect the creole language are necessary and become even more important in times when the [Macanese] community is shrinking and losing its characteristics.

In order to protect that language, he added, collective memory is more important than any  textbooks, grammar or even pronunciation.

Our community is a statement and should prevail. We want to give to the young generations enough materials so they can dig up about their roots, he said, when asked about the goals of the theatrical group.

Elisabela Larrea, who is studying the shift of the Patua from a home language to a performing language, addressed the same topic.

According to her study, there are fewer than 50 confident, fluent, Patua speakers.

Teaching Cantonese is a matter of good sense

Miguel de Senna Fernandes, the president of the Association for Macanese Education (APIM), said that the decision to teach Cantonese at the D. Jose da Costa Nunes Kindergarten  a Portuguese school  this year was a matter of good sense.

Its a strategy  focused on peoples integration into the [local] environment, he said.

Im going to propose that the Macau Portuguese School (EPM) do the same [implementing the language teaching] and Im certain that there will be no arguments against it.

The APIM president explained that the classes have been planned as an extracurricular activity, which he thinks is the best approach.

[The] campaign in favor of the Cantonese is not a matter of position or attitude, but an imperative matter, so the communities that do not have the Chinese language as their mother tongue can help integrate their children. Senna Fernandes added that not teaching a dialect spoken by the majority of the population would be the loss of a golden opportunity, as the students are at the right age to learn new languages.
More than 200 of Cambodias nearly extinct royal turtles were released yesterday in muddy waters at a new breeding and conservation center that was built in hopes of keeping the national reptile from disappearing.

The Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center in western Cambodia is a joint effort between the governments fisheries department and the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society.

The 206 turtles belong to one of the worlds 25 most endangered tortoise and freshwater turtle species. Its also known as the southern river terrapin, but its primary name harkens to historical times when only the royal family could consume the turtles eggs.

The turtle was believed extinct until 2000 when a small population was rediscovered, and it was designated the national reptile in 2005.

Since 2001, a joint project between the government and conservation society has saved 39 nests with a total of 564 eggs that resulted in 382 hatchlings. The hatchlings are raised in captivity and later released into the wild.

With very few Royal Turtles left in the wild and many threats to their survival, Cambodias national reptile is facing a high risk of extinction, said Ouk Vibol, director of Fisheries Conservation Department.

By protecting nests and head starting the hatchlings, we are increasing the chances of survival for this important species for Cambodia, he said.

The breeding and conservation center has five big ponds with grass and sand banks for the resettled turtles to nest, society spokesman Eng Mengey said by telephone from Koh Kong province where the center is located.

We hope in time to have other species like Siamese crocodiles at the center, and may even develop it into a site for ecotourism to generate revenue to be used for conserving the turtles in the center, Ross Sinclair, the societys country director for Cambodia, said in the statement. AP
Days after killing himself, a vocal advocate for gun rights and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has won a New York primary election.

Assemblyman Bill Nojay was facing a fraud trial in Cambodia and reportedly under FBI scrutiny when he went to his familys cemetery plot in Rochester and shot himself in front of an arriving police officer on Friday.

Now the defeat yesterday [Macau time] of challenger Richard Milne coupled with a quirk in state election law means that local GOP leaders, who encouraged voters to choose Nojay despite his death, get to pick someone to take on Democrat Barbara Baer in November. Nojays Republican-leaning district in the Legislatures lower chamber covers parts of suburban Rochester and the Finger Lakes region.

I really dont know what to say. Its such an unusual situation, Milne told The Associated Press as unofficial results showed him trailing by nearly 1,000 of the 4,500 votes cast.

Though he hopes the three county leaders put him on the ballot, Milne was critical of robocalls and other efforts by the powers that be to boost Nojay after his death.

They really did some things in the past few days that were in poor taste in my opinion to sway the vote, he said.

While rare, posthumous elections happen, notably when Missouri Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan died in a plane crash but defeated the Republican incumbent and future U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft in a 2000 Senate race. That victory led to the appointment of Carnahans widow, Jean Carnahan, to the Senate. Since 1962, four people who died close to Election Day have been elected to the House of Representatives.
The Parisian, the latest addition from Sands China to the companys portfolio in Macau, opened its doors yesterday in a ceremony presided over by Las Vegas Sands chairman and chief executive officer, Sheldon Adelson.

The MOP24 billion project, which took five years to be built, is carrying hopes of great success in times that some, like Adelson, say are the end of the downturn [of gaming revenues].

Commenting on the potential of the territory in terms of revenue and taking as reference the latest results for August 2016  when the gaming industry finally left negative growth territory after 25 months and registered positive growth of 1.1 percent, Adelson said: Now, is it sustainable for a long time to come? I cant answer that question, but based upon the pre-bookings we have, based upon the convention bookings we have, I think we have essentially hit the bottom.

The LVS chairman recalled having made such a prediction about seven months ago. Macau still has very good days to come and I cant predict what the percentage of growth will be but I am optimistic about the future, he added.

With the opening of the Parisian tonight we have completed the available land and parcels for what I call the Cotai Strip, Adelson remarked, putting voice to his wishes for an even bigger expansion.

Actually I wanted 20 properties but we only got six plots. We are very happy with this, we are not unhappy, Adelson explained. He recognized however that his dream for Cotai was not always that clear.

When the government sent me out to Cotai I frankly thought they were exiling me because the bigger activity and the gaming resorts were on the peninsula, he said. He claimed that because of what was necessary to accomplish to construct the properties that today stand in Cotai, the achievement attained with the opening of The Parisian is even more important.

This is the only place in the world (that I know of) that you can go under one roof to 13,000 rooms and suites, close to 900 retail shops, two and half million square feet of MICE venues, he remarked, reaffirming a bet on non-gaming elements.

Adelson additionally remarked that the non-gaming services on offer will expand with facilities. In the Parisian, the offer includes a new amphitheater with capacity for 1, 200 people. The CEO further announced, we have another [theatre] that is going to open within a couple of months in Sands Cotai Central where the Pacifica Casino is.

For the Las Vegas Sands CEO, the main drivers of the local economy in the near future will be the completion of two big projects, one at the regional level (the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai Bridge) and another at the local level (the Light Rail Transit).

According to Adelson, the two projects will greatly improve mobility within and accessibility to the territory, especially the HMZB that will provide access to two international airports within 20 minutes.

Questioned on how long he expects it will take for the Parisian property to break even, the gaming tycoon said, we hope it is one year but I might be disappointed if it is over four years. I just hope it is sooner rather than later. His comment was in reference to the break-even timeframes achieved by the company in previous developments (Sands Macao and The Venetian Macao).

During the press conference held prior to the opening, Sands Chinas president and COO, Wilfred Wong, highlighted the excitement of the whole team in opening the new property.

All of us here, close to 30,000 team members, were so excited that everybody wanted the building to be open yesterday, he said.

Wong also remarked on the importance of belonging to Macau. In our company the policy has always been to groom the local people as far as we could, he said, claiming that in the 12 years since the opening of Sands Macao, the management team of Sands China has increased its proportion of local employees from 7 to over 85 percent. RM

Looking for investment opportunities

With the completion of the Parisian, Sands has finished developing all its land in Macau, bringing its total investment in the city to between USD13 billion and USD14 billion. The company will now focus on looking at opportunities elsewhere in the region to build new casino resorts, Adelson said. There doesnt seem to be too much more growth here, he said.

We are aggressively and continuously, let me call it lobbying for other locations throughout the Asia-Pacific countries. Weve been looking at Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Thailand,said Adelson.

We have some ideas for additional growth here in Macau, but not any major integrated resorts like the opening of Parisian today, he added. I do look at Europe, to build a Europe Vegas, but we couldnt negotiate the kind of terms we needed. Back in 2013, the LVS chairman had said he was considering building integrated resorts in major European cities, after abandoning a plan for a $30 billion mega-resort in Spain. Gambling liberalization has also proceeded slowly elsewhere in Asia. AP/Bloomberg
Chinese police fired rubber bullets at villagers and arrested 13 people yesterday in an overnight crackdown to suppress demonstrations in a southern fishing village that became internationally known five years ago for protesting land seizures.

Police stormed into the village of Wukan in the southern province of Guangdong and arrested leaders of ongoing demonstrations in their homes. Videos posted on social media show one person with blood on his arm and chest, and another being treated for an apparent bullet wound on his hand.

Another video shows a line of black police vans streaming into the village, a hamlet of about 13,000 people on the South China Sea near Hong Kong.

Wukan carries symbolic importance due to the success of 2011 protests that broke out over land seizures and corruption. Villagers were able to expel government officials and police, and barricaded the village. The siege was resolved only after the provincial secretary of Chinas ruling Communist Party agreed to allow a local election.

The winner of that election was Lin Zuluan, a former protest leader. Lin was planning to lead a new round of protests this year over more land grabs. Instead, authorities detained him and then charged him with taking bribes.

Lins supporters say he was wrongfully charged and have staged more than 80 straight days of rallies since he was detained. Those protests continued after his sentence was announced Thursday despite official state warnings to disperse.

An official statement issued yesterday said 13 villagers in Wukan were arrested, allegedly for inciting a mob and spreading rumors.

The statement levies several allegations at a small number of lawless persons, including disturbing school, preventing fishermen from working and hampering shopkeepers. It says officials tried to educate and persuade protest leaders, but that guidance was evidently disregarded.

In order to safeguard the interests of the masses and restore the normal order of production and local peoples lives, local police decided to take action and apprehended them, the statement said.

Chinese law requires official permission be granted for all protests, a condition that is almost never met. Large-scale protests are usually met with action intended to quell dissent. In recent decades, China has allowed a small number of elections for positions below the township level, though national and provincial party officials continue to be selected internally.

State news media reported Lin was accused of taking bribes totaling 593,000 yuan (about $89,000) to influence livelihood and economic projects in Wukan, and he gave a televised statement admitting to the allegations.

The Chinese government often broadcasts purported confessions of people accused of corruption in an apparent attempt to win public support, but instead are condemned by human rights groups as a sham. A former attorney of Lins told The Associated Press last week that Lin likely made the confession to protect his family. Nomaan Merchant, Beijing, AP
The United States on yesterday sent two nuclear-capable supersonic bombers streaking over ally South Korea in a show of force meant to cow North Korea after its recent nuclear test, and also to settle rattled nerves in the South.

The B-1B bombers, escorted by U.S. and South Korean jets, were seen by an Associated Press photographer as they flew over Osan Air Base, which is 120 kilometers from the border with North Korea, the worlds most heavily armed. The bombers were likely to return to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam without landing in South Korea.

Such flyovers are fairly common when animosity rises on the Korean Peninsula, which is technically in a state of war because there has never been a peace treaty to officially end the 1950-53 Korean War.

South Korea does not have nuclear weapons and relies on the U.S. nuclear umbrella as a deterrent to North Korea. Washington also stations more than 28,000 troops in the South, and tens of thousands more in Japan.

The B-1B doesnt currently carry nuclear weapons under a disarmament treaty, but the United States has yet to convert the B-1s to non-nuclear heavy bombers using treaty procedures, according to a 2016 report by the U.S. Congressional Research Service. U.S. Forces Korea wouldnt comment on the bombers capabilities, but South Korean military officials and analysts said that they could carry nuclear weapons if reconfigured.

North Korea is keenly aware of the U.S. presence on the peninsula and of what it considers the U.S. nuclear threat. It uses such flyovers and the American military influence in the South in its propaganda as alleged proof of U.S. hostility that it says is the reason it needs a nuclear bomb program.

Last weeks nuclear test, the Norths fifth, was its most powerful to date. Pyongyangs claim to have used standardized warheads in the detonation makes some outsiders worry that it is making headway in its push to develop small, sophisticated war. AP
The American ambassador to Australia has voiced U.S. concerns over Chinas impact on Australian politics, saying the United States wants the system reformed to remove the influence of Chinese political donations.

Ambassador John Berry said in an interview with The Australian newspaper that the United States is surprised by the amount of Chinese money and influence in Australian politics and wants Australia to resolve the foreign donation issue. The embassy confirmed in a statement that Berry had been accurately quoted in the interview, published yesterday.

Last week, the opposition Labor Party called for foreign political donations to be banned after Labor Sen. Sam Dastyari stepped down from a senior role for asking a Chinese company to pay a 1,670 Australian dollar (USD1,250) travel bill. While Dastyari broke no law, he acknowledged that having the Sydney-based company Top Education Institute pay a personal bill was wrong.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pointed to a Chinese language news report that quoted Dastyari as saying, The South China Sea is Chinas own affair.

Turnbull said that statement contradicted both the government and the oppositions foreign policy position that China should respect international law in territorial disputes. The prime minister accused Dastyari, who has been dubbed Shanghai Sam, of saying what Chinese donors paid him to say.

Dastyari said he might have misspoken during the Chinese interview, but said he supported his partys policy.

The issue is broader than Dastyari, with Top Education Institute donating more than AU$230,000 to both Labor and the ruling conservative Liberal Party.

Unlike the United States, which bans foreign donations, Australian law has never distinguished between donors from Australia and overseas.

Berry said the United States hopes that Australia will protect its core responsibilities against undue influence from governments that dont share our values.

He said the U.S. objects to Beijing being able to fund political candidates in an Australian election campaign to advance Chinese interests.

That, to us, is of concern, Berry said in the newspaper interview. We cannot conceive of a case where a foreign donation from any government, friend or foe, would be considered legitimate in terms of that democracy.

We have been surprised, quite frankly, at the extent of the involvement of the Chinese government in Australian politics, he added.

A Labor government introduced a bill to ban foreign donations to Parliament in 2010, but it never became law. The minor Greens party has proposed a similar bill in the current Parliament, but conservative government ministers have said there is no need for reform.

Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported last month that businesses with Chinese connections gave Australias major political parties more than AU$5.5 million from 2013 to 2015, making them easily the largest source of foreign-linked donations.

Australia struggles to balance its relationships with the United States, its most important strategic partner, and China, its most important trade partner.

Neither the Chinese Embassy in Australia nor Top Education Institute immediately responded to a request for comment. Rod McGuirk, Canberra, AP
Volkswagen AG investors are preparing to flood a German court with more lawsuits over the carmakers emissions scandal to meet a deadline that lawyers say may be imaginary.

The Braunschweig Regional Court is bringing in extra staff for Sept. 19, the first business day after the one-year anniversary of VWs admission that it rigged its cars to cheat emissions tests. Shareholders who want to sue VW over their losses are concerned that the day may be the deadline to file. While most lawyers doubt the date is really key, few are prepared to wait.

Nobody wants to take the risk that courts may see that differently in the end, said Thomas Asmus, a lawyer at Lindenpartners in Berlin. The herd instinct is strong. Everybodys filing now. Ill do it too.

The flood of new shareholder suits in Germany adds to the carmakers troubles. A year after admitting that about 11 million diesel vehicles had been equipped with software to cheat pollution tests, VW is far from resolving the fallout. It agreed to pay $16.5 billion to settle suits by some American authorities and car owners. Shareholders are incensed because the stock price dropped 35 percent in the two trading days after U.S. regulators disclosed the so-called defeat device.

The carmaker is already facing 380 pending investor suits in Braunschweig, the legal district that includes the companys headquarters in Wolfsburg, claiming the leadership was aware as early as 2014 that U.S. authorities were probing test results and should have disclosed the investigation back then. One lawsuit bundles claims of almost 300 institutional investors and seeks 3.3 billion euros. Another group is seeking 700 million euros.

Instead of American-style class action suits, Germany gives plaintiffs a procedure that consolidates cases to centralize the evidence phase in capital-market actions in which a large number of investors claim to have been hurt by the same action.

VW continues to say the suits are unfounded because it informed the markets at each stage of the process.

After a diligent review by internal and external legal experts, Volkswagen is of the view that the management board properly fulfilled its disclosure duties under capital-market rules, the company said Monday in an e-mailed statement. Bloomberg
BELLEVUE  Idahos fishery researchers are experimenting with a sex-altering hormone to curb unwanted populations of brook trout and have stocked four streams with monosex trout that can produce only male offspring.

The project uses the female hormone estradiol to affect sex in a segment of the population, then selectively breeds them to get an entire population to produce one sex. Its a decades-old technology that commercial aquaculture hatcheries use to raise identical-looking food fish and boost growth.

But the Idaho Department of Fish and Games effort has an unprecedented goal: determining whether that technique can reduce or eradicate unwanted fish populations in the wild.

And its getting a lot of attention in the fish-science world.

Fish and Game published a December article in the North American Journal of Aquaculture, then presented its work to a Western meeting of the American Fisheries Society this spring and to a national AFS meeting in Kansas City in August. There, the AFS announced Idahos YY Male Brook Trout Research Program won the 2016 Sport Fish Restoration Outstanding Project award for research and surveys.

But this week is the first time Dan Schill, fisheries research supervisor at Fish and Game, spoke on the record to a reporter about the work.

There have been a number of biologists very excited at these meetings where weve been making these presentations, including the one in Kansas City, Schill said Tuesday.

He and his colleagues arent aware of anyone else in the world who has built a similar broodstock for this purpose, though researchers in New Zealand have launched a project.

I dont think that anyones this far along, Schill said. Its just exciting to be part of this first effort to see if this technique  which up until now has been entirely theoretical, and based on mathematical modeling  trying to put it on the ground.

Brook trout  a species native to eastern North America but deliberately introduced in the West in the 1800s  frequently overpopulate here and stunt in lakes and streams, which means fish are too small for most anglers to be interested. And where brook trout range overlaps with the Wests native cutthroat trout, biologists usually see marked reductions in cutthroat numbers.

The usual methods of eradicating unwanted fish are time-consuming and labor-intensive, Fish and Game said, and all have limitations: Rotenone kills all the other fish in the stream, too, and the agency typically limits its use of toxicants to smaller bodies of water. Netting and trapping are rarely long-term solutions because a few fish escape and spawn. Electrofishing has the same problem.

And youre right back where you started from, Schill said.

Thats where the YY-males come in.

Fish and Game researchers and hatchery staff collaborated to breed male brook trout with two Y chromosomes rather than the usual XY.

Stocking YY-male hatchery fish into a body of water with an undesired fish population could change the sex ratio to all males within a few generations, and the unwanted fish population would eventually fail to reproduce and therefore die off, the agency wrote. Once accomplished, Fish and Game would stop stocking those fish and fisheries managers would then restock that body of water with a more desirable fish species.

The agency chose brook trout for its first YY project because they are short-lived and quickly reach sexual maturity, which shortens the time needed to produce the hatchery broodstock and test the technique.

Breeding for YY-males

Fish and Game began the breeding for its YY-male brook trout in 2008 at the Ashton Fish Hatchery  which it mothballed in 2013  then moved the project to the Hayspur Fish Hatchery southeast of Bellevue, where the broodstock are kept in silos.

The agencys explanation of its YY breeding:

The YY technique begins in a hatchery, where young brook trout are exposed to low doses of a common female hormone, estradiol, which has no effect on female fish, but causes male fish to produce eggs when they mature. The egg-producing males are crossed with standard males, which produce about 25 percent YY-male offspring. Those offspring are used to produce another generation that will theoretically produce exclusively male offspring when bred with any other brook trout.

Brook trout produced in the program for stocking in the wild are not exposed to any hormones and appear like all other brook trout, but they carry two male chromosomes instead of one.

The idea is to continue stocking hatchery-produced YY-males into the wild population until all the fish in the water are male; then stocking ends and the population dies off.

If the brook trout effort proves successful in small, isolated waters, Fish and Game said, its YY-male method could eradicate or limit other fish species that reduce game fish populations and harm habitat in certain waters  perhaps even large bodies of water infested by carp.

The technique could be cost-effective, Fish and Game officials hope.

It took only four years to develop the YY brook trout broodstock, said Gary Byrne, the fish production manager overseeing the programs hatchery side.

Stocking trials

Stocking trials of YY brook trout began in 2014 in four tiny streams in the Lost River drainages west of Mackay.

Schill said he wanted to see initial survival and spawning results of that pilot study before talking to the media, and genetic analyses take time.

A marked YY male was observed actively spawning in October with a wild female, and testing done on wild fry in study streams in 2015 conclusively showed that some YY males successfully spawned, Fish and Game wrote. Of equal note, all progeny of stocked YY fish found were XY males, exactly as predicted and as investigators hoped.

Schill, who led the research team, was encouraged by the low cost of broodstock development.

The proof will be in the pudding over the next few years when our research staff obtain results confirming whether stocked YY fish successfully spawn in the wild and are ultimately effective in reducing the percentage of wild female brook trout in test waters, Schill said.

Over the next several years, Fish and Game will start stocking YY brook trout in more waters  including high mountain lakes east of McCall, and more small streams in south-central Idaho close to Mackay. Then researchers will evaluate whether the sex ratio starts shifting markedly to male, and, ultimately, whether brook trout numbers drop.

We really wont expect to see a big effect on sex ratio until two or three years go by, Schill said.

Potential applications

Schills presentation last year at the national AFS meeting in Portland, Ore., got immediate attention.

Within a few weeks, he said, I was contacted by a 40-plus-year veteran of Yellowstone fish research regarding whether or not the YY-male approach would assist ongoing efforts to eradicate illegally introduced lake trout from Yellowstone Lake. The current Yellowstone lake trout control effort, relying chiefly on manual removal and related methods, is designed to restore Yellowstone cutthroat trout to its former prominence as the keystone species in the lake.

In the Midwest in February, Schill said, he advised two federal labs and various state partners on the potential of the YY-male approach for fighting the invasive Asian carp species taking over the Mississippi River system and threatening the Great Lakes fisheries.

The Idaho experiment could have another, perhaps surprising, outcome.

In an ironic twist, brook trout in the Eastern U.S. are doing poorly in much of their range and in warmer south Appalachian streams are often threatened with historical introduction of rainbow trout, a Western species, Schill said. I have been in a dialog with experts in that area on the applicability of YY-males for elimination of rainbow trout in key streams where they pose a threat to the native brook trout. Experts working to restore brook trout there have heretofore had to rely largely on especially labor-intensive, multiple-pass electrofishing removals for rainbow trout eradication, and the YY-male technique may hold promise.

The hormone question

Fish and Game leaders know their hormone and breeding experimentation has the potential to touch off a storm of attention.

The agency prepared a Q-and-A sheet before Schill assented to an interview. Among the questions: What happens if someone eats a fish thats been exposed to estradiol?

The agencys answer: Fish exposed to the hormone in the program remain in enclosed hatchery production silos and are never stocked so its virtually impossible for that to occur. However, the doses given to tiny fry are very low and the 100 percent clearance rate from tissues is a matter of days, well over a year before fish become a size of interest to anglers. For these reasons, it is inconceivable that an angler or other animals would be exposed to estradiol, which is a common and frequently used human prescription drug thats also used in aquaculture.
TWIN FALLS  The Idaho Attorney Generals Office announced Wednesday it has reason to believe the Twin Falls YMCA violated Idahos charitable trust laws.

The office launched an investigation after the Times-News broke a story in May about the nonprofit organization being on the verge of financial insolvency.

The AGs investigation  which launched June 10  showed restricted donations were used for general operations.

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden issued best practice recommendations to help the organization and its board.

Those include increasing the level of board competency in managing finances, implementing policies and procedures to ensure contributions are used for the organizations mission, and to retain a certified public accountant to organize financial reports.

This is an important asset to the community and the recommendations Ive made are designed to make sure this organization can continue making a positive impact on children and families far into the future, he wrote.

Donna Cleland, chief operating officer for the Twin Falls YMCA, said Wednesday morning she needed to consult with other Y officials before commenting on the report.

The investigation found poor record-keeping practices and problems with soliciting donations. But donations werent used for private purposes, the AGs office says.

The attorney generals office will continue its oversight, according to a 17-page report it issued Wednesday. The YMCA board agreed to notify the office if any missing assets are reported.

The YMCA was on probation with its national parent organization after it uncovered widespread mismanagement and misappropriation of nearly $700,000 in donations.

In late August, it announced two certified public accountant firms examined its finances and found no evidence of embezzlement.

The local nonprofit provided information to the AGs office and deputy attorney general Stephanie Guyon met with YMCA officials Aug. 2.

The local board asked for help from its parent organization when it realized then-chief executive officer Gary Ettenger was providing false financial information to them, according to a February assessment conducted by the national YMCA and later obtained by the Times-News. Ettenger was asked to resign in March.

But the board told the Times-News in March that Ettenger was retiring because of health reasons  not because of mismanagement.

At the time of his resignation, Ettengers annual salary was $90,974, according to the AGs report.

After Ettenger left, the newly-elected board was left with scant financial documentation, especially details of donations to the organization, the AGs statement says.

Wasden said in a report the lack of adequate business records made it impossible to paint a clear picture of the organizations financial history.

But in the statement, he praises the YMCA board for its cooperation in the investigation.

The present board deserves credit for its level of cooperation and its commitment to making changes in ways that should improve the YMCA in every way, he wrote.

The Twin Falls YMCA  which serves about 7,000 Magic Valley residents  has settled and paid its back taxes, and cut its operational deficit by 53 percent.

It also aims to operate on a balanced budget within the next six months.

The Twin Falls YMCA owns gyms on Elizabeth Street and Pole Line Road, and it manages the YMCA/Twin Falls City Pool on Locust Street under a contract with the city.

In 2015, the amount of charitable contributions to the Twin Falls YMCA dropped 87 percent compared with the previous year, according to the AG report.

That left the organization with 26 percent less annual revenue: from $2.4 million in 2014 to $1.8 million in 2015.

The nonprofit reduced expenses in 2015, but still incurred a $400,000 deficit, according to the report.

Ettenger handled the bulk of the YMCAs fundraising from 2011 to 2016, but failed to maintain records of the donations, the report states.

Mr. Ettenger used most of the contributions to cover the YMCA-Twin Falls general operational expenses, the report states. The board represents to the Attorney General that it was unaware of Mr. Ettengers misapplication of the funds.

Solicited donations are generally restricted for use for a specific program or project.

Idaho law doesnt allow nonprofits to use donation money for a purpose not specified by a donor, but doesnt criminalize that conduct or give penalties, the AGs office said.

Nothing in documents given to Wasden indicate the YMCA obtained donor or court approval to modify a restriction, the report states.

Internal YMCA documents show the local branch misappropriated $693,000 in donations in 2014 tied to specific projects.

In 2014, the YMCA received a $600,000 donation from the Kyle family, which owns local McDonalds franchises, to transform the Ys pool at its Elizabeth Street location into an indoor water park. No construction was done.

And it received $500,000 in May 2014 from Dr. Adrian Dean, which included a 3,000-square-foot building on Falls Avenue.

Now, the organization plans to start remodeling the Elizabeth Street pool to honor the Kyle familys donation. The goal is to open it Jan. 1.
GOODING  A Gooding man initially charged with first-degree murder was sentenced Tuesday to five to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting voluntary manslaughter, but, his attorney told a judge, it appears the FBI is no longer working to catch the real killers.

Marcelo Hernandez-Blanco, 36, was charged last May with the murder of Leopoldo Polo Cilio-Martinez, his friend and former roommate. But prosecutors in July amended the charge to aiding and abetting voluntary manslaughter, and Hernandez-Blanco admitted to helping dispose of Cilio-Martinezs body and van.

Elko County sheriffs deputies found Cilio-Martinezs body Feb. 2, 2014, in the desert west of Jackpot. An autopsy revealed he was shot twice in the head and twice in the right shoulder with a .25-caliber gun. The Elko County Coroner determined the body was dumped about eight to 12 hours after his death. Detectives in Gooding County and special agents from the FBIs Boise field office later linked Hernandez-Blanco to the killing.

But Hernandez-Blancos public defender, Brad Calbo, laid out in court Tuesday the extent of his clients involvement.

Marcelo is responsible for moving the already dead body of Polo, Calbo told District Judge John Butler. Marcelo is responsible for disposing of Polos van after the killing.

But, as Calbo told the court at the beginning of his sentencing argument, there was literally nothing Marcelo could have done to prevent the death of Leopoldo Cilio-Martinez.

Marcelo was not present when Polo was killed, Calbo told Butler. Marcelo had nothing to do with Polos death. At the point that Marcelo was brought into this killing, this unlawful killing of Polo, it was over. There was no stopping it.

But Hernandez-Blancos plea to the lesser charge means the person or people who killed Cilio-Martinez are still free, and Calbo revealed Tuesday the FBI has not, and might never, follow up with Hernandez-Blanco about what he knows.

In a plea deal signed in July, Hernandez-Blanco promised to give a full-disclosure interview with law enforcement and submit to a polygraph test. But two months after that deal was signed, neither has happened.

Marcelo was to be afforded the opportunity and ability to continue his cooperation with law enforcement, Calbo told the court. He has been willing, ready and able to do that. He is still willing, ready and able to do that.

But it became apparent soon after the deal was signed, Calbo said, that the FBI wasnt interested or wasnt going to move forward quickly.

Within a week of his plea, I was informed that there would very likely be no polygraph, there would very likely be no full-disclosure interview, that he would very likely not be afforded the opportunity, Calbo said.

And I think theres some disagreement whether the Federal Bureau of Investigation is even interested in furthering this case. My very strong impression is that they are not. I hope thats not true.

Gooding County Prosecutor Luverne Shull took over the prosecution of the case only recently after his chief deputy, Trevor Misseldine, left for a job in the Twin Falls County Prosecutors office. Shull seemed unsure about whether the FBI planned to conduct the interview and polygraph test, saying only that the agent working the case is out of the country until Nov. 11.

But Calbo did not mince words in expressing his believe that the FBI has no plans to pursue the case.

I believe that Mr. Misseldine tried very, very hard to set up the polygraph and the interview, and afford Marcelo the opportunity to continue his cooperation, but more importantly, to bring the people who are responsible for this killing to justice, Calbo said. I know for a fact that Trevor tried to do that, and I know for a fact that he ran into a brick wall of disinterest. Absolute disinterest.

As Calbo explained it, the interview and polygraph test not only would have helped investigators learn who the real killers were, but they also would have helped Hernandez-Blanco, a Mexican resident living here illegally, earn a more lenient deal, including possibly a visa to stay in the U.S.

Instead, Calbo could only request that Butler sentence his client to a seven-year prison term with two years minimum to serve, acknowledging also that Hernandez-Blanco will be deported as soon as he is released from prison.

Shull asked that he be sentenced to 15 years with a five-year minimum term.

The judge, citing a lack of clarity as to what really happened  he too was expecting to have Hernandez-Blancos sworn full-disclosure interview  imposed a sentence of five to ten years and a $2,000 fine.

Hernandez-Blanco has credit for 493 days in custody, meaning hell be eligible for parole in about 3  years. Butler said part of the reason for imposing the five-year minimum sentence was to ensure hes still in the country if charges ever are filed against others in Cilio-Martinezs death.

Its not really clear whether further charges will be filed, but certainly if such charges are filed, the testimony of the defendant here would be essential in the prosecution of that case, Butler said. And given the fact that the defendant is subject to deportation, and that is a strong likelihood, there is a question as to whether the defendant would be available to law enforcement in the future.

As for Hernandez-Blanco, he apologized to the judge and said he felt sorry for everything.

I know I deserve this (punishment), Hernandez-Blanco told the court. Im sorry, and I ask forgiveness for everything thats happened.
TWIN FALLS  The U.S. Forest Service is looking for applicants to serve on a Resource Advisory Committee for the Sawtooth National Forest.

The committee, which will consist of 15 members and six alternates, will review proposed forest management projects and make recommendations to the Forest Service on their implementation and coordinate with land management agencies, RAC Chairman Nils Ribi said in a statement.

Members fall into three categories, with five members and two alternates from each. The first is representatives from organized labor, outdoor recreation, the timber industry, energy and mineral development and grazing permit holders; the second, representatives of environmental groups, wild horse or burro groups and archaeological and historical interests; the third, state and local elected officials, tribal representatives, school officials or teachers and representatives of the general public.

Applicants will be evaluated based on their education, training and experience working with the interest area they want to represent, their knowledge of the area and a commitment to collaborative resource decision-making, the Forest Service said. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture appoints them. Members serve four-year terms and arent paid, but they are reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. Meetings are twice a year at most, and members must live in Idaho and, to the extent possible, within the RAC boundary, which covers the Sawtooth National Forest and includes Blaine, Camas and Cassia counties.

The application period ends Nov. 30. To obtain an application, contact Julie Thomas at the U.S. Forest Service at 208-737-3200 and indicate the interest group you wish to represent next to your signature on the application. Completed applications should be mailed to Thomas at Sawtooth National Forest, 2647 Kimberly Road East, Twin Falls, ID 83301.
TWIN FALLS  Both the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service are lifting fire restrictions on their lands in the area, effective Tuesday.

Cooler temperatures, shorter days and recent moisture have lowered the threat of wildfires and removed the need for open burning restrictions, the Twin Falls BLM said in a statement.

We do encourage the public to be extra careful when having a fire on the national forest, Sawtooth National Forest spokeswoman Julie Thomas said in an email. Temperatures are cooling and we are seeing precipitation in some places on the Sawtooth but it is still very dry.

The BLM said people can help to prevent wildfires by never leaving a campfire unattended; keeping water, dirt and a shovel near your fire at all times; making sure your fire is out and cold to the touch before leaving; and never using fireworks, exploding targets or tracer rounds on or near public land.

The Grape Creek Fire, a wildfire that started a week-and-a-half ago near Elba and spread to more than 1,000 acres, is mostly under control. It was downgraded from a Type 3 to a Type 4 incident Saturday, and Logger Springs Road has been reopened.

However, the closure of the land around Independence Lakes, including the Independence Lakes and Stinson Creek trails and the Greek Crape Fire area, is still in effect, Thomas said.

There will be smoke coming out for a while, Thomas said.

Some fire crews are still there, monitoring the still-active portion of the fire burning in the Green Creek drainage and using natural barriers to help confine it, the Forest Service said in a statement Friday. A camera has been set up with a view of the Green Creek drainage, to help them monitor the fire remotely.

The Forest Service said the fire burned in the Grape Creek drainage in a mosaic pattern, with some areas burning hotter and others untouched. Forest officials are assessing the fires severity to see if any rehabilitation is needed.
MURTAUGH  Police have identified a man who was killed several days ago in a crash near Murtaugh.

The body of Melchor Vergara-Cotez, 41, of Hazleton was found Monday evening by a person in an all-terrain vehicle, Jerome County Sheriff Doug McFall said.

Based on the condition of the body, Jerome County Coroner Gerald Brant estimates Vergara-Cotez died three to five days ago.

His wife has been notified, police said.

The crash scene and body were out of sight of the road, just north of the Murtaugh Bridge on the Jerome County side of the canyon.

Police believe Vergara-Cotez was southbound on Murtaugh Road traveling at high speed when he crashed into a large berm thats there to keep drivers from going off the canyon, McFall said.

Vergara-Cotez was thrown from his car and landed on the south side of the berm but the car kept going.
TWIN FALLS  Heath Harmison started his professional comedy career in Twin Falls.

Its no joke.

Harmison was studying to become a nurse when he discovered he could tickle peoples funny bones. There was an open mic, he told jokes for 20 minutes, and people loved it. Hes been working as a full-time comedian for the past 12 years for clubs, casinos, cruise lines and festivals worldwide.

On Monday, Harmison, 33, learned he made it to the semifinal round of the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition. Its a competition that draws hundreds of comedians worldwide and in the past has featured then up-and-coming comedians such as Robin Williams, Louis C. K., Dana Carvey and Ellen DeGeneres.

And not only did Harmison make the semifinals, he placed first overall in the top five of his preliminary round. The semifinals will feature 10 comedians and the top five will move to the finals round. Last years winner received $6,000.

Its a big deal, he said. The biggest names in comedy have been doing this competition and this year is the 41st year.

The competition is a month-long and comedians are thrown in front of audiences as large as 600 people to a room of only 50 people. Harmison said its all to test how you adapt as a comedian.

They do want to test you in different environments, he said. We are doing a retirement community next week. If you do dirty comedy, you have to back it off. You have to know your audience.

Harmison described his stand-up as very physical and energetic, but he keeps it clean. He also makes a point to dress up for his shows.

During last weeks competition, Harmison said a man at one of his shows took off his shirt and threw it at him because it was so hot inside the venue. When he wiped off his forehead with the shirt and threw it back at him, Harmison said, the crowd went crazy.

Im definitely the cleanest comic in the competition, he said. There is a want and need for clean comedy, and I want to provide that. And it does show you can be funny and be clean. It doesnt take vulgarity and dirty humor to get the whole crowd laughing.

Jared Johnson, the Orpheum Theatres manager, said Harmison has a good shot at winning the competition.

Hes a comic that everyone can relate to, Johnson said. Hes not some niche comic that one certain type of person is going to like.

Harmison has performed four shows at the Orpheum Theatre. Johnson said his parents, and owners of the Orpheum Theatre, Larry and Stephanie Johnson, first saw Harmison perform in Las Vegas.

They thought he was hysterical, he said. They had no idea he was from Twin Falls.

Harmison moved to Las Vegas last year after living in Boise for eight years. He is married and has two children. His goals include having his own sitcom and becoming a cast member on Saturday Night Live.

The San Francisco International Comedy Competition semifinals start back up next week.

There are some very funny people in this competition, he said. I would not be surprised at all that some of these guys become the next big names.

On Tuesday, Harmison was at home preparing for a show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Its been a crazy ride, he said. Ive met some of the coolest people in the planet because of one open mic in Twin Falls that opened the door of possibilities for me.
This appeared in Tuesdays Washington Post.

The latest partial truce in Syria got off to a bad start Monday, with the regime of Bashar Assad reported to be bombing and shelling the very areas the deal is supposed to cover. Whether the truce will ever get off the ground will likely depend on whether Moscow can restrain its client dictator, who hours before the cease-fire began repeated his vow to recapture all of Syria by force. But Vladimir Putins regime at least has a motive to succeed: If it does, it will have realized Putins aspiration of imposing his will on the United States.

When Russia launched its direct military intervention in Syria a year ago, President Barack Obama predicted its only result would be a quagmire. Instead, the agreement struck by Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday with his Russian counterpart offers Putin everything he sought. The Assad regime, which was tottering a year ago, will be entrenched and its opposition dealt a powerful blow. The United States will meanwhile grant Putins long-standing demand that it join with Russia in targeting groups deemed to be terrorists. If serious political negotiations on Syrias future ever take placean unlikely prospect, at least in the Obama administrations remaining monthsthe Assad regime and its Russian and Iranian backers will hold a commanding position.

In exchange for these sweeping concessions, which essentially abandon Obamas onetime goal of freeing Syria from Assad and make the United States a junior partner of Russia in the Middle Easts most important ongoing conflict, Kerry promises that humanitarian lifelines will be opened into the besieged city of Aleppo and other areas subjected to surrender-or-starve tactics. The Syrian air force will supposedly be banned from dropping barrel bombs, chlorine and other munitions on many areas where rebels are basedthough there seem to be loopholes in the deal, and its text has not been made public.

If that really happens, and lives are saved, that will be a positive benefit. Perhaps its the only one available to a U.S. policy that swears off, as doomed to failure, the same limited military measures that Russia has employed with success. But Putin and Assad have agreed to multiple previous truces, in Syria and, in Putins case, Ukraine  and violated all of them. Their reward has been to gain territory and strengthen their strategic positions, while receiving from the United States not sanction but more concessions and proposals for new deals. If the regimes observe their promises in this case, it may be because the time to exploit this U.S. administration  which has retreated from its red lines, allowed Russia to restore itself as a Middle East power and betrayed those Syrians who hoped to rid themselves of a blood-drenched dictator  is finally running out.
This appeared in the Lewiston Tribune:

Legislators will never alleviate the suffering of 78,000 working poor Idaho adults by extending Medicaid coverage to them.

If you doubt that, then you werent listening to the members of an interim legislative working group assigned to look into the issue.

Among them:

Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-HustonWe have to take into consideration that there are those in the 78,000 who could pay for their health insurance if they just worked a little more.

Rep. Judy Boyle, R-MidvaleI am not for Medicaid expansion. I think weve heard of some other options. I think we can come up with a really good solution that fits Idaho.

Sen. Steve Thayne, R-EmmettThe reduction of overall medical costs, I dont think it can be done within the structure of federal rulesthats my big concern.

Sen. Marv Hagedorn, R-MeridianThis is a big elephant were trying to eat, and the way Ive always been told is you do it one bite at a time.

Thats four out of eight Republicans on a panel assigned to break the logjam that has stymied health care coverage for adults who make too little to qualify for subsidized private health insurance under Obamacare.

Even if they changed their minds, what about the Bedke Rule?

House Speaker Scott Bedke has refused to pass any major measure unless he can do it without Democratic help  so he needs 36 out of the 56 House GOP members.

And if by some miracle Bedke either suspends his rule or the rank-and-file House GOP has a change of heart, theres still the calendar.

Assume Republican lawmakers remain fixated on coming up with a modified program. That requires the 2017 Legislature to authorize the state to negotiate a waiver from the standard Medicaid program.

Whatever agreement the state and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services make must be approved by the Legislature. Such a vote would occur just on the eve of the 2018 closed Republican primary election, where the partisan base may retaliate against any lawmaker who supports the Medicaid deal.

Hence, people such as former Division of Financial Management Director Marty Peterson are calling on Idaho Gov. C.L. Butch Otter to act on his own.

Otters no stranger to issuing health care-related executive orders. In April 2011, he actually used that authority to block implementation of Obamacare. Five years later, he used it to allow up to 25 children to secure an experimental, marijuana-based drug to treat severe seizures.

By using that same authority to expand Medicaid, Otter would be following in the footsteps of governors in states such as Alaska, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arizona and Iowa.

Spending state money on Medicaid expansion still takes legislative approval. But the governor has some good cards to play.

For instance, the package Sen. Dan Schmidt, D-Moscow, proposed earlier this year required the state to spend about $12.2 million to match $460 million in federal Medicaid funds. On the other hand, Medicaid expansion would free the state from spending about $32.5 million on such things as catastrophic health care for medically indigent people and public health programs.

So Otter would be asking lawmakers to pass a budget cut.

Besides, lawmakers can reject a Medicaid expansion bill and still go home. But lawmakers cant leave Boise without passing a budget.

That gives the governor real leverage. As long as Otter has 12 state senators to sustain his veto of any budget that excludes Medicaid expansion, he can keep lawmakers in session until Independence Day.

Otter shies away from confrontations with the Legislature. But if this governor fails to act soon, nothing is going to change until his successor takes office in 2019.
After reading Stephen Hartgens Readers Comment, an attack on Catherine Talkington filled with hyperbole and innuendo, I did some research and discovered Mr. Hartgen is a well-educated man. So, I was surprised at the poor quality of his article.

Im somewhat foggy about the meaning of conservative values, a phrase we hear incessantly from our Republican politicians. Just what does it mean?

Does it mean we strangle our education institutions with inadequate funding and deny our teachers the income and support they deserve?

Does it mean the state should be granted title to federal lands to be sold off and developed to ensure adequate return on assets? To date, Idaho has sold off 40 percent of the public lands granted to it upon statehood.

Does it mean we sacrifice our quality of life in the Magic Valley to developers and other special interests?

Does fiscally conservative explain the millions of dollars the state has paid in legal expenses and settlements for challenges to legally fragile or unconstitutional laws written over the past few decades?

This is a crucial year for Idaho voters. We need to shake up the status quo and send new faces to represent us in public office. The Republicans have controlled our state for years and what are the results? We are now 50th in education in the country, 78,000 Idahoans are without health insurance and costing our state millions and we have more minimum wage workers than any other state but one.

The noise surrounding the presidential election must not allow us to forget the importance of our local elections.

I urge you to vote Jill Skeem for Twin Falls County commissioner and Catherine Talkington for House District 24. They are both smart, courageous women who have what it takes to stand up and represent you and me as their special interests."

Jessie Adams

Kimberly
Provocation and tension between Iranian and US Forces in the Persian Gulf reached a new level after it was revealed that Iranian air-defense stations threatened to shoot down two US reconnaissance aircrafts.

According to Commander Bill Urban, spokesman for the 5th Fleet, the Iranian forces warned over the radio that they will fire Iranian missiles if the aircrafts entered their airspace. Three radio calls allegedly using threatening language were made but the US forces responded in an appropriate and calm manner according to a US defense official.

The September 10 incident was followed by the unveiling of a new high-speed catamaran-styled vessel by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday. A banner with the message America should go to the Bay of Pigs, the Persian Gulf is our house was brandished on the side of the vessel to remind Washington of its 1961 failed attempt to end Fidel Castros regime.

IRGC Navy Chief Admiral Ali Fadavi said the deployment of the speedboat will add to Irans deterrence power and will have an effect on the calculation of the enemy, particularly America as he claimed that the latters presence has caused insecurity and lawlessness in the Gulf.

The 55-meter long vessel can transport a helicopter and 100 crewmembers according to state TV but its military capabilities were not unveiled.

Iran, like many countries, has an internal political process that is defined by a lot of different dynamics, explained US State Department spokesman Mark Toner before warning against the disturbing trend caused by Iranian vessels since the beginning of the year.

Tehran has threatened that it could close down the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf and its increasing military armament has raised concerns in the region.

Iranian ships have on several occasions been involved in confrontations with US vessels. Last month, one of them fired warning shots before a US warship changed its course to avoid collision.
Israel launched a spy satellite named Ofek 11 on Tuesday afternoon from the Palmachim Air Force Base but the satellite has seemingly encountered some problems.

Amnon Harari, the Defense Ministrys Director of Aerospace, actually said there are concerns that its functioning could be an issue. The messages received shortly after the launch show that the spacecraft may indicate problems as there are a number of things that worry us.

The satellite reportedly entered into orbit Tuesday but it will take some days before the problems can be identified.

Opher Doron, head of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which manufactured the satellite, acknowledged that there are a few matters that dont seem routine. The process of diagnosing the satellites situation is continuing, he said.

Amnon Harari said they are in continued contact with the satellite and are monitoring its condition as they are trying to stabilize it.

The reconnaissance satellite is expected to take high-resolution images of Israels neighboring countries and send them to Tel Aviv. Regional countries have not questioned the launching and its motives although Israeli authorities have released few details about the satellite.

Ofek 11 is the latest in a series of military-operated spy satellites launched by Israel since 1988. Tuesdays launch was the 10th flight of a Shavit rocket, and eight of the rocket flights have been successful. Ofek 10 was launched in April 2014 with an all-weather radar imaging instrument. Ofek means horizon in Hebrew.
The Ras Lanuf, al-Sidra and the Zueitina oil terminals that were taken over by the Libyan National Army (LNA) under the command of renegade General Khalifa Haftar, loyal to the Tobruk-based government, will soon begin to operate according to Chairman Mustafa Sanalla of the National Oil Corporation (NOC).

The LNA handed over the terminals to the NOC and Sanalla hopes that it will be the start of a new phase of cooperation and peaceful existence between Libyan parties as well as an end to the use and closure of ports and oilfields for political purposes.

The three terminals were controlled by the Petroleum Forces Guard (PFG) of Ibrahim Jadhran; who imposed a blockade on them before reaching a controversial deal with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in July. Speaker Agila Saleh of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives said the LNA liberated the terminals by forcing the PFG occupiers out.

Sanalla said they are assessing the terminals before lifting the force majeure and restart exports as soon as possible. He said the three terminals could handle up to 600,000 barrels per day within four weeks and 900,000 before 2017.

The control of the terminals by Haftars forces raised criticism from some Western countries strongly supporting the U.N-backed GNA because state institutions depend largely on oil revenues to fund their activities.

Mohammed Elijarh, a fellow at the Atlantic Council think-tank, told France 24 that Haftar is sending a message to the international community with the taking over of the terminals because he understands that what is important to them is fighting terrorism, securing Libyas oil infrastructure and making sure we restore some stability. He said the former Gadhafi aide is trying to portray himself as the person that can bring some sort of stability and progress to the international community, Libyans and the different tribes.
The Moroccan Royal Cabinet has harshly reprimanded the Secretary General of the Progress and Socialism Party (PPS) for making unsubstantiated statements, implicitly accusing an advisor to the King of authoritarianism.

In a very strong-worded communique issued Tuesday evening, the Royal Cabinet reprimanded the PPS Secretary General and Minister of Housing and Urban Policy, Nabil Benabdallah, for his recent statements that the communique described as unsubstantiated and as a political diversion tool at election time.

Morocco is gearing up to legislative elections on October 7.

Nabil Benabdellahs latest statements are a political diversion tool at election time, which requires refraining from launching unsubstantiated statements, the Royal Cabinet said.

In his interview with Al Ayyam weekly paper, Benabdellah said his party had no problem with the Authenticity and Modernity party (PAM/opposition), but with the person who is behind this party. To make things clearer, he said this person is the founder of the party who embodies authoritarianism. The person he was alluding to is Fouad Ali El-Himma, who now holds the position of Advisor to King Mohammed VI.

Irked by this statement, the Royal Cabinet called Nabil Benabdellah to refrain from launching baseless statements.

It seems clear that this statement, which comes following other equally irresponsible statements by Nabil Benabdellah, is only a political diversion tool at election time, which requires refraining from unsubstantiated statements, the Royal Cabinet pointed out in the communique.

This election time requires refraining from using concepts that undermine the reputation of the country and the integrity and credibility of institutions, in an attempt to win votes and voters sympathy, the communique added.

Benabdallahs statements are contrary to the provisions of the Constitution and the laws that govern the relationship between the monarchy institution and all national institutions and bodies, including political parties, went on the communique.

The Royal Cabinet said it issued this explanatory statement to remove any doubt about Benabdallahs remarks given their important and dangerous nature, especially that they were made by a government member and targeted an Advisor to the King who has no longer any relationship with politics.

The Royal Cabinet flatly rejected any claims that Royal Advisors interfere in the work or actions of political parties, saying that the Kings Advisors act only within the framework of their duties, following the high specific and direct instructions of the King.

The Royal Cabinet made it clear in the communique that its explanation concerns only the person who made those statements and has no relation with the PPS, known for its historic role of activism and its constructive contribution to the national political and institutional process.
The embattled South African President Jacob Zuma has taken out a home loan to repay fraction of money he spent on luxury renovations after court ruled he must bear reasonable cost.

A statement from the presidency confirmed that he had paid the amount of 7.8 million rands ($538,000) to the Reserve Bank, adding that the president took a home loan from a local bank to settle the amount.

The VBS Mutual bank which granted the president the loan describes itself as a wholly black-owned specialist finance and retail bank.

The move comes after the constitutional court ordered Zuma in March to return some of the $16 million spent on enhancing his residence at Nkandla in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

A Treasury spokeswoman said the payment had been received.

In a statement from its leader, Mmusi Maimane, the opposition DA said it was important for Zuma to provide proof to the National Assembly that he personally paid the outstanding amount.

The DA also said this was not the end of the Nkandla debacle and was only the tip of the iceberg in a corruption-plagued saga

The South African President has survived an impeachment attempt thanks to the support of the African National Congress. However his long-term future is still in doubt after the saga has divided the ANC, which suffered its worst-ever losses in municipal elections last month.
Zambias Edgar Lungu has been sworn-in as president of the southern African nation on Monday, a week after the constitutional court rejected the oppositions petition against his re-election.

President Lungu and his running mate Inonge Wina won the August 11 presidential elections after polling over 1.8 million votes against 1.7 million plus votes for closest rival Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND), who contested for the fifth time.

President Lungu and his Vice-President, after taking their oaths and appending their signatures to the oath, released doves and balloons as a sign of unity among Zambians.

According to Lusaka based media, four presidents attended the ceremony including the Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni.

Growth in Zambia, Africas second-largest copper producer, is expected to slow to 3.2 percent this year compared with 3.6 percent last year.

The country is in talks with the International Monetary Fund over a possible financing deal, after conceding its budget deficit.

President Edgar Lungu said Zambia would control spending and act to boost economic growth.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday slammed five African countries, including Ethiopia, Gambia and Mozambique, for shying away from UN officers requesting to carry out human rights investigations.

The High commissioner, Zeid Raad Al Hussein made the comment on Tuesday saying that Congo Republic and Burundi were cooperative with the UN officers.

Zeid Raad Al Hussein lauded Ethiopia for its economic development efforts but noted that news about deadly clampdown on protesters in the country were cause for deep concern.

I welcome a national effort, but the Government should also consider the need for an independent, impartial and international effort to affirm or revise the allegations, he said.

Speaking about Gambia, Zeid Raad Al Hussein said the United Nations main concern in the West African nation was with respect to instances of inflammatory speech, as well as alleged violence against protesters in the context of the electoral campaign, and more recently, death in detention, and reported torture and ill-treatment of detainees.

Given the potentially serious repercussions of any further decline in the situation, I believe it is urgent to assist the authorities to maintain respect for all human rights, the Commissioner stated.

The Mozambican government has not yet respond to the UN human rights groups request for an assessment mission to visit the country.
The United Nations Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday confirmed that it has received $1.3m worth of lifesaving supplies for internally displaced people in the northeast of Nigeria, where Boko Haram insurgency has led to a humanitarian crisis.

A Boeing 747 cargo plane arrived in Abuja on Sunday (September 11) with $1.3m worth of lifesaving supplies for internally displaced persons in northeast Nigeria, UNICEF office in Nigeria said.

The plane brought in health kits containing essential medicines and health supplies for primary health centres in the states affected by the crisis, it added.

Two days ago, UNICEF described the growing level of food crisis in Nigerias northeast as the worst case of famine and malnutrition in the world, stressing that the world and Nigeria does not realise how bad the situation has become.

An estimated 4.5 million people need assistance with one million facing extreme malnutrition.

One in every five of severely malnourished children risks losing their lives, and the situation in Borno is deplorable because the kids do not have proper food and lack health care.

Nutritional emergency has been declared in Borno state, where the governor, Kashim Shettima, is now working closely with UN agencies.

The WFP was invited into Nigeria by the government in March to assist the relief effort. They are rapidly scaling up their operation and now hope to reach more than 700,000 with food aid by December.
The Italian government on Tuesday confirmed the deployment of 100 soldiers to protect a military hospital near Libyas airport in Misrata, as part of a humanitarian intervention requested by Tripoli.

The move comes in response to a request from the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), which has the backing of the international community.

We plan to send about 300 people, of whom 65 are doctors and nurses, 135 are part of the logistical team and 100 are for the hospitals protection, the Minister of Defense Roberta Pinotti said.

Earlier reports said the contingent was made up of 100 doctors and nurses with 200 troops for the protection of the hospital.

Roberta Pinotti, speaking before a parliamentary commission on Libya, said a C-27 transport plane will be stationed at the hospital in case the need arises for an emergency evacuation and an Italian warship will be anchored off the Libyan coast for security back-up.

GNA-loyal fighters have been battling IS at the terror groups former stronghold of Sirte for several months now as sectarian differences have continued to drive various groups apart since the death of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Italy  a former colonizer of Libya  has acknowledged in the past that it has sent Special Forces into the North African nation to assist the government.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Tuesday said Uganda is gradually sliding into a state of electoral dictatorship, where elections are held but only to ensure that the same politicians remain in power.

The international rights groups comment follows the arrest of 25 women who gathered in the capital Kampala, to present a petition to the Parliament Speaker against a proposed scrap on age limits for judges and term limits for top election officials.

Repression shouldnt become the norm as debates about constitutional amendments percolate in Uganda. Everyone should have the freedom to peacefully gather and express their views, free from government intimidation and arrest, Human Rights Watch said.

According to Maria Burnett, a senior researcher with HRWs Africa division, violating these womens rights to free assembly is just the most recent sign of Ugandas slide towards becoming an electoral dictatorship  where elections occur but recycle political elites and bestow on them a degree of legitimacy.

Washington, which for years has bankrolled Ugandas military, has in recent months repeatedly criticized Mr. Musevenis crackdown on the opposition and civil society organizations.

Mr. Museveni, a former guerrilla leader, famously said during his 1986 inauguration that Africas problem is leaders who dont want to leave power. In May, he was sworn in for his fifth successive five-year term after amending the constitution to remove term limits.
(HealthDay)You might need to reconsider that nightly glass of wine (or beer, or liquor) because new research suggests that alcohol may not be as healthy for everyone's heart as previously believed.

Long-term drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol may increase some people's risk of stroke by causing the heart's left atrium to get bigger, the researchers said. The left atrium is the upper left chamber of the heart.

This enlargement of the left atrium can contribute to a heart condition called atrial fibrillation, in which the heart beats irregularly, said senior researcher Dr. Gregory Marcus. He's director of clinical research with the University of California, San Francisco, division of cardiology.

Atrial fibrillation causes blood to pool and clot in the left atrium. If a clot breaks free, it can block a blood vessel in the brain, causing a stroke. About 15 percent of people who have a stroke have atrial fibrillation first, according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

"This new information should temper any drinking that may be occurring because people think it's good for their heart," Marcus said.

But, he also noted that these findings may not apply to everyone. Some people may have a genetic predisposition for atrial fibrillation, and alcohol just makes things worse, he said.

Until now, doctors have largely considered atrial fibrillation an electrical disorder of the heart. But Marcus and colleagues suspected that atrial fibrillation also might be caused by physical changes to the heart, at least in part.

Long-term heavy drinking has been shown to cause heart failure by enlarging the lower chambers of the heart, which are known as the ventricles, Marcus said. Other lab research has determined that the atria are even more prone to alcohol-related damage than the ventricles.

The new study looked at data on 5,220 participants from the Framingham Heart Study. This study is an ongoing long-term project tracking the health of residents in the town of Framingham, Mass.

The participants' average age was 56 and slightly more than half were women. The average follow-up time was six years, according to the report.

Participants had regular electrocardiograms (EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart. Of nearly 18,000 EKG scans taken over six years, researchers detected almost 1,100 incidences of atrial fibrillation.

The analysis revealed that an average 24 percent of the association between alcohol and atrial fibrillation risk could be explained by enlargement of the left atrium.

Although the study wasn't designed to prove a cause-and-effect link, regular drinking appeared to increase a person's risk for atrial fibrillation, the findings showed. Every 10 grams of alcohol consumed per dayabout one drink a dayincreased the risk of developing atrial fibrillation by about 5 percent.

The researchers also found that every additional 10 grams of alcohol daily was linked to a 0.16 millimeter increase in the size of the left atrium. As the atrium enlarges, it becomes less able to sustain a regular heartbeat.

Researchers said the relationship between atrial fibrillation and alcohol consumption remained even after factoring in other heart health risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes or smoking.

These findings run counter to, but don't necessarily contradict, other studies that have shown some people may benefit from a glass of wine every day, Marcus said.

"It may be that if we could really understand a given person's risk, either from their genetics or from a deep understanding of their behaviors and exposures, we might be able to risk-stratify them appropriately to counsel them regarding their optimal alcohol intake," he said.

"You may identify someone at risk for alcohol-induced atrial fibrillation, and you might tell that person to avoid alcohol," he continued.

"Someone else may benefit from a little bit of alcohol. I might actually recommend, if there's no evidence of addiction or abuse, one or two drinks a day," he said.

American Heart Association spokesperson Dr. Mariell Jessup agreed that these results should prompt some people to reconsider their drinking, particularly if they think it's helping their heart health.

People who drink every day should talk with their doctor about the heart health risks, even if it's only one drink a day, said Jessup, who's also a professor of cardiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Those who have other heart risk factorssuch as high blood pressure or a family history of heart diseaseshould take their drinking even more seriously, she said.

On the other hand, people free of risk factors who eat right and exercise regularly shouldn't worry too much about a regular drink, according to Jessup.

"If everything else in your life is absolutely perfect and you enjoy a glass of wine every night, then that's OK," she said.

"On the other hand, there are not many people who can say that," Jessup noted. "In the patient who is at risk for atrial fibrillation for other reasons, this is useful information because they probably already have a somewhat dilated left atrium."

The study was published Sept. 14 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Explore further Irregular heartbeat linked to wider range of serious conditions than previously thought

Copyright  2016 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Colorized SEM (scanning electron micrograph) of the foodborne pathogen Salmonella enteritidis. Blue is growth medium. Picture is colored in false colors to illustrate difference. Photo by Jean Guard, ARS. Credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture/public domain

Eggs from small flocks of chickens are just as likely to be contaminated with Salmonella enteritidisoften referred to as SEas eggs sold in grocery stores, which typically come from larger flocks, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

That conclusionwhich flies in the face of conventional wisdom that eggs from backyard poultry and small local enterprises are safer to eat than "commercially produced" eggswas drawn from a first-of-its kind, six-month study done last year in Pennsylvania. Researchers collected and tested more than 6,000 eggs from more than 200 selling points across the state.

Salmonella enteritidis is a leading foodborne pathogen in the United States, with many outbreaks in humans traced back to shell eggs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires shell-egg producers from farms with more than 3,000 chickens be in compliance with the FDA Final Egg Rule, which is aimed at restricting the growth of pathogens. However, small flocks with fewer than 3,000 layer chickens currently are exempted. Eggs from these producers often are marketed via direct retail to restaurants, health-food stores and farmers markets, or sold at on-farm roadside stands.

From April to September 2015, the researchers purchased two to four dozen eggs from each of 240 randomly selected farmers markets or roadside stands representing small layer flocks in 67 counties of Pennsylvania. Internal contents of the eggs and egg shells were cultured separately for Salmonella using standard protocols. Salmonella recovered were classified by serotype, and any Salmonella enteritidis isolates present were further characterized to evaluate their relatedness to isolates of the bacteria that have caused foodborne illness outbreaks.

Test results revealed that of the 240 selling points included in the study, eggs from five2 percentwere positive for Salmonella enteritidis. Eggs sold at one of the positive selling points contained the bacteria in egg shells; the eggs from the other four selling points had Salmonella enteritidis in internal contents.

That is a higher prevalence of the pathogen than that found in studies of eggs from large flocks, noted lead researcher Subhashinie Kariyawasam, microbiology section head at Penn State's Animal Diagnostic Laboratory. Those eggs, from flocks of more than 3,000 birds, are subject to federal regulations aimed at reducing Salmonella enteritidis contamination.

These regulations require measures such as placement of Salmonella-"clean" chicks, intensive rodent control, cleaning and disinfecting between flocks, environmental monitoring of pullet and layer houses, continuous testing of eggs from any Salmonella-positive houses, and diverting eggs from Salmonella-positive houses for pasteurization.

Kariyawasamwho presented the research findings to the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Avian Pathologists at their August meeting in San Antonio, Texassaid the study clearly demonstrated that Salmonella enteritidis is present in the eggs produced by small flocks.

"The research highlights the potential risk posed by the consumption of eggs produced by backyard and small layer flocks. And, analysis of the Salmonella enteritidis present in the eggs from small flocks shows they are the same types commonly reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from human foodborne outbreaks," she said. "These findings emphasize the importance of small-producer education on Salmonella enteritidis control measures and perhaps implementation of egg quality-assurance practices to prevent contamination of eggs produced by backyard and other small layer flocks."

Eggs from small flocks make a negligible contribution to the table egg industry in the United States, Kariyawasam noted. But the growing demand for backyard eggs and eggs from nonfarm environmentswith small egg-producing flocks managed in cage-free systems and pasture situationssuggests these production systems deserve some scrutiny.

"We were curious about Salmonella contamination of eggs produced by these flocks because the prevalence of this pathogen in smaller flocks was not known. Now we know that the prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis in eggs produced by small flocks is higher than in eggs produced by larger flocks."

Salmonella enteritidis, like other foodborne bacteria, is destroyed by proper cooking. However, Salmonella infections can be very serious, even life-threatening, especially to the very young, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

"The bottom line is, if you buy your eggs from the small producers, you need to worry about Salmonella just as if you bought eggs produced by large flocks," Kariyawasam said. "And, beyond the consumption of eggs, birds in these flocks can have Salmonella, so people with backyard poultry need to be aware of the dangers with pet birdsthere is a risk to allowing birds to come into the house and children playing with the chickens."

Other Penn State scientists who contributed to the study were Eva Wallner-Pendleton, senior research associate and avian pathologist, Gregory Martin, poultry science extension educator, and Thomas Denagamage, postdoctoral scholar in veterinary and biomedical sciences.

Explore further Backyard poultry producers should take precautions against salmonella
In a World View opinion column published in Nature, a Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine researcher calls for animal-human embryo research to proceed  but only with strong animal protections in place. So-called "chimera" research raises the hope of producing human organs in genetically modified large animals, such as pigs and sheep, offering a potential solution to the persistent shortage of human organs for transplantation.

Insoo Hyun, PhD, associate professor of bioethics, urges such research to proceed only after "knowing the right and wrong ways to treat sentient beings according to complexities of their attributes."

Hyun's recommendations appear in the journal's September 15th issue and come a week after the National Institutes of Health closed a month-long public comment period on proposed new regulations, widely expected to be adopted, that would lift a moratorium that currently forbids federal funding for chimera embryo research.

For decades, research has taken place on animal-human chimeras (after a Greek mythological figure with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent), without much controversy in the United States, such as in the case of mice transplanted with human cancer cells. However, concerns have arisen about research using human pluripotent stem cells, the focus of the current NIH moratorium. These cells are made from skin or blood cells which are genetically modified to act like embryonic stem cells that can form any adult cell types including human organs.

Hyun's recommendations come in response to concerns that the transfer of human stem cells into animal hosts would result in an animal with a human organ with at least partially human moral status, especially if the central nervous system is involved. He writes, however, that "The moral status of humans is not automatically assured by our genetic composition or the physical arrangement of our cells. Rather, it is sustained by a complex of mental traits " which cannot develop in such chimeras.

He notes that chimera studies that involve sentient animals are already tightly regulated via the US Animal Welfare Act and other national and international research policies. He adds, however, that since "the transfer of human stem cells could produce unpredicted effects on the resulting chimeras' equilibria and capacities for suffering, it is crucial that qualified veterinary staff and researchers monitor experiments" and if necessary, apply swift, humane care.

Under the NIH's pending proposals, an internal steering committee would provide guidance on chimera research proposals, an approach consistent with new professional guidelines for stem cell research offered by the International Society for Stem Cell Research, which themselves are based on an advisory report which Hyun helped draft.

In addition to protecting animals, Hyun notes that "[g]rounding the ethics and regulation of human-animal chimera research in anything other than animal welfare would invite serious practical and philosophical difficulties." He points out that for example, one argument used against transferring human stem cells into animal embryos is that this research is not overseen by animal research committees when it is limited to test-tube experiments. But, he says, the "challenge for these critics  is to explain why animal embryos containing human cells deserve serious consideration of their moral status  enough to potentially rule out their use  when standard human embryos can be used in other projects."

The World View column in which Hyun's piece appears is described by Nature as a "must-read weekly rapid response opinion column, which offers senior figures and commentators a platform to discuss events that affect the world's scientific community."

Explore further Road map for addressing ethical concerns tied to research on human-animal embryos

More information: Insoo Hyun. Illusory fears must not stifle chimaera research, Nature (2016). Journal information: Nature Insoo Hyun. Illusory fears must not stifle chimaera research,(2016). DOI: 10.1038/537281a
Lithuania's lawmakers on Wednesday abandoned restrictions on in-vitro fertilisation, after the Baltic EU member's president vetoed a law backed by the influential Catholic Church.

The new version of the legislation, which introduces state funding for IVF treatment for the first time, makes it legal to freeze embryos and screen them for genetic disorders before implantation.

The amendments, tabled by President Dalia Grybauskaite, also overturn a ban on using donor sperm and eggs during fertility treatment.

"It is a very positive decision. Fifty thousand infertile couples will be entitled to the modern treatment just like in other EU states," presidential advisor Lina Antanaviciene told AFP, after parliament approved the amendment by 53 votes in favour to 40 against with four abstentions.

IVF treatment consists of fertilising an egg outside a woman's body to produce an embryo that can then be implanted in her womb.

Socially conservative lawmakers in the predominantly Catholic nation of three million people argue that embryos must be protected like human beings and have a right to life.

Catholic, Lutheran and Orthodox bishops had in July denounced the freezing of embryos and their destruction, saying it was "incompatible with the principle of respect for human life".

Until now, IVF was regulated by a vague health ministry decree and available only in private clinics for around 2,000 euros ($2,200).

Explore further Lithuanian leader vetoes strict IVF law

 2016 AFP
(HealthDay)A clot-busting drug known as tPA can greatly improve stroke outcomes, but it isn't given to minorities nearly as often as it is given to white men, a new U.S. study shows.

Blacks were 26 percent less likely, and other minority patients were 17 percent less likely, to be treated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) than white men, the researchers found. In addition, women were 8 percent less likely to be given the clot buster than men.

"It is helpful to get a sense of what factors are associated with not treating patients with this proven therapy," said lead researcher Dr. Steven Messe. He is an associate professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Although Messe isn't sure why these disparities exist, he thinks "it is possible that this has already improved in more recent years."

The drug is given after an ischemic stroke, which is caused by a blood clot in the brain; tPA dissolves the clot and restores blood flow to the blocked vessel. It cannot be used for a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke).

"Given that tPA has been demonstrated to improve neurologic outcome after stroke, we should be treating all eligible patients," Messe said.

To this end, he said, patient education about stroke symptoms and what to do when a stroke is suspected is needed, as well as continued development of stroke centers.

"Hopefully, we can continue to improve treatment rates overall by addressing some of these issues," Messe said.

The study was funded in part by Pfizer Inc., and the Merck Schering-Plough Partnership.

For the study, Messe and his colleagues looked at the eight-year period between 2003 and 2011 to see how many patients who arrived at a hospital within two hours after a stroke were given tPA. All of the patients were eligible to get the drug, the researchers said.

Of the nearly 62,000 people in the study, more than 15,000 (25 percent) did not receive tPA within three hours, the findings showed.

Overall, tPA treatment rates improved over time, Messe said, from 45 percent in 2003-2005 to 82 percent in 2010-2011.

Besides race and gender, other factors associated with undertreatment included older age and less severe strokes, the study authors said.

People treated at hospitals with certified stroke centers were twice as likely to receive tPA as people treated at hospitals without the certification, according to the report.

Dr. Ralph Sacco, chairman of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said, "The good news is that the use of tPA has markedly increased over time."

Disparities, however, were still found "with less utilization of tPA in blacks compared to whites," he said.

Programs are needed that identify, track and address these disparities, Sacco suggested.

"In our center, we have created hospital disparities dashboards [that help identify racial disparities in care] and culturally tailored stroke education programs to address disparities," he said.

The report by Messe and colleagues was published online Sept. 14 in the journal Neurology.

Explore further Telestroke program closes gaps in treatment, increases access to timely stroke remedy

More information: Visit the Journal information: Neurology Visit the American Stroke Association for more on stroke.

Copyright  2016 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Elioth Gruner Spring Frost 1919: one of the paintings included in the gallerys program. Credit: Art Gallery of New South Wales Gift of F G White 1939

The symptoms of dementia take on different forms and vary from person to person. Long before diagnosis, individuals and their family and friends may notice changes in behaviour, mood, and cognitive and physical functioning.

People living with dementia are often not able to carry out activities without support. Sometimes, simply going to the shops, catching up socially with friends, or going to the art gallery can require meticulous planning and coordination.

Friends often stop calling by simply because they do not know what to say or how to respond to the news of the diagnosis. Yet interacting with other people and engaging in leisure activities are pleasurable and contribute to quality of life. While dementia impacts cognitive functioning  so memory and judgement may be impaired  people living with dementia are able to feel pleasure and joy.

In 2006, The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York set up an art access program specifically for people with dementia recognising the beneficial impact of engaging with artworks. Shortly afterwards, informed by the work at MOMA, the Art Gallery of New South Wales ran a pilot program inviting people living with dementia to view iconic works in the gallery collection.

The program has since been further developed. Under the guidance of program producer Danielle Gullotta almost 1,000 people living with dementia can now attend the gallery annually and view artworks with the program facilitators. The facilitators have an in-depth knowledge of the artworks viewed, and have been given training by Alzheimer's Australia NSW and Art Gallery staff.

The artworks include iconic Australian works such at Eliot Gruner's Spring Frost; work in touring exhibitions such as Matisse and the Moderns, and works from the Archibald Prize exhibition.

Looking at artworks in the gallery as part of the program. Credit: University of Technology, Sydney

Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney recently undertook an evaluation of the program. The primarily qualitative study, to be launched at the Gallery today, observed 21 participants as they travelled there and looked at artworks once they'd arrived. (A further group of participants and their family members and caregivers completed questionnaires.)

The study found that the program contributed to the quality of life of people with dementia by providing opportunities for them to experience "in the moment" pleasure as they looked at the art, and engaged with other people.

Participants laughed, smiled, and pointed at things they noticed in the paintings. Others reminisced about their experiences of growing up in the Australian bushland, or made associations from the paintings to events in their daily lives.

One participant, "Samuel," was able to engage with paintings in a sophisticated way, suggesting that Russell Drysdale's painting Sofala showed the "spirit of Australia".

The facilitator asked what words describe this painting and the rest of the group joined in suggesting, "deserted", "destitute", "loneliness", "failure". Others were happy to admire the colours, or to simply suggest that they thought the painting was "beautiful".

Participants in the study (and program) had a wide range of symptoms associated with dementia, from relatively mild episodic memory loss to more advanced symptoms, including loss of speech and impacts on their physical and cognitive functioning. Not all participants were able to verbally articulate their responses, but researchers were able to observe facial expressions and exclamations.

Herbert Badham Breakfast piece . Credit: Estate of Herbert Badham

As a small group viewed Herbert Badham's Breakfast piece, they reminisced about times when they would formally set the table for lunch with a table cloth and napkins.

Other participants noted the painting has been made at the beginning of the second world war. The trained program facilitators, in turn, spoke of their joy in seeing people come quietly into the gallery and then suddenly "open-up and start talking".

The program provides opportunities for normalcy for people living with dementia. Normalcy in this context, means that each participant was treated with respect and dignity and recognised as having viewpoints that deserve attention regardless of their differing abilities.

This study did not focus on the long-term impact of art access programs on people with dementia  more research is needed in this area  but on the immediate experience of engaging with the artworks and people in the gallery space.

Many of the program participants may not retain long-term memories of the artworks they saw or the discussion that took place.

They can, however, benefit from the pleasurable experience of being in the gallery space, looking at the artwork and engaging with others and this can have an impact on their wellbeing after the memory of the event has gone.

Explore further Lessening the isolation of Alzheimer's
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Georgia simplifies import duty tax

To promote ease of doing business in Georgia, the Government is further simplifying duty tax rules for imported goods.Soon imported goods will be exempt from Value Added Tax (VAT), which will simplify tax administration.Meanwhile today the Government of Georgia will agree specifically what kind of goods will be exempted from VAT.This is an important change in Georgias Tax Code and an important part of the Governments four-point reform agenda, which aims to stimulate economic growth," said Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili before today's Governmental meeting.This is a continuation of the reform, which will serve to improve the business environment and simplify doing business, he said.The Government of Georgia started working to simplify the countrys Tax Code after Georgia signed itsAssociation Agreement (AA) deal with the European Union (EU) in mid-2014.Since then, Georgias economic team has worked to improve the countrys investment climate, attract more investors and additional capital to the country. In this process the Government invited the business associations and organisations to use their opinions in decision-making processes. Non-governmental institutions were also actively involved in modifying the countrys tax rules.Georgias partner donor organisations, especially experts from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Governing for Growth (G4G) and officials from Estonia, were instrumental in improving Georgias Tax Code.Through all these efforts a major part of amendments to the Tax Code came into force in June, while other small changes to the Tax Code Law about modified income tax rules, will come into play in January 2017.
The News in Brief

Air Taxis to appear in Georgia in November



The Adjara Group is preparing to acquire a relevant license which will allow domestic flights to be chartered in various directions across the country.



As Adjara Groups Marketing and Business Development Director, Oto Berishvili told Businesspressnews, at this point several issues are being discussed.



According to the information he provided, one eight-seat plane has been acquired by Adjara Group, and the company will begin casual flights in November.



The flights will be performed from all the airports of Georgia, including Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Mestia. These flights will be casual and will only be chartered on demand, Berishvili says.



At this stage the price of a ticket remains unknown. Berishvili says this issue is being worked on at the moment. (IPN)







Okruashvilis stakes claim on Rustavi 2 TV with secret contract



A former Georgian defense minister has revealed the existence of a contract which appears to invalidate the takeover of one of the main TV stations in the country, as the Supreme Court is considering the case.



The city court in Tbilisi decided in November last year to hand control of Rustavi 2 to investor Kibar Khalvashi, who claimed to have been threatened by people with ties to the Saakashvili regime to give up his shares.



For the last decade, Rustavi 2 has been known for its bias in favor of UNM, the party of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili.



The Appeals Court upheld the ruling and the Supreme Court is expected to announce soon whether it will hear the case.



But Former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvilis revelation, if true, of a contract proving that Khalvashi never owned any shares in Rustavi 2 seems to place the whole case in a new light.



Okruashvili said in an interview with Rustavi 2 two days ago that the shares in Rustavi 2 never belonged to Khalvashi, but instead were owned by him.



The ex-minister now plans to file a lawsuit to claim ownership, but in Paris or London  not in Georgia.



The new twist in the long-running court drama comes just as Okruashvili is in the midst of an election campaign to try to get elected as majoritorian member of parliament for Gori district. He was an exiled opposition figure living in France during the later years of Saakashvilis reign but returned to his home country after the change of government in 2012.



A document published by Okruashvili appears to show a contract between him and Khalvashi signed in 2010 in Berlin, confirming that Khalvashi was the nominal owner of Rustavi 2. The apparent contract further says that Khalvashi represented Okruashvili in all contracts signed in order to purchase the TV company.



Kibar Khalvashi wont act in any case related to Rustavi 2 without agreeing with Irakli Okruashvili, the document reads.



Khalvashis lawyer claims that the document is a forgery.



November 3, 2015, Tbilisi City Court partly satisfied a lawsuit filed by Kibar Khalvashi, handing him all 100 percent shares in Rustavi 2. The Appeals Court upheld this decision, while the case now reached the Supreme Court, which should decide whether to hear the case by Monday. The decision has not yet been published.



Okruashvili told Pirveli on Tuesday that he was not planing to publish the document about him and Khalvashi in the election campaign, but was forced to due to the actions of GD party secretary, Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze.



Okruashvili claims that Kaladze has been engaged in a ploy against him over the last three years and blamed him for the dismissal of his party member Ilia Metreveli from Gori City Council.



Kaladze didnt comment on this beyond saying that the court has to decide. (DFwatch)







It is very important for visa liberalization to end before elections  PM



It will be very important if the visa liberalization process ends till 8 October elections, - the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili said at Tbilisis international conference Changing Geo-strategic Landscape of Europe after the Warsaw Summit.



According to Kvirikashvili, it is very important not for Georgian Dream as the government, but for strengthening the countrys pro-Western course.



Once the DCFTA agreement was signed it is very significant that the Georgian people to be allowed to enjoy visa-free travel to European countries. For example, if small business representatives are restricted to free travel the DCFTA agreement will not function, Kvirikashvili has said.



He hopes the process to end before the suspension mechanisms fully take effect. (IPN)




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ABC/Randy HolmesTwenty One Pilots has released a cover of My Chemical Romance's song "Cancer." For their version of the track, the "Stressed Out" duo switch the original's piano for a twitchy, hip-hop-influenced beat. You can listen to Twenty One Pilots' "Cancer" cover, and watch the accompanying lyric video, now on YouTube.

"Cancer" appears on My Chemical Romance's landmark 2006 album, The Black Parade. Twenty One Pilots recorded "Cancer" for a compilation put together by British magazine Rock Sound in honor of The Black Parade's 10th anniversary. Other artists contributing to the tribute album include Asking Alexandria, Escape the Fate and New Years Day.

My Chemical Romance themselves will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Black Parade with a deluxe reissue of the album, featuring demos, outtakes and alternate mixes. Titled The Black Parade/Living with Ghosts, the reissue will be released September 23.

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Dan Bejar has picked up the guitar to write songs for the first time since 2007.

The acclaimed lyricist, who records under the name Destroyer, is embarking on a solo tour with a second date falling Thursday in Missoula, promising at least 10 new and unrecorded songs.

"I kind of have this new ritual of doing a solo tour after every record, I've decided. At least, I did one in 2009, and I did one in 2013, and now I'm doing one now," he said, describing it as a "a clean break from what came before."

The songs, written over the past year and never played live before, could end up on a new album.

"Some of them, yeah, unless I discover that over the course of three weeks of playing them that I despise them, but hopefully that won't happen," he said.

The resident of Vancouver, British Columbia, and part-time member of indie super-group the New Pornographers, has backed his inventive lyrics and subdued croon with drastically different styles of music.

"Kaputt" (2011) set Bejar's lyrics against lush 1980s pop, with synthesizer, saxophone and trumpet; while "Poison Season" (2015) featured 1950s jazz and pop orchestration, alongside the occasional horn-driven rock number.

He hasn't written on guitar, though, since 2007's "Destroyer's Rubies," which had dense, allusive lyrics seemingly inspired by Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited."

" 'Kaputt' was mostly pieced together using MIDI synth patches and bits of melodic ambience. I was really trying to steer clear of instruments all together," he said. Most of "Poison Season," meanwhile, was written on piano and synthesizer.

Asked if writing on those instruments changed the outcome, he said it did so "completely."

"I think that's why I ditched the guitar in the first place. I was sick of the chords I was going to, kind of sick of the way it made me sing. There's definitely a difference," he said.

Bejar was also more hushed and laconic on those albums, with qualities that he said don't quite suit the new material.

"I find that the kind of crooning style from the last two records doesn't seem to cut it when it comes to these songs that I've written. There's almost something more 'campfire' about them. I don't know what 'campfire' means. There's something about them that's not like ballads or anything like that," he said.

Before "Poison Season," Bejar said he was listening to the 1980s work by Van Morrison and Bob Dylan, two acclaimed artists' eras that aren't frequently mentioned. (In Dylan's case, it's outright maligned.)

Asked about anything on his current playlist he's been feeding off of, he said "Maybe bands from my high school years, or early college days. Creation Records-style bands, or bands like the Church."

He cited bands in the vein of Creation Records or the Church, who had "lyrical cunning" and plenty of trippy guitar pedals but still working in a song-oriented form.

"I'm not sure which British or Australian bands I would lump into that. Not really American stuff. I never really listened to that much American music. At least not American pop music," he said.

***

Bejar said he'll be performing on electric guitar on this tour, with perhaps some vintage pedals and maybe a small acoustic. In a break with previous habit, he's playing new songs live first instead of recording and then taking a band on tour.

"I'm going to try to go into the studio when the tour's over and start working on them. It seems like a cool thing to do. It seems like something I wouldn't really be able to do with a band, per se. I kind of like the idea of doing a tour that's just me playing a bunch of new songs and a bunch of really old songs," he said.

While there were thematic currents in the music and lyrics throughout his previous albums, he said it's too early to tell whether that's true of the new work.

"I don't really know lyrically if I would take a stab at finding some thematic thread that runs through them. I'm sure there's something there. I feel like that before the record's done, there would be some terrible curse to try to utter it out loud," he said.

Regarding the sound itself, he said he'd like to take his time and try to record as much of the new material himself as he can, and foresees an intimate sound.

"It's probably going to be far less grand in scope than 'Poison Season' and probably a lot less groovy than 'Kaputt,' " he said.

Bejar has been celebrated for the offhanded manner in which writes and delivers lines like these, from "A Savage Night at the Opera" off "Kaputt!":

"A savage night at the opera,

Another savage night at the club,

Lets face it, old souls like us are being born to die,

It's not a war till someone loses an eye."

He's also invariably described as "obtuse," a trait that can either leave listeners trying to decode songs or writing them off as difficult.

Asked if he thinks unpacking the meaning of a song or a piece of art can ruin it for the viewer, or perhaps deprive them of their own interpretation, he said he doesn't even think it's possible to "explain a song."

"Any time I've been cornered into giving an interpretation of a song or what certain words might mean, it feels terrible to me even seconds after I've said it. Not because I'm divulging a secret, because it's so unsatisfactory. Not only that it's unsatisfactory, but it probably just could be an outright lie. Generally songs are emotional reactions, basically that's what you're chasing after, and if you don't get that then that's a bummer," he said.

He compared it to explaining the plot of a movie  it can tell you what happened, but not the substance of the film. He feels similarly about reading, in which the writing stirs you or it doesn't.

"I know there's certain styles I like and certain styles that don't move me but it's not like when I'm reading something I'm putting together a puzzle and when I put the last piece in, a little red light bulb goes off and all of a sudden I'm really into it. It's just not how it works."

He said it's "weird" how often artists can be asked to explain their work.

"The explanation can be really cool, and really fun to read and really interesting and a piece of work in itself, but I don't really ever see it getting to the heart of what's going on."
Potatoes are notoriously unattractive tubers with some unexpected health benefits, unique natural remedy uses, and more than their share of tantalizing ways to make our taste buds stand up and take notice. For me, potatoes boil down to some serious comfort food and solid nutrition despite the fact that they have a face that only a mother could love. The saying that beauty is only skin deep is not fully true with spuds. However, I think I can safely say that most peoples love for them goes much deeper.

Potatoes have been a rich part of many cultures, but it was the Spanish conquistadors who took them home from the South American Andes Mountains. From there they found their way into Europe and finally around the globe.

Most notably potatoes are remembered for their impact on the Irish. At one point the average Irish man ate 10 pounds of potatoes each day. Because they were easy to grow and had high yields per acre, they were largely the reason the peasants of Ireland were able to gain independence from the English by providing enough food to feed their families. When the potato blight occurred, it resulted in at least a million deaths by starvation while a million more left Ireland in search of food.

Folklore indicates that raw potato juice or shredded raw potato make an excellent poultice due to its drawing properties. Boils, cysts and abscesses are wholly relieved when treated this way. Other types of wounds have successfully been healed in much the same way, but by also including a disinfecting agent to cleanse and close the sore. It has been shown that it is their heavy starch content that is responsible for this effect.

With so many ways to cook potatoes one would wonder if we could not find enough choices for every day of the year and not eat them the same way twice. After all, you can boil, parboil, steam, bake, roast, saute, fry, and deep fry them after you julienne, shred, dice, cube, slice either round or long, or wedge them. Furthermore, certain dishes are considered staple items in our culture. Things like hash browns, mashed potatoes and gravy, cream of potato soup (dozens if not hundreds of recipes for this alone), French fries, scalloped potatoes, potatoes au gratin, shepherds pie, plus soups, stews, casseroles, side dishes and entrees that include these wholesome roots.

Of course, how you prepare your potatoes will largely impact nutritional value. For instance, peeled potatoes could be compared to white bread or white rice. It is the peeling of the potatoes that contains most of the nutrients, especially the minerals. In addition, they are 99.9 percent fat-free without all the unhealthy toppings or grease. I was told by a gastroenterologist when my son was young and experiencing several food allergy issues that if he consumed enough cooked brown rice and potatoes with the peels left on, he would get enough protein to meet his bodys needs. They truly are a powerhouse of nutrition.

Interestingly, drinking raw potato juice combined with carrot juice is said to clear up acne, remove gallstones and chelate heavy metals with cadmium in particular being mentioned.

Jethro Kloss in his book Back to Eden recommends making what he calls "potassium broth" for periods of recuperation. This is made by combining potatoes with the peels left on, carrots, onions, and celery and boiling them in water with a little salt until done. In more severe cases of weakness just the broth can be drunk to help revitalize the system.

Several varieties of potatoes are grown worldwide that range in color, shape and size. My personal favorites are Red Pontiacs, Yukon Gold and the purple ones (aka Blues). I look for firm, crisp potatoes that are organically grown. I also make sure that they are ripe because green potatoes are inedible.

Though Idaho is famous for being major producers of potatoes, many of their seed potatoes come from farmers right here in Montana.

Potatoes will keep better if they dry after digging with a fair amount of dirt left on the skins. Then they need to be bagged or boxed to be kept from too much light exposure. They are easy keepers during the long winter months in northern climates. A simple root cellar is all that is needed. If you do not have a root cellar, a cool, dark place will do.

My family loves to eat potatoes soooo many ways. We always make sure to include hobo stew on the menu when we go camping. Rosemary Lemon Potatoes are a real treat. Our version of hash browns includes my special recipe for homemade ketsup or breakfast gravy. Potato patties adorn our table, providing we have enough mashed potatoes left over to make them with. Potato salad translates into a version using dill pickles instead of sweet relish. Choosing a recipe to share was a difficult decision. I hope you enjoy it!

Rosemary Potatoes

7 medium potatoes

1 tsp. salt

 onion

2 tsp. onion powder

 red pepper

1 tsp. garlic powder

 yellow pepper

 tsp. celery seed salt

 orange pepper

1 tbsp. dried parsley

8 cloves garlic dash of cayenne

3 tbsp. olive oil

 tsp. rosemary, chopped

2-3 tsp. lemon juice

***

Wash potatoes and cube into -inch squares; parboil in water (approx. 3 minutes for Yukon varieties, 5 minutes for firmer types). Drain potatoes and place in a large bowl along with diced onion, peppers, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and stir. Add seasonings and mix well. Place mixture in a lightly oiled large casserole dish and bake for 20-30 minutes.
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?

I would like to see drug possession decriminalized. The war on drugs is an assault on freedom of choice. Should we be putting people in jail for a personal decision that impacts nobody else? Is it my job, as a legislator, to protect you from your own choices? Felony drug possession is the number one conviction offense for Montana women, and number two for men. Most of those convictions are for possession by casual users. By decriminalizing drug possession, you would see a massive reduction in prison populations and a lot fewer lives destroyed.

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?

We need to do a much better job about managing our wolf population. If we let the wolf population go unchecked, they will destroy the deer and elk populations in our state. Wolves will begin to starve, and we will see their numbers drop as the deer and elk come back down the road. Then the wolves will feed and grow to unsustainable numbers and the cycle will repeat itself. We can avoid this cycle through sustainable population control of our wolf population. This is good for our wolves, our wildlife, and our hunters, ranchers and recreationists.

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?

I reject the premise of this question. I do not see a demand for clean and renewable energy, except from environmental special interest groups. We do not have the technology, nor the demand for that matter, to mass-produce renewable energy at levels that can compete with fossil fuels. However, advancements in technology have allowed us to safely and cleanly extract and utilize fossil fuels. Until renewable energy can sustain itself without taxpayer support, workers in the fossil fuel industries have nothing to worry about in regards to economic competition.

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?

While I think its appropriate to fund K-12 public education, I do not believe in subsidizing higher education. The main beneficiary of higher education is the student. Students who attend college overwhelmingly belong to the upper- or middle-income earning groups; either their parents currently are, or they will be once they graduate. However, everybody pays for that education through their taxes. So what you have, in essence, is lower-income earners paying for part of the education for higher-income earners. Thats a very regressive system, especially when only 25 percent of graduates find a job in their field.

What do you regard as the most urgent problem facing Montana, and how do you propose dealing with it?

I believe that most urgent problem facing the state of Montana as a whole is our reliance on federal funding for 47 percent of our budget. There are two problems with federal dollars; they are extremely unreliable and they are heavily restricted. I propose that we take initiative to unburden heavily regulated aspects of our economy to generate enough revenue through current tax rates that we could replace federal dollars with our own money. This would allow Montana to take control over more decisions, and our budget would be funded through a much more sustainable source.
State foresters would have more ways to help manage federal and private forests under a bipartisan proposal authored by senators Steve Daines and Amy Klobuchar.

Daines, R-Mont., and Klobuchar, D-Minn., introduced the Environmental and Economic Benefits Restoration Act of 2016 on Monday evening. In an interview on Tuesday, Daines said the legislation would make it easier for states to help the U.S. Forest Service get hazardous fuels reduction work done.

One frustration we have as Montanans, is we see the state out managing state lands, but we dont see our national forests getting actively managed, Daines said. This would allow (Montana State Forester) Bob Harrington to use fuel reduction funds for Good Neighbor Authority projects. It would be one more piece of an overall, comprehensive forest health initiative.

The 12-page bill has not yet been assigned to a committee or had hearings. Daines said it was uncertain if it would see action before this session of Congress expires.

This may lay the groundwork for a future farm bill, Daines said. Whether thats in some current package of legislation or something in the future, I dont know yet.

The bill would let state forestry agencies use federal fuels reduction money in places where work on state or private land would also improve federal land. Harrington said the Bitterroot Valley has many examples, where the state used federal dollars for grants to local fire departments or collaborative groups to create defensible space around homes along the Bitterroot National Forest.

State foresters, as a group, tend to have our ear to the ground about the needs of local forest industry and logging and manufacturing sectors, Harrington said. We tend to have been here a while. Its a way to ground-truth where the moneys going.

Harrington added that in the past, forest management money has tended to be segregated into federal, state or private projects. The new bill takes a landscape-level perspective of forest management, making it easier to do projects that cross those property lines.

Landscape-scale work would also take place on noxious weed control, mountain pine beetle restoration, habitat improvements and water quality protection projects. Daines office estimated about 844,000 acres in Montana are privately owned forest lands in high risk of wildfire. Montana has 22.5 million acres of forest land.

Daines said this bill was separate from other forest management legislation now under debate in Congress. That includes measures to reform fire-borrowing that forces the Forest Service to spend regular program money on forest firefighting, proposals to reform the National Environmental Policy Act, restrictions on lawsuits challenging forest management and requirements to increase timber harvest on federal lands.

We hope to pull all these together at some point, Daines said. This bill is starting off with strong bipartisan support. Thats a good signal that were going to have support for this particular bill.
RONAN  Hey! Check out the hay!

Hay bales are an art form in and around Ronan these days, all part of the fun of Harvest Fest, which takes place Saturday at the Ronan Visitor Center.

There, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., therell be a Dutch oven cook-off, vendors, kids games and rides, and a petting zoo.

And voting on the best hay bale designs, which stretch from Ninepipes to Pablo this year.

Area businesses and organizations have turned domestic animal fodder into all sorts of conversation fodder about who has come up with the most eye-catching hay bales.

The bales have been turned into a covered wagon outside Glacier Bank, Indian minions in front of the Peoples Center, a chicken in the Lynns Drive In parking lot and a deer-car collision at Ronan Auto Body.

At Kicking Horse Job Corps, students in each of the seven trades taught there took a bale to decorate, and so theres a mish-mash of hay thats been turned into a tooth, a chef, a piston (squishing some poor bloke), a cat, a skeleton, a pharmaceutical technician minion and a monkey.

That we all think looks like an elephant, Donna Mitchell, supervisor of student recruitment and placement, says of the latter. But the heavy equipment students insist no, its a monkey.

Theres no theme. Everybody just picks something funny, or maybe appropriate to their business, says Brennin Grainey, branch manager at Glacier Bank. Businesses can decorate them any way they want.

At Glacier Bank, electronic banking specialist Jennifer Reum also assumes the duties of head hay bale decorator in preparation for Harvest Fest.

She recruits volunteers, gets people to bring in the items she needs, Grainey says.

This year she needed white sheets, extra square hay bales (the ones provided courtesy of the Ronan Chamber of Commerce are round), stick horses and scarecrow-like dolls, among other things, to make the covered wagon. A nearby sign tells passers-by to stop in if they need a loan to upgrade their mode of transportation.

It actually takes quite a bit of time and effort, Grainey says, but the hay bale contest  like Harvest Fest, now in its eighth year  is more popular than ever, according to Lana Bartel, executive director of the Ronan Chamber.

Its grown significantly, Bartel says. This year we delivered 70 bales to 49 businesses.

Winners will be crowned Saturday at Harvest Fest.
It's time for round two of school construction.

Missoula County Public Schools plans to get an earlier start on bond projects this year. The district was in a time crunch last school year, since the bond levies passed in November and bonds were issued in January.

Operations and maintenance supervisor Burley McWilliams laid out a rough schedule at the trustees' Tuesday night meeting.

At the end of September, there will be a request for qualifications for the design of Washington Middle School. In early October, there will be one for the design of Cold Springs Elementary. A general contractor/construction manager is expected to come on board for Hellgate High in October. In November, designing will begin for Russell Elementary. In December, designs will start on Sentinel High. Superintendent Mark Thane added that Willard Alternative High will be discussed in late winter.

Re-roofing projects for next summer include Jefferson, Sentinel, C.S. Porter, Hawthorne and Rattlesnake.

These come after 16 construction projects this summer.

"People in the community think we passed a bond, we hired some architects, engineers and contractors and it's done," McWilliams said. "Boy, if it was that simple, it'd be great. But it's not. It takes a village, for sure."

***

One of the most obvious  and a project that's still underway  is Rattlesnake Elementary. McWilliams described it as a "nuclear bomb" when teachers got their first chance to enter the Thursday before class started.

"You never would have guessed it would be ready on Monday, and it was," he said.

Phase one of Rattlesnake will wrap up by Oct. 1. That includes remodeling the north end of the building and work outside. The rest of the project will be finished by the end of December.

McWilliams said the top concern for Rattlesnake was heat. Temperatures have been dipping lately, reaching 34 degrees Tuesday morning in Missoula.

"The boiler went out a few years back, and we put a temporary boiler system in there," he said. "I went to the meeting today and found out the new ventilators arrived and the boilers should be up and running next week, and we should have heat in the next few weeks.

"That's some unbelievable news. I can actually get some sleep tonight."

That's coming in four weeks earlier than expected. For the time being, MCPS has installed some industrial heaters in the hallways "to take the morning crisp off."

***

Offices were remodeled at Chief Charlo and Jefferson elementary schools, and some minor work is being finished in the next few weeks.

Franklin Elementary "doesn't exist anymore," McWilliams said  except for the gym. Lowell Elementary's annex has also been demolished.

"You should see a lot of things start to happen there over the next month or so," he said, as foundations are laid and walls go up.

He described Paxson Elementary as "my easy project" since there was little remodeling done inside. The classroom addition on the east end is expected to wrap up by the end of December.

Seeley-Swan High's new theater is slated to be finished by Dec. 1.

There were also concerns about the boiler at Seeley, but McWilliams said the advantage there was it already had a hot water system, compared to other schools' steam systems. He said heat should be up and running at Seeley in the next couple of weeks.

"You can't add a hot water boiler to steam piping, and steam ventilators," he said. "But we're putting in a hot water system, so we'll be able to use existing pipe and ventilators. As ventilators come in, we'll switch them out one by one."

The MCPS Stadium's track is expected to be completed by Oct. 1, but because it's temperature-sensitive, "we're praying for more warm weather," McWilliams said.

The processing kitchen at the Vocational-Agriculture Center is experiencing some delays as the permit application moves through the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. MCPS hopes to start that project this spring.

In addition to these projects, Meadow Hill and Washington middle schools, Lewis and Clark Elementary, and Big Sky and Hellgate high schools also had partial re-roofing work completed this summer.

"It's just amazing how much work we can accomplish in a short amount of time," he said.

***

Schools have also seen significant technology upgrades over the past year.

Four technology initiatives were funded by the bonds: wiring and new switches in buildings, wireless points in every classroom, and the fiber project.

All switches were upgraded by spring break last school year, said director of technology and communications Hatton Littman.

"That was a 100-fold speed increase in terms of what the switches could allow in terms of bandwidth within the schools," she said. "We went from 100 (megabits per second) to 10 gig capacity."

Wireless access points were installed over the summer in all but four schools: Lewis and Clark, Hawthorne, Russell and Cold Springs. They were left out, Littman said, because their servers and switch closets may move during future construction and it would be a waste of money to wire them now.

"There's a silver lining there, though," she said.

All 17 schools have wireless access points at close to one per classroom. Those four are in a "makeshift" stage right now, with access points on bookshelves, desks or tables at the edge of a classroom. They're "not performing at optimal capacity," she said, but they're providing more access than before.

The change is noticeable, Littman said. At recent in-district trainings during which a lot of people are connecting to the internet at once, "nobody had to stop and think about whether or not technology was working. It just worked."

"Technology should not be something you're aware of," she said. "It should be like water, lights or heat. It just works."

The $3.2 million fiber project is underway. MCPS is working with Wide Open Networks, and about 70 percent of permits have been approved for the project. Littman said 30 percent of the work has already been bored into the ground.

"Last year in the first two weeks of school  partially because we had old, out-of-date switches and servers going down in many schools as we were starting  network coordinators were in every morning at 6 a.m. checking to make sure the network was up," she said. "Almost every day the first two weeks they were somewhere putting out a fire."

The first two weeks this year, they only ran to two schools for network issues, she said, and one was simply because someone accidentally turned the power off.
Drivers honked, rolled their windows down and yelled to the more than 100 people lining the Higgins Avenue Bridge in support of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in North Dakota.

One woman on the sidewalk put down her sign to film her young daughter with her phone.

I want to have water! the girl yelled, quickly followed with my ears hurt, after a car drove by honking wildly.

At 4:21 p.m. Tuesday around 65 people lined the west side of the bridge, with signs, while one man beat a drum.

At 4:43 that number had doubled, with supporters lining both sides of the bridge to raise awareness about the threat they feel Dakota Access Pipeline represents.

Anyone who pays any attention to the science knows we have to make a change, said John Woodland, with 350 Missoula. Continuing to invest in fossil fuels, which the pipeline supports, isnt sustainable, he said.

Woodland said this protest was just one of many across the country Tuesday organized by 350, a nonprofit that organizes protests and movements against climate change.

Missoulas event was part of a planned "day of action, by 350. According to its website, hundreds of events were planned across the United States, Europe, Asia and New Zealand. In Washington, D.C., hundreds of people gathered across from the White House to listen to speakers on the issue, including former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

In Missoula, slogans on the bridge varied from the simple  People over pipelines and quite a few Solidarity with Standing Rock  to the largest banner, Sow the seeds of change. Two Northern Cheyenne flags and one Blackfeet tribal flag were held over the railing.

Courtney Little Axe held one of the Northern Cheyenne Flags. Shes Cheyenne and Shawnee and is going to school at the University of Montana.

She wore a shirt that read, protectors not protestors.

We (Native Americans) considered ourselves the water and earth protectors, since protestors kind of has a negative connotation to it, Little Axe said.

Little Axe heard about the event from an email from 350 Missoula that she then passed on to her friends. She was excited to be part of the worldwide show of support.

Im so happy it turned out like this, Little Axe, with traditional beaded earrings and fur braid wraps.

Missoula Police Sgt. J.C. Denton walked the line in plainclothes, asking everyone to stay out of the road and let people walk down the sidewalk.

You guys are entirely within your rights and this is cool, Denton said. Were here to help you guys as much as anything else.

The protest in Missoula was peaceful, with Woodland discouraging a small group from trying to block traffic on the bridge.

In North Dakota however, 22 people were arrested Tuesday for interfering with construction on the pipeline about 70 miles northwest of the main protest site.

Morton County, North Dakota, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Donnell Preskey said construction workers were "swarmed" by protesters and that two people had "attached" themselves to equipment.

Preskey said 20 people face charges of criminal trespassing. The two who tethered themselves to equipment also face charges of hindering law enforcement and disorderly conduct.

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple has asked for federal help in coping with the long-running protest of an oil pipeline that has drawn thousands to land near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.

Dalrymple said Tuesday that he's asked White House officials as well as three federal agencies to help supply people and money "to maintain public safety."

This specific section of the pipeline targeted Tuesday was not part of the temporary work stoppage issued by a federal judge or the section that the federal government asked Energy Transfer Partners (EPT) to voluntarily stop work on. ETP has said construction is continuing elsewhere.

In Missoula, Ray Kingfisher said he came to Higgins Avenue Bridge to stand with every Native American tribe and against environmental destruction.

Water is a human issue. If we dont have water, we dont have life, he said.

***

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
For a few hours Tuesday afternoon, Missoula and Montana got their lone shots at a giant inflatable Truth Booth that sat on a lawn in front of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula.

Maybe you saw it from across the museum grounds, framed as it was by the World War II alien detention camp barracks, the red Grant Creek Schoolhouse and the soaring slopes of the Bitterroot Mountains.

From the right viewing angle, a flagpole topped by an American flag spliced the painted TRUTH on the side of the white bubble.

Missoula was the 25th city and Montana the 22nd state in a nationwide In Search of the Truth tour. The public art project was created by four men from Cause Collective  artists, designers and ethnographers who create innovative art in the public realm. Central to the tour is the idea of transforming public spaces like Missoula Countys historical museum grounds into sites for candor and intimacy.

A tiny video booth inside the 14-foot-high speech bubble provides both. Passers-by are invited to sit with a small camera rolling and, in two minutes or less, complete the sentence The truth is ...

Stop reading for a minute and try completing that thought yourself.

***

OK, come back.

Will Sylvester has been to South Africa with the Truth Booth, and the Republican and Democratic national conventions this summer.

The interesting thing about doing this project is that you hear a lot about peoples wants and needs and fulfillment and goals in life, said the 31-year-old Sylvester, one of the four leaders of the project. All over the world its the same stuff, basically, just different languages.

People say they want to feel safe and comfortable, Sylvester said: Safe from violence, from economic instability, and just having loved ones around them.

The drive to be better and do better is something we all have in common, he said. There are also many, many other truths, but youll definitely find a lot of those people saying, The truth is ... I want this out of my life or I need this out of my life. "

A lot of people overthink it, Sylvester said.

The experience of the booth is one which people think it has to be heavy, like this is a really heavy topic, which it doesnt. It could be fun, it could be light, it could be happy, he said. The statement, The truth is I am happy,' I think comes out once a day but probably not enough. Youd like everyone to walk in and say that, right? That would be enough for me.

People go in completely different directions, said Helen Banach of Boston, who as tour coordinator is part of the five-person crew traveling the United states in a tour bus with a pup trailer behind. Some people make it really personal and share their personal truths in this moment. Other people will take more of an academic angle like defining the truth, or the truth in religion, things like that. So it just totally depends on the person.

Sylvester helped develop the project with Ryan Alexiev, Jim Ricks and Hank Willis Thomas. It was commissioned by the Arts Council of Ireland and the SF Foundation, and the U.S. tour is funded in part by a Kickstarter campaign. The first tour was in Ireland in 2011 and the Truth Booth has since visited Afghanistan and South Africa. Itll be in Australia starting in March.

The Truth Booth bus began its U.S. tour in June and rolled into Missoula on Sunday from the West Coast  Portland, Tacoma and most recently the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle on Friday. Next up: Laramie, Wyoming, then a route that dips south to Florida and back west across the southern tier to California by late November. The goal is to hit all 50 states.

Among the highlights were the July stops in Cleveland at the Republican National Convention and in Philadelphia at the Democratic convention.

They told their truths, Banach said. We had a lot of participants.

Truth is, there werent many stopping by at Fort Missoula at midafternoon Tuesday. The location at the historical museum was nailed down only Monday afternoon after a meeting of the museum board. Word went out by social media less than 24 hours before the booth went up.

Not to worry.

It is far more of a quality-over-quantity type of thing, Banach said. Even if we have five people in a day, if they have five amazing truths, its a success for us. Some of those high foot-traffic venues we can have 100 to 200 videos, but Im sure the editors are happy when we only have a few.

Edited videos from all the tour stops are archived and posted online and on social media  insearchofthetruth on Facebook and @the_truth_booth on Twitter. Sylvester said a book is in the offing that will celebrate the places theyve been. He said hes fascinated by what hes learned about Fort Missoulas rich history, including the detention camp era and the 25th Infantry Bicycle Brigade that pedaled to St. Louis in 1897.
Last session, I sponsored Senate Bill 128, a bill that created the School Funding Interim Commission, and requires the legislature to examine the school funding formula at least every 10 years, if not more frequently.

The commission met for 18 months and just wrapped up its work. The results of the commission are several strong new proposals to adjust some components of school funding to meet some pressing needs of Montanas public schools, and additionally, to lay out a roadmap for policymakers and those who wish to know where school funding still needs work and what info has been gathered.

Before the commissions first meeting, staff sent out a survey asking for public input on what the most important issues in school funding are at this time. Nearly 1,400 Montanans responded to the survey and said the No. 1 issue is recruitment and retention of teachers. Next on the list is equity and adequacy of state funding. At the first meeting, the commission took more public comment and heard from education stakeholders, parents and citizens who added that special education funding and facilities were key issues. Finally, a dedicated group of parents and advocates raised the issue of funding for gifted students as a critical need.

As the commission dove into its work, it focused on the issues above. While many, many ideas were presented, and many of those will continue to be worked on by stakeholders and legislators, the following ideas received consensus votes and will be taken up by the legislature for funding in 2017.

Regarding recruitment and retention of teachers, the commission determined that while many Montana schools are having some difficulties, rural and isolated schools far from major population centers, including reservation schools, are having the most trouble. To help solve this problem, the commission revised the Quality Educator Loan Assistance Program to guarantee isolated schools the ability to offer loan repayment in exchange for commitment to teach in isolated districts. The commission also looked at creating a statewide health insurance pool that all schools could join to reduce costs and allow districts to direct more funds to teacher salaries. This idea is very complex and the commission will recommend that the legislature take this up as a separate study next year.

Regarding facilities, the commission will recommend four bills. One will expand the InterCap loan program. One will allow districts to transfer excess funds into their building maintenance funds. Two will guarantee a pot of revenue for grants to districts for major maintenance projects like boilers, roofs and windows.

Three bills will be proposed to increase funding by up to $6 million for special education, including cooperatives. For several years, funding for gifted students has been stuck at $250,000. Another bill will be offered to increase gifted funding to $2.5 million. Additionally, because this area of school funding is a complicated tangle of state, local and federal funds, a study bill will request that the legislature take up special needs and gifted funding again next year to see if a better formula can be created to meet these needs.

Finally, the commission took a deep look at the complicated issue of how all districts tax themselves to pay for schools and how the state formula tries to equalize the differences between resource-rich and resource-poor districts. Much valuable information was pulled together from many sources and the education committees will be able to draw on these sources to ensure continued equity among districts.

The School Funding Interim Commission took its work very seriously and provided a forum for healthy and rigorous debate on education funding priorities. I am pleased to have served on this successful commission.
We are teachers from all across Montana who have one thing in common: weve been given Montanas highest teaching award for providing the kids in our classrooms with educational experiences that open doors for them  to college, to careers, to citizenship and above all, to healthy and happy lives.

We believe that opening those doors was what the framers of our Constitution envisioned when they said that the goal of public education in Montana is to develop the full educational potential of each person. Were grateful for the efforts of Montanas citizens and public servants to ensure that our public schools are excellent environments for teaching and learning.

Were especially grateful for the efforts of Gov. Steve Bullock in the past four years. He secured record levels of funding for Montanas elementary, middle and high schools. He doubled the funding for the Montana Digital Academy, bringing talents and subjects that were once confined to one classroom to students throughout Montana. Recognizing that online classes mean nothing without high-speed internet access, he partnered with EducationSuperHighway to improve schools internet connectivity.

Bullock has demonstrated a commitment to creating an education pipeline that ensures that all Montana kids enter school on a level playing field, receive the help they need to succeed along the way, and leave it ready for the next step. In his first term, he expanded preschool education in communities across the state and doubled the number of childcare providers in the STARS to Quality program. Knowing that hungry children have trouble learning, he improved access to breakfast programs for over 40,000 public school students.

He bolstered investment in college and career readiness programs so that students plan appropriately for a successful future. To ensure that schools are welcoming places, he signed the first-ever anti-bullying bill into law. Hes promoted running start programs that allow kids to gain college credit or career certifications at a greatly reduced cost while theyre still in high school. Participation in these dual enrollment programs has doubled during his term.

Thanks to Bullock and Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau and their ability to work with educators, business and community leaders, high school graduation rates are now at historic highs.

But Bullocks vision for an education pipeline goes far beyond high school. Understanding that for many students, the cost of college has been an obstacle, he has frozen tuition at Montanas college and universities, making Montana No. 1 in the nation for affordable college tuition. Hes created the first-ever STEM scholarships in Montana, offsetting college costs for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. And hes championed a major investment in research, broadening the educational opportunities available to college students while diversifying Montanas economy.

In short, Bullock has not only given us more resources to open doors for Montana students, hes created more doors to be opened! Bullock went to public schools and his kids go to public schools, so he has both the history and the vision to protect and enhance what he rightly calls Montanas great equalizer: public education. The same cannot be said of his opponent.

Steve Bullock has a record of achievement that is sure to grow even longer in his second term. We urge you to join us in voting to re-elect Governor Bullock.
The Missoulian recently published a guest column from lifelong Republican Bob Brown in which he declares his support for presidential candidate - and Democrat - Hillary Clinton. Here's how the Missoulian's Facebook followers reacted:

***

Erik Bratlien: They said the same thing about Regan, I am not a Trump fan but anyone that would vote to let Hillary in is apart of the problem with the status quo in Washington. ... Both parties have screwed this country up so bad we may never get out of this hole

***

Michael James: This guy is irrelevant. You are neither a conservative or a Republican if you endorse clinton. Your never Trump campaign is petty and childish. RINO's like you that are hopping to wish a lose on Trump and saying I told you so will be greatly disappointed when the Trump Train is victorious.

***

Ronald Barker: Calling a lifelong Republican a RINO... classic. Trump isn't even a Republican!

***

Jennifer Ryan: He's irrelevant because he disagrees with you? No doubt about it - you're a Trump supporter.

***

Lanette Darrow Brown: Trump changed parties repeatedly for exactly the same reason you've chose as a republican to vote for Hillary. 88 retired generals and admirals have endorsed Trump and agree with him,,, present day general's under Obama are weak and soft. Generals that oppose Obama are sent packing. This lifelong Democrat is voting for Trump. By the way no one gives a hoot who you vote for.

***

Bill Schustrom Jr.: And no one cares who you vote for either Lanette and by the way there are about the same number of retired generals and admirals that endorsed Hillary.

***

Jim Sheffield: The Missoula and Bozeman enlightened ones are out in force it would appear. Bringing a Left coast philosophy to a town near you.

***

Brent Morrow: Shame on brown for being a rethug..and..EVER voting for one....the party of being anti-union..health care...minimum wage increase...women...etc..etc!!!!

***

Gary T. Britton: AND THIS, is why I will change from being a life long Republican to an Independent!!! I will NEVER be a part of ANY party that does not support its own nominee!!! You BACKSTABBERS and TRAITORS can ALL go to HELL!!!

***

Lee Graham: Gary Johnson is the better choice! Voting the lesser of two evils is killing our Country!

***

Rf Burnhertz: A vote for Clinton, a vote for Trump... both are a hostile act against the idea of liberty, against this nation and against your fellow citizens.

Neither of these disgusting individuals should be any where near the Oval Office.

***

Nick Horacek: You know what? Montana means nothing during a General Election. I suggest you worry more about your representatives and not the Presidency.
How much good stuff can somebody get in one package? Seems the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project gets it all. Which part is most important depends on your point of view  but these are all important to somebody in western Montana.

Providing jobs: this project has already provided 130 jobs. I guess this means its good for the economy.

Enhancing outdoor recreation: the BCSP has it in spades, from more protected places to hunt and fish to hiking and backpacking to wintertime fun.

Preserving resources for our kids, and their kids, and then our grandkids, and for all generations to come: the BCSP conserves and protects land we love.

And finally, who is behind this? A wide cross-section of Montanans, from outdoor folks to timber folks to agriculture folks to business people to environmentalists, has worked for a decade on the BCSP.

From Seeley Lake to the Bob, a good thing is happening. I urge our senators to make this project a top priority in Washington.

Phil Smith,

Missoula
Addrien Marx, who is seeking the position of state representative for District 92, deserves the enthusiastic support of the citizens in this district. I am one of those in enthusiastic supporters.

Marxs experience as a longtime Seeley Lake small-business owner has attuned her to the many parts of Montanas economy. She understands the importance of adequately funding infrastructure. A healthy population is essential to a good economy, and Marx supports expansion of the Medicaid health coverage for Montana citizens. Marx, also a teacher, is a strong advocate for effective education, another component of a good economy.

Montanas outdoor heritage, shown to have a significant monetary impact as well as an intrinsic value, is fundamentally important to Marx. She supports improving access to public lands and will work to ensure the public lands remain public.

Good governance is another key to develop a sound economy. Marx supports the Disclosure Act to dampen out-of-state money from overpowering the voice of Montana citizens.

The vote for Addrien Marx is a vote for a strong Montana economy and for preservation of Montanas values and natural heritage.

Daniel A. Harper,

Missoula
As a native Montanan, Im impressed by Greg Gianfortes genuine enthusiasm to serve Montanans, helping create a pathway to economic prosperity and better quality of life for our families. His focus on educating our kids for the future, creating high-wage jobs and restoring accountability to state government is desperately needed.

Recently released test scores show only 41 percent of Montanas third through eighth grade students are proficient in math and less than 50 percent of our students are proficient in English. As a mother and grandmother, thats alarming. ACE Scholarships, Gianforte Manufacturing Scholarships and CodeMontana are just a few concrete examples of his commitment to improving education and assisting students to succeed.

I was discouraged to learn that Montana is ranked 49th in the nation for wages and lost more than 1,000 good-paying jobs last year. As the owner of an extremely successful business, Gianforte understands what it takes for businesses to succeed. Hes not just talking about creating high-paying jobs, hes done it! He has the practical experience and insights to strengthen our states economy. He supports responsible development of Montanas natural resources to foster economic growth, which improves the quality of life for our families. Unlike Steve Bullock, Gianforte wont allow federal regulatory activism to dictate how Montana uses our natural resources.

As a business owner, Im concerned that health insurance premiums paid by our company for our employees has risen 66 percent over the last three years. We need a governor who supports healthcare reform that lowers premiums rather than raising them.

Gianfortes driven over 49,000 miles to hear the concerns of Montanans throughout the state. Hes taken those concerns and outlined a plan to address them. Greg Gianforte is the innovative leader needed in the governors office to improve the lives of all Montanans. Hes earned my vote.

Leslee Tschida,

Missoula
Most Americans see the nation as headed for big trouble because of Donald Trumps rhetoric and Hillary Clintons dishonesty. We dont like either candidate. It is a dilemma!

Dont we want the best for America? No law says we must choose from one of two parties. Abraham Lincoln was a third-party candidate, and he went on to heal a divided nation. Now, again, the nation needs leadership to heal the political dividedness tearing at the fabric of government.

Libertarian nominee Gov. Gary Johnson, honest and competent, is best for the job. He belongs to a neutral third party, and wont get involved in the ugly partisan bickering. Johnson, a seasoned chief executive, has the know-how to cooperate with both sides of the aisle to restore balance and efficiency to government. Having served successfully as two-term governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson is a trustworthy leader who can straighten out the corrupt mess in D.C. and get the government working for us again.

Cable TV continuously reports on the vicious fights between the two most reviled candidates ever; we dont like being told we must decide between "the lesser of two evils. The notion of voting to send one evil to the White House just to keep another evil out is preposterous and just plain wrong.

Jane Kenny,

Bluffton, South Carolina
POLSON  Two searches are on, one for a missing adult grizzly bear now presumed dead, and another for a zoo to take the twin cubs-of-the-year she left behind.

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Wildlife Management Program authorities are requesting help from the public in their investigation of how the cubs came to be orphaned on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

It began with a report on Aug. 29 that the twins were bawling for their mother in the Post Creek area between St. Ignatius and Ronan.

CSKT bear biologist Stacy Courville said it took three days of searching to locate the 8-month-old cubs, and four more days before the youngsters entered a trap.

There was no sign of their mother during the week, or since.

Theyd been alone, I dont know how long, Courville said. They were hungry, hitting fruit trees in yards, and one was pretty skinny. The other had 10 to 15 pounds on the skinny one. Both were female.

Trapped on Labor Day, the cubs were examined by a veterinarian in Polson the next day and then taken to the Montana Wildlife Center in Helena, where they remain.

The smaller of the twins weighed just 31 pounds, Courville said.

They havent had enough experience to know how to be a bear the rest of the year, Courville said. They dont know how to den, nothing.

***

Germaine White, education and information specialist for CSKTs Natural Resources Department, said the rehabilitation center is looking for a zoo willing to take the cubs, but its not an easy task. Grizzlies can live long lives in captivity, sometimes 20 years longer than ones in the wild, who typically survive into their 20s.

Its a long-term commitment on the part of a zoo.

Ron Aasheim, spokesman for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, which operates the rehabilitation center, said every effort will be made to locate a zoo willing to take the cubs.

"We'll spend three to four weeks looking," Aasheim said, "and we'll do our best. I don't know if cubs of the year are easier to place or not. But we can keep smaller bears longer if needed  our facility is not ideal for larger bears."

Two other cubs from western Montana, whose mother had to be euthanized by authorities, were just placed with the St. Louis Zoo after a three- to four-week search, Aasheim said. Because grizzlies are listed as a threatened species, he added, there are more regulations involved in placing the animals.

Both cubs are doing well, Aasheim said, after some uncertainty whether the smaller of the twins would survive.

***

A successful placement does not mean a happy ending, White noted.

Weve lost all the future reproductive cycles from the mother and both cubs, she said.

Its different if its a sub-adult male, Courville agreed. I dont know the age of the mom, or if the cubs would have both survived. But youve potentially taken three female grizzlies out of the population  and the Mission Mountains dont have the population Glacier Park has.

Courville said he spoke to employees at the rehabilitation center, run by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, on Tuesday, and was told the cubs appeared to be doing OK.

Authorities have a theory on what happened to the mother, Courville says, but would like to locate her  again, they presume she is dead  to make sure. He declined to go into further detail while the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information on what happened to the twins mother, or her whereabouts, is being asked to contact Courville or Pablo Espinoza, CSKTs chief conservation officer, at 406-675-2700, or Tribal Dispatch at 406-675-4700.

White said callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
The University of Montana has budgeted for a 6.6 percent drop in enrollment for the 2017 fiscal year, which began July 1, according to a presentation to the Montana Board of Regents on Wednesday.

UM budgeted for 10,409 full-time equivalent students, including those at Missoula College. The figures are preliminary.

The Commissioner of Higher Education's staff said enrollment across the Montana University System is "slightly up" over last fall and will support the budgets proposed by the campuses, including UM.

At the meeting in Billings, the regents talked about enrollment, heard an update on state support for higher education, and took up the $1.54 billion system budget for the 2017 fiscal year.

Chuck Jensen, deputy commissioner for administration and finance, said it was critical to point out the University of Montana had made progress in aligning its budget with its enrollment projections.

Its really important to note that in the two fiscal years from FY15 to FY17, this campus has made a significant reduction in their operating expenses, Jensen said, citing more than $10 million in cuts.

Enrollment started slipping at UM in 2011 and the campus so far has not been able to reverse the decline.

Official enrollment figures were not available at the meeting for any campus. They take a census on the 15th day of classes when fees are due, and most campuses are only in their 12th day.

Tyler Trevor, deputy commissioner of planning and analysis, said the commissioner asked him to pull preliminary enrollment data together for the regents meeting. While he said he was confident the data supports "the validity of our operating budgets," he isn't convinced the figures are accurate because the enrollment target is still moving.

Before the budget discussion, Regent Martha Sheehy asked Trevor to direct her to the document that showed the enrollment estimates for each of the branches. She said she understood the preliminary nature of the information.

"Where do I look to find the numbers that we're close to?" Sheehy said.

At this point, Trevor said, the estimates include "too many stipulations for the average person to digest." However, he said the regents would receive more details when they discussed the budget. During that portion of the agenda, they received the numbers each campus had budgeted for the fiscal year.

Montana State University in Bozeman is planning on an enrollment increase of 3.4 percent for a total of 14,412 full-time equivalent students, including Gallatin College students.

***

At the meeting, the regents moved the Montana University System budget for approval Thursday.

Over the past decade, higher education has seen strong state support, Trevor said. Commissioner Clayton Christian said former Gov. Brian Schweitzer and current Gov. Steve Bullock have backed higher education, as have legislators, so this state is in a different financial position than many others.

We have increased state revenue, something only three other states have managed to do in that same period of time, Christian said.

At one point, state support had fallen to 32 percent of the cost of higher education, and the board wanted to get closer to 50 percent, he said. State support now sits at about 40 percent, although its at 50 percent for resident students.

The budget the regents will formally vote on Thursday is $1.54 billion and up 6 percent from the 2016 fiscal year.

Regent Bill Johnstone said he wasnt comfortable that the regents could only vote up or down on such a large item. Hed like to ensure the university system is providing adequate need-based aid and he hopes to take a closer look at that issue and tuition in the future.

It does represent one of the most important decisions were asked to make every year, Johnstone said of the budget.

Regent Sheehy said she was heartened to hear the campuses were aligning their budgets with their enrollment  and living within their means. At the same time, she wanted the regents to be able to systematically discuss other significant items.

In particular, she wanted to know whether campuses were on track with enrollment and if the plan put forward for Missoula last fall was on track.

Are we on the right course with respect to growth? Sheehy said.

In response, President Royce Engstrom said UM is taking a number of steps to strengthen enrollment. Its new vice president for enrollment management, Tom Crady, is revising operations in recruiting and admissions, for one.

UM is being more aggressive in strategic, non-resident markets, and it has launched an effort to improve customer service, he said. The campus also is evaluating its curricula and adjusting offerings.

When you are in Missoula for the November meeting, we would like to give you a more complete, detailed view of some of those efforts and how theyre progressing at that time, Engstrom said.

The board reconvenes at 8:15 a.m. Thursday. A live feed of the meeting is available at mus.edu/board/meetings/2016/Sept2016/Sept2016.asp.
BUTTE  A Texas man accused of the shooting death of a Whitehall man last year told investigators in Idaho he feared for his life when he opened fire on the man and two other men in a remote area near Butte.

Tony Dwade Sawyer, 48, appeared fidgety and repeated himself in a nearly hour-long video shown to jurors on Tuesday, the second day of his deliberate homicide trial in Butte district court. Sawyer insisted Steve Drury was going to take me out on Fish Creek Road about 13 miles southeast of the Mining City on Nov. 3, 2015.

Butte-Silver Bow County prosecutors allege Sawyer killed Joe Powers, 37, and injured Drury and Hunter Smith, and then fled in Drurys black Chevy Equinox.

Sawyer was charged with deliberate homicide and two counts of attempted deliberate homicide, all felonies, in connection with the late-night shooting spree.

In the recorded interview with investigators a day after fleeing Montana in another vehicle owned by Drury, Sawyer admitted that he, Smith, Powers and Drury used methamphetamine before they drove to the rural road.

Sawyer was arrested in Idaho Falls on a warrant by law enforcement officers from the Bonneville County Sheriffs Office.

He (Drury) was going to take me out  that was his intention.  He took me up there to get rid of me, Sawyer says in the video, adding that he pleaded with Drury before he fired three rounds at Sawyer.

I fired one shot, he (Drury) hit the ground. I fired another shot and he rolled, he tells the two investigators.

Sawyer continues, admitting that he shot Powers and Smith, who were standing near the Chevy. One was in a ditch; the other ran down the hill, he says.

On Tuesday morning, Jefferson County Sheriffs Deputy Jason Korst testified that he was dispatched from Whitehall to Fish Creek Road about 11:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Jurors were shown dash-camera video of Korsts drive along Highway 2.

Deputy County Attorney Michael Clague stopped the video at periodic intervals to query the deputy about road conditions and when he encountered a frantic, shaking Smith on Fish Creek Road. Korst testified blood was coagulated all over Smiths face below his lip where he had been shot.

Farther up the road the video showed Korst and a Montana Highway Patrol trooper walk toward a body lying in a ditch adjacent to the road. En route, he testified, they observed shell casings, footprints and tire marks before finding Powers deceased in the snow.

In later testimony, Detective Kevin Maloughney of the Butte police explained to jurors how the crime scene was processed for evidence.

Clague presented the states exhibits documenting shell casings, blood droplets, tire tracks, footprint and tools the four men used to dig out the Chevy before the shooting, asking the detective to detail his findings.

The trial before Judge Brad Newman resumes Wednesday with prosecutors expected to call Smith and Drury  the surviving victims in the triple shooting  to the witness stand.
BILLINGS  The court case of a Billings man accused of raping two women and harassing at least four others may be headed to trial three years after his arrest.

On Sept. 2, District Judge Russell Fagg ruled on pre-trial motions in the case of Leslie Dean Ernst, 56, and set a trial date for Nov. 29.

Ernst has been charged with stalking, two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and four counts of violating privacy in communications, all felonies. He was first charged in 2013, but additional counts were added in 2015.

A woman said Ernst raped her in 2004, according to charging documents. The woman also told investigators that Ernst continued to contact her for years using phone numbers and online accounts linked to the man, according to court documents. Some of the messages were sexual in nature.

By 2015, another woman had also reported that Ernst had raped her. Four other women accused him of sending them uncomfortable, and occasionally sexual, online messages.

This summer, Ernst's attorneys requested that the judge dismiss one of the sexual intercourse without consent charges, arguing that the charge doesn't match the alleged conduct. Judge Fagg denied that request.

His attorneys also tried to exclude the evidence presented for charges in 1994 regarding privacy in communications, a crime that includes online or telephone harassment. He was convicted the following year.

The woman involved in the 1994 case is one of six women who made allegations in the current case.

Fagg ruled that the prior case is admissible as evidence. He did, however, allow the exclusion of evidence related to phone calls in which only "moaning and panting" could be heard.

The allegations in the current case go as far back as 2004. In some cases, Ernst was accused of using multiple fake Facebook profiles to pose as someone else and contact the women.

The woman who contacted law enforcement in 2004 also filed reports in 2008, but no charges were filed either time. She said the messages persisted even after a 2010 restraining order.

The second woman came forward in 2012 to accuse Ernst of rape. She said that Ernst threatened to expose their private online conversations if she didn't have sex with him, court documents state.

Prosecutors amended charges against Ernst in 2015 to encompass the allegations of all six women. In his order, Fagg described his reasons for hearing all the charges in one case.

He wrote that the allegations "show a common plan to victimize women in the community, and utilize similar modes of operation to achieve Ernst's plan. All the charges involve similar victims, all young women."

Ernst has been out of jail since posting bond in 2013.
Every day, a line of gray tank cars rolls between Missoula and Thompson Falls  reminders of another time an oil company got in a fight with Indian tribes over a pipeline.

With international attention focusing on the Standing Rock Siouxs protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes fought and won a similar battle with Yellowstone Pipeline Co. (YPL) in 1995.

A 10,000-gallon gasoline leak at Camas Creek near Hot Springs in 1993 put YPL in a difficult negotiating position just as its 20-year permit to cross the Flathead Indian Reservation was up for renewal. Then-Tribal Chairman Mickey Pablo said the Tribal Council was being extra careful about a new deal in light of at least three serious spills on the reservation from the 40-year-old pipeline.

The line delivered gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel 644 miles from Billings to Moses Lake, Washington. About 21 miles of that sat on reservation land between Evaro Hill and Plains. In addition to the Camas Creek spill, a break at Magpie Creek released about 163,000 gallons of fuel. Both leaks were reported by passing motorists and not the pipeline company; Camas Creeks break reportedly ran 45 days before discovery.

The belief among many tribal members is that the risk associated with this pipeline is too great, that enough is enough, CSKT environmental protection division manager Bill Swaney told the Missoulian in 1994. To the tribes, its not a question of money, but a question of trying to protect the environment. Many in the tribal public dont want to take this chance anymore. The pipelines track record has been fairly dismal.

At the time, YPL was jointly owned by Conoco Inc., Exxon and Union Oil Co. Its now managed by Phillips 66, whose spokesman, Dennis Nuss, had no comment on the past ownerships record of the events. The present YPL did earn praise from Missoula County officials last month for its safety improvements to pipeline crossings of Rattlesnake Creek and the Clark Fork River.

In 1995, YPL offered a deal paying between $25 million and $30 million over 20 years for a lease renewal across the reservation. Tribal officials said the previous 20-year deal only paid about $250,000 and was accompanied by the environmental disasters. Former CSKT Natural Resources Department Director Sam Morigeau described the cleanup efforts as cat-box technology.

We basically had to leverage whatever we could (to get effective cleanup at the Magpie site), Morigeau told the Missoulian in 1995. If they (YPL) were as environmentally conscious as they say, they would have done something about it sooner. I think they would have walked away from it if we hadnt pressured them.

The CSKT Tribal Council voted in early 1995 not to renew the lease. On April 20, 1995, pipeline managers turned off the flow at Missoula and started transferring the fuel to trucks and rail cars to Thompson Falls.

That triggered four years and approximately $5 million in environmental reviews of YPL proposals to build a new pipeline around the Flathead Reservation. Lolo National Forest officials preferred a 140-mile route along Interstate 90, while the company pushed for a 65-mile passage through the Ninemile Valley.

YPL gave up the effort in 2000 as futile according to then-President William Hicks, who cited a loss of confidence in the fairness and objectivity of the Lolo National Forest process. Then-Lolo Supervisor Debbie Austin defended her agencys work to the Missoulian, saying intense public interest and company application amendments, not bureaucratic missteps, delayed the environmental review.

YPLs Nuss said the company has no current plans to change the rail shipment system between Missoula and Thompson Falls. A river-crossing structure near Perma has been removed, making the remaining parts of the pipeline unusable across the Flathead Indian Reservation.
A Texas man accused of the shooting death of a Whitehall man last year told investigators in Idaho he feared for his life when he opened fire on the man and two other men in a remote area near Butte.

Tony Dwade Sawyer, 48, appeared fidgety and repeated himself in a nearly hour-long video shown to jurors on Tuesday, the second day of his deliberate homicide trial in Butte district court. Sawyer insisted Steve Drury was going to take me out on Fish Creek Road about 13 miles southeast of the Mining City on Nov. 3, 2015.

Butte-Silver Bow County prosecutors allege Sawyer killed Joe Powers, 37, and injured Drury and Hunter Smith, and then fled in Drurys black Chevy Equinox.

Sawyer was charged with deliberate homicide and two counts of attempted deliberate homicide, all felonies, in connection with the late-night shooting spree.

In the recorded interview with investigators a day after fleeing Montana in a another vehicle owned by Drury, Sawyer admitted that he, Smith, Powers and Drury used methamphetamine before they drove to the rural road.

Sawyer was arrested in Idaho Falls on a warrant by law enforcement officers from the Bonneville County Sheriffs Office.

He (Drury) was going to take me out  that was his intention.  He took me up there to get rid of me, Sawyer says in the video, adding that he pleaded with Drury before he fired three rounds at Sawyer.

I fired one shot, he (Drury) hit the ground. I fired another shot and he rolled, he tells the two investigators.

Sawyer continues, admitting that he shot Powers and Smith, who were standing near the Chevy. One was in a ditch; the other ran down the hill, he says.

On Tuesday morning, Jefferson County Sheriffs Deputy Jason Korst testified that he was dispatched from Whitehall to Fish Creek Road about 11:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Jurors were shown dash-camera video of Korsts drive along Highway 2.

Deputy county attorney Michael Clague stopped the video at periodic intervals to query the deputy about road conditions and when he encountered a frantic, shaking Smith on Fish Creek Road. Korst testified blood was coagulated all over Smiths face below his lip where he had been shot.

Farther up the road the video showed Korst and a Montana Highway Patrol trooper walk toward a body lying in a ditch adjacent to the road. En route, he testified, they observed shell casings, footprints and tire marks before finding Powers deceased in the snow.

In later testimony, detective Kevin Maloughney of the Butte police explained to jurors how the crime scene was processed for evidence.

Clague presented the states exhibits documenting shell casings, blood droplets, tire tracks, footprint and tools the four men used to dig out the Chevy before the shooting, asking the detective to detail his findings.

The trial before Judge Brad Newman resumes Wednesday with prosecutors expected to call Smith and Drury  the surviving victims in the triple shooting  to the witness stand.
Police reports

FACEBOOK THREAT ARREST

A woman called police Tuesday evening after repeated threats from a woman over the phone and on social media. Police said Krystal Jarvi, 36, of Butte, threatened over the phone to burn the victim's house down until the victim blocked her phone number. Police said Jarvi then threatened the victim on Facebook. Jarvi was arrested, and police said she already had an arrest warrant out for a previous probation violation. Jarvi was charged with a misdemeanor for violating privacy in communications and violating probation.

DUI CHARGE

Police received several calls around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday about a blue Toyota 4Runner driving erratically westbound on Interstate 90. Officers pulled the vehicle over while northbound on Montana Street after the driver turned without signalling. Police said the driver, Rodney Johnson, 63, of Butte, smelled of alcohol and said he had been drinking. Johnson failed a field sobriety test, and another test at the jail. Johnson refused a Breathalyzer test, but police obtained a search warrant for a blood-alcohol test. Johnson faces a DUI charge.

DRUG DOG BUSTS PROBATIONER

Parole officers called a county drug dog to a residence on the 400 block of South Main Street at noon Tuesday. The dog alerted officers to the bed, where police found a black case containing a metal spoon and two used syringes. Dale Schroeder, 47, of Butte, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and also charged with felony violation of probation.
Editor's note: Makoshika will be screened at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at the Covellite Upper Theater, 215 W. Broadway St., as part of the Covellite International Film Festival.

When filmmakers Jessica Jane Hart and Peter Tolton set out to compare the historic booms and busts of the badlands of Montana and the Dakotas, they didn't expect the whole cycle to play out in front of them.

Hart and Tolton began filming their documentary Makoshika  meaning badlands in the local Lakota-Sioux  at the height of the Bakken oil boom, and wrapped up as oil prices dropped and folks realized the bust was around the corner.

"We really got to see this perfect curve," Hart said, "but that wasn't lucky for most people in the area."

Hart first heard of the Bakken boom when her brother, a diesel mechanic, came home from the oilfields of Williston, North Dakota, with wild stories of RV cities in Walmart parking lots and signs banning unescorted woman. She'd never heard anything like it.

A photographer with a degree from Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, Hart headed to the Bakken. She soon realized still photos couldn't capture the vastness of the landscape or adequately compare the ghost towns of previous busts with contemporary MonDak boom towns, and the idea of a documentary film took hold.

At the time, most news of the Bakken covered the social or environmental costs of fracking and man camps, like poisoned water and endangered women. Hart said she wanted to cover the day-to-day effect the boom had on the people in the Bakken, and compare the latest boom with the three that preceded it in the 20th century.

The first boom was the railroad wave of homesteaders that transformed the badlands from hard scrubland into millions of acres of irrigated farmland. Then came the discovery of oil in the 1950s, with a resurgence of interest in petroleum in the 1980s when prices rose.

A bust followed each boom, and when the MonDak busts, it busts hard.

"The thing that I wanted to look at is why does it bust so severely?" Hart said.

Asking around, the filmmakers got a similar answer from everyone: the badlands didn't get their name for nothing, and the region's brutal winters mean most folks don't see a good reason to stick around when easy opportunity dries up.

"Everybody that we met we asked them their coldest memory, and everybody had some horrific story that just doesn't happen everywhere. Like 40 days in a row that it did not get above negative 20 degrees, and another guy talked about his cows freezing to the ground."

Hart said those who stuck around though were especially important to their documentary.

"There's a generational attachment to place that has to withstand whatever happens economically if possible, and we felt that those voices were underrepresented, and we wanted to get out there and get those stories told."

While the stories of workers following the boom are important, too, Hart said they don't define the regional identity of the place in the same way as those who have remained.

"We found people who mostly had to find ways to abide their surroundings, and who are just trying to make it and many of whom love the life that they have, especially an agrarian life," Hart said.

"Those are kind of unrepresented voices but also the fabric of America, or at least at one time they were."
A Montana State University architecture professor is directing a reclamation project that will one day transform Buttes Bonanza Mine Dump into a recreation site that will include a BMX racing course.

Bradford Watson, assistant professor of architecture in the MSU School of Architecture in the MSU College of Arts and Architecture, is spearheading the reclamation effort to construct an officially sanctioned USA Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racing course, park and trail system at the site adjacent to Buttes West Elementary School.

The project recently received a $100,000 grant from the Butte Natural Resource Damage Council to get things underway. Watson said the total cost of the project is expected to be $750,000 to $1 million.

We are still working with Butte-Silver Bow, the community and grant organizations to raise funds, which will determine final scope of the project, he said.

The project is one of five small restoration efforts recommended by the council and approved by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock to improve former mine sites. The grant will be used at the Bonanza Dump to develop a trail, plantings and wetlands along an existing creek as a part of a larger trail system. Continued fundraising efforts are underway to fund the BMX track.

Soil and water sampling has begun and Watson said he will work with three MSU graduate architecture students this fall to design the BMX track. He said construction on the course is anticipated to begin next spring or summer, with the track opening in the summer or fall of 2017.

Watson began examining the extraction and reclamation efforts on the Butte Hill in 2013, drawn to the area by its significant historical presence as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund program. With a background studying old industrial and early 1900s architecture, Watson said he is interested in how we can bring back cultural parts of a community as an economic revival.

Watsons vision is an alternative strategy to the established plan that calls for propagation of open grass fields that are closed to the public in order to protect them from erosion. Instead, Watson hopes to construct a site that can safely be used by the community while also remaining self-sustainable.

This gives ownership to the community, Watson said.

The project area is an eight-acre parcel formerly used as a mine dump that was adopted as an unsanctioned BMX racing track a number of years ago. Drawing on this established use for the land, Watson spoke with operators from the Gallatin Valley BMX track in order to learn about the sport and site construction.

The Butte BMX track will be one of only three in the state, in addition to tracks in Bozeman and Great Falls. Because participants will pay a small fee in order to race on the track, it will be financially sustainable, he added.

This project speaks to what I believe is a larger value to what design can do, Watson said. We as designers can engage with solving problems, and look at the opportunities (these problems) create.
HELENA -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana has scaled back its proposed premium increases for insurance policies sold in the individual marketplace after a state analysis and public hearings.

But the state insurance commissioner has issued a finding that says the increases are still unreasonable.

This is the first time such a finding has been issued, according to the commissioner's office.

The finding of unreasonableness will be noted on the federal insurance marketplace website when open enrollment begins on Nov. 1. Blue Cross is challenging that finding.

Blue Cross is increasing its premiums by an average of 58.4 percent for individual policies offered under the Affordable Care Act, Auditor and Insurance Commissioner Monica Lindeen said in a statement. It had proposed an average rate increase it calculated at 62 percent earlier this year, though the commissioner's office calculated that figure at 65.4 percent using the data provided.

Other providers also proposed rate increases, including PacificSource and Montana Health Co-op, though BCBS's was highest for individuals purchasing health insurance.

Blue Cross spokesman John Doran has said that policyholders were using far more medical and pharmacy services than the company anticipated. Earlier this year, he said this is the first year the company is working with current data to file its rates and thats part of the reason for the increase.

When were filing 2017 rates, were finally able to use two years worth of data to gauge what our medical expenses actually are, he said. Its a much more accurate picture. The marketplace population is using far more medical and pharmacy services than we anticipated.

Doran said for every dollar BCBS gets in premiums, it paid out $1.40 in claims.

What that adds up to is about $24 million in losses in the individual marketplace last year," he said.

"We respectfully disagree with Commissioner Lindeen that our 2017 rates are unreasonable. We are confident that our rates are reasonable, actuarially justified, and are based on our experience in the marketplace and our projected costs for next year,'' Doran said in a statement.

"We conducted an independent actuarial review that justifies our position and also disagrees that our rates are unreasonable.''

Lindeen said the proposed rates rates did not adequately address her concerns.

"We took a hard look at Blue Cross Blue Shield's financial data and found that these increases were simply not reasonable," Lindeen said. "Our insurers need to charge premiums high enough to pay all their claims and stay in business. But some of Blue Cross' rates for 2017 go beyond that goal."

The details that outline the finding of unreasonable rate increase were provided to Blue Cross on Aug. 19. Under Montana law, Blue Cross has 30 days to respond to the notice, during which time the details of the finding remain confidential. The details of the finding will be public on Sept. 19.
Lets be clear about the access zealots Terry Anderson is talking about in his recent column, The insatiable thirst for access (Sept. 11, Montana Standard).

Hes talking about the father taking his son fishing. Hes talking about a mother taking her children to her favorite swimming hole. Hes talking about the college student learning how to fly fish after a long day of class. A tourist who has traveled across the world to fly fish in Montana, and the guide who is making his living by showing that tourist the best fishing of their life. Grandparents and grandchildren. Cousins. Old friends. Basically, any person who enjoys recreating on Montanas rivers but cannot afford a million-dollar home on the river.

In Terry Andersons world, you should be able to own the river itself. But not in Montana.

We cherish our public access to the places that make our state so special. These places are open to everybody regardless of your origin or bank account. This spirit is at the heart of our stream access law. It is part of who we are as Montanans.

We are so fortunate to live in a state and a country that set aside vast tracts of wild places where every man, woman and child is welcome to explore, to escape, to camp, hunt, fish and hike in places that have not been overdeveloped or privatized. But there is a concerted effort to wrest these places from public hands, to privatize our rivers, our fishing and our wildlife.

In the big picture, Anderson is vilifying every one of the millions of Americans who cherish our public access to land and water to enjoy the activities that keep us grounded in an increasingly busy world. These are the last wild places in our country, places that are uniquely American, places that keep us human. Without access to these places, we will lose something that makes us both fundamentally human and American.

There is no real argument for infringing on our rights to access these places, so people like Anderson vilify and oversimplify in an effort to get their way. They use divisive, wildly vague and inaccurate terms like true sportsmen in a self-righteous attempt to sway opinion. They insult our intelligence and ethics by claiming the public ruin these places, that only wealthy people care for the land and water. The truth is, they loathe the very idea of public access, that the common man and woman can still have access to world-class recreation.

They are wrong, and they are the minority. But they are powerful, and we need to be vigilant in opposing their efforts. I encourage every Montanan who enjoys public access to our states amazing land and water to stand up against people like Anderson and any candidate for public office who does not support public access. And yes, someone who has filed suit to block public access in the past probably wont support public access in the future.

I will agree with Anderson on one point: many of us do have an insatiable thirst for access. We live to be outside, and no one is going to take away our access to public land and water.

We should all be public access zealots. The more we get outside and take advantage of these places, the more likely we will want to protect them for future generations. Keep getting outside. Keep exploring. Keep it public.
It the beginning of the September and school bells are ringing. The nights are getting cooler and there is snow in the Highlands. With Labor Day behind us, we all know that political season is upon us and soon our airwaves and street corners will be dominated by political advertisements and signs. Before this dialogue goes south, I wanted to take a moment and let the people of Butte know about a good friend and public servant who is running to represent us on the Public Service Commission.

Pat Noonan is dedicated to Butte and Southwest Montana. He is termed-out the House of Representatives and is looking to take his knowledge to the Public Service Commission. He has chaired the Consumer Council and familiar with this policy area.

Pat is a loving father who cares deeply about his two daughters, Hope and Haley. He is a Butte native who is proud of his heritage, loves his family, and is dedicated to Montana.

Pat Noonan has spent a career been focused serving people. From his experience serving people with developmental disabilities, to reaching across the aisle to find compromise in Helena, Pat has tirelessly advocated for working families and for Butte. I was honored to watch Pat introduce a bill to expand healthcare to 45,000 of our friends and neighbors as well as to work on solutions to get dark money out of politics.

This year Pat Noonan is running for the Public Service Commission to make sure that Montanans power bills are kept affordable. I know Pats years of dedication to hard-working, everyday Montanans will guide his decision-making and ensure that we all have a voice on the PSC.

Pat is a dedicated family man who cares for daughters, has fought for Montanans in his legislative career and works to help people with a hand up in his day job. Pat knows what its like to struggle to pay bills and will take that into account.

It is for these reasons that I am proud to say that I will be supporting my friend Pat Noonan for Public Service Commission.

 State Rep. Ryan Lynch, D-Butte. House District 76
Police have stepped up patrols to curb panhandling in Uptown Butte and the county attorneys Office is reviewing a Missoula ordinance to determine if it might also ease the problem here.

The moves detailed Tuesday by Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester and Deputy County Attorney Mollie Maffei seemed to temper the frustration some business owners are expressing about people aggressively seeking money from passersby and potential customers.

At least in the short term.

I have seen an increase in patrols and a decrease in our issue, but I fear that this is only going to be temporary because those resources cant be there all the time, Kelley Klamp, owner of the For Heavens Cakes bakery, 33 N. Main St., said Tuesday, after a second community meeting on the matter.

Emotions ran high at the first meeting last Wednesday, which County Chief Executive Matt Vincent called after numerous Uptown merchants complained that panhandling was out of control and hurting business.

County officials were sympathetic, but they and others also spoke up for the poor and homeless. Lester also said police need probable cause to make arrests and the offense had to be committed on private property. Merchants say most of the panhandlers are not homeless, they are simply hustling money, mostly to buy alcohol.

It appeared Tuesdays meeting would be off to another tense start when Jim Kephart, who owns Julians Bar, 113 Hamilton St., suggested merchants were prepared to conduct a tax strike if necessary to move things along  meaning getting the problem addressed.

He explained after the meeting that a tax strike would entail business owners paying their property taxes on time when next due, but then appealing them. That would deny the county tax money while the appeals played out for weeks or longer.

Vincent answered Kepharts suggestion abruptly, saying it is just not bringing anything to the table, and said there are better ways to find solutions.

As a start, he said his office had emailed copies of no-trespassing orders to Uptown business owners and is working with county attorneys on how they could be utilized. A few business owners indicated Tuesday they did not receive them.

Lester said he has increased foot patrols in the Uptown business district, and he and Undersheriff George Skuletich have walked that beat in recent days and had talked with panhandlers about the problem.

We will have a much higher presence, Lester said.

People should call police when they think someone has been aggressive or threatening, he said. Officers would respond and could make arrests based on witness accounts  if people are willing to file complaints.

We just need someone to sign on the dotted line, Skuletich said.

Maffei, the deputy county attorney, said panhandling can be prosecuted through laws on disorderly conduct or assault. But Missoula has a panhandling ordinance that includes those provisions and some additional language that might be helpful in Butte, she said.

Lester said he may have come off as defensive during last weeks meeting, and if so, he apologized. But people have constitutional rights, he said.

I didnt want to give pie-in-the-sky answers to make everyone happy for 10 minutes, he said.

Margie Seccomb, chief executive officer of Action Inc.,  a nonprofit social services organization that serves Silver Bow and five surrounding counties  said there are proven ways to curb panhandling. She and other members of the Southwest Montana Continuum of Care Coalition met to discuss them in the past few days.

The first rule, she said, is not giving money to panhandlers because it only encourages them. Seccomb said the coalition could provide training to business owners and the public on how to say no without escalating a situation.

Information cards should be given to panhandlers on how to access community services, she said, and the coalition could provide them. Alternatives for donating to the needy should be readily available also, she said.

Vincent said another meeting would be scheduled in two weeks to keep momentum going on addressing the problem.

Kephart was encouraged, especially since police are acting and a new ordinance is being explored. Last weeks meeting focused on the rights of the homeless and panhandlers, he said, and this one was more about the problem and solutions.

What has freaked out the business community is that this train wreck would continue, Kephart said.

Klemp said she and other business owners have compassion for the poor and homeless and do things to help them. But the majority of those who have panhandled outside her bakery not only have homes, they get other government assistance, she said.
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors announces a vacancy on the Muscatine County Zoning Commission. The vacancy is to fill a 5-year term beginning November 7, 2016 ending November 7, 2021.

Duties include: making recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on matters relating to requests for rezoning and subdivision platting of property in the unincorporated area of Muscatine County; making recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for updating the Zoning Ordinances; and making personal tours and inspections of sites for which rezoning or platting has been requested.

Application forms are available in the Zoning Office, 3610 Park Avenue West, the Muscatine County Administration Office, 414 E. Third Street, Suite 101, Muscatine, Iowa 52761-4142 and on the County website, www.co.muscatine.ia.us under Volunteer Opportunities.

In order to achieve gender balance in accordance with Section 69.16A, Code of Iowa, Muscatine County is seeking and will give preferential consideration to male applicants who meet the necessary qualifications.

Completed applications should be returned to the Administration Office, Muscatine County Administration Building by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

For more information, please call (563) 263-0482.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  An artist's vision will soon come into being at Calvary Church, with a community art space inside a large room with glass windows for local artists to expand and practice their talents.

Ty Thomas, the lead pastor at Calvary Church, said around three years ago the church leaders realized that the church used to be the place where much of the most famous art in the world was created, but some of the incorporation of art in the church has faded.

"It's not that the artists aren't there, we just haven't been making them a priority," he said.

Johan Umana, visual arts pastor at the church, has been working to form a directional team of artists, Canv*us, to allow people to feel engaged through art in addition to music and sermons.

"About a year ago Johan said he had a vision, a community space where people can come and work on their techniques and also talk about spiritual issues that are in their life," Thomas said.

Thomas said Umana, who came to Muscatine two years ago from Costa Rica, had begun meeting artists in the community, and he realized that church is a place where some artists don't feel like they fit.

"Because it's kind of sterile, not very creative, it's kind of rigid, and artists, I have found, are the opposite of rigid, are the opposite of schedules. So they like creativity, and so seeing the need for that Johan had the vision of opening this fine arts space and having it become that," Thomas said.

While the space will begin with scheduled times for people to work on different forms of art, like the photo forum planned for Oct. 4, and the slam poetry class Oct. 13, and painting forums, Thomas said the goal will be to have open times for artists to use the space if they have need.

"[The goal] maybe primarily would be for the community to come and build a community of artists, whether they go to the church or not, for there to be a place in town where they can come and create, and maybe get some of the questions to life, the hard questions that all people wrestle with, in a safe place," he said.

The creation area, or workshop, will be a space for painting, with computers to work on photography projects, and a crafts area, which Thomas and Uamana said they hope will lead to art and exhibits throughout the church and throughout the community.

"If you are an artist and you need a space to create things, come here, will have materials, someone guiding, teaching lessons, or just area to work," Umana said.

As an artist, Umana said providing a space for other artists to work has been a dream of his, and now he is watching that dream become reality.

"I always dreamed to have a place like this. As artists, sometimes we don't have a lot of support, and when I got the vision to do this and Ty said "Let's do it," it was really exciting, and I am really sure that this is a need that a lot of artists in the community have right now," Umana said.

He said he hopes the space will provide local artists with the opportunity to create, explore, and evolve in their talents.

"I'm really excited."
MUSCATINE, Iowa  More than 500 volunteers worked on projects throughout the Muscatine community on Wednesday for United Way of Muscatine's Day of Caring.

The volunteers worked on 54 projects for the 10th anniversary of the event. Nichole Sorgenfrey, the program manager at United Way of Muscatine, said the first year saw around 70 volunteers.

Sorgenfrey said she is always happy to see the number of volunteers grow, because once they begin to volunteer, people are more likely to continue volunteering.

"It's a great feeling, and it's one of those things where we know we have some first time volunteers and we know they want to come back and do more in the community," she said.

Volunteers worked at non-profit organizations, senior Muscatine residents' homes, and on several projects for the city throughout the day.

One group of volunteers from Bridgestone Bandag helped with yard work, power washing, painting the garage and other projects at Margaret Barclay's home. Her daughter, Jennifer Nichols, helped in the yard, and said she was happy to have help on projects her mother could no longer manage.

"It means a lot to me," she said.

Barclay said she has difficulty walking on uneven surfaces, and was feeling fortunate to have volunteers helping her with work she was unable to do herself.

"I appreciate the fact that United Way and the industries in town do this, it's a wonderful thing," she said.

The garage volunteers were planning to paint, Barclay said, which had not been painted for 30 to40 years, and a lot of weeding, weed whacking, and trimming also needed to be done.

"It's just going to make things more comfortable for me and easier, to get this major part done," she said.

Robert Motley, one of the volunteers at Barclay's home, said the project aligned with the company's goals, and Doug Yakle said they were happy to help.

"I wanted to volunteer, and I like to help people," Yakle said.

Another Bridgestone Bandag crew worked to replace the roof on a home that had worn shingles.

Paul Crosser said he and other volunteers who were fortunate enough not to need that kind of assistance were happy to give back to the community.

"It warms your heart," he said.

Central Middle School students spent the morning at Discovery Park, helping weed areas to remove non-native plants. Naturalist Dave Bakke said having the group was needed.

"We have limited staff and we have a lot of areas to maintain, and it's just a big help to get a crew to come out and do a big project like this today, this has been needing this for a long time," he said.

Axel Torres, a seventh-grader, said the project was important because it is good to "take care of your community."

"And to make the community a better place," said seventh-grader Maddison Viner.

The top sponsors for the event are HNI Corporation, UnityPoint Health Trinity Muscatine, Carver Pump, Kent Corporation, Bandag, and Monsanto.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  Muscatine Queens will be hosting a bake sale from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Highway 61. The fundraiser is for two-year-old Parker Hopkins who has recently been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and is currently at the Iowa City Childrens Hospital.

Those meeting, greeting, and selling will be Little Miss Muscatine, Ava Kirk, Little Miss Hospitality, Olivia Burdick, Miss Junior Muscatine Chloe Gundrum, Little Miss Princess, Kyndzey Brockert, Miss Junior Muscatine Rainee Thomas, Little Miss Sunshine Brenda-Leaver Harland, and a number of runners-up. Also in attendance will be Executive Director Judi Connor and assistant directors Lisa Johnson and Kalley Boyce.

All proceeds will go to the Hopkins family for expenses above the hospital expenses. Any donations for the family will be greatly appreciated during this time. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  For the fourth year, Joyce Phillips and other volunteers are creating handmade bags to give people in Haiti something unique.

Phillips said she first learned of the idea when she became part of a similar project in Texas, and she decided to start the effort in Muscatine.

Jim Wester, of the Muscatine area, travels to Haiti every year with St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Bettendorf, and the small cotton 11 inch by 18 inch bags travel with him.

He told Phillips that he used to keep pills and necessary items in plastic bags, but she wanted to give them something a little more colorful.

"Just a little bit of material will make something so special for somebody," she said.

Last year, she said, more than 3,000 bags were made for Wester to take. They are often made of leftover fabric, which people have donated to Phillips and the other sewers.

Sisters Mary K. Hackney, of Camanche, and Jeanne Eble, of Blue Grass, sat with Phillips in the back of Neal's Vacuum and Sewing Center, making the bags of various patterns of fabric. The project, the said was just one of charity projects they sew for together.

"That's what we do," they said.

Wester said he travels to Haiti nearly every year for about a week, and he said patients are not only provided with prescriptions so the bags are a useful gift.

"Its a godsend, it really really is because we see close to 2,000 patients in a weeks time, and not only do we give them medicines but we give them toiletries as well, so prescriptions and goody bags, with toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, kids will have a little toy as well," he said.

He said that during the 12- and 13-hour days, having special bags for the patients to take home can make his and their day.

"It means the world, not only to us but also to the patients, they are extremely extremely grateful," Wester said.

While the pill bags are only one function of the whole trip, Wester said everyone appreciates that function.

"The bags are the perfect size, not only use them to take home the goodies, but theyll even use them as a purse or something like that," he said.

The sewing day on Tuesday brought more than six volunteers to Neal's Vacuum and Sewing Center, which hosted the quilters and helpful hands making the pill bags.

For those who may not have had the chance to attend the sewing day, instructions can be found on the Neal's Vacuum and Sewing website, and Phillips said donating scraps and squares of fabric, as well as ribbon for the drawstrings, can be helpful.

For more information, or to donate time or fabric, visit www.nealsew.com or call 563-263-4543.
WILTON, Iowa - Wilton residents will continue to receive primary health care in their own community, according to Muscatine's top medical administrator. Jim Hayes, President and CEO of Unity Point Clinic in Muscatine, told the Wilton City Council Monday night that Unity intends to keep its Wilton clinic open and fully staffed.

"Unity Point Health Clinic is committed to keeping Wilton open and providing services," said Hayes. "There has never been any discussion about closing the clinic in Wilton or the hospital in Muscatine."

But the challenge, Hayes said, is recruiting physicians to replace the ones who have retired or will retire soon.

"We're continually out there recruiting," Hayes told the council. "To be honest, we've turned some down. We know there are some who wouldn't serve our communities well. Of all the physicians that graduate, 95 percent don't want to come to a rural area. And Muscatine is a rural area."

Hayes said Unity Point is limited in offering a competitive compensation package because of the federally determined fair market value.

"We can't go above fair market value," said Hayes. "The typical doctor comes to us with about $200,000 in student debt."

And Hayes said younger physicians aren't as willing as their older counterparts to work the extra hours of making early morning hospital rounds or coming in on weekends.

"In fact the younger physicians we see now are more like the millennial generation," Hayes said. "They want to see that the professional part of their life doesn't interfere with their personal life."

Hayes said the ideal staffing for the Wilton clinic includes two physicians and a physician's assistant.

"The goal is not to pull health care from Muscatine to the Quad Cities and leave places like the Wilton clinic high and dry," he told the council.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

 The council approved the appointment of Robert Van Dusen as Public Works Director.

 The council approved payment of $237.50 and, upon final acceptance of the project, payment of $12,541 to Triple B Construction of Wilton, which will close out the Water Street Water Main Extension Project at a total cost of $244,811.

 The council approved payment of $440.50 and, upon final acceptance of the project, $25,166 to Heuer Construction of Muscatine, which will close out out the Division Street Improvements Project at a total cost of $503,769.

 The council approved a request to hold the Wilton High School homecoming parade on designated city streets at 6:30 PM Wednesday, Sept. 14.

 The council approved a resolution setting trick or treat times as 5:30 - 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 31.
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FNB is warning banking customers about a new scam which is doing the rounds in South Africa.

The bank is issuing a warning to customers when they visit FNBs online banking portal.

The scam is based on criminals asking FNB customers to either reactivate or register their FNB card.

An example of the scam is detailed below.

Step 1  Email

You will receive an email  including an attachment  requesting you to reactivate or register your FNB card, with a warning that failure to do so will lead to the card being suspended.

Step 2  Fake website

When the attachment is selected, you will be presented with a fake fnb.co.za screen requesting your personal information.

Step 3  Profile stolen

When you enter your details on this screen, the fraudsters will be in a position to access your banking profile.

FNB said it will never ask for your username, password, or PIN in an email, SMS, or phone call.

Never select a link to our website that was sent via email, said the bank.

More on banking

Discovery  South Africas new digital bank of the future

PayPal and MasterCard expand partnership
Roberto Vargas, sales director of Agricola Norsur, a fruit supplier in Peru, made his first visit to the Chinese mainland in the hope of increasing the export of mandarins and blueberries to China.

"Currently, our company exports around 100 tons of mandarins to China a year, and we hope to increase the amount to up to 1,000 metric tons next year. I'm also looking forward to exporting 1.5 to 2 million kilograms of blueberries to China in the next three to four years," he said.

As a member of 25 Peruvian companies, associations and chambers of commerce, his firm attended a face-to-face meeting with 50 Chinese companies in Beijing on Tuesday, which was organized by the Chinese government and Bank of China Ltd, to discuss opportunities for business cooperation and investment.

During his meeting with Chinese companies, the vice-chairman of China Crop Protection Industry Association expressed her interest in selling pesticide to Peru. Vargas said his company is a huge consumer of pesticide, so it is highly possible for him to increase business with Chinese companies that produce quality pesticide.

Olivio Huancaruna Perales, president of Lambayeque Chamber of Commerce and Production, said his top priority during the visit was to seek Chinese companies' investment in port construction in Peru due to their great advantages in financing, construction and technologies, and to promote e-commerce transactions between the two countries.

Xiao Lijun, general manager of the preparatory team of the BOC's Peru Representative Office, said Chinese investment in Peru exceeded $14 billion by the end of 2015, and the number of Chinese companies in the Latin American nation reached more than 170.

"Apart from traditional sectors such as energy and mining, a growing number of Chinese companies have shown a great interest in other Peruvian industries, such as railway construction, agriculture, real estate and finance. We're trying to help Chinese companies explore the Peruvian market and help China import more superior products from Peru," he said.

Tian Guoli, chairman of BOC, said the bank has devoted great efforts to support international trade and investment cooperation. Ever since 2014, the BOC has organized 23 cross-border business matchmaking events for more than 8,000 Chinese and foreign companies from 52 countries and regions.

Tian said the Chinese banking regulator has given BOC permission to set up a representative office in Peru, and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, president of Peru, said he will rapidly push forward the upgrading of the bank's representative office to that of a branch.

Peru is looking to promote its industrialization through infrastructure construction and investment. Kuczynski said his country is seeking cooperation with Chinese companies to import mining technologies in high altitude areas from China and to build a main railway line that will increase the population of Lima, Peru's capital, to 20 million people in a few years.
Winemakers and vintners, both those who were born to the wine industry and those who found an unusual path to the life, could be found in a sun-dappled park in Calistoga Saturday pouring their boutique wines and telling their personal stories of how they and their wines came to be a part of the first annual Calistoga Wine Experience.

In this one-of-a-kind experience where dozens of wines grown or produced in the Calistoga AVA could be enjoyed in a serene Pioneer Park along the Napa River, members of the Calistoga Winegrowers Association set out to create an event that would both showcase the unique qualities of the Calistoga AVA and give people attending the popular Calistoga Harvest Table on Sunday, a full weekend experience by attending the Saturday event.

The Calistoga Winegrowers Association placed informative posters at the entrance of the park describing such things as the AVAs diurnal change, the most extreme temperature swing in Napa Valley that allows grapes to relax after a warm day and the cooler nights allow for more acid retention creating balanced grapes that turn into balanced wines, and how the area has the highest percent of volcanic soil, which grapes love, in the Napa Valley.

Many of the wines poured for the Calistoga Wine Experience can only be purchased direct through the winery, or at select restaurants or retailers. This tasting was a wine-lovers golden ticket to not only taste the wine, but interact with vintner or winemaker, who, in some cases wears both hats.

Those attending came from near and far  such as Ed Mykyten, Parke Crawford, Stacy Crawford and David Smith from Atlanta or like Bob and Britt Bell who came from Australia to visit their daughter, Jenny, who lives in Calistoga  and others discovered the event simply by walking by the park on Cedar Street and inquiring about what was going on. Some who had planned trips to Calistoga said they found out about the event in advance by searching online for things to do taking place in the area. With live music by band Hot Club of San Francisco, food provided by Chef Rick Warkel of Calistoga Kitchen, there were a lot of happy faces.

Larry Arnoff, president of the Calistoga Winegrowers Association (CWA), said they sold more tickets to the inaugural event than they had hoped for, which was a humble guess he estimated.

The venue provided a mostly shaded cover and where the sun hit hardest shade umbrellas protected those underneath. The wood-chipped area all around was dotted with plenty of tables and chairs where people dropped in to nibble sandwiches, dates, nuts, tomatoes and mozzarella for a few minutes before they got up to explore more Calistoga wines.

The time and space flowed with a crowd that still had elbow-room enough to get a few up and dancing in front of the gazebo where the band played, such as the Australian Bell couple who needed only a little prodding, their daughter said.

Most of the wineries present do not have a full-time tasting room or the permit for drop-in tastings and require appointments. Some of the wineries pouring have no opportunity other than events such as this to showcase their wines.

Among those wineries that were pouring include Amici Cellars, Baldacci Family Vineyards, Barlow Vineyards, Bennett Vineyards, Bragg Vineyards, Canard Vineyard, Chateau de Vie, Fairwinds, Harris Estate, Huge Bear Wines, Jax Vineyards, Jericho Canyon Vineyard, Jones Family Vineyards, Kenefick Ranch Vineyards, Laura Michael Vineyards, Next Door Wine, Phifer Pavitt Wine, and more. The full list of participating wineries is available on CalistogaWinegrowers.com.
Napa County Public Health will begin offering free seasonal flu vaccine shots to anyone over 3 years of age.

This year the flu mist (spray) is not available because it is not effective to stop the flu viruses expected to be circulating this season.

Clinics:

Napa, Sunday, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., Binational Health Fair, 3285 Claremont Way.

Yountville, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 3-6 p.m., Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington St.

American Canyon, Monday, Sept. 26, 3-6 p.m., Multi-Use Center, 2185 Elliot Drive.

Napa, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Napa Senior Center, 1500 Jefferson St.

Lake Berryessa, Monday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Berryessa Senior Center, 4380 Spanish Flat Loop Road.

St. Helena, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 3-6 p.m., St. Helena Elementary School, 1325 Adams St.

Napa, Monday, Oct. 17, 3-6 p.m., Napa Elks Club, 2840 Soscol Ave.

Angwin, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Angwin Fire Department, 275 College Ave.

Napa, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 3 p.m.-6 p.m., McPherson Elementary, 2670 Yajome St.

Calistoga, Monday, Nov. 7, 36 p.m., Calistoga Fairgrounds, Butler Pavilion, 1435 N. Oak St.

Although the spray version of the vaccine is not available this year, the flu shot is still the safest and most effective way to avoid getting the flu, said Dr. Karen Relucio, Napa County Public Health officer. In addition to protecting yourself from getting sick, the vaccine can prevent you from spreading the flu to your loved ones and other people who are more likely to have severe illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend everyone over 6 months of age get a flu vaccine. Those at higher risk for complications of the flu, including seniors over 65 years, pregnant women, children under five years and people with certain chronic medical conditions, are especially encouraged to get vaccinated.

In addition to getting vaccinated, simple steps to help stop the spread of the flu:

1) Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 30 seconds.

2) Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.

3) Stay home and contact health care providers when sick.

For additional information, including the full schedule of seasonal flu vaccine clinics, visit the Napa County Public Health flu vaccine clinic: http://www.countyofnapa.org/publichealth/fluclinics/ or call the flu line at 707-253-4540 for 24/7 recorded bilingual information.

Residents unable to attend the flu vaccine clinics or with children less than three years of age can call the Public Health Immunization Clinic at 707-253-4270 for a free appointment.
AMERICAN CANYON -- This city has been recognized for its energy conservation efforts with the Silver Beacon Award from the Institute of Local Government and the League of California Cities.

The Beacon Program recognize California cities and counties that work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and adopt policies to promote sustainability.

Seven other cities in California will receive the award this year.

"Winning the Beacon Award is an accomplishment that reflects the comprehensive approach our City is taking to address climate change," read a press release from the city.

To be considered for the award, American Canyon had to demonstrate reduction in the use of greenhouse gases, electricity and natural gas.

The city is embarking on other efforts to save energy and conserve water, according to the Public Works Department. These include:

-- Converting to LED light standards in the public right of way.

-- Completing the Kimberly Park renovations to provide flood control and the use of recycled water in place of potable water.

-- Installing energy saving sensors to control temperature, faucets, and lighting in city buildings and facilities.
Napa County residents will pay an extra dollar for vehicle registrations and renewals to continue funding local programs addressing driving under the influence, vehicle theft and vehicular manslaughter.

The county fee for motor vehicles will rise from $1 to $2. The fee for commercial vehicles will rise from $2 to $4. Increases will take place on July 1, 2017.

At the heart of this is to continue to help serve victims of crime and make their journeys less bad as they go through the process, District Attorney Gary Lieberstein said.

The Napa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the fee increases by unanimous vote.

Counties are allowed under state law to impose the fees, with the Department of Motor Vehicles collecting the money along with vehicle registrations and renewals. Napa approved the original fees in 2001 at the caps then allowed by the state.

The fees raise money for the District Attorneys Office to deter, investigate and prosecute vehicle theft, crimes involving people driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.

More specifically, they help pay for a misdemeanor deputy district attorney, an almost full-time district attorney investigator and a part-time felony deputy district attorney to address these issues, county officials said.

Over the past five years, Napa County has averaged 1,767 arrests annually for driving under the influence. It ranks seventh out of 55 counties in a per-capita comparison of people killed and injured in driving-under-the-influence crashes, a county report said.

The county over 10 years has averaged 291 reported vehicle thefts annually.

In 2013, California authorized counties to raise the fees to $2 for vehicles and $4 for commercial vehicles. Neighboring Solano County did so in 2014. Marin, Sonoma, Sacramento, Alameda and Santa Cruz are among the other regional counties that have raised their fees.

Lieberstein explained to the Board of Supervisors why he didnt request fee increases earlier.

The programs cost the county more than $300,000 annually to deliver and the current fees bring in $133,000 annually. The county has helped make up the difference with an Office of Traffic Safety grant that will expire in October, so only now does it need the extra money.

Fee increases will raise the countys vehicle registration revenue to $266,000 annually. Supervisors increased the fees without debate or comment.
Napa County supervisors will weigh if taking a stand opposing a possible Indian casino in neighboring Solano County could hurt their own goal of keeping a casino away from Napa farmland.

Officials in Napa and Solano counties say the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians is targeting a site in Vallejo near Interstate 80 and Highway 37. Solano County, Vallejo and American Canyon have sent letters to the federal government expressing concerns.

Napa County staff said a casino in Vallejo would ease pressure for a possible Napa casino, since Indian casinos are usually granted a monopoly on the surrounding area.

On the other hand, they said, Napa County has opposed having Indian tribes establish federally recognized restored lands in areas where they lack historic ties. Solano County, Vallejo and American Canyon say this is the case with the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Vallejo proposal.

I want to be fully supportive of our colleagues in Solano and Vallejo and American Canyon, Supervisor Diane Dillon said. But I dont want to invite the project to move to Napa.

Napa Countys Legislative Subcommittee of Supervisors Mark Luce and Dilllon on Monday did what they could to have Napa join the debate. They recommended the full Board of Supervisors consider whether it should oppose the casino at a meeting yet to be announced.

But Napa County can only voice its opinion. The U.S. Department of the Interior will take the first step toward deciding if a Vallejo casino is possible, with local governments having no veto power.

The Napa County Board of Supervisors and wine industry have long feared that a federally recognized tribe might try to have local agricultural land taken into trust by the federal government. Then the tribe as a sovereign government could try to establish a casino without county approval.

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians has its headquarters at Lakeport in Lake County. Officials with the Scotts Valley Band could not be reached for a comment on Friday or Monday.

Several parties have already sent letters to the Department of the Interior commenting on the possible Vallejo casino.

The Solano County Board of Supervisors wrote on Aug. 23 that it had just learned of the proposal. But, the letter said, the Scotts Valley Band on January 29 asked the federal government to determine if the Vallejo property is eligible for gaming operations.

No one from the tribe or the Department of the Interior contacted the county during the intervening seven months, Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Erin Hannigan wrote.

Initially, the county is deeply concerned about the lack of transparency exhibited by both the Scotts Valley Band and the Department in this determination process, Hannigan wrote.

Solano County is not necessarily anti-casino or anti-gaming, she said.

However, this reservation shopping by the Scotts Valley Band takes away economic opportunity from tribes that actually have historic ties to lands encompassed by Solano County, Hannigan wrote.

The Scotts Valley Band took another, separate action after asking the Department of the Interior on Jan. 29 for a gaming determination. It applied on Aug. 11 to have the Vallejo property taking into trust by the federal government, another step needed to establish a casino, according to Solano County.

Rep. Mike Thompson, Rep. John Garamendi and Rep. Jared Huffman said in an Aug. 29 letter that a gaming determination and trust application are usually sought at the same time. That triggers notification requirements.

The Scotts Valley Band case is not following the common procedure that local governments have come to expect. It is essential that stakeholders and interested parties have the chance to express their views from the outset, the three congressmen wrote.

Thompson, Huffman and Garamendi questioned if the Scotts Valley Band has historic connections to the Vallejo land.

We also request that the Office of Indian Gaming not issue a decision until a response to our inquiry is provided, they wrote.

American Canyon is in Napa County, but only a few miles from the proposed casino site. In a letter, the city expressed concerns that the casino could affect the portion of the citys water supply that comes from Vallejo, among other concerns.

Now, the Napa County Board of Supervisors will decide whether to add its own voice to the proceedings involving a possible Solano County casino a little over a mile from the Napa County line.
Two bicycles were returned to their rightful owners and the people who had them were arrested, according to the Napa Police.

The first bicycle was reported missing last Wednesday. Lt. Chase Haag said that the bikes lock was cut and the bike was stolen from Napa High School.

On Monday morning, officers saw a bicycle matching the description of the high school students bike in the parking lot of the abandoned Safeway at Clay Street and Jefferson Street, Haag said. Michael Bonneau, 27, of Napa, who was identified as being a transient, was riding the bike, Haag said. Police said that Bonneau was identified as the person who originally stole the bike thanks to surveillance footage recorded at the school.

Bonneau was arrested and booked into Napa County jail on suspicion of misdemeanor petty theft, misdemeanor possession of stolen property and for a probation violation.

The bike was returned to student Marco Rosales at school on Monday morning.

On Tuesday, officers conducted a probation search on Carmen Angelique Lockard, 19, who was also identified as homeless, in the area of Coombs and Elm streets, Haag said. While speaking with her, a bicycle was reported missing along with two others from a residence on the 2000 block of Second Street. The bicycle that Lockard had with her matched the description of one of the bicycles stolen and, Haag said, she did not have a solid story about where the bike came from.

The bicycle was identified by and returned to the victim, Haag said.

Lockard was arrested and booked at Napa County jail on suspicion of misdemeanor possession of stolen property and for a probation violation.

The investigation about how Lockard got the bike continues.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which has been searching for concessionaires to run six of the seven resorts at Lake Berryessa, announced this week that it has chosen a future operator for Markley Cove Resort.

It picked FX10 International, whose principal shareholders are John and Linda Frazier, who have operated Markley Cove Resort for 29 years. Theyve operated it since 2009 under a series of interim contracts.

The Bureau of Reclamation and FX10 International will negotiate a contract for 30 years, with another 10 years possible. A contract should be signed by January, an agency press release said.

Were pretty confident that will go smoothly, Linda Frazier said on Wednesday. At this point, I think the Bureau, as well as ourselves, want to get the contract and get Markley moving forward. That would be good for both sides.

The Bureau of Reclamation received only the FX10 International bid for the resort, said Jonathan Friedman, chief of the recreation division for the agencys Central California office. Another potential bidder inquired about the prospectus.

Initial planned improvements to Markley Cove Resort will focus on the waterfront, such as more and better boat slips, an upgraded fuel dock and perhaps a small delicatessen-type store on the water, Linda Frazier said. Having a long-term contract will help, she said.

Its hard to go to the bank with a two-year or three-year contract and say, We want to make all of these improvements, she said.

For more than a decade, the Bureau of Reclamation has planned and worked on a revamping Lake Berryessa recreation. The reservoir has seven resorts on the federally owned shoreline.

About six years ago, the agency stripped five resorts of their marinas, shops and other infrastructure. The exceptions were Markley Cove and Pleasure Cove.

But the Bureau of Reclamations attempt to redevelop the other five resorts from scratch with new facilities has stalled since 2008. Thats left three of them open to camping, boating and similar activities and two of them closed.

The Bureau of Reclamation put Markley Cove out to bid separate from the other five resorts. Markley Cove is located on 120 acres along Highway 128 on the southeast side of the lake, about two miles from Monticello Dam.

Peter Kilkus, a Lake Berryessa resident and long-time observer of the Berryessa recreation redevelopment, said hes glad Markley Cove is stable.

Im looking forward to Markley bringing itself up to the standard of a modern, full-service marina, said Kilkus, who publishes the Lake Berryessa News.

Bureau of Reclamation critics say that the agencys recent attempt to find operators for the other five resorts was hampered by a proposed 30-year contract period, with the Bureau then taking ownership of the infrastructure. They said potential bidders want a longer time frame to recoup their investments.

Kilkus noted the Markley Cove contract is to be for 30 years with a 10-year extension possible, for a total of 40 years.

Its a good first step, Kilkus said.

Linda Frazier agreed that the extra 10 years are important. Being in business is tough, and having a longer contract to spread out costs makes things more viable, she said.

About 500,000 people visit Lake Berryessa annually, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. About 67,000 people visit Markley Cove annually.

Linda Frazier said some good businesspeople have had to move on amid changes at Lake Berryessa. Her family feels fortunate, and has had help from various people, including the customers who have stayed with them, she said.

We are looking forward to moving forward now, she said.
The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce will host a City Council candidate debate at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at Vintage Hall.

The debate will include the four council candidates  incumbents Sharon Crull and Greg Pitts and challengers Geoff Ellsworth and Mary Koberstein  and will be broadcast live on Channel 28.

Because Mayor Alan Galbraith is running unopposed, the debate will concentrate on council candidates, providing more time for in-depth conversation. The public is encouraged to attend and participate with questions.

As part of our mission to advocate for a better St. Helena for business and the community, the Chamber of Commerce will be active in this years city election, said Pam Simpson, CEO/President of the Chamber. The Chamber has a process for endorsing candidates for city elections which includes a written questionnaire, interviews between candidates and the Chamber Board and the debate.

We feel it is an appropriate process that allows the candidates several opportunities to state their positions and communicate with not only the business community, but also with the electorate at large.
Pop the cork on Napa Valley wine!

Discover the hidden stories of Napa Valley wine and the people behind it -- plus expert analysis from our columnists and more with our weekly email newsletter.
Toivo Klaar: I emphasised the European Unions continued strong engagement in the peace process

Arrested for assaulting Speaker Pelosi's spouse faces charges

Major crush in Seoul: There are victims

Britain needs air defense in connection with war in Ukraine

President discusses latest foreign political developments around Artsakh

Azerbaijan officials considering opening embassy in Israel

Armenia PM, EU Special Representative for South Caucasus discuss regional security and peace

Nikol Pashinyan, Garo Paylan exchange views on Armenia-Turkey normalization process

Quake hits Armenia-Turkey border zone

Armenia ruling party adopting new vision regarding Karabakh conflict settlement

Russia MOD: Ukraine carried out terrorist attack on Black Sea Fleet ships, civilian ships in Sevastopol

Premier: CSTO should plan force operation, restore Armenias territorial integrity

Armenia PM: All countries consider Karabakh to be part of Azerbaijan

Armenias Pashinyan: CSTO does not exist

Kremlin responds to question on extending mandate of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh

Armenia premier: We need to know, ultimately, what Russian peacekeepers are doing in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia PM: Im ready to sign document, accept that Russian peacekeepers term in Karabakh be extended 10-20 years

Armenias Pashinyan: We are ready to delegate border guard service operation to Russian border guards

Finland, Sweden promise to join NATO together

European Parliament calls on Armenia to consider diversifying its security partnerships

Visiting Armenia MPs brief Canada lawmaker on recent Azerbaijan military aggression

Armenia PM at ruling party congress: We declared repairing states foundation our primary task

Karabakh President: Russia leaders statement inspires certain hopes

Armenia ruling party congress kicks off

Man breaks into US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's home, demands to speak with her, beats husband with hammer

EU-Armenia Joint Committee on Research and Innovation first meeting to be held in November

Provincial governor of Armenias Gegharkunik: EU monitoring mission already started

US accuses Russia of disinformation regarding Washington intentions towards Armenia, Azerbaijan

Mexico fully legalizes gay marriage

Newspaper: Azerbaijan not inclined to sign anything with Armenia in Russias Sochi

Armenia ruling party convening closed convention

Italian prime minister demands that she be addressed as prime minister in masculine form

Pentagon to send Ukraine new aid package worth $275 million

Europe will ban sale of one type of car

European Commission head announces new aid and investments for Serbia

Biden calls Putin's rhetoric on nuclear weapons 'dangerous'

Lukashenko on Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict: What are you fighting for in these mountains, where not even goats walk?

Swedish authorities offer to create united northern army

Lukashenko: Conflict issue between Armenia and Azerbaijan must be resolved now - with Ilham Aliyev

Lukashenko about situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border: Where are we racing horses, where are we rushing to?

Pashinyan: Armenia-Diaspora relations undergo profound substantive changes

Lukashenko to Pashinyan: Sit down with Aliyev and make a decision, if you don't make it today, it will be worse

Bulgarian interim government urges to speed up transition to euro zone

President of Karabakh: It is necessary to unite all national potential and efforts

IMF: China's sharp and uncharacteristic economic slowdown will stall growth in Asia by the end of 2023

Iran: Riots in country were planned by the intelligence services of the USA, England, Israel and the KSA

Steinmeier: Ukraine war caused 'epochal break' in Germany's relations with Russia

Gas prices in Europe remain high in coming years

Ararat Mirzoyan and Toivo Klaar stress importance of hosting EU civilian mission in Armenia

Armenia's ambassador-at-large: Daily false propaganda can't cover up Azerbaijani war crimes

Taiwan MFA outraged by Putin's speech on his status and Pelosi's visit

Armenia gives no response to peace treaty proposals, Bayramov says

Netanyahu expects return to power after 5th Israeli election in 4 years

Armenian gravestone found in Trabzon, Turkey neighborhood

Pashinyan: CSTO Secretary General's report mainly reflects existing realities

Azerbaijan talks possible deliveries of its gas to international Turkish hub

CSTO leaders to meet in late November: Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border will be discussed

Dollar, euro continue falling in Armenia

Pelosi's house attacked, her husband injured

Russias Putin to have private talks with Armenias Pashinyan, Azerbaijans Aliyev

Mher Grigoryan: CIS needs a new scientific and technical agreement

Pentagon strategy doesn't rule out use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear threats

French National Assembly plans to pass resolution proposing certain sanctions against Azerbaijan

Mher Grigoryan: There are no other corridors in the trilateral statement other than Lachin's

Konstantin Zatulin: Russia should have made maximum efforts so that there would be no war in Karabakh

The Hill: The American people deserve to know how the war in Ukraine will end

Sochi to host trilateral talks of Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders on October 31

Poland receives first Turkish drones

Hungarian government may extend price limits on fuel and some basic foodstuffs

Armenias Simonyan attends meeting of heads of EEU countries parliaments

Polish general appointed as head of EU mission to train Ukrainian troops

Russia MP: Karabakh status decision is in fact its Armenians safety guarantee

Zatulin: West seeks to push Russia out of negotiation process at any cost

Legislature head proposes to organize, under CIS auspices, return of Armenians detained in Azerbaijan

Iran prevents bomb explosion in Shiraz crowded street

Iraqi parliament expresses vote of confidence in new cabinet

France lawmakers visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan

Putin: Moscow is doing everything possible to normalize relations between Yerevan and Baku

Annual shopping festival kicks off in Dubai on December 15

Lazarevsky Club: Minute of silence held in memory of fallen Russian and Armenian soldiers

Bayramov and US Assistant Secretary of State discuss Yerevan-Baku relations

Expansion of cooperation with Interpol is important, Armenia PM says

Armenia defense minister briefs Austria envoy on situation due to recent Azerbaijan military aggression (PHOTOS)

Australia can't rule out energy price caps

Armenia parliament speaker: Use, threat of force undermine processes aimed at establishing peace

Garo Paylan is in Yerevan

Barack Obama tries to help Democrats win midterm elections

Azerbaijan president, Russia first deputy PM discuss North-South transport corridor project

PM Pashinyan receives France-Armenia friendship group delegation from French parliament

Taiwan urges China to start talking

Armen Grigoryan and Toivo Klaar discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiation process

Matviyenko: Russia will continue mediation for signing Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty

Politico: Scholz and Macron threaten U.S. trade retaliation

CIS premiers sign several agreements at Kazakhstan meeting

Konstantin Zatulin: Nagorno-Karabakh peoples right to self-determination must be respected

Armenia legislature head: Policy of threats, coercion is unacceptable to us

U.S. must strengthen its defense against growing threats from both China, Russia

Karabakh ex-President: Necessary to rule out mistakes, miscalculations which will have irreversible consequences

EU reaches agreement to ban new cars with internal combustion engine by 2035

Benny Gantz: Future of Israel and Turkey is promising
Pope Francis will visit Azerbaijan on October 2.

Along the lines of his second apostolic visit to the Caucasus, the Pontiff will arrive in capital city Baku on the morning of October 2, according to Haqqin.az news agency of the country.

The Bishop of Rome will celebrate a Holy Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

After lunch, the Pope will meet with President Ilham Aliyev.

The Holy Father is also scheduled to visit to the monument to those who died in the struggle for independence.

His Holiness, however, is not expected to pay a visit to the Khojaly genocide memorial.

The Pontiff will also meet with Allahshukur Pashazadeh, chairman of the Caucasian Muslim Board; and with the representatives of other religious communities in Azerbaijan.

Pope Francis will return to Rome on the same evening.
STEPANAKERT. - The Nagorno-Karabakh sees no problems in the visits of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights or his representatives to the country.

Spokesman of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) President, Davit Babayan, said the aforementioned, commenting on the statement of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein upon the request of Armenian News  NEWS.am.

According to Babayan, in his statement the High Commissioner stated about the absence of access to the conflict zone, especially after the April war, this hindering the analysis of the situation in which the refugees have appeared. Despite the fact that the High Commissioner didnt mention Armenia or Nagorno-Karabakh in this connection, the Azerbaijani media outlets went on to state that the High Commissioner accused Armenia and NKR, he noted.

This is a very interesting psychological point. Despite the wording, the manner in which the Azerbaijani media outlets presented the statement proves that Azerbaijan willy nilly recognizes NKR as a state formation, Babayan said.

He also added that the statement of the High Commissioner should be considered as a timid implication of the fact of human rights violation by Azerbaijan.

Of course, the UN representatives have repeatedly visited the refugee camps in Azerbaijan, which are built in a Hollywood, or rather Bollywood style and are meant for the public. And they realize very well that the real situation is much worse. The High Commissioners statement implied that they have no access to the territory which is much wider than Nagorno-Karabakh, not being informed about the actual situation of the refugees in Azerbaijan, the Spokesman noted.

In his words, the attempts of the Azerbaijani media to distort the statement of the High Commissioner should also be considered in the context of tomorrows hearings in the U.S. Congress on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan. Falsification is a tested Azerbaijani method, Babayan stressed.

He noted that the UN representatives visited Karabakh even before, including during the first fact-finding mission. We have always said that we are open for the visits of the representatives of international organizations. If the High Commissioner or his representatives want to visit Nagorno-Karabakh, they can do that any time. The problems are brought about by Azerbaijans black list. Although it has long ago turned into a list of honor, and being included in it is a great honor for human rights defenders and experts in that area, Babayan noted, adding that the timid criticism against Azerbaijan should become more targeted, especially considering the fact that various international organizations possess the information on what is going on in that country.
Cal State Fullerton students study impactful images like this one of 5-year-old Omran Daqneesh, bloodied by an airstrike in Syria. Within hours of its release by the activist group Aleppo Media Center, the image was shared and retweeted thousands of times.

Often more powerful than words, a photo can grip the reader, viewer and social media user.

Three such images often come to mind:

In 1936, Dorothea Langes photo of Migrant Mother Florence Thompson and three of her children became an icon for all who struggled to survive Americas Great Depression.

In 1975, striking images showed mobs of South Vietnamese civilians scaling the 14-foot wall of the U.S. Embassy, and others climbing ladders to board a U.S. helicopter preceding the fall of Saigon.

Weeks ago, the image of a dazed and bloodied 5-year-old boy in an ambulance became the symbol of suffering. Until then, airstrikes in Syria had been relentless for months, but remained distant to many.



Pick up todays papers and youll see boring photos. When something crosses over and is really exciting, theres dramatic news there, said Tom Clanin, a former photographer, reporter and editor who joined the CSUF staff as a communications lecturer 18 years ago.

The speed of sight

These rare, emotional and iconic images are among the photos discussed by Clanin and other communications faculty members in visual communications, ethics, reporting and editing courses. But, because nearly half the general population in the United States (44 percent, according to Pew Research Center) gets its news from Facebook, its the speed and reach of social media that makes this a more pressing conversation for students seeking communications careers.

Because almost all cell phones have cameras, the internet offers the ability to share images to a global audience, said Ed Fink, interim associate dean of communications. But just because you can take a picture of anything and post it, doesnt mean you should, especially when you understand how powerful an image can be, he said.

Now you can see people being shot by police instantly all over the country, said Bonnie Stewart, communications lecturer and Daily Titan adviser. People are collecting their news more visually now than just in print. Those images are always going to contain power, but the reach is far greater now.

Communications students learn to evaluate each image, using a code of ethics to find and tell the truth. Theyre taught to ask themselves if they have a legitimate source for information and how they can minimize harm, Stewart said.

The Oklahoma City bombing photo [a firefighter cradling a lifeless infant from the rubble] did more good than harm. It showed us, in human terms, what happened that day rather than a buildings collapse, Clanin said. Editors got a lot of flak for that photo, or any photo of children in distress, but the consensus in the news media was that photo was the iconic photo.

Teaching responsibility

As future journalists, our students will make decisions about whether to share such images with the public. Journalism educators need to be responsible in discussing how to make ethical decisions of all kinds in their work, said Frank Russell, assistant professor of communications, and a former editor for the San Jose Mercury News and Seattle Times.

The activist group Aleppo Media Center released a video and a photo of Omran Daqneesh  the boy in the ambulance  and in hours, the image was shared and retweeted thousands of times. The boy became the new face of a call to end the bloodshed.

Within days of the appearance of the Migrant Mother photo in the San Francisco News, the federal government sent 20,000 pounds of food to the 2,500 to 3,500 migrant workers starving in a Nipomo pea-picker camp. Eighty years later, Paul Lester, a longtime CSUF professor of communications, now a lecturer, is working to secure funding for a plaque commemorating Langes historic photo in a park near the original site.

People shouldnt be afraid of their reality, said Clanin. Its good to shake them from their complacency and comfort zones.
Rakeshkumar "Rakesh" Mahto joins CSUF as an assistant professor of computer engineering.

After earning his masters degree in electrical engineering from Cal State Fullerton in 2009, Rakeshkumar Rakesh Mahto pursued a doctorate in computer engineering at the University of New Mexico. The alumnus completed the doctoral program this summer, where he focused on computer architecture and computer microchip design. The new assistant professor of computer engineering also holds a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from South Gujarat University in India.

What inspired you to go into your field and what was the defining moment?

Joining the masters program at CSUF changed everything for me. The professors in the Electrical Engineering Department motivated me to pursue a doctorate. Dr. Maqsood Chaudhry and Dr. Fleur Tehrani taught me courses related to electronics. I have to thank them for not only teaching me, but also for introducing me to various future research topics in electronics that inspired me to pursue further studies. Dr. Shahin Ghazanshahi also taught me courses related to probability theory. Because of my graduate experiences, I was eager to return to campus and be a part of CSUFs faculty.

What are your research interests?

Solar cells as a power source are in great demand, thanks to the push for green, renewable and clean energy. My dissertation focused on making a resilient solar cell-based power source for micro-autonomous drones. I will be continuing this research at CSUF. Im also interested in designing components for portable devices  laptops, tablets, cellphones, smartwatches and other products  to be more power efficient, meaning to last longer without having to charge. I am also interested in making electronics hardware safe from security breaches.

What changes do you envision in your field in five years?

There will be an increase in the use of solar cells for power generation, as well as a rise in the use of organic and flexible solar cells to power small devices and sensors. With the increasing number of security breaches, there also will be a growing demand for more secure electronic hardware.

What is one fun fact youd like people to know about your field of expertise?

The number of transistors inside a microprocessor has doubled every two years, as predicted 50 years ago by Intels co-founder Gordon Moore. Shrinking the size of a transistor to integrate more and more transistors is important because it enables the integration of more and more circuits into an integrated circuit, or chip. This is an opportunity for young computer engineers to be part of the research community and provide solutions that veterans from the industry have not foreseen.
Even with the military's arrest of the coordinator of the "Operation Crocodile Tears," militants under the aegis of the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM) have destroyed another major crude pipeline in Afiesere/Iwhrenene in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.



The delivery line which belongs to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was attacked at about 1am on Tuesday.



The group formally announced the commencement of its "Operation Crocodile Tears" targeted at oil facilities in the upland area of the region.



The military had formed "Operation Crocodile Smile" to check pipeline bombing in the Niger

Delta region by the militants.



In a statement through its spokesman, Aldo Agbalaja, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate claimed responsibility for the attack.



During its "Exercise Crocodile Smile" the military had claimed it had arrested the militant kingpin behind the "Operation Crocodile Tears", an operation meant to counter the military operation.



The militant group however did not say anything about the arrest of the suspected militant kingpin whom the military claimed was its leader.



Agbalaja said: "As a mark of our faith to totally ground the Nigerian oil economy, the gallant Opudo' strike forces brought down the Afiesere Iwhrenene major delivery line in Ughelli North, leading to the UPS/UQCC operated by NPDC/Shorelines at about 1am today (Tuesday) 13th September, 2016.



"The High Command of the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate once again says to the deceptive and untrustworthy Nigerian government and its cowardly armed forces; our people shall not deal with you on your terms, but on mutual terms. And until you drop this deceptive and master/servant posture, Operation Crocodile Tears' shall continue."



The group warned residents living around major oil pipelines in the upland region of the state to vacate the areas or face dire consequences.



"Our patience is running out on our people living close to major oil and gas facilities in the upland areas of our region, the more critical assets of the oil sector are still working because we are being careful not to hurt our people. For the last time, leave these areas if you live around them and if you love your life," Agbalaja said.
Sources have revealed the reason why Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday met separately with former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, and a former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, at their Hilltop residences in Minna, the Niger State capital.



Goodluck Jonathan arrived Babangida's residence at about 11am and spent about one hour before he left for General Abubakar's house which is situated right opposite Babangida's house.



Goodluck Jonathan was accompanied by a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, from Zamfara State and his former Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Oghiadome, from Edo State.



Details of the discussion between the Nigeria leaders were not made known to the press as those who even accompanied the former President to the former military leaders were also barred from the two private meetings.



In a clear show of the seriousness of the visit, Ibrahim Babangida received Jonathan in his private living room as against the common visitors' room. The meeting lasted for about 50 minutes.



Although the details of discussions between the former Nigerian leaders were not made known to journalists, sources confirmed that the visit was connected with the President Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption war and how it had been affecting Jonathan's relations, particularly his wife, Dame Patience.



Although unconfirmed, sources revealed that the current situation of the Peoples Democratic Party, the postponement of Edo Elections among other burning issues were discussed.



Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami however raised concerns over the spate of bombings going on in the Niger Delta by the Niger Delta Avengers and asked Goodluck Jonathan to help reverse the trend
08:41

India is looking at a "substantive" outcome from Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's four-day visit starting on Thursday.





India, however, wants Nepal to take steps to address the concerns of its citizens, especially those in Tarai, over its newly adopted constitution, as it feels the more the process in this regard gets delayed, the situation will "worsen and can get messy again".





The caution comes ahead of Prachanda's visit to India during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Indian leaders.





"Atmospherics and vibes are positive after Dahal, better known as Prachanda, replaced K P Oli who was adamant about not supporting amendment in the constitution," government sources said, adding that Prachanda has spoken in support of addressing grievances in this regard.





"There is still a lot of uncertainty. The longer the delay, the more complicated it will become," they said, even as they acknowledged the enormity of the task facing the Nepalese leadership, saying that it is not easy to come to common ground.





If all goes well, the Indian President may visit Nepal and the vice versa, they said, adding that "very, very intensive bilateral engagements" have been going and it reflects the desire of both the countries to step up relationship, putting behind the strain seen earlier.
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Fresco artist to present day-long workshop

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Fresco -- by strict definition, a technique of mural painting executed on wet lime plaster so the pigment becomes part of the wall -- is not a forgiving art. Mistakes require more plaster, not just more paint.

For those up to the challenge, though, or at least curious about it, a fresco artist will present a day-long workshop at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Sept. 30. Safaa Abd El Salam, a member of the fine arts faculty at the University of Alexandria in Egypt, will demonstrate her technique 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Allyn Building, room 102.

Abd El Salam is a professor of conservation of wall painting at the University of Alexandria. She earned a doctoral degree from the School of Archaeological Studies, Leicester, England. She has participated in field work and conservation work in Italy, Libya, Crete, and elsewhere, and taught in Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain and other places. Her original work appears or appeared in exhibition in Alexandria, Carthage, Cairo, Athens and other places.

Participants must register by Sept. 28. The workshop is free to students, $25 to community members and non-students. Supplies are included as are coffee, tea and snacks. Participants should bring a sack lunch. Register at 618/453-4315 or adoffice@siu.edu.

The SIU Visiting Artist Program and the Illinois Art Education Association, Southern Chapter, make Abd El Salams visit possible.
Leadership conferences planned at SIU

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale later this month will play host to two conferences, both of which are aimed at building the leaders of tomorrow.

LEAD 2016 will bring together two leadership efforts -- The Womens Leadership Conference and the SI Leadership Conference. The event is set for Friday, Sept. 30, at the Student Center.

Now in its third year, the Womens Leadership Conference strives to develop women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- also known as the STEM areas -- as well as in business, and agricultural fields.

Organizers invite all university students, as well as high school students to attend the conference, which also will give them an opportunity to visit SIU, network with current students, faculty and staff, and gain insight on university programming.

Check in for the Womens Leadership Conference begins at 7:45 a.m. with the conference beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running until noon.

The SI Leadership Conference, which now is in its sixth year, helps students develop their own leadership styles through the encouragement of peers and professionals. That conference will take place in the afternoon that day, from 1:45 to 5:15. The conference is meant for students with special emphasis on those involved in Registered Student Organizations.

Tying the conferences together is Linda Baker, university professor with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, who will give the keynote address for the event during lunch, from noon until 1:30 p.m.

Registration deadline is Sept. 16. To register go here. Registration for either conference is $5 or $8 for both conferences. The fee includes conference materials, refreshments, lunch and parking pass. Cash registration at the door on the day of the events also will be available, but organizers cannot guarantee lunch for those attendees paying at the door.
India also pledged one billion dollars for the support and development of "a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan".

Ghani is on a two-day visit to India starting Wednesday.

"The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives," a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting said.

"They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond.

"Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, they called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India," it said.

Modi and Ghani reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement.

The two sides also signed an Extradition Treaty, an agreement on cooperation in civil and commercial matters and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in peaceful use of outer space.

"The Prime Minister reiterated India's abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. He conveyed India's readiness to consider further requirements of Afghanistan for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

"To this end, the Prime Minister offered that... India would allocate a sum of USD 1 billion. The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments," the MEA statement said.

The two sides also discussed quick implementation of the trilateral agreement involving Afghanistan, India and Iran, signed in May 2016, using Chahbahar port.

--IANS mak/rn

( 345 Words)

2016-09-14-15:11:56 (IANS)
AirAsia India CEO Amar Abrol told reporters here that the airline will operate daily flights connecting Hyderabad and Kochi from October 8. It is offering limited promotional seats for all inclusive fares from Rs 2,999 on this route.

He said the airline hopes to complete the second round of funding by the month-end. However, he declined to give numbers but added that it would help the airline take its fleet strength to 20 aircraft by the end of 2018. All the aircraft will be A320s.

AirAsia India, a joint venture between Tata Sons Limited and AirAsia, raised $30 million in the first round of funding.

The low-cost carrier currently flies to 11 destinations with its hubs in Bengaluru and New Delhi, covering Chandigarh, Jaipur, Guwahati, Imphal, Goa, Pune, Vizag, Hyderabad and Kochi.

Abrol said the airline was waiting for the announcement of the new aviation policy to finalise its expansion plans and look at new destinations.

He also said the airline sector in India was growing at a rate faster than in China and offered ample opportunities.

He said there were 330 pairs in India where A320s can fly and all these places have airstrips where this aircraft can land or take-off.

AirAsia currently connects 22 pairs. "With 20 aircraft, we eventually want to do 30 to 40 pairs," he added.

--IANS ms/ss/dg

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2016-09-14-14:55:57 (IANS)
New Delhi [India], Sep 14 (ANI-BusinessWireIndia): The Iconic lifestyle brand Zippo is excited to announce its partnership with William Penn Pvt. Ltd., the largest multi-brand retail store chain of premium and luxury men's accessories in India. As exclusive distributor, WPPL will ensure Zippo's widespread availability of products at retailers throughout India, which will include new and iconic Zippo Windproof Lighter designs. "We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to distribute Zippo lighters across India, as well as sell them in all our own stores." said Nikhil Ranjan, Co-founder and Managing Director of WPPL, "The addition of an iconic brand like Zippo to the existing quality brands we distribute will enable us to work even closer and further strengthen our relationship with Indian retailers. We are always looking for ways to improve our performance and reach new customer bases, so I am confident that our association with Zippo will prove to be fruitful and one of immense success." Zippo products are available in more than 160 countries, with India being a prominent focus for the brand. Customers in India will be able to choose from an extensive range of lighters offering the very latest designs and finishes. WPPL plans to further develop the distribution base for Zippo products in India working with a variety of different retailers to ensure the brand has strong visibility in the key towns and cities across the country. Zippo products will also be available in the 28 William Penn stores and three shop-in-shop operations in 10 cities. "A multi-faceted nation like India is one of the most sought after markets for global consumer brands like Zippo," said David Warfel, Vice President Global Marketing. "WPPL has a proven track-record of distributing quality brands to other retailers. We believe they can have further success with Zippo products. The brand personality resonates with our own and we're enthusiastic about reaching new and existing customers by offering them a fantastic range of products and designs." WPPL was present at this year's Gifts India exhibition from 19th to 22nd August at Nehru Centre in Mumbai, with a wide selection of Zippo products on display at their booth (1P and 2P on the Ground Floor) allowing potential retailers to explore the range and discuss the potential to stock Zippo products. Zippo: more than a lighter With over 80 years of history, Zippo has an influential and dedicated fan base. The brand has transcended its functional benefits to become a cultural icon and regularly features in films around the world. The unique designs, date stamping, affordability and rich history of the Zippo lighters make them a great item to collect. The number of collectors and lovers of Zippo lighters continues to increase daily. In the United States alone it is estimated that there are around four million Zippo windproof lighter collectors and there are 11 official collectors' clubs worldwide. (ANI-BusinessWireIndia)
After Emraan Hashmi's upcoming horror flick 'Raaz Reboot' became the latest victim of piracy, the actor made an appeal to his fan to see the movie only in theaters. The 37-year-old actor while requesting the people to refrain from watching the leaked version and giving the movie a "fair chance" tweeted, "About twenty minutes ago, I decided to unwind a bit and go to twitter. I usually look at t as a way to connecting with my fans, who I look at as an extension of my family.It's always a positive experience connecting with them. But the first thing I saw a few moments back was the trends list which to my hobnor leaked "Raaz Reboot leaked". A lot of work goes into a film, whether good or bad. A lot of people toil away, striving to entertain you as well as run their kitchens." "Piracy is a rampant problem, as we have seen over the past few months with a few movies that have been leaked online before their theoretical release. I won't add fuel to the fire by harping about conspiracy theories.I won't point fingers. I don't intend to get into public mud-slinging match. Instead I will request you to give the film a fair chance by watching it in theaters. It's a request, which I think everyone sensible will entertain," added the 'Gangster' star. Along with this message, Emraan also tweeted, "#RaazReboot is to be watched in the theatres. Stay away from piracy please!" Director Vikram Bhatt also took to Twitter and appealed, "Please please don't give in to piracy. Watch #RaazReboot only in the theatres" as a damage control measure." The movie also starring Kriti Kharbanda opposite Emraan will hit the theatres on September 16. (ANI)
The song titled 'Jaago' speaks about women empowerment in the most beautiful and interesting way.

Addressing women, the song urges them to realize their potential and excel in life while creating a distinctive identity for themselves.

The three-minute song features Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal and Purab Kohli.

Shot at most iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai, the track is touted to be the anthem of the film.

Along with Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli and Prachi Desai from its prequel, the movie this time features Shradhha Kapoor and Shashank Arora.

Directed by Shujaat Saudagar, 'Rock on 2' will release on November 11. (ANI)
Taking smiling selfies with your smartphone and sharing them with your friends can help make you a happier person, say computer scientists at the University of California, Irvine. "This study shows that sometimes our gadgets can offer benefits to users," said senior author Gloria Mark, Professor of Informatics. "Our research showed that practicing exercises that can promote happiness via smartphone picture taking and sharing can lead to increased positive feelings for those who engage in it," lead author Yu Chen, a post-doctoral scholar, added. By conducting exercises via smartphone photo technology and gauging users' psychological and emotional states, the researchers found that the daily taking and sharing of certain types of images can positively affect people. Chen and her colleagues designed and conducted a four-week study involving 41 college students. The participants -- 28 female and 13 male -- were instructed to continue their normal day-to-day activities (going to class, doing schoolwork, meeting with friends, etc.) while taking part in the research. Each was invited to the informatics lab for an informal interview and to fill out a general questionnaire and consent form. The scientists helped students load a survey app onto their phones to document their moods during the first "control" week of the study. Participants used a different app to take photos and record their emotional states over the following three-week "intervention" phase. The project involved three types of photos to help the researchers determine how smiling, reflecting and giving to others might impact users' moods. The first was a selfie to be taken daily while smiling. The second was an image of something that made the photo taker happy. The third was a picture of something the photographer believed would bring happiness to another person (which was then sent to that person). Participants were randomly assigned to take photos of one type. Researchers collected nearly 2,900 mood measurements during the study and found that subjects in all three groups experienced increased positive moods. Some participants in the selfie group reported becoming more confident and comfortable with their smiling photos over time, said the study published in the journal Psychology of Well-Being. The students taking photos of objects that made them happy became more reflective and appreciative. And those who took photos to make others happy became calmer and said that the connection to their friends and family helped relieve stress. --IANS gb/vt ( 406 Words) 2016-09-14-14:47:57 (IANS)
Putting on a brave face claiming 'all is well' within Samajwadi Party's first family in Uttar Pradesh, newly-appointed party's state president Shivpal Singh Yadav has said no one has the audacity to go against what party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav says. In a veiled attack on Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Mr Shivpal Singh Yadav said,"A person sitting on a responsible position should not take any decision just on hearsay." The new SP state president said that ,"In politics, there are always such ups and downs but politicians should not be concerned with it." Mr Shivpal Singh Yadav, younger brother of the SP chief, told UNI here today that he would be rushing to Lucknow or New Delhi to meet the party president and would raise the issue before him. Last night, the CM had stripped Mr Shivpal Singh Yadav of all the important departments and handed him only the Social Welfare portfolio. On a speculation that he might resign from the state cabinet, Mr Shivpal Singh Yadav said ,"Let me talk to Netaji and then will do according to his direction." But on the other hand, he also made it clear that CM has all the right to give or take any department to his minister as per his wish. "I have been given a bigger responsibility as the party's state president and now I will have to work more hard. I would not hesitate to make a change in the organisation if required so that the party retains power in the state next year. I am with Netaji and people are with Samajwadi Party," he claimed. He further said that he had done all his work honestly and had never ran away from any responsibility given by 'Netaji.' In between, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav had a long telephonic conversation with Mr Shivpal Singh Yadav and both discussed about the political situation in the state. On the other hand, hundreds of supporters of Shivpal Singh Yadav staged a protest outside his Etawah residence last night to oppose the act of the CM. Meanwhile, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav's visit to Lucknow has been delayed and now SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav would be reaching the state capital later in the day today. On the other hand, sacked mining minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati again met Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav at his residence in New Delhi this morning. UNI MB SV RK1210 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-932688.Xml
Police Commissioner N S Megharik in a twitter messege said that "curfew has been lifted in all 16 police station limits ofBengaluru city with immediate effect."

Curfew was clamped on September 12 following widespread arson andtorching of vehicles, including lorries carrying goods and buses, bymiscreants due to alleged attack on a Kannadiga by some miscreantsin Tamil Nadu who took objection to comments by a youth in thefacebook on Cauvery water sharing issue. Police have registered asuo moto case and searching for him.

The violence erupted over the Cauvery water sharing dispute whenSupreme Court had ordered release of 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.UNI MSP RS RSS1230

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In an advisory to television news channels and local cableoperators under Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995,Mr Megharik had advised the channels not to air provocativeclippings of arson and rioting and attacks that may provoke.

''Under this act, I am advising television channels to followthe provisions of the Programme Code scrupulouly and exerciserestraint and sensitivity while reporting such incidents and refrainfrom telecasting any material which could ignite passions and createlaw and order problem in the city.

''Any violation of such advisory may lead to prosecution ofoffenders as per the Act,'' he warned in the advisory.

He said channels should telecast news and views or commentsrelating to Cauvery water dispute only after proper verification offacts and presented with due caution and restraint in a mannerwhich is in public interest for maintaining harmony.

According to the basic conditions of the Act the channels werebound to follow Programme Code as prescribed under the said Act.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu,yesterday, in his appeal, from New Delhi, to the people ofKarnataka and Tamil Nadu to maintain peace, had asked TV newschannels to restrain themselves from showing violent incidentsrepeatedly. UNI RS MSP RSS1320

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani today discussed regional situation and expressed concern at the continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objective. They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond. Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, both leaders called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India. Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in India-Afghanistan strategic partnership agreement. It was agreed that the Strategic Partnership Council headed by the External Affairs Minister of India and the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan will meet shortly, review the recommendations of the four Joint Working Groups dealing with diverse areas of cooperation and impart further guidance. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. The Prime Minister fondly recalled his visits to Kabul and Herat in December 2015 and June this year respectively. He mentioned that he cherished both the warm reception he had received during those visits and the fruitful discussions then and in his other meetings with the President in Tehran (May 2016) and Tashkent (June 2016). Both leaders expressed their happiness at the close and regular consultations between India and Afghanistan at all levels, which have served to guide their strategic partnership and strengthen all-round cooperation. Recalling that India-Afghanistan bilateral development cooperation has assisted Afghanistan's own efforts for successful political, security and economic transitions, the two leaders noted with happiness the recent completion of major milestones such as Parliament Building and the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam. The President stressed the significance of the Prime Minister's assurance conveyed during the joint inauguration of Storay Palace on August 22, 2016, via a video link that 1.25 billion people of India firmly stand with their Afghan brothers and sisters. He conveyed India's readiness to consider further requirements of Afghanistan for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions. To this end, the Prime Minister offered that, as a close neighbour and friend of Afghanistan and its people, India would allocate a sum of USD one billion. The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments. The leaders expressed satisfaction over signing of the Extradition Treaty, the agreement on cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space during the President's visit. It was also stressed that expeditious implementation of the trilateral agreement involving Afghanistan, India and Iran, signed in May 2016, using Chahbahar will augment connectivity within and of the region. In this context, the leaders appreciated the recent decision taken by the three countries to convene a joint forum involving important stake holders, including from business and industry. Both leaders welcomed intensification in the interaction involving India and Afghanistan with regional and other countries and international organisations to foster peace, stability and development in Afghanistan. They appreciated, in particular, the outcome of the India-Iran-Afghanistan trilateral consultations and looked forward to the resumption of India-U.S.-Afghanistan consultations in New York later this month. Prime Minister Modi conveyed to Afghan President Ghani that India would continue to engage with the international community to assist the Government of Afghanistan in all possible ways. In this context, the leaders underscored the significance of the Amritsar Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA) on December 4 as well as the Brussels Conference on October 5. They noted that the choice of Amritsar underscored the value of restoring connectivity and was in consonance with this year's theme for HoA: 'Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity'. It also underscored that India and Afghanistan remain committed to the expeditious realization of seamless two-way connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia. The Prime Minister invited the President to grace the inauguration of the Amritsar Ministerial. The President accepted the invitation. The President will highlight to senior Indian industry and trade captains the economic opportunities and potential of Afghanistan. He will also deliver an address to a select gathering of strategic experts at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses on 'Fifth Wave of Political Violence and Global Terrorism.' (ANI)
Apparently miffed over deepening crisis in the ruling Samajwadi Party(SP), State Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav who was divested the party state president's post, cancelled all his engagements while his father and party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, playing a sheet-anchor role to diffuse the crisis, remained closeted with his trusted lieutenants in the national capital. New party state president Shivpal Yadav who is understood to have been summoned by the party Chief held in camera meetings at the latter's residence that was cordoned off by the posse of police to keep the battery of the media persons at a bay. Confusing signals emanated on the fluid political situation and most of the party leaders including members of the first family chose not to open up on the situation, but tension was apparently writ large on their faces in the wake of the sudden developments as the assembly polls are only a few months away. Informed sources hinted that given the back-ground of strong survival instinct in the family, crisis might be blown over with repeated bids for the same by the family patriarch. Against the backdrop of the development since Monday morning, the Chief Minister has cancelled all his official engagements for the day today. The Chief Minister was scheduled to give away awards on the Hindi Diwas and later to announce some projects of the PWD department, which he took from his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav last night. But now, both the programmes have been cancelled. Officials said that no reason has been given by the CMO for cancellation of the programmes. On the other hand, beleaguered UP Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav has rushed to New Delhi from Etawah this morning to meet the party Chief there. Party think tank and party Chief's younger cousin Ramgopal Yadav is also scheduled to reach here to meet CM Mr Yadav and explore way to resolve the 'dispute'. Political observers aksi speculated over possibility of the Chief Minister's move of stepping down or recommending dissolution of the assembly but there was no basis to such idea as Mr Yadav has no programme to call on the Governor. A senior party leader here told UNI that if the dispute within the family is not resolved soon then it could impact on party's prospects in the assembly elections next year. The Chief Minister and Mr Shivpal Singh Yadav are two-wheels of the bi-cycle of Samajwadi Party and both are required by the party to enable it to retain power in 2017," the leader said. However, he ruled out possibility of "Netaji" taking the reins by replacing his son as Chief Minister. "Akhilesh has proved himself a popular CM with his clean image and party leadership would not at all change him at this juncture", he said. The political bickerings within the SP started on Monday morning when CM sacked two ministers- Gayatri Prasad Prajapati and Raj Kishore Singh. Thereafter yesterday, he took another important decision to replace chief secretary Deepak Singhal with Rahul Prasad Bhatnagar. But later in the evening, suddenly, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav made Mr Shivpal Singh party state chief in place of his nephew Akhilesh. However the decision irked the CM, who immediately divested him of all important departments like PWD, irrigation, cooperatives, Revenue, flood control, relief and rehabilitation.UNI MB SV SS -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-932727.Xml
When a private complaint filed by Ramakrishna came up for hearingthe Court ordered Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to take upinvestigation and submit report before December 16.

In his petition, Ramakrishna has alleged that Somanna was inpocession of 205 per cent more assets to known source of income andit needed to be investigated.UNI MSP CNR RSS1525

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Once the date is fixed and wedding cards are on their way to the printers, all what we think about is look our best on the 'Big Day.' Indian weddings are as memorable and grand as they can be chaotic. Preparing for the most important day of your life can be stressful. So, here are some excellent shopping options in the city that you can hit for your wedding purchases. Firstly, DLF Mall of India brings the best of trendy closets, stylish shoes, elegant accessory and jewelry all under one roof. This wedding season, visit Mall of the India and pamper your shopping soul with some best designers and brands. Fashion designer Ritu Kumar, Anita Dogreand Brands like Meena Bazar and Zardosi too are all present under one roof with their latest collection. While buying your dream dress you don't have to run to places to match it with your Hush puppies shoes and Swarosvski jewelry. Just shift the floor to shop till you drop and enjoy the best shopping experience. To add, the September Beauty and Accessory fair at Mall of India offers the free make up consultation. Secondly, Delhi's oldest, busiest market is a great place for both a budget-conscious lehenga-hunt as well as for splurging on designer bridal outfits. Outlets in the area have it all- elegant jacketed zardosi pieces, glittery A-line lehengas, and traditional royal pieces. The lanes of Chandni Chowk are also ripe for discovering beautiful colour-blocked and monotone designs. There is a fascinating range of fabrics available, with embellishments, full-bodied embroidery all over and in net designs. For the experimental, fun-loving bride, there is colour-contrast lehengas in bright hues. Bridesmaids need not feel left out as the most beautiful Anarkali suits can be found here as well. Thirdly, Karol Bagh is one of the most popular shopping points in Delhi and is filled with many striking shops and posh air-conditioned showrooms. The wedding clothes and accessories found here can be availed at fairly economical prices, though Ajmal Khan Road offers some high-end products. With its old-world appeal,it attracts both locals and tourists, and is pretty much a mecca of wedding shopping. Karol Bagh is also singular because of the wide range of options for the groom. The traditional marriage sherwani and several dress accessories are easily found here, whether the desired style is heavy embroidery or simplistic prints. With designer suits, kurtis and dress materials being available in pastels and alluring shades, there can never be a dull moment shopping here. Fourthly, DLF Emporio a multi-store mall features countless global luxury brands and has been designed keeping in mind the luxurious taste. The vast arena offers an unmatched shopping experience where the emphasis is on exceptionality and aesthetics. With stores featuring high end labels like BVLGARI, Hermes Paris, Dior and designers like Tarun Tehlani, Emporio offers a wealth of designer and premium merchandise for all those who don't consider price tags. The architecture of the mall itself provides a sophisticated and sublime ambience, adding a relaxing touch to the seemingly-hectic prospect of trousseau shopping. Fifthly, the upmarket 'South ex'- as it is known to those who live in the city- is almost an endless treasure trove of debonair sherwanis, kurtas, Nehru jackets and blazers. The bridegroom does not need to stress over finding a tailor to customise all the exquisite fabric available as a number of stores offer to stitch the clothes they sell. For the family and friends of the couple, who aim to stock up on apparel for the numerous small events leading up to D-day, South ex offers a range of choices. The designs available for earrings and kamar-bandhs are especially eye-catching. The area is also known for stunning footwear, including dazzling golden heels and patent juttis. (ANI)
The Indian nationals having roots in Balochistan plan to stage a protest in front of the Pakistan Embassy in New Delhi against the atrocities on the people in that country. The decision came after Baloch leader Mazdak Dilshad and his wife Nayla paid a visit to the Balochpura village in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district and asked them to support the Balochistan freedom movement. "We had a word with the people, who came from Balochistan. They told us that they need assistance against the injustice taking place in Balochistan. We will try to support them as much as we can," said Irfan, a resident of Balochpura village. The couple's visit to the village was not disclosed as they maintained distance from the media. However, reports suggest that they met the villagers and the people of Shehzad Roy Shodh Sansthan during their visit. (ANI)
Tourists exhibiting uncivilized behavior in Beijing may be banned from some attractions. [Provided to China Daily]

Tourists who have previously exhibited uncivilized behavior might be shut out of some attractions in Beijing, according to a new draft regulation under discussion by the municipal legislature.

According to the draft Beijing tourism regulation, the tourism authority should establish a system that can keep a record of uncivilized behavior, and travel agencies and scenic spots can refuse to provide service for those on the blacklist.

The rule-breaking behaviors include disturbing orderly transportation, ruining the environment, damaging public facilities, damaging cultural relics or historic sites, and other behaviors that severely harm tourism, the draft said.

In order to better regulate the practice of renting out one's own house as a hostel, the draft stipulates that in urban areas owners are limited to renting out five rooms, while the upper limit is 15 in rural areas.

If the scale of the business is larger than stipulated, the business will be considered a regular hotel, the draft said.

According to Cheng Xiaojun, a member of the standing committee of the municipal people's congress, some legislators suggested that the practice of guides and interpreters at world heritage sites in Beijing should be regulated.

Beijing has six sites on UNESCO's world heritage list - the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Badaling Great Wall, the Ming Tombs and the Peking Man Relics Site at Zhoukoudian.

Cheng said services at such sites should be delivered at a high professional standard. As such, the guides should receive training and get licenses from the site.

Some legislators also recommended that more public transportation routes to popular tourist destinations in the suburbs should be created.
The Hot Rolled coils are being exported through Raxaul Border to customers in Nepal.

Flagging off the export rake to Nepal today, T V Narendran, Managing Director, Tata Steel, India and South East Asia said, "In the first export consignment, around 3000 Metric Tonnes of Hot Rolled coils are being exported to key customers in that country.

Mr Rajiv Kumar, Vice President (Operations), Tata Steel Kalinganagar and senior officials of Tata Steel were present on the occasion. Tata Steel has set itself an ambitious export target from its Kalinganagar plant to cater to various segments in geographies. The products from Kalinganagar have been very well received in the market and the ramp up is on schedule both in terms of quantity and quality.

Tata Steel is setting up of a 6 million tonne per annum (MnTPA) integrated steel plant at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district in two phases of 3 MnTPA each. The state-of-the-art steel plant which was dedicated to the State of Odisha in November, 2015, started commercial production in May 2016. UNI ADP SW RJ 1635

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With an aim to reach out people in the remote belts of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital today launched a Mobile Breast Cancer Screening bus service, which will screen people for breast cancer and educate them on early detection.The bus is equipped with Mammography unit. Chief Executive Officer Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, flagged-off the mobile unit with support from Infosys Foundation. ''For educating public, a TV will be installed outside the bus playing breast cancer awareness videos speaking at the launch of the Mobile Mammography Unit,'' Mr Sahu told reporters after launching the service.He further said, ''the mobile mammography unit is a giant step towards reaching out to the masses in order to create awareness about breast cancer and take it to remote locations where facilities to diagnose and treat cancer is not there''. ''This initiative by the hospital team will certainly give access to timely diagnosis and treatment to more number of patients,'' he asserted.He further said, "We want to encourage more number of people to come forward and get themselves screened as this is about health and nothing about social stigma". The Mobile Breast Cancer Screening Unit will be deployed at the various cancer screening camps in and around Jammu and Kashmir.Meanwhile Dr Gitanjali Gupta, Radiologist at the Hospital said, "Breast cancer is on the rise and we need to take measures to ensure early diagnosis''. According to a recent report, approximately 1.5 lakh patients are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in India, she said and added, ''the mobile mammography unit is an excellent initiative by Narayana Health in reaching out to a larger population and taking cancer care to those areas where cancer specialists are not available.'' Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital has advanced Cancer therapeutic unit, which is equipped with the state's first linear accelerator and advanced technology for Radiation oncology with MRI, CT, Mammography and high resolution scanner.UNI VBH SDR RJ 1645 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-933283.Xml
Signal of truce came from Air Chief Arup Raha, who is heading Chief of Staff Committee.

Air Chief Marshal Raha in a statement said the services were satisfied with the government's response.

The services had informed their formation that they have asked the government to hold "in abeyance" the implementation of the pay panel recommendations in view of the unresolved anomalies.

Undeterred by the development, the Defence Minister had directed the services to implement the award with an assurance that, anomalies, in any, may be resolved later.

"The 7th Pay Commission anomalies in respect of the Armed Forces were discussed with the Defence Minister in detail by the Service Chiefs and the members of the Armed Forces Pay Commission Cell. The Minister is seized of all the issues and has assured to resolve them at the earliest. The Services are satisfied with the response," Air Chief Marshal Raha said. UNI MK SW RJ 1751

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Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu today inaugurated the BRICS global meet on urbanization here. Andhra Pradesh is hosting the prestigious three-day BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) global Mega Event.Speaking after Inaugurating the 3-day Brics Summit here, He said the Importance of Urbanization and the Pressing need to find effective solutions to address the related challenges, the Brics group has introduced an Urbanisation forum to bring the issues on the table, He also said the rising aspirations of the people for better opportunities are the driving force of Urbanization across the Globe with 32 Per cent of the people of India living in Urban areas in 2011, the Pace of Urbanization is fast picking up this momentum will continue till reach urbanization level 70 Per cent while the Urban population in the country was 377 Million in 2011 it is expected to cross 600 million in the next 15 Years by 2050.Mr Naidu said the India would be predominatly urban shedding the long standing tag of being rural. This demographic transition in the form of rapid urbanization is the huge challenges as well as opportunity for the policy makers, the Central and State government Urban local bodies and all other stakeholders. He also said the India is the least urbanized among BRICS group while 84 Per cent of the Population in Brazil live in Urban areas it is 73 Per c ent in Russia, the 644 percent in South Africa and 56 per cent in china, this goes to prove the potential benefits and challenges in the Country. Over 72 international delegates are taking part in the summit. Delegates from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa participated in the event, while another 259 are coming from various parts of the country. Together with the participants from Andhra Pradesh, around 450 delegates are participating in the summit. The delegates will discuss several key topics including investments, urbanization, formation of new cities and policies and will explore solutions to the challenges. The conference discussed among other things, separate urban finance system and creation of employment opportunities, inclusive housing and informal economies, climate change, resilient water and sanitation management, new towns and regional planning and urban renaissance: new reform agenda in the plenary sessions over the three days. With Mayors and Municipal Commissioners and officials related to urban affairs from all over the country attending, challenges in city planning, public health and waste management would also be deliberated upon, Andhra Pradesh Government will also present business potential in the state and opportunities in the tourism sector including that of Visakhapatnam of Smart City and surrounding areas. The Grater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation GVMC with the National Institute of Urban Affairs as knowledge partner was hosting the summit. Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, and Rajiv Gauba, Union Urban Development Secretary participated in the inaugural programme. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Participated.UNI BSR SDR RJ 1732 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-933305.Xml
After a bonhomie shown during the recent programmes, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today hit out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, saying it seems that ' bicycle needs to be repaired after four years.'"After four years, they were trying to repair their bicycle, but it won't help them. Akhilesh had tried to throw one of the wheels of the SP's bicycle," he commented, while increasing his attack on the ruling SP. He said to the people, "You had brought the cycle but it could not run for 4 and half year and now it will fall 6 months ahead." The reaction came on the recent dispute within the first Samajwadi Party family after Akhilesh divested all important departments from his uncle Shivpal and relinquished him from the post of SP state president yesterday. Further attacking the Chief Minister on his dream project of cycle track, the Congress vice-president said it had only benefited the contractors, besides no cycle can ply on these cycle tracks. "Congress will change the entire development scenario of the country, once it comes to power in UP," he stated. Mr Gandhi ,who launched his second leg of the Kisan Yatra after two days of rest due to the festival of Eid with attending a Khat Sabha at Bihasara in Mirzapur district, said the SP's government move to repair its bicycle would not give them any benefit. After the Khat Sabha again, the farmers took away all the cots on their heads even after Congress workers tried to prevent it.However, continuing his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi , the Congress vice-president alleged that the Modi government was just conspiring to create rift among two persons for their own personal gain. He said ,"Modi ji keeps talking about 'Mann ki Baat', but doesn't want to listen to Mann ki Baat of farmers". "Congress is the party which hears the voice of the people while other parties only try to gag the voice of the people. This is the main difference between Congress and other parties . We are ready to hear other ideologies too,but other do not ," he said while interacting with farmers in the Khat Sabha.Mr Gandhi said that he was going for such long 2500 km yatra to put a pressure on the Narendra Modi government to hear the grievances of the farmers." We only want that the money of the farmers should be given back to them and the poor," he added.The three main demands of the Congress yatra is waiver of the agricultural loan of the farmers, electricity tariff half and rise in MSP.Claiming that the Congress scheme of MGNREGA has created economic development inside the villages of the country and now Prime Minister himself saying that he won't stop MGNREGA but would bring out the lapses in the scheme."I met a few economists. Asked them who benefited most from NREGA? They said the villages" "Our fight is to ensure that growth reaches everybody," he said. Mr Gandhi, on the seventh day of his yatra, today would attend two khat sabhas and later will offer chaddar at a dargah and pray at the famous Vindyavasini temple.He would have a night stay tonight at Swaraj Bhawan in Allahabad.UNI MB SDR RJ 1724 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-933238.Xml
Six months after his predecessor KP Sharma Oli's visit, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' would be coming to India tomorrow in a sharply changed atmosphere and after realisation that there was no other way for Nepal than to work with India. It is understood here that the "vibes'' coming from the Himalayan neighbour and the "atmospherics'' are definitely "positive'' this time, and it would be a very substantive visit. The issue of discriminatory provisions against the Madhesi people in the new Constitution of Nepal, against which they had launched a sustained agitation last year, and for which Nepal had blamed India, besides trade and developmental issues, including expediting hydro power projects would be a major part of Mr Prachanda's talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. New Delhi is trying to work out as to how would Nepal export power generated by the hydropowere plants set with Indian assistance, from which the producers would greatly benefit. India has already told Nepal that addressing the concerns of the ethnic Madhesi people, who populate the plains areas of the country bordering India, and who have deep cultural and family relationships with people in India, was a must for ensuring stability in Nepal. There is for the first time an understanding in India that the new government was conscious of the fact that it has to move quickly on the issue, and a lot of work was going on. It is believed that an amendment to the Constitution to accommodate the demands of the ethnic people would at least be introduced if not passed. However, New Delhi was also not oblivious of the fact that there some imponderables and pitfalls in the path of relationship with Nepal and to remove which a lot of effort was required. Mr Prachanda, ahead of visit to India had said in Kathmandu last week that he was going to New Delhi with a positive mind and his endeavour would be to a lay a ''strong foundation'' for mutual trust between Kathmandu and New Delhi. The Nepal Prime Minister, who took over rein of the office on August 4 for a second time, said he was taking the visit to India as a ''challenging opportunity.'' ''I am confident that the visit would not only normalise the relations that went through some bitter experience in the recent past, but also build a strong foundation for mutual trust,'' he said while speaking at the International Relations and Labour Committee of Parliament.More UNI NAZ SW RJ 1832 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-933548.Xml
The victim registered a complaint against the accused Ajay Singh at South Delhi's Vasant Kunj Police station yesterday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ishwar Singh told ANI that the accused has been arrested, adding the victim knew him since 2008.

"JNU PhD student Ajay Singh has been arrested on charges of rape. The victim had complained to the police yesterday that she knew this boy from 2008," he said.

As per the victim, the accused had been making false marriage promises since 2010.

The case has been registered under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). (ANI)
The central government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that there was no "logjam" or "blame game" in the transfer and appointment of judges to the high courts and it was on the job. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the bench of Chief Justice T.S Thakur and Justice A.M Khanwilkar that the delay was happening because the process for filing the vacancies in the High Courts which had arisen seven years back started late. Telling the court that the process for filing the vacancies in the high courts should start six months before a vacancy actually arises, he said: "There is no blame game." "There is no logjam in the system. It is like a race, you start early. You reach in time," he told the bench pointing out that the high courts were "pretty much delayed" in initiating the process for filling the vacancies which in cases started five years, six years, even seven years after they arose. At this, Chief Justice Thakur said that with eight judges, Chhattisgarh High Court was functioning with one third of its sanctioned strength being vacant. "It is an arduous process ... it (recommendation) come to us and after that it should go forward and not get stuck-up," said Chief Justice Thakur, wondering why there was so much delay in clearing the names sent by apex court collegium. Rohatgi told the bench that recommendation for appointments for Allahabad, Chhattisgarh and Kerala High Courts have been cleared. He told the court that the names of three judgers for Chhattisgarh High Court have been cleared. He also submitted to the court in a sealed cover a detailed report from the central government on the status of various appointments that were forwarded to the government by the collegium. The Attorney General said that in Allahabad High Court vacancy that arose seven years back is being sought to be filled up now. He said that recommendations were pending with the government since February. He noted that recommendations regarding Allahabad High Court that came to the government in February have been examined but others that came in May, June, July that are under process and there was delay in respect of them. As he sought two weeks time to report on further progress, the court directed the listening of matter on September 30. --IANS pk/vd ( 398 Words) 2016-09-14-21:55:56 (IANS)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today invited major auto-mobiles makers, including Tata Motors and BMW to invest in as she offered some 1,000 acres of government land at Goaltore in West Medinipur. "Industry and agriculture can coexist as they are bother and sister and we have some 1,000 acres of land ready at Goaltore for setting up industries as any investor - whether it is Tata or BMW - is welcome to set up an automobile manufacturing unit there," Ms Banerjee said after distributing land documents and cheques to the Singur farmers ending their 12 years wait. Celebrating the Singur Diwas, Ms Banerjee opined that the procedures of taking land forcibly from Singur farmers was not correct. "We have a land bank and a land use policy. We can give 1,000 acres in Goaltore in West Midnapore. We also have land in Panagarh and Howrah. Our message is clear. We want more IT and manufacturing industries in Bengal," she added. Ms Banerjee made it clear that she was not against industry and mentioned that Bengal has been holding " Bengal Global Business Summit" for the last three years. Some 9,117 land deeds were handed over and around 806 compensation cheques to unwilling farmers were handed over by the Chief Minister and her cabinet colleagues. "In the first lot, 9,117 parchas were given. All land will be returned in cultivable form within eight weeks," she said. She said the government will be setting up check dams and small tube wells for irrigation in Singur. She added that soil testing was going on and all fertilisers for making the land fertile and cultivable will be provided to farmers. "We will provide Rs 10,000 to all farmer families to aid them in farming," she added. A Customs Hiring Centre will be set up in Singur to help farmers get loans. A training and demonstration centre for farmers will also be set up here. UNI PC AKM PR VN2116 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-933810.Xml
The incumbent Aurangabad SP Babu Ram had been asked to render his service at state police headquarters till further order.

Mr Satya Prakash was holding the post of Patna police superintendent city (west) till he was shifted to Aurangabad district where 10 CRPF jawans were killed in IED blast triggered by Maoist rebels in July this year. State special branch police superintendent Ravindra Kumar replaces Mr Prakash as the new Patna police superintendent city (west). UNI DH AKM PR VN2118

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Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said that the higher educational institutions including the NlTs have to play a larger role in the progress of the regions in which they are based. While attending the third convocation of National Institute of Technology at Yupia today, he called upon them to establish connection with stakeholders, identify problems hindering the development of the regions, and use their academic and research expertise to find solutions, beyond their academic domain, official sources informed. "In a state like Arunachal Pradesh with extremely poor road conditions and harsh climatic conditions and difficult terrains frequented with landslides and erosion due to flooding of rivers, inadequate quality control and supervision mechanism, technological bottlenecks, earthquake impact etc., the NITAP and other such Institutes located in the region have to play an active role in advisory capacity", he said. He exuded confident that central institutions like NlTs will spur the development of our nation through the collective development of their regions. He said, "Each of the institutions should be an island of excellence in innovation, design, and research in specific areas, but these islands should have synergised strategy to collaborate and grow together". Emphasising to give preference on research and innovation in academic development of NITs, he said that MOUs for research collaboration executed with foreign institutions have to be tracked regularly to ensure their efficacy. The deputy chief minister further said that the IITs /NITs are centers of creative excellence, which have always believed in promoting entrepreneurship and appealed to the students to make best use of the resources and come up with innovations through research & development activities, which leave behind a deep imprint in the annals of history. He said the ruling government under the leadership of young dynamic Chief Minister Pema Khandu is according top priority on education sector, especially in higher and technical education for human resource development. He hoped that more such higher educational Institutions will come up in the state and shall provide employment opportunities to the educated youths and focus on quality education and skill development training to make our youths self-reliable. MORE UNI PB AKM PR BD2123 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-933871.Xml
"The Commission will give its recommendations after dwelling on the exhortations of the Centre and other subjects. The body's constitution was in the pipeline," state Public Relations Minister Narottam Mishra told journalists here.

The malnutrition committee includes Women and Child Development Minister Archana Chitnis and Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Rustam Singh.UNI PKJ-AC PR 2229

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Chinese prosecutors have indicted Xu Jianyi, the former chairman of state-owned FAW Group Corp, on corruption charges, the official Xinhua news agency said today.Former PetroChina vice chairman Liao Yongyuan has also been charged with graft, Xinhua said.It was not immediately possible to contact Xu or Liao and it was not clear whether they had legal representation.REUTERS SZ RK0940 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0441-932660.Xml
A senior administration official has said that the United States is planning to increase the number of refugees accepted into the country to at least 1,10,000 in 2017. US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday briefed the Congress about the administration's decision and stated that the United States would seek to welcome 1,00,000 refugees in 2017 and would even accept more, if possible, reports the CNN. The increase from 70,000 during 2013-2015 to 85,000 in 2016 to the plan of 1,10,000 in 2017 is more than a 57 per cent increase in refugee arrivals since 2015 and is consistent with the administration's belief that all countries should do more to help the vulnerable. The refugee policy has also been the top issue in the 2016 US presidential election. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump stoked controversy last December when he proposed a temporary ban on all Muslims immigrating to the United States. However, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has said that she would like to see the number of Syrian refugees accepted into the United States increase from the Obama administration's goal of 10,000 a year to 65,000 refugees. (ANI)
Residents of a southern Chinese village once seen as a cradle of grassroots democracy were in shock today after a "wild crackdown" by police in clashes with protesters which they said led to about 70 people being detained.Hong Kong rights activists fear yesterday's violence marks a last-ditch push to silence Wukan, a fishing village in the province of Guangdong, which received international attention when a 2011 uprising over land grabs forced authorities to back down and grant local direct elections."Most people have been scared badly," said a villager named Chen. "...This time it was a wild crackdown. They went after everyone, chasing them up into their houses, beating people."As she spoke, peeking nervously from behind curtains in her home, scores of riot and security police tightened a cordon around Wukan.Violence flared in the 10,000-strong hamlet early yesterday as police launched pre-dawn raids on homes seeking leaders of protests that had rumbled since June after the arrest of a popular leader.Village chief Lin Zuluan, one of the last of the 2011 protest leaders to remain in office, was jailed this month for three years on graft and other charges.Many said the violence was worse than 2011, when the village was locked down for several months.While low-level democratic experiments have been tried in villages across China, Wukan's took place in the glare of both domestic and international publicity - and marked a rare moment when Communist Party officials backed down in the face of protest.Beijing leaders are fearful of growing calls for democracy and losing their grip on power. Weeks of "umbrella revolution" pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, to the southwest of Wukan, in late 2014 presented Beijing with one of its biggest political challenges in decades.According to interviews and mobile phone footage reviewed by Reuters, elderly villagers and youngsters in school uniforms were among those detained yesterday.Three rows of villagers could be seen in the police station, their wrists bound with white nylon zipcords. The three pupils wearing black and white school uniforms were among them, their hands forced behind their heads.Blue tear gas cartridges could still be seen strewn in the narrow alleyways, with black burn marks etched on to the concrete."The whole village hasn't done anything illegal, we just want old Lin (Zuluan) to come out and to get our land back," said a villager surnamed Zhang. "But they don't care if we're guilty or not guilty. They just beat us."An earlier microblog of Lufeng county police, who oversee Wukan, stated in a post that 13 people had been arrested for organising illegal assemblies and using threats to force villagers to join protests. It has not been updated since yesterday.Hong Kong media have reported that the police have also televised photographs of five village protest leaders, offering 15,000 dollars rewards for information on their whereabouts.Repeated calls to the Guangdong provincial government for comment went unanswered.REUTERS SZ RAI1200 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0441-932773.Xml
According to a statement of the Ministry of Finance, Dar said that the investment climate in Pakistan is conducive to the European investment, reports Geo News.

He said that Pakistan's strategic location makes it an attractive destination for foreign investment and it has already attained 4.7 per cent growth rate which is better than the growth achieved in the last eight years.

"The French companies should take full benefit of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project which will link Pakistan with Afghanistan, CARs and Europe", he added.

"The population of 200 million offers business friendly opportunities to Foreign Firms", he said adding that the foreign companies working in Pakistan are having unparalleled profits.

He further said that there has been an unparalleled investment in North Waziristan despite security fears and added that Karachi is opening up for various investment opportunities for foreign investment including France.

MEDEF is a forum of French businessmen and enterprises having 800, 000 members across France. (ANI)
Thirty members of Boko Haram and five Nigerien soldiers have been killed in fighting in the southeastern Diffa region of Niger, the defense ministry said in a statement late.The clash took place Monday near the village of Toumour, near Lake Chad and the Nigerian border, an area that has plagued by violence from the Islamist militant group and is under an extended state of emergency.Boko Haram took the nearby town of Bosso in early June, in an attack that killed 32 soldiers and was the deadliest Boko Haram assault in Niger since April 2015. Since then, Chad has sent troops to help Niger wage a counterattack.Fighting began on Monday morning when the army fell into an ambush, the statement said, adding that six soldiers were also injured and two militants were captured.Yesterday "The Boko Haram fighters were trying to prevent people from praying to mark the feast of sacrifice," said Laouan Boukar, a resident of Toumour, referring to the important Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha that was on Monday.Boko Haram has been trying to establish an Islamic state adhering to strict Sharia law in northeastern Nigeria since 2009. About 2.1 million people have been displaced and thousands have been killed during the insurgency.REUTERS AKC PR1441 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-933004.Xml
The Baloch Republican Party (BRP) has said their leaders are seeking asylum in India as they want New Delhi's direct intervention on the Balochistan issue just like it assisted East Pakistan in 1971 to gain freedom against West Pakistan (now Pakistan). "We think it is an absolutely right decision (to seek asylum in India). It is our neighbouring country and it is a responsible country. It is its responsibility to protect and rescue us from atrocities like they did in the year 1971. It should similarly help the Baloch community and intervene directly to protect it," BRP spokesperson Sher Mohammad Bugti told ANI. He said the Baloch leaders and activists living abroad are facing problems regarding asylum in Europe as the process there has become too lengthy, adding Baloch Republican Party chief Brahumdagh Khan Bugti is not able to travel because he has not been given travel documents. "If he is unable to travel than it's all in vain," said Sher Mohammad arguing Brahumdagh needs travel documents so that he can travel, meet people and globally highlight the atrocities on the Baloch community and the human rights violations by Pakistani forces. "If travel documents are not there, it will be difficult to internationally highlight the Baloch cause. That is why Baloch leaders want to now seek asylum in India so that they can get travel documents," he added. When asked as to why many Baloch people are unable to get an asylum in other countries, he said, "Every nation has its own interests. Many nations don't get threatened by Pakistan or its warnings, but instead believe in humanity and thus many have received asylum. Norway, Sweden, UK they have provided asylum to many on the basis that Balochs are victims of genocide and face life threats. Different countries deal with it in different ways." Responding to how the condition in Balochistan has changed after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on Balochistan in his Independence Day address on August 15, Bugti said, "After August 15, they (Pakistan) have intensified the bloodshed and operations in the entire Balochistan especially Dera Bugti. There have been around 100 to 150 causalities and some 200 to 300 people have been kidnapped, majority of whom are women." He added that the injured are being denied proper medical treatment and those killed are not being allowed to be buried. "The dead bodies of those dead are not being released for burial. The region has started smelling. And when they are buried, they are not given a proper burial," he said. He also alleged that the faces of those killed are distorted so that they cannot be recognized by their relatives and many families don't even know whether their missing relatives are alive or dead. "They just want to wipe out the entire Baloch community and grab their land. Secondly, the population in Punjab is alarming and they want to shift the populace in Punjab to Balochistan," he added. (ANI)
When the first wave of riot police swept into the southern Chinese "democracy village" of Wukan shortly after 3am, some breaking through gates with wooden battering rams, frightened residents sounded gongs to raise the alarm.Yesterday the gongs are now silent, and for the first time in nearly three months, Wukan's streets are closed to protest as anti-riot squads seal the area and sever communications.With dozens of villagers detained and arrested after running skirmishes with police, local authorities appear determined to keep it that way. That could finally end an extraordinary five-year-old experiment in grassroots democracy in an authoritarian state.While villages across China conduct low-level elections under close Communist Party management, Wukan's followed an uprising in 2011 that forced local Party chiefs to back down under the glare of domestic and international media attention.The fishing village in southeastern Guangdong was then in open rebellion over a land grab by local officials, who were forced to flee. A stand-off with police ended when residents were granted the right to hold secret ballots for its village leaders.Over the following years, the early hope of the "Wukan Spring" evaporated as many of its new elected leaders were detained, pushed into exile or pressured to quit their posts.The latest protests started in June after the arrest of respected village chief Lin Zuluan, 72, one of the 2011 protest leaders to remain in office.They surged again last week when Lin was jailed for three years on graft and other charges. A televised confession convinced few in the village.Roused by the hammering gongs in the pre-dawn darkness yesterday, hundreds of residents spilled on to the streets and howled out a series of chants."Long live the Chinese Communist Party ... Return Secretary Lin to us ... Return our land to us."A villager surnamed Lin, who described the raid as a complete surprise, said: "We didn't do anything violent. It was all peaceful when they attacked us."RUBBER BULLETSVeterans of the 2011 campaign said the police action this time, involving an estimated 300 to 400 officers, was more forceful than anything they experienced during the 2011 stand-off.As dawn approached, the villagers began hurling bricks at the officers, who gathered in tight formation, clad in helmets, green khaki fatigues, and full-body shields.Firing rounds of tear gas and rubber bullets, the police blocked streets and prevented any advance by villagers. By yesterday night, it was quiet, if tense.Some residents sported large red welts they said were caused by rubber bullets."It felt like we were pieces of tofu, beaten and smashed by them," said a villager surnamed Chen today, who peered nervously through a crack in the drawn curtains of her bedroom as she spoke.She said she feared the security forces would come after her for having been in touch with outsiders and sharing photos, video and information on the crackdown.Nearby a large group of villagers gathered beside an open-air village stage decorated with dragons."They were like gangsters, not police This government is too corrupt," one said. "I'm too disappointed with China. (China's president) Xi Jinping hasn't helped at all."Wukan was a problem Xi, who took office in 2012, inherited, with the first rallies and petition campaigns dating back to 2009 and a movement called the Wukan Hot-Blooded Patriotic Youth League.Patrick Poon, Hong Kong-based China researcher for Amnesty International, said it was possible that Xi's government wanted rid of the Wukan headache once and for all."We have seen they have used a strong hand in dealing with other dissidents ... Under Xi's regime the crackdown on such democratic protests has stepped up," he said.Though the scale of the police response was a surprise to some Wukan residents, the likelihood of an official response had been building in the week leading up to Lin's sentencing.Days beforehand, letters from the Lufeng police, which oversees the village, were sent to residents warning that if the protests did not stop by September 10, action would be taken.On September 11, the Guangdong government's Southern Daily newspaper carried a front-page story promising better communication with Wukan villagers and noted some eight square kilometres of land had been given back.But it insisted that seeking the release of Lin was an "unreasonable act", and that "criminals should be punished according to law".Since the crackdown, Chinese state media coverage of Wukan has been limited to brief statements about the unrest from the local government on social media.Calls to the Guangdong provincial government for comment went unanswered.Wukan's residents remain adamant."The whole village hasn't done anything illegal; we just want old Lin to come out and to get our land back," said a villager surnamed Zhang. "But they don't care if we're guilty or not. They just beat us."REUTERS AKC PR1614 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-933200.Xml
India on Wednesday, taking a strong stand on Jammu and Kashmir, told the UN that the entire region is an integral part of India and that Pakistan has illegally occupied the certain part of the territory, asserting that the use of phrase "Indian administered Kashmir" is an artificial one. The remarks were made by Ajit Kumar, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to United Nations during the 33rd regular session of UN human right council here. "I made it very clear that the entire Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and what remains actually is the vacation of the illegal territory occupied by Pakistan also the use of phrase "Indian administered Kashmir" is an artificial one, " Kumar told ANI. His response came a day after United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein requested both India and Pakistan to give "unconditional access" to both sides to conduct independent probes into the Kashmir and Balochistan unrest. Kumar added that Jammu and Kashmir which is an integral part of India represents all sections for people unlike Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Maintaining that the whole problem of Kashmir is due to that fact of cross border terrorism, Kumar said that he told before the UN, that it because Islamabad is sending terrorists which are mingling with the crowd using children as shields. "Pakistan is sending terrorists which are mingling with the crowd using children as shields and that we are trying to tackle, and India being world largest democracy has its own means and all party delegation has visited (Kashmir)," he added. On the Kashmir issue, Kumar said that the forces have shown maximum restraints were also raised before at the session. "I also said that our forces have shown maximum restrains as 7000 of them have been injured. So all in all, the entire political spectrum is working very hard and the situation is gradually coming to the normal. This is what I explained in my statement in response to what High Commissioner mentioned about situation in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday," he added. Earlier, addressing at the session, Kumar pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir has an elected democratic government that represents all sections of the people unlike the situation in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. He also pointed out that current violence in Jammu and Kashmir has been choreographed from across the border since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Normal life remained affected for over 66 consecutive days in violence-hit Kashmir. More than 80 people have been killed and thousands have been left injured in the aftermath of the July 8 encounter in which Wani was killed by the security forces. While pointing out that India has been appreciative of the High Commissioner's efforts at improving efficiency and streamlining OHCHR's work, Kumar said that New Delhi remains concerned at persisting ambiguities in OHCHR governance and administrative arrangements. He asserted that the High Commissioner's proposed Change Initiative requires more clarity and a detailed response to ACABQ's queries in this regard would be a good place to start. (ANI)
KIEV, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least six combatants were killed and fifteen others wounded in clashes in eastern Ukraine in the past day, officials from the conflicting parties said Tuesday.

The figure marked the highest daily casualty toll in the conflict since the new round of truce was established on Sept. 1.

Particularly, Ukrainian military spokesman Olexandr Motuzyanyk said two government troopers were killed during the fighting with independence-seeking insurgents in Lugansk region, while another soldier was killed in an artillery attack on Ukrainian forces near Chermalyk village in Donetsk region.

Besides, fifteen government servicemen were wounded, while one went missing in the restive area over the past 24 hours, Motuzyanyk said.

Separately, a senior insurgent commander Eduard Basurin said three pro-independence fighters were killed in the clashes with the government army near Gorlivka town in Donetsk region in the past day.

The renewed military attacks, for which both sides have blamed each other, raised fears that the 29-month-old conflict may escalate again after less than two weeks of a relative calm.

The fighting between government troops and insurgents has been underway since April 2014, killing more than 9,500 people and wounding some 22,000 others.
Syrian pro-regime fighters walk in a bombed-out steet in Ramussa on September 9, 2016, after they took control of the strategically important district on the outskirts of the Syrian city of Aleppo a day earlier. (AFP/Xinhua)

ALEPPO, Syria, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Even though the emergency room in al-Razi hospital in the northern city of Aleppo wasn't completely empty after a ceasefire went into effect Monday evening, but the medical team there was somehow relaxed as the night was relatively quiet after the truce.

Al-Razi is the main hospital to receive those who are injured when a mortar shell would slam government-controlled areas in Aleppo.

As the U.S.-Russian brokered truce went into effect in Syria on Monday, the medical team there was for once relaxed, compared with previous nights that have been thick with pain and grief of the victims.

Muhammad, one of the paramedic, usually takes two night shifts during the week.

On the night of the truce, he said he was for once relaxed that not a lot of people were taken to the emergency room, even though a few number did.

"Before the truce, we used to have busy nights thick with pain of those wounded and the families of victims who had been killed by rebels shelling, but after the truce, the situation has largely declined," he told Xinhua.

Last Saturday, the U.S. and Russia announced they had agreed on achieving a ceasefire in Syria, as the first step toward the political solution.

The Syrian army announced on Monday that the regime of silence will be implemented in all Syrian areas for seven days.

Still, state news agency SANA said the rebels have actually violated the truce in several places, including Aleppo.

Xinhua reporters visiting Aleppo heard on Tuesday the thud of two mortar shells slamming near the Saadallah al-Jabiri square, one of the main squares in Aleppo, under the government control.

Muhammad said a few cases arrived at the hospital the night when the truce went into force.

"Even though the rebels fired some mortars after the truce, but it wasn't as hard as before and we received a few number of wounded people and two martyrs," he said.

His superior, Ali, told Xinhua that three people were killed and over 25 wounded as a result of the shelling after the truce, admitting that this number is small in comparison with what the emergency room had received in the pre-truce times.

"In previous night we would be always on alert, due to the large numbers of wounded people, not to mention those killed. I can say that the coming days will tell about the truce and how well it could hold, but I personally don't trust the rebels," he told Xinhua.

But personally, Ali didn't have much hope about the continuation of the truce, saying previous attempts had shown that the rebels would for sure break the truce.

"We are with the truce and ceasefire and we are also with bringing to a halt of the destruction of our country, but I believe that the rebels are not trustworthy and will not hold on to the ceasefire for a long time," he said.

Yaser, a physician in Razi Hospital, also shared his colleagues' opinion, saying that the night of the truce was calmer than other nights, but remained skeptical about its outlooks.

"We received a few number of wounded people, it was less than previous nights, but given the fact that there is a truce, we shouldn't be receiving wounded people from shelling of the rebels," he said.

Not only the hospital people were less occupied than before, but in the frontline al-Abbara neighborhood, which is adjacent to a rebel-held area called Bab al-Nasr, people said their night was calm and no mortar landed on them.

The rebels in Bab al-Nasr used to shell al-Abbara with many mortar shells and explosive-rigged gas cylinders on daily basis ahead of the truce.

Abu Muhammad, a man from al-Abbara neighborhood who has a 13-member family, said their lives in that neighborhood is a living nightmare.

"We used to have mortar shells striking us every day, but the sad part is that we have become used to this life," he told Xinhua at al-Abbara, where littered glass was seen on the ground from a mortar attack that happened on Monday morning ahead of the truce.

"Yesterday after the truce went into force, our neighborhood was clam, and we felt strange, as we have not slept as peaceful as last night for a very long time. After 7 pm, there was no mortar shells or improvised rockets slamming our area," he said.

Still, the 48-year-old man said he wasn't optimistic about a long-lasting truce.

"I am not optimistic about the continuation of the truce, because I don't trust the rebels as they have violated the previous truce. I would really love to see this truce holding and I am supporting it, but if the rebels are taking advantage to regroup and strengthen themselves, then I am against it," he said.

Another resident of al-Abbara, Saleh, a father of five who runs a supermarket, said "our life here is like a never-ending horror movie. Mortar shells, explosive-laced gas cylinders, slamming us everyday. We have become accustomed to this lifestyle."

But he said that after the truce went into force, nothing slammed or hit their neighborhood.

Al-Abbara, which is a mixture of residential and shopping stores area, was different on Tuesday morning, as tens of children were running and playing, enjoying the second day of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, or the Feast of Sacrifice.

They kids ran without fear of a sniper that used to shoot at the passersby in the back alley of al-Abbara.

Known as the Sniper of Bab al-Nasr, a rebel sniper used to disturb people's daily lives when he fires at random targets on al-Abbara.

Even some school children there had dropped out of school for fear of being targeted.

Ahmad Hussain, 18, was one of those dropouts.

"I had dropped out of school, as the situation was so dangerous. One day I was leaving for school, when a sniper from the rebel side shot dead a man near me. I was traumatized," he told Xinhua.

But that unforgettable experience was not his last.

On Monday, the first day of the holiday that should be fun with celebration, Hussain lost one of his friends.

"I was out with friends to celebrate the Eid al-Adha feast, when a mortar shell slammed nearby, many of my friends were wounded, and one of them died," he recounted.

Having mixed feelings as almost all of the people in frontline areas, Hussain said he wants the military to sweep in rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo to rid the city of the insurgents.

"We don't want this truce, every time there is a truce, the rebels continue to fire their mortars. I believe that the military solution is the best to face those people. But if the truce was real and they respect it, then I would surely welcome it," he said.

Even though the truce was breached more than one time on Tuesday, but the intensity of the clashes have largely declined, and Aleppo was quiet in terms of the sound of mortars, but noisy and busy with young people celebrating the Eid feast in the Mokambo district, which is punctuated with high-end restaurants.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday approved the deployment of a UN political mission to monitor and verify the implementation of a peace deal in Colombia.

The peace agreement, aiming to end the country's half-century civil war, was reached between the government of Colombia and the country's largest rebel group, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) last month.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-nation council authorized the deployment of 450 unarmed observers in 40 widely dispersed locations across Colombia to oversee the ceasefire and laying down of arms between the two sides.

It also approved the recommendation that the mission share with the Colombian government the cost of operating the monitoring and verification mechanism.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, said the council's adoption of the resolution is conducive to stepping up the mission's deployment and hence further promoting the peace process in Colombia.

He said China hopes the UN will work to strengthen coordination with the Colombian government on the basis of respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and to help relevant parties in fully implementing the ceasefire agreement.

The conflict between the Colombian government and the leftist rebel group started in the 1960s as an uprising for land rights. It has left about 260,000 people dead, 45,000 missing and nearly 7 million displaced.

The two sides will sign the peace deal on Sept. 26 in Colombia's northern coastal city of Cartagena. And the Colombian people will vote to determine whether they will accept or reject the agreement on Oct. 2.
Peter Thomson(C), president of the 71st United Nations General Assembly, gavels to open the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 13, 2016. The UN General Assembly on Tuesday kicked off its 71st session at UN Headquarters in New York, with a focus on the joint world efforts to carry out the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a blueprint for the global development efforts for the years up to 2030. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The UN General Assembly kicked off its 71st session here on Tuesday with a focus on joint global efforts to carry out the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a blueprint for ending poverty and hunger, advancing equality, and protecting the environment for the years leading up to 2030.

The new annual session was declared open by Peter Thomson, president of the 71st session of the General Assembly. Thomson, the UN ambassador of Fiji, was elected to the current post by the UN General Assembly in June.

Minutes before the opening of the new annual session, Thomson raised his right hand with a copy of the UN Charter in it and took the oath of office -- the first General Assembly president to do so in the history of the United Nations.

The oath-taking came just hours after the General Assembly adopted a Code of Ethics for the office in the shadow of a bribery scandal involving one of former General Assembly presidents, John Ashe, the UN ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda.

Ashe, president of the 68th General Assembly session from September 2013 to September 2014, was accused by federal prosecutors of accepting more than 1 million U.S. dollars in bribes, turning his position into a "platform for profit." He pleaded innocent.

The former General Assembly president, 61, was found dead in June in his home in Dobbs Ferry in the U.S. state of New York, following an accident while lifting a barbell during an exercise session, U.S. authorities said.

"As president of the Assembly, I will dedicate myself to facilitation of the transition process," Thomson said.

"Throughout the 71st, I will work to strengthen the relations between the UN's organs, continuing the practice of holding regular meetings with the secretary-general, the president of the Security Council, and the president of ECOSOC (the Economic and Social Council), and I will inform the membership as to the scope of these meetings," he said.

"And in addition to upholding the principles of transparency and inclusiveness, during the 71st session, I will seek to give greater prominence to ethics in the work of the United Nations," he said.

To show his firm determination to help the world implement the SDGs, the General Assembly president invited his two grand daughters -- seven and five years old -- to the podium of the General Assembly hall, and said, "They will become two young adults in 2030," the deadline of the SDGs, a set of 17 sustainable development targets.

He then rhetorically asked what kind of world would be left to them.

Since its adoption in September 2015, "the 2030 Agenda has since had its foundations strengthened by the historic promise of the Paris Climate Agreement," the president said.

This year marks the beginning of the global efforts to implement the 2030 Development Agenda.

"It has been heartening to observe the sincerity with which governments and national planning agencies around the world have begun integrating the Agenda into national processes," he said.

"But make no mistake, the great majority of humankind has yet to learn of the Agenda it has yet to embrace the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, that if successfully implemented will bring an end to poverty and secure a sustainable place for humanity on this planet."

"It is for this reason that the theme of the 71st session is The Sustainable Development Goals: A Universal Push to Transform our World," he said.

The theme will be further strengthened in the annual high-level debate of the General Assembly, the week-long event which is set to begin on Sept. 20.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, "I welcome the theme you have chosen for this session."

"This first year is crucial. It is a time when all member states should align their policies, programmes and spending behind the 17 goals," the secretary-general said. "It is also a time to bring the Paris Agreement on climate change into force."

The high-level event Ban is hosting on Sept. 21 will strengthen momentum for achieving that objective this year.

At the same time, the 71st session of the General Assembly is expected to appoint the next UN secretary-general upon the recommendation of the Security Council to succeed Ban, who will end his term on Dec. 31.

"We must seize the months ahead to garner from him all the broad wisdom and venerable experience he can pass onto us this year," Thomson said. "I look forward very much to working closely with our secretary-general and his team between now and year's end."

The president said that he "will be available at all times to assist the incoming secretary-general settle into her or his responsibilities of office."

"On Jan. 1, 2017, the 71st session will welcome the ninth secretary-general into these halls and conference rooms," Ban said. "Mr. President, you will serve as a bridge between my administration and the next, as you said in your acceptance speech."

"You will have my full support, and that of my team, in ensuring a seamless transition," said the secretary-general.

"The Assembly will be called upon to address many threats, and to show its solidarity with people facing injustice," Ban said. "People also look to this body not just to react to problems, but to work proactively and preventively to better the human condition."
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton climbs into her van outside her daughter Chelsea's home in New York, New York, United States September 11, 2016, after Clinton left ceremonies commemorating the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks feeling "overheated." (REUTERS/File Photo)

By Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Questions have been raised over the health of U.S. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton after she suddenly fell ill on Sunday, which could become a stumbling block for the 68-year-old candidate in her presidential bid.

Clinton nearly collapsed Sunday due to alleged pneumonia after attending the Sept. 11 ceremony in New York. While her aides said she would be back on the campaign trail in a couple of days, the incident is the latest in a string of health concerns about Clinton.

Some analysts said perceptions of Clinton's poor health may be exploited by her Republican rival Donald Trump, 70.

"There certainly are going to be more questions about Clinton's health in light of the recent incident," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.

Clinton will need to provide more information about her health and reassure voters that she is up to the job, including answering questions and releasing relevant medical records, West said.

She also can use this episode to demand more health information from Trump, who has not released his medical records either, he said.

Clinton is one of the oldest candidates to run for the White House since former President Ronald Reagan. But while Reagan's age was a factor, he used humor to deflect public concern and kept up a vigorous schedule to reassure voters.

Dan Mahaffee, an analyst with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, told Xinhua that Trump has been relatively tame in his response to Clinton's mishap on Sunday, and has largely let media coverage of the event speak for itself.

"He has carefully avoided what could be seen as gloating over Clinton's misfortune, yet allows the media narrative to vindicate some of the questions that he and his surrogates have raised about Clinton's health," Mahaffee said.

For Clinton, as the latest episode has raised concerns among the broader U.S. public about her health, it'll be important for her to recuperate rapidly and come out strongly in the upcoming presidential debates. The first debate is slated to be held on Sept. 26.

Given Trump's age, paucity of medical records, and what appears to be a predilection towards fast food, there are legitimate concerns from medical experts about both candidates' health, Mahaffee said.

As a candidate, Clinton needs to tackle this issue with full transparency and directly address the issue, Mahaffee said.

"The perception that something is being hidden is worse than acknowledging that Clinton has fallen ill due to the recent tempo of the campaign or other factors," he said, referring to Sunday's incident, when Clinton's team appeared to try to sugar coat the issue.

While the team initially said she was overheating, the temperature Sunday was mild. And there was a 90-minute period in which there was not a word from the team on Clinton's health.

"While there is no crime per se with Clinton's health, one can apply the political rule that the cover up is worse than the crime. It only empowers conspiracy theorists and feeds the narrative of the Clintons being overly secretive," Mahaffee said.

Some analysts said both candidates can take a lesson from the 1980 presidential election, when Reagan, 69, was the oldest person to ever seek the presidency.

Reagan approached the medical issue with complete transparency during his campaign, allowing his doctors to release a wide range of medical records.

Additionally, he used lots of imagery of him being outdoors and working on his ranch to portray an image of health and strength, Mahaffee noted.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The University of California, Berkeley, has led five other UC campuses among the top 10 public universities in annual rankings of U.S. schools of higher learning.

While UC Berkeley has kept its ranking as the No.1, according to the 2016 "America's Best Colleges" list released on Tuesday by U.S. News and World Report, the University of California, Los Angeles, tied the University of Virginia in 2nd place.

Meanwhile, UC Barbara placed eighth, UC Irvine ninth and UC Davis and UC San Diego tied in 10th position.

UC Berkeley typically performs best in rankings when academic excellence, faculty quality and research are weighted heavily, said a news release from the school in northern California.

Again this year, it ranked highly for its reputation in business and engineering, in speciality fields within these disciplines, as well as among high school guidance counselors.

In the 2016 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), which was based mainly on the quality of faculty and research and released in mid-August by China's ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, UC Berkeley placed at No. 1 among public schools and third among public and private schools worldwide.

However, among all the public and private research universities across the United States ranked for the annual assessment of academic excellence by U.S. News, a media company based in New York City, UC Berkeley placed 20th along with Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Overall, Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, took the top spot and Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, remained 2nd; Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, held onto 3rd place, joined by the University of Chicago; Columbia University in Upper Manhattan, New York City, and Stanford University in Stanford, California, dropped to 5th; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, held onto 7th; Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia placed 8th and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, stayed at No. 10.

The U.S. News rankings assess nearly 1,800 U.S. colleges and universities on 16 criteria that include academic excellence, academic reputation, student selectivity, faculty resources, graduation and retention rates, financial resources and alumni giving.
MEXICO CITY, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Mexican authorities have arrested Clara Elena Laborin, also known as "La Senora" (The Mrs.), wife of jailed drug lord Hector Beltran Leyva, the Federal Police said on Tuesday.

Laborin, who allegedly runs organized crime rings in Mexico's once-famed Pacific coast resort of Acapulco, was captured on Monday in Hermosillo, capital of the northern state of Sonora, from where she managed the operation, said Omar Garcia, chief of the Federal Police investigative unit.

Laborin and one of her main operators were captured in possession of two kilos of cocaine and weapons, according to media reports.

"They are considered to be among the main generators of violence in Acapulco, Guerrero (state)," Garcia told reporters at a press conference.

As head of the Beltran Leyva drug trafficking ring until he was arrested in October 2014, her husband was among the 50 most-wanted criminals in the country, said Garcia.

In the 1990s, Hector, along with his brothers Arturo, Alfredo and Carlos, established the Beltran Leyva cartel, trafficking cocaine from South America to Mexico for the U.S. market.

The Beltran Leyvas later formed an alliance with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and his Sinaloa Cartel.
SYDNEY, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Australia's peak health advisory has rejected claims fluoride in drinking water has negative health effects.

Australia has been drinking water laced with added fluoride since the 1960s; however, there has been continued public debate in some quarters surrounding its potential side affects.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) on Wednesday released a draft information paper supported by 60 years and some 3,000 studies of medical research supporting fluoridation as a safe and effective measure to prevent tooth decay at levels used in Australia.

"By preventing tooth decay and all of its associated pain and suffering, community water fluoridation saves money both for individuals, including dental treatments, and time off work or school, and the healthcare system," University of Sydney chief dental officer, Professor Clive Wright told journalists in an online briefing prior to the report's launch.

The report also shows there are no associated negative health effects under the levels used in Australia, debunking the link between fluoridation and cancer, including two forms of bone cancer.

"The only important effect in Australia of excess fluoride occurs during tooth formation," Wright said.

The NHMRC has released the report as access to incorrect information people have obtained via the Internet or social media that undermines community faith and trust in health initiatives like water fluoridation.

"It's important from time to time to review the real evidence, to ensure that there's high quality evidence for or against any public health measure like this, and to address directly the sorts of concerns that people have as a result of something they might have heard or read," NHMRC chief executive Professor Anne Kelso told the briefing.

"People are exposed to a lot of information that can confuse and concern, and it is an obligation that we continue to address those questions based on the latest evidence."
CANBERRA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Australian security experts fear the inevitable fall of Islamic State (IS) could result in the attempted return of up to 100 Australian jihadists fighting in Iraq and Syria.

Terror experts believe Australian jihadists could use the combat skills acquired overseas to plot terrorist activities back on home soil, and with coalition gaining ground against IS, the caliphate could experience a mass exodus of foreign fighters if they feel they are losing the battle.

With airstrikes resulting in massive territory losses for IS in the Middle East, Rodger Shanahan from the Lowy Institute of Foreign Policy told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that Australian counter-terror and immigration's bodies need to be aware of foreign fighters attempting to return 'home.'

"Some of them will be seeking to come back to Australia," Shanahan said on Wednesday.

"What their intent when they come back to Australia is, that's going to be another thing that's going to exercise the minds of the security agencies."

Shanahan said it would be particularly dangerous if these jihadists were able to find a way back into Australia, as the skills they have acquired over time in the Middle East could be used against Australian citizens and landmarks.

"(The jihadists have acquired) the ability to plan, an awareness of operational security - so it makes them harder to track - and other more practical issues like bomb-making skills, an awareness of how you conduct planning and execution of an attack," Shanahan said.

"They have a range of skill sets that some of the groups that we've seen previously in the region overseas and some of the people in Australia have lacked to date."

Shanahan and the Lowy Institute implored the government to work closely with governments in the region - such as Turkey - to keep an eye on the possible return of foreign fighters.

Under Australian law passed earlier this year, dual national Australians who travel to the Middle East to take part in conflicts have their Australian passports canceled, while Australian citizens who join the fight face charges related to terrorism.
MELBOURNE, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Victorian man has had stem cells injected into his brain in the world's first trial to treat Parkinson's disease.

The 64-year-old man, who remains unidentified while he recovers, had millions of cells injected into 14 sites in his brain via two 1.5-cm holes in his skull by doctors at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Doctors in charge of the trial hoped the stem cells, which can transform into brain cells, would boost levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. A deficiency in dopamine can lead to tremors, rigidity and slowness associated with Parkinson's.

The patient was administered 300 micro liters, or 0.3 milliliters, of the pluripotent stem cell, a master cell that can change into any cell in the body, which was frozen and imported from the United States.

Neurologist Andrew Evans and neurosurgeon Girish Nair, the two doctors who carried out the procedure, said it took several months to plan the operation from scratch and receive approval to go ahead.

The two brain experts created a three-dimensional model of the patient's brain, which they used to complete "dummy runs" of the operation.

"The idea with cellular replacement therapy is to be able to implant cells that will differentiate or change from stem cells into cells that either produce dopamine or provide other forms of support to remaining neurons," Evans told News Limited on Wednesday.

Only 1 or 2 percent of the injected cells will become dopamine but pre-trial studies showed that only 10,000 dopamine cells were needed to make a significant difference.

Nair said the slightest mistake in the surgery could have resulted in the death of the patient and injecting the cells too slowly could have resulted in the cells becoming stuck and developing into a tumor.

"The site is very close to the brain stem - the most critical part of the brain - and if you poke around in the wrong places then it could end in paralysis or death," Nair said.

"And if you have a bleed there, even a small one, it's a major stroke."

Evans said it was an enormous relief for the team when scans 24 hours after the surgery revealed the cells had reached all the target sites.

"Despite the long and complex surgery, we left a very small surgical footprint," he said.

The stem cells were derived from unfertilized human egg cells that were manufactured by the International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCC) in the United States.

"Stem cell therapy is a very novel field, but eventually we hope we can use our therapy to cure Parkinson's disease," Russel Kern, chief scientific officer of the ISCC, said.

Kern said the Royal Melbourne Hospital was chosen as the trial's location because of the hospital's strong history of neuroscience research.

While results of the trail will not be known for two years, Nair said stem cell transplants offered the best hope of treating the degenerative brain disease.

"We are dealing with a disease that has a relentless progression and we still don't know how it happens and all the treatments we have so far come with an expiry date," Nair said. "What we are doing here is pushing the frontiers."

Eleven more patients are scheduled to have the surgery in the next year.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Obama administration has challenged China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over "excessive government support" for domestic grain production, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman announced Tuesday.

The USTR's office claimed that China's "market price support" for rice, wheat, and corn in 2015 was estimated to be nearly 100 billion U.S. dollars above the limits that China committed to when it joined the WTO in 2001.

That pushed up Chinese grain prices "above market levels" and created "artificial government incentives" for Chinese farmers to increase production, and thus affected the ability of U.S. farmers to compete around the world, the USTR's office alleged in a statement.

China's Ministry of Commerce expressed regret at the U.S. challenge, saying it would adopt measures in accordance with WTO dispute settlement protocols and safeguard China's interests.

The Chinese side will stick to providing government support for the agricultural sector in line with WTO rules and enhancing the agricultural trading system, China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

The trade enforcement case, the 14th that the Obama administration has launched against China at the WTO, comes at a time of increasing anti-trade rhetoric in the current U.S. presidential campaigns.

The Obama administration wants to demonstrate a tough stance on enforcing trade agreements in an attempt to draw support from lawmakers to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement later this year.

"It's not enough to enforce the existing rules," U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday in a statement. "It's all the more important that we finalize TPP soon."

But U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan said last week that the TPP agreement does not have enough votes to pass Congress this year, noting the Obama administration has to fix the agreement to get Congressional approval.

Both Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton have come out against the 12-nation trade deal, which makes it more difficult for the TPP to get through Congress.

Experts said U.S. and Chinese policymakers should focus on the big picture of bilateral relations and seek opportunities to deepen economic and trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

China and the United States could consider a large multilateral trade agreement that covers both the TPP and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), another major free trade agreement in Asia, Wang Huiyao, president of Center for China and Globalization, a leading Chinese social think tank, said last week at an event about China-U.S. trade relations.

That will benefit all the economies in the Asia-Pacific region, he said.

Long Yongtu, China's former chief negotiator for WTO entry, said at the same event that China's accession to the WTO has brought significant benefits to the United States, particularly its agricultural sector.

China has become the largest export market of American agricultural goods, helping create at least 160,000 jobs in the United States, he said. He encouraged the world's two largest economies to continue expanding cooperation in trade and investment.

China has gone from a 2-billion-dollar-a-year market for U.S. agricultural products to a 20-billion-dollar-plus market, according to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Argentine President Mauricio Macri on Tuesday invited business leaders to invest in his country, saying "you are in the right place at the perfect time."

Addressing the 2016 Investment and Business Summit in Buenos Aires, Macri called on investors to "form part of this wonderful era that is beginning in Argentina."

Macri took office in late 2015, ushering in a new pro-business administration that took over the progressive government of Cristina Fernandez.

"This government's goal is development," said Macri, adding that "with an infrastructure plan and a productive plan for those who want to invest, we are going to generate jobs and growth."

Argentina's "agro-industry, sustainable mining, traditional and renewable energy" are just a few of the sectors that offer opportunities for investment, said Macri, emphasizing that "the recession is behind us."

Organized by the Argentine Agency for International Trade and Investment, the forum will offer conferences on different sectors and networking opportunities through Thursday.

The event has drawn about 400 public-sector representatives and 1,900 investors and business owners from 67 countries.

Argentina needs some 175 billion U.S. dollars in investment to modernize infrastructure, Juan Procaccini, the head of the agency, told Xinhua in the lead up to the forum.
BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- China is Argentina's "preeminent trade and financial partner" nowadays, an Argentine expert on international relations has said.

Mariano Turzi, a professor of international relations and the director of the Asia Department at the University of Torcuato Di Tella in Buenos Aires, made the comment in an editorial with the prestigious daily Clarin on Monday.

"China not only represents a preeminent trade and financial partner, (but also) will increasingly be an international player around which internal political players will position themselves," wrote Turzi.

The two countries have established a comprehensive strategic partnership, with China being Argentina's second largest trading partner and the leading destination for its agricultural exports.

As the political climate in Latin America and China's transformation and opening up evolve, the Asian giant increasingly represents "an economic structure to complement with ours," said Turzi.

"The way we understand China will also be an indication of the way in which we understand the world," he added.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri has underscored the "enormous importance" and "complementarity" of ties with China in an interview with Xinhua before the G20 Summit that was held in Hangzhou, eastern China, early this month.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States has concluded a new 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Israel on security assistance for Fiscal Years 2019 through 2028, the State Department said Tuesday.

This MOU constitutes the single largest pledge of bilateral military assistance in the U.S. history, the State Department said in a statement, without disclosing the figure.

The new MOU will be signed in a ceremony on Wednesday in Washington. Jacob Nagel, Israel's acting national security adviser, arrived in Washington on Tuesday to sign on behalf of his country.

The agreement is expected to give Israel as much as 3.8 billion U.S. dollars a year over 10 years, The Washington Post reported.

That represents a significant increase over the 3.1 billion dollars the United States gives annually now, a figure that increases to about 3.5 billion a year with aid supplements approved by Congress, the newspaper said.

Negotiations for the aid package have been underway since November to replace an MOU that will end in 2018.
BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, underscored that any "Taiwan independence" activities would be opposed.

Any attempt by secessionists to use the UN to challenge the one-China policy, which is supported by the international community, will not succeed, said Ma on Wednesday.
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (C) arrives at a ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of September 11 attacks at the National 9/11 Memorial, in New York, the United States, on Sept. 11, 2016. The United States on Sunday commemorated the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who has been staying at home since swooning at a 9/11 memorial ceremony due to pneumonia, will return to campaign trail on Thursday, her Campaign twittered Tuesday.

The former secretary of state is set to speak at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute gala in Washington D.C. on Thursday and due in several battleground states next week, said her campaign, which has promised to release Clinton's medical records later this week.

Donald Trump, her Republican rival, also promised to offer up more information about his health later this week, following quarrels between the two campaigns over which candidate is more secret about their health and wealth.

A damaging video of Clinton's faint at Ground Zero on Sunday, has turned the issue of health transparency onto the central stage in their White House bids.

Clinton was diagnosed pneumonia two days before she fainted on Sunday but her campaign had kept it quiet until the video was put online.

However, earlier on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid blasted the media for having blown Clinton's pneumonia out of proportion.

"You've all been unfair to Hillary ... Look at Donald Trump at his medical records, which are nonexistent," he told reporters at a news conference.

Also on Tuesday, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine suggested that Clinton's decision to keep campaigning despite suffering from pneumonia was influenced by the historic nature of her bid to become the country's first woman president.

The United States is "uniquely bad at electing women to office," the Virginia senator told a crowd at the University of Michigan, citing it a factor affecting her race against the New York billionaire.

Only 19 percent of the U.S. Congress is female, though it is the highest percentage in the country's history, Kaine noted.

The September race is observed unexpectedly rough for Clinton as her wounds were rubbed salt into continuously, including a gaffe about Republican "deplorables." A series of national poll results show that her lead over Trump has been narrowed since Labor Day.

Related:

News Analysis: Clinton's health could become stumbling block in presidential bid after latest episode

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Questions have been raised over the health of U.S. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton after she suddenly fell ill on Sunday, which could become a stumbling block for the 68-year-old candidate in her presidential bid.
BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese prosecutors have filed separate lawsuits against three senior officials suspected of graft, the Supreme People's Procuratorate announced Wednesday.

Xu Gang, former vice governor of Fujian Province in east China, is charged with taking advantage of his positions to seek benefits for others and accepting a "huge amount" of bribes.

Xu Jianyi, former party chief and chairman of major Chinese automaker FAW Group, is accused of taking advantage of his positions to seek profits for others as well as accepting bribes.

Liao Yongyuan, former general manager with China National Petroleum Corp., is charged with accepting a "huge amount" in bribes and seeking profits for others.

Liao's property and expenditure obviously exceeded his legal income, and he could not explain the source of the money. He is also accused of holding a large amount of property with unidentified sources.
MELBOURNE, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The legalization of voluntary euthanasia in Victoria is a step closer with two senior government ministers supporting the practice for the first time.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy and Treasurer Tim Pallas, two members of Premier Daniel Andrews' caucus, both declared their support for assisted dying, giving the strongest indication yet that the state would legalize euthanasia.

"Those of us that have seen loved ones die in circumstances that are less than desirable, we don't want to see our lives defined by our passing, and everybody has a right to determine, where they can, the manner in which they pass," Pallas told Fairfax Media on Wednesday.

"This is a matter that we need to have a community debate about, we do need to recognize that this is an issue of conscience, and speaking from my conscience I believe it is time for that debate."

Hennessy, who is responsible for formulating the government's response to a parliamentary inquiry which recommended Victoria legalize euthanasia, said that community support for euthanasia was growing.

"I believe that as a government, and as a parliament we need to look at euthanasia very closely," Hennessy told Fairfax in comments published on Wednesday.

"Personally - and I believe personal experience plays a strong role in informing people's views on this issue - I support euthanasia.

"I also think it is clear community sentiment has shifted on this issue, and there is significant community debate around euthanasia at the moment." Enditem
ROME, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- An Italian town hit by last month's deadly earthquake is pursuing legal action against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, for defamation over a series of cartoons about the tragedy.

An earthquake last month killed at least 292 people in central Italy, most of whom lived in Amatrice, home to a famous tomato sauce "amatriciana".

The complaint centers on two cartoons Charlie Hebdo published after the quake.

One cartoon, entitled "Earthquake Italian Style," depicted the earthquake victims as sauce-splattered survivors, and layers of Lasagna with blood and feet emerging from it.

The cartoon immediately sparked outcry among Italians, and prompted the French embassy in Rome to issue a statement saying the drawing "in no way represents France's position."

The publication then responded with a follow-up cartoon suggesting the mafia was to blame, saying that "It's not Charlie Hebdo who built your homes, it's the mafia!"

"It amounts to a macabre, tactless and inconceivable insult to the victims of a natural catastrophe," the town council's lawyer, Mario Cicchetti, told reporters after the legal move was announced.

In January 2015, two gunmen stormed Charlie Hebdo headquarters in Paris and killed 12 people, to "avenge" the publication of cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammad.
BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The State Council, China's Cabinet, announced a reshuffle of several senior government officials Wednesday.

Wang Hesheng was appointed vice minister of National Health and Family Planning Commission.

Liu Zhengrong and Zhang Sutang were both appointed vice presidents of Xinhua News Agency.

The State Council appointed Xue Xiaofeng as deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Macao Special Administrative Region, and Yu Zaiqing as vice president of Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralymic Winter Games.

Xu Dazhe will no longer serve as vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, chief of China National Space Administration, director of China Atomic Energy Authority, or head of State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

The cabinet removed Long Xinnan from the post of vice president of Xinhua News Agency, and Guo Ligen from the post of vice chairman of China Banking Regulatory Commission.

The State Council also decided Zhou Yanli will no longer hold the post of vice chairman of China Insurance Regulatory Commission and relieved Luo Han of the post of chairman of Supervisory Board for Key Large State-Owned Enterprises.
HAVANA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Raul Castro and the visiting Premier of Quebec Philippe Couillard on Tuesday agreed to boost economic ties between the two sides.

According to an official release, Castro hosted Couillard at the presidential palace where they talked about bilateral relations and exchanged views on topics of common interest.

"Our government wants to establish a truly beneficial cooperation for each other with associations that each party can benefit from. We also want to share our experience and develop new economic bonds together," said Couillard.

The two sides signed a joint declaration aimed at developing further economic cooperation.

They have reached several agreements including economic ones on tourism, public health and biotechnology, an agreement between the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality of Quebec and the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba, and a strategic agreement between the Office of the Chief Scientist of Quebec and BioCubaFarma for the implementation of brain mapping treatment in Quebec.

Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca said the Caribbean nation will deepen its cooperation with Quebec, one of the most important regions in Canada.

"Cuba's trade with Quebec accounts for less than 10 percent of total economic cooperation with Canada. Consequently there is great potential for growth," he said.

Canada is the largest source of tourists to Cuba, with over 1 million visitors from that nation every year, half of them from Quebec.
SYDNEY, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Google Australia has created a new online platform within its Arts and Culture app to showcase some of the best exhibits that Australian museums have to offer to the world.

The American search engine announced on Wednesday that it has created Australia's largest online museum and has named it the Australian Natural History platform.

For starters, the platform will showcase more than 50 immersive collections from partner museums across the country, NewsCorp reports.

Users will now be able to learn more about impressive specimens like "Sweetheart," a 5.1-metre-long Estuarine Crocodile from the Northern Territory and much more.

Engineering director of Google Australia, Alan Noble, said new platform celebrates Australia's rich and unique offering for natural history and was now available for the entire world to experience and to education institutions across the country.

Google said there will be seven museums from Australia contributing towards the the platform, including the Australian Museum, Museum Victoria, Queensland Museum and South Australian Museum.

Highlights of the platform will include the launch of seven new Google expeditions, 43,000 historic artefacts that are digitized and preserved as well as 31 exhibitions and much more.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. workers worry more about having their benefits cut than having their salary slashed, according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday.

More U.S. workers say they worry more about having their benefits reduced, at 30 percent, than having their wages cut, at 20 percent, than being laid off, at 19 percent, or than having their hours cut back, at 17 percent, Gallup found.

Benefits cuts consistently have been the top worry since Gallup first asked the question in 1997. U.S. workers' worries about these possibilities generally have eased since 2014 after rising sharply following the 2008 financial crisis and staying elevated during the ensuing period of high unemployment.

The data are based on Gallup's annual Work and Education poll conducted in August.

It is clear the financial crisis and periods of high unemployment caused an increasing number of U.S. workers to feel insecure about their jobs, including worrying about their pay, benefits and whether they would keep their jobs at all, the poll found.

Those fears remained elevated for several years after the recession before finally showing some signs of receding in the last three years, Gallup found.

A lasting effect of the recession appears to be heightened worry about benefits cuts among public sector employees. Some state and local governments have struggled to balance their budgets and have been forced to re-examine whether they can pay promised levels of retirement and health benefits for current and past employees.

Government workers and unionized workers are significantly more likely than non-government and nonunion workers to worry about having their benefits reduced, the poll found.

According to combined data from the 2014-2016 Work and Education surveys, 46 percent of government workers and 45 percent of union workers say they worry their benefits will be reduced.

That compares with 32 percent of those employed by a private company and 31 percent of nonunion workers, Gallup found.

Government workers, many of whom are also unionized, often have more generous benefits packages than private sector workers, and thus they have more to lose if their employers cut benefits.
BRASILIA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Stripping the mandate of Eduardo Cunha, former president of the Chamber of Deputies, could lead to a period of instability for the government of Brazilian President Michel Temer, some local analysts said.

Cunha played an important role in the impeachment of former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. He was overwhelmingly voted out of his parliament seat late Monday amid accusations that he lied about holding foreign bank accounts.

Last year, Swiss authorities uncovered a number of accounts in Cunha's name and informed the Brazilian authorities. Months before, Cunha had said in a congressional inquiry that he did not have any money abroad.

Cunha is also accused of taking millions of U.S. dollars in bribes to favor specific companies in public biddings of state-controlled oil giant Petrobras. He was mentioned in the testimonies of several accused in the Petrobras corruption scandal as one of the politicians who took the most bribes.

He was suspended from his post by the Supreme Court in May and Monday's vote to remove him from the legislature means he has lost immunity from prosecution and his arrest is seen as being highly likely.

Local analysts believe that Cunha's removal rids Temer of a dangerous and unpredictable ally, but his political influence will remain given his trove of information about other lawmakers in connection with the so-called Car Wash operation, the anti-corruption probe centering around Petrobras.

In June, Supreme Court Justice Teori Zavascki said there was concrete evidence that Cunha had received illicit funds.

The Eurasia Group, the world's largest political risk consultancy, said the possibility that Cunha could denounce others will make certain politicians nervous.

"The fear among party leaders is that Cunha could implicate ministers of the Temer government, including the president himself, in a desperate effort to reduce his sentence," Eurasia wrote in a report on Tuesday.

Another consultancy, LCA, wrote that Cunha could be motivated to take a plea deal, in order to save his wife and daughter, who are also accused of receiving illegal funds.

After Monday's vote, Cunha said he was innocent and would not denounce others. However, he said he would write a book revealing everything related to Rousseff's impeachment process.

"I will reveal, obviously, all that happened during the impeachment, conversations with all those who spoke with me about the impeachment. These will be public facts," he told the press.

The announcement was seen as a thinly veiled threat by centrist lawmakers whose parties have spearheaded the impeachment campaign against Rousseff.

In the coming days, it is expected that the Federal Police and Judge Sergio Moro who leads the Petrobras investigation will make a decision as to how they will proceed now that Cunha no longer has immunity.

Asked if he feared Moro, Cunha defiantly replied that he "only fears God."
By Matt Goss

MELBOURNE, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) is fully committed to its expansion into Asia, a leading bank executive said.

Despite reports in January that the end of former CEO Mike Smith's tenure would halt the bank's ambitious expansion into Asia, Huang Xiaoguang, CEO of ANZ in China, said the bank clearly recognized the potential of the Asian market.

Huang said that new ANZ CEO, Shayne Elliott, listed the Chinese mainland as one of ANZ's five full service markets alongside Australia, New Zealand, China's Hong Kong and Singapore.

"China has been listed to be a full service market under ANZ's new institutional strategy so I think senior management certainly recognize the importance of China otherwise we couldn't be a full service market," Huang told Xinhua.

A full service bank is one that accepts demand deposits, provides loans and offers other services for the public.

Huang said ANZ's involvement in China at the moment was focused on assisting businesses looking to expand into the Asia Pacific region.

"We are helping Chinese companies go into Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand," he said. "We focus on Chinese companies with an Asian ambition where we have a network so we can win if we target the right clients."

"On the other hand we are helping Australian and New Zealand companies invest in China and also we are helping North American and European companies who are ANZ clients over there come into China."

Huang said facilitating trade between Australia and China was so appealing for ANZ because the two economies are well suited to complement one another.

"I feel we can work together a lot because China is still a developing country and Australia is a developed country," he said.

"From a market point of view, I think what China needs Australia can offer and what Australia needs China can offer."

Elliott in February said he was inclined to abandon Smith's plan to derive 25 to 30 percent of ANZ's 2017 earnings from Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas and would focus on making the best possible profit for the bank rather than aiming for specific targets.

"In hindsight we should have done it differently. But that's life," Elliott told a Fairfax Media publication in February.

"Earning from Asia may be 35 percent or 15 percent - I don't care, so long as the objective is driving value.

"Driving value is not, for the foreseeable future, about expanding and doing more (in Asia) but about refining what we already have. That, inevitably, means slimming down. It may be that the Asia business ends up a little bit smaller."

ANZ announced a 2-billion-U.S. dollar profit for the first half of the financial year in May, down 22 percent on the 2.65 billion U.S. dollar reported at the same time in 2015.
TOKYO, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is to visit Cuba next week, the Japanese government said Wednesday.

The visit follows his trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly meeting, according to the Japanese government.

During the visit, Abe will meet Cuban President Raul Castro in a bid to "further deepen bilateral ties," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida visited Havana in May last year, as the first Japanese foreign minister to make such a trip.

According to Japan's foreign ministry, annual trade between the two countries stood at 6.68 billion yen (64.9 million U.S. dollars) in 2015, with Japanese exports to Cuba accounting for about two thirds.
KINGSTON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Jamaica's official consultative body, the Economic Growth Council (EGC), on Tuesday unveiled an eight-point initiative designed to facilitate growth in the Caribbean country.

The initiative, presented to the government on Monday, will bring positive changes to thousands of businesses and millions of Jamaicans, according to a release by the council.

Measures proposed include debt reduction, improvement of social security, easier access to finance resources, and reform of government agencies, among others.

The EGC said the inspiration of these policy proposals came from more than 80 meetings held with stakeholders from various sectors over the past four months.

The Jamaican government set up the EGC in April, tasked it with the mission to outline a growth initiative for the country. And if the proposed plan is adopted by the government, the council will also monitor the implementation of these initiatives and report on progress.

While making public the eight-point growth initiatives, Adam Stewart, a member of the 12-seat EGC, told local media that the recommendations made by the council are not exhaustive and cannot solve all of Jamaica's problems.

"However, they represent a critical and important subset of what needs to be done to achieve economic growth," he added.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Tuesday he is probing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's foundation over its allegedly questionable donations.

According to reports, the New York billionaire donated 25,000 dollars to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's campaign in 2013, as her office was considering whether to open an investigation into fraud allegations against Trump University. Bondi's office did not open an investigation afterwards.

"We have been concerned that the Trump Foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view," Schneiderman told CNN's "The Lead" program, calling himself a "regulator of nonprofits in New York state."

"We have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York," he said.

Yahoo News reported last week that the Trump charity donated 100,000 dollars to a conservative group that was suing Schneiderman as he was probing Trump University.

In a Tuesday campaign rally, President Barack Obama, speaking on behalf of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, made a mockery of the Trump Foundation, highlighting reports that Trump used foundation money to buy a 6-foot (about 183 cm) portrait of himself.

Also on Tuesday, Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee wrote a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynchare, seeking a Justice Department investigation of the Trump Foundation over its donation to Florida's attorney general.

"These payments may have influenced Mrs. Bondi's official decision not to participate in litigation against Mr. Trump," the letter said, citing anti-bribery laws in their request.

The Trump campaign has repeatedly declined to provide evidence to show that Trump has donated as much to charity as he claims.

Defending his running mate, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence said Monday that Trump has donated millions of dollars to charity.

"Anyone who knows anything about Donald Trump and his career knows that this is a man who's given away tens of millions of dollars to charitable causes throughout the course of his business life -- he's been incredibly generous," Pence said, though offering no evidence.
HANOI, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Search and rescue forces of Vietnam's central Quang Nam province on Wednesday are making efforts to look for two missing people after a hydropower dam broke on Tuesday.

The dam at Song Bung 2 hydroelectric plant in Quang Nam's Nam Giang district broke on Tuesday afternoon due to prolonged torrential rain, which swept away two workers working at the site.

Construction of the hydropower plant started in late 2012. The plant has a total capacity of 100 MW and is expected to start power transmission later this year.

In a related move, on Wednesday, flood also swept away a 10-year-old student in Vietnam's central Quang Binh province, some 400 km south of capital Hanoi.

After one hour of searching, the victim's body was found 50 meters away from the accident location, reported Vietnam's state-run news agency VNA.

Tropical depression triggered heavy rain in Vietnam's central localities over the past few days.
SYDNEY, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Australian share market has edged into a positive territory for the first time this week all thanks to a lift in bank stocks.

At the close on Wednesday, the S&P ASX200 index was up 19.9 points, or 0.38 per cent, at 5,227.7 points and the All Ordinaries was up 16.6 points, or 0.31 per cent, at 5,326.6 points.

CMC Markets chief market analyst Ric Spooner told Xinhua investors were beginning to show interest within the Australian market by buying into it.

"We saw a bit of buying into the four major banks (stocks) and Telstra today (Wednesday)," Spooner said.

At the close, ANZ was up 0.62 percent, the National Australia Bank rose 0.57 percent, Westpac jumped 1.46 percent, while the Commonwealth Bank of Australia climbed 0.95 percent.

BHP Billiton lost 1.00 percent, rival Rio Tinto retreated 1.33 percent while gold miner Newcrest fell 0.60 percent.

Oil Search sank 0.93 percent, Santos tumbled 5.38 percent while Woodside Petroleum slipped 0.73 percent.

Wesfarmers increased 1.19 percent while rival Woolworths gained 0.36 percent.

Qantas rallied 0.30 percent while telecommunication giant Telstra was 2.63 percent higher at Wednesday's close.
WELLINGTON, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Latvian man who tried to smuggle methamphetamine hidden in baby carriers and tie boxes into New Zealand was jailed for six years on Wednesday.

Arturs Stasevskis, 20, had been convicted of importing and possessing methamphetamine, said the New Zealand Customs service.

Stasevskis arrived in New Zealand from Dubai on March 12 and was stopped by Customs at Auckland International Airport, said a statement from Customs.

During a search of his luggage, officers located 1.1 kilograms of methamphetamine, with a potential street value of 1.1 million NZ dollars (801,130 U.S. dollars), hidden in tie boxes and seven baby carriers.

Investigations established Stasevskis had been given the baby carriers and tie boxes along with baby clothing and shoes in Riga, Latvia, after he agreed to smuggle the drug into New Zealand, where it would be collected and he would be paid.

Customs investigations manager Maurice O'Brien said the case was a classic example of an offender who got greedy and acted as a drug courier.

"Customs has many different ways to identify these high risk passengers and stop them at the border," O'Brien said in the statement.
NEW DELHI, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- India has taken up the cause of a British couple whose surrogate daughter was born in this country but now they may have to leave her in an orphanage in Mumbai as they haven't managed to get a UK passport for her.

Chris and Michele Newman, currently in India on a medical visa, are among the last few couples to have a surrogate baby in India, before the government banned commercial surrogacy last month.

But they have been told by Indian authorities that they have to get their baby's travel documents ready by Oct. 7, if they want to travel back to Britain. However, the British Consulate in Mumbai has told them that getting a passport for their three-month-old daughter may not be possible.

Now, in a series of tweets, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has questioned the British government and also took a jibe at those who have criticized the Indian government's move of banning commericial surrogacy.

"Should orphanage be the destiny of a surrogate baby? Commercial surrogacy is banned in Britain. Will British Government give a British passport to this surrogate Baby? Will the advocates of commercial surrogacy suggest a solution and help this Baby?" she tweeted Tuesday night.

The British couple from Surrey had also written a petition on change.org, an online platform, that "We can't believe that we could be forced to do the unthinkable and leave our baby in India!"
Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, answers questions at a regular press conference in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, has said that any "Taiwan independence" activities will be firmly opposed.

Any attempts by "Taiwan independence" secessionists to use the UN to challenge the one-China policy, which is supported by the international community, will not succeed, said Ma on Wednesday.

Ma made the remarks when responding to some political forces in Taiwan inciting the island's application for UN membership.

Ma reiterated that the UN is an international organization composed of sovereign states and adheres to the one-China policy. Taiwan is part of China.

Ma warned "Taiwan independence" secessionists to draw the lessons from former Taiwan leaders Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian, who manipulated attempt for Taiwan's UN membership, but failed.

Related:

Suspension of communication mechanism affects cross-Strait agreements
HANOI, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam shipped abroad nearly 4.4 billion U.S. dollars worth of timber and wood products in the first eight months of 2016, a decline of 0.6 percent from a year earlier, said the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (VIFORES) on Wednesday.

Timber and wood products exports to China and Norway fell by 40 percent each while shipments to South Africa, Finland and India also saw sharp decreases.

Rises were seen in exports to some markets such as Cambodia, Mexico and Portugal.

VIFORES said the United States is currently the biggest importer of Vietnam's timber and wood products, purchasing 39.5 percent of total shipments.

It is followed by Japan (with 14.6 percent), China (14 percent), and the Republic of Korea (8.6 percent), respectively.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam achieved total export value of wooden products of 7.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2015, up 8 percent year-on-year.

Wooden chairs, bedroom, outdoor and office furniture are the four key export categories.

Vietnam is the world's fourth largest wood producer, after China, Germany and Italy.
LHASA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Attendees of the first international forum on traditional Tibetan medicine gathered in Lhasa, Tibet, Tuesday to share ideas and celebrate the 100th anniversary of a Tibetan hospital.

Men-Tsee-Khang, also known as Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute, was founded in 1916. It was formally named Tibet Autonomous Region Hospital of Traditional Tibetan Medicine in 1980.

Tibetan medicine, or Sowa Rigpa in Tibetan, is over 2,000 years old. It has absorbed influences from traditional Chinese, Indian and Arabic medicine.

Similar to traditional Chinese medicine and in sharp contrast to biomedicine, Tibetan medicine, which is mainly practiced in Tibet and the Himalayan region, uses herbs, minerals and sometimes insects and animals to treat afflictions. It is particularly well known for its digestive, cardiovascular, and rheumatoid treatments.

Tibetan medicine can be traced back to its roots in the region's monasteries and, even to this day, many of the most renowned doctors are often high monks. It uses a patient's urine to diagnose ailments, as the color, foam, smell and sediment of urine can help with diagnosis and inform treatment plans.

Stephan Kloos, a researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, said Men-Tsee-Khang had been crucial to the development of Tibetan medicine, as generations of Tibetan medics had passed through its doors.

"Tibetan medicine as we know it today has absorbed medical knowledge from China, India and Persia to create something unique from the sum of its parts," he said.

"Its very strength, resilience and dynamism derive from the centuries of exchanges between practitioners and scholars from diverse backgrounds," he added.

Damdinsuren Natsagdorj, professor at Otoch Manramba University of Mongolia, said that Mongolian and Tibetan practitioners had been studying in each other's countries for more than a thousand years. "There is a very close relationship between traditional Mongolian medicine and Tibetan medicine."

"Many people around the world are studying Tibetan medicine, which means it is prospering," he said.

Tibetan medicine was added to China's intangible cultural heritage list in 2006. The ancient practice has also won the support of the World Health Organization, according to Natsagdorj.

At the Tibetan Medicine Committee's annual conference in August, Harvard University's Janet Gyatso expressed her amazement and optimism about the development of Tibetan medicine.

Vincanne Adams, from UCSF School of Medicine, said the biggest challenge is exposing Western medics to Tibetan medical theory, which is very hard to explain in a Western context.

More should be done to promote Tibetan medicine on the international stage and to attract students to this branch of medicine, she added.

Tawni Tidwell, a PhD candidate at the anthropology department of Emory University, said Tibetan medicine is not only concerned with the body but also the mind, which "is needed in the world [today]."

"Tibetan medicine has treatments for afflictions that western medicine does not understand," he said.

"As more new and complicated diseases emerge that Western medicine cannot treat -- chronic diseases particularly -- Tibetan medicine could take a [leading] role," Kloos said.
JERUSALEM, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Former Israeli President Shimon Peres suffered a stroke on Tuesday night and was admitted to the Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer outside Tel Aviv for urgent treatment, physicians said Wednesday.

Peres was "fighting for his life and treated in the intensive care unit" after sustaining a major stroke, the physicians treating him told reporters on Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning, Yitzhak Kreiss, director of the Tel Hashomer Hospital, told reporters that Peres was in a "serious but stable" condition.

"Mr. Peres has survived the night," Kreiss said, adding that Peres is currently sedated and was put on a respirator.

The doctors had decided not to operate him because he might not sustain the procedure, Kreiss said.

Rafi Walden, Peres' son-in-law and his personal physician, said that the stroke occurred in the right side of Peres' brain.

Peres, 93, one of the last founding fathers of the nation, served as a prime minister and was one of the leaders of the 1994 "Oslo Peace Accords" with the Palestinians.

He served as Israel's president between 2007 and 2014.

Later, he remained active in the public sphere through his activities at the Peres Center for Peace, advocating for coexistence and peace between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East.
BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Wednesday that the suspension of the cross-Strait communication mechanism will affect the negotiation and signing of new agreements.

The communication mechanism featured regular meetings between the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF).

The current leader of Taiwan, who took office on May 20, has refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus that upholds both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China. This has shaken the political foundation of cross-Strait interactions and resulted in the suspension of regular cross-Strait communication, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office.

The suspension will also affect the execution of existing agreements, Ma said in response to a question at a press conference.

"Eight years of peaceful cross-Strait relations has been seriously impacted and people from both sides, especially from Taiwan, are concerned about the future of the cross-Strait relationship," Ma said.

Adherence to the 1992 Consensus and the common political foundation that features the one-China principle is the correct road and in line with common interests across the Strait, he said.

Ma said only by sticking to the 1992 Consensus and the core meaning that both sides belong to one China can the two sides seek common ground while shelving their differences.
TEHRAN, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out at an Iranian petrochemical plant on Wednesday, injuring four people, the official IRNA news agency reported.

The plant, Mobin Petrochemical Plant, is located in the gas-rich region of Assalouyh south of the country.

The Governor's office Head of Crisis Management in the province of Bushehr, Qasem Qaedi, was quoted as saying that the fire erupted at Mobin Petrochemical Plant's pressure control station at 11:00 a.m. local time (0630 GMT).

Firefighters managed to contain the flames and the infrastructure of Iran's South Pars gas field is not at risk, Qaedi said.

Mobin Petrochemical Company supplies accessories, water, power, steam, oxygen, nitrogen and condensed air to other petrochemical plants in the South Pars gas field.

Furthermore, the company treats industrial waste-water in the gas-rich region.

During the past month, several similar incidents were reported at Iran's petrochemical plants. Officials have not ruled out the possibility of sabotage.
WINDHOEK, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The proposed Education Act for Namibia, if enacted, will bring in sweeping changes among them innovation, diversity and providing reasonable access to public health.

An issue paper titled Towards a New Education Act for Namibia was compiled by the education ministry with the help of the European Union and the United Nations International Children's Educational Fund.

If adopted by parliament, this proposed Act will replace the current Education Act of 2001 as well as align Namibia's educational goals with Vision 2030 and the national developments plans.

According to the issue paper that was presented to a parliamentary standing committee Tuesday, the Education Act of 2001, has caused high repetition rates in Grades 1 to 8; yielded poor results at secondary level and poor access to vocational training colleges.

The issue paper also says the current Act is responsible for the general mismatch between supply and demand in respect of skilled labour.

Once enacted, the proposed Act will improve efficiency and effectiveness throughout the education sector and enhance the teaching and learning environments.

It is also expected to inspire meaningful participation of learners, parents, caregivers and the communities, while promoting teacher development.

One of the recommendations made is that pupils will be taught in the language of their choice as determined by the school boards across the country in order to develop a democratic culture of respect for the country's diverse languages.

"No learner at a public or private school that receives a government subsidy shall be punished for expressing himself or herself in a language that is not a language of learning at the school concerned," the issue papers says.

Another recommendation is that fees charged by the private schools will be subject to government regulation, while the state will also subsidize the fees as well as compel that no private school will deny access to children because of race, place of birth and religion.

The issue paper also suggests that early childhood education should be made compulsory and that no child must be denied access to primary school because they lack pre-primary exposure.

On religion in schools, the issue papers says that although the Namibian Constitution upholds freedom of religion, parents can ask the board so that their children can be taught a certain religion.

The proposed Act will incorporate health services to support the school communities in creating safe and secure environment for both teaching and learning.

"A safe and healthy school environment is a precondition not only for promoting and ensuring learners' safety and health but also for achieving the goals of education for all," the issue papers says.

Although adult education has posted successes, the issue paper recommends the establishment of a National Council on Adult Learning to spearhead this as a lifelong development.

The team that drafted this proposed bill say that the education ministry should study it and come up with consensus on what should be included and what should be left out.
SUVA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- A stranded local fishing vessel has been rescued by the Fiji Navy, and all 14 crew on board are safe, the government-owned Fiji Broadcasting Corporation confirmed Wednesday.

Navy Commander John Fox said the rescue operation was conducted early Tuesday by navy sailors and divers after receiving a distress call from police just after 3 a.m.

It is believed that the grounding of the fishing vessel was due to a navigational error but details of the reason why it ran aground is still being investigated, Fox added.

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces, which is yet to have an air force, comprises around 3,500 people, including around 500 service personnel from the navy and some 3,000 from the land force.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Sept. 14, 2016. India and Afghanistan Wednesday inked three pacts, including an extradition treaty, after visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on a wide range of issues of mutual interest. (Xinhua/Partha Sarkar)

NEW DELHI, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- India and Afghanistan Wednesday inked three pacts, including an extradition treaty, after visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.

"One more step in closer ties. Exchange of agreements on MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty), Extradition & peaceful uses of outer space follows talks," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

A joint statement said that Modi and President Ghani expressed concern at the continued use of terrorism and violence in region for achieving political objectives. "The PM reiterated India's support for unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful,stable and prosperous Afghanistan," it said.

Modi has also offered that, as a close neighbour and friend of Afghanistan and its people, India would allocate a sum of one billion U.S. dollars. "The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy," it said.

The Afghan president arrived in the Indian capital, his second visit to this country, in the morning and was received by President Pranab Mukherjee and Modi.

President Ghani is said to have come to India with a shopping list for arms and ammunition to equip the Afghan police and armed forces. India, which has been providing monetary aid to Kabul, had given four Russian-made Mi-25 attack helicopters to the war-torn country last year.
by Grandesso Federico

VENICE, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Beauty is a gift but it is also like a "horse", you have to deal with that because it provokes curiosity but also violence, said Italian actress Monica Bellucci during the Venice Film Festival 2016.

"I liked this love story between two people who went through so many hardships in life," Bellucci told Xinhua in a recent interview on her movie On The Milky Road presented in competition at the film festival.

"They have seen everything and there is nothing less to lose for them but still there is something magic," said Bellucci.

The movie On The Milky Road depicts a story that stretches across war, blossoming love and living as a recluse.

Bellucci starred in James Bond movie "Spectre" at the age of 51, becoming the oldest actress playing the Bond Girl. She will also be in the cast, together with Naomi Watts and Jennifer Jason Lee, of the third season of the TV series "Twin Peaks" by David Lynch.

For Bellucci, working with Emir Kusturica, who is the director of On The Milky Road, was very interesting but also extremely challenging, because the script is just the base then there is so much improvisation and unplanned things happening during the shooting.

In life, Bellucci prefers a pasta dish more than a gym session. However, "but with him (the director) you have to forget all that, sometimes I had to jump in the cold water or do crazy things. I didn't take big risks but sometimes on set you have the courage to do something that in real life you would never do because when you work in a movie you are beyond reality," she explained.

With Emir, Bellucci said, there is always a duality between reality and fantasy but even if it is a big movie with a lot of different situations, it remains very artistic and intimate.

There are moments of journey, adventure, death, violence but there are also periods of silence with just two people looking and talking to each other. Those are beautiful minutes of love, even if we are in the middle of the war, love is the most important element.

Asked about the construction of the film, the Italian actress said "the structure of his films remains the same with tragic, fantasy and comic moments; after that it is amazing how he can be sexy and so strong. I think this is a movie of hope but also, despite the war, it can be seen as a film of life."

Bellucci then explained that Emir Kusturica has such an energy that you follow him with his incredible strength.

"He has always new ideas going so fast out of his mind so you have to be ready to change things, sometimes even in Serb, which was not my language, I had unexpectedly to learn new sentences," said Bellucci.

According to Bellucci, the Serbian director has a natural power and authority that's why people follow him like a commander, he has a natural aura and fantasy bringing out an idea every five minutes. In the middle of all that, there is an interesting moment where he acts like a kid.

The Italian actress was never bored with Kusturica. "This is what I'm looking for now when choosing a role," she stressed.

About shooting in Serbia, Bellucci said that "when I was there I learned so many terrible stories but from outside it is difficult to make a judgment about this land because it's a very complex ethnic mix. The beauty is there but with so much suffering and when you go there you feel many 'energies' getting a part of you."
Photo taken on Sept. 14, 2016 shows the press conference about the Tiangong-2 space lab in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province. China will launch the Tiangong-2 space lab from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi Desert at 10:04 p.m. on Sept. 15. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua)

JIUQUAN, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China will launch the Tiangong-2 space lab from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi Desert at 10:04 p.m. on Thursday.

Engineers have begun injecting propellant into the the Long March-2F T2 rocket which will carry Tiangong-2 into space, Wu Ping, deputy director of the manned space engineering office, told the press on Wednesday afternoon.

Once in space, Tiangong-2 will maneuver itself into an orbit about 380 kilometers above the Earth for initial tests. It will then transfer to a slightly higher orbit about 393 kilometers above the Earth when Shenzhou-11will ferry two astronauts to the lab.

The astronauts will remain in Tiangong-2 for 30 days, she said.

In April 2017, China's first cargo spaceship Tianzhou-1, which literally means "heavenly vessel," will dock with Tiangong-2 and provide it with fuel and supplies.

Experiments related to medicine, physics and biology, such as quantum key transmission, space atomic clocks and solar storm research, will be carried out in the lab, she said.

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BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tesla have been involved in several accidents around the world, some of which are fatal. These accidents call the safety of Tesla, especially its automatic driving features into question.

The following is the accidents caused by Tesla autopilot technology worldwide in 2016.

On Sept. 7, a Tesla car slammed into a tree at high speed in Netherlands. But the automaker stressed that the car was not in autopilot mode.

On Aug. 10, Tesla said that one of its cars had crashed in Beijing while in autopilot mode. However, the company emphasized that it was the driver's responsibility to maintain control of the vehicle.

In July, a Tesla Model X swerved off a road and hit a post in Montana when it was in autopilot mode. The driver and passengers were not hurt.

On May 7, a Tesla driver was killed in a collision with a truck when using the autopilot technology in Florida. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the incident.

On Jan. 20, a Tesla car crashed into a sanitation vehicle on 2016 in Hebei Province in north China, killing a 23-year-old driver.

The family of the driver put the blame on Tesla's "Autopilot" technology and have taken legal action against the well-known electric automaker.
BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's central bank saw its yuan funds used for foreign exchange fall 191.9 billion yuan (28.8 billion U.S. dollars) to 23.2 trillion yuan in August, official data showed Wednesday.

The drop, more than the 190.5 billion-yuan fall in July and the 97.7 billion yuan in June, was the 10th consecutive monthly decline.

As the Chinese currency is not freely convertible under the capital account, the central bank has to purchase foreign currency generated by China's trade surplus and foreign investment in the country, adding funds to the money market.

Such funds are an important indicator of foreign capital flows in and out of China, as well as domestic yuan liquidity.

Concerns about capital outflows have been on the rise due to stronger market expectations for a U.S. rate hike, putting the Chinese currency under pressure.

The yuan weakened by 1.06 percent against a basket of currencies in August, according to data from the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.
MADRID, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- A man had been arrested for "intense activity in online distribution of jihadist ideology," above all related to the Islamic State (IS), the Spanish Interior Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.

The arrest of the Moroccan national took place in the town of Manresa, north of Barcelona and, according to the ministry, the detention means the end of a platform which was "strongly active in spreading the jihad message."

The ministry confirmed the man arrested used several online platforms to "develop a constant and growing work of spreading doctrinal images and also of a strategy of radicalization common in terrorist jihadist groups."

The official communique added the man had displayed an "unstable and violent character" in recent months, "in line with an increase of his commitment to the jihad."

He had also maintained contacts with someone who had returned from the conflict in Syria and Iraq over social networks to "ask for advice and support for his activities."
BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center (NMEFC) upgraded its warning for ocean waves triggered by Typhoon Meranti to "red" on Wednesday, the highest alert on a four-color warning system.

Gales and waves up to 12-meters high have been observed off the eastern coast of Taiwan, as the 14th typhoon this year moves westward and is expected to hit the coast of Fujian, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces on Wednesday and Thursday.

The typhoon is expected to make landfall in Fujian and Guangdong on Thursday and the State Oceanic Administration has initiated a class-II emergency response, the second highest level.

Ships have been ordered to return to harbor and residents to stay indoors, according to the NMEFC. It also been advised that dams should be reinforced.

Li Mei, a meteorologist in eastern China's Fujian, said that Meranti is among the strongest typhoon to hit China in recent years.

Schools and kindergartens in coastal cities of Fuzhou, Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Quanzhou and Putian were closed Wednesday.

"The typhoon will bring gales and heavy rains when it makes landfall," Li said. "Parents are advised to keep the children indoors and stay away from unsafe houses and advertising boards."

Passenger liners on eight routes between Fujian and Taiwan were canceled on Wednesday, as were at least 175 flights in and out of Fujian.

According to Chen Jianping, an official with Guangzhou Railway Group, services of many passenger trains have been stopped. Passengers can have their tickets refunded at railway stations.

More than 4,000 workers are patrolling railways to monitor potential risks, Chen said.

Under China's four-tier severe weather warning system, red is the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
SHANGHAI, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Er Dongqiang, 57, has travelled to over 150 cities along the Silk Road in the past 16 years, taking more than 100,000 photos.

His collection of photographs and reprinted pictures from historical books on the Maritime Silk Road are now on display in Shanghai until October 7.

"The Muztag Ata under the moonlight, described by the Swedish explorer Sven Hedin a century ago in his book 'History of the Expedition in Asia' is so magnificent and beautiful. It was my first impression of the Silk Road as a child," Er said.

EXPEDITION ON THE SILK ROAD

Inspired by what Hedin wrote, Er started his expedition in 2000, revisiting the road that explorers Ferdinand von Richthofen, Marc Stein and Sven Hedin trailed a century ago, collecting evidence of east meets west cultural exchange and folk literature along the Silk Road.

"My adventure is different. I collected historical evidence to look for the past and took photos to capture the present. I want to draw a contrast between the past and present," Er said.

The former press photographer said that Richthofen's trip was partly a colonialist action, providing information of geographical conditions and natural resources for the chamber of commerce in Shanghai. However, it was in his book "China" in 1877 that the German explorer first used the term Silk Road.

Paying tribute to Richthofen, Er took on a special trip in 2013. Starting in Shanghai, he drove through Eurasia and stopped in many Silk Road cities, including Xi'an, Sochi, Athens and Rome, finally arriving in Hamburg 56 days later.

Richthofen's book "China" is the most treasured in Er's collection. He happened to find the 1912 Berlin version in an old bookstore in Rothenburg on his 2013 trip.

Also on display are reprinted pictures from other historical books, which show trade and communication among China, Japan and Indonesia along the Maritime Silk Road.

"On the Java Islands, I saw where traces of Chinese culture had spread. In Uzbekistan, the guide took me to an underground gas pipe that linked to eastern China's Shanghai. I immediately took a picture as I consider it as a living Silk Road," Er said.

INSPIRATION AND FUTURE WISHES

Sven Hedin once wrote: "The sun goes down, and the purple evening twilight hides behind the Muztag Ata. The moon appears in the south of the snow-capped mountain. I walked outside the tent into the night, charmed by the most spectacular scene I've ever seen in Asia."

Inspired by Sven's description of the lonely scene on the ancient trade route, Er said his adventure along the Silk Road remains a way to continue dialogue between different cultures.

"I revisited the historical sites where Stein once left his footprint. I took photos of each site, so as to record the changes in them over the past century as well as collect visual documents for the future."

Er has not fully realized his dream. So far, he has only covered Silk Road routes in Asia and parts of Europe. In the future, he wants to trace the ancient routes around the world.
OUAGADOUGOU, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Burkina Faso's Environment, Green Economy and Climate Change ministry has reiterated the government's commitment to preserve the Ozone layer.

The announcement was made on Tuesday in the run up to celebrations to mark the World Ozone Day which will be held on Sept. 16, 2016.

The statement said Burkina Faso will mark the day with awareness activities during which the government will urge every citizen to commit to proper waste management to preserve the Ozone layer and the climate.

It added that Burkina Faso was firmly committed to taking necessary actions to reduce the impact of human activities on the Ozone layer, besides controlling the greenhouse gas emissions which have contributed to the warming of the planet.

Burkina Faso's environment ministry equally noted that the government understood the negative consequences of climate change such as floods, droughts, loss of crop harvests as well as livestock and fluctuations in the climatic conditions.

The ministry further reiterated its active participation in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement whose ratification is ongoing.
Wu Ping, deputy director of China's manned space engineering office, speaks during a press conference about the Tiangong-2 space lab in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province, Sept. 14, 2016. China will launch the Tiangong-2 space lab from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi Desert at 10:04 p.m. on Sept. 15. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua)

JIUQUAN, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Long March-2F carrier rocket, which will be used to carry China's second space lab, Tiangong-2, is reliable and has been launched 11 times, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

Wu Ping, deputy director of the manned space engineering office, told reporters that they are confident about the Tiangong-2 mission, which will launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert at 10:04 p.m. Thursday.

Long March-2F carrier rockets have been launched 11 times and all missions have been successful, said Wu, who added that since 2000, there have been 1,200 space launches worldwide, and their success rate has been around 94.3 percent.

Wu said all of China's space products were designed and made under a strict quality control system, adding that designers and engineers strengthened their quality awareness and studied the risks to make sure the launch is absolutely safe and the vehicles have no hidden dangers.

The mission command center convened an on-site meeting to study the quality of the Tiangong-2 mission and make arrangements for quality assurance work after the launch, said Wu.
BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly and pay official visits to Canada and Cuba.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Wednesday that Li's trip will last from Sept. 18 to 28.

Li was invited by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Raul Castro Ruz, Hua said.

According to Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong, the premier will outline China's stance on global governance and international order and its measures to cope with global challenges, while addressing the general debate of the UN General Assembly session.

Li's attendance at the UN General Assembly is one of China's major diplomatic events in the multilateral arena this year and shows China values the UN and multilateralism, Li Baodong added.

Li will also hold talks with state leaders of other countries during his stay in New York.

"China hopes to take the premier's UN tour as an opportunity to strengthen communication with other sides and underline the basic norms of international relations. The international community should jointly establish a new international order with cooperation and reciprocity at its core," Li Baodong told a press conference Wednesday.

As for the premier's visit to Canada, the first by a Chinese premier in 13 years, Li Baodong said it shows the importance China attaches to the development of bilateral relations with Canada and it will inject strong impetus for future development.

Cuba, the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to have diplomatic ties with China, is the last stop on Li's visit. It will be the first visit by a Chinese premier since the two countries established diplomatic ties 56 years ago.

Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao said Li will discuss with Raul Castro Ruz how to strengthen China-Cuba friendship and cooperation. The two sides will also sign cooperation documents in areas such as the economy, technology, new energy, industry and environmental protection.
Students from the University of California, Berkeley, show their self-designed solar-powered car at the Solar Power International (SPI) 2016 exhibition in Las Vegas, the United States, Sept. 13, 2016. The Solar Power International (SPI) 2016 exhibition kicked off at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday with thousands of solar professionals rolling into the city. The event -- the largest of its kind in North America -- has so far attracted 16,000 visitors and around 600 exhibitors and is co-sponsored by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA). (Xinhua/Zhang Chaoqun)

by Zhang Chaoqun

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Solar Power International (SPI) 2016 exhibition kicked off at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday with thousands of solar professionals rolling into the city.

The event -- the largest of its kind in North America -- has so far attracted 16,000 visitors and around 600 exhibitors and is co-sponsored by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA).

"With one million installations and less than 1 percent of U.S. energy supply, solar is just starting to hit its adolescence," said K. Kaufman, communications manager of the SEPA.

"What most people think is that solar and wind and renewables in general cannot take the place of fossil fuels because they are intermittent. But the industry is now clearly focused on finding ways to solve that problem, combining storage and other technologies to make solar what in the industry is called 'dispatchable,'" he said.

Chinese carmaker BYD -- the world's largest electronic vehicle manufacturer and renewable energy focused company -- exhibited its latest solar panel and energy storage system at the show.

"I think we have seen a complete transformation of the market. Solar panel cost has come way down, making it available to middle class, to lower middle class customers. So solar is spreading across every rooftop. I think it is true that former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said one time that every rooftop without solar is a waste of space. That's what we are proving today," Micheal Austin, Vice President of BYD America, told Xinhua.

"We are looking at the renewable energy generation. Today we are showing all of our solar technologies. We have made investments to manufacture about 1 Giga watt annual capacity of solar," Austin said.

BYD today also expanded its electric vehicle manufacturing plant in the U.S. city of Lancaster, southern California, increasing size of the facility, employment and production capability by three times over the next three years.

From solar panel, battery storage for grid to electric cars, BYD has been building a carbon free eco-system.

The U.S. solar industry now employs 209,000 American workers, according to the SEIA.

"In Las Vegas, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has installed one of the largest rooftop solar arrays in the United States and will offset 25 percent of its peak usage," said Julia Hamm, President and CEO of the SEPA.

"For the solar industry, opportunities exist at every turn. The message this year is that SPI isn't only about solar. The industry is now an integral part of the energy sector transformation toward more distributed resources and a distributed grid, and the range of companies and speakers headed for Las Vegas reflect that growth," she said.

There is also a notable trend in solar industry that focuses on more householders' pursuit for net-zero smart homes.

"There's a sense that consumers want guilt free energy, and in California that attitude is growing. People want to charge their car, access cheap and secure energy and have control over it," said Steven Malnight, senior vice president of regulatory affairs at Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

He said, "Solar may not be the iPhone, but it can enable customers to do more without having an environmental impact and do it guilt-free."

Private infrastructure investment in solar energy during 2015 grew to 9.4 billion U.S. dollars, 72 percent higher than the average of the previous five years, according to a World Bank report released earlier this year.

SPI ends Friday.
PARIS, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- French financial prosecutor on Wednesday sought a three-year jail sentence for ex-budget minister Jerome Cahuzaac over charges of tax fraud and money laundering.

The prosecutor also recommended a five-year ban from seeking elected office, news channel BFMTV reported.

In March 2013, Cahuzac, known as the toughest budget-watcher in the Socialist Party, was forced to resign from his ministerial post and later confirmed allegations of holding a secret 600,000-euro (about 672,000 U.S. dollars) foreign bank account.

The Cahuzac scandal sparked after a media report he had moved his undeclared account in Geneva to Singapore in 2010.

As the Socialist government's ex-budget minister, Cahuzac was responsible for the cracking down on tax evasion, and also the key supervisor for the new tax policies on riches proposed by President Francois Hollande. (1 euro = 1.12 U.S. dollars)
Photo taken on Sept. 14, 2016 shows the press conference about the Tiangong-2 space lab in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province. China will launch the Tiangong-2 space lab from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi Desert at 10:04 p.m. on Sept. 15. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua)

JIUQUAN, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China will launch its Tiangong-2 space lab from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi desert at 10:04 p.m. on Thursday as part of an increasingly ambitious space program that aims for a manned space station by around 2022.

Engineers have begun injecting propellant into the the Long March-2F T2 rocket, which will carry Tiangong-2 into space, said Wu Ping, deputy director of the manned space engineering office, on Wednesday afternoon.

"All systems are ready for lift-off," she said.

"The launch of Tiangong-2 will lay a solid foundation for the building and operation of a permanent space station in the future," she said.

Once in space, the 8.6-tonne Tiangong-2 will maneuver itself into an orbit about 380 kilometers above the Earth for initial on-orbit tests.

It will transfer to a slightly higher orbit at about 393 kilometers above the Earth's surface before the Shenzhou-11 manned spaceship ferries two astronauts into space to dock with the lab.

The two astronauts will work in Tiangong-2 for 30 days, before reentering the Earth's atmosphere.

In April 2017, China's first cargo ship, Tianzhou-1, will also be sent into orbit to dock with Tiangong-2 and provide it with fuel and other supplies.

Wu said experts will verify and evaluate key technology involved in on-orbit propellant resupply and equipment repairs as well as that related to long-term stays in space by astronauts.

They will also use the lab, which is designed to operate for at least two years, to conduct space science experiments on a relatively large scale compared to China's previous efforts.

Measuring 10.4 meters in length and 3.35 meters in maximum diameter, the Tiangong-2 is much like its predecessor Tiangong-1, which was launched in 2011, but its living quarters and life support facilities have been improved to allow for longer stays by astronauts.

Originally built as a backup for Tiangong-1, it can enable two astronauts to live in space for up to 30 days and is capable of receiving manned and cargo spaceships.

Once inside Tiangong-2, the two astronauts will carry out key experiments related to aerospace medicine, space physics and biology as well as on-orbit equipment repairs in areas such as quantum key transmission, space atomic clock and solar storm research.

More than 40 space science and application experiments will be conducted aboard Tiangong-2.

Its payload includes POLAR, a collaboration between Swiss, Polish and Chinese institutions to study gamma ray bursts.

The space cold atomic clock, which scientists say only loses one second about every 30 million years, is expected to make future mobile navigation more accurate.

Also piggybacking on the Tiangong-2 launch will be a micro satellite that will orbit close to the space lab.

Earlier reports said Tiangong-2 will also carry three experiments designed by the winners of a Hong Kong middle school design contest.

According to Wu, Tiangong-2 is China's first space lab "in the strict sense."

Its predecessor, Tiangong-1, which docked with Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 spacecraft and undertook a series of experiments, was mainly tasked with verifying technology involved in space docking and serving as a platform for a limited number of scientific experiments, Wu said.

Tiangong-1 ended its data service earlier this year.

The manned space engineering office said in March that the orbit of Tiangong-1 will descend gradually over several months until the orbiter eventually burns up in the atmosphere.
MOSCOW, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Russia will hold new strategic military drills in the western part of the country in 2017, said a Russian general here on Wednesday.

"We conduct strategic command and military exercises annually. The next one, codenamed Zapad 2017 (West-2017) will take place in the western part of the country," Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, told local press.

The main goal of the drills is to rehearse operations to maintain security on specific strategic tracks, Gerasimov said.

The latest drills, codenamed Kavkaz-2016 (Caucasus 2016), were held in the country's Southern Military District on Sept. 5-10. A total of 12,500 troops, warplanes, combat vehicles and ships from the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla were involved.

During the drills Russia tested new types of weapons and other military equipment.

Previous exercises had shown that the Black Sea Fleet was capable of repelling any possible enemy attack against Crimea, Gerasimov said.

Crimea was incorporated into Russia in 2014 following a referendum, which was recognized by Moscow but rejected by Kiev.

The fleet could destroy potential enemy forces as early as embarkation, he said.

Its reconnaissance capability could locate targets at a distance of 500 km, while the coastal missile systems Bastion could destroy targets at a distance of 350 km.

In addition to missile ships, the fleet had submarines, strategic and naval aviation carrying cruise missiles, he said.
BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China has decided to put more administrative services online to improve transparency and efficiency in the government's work, the State Council announced Wednesday.

The government will continue pushing its "Internet Plus" initiative to improve administrative services, cut red tape and reduce costs, according a statement by the State Council executive meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.

Administrative services that can be carried out online, such as business registration and accreditation, should not require on the spot handling, according to the statement.

The government will encourage the integration of government administration with online platforms, to facilitate cross-department and cross-region administrative services, the statement added.

The State Council also urged all its departments to share real-time official data with local governments' online platforms.

There are also plans to build an integrated online administration platform for the public by 2017, and create one-stop nationwide e-government services by 2020.

Meanwhile, China will improve regulations regarding digital identification, such as digital signatures, and increase efforts to guard individual privacy and against the leaking of commercial secrets, the statement added.
BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to Karen Karapetyan on Wednesday for becoming Armenia's prime minister.

Li said he attaches great importance to developing the relationship between China and Armenia and is willing to keep in close contact with Karapetyan to further promote the friendly relationship between the two countries and bring about more benefits to the two peoples.

Li noted that the relationship between the two sides has shown plenty of momentum in recent years, with frequent high-level visits, deepened mutual political understanding and strengthened ties in different fields.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday appointed Karen Karapetyan as the country's new prime minister, according to a government statement.

Prior to his appointment, Karapetyan worked as deputy general director for international projects at Gazprom Energy Holding.

Karapetyan is a member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).
TIRANA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Foreign direct investments (FDI) in Albania marked a decline of 11.6 percent in the first half of 2016 compared with the same period of 2015, according to statistics from Bank of Albania on Wednesday.

Referring to the data, the foreign direct investments to Albania amounted to 418 million euros (about 468 million U.S. dollars) in the first half of the year.

According to Albanian central bank experts, the decline was due to the negative performance of the first quarter, when FDI fell by 40 percent to the level of 157 million euros while in the second quarter, investments improved, increasing to 261 million euros.

The Bank of Albania informed that inflows in the form of direct investments were mainly concentrated in the energy sector (about 60 percent), oil (15 percent), financial inter-mediation (10 percent), construction (4 percent) and the telecommunications sector (2 percent).

While the largest increase was registered in the flow of investments in the energy sector, the bank said.

Local media here cited bank experts saying improvement in the FDI indicators in the second quarter was mainly due to works at the Devoll hydropower plant, one of the biggest energy projects in the country, and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline project, which began placing pipes here in the first half of the year. (1 euro = 1.12 U.S. dollars)
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Argentine counterpart Mauricio Macri who came to Hangzhou to attend the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 3, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- China is Argentina's "preeminent trade and financial partner" nowadays, an Argentine expert on international relations has said.

Mariano Turzi, a professor of international relations and the director of the Asia Department at the University of Torcuato Di Tella in Buenos Aires, made the comment in an editorial with the prestigious daily Clarin on Monday.

"China not only represents a preeminent trade and financial partner, (but also) will increasingly be an international player around which internal political players will position themselves," wrote Turzi.

The two countries have established a comprehensive strategic partnership, with China being Argentina's second largest trading partner and the leading destination for its agricultural exports.

As the political climate in Latin America and China's transformation and opening up evolve, the Asian giant increasingly represents "an economic structure to complement with ours," said Turzi.

"The way we understand China will also be an indication of the way in which we understand the world," he added.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri has underscored the "enormous importance" and "complementarity" of ties with China in an interview with Xinhua before the G20 Summit that was held in Hangzhou, eastern China, early this month.
Drones fly over a wheat field to spray insecticide at the Wenjiazhuang Village in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, May 19, 2015. (Xinhua/Wang Xiao)

SAN JOSE, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Costa Rican government will deploy drones to deliver much needed medicine to indigenous communities in Talamanca and Valle La Estrellas, remote areas of the Caribbean coast.

"This is an innovative pilot project for the institution...allowing us to attend to populations in the country's most marginalized region," the country's Department of Social Security (CCSS) said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the CCSS' coordinator of pharmaceutical services, Esteban Vega, specialized drones will transport 13,200 containers of medicine a month and will take less than 45 minutes to deliver medicine each time.

Deliveries now take between three hours and three days, depending on weather and accessibility conditions.

The types of medicine will be ordered by the health authorities attending to these populations, in order to allow "equal access to medicine between the urban and rural population."

The drones will have to be approved and inspected by the country's civil aviation body.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with visiting Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work with Peru to push for the success of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday.

Li made the remarks when meeting with visiting Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in Beijing.

The 2016 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Peru's capital city Lima in November.

Li applauded the remarkable progress in bilateral ties since China and Peru established diplomatic relations 45 years ago.

China is willing to work with Peru to cement political mutual trust and expand pragmatic cooperation, he said.

Li suggested the two sides give full play to the bilateral free trade agreement and various economic cooperation mechanisms to push forward production capacity cooperation in the areas of mining, energy and infrastructure construction.

He also called on the two countries to push forward a railway project linking the Pacific to the Atlantic and jointly promote trade liberalization and investment facilitation.

Kuczynski said the new Peruvian government is willing to learn from China's development experience and welcomes Chinese enterprises to take part in Peru's infrastructure construction.

He said the railway project linking Peru's Pacific port and Brazil's Atlantic coast is of great significance and he hopes the two sides can conduct a feasibility study.

The project, if completed, will make it easier for exports from Latin America to reach China's northern port city of Tianjin.

Kuczynski said Peru is willing to enhance cooperation with China within the APEC framework to jointly promote trade liberalization.

Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang also met with Kuczynski on Wednesday.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said China has attached great importance to relations with Peru.

He said the NPC is ready to further friendly cooperative ties with the Peruvian Congress and enhance exchanges on state governance and legal system construction.

Kuczynski is paying his first visit to China from Monday to Friday.
Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2016 shows a LED light show along the Qiantang River in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. The 11th G20 summit was held in Hangzhou from Sept. 4 to 5. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

HANGZHOU, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- At a factory belonging to Hangzhou Wahaha Group, the beverage company's self-developed robots are busy loading pallets with products.

Founded in 1987 in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, the firm has invested heavily in technology.

It has been involved in industrial robotic research and development since 2011. The company had 30 robots on its factory floors by the end of 2015, and another 100 will be installed this year.

"From receiving orders, to quality control and payment, so many procedures have been digitalized, cutting labor and improving efficiency," chairman Zong Qinghou said.

Technology will support the sustainable development of enterprises, said Zong. The company is currently expanding its business scope from beverages to health products and equipment manufacturing.

Companies like Wahaha are ready for the favorable policies promised by the government, after leaders at the Group of 20 summit, which was held in Hangzhou on Sept 4-5, agreed to improve mid-to-long term growth potential through innovative growth.

According to the G20 Blueprint on Innovative Growth, adopted at the event, it was agreed that governments should strive to create favorable environments for creativity and development, and entrepreneurship, and science and technology should be supported as they would lead to innovative growth and job creation.

Cao Yuanzheng, chief economist with the Bank of China, said that in the past eight years, slow economic recovery after the 2008 financial crisis has highlighted the necessity to shift from fiscal and monetary measures to innovation.

The economic growth cycle is closely related to scientific breakthroughs. "Scientific revolution, which creates new industries and new products, can change the way we produce and live, hence, it has the potential to fuel long-term economic growth," he said.

Huang Wei, researcher on global governance with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, agreed that the world economy needs structural reform to overcome development obstacles and unleash growth impetus.

"To stimulate innovation, governments should create a favorable environment through structural reform," Cao said.

Structural reform was also discussed during the G20 summit.

According to the G20 Blueprint on Innovative Growth, nine priority areas of structural reform were identified: the promoting of trade and investment openness; advancing labor market reform, educational attainment and skills; encouraging innovation; improving infrastructure; promoting fiscal reform; promoting competition and an enabling environment; improving and strengthening the financial system; enhancing environmental stainability; promoting inclusive growth.

Meanwhile, 48 guiding principles for these priority areas were endorsed by G20 members. Additionally, a common set of core indicators, comprising policy and outcome elements, was also endorsed to help monitor and assess the progress and effectiveness of G20 members' structural reform measures as well as their ability to address structural challenges.

"On the basis of the nine priority areas, different countries can choose their priorities according to their own national conditions," said Huang Wei.

"The indicators evaluate countries' economic performances in different aspects, which will push countries to come up with effective reform measures," she said, adding that the system will likely deliver results later this year.
TAIPEI, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Typhoon Meranti ripped its way through southern Taiwan on Wednesday, leaving more than 863,000 homes without any power as strong winds and heavy downpours battered the island, according to Taiwan Power Company on Wednesday.

According to the power company, at least 518,000 households were still cut off from the power grid as of 7:33 p.m. Wednesday. Among them, more than 236,000 were in Kaohsiung City in the south of the island.

Typhoon Meranti, rated the strongest so far this year, was carrying winds of up to 209 km per hour as it neared the island, the meteorological agency said.

More than 710,000 homes suffered water shortages and at least 9 people had sustained injuries as of 4:00 p.m. due to the typhoon, which also forced local schools and businesses to close.

Meanwhile, more than 230 flights on the island were canceled on Wednesday, in addition to the cancellation of 168 flights scheduled to or from Taiwan.

The typhoon also paralysed water transportation and disrupted train services in the east and south of the island on Wednesday, according to local authorities.

Taiwan's meteorological agency Wednesday issued a land and sea warning for the typhoon affecting 13 counties and cities in southern and eastern parts of the island, including Kaohsiung, Taitung and Hualien.

According to the agency, as the typhoon moves westward, more torrential rain is expected in the south. The level of precipitation in a mountain observatory in Pingtung County had reached 718 millimeters as of 5:00 p.m.,the agency said.

Local authorities issued flood warnings for cities and counties including Kaohsiung and Hualien as rainfall continued.

Typhoon Meranti arrived in Taiwan around two months after the deadly typhoon Nepartak left three people dead and injured about 300 others on the island, in addition to cutting power and grounding flights.
BUJUMBURA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of military academies in the East African Community (EAC) member states Tuesday started a three-day meeting in the Burundian capital Bujumbura to look at ways of harmonizing academic curricula.

Participants from Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania attended the meeting at the Burundi Military Academy.

At the launch of the meeting, the chancellor of the Burundi Military academy said participants will analyze several issues including the harmonization of academic curricula within the EAC member states.

According to him, the Burundian military academy will have to start the academic year in July starting in 2018 instead of January as all the other four EAC member states, which also include Rwanda, begin their academic year in military academies in July.

Riragonya also indicated that participants will discuss ways of exchanging students and lecturers within the EAC military academies.
MANILA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines and Russia want to deepen their military-to-military cooperation, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.

Already, the foreign department said in a statement that defense officials from the Philippines and Russia started discussions last week on possible defense cooperation especially in the areas of military education, counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Philippine Defense Undrsecretary for Finance and Materiel Raymundo Elefante met with Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov on Sept. 7 in Moscow at the sidelines of the International Military-Technical Forum Army 2016, the foreign department said.

"The two sides reiterated their interest and commitment to advance Philippine-Russia military-to-military engagement," read the statement posted by Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta on his Facebook page.

The DFA said both sides also discussed prospects for cooperation in the areas of security and technical matters, military medicine, peacekeeping, among others.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had a bilateral meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Vientiane, Laos last week on the sidelines of the leaders' meetings between ASEAN and its dialogue partners.

Duterte, who called Medvedev a "friend", told a news conference upon his arrival from Laos that he was delighted to meet Medvedev. He declined to go into the details of their bilateral meeting.
BRUSSELS, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Council of the European Union (EU), representing member states, on Wednesday ratified the creation of a European Border and Coast Guard.

The move paves the way for the apparatus to begin its activities in mid-October.

The European Border and Coast Guard was designed to meet the new challenges and political realities faced by the EU. The main role of it is to help provide integrated border management at the external borders, the Council said in a statement.

According to the International Organization for Migration, 272,070 migrants have arrived illegally in Europe by sea between Jan. 1 and Aug. 28, 2016, compared with 353,628 in the same period of last year.

Facing an unprecedented refugee crisis in the EU history, the new apparatus was expected to ensure the effective management of migration flows and provide a high level of security for the EU.

At the same time, it was built to help safeguard free movement within the EU and respect fully fundamental rights.

The organization will consist of a European Border and Coast guard agency, which will replace the current Frontex agency with expanded tasks, and those national authorities responsible for border management, according to the statement.

The idea to establish the European Border and Coast Guard was first announced by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker last September. According to his proposal, a pool of some 1,500 border guards will be at its disposal.
Photo taken on April 27, 2016 shows a general view of the Big Ben in central London, Britain.(Xinhua/Han Yan)

LONDON, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- A committee of politicians from Britain's House of Lords said in a report Tuesday that parliament should be consulted before the measure paving the way for Brexit is triggered.

The upper chamber's Constitution Committee made the recommendation in a report about the invoking of Article 50, the legal measure that will start the irreversible process of Britain leaving the European Union.

The latest move came weeks after British Prime Minister Theresa May said that the triggering of the Article 50 did not need the approval of parliament.

In her first post-summer recess cabinet meeting earlier this month, May reiterated her insistence that "Brexit means Brexit," saying, "that means there's no second referendum; no attempts to sort of stay in the EU by the back door."

Advisors to May fear that involving parliament in the Brexit process risks delaying or even wrecking the Brexit process with many politicians in both houses opposed to Britain leaving the EU. Political commentators have already said the House of Lords' report will be viewed as a direct challenge to 10 Downing Street.

The committee says it would be "constitutionally inappropriate and would set a disturbing precedent" for the government to act on the EU referendum without explicit parliamentary approval.

A statement issued by the Houses of Parliament Tuesday stated: "The committee says that the referendum result was clear, and that parliament is responsible for ensuring the government implements that result and takes forward Brexit negotiations in a way that achieves the best possible outcome for Britain as a whole.

"Parliament and the government will need to work together with a mutual respect for each party's constitutional role -- and that starts with the parliamentary involvement and assent for the invoking of Article 50."

The report points out that although the EU referendum was, in legal terms, advisory, it was accompanied by a clear undertaking by the government, based on a manifesto commitment, to implement the decision reached in the referendum.

"In the UK's representative democracy, it should be parliament which takes the decision to act following the referendum," it added.

The committee wants the parliament to play a central role in the decision to trigger Article 50 and have a key role in scrutinizing both the Brexit negotiations and in approving the final deal between Britain and the EU.

It adds that it is unclear whether Article 50, once triggered, could be unilaterally reversed by Britain.

Parliament, it says, should act on the assumption that triggering Article 50 would be irreversible, and that Article 50 should be triggered "only when it is in the UK's best interests to begin the formal two-year negotiation process."

Lord Lang of Monkton, chairman of the committee, said Tuesday: "The referendum result was clear and it is right that the government is preparing to take Britain out of the EU.

"However, our constitution is built on the principle of parliamentary sovereignty and the decision to act following the referendum should be taken by parliament.

"Parliament should be asked to approve the decision to trigger Article 50, a decision which will start the formal process of the UK leaving the EU and set a deadline for the UK's exit."

Lord Lang said parliament's assent could be sought by legislation or through resolutions in both the House of Commons where MPs sit and the House of Lords.

An Act of Parliament, he added, would give greater legal certainty and could be used to enshrine the "constitutional requirements" required by Article 50.

Lord Lang concluded: "Parliament and the government will need to work together to ensure that the UK achieves the best possible outcome when it withdraws from the EU. It is therefore important that parliament plays a key role in scrutinizing the Brexit negotiations once Article 50 is triggered. We all want the negotiations to produce a deal that works for both the UK and the EU."
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Wednesday showed concerns over the approval by the U.S. House of Representatives legislation which allows civil litigants relief against foreign individuals, entities and governments.

The law passed on Friday mainly aims at allowing the families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia in U.S. courts.

The White House had announced the president will veto the law.

"Pakistan has been closely following developments leading to the passage of a law by the U.S. Congress, which allows civil litigants relief against foreign individuals, entities and governments," the Foreign Ministry said in Islamabad.

"Pakistan believes that the promulgation of national laws with extra-territorial application sets a dangerous precedent that is likely to further complicate an already complex global environment," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

It said Pakistan is convinced that the world today is better served through initiatives promoting amity and cooperation, rather than xenophobia and confrontation, particularly, those targeting countries or religions.

The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously in May, now reportedly heads to President Barack Obama's desk.

It would require votes from two-thirds of the members in the House and Senate to override a veto.

Families of the Sept. 11 victims have used the courts to try to hold members of the Saudi royal family, Saudi banks and charities liable because of what the plaintiffs charged was Saudi financial support for terrorism. These efforts have largely been stymied, in part because of a 1976 law that gives foreign nations some immunity from lawsuits in American courts.

Saudi officials have long denied that the kingdom had any role in the plot of the 2001 terror attacks which killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington D.C area and Pennsylvania.
NICOSIA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities of Cyprus are determined to reach a solution to reunify their split country this year despite differences on important issues, a press statement said on Wednesday.

"To this end, they will ask United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ... to intensify his personal engagement in the Cyprus reunification process in the months to come," the statement said.

"Cognizant of the remaining challenges, the two leaders are committed to continuing and intensifying their efforts ... in the coming months with the aim of reaching a comprehensive settlement agreement within 2016," it added.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are scheduled to meet the UN Secretary-General on Sept. 25 in New York.

The Secretary-General's special adviser on the Cyprus problem, former foreign minister of Norway Espen Barth Eide, in reading the joint statement, said "significant progress" had been made on many of the outstanding issues on governance and power sharing, economy, EU matters, and property.

"However, certain substantial divergences still remain," the statement added.

He mentioned security and guarantees, as well as territorial adjustments on which he said the two leaders exchanged views and positions in a brainstorming manner.

He was referring to security issues, including guarantee rights which Turkey invoked in 1974 to send soldiers to occupy over one third of Cypriot territory, in reaction to a coup by the military rulers of Greece at the time.

Greek Cypriots demand the abrogation of these guarantees and the withdrawal of about 40,000 Turkish soldiers.

"Although these initial exchanges have demonstrated that the respective views remain apart, there is a strong determination to resolve them in a mutually-acceptable manner," the joint press statement said.

Asked if he was optimistic about the prospects of a solution this year, Anastasiades said, "If they display the understanding for our security concerns like we did for their concerns, I'll be optimistic."

Earlier in the day, the European Union said it was willing to throw its weight behind efforts for the reunification of Cyprus.

"Europe is a driving force that can help bring about the unification of Cyprus -- something I am supporting the two leaders of Cyprus in. It has to be done and it has to be done now," said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker when addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
PYONGYANG, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday briefed Asian diplomatic missions resident in Pyongyang on recent floods in the northeast and appealed for cooperation on disaster relief.

Director general of the Asian and Oceanian Department of the DPRK foreign ministry Choe Hui Chol informed the diplomatic envoys of the damage caused by heavy rains in northern part of North Hamgyong Province since late August, the official news agency KCNA said.

Diplomats from Asian countries such as Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia and India attended the briefing.

He noted that the efforts in carrying out the 200-day loyalty campaign has been redirected to post-disaster relief and reconstruction, in a bid to help recover the flood-stricken areas.

Choe also appealed to the Asian countries for "proactive cooperation" on disaster relief and mitigation.

The floods have left 133 people dead and another 395 missing, according to a UN report given by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The KCNA said in an earlier report that the floods were caused by the strongest storms and heaviest downpours since 1945.

The ruling Workers' Party of Korea has made it a top priority to rebuild the disaster-hit cities and counties, where tens of thousands were displaced and key infrastructure was damaged.
GENEVA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Since January of this year, at least 95 journalists were killed in 25 countries, the Geneva-based NGO, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), said Wednesday.

Among them, 21 journalists were murdered since the end of June this year when the last session of the UN Human Rights Council concluded, the NGO said.

In an open letter to the ongoing 33th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the PEC said the safety and protection of journalists continued to deteriorate in war-torn countries like Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya.

"Terrorist groups and belligerents are targeting journalists to suppress any independent witness of massive violations of human rights," it added.

Urging the UN Human Rights Council to do more to investigate all the cases in order to prosecute those responsible, the organization said it hopes that during this session, the Human Rights Council will take new measures to improve this worrying situation.

Earlier in a statement issued this July, PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen said it was clear that unresolved and ongoing conflicts were the source of the high price paid by journalists for informing the general public.

According to the PEC, there is also an alarming trend that a great number of media workers were intentionally targeted by radical organizations, in particular by the Islamic State (IS).

Founded in June 2004 by a group of journalists from several countries, the PEC is a non-governmental organization with special consultative UN status, whose aim is to strengthen the legal protection and safety of journalists in zones of conflict and civil unrest or on dangerous missions.
KHARTOUM, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government on Wednesday said China's minister of agriculture will pay a visit to Sudan on Sept. 21 to enhance bilateral cooperation in agriculture, official SUNA news agency reported.

"China's minister of agriculture will visit Sudan on Sept. 21, leading a high-level delegation of investors, as part of the joint cooperation between the two countries," Ibrahim Al-Dikhairi, Sudan's minister of agriculture and forests, was quoted as saying.

"The three-day visit of the Chinese delegation comes as part of the joint cooperation between the two countries and the Chinese president's initiative for investment in Arab countries," he noted.

He said Sudan would benefit from the visit of the Chinese delegation to develop the cooperation with China, particularly in the agricultural field.

He said the two sides would also hold meetings to discuss increasing Chinese investments in the country.

The two sides would sign a number of agreements in those fields, said the minister, pointing out that the Chinese delegation would visit Al-Rahad and Gezira agricultural schemes as well as GIAD industrial area.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced his intent to restore trade benefits to Myanmar, the White House said.

In a letter to Congress, Obama said he intended to reinstate preferential treatment for Myanmar under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, a preferential tariff system.

The move came as Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi is visiting the U.S. for the first time since her party won a sweeping victory in the general election last year.
Photo shows the Secretary-General's special adviser on the Cyprus problem, former foreign minister of Norway Espen Barth Eide (centre), Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (left) and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci (right) during a press conference on 14 September, 2016. (Xinhua/Marcos Gittis)

NICOSIA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities of Cyprus are determined to reach a solution to reunify their split country this year despite differences on important issues, a press statement said on Wednesday.

"To this end, they will ask United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ... to intensify his personal engagement in the Cyprus reunification process in the months to come," the statement said.

"Cognizant of the remaining challenges, the two leaders are committed to continuing and intensifying their efforts ... in the coming months with the aim of reaching a comprehensive settlement agreement within 2016," it added.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are scheduled to meet the UN Secretary-General on Sept. 25 in New York.

The Secretary-General's special adviser on the Cyprus problem, former foreign minister of Norway Espen Barth Eide, in reading the joint statement, said "significant progress" had been made on many of the outstanding issues on governance and power sharing, economy, EU matters, and property.

"However, certain substantial divergences still remain," the statement added.

He mentioned security and guarantees, as well as territorial adjustments on which he said the two leaders exchanged views and positions in a brainstorming manner.

He was referring to security issues, including guarantee rights which Turkey invoked in 1974 to send soldiers to occupy over one third of Cypriot territory, in reaction to a coup by the military rulers of Greece at the time.

Greek Cypriots demand the abrogation of these guarantees and the withdrawal of about 40,000 Turkish soldiers.

"Although these initial exchanges have demonstrated that the respective views remain apart, there is a strong determination to resolve them in a mutually-acceptable manner," the joint press statement said.

Asked if he was optimistic about the prospects of a solution this year, Anastasiades said, "If they display the understanding for our security concerns like we did for their concerns, I'll be optimistic."

Earlier in the day, the European Union said it was willing to throw its weight behind efforts for the reunification of Cyprus.

"Europe is a driving force that can help bring about the unification of Cyprus -- something I am supporting the two leaders of Cyprus in. It has to be done and it has to be done now," said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker when addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press during a visit to the Tel Nof Air Force base near the city of Rehovot in central Israel on August 17, 2016. (AFP/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday evening hailed a United State military aid package to his country as a "historic deal."

"This agreement will ensure an unprecedented security assistance to Israel over the next decade," Netanyahu said in a Hebrew video address about an hour before the scheduled signing ceremony in Washington.

The agreement is expected to give Israel as much as 3.8 billion U.S. dollars a year over 10 years.

That represents a significant increase over the 3.1 billion dollars the United States gives annually now, a figure that rises to about 3.5 billion a year with aid supplements approved by Congress.

"This is the largest ever military assistance package in U.S. history," Netanyahu said.

He said the deal is expected to help Israel build its military power, focusing on anti-missile defense abilities.

The prime minister thanked President Barack Obama, an ally with whom he had skirmish relations over the past years over the nuclear deal with Iran.

On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department and Israel announced that they have concluded a new 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on security assistance for fiscal years 2019 through 2028.

The new MOU is expected to be signed in a ceremony Wednesday in Washington. Jacob Nagel, Israel's acting national security adviser, arrived in Washington Tuesday to sign on behalf of his country.

Negotiations for the aid package have been underway since November to replace the current MOU that will end in 2018.
TEHRAN, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military forces should leave the Persian Gulf as their presence in Iran's southern waters has no legal basis, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said on Wednesday.

"The presence of American forces in the Persian Gulf lacks any legal and international justification and is against the will of regional nations," Shamkhani was quoted as saying by Press TV.

Washington's claims about Iran's allegedly "provocative" acts in the Persian Gulf is part of the White House's media hype against Iran, he said.

The Iranian official stressed that the U.S. claims about Iranian vessels getting too close to American warships in the Strait of Hormuz are mere propaganda.

On Wednesday, the navy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) also urged the U.S. warships to leave the Persian Gulf.

"If the U.S. leaves the Persian Gulf, there would be no problem between IRGC vessels and those of the Americans," said IRGC commander Ali Fadavi, according to Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).

On Aug. 24, western media reported that four Iranian vessels carried out a "high-speed intercept" of a U.S. destroyer around the Strait of Hormuz.

Citing a U.S. Navy official who spoke on condition of anonymity, media reports said the U.S. deemed the incident "unsafe and unprofessional," adding that two of the IRGC vessels came within 300 yards of the USS Nitze.

The USS Nitze, navigating in what the U.S. official described as "international waters" at the time of the incident, was forced to change its course, reports said.

The incident took place seven months after 10 U.S. sailors were detained by Iran for about 15 hours after their vessels drifted into Iranian territorial waters early this year.
Members of MarineAnimal Rescue examine a dead humpback whale at Dockweiler State Beach in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on July 1, 2016. The dead humpback whale is approximately 40-feet long and is believed to be between 10 to 30 years old. Marine animal authorities will try to determine why the animal died. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong)

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- A new study suggests that the modern era is unique in the extent to which marine animals with larger body sizes are being preferentially targeted for extinction.

Led by Stanford University in northern California and to be published in the Sept. 16 issue of the journal Science, the study indicates that the unprecedented pattern of extinction in the oceans is likely driven by human fishing.

"We've found that extinction threat in the modern oceans is very strongly associated with larger body size," said Jonathan Payne, a paleobiologist at Stanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences. "This is most likely due to people targeting larger species for consumption first."

The researchers examined the association between extinction threat level and ecological traits such as body size for two major groups of marine animals, namely mollusks and vertebrates, over the past 500 years and compared it with the ancient past, stretching as far back as 445 million years ago and with a particular emphasis on the most recent 66 million years.

"We used the fossil record to show, in a concrete, convincing way, that what is happening in the modern oceans is really different from what has happened in the past," said study co-author Noel Heim, a postdoctoral researcher in Payne's lab.

Specifically, "what our analysis shows is that for every factor of 10 increase in body mass, the odds of being threatened by extinction go up by a factor of 13 or so," Payne was quoted as saying by a news release from Stanford. "The bigger you are, the more likely you are to be facing extinction."

The researchers did not directly examine why large modern marine animals are at higher risk of extinction, but their findings are consistent with results from previous research that point to humans as the main culprits.

"It is consistent with the tendency for fisheries to first exploit larger species and subsequently move down the food web and target smaller species," said study co-author Matthew Knope, a former postdoc in Payne' s lab who is now an assistant professor of biology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

On land, for example, there is evidence that ancient humans were responsible for the massacre of mammoths and other megafauna across the globe.

"We see this over and over again," Heim said. "Humans enter into a new ecosystem, and the largest animals are killed off first. Marine systems have been spared up to now, because until relatively recently, humans were restricted to coastal areas and didn't have the technology to fish in the deep ocean on an industrial scale."

While the selective extinction of large-bodied animals could have serious consequences for the health of marine ecosystems, as they tend to be at the tops of food webs and their movements through the water column and the seafloor help cycle nutrients through the oceans, researchers believe there is still time for humans to change their behavior.

"We can't do much to quickly reverse the trends of ocean warming or ocean acidification, which are both real threats that must be addressed. But we can change treaties related to how we hunt and fish," Payne said. "We can turn this situation around relatively quickly with appropriate management decisions at the national and international level."
U.S. Democratic presidential candidateHillary Clinton(C) arrives at a ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of September 11 attacks at the National 9/11 Memorial, in New York, theUnited States, on Sept. 11, 2016. The United States on Sunday commemorated the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- As Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign was scrambling to quell speculations about the U.S. Democratic candidate's health, a survey released on Wednesday found half of registered voters believe that Clinton gave false information about her health to the public.

Only 29 percent of voters think Clinton has given accurate information on her personal health to the public, while 50 percent think the opposite, according to the poll conducted by the Morning Consult polling company.

The share of voters who say that Clinton's health is below average or very poor increased from 26 percent in August to 41 percent now, said the survey.

Meanwhile, 37 percent of voters think Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has given false information on his personal health to public, despite the fact that Trump was recently bogged down in controversy surrounding his brief medical report that stated that he would be the "healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency."

It was later disclosed that the doctor who wrote the only public documentation about Trump's health spent five minutes writing the report.

Clinton's campaign acknowledged on Monday it mishandled public concerns about her medical condition and said additional medical details of Clinton, 68, would soon be released.

The offer to release more medical details came after weeks of blunt refusal to do so and was the latest step for the campaign to quell long-time speculation about Clinton's health that climaxed on Sunday after she was videotaped being helped into a van while her feet appeared to be dragging on the ground.

Clinton on Sunday morning abruptly left a 9/11 memorial in New York and her campaign initially told reporters that Clinton had been "overheated."

Soon a video shot by a witness surfaced online, in which an apparently ailing Clinton struggled to steady herself and had to be helped by two Secret Service agents into her van.

About 90 minutes after the episode, Clinton emerged and waved to onlookers.

Almost five hours after the release of the video, the Clinton campaign released a statement from Clinton's physician which read that Clinton had been diagnosed with pneumonia on Friday and left the memorial after becoming dehydrated and overheated.

The Clinton campaign did not disclose the diagnosis until the episode on Sunday.

While Republicans seized on the secrecy surrounding Clinton's medical record to attack her, even Clinton's allies criticized the Clinton campaign on Monday for lack of transparency.

"Antibiotics can take care of pneumonia," wrote David Axelrod, U.S. President Barack Obama's senior adviser on Twitter. "What's the cure for an unhealthy penchant for privacy that repeatedly creates unnecessary problems?"

Both Clinton and Trump campaigns had pledged to release more information about the nominees later this week.
Capital's controversial canine market finally closes as part of the city's ongoing transformation, Du Juan and Liang Shuang report from Beijing.

Under the summer sun, behind a sign on which the words have peeled off, only a few shops are still open. Inside, several dogs lie lazily, waiting to be fed.

The other shops are either abandoned, or their owners only available through the telephone numbers on notices stuck to the doors.

Further inside, wild grass is reclaiming the land where there used to be a market for pet supplies.

This is what used to be North China's largest pet dog market looks like now.

Officially named Dongfangxin Pet Paradise, but more commonly called Liyuan Dog Market because of its location, the market is located in Beijing's southeast Tongzhou district.

Now, only a dozen or so shops are still open at the dog market, as it is officially closed - the site is to be redeveloped as part of the government's grand plan to transform the district into an administrative sub-center and cultural district.

"Sometimes we can hardly sell one dog for a whole day," said Guo Jishi, co-owner of one of the shops still open in the market, told China Daily. "But it's low season anyway in the summer because it's so hot."

He said the owner of the market has been compensated for the proposed move and many of the shop owners actually moved out last summer, but some of the them got called back by the owner of the market as he claimed he hadn't received all the compensation he was promised.

"At least I'll stay here for this month as the rent has been collected," said Guo. "If they collect the rent next month then I'll keep on going, but we'll see what happens."

However, the remaining shop owners are fully aware that it's just a matter of time before they have to say goodbye to the place.

"I have been working and living here for more than 10 years since my daughter married and moved to this area," said a dog shop owner surnamed Li. "But I have my own dog farm and will continue the business when we move to another place."

Good times, bad times

The market emerged in the 1980s and grew in size as the increasing number of customers attracted a growing number of sellers. Eventually at the beginning of this century the municipal government made it legal. This led to the market's heyday when it was home to hundreds of shops and stalls selling all kinds of dogs.

Now it is finally closing for good, as the municipal government plans to transform the site into a cultural tourist attraction that "surpasses Tokyo Disneyland and Seoul Lotto World".

From the map on the district's official website, the dog market lies about 2 kilometers from a planned Universal Studio theme park, which is expected to open in the area in 2019. An official from the township's urban planning division confirmed that the market is "inside the radius that is to be demolished to make way for the theme park".

However, even before the government's redevelopment plan, the dog market had already put its best days behind it, as it started to lose customers after it developed a bad reputation for unscrupulous vendors knowingly selling sick animals or doctoring dogs to make them resemble more valuable breeds.

"I was ashamed of saying that I was a merchant there during that time," said an owner surnamed Yang during an interview with Beijing Morning Post last November.

Pressure release plan

The redevelopment of the dog market to make way for the theme park is just part of Beijing's plan to redevelop Tongzhou district, which is slated to become a subsidiary administrative center of Beijing with the relocation of noncore administrative functions from the city center.

In addition to the dog market, the clothes wholesale market near Beijing Zoo and some municipality-affiliated colleges are to be demolished to make way for the new administrative buildings.

Lian Yuming, president of the Beijing International City Development Research Institute, explained that the redevelopment of the area would help reduce the pressures on the city center.

"Beijing has to remove some functions from the center to realize better development," he said.

The Beijing municipal government offices and affiliated institutions are to be shifted gradually to Tongzhou to make the city's central area less crowded and Tongzhou will become a subsidiary administrative center for the capital and promote the regional integration of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei.

It's a challenging task since the project will involve both the government, market and the citizens.

"During the process, we need to be patient. However, it can't wait," Lian said.

Contact the writer at dujuan@chinadaily.com.cn

Guo Jishi is the co-owner of one of the shops in Liyuan dog market. Liyuan Dog Market, once the largest pet dog market in North China, is now officially closed as the site is to be redeveloped. Photos By Zou Hong / China Daily A buyer checks out some pooches in Liyuan Dog Market in August.

(China Daily 09/14/2016 page6)
HOUSTON, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- A man was killed and another injured on Wednesday after a fiery tank explosion rocked Corpus Christi, a city in the southern part of the U.S. state of Texas.

The explosion occurred at a Haas-Anderson Construction site before dawn and it took firefighters about an hour to extinguish the fire, which was now contained to a tank area, according to ABC13.

The man who died was confirmed to be 53-year-old Jose de la Torre of Corpus Christi, according to the report. The injured has been sent to a hospital, but his condition was not clear.

The cause of the blast was under investigation.
Drowned boys father may be released this week

Sources close to the family said Henry, who was granted bail in the sum of $75,000 on charges of wilfully neglecting the boy and his seven-year-old sister, was unable to access bail after appearing before senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John last week. Sources said Henry was unable to use the deed first offered to secure his bail and by Thursday it is expected the relevant documents will be made available from a new party, after which he is expected to be released from prison custody. Henry was visited in prison by his sister who confirmed that he was doing well and was receiving counselling.

Dr Peter Weller, founder and chairman of the Caribbean Male Action Network (Cari- MAN) has also offered assistance to Henry, free of charge, to help the father deal with his sons death and whatever feelings of guilt and grief he may be experiencing.

Henrys arrest was criticised by MP for Laventille West, Works and Transport Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, who described the polices actions as insensitive and said a softer approach should have been taken with the grieving father.

The charges against the father, who had gone to work when his son fell into a drain at his Serraneau Road, Belmont, home, are that he wilfully neglected the boy which caused him injuries resulting in his death and that he also wilfully neglected his daughter in a manner causing her to suffer injuries to her physical and mental health.

Henry will next appear in court on October 5.

According to Section 4 of the Childrens Act, under which Henry was charged, states that where a person has responsibility for a child and the person wilfully assaults, ill-treats, neglects, abandons or exposes the child or causes or procures the child to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed in a manner likely to cause that child suffering or injury to his physical, mental or emotional health the person commits the offence of cruelty to a child. Henry is liable under summary conviction to a $5,000 fine and six years in prison and if he chooses to have his case heard by a judge and jury, he will face a $50,000 fine and imprisonment for up to ten years.
Champagne taste lands man in jail

Brian Gaskin of Mon Repos appeared before Magistrate Brambhanan Dubay in the San Fernando First Magistrates Court yesterday morning.

The court heard that Gaskin, on Sunday at Gulf View, La Romaine, broke into the home of Keisha Parahoo- Baal and stole US$1,800, TT$1,010, one bottle of champagne valued at $600, one bottle of Johnny Walker Whiskey valued $360 and a perfume set valued at $350.

He pleaded guilty to the charges laid by Cpl Shaun Mohammed of the San Fernando CID.

Police prosecutor Cleyon Sedan told the Court that at about 7.30 am, Parahoo-Baal secured her home and went to bed.

It was while in her bedroom, the woman heard noises inside her living room area.

She then heard a male voice. Sedan said the fearful woman ran into her bathroom and locked the door and telephoned police officers at the San Fernando CID. Cpl Mohammed immediately responded to the distress call and arrived at the house where he spotted Gaskin near an open window.

Sedan told the magistrate that when Mohammed identified himself to Gaskin, he attempted to run to the back of the house.

Mohammed gave chase and detained him a short distance away attempting to climb over a wall. He was taken to the San Fernando CID where he was charged for house breaking and larceny.

Dubay commended Mohammed for his quick response and hard work in apprehending the man.
Two years jail for armed robbery

Cleveon St Rose and another 22-year-old man were charged with robbery of Chan Han Chen at the Bamboo Supermarket.

St Rose pleaded guilty to the charges while the other man pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Brambhanan Dubay in the San Fernando Magistrates Court.

The court was told that the duo, armed with guns, robbed Chen of $862 cash and four packs of cigarettes valued $120 at Bamboo Supermarket. It was further alleged that they robbed customer Nelson Charles of $140 cash and a cellular phone valued $120. St Rose was charged individually with the possession of a Glock pistol and 12 rounds of ammunition. The offences were alleged to have taken place on September 1.

Police prosecutor, Cleyon Sedan, told the court that at about 8.30 pm police officers responded to a report of a robbery in progress at the supermarket and went to the location where they arrested St Rose and the other man.
Man crushed to death in Beetham dump

According to reports, Warner, an employee of M&N Enterprises, was operating the vehicle at about 6 a.m. at the Beetham Landfill when the incident occurred.

It is not clear exactly how he was crushed.

However, relatives at his Prizgar Road, San Juan, home told Newsday that they will be putting the company to task to give a clear account of what happened.

My family will definitely be looking into our legal options here, said Deborah Arnold, Warners sister.

Arnold described Warner as a quiet and humble person who kept to himself.

He never harass nobody. He is very quiet.

The only time anyone would see him is when he is going to or coming from work or if he is going to church.

Other than that he would stay inside and watch TV. This has me so shaken up, it isnt funny. When I got home from work and my son told me what happened, it felt like I couldnt stop crying. Newsday approached M&S Enterprises on Patraj Road, El Socorro seeking comment, but were turned away by security.

A mechanic at the company said that employees heard that Warner was crushed by the compactor.

In a statement to the media yesterday, Solid Waste Management Company Limiteds (SWMCOL) CEO, Ronald Roach, expressed condolences to Warners relatives and friends, and advised that users of the nations landfills should adhere to health and safety guidelines at all times.

An autopsy is expected to be conducted on Warners body at the Forensic Science Centre in St James today.
Missing 14-year-old found in Chaguanas

On Wednesday last, Shivani, 14, left home for classes at the Rio Claro East Secondary School, but never returned home. Police yesterday found the teenager in the company of a 25-year-old man.

The two were found at a mall in the Chaguanas area. They were detained by police officers and her mother, Rehana Singh, was called to the Rio Claro Police Station.

Singh was, up to press time, said to be at the police station with her daughter as she assisted with investigations.

Singh told Newsday on Monday a 25-yearold man had approached she and her husband asking to enter a relationship with their daughter but they refused.

When Shivani went missing, they went to confront the man, but he was also nowhere to be found.

When Persad, a 36-year-old father of three, returned to their Rio Claro home, minutes after midnight on Saturday, a loud explosion was heard and Persad was found dead in the doorway of his home.

While investigations are still ongoing in relation to Persads murder, Mayaro MP, Rushton Paray, complimented the Rio Claro Police for finding the teenager.

In a release issued to the media yesterday, Paray also extended condolences to the family in light of Persads murder.

He appealed to the relevant authorities to provide counselling and any additional support to the family at this time.
Kamla: $120M for police is for spying

Speaking with Newsday at the United National Congress (UNCs) Monday Night Forum at North Eastern College, Sangre Grande, where candidates for the upcoming Local Government election for the Arima and Sangre Grande Regional Corporations were presented, Persad-Bissessar claimed that the money would be used for spying.

Budget 2016 already allocated over $10 billion for National Security for the fight against crime.

Pelting more money behind crime fighting is not the answer.

I think that money is really for spying and those are the issues we had raised when they passed the SSA (Strategic Services Agency) legislation. So, its really money for spying, not for fighting crime, she said.

The Opposition leader also said that the legislation in the Domestic Violence Act needed to be improved and strengthened.

She made this statement in light of vicious acts of violence against women and children in recent times which ended in gruesome deaths. She said while legislation was not the answer to everything, some more work needed to be done with the legislation.

Abusive relationships are issues we can deal with, there is the whole counselling and mentoring.

The way in which the Government has collapsed the social safety net, I think that is impacting on what is happening in homes and levels of violence we are seeing in homes. Of course, economic issues always impact on relationships. It is really heart rending in terms of the murders of women and children, Persad-Bissessar said. Addressing hundreds of UNC supporters at the meeting, Persad-Bissessar said the Opposition could not support the Bail Amendment Bill as there was room to change parts of the law without the other side knowing.

She added that the Bill would wipe out any judicial review and take away parliamentary scrutiny.

Persad-Bissessar also slammed Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowleys address to the nation on Sunday night, saying that while he attempted to explain away his failure as Prime Minister, all the citizenry heard was shameless propaganda, blaming, no vision, no plan. She shot down Rowleys claims that his Government met an empty Treasury when they came into office in 2015.

Saying that the Peoples Partnership government inherited 135 outstanding wage negotiations, she asked what did this Government do with the $60 billion they received in revenue since they came into office.
Keshorn celebrated by Grande, Valencia children

Organised by the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, Walcott made stops at seven schools, leaving the youngsters with words of encouragement and memories to last a lifetime.

Ah not washing meh hand again! one boy screamed after getting to shake Walcotts hand during his visit to Valencia South Government.

At Valencia Secondary  the only secondary school visited  Walcott posed for pictures with students and staff and reminded students that they too can be an Olympian.

Thank you so much for your support.

Hopefully next Olympics one of you guys can be there with me, he said.

In all, Walcott made stops at Guaico Government Primary School, Guaico Presbyterian, St Francis RC, Sangre Grande Hindu School and Sangre Grande SDA Primary before the days activities climaxed with a function at Monte Cristo park in Sangre Grande.

At the various schools, teachers struggled to contain the excitement of their students who mobbed Walcott, pleading for autographs, fist bumps and even selfies.

The Toco-born athlete seemed to enjoy the outpouring of love he was receiving, indulging the various requests from the children and even taking time to tie the laces of a girls shoe at Guaico Government when he noticed it loose.

Driven in a white Mercedes Benz by his manager Sean Roach, some members of the public were left a bit disappointed after coming out their houses to get a peep of the double Olympic medallist but not getting to see him.

Students did not have that trouble, though, getting up close and personal with him, cheering his every word and expressing their gratitude to him with banners and signs at Guaico Presbyterian.

At Monte Cristo Park, a weary Walcott thanked the youngsters for the wonderful experience throughout the day but refused to comment on the much discussed support of lack thereof shown by the national public for TT s athletes during the Olympics.

Walcott, asked by a television reporter for his thoughts on the support offered to the athletes during the Olympics, asked for clarification.

You talking about here or you talking about everything else? he inquired.

When the reporter told him he was asking about Rio, Walcott shook his head, turned around and walked off.

Moments before his impromptu exit, Walcott beamed with pride as he spoke of his interaction with his adoring fans.

It feels good knowing that what Ive been doing is recognised.

Im just thankful for everyone coming out and supporting me from the beginning to the end.

Its always good to know that the young ones recognise who you are and they have someone to look up to.

It means that Im doing something right for the children, he said.

Earlier, Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation Terry Rondon said it was a dream come true to have Walcott visit the students.

We are so happy, that is why today I organised this for Keshorn to touch all the schools.

We brought children from Matelot so they could see their hero and Keshorn talk to the children to inspire them that we have future Keshorn Walcott and other athletes, he said.

Rondon later presented a $15,000 cheque to Walcott to do whatever he desires, a plaque and was supposed to give Walcott the keys to the region but was unable to as the Mayor of Port of Spain Keron Valentine was unable to attend.

He continued to sing Walcott praises though and backed him to reclaim gold in Tokyo 2020.

Keshorn continues to get the job done.

He has gold, he has bronze. Keshorn will come back with gold again, Rondon declared.

Also attending yesterdays function was Beverley Walcott, mother of TT s top Olympian, along with Brian Lewis, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, Glenda Jennings-Smith, MP for Toco-Sangre Grande and other dignitaries
Prison Service not a big bad wolf

He made the statement on Monday at the launch of the Prison Services Community Outreach Caravan at the City Hall Auditorium in San Fernando.

We want to show the people what happens behind the prison walls, said Haniff.

The launch, chaired by the Prison Services Head of Communications, Krishna Bedassie, showcased works of art created by various inmates including a musical offering by a band of inmates who call themselves Musical Vibrations. Also put on display were several paintings, houses made from wood shavings, painted pots, and even books written by prisoners, all in an effort to show the effects of the Prison Services efforts towards rehabilitating prisoners.

Our objective is to change as many lives as we could with the little resources we have, said Gerard Wilson, Deputy Commissioner of Prisons Programmes and Industry.

Standing in for San Fernando Mayor, Kazim Hosein, who could not attend due to his observance of Eid al Adha, Councillor Robert Parris welcomed the Prison Service officials and spoke of his history of being an artist. Parris said he studied art professionally at the New York City High School of Art and Design and earned his first degree in Art and Advertising at the New York City College of Technology.

Artists are more powerful than politicians, said Parris.

Art shapes peoples minds. Parris joked he had made a step down the ladder instead of up.

He encouraged the inmates present to keep producing art and praised the Service for their work.

On behalf of the Mayor, Parris accepted one of two paintings commissioned by the Office of the Mayor of San Fernando which was done by two Carrera Island inmates, Leslie Huggins and Alladin Mohammed. The painting was of the first Town Hall of San Fernando. The second painting, to be unveiled on Friday at the Caravans first exhibition on Harris Promenade, is of San Fernandos first City Hall.

Mohammed and Alladin spoke of the transformative effect that art has had on their lives. Since I have been doing art, my life has completely changed, said Huggins.

I want to continue serving the people in every way possible, said Huggins, who has been incarcerated for 18 years. Huggins said he was not an artist prior to being imprisoned, but learned and grew under the guidance of Mohammed, the head artist at the prison.

Mohammed, himself incarcerated for 20 years, said painting the first town hall was challenging and rewarding.

It was the most horrible picture Ive ever seen, said Mohammed, speaking about the picture from which the painting was done.

He said, because colour photography was not yet invented in the 1950s, details of the photograph had to be assumed.

Mohammed, a former student of ASJA College, San Fernando, has painted, showcased and sold several paintings before. The talented pair spoke of selling over $100,000 in paintings to date, one-third of which went to them.

The Outreach Caravans first showcase would be on Friday at Harris Promenade, San Fernando followed by two other exhibitions in the City of San Fernando at locations and dates to be decided this week.
Law studies in jeopardy, Gabriel needs your help

Glanville is scheduled to travel to England on Monday to commence his Law studies at London University, a programme that will last three years, at the end of which he will receive his LLB

However, he is not yet in possession of all of the funds to fund his tuition for the three year period

With the passing of his father, Glenford, Glanville secured a job at Hove and Associates, a law firm in Port-of-Spain. Additionally, he worked for other attorneys as a legal assistant gaining valuable experience to help him in his career as an attorney. Determined to pursue his education and assist his mother, he also took up a weekend job, ironing shirts for people at a rate of $10 per shirt

Glanvilles mother, Joan Thomas, a retired secondary school teacher, explained the familys situation

His father had his leg amputated in November last year, so all of us had to put up the money to help his recovery. But he eventually died, because he was just taking it on. It cost a lot of money because we had to get a nurse to help him and so on. So all of that throw us back. And then he died. That is how Gabriel had to do little odd jobs to raise money

Now I am retired and I havent gotten my gratuity yet. Thomas said the situation has put a lot of strain on her family

My adopted daughter is doing medicine in Jamaica, and its a lot of money to send out. So were just looking to see if anybody could assist. Glanvilles interest in law goes back to Standard 4, while a student at Rosary Boys R.C. School in Port-of-Spain. It was strengthened when he started to view Judge Mathis on CW11

Every time I came home from school, I used to watch this show, Glanville said

I always wanted to be a judge; its only after I found out you had to be a lawyer first. It just kind of stuck with me. While Glanvilles adopted sister is studying in Jamaica currently, his three brothers are all attorneys-at-law

Glanville has attained nine passes in the Caribbean Secondary Education Cert ificate and seven in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination

Anyone who is interested in assisting him can make a deposit at any branch of Republic Bank to account number 6104 324 77531
Youths told to strive for peace

Minister of Community Development and the Arts, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly says if all citizens make the decision to live for peace, then this countrys crime rate will go down.

Gadsby-Dolly was speaking on Sunday following a peace walk hosted by the Laventille Police Youth Club through the Laventille /San Juan community.

We are commemorating peace and that is something we have to live throughout our life, she said.

We cant bring about peace in our country if there is war in our schools. The gun play does not start just so. It starts from small conflicts. It starts between families and neighbours who cannot get along. This is where it begins and then it escalates into what we have now. She continued, I want to ask the young people dont just walk for peace, live peace. Gadsby-Doll thanked the police youth club for its continued effort and hard work being put in to help the nations young people.

Meanwhile, Acting Police Commissioner, Harold Phillip, encouraged the youths to work with the police within their districts.

He said over the years they have seen a lot of effort from the police youth club to assist in making the youths of TT productive.

We channel their talents in culture, sports, music, dance and any activity including life skills.

As we celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Laventille Police Youth Club, we feel that having a positive impact on the youths that they will be able to make positive choices. He continued, we are working to help the youth in extending trust as well as confidence and peace throughout our communities. We also want to ensure that as they grow, they would have developed skills in conflict resolution, they can help mitigate their problems and reduce their anger.
Moonilal: Fire Noel Garcia!

Moonilal blamed Garcia for wasting $80 million in taxpayers funds on the failed project and for crudely attacking the commissioners.

The Commission of Enquiry found Mr Garcia directly responsible for construction of public housing on highly unsuitable land, and recommended that civil liability action be taken against him, Moonilal hit.

Mr Garcias blatant response has been a vile personal attack on the distinguished Commissioners. The crude and crass verbal assault is an all-time low point in civility toward individuals and institutions. Saying such behaviour is most unbecoming of State corporation leader, Moonilal hit, Mr Garcia combines the toxic brew of raw incompetence and barefaced arrogance.

The MP scoffed at Garcias threat to take legal action against the Commissioners, saying they are immune under the Commission of Enquiry Act, that says, no Commissioner shall be liable to any action or suit for any matter of thing done by him as such Commissioner. Moonilal quipped, Mr Garcias rant and threat of legal action have no foundation and, like Alturas, will also collapse.
Room for 320 more in jail

The measures ranged from refurbishment of existing facilities to implementation of long-delayed plans for electronic monitoring.

However, the minister made no mention of proposals for pardon and for own-bail.

The minister said ongoing refurbishment works at the Maximum Security Prison were 90 per cent complete.

It is expected that when completed this building will accommodate an additional 320 persons, Dillon said in relation to work being done on Building No 13.

The minister was replying to a question in the Senate filed by UNC Senator Wade Mark.

Other measures currently being implemented include: transfer of convicted inmates from the Port-of-Spain Prison to the Golden Grove prison facilities and the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre; transfer of some of the inmates from Remand to the Maximum Security Prison; identification of land for a new prison in Tobago; new video conferencing facilities to link jails with judicial officers; and new sentencing options.

In relation to the introduction of electronic monitoring, Dillon gave no timeline of implementation.

He said the prison in Tobago was built to hold 30 yet houses 59. The question of overcrowding in jail has taxed the State for years.

More recently, consultations by the Ministry of the Attorney General have seen Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi state that the cost of housing a prisoner is $25,000 a month.
NSA to contest local polls

In a statement on Monday the NSA invited persons to collect membership and nomination forms for any interested candidates from Rienzi Complex, Couva, during working hours beginning from tomorrow.

The NSA, led by attorney Nirvan Maharaj, is calling on all civic- minded citizens who want to secure the nations future to join the party as it rises above the old politics of race and the two-party system. Urging people to break the chains of mental bondage including the idea of Im PNM til Im dead or Im UNC till Im dead, the NSA invited people to help rescue the country from power-seeking politicians.
Ancient burial and prayer sites bulldozed for pipeline in North Dakota

North Dakotas Standing Rock Sioux filed for a temporary restraining order on September 4th to halt construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline. This is a last-ditch effort by the Sioux to preserve ancient burial sites and prayer areas. Irreparable damage has already been done to a number of sacred plots.

In a press statement, tribal chairman David Archambault II said: On Saturday, Dakota Access Pipeline and Energy Transfer Partners brazenly used bulldozers to destroy our burial sites, prayer sites and culturally significant artifacts. The chairman went on to illustrate how just one day after filing their court papers to identify sacred sites, the pipeline company moved forward with their plans and decimated the sacred land anyway. Archambault declared: The desecration of these ancient places has already caused the Standing Rock Sioux irreparable harm. Were asking the court to halt this path of destruction.

Along with garnering a substantial amount of media attention, the ongoing protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline has gained thousands of supporters, including representatives from more than 200 tribes.

The Daily Sheeple reports that a federal judge is currently deciding whether the project should be halted altogether. The tribe filed a complaint which argues that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the project without their consent. A decision had not yet been handed down at the time of this writing.

The attorney for the Standing Rock Sioux, Jan Hasselman, stated: Destroying the Tribes sacred places over a holiday weekend, while the judge is considering whether to block the pipeline, shows a flagrant disregard for the legal process.

LaDonna Bravebull Allard, the historic preservation officer for Standing Rock Sioux Tribes Section 106, noted that 26 of the 380 identified spiritual or sacred sites are located at the confluence of two rivers, the Cannonball and the Missouri. She identified these as ancient trading sites and places that are held sacred not just by the Sioux, but by several other Native American nations as well. The Arikara, Mandan and Northern Cheyenne nations are all connected to those sacred spots. Allard says that allowing the Dakota Access Pipeline to destroy these and other ancient sites erases Native American history, and thereby their culture.

The U.S. government is wiping out our most important cultural and spiritual areas. And as it erases our footprint from the world, it erases us as a people.

Sources:

TheDailySheeple.com

CommonDreams.org

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Good Samaritan saves woman by shooting attacker in Kansas parking lot

SHAWNEE, Kan.  Police are investigating after a shooting in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart on Shawnee Mission Parkway off Interstate 435.

Article by Molly Balkenbush

Police said the incident began when two suspects approached a woman in the parking lot putting her baby in a car seat, and hit the woman in the head. Thats when a Good Samaritan stepped in to help her, and was subsequently shot multiple times by one of the suspects.

Another bystander then shot one of the suspects, who died at the scene. The other suspect fled the scene, but was caught by a K-9 team east of the Wal-Mart.

The mother was taken to the hospital with critical head injuries. The Shawnee Police later said she was upgraded to fair condition and may be released from the hospital soon. The baby was unharmed.

The bystander who was shot was also taken to a hospital with critical injuries. Police later said that person was awake and alert, and underwent surgery on Sunday.

Shortly after the shooting, police took someone into custody for questioning but later determined that person was not involved in the crime.

FOX 4 spoke to Janet Lewis, a mother who lives in an apartment complex across the street from the Wal-Mart. She said police came and arrested her son in the parking lot outside her home, accusing him of being one of the suspects.

Police said he matched the description of what they obtained from Wal-Mart surveillance cameras. Lewis said her son is innocent, and was at home when the shooting happened.

As I come pulling up, I see them arresting my son. I didnt make it to park the car because as I seen my son, and the police around my only child, I sped up, Lewis recalled. He was a little pissed off. Im going to put it out there. He was pissed off. Lewis said the police eventually did take her son into custody as a possible suspect. Police said the female victim has been upgraded to fair condition. The baby was unharmed. There is no word yet why the suspects attacked her, or if they knew her. The investigation is ongoing.

Read more at: fox4kc.com

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Japans former prime minister supports claims that U.S. soldiers are sick from Fukushima radiation

Fascinatingly, the aftereffects of the Fukushima nuclear disaster have been significantly more devastating than they initially appeared. Like radiation itself, the short-term effects were nowhere near as brutal as those in the longterm. Things were bad at first, but in recent months, things have gotten much, much worse  for people all over the world.

Hundreds of American sailors that were attempting to help deal with the negative effects of the 2011 tsunami have since reported suffering from radiation poison as a result of the nuclear disaster. Typical of the United States servicemen, the sailors put their own personal wellbeing at risk in order to help those in serious need, but the dangers of radiation are extremely serious.

Junichiro Koizumi  who served as the prime minister of Japan from 2001 until 2006  has expressed his support for those sailors and their claims, going so far as to create a fund to collect a goal of $1 million in order to help pay for their medical bills. They have even gone as far as to join a class-action lawsuit against Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), which operates the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Unsurprisingly, the lawsuit has been picking up steam in court.

AP Business writer Yuri Kageyama reports, The lawsuit, filed in 2012, is ongoing, and a California judge has ruled it will proceed. More Navy personnel and Marines are joining the suit, now numbering about 400, according to Koizumi.

We, as the human race, need to learn how to respect the environment and the planet on which we live. Far too many people confuse capitalism with intentionally mistreating the environment for potential monetary gain, but those people couldnt be any more incorrect. It is entirely possible to be a capitalist who still acknowledges environmental issues and actively opposes situations that could lead to massive disasters with longterm consequences.

Above all, its apparent that Koizumi actually cares about the physical wellness of the human race. Sadly, the same cannot be said for most of the folks that currently comprise the American federal government. In America, youll be lucky if the politicians involved in the federal government dont just kill you themselves

Sources:

Macon.com

CounterPunch.org

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Sony Xperia X Compact Is Now Available In UK Stores

New Delhi, Wed, 14 Sep 2016 NI Wire

After a long wait, Sony finally made its Xperia X Compact official debut with Xperia XZ at the lately accomplished IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung, which was held in Berlin in the month of August).

It is notable that IFA saw the launch and release of many flagships, with the Xperia X being one of them. Sony made the release of Xerpia XZ official stating that the flagship will be made released globally sometime in October 2016. As for Xperia X Compact, it was stated that it would be made available in the month of September.

Living up to the word, Sony has made its release in the selected European markets. Retailers have started taking the pre-orders under contract options. It is known that Carphone Warehouse in the U.K. has even started selling the X Compact for 360 (nearly $479.30/425/Rs. 31,914).

The Release Of X Compact In India

So far there is no word about the release of Sony's Xperia X Compact in India. However, sources reveal that Sony will soon make an official announcement sometime in the month of September or early October. It is primarily because Sony's earlier flagships, the Xerpia X and Xerpia Z5 Premium failed in winning over the users in the Indian smartphone market owing to the hefty price tag.

We all know that the Sony Xperia X Compact is a watered down version of Xperia X, and is targeted to please the mid range bracket. That is why; X Compact will have a reasonable price upon its India release so that the company can secure more buyers.

Sony Xperia X Compact At A Glance

As known, the Xperia X Compact features high-end camera hardware. It features an impressive 23MP rear camera which has impressive features like 23MP Triple image sensing technology, prognostic Hybrid Autofocus, Low-light photo: up to ISO 12800, Fast Capture, 1/2.3-inch Exmor RS for mobile image sensor, 5x Clear Image Zoom, BIONZ for mobile image-processing engine, 24mm wide Sony's award-winning G Lens, SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode (5-axis stabilization), Full HD video 1080 (60fps), and HDR photo.

For the seflies, it has 5MP front camera with features like 1/3.06-inch Exmor RS for mobile image sensor, Low-light photo: up to ISO 6400. 22Mm wide-angle lens F2.0.

Other of its features are also very impressive, wherein the X Compact boasts of a 4.6-inch HD screen with TRILUMINOUS display for mobile, which is powered by the Snapdragon 650 hexa-core CPU and is complemented by 3GB RAM, 32GB internal memory, which is further expandable up to 256GB. It has a 2,700mAh battery.

The X Compact also has the X-Reality feature for mobile picture engine with Dynamic Contrast Enhancement. It runs on Android Marshmallow with Corning Gorilla Glass shield against scratches. It has a Adreno 510 GPU.

Sony X Compact supports LTE (6G) Cat 4, and its battery has the Qnovo Adaptive Charging, Quick charge feature and battery Care STAMINA mode. The additional features in the device include a fingerprint sensor, Dual-SIM (optional model), A-GNSS (GPS + GLONASS), Wi-Fi Miracast, Bluetooth 4.2 wireless technology, Single SIM (type: nano), DLNA Certified, NFC, PS4 remote play, Google Cast, USB Type-C v1.0, High-Resolution Audio (LPCM, FLAC, ALAC, DSD), DSEE HX, LDAC, Digital Noise Cancellation,Clear Audio+, S-Force Front Surround, and Stereo recording.

The smartphone measures 129 x 65 x 9.5 mm and weighs 135 g. You can buy it in color choices ofMist Blue, White, and Universal Black. The price as we had mentioned earlier, happens to be 360 (which is approximately $479.30/425/Rs. 31,914).

It is yet to be seen if Sony X Compact will make it big and earn profit upon its release in the price conscious Indian market!
LeEco Le Not Willing To Reveal The Name Of Its Upcoming Flagship!

New Delhi, Wed, 14 Sep 2016 NI Wire

LeEco has been enjoying a good stature in the market, thanks to the decent performers the company rolled out in the recent times. Earlier known as LeTV, LeEco has been growing strong in the flagship race. It has been revealed that the smartphone maker is working on its next device; however, the company has still not revealed the name of the device.

And this has left us all guessing the name and everyone is expecting the device to name either LeEco Le 2s Pro alias Le 3 Pro alias Le Pro 3. Interestingly, the leak has revealed everything about the device except for the name of the smartphone.

It is expected that the device will be released sometime in next week or by the end of September for sure. Though the name has not been made clear by the Chinese company, but it's for sure that LeEco is indeed gearing up for a new smartphone launch. Predicting the release date of the smartphone, some sources have stated that LeEco will release the supposed device on September 21 in China.

Earlier the news had it that LeEco would release the device in question on September 7. But the date has long gone and we heard nothing of this sort. And now we have a new date to consider, which we believe will stand true. Anyways, as we said, apart from the name, we have all the other information about this new LeEco device; so let us here have a look at these specifications.

LeEco Flagship Specifications

As per the latest buzz coming from the market, the newest LeEco device in news is going to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor. It would be decked with 64GB internal memory along with a RAM of 6GB RAM. As for camera, it will have primary camera of 16MP, with 8MP front camera for selfies and would house 5,000mAh battery.

Talking of the display, it has been revealed that the device would have 5.5-inch HD display. It will also house fingerprint scanner, and would be available in three models in terms of storage. One of the variants will have 32GB internal storage with 4GB RAM, other one will have 64GB internal memory along with 6GB RAM, and the last one will be seen with 128GB internal storage and 6GB RAM.

As for processor, the device will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, and would run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OS.

The price and name of the device is yet to be known and we expect LeEco to unveil it before September 21. We can't really predict if the company is employing this as a marketing strategy and following that, we get to know every detail on the launch itself.

Well, you stay tuned to this space to know what exactly the smartphone will have in store!
Moto E3 Power To Release In India On September 19

New Delhi, Wed, 14 Sep 2016 NI Wire

There was a time when buying a smartphone would mean shelling out huge sum of money. But over the years, we have seen a positive change in this scenario. The strong competition in the smartphone market has paved way for many tech companies to invest in budget friendly devices.

Not just the new ones, even the highly acclaimed and renowned brands such as the LG, Samsung, and others too are launching affordable models with premium features. Today you can buy a good featured smartphone merely under a price bracket of Rs. 10,000.

And the latest device joining this bracket happens to be Moto E3 Power. It is to note that earlier Moto E3 was in news about its release in the Indian smartphone market. But for weeks, we didn't really get any update on the same. However, now reports suggest that Motorola, which is now known as Moto and is owned by Lenovo, has made the details of the budget device official and has made it clear that Moto E3 Power is soon coming to India.

Confirming the news through company's twitter handle, Moto declared that Moto E3 Power will be launched in the Indian sub continent on September 19 around 11:59 PM. The device will be exclusively available on Flipkart. The price is however kept under wraps, but it's clear that it would surely be under Rs. 10,000.

Let us here have a look at the device and understand what all features the Moto E3 Power is going to come packed with.

Moto E3 Power: At A Glance

The name of the device makes it pretty clear that Moto E3 Power is relying on its battery power. The reports state that Moto E3 Power houses a mammoth 3,500mAh cell, which happens to be 700mAh more than the actual model. Also, the battery of the all new Moto E3 Power is backed by 10W quick charger. And this is one feature which is majorly missed in the smartphones launched in this budget.

Talking about other features, sources revealed that Moto E3 Power comes with dual-SIM slots, with 16GB inbuilt memory and 2GB RAM. The device houses a 5.0-inch HD IPS display with 1280x720p resolution clocked at 1.0GHz MediaTek MT6735P (Cortex-A53) quad-core CPU. It runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

As for camera, the device has 8MP primary camera with LED flash, auto-focus and 5MP camera for selfies. It supports 4G-LTE (download:150mbps/ Upload: 50mbps). Additional features in the device include of Dual-SIM slots, Wi-Fi, micro SD card, Bluetooth, GLONASS/GPS, 1W based rear loud speaker, and micro USB v2.0.

In terms of price, it has been revealed that in Hong Kong, the Moto E3 Power is currently being made available for HKD 1,098 (approximately $142/125/Rs. 9,488). In the Indian market, the price is expected to be quite lesser than that as Moto already has the high-end Moto G4 Play at the price of Rs. 8,999. This apparently makes it clear that Moto E3 Power will be less than this price and would actually be an amazingly affordable device with high-end features.

Stay tuned with this space to know about the price details of the Moto E3 Power!
In May, the Landmarks Preservation Commission added seven new sites to their calendar of items under consideration for designation within the Greater East Midtown Initiative area. That brought the total number under consideration to 12. In July, public hearings were held for the previously calendared five items. On Tuesday, a hearing was held for those seven items added in May.

This is all part of the citys multi-agency effort to shape Midtown East going forward. In August, the city revealed its latest rezoning plan, as YIMBYs Rebecca Baird-Remba covered.

The LPC is tasked with preserving the areas history, as it does with the entire city. To that end, it has divided it into three eras the pre-Grand Central Terminal era, the Grand Central Terminal City era, and the post-Grand Central Terminal era (as in post-completion of the terminal).

Unlike the hearings in July, Tuesdays seven hearings included no testimony opposing designation.

Two of the buildings that received public hearings on Tuesday are from the pre-Grand Central Terminal era. The first was the former Minnie E. Young Residence at 19 East 54th Street. The four-story structure was designed by the firm of Hiss & Weekes and built between 1899 and 1900. It was commissioned for Young, a widow of a successful banker, and reflected the upper class. It has since been converted to commercial use, with the Interaudi Bank occupying the storefront.

The austere, granite facade of 19 East 54th Street is quite a surprise when compared with the ornate Beaux-Arts designs for which the architectural firm of Hiss & Weekes is best known, most notably the Gotham Hotel. For the widowed Minnie Young, Hiss & Weekes designed a restrained Italian Renaissance inspired town house with a central entrance, pedimented piano nobile windows, and a deep cornice. The openings in the granite facade are crisply cut and virtually devoid of applied decoration, testified Barbara Zay of the Historic Districts Council. Completed in 1899, the house was originally occupied by Minnie Young and her sister, Joanne B. Arents, along with a significant number of servants  nine in 1900 and seven in 1910. As the neighborhood changed, the house was converted for commercial use, which explains the presence of display windows on the first floor. One notable period in its commercial life was the 1960s, when the building housed the prestigious Kenneth Beauty Salon, which counted Jacqueline Kennedy as a client. Today, the building stands as a rare reminder of East Midtowns once residential use and character, and as a fine architectural example of such. The fact of its survival and longevity in an ever-changing midtown context is reason enough to grant the building landmark status.

Andrea Goldman, of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, testified that the design was a stylistic departure from the highly ornamental architecture of the period and Tara Kelly, of the Municipal Art Society, testified that the design was atypical of the work of the architecture firm. Over the years, it has housed a dressmaker, antique dealer, non-profit headquarters, and hair salon to the stars, Kelly added. Despite the shifting tenants, the facade has remained largely intact since the initial conversion nearly a century ago.

Up next was the former Martin Erdmann Residence at 57 East 55th Street. It was constructed as a private residence between 1908 and 1909. Desgned by the firm Taylor & Levi, its style is English Renaissance Revival, according to the LPC, and features an all-limestone facade with Tudor-style windows. Since 1957, it has been home to the Friars Club.

This striking town house was designed by Taylor & Levi and completed in 1908-09 for Martin Erdmann, a successful banker who commissioned the house for his early retirement when he was only in his forties. In 1910, he lived here on his own income, with no family members, but with eight servants, testified Zay. The building is unlike any contemporary New York town house, with its gabled front, strapwork ornament and leaded windows. In 1909, an anonymous critic for the journal Architecture commented on just how unusual the facade was, noting that it was conceived in so different a vein from most New York houses that its propriety can be questionedbut there is much in this house to awaken an intelligence lulled to sleep by monotonous repetition of classic forms.

This is the only remaining house on what was once a residential block. It has been preserved since 1956 by The Friars Club, a club for actors. Club members refer to the building as The Monastery. The club was established in 1904 and in 1911 inaugurated the Friar Frolics, for which Irving Berlin wrote Alexanders Ragtime Band. The club is best known to the public for its famous Celebrity Roasts, where famous performers joke about the guest of honor. Though not being considered for landmark status today, it is worth noting that many of Erdmanns original interiors remain intact.

Goldman said it was a rare example of Jacobean style and astonishingly intact. Kelly described the design as quirky and noted that the architects were responsible for over 200 works, including Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

The first property heard from the Grand Central Terminal City era was 18 East 41st Street, a 21-story, neo-Gothic style office building. It was designed by George and Edward Blum and constructed between 1912 and 1914. It features tripartite facade in glazed terra cotta.

First to speak in support of designation was Ross Moskowitz, land use counsel for the buildings owner, and then two more representatives of the owner, including preservation consultant Cas Stachelberg of the firm Higgins Quasebarth & Partners. They emphasized their love for the building and noted that some rehabilitation work has already been undertaken.

In 1912, the architects George & Edward Blum received a commission for a twenty-story office building from the Holland Construction Company. Over the course of their prolific careers, the Blums created some of the most distinctive buildings in New York City, often employing a singular Arts-and-Crafts aesthetic that exploited the properties of ornamental terra cotta, testified Zay. Although the Blums are best known for their apartment houses, they were also responsible for a significant number of commercial office and loft buildings. The East 41st Street office building is one of their most unusual, given that it was designed in the neo-Gothic style. This choice of design, as well as the use of terra-cotta cladding, was likely inspired by the Woolworth Building, which was then under construction. Like the Woolworth, 18 East 41st Streets terra-cotta is coated with a bright white glaze, with the recessed sections of the three dimensional facades highlighted with polychromy.

However, what makes the East 41st Street building so exceptional is the quality of the ornamental detail, which combines the Blums interest in using both organic and geometric forms. The facade is highlighted with spandrels, vertical bands, balconies and other features on which can be found twining vines with large leaves and what appear to be ripe figs ready for the picking. The Blums, who were of Alsatian descent, studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and were familiar with progressive French ornamental design. They used one of their favorite French-inspired ornamental devices on this building  the naturalistic leaves that appear to lap over their frames. These organic design features are balanced on several of the Blums most important buildings with an overlay of geometric detail. This is evident here in the square grids that appear in many locations on the facade and in the geometric grids cut into the shield designs used on the projecting window balconies. The building has sustained a few alterations over the years, including the removal of its storefront, but has undergone an exceptionally sensitive restoration. Its striking features and commanding presence make it worthy of landmark status.

Susan Tunick, the founder of Friends of Terra Cotta, as well as Goldman and Kelly, also testified in support of designation. Representing East Midtowns early commercial history, and an unusual commission by a highly productive firm, it merits individual New York City landmark status, said Kelly.

Second in this era was the former Hampton Shops Building at 18-20 East 50th Street. The 11-story structure was built between 1915 and 1916. Its design, by Rouse & Goldstone and Joseph L. Steinman, features terra cotta that resembles granite. That was meant to complement St. Patricks Cathedral, which sits across the street. The Hampton Shops furniture company declared bankruptcy in 1937. The building was then sub-divided and has served a variety of commercial purposes.

The Hampton Shops Building, a well-preserved neo-Gothic skyscraper, is fully deserving of landmark status, not just on its own merits, but as a contextual backdrop for St. Patricks Cathedral. Designed by Rouse & Goldstone, with Joseph L. Steinman, the structure is an anomaly amongst the firms prolific catalogue in New York City. William L. Rouse and Lafayette A. Goldstone joined forces in 1909 and quickly made a name for themselves in designing grand apartment buildings. They were also known for their high level of skill at adapting Renaissance-inspired architecture to New York Citys skyscraper typology, testified Zay. Completed in 1916, the Hampton Shops Building is neither an apartment building nor a Renaissance Revival style building. For this commission, they considered the context of the new structure, directly across the street from the south facade of St. Patricks Cathedral, and chose grey terra-cotta cladding and gracious Gothic style ornament to complement their venerable neighbor. It is worth noting that in the designation report for the individually landmarked S. Jarmulowsky Bank Building, the LPC described both that structure and the Hampton Shops Building as unique designs for the firm of Rouse & Goldstone. It is only fitting, then, that this building, like the Jarmulowsky Bank, be granted landmark status. With its strong verticality, pointed arches and rich ornament, the building contributes to East Midtowns history and sense of place, and should be celebrated and protected as such.

Goldman and Kelly also testified in support.

50 Vanderbilt Avenue is a 22-story building constructed for use as the Yale Club of New York City. It was built between 1913 and 1915 and designed by architect James Gamble Rogers, who designed many structures on Yale Universitys campus in New Haven, Conn. In fact, the club was placed on Vanderbilt Avenue because it is right across the street from Grand Central Terminal, and the New Haven Line, now part of the Metro-North Railroad.

The design is based on an Italian palazzo. When completed, it was the largest building in the world devoted to club purposes. Its still the biggest in the five boroughs.

An official representative of Yale spoke in favor of designation. So, too, did Sean Khoursandi, an alumnus who know works for the Upper West Side preservation organization Landmark West! He said the Yale Club contains the stem sells of the modern Yale campus.

The original Yale Club of New York City opened on Madison Square in 1897. After moving to 30 West 44th street in 1901, the Club relocated permanently to 50 Vanderbilt Avenue in 1915. At that time, the Grand Central Terminal area was fast becoming the center of civic life in New York, and it made sense for a club catering to successful businessmen to be in the heart of it, testified Zay. Built across the street from the terminal shortly after its completion and on land owned by the New York & Harlem Railroad, the Yale Club is an important contextual component to the Grand Central area.

The 22-story clubhouse, seven bays wide along Vanderbilt and six bays deep along 44th Street, was designed by New York architect James Gamble Rogers. Rogers was known for not only revivalism but outright historicism in architecture, though he often relied on modern construction methods. The neo-classical Yale Club incorporates elements of the Italian Renaissance Revival. A massive five-story base of coursed limestone ashlar with rusticated joints supports fourteen stories of tan brick, topped by a double-height ballroom in the limestone-clad capital, consisting of round-arched windows flanked by monumental order which appears, from the ground, to be some version of Corinthian. The deeply overhanging roof remains intact, with copper modillions and anthemia visible, a rarity in buildings of this style and period.

In addition to this highly-visible commission, Rogers, a Yale alumnus, was responsible for extensive work at Yales New Haven campus. In 1917, shortly after completing the Yale Club, Gamble Rogers was commissioned by the university to master plan and redesign a significant and prominent part of Yales central campus, known as the Memorial Quadrangle, now Branford & Saybrook Colleges.

Goldman and Kelly, in supporting the designation, both spoke of a tunnel connecting the club to Grand Central, though Goldman suggested it was rumored.

The 22-story office building at 400 Madison Avenue was built between 1928 and 1929. Its neo-Gothic style design, by H. Craig Severance, features cream-colored terra cotta meant to reflect sunlight.

Constructed during the speculative building boom of the late 1920s, the 20-story office building at 400 Madison was one of several rental office buildingsin aggregate, over 3 million square feet of spaceadded to the particularly booming Grand Central Zone in 1929 alone. It replaced two six-story apartment buildings as the neighborhood was transformed into the business center of Manhattan, testified Zay. The unusual footprint, 188 feet long on Madison and only 44 feet deep along 47th & 48th Streets, allowed for extensive street frontage along the avenue, offering prime retail space. The second floor was originally designated for a bank, with upper floors rented out as commercial office space. A selling point of the design was that [n]o portion of usable floor area will be more than 27 feet from a window, and that no space was wasted with light wells or rear courts, efficiencies that would not have been lost on investors or renters. All service portions of the building were located along the rear wall, away from daylight.

The tiered upper stories of 400 Madison take advantage of the light & air zoning requirements to deploy a richly textured program of boldly geometric Gothic Revival-inspired terra cotta ornament, including crenellation, pinnacles and tracery elements topping an otherwise restrained facade. At street level, the original bronze and glass storefronts remain remarkably intact, a rarity in ever-changing Midtown. The unusual form of the building, masterfully turning an odd footprint into a selling feature based on natural light and retail frontage, coupled with the intactness of its elaborate terra-cotta decoration and street-level storefronts reflecting the boom years of the late 1920s in Midtown, qualify 400 Madison for consideration as a New York City Landmark.

H. Craig Severance studied in France before beginning to practice architecture in New York City around 1900. After a brief stint with Carrere & Hastings, Severance established his own practice in 1907. Severance partnered with William Van Alen between 1914 and the early 1920s, before returning to his own practice. In the 1920s, Severance became one of the most successful and well-known commercial architects in New York real estate circles. Just after designing 400 Madison, the architect engaged in what many observers of the period called the altitude race between Severance and his former partner, Van Alen, to build the tallest building in New York. Severances 1929 commission for 40 Wall Street was beaten out on a technicality by the spire of Van Alens 1930 Chrysler Building before the Empire State Building overtook both in 1931.

Goldman and Kelly also testified in support.

Finally, there was the former Citicorp Center at 601 Lexington Avenue. The complex includes the 59-story, 915-foot-tall office building with the slanted roof perched above supercolumns, a six-story retail building, and St. Peters Lutheran Church. The design was by Hugh Stubbins & Associates, with Emery Roth & Sons. Construction took place between 1973 and 1978.

A pastor from the church testified in support. Building owners usually oppose designation, in part due to the cost of maintenance. Churches are usually even more opposed. So, this support is unusual.

In her testimony, Goldman mentioned the innovative use of both double-decker elevators and a tuned mass damper. A sloped tower standing on stilts with a sunken plaza and St. Peters Church below, 601 Lexington Avenue is truly a landmark and deserves to be recognized as such, said Kelly.

LPC Chair Meenakshi Srinivasan noted that Boston Properties, which owns 601 Lexington Avenue, has submitted a letter of support for its designation. If designated, it would be the citys youngest landmark. A structure must be at least 30 years old to be eligible for designation.

The commissioners will issue their opinions and vote on the 12 Midtown East properties by the end of the year.

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As 5G networks get ready to deliver superfast wireless broadband speeds, service providers also want to ensure their fixed infrastructure is able to keep up to ensure the same level of service is available for consumers. With end users wanting to jump seamlessly from one device to another whether they are connected on a mobile or fixed network without a noticeable difference in the performance, it is important to maintain parity between both technologies. The recent trials conducted by Nokia and Sonera in Helsinki of 5G mobile networking and new copper cable successfully demonstrated fixed and mobile technologies delivering ultra-high speed, next-generation networks that will meet consumers' data-driven demands.





The demonstration was held in August of this year, which was built around a 5G-ready network with the Nokia (News - Alert) AirScale Base Station and a core network solution that was commercially available. It ran on a Nokia AirFrame data center platform, and both companies tested 5G connections with 4.5 GHz frequency using MIMO antenna technology.

The test carried out several trials, including high resolution video footage with Nokia's virtual reality camera for professionals called OZO, and it was able to achieve data throughput speeds of over 4.5 Gbps.

As for the copper cable technologies, Sonera tested Nokia's XG-FAST solution, a fixed broadband technology developed by Nokia Bell Labs (News - Alert) to give existing copper cables increased capacity. With this technology, service providers and network operators can use existing infrastructure to deliver the same capacities without having to invest in the costly capital expenditure of deploying new networks.

Combining mobile and fixed technologies, and making sure those technologies function well together, is more important than ever in future network solutions, said Timo Hietalahti, head of Network Architecture and Development at Sonera.

The XG-FAST (News - Alert) technology can reach transmission speeds of up to 10 Gbps in a traditional copper cable, making it an ideal solution when high-speed connection is required over a large area with an infrastructure that is already in place quickly and cost-effectively. Nokias's XG-FAST uses the last section of existing copper networks to deliver fiber-like speeds to homes and offices.

Tommi Uitto, senior vice president for global product sales at Nokia Mobile Networks, said, The world is going mobile and mobile is going fixed. At Nokia, we constantly strive to innovate in mobile and fixed technologies, helping our customers migrate and update their networks and prepare for the future so they can cater to the needs of bandwidth-hungry subscribers. 5G is just around the corner, and we're making it happen.

According to Nokia, the collaboration was designed to accelerate Sonera's network evolution and early 5G readiness and introduction to the technology so it can start developing commercial 5G services for its customers.

Edited by Alicia Young
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The Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, in power since 2008, has been unshaken by the opposition for many reasons, but if he still has a tight grip on the country, it is mainly due to the faithfulness of some men of trust.

One of those men, says West Africa Newsletter, is Mohamed Ould Ghazouania; Chief of Staff of the Mauritanian army. The man says the Paris-based media is an old friend and a comrade of the Mauritanian President.

Ghazouania is the centre of Ould Abdelazizs narrow circle. Both men graduated together from Moroccos Meknes Royal Military Academy. Ghazouania is known beyond Mauritanian borders and even in France where he has, according to West Africa Newsletter, established good contacts, mainly with Bernard Bajolet  the Head of Frances General Directorate for External Security.

The experienced and well-respected man has been an active behind-the-scenes player in several negotiations on behalf of the Mauritania President.

Ghazouania has succeeded in easing tension between Paris and Nouakchott after President Ould Abdelaziz chided Frances military intervention in Syria and said this intervention was behind the repeated terror attacks in France.

Also, he was reportedly the mastermind of the military coup in August 2005 against President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya who ran the country for 21 years.

Other members of President Ould Abdel Azizis narrow group of faithful aides include Ahmed Ould Bah, Presidency security adviser. He is also in charge of telephone tapping and internet surveillance.

Mohamed Ould Meguet, heading the National police, Sidi Baba Ould Hacen, Head of General Directorate for External Security and Mohamed Vall Ould Mayouf, commander of the Presidential security Battalion also feature in the Mauritanian Presidents shortlist of aids.
Northwest Reverb - Reflections by James Bash and others about classical music in the Pacific Northwest and beyond
Teaching by example. Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images

There were multiple reports of violence between protestors and Trump supporters on Monday night at a Trump rally in Asheville, North Carolina.

A 69-year-old protester claims she was punched outside the rally by a Trump supporter. She allegedly fell over her oxygen tank before being taken to the hospital.

Teter claimed that she told one Trump supporter that he had better learn Russian, he punched her in the face: He stopped in his tracks, she told local news station WLOS. He turned around and just cold-cocked me. In the end, Teter only suffered a minor cut and some sore ribs.

Based on Teters report, police put out a warrant for the arrest of 73-year-old Richard Campbell, a retired engineer from South Carolina. But Campbells attorneys have challenged Teters version of events and said Campbell has cataract-impaired eyesight and never hit the protester. She [Teter] assaulted him, Campbells attorney, Ruth Smith, told the Asheville Citizen-Times. You cant come up to strangers especially in that environment and grab them from behind.

A Facebook video surfaced that appears to show the elderly Campbell holding hands with his wife as she leads him through the crowd. A woman, assumed to be Teter, approaches him from behind. The video gets shaky and unfocused after that, so its hard to see exactly what happened between the two:

In all, five people were arrested at the rally. In another video taken at the rally, a man can be seen getting physical with protesters in a balcony while Trump is giving his speech. He slaps a man in the face and a woman in the chest, and lashes out at other protesters before a security guard gets between them. While the guard does not confront the violent man, he does escort the protesters out.

WATCH: Physical altercation at Trump rally... @JoeNBC on Trump's reaction: A glorification of violence https://t.co/3JRLx4ahRN  Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) September 13, 2016

During the rally, when the scuffle erupted in the balcony, Donald Trump took a break from his speech to address the violence: Is there anywhere in American more fun to be than a Trump rally?

* September 15: This story has been updated.
Bill Nojay. Photo: New York State Assembly

New Yorkers in an upstate district near Rochester have elected a deceased man to the state Assembly. Republican Bill Nojay shot and killed himself Friday on his familys Rochester cemetery plot as police officers rushed to the scene. The circumstances of his suicide are still being investigated, but fraud allegations had been swirling around Nojays ventures outside the legislature. Nojay was reportedly due in court the day of his death on federal charges for allegedly embezzling from a trust fund that he managed for a friend. Nojay was also facing trial in Cambodia, where he and three other men were accused of bilking $1 million from an investor in a rice export business that prosecutors allege was a front.

Nojay, a Trump supporter, was first elected to the Assembly in 2012 as a very conservative, pro-gun candidate. His GOP primary challenger, Rick Milne, the mayor of Honeoye Falls, did not overcome his opponents fraud accusations, or his lack of pulse, and lost by about 1,000 votes from conservative strongholds in the 133rd Assembly district. But Nojays victory wasnt totally surprising  party leaders were still urging voters to cast their ballots for the dead incumbent. A rule now gives GOP party leaders in the three counties that make up the 133rd district ten days to choose a new candidate to face off against Democratic candidate Barbara Baer  and almost definitely beat her  in November. Milne, the technical runner-up who stopped formally campaigning after Nojays suicide, asked that he be selected. I really believe we would have fared better with Mr. Nojay still alive, Milne told the Associated Press. Several other people have reportedly put their names forward, but GOP leaders have not named the peoples candidate just yet.
A hawk among hawks. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Donald Trump is the kind of noninterventionist who wants to increase military spending, suggests punishing Irans rude gestures with immediate air strikes, and takes his national-security advice from an ardent neoconservative who still believes Saddam Hussein was behind 9/11.



Which is to say, we should probably stop calling the Republican nominee a noninterventionist. But before examining the latest signs that Trump is not, in fact, an antiwar candidate, its worth reviewing how he cultivated that reputation.

Throughout both his primary and general-election campaigns, Trump made his opposition to interventions aimed at regime change  including the Iraq War and the toppling of Qaddafi in Libya  a central point in his foreign-policy pitch. Back in February, his chief policy adviser Sam Clovis likened Trumps foreign policy to classical realism, and suggested that the candidate only supported deploying military force as a last resort to protect national security.

In truth, Trump did support the invasion of Iraq and the intervention in Libya before they were launched. However, the GOP nominee condemned the former as a disastrous mistake long before Hillary Clinton did. And while most of Trumps policy convictions prove to be fleeting improvisations or talking points handed down from GOP donors, his sympathy for a kind of isolationism dates back nearly two decades.

During a brief flirtation with a presidential campaign in 1987, Trump questioned the United States overseas commitments, arguing that Japan, Saudi Arabia, and other allies could afford to defend themselves  or at least pay for us to defend them. Rather than invest in foreign entanglements, Trump proposed that America should devote its resources to our farmers, our sick, our homeless. Trump infamously expanded this argument into a repudiation of NATO, at various points in 2016.

Of course, the mogul has also called for murdering the families of terrorists and confiscating the natural resources of our conquered enemies. But as Peter Beinart has observed, Trumps skepticism about intervention for the sake of spreading democracy or protecting our allies  and his willingness to violate international law in pursuit of revenge against anyone who spills American blood  fits neatly into the doctrine of Jacksonian isolationism.

[Jacksonians] have little interest in the Hamiltonian project of prying other countries open to American commerce or the Wilsonian project of spreading democracy and liberty across the globe. But when attacked, especially by what they consider dishonorable foes, Jacksonians believe that wars must be fought with all available force. The use of limited force is deeply repugnant.

The ethical premises behind this foreign-policy outlook are stridently nationalist. And, in the abstract, they seem far less conducive to peace than the humanist, multilateral principles of Clintons liberal interventionism.

But the inhumane results of the American efforts in Iraq and Libya, both of which boasted significant support from liberal interventionists, raised the possibility that Trumps uglier ideology could ultimately prove less destructive. And the GOP nominee has widely advertised this possibility, albeit in different terms.

Sometimes it seemed like there wasnt a country in the Middle East that Hillary Clinton didnt want to invade, intervene in, or topple, Trump told a crowd in Philadelphia last week. She is trigger-happy and very unstable.

But this appeal should not be trusted. And not just because Trump has given the American public little reason to trust anything he says. Rather, the events of the past week suggest that Trumps brand of neo-isolationism is the trigger-happy sort  and that hell probably just outsource his foreign policy to his partys most reactionary neoconservatives, anyway.

The thing about Jacksonians is that they either support nonintervention or total war, depending on whether America is under attack. Which makes how a given Jacksonian defines an attack on our country pretty important. Last Friday in Florida, Trump suggested that he would consider an Iranian naval officer giving the middle finger to a passing U.S. vessel an affront worth waging war over.

Iran, when they circle our beautiful destroyers with their little boats and they make gestures at our people that they shouldnt be allowed to make, they will be shot out of the water, the GOP nominee promised at a rally in Pensacola, referring to an incident last winter in which the Iranian army detained American sailors who had wandered into the Islamic Republics territorial waters.

At that same rally, Trump reiterated his belief that Clinton is dangerously trigger-happy.

Perhaps Trumps saber-rattling rally bluster shouldnt be taken seriously. But even if Trump wouldnt have launched a war with Iran for policing its territorial waters last February, his instinct to meet insults with belligerence seems likely to produce a less diplomatic response than the one pursued by the Obama administration. Especially if hes surrounded by neoconservatives who thirst for confrontation with Tehran. Which, increasingly, he is.

On Monday, Trump named former CIA director James Woolsey as his campaigns senior national-security adviser. Woolsey is a hawk, even among neoconservatives. Per the Intercept:

Trump has called the Iraq War a disaster.



Woolsey, by contrast, was a key member of the Project for the New American Century  a neoconservative think tank largely founded to encourage a second war with Iraq. Woolsey signed a letter in 1998 calling on Clinton to depose Saddam Hussein and only hours after the 9/11 attacks appeared on CNN and blamed the attacks on Iraq. Woolsey has continued to insist on such a connection despite the complete lack of evidence to support his argument. He also blames Iran.

James Woolsey, peacenik. Photo: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

Woolseys hiring comes days after Trump committed himself to a massive increase in defense spending, proposing hundred-billion-dollar weapons systems for the Navy and Air Force and, thus, reversing his 2013 support for maintaining the military cuts contained in the sequester.

In defending Trumps proposal, Woolsey suggested that America must prioritize military spending over domestic investments  reasoning that directly contradicts Trumps rhetoric on that subject from 1987 through most of his 2016 campaign.

I think the problem is her budget, Woolsey said of Clinton. She is spending so much money on domestic programs  including ones that we dont even have now, and the ones we have now are underfunded  I think there can be very little room for the improvements in defense and intelligence that have to be made.

Trump may have a neo-isolationist streak. But evidence strongly suggests that, before anything else, the GOP nominee is a narcissist with little interest in the workaday requirements of executing policy. As a Republican president, Trumps path of least resistance will be to outsource foreign affairs to his partys neoconservative Establishment. Woolseys hiring strongly suggests hell take that path.

So, no matter what the GOP nominee (or certain naive bloggers) tell you, theres little reason to think that Donald Trump represents a less trigger-happy alternative to Hillary Clintons foreign policy.
Renowned media critic Barack Obama. Photo: Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images

This weekend, the Washington Post revealed that Donald Trump used his charitable foundation to rebrand other peoples generosity as his own, purchased a six-foot-tall painting of himself with donors money, and made a political contribution to an attorney general who was considering an investigation of his for-profit university.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton exaggerated the percentage of Trump supporters who are virulent racists, and then revealed that she has pneumonia.

So, clearly, it was a disastrous weekend for the Democratic nominees campaign.

In recent days, the medias struggle to scrutinize both major party candidates, observe a stance of official neutrality, and convey an accurate sense of the relative severity of each nominees shortcomings has been a popular subject among liberal commentators. On Tuesday, the progressive-thought leader-in-chief got in on the action.

Do you mind if I just vent for a second? Barack Obama asked, while stumping for Clinton in Philadelphia. You dont grade the presidency on a curve. This is serious business.

Obama proceeded to decry the medias habit of falsely equating his preferred successor with a scandal-plagued demagogue.

You wanna debate transparency? Youve got one candidate in this race whos released decades worth of her tax returns. The other candidate is the first in decades who refuses to release any at all, Obama noted. You wanna debate foundations and charities? One candidates family foundation has saved countless lives around the world. The other candidates foundation took money other people gave to his charity and then bought a 6-foot-tall painting of himself. I mean, he had the taste not to go for the 10-foot version!

Obama then threw some shade in Matt Lauers direction:

Donald Trump says stuff every day that used to be considered as disqualifying for being president. And yet because he says it over and over again, the press just gives up and then you say, well, yeah, you know, okay. They did stuff  I was opposed to the war in Iraq. Well, actually, he wasnt, but they just accept it.

Finally, Obama concluded by reminding the press corps that American democracy is not a reality show.

The bottom line, Obama said, is that we cannot afford to suddenly treat this like a reality show.

But some members of the Fourth Estate disagree.

An unnamed D.C. reporter says lets elect a white nationalist because it will be interesting. https://t.co/OwsWa2qbFP pic.twitter.com/HxEl8J0uq0  Jamelle Bouie (@jbouie) September 12, 2016

Always important to hear from both sides.
An advertisement for the future presidents golf course in Dubai. Photo: Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images

Hillary Clinton has perfected the politics of personal profit, the Republican nominee declared back in June. At that time, he was referring to allegations that Clinton had traded influence in the State department for donations to her family foundation. Then, as now, such accusations were not substantiated by any smoking-gun evidence of a quid pro quo. Rather, they were based on instances that gave off the appearance of conflicting interests  like when Clinton approved the sale of a uranium company, which was owned by a foundation donor, to the Russian atomic-energy agency.

For a typical Republican candidate, such apparent conflicts of interest would be fertile ground to mine for attacks. But Trump is not a typical Republican candidate. In fact, there has never been an American presidential candidate more vulnerable to accusations of apparent conflicts of interest than Donald J. Trump: The mogul owns a business that profits off the commercial value of his own name, which he licenses to real-estate developers the world over  many of whom have direct ties to foreign governments and political parties.

And Trump has no plans to meaningfully distance himself from his business interests should he take office. In fact, at points in his campaign, he has seemingly promised to abuse his public power to advance his private interests.



Officially, his position is that he will place the company in a blind trust  and that his adult children will oversee its day-to-day operations. But unless Trump plans to cut off all personal relations with his offspring, this arrangement is roughly the opposite of a blind trust.

Whats more, while the Clinton family profits only indirectly from donations to their charitable organization (via prestige, the power to give out cushy nonprofit jobs within the foundation), the Trumps make millions in direct profits from their corporations overseas partners and investors.

In his expose on the Trump Organizations foreign ties, published in Newsweek on Wednesday, Kurt Eichenwald concisely summarizes the overarching conflict this state of affairs represents:

Any government wanting to seek future influence with President Trump could do so by arranging for a partnership with the Trump Organization, feeding money directly to the family or simply stashing it away inside the company for their use once Trump is out of the White House.

Eichenwalds investigation is worth reading in full, but here are a few of the countries where he suggests Trumps financial interests  and Americas national interest  may come into conflict:

South Korea

The Trump Organization has financial ties to Daewoo Engineering and Construction, a South Korean firm that, among other things, aids in the development of nuclear power plants. At various points in his campaign, the GOP nominee has suggested South Korea may need to finance its own defense, including the development of a nuclear deterrent to its northern enemy. Trumps business partner could, ostensibly, profit from such a development. But its far from clear that kicking South Korea out from under Americas nuclear umbrella would be in our national interest, or in that of global stability.

India

Trump has licensed his name to a pair of 22-floor towers that Panchsil Realty seeks to build in the city of Pune. But in August, the local government found discrepancies in its land records suggesting that the land on which the building was constructed may not have been legally obtained by Panchshil. The investigation is ongoing.

The Pune project is just one of several ventures the Trump Organization has in the South Asian country, as Donald Jr. advertised earlier this summer.

We are very bullish on India and plan to build a pan-India development footprint for Trump-branded residential and office projects, Donald Trump Jr. told the Hindustan Times, shortly before the Republican National Convention. We have a very aggressive pipeline in the north and east, and look forward to the announcement of several exciting new projects in the months ahead.

Like most real-estate developments, many projects in that pipeline will require the cooperation of Indian authorities. Eichenwald spells out the potential conflicts this presents:

If he plays tough with India, will the government assume it has to clear the way for projects in that aggressive pipeline and kill the investigations involving Trumps Pune partners? And if Trump takes a hard line with Pakistan, will it be for Americas strategic interests or to appease Indian government officials who might jeopardize his profits from Trump Towers Pune?

Turkey

In 2008, the Trump Organization inked a branding deal with one of the most politically connected developers in Turkey. When the Dogan Group opened Trump Towers Istanbul in 2012, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan presided over their ribbon-cutting.

But Aydin Dogan was indicted in a fuel-smuggling scheme back in March. With the family falling out of political favor  and Trump rebranding himself as Americas leading Islamophobe  Erdogan called for the moguls name to be removed from the towers this past June.

Turkey is a key ally in Americas fight against ISIS. A President Trump would enter office amid a feud with its president over a lucrative business deal. Its possible this latter fact could jeopardize the former one.

Azerbaijan

Trump has partnered with local developer Garant Holding, to construct a real estate project in the nations capital. Garant is controlled by Anar Mammadov, the son of Azerbaijans transportation minister Ziya Mammadov. U.S. diplomats suspect the elder Mammadov may have laundered money for the Iranian military.

Trumps development with Garant is currently on hold, but not canceled. If it goes through, and if U.S. intelligence has concluded that the Mammadovs are, indeed, involved in laundering money for Tehran, its possible that Trumps foreign policy on Iran and Azerbaijan could be compromised by his business partners other interests.

Eichenwald details other potential conflicts, including in the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, and Russia. In some cases, the examples he cites could be framed as evidence that Trump will not allow his business interests to infringe on his policies: The Republican nominees Muslim ban has been a disaster for his interests in the UAE. However, as with Turkey, this fact could sour diplomatic relationships between Trump and Americas Middle East allies from day one.

My father already said he would put it into a blind trust and it would be run by us, Ivanka Trump explained on Good Morning America Wednesday morning, in response to Newsweeks story. So hes been very articulate on that fact and outspoken, but this is so much bigger than another deal and we all recognize that.

Meanwhile, the Trump campaigns ambassador to CNN, Corey Lewandowski, suggested that Eichenwalds report could be dismissed because the reporter has said that George W. Bush was involved in 9/11. (Eichenwald has said no such thing).

My whole life Ive been greedy, greedy, greedy. Ive grabbed all the money I could get, Trump said at a Republican debate in January. Im so greedy. But now I want to be greedy for the United States.

This November, the American people will decide whether to not to believe a greedy, greedy, greedy man when he says he has their best interests in mind.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker addresses the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, September 9, 2015.[Photo/Agencies]

A Chinese friend accompanied a climate delegation on its visits to Berlin and Brussels earlier this month when the United States and China ratified the Paris Climate Agreement at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. When he met me later in Brussels, he was eager to know about the situation in the European Union, especially because of the challenges the bloc faced at this crucial time in history.

I had a hard time convincing him that the future is not as gloomy as he feared, partly because the climate delegation's experience in Berlin was disheartening as two of its members had their passports and wallets stolen while dining at a restaurant.

But I wouldn't put Berlin in the category of unsafe EU cities, which unfortunately Paris, Brussels and Rome have become for Chinese tourists. Five years ago, I had forgotten my wallet in a roadside eatery in Berlin. When I went there a day later, the waiter smilingly returned it tome.

But despite my friend's negative experience in Berlin, he talked about something encouraging. He said he had sensed that Germany and the EU, green champions both, had begun to play a greater leadership role after the US and China had set a good example in environmental protection.

My friend also touched upon something that Europeans would want to know, for instance, what European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will say in his second state of the union address on Wednesday. The speech is similar in style to the annual State of the Union address by the US presidents, although the concept of a "United States of Europe" is still a long way off.

What people want to know from Juncker's speech is: How can the EU become safe like it was in the past in the face of massive illegal immigration? And how can it regain its position as a global leader and become a responsible stakeholder in the international relations?

Juncker, a veteran politician and former prime minister of Luxembourg, seems to have assumed the EC post at the wrong time. Soon after he took office, three deadly terrorist attacks shook Paris and Brussels. And in June, people in the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU.

I believe the political legacy of Juncker and other top EU politicians will depend on how Europeans respond to the threat of terrorism and the UK's decision to leave the EU.

Because of the three terrorist attacks, Europeans feel like the EU is more unsafe now than it has ever been after World War II. And Brexit has dealt the first major blow to European unity.

I also talked with my neighbors to know what they would like Juncker to highlight in his state of the union speech. The response of a middle-aged teacher from France who teaches the French language to immigrants in Brussels was what functions does Juncker fulfill and how did he become EC president. I explained the functions of some of the EU's leading institutions such as the European Parliament, European Council and the European Commission. He told me that he learned these things in school, but since he could not vote in a EU-level election, it all went in through one ear and out the other.

I asked him how many of his fellow Europeans are indifferent to the EU and its functions. He paused for a moment before saying "at least half".

This lack of interest may be another challenge for Juncker. Therefore, apart from offering timely remedies for the challenges the EU faces, Juncker and his fellow EU officials must try to reach out to people across the EU and cooperate with global stakeholders if they want to restore the bloc's global leadership role.

Only by using all its political resources and will can the EU overcome the mighty challenges it faces today.

The author is deputy chief of China Daily European Bureau

fujing@chinadaily.com.cn
Photo: Highway 61 Entertainment

A Donald Trumpsupporting super-pac is launching a 55-foot digital billboard in Times Square that portrays the Republican as Super Trump, a grimacing hero with a cartoon body. Its an attempt to capitalize on Hillary Clintons recent pneumonia scare, says the ads producer, and shows Trump with a six-pack, pronounced pecs, and hands that must be two or three times the size of his actual mini-mitts. The ad, which cost the Committee to Restore America $25,000, will be on a Broadway billboard between September 13 and September 16.

The man behind the image is conservative filmmaker Joel Gilbert, producer of conspiracy-peddling movies like Dreams of My Real Father, who told the New York Post, You see Trump traveling the country on his airplane. Hes looking to solve peoples problems  Its giving power back to the people. Who is more American than Superman? Superman, of course, is an alien.
Super Typhoon Meranti captured by NASAs Aqua satellite. Photo: NASA Goddards MODIS Rapid Response Team

Super Typhoon Meranti is careening past the southern tip of Taiwan, packing sustained winds of 185 miles per hour. The cyclone has logged wind gusts as fast as 225 miles per hour, and waves as high as 48 feet. Parts of the system were dumping nearly a foot of rainfall per hour.

Photo: NASA/JAXA, Hal Pierce

Meranti is the largest storm on Earth right now, and one of the most impressive cyclones ever recorded on the planet. Only two other super typhoons have managed to maintain wind speeds at 185 miles per hour for 18 hours: 1979s Typhoon Tip, the most powerful storm in recorded history; and 2013s Typhoon Haiyan, which killed more than 6,000 in the Philippines.

Incredible Himawari-8 rapid scan imagery of Super Typhoon Meranti in W. Pacific. See more at https://t.co/Uzj4PqFZyF pic.twitter.com/elTETtbTl1  NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) September 13, 2016

Forecasters predict that Meranti will skate south of Taiwan on Wednesday, avoiding a direct hit, but still battering the island with tropical-storm-force winds and heavy surf and torrential rains, which could produce mudslides in its mountains with rainfall anywhere between 10 and 30 inches in some spots.

Himawari-8 captured this infrared imagery of Super Typhoon #Meranti in the Pacific on 9/12. https://t.co/8fEgTLCLdR pic.twitter.com/RNRJrsSwGp  NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) September 12, 2016

But Meranti poses an even bigger threat to Chinas southeastern coast. The cyclone is charging forward south of Xiamen, a port city in the Fuijan province, and even if the storm weakness  and it likely will  it will approach mainland China around Thursday with the equivalent strength of at least a category-three hurricane. That means winds up to 129 miles per hour, intense downpours, and deadly surf.

Photo: Joint Typhoon Warning Center

This will likely be the second deadly storm hit for this region in just weeks. In July, Typhoon Nepartak took a path similar to Merantis, killing 3 in Taiwan and more than 80 in mainland China as a tropical storm. In one Taiwanese town on the southeastern coast, residents rushed to repair still-damaged homes as they prepared for another, more fearsome storm to arrive.
Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Elizabeth Warren will get her chance to rip into Wells Fargo one week from today when the Senate banking committee holds a hearing on what the senator has called a staggering fraud. Last week, the bank was fined $185 million after its employees spent years screwing customers by creating fake accounts in their names without their approval or knowledge. The announcement of next Tuesdays hearing came hours after Warren and four other Democratic senators demanded a chance to probe the banks aggressive sales tactics. The magnitude of this situation warrants a thorough and comprehensive review, they wrote in the letter.

Wells Fargo has said it is prepared to provide the committee with information and CEO John Stumpf said he is ready to share Wells Fargos story. He hinted at that story in an interview in The Wall Street Journal, throwing employees under the bus and saying that the fraud was their fault, while simultaneously claiming the company never created an incentive to do bad things. Moreover:

[I]f theyre not going to do the thing that we ask them to do  put customers first, honor our vision and values  I dont want them here, he said. I really dont.



Of the 5,300 employees who were fired over five years due to improper selling, Mr. Stumpf said these included bankers, managers and managers of those managers. He declined to name the highest-ranking employee let go among that group.

Meanwhile, Wells Fargos share price is down 6 percent since the story broke last week, dropping the bank behind JPMorgan Chase in market value. Its the first time in over three years Wells Fargo hasnt been able to call itself Americas most valuable bank.
poll position

What the Polls Say Today: Maybe Warnock Really Is Going Downhill in Georgia

Perhaps what Chuck Schumer told Joe Biden about Georgia is right, but Governor Kathy Hochul is doing a bit better.
Canada prime minister Justin Trudeau. Photo: Justin Chin/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In Canadas continued mission to become the woke sibling of the United States, Justin Trudeaus government has just approved prescription heroin, per a report from Alan Freeman at the Washington Post. The idea is to help severe addicts who havent responded to methadone, rehab, and other treatments.

Its a signal that Vancouvers approach to heroin is going national. Though British Columbias largest city is a bustling cosmopolitan metropolis, the citys Downtown Eastside neighborhood is a flashpoint for the heroin epidemic that is burning across North America. In 2003, the city started the continents first legal injection site. We tried to arrest our way out of it and that didnt work, Vancouver Police Department sergeant Randy Fincham told the New York Times. Clogging up our courts and jails was not the solution. Then, in 2005, the city saw the opening of Crosstown, a clinic where addicts can safely get heroin injections for free. Estimates say that the program costs taxpayers $21,000 per addict per year, each of whom would cost the state $35,000 in medical care and jail if they were left on their own. The purpose of these facilities is to create stability in addicts lives, so they dont spend all their time trying to get their next fix.

This nobly compassionate approach, unsurprisingly, was pioneered in Europe, with the worlds first legal injection site opening in the Swiss capital, Bern, in 1986. Since then, Denmark, Switzerland, and other European countries have shown how the approach works. According to a Danish study, the approach increased the number of addicts who find permanent housing by 30 percent and reduced side-abuse drinking by 50 percent. An analysis in the British Medical Journal found that in the Netherlands, the prescription of heroin saved the state over $16,000 because of lower costs with policing and damage to victims of crime. Hopefully Canadas leadership will set an example for the U.S., where drug-overdose deaths have increased by 137 percent since 2000, and opioid deaths have increased by 200 percent.
Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

On a trip to Tokyo in 1992, President George H. W. Bush went to work  in the form of a state dinner  hosted by Japanese leadership, and promptly threw up on the prime minister. The President is human, a White House spokesperson said at the time. He gets sick. That scene was echoed last weekend at a 9/11 memorial service, when Hillary Clinton had to dip out and crash for a minute at her daughters Manhattan apartment. Weirdly, her team first said she was overheated, then followed up and revealed that seasonal allergies were getting to her and shed come down with pneumonia. While at this mornings event, she became overheated and dehydrated, her personal physician said in a statement. I have just examined her and she is now re-hydrated and recovering nicely.

Being president and becoming president are demanding jobs. And though she didnt regurgitate on a head of state, Clintons overheating speaks to the same cultural norm that Bush exhibited on that fateful day  showing up for work at all costs, a habit that management scholars call presenteeism. (If youve ever trudged into the office with a cold that really should keep you in bed, you may have partaken yourself, and gotten your colleagues sick in the process). As Oliver Staley reports at Quartz, getting hard numbers on how much value is lost to people working when they should be recovering is hard to do, though one estimate says its over $250 billion a year. With presenteeism comes depression, fatigue, anxiety and disordered sleep, the research says. As well, working while youre sick leads to depersonalization  where you no longer have your heart in your work  and burnout. In a Swedish study, workers who committed more presenteeism also had lower self-reported health, which makes a ton of sense since working while youre sick probably isnt the surest method of recovery.

Some jobs are more prone to presenteeism than others: Teachers, nurses, and nursing home aides are three to four times more likely to work while sick than managers, one review notes. There are lots of push-and-pull factors that lead to a culture of presenteeism in workplaces, from a sense of loyalty to vulnerable clients, like patients and students, and job insecurity  if you feel like youre going to lose your job, youre probably going to show up lots. From my perspective, presenteeism seems to share lots of the same causes with why Americans are worse at vacations than Europeans. Jobs in the U.S. are less secure and theres less of a safety net; in the U.K., theres redundancy pay to keep you paid if you get fired. Across Europe, labor unions are way stronger than in the U.S., as signaled by Frances increased vacation and limited overtime. As well, a survey of U.S. corporate managers found that they equated working longer hours with being more dedicated, more hardworking, and more responsible. You can thank the industrial era, argues MIT management scholar Robert Pozen, since that eras clocking-in and clocking-out culture is still present in the billable hours of prestigious professions like law and consultancy, thereby ballooning time on the job. Add all that up and you get candidates looking like theyre going to faint and presidents throwing up on other heads of state. America: land of the free, home of the working-while-sick.
Seriously, why are these sweaters so affordable? Photo: Courtesy of Uniqlo

When it comes to buying good, affordable basics, theres really no better place than Uniqlo. You can get a pair of jeans for under $40, a crisp white shirt for less than $30, and a sleek wool coat for a fraction of what other places charge. The smartest piece to stock up on? Cashmere sweaters.

If you scour the internet, youll notice that its nearly impossible to get a 100 percent cashmere sweater for less than $100  except at Uniqlo. Which got us wondering, how the hell can they do that? We sat down with their head of research and development, Yuki Katsuta, and had him walk us through the process. Spoiler: Theres really almost no difference between a $100 sweater and a $1,000 one. Scroll ahead to find out why.

Step 1: Choose Only the Best, Longest Hair

Photo: Courtesy of Uniqlo

Katsuta explained to us that pretty much all cashmere is made from the same batch of Mongolian goats. Uniqlo has their own special, super secret farms where they source their yarn, but theyre no different from the farms used by all of those fancy brands.

After gathering the undercoat from the goats, Uniqlo will sort through to select the best hairs. The process is time-consuming mainly because they want the longest ones possible  anywhere from three to four centimeters. Good, expensive cashmere uses only long hairs, whereas true cheap cashmere will take the short hairs and link them together to create the illusion of length. After the hairs are chosen, they get a quick wash with water.

Step 2: Go Back and Pick Through the Hair Again

Photo: Courtesy of Uniqlo

Youd think there was some anonymous robot sorting through all of the strands but shockingly, no. All of the hair is hand-chosen, both during the first round and after its been washed.

Step 3: Shave and Refine

Photo: Courtesy of Uniqlo

Even if you spend hours selecting only the best pieces of hair, they wont be perfect. There are still bumps and tangles. To refine their selection even more, the bits get a shave until theyre perfectly smooth and ready for spinning.

Step 4: Spin and Weave

Photo: Courtesy of Uniqlo

Have you ever seen the words single-ply, twoply, or even three-ply used to describe a sweater? Most people tend to glaze over those words, but they denote an important detail. Ply describes the yarn used to weave the sweater. Single-ply means it only consists of one strand while two- and three-ply mean that multiple strands are wrapped around each other to create a stronger, more durable yarn. You want a sweater that wont have holes? Skip the single-ply and go straight for the two-ply.

Step 5: Forming the Sweater

Photo: Courtesy of Uniqlo

Once the yarn is spun and dyed, each piece of the sweater gets knit together. Its common for other brands to simply use a machine to sew the pieces together, but linking, as its called, creates a superior fit. This results in a sweater thats better molded to the body, making it extra comfortable.

Note that when it comes to fit, theres really not that much of a difference between the pieces youll find in Asia versus the ones here. Granted, a U.S. small would be a Japanese medium, but besides that, Katsuta explained that the only changes are in sleeve and body length. Otherwise, the sleeve and widths of the garment remain the same.

Step 6: Wash, Sew, and Youre Done

Photo: Courtesy of Uniqlo

Once the sweater is formed, it goes through one more wash. This is to ensure that it retains softness over time. Then the label is sewn and its ready to go.

All of this raises the question: How can Uniqlo charge under $100 for cashmere when some labels demand prices well into four figures? Katsuta says they keep their prices low because they cut out the middleman and control the process from start to finish. When pressed about marketing and the hype that comes with the term luxury, all he says is, Everybody buys from the same place  the same specific area in China and Mongolia. You can draw your own conclusions from that.
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Auburn University students Charles Branch and Madison Gohlke were awarded the 2016-17 SEC Dr Pepper Education Abroad award funding each student's year-long, study abroad programs.

SEC's corporate sponsor, Dr Pepper, donated $100,000 in 2015 to provide study abroad opportunities for SEC students who excel in the classroom, demonstrate financial need and represent non-traditional study abroad participants.

Each SEC university chooses two students to participate in a faculty-led program occurring during either the summer, fall or spring terms of the 2016-17 academic year.

Branch, a native of Dayton, Ohio, is a second-year doctoral student in the counselor education and supervision program in Auburn's College of Education. During his stay in South Korea he will be conducting research on increasing positive emotional intelligence from a multicultural perspective.

Gohlke, a native of Anniston, is a junior studying animal sciences in Auburn's College of Agriculture. She completed her program in the summer of 2016 in Swaziland where she studied field biology, ecology and parasitology.

"Increasing the amount and type of education abroad opportunities available to SEC students has been an SECU goal for more than a decade," said Torie Johnson, executive director of the SECU Academic Initiative. "It's exciting to know that thanks to Dr Pepper's generosity, more SEC students than ever will have a life-changing experience in another part of the world."

For more information, go to http://secsports.go.com/news.
the whole 'I'm Still Here' thing was such a shit show

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The best part was he was married to Phoenix sister while he was enabling this behavior? Both fuckers are a mess. And then you have Joaquin whose girlfriends are getting younger and younger w/ every passing day.

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post image







They're apparently gross together and if this is true it backs up what one of the women said in her lawsuit

They're apparently gross together and if this is true it backs up what one of the women said in her lawsuit

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I still have no idea what they were even trying to do.



Like everyone thought it was fake and then they were like "Aha! We faked the whole thing!"



Congratulations, everyone knew you were being an asshole on purpose.

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Please start an uproar about this asshat too. I try to bring it up here everytime I see Casey fangirl hyperventilating over his basic ass.

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People stan this Affleck? Now I don't feel that bad about my trash taste then

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Yes and they got super defensive when this was pointed out. But yes, Casffleck also has stans here. I mean Chris Brown has stans here.

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there r ppl who will fight u & try 2 convince u he's the "cute " and/or "more talented" brother when they're both ugly & mediocre

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I really like him as an actor and The Assassination of Jesse James is my alltime fav movie and his role as Robert Ford is the best role I've ever seen. I used to be such a big stan and now all this.. :( I still love TAOJJ and he is so great as Ford but damn this is so disappointing. I'm so confused, like I despise him for all this, but still love his acting. :(



Edited at 2016-09-14 09:29 pm (UTC)

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i was just saying to my friend the other day that i prefer casey to ben as an actor, probably because he's less exposed so I dont see AFFLECK when I'm watching him.



Though now, ugh.

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He used to be one of my top fave actors. ;( He was so god damn amazing in The Assasination of Jesse James. And I like his whole drugged out look. But his horrid personality has removed him from my list of faves!

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He's like bacon and egg breakfast food basic

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He has fans? lol.

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he's white, he's ben's brother, he's already established, and he's white.



the end.

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yep



plus this is the first i've heard of him being an oscar contender lol

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best actor is looking pretty bleak this year

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yea same lol

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Casey is like, the only actor getting any real buzz in the Lead Actor category currently

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It's a very light year for the category and Affleck's really the only prospective nominee with sustained hype since Sundance. Of course, Denzel hasn't gotten his foot in the door yet for Fences.

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he was nominated years ago in the supporting actor category

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yup! i'm all for naming and shaming sexual predators, but the reactions to/treatment of/media spin on nate parker vs those of his white counterparts... yikes

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plus he's white

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Pretty much.

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There we go.

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I had no idea about Casey and it is DEFINITELY true that white men get away with so much but I am 100% down to shame ALL sexual assaulters the exact same amount. Throw ALL of them into the trash and set them on fire TBQH

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lmfao that video was a trip

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lol that black cop looking like he does not get paid enough to deal with that shit.

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omg what is this from?

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what is this from?

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hahahahahhahahahahaah

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what is this from?

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Lmao I posted the video in the Adrien grenier post where he said he "settled" Williamsburg

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Yes, thank you!



I'm glad people are finally starting to bring this up, the lack of uproar over the sexual harassment is awful.



I really hope this becomes an issue for him and his campaign as well, though I believe his victims signed NDAs when they settled with him so all we have is their initial complaints.

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That's the biggest roadblock. Also, I think Parker's stuff may have been brushed aside if it didn't come out that his victim killed herself.

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And if his PR team kept him out of sight.

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I think the Parker thing also blew up because he basically turned himself into the movie talking about how he it was a passion project and he was the producer, writer and star.



Also his co-writer was convicted of rape.

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That too

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Damn this is some good weed.

I thought that was Seth McFalande at first....Damn this is some good weed.

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lmao

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omg lmao

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lol gimme that

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Well pass it, I haven't had a single drop since February!



Edited at 2016-09-14 07:59 pm (UTC)

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February? how sis? Can I mail u some... let's end this dry spell the right way.

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Same! I could use some rn.

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lol

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LOL

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lmaooooo

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This will probably be the only post on this unlike the several other ones about Nate Parker

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Well ONTD was like the first place to post about Nate Parker being scum months before everyone else caught on.

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You're free to make a post about him at any time.

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i'm pretty sure we had posts about this when the allegations became public.



unfortunately this was in a time when ontd was more flippant about sexual assault and and having just looked the post, the comments are as embarrassing as you might expect.

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In fairness to ONTD - for better or worse - the users here have been pretty consistent in discussing Affleck's charges in many Oscar/Parker related posts, and the case was covered a lot at the time.

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Maybe I'm misunderstanding but it sounds like you are saying we are picking on Nate unfairly and I don't agree with that. We should expose both of them

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I've been thinking about this, and I don't think Casey will get as much attention as Nate for a couple reasons



1) Casey's a white, nepotistic character actor



2) Nate shot himself in the foot by talking about his case constantly



3) Casey is just an actor for hire in Manchester by the Sea. The film is by Kenneth Lonergan and is going to reflect his ideals rather than Casey's. With Birth of a Nation, Nate is not only the lead actor, but also the director, co-writer, producer...he pretty much IS BOAN. On top of that, his fellow sexual assaulter is also the co-screenwriter, and they unnecessarily added rape scenes to the story.



That said, I do think Casey deserves to be called out on his past (it's the reason I stopped being a fan of his), but I don't think in the context of film success, it will reflect much on MBTS like Nate's did with BOAN.



Edited at 2016-09-14 07:13 pm (UTC)

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I also think a big difference is that Nate Parker's victim actually took her case to trial so even though she's dead (another different tragic element especially since at least one of her family members blames the rape for her suicide) there are tons of documents detailing what happened giving people enough of a chance to make up their minds.



With Casey's accusers they filed initial complaints, sure, but he settled out of court and I'm sure the victims had to sign some sort of NDA so we'll never here their side.

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I think Nate being charged with the crime and then basically admitting guilt in those interviews is a part of it too. Casey wasn't charged and it never went to court. No court transcripts, which really hurt Nate. Nothing but the initial complaint.

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IA. Everyone should be shamed for their crimes. But I think the fact that the victim of Parker isn't around to defend herself anymore means that people will feel the need to defend her more. If the victims of Affleck don't want to talk about it, they don't have to.

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The chances are they won't be able to talk about it due to NDAs, but I'm sure "sources" and such will come out during the coming months. I hope so - Affleck's a creep and some consistency on this issue and how we discuss it would be wonderful.

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basically

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lol

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Yaaas

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Lmao

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lol

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lmao exactly

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exactly! perfect gif usage

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LOL yup

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Nate Parker's disastrous press tour is what did him in.



If he laid low and kept his mouth shut, it would have blown over like all the other shit in Hollywood.

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If he laid low and kept his mouth shut, it would have blown over like all the other shit in Hollywood.



Yep, and I think that's exactly what Casey is going to keep doing.

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exactly. and what's hilarious is, he even brought it up in an interview way back when he did the great debaters. it's like he thinks if he brings it up, then he's ahead of the media bringing it up for him, when in reality, if he hadn't mentioned it, it probably would've only gained traction on tumblr or ontd where these things typically get brought up in the comments and then someone makes a post where we all drag the rapist, but mainstream dgaf. nate kept bringing it up and to the forefront like LOOK AT ME LOOK WHAT I DID LOOK HOW REPENTANT I AM LOOK AT MY JOURNEY!!!!

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Every time he did an interview where he just happened to have one of his daughters with him, I wanted to vomit. That's some Dead Zone level human shield bullshit.

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He bought it up back in 2007 saying he never wants to talk about it again, flashforward to 2016, he tried to get ahead of it by giving those interviews and using his child as a shield to Deadline and Variety.

I don't think there has ever been an example of someone in Hollywood messing it up for themselves so badly.

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I never heard about this outside ONTD. I'm sure his big brother is helping out.



And i didn't know that he was still acting.

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nnnnn lmao mte tho

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great minds think alike lol

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lmao oop. Sorry!

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bears repeating tbh

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lmao, yes squared

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why ask a question we all know the answer to?

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Jihadi recruitment... Somali...



We barely get representation why can't it be something like Atlanta/Survivor's Remorse? Eff this.

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Right??? At the same time I want to withhold judgement until the first episode comes out because it's possible (but not probable) that it won't be exploitive

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I guess. Hopefully they cast Somali actors like that's really likely 

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I think it depends entirely on how its handled and the depths of different perspectives on it. Like I said, I trust K'naan but I dont trust Kathryn Bigelow

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Right?!! Knew K'naan wasn't shit but jc I wasn't expecting this level of bs.



It'd be OK if it was Jihadi recruitment in Muslim communities but to single us out?!



I hope these protests become a regular thing tbh. Not here for this Black Hawk Down Captain whatever bs.

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I wish I could support a female director/producer like Kathryn Bigelow doing well, but I am nhf the american propaganda agenda of her work.

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ia

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I hate "american porn" genre films in general (cc: Sully)

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Sully was so boring and pointless

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Sully would have been good if it weren't for the involvement of the old man who yells at chairs. Sully himself is a pretty cool dude.

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ia so much.

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Yeah, did she ever make a movie that isn't stars and stripes?

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she ain't shit. i can't stand her.

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This show should NOT have been made

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Wtf, Kathryn?



Did you learn nothing from Zero Dark Thirty?



I love you but no, ma'am. I see no way that this won't be messy.



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Hmm



Edited at 2016-09-14 08:11 pm (UTC)

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I haven't heard about this before...can someone fill me in on the controversy?

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The protesters are from Minneapolis' Somali community, which is the largest in the diaspora iirc. Incredibly long story short, those of us in the diaspora have been having issues with extremist recruitment in our communities. I understand why people are upset, especially because K'naan isn't young enough to have to deal with being pursued/recruited or having friends who have been recruited.

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Forgive my ignorance, and I fully understand it's not your obligation to educate (so feel free to ignore me or shut me down), but if this targeted recruitment is an ongoing problem in the community, wouldn't something covering that issue be...good? Maybe to educate kids on it before it's too late?

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can Katherine Bigelow make a non-propaganda film for once like seriously



overrated trash

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Idgi she's like obsessed with Islam

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Issues relating to Islam are kind of important to contemporary world affairs, so it's not hard to see why a dramatist would be interested in them.

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Near Dark, Point Break and Strange Days



I wish she'd ditch the political pieces for a while and branch out again

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Will Ferrell and the director of the most average movie of 2015 (The Big Short) also produced it.

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I'm pretty sure that that's a different show.

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Nah that's the other show (Succession) that HBO ordered

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I HATED The Big Short so much.

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The THR piece makes it sound like K'naan is the creative impetus behind project (seeing as he's writing and directing the pilot). Why are people all criticizing Bigelow, who's just an executive producer?

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Because she's the most famous name attached to this show

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People here have such a dumb hatred of Bigelow, I can't.

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it's not dumb. zero dark thirty was propagandist trash and she deserves to be dragged for it.

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really? it's not bc her movies are such racist trash that she can't even be bothered to find out which language they speak in Pakistan (hint: not Arabic!)?



it's not bc in Zero Dark Thirty she allowed the CIA to edit her script to make the agency look better and to pretend that torture actually led to important information (when the Senate report says it didn't)?



these are very legitimate criticisms btw. Bigelow seems obsessed with making War on Terror propaganda movies.

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I get why people are mad at her but I can't at the erasure of her first nearly two DECADES of groundbreaking work not just for women, not just for female action directors, but for the action genre in general. Yeah she's dreadful now, and if her career started with The Hurt Locker (or ZDT), I could get the vitriolic hate (which is probably harsher because she's a woman lbr).



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Most famous name attached to the show + residual backlash from ZDT. I mostly included her name to make sure the post went through.

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Bigelow's kinda got a history of American Propoganda/Anti-Islamic themes to her movies (Zero Dark Thirty, Hurt Locker)



Its tough to say what this will be like, cause as a Somalian you trust K'naan but I dont know if Bigelow can be trusted so its hard to say what it is. Guess we gotta wait and see

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Like I would never put any of those names and this situation together.



I guess this is why K'naan hasn't had a new album out in a while.

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I love how they're trying to blame the pepper spraying on K'naan or the police for that matter. It's not like the police weren't ignoring the protesters fighting and arguing with one another in that video, but they do take a stand when some idiot is charging at them repeatedly and the people that were trying to hold him back are unable to do so. I don't see how anyone is surprised by this.

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right?? in what world should the police be blamed for the pepper spraying. they basically asked for it #bluelivesmatter

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Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ

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Erm. I don't know enough to judge, but this sounds risky.

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Mexicos state-owned oil and gas company Pemex announced the discovery of six new oil deposits in the Gulf of Mexico, four of them in shallow waters, and two in deep water. The company will start drilling exploratory wells at the sites of the discoveries next year, aiming for a total of 30.

A company spokesperson said the discoveries were made a few months ago, but were only announced after the reserves were estimated and the commercial viability of the discoveries was confirmed. The combined reserves of the two deepwater discoveries have been estimated at 140-160 million barrels of oil equivalent (proven, probable, and possible, or 3P).

The 3P reserves at one of the shallow-water discoveries were estimated at 50-60 million barrels. According to the company, the two wells drilled at the deepwater fields could deliver 15,000 bpd when production starts.

Pemex has been in urgent need of some good news in the discovery department for a while now, with its production in decline for over ten years, expecting in 2017 to hit the lowest level since 1980, at 1.9 million barrels per day. The decline has been the result of spending cuts prompted by the oil price slump that started in 2014.

Mexicos government has also been making spending cuts, and Pemex has been hit with a US$5.4-billion reduction in funding from the federal government for 2017, representing an 18-percent cut from what the company had originally hoped to get from the authorities. This came in addition to a US$5.5-billion budget cut made by Pemex earlier this year, including a suspension of deepwater projects in the Gulf of Mexico.

In addition to a lower federal government funding contribution, Pemex has been plagued by growing competition, with Mexico initiating a reform back in 2013 aimed at breaking the monopoly of the state-owned company on the local market.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Oil prices plunged more than 2 percent on Tuesday after the IEA said that global oil demand is slowing.

In its latest Oil Market Report, the IEA downgraded its assessment for demand in 2016 to just 1.3 million barrels per day (mb/d), or about 100,000 barrels per day lower from its August report. The reasons for slower demand are multiple. Both China and India, which make up the bulk of demand growth, are wobbling, the IEA says. Then there are economic worries in other developing countries, which come on top of weak economic performances in Europe. And the momentum in the US has slowed dramatically.

Also, refiners are clearly losing their appetite for more crude oil as margins have shrunk, the IEA says. Without the robust activity from refiners seen earlier this year, crude demand is set to slow. The 100,000 barrel per day downward revision for the whole of 2016 comes as the IEA sees third quarter demand 300,000 barrels per day lower than its previous forecast.

But the Paris-based energy outfit says the supply side is equally confounding. Production continues to expand even as the oil industry has made painful cuts to investment. The U.S. has lost more than 1 mb/d in output from its April 2015 peak, and other non-OPEC producers have also seen declines, including China, and much of Latin America.

Still, OPEC countries have stepped into that void, capturing more market share. Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia have dramatically scale up production. In the past two years, Iran and Saudi Arabia have each added 1 mb/d in additional supply. And Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, and Iraq are all near all-time highs, the IEA concludes.

I think its been very interesting the last few months because non-OPEC supplies are actually falling very fast, Amrita Sen, chief oil analyst at Energy Aspects, told CNBC. But that has been almost entirely offset by higher OPEC production. Unless and until OPEC production really comes back in, its hard to see how we break out of this range. I think $50 to $55, or lets say $45 to $55, is really the new range now.

Oil inventories in OECD countries are swelling to levels never seen before and in July OECD inventories smashed through the 3.1 billion barrel wall. The extraordinary levels of oil sitting in storage will kill off any price rally even when supply and demand do come into balance. And in one glaring projection, the IEA sees global inventories continuing to build through 2017, a sure sign that prices will struggle to gain ground anytime soon. With demand suddenly looking weaker than expected, and supply proving to be more resilient than expected, it looks like we may have to wait a little longer for the market to balance, the IEA says. Supply will continue to outpace demand through at least the first half of 2017. Related: Game May Not Be Over For Barnett Shale

OPEC also released its monthly report this week, and it sees the same trends emerging in the oil market. OPEC revised its estimate for non-OPEC supply upwards, seeing gains of 200,000 barrels per day in 2017 compared to a previous forecast for a 150,000 barrel-per-day decline. A big chunk of that could come from the Kashagan project in Kazakhstan, a $50 billion-plus white elephant that has plagued its owners Eni, ExxonMobil, Total, and Shell. The project is a decade behind schedule and vastly over budget, but it could come online in October and add 370,000 barrels per day by next year.

The takeaway message from the IEA report is that there is a new sense of bearishness creeping over the oil market. Prices have been unable to be sustained over $50 per barrel since the downturn began two years ago, and the IEA and other analysts are coming around to the notion that it will take longer than expected before higher prices arrive. The predictions are all the more remarkable because just a month earlier the IEA saw the market balancing as soon as the end of this year.

It wasnt too long ago that the oil industry started to get used to the lower for longer mantra. The IEA is once again trotting out that refrain as market balance remains out of reach.

By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The oil bust has created the longest period of declining investment in the global energy industry in nearly half a century, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency.

We see a broad shift of spending toward cleaner energy, often as a result of government policies, Fatih Birol, the IEAs executive director, said in a statement. Our report clearly shows that such government measures can work, and are key to a successful energy transition. But while some progress has been achieved, investors need clarity and certainty from policy makers. Governments must not only maintain but heighten their commitment to achieve energy security and climate goals.

Oil and gas investment declined by 25 percent in 2015 to just $583 billion. The declines are expected to continue through this year, falling by another 24 percent to $450 billion. By way of comparison, oil and gas investments exceeded $750 billion in 2014.

It may well be the case that investment will fall in 2017, Birol told The Wall Street Journal in an interview. We have never seen [a three-year decline] in history, he said.

The U.S. represented half of the decline in energy investment, with total spending at $280 billion in 2015, down nearly $75 billion from the previous year. U.S. shale in particular saw investment fall by 52 percent. On the other hand, oil and gas investments held up pretty well in the Middle East and Russia, where developing oil reserves is much less costly and still works in an era of low oil prices. Related: Saudi Arabia Overtakes U.S. As Largest Oil Producer

To be sure, much of the fall can be attributed to cost deflation  lower oil prices and falling costs for equipment and services. The IEA says that cost deflation accounts for about two-thirds of the total decline. But the other third is due to falling activity.

Renewable energy saw global investment hit $313 billion in 2015, or about one fifth of total energy spending. In fact, renewables were the largest source of power investment, and the investment in new renewable electricity capacity was more than enough to cover the growth in demand, a sure sign that renewables will continue to capture market share.

For oil and gas, the severe cutback in spending raising the possibility of tighter supplies in the future, the IEA cautions. Because fossil fuel supplies cannot be ramped up at a moments notice, producers may struggle to keep up with demand once the surplus is worked through. That suggests higher prices will return.

By Charles Kennedy of Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Russias Gazprom said on Wednesday that it had receivedvia diplomatic channelsthe first permit from Turkish authorities for the construction of the offshore leg of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline in a sign that Russia and Turkey are definitely re-launching the project.

I would like to commend our Turkish partners for being so prompt and cooperative at the first stage of the TurkStream project, Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, said in the company statement.

A few weeks after the attempted coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Gazproms deputy chairman Alexander Medvedev said the Russian giant was ready to resume talks with Turkey to revive the project, and expected Turkeys next move.

Gazprom and Turkish company Botas had agreed in December 2014 to pursue the Turkish Stream project, which was estimated to have an annual capacity of 63 billion cubic meters of gas. The parties planned the first pipeline string to be used exclusively to supply the Turkish market.

However, the project was suspended in 2015 as the relations between Russia and Turkey soured following Ankaras shooting down of a Russian military jet in November of that year. But the Turkish Stream project was back on the agenda after Turkey apologized for the incident.

A couple of weeks ago, Gazprom officials arrived in Ankara to discuss the Turkish Stream project. Now that Turkey has apologized, the two countries are back together in the international energy game.

With Russia and Turkey acting in concert, Europe will have little left to do but to continue to depend on energy coming from countries it doesnt really like and cannot really influence in a favorable direction. Russia has the oil and the gas, and Turkey has the pipelines and the Bosphorus, where 3 percent of global oil exports pass every day.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The UK government is set to announce by the end of this week that it is giving its consent to the Hinkley Point project, with a new contract to address concerns over giving China access to nuclear power infrastructure, ITV News reported on Wednesday, but an cabinet official later told Bloomberg that the government has yet to decide whether to proceed with the plan.

At the end of July, the UK Prime Minister Theresa May told Frances President Francois Hollande that she would take more time to review the Hinkley Point project. The board of French company EDF, the projects builder, had just given the go-ahead to this controversial plan, with the directors split on the advisability of the project. This reluctant approval, already delayed, was to have been the last hurdle prior to the start of construction.

Shortly after the UKs decision to review the US$24 billion (18 billion pound) project, news broke that the Chinese firm involved in Hinkley Points construction, CGN, was under investigation in the United States for espionage. The Chinese company and engineering advisor Szuhsiung Ho were indicted on charges of industrial espionage in the United States related to alleged attempts to steal nuclear secrets to aid the Chinese nuclear energy program.

This was a major concern for the UK prime minister, who said at a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China on September 5 that a decision about Hinkley will be taken later this month.



According to ITV News today, May had to speak on the phone with Hollande on Monday afternoon, but the UKs Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, had raised some last-minute questions that prompted the cabinet to postpone the phone call with Hollande and delay the announcement that Hinkley Point was thumbs-up to go.

According to Bloomberg, however, an aide to the UK prime minister who had spoken on condition of anonymity said that no decision had been made yet.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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For those who grew up an era in which you pay for your gas at the pump, and pump it yourself while cradling a Slurpee, the idea of a full service gas station may seem like an alien idea. Yes, there was time that an attendant would pump your gas, clean your windshield, and even check your oil and tire pressure. But even full-service cant hold a candle to the gas station planned for Greenwich, Connecticut.

Forget pulling over at a truck stop in the dark of the night, risking life and possibly limb. Forget sacrificing your debit card to the would-be card cloners. This gas station, which is being built by the Guess Corporation, is a members-only gas station, with a four-story convenience store, a salon, a clothing boutique andas if that wasnt enough nonsensea waterpark.

Yes, a waterpark. The GP Club, which is set to open next year, will have a valet service that will take the customers vehicles off to be fueled, hand-washed, and then waxed, while the customers avail themselves of the amenities, which also include a video conferencing center and a steakhouse, just in case the gas station nachos from the last stop didnt quite hit the spot. It will also feature a sleeping suite in case you dont want to catch your forty winks in the parking lot.

Yes, you could stop there to fuel up on your next family trip to the Grand Canyon. That is, if your household has a net worth of $50 million or more. Thats in addition to the yet-to-be-disclosed membership fee. Tiffany Taylor, a vice president of the Guess Corporation, said in an email to Time Magazine: Greenwich is considered an ultra-affluent city in America, and we think it is important for GP Club to have a presence in the city.

The site for the first GP Club has yet to be determined, and the new store will be the first of some 250 such gas stations planned for various locations around the world.

There was no mention if there will be free air for your tires. But if your net worth is $50 million, who needs air?

Lincoln Brown for Oilprice.com

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When Rahny Taylor left Milwaukee radio in 2013, he did so without a new job waiting for him.

"I left because I wanted to leave," says the former morning co-host on KISS-FM. "I wanted something new, and I ended up having no job. I had just gotten married. It was the greatest thing you'd ever want to tell your spouse: Congratulations, I just quit my job.

But that didnt last long. He moved to Sacramento to work at a Christian station  "That's my faith, and I loved the format," he says  but Taylor missed Milwaukee.

So Thursday morning, hell be back on the air as the morning host at 97.3 NOW. Its been a secret Taylors been keeping for a while now, and now its ready to come out. Taylor will replace the "Elvis Duran Show," a syndicated show on the station. Unlike his last gig in town with Wes McKane and Ally Faith, hes doing this one solo.

We met with Taylor, 39, last week at the iHeartMedia offices for this latest Milwaukee Talks.

OnMilwaukee: What was Sacramento like?

Rahny Taylor: It was great. The thing is, it gave me chance to come back with a different level of skill set, because format aside, I think we all want certain things. We want a little bit of positivity, so just to be able to experience it from that, I come back with new tools in my bag, and that's one of them.

In 2013, you left KISS-FM without another job lined up. Was that scary?

I was in a non-compete, so I thought I was going to be at Walmart on National Avenue. K-LOVE started December of that year.

Why did you choose to come back to Milwaukee?

This city is home. I know that I wasn't born in Milwaukee, but Milwaukee is the most rewarding radio market, I believe, I have ever experienced.

Why is that?

I think it's because once you make it into the circle, you're family. Radio has changed, I believe, so much over the years, and we still connect. We love our town, and we love our traditions here, and I just absolutely miss the enthusiasm for Wisconsin.

You're switching companies, from Entercom to iHeartMedia. What's that like?

I worked for Clear Channel, and I love it. Great talent, great people. I think that's the thing: now, coming out of what I came out of, because I was in a big Christian format working for a big company there, perceptions are always these things that happen on the street. And then, you get in, and it's nothing like what you hear. I know a lot of the people here, so I'm super excited to work with these guys.

What's the new show going to be like?

Hopefully it's going to be fun. Hopefully it's going to be local. I just want it to be positive. I would love to be able to bring some of the things I've learned doing my last couple years of radio. I want to just give you an escape from your day-to-day pressure, and get you out the door with what you need to know.

No one knows that you're youve been here prepping for the new show, right?

I didn't even tell my parents. My parents found out on Google. They found out on some leaks chat room.

Have you spoken to your former co-hosts about your return?

No, no.

Do you still have a relationship with them?

I do, yeah. Needless to say, my phone has buzzed a lot, people going, "Are you coming back? Are you coming back?"

Are you nervous?

I think it's like that feeling that you had before you went back to school. It's an anxiousness that I feel. I just love this city. It didn't feel good to leave, and I'd always hoped that I would come back. But, it was just one of those things, that it went, "I don't know if I'll ever get that opportunity to be back in Milwaukee."

It's such an honor to do mornings, because it's a different allowance that you get from the audience. I think it's because we're all tired, so they'll put up with a little more. But, to be able to be a part of starting someone's day for 10 years, it's a big deal.

Do you expect those butterflies to go away one your mic is live?

I hope so! I think iHeart's hoping so. Being back in the city, I'm just excited. You were asking what I'm going to do. I'm excited to get acclimated back into the town. I would love for the Zoo Interchange to get done now that I'm home, because it seems like that's been under construction since I've been away.

What kind of stuff do you do when you're not on the radio?

I used to just work, work, work. When I was at KISS, it was the morning show, and then I was at Bucks, and then I was working little bit with FOX 6. Fish fry, maybe, if we can stay up real late.
208 seconds. Thats all the time Captain Chesley Sullenberger had to assess his dire situation, make an informed yet literally on-the-fly life-or-death decision, do everything right and turn a seeming disaster instead into a moment of incredible, true heroism  in addition to a deep nationwide sigh of relief.

Its no wonder Hollywood would want to adapt such a triumph into a movie: a terrifyingly relatable, high-flying, ripped from the headlines horror relieved by an affable, everyman savior  several everyman saviors, actually, as the film nobly attempts to point out. But as great of a story it is  its still just 208 seconds.

And while director Clint Eastwood works those barely three and a half minutes to the best of his limited late-career capabilities, its most of the other 92 and a half minutes surrounding them that prove catastrophic for "Sully," turning a miraculous moment into one of those failed old timey airplane prototypes: a few good pieces and good ideas clumsily assembled into something that struggles to get off the ground.

At least "Sully" has a strong takeoff  and thats even with the big crash sequence not arriving until about the midway mark. Instead, Eastwood and screenwriter Todd Komarnicki (of the long-forgotten Halle Berry thriller "Perfect Stranger") start the story of Captain Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) and his emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 after the clothes have well dried and the medias hungry jowls are still mid-drool.

There, the National Transportation Safety Board, led by the familiar faces of Mike OMalley and Anna Gunn, is trying to figure out what caused the crash  with the rare advantage of having the pilots alive and well to tell their tale. Even so, theyre not quite convinced the plane needed to ditch into the Hudson River rather than make it to one of the nearby runways. And despite his confident testimony as well as the support of his co-pilot (a mustachioed Aaron Eckhart), his wife (Laura Linney) and the entire nation, Sullys maybe not so convinced either, haunted by his decision  or what couldve disastrously been his decision.

Putting Sully in Hankss hands isnt a particularly surprising choice  who better to play a humble American hero than Americas dad, especially with his filmographys already plentiful history of transportation disasters  and he responds in kind here with an equally unsurprisingly strong performance, a sturdy and professional portrayal of a sturdy and professional man.

Hanks not only brings his years of earned audience trust and everyman warmth to the big screen, though; he also hints perfectly at the little cracks being nervily managed right under his characters carefully poised surface  whether its Sullys rumbling doubt in his decision or his disbelieving relief at hearing all of his passengers officially survived the landing.

In other words, hes a perfect character for Eastwood  and not only because its NTSB focus makes for an interesting, if also curmudgeonly anti-regulation, "Why dont you and your fancy computers leave heroes alone, dag nabbit?" counterpoint to the debate surrounding "American Sniper" and its portrayal of Chris Kyle.

With the likes of "Unforgiven" and "Letters From Iwo Jima," the Hollywood stalwart has continually studied the definitions and complications of heroism, and Sullys character, especially as played by Hanks, would seem to offer ample material there as he struggles to handle the burden of heroism, from the media to the outside scrutiny to his own haunted self-scrutiny.

Hes far from the only one haunted as well. The specter of 9/11 hangs over "Sully" with every shot of the plane flying  and occasionally, in nightmares, crashing  into the city, especially when Eastwood cuts to onlookers gazing with horror, not at the unfathomable but the all-too familiar. Its far from subtle (eventually reaching the point where Komarnicki's growingly clunky script just flat-out says it) but in the early going, it does effectively capture the city and its feelings  of terror turned to joy watching the worst case scenario seemingly unfold yet again only to have it end in the best possible way.

So this far into the film, "Sully" is a mostly smooth ride  and it hasnt even gotten to its centerpiece: the crash sequence, which is probably some of the best actual directing Eastwoods done since "Letters from Iwo Jima," especially in recreating the tense panic of after the landing with the claustrophobia inside a flooding plane, the confusion of 155 people trying to get out and the cold adding to all of the disorientation.

Despite its bursts of tension and general technical competence, though, when Sully loses his engines is around where "Sully" unfortunately also begins to lose its thrust and come dangerously down to Earth. Yes, the crash is a pretty good sequence, but like Wile E. Coyote finally noticing hes run off a cliff, somewhere amidst the chaos, the stark realization hits the audience: Theres nothing really there in this story. And the movie proceeds to start plummeting down a canyon.

Clocking in at 96 minutes, "Sully" is easily one of Eastwoods shortest efforts, yet the material still feels like it can't fill the runtime.

Since most everyone knows how the crash turns out walking in, the films main dramatic thrust is the modern day post-crash courtroom debates and our leads crisis of conscience, but unfortunately, that aspect of the story becomes clearly and painfully thin. Its a really a rather plainly open-and-shut case  man did a great thing, people arent quite sure he did, but nope, he did; Eastwood has no interest in ambiguity here  so theres just not much drama or intrigue to be found. And while Eastwood occasionally dabbles with some of the emotional complexities going on, like Sullys doubt, borderline PTSD emotional state or sudden fame complete with NYC media circus, as the film goes on, most of those are left unexplored  save for Hanks deft performance  in the name of simplistic hero praise and villain comeuppance.

Simply put, theres simply no there there in "Sully"  and what is there growingly doesnt seem to be of much interest to Eastwood and company.

As a result, as sensational as the crash sequence can be, thanks to its perplexing structuring in the middle of the movie in an unmotivated random flashback, it starts to feel like filler. Everybody walking in knows how it turns out  and they especially know after spending the first 30 minutes talking about how it turned out with the survivors  so theres no real tension to the sequence save for its base-level visceral thrill.

Unfortunately, even that thrill takes a fatal goose to its engine as, instead of immersing the viewer into the perspective of Sully and those trapped horrified on the plane, Eastwood and Komarnicki keep cutting away and chopping up the incident to spread it out across the film  and seemingly kill some time. Sometimes its jumping back to modern day, only to quickly jump back to the crash and then back again.

Sometimes its hopping to a different unnecessary flashback from Sullys past that adds little other than more proof that, yep, Sully's flown planes before. Even a mere cut away to the outside of the plane to see the engines blow out not only kills some of the tension, but also ruins any way to relate to or feel Sullys quiet doubt about his choice or memory.

Most of all, it cuts away to other New York City rescue services who also nobly helped save the surviving passengers from the cold river quickly after the crash. Its a commendable effort on the movies part, but since many of the groups are barely developed at all, it feels less like a tribute and more like extra padding to avoid having to get back to its flimsy interrogation plotline.

It certainly doesnt help that the scenes outside of the crash are so flatly shot. Last year, "Bridge of Spies"  another Tom Hanks-led tribute to quiet everyday American heroism  was accused of being a stodgy, simplistic and plain film, officially moving Steven Spielberg into codger old-man filmmaker mode. But while that drama still showed Spielberg as an immaculate cinematic craftsman, its tragically Eastwood whos become the artless workman over time.

"Sully" is likely Eastwoods most overall competently crafted project in years  theres certainly nothing as poor as the fake baby from "American Sniper," though a greenscreened Letterman interview comes as dangerously close as youd want  but much of the film is still stiff and stodgy, working in stolid coverage takes that get the job done and refuse to do anything more.

Linneys needless home scenes play like they were all shot in one day and stapled onto the final product. The cutaways to the rest of NYCs service officers  especially some extended ones out to a concerned air traffic control monitor  make for a startlingly clunky drop in quality and exciting from the miraculous crash in progress. And only a select few filmmakers would think a collection of identically vacant shots of identically vacant pilots flying identically vacant computer simulations would make for riveting drama, much less material for a breathtaking climax.

Perhaps some even could, but Eastwood proves he is not one of them. Maybe another edit couldve harvest the tension and drama in the sequence, but as it stands, it lands as thuddingly flat as, well, a plane on the Hudson.

In case the end credits featuring the actual Sully and the surviving passengers warmly reuniting wasnt enough proof, Eastwoods heart is undoubtedly in the right place with "Sully," trying to create a tribute to a very Clint-esque sensibility of do-your-job sense of greatness. Unfortunately, his attempt to honor the everyday, human mundanity of heroism ends up just mundane. Sometimes, a moment  no matter how miraculous  is still just that: a moment, not a movie.
Reprinted from Counterpunch

The following is a response to an open letter from Russian environmentalists Yevgeniya Chirikova and Nadezhda Kutepova.

***

Dear Yevgeniya Chirikova and Nadezhda Kutepova,

First of all, thank you for your courageous actions to protect our planet and fight for political freedoms.

Those who stand against entrenched political and economic power often face retaliation from the elites who are leading us into economic, social and ecological crisis. Sadly, this is true in the United States as well as in Russia.

My views regarding Russia, and even my specific statements, have been grossly misrepresented by certain actors in the media and political establishment. There is a growing tendency in American politics to label critics of the established order as agents of Russia working against the United States. For example, when WikiLeaks exposed massive corruption at the highest levels of the Democratic Party, high-ranking Democratic Party officials and their supporters in the media began attacking WikiLeaks as an alleged agent of Russia, despite their inability to produce any hard evidence to support this claim. This tactic of smearing critics as Russian agents is the mirror image of the Putin administration's tactic of labeling Putin critics as agents of the West. It is reminiscent of the shameful history of Russia-baiting attacks against political opposition leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.

In this climate of growing anti-Russian sentiment, my visit to Russia to participate in a panel on international relations became a target. Andrew Weiss, a member of the Clinton Global Initiative and the Council on Foreign Relations, tweeted a video from my Moscow trip with a claim that I was "gushing over Russian support for human rights." Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald quickly pointed out that this claim was completely false. My comments were in reference to the conference on international relations with political figures from around the world, many of whom expressed support for my vision of a foreign policy based on diplomacy, respect for international law and human rights.

At the same time, Democratic political consultant John Aravois spread the claim that I "only criticized the US" and refused to criticize Russia -- as Greenwald pointed out, another falsehood. In my comments on international relations I criticized both the governments of the United States and Russia for putting resources into military spending that would be better and more justly spent on critical domestic needs. This is a matter of public record. Yet the fact that I criticized Russian military policy in Moscow was ignored by people like Washington Post reporter Anne Appelbaum, who tweeted that I was a "pro-Putin" candidate. On Joy Reid's show on MSNBC, former Naval intelligence officer Malcolm Nance stated, "Jill Stein has a show on Russia Today," a blatant falsehood that Reid refused to correct even after Adam Johnson of Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting publicly brought it to her attention. So it's not surprising that many people are confused after hearing prominent members of the political and media establishment repeat stories that run counter to the facts.

You have asked, "How is it possible to have a discussion with Mr. Putin and not mention, not even once, the fate of Russian political prisoners, or the attacks against Russian journalists, artists, and environmentalists?" The answer is simple: I did not have any discussion with Mr. Putin. Although we sat across from each other at the same table, there was no interpreter present -- so there was no opportunity to discuss human rights or anything else with him.

Regardless, if elected president of the United States, I will do everything in my power to advance the cause of human rights around the world. First, the United States must lead by example, by respecting the human rights of our own people, freeing our own political prisoners, and addressing the anti-democratic and anti-environmental forces in our own society. I will also meet with Russian leaders, journalists, activists and members of civil society to discuss pressing human rights and environmental issues. As a member of the only American political party that refuses to accept money from corporations, I can serve as an honest broker for these critical discussions, because the Green Party's only agenda is to secure peace, justice, democracy, and a livable planet for all people, not to promote military and economic domination of other lands as both Democrats and Republicans have done.

In the America I grew up in, one of our greatest fears was war with the Soviet Union, which we knew could end in nuclear oblivion for both countries, if not the world. So it is frightening to see Hillary Clinton, who has enthusiastically supported bloody wars in Iraq, Libya and elsewhere, turn her belligerence toward Russia. Clinton supports a no-fly zone over Syria, which could push the US into an air war with Russia. More recently, Clinton accused Russia of hacking into the Democratic National Committee and even state election systems and warned that as president she would respond to "cyber attacks" with "serious political, economic and military responses." War between the US and Russia is a horrifying prospect that would be disastrous for Americans, Russians, and the planet we share. Yet we seem headed down that dangerous path with the belligerent and hysterical anti-Russian rhetoric we now hear regularly from Clinton and her supporters, both Democrats and Republicans.

Clinton's anti-Russian maneuvering will surely be used by Putin to justify further attacks on his political opponents as agents of the West, and Republican Donald Trump seems as uninterested in human rights as he is in environmental progress. What the Greens offer is completely different: we see Russians not as enemies to conquer or resources to exploit, but as members of the global community whom we must deal with. We seek principled collaboration to develop potential partnerships to create a world that works for all of us.

I hope that we can meet in the near future to discuss human rights and environmental issues in Russia and around the world. I am committed to supporting your struggle for human rights and a sustainable future, which is our struggle as well. I am committed to peace and dialogue between the American and Russian people. As the great Russian dissident and advocate against nuclear war Andrei Sakharov said, our strategy of peaceful coexistence and collaboration must be deepened in every way. It is my sincere hope that many more Russians and people of every nation will join our Global Green family so that together we can continue working towards a world that puts people, planet and peace over profit.

In solidarity,

Jill Stein
Has the Presidency Itself Become a Red Herring?

Certainly this administration, once the hostile Congress settled in, was rendered that. But given the actual restrictions of the office, ("Not a Mom and Pop store", said Jesse Jackson as he campaigned for the office decades ago) the President often spends much of his time in office hobbled. And even more so now as things wind down, as the job of appointing a Supreme Court Justice has been hijacked, with the caveat of simply not having a hearing, apparently, by a rebellious Congress which I think should be sued for this treasonous behavior.

Clearly D Trump is not running a serious campaign, he's not emotionally or intellectually up to the job, but neither was McCain. They both have agreed to put on a show, grab all the dough they can in the process, and happily avoid having to take office.

And why not? The various messes the GOP hatched from Bush to Bush, have left the party's reeking Karma in piles everywhere. The consequences of their actions drained the economy, loaded the national debt, as it went from zero to countless billions, which left States cutting funding for social reforms as the jobless rate shot up; clear formulas for chaos and distress. Only a generation can detach them from their destruction, here, there and everywhere.

Anyone at the helm will be burdened with the blame for the state of things, given the attention span of the average schmo, and it will stick. He is a sitting duck as well, as the Secret Service has allowed invasions by air and land during the past few years, right up to a guy in the East Wing with a knife. Are we to believe these aren't in-house threats disguised as accidents? Isn't it logical to attribute those acts that seem counter-intuitive to his normal zeitgeist. to him having the not-so-proverbial gun to his head?

Really, given the drawbacks fame inflicts on all who would seek it; who would really want to be President?

I think it's time for Virtual Leaders, who take referendums and represent constituents according to feedback, rather than personal feelings, as machines don't have them, nor vanities for that matter.

The voters would vote for an overall program, the virtual candidate would respond to their opinions, and make choices informed by that program.
Trumps Bromance With Putin

I am fascinated by the medias obsession with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps views of Russian President Vladmir Putin. The media narrative is that Mr. Trump admires Mr. Putin and by implication would yield to Mr. Putins ambitions. In a word, Bullsh*t.

We know this is just campaign rhetoric emanating from the Hillary Clinton smear campaign because of how dutifully every Democrat and every mainstream media personality uses the exact same words to describe Mr. Trump. And we know that it is the height of hypocrisy by the Clinton camp given how often President Barack Obama (with Ms. Clinton as his Secretary of State) knuckled under to Mr. Putins demands, stretching from the reset fiasco, through the Syrian red line, through the invasion of the Crimea, through the Iran nuclear giveaway, through the Russian sale of missile technology to Iran, up to the most recent outrage where Mr. Obamas newest Secretary of State, John Kerry caved into all of the Russian demands regarding the latest attempt at a cease fire in Syria  the net result being our abandonment of the Syrian rebels which will leave them no choice but to join ISIS after which we have agreed to attack them in conjunction with Russian and Syrian forces. What a leader we have!

The drumbeat of this Democrat narrative has become so routine that the media searches for people who might engage in one-up-manship in its telling  like the moron on Anderson Coopers 360 who opined that it was proof that Mr. Trump admires strongmen, despots and dictators because he wants to be one also. What an idiot!

But, regardless of the Clinton smear, the press has missed the whole point of what Mr. Trump is saying. Here is a sampling of quotes (including how they were headlined) from the pro-Clinton CNN attempting to prove the Clinton spin:

December 2011: Trump praised Putins intelligence and no-nonsense way in his book Time to Get Tough.

Putin has big plans for Russia. He wants to edge out its neighbors so that Russia can dominate oil supplies to all of Europe, Trump said. I respect Putin and Russians but cannot believe our leader (Obama) allows them to get away with so muchHats off to the Russians.

* * *

October 2013: Trump says Putin is outsmarting the US

I think hes done really a great job of outsmarting our country, Trump told Larry King after Putin successfully dissuaded the US from striking Syria by arranging with the US for the removal of Syrias chemical weapons.

* * *

And even MSNBC has rung in:

December 18, 2015: Donald Trump lavishes praise on leader Putin.

Hes running his country and at least hes a leader, unlike what we have in this country, (Trump to MSNBCs Joe Scarborough).

The terms praising and admiring are the commentators words  not Mr. Trumps. In point of fact, Mr. Trump is contrasting a strong leader in Mr. Putin to a feckless leader like Mr. Obama. You dont have to like or admire someone to acknowledge their strengths and Mr. Putin is obviously a strong, ruthless leader focused single-mindedly on the advancement of Russia to its old Cold War might. I dont like Mr. Putin and I dont like his ambitions but I dont dismiss his effectiveness (even if it comes at the point of a gun). Thats not approval, admiration or praise  that is reality.

Clinton Dismisses Voters

Shades of Barack Obama who in April of 2008 dismissed voters in the heartland of the country by stating:

They get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who arent like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.

I would like to be able to say that even Ms. Clinton recognized how condescending those remarks were when she noted in The Guardian:

I was taken aback by the demeaning remarks Senator Obama made about people in small-town America, she said on Saturday. His remarks are elitist and out of touch. Clinton campaigners in North Carolina handed out stickers saying: Im not bitter.

But we know that everything Mr. Clinton says is carefully scripted and it was just another teleprompter response:

Now we know that Ms. Clinton actually feels the same way. According to the Los Angeles Times she said at a recent New York fund raiser:

During brief remarks at the LGBT for Hillary Gala in lower Manhattan, Clinton called half of those supporting the Republican nominee a basket of deplorables.

Right? she said to laughter from attendees, which included entertainer Barbra Streisand. The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic  you name it. And unfortunately there are people like that. And he has lifted them up.

But Ms. Clinton simply reflects the opinion of the Democrat elites who view those with whom they disagree as some sort of intellectual inferior country bumpkins given to nose picking and gaseous attacks. Thats pretty funny given how intellectually bankrupt the Democrat party has been for the last three decades. It continues to live on a two-point program  blame America first, and spend more on failing programs.

Hillarys Health

Ms. Clinton was helped out of 9/11 event in New York on Sunday. The New York Times reported:

Hillary Clinton struggled to stand as she abruptly left the 9/11 memorial ceremony Sunday morning  a health scare her campaign blamed on overheating.

The incident follows months of rumors from GOP rivals about Clintons supposed health problems, which she and her reps have taken pains to deny.

The Democratic presidential nominee left the 15th anniversary event around 9:30 a.m., departing in a van on the sidelines of the memorial in Manhattan.

* * * A video from a Twitter user seemed to show Clinton struggling on the way out. The 20-second clip shows Clintons knees buckling as she steps toward a van, flanked by security detail. She appears to fall toward the ground as guards help her into the vehicle.

Its not the first time Ms. Clinton has experienced health problems. On May 14, 2014 ABC News reporter Mary Burnes noted:

Bill Clinton did more today than defend his wife, Hillary Clinton, from recent accusations leveled by GOP strategist Karl Rove that she suffered brain damage after in December 2012. The former president revealed that his wifes injury required six months of very serious work to get over, he said during a question-and-answer session at the Peterson Foundation in Washington.

They went to all this trouble to say she had staged what was a terrible concussion that required six months of very serious work to get over, he said. Its something she never low-balled with the American people, never tried to pretend it didnt happen.

Back then, even while dissembling about her putative conditions as a concussion Mr. Clinton revealed the seriousness of her actual condition  a thrombotic stroke. More importantly, while Mr. Clinton claimed that Ms. Clinton never low-balled her condition to the American people, she continued to be less than forthcoming about what actually happened and the medical precursors that led to that inevitable stroke.

Ms. Clinton has had other thrombotic episodes. She had a deep vein thrombosis in 1998 and another in 2009. The first venus thrombotic incident was a predictor of subsequent incidents  two of which have already occurred. In a March 2000 Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) Dr. Per-Olof Hansson noted:

The recurrence rate after a symptomatic DVT is high. Patients with proximal DVT, diagnosed cancer, short duration of oral anticoagulation therapy, or a history of thromboembolic events had a higher risk of recurrent events, while patients with postoperative DVT had a lower recurrence rate. This knowledge could help identify patients who might benefit most from prolonged prophylactic treatment in various risk situations.

In other words, Ms. Clinton is at greater risk of a subsequent stroke than the average citizen. The facts that she will be sixty-nine in 2016, that she is primarily sedentary and that she is participating in a high stress campaign (and an even more stressful position if she is elected President of the United States) simply increases the risk even more.

Returning now to Ms. Clintons current medical problem, we know that we cannot rely on the assurances of her personal physician as to Ms. Clintons medical condition since she herself has declined in the past to acknowledge Ms. Clintons stroke. We also know that the first story by Ms. Clinton is always a lie. In point of fact, Ms. Clintons story had changed four times before sundown on Monday  first it was overheated, then it was dehydration, then it was pneumonia, and finally in an interview with Anderson Cooper she acknowledged that this was just the latest in what is described as rare but recurring incidents of fainting. And, in typical Clinton fashion, she has promised to release additional medical information  not the totality of her medical history, particularly the neurological scans  just what she elects to provide  and she will be less than forthcoming. Ms. Clinton, should release her full medical records to a panel of independent physicians for evaluation and comment on her health. The presidency is too important to leave to chance that someone has neither the strength nor the stamina to fulfill its obligations.

Maybe Mr. Trump could trade his tax returns for Ms. Clintons complete medical records  but then again, based on Ms. Clintons past you could never be sure you were getting the real or complete package.
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The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,
Ukraine has been a leading country among the world sunflower oil manufacturers for the last few years. Hence, in 2015-2016 MY its share accounted for 54% of the world total amount of the manufactured product. Asian countries, India and China in particular, purchase a significant part of crude sunflower oil. Ukrainian Biofuel Portal, prepared a database of Asian buyers which had been importing crude sunflower oil from Ukraine in the period of 2015  second quarter of 2016. The database reflects a credible and relevant picture of the sunflower market.

2015 saw export of more than 3,87 Mt of crude sunflower oil

According to the database of Ukrainian crude sunflower oil importres (buyers), Ukraine exported 3,87 Million tons (Mt) of crude sunflower oil in the previous year. The buyers of sunflower oil were 265 companies from 47 countries of the world. The geography of purchasers is quite extensive; the countries from all continents are on the list of the importers. 10 of these countries are Asian ones and what is more important, it is them that basically define the structure of crude sunflower oil export from Ukraine. By way of example, it was only India and China that purchased 2,01 Mt, which accounted for 52% of the overall export volume. The biggest share was purchased by India  1,39 Mt, while China bought 0,62 Mt. Malaysia became the third leading importer, with the imported volume of 0,25 Mt of Ukrainian crude sunflower oil.

1H 2016 saw export of 2,26 Mt of crude sunflower oil

In the corresponding period 205 companies from 46 countries of the world imported crude sunflower oil from Ukraine. Yet 14 countries from the list are related to Asia. The leading importing countries have still been India (0,71 Mt) and China (0,3 Mt). The third place goes to the Netherlands (0,26 Mt).

The importers showed the highest activity in June 2016, when the overall export value of crude sunflower oil was 0,42 Mt. In the first quarter of 2016 MY 1,09 Mt went for export, and in the second quarter  1,17 Mt.

Up to 95-97% of sunflower oil in China manufactured in Ukraine

Ukraine supplies the huge Chinese market with the most of sunflower oil. This market has the same colossal prospective as the Indian one. The intergovernmental agreements which have been recently reached contribute to the development of the trade between the countries and the export of crude sunflower oil to these Asian countries in particular.

Ukraine has significant crude sunflower export potential

As of 2015 MY, the share of sunflower oil accounted for 8.7% of the overall Ukrainian export. For example, app. 43,9 billion UAH accounted only for the value of the exported crude sunflower oil in the first half of 2016. Furthermore, we should understand that more than the half of the product export falls at the countries of Asia.

Importance of Asian export vector: experts comment

Sergei Kozlov, a leading analyst of Ukrainian Biofuel Portal comments on the situation: "Ukrainian production of sunflower oil is generally export-oriented. Only 15-20% of the product manufactured in our country covers the needs of the inner market to the full extent, while there is practically no imported sunflower oil to be found on the shelves of Ukrainian shops. The rest of it is sold abroad. Alongside with that, the main volume of the product reaches exactly the Asian countries, despite the fact that the geography of the export of sunflower oil is quite broad. For example, last year India purchased 34.6% and China bought 14.5% of the total amount of crude sunflower oil which was sold abroad".

In order to be successfull on the Asian market, one needs to know current situation on it, its dynamics. Ukrainian Biofuel Portal receives inquiries from foreign countries for the purchase of sunflower oil. In the meantime, as a rule, the average volume of purchases is quite significant.

The expert goes on: "Ukrainian Biofuel Portal which I represent prepared a database on Asian importers purchasing crude sunflower oil. It is substantially to assist Ukrainian manufacturers and emerging players on the world market. The database provides all the necessary information: from the contacts of the importing companies to the import volumes and the terms of supply of every buyer. Thus, our web portal created an effective instrument for the market traders who focus on cooperation with the Asian countries".

2016/17 MY: Asian sunflower oil market prospective

The experts are unanimously sure that in the coming years Ukraine will not lose its world leadership as a producer of sunflower oil. The United States Department of Agriculture has recently improved its forecasts concerning the harvest of sunflower in Ukraine in 2016, which means an increased production of sunflower oil by Ukrainian oil-extracting factories. The American analysts forecast the increase of sales volumes of both refined and crude sunflower oil. In the previous season a serious struggle for the market outlets was developing between the exporters from Russia and Ukraine. The Ukrainian exporters won the day mostly due to the anti-Russian sanctions from the EU. As for the experts, they forecast that it is the market of the countries of Asia: China, India, Turkey and several other Asian countries that is to become the main platform of a serious struggle between Russia and Ukraine for the extension of the market potential in this sector in 2016-2017 MY.

Author: Stepan Rudnitskiy for Ukrainian Biofuel Portal
A female Greater Sage-grouse nests under shrub cover. Credit: S. Beh

Do sage-grouse know what's good for them when choosing where to nest? That's the question at the heart of a new study in The Condor: Ornithological Applications, in which researchers examined the habitat preferences of these vulnerable grassland birds. They found that females look for vegetation characteristics that will boost their reproductive success when selecting nest sites, giving land managers new hints about what types of habitat are most in need of protection.

Theory says that animals should select habitat that maximizes their fitness, but reality doesn't always live up to thisclimate variability, habitat degradation, and predator-prey interactions can all push individuals into using "maladaptive" habitat that hurts their chances to survive and reproduce. Dan Gibson of the University of Nevada Reno and his colleagues examined how Greater Sage-Grouse in Nevada selected their nest sites and found that despite population declines, females were choosing spots with characteristics associated with reproductive success, such as greater shrub cover and forb diversity. The greatest effect was on the survival of chicks after they fledged, suggesting females were selecting nesting habitat based on its promise for getting their chicks through that particular life stage.

Gibson and his colleagues monitored more than 300 female sage-grouse between 2004 and 2012 in Eureka County, Nevada. Capturing them and equipping them with radio transmitters, they tracked the birds to their nests and monitored them weekly to follow their progress through the breeding season. By collecting data on the vegetation surrounding each nest site, they were able to determine what types of habitat were most associated with positive outcomes.

The authors of this study propose that areas with active sage-grouse breeding grounds, or "leks," that are located in habitat correlated with high reproductive success should be the highest conservation priority. "In a conservation context, our approach linking habitat selection with demographic success allows managers to move beyond designating areas as habitat based solely on observations of individuals," says Gibson. "This should provide increased resolution for ranking habitat in terms of both its importance to an individual species and its management priority."

"Gibson et al. confirm the importance of fine-scale habitat characteristics for sage-grouse nest and chick survival," according to Dave Dahlgren, a sage-grouse expert from Utah State University who was not involved with the study. "This paper contributes to sage-grouse conservation efforts by demonstrating the scale and habitat diversity (e.g., shrub species diversity) selected for and which factors ultimately contributed to fitness within the population."

More information: "Nesting habitat selection influences nest and early offspring survival in Greater Sage-Grouse" Sept. 14, 2016, "Nesting habitat selection influences nest and early offspring survival in Greater Sage-Grouse" Sept. 14, 2016, www.americanornithologypubs.or  .1650/CONDOR-16-62.1

Provided by The Condor
Scientists have developed a method of allowing materials, commonly used in aircraft and satellites, to self-heal cracks at temperatures well below freezing.

The paper, published in Royal Society Open Science, is the first to show that self-healing materials can be manipulated to operate at very low temperatures (-60C).

The team, led by the University of Birmingham (UK) and Harbin Institute of Technology (China), state that it could be applied to fibre-reinforced materials used in situations where repair or replacement is challenging such as offshore wind turbines, or even 'impossible', such as aircraft and satellites during flight.

Self-healing composites are able to restore their properties automatically, when needing repair. In favourable conditions, composites have yielded impressive healing efficiencies. Indeed, previous research efforts have resulted in healing efficiencies above 100%, indicating that the function or performance of the healed material can be better than that prior to damage.

However, until this paper, healing was deemed insufficient in adverse conditions, such as very low temperature.

Similarly to how some animals in the natural world maintain a constant body temperature to keep enzymes active, the new structural composite maintains its core temperature.

Three-dimensional hollow vessels, with the purpose of delivering and releasing the healing agents, and a porous conductive element, to provide internal heating and to defrost where needed, are embedded in the composite.

Yongjing Wang, PhD student at the University of Birmingham, explained, "Both of the elements are essential. Without the heating element, the liquid would be frozen at -60C and the chemical reaction cannot be triggered. Without the vessels, the healing liquid cannot be automatically delivered to the cracks."

A healing efficiency of over 100% at temperatures of -60C was obtained in a glass fibre-reinforced laminate, but the technique could be applied across a majority of self-healing composites.

Tests were run using a copper foam sheet or a carbon nanotube sheet as the conductive layer. The latter of the two was able to self-heal more effectively with an average recovery of 107.7% in fracture energy and 96.22% in peak load.

The healed fibre-reinforced composite, or host material, would therefore have higher interlaminar properties - that is the bonding quality between layers. The higher those properties, the less likely it is that cracks will occur in the future.

Mr Wang added, "Fibre-reinforced composites are popular due to them being both strong and lightweight, ideal for aircraft or satellites, but the risk of internal micro-cracks can cause catastrophic failure. These cracks are not only hard to detect, but also to repair, hence the need for the ability to self-heal."

The group will now look to eliminate the negative effects that heating elements have on peak load by using a more advanced heating layer. Their ultimate goal, however, is to develop new healing mechanisms for more composites that can recover effectively regardless the size of faults in any condition.

Explore further Scientists making progress on self-repairing aircraft parts

More information: Sustainable Self-healing at Ultra-low Temperatures in Structural Composites Incorporating Hollow Vessels and Heating Elements, Royal Society Open Science, rsos.royalsocietypublishing.or  /10.1098/rsos.160488 Journal information: Royal Society Open Science Sustainable Self-healing at Ultra-low Temperatures in Structural Composites Incorporating Hollow Vessels and Heating Elements,
In recent years, consumers have increasingly been looking for "natural" ingredients in their food products. But when it comes to one of the world's most popular flavors, vanilla, meeting that demand has been difficult. So food scientists are scrambling for new ways to produce vanillinthe main vanilla flavor moleculewithout losing the natural label, according to an article in Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society.

Melody M. Bomgardner, a senior editor at C&EN, notes that less than 1 percent of vanilla flavor comes from vanilla orchids. Some of the rest has been made from pine bark, clove oil, rice bran and lignin. And the vast majorityabout 85 percentis synthesized from guaiacol, a petrochemical. This ratio poses a problem as consumers demand more natural products. Responding to the shift, major food company Nestle announced it would eliminate artificial additives, which would include vanillin, from its chocolates for the U.S. market. How they and others in the industry will make the change is unclear, but potential solutions are in the works.

Some companies could turn to vanilla made from various plant extracts that could still be labeled natural. To boost its production from the purest source, companies are setting up grower programs in Madagascar, where the vanilla is known for its rummy taste and sweet aroma. And, in parallel, researchers are using genetics to coax yeast, plants, even the vanilla orchid itself, to produce more of the cherished flavor.

More information: The problem with vanilla, The problem with vanilla, cen.acs.org/articles/94/i36/problem-vanilla.html
Facebook has chosen a village on the edge of New Mexico's largest metropolitan area as the location for its new data center, an announcement that spread quickly Wednesday as elected officials celebrated a hard-sought win that could have ripple effects for the state's struggling economy.

News of the social media giant's decision to build in Los Lunas, just south of Albuquerque, comes after a roller-coaster contest between New Mexico and Utah to attract the facility.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich broke the news on social media, and the rest of the congressional delegation followed minutes later. Gov. Susana Martinez in a statement welcomed what she described as a stellar, cutting-edge company. In Los Lunas, village officials were rejoicing.

"This is huge for the state of New Mexico, for the region, for the whole Southwest. This is a big win," said Ralph Mims, the village's economic development director.

The courting of Facebook began more than a year ago with a meeting between the Republican governor and Facebook executives. During a visit to California, Martinez and her economic development team pitched the sparsely populated state as a good place to do business.

New Mexico wasn't on the radar before that August 2015 meeting.

"With the improvements we've made over the past several years, New Mexico is finally competing again, and in this case, it's a big win for the people of our state and our economic future," the governor said.

While the project has enjoyed broad political support in New Mexico, local leaders in Utah pushed back against a tax-incentive plan they saw as too generous.

Utah supporters said the project would bring a high-tech cachet that could draw other companies to West Jordan, but critics said the cost was too high for land that could attract other development.

The village of Los Lunas, meanwhile, agreed to give up all property taxes for 30 years in exchange for annual payments from Facebook that start at $50,000 and top out at less than $500,000. The complex economic development agreement also involves tax breaks on billions of dollars in computer equipment over time.

In Utah, an initial $240 million tax-break plan publicly fell apart one night in August after several leaders said the lure was too rich. Talks were revived the next morning, but two weeks later, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said the deal looked dormant, if not dead.

West Jordan Mayor Kim Rolfe said he's disappointed that his city wasn't chosen and the tax-break package was unfairly maligned. The billion-dollar project would have been an economic boon, bringing construction jobs as well as tax revenue after the breaks, he said.

A critic of the Utah plan, Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, said the cost to taxpayers was too steep.

"We will walk away from a bad deal. We're not so desperate that we're willing to give everything away," he said. The cost-benefit analysis is different for New Mexico, he said.

Data centers are key to the booming cloud-computing economy, but they typically bring few local jobs.

Los Lunas officials have said the center would be a $1.8 billion construction project creating 300 direct temporary jobs and just 50 permanent jobs. That's far fewer than the steady employment at the local Walmart distribution center.

New Mexico officials have appeared eager to please Facebook after the state was hit hard by a downturn in the oil and natural gas sectors. Computer chip maker Intel, meanwhile, has been steadily unwinding a major manufacturing plant that was an early beneficiary of similar property tax breaks using industrial revenue bonds.

Officials hope Facebook construction will spill over into other parts of the economy, including three industrial-scale solar power plants that would be built to offset electricity consumed by the data center.

Mims dismissed criticism of the package created to woo Facebook.

"If you want to bring business in, you have to offer incentives," he said. "This is the biggest thing since Intel and you have to look at the economic development spillover. It's not just about the data center."

State officials say Facebook has committed to buying local materials and hiring local employees to the greatest extent possible.

Construction is expected to start next month, with the center coming online in late 2018.

Explore further Race for Facebook data center raises tax-break questions

 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
A forested wetland in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Sites in the park were part of a comprehensive new study that found mercury contamination is widespread across western North America. Credit: Collin Eagles-Smith, USGS

Mercury contamination is widespread across western North America in the air, soil, lake sediments, plants, fish and wildlife, according to an international research team that included a University of Michigan biologist.

Scientists on the Western North America Mercury Synthesis team evaluated potential risks from mercury to the health of humans, fish and wildlife. The team was led by researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey and included U-M's Paul Drevnick.

The team reported its finding online recently in a series of articles in Science of the Total Environment. A virtual special edition of the journal will be published next month. Key findings from the western North America mercury study include:

Contamination with methylmercury, the toxic organic form of the metallic element, in fish and birds is common in many areas across western North America.

Fish and birds in many areas were found to contain mercury concentrations above levels considered toxic to them.

Forest soils typically contain more inorganic mercury than soils in semi-arid environments, yet the highest levels of methylmercury in fish and wildlife tend to occur in semi-arid areas.

Land disturbances, such as urban development, agriculture and wildfires, are important factors in releasing stored mercury from the landscape, potentially making it available for biological uptake.

Land and water management activities can strongly influence how methylmercury is created and transferred to fish, wildlife and humans.

"Mercury is widespread in the environment and under certain conditions poses a substantial threat to environmental health and natural resource conservation," said Collin Eagles-Smith, a U.S. Geological Survey ecologist and the team leader.

U-M's Drevnick led a group that compiled mercury records from 165 dated sediment cores collected from 138 natural lakes across western North America. Lake sediments are considered faithful recorders of historical mercury accumulation rates.

The researchers found that mercury accumulation rates in western lake sediments have increased, on average, by four times from 1850 to 2000 and continue to increase today. Atmospheric deposition from human activitiesespecially emissions from coal-fired power plants and artisanal gold-mining operationsis responsible for much of the mercury that ends up in western lake sediments. Other sources include industrial and municipal wastewater.

Airborne mercury that crosses the Pacific Ocean from Asian sources also makes its way into those western lake sediments, said Drevnick, an assistant research scientist at U-M's School of Natural Resources and Environment and at the U-M Biological Station.

"Mercury emitted from power plants in Asia is incorporated into the hemispheric pool of atmospheric mercury and is affecting all of western North America," Drevnick said. "That is the reason whydespite local, regional and national efforts to reduce mercury emissions in North Americawe continue to observe increased mercury loading to lakes in the West."

Drevnick has also been involved in efforts to compile, analyze and interpret mercury data from the Great Lakes, a region that offers a stark contrast to the U.S. West. In the Great Lakes region, mercury levels in lake sediments peaked in the 1980s and have been declining since then.

"As far as mercury in the Great Lakes region, we are in a recovery phase," he said. "We have a good understanding of the problem here and have eliminated point sources to water bodies, such as chlor-alkali plants and pulp and paper mills that used mercury in industrial processes. Also, we have controlled emissions to the atmosphere."

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that poses a health threat to humans, fish and wildlife. Its most toxic form, methylmercury, primarily affects the nervous and reproductive systems and is particularly harmful during early development.

Inorganic mercury moves from the atmosphere and the land surface into waterways where, under the right conditions, it is converted to methylmercury by bacteria. Methylmercury levels in water generally do not pose a direct threat to fish, wildlife or humans. But methylmercury increases in concentration as it moves up the food chain, reaching its highest levels in predators and long-lived species.

In North America, human exposure to methylmercury primarily occurs through the consumption of fish, which complicates public health guidance because eating fish provides numerous health benefits.

"The movement of mercury through the landscapetraveling between the air, ground and water to plants, animals and ultimately to humansis extremely complex," said Eagles-Smith of USGS.

"This series of articles helps further our understanding of the processes associated with that complexity in western North America, highlights where knowledge gaps still exist, and provides information to resource managers that will help with making informed management and regulatory decisions based in science," he said.

The body of works presented in the Science of the Total Environment papers was conducted as part of the Western North America Mercury Synthesis Working Group and supported by the USGS John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis.

The working group is comprised of partners from U.S. and Canadian federal, state and provincial agencies; academic institutions; and nongovernmental organizations. Primary funding support was provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with additional support from the individual authors' organizations.

The study by U-M's Drevnick and his colleagues is titled "Spatiotemporal patterns of mercury accumulation in lake sediments of western North America."

Explore further Mercury in fish affected by both prey type and quality, study finds
Shear thickening  the increase of a liquid's viscosity through applied force  is a well-known phenomenon. Mix equal parts corn starch and water and you come up with "Oobleck," a liquid that turns solid the more vigorously you stir it.

Thickening fluids have many technological uses  traction control in vehicles and liquid body armor are two examples  but the effect can be detrimental if the thickening causes clogging in pipes and nozzles. If one could gain control over the thickening process, instead of the thickening process doing the controlling, the potential would exist to solve many processing problems in various industries.

Neil Lin, a graduate student in the field of experimental physics in the lab of associate professor Itai Cohen, and Chris Ness a theoretical physics graduate student in the lab of Jin Sun from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, have proposed a technique to do just that in a paper, "Tunable shear thickening in suspensions," published Sept. 12 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The group  which included professor Michael Cates from the Centre for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Cambridge, England  devised a method to adjust on demand the flowability of a thickening material.

"For a long time, we've dealt with strange flow behavior by trying to characterize it and live with it," Lin said. "But this is actually the first time we've shown the ability to take control over the flow behavior and then tailor it."

Recent work in the Cohen Group has shown that shear thickening is a consequence of particle contact clusters and their alignment along the direction of the flow. These clusters reform continuously during flow and thicken the suspension. The group's idea: break the particle clusters and make the thickened fluid flow smoothly again.

They've achieved this by applying oscillation perpendicular to the fluid's original flow direction, which pulls apart the particles in a cluster. This perturbation must be applied delicately, with a precise combination of high frequency and small amplitude.

The high frequency guarantees disturbance of the clusters before they rearrange into new ones; the limited amplitude prevents the oscillation from creating thickening clusters in the direction of the perturbation.

"This simple disturbance can effectively lower the viscosity of a thickening suspension by about a factor of 100," Cohen said.

To demonstrate their method, Lin and the group devised a simple experiment  pouring a cornstarch mixture into a container being vibrated by a speaker and dipping the flywheel of a motor into it. The flywheel became stuck and the motor stalled when the speaker was off, but when turned on, the vibrations break up the clusters, the mixture's viscosity is lowered and the flywheel turns.

"In industry, the only solution to deal with this problem has been to either modify the suspended particles or just water down the material, to dilute the concentration," Lin said. "But that's not what we want  we don't want to compromise anything."

Cohen said this technique has myriad possibilities in many advanced technological fields, such as 3-D printing, energy storage and robotics.

"We will be able to 3-D-print very concentrated materials  cement, conducting suspensions comprised of metal particles, even chocolate," he said. "We can also imagine building robotic arms with varying rigidities in their joints and grippers."

Explore further A crack in the mystery of 'oobleck'friction thickens fluids
End Citizens United, a Democratic political action committee advocating for a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court "Citizens United" campaign finance decision on Tuesday announced its endorsement of Democratic candidate Mike Derrick in the 21st Congressional District race.

"After spending three decades protecting our national security in the Army and the State Department, Mike Derrick is running for Congress to fight for New Yorkers in his district," said Tiffany Miller, the PAC's executive director.

Derrick, a retired Army colonel from Peru, in Clinton County, is running against U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello, a bread company owner and political activist from Hudson Falls.

Adam Bozzi, spokesman for End Citizens United, would not specify the PAC's plans to assist Derrick's campaign or independently support Derrick or oppose other candidates in the race.

"I won't reveal our hand," he said. "But here are some of the ways we have helped other endorsed candidates: campaign donations, connecting grassroots activists to their campaigns,helping them with messaging around these issues, connecting local volunteers with their campaigns, and independent expenditures."

Bozzi said the PAC did not interview Funiciello, who does not accept any corporate, labor union or PAC contributions.

"Our goal is to support viable candidates to build a Democratic majority because that is how we will overturn Citizens United ...," he said.
WARRENSBURG  A New Jersey woman was jailed Wednesday after she was charged with trying to cash a forged check written on a local companys bank account for more than $68,000, police said.

State Police said it was unclear how Maria Guerra, 44, of Elizabeth, came into possession of the check that was drawn on an account maintained by Northeast Products Co. of Warrensburg. The check used the business account number and a check number that had previously been issued.

Police said the check for just under $69,000 was deposited into a bank account in New Jersey under Guerras name. An attempt was made to withdraw at least some of the money, but the bank suspected fraud and froze the funds, according to State Police.

Guerra allegedly wrote her name and address on the check when depositing it. She was arrested by police in New Jersey on a warrant issued in Warrensburg Town Court.

Guerra was charged with second-degree grand larceny, a felony, was arraigned in Warrensburg Town Court and sent to Warren County Jail for lack of bail.

The State Police investigation was ongoing as of Wednesday.

Northeast Products Co., also known as NEPCO, makes pet and animal beddings from wooden shavings and chips at a factory on Sweet Road in Warrensburg. A call to the company was not returned Wednesday.

Police have dealt with an increasing number of fake and/or forged checks in recent years, as would-be thieves use stolen data and computers to create illicit checks.

A number of local businesses and government agencies have been victimized over the years, and in many cases funds were lost when banks didnt spot fraud before withdrawals were made.
Chris Boyark of Mechanicville declared victory at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday over Gerard Moser of Malta in the Republican primary in the 113th Assembly District.

Right now, were sitting at what looks to be 1,028 to 590, he said. At this point we feel extremely confident and were calling it a victory.

Moser could not be reached for comment, and he had not issued a statement, as of 10:40 p.m.

Once all the machine votes were counted, Boyark led Moser 1,438 to 873, according to unofficial results from the Saratoga and Washington counties boards of election.

Boyark attributed his win to a strong grassroots campaign.

In these kinds of elections with low turnouts, you absolutely have to connect with voters at doors, he said. My message was clear: We want to work toward reform. We want to bring the party together.

If Boyarks lead holds up, he will be the sole general election opponent to Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, a first-term incumbent.

Boyark already had the Conservative Party and Reform Party nominations, and Moser did not have any other party nominations.

The Republican primary was oriented mostly around party control.

Moser labeled himself an outsider and said Boyark, the Republican Party endorsed candidate, was part of the establishment.

Boyark, a Saratoga County Republican Committee member, said he received the endorsement because he started his campaign early and worked hard, not because of party connections.

Neither candidate has held elected office.

Both candidates emphasized their business experience and called for ethics reform.

Boyark is co-owner of the Almost Saratoga bar in Malta and, until recently, managed Hannoush Jewelers, a family-owned business.

Moser worked in hospitality and health care management, and he now owns a personal training firm.

Both candidates criticized Woerner for not immediately calling for the resignation of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, when he was arrested.

Woerner has said she has been an advocate of ethics reform, including co-sponsoring legislation to remove state pensions from elected officials convicted of felonies in relation with their official duties.

Woerner, who began her re-election campaign earlier this year, will open her campaign headquarters at 5 Wells St. in Saratoga Springs at noon Wednesday.

Woerner enters the general election campaign with advantages in name recognition and campaign cash.

Woerner had $49,378 in her campaign fund as of July 11, her most recent report.

Boyark had $4,790 in his campaign fund, as of Aug. 29.

The Republican Party has a voter enrollment advantage in the 113th District, which includes portions of Washington and Saratoga counties.

As of April 1, there were 33,283 active enrolled Republicans in the district, about 40 percent of active enrolled voters, according to the state Board of Elections.

There were 22,967 active enrolled Democrats, about 28 percent of active enrolled voters.

In the Republican primary in the 49th Senate District, James Tedisco was leading Christian Klueg with nearly 70 percent of the votes tabulated.

Tedisco, currently a state assemblyman, had 5,271 votes, or 58 percent, to Kluegs 3,830 votes, representing 42 percent of the Republican voters who turned out in the district, which represents Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties. The seat is open because of the retirement of veteran state Sen. Hugh Farley.
GLENS FALLS  Every night, they are front and center in living rooms across the region.

But Saturday night, the Singing Anchors get to step out from behind their news desks and connect with viewers at Charles R. Wood Theater.

We love it, said Jerry Gretzinger, a longtime local TV news anchor who is now vice president for Strategic Communications and Public Relations at the College of Nanoscale Science and Technology. We each love the opportunity to get out and be with people, a live audience; on television, you dont get to interact with them much.

Gretzinger is one-third of the popular group that started performing seven years ago under the tutelage of Jay Kerr, the artistic director at Fort Salem Theater. Benita Zahn of WNYT NewsChannel 13 and Jessica Layton, formerly of NewsChannel 13 (she has since moved to WCBS in New York City), round out the trio.

They first performed together at a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, Gretzinger said.

It went so well, Jay said, Lets keep a good thing going, Gretzinger said.

Kerr dubbed them the Singing Anchors and in the years since, the group has performed regularly at Fort Salem and at fundraisers throughout the region. Saturdays show benefits the Wood Theater and the Civic Center Coalition.

Despite full-time jobs, spouses, children and other obligations, the Anchors have made performing a priority.

It feeds your soul, Zahn said. It makes you better at what you do. Im in touch with the audience and I get to connect with them. It recharges me.

Zahn, like Gretzinger and Layton, has always loved performing. In college, she was a dual major: broadcast and communications, and theater.

Its my other life, she said.

Gretzinger grew up performing under the direction of his father, who directed all the towns high school and community theater shows. Now, Gretzinger has five children of his own.

My father included me in performances, so Im excited to include my kids, he said.

To make juggling the schedules of a household of seven more manageable, Kerr travels to Gretzingers house, where theyll rehearse on the familys piano, sometimes with some of the kids singing along.

Or, youll see me rehearsing in the car, driving back and forth or sitting in traffic on the Northway, rehearsing and practicing, he said.

The time spent is worth it, all three said.

Theres an energy you feel from an audience thats right in front of you, Gretzinger said. In television, you have to do that all yourself and you hope that what youre doing is getting through. When youre onstage, youre getting that real time: You can see the smiles on their faces, or the guy on the end who decided to take a nap.

The shows put the Anchors in touch with their audiences, something Layton called a blessing.

Its such an honor when somebody says Youre in my home every night because I watch you on television, but when we can be part of that person-to-person interaction, it feeds us, she said. Were all people persons, so when we can see the reaction people have, the laughter, the smile on their face ...

We tell a lot of stories, and when we can see how that story impacts somebody, in that moment, thats a thrill, she said.

As important to Layton, though, is the time spent with Gretzinger and Zahn.

Were all so close and I think that when the three of us are together, were the happiest version of ourselves, said Layton, who is traveling to the area from her new home in New Jersey for the show.

Were almost like a family now, Gretzinger said.

We genuinely have fun together, and I think that comes across on stage way more than it can on somebodys television set, Layton said.
GLENS FALLS  The fire that heavily damaged an East Notre Dame Street apartment building started in an area where electrical lines ran down the middle of the building, officials said.

The fire has been labeled as accidental, and was traced to a utility shaft that was in the center of the three-story building and ran from its basement to the loft area above the third-floor apartments, Glens Falls Fire Chief James Schrammel said.

The utility shaft contained electrical wiring and pipes for plumbing, but because of the extent of the damage, fire investigators are unable to say definitively whether wiring was to blame.

At this point we cant rule out it being electrical. We can say it wasnt suspicious, that it was accidental, Schrammel said. Everything was burned in the area of the shaft where we were looking.

A fire starting in the shaft also corresponded with the it spreading into the narrow cockloft area between the third-floor apartments ceiling and the buildings roof, as firefighters found when they arrived on the scene Tuesday morning, according to the chief.

The 11:15 a.m. fire destroyed the third story of the building, routing at least 13 people from their apartments. There were 13 apartments in the building, but two were vacant, and Schrammel said firefighters were told 13 people in all lived in the building.

Contractors had been in the building replacing hot water heaters in the basement in recent days, but that work did not appear to have played a part in the fire, the chief said.

Mary Alice Mogard, a spokeswoman for the Adirondack-Saratoga Chapter of the American Red Cross said 11 people in seven families received food and clothing assistance from the Adirondack-Saratoga Chapter of the American Red Cross. One family sought temporary housing assistance from the Red Cross and received that assistance, while other displaced tenants planned to stay with family and friends, according to Kimmy Venter, regional communications director for the agency.

Firefighters from four departments battled the fire into the early evening Tuesday. One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and was treated at Glens Falls Hospital and released, but no other injuries were reported.

The third story was destroyed, but the brick structure of the first and second floors withstood the fire. There was minor fire damage on the second floor, but extensive water damage to the first and second floors.

An insurance agent for owner Phil Rose Apartments LLC said the first two floors appeared salvageable as of Tuesday afternoon.

They dont make buildings like that anymore, Schrammel said.

Calls to the office of Phil Rose Apartments were not returned Wednesday.
Meeting

Hudson Falls Village Board, Monday evening, Village Hall

Top story

The board agreed to pursue a Restore New York grant that could bring in up to $500,000 to renovate the former Masonic temple, which is owned by Village Attorney William Nikas. The village obtained a similar grant seven years ago to help developer Peter Hoffman renovate a former bank building. The grant, designed to help for-profit groups improve rundown buildings, would require up to 35 investors. Lawyer Mark Schachner of Glens Falls is representing the village in this matter because Nikas would have a conflict of interest. Robert Murray of Shelter Planning, who is developing the grant application, said he feels the Masonic temple is a strong candidate for the state grant. The plan is to put apartments for senior citizens on the upper floors and commercial businesses on the first floor.

Other news

Third Avenue resident Abe Norman spoke to the board about a tree on village-owned property that has been dropping branches and is damaging the sidewalk. He said he has been dealing with the branches for many years and would like the village to take the tree down. Earlier this year, the board gave Sharon Lowell of 10 E. LeClaire St. permission to take down a village-owned tree, so long as she was responsible for expenses and insurance. Later in the meeting, Village Trustee Robert Cook said he felt the board needed to discuss the issue because there are a number of similar trees in the village.

Resident Michelle Richardson Wood, who agreed to help the village with social media promotion, made several suggestions to improve the villages web presence. She said the village webpage is confusing and repeats information. She did compliment the Hudson Falls Volunteer Fire Department, saying it is a fantastic website and suggesting it was a good example. She also said she would like to see the village establish a Facebook page that would carry any tweets sent out by the village on Twitter.

The board approved the promotions of Steve Bunio and Ryan Woodward to police sergeant. Chief Randy Diamond thanked the board and said the move brings the department back to full strength.

Next meeting

6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Village Hall
FORT ANN  After 239 years, the fight for Battle Hill is over.

The Civil War Trust, as part of its Campaign 1776, will acquire the 165-acre site, partly through purchasing land and partly through a donation by owner Gino Vona.

The Civil War Trust, a national organization based in Washington, D.C., has expanded its focus to also preserve American battlefields from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

Vona has been fighting for the better part of a decade to get state permission to build a mine on part of the site. But in March, he contacted town officials and said he was interested in selling the site to the town if he could not open a mine there.

We are absolutely pleased we are going to be able to do this, said town Supervisor Richard Moore, who announced the sale at the Town Board meeting Monday.

The closing is scheduled for May 1, 2017.

There is still a lot of work to do, but we are really pleased to have a signed agreement, Moore said.

Eventually, Moore said, ownership of the land will go to the town, and while there are no immediate plans, the long-range goal is to develop it as a tourist site. That would fit with other historic sites in the area, including Fort Ticonderoga, Fort William Henry in Lake George and Rogers Island in Fort Edward.

Moore said the fair market value of the land was listed at $320,000 and the deal will include $210,000 from the trust. Vona is donating the rest of the land.

Meg Martin, communications manager for the Civil War Trust, confirmed Wednesday that the trust has a contract to buy 106 acres at the site. She said she did not have any additional details at this time.

Fort Ann American Legion, under the leadership of Christine Milligan, has been leading the charge to protect the battlefield, which is along Route 4 and was the site of The Battle of Fort Anne, between Continental Army and British forces, on July 7, 1777.

On behalf of the Fort Ann Post 703 and the Washington County American Legion, we want to say thank you to Supervisor Moore and the Civil War Trust for their hard work and determination to protect this historic site and to recognize those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom at the beginning of this great nation, Milligan said.

Supervisor Moore credited Kathy Robertson, deputy director of real estate for the Civil War Trust, for accomplishing the acquisition.

She was an absolute pleasure to work with, Moore said. She really put in a lot of work.

In late June, American Battlefield Protection Program awarded the Fort Ann post an $80,000 grant to determine the borders of the battle through an archaeological study.

The funding will also allow for development of a preservation plan. The plan will include public input and present a history of the battle for visitors and researchers.

A survey of the property, done by a team from the Public Archaeology Facility at Binghamton University, through another grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program of the National Parks Service, found that the battlefield is larger than first thought.The survey also determined the battle was more important than previously thought and called the mine proposal a threat to the historical nature of the site.

In a report last year, Michael Jacobson, who led the team from Binghamton University, said research into primary source materials from the time indicates most of the fighting took place closer to Battle Hill than initially thought.Big Boy Construction Inc. of Fairfield, Connecticut, had applied to build a mine at the site. But Vona, who owns the land and the company, chose to wait for the survey before moving forward.

Vona bought the 165 acres on the hill from Marilyn Bray in 2007 for $55,000, according to county records.
Warren County leaders plan to sit down with administrators of rescue squads later this month to go over problems squads are having with response to calls in some parts of the county.

County supervisors held a 90-minute workshop meeting Monday to discuss what role county government could play in dealing with the inability of some rescue squads to get ambulances to emergency calls in a timely manner. Drops in volunteerism and money issues have been blamed for a problem many people believe has worsened in recent years.

The county Board of Supervisors ended the discussion with the goal of setting up a meeting with squads on Sept. 28 at the Warren County Municipal Center as part of the regular Warren County EMS Advisory Board meeting.

Micki Guy, the countys emergency medical services coordinator, said volunteerism has dropped and finances have suffered with some squads. Some have a revolving door of leadership, she said.

The problems have resulted in an inability to get staff promptly to calls, mainly in smaller towns in the county, although North Queensbury Rescue Squad recently had to discontinue part of its service for several weeks.

You are going to see the southern part of the county is much different from the northern part, Guy said.

Many of the manpower issues have occurred because some towns pay more than others for professional EMTs, and many of the professionals have taken full-time jobs with benefits at squads in the Albany area.

She said there are a variety of ways the county could get involved, from providing more support to existing squads to operating a fly car to go to emergency calls with an advanced lifesaving-certified EMT or even an additional ambulance to supplement coverage.

Counties around the state have gotten involved in a number of ways to improve EMS response within their boundaries, said Brian LaFlure, the countys emergency services coordinator.

Horicon Supervisor Matt Simpson said the Board of Supervisors has to take a countywide look at the issue, and look at assets and position them in the right places.

The county has also heard a proposal from the city of Glens Falls to allow off-duty Glens Falls firefighters, who are certified emergency medical technicians and run the citys ambulance service, to work for upcounty rescue squads as needed. Some had concerns that Guy, a Glens Falls firefighter, was behind the idea, but LaFlure said the proposal came from Glens Falls Mayor Jack Diamond.

Glens Falls 1st Ward Supervisor Dan Girard said the Glens Falls proposal should be reviewed before the county looks at other options. Thurman Supervisor Evelyn Wood, chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee, said it hasnt been ruled out.

Johnsburg Supervisor Ron Vanselow, a former member of the Johnsburg Rescue Squad, said the county has to overcome squad pride in some organizations.

Youre not going to get a squad that is getting $300,000 from its town to say theyve got a problem, said Warrensburg Supervisor Kevin Geraghty, chairman of the county board. We appreciate everything you are trying to do, but its not working.

Joe Connelly, president of Johnsburg Rescue Squad, said he had concerns about a countywide solution being forced on squads that arent having problems.

In our opinion, there is no better system than the local one, he said. Right now, we do have some squads that are reeling a bit, but every squad goes through its ups and downs.

Having a fly car that could take an ALS tech to a call doesnt solve the problem of getting an ambulance with an emergency medical technician to a call, which would still be needed, Connelly added. The fly car might compete with squads for revenue, Connelly said.

The countywide mutual aid plan works well to make sure ambulances get where they are needed, he said. Lake Luzerne Supervisor Gene Merlino said that having squads repeatedly going to other districts for mutual aid creates problems in their home districts.

Efforts to reach several other rescue squad leaders around the county were unsuccessful Wednesday.

LaFlure said he hoped the meeting would allow the sides to clear the air, after verbal attacks on him and his staff by some squad leaders that took place earlier this summer when proposals about countywide initiatives were made public.

Weve never been able to get squad captains and the supervisors in the same room, LaFlure said.
Inventory needs to be managed and managed well, or you are going to get in recurring trouble, and lose your credibility and hard-earned conversions, whether 

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The Mauritius tourism board is offering a free training program online in hopes of better promoting the destination in China.

The Mauritius Travel Specialist program that has gone online from Sept 12 on the Chinese website ctoa.travellinkdaily.com/Mauritius, features five courses, including Mauritius general introduction and travel information.

Since then, there have been 110 people registered for the program and 43 of them have passed and got a certificate after passing a test of 70 questions about Mauritius tourism.

In 2013, Mauritius introduced a visa-free policy for Chinese whose stays do not exceed 30 days. In 2015, Chinese tourists to the country have increased by 41 percent from about 60,000 to 90,000.

The African island nation in the Indian Ocean now has direct flights from five Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu.
The victim, Godwin Oyia, was killed at about 10:40am today, after being trapped in his home at No 5 Aborishade close, Lawanson, Surulere.

Investigations carried into the case by the Agency's emergency response team at the scene of the incident revealed that a boiling ring being used in the last room on the top floor of the house led to the fire which quickly engulfed the whole building, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

Sadly, Oyia was burnt to death in the room where the fire had started.

Although the whole of the top floor of the building was completely torched, the lower floors were salvaged by the combined efforts of LASEMA, Red cross, the Lagos State Fire Service and Itire division of the Police Force. Oyia's corpse has since been recovered and handed over to the Police.

ALSO READ: Two cheat death in fuel tanker accident
Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu said the decision was arrived at after a Public Sector Joint Negotiation Committee Meeting in Accra on Tuesday.

The new minimum wage will be implemented effective January 2017, which will see the salary of persons working in the public sector go up.

READ MORE:Youth Employment Authority YEA pays youths GHC300 as allowance

I am happy to inform you that conclusively government together with its social partners namely Minister of Finance, leaders of Public Sector Workers Union, the Ghana Prisons Service, and the Ghana Police Service have concluded negotiation on base pay increases up to 12.5 percent, he said.

Government announced that the minimum wage will be increased by GHC0.80 pesewas at a tripartite meeting, after member of the Government Hospital Pharmacists Association embarked on a strike action to demand for interim market premium allowances.

Patients in dire need of some medications have been left to their fate due to the strike.
He made this statement during an interview on Joy FM's 'Cosmopolitan Mix' show hosted by Doreen Andoh on Tuesday (Sept. 13).

Appietus stated that if the situation is not looked at and resolved, there may not be experienced artistes to take over from the current crop of music stars.

He said the situation is so appalling that exportable artistes currently in Ghana are not even up to 100.

The Azonto Fiesta hit producer urged that industry practitioners, as a matter of urgency, look at nurturing fresh talents.

"In Ghana if we want to export artistes out of this country, we wont get 100. Its sad. In Nigeria, Im sure you will get over 100 and its not population wise. I mean we are almost 30 million people and we cant get 100 people to represent Ghana, there are more than 100 countries in the world so if we have to take an artiste to one country, we might not be able to do it and its bad," he lamented.
Okyeame Kwame's hip hop song, Tension is cooked with some of the most expansive wordplay and banter so well that we can't ignore. On his verse alone, I have extracted 20 of the most titillating statements and broken them down for your understanding. Enjoy!

Unity Hall is the biggest university hall in the West African region. As an old 'continental' Okyeame chants to call out its affiliates. The chant also is a recognition of his alma mater. The 'Conti' cry apparently exudes a sense of excitement, energy and valor, as is existent in the 'Tension' song.

(I have sold my Range to run promos)

Promo in the business sense is to create an incentive to accelerate buying. Music promo basically is to make your music sell and to activate it. To spend the sale proceeds of a Range Rover on advertisement typifies expensiveness. Very few musicians can hoist billboards across the country among a host of exorbitant marketing strategies.

(I have invited Bola Ray to flaunt wealth)

CEO of EIB Network, Bola Ray is a successful entrepreneur who, in his late thirties fits as a mentor for the youth. For Okyeame to have invited him to flaunt wealth is a way of showcasing his class or league.

(I have dyed my grey lyrics)

Grey in the Akan parlance is translated as 'adwene' which means wisdom. The word also denotes growth and experience. Application of a dye to grey hair signifies a complement of the old tactics to garnish it for the needs of the new generation. Okyeame is wise, old and experienced but he produces music that absolutely down well with the moment.

The Talibans are a group of Islamic fundamentalists in Afghanistan tagged with war-waging. Suicide bombing is their commonest means of terrorism. They 'blow up'. By this statement, Okyeame metaphorises their fate with his music career. With the words 'emcee' or 'MC' and 'blow' he also puns artistically here.

Here, the rapper hints the listener of the commercial viability of his songs and his target audience. As a family man and an entrepreneur, it is expected of him to put food on the table. He mentions how much efforts is channeled to sustain himself and others.

There is a pun on the word bar in this line. A bar in one context means drinking spot. In another context (music) a bar is the distance between four counts of a metronome.

The sentence can be translated as I have killed you, I have sponsored your funeral and given you a pass to hell. Okyeame employs an anticlimax to send quite a scary warning to his competitors.

In literature, an anticlimax is a disappointing end to an exciting series of events.

Kwame truly is a product of University of Ghana and KNUST as well. There's a homophobic pun in this line. As a university graduate he's done with 'class' (a group of students). And as a person with two academic degrees he can boast of a reputable 'class' (high social status).

Rap Dacter symbolizes his rap as corn grains and his mouth as a mill. The product of running the rap (corn) through the mill (mouth) is dough.

Dough also puns as 'doe' another word literally used for money; to say he makes a good living from music.

There's a syncopation with the word 'maasa' (a locally-made pastry usually eaten with porridge) to distort the meaning pattern of the rap. Haven't made that distraction, he lands with the statement 'y koko' to imply that it is all done effortlessly.

He takes a quick swipe at rappers who make music under the influence of illicit drugs. For him, he says he's addicted to music and doesn't need to smoke (popo) to stay high.

Okyeame mentions that all his interest in his family and fans (also 'fan', the electrical wind blowing device) Another pun, probably intended.

To claim his only source of inspiration is his fans (not money) is an irony too, as he had earlier mentioned he makes a living from music.

DJ ABK known in real life as Ernest Appau is said to be buying a car from the little gains in his role as the rapper's road manager. This is both comic and exaggerative. It is Okyeame's way of employing a hyperbole to the verse.

He declares that he barely glorifies material things and the frivolous stuff. His focus is on dreams that impact society.

With the use of an onomatopoeia, he associates his lyricism to the rhythm of a guitar sound.

My music is like an articulator brake. If I don't play (or apply) I cause deaths. The comparison between his music and the function of brakes of a vehicles brakes makes for a profound, impressive artistry. It solidifies his relevance and indispensability. We will die without his songs, literally!

This is translated as I bake my cake with metaphors.

As is characteristic of him, his lyrics are full of metaphors, which appears to be his dominant figure of speech. The consumers of this cake is a Dadaba (child of a wealthy man). The imagery created at this juncture is that his songs can be best appreciated by people of high mileage.

(You asked me to quit learning and focus on music. I did so, and now you are palpitating.)

This may be a remark at comments that his pursuit of higher education had a toll on his music career.

He anticlimaxes the tension in the song by requesting his detractors to go get a life, illegal mining herein suggested. For emphasis he compares this competitors punch lines to the quantity of food served to prisoners. In Ghana, the prisons service spends 1.20 cedis on three square meal for each convict daily. That certainly makes a perfect imagery.

In the outro Okyeame plays on Yaw Sarpong-Kumankuma, a name he finds interesting supposedly. In the pronunciation of the name, a change in the tone changes the meaning to sound like the Akan translation of 'young in-laws'

Either Okyeame finds it an opportunity to bring home the concept of drum language or merely hailing him. Either ways still keep the tension alive in the song.
The deceased, who have been identified as Alhaji Alhassan Kuku, was pronounced dead at a Clinic in Mina on Tuesday, August 13.

Though the cause of his death is unknown, head o the medial team at the Mina Clinic, Dr Abdul Samad Sulemana suspects he could have died from hypoglycaemia.

He collapsed suddenly and unfortunately eye witness did not rush him to the clinic on time. When we saw him, he had cold extremities, no cardiopulmonary activities and was clinically dead Dr.Suleman said.

According to the statement The death which occurred Tuesday, September 13, went through the normal burial procedure and the body was successfully buried in Makkah around 7 pm Saudi Arabia time just after Magrib prayers.

The Late Alhaji Kuku came to performed Hajj this year with three male relatives including a nephew, hailed from Zabarama Line a suburb of Accra.

Below is the full statement;

PILGRIMS AFFAIRS OFFICE OF GHANA(PAOG)

PRESS RELEASE

-

GHANA RECORDED FIRST CASUALTY



The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana(PAOG)on a sad note wishes to announce the death of a 70 year old Alhaji Alhassan Kuku who was part of Ghanaian Pilgrims who were in Arafah last Sunday and safely returned back to Ghana camp in Mina.

According to our head of Medical Team,Dr.Abdul Samad Suleman,cause of death is unknown because the late Alhaji Kuku was brought to the Ghana Clinic in Mina already dead but he suspected hypoglycaemia as the cause of death.

He collapsed suddenly and unfortunately eye witness did not rush him to the clinic on time. When we saw him, he had cold extremities, no cardiopulmonary activities and was clinically dead- Dr.Suleman

The death which occurred Tuesday September 13, went through the normal burial procedure and the body was sucessfully buried in Makkah around 7pm Saudi Arabia time just after Magrib prayers.

The Late Alhaji Kuku came to performed Hajj this year with three male relatives including a nephew,hailed from Zabarama Line a suburb of Accra.

Alhaji Manaf the CEO of Ansarr Hajj Agency who facilitated the travelling processes of the late Alhaji Kuku,duely informed the family members and appointed one of them among those here in Makkkah for the burial activities.

The PAOG expresses deepest heartfelt for the death of a Pilgrim but at the same time extends condolences to the family members back in Ghana for the lost of a dear one.May Allah sympathise with him and grant him Jannat Firdaws(The highest Paradise ).

Since the begining of this years Hajj Pilgrimage couple of days ago,Ghana has just recorded the first casualty.

Signed

Mohammed Amin Lamptey
This is because if President Mahama gets the opportunity to govern Ghana for a second term he has promised to install sophisticated traffic lights in the urban areas.

President Mahama was speaking at an event at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra today (Tuesday) to highlight the key areas of the 2016 manifesto of the NDC.

He said

President Mahama explained that the sophisticated traffic lights will be able to detect which side of the road is experiencing heavy vehicular traffic and will quickly give priority to vehicles on that part of the road.

READ ALSO: Spintex Underpass to be opened for road users today

President Mahama also said his government intends to construct a dual carriage road on the Accra-Kumasi and Accra-Takoradi and Aflao to Accra roads in his second term.
The five are President Mahama who is contesting on the ticket of the NDC, Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Kofi Akpaloo of the Independent Peoples party (IPP), Akwasi Addai Odike of the United Progressive Party (UPP) and Nana Agyenim- Boateng of the United Front Party (UFP).

President Mahama picked his form on Wednesday. A Deputy General Secretary of the NDC Koku Anyidoho picked it on his behalf. The other four nominees picked theirs on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: President Mahama picks nomination forms

Kofi Akpaloo who was the first to pick the form said the IPP was the only alternative for governance now.

Presidential and parliamentary candidates are mandated to a filing fee of GH50,000 and GH10,000 respectively but several political parties have raised concerns with the pricing.
President Mahama said.

President Mahama made this known at the Banquet Hall of the State House when he talked about the highlights of the NDCs yet-to-be-lunched manifesto.

In August during a campaign tour to the Western Region, NPPs Presidential nominee Nana Akufo-Addo was criticised by members of the NDC for promising to create another region out of the Western Region, thereby increasing the existing ten regions to 11.

Some members of the NDC said it was unnecessary and unattainable.
Acting General Secretary of the party John Boadu picked the forms on Nana Addos behalf.

This follows hours after the Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Koku Anyidoho picked up forms on the President Mahamas behalf.

READ ALSO:Election 2016 President Mahama picks nomination forms

Five presidential nominees have so far picked nomination forms from the Electoral Commission in a bid to contest in the December 7 presidential elections.

The five are President Mahama who is contesting on the ticket of the NDC, Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Kofi Akpaloo of the Independent Peoples party (IPP), Akwasi Addai Odike of the United Progressive Party (UPP) and Nana Agyenim- Boateng of the United Front Party (UFP).

President Mahama picked his form on Wednesday, September 14. A Deputy General Secretary of the NDC Koku Anyidoho picked it on his behalf. The other four nominees picked theirs on Tuesday, September 13.
A Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho picked the form on behalf of the partys presidential nominee.

Presidential candidates seeking to be voted for as president are to pay GH50,000 as nomination fee to be able to contest the presidential elections.

The figure is 500 per cent from the 10,000 paid by presidential candidates in the 2012 elections.

Parliamentary candidates are also expected to pay 10,000 as against the GH1,000 paid in the last elections. The new figure is a 1,000 per cent increment from the previous amount.

READ ALSO: Kofi Akpaloo picks nomination form to contest for Presidency

Most political parties have argued that the filing fee is exorbitant but the EC has indicated that they will maintain the price.
Prior and up until now, the rapper is giving fans who pre-order the album a goody bag consisting of her book "11", a personalised voice message of appreciation and a VIP pass to her album release party on September 17, 2016.

Eva was initially supposed to have dropped this debut album in January 2015 but instead went on to release a mixtape titled Because You been waiting back in March 2016 to occupy her fans. She had earlier released two official singles 'Lights out' and 'War Coming' in 2013 and 2014 respectively to promote the album.

On her Instagram page, she thanked fans, industry colleagues that worked with her on the project, the media, family and every other entity that have contributed in getting the project out eventually.
"I thought corruption was the worst thing a nation can endure until I saw the suffering and poverty my people are going through. A month ago, a keg of vegetable oil was N4,200, one week later it rose to N4,800" wrote the OAP.

ALSO READ: Freeze says he is never leaving radio

He further wrote "I know the government is trying to fix Nigeria, and I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but what about those that will die of hunger and lack, inside the tunnel, never to reach the light? Everything is going up and salaries are coming down, companies are shutting down and with the airlines folding up, transportation is becoming crazy. I look around me and all I see is suffering and hunger."

Additionally, he said "Yes, I am proud of the fact that Nigeria is not as corrupt as it used to be, but is this 'famine' the progress we are seeking? Is it really better than the corruption we did away with? What do you guys think?"
One of such Nollywood celebrities was the queen of the screen herself Genevieve Nnaji who spoke about the rise of Nollywood in the international movie scene alongside Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan on September, 12, 2016.

Yesterday, September 13, 2016, Nollywood legendary actor Ramsey Nouah bumped into Genevieve in Toronto and the two couldn't but help take a selfie together.

Ramsey Nouah shared the photo on his Instagram page and wrote "U just never go wrong with her...personality extraordinaire! My girl @genevievennaji."
Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!
ALSO READ: Customs arrests drug trafficker carrying Indian Hemp

The Federal High Court, Ibadan, sentenced the suspects identified as Idowu Gbadegesin and Biliaminu Alade today, September 14, 'for unlawfully dealing in psychotropic substance'.

Counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Raphael Himinkaiye, disclosed to the court that the suspects were arraigned on the one-count charge of unlawful possession of Indian Hemp.

The duo was arrested separately at different locations April 22 and May 8 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek, in two separate judgements, convicted the suspects based on the evidence as well as the guilty plea issued by both of the accused.

Gbadegesin was sentenced to five months in prison which took effect from the day he was arrested .

Alade was similarly sentenced to five months in prison from the day of his arrest.

The Cannabis Sativa found in the possession of the convicts shall be destroyed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The monetary exhibit of N2,100 found on Gbadegesin is hereby forfeited to the federations account, she ordered.

ALSO READ: Police arrests another Indian Hemp dealing gang in Niger State
ALSO READ: Girl cries out after man uses her picture to scam people on FB

The suspect, Ademola Adebayo, a 400L student of Computer Science is alleged to make use of luxurious pictures on Facebook as bait to lure his victims.

The reports reveal that Adebayo later took his victims to a hotel with the excuse that he had a business deal for them, during which he robbed them of their valuables.

The suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged at the Ikeja police command by one of his victims.

Following his arrest, Adebayo confessed to the crimes, saying:

One of the ladies I defrauded was Rita. She came to a hotel in the Oyingbo area. We had met on Facebook and I agreed to do a deal with her. She was a woman willing to have a sexual affair with me for money.

I invited her to the hotel and asked how much she would take. She said $1,000, and I said it was okay. I collected her phone. I asked her to come for the money at a hotel in the Victoria Island area. So, she believed me and left.

I checked the contacts on her phone and that was where I got the contacts of other ladies I defrauded. I was trying to lure another friend of hers when I was arrested. I have done it to seven ladies. I usually meet the young women on Facebook, and it is either I add them or they add me.

I usually uploaded rich pictures on Facebook, which attracted them to me. Fetuga was the one I usually gave the valuables to sell. He sold each of the phones for N6,000.

The accomplice identified as Toheeb Fatuga was reportedly in charge of selling the stolen items. Telling his side of the story, Fetuga said:

He came to me that he wanted to sell the phones. When I asked him where he got the phones from, he said some ladies in his school were in need of money to complete their projects and examinations.

He had come about seven times and I gave him about N6,000 for each of the phones. We usually met at different places. He would call and say we should transact business.
The aged man identified as Samuel Kibure was reportedly dumped near Mutomo graveyard along Gatundu-Mutomo Kenyatta road route on Monday, September 12.

Kibure revealed that he was earlier admitted at a Gatundu hospital and later discharged, after which he was taken to his brother's house at Karembu in Gatundu South by his son who is base in Nakuru.

In the middle of the night on that fateful day, Kibure disclosed that his nephews had woken him up, had him wrapped in a blanket before driving him in their car to where they dumped him at about 2am.

The distressed man told Citizen Digital of his land and property which he had sold, leaving him homeless, after which his children deserted him because he had become a burden to them since he lost the use of his legs.

Speaking with the media outlet, one of the residents of the area revealed that Kibure had once been a prominent business man working with the ministry of Agriculture.

The resident added that Kibure soon started to indulge in alcohol, so much so that he sold all of his properties.
The suspect identified as Haruna Barde was arrested today Wednesday, September 14 in Dutse.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Jinjiri Abdu, confirming the arrest, said that the incident took place on September 13 at about 10.30 p.m. in Nahuce village of Harbo town in Jahun Local Government Area.

Alhaji Abdu disclosed that the victims have been identified as Zainab Abubakar and her 50-year-old son, Hassan Abubakar.

On Sept. 13, we received a report around 10.30 p.m. that one Haruna Barde of Nahuce, Harbo town in Jahun, allegedly attacked one Zainab Abubakar with a machete.

The 30-year-old Barde also attacked the womans son, Hassan Abubakar, who tried to save her.

Upon reception of the report, our men immediately arrived at the scene, rescued and took the victims to the hospital and arrested the suspect.

However, the woman and her son both died minutes later due to injuries they sustained.

Mr Abdu revealed that the corpses have since been handed over to their family members for burial.
According to a resident of the Akpehi community, where the incident took place, the teenager was devastated after her lover boy, a pork meat seller in the local Wurukum Market in Makurdi, refused to accept responsibility for the pregnancy and instead, got another girl pregnant and presented her to his family as his wife to be.

After several attempts to get the man to accept her pregnancy, Beer, who could not come to the fact that her boyfriend rejected her, reportedly drank a poisonous substance suspected to be Sniper, a very powerful insecticide.
Ajimobi stated this in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Yemisi Owonikoko, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Wednesday.

The statement said that Mrs Ajimobi gave the assurance in Ibadan, on Wednesday when the Action Plan Team paid her a visit at her residence.

She said that all hands must be on deck in fighting the scourge, stressing that the higher the malaria prevalence, the lower the productivity of an individual.

Malaria does not only kill pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants and children but could also transform into other forms of ill-health such as blindness, paralysis and convulsion to mention but a few.

She assured the team of her maximum support and willingness for collaboration in the distribution of the mosquito treated nets to the people.

The governors wife also promised that wives of the Local Government Caretaker Chairmen would be co-opted to join the team and be `Net Ambassadors in their various jurisdiction.

The leader of the team, Mr Godwin Aidenagbon, said in the statement that the team was poised to replace all the nets that were previously distributed in 2013 as they would no longer be effective in keeping mosquitoes away.

He said that the Federal Government was ready to reduce malaria occurrence in Nigeria as indicated by the partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to replace nets to the vulnerable across the country.

The team leader said that about 4.3 million mosquito nets would soon be distributed in Oyo State.
Ahmed gave the assurance when he received the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, who paid him the traditional Sallah visit at the Government House in Ilorin on Wednesday.

He appealed to the people of the state to show understanding and cooperate with his administration in the bid to overcome economic challenges..

Im concerned; Im touched. I feel more than you feel because Im supposed to make you happy and comfortable, even if it means making myself uncomfortable.

He told the emir that contractors had received N1.7 billion to enhance infrastructure development in the state in line with governments resolve to cushion effects of the economic recession.

The governor, therefore, assured the people that the state governments newly introduced Kwara Infrastructure Fund would ensure that contractors were paid quarterly upon certification of their works.

According to him, the newly procured asphalt plants by the government will soon be inaugurated.

He said that all bad roads across the state would be fixed while new ones would be constructed.

On mass transportation, Dr Ahmed said 12 luxury buses would be procured to ply major roads across the state.

He also said that the government would obtain N700 million from the World Bank to boost primary health care.

Earlier, Gambari called for intensified prayer for the success of the countrys leaders as their actions or inactions would impact on the wellbeing of the citizenry.
Masari also said Buhari is passionate about serving Nigeria, restoring its lost glory and countering the security issues in the country.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari is not new on this job, nor is the challenge new to him. In 1983, when the country was tottering on the brink of collapse he came in and salvaged the situation.

That passion and burning desire to serve selflessly are still in him. These are evident in the manner he is handling the economy and the security challenges confronting the country.

God has brought him again to do that which he successfully did all those years back when economic and security challenges had all but brought the country down on its knees, and I am confident that he will do it if we give him the support and cooperation he requires. He needs our prayers too.
The ugly trend should be reversed in favour of states and local governments to enable them meet the overwhelming demands of the grassroots.

Tambuwal said this when members of the Sokoto Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture; Association of Resident Communities and Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations, paid him a visit during the Sallah celebrations.

He also asked those aggrieved in one way or the other to adopt dialogue as a tool to resolve their grievances.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, who reiterated his believe in Nigeria, said the countrys unity is not negotiable.

He added that Dialogue is also the most potent tool to resolve all problems, anywhere and at anytime.

There are really challenges in Nigeria, and it is not peculiar to the nation, and these challenges are surmountable.

Tambuwal also rejected calls for the geographical restructuring of Nigeria and promised non-indigenes of the state that they will not be discriminated in anyway.

According to Premium Times, he said the non-indigenes are partners in the development plan of Sokoto state.

Tambuwal had recently state in Nigeria.
Buhari made this known on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 while receiving over 100 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Daura Local Government Area.

He said: Tell your colleagues who want Biafra to forget about it. As a military commander, I walked from Degem, a border town between the north and the east, to the border between Cameroons and Nigeria.

I walked on my foot for most of the 30 months that we fought the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, in which at least 2 million Nigerians were killed.

ALSO READ: Police arrest 14 suspected IPOB members during procession

"We were made by our leaders to go and fight Biafra not because of money or oil, because oil was not critical factor then, but because of one Nigeria.

So, if leaderships at various levels failed, it was not the fault of the rest of Nigerians who have no quarrel with one another.

So, please tell your colleagues that we must be together to build this country. It is big enough for us and potentially big enough in terms of resources.

"Those who work hard will earn a respectable living. I have seen this country, I fought for this country and I will continue to work for the unity of this country," he said.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

Buhari made the call when he received more than 100 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Daura Local Government Area of Katsina.

The President, who received the Corp members at his residence in Daura, urged them to make Nigeria great again through pursuit of knowledge, patriotism and commitment to values that promote national unity.

He pledged his unalloyed commitment to the unity and prosperity of Nigeria.

President Buhari, who specially recognised those corps members from the Niger Delta and South-Eastern states serving in Daura, praised the vision of former President Yakubu Gowon in setting up the scheme in 1973.

According to him, the scheme has creditably promoted national unity and cohesion by exposing young people to the uniqueness and cultural diversity of Nigeria.

I asked for those from the other extreme of Nigeria because I very much appreciate the NYSC scheme and whenever I see General Gowon, I always thank him for that.

Speaking specifically to corps members from the South Eastern states, the President said: tell your colleagues who want Biafra to forget about it.

As a military commander, I walked from Degem, a border town between the north and the east to the border between Cameroon and Nigeria.

I walked on my foot for most of the 30 months that we fought the Nigeria-Biafra civil war in which at least two million Nigerians were killed.

We were made by our leaders to go and fight Biafra not because of money or oil, because oil was not critical factor then, but because of one Nigeria.

So if leaderships at various levels failed, it was not the fault of the rest of Nigerians who have no quarrel with one another.

So, please tell your colleagues that we must be together to build this country. It is big enough for us and potentially big enough in terms of resources.

Those who work hard will earn a respectable living. I have seen this country, I fought for this country and I will continue to work for the unity of this country, the President said.

In his remarks, Mr Egbewumi Adebolu, the Corps Liaison Officer in Daura, thanked the President for the honour of receiving them and making their stay in Daura memorable.

He said the youths strongly believed in the programme of the President to reduce unemployment and create jobs for more Nigerians.
Gov Sani Bello of Niger disclosed this on Tuesday when he received Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk who paid him Sallah homage in Minna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government at a news briefing on Aug. 12 had threatened to stop payment of electricity bill to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), if power outages persist in the state.

Bello said the state, which hosts three hydro power generation stations with 1, 600 mega watts capacity each, should not be experiencing such power outages.

He said that the alternative means would be necessary following persistent power outage in the state.

According to him, having alternative power supply would guarantee steady electricity supply in the state.

We have demanded from electricity generating companies to allocate additional 10 per cent electricity from the national grid to the state.

That is yet to yield result; we can no longer wait but to take appropriate action to seek other means of steady electricity supply to our people.

We have started talks with two electricity companies based outside the country.

We will start with Minna, the state capital then it will cut across other local government areas of the state.

Though the president is aware of our plight, we will try on our part pending when the 10 per cent additional allocation we are demanding will be allocated to us, we will look for alternative way, he said.

He, however, called on the people to be law abiding in their various communities, adding that peaceful co-existence was a way forward for national development.

Earlier, Faruk had commended the state government for setting up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the remote cause of crisis in the state.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Ibadan on Wednesday that their were many cases of land grabbing was in the state.

NAN recalls that the Lagos State government recently enacted a legislation to check land grabbing and associated criminal tendencies in the state.

Mr Bashiru Akanmu, a farmer, told NAN in Ibadan that government needed to check cases of land grabbing through an instrumentality of enactment of law.

Mrs Alake Gbadamosi, an octogenarian, said it was unfortunate that such issues had become the order of the day in the state.

She said that the recent law on land grabbing by the Lagos State was worth being emulated by other states to foster peaceful coexistence.

The state government has worked so hard in entrenching peace in the state.

I think they should embrace the Lagos State idea to maintain the peace they fought very had for, she said.

Also, Mr Sanjo Adekunle, a land speculator, said that the prevalence cases of land grabbing gives them more problem in their jobs.

Adekunle said that the enactment of such law would help them a lot .

NAN reports that the Lagos State Government had in August signed a new law outlawing land grabbing and extortion of money from land developers in the state.

The property protection law was enacted as the appropriate response to the menace of locals, popularly called Omo-Oniles, who are mainly the original or earliest inhabitants of the different areas of the state.
No change administration should be engaging in acts it preaches against. You also don't want to be embroiled in a plagiarism controversy with your goodwill fast ebbing away.

Two media consultants, Akin Fadeyi and Omor Bazuaye have laid claims to the concept, but Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed is having none of it.

Bazuaye said: We received with utter shock and disbelief attempt by the Federal Government through its Ministry of Information and National Orientation to clone and plagiarize our work, NOT IN MY COUNTRY, in what it now calls Change Begins With Me.

Only a few days ago Nigeria celebrated the arrival of the founder of Facebook into the country.

Zuckerberg developed something extraordinary and revolutionized the IT world. He came to Nigeria looking for and to give courage to emerging stars.

I had written then that Nigeria has a jungle fever that allows it to always celebrate what is foreign as against the ingenuity of its own people.

While we rolled out the drums and even engaged in what Zuckerberg wore or ate in his brief stay in Nigeria; my attention shifted to Nigerians doing remarkable things yet ignored or abandoned.

There is the case of John Obaro who created the software for Treasury Single Account (TSA). What did he get? He received the biggest scorn of his life.

What I didnt realize was that I could become the next victim until Thursday, the 8th of September, 2016 when I saw that the idea we dropped in the office of the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Lai Mohammed; what seems a perfect replica of it was being launched by the Minister without the consent of the real originators.

Similarly, Fadeyi who is a creative artist and former head of communications at Airtel Nigeria, said he held discussions with the Information Minister at his Isaac John Street, Ikeja, Lagos, home, where he made his pitch.

Online newspaper, Premium Times, quotes an unnamed Associate of Fadeyi as saying: They (Fadeyis company) submitted the final version of their proposal to him after ending each episode with Change Begins with Me as he directed. Mohammed immediately said it was a brilliant idea because it achieved the power of one minute.

According to the story, three episodes were produced by Fadeyi and submitted to Mohammed in January 2016 for his perusal.

The unnamed Associate continued: The Minister just suddenly disappeared since then and made it very difficult for Mr. Fadeyi to reach him for updates about the proposal. Months later, he started publicity about Change Begins with Me launch without signing any contract with owners.

"The Minister just sort of made a little change here, a little change there, and ran to town with the concept.

But Mohammed has said he stole no ones concept, asserting that he began work on the campaign as soon as he was nominated Ministerlong before he met Fadeyi.

The Change Begins With Me campaign is entirely my creation and nobody including Akin Fadeyi can claim I borrowed his or her idea or accuse me of plagiarism", Mohammed shot back in an interview with The Nation.

I will forward to you irrefutable proof that I started working on the Change Begins With Me concept a few days after my nomination as a minister and by the 12th of October 2015. A day after I appeared before the Senate for confirmation, the Communication Marketing Consultant working with me sent me an email which you will receive(dated the same October 12) referring to the completed work on the Change Begins With Me campaign.

I will send to your email address confirmatory and irrefutable proof that by the 31st of October 2015 all radio jingles and TV commercials had been completed.

Mohammed added: Akin Fadeyi was sent to me by a former Editor of ThisDay only in December 2015 or January 2016.

You will also receive evidence that I met with top leading Nigerian musicians and producers like Tiwa Savage, Sunny Ade, KWAM 2, Don Jazzy, PSquare and many others at the Southern Sun Hotel in December 2015 seeking their cooperation in the Change Begins With Me Campaign.

How then can anyone suggest from the above evidence that I stole Akin Fadeyi or anybodys idea in respect of this campaign?

It will interest you that as of today, there are two other people claiming that I stole their ideas in respect of this project.

While it is true that I received over 20 proposals across the country, including from eminent TV giants like Jimmy Johnson (alias Okoro), I told each and every one of them that I had already concluded work on the project.

It is to the credit of Mr. Jimmy Johnson that despite being one of the first to approach me with his proposal, he was one of the first to congratulate me on the successful launch of the campaign. He is alive; you can corroborate my story with him.

Through his spokesperson, Williams Adeyeye, Mohammed also made it clear hes ready to slug it out in court with anyone alleging he stole the concept.

We started working on Change Begins with Me before the Honourable minister was nominated and weve been working with the agency that produced the campaign.

So let him (Fadeyi) go to wherever he likes then well meet and go and sort it out there, he added.

Ebden, the advertising consultant who worked with Mohammed on the project, said Fadeyi and his Associates are just up to some mischief.

This is nothing but sheer lies and blackmail, Ebden said in a statement.
They are scared to death because they cannot swim, so they drown all the time. The Federal Government is just killing innocent Nigerian soldiers. With the millions put into the Operation Crocodile Smile exercise, see the dead boats given to them to fight militants.
Last week, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully traced a whopping $31.4m to several accounts run by Nigerias former First Lady. Most of the accounts were opened in the names of proxies; from domestic servants to drivers.

The anti-graft agency has also linked a 5-star N10bn hotel--Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, Yenagoato Mrs. Jonathan

Heres a recap of the gist just in case youve been under some rock:

The Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa, was commissioned to open front accounts for Mrs. Jonathan.

An EFCC operative put it this way-- We were investigating Dudafa when we stumbled on those four companies domiciliary accounts opened at Skye Bank with a balance of about $15m. On further investigation, we were able to identify the directors of the companies.

When we detained the directors, we found out that they were Dudafas domestic servants. One of them was a houseboy while another one was a driver. Their photographs were used in opening the accounts and their signatures were forged.

We found out that these domestic servants were completely innocent because they had no access to the accounts. We have since released them. The sole signatory to the accounts was Patience Jonathan and she was issued with a special card, which is accepted worldwide. She has a separate account, which was opened in her name and has a balance of $5m.

From whichever angle this is viewed, its a hot mess and Mrs. Jonathan has a lot of explaining to do.

You dont accumulate billions of Naira in a five-year span from being a permanent secretary in the civil service.

Mrs. Jonathan had no commercial endeavour of note within the period when the accounts were opened and the monies funneled. And even if she did, it is unlikely that her business would have returned that much money between 2010 and 2015.

Even more worrying is that Skye Bank officials have been found to be complicit in the transactions; helping Mrs. Jonathan stash monies for which she had no discernible explanations. This underscores the sharp practices prevalent on the nation's banking floors.

This is a clear case of fraud and there is no way the bank officials will say they did not know what was going on. They are under investigation and those found culpable will be arraigned, an EFCC operative told Punch newspaper.

It is now trite that looting of the nations treasury was the norm under former President Jonathan. Like a bazaar, everyone with some connection to Jonathan, practically helped themselves to the coffers. It is not unlikely that the millions of dollars tumbling out of Mrs. Jonathans bank accounts belong to the State.

The accounts have since been frozen by the EFCC. And just as well. It is expected that law enforcement and the courts expedite action on this case and ensure that it isnt swept under the carpet.

Said Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay(SAN), The EFCC and ICPC Act have provisions under which they can ask the court to freeze the account of a person if a persons capacity to earn is below the amount of money that the person appears to have.

If you are living a lavish lifestyle and it appears you dont have the means to have acquired the property and the wealth you have, the EFCC is free to probe you.

If she is claiming the money belongs to her, she has put herself in a position where she must explain how she earned it.
Sanusi gave the advice on Wednesday during the traditional Sallah Durbar (Hawan Nasarawa) at the Government House, Kano.

He said that consulting the experts would help in enunciating proper solution to the crisis and reduce the hardship people were currently facing in the country.

The emir, who is a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria BN), urged wealthy Nigerians to support the less-privileged in the society in order to alleviate their sufferings.

He added that Nigerians, irrespective of religious beliefs and political inclinations, should continue to pray for economic growth and development of the country.

He also urged the people of Kano to remain law-abiding and be their brothers keeper irrespective of religion or ethnic background.

In his remarks, acting governor of the state, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, said that paying salary of workers was not a privilege but an obligation, which the state had continued to meet.

He pointed out that the economic crunch had made it difficult for no fewer than 28 states out of the 36 in the country to pay workers salary.

Abubakar said that the state government was spending N62 million weekly for the feeding of boarding school students across the state.
The Gov also promised to provide special intervention funds to the 23 Local Government Areas in the state to improve the living standard of people at the grassroots.

Tambuwal made the promise when members of the state chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited him in Sokoto.

 I do not have a personal treasury, all resources accruing to the state government and the local governments belong to the people.

 The funds belong to all of us, including generations yet unborn and would be spent for the common good of the entire people of the state.

 The state government will surely rise to your rescue, to enable you provide the needed social services to the people of the state, he said.

The governor explained that the state government had been topping the monthly allocations of the 23 Local Government Areas to enable them pay their workers salaries.

This, he said, was due to the fluctuating allocations of local governments from the federation account and the country`s present economic challenges.

He, however, blamed the country`s present economy challenges to misrule of bad leadership in the past.

When we raised alarm then, we were tagged as antagonists and political opponents, but now we have been vindicated.

Nigeria and Nigerians should not have been thrown into the current misery, if the nation had been cautious and saved for the rainy day, the governor said.

Tambuwal warned Local Government Chairmen in the state against turning their councils into salary collection points only and acts of truancy, adding that they should remain close to the people.

He urged chairmen as equal partners to collaborate with the state government to ensure the socio-economic development of the state.
Cast: Bimbo Akintola, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Gideon Okeke, Somkhele Idhalama, Bimbo Manuel, Danny Glover and Tim Reid.

Ebola - a virus that instilled fear in grown men, women and a whole nation.

93 Days is a historic gripping documentation of the deadly disease starting from the day the day the Ebola virus came into Nigeria to the day the country was declared Ebola-free.

After watching two hours of the movie with my eyes welled up with tears, my mind immediately went to what could have been if this plague was not quickly diagnosed - it would have changed everything about Lagos and our lives as we know it. I am thankful for the sacrifices of the late Dr Ameyo Adadevoh and all who played a part in curbing what would have been a national disaster.

We all know that the virus was successfully contained in Lagos but we don't know most of what happened behind the scenes? All we know is from information shared in the news. The film provides an even deeper insight into this and the actions of a team of professional well-trained Nigerians who held up their Hippocratic Oath and how it changed their lives.

The movie director Steve Gukas tells this story through the eyes of those who first came in contact with the virus.

Bimbo Akintola plays Dr Ameyo Adadevoh the Doctor who uncovered the sneaky virus. Adadevoh is a leading physician at First Consultant Hospital in Obalende. As a dedicated professional, Adadevoh pays attention to the details surrounding patient Zero from Liberia who she suspects could possibly be carrying the virus. She come against all obstacles that suggest its not Ebola and ignores the threats she gets for refusing to release the patient. It is to Akintolas amazing credit, talent and seeing as its a true story that we immediately connect with Adadevoh, her selflessness and want to wish her back to life.

93 Days also stars Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey as Patrick Sawyer, Gideon Okeke, Somkhele Idhalama, Bimbo Manuel and veteran Hollywood actors, Danny Glover and Tim Reid, who play out moments who never would have imagined actually happened.

As I watched the film, I found I fell in love with Dr Ada Igonoh played by Somkele Idhalama. Igonoh is that ray of hope in the movie that reassures one that all battles can be conquered. Idhalama gives such a compelling performance, I found myself asking where has Somkele been hiding all this time? Her interpretation of Dr Igonoh is worth a Best Supporting Actress award.

The movie producers (Bolanle Austen-Peters, Dotun Olakunri and Gukas) pay a lot of attention to detail, not just with the story but also the locations based in Lagos. Locations such as the First Consultant Hospital where the index case was admitted and the actual quarantine unit in Yaba where the Ebola patients were held in real life was used. The director and director of photography do an amazing job of giving us a visual overview of Lagos.

Watching the conceivable scenes in the movie, from cast selection, location, lightening, make-up, costuming and the stirring soundtrack, its no wonder N400 Million was spent to ensure a high quality film was produced.

93 Days, a well researched documentary is a redefining moment of Nigerian cinema. We always talk about telling our own stories first and not letting others so it for us - now we've done it!

Soldiers do not have to be on the war field fighting to save ones country. Activists do not have to to protest and write letters to bring about social change. Heroic acts come from knowledge, dedication and selflessness.

93 Days is a story of sacrifice and patriotism. A must watch for every Nigerian. It is a movie we will be sharing for generations to come.
According to a report by Leadership Newspaper, the ex-militants have been detained at the state criminal investigation department from where the will be arraigned in Court.

It was further reported that one of the arrested individuals, Peres Ejuni had earlier decamped to Peoples Democratic Party and had been tagged a security threat.

This is coming after the Edo state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole had raised issues of security concern and importation of Militants by PDP leaders into the state.

Confirming the arrest, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney general of Edo state, Barrister Henry Idahagbon said Peres Ejuni was arrested with two Ak47 assault riffles and is currently with the police.

Idahagbon also said the police have remained resolute and ready to arraign him before the court on Wednesday.
The former minister made the comments after Buhari said that he didnt inherit anything from the previous government.

It is obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari has either lost his memory or he has been badly misinformed, Fani-Kayode told Vanguard.

If you look at the state of the country in 1999 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo took over and compare it to what it was in 2007 when he left office, you will find out that there was not just development but also a miraculous transformation in every sector; that is what Obasanjo managed to achieve and I am very proud to be part of that government and part of those legacies.

After Obasanjo left, Umaru Yar Adua took over and then came former President Goodluck Jonathan. As far as I am concerned, Jonathan built on Obasanjos legacies and foundation and he took us to yet another level.

If you compare Nigeria in 2015 by the time Jonathan left to 1999 before Obasanjo came in, you will have to thank the PDP for lifting this nation up and taking us from strength to strength.

By the time Jonathan left in 2015, we had the largest economy on the African Continent and the fastest growing economy in the world, among other things. In one year and three months, all of that have been destroyed by President Buhari and his APC, we are now back in the dark ages. Every sector in the country has been destroyed and everyone is complaining.

President Buhari has brought nothing, but ethnic cleansing, recession, abuse of power, persecution, genocide, chaos, destruction, division, fear, deaths and shame to Nigeria and they have no other way of running the country, but to intimidate the citizens and threaten them. That is his own legacy.

It should also be noted that a large number of people that supported Buhari in his quest to become the president, last year, were all originally from the PDP, whether the PDP governors, who decamped or PDP ministers who decamped or PDP legislators who decamped, 70 percent of people that helped to put Buhari in power used to be PDP.

When he insults PDP legacy and said that nothing was ever done by PDP in 16 years, he is insulting those 70 per cent that put him in power starting with Obasanjo and I think that this is most unfair and very ungrateful of him," Fani-Kayode added.
The Rivers Governor also said neither him nor the Delta state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa hired any militant to disrupt the elections in Edo.

Wike said he was shocked by the comment because he met the Edo Governor some hours before he made the allegations, at the airport.

He said Oshiomhole even cornered me and said  dont mind these people, they dont know that we meet and talk.

The Rivers Governor also said the Edo people have rejected the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Oshiomhole cant handle the reality.

Wike said the report that he gave the Edo PDP governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, N2b, is false.

He said If Oshiomhole has lost the confidence of his people, he should not blame me. He brought the President and 10 APC Governors and he was not satisfied. Only because two PDP governors visited Edo State, Oshiomole is panicking.

Oshiomhole at his age should stop dramatising and telling lies. What will his children say when they see him behave like that.

If you cannot win election, you cannot win election no matter the number of security reports that you write.

Oshiomhole doesnt know when to stop lying. Why do you think that you will continue to deceive the people. This was the same man who praised former President Goodluck Jonathan for promoting free and fair election, one man, one vote which saw Oshiomhole win a second term. Today in his notorious inconsistency, anywhere Oshiomhole goes, he insults the former President. When President Buhari leaves office, Oshiomole will do the same to him.

Adding that The Comrade in Oshiomhole has died long ago. There is no Comrade in him. From Khaki, he is now wearing costly imported Safari Suits.

Speaking on his visit to Edo for the PDP campaign rally, Wike said What I told Edo people that has set Oshiomhole in panic mode is that they should not trust INEC or the security agencies because they will never be neutral. I still repeat that the Edo people must remain vigilant so that they their votes will count
Bishop Kukah also asked Buhari to work hard to ensure that the country comes out of the current economic crisis.

This is coming after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged Buhari to work on solving Nigerias problems and stop complaining.

Kukah said The previous government did not only do bad things; he did a lot of good things.

And I think the business of government is not our business; our business is if the previous government did bad, that is why we voted a new government.

We did not vote a government to complain about yesterday. If we wanted yesterday, the new government would not be there. It is really about taking responsibility.

No matter how much you praise or abuse Jonathan, he is not the President of Nigeria. I think that people must understand that you take power to solve problems not to agonize.

As the head of a family, no matter how bad things are: no food in the house; you as a father cannot enter the house crying."

Adding that It is the question of developing the mechanism, else you cant solve the problem.

Even my best friends in APC now realize that nobody can sing the song about Jonathan being responsible for the problems we are in.

We are not asking you to change the whole world, but Jonathan created problems: we are now riding a train between Abuja and Kaduna now; the train was not there before.

Things that Jonathan did that can help Nigeria, let us continue with them.

The bad things that Jonathan did and those who deserve to go to prison should go to prison.

But sending people to prison will only be useful if it puts bread on the table of people.
According to Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, cell-phones, I-pads and all such technology need to be banned because they have taken control of humans.

"The basic principle is to tell the phone and oneself, `I am the master here, not you. I can decide whether to pick you up, when to do so and when not to.

If people understand that technology also has an underlying characteristic of usurping and curtailing their freedom, they might use technology differently and exercise control over it.

When it then infringes on spiritual space in churches or at prayer, then the matter becomes a real crisis", he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

ALSO READ: Pope Francis warns nuns to stop wasting time on social media

Rev. Msgr Gabriel Osu, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese outrightly asked for phones to be banned.

"People have turned a positive invention to misplacement of priority; such an act does not show reverence to God and should be prohibited in places of worship, he said.

ALSO READ: Bishop urges Christians to shun use of phones in Church

Pulse readers were asked to weigh in.

Surprisingly, majority agreed with the priests.

An astonishing 77.8% voted for the prohibition of phones, while 22.2% disagreed.
He made this known in a statement in Abuja, today September 13, saying that he did not give the go ahead for any interview or issue a statement concerning any pending strike contrary to reports.

He said:

My attention has been drawn to a publication online and on social media captioned- ASUU: union to begin strike October 2nd.

The story is said to have been authored originally by Press Team of University of Abuja.

The general public and ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) should know and note that no one came, either as journalist or any Press Team to interview me.

I hereby denounce such a publication as the work of mischief makers, targeted at misleading the unsuspecting public about the trajectory of the struggles of ASUU.

That are aimed at revitalising the university and indeed the education system of Nigeria.
ALSO READ: Kano inaugurates free boarding primary school for orphans

The acting governor of the state, Hafiz Abubakar, made the disclosure today, September 14, Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sunusi II, on the emirs traditional Sallah homage to Government House, Kano.

Mr Hafiz revealed that the expenditure is not part of the N68 million the government reportedly spends weekly on its boarding schools.

He noted that the feeding program is an arrangement which involves the state, local governments and host communities of these schools.

However, Mr Hafiz lamented the failure of the local governments and host communities to come up with their parts of the contribution causing the costs to fall on the state government.

Mr Hafiz added that the state government has been releasing roughly N700million per month to the local governments in a bid to ensure that they pay their workers salaries as well as meet up with running costs.

He also disclosed that the state pays N300million in form of scholarships to students studying in Nigeria and abroad.

The state government reportedly has plans to recruit 1000 officers to compliment the house to house enforcement of sanitation in communities around the state which would also have its costs. He said that the state is also set to complete an independent power project this year.
Hybrid Designs, the company behind RIDE, says it wants to make traveling is Addis Ababa safe and hustle free buy utilizing the proprietary technologies available.

Apparently, the company has been struggling with weak technological infrastructure and growing smartphone users in the capital, which is RIDE's mainstay Ethiopian city.

The company will now go about making the transition from what it currently offers, to a more advanced platform via a joint deal between Hybrid Designs and Ze-Lucy Meter Taxi.

Earlier in 2016, the Ethiopian Parliament had announced that it was considering plans to replace the traditional city cabs in the country with more technologically equipped ones.
The mysterious creature was said to have had several "legs", but appeared to be floating around outside the building.

Staff who were outside appeared mesmerised with the creature and began moving closer to the seemingly supernatural being.

According to the workers, the supernatural being vanished after being hit by a lorry as it hovered by the street.

The footage, which was filmed on August 22 at 3.30am, has now been handed over to the Peruvian Association of Ufology.

Dr Anthony Choy said: "According to preliminary data and to the testimony of the witnesses, a strange creature or robot less than a meter high, with several legs faced a group of 10 workers."
ALSO READ:Indian woman cancels wedding because her partner rejected her dog

The inscription on the inside of the golden ring revealed that the owner was someone who got married on Feb. 17, 1979.

In an attempt to locate its owner, she cleaned up the ring and announced the discovery in an August 4 Facebook post which was eventually shared up to 80,000 times.

I found a wedding ring diving off the island of Benidorm, she wrote.

I wish I could give it back to the owner. It has been lost for a long, long time because it was covered in sediment. It is important to me to return it.

The post was eventually found by niece of Agustin and Juani Aliagas niece, a couple who had indeed married on February 17, 1979.

Agustin lost the ring while swimming off Benidorm Island the following summer.

"When my wife told Jessica her name, Jessica began shouting with excitement, Agustin Aliaga said during an interview with Zaragoza newspaper, Heraldo.

"It was a pleasant surprise," the 60-year-old resident of Utebo said.

"More than the material value, the most important thing is symbolic and emotional, as it is the ring that we were married with."
According to the daily Le Figaro citing the Interior Ministry, 12,000 new places for migrants are to be created by the end of the year around the country.

The only regions of France that would not receive migrants from Calais were the Paris region and the island of Corsica, both of which already had tense housing situations for migrants.

The policy had been criticised by the hard-right National Front party, which was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying that moving the migrants from Calais to other cities and villages would be irresponsible.

Migrants had assembled for years at Calais where they attempted to move illegally over the channel to Britain, often attempting to do so by climbing on top of commercial vehicles travelling through the nearby underground Eurotunnel.

Earlier this month, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve announced that the Calais camp would finally be cleared, but did not name a date.
Turning the ship before it hits the iceberg
Finding Peace of Mind: Discover These Five Places in Europe to Unwind
After six years of working to get regulatory approval to build an electric transmission line from Iowa to Illinois, the fate of those plans now is in court.

Rock Island Clean Line filed an appeal Wednesday nearly a month after the 3rd District Appellate Court reversed an order by the Illinois Commerce Commission that would have cleared the way for Clean Line to build. The commerce commission, joined by Clean Line, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, or IBEW, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Wind on the Wires asked the Illinois Supreme Court to take up the case.

"The (appeals) court's ruling unnecessarily interferes with vital interstate transmission projects," IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson said in a news release issued by Clean Line. "We have filed a request to ask the Illinois Supreme Court to review the Rock Island Clean Line case, because our workers cannot afford to have Illinois be a roadblock to nationally significant projects."

The appeal stems from an Aug. 10 ruling in which the appellate court reversed the commission's granting of a certificate of public convenience and necessity to Clean Line. The certificate would have allowed Clean Line to construct the project in the state of Illinois. The proposed 500-mile transmission line will run from O'Brien County in northwest Iowa to Grundy County in Illinois.

"The appellate court decision was truly a surprise, we did not expect that to happen," Hans Detweiler, vice president of parent company Clean Line Energy, said in an interview Wednesday with the Quad-City Times. "The whole idea of building new energy in Illinois is brought into question by this case."

He added that Clean Line believes the appeals court "made basic errors in its decision" that the company and its supporters hope will be identified by the Illinois Supreme Court.

According to Detweiler, whether or not a case is heard by the higher court is up to its discretion. "But the kind of cases they try to take are the ones that have clear importance to other cases that will be in Illinois."

The project, first proposed in 2010, was expected to be in construction by now. But the regulatory process and opposition that has ensued has slowed its approval.

"We underestimated the time it takes to build infrastructure in the United States," Detweiler said. "We feel very good about the Supreme Court, but it definitely will impact the timeline of the project."

He estimated that construction now could begin as late as 2019.

In a news release announcing its appeal, Clean Line said if the appeals court ruling is not reversed, it will lead to less competition in electricity markets and fewer choices and higher prices for electricity consumers.

The $600 million transmission project would deliver wind energy generated in northwest Iowa to Illinois and other states to the east. It would deliver wind energy to power 1.4 million homes annually in Illinois. The line's route would include Scott County in Iowa as well as Rock Island and Henry counties in Illinois.

The commerce commission granted the certificate in 2014. The decision was appealed by the Illinois Landowners Alliance, Illinois Farm Bureau and ComEd.

In its ruling, the appellate court's opinion was that because Clean Line did not satisfy the definition of public utility under the Illinois Public Utilities Act  it lacks utility assets, customers and operations  it was ineligible to receive regulatory approval for the line.

Clean Line has showed the project would reduce electricity costs in Illinois by $230 million in the first year with additional reductions in future years. It also showed the project would support 1,450 construction jobs in Illinois per year over the three-year construction schedule. Detweiler said even more construction jobs would be needed in Iowa, where the line covers miles there and includes wind turbine construction.

"The appellate court ruling creates a dangerous precedent threatening the future of wind and solar development at the very moment when our state and our country are shifting to a cleaner energy future,'' John Moore, director of the Sustainable FERC Project at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in the release.
The Rev. Michael Constantinides prefers not to quote the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

The priest, who marked his one-year anniversary at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Rock Island two weeks ago, says much of the 2002 film is an exaggeration of his culture.

But to him, some parts  the ones about food  are right on.

"We do get together for meals at the drop of the hat," Constantinides said. "And some meals could last hours. We're all done eating, but we're talking around the table."

Youll likely see that in action at the churchs 12th annual Our Big Fat Greek Festival slated for Friday and Saturday.

Everyone knows the movie and loves the movie, said Gus Pappas, festival chairperson. "We like to have some fun with that."

But, he said, youll see scenes that go beyond that big screen tale.

Its sharing our food, but also the Eastern Orthodox faith and our culture and what it means to be Greek, he said. What do Greeks do? We feed people. What are we all about? Come see.

To him, the two-day party is about gorging on Greek food such as spanakopita, gyros, baklava and tiropita.

Its about dancing in the church parking lot and sampling Greek beer and wine and coffee.

Its about inviting people into his iconic church, with its stained-glass windows and mosaics.

And its about buying a pastry made from scratch by someones yia yia (grandmother).

Greek food is the best, tastiest food in the world, Pappas said. And the secret to Greek food is the yia yia.

In fact, thats one thing the movie gets right.

You know the scene where they offer Ian food, but he says hes not hungry and then the yia yia says, OK, Ill make you plate.' Pappas said. Thats what a yia yia does. They dont accept not being hungry.

Pappas knows this well. He has attended St. George his whole life. There are photos of his parents and grandparents in the church's hallway.

Every year, Pappas takes a week off from his job at Fifth Third Bank to prep for the festival, which about 7,000 people attended last year.

The church, which has been in its location on 31st Avenue in Rock Island since the 1970s, has had a Quad-City home for 105 years. But Pappas and Constantinides agree the Eastern Orthodox faith still seems foreign to many in the area.

"We seem different to people," said Constantinides, who is originally from New Jersey. "Were just different enough where some people are curious to try something new."

One thing that's not so foreign?

"We all know comfort food," he said. "You might think of macaroni and cheese, and I think of pastisto."

"At this church, we all come from homes that cook every day," he said. "The Greek way of eating is you get everyone together."

And this weekends festival, along with being a big fundraiser, is a way to get even more people together.

"It's an act of outreach," Constantinides said. "This place is more of a hospital for sinners than a place for saints. We want people to know our doors are open to everybody."
How do you grasp what Angus Young, the founder of AC/DC, means to the drummer in the local AC/DC tribute band?

Do you look at that drummer's basement "shrine" of posters, guitar picks, CDs spanning 30 years of fandom? Do you point at this license plate with the AC/DC letters? Or do you watch his band, Electric Shock, play Back in Black to a packed crowd at a Quad-City bar?

No, you listen as he  Mark DeKalb of Davenport  tells this story. The one that starts with a decades-long mission to convince Angus Young to sign his bicep. And the one that ends with DeKalb having that signature tattooed on his arm.

Everyone has a bucket list, whether its skydiving or whatever  this is my one thing. AC/DC is my favorite thing, DeKalb said. A lot had to go the right way. And then, its like all the stars aligned.

DeKalb bought the tickets to his 16th AC/DC concert in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, three months in advance. He met up with a friend, Curt Christoff, originally from Clinton, who is part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, aka a "roadies or stage hands union."

"AC/DC is a great band to see, but impossible to meet because they don't do meet-and-greets," DeKalb said. "(Curt) knew about my dream and said he'd tried to make it happen."

Together, they scoped out the areas fancy hotels and looked for where the band might be staying. At one spot, they recognized Chris Slade, AC/DCs drummer in the lobby. DeKalb checked into the hotel's cheapest room, forking over $320.

He hung out in the lobby, keeping a sharpie and cellphone at the ready in his pockets.

DeKalb wouldnt call it stalking, but he lingered. He had run-ins with Angus wife, hotel staff and other AC/DC members, each suggesting DeKalbs dream was too far out of reach.

I didnt want to cause a scene and I didnt want to be that guy, he said. You know, Ive tried over and over and been four feet from him and it didn't work out. I felt like this was my chance.

Finally, DeKalb got a call from Christoff.

He said, You gotta get down to the first floor right now, DeKalb said. And there Angus Young was smoking a cigarette outside.

DeKalb approached his idol, got the autograph inscribed on his arm and snapped a photo with the rock star. And then he walked straight to the nearest tattoo parlor.

An hour later, with a bandage wrapped around his newly inked arm, DeKalb saw Angus Young standing in the lobby.

"He just looked at me and gave me two thumbs up," DeKalb said. "That's all I ever wanted."

Back in Davenport, DeKalb shows off his tattoo every chance he gets. He says it's a little crazy, but a "dream come true."

Everyday I just look down to the right on my arm and smile. If Im having a bad day, it cheers me up, he said. I just think, I did it.
Two Davenport schools were placed on lockdown Wednesday morning as Davenport police encountered a man with a gun in the area.

Davenport West High School, 3505 W. Locust St., and Wilson Elementary School, 2002 N. Clark St., were locked down for two hours, with staff members posted at every entrance. In a lockdown, students are not allowed to enter or leave the building.

The incident began about 8:30 a.m. when Davenport police responded to a report of a person with a gun in the 1300 block of Waverly Road.

Officers found the person, who was attempting to conceal a rifle, police said. The person dropped the gun and fled, starting a foot chase going north, police said. Officers recovered the rifle and set up a perimeter.

Because of the schools' proximity to the incident, they were locked down for about two hours.

About 12:30 p.m., police took Davion M. Burge, 21, of Davenport into custody in the 2100 block of Emerald Drive, Davenport Police Capt. Brent Biggs said. Burge is wanted on a Department of Corrections warrant for escape from the residential corrections facility, Biggs said in a news release.

Court records state Burge was convicted in 2014 on a Class D felony escape charge and sentenced to five years in prison. He also was convicted of third-degree burglary in 2013.

Burge was booked into the Scott County Jail at 4:25 p.m. without bond on the escape charge.

Officers continue to investigate Wednesday's incident.

According to Davenport schools spokeswoman Dawn Saul, the district locked down West High School after talking with police, and district officials decided, "in an abundance of caution," to lock down Wilson Elementary School as well.

Some parents and family members gathered outside Wilson after the lockdown was announced.

"My babies just started kindergarten," said Nicole Gnatovich, who took off work to go to Wilson and wait outside until the lockdown was lifted.

At West High School, Yajaira Navarro, a senior, said students were told via an announcement over the loud speaker that a man carrying a rifle was seen in a nearby neighborhood.
A week after its wildly successful debut, Davenport's pilot food truck program has run into a roadblock.

The impediment comes in the form of the Scott County Department of Health, which would not issue permits to some of the vendors who were set to participate in this week's program.

City Administrator Corri Spiegel said Tuesday that county officials notified the city Monday afternoon. At issue was the type of permit required and whether the Food Truck Tuesday program constituted an event.

Vendors with a mobile license were able to participate, but because the county doesn't view the pilot program as an event, it will not grant setup and tear down permits, akin to what farmers market participants need, to vendors that don't have a mobile permit.

"We've run into a situation with the setup and tear down ones," Spiegel said. "Our pilot program is not considered to be an event by the county health department. Therefore, they will not issue a permit to the setup and tear down people."

Out of the 10 vendors who were set to participate, four did not have the necessary certification.

Under Davenport's pilot program, vendors are being permitted to serve curbside on public property in September.

Although city officials tried to find a solution to the permit problem, they said they encountered resistance from county officials.

Spiegel said the city's legal department looked into the interpretation of what constitutes an event earlier in the day and saw no issues.

"At this point, the health department is saying 'It doesn't matter what call it. We're not going to issue it,'" Spiegel said.

Davenport's city officials also received written consent for the vendors to go onto private property, but because the program is not an event by definition, it was a moot point.

"It's one of those devils-in-the-details things with the interpretation," Mayor Frank Klipsch said. "The bad thing on the top of that is these people prepared for this event and it's not like they're going to go back to a restaurant and sell this stuff."

Klipsch attempted to contact County Administrator Mahesh Sharma, but was unable to speak with him because he was informed Sharma was in a meeting.

To avoid any future problems, Spiegel asked aldermen during Tuesday's media briefing to place the remaining food truck program offerings on the City Council agenda to declare them events.

Sharma was unavailable for comment.
CEDAR RAPIDS  Democratic U.S. Senate challenger Patty Judge is ratcheting up pressure on GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley to face her in more than two debates.

The six-term senator has accepted invitations from WHO Radio and Iowa Public Television to participate in face-to-face debates with Judge.

Judge, however, called for four debates 77 days ago. With negotiations between the campaigns stalled, she has launched a website, DuckDuckChuck.com, claiming Grassley has repeatedly attempted to dodge debating her.

The website includes a timeline showing that Grassleys campaign has refused to respond to multiple requests to schedule debates in front of audiences across the state.

When it comes to debates, were more likely to get an answer out of the cardboard Chuck Grassley in our television ads, Judge spokesman Sam Roecker said Wednesday. Hes ducking debates and refusing to give voters across the state an opportunity to hear where the candidates stand.

Grassley campaign manager Robert Haus called the new website a smokescreen and an excuse, adding that he has clearly communicated with the Judge campaign and there can be no misunderstanding about what we agreed to.

Grassley told reporters Wednesday he accepted two debate invitations a long time ago" and negotiations are still going on.

Roecker disputed that. As of Tuesday, the Grassley campaign had not responded to a Sept. 1 letter calling for debate in Iowas four largest media markets or an email to Grassleys campaign manager last week seeking clarification on the debate calendar. There has been no discussion about debates since Aug. 5, he said.

Were going to debate, yes, Grassley told reporters Wednesday. I want you to know that I have always debated my opponents.

Thats more than can be said about Judge, Haus said. She has debated opponents just once in four statewide races, although that may have been the choice of her opponents.

Its hard to take the Judge campaign seriously given the fact that Judge has skipped five debates during her primary race, Haus said. She continues to avoid the press at her meetings. She has held only one open press conference in the entire course of the campaign. She does not hold open town hall meetings to answer questions directly from Iowans.

In making its case for more than two debates, the Judge campaign noted that in the open-seat Senate race two years ago, Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Bruce Braley debated three times.

The two debates Grassley has accepted would reach statewide audiences and include broadcast, print and digital formats, maximizing the contribution of their debate formats, Haus said.

Judge, a former lieutenant governor, secretary of agriculture and state senator, challenged Grassley to four, live televised debates in the four major media markets as a way to treat Iowa voters in a fair and respectful way, campaign manager Joe Fox said. All Iowans deserve the opportunity to be engaged with this election in order to make a truly informed choice in November.

Judge has accepted debate invitations from the Des Moines Register/KCCI-TV, KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, KTIV-TV in Sioux City and IPTV. However, Judge wants the public television debate to be in Davenport in partnership with the Quad-City Times and KWQC-TV6. Shes also considering WHO Radios invitation.
MOLINE, Ill.  The American Red Cross unveiled Tuesday the new Hero Care mobile application. This free app is designed to help members of the military, veterans and their families identify and access both emergency and non-emergency Red Cross services from anywhere in the world.

When an emergency happens, accurate information, easy access to services and time are of the essence, especially for military families, said Lyn Hruska, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Central and Southern Illinois Region. Whether youre the parent of a child joining the military, a military member, a military spouse or a veteran, the new Red Cross Hero Care App will connect you vital services and guide you to valuable resources that will help alleviate stress during emergencies and provide important information right at your fingertips.

Some the important features of the app include:

 Request Red Cross emergency services including an emergency message or assistance with emergency travel or emergency financial aid.

 Securely and easily access information about their service member in the case of an emergency, including updated information as they move or change duty assignments.

 Access non-emergency Red Cross behavioral health assistance including financial assistance and free local workshops for military kids and spouses.

 Find local resources and information provided by trusted community partners like Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Blue Star Families, Military Child Education Coalition, United Way, Goodwill, Easter Seals, and others.

 Locate information on key government resources such as MilitaryOneSource, VA Benefits and Services, Department of Labor VETS, the VA Caregiver Support Program, and SAMSHA Community Health Support Services.

Content in the Hero Care App is available in both English and Spanish, and the call center is staffed 24/7 with multi-lingual translation services.

The Hero Care App is available to download for free in app stores, by texting GETHEROCARE to 90999 or by clicking on the following link from a mobile device http://3cu.be/sharehc .

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
1. Comfortable, pleasant conditions today with rain later in week

A good Wednesday to all. The work week is about half over.

Here's what is in store for the Quad-Cities for the next couple of days according to the National Weather Service.

Today will be cloudy then gradually becoming mostly sunny with a high near 74 degrees.

Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 56 degrees.

Thursday brings a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Skies will be mostly cloudy with a high near 78 degrees.

On Thursday night we could see some showers and thunderstorms. The chance of precipitation is 50 percent with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Skies will be mostly cloudy with a low around 65 degrees.

2. Government Bridge on temporary shutdown

The Iowa Interstate Railroad will be making repairs on the railroad over the Government Bridge between Davenport and Arsenal Island which will cause the bridge to be temporarily closed.

Beginning at 5 a.m. today until Thursday at 5 a.m., the bridge will be closed to vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, river navigation and rail traffic.

Barricades, signs, and flagman will be used to warn, direct and detour traffic during this closure.

3. At the table: 'What do Greeks do? We feed people'

The Rev. Michael Constantinides prefers not to quote the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The priest, who marked his one-year anniversary at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Rock Island two weeks ago, says much of the 2002 film is an exaggeration of his culture. But to him, some parts  the ones about food  are right on.

"We do get together for meals at the drop of the hat," Constantinides said. "And some meals could last hours. We're all done eating, but we're talking around the table."

Youll likely see that in action at the churchs 12th annual Our Big Fat Greek Festival slated for Friday and Saturday. Read more.

4. Healthy meals ready fast? That's the goal of Cinnamon-N-Sage

You can order from them at the Freight House Farmers Market. You can grab their heat-and-eat meals at the Quad-Cities Food Hub, hire one of them as a personal chef and see them at the city of Davenport's pilot "Food Truck Tuesdays" this month. And, as of two weeks ago, if you order online, theyll deliver dinner to your door.

Yes, Robin Brown and Tracey McGinn want to bring their mobile eatery, called Cinnamon-N-Sage, to you  and quickly. Read more.

5. Lodge demolition to begin Monday

With its best days well behind it, The Lodge Hotel & Convention Center in Bettendorf is ready for demolition.

Developer Russell Companies, which took control of the property at 900 Spruce Hills Drive in December, has scheduled a demolition ceremony for 1 p.m. Monday. Then the walls will come tumbling down. Read more.

6. Bettendorf Police seek suspect in attempted abduction

Bettendorf police are seeking a suspect who attempted to abduct a 12-year-old girl.

Police reported that about 7:30 p.m. Monday the girl was walking on a sidewalk in the 3900 block of Wakonda Drive when a male, described as 50 to 55 years old with gray/black hair, no facial hair and a deep voice, pushed open the passenger-side door of his vehicle after approaching and told the girl to "get in the truck."

The vehicle is described as a purple/plum-colored Ford pickup truck, two-door with fender flares over the wheel wells. The vehicle was in poor shape with lots of dents and the bed appeared to be empty, police said. Read more.
Sharon Brooks didn't start practicing yoga until her 70s, but she wont let her grandchildren wait that long.

She said her three little yogis  Rory and Riley Rashka and Gabriella Pangan  already do a mean downward dog.

And they were ready to show off last Wednesday at the first Yoga and Stories class at the Bettendorf Public Library.

Brooks, who has been a yoga instructor since June, was one of three teachers from the Davenport School of Yoga leading the kid-friendly, and often giggle-inducing, session.

"I'm such a believer in yoga and how good it is for kids and how much they enjoy even the basic moves,"Brooks said. "You have to start early."

While one teacher read aloud The Very Hungry Caterpillar, kids and parents acted each scene out with yoga poses.

"If the sun is rising in the story, you're going to stretch your arms up high to the sky," Brooks said. "You're using your mind and your body."

Karhtik Ganesh watched as her son, Sankari, who is in third grade, learned yoga poses for the first time.

"He needs some activity that he can do in the winter time at home," Ganesh said. "Our parents did yoga, and we want to pass that on to our boy."

"I told him, you learn it and then we can all do it together."

Yoga and Stories continues from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, with a different children's book each time, through Dec. 14.

Library director Sue Mannix called the program "innovative and a little unusual for our area."

"I think this is new for everyone; it's a nice way for kids and parents to get together and have fun," she said. "And it gets kids in the library environment at a younger age."

Construction update

Meanwhile, just outside the Junior League Program room, repairs continued throughout part of the librarys first floor. A pipe break in May left major water damage to the building.

Construction crews began work in late August, according to Mannix.

Its moving right along, she said. Not much has changed since May.

Decker Ploehn, city administrator, said crews are right on schedule and repairs are expected to be done by Nov. 1.

After talks with the citys insurance adjuster, he said the city doesnt anticipate covering any of the costs out-of-pocket.

Construction hasnt stopped parents such as Allison Sowers from stopping by the library at least once per week. After stumbling on the "Yoga and Stories" class on Wednesday, she plans to attend each future class with her three kids.

We just came here for books and saw a yoga class, Sowers said. These kids have a lot of energy to burn off tonight, so this is great.
Workers' Compensation was the first form of social insurance to be developed in the United States. Its purpose was to provide cash benefits and health care to workers and their families who were either injured, maimed or killed in the performance of their work related activities. In return, workers would lose their ability to file a lawsuit against their employers for damages of any kind. There would be mutual benefits for employees and employers to such a plan.

Employees would receive swift medical care with 100 percent coverage of their medical expenses within a three to seven days, while still receiving adequate financial coverage to support their families. Employers would have some control over expenses avoiding costly and prolonged litigation  a win, win for everybody.

So what went wrong? Unfortunately, the profit motivation for both industry and insurance companies came into play. Companies could avoid increased rates for their insurance if the work related factor were eliminated. Thus, many claims fall by the wayside because employees foolishly choose to work through an injury and neglect to file the appropriate paperwork. After the employee can no longer function, the claim is denied as non-work related. If the claim is eventually determined to be legitimate, the worker is referred to a health care practitioner of the employers choice for assessment of the validity of the claim and treatment  a process that can take weeks.

All the time this is occurring, the patient is under the guidance of a case manager, who may or may not be familiar with such injuries, and is being paid either directly or indirectly by the employer. Today, we all realize that continued employment is unlikely without that case manager being considered productive and cost efficient.

The injured employee exists in a limbo, frequently being shunted from one practitioner to another to receive care while the basically untreated injury morphs into a chronic condition. In the interim, the injured worker loses his or her self-respect, ability to earn a wage to support his or her family, and is reduced to a shell of a person frequently losing savings, spouse and home.

I am convinced that there must be a better way to ensure that both the injured worker and his employer are treated fairly. We in the richest nation of the world have to accept that any workplace regardless of how safe, will have injuries. Machines breakdown and a human body is no exception.

It is time to remove direction of care of injured workers from vested interests and have a non-bias civilian entity have input into the care and treatment of injured workers. Without such, these individuals will fall through the cracks and become the financial burden of society in general while enriching insurance entities and employers at societys expense.
Rep. Steve King sure is lucky that President Barack Obama isn't a clone of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Otherwise, King might find himself in a rat-infested cell.

Hero worship of the Russian despot is a thing now in some circles of hard-right Republican politics. Donald Trump admires Putin's "strength" and willingness to put his country first. Last week, King, R-Iowa, lent his voice to this weird bromance with Russia's dictator.

Putin, King said, has been a better leader for his people than Obama.

Maybe King doesn't think much of those political opponents, artists and protesters who've wound up in prison for speaking out in Putin's Russia. Maybe King admires a process where election aren't worth the paper on which the results are printed and held only as another excuse to again coronate the strongman-in-chief. Maybe King, a representative, is just tired of this whole representative government thing.

Weird attacks on Obama from the right aren't anything new. Trump, the party's presidential nominee, first dipped his toes into the racially tinged swamp of politics years ago when he led the birther movement that insisted the nation's first black president wasn't actually born within the United States. Unsurprisingly, white supremacists now celebrate his candidacy.

Even mainline Republicans have questioned the Obama's commitment to his own country and religious affiliation.

But the sudden love-affair with a tyrant who rules through fear and force is beyond pale. It is, in essence, a rejection of American democracy. And this is from a guy who proclaims his alleged love of "freedom."

King, no doubt, argues that he's speaking simply for the Russians. Often outlandish, King isn't stupid. He even included that careful little clause, "for his country," in his comparison of Putin with Obama. King's career lives or dies in the gray area between simple fear-mongering and full-blown sedition. He's gotten pretty good at inserting plausible deniability.

It's Putin promotion of "hyper-nationalism" that King so admires. And that's the key. It's all about an unthinking, slavish allegiance to a flag. King's perspective is a rejection of the very Renaissance focus on critical, thinking individuals that toppled European monarchies.

Obama's crime? He's admitted past American foreign policy mistakes. He's avoided the rampant jingoism that's kept the U.S. in a constant state of war for decades.

King's nostalgia extends beyond the mid-20th century that's so prevalent among Trump's supporters. Suddenly, in some GOP circles, men like King long for power held by an all-powerful nobility. It's power built upon fear, xenophobia and threat of violence. It's a world where information is solely doled out by the government and the media acts as a ministry of propaganda. For Trump and King, that's what strength looks like.

The fact is, neither Trump nor King know real strength. It's the ability to defend one's position through ideas and rhetoric. It's the security to weather constant verbal attacks. It's to acknowledge other viable contrary opinions.

Last week, King joined the lovefest for Putin, a man so insecure that he'll do anything to maintain power. Putin threatens his neighbors. His people are force-fed patriotism. Ideas are controlled and dissenters are jailed.

Putin's is an iron-fisted approach that offers but one dark benefit: We wouldn't have to listen to Steve King's drivel anymore.
CEDAR RAPIDS  Theres more at stake than his Twitter account, Sen. Chuck Grassley said about asking the Obama administration to reconsider ceding authority over the internet to a multi-national panel.

If China wanted to censor my Twitter account, they could do it right now, Grassley said with a laugh. The Iowa Republican is an active tweeter with 102,000 followers on the social media network.

Grassley and other members of the House and Senate have asked the Departments of Justice and Commerce to reconsider the transition that is scheduled to occur Oct. 1. The Obama administration has decided to turn over the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority functions managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to multi-national authority.

Grassley is concerned that totalitarian governments  Russian, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China and, perhaps, North Korea  would censor what could appear on the internet.

As you know, Grassley and colleagues wrote, many in Congress have expressed concerns that this irreversible decisions could result in a less transparent and accountable internet governance regime or provide an opportunity for an enhanced role for authoritarian nation-states in internet governance.

The internet is to expand discussion and relationships, he told reporters. Weve seen China do a lot of censoring.

Iowans would be unlikely to see an immediate change if the transfer occurs Oct. 1, Grassley said, but depending on what happens in months or years down the road, they might see a lot of difference. Thats why Im opposing the change.

Grassley was joined in the letter by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va.
DES MOINES  The Iowa Supreme Court is considering whether Iowans may receive monetary compensation for rights violations committed by state government.

The court heard arguments Wednesday on portions of a lawsuit filed by Chris Godfrey, a former state workers' compensation commissioner who claims Gov. Terry Branstad reduced his salary because of political motivations and because Godfrey is gay and an outspoken advocate for gay rights.

The court also is considering whether Godfreys claims should be considered through the judicial branch or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, which investigates claims of violations of the Iowa Civil Rights Act, which protects categories of individuals, including people who are gay, from discrimination.

Jeffrey Peterzalek, the states assistant attorney general defending Branstad, said a Supreme Court ruling allowing Godfrey to seek monetary damages would set a legal precedent.

Theres nothing in the facts of this case, or in the law of this court, or in the Constitution of this state that supports or compels this court to create a wholly new and unprecedented cause of action for damages, Peterzalek said.

Roxanne Conlin, an attorney representing Godfrey and a former political opponent of Branstad, said the Supreme Court should grant individuals the ability to seek damages to provide constitutionally protected redress.

Conlin said Godfrey also has a claim filed under the Civil Rights Act.

Statutes are at the whim of the Legislature. The Constitution is permanent. It tells us what our rights and duties are, presumably for all time, Conlin said. (A claim under the Civil Rights Act) is absolutely not enough to guarantee that these rights would be forever protected.  We should not be relegated to relying on the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

Godfrey was appointed workers' compensation commissioner by Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack in 2006 and was reappointed in 2009 to a six-year term by Democratic Gov. Chet Culver.

Shortly after Branstad, a Republican, was elected in 2010, his administration asked Godfrey to resign. When Godfrey refused, he said the administration threatened and eventually reduced his salary by $39,000.

The administration claimed Godfreys pay reduction was because of job performance. Godfrey disputed that, citing his positive work reviews and workplace ascension.

A Polk County District Court judge dismissed four of the claims; those are the claims being considered by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court at the moment is not considering the merits of Godfreys complaints, only whether he may collect damages. Depending on how the Supreme Court rules, the case could go back to district court for trial.

The court will consider the case before making a ruling. In the past two calendar years, the court has taken anywhere from less than a month to more than nine months to deliver a ruling. The current judicial term ends June 30, 2017.
DES MOINES  Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign launched a push Wednesday to garner the support of Iowa women voters by touting his plan to make child care more affordable for working families and single mothers.

Nearly 70 members of the Iowa Women for Trump coalition gathered at the state Capitol with Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, House Speaker Linda Upmeyer and other top GOP women to show their solidarity for the Republican nominee who is locked in a tight race with Democrat Hillary Clinton in a key swing state.

Trump has not polled well among prospective female voters in light of past statements he has made about women, but Upmeyer said she thinks that may change as the campaign focuses on issues such as security, tax and regulatory policies, school choice and economic stability.

"I think women are certainly beginning to make that shift," said Upmeyer, a Clear Lake representative. "I think the more they learn about what Donald Trump has in mind, the more confident they become that that's a good decision."

Upmeyer said a consistent theme she hears on the campaign trail in Iowa is that Iowans are tired of the status quo, they're hungry for change, and they want to "shake up" Washington by backing a candidate who is not a career politician like Clinton.

"They're tired of political elites who seemingly live above the law, laws where others would face penalties or maybe even prison time," she told a rally outside the Iowa Capitol building. "You can't be trusted if no one believes what you say, and you can't lead if the rules don't apply to you."

Reynolds said Iowa Republicans have the momentum, enthusiasm and determination heading into the Nov. 8 election, and they support Trump because he has shown himself to be pro-family, pro-child and pro-worker at a time when women have not fared well in the past eight years.

"We are more insecure that we were eight years ago, and we're more vulnerable to terrorism," said Reynolds, who called Trump "the candidate that stands with women on issues that we care most about."

As an example, Reynolds pointed to Trump's child-care plan that would seek to make child care expenses tax deductible for families earning less than $500,000 and proposes to establish tax-free accounts to be used for child care and child enrichment activities. Another provision would guarantee six weeks of paid maternity leave by extending unemployment insurance benefits to working mothers whose employers do not offer that benefit.

Child care is the No. 1 cost holding back working families, Reynolds said, and Trump's plan would offer more flexibility than existing assistance plans.

"He's elevated the conversation," she told reporters. "We've got to figure out how it's funded."

Democrats were quick to point out flaws in Trump's child-care plan that they say surfaced 456 days after he announced his presidential bid and "oozes" with what they called "underlying misogyny" while primarily benefiting the wealthy at the expense of working-class Americans.

"This is Trump's latest attempt to salvage his disastrous polling numbers among female voters," Iowa Democratic Party spokeswoman Monica Biddix said. "Trump's difficulty in securing the female vote stems from a litany of past misogynistic statements and comments denigrating women and working mothers."

Biddix said the Trump plan ignores new fathers by providing maternity leave rather than family leave and implies that women should be the sole caregiver. The leave policy has no income caps and is only partially paid, she said, which would benefit higher-income recipients.

By contrast, she said, Clinton has outlined a comprehensive paid family leave plan that includes leave for new fathers. It benefits all families and ensures the wealthy pay their fair share, she said.

Kate Waters, Hillary for Iowa's press secretary, said Iowans won't forget Trump's "hateful, offensive, and regressive feelings" toward women that have shown he does not respect women or think they deserve an equal place in America.

Kim Reem, vice president of the National Federation of Republican Women, said women stand with Trump in the quest to make America great again, telling rally participants Wednesday, "Our presence today reflects two things: Our party is coming together, we are unifying, and women want Trump."
DES MOINES  The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday on key questions regarding a lawsuit brought by a Des Moines water utility company against water drainage districts in three northwest Iowa counties over river pollutants.

The court will determine whether drainage districts should be immune from lawsuits and whether water utilities should be eligible for monetary damages over pollutants in its waterways.

Des Moines Water Works has filed a lawsuit against 11 drainage districts in Sac, Buena Vista and Calhoun counties over harmful nitrates in the Raccoon River, which flows through Des Moines.

The utility claims that the high level of pollutants comes from agricultural runoff in the three counties and that it spent $1.5 million in 2015 cleaning the water it delivers to its 500,000 customers.

This case is about responsibility for nitrates in the Raccoon River, said John Lande, an attorney for Des Moines Water Works.

The lawsuit is being considered by a District Court judge, but before proceeding, the judge asked the state Supreme Court to rule on four questions:

 Whether drainage districts, which were created to turn wet grounds into farmable land, are immune from this type of lawsuit.

 Whether a ruling in favor of the utility could include monetary damages or simply more strictly enforced regulations.

 Whether the utility has a right to sue.

 Whether the utility has standing  in other words, tangible property that is being impaired  in order to receive monetary damages.

Michael Reck, an attorney for the drainage districts, argues that a centurys worth of legal precedence is on their side on all four questions.

You have answered every one of these questions before, Reck said. "Every single one of them has been raised and answered."

Justice Brent Appel asked whether previous rulings, some of which date back to the early 1900s, are still right given changes over time to agriculture and the law.

Its right because you told us it was right, Reck said, referring to the Supreme Court and noting the Iowa Legislature has not acted to change the laws governing drainage districts.

Reck argued drainage districts were established for the common good and thus should remain immune from lawsuits.

Lande argued it is a common good for the drainage districts to be held accountable for polluting waterways.

The fundamental problem with the statute in this case is drainage districts are creating a problem they dont have to create, Lunde said. "Drainage districts dont have to pollute in order to drain the land."

Justices David Wiggins and Daryl Hecht recused themselves from the case. Justices do not give reasons for recusal, according to a court official.

The court will consider the case before making a ruling. In the past two calendar years, the court has taken anywhere between less than a month to more than nine months to deliver a ruling. The current judicial term ends June 30, 2017.
DES MOINES  The Iowa Supreme Court is considering whether Gov. Terry Branstad crossed a constitutional line when he vetoed funding for two state-run mental health institutions.

The court heard oral arguments in the case last week.

In 2015, Branstad used the governors line-item veto authority to eliminate funding for the mental health institutions in Mount Pleasant and Clarinda.

A top labor union leader and two dozen Democratic state legislators filed a lawsuit claiming Branstads veto was improper and unconstitutional because Iowa law states four mental health institutions should be in operation.

In this case, (Branstad) has altered statute, not simply reduced the funding, said Mark Hedberg, an attorney for the group that filed suit. "Hes altered the statute by taking out two specific institutions that we believe are obligated to exist."

Iowa Solicitor General Jeffery Thompson, representing Branstad, disagreed with that assessment and said the governor acted within his authority by vetoing funding for the institutions.

Branstad announced in January 2015, at the outset of that years legislative session, that he planned to end treatment at the state-run mental health institutions in Mount Pleasant and Clarinda. When state lawmakers approved a health care budget that included funding for the institutions, Branstad vetoed the money.

Iowas governor can veto entire policy bills but is granted the authority in budget bills to veto individual items. Such action is called a line-item veto.

This is a constitutional power, Thompson said.

Branstad has said he thinks most individuals in need of mental health care are better served in community-based treatment settings, not state-run institutions.

State-run mental health institutions remain open in Independence and Cherokee.

Justice David Wiggins suggested to Hedberg that the state is still providing mental health care through those two institutions that remain open.

But not at these facilities, which is what they are required to do, Hedberg said.

The court will consider the case before making a ruling. In the past two calendar years, the court has taken anywhere from less than a month to more than nine months to deliver a ruling. The current judicial term ends June 30, 2017.
DES MOINES  The party will roll on for the time being at Lake Macbride State Park and Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area.

The Iowa Natural Resource Commission had voted to ban alcoholic liquor, beer and wine at beaches in those state facilities, but a bipartisan group of seven legislators Tuesday decided to delay the implementation rules on the proposed ban that were slated to take effect next month.

I think its a bad precedent, said Rep. Rick Olson, D-Des Moines, a member of the Legislatures Administrative Rules Committee, which voted to impose a session delay on the alcohol ban  meaning the rule will only take effect if lawmakers fail to take up the issue during the 2017 session. We dont have adequate manpower to patrol these areas and the way we address the problems is we shut down the beaches basically to anybody that wants to imbibe.

State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials said they were taking the action after a recent analysis of citations on state beaches found a substantial number of incidents involving public intoxication, assault, littering and interference with official acts on those two beaches covered by the proposed rule.

The DNR-proposed rule defined a beach as that portion of state parks or recreation areas designated for swimming activity including the sand, a 200-foot buffer of land surrounding the sand or a designated area which is fenced in, and the water area contiguous to the beach as marked by swim buoys or swim lines.

However, the alcohol ban would not apply to any rental facilities located within the 200-foot buffer of land surrounding the sand or fenced-in area that have been officially reserved through the department.

Sen. Mark Chelgren, R-Ottumwa, said he did not like the fact that someone who paid a rental fee would be allowed to consume alcohol in beach areas where non-renters could not.

I just see a two-tiered system here that I personally have a problem with, he said.

Other legislators agreed and said a better solution seemed to be beefed up enforcement to deal with drinking problems. It also was unclear what the fine would be for violating the policy and whether beaches would be roped off so drinkers could tell where the 200-foot buffer began. Olson also questioned whether park users would be able to consume alcoholic beverages while ice fishing this winter.

We want to keep young college graduates in the state of Iowa, but we eliminate places where they might go enjoy themselves, Olson noted. Why go to an Iowa state park if you cant even drink a beer with a friend?

Also Tuesday, the legislative committee let stand revisions to Iowas water-quality standards that were approved in August by the state Environmental Protection Commission. State regulators removed a benefit analysis from anti-degradation standards as part of a process that limits to 115 percent the cost of pollution-reducing upgrades or treatments.

The commissions action was in response to a district court order. A judge had ruled that state DNR officials must ensure that projects seeking permits to add new pollution to a waterway have considered the environmental benefits of alternative, pollution-cutting designs regardless of costs.

A representative from the Environmental Law & Policy Center and Iowa Environmental Council spoke against the proposal, saying the change likely would lead to more pollution and undermine the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy with a one-size-fits-all approach based on cost alone.

However, John Tack of the DNRs water division, said the change is designed to provide more regulatory certainty and clarity for small Iowa communities and businesses. He said the federal Environmental Protection Commission still has to approve the proposed state change in the coming months.
NATION

Police: Man, 77, shots 3, kills himself

A 77-year-old man living at a senior citizen apartment complex shot three people at the complex Wednesday, killing one of them, and then killed himself nearby as officers closed in on him, police said.

One victim was shot inside the Heritage Court Apartments in Cheyenne and two people were shot outside, said Dan Long, spokesman for the Cheyenne Police Department.

He did not identify the victims or provide information about the conditions of the victims who were wounded.

Authorities did not immediately disclose a motive for the rampage they said was carried out by Larry Rosenberg.

Rosenberg fled the complex after the shootings, which occurred shortly after 11 a.m., and killed himself as officers approached him near the complex, Long said.

NYC pulls plug on sidewalk internet

The web-browsing feature of New York City's sidewalk Wi-Fi kiosks will be disabled after critics complained that homeless people were monopolizing them and using them to watch porn, officials said Wednesday.

The consortium that installed 400 LinkNYC kiosks across the city said it will remove web browsing from the kiosks while it works with city officials to explore potential solutions to their abuse.

"The kiosks were never intended for anyone's extended, personal use and we want to ensure that Links are accessible and a welcome addition to New York City neighborhoods," LinkNYC said in a statement.

WORLD

Ex-prisoner on hungry strike slips into coma

A former Guantanamo prisoner on a hunger strike slipped into a coma Wednesday, said a doctor in Uruguay, where the ex-detainee was taken in as a refugee nearly two years ago but has been demanding to move elsewhere to reunite with his family.

Abu Wa'el Dhiab was unconscious and extremely dehydrated when paramedics arrived at the apartment where he is staying in Montevideo, said Dr. Julia Galzerano of the Medical Union of Uruguay, who was treating the former prisoner from Syria.

"We hope that it is reversible. We can't know" for a while, Galzerano said. The doctor said she was told Dhiab had gone 12 days without water.

U.S. threatens arms embargo on South Sudan

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. says her country will support an arms embargo on South Sudan if the government there continues to prevent peacekeepers from moving around freely to protect civilians.

Samantha Power said Wednesday she hoped the U.N. would be able to achieve consensus on how to hold the government of South Sudan to the commitments it made during a recent visit by the Security Council.

Power spoke to reporters ahead of a closed-door Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in the world's youngest country that has been wracked by civil war for much of its short existence.

Drone kills suspected terror leaders

Yemeni security officials say a suspected U.S. drone has struck a car traveling in the southern Bayda province, killing five suspected al-Qaida fighters.

They said the car targeted in the Wednesday attack appeared to be headed to the province of Marib.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

U.S. drone strikes have killed dozens of al-Qaida militants in Yemen as part of Washington's global war on terror.

Al-Qaida and the extremist Islamic State group have taken advantage of the chaos and lawlessness brought about by Yemen's ongoing civil war to expand their reach in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation.
BOX ELDER  The annual District 1 Fall Meeting of the South Dakota American Legion will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, in Box Elder for Legionnaires from Butte, Harding, Lawrence, Meade, Corson, Dewey, Perkins and Ziebach counties.

A social will begin at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon. The business meeting will be at 12:45 p.m. at Box Elder American Legion Post.

State Commander Charemon Dunham of Iroquois will conduct the meeting and will outline her Proudly Serving Veterans and Communities program for the 2016 - 2017 American Legion year.

State Commander Dunham will be assisted by State Adjutant Dennis Brenden of Watertown and State Membership Chairman Gene Renschler of Brandon.

The District 1 Auxiliary will hold its meeting at 12:45 p.m. the same day in the American Legion Post home (dining area).
Masons from across America joined with their fraternity's members and friends Thursday at ceremonies noting the 75th year since Mount Rushmore was completed.

Organized by South Dakota Masons, the ceremonies at the Mount Rushmore amphitheater noted how each of the four presidents depicted by Mason Gutzon Borglum had their own unique connections to the fraternity.

Along with the history of well-known Masons making American history from the Revolutionary War, speakers noted the multi-cultural contributions to the fraternity and nation from Masons.

Belle Fourche Mason Eric Jennings, a great grandson of Sen. Peter Norbeck placed a wreath representing efforts of Sen. And Mason Norbeck in creation of the monument, along with other Masons including sculptors Gutzon and Lincoln Borglum, and all Masons involved in creation and completing the carving of the memorial.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said the Masons' contributions continue today with the Child Identification Program (CHIP) that offers parents a free identification package.

"There are 21,700 kids in South Dakota, including my two, who are being protected by the Masonic program."

Keynote speaker Ronald Seale, head of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction, noted that Masons today are woven into the American community: "When you find them, you find the fabric of America."

Rushmore, crafted through the work of many Masons and others, is a symbol of "the freedom to hope, and to dream, and the freedom to be and the freedom to accomplish."

Master of ceremonies for the event was the newest Mason on the program.

"America Unearthed" host on the History Channel, forensic geologist Scott Wolter, introduced guests.

Edith Wong not only told of the influence of Masons on her family and Chinese pioneer history in Deadwood, but of another generation of her family who served in America's military and proudly wore Masonic cuffinks.

Ira Briggs junior of Eagle Butte led Lakota prayer as a Mason, and noted that Lakota values and tradition mesh well with those of Freemasonry.

Larry Coleman, head of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Kansas noted how African-American Masons played a role in South Dakota and American military history.

Also linking the Masonic fraternity to the presidents on Mount Rushmore and the American epic were Ridgley Gilmour, president of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, George Braatz, executive secretary of the Masonic Service Association of North America.

After the Rushmore ceremonies, guests from the ceremonies joined Northern Hills Masons at the Masonic center in Deadwood to discuss the programs and plans for the fraternity in the area, state and nation including the child identification program.
The Dawes County Commissioners entered executive session Tuesday to address legal options the county has regarding information revealed in an audit of the county by the states Auditors Office.

Dawes County Treasurer Barb Sebesta came under scrutiny in the audit last week and could potentially face criminal charges. Chairman Jake Stewart voted against the executive session, which was requested by Deputy County Attorney Adam Edmund, who also noted that Sebesta has been advised that she may wish to seek legal counsel of her own.

The audit says Sebesta altered a check written by a taxpayer, failed to collect sales tax or sales tax forms in at least two instances, has failed to maintain trust balances in a timely fashion, and deposited bond forfeitures into the countys general fund rather than distributing them to the schools as required by law.

The Nebraska Auditors office conducted the surprise audit in Dawes County in August after the altered check was discovered, said Dawes County Commissioner Jake Stewart. It was reported to the state by the fraud division of First National Bank North Platte, he added.

The Dawes County Commissioners requested and paid for a state audit for the fiscal year 2011-12 after it became clear that errors were likely occurring in the Treasurers Office. The results of that first audit forced the county to make $38,000 in line item corrections because monies had been coded incorrectly to the wrong funds. A follow-up audit the next year by the state showed no significant concerns.

This years audit tells a different story.

The audit details the instance of check altering in a letter to the county commissioners, noting that when making a large deposit in May, Sebesta altered one of the checks in the deposit, changing it from $85.20 to $851.20 but did not alter the total balance on the deposit slip. When the First National Bank North Platte Proof Department noticed the discrepancy, it changed the deposit slip and sent Sebesta a notice of that correction.

When Sebesta received the correction notice from the bank, she told local branch personnel that she had altered the check without the customers authorization, and the bank made an adjustment so the taxpayer could recover the funds.

It should be noted that the alteration of a check in this manner is considered to be a form of forgery, the audit letter states.

Sebesta told auditors she was trying to clarify the proper amount for the banks when she made the change and did not verify it back to the receipts. The taxpayers motor vehicle tax receipt totaled $85.20 for two registration numbers.

By unilaterally altering a check submitted to her office, Ms. Sebesta risks not only collecting from the taxpayer an amount other than that actually due but also, depending upon the circumstances, facing possible allegations of forgery as well as potential removal from office and accusations of official misconduct, the letter states.

The audit also alleges that Sebesta improperly collected sales tax on at least two vehicles. The report detailed one incident in which a title for a pickup was issued in November 2015, with the registration issued in April. However, Sebesta allegedly did not collect the sales tax until June. The audit says Sebesta acknowledged that she knew it was in violation of state law to delay the collection of the sales tax but she was trying to help the purchaser, who was short on funds.

In a separate incident, Sebesta did not collect sales tax or a sales tax form for an all-terrain vehicle in July. Sebesta told auditors that she knew the owners and that the ATV would be exempt because it was to be used on a farm. She told the owners to bring in the sales tax form when they could.

On both of these occasions, Ms. Sebestas actions violated the express provisions of (Nebraska Statute) 77-2703. Ms. Sebesta does not have the authority to ignore that law by allowing vehicles to be registered or titled, as the case may be, without simultaneously receiving the required sales tax, the audit letter states.

In addition, auditors discovered that Sebesta has not followed up on trust balances in a timely manner. The Abandoned Vehicle Fund has $75 in it that should have been transferred to the General Fund a couple of years ago. The Tentative Inheritance Tax Fund is holding $40,446. In June, Sebesta attempted to transfer the money from the Tentative Inheritance Tax Fund to the Inheritance Fund but coded the entry incorrectly and the transfer did not take place. Sebesta failed to realize the transfer had been done incorrectly at the close of June and July, the letter says.

Finally, the Treasurers Office was dinged for improperly depositing $1,170 of bond forfeitures into the countys General Fund. Per the Nebraska Constitution, these funds are supposed to be distributed to the common schools.

The letter from the auditors office notes that several of the findings are potentially violations of Nebraska law. The information on those incidents has been forwarded to the Attorney Generals Office. Stewart said the commissioners will cooperate fully with the Attorney Generals Office and give them any additional information they may require.

After Tuesdays executive session, the board simply advised Sebesta that she will receive a final copy of the audit, as will each of the commissioners. Sebesta noted at the beginning of the meeting that she only had a draft copy, not the final version but made no other comments for the record.

Sebesta was elected as the Dawes County Treasurer in November 2010. Previously, she worked in the office as a clerk. County records show she was hired in April 2004 and list her date of termination as June 4, 2010. She appeared on the general election ballot that fall by petition and defeated Lois Chizek by 64 votes. She will not be up for re-election until 2018.
PIERRE | Without further controversy, the state Public Utilities Commission accepted on Tuesday the request by officials with the Prevailing Winds project to withdraw an application to build up to 100 wind turbines in the area north of Avon in southeastern South Dakota.

I believe everything is right there in the motion, Lee Magnuson, a Sioux Falls lawyer representing the company, told the commissioners by telephone.

Amanda Reiss, a lawyer for the commission, said the staff didnt object. The voluntary withdrawal allows Prevailing Winds to apply at possibly another time.

The matter took just a few minutes from start to finish. Chris Nelson, PUC chairman, made the motion to approve the withdrawal. Commissioners Gary Hanson and Kristie Fiegen voted with him.

There wasnt any discussion by the commissioners.

A commission hearing Aug. 24 drew approximately 300 people to the Avon school gym; 22 people spoke at the hearing.

Six days later, Prevailing Winds asked to withdraw its permit application. The company gave this explanation in the withdrawal filing:

The Prevailing Winds project is a community wind project and community is very important to the Prevailing Winds Investors and Board of Governors.

Unfortunately, misinformation has been circulated about the project. Keeping the interests of the community and the project in mind, Prevailing Winds is moving to withdraw the Application to allow Prevailing Winds to better inform the community on the wind project and allow Prevailing Winds to revisit its options regarding the project.
A study could be in the works soon to determine the feasibility of expanding Rapid City's public transportation service to areas outside the city limits.

The Public Works Committee of the Rapid City Council on Tuesday approved a draft request for proposals for a Transit Feasibility Study. The proposal will go before the full council on Monday.

If approved, the request states that the study, which will take 9 to 10 months to complete, will evaluate the need for an expanded public transit system, recommend implementation strategies, and consider economic development and possible alternatives.

The project area covers about 474 square miles in parts of Box Elder, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Summerset, Piedmont, Black Hawk and other developing parts of Pennington and Meade counties, according to city documents.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization is a regional planning organization that includes those cities and organizations listed in the project area along with Rapid City, the Rapid City Area School District, the Meade County School District, the Douglas School District, the South Dakota Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.

The MPO said the need for expanded public transportation was an issue brought to light through public input in other studies.

During the development of the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Plan adopted in August 2013, and the RapidTRIP 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan adopted in September 2015, "public input revealed a desire by the residents of the areas surrounding Rapid City for public transit to be expanded to provide access to employment, education, shopping, medical services, and recreation," the draft RFP states.

Rapid Transit System is the main public transportation system in the area, but it only operates within Rapid City limits.

In other action on Tuesday, the Public Works committee:

 Authorized the mayor and finance officer to sign an agreement for $111,308 with Burns & McDonnell for engineering services to design the Landfill Gas Collection for closed cells 13, 14 and 17 at the Rapid City Landfill.

 Authorized the mayor and finance officer to sign an agreement for $135,328 with FMG Engineering for design services of a low permeability cap for cell 17 at the Rapid City Landfill.
Tighter controls on prescribed burns by federal agencies were proposed Tuesday as an amendment to congressional wildfire and forest-management legislation.

The amendment was offered by U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and adopted by unanimous consent during a meeting of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

If enacted into law with the broader legislation, the amendment would require federal agencies to coordinate with state and local fire officials before authorizing a controlled burn when the National Fire Danger Rating System indicates an extreme fire danger.

The amendment would also require the chief of the U.S. Forest Service to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the prescribed burns conducted during the preceding year.

Weve seen in South Dakota federal agencies initiate prescribed burns in the past three years that have burned out of control, Thune said Tuesday to the Senate Ag Committee.

The prime example is the 2013 Pautre Fire, which Thune said began as a planned 100-acre prescribed burn on federal grassland in northwestern South Dakota but escaped to become a 16,000-acre wildfire. Numerous landowners suffered property damage in the fire, and some are involved in an ongoing lawsuit against the federal government.

"If you talked to any landowner in the area, they wouldve told you under those conditions it was a dry year, it was windy, that this was a huge mistake," Thune said in the Ag Committee. "But, unfortunately, the Forest Service went forward with it."

Thune also shared a piece of trivia about the Pautre Fire. It was supposed to be called the Pasture Fire, he told the Senate Ag Committee, but someone in the federal government misspelled Pasture as Pautre, and the name stuck.

Other recent examples of escaped burns in South Dakota include the April 2015 Cold Brook Fire, a planned 1,000-acre burn that became a 6,500-acre wildfire at Wind Cave National Park.

In November, the planned burning of some piles left over from a timber sale near Hill City in the Black Hills National Forest escaped to become the 22-acre Zimmer Ridge Fire.

Thune said he is not opposed to prescribed burns, but thinks they need to be better coordinated.

"When the Forest Service decides to initiate a prescribed burn," he said, "it seems to me that it ought to make sense for them to consult with local officials. Local officials are going to know a little bit more about what the conditions are in the area."

Thune first introduced the provisions of his amendment as a standalone bill last year, but the bill received no action. The new amendment is stripped of a section in the earlier bill that would have made the heads of federal agencies liable for damage to private property caused by prescribed burns.

The broader bill to which Thunes amendment is attached is the Emergency Wildfire and Forest Management Act of 2016, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan. It was introduced in June and would, in the words of a Roberts news release, reduce administrative burdens and provide greater efficiencies for collaborative forest management activities through a variety of authorities.
Wind Cave National Park is seeking volunteer hunters to help reduce the park's elk herd and hopefully combat a fatal disease later this year.

But it won't be an easy hunt, requiring a long hike and a sharp eye with a rifle.

The joint project between the National Park Service and South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department is an effort to reduce the elk population in the park and address the high rate of Chronic Wasting Disease in that population. Roughly 50 volunteers will be needed to work in teams with park officials to shoot the elk. The operation is scheduled to start in mid-November.

Volunteer hunters will be chosen through an online lottery system and will work in the park as an official volunteer for a 5-day work week. They will need to be skilled shooters and be able to hike 10 miles with a 70-pound backpack.

On the first day, volunteers will have to demonstrate they are capable of shooting a minimum of 3 out of 5 shots into an 8-inch circle at 200 yards using their own firearm and non-lead ammunition.

Officials at Wind Cave believe their elk population is roughly 550 head, but the population target for that area is only 232 to 475 elk. A recent U.S. Geological Survey estimates about 9.5 percent of the Wind Cave Elk heard have chronic wasting disease.

Our scientists believe the density of the parks elk population and CWD are related, Wind Cave Superintendent Vidal Davila said in a press release. We will be following the herds health over the next several years to determine if the reduced density of elk lowers the prevalence of CWD in the park. Every animal taken during this operation will be tested for CWD.

In past years NPS has used helicopters to push elk from Wind Cave National Park into Custer State Park through an open section of the boundary fencing. That operation has brought mixed results. While it has allowed for Wind Cave to remove some elk, some of those elk have remained along the boundary fence on the Custer State Park side and refuse to disperse through Custer State Park.

If an animal shot during this current program does not have CWD, the meat will be donated to Feeding South Dakota and distributed across the state. Also, volunteers who work an entire week on the effort will be eligible to receive some of the elk meat.

Four volunteers will be needed each week for the operation; each day, two teams will be formed consisting of a National Park Service team leader and two volunteers.

Anyone wishing to submit an application can do so through the state's website at apps.sd.gov/gf79license/login.aspx.

Applications will be accepted through Sept. 28.

As people fill out the application, they have to understand that this is difficult work that includes several hard days in the field under strenuous hiking and weather conditions, Davila said.
WASHINGTON | Why does Donald Trump say such nice things about Vladimir Putin and Russia? What is Trump hiding in the tax returns he refuses to release? And are those two questions related?

Voters should demand answers. Until we get them, we can only speculate about Trump's weird admiration for a strongman who presides over a system of autocratic cronyism, flouts international law with his territorial ambitions, works against U.S. interests in hotspots around the globe, and apparently might have even deployed computer hackers to meddle in our election.

There may be nothing nefarious here; perhaps Trump just admires Putin's swaggering style. But there are reasons to wonder whether Trump's warm-and-fuzzy feelings are prompted by financial motives.

"Reasons to wonder" normally do not qualify as legitimate fodder for journalism, but these are not normal circumstances. Trump has broken with four decades of precedent and adamantly refused to let voters see his tax returns. His excuse  that he is under audit  is bogus. Given his history as a swashbuckling wheeler-dealer, including four corporate bankruptcies, there are legitimate questions about his finances. Yet he stonewalls, knowing that speculation does not qualify as proof.

Here's what we know. In July, Trump said in a tweet that he has "ZERO investments in Russia." If this is true, the more relevant question may be the extent to which Russian oligarchs, by definition beholden to Putin, have investments in Trump and his empire.

In 2008, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., said at a New York real estate conference that "Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets." Referring to the Trump Organization, where he works with his father, he added that "we see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."

That boast would make perfect sense. Following the bankruptcy of Trump Hotels and Casinos Resorts in 2004  which involved three casinos in Atlantic City and one in Indiana, and allowed Trump to get out from under an estimated $1.8 billion in debt  banks became wary of lending to Trump, according to widespread reports.

A 2010 federal lawsuit alleged that much of the money that financed the Trump SoHo luxury hotel development in Manhattan, which broke ground in 2006, came from a shadowy Iceland-based corporate entity. The suit alleges that "the money behind" the firm was "mostly Russian," and that the Russians involved "were in favor with Putin."

Trump was not charged with any wrongdoing in the suit, but the suit does strongly suggest that if traditional lenders were reluctant to get involved with Trump, Russian money had no such compunctions.

Which raises an obvious question: To what extent are Trump and the Trump Organization dependent on Russian investment? We have no way of knowing. Examination of Trump's tax returns might provide the answer.

We do know that Trump considered Russian oligarchs prime customers for high-end properties. In 2008, he sold a Palm Beach mansion to billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev for $95 million. Less than four years earlier, Trump had picked up the property at a bankruptcy auction for $41 million  meaning he made quite a tidy profit. Rybolovlev, who was then worth nearly $13 billion, is not believed to be as close to Putin as some of the other oligarchs, but neither is he in any sense an opponent of the regime.

Despite earlier claims to the contrary, Trump now says he has never actually met Putin. He tried his best to do so in 2013, when he took his Miss Universe pageant to Moscow, but Putin canceled a planned meeting and sent a lacquered box as a present instead, along with what was described as a warm note.

In his campaign, Trump has been consistent in calling for better relations with Russia. He has accepted Russia's annexation of Crimea as a fait accompli and suggested he might not come to the aid of the Baltic states if Russia invaded. Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort did extensive work on behalf of Viktor Yanukovych, the thuggish Putin-backed Ukrainian president who was ousted in 2014 and now lives in exile in Russia.

As a general rule, I don't believe in conspiracy theories and I do believe in coincidences. But Trump's chest-thumping "America First" attitude toward the rest of the world seems to make an exception for Russia, and we need to know why.

Trump supporters will say I'm speculating without the relevant facts. I say provide them: Release the taxes, now.
HIV positive convict seeks $9,300 for lack of medicine in jail

MOSCOW, September 14 (RAPSI)  The Kalininsky District Court in St. Petersburg will consider a lawsuit filed by an HIV positive prisoner demanding 600,000 rubles ($9,300) from the Federal Penitentiary Services (FSIN) hospital for non-provision of medicine, lawyer Vitaliy Cherkasov told RAPSI on Wednesday.

In the fall of 2015, the convict lodged a lawsuit to declare nonperformance of a FSIN hospitals director illegal. He insisted that he had not been provided with antiretroviral drugs in detention for six months.

In December 2015, the court rejected the lawsuit but left the plaintiff and his representative without notice of holding a hearing.

The convict supplemented the suit not knowing about the court ruling. He demanded 600,000 rubles in compensation for moral harm in his claim.

Threfore, the lawsuit will be reconsidered by the Kalininsky District Court.

The lawyer also added that, according to existing law, his client has a right to release because of grave illness, but courts numerously rejected such motions.
Russian Komi Republics ex-head faces three more criminal charges

MOSCOW, September 14 (RAPSI, Yevgeniya Sokolova)  Vyacheslav Gaizer, former head of Russias Komi Republic who stands charged with fraud and organized crime related violations, faces three more criminal charges, RAPSI learned in the Moscow City Court on Wednesday.

Gaizer was charged in relation to two counts of bribery and one count of fraud. Earlier, various media have reported that Gazier made a deal with investigators, but his lawyer does not confirm this information.

Earlier, the Investigative Committee reported about thwarting the activity of a criminal group led by the head of the Republic of Komi, Vyacheslav Gaizer.

Nineteen people are defendants in the case, including Gaizers deputy Alexei Chernov, Igor Kovzel, Chairman of the Republican State Council, and Konstantin Romadanov, Deputy Chairman of the Komi government. This August one of the people related to the case, Anton Faerstein, died in detention.

Gaizer pleads not guilty. Several high-ranking officials have been arrested in the fraud and organized crime case, as well as several business people that the Investigative Committee called finance technologists.

During 80 searches in Komi, St. Petersburg and Moscow, the Investigative Committee and the Federal Security Service confiscated over 60 kg of jewelry, 150 watches worth $30,000 to $1 million each, over 50 stamps and seals from offshore corporations, and financial documents legalizing over 1 billion rubles ($14 mln) in stolen money transferred to the offshore zone.

Investigators have also opened against Gaizer a criminal case on money laundering.

On September 30 of 2015, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to relieve Gaizer of his duties because of loss of trust.
Russian bankers suspected of stripping assets face restriction on leaving abroad - report

MOSCOW, September 14 (RAPSI)  Russian President Vladimir Putin will order the government and law enforcement authorities to address the issue of banning bankers, suspected of siphoning off assets, from leaving abroad, Vedomosti newspaper reported on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the head of Central Bank Elvira Nabiullina said during a meeting with the President that revocation of banking license is often caused by criminal actions of bankers but not by economic factors; and bankers themselves often flee abroad. According to Nabiullina, breach of anti-money laundering law is a basis for withdrawal of banks' licenses in 70 percent of cases.

The state, society and banks' depositors should be guaranteed against criminal practices, however it is necessary to be careful and not to restrict peoples freedom, the newspaper quoted Putin as having said.

Restriction on leaving abroad may become an effective step because lack of unavoidability of punishment instigates some people to commit embezzlement, Yuri Isayev, general director of the State Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA), told Vedomosti. According to him, it's important to seize assets as soon as possible.

For instance, London's court has arrested assets belonging to Sergei Pugachev, the former beneficiary of the International Industrial Bank (IIB or Mezhprombank) and ex-member of the Russian parliaments upper house, upon the DIA's application. However, the Agency could not procure the seizure of his assets in Russia because the legislation prohibits attachment of assets owned by third parties, the newspaper cited Isayev.

Mezhprombanks license was revoked and it was declared to be insolvent in late 2010. An investigation into the bankruptcy was launched on charges of illegal operations in the process of filing for bankruptcy and deliberate bankruptcy.

In December 2013, the agency that had been appointed as liquidator to Mezhprombank turned to the Moscow Commercial Court seeking to recover 75 billion rubles ($1.2 billion). Pugachev, together with some former top managers of Mezhprombank, was named a co-defendant in the case.

The DIA alleged that Pugachev extracted money from the bank for his benefit when it was already bankrupt.

In April 2015, Russian court found all the defendants guilty of bankruptcy fraud. An Interpol arrest warrant was issued afterwards for him at Russia's request.

In the meantime, the High Court in London in July of 2014 issued an order freezing $2 billion of Pugachevs assets.
BUTTE  A driving-under-the-influence trial for ex-Navy SEAL Rob ONeill has been continued to October, according to Butte city court records.

Billings-based attorney Mark Parker said Butte-Silver Bow County prosecutors last week requested more time due to a deliberate homicide trial currently underway in Butte district court.

Prosecutors asked for more time, and we gave it to them, said Parker.

The six-person jury trial is slated for Oct. 5.

ONeill, 40, told Butte-Silver Bow police that he took a prescribed sleep aid before he was found asleep at the wheel of a Nissan Sentra at a Town Pump convenience store on April 8. Several customers told a clerk that a man was sleeping in the running vehicle.

A police report stated that ONeill was hazy about whether he had been drinking or taken Ambien, a prescription drug used to treat insomnia. The Butte native was also unclear about where he had traveled from to his hometown.

ONeill was arrested and later refused a Breathalyzer test. He pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor DUI, a first offense, the day of his arrest.

In a statement released by his public relations firm, ONeill said he took a prescribed sleep aid to help with long-standing insomnia.

ONeill received national attention several years ago when he said he killed al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden during a U.S.-led attack in Pakistan in 2011.
HAMILTON - Trial for a Florence physician facing hundreds of charges for allegedly providing his patients with illegal prescriptions will be delayed a year, Ravalli County District Judge Jeffrey H. Langton ruled Tuesday.

Langton said a years continuance for Dr. Chris Christensens trial is reasonable, considering the number of felony charges and the degree of preparation required for the defense.

It is highly unrealistic that a defense attorney could adequately prepare in six weeks for a month-long trial on 400 felony counts in a case that has been in the states pipeline for more than four years, without prejudice to the defendant, Langton said.

Christensen was arrested in August 2015 for allegedly providing hundreds of illegal prescriptions, including prescriptions of methadone allegedly resulting in two patient deaths. Christensen is facing 400 felony charges and two counts of negligent homicide.

Last November, the state Public Defenders Office asked to be taken off the case when it was determined Christensen had too much money to qualify for state-funded counsel. In July, Langton denied Christensens request for a years delay, noting that he had not yet filed for bankruptcy and wasnt doing enough to find an attorney.

Earlier this month, Christensen appeared in court with Josh Van de Wetering as his attorney, paid by extended family. Van de Wetering made a new request for a delay, noting that the case includes close to 11,000 pages of discovery and 28 expert witnesses.

This one is as big as they come, he said then.

The case involves issues new to Montana such as whether physicians can be criminally liable for the death of their patients, whether prescribing practices can open them to criminal charges and whether doctors can be charged with drug distribution for writing prescriptions, according to the defense.

The state had countered that 49 witnesses and 450 jurors had already been summoned for trial, and had asked for a delay of six months rather than a year.

Langtons opinion issued Tuesday said that when weighing speedy trial against due process, the right of defendants, who stand to lose liberty, and even life, upon conviction be protected in criminal proceedings. The interests of justice weigh in favor of Defendant.

Christensens trial had been set for Oct. 20.

Christensen, 67, faces a prison sentence of up to 388 life terms, plus 135 years and a fine of up to $20 million if convicted on all charges.
Kathmandu, Nepal: The Government of Nepal (GoN) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) have agreed a new A85 million programme to support the implementation of the GoNas National Health Sector Strategy (NHSS).

UK aid support to the health sector will help improve the health of women, children, the poor and the marginalised in Nepal. Support will include restoring health services in areas affected by the 2015 earthquake, building on similar support offered post-earthquake, and improving the quality and governance of health services nationwide.

The UK will provide A85 million over 4.5 years (Jul 2016 to Dec 2020) to support the delivery of the GoN's Nepal Health Sector Strategy 2015-2020. A57 million will be Financial Aid to the Department of Health and A28 million will be technical assistance. Of the A85 million, A20 million will support the retrofitting and rehabilitation of hospitals in earthquake-affected and at-risk areas.

DFID Nepal's strategy of combining financial aid and evidenced-based policy dialogue, with strong technical support on a focussed set of health and governance issues has been instrumental in supporting the GoN to deliver impressive improvements in health outcomes, particularly among women and children.

Gail Marzetti, Head of DFID Nepal said: 'Health is an area of success in Nepal. The Ministry of Health has made huge gains especially in child and maternal mortality and we are proud to have been supporting the Ministry for the last 17 years as it did this.'

Investing in health contributes to a reduction in poverty and ensures that people are better able to benefit from economic growth. Which is why DFID Nepal wants to build on its successful partnership with the Government of Nepal, and in particular the Ministry of Health, to help improve the quality andgovernance of health services and ensure that improved health is accessible to all.
Guwahati, September 14 : A Sub-inspector of the Doimukh police station in Arunachal Pradesh police Khano Chatung was found dead inside a car early Wednesday morning.

Police had recovered the body of the police personnel from the car and started investigation into the incident.

The bordering state with China and Myanmar has witnessed a surge in number of attacks against police personnel after the Arunachal Pradesh police stepped up operations to check drug abuse and nab drug peddlers.

On August 13, Arunachal Pradesh police DSP Bomto Kamda was killed by drug peddlers whereas two other police personnel were killed on September 10 after the police raided various places in Namsai against drugs trafficking.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said the two FA-50 combat aircraft that arrived in the country in November last year had come from South Korea and not from the United States as President Duterte had stated.

Lorenzana issued the clarification following the Presidents speech before the Filipino community in Indonesia last week, that the two FA-50s, which he claimed were just for show, had come from the United States.

Mukhang nagkamali lang siya (It looks like he made a mistake), said Lorenzana. Iyong FA-50 is from Korea. Sabi niya dalawa lang binigay, hindi eh labindalawa iyon (The FA-50 is from Korea. He said only two aircraft were given, but there were 12).

ADVERTISEMENT

Ceremonial only

In his speech before the Filipino community in Indonesia on Sept. 9, the President belittled the US defense assistance to the Philippines as for ceremonial purposes only.

He said: We have received so many things from America. Thank you for your generosity. What they sold us, two, only two FA-50 (fighter jets). Its FA-50 but they never gave us the missiles and the bullets and the cannons to fight. For ceremonial lang (only).

Manufactured by the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), the FA-50s are expected to serve as the PAFs lead-in trainer. Lorenzana said 10 more FA-50s will arrive in batches next year as part of the 12 planes purchased for the Armed Forces of the Philippines P18.9-billion modernization program.

According to IHS Janes All the Worlds Aircraft, the FA-50 type, although billed as a light fighter, has a potent air-to-air and air-to-surface capability.

The type has been flown by South Korea and the Philippines, with Iraq set to receive its first aircraft shortly and Peru considering an offer of the aircraft, said IHS Jane, considered the most trusted and respected public source of defense, risk and security information in the world.

Lorenzana said the FA-50 would serve as lead-in fighter, which means it could serve both as a trainer and fighter plane for Filipino pilots who have not experienced flying fighter planes for a long time.

The defense chief said it will take many years to train fighter pilots from the Philippine Air Force to fly real fighter planes.

So FA-50 first, and then later on, if we have capabilities to purchase real fighter planes, we will do that, he said.
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The Indian Express

Written by Razia Patel | Published:September 9, 2016

Syeda Hameed has written an article titled aJust keep the faitha (IE, August 30) regarding the Mumbai High Courtas judgement allowing the entry of women into the Haji Ali dargah. The main argument in this article can be summarised thus: Islam, as a religion, provides enough progressive reasons to allow women to enter the mazar, which could have been used to support the decision, but the judgement invokes articles of the Indian constitution while supporting the logic behind the verdict. In her own words, she is apaineda to see this.

According to her, Muslims are failing to assert the real essence of Islam, which is very progressive as far as the rights of women are concerned. This logic, if extended, leads to the conclusion that all the issues of Muslim women should be resolved within aIslama and there is no need to go to constitutional courts .

One can choose whether or not to go to courts of law to get justice, but once you opt to go there, you must bear in mind that the courts are established to safeguard the fundamental rights provided by the constitution and not according to any religion.

The philosophy in this article, in essence, emphasises that aour religiona provides all the freedom and values of equality to women and the masses should be taken back to areala religious values. However, it must be noted that the ground realities are very different. The common Muslim woman has suffered hugely from religious traditions and dictates and has resorted to Indian courts to seek justice even if she happened to be alone in this struggle. For all such people who seek justice, thanks to the visionary makers of our constitutions like B.R. Ambedkar and others, it is only the Indian Constitution that has proven to be helpful. The constitution has been the sole support for them so far.

Undoubtedly, there are lacunae in the existing system a such as delays and high costs a which need to be addressed. Instead of fighting for these, we see that some womenas NGOs like the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, following the same logic as Syeda Hameed, have been engaged in opening sharia courts for women and training women qazis all over the country. While conducting a nationwide survey for a national fellowship, I had asked women aInsaaf kahan se chahiye? Jamaat se ya court se?a (Where do you want justice from? Religion or the courts?) In reply, most of the women very clearly stated aCourt sea .

With regard to the point about the areal interpretation of Islama , in reality, there are various strong, deep-rooted religious institutions and authorities with national and international sanction, who have been conferred with the right to interpret the religion. Such authorities are so strong within the community that the interpretations by other so-called progressive social academics do not make any impact. On the other hand, the Indian Constitution provides a legitimate state supported framework for deprived communities and individuals to assert their struggle for human rights.

Based on these values and rights enshrined in the constitution, many other exploited groups in India have fought for their rights and have been successful in most cases. However, in the case of Muslim women who seek justice from courts of law, intellectuals are pushing them back to religion repeatedly. The same phenomenon is observed with initiatives like sharia courts and mahila qazis. In 1986, Shah Bano fought in a court of law to assert her right to receive maintenance. The government of the time crushed this effort by changing the constitution following the demands of religious leaders.

The path of womenas liberation is through the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. It is unfortunate that rather than leading the community towards absolute human rights, intellectuals are making the situation for the community worse by resorting to the logic of a religious framework.

After Independence, the Indian masses have experienced liberation by adopting a progressive constitution in 1949 that proclaims the values of equality and justice. Since then, all Indian communities have embarked on their struggle to assert the same. Muslims too are entitled to enjoy this citizenship with equal rights. Religious frameworks are always subjected to many conflicting interpretations and Muslim women cannot risk the chance that only the progressive interpretation will prevail. The only guarantee for her is the clear provisions of the constitution safeguarding her rights. We all need to insist on adhering to the constitutional framework, instead, as a guideline for future struggle.

The writer is head of the minority cell at the centre for educational studies in Indian Institute of Education, Pune
Himalaya Niti Abhiyan

Village Khundan, PO Banjar, Distt. Kullu, HP

Email:gumanhna[at]gmail.com, Ph: 9418277220

Date:6th September, 2016

To

Mr. Rahul Gandhi,

Vice president AICC, New Delhi.

Subject: HP govt. opposes FRA and PESA for KASANG HEP Funded by ADB.

Respected sir,

In an alarming development, the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (a body of the Government of Himachal Pradesh) fore with the Chief Secretary of the Government of Himachal Pradesh as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors has preferred an Appeal before the Supreme Court against NGT order of 4th May 2016 in the matter of Kashang HEP. [Civil No 8345 Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd versus Paryavaran Sanrakshan Samiti, Lippa]. The Appeal has been heard on the 5th of September by a Bench headed by the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court had not any issue notice or stay the judgment of the NGT, but sought specific response from the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

The Appeal specifically states: "The Gram Sabha is the deciding body/ Authority to comply with the direction of the Ld Green Tribunal, Delhi but the Gram Sabha consists of the Unskilled local persons/ local residents. Hence, it is not possible for the State of H.P/ HPPCL to comply with the entire directions of the Ld National Green Tribunal" The Appeal by the HPPCL emphasizes that the NGT could not have passed the order since the rights of the people have already been settled/ recognized in 1921. The Counsel for the State of Himachal Pradesh/ HPPCL stated before the Court as follows:

That the FRA Act does not apply to the area.

The Petitioners are miscreants.

The people who have given NOC have changed their minds.

The Appeal is listed for hearing on Friday on 9th of September 2016.

Both these contentions posed in the appeal are against the letter and spirit of the FRA. The very statement Gram Sabha consist of the unskilled local person is insulting, illegal and undemocratic itself. Secondly rights recorded in forest and revenue settlements are concession provided by the states which are not justiciable and are subject to the mercy of state; whereas rights recognized under FRA are legal rights and cannot be denied. These can be only acquired by duly compensating under The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (Land Acquisition Act, 2013). Ministry of Tribal Affairs had already issued instructions in this regards to the Himachal government in Dec. 2015.

The counsel of the Himachal state has stated misleading and derogatory statement before the Supreme Court, that FRA does not apply in the tribal area of Kinnour; whereas people are dependent on farming and belongs to traditional grassier Kinnoura community. Their high dependence on forest land is obvious. If they stand for the protection of their livelihood rights and environment how they can be declared miscreants? Lastly, no consent has been given by the gram sabhas of the area to this Kashang HEP under FRA and PESA provisions but they have shown high resistance against it.

In what could come as an embarrassment to the Congress Party that has been accusing the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of adilutinga the Forest Rights Act (FRA). At the national level congress is organizing people movement against NDA and fighting for implementation of FRA and conferring rights to ST and OTFD; whereas the Himachal Pradesh government has opposed the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which asked it to place a hydro-electric project proposal before the affected gram sabhas for approval under the forest rights act. The Himachal government said the NGT order cannot be followed as the Gram Sabhas members are unskilled is against stand against its own people.

There is unease in the corporate sector over this decision by the National Green Tribunal and Himachal government had filled appeal against above said NGT decision in Supreme Court. In fact, around the world the afree and prior informed consenta (FPIC) of communities is being seen as a necessary tool for businesses. Even the World Bank has made it mandatory before implementing a project. People of the state will be compelled to fight it out in court as well as in ground level and will not allow state government to hitch their forest rights.

The state government is trying to ignore Forest Rights Act since 2008 and pleaded time to time and again that forest rights has been settled since British periods in Himachal which is not correct and illegal. Former Chief Minister Mr. P K Dhumal wrote D.O. letter to MOEF in the year 2008 claiming the same that FRA do not apply in HP, because forest rights has been recorded during British period here. Former Minister of MoTA Mr. K.C Deo has written personal letter to Sh. Virbhader Singh in this regard and insisted to implement FRA. MOTA has replied to the state government time to time and again for the same and recently issued guidelines and FAQ too, whereas in a matter CWP No. 3141 of 2015 in HP High Court state government filled reply that FRA is in the process of implementation then how the counsel of the state government pleaded that FRA does not apply in the area.

Himalaya Niti Abhiyan condemns the stand of government of Himachal Pradesh in Supreme Court and demand immediate withdrawal of the filled appeal in Supreme Court.

This stand of HP Government will damage its image itself and dilute the pro FRA stand of the Congress Party at large.

We request you to intervene into the matter soon.

Guman Singh

Coordinator

Kulbhushan Upmanyu

Chairperson

R S Negi

Co-Chairperson
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Sturdy and sincere, Oliver Stone's Snowden is an admirable ox, intent on delivering a warning message about the dangers of the U.S. government and its surveillance program upon its own citizens. Simultaneously, the film diligently and respectfully canonizes Edward Snowden, who is humbly portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the bravest and most brilliant man in the world.

In so doing, Stone has made his first superhero movie. He's done it in the more restrained visual style that has marked his work since Alexander (2004), with fewer visual tics and tricks. Snowden is, more or less, a straight narrative piece, telling the life story of its titular character, beginning in 2004 with his attempted service in the armed forces, which is cut short during his training due to physical problems. (Even there, it's a foregleam of his superpowers, as it's shown that he's been training on two broken legs.)

In 2006, Snowden applies for a job with the C.I.A., where he is hired and quickly distinguishes himself as a computer analyst. He is recognized as the top student in his class and is mentored by his instructor, Corbin O'Brian (Rhys Ifans). He also befriends Hank Forrester (Nicolas Cage), a brilliant computer expert who designed a system that his superiors did not like, sidelining his career and leaving him to work by himself. Naturally, that's a foregleam of what will happen to Snowden.

Corbin likes Edward so much that he sends him to begin his career in Switzerland, where his top-notch skills are not terribly appreciated by his superiors. Edward's desire for field work leads him to begin working eagerly with a CIA operative (Timothy Olyphant), whose dishonest, distasteful methods sour Edward on the CIA, prompting him to resign.

As his intelligence career is experiencing ups and downs, Edward strikes up a relationship with Lindsay Mills (Shailene Woodley). Their relationship has its own ups and downs, owing largely to Edward's requirement to keep his employment details strictly confidential. Much of the movie bounces between their oft unhappy private life and Edward staring at computer screens.

Beyond the strict secrecy, Edward feels honor-bound to devote himself to the work that he is doing, which begins to tear him apart as he becomes aware of the full extent of the government's intrusive intelligence operations. The emotional and mental toll is enough to drive any ordinary man to drink or drugs, but Edward doesn't do either. He can't unload his conscience to anyone, especially his companion.

Yet he feels compelled to remain because ... well, no one else can do it but him, at least in his view. Thus, Edward faces what might be called the superhero's conundrum, except that this is a real-life, ongoing dilemma. As portrayed in the movie, he's not trying to save people; he just wants everyone to know what's going on and be able to make their own decision about what information is made known publicly to the government.

Freedom of choice is a fundamental right of human beings -- unless, perhaps, you believe in destiny -- and so it's easy to get behind the message that the film delivers, over and over and over again. Much less time or attention is given to the reasons why that matters in today's society, in which it seems that we're being asked to give away private information on a daily basis, if not to governments then to corporations.

Oliver Stone's best films, such as Platoon, Wall Street and JFK, have proceeded from similar, impassioned, and singular perspectives. That's been balanced, though, by his dynamic filmmaking skills; even if you didn't agree, understand, or sympathize with a particular viewpoint, the movies were compelling dramatic experiences. Even his uglier, more emotionally rancid experiences (Talk Radio, Natural Born Killers, Nixon, Any Given Sunday) were fascinating to behold because of the passion that drove them.

As thematically potent as Snowden is, the restraint and respect limits its impact. One scene late in the movie, featuring a looming and ridiculously large face in contrast to a very human-sized body, feels like the Stone of old. But otherwise, the movie too often feels flat and formulaic, more like a dramatic interpretation than a vivid reimagining.

The more essential and vibrant commentary on Edward Snowden remains Laura Poitras' Citizenfour, which features vital eyewitness footage that Stone can only try to emulate. Snowden is a worthy endeavor, filled with good intentions and righteous feelings, but it flies lower than Poitras' finely-cut documentary.

The film opens in theaters throughout the U.S. on Friday, September 16.


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The young woman at the center of a wide-reaching sexual exploitation case involving local law enforcement, Celeste Guap, was charged with misdemeanor battery in a Florida court Monday after her alleged altercation with a rehab staffer in late August. As the East Bay Times reports, Martin County assistant state's attorney David Lustgarten had originally filed a felony aggravated battery charge against Guap but reduced that Monday and offered a plea deal to Guap's public defender, the details of which were not revealed.

As ABC affiliate WFTV reports from Florida, "According to a Martin County Sheriffs Office report, the incident started when [Guap] ran outside the facility and 'began flashing passing motorists.'" Guards at the rehab facility, where she had been staying for three days, were able to detain her and return her to the facility, which is where she began acting out and biting. Also, "During the entire incident, and transport, [she] was attempting to solicit sex from deputies."

Citing that the alleged incident happened in a rehab facility and that rehab patients have a tendency to "act out in an aggressive manner," in addition to Guap's lack of a criminal record, Lustgarten said he was reducing the charge against her.

Alameda County DA Nancy O'Malley has been actively in touch with Florida authorities in the case following the announcement of criminal charges against seven East Bay officers last week, and Lustgarten says how soon Guap can return to California will depend on whether or not she accepts the plea deal, which was unclear as of Monday.

As KQED reports, the Richmond Police Department Monday issued a report in which it says the department has cleared all of its officers of any criminal wrongdoing, but that does not preclude future disciplinary actions related to sexual contact with Guap, including possible terminations.

The department also responded directly for the first time to allegations that they "sent" Guap away, across the country, something that Alameda County and Oakland authorities have been upset about. "We were not consulted. We were not informed. And we protested once we learned she had been moved. We are now working to get [Guap] back here. And if the agency that sent her to Florida does not pay for her to come back, we will pay her airfare to come back to the state," O'Malley has said.

Richmond authorities clarified that Guap's rehab and airfare to Florida were funded by the Richmond Police Departments Domestic and Sexual Violence Unit, via the state's Victim Compensation Program, and the action was taken to remove her from the area because of "prior victimization unrelated to law enforcement sexual misconduct."

In the new report, Richmond Police Chief Allwyn Brown refers to Guap as an "adult female teenager" and "self-admitted sex worker" who displayed a "lack of reticence to be so publicly braggadocious about her own behavior and health issues."

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department has yet to formally respond to O'Malley's charge against former Contra Costa County Sheriff's Deputy Ricardo Perez, whom O'Malley's office has accused of oral copulation with a minor  indicating he is one of four law enforcement officers implicated in sexually exploiting Guap before she turned 18. Perez has already resigned.

ABC 7 details all the rest of the charged officers, who had not been named as of last week:

The most serious charges the officers will face is felony oral copulation with a minor. Former Contra Costa County sheriff's Deputy Ricardo Perez, who resigned as details of the scandal emerged, and Oakland police Officer Giovanni LoVerde have each been accused of that and if convicted could face 16 months to three years in state prison. Perez will also be charged with two counts of engaging in a lewd act in a public place. Former Livermore police Officer Dan Black, who resigned last week, will be charged with two counts of engaging in an act of prostitution and two counts of lewd acts in public. Oakland police Officer Brian Bunton faces one count of felony conspiracy to obstruct justice, which carries a possible sentence of a year in prison, and one misdemeanor charge of engaging in an act of prostitution. Retired Oakland police Officer Leroy Johnson will be charged with one count of failing to report sexual misconduct concerning a minor. Oakland police Officer Warit Utappa will be accused of searching official criminal justice data and computer systems for an unauthorized purpose. Former Oakland police Officer Tyrell Smith, who resigned in May, faces four counts of the same crime.

It should be noted that Livermore officer Dan Black, speaking to ABC 7's Dan Noyes last Thursday or Friday, claimed he was still employed by the department and denied that he ever paid for sex.

All previous coverage of the Celeste Guap scandal on SFist.
The last thing Justin Liszanckie remembers of his bike ride on July 19 is heading west on Brannan to turn south on Fourth. "It wasn't until a few hours later, getting my ear sutured back together, that I remember anything else," he tells SFist.

Liszanckie collided with a car  or the reverse, or some combination of the two  causing a litany of critical injuries, as he originally told Streetsblog: Three broken bones around the orbit of my right eye. Extensive lacerations on the right side of my face and ear. A fourth fracture in my right side nasal bone. Two broken vertebrae on the right side of neck, two broken ribs, a broken right pelvis.

With a number of San Francisco cyclists killed in similar collisions recently, Liszanckie feels lucky to be alive. Other than that, he doesn't feel like he's had much luck at all.





Unconscious for five minutes at the scene of the accident, Liszanckie was of course unable to provide a statement to police. At the hospital, they never asked for one either. Instead, he was simply handed a traffic citation for $238.

"Honestly, the ticket is just kind of the cherry on top," says Liszanckie. "Even if I can get that overturned, I still have to deal with a police report that makes assumptions on facts that my lawyer is having to deal with in terms of liability."

Add that to medical bills and lost wages. "I suffered a pretty serious concussion, and honestly I feel like the neurological rehab is one of the things that's going to persist." An actor and online marketer, Liszanckie is currently on disability. He spent ten days at SF General, first in the emergency room, then in the ICU, and finally in a standard hospital bed.

Open questions in the accident include whether Liszanckie ran a red light or crossed over the double yellow line to make his left, or whether the driver ran a red  perhaps while going as fast as 45 mph  or some combination of those events.

"We dont exactly know what happened," Michael Stephenson, an attorney with Bay Area Bicycle Law assisting Liszanckie tells Streetsblog. But, he explains, "Our big beef with a case like this is the officer. Officers typically are very black and white and simplistic about how a collision happens.

The only witnesses the police consulted were the driver and the driver of another car, and Liszanckie says that doesn't represent due diligence. For example, he tells Streetsblog,The most infuriating part of this to me is the police officer made a note that theres a bank, theres a Wells Fargo and they might have video evidence. But that was it. Nobody followed up. For his part, he hasn't been able to get the bank to turn over the video.

As a regular cyclist for eight years, Liszanckie has had "a couple minor dustups," and knows to use a headlight, as he did on the night of the accident. But he's never experienced "anything where a windshield got thrown into my head." Now he'll contest the ticket and plead his case in court on the 28th.



SFPD

In the future, after his recovery, Liszanckie might add a camera to his setup  "I think the biggest thing I feel like I could have done to change something, would have been to be wearing [a camera]." Beyond that, what can you do? Of course, "better infrastructure would be great." But accidents will happen. As such, "the way the police try to handle these situations is frustrating," he emphasizes above all. "Most cyclists don't really get a fair shake. There are too many cops that see things from motorists point of view."

Related: Slain Cyclist's Family Argues City Should Stop Removing Memorials
Marin judge rejects barring reporters in murder case https://t.co/tjrn3nQWzn  SFGate (@SFGate) September 13, 2016

Two of the young drifters charged in the murders of two people in the Bay Area last October will have their preliminary hearing next week Marin Superior Court, and despite a motion vigorously presented by defense attorneys to bar cameras or the media from the courtroom at the hearing, a judge has reluctantly dismissed that saying the media has a right to be present.

According to the Examiner, Superior Court Judge Kelly Vieira Simmons said in court Monday, "Nobody really likes the media, and it is disruptive. Its nerve-wracking. On the other hand, they have a right to be here."

An attorney representing The SF Chronicle and the Marin Independent Journal argued before the court that the media needed to be granted access in part because the family of one of the victims, 23-year-old backpacker Audrey Carey, lives in Canada and may not be able to attend the trial.

A defense attorney argued that statements given to police by one of the co-defendants, 19-year-old Lila Scott Alligood, which have not been made public, will be discussed at the hearing and could prejudice the public against his client, 24-year-old Morrison Haze Lampley. As the Chronicle reports, Chief Deputy Public Defender David Brown argued that Alligood's statements won't be admissible in the pair's eventual trial unless Alligood chooses to testify.

It remains to be seen if further restrictions on the media's presence may be made, but Judge Simmons said she would, for now, limit still cameras to only the first day of the hearing, and studio and video recording devices to just the first 15 minutes of the hearing.

Per the Chronicle reports, prosecutors have alleged that Lampley was the triggerman in the killing of the trio's second victim, 67-year-old yoga instructor Steve Carter, whom they reportedly encountered on a Marin County hiking trail on October 5, 2015, and whose car they allegedly subsequently stole to escape to Oregon.

It's unclear who may have fired the fatal shot that killed Carey, but she was found tied up with signs of trauma to her head and face in Golden Gate Park on October 3, after she had apparently attended the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival.

The third accomplice in the alleged killings, Sean Angold, pleaded guilty in May to second-degree murder in exchange for becoming a witness to the prosecution, presumably.

Per the Chron: "The defendants, who have all grown shaggy, moplike coifs since their first court appearance when they sported buzz cuts, said nothing and sat calmly during the proceeding, which lasted more than an hour."

A photo appears to show Alligood wiping away a tear.

The preliminary hearing is set to begin September 20.

Previously: No Death Penalty Sought In Case Of Alleged Drug-Addled Drifter Murderers


After a battle with the US Army dating back to her 2013 imprisonment on espionage charges, Chelsea Manning (born Bradley Manning) has finally won permission to receive gender reassignment surgery. As CNN reports, the former Army intelligence analyst could now become the first US prison inmate to undergo the procedure.

Manning, 28, who is imprisoned at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, had been on a hunger strike since September 9, and had attempted suicide in July, all stemming from to the government's apparent refusal to comply with her medically recommended treatment as a transgender woman. Manning issued a statement last week via the Chelsea Manning Support Network saying, "I needed help earlier this year. I was driven to suicide by the lack of care for my gender dysphoria that I have been desperate for... Yet, instead I am now being punished for surviving my attempt."

BuzzFeed first reported the news about the government's decision and Manning's notification of it, but they were unable to get confirmation from a military spokesperson, who only said, "We cannot and will not discuss the medical needs of individuals."

"I am unendingly relieved that the military is finally doing the right thing," Manning said in a statement, which was released by her ACLU attorney Chase Strangio and picked by ABC 7. "I applaud them for that. This is all that I wanted  for them to let me be me."

Manning goes on to say, "But it is hard not to wonder why it has taken so long. Also, why were such drastic measures needed? The surgery was recommended back in April 2016. The recommendations for my hair length were back in 2014. In any case, I hope this sets a precedent for the thousands of trans people behind me hoping they will be given the treatment they need."

Manning previously filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense in August 2014 in order to allow her to take hormone treatment, wear cosmetics, and grow out her hair. In a painfully slow response that obviously necessitated ACLU involvement, the Army agreed to begin providing her with hormone treatments in 2015, but still refused to allow her to present herself as a woman or grow out her hair.

No timeline was given for Manning's surgery, however the DOD has a new policy around transgender service members that takes effect next month that says, in part, that if they receive "a diagnosis from a military medical provider indicating that gender transition is medically necessary [they] will be provided medical care and treatment for the diagnosed medical condition."

Strangio also issued a statement saying, "This is a monumental day for Chelsea, who can now enjoy some peace knowing that critically needed medical care is forthcoming... Thankfully the government has recognized its constitutional obligation to provide Chelsea with the medical care that she needs and we hope that they will act without delay to ensure that her suffering does not needlessly continue."

He adds that Manning is still facing charges before a military court next week relating to her suicide attempt.

Plan for surgery important step for @xychelsea but she is still facing charges related to suicide attempt on 9/20. https://t.co/sJqcsF6hjc.  Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) September 13, 2016

Many people, including Michael Stipe, have released statements and videos of support in the wake of that news, and there's a petition you can sign here.

Manning publicly came out as trans shortly after the end of her July 2013 court marshal and subsequent conviction, for which she is now serving 35 years. She was found to have illegally shared troves of classified military documents with WikiLeaks  and Gawker would surmise, earlier in 2013, that Manning's disillusionment with the military, fondness for the hacker community, and decision to act out as she did was directly or indirectly connected to her struggles with her sexuality and gender identity.

Manning became the center of a controversy in San Francisco before the military trial and public coming out occurred, after the SF Pride board underwent an internal war over a decision to name Manning as an honorary grand marshal of that year's Pride parade. The board's decision to reneg on that decision led to an upheaval at the next board's election, and a contingent honoring Manning at that year's parade nonetheless got a special award.

In a related development in May 2014, brought by the case of a 74-year-old trans female Army veteran, Medicare reversed its earlier policy and began covering gender reassignment surgery.

Previously: Chelsea Manning Speaks Out From Jail Against Airstrikes On ISIS

California Becomes First State To Set Guidelines Governing Sexual Reassignment Surgery For Transgender Inmates
The city's hands are tied: The fee charged to short-term rental hosts, currently $50 for two years, is set to quintuple to $250. That's based on San Francisco's short-term rental legislation, crafted with no shortage of input from industry leader Airbnb. According to the law, the city controller must annually review enforcement costs, then automatically adjust hosting fees to cover them.

That's what SF controller Ben Rosenfield tells the Chronicle, who learned of the news from a memo about the new fees sent out last week. The way the ordinance is written, there is no discretion for our office says Rosenfield.

The math goes like this: The six-person Office of Short-Term Rentals has an annual budget of $850,000, and it's levied fines that collect only a quarter of that. To close the gap, the city charges fees to hosts: So far that fee has been $50 for two years, but now that a year of data is available, the controller's office will annually revise the fee, and this time, it's going to have to be $250.

One chief reason for the much higher fee? Lack of registration: Just 1,700 hosts are registered of roughly 10,000 hosts in the city, by the Chronicle's count, meaning that scofflaw hosts are driving up costs for law-abiding ones. That phenomenon feels even more likely to continue with heightened registration fees, as officials themselves admit. We have a concern about the chilling effect on registrations that such a dramatic increase could have, Office of Short Term Rentals director Kevin Guy tells the Chronicle. Its our preference to keep the fee level to the current $50... Our strong preference is to reward the good actors who want to be registered hosts.

That could be possible if the Board of Supervisors were to butt in, revising the fee structure. But with that body feuding with San Francisco-based Airbnb, an intervention appears unlikely: Recently, the company sued the city over the Board's decision to directly fine short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO for listing unregistered units, rather than simply fining hosts.

Meanwhile, Airbnb is set to release a series of new ads in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and Vancouver  battleground areas for short-term rentals t hat appear to have a similar message to some previous Airbnb ads. No, not those short-lived, passive-aggressive billboards in which Airbnb congratulated itself for finally paying taxes and mocked library hours. Instead, as the company will argue, its very existence makes expensive city living affordable to hosts by offering them extra income.

Related: Airbnb Again At The Center Of Political Play This Election Year As Supervisors Fast-Track Amendments


Former dishwasher and line cook at Burma Superstar, William Navarette, who is one of the lead plaintiffs in a class action suit against the local chain that was filed last week, has revealed some further details to the East Bay Express about the grievances that he and about 100 other employees are seeking to settle with the suit.

In addition to not being allowed breaks or being given paid sick leave, Navarette alleges something that sounds like straight-up wage theft:





In one alleged violation, Navarette said Burma Superstar owner Desmond Tan instituted a policy whereby employees would not receive certain weekly paychecks. Instead, these checks would become a deposit, and employees would only get them back when they stopped working for the restaurant.

And apparently no employee who had this happen to them ever saw one of these "deposits" returned to them.

Also, he says, that working in the kitchen was especially brutal during his time there. "Once you walk into that kitchen, youre not going to stop until you get to leave for the night," he tells the paper. "It was complete madness."

The suit alleges that the illegal wage practices and employee treatment was the same across the board at all five locations, including three Burma Superstars in SF and the East Bay, B Star in the Richmond, and the Mission's Burma Love. According to the filing, Tan classified many employees as salaried, rather than hourly wage workers, thereby skirting state laws governing overtime. In total, the restaurant is accused of over fourteen wage violations going back at least four years.

So far, the restaurant and its owner have declined to comment on the suit.

The suit was filed by attorneys with the Asian Law Caucus, Legal Aid Society, and Centro Legal de la Raza, and it follows on similar cases won or settled in employees' favor, many of whom speak limited English, at Yank Sing and Udupi Palace.

Update: KRON 4 has a statement from the attorneys for the Burma Superstar ownership in response to the suit, saying, "The owners value their team as an extension of their family, and strive to treat everyone with the utmost respect, providing good wages and excellent benefits  well beyond what is required by federal, state and city laws."

SFist received an additional statement from the owners through a PR rep which says "For six years now [the owners] have provided health care to employees. And many of Burma Superstar's employees have been with the company since the opening of the restaurants. This frivolous lawsuit is based on false allegations. Burma Superstar will be totally exonerated and will prevail in court."

Previously: Burma Superstar Owners Sued In Class Action By Kitchen Workers
2016 could be remembered as a tipping point for craft brewing in Milwaukee. Since this spring, new craft breweries have been popping up in and around the city at a rate once reserved for coffee roasters. Among the new entrants: Urban Harvest Brewing and MobCraft Brewery in Walkers Point, Black Husky Brewing in Riverwest, Good City Brewing on the East Side, the Bavarian Bierhaus in Glendale and the Fermentorium in Cedarburg. Before the end of the year, theyll be joined by two large Menomonee Valley operationsThird Space Brewing and City Lights Brewingas well as Westallion Brewing in West Allis.

Along with other relatively recent additions to the citys craft brewery scene, including Brenner Brewing in Walkers Point and Enlightened and D-14 in Bay View, these upstarts are all looking to carve out a name for themselves in a market that, until recently, was defined by just a few pioneering craft breweries. Sprecher and Lakefront have long loomed as the giants in Milwaukee craft brewing, and both have undergone significant expansions of their own recentlyas has their younger peer, Milwaukee Brewing Company, whose operations have ballooned since branching out from the Milwaukee Ale House into its own Walkers Point brewery in 2005. This summer, Milwaukee Brewing Company broke ground on a large new facility in the revitalized Pabst Brewery complex Downtown that will host brewery tours, a tasting room and a rooftop bar.

And while all of these breweries are ostensibly competing for the same customers, the new proprietors are all sounding a similar refrain: There really is room in the market for this many craft options.

I think the Milwaukee market was really crying out for more craft beer, and I think all of us, the brewers that are opening this year, have recognized that, says Third Space Brewing co-founder Andy Gehl. Thats one of the reasons we were excited to move on Third Space. First, we asked ourselves a lot of these questions: Are there too many breweries? Are we reaching a saturation point? And in Milwaukee, were not. The city did have a few great legacy breweries from the 80s and 90s, but we really didnt have the growth of craft breweries that other cities saw in the 00s. So were seeing rapid growth all at once right now, but thats because were making up for lost time.

As counterintuitive as it may sound for a city thats been synonymous with brewing for most of its history, Milwaukee has never had much of a reputation for craft beer, Gehl says. There are cities like Portland, Ore., which is roughly the same size as Milwaukee, that have 80-100 breweries in the metro area, so we saw an opening. Even with breweries like Lakefront, Milwaukee Brewing and Sprecher doing incredible things, we just never had the same quantity of breweries that other cities have. So, what weve seen is people end up buying Bells, Three Floyds and Surlybreweries from just outside of our areaeven though Milwaukeeans love their city and, if given the chance, would prefer to drink local.

One of the flashier new additions to Milwaukees beer scene is MobCraft, an upstart founded in Madison with a novel gimmick: The brewery crowdsources recipe ideas from its patrons, who then vote on the ones theyd like to see the brewery produce.

MobCraft enjoyed a huge profile boost this spring when founder Henry Schwartz appeared on ABCs Shark Tank to pitch his vision. None of the shows investors bit. They loved the concept, but questioned Schwartzs plans to build his own brewery. Kevin OLeary in particular was infuriated by Schwartzs insistence on committing to what OLeary saw as an unnecessaryand very expensivecapital expenditure. Its such a cool model with such a flaw, OLeary fumed. But for Schwartz the brewery was non-negotiable.

Most of Schwartzs peers would agree he was right to stand his ground. Having your own brewery is not only a badge of honor for brewers Schwartz says. Its the most important thing a small brewery can have, he explains, describing it as the most effective way for a brewery to broadcast its personality and its vision and to build consumer awareness and loyalty. As a bonus, talking to customers while they sample beers is the ultimate form of market research.

Schwartz settled on his Walkers Point location for the brewery after being unable to find something remotely affordable in a desirable Madison neighborhood. Its tap room opened this summer, and itll host an official grand opening the weekend of Sept. 30-Oct. 2, when patrons can sample new beers like a Blueberry Waffle Heffeweizen, Black Tart Outlaw (a dark sour ale aged in whiskey barrels) and Senior Bob (a 9% cream ale aged in tequila barrels with agave nectar).

Embracing the Tap Room

The Urban Harvest Brewing Company can also speak to the importance of a tap room. A father-son operation, its the kind of small company youd be unlikely see on Shark Tank, and for the time being, its beers are only available in its Walkers Point tap room, which opened this April. We havent gotten to self-distribution yet, says co-founder Steve Pribek. Thats the next step, but we wanted to take things one step at a time.

It took Pribek and his father two years to find the right home for the brewery, but he says, We were fortunate enough the space that we found is just fabulous. Were really proud to be able to bring a building like that back from where it was, to showcase the cream city brick, the full side-to-side windows in the front. Its just an amazing space. And for a small brewery just opened in April, Im proud weve got 14 beers on tap.

The tap room is also the focus for Good City Brewing, which became the East Sides first craft brewery when it opened on Farwell Avenue this June. David Dupree co-founded the brewery with real estate developer Dan Katt and Andy Jones, a former plant manager for Lakefront. Dan and I live on the East Side, and we got tired of driving down to Bay View if we wanted to go out for a great beer, Dupree says.

Unlike some of the citys new breweries, which serve no food or offer modest menus, Good City opened with some serious culinary credentials. The owners hired former Rumpus Room executive chef Guy Davies to run its kitchen, and with its ample seating room, the space looks an awful lot like a restaurant. We really wrestled with whether we wanted to have food or not, Dupree says. We knew we didnt want to be a brew pub. We wanted the focus to be on the beer, since were a production brewery.

But so far, Dupree admits, some customers seem to have a hard time distinguishing the tap room from a more traditional brew pub. The experience is new for people, and I think when they see the caliber of food on our menu, its difficult for people not to go straight into restaurant mode, even though patrons seat themselves, Dupree says.

If this new crop of local breweries is successful, that experience wont seem nearly as foreign in a few years. Ultimately thats what these breweries are pitching: In addition, of course, to the promise of good beer, theyre offering an entirely new environment to drink it in, often right next to the very people who brewed it. Where once people only headed to breweries on special occasions or for tours (which many of these new breweries also offer), the new model invites them to visit all the time.

As the industry continues to grow, were going to see a lot more neighborhood and corner bars that make beer, predicts MobCrafts Schwartz. A lot more brew pub-like establishments that really serve a community are going to pop up, and the successful ones will expand off the premises.

And while, like most brewers, Schwartz foresees continued growth in the market, he also acknowledges there will be some fierce competition. If you arent making the best, highest-quality beers, people arent going to buy them, he says. Itll also be up to brewers to follow the trends. Obviously, IPAs [India pale ales] are the hottest beers out there right now, but thats not always going to be the case, and if you look, there are other styles that are exploding in popularity, like sours.

So, its up to the breweries to read the market, Schwartz continues. If you get stuck in your ways and dont stay with the times, theyll pass you by.
The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) has eliminated the highly popular Go Pass in its requested 2017 budget, saying it will drain the system of $4.4 million next year.

But advocates for the almost 30,000 older and disabled Milwaukeeans who use the free passes say the successful program should remain in place, even if it does need some tinkering.

The Go Pass is worth its weight in gold, Disability Rights Wisconsins Barbara Beckert, who co-chairs the Make It Work Milwaukee Coalition, told the Shepherd. Youre giving people a fighting chance to succeed.

Overall, MCTS is projecting a passenger revenue deficit of $7.1 million in 2016.

Nationally, transit ridership is down because of cheap gas, but Milwaukee is also seeing declining ridership due in part to Milwaukee Public Schools students riding yellow buses as well as the free Go Pass. MCTS proposes returning to $1.10 discounted fares for seniors and the disabled next year.

That would be a big mistake, advocates say.

Theyre trying to persuade Abele to keep the program, even though hes been lukewarm at best to it. They say that the Go Pass is essential to the success of the Abele administrations downsizing of the mental health hospital, as well as his ending chronic homelessness initiative. Individuals with extra challenges need extra support services, such as easy access to transit, to live independently and successfully.

The Go Pass allows people to have that normalcy and to be able to have a social life, to get to their medical appointments, to see their family, to get to food pantries and to be able to have a quality of life that they could not have without the Go Pass, said Mary Neubauer, a member of the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board and the Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force. People end up being locked up in the apartments and that adds to the exacerbation of depression and other mental illnesses. They become isolated.

The advocates presented Abele with a lengthy memo outlining the many benefits of the Go Pass, as well as testimony from agencies that work with those who use the Go Pass. They noted that most of the Go Pass users are low income and would struggle to pay the $1.10 fare if Abele reinstates it.

Instead, they will wait until their medical or mental health needs reach a crisis level and will engage emergency providersambulances, police squadsto meet their transportation needs, wrote Dani Koehler, homeless outreach specialist for Community Advocates Homeless Outreach Nursing Center. This is dramatically more costly to us as a community.

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Possible Solutions

The advocates say that they are open to some changes in the program, perhaps by only offering the Go Pass to low-income seniors and disabled Milwaukeeans.

Make It Work co-chair Tom Hlavacek, executive director of the Alzheimers Association Southeastern Wisconsin, warned that some eligibility tests might be too cumbersome to administer.

Its not as easy as it sounds, especially if were adding levels of bureaucracy, Hlavacek told the Shepherd.

Hlavacek suggested charging Go Pass riders a nominal feeperhaps 25 cents a rideor only allowing a limited number of rides per month, instead of unlimited rides.

We can try a quick, simple fix for now thats not too burdensome, then explore long-term solutions, he said.

Abele is considering adding a vehicle registration fee to help to pay for transit, according to his spokeswoman, Melissa Baldauff.

The county executive believes strongly that we need a dedicated source of funding for transit, Baldauff emailed. Unfortunately, state and federal funding for transportation has been declining and the county has few options legally available to generate the revenue required to ensure we can hold fares flat, keep routes, make investments like Bus Rapid Transit, and preserve the Go Pass.

Hell release his proposed 2017 budget by the end of September, at which time the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors will go through it line by line and amend it.

Supervisor Marina Dimitrijevic, who spearheaded the Go Pass, told the Shepherd that she was shocked by MCTS unwillingness to preserve the program. She said she was willing to change the program but was waiting for Abeles proposal before commenting on specifics.

Do we really want to balance MCTS budget on the backs of the elderly and disabled? Dimitrijevic said.

Last Tuesday, in a rare meeting allowing public comment, the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board heard testimony in support of the Go Pass and its importance to the individuals served by the countys Behavioral Health Division and other departments.

Jeffrey Butts, a member of the Grand Avenue Club, which offers vocational and educational programs for those with a mental illness, testified that his fellow members generated $1.4 million in taxable income last year. Thats in jeopardy if they lose their Go Passes, he said.

We have people in the program who are totally disabledtotally disabled, Butts said. They rely on the Go Pass to get them from the front door to the back door to the grocery store to church to the club.

If the advocates wanted the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board to release money to help pay for the Go Pass, they might be too late. The all-appointee board signed off on its recommended 2017 budget in June, which was sent to Abele. Under the highly unusual provisions in Act 203, which created the board, Abele can alter the Mental Health Boards budget, but no one else cannot the Milwaukee County supervisors or the board itself, after Abele makes his changes.

Health and Human Services Director Hector Colon, who oversees the countys programs for seniors, the disabled and mentally ill, declined to specifically answer the Shepherds questions on whether his department would help to fund the Go Pass.

As to the Go Pass, anecdotally I am hearing that many of our clients benefit from the program and I know that that transit is important for the people we serve, Colon emailed.
Some folks welcome the routine that back to school generates, not just for the kids, but for adults as well.

As parents again step into the school lunch-making routine, I look forward to my own annual upgrade of take-to-work lunches. This year, my inspiration stems from a summertime visit to The Great Northern Food Hall in New York Citys Grand Central Terminal. Amazing rye bread and a stunning selection of smorrebrod propelled me into my own kitchen.

Smorrebrod, literally butter and bread, an open-face sandwich tradition from Denmark, deserves attention. One slice of bread with brilliant toppings just works  especially in an era when many of us are reducing our bread consumption.

The smorrebrod in the Northern Food Hall are made on moist, dense, slightly sweet whole-grain rye bread spread with an incredible butter. At home, I look for super-dense whole grain rye or pumpernickel bread. Then I buy the best butter I can afford  these days there are butter choices everywhere  Kerrygold Irish butter never disappoints.

I like unsalted butter, but use salted if thats your thing. The butter does more than add flavor and calories  it acts like a moisture barrier between the bread and the topping, effectively preventing soggy bread.

Theres no doubt that the artful arrangement of toppings on the buttered bread makes them irresistible. At home, I select top quality meats and cheese, cooked fish, interesting vegetables and crunchy fruit. I also make rich protein salads, like the salmon salad and the egg salad that follow. They hold up well in the refrigerator for most of the workweek. Then I add contrasting textural components just before serving.

True, closed sandwiches are easier to transport (so feel free to add a top layer of bread). When serving them open face, offer a knife and fork, and spend time on some garnishes. Fresh herbs, sliced small tomatoes and shavings of carrot make easy garnishes. So do slices of pickle or radish.

To pack, consider investing in reusable, attractive to-go containers. Separate compartments prove ideal for toting moist fillings, such as egg salad, apart from the bread and lettuce.

Im so pleased that deviled eggs are back in style  they never left our family. Now, jazzy gourmet versions are offered at all manner of restaurants. I season mayonnaise with a spoonful of dry mustard for zing and capers to help cut richness.

For lunch, I skip the fuss of spooning filling into cooked whites and simply chop the eggs and mix everything together. Serve this combination open face on buttered hearty rye. Or tuck it into a ciabatta roll with peppery fresh watercress or baby arugula.

The salmon salad proves super flexible. Thanks to a tangy dairy base, most any cooked or smoked salmon works well. Canned salmon is a fast option, as is canned tuna or shredded cooked chicken.

For those forgoing bread (its my kryptonite), I must say that both the salmon mixture and the deviled egg salad taste great tucked into romaine lettuce leaves or spread on Belgian endive spears.

To round out my take-along lunch, I make another traditional recipe: Gazpacho  Spains cold, refreshing soup usually reliant upon tomatoes. For variety, I use herbs and cucumber for a green gazpacho that enlivens any day.

Make the vegetable base in advance, and then blend in avocado for a creamy texture. The soup keeps in the refrigerator for a few days; I pack it in jars with tight-fitting lids to transport easily.

Soup and sandwich  updated  from timeless traditions.
SIOUX CITY | Five more people have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against a now-deceased Sioux City priest, a spokeswoman with the Sioux City Diocese confirmed Wednesday.

The diocese also confirmed it has reached a settlement with the man who first came forward about his violent abuse by the priest 20 years ago.

Sioux City Diocese Spokeswoman Kristie Arlt said in the past two months, five people have contacted the victims assistance coordinator at the Mercy Child Advocacy Center reporting abuse by the Rev. Peter Murphy, who was ordained in 1955 and served at eight parishes throughout northwest Iowa in the 1950s, '60s and '70s.

Arlt said Bishop Walker R. Nickless is in the process of reaching out to the four victims who provided the diocese with their names. One victim is remaining anonymous, she said.

"The bishop's main goal and our advisory board's main goal is to provide healing where we can," Arlt said. "That's the main purpose to be sensitive to these victims and hopefully help them with their healing journey."

The responses follow a request for information on Murphy that was published in the Catholic Globe newspaper in June. The article explained the diocese had received information that Murphy had committed sexually abusive acts against a minor in the 1960s while serving as a temporary assistant at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sioux City.

Allegations originally surfaced when 69-year-old Tim Lennon, who grew up in Sioux City and now lives in San Francisco, wrote to the parish about his sexual abuse by Murphy while he served as an altar boy at Blessed Sacrament at age 12.

Lennon originally wrote to the parish in 1996 but said he received a "dismissive reply." Earlier this year, Lennon met with Bishop Nickless and discussed his abuse, asking for Murphy's name to be made public.

Arlt confirmed Wednesday that the diocese had reached a settlement with Lennon, as well as offered to cover some of his therapy expenses. She did not disclose the amount.

In an email to the Journal Tuesday, Lennon said the diocese had awarded him a $100,000 settlement, had offered to cover some of Lennon's past therapy costs and had offered up to $5,000 in support for future therapy.

He told the Journal Wednesday that the award of $100,000 is "hard to grasp," and the future therapy costs were also very helpful to receive.

"For me, very important was the promise of up to $5,000 in support for future therapy," Lennon said. "I have been restricted in the past from some therapy by the cost."

Lennon, who now works with the Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), said he has been approached by four others who also say they were abused by Murphy as children, as well as several others who were abused in unrelated circumstances as children. He said he is glad his story has helped others not feel alone.

"A large reason why I came forward in a public way is I know that when I or other survivors come forward it provides hope to many survivors who have been suffering alone and in the dark and never told anyone," he said.

Lennon is continuing to advocate that the Diocese of Sioux City publish the names of all the credibly accused predators who worked at the diocese.

Arlt said the diocese's review board is continuing to explore the possibility of releasing the names of those who have been credibly accused.
SIOUX CITY | A local company has plans in the works to transform a 114-year-old Sioux City school building into the city's newest apartment complex.

Old School Properties LLC, of Sioux City, is planning on renovating the former Whittier Elementary School building at 4820 Fourth Ave. into a 30-unit apartment complex.

The city's Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-0 Tuesday to approve rezoning of the former school property from public institutional to general residential, a designation that would allow for an apartment complex on the site. Committee vice chairman Jason Geary was absent from the meeting.

Whittier Elementary, which was built in 1902, closed in the spring of 2015. It was the second-oldest building in the district behind Bryant Elementary, which was built in 1890 and closed after the 2015-16 school year.

"The exterior of the building is rock-solid," developer Tony Derrick said Monday of the vacant Whittier building. "The roof is also in excellent condition."

Derrick said Old School Properties plans include a complete renovation of the inside of the building, which the company bought from the Sioux City School District for approximately $102,000. He said he and business partner Todd Jager both live in Morningside and wanted to be involved with the building's renovation.

Old School Properties is currently completing a renovation of the former Joy Elementary School, 3409 Indiana Ave., into a 21-unit apartment complex. Fourteen of the units are currently complete.

"They are beautiful old buildings, and there's a lot of architecture in them," Derrick said of the former schools. "Without finding a purpose for them, they deteriorate."

Derrick said once finished, apartments at Whittier will run around $800 per month for a two-bedroom apartment and around $950 for a three-bedroom.

Derrick said the apartment company is working with Bacon Creek Design, Inc., also of Sioux City, on both apartment projects. They will begin at Whittier once Joy Apartments is finished.

During Tuesday's meeting, multiple residents of the neighborhood brought forth concerns about parking overloading the sides of residential streets at the apartment complex. City staff assured them that the residence would need to include 75 on-site parking stalls for residents.

Commission member Ryan Ross said the site appeared to have plenty of room for that number of stalls.

"I think just looking at the site again, of many sites I've looked at, this site has lots of space for parking," Ross said. "I think it's going to be less than a problem than some others that we've probably approved."

The rezoning will now go before the council during its Sept. 26 meeting. City staff will later need to approve the number of parking stalls on the design.

In other action Tuesday, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-1 in favor of the final plat of a six-lot commercial subdivision located at 5400, 5450 and 5500 Sergeant Road, directly west of the BioLife Plasma Services building.

The commission also approved a site plan for construction of a Powerwash at 5915 and 5915  Gordon Drive.
SIOUX CITY | The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors gave approval Tuesday to the Attorney's Office to hire additional support staff for the Fine Collection Division.

The Fine Collection Division was created in March 2015 after fines were going uncollected because the department lacked resources. County Attorney P.J. Jennings said the purpose of the division is to collect retribution fines to victims such as property damages and the loss of personal items that were committed in those crimes.

"The purpose is to hold criminals accountable to victims," Jennings said.

With the implementation of the division, the county is able to collect traffic and jail fees, and manage monthly payment plans with the criminals.

The addition of the employee would bring their staff to two full-time employees dedicated to collecting fines, and Assistant County Attorney Loan Hensley would spend half of her time overseeing the division.

"We will be able to contact more of these individuals that owe fines," Jennings said.

Jennings said the new hire will be paid about $62,000, but would not cost any new taxpayer dollars since the fine collection division is self-sustaining.

He plans on starting the hiring process as soon as possible.

After the victims are given retribution and other fines are paid, 72 percent of the leftover money goes to the state, and the county gets 28 percent. Each county in Woodbury's population tier must also meet an annual collection threshold of $600,000 to keep their division running. After the threshold is met, the state then collects 68 percent, county 28 percent and 5 percent goes to the Attorney's Office.

Jennings projects to go above the $600,000 threshold this year based on the growing increase of collection amounts. In the first two months of the 2017 fiscal year, $53,332 was collected in July, and $68,543 in August. Compared to $28,749 in July 2015 and $29,781 the next month.

Before a July of this year legislature change, the state used to collect 60 percent, and the county 40 percent, with a $500,000 threshold for a county in Woodbury's population tier. With those former percentages in FY2016, $553,134 was collected in fines. After the state took their $313,431 share, the county profited $239,703.
SIOUX CITY | A motorcyclist was taken to Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City Wednesday afternoon after his motorcycle struck a sport utility vehicle across from Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Military Road.

The accident occurred shortly after noon.

Sgt. Todd Sassman with the Sioux City Police Department said the motorcycle was traveling west in the 5000 block of Military Road, when the driver, a male, failed to negotiate a curve in the road. Sassman said the rider hit the brakes, the motorcycle skidded, and the rider slid off the motorcycle.

The motorcycle then struck a sport utility vehicle heading east on Military Road, Sassman said.

Sassman said the rider's injuries did not appear life-threatening.

"The motorcycle driver was conscious and talking to the paramedics," Sassman said.

The rider was transported to Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City.


The United States does not need the Philippines. As Mr. Dooley noted in 1898, americans were initially unsure "whether they were islands or canned goods.... We can't sell thim, we can't ate thim, an' we can't throw thim into th' alley whin no wan is lookin'." Now President Duterte is making it pretty clear that his Philippines does not need the United States, and he would rather kowtow to Beijing. So be it.

On 14 September 2016 Duterte's government announced that maritime patrols will be limited to "12-mile territorial waters" which effectively concedes to China's maritime claims in the South China Sea. and ti warns Philippine fishermen that their government will not defend their legal rights against the tender mercies of China.

A rehearsal of the century long colonial and post-colonial history of the two countries is probably un-neccessary for most people who can find the place on a map.

The Philippines does not have any special claim on American attention. The American interest in freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is entirely independent of the territorial claims of the Philippines, and independent of any resolution of disputed claims between the Philippines and China. American bases in the Philippines are nice, but there are other countries that are receptive to an American presence. The Islamist militancy in the Philippines is no greater than that in several dozen other countries.

Dutertes is a great believer in death squads, and since his inauguration death squads both official and un-official have been murdering Philippino citizens at a rate of about a thousand a month - a number of murders rate just short of the number of people are killed by guns in America. Now the United States is no stranger to death squads and the purposes to which they may be put, and the Philippines has a history of what is nicely termed "Extra Judicial Executions".

But normally the sponsors of death squads seek to hide such deplorable activities. Almost always death squads operate in the shadows, behind veil of official denials. But Duterte lacks even this common decency. Death squads are Duterte's signature policy initiative.

Foul and indecent language is Duterte's signature style, but there is no law against that.

There is a law against American assistance to the Philippines in order to pressure the Philippine government to hold the perpetrators of extrajudicial executions [EJEs] and political violence accountable. In fiscal years 2008 and 2009, $2 million of some $30 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) authorized for the Philippines was withheld because conditions were not satisfied.

This no more than a pinprick, and not surprisingly, it was at best ignored in the Philippines, if not laughed at.

What is needed now is the full weight of American sanctions against the Duterte government - travel ban, international financial transactions, the whole ball of wax. And not just against Duterte personally, but against all his cabinet ministers, major financial backers, and any other un-indicted co-conspirators that come to hand. The American people have no argument with the Philippino people, and these actions should be restricted to the high and mighty alone.

But until the Philippine people have a President who wants American security assistance, and who can refrain from publicly calling the US President's mother a prostitute, the American government should have other fish to fry besides the philippines.
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.
Bank of America has a rich history dating back to 1800 and even earlier. It was begun by immigrants as a group of separate and unrelated banks that, over the years, merged and grew together. One such is the Bank of Italy which was founded in 1904 by Amadeo Giannini to serve Italian immigrants that were facing discrimination. He later buys out the Banca de America e de Italia (Bank of America and Italy) which was also located in San Francisco. Over the years additional mergers and changes in Federal banking legislation, as well as the boom brought on by WWI and then WWII, helped boost the bank to national prominence.

Things turned sour, however, in 1998 with a major bond default that led to yet another merger, this time with Charlotte, NC-based Nations Bank to officially become the Bank of America that exists today. At the time, the merger was the largest bank merger in history and the company has only grown in the time since.

Other additions to the new Bank of America include MBNA (a major credit card operator), Fleet Boston (then the US 7th largest and one of its oldest banks), and Merril Lynch, now Merril, which was added to the group in 2008 to provide an investment banking branch. Together the company dominates as one of the Big Four Banks in America. Bank of America lays claim to nearly 11% of all US deposits which ranks in line with its peer group and Bank of America Securities is listed as the worlds 3rd largest investment bank.

Today, Bank of America Corporation provides banking and financial services for individuals, small businesses, institutions, corporations, and governments worldwide. The bank operates in three segments Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management, and Global Banking bringing in a combined revenue greater than $90 billion in 2022.

As of 2022, Bank of America serves approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,200 retail financial centers. The bank also operates more than 16,000 ATMs and digital banking platforms with approximately 41 million active users.

Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional banking and investment products for retail clients. These range from deposit accounts to savings, credit cards, consumer loans, and IRAs. The Global Wealth & Investment Management segment offers investment and wealth management solutions including, brokerage, banking, and trust and retirement products. The Global Banking segment provides lending products and services, including commercial loans and leases for businesses of all varieties. The Global Markets segment offers market-making, clearing, settlement, and custody services, as well as risk management, derivatives, and FX exchange services.
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CVS Pharmacy Inc. 75%/Aetna Life Insurance Company 25%, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., Credentials Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. LLC, Delaware CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Delaware Physicians Care Incorporated, District of Columbia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., E.T.B. INC., Echo Merger Sub Inc., Eckerd Corporation of Florida Inc., Employee Assistance Services LLC, Enloe Drugs LLC, Enterprise Patient Safety Organization LLC, EntrustRX, Evergreen Pharmaceutical LLC, Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California LLC, Express Pharmacy Services of PA L.L.C., First Choice of the Midwest LLC, First Health Group Corp., First Health Life & Health Insurance Company, Florida Health Plan Administrators LLC, Garfield Beach CVS L.L.C., Generation Health L.L.C., Geneva Woods Health Services LLC, Geneva Woods LTC Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Management LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Alaska LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Washington LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Wyoming LLC, Geneva Woods Retail Pharmacy LLC, Georgia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., German Dobson CVS L.L.C., Goodhealth Worldwide (Asia) Limited, Goodhealth Worldwide (Global) Limited, Goodyear CVS L.L.C., Grand St. Paul CVS L.L.C., Grandview Pharmacy LLC, Group Dental Service Inc., Health Care Management Co. Ltd., Health Data & Management Solutions Inc., Health Re Inc., Health and Human Resource Center Inc., HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Highland Park CVS L.L.C., Holiday CVS L.L.C., Home Care Pharmacy LLC, Home Pharmacy Services LLC, Hook-SupeRx L.L.C., Horizon Behavioral Services LLC, Idaho CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., IlliniCare Health, Indian Health Organisation Private Limited, Innovation Health Holdings LLC, Innovation Health Insurance Company, Innovation Health Plan Inc., Interlock Pharmacy Systems LLC, Iowa CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., JHC Acquisition LLC, Kansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Kentucky CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., LCPS Acquisition LLC, Langsam Health Services LLC, Lo-Med Prescription Services LLC, Lobos Acquisition LLC, Longs Drug Stores, Longs Drug Stores California L.L.C., Louisiana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., MHHP Acquisition Company LLC, MHNet Specialty Services LLC, MHNet of Florida Inc., Main Street Pharmacy L.L.C., Managed Care Coordinators Inc., Managed Healthcare LLC, Martin Health Services LLC, Maryland CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Med World Acquisition Corp., Medical Arts Health Care LLC, Medical Examinations of New York P.C., Melville Realty Company Inc., MemberHealth LLC, Mental Health Associates Inc., Mental Health Network of New York IPA Inc., Meritain Health Inc., Merwin Long Term Care LLC, Minor Health Enterprise Co Ltd., MinuteClinic, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Alabama L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arizona LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arkansas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Colorado LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Florida LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Georgia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Hawaii L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Illinois LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Kentucky L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Louisiana L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maine L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maryland LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Nebraska L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Hampshire L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Mexico L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Ohio LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oklahoma LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oregon LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Rhode Island LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of South Carolina L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Virginia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Washington LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Wisconsin L.L.C., MinuteClinic L.L.C., MinuteClinic Online Diagnostic Services LLC, MinuteClinic Physician Practice of Texas, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services LLC, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services of Texas Association, Mississippi CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Missouri CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Montana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NCS Healthcare of Illinois LLC, NCS Healthcare of Iowa LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kansas LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kentucky LLC, NCS Healthcare of Montana LLC, NCS Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, NCS Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services LLC, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare LLC, Omnicare LLC  Aetna Inc 0.28%/CVS Cabot Holdings Inc. 49.86%/CVS Shaw Holdings Inc. 49.86%, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada LLC, Omnicare of New York LLC, Oregon CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., PE Holdings LLC, PHPSNE Parent Corporation, PP Acquisition Company LLC, PRN Pharmaceutical Services LP, PT Aetna Management Consulting, Pamplona Saude e Beleza LTDA, Part D Holding Company L.L.C., PayFlex Systems USA Inc., Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Performax Inc., Pharmacy Associates of Glenn Falls LLC, Pharmacy Consultants LLC, Phoenix Data Solutions LLC, Precision Benefit Services Inc., Prime Net Inc., ProCare Pharmacy Direct L.L.C., ProCare Pharmacy L.L.C., Prodigy Health Group Inc., Professional Risk Management Inc., Puerto Rico CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Red Oak Sourcing LLC, Resources for Living LLC, Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Roeschens Healthcare LLC, RxAmerica, Schaller Anderson Medical Administrators Incorporated, Scrip World LLC, Sheffield Avenue CVS L.L.C., Shore Pharmaceutical Providers LLC, Silverscript Insurance Company, Soma Intimates, South Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., South Wabash CVS L.L.C., Specialized Pharmacy Services LLC, Stadtlander Drug Company, Stadtlander Pharmacy, Sterling Healthcare Services LLC, Superior Care Pharmacy LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Administrative Services LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, T2 Medical Inc., TCPI Acquisition LLC, TargetPharmacy, Tennessee CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company, Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc., The Vasquez Group Inc., Thomas Phoenix CVS L.L.C., Three Forks Apothecary LLC, U.S Healthcare Holdings LLC, U.S. Healthcare Properties Inc., UAC Holding Inc., UC Acquisition LLC, UNI-Care Health Services of Maine LLC, Universal American - Medicare Part D Business, Utah CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., VAPS Acquisition Company LLC, Value Health Care Services LLC, Vermont CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virtual Home Healthcare LLC, Warm Springs Road CVS L.L.C., Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC.

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EPAM Systems, Inc. provides digital platform engineering and software development services worldwide. The company offers engineering services, including requirements analysis and platform selection, customization, cross-platform migration, implementation, and integration; infrastructure management services, such as software development, testing, and maintenance with private, public, and mobile infrastructures for application, database, network, server, storage, and systems operations management, as well as monitoring, incident notification, and resolution services; and maintenance and support services. It also provides operation solutions comprising integrated engineering practices and smart automation; and optimization solutions that include software application testing, test management, automation, and consulting services to enable customers enhance their existing software testing and quality assurance practices, as well as other testing services that identify threats and close loopholes to protect its customers' business systems from information loss. In addition, the company offers business, experience, technology, data, and technical advisory consulting services; and digital and service design solutions, which comprise strategy, design, creative, and program management services, as well as physical product development, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality. It serves the financial services, travel and consumer, software and hi-tech, business information and media, life sciences and healthcare, and other industries. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
The internet is so highly saturated with blogs that starting one now can be intimidating and feel pointless. After all, whats another blog when thousands of similar blogs exist? Who would even read it? Is it worth it? If youve ever been curious about starting a blog but have found yourself stumped by questions like these, it may be time to take the next step on creating a blog for your business.

Adding a blog to your business/e-commerce site can impact your brand in ways that paid advertising cant and that consumers are eager to respond to. In fact, choosing not to participate in the blogosphere could be putting you at a disadvantage and stunting your business growth. If youre not sold on the idea just yet, here are 5 compelling reasons your ecommerce site needs a blog.

Why You Need an Ecommerce Blog

1. Blogs Build Trust

Ever been to a website thats selling products or services but has no trace of real people anywhere? An impersonal presence can be particularly detrimental to e-commerce websites, because it strips the buyer experience down to bare bones. Blogs are a great way to restore that consumer trust and interest, because it gives you a place to add a personal, relatable flair on your website. Take, for example, Birchbox.

Birchbox is a popular brand among my fellow twenty-somethings that sends a box of beauty products to try with a monthly subscription. What attracts women to this brand over going to the mall and buying their own beauty products is not just the appeal of getting a monthly package in the mail, but rather a trust in the authority Birchbox has. Their blog is a carefully curated display of tutorials, beauty tips, brands to watch and more that asserts a powerful message: you can trust Birchbox to send you your beauty products, because they know what theyre talking about. The blog is relatable, fun, and enforces the message of their products.

You can do the same for your brand by populating a blog with tips, tricks, and news relevant to your products or services. In doing so youll demonstrate to users that youre an authority worth trusting and investing in.

2. A Blog Can Grow Your Following/Consumer Base

Not everyone who sees your blog will be instantly inspired to purchase something from your e-commerce site. But in keeping with the build-up of trust, you could amass an enormous following through your blog that will gain you the recognition of other industry authorities as well as consumers who are more interested in making purchases.

It can also lead to beneficial relationships, if not with consumers then with other professionals of similar disciplines. After developing your blog and letting it grow a bit, you can start seeking out guest blogging opportunities to get noticed and feature other useful bloggers on your website. For example, pretend you have a business website that sells subscriptions, gifts, and cases of wine. You could invite a popular sommelier to write a guest post on your blog about pairing wines with certain foods, cooking with wine, etc. Your users would gain the tips and advice from your blog and come back to reference you for more helpful information. Even further, the sommelier may share the guest post across his or her personal network, giving your brand exposure, and even feature your business on their own blog. It may be a hypothetical situation, but real opportunities like this are opened up when you have a blog.

3. Blogs Attract New Leads

Adding a blog component to your website opens up new pathways for customers to reach you that might otherwise not exist. By having a blog that consumers can interact with, you can better understand their preferences, styles, concerns, habits, trends, etc. There could be an entire niche youre unaware of or insights youre missing due to a lack of customer interaction.

Blogs open up a portal to not only communicate with your client base, but also create share-worthy content that attracts attention from leads you might have previously failed to target or overlook.

4. Blog Content Will Boost Your Site Rank and Grow Links

Long form content doesnt always have an appropriate place to reside on ecommerce websites, which is why having a blog component is so helpful. You can populate the blog with keywords, phrases, and internal links that search engines can easily crawl and respond to.

Strictly from an SEO standpoint, having a blog for your business site is definitely considered a best practice and is one of the surest ways to out-perform your competitors. The sheer quantity of links produced from a blog shows search engines that your site is active and is getting significant user traffic.

5. Its a Built-in Content Marketing Tool

Channeling your content marketing efforts towards your blog is a great way to cut your time spent strategizing in half. You can focus on promoting high quality, utility-based information that will sustain publicity across social media and professional platforms. The content generated by and for your blog can be shared across the internet and used as a catalyst for getting your brand the attention it needs to be successful.

Republished by permission. Original here.
Local SEO is a great way to get your business in front of the people that matter the most  those around you. If you are a local business, you dont really have a need to be reaching people all across the globe. If you are an attorney in Atlanta, you probably dont have a need to reach into San Francisco or Chicago. Instead, you want to reach people in your local area.

But how do you do this when you have a company that does have many locations? Well, you have to optimize for it. Ranking with local SEO is very different from organic search. It is highly specific and must be locally targeted with strong signals. There are many ways that you can do so, but, unfortunately, there are also a lot of penalties if you do it the wrong way. Here is how you can get all locations of your business out there with local SEO.

How to Target Local SEO For Multiple Locations

The first thing that you need to do when targeting multiple locations is create unique URLs for each location. Make sure that you also include the URLs on your site map. After your location has a URL, you want to focus on creating content for the page that is local and highly optimized.

When creating your SEO-friendly landing pages, there are four things that you want to make sure you optimize for: title tag, meta description, H1, and your content. All of this needs to be optimized for the local keyword phrase. Your title tag should include the local keyword phrase in front, the title of the article, and then some sort of branding  maybe your company name. Your meta description should also include the target location keyword phrase. You might also want to consider including your phone number as a local signal. You can also count this as a point of conversion. Having the keyword phrase in your meta description doesnt help with your rankings, but it will help prove a local relevance.

Your H1 also needs to have the local keyword phrase, but you want to make sure it doesnt come off as spammy. Instead, it should be short and catchy. Since each location has its own URL and landing page, you also want to make sure that the content on the pages is unique for each location. You cant use the same content on every page. The content must be suited for the location that you are talking about, and it needs to be quality work. Generally, longer is better  at least 400 words.

If you dont already have a Google My Business account, you need to get this setup as soon as possible. This is crucial so that your business information will be shown in other Google channels like maps, search, and Google+. You want to make sure that your name in Google My Business is the actual name of your business. Do not include a location or a keyword. For example, Visiture has two locations, one in Charleston and one in Atlanta; however, for GMB, we would just list our name as Visiture, not Visiture Charleston.

Your address should also be as accurate as possible. One thing to take into consideration is consistency. If your address has NE in it other places on the web, then you want to make sure that is included in your address. One other point you want to make sure you include in your account is your phone number. This should be a local number that goes directly to your company. Each location should have their own number, and all of this should be the same information that is found on your website.

Social media can greatly help your SEO efforts and can improve your businesss local search results. Google crawls social media sites just like it does any other web page. It will look at the number of Facebook likes, shares, and posts that include your website; Twitter followers and tweets; and more. The more engagement that you have on social media, the more you look better in Googles eyes, and this will help you go up in the SERPs.

Social media is something that every business should be incorporating into their marketing strategy. Make sure that you are putting your content on your social sites and promoting it to your audience. If you have multiple locations, it is important to create separate pages for each location so that you can get more authority for each. This will also help you to be more visible and help people who are searching to find the correct location. With Facebook Locations, you can easily set up and manage multiple pages for all of your locations.

In todays SEO world, directory listings are not as popular as they once were, but they are still very important, especially when it comes to local SEO. These directories can help you get links and rankings for your locations without too much effort. Lets say that one of your keywords is extremely competitive, and youre having a hard time ranking for it. However, you notice that Yelp ranks for that keyword. You might not be able to rank for the keyword, but you can appear in the local directory. Also, more links that you build and more mentions of your business will help you in the rankings.

You also want to make sure that you are not just listed in these directories, but that you are being reviewed on them. 90% of customers say that they are influenced in some way by reviews. Also, Google reviews and other large sites are known to show up in search results very predictably, so they can help you with visibility. Start out with asking your current customers to review you  maybe even offer them some sort of incentive for doing so. Make it easy for them, and tell them step by step how to review you. People dont want to do more work than they have to.

Local SEO should be a vital part of your digital marketing strategy, especially if you are a brick and mortar location. You need the people around you to know about your products and services. However, you must remember that local SEO is very different from average SEO, and you have to optimize it accordingly, start thinking about your next google maps marketing strategy.. With these tips, you should be set to get your business ranking in the local SERPs.
By now, hopefully everyone reading this already understands the importance of SEO in todays internet marketing field. But, while traditional  or desktop  SEO is extremely vital, today you also need to be optimizing for mobile SEO. There are over 1.2 billion people that use their mobile devices to connect to the web, which also means that more and more people are using their phones to search for information. Since so much traffic is occurring on mobile devices, it makes sense that you should be using this to your advantage.

But not so fast. You might think that all those techniques you use for traditional or desktop SEO will work for mobile SEO, but that is not the case. These are two different and separate entities, and they must be treated as such. Yes, mobile SEO is still SEO, but it is very specialized. Think about doctors  you can go see a gastroenterologist or a pediatrician, who are both doctors, but they are specialized in different areas. They have different practices and techniques that help them treat their patients better than a regular doctor would.

Same thing here  they are different standards and practices that are needed to get results in mobile SEO. So, what makes it so different? Here are three ways that mobile SEO differs from traditional SEO and how you can optimize for mobile searches.

Search Behavior

Think about when you are using your desktop computer for searches compared to when you are using your mobile device for a search. They are different, right? Yes, your search behavior is different. Mobile searchers are utilizing their mobile devices to search at different times than those on a desktop, and generally have different contexts for their search. Mobile search is for those on the go. They dont go to their home screen and type in their search, anymore. This completely changes their search intent and context.

In mobile SEO, context is king. While they might be using the same or similar keywords in their searchers, they have a different meaning. You have to understand that, and figure out what they are searching for. Make sure you include mobile keyword research in your general keyword research to double check that you are including all keywords that are relevant.

Engagement

Engagement makes a huge difference between a mobile user and a desktop user. While a mobile searcher is going to be highly engaged, they are not interested in scrolling down the search results. They are on the go  they need their information fast. They are not going to dig through pages of results to find an answer. Therefore, being in the top spot is even more desirable in mobile SEO than it is in desktop SEO.

And, think about this  they are searching on a smaller screen, so they cant see the fourth or fifth results, like they would be able to on a desktop. Its reported that going from the top position to the fourth in mobile SEO can drop your CTR by 90 percent.

Ranking Algorithm

Here might be the largest difference between desktop and mobile SEO  they have different ranking algorithms altogether. But why? Why does Google find the need to have completely separate algorithms? The answer: So that they have provided an even better mobile user experience.

Google has stated that they are determined to provide mobile users the same, if not better, experience that they provide to their desktop searchers. In reality, how could they do that without major changes to their algorithm? One of the biggest factors that was changed for mobile was the location.

Mobile SEO Tips

Mobile Responsive

If your website is not mobile responsive by now, you are already extremely behind. This needs to be your top priority, because Google will penalize you if your site is not responsive. Google is all about websites being mobile responsive  they have embraced their mobile users and want their searches to be as seamless as possible. Google recommends that your website be responsive to all the various devices that are used in mobile, but its not just Google.

Your customers want your website to be mobile responsive, too. If customers have trouble with your site and cant get it to function right on their mobile screen, then they are going to leave your site and find one that can accommodate them. Like we said earlier, they are on the go  they dont have time to get your site to work right. Google has a mobile friendly test that will help determine what areas of your website need to improve. Also, in Google Search Console, there is a tool available to see if Googles search recognizes your site as mobile friendly.

Improve Site Speed

Going back again to what we said earlier, if customers are getting frustrated with your website, then they arent going to stick around. And, do you want to know one of the most frustrating things on the web? A slow website. No one wants to sit around and wait for a website to load. Most research shows that customers will wait for about 2 seconds for a site to load, and then they will move on in their search.

Thats not a lot of time, so you need to make sure your website is at top speed. In addition, site speed is an important part of Googles algorithm and having a fast site shows them that you are a quality website, which means higher rankings.

Make Your Keywords Mobile Friendly

When you are focusing on traditional, or desktop, SEO keywords, you tend to focus more on making sure your keywords help to communicate the pages relevance to the various search engines. However, this is not as important in mobile SEO. You need to focus on short head keywords instead of long tailed keywords.

Mobile searchers arent going to sit there and type out a seven-word search query. Instead, its going to be short, sweet, and to the point so they can keep going with whatever else they are doing. Again, they are on the go, not in front of a computer. In fact, many mobile users are not even using keywords at all. When working on your mobile keywords make sure that you are being very specific, you take into consideration context, and you include a location. While location is not very critical in desktop SEO, it is huge in mobile SEO.

Be a Local

Weve already said that location is huge for mobile SEO, but why? Well, mobile search results are different  more priority is given to local results. Google Places appear higher in the SERPs because mobile users are searching for businesses nearby that they can quickly access. So, you want to be as local as possible. This is especially important if you have a local business that you are trying to drive traffic to. You need to optimize your local and business listings. Again, use geo-modified keywords to help with mobile visibility.
SOCIEDAD ASIATICA

THE ASIAN SOCIETY

COMISION DIRECTIVA



THE DIRECTIVE BOARD



PRESIDENTE:

Liliana Garcia Daris



Universidad del Salvador.

Argentina

VICEPRESIDENTE:

Won-ho Kim

Universidad de Hankuk de Estudios Extranjeros.

Corea

SECRETARIO:

Luis Diaz Brougton



Universidad de Santiago, Chile



PROSECRETARIO:



Martha Barriga Tello

Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Peru



VOCALES:



Mauricio Martinez



Universidad de los Andes, Colombia



Juan Uriburu Quintana



Universidad de Chenchi, Taiwan

CONSEJEROS ACADEMICOS

ACADEMIC ADVISERS



ASH NARAIN, Roy,

Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi.

India



GARCIA BAZAN, Francisco,



CONICET, Universidad Argentina John F. Kennedy



MATSUSHITA, Hiroshi,



Universidad de Kobe, Japon



MIEMBROS FUNDADORES



FOUNDING MEMBERS



ALBERT, Liliana



Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina



ANTON PACHECO, Jose Antonio



Universidad de Sevilla, Espana



ANTONIJEVIC, Ingrid



Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile



BARRIGA TELLO, Martha



Universidad Nacional de San Marcos, Peru



BERGMAN, Sergio

Melton Institute de Jerusalem, Israel



BERTOLINI, Luis



Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina



CABEZON, Jose



Universidad de Santa Barbara, Estados Unidos



CAGNI, Horacio



Universidad Catolica de La Plata, Argentina



CARRANZA, Francisco



Universidad de Dankook, Corea



CASTLETON, Barbara



Ohio State University of Athens



CASTRO, Jorge

Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina



CHAOUL-REICH, Alejandro



Universidad de Texas, Estados Unidos



CHELMICKI, Hanna I.



Universidad del Salvador, Argentina



DIAZ BROUGHTON, Luis



Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Chile



FRANCO, Raul



Universidad del Salvador, Argentina



GADRE, Vasant



Universidad Jawaharlal Nehru, India



GARCIA DARIS, Liliana

Universidad del Salvador, Argentina

GLUCK, Carol



Universidad de Columbia. Estados Unidos

HOPKINS RODRIGUEZ, Eduardo



Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru



KIM, Wonho



Universidad Hankuk de Estudios Extranjeros, Corea



KO, Heysun



Univesidad de Dankook, Corea



LOPEZ DEL CARRIL, Luis Maria



Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina



LUCO, Enrique



Universidad del Salvador



MARTINEZ, Mauricio



Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia



MASATERU, Ito



Universidad Nacional de Osaka, Japon



MATSUSHITA, Hiroshi



Universidad de Kobe, Japon



MINKOWICZ, Gabriel

Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires

MONETA, Carlos Juan



Universidad del Salvador, Argentina



MORROW, John Andrew



Minot State University, Dakota del Norte, USA



NGUYEN, Thiet Son



Academia de Ciencias Sociales de Vietnam, Vietnam

OVIEDO, Eduardo

CONICET. Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina

PEREIRA, Ronan Alves

Universidad de Brasilia. Brasil

PEREYRA, Violeta



Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina

REMETE, Andrea

Universidad del Salvador, Argentina



RIMOLDI DE LADMAN, Eve



Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina



ROMERO CASTILLA, Alfredo



Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico

TEDIN URIBURU, Virgilio



Universidad de Harvard, Estados Unidos

UEHARA, Alexander



Universidad de Sao Paulo. Brasil

URIBURU QUINTANA, Juan



Universidad de Chenchi, Taiwan



VITTOR, Luis Alberto



Universidad Argentina John F. Kennedy



XU, Shicheng



Academia China de Ciencias Sociales, Republica Popular China
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
Charles County announced today the formation of a new Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB), an entity created by the County Commissioners and one of the Economic Development Strategic Plan's key recommendations. Applications are now available for eligible Charles County candidates to serve on the board. Final selection of board members will be announced in October 2016."The new Economic Development Advisory Board will serve as a communications platform for our business community and the public sector to inform the county's economic development policy and programs," said Commissioner President Peter F. Murphy. "We look forward to this new exchange of ideas and open dialogue, and continuing our economic progress.""We are pleased that the County Commissioners created the EDAB based on the recommendations from the county's five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan," said Director for the Economic Development Darrell Brown. "When we unveiled the county's five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan, the end goal was an actionable, strategic guide to help our community achieve economic prosperity and create jobs. The establishment of an Economic Development Advisory Board is a critical step from that plan."The board will advise the director of Economic Development by sharing ideas, solutions, and creative approaches to business and economic development issues.Selection criteria to become a board member include having corporate level experience in business, especially companies in the county's target industries. Terms are for three years, with some initial terms of one or two years to create staggered terms. Members will serve as Charles County economic development ambassadors and expected to participate in the Department of Economic Development's events.To apply for the EDAB, visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov , click on "Board and Commissions" and then click "Application for Appointment." All applicants will be asked to read and be ready to actively support the implementation of the new Charles County Economic Development Strategic Plan, "A Proactive Approach to Shaping the Economic Future of Charles County, Maryland." For more information about the county's economic development efforts, visit www.MeetCharlesCounty.com The Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration (SHA) invites interested persons to attend a public meeting on Monday, Sept. 26, for replacement of the deck of the two-lane MD 6 (Charles Street) bridge over Zekiah Swamp in Charles County.Charlotte Hall LibraryMonday, Sept. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.37600 New Market Road, Charlotte HallOriginally constructed in 1933 and widened in 1970, the bridge is safe for the traveling public, but the bridge deck surface is nearing the end of its useful service life. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2017.The informational meeting will acquaint the public with the project and provide attendees an opportunity to discuss project details. Representatives from MDOT/SHA will be available to answer project related questions. There will be no formal presentation. You may arrive at any time during meeting hours and walk through the display area at your own pace.To learn more about this project visit apps.roads.maryland.gov/WebProjectLifeCycle/ProjectInformation.aspx?projectno=CH216218 or contact Hilary Gonzales at hgonzales@sha.state.md.us or 410-841-1020.The Charles County Emergency Services (EMS) is hosting a SKYWARN Convection course on Monday, Oct. 3 at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata) starting at 6:30 p.m. This course provides an in depth training of severe weather hazards and the role of spotters during these events.The course is intended for all levels of expertise, but it is mandatory to have attended a basic class with any National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office. Topics to be covered include: Severe weather hazards in the Mid-Atlantic Ingredients and forecasting for severe weather Severe weather statistics Severe weather preparation and safety NWS severe weather products SKYWARN spotter's role in severe weatherA NWS meteorologist will teach this free SKYWARN Convection class. The class is for residents age 14 and older.Registration is required. Visit www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-convection-charles-county-tickets-27335566415?aff=es2 to register.For more information, contact Jennifer Adams at AdamsJen@CharlesCountyMD.gov or 301-609-3430. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.On Tuesday, Sept. 13, the Charles County Commissioners proclaimed September as "Forget-Me-Not" month to commemorate those fallen in war, while promising the hope of renewal. Charles County is the home of nearly 16,000 veterans, many of whom became disabled as the result of bravely fighting for our country. During September, the Commissioners encourage residents to honor and remember disabled veterans and their sacrifice, and consider supporting the Charles County Disabled American Veterans' annual sale of simulated Forget-Me-Not flowers to honor those who served in our wars.On Tuesday, Sept. 13, the Charles County Commissioners recognized September as National Preparedness Month, which serves as a reminder to prepare, now and throughout the year, for emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and visit. Last year's theme, "Don't Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today," is returning due to its success in assisting the youth, older adults, and individuals with disabilities, or access and functional needs to be prepared.The Department of Emergency Services and the Board of Commissioners encourage Charles County residents and businesses to take the following four preparedness steps:Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area.Make a family emergency plan, so you know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones if a disaster hit.Build an emergency supply kitboth at home and in the carthat includes water, food, and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or get stranded in your car. This is especially important for dealing with icy roads and snowstorms this winter.Get involved and find out how you can promote preparedness in your community.Emergencies range from inconvenience to devastation, but you can resolve not to be a victim of an emergency or disaster and take steps to minimize the impact on you, your family, and your businesses. Visit www.Ready.gov for preparedness tips, and checklists and guidelines on being informed, developing a family emergency plan, and building an emergency kit. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
GREENBELT, Md. (Sept. 13, 2016)U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel sentenced Evans Appiah, a/k/a Sean Carter, age 28, of Silver Spring, Maryland, on September 12, 2016, to seven years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft arising from an internet romance scheme in which the victims were defrauded of more than $300,000. Judge Hazel also ordered Appiah to forfeit and pay restitution of $303,800.11, the total amount of the loss. Appiah has been detained since Judge Hazel ordered that he be immediately taken into custody following the jury's guilty verdict on May 4, 2016.



The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge James Murray of the United States Secret ServiceWashington Field Office; and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department.



According to testimony at his six day trial, Appiah and his co-conspirators searched online dating websites and initiated romantic relationships with male and female victims in order to obtain money from them. The relationships began with emails and instant messaging and escalated to telephone calls and primarily text messages. After gaining the victims trust, Appiah and his co-conspirators began asking for money for a variety of reasons, often invoking false stories and promises to convince the victims to send them money.



According to evidence presented at trial, from December 2013 through June 2015, Appiah opened and maintained accounts in order to receive money from the victims. Once the victims had deposited the funds requested by Appiah and the co-conspirators into the accounts controlled by Appiah, he disbursed the money by transferring it to other accounts, withdrawing cash, and by purchasing goods for shipment to co-conspirators outside of the United States. At least eleven confirmed victims were defrauded of more than $300,000.



Appiah also used the name and identifying information of one victim in particular, while depositing one of the victim cashier's checks into his own bank account.



United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended HSI Baltimore, the U.S. Secret Service and Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Windom and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. Wine, who prosecuted the case.
Let's Move! Active Schools 2016 National Award Winners



The Chesapeake Public Charter School and Esperanza Middle School have been named as National Award recipients as a part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative.



The Let's Move! Active Schools National Award is the nation's top physical education and physical activity distinction for K-12 schools. The award celebrates a school's commitment to providing students with at least 60 minutes of physical activity before, during and after school.



To earn a Let's Move! Active Schools National Award, a school must have met significant benchmarks in five areas: physical education; physical activity before and after school; physical activity during school; staff involvement; and family and community engagement.



"I applaud these schools for creating Active School environments that are inspiring students to be more engaged learners and ensuring that physical education and physical activity continue to be an important part of every child's educational experience," said First Lady Michelle Obama.



Studies show that active kids do better. Physical activity not only helps kids stay healthy and strong, but it can also contribute to higher test scores, improved attendance, better behavior in class, enhanced leadership skills and a lifetime of healthy habits.



For more information, please contact Dr. Andrew C. Roper, Supervisor of Physical Education/Health, at 301-475-5511, ext. 32104.



Health Council Meetings



The St. Mary's County School Health Council will meet on the following dates during the 2016-2017 school year:



 Monday, September 26, 2016



 Thursday, December 1, 2016



 Monday, February 6, 2017



 Monday, May 8, 2017



Meetings will be held from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the Board of Education Meeting Room, at 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.



The primary focus of the School Health Council this year will be the revision of the school system's wellness policy to reflect the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model. Individuals interested in participating in the revision process are strongly encouraged to attend.



For more information, please contact Dr. Andrew C. Roper, Supervisor of Physical Education/Health, at 301-475-5511, ext. 32104.



Board of Education to Meet on Tuesday, September 20



The Board of Education of St. Mary's County will meet in a work session with the Chesapeake Public Charter School at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown, Maryland.



For additional information, please call (301) 475-5511, ext. 32177.
Religion and politics are generally not considered safe topics for polite conversation, but two new art exhibits opening this week will force viewers to confront prejudices about their faith and immigration.

Losing My Religion, on display beginning Sept 17 at House of Art, 815 NE 13th St. #4 in Fort Lauderdale, is a group show featuring works by five local LGBT artists.

The show was mounted with the understanding it will be controversial, explained gallery director Frank Polanco. Controversy will hinder our lives for years to come in issues such as politics and economics, religion, LGBT and abortion rights, environmental issues and the list goes on. Religion may be a bit more touchy for some as it is the outlet often used in search of salvation, peace, love, unity and a place to implore for a better world.

Jose Tomas Valdivieso, a 35-year-old Chilean painter and illustrator who currently lives in Wynwood, grew up in the Roman Catholic Church. Valdivieso became alarmed with sexual abuse and arms trafficking in his native country, as well as complacency with the military dictatorship.

The strongest discrepancy, by far, was the alienation and discrimination of homosexuals. I cannot be a member of an organization that discriminates against me, he said, although he admitted some LGBT people may be able to find reconciliation. But, in my case, its absolutely impossible.

Painter David Rohn also grew up in the Catholic Church and noted that western religion is a hierarchical, rule-based belief system... a socio-political tool to keep people in line, which is, I think, why the whole construct of guilt and punishment were incorporated in these religions.

The former New Yorker praised Eastern religions for promoting ethical behavior that enhances the individual spirit: Its not about societal laws, its about personal spiritual expansion.

Rohn also pointed out the sexual expression and erotic symbolism frequently found in religious art, sexual expression cant be erased, not even from so-called religious imagery, he said.

Byron Keith Byrd drew on the infamous protests of the Westboro Baptist Church for one of his works, God Hates Fags.

Just imagine how different it would be had Leviticus 20:13 been omitted (from the Bible), Byrd asked. One should be aware that scripture has been written and re-written throughout the ages.

His paintings and multimedia works comment on organized religion in many ways. One work, The Trap, is a cross, constructed of spring-loaded mouse traps ready to snap closed. Other works draw attention to the role of money in the church.

My goal is for people to walk out the door with a slightly different perception of religion, Byrd said. For example, most individuals practice in the very same manner as their parents. Rarely does one question whether there is an alternative for spiritual growth.

On Sept. 22, just days before the first presidential debate, a new exhibition of 30 pen and ink portraits by Jose Alvarez (D.O..P.A.), Krome, will open at the Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real.

The drawings, along with recorded personal stories, were collected inside the Krome Detention Center in Miami while Alvarez was himself held along with hundreds of other hopeful immigrants from Eastern Europe, West Africa and throughout Central and South America.

Their stories, told to Alvarez as he sketched inside Kromes minimum security holding cell, are rife with horrors and heartbreak, according to museum curators. By pairing their faces with their stories, Krome removes the cold anonymity of statistics from this conversation about nationality and belonging, race and rights, described notes on the exhibit.

I was inspired by their stories. I was very moved by the colossal effort that all of these people mustered to come to this country with dreams and hopes of a better life, of escaping persecution, poverty, political unrest, etc., and the promise of a better tomorrow, said Alvarez. Ironically, a lot of them suffer horrific consequences in the processand then, after all that effort, they are rounded up, incarcerated and treated as statistics or political opportunism without acknowledgement of the human tragedy involved.

Alvarez, the longtime partner of famed stage magician James The Amazing Randi and a resident of Plantation, had lived illegally in the U.S. for many years before himself being detained.

Krome became a very difficult passage in my life, he recalled.

When his gallerist pointed out that many famous artists had endured incarceration at some point in their careers, Alvarezs perspective changed and he recognized an opportunity.

I was on a mission. I needed to tell their stories. I was going to give voice to the voiceless, in other words: art as salvation, he said.

In a politically charged election season in which immigration is a major issue, Alvarez hopes viewers will discover compassion, the need to mobilize ourselves outside of our comfort zone and put ourselves in their shoes, to acknowledge their presences as human beings and not just as an inconvenience.

To learn more about Losing My Religion, go to HouseOfArt.com, and for Jose Alvarez (D.O..P.A.): Krome, go to BocaMuseum.org.
Its been a successful week in Washington for U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch.

The Florida Democrat introduced three bills -- all of which were passed unanimously by the House of Representatives.

On Monday, Deutch joined with U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and U.S. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to pass legislation urging the German government to fulfill its moral obligation to Holocaust survivors.

We introduced this bill to send the German government a clear, unified message that Congress is watching the negotiations carefully and expects the government to live up to its obligation to survivors, Deutch said in a news release. I was very pleased to see the Germans agree to dramatically increase funding for survivors care and remove caps on home care coverage. As survivors age their needs grow, we in Congress will continue to work to ensure that they have the care they need to live their remaining days in dignity.

Also this week, Deutch joined with U.S. Congressmen Steve Israel (D-NY) and Patrick Meehan (R-PA) and 158 other members of Congress to introduce a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Jewish writer Elie Wiesel. A Holocaust survivor, Wiesel passed on July 2 at the age of 87. The Romanian born writer is perhaps best known for penning Night  a best selling account of his experience in Nazi concentration camps.

Elie Weisels recounting of his harrowing survival of the Holocaust has helped to teach millions of people around the world of what can happen when bigotry and hatred are left unchecked, Deutch said in a news release.

On Tuesday, the House, by an overwhelming margin, passed another Deutch introduced piece of legislation. House resolution 729 essentially renews the United States commitment and guarantee to Israels security and maintaining her qualitative military edge.

Israels security threats are only growing more complex, and there is no greater time for the United States to reaffirm our commitment to Israels security, Deutch said in a news release.

Deutch, a four-term Congressman, represents parts of Palm Beach and Broward Counties in Washington and serves as the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. He is an unwavering friend of the LGBT community and was selected as a top 25 straight ally this year by SFGN.
Here's what you need to know this week for lesbian, bisexual and transgender news!

Miss Missouri, First Openly Lesbian Miss America Contestant

(SFGN) Erin O Flaherty. Miss Missouri, was one of 52 contestants competing for the 2016 Miss America crown Sunday.

Behind the scenes, weve been well-represented, but Im the first openly gay title holder, so Im very excited, she told The Associated Press in a recent interview. I knew going in that I had the opportunity to make history. Now I get to be more visible to the community and meet more people.

O'Flaherty competed on the platform of preventing suicide, which disproportionately affects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, Reuters reports.

"It's really important for me just to exist in this capacity as completely who I am and be open and proud about it for the LGBT community," she said.

While OFlaherty is the first Miss America contestant to win a title while out, others have come out after competing. Djuan Trent, competed as Miss Kentucky in 2011 finished in the top 10, and came out as a lesbian in 2014 according to the AP.

Bisexuals at Disadvantage in Dating Pool

(SFGN) A new study conducted by adult toy website Adam & Eve surveyed more than 1000 participants ages 18 and older to find that 47 percent said they would never date a bisexual person, 35 percent said were open to the idea, and 19 percent were undecided, according to a statement by Adam & Eve.

Of these, more men than women (39% versus 31%) were open to a relationship with a bisexual partner. 23% of the women versus 15% of the men were unsure.

"It's encouraging to see that people are open to the idea of sexuality encompassing more than the traditional male/female partnership." Said Dr. Kat Van Kirk, Adam & Eves sexpert.

It is worth mention that the survey failed to take into account questions such as the sexuality of the respondents, their age, nor did it delve into the reasons why they would or would not date a bisexual person.

Navy Promotes Trans Officer

(SFGN) Navy officer Blake Dremann was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander in a ceremony on Friday, making him the first known openly transgender person to be promoted in military service, according to a statement from Insiders Out.

Dremann was one of 24 pioneers who helped integrate women into submarine service, and recently took the position of Board Chair and President for SPART*A, or Service members, Partners, Allies for Respect and Tolerance for All.

Dremann was promoted, at his request, by Deputy Asst. Secretary of Defense Amanda Simpson, the highest ranking transgender person in the DOD. Transgender Air Force Major Bree Wagner emceed the event.

The ceremony was attended by two admirals, officers from Dremann's office, his family, and representatives from SPARTA (www.spartapride.org/), the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), and Out Serve  Service members Legal Defense Network (OS-SLDN) as well as other transgender service members from the area.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton had to back off some remarks she made before an LGBT fundraiser last Friday, but her poor choice of words there is now being overshadowed by reaction to concerns that she appeared to collapse while getting into her Secret Service van on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, there has been little scrutiny of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps promises to religious conservatives Friday.

[In] a Trump administration, our Christian heritage will be cherished, protected, defended, like you have never seen before. And that includes religious liberty, said Trump to the Family Research Councils Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C.

Religious liberty has become a frequent code phrase for many politicos to promote the idea of allowing people the liberty to discriminate against LGBT people by claiming they are exercising their religious beliefs.

Trump said the Johnson Amendment has prevented clergy from speaking from the pulpit about politics. The tax law states that non-profit groups can receive a 501(3)c (non-profit group) tax break if they do not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements) any political campaign on behalf (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. The purpose of the law was to ensure that taxpayer money is not used to subsidize partisan political activity.

I will repeal the Johnson Amendment, if I am elected your president. I promise, he told the audience. The line elicited loud applause even though a president cannot repeal an existing federal law.

Trump appeared to use a teleprompter during most of the speech, but he looked away from the teleprompter to add that he had learned about the Johnson Amendment from a group of pastors he had invited to one of his Manhattan buildings to solicit their support. He said the pastors clearly wanted to support him but told him the Johnson Amendment prevented them from doing so. He said he learned that President Lyndon Johnson had unilaterally created the law to punish a church in Houston with which he was having problems.

Can you imagine that this man single-handedly he was having problems with churches and there was a church in Houston that was giving him a hard time maybe for good reasonand he put in an amendment that basically stopped our great pastors and ministers and others from talking.

He repeated calls for repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, promised to bring forth a new civil rights agenda for our time, and said he would fight for family values. That civil rights agenda, he said, is the right to a safe community, a great education, and a secure job.

He praised anti-Gay right-wing conservative Phyllis Schlafly, who endorsed him, as one of the great champions of family values. Schlafly, who died September 5 at the age of 92, was best known for leading the opposition to an Equal Rights Amendment to the constitution. In doing so, she claimed the ERA would lead to allowing gays to teach in schools, marry, and adopt children. Her Eagle Forum group was a frequent contributor of legal briefs opposing equal rights for LGBT people.

Neither FRC nor the Trump campaign posted his speech on their websites, but the full address can be watched via a Right Side Broadcasting YouTube post.

But media attention since Friday has been riveted only two things: Clintons characterization of many Trump supporters as deplorable and Clintons physical health.

On Friday night, before an LGBT fundraiser in Manhattan, Clinton said this:

To just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trumps supporters into what I call the Basket of Deplorables, right? The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic you name it. And unfortunately, there are people like that. And he has lifted them up. He has given voice to their websites that used to have only 11,000 people, now have 11 million. He tweets and retweets their offensive, hateful, mean-spirited rhetoric.

But that other basket of people are people who feel the government has let down, the economy has let them down, nobody cares about them, nobody worries about what happens to their lives and their futures. And theyre just desperate for change. (An incomplete video of these remarks can be seen at CNN.)

Throughout the weekend and into Monday, media reports replayed Clintons characterization of some Trump supporters as a basket of deplorables. (They did not include her comments about those who feel let down and desperate for change.) The Trump campaign also seized on the deplorable comment.

Trump vice presidential candidate Mike Pence claimed the word was aimed at Americans, farmers, coal miners, teachers, veterans, and members of our law enforcement community.

By Saturday, Clinton issued an apology, saying, I regret saying half that was wrong. But she said it is deplorable that Trump has hired, for his campaign chief, a man (Steve Bannon) who heads up a right-wing media site (Breitbart News) that shows support for anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant sentiments. The statement said she wont stop calling out bigotry and racist rhetoric in this campaign.

I also meant what I said last night about empathy, and the very real challenges we face as a country where so many people have been left out and left behind, said her statement.

Clintons remarks Friday and her apology Saturday have been characterized by some political commentators as potentially as damaging as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romneys private fundraiser remarks, characterizing most of President Obamas supporters as 47 percent of Americans who pay no income tax.

Then, Clinton was hit Sunday with what appeared to be a near fainting spell as she left a memorial service for 9/11 in New York. A bystanders video of her getting into her Secret Service van shows her appearing to almost collapse as aides hold her up and help her into the van. Initially, her campaign said she had become overheated at the event; by nightfall, it said she was suffering from dehydration and pneumonia. And late Sunday night, it announced she would cancel campaign events for Monday in order to recover.

The incident has prompted a constant media review of Clintons health ailments which have included a 2012 fainting spell as Secretary of State, attributed to a stomach virus, which led to a concussion and blood clot. Breitbart News stirred up concern about Clintons health last January when it quoted anonymous sources as claiming Clintons prolonged bathroom break during a debate was related to the previous concussion. Since then, Trump has been urging that Clinton doesnt have the strength and stamina to serve as president. Trump told Fox News Monday that he thinks somethings going on with Clintons health and that it will be an issue.

The Clinton developments have overshadowed nearly every other important development in the presidential campaign during the past few days, including:

 The prospects for Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson taking a major plunge Friday after he appeared to be completely uninformed about the refugee crisis in Aleppo, Syria. (When MSNBC Morning Joe panelist asked Johnson what he would do as president about Aleppo, Johnson responded , Whats Aleppo? Aleppo has received a flood of media attention lately because it is the focal point of the Syrian civil war and because Russia recently staged air strikes against the city in support of the Syrian government. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are said to be trapped inside the city and in dire need of food and water.

The prospects for Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson taking a major plunge Friday after he appeared to be completely uninformed about the refugee crisis in Aleppo, Syria. (When MSNBC panelist asked Johnson what he would do as president about Aleppo, , Whats Aleppo? Aleppo has received a flood of media attention lately because it is the focal point of the Syrian civil war and because Russia recently staged air strikes against the city in support of the Syrian government. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are said to be trapped inside the city and in dire need of food and water.  Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine spoke to the Human Rights Campaigns annual Washington, D.C. dinner Saturday night. Kaine said he first felt support for LGBT people while witnessing violence against LGBT demonstrators on his college campus in Missouri. That was a moment of conscious-raising for me, said Kaine. I was changed by it. It made me angry. And it made me even more convinced I wanted to stand up for what is right. He acknowledged that, as a devout Catholic, he was less supportive of marriage equality at first. But he said he opposed members of the Virginia legislature who sought to amend the state constitution to ban marriage for same-sex couples. Kaine ended by saying the LGBTQ vote in so many of our battleground states can be the difference between victory and defeat.



Prior to Clintons double stumble last week, gay electoral data guru Nate Silver estimated that Clinton has a 71 percent chance of winning November 8, compared to Trumps 29 percent. By Monday afternoon, he changed that to 69 percent to 31 percent. Other media polls suggest the race is tightening, with the lead overall in the polls vacillating between Clinton and Trump.
A $10,000 bounty has been placed on the arsonist of a Fort Pierce mosque.

Late Sunday evening, a fire was started at the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce. The fire caused extensive damages, ruined sections of the center and has state and local officials searching for answers.

An arsonist lighting this mosque on fire is not good for anyone, it is not good for the community, it is not good for America, said St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office Major David Thompson, at a press conference on Monday.

The mosque has been on heightened alert when it was revealed earlier to be the place where the Pulse Nightclub mass shooter prayed. Bedar Bakht, a longtime member of the mosque, told NBC affiliate WPTV, threats of violence against the mosque have increased.

Since that Orlando incident, weve had a lot of threats, Bakht told the West Palm Beach television station. Not personal threats, but people passing by cursing us out, giving us the finger.

In a news release Wednesday, the Florida chapter for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) offered a reward of $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist. Additionally, the Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention is offering a $5,000 reward.

Surveillance video captured a person, suspected of igniting the fire, approaching the building on motorcycle. In the video, the suspect appears to be carrying paper and a bottle of liquid. St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office is describing the suspect as a white or Hispanic man.

According to CAIR, this was the third arson at a Florida mosque this summer. The incident happened at the beginning of Eid ul-Adha, one of two annual Muslim holidays.
Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme  La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza.



Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres.




NASA Camp in Antarctica NASA

A trip to the Red Planet begins long in advance of liftoff.





NASAs journey to Mars includes preparing astronauts to cope with several months of isolation, confinement, and in an extreme environment (identified with the acronym ICE). One of the best ways to study this on Earth is by observing others who also spend several months on actual ice in Antarctica.

NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF), which manages the U.S. Antarctic Program, have a new collaborative agreement to study the effects of living in the polar environment.

In an initial research collaboration, a study developed and led by Dr. Candice Alfano, a clinical psychologist and associate professor at the University of Houston, will analyze people who work in Antarctica for long periods of time.

Its relatively simple to place subjects in isolation or confinement for the purpose of studying mood and behavior, but the extreme environment element is harder to find.

Sometimes called White Mars, Antarctica is perfect because you cant walk off the ice. That goes for whether youre having a health, behavioral health or a personal issue, youre not going anywhere, said Lisa Spence, project manager for NASA flight analogs in the Human Research Program. That is very similar to spaceflight. It changes your mindset about how you are going to respond when you know you cant leave.

Just how extreme is the extreme environment of Antarctica at the South Pole? Not only is 98 percent of the continent covered in ice, but it also has extreme winds and an average temperature range of minus 49 to 26 degrees, making it the coldest place on Earth. At the South Pole, the sun disappears for months at a time. Known as The Polar Night, the sun goes behind the horizon in late April and is not seen again until mid-September.

Once the sun is down, you could be stuck there. It is unsafe for airplanes or ships to travel to most parts of Antarctica during the winter because of the extremely cold temperatures and sea ice.

NASA astronaut Christina Hammock Koch has spent many seasons at various Antarctic and Arctic stations helping scientists conduct research remotely, including a year at the South Pole. [This] means going months without seeing the sun, with the same crew, and without shipments of mail or fresh food, she said. The isolation, absence of family and friends, and lack of new sensory inputs are all conditions that you must find a strategy to thrive within.

While certainly a difficult situation, Koch found ways to cope. She exercised, found hobbies, socialized with others in the station, and saved care packages to open at later times. She also said, The most helpful strategy I developed was to avoid thinking about all the things I was missing out on and instead focused on the unique things in the moment that I would never get to experience again.

These factors combine to create an atmosphere suitable for the NASA, NSF and UH study. The study, scheduled to begin in February 2017, will include approximately 110 U.S. Antarctic program volunteers located at the McMurdo and South Pole stations.

McMurdo is a coastal station with a population of around 250 people during the winter, or the Northern Hemispheres summer. Evacuation, though difficult, is possible. In contrast, the South Pole is far inland near the center of the continent and can have temperatures of -100F. Evacuation is simply not possible in winter, Dr. Alfano said.

By studying volunteers from both stations, researchers hope to more precisely understand the greatest sources of stress. Volunteers will complete periodic computer-based questionnaires, provide saliva samples, and wear a monitor that records sleep and wake cycles. Researchers will use these collective tools to look for signs of stress and changes in psychological health of the volunteers during their time in Antarctica.

The plan is to refine and finalize a checklist to be used to provide an efficient means of monitoring signs and symptoms that a behavioral condition may be developing. Therefore, allowing early detection and early intervention, Lauren Leveton, Ph.D., of NASAs Behavioral Performance team said.

This checklist will be useful to NASA in relation to future space travel, but Alfano points out it will have other applications as well, such as among deployed military personnel.

Simultaneously to Alfanos study, the NASA and NSF partnership will deploy NASA clinical staff to Antarctica, which will give NASAs medical personnel (flight surgeons) a unique chance to treat individuals in the extreme environment. Participating flight surgeons will be on rotation during summer or winter-over stays.

At the Johnson Space Center, NASA flight surgeons are on call around the clock for remote consultations with astronauts who are on International Space Station missions. Allowing these doctors to work in the Antarctic environment will give them additional training to call upon when consulting with the astronauts during future long duration, deep space missions, including the journey to Mars.

The first-hand experience of living and working at McMurdo and the South Pole will be invaluable for the flight surgeons grasp of what astronauts encounter during long duration spaceflight, Dr. Terrance Taddeo, Johnson Space Center Chief Medical Officer, said.

This is a win-win, Spence said. Not only are NASAs flight surgeons gaining a better understanding of the ICE environment of the astronauts they work with, but NSFs Antarctic clinics will have additional onsite medical expertise.

Alfanos project, formally called Characterizations of Psychological Risk, Overlap with Physical Health, and Associated Performance in Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) Environments, will conclude following data collection during the 2017 winter season.

As NASA prepares for future human missions to Mars, keeping the astronauts safe on the journey is a top priority. The southernmost continent on Earth will provide researchers with the perfect analog for studying the behavioral health effects of an extreme environment.

NASAs Human Research Program enables space exploration by reducing the risks to human health and performance through a focused program of basic, applied, and operational research. This leads to the development and delivery of: human health, performance, and habitability standards; countermeasures and risk mitigation solutions; and advanced habitability and medical support technologies.
Coral Reef NASA

A NASA airborne mission designed to transform our understanding of Earths valuable and ecologically sensitive coral reefs has set up shop in Australia for a two-month investigation of the Great Barrier Reef, the worlds largest reef ecosystem.

At a media briefing today at Cairns Airport in North Queensland, Australia, scientists from NASAs COral Reef Airborne Laboratory (CORAL) mission and their Australian collaborators discussed the missions objectives and the new insights they expect to glean into the present condition of the Great Barrier Reef and the function of reef systems worldwide.

CORAL offers the clearest, most extensive picture to date of the condition of a large portion of the worlds coral reefs, said CORAL Principal Investigator Eric Hochberg of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), Ferry Reach, St. Georges, Bermuda, prior to the briefing. This new understanding of reef condition and function will allow scientists to better predict the future of this global ecosystem and provide policymakers with better information for decisions regarding resource management.

CORALs three-year mission combines aerial surveys using state-of-the-art airborne imaging spectrometer technology developed by NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, with in-water validation activities. The mission will provide critical data and new models for analyzing reef ecosystems from a new perspective. CORAL will generate a uniform data set for a large sample of reefs across the Pacific Ocean. Scientists can use these data to search for trends between coral reef condition and the natural and human-produced biological and environmental factors that affect reefs.

Over the next year, CORAL will survey portions of the Great Barrier Reef, along with reef systems in the main Hawaiian Islands, the Mariana Islands and Palau.

In Australia, CORAL will survey six discrete sections across the length of the Great Barrier Reef, from the Capricorn-Bunker Group in the south to Torres Strait in the north. Two locations on the reef  one north (Lizard Island Research Station) and one south (Heron Island Research Station)  will serve as bases for in-water validation activities. Scientists from Australias Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the University of Queensland in Brisbane are collaborating with NASA and BIOS to conduct additional complementary in-water validation activities.

The Great Barrier Reef: Australias National Treasure

Located in the Coral Sea off Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef encompasses more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. It is more than 1,400 miles (2,300 kilometers) long and covers an area of about 133,000 square miles (344,400 square kilometers). The largest single structure made by living organisms on Earth, the reef teems with biodiversity, including about 400 species of coral. It attracts about 2 million visitors a year; in turn, tourism and fishing generate billions annually and employ tens of thousands of people. However, the reef faces environmental pressures from various human and climate change impacts.

The Great Barrier Reef is Australias national treasure, so having a broader understanding of its condition and whats threatening it will help us better understand how we can protect it, said Tim Malthus, research leader of CSIROs Coastal Monitoring, Modeling and Informatics Group in Canberra, Australia. Along with surveying several large sections of the reef, CORAL will also survey the health of corals in the Torres Strait, a complex high-tide area that has been historically less studied. It is also opportunistic for us to see if the reef is recovering after the recent bleaching event.

Stuart Phinn, professor of geography at the University of Queensland (UQ), said CORAL will provide Australian coral reef science and management with unique new maps and mapping approaches. These will expand ongoing efforts to map and understand Great Barrier Reef dynamics. Being able to support and collaborate on NASAs CORAL project will enable groups like ours to advance our capabilities and transfer them to Australian science and management agencies, Phinn said. Part of this includes building a process for mapping the entire reef. UQ and CORAL will exchange field data, knowledge and experience to cross-validate mapping and monitoring approaches.

An Urgent Need for Better Data

Around the world, concerns among scientists, resource managers and the public that coral reef ecosystems are degrading at alarming rates due to human-induced factors and global change have motivated increased assessment and monitoring efforts. The urgency of the problem has forced estimates of global reef status to be synthesized from a variety of local surveys with disparate aims, methods and quality.

The problem with current assessments of reef degradation, said Hochberg, is that the data supporting these predictions are not uniform and surprisingly sparse. Virtually all reef assessments to date rely on in-water survey techniques that are laborious, expensive and limited in spatial scope, he said. Very little of Earths reef area has been directly surveyed. More importantly, there are no existing models that quantitatively relate reef conditions to the full range of biological and environmental factors that affect them  models that can help scientists better understand how coral reefs will respond to expected environmental changes. CORAL addresses an urgent need in the face of ongoing worldwide reef degradation, and also serves as a pathfinder for a future satellite mission to globally survey the worlds reefs.

Natural, balanced coral reefs comprise mosaics of coral, algae and sand on the seafloor that, together, drive the structure and function of reef ecosystems. When corals die, algae rapidly take over their skeletons. A non-stressed, healthy reef will usually increase coral coverage as it recovers from disturbance. But when a stressed reef is disturbed, the carbonate structure of its coral erodes, and the reef ultimately becomes a flat-bottom community dominated by algae, shifting rubble and sand, with little to no coral recovery. Such ecosystem phase shifts, as they are called, represent a radical change in a reefs character, marked by a decline in the diversity of reef flora and fauna.

CORAL will generate scientific data products describing coral reef condition, measuring three key components of reef health for which we currently have limited data: composition, primary productivity and calcification. Primary productivity is a measure of how much energy is available to drive biological activity in a reef system. Calcification measures the net gain in carbonates, which determine a reefs long-term growth.

PRISM: Shining New Light on Coral Reef Condition

To accomplish its science objectives, CORAL will use JPLs Portable Remote Imaging Spectrometer (PRISM). PRISM will literally peer through the oceans surface to generate high-resolution images of reflected light in the specific regions of the electromagnetic spectrum important to coral reef scientists. Mounted in the belly of a modified Tempus Solutions Gulfstream IV aircraft, PRISM will survey reefs from an altitude of 28,000 feet (8,500 meters) to generate calibrated scientific data products.

PRISM builds on an extensive legacy of JPL spectrometers that have successfully operated for NASA and non-NASA missions, said Michelle Gierach, NASA CORAL project scientist at JPL. It provides the coral reef science community with high-quality oceanographic imagery at the accuracy, range, resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, sensitivity and uniformity needed to answer key questions about coral reef condition. PRISM data will be analyzed against data for 10 key biological and environmental factors affecting coral reef ecosystems, acquired from pre-existing data sources.

NASA collects data from space, air, land and sea to increase our understanding of our home planet, improve lives and safeguard our future. NASA develops new ways to observe and study Earths interconnected natural systems with long-term data records. The agency freely shares this unique knowledge and works with institutions around the world to gain new insights into how our planet is changing.

For more information about NASAs Earth science activities, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/earth
Its true! The 2016 edition of the New York Coffee Festival is right around the corner, happening September 16th-18th. Heaps of consumers and top coffee brands from New York and beyond are set to descend on the 69th Regiment Armory in Manhattan for a three-day celebration of coffee and culture. The event kicks off in just a few days (get your tickets here) and today we want to shine a light on some of what we think will be the coolest elements at this years show. This is the second-ever edition of the NYCCF, and were looking forward to seeing old friends and exciting new stuff at the event. Heres whats got us the most stoked.

Competitions:

The Coffee Masters tournament debuted in 2015 at the London Coffee Festival and emerged on American shores at last years New York Coffee Festival. After another successful run in London the show is back again for an American round two, featuring a fierce bracket of 16 different competitors from around the world, judged by a star-studded panel of adjudicators, including Anne Lunnell (Koppi Coffee), Dan Streetman (World Coffee Events), John Letoto (Blacksmith), and David Donde (Truth Coffee). The event will be MCd by Gwilym Davies (2009 World Barista Champion), Lem Butler (2016 United States Barista Champion) and Jordan Michelman (Sprudge co-founder). Coffee at the event will be supplied by The Roasting Party, with equipment and support provided by San Remo, Mahlkoenig, Espresso Parts, Bonavita, Pacific Barista Series, Pentair Everpure, Wilbur Curtis Company, and Battenkill Valley Creamery.

Culture:

Theres much more than just the Coffee Masters happening at NYC CFfrom a dedicated latte art zone to a coffee art exhibition, demos on water and non-dairy products, to an indoor street food market and live music performances, theres no shortage of offering on offer.

Be sure not to miss a series of talks and lectures happening at the events interactive demonstration space, The Lab. Presentations happen each day from brands like Ally Coffee, Double B Coffee, Stumptown Coffee, Cafe Imports, Tobys Estate, and more.

Coffee & Tech:

Theres a veritable whirlwind of coffee and tech happening at the New York Coffee Festival, a whos who of brands doing their thing. Some more of the coffee folks exhibiting at NYCCF include Genuine Origin Coffee, Walters Coffee Roastery, Third Rail Coffee, Variety Coffee Roasters, Taylor St. Baristas, Square One Coffee, Quills Coffee, Parlor Coffee, Ninth Street Espresso, Ceremony Coffee, La Colombe, Joe, Irving Farm, Intelligentsia, George Howell Coffee, Coffee Labs Roasters, Cafe Grumpy, All Saints Cafe, and Supercrown Coffee Roasters.

Expect heaps of dope tech as well, from exhibitors like Mavam, Nuova Simonelli, La Marzocco Home, Alpha Dominche, Anfim, Bodum, Bonavita, Chemex, Wilbur Curtis Company, DeLonghi, Espresso Parts, Espro, Keep Cup, Marco, Rancilio, Rattleware, and many more.

A complete list of participating brands is available here.

Sprudge Media Network is partnered with Allegra Events, presenters of the 2016 New York Coffee Festival.

Photos by Elizabeth Chai for Sprudge.
The concept of Up North holds a special place in the hearts of the Minnesota / Wisconsin American microstate, and with it, thoughts of fish fries, lake activities (both hot and cold), and getting away from it allthose surging megalopolis super-cities of Minneapolis and Milwaukee can just be too much to bear sometimes, donchaknow?

But Up North hasnt always meant good coffee, unless youre the sort who packs it in from back in town. Thats changing, you betcha, thanks to folks like Fika Coffee of Lutsen, Minnesota, a charming new coffee bar located two and a half hours away from a town of any consequence. Sounds pretty nice, yah? It just goes to show that from Sweden to Minnesota, the global north is home to some great coffee companies.

As told to Sprudge by Joshua Lindstrom, Founder of Fika Coffee.

For those who arent familiar, will you tell us about your company?

Were a small, family-run coffee shop and roaster on the shores of Lake Superiors North Shore. Our name is from the Swedish word for coffee break. To us, a fika is a moment of respite in an otherwise hectic day, a time to gather with good friends for great conversation, the start of adventure. In other words, coffee brings people together. Thats why we like it so much. Up until about a month ago, we were roasting coffee in a converted shed and selling bagged coffee to our wholesale accounts and via the Internet to our customers. Were still selling wholesale and online but were stoked to finally have a place to set up shop so we can offer our customers the experience we think makes coffee worth drinking.

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

Were renting a space in the Clearview Building in Lutsen, Minnesota. We share the building with a gas station, a general store, a post office, a gift shop, and a heavy-duty sewing business. Our space is about 900 square feet. In its past life, it was a liquor store. Weve done a total remodel, everything from the light switch plates to the reused decking which is the ceiling now.

Whats your approach to coffee?

We try to keep it simple. We live and work in a very rural area, two and a half hours from a town of any consequent size so we kind of see ourselves as a bridge to the present progressive coffee scene.

Bottom line for us, though, is people first, coffee second. Our customers, the farmers who grow our coffee, the harvesters, and the importers, these folks are our priority. Coffee, to us, is a catalyst for meaningful relationships.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

We use a Wilbur Curtis G4 ThermoPro batch brewer (its great and allows us to custom-build recipes). Our brewed coffee grinder is a Mahlkonig EK 43 and our espresso machine is a La Marzocco GS3 with a Mahlkonig Peak grinder.

Whats your hopeful target opening date/month?

The first day of summer, June 20, was the first official day of Fika. We are set to host our grand opening in late-August 2016.

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that youd like to mention?

Woody Seim of Arktikos Builders and Joe Hall did our espresso bar and our custom countertops. All of our baked goods come from Elfvins Bakery, the local bakery in town. Our ice cream is handcrafted by Love Creamery in Duluth, Minnesota. Johanna Kindvall designed our wallpaper pattern. Our coffee bag labels are also designed by her. Jeff Niesen, local artist, curates all the art on our walls.

Photos courtesy of Jacob McCormick.
After spending most of the past five years racing on the Alberta circuit, the Travis Cullen stable is headed east to Ontario.

Weve been talking about it in the family for a bit now, Cullen told Horse Racing Alberta's Peter Watts. Ive been able to sell several horses including Outlawsurshotshark and Pickles On Top. Don Byrne is taking over full ownership of those two. Ive sold all my two- and three-year-olds. Singlikeanangel is probably the best of what Im taking east. Ive still got 14 horses although Im trying to move at least four of those. Ive got six horses already in Ontario. I just bought two more out of the U.S. this weekend. So well have 16 or so to start. Ive got two mares in foal which Im probably going to leave here, at least for the moment.

Cullen will race this coming weekend at Century Downs and probably leave the following week. Hell head to Stephenson's Training Centre, just north of Hamilton to join his sister and brother-in-law, Ashleigh and Ed Hensley, who shipped east a couple of weeks ago.

Im going to take my time with the ship, said Cullen. Its a long way to go, so well likely stop three or four times along the way. Once we get settled, well likely start to race at Flamboro Downs, which is just across the way from the training centre. Depending upon how the horses are doing and what other horses Im able to pick up, I may try to race a bit at Mohawk.

Travis Cullen departs Alberta after compiling an impressive record during his time on the circuit. Hes won 201 races this season in 551 starts as a driver. He has 186 training wins from 497 starters. Lifetime, hes had his picture taken 878 times in 3,012 races. His owners have collected more than $3.7 million in purses during his time in this province.



Travis Cullen and 2014 Alberta Horse of the Year Who Doesnt (Coady Photo) Travis Cullen and 2014 Alberta Horse of the Year Who Doesnt (Coady Photo)

Ill still have a house in Airdrie, noted Cullen. Well see how things go in Ontario before I decide what to do with that. Were just renting our farm, so we dont have to worry about selling that property. Its just time to see what other opportunities are out there.

(with files from Horse Racing Alberta)
On a picture-perfect late summer evening, Rosecroft began a new chapter in its 67-year history with the opening of its 27-day fall meet Tuesday night.

The 12-race program was the track's first under new ownership of The Stronach Group, parent company of the Maryland Jockey Club.

Owner-trainer Basil Sapienzas Dancing Rusty ($5.80), sent off as the 9-5 favourite in a field of nine, went to the lead with driver Roger Plante Jr. and held off Metro Angel to capture the opener in 1:53 2/5.

It went the way I hoped. The horse I have is best on the lead. It took a little longer to get to the lead than I wanted but I was able to give him a little break there in the middle half and it worked out well, Plante said. He fights hard on the front and he was kind of the class of the race, I thought.

Plante won three of the first six races on Tuesday including the evening feature, a $12,000 open pace with Sapienzas five-year-old gelding Diamondkeeper ($3.60) in the sixth, his 26th career victory. Plante was also first with Thats My Harley ($10.80) in the third.

Among the improvements unveiled Tuesday night were a high-definition, 21-by-30 television to replace the infield tote board, a new starting gate and freshly paved paddock area.

Ive raced at a lot of tracks that wont invest any money; theyre more concerned with the casinos and its hard. Im very encouraged to see them spending money to do a few things here. Its great, Plante said.

Ive raced here since the eighties and it was beautiful. It was a great place back then and its nice to see a few encouraging things to build on, he added. This racetrack is a great racetrack, the way they maintain it. We can support some good racing. Anything I can take thats optimistic for the business, Im hopeful. We do have a good product here.

Rosecroft also debuted a Pick 5 wager with an industry-low 12 percent takeout covering the last five races as well as offering superfectas in every race.

In the Pick 5, if no bet contains all five winners, 25 percent shall be distributed among those bets which contain the most correct selections and 75 percent of the pool shall be carried over to the next program.

Racing continues with a 12-race program Thursday. Post time is 6:40 p.m.

(with files from Rosecroft)
The publicity department for the Grand Circuit has sent out its weekly story that recaps and previews Grand Circuit races.

This Week: Maple Leaf Trot, Canadian Trotting Classic, Elegantimage, William Wellwood Memorial and Peaceful Way finals and Milton Stakes eliminations, Mohawk Racetrack, Campbellville, Ont.; and Kindergarten Series, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, NJ.

Schedule of events: Grand Circuit action will kick off at the Meadowlands on Friday (Sept. 16) with three $10,000 divisions in the Kindergarten Series for two-year-old colt trotters and two $10,000 divisions in the Kindergarten Series for two-year-old filly trotters. On Saturday (Sept. 17) the Meadowlands will offer two $10,000 divisions in the Kindergarten Series for two-year-old colt pacers and two 10,000 contests in the Kindergarten Series for two-year-old filly pacers.

Grand Circuit action at Mohawk will be held on Saturday with the $632,000 Maple Leaf Trot for older trotters, the $687,000 Canadian Trotting Classic for three-year-old male trotters, the $436,000 Elegantimage for three-year-old filly trotters, the $350,000 William Wellwood Memorial for two-year-old male trotters, the $363,000 Peaceful Way final for two-year-old filly trotters, and two $35,000 eliminations in the Milton Stakes for older pacing mares.

Last time: When the horses placed their hooves on the track for the post parade of the $225,000 Jim Ewart Memorial on Saturday (Sept. 10) at Eldorado Scioto Downs, the throng lining the fence let out a roar for defending US Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit. The stands were packed to catch a glimpse of an athlete that has captured the hearts and imaginations of legions of fans during his two-year career.

When the horses crossed the finish line, however, all those in attendance had shifted their adulation to honour the effort of his winning rival, Always B Miki, for not only had they been privy to witness greatness, but they were present for a world record equalling performance of 1:47, that will surely become an integral component of the sports history.

That time equalled the all-age mark for a pacer on a five-eighths-mile oval set by Sweet Lou in 2014 and equalled by Always B Miki in both the Ben Franklin elimination and final earlier this year. Those miles all came at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

When the superb field of nine left the gate, Always B Miki, who commenced pacing from Post 6, was the 4-5 favourite, but Wiggle It Jiggleit, at 8-5, was also receiving his share of support at the windows.

Shortly after the starter allowed the horses to begin the mile, Eric Goodell sent Luck Be Withyou to the lead from Post 5. Wiggle It Jiggleit and his regular reinsman, Montrell Teague, were not content to allow that competitor to cut the mile and made their move to the front from Post 8. Miller and Always B Miki had their own designs on the lead. The crowd was gasping at the sheer speed displayed by the pacers as Luck Be Withyou had laid down a scorching :25.2 first quarter.

Wiggle It Jiggleit brushed to the lead in front of the grandstand before Always B Miki procured the lead on the outside by the half-mile marker. The Jimmy Takter trainee appeared to pay the price for that effort when :53 flashed on the timer. As Wiggle It Jiggleit sat second, Always B Miki still maintained a head advantage after three-quarters in a sizzling 1:19.

Wiggle It Jiggleit appeared poised to come through on the inside and overhaul Always B Miki down the lane, but the five-year-old horse would not be denied. After a nip and tuck battle between these two champions, Always B Miki prevailed. Several hundred feet from the wire, he repelled the bid of Wiggle It Jiggleit and hit the wire three-quarters of a length in front. Luck Be Withyou raced exceptionally well to be third, while Freaky Feet Pete, who had a very tough trip, finished fourth.

Conditioned by Jimmy Takter and owned by Bluewood Stable, Roll The Dice Stable and Christina Takter, Always B Miki paid $3.80 to win.

Grand Circuit Standings: In 2016, the Grand Circuit leaders in three categories (driver, trainer and owner) will once again be tracked on a points system (20-10-5 for the top three finishers in divisions/finals and 10-5-2 for the top three finishers in eliminations/legs). Winbak Farm is the sponsor for the 2016 Grand Circuit awards.

Here are the current leaders:

Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras  899.5; 2. David Miller  663; 3. Tim Tetrick  638.5; 4. Brett Miller  333.5; 5. Matt Kakaley  291.

Trainers: 1. Ron Burke  831.5; 2. Jimmy Takter  775.5; 3. Tony Alagna  388; 4. Ake Svanstedt  276; 5. Linda Toscano  237.

Owners: 1. Burke Racing Stable  196.47; 2. Tom Hill  177; 3. Weaver Bruscemi  160.82; 4.Harry von Knoblauch - 149.5; 5. Marvin Katz  147.05.

Looking ahead: A busy schedule of Grand Circuit racing will be taking place next week at the Delaware County Fair, Mohawk Racetrack, and Hoosier Park. Delaware will be hosting nine Grand Circuit events, led by the Little Brown Jug, the third and final leg of Pacings Triple Crown for three-year-olds; Mohawk will feature the final of the Milton Stakes for pacing mares; and Hoosier will host six Grand Circuit races, including the Centuar for open trotters and the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby for open pacers.

(Grand Circuit)
Americans Deserve Answers Regarding Hillary Clinton's Health

Contact: Liberty Counsel Action, 407-875-1989, Media@LCAction.org

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /Standard Newswire/ -- Hillary Clinton's health problems, which apparently date back to at least 2009, have hit a new climax with her seizure during a 9/11 memorial. What she originally said was "overheating" and later changed to "pneumonia," is part of a lengthy health history spanning several years that includes:

Fainting during a 2005 speech;



Falling in 2009 and breaking her elbow;



Falling while boarding an airplane in 2011;



Falling in December 2012, causing a concussion and a blood clot in her head;



Impaired vision in January 2013 during Congressional testimony on Benghazi;



Inability to stand without a stool to maintain her balance and supported by Secret Service when walking;



Emails from Huma Abedin indicating Hillary is "often confused;"



Repeated coughing episodes that last several minutes dating back to the Benghazi Congressional hearing in October 2015 and throughout 2016;



Apparent uncontrollable shaking of her head while talking to reporters;



Apparent uncontrollable head moments while standing next to Bill Clinton at the DNC;



Wearing blue anti-seizure glasses to a Congressional hearing years ago after suffering the concussion in 2012;



Continued use of the blue anti-seizure glasses;



Peculiar travel habits, including taking a private jet on 20-mile trips;



Refusing to do a press conference for over 280 days, the longest recorded time in presidential campaign history;



Loss of control of her legs and left arm resulting in having to be dragged into a van by security on September 11, 2016;



Avoided her media group for 90 minutes on September 11, 2016, and more.

After Hillary prematurely left the September 11 event in New York, she went to her daughter's house and now says her doctor diagnosed her with pneumonia last Friday, September 9. But if she had pneumonia, why would she be playing with her grandchildren a couple days prior to September 11, and why would she hug a small child on September 11? Why did she not look like she had pneumonia during her TV interview on September 9 or September 10? Dr. Ted Noel, a physician who first suggested Hillary had Parkinson's, states that pneumonia is a symptom of Parkinson's and is contagious. It seems peculiar Hillary would stage a photo with a small child.



In the videos that show her collapsing on September 11, 2016, it is clear Hillary has no functional use of her hand behind her back because the security guard had to grab it and move it to her front. The video also clearly shows she lost all function of her legs and feet, even losing her shoe. An enlargement shows a piece of metal falling out of her right pants leg and her right foot goes limp. Security had to physically carry Hillary into the van.

"There are many questions that need to be answered about Hillary Clinton's health, especially following the 9-11 incident," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel Action. "The American people deserve the truth about Hillary's health. The bizarre behavior of coughing and uncontrollable body movements, combined with changing stories, demand an explanation," said Staver.

Liberty Counsel Action is a 501(c)(4), nonprofit, grassroots lobbying organization advancing religious and civil liberties, the sanctity of human life, the family, limited and responsible government, national security, and support for Israel.
Judicial Watch Deposition Testimony of Former State IT Official John Bentel in Clinton Email Lawsuit

Hillary Clinton Seeks Two Additional Weeks to Respond to Email Questions



Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch, 202-646-5172



WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 /Standard Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch today announced that it has scheduled the deposition of the John Bentel, the State Department's former Director of Information Resource Management of the Executive Secretariat ("S/ES-IRM"), the office that handles information technology for the Office of the Secretary. The deposition ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan is scheduled for October 24 at 10am. Judicial Watch also announced today that Judicial Watch and Hillary Clinton's attorneys agreed that Hillary Clinton would have two additional weeks  until October 13 -- to produce written, sworn answers under oath to pending Judicial Watch questions.



Judicial Watch requested Bentel's deposition as part of a request for additional discovery into the Clinton email matter.



In U.S. District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan's August 19, 2016, ruling granting the Judicial Watch's request, the judge cited significant discrepancies in Bentel previous statements on the Clinton non-state.gov email system:

The Court is persuaded that Mr. Bentel should be deposed because the record in this case appears to contradict his sworn testimony before the [House Select] Benghazi Committee. . . . Specifically, Mr. Bentel testified that he was not aware that Secretary Clinton's email account was housed on a private server until media reports in 2015. . . . However, several emails indicate Mr. Bentel knew about the private server as early as 2009.

Judge Sullivan also wrote that Bentel should be deposed because a May, 2016 Inspector General's report found:

Mr. Bentel told employees in his office that Secretary Clinton's email arrangement had been approved by the State Department's legal staff and also instructed his subordinates not to discuss the Secretary's email again:



In one meeting, one staff member raised concerns that information sent and received on Secretary Clinton's account could contain Federal records that needed to be preserved in order to satisfy Federal recordkeeping requirements. According to the staff member, the Director stated that the Secretary's personal system had been reviewed and approved by Department legal staff and that the matter was not to be discussed any further. . . . According to the other S/ES-IRM staff member who raised concerns about the server, the Director stated that the mission of S/ES-IRM is to support the Secretary and instructed the staff never to speak of the Secretary's personal email system again.

On August 30, Judicial Watch submitted questions to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concerning her email practices. Clinton's answers, under oath, were due on September 29. Last week, Hillary Clinton requested from Judicial Watch two additional weeks to respond because of the unavailability of counsel and the press of campaign business, among other reasons. Her sworn answers are now due October 13. (Judge Sullivan ordered Clinton to answer the questions "by no later than thirty days thereafter.")



MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-deposition-testimony-former-state-official-john-bentel-clinton-email-lawsuit
Er is iets heel griezeligs aan de gang in Nederland. Dat wij geleidelijk aan in een totalitaire 'democratie' wegzinken wordt steeds ...
Kurdish PKK Leader Calls for End of Conflict With Turkey

The leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, said the current conflict between the Kurdish militants and Ankara was a war that "nobody can win," according to his brother Mehmet, who was speaking on Monday after a recent meeting with him in prison, the Middle East Eye reported. It is estimated that close to 2,000 people between July 2015 and July 2016 have died in the clashes. "Yes, the Kurdish issue is a heavy issue. It's not a matter of 20 years, it goes back 150, 200 years. Thirty people die every day. If the state was sincere, there wouldn't be so many deaths. This country doesn't deserve this. Everybody with a conscience must consider this," Ocalan further said, according to his brother. "The solution can't be one-sided; the largest party is the state. If the state points to that, this problem won't continue for too long, it will be resolved." Ocalan has laid the blame on Ankara for breaking the ceasefire. "First of all, it wasn't us who destroyed the process." The PKK have fought since 1984 for an autonomous Kurdistan in southeastern Turkey in what is historically Assyrian and Armenian land.
It's Election season and our editor's mailbox is overflowing. Who do your neighbors support? Read about it here.
A donation from a nonprofit group will enable the Longview Police Department to get a bullet- and stab-protective vest for its K9 police dog Ike.

Money for the vest comes from a non-profit organization called Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., which has raised 65,825 to equip 62 police dogs across the country with vests, Longview police announced Tuesday. The funds were raised through nationwide donations to help retired Officer Matt Hickey of Marietta, Ohio, to keep his K9 partner, Ajax, upon retirement.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. was founded in 2009 and is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, Mass. Its mission is to provide protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided more than 2,000 vests in 50 states through private and corporate donations at a cost of over $1.7 million, according to Longview PD.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050. Each vest has a value of between $1,795 and $2,234, a five-year warranty and an average weight of four to five pounds.

There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States, according to Longview PD.
Over this weekend, a group of space experts has grub up a giant meteorite what is believed to be the second largest meteorite ever found on Earth. Weighing 30,800-kilogram, this meteorite has been uncovered in Argentina and scientists have pronounced it to be one of the biggest meteors of the world.

On Saturday, this biggest star was excavated from Campo del Cielo which is one of the famous meteorite crash sites in Argentina. Campo Del Cielo is the same place where iron meteorite proliferates. If you take a glance on the meteor, you will find its absolutely one major rock. However, there are still a few inquiries that should be replied before crowning this rock the second biggest meteor of the world.

The exact location of this discovery was the boundary of Chaco, which is situated about 1,078 km (670 miles) northwest of the Buenos Aires. This area has been ascribed to a meteor shower that hit the locale over 4,000 years prior. Tipping the scales at more than 30 tons, the discovered stone has been dubiously named the second biggest meteor of the globe. However, we have to wait until further tests are finished as its too early to give away that title just yet.

The largest meteor is named as the Hoba, which is a 66-tonne meteorite which was grub up in Namibia. While the Hoba shooting star has been completely revealed from its original location in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, because of its size, it has never been evacuated. After that, however, various meteor have been found, yet the obtaining of the second position is still in process.

Presently scientists should play out an extra measure to check whether this new Argentinean meteor, called Gancedo, can beat that and secure the second position following Hoba or not.
tech2 News Staff

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) has welcomed Airtel's move to provide more points of interconnect (POI) to the Jio network. Jio has been pushing for more interconnect points with incumbent operators, over concerns of call drops and violations of TRAI regulations. TRAI quality of service regulation mandates that POI congestion should not affect more than one in two hundred calls.

Over a period of just 10 days, 22 crore calls have been dropped to the Airtel network alone, a total of 52 crore calls have dropped on the networks of incumbent operators, Airtel, Vodafone and Idea. The situation has deteriorated so much that over 75 out of 100 calls placed in the last few weeks have been dropped. RJIL has raised the issue that a lack of interconnect is hindering the entry of the new operator, and is an anti-competitive measure.

The Vodafone India Spokesperson has issued a statement on the issue. We have always offered great value to our customers, backed by excellent customer service, a nationwide presence, and Vodafone SuperNet  our best network ever. We will continue to do so for our hundreds of million customers across the country.

Idea Cellular has also issued a statement over providing additional POI. "Idea Cellular, a leading Indian telecom service provider welcomes Jio, and remains committed to facilitate its seamless entry into the hyper-competitive market. Idea Cellular has in the past been providing and augmenting Points of Interconnect (POIs) very liberally and we will continue to support all new operators for all their reasonable, fair and legitimate requirements of POIs."

In the month of August 2016 there were a total of 2.97 million unique Jio subscribers who terminated calls on the Idea network. Our current allocation of POIs would in normal circumstances cater to 4.65 million such subscribers indicating a buffer of 57% in calling capacity. Idea has now decided to proactively, expand capacity with Jio to over 6.5 million subscribers, with the release of 196 additional POIs, shortly. This additional capacity will provide for a buffer of 119% against the August subscriber volumes.

Airtel made a statement to the media that it is providing additional POI to Jio. Airtel has been providing POIs to Jio, well ahead of the commencement of its commercial operations. With the latest augmentation, the total number of POIs will become three times the present number of POIs. Based on the current traffic pattern with all other operators, this capacity is sufficient to serve over 15 million customers, which is significantly higher than Jios existing customer base.

Airtel has also raised concerns over the assymetry in the volume of traffic between the two networks. Airtel wants to make sure that the quality of service for Airtel subscribers is not affected. Idea cellular has also raised the issue of asymmetry. "Never, ever, has such a high asymmetry been observed with a new operator in the past, " Idea said in a media statement. Idea has approached TRAI over intervention in the problem.

RJIL explains that these concerns unsubstantiated, as it is natural that there is assymetry in call volume when a new operator enters the market. As the new consumers have new phone numbers, there are bound to be more outgoing calls than incoming calls in the beginning. The traffic is destined to become symmetric with growth of subscribers. Additionally, RJIL clarifies that PIO works both ways, and benefits the consumer at the end of the day. Assymetry in traffic between networks has nothing to do with the number of PIO required.

Disclaimer: Reliance Jio is owned by Reliance Industries, who also own Network18, the publisher of Firstpost and Tech2.
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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday issued long-anticipated proposed cyber security regulations for banks and insurers in the state, the first of their kind in the United States by any state or federal agency, the governor said in a statement.

Cuomo's planned regulations for institutions overseen by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) would require companies to set up cyber security programs and appoint a chief information officer, among other measures, according to the governor's office.

The planned regulations, in the works since 2014, follow a series of high-profile hackings of U.S. companies and three surveys by the regulator about cyber security programs at a total of nearly 200 companies under its watch. One NYDFS report last year revealed that a third of 40 banks in a 2014 survey did not require outside vendors to notify them of data breaches, which could compromise bank data. The regulations aim to provide institutions with flexibility to adapt to technological innovations while reducing vulnerabilities, NYDFS Superintendent Maria Vullo said in a statement.

NYDFS regulates state-chartered and foreign banks licensed to operate in the state, including Goldman Sachs Group, Barclays and Deutsche Bank, and all insurance companies that do business in the state. It previewed the plan in a November, 2015 letter to other state and federal regulators. That same day, U.S. prosecutors unveiled criminal charges accusing three men of helping run a sprawling series of hacking and fraud schemes, including a huge 2014 attack against JPMorgan Chase & Co , that generated hundreds of millions of dollars of illegal profit.

Among the planned requirements: board chairmen would have to file annual certifications with NYDFS, stating, to the best of their knowledge, that their companies' cyber programs comply with the regulation.

Other measures would include appointing overseers for outside vendors and limiting access of customers' non-public information, such as social security numbers, to employees who need those details, according to the proposal. Systems would have to include multiple steps for verifying user identities.

Institutions would also have to regularly test their cyber security systems. The chief information security officer would have to present twice-yearly reports about progress and vulnerabilities to the board of directors and make those findings available to NYDFS. Before the plan becomes final, the public will have 45 days to submit comments, once the proposed regulations are published in the New York State Register.

Reuters
Naina Khedekar

Samsung has been struggling for sometime now, from slowing markets to under-performing flagships. The latest Note 7 showed some hope, and many believed that the device may go down in history as the one that helped resurrect the company. However, it may very well go down in history, but for other reasons. The last thing the company expected was the device to explode and hurt its loyal users across the world. After about 35 incidents of the Note 7 exploding into flames, the company announced a total recall. Here's a timeline of the events from the time the device was launched, warnings issued and big price of $1 billion and the recall of devices.

2 August, 2016

Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 7 at the high profile Unpacked event. The highlight of the device was the dual curved display, iris scanner and that it was water resistant, including the S Pen.

3 August, 2016

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was made available for pre-order in the US.

11 August, 2016

The Galaxy Note 7 was launched in India at Rs 59,900.

19 August, 2016

The device went on sale in the US, both via online and offline channels.

25 August, 2016

The first incident of the Galaxy Note 7 explosion came to light. The device caught fire and exploded while on charging. The incident took place in China.

29 August, 2016

The Galaxy Note 7 was officially launched in China. But, some were disappointed to see only the 4GB variant, while the 6GB variant was given a miss.

2, September, 2016

By now, there were about 35 reported cases. Samsung acknowledged the problem, and announced a recall program. The company blamed the affected batteries. It said to have started conducting a thorough inspection with suppliers to identify possible affected batteries in the market. However, the company said it didn't want to take any chances, and stopped sales of the device to immediate effect. The company also announced that all devices would be replaced. Sales stopped in China.

5 September, 2016

Samsung Electronics Australia advises all customers who use a Galaxy Note 7 smartphone to power down their device, return it to its place of purchase and use an alternative device until a remedy can be provided.

Soon there were reports claiming how it's the largest recall in the history.

7 September, 2016

An Australian man was left with burns when his Samsung smartphone exploded as he slept in his hotel room. Tham Hua, from Victoria state who was visiting Western Australia, said his Samsung Galaxy Note 7 exploded in his hotel room, bursting into flames. By now, it was believed that Samsung is recalling and replacing up to 2.5 million Note 7 devices, with nearly $1 billion dollar cost to the company. And, soon there were reports that the device was being banned US flights.

8 September, 2016

Three Australian airlines banned passengers from using or charging Samsung Electronics Galaxy Note 7 smartphones during flights due to concerns over the phones fire-prone batteries. Qantas, its budget unit Jetstar and Virgin Australia said they had not been directed to ban the use of the phone by aviation authorities, but did so as a precaution following Samsungs recall of the phones in 10 markets.

9 September, 2016

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission released an official statement warning users about the defective Galaxy Note 7 Lithium-Ion batteries and how dangerous they can be.

On the same day, Samsung also penned down in a blog post, urging users to power down their Galaxy Note 7 and exchange them as soon as possible. The company said they are expediting replacement devices so that they can be provided through the exchange program as conveniently as possible and in compliance with related regulations. Samsung took to explaining what's causing the issue.

US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned the use of galaxy Note 7s in flights. Hours after the announcement, DGCA issued a warning and banned the use of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on flights.

"In light of the recent incidents involving battery incidents with Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices globally, traveling public and airlines are advised not to switch on these mobiles during the flight or stow them in any checked in baggage," issued DGCA order read.

10 September, 2016

Samsung Electronics started urging users of its Galaxy Note 7 phones to turn in their handsets as soon as possible as part of a recall.

11 September, 2016

Another incident, and this time, a 6-year old boy in New York had to be rushed to the hospital as the device exploded in his hands.

12 September, 2016

Reports claimed Samsung Electronics will only use batteries made by Chinas ATL for its replacement devices. The Chinese company is set to become the sole battery supplier for Samsung by shipments for the time being since the company stopped receiving batteries from its main provider and has not found a third supplier. Reportedly, Samsung used to get 70 percent of its batteries from its subsidiary while 30 percent was from ATL for Galaxy Note 7 devices.

Samsung Electronics Co Ltds shares fell to their lowest level in nearly two months after the recall announcement. More airlines across the world banned customers from carrying the devices.

13 September, 2016

Meanwhile, Samsung has planned to push an OTA that will limit Note 7 charging to 60 percent. A South Korean newspaper, carried a Samsung advertisement announcing the software update for any users of the Note 7 who may be disregarding its recall notice and continuing to use the smartphone.

14 September, 2016

In another incident, a car caught fire and the driver alleged that the exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 caused for the havoc. Samsung Australia has confirmed that it will start shipping Galaxy Note 7 replacements by 21 September. It will apparently come with an updated white barcode sticker with a blue S on the packaging.

15 September, 2016

US officially recalls Samsung Galaxy Note 7. The replacements are said to begin no later than 21 September. The new units will come with a green battery level icon to indicate theyve been replaced.

Meanwhile, there were other reports confirming the new devices will start shipping from 21 September.

Finally, Samsung America President & COO Tim Baxter put out a video message apologising to Samsung fans, promising that Samsung will work hard to earn back the trust and officially announced that the new devices will be available no later than 21 September, among other things. Watch the video here.

16 September, 2016

Just a day after the announcement, a news report about a lawsuit surfaced. Samsung Electronics was sued by a Florida man who said he suffered severe burns after his Galaxy Note 7 smartphone exploded in his front pants pocket.

Unfortunately, the whole event is a big setback for Samsung, especially considering the timing was so close to the iPhone 7 launch. However, it is yet to be seen how the company plans to successfully rollout the recall. After all, it's not just about the money, the company's long-standing reputation is at stake.
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The head of the Democratic National Committee said on Tuesday the organization had been hacked by Russian state-sponsored agents who were trying to influence the U.S. presidential election, after a similar leak in July roiled the party.

A link to the documents was posted on WikiLeaks' Twitter account and attributed to alleged hacker Guccifer 2.0. The release came during a presentation on Tuesday from a person speaking on behalf of Guccifer 2.0 at a London cyber security conference, Politico reported. Reuters could not immediately access the documents.

"There's one person who stands to benefit from these criminal acts, and that's (Republican presidential nominee) Donald Trump," DNC interim Chair Donna Brazile said in a statement. "Not only has Trump embraced (Russian President Vladimir)Putin, he publicly encouraged further Russian espionage to help his campaign," she said.

Trump in July invited Russia to dig up emails from Clinton's time as secretary of state, prompting Democrats to accuse him of urging foreigners to spy on Americans. He later said he was speaking sarcastically. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigned as DNC chair on the eve of July's Democratic National Convention after WikiLeaks published an earlier trove of hacked DNC emails that showed party officials favouring eventual nominee Hillary Clinton over U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders during the party's nominating contests. Three other senior officials also stepped down from the DNC after the leak. "We have been anticipating that an additional batch of documents stolen by Russian agents would be released," said Brazile, who took over from Wasserman Schultz on an interim basis.

Democratic Party sources said the party and Clinton's presidential campaign were deeply concerned about possible publication by WikiLeaks or other hackers of a new torrent of potentially embarrassing party information ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

Reuters
In the second quarter of 2016, worldwide server revenue declined 0.8 percent year over year, while shipments grew 2 percent from the second quarter of 2015, according to Gartner, Inc. There was some shuffling among the top vendors in the second quarter, as Dell moved into the top spot in shipments, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) remained the worldwide leader in server revenue.

Jeffrey Hewitt, research vice president at Gartner, said, The second quarter of 2016 produced some continued growth on a global level compared with the first quarter, although there were some varied results regionally. All regions showed a decline in shipments except Asia/Pacific and North America, which posted growth of 5.6 percent and 3 percent, respectively. In terms of revenue, all regions except for Asia/Pacific and Eastern Europe exhibited a decline. Asia/Pacific grew by 6.1 percent and Eastern Europe posted 1 percent growth. Variations of growth by data center segments and exchange rate issues are the main reasons for these results.

x86 servers grew 2.1 percent in shipments and 5.8 percent in revenue in the second quarter of 2016. Dell garnered 19.3 percent of the market and moved into the No. 1 position in worldwide server shipments primarily due to growth resulting from programs it has in place in the Asia/Pacific region, most notably in China. However, HPE continued to lead the x86 market in revenue with 26 percent of the market, said Mr. Hewitt.

Despite a decline of 6.4 percent, HPE continued to lead in the worldwide server market, based on revenue, with 23.7 percent market share (see Table 1). Dell grew 9.9 percent and maintained the second spot in the market with 19.1 percent market share. IBM secured the third position with 9.1 percent of the market but experienced the largest decline among the top five vendors.

Table 1

Worldwide: Server Vendor Revenue Estimates, 2Q16 (U.S. Dollars)

Company 2Q16 Revenue 2Q16 Market Share (%) 2Q15 Revenue 2Q15 Market Share (%) 2Q16-2Q15 Growth (%) HPE 3,208,997,829 23.7 3,428,089,692 25.1 -6.4 Dell 2,594,180,873 19.1 2,361,553,746 17.3 9.9 IBM 1,226,947,968 9.1 1,869,261,145 13.7 -34.4 Lenovo 968,175,316 7.1 949,775,893 7.0 1.9 Cisco 858,924,000 6.3 866,700,000 6.3 -0.9 Others 4,695,515,875 34.6 4,180,263,723 30.6 12.3 Total 13,552,741,861 100.0 13,655,644,198 100.0 -0.8

Source: Gartner (September 2016)

Due to its success in the x86 market, Dell moved into the No. 1 position in server shipments in the second quarter of 2016, with 8.9 percent growth, garnering 19.2 percent market share (see Table 2). HPE dropped to the second spot with 17.2 percent shipment share, representing an 18.7 percent decline year over year.

Table 2

Worldwide: Server Vendor Shipment Estimates, 2Q16 (Units)

Company 2Q16 Shipments 2Q16 Market Share (%) 2Q15 Shipments 2Q15 Market Share (%) 2Q16-2Q15 Growth (%) Dell 529,135 19.2 485,745 18.0 8.9 HPE 474,803 17.2 583,790 21.6 -18.7 Lenovo 235,267 8.5 222,206 8.2 5.9 Huawei 139,866 5.1 122,565 4.5 14.1 Inspur 120,417 4.4 82,032 3.0 46.8 Others 1,258,045 45.6 1,207,005 44.6 4.2 Total 2,757,532 100.0 2,703,344 100.0 2.0

Source: Gartner (September 2016)

Additional information is available to clients who have access to Gartners Servers Quarterly Statistics. This database provides worldwide market size and share data by vendor revenue and unit shipments. Segments include region, vendor, vendor brand, subbrand, CPU type, CPU group, max CPU, platform, price band, operating system and distribution channel.

@Technuter.com News Service
Ctg slum fire kills woman, daughter; 400 shanties gutted

UNB, Chittagong :

A young woman and her three-and-half-year daughter were burned to death in a fire that broke out in a slum at Kalsi Dighir Par in the city's EPZ area early Sunday.

The blaze also left 400 shanties burned in the slum. The deceased were identified as Fatema Akter,27, wife of Mohammad Mizan, a resident of Bhabanichar of Laxmipur district and her daughter Marjan.

They used to live in the slum. Liton Barua, duty officer at the Chittagong Fire Service Control Room, said the fire originated from an electric short circuit in a shanty around 3:30am and it soon engulfed the entire slum, burning down 400 rooms, including 12 shops. Informed, three fire-fighting units rushed to the spot and doused the fire at about 8.40am. They recovered the charred bodies of Fatema and Marjan from their room on Sunday morning. The extent of loss caused by the fire would go up to Tk50 lakh, said the duty officer.
MPs attack Cameron over Libya `collapse`

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy and David Cameron led the case for intervention

A UK parliamentary report has severely criticised the intervention by Britain and France that led to the overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The foreign affairs committee accused the then PM David Cameron of lacking a coherent strategy for the air campaign.

It said the intervention had not been "informed by accurate intelligence", and that it led to the rise of so-called Islamic State in North Africa.

The UK government said it had been an international decision to intervene.

The action had been called for by the Arab League and authorised by the UN Security Council, the Foreign Office added.

An international coalition led by Britain and France launched a campaign of air and missile strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's forces in March 2011 after the regime threatened to attack the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

But after Gaddafi was toppled, Libya descended into violence, with rival governments and the formation of hundreds of militias, while so-called Islamic State, also known as Isil, has gained a foothold.

Mr Cameron has defended his handling of the situation, telling MPs in January action was needed because Gaddafi "was bearing down on people in Benghazi and threatening to shoot his own people like rats".

But the foreign affairs committee said the government "failed to identify that the threat to civilians was overstated", adding that it "selectively took elements of Gaddafi's rhetoric at face value".

The government also failed to identify the "militant Islamist extremist element in the rebellion", the MPs said.

"The possibility that militant extremist groups would attempt to benefit from the rebellion should not have been the preserve of hindsight," the committee said, adding: "UK strategy was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the evidence."

Crispin Blunt, chairman of the committee, told the BBC: "We were dragged along by a French enthusiasm to intervene, and the mission then moved from protecting people in Benghazi, who arguably were not at the kind of threat that was then being presented...

"Indeed, on the basis of the evidence we took, the threat to the people of Benghazi was grossly overstated."

The committee said "political options" were available once Benghazi had been secured - including through ex-PM Tony Blair's contacts with Gaddafi - but the UK government "focused exclusively on military intervention".

By the summer of 2011, the limited intervention to protect civilians had drifted into an opportunist policy of regime change, the committee said.

"That policy was not underpinned by a strategy to support and shape post-Gaddafi Libya.

"The result was political and economic collapse, inter-militia and inter-tribal warfare, humanitarian and migrant crises, widespread human rights violations, the spread of Gaddafi regime weapons across the region and the growth of Isil in North Africa.

"Through his decision-making in the National Security Council, former prime minister David Cameron was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy."

The MPs said Libya had been the "first test " for the NSC, which was set up in 2010 to coordinate responses to security threats and integrate the work of various relevant government departments.

The committee said there should now be an independent review of the operation of the NSC, which is chaired by the prime minister, to see if it had succeeded in addressing the weaknesses in government decision-making identified in the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The Foreign Office defended the intervention.

"Muammar Gaddafi was unpredictable and he had the means and motivation to carry out his threats," a spokesman said.

"His actions could not be ignored and required decisive and collective international action. Throughout the campaign we stayed within the United Nations mandate to protect civilians.

"After four decades of Gaddafi misrule, Libya undoubtedly faces huge challenges. The UK will continue to play a leading role within the international community to support the internationally recognised Libyan Government of National Accord." Source: bbc.com
PM off to London en route to Canada, NY

Dhaka, Sept 14 (UNB): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left here on Wednesday for London on a 12-day visit to Canada and the USA to attend the 5th Global Fund Replenishment Conference in Montreal and the 71st UN General Assembly session in New York.



A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:35 am.



Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Public Administration Affairs Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Information Minister Hasnul Haq Inu, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Chief Whip ASM Firoz and PM's Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury saw the Prime Minister off at the airport. Principal Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and the chiefs of the three services were present.



The flight is expected to reach Heathrow International Airport in the UK at 04:05 pm at London (local time) today.



Sheikh Hasina will first pay a four-day official visit to Canada to attend the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund (GF) in her first leg of the tour and then she will go to the USA to join the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).



Canada hosts the GF's Replenishment Conference to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Montreal, Quebec, on September 16-17.



A GF statement earlier said the conference will bring global health leaders together to further mobilise efforts to end the epidemics of three of the world's most devastating diseases - AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria - by 2030.



The Prime Minister will leave for Montreal by Air Canada at 2.05 pm (Local time) on September 15.



The flight is scheduled to reach Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Montreal at 4.15 pm (Local time) the same day when the Bangladesh leader would be received by a Canadian Federal Minister and Bangladesh High Commissioner in Ottawa Mizanur Rahman.



On September 16, she will attend the opening of the Replenishment Conference to be held at Hyatt Regency Montreal.



She will later join the Ministerial Pledging Moment and official reception of the conference with other heads of state and government at the same hotel in the afternoon.



Hasina would also attend the official dinner to be hosted by her Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau at Hyatt Regency Montreal.



On September 7, she would join the opening of the day two of the conference along with the Canadian PM and Global Fund Executive Director Mark Dybal.



On the same day, she will attend the Panel Discussion-1 titled 'Removing Barriers to Health through Empowering Women and Girls and Reaching the Most Marginalised' and the Panel Discussion 2 titled 'Engaging and Mobilising Youth to meet the Sustainable Development Goals'.



The Prime Minister will join the official lunch to be hosted jointly by the Canadian Prime Minister and Governor General of Canada Rt. Hon. David Johnston.



She will later attend the closing session of the conference. The Bangladesh Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with Trudeau. She will also enjoy a concert along with other heads of state and government to be organized by Global Fund and Global Citizen.



On September 18, Sheikh Hasina will leave Montreal for New York by an Air Canada flight at 1.40 pm (Local time).



The flight is scheduled to reach La Guardia Airport, New York at 3 pm (Local time).



Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Mohammad Ziauddin and Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Masud Bin Momen will welcome her at the airport.
Couple found dead in Khulna

A couple was found dead in two ponds at Ekhri

village in Terokhada upazila on Wednesday morning.



The deceased were identified as Khasru Mollah, 40, and his expecting

wife Lippi Begum, 38, residents of the village.



Mesbah Uddin, officer-in-charge of Terokhada Police Station, said the

couple went out from their house on Tuesday night and did not return

home.



Later, locals spotted their floating bodies in the two separate ponds

around 6.30am and informed police.



Police recovered the bodies around 8.30am and sent those to Khulna

Medical College Hospital.



Meanwhile, police arrested two people from the village in connection

with the murder.



"The bodies bore several injury marks," the OC added.
13 lose lives in road crashes in 6 dists

UNB, Dhaka: Thirteen people were killed and 48 others injured in road accidents in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Dhaka, Chittagong, Sirajganj and Jhalakati districts on Wednesday.



In Dinajpur, four people, including a woman and a child, were killed and 40 others injured as a bus overturned on Dhaka-Dinajpur highway in front of Gobindapur Palli Bidyut office in Sadar upazila in the afternoon.



The identity of the deceased could not be ascertained yet.



Police said the driver lost his control over the steering of the Thakurgaon-bound bus from Dinajpur whereby it turned turtle on the highway around 1:30 pm while giving side to a human hauler, leaving two passengers dead on the spot and 42 injured.



Of the injured, 33 were rushed to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital where a woman and a child succumbed to their injuries.



In Thakurgaon, three people, including a woman, were killed and a minor boy was injured as a minibus hit a pickup on Thakurgaon-Dinajpur highway at Baro Khonchabari in Sadar upazila on Wednesday morning.



The deceased were identified as Ramjan Ali, 60, and Abdul Gaffar, 60, residents of Rajbari village, and Rozina Akhter, 22, of Prannagar village in the upazila.



Mashiur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said the Dinajpur-bound minibus hit the speeding pickup on the highway around 11 am, leaving its two passengers -- Ramjan and Gaffar -- dead on the spot and Rozina and her year-year-old boy injured.



The injured were taken to Adhunik Sadar Hospital where Rozina succumbed to her injuries.



In the capital, an elderly couple was killed as a speeding car hit them in Shewrapara area in the morning.



The deceased were identified as Ataur Rahman, 70, and his wife Rawshan Ara, 60.



Sub-inspector Meherunnisa, a duty officer at Kafrul Police Station, said the speeding car hit them as they were standing near a road adjacent to Shewrapara bus stand around 6:30 am, leaving them dead on the spot.



On information, police recovered the bodies and handed those over to family members without any autopsy.



In Chittagong, two people, including a woman, were killed and four others injured as a truck hit a minibus on Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Madanhaat in Sitakunda upazila in the morning.



The deceased were identified as Polina, 30, a tribal woman, and Shaymlal Chandra Paul, 42.



Saleh Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Baro Aulia Highway Police Camp, said the goods-laden truck hit the stationary minibus after its driver lost control over its steering and plunged into a roadside ditch, leaving a minibus passenger and a truck passenger dead on the spot, and four others injured.
Brazil`s Lula and wife charged with corruption: Globo TV

Brazil\'s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva looks on as he attends a meeting with members of the Workers Party (PT) in Sao Paulo, Brazil September 2, 2016. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker

Reuters: Brazilian prosecutors filed corruption charges on Wednesday against former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, his wife and six others in the sprawling Petrobras (PETR4.SA) kickback scandal.

This was the first time Lula, still Brazil`s most popular politician despite corruption accusations against him and his Workers Party, was charged by federal prosecutors for involvement in the massive graft scheme at the state-run oil company.

Lula's case will go before crusading anti-corruption Judge Sergio Moro, who has jailed dozens of executives and others involved in the scheme.

Lula could face arrest for receiving a luxury apartment on the coast of Sao Paulo from one of the engineering and construction firms at the center of the bribery scandal. Lula has denied ownership of the three-floor condo in Guaruja.

Federal police urged prosecutors last month to bring charges against Lula and his wife, accusing them of receiving some 2.4 million reais ($747,896) in benefits from the builder OAS in relation to the apartment.

Lula, a charismatic former union leader who was a two-term president from 2003 to 2010, has separately been indicted by a court in Brasilia for obstruction of justice in a case related to an attempt to persuade a defendant in the Petrobras scandal not to turn state's witness.

Lula's fall, and that of the leftist party he founded in 1980, has been dramatic.

Last month, his protege and successor as president, Dilma Rousseff, was removed from office in an impeachment trial.

Rousseff`s fall was driven by Brazil`s worst recession since the 1930s and its biggest ever corruption scandal, which has implicated dozens of politicians from her ruling coalition, including several in the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party led by current President Michel Temer.
Pre-purchase property inspection is a relatively new thing in the United Kingdom. Its not something that most people have heard about, but it has become increasingly popular over the last few years with the rise in property prices and increased demand for high quality homes.

What are the benefits of pre-purchase building inspection? What can you expect to find out when you pay someone else to inspect your home before you buy it? And what should you look for during an inspection?

Many people want to know if theyre buying a house thats been well maintained or if its had any serious problems. If youve found a place on the market that seems attractive, but then discover some issues after moving in, you may not be as excited about buying it as you thought you were.

Its important to do your due diligence when looking at properties. A lot goes into making a property appealing to potential buyers, from the landscaping to the flooring to the kitchen appliances. The same applies when inspecting a property  there are many things that need checking over to make sure everything is running smoothly.

Here are some of the benefits of performing a pre-purchase inspection:

You get to see exactly what will happen to your money

When you go shopping for a new car, youll probably be shown several different models. You might even be shown one that looks like a great value, but doesnt fit around all of the extra features that you want. When it comes time to actually buy the vehicle, however, you wont have seen how your money will be spent on it once you drive it off the showroom floor.

Likewise, when you shop for a new home, you dont really know what youre getting yourself into until you move in. In order to get a feel for whether the home youre considering is what you want, you normally have to spend quite a bit of time inside it. This allows you to learn more about everything that youre going to be spending your hard-earned cash on.

A pre-purchase building inspection gives you much the same kind of experience without having to spend thousands of dollars. Since youre paying for the service, you can expect to see exactly what youre paying for, instead of just seeing a vague idea of what you might end up with.

You find out about potential major repairs

Some buildings are very expensive to maintain, which means that owners often neglect them for the sake of saving money. While youre paying for a building inspection, youre also paying for a professional who knows how to spot signs of trouble and repair work that needs doing.

If you notice that a particular area of your new home needs fixing right away, you can call in an expert to take care of it quickly. If you find that theres something wrong with your boiler, you wont have to wait weeks for a plumber to come over and fix it. Instead, youll have access to a solution immediately.

You can save hundreds of pounds by finding out about potential problems early on

One of the biggest expenses when you first buy a home is the cost of moving in. Many people dont realize this until its too late. Buying a home involves not only paying for the actual house, but also for moving costs, furniture, and other items that have to be moved along with the home.

Having a good idea ahead of time of what youre likely to encounter can help you avoid these kinds of costs. If you know youll need to replace the plumbing system, for example, youll be able to put together a budget for the expense and plan accordingly.

You can protect your investment by finding out if the homes been well cared for

While there are plenty of people who think that houses always look better when theyre newly built, youd be surprised at how well maintained older residences can still look nice. Sometimes, though, those homes need some additional maintenance to keep them looking their best.

This could involve repairs that arent so noticeable or small improvements that you wouldnt consider otherwise. Even worse, some houses have fallen into disrepair without anyone noticing. This is why having a professional perform a building inspection prior to purchasing a home is such a big benefit.

Not only will it give you insight into the state of the property, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing youre not getting taken advantage of. As long as youre aware of the potential pitfalls, youll have less reason to worry about the state of your new home.

You can use information gathered during a building inspection to negotiate a lower price

If youre worried about buying a home because you suspect that it may need extensive renovation work, you may already have a rough idea of how much work youll need to do to bring it up to scratch. That knowledge can come in handy if you decide to buy the home.

You can use all of the details that you gather during a building inspection to present a realistic picture of what the home is worth to prospective buyers. If a potential buyer thinks that the home is worth more than what you paid for it, you can try negotiating a lower price.

You can sell your home faster and for more money

If you decide to list your home on the market soon after buying it, youll need to price it accurately in order to attract buyers. But if youve already done a thorough building inspection, youll know exactly what work is needed and what the current market conditions are.

In other words, youll be able to make a more accurate estimate of the amount of money youve invested in the home and how much its worth. If you find that youre selling your house for close to its full market value, you can use this information to convince the potential buyer that your home is worth the asking price.

Even if youre planning to stay in the home for a while before you decide to sell, the fact that you did a thorough building inspection will give you more confidence when listing it. Prospective buyers will know exactly what theyre paying for.

Your home will hold its value longer

As mentioned earlier, the value of a home depends heavily upon the condition of the building itself. If your home is in bad shape, potential buyers wont be interested in buying it. On the other hand, if youve performed a thorough building inspection and know what sort of repairs are necessary, you can offer your prospective buyer a compelling reason to invest in your property.

When you buy a home, youre essentially agreeing to have it inspected periodically to ensure that it stays in top shape. Not only does this allow you to avoid expensive repairs down the road, but it can also increase the value of your home.

You can make smart decisions about property investments

Buying real estate isnt as simple as just driving a couple of minutes to pick up a house. There are lots of considerations involved, ranging from location to cost. The same is true when youre investing in property.

If you find a house that meets all of your requirements, youll want to make sure that you have a solid understanding of where it stands with regards to the rest of the market. If you havent spent enough time researching the area, you could inadvertently end up with a bad deal.

There are lots of resources available online that can help you determine the overall level of competition in your area. They can also help you figure out if there are any properties that meet your requirements that you didnt know about.

If you own rental property, you can use the information to identify tenants who might cause damage

If you own rental property and youve noticed that certain tenants consistently cause damage, you can use the results of a building inspection to identify them. You can then contact them directly to let them know that youre watching them closely and that you dont appreciate the problem theyre causing.

They might start taking better care of their homes, which would be good news for everyone. It could also be the case that youll find out that theyre responsible for previous damages that werent caught during a previous visit.

You can make smarter decisions about hiring contractors

If youve hired contractors to build or repair your home, you might want to ask them for references. However, unless you perform a thorough building inspection, you might not know exactly what to look for.

For instance, maybe you only checked the roof for leaks or the walls for cracks. You might not have looked underneath the foundation for anything that could cause a future issue. By performing a building inspection, you can ensure that you hire reputable contractors who will be trustworthy with your money.

You can avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition

Of course, the main benefit of structural inspections perth is that it helps you avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition. Before you make the decision to buy a home, you should do whatever you can to find out about the state of the building.

You can also ask your realtor about what sorts of inspections are typically recommended. Some agents say that its standard practice to check the heating system, the roof, the electrical wiring, and the floors. Others will tell you that they recommend that you check the entire structure.

Either way, if you choose to hire an inspector, youll find out exactly what needs to be fixed and how much it will cost to do so.

As a result, it can be concluded that a pre-purchase building inspection is highly important for the buyers because it provides transparency regarding the current conditions of the structure. Additionally, the building owner is made aware of any upgrades or repairs that are required, which could lead to a fair deal throughout the purchasing and selling process.
President Joe Biden has decided to ban Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia's economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine. The United States generally imports about 100,000 barrels a day from Russia, only about 5% of Russia's crude oil exports, according to Rystad Energy. Last year, roughly 8% of U.S. imports of oil and petroleum products came from Russia. Gas prices have been rising for weeks due to the conflict and in anticipation of potential sanctions on the Russian energy sector. The U.S. national average for a gallon of gasoline soared 45 cents a gallon in the past week and topped $4.06 on Monday, according to auto club AAA. Should the US ban Russian oil imports over Ukraine war?

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Cuba opens to affordable medical tourism for Americans who can't afford Obamacare deductibles

State-funded research proves existence of Quantum Aggression Particles (Heterons) in Large Hadron Collider

Student job opportunities: make big bucks this summer as Hillarys Ordinary-American; all expenses paid, travel, free acting lessons

Experts debate whether Iranian negotiators broke John Kerry's leg or he did it himself to get out of negotiations

Junior Varsity takes Ramadi, advances to quarterfinals

US media to GOP pool of candidates: 'Knowing what we know now, would you have had anything to do with the founding of the United States?'

NY Mayor to hold peace talks with rats, apologize for previous Mayor's cowboy diplomacy

China launches cube-shaped space object with a message to aliens: "The inhabitants of Earth will steal your intellectual property, copy it, manufacture it in sweatshops with slave labor, and sell it back to you at ridiculously low prices"

Progressive scientists: Truth is a variable deduced by subtracting 'what is' from 'what ought to be'

Experts agree: Hillary Clinton best candidate to lessen percentage of Americans in top 1%

America's attempts at peace talks with the White House continue to be met with lies, stalling tactics, and bad faith

Starbucks new policy to talk race with customers prompts new hashtag #DontHoldUpTheLine

Hillary: DELETE is the new RESET

Charlie Hebdo receives Islamophobe 2015 award; the cartoonists could not be reached for comment due to their inexplicable, illogical deaths

Russia sends 'reset' button back to Hillary: 'You need it now more than we do'

Barack Obama finds out from CNN that Hillary Clinton spent four years being his Secretary of State

President Obama honors Leonard Nimoy by taking selfie in front of Starship Enterprise

Police: If Obama had a convenience store, it would look like Obama Express Food Market

Study finds stunning lack of racial, gender, and economic diversity among middle-class white males

NASA: We're 80% sure about being 20% sure about being 17% sure about being 38% sure about 2014 being the hottest year on record

People holding '$15 an Hour Now' posters sue Democratic party demanding raise to $15 an hour for rendered professional protesting services

Cuba-US normalization: US tourists flock to see Cuba before it looks like the US and Cubans flock to see the US before it looks like Cuba

White House describes attacks on Sony Pictures as 'spontaneous hacking in response to offensive video mocking Juche and its prophet'

CIA responds to Democrat calls for transparency by releasing the director's cut of The Making Of Obama's Birth Certificate

Obama: 'If I had a city, it would look like Ferguson'

Biden: 'If I had a Ferguson (hic), it would look like a city'

Obama signs executive order renaming 'looters' to 'undocumented shoppers'

Ethicists agree: two wrongs do make a right so long as Bush did it first

The aftermath of the 'War on Women 2014' finds a new 'Lost Generation' of disillusioned Democrat politicians, unable to cope with life out of office

White House: Republican takeover of the Senate is a clear mandate from the American people for President Obama to rule by executive orders

Nurse Kaci Hickox angrily tells reporters that she won't change her clocks for daylight savings time

Democratic Party leaders in panic after recent poll shows most Democratic voters think 'midterm' is when to end pregnancy

Desperate Democratic candidates plead with Obama to stop backing them and instead support their GOP opponents

Ebola Czar issues five-year plan with mandatory quotas of Ebola infections per each state based on voting preferences

Study: crony capitalism is to the free market what the Westboro Baptist Church is to Christianity

Fun facts about world languages: the Left has more words for statism than the Eskimos have for snow

African countries to ban all flights from the United States because "Obama is incompetent, it scares us"

Nobel Peace Prize controversy: Hillary not nominated despite having done even less than Obama to deserve it

Obama: 'Ebola is the JV of viruses'

BREAKING: Secret Service foils Secret Service plot to protect Obama

Revised 1st Amendment: buy one speech, get the second free

Sharpton calls on white NFL players to beat their women in the interests of racial fairness

President Obama appoints his weekly approval poll as new national security adviser

Obama wags pen and phone at Putin; Europe offers support with powerful pens and phones from NATO members

White House pledges to embarrass ISIS back to the Stone Age with a barrage of fearsome Twitter messages and fatally ironic Instagram photos

Obama to fight ISIS with new federal Terrorist Regulatory Agency

Obama vows ISIS will never raise their flag over the eighteenth hole

Harry Reid: "Sometimes I say the wong thing"

Elian Gonzalez wishes he had come to the U.S. on a bus from Central America like all the other kids

Obama visits US-Mexican border, calls for a two-state solution

Obama draws "blue line" in Iraq after Putin took away his red crayon

"Hard Choices," a porno flick loosely based on Hillary Clinton's memoir and starring Hillary Hellfire as a drinking, whoring Secretary of State, wildly outsells the flabby, sagging original

Accusations of siding with the enemy leave Sgt. Bergdahl with only two options: pursue a doctorate at Berkley or become a Senator from Massachusetts

Jay Carney stuck in line behind Eric Shinseki to leave the White House; estimated wait time from 15 min to 6 weeks

100% of scientists agree that if man-made global warming were real, "the last people we'd want to help us is the Obama administration"

Jay Carney says he found out that Obama found out that he found out that Obama found out that he found out about the latest Obama administration scandal on the news

"Anarchy Now!" meeting turns into riot over points of order, bylaws, and whether or not 'kicking the #^@&*! ass' of the person trying to speak is or is not violence

Obama retaliates against Putin by prohibiting unionized federal employees from dating hot Russian girls online during work hours

Russian separatists in Ukraine riot over an offensive YouTube video showing the toppling of Lenin statues

"Free Speech Zones" confuse Obamaphone owners who roam streets in search of additional air minutes

Obamacare bolsters employment for professionals with skills to convert meth back into sudafed

Gloves finally off: Obama uses pen and phone to cancel Putin's Netflix account

Joe Biden to Russia: "We will bury you by turning more of Eastern Europe over to your control!"

In last-ditch effort to help Ukraine, Obama deploys Rev. Sharpton and Rev. Jackson's Rainbow Coalition to Crimea

Al Sharpton: "Not even Putin can withstand our signature chanting, 'racist, sexist, anti-gay, Russian army go away'!"

Mardi Gras in North Korea: "Throw me some food!"

Obama's foreign policy works: "War, invasion, and conquest are signs of weakness; we've got Putin right where we want him"

US offers military solution to Ukraine crisis: "We will only fight countries that have LGBT military"

Putin annexes Brighton Beach to protect ethnic Russians in Brooklyn, Obama appeals to UN and EU for help

The 1980s: "Mr. Obama, we're just calling to ask if you want our foreign policy back. The 1970s are right here with us, and they're wondering, too."

In a stunning act of defiance, Obama courageously unfriends Putin on Facebook

MSNBC: Obama secures alliance with Austro-Hungarian Empire against Russias aggression in Ukraine

Study: springbreak is to STDs what April 15th is to accountants

Efforts to achieve moisture justice for California thwarted by unfair redistribution of snow in America

North Korean voters unanimous: "We are the 100%"

Leader of authoritarian gulag-site, The People's Cube, unanimously 're-elected' with 100% voter turnout

Super Bowl: Obama blames Fox News for Broncos' loss

Feminist author slams gay marriage: "a man needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle"

Beverly Hills campaign heats up between Henry Waxman and Marianne Williamson over the widening income gap between millionaires and billionaires in their district

Biden to lower $10,000-a-plate Dinner For The Homeless to $5,000 so more homeless can attend

Kim becomes world leader, feeds uncle to dogs; Obama eats dogs, becomes world leader, America cries uncle

North Korean leader executes own uncle for talking about Obamacare at family Christmas party

White House hires part-time schizophrenic Mandela sign interpreter to help sell Obamacare

Kim Jong Un executes own "crazy uncle" to keep him from ruining another family Christmas

OFA admits its advice for area activists to give Obamacare Talk at shooting ranges was a bad idea

President resolves Obamacare debacle with executive order declaring all Americans equally healthy

Obama to Iran: "If you like your nuclear program, you can keep your nuclear program"

Bovine community outraged by flatulence coming from Washington DC

Obama: "I'm not particularly ideological; I believe in a good pragmatic five-year plan"

Shocker: Obama had no knowledge he'd been reelected until he read about it in the local newspaper last week

Server problems at HealthCare.gov so bad, it now flashes 'Error 808' message

NSA marks National Best Friend Day with official announcement: "Government is your best friend; we know you like no one else, we're always there, we're always willing to listen"

Al Qaeda cancels attack on USA citing launch of Obamacare as devastating enough

The President's latest talking point on Obamacare: "I didn't build that"

Dizzy with success, Obama renames his wildly popular healthcare mandate to HillaryCare

Carney: huge ObamaCare deductibles won't look as bad come hyperinflation

Washington Redskins drop 'Washington' from their name as offensive to most Americans

Poll: 83% of Americans favor cowboy diplomacy over rodeo clown diplomacy

GOVERNMENT WARNING: If you were able to complete ObamaCare form online, it wasn't a legitimate gov't website; you should report online fraud and change all your passwords

Obama administration gets serious, threatens Syria with ObamaCare

Obama authorizes the use of Vice President Joe Biden's double-barrel shotgun to fire a couple of blasts at Syria

Sharpton: "British royals should have named baby 'Trayvon.' By choosing 'George' they sided with white Hispanic racist Zimmerman"

DNC launches 'Carlos Danger' action figure; proceeds to fund a charity helping survivors of the Republican War on Women

Nancy Pelosi extends abortion rights to the birds and the bees

Hubble discovers planetary drift to the left

Obama: 'If I had a daughter-in-law, she would look like Rachael Jeantel'

FISA court rubberstamps statement denying its portrayal as government's rubber stamp

Every time ObamaCare gets delayed, a Julia somewhere dies

GOP to Schumer: 'Force full implementation of ObamaCare before 2014 or Dems will never win another election'

Obama: 'If I had a son... no, wait, my daughter can now marry a woman!'

Janet Napolitano: TSA findings reveal that since none of the hijackers were babies, elderly, or Tea Partiers, 9/11 was not an act of terrorism

News Flash: Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) can see Canada from South Dakota

Susan Rice: IRS actions against tea parties caused by anti-tax YouTube video that was insulting to their faith

Drudge Report reduces font to fit all White House scandals onto one page

Obama: the IRS is a constitutional right, just like the Second Amendment

White House: top Obama officials using secret email accounts a result of bad IT advice to avoid spam mail from Nigeria

Jay Carney to critics: 'Pinocchio never said anything inconsistent'

Obama: If I had a gay son, he'd look like Jason Collins

Gosnell's office in Benghazi raided by the IRS: mainstream media's worst cover-up challenge to date

IRS targeting pro-gay-marriage LGBT groups leads to gayest tax revolt in U.S. history

After Arlington Cemetery rejects offer to bury Boston bomber, Westboro Babtist Church steps up with premium front lawn plot

Boston: Obama Administration to reclassify marathon bombing as 'sportsplace violence'

Study: Success has many fathers but failure becomes a government program

US Media: Can Pope Francis possibly clear up Vatican bureaucracy and banking without blaming the previous administration?

Michelle Obama praises weekend rampage by Chicago teens as good way to burn calories and stay healthy

This Passover, Obama urges his subjects to paint lamb's blood above doors in order to avoid the Sequester



White House to American children: Sequester causes layoffs among hens that lay Easter eggs; union-wage Easter Bunnies to be replaced by Mexican Chupacabras

Time Mag names Hugo Chavez world's sexiest corpse

Boy, 8, pretends banana is gun, makes daring escape from school

Study: Free lunches overpriced, lack nutrition

Oscars 2013: Michelle Obama announces long-awaited merger of Hollywood and the State

Joe Salazar defends the right of women to be raped in gun-free environment: 'rapists and rapees should work together to prevent gun violence for the common good'

Dept. of Health and Human Services eliminates rape by reclassifying assailants as 'undocumented sex partners'

Kremlin puts out warning not to photoshop Putin riding meteor unless bare-chested

Deeming football too violent, Obama moves to introduce Super Drone Sundays instead

Japan offers to extend nuclear umbrella to cover U.S. should America suffer devastating attack on its own defense spending

Feminists organize one billion women to protest male oppression with one billion lap dances

Urban community protests Mayor Bloomberg's ban on extra-large pop singers owning assault weapons

Concerned with mounting death toll, Taliban offers to send peacekeeping advisers to Chicago

Karl Rove puts an end to Tea Party with new 'Republicans For Democrats' strategy aimed at losing elections

Answering public skepticism, President Obama authorizes unlimited drone attacks on all skeet targets throughout the country

Skeet Ulrich denies claims he had been shot by President but considers changing his name to 'Traps'

White House releases new exciting photos of Obama standing, sitting, looking thoughtful, and even breathing in and out

New York Times hacked by Chinese government, Paul Krugman's economic policies stolen

White House: when President shoots skeet, he donates the meat to food banks that feed the middle class

To prove he is serious, Obama eliminates armed guard protection for President, Vice-President, and their families; establishes Gun-Free Zones around them instead

State Dept to send 100,000 American college students to China as security for US debt obligations

Jay Carney: Al Qaeda is on the run, they're just running forward

President issues executive orders banning cliffs, ceilings, obstructions, statistics, and other notions that prevent us from moving forwards and upward

Fearing the worst, Obama Administration outlaws the fan to prevent it from being hit by certain objects

World ends; S&P soars

Riddle of universe solved; answer not understood

Meek inherit Earth, can't afford estate taxes

Greece abandons Euro; accountants find Greece has no Euros anyway

Wheel finally reinvented; axles to be gradually reinvented in 3rd quarter of 2013

Bigfoot found in Ohio, mysteriously not voting for Obama

As Santa's workshop files for bankruptcy, Fed offers bailout in exchange for control of 'naughty and nice' list

Freak flying pig accident causes bacon to fly off shelves

Obama: green economy likely to transform America into a leading third world country of the new millennium

Report: President Obama to visit the United States in the near future

Obama promises to create thousands more economically neutral jobs

Modernizing Islam: New York imam proposes to canonize Saul Alinsky as religion's latter day prophet

Imam Rauf's peaceful solution: 'Move Ground Zero a few blocks away from the mosque and no one gets hurt'

Study: Obama's threat to burn tax money in Washington 'recruitment bonanza' for Tea Parties

Study: no Social Security reform will be needed if gov't raises retirement age to at least 814 years

Obama attends church service, worships self

Obama proposes national 'Win The Future' lottery; proceeds of new WTF Powerball to finance more gov't spending

Historical revisionists: "Hey, you never know"

Vice President Biden: criticizing Egypt is un-pharaoh

Israelis to Egyptian rioters: "don't damage the pyramids, we will not rebuild"

Lake Superior renamed Lake Inferior in spirit of tolerance and inclusiveness

Al Gore: It's a shame that a family can be torn apart by something as simple as a pack of polar bears

Michael Moore: As long as there is anyone with money to shake down, this country is not broke

Obama's teleprompters unionize, demand collective bargaining rights

Obama calls new taxes 'spending reductions in tax code.' Elsewhere rapists tout 'consent reductions in sexual intercourse'

Obama's teleprompter unhappy with White House Twitter: "Too few words"

Obama's Regulation Reduction committee finds US Constitution to be expensive outdated framework inefficiently regulating federal gov't

Taking a page from the Reagan years, Obama announces new era of Perestroika and Glasnost

Responding to Oslo shootings, Obama declares Christianity "Religion of Peace," praises "moderate Christians," promises to send one into space

Republicans block Obama's $420 billion program to give American families free charms that ward off economic bad luck

White House to impose Chimney tax on Santa Claus

Obama decrees the economy is not soaring as much as previously decreeed

Conservative think tank introduces children to capitalism with pop-up picture book "The Road to Smurfdom"

Al Gore proposes to combat Global Warming by extracting silver linings from clouds in Earth's atmosphere

Obama refutes charges of him being unresponsive to people's suffering: "When you pray to God, do you always hear a response?"

Obama regrets the US government didn't provide his mother with free contraceptives when she was in college

Fluke to Congress: drill, baby, drill!

Planned Parenthood introduces Frequent Flucker reward card: 'Come again soon!'

Obama to tornado victims: 'We inherited this weather from the previous administration'

Obama congratulates Putin on Chicago-style election outcome

People's Cube gives itself Hero of Socialist Labor medal in recognition of continued expert advice provided to the Obama Administration helping to shape its foreign and domestic policies

Hamas: Israeli air defense unfair to 99% of our missiles, "only 1% allowed to reach Israel"

Democrat strategist: without government supervision, women would have never evolved into humans

Voters Without Borders oppose Texas new voter ID law

Enraged by accusation that they are doing Obama's bidding, media leaders demand instructions from White House on how to respond

Obama blames previous Olympics for failure to win at this Olympics

Official: China plans to land on Moon or at least on cheap knockoff thereof

Koran-Contra: Obama secretly arms Syrian rebels

Poll: Progressive slogan 'We should be more like Europe' most popular with members of American Nazi Party

Obama to Evangelicals: Jesus saves, I just spend

May Day: Anarchists plan, schedule, synchronize, and execute a coordinated campaign against all of the above

Midwestern farmers hooked on new erotic novel "50 Shades of Hay"

Study: 99% of Liberals give the rest a bad name

Obama meets with Jewish leaders, proposes deeper circumcisions for the rich

Historians: Before HOPE & CHANGE there was HEMP & CHOOM at ten bucks a bag

Cancer once again fails to cure Venezuela of its "President for Life"

Tragic spelling error causes Muslim protesters to burn local boob-tube factory

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu: due to energy conservation, the light at the end of the tunnel will be switched off

Obama Administration running food stamps across the border with Mexico in an operation code-named "Fat And Furious"

Pakistan explodes in protest over new Adobe Acrobat update; 17 local acrobats killed

White House: "Let them eat statistics"

Special Ops: if Benedict Arnold had a son, he would look like Barack Obama







AD GOES HERE
Have you ever had dreams of crawling through a tiny hole into a dark and damp crumbling ruin, the smell of decay piercing your nostrils and you step over piles of rotten communist relics. Probably not, well that is unless you are as strange as I am! Well, theres more to it than having a strange obsession with abandoned buildings or urbex!. This dystopian relic of a time most would like to forget is iconic for all the wrong reasons, but for someone like me who not only loves all things post-apocalyptic but also takes a scholarly interesting in Communism (after all, it was invented in our hometown of Manchester) Buzludzha is a dream!

Urbex dreams and the Buzludzhas history

Named after the 4728 ft peak on which it sits Buzludzha monument was built back in 1981. A headquarters, meetings hall and monument to commemorate the events of 1891 when Dimitar Blagoev secretly assembled a group of socialists in the area to found the Bulgaria Social Democratic Party, a precursor to the Bulgarian Communist Party. The strange and spaceship like construction is typical of the Brutalist architecture of the era and regime. In many ways it reminds us of the UFO bridge in Bratislava, a city again dotted with communist relics.

After the fall of communist in Bulgaria in 1989 Buzludzha monument has fallen into ruin and become a controversial remnant of a time most would like not to remember. Closed off the the public many explorers still find their way into as a way of stepping back in time to an era many of us will never know.

To a time when the world was a much different place, for better or as some would say for worse, these regimes around Europe fell and dotted around this region there are these strange remains for this bygone era. A time of modernity and outlandish construction, they are now very much resigned to the history books.

Ever since we started this strange hobby of exploring abandoned buildings and sites we had a few places that were so called bucket list explores. The Bobsleigh track above Sarajevo was one of them, the ruins of Mostar should have been on that list and of course Chernobyl (where we have been since and will be writing about soon) sits in top spot.

But Exploring Buzludzha was firmly in second spot, behind what even anyone would be able to identify as the mecca of urban exploring, so not a shameful place to sit! When we headed to Bulgaria we have to admit that it was though the top of the places we wanted to visit and yet at the same time we were unsure on how we would even do that until just the day before. Communist relic, awesome mountain spot location and abandoned aesthetic we could only have dreamt ofthis place had one hell of a reputation to live up to!

Exploring the depths and heights of this fascinating relic > Buzludzha

Heading up the long and winding road in the car it has been hours since we set off. By this point our initial excitement and enthusiasm had begum to wane somewhat. But as we rounded a corner we caught the first glance of this strange relic and we were like two kids in a sweet shop! Standing out against this wild landscape of central Bulgaria it can hardly be missed. The monument has the kind of impact those who built it all those years ago had predicted.

We pretty much ran out of the car, the spaceship of Buzludzha hovering on the mountainside a surreal sight in so many ways. After dreaming of visiting for so long and seeing it in front of us ready to explore, it almost didnt feel real! Call it nostalgia, or political fascination, but to step into a place where we would have been shot for even looking at 30 years ago feels like stepping through a portal in time. You can almost make out the crowds of people here with their red flag, the marching of the army in perfect time and the leaders whose footsteps we are walking in.

Crawling through the tiny gap in the doorway, prized open to allow us all to fit through we were plunged into darkness, good job we came prepared with our head torches! This was it, we were inside this concrete behemoth, the cold air a sharp change from the warm summers day outside. Yet another reason to feel like you had transitioned into another time. Our breath visible in the dim light of our torches in this huge chasm, somehow despite the communist party leaving this place behind almost 30 years you just cant shake that feeling you are being watched. We werent alone in here!

Walking up the steps and into the main hallway the light came streaming in through the ruined roof in perfect piercing lasers, as if the sci-fi aesthetics here werent already on over drive, we almost felt like we were being beamed up such was the intensity of the Buzludzha monument. The lattice like ceiling is in very real danger of collapsing entirely, falling concrete, rotting stairways and broken glass are a real consideration when exploring here. But weve faced these dangers before and treaded carefully over the once mirror like marble and carpeted floor, now a patchwork of crumbling remnants.

We couldnt get enough of this place though, the interior even more striking than the faceless and yet intimating exterior. Mosaic portraits of heroes of the past still sparkle amongst the modern graffiti in the gold and red shades they once did, those of ousted leader Zhivkov have since been scraped from the wall and as if from existence entirely in true communist style.

Watching silently above all this is the still intact hammer and sickle, an surreal and yet unmistakable reminder of where you are and what it represents.

As we descended further into the bowels of the building, passed the old boiler room and toilet blocks we discovered the rusting steps up the red star adorned turret. Climbing the crumbling ladders for almost 20 minutes in the pitch black we finally stuck light again, this time with that tell tale red hue. We found ourselves inside the star itself, staring out at the cracked panels and onto the mountainside below as the wind howled around us.

On we went, through other engineering rooms and many pieces of random machinery before finding the final set of ladders. Pushing open a hatch we were now stood right on the very top of the monument, shaking in the wind we wondered exactly how secure this rusting perch really was.

From here we could see for miles, a vantage point of the most epic proportions. Glancing down the wooden roof of the main spaceship the level of dilapidation here was clear to see.

Driving away from this huge monolith and the graffiti that reads Never forget your past, we knew this was something we would forever remember.

Stopping at the two boulder sized flaming fists that still shimmer in the summer sun lower down on the mountainside we caught our final glimpse of this adventure that surpassed all expectation.

A side trip to monumental and stunning Shipka

This region is no stranger to visitors, in fact they flock to this historic and highly significant mountain pass, put often over the other side of the valley! The Shipka pass is one of the most important places in Bulgarian history.

This is place in which, facing impossible odds and freezing conditions, the Bulgarians fought gallantly against their Ottoman occupiers. they ultimately lost this bravely fought battle but it symbolised the beginning of the end for the Turkish rule as well as the spirit of Bulgarian freedom.

In the nearby town is also the well visited and stunning pink, green and gold domed church of Shipka. One of the most breath taking examples of Eastern Orthodox religious architecture it was opened in 1902 on the 25th anniversary of the battles of the nearby pass. The heaviest of the churches bells, all 12 tonnes of it, was cast from the cartridges collected from the battlefield.

How to get to Buzludzha??

We went with the great folks over at Moretto and Cafeto hostel. But your best bet is to base yourself in Veliko Tarnovo or Plovdiv as they are closer. From there you can get a bus to Shipka fairly easily. From Shipka it gets difficult, there are possibly a few local buses that go down the pass but your best shot is to hitchhike and then hike up the mountain. Its a long day! If possible renting a car or going on an organised tour will make it much easier.

Have you ever explored such a crazy place?

See more from this country

See more from this region

Explore our travels through Europe
The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now.

Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market.

In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender.

India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex.

Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted.

But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted?

Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner.

If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems.

I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now.

I want more variation in masturbation

I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own.

If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end.

What is sex toys for Indian?

Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation.

It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms.

They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable.

Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner.

The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner.

It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past.

In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping.

Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order.

In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing.

Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome.

Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own.

But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance.

More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around.

Sextoy situation in India

Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years.

In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India.

Mumbai

Kolkata

Bangalore

Delhi

Chennai

Hyderabad

These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India.

In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well.

If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too.

If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it.

What are Sextoys for beginner?

Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms.

Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy.

I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion.

I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy.

If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma.

Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it.

Advantages of using sextoy for Indians

There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians

You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways.

Can have stimulating sex

Can develop new sexual zones

If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern.

However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways.

You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation.

Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever.

There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure.

This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it.

When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems.

It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms).

For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles

[Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou...

Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India.

Sextoy for beginner men in India

So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners.

For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men!

The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men

Masturbator

Cock rings

Love Doll

Sex Lubricants

Toys for the prostate

Lets check each one in detail.

Masturbator

The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products.

It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands.

Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands.

They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.)

Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much.

Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! !

Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa   SEXToys India PR  (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018

Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood.

If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here

Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ...

[For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien...

Cock Ring

A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis.

It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow.

It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber.

In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection.

Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction.

It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it.

Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time.

Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function.

Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy.

You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect.

[Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat...

Love Doll

Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex.

There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women.

Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price.

The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true.

You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste.

There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice.

You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls.

If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here

Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to...

Sex lubricants

Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules.

It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution.

Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse.

There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent.

Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent.

If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here.

What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many...

Toys for the Prostate

Another sextoy for men is prostate toys.

The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line.

Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men.

Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm.

You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus.

By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms.

Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.)

The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation.

Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure.

sextoy for beinner women in India

The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy.

The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy.

Vibrator.

Dildo

Electric Masserger

Lets check out what each one is in detail.

If you want to check out womens toys, click here.

[BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm...

Vibrators

A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator.

Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy.

It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy.

Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women.

For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators.

Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex.

Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself.

This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual.

Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men.

When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons.

Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most...

Dildo

A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis.

It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass.

A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it.

They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well.

It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device.

A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo.

Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands.

For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis.

This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one.

To learn more about dildo, please click here.

What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th...

Electric Masserger

A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores.

It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low.

Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels.

Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation.

It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure.

For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm.

It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out.

If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager?

To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here.

What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th...

How to choose a sextoy for Indian

Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one.

Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points:  Does the size fit you (the partner)?

Does the size fit you (your partner)?

Is the environment able to produce sound without problems?

Price range

First of all, the choice of size is quite important.

Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women.

For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage.

Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems.

Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise.

If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level.

Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it.

Finally, there is the price range.

The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest.

Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy.

Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy?

I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance.

For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics.

If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out.

How to buy sextoys in India

The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping.

For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below.

Sextoy is one of them.

Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping.

SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India.

They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry.

Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card.

To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy.

ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal.

Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on.

Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture.

Cautions for Indians using sextoy

When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind

Keep sex toys clean

Watch out for electrical leakage

Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy

As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone.

Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there.

It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case.

In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness.

Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful.

If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it.

You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly.

Summary

What did you think?

In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India.

The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future.

As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values.

However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health.

If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try?

Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women.

I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it.
BENTON  Fifty-three years ago, a British musician came to visit his sister in Benton. Just a short time later, that same musician was on the Ed Sullivan Show and then became a rock 'n' roll superstar in America.

Filmmaker and Beatles aficionado Bob Bartel of Springfield released George Harrison: A Beatle in Benton, Illinois in 2005. The film documents Harrisons visit to see his sister, Louise, in Benton in 1963.

Bartel is rereleasing the DVD, now with more interviews and rare footage, he says. The film has recently gone into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

There is so much to report, that I cant even in two DVDs tell the whole story, Bartel said.

The film also recounts subsequent efforts by Bartel and others to preserve the house once owned by his sister from demolition. Those efforts were successful and for several years the house was the Hard Days Nite Bed and Breakfast.

He said the new DVD is available worldwide.

The first release came with one disc, which was all Bartel could do at the time, he said.

Bartel said the documentary is filled with first-hand interviews with people who remembered Harrisons visit to Benton. If he was suspicious about the interviewees story, he would check with Louise to confirm.

He said hes releasing a second DVD now because he still loves the story of Harrison in Benton, and he wants to preserve Franklin Countys history.

I want to do this because I am a fan and I believe in the story, he said. I also want people to go there and see the story.

Bartel said he will release a three-disc documentary on Harrisons visit to Benton in late spring or summer 2017.
A magistrate refused to dismiss a felony misconduct charge against an Orangeburg County deputy on Tuesday.

Orangeburg County Chief Magistrate Derrick Dash determined there was enough probable cause against Dereck Johnson, 35, of Elloree for the case to go to General Sessions court.

"Naturally, when you make your argument, you always want to win the argument," Johnson's attorney, Carl Grant, said after the preliminary hearing.

"But at the same time, I am not shocked that the court found probable cause considering my client made some statements against his interest, Grant said.

Johnson has been charged with misconduct in office for allegedly having sex while he was responding to a domestic call on June 12.

According to sworn statements, Johnson admitted to committing the act. But he reportedly said the woman instigated the sex act in an attempt to avoid being arrested, according to a State Law Enforcement Division affidavit.

Grant said the question is whether or not a crime truly was committed in this case and whether or not there was criminal intent when this act was alleged to have occurred.

"My client admitted that an act occurred," Grant continued. "The dividing line is if that act indeed was a crime. That will be a decision for a jury to decide based on the evidence.

The burden of proof will be upon the prosecution to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt."

Grant said he is sure his client will be found not guilty when the time comes.

Based on SLED agent Chris Barfield's testimony Tuesday, it could be argued that his client was the victim, Grant said.

"I think a plausible argument could be made," Grant said. "Were going to pursue all possible defenses that one can argue that he has a legal basis to use."

Justin Bamberg, the womans attorney, says blaming victims of sexual assault or domestic violence is never a good thing.

"We are going to continue fighting for my client and we are going to continue fighting to change the system," Bamberg said. "There needs to be attention paid to the statutes on the books when you look at the state and at the power structure with law enforcement and citizens."

Bamberg said there is no excuse for the incident.

"Something happened based on the power structure and my client was taken advantage of," Bamberg said. "It is going to take her a very long time to recover from what happened and at one point she will have to sit down with her 16-year-old daughter who was there that night and explain to her what happened to mama."

The womans boyfriend reported a domestic dispute at their Cordova home during the early morning hours on June 12, according to a sheriffs office incident report.

Two deputies arrived and spoke with the woman and her boyfriend.

One of the deputies took the womans boyfriend outside of the home, while the other deputy stayed inside with the woman.

A child was asleep in the home.

Afterward, the two deputies left the scene without making any arrests.

The woman involved in the incident alleges she was coerced to perform the sex act. Bamberg has said key evidence was lost because the woman was never taken to or informed that she should go to the hospital, which is typically done when someone is sexually assaulted.

The warrant against Johnson only claims the sex act occurred. It does not mention coercion.

Johnson is facing a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted on the misconduct charge.

He had been employed by the sheriffs office for less than two months when the incident occurred. He was fired and the investigation was turned over to SLED.
Attorney Carl Grant says his 17-year-old client isnt the person who left a handprint on a 5-year-olds face, but Bambergs police chief says the charges remain against the teen.

Grant claims police and school officials have conceded his client didnt leave the red marks seen on the 5-year-olds face in a Facebook photo.

If there is anyone out there who was expressing hatred, anger, grief, vitriolic comments, they should know the 17-year-old is not the source of the marks, Grant said.

Bamberg Police Chief George Morris says, however, the Facebook picture isnt being used in the prosecution. He said school bus video shows the teen using another childs hand to hit the 5-year-old four times.

The charge still stands. We changed nothing, Morris said.

The 17-year-old male was accused of slapping the 5-year-old female in the face on the school bus last month. The Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School student has been charged with third-degree assault and battery, a misdemeanor.

Grant said the video shows his client pushing the right side of the child's face but the fingerprints are on the child's left side of the face.

"I have now had the opportunity to review all the videotapes from all angles, all of those in the police possession and all those in the school's possession. None of the videotapes indicate that it is in any way possible that his client was the source of the fingerprints, he said.

He claims to have statements from teachers or teacher assistants saying the child was slapped by another.

Morris said there has been hearsay evidence from people who were not at the scene of the incident.

And while some people have cast doubt on the Facebook photo, Morris said the video is proof enough of the assault.

I dont know how you can deny something on film. You can see with your eyes, Morris said.
Donald Trump and his top aides can justifiably be satisfied with his stunningly successful trip to Mexico. At the same time, Trump has continued to sow confusion about his stand on immigration -- not his overall position but specifically about his intentions regarding the 12 million immigrants who are in this country illegally. Will he soften his stance on deportations?

The text of Trump's recent speech in Arizona suggested there has indeed been a softening of Trump's original deport-them-all approach. But it sure didn't sound like softening. And the change -- Trump will allow millions of illegal immigrants to stay in the country and reconsider their status only after new security measure are put in place -- was announced in a confusing way that left even fair-minded listeners unsure of what Trump was proposing.

Then, after nearly two weeks of suggesting first that there would be softening in his proposal, and then that there would not be softening, on the morning after the speech, Trump told radio host Laura Ingraham that there would, in fact, be "quite a bit of softening" in his approach.

"Oh, there's softening," Trump said. "Look, we do it in a very humane way, and we're going to see with the people that are in the country. Obviously I want to get the gang members out, the drug peddlers out, I want to get the drug dealers out. We've got a lot of people in this country that you can't have, and those people we'll get out. And then we're going to make a decision at a later date once everything is stabilized. I think you're going to see there's really quite a bit of softening."

If that is indeed Trump's new approach, it is in line with voter sentiment revealed in a Fox News Poll released at nearly the same moment he took the stage in Arizona. The Fox findings suggest that if Trump were to actually soften his position on deportations, he would strengthen his standing not only with the independent voters whose support he is seeking, but with the voters whose support he already has.

First, Fox asked, "What do you think should happen to the illegal immigrants who are currently working in the United States -- do you favor deporting as many as possible or do you favor setting up a system for them to become legal residents?" Just 19 percent said deport as many as possible, while 77 percent said set up a system to become legal residents.

That 19 percent is the lowest point -- so far -- in a decline that has been going on for several years. When Fox asked the same question in 2010, 45 percent said deport as many as possible. Last year, in July 2015, 30 percent gave that answer. That fell to 27 percent in January of this year, and 19 percent now.

Trump is not singlehandedly turning people against deportation -- the downward trend began before he ran for president -- but he doesn't seem to be doing his cause much good, either.

The 77 percent who favor setting up a system for illegal immigrants to become legal residents represent a broad consensus. Sixty-six percent of Republicans favor setting up such a system; 76 percent of independents and 87 percent of Democrats agree.

Seventy-five percent of men favor a system for illegal immigrants to become legal residents, as do 79 percent of women. Seventy-four percent of whites and 87 percent of non-whites agree.

Sixty-nine percent of the much-discussed whites without a college degree favor a system, as do 80 percent of whites with a college degree. All age groups favor it by huge margins, as do people who make less than $50,000 a year and those who make more than $50,000 a year. Sixty-nine percent of conservatives favor a legalization system, as do 88 percent of liberals.

Then Fox asked specifically about Trump: "If Donald Trump were to soften his position on handling illegal immigrants living in the United States, would you be more or less likely to vote for him?" (One could argue that the question was leading, but on the other hand, Trump had used the word "softening" himself, and it is reasonable to ask voters about a candidate's own statements.)

Here's the interesting thing. Among people who don't support Trump, 27 percent said a softening would make them more likely to support him. Thirty-four percent said it would make them less likely -- that is probably the group that would not like anything Trump did. (Thirty-six percent said it wouldn't matter.)

Among people who already support Trump, 48 percent said a softer position on immigration would make them more likely to vote for him, while just 15 percent said it would make them less likely to vote for him. (Again 36 percent said it didn't matter.) In other words, the vast majority of Trump's voters would like to see him soften his position or at least wouldn't mind it if he did.

The poll suggests that Trump could loosen up a little and help himself with his own voters, as well as the more moderate voters he's hoping to attract.

Forty-one percent of men said a softening would make them more likely to vote for Trump, as did 31 percent of women. Thirty-eight percent of whites said the same thing, as well as 29 percent of non-whites. (Again the lower numbers for women and non-whites are probably due to the fact that relatively fewer of them would support Trump under any circumstances.)

Forty-five percent of voters under the age of 35 said a softening would make them more likely to support Trump, as well as 39 percent of voters age 35 to 54. Forty-three percent of evangelicals would also welcome a softening.

So that's why Trump is pledging a softening, even if he hasn't made it perfectly clear. It's what a lot of voters want to see.
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NEW YORK  Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) today announced the appointment of Kristin Peck to the companys Board of Directors effective immediately.

Kristin's strategic and innovative business model experience has focused on global markets and deep customer interactions, said David Thomson, chairman of Thomson Reuters. Her passion for talent and leadership development bodes well for our future. We surely welcome Kristin's perspective to our boardroom.

Ms. Peck, 45, is Executive Vice President and President of U.S. Operations at Zoetis (NYSE: ZTS), a NYSE-listed global leader in the discovery, development, manufacture and commercialization of animal health medicines and vaccines that was spun off by Pfizer in 2013. From October 2012 through April 2015, she served as Executive Vice President and Group President of Zoetis. Ms. Peck joined Pfizer in 2004 and held various positions, including Executive Vice President, Worldwide Business Development and Innovation; Senior Vice President, Worldwide Business Development, Strategy and Innovation; Vice President, Strategic Planning; Chief of Staff to the Vice Chairman; and Senior Director, Strategic Planning. Ms. Peck also served as a member of Pfizers Executive Leadership Team. Prior to joining Pfizer, she was a Principal at Boston Consulting Group. Ms. Peck is currently a member of the Advisory Board for the Deming Center for Quality, Productivity and Competitiveness at Columbia Business School.

Ms. Peck was appointed to the Thomson Reuters Boards Human Resources Committee.

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is the worlds leading source of news and information for professional markets. Our customers rely on us to deliver the intelligence, technology and expertise they need to find trusted answers. The business has operated in more than 100 countries for more than 100 years. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges (symbol: TRI). For more information, visit www.thomsonreuters.com.

CONTACT

Media

David Girardin

Corporate Affairs

Tel: 646 223 5285

Email: david.girardin@thomsonreuters.com

Investors

Frank J. Golden

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 646 223 5288

Email: frank.golden@tr.com
By Azernews





By Rashid Shirinov

The British government will fund the demining operations to be held in the Azerbaijani border region to clear the areas from mines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs).

The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) and the British Embassy in Azerbaijan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on September 14 to fund the demining project that will be implemented starting from late this September to the end of March of next year.

The Memorandum was signed by ANAMA director Gazanfar Ahmadov and British Ambassador to Azerbaijan Carol Crofts.

ANAMA implements demining operations in the regions adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, being for over two decades occupied by neighboring Armenia. The frontline areas are constantly being mined by Armenian troops.

In addition to this, Armenia further breaks international laws by using banned chemical weapons against Azerbaijan. For instance, a shell containing chemicals landed in Eskipara village of the Terter district of Azerbaijan. It was later found and neutralized by ANAMA on May 10.

Recently, ANAMA announced the statistical data of its August work on clearing the territory of Azerbaijan from mines and UXOs.

So, ANAMA cleansed a territory of 7.3 million square meters from mines and UXO in August. As a result, 27,007 UXOs and 17 anti-personnel mines were detected and neutralized.

A total of 505 persons of operation staff and 125 of administrative staff participated in cleansing of the territories. The operations also included six mechanical minesweeping vehicles and 34 sappers.

To date, territory of more than 385 million square meters was cleaned, while the number of found and neutralized mines and UXOs is 752,059 units.

In August, ANAMA held its operations in Absheron, Agdam, Aghjabadi, Agstafa, Fuzuli, Ganja, Goranboy, Tartar and Garadagh regions and Guzdek village in Azerbaijan.

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 surrounding districts.
Indian and foreign companies reopened offices and staff trickled back to work in the technology capital Bengaluru on Wednesday, after two days of violent protests over access to water from a river severely disrupted life in the city.



Multinationals like Amazon.com, as well as Indian technology firms such as Infosys, were among major employers who had told workers to stay home on Tuesday while riot police enforced a curfew in parts of the city.



"We are working today," said Sarah Gideon, spokeswoman for Infosys.



An Amazon spokeswoman said its employees had returned to the office and its delivery service was running as normal.



The protests erupted after India's Supreme Court on Monday ordered Karnataka state to divert some water from a river to neighbouring Tamil Nadu state, reigniting a long-simmering dispute in the region about who gets to use the water.



At least two people were killed in clashes between protesters and police.



Police said on Wednesday they had lifted curfews imposed in 16 areas, but officers were still on the streets in large numbers to keep the peace.



"The city is back to normalcy," Deputy Commissioner of Police M.G.N. Kumar said on Twitter.



Local buses and the metro network were operating again. Shops and street kiosks had also reopened.



During the violence, demonstrators stopped vehicles with Tamil Nadu registrations, pulled passengers out and torched cars and buses while pelting police with stones, police and witnesses said.



The protests have hit the image of Bengaluru as the tech-savvy and sophisticated face of a modern, urban India where well-paid workers flock to gleaming business parks and provide technology services to clients across the globe.



Businesses in the city, with an estimated population of around 10 million, have faced four days of disruption this month from the water dispute and an unrelated trade union-organised strike on Sept. 2.



Protests over the sharing of water from the Cauvery river have flared up before, but the ability of protesters to bring large parts of the city to a halt has underlined the vulnerability of Bengaluru-based businesses to social unrest.-Reuters
Some 3,000 Hosted Buyers and Trade Visitors who attended ibtm world 2015 said they were there to meet with the Spanish Mice industry and this demand is expected to increase this year according to the latest Euromonitor stats.



With Europe hosting half of all international association meetings, Spain is in the top 10 as a key market, and top of the league for Mice arrivals in Europe.



To meet the demand ibtm world is expanding the range of exhibiting options available to the Spanish industry to give them the platform to access this demand from the attending Hosted Buyers and Trade Visitors. Currently Spanish companies can take their own stand on the show floor or share with an NTO or CVB, but this year there will also be a Spanish Pavilion.This stand alone dedicated regional area will give independent Spanish Mice suppliers a turnkey hassle free solution without the need for the costs associated with stand build.



Launching the feature Graeme Barnett, senior exhibition director, ibtm world said;  We have had high demand from the industry in Spain again as a result of the boom from inbound Mice business so we have expanded the number of exhibiting options to including this new Spanish Pavilion, which we expect to be popular with independent companies wanting to be part of what ibtm world delivers but with a hassle free option and an all inclusive price, so we encourage suppliers to take advantage of this new initiative.



The package will give each exhibitor their own 4sqm shell scheme space within the Pavilion, furniture, electricity and a personalised diary of up to 42 pre-scheduled appointments.



All exhibitors will also be able to benefit from the ibtm Knowledge programme that includes a number of Spanish education sessions, and networking with some 15.500 industry professionals from over 150 countries who attend ibtm world every year.



"Last year, the people we met were really 'doing business' so the quality of meetings was great. They were also looking for a stage for long term relationships which was very interesting for us," said Herve Joseph Antoine, global managing director, Pacific World.



This is a great business opportunity for small, independent Spanish companies who want to put their brand in the spotlight at ibtm world this year, the leading meetings industry event on their own doorstep in Barcelona." added Barnett. - TradeArabia News Service
Ibtm china, Chinas leading Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings exhibition, has confirmed high levels of satisfaction following the event which took place last week at the China National Convention Centre (CNCC) Beijing.



The show, which brought together a broad mix of Chinese, Asian and international Mice suppliers and buyers for two days in Beijing, reported well attended education sessions, some 400 Hosted Buyers from over 49 international destinations as well as 360 exhibitors from 26 countries, representing an increase in international exhibitors and the launch of the Innovation Zone, which made its debut at ibtm china.



Lively networking functions hosted by Peninsula Hotel Beijing and China World Summit Wing Beijing, a Shangri-La Hotel also complemented the event programme.



Supporting this, Cao Pengcheng, deputy director of Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development (BMCTD) said during the official ibtm china press conference, In the past 11 years starting from 2005, ibtm china has become the only state-level Mice international exhibition in China and is a large and successful Mice-dedicated international exhibition in Asia. ibtm china 2016 plays a significant role in building Beijing into an international Mice tourist destination.



Chris Yan, director of Mice and Leisure Sales, Greater China, Melia Hotels International said: The quality of Reeds Events is always good. The quality of buyers is great and staff of ibtm china are very professional and helpful. Weve been very busy from the opening of the show  great quality appointments.



David Yang, regional sales manager Greater China for first time exhibitors, Aeroflot Russian Airlines added: Its our first time to participate in ibtm china as an exhibitor. We have a full list of business opportunities and wish a great success for ibtm china



Cici Chen, senior project manager, ibtm china said: We are very pleased with the show this year  its been a great success. We introduced a number of new initiatives such as the Innovation Zone, which proved to be very popular. The zone was designed to give suppliers of innovative technology for the meetings and events industry a platform to showcase their products to the Chinese Mice industry, and it was a busy area of the show floor. We also saw some 400 Hosted Buyers attending from over 49 countries, as well as more international exhibitors on the show floor this year, reflecting the growing interest in the Chinese outbound market, and have received positive feedback from our exhibitors on the quality of buyers attending the show.



The strategy for ibtm china when it launched was simple - to provide the platform for the development of the meetings industry in China and the immediate region, bringing together the inbound, outbound and domestic markets and that remains at the heart of what we do today. The feedback weve had to date has been very positive and continues to cement our position as a successful international MICE show in China. As a team we continue to be dedicated to developing and evolving ibtm china to meet the needs of the industry and look forward to welcoming you next year for another successful edition of ibtm china. - TradeArabia News Service
In 1994, Dr. Joan Goodnick Westenholz, who served as Chief Curator at the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem, examined the stone. She concluded, It is a unique object that has no similar or identical counterpart; it is the only one of its kind in the world.

Dr. Goodnick Westenholz believed that the

gem

was priceless, estimating the date of the stones production to be approximately the 7

th

century BCE. She noted the inscription in the shape of a possible letter is a ninth century form of an archaic Hebrew letter

bet

.

In her notarized report, she observed next to the letter

bet

what can be perceived as the image of a wolf. She noted that the wolf corresponded to the blessing Jacob gave

Benjamin

...

Turkey: Christians in Refugee Camps Forced to Hide Faith from Hostile Muslims
An employee died early Wednesday at the Williams natural gas processing plant in Opal, the gas company said in a statement.

The cause of death was not immediately known. The company is investigating the incident and shut down operations at the plant in Opal, according to the statement.

The employee has not been identified.

The company reported that there had not been an explosion or fire at the plant, and the area where the death occurred had been cordoned off.

State investigators were en route to the plant Wednesday afternoon, said Haylee McKee, a spokeswoman for the Department of Workforce Services. The agency oversees the Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The agency did not expect to have information to share with the public until midday Thursday.

The Lincoln County Sheriffs Office did not return messages seeking comment.

The plant is offering counseling to its other employees, according to its statement.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and want to express our deepest condolences to his family, said Dan Kalan, senior operations manager, in a statement.

This is the second energy industry death in Wyoming this summer. In July, a 28-year-old oil rig worker fell from a derrick in Midwest. That death is still under investigation by state regulators.
As nationally and internationally known leaders in the technology sector gathered in Jackson, Gov. Matt Mead reiterated his goal of making the tech industry Wyomings fourth-largest industry, behind energy, tourism and agriculture.

The governor recently led the third annual Wyoming Global Technology Summit, which is funded and hosted by the Jackson Hole Technology Partnership.

The event is meant to network Wyoming and national technology leaders and showcase Wyomings tech sector.

This year, topics at the summit focus on applications of data science and machine learning aimed at accelerating solutions relevant to biotech, energy and CO2 capture.

At a press conference Friday, Mead continued to emphasize the need to diversify Wyomings economy while also achieving other goals.

Expanding the tech sector could help identify solutions to problems in Wyoming and elsewhere, like capturing and storing carbon emissions and making advances in education and rural health care.

Further, a growing tech sector would help Wyoming retain its younger residents, he said.

Mead said 60 percent of Wyomingites ages 18 to 25 leave the state.

We know that young people today have a greater expectation of technology, he said.

Mead noted that Wyomings tech industry is growing.

We are seeing gains in that sector, theres no question about it, he said.

But the sector is small compared with other regions, so Mead said officials at the summit are also learning what Wyoming needs to help the industry thrive.

One of the biggest needs is an educated workforce, the governor said.

Mead said he supports increasing funding for higher education programs in Wyoming.

John Temte, chairman of the Jackson Hole Technology Partnership, is also in favor of the state supporting education for technology jobs, as well as supporting businessmen and women interested in technology.

He also said growing the tech sector isnt going to happen overnight.

This is a long-term effort, he said.
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Thursday clubs and meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 a.m., 917 N. Beech; 8:30 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 10 a.m., 328 E. A; noon, 500 S. Wolcott; 2 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 7 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, closed; 7 p.m., Shepherd of the Valley, public welcome; 8 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 4600 S. Poplar, closed; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech. Douglas: 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: 307-351-1688.

Al-Anon: 7 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200; 7:30 p.m., 328 1/2 E. A (upstairs).

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 8 p.m., 4700 S. Poplar (church basement). Web site: http://www.urmrna.org.

Muni ladies golf pairings

Sept. 15, playing Highlands and Links, 9 a.m. shotgun start. Please check in 15 minutes prior to tee time.

Highlands #1 Wheatley, Balas, Hill; Links #9A Bain, Boyle, Santoni; Links #9B Marsh, Schmidt, Hansen; Links #8A Meyer, Warren, Clark; Links #8B McCarrel, Ortiz, Pingel; Links #7A Haydel, Farmer, TBA. For changes or additions, please call the pro shop at 233-6620.

Afternoon Book Club

An afternoon book discussion will be held at 4 p.m. at Metro Coffee Co. Participants will discuss Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson. The group is open to teens in grades 7-8. Participants receive a free drink, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. To participate, pick up a copy of Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life in the Natrona County Librarys Teen Zone. Call 577-READ ext. 101 for more information.

Art Lab at Nic

The Nicolaysen Art Museum will host Art Lab for seventh-through 12th-graders from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays from Sept. 15 to May 18. The class is free but class size is limited and students must register in advance. Classes will focus on different media and a variety of techniques guided by professional artists. All skill levels welcome. For workshop and classes description and registration forms, visit www.thenic.org or call 235-5247.

KW 67 meets

Kelly Walsh Class of 1967 will be holding another organizational meeting for the 50-year reunion to be held on July 21, 22, and 23, 2017. The meeting will be held 6:30 p.m. at 5409 East 21st Street. For more information, call Barbara at 237-7885.

Stammtisch on Thursdays

The Casper German Stammtisch is meeting weekly back at the Wonder Bar each Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m., usually in the restaurant area. New this year: on the second Thursday of each month the group will focus on speaking German. All ability levels are welcome, as long as you are eager to hear German.

Genealogists welcome special speaker

Kathy from Aurora, Colorado, is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. Her topic is Using the Power of the Internet to stay current in the Genealogical World. Kathy is a dynamic speaker. Join us at 7 p.m., at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 E. Fourth St. Youll find the many ways you can expand your genealogy research beyond the poplar search engines most of us use. Her talk will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Doors will be open at 6:30 p.m. Guests are always welcome. For more information, call Marcia at 265-5568.

Trap release workshop

Wyoming Untrapped is sponsoring a trap release workshop to show pet owners how to release some of the many traps that have been proliferating on public lands in recent years. The workshop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., at the Natrona County Library.

Dave Pauli, Senior Advisor of Wildlife Response and Policy for the Humane Society of the United States, will demonstrate how to release a variety of traps, using specific tools or by improvising.

Wyoming Untrapped is a 501  (3) non-profit corporation seeking ways to create a safer and more humane environment for pets, people and wildlife. The group encourages the public to report pet trapping incidents at wyominguntrapped.org.

Free personal and professional development class

Are you making the income you want? Are you achieving your goals? Want more connection in your relationships? Want more friends, career opportunities, abundance in your life? Tired of feeling tired and defeated? If youre looking for tools to help you get ahead in your life, join this class from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Midwest room of the County Extension Building, 2011 Fairgrounds Rd. Adults only, please. Contact Amanda Steed Helm on Facebook or ahelm232@gmail.com

Ruffled feathers at Werner

The September edition of the Werner Wildlife Museums Wildlife Study Group, Extinct Birds of Wyoming, will feature an imaginary tour of the world of 1500 B.C. to learn about vanished bird species from around the world at 7 p.m.

Tour guide for the evening will be Russell Hawley, education specialist for the Tate Geological Museum at Casper College. Hawleys tour will include a peek at the passenger pigeon, the moa, the du, and the elephant bird of Madagascar  the biggest bird that ever lived.

The Wildlife Study Group is free and open to the public and meets monthly in the Wyoming Room at Casper Colleges Werner Wildlife Museum, located off campus at 405 E. 15th Street. The museum encourages community participation through attending a program, presenting a program, or sponsoring a speaker. For more information, call the museum at 235-2108, stop by Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email indiahayford@caspercollege.edu.

Poison Spider park closure

Poison Spider Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Park, near Casper, will be closed for public safety through Friday due to pipeline maintenance in the OHV park.

Poison Spider OHV Park is a 285-acre open play area located 14 miles from Casper. This fee-free area is a popular local destination for off road vehicle enthusiasts.

For more information, contact the Bureau of Land Management Casper Field Office at 261-7600.
Bear attacks bow hunter in Teton County

JACKSON  A bow hunter was attacked by a bear Tuesday in Teton County.

Sheriffs officials say the bear attacked the man from behind in the Skull Creek area northeast of Jackson. The man suffered bites to his arm and a scalp injury.

Another hunter took the victim to a waiting ambulance in Jackson. The mans condition wasnt immediately available.

Sheriffs Lt. Slade Ross said the victim was alert and breathing.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department spokesman Mark Gocke said investigators are on the scene looking for tracks and other evidence. It was not immediately known if the bear was a black bear or a grizzly.

Yellowstone entrance reopened after rain, snow cool wildfire

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK  Cold rain and high-elevation snow are beating back a wildfire that closed the southern approach to Yellowstone.

On Tuesday afternoon, firefighters reopened U.S. Highway 89/191/287 between Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks

Strong wind caused the Berry Fire to make a 6-mile run Sunday. The fire raced across the highway north and south of the Flagg Ranch resort.

Firefighters say they were prepared and had water tanks in place. They sprayed water on the buildings to keep them from burning. The resort already was evacuated and closed for the winter.

The fire began in July and has been burned about 32 square miles of woodland between the two national parks. Some of the approximately 200 firefighters will start to demobilize Wednesday.

Grizzly bear relocated for killing livestock near Pinedale

CODY  Wildlife officials have relocated a grizzly bear that was killing livestock on a U.S. Forest Service grazing allotment near Pinedale.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says the adult male grizzly was captured Friday and taken to the Mormon Creek drainage about 5 miles from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park in the northwest part of the state.

The area where the bear was released is currently occupied grizzly habitat.

Airplane veered before Montana crash that killed reality TV star

MISSOULA, Mont.  A witness to an airplane crash that killed Ice Road Truckers driver Darrell Ward says the Cessna 182D was making a second attempt to land at a western Montana airstrip when it suddenly veered 90 degrees the right.

The National Transportation Safety Board last week issued its preliminary report on the Aug. 28 plane crash that killed Ward of Deer Lodge and pilot Mark Melotz of Arlee.

A certified commercial pilot told investigators that the airplane initially overflew the Rock Creek Airport landing strip near Clinton. On its second approach, when the airplane was about 40 feet above the runway it suddenly veered to the right and collided with a stand of trees before crashing on the shoulder of Interstate 90 and catching fire.

Ward was planning to film a pilot for a new documentary show involving the recovery of airplane wrecks.
CHEYENNE  A 77-year-old man living at a senior citizen apartment complex shot three people at the complex Wednesday, killing one, and then killed himself nearby as officers closed in on him, police said.

One victim was shot inside the Heritage Court Apartments in Cheyenne and two people were shot outside, said Dan Long, spokesman for the Cheyenne Police Department.

Long did not identify the victims or provide information about the conditions of the two people who were wounded. Police did not say if any of the victims lived at the complex.

Long identified the deceased gunman as Larry Rosenberg, 77, a resident of the apartment complex. The shootings happened shortly after 11 a.m.

Rosenberg fled the scene after the shooting, but he killed himself as officers approached him at a location nearby, Long said. It wasnt clear yet whether he fled on foot or by vehicle, Long said.

Rosenberg was found with a handgun and a rifle, Long said.

Complex resident Mary Eastman, 80, said she knew Rosenberg and went to yard sales with him.

She said she saw Rosenberg before the shooting, went out shopping and came back to find that the complex had turned into a crime scene.

What appeared to be a body covered with a sheet remained visible at the complex after the shootings. Police officers

attempted to comfort a distraught woman at the scene.

Some residents at the two-story apartment complex remained inside their rooms after the shootings while others left.

Vince DeGrazio lives across the street from the complex. He said Wednesday there are several nursing homes in the area and a fire station up the street. He said he commonly hears sirens and didnt pay much attention when he first heard them on Wednesday.

I bet you its every day you hear sirens here. Normally its a medical issue, DeGrazio said.

Laramie County School District 1 locked down two elementary schools in the area at the request of law enforcement shortly after the shootings. The lockdown was lifted at 12:30 p.m.
CHEYENNE - Laramie County Community College is under federal investigation for a sexual discrimination complaint.

The student body was informed Friday that the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation in February into allegations that the college had discriminated on the basis of sex in its response to a complaint of sexual misconduct.

An Office of Civil Rights representative will be on campus interviewing students this week.

LCCC is one of 212 colleges currently under investigation nationwide for one or more instances of sexual violence on campus.

Judy Hay, LCCCs vice president of student services, wrote in an email to students that the Office of Civil Rights has conducted similar visits to other campuses before.

At LCCC, OCR is reviewing the Colleges overall policy and procedures that would govern College response in the event of student allegations of sexual misconduct or discrimination, she wrote.

College spokesman Ty Stockton says the original complaint of sexual misconduct was filed in 2015.

Hay and Stockton did not specify in their emails what kind of violence was alleged to have taken place, or whether staff or faculty was involved.

Out of respect for the privacy of all parties involved in incidents of this nature and the integrity of College procedures, the College does not discuss or comment publicly on particular allegations, complaints, or incidents of misconduct, Hay said.
Mexican airline Aeromar has launched some introductory fares on its new routes into Mexico from Tucson, according to the Tucson Airport Authority.

The introductory fares are good for travel between Oct. 3  when Aeromar launches its Tucson service  through Dec. 15.

Round-trip fares from Tucson to Hermosillo are available for $276, while you can fly roundtrip to Los Mochis for $283, to Mazatlan for $322 and to Guadalajara for $329.

Regular roundtrip fares on the Tucson to Hermosillo route, for example, start at about $300.

Aeromar's introductory one-way fares are $127 from Tucson to Hermosillo and $149 from Hermosillo to Tucson, including higher Mexican taxes and fees.

Other one-way fares include Tucson to Los Mochis for $134; Los Mochis to Tucson, $149; Tucson to Mazatlan for $143; Mazatlan to Tucson, $179; Tucson to Guadalajara, $150; and Guadalajara to Tucson, $179.

Aeromars introductory fares include departure taxes and fees, and tickets must be purchased by Sept. 30.
Few people are innocent anymore about the drug business, legal and illegal.

What can still be shocking, though, are those moments when the money motive comes out in the open and undresses in front of you.

Thats what happened Aug. 31 in Arizona. On that day, Insys Therapeutics, a Chandler-based drug company, donated $500,000 to the campaign against the legalization of marijuana. It was by far the biggest donation on either side of that initiative.

What would motivate a small, publicly traded company to put in what is so far 41 percent of the anti-legalization campaigns $1.2 million war chest? The company said its opposition was for safety.

Insys Therapeutics has joined a broad alliance of elected officials, health-care organizations and business leaders in opposing Prop. 205 because it fails to protect the safety of Arizonas citizens, and particularly its children, the company said in a written statement.

The company goes on to argue that all medicines should be approved by the Food and Drug Administration and acknowledges working to develop some of its own cannabinoid-based products.

Some news coverage of the donation has focused on the companys current business. For the moment, Insys only sells one product, Subsys, a sublingual spray for cancer patients containing fentanyl, a very powerful opiate.

Some have argued the company viewed legal marijuana as competition for that spray.

They want to be able to push their far more addictive, far more harmful and far more dangerous opioid drugs, said J.P. Holyoak, who chairs the committee supporting the initiative.

But thats not the likely motive.

Insys overwhelming concern must be about the next drug in its pipeline, dronabinol, which is a cannabinoid  in other words, chemically similar to marijuana. The Food and Drug Administration approved this drug, going by the brand name Syndros, in July.

The company has stated explicitly in warnings to investors that if marijuana is legalized, dronabinol sales could suffer. In the companys very first filing, before an aborted effort at an initial public offering in 2007, the company said this:

Irrespective of its potential medical applications, there is some support in the United States for legalization of marijuana. If marijuana or non-synthetic cannabinoids were legalized in the United States, the market for dronabinol product sales would likely be significantly reduced and our ability to generate revenue and our business prospects would be materially adversely affected.

In years since the company went public in May 2013, it has softened its language on the financial impact of legalization, saying in its 2015 annual report: In addition, literature has been published arguing the benefits of natural cannabis, or marijuana, over dronabinol, and there are a number of states that have already enacted laws legalizing medicinal and recreational marijuana.

In any case, the company could not be much more clear about its interest in the legalization debate. It may say its about public safety, but it looks financial.

As Mark A.R. Kleiman, director of the Crime and Justice Program at New York Universitys Marron Institute of Urban Management, told me Tuesday: They dont want the cheap competition.

Thats not to say the pro-legalization side is standing on pure principle either. Far from it.

In 2015, there were competing pro-legalization initiatives, one of which was much looser than the one we will be voting on in November. The Legalization and Regulation of Marijuana Act would have allowed 10 times as many dispensaries as the initiative does that were voting on and would have allowed more liberal growing of marijuana.

What were voting on, instead, amounts to a gift to existing medical-marijuana dispensary owners. The Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act only allows existing medical-marijuana dispensary owners to get licenses to operate marijuana stores for four years after the law goes into effect in 2017.

Until 2021, additional licenses will be issued only if the number of marijuana dispensaries is less than 10 percent of the number of Series 9 (liquor store) licenses in the state.

The dispensary owners, of course, are enthusiastically supporting the initiative. Among that campaigns biggest donors has been a dispensary company called Healing Healthcare 3, which has donated $80,000.

But go down the donor list, and what youll mostly find is dispensaries and related companies giving money to a campaign that will help their businesses:

Hydroponic Solutions: $25,000.

Swell Farmacy: $10,000.

Health for Life: $21,000.

Zen Dispensary: $10,000.

So, no matter which way you vote, you can count on someones financial interest being served. A more compelling question may be whether this initiative represents the best way to legalize marijuana.

As Kleiman said, The public has made up its mind about cannabis. Were going to legalize, now or later.

But just as important, he said: It matters how we legalize.
A 19-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in connection to taking a photograph underneath a woman's skirt at a northwest-side Walmart, authorities said.

Judah Jordan was booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of surreptitious recording, a felony, said Deputy Courtney Rodriguez, a sheriff's department spokeswoman.

On April 8, deputies responded to Walmart Supercenter, 7635 N. La Cholla Boulevard, in the Foothills Mall to a report of suspicious activity, said Rodriguez.

Deputies learned that a man was seen using a cell phone to take a photograph underneath a woman's skirt, Rodriguez said.

Detectives in the adult sex crimes unit identified the suspect and Jordan was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon, said Rodriguez.
It starts in the lobby of our hotel while were waiting for the bus to Facebook Headquarters. Confident handshakes, introductions, and my first big surprise of the morning: there are only about 50 of us. I had expected 1000+.

Everyone seems to have ninja-level networking skills, so I swallow my awkwardness and dive in. "Hi, Im Lisa Bunker. I co-founded the Women of Purpose Lean In Circle at my library in Tucson, Arizona"

How did I get here? My mind went back to 2014, when Wish List Hero founder Heather Hiscox, and Eller MBA student Amelia Klawon asked if a circle was a good fit for the Pima County Public Librarys new Idea+Space. It certainly was. I had been looking for national organizations that filled a deep need and provided a ready-made framework for meetups at the library. Lean In was perfect.

Back in the hotel lobby, I meet more of the women. I am blown away. Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Washington D.C.  these cities I expect. Dubai, Karachi, Shanghai, Barcelona, Kuala Lumpur, Milan, Paris  easily half of women attending the Lean In Regional Leader Conference are from outside the US. Im a little starstruck, something that I would feel over and over again during the weekend.

LeanIn.org was created in the surge of energy that followed Facebook COO Sheryl Sandbergs TED Talk and bestselling book about how women approach their careers in the everyday workplace.

Throughout her career at Google, then Facebook, Sandberg noticed that women were often hesitant to lean in at meetings and in their own career decisions. She gave a TED Talk called Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders. The talk struck a nerve for many women, and instantly went viral. Sandberg then wrote the book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead (library catalog), and created LeanIn.org, a framework to enable women to form support circles all over the world.

For the next two days in Palo Alto we would be learning how to manage Lean In Circles and Chapters by actually doing it ourselves, a way I love to learn.

I was determined be completely open about our Tucson chapter: it started well, but lately its been rocky. You expect that when you try something new, but truthfully, the value to members has been uneven. Often brilliant and helpful; other times wed leave still feeling unconnected and uninspired. We experimented with the time, structure and location but by last April we had run out of steam and put the circle meetings on hiatus. The questions I would be asking throughout the weekend were: What was possible and how could we make the experience valuable to more women? What could a fresh start look like?

We head out to Facebook Headquarters

I luck out with my seatmate on the bus. Shes Linda Brandt, a Minneapolis woman who has been busy organizing additional programming to extend the learning beyond the two days of the conference. She may not be an official Lean In staff member, but she has made its purpose her lifes work. She knows everyone and her ease and joy was contagious.

Going through Facebook security was a kick for those of us who do this rarely. Oooh, a badge. Im official. Heh. Fingerprinted, signed in, and badged, we step out onto the Facebook campus and head to our meeting place for the day. Breakfast, and Proceed and Be Bold swag are there waiting for us. On my left is Ikuska Sanza, representing Lean In Barcelona, and Rena Suzuki from Lean In Tokyo. Rena and I bond over the unlikely topic of Pokemon-hunting.

In which we learn about group norms and creating connections

How do you create groups where stuff actually happens? At the library weve begun setting group norms for each work group or team. Think of them as ground rules everyone is expected to uphold. For Lean In, the core norms are Confidentiality, Communication and Commitment in other words, groups trust each other, share ideas and opinions openly, listen deeply and the members are all fully present and invested in the groups success. Sounds dreamy, right? We started as strangers, but we lived it that weekend.

Introduce yourself, and in one word, tell us how youre feeling.

Im Tara from YPO (Lean In Pakistan), and Im exhilarated.

Im Abir from Asia Women (Malaysia), and Im feeling awed.

Im Bailey from Clorox Leans In Together, and Im ready.

Im Lisa from Tucsons Women of Purpose, and Im feeling  (gah, one word? Im feeling delight, fear, too old, outside my comfort zone, and very excited about what will come)  humbled. Well I was.

I become Team Green

That morning we break into three smaller pods and learned two kinds of team building by actually doing them together. Yeah Team Green!

I loved using the Lean In Connection Cards, a focused way of sharing stories and building trust. The goal is to go around your small group three times with the cards, each person choosing one to answer.

The questions are ones that help reveal character and the things you have in common that arent visible. Tell us about a time when you overcame adversity. What brings out the best in you? What three things do you value the most? We got to know important things about each other quickly and discovered unexpected personal details we had in common. Which card would you choose to answer?

We have lunch, and satisfy some of our curiosity

We were all curious about what the Facebook campus was like, and at lunch we had a chance to watch from our balcony. It reminded me very much of being on the University of Arizona campus at lunch: bicyclists, skateboarders, small groups, people reading and on their phones, and small shops (a bakery! And I heard there was a dentist!) mixed in with departmental offices. Pretty sweet. Soon lunch is whisked away and we are back at work.

In which we ask ourselves how we can inspire more trust, and soul-searching ensues

Trust is crucial to meaningful relationships, right? The afternoon was devoted to a really meaty workshop with Joanna Barsh, the director emerita of McKinsey & Company Consulting and president of the Centered Leadership project, that was focused on what builds and destroys trust. The exercise was especially fascinating because we were all women, and so very international.

You do it: Rate yourself from 1-7 in these four areas:

 Reliability (Do you follow through? Do what you promise?),

 Congruence (Do your words match your actions? Your belief system?),

 Openness (Is there a hidden agenda youre not sharing? How well do you listen?),

 Acceptance (how well do you withhold judgment? Can you accept people as they are?)

At home, at work, and to yourself.

Where can you work to build your trustworthiness?

We learn from real Circle success stories: Sruti from Washington D.C., Sarah and Abir from Malaysia, Alicia from Seattle, Anna from Lean In Latina and Erika from Lean In Military.

Holy cow. Lean In Circles and Chapters are really working well, beyond what we had dreamt of for Tucson. We heard from four Chapters who were having real impact in their communities, and in the case of Lean In DC, affecting national discourse with their successful Equal Pay Day campaign. For the first time I get a real picture of how we could do better in Tucson and what it would entail.

Smaller Tucson circles, for one. They work best when the circle is 12-15 people who have common experiences. We had been trying to please 150 people with one huge circle, a good reason why our meetups were all over the place.

In which we try to remember what we packed

The first day ended with some OMG-pinch-me news: we were invited to dinner the next day with Sheryl Sandberg herself, where we would celebrate her coming birthday with our goals for the next year in six words or less. Hey, no pressure.

If the first day was energizing and thought-provoking, the second day was more reflective and relaxed. We had two tasks: explore peer support best practices, and firm up our plans for the coming year.

I shouldnt have been surprised, but it was here that I learned that our library is on the cutting edge of peer support and team building. Our team and manager meetings have begun to use techniques that help all people present have a voice, not just a noisy few. For example, discussions often incorporate written reflection and brainstorming via sticky note so that the quieter staff members can contribute in the ways they are most comfortable. It felt great to add some library-tested ideas to the conversation.

But yeah, dinner, and Im back to being star-struck. Seriously. Sheryl Sandberg is warm, articulate, focused, and kicks ass (can I say that?) at research. Each of us had a few minutes to speak with her (I vaguely remember inviting her to Tucson) and be photographed. Then after dinner we would share our 6-word goals for the coming year. Ill end with the six-word goal for Tucson: Rebuild anew, from the heart. Yep, I know thats five words.

Home again, Home again

I think Ive finally come down off the conference-high and had time to reflect on What It All Means. Heres what I brought back to Tucson:

Lean In isnt just for women in the business world, or even those in careers where women struggle to be heard or achieve pay parity. Its for any woman who has ideas and wants to be a better leader, and for the men who stand with us as full partners.

Lean Ins message is universal: Be at the table. Be bold. Get involved. Own your career and worklife. Support each other.

Tucsons Chapter and Circles can go anywhere they choose to: the support system is strong and well-networked.

Change starts with trust-building.

Life is better when you ignore your fears and dive in to something new.

Now what?

Our next Women of Purpose Chapter meeting is Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. at Scordatos Pizza on Stone and River. Please join the group for the meeting details, and to RSVP (we need a head count). Ill do a short presentation about the conference and present our recommendations for moving forward. Together.

Where to join

Women of Purpose Chapter: http://leanincircles.org/chapter/women-of-purpose

Further Reading

The books and videos mentioned during the conference have been collected over on the Pima County Public Library's website

Lisa has been the Social Media Librarian for Pima County Public Library since 2009, and is one of the founders of the Librarys Idea+Space located on the 2nd floor of Main Library. Her job didnt even exist when she was in library school. She believes that American libraries are heading for another golden age and is working to make that happen. Lisa was recognized in 2012 as a Library Journal Mover and Shaker, an international award for people who help move libraries forward in the 21st century.
Drier conditions have returned to town, with today's storm activity focused mainly near the New Mexico border, and chances of rain unlikely through the end of the week.
PHOENIX  The town of Snowflake may have violated state laws in charging $800,000 to allow a marijuana grower to set up shop in the community, Attorney General Mark Brnovich said.

In a first-of-its-kind ruling under a new state law, Brnovich said it appears the council essentially pulled the number without legal basis. His decision gives the town 30 days to correct the problem or wind up in court.

Brnovichs decision, however, may prove to be a hollow victory for Rep. Paul Boyer, R-Phoenix, who had hoped to stop the facility from going in at all.

The council is free to hold a new vote and enact a legally defensible fee. That, in turn, would give voters a chance to circulate petitions to put the question on the ballot.

At that point the only question would be whether the town gets to collect the tax from the grower. Thats because what Brnovich wrote does not require the town to reconsider the special-use permit it already has granted for the 80-acre site where Copperstate Farming intends to grow medical marijuana.

That does not deter attorney Kory Langhofer, who represents foes of the facility. He contends that the levy the town council imposed on Copperstate is part of a larger illegal act, making the permit to grow marijuana invalid.

It was issued in violation of Arizona law, he said of the town. They basically put the license up for sale.

Doug Cole, spokesman for Copperstate, said the special-use permit is already done and cannot be overturned, no matter the fate of the levy.

He said that Proposition 203, the 2010 voter-approved measure that legalized medical marijuana, limits the ability of local cities and towns to preclude not only dispensaries but also growing facilities as long as they meet other conditions. And Cole said Copperstate complies.

The action by Brnovich comes a day after Fife Symington IV, the manager of Copperstate Farms and son of the former governor, announced his firm had completed acquisition of the existing 40-acre greenhouse that had previously been used to grow tomatoes and cucumbers. Cole said Symingtons father has nothing to do with the new operation.

He said plans are to start with five acres of marijuana planted by the end of the year.

Whether that happens may need to be resolved not by Brnovich but by a Navajo County Superior Court judge who is hearing a lawsuit brought by Langhofer to block what he called the worlds largest marijuana growing facility, which he said is out of character for the rural White Mountains community.
PHOENIX  The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that cities can pay public employees to work on union business.

In a decision with statewide implications, the justices, in a 3-2 ruling, rejected claims by the Goldwater Institute that such deals between governments and unions amounts to an unconstitutional gift of public funds. Justice Scott Bales, writing for the majority, said the deal between the city of Phoenix and the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association benefits both the city and the taxpayers who are footing the bill.

That logic drew a stinging dissent from Justice Ann Scott Timmer.

No public purpose is served by diverting officers from safeguarding the public to work almost unchecked for PLEA, she wrote for herself and Justice Robert Brutinel. The city has no control over how PLEA directs the officers on release time and is not even told what the officers do for PLEA.

Tuesdays ruling will have implications beyond Phoenix.

The Goldwater Institute says that in 2011, when it first objected, it found similar contracts in Tucson, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Glendale. The high court decision not only ratifies existing contracts but clears the way for new ones in cities that dont now have them.

This case involves provisions that have been in contracts between Phoenix and the police union since 1977 allowing a certain number of hours of paid release time when officers are excused from their usual duties while they perform activities for PLEA and conduct union business.

After the Goldwater Institute sued, both a trial judge and the state Court of Appeals declared the provision illegal.

Bales acknowledged the Gift Clause of the Arizona Constitution bars cities and other public entities from making any donation or grant, by subsidy or otherwise, to any individual, association, or corporation. He said it is designed to keep public entities from getting involved in non-public enterprises and protecting public funds against use for the purely private or personal interest of any individual.

But Bales said he finds there is a public purpose in the agreement, formally known as a memorandum of understanding.

It procures police services for the city, he wrote. And Bales noted that it gives the city a single entity to deal with all officers, as PLEA is required to represent all police officers in all matters, whether or not they are union members.

Moreover, the city benefits from more efficient negotiations because it collectively negotiates with PLEA, rather than with individual employees, Bales wrote.

Beyond that, Bales rejected arguments that what the city is spending in paid time off is far beyond any benefit to the city.

He said the memorandum of understanding at issue  representing one unit of the police department  costs the city $660 million. And Bales said no one is questioning whether that amount is unfair.

Viewed in the context of the MOU overall, the $1.7 million in release time payments is not grossly disproportionate to the value of what PLEA and the Unit 4 officers have agreed to provide in return.

Timmer, in her dissent, said the flaw in all that is there is no evidence that Phoenix would be unable to employ police officers if there were not a release-time provision in the contract. Bales brushed that aside.

The same could be said about various forms of benefits ranging from vacation time to life insurance, he wrote. And Bales said the agreement has to be examined in totality, not just one specific expenditure.

The chief justice also found fault with Timmers contention that having police officers doing union work means less time protecting the public.

Had the release time provision been omitted, the officers might have received other benefits under the compensation package, such as personal time or paid vacation time, Bales wrote.

But Timmer said thats not necessarily true. She said if the city were not paying for officers to work on union business those dollars could be diverted for other important police services. And Timmer said even if the money for release time would otherwise have been paid to officers, that does not necessarily mean that the release time serves a public purpose as compensation.

Following the majoritys logic, the city could compensate officers by giving money to a private business to establish a coffee house near a police station for the officers enjoyment, she wrote.

While Tuesdays ruling ends the debate about whether the Gift Clause applies, it may not put the issue to bed.
When a group of self-described crazy teachers decided they wanted to make recess more enjoyable for special-needs students they didn't really know what they were getting into.

But four years, many fundraisers and more than $20,000 later, their vision  an even grander vision, really  has come to fruition.

She can swing by herself

Nearly two dozen Coyote Trail Elementary School students who at one time had no option but to sit back and watch their peers play can now swing on equipment that is capable of supporting them even when they are unable to support themselves.

Paved paths make the equipment more accessible for students in wheelchairs and also serve as a space for children to ride tricycles.

There is a tortoise habitat, a sensory mural and sensory tables, and a bench swing for all of the schools students to enjoy.

Gianna, a Coyote Trail third-grader who has cerebral palsy, is particularly fond of the new wheelchair swing, her mother Dixie DeBonis says.

Being able to swing by herself is a thrill and joy for her, DeBonis said. It gives her more independence to do things on her own. This has opened up a whole new world for Gianna and for that Im grateful.

Thats exactly what the special education team at Coyote Trail was going for when they thought the idea up, said teacher Mellodie Stratman.

We just wanted more for our students  for them to enjoy life and experience things like all kids  so thats why weve worked at this so diligently, she said. All of the women I work with are truly amazing people and they are there with their hearts totally into this. Were all a bunch of crazy women but we get a lot done. You put a challenge in front of them and they go for it all of the time.

How they did it

To get to this point, the special education department at the Marana school sold hair ribbons, sponsored Parents Night Out/Kids Night In movie events and a fall festival to raise upwards of $5,000  an amount that was matched by the schools Parent-Teacher-Friends organization.

The biggest infusion of cash stemmed from a letter that was written by then-sixth-grader Andrew Weaver to the Rotary Club of Marana.

The letter was written as part of a service project taken on by the schools gifted education teacher who had students write letters to businesses and groups requesting help with the playground effort.

The rotary club has a history of partnering with the Marana School District and the students request piqued the organizations interest, said President Mary Straus.

The group connected with Stratman to learn about the schools needs and asked what they could do to help.

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Think bigger

Mellodie thought that maybe we could help her build some flower boxes  she was accustomed to shoestring budgets as all of our teachers are, Straus said.

But pushed by the rotary club to think bigger, Stratman came up with the design and concepts that students have been enjoying since the school year started up last month.

In all, the Rotary Club of Marana contributed $12,000 to the effort and the Dove Mountain Rotary Club kicked in another $1,000.

Rotary club members didnt stop there. They put in work on the actual construction and got help from companies like the Chasse Building Team and Sun Valley Masonry which donated skills, time and supplies.

Partnerships like the one that has been formed with the Rotary Club of Marana have been crucial for the Marana School District at a time when public school budgets have been consistently slashed by the state.

For Stratman, the collaboration speaks to what the theme of the playground project has become: Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.

We cant believe it has finally come to this because weve worked so long and hard at this that it never seemed possible for it to be this big, Stratman said. We would have been happy with just a wheelchair swing and we have so much more because of everybody else. Weve been blessed.

Take a peek at the playground

The community is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony for Coyote Trail's new therapeutic and exploratory playground on Sept. 30 at 5 p.m.

Coyote Trails new playground equipment is not open to the public but there are a few parks around town with specialized equipment including La Madera Park, Country Club Annex Park, Purple Heart Park and James D. Kriegh Park.

The Milagro Playground at Jacobs Park is the only one in the city specifically designed for children with disabilities.

A new playground at Reid Park that will have two platform swings is still in the design phase.

Other schools with adaptive equipment include the Emily Meschter Early Learning Center in Flowing Wells and the Rillito Center in Amphitheater. Vail's Sycamore Elementary just ordered interactive play panels for children with limited mobility.
Help India!

By Salman Sultan, TwoCircles.net

Azamgarh: if Sefai(Etawah) is my home, Azamgarh is my heart-beat thus says Dharti-Putr Mulayam Singh: a farmer, primary school teacher and heir to Lohias socialist ideology. On the eve of Samajwadi Partys massive rally on ITI grounds in Azamgarh, the scene, however, reflects the ugly face of corporate India with newly laid heli-paid, four AC outlets on stage, giant hoardings, special sound system(contractor from Delhi), freshly laid roads, a massive carpeted pandal with comfortable seating arrangement for expected scores of gullible masses suffering unprecedented price rise for essentials, representative of reel commercial Bollywood world and deployment of security forces from across the districts of one of the biggest yet poorest state.

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will Jyotarma a landless realize her power to change destiny of this great country?



All efforts from Seshan to Lyngdoh to reform electoral process relegated to the archives of Election Commission thus justifying the emergence of AAP and the deep anguish of Arvind Kejriwal and heart-felt desire of real Desh Bhakts; the Aam Admi for our own Tahrir Square to teach lesson to Brown Sahibs can easily be felt on the grim faces of regular morning walkers/joggers in the transformed beyond recognition ITI grounds. Casual inquiries reveal gratefulness to the apex court for providing the Lyngdohs recommended button vote to none in the EVMs. Realization of ultimate power in their hands, Indian voters will wake up today (29th) from six decades of deep slumber to the reality of Lincolns dictum government of the people, for the people and by the people.

With martyred Khalid Mujahids custodial demise, two years old Nimesh Commissions certificate of innocence to a languishing Tariq Qasmi still waiting execution steps, recent tacit agreement for divide and rule among political parties across the spectrum witnessed in Muzaffarnagar can now be sensed in the hearts of naive Indian masses seeped in the traditions of age old communal amity, clinging to the Secular Fabric, in particular, among the villages of India.

Finally one is hopeful of witnessing an emergent India shedding the synthetic fabric which differentiates them unnaturally into Hindus, Muslims, Dalits, Sikhs, Crristians, etc. Is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhis (Churchils half-naked Fakir) shedding of upper garment just donning simple loin clothes in respect to naked hungry masses finally paying dividends?





ACs on stage for keep cooling Dharti-Putr and his bicycle-riding son



29th early morning visit to the arena is testimony to the futility of polite request to Ministers of State (from Azamgarh) for removing at least ACs from the stage. They are helpless to change CMs protocol. Which CM? the one who toured the state on bicycle in the heat and dust? Persistent inquiry at the venue and even talk to Cabinet Ministers nephew at his residence (minister was taking bath and subsequent Pooja prior to the day long activity) failed to find out the officer responsible for Protocol.

Our country seems to be at an important cross road and the million rupee question Will the Junta be again victim of rhetoric and hypocrisy?

Surprisingly scores of security personnel have been left to fill their belly on their own. Of course, they are being paid TA/DA. Have someone got the sense to realize as to where they will find edibles or they are being treated as pariah dogs in the service of Brown Sahibs to fend for themselves?

Security personnel from across the districts, as far as Chitrakoot have been left to frantically inquire for Mangal Singh ka Chak and Bagia: their duty post. This correspondents concern for upholding age old traditions of famous Bhartiya hospitality finally yields result through phone call to SHO kotwali and my younger brother in the service of nation is pleased. Was it his responsibility to find his place of duty on poorly informed card when poor correspondent like me living from time immemorial in the region and scores of other inhabitants failed to recognize the name?

Will India awakened at the stroke of midnight respond to Nehrus keen observation of this beautiful country after six days? Will Junta realize its strength and the ultimate power in its hands providentially given through a wonderful constitution by the architect Dr. Ambedkar?

Let us wait and watch and sincerely pray to the almighty.

May Allah save this great country and keep intact its unity in diversity.

More photos:



Freshly-laid road



newly-built and guarded helipad



Leaving no doubt for a clear message to aam janta



The stage all set to welcome Kisan-teacher and his son



Decoration to please eyes of the PM aspirant
Help India!

By Twocircles.net Staff Reporter

Rourkela: Rourkela in Odisha saw clashes among two communities on Monday during Ganesh visarjan after members of the majority community used abusive slogans near the Muslim area of Nala Road on Monday night, following which section 144 of CrPC was imposed in the Steel City.

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The situation remains tense but under control and no casualties have been reported.

According to eyewitnesses, most of the majority community people were drunk and backed by VHP and Bajrang Dal, who later burned few cars and looted a shop from a minority community.

Soon, the tensions spread to Balasore and Pattamundai town of Kendrapara district, according to a report in Indian Express.

According to the Express report, Pattamundai town of Kendrapara district continued to simmer as members of minority community opposed the use of loudspeakers and beating of drums in front of a mosque during an immersion procession of Ma Khudurukuni, a local deity. More than than 1000 people blocked the Pattamundai-Rajnagar road demanding strict action against the people who prevented them from using the loudspeakers.

Similarly, In Soro town of Balasore, police lifted the 12-hour curfew which they had imposed Monday evening following incidents of communal violence since last three days, the Express report added.

This is the second such incident of communal tension in Rourkela in two months. On On July 14 this year, an objectionable message on WhatsApp shared by a youth from majority community resulted in tension among both the communities. To control the situation, Police administration had imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the city and this helped averted any chances of clashes.

Rourkela comes under the Sundargarh district of Odisha. In 1964, the district saw one of the worst communal riots in the country, where more than 1,500 people lost their lives. As per 2011 census 2.17% of people follow Islam in Odisha. Rourkela is the third largest city in Odisha and was shortlisted as one of the SMART Cities under Government of Indias SMART City Mission last year.


Help India!

By Imran Inamdar for TwoCircles.net

Maharashtra: Historical figures in India have often been painted with religious colours to suit vested interests. So, Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal emperor, is projected as a fanatic Muslim who hated Hindus, while Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is presented as a Maratha king who saved Hindus from Muslims. In this regard, especially in the past few decades, Shivaji has been almost completely appropriated by Hindu right-wing, especially in Maharashtra, to spew communal hatred.

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But for Sheikh Subhan Ali, a 32-year-old lecturer and activist, Shivaji remains an important figure for all citizens of Maharashtra irrespective of their religious beliefs, and he wants to claim Shivaji as one of our own.

To ensure that famous religious figures are not used by anti-social elements to fuel communal tensions, Ali, a resident of Basmat, Hingoli district, is organising a Muslim Shivshahi sankalp Medava on September 24 at Raigad under the banner of Chhatrapati Shivaji Muslim Brigade and the Tipu Sultan Brigade.

Most of the riots take place during the Birth anniversaries of the great personalities or under the portraits of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj . Some anti social elements try to create unnecessary tension in the society.to stop these riots, Muslims should join hands with their Maratha and Dalits brothers in social movements for the sake of the safety and peace, says Ali, adding, When we look into the history of Shivaji Maharaj, it clearly appears that he was a secular Maratha king. He never hurt Muslims or tried to defamed Islamin fact near about 30% of his soldiers were Muslims.

He informed that the organisation is planning to hold a rally of upto 50,000 people for the Muslim Shivshahi Sankalp Medava at raigad. Till now, we have have visited nearly 25 districts of the state and have got an overwhelming response everywhere, said Ali. He also thanked founder of the Maratha Seva Sangh Purshottam Khedekar and all the 33 units of Maratha Seva Sangh for extending all the possible support and promising to attend the meeting in the large number.

Subhan Ali appealed to Muslims to be well aware of social conditions, history of the state and great personalities of the concerned area and joining social movements. Working with other communities and shouldering social responsibilities helps in creating communal harmony, Ali added.

Founder president of Chhatrapati Shivaji Muslim Brigade Lt (Retd) Colonel Suresh Patil commented that these kind activities are need of the hour if want to spread awareness among society and make Maharashtra peaceful.

Shankar Rao Kadam, a companion of Subhan Ali and Hingoli District Maratha seva sangh member said that some power hungry people hamper the communal harmony as a part of dirty politics and that the common man is the main target and a victim of riots and dirty politics . During the regime of Shivaji Maharaj, people from all castes and creed worked under one banner and used to stay peacefully. Our Mission Raigad is part of a peace movement intended to bring people of Maharashtra under one roof in the name the great Shivaji Maharaj, he added.
nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is starting the new COral Reef Airborne Laboratory (CORAL) mission to study Australia's bleached and distressed Great Barrier Reef which, according to many studies, is on the verge of dying due to global warming and other human activities.

NASA's airborne mission will investigate the Great Barrier Reef for two months. Scientists from the University of Queensland in Brisbane and Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) will assist NASA's team in their investigation by carrying out complementary in-water validation activities.

Great Barrier Reef is the national treasure of Australia

Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef ecosystem in the world. It is located in the Coral Sea off Queensland and encompasses more than 900 islands and about 2,900 individual reefs. This 1,400-miles-long reef is spread in an area of about 133,000 square miles, and provides shelter to 400 different species of coral. Every year more than 2 million people visit this national treasure of Australia to experience the beauty and rich biodiversity of this region.

About CORAL mission

The CORAL mission will be of three years' duration. During this mission, NASA scientists will complete aerial surveys of the reef using advanced airborne imaging spectrometer technology developed by NASA's JPL.

The data collected through aerial surveys will be validated by in-water activities. Over the next year, the team will inspect six different sections of the Great Barrier Reeffrom Torres Strait to Heron Island. The team will also survey reef systems in the Mariana Islands, main Hawaiian Islands, and Palau in next one year.

The mission will use Portable Remote Imaging Spectrometer (PRISM)installed on a modified Tempus Solutions Gulfstream IV aircraftto peer through the ocean's surface from an altitude of 8,500 meters and generate high-quality images of the ocean.

PRISM can capture pictures in 250 colours from ultraviolet to infrared. Such detailed scientific data would reveal the depth of the ocean, what is on the bottom, and what is in the water.

According to NASA, test flights of Gulfstream IV aircraft have already been completed over Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii. The aircraft will now begin survey flights over the Great Barrier Reef by the end of October.
Chelsea Manning  formerly known as Bradley Manning  is serving 35 years behind bars for releasing confidential documents and videos to WikiLeaks. At her court martial, she was found guilty of espionage after revealing war crimes that had been committed by the U.S. military both in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chelsea Manning launched a hunger strike against her treatment

Manning has suffered solitary confinement at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. and in fact, recently tried to take her own life. She launched a hunger strike on September 9 to protest against her treatment in the prison and to demand the gender transition surgery she needs.

Finally, according to her attorney, Chase Strangio, Manning will be able to undergo the gender transition surgery her psychologist has recommended she receive.

Strangio provided a statement by Manning to Buzzfeed, where she said she is relieved that the military has come around to doing the right thing for her. She said she applauds them for that and that this is all she had wanted  to be allowed to be herself. She launched the hunger strike because she had not been allowed to receive treatment for her gender dysphoria, but also for the bullying treatment she gets from the military and prison authorities.

Manning has been behind bars for six years now and says she asked them many times for help over that period, while confined in five different locations.

According to Chelsea her request was ignored, mocked, delayed and only given lip service by the military, the prison and the administration. Manning added that until she is shown dignity and respect as a human being, she will endure the pain before her.

Military will now provide Chelsea Manning with appropriate treatment

According to Strangio on Tuesday, Manning has now received written assurances from the Army, that all the medically prescribed recommendations will be followed, including the gender transitioning surgery.

This apparently falls under the Department of Defenses regulations relating to in-service transition for Transgender members of the service. Under the particular regulations, if a service member has a diagnosis from a military medical provider to indicate that gender transition is necessary, that service member will be provided with suitable medical care and treatment.

Strangio continued by saying that now the government has recognized its constitutional obligation to Manning, they hope authorities will act quickly to ensure her suffering does not continue needlessly.

#ChelseaManning ends hunger strike after military grants gender transition surgery https://t.co/9vwDcRCIbh pic.twitter.com/3mSjVLItLW  RT America (@RT_America) September 14, 2016

No date set as yet for the surgery

According to a report by USA Today, there is so far no timeline set for Mannings surgery but she will, reportedly, meet with her doctors over the next week or two. However, while the current news is good for Chelsea, there is still the matter of her suicide attempt in July, which could lead to further charges against the Whistleblower, including the fact that she may spend the rest of her 35-year sentence behind bars, suffering in solitary confinement. However, the report does say Manning becomes eligible for parole in around six years.
CEO of Energy Transfer Partners Kelcy Warren gave a written statement on ETP's commitment to complete the Dakota Access pipeline despite a September 9th statement from the US Departments of Justice, Army, and Interior stating the Army Corp would not approve construction of the pipeline near Lake Oahe. The statement says ETP will meet officials in Washington, D.C. This likely means that ETP will manipulate members of Congress to get what it wants. The statement claims there is misinformation in the media regarding Dakota Access, and that ETP will communicate more clearly with the government and media.

This means one can expect ETP to manipulate the mainstream media into advancing its own position, and silencing any attempted media attention on Dakota Access opposition. The statement claims that the entire pipeline route crosses only private property not subject to Native American control or ownership. This is a bald faced lie.

Dakota Access pipeline route crosses Native American treaty territory

The statement says that ETP has obtained permits from the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, and Iowa. These permits are null and void. The Dakota Access pipeline route crosses the legally recognized treaty territory of the Oceti Sakowin (Sioux Nation). The United States recognized the full extent of Sioux Nation territory in the Ft.

Laramie treaty. The treaty prohibits the US from building these types of infrastructure projects through Sioux Nation territory.

In addition, as of December 2010 the United States is a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). UNDRIP clearly states that indigenous peoples must have free, prior and informed consent to these types of projects.

In a response to Warren'sstatement, Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman David Archambault II expressed that the Sioux Nation will exercise every legal effort to stop the pipeline. Only the Sioux Nation can grant Warren a legally valid permit, they will not. Warren claims that the state historical preservation office did not identify any Native American sacred sites.

These sites were identified by Lakota cultural expert Tim Mentz, and deliberately destroyed by Dakota Access workers to prevent their identification. Warren's statement says that ETP will continue construction within the confines of the law.

The confines of the law

The confines of the law means the existing statutory framework that the September 9th DOJ statement says that indigenous peoples must work within. US domestic Indian law and policy is racist. Federal courts are aptly described as the courts of the conqueror. Both the courts and the existing statutory framework deliberately disadvantage indigenous nations, and benefit the US government and the powerful private interests it colludes with.

The most obvious area of collusion is with local law enforcement who actively violate the civil rights of peaceful demonstrators to the benefit of a powerful private corporation.

Warren's statement falsely claims that Dakota Access workers have been threatened or attacked by the water protectors. The only people that have been attacked are water protectors, bitten by dogs from GS4 security hired by Dakota Access. Warren even has the audacity to discuss encroachment on private property. It is the pipeline that is encroaching on private property. An oil pipeline is not a public utility within the meaning of the Fifth Amendment takings clause of the US constitution. Private property owners along the pipeline route should challenge the unconstitutional taking of their property by eminent domain.

The most absurd claim of Warren's statement is that the pipeline is safe and will not leak. That's what they said about the Titanic. North Dakota has already experienced over 300 oil pipeline spills and 750 oil field incidents. Warren tells workers to ask Congress to force the pipeline through. Indigenous nations must work harder to see that it is not built.
Taiwan tourism feeling a chill Updated: 2016-08-26 08:35 By China Daily(China Daily)

For Taiwan tourism, winter came early.

A significant drop in mainland visitors in the past few months has taken its toll on the island's tourism economy. Forty percent of related businesses were hit with a sharp drop in revenue - 23 percent on average - according to a survey by Taiwan companies 1111 Job Bank and its subsidiary TaiwanXing travel agency.

The cold spell claimed its first major victim when Genesis Travel Agency, a time-honored company specializing in group tour services for mainland visitors, declared bankruptcy on Wednesday, according to the Taiwan tourism authority.

Mainland tourists accounted for 40 percent of Taiwan's total visitors last year. Now, with fewer visitors coming from the mainland, Hsu Kao-ching, a former executive of the Travel Agent Association, said he worried there would be more travel agency closures.

The total number of mainland visitors has fallen 22.3 percent since Tsai Ing-wen took office in May 20, according to the Taiwan tourism authority. In June, the number had dropped to 271,000, the lowest point in 30 months.

The number of Chinese group tours was cut by 47 percent from June to July, partly because of fallout from a fatal bus fire near Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport that killed 24 mainland tourists on July 19, according to the Taiwan tourism authority.

"Political uncertainty created by Tsai's party and safety concerns over the bus accident are the main reasons for the free fall in mainland tourists," said Zhu Songling, director of Taiwan Research and Cross-Straits Relations at Beijing Union University. "Mainland visitors just don't feel safe or welcome in Taiwan anymore."

The livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of tourism employees are at risk, said Lee Chi-yueh, chief adviser for TaiwanXing, in a public seminar on Wednesday.

"The situation doesn't look promising in the rest of the year either," he said.

Zhang Zhihao in Beijing contributed to this story.
Beijing and Hanoi pledge to safeguard stability at sea Updated: 2016-09-13 01:47 By HU YONGQI(China Daily)

Premier Li says strategic communications, cooperation should be strengthened

Premier Li Keqiang welcomes visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. Wu Zhiyi / China Daily

China and Vietnam pledged on Monday to properly manage differences over the South China Sea and to strengthen maritime cooperation to enhance bilateral ties.

The pledge was made on Monday when Premier Li Keqiang met with visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Despite increasing bilateral trade, Beijing and Hanoi have competing claims over some islands of the South China Sea.

Phuc is leading an unprecedentedly large delegation of 132 members to Beijing during a six-day trip, his first to China as prime minister after a leadership reshuffle in Vietnam in July.

The South China Sea issue concerns China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, and both countries should work together to safeguard stability at sea by managing differences and promoting maritime cooperation, Premier Li told Phuc.

China is willing to strengthen strategic communications and high-level exchanges as well as expand people-to-people exchanges with Vietnam, Li said. He added that he hoped both sides could link their development strategies, advance cooperation at sea, on land and in finance, and enhance practical cooperation in various fields.

Phuc said Vietnam will properly handle maritime differences to solve the issue in a peaceful way, boost maritime cooperation in less-sensitive fields and maintain stability at sea. He also said the Southeast Asian country will strengthen political trust, keep high-level exchanges and boost practical cooperation with China.

After their meeting, the two countries signed nine agreements to boost cooperation in such fields as production capacity, infrastructure, education, cross-border trade and climate change.

Last week, China and 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations released documents to apply the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea to the South China Sea and to establish a senior diplomats' hotline for maritime emergencies.

The agreements were signed after the 19th ASEAN-China Leaders' Meeting in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

China and Vietnam will manage differences over the South China Sea in accordance with agreements that both sides signed a few years ago and the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said.

Phuc said Vietnam maintains that maritime disputes should be solved peacefully through negotiations.

Phuc arrived in Beijing on Monday after attending the opening ceremony of the 13th China-ASEAN Expo on Sunday in Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Phuc will head for Hong Kong on Wednesday after meeting with five members of China's top leadership, Liu said.

From January to July, the trade volume between the two neighbors reached $52 billion and is expected to exceed $100 billion this year.

huyongqi@chinadaily.com.cn
It's anchors aweigh in South China Sea Updated: 2016-09-13 07:08 By An Baijie(China Daily)

Winna a kindle? Click here to take the Long March quiz.

Deputy Commander of the Chinese Navy Wang Hai and his Russian counterpart Aleksandr Fedotenkov walk on Monday to greet a group of five Russian ships arriving for eight days of joint drills in the waters off Zhanjiang, Guangdong province. The two navies expect to further improve their abilities for joint operations with these fifth annual exercises. LI JIN/CHINA DAILY

Chinese, Russian navies begin drills to fine-tune joint military operations

The China-Russia navy drill, taking place for the first time in the South China Sea, is expected to improve their combined ability to counter "common security threats", a senior Chinese Navy officer said on Monday.

Wang Hai, deputy commander of the Chinese Navy and director of the drill for China, made the remarks at a ceremony on the arrival of five Russian ships in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province.

Both countries' navies are expected to improve their cooperation, learn from each other, deepen friendship, and advance the bilateral ties during the eight-day exercise, he said.

The Joint Sea-2016 drill is being held in the eastern waters off Zhanjiang, Guangdong's southernmost city, where the Chinese Navy's Nanhai Fleet is headquartered.

Wang said this is the fifth annual joint naval exercise between China and Russia. China has also taken part in Russia's international military competition for two consecutive years, and the two countries' forces have improved their abilities in joint military operations, he said.

Vice-Admiral Aleksandr Fedotenkov, the Russian Navy's deputy commander-in-chief and director of the drill for Russia, said that with the advances they have made through naval exercises, the two navies are able to jointly cope with maritime threats. The Russian Navy has three surface ships, two supply ships, two helicopters, 96 marines and amphibious armored equipment participating in the drill.

Ten Chinese Navy shipsdestroyers, frigates, landing ships, supply ships and submarinesare participating in the drill, as well as 11 fixed-wing aircraft, eight helicopters, 160 marines and amphibious armored equipment.

On Monday afternoon, both sides' sailors engaged in various exchanges, such as boarding each other's ships and exhibiting combat weapons.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday that the strategic ties between China and Russia are "self-evident".

"It proves that China-Russia cooperation is a positive factor to maintain regional peace and stability," she told a regular news conference, adding that the strategic cooperation has benefited not only the people of both countries, but also the whole world.

Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the People's Liberation Army's Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said that the China-Russia joint exercise is a mark of the high political trust between the two countries.


Survey suggests concerns about 'filial duty' leave Updated: 2016-09-13 15:03 (Xinhua)

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BEIJING - A survey released by China Youth Daily on Tuesday showed that over 72 percent of respondents find "filial duty" leave necessary, while over 84 percent are concerned about the new leave.



Beijing recently adopted a plan to encourage employers to provide leave for employees to visit and take care of elderly members of their family on birthdays, or when they need help.



Filial duty leave is definitely a good move, said Zhang Xingshui, a Beijing-based lawyer, adding that office workers have considerable work pressure and often do not have siblings, so they may only see their parents or grandparents once a year.



"The encouragement of filial duty leave demonstrates the government's support for young people to care for the elderly. The leave also signals the rejuvenation of traditional culture," Li Wenzhao, an associate professor at Renmin University of China, told China Youth Daily.



However, the majority of those surveyed were concerned about filial duty leave, particularly regarding lack of enforcement, labor costs, and the unequal employer-employee relationship.



The survey had 2001 respondents, including employees of private companies, state-owned enterprises, foreign companies, government agencies as well as the self-employed and retired.
Animals live longer in oxygen deficit environment, scientists say Updated: 2016-09-13 15:24 By Guo Kai(chinadaily.com.cn)

Hypoxia, or a deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body, will cause animals in both laboratory and nature to have longer life spans than their peers in normal conditions, scientists from the Kunming Institute of Zoology under Chinese Academy of Sciences found.

Observations showed that the life spans of animals, such as caenorhabditis elegans, have extended when they are subjected to hypoxic conditions in the laboratory.

In addition, wild mammals with hypoxic habitats, such as the naked mole rat that lives in burrow, and whales that must hold their breath as they dive, seem to live longer.

Scientists tried to figure out the relationship between the genetic difference and the longevity by researching on the domestic animals living on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with adaptive characteristics.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the "third pole of the earth," has low oxygen, strong radiation and low temperature, a typical place with the natural hypoxic environment.

They found that the Tibetan mastiff has genes of hypoxia inducible pathway and chicken there have evolved to a potential genetic mechanism with calcium signal pathway to adapt to the plateau's conditions.

Scientists also discovered that the aging genes in Tibetans and plateau animals have fast evolution and different expressions comparing with those at lower altitude areas.

However, the rate of Tibetans aged above 60 was lower than that of people living at lower altitudes according to the national population census in 2010.

Zhang Yaping, a scientist who took part in the research, said that it might be caused by poor living and medical conditions.

Zhang pointed out that the census did show that the rate of Tibetans aged above 100 is higher than that of people at lower altitudes, which is echoed with "long life villages" found in the Andres area.
Courts pressed to be more efficient due to shortage of judges Updated: 2016-09-13 19:51 By ZHANG YI(chinadaily.com.cn)

Courts at all levels in China are stepping up efforts to speed up efficiency in processing the increased number of cases as the country's judiciary suffers from a shortage of judges.

Hu Shihao, head of the judicial reform office at the Supreme People's Court, said on Tuesday that a guideline for improving the efficiency of court procedures has been mapped out as a primary principle guiding all courts to better use of judiciary resources.

The guideline, issued by the top court on Monday, sets up standards for all courts to handle cases of the same type and encourages the use of modern technology to replace clerks' manual work.

It stipulates that courts are allowed to carry out trials through video with the consent of litigators and to employ voice recognition techniques to transform voice recordings to scripts of court trials.

It also allows courts to use voice recordings and video recordings to replace written scripts of court trials.

Hu said courts in a host of regions including Guangdong and Guizhou provinces have gained valuable experience in classifying cases into different levels according to their complexity.

Judges in these regions are assigned with cases of different complexity. Eighty percent of the judges are allocated to handle complicated cases while the rest are given simple cases.

Nearly 18 million cases were filed in courts across the country last year, triple the number of the previous year. As of Tuesday, more than 14 million cases have been filed since the beginning of this year.

At present, there are nearly 200,000 judges in the country. "The increase in the number of cases far exceeds the growth in the number of the judges, and there is a shortage of auxiliary staff for judges," Hu said.
13 detained over street protests in Wukan village Updated: 2016-09-14 06:57 By Zheng Caixiong in Guangzhou(China Daily)

Police detained 13 residents of Wukan village in Lufeng, Guangdong province, on Tuesday, accusing them of disrupting public order and inciting illegal assemblies.

A statement from the Lufeng city bureau of public security, released on Tuesday, named the leaders of the protests as Cai Jialin, Zhang Xiangkeng and Yang Jinzhen.

The protests disrupted social order, preventing fishermen from going to work and others from opening their shops for business, the statement said. Crowds also disrupted the normal operations of schools, it said.

"The behavior of the suspects severely damaged local life and exerted a bad influence on Wukan," the statement said. "Police have therefore detained the 13 for further investigation, in an effort to safeguard the interests of residents and to restore order."

Wukan came under the media spotlight at home and abroad in 2011 when villagers staged three large-scale rallies over four months protesting what they said was local officials' illegal land grabs, corruption and violations of financing and election rules.

The rallies finally came to an end when an agreement was reached in face-to-face talks between residents and senior Guangdong provincial officials in 2012.
Capital way to reduce the pressure on the center Updated: 2016-09-14 06:57 By Zheng Xiangdong(China Daily)

Zheng Xiangdong, secretary general of the organizing committee of the Beijing International Property Expo

Q: Why it is important that the municipal government offices and affiliated institutions are moved out of the city center?

Z: The city's natural resources are limited. For instance, Beijing is still short of water even though the country has been diverting water from the south to the north for years. With the rapid development of the city, more and more people are attracted to it, which has put severe pressure on the city. Thus, it's urgent to move some non-core functions from Beijing to other areas to relieve the pressure on the center. In the future, Beijing will be the country's political, cultural, international communication and technology innovation center. Other functions will be moved.

Q: What should the government do to better manage the city functions?

Z: On one hand, the government needs to attract high-end industries and talent, which means it has to provide high-quality public services for them. On the other hand, low-end business activities such as the clothing trading center and the dog market, which occupy large areas of land for little returns to the city, can be relocated to other places.

Q: What obstacles might the city face during the transfer of functions?

Z: A realistic problem is relocation of businesses such as the clothes traders and the dog vendors, which are required to move. Many of the people in those non-core industries are not local Beijing people, so the related government departments should adopt reasonable measures to help them transfer their businesses elsewhere. In particular, the e-commerce industry is growing rapidly in China and the authorities can encourage those small business owners to continue their businesses online.

Q: How will residents suffer the pain caused by the city's transformation?

Z: We need a change of perspective on this issue. The city's transformation is a must and will produce long-term benefits. Both the city government and small business owners will lose money when the low-end industries remove to other places for a short period. However, it provides chances for both the city and those people to get involved in the high-end industries if they can find their way. There will be short-term pain for long-term gain.

Contact the writer at dujuan@chinadaily.com.cn

Office buildings under construction in Tongzhou. Zhou Xiao For China Daily

(China Daily 09/14/2016 page6)
No place for dogs in new look Tongzhou Updated: 2016-09-14 06:57 By Du Juan and Liang Shuang(China Daily)

Guo Jishi is the co-owner of one of the shops in Liyuan dog market. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily]

Capital's controversial canine market finally closes as part of the city's ongoing transformation, Du Juan and Liang Shuang report from Beijing.

Under the summer sun, behind a sign on which the words have peeled off, only a few shops are still open. Inside, several dogs lie lazily, waiting to be fed.

The other shops are either abandoned, or their owners only available through the telephone numbers on notices stuck to the doors.

Further inside, wild grass is reclaiming the land where there used to be a market for pet supplies.

This is what used to be North China's largest pet dog market looks like now.

Officially named Dongfangxin Pet Paradise, but more commonly called Liyuan Dog Market because of its location, the market is located in Beijing's southeast Tongzhou district.

Now, only a dozen or so shops are still open at the dog market, as it is officially closed - the site is to be redeveloped as part of the government's grand plan to transform the district into an administrative sub-center and cultural district.

"Sometimes we can hardly sell one dog for a whole day," said Guo Jishi, co-owner of one of the shops still open in the market, told China Daily. "But it's low season anyway in the summer because it's so hot."

He said the owner of the market has been compensated for the proposed move and many of the shop owners actually moved out last summer, but some of the them got called back by the owner of the market as he claimed he hadn't received all the compensation he was promised.

"At least I'll stay here for this month as the rent has been collected," said Guo. "If they collect the rent next month then I'll keep on going, but we'll see what happens."

However, the remaining shop owners are fully aware that it's just a matter of time before they have to say goodbye to the place.

"I have been working and living here for more than 10 years since my daughter married and moved to this area," said a dog shop owner surnamed Li. "But I have my own dog farm and will continue the business when we move to another place."


Xi to Vietnam PM: Talks solve issues Updated: 2016-09-14 06:55 By Hu Yongqi(China Daily)

President Xi Jinping urged Vietnam to properly manage the South China Sea issue via bilateral negotiations and to promote maritime cooperation to turn challenges into opportunities.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Tuesday.

Vietnam contests China's sovereignty over some islands in the South China Sea, and this is regarded as an obstacle to their relations, even though Vietnam has replaced Malaysia as China's largest trading partner of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Both countries should rely on negotiations to appropriately resolve the South China Sea issue, Xi said. The common interests of China and Vietnam far override the differences, so both countries should be able to effectively manage the differences and promote maritime cooperation, he added.

Both sides should make good use of current mechanisms for negotiations to make substantial progress in promoting joint development over larger parts of the South China Sea, transforming maritime challenges into opportunities for bilateral cooperation, Xi said.

In the meantime, Xi said, Vietnam should link its Two Corridors and One Economic Circle development with China's Belt and Road Initiative to build a new platform for cooperation in production capacity.

Phuc said Vietnam has prioritized bilateral ties and hopes to always promote political trust and practical cooperation with China. Vietnam will properly handle differences and try to achieve stable and healthy development of the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with China, he said.

Beijing is Phuc's second stop in China. His six-day China visit is his first since becoming prime minister after a leadership reshuffle in Vietnam in July.

On Monday, when Phuc met with Premier Li Keqiang and other Chinese leaders, both countries pledged to properly manage differences over the South China Sea issue and strengthen maritime cooperation to enhance bilateral ties.

Wei Ling, director of the Institute of Asian Studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said Phuc's visit will have great significance toward resolving the South China Sea issue. If China and Vietnam can work out cooperative projects over the waters, it will set an example for China and other ASEAN countries to peacefully settle their disputes, she said.

Over the past 25 years, the dialogue between China and ASEAN has showed both sides can advance only when cooperation is based on common interests and properly handling differences, Wei said. This also applied to the China-Vietnam relations, she said.

huyongqi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 09/14/2016 page3)
China, Peru recommit to expanding trade links Updated: 2016-09-14 06:55 By Qin Jize and Mo Jingxi(China Daily USA)

President says nations should continue to improve energy, mining cooperation

China and Peru have renewed their commitment to strengthening trade links as the Latin American nation's leader seeks further investment opportunities in the world's second-largest economy.

Meeting with his Peruvian counterpart Pedro Pablo Kuczynski on Tuesday, President Xi Jinping said the two nations should continue to enhance cooperation in energy, mining and infrastructure construction and bolster a free trade agreement that was implemented in 2010.

Kuczynski, the 78-year-old former minister of minerals and economy, chose China as his first overseas trip after winning June's presidential election.

He told Xi the reason for this is that he admires China's efforts to make itself the largest industrial country and a key player in international affairs. He also wants to open the minerals and infrastructure markets wider to Chinese investors and encourage more Chinese tourists to visit Peru.

Kuczynski also invited Xi to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Informal Leaders' meeting in Lima in November. Peruvian media reports said Kuczynski believes that a personal invitation - following Asian tradition - is courteous and more appropriate.

Kuczynski told Peru's RPP radio station, "The trip to China is highly important for both symbolic and economic reasons."

Accompanied by four ministers and more than a dozen business leaders, Kuczynski is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with major Chinese entrepreneurs to seek more opportunities for cooperation.

After their meeting, Xi and Kuczynski oversaw the signing of three agreements that included cooperation on broadcasting and establishing a cultural center in each country.

Xu Shicheng, a senior researcher of Latin American studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Kuczynski's visit underscores China's growing ties with Peru.

"Bilateral trade and investment have made rapid progress in recent years, especially investment from China," he said, adding that the trip shows the importance of China in Peru's economic development.

China is Peru's largest trading partner and major investor in the mining sector. Last year, bilateral trade exceeded $16 billion and Chinese investment in mineral industries reached $19 billion, according to the Peruvian Foreign Ministry.

Wang Zhen, a researcher of Latin American studies at the China Foundation for International Studies, said the APEC invitation shows that both the president and the new Peruvian government highly value China's participation in this meeting and the important role China plays in APEC.

Kuczynski's five-day visit will end on Friday in Shanghai, after which he will head to the United States to attend the 71st session of the UN General Assembly.

Contact the writers at qinjize@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 09/14/2016 page3)
Tetra Pak plans to boost green power Updated: 2016-09-14 15:54 By Yuan Hui in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia and Zhao Yanrong in Beijing(China Daily USA)

Tetra Pak, the Swedish food processing and packaging giant, recently committed itself to increase its use of renewable electricity from 20 percent to 100 percent across all of its global operations by 2030. One of Tetra Pak's packaging plants in China has been playing a leading role in reaching this ambitious goal for seven years - thanks to the rapid development of two dairy companies, Yili and Mengniu, in Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Tetra Pak launched its fourth Chinese factory in Hohhot, the capital city of the region. The plant is the most productive in the company, expecting to manufacture 40 percent of Tetra Pak's total output in the country this year.

The facility relied entirely on renewable energy by 2009, the first in China to achieve this. The estimated 20 million kWh of green power consumed on the site annually is supplied primarily from wind turbines.

Tetra Pak's Hohhot factory's use of green electricity saves approximately 16,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year, amounting to a cumulative reduction of 135,000 tons in total by the end of 2015.

According to Liu Yun, factory director of Tetra Pak in Hohhot, the price of electricity in Inner Mongolia is lower than in other regions of China. So, the adoption of green electricity means a 50 percent increase in its operating cost.

"The price for green electricity is 0.2 yuan ($0.03) per kWh higher than the price of traditional electricity. Based on the agreements with the local government, the extra payment for the green power will be invested into the development of renewable power in the region," she said.

China had 137 gigawatts of installed wind power capacity as of the end of June, a 30 percent increase year-on-year. Wind-power use fell about 9 percent from last year, due to wastage, according to the National Energy Administration.

Tetra Pak's Liu said the development of green electricity requires cooperation between enterprises and a better mechanism could be set up for encouraging more transnational corporations to adopt renewable power.

Contact the writers at yuanhui@chinadaily.com.cn and zhaoyanrong@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 09/14/2016 page15)
Nuke tests won't solve DPRK's problems Updated: 2016-09-14 07:44 By Hu Mingyuan(China Daily)

Democratic People's Republic of Korea launches a long range rocket launched into the air in this file still image taken from KRT video footage, released by Yonhap on February 7, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

The nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Friday was its fifth and largest, with a yield equivalent to about 10 kilotons of TNT, or trinitrotoluene. And it was its second this year.

This ill-considered move must be opposed, and that is exactly what China and the Republic of Korea did immediately after the nuclear test, because if it is not taken seriously, the DPRK may conduct more such tests.

Since the DPRK's nuclear program development program is still in the initial stages, it will have to carry out more tests to collect relevant data to build a nuclear warhead. But judging by its recent missile tests and assertive response to the international community's call for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Pyongyang had signaled that it was planning something big. Take for example the timing. By conducting the latest nuclear test on the 68th anniversary of its founding, the DPRK intends to add "legitimacy" to its nuclear ambitions.

The test also comes as a time when China is at odds with the United States and the Republic of Korea after the latter two agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in the ROK. That US President Barack Obama is set to leave office in four months and the country is caught in the presidential election frenzy might also have emboldened the DPRK to conduct the nuclear test now.

But whether the DPRK has become a nuclear power remains to be seen, because all its five nuclear tests have been small-scale detonations, and despite its self-proclamations, the international community is not going to recognize it as a nuclear state.

To some extent, the almost confirmed deployment of THAAD in the ROK has a lot to do with the DPRK's increasingly provocative posture, including the latest nuclear test, and could cause more damage to the Korean Peninsula. In response to the news of THAAD's deployment, Pyongyang has repeatedly pledged to take actions to preempt possible attacks from the US and the ROK. Which means Pyongyang may also expedite its nuclear program and test ballistic missiles more frequently, heightening the risk of war in the region.

On the other end of the vicious circle, Washington may seek to consolidate its presence on the Korean Peninsula and speed up THAAD's deployment. Should that happen, Pyongyang could face harsher sanctions, even military strikes. So the only cure for the DPRK's security dilemma lies in abandoning its nuclear program for good.

As for the ROK, what can best protect its national security is the thawing of diplomatic relationship with the DPRK, not THAAD or a closer military alliance with the US. Seoul should ease the sanctions it has imposed on Pyongyang and seek bilateral dialogue. Calling an end to the US-ROK joint drill, for instance, could help alleviate the DPRK's security concerns.

That the DPRK is still serious about its nuclear-first strategy indicates the military pressures and economic sanctions imposed on it have failed to work. So the US needs to forgo its Cold-War mentality and stop seeing the DPRK as a permanent adversary if it truly wants to help maintain regional order.

Fixing its diplomatic ties with Pyongyang, working on a proper alternative to the 1953 armistice, and contributing to the resumption of the Six-Party Talks should be a good start for Washington. But that requires long-term planning and patience.

China, on its part, will strictly abide by the UN Security Council's sanctions on the DPRK and urge it to stop making all the wrong steps.

The author is an associate researcher at the Center for Northeast Asian Studies in Jilin province.
Paid leave will help people visit parents Updated: 2016-09-14 07:44 By Zhang Zhouxiang(China Daily)

LI MIN/CHINA DAILY

According to a recent media survey, 22 percent of the respondents visited their parents every six months, 28 percent once a year and 8 percent had not done so for many years. The respondents were people working or living away from their hometowns.

Now, Beijing municipal authorities plan to grant "filial leave" to employees to encourage them to visit their parents more frequently. The plan is part of the draft of the municipality's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).

The municipal authorities should be lauded for their effort, but their move may not be enough to prompt people to visit their parents more often. The fact is, employees get public holidays plus two-day weekends and, according to a 2008 regulation, they have the right to get paid leave of between five and 20 days. The problem is that not many can get paid leave. According to a Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security survey conducted in 60 cities in 2015, only about half of the respondents, most of them government or State-owned enterprise employees, enjoyed paid leave. Private enterprise employees were worse off.

Besides, for some employees, even weekends are a luxury. According to a 2013 survey conducted by Guangzhou-based Sun Yat-sen University, 38 percent of the respondents worked extra hours, and 45 percent of those didn't get any extra payment. Worse, some recent media reports say, 58.com, a major domestic website, asked its employees to work six days a week without additional payment.

Of course, employees can sue their employers for violating labor rights, but they could lose their jobs for that. Worse, the law is silent on punitive action against employers violating workers' right to take paid leave.

The idea of "filial leave" dates back to 1981, when the State Council, China's Cabinet, announced employees should get 20 days' leave a year so that they can visit their parents living in other cities. The "parent-visit leave" is legal but exists only on paper. If the proposed "filial leave" regulation, too, turns out to be good only on paper, it will not help increase people's trust in regulations.

This is not to suggest the authorities should not enact regulations on paid leave. But they should also, for example, implement a law to penalize employers that don't grant their employees paid leave.

Li Shi, of Beijing Normal University, says the social security fund collected by the State increased by 27 percent a year from 2006 to 2010, while workers' wages rose by 16 percent a year. In other words, enterprises contributed more to social security fund per employee, but the majority of the fund went to the State.

So authorities could consider the possibility of reducing the social security cost for employers to prompt them to grant employees their due paid leave. Only after such measures are taken can employees' right be fully protected.

The author is a writer with China Daily.

zhangzhouxiang@chinadaily.com.cn
US President Barack Obama took to the campaign trail in Philadelphia on Tuesday to offer a helping hand to Hillary Clinton. The Democratic presidential nominee's health issues have made headlines since the past few days and triggered wild speculation across the United States and indeed the world after she left the 9/11 anniversary memorial service in New York on Sunday morning early with "overheating" as the reason.

In Philadelphia, Obama proclaimed his strong support for Clinton while fiercely blasting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

While it is nothing new for a sitting US president to campaign for his party's nominee, as witnessed in the last 240 years of US history, it is a practice that does not resonate with a great democracy touted by US politicians like Obama.

Obama has famously said that "there is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there is the United States of America. There is not a black America and a white America and Latino America and Asian America - there's the United States of America."

But in campaigning for his party's candidate, he is doing so as the "Democratic president", a role he should not assume. He is the president of all Americans, Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians or Green Party alike. His salary, about $400,000 a year, is paid by US taxpayers, regardless of party affiliation.

According to USA Today White House correspondent David Jackson, for more than a century, it was regarded as bad form for presidents to actively campaign, even for their own elections. Lame duck presidents have been more active on the stump only in recent decades, to the degree that they are welcome by the nominee. Jackson predicted in June that Obama will become the most active lame duck campaigner in history.

By spending time on the campaign trail, the US president is taking away time that should be spent on issues of concern to all Americans, not just his own party's voters. It is not hard to name a few of the top issues - jobs, crime, immigration, a deteriorating infrastructure, the gap between the rich and poor.

It would be easy for Americans to dismiss the views of a Chinese on their political system, as I encounter often over the years. But a system that is truly great should consider views not just of its own citizens, but of people from around the world.

In China, there is a saying: "I can't tell the true shape of Mount Lushan simply because I myself am in the mountain." It means that only people looking from the outside can see the picture clearly.

My views about how to improve the US presidential election system certainly are not limited to this. The campaign finance system is deeply flawed because much of the money has been spent on negative campaign ads that are personal attacks or endorsements.

The facts are often distorted. And this is especially true for those negative ads run by so-called super PACs - political action committees that pool campaign contributions and donate the funds to rally for or against candidates.

There should clearly be a limit on the amount of such funds if Americans want to get rid of the "money in politics", as Obama himself has complained.

Some campaign ads are so nasty that the whole presidential race no longer looks healthy. An ethical code is needed as to what should be allowed and forbidden in those campaign ads. There is no doubt that some candidates believe that a lie repeated often enough becomes truth, a quote from Nazi Germany's propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.

These are some of the defects in the US presidential election system, and if fixed, they will make the US political system much more functional and attractive.

The author is deputy editor of China Daily USA. chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com
Conservation council re-elects Zhang president Updated: 2016-09-14 01:28 By YAN DONGJIE(chinadaily.com.cn)

Zhang Xinsheng is re-elected president of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and chairman of the IUCN Council for another four-year term. Provided to China Daily

Zhang Xinsheng, president of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has been re-elected to serve another four years.

As the only candidate nominated by the IUCN Council at the 6th IUCN World Conservation Congress meeting in Honolulu, Zhang was also elected chairman of the Council by nearly 1,000 members of IUCN from more than 160 countries.

"I swear that I will continue my dedicated service to global conservation of nature and environment. I will try my best to inherit the past and usher in the future," said Zhang at the closing ceremony on Sept 10 of the 10-day gathering where more than 10,000 participants met and discussed world conservation.

Formed in 1948, the IUCN is the world's largest and most diverse environmental network with 1,300 government and private organizations as members.

The Honolulu meeting, which had as its theme "Planet at the Crossroads," marked the first time that the IUCN World Conservation Congress has been held in the US. It was the largest environmental conference in IUCN and US history.

Representing China as a member country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined the IUCN in 1996. Since then, about 30 organizations in China have also joined, according to Hou Bo, a staff member of IUCN's China office.

"It shows that China has grown strong, not only as an economy but also a soft power," said Zhang. He said that Western countries have gone the way of "treatment after pollution", which has caused severe environmental problems.

"China is going a totally different way," said Zhang. He said the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" raised by Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with the concept of eco-civilization, show Chinas leading role in conserving the worlds ecosystem.

Proposed in 2007 by China, eco-civilization focuses on respecting, adapting to, and conserving nature in meeting social and economic needs.

Together with about 30 IUCN members from China, the State Forestry Administration of China attended the congress. The Chinese delegation held four themed activities, including a discussion about eco-civilization, a workshop on forest landscape restoration and an exhibition of Chinas wildlife protection.

Zhang Yongli, deputy director general of the forestry administration, said that the forest area in China has been growing in the past 30 years, reaching a total of 208 million hectares.
New plan for grammar schools welcomed by Chinese Updated: 2016-09-14 16:59 By WANG MINGJIE(China Daily UK)

Chinese communities in the UK have hailed Prime Minister Theresa May's new grammar schools plan, which aims to attract pupils from various backgrounds and make Britain "the great meritocracy of the world."

The new schools will be encouraged to recruit students at age 14 and 16 as well as 11 to boost social mobility and help children from disadvantaged backgrounds avoid being written off as "non-academic".

Alex Yip, vice-chairman of The British Chinese Project, an organization that promotes engagement between the Chinese community and UK society, says the new proposals will give pupils a fair chance to go as far as their talent and hard work allow.

He added, "How can this not be welcomed by aspiring and hardworking Chinese families across the country?"

Grammar schools are state-funded, but draw their pupils through a national test, originally known as the 11-plus.

Critics say the system is elitist and when government control of education devolved to local authorities in the late 1960s many grammar schools became comprehensives, admitting pupils of all abilities without them taking an entrance exam.

Jackson Ng, director of Conservative Friends of the Chinese, believes Britain should be a place where advantage is based on individual merit not privilege, where talent and hard work matter, not one's place of birth, background, or even accent.

Jenny Wong, director of Manchester Chinese Centre, said, "Our Chinese parents are very keen about Theresa May's grammar school plan, and we were talking about it last weekend."

Chinese children are among the highest academic achievers in the UK. Recent government statistics show the odds of achieving five or more A* to C grades in the General Certificate of Secondary Education are about twice as high for Chinese pupils than for British ones.

Pupils typically sit the GCSE when they are either 15 or 16, and then A-levels two years later, which are assessed when a student applies to a university.

Wang said Chinese parents like to invest heavily in their children's futures and schooling is their first investment.

In England, there are 163 grammar schools, but more than two-thirds of the 150 local authorities have none of these schools.
Mauritius offers free online training program for Chinese travel specialists Updated: 2016-09-14 21:44 By Li Jing(chinadaily.com.cn)

The Mauritius tourism board is offering a free training program online in hopes of better promoting the destination in China.

The Mauritius Travel Specialist program that has gone online from Sept 12 on the Chinese website ctoa.travellinkdaily.com/Mauritius, features five courses, including Mauritius general introduction and travel information.

Since then, there have been 110 people registered for the program and 43 of them have passed and got a certificate after passing a test of 70 questions about Mauritius tourism.

In 2013, Mauritius introduced a visa-free policy for Chinese whose stays do not exceed 30 days. In 2015, Chinese tourists to the country have increased by 41 percent from about 60,000 to 90,000.

The African island nation in the Indian Ocean now has direct flights from five Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu.
Society honors I.M. Pei as 'Game Changer' Updated: 2016-09-14 11:07 By Paul Welizkin in New York(China Daily USA)

Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei will receive the first Asia Game Changer Lifetime Achievement Award for "changing the world, one building at a time", the Asia Society announced on Tuesday.

In announcing Pei's honor and the naming of seven other recipients of Game Changer Awards, Tom Nagorski, executive vice-president of the New York-based Asia Society, said they are transformative "in a way that can cross borders".

The seven include "a doctor who has restored sight to thousands of patients, a young activist who is bringing education to her fellow Syrian refugees, a pioneer in social impact investment in Asia, and two musicians who are using art to heal their war-torn nations", the Asia Society said.

Initiated by the organization in 2014, the Asia Game Changer Awards identify and honor those making a positive contribution to the future of Asia. Nominations are solicited from the more than 1,000 members of the Asia Society's global network.

Asia Society President Josette Sheeran said that this year's Game Changers range in age from 18 to 99 and yet continue Asia Society founder John D. Rockefeller III's legacy of being "bridge builders".

Ieoh Ming Pei, commonly known as I. M. Pei, will turn 100 next year. He was born in China in 1917, the son of a prominent banker.

At age 17 he came to the US to study architecture, and received a bachelor's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1940.

The buildings Pei has been the design force behind include the John F. Kennedy Library in Massachusetts, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, New York's JFK Airport, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and the Grand Louvre in Paris. He returned to China for the first time in 1975 to design a hotel at Fragrant Hills, and a skyscraper in Hong Kong for the Bank of China 15 years later.

In 1983, he won the Pritzker Prize, often called the architecture Nobel .

Other 2016 Game Changer honorees are:

Marita Cheng, from Australia, seeks to bring more women into the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Cheng, who is of Chinese descent, founded Robogals at the age of 19. Robogals encourages women to consider STEM occupations.

At age 18, Muzoon Almellehan of Syria is the youngest 2016 Game Changer. She was in the ninth grade when she fled her war-torn homeland of Syria for a refugee camp in Jordan. After enrolling in a camp school, she noticed that many of the girls were dropping out of school. Many who were as young as 13 were getting married in hopes of finding a safe passage out. Almellehan gathered important data that was used later by relief organizations to bring schooling to refugee camps.

Soo-Man Lee of South Korea was honored for his role in turning "K-pop" into a global phenomenon.

Dr Sanduk Ruit, an eye surgeon and co-founder of the Himalayan Cataract Project, has brought sight to many in need.

Ahmad Sarmast, founder and director of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, helped restore music and empower children in a war-ravaged nation.

Durreen Shahnaz of Bangladesh, founder of Impact Investment Exchange Asia, for her role in social impact investing that has changed the lives of millions.

Karim Wasfi of Iraq, a renowned cellist and conductor of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, was recognized for using music to heal war's aftermath.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com
Jay Xu: bringing emperors to life in San Francisco Updated: 2016-09-14 11:07 By Lia Zhu in San Francisco(China Daily USA)

At a time when museums have changed, one constant remains throughout mankind - the love of stories.

"You cannot simply put an object just on a padded stool and expect people to come and admire it," said Jay Xu, director of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. "People really want to experience. Experience is the most important quality of our life today."

Then how to create an experience that is enjoyable, understandable and educational at the same time?

Xu's approach is to make the objects human rather than remote symbols so visitors can relate to them.

The exhibition Emperor's Treasures, which runs through Sept 18 at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, shows artworks from the Chinese imperial collection, which represents Chinese material culture and art at its best.

"Our show is not aimed to show the grandeur of the imperial identity, because everyone could see that through pictures like the Forbidden City, but not everyone gets to understand emperors intimately, closely, and that's our focus," said Xu.

He said the exhibition was designed to humanize the emperors, who were "high above us" and behind the walls of imperial palace.

"But I think actually they were humans, just like us. They had their own particular habits. So we designed the setting of the show as if you entered their private studios, so visitors can have intimate visual conversation with the emperors of China in a private studio setting," he said.

At the past exhibition China at Center, which featured two large ancient maps crafted by Western missionaries and Chinese cartographers, the museum adopted interactive technologies to enlarge the translated names and descriptions of the land - the 17th century scholars in China not only wanted to know what the land was called but also its customs and what was special about it.

"The maps are not only a tool for navigation but very important political expression," said Xu. "It's very interesting and enables people to see that the different cultures and different regions created different maps from their own perspective."

Inspired by the museum's ideal of a "bridge to understanding between the US and Asia", said Xu, "my ambition is to make Asian art and culture an essential part for America".

"The economic development makes the connections across the Pacific essential. I think the cultural connection could be stronger, and we could do a lot more," he said. "Our museum is best located because we are in the middle between the Pacific Ocean and the land of North America."

liazhu@chinadailyusa.com
This post is part of the Verastic In Nigeria series.

Before I traveled to Nigeria, I blogged about the 13 things I had to do in Nigeria. By the way, that list has been updated to 16 things. Anyway, number 7 on that list is meeting the old bloggers.

Just about every chance I get, I complain about how I miss the old bloggers and how they have all stopped blogging. And I have also mentioned the Nigerian Blogger men I used to love. I know our friendship began online, but for some of them, we took our friendship off the internet, and although I have been blogging for 10 long years, I have still maintained my friendship with these wonderful people. I have been promising for the past 10 years to come to Nigeria; I have promised and not delivered for so long that they stopped taking me seriously. Until now, that is.

I met four wonderful old bloggers. I cannot even tell you how good it felt to meet these people. And honestly, it did not feel like I was meeting them for the first time; I guess thats what happens when you have chatted and talked and seen each others pictures for so long. Let me tell you about the four bloggers I met  in the order in which I met them.

Henry AKA 4eyedmonk

I lost my virginity to Henry. No, not that virginity. I mean the meeting-old-bloggers-in-person-in-Nigeria virginity. I met Henry in Abuja, a day before I left Abuja. Unfortunately, we did not get to spend a long time together because it was night and he was just coming from work. In fact, I was so grateful that he even came from work.

We met and hugged and talked for a bit, and it was so nice to see him in person. Henry is always there to answer my random questions whenever I buzz him. Thank you, Henry! Hes one of the bloggers that abandoned Blogville (as we called it then) and started micro-blogging on Twitter. Damn you, Twitter!

But I finally met him. It was so late when we met that I had already washed my face and put on my night gown. I had to change back into regular clothes sans makeup. Thank you for coming, Henry! Next time, well spend more time together, and youll show me what makes Abuja tick.

Boorish Male

Yes, my people. I met the naughty Boorish Male  the one who wrote me that hot love post that made me almost commit. Hes still anonymous, so I cant show his picture, nor can I mention his real name. But hes still fine, and he still has a sexy voice, so I dont know how the Lagos babes are coping.

Boorish Male took me to a nice place (I cant remember the name!) where I ate nkwobi. It was the first nkwobi I ate in Nigeria, so I lost my nkwobi virginity to him. It was also while with him that I had my first Chapman! Yes, my people, I finally had the Chapman. It was nice; I liked it  although I dont yet understand the hype. But it was nice sha. So my Chapman virginity was lost to Boorish Male, too! Boorish Male also had a special Chapman recipe, which I tasted (and loved better than the regular chapman), but Im not allowed to share the recipe or the name.

In case youre wondering, hes still as naughty as he was on his blog.

Babs AKA Babs House

Babs is the old blogger that I bother the most. Hes the one I bug when I have technical questions about blogging, especially if they have to do with Nigeria. He came to see me one evening and took me to Terra Kulture where I ate jollof rice and goat meat. Sorry, no pictures because it was dark in there, so the picture would have insulted the food. We talked about old bloggers and drama among old bloggers, and it was such a fun conversation and trip down memory lane. Thank you for the treat, Babs!

Chianugo AKA Green-Eyed Dante

Chianugo used to blog as green-eyed Dante, and from the moment I got to know him, I had a special kind of affection for him. I did not have physical proof, but I just knew that Chianugo was one of the good ones, and whoever ended up married to him would be a happy wife. If I had twenty sisters, I would try to hook each and every one of them up with him, until someone hooks. Unfortunately, no sisters for me.

In fact, not only do I not have sisters, but someone has taken my Chianugo. Chianugo came to take me out with his beautiful fiancee, Taye. Tayes mom is Igbo and her dad is Yoruba. She says shes Yoruba, but she doesnt speak a lick of Yoruba; she speaks Igbo. People of Yoruba, come and collect her Yoruba passport. And people of Igbo, please prepare a passport for the coming home of our lost sister.

Chianugo and Taye took me to Farm City where I ate the best grilled catfish and fried yam and peppery thingy. I drank it down with a glass of chapman. Again, it was dark, so no food pictures. But believe me when I say that it was GOOD! Chianugo and Taye even took a takeaway grilled catfish for my mom, and they came in to say hello. When she saw the catfish, she literally started dancing. And when they left, she hummed the whole time she ate the fish. If I was not already married, she might have dashed me to Chianugo that night  on the condition that he always brings her grilled catfish. Chianugo and Taye, una thank you oh! God bless your union.

Funny thing is, looooonnnnnggggggg before I came to Nigeria (I mean years ago), I started threatening these guys to start saving money to take me out to have hot suya and cold Fanta. I even told them to open a bank account for my suya and Fanta because I was going to eat a whole cow and drink twenty-four crates. When I finally landed Naija, I ate suya twice and did not allow any of my old blogger friends to take me to a suya spot. I no do again.

I am beyond grateful for these guys. Honestly, I feel blessed that I made these friends years ago and I we are still friends today. We may have only just met physically, but I believe that there is more to come.

P.S. My mom asked me why all my friends are boys. Ehm, I dont know. Maybe because the boys know my value. Ha!

P.P.S. I joked to Igwe that I wondered what the hotel staff might be saying about me, considering that every other night, a new man in a nice car was coming to pick me up at night. What I would have given to be a fly on the wall in their conversation.

P.P.P.S. Im still in Nigeria! And yes, still suffering through the slow internet, but I love you so much that Im willing to suffer for you. But I dont love you enough to upload videos with this connection, so youre gonna have to wait!
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HCM CITY  Viet Nams tuna exports increased by 0.9 per cent in the first seven month of the year to reach more than US$266 million, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (Vasep).

The majority of the exports were fresh and frozen tuna, but compared to the same period last year, exports of these categories fell by 9.6 per cent, while exports of processed tuna products went up by nearly 12 per cent.

The exports went to 87 markets, with the US being the largest buyer, followed by the EU, ASEAN, and Japan, the association said.

Tuna exports to the US were worth $111.6 million, a year-on-year increase of 0.5 per cent.

Exports of fresh and frozen tuna accounted for more than $76.8 million of total exports to the US, up nearly 11 per cent over the same period last year, while exports of processed tuna (code HS 16) decreased by over 16 per cent.

Exports to ASEAN member countries increased by 24.9 per cent from the same period last year, but exports to the EU and Japan were down by 8.2 per cent and 10.6 per cent.

In the case of Japan, while fresh and frozen tuna shipments were down by 26.5 per cent, exports of processed tuna enjoyed good growth of 10 per cent.

The association forecasts that tuna exports to the US, ASEAN countries and China will continue to increase.

Le Hang, deputy director of VASEP.PRO, said Viet Nams tuna products, especially processed ones, were subject to high tariffs in many import markets.

An ongoing trial project for tuna fishing, buying, processing, and consumption is expected to help improve quality and competitiveness, she said.

Israeli market

As a developed country in the Middle East region, Israel is a potential market for Vietnamese tuna products, according to the Africa, Southwest Asia Market

Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Tuna exports to the market in the first half of the year were worth $8.6 million, a year-on-year increase of over 4 per cent.

According to VASEP, Israel is one of eight key export markets of Vietnamese tuna.

With a population with an obesity rate at over 20 per cent, the Israel Ministry of Health has recommended that residents consume tuna as a supplement of healthy omega 3-fatty acid.

Currently, exports of frozen tuna fillet (HS0304 code) to the market accounted for approximately 60 per cent, and processed tuna (HS16 code) about 30 per cent, it said.

According to UN Comtrade statistics, Thailand is the largest tuna exporter to Israel, with an export value of $18.6 million last year.

Israels tuna imports from China decreased from over $40 million in 2013 to $13.9 million last year.

Last year, Viet Nam earned $15.5 million from tuna exports to Israel.

The department said there is still more room for Viet Nam to boost tuna exports to the market.

It suggested local firms should focus more on improving their steaming, drying and canning technologies to enhance exports of processed products.  VNS
Police in Mekong Deltas Bac Lieu on Monday arrested the director of Minh Hieu Fishery Joint-Stock Company on charges of defrauding the company and property appropriation after allegedly falsifying a VN64 billion (US$2.9 million) bank loan application.  Photo thanhnien.vn

BAC LIEU  Police in Mekong Deltas Bac Lieu on Monday arrested the director of Minh Hieu Fishery Joint-Stock Company on charges of defrauding the company and property appropriation after allegedly falsifying a VN64 billion (US$2.9 million) bank loan application.

Fishery tycoon Ngo Chi Dung used 121 tonnes of shrimp stock as collateral for the loan from the Bank of Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV), but police said he had only 52 kilos of shrimp in the warehouse.

Together with Dung, Nguyen Thi Ut of the company was arrested on the same charges of defrauding the company and appropriating property after an inspection was conducted at the Gia Rai Town-based company on Monday.

Ut was employed as chairwoman and general director of Minh Hieu Bac Lieu Company, and Tran inh Tien held the same position at Binh Hung Company, subsidiaries of Minh Hieu Fishery Joint-Stock Company.

In 2011, Dung allegedly ordered the subsidiaries to create fake documents showing that the companys warehouse had 121 tonnes of shrimp so that he could borrow VN64 billion (US$2.9 million) from the BIDVs Bac Lieu Branch.

The bank has already disbursed VN37 billion (US$1.68 million) to the company, but the fishery company said it could not pay VN42 billion (US$1.9 million) of the debt.

Dung was also charged with mortgaging the stock at several other banks, leaving an additional bad debt of VN128 billion (US$5.8 million).

Authorities discovered the debt and the 52kg of shrimp in the warehouse after the fishery company told the bank that it was unable to pay its debt.  VNS
Decree No 102/2016/ND-CP issued by Vietnamese Government on July 01, 2016 governs a drug businesss conditions. The Decree provides conditions for all business types related to drugs. Below are highlights of the conditions one must follow in the drug business.

Conditions for Drug Businesses

A certificate of drug business eligibility will be granted to the drug business entity satisfying all conditions for its type of drug business required under law. The drug business entities must operate in the registered location and within the registered business scope. The owner or manager in charge must have a pharmacy practice certificate required for related drug businesses.

1. Drug Manufacturer: The drug manufacturer must satisfy the conditions of personnel and facilities, such as factory, auxiliary systems, equipment, quality inspection area and storage that are sufficient and appropriate for its production scale, and the availability of a system for quality control and document management.

2. Drug Wholesaler: The drug wholesaler must satisfy conditions of personnel and facilities: (1) Its warehouse and auxiliary systems appropriate for use and storage; (2) Its storage and transport equipment also appropriate for use and storage, and there must be a backup generation system serving the cold storage; (3) Drug transporting vehicles satisfying requirements of storage, security and safety; (4) Availability of the system for quality control and document management.

3. Drug Retailer. The drug retailer, except materia medica retailer, must satisfy these conditions: (1) The business place is fixed and safe, and drugs are protected from direct sunlight; (2) Area for the business scale, area for drug display and storage, area for buyers to exchange drug use information and separate areas for other activities must be sufficient; (3) Drugs are stored on shelves satisfying requirements of storage conditions, security and safety.

4. Drug Exporter-Importer. The drug importer-exporter must satisfy the conditions of personnel and facilities comprising of (1) The warehouse and auxiliary systems appropriate for use and its business scale; (2) Storage and transport equipment appropriate for use and storage; (3) Availability of system for quality control and document management. Additionally, the enterprise must obtain a certificate of drug wholesale eligibility.

5. Drug Preservation Service Provider. The above conditions specified for the drug importer- exporter are applicable to the drug preservation service provider as well. The drug preservation service provider must ensure responsibilities for quality, quantity and value of drugs.

6. Drug Testing Service Provider. The drug testing service provider must satisfy the conditions of personnel and facilities comprising of requirements for design and size of the testing laboratory, its equipment appropriate for the testing methods and testing purposes, sampling, analysis, calibration, and data processing; sufficiency of qualified chemicals and technical documents for testing purposes. The drug testing service provider must also have a system for quality control and document management, instructions and procedures for its activities.

7. Clinical Trial Service Provider. The clinical trial service provider must satisfy the conditions of personnel and facilities comprising of (1) Its location, testing laboratory, testing equipment and area appropriate for clinical trial services; (2) Availability of system for quality control and document management meeting requirements applicable to clinical trial activities.

Conditions for Materia Medica business

Materia Medica business exporters, importers, wholesalers, retailers or preservation service providers must obtain a certificate of eligibility for drug business, including that for a Materia Medica business. The owner or manager of the Materia Medica business must obtain a pharmacy practice certificate. Besides that the enterprises must have qualified personnel and required facilities and equipment corresponding with the type of business.

Good Practice Requirements

The drug business entities must additionally obtain WHO good practice requirements, particularly for:

(1) Drug Manufacturers: Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

(2) Drug Wholesalers: Good Distribution Practice (GDP)

(3) Drug Retailers: Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP)

(4) Drug Preservation Service Providers and Drug Importers: Good Storage Practice (GSP)

(5) Drug Testing Service Providers: Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

(6) Clinical Trial Service Providers: Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

(7) Materia Medica Preservation Service Providers and Importers: GSP requirements applied to materia medica

(8) Materia medica Wholesalers: GDP requirements applied to materia medica

The Decree will become effective July 1, 2016 and will replace Articles 20 to 26 and 27 of the Government Decree 79/2006/ND-CP (August 09, 2016).

MAI COUNSEL
A view of Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Co Ltd (BSR). The company is willing to sell up to 49 per cent of its capital to a foreign strategic investor during its equitisation, which is reportedly appealing to major global energy companies.  Photo vietnamnet.vn

HA NOI  Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Co Ltd (BSR) is willing to sell up to 49 per cent of its capital to a foreign strategic investor during its equitisation, which is reportedly appealing to major global energy companies.

Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and the operator of the $3-billion Dung Quat Oil Refinery, the first oil refinery in Viet Nam.

The petrochemical company plans for its initial public offering by the end of 2017, one year late compared with its earlier target of the end of 2016, due to complexity in evaluating the company.

BSR general director Tran Ngoc Nguyen said the firm was inviting advisors to decide the corporate value.

The schedule for equitisation is aligning with the Governments nod for Binh Sons IPO plan, Nguyen said, adding that the most important work now is to seek strategic investors.

He said the company was working with some top global energy firms that had expressed interest in Binh Sons equitisation, such as Russias Rosneft and Gazprom Neft, Thailands PTT and one U.S. firm.

A strategic investor can buy up to 49 per cent stake in the company. If they want to buy more, we will have to report to the Government, Nguyen said.

He believes the Governments recent permission for Binh Sons self-regulated price mechanism would help attract investors.

Early this month, the Government allowed Binh Son to make its own price mechanism for Dung Quats petrol products after the company repeatedly called for support to improve competitiveness.

Dung Quats current petrol is often more expensive than imported products due to higher import taxes imposed on their products compared with enterprises which benefit from import tariff incentives under free trade agreements Viet Nam has signed.

Self-regulated price mechanism will increase the competitiveness of company products and then make it appealing to investors, Nguyen said.  VNS
A panel of angel investors from the European Union, New Zealand and the US gathered to discuss the role of foreign investors in Viet Nams startup ecosystem in Ha Noi on Monday.  Photo baodautu.vn

HA NOI  A panel of angel investors from the European Union, New Zealand and the US gathered to discuss the role of foreign investors in Viet Nams startup ecosystem in Ha Noi on Monday.

The meeting attracted attention from local startup founders and investors.

In general, I am impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit we have encountered in Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam. Viet Nam particularly intrigues us for its relatively large population of skilled engineering talent. This is my third trip and I continue to see an increasingly higher quality pool of investable teams running businesses with regional and global market potential, said David Beatty, founder and managing partner of Gaingels LLC.

Founded in late 2014, Gaingels members have invested over US$3 million in nine portfolio companies.

Viet Nam needs a dynamic private sector of sustainable development. That dynamism must come from a strong foundation of innovative small and medium sized enterprises, said Eric Sidgwick, Viet Nam Country director, Asian Development Bank.

The secret to startup success is innovation. Innovation and good managers, good mentors and sufficient access to finance, he added.

Previously, the angel investors spent two days in workshops with Ha Noi-based start-ups, sharing knowledge and improving presentation skills. They are visiting Viet Nam with the Mekong Angle Investors Network (MAIN), an international group of angel investors, on a two-week trip to Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam.

Angel investors are high-net worth individuals who invest their time and money in early-stage companies. The high failure rate of high-growth, innovative businesses gives angel investments very high levels of risk. Angel investors typically invest for reasons that go beyond financial returns, including personal interest and the desire to meet and work with exceptional people.

Ha Noi to host the biggest workshop on start-ups in September

The City Peoples Committee will work with the Embassy of Israel and the FPT corporation to host a seminar on start-ups in Ha Noi on September 21.

The seminar titled "Creating a startup ecosystem in Viet Nam - practical lessons from Israel" is the largest ever of its kind in the city, said Director of Ha Noi Information and Communication Phan Lan Tu in a press briefing in Ha Noi yesterday.

This seminar aims to draw on practical experience from Israeli experts in building an innovative entrepreneurship ecosystem at macro and micro levels or conduct action plans to develop an innovative entrepreneurship ecosystem in Viet Nam as well as further strengthen relations and economic cooperation on science, trade and investment between Viet Nam and Israel.

Based on the practical experiences of Israeli start-up businesses, Israeli experts will share their experiences on entrepreneurship policies and the attraction of venture capital from Israel. Representatives of the investment funds, incubator organisations, and business communities of Viet Nam and Israel will work together to discuss and propose action plans for the development of the start-up ecosystem in Viet Nam.

It is expected that the seminar will draw more than 200 representatives from the Government, ministries, central agencies and Ha Noi, embassies, international organisations such as the World Bank, IMF, ADB and universities and research institutes; business associations, investment funds and startup teams.

Under this seminar, Ha Noi authorities hope that it is not only an opportunity to enhance economic cooperation in the field of science, trade and investment between Viet Nam and Israel in general and Ha Noi in particular, but also get consultations from representatives to build specific action plans and policies for the start-up ecosystem in Viet Nam and Ha Noi as well.

In addition, there is expected to be a signing ceremony of cooperation agreements between Hanoi Incubator, Vietnam Innovative Start-up Accelerator (VIISA) with Israeli partners.

In May this year, the Prime Minister approved a draft project called National Programme to Support Innovative Startup Ecosystem in Vietnam by the year 2025 to create a favourable environment to promote and support the development of start-ups with high-growth potential.

The project has set the following targets for 2020: complete the main legal framework for a start-up ecosystem; run an online portal for the National Innovative Start-up Ecosystem; support about 800 start-up projects and 200 start-up enterprises, of which 50 will raise follow-on investment from private venture investors or will undergo mergers and acquisitions worth about VN1 trillion (about $50 million).

By 2025, the project is expected to have supported 2,000 start-up projects and 600 start-up enterprises, of which 100 will have raised follow-on investment from private venture investors, or will have undergone mergers and acquisitions worth about VN2 trillion. State funding will only be provided to support start-ups in their earlier stages.

Subsequently, support from private investors and organisations will play a vital role in ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of the start-up ecosystem in Viet Nam. - VNS
Local workers process shrimps for export.  File Photo

HA NOI  The United States Department of Commerce (DOC) has officially levied higher anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese frozen warm-water shrimp exports during the review period starting February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015.

The Vietnam Competition Authority (VCA) announced that this final decision was taken at the 10th administrative review (POR 10). DOC selected one mandatory respondent, which will be taxed at 4.78 per cent. Therefore, voluntary respondents will also have to pay a duty rate of 4.78 per cent.

Mandatory respondents are exporters selected for individual investigation by the DOC as part of its anti-dumping duty review, whereas exporters that are not initially chosen for investigation, but wish to participate and are accepted by DOC, are voluntary respondents.

Meanwhile, the tariff imposed on other Vietnamese firms or exporters not examined as mandatory or voluntary respondents in the POR10, remains at 25.76 per cent, said VCA.

It added that the United States had significantly increased the duty rate for Vietnamese shrimp in the POR10, from 0.91 per cent in the POR9 to 4.78 per cent at present, for both mandatory and voluntary businesses.

According to Vietnamese shrimp exporters, the higher anti-dumping duties will pose difficulties for their exports to the U.S. market in the future.

During the first seven months of this year, Viet Nam earned an export turnover of US$364.8 million from shrimp exports, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 16.3 per cent.  VNS
The SSI Asset Management Company announced on Monday it has raised US$39.4 million for its DAIWA-SSIAM Vietnam Growth Fund II L.P from both foreign and local investors.  Photo cafef.vn

HCM CITY  The SSI Asset Management Company announced on Monday it has raised US$39.4 million for its DAIWA-SSIAM Vietnam Growth Fund II L.P from both foreign and local investors.

A portion also came from the Saigon Securities Inc. and Japans Daiwa Corporate Investment, the joint managers of the fund.

The private equity fund targets enterprises in manufacturing, services, consumer goods, agriculture, and seafood, which are thought to have great potential thanks to the countrys high rate of young people, increasing middle class, rapid urbanisation and Viet Nams increased global integration.

It also considers opportunities in the divestment of State-owned enterprises and SOE equitisation, where it seeks to buy 10-30 per cent stakes in companies.

The two partners had set up their first Vietnam Growth Fund in 2009 and successfully sold their stakes in all the companies they invested in. VNS
HA NOI  The Australian Governments Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has prepared a draft report assessing the market access of Viet Nams fresh dragon fruit to Australia.

The report proposes that the import of fresh dragon fruit to Australia be permitted from all commercial production areas of Viet Nam, subject to a range of bio-security conditions.

The report was prepared following a review of the scientific knowledge of the relevant pests and diseases, technical discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments Plant Protection Department and an inspection of the dragon fruit production areas in Viet Nam by Australian government officials in June 2016.

The report was released yesterday for a 60 day comment period, which closes on November 14, 2016. Following this, stakeholder comments will be considered and a final report will be prepared.

It is expected that the risk analysis will be completed by the end of 2016.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasised on the high priority being given to this market access request during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Vientiane last week.  VNS
HA NOI  The threat of landslides, particularly during the rainy and stormy seasons has concerned residents who live along the west bank of the Hong (Red) River in Ha Noi.

Early this month, a riverside house in Bach ang Ward, Hoan Kiem District collapsed because of a landslide. About ten nearby houses are also vulnerable to collapse and cracks appeared on roads there.

Nguyen Van Binh, owner of the collapsed house, said that his family had lived there for a decade.

They were still traumatised by the collapse and felt lucky none of them were at home when the house collapsed.

Now, he has to pay VN3 million (US$134) a month for a rental house.

Nguyen Bich Phuong, Binhs neighbour, said that she was worried as now her house was closer to the river.

Le Bich Hang, chairwoman of Bach ang Ward Peoples Committee said that local authorities could do nothing but urge families in dangerous areas to move to safer areas.

Local authorities could not arrange resettlement for landslide-hit households because they had no land available for resettlement, she said.

The ward saw landslides after heavy rains in 1996, 1997, 2003 and 2012, affecting an apartment building and police station.

In 2012, Ha Noi municipal Peoples Committee started building stone embankments but they have not been completed yet due to funding shortages.

Last month, following storm Dianmu, landslides also struck other sections of the Hong Rivers west bank, affecting hundreds of families.

A 200 metre landslide hit Van Coc Dyke in Tho An Commune, suburban an Phuong District. Walls cracked in at least three houses.

Along a 1-km part of Red Rivers west bank from Son Tay Towns uong Lam Commune to Ba Vi Districts Cam Thuong Commune, about 20 spots suffered serious landslides.

Vice director of Ha Nois Agriculture and Rural Development Department, Ha uc Trung, said that the adjusted water flow to serve waterway transport to Ha Noi Port affected west bank of Red River.

The rivers west bank sloped and was yet to be embanked, so it was vulnerable to landslides, Trung said.

Trung said that the agriculture department asked municipal committee to launch a project on the Red Rivers west bank embankment in three wards of Chuong Duong, Thanh Luong and Bach ang.

The project is expected to curb landslides in riverside residential areas.  VNS
HCMCITY Many women in HCM City preparing for weddings or parties are renting their clothes for short periods offered by online shops.

"Fashion changes every season. I want my appearance to be new when I go out for dinner and coffee. To save time and money, renting is the answer," said Nguyen Ngoc Tram, 32, a marketing manager for a foreign company in HCM City.

Tram spends about 30 minutes looking for items on DreamDress.vn, a store offering clothing and rental accessories.

The shop delivers and takes back the items, which cost VN100,000 (US$4.5) to VN1.5 million ($67) each, depending on brandname and quality, for a four-day rental.

Nguyen Ha oan, owner of DreamDress.vn, said that many women and men preferred renting clothes because they could spare no expense.

"My shop offers more than 1,000 items of clothing from different domestic and foreign brandnames to meet the demand of customers, she said.

Tran Thi Trang Anh, a student at the University of Law living in Thu uc District, said she and her friend had suffered from sticker shock after shopping downtown.

"An imported dress cost from VN2 million ($90) to VN5million ($220) while a Vietnamese design is at least VN800,000 ($35), Anh said. An ao dai (traditional dress) made from imported fabrics is around VN1.5 million ($67).

"Im just a student," she said. "The prices make my head spin."

Anh rented a dress for only VN200,000 ($9) for three days, including laundry services, at shopchothue.com, for her needs instead of buying one.

She also rents accessories in styles from Hong Kong and Korea at VN20,000 (nearly $1) for each dress.

"Its great," she smiles. "I can save my money while wearing beautiful clothes while feeling confident talking to people who are wealthier than me."

I discovered that many women dont want to spend a lot for a dress that they just wear one time. Its too luxurious and wasteful, said Kieu Dung, owner of shopchothue.com.

My business is based on sharing or renting clothing, she added.

The 38-year-old woman has decided to open a website where you can buy brand-name goods at a discount and sell them back when you want to refresh your look.

Dungs shop offers nearly 2,000 items of clothing and 200 accessories. Her home delivery fee is VN15,000 ($0.7).

I have more than 50 regular customers. They each rent about four pieces of clothing a month, Dung said.  VNS
Truong Manh Tien, Chairman of the Viet Nam Environmental Economics Society

Dr. Truong Manh Tien, Chairman of the Viet Nam Environmental Economics Society, speaks to the Suc khoe & oi song (Health and Life) newspaper about the Ca Na steel mill in the central coastal province of Ninh Thuan

Do you support the proposal to build another steel mill in the central coastal province of Ninh Thuan?

The news about the construction of the Ca Na steel mill in the central province of Ninh Thuan has raised a lot of anxiety following the massive fish deaths in late April 2016 caused by the Formosa mill waste water dumping.

I myself strongly object to the construction of such a big steel mill in Ninh Thuan Province. It is a very poor province in central Viet Nam, with a major water shortage. More recently, the province was hit by a prolonged drought which seriously affected the provinces economic development and residents daily life.

As we all know, steel production needs a lot of fresh water, but I dont know why the Hoa Seen Group (HSG) has chosen the province to build its mega steel mill. I feel suspicious about HSGs decision.

To my knowledge, the technology to be used in the Ca Na steel mill is from China and is similar to the technology used by the Formosa Steel Mill. That technology is not modern and we cannot rule out that mishaps might occur.

Many countries that use backward technology in their steel industry have tried to move production to other countries. I dont know why we dont learn from other countries and refuse obsolete technology on our soil. I still remember the Prime Minister ruling out any imports of obsolete technology. Viet Nam is not a grave yard for junk technology.

What do you think of HSG chairmans promise that the mill would not let a drop of waste water go into the sea without proper treatment?

Can we believe that promise? I dont know where the discharged water will go. Just assume that many cubic meters of contaminated water are discharged into the soil or the river. This is very dangerous, particularly when it goes to the river.

There are various ways of discharging waste, including open dumping sites or landfill burials. But discharging waste water to the river or the sea is more dangerous. Thats why, in my opinion, relevant agencies should review the proposed Ca Na steel mill more carefully, particularly the environmental impact assessment report. One Formosa is more than enough.

Will your society ask the government to reject the construction of the steel mill?

One of the important tasks assigned to my Environment and Economics Society is to give appraisals and social feedback on new projects. But we have not received any comprehensive documents relating to the Ca Na steel mill, so I cannot comment. However, in my opinion, we should learn the lesson from Formosa and not let it happen again.

Do you have any comment on the task of monitoring environmental impact assessments (EIA) prepared by project owners in Viet Nam?

There are many things to say about the monitoring of the project owners EIAs, particularly relating to the impact of waste water discharge or solid waste treatment.

We now have environmental police forces, but they are overloaded with inspection missions. Thats why environmental violations are rampant in many projects. In some serious cases, in my opinion, we should bring the culprits to courts.  VNS
by Teo Chee Hean,

Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security of Singapore

Since the introduction of economic reforms or oi Moi in 1986, Viet Nam has made remarkable progress. Then Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet had asked Singapores founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, about our experience in attracting foreign investment.

I had followed Mr Lee on his visits to Viet Nam since the early 1990s and experienced the warm exchanges over these years in my different portfolios ranging from the economy, defence, education to internal security. This is my 10th official visit and I am heartened to see the rapid transformation each time.

The regular high-level visits enable our leaders to maintain close personal connections. Last year, then Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was twice in Singapore and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc came as a Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow. Just two weeks ago, President Tran ai Quang made a very successful State visit to Singapore and we had a good exchange of views in Hanoi earlier this week to further our bilateral cooperation. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will also visit Viet Nam and attend the APEC Summit next year.

Viet Nam and Singapore share longstanding and multi-faceted ties, with substantive cooperation in many areas such as security and defence, trade and investment, finance, aviation and tourism, as well as education and training. We have elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2013. I will highlight three areas of strong cooperation.

First, our good defence and security relations allow both countries to institutionalise regular exchanges, cooperate on regional security architecture, and work on transnational issues such as submarine safety and rescue, and maritime security.

I signed our Defence Cooperation Agreement in 2009 as Defence Minister with then Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh, and in 2010, worked with Viet Nam on the inaugural ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Ha Noi. The Singapore Navy has also made regular port calls to Viet Nam and in March this year, RSS Endurance was the first foreign navy vessel to call at the new Cam Ranh International Port. The confidence and mutual cooperation between our defence and security forces will allow both countries to strengthen exchanges and address emerging issues such as counter-terrorism and cybersecurity.

Second, Singapore has deep economic ties with Viet Nam. Bilateral trade has also grown steadily, doubling over the past decade to reach US$16 billion in 2015. Singapore is Viet Nams 6th largest trading partner, while Viet Nam is Singapores 11th largest trading partner. Singapore is also the 3rd largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with cumulative investments over US$38 billion in more than 1,600 projects.

Indeed, Viet Nam continues to enjoy one of the highest economic growth rates in our region. Its young population, vibrant workforce, and rising middle class are Viet Nams comparative advantages. The government has also progressively reformed and liberalised the economy. It has built up a strong network of bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements, and advocated for agreements connecting our region such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Such efforts will improve Viet Nams business environment, facilitate investment and open up new opportunities for foreign companies, including those from Singapore. Next week, Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) Lim Hng Kiang will co-chair the annual Connectivity Ministerial Meeting with Viet Nams Minister for Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung in Singapore to review our bilateral economic cooperation.

Third, we have extensive people-to-people links which bring our countries and people closer. Over 16,000 Vietnamese officials have participated in training courses under the Singapore Co-operation Programme, more than any other country. Every year, the Initiative for ASEAN Integration Viet Nam-Singapore Training Centre in Ha Noi also provides courses in popular areas such as English, economic development, trade and tourism management to over 600 Vietnamese officials. As Viet Nam progresses, we will also update our programmes.

Our tourism flows have increased steadily with more flights and greater connectivity. In 2015, about 200,000 Singaporeans visited Viet Nam, while Singapore received about 400,000 Vietnamese visitors. With 142 weekly flights, and as many as 14 per day between HCM City and Singapore, it is convenient for us to visit each other with our families and friends. For example, I had the pleasure of visiting the scenic limestone caves and enjoying the cultural heritage of Ninh Binh at President Quangs invitation, and also of spending a number of holidays in Viet Nam with my family and friends.

Our strong bilateral ties help our people gain a better understanding of each other, and send a positive signal to Singapore-based multinationals and companies currently investing or looking to invest in Viet Nam to tap on its strong growth potential.

Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Parks

Singapore saw Vietnams potential early. In 1994, when then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong visited Viet Nam, then Prime Minister Kiet suggested to develop a Singapore-style industrial park. Mr Goh readily agreed and two years later, a Singapore consortium led by SembCorp cooperated with Becamex IDC Corporation to set up the first Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) in Binh Duong.

The success of this first VSIP paved the way for more VSIPs in other parts of Viet Nam. Twenty years later, we now have seven VSIPs in North, Central and South Viet Nam. Two of them, in Hai Duong and Nghe An, were launched just last year. To date, the VSIPs have attracted investments worth over US$9 billion, with around 600 companies providing jobs for more than 170,000 workers. I am happy that Singapore and the VSIPs have been able to play a part in Viet Nams economic development. And the MOUs between VSIP and the officials in Binh Duong and Bac Ninh will allow the VSIPs to continue exploring new opportunities in these provinces.

The VSIPs have evolved over the years to cater to Viet Nams changing needs. From the initial industrial parks, the VSIPs today are integrated townships that attract higher value-added industries and skilled manpower. As Vietnams economy moves up the value chain, the VSIPs can be test-beds for new areas such as urban solutions and high-technology manufacturing.

The strong support from the Vietnamese central and provincial governments over the past 20 years has been crucial for their success. I thank the Vietnamese Government and I hope that the VSIPs will continue to receive the strong backing of the local Vietnamese authorities who provide good infrastructure, clear rules and favourable incentives to encourage investments.

I wish the VSIPs every success. And that they continue to contribute to Viet Nams growth and prosperity, as well as to the strong co-operation between Singapore and Viet Nam for many more years to come.
NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien delivers speech at the yesterdays meeting of the National Assembly Standing Commitee.  VNA/VNS Photo An ang

HA NOI  The National Assembly Standing Commitee (NASC) yesterday agreed to fully adjust and supplement regulations of the Law on Technological Transfer which came into effect in 2006.

In yesterdays meeting, the NA deputies heard the Government report on ten years of implementing the law. The report affirmed that the law had contributed to pushing up the domestic technological renovation and transfer in production which helped increase the competitiveness of businesses as well as the growth rate of the economy.

However, the law needed to be adjusted to meet the demand of economic growth and in-depth international integration processes.

Minister of Science and Technology, Chu Ngoc Anh, told the meeting that the adjustment of the current Law on Technological Transfer aims to create favorable conditions for technological transfer activities inside and outside Viet Nam so as to help businesses renew the technologies.

The technology transfer activities would help Vietnamese businesses enhance their production capacity and competitiveness in both domestic and overseas markets, said Anh.

The draft of the adjusted law was built on renewal of State management on the technological transfer in accordance with trade liberation and international integration trends, Anh told the deputies.

According to the report, the current law was revised and 16 out of 61 clauses were supplemented.

In the discussion, many deputies raised concerns over whether to adjust only 16 clauses or fully revise the current law.

Some deputies said that with the domestic current situation of technology, adjusting some items in the current law would not meet the demand of the countrys industrialisation and modernisation process.

Speaking at the meeting, the NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said The adjustment should be practical and inherit good points as well as overcome shortcomings of the current law.

Meanwhile, deputy Phan Thanh Binh, chairman of the NA Culture, Education and Teenage Affairs Committee, said that the draft revised law just mentioned regulations on technological import but not on domestic technological transfer.

At present, there were difficulties on technological transfer among research institutes, universities and businesses. The revised law should have regulations to solve the issues. However, the matter was not clarified in the revised law, said Binh.

After discussion, the NASC agreed that the law should consider businesses as a core for technological renewal, application and transfer so as to increase the production capacity and competitiveness, and environment protection as well.

The technological transfer must ensure support for the domestic technological and science market as well as preventing the transfer of outdated technologies to Viet Nam.

In the afternoon session, the NA deputies heard reports and contributed opinions to the plan of the State Budget. -- VNS
HCM CITY  The potential for solar energy in Viet Nam is huge but needs appropriate policies to encourage investment, a conference heard in HCM City on Monday.

Speaking at a Vietnamese  German conference on Photovoltaics in Viet Nam: Free-field and Net-Metering before Breakthrough, Sonia Lioret, head of the renewable energy component at the German Agency for International Co-operation, said Viet Nam has enormous solar potential, especially in its central and southern parts.

It has average solar irradiation of 4-5 kWh/m/day, which is comparable to Thailand and the Philippines, which are more developed solar markets in the region, as well as to mature international markets like Spain and Italy.

The Vietnamese Government has recognized this potential and aims to significantly increase renewable energy production including solar power.

Under its newly revised Power Development Plan for until 2030, which includes ambitious development targets for renewables in general and solar energy in particular, the capacity of solar photovoltaics (PV) shall increase from around 7 megawatts (MW) now to 850MW by 2020 and 12,000 MW by 2030.

The solar PV market in Viet Nam is at an early stage, Lioret said, adding that 6-7 MWp has been installed in the country.

Approximately 80 per cent of that capacity is deployed off-grid, mainly through small scale applications and only 20 per cent is connected to the grid, with a few medium- and large-sized systems of more than 50 kWp used for piloting and demonstration.

Since there is no suitable policy framework for solar PV investments in Viet Nam, the main business model now is self-consumption, delegates said.

Pham Trong Thuc, director of the General Department of Energys renewable energy department, said, Development of renewable energy is one of the key solutions to meet energy demand, ensure energy security and increase rural electrification, especially in remote areas and islands.

The Government would soon strive to create suitable mechanisms and policies to encourage the sectors development, he said.

Besides, financial and technical support from international organisations and developed countries to promote renewable energy developement in Viet Nam is really needed, he said.

Rainer Brohm, a renewable energy consultant, said the German Government has funds to help and support investment in case a Vietnamese company partners with a German company.

He also presented a recent assessment of investment opportunities in Viet Nam with six detailed solar PV rooftop case studies.

The study shows there are attractive investment opportunities, but also shows that the low electricity tariffs in Viet Nam are a big challenge and an assumption of a future increase in tariffs is a critical factor in investment calculations.

Organised by the Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Viet Nam in cooperation with GIZ GmbH, the conference attracted 150 Vietnamese firms and six German companies in the solar power sector, including IBC Solar AG, M+W Group GmbH, Droege Energy GmbH, CARERA Solar/Hydro UG, ILF Consulting Engineers GmbH and Syntegra Solar International AG.

According to the German companies, Viet Nams emerging solar market offers them attractive opportunities.

Patrick Gavin Matweew, director of M+W Groups Energy Business Development in Asia-Pacific region, said: Viet Nam is a perfect market to look into solar, we thought that is the market we want to invest in in 2016.

The Vietnamese Government should provide clarity in terms of technical regulations to connect to the grid and the feed-in tariff and create policies that create a stable and reliable environment -- which would attract international investors -- for the solar market to kick-start, he said.

Bjorn Koslowski, deputy chief representative of the Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Viet Nam, said Germany first invested in this kind of energy 15 years ago.

With German technologies and equipment and know-how, German experts are willing to support Vietnamese companies in this sector in planning and implementing all PV and renewable projects for sustainable development, he added.  VNS
HA NOI  Health experts have raised more concerns over the negative health impacts of alcohol after seeing an increased drinking rate among the Vietnamese population and an increased volume of alcohol consumed in the country.

The latest report, produced by the Viet Nam Beverage Association, shows that Vietnamese people drank more than 3.4 billion litres of beer and another 342 million litres of spirits last year  a 40 per cent increase from 2010  putting the country in the top 10 global consumers of alcohol.

Early last week, the Health Ministry revealed results of a survey on non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors. The survey was conducted in 2015 by the ministrys Preventive Medicine Department and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on nearly 3,800 people aged between 18 and 69 in Viet Nam.

In the survey, more than 77 per cent of adult males and 11 per cent of females said they had consumed at least six units of alcohol in the past 30 days. More than 44 per cent of men and 1.2 per cent of women said that they had engaged in heavy episodic drinking.

The rate of male drinkers increased by 11 per cent while the rate of female drinkers went up 6 per cent compared to 2010 figures.

Survey findings show that 44 percent of men drank alcohol at a hazardous level, which means that within the last 30 days, there was at least one time they drank more than 180 millilitres of spirits or more than six cans of beer.

About half of all drinkers drove a vehicle within two hours of drinking.

Nguyen Phuong Nam, an expert from the WHO said one of the biggest concerns was that more young people were drinking alcohol.

The problem became more serious as the Vietnamese generally think drinking helps to build relationships, facilitate business and reduce stress, Nam said, expressing concern that up to 97 per cent of men said beer was not harmful to health.

Tran Quoc Bao, head of the Non-communicable Diseases Control Division under the Preventive Medicine Department, said that alcohol was an indirect cause for at least 30 diseases affecting many parts of body including the nervous and digestive systems. Alcohol can severely affect a foetus in the womb, and both the mental and physical development of drinkers.

Drinking alcohol also led to other risks such as unsafe sex, drink related injuries, violence and traffic accidents, Bao said.

Vice president of HCM City Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Le Thanh Ly, said that alcohol caused cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.

Up to 10 per cent of men aged from 50 to 69 in Viet Nam died of liver cancer caused by alcohol, three times higher than worlds average rate, Ly said.

Nguyen Van Hiep, 33, an office worker in Ha Noi said that now almost all people knew about the harm of alcohol, but few could say No to drinking, as it was part of social communication, business and culture.

Drinking can make gatherings and parties more fun, speed up business deals or it implies that you are sociable and friendly to others, he said, adding that sometimes he drank reluctantly and suffered serious headaches and exhaustion after drinking.

Hieps wife said that she complained all the time about his drinking but nothing had changed.

Whenever he leaves home to go drinking, Im worried until he drives home safely. I told him many times about the long-term consequences of drinking, but he doesnt seem afraid, she said.

Doctor Pham Thi Hoang Anh, head of HealthBridge Canada in Viet Nam, a non-government organisation working in health improvement, said that its easy now for Vietnamese youngsters to access alcohol. The country only bans advertising of drinks with an alcohol content of 15 per cent or higher.

She said policies to control alcohol consumption in Viet Nam were not strict enough given the low price of wine and beer.

The government should consider passing the Law on Alcohol Control, the draft of which was initially planned for submission by the Ministry of Health in 2017, but has now been delayed, she said.  VNS
HA NOI  Implementing the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) will help Viet Nam fight corruption in the resources extraction sector, participants were told at a workshop held yesterday in Ha Noi.

EITI is a global standard for governance when it comes to a countrys oil, gas and mineral resources, and is implemented by governments in collaboration with companies and civil society.

Countries implementing EITI disclose information on tax payments, licenses, contracts, production and other key elements around resource extraction.

Participants at the workshop pointed out that Viet Nam had compiled a quite complete set of legal documents on the extraction of resources and oil, including probing, exploiting, processing, using resources, as well as controlling related budget collection and spending. However, a gap exists between law and its implementation in reality.

Viet Nam has recorded tax revenue losses in resource exploitation, Tran Thanh Thuy, co-ordinator of the Minerals Alliance said, adding that many companies make use of preferential tax policies to evade taxes.

Mining companies fail to declare their real production capacity in order to reap illegal gains, leading to a loss of state revenues, Thuy said, citing a figure in which losses from resource extraction account for about 5 to 25 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the General Statistics Office of Viet Nam in 2015.

Viet Nam has approached EITI since 2007; however, after 10 years we have yet to make any commitment to the initiative. Viet Nam needs to accelerate joining the EITI, Thuy stressed.

The involvement of Viet Nam in EITI will contribute to eliminating tax evasion in resource extraction and help better manage minerals through transparent licenses, production and budget collection, she added.

Discussion at the workshop ended with the conclusion that the implementation of EITI will force authorised agencies and enterprises to take responsibility for providing transparent information about their activities, helping bring the darkness of the extractive industry to light.

au Anh Tuan, head of the Legal Department at the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, affirmed, Viet Nam can fully implement EITI. The biggest challenge is the level of commitment on openness and explicitness.

Viet Nam is well known for the rich quantity and large reserves of mineral resources. Oil is estimated to make up 4.3 billion tonnes in reserves, contributing greatly to GDP growth. Difficulties in managing these resources have led to a loss in their value.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has also ordered Ministry of Industry and Commerce to consider implementing EITI to improve the efficiency of the minerals extraction industry. This content has been put into the action programme of the government to implement socioeconomic development targets over the course of 2016 to 2020.

EITI is being implemented by 56 countries across the world, including developed ones, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Viet Nams neighbouring Southeast Asian nations, such as Indonesia, Myanmar and Timor Leste have also confirmed to have met all EITI requirements.  VNS
Kieu Van

HA NOI  Vietnamese nutrition experts have warned of a serious vitamin E deficiency among children resulting from parents and child-care workers poor knowledge of healthy nutrition.

Nguyen Mai Ha, a mother of two, said she didnt know that children need plenty of vitamin E for proper growth, and was only advised to give them supplements of essential nutrients vitamin A and D.

At a periodic medical examination by HCM City Society of Clinical Nutrition ( SCN), Ha, a 30-year-old banking official, said she had been feeding her two children according to the advice of her mother and elderly friends.

Doctor Luu Ngan Tam, SCN chairwoman, explains that vitamin E plays a role in gene expression and helps children convert the foods they eat into energy.

The nutrient also acts an antioxidant to protect a childs cells from damage that can increase lifetime risk of heart disease and cancer, she says.

The Ha Noi-based National Institute of Nutrition surveys have revealed more than 50 per cent of Vietnamese children fail to get enough vitamins, including vitamin E or iron in their daily meals.

Institute surveys have shown the rate of Vietnamese children lacking different kinds of vitamins, namely A, B1, C and D, was higher than that of the other three countries in the region, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

A recent study of the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research showed vitamin E content of Vietnamese people was at the lowest level in the Asia-Pacific region and in the world.

Vietnamese children under 12 have an average blood level of vitamin E under 12umol/l, compared to a standard vitamin E level of 30umol/l.

Doctor Tam says Vietnamese people eat much starch in the rice of their daily meals, but not wheat germ, nuts, and whole grains that contain vitamin E.

She recommended diversification of food sources in daily meals, saying its fairly simple to ensure that children get plenty of Vitamin E.

Broccoli, tomatoes, spinach and kiwi each supply a small amount of Vitamin E, the nutrition expert said, and many children enjoy sweet potatoes and avocado, which are rich in vitamin E.

Increased awareness

The director of the National Institute of Nutrition, Assoc. Prof. Le Danh Tuyen, says 70 per cent of Vietnamese kids aged 1-2 lack two kinds of necessary vitamins, A and E, both essential to the growth of a child.

The cause is not only lack of money but also lack of knowledge.

The institute is coordinating with a Japanese healthcare organisation to teach nutrition for kids aged 6 months-24 months to rural women in four northern provinces - Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, Ha Giang and Ninh Binh.

The three-year project, started in April 2014, is helping Vietnamese mothers change supplemental foods to provide adequate amounts of key vitamins and minerals for children.

Nguyen Thi Hien, a project co-ordinator, says rural mothers dont believe in using cooking oils or fat in processing food for infants because it causes constipation.

It is wrong thinking. Cook your childs food with cold-pressed oils, such as olive or canola, because they contain between 2 and 5 milligrams of vitamin E per tablespoon, Hien says.

The healthtipsfromtheprofessor.com website says 83 per cent of US children and 91 per cent of US adults do not consume the recommended 12 mg/day of vitamin E.

In Asia, residents of Viet Nam, South Korea, Nepal and Bangladesh are listed as deficient in Vitamin E.  VNS
Arthritis is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. Besides state-of-the-art medical treatment methods, arthritis sufferers can reduce joint pain with home-made cures. Dr Nguyen Thanh Hai of HCM City-based Trung Vuong Hospital, suggests some simple recipes based on herbs and spices widely available in markets across the country.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple vinegar can be used to treat arthritis inflammation. Thanks to its alkalinize characteristics, the apple vinegar will reduce the arthritis pain and inflammation by eliminating the toxic elements that accumulate in the body and cause arthritis with its pain and swelling. In addition, apple cider vinegar is rich in magnesium, calcium, kali and phosphate.

A teaspoon of apple vinegar mixed with a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil can also be used to reduce arthritis pain. The mixture should be applied on the painful area several times a day until the pain goes away.

Ginger

Ginger

Ginger extract can also be used to relieve arthritis and rheumatology pain. Medical experiences show that ginger is particularly effective for arthritis pains in the knee.

In addition, ginger also helps inhibit COX-2, an enzyme that causes painful inflammation.

Two to three cups of ginger should be consumed a day.

Making ginger tea is easy: slice a piece of ginger, put it in a cup of water, boil it for about 10 minutes and then let it cool down. To make the drink more delicious, add some honey.

Another way to reduce pain is to chew a piece of fresh ginger or add ginger to daily foods. Applying a piece of ginger and massaging the painful spot also helps.

Curcumin

According to research conducted in 2009 and published in the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine", curcumin can be used to treat arthritis as it has the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Just put one piece of curcumin into a cup of water and boil. Honey drops can be added to the mixture. Drink twice a day for several days.

Green tea

Green tea

According to research published in 2011 in "Arthritis Research and Therapy", green tea may help control and prevent arthritis symptom.

In addition, green tea also helps reduce arthritis pain and inflammation. It also helps protect bone density and strength.

Preparing a cup of green tea is very simple. Place several leaves of green tea in a glass of boiling water and leave for several minutes. When the tea is ready, add some honey if desired. Drinking 2-3 cups of green tea a day is the recommended "dose"..

Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is known for its anti-inflammatory effects and oxidization, and it can help to reduce arthritis and rheumatological pain.

The usage is very simple. Just put some cinnamon flour and a teaspoon of honey into a cup of warm water. Drink the mixture every morning before eating breakfast.

A mixture of cinnamon flour, water and honey can also be placed as a compress on the painful spot, at least two or three times a day.  VNS

Source: Tuoi tre (Youth) newspaper
by Vu Thu Ha

Nguyen Duyen, a mother living in Phuoc ong Commune, Nha Trang City, started a public debate two weeks ago when she posted a video on her Facebook showing a group of fourth-grade students, including her child, carrying a desk down the stairs at their school.

As a parent, everyone wishes to see their childrenlooking nice and tidy in their uniformsexposed to a clean environment at school. Here, however, the reality is the total opposite of the wish, Duyen wrote on her Facebook.

Her post quickly went viral. Within a few days, it amassed nearly 900 shares and received a long thread of comments from an array of viewpoints.

Parents who agreed with Duyen complained that the job was too tough for children of that age.

The school should have taken care of this task before class started. Why would they force the children do that? If the children had fallen down and broken their arms or legs, would the school bear the responsibility? Facebook-user Lien Kiem commented.

Nguyen Giang, a father of two, even accused the school of "exploiting" the students.

There are also people who think otherwise.

There is nothing wrong with children doing manual work at school. It is an important component of studying, especially once you take into account the fact that many children dont do manual work often and therefore become lazy and dependent, wrote Nguyen Thi Thu.

By being overprotective, it is in fact the parents who make it difficult for teachers to educate children, Nguyen Hoang Huan commented.

Overparenting is nothing new around the world, but it is increasingly popular in a modernising Viet Nam. With smaller family sizes and different standards of living, some Vietnamese parents regard their one or two children as treasures that demand extreme care.

Just last year, a mother in HCM City was seen trying her best to push her motorbike forward against a flooded street in a heavy rain. On the back of the motorbike was her son, who would not have been characterised as small.

Yes, risks do exist. There is nothing wrong with parents fearing for their childrens safety.

The question is, however, whether parents should shield their children all the time. Should we not encourage them to overcome their fears and expose them to the realities of the world? Do they not need to face challenges and hardships in order to grow up independent and dauntless? Parents must remember: you will not always be by their sides day and night.

Ancient Roman philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca once said: A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.

Duyens story reminds me of an experience I had with my own son when we were living in Japan and he was in nursery school.

In Japan, young children regularly do chin-ups or walk several kilometres a day, excersise expected of even two-and-a-half-year-olds like my son at that time. As a typical Vietnamese parent who is often obsessed with my fears, I had a lot of worries that kept my mind on edge. I feared that my little boy would fall down from the horizontal bar hung high above the ground while doing chin-ups; I feared that his small legs could not bear walking such a long way; I feared that he could catch a heat-stroke during summer, etc. When I confessed my worries to his teacher, she asked me to believe in my son and to give him a chance to prove himself.

Believe me! He can do it. she told me.

To my surprise and admiration, my son quickly became proficient in chin-ups. In fact, he got very excited each time he walked up to the bar. And now, at the age of three-and-a-half, he is able to walk a long way. For example, he can trek the 2.5km leg around the lake near my house without any complaints or requests for help  a thing many of my friends children could not do. Had I not thrown away my fears, my son would have never discovered his limits.

Doctor Nguyen Lan Hai, an expert in childhood education, said that many Vietnamese people nowadays seem to have a longer childhood due to parents overprotection.

Not only do parents try to overprotect their children when they are small, but as a habit, they also continue to intervene in their childrens lives when the kids grow upfrom things like what to eat, where to go, or how to study, to bigger questions like whom to marry or which house to buy, Hai said.

Back to Duyens story, Dr. Vu Thu Huong, member of the Faculty of Primary Education at the Ha Noi University of Education, told online newspaper zing.vn that by posting that children shouldnt have to carry a desk downstairs, parents are contributing to a generation living in incubator that will find it hard to mature later in life.

The children were carrying the desk to serve themselves. If they cannot do such a simple job, what else wont they be able to do in the future? she asked.

You may or may not agree with Huongs opinion, because defining what is simple", safe, or doable differs from person to person. In child-rearing, it really is your choice to set your own limits and boundaries, because at the end of the day, it is you and your family who reap what you sow.

As for me, I will try to follow what Dr Wendy Mogel, an American parenting expert, said in her best-selling book The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Real protection means teaching children to manage risks on their own, not shielding them from every hazard.  VNS
TRIPOLI  Forces opposed to Libyas unity government seized a fourth oil port, completing their takeover of vital installations in the North African countrys "oil crescent", a military source has said.

The battle for control of Libyas oil assets has renewed fears of a civil war in the country, which plunged into chaos after the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed former leader Moamer Kadhafi.

The UN-backed Government of National Accord based in Tripoli is struggling to assert its authority and has been facing staunch resistance from a rival administration based in Libyas remote east.

Military strongman General Khalifa Haftar on Sunday launched an offensive on Libyas "oil crescent" along the northern coast.

His forces fought off guards to gain control of the oil terminals at Ras Lanuf, Al-Sidra and Zuwaytania, and they finally secured Brega unopposed on Tuesday.

"We have taken control of the Brega port completely and without any fighting," said Colonel Muftah al-Muqarief, who heads oil guards loyal to Haftar.

"The entire oil crescent region is now under our control," Muqarief said.

Brega was taken largely thanks to "mediation involving residents and town elders", he said.

The loss of Brega is a fresh blow to the GNA.

Haftar, 73, who sees himself as Libyas saviour after battling jihadists out of most of second city Benghazi in the east, backs the parliament which has refused to grant the GNA a vote of confidence.

The Brega takeover comes hours after the United States and its major European allies - which back the GNA - condemned Haftars offensive, echoing remarks by UN special envoy Martin Kobler.

"I call for the respect of UN Security Council Resolution 2259 which recognises the Government of National Accord... as the sole executive authority in Libya," Kobler said Monday.

Oil is Libyas main natural resource with reserves estimated at 48 billion barrels, the largest in Africa, but production has plummeted since 2011 as the country plunged into turmoil.

Withdraw, without preconditions

On Sunday, Haftars forces took Al-Sidra and Ras Lanuf ports before attacking Zuwaytina to the east.

The "oil crescent" lies between Benghazi and Kadhafis hometown of Sirte, where pro-GNA forces have been battling the Islamic State group since May.

It was the first time Haftars forces and fighters loyal to the GNA clashed directly since the unity government started working in the capital in March.

Kobler said oil installations must remain under the authority of the GNAs presidential council and stressed that Resolution 2259 "contains a clear prohibition on illicit oil exports".

Meanwhile, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United States condemned the attacks on the four oil ports and called on Haftars forces to withdraw.

These powers are major players in the struggle to reunify and rebuild Libya, and insisted in a joint statement that the countrys oil should be administered by the GNA.

"We call for all military forces that have moved into the oil crescent to withdraw immediately, without preconditions," they said.

The embattled GNA called on loyalist forces to "protect and defend" the ports against what it called a "flagrant aggression" of Libyas sovereignty.

The National Oil Commission, the countrys main governmental oil institution, said it would start work on resuming exports from the ports in the oil crescent area in a statement on its website Tuesday night.

"Our technical teams already started assessing what needs to be done to lift force majeure and restart exports as soon as possible," NOC president Mustafa Sanalla said.

But the statement from the governmental institution did not explain how it could export oil from ports controlled by hostile forces.

The head of the rival government, Abdullah al-Thani, earlier said from the eastern city of Bayda that his administration "will work on the oil ports resuming work as soon as possible so as to guarantee all Libyans a decent life".

The head of the parliament based in the east, Aguila Saleh, said that Haftars forces would withdraw and hand over the ports to the National Oil Corporation to resume oil exports.

But the NOC is split into two rival branches. The branch that issued the statement Tuesday is loyal to the GNA, but the other is aligned to the administration that Haftar supports.  AFP
Elizabeth Struthers Malbon, professor of religion and culture in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of professor emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The emerita title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive an emeritus certificate from the university.

A member of the university community since 1980, Malbon is nationally and internationally known for her literary studies of the Gospel of Mark. She is the author of five books and has edited or coedited five additional books.

She is an active member of the Society of Biblical Literature, serving as regional president, member of the national program committee and nominating committee, and chair or co-chair of two national program units and steering committee member of two others. She is an elected member of the international Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (Society for New Testament Study).

Regarded as an excellent mentor to junior colleagues and students, Malbon received the mentoring award by the Status of Women in the Profession Committee of the Society of Biblical Literature in 2013.

During her tenure at Virginia Tech, Malbon served as an assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion from 1980 to 1985, an associate professor in the Department of Religion from 1985 to 1992, and a professor in the Department of Religion from 1992 to 1994. She also served as director of  and a professor in  the Religious Studies Program from 1994 to 2001 before and after it became part of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in 1995.

She continued to serve as a professor in the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies until it became the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in 2003 and then the Department of Religion and Culture in 2009.

Malbon was instrumental in the creation of Virginia Techs undergraduate degree in religion and culture, which was launched in 2013. She has taught 23 different courses to thousands of students.

She received many college and university awards, most notably earning, in 2014, the William E. Wine Award and the Alumni Award for Excellence in Research, one of the few faculty members in the universitys history to earn both honors in the same year.

Malbon received her bachelors degree, masters degree, and Ph.D. from Florida State University.
Unequal Budget funding for the Yes vote wont give Australians equal say If you seek to ensure not all Australians get an equal say in the debate about an enshrined voice, then dont be surprised when millions of them cry foul about the integrity of the result.

Federal government warned to act quickly on power prices 02:54 The federal government has been warned it must act before the end of November to stop power prices from climbing another 50 per cent next year....

Republic consultation tour set to begin next year 00:31 A republic consultation tour is expected to begin next year, which will officially ask people's thoughts on whether Australia should cut ties...

Victorian Liberals announce free school lunch policy 03:20 Social advocates have welcomed the Victorian Liberals' policy to provide free lunch to millions of government school children across the state....
CEDAR FALLS  Georgia Slinker showed up Tuesday to find out what the city plans to do with the street she lives on.

We were kind of surprised the road is deteriorated, and we dont see that thats what really triggered this meeting, said Slinker, who lives at 1907 Main St. near the intersection of 18th and Main. Im kind of wondering really what its all about.

She attended a public hearing for residents to view and comment on options for reconstructing Main Street through the heart of the city from Sixth Street to University Avenue.

No decisions have been made, city officials said. Options include a landscaped boulevard, a center turn lane or roundabouts at some intersections. Officials said traffic studies do not warrant the road remaining four lanes as it has been for decades.

The road was last resurfaced in 2000.

We know we need to do reconstruction. The road has met its useful life, said Stephanie Houk Sheetz, interim Cedar Falls community development director.

Roundabouts might be an option at some intersections, including Sixth, 12th and 18th streets or Seerley Boulevard.

Theres no recommendations, Sheetz emphasized, and options could vary along the road, which is primarily residential from Sixth to 18th and commercial from 18th to University. A boulevard might be considered from Sixth to 18th for example, and a center turn lane from 18th to University.

They say its just something to talk about, but it looks like theyve gone to an awful lot for just talking, Slinker said, looking at the illustrations of alternatives. Our concern is we hope theyre not talking about a roundabout at 18th and Main, because its hard enough to get out when you live on Main, to get out of your driveway. And if theres nothing to stop that traffic, like lights, then people will be constantly coming. She also expressed concern about access for business deliveries and fire trucks coming out of the station at 18th and Main.

Former City Council member Mare Madsen Schmidt, however, said, Main Street is very important to the city not just for downtown but everywhere. Its an arterial road, and it needs fixing.

Council member Mark Miller said a roundabout at some of the Main Street intersections works for me.

I lose a minute every day on 12th Street waiting to turn. I hit the stoplight every day. People are starting to understand how they (roundabouts) work. If theres enough room and were not taking too much property from people, I do want to see some roundabouts in residential neighborhoods, if we make them work. They function. Theyre a safer intersection.

Longtime community activist Rosemary Beach said, I think weve needed Main Street fixed for a while. We go down five mornings a week to the Rec Center (at 12th and Main) and I make (husband) Bob drive in the inside lane because it has less bumps next to the curb. Id like to see it user-friendly to bicycles, and I think the boulevard thing is a great idea. Id like to see a roundabout, but acquiring the land is going to be a problem.

Landlord and retired engineer Dale Webb had a different view. Pointing to one illustration, he said, I dont like this one, which is a boulevard, which to me looks like maintenance, requiring staff and expense to maintain landscaping. Anybody driving down Main Street isnt worried about aesthetics. Theyre worried about getting where they want to go. So this one, to me is out. He favored a turning lane.

There are sometimes you cant get on Main Street certain times of the day. But I think with a turning lane itd be much, much better, Webb said. Even if the road is no longer four lanes, if we had turning lanes, we can keep people moving.

Frequent City Council meeting speaker Larry Wyckoff said he was 900 percent opposed to any change. Repave it, put a new overlay on it and let it go, he said. We dont need it coming down to three lanes. And we dont need more cost-prohibitive roundabouts.
DES MOINES  The Iowa Supreme Court is considering whether Gov. Terry Branstad crossed a constitutional line when he vetoed funding for two state-run mental health institutions.

The court heard oral arguments in the case Wednesday.

In 2015, Branstad used the governors line-item veto authority to eliminate funding for the mental health institutions in Mount Pleasant and Clarinda.

A top labor union leader and two dozen Democratic state legislators filed a lawsuit claiming Branstads veto was improper and unconstitutional because Iowa law states four mental health institutions should be in operation.

In this case, (Branstad) has altered statute, not simply reduced the funding, said Mark Hedberg, an attorney for the group that filed suit. Hes altered the statute by taking out two specific institutions that we believe are obligated to exist.

Iowa Solicitor General Jeffery Thompson, representing Branstad, disagreed with that assessment and said the governor acted within his authority by vetoing funding for the institutions.

Branstad announced in January 2015, at the outset of that years legislative session, he planned to end treatment at the state-run mental health institutions in Mount Pleasant and Clarinda. When state lawmakers approved a health care budget that included funding for the institutions, Branstad vetoed the money.

Iowas governor can veto entire policy bills but is granted the authority in budget bills to veto individual items. Such action is called a line-item veto.

This is a constitutional power, Thompson said.

Branstad has said he thinks most individuals in need of mental health care are better served in community-based treatment settings, not state-run institutions.

State-run mental health institutions remain open in Independence and Cherokee.

Justice David Wiggins suggested to Hedberg the state is still providing mental health care through those two institutions that remain open.

But not at these facilities, which is what they are required to do, Hedberg said.

The court will consider the case before making a ruling. In the past two calendar years, the court has taken anywhere from less than a month to more than nine months to deliver a ruling. The current judicial term ends June 30.
DES MOINES (AP)  The Iowa Supreme Court must now decide whether to weigh in on a lawsuit that pits Des Moines Water Works against upstream farmers accused of contaminating rivers with nitrates from fertilizer.

The justices heard arguments Wednesday in the case, which asks the court to decide whether agriculture drainage districts have immunity from lawsuits and whether the water utility can seek monetary damages.

Water Works officials say removing excess nitrate from water to meet federal health standards cost $1.5 million last year alone.

The agency sued three northwest Iowa counties that oversee 10 agricultural drainage districts.

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and corn and soybean growers associations are offering to help pay legal fees for the counties.

The lawsuit, in federal court in Des Moines, is on hold until the Iowa Supreme Court makes its ruling.

The utility draws water from the Raccoon and Skunk rivers, which have sometimes in recent years exceeded the 10 milligrams per liter considered safe to drink by the Environmental Protection Agency.
GRUNDY CENTER  A former Eldora reserve police officer has indicated he plans to plead guilty to allegations he stalked and assaulted an ex-girlfriend in late 2015.

Under an agreement with prosecutors, the state will amend four felony charges against Dennis J. Beadle to misdemeanors and add a harassment charge, according to written pleas entered Sept. 6 in Grundy County District Court.

At sentencing, the defense and the state will ask he be placed on probation for two to five years, fined and ordered to attend sex offender and domestic abuse treatment, obtain a mental health evaluation and wear an ankle bracelet for one year, according to court documents.

The judge isnt required to accept the sentence in the agreement. A hearing on the matter had been scheduled for next week, but the defense has asked for a delay.

Beadle was originally charged with one count of felony third-degree sexual abuse, two counts of felony assault with intent to commit sexual abuse causing bodily injury and one count of felony stalking while armed. With the plea agreement, the sexual abuse and assault charges will be downgraded to misdemeanor assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, and the stalking charge will remove the weapon allegation, which will also drop it to a misdemeanor. A harassment charge alleging Beadle sent threatening text and voice messages to the woman would be added.

The charges stem from incidents that happened in October, November and December.

The case was investigated by the Grundy County and Hardin County sheriffs' office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa Falls Police Department.
WATERLOO  The Iowa Attorney Generals Office is asking the court to commit a Waterloo man to treatment under the states sexually violent predator laws.

Michael Allen Gray, 25, served prison time for abusing a 3-year-old boy in 2008. More recently, Gray was sentenced for not telling authorities he was living at a Commercial Street home with a 9-year-old girl, an allegation that came to light when officials received an anonymous call and found footage of Gray holding hands with the girl on a surveillance video, according to court records.

On Monday, the Iowa Attorney Generals Office filed a petition alleging that Gray suffers from a mental abnormality that places him at risk to commit future sex crimes unless he is given treatment. Dr. Jeffrey Davis, a forensic psychologist who reviewed Grays documents, noted prior diagnoses that included pedophilia, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, court records state.

A probable cause hearing is slated for next week in Black Hawk County District Court, and then the matter could be scheduled for trial. If the state is ultimately successful, Gray would be sent to an Iowa Department of Human Services facility for treatment until he is deemed no longer be a risk.

Gray is currently serving time at the Iowa Medical & Classification Center at Oakdale for violating the sex offender registry, and he is scheduled to be released in September 2017.

Gray was initially taken into custody when he was 16 for allegedly orally and anally abusing the 3 year old in 2008. While awaiting trial, Gray allegedly locked a man in a bathroom at work, exposed himself and demanded sex, court record state. He wasnt charged with the incident.

The case involving the 3 year old remained pending until 2011 when he was 19 and entered an Alford plea --- not admitting guilt but contending he could be found guilty if the case proceeded to trial --- to a charge of lascivious acts with a child.

He was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and given lifetime supervision because of the nature of the offense. While in prison, he failed to complete sex offender treatment and was disciplined for sexual misconduct. He was released in June 2013.

In September 2015, authorities received information that Gray had been seen holding hands with a girl at a credit union, and investigators determined the child was living at Grays residence along with others, court records state. Gray was charged with violating the sex offender registry for not reporting that a child lived at his address.
OSAGE  Osage School District voters rejected a $14.9 million bond issue for school building expansion projects Tuesday.

The measure was rejected 704 votes no to 647 votes yes.

The vote was 52.1 percent no, 47.9 percent yes, well short of the 60 percent needed to pass a bond referendum in Iowa.

Superintendent Barb Schwamman said the bond committee was disappointed, but it doesnt mean that it was not a good plan.

At Lincoln Elementary, the proposal included the addition of a new full-size gymnasium, an addition of two preschool rooms doubling as the buildings tornado-safe rooms, and the remodeling of the current gymnasium into a larger music classroom. Other remodeling would take place in the administrative office area.

At the middle school and high school building, a major focus was having more dedicated space for middle school students at the west end of the building and high school students at the east end, with shared space in the middle.

According to the district, the renovation plan was chosen after it determined construction costs for a new building could have topped $35 million.

The referendum called for property taxes to increase $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable property value. For the average assessed home in Mitchell County, which is $95,000, property taxes would have increase by $10.79 per month or $129.59 per year.

Also Tuesday, Angela Nasstrom defeated Larry Plotske to fill a vacancy on the Osage School Board following the resignation of Tracey Mooberry early last month.

Nasstrom received 866 votes. Plotske received 448.

Mooberry was arrested in July for allegedly misappropriating funds while employed at the Mitchell County Treasurers Office, according to a criminal complaint.
DES MOINES - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign launched a push Wednesday to garner the support of Iowa woman voters by touting his plan to make child care more affordable for working families and single mothers.

Nearly 70 members of the Iowa Women for Trump coalition gathered at the state Capitol with Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, House Speaker Linda Upmeyer and other top GOP women to show their solidarity for the Republican nominee who is locked in a tight race with Democrat Hillary Clinton in a key swing state.

Trump has not polled well among prospective female voters in light of past statements he has made about women, but Upmeyer said she believes that may change as the campaign focuses on issues like security, tax and regulatory policies, school choice and economic stability.

"I think women are certainly beginning to make that shift," said Upmeyer, a Clear Lake representative. "I think the more they learn about what Donald Trump has in mind, the more confident they become that that's a good decision."

Upmeyer said a consistent theme she hears on the campaign trail in Iowa is that Iowans are tired of the status quo, they're hungry for change and they want to "shake up" Washington by backing a candidate who is not a career politician like Clinton.

"They're tired of political elites who seemingly live above the law, laws where others would face penalties or maybe even prison time," she told a rally outside the Iowa Capitol building. "You can't be trusted if no one believes what you say and you can't lead if the rules don't apply to you."

Reynolds said Iowa Republicans have the momentum, enthusiasm and determination heading in the build up to the Nov. 8 election and they support Trump because he has shown himself to be pro-family, pro-child and pro-worker at a time when women have not fared well in the past eight years.

"We are more insecure that we were eight years ago and we're more vulnerable to terrorism," said Reynolds, who called Trump "the candidate that stands with women on issues that we care most about."

As an example, Reynolds pointed to Trump's child-care plan that would seek to make child care expenses tax deductible for families earning less than $500,000 and proposes to establish tax-free accounts to be used for child care and child enrichment activities. Another provision would guarantee six weeks of paid maternity leave by extending unemployment insurance benefits to working mothers whose employers do not offer that benefit.

Democrats were quick to point out flaws in Trump's child-care plan that they say surfaced 456 days after he announced his presidential bid.

"This is Trump's latest attempt to salvage his disastrous polling numbers among female voters," said Iowa Democratic Party spokeswoman Monica Biddix. "Trump's difficulty in securing the female vote stems from a litany of past, misogynistic statements and comments denigrating women and working mothers."
CEDAR RAPIDS  Democratic U.S. Senate challenger Patty Judge is ratcheting up pressure on GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley to face her in more than two debates.

The six-term senator has accepted invitations from WHO Radio and Iowa Public Television to participate in face-to-face debates with Judge.

However, Judge called for four debates 77 days ago. With negotiations between the campaigns stalled, she has launched a website, www.DuckDuckChuck.com, claiming Grassley has repeatedly attempted to dodge debating her.

The website includes a timeline showing Grassleys campaign has refused to respond to multiple requests to schedule debates in front of audiences across the state.

When it comes to debates, were more likely to get an answer out of the cardboard Chuck Grassley in our television ads, Judge spokesman Sam Roecker said Wednesday. Hes ducking debates and refusing to give voters across the state an opportunity to hear where the candidates stand.

But Grassley told reporters Wednesday he accepted two debate invitations a long time ago (and) negotiations are still going on.

But were going to debate, yes, he told reporters. I want you to know that I have always debated my opponents.

Roecker said there are no negotiations because the Grassley campaign has not responded to a Sept. 1 letter calling for debate in Iowas four largest media markets or an email to Grassleys campaign manager last week seeking clarification on the debate calendar and asking for a response by the end of the day on Sept. 13.

The Grassley campaign did not respond Tuesday and hasnt engaged in the discussion about debates since Aug. 5, he said.

The Judge campaign pointed out that in the open-seat Senate race two years ago, Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Bruce Braley debated three times.

The Grassley campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Grassley campaign manager Robert Haus said earlier that Judges new interest in debates is in stark contrast to her record of debating just once  14 years ago -- in four statewide campaigns.

She didnt debate Kim Reynolds in 2010, Bob Vander Plaats in 2006, or Dan Brown in 1998, Haus said. And, she missed five debates with her Democratic primary opponents just this year.

Judge, a former lieutenant governor, secretary of agriculture and state senator, challenged Grassley to four, live televised debates in the four major media markets as a way to treat Iowa voters in a fair and respectful way, according to campaign manager Joe Fox said. All Iowans deserve the opportunity to be engaged with this election in order to make a truly informed choice in November.

Judge has accepted debate invitations from the Des Moines Register/KCCI-TV, KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, KTIV-TV in Sioux City and IPTV. However, Judge wants the public television debate to be in Davenport in partnership with KWQC and the Quad-City Times. Shes also considering WHO Radios invitation.
DES MOINES  The party will roll on for the time being at Lake Macbride State Park and Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area.

The Iowa Natural Resource Commission had voted to ban alcoholic liquor, beer and wine at beaches in those state facilities, but a bipartisan group of seven legislators Tuesday decided to delay the implementation rules on the proposed ban that were slated to take effect next month.

I think its a bad precedent, said Rep. Rick Olson, D-Des Moines, a member of the Legislatures Administrative Rules Committee, which voted to impose a session delay on the alcohol ban  meaning the rule will only take effect if lawmakers fail to take up the issue during the 2017 session. We dont have adequate manpower to patrol these areas and the way we address the problems is we shut down the beaches basically to anybody that wants to imbibe.

State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials said they were taking the action after a recent analysis of citations on state beaches found a substantial number of incidents involving public intoxication, assault, littering and interference with official acts on those two beaches covered by the proposed rule.
DES MOINES - Opponents of an underground oil pipeline being constructed in Iowa delivered petitions to U.S. Department of Justice officials Wednesday bearing 33,000 signatures of people wanting President Obama and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deny pending permits and halt the project.

"Make no mistake, this is far from over. We will stop this pipeline," Kari Carney, executive director of 1000 Friends of Iowa, told about 100 members of the Bakken Pipeline Resistance Coalition, land owners and other Iowans who rallied at the banks of the Des Moines River before marching to the U.S. Courthouse to deliver the petitions. They also called on federal officials to investigate potential violations and injustices created by the faulty process.

The action came after three federal agencies last week announced they would temporarily maintain a halt on construction at one segment of the Dakota Access pipeline route that spans 1,134 miles from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping hub in Illinois.

Standing in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe that forced last week's action in North Dakota, pipeline opponents in Iowa are demanding that Obama and the Army corps deny the pending permits, rescind existing permits, honor tribal land treaties and stop the Bakken pipeline similar to the Keystone pipeline last year.

"The entire process for approving this pipeline has been flawed from the beginning -- from the Army Corps' failure to require an environmental impact statement to the Iowa Utilities Board allowing construction to begin before the company had its permits," Carney said. "Our water, land and climate are being threatened and we need the president to step in and say no."

Miriam Kashia, an Iowa City member of 100 Grannies for a Livable Future, said the pipeline is the product of a rigged process that granted illegal use of eminent domain authority "for out-of-state corporate profits" to proceed with a project that carries "enormous environment and economic risks" that threaten Iowa's underground aquifers and waterways.

"At his very moment, Dakota Access is boring under the Des Moines and Mississippi rivers. The ramifications of an inevitable spill are unthinkable," she said.

Last week, Iowa pipeline opponents who had written Obama seeking his intervention and an order requiring an environmental impact statement for the entire 1,134-mile pipeline route expressed disappointment with the response they got from the president but vowed to press on with their demands.

In his letter, Obama noted that his administration has "made great strides" in confronting climate change and noted that the federal government has strengthening so-called 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 children's future first," the president said in his letter.

Obama went on to say "of course, 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" but he made no specific mention of the Dakota Access pipeline or taking any steps to intervene in the project.

Dakota Access, a Texas-based company, 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. Also, a woman was arrested in Lee County for protesting the project and organizers say they expect more demonstrations to occur.

A protest is planned for Saturday where workers are drilling underneath the Mississippi River between Sandusky and Montrose in southeast Iowa, organizers say.
Waterloo sex offender faces commitment

WATERLOO  The Iowa Attorney Generals Office is asking the court to commit a Waterloo man to treatment under the states sexually violent predator laws.

Michael Allen Gray, 25, served prison time for abusing a 3-year-old boy in 2008. More recently, Gray was sentenced for not telling authorities he was living at a Commercial Street home with a 9-year-old girl, an allegation that came to light when officials received an anonymous call and found footage of Gray holding hands with the girl on a surveillance video, according to court records.

On Monday, the Iowa Attorney Generals Office filed a petition alleging Gray suffers from a mental abnormality that places him at risk to commit future sex crimes unless he is given treatment.

Dr. Jeffrey Davis, a forensic psychologist who reviewed Grays documents, noted prior diagnoses included pedophilia, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, court records state.

A probable cause hearing is slated next week in Black Hawk County District Court and then the matter could be scheduled for trial. If the state is successful, Gray would be sent to an Iowa Department of Human Services facility for treatment until he is deemed no longer be a risk.

Gray is currently serving time at the Iowa Medical & Classification Center at Oakdale for violating the sex offender registry and is scheduled to be released in September 2017.

Gray was initially taken into custody when he was 16 for allegedly sexually abusing the 3-year-old in 2008. While awaiting trial, Gray allegedly locked a man in a bathroom at work, exposed himself and demanded sex, court record state. He wasnt charged in that incident.

The case involving the 3-year-old remained pending until 2011 when he was 19 and entered an Alford plea  not admitting guilt but agreeing he could be found guilty if the case proceeded to trial  to a charge of lascivious acts with a child.

He was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and given lifetime supervision because of the nature of the offense. While in prison, he failed to complete sex offender treatment and was disciplined for sexual misconduct. He was released in June 2013.

In September 2015, authorities received information Gray had been seen holding hands with a girl at a credit union, and investigators determined the child was living at Grays residence along with others, court records state. Gray was charged with violating the sex offender registry for not reporting a child lived at his address.

Man arrested after thefts

WAUKON  Early Monday, the Waukon Police Department executed a search warrant at 4 Lyle Drive as part of an investigation into a series of break-ins and thefts from vending machines in Waukon.

The suspect was caught by a Waukon police officer while breaking into a pop machine Sunday. During the search, items related to the investigation were located along with drug paraphernalia.

Mitchell Halverson, 29, of Waukon, was arrested for third-degree criminal mischief, fifth-degree theft, interference with official acts, possession of burglar tools and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The breaking and entry incidents remain under investigation and further charges are pending. The Allamakee County Sheriffs Office and the Fayette County Sheriffs Office K-9 assisted at the scene.
At My Book, The Movie

Ronlyn Domingue's "The Mapmaker's War"
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Russia has taken the step and I see interesting things coming this way. Sailfish OS an OS that was given birth with Nokia many years ago and Microsoft tried to kill it, as they finally finished off Nokia. This operating system which is for smartphones, has been given a new life and I have the perfect phone to use, to start my studies on Sailfish. I have watched this OS since the old days and have really hoped that someone would get it going

https://sailfishos.org/about/

Looks good and I will use the new integrator and a messed up Fly Phone to try this out. Could just be the ticket to a new beginning

https://sailfishos.org/develop/hadk/

This is what free markets are about, something that has been almost lost in the Western World, as the past free market kings, try to stifle the new! Kinda like someone who becomes president of the USA and totally convivially forgets all the promises that he made to become president. Happens every time.. Kinda convenient, huh!

* * * * * * * * * *

Got up at 3 a.m. and blood sugar was at 5.6 mmol/l and my head was stuffed up from the weather change. It was +4 and the wind was blowing. Not a pleasant beginning for a day to be fore sure. I fired up the computer and the first tidbit of news? Putin has poisoned Hillary, with Trumps help!

I have lost all ability to think that the west has any credibility and this kind of stuff, confirms that very thought. The western press of the governmental forces has run with the story, as if it is truth. Here is a Washington Post article and that is for you wannabe hate people. Yes, they are running dribble in the western press and actually it is all dribble in the western press. Nothing is ran as news unless it meets a purpose of degradation and we all see an occasional good article, but that is washed away by all the other lies

I thought the west has been smacking on the bottom feeder list for awhile, but it seems that the western world has decided to become a bottom tunneler and feed off the soil below the surface Makes me proud and I am sure that most of you will lap up the story of, Evil Russia and Putins buddy Trump, like a crowd of people at a free buffet

You could not make this stuff up. We have lost the track that reality was running on, quick, someone grab the track switch and redirect the train, before a crash happens

It is not the fact that someone will say this, it is the fact that with all that is wrong, the western press focuses on something like this as smoke to cover something else; something like Hillary maybe?

* * * * * * * * * *

A Blind Dogs Poem I cannot see you Mummy, when you cuddle me so near.

And yet I know you love me, its in the words I hear.

I cannot see you Daddy, when you hold me by your side

But still I know you love me when you tell me so with pride.

I cannot see to run and play out in the sun so bright

For here inside my tiny head its always dark as night.

I cannot see the treats you give when I am extra good,

But I can wag my tail in Thanks just like a good dog should.

She cannot see. The dogs no good is what some folks might say

She cant be trained, shell never learn She must be put away.

But not you, Mum and Daddy You know that its alright,

Because I love you just as much as any dog with sight.

You took me in, you gave me love and we will never part,

Because Im blind with just my eyes, I see you in my heart ~ Sherrill Wardrip ~

I had to cry this morning

Boza is 100% blind. It comes and goes and soon he will be totally blind all the time. I take it harder than he does. He will be checked up by a doctor in a few weeks, but I think it is not going to be good regardless. Boza is blind

He is tough and takes it all with a grain of salt. He runs and leads the way. It just is that he does not understand that I keep him on a tight path. But it is important that he is the leader, but a leader that knows his path. He is proud and happy, but only because I work hard at walking him. No more letting him run amuck. He is curtailed and has learned what I want. I lead him with words and use noises, such as clearing my throat, to let him know where I am at. He is in no pain and is happy. Dogs use the nose and ears more than anything, so he has a whole world to explore anyway. He knows who has been on his roads and he knows who has been bad or good

We took Boza in as a gas station doggy. A puppy that would be dead now. He was running on a busy road and needed a home. Born in a village, he is 100% Russian, thus very at home and secure in our Tiny Russian Village

I had to cry this morning, for my buddy is blind and he does not care! I hope that I could be that good about things in life. Boza has taught me a lot about life

The tears fell and I will make his last years as good as I possibly can. That is what friends do

WtR
The Food Bank of Lincoln in partnership with 56 restaurants at 127 locations will stage the 27th Annual Dine Out to Help Out on Wednesday, Sept. 14. On that day, participating restaurants will donate 10% or more of the day's receipts to the Food Bank's efforts to feed hungry people.

According to a Feeding America study, more than 60,000 people who live in Southeast Nebraska are food insecure. During the 2016 fiscal year, the Food Bank of Lincoln connected people to more than 9.6 million meals through mobile food distributions, rural outreach, agency partner network, Child Hunger Programs and SNAP programs.

Dine Out to Help Out is a great way for all of us to perform an act of kindness for those of us who are struggling, said Food Bank of Lincoln Executive Director Scott Young. Having enough healthy food ensures that a child can learn, an adult can pursue a positive work life, and a senior citizen can remain as vibrant as possible. By participating in Dine Out, our restaurant partners are lending our entire community a hand.

Sponsors for Dine Out to Help Out include the Lincoln Journal Star, KFOR, KFRX, ESPN 1480, KZKX, KTGL and The Blaze.

Dine Out to Help Out is a centerpiece of Hunger Action Month, being commemorated in September. To view the full restaurant list go to www.lincolnfoodbank.org.
          

      

      

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Sep 14, 2016 | By Alec

Big things are happening over in the Dutch HQ of Ultimaker in Geldermalsen. The desktop 3D printing pioneer has just received a 15 million euro loan from the Luxemburg-based European Investment Bank (EIB). The funds will mostly be used to facilitate research projects and to bridge the gap until an even larger seed round that is scheduled for mid-2017. Ultimaker, it seems, is looking to take over the desktop 3D printing world.

In many ways, this is just a new chapter in the success story that is Ultimaker. Since being founded in 2011, the company has grown explosively. Ultimaker started out with three friends, Siert Wijnia, Erik de Bruijn and Martijn Elserman, who were tinkering with open source RepRap 3D printers. As it turned out, there was a huge demand for their custom and very open hardware solutions, and the company quickly began manufacturing countless 3D printers to cope with that demand. But even today, the open source principles are at the core of Ultimaker, and all blueprints are continuously open to the public to allow for DIY improvements.

But this has done little to limit Ultimakers own growth. Today, they are one of the biggest desktop 3D printer manufacturers in the world, responsible for about 25 percent of all 3D printers in their market segment. Ultimaker hardware can be found in the design workshops of Volkswagen, Airbus, Tesla and Apple, and over 2015 their turnover was valued at 30 million (approximately $33.7 million USD).

Though Ultimaker hardware is very suitable for home users, about 70 percent of 3D printers sold go to companies and 20 percent to research institutes  including TU Delft, Hardvard and Yale. Right now, Ultimaker employs around 200 people and their production facilities are located in Zaltbommel, the Netherlands, and in Boston for the American market. Just last year, the company also signed an assembly, distribution and support deal with Fbrc8.

From left: Siert Wijnia, Martijn Elserman and Erik De Bruijn (Image: 3ders.org)

Their success and client range was clear enough to attract the attention of the EIB, the European Unions bank. The EIB typically provides funds to projects that contribute to furthering EU policy objectives, and Ultimakers innovative drive clearly fits in with their vision. The 15 million loan is completely intended for the facilitation of growth and research, and also allows Ultimaker to continue their work in anticipation of an even bigger investment round in mid-2017.

In particular, the funds will help the company better prepare for custom research projects. Many of the parts Ultimaker manufactures are custom-made for professional clients, with development times quickly taking up to a year-and-a-half. In those cases, especially the printhead can be difficult to tackle. Theres thus still a lot of room for improvement in Ultimakers research facilities.

But according to Ultimaker, this EIB loan will also help them prepare for the next phase in their existence. Their main goal is long-term autonomous growth, and they will need a market shake-up to realize it. We can therefore expect a lot from Ultimaker over the next few years.

Posted in 3D Printing Applications

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Tim K wrote at 9/15/2016 12:12:29 AM:Does this mean they will release a printer with color mixing heads (multi input filaments, one output) or multiple extruders, such as kraken water cooled with four input filaments? One can hope...




Sep 14, 2016 | By Tess

While we are sad that summers long and warm days are coming to an end, we cant mask our excitement that a new season is around the corner and with it are coming a number of exciting developments and announcements in the world of 3D printing! Thats why, in addition to our regular coverage of all things 3D printed, weve got a roundup to keep you up-to-date on the latest recorded profits, company appointments, sales, and releases. Check them out:

1. Zortrax announces record profits of over $1.9 million for first half of 2016

Polish 3D printer manufacturer Zortrax recently published its financial results for the first half of 2016, which show just how productive and successful the company has been over the past year. In fact, as the financial report shows, Zortrax brought in a whopping $6.7 million turnover (more than $1.9 million more than their 2015 first-half year results).

The increase can be attributed in part to the companys well regarded M200 3D printer, whose sales increased by 40% since the second half of 2015. The company also marked an increase in its sales of 3D printing materials, notably in the United States, where the sales increased by 116% compared to the same period in 2015. According to the 3D printer manufacturer, it has its sights set on the American market in a more significant way, as it plans to increase the companys market share there.

Overall, the companys net profits have gone up by 114% annually for a total of roughly $2 millionan increase which has allowed Zortrax to bring its research and development department from China, where it was previously operating, to Poland. This has also helped the company to secure more funding for the development of future projects (such as the upcoming launch of the M300 3D printer) and acquisitions.

2. GE announces David Joyce as Vice Chair

Last week, American multinational GE announced that it will be investing $1.4 billion for the acquisition of two major suppliers of additive manufacturing equipment: Arcam AB and SLM Solutions Group AG. In the wake of the big announcement, GEs Board of Directors has also recently named David Joyce as vice chair leading GE Aviation and additive manufacturing. In the new position, Joyce will oversee Arcam and SLM Solutions and help GE to develop and grow its 3D printing business, which includes additive manufacturing equipment, materials, and services.

Joyce, who in 2008 was named as President and CEO of GE Aviation, has significant leading experience and has nearly 3 decades of experience working for GE, gradually working his way up. As GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt says of the new vice chair: Under Davids leadership, GE Aviation has experienced a period of unprecedented growth and expansion. The business revenues grew from $19 to $25 billion and the installed base climbed to 62,000 engines in his eight years at the helm.

In addition to his position at GE, David Joyce serves on a number of boards, including that of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the Aerospace Industries Association.

With the new investment, acquisitions, and vice chair appointment, GE is expecting to see a significant growth in its additive manufacturing business, even up to $1 billion by 2020.

3. Nano Dimension makes first U.S. delivery of DragonFly 2020 PCB 3D printer

Nano Dimension Ltd., one of the worlds leading forces for developing 3D printed electronics, has just announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Nano Dimension Technologies Ltd. has successfully made its very first delivery of the DragonFly 2020, the worlds first PCB 3D printer, to the United States. The 3D printer was delivered to FATHOM, a beta and go-to-market partner that specializes in 3D printing, and will be installed at their Oakland, California headquarters. There, it will be used primarily for evaluations and demonstrations, as Nano Dimension and FATHOM are collaborating in order to introduce the DragonFly 2020 3D printer to the U.S. market, with a special focus on Silicon Valley and the greater West Coast area, where FATHOM serves.

The announcement comes just weeks after Nano Dimension announced the first sale of its PCB 3D printer to an Israeli defense company. Financial results for the recent U.S. sale will be reflected in Nano Dimensions Q4 2016 and will continue into 2017.

4. Stratasys launches Manufacturing Aids Package for 3D printing custom jigs and fixtures

3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company Stratasys has just launched its newest product: the Manufacturing Aids Package for the Fortus 900mc Production 3D printer. The new package is meant to guide users of the 3D printer and help them to create custom tools, such as jigs and fixtures, out of versatile and lightweight thermoplastics.

The Manufacturing Aids Package contains a number of things, including 40 hours of design work from Stratasys Professional Services, six canisters of thermoplastic build material (these include Nylon 6, PC, and ASA plastic) and three canisters of Stratasys SR-35 advanced soluble support material. The latter is Stratasys newest support material, which provides makers with a fast dissolve time and extended bath life. In addition to the materials, the Aids Package includes extra extrusion head tips and build sheets. Buyers of the new custom tool building kit will also have the option of extending their factory warranty for the Fortus 900mc Production 3D printer by two years.

Stratasys Sr. Director, Product Management and Marketing, Sanja Wallace said of the new product: The ability to design a manufacturing aid specifically for a given task and produce it on demand is a huge benefit. And producing these tools from lightweight thermoplastics instead of metal makes them much easier to use and more cost-effective to produce.

According to Stratasys, the Manufacturing Aids Package will be ready to ship as of mid November 2016. The 3D printing company will be exhibiting the kit along with the Fortus 900mc 3D printer at the IMTS Show in Chicago from September 12th-17th at booth N-60.

5. Autodesk unveils Portfolio for the Future of Manufacturing

Autodesk, one of the leading 3D design software companies, recently introduced its portfolio of solutions for additive and subtractive manufacturing. The portfolio, which brings together a number of Autodesks most popular products as well as products offered by companies such as Delcam, Netfabb, Pan Computing, and Magestic Systems, offers its users a comprehensive and extensive set of hybrid manufacturing solutions. Among the products included in the portfolio are HSMWorks, Inventor HSM, Fusion 360, FeatureCAM, PowerMill, PartMaker, PowerShape, PowerInspect, and Netfabb.

Ultimately, Autodesks extensive portfolio is meant to help manufacturers and makers get the most of additive manufacturing technologies by showing how to create higher quality products while reducing costs and time. This new set of solutions goes big on the make componentequipping manufacturers with all the software they need to go from digital design to real-world product, said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president of products at Autodesk.

The portfolio, which offers cloud-capabilities, is currently being showcased at IMTS at Autodesks booth #E-3222.

6. Prodways partners with CAD House to expand into South Africa

French 3D printing company Prodways, a subsidiary of Groupe Gorge, has just entered into partnership with South African 3D printing solutions company CAD House. Through the partnership, CAD House will bring a number of Prodways 3D printing products into the South African market, itself primed to become a notable player in the 3D printing industry. According to a joint press release, these products will include Prodways exclusive MOVINGLight technology, as well as its latest range of laser sintering machines.

CAD House, for its part, has become an established supplier of 3D printing products within South Africa since its founding in 2010. The company, founded by Bernhard Vogt, offers the South African market a wide range of 3D printer models, as well as related products such as 3D scanning technologies, and 3D design, inspection, and reverse engineering applications. Additionally, the companys Center for Advanced Rapid Production, is capable of manufacturing complex parts on-demand with its laser sintering technologies.

The recent partnership signifies Prodways continued expansion and growth across the globe.

7. Evonik begins construction of polyamide 12 powder production plant

Multinational specialty chemical manufacturer Evonik Industries held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 13th to celebrate the building of a new production plant for specialty polyamide 12 (PA12) powders, used for 3D printing. The plant, which will be located in Marl, Germany, is expected to open by the end of 2017.

The specialty PA12 powders that will be produced at the plant, known under the brand name VESTOSINT, are expected to increase Evoniks annual capacity for the product by 50%. VESTOSINT, which is marketed primarily for use in the coatings industry (for instance, coating metals in household appliances, as well as in the automotive and medical industries), also has growing applications within the 3D printing industry. That is, Evonik has been developing polymer powders for use in industrial additive manufacturing. According to the company, VESTOSINTs properties and processing behaviors are optimal for 3D printing.

The investment that is going into building the new plant in Marl is reportedly in the mid-double-digit million euro range, though no specific amount has been signified.

Posted in 3D Printer Company

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Sep 14, 2016 | By Alec

All of us have struggled in one or more classes in high school, but studying the human brain is a different matter entirely. In a typical neuroanatomy class, students are overwhelmed by huge numbers of terms, definitions, brain structures (all with different sizes, shapes, and locations). It will take a long time to get to terms with all the functional and behavioral associations of the brain, and students typically forget a large amount of knowledge right after exams are passed through short-term intensive work. Surely there has to be a more efficient way to embed crucial knowledge (about the brain or any other subject) into your long term memory.

As it turns out, there is. Educational specialists have been calling for technology-based interactive education for a long time, and Pen State University is now working on a research project to bring this alternative way of knowledge acquirement to neuroanatomy classes. Its called Brain3M, and has already received funding from the Penn State Social Science Research Institute. Through virtual and 3D printed models, alongside photos and diagrams, they hope to educate students about the function, anatomy, and evolutionary history of brains.

Its a very innovative approach that could change the way difficult concepts are taught  both inside the field neuroanatomy and beyond it. Its called Brain3M because it combines three Ms: virtual brain interfaces on Mobile devices and web-based learning tools, MRI scans that can be digitally explored and the 3D printing of Models and puzzles of brain structures.

The project is being led by professor of psychology and associate director of the Institute for CyberScience Ping Li, and also involves Professor Victoria Braithwaite, co-director of the Center for Brain, Behavior and Cognition. They already explored the concept in a paper entitled Brain 3M  A New Approach to Learning About Brain, Behavior and Cognition, presented at the 12th International Conference on Cognition and Exploratory Learning in Digital Age.

The knowledge itself is of the level that is typically taught in college-level introductory courses. We argue that Brain3M enables the learner to establish embodied representations, through the learners integration of visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and other sensorimotor aspects of the learning target, its developers argue. Adaptive exploration and embodied learning can significantly enhance learning outcomes, especially with regard to long-term memory representation. This should allow users to use individual body sensations to gain knowledge, a concept that is backed by the embodied cognition theory.

As professor Li explained, the concept grew out of frustrations with teaching students about the human brain. The idea for the project came about as a way to inspire the next generation of students to learn how the brain works while encouraging them to explore brain research in the future, Li said.

Envisioning a platform that would allow students to virtually explore brains at their own pace and in 3D, they recruited graduate Fan Zhang to help bring the concept to life. Designing the Brain3M website was a lot different than designing a printed lesson  it was more about designing the experience the user is going to have, Zhang said. Initially, a comparative module with human and fish brains was developed that introduces evolutionary components and highlights neural specializations. All in all, 20 key facts about the hippocampus are also taught.

To test it, other team members Jennifer Legault and Lauren Chaby brought Brain3M to local middle school students. Weve instructed both at Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania Charter School and the Science-U summer camp at Penn State University Park campus, Legault said. We taught all participants the same two lessons in two different ways: each student learned one lesson via the Brain3M website and the other lesson through a PowerPoint in a classroom setting.

Although the sample sizes werent big enough to be conclusive, the results were promising. The Brain3M concept proved to be very educational, and the kids really appreciated being able to control (the pace of) their own learning experience. More than 80 percent of the participants said they would want to use this website again to learn about the brain, and thats pretty cool given the fact that interest in STEM fields is not always as high as we'd like, Legault said.

It was also simply a fun experience. The students were able to extensively play with 3D printed brain models in the classrooms, and curiosity was everywhere as they explored the intricate ridges and folds of the brain. It proved to be a perfect addition to the digital module, the high quality photos and extensive diagrams. The students can click on any parts of the brain in any order they want, so we're really letting them make their own decisions about their learning, Legault revealed. This kind of active learning has been shown to be more effective, and the kids also seemed to like that they could take control of their own learning experience and go at their own pace.

While Brain3M is thus promising, a lot more work needs to be done to prove the relationship between Brain3M and additional spatial learning achievements. So if were able to show that students performance in learning about the brain corresponds with their spatial abilities, then this project could also help them learn about another topic that involves spatial components, Legault argued.

But for professor Li, the biggest driving force are Brain3Ms broad implications for STEM fields. This project really exemplifies the collaborative work of modern science in that it has a lot of components of cognitive psychology and neuroscience, but it also involves education, digital learning, big data and 3D modeling, Li said. If successful, the same principles could be brought to numerous other fields as well.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Practitioners and Partners: Artspace Evolves Breaking Ground Into "Idea Lab" That Celebrates Artists
PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
Laws crafted by those elected should do most good for most people

columns
Chou Yao-Zong, a renowned Chinese calligraphy artist has recently announced that he will be holding an exhibition in Taiwan Taipei. The exhibition will feature some of his best work and is sure to attract people from all across the world.

(Splash-ink as Water, 2016, Chou Yao-Zong/ dancink.com)

Chou Yao-Zong is both a calligrapher and an engineer. He found solace in calligraphy and spends a large part of his time merely trying his hand at the different forms of calligraphic art.

He recently announced that he will be holding a solo exhibition and this will continue from 24th September to the 6th of October. The venue for the exhibition is Taipei city arts promotion office. He is hopeful that the exhibition will bring in a large turnaround of people.

Chou Yao-Zong was quoted as saying, I have been practicing calligraphy for a long time and in the last few years, I have managed to host the finest events which have been prolific. My solo exhibition this year will showcase some of my best works and I am hopeful that it will turn out to be amazing.

(Chou Yao-Zong/ dancink.com)

During this exhibition, all work will also be opened online and this means that people all over the world would be able to see the real art and literature of the Chinese nation. The exhibition will be carried out on a big scale and will have the best of works.

Chou Yao-Zong is extremely excited for the event and he is putting in his best effort for the sake of being sure that it turns out to be a success. His work is heavily inspired by the Chinese literature and one can see a reflection of poetry in his work.

Although Chou Yao-Zong is an engineer, he has tremendous knowledge of Chinese art and literature. He devotes ample time to each of his work and thereby his calligraphy art is renowned for its exquisite style.

Those who want to know more about Chou Yao-Zong or even get details about the exhibition should visit http://dancink.com/



About DancInk Gallery:

This gallery has been dedicated mainly to the display of Chinese art. The main featured artist is Chou Yao-Zong and his different artistic work will be showcased here. The exhibition will be carried out in Taipei and will showcase the best of Chinese calligraphy art.

Exhibition Information

SOLO CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY EXHIBITION BY CHOU YAO-ZONG

Exhibition Vate: 2016/9/24 ~ 2016/10/6

Exhibition Venue: Taipei City Arts Promotion Office Room 3

Address: No.25, Sec. 3, Bade Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City 105, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Media Contact

Company Name: Dancink Art Gallery

Contact Person: Chou Yao-Zong

Email: alanchou04@gmail.com

Country: Taiwan

Website: http://dancink.com/
Nokia Corporation (Nokia) is engaged in the manufacturing of mobile devices and in converging Internet and communications industries. The company is engaged in manufacturing a range of devices for all the consumer segments and offer Internet services that enable people to experience music, maps, media, messaging and games. Nokia is also engaged in providing digital map information through NAVTEQ and equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through Nokia Siemens Networks. The Company operates in three business segments: Devices and Services; NAVTEQ, and Nokia Siemens Networks. On July 10, 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of NAVTEQ Corporation. The Devices and Services group was formed on January 1, 2008, and combined the three former mobile device groups, Mobile Phones, Multimedia and Enterprise Solutions and the supporting horizontal groups into one integrated business group. In August 2009, Nokia acquired Cellity.
BASF Aktiengesellschaft(BASF) (DUS: BAS) is the world's leading chemical company, offering its customers a range of high-performance products, including chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as crude oil and natural gas. Its distinctive approach to integration, known in German as "Verbund," is its strength. It enables BASF to achieve cost leadership and gives the company a competitive advantage. BASF conducts its business in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. In 2002, BASF had sales of about 32 billion Euro(circa $34 billion) and over 89,000 employees worldwide. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and Zurich (BAS).


Half Year Accounts

Perth, Sep 14, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Crusader Resources Limited ( ASX:CAS ) ( CHLXF:OTCMKTS ) directors present their report together with the financial report of Crusader Resources Limited ("the Company" or "Crusader") and its subsidiaries (the Group) for the half-year ended 30 June 2016, and the auditors review report thereon.



Review of operations



Juruena Gold Project



The Juruena Project (100% Crusader owned) is located in Central Brazil on the southern fringe of the Amazon basin, situated on the western end of the prospective Juruena-Alta Floresta Gold Belt.



Following Crusader's first 10,000m exploration drilling program at Juruena and subsequent announcement of a Maiden JORC resource for the project, a second drilling program was commenced at the project in March 2016 with the aim of converting resources from the Inferred to the Indicated category as well as seeking to expand the size of the overall gold resource at Juruena. The program originally planned for 6,000m was increased to 7,700m. The Querosene and Dona Maria prospects have been the initial focus of the drilling program with initial holes also drilled for two new targets, Tomate and Mauro.



In line with the excellent results received from the first drilling program at Juruena, spectacular results have continued to be received from the current program.



Results received include 1.02m @ 7.30 g/t Au from 156.1m in hole QD027; 1.47m @ 29.42 g/t Au from 57.2m in QD028; 2.0m @ 11.09 g/t Au from 113.9m in QD030 (including 1m @ 19.56 g/t Au); 1.40m @ 48.62 g/t Au from 84.0m in QD039 (including 0.4m @ 87.96 g/t Au and 0.64m @ 47.92 g/t Au); 2.90m @ 75.02 g/t Au from 112.80m in QD043 (including 0.45m @ 335.09 g/t Au).



Work on the Scoping Study for Juruena continued during the period with progress made on updated pricing for plant and equipment. Crusader managed to secure a purchase option for an appropriately sized, turnkey crushing and milling plant. The proposed plant, which will be rebuilt in partnership with Brazilian equipment supplier and foundry - GNA, (a group that has had a long association with Crusader), will be capable of treating up to 300tpd.



The Scoping Study is now also considering an open-pit option to start the project, which if feasible, could have significant initial capital and operating cost benefits. The current drilling program will collect important data that will be used in the Scoping Study.



Discussions are ongoing with potential financial partners to provide a funding facility to develop the Juruena Gold Project. A final firm agreement is likely to be linked to the completion of the Scoping Study and a new resource statement following the completion of drilling and sampling.



Posse Iron Project



The Posse Mine increased profitability over the half year period resulting in a Gross Loss of $28,431. Sales volume of lump products increased as average costs were reduced and margins increased. The contribution of NPO (coarse lump) to profitability continues to increase.



Crusader maintains an optimistic outlook for the second half of 2016 and anticipates the mine will operate profitably for the remainder of the year.



Operationally, the original office and laboratory locations have been moved to a location close to the mine gate, allowing access to lenses of high-grade ore as well as expanding the pit floor.



Borborema Gold Project



During the first half of the year, Crusader announced the completion of an internal optimisation review into the development for Stage 1 of Crusader's 100% owned Borborema Gold Project, located in the northeast of Brazil.



The review showed economics for the development were positive and, as a result, further work towards a new Feasibility Study has begun (including revising the existing Ore Reserve estimate).



This review was completed using factored costs from previously unfinished feasibility work (draft BFS), updated consumable prices, a lower US$ gold price ($1,150/oz) and a higher BRL:USD exchange rate (4:1).



Borborema has a Proven and Probable Ore Reserve of 42Mt @ 1.18 g/t for 1.6Moz. (Refer to Table 1 in link below). This estimate was made in 2012 and includes the two main lenses of mineralisation. The optimisation of Borborema Stage 1 plans to exploit the upper lens only, which includes ore of approximately 20Mt at a strip ratio of approximately 3.5:1. This pit-size optimises the resource at current prices, minimises waste movement, reduces capital and operational costs and does not sterilise the future development of the deeper lens (Stage 2).



Table 1 (see link below) shows Ore Reserve estimate for the Borborema Gold Project.



Reported at a 0.4 g/t cut-off for oxide and 0.5g/t cut-off for fresh material. The cut-off grades have been based on the latest throughput costs, gold price of US$1350/oz, metallurgical recovery of 95% and then rounded up. Note, appropriate rounding has been applied, subtotals may not equal total figures.



The Stage 1 project footprint has been adapted to respect the existing highway and powerlines - removing the requirement and cost to move. All direct project impacts (waste storage, pit, infrastructure etc.) have been restricted to Company owned land.



Dry stacking of tailings, following filtration, has now been proposed. This has the important additional benefits of removing the planned tailings dam, simplifying the overall operation and reducing capital costs with minimal impact on operational costs.



The updated project plan has been submitted to the relevant authorities in Brazil and the full licences are expected to be received in the 2016 calendar year. Metallurgical and comminution samples (~6 tonnes) have been shipped to an independent lab in Australia for testwork to confirm the processing flowsheet and investigate various processing cost saving opportunities. Samples will be received in the third quarter of 2016, with results forming a vital part of the planned updated Feasibility Study into Stage 1.



Lithium Joint Venture including Manga Li, Sn, & In Project Project



In February 2016, Crusader signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lepidico Ltd ("Lepidico") for the establishment of a 50:50 strategic joint venture company. Lepidico has subsequently been taken over by the ASX listed Platypus Minerals ("Platypus")(ASX-PLP), an Australian exploration company that also owns the L-Max(R) and other processing technologies that were designed to extract lithium from Li-mica minerals such as zinnwaldite and lepidolite, and Li-phosphate minerals such as amblygonite.



Crusader and Platypus have signed a shareholders agreement and formed a JV company which will have the exclusive right to use the technologies in Brazil, with the strategy to develop and hold a portfolio of royalty interests from sublicensing the technology, in addition to deploying it for Crusader's Manga prospect.



The Manga Li Project (previously explored for tin and indium) is located in the NE of Goias state, Central Brazil. Crusader explored the ground for tin, indium and gold mineralisation in the region during 2007 and later mapped, soil sampled, rock chipped and drilled 15 reverse circulation holes.



Rock-chip programs conducted by Crusader were assayed for multi-elements and include some significant Li20 results. Li2O grades of up to 1.3% were returned, within a zinnwaldite-rich greisen zone, proximal to the anomalous tin and indium bearing greisen.



To view the report, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/1DEQ055G





About Crusader Resources Limited





Crusader Resources Limited (ASX:CAS) is a minerals company focussed on the identification, acquisition, development and operation of projects in Brazil. Crusader believes that Brazil is a vastly underexplored country with high potential for the discovery of world class mineral deposits. The company has already acquired a diverse portfolio of projects including gold, iron ore, tin, tungsten and uranium and continues to utilise its strong networks in Brazil to identify new opportunities.

Crusader is characterised by a tight corporate structure and features an experienced board of directors who are strongly focussed on the success of the company.


ASX Startup Joins Global Giants For Printed Electronics

Perth, Sep 14, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - An Australian technology startup has been invited to join a consortium of billion dollar printed electronic companies and a select group of international start-ups with the objective to create new components, products and solutions based on printed electronics.



It has today been announced that Strategic Elements ( ASX:SOR ) wholly owned Company Australian Advanced Materials Pty Ltd has signed an agreement to join PrintoCent, a select consortium of approx.



50 global companies operating out of a specialised facility in Finland that contains the worlds first pilot factory for printed electronics.



The facility contains the worlds most advanced industrialisation capabilities for printed electronics. Large global companies involved in PrintoCent include, Nokia, Corning, Merck, BASF, Toyo Ink, Bosch, Orion, MuRata, AsahiKasei.



The printable memory ink technology being developed by Strategic Elements was invented at the UNSW by the team led by Professor Sean Li at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering Significant Benefits of the PrintoCent Agreement:



1. The Company will be invited to participate in potential end customer collaborations and networking.



2. The Company can assess possible PrintoCent originated new business opportunities and ventures, with the possibility to negotiate the participation in such ventures.



3. PrintoCent runs a continuous process to establish value chains for joint projects and offers opportunities to the consortium.

4. The Company will have priority access to PrintoCent facilities and resources for the realisation of its own PrintoCent related targets.



Example of Companies at PrintoCent:



BASF



Market Cap $73.2 Billion - The largest chemical company in the world with a total sales of $78.7 billion dollars.



NOKIA



Market Cap 29.82 Billion Euro - Patent licensing business built on EUR 50 billion invested in R&D. Many enabling technologies used in virtually all mobile devices used today.



CORNING



Market Cap $23.6 Billion - One of the world's leading innovators. Gorilla Glass for consumer electronics in 4.5 Billion mobile devices worldwide.



MERCK



Market Cap 40.79 Billion Euro - World's oldest operating chemical and pharmaceutical company. 5th largest pharmaceutical company in the world.



TOYOINK GROUP



Market Cap $1.3 Billion 2016 - 3rd largest ink company in the world. One of the undisputed leaders in the Printing Inks and Chemicals business in the world.



DNP



Market Cap $6.7 Billion 2016 - Largest printing company in the world. Leader in high-tech areas.



"Of the about 50 companies participating in the PrintoCent ecosystem, a third operates internationally, i.e. we facilitate SMEs gaining access to the big players. This is an important reason for why they want to implement their projects in collaboration with us". Mr Ilkka Kaisto, PrintoCent, 2015.



Technology Research and Development Agreement



The Company has also formed an agreement with the partner of choice for global companies seeking to commercialise Printed Electronics, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, (VTT) to conduct development of the Company's printable memory ink technology.



- VTT is one of world's leading research and technology companies. It has over 6000 customers and over 1,200 patents and patent applications in its patent portfolio. Turnover of the VTT Group for 2015 was AUD 250M. VTT is tasked with transforming technologies into viable business activities.



- VTT has been engaged in the long-term development of printed electronics for over 15 years. VTT is trusted by industry leading companies all over the globe, for the development and production of printed electronics products.

Over the agreed initial eight-week development program VTT will fabricate certain prototypes and investigate the flexibility capacity of the memory technology on plastic materials. Further information on the program will be released as appropriate.



Company Comment



Strategic Elements Managing Director Charles Murphy said "At PrintoCent we look forward to collaboration, new business and new project identification opportunities as well as the ability to access the most advanced printed electronics pilot scale equipment in the world".



"In our agreement with VTT we believe that working with world leading development partners will lead to results that can be trusted by the most significant players within the industry. We expect the synergy between the materials scientists at UNSW and the team at VTT will have a significant impact on the technology".



Other Activities



The Company is currently negotiating a license to an additional printed electronics technology from UNSW. To date no agreements have been entered into, however the Company expects to be in a position to update the market shortly.





About Strategic Elements Ltd





Strategic Elements (ASX:SOR) shares are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange under the code SOR. The Company is registered under the Pooled Development Program run by the Australian Federal Government to encourage investment into SMEs. To assist Pooled Development Funds to invest and raise capital, the Federal Government enables most shareholders in a Pooled Development Fund to make capital gains and receive dividends tax-free.


Invigor's Condat Helps Europe's Largest Rights Agency

Sydney, Sep 14, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Leading big data solutions company Invigor Group Limited ( ASX:IVO ) ("Invigor") is pleased to announce its wholly-owned Berlin-based software solutions business Condat AG has won a contract to license its Smart Media Engine to GVL. GVL is one of Europe's biggest collective management organisations for neighbouring rights in Europe for recorded music and performers.



- Contract to supply its Smart Media Engine to GVL



- Contract worth $200K for license and services



- Significant opportunities for other markets



- Further significant contracts pending



The contract is worth over $200K and revolves around Condat's Smart Media Engine for semantic content analysis.



Invigor's Chairman and CEO Mr Gary Cohen said: "Condat's Smart Media Engine clearly addresses a growing need for semantic analysis and recommendation tools making personalized content available on demand. There is clearly a growing number of opportunities where this solution is highly relevant. We also expect to announce further significant contracts for Condat in the near future."



For more information on GVL, please visit http://www.gvl.de/en



About Invigor Group Ltd





Invigor Group (ASX:IVO) uses its complementary suite of big data products to source, aggregate, analyse and publish content for the benefit of businesses and consumers.

Today its interconnected data sets enable enterprise clients including retailers, brands, shopping centres and government bodies to identify and better understand competitors, consumers, markets and demographics while providing the consumer with the best value-for-money.

Using its current products and a pipeline of additional offerings Invigor will have the ability to provide an end-to-end solution spanning sales, product management, business intelligence, marketing, advertising, content creation and distribution, while monetising each step of the process.


Lodgement Date for Full Year Results and Webcast Details

Brisbane, Sep 14, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Orocobre Limited ( ASX:ORE ) ( TSE:ORL ) ( OROCF:OTCMKTS ) (Orocobre or the Company) will release 2016 Financial Year results on Monday 19 September 2016. Managing Director, Mr Richard Seville will conduct a briefing with analysts and institutional investors at 11.00am. A live audio webcast of this briefing will be available on Orocobre's website at www.orocobre.com. The webcast is listen only mode, however written questions may be submitted via the webcast.



An archive copy of the briefing and Q&A session will subsequently be made available on the company website.



About Orocobre Limited





Orocobre Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange ( ASX:ORE) ( TSE:ORL) (OTCMKTS:OROCF), and is building a substantial Argentine based industrial chemicals company through its portfolio of lithium, potash and boron assets. In partnership with Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) and JEMSE, Orocobre has built and is now operating the world's first commercial, brine-based lithium operation constructed in approximately 20 years.

In 2018 Orocobre announced the Stage 2 Expansion of its flagship Olaroz Lithium Facility in Argentina. The Stage 2 Expansion will add 25,000 tpa of lithium carbonate production capacity, taking full production and capacity to 42,500 tpa of lithium carbonate for sale to industrial, technical and battery markets, positioning Orocobre as one of the world's largest and lowest cost lithium chemicals producers.

Additionally, Orocobre and Toyota Tsusho Corporation have commenced construction of the 10,000 tpa lithium hydroxide plant in Naraha, Japan. The construction of the Naraha Lithium Hydroxide Plant will further cement Orocobre's position as a global lithium chemicals producer operating at the bottom quartile of the lithium cost curve. This new hydroxide plant will be the first of its kind in Japan and will provide Orocobre product diversification suitable for different battery technologies and the potential for significant margin growth on our primary lithium carbonate being converted to battery grade lithium hydroxide.
The Institute of Management Accountants is launching an advertising campaign on television, radio and online to promote the Certified Management Accountant credential, including commercials on late-night talk shows and Saturday Night Live.

The commercials will highlight the tagline, CMA: Youve got to earn it, stressing the training that goes into earning the CMA credential. The commercials show a management accountant who is so proud of his CMA certification that he gets a large tattoo on his back, while his co-workers line up to be next for their tattoos. The ad campaign was created in partnership with The Gate | New York, an advertising agency whose research found that 40 percent of adults 26 to 40 years old have at least one tattoo (while 43 percent of people with tattoos think a tattoo with a personal meaning is the most important factor). The commercial can be viewed on YouTube here or at the end of this article.

This is to highlight the value of the CMA, helping individuals advance their careers, and helping them close the skills gap that CFOs report on finance teams today, particularly in the areas of planning, analysis, control and decision support, said IMA senior vice president Dennis Whitney. What that tagline means is that any employer who is hiring a CMA can be assured that they have taken a rigorous exam in the 11 most critical competencies required to do the job today. You have to take the test, you have to study, and you have to meet the mastery level required.

The IMA plans to run the commercials on late-night talk shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and Conan OBriens Conan, in addition to SNL.

The ad campaign will run between 13 to 21 of the spots over a five-week timeframe in September and October in six markets: New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, Phoenix and Houston. In January and February, the campaign will return for six weeks in those same six markets, along with four others: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Dallas.

The IMA will also be running radio ads in the same six markets in the fall on Sirius Radio, CNBC, Bloomberg and NPR, along with local stations like New Yorks Z-100, WPLJ and WWPR.

In addition, the IMA plans to run a mix of print and digital advertising in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Briefs, Forbes, SmartBriefs, and accounting and finance trade publications, including Accounting Today.

The IMA does not have any specific targets for signing up new CMAs immediately through the campaign. It takes a long time to make a decision, Whitney pointed out. Its not like buying a refrigerator. You have to study. You have to think about it. Its an investment not just of money but of time. Its usually about a six-month or a yearlong process of making that decision to pursue it. We do have long-term high hopes for the campaign, and we think its going to be a great success in driving more people to the CMA program and then raising the competency level on the finance teams as a result.

In the meantime, the IMA has been steadily growing the number of CMA credential holders.

Were dedicated to helping to close the talent gap, said Whitney. The CMA program has been doing that for over 40 years now. Weve certified over 50,000 CMAs, and weve had a strong growth rate of 17 percent the last year. Were a global certification, and our mission is to advance the profession.
My husband insists hes going to bed at 10 each night, says Christine, but thats actually when he starts thinking about it. Its midnight or later before Jake is in bed, and we must be up at 5 in the morning. Christine is suffering from ADHD sleep deprivation, too, because of Jakes disruptive restlessness.

Mari doesnt dawdle getting to bed, but she doesnt know when to go. Activities dont have a natural ending for me, she explains. Whether its watching TV or chatting on the phone, I keep going until some external force stops me. She relies on her husband to provide the bedtime cue, but shuteye doesnt come easily. Lately, she says, Ive been dozing off in the middle of playing Angry Birds on my iPhone in bed. I play it under the covers, so my husband doesnt see and ask, Babe, are you still awake?'

Based on appearances alone, sleep specialists might insist that Jake and Mari dont have ADHD, despite professional diagnoses and vastly improved daytime functioning, thanks to stimulant medication. Instead, these experts might advise Jake to make a better effort to get in bed by 10 and Mari to refrain from taking her iPhone under the sheets. That way, both could have more sleep and enjoy improved cognitive ability during the day. Voila! ADHD cured!

When it comes to ADHD, however, appearances can deceive. Jakes poor sense of timing is a lifelong trait; he is the poster boy for ADHDs two kinds of time: now and not now. Mari has battled brain chatter when trying to fall asleep since she was a child. Playing iPhone games is not the cause of her delay in going to sleep; its her latest strategy for dealing with boredom.

[Free Download: Mobile Apps for Better Sleep]

ADHD is Always Awake

Jakes and Maris trouble with sleep remind us that ADHD neurobiology doesnt go off-duty when the day ends. ADHD works 24-7 to distract, delay, and disorder ones capacity to get restorative sleep. The result? ADHD symptoms get worse.

Research during the last five years substantiates what ADHD experts have suspected for decades: ADHD carries with it intrinsic challenges to sleep. In fact, restless sleep was part of the 1980s-era diagnostic criteria for ADHD. It was dropped because specifics as to the causes were lacking.

Today, terms such as delayed-onset sleep phase and sleep-disordered breathing (sleep apnea) crop up in studies done on ADHD populations. But just as ADHD symptoms vary among individuals who may also have co-existing conditions, such as anxiety, the nature of sleep disorders varies among individuals with ADHD. Generally speaking, though, up to 50 percent of children and 80 percent of adults with ADHD have problems going to sleep, staying asleep, getting restful sleep, and getting up the next morning.

Some sleep disturbances spring from core ADHD symptoms. What is more boring to the hyperactive person than lying in the dark waiting for nothing to happen? Other sleep problems, such as restless leg syndrome, are increasingly being linked to dopamine pathways. Research studies focusing solely on adults with ADHD are mostly small and preliminary, but they show higher-than-average rates for nocturnal motor activity and restless leg syndrome; periodic limb movement disorder; sleep disordered breathing (such as snoring or sleep apnea); and hypersomnia (sleepiness throughout the day that is not due to lack of sleep or interrupted sleep at night).

Its important to remember that ADHD is a medical, physiological disorder, says ADHD expert and physician Patricia Quinn. Some adults with ADHD say, I like to stay up late because its quiet, and I can get a lot done. In other words, daytime distractibility and disorganization can lead to too-late bedtimes. But sleep deprivation with ADHD is not something you choose. EEG studies done since the 1980s have found that people with ADHD have less REM sleep, dont enter stage-4 sleep, and have more arousals, she says.

[Tired of Feeling Tired? How to Solve Common Sleep Problems]

Time to Go to Bed

What is the best way for sleep-deprived souls to get more and better rest? Sleep professionals first line of advice is to practice good sleep hygiene  establishing a regular sleep/wake schedule, limiting caffeine, getting daytime exercise, keeping the bedroom dark and cool. So thats a good place to start. For many individuals with ADHD, it wont be enough. If thats the case for you, try these ADHD-specific strategies.

1. Do Your Own Sleep Study

Good solutions depend on good data. Dont depend on your memory when analyzing your sleep habits and patterns.

Remember Jake? In an effort to prove his wife wrong (that he indeed was coming to bed regularly by 10 p.m.), he gathered data. He downloaded a sleep-tracking app to his smartphone. (Two popular choices are the SleepBot Tracker Log and Sleep Cycle.) Jake was able to track when he puts his head on the pillow at night and when he gets out of bed in the morning. My wife was right, Jake admits. I wasnt getting to bed when I thought I was.

Jake also gained a tool for monitoring improvement: I can track the effect of changing variables on my sleep, such as when I watch the news at night or read a book. I also learned that getting exercise first thing in the morning helped me feel sleepier in the evening, so, instead of ignoring the alarm that tells me, Time to get ready for bed, I go to bed. In the past, without such data, Jake would have not been able to connect cause and effect, much less accurately remember whether hed gotten exercise that morning.

Jake places the phone under one corner of the fitted sheet (to keep it from moving around), and tracks nighttime movements through the phones built-in sensors (accelerometer and orientation). Note: This can provide information for your physician to determine whether a formal sleep study might be advised. If you dont have a smartphone, a pen-and-paper sleep log will do. The important thing is that youre gathering hard data instead of relying upon your memory or perceptions.

All in all, Christine and Jake rest easier, now that she no longer feels the need to nag him to sleep.

2. Organize Your Brain

If, despite your best efforts at gathering data, you cant improve your sleep hygiene, try to get organized  organize your brain, that is.

A disorganized brain cannot go to sleep, Quinn explains. By contrast, an organized brain can focus on the task at hand, while tuning out distracting stimuli, whether it is focusing on paperwork or sleep.

Stimulant medications help many people with ADHD organize their brains during the day. They can also help at night. For some, stimulants cause nighttime disturbances, especially in those with co-existing anxiety or mood disorders. But several studies show that taking a low dose of stimulant about 45 minutes before bedtime can promote the onset of sleep as well as improve its quality and duration for some children and adults with ADHD.

Initially skeptical, Mari was impressed when she tried taking stimulants a couple of hours before bed. Not only did she move through evening chores more efficiently, she also had better judgment about when to turn off the distractions. Moreover, she fell asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed and awoke refreshed.

Taking a stimulant at bedtime is not the only way to organize your brain, however, nor should it be the first option. You can try the following strategies:

A WHITE NOISE MACHINE , which blocks out intermittently intrusive noises, so you focus better on sleep.

, which blocks out intermittently intrusive noises, so you focus better on sleep. MINDFULNESS MEDITATION, which may promote sleep by lowering anxiety and physical tension, says Lidia Zylowska, author of The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD.

3. Synchronize Your Internal Clock

Research supports the long-held observation that adults with ADHD underestimate and overestimate the passage of time. Many factors contribute to this, including distractibility and hyperfocusing. But now we are learning that a dysregulated internal clock can contribute to the problem. This internal clock is the so-called circadian rhythm in the brain, which regulates periods of rest and alertness. For most of us, the circadian cycle is mostly constant and in sync with the environment. When its rhythm is stable, we feel sleepy at roughly the same time each evening and awaken naturally at the same time each morning. Circadian rhythm is influenced by external stimuli, including exposure to light and the timing of exercise, bedtime, and naps, and hormones, such as melatonin, which is released in response to darkness.

If you suspect your body clock is out of sync (perhaps you fall asleep later and sleep longer than most people, but mostly experience good sleep), try resetting it by tweaking external stimuli.

GET A DOSE OF LIGHT first thing in the morning and dim household lights in the evening.

first thing in the morning and dim household lights in the evening. USE A LIGHT BOX, such as the type recommended for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Use the lights for about 30 minutes each morning, with the bright light shining indirectly  never directly  toward your eyes.

If, after steady practice for two weeks, these light-therapy methods dont help, talk with your physician about over-the-counter melatonin, which is used to help shift workers and long-distance travelers adjust their circadian rhythm.

Remember: No amount of light therapy or melatonin will help if you are not having problems with circadian rhythm. The strategy that works for you is the one that addresses your problem.

[Sleep Tricks: Where Hot Chocolate and Melatonin Meet]
DB Corp Limited (DBCL), Indias largest print media companies, announced today that the Company has been awarded three Platinum and seven Gold Awards at Hermes Creative Awards 2015. Of the twelve Indian winning entries at the awards, ten belonged to Dainik Bhaskar Group.

Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional materials and programs and emerging technologies. It is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

A thought leader in the media industry, Dainik Bhaskar Group has set exemplary editorial standards by launching initiatives such as No Negative Monday. Further, besides being at the forefront for developing creative quotient the Group is also involved in commissioning and leading varied high impact marketing initiatives ranging from cause related initiatives such as Nasha Mukt in Punjab an editorially led drive to the Ek Ped Ek Zindagi CSR campaign, reflecting the Groups commitment to its vision of being The largest language media brand enabling socio-economic change.

Further, besides the Groups editorial philosophy of Kendra Mein Pathak, its differentiated concepts & designs are perpetually at work. Within the trade fraternity, the group is driving its focus to build differentiated initiatives & distinct engagement platforms to connect with the target group. Initiatives such as Unmetro have been focusing on bringing forth the potential of the Tier II & Tier III cities of India and are driving the marketers attention to the opportunities Tier II & Tier III cities of India have to offer.

Over the last few years, the group has won several national and international awards across areas such as marketing, creativity & technology.

Commenting on the win, Pradeep Dwivedi, Chief Corporate Sales and Marketing Officer said, It is always an honour when efforts get recognized at a prestigious platform. Winning at such a prestigious international platform motivates us and spurs us even more to remain committed towards our goal. It makes us proud to win 10 awards at the Hermes 2015, and renews our commitment to provide a superior UnMetro market opportunity to our advertisers, while remaining committed to truly differentiated content for our readers.
Ne twork18, one of Indias most diversified media conglomerates has been strengthening its revenue team since past few months after Joy Chakraborthy took over as President- Revenue for TV18 and CEO-Forbes India in May 2016. Moving forward in this direction, it has appointed Amit Tripathi as National Revenue Head for Government Sales & Non metro markets and Sandhya Dhar as Vice President  Focus Sales (Branded content of the network).

Commenting on these appointments, Joy Chakraborthy said, I am pleased to welcome Sandhya and Amit to Network18 family and I firmly believe that such talent will continue to strengthen the revenue proposition of our group and provide greater momentum to the sales function.

Amit has Over 21 years of experience in areas of Sales, Marketing & Business Development. Prior to joining Network18, he was the Chief Operating Officer and National Sales Head at Focus News. Prior to that he was the Chief Executive Officer at Cent Percent Media. Amit has also served as the National Sales Head at Zee News in the past.

Sandhya has over 17 years of experience in sales. Prior to joining Network18, she was the Asst. Vice President & Sector Head (BFSI & HealthCare) at ET Edge (Times Conferences Limited). She was associated with Bennett Coleman & Company for over a decade in different roles of brand building and sales.

Amit will report to Joy Chakraborthy and Sandhya will report to the national head Focus sales, who reports to Joy.
Maricos marquee male grooming brand, Set Wet Gel, has announced the launch of its Set Wet Signature Styles 2016 digital campaign offering its style-conscious consumers three fresh and unique hair styles created by celebrity hairstylist and Set Wets Chief Style Officer  Aalim Hakim. The hairstyles have been carefully curated taking into account the lifestyle of the brands target consumers. Brand ambassador and ruling fashion icon of Bollywood, Ranveer Singh, will be officially presenting each of the stylish hairstyles- The Aviator, The Spunkster and The Wanderer on brands Social Media platforms and a dedicated micro site.

The grooming and styling space which is predominantly female-oriented, has lately seen an emerging interest from male consumers who are increasingly looking at new fashion trends online. However, being in its nascent stage, the male grooming market faces the lack of trusted sources and platforms for men seeking advice on new hairstyles that will suit them. Having recognized this cavity, Set Wet Gels has taken the first step towards entering the space and bridging the gap by speaking to its target audience of men between 15-24 years of age. Apart from the hairstyles, consumers will also be provided with expert tips on pairing these looks with accessories and clothes.

Set Wet aims to leverage Facebook and content portals for their digital campaign through creative ads and posts. Blogger engagement is also incorporated in the campaign strategy for which an event with the top male fashion bloggers will be hosted at Aalims salon whereby the expert will take them through each look. The bloggers will thereafter recreate the look on themselves and cover the event on social media.

Anuradha Aggarwal, Chief Marketing Officer, Marico Limited says, There has been a growing wave of male styling and grooming in India. Through the launch of our recent Set Wet Gels campaign, we want to engage with this emerging set of audience who is on a lookout for expert advice on styling. Consumers will have access to a one-stop platform that will help them with tips and tricks on looking fashionably good by sporting unique hairstyles for different occasions that can be done at home. We believe that this initiative will enable us reach out to the huge segment of untapped potential consumers.

Set Wet Signature Style micro site: https://www.setwet.com/style-mantra/signature-styles-2016
CAPE MAY, N.J., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On October 13-14, the 2nd Annual Cape May NJ UAS Conference, will feature the top federal legislative and regulatory officials, industry and academic experts, as well as the many business applications and opportunities for this emerging technology in a comprehensive two day conference agenda. The Cape May UAS Conference, which will take place at the Cape May Convention Hall, is hosted by the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA), Cape May County, and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) - Liberty Chapter.

Congressman Frank LoBiondo, Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives, will be joined by Maj. General (Ret.) Marke "Hoot" Gibson, the Federal Aviation Administration's Senior Advisor on UAS Integration, to provide a keynote address on their continuing efforts to safely integrate commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS)  or "drones"  into the national air space.

"The growth of the drone industry over the past few years coupled with the widely-successful UAS symposium in Cape May last fall reaffirms why South Jersey continues to lead the way in research, testing and deploying unmanned technology. I appreciate FAA's Hoot Gibson for agreeing to return this year and look forward to the diversity of expertise that the other speakers, including FAA Tech Center Director Shelley Yak, will bring to this event," said LoBiondo, chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee.

"I really enjoyed my visit to Cape May for last year's UAS Conference and I've been genuinely impressed with the quality and quantity of work that has taken place in Cape May during that time," Gibson said. "I look forward to speaking about the FAA's successes and challenges of the past year and providing an update on the integration efforts related to this rapidly evolving technology."

An important part of the conference focuses on connecting UAS companies with local businesses who may want to incorporate UAS technology into their operations. "UAS technology has exciting local applications  something that we want to promote to our business community," said Cape May County Freeholder Will Morey who also is an experienced commercial rated pilot and certified flight instructor. "Whether you're a real estate agent looking for great aerial shots of a marquee property, an engineering firm surveying a challenging topography or maybe a utility company assessing damage from a storm, UAS technology can be that cost effective answer to a business need. Cape May County has a great working relationship with DRBA officials and we're working toward the common goal of creating an environment conducive for UAS innovation and development at the Cape May County Airport."

Another critical aspect of the conference focuses on the current legislative and regulatory measures to safely integrate drones into our national airspace. "As both the operator of critical infrastructure and a potential end user of UAS technology, the DRBA is uniquely positioned to understand both the economic development potential of drones and the need to safely and efficiently incorporate them into our airspace," said Scott A. Green, DRBA Executive Director. "The potential of this technology is limitless, but we need to find that proper balance between ensuring safe operations and promoting growth of this industry. The key players who are leading that effort will be here at this conference."

The 2nd Annual Cape May NJ UAS Conference is a direct result of ongoing collaboration between industry, academic and government partners to promote UAS innovation and integration at Cape May County Airport (KWWD). This year's conference provides new educational programs and more networking opportunities within the diverse UAS community to promote the continued growth of emerging technologies in New Jersey and the mid-Atlantic region. The Conference kicks off on Thursday evening with a world premiere drone movie followed on Friday by a drone race expo - both produced by Randy Scott Slavin, creator of the New York City Drone Film Festival and the Liberty Cup drone race.

Along with LoBiondo and Gibson, some of the confirmed speakers and presenters include Shelley Yak, Director of the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center; Dr. Mark Contarino, Vice President of Technology, SubUAS LLC; Eric Smith, Esq., aviation attorney with Kaplan, Kirsch & Rockwell; Jeff Sassinsky, President, Fovea Aero Systems LLC; Tony Samaritano, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Verge Aero; Tony Lasure, Chief Executive Officer of Pentagon Performance Inc. David Day, Executive Vice President of Keystone Aviation; and Mark Aiken, Director of Government Relations for AUVSI.

For registration and conference details, visit www.uaskwwd.com.

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority

The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing. The DRBA also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers - two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (New Castle Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities. For more information, visit www.drba.net.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407742

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407741

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cape-may-uas-conference-to-focus-on-current-regulatory-environment-business-potential-of-emerging-technology-300328125.html

SOURCE Delaware River and Bay Authority
LONDON, Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- About the Coffee Market in Mexico



The coffee market in Mexico comprises fresh roasted and ground coffee, instant coffee, RTD coffee, and coffee pods. Increasing demand from the millennial population has contributed to the rise in demand for coffee in Mexico. An improved economy and increased job opportunities have made different types of coffee more affordable for younger consumers. This demography is more likely to spend on premium beverage brands. This has led to a spurt of cafes and coffee shops, which has further strengthened Mexico's coffee market.





Mexico has many certified organically grown coffees, sold in many North American specialty coffee stores. These coffees are certified by independent monitoring agencies. Coffee from Mexico is exported to the US, Japan, and Europe, especially to Germany.



Technavio's analysts forecast the coffee market in Mexico to grow at a CAGR of 5.83% during the period 2016-2020.



Covered in this report

The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the coffee market in Mexico for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, Technavio considers the revenue generated from the total consumption of coffee in Mexico. The report does not include revenue generated from the aftermarket service of the product.



The market is divided into the following segments based on types:

-Instant coffee

-Fresh roasted and ground coffee

-RTD coffee

-Coffee pod



Technavio's report, Coffee Market in Mexico 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.



Key vendors

-Grupo LALA

-Nestle

-Sabormex

-Sigma Alimentos



Other prominent vendors :

-Cafinco

-Mondel?z International



Market driver

-Demand for organic coffee

-For a full, detailed list, view our report



Market challenge

-Price volatility of coffee

-For a full, detailed list, view our report



Market trend

-High demand for single-serve coffee pods

-For a full, detailed list, view our report



Key questions answered in this report

-What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be?

-What are the key market trends?

-What is driving this market?

-What are the challenges to market growth?

-Who are the key vendors in this market space?

-What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?

-What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?



You can request one free hour of our analyst's time when you purchase this market report. Details are provided within the report.







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To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coffee-market-in-mexico-2016-2020-300327556.html

SOURCE ReportBuyer
JEANETTE, Pa., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera addressed a group of education, workforce, and economic development leaders at a forum in southwest Pennsylvania Wednesday evening.

Rivera outlined Governor Wolf's Schools That Teach goals related to career and technical education (CTE) that include increasing enrollment in CTE by 5 percent by 2020 and increasing the number of vocational educational program completers to 87 percent by 2020.

"There is no one-size-fits-all approach to education," Rivera said. "Ensuring that every student has access to the tools they need to learn as well as opportunities to grow is a mainstay of the Wolf Administration's Schools That Teach initiative."

Rivera was the Westmoreland County Forum for Workforce Development's keynote speaker, and focused his remarks on progress Pennsylvania is making in improving equity in student opportunity.

In the past two state budgets, Governor Wolf has secured record investments of nearly $640 million in education that fund programs from high quality pre-kindergarten to postsecondary institutions, including CTE programs. In June, Governor Wolf signed the Fair Funding Formula, known as Act 35, into law, which will drive future education funding increases through a formula weighted to account for student need and local tax effort.

Rivera shared that he has met with thousands of educators, administrators, and other educations stakeholders from around the state since he was tapped to lead the Department in January 2015, and that stakeholder engagement is the key to implementing smart education policy in Pennsylvania.

"The breadth and scope of experience in our communities across the commonwealth has been invaluable in the development of education policies," Rivera said. "Those conversations with educators, parents, lawmakers, industry leaders, and others are aiding us in advancing education in Pennsylvania."

MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman, 717-783-9802

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-education-secretary-pedro-rivera-addresses-education-and-economic-development-leaders-at-workforce-forum-300328366.html

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education




Creation of large marine protected area follows successful demonstration of Project Eyes on the Seas monitoring technology

LONDON, Sept. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pew Charitable Trusts joins the Pitcairn Island Council in praising Her Majesty's government for today's designation of 320,465 square miles (approximately 830,000 square kilometres) as a marine reserve in the remote waters surrounding the Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The announcement by the United Kingdom's Foreign & Commonwealth Office follows a one-year pilot surveillance program in these waters using Project Eyes on the Seas, a technology platform developed jointly by Pew and the U.K.-based Satellite Applications Catapult to monitor distant areas of ocean.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407843

Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/PEW-APPLAUDS-UK-DESIGNATION.mp4

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407844

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407840

In March 2015, the British government announced its intention to create the reserve and to conduct the trial program. Today's designation marks the first time any government has combined creation of a remote, fully protected marine area with a comprehensive plan to use the most up-to-date available technology to enforce prohibitions on fishing and other activities.

"By protecting the vast array of marine life within these rich waters, the United Kingdom has solidified its position as a leader in ocean conservation," said Joshua S. Reichert, executive vice president at Pew who oversees strategy for the Global Ocean Legacy and Ending Illegal Fishing projects. "The Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve sets a new standard for enforcement of protected areas through innovations in satellite technology."

The monitoring trial, which included more than 10,000 hours of surveillance using Eyes on the Seas, found minimal fishing activity in the remote waters of the Pitcairn Islands' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and high compliance with current laws and regulations. With official designation of the marine reserve, all extractive activities, such as industrial fishing and mining, are now prohibited within the EEZ, except for subsistence fishing in a small area set aside for the Pitcairn community.

Her Majesty's government partnered with Pew and the Switzerland-based Bertarelli Foundation to conduct the trial from June 2015 through May 2016. The Bertarelli Foundation provided funding to test a Wave Glider SV3, a floating drone developed by U.S.-based Liquid Robotics, to gather information from the water's surface to be incorporated in the analysis. Eyes on the Seas merges satellite tracking and imagery data with other sources of information, such as fishing vessel databases, oceanographic data, and ships' ownership histories, to provide up-to-the-minute information that can alert officials to suspicious activity.

At roughly 3  times the size of the land area of the U.K., the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve protects some of the most intact marine ecosystems on the planet. The waters are home to 1,249 identified species, including at least two found nowhere else on Earth: a species of squirrelfish and the many-spined butterfly fish. The reserve also safeguards one of the world's only two remaining raised coral atollsa ring-shaped coral reef as well as 40-Mile Reef, the deepest and most well-developed coral reef known.

In 2013, Pew's Global Ocean Legacy project joined the Pitcairn Island Council, the local elected body, and the National Geographic Society in submitting a proposal to the British government for creation of a marine reserve to protect these spectacular waters. Initial consideration started years earlier.

The Pitcairn Island Council praised the designation in a statement: "For over five years, the Pitcairn Island Council has worked closely with the local community and partners to evaluate and promote the benefits of preserving our pristine seas. We are proud that Her Majesty's government has legally designated over 800,000 square kilometres of our marine environment as a fully protected reserve. When you add in the use of cutting-edge technology to monitor our waters, both the island community and our visitors will continue to enjoy this beautiful ocean habitat for many years to come."

With its overseas territories, the U.K. serves as caretaker for 2.6 million square miles (more than 6 million square kilometres) of ocean, the fifth-largest marine area of any country. In recent years, the nation has become a leader in the global movement to safeguard critical ocean habitatestablishing the Chagos Marine Reserve in the British Indian Ocean Territory in 2010 and pledging protections for the waters of Ascension Island in the South Atlantic in January of this year.

The U.K., the United States, New Zealand, Palau, and Chile all have announced creation of large, fully protected marine reserves in the past 18 months, a period in which more ocean has been set aside for protection than any other in history.

Even with this progress, only about 3 percent of the ocean has been designated with strong protections. Recent science shows that at least 30 percent needs to be safeguarded in order to conserve biodiversity, support fisheries productivity, and ensure maximum economic, cultural and life-supporting benefits.

About The Pew Charitable Trusts

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Learn more at www.pewtrusts.org.

About Global Ocean Legacy

Global Ocean Legacy is a partnership established in 2006 to promote the creation of marine reserves in the world's oceans. Current partners include The Pew Charitable Trusts, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Lyda Hill Foundation, Oak Foundation, The Robertson Foundation, and The Tiffany & Co. Foundation. Learn more at www.globaloceanlegacy.org. Each of these positive developments has been driven by the Great British Oceans campaign, of which Pew is a member.

Media Contact: Laura Margison, +1 202.849.0272, lmargison@pewtrusts.org
LONDON, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Therapeutics in South-East Asia Markets to 2022 - Increasing Usage of Newer Therapies and Expanding Treatment Population to Encourage Robust Growth



Summary



Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia - high blood glucose levels - that results from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or a combination of these. This chronic hyperglycemia is associated with long-term damage, dysfunction and failure of multiple organs, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels. The vast majority of diabetes mellitus patients can be classified as having either Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Approximately 90-95% of all diabetics have T2DM.



T2DM treatment has been revolutionized in the past decade, especially with the increased use of new therapies. The marketed products landscape comprises a wide range of treatment options, including biguanide (metformin), sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and insulin therapies. Nevertheless, significant unmet need remains for products that can offer better glycemic control, as well as the prevention and cure of diabetic complications, such as diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease.



Scope



The current South-East Asia T2DM market contains novel products, including Jardiance, a SGLT-2 inhibitor; Victoza, a GLP-1 receptor agonist; and Januvia, a DPP-4 inhibitor.

- What are the competitive advantages of the existing novel drugs?

With over 500 active pipeline molecules, most of the late-stage investigational drug candidates are being evaluated, featuring improved dosing regimens and administration routes in comparison to currently marketed products and combination therapies.

- Which classes of novel drugs are most prominent within the pipeline?

- Is there strong potential for the pipeline to address unmet needs within the T2DM market?

Analysis of clinical trials since 2006 identified that the failure rates of T2DM molecules were highest in Phase III, at 49%, with the overall attrition rate for T2DM standing at 75%.

- How do failure rates vary by product stage of development, molecule type, and mechanism of action?

- How do other factors, such as average trial duration and trial size, influence the costs and risks associated with product development?

Over the 2015-2022 forecast period, the South-East Asia T2DM therapeutics market is expected to increase in value at a CAGR of 7.1%, from $1.7 billion to over $2.7 billion.

- Which markets make the most significant contribution to the current market size?

- What are the epidemiology trends in these markets?

- Will new market entrants lead to substantial changes in annual therapy costs?

- How will different treatment usage patterns impact growth in the eight assessed South-East Asia markets?

Rising T2DM prevalence and the uptake of newer therapies will lead to significant market growth over the forecast period, despite generic sales erosion resulting from patent expirations.

- Will patent expirations or emerging pipeline molecules threaten the commercial success of existing drugs?



Reasons to buy



This report will enable you to -

- Understand the clinical context of T2DM by considering symptoms, etiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment options.

- Identify the therapeutic strategies, products, and companies that dominate the current marketed products landscape and recognize gaps and areas of unmet need.

- Identify key pipeline trends in molecule type, administration route, mechanism of action, and novelty.

- Consider market opportunities and potential risks by examining trends in T2DM clinical trial size, duration, and failure rate by stage of development, molecule type, and mechanism of action.

- Recognize the late-stage pipeline molecules that have demonstrated strong therapeutic potential in T2DM by examining clinical trial data and multi-scenario product forecast projections.

- Compare treatment usage patterns, annual therapy costs, and market growth projections for South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

- Discover trends in licensing and co-development deals concerning T2DM products and identify the major strategic consolidations that have shaped the commercial landscape.

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To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/type-2-diabetes-mellitus-therapeutics-in-south-east-asia-markets-to-2022---increasing-usage-of-newer-therapies-and-expanding-treatment-population-to-encourage-robust-growth-300328336.html

SOURCE ReportBuyer
United States Glass Container Market Analysis And Forecast to 2020 - US Accounts for 16% Market Share - Research and Markets

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "U.S. Glass Container Market - Analysis And Forecast to 2020" report to their offering.

The report provides an in-depth analysis of the U.S. glass container market. It presents the latest data of the market size and volume, domestic production, exports and imports, price dynamics and turnover in the industry. In addition, the report contains insightful information about the industry, including industry life cycle, business locations, productivity, employment and many other crucial aspects. The Company Profiles section contains relevant data on the major players in the industry.

The U.S. prevails in global imports of glass container, accounting for a 16% share (based on USD). It was followed by France (13%), Italy (5%) and Spain (5%). In 2015, U.S. glass container imports totaled 1,558 million USD, which was 91 million USD (6%) more than the year before.

Overall, U.S. glass container imports showed upward dynamics over the period under review. A significant drop in 2009 was followed by robust growth through to 2015. There was an average annual increase of +5.7% from 2007 to 2015. In 2011, U.S. glass container importers overcame the pre-recession import level achieved in 2007.

China and Mexico were the main suppliers of glass container into the U.S., with a combined 60% share of total U.S. imports in 2015. China was the fastest growing supplier (+18.1% per year) from 2007 to 2015, while imports from Mexico grew by +6.4% per year. China significantly strengthened its position in the U.S. imports structure, from 13% in 2007 to 32% in 2015. By contrast, Mexico gained only +2 percentage points over the same period, resulting to a share of 28%.

From 2007 to 2015, the U.S. was a net importer of glass container. Moreover, imports grew faster than exports on average over the period under review.

After a drop of 2009, net U.S. imports of glass container showed an upward trend over the period under review. In 2015, this industry ran a significant trade deficit of 1,258 million USD.

Company Profiles

Amcor Pharmaceutical Packaging Usa

Anchor Glass Container Corporation

Ardagh Glass Inc.

Ardagh Glass Packaging

Arkansas Glass Container Corporation

Assem - Pak

Best Quality Water System of Florida

Bprex Plastic Packaging

Certainteed Corporation

Chattanooga Labeling Systems

Cus II

Gallo Glass Company

Glass Energy Company

H3o

Hearthmark

Leone Industries Inc.

Longhorn Glass Manufacturing

Nipro Glass Americas Corporation

Owens-Brockway Packaging

Owens-Illinois

Owens-Illinois De Puerto Rico

Owens-Illinois Group

Pacific Market

Pacific Vial Mfg.

Piramal Glass - Usa

Pochet of America

Rocky Mountain Bottle Company

S.G.D. North America

SGD North America

Saint Gobain Grains & Powders

Saxco International

Schott Pharmaceutical Packaging

Vitro Packaging

West Tampa Glass Company

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/zrggsm/u_s_glass

Related Topics: Glass

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914005542/en/

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

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Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "U.S. Hardwood Veneer And Plywood Market - Analysis And Forecast to 202" report to their offering.

The report provides an in-depth analysis of the U.S. hardwood veneer and plywood market. It presents the latest data of the market size and volume, domestic production, exports and imports, price dynamics and turnover in the industry. In addition, the report contains insightful information about the industry, including industry life cycle, business locations, productivity, employment and many other crucial aspects. The Company Profiles section contains relevant data on the major players in the industry.

From 2007 to 2015, U.S. hardwood veneer and plywood market showed mixed dynamics. A significant drop in 2009 was followed by steady growth over the next six years. Finally, the market value reached 4,848 million USD in 2015. An increase in U.S. hardwood veneer and plywood market was supported by the growth of the housing and commercial building sectors and, as a result, the furniture sectors increased as well. That upward trend is likely to continue in the medium term.

Strong employment is the driver of market growth, which creates new income growth and advances consumer spending.

Affordable credit creates another impetus, which propels investments in construction and supports related industries. The performance of the market is forecast to continue with moderate growth, with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the five-year period from 2015 to 2020.

From 2012, the recovery in consumption was supported by import growth that outpaced more moderate production expansion. The strong U.S. dollar enabled foreign companies to improve their positions on the U.S. hardwood veneer and plywood market, boosting the import share in consumption to 51% in 2015. The largest shares of imports in U.S. consumption were held by Chinese hardwood veneer and plywood (28%). Indonesia and Canada followed with a 5% share each. Moreover, imports from China (+7 percentage points) and Canada (+2 percentage points) strengthened their positions in the U.S. market between 2008 and 2015.

The U.S. was a net importer of hardwood veneer and plywood. In physical terms, imports consistently exceeded exports from 2007 to 2015. Net U.S. imports of hardwood veneer and plywood have shown a negative trend since 2012. In 2015, this industry ran a significant trade deficit of 1,738 million USD. This deficit could grow substantially in the years to come.

Product coverage:

Hardwood veneer, including veneer backed with paper, cloth, or other flexible material

Hardwood plywood, excluding prefinished hardwood plywood made from purchased hardwood plywood

Prefinished hardwood plywood made from purchased hardwood plywood

Hardwood plywood type products

Hardwood veneer and plywood manufacturing

Companies Mentioned

Amos-Hill Associates

Bessemer Plywood Corp.

Birchwood Lumber & Veneer Co.

Coastal Plywood Company

Coldwater Veneer

Columbia Forest Products

Columbia Forest Products Corporation

Columbia Plywood Corporation

Danzer Services

David R. Webb Company

Davis Wood Products

Decorative Panels International

Ferche Millwork

Incorporated

International Timber and Veneer

Ivc USA Inc.

Manthei

Marion Plywood Corporation

Miller Veneers

Mt. Baker Products

Murphy Company

Nmsa

Northern Michigan Veneers

Plum Creek Northwest Plywood

Plycraft Industries

Rutland Plywood Corp.

Smith Family Companies

Standard Plywoods

States Industries

Swaner Hardwood Co.

Swanson Group Mfg.

The Freeman Corporation

Timber Products Michigan Limited Partnership

Veneer Technologies

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/dld2cg/u_s_hardwood

Related Topics: Wood and Wood Products, Composites

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914005615/en/

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


Reserve lieutenant colonels, selects have until Oct. 3 to apply for AFROTC det commander positions

Air reserve component lieutenant colonels and lieutenant colonel-selects interested in becoming Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment commanders have until Oct. 3 to submit an application under the Voluntary Limited Period of Active Duty program.



There will also be a limited number of long-term Military Personnel Appropriation tours available to fill detachment commander positions. There are currently about 30 AFROTC detachment commander vacancies projected at colleges and universities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.



The first-ever Total Force AFROTC Detachment Commander Selection Board will be held Oct. 18 to consider applicants for assignments starting in the summer of 2017.



The AFROTC Detachment Commander VLPAD program provides ARC line of the Air Force lieutenant colonels and lieutenant colonel-selects the opportunity to apply for extended active duty to be assigned to AFROTC detachment commander positions for a period of three years and one day.



While activated, selected officers will receive active-duty benefits but will remain on the Reserve Active Status List and meet mandatory reserve promotion boards when eligible.



ARC officers selected for this program will be ordered to EAD as outlined in Air Force Instruction 36-2008, Voluntary Extended Active Duty for Air Reserve Commissioned Officers.



The article Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment Commander Voluntary Limited Period of Active Duty Program, located on the myPers website, has detailed information on VLPAD AFROTC detachment commander openings, including eligibility criteria, the application process and medical clearance requirements. The article can be found at: https://mypers.af.mil/app/answers/detail/a_id/32356.



AFROTC detachment commander isnt the only VLPAD program open to officers on the RASL. They can also apply for Air Force ROTC, Officer Training School, and Air Command and Staff College instructor; mission support group deputy commander; Air University faculty; MQ-1-9 and T-6 instrument simulator instructor and combat rescue officer positions in the regular Air Force.



Opportunities are also available for enlisted Airmen in a variety of career fields including maintenance, aircrew operations and command control systems operations.



VLPAD information is available and continuously updated on myPers. Click Officer/Enlisted Voluntary Limited Period of Active Duty Program from any reserve component assignments landing page to find detailed eligibility criteria and application procedures for each specific VLPAD program.



Reservists with specific questions about applying for a position under the VLPAD program should contact Col. Melissa Phillips, director of Reserve Forces at Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, at 334-301-4334 or melissa.phillips@us.af.mil.




Get AfricaFocus Bulletin by e-mail! Format for print or mobile Gabon: High Demand for Democracy, Short Supply AfricaFocus Bulletin

September 14, 2016 (160914)

(Reposted from sources cited below) Editor's Note "Among 36 African countries surveyed in 2014/2015, Gabon ranks at or near the bottom on every indicator of election quality and fairness, according to citizen responses collected in September and October 2015. ... Gabon ranks dead last in public trust in the election commission. ... [at the same time] Gabon ranks near the top in favoring multiparty competition and term limits on presidents, as well as in disapproving of one-party and one-man rule." - Afrobarometer Election observers agree that the narrow victory for incumbent President Ali Bongo in last month's presidential election was almost certainly the result of fraud. Yet his opponent, Jean Ping, is also a longstanding member of the country's elite, and is reportedly the father of two children with the president's half-sister. Ping's support is based largely on the fact that he is not a member of the Bongo family, which has been in power since 1967, when Omar Bongo, Ali's father, came to power. The regime in this small oil-producing country has been notorious for corruption, and for its close links to the power structure in France, with Omar Bongo reportedly himself a major influence for decades as a donor in French national politics. Ali Bongo has diversified international ties since taking office in 2009, reaching out to the United States and China. But France remains Gabon's dominant external partner, intricately intertwined with both economic and political structures in the country. For a short overview, see in particular "Gabon's Bongo Family: Living In Luxury, Paid For By Corruption And Embezzlement," International Business Times, February 15, 2013 (http://tinyurl.com/zordjcq). For more background, see the links listed at the end of this Bulletin. Gabon, like other Francophone African countries, is not well-known to most English-speaking readers. But increasingly, the range of sources available in English as well as French makes it possible to access basic sources for both news and analysis. This AfricaFocus Bulletin, focused on the current situation. contains two short articles, from Chatham House in London and The Daily Maverick in South Africa, and press releases from extensive polling research by Afrobarometer (Everyone concerned about reliable information on African public opinion should note that Afrobarometer is currently experiencing a fiscal crisis, and its extraordinarily useful and revealing research in more than 35 African countries is threatened with cutbacks from donors, including USAID. Go to http://www.afrobarometer.org for more background and to contribute through paypal). The Afrobarometer studies on Gabon reveal strong support for democracy among Gabonese voters, but intense skepticism about the capacity of the system to deliver. Political commentators agree that significant reforms are highly unlikely, but there is no consensus on the likely outcome of the dispute over the election results. For the reader who has the time and internet bandwith to watch, AfricaFocus highly recommends the Youtube playlist of the four videos listed at the beginning of this Bulletin (To go directly to the playlist, click on http://tinyurl.com/zollum3) For up-to-date news coverage and analysis, see http://allafrica.com/gabon (in English)

and http://fr.allafrica.com/gabon (in French), and particularly http://www.lemonde.fr/gabon/ (in French) For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on Gabon, visit http://www.africafocus.org/country/gabon.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Announcement: New Resources on Illicit Financial Flows Newly available on website of US-Africa Network - new resources on Illicit Financial Flows and the Stop the Bleeding Africa campaign. Go to

https://usafricanetwork.org/home/issues/stop-the-bleeding-africa/ Thanks to Chris Root and Anita Plummer of the US-Africa Network for preparing and sharing these resources, including "Top 10 Questions About Illicit Financial Flows and Africa" and a carefully selected and annotated "Resources about Illicit Financial Flows from Africa." ++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++ Youtube Playlist with recent videos on the situation in Gabon France 24, September 7, 2016 - part 1, 18 minutes & part 2 - 26 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88h6q4P4z_Y and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do_rHzqLxqM London Business School, November 11, 2015, "My Two Years Working for the Government of Gabon" - 22 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5Js_T90-WE Anonymous, September 12, 2016 - 6 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rduVIW_pGY Anonymous, June 13, 2013 - 4 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAzpxx42XKk Electoral Chaos Leaves Gabon in a State of Uncertainty Paul Melly, Associate Fellow, Africa Programme, Chatham House Chatham House, 7 September 2016 https://www.chathamhouse.org/ - direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/h57jts2 The country's democratic credentials have been deeply wounded by dodgy official results, protest riots and a brutal government crackdown. Gabon's model of political moderation and gradualist reform may have just imploded. Without external mediation, a full audit of polling station results and a hitherto absent readiness to compromise on the part of President Ali Bongo Ondimba and his main challenger, Jean Ping, the country risks being condemned to months or even years of unstable and sullen post-election stalemate. Mild though the crisis appears by the standards of more authoritarian or conflict-torn neighbours, it is disastrously damaging for Bongo's long-held ambition of transforming himself from dynastic heir into freely-elected architect of modernization and reform. After seven years trying to mark his country out from the fiefdoms of central Africa's strongmen, he now risks cantoning himself into the category of presidents whose hold on office depends on power rather than consent. Contested results Official results for the 27 August presidential election gave Bongo 49.8% of the nationwide total, compared with 48.23% for Ping; two candidates pulled out to leave Ping a clear run, while the minor players who stayed in the race got trivial scores. The final winning margin was just 5,594 votes. After severe defeats for Bongo in western urban centres such as Libreville and Port Gentil and with national average turnout at 59%, Bongo was miraculously saved by results from his Haut Ogooue heartland, which registered 95% support on a reported 99% turnout. In the context of a highly secretive electoral system, such an outcome threatens to fundamentally undermine Gabon's democratic ambitions. Yet the aftermath has been even more damaging. Furious protesters rioted, setting light to the national assembly, other public buildings and the shops of West African traders - a longstanding target of popular resentment. The government's response has been uncompromising. During the night of 31 August-1 September, security force units, supposedly searching for rioters, took control of Ping's campaign headquarters. There were several deaths, while a number of casualties were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds; dozens were arrested, and senior opposition figures were still in the building, surrounded by security forces, a day later. Gabon, so often a broker in other nations' disputes, now finds itself being offered African Union crisis mediation. The justice minister has resigned from both government and ruling party, demanding a full audit of all the election counts, polling station by polling station. Bongo's failed strategy The violence is a tragedy for Gabon. Street protest is hardly new but is usually curbed with routine policing and the odd volley of tear gas. Moreover, this bloodshed represents a major failure for Bongo's leadership. He came to power in 2009 after the death of his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who had ruled for four decades, in elections that were opaque and widely seen as a continuation of the status quo. His subsequent banning of the new Union Nationale opposition party seemed to confirm this pattern. But Ali has spent much of the past seven years trying to reshape Gabon's governance. He has sought to rebalance and diversify the economy, improve the performance of the state and foster a more equitable social model, tilting social services and public sector wage structures towards the poorer citizens who had previously been neglected in favour of the governing middle class. Key barons of his father's regime were marginalized, the ban on the Union Nationale was lifted, and Bongo acceded to opposition demands for a biometric electoral roll. Assets in France held personally by the Bongo family were transferred to the ownership of the state. Bongo had hoped that his measures to stimulate the economy and protect the environment, bolster the efficiency of public services and help the poor would allow him to shed his image as the inheritor of dynastic power, and earn his own legitimacy through his own performance as president. In the face of an opposition dominated by the ancien regime power-brokers who he had forced out, Ali sought to present himself as the real incarnation of change. But several factors combined to undermine this strategy. The influence of several prominent West Africans in the presidency and in business circles close to the government was unpopular with many locals. Like other oil producing countries, Gabon has been hit hard by the collapse in world energy prices, despite its care in nurturing a reputation as a prudent borrower in international bond markets. And ultimately, Bongo under-estimated the scale of anger and impatience for change in a country whose voters are well aware of democracy's advance elsewhere in francophone Africa - powerfully symbolized by the popular revolution that felled Burkina Faso strongman Blaise Compaore in 2014. Changed times Many Gabonese feel it is now time to move on from the era of dynastic rule, even in the refreshed and more modern form that Ali Bongo Ondimba has provided. Bongo seems to have been completely unprepared for the strength of the response to the electoral pitch made by Jean Ping. As a former regime veteran once married to Ali's sister Pascaline, Ping could not claim to be a new face. Indeed, having also served a term as chair of the African Union Commission, he is very much part of the establishment. But he cleverly tapped into the current mood, presenting himself as the man whose election would show that power in Gabon really could change hands through the ballot box. A promise to serve only one term enhanced this appeal - and usefully contrasted with Ali's aspiration to yet another extension of rule by the Bongo dynasty. When most other opposition candidates dropped out at the last minute, Ping was ideally placed to capitalize. Furthermore, in the aftermath, Bongo has badly misread the evolution of attitudes in the international community: France, the EU and the US want to see a transparent and credible election process. Even Paris, for so many years a supportive ally of the Bongos, is no longer prepared to turn a blind eye. As a result, pressure is mounting for a full breakdown of the vote, to show figures for every single polling station. Privately, many diplomats feel it is clear that Ping won, even if there was cheating on all sides. Looking ahead, there seems no easy way out. The most consensual option would be a full audit of the election count, with both contenders fully committed to accepting the eventual result - a course of action that would offer a face saving and honourable way out to the loser. Without that, Gabon seems condemned to a prolonged period of unrest and political confrontation. Even if Bongo hangs on, his standing will be critically damaged. Afrobarometer Reports on Gabon http://www.afrobarometer.org In Gabon, overwhelming public distrust of CENAP and election quality forms backdrop for presidential vote dispute News Release, 1 September 2016 For full news release, as well as Afrobarometer report released on September 6, visit http://afrobarometer.org/countries/gabon-0 Gabon's presidential election dispute is playing out against a background of overwhelming public distrust of the national election commission (CENAP) and strikingly negative assessments of the country's election environment in advance of the August 2016 vote, a new analysis by Afrobarometer shows. Among 36 African countries surveyed in 2014/2015, Gabon ranks at or near the bottom on every indicator of election quality and fairness, according to citizen responses collected in September and October 2015. Gabon ranks dead last in public trust in the election commission: A majority (51%) of citizens said they do not trust the CENAP "at all," and only 8% said they trust the commission "a lot." Gabon also ranks among the worst in citizens' perceptions of the fairness of the vote count, the freeness and fairness of its previous national election (2011), fear of voter intimidation or violence, fair treatment of opposition candidates, and the prevalence of voter bribery. Overall, Gabon citizens held the most negative perceptions of how well elections function to ensure that voters' views are represented and to enable voters to remove leaders who don't do what the people want. The Gabon findings are part of a new Afrobarometer report, to be released 6 September 2016, on citizens' perceptions of electoral management institutions and the quality of elections, It is based on almost 54,000 interviews in 36 African countries. The new report, titled "Election quality, public trust are central issues as African nations look toward next contests," will be available at http://www.afrobarometer.org. Key findings for Gabon A majority (51%) of Gabonese respondents said in late 2015 that they do not trust the CENAP "at all," with 17% who trust it "somewhat," 24% "a little bit," and only 8% "a lot" (Figure 1). Among 36 African countries surveyed in 2014/2015, Gabon ranks last in public trust in the election commission (Figure 2).

Only 37% of citizens saw their 2011 election as having been "completely free and fair" or "free and fair, but with minor problems." A majority said the 2011 election was "not free and fair" (31%) or "free and fair, with major problems" (24%) (Figure 3).

On perceptions of the election environment (Figure 4), seven in 10 Gabonese citizens (71%) said that votes are "never" or only "sometimes" counted fairly. Only 15% said the vote count is "always" fair.

Almost two-thirds (64%) of Gabonese said they fear campaignrelated intimidation or violence at least "a little bit," including almost one-fourth (23%) who expressed "a lot" of fear. One-third (32%) said voters are "often" or "always" threatened with violence at the polls.

A majority (56%) of citizens said that opposition candidates are at least "sometimes" prevented from running for office. One in five (22%) said this happens "often" or "always."

Three-fourths (77%) of Gabonese said the news media "never" or only "sometimes" provides fair coverage of all candidates - the worst rating among the 36 surveyed countries.

*Seven in 10 citizens (71%) said that voters are "often" or "always" bribed during Gabon's elections - far above the 36-country average of 43%.

Gabon ranks worst among 36 African countries in citizens' perceptions of how well elections work. More than three-fourths of Gabonese say elections perform "not very well" or "not at all well" to ensure that elected officials reflect the views of voters (76%) or to enable voters to remove underperforming leaders from office (79%). Afrobarometer Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan research network that conducts public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, economic conditions, and related issues across more than 30 countries in Africa. Five rounds of surveys were conducted between 1999 and 2013, and findings from Round 6 surveys (2014/2015) are currently being released. Afrobarometer conducts face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent's choice with nationally representative samples that yield country-level results with margins of error of +/-2% (for samples of 2,400) or +/3% (for samples of 1,200) at a 95% confidence level. The Afrobarometer team in Gabon, led by the Centre de Recherche en Geoscience Politique et Prospective (CERGEP), interviewed 1,200 adult Gabonese citizens in September and October 2015. A sample of this size yields country-level results with a margin of error of +/-3% at a 95% confidence level. This was the first Afrobarometer survey in Gabon. Behind Gabon's election dispute, citizens strongly support multiparty democracy, reject autocratic alternatives News Release, 2 September, 2016 For full news release, including figures and additional findings, visit http://afrobarometer.org/countries/gabon-0 Behind Gabon's eruption in post-election conflict, its citizens are among the strongest in Africa in their support for multiparty democracy and their rejection of non-democratic alternatives, a new analysis by Afrobarometer shows. Among 36 African countries surveyed in 2014/2015, Gabon ranks near the top in favouring multiparty competition and term limits on presidents, as well as in disapproving of one-party and one-man rule, according to citizen responses collected in September and October 2015. Large majorities also expressed support for democracy in general and for elections as the best way to choose leaders, although on these issues Gabon ranks only average or below. Gabon's less enthusiastic endorsement of elections aligns with citizens' strikingly negative views on the national electoral commission (CENAP) and the fairness of the country's elections (see press release titled "In Gabon, overwhelming public distrust of CENAP and election quality forms backdrop for presidential vote dispute" at www.afrobarometer.org). Findings on citizens' perceptions of electoral management institutions and the quality of elections in Gabon and 35 other African countries will be released in a new Afrobarometer report on 6 September 2016. Key findings for Gabon In interviews in September-October 2015, two-thirds (68%) of Gabonese citizens said democracy is preferable to any other political system, matching average support for democracy among 36 African surveyed in 2014/2015 (67%).

Gabonese overwhelmingly rejected autocratic alternatives to democracy. Nine in 10 citizens disapproved of one-party rule (91%) and one-man rule (89%), including majorities who "strongly" disapproved (Figure 1). These assessments place Gabon near the top among surveyed countries. Seven in 10 Gabonese (70%) rejected military rule.

Three-fourths (76%) said regular, open, and honest elections are the best way to choose leaders, compared to 82% across all surveyed countries (Figure 2).

In their support for multiparty competition (80%) (Figure 3), Gabonese are second only to Ivoirians (82%) and far above average (63%).

Nine in 10 Gabonese (92%) supported limiting presidents to two terms in office (Figure 4). Gabon's support for term limits is second only to Benin's (93%) and well above the 36-country average (75%). [for full report, including figures and additional findings, visit http://afrobarometer.org/countries/gabon-0 Gabon: Jean Ping and the boy who didn't cry wolf Simon Allison Daily Maverick, 6 September, 2016 http://www.dailymaverick.co.za - Direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/hodtpeh Opposition leader Jean Ping is incensed that Gabon's president stole the recent election. He's right to be. But maybe Ping should have harnessed this fury earlier, when he was in a position to do something about it. Instead, as top boss of the African Union, he helped to legitimise dodgy polls and obscure accountability. Now he, and Gabon, are paying the price. Let me tell you the parable of the boy who didn't cry wolf. One day, in an African country of your choice, a wolf passed through the village. Observing from afar, the boy said nothing, and called no one, even as the wolf feasted. The next day, the wolf came to another village. Again the boy saw, again the boy ignored the tortured shouts of the villagers as they screamed and begged for help. And so it went on, village by village, as the wolf devoured his way through the continent; instead of raising the alarm, the boy stayed silent. And then the wolf came to Gabon, where the boy lived, and started snapping its jaws in his direction. The boy screamed and shouted and cried "wolf!" at the top of his lungs, but by then it was too late. Everyone around him, everyone who could have helped, had already been eaten. The real-life star of this little story is Jean Ping, opposition candidate for president in Gabon. Ping is not a happy man right now. Last week, he lost the presidential election by the slimmest of margins - just 6,000 votes - and he believes the poll was rigged. "The whole world knows today who is the president of the Republic of Gabon. It's me, Jean Ping," he said. "Each time the Gabonese people have chosen their president, the dark forces are always gathered to place he who was not chosen as head of state." Ping is right, of course. These elections were stolen, and brazenly so. Despite an average turnout of around 60%, an unbelievable 99.3% was recorded in Haute Ogue, home province of incumbent Ali Bongo - with Bongo winning 95% of the vote there. That statistically impossible aberration made all the difference to the final count. Ping has rejected the outcome, and is pursuing a legal challenge. Meanwhile, an estimated 5 people have died in post-election violence between rival supporters and security forces. Bongo's security forces may have pulled the trigger, but their blood is also on Ping's hands. Ping, you see, was not always an opposition candidate. He wasn't always an outspoken advocate for free and fair elections. He wasn't always a fierce critic of dictators and police brutality. Quite the opposite, in fact. Although memories fade fast, we must not forget that it was only four years ago that Ping was forced out of his position as chairman of the African Union Commission. Between 2008 and 2012, he was the continental body's most senior and visible leader. In this position, he oversaw and monitored elections all over Africa: polls both free and flawed, and everything in between. But instead of raising the alarm when something was wrong - instead of crying wolf - Ping legitimised dodgy polls and obscured accountability. The very same tactics that Bongo is now using against him, Ping previously would rubber-stamp. Take, for example, the Sudanese elections in 2010, in which President Omar al-Bashir - then and still wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court - strolled to victory in a vote marred by intimidation, gerrymandering, and accusations of "massive rigging" by an opposition group. Ping, who headed the African Union observer mission, had a more generous take: "These historic elections have indeed afforded the majority of the Sudanese citizens the opportunity to exercise their civic and democratic rights by electing representatives of their choice for the first time in 24 years. The mission believes that the justconcluded multiparty elections will enhance the peace and democratic processes under way in the country." It also fell to Ping, early in his term, to lead the African response to Zimbabwe's tightly contested election in 2008. In the first round, challenger Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change led Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF. A state-sponsored campaign of violence and intimidation forced Tsvangirai to withdraw from the second round of the vote, which he was on course to win. While the AU was involved in mediating the Zimbabwe situation, its solution allowed Robert Mugabe - architect of the brutality- to stay in charge as part of a government of national unity. Ping refrained from condemning the violence, and downplayed the extent of the crisis. A reading of the AU's observer mission statement, following Mugabe's uncontested second-round victory, noted vaguely that "there was violence in the run down to the elections", but failed to attribute blame; a neat diplomatic side-step that helped Mugabe's regime avoid responsibility. As leader of the African Union Commission, Ping repeatedly failed to enforce international electoral standards, or hold African governments to account for human rights abuses. This is not a unique failing; a general reticence to criticise is a characteristics of the AU, and Ping's successor Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is also rarely outspoken. But now Ping finds himself on the other side of the fence. Suddenly, he is on the receiving end of a rigged vote and electoral violence; suddenly, he wants those international standards enforced and human rights observed. If only he had defended these virtues earlier, when he was in a position of influence and could have made a real difference. If only Ping had cried wolf before it was too late. DM Links to additional articles recommended "Gabon's presidential election: are the oppositions attempts at unifying too little too late?," by Oumar Ba African Arguments, August 22, 2016

http://tinyurl.com/h7us69a "Gabon is in chaos  and France is to blame," Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry, The Week, September 2, 2016

http://tinyurl.com/zu7wsj5 "Meet Ali Bongo Ondimba, Obama's Man in Africa," by Siobhan O'Grady, Foreign Policy, April 5, 2016

http://foreignpolicy.com - Direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/j2cjv7h "The murky world of Omar Bongo," BBC, May 21, 2009

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8056309.stm "A fight inside Gabon's kleptocratic dynasty exposes the complicity of French business," Emma-Kate Symons, May 01, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/hqb4lvt "Keeping Foreign Corruption Out of the United States: Four Case Histories: Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations,"

http://tinyurl.com/hvhqby4



September, 2010 - one of the case histories is President Omar Bongo of Gabon - for a brief summary see http://www.africafocus.org/docs10/usa1002.php AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to subscribe or unsubscribe to the bulletin, or to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see http://www.africafocus.org
Bengaluru and parts of Karnataka were gripped by large scale violence and arson as one person died and four were injured in police firing. Mobs set vehicles on fire and attacked businesses with Tamil names after the Supreme Court ordered that Cauvery water should be released to Tamil Nadu. Police opened fire at Rajagopal Nagar in Bengaluru, when a mob tried to torch one of their vehicles. Curfew was imposed in seven police station limits of the city. The court declined to accept Karnatakas appeal to freeze its September 5 order on release of water, hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Bengaluru, burning vehicles with Tamil Nadu registration numbers. The violence virtually paralysed the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 were imposed in Bengaluru and Mysuru, areas around four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin, and Pandavapura in Mandya district. The violence prompted many schools to declare a holiday. Metro services stopped and other public transport was curtailed. It was total confusion.

Jayanthi S. Maniam

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
The misery of the terrorists attacks and the defence of the security forces continue to give the locals and the forces anxious moments all the time. Protests and agitations add salt to the wound and the number of civilian deaths touched 78 in the 65th day of unrest in the state. Seven militants and a policeman were killed in two separate encounters in Baramulla and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation in the Kashmir Valley at a high level meeting and how far it is going to yield result is just a mystery. It is time to redeploy security forces and enforce Section 144 in rural areas, the flash point of protests, ahead of Bakr-Eid, while curfew has been lifted in the Valley. The security forces are on the toes from morning to evening to meet the impending danger. Instead of scarifying our forces it is an opportune moment to eliminate terrorists. Unrest in the valley continues as the Army foiled an infiltration bid and attack is the best form of defence instead of just watching the proceeding from the distance. Fighting fire with fire is the best option available at this point of time.

Nickhil Mani

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n my previous edition, I highlighted the criminal activities of criminal don turned politician Shahbuddin. In this edition, lets explore his political journey, which sees upstairs with the help of Lalu Prasad Yadav until Nitish Kumar snatched the CM post from the former. Shahbuddin has committed many political murders, whosoever tried to fight against him in elections.

In the early 1990s, Shahabuddin came into political limelight, joining the Janata Dal youth wing under Lalu Prasad Yadav. He won the 1990 and 1995 elections to the Vidhan Sabha (state legislative assembly), and was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996 on the JD ticket, after which he grew in stature. With Lalu Prasad holding sway over the then state government of Bihar, and the formation of the Rashtriya Janata Dal in 1997, Shahabuddins power increased dramatically.

The patronage and defacto immunity from legal action offered to him by the RJD government gradually made him a law unto himself giving him an aura of invincibility. Since the police turned a blind eye to his criminal activities and allowed him to turn Siwan district into his fiefdom where his fiat ran, Shahabuddins reign of terror was so complete that nobody dared to depose against him in cases. Shahabuddin became extremely arrogant against the police and other govt. bodies, slapping and shooting policemen at will. In March 2001, the police were executing a warrant on Mr. Manoj Kumar Pappu, the president of the local RJD unit, when Shahabuddin objected and slapped the arresting officer Sanjiv Kumar, while his men beat up the police. The police then re-grouped in strength and a pitched battle was launched on Shahabuddins house.

In the extensive fire exchange that followed, two policemen and eight others were killed, with three AK-47s and other weapons being found near several of the deceased. Shahabuddin and his men escaped, setting fire to three police jeeps, and firing continuously to cover their movements. Neither Shahabuddin nor Manoj Kumar could be arrested. After this episode, several more cases were filed against Shahabuddin; however, he could not be arrested. By the early 2000s, Shahabuddin was running a parallel administration in Siwan, holding kangaroo courts to settle family and land disputes, fixing doctors consultancy fees, and arbitrating on marital problems. Vivid descriptions of Shahabuddins style of operation were reported in the media in the run-up to the 2004 elections.

In late 2003, eight months before the 2004 general elections, Shahabuddin was arrested on charges of abducting a CPI(ML) worker in 1999, who was never seen again. Instead of staying in prison, he managed to get himself shifted to the Siwan hospital on medical grounds. There, a complete floor was set aside for him to meet party workers, organizing political meeting etc. His bodyguards were there to check people before entering on the floor. Every afternoon at four, he held audience for his subjects, who arrived to meet their Saheb (boss), and to get their problems resolved. One petitioner turned out to be a policeman seeking a promotion; Sahabuddin called up the police bosses on his mobile phone and arranged things on the spot. On the request of one petitioner, he called up a minister in Delhi. Another petitioner, wishing to resolve a land dispute, gifted rifle to him inside the prison.

In July 2006, one of the session judges trying the cases, V.B. Gupta, was threatened by lawyer Mahtab Alam, who initially offered allurements for rescuing Shahabuddin. When this did not work, he threatened to eliminate the judge. Subsequently the Patna High Court ordered that a charge be registered against the lawyer Mahtab Alam. In August 2006, while undergoing treatment in New Delhi, some supporters of Shahabuddin were prevented from entering by the Assistant Jailor of Patnas Beur Jail Vashisht Rai, then on deputation at the ward in AIIMS.

In May 2007, he was convicted of the abduction of the trader and CPI(ML) worker, Chhote Lal Gupta, in February 1999, who was never seen thereafter and is widely presumed to have been killed. While it could be established that Shahabuddin with his gang had kidnapped Chhote Lal, the dead body was never recovered, so charges of murder could not be upheld. Justice Gyaneshwar Srivastava sentenced him to life imprisonment under Section 164 (abduction with intent to murder). The verdict has been challenged in Patna High Court. Some of the points noted are that the conviction relied on a lone witness, who identified Shahabuddin in court, after a gap of seven years, without the benefit of a prior identification parade. Thus, he was barred from the 2009 elections. Subsequently, he has been convicted in a number of other criminal cases, including a ten years rigorous imprisonment for attempted murder on the then Superintendent of Police, S.K. Singhal, in 1996.

Following the last State assembly election in Bihar in 2015 and the comeback of RJD, the case against Shahabuddin further weakened. It is not surprise that RJD which won 80 seats while JDU got only 71 seats, former has greater influence in politics and administrative affairs. Earlier to his bail, one of the ministers from RJD quota met Shahabuddin in jail. Shahabuddin walked out of the Bhagalpur Special Central Jail. Moments after coming out of jail, he jabbed at Nitish Kumar, the person under whose term and directions, he was sent to jail. Though, Shahabuddin said neither was Nitish instrumental in sending him to jail nor did he help him in securing bail.

Lets see how Sushashan Babu will deal with this Kushashan leader and criminal, who will be back in state politics after some time and will remain stainless forever.

Input from agencies

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
Students of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B), Powai, are coping with the monkey business on the institutes 550-acre campus located next to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

We have approached BMC and Forest authorities, after several students complained of the aggressive behaviour of monkeys, said IIT-B spokesperson Falguni Benerjee-Naha.

Monkeys have always been a part of the IIT ecosystem. It is only of late that their aggressive behaviour has become a cause of concern, she said.

While the campus has the occasional leopards straying from the adjoining national park, monkeys are more frequent visitors.

Students have complained about attacks by monkeys on the lookout for food. There have been complaints about food and personal belongings of students stolen from hostel rooms and students being chased by troops of monkeys.

Students say maximum attacks happen in the morning when they leave their rooms for lectures. If they forget to properly lock their rooms, monkeys damage clothes and valuables, a student who wrote about the monkey menace in the IIT-B in-house magazine Insight said.
Effigy of Raj Thackeray burnt by pro-Vidarbha activists for protesting against disruption of press conference held by them.

Pro-Vidarbha activists gave a befitting reply to the MNS which had disrupted the press conference organised by the former demanding statehood for Vidarbha by burning effigies of Raj Thackeray and posters of Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray and Balasaheb Thackeray. Activists gathered at Variety Chowk in Nagpur and chanted slogan against these leaders. They alleged that MNS is only trying to garner publicity by asking them to wind up the event and leave the venue. The activists also added that they wont relent under pressure and will only intensify their agitation in future. They have given a January 1 deadline to the state and central government to address this issue.

Earlier the MNS activists had barged into the press conference organised by Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samithi (VRAS) at Press Club in South Mumbai and warned them against the bifurcation of Maharashtra. VRAS core committee member Wamanrao Chatap had organised the conference. He had an argument with MNS activists to allow activists to exercise their democratic rights. Chatap has been staunch supporter of bifurcation of the state.

Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti (VRAS) said the backward region in eastern Maharashtra can achieve all-around development only when it is granted statehood which will allow it to take decisions independently.

Addressing a press conference, Wamanrao Chatap, a member of the core committee of VRAS, said, We strongly believe the overall development of Vidarbha is only possible when it is made a separate state.

Unless elected leaders of Vidarbha get full authority to take decisions on utilising resources of the region and creating new opportunities, issues like farmers suicides cant be resolved.

We are not against Maharashtra or its leadership but we want freedom of decision-making by focusing only on development of Vidarbha, which is experiencing neglect of more than half a century, said the former MLA.

He said the Samiti has organised a mock session of Vidarbha Assembly on October 3 and 4 at Vasantrao Deshpande Hall in Nagpur.

On the other hand, MNS has always opposed statehood to Vidarbha and is in favour of united Maharashtra. The party has always taken a firm stand on this issue and had threatened to launch agitation if anyone tries to divide the state.

The party while displaying a banner of a united Maharashtra, said there would be no compromise on this issue. We will show them MNS style (read violence) if they persisted with their demand to break our state, warned MNS corporator Sandeep Deshpande.

The Congress and NCP have periodically changed their stand on the issue and currently oppose the demand to carve a separate state out of Maharashtra.
A group of Baloch activists held protests against Pakistan outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, demanding freedom and highlighting Pakistans atrocities and crimes against humanity in Balochistan.

The protest was organised by the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) across the street from the world bodys headquarters, around the time the 71st session of the General Assembly opened in the UN.

Waving the US and Baloch flags, the small group of protesters held banners of Stop Human Rights violation in Baluchistan, Stop Bombing Balochistan and Balochistan is not Pakistan and stood around five dolls, smeared in red colour to portray blood and placed on the ground on a white banner that read Save Baloch Children.

Some wore white T-shirts with the slogan Dire Human Rights Violations in Balochistan written in black.

The men and women protesting shouted slogans of India help Balochistan, Freedom for Balochistan, Stop Genocide of Baloch People, UN, UN Where are you, Stop funding Pakistan, and Balochistan is another Bangladesh.

The protestors said Pakistani forces have killed around 5,000 over the past few years and causing nearly 20,000 forced disappearances in Balochistan.

Free Balochistan Movement said in a statement handed out at the protest that the demonstration aims to highlight the illegal occupation and Pakistani states crimes against humanity in Balochistan, and to give awareness about Baloch national struggle for freedom.

It is the responsibility of the United Nations to take notice of the violations of its charter and state brutalities by Pakistan in Balochistan, Free Balochistan Movement said.

The organisation said Pakistan has been committing gross human rights violations and killing innocent Baloch people since it forcefully occupied Balochistan in 1948 and Pakistani state has made life difficult for Baloch by target killings, indiscriminate bombardment and enforced-disappearances.

The protests come just a week before heads of state and government descend at the world bodys headquarters for the high-level General Debate of the 71st UNGA session.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address the General Assembly on September 21, five days before External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addresses the gathering of world leaders.

In his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talked about the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit and Balochistan and said people from there have thanked him for raising their issues.








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Date: 02 September, 2016.

Place: Bay City, State of Michigan, United States.

On 02 September, in the small town of Bay City, Michigan, a local resident was frightened by a very strange event that occurred in the surroundings of his house. According to a report published by him on UFO specialised website MUFON.com, he saw a group of objects emitting spot lights and scanning the city/neighbourhood.

Throughout the entire surrounding of my house in Bay City, Michigan, I've been surrounded by all directions with the existing appearance of what are very clear to be UFOs, the witness stated. What first caught my attention was my security cameras started acting up. They would exchange motion detection from the front of my home & then sense the back yard motion off almost directly after, if not at the same time, he said.

It took me a good two days before realizing it was due to what seemed to be spit lights at the time, scanning the city/neighborhood. That's when I also noticed the objects in the sky, he declared.

About these objects, he affirmed that he thought they were commercial drones. However, he soon realised that night after night, the number of objects hovering in the sky augmented. At first I thought drones. The second night, the later it got, more appeared in the area, he asserted. All of a sudden, it was like spot lights coming from about 5 of them, he declared.

Over the duration of about 4-5 days now, they have made their reflection very noticeable on just about any object that can catch their reflection inside my home, he commented. I have video recordings of these objects both inside and outside my home.

This person described one of his experiences with these orbs. My friend went home two days ago. The day she left and I returned home alone, I opened my door to literally thousands of microscopic pieces of the UFOS. It looked as if dust particles were falling from all around my kitchen window.

He also expressed his concern about this eerie situation. So basically I've been extremely freighted. I've been completely invaded. I have been really scared as the more I research. I've seen the attacks they have had on families, including children, he claimed.

Draw your own conclusions

For further information: https://mufoncms.com/cgi-bin/report_handler.pl?req=view_long_desc&id=79065&rnd=

Long Description of Sighting Report

Throughout the entire surrounding of my house in Bay City, Michigan, I've been surrounded by all directions with the existing appearance of what are very clear to be UFOs. What first caught my attention, was my security cameras started acting up. They would exchange motion detection from the front of my home & then sense the back yard motion off almost directly after , if not at the same time. It took me a good two days before realizing it was due to what seemed to be spit lights at the time, scanning the city/neighborhood. That's when I also noticed the the objects in the sky. At first I thought drones. The second night, the kore later it got, more appeared in the area. All a sudden, it was like spot lights coming from about 5 of them. Each light was at a different level of brightness. A friend & I noticed that they would scan the nreighbourhood, rehab stop directly in my windows as if they seen us. We watched until they basically disappeared from thin air. The following night, my security camera caught many orb figures that detected my motion cameras off to record. This happened repeatedly all night long. So basically I've been extremely freighted. I've been completely invaded. Over the duration of about 4-5 days now, they have made their reflection very noticeable on just about any object that can catch their reflection inside my home. I have my video recordings of these object both inside & outside my home. My friend went home two days ago. The day she left & I returned home alone.. I opened my door to literally thousands of microscopic pieces of the UFOS. It looked as if dust particals were falling from all around my kitchen window. The only way I was able to notice them is due to the color change if Blue, Red, Green & Clear. I then began my way upstairs to my bedroom whereby then discovered them throughout my entire room. I have taken footacge of them each day, as each day they have made themselves much more viable to my eye sight. Last night was the second night inward home alone & when I had received the most definable body figure. I have been really scared as the more I research, I've seen the attacks they have had on family's including children. I will send a video from one of my first sightings & a photo from a screen shot i had taken during a live stream video I took. Last nights live stream took place on September 9th, 2916 @ about 11:00pm.

Please be sure to contact me as soon as possible. I'm very worried about abductuction considering they have already completely invaded my home. They are everywhere & so many of them. You also are going to watch to view all the recordings from my security system & on my cellphone. There's just way to much findings to type & send.

Look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

[Name removed/cms/tg]
Last week, 2,000 delegates convened at the United Nations in Nairobi, Kenya one single focus in mind to scale up African agriculture. The African Green Revolution Forum included heads of state (and former heads of state), leaders of the African Union, the business community and civil-society all seeking to grow the agriculture economy and fundamentally change the human condition.

The focus of the forum was to seize the moment by making the political, policy and financial investments needed to achieve the ambitious goals laid out by African heads of state through the African Union and its African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP). The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, AGRA, coordinated the forum, but it was a very broad alliance with many partners.

His Excellency President Paul Kagame of Rwanda captured the consensus of the meeting: Agriculture is not just one sector of the economy amongst others  its the backbone of the economy. The President of AGRA, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, was the Minister of Agriculture in Rwanda before she moved to the helm of AGRA.





Since its creation ten years ago AGRA has established a significant record in support of CAADP. CAADP urges all 54 African countries to devote at least 10% of their budgets to agriculture. More than 40 countries have established national agricultural plans aligned with CAADP. The countries that were the first to meet the goal in terms of budget allocation---including Ghana, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso---- have been making the most progress.

In Burkina Faso, for example, maize production increased from 1.5 tons per hector to 5 tons per hector with the introduction of new varieties of hybrid seeds. In all, some 555 new certified varieties of hybrid seeds have been released for a wide variety of crops.

At every level of education, capacity has been increased. AGRA has now trained over 600 scientists at the Masters and PhD level. Markets are being established and expanded. Country governments are establishing policies that are business friendly. Dr. Akin Adesina, the new president of the African Development Bank has made agriculture development a top priority and established a new Vice President position for agriculture. But progress across the Continent is still quite inconsistent.

The Forum concluded with the Minister of Agriculture in Kenya, Willy Brett, quoting Dr. Norman Borlaug and his plea to take it to the farmers.

There is now, for the first time, a strong public-private agreement in Africa to do just that.take it to the famers. But that is easier said than done.

According to Dr. Richard Edema at Makerere University in Uganda The real challenge is how to get all these high yield and nutritious crop varieties to rural farmers across Africa. To get these seeds in the hands of the rural farmers is a daunting task.

Privately owned Agro- Dealers can play an important role is this process. They are selling small bags of seeds and inputs to farmers and, on occasion, combining it with teaching their customers how to use them efficiently. There are some 17,000 certified Agro-Dealers but that number needs to increase by hundreds of thousands in order to fundamentally change the game.

Then it must be combined with a dose of education through some public-private cooperation. Once a farmer starts using certified, improved seeds (as opposed to those seeds left over from last year) coupled with a micro-done of fertilizer and some education, the yields can triple or more in one season. One organization, Fips-Africa, is actually giving away small packets of hybrid seeds for a 2 x 5 meter plot to demonstrate the increase in yields and quality.





The Agro- Dealers may also be in the best position to bring mechanization to smallholder farmers. Individual farmers dont have the capital or the need for a full time tractor. The local Agro- Dealer could purchase the tractor and make it available to his customers. (Interestingly, there was a 35 HP tractor parked on the UN lawn.)

TV is also being used along with high technology for extension services since some 70% of the population is involved in farming.a dramatic contrast to the United States.

AGRA for its part will be using a new integrated approach at the farmer level, the national level and the system level. Further, AGRA will be implementing this program, on the ground, establishing offices in 11 countries to reach the maximum number of farmers. ( Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mozambique. Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and Malawi)

New coalitions and public-private partnerships are coming together. A new potato consortium was announced during the Forum. Companies producing potato products in East Africa have announced a commitment to purchase 600 metric tonnes (MT) of potatoes per month to meet rapidly growing consumer demand. There is a West Africa Center for Crop Improvement in Ghana and an African Fertilizer Partnership in South Africa under the direction of Dr. Namanga Ngongi. Expanding the use of fertilizer in Africa is important as it uses only 10% the global average.





This is not of course a comprehensive list of what is needed to maximize African agriculture. In due course, irrigation, credit issues, crop insurance and other components of a vibrant farm economy will have to be address. The goal, as outlined by President Kenyatta of Kenya is for smallholder farmers to become profitable businesses so they can improve the quality of life for their families.

AGRA is clearly the sparkplug pulling all this together. They bridge the private and public sectors as well as the universities, the civil society and the growing list of funders around the world. Based on the progress of the last ten years, and the momentum coming out of the Forum, there are very high expectations for broadening the African Green Revolution during the next ten years. _____________________________________________________________ Marshall Matz specializes in agriculture and global food security at OFW Law in Washington, D.C. He serves on the Board of Directors of the World Food Program, USA and the Congressional Hunger Center.





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WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016 - Bayer and Monsanto today announced that they signed a definitive merger agreement under which Bayer will acquire Monsanto for $128 per share  up from the latest offer of $127.50 per share - in an all-cash transaction valued at $66 billion.



"We are pleased to announce the combination of our two great organizations. This represents a major step forward for our Crop Science business and reinforces Bayers leadership position as a global innovation driven Life Science company with leadership positions in its core segments, delivering substantial value to shareholders, our customers, employees and society at large," said Werner Baumann, CEO of Bayer AG, in a release.



"Todays announcement is a testament to everything weve achieved and the value that we have created for our stakeholders at Monsanto. We believe that this combination with Bayer represents the most compelling value for our shareowners, with the most certainty through the all-cash consideration," said Hugh Grant, chairman and chief executive officer of Monsanto.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including Monsanto shareholder approval of the merger agreement and receipt of required regulatory approvals. Closing is expected by the end of 2017. Bayer intends to finance the transaction with a combination of debt and equity.

If realized, the deal would create one of the world's largest seed and crop protection companies, and will undoubtedly be heavily scrutinized by federal regulators.

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The companies said they will work diligently with regulators to ensure a successful closing. In addition, Bayer has committed to a $2 billion reverse antitrust break fee.

The combined agriculture business will have its global Seeds & Traits and North American commercial headquarters in St. Louis, its global Crop Protection and overall Crop Science headquarters in Monheim, Germany, and an important presence in Durham, North Carolina, as well as many other locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. The Digital Farming activities for the combined business will be based in San Francisco.

"The agriculture industry is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges of our time: how to feed an additional 3 billion people in the world by 2050 in an environmentally sustainable way. It has been both companies belief that this challenge requires a new approach that more systematically integrates expertise across Seeds, Traits and Crop Protection, including Biologicals, with a deep commitment to innovation and sustainable agriculture practices," noted Liam Condon, member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and head of the Crop Science Division.

For a transcript of Bayer Chief Executive Officer, Werner Baumann, and Monsanto Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Grant, discussing the proposed deal, click here.



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WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2016  The Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday approved a bill aimed at helping the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) deal with its increasing expensive fire-fighting efforts and to improve forest management activities.

Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said his Emergency Wildfire and Forest Management Act is similar to a stand-alone measure that passed the House in July 2015. Both bills seek to address the rising cost of wildfire suppression.

The Senate bill was approved on a party-line 11-9 vote with Democrats objecting. Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, the committees ranking member, said she was pleased that the bill begins to address the problem of fire-borrowing, by which the USFS is routinely forced to transfer funds from key projects like forest restoration and timber sales to help pay for firefighting. But she said a comprehensive solution must also tackle the dramatic reduction in the Forest Services resources for non-fire activities.

Just about everyone agrees that something must be done to help USFS deal with forest fires. In 2015, the agency spent more than $1.7 billion fighting fires, according to the National Interagency Fire Center which says federal spending overall topped $2.1 billion. On the current course, by 2025, officials say two thirds of the Forest Service budget could be spent on firefighting, up from about one-sixth 20 years ago.

Roberts said his legislation amends the House bill to include common sense

policies that reduce administrative burdens to USFS and provide greater efficiencies for collaborative forest management activities. They include:

Promoting large-scale landscape forest management projects on National Forest System land;

Encouraging cross-boundary management of Federal, state, and private forested land;

Building off successful and bipartisan policies in the 2014 farm bill that provide the Forest Service with the necessary tools to promote collaborative and active forest management activities in response to catastrophic and emergency events; and

Streamlining efficiencies for environmental review, analysis, and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The bill, for example, would create categorical exclusions to the environmental review process for some forest management projects, aiming to get the projects done more quickly and at less cost. These provisions have drawn complaints from the White House and some Democrats who say they would undermine environmental protections.

Roberts made it clear he was not endorsing the funding language in the bill, but said that it should be viewed as placeholder language for future discussions with the Budget Committee and other panels that have jurisdiction.

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The American Farm Bureau Federation applauded the Agriculture Committees action.

"Our nation's federal forests are facing serious threats from fires, insects and disease due to a lack of active forest management, AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a statement. The poor health of our federal forests also threatens wildlife populations and neighboring non-federal lands, as well as the vitality of rural, forested communities across the country. A vibrant forest products industry helps diversify rural economies in ways that compliment ranching and agricultural operations.

Duvall said the Roberts bill would allow the government to respond more quickly and efficiently to wildland fire emergencies. Additionally, he said it would simplify environmental process requirements related to forest management, reduce project planning times and reduce the cost of implementing forest management projects.

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The NH90 is entering into service for the first time with the Spanish Army

The helicopters will be operated by the Army Airmobile Force

Airbus Helicopters will deliver a total of five NH90s to the Directorate General of Armament and Equipment by the end of 2016

Madrid, Today, the Directorate General of Armament and Equipment (DGAM) completed the transfer of the first two NH90 tactical transport helicopters from the Airbus Helicopters plant in Albacete to the Spanish Army. The handover was made at the Coronel Mate Air Base in Colmenar Viejo, the headquarter of the Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET) and marked the entry into service of the NH90 within the FAMET. The ceremony was conducted by Lieutenant General Juan Bautista Garcia Sanchez, the head of the Spanish Armys Logistic Support Command Center, who was accompanied by a number of civil and military dignitaries.The NH90s, which the Army has renamed HT-29 Caimans, will form part of FAMETs Third Manoeuvre Helicopter Battalion (BHELMA III), based at the Heroes del Revellin Barracks in Agoncillo. A third helicopter was already transferred earlier this month to the FAMET and is stationed at the Agoncillo base, where it is performing training missions. Two additional NH90s will be delivered by Airbus Helicopters by the end of the year, making it five aircraft handed over in 2016. In total, the company will supply 22 NH90 helicopters to the Spanish Armed Forces, under a delivery schedule that runs up to 2021.On December 18, 2014, Airbus Helicopters signed an agreement with the Spanish Ministry of Defense for the delivery of the first NH90 GSPA tactical transport helicopter for FAMET. The aircraft was wholly assembled at Airbus Helicopters plant in Albacete and successfully completed the industrial, airworthiness certification and technical acceptance phases; a process in which the DGAM and Airbus Helicopters collaborated closely. Since 2014, Airbus Helicopters has delivered a total of three NH90s to the DGAM. The aircraft have been used to provide training for the first squad of Army pilots qualified to fly the helicopter.Promoted by the Spanish Ministry of Defense, supported by the Ministry of Industry and managed by the DGAM, the NH90 program is the first that aims to meet the operational needs of the three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces. It is based on a common platform adapted to the requirements of each mission and featuring all the latest technological developments. As a result, it seeks to improve effectiveness and streamline operating expenses by reducing and modernizing the current fleet of helicopters, while also ensuring their sustainability over time.The Spanish version of the NH90, the GSPA, has been designed to perform technical missions such as troop transport, search and rescue, personnel recovery and medical evacuation. It is equipped for day and night operations in all types of environments. Opened in 2007, the Airbus Helicopters plant in Albacete is responsible for the assembly of all NH90 helicopters for the Spanish Armed Forces, along with manufacture of the front fuselage sectionboth for Spanish helicopters and for those earmarked for export. It is also the only plant in the world to manufacture the rear fuselage of the Tiger helicopter, and the only Spanish facility with a helicopter-manufacturing capability.
A Lufthansa Cargo MD-11 freighter now bears the name Hello, Bonjour Canada and will carry this message with it around the world.

The D-ALCI registration aircraft was named at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada, by Bernhard Kindelbacher, vice president for the Americas at Lufthansa Cargo, and by Peter Fahrenholtz, the German Consul General in Canada.

This naming ceremony featured a classic water salute from Toronto Pearson Fire and Emergency Services and the traditional Champagne baptism. Also, a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police took part in the naming ceremony.

Kindelbacher said: The greeting Hello, Bonjour Canada stands for the close connection between Lufthansa Cargo and Canada. Both countries look back on a long shared history. Since the earliest days of the discovery of the New World up through today, trade between both countries has stood for efficiency and speed.

We are proud of being so well positioned in this key and highly competitive market with more than 30 passenger and two freighter flights per week.

Lufthansa has been serving customers in Canada since as early as 1956. Just one year after Lufthansas first North Atlantic flight to New York, the company began flying to Montreal.

Since then, it has continuously expanded its flight offerings. In 1973, Toronto was added to the flight plan, followed by Vancouver ten years later. Lufthansa Cargo has served the countrys air cargo needs by flying freighters there since 2008.

The Hello, Bonjour Canada is already the tenth Lufthansa Cargo aircraft to be renamed. The names of the freighters are based on the winning concept of an open creative competition that Lufthansa Cargo organized in 2013 to choose names for the aircraft in its entire fleet.

From the more than 40,000 potential aircraft names submitted to Lufthansa Cargo within six weeks, a jury selected the main concept Say hello around the world. In keeping with the concept, all Lufthansa Cargo freighters will be named from now on with greetings in some 20 languages.

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September 14, 2016

Moroccos upcoming elections are becoming ever-more critical, as signs are emerging of a regression to pre-2011 political and societal conditions.

Continuing both the regional wave of ousting Islamists and the local struggle between public will and loyalty to despotism, a deep state has developed and is using different strategies to tame the ambitions of the government-leading Justice and Development Party (PJD). In addition to supporting the establishment-made Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM), the deep states strategies have included creating animosity between the PJD and the Interior Ministry. Yet the situation may culminate in devaluing both the 2011 protests and promises of democracy. Voter turnout could grow without serious political improvement, unless a cross-party anti-despotism bloc forms.

After failing to sow long-standing discord between the government and the monarchy, the deep state has tried to lower the PJDs public visibility in different ways. The first is by blocking infrastructure projects underway in PJD-managed municipalities. The recurrent justification is to pre-empt early campaigning, notwithstanding the effects on peoples needs.

Second, social aid distribution has been banned. For example, during Ramadan, some elements within the Interior Ministry arranged to prohibit associations from distributing free food baskets. In another, more recent instance, the poor were deprived of sacrificial sheep that civil society customarily distributes for Eid al-Adha, Islams holiest holiday. The ministry says its trying to keep nongovernmental organizations that are close to the PJD from exploiting the charitable acts in forthcoming elections, but the selective policy led impoverished families to protest.

More significantly, a moral scandal has shaken the Islamists. Two leaders in the Movement for Unification and Reform (MUR), a religious association close to the PJD, were arrested early Aug. 20. The couple was allegedly discovered in a sexual position in a car parked on a remote beach area. Moulay Omar Benhammad, who is married, and Fatima Najjar, who is a widow, were accused of infidelity. Socially, their image has been tarnished widely. They have left the MUR national board. Thus, Islamist activism and advocacy were dealt a blow. On the human rights side, in addition to hate speech, details of the event imply privacy infringement, not only in this case, but possibly before.

Two instances cast doubt on the official narrative. To start with, the event was first mentioned on ahdath.info, a PAM-supporting website, a few minutes before MUR froze Benhammad and Najjars membership on all boards. In explaining how it got the scoop, the news outlet said one of its journalists was at the scene. This narrative is difficult to believe, given the timely, but accidental, presence of a journalist at 7 a.m. in a remote area  unless he had known in advance about the arrest. More strikingly, he was able to record a video, according to the websites chief editor, who would not share it. Its unclear whether the supposed video was shot before or after the police arrived and what obstacles prevent it from being shown.

Furthermore, Benhammad and Najjar, both in their 60s, were arrested by the judicial police, though the rural area is under gendarmerie jurisdiction. Judicial police handle terrorism, drug dealing and similar dangerous affairs. When the public questioned the unusual intervention, the police general administration said in a press release that the police were in the area because they had been chasing a drug dealer  a scenario that led to more skepticism and controversy.

There are several gaps in the narrative: Why wasnt the affair turned over to the gendarmerie; why were the two culprits taken to Casablanca, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) away, for preliminary interrogation; and what was the outcome of the drug-dealing chase? What adds insult to injury is that the preliminary interrogation records were leaked to the press. The police administration has not denied the unprecedented leak. The events developments point to an intentional effort to tarnish political opponents before the elections.

Nevertheless, the two Islamists have received considerable support from democracy advocates, who raised questions about the commingling of telecommunication surveillance with alleged fabrications. They echo similar ordeals they underwent. True, security services have received compliments from King Mohammed VI and head of government Abdelilah Benkirane, especially as the services have helped prevent numerous terrorist attacks. Morocco has even exported security services, such as when King Philippe of Belgium formally requested Moroccos help. France reached out for Moroccos intelligence, too. Thus, in a way, Morocco presents itself as a troubleshooting third party in the challenges of integration, homegrown radicalization and migration in Europe.

However, civil society representation is absent. Moroccos telecommunications regulator, ANRT, lacks a culture of multiple stakeholders. The boundaries between security and privacy blur, especially since the main internet service provider and the leader in phone services in the country, Maroc Telecom, is state-run. Meanwhile, cybersurveillance technology companies mention Morocco as a top client.

Politicians, activists, state opponents and human rights advocates undergo surveillance yet cannot access information about its nature and extent. That is why, when Hicham Mansouri, then an activist in the Investigative Journalism Association, started an investigative report on telecommunications surveillance, he immediately went to prison in 2015 for alleged adultery and infidelity, despite his assertion that police agents fabricated the adultery story. Thus, putting activists in direct conflict with the values of the society they defend not only disgraces them, but discredits their whole advocacy.

Moreover, under a recently passed law, only documents owned by public service administrations can be accessed. Even then, access is barred when information is said to threaten public security or when certain departments are not considered directly related to public service. (For example, in Morocco, police are not considered public servants; however, courts, parliament and local governments are.) At the same time, theres nothing in the law that says the state has to disclose the amount or type of information it gathers or how it gathers the data.

These pre-election hassles worry observers, not only about the legitimacy of the next elections, but about the democratization process in general. Possibly, forming a cross-party democratic bloc can remind all other stakeholders that the role of state departments and facilities is to serve internal well-being first and that democracy is a pre-requisite for a genuine display of the countrys exceptionalism in the region.
September 13, 2016

TEHRAN, Iran  Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is trying harder than ever to make a political comeback. His path is sure to be filled with many challenges, considering that he faces opposition not only among much of the Iranian public and the Reformists, but even some figures within his own Principlist camp.

Prominent conservative cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda, the Friday prayer leader of the northeastern city of Mashhad known for his candid Principlist positions, made his opinion clear: Mr. Ahmadinejad was an individual who went astray, died and is finished. Ahmadinejad is not a movement. He stood against the Guardianship of the Jurist and collapsed.

Though he later denied it, Hossein Shariatmadari, the editor-in-chief of hard-line Kayhan who has been harshly critical of Ahmadinejad in recent months, reportedly told a gathering of university students Sept. 10, If I wanted to grade Ahmadinejad fairly, he would get a very low score. He stood up against the supreme leader during his 11-day sulk back in 2011. When the Hezbollahis [religious conservatives] see this, they will not vote for him. I think it is unlikely that the Guardian Council will approve his qualifications.

Aside from its radicals, some of the more moderate figures in the Principlist camp have also criticized Irans former president. Senior conservative cleric Gholamreza Mesbahi-Moghadam has said that Ahmadinejad lacks the qualifications needed to make a comeback, claiming, Ahmadinejad is not competent enough to return to power. He has ruined his image among many distinguished figures and this has pushed him to the sidelines.

Still, Ahmadinejad appears to be more active by the day. His many provincial visits and speeches have even prompted objections from some officials within the administration of President Hassan Rouhani. Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli stated, Ahmadinejad has been warned that the launch of any political campaign before the official election period is illegal. He needs to have legal permits for his gatherings, not to mention that the content of his speeches is controversial and has the tone of an election campaign. Still, Ahmadinejad continues to ignore these warnings and suggestions and is forging ahead with his activities, just as he did during his time in office.

The question is how can a person who won two presidential elections by relying on Principlist support possibly hope to make a comeback amid blunt criticism from the Principlists? Prominent Tehran University professor Sadegh Zibakalam told Al-Monitor, Ahmadinejad knows that he is the only person who can challenge Rouhani. He also knows that the Principlists have no other candidate except him. [Former nuclear negotiator] Saeed Jalili and [Tehran Mayor] Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have already faced defeat against Rouhani in the previous vote. They do not have the ability to compete against Rouhani. Also, Ahmadinejad hopes that as the 2017 election nears, he can convince the Principlists to support him.

Beyond the Principlist opposition, Ahmadinejad also faces the challenge of getting past the Guardian Councils vetting of presidential candidates. Former conservative lawmaker Ahmad Tavakoli wrote over Telegram back in April, There are sufficient religious and legal reasons to disqualify Ahmadinejad.

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Saeed Laylaz, the deputy head of the moderate Executives of Construction Party, said, We hope Ahmadinejad and everyone else are qualified for the election because we are principally against the disqualifying of candidates. On one hand, I believe that Ahmadinejads presence will cause division within the Principlist camp and remove the chance of a Principlist consensus, while on the other hand, it will strengthen solidarity among the Reformists surrounding Rouhani.

Indeed, speculation within Principlist circles points to the absence of a new and powerful candidate who can compete against Rouhani in the May 2017 presidential vote. In past elections, the conservatives sent all their other potential candidates to the field  and all have met defeat. Ghalibaf has run for president twice: against Ahmadinejad in 2009 and against Rouhani in 2013. Jalili, the favored candidate of radical Principlists, secured only 11.3% of the vote in 2013, coming in third. Meanwhile, parliament Speaker Ali Larijani ran in the 2005 presidential race, but opted for a seat in parliament after receiving less than 6% of votes. Notably, Larijani has close ties with Rouhani and is unlikely to challenge him in the next presidential vote.

It may be that the Principlists main problem with Ahmadinejad is his former chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, a man whose religious beliefs have come under harsh criticism by the more traditional members of the Principlist camp. Mashaeis divergent viewpoints have been so persistent and prominent that when Ahmadinejad appointed him as his chief of staff for the second term of his presidency, the supreme leader officially objected to the move.

Hossein Shariatmadari, who was an adamant supporter of Ahmadinejad at the time, has reportedly said, The supreme leader gave Ahmadinejad a letter asking him to remove Mashaei from the post. But Ahmadinejad did not abide and thus forced the supreme leader to make the letter public. Shariatmadari, who allegedly made those remarks at the student association Office for Consolidating Unity on Sept. 10, was also quoted as saying, No one has access to the supreme leaders secret letters, and this letter was published with his coordination. But Ahmadinejads response was to give Mashaei 18 new posts and make him even more powerful than chief of staff.

Thus, it seems that Ahmadinejad has not given up on pursuing his goal of a political comeback  especially since some of his comments point to hopes for the early demise of the Rouhani administration. Speaking recently at a gathering of his student supporters, Ahmadinejad said, In the coming months, the pressures of public opinion and inefficiency will rise so much that Rouhani will leave the Cabinet before the month of May.

For now, it is uncertain whether the Principlists will be willing to accept another defeat to Rouhani or be ready to succumb to Ahmadinejad and his many challenges. Or perhaps Ahmadinejads prediction will come true and there will be no Rouhani in the May 2017 vote.
September 14, 2016

Amid a growing war of words between Saudi Arabia and Iran, in particular revolving around the one-year anniversary of the 2015 hajj stampede that killed more than 400 Iranians, Maj. Gen. Yayha Rahim Safavi, special military adviser to Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned against further escalating matters with its regional rival.

In the realm of geopolitics, we have a geopolitical rival in the name of Saudi Arabia, said Safavi, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (1997-2007), during a speech at the Center for International Research and Education of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Either way, in this realm, my recommendation is that we have to improve our relations with Oman, Kuwait and even Qatar. And in our relations with Saudi Arabia, we have to act cautiously. In no way must we move toward the conflict [with the] Saudis.

Safavi said that Riyadh is opposed to Irans current geopolitical strength and blames Iran for its losses in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, countries in which the two are vying for influence. He also cited the various points of contention between the two countries, including reminding the audience that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait had been Iraqi President Saddam Husseins biggest financial supporters during the Iran-Iraq War, which according to him was responsible for the deaths of 200,000 Iranians.

The number of Iranians killed in the conflict, one of the longest of the 20th century, is disputed. A parliamentary bill from earlier this year seeking damages from the United States because of its support of Hussein put the number of Iranians killed at 223,000.

Safavi also mentioned the Mina stampede during last years hajj, in which more than 2,000 pilgrims were killed. The high death toll among Iranians and traded accusations prevented Iranians from making the pilgrimage this year.

In calling for restraint, Safavis comments stand out as a rare voice among Irans military commanders. Most remarks by military officials in regard to the Persian Gulf have been over issues involving American spy planes flying near Iranian waters. According to Fox News, three American officials said that on Sept. 10, Iran had threatened to shoot down the planes that were flying a mile outside Irans territorial waters. Despite the threat, according to US officials, Iran did not have missile launchers nearby.
September 14, 2016

The prime ministers special envoy on missing and captured Israeli soldiers, Col. (res.) Lior Lotan, revealed at the annual Herzliya Conference on Sept. 13 that Israel is holding 18 Hamas operatives it detained during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge, as well as the bodies of 19 Hamas members killed in the operation. The information had never before been revealed, and surprisingly, the families of the dead and imprisoned, members of Hamas' military wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, have never spoken out on the issue.

Lotan probably divulged this information in the hope that the families in Gaza would pressure Hamas after Israel had done all it could to reach a deal with the organization on the return of the bodies of its soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin and the safe return of three Israeli civilians who had crossed the border into Gaza: Avraham Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed and Jumaa Ibrahim Abu-Ghanima.

At the Herzliya Conference of the Institute for Counter-Terrorism, Lotan spoke of two Israeli offers rejected by Hamas: exchanging the bodies of Goldin and Shaul in return for the Hamas operatives and bodies, and handing over dozens of Palestinians who had crossed the border from Gaza into Israel in recent years in return for the Israeli civilians being held by Hamas. Lotan claimed, however, that Hamas had set a precondition regarding other Palestinian prisoners, residents of the West Bank not connected in any way to the Gaza Strip or Operation Protective Edge. Of course, we cannot abide a precondition, Lotan said.

Al-Monitor has learned that one of the channels Israel used was the same one through which it achieved the October 2011 deal for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, held captive by Hamas for five years. That deal, which freed some 1,000 jailed Palestinians in exchange for Shalit, was put together by senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad and Israeli peace activist Gershon Baskin. The two maintained a channel of communication with the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that directly involved David Meidan, Netanyahus previous envoy on prisoners and missing soldiers.

I conveyed a proposal [to Hamad] a year ago, Baskin confirmed to Al-Monitor. But Hamas claimed that theres nothing to talk about as long as Israel doesnt release the prisoners released in the Shalit deal and subsequently re-arrested.

Baskin was referring to the detention of some 50 Hamas operatives, freed in the Shalit deal and rounded up after the June 2014 kidnapping and murder of three Israeli youths: Naftali Frenkel, Gil-Ad Shaer and Eyal Yifrah. The Israel Defense Forces arrested them with the intention of putting pressure on Hamas that would result in finding the kidnapped youths. Netanyahu explained at the time that the detention of the prisoners freed in the Shalit deal was an important message to Hamas. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that their arrest was also one of the reasons that the war in Gaza erupted. Top Hamas figures felt at the time that Israel was robbing them of what was considered the movements most significant achievement against Israel. The ensuing rockets they fired from Gaza into Israel led to an escalation and to the Israeli military operation. The Hamas detainees have been in jail ever since.

Hamas says they will not start negotiations until the detainees of the Shalit deal are freed, said Baskin. But that doesnt mean they have rejected the deal.

The person responsible for the precondition of no negotiations until the Shalit deal prisoners are released is Yahya Sinwar, considered Hamas' defense minister and himself a former prisoner released in the Shalit exchange. As I wrote for Al-Monitor in July, Sinwar views the release of the Palestinian detainees as leverage for his own promotion in the movement. At a rally that convened after his own release, Sinwar even declared, in reference to the pre-Oslo Palestinian prisoners, We will not forget our prisoners who we left behind, and he has indeed been acting in accordance with this perception. Sinwar is unwilling to bend under any circumstances, Baskin said.

A senior Hamas source confirmed to me that the Israeli proposals, which had also been conveyed to Hamas via a parallel channel, had not even been considered, and that even if they had been put up for discussion, they would have been unlikely to sway Sinwar, who wants the release of as many prisoners as possible.

Baskin met with the Mengistu family in 2015 and tried to bring proof of life to the anxious relatives, but Sinwar refused to allow a letter from Mengistu to be delivered. The only information provided by Hamas through the Baskin-Hamad channel was that Mengistu was alive and being held in good conditions. It was the first time an official Hamas source admitted to holding Mengistu. The information was conveyed to the family and to Lotan, but since then, Sinwar has been adamant in his refusal to maintain any contact with Israel that would bring about the release of the three civilians and the return of the bodies of soldiers Goldin and Shaul.

Will pressure on the part of the families in Gaza sway Sinwar and lead him to negotiate? Judging by the statements of Gazans who are familiar with his conduct, such pressure is unlikely to bring about any flexibility on his part.
September 14, 2016

SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq  Infighting between factions of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) could lead to a dead end, but not before calling attention to what dissenters say are reprehensible secret operations of a power-hungry bloc within the political party.

Some believe the battle could have far-reaching repercussions that eventually could lead to the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) being controlled by the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which is thought to be affiliated with the terrorist-designated Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

The PUK's two deputy secretary-generals, Kosrat Rasul Ali and Barham Salih, announced Sept. 1 the formation of a "decision-making center" within the PUK, with the support of some senior executive party officials. The idea was immediately rejected by other party leaders, including Hero Ibrahim Ahmed, wife of PUK general secretary and former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Talabani no longer effectively leads the party since suffering a stroke in December 2012.

The social-democratic PUK party was already divided for various reasons, most notably management disagreements. Dissenters say the party has been monopolized by a bloc whose self-serving decisions have diminished the party's role and turned it from an effective force into a marginal player.

Moreover, according to the dissenters' statement, this Ahmed-led monopoly dominates the party's financial management and has formed ambiguous alliances, concluding secret deals to loot oil and take over the wealth and properties of the people. As a result of this shadow group's interests, the PUK is no longer following the footsteps of Talabani, who was a founding member, the statement said.

The statement also accused the dominating group of stealing public money, cutting the salaries of civil servants and peshmerga forces, conspiring to rig the outcomes of the General Congress, undermining the will of the original members, and bringing in and imposing these members relatives in most of the partys organs.

The statement said any decision inside or outside the party shall not be deemed a general decision of the party unless approved in advance by the decision-making center.

The center's formation stirred angry reactions. Member of the PUK Central Council Ala Talabani refused to describe the action as a split within the PUK, but challenged the legitimacy of the two deputies, noting they were not elected by the party's members but rather appointed as deputies by Jalal Talabani. According to Xelk media network, Ala Talabani accused the two deputies of "running after privileges and senior positions.

In the same vein, antiterrorism forces official Lahore Sheikh Genki denounced the center and described it as illegitimate. Also, Central Council member Atta Sarawi accused those behind the center's formation of seeking to take over the PUK and making hasty decisions.

In a dramatic development, Hero Ibrahim Ahmed called on Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Aug. 19 to stop the country's export of oil from Kirkuk and followed up with a Sept. 7 letter to Abadi criticizing an oil revenue-sharing agreement between Erbil and Baghdad, which she said was made without consulting the PUK. She also denied being involved in any attempts to export Kirkuk oil through Iran.

It should be noted that North Oil Co., affiliated with the Iraqi government, will resume its oil supply to the port of Ceyhan through the Kurdistan pipeline after a six-month halt.

Ahmed's requests could portend the further deterioration of the relationship between the PUK factions and of their relationship with the KRG and its head, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, who is also deputy head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

On the other hand, PUK political bureau member Sheikh Jaafar Mustafa said in a Sept. 6 statement to Voice of America that the disputes within the PUK are "related to the theft of the people's wealth and positions," and stressed that the deputies of Jalal Talabani are the legitimate authority.

A leading PUK member who preferred to remain anonymous told Al-Monitor, "These fellow members at the so-called decision-making center body are a minority and have no legitimacy, and therefore they will remain in the dark tunnel they led themselves into. They are too weak to change anything inside or outside the PUK."

On the other hand, PUK Organization Bureau member Sulaimen Abdullah told Al-Monitor, "The decision-making center rejects the accusations of treason. ... We are proud of our identity as members of the PUK, and our goal is to rectify the path of the PUK for a prosperous future of the generations to come. The Kurdistan people deserve a better future, and this will not be achieved without rectifying the PUK's path and its participation in a real political process."

With regard to the center's future, Kurdish affairs expert Rebwar Fatah said, "The decision-making center is helpless because the economic centers are under the control and domination of Hero Ibrahim, and her [faction] will not [easily] give away the extremely large income."

Writer and political analyst Ismail Rwandzioza told Al-Monitor, "The decision-making center is facing a dead end. Those who made this step ... are not united. Eventually, if this situation continues, they will be forced to return to the Talabani family or resort to a split, which I think is the inevitable option."
September 13, 2016

Iran-backed majority-Shiite militias known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) have been gaining influence as they have helped the Iraqi army kick the Islamic State (IS) out of Anbar province. Iraq's National Security Council recently blessed their participation in the upcoming battle to retake the IS stronghold of Mosul, while Baghdad announced at the end of July plans to incorporate the militias as an "independent" military formation "affiliated" with the Iraqi armed forces.

The militias have also begun to make diplomatic overtures in a bid to attain international legitimacy. Several militia leaders met with European, Canadian and Australian diplomats in Beirut early last month, Al-Monitor reported at the time, hoping to create a back channel with Washington.

All those efforts now risk running into a congressional buzz saw. Current and pending defense authorization legislation prohibits US military assistance for Iraq if it risks falling into the hands of Iran-backed groups, and lawmakers are keeping a close eye on Baghdad's next move.

"This is an issue," said Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "We haven't seen the complicity of the Iraqi government to encourage this, but we want to see a stronger effort to discourage it [...]. As a general principle, the Shia militias as currently constituted  and there are some exceptions to this  are not interested in the Iraqi security blueprint and are counterproductive to the security of the areas that we've taken back or want to take back from [IS]."

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(Click here to view a pdf version of this chart)

The resurgence of the militias has concerned US policymakers since June 2014, when Iraqi Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a call to arms to his followers as IS rampaged through the country. Since then, Iraq has seen a proliferation of loosely affiliated PMU, most of them directed by or otherwise supported by Tehran, including some reconstituted militias that battled US forces in the early years of the invasion.

One of the main militias, the Hezbollah Brigades (Kataib Hizballah), was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department in 2009. Its leader, Jamal al-Ibrahimi  aka Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis  was designated as a threat to Iraqi peace and stability by the Treasury Department that same year and is now the deputy chairman of all PMU operations.

In December 2014, Congress for the first time authorized through the end of 2016 a $1.6 billion train and equip fund requested by the Barack Obama administration for military and other security services" for Iraq. Lawmakers, however, added the caveat that aid recipients be vetted for links to groups associated with the government of Iran. The Department of Defense could waive aid restrictions but had to inform Congress.

Last year, Congress reauthorized the program but added a prohibition on aid to the government of Iraq unless Baghdad has taken such actions as may be reasonably necessary to safeguard such assistance falling into the hands of organizations under the command and control of, or associated with Tehran. That law also requires that the Pentagon provide quarterly reports on the forces or elements of forces prohibited from receiving US aid.

Now lawmakers are debating whether to go one step further.

The Senate version of this years annual Defense bill merely extends last years authorization through the end of 2019. The House, however, passed a bill requiring that the Pentagon provide $50 million to Kurdish peshmerga and Sunni tribal forces unless Baghdad ends its support for Shia militias under the command and control of, or associated with Tehran and acts to stop abuses of elements of the Iraqi population by such militias.

The House bill gives voice to rising concerns among lawmakers that the Shiite militias not only strengthen Iran's hand in Iraq but make it more difficult to defeat IS because they often victimize Sunnis. Speaking at the nonprofit Stimson Center in April, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif., said he had recently met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad and urged him to rein in the PMU.

"The Sunni tribal leaders that we met with want to take their own villages back," said Royce. "Their people want to go back to their villages. They don't want to hand it over to some Shiite militia headed up by a Quds Force leader like [Qasem] Soleimani.

Further complicating matters, a number of the militias are represented in parliament. A PMU leader at last month's Beirut meeting told Al-Monitor that the PMU have launched preparations to run in next year's parliamentary elections. The source made it clear that their model is Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which holds considerable political and economic sway.

"We will be a military force that is part of the Iraqi state, but not part of the Iraqi army," the PMU leader said. "This is due to many reasons that we explained to them, namely the corruption spread within the Iraqi government institutions."

The administration has also sent mixed messages as it has found itself fighting alongside the militias.

In its April 2015 update to its Travel Warning for Iraq, the State Department for the first time warned that several anti-US sectarian militia groups, such as the Shia KH [Hezbollah Brigades] and Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) [League of the Righteous] are operating throughout Iraq and may present a threat to US citizens. By September 2015, however, those warnings had been replaced with a generic warning that anti-US sectarian militias may threaten US citizens and Western companies throughout Iraq. The change coincided with reports that US forces and Iran-backed militias were sharing a base in Anbar.

At a briefing in March this year, State Department spokesman John Kirby rebutted rumors that the administration had asked Abadi to disband the militias. He went on to praise them for joining in the fight against IS.

"This idea that every Shia militia, or Popular Mobilization Force that is another way theyre talked about, is controlled by Tehran and is therefore nefarious in nature is just false," Kirby insisted. "In fact, the vast majority of them have no connections to Tehran or to the IRGC."

The agencys 2015 terror report, released in early June, by contrast faulted Baghdad for allowing Ibrahimi's group to join the fight. The report said Iran-backed groups such as KH "exacerbated sectarian tensions in Iraq" and "contributed to human rights abuses against primarily Sunni civilians."

"The inclusion of KH, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, in the Popular Mobilization Forces enlisted by the Iraqi government in the effort against [IS], threatens to undermine counterterrorism objectives, the report concluded.

Cardin said he would welcome a move by Abadi to incorporate the PMU under the military's control. But there are exceptions.

"I think there are some militias that he will not be able to control," Cardin said. "Ultimately you have to disband them or weed them out. It's not in the central government's interest to have entities that are not really loyal to [its] security blueprint."

Iran appears to have others plans in mind.

Late last month, a leader in Iran's IRGC announced the creation of a United Shia Liberation Army to fight in Arab countries, notably Yemen, Syria and Iraq. Lawrence Haas, a senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, said the announcement was "basically declaring war on your Arab neighbors." He questioned what the White House can do about it after removing most US troops from the country.

"I think Iran and Iranian influence in Iraq and other nations in the region is going to be pretty close to the top of the agenda for US foreign policy," Haas told Al-Monitor. We dont have much leverage, so I dont have high hopes that we can reverse this.
September 14, 2016

Close to 51,000 Turks were expelled from public service in the wake of the July 15 coup attempt for alleged links  direct or indirect  with Fethullah Gulens congregation, which Ankara holds responsible for the putsch and calls the Fethullah Gulen Terror Organization (FETO). The Sept. 1 purge  carried out through legislative decrees, a tool made available by the state of emergency  included administrators and employees from various institutions, most prominently in the military, in the police and in the education sector. Then, last week, 11,285 teachers were suspended in the mainly Kurdish southeast for activities supportive of the Kurdistan Workers Party, a designated terrorist organization, and its extensions. The figure is expected to reach 14,000 in the coming days.

The hunt for FETO supporters in the public sector is also continuing. According to the daily Sabah, another 40,000 people have been put in a gray category, risking expulsion if their suspected bonds with the group are clearly established.

The names of the people who were dismissed were published in the Official Gazette, exposing them for all to see and crushing their chances of employment in the private sector. Those who asked for retirement saw their applications rejected.

So whats next for the dismissed? How will they make a living? What can be done to resolve a problem that affects hundreds of thousands when families are counted in? What remedy can be found for thousands of traumatized people, expelled without any trials and convictions?

In a Sept. 2 interview with Bloomberg HT television, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim admitted that a new problem area had emerged in the country, signaling that some expulsion decisions might be reversed. True, those people are left jobless now. Well be working on measures to prevent problems that are likely to emerge in the future, he said. Though I cannot share the details now, well find a solution to that as well. But for whom? Those who have stood trial and been convicted will be excluded. For the others, however, well outline some measures. Thats part of our duties.

The prime ministers statement raised hope for thousands who were lumped together with others due to malicious informers at the workplace, flawed information or actions that cannot be legally considered as crimes.

In the same interview, Yildirim said, Our colleagues are splitting hairs, and the ministries are making the utmost effort so that the innocents are not lumped together with the others. Im being very meticulous myself.

Yet several days later, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared, The horses traces had mixed with the dogs traces  a Turkish phrase that describes a serious confusion that makes it hard to distinguish between good and bad. Speaking to reporters accompanying him on a flight back from the G-20 summit in China, Erdogan grumbled that irrelevant people were being vilified, especially by members of the media. When I have time, I watch the TVs sometimes. They are making comments about people who have nothing to do with this affair. But those people are being stigmatized. Such attitudes should be avoided, he said.

The main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), which stood by the government in the bungled putsch, has raised similar objections from the very start of the purges and detentions. In a report in early September, the CHP said public servants known as leftists or secularists had been branded as Gulenists and removed from office. The report provided concrete examples with names and institutions.

In remarks to Al-Monitor, CHP parliamentary whip Levent Gok said some sought to take advantage of the purge to get rid of left-wingers, stigmatizing them as FETO associates. The CHP, he stressed, is preparing to petition the Constitutional Court to cancel provisions in legislative decrees that breach the scope of emergency rule.

Another CHP deputy, human rights lawyer Sezgin Tanrikulu, was confident that the expelled employees would return to their jobs, but said the legal process might drag on for years. The legislative decrees violate the constitution, he told Al-Monitor, stressing that the Constitutional Court had set precedents in the 1990s by striking down legislative-decree provisions that breached the scope of emergency rule. Legislative decrees cannot eradicate the right to public service, which is a constitutional right. Public servants cannot be stripped of this right without any conviction, he said. If the legislative decrees are canceled upon the CHPs petition, the ground for the expulsions will no longer exist.

Tanrikulu recalled that teachers and university scholars expelled after the 1980 coup had all returned to their jobs and recovered their retirement rights in later years. The same will happen with those who are being dismissed today, but this, of course, will take a long time, he said.

And what is the government doing to rectify erroneous expulsions?

Hurriyet reported Sept. 7 that Yildirim had ordered a review of the dismissals, excluding those who assumed a concrete role in the coup attempt and have direct links with FETO. And for those deemed to be sympathizers, the government is considering compensation and restoration of legal rights such as retirement, but without any chance of returning to public service, the report said.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting last week, Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli signaled that legislative decrees would be used again for any reversal decisions. If any [expulsions] turn out to be erroneous, well reinstate those individuals via the same method we used to dismiss them, he said, meaning the names of the returnees would be also published in the Official Gazette.

CHP lawmaker Aytun Ciray, a physician by profession, warned that the mass purges could inflict lasting social traumas. When the horses traces get mixed with the dogs traces, the impact spreads to hundreds of thousands of people, like the waves a thrown stone makes in the water, he told Al-Monitor. This will lead to mistrust in the state. The coup plotters aimed to polarize society and spark a civil war if possible. Such overblown, reckless actions, or throwing the baby out with the bathwater, will only serve the purpose of the putschists.
September 14, 2016

As the Islamic State (IS) struggles to maintain control of its strongholds in North Africa and the Levant, ongoing battles in Sirte, Aleppo and western Iraq will heavily influence ISs trajectory moving forward. More than two years after self-styled IS caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi famously announced a caliphate straddling swathes of Iraqi and Syrian territory equivalent in size to the United Kingdom, the death of Abu Muhammad al-Adnani (ISs second-in-command and chief propagandist) last month raises another important question about IS future: Who will replace Adnani to become Baghdadis new potential successor?

One of the IS figures whom Baghdadi may select is Turki al-Binali (aka Abu Sufyan Al-Silmi), a fiery cleric from Muharraq, Bahrain. Born in 1984, Binali hails from a wealthy and important Sunni family with close ties to the Al Khalifa rulers. Binali grew up privileged, having studied at the College of Islamic and Arabic Studies in Dubai (until Binalis extremist ideology led UAE authorities to deport him) before continuing his Islamic education back in Bahrain as well as in Lebanon.

Binali voluntarily departed Bahrain in 2013 and went to Libya to recruit for IS. Later he moved to the caliphates center in the Levant and became ISs grand mufti. Recently, Binali was present in Libya after the US military began conducting strikes on IS targets in Sirte on Aug. 1, before returning to Syria in the aftermath of Adnanis death on Aug. 30.

The Bahraini cleric is a disciple of Salman al-Awda (a Saudi cleric of the Sahwa movement) and a prodigy of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi (Abu Musab al-Zarqawis spiritual mentor). Binali is also an associate of Hajjaj al-Ajmi (a Kuwaiti Salafist who has raised funds for extremist groups in Syria) and Abdulaziz al-Tarifi (a Saudi cleric arrested in Saudi Arabia several months ago, reportedly for criticizing the kingdoms religious reforms). He was possibly head of ISs Research and Fatwa Department, responsible for issuing a pamphlet that provided a religious justification for raping Yazidi women enslaved in the Islamic State: One should remember that enslaving the families of the [nonbelievers] and taking their women as concubines is a firmly established aspect of Sharia, that if one were to deny or mock, he would be denying or mocking the verses of the Quran and the narrations of the Prophet [Muhammad].

ISs top cleric has posed a difficult dilemma for Bahraini security officials. Since Binali exited the island kingdom, authorities in Manama have known about the clerics movements and his contacts in Bahrain. Yet they have refrained from a major crackdown within the context of a strategy aimed at removing IS terror cells from the country by permitting them to fight in Iraq and Syria while denying them the ability to return.

Last January, Bahrains interior ministry announced the revocation of Binalis citizenship along with that of 71 other Bahrainis (mostly Shiites) on charges including belonging to terrorist groups fighting abroad. In addition to Bahrain, other GCC states and Egypt have banned Binali from entry. In January, Binali, his brother Abdullah Mubarak al-Binali (whom Bahraini authorities arrested last year when he attempted to leave the island kingdom with another persons passport) and 22 others were on trial (of course some in absentia) before the Supreme Criminal Court on charges of seeking to establish an IS branch in Bahrain.

Despite such moves against Bahrains IS loyalists, officials in Manama have purposefully avoided a harsher crackdown for fear of jeopardizing the Al Khalifa familys Sunni support base, of which the Binali family represents a key pillar, amid continued Shiite activism challenging Sunni rule in Manama. In Ala'a Shehabi's words, The Bahraini government has also been nurturing and nourishing extremist groups and their sectarian ideology to counter the so-called Shiite threat posed by the pro-democracy uprising.

However, this strategy is risky for Bahrain and other GCC states, which have dealt with Sunni Islamist extremists on their soil with similar approaches. A number of "lone wolf" attacks in the Gulf Arab states inspired by Baghdadi and a growing trend for young GCC nationals to travel to Iraq and Syria via Turkey to join IS indicate how a relatively passive approach to these Sunni extremists has potential to backfire. Particularly troublesome for Bahraini and other Gulf Arab officials is the risk of these younger militants' following through on their threats to return home to the Arabian Peninsula to spread IS's ultra-violent agenda. The fact that the suicide bomber who detonated an explosives-laden vest in a historic Shiite mosque in Kuwait City last summer transited Bahrain on his way to Kuwait from Saudi Arabia highlighted holes in the Bahraini security apparatus.

Indeed, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas visit to Ankara last month was not only aimed at showcasing Manamas solidarity with the Turkish government post-July 15 but also at establishing deeper levels of bilateral cooperation on terrorism-related matters. Officials in Manama are most likely paying greater attention to Bahrainis entering Syria and Iraq from Turkish soil with increased concerns about their potential return to the island kingdom and communications with members of their tribes back in Bahrain.

ISs Bahraini loyalists maintain an extremely anti-Shiite and anti-Western narrative, in which they call the heretical Al Khalifa rulers illegitimate for failing to adequately eradicate Shiite influence from the Shiite-majority island kingdom, being subservient to Western interests and not implementing Sharia (Islamic) law. There is concern about Turki al-Binalis messages resonating deeper with Salafists in Bahrain who find the Gulf Arab states liberal social policies offensive and share the perception of Manama officials being too soft on Shiite activism.

Binali maintains an active social media presence to lure more young Muslims to ISs cause and challenge his critics. He works with other members of the Binali family who have joined ISs ranks in the Levant. One notable family member is Mohamed Isa al-Binali, a former police official in Bahrain who currently serves as an IS commander. Shortly after Manama joined the Washington-led military campaign against IS in September 2014, Mohamed Isa al-Binali appeared in a propaganda video stunt featuring him and five other armed Bahraini IS fighters walking in slow motion along the Euphrates River, calling on their family members in the island kingdom to boycott that years parliamentary elections and join their noble mission of purifying Iraq.

The Bahraini cleric represents a younger group of global jihadists whose tactics and beliefs contrast with those of their elder Afghan veteran counterparts. Whereas al-Qaeda refrained from crossing certain moral red lines such as spilling blood in mosques and Islams holiest sites, the younger generation of Salafi-jihadi militants in IS, battle-hardened by their involvement in the Syrian and Iraqi crises, see their elders as too passive. If Turki al-Binali emerges as Baghdadis successor and/or becomes ISs next leader, such a development would mark a major transfer of authority from the old vanguard of global jihadists to a younger and more puritanical one as embodied by the Bahraini cleric.

Looking ahead, the GCC states must recognize Binali as a harbinger of Bahrains Sunni community who has the potential to recruit a growing number of Bahraini and other Gulf Arab young people to ISs anti-monarchical and anti-civilizational cause articulated by the 32-year-old cleric from Muharraq. A toxic effect could spill across the GCC and greater Middle East, with the spread of Binalis hateful ideology gaining a greater foothold among young Gulf Arabs who are vulnerable to the dark trap of radicalization.

Officials in Manama should question whether joining the US-led military campaign against IS can adequately fortress the archipelago state from the caliphates younger generation of Gulf Arab fighters. With Binalis message to Bahraini Sunnis to topple Western-backed governments in the Middle East and wage a bloodthirsty campaign against Shiite Muslims, the young clerics rise in IS may provide Manama officials more reason to view the caliphate as an increasingly grave threat to the island kingdom.
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Flint River Apartment Homes. (Courtesy photo)

A new affordable housing community is now leasing to families with low-to-moderate income levels in the Huntsville area.

Atlanta-based TBG Residential and Neighborhood Concepts recently received a Certificate of Occupancy to operate Flint River Apartment Homes, a $10 million project off U.S. 431 at 388 Wade Road. The 100,000-square-foot development targets residents whose incomes are at or below 60 percent of the area median income for family size.

One bedroom units range from $494 to $690, two bedrooms $594 to $785, and three bedrooms $799 to $835. Neighborhood Concepts Executive Director Mary Ellen Judah said Flint River is an option for working families who struggle with today's housing market.

"Low-to-moderate working families were hit hard during the 2008 recession and have had the most difficulty recovering," she said. "As housing costs rise, these families struggle to find quality affordable housing in desirable neighborhoods."

Judah said Flint River was partially financed with a $325,000 HOME loan from the City of Huntsville's Community Development Department. The Alabama Housing Finance Authority and Regions Bank also funded the 72-unit project.

Flint River has a clubhouse, pool, computer center and fitness room. For information about leasing, residents can call 256-417-4272.

Earlier this year, Neighborhood Concepts and TBG began leasing another affordable development called Clarkston Square. The $9 million apartment community, which is off Meadowbrook Drive next to the new Grissom High School, is open to senior citizens, many of whom are on fixed incomes.

The city provided a $385,000 loan to build Clarkston Square. Other funding sources included Low Income Housing Tax Credits, a HOME Loan from the Alabama Housing Finance Authority, and financing from Regions Bank.

Neighborhood Concepts is a nonprofit that strengthens communities by offering affordable housing and fostering economic opportunities. The group provides microloans to north Alabama small businesses with more flexibility than most regulated financial institutions.
Alabama State Troopers say two people are confirmed dead following a two-vehicle wreck this afternoon in Clay County.

Senior Trooper Chuck Daniel said a tractor-trailer and a car collided around 2 p.m. on Alabama 9 at Blacks Chapel Road north of Lineville.

Troopers are still working to inform the victim's next-of-kin.

Clay County Sheriff's Office is asking people to avoid Alabama 9 or use alternate roads in the area.
Someone posing as an Alabama State Trooper bilked a man out of $250 following his arrest for driving under the influence, according to authorities.

Calhoun County Chief Deputy Matthew Wade said Calhoun County and another Alabama city's police force are investigating the incident, which happened Sept. 4 to a Weaver man.

According to Wade, on Sept. 3, the man was arrested by troopers for DUI. One day later after he bonded out, he was contacted by someone claiming to be a state trooper. According to the person, he could pay electronically to take driving school, skip court and have the DUI stricken from his record.

The man paid the $250 electronically, and the money was picked up in another city in Alabama, which Wade did not identify.

What concerns investigators is that the person calling seemed to have access to information about the man and his arrest quickly. Further, the scam is apparently homegrown rather than the usual international sources.

Authorities are looking at everything from a computer hack to a bondsman, Wade said.

"One of the more popular scams is getting someone to wire money or use a iTunes or Walmart gift card," Wade said. "If you suspect someone is trying to scam you, call law enforcement."
Authorities have identified two people who lost their lives in a two-vehicle crash in Clay County Tuesday.

Senior Trooper Chuck Daniel said Michael Newman Boerstler, 51, of Dadeville, was killed when the Ford F-150 he was driving collided head-on with a 1995 White tractor trailer at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Boerstler and a passenger, Brenda Sue Duvall, 57, of Calhoun, Georgia were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the tractor trailer was airlifted to UAB Hospital.

The crash happened on Alabama Highway 9 five miles north of Lineville.

Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.
Nairobi, Kenya  With more than 2.5 million people in some 200 settlements, the slum dwellers in Nairobi represent more than half of the citys population and occupy merely 6 percent of the land, according to a report [PDF] released in 2014 by the African Population and Health Research Center.

As the biggest slum in Africa and one of the biggest in the world, Kibera houses some 250,000 of them.

Every Wednesday at Spurgeons Academy, a school in the middle of the indecipherable maze of Kiberas narrow streets and alleys, students take the chairs and benches out of a classroom and sweep the floor.

The school uniforms are switched to bright-coloured clothes.

When teacher Mike Wamaya enters the classroom, the students get into position and place one hand on the concrete wall as though it were a ballet bar.

Classical music plays out of a small portable speaker, and the class begins.

The Ballet class is part of Annos Africa and One Fine Days charity activities in slum areas around Kenya. Apart from ballet, the children can choose dance, music, creative writing and film. In Nairobi they work together with two schools in Kibera and one school in Mathare, another slum closer to the city centre.

Ever since I was a kid and watched ballet on our TV, I wanted to dance and one day become a ballerina, said Pamela, one of the students from Kibera who was very happy when she signed up for the ballet class.
The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan is one of the most notorious places on Earth. In particular, the North and South Waziristan tribal areas are infamous as epicentres of global terrorism and as the arena for the first drone-conducted war.

Scant attention has been paid to the people of FATA. When the spotlight has been shone on them, the tribespeople have usually been cast either as terrorist facilitators or victims of an illegal covert war waged by the United States.

Either way, they have largely been portrayed as extras in a geopolitical theatre produced from afar, depriving some 4.5 million people of their humanity at a time when they most needed sympathy and understanding.





The many uprooted tribespeople I have spoken to since the Pakistan Taliban uprising in FATA in 2007 have voiced the same heartbreak, practically word for word, when talking about their plight and the Pakistani governments lukewarm response to it: Tell us what you want. If you want us to sacrifice our lives, we will happily do so. But at least tell us why.

Brave warriors or al-Qaeda minions?

They have every reason to be confused. Within a single lifetime, the tribesmen of FATA have been portrayed first as brave warriors resisting the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and subsequently as minions of al-Qaeda.

The implication is that they turned bad whereas they merely continued to pursue their centuries-old tribal lifestyle. Isolated and for the most part illiterate, they were simply ignorant of the Great Game and, as far as they knew, jihad was still a good thing.

OPINION: Understanding the context of Quetta attack in Pakistan

By the time they realised matters had changed drastically, they were caught between the Taliban on one side, the army on the other, and drones above, according to a joke that became popular among tribesmen in South Waziristan when it was besieged by the army for three years leading up to the 2009 military operation there.

Within a single lifetime, the tribesmen of FATA have been portrayed first as brave warriors resisting the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and subsequently as minions of al-Qaeda. by

It was anything but a laughing matter. At the height of the conflict in 2009, some three million people were displaced, but conditions at the camps established for them by the government were terrible.

Many refugees found temporary shelter with relatives, but most had to rent accommodation. Their resources, emotional and financial, were drained by years of uncertainty as the conflict in FATA dragged out.

According to varying surveys, 20-30 percent have given up altogether, sold their property and permanently migrated to urban centres in adjacent Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, or to Islamabad, the capital, and the port city of Karachi.

Pakistans counterterrorism campaign in FATA has now drawn to a conclusion, following the expulsion of insurgents from North Waziristan and Khyber tribal areas, and the government is eager to resettle the displaced tribespeople.

That is proving difficult because of the devastation caused by the conflict. With the Taliban controlling the ground, the military could gain access only by pounding towns and villages with aerially delivered bombs and artillery shells.

Most homes and businesses were thus destroyed. The government does not have the money to fund reconstruction on such a vast scale and the compensation it is offering to tribespeople to encourage their return to FATA is more of a gesture than a solution.

Deep sense of victimisation

Obviously, the deep sense of victimisation felt by the people of FATA represents a huge challenge for the government. If allowed to fester further, it will increase the number of tribespeople who leave FATA for good, creating a vacuum that the Taliban fighters regrouped on the other side of the Afghan border will keep trying to fill.

Similarly, the fighters will seek to exploit the resentment and poverty of tribesmen who do return. The danger, therefore, is that Pakistan could lose the peace after winning the war.

The solution lies in the political enfranchisement of the people of FATA. Unlike other Pakistanis, they do not enjoy constitutional rights. Instead, they are governed by a set of regulations introduced by the British colonial regime of India in 1901, the primary goal of which was to establish FATA as a buffer with Afghanistan and to prevent encroachment by the imperial Russian empire.

OPINION: Obamas pivot east fuels an Asian Cold War

Under those regulations, resident tribes are collectively responsible for any crimes against the state and subject to harsh means of punishment such as destruction of property.

The government has recently decided the time has come to make FATA an integral part of Pakistan. The commission that has drawn up proposals for making that happen has rightly concluded that FATA should either be merged with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province or be made a separate province.

Unfortunately, there is considerable resistance to the idea from those who have benefited from the financial and political patronage of the existing system, including some tribal chieftains and cleric-politicians. Another colonial era complication is that Afghanistan does not recognise the border with Pakistan.

It would be refreshing if Pakistans government were to prioritise the welfare of the tribespeople over cynical politics. The granting of full constitutional rights would, for many FATA residents, be satisfactory reward for their years of sacrifice and suffering. Procrastination, on the other hand, could have dire consequences.

Tom Hussain is a journalist and Pakistan affairs analyst based in Islamabad.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Like the Ottoman puppet show, Lebanons politicians are seen meeting and greeting each other while nothing gets done.

John Bell is Director of the Middle East Programme at the Toledo International Centre for Peace in Madrid. He is a former UN and Canadian diplomat, and served as Political Adviser to the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General for southern Lebanon and adviser to the Canadian government.

There was once a Turkish tradition of shadow puppets that children and adults would watch throughout the Ottoman Empire. The characters were called Karagoz and Hacivat, the former meaning Black Eye in Turkish after the characters dark and haunting look. Over time, in Lebanon and elsewhere, the term went on to mean a clown or joker, or Karagoz.

Today, politics in Lebanon reflect both meanings of that term: the clown and the puppet show. Every evening, Lebanese are entertained on the TV news by the splendiferous view of their politicians meeting and greeting each other.

Nothing much gets done  there is no president and only a transitional government. But, there they are, the well known cast trading deals and whispers that, like the unrequited love of Victorian novels, never transpire. It may be harsh to call them clowns, but the charade, the endless soap opera, does go on and on.





Meanwhile, some also argue that the reality of Lebanon also reflects the original idea of Karagoz, the shadow puppets. The local leaders are the willing servants of regional agendas, manipulated by taut golden strings stretching from Tehran and Riyadh to Beirut.

Last piece of the puzzle

The primary theory, probably right, is that there is no president in Lebanon because Iran is holding out on that until there is further news about the future of Syria. Once this shows the light of day, and Bashar al-Assads fate is more secure, the time will come to elect a suitable president in Lebanon.

Until then, Hezbollah is clinging to Michel Aoun while the opposite side demonstrates an equivalent antipathy to his election. There are many possible compromise candidates; the clinging to Aoun is a convenient filibuster, an excuse not to agree on a deal.

READ MORE: In the Middle East, the way we were

Lebanon will be the last piece of the puzzle to be put into place in any future Middle East arrangement. This was once to preserve Hezbollahs profile as the ultimate resistance to Israel during any effort to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Lebanon will be the last piece of the puzzle to be put into place in any future Middle East arrangement. by

Today, Lebanon is the last card because it matters least. It can be conveniently ignored while larger matters  Syria, Iraq  are sorted out. All this is a testament of the endless dependency on greater regional powers  and the puppetry of Karagoz.

Why such a dependency? Lebanon was often a small part of larger empires, or a haven for minorites hiding in valleys and mountains, praying that marauding armies would blithely pass them by. That is fertile soil for the development of dependency, a world where one is not in control of ones fate.

It is also worthwhile to remember that the Lebanese genius lies in trade. The great mercantile spirit that lifted Phoenician sails to the Atlantic and beyond was fuelled by a healthy greed.

This was once married to invention and creativity  alphabets and amphorae full of wine or garum  but today it is a more basic and raw desire for gain, uncomplicated by such cultural claptrap. Many Lebanese, especially leaders, can be bought.

This sense of powerlessness alongside a keen greed leads to a reflex for short-term advantage: take whatever one can, whenever one can, for who knows what will happen tomorrow?

Israels short-termism

Ironically, the hated enemy to the south, Israel, has its own version of such short-termism. Israelis built a state and continue on with the settlement enterprise by grabbing when and where possible. It has survived and thrived by dealing with todays reality, and abiding by Keyness advice that, in the long term, were all dead.

The Lebanese sense of the immediate can be salutary and their resilience is considerable. Shattered windows were rapidly repaired during the civil war, and people got on with life despite the calamities.

READ MORE: To understand Syria today, we must look to history

But, in such a world, no one has trust in the shape of the future  because today is all that matters. Business deals are unsure, there is no national planning, and all, including the mad and impulsive driving, reflects the uncertainty of rapidly shifting tides.

In theory, if Lebanese leaders were to attend to their citizens needs instead of lining their pockets or pursuing regional schemes, then matters could improve.

Citizens could also wrench a result from their recalcitrant leaders by caring more for the whole than for sectarian fragments. However, the energy and attention necessary for such efforts is unavailable because all are consumed by the toils of the day.

Meanwhile, the allure of Karagoz remains. The powers pulling the strings dont care much about Lebanons welfare, and the cheque they provide may abet disaster. While political talks are repeated, Lebanon falls apart, rubbish fills the air, not just the streets, and illness is on the rise.

The Lebanese suffer from regional agendas in which they are little but pawns while their leaders enjoy the fruits of a dying region, and yet many remain beholden to this state of affairs. Karagoz, the shadow of a shadow of a reality, continues to thrive while real life just keeps piling up until a sure and sad breaking point.

John Bell is director of the Middle East programme at the Toledo International Centre for Peace in Madrid. He is a former UN and Canadian diplomat, and served as political adviser to the personal representative of the UN secretary-general for southern Lebanon and adviser to the Canadian government.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Erbil, Iraq  Eight-year-old Hiwa is delighted when she gets to pet the birds and puppies brought by a group of volunteers to Iraqs Qushtapa camp.

We are already friends. I sing with the birds all the time, Hiwa told Al Jazeera.

In the Qushtapa camp for displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees in Erbil, dozens of children between the ages of three and 18 have been participating in this volunteer-run animal therapy programme. Dogs, birds and even chimpanzees are brought in for the children to play with. They also spend time drawing and learning about the animals.

READ MORE: Iraqis live in uncertainty after fleeing ISIL

The programme is run by a small group of volunteers led by US army veteran Jeremiah Jones. Retired from the US army for two decades, Jones last year decided to join Kurdish forces fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group. He returned to his home state of Montana in 2015 after several months of fighting, but this past June he came back to aid the Dwekh Nawsha Christian militia in northern Iraq.

While with the Christian militia near Dohuk, I saw thousands of children fleeing conflict zones, and their psychological trauma struck me. I wanted to figure out how best to help them, Jones told Al Jazeera, noting he had heard about the successful use of animal therapy for a range of mental health issues, and decided to give it a try.

The children were very helpless and young. I thought of them like my own kids; they definitely needed help, beyond more fighting, he said.

The response to the animal therapy programme has been hugely positive, Jones added: Whenever the kids hear of our arrival, they flock to us, and we are overwhelmed by them  especially after seeing and hearing their reactions to the animals.

The ongoing war against ISIL in Iraq and Syria has created a massive displacement and refugee crisis, with millions of people forced to flee their homes. Tens of thousands of displaced Iraqis and refugees from neighbouring Syria have streamed into the camps of Iraqs Kurdish region, nearly half of them under 18.

The children are victims of war, and the best way to help is to psychologically heal them. by Sulaiman Tameer, programme volunteer

Sulaiman Tameer, a Dohuk-based animal rights campaigner who has been volunteering with the animal therapy programme at Qushtapa camp, says it has helped to bring the affected children some relief from the war surrounding them.

The children are victims of war, and the best way to help is to psychologically heal them, Tameer told Al Jazeera. Animals can help the children psychologically; various research has shown this, and it is certainly applicable to children affected by the wars in Iraq and Syria.

Tameer said he has already observed the benefits of animal therapy at Qushtapa camp, with many children exhibiting a sense of peace as they interact with the animals.

When I first came to this camp to find out about these childrens lives, most of them looked empty and hopeless, he said. But when we started, over a month ago, teaching the kids how to draw animals, and handing them birds, we could see them becoming engaged and creative. They had something to think about other than their current living conditions.

READ MORE: Iraq may soon reach a point beyond repair

Amy Beam, who works with a Kurdish organisation that has helped to facilitate the release of Yazidis from ISIL captivity and aided them in travelling on to Germany, said that most of the children she has encountered have dealt with unspeakable horrors. In addition to killing their families, ISIL has reportedly trained Yazidi children as suicide bombers and used them as human shields during air strikes.

The children who managed to escape, and those for whom we facilitated their release, were forced by Daesh [ISIL] to witness killings, beheadings and torture, Beam told Al Jazeera. We need to help them as much as we can and protect them.

Syrian refugee children have also been found to be at risk for a range of mental health issues owing to high levels of trauma, with nearly 80 percent having experienced a death in the family and a third having been personally kicked, shot at, or otherwise physically harmed. Many are already displaying symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Tameer warned that if the situation continues amid ongoing international apathy, a generation of children will grow up with irreversible psychological side-effects.

Meanwhile, back at the Qushtapa camp, Jones and his small team of volunteers will continue their work, bringing birds and puppies to children who eagerly need the positive interactions.

Regardless of the ongoing war, he noted, Every kid loves a bird or bunny.
International activists on two boats carrying food and medicine aim to break Israeli siege on Palestinian territory.

A new flotilla of international activists has left for the Gaza Strip from the Spanish city of Barcelona, hoping to break a nearly decade-long Israeli blockade.

Two sailing boats, Amal and Zaytouna, with 11 women on board each, sailed off on Wednesday evening under the banner The Womens Boat to Gaza.

The passengers, including Swedish European Parliament Member Malin Bjork and Dr Fouzia Hassan of Malaysia, aim to reach Gaza by early October.

We are carrying food and medicine on the boat that will be distributed to Gazans upon arrival, Zohar Chamberlain Regev, a spokeswoman of the initiative, told Al Jazeera.

But mainly we are carrying a message of hope and solidarity, because we think Gazans want that most of all.

She said she had high hopes that the flotilla would not be stopped by the Israeli navy and reach the destination.

We know that we are not a threat to Israel. We are not heading to an Israeli port so they have no reason to stop us, she said.

READ MORE: Gaza-bound flotilla vessel seized by Israeli navy

The blockade has been in place since 2007 when Hamas took control of Gaza.

Last time the Womens Boat to Gaza attempted to deliver aid to the territory in 2015, the Israeli navy boarded and took over its vessel, Marianne. The boat was taken to the Israeli city of Ashdod.

In 2010, a similar bid to break the blockade by a Turkish flotilla resulted in the killing of 10 activists by Israeli commandos, and caused a diplomatic spat between Ankara and Israel.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently described the blockade as a collective punishment for which there must be accountability.

The closure of Gaza suffocates its people, stifles its economy and impedes reconstruction efforts, he said during a visit to the Palestinian territory in June.
Former Israeli president and Nobel laureate treated in intensive care after suffering major stroke.

Former Israeli President Shimon Peres is in serious but stable condition after suffering a major stroke, according to the doctors treating him.

Doctors put the 93-year-old elder statesman, who was rushed to hospital on Tuesday, into an induced coma to allow him to rest after experiencing significant bleeding in the brain.

Mr Peres passed the night without any other incident, Yitzhak Kreiss, director of the Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv, told reporters outside the hospital on Wednesday.

He said Peres was being transferred to the neurosurgical intensive care unit where he would continue to be evaluated.

Peress personal physician and son-in-law, Raphy Walden, said the former presidents chances for survival were pretty good, with no immediate threat to his life.

He added that Peres was responsive during treatment overnight.

When we lessened the sedation, he woke up  not completely but definitely was responsive to our appeals to him, he told AFP news agency.

He squeezed my hand and was definitely listening and understanding what was happening.

Speaking from outside the Ramat Gan hospital late on Tuesday, Chemi Peres, the former presidents youngest son, said that he was hoping for the best.

We understand the concern, we understand that people are interested in his situation and we promise to keep you updated as much as we can, he said.

I am optimistic. I am a great believer in my father. He is a unique person.

Peres had a political career spanning nearly seven decades, serving in a dozen cabinets and twice as a Labour Party prime minister.

He later served as president from 2007 to 2014 before leaving government.

Peres shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Israels late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for a 1993 interim peace deal that they and their successors failed to turn into a durable treaty.
US president says the 10-year, $38bn arms deal will help bolster Israels security in a dangerous neighbourhood.

The United States has signed a record $38bn deal to provide Israel with military assistance over a 10-year period  the largest such agreement ever by the US with any country.

Following 10 months of frequently tense negotiations, the two allies finalised the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a signing ceremony on Wednesday in Washington DC.

Both Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu and I are confident that the new MOU will make a significant contribution to Israels security in what remains a dangerous neighbourhood, US President Barack Obama said in a statement, according to Reuters news agency.

Under the terms, Israel will receive $3.8bn a year from the US  up from the $3.1bn Washington currently gives Israel annually under a 10-year deal that ends in 2018.

The agreement was described as the single largest pledge of bilateral military assistance in US history, but it also involves major concessions by the Israeli government, which will no longer be able to seek additional annual funds from the US Congress over and above the new package.

No other Administration has done more for Israels security, & US commitment to Israel will remain unshakeable. https://t.co/emy9PSIC2S  Susan Rice -Archived (@AmbRice44) September 14, 2016

Al Jazeeras Patty Culhane, reporting from Washington DC, said the annual $3.8bn figure did not mark a big change compared with what Israel was getting in 2015 or 2016.

It sounds like a bit of a difference, but then if you look at the money that the US Congress routinely gives Israel on top of that $3.1bn, its really not that much more, Culhane said.

In 2015, the US Congress gave Israel $620m for missile defence, so basically Israel is going to get the same amount as its been getting.

The figure also is significantly lower compared with the $4.5bn  $5bn sums that Netanyahu said he was seeking when he first entered the negotiations, according to Culhane.

OPINION: Obama v Netanyahu  the strategic conundrum

Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeeras senior political analyst, said Obama had to answer why the US signed now a record military assistance deal with Israel.

Why is the American military aid increasing, and not decreasing? Bishara said, citing Israels peace agreements with neighbours such as Egypt and Jordan, as well as Irans recent nuclear deal.

Whenever the situation improves for Israel, American aid increases. And what happens? The Israeli policy becomes more and more radicalised. Today, and for the last 40 years, Israel has become ever more radical. The more aid it got, the more radical Israel has become.

Thats the question for President Obama to answer.

READ MORE: Obama criticises Netanyahus divisive rhetoric

Efraim Inbar, a professor at Israels Bar-Ilan university, told Al Jazeera from Jerusalem that Israel needed the agreement to upgrade ageing weapons systems, including aircraft and missile batteries.

And there are many more threats looming over the horizon: Iran may become nuclear, the Islamic State is still there, there is a possibility of an escalation over the Golan Heights border, he said, referring to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).

Under the deal, Israels ability to spend part of the US funds on Israeli military products will be gradually phased out, eventually requiring all of the funds to be spent on American military industries, according to the Associated Press news agency.

Israels preference for spending some of the US funds domestically had been a major sticking point in the deal.

The new US-Israel agreement also includes, for the first time, $5bn funding for missile defence programmes. Under the previous arrangement, Congress approved funds for missile defence separately and on an annual basis.

The deal was reached despite mounting frustration within the Obama administration at Israels policy of building settler homes on occupied Palestinian territory.

Washington has warned that Netanyahus policies are putting at risk hopes of an eventual peace deal.
Capture of Brega comes as Western nations condemn renegade generals offensive on oil crescent along northern coast.

Forces opposed to Libyas unity government have seized a fourth oil port, Brega, completing their takeover of vital installations in the North African countrys oil crescent, according to military sources.

The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli is struggling to assert its authority and has faced staunch resistance from a rival administration based in Libyas remote east.

Forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar, a renegade general, on Sunday launched an offensive on Libyas oil crescent along the northern coast.

READ MORE: UK parliament report criticises Libya intervention

Haftar, 73, who sees himself as Libyas saviour after battling conservative armed groups out of most of second city Benghazi in the east, backs the Bayda-based parliament which has refused to grant the GNA a vote of confidence.

His forces fought off guards to gain control of the oil terminals at Ras Lanuf, Al-Sidra and Zuwaytania, and they finally secured Brega unopposed on Tuesday.

We have taken control of the Brega port completely and without any fighting, said Colonel Muftah al-Muqarief, who heads oil guards loyal to Haftar.

The entire oil crescent region is now under our control, Muqarief told AFP news agency.

Brega was taken largely thanks to mediation involving residents and town elders, he said.

Western condemnation

The Brega takeover came just hours after the United States and its major European allies  which back the GNA  condemned Haftars offensive.

The US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Britain said the UN-brokered government based in the capital, Tripoli, is the sole steward of these resources, adding that Libyas oil belongs to the Libyan people.

We also call on all forces to avoid any action that could damage Libyas energy infrastructure or further disrupt its exports, said the joint statement, issued late on Monday.

It also warned against illicit oil exports.

The statement echoed remarks by Martin Kobler, the UN special envoy, on Monday.

I call for the respect of UN Security Council Resolution 2259, which recognises the Government of National Accord  as the sole executive authority in Libya, Kobler said.

Oil is Libyas main natural resource, with reserves estimated at 48 billion barrels, the largest in Africa, but production has dropped since 2011 when the country plunged into turmoil.

On Sunday, Haftars forces took Al-Sidra and Ras Lanuf ports before attacking Zuwaytina to the east.

The oil crescent lies between Benghazi and Gaddafis hometown of Sirte, where pro-GNA forces have been battling the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group since May.

Flagrant aggression

It was the first time Haftars forces and fighters loyal to the GNA clashed directly since the unity government started working in Tripoli in March.

Kobler said oil installations must remain under the authority of the GNAs presidential council and stressed that Resolution 2259 contains a clear prohibition on illicit oil exports.

The GNA called on loyalist forces to protect and defend the ports against what it called a flagrant aggression against Libyas sovereignty.

For his part, the head of the rival government, Abdullah al-Thani, said from Bayda that his administration will work on the oil ports resuming work as soon as possible so as to guarantee all Libyans a decent life.

Aguila Saleh, speaker of the Bayda-based parliament, said Haftars forces would withdraw and hand over the ports to the National Oil Corporation (NOC) to resume oil exports.

He said Haftars move was by popular demand and was authorised by Libyas official institutions.

The Jedran factor

Saleh said Haftars forces liberated the fields and the terminals from the occupiers and those hindering exports, referring to Ibrahim Jedran, who commands a force known as Petroleum Facilities Guards.

Jedrans fighters seized the oil terminals more than two years ago and have tried to export illegally in the past.

It is now allied with the GNA, and Kobler brokered a deal with Jedran in July to resume exports.

The NOC is split into two rival branches, one allied to the GNA and the other to the administration that Haftar supports.

On Tuesday, the NOC branch allied with Haftar said it would immediately start working to resume crude exports from ports seized by his forces.

Our technical teams already started assessing what needs to be done to lift force majeure and restart exports as soon as possible, Mustafa Sanalla, NOC chairman, said in a statement.

The battle for control of Libyas oil assets has renewed fears of a civil war in the country, which plunged into chaos after the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.
US president says the removal of long-standing economic sanctions will help unleash Myanmars enormous potential.

President Barack Obama has told Myanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi that US economic sanctions against her country will be lifted, and trade preferences reinstated to provide duty-free treatment for goods from the Asian nation.

Obama announced the lifting of sanctions, which he said would take place soon and would help unleash Myanmars enormous potential, during a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday at the White House.

The United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma for quite some time, Obama said, speaking in the Oval Office with Aung San Suu Kyi at his side.





Earlier, Obama notified the US Congress that he was reinstating preferential tariffs, known as the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), for Myanmar, which provides duty-free access for goods from poor and developing countries.

Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, was removed from GSP benefits in 1989 after the countrys ruling military junta brutally crushed pro-democracy protests.

We think that the time has now come to remove all the sanctions that hurt us economically, Aung San Suu Kyi told reporters, noting that the US Congress had supported her country by backing sanctions in the past to put pressure for democratic reforms.

Removal of long-standing sanctions against Myanmar will help foreign investment and boost the countrys transition to democracy, the White House said prior to the meeting of the two leaders.

The US eased some sanctions earlier this year to support political reform, but maintained most of its economic restrictions with an eye towards penalising those it views as hampering Aung San Suu Kyis democratically elected government.

Wednesdays meeting in Washington was the first by Aung San Suu Kyi as Myanmars leader since her pro-democracy party won a stunning victory over the countrys military rulers in elections last year.

Myanmars military stepped back from direct control of the country in 2011 after 49 years in power, but maintains a commanding role in politics, controlling 25 percent of seats in parliament and leading three key ministries.

Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from the post of Myanmars president under the countrys military-drafted constitution, which rules her out because her sons are not Myanmar citizens. Instead, she serves as the countrys de facto leader by holding the positions of foreign minister and state counsellor.

Communal violence

Aung San Suu Kyi meeting with Obama at the White House comes after a decades-long journey from political prisoner to Myanmars national leader.

The democracy icon, however, has been criticised by human rights groups for failing to address the plight of the countrys stateless Rohingya Muslim minority. About 125,000 remain confined to squalid camps on the countrys western coast following violence between Buddhists and Muslims in 2012.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the US, released a statement on Wednesday calling on Obama to maintain all current sanctions until the citizenship rights of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar are respected.

As a result of state sponsored and communal anti-Rohingya violence, displaced Muslims have been forced by the government and mobs into refugee and resettlement camps that they are not free to leave, the council said.

We recognise with great respect your past work in addressing the need to halt Burma state and communal violence against the very much persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority and trust that you will continue to speak out on this immediate and pressing cause.

#CAIR Urges President to Maintain Sanctions on Burma as Aung San Suu Kyi Visits White House (WASHINGTON, D.C., https://t.co/xZZH2gDzl7  CAIR National (@CAIRNational) September 14, 2016

A group of 46 non-governmental organisations also circulated a letter they wrote to Obama on Monday expressing concern about the possible easing of sanctions while human rights abuses by the military and against Rohingya Muslims persisted in he country.

To lift sanctions prior to tangible change for suffering communities would be a disservice to those vulnerable peoples who deserve international protection, the letter stated, according to Reuters.





Diplomatic cover

Delphine Schrank, journalist and author of the Rebel of Rangoon, said that the US has been phasing out sanctions, and while the business community in Myanmar and the US would like them removed entirely, there is an understanding within Aung San Suu Kyis party and the US government that the game is not over yet in the transition process.

There have been significant political reforms, but Myanmar has not yet reached that point of complete democratic achievement, Schrank told Al Jazeera.

The treatment of Rohingya Muslims also remains the great great sticking point internationally for Myanmar, Schrank said, noting that Aung San Suu Kyi has put her name on an initiative to resolve a lot of these problems, including the problem with the Rohingya.

READ MORE: Kofi Annan vows to lead impartial Myanmar mission

Last week, a commission established by Aung San Suu Kyi and led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan travelled to Myanmar for the first time to investigate the Rohingya issue and make recommendations to the government.

It is clear that in setting up the Annan Commission, Suu Kyi is not merely looking for some diplomatic cover, but is making Rakhine State a priority and is serious about taking steps to address the situation, Richard Horsey, an independent political analyst based in Myanmar, told Reuters news agency.
UN says its aid trucks have not entered Syria despite de-escalation of violence following ceasefire declaration.

No humanitarian aid has entered Syria yet, the UN says, despite the de-escalation of violence across the country following the coming into effect of a nationwide ceasefire.

Al Jazeera has learned from diplomatic sources that no route for the delivery of aid has been agreed upon yet.

The Syrian foreign ministry on Tuesday said it would not allow any humanitarian aid to enter the rebel-held side of Aleppo without coordination with the Syrian government and the UN.

It said Turkish convoys in particular would not be allowed into Syria.

A diplomatic source, speaking to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity on Wednesday, confirmed that the Turkish governments involvement remains a major sticking point.

Politics is coming in the way of the delivery, the source said.

The Syrian state news agency SANA, quoting the foreign ministry, said: Commenting on the Turkish regimes statements highlighting its intention to send materials disguised as humanitarian aid to Aleppo city, the Syrian Arab Republic announces its rejection to allow such materials to enter no matter who provides them, including the Turkish regime in particular, without coordination with the Syrian government and the UN.

Nevertheless, Turkey says it is making preparations to deliver humanitarian aid to Aleppo, where about 250,000 people in the rebel-held east are under government siege.

A Turkish Red Crescent official told Al Jazeera on Wednesday that trucks carrying aid belonging to the organisation were still at the Cilvegozu border crossing in Hatay, waiting for a go-ahead from the UN to enter Syria.

The official said the trucks will be using only UN flags as per a Russian request.

Isolated incidents

For his part, Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy for Syria, has said he hopes the trucks would be able to move very soon.

Today calm appears to have prevailed across Hama, Latakia, Aleppo city and rural Aleppo and Idlib, with only some allegations of sporadic and geographically isolated incidents, he said in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, more than 24 hours after the declaration the ceasefire deal brokered by US and Russia.

Although there was some violence after dusk on Monday, by early morning guns had fallen almost entirely silent, de Mistura said.

Sources on the ground, which do matter, including inside Aleppo city, said the situation has dramatically improved with no air strikes.

The truce agreement has been accepted by the Syrian government and, far more reluctantly, by most of the groups that oppose it, with rebel forces saying that the deal was skewed in favour of President Bashar al-Assad.

The deal set off a seven-day period that will allow for humanitarian aid and civilian traffic into Aleppo, Syrias largest city, which has faced a recent onslaught.








Countrys leading practitioner wants full-body art embraced as part of Japanese culture instead of mafia association.

Yokohama, Japan  Tattoos have long been linked to organised crime in Japan with intricate imagery typically inked across the entire bodies of Yakuza gang members.

While tattoos are banned on beaches and in public baths in Japan, the countrys leading tattooer has seen the body art gradually lose the crime label so often attached to it.

In a tiny, cluttered room in Yokohama, Horiyoshi the Third has been perfecting his brand of irezumi  Japanese full body tattoos  for five decades.

He wants the controversial art form to be viewed as an integral part of Japanese culture.

We have to appreciate irezumi as a cultural tradition in Japan, Horiyoshi told Al Jazeera. We have to pass it on.

READ MORE: Algerias tattoos  myths and truths

From face markings of the indigenous Ainu to the detailed inkings that intrigued 19th century western visitors, Horiyoshi displays artefacts showing the history of the Japanese tattoo in his nearby museum.

Theres a sense of beauty in that you have something like this to show, but you dont show it, Horiyoshi said.

Its like having a beautiful lining inside a coat and when it is revealed, it becomes all the more beautiful.

The art form has a long history overwhelmed by its association with gangs and violence. It faced a backlash in the 1950s when authorities started to crack down on the practise.

Horiyoshi is not shy to disclose that many of his clients over the years have been Yakuza members.

But the tattoo artist says that the proportion of Yakuza customers has been falling year by year, as more ordinary Japanese want his work on their bodies.
Police arrest 37-year-old man in connection to a racist attack on pregnant woman that caused her to miscarry.

A man has been arrested in connection with a racially motivated attack on a pregnant woman last month in the UK, which caused her to miscarry.

The 34-year-old woman was verbally abused with racial remarks while shopping at a supermarket in the town of Bletchley, north of London, on August 6, police said on Wednesday.

The man then followed the woman out into a parking lot where he physically attacked her, kicking her in the torso and knocking her to the ground.

She was later rushed to the nearby Milton Keynes General Hospital, and treated for repeated blows to the abdomen, but doctors were unable to save the baby. It was unclear how far along she was in her pregnancy.

The  victim was pregnant and as a result of the assault she lost her baby, police said.

A 40-old-man who tried to intervene oh behalf of the woman was hit over the head with a bag of ice and a bottle.

Thames Valley Police confirmed to Al Jazeera that a 37-year-old man was taken into custody on Wednesday in connection with the incident.

Witnesses told UK media that the woman was Middle Eastern in appearance and wore a headscarf, but a police spokesman refused to comment on the victim.

A pregnant woman lost her unborn baby after a racist attack. pic.twitter.com/fiq41CGMwI  AJ+ (@ajplus) September 14, 2016

Religious hate crimes rising

The attack comes shortly after the UKs National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) confirmed a surge in xenophobic attacks across the country in the aftermath of the June 23 referendum to leave the EU, known as Brexit.

According to the NPCC, racist and xenophobic attacks increased by 58 percent in the month following the Brexit vote, and although they abated slightly in August, hate crimes were still 14 percent higher than in the same period in 2015.

Harun Khan, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said that while the spike in the number of xenophobic attacks may be related to the Brexit vote, it is connected to a growing undercurrent of anti-Muslim sentiments across the country.

There are lots of stories about people being attacked and abused  mainly vulnerable people, like women wearing the hijab and the elderly. They are being targeted more often, he told Al Jazeera.

Shenaz Bunlawala, head of research at the UK-based Muslim Engagement and Development advocacy group, agreed.

The post-Brexit uptick can be viewed only within the backdrop of racial and religious hate crimes rising year-on-year for the past three years, Bunlawala told Al Jazeera.

According to Bunlawala, religious hate crimes jumped by 45 percent from 2013 to 2014, and by 43 percent from 2014 to 2015.

Khan, whose parents migrated from Bangladesh, said that as his three teenage daughters grow up and move on to further their education, he has increasing concerns for their safety.

This is my country, just like it is anyone elses. My children are third-generation. They dont see themselves as anything but British and English  They dont know anything else. This is their home; their home is here in Britain.

But as they head off to university, with all these attacks, their safety will be a growing concern for me.

Last week, a Polish man in the northern city of Leeds was left hospitalised after being beaten by a group of 20 youths in what police described as a racially motivated attack, the latest in a series of post-Brexit hate crimes against Poles in the UK.

Following the attack, the Polish embassy said it was saddened by another assault on one of its citizens in the UK, where there have been around 30 xenophobic incidents in recent months.

In late August, a 40-year-old Polish man was murdered in a suspected hate crime in Essex.
Foreign affairs panel says David Cameron as prime minister must bear responsibility for UKs role in Libyas crisis.

Britains military intervention in Libya, ordered by former Prime Minister David Cameron, relied on flawed intelligence and hastened the North African countrys political and economic collapse, according to a parliamentary report.

The Foreign Affairs Committee analysed Britains decision-making in the run-up to its intervention alongside France in 2011, which the government said at the time was aimed at protecting civilians under fire from long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Cameron, who ran Britain from 2010 until July, had a decisive role in the decision to intervene and must bear the responsibility for Britains role in the crisis in Libya, the report says.

It [the government] could not verify the actual threat to civilians posed by the Gaddafi regime; it selectively took elements of Muammar Gaddafis rhetoric at face value; and it failed to identify the militant Islamist extremist element in the rebellion, the MPs said in the report.

READ MORE: Libyas UN-backed government gets no confidence vote

UK strategy was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the evidence.

Nearly five years after Gaddafi was toppled and killed, chaos continues to reign in Libya, with two rival governments vying for power and fierce battles over the countrys valuable oil assets.

Crispin Blunt, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said other options were available to Britain which could have led to a better outcome.

I think weve got to the guts of what happened in Libya  the climate in which the decision was taken to deploy a force to protect the people of Benghazi. We make no suggestion that there was any bad faith in the way those decisions were made  the decision-makers genuinely believed that the people of Benghazi were under threat, Blunt told Al Jazeera.

No evidence of analysis

The report said the government should have been aware that armed groups would attempt to benefit from the rebellion, adding there was no evidence that a proper analysis of those behind the rebellion was carried out.

Cameron was described by the committee as ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy.

Its plainly part of [Camerons] legacy. We looked at how he chaired the National Security Council and [we found] there was no pause to assess, Blunt told Al Jazeera.

Key political players including Liam Fox, former defence minister, and William Hague, former foreign minister, gave evidence to the committee, as well as Tony Blair, the former prime minister.

Blair told the committee he spoke to Gaddafi by phone in February 2011 and tried to convince him to stand aside.

We saw no evidence that the then Prime Minister, David Cameron, attempted to exploit Mr Blairs contacts, the report said.

The fallout from the removal of Gaddafi has also seen criticism of US government policy, with President Barack Obama admitting in a candid interview with Atlantic magazine published in March that Libya was a mess.

READ MORE: A brief history of UK-Libya relations

Obama said Cameron became distracted after the 2011 intervention and said he had placed too much faith in the Europeans, including then French President Nicolas Sarkozy, being invested in the follow-up.

Intervention came after Gaddafi loyalists assaulted the eastern city of Benghazi, raising fears of an imminent massacre in the rebel stronghold.

A UN Security Council resolution with Arab backing authorised the use of all necessary means to protect civilians and enforce a ceasefire and no-fly zone against Gaddafis forces.
New Yorks attorney general has disclosed that his office is investigating Donald Trumps charity to determine whether it has abided by state laws governing nonprofits.

The disclosure came on a day Democrats in the US House of Representatives called for a federal investigation into a donation the Trump Foundation made to a political group supporting Floridas attorney general after her office said it was considering legal action against Trump University.

My interest in this issue really is in my capacity as regulator of non-profits in New York state, Eric Schneiderman, the New York attorney general, told CNN on Tuesday.

We have been concerned that the Trump Foundation has engaged in impropriety from that point of view.

READ MORE: Heres why Donald Trump might win

Schneiderman has been at loggerheads with the Republican presidential nominee over the Trump University real estate programme, which he has called straight up fraud.

The Trump Foundation has faced a series of damaging stories, including by The Washington Post, which reported over the weekend that the White House candidate himself had not donated to his own charity since 2008.

The newspaper found other irregularities, including that Trump spent $20,000 of money that had been set aside for charitable purposes to purchase a 6ft painting of himself.





Trump Foundation made an illegal $25,000 donation to a campaign group affiliated with Pam Bondi, Floridas attorney general, in 2013 as she was considering joining Schneidermans fraud case against Trump University.

Weve inquired into it and weve had correspondence with them. I didnt make a big deal out of it or hold a press conference, Schneiderman said.

But we have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure its complying with the laws governing charities in New York.

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee issued an open letter asking US Attorney General Loretta Lynch to investigate the donation to Bondi.

After receiving these funds, Mrs Bondi declined to further investigate Mr Trumps business interests. This fact pattern indicates that these payments may have influenced Mrs Bondis official decision not to participate in litigation against Mr Trump, the letter read.

A number of criminal statutes would appear to be implicated by this course of conduct.

Trump, in turn, has criticised Schneiderman personally, calling him Clockwork Eric.

Deplorable supporters

For her part, Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, stirred up a storm on Friday when she called half of Trumps supporters deplorables.

Clinton returns on Thursday to the White House campaign fray after a few days at home recovering from pneumonia in a health scare.

Clintons stumble, captured on amateur video and seen online and on television, gave Trump a new opening to question her fitness for the nations highest office as the race intensifies.

While my opponent slanders you as deplorable and irredeemable, I call you hardworking American patriots who love your country and want a better future for all of our people, Trump said in Iowa.

Clintons campaign initially said thta she had been suffering the ill-effects of dehydration and overheating.

Nick Merrill, a spokesman, said in a statement late on Tuesday that Clinton spent time at home catching up on reading briefings, making calls, and watching Barack Obamas speech in Philadelphia, in which the US president offered unstinting praise of his former secretary of state.

Obama hit out at unfair criticism of Clinton and insisted that she had been subjected to more scrutiny and  more unfair criticism than anybody out here.

Donald Trump says stuff every day that used to be considered as disqualifying for being president, Obama said.

And yet because he says it over and over and over again, the press just gives up.
Mayotte is a magnet for Comoros islanders who risk their lives crossing hazardous seas in search of a better life.

Filmmaker: Doaa Al Ashkar

Against the backdrop of todays refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, another tragedy has gone almost unreported on the east coast of Africa between Mozambique and Madagascar.

Mayotte, one of the four islands in the Comoros archipelago, used to be a French Overseas Territory but now is part of France, the 101st departement of the Republic. But it is also at the centre of a crisis unfolding in the Indian Ocean. Mayotte covers almost 400 square kilometres and has a population of about 214,000, the majority of whom are Muslim. It is surrounded by coral reefs and the ancient Arab sailors whose ships often came to grief on its shores named it the Island of Death.

Most recently, the racial tension on Mayotte boiled over resulting in anti-immigration groups deporting hundreds of Comorans from their village homes as they protested what they called clandestine immigration.

Since visas to enter Mayotte were introduced in 1995, thousands of islanders from Grande Comore, Anjouan and Moheli have drowned trying to get there.

They largely travel in small boats known as kwasa-kwasa, which are prone to capsizing on the 70-kilometre journey from Anjouan to Mayotte. Reliable casualty figures are hard to come by. They are also disputed, with the governor of Anjouan once claiming that more than 50,000 had drowned since 1995. French estimates are much lower, between 7,000 and 10,000.

The sea separating Anjouan and Mayotte has become the widest cemetery in the world. Because up to now about 10,000 innocent Comorans have died. Out of them, the majority are women and children. by Ahmed Thabet, diplomat and researcher

The Mayotte immigration problem and the discrepancy between the different death toll estimates are partly rooted in the colonial history of the archipelago. To understand why so many people see Mayotte as offering a better life and risk their lives trying to get there, we follow the stories of four men, Taher, Mohammed, Matar Yacoub and Ahmad Ibrahim, each of whom is at a different stage of that journey.

Taher heard that life was good on the island, but discovered that the reality was quite different. He arrived in Mayotte illegally and he and his family live as inconspicuously as possible to avoid deportation.

Mohammed arrived legally 20 years ago but is still waiting for his asylum application to be processed.

Matar Yacoub was detained in a holding centre in conditions that a 2008 Council of Europe human rights report described as unacceptable. The body appealed to the French authorities to ensure that human rights and dignity were respected in such centres. Matar talks about overcrowded boats, rough seas and alleges that French ships deliberately flood the small kwasa-kwasa so that they sink.

Finally, Ahmad Ibrahim is planning his journey to Mayotte, desperate to provide his family with more than is on offer on Anjouan.

The French government estimates that as many as 40 percent of Mayottes population is made up of what it calls illegal residents, referring to them as being in une situation irreguliere. Ibrahim Aboubacar, the French MP for Mayotte, says that foreigners on the island are a burden on both healthcare and education facilities.

The immigrants living conditions are undoubtedly poor. They live in fear of the French authorities and deportation and can suffer different forms of discrimination.

Taher laments that even though we [Comorans] are one people, the people of Mayotte dont consider us as their brothers. He says: When some of them hear a kwasa-kwasa boat has sunk, they celebrate rather than feeling sad.

Island of Death looks at the Comoros colonial past and why Mayotte split from the other three islands.The French presence in the archipelago goes back to 1841. The four islands became a French colony in 1912 but were granted a limited form of independence in 1961. In 1974, a referendum was held in which a majority of islanders voted for complete independence. France refused to ratify the result  so the Comoros announced unilateral independence in July 1975.

France ignored the proclamation, although five months later it did recognise the independence of Grande Comore, Anjouan and Moheli  but not Mayotte.

In February 1976, France held a second referendum on Mayotte, which voted heavily in favour of retaining its French connection. Ahmad Thabit, a diplomat and researcher, argues that the referendums were organised, controlled and supervised by France.

There was a coup in the independent Comoros later in 1976, followed by a counter-coup two years later carried out by French mercenaries led by the soldier of fortune, Bob Denard.

This triggered an almost 20-year period of coups and political instability on the three independent islands.

This took a heavy economic toll on the independent Comoros and relegated them to among the poorest countries in the world by the start of the new millennium. Today, many islanders accuse their central government in the capital Moroni on Grande Comore of failing to provide for the basic needs of its people.

French visa rules require Comorans to pay 100 euros ($110) to visit Mayotte but many prefer to pay premium rates (around $200) to the kwasa-kwasa owners and remain under the radar of the French authorities. This puts them at the mercy of these unscrupulous operators, who amount to people smugglers, and has led to a rise in the numbers trying to get to Mayotte but dying in the process.

In Island of Death, we see how the people of the independent Comoros are still affected today by their colonial past and why so many risk their lives in this way  like Ahmad Ibrahim who leaves for Mayotte but mysteriously goes missing on the way.
We explore the cultural diversity exemplified throughout the vibrant street food scene in New York City.

Known as the Big Apple, New York City is home to about nine million people and hosts an additional 40 million visitors every year, which makes for a lot of stomachs to feed.

Quick snacks  above all, the hot dog  are as synonymous with New York as yellow cabs and skyscrapers, reflecting the citys eclectic ethnic mix.

Yet few people realise that many of the citys thousands of street vendors  including Brooklyns famed Falafel King  face a daily struggle that belies the citys wealthy, glamorous image.

As the first signs of Manhattans morning hustle and bustle surface, the citys street vendors have already been at work for many hours. Storage garages are busy with the sound of these business owners cleaning and gleaming, stocking and getting things in order for their long day ahead.

Although there are many vendors native to NYC, there is a significant number of immigrant owners  many of whom have run their businesses for decades.

Their food carts symbolise a lot more than a quick and convenient snack for the hundreds of thousands that pound the pavements of the city. They are a chance to live life on their own terms, often after escaping political turmoil or significant economic instability in their homelands.

But the challenge is far from ideal. Obstacles to a successful business range from finding the perfect selling spot  in spite of an unspoken brotherhood between the vendors that can and has led to rivalries  and adhering to legislation surrounding health and safety, to liquidity and endless working hours.

On the other side of the river, street vendors in Brooklyn and Queens face an even tougher uphill battle. Catering to a rougher demographic, and often without the means  both financial and otherwise  food cart owners, many of whom are new to the US, tend to find themselves operating illegally and, at times, even dangerously.

Follow this episode of Street Food to get a glimpse into the good, the bad and the delicious of New Yorks vendors.

Editors note: This film was first broadcast on Al Jazeera English in 2008.
On Tuesday night, UF President Kent Fuchs said the university needs to embrace diversity in the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting.

About 300 UF students and Gainesville residents attended the Pugh Hall event After Orlando: Managing Fears and Welcoming Diversity. UF brought in three panelists to address the issues of fear, diversity and coexisting following the June attack that killed 49 people.

Fuchs opened the forum by calling for those gathered to practice tolerance and not close themselves off to what is happening around them.

With intolerance on rise nationally, he said, my hope is that this university, that the city of Gainesville, will be an ever-brightening showcase for those benefits of inclusion.

He told the audience the university was the perfect place to have the conversation before the three panel members and a moderator took the stage.

Terry Fleming, a co-president of the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, described himself as a cisgender gay man with an unfortunate resemblance to Walter White.

He said the U.S. is stronger as a nation when citizens welcome what makes others unique.

I for one am not happy with the language that we should tolerate diversity, he said. We should celebrate diversity.

Rasha Mubarak, an Orlando resident and the regional coordinator for the Council of American-Islamic Relations of Florida, said she woke up at 5 a.m. on the day of the Pulse nightclub shooting for morning prayer.

By mid-morning, her phone was ringing constantly, and she could hear sirens in the background as she worked downtown, she said.

You could see (the) number of the death toll go up, and so did my heart rate, she said.

As they spoke, Merel Schalkwijk, an international student from the Netherlands, listened from the staircase study pod.

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I only heard about the Orlando shooting from abroad, the 22-year-old UF international studies junior said. It was interesting to hear it related to other problems in society.
Two-time Olympian figure skater Michelle Kwan is coming to Gainesville on Thursday.

Kwan will be at the Reitz Union, Room 2355, at noon to talk about Hillary Clintons New College Compact while meeting with local volunteers and organizers, a campaign spokesman confirmed.

She will also stop by 4056 W. Newberry Road, one of the campaigns offices, at 2 p.m. to participate in a phone bank and meet with volunteers interested in helping out the campaign, the spokesman said.

While on campus, Kwan will talk about Clintons college plan, which proposes free tuition at community colleges and helping students with student debt to defer loan payments.

Kwan, who competed in figure skating in the Olympics in 1998 and 2002, has been an avid supporter of Clinton.

Jake Best, the president of Gators 4 Hillary, said he heard about Kwan coming to UF a couple of days ago.

She just wants to come and show support on UF campus, the 19-year-old UF journalism sophomore said. Were just excited that theyre gonna bring in someone like her whos really well-known and famous.

While at the Reitz Union, Kwan will help register students to vote. The deadline to register in Florida is Oct. 11.

Best said although Gators 4 Hillary isnt hosting Kwan, the group is hoping to host other public figures on campus to encourage students to vote.

Hopefully well have more people coming in, but nothings really set in stone, he said.

Michelle Kwan performing her signature spiral at a practice session at the 2002 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

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After a dip in donations, a Gainesville group that sends books to inmates is asking for help.

Gainesville Books for Prisoners, which sends out about $40 to $70 worth of books every week to state and federal prisoners in Florida, will hold a fundraising concert Saturday at the Civic Media Center, said group member Emily Sparr.

Local artists such as Akin Yai and Ironing will perform at the show, which is scheduled to run from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., according to the concerts Facebook event page. The center is located at 433 S. Main Street.

Donations of $5 to $10 are encouraged, according to the event page.

We appreciate anything folks can give, Sparr, a 33-year-old Gainesville resident, said. We cant do this project without a lot of support, so we appreciate everyones contributions so much.

The group is an offshoot of the national Books for Prisoners organization. About three years ago, a group of locals started the Gainesville branch, Sparr said.

The group, in partnership with the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, ships out two to four books per package depending on what prisoners ask for in letters sent to the group, she said. Some inmates ask for specific titles or genres.

Books are not only a safe way to spend time in prison, they are also tools for self-improvement and social justice, Sparr said.

Donations usually run low after summer break because most people are out of town, so there are not many people available to help with fundraising, Sparr said.

The concert Saturday will help the group continue to fund its operations, she said, although the group is not looking to raise a specific amount of money.

Kara Vachon, a 20-year-old UF finance junior, said she was unaware of the organization but pleased to hear someone cared about prisoners education.

Once they are out of prison, if applicable, they can contribute to society in a positive manner through the mental stimulation received in prison, she wrote in a text message.

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A burning bundle of sage and a Native-American prayer song filled the air Tuesday as dozens protested pipelines proposed in North Dakota and Florida.

At about 4 p.m., about 50 residents stood at the intersection of West University Avenue and North Main Street. Cars honked in support as the residents voiced concerns about plans to construct interstate gas pipelines through states in the Western and Southern U.S.

The 474-mile Sabal Trail pipeline is proposed to run from Alabama to Florida. It would cut through a dozen counties, including Alachua County, according to the pipeline projects website, but many protestors argued the pipeline may contaminate Floridas aquifer.

Pipeline Project Map

The pipeline would run through the western part of the county, near the cities of Newberry and Bronson, according to a map of the proposal on the Sabal Trail Transmissions website. The project is similar to the Dakota Access Pipeline, which has recently been met with large protests because the proposed pipeline would run underneath what many believe to be sacred Native American lands.

Jenn Powell, who organized the protest as a member of local grass-roots organization Alachua County Revolution, said the plans are an example of corporations lobbying government at the expense of residents.

She said although the Environmental Protection Agency approved the pipelines plan despite initial concern, she believes Sabal Trail may have lobbied the agency.

Corporations poisoning the American people for profit, Powell added.

She said Floridas water supply would be contaminated by the pipeline.

Thunder Skies, a member of the Apache Tribe, banged a cowhide drum in solidarity with his fellow Native Americans across the country  and with his fellow Floridians, he said.

Skies said he hoped residents of the county would educate themselves on Sabal Trails plans.

I hope more people will find out about it, the Gainesville resident said, because its not in the media.

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Jane McNulty, a 58-year-old Gainesville resident, said she learned of the North Dakota pipeline plans before learning of the Sabal Trail pipeline.

You would think we would know more about it in our area, but I think its been put under the radar, she said.

McNulty said she hoped Sabal Trail  and passersby  would learn of the protest and take opposition to the pipeline seriously.

Marci Munden lit a sage bundle and spread smoke around the protestors, cleansing the area in accordance with Native American tradition.

Watching protesters in North Dakota get attacked by dogs and pepper spray motivated her to protest Tuesday, the Lake City, Florida, resident said.

If it can happen there, she said, it can happen in Alachua County, which faces the same threat of environmental hazards.

If we dont stand up now, its gonna suck for our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren, Munden said.

Burning sage, which is sacred to Native Americans, on the corner of University Avenue and Main Street, Marci Munden chants for clean water for the Dakota people. "This is sacred work," Munden, 53, said of protesting the proposed oil pipeline in North Dakota.
SG party, candidates, begin collecting ideas from students for Fall platform

Impact Party, independent candidates, begin asking students for ways to improve UF

Nick Bussian stopped in between classes to write his thoughts on a board reading Before I Leave UF

On Tuesday, Impact Party took to Turlington Plaza to ask students for ideas to improve UF. The 20-year-old UF economics junior wrote he wants Student Government to be more transparent.

Platform generation will continue today and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m on Turlington Plaza and on the Reitz Union North Lawn, Impact President Janae Moodie wrote in an email.

After using chalk to scribble his thoughts, Bussian said he wants SG members to be open about policies and budgets.

I think you can never be too transparent about your policies and whats going on in the system, he said.

Moodie said Impact representatives will continue talking to as many students as possible.

Our platform is our contract to the Student Body, she said.

Jeremy OBrien Murillo, a UF political science freshman, is one of six independents running in the Fall election.

Murillo, whos running for the Beaty Towers Senate seat, said the independent candidates aren't forming a party, but they are working together and will have similar platform ideas taken from conversations with students.

The independent candidates will focus on campaign finance reform and implementing remote online voting, he said.

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I can speak for all the independent candidates when I say that Impact perpetuates a corrupt system we fundamentally disagree with, the 19-year-old said. Were standing in solidarity as independents.

Senators debate SG committee decisions after the Judiciary committee failed a bill

Student senators debated recent Student Government Judiciary Committee decisions during Tuesday nights meeting.

After the committee failed to allow a proposed bill limiting political party campaign spending to reach the Senate floor, citing U.S. Supreme Court decisions, Ford Dwyer (Law, Access) argued the committee shouldnt interpret the U.S. Constitution in issues of Student Government.

The committee deemed the bill unconstitutional because it violated First Amendment rights, but Dwyer said a 2012 UF Supreme Court opinion stated the UF court does not have the authority to interpret the U.S. Constitution, and its jurisdiction only applies to UFs Student Government. Dwyer said the same argument should apply to the committee.

I think thats worth a discussion, he said. It seems to me something Student Government shouldnt be doing.

He argued that if SG legislation has to abide by the free speech laws in the U.S Constitution, then rules in UFs 700 election codes determining when and how parties can operate would also be unconstitutional.

During his report, Judiciary Chairman Ben Weiner defended his committee's decision, restating that campaign spending is an extension of free speech, according to the U.S. Supreme Court.

We dont interpret the (U.S.) Constitution in the Judiciary Committee; we just follow the law, he said. If anyone thinks that we should not follow the U.S. Constitution, I respectfully disagree.
Angel Medina has been promoted to chief executive at Gibraltar Private Bank and Trust in Coral Gables, Fla.

The $1.6 billion-asset bank's president since 2013, Medina will succeed Adolfo Henriques, who has been CEO since 2012, according to the South Florida Business Journal.

Medina will remain president, while Henriques will stay aboard as chairman, a role he has held since 2012, according to Bloomberg. Henriques joined the bank as president and chief operating officer in 2011.

The bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

In February, Steven Hayworth, the bank's founder and former CEO, sued it for fraud and breach of contract after he was fired in 2012.

Also that month, the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network announced a $4 million civil money penalty against the bank, including $2.5 million levied by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, for defective anti-money-laundering programs.
The U.S. International Trade Commission determined that imports of hot-rolled steel from Australia, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom unfairly harm domestic producers.



The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on Monday determined that imports of hot-rolled steel from Australia, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom unfairly harm domestic producers and that these products in the case of Turkey are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

However, while the ITC agreed with an initial determination by the Commerce Department that the Brazilian and South Korean governments are subsidizing their hot-rolled steel exports, the commission found that the Turkish governments subsidies to this industry are negligible.

As a result of the ITCs affirmative determinations, Commerce will now issue countervailing duty orders on imports of hot-rolled steel products from Brazil and South Korea and antidumping duty orders on these imports from Australia, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom. No countervailing duty order, however, will be issued on these imports from Turkey, the ITC said.

The petitioners for these investigations included AK Steel Corp. of Ohio, ArcelorMittal USA in Illinois, Nucor Corp. of North Carolina, SSAB Enterprises in Illinois, Steel Dynamics of Indiana, and U.S. Steel Corp. in Pennsylvania.

In 2015, Commerce estimated that imports of certain hot-rolled steel from South Korea totaled $649.5 million, followed by Japan at $314.7 million, Brazil at $252.6 million, the Netherlands at $208.4 million, the United Kingdom at $197.1 million, Turkey at $181.7 million and Australia at $122.5 million.
The air cargo markets deceleration this year had a greater impact on third-quarter cargo revenues at American Airlines than its primary rivals, Delta and United Airlines. But the best revenue quarter in company history and a $483 million profit painted a positive financial picture that could be replicated in the final quarter thanks to resilient []
Today, institutional slavery conjures images of pre-Civil War Southern ownership of African slaves. However, slavery is an ancient practice dating from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as early Amer-Indian empires in Mexico and Central America. It was also well established and ideologically sanctioned in the Muslim world from the days of Mohammed.

Concurrently with African enslavement in the Americas, a flourishing slave trade existed from 1500 to 1800 of white Christian Europeans by the Muslims of North Africa's Barbary Coast. In his book Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters, Ohio State history professor Robert Davis takes a close look at this rarely discussed aspect of modern history.

Originating from the life of the Prophet Mohammed, slavery is deeply embedded in Islamic law and tradition. Muslims are required to follow the teachings of Mohammed, who was a slave owner and trader. Further, a large part of the sharia  in the Sunna of Mohammed and the Koran  is dedicated to the practice of slavery. Muslim caliphs typically had harems of hundreds of slave girls captured from Christian, Hindu, and African lands. Slavery is still practiced today in several Muslim countries and glorified by present-day jihadist groups.

In Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters, Davis describes how, from 1500 to 1800, Muslim corsairs from the Barbary Coast systematically enslaved white Christians from Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Iceland, Great Britain, Ireland, and Greece. The Muslims raided ships at sea and attacked coastal villages in an activity called "Christian stealing." During that time, Davis explains, the Mediterranean had a reputation as the sea where people vanished: fisherman or sailors on board boats, shepherds tending flocks, farmers toiling near the shore, and townspeople, including women and children, living in coastal communities. Coastal dwellers and those who traveled by ship constantly risked capture, violence, and exploitation at the hands of Barbary Coast Muslims.

As part of this jihad against Christianity begun in 1500, piracy and slaving were the main instruments used to deprive infidel communities of useful, productive citizens and to acquire booty. Davis estimates that during three centuries of Muslim predation, as many as 1.25 million Europeans were permanently and stealthily removed from their families and communities.

Stalked and entrapped victims would find themselves in a North African slave market within a few days of capture or on a longer voyage as their captors pursued additional booty. Often, the pirates would reappear at the victims' home port waving a truce flag and displaying to distraught relatives victims available for ransom. Wealthy captives could be freed within a few days or several months, while the less fortunate might be consigned to years of slavery or death in captivity. In addition to required labor, many slaves were forced to steal or sell water to pay for their primitive living quarters and pitiful food allotment.

From his research, Davis concluded that Muslim captives had about a 50% chance of being ransomed at some point. Meanwhile, only about half the captives survived the first five years of enslavement under the harsh living and working conditions they endured.

Davis compared the benefits for Muslim corsairs of capturing victims on ships versus those on land. Single ships rarely yielded as much booty as land raids, but they offered greater potential to acquire skilled tradesmen and seamen. Plus, those on board ships could often be coerced to divulge the location of stowed valuables and the wealth status of passengers. Passengers aboard ships were generally wealthier than fishermen and townspeople residing on land and were easier and better prey for ransom demands.

By far the worst kind of Muslim bondage was galley slavery. Three to five captives were chained by their wrists to an oar and by their ankles to a bench bolted to the ship's floor. Each ship, propelled mainly by rowing, required 150 to 300 men, who were forced to row often while receiving crippling blows from sticks. Galley slaves, who basically worked themselves to death to help their masters seize more slaves, rowed shirtless, received pitifully meager rations, and typically fouled themselves at their stations, while being tormented by rats, fleas, and various parasites.

Female captives served either as sex slaves in a harem or as domestic servants confined to household duties. Many concubines converted to Islam and were never ransomed. Young or adolescent boys were retained for military or sexual service.

According to Davis's research, the extent of the Barbary Coast slavery enterprise was so significant that fully one quarter of the population of Algiers were slaves during this period. The entire existence of the city was predicated on piracy and slave running. In Tunis and Tripoli, 10 to 20% of inhabitants were slaves.

Some European coastal communities became virtual ghost towns as residents fled to escape the perils of seafaring Muslim corsairs, Davis writes. Slave raids caused long-term and significant economic distress for affected communities, and hefty ransom demands rearranged property relationships. A villager who rescued a family member might be forced to relinquish title to land, a house, or a boat and find himself in the unenviable position of working the land or on the boat he had previously owned prior to his relative's captivity. Further, in ravaged European communities, churches were preoccupied with raising funds to rescue enslaved community members. Churches made constant, desperate attempts to acquire donations to free those in bondage.

Given the insights from Davis' research and the condoning of infidel enslavement under Islamic doctrine, it is not surprising that within the Muslim world, no widespread call for the abolition of slavery has ever been issued. In fact, slavery still exists in Chad, Niger, Mauritania, Mali, and Sudan. Pressure to end the practice came from the West. Not until as late as 1962 did Saudi Arabia, responding to U.S. pressure, officially abolish slavery. Today, we see that the Islamic State uses Islamic doctrine to justify the kidnapping and enslavement of Christian and Yazidi women and children, even issuing a Koran-sanctioned edict about the permissibility of sexual intercourse with pre-pubescent girls.

Davis's important research on white Christian slavery by Muslims helps shed some light on this continuing practice. Unfortunately, although the West has long abolished the practice of institutional slavery, ideological precepts enable the practice to continue, often undisputed, in parts of the Muslim world.
We recall with great fondness the late Chuck Hestons famous words at the 2000 NRA convention. Speaking beyond the audience to the perpetually scowling Al Gore, then the Democratic nominee for president, Heston cried: From my cold, dead hands, as he hoisted a musket into the air.

Such is the sensible application of Hestons declaration. Dont touch my freedom, Al, was Hestons point, and that includes my right to bear arms.

But such words or sentiment in the hands of a venal or narcissistic person can take on a sinister cast. Here, we conjure Hillary Clinton, perhaps the most flawed and foul presidential nominee in the republics history, whose adult existence  along with partner in crime life, Bill  has been one, big self-serving spree.

Bill rivals his bride in the flawed and foul sweepstakes, but his artfulness and political skills elevated him to the presidency (along with good luck). Its looking less and less like Hillarys making that leap. But throughout their careers, in words and deeds, Bill and Hill have declared: From my cold, dead hands youll take our power and prerogatives. That spells huge trouble for the Democratic Party heading into November.

Thus whatever the machinations among Democratic bigwigs and high-dollar donors are to engineer Hillary out of the Democratic nomination and the put Tim Kaine or Joe You Own Obamas Eight Years Biden into it, short of incapacitation or death, the likelihood that the tenaciously selfish Clintons will ride off into the sunset without an epic fight is scant.

Woe unto cynical and amoral Democrats who have hitched their wagons to the Clintons who have mined fat paychecks, enormous fees, and advantages through proximity to the dastardly duo. Woe unto their party, which is precariously close to being reduced to rubble by the venal, narcissistic Clintons; they who could give a fig about the damage wrought by their blind devotion to selves. (Woe unto the nation, if, for whatever perverse reasons, Hillary persuades enough voters in enough states to give her the requisite 270 electoral votes to put her and Bubba back in the White House.)

When, pray tell, have the Clintons ever surrendered anything of value to themselves? When havent they dragged Arkansans, kin and kith, supporters, allies, paramours, women in the wrong place at the wrong time, law partners, and a continent full of humans into the many dramas revolving around their struggles to acquire or retain stations, power, and prerogatives? Oh, and lots of moola. The Clinton Foundation and its offshoots are influence-peddling, pay-to-play scams from the word go.

The more pronounced the venality and/or narcissism the more destructive the person in their grip. Petty narcissists roam the planet, inflicting -- oh, shall we say -- microaggressions in service of their interests. Or as a matter of collateral damage in service of their interests. Lacking empathy, narcissists -- big, small and in-between -- use, abuse, and discard anyone and everyone in service of their interests.

Notorious narcissists -- presumed, if not diagnosed -- have, time and again, proven effective at larger scale destruction. What about Bernie Madoffs caper? Jonestown wound up as a population of corpses. Charlie Manson committed murder and mayhem mostly through the manipulation of followers. Charlies family paid steep prices for his criminality and their culpability. Then there was the misfit Austrian who, along with his Japanese buds, dragged a world into war, and then brought his Volk down with him when his fortunes sank.

A common thread in just those examples -- and an admonition to Democrats -- is that finally, terribly, the narcissist is indiscriminate in his or her destruction. Family, friends, and allies are no more immune from the narcissists calculations, recklessness, or wrath (when things go against her) than strangers.

Hillary has lived most of her adult life convicted that she has a destiny. One imagines its more a sense of entitlement that she achieves the presidency. She hasnt come this far or come this close to be denied her chance in November by lesser Democrats who  belatedly  see the dangers of following a corrupted and ill woman to the elections gallows this November.

The Democrats know perfectly well that Bill and Hill are corrupt; anyone in and around the Clintons have known so for decades. But the Clintons run of success and the muscle theyve developed as a result -- and their ability and luck in avoiding serious consequences for their corruption -- have made them irresistible to ambitious Democrats. Democrats have ridden the conceit that the dice would never come up snake-eyes for Bubba and his bride. A greedy myopia is fast pitching into hubris. Others have kept their mouths shut out of moral cowardice.

Hillary is a perfect storm -- a horrible gathering of lies, deceit, chicanery, crookedness, avarice, unbridled ambition, and much more. That swirling storm applies to her health concerns, too. Shes on the verge of bringing down a lot of Democrats as she goes down herself -- or taking them down if they dare attempt to deny her the prize of her lifetime, the presidency.

Go gentle into that good night? Not narcissists. Not the Clintons.
This past Friday night, Barbra Streisand hosted a fundraiser in New York for Hillary Clinton. It was largely an LGBT crowd. Ticket prices ranged from $1200 to $250,000. Streisand performed a clever version of Send in the Clowns to mock Trump.

Of course she did. And of course she promises to move to Australia if he is elected. She may have promised to move if Bush was re-elected too, but she's still here, raking in the big bucks, living large in Malibu with refrigerated closets for her furs. She is the epitome of the elites environmental movement; sacrifices for thee but not for me.

It was at this Manhattan event that Hillary, looking tired and spent, repeated her "basket of deplorables" line. (She had said it the day before on Israeli television.)

You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trumps supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right? The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic  you name it. And unfortunately there are people like that. And he has lifted them up. He has given voice to their websites that used to only have 11,000 people  now 11 million. He tweets and retweets their offensive, hateful, mean-spirited rhetoric. Now some of those folks  they are irredeemable, but thankfully they are not America.

The wealthy and privileged one per-center audience, Hillary's murder of crows, (so named for the folktale that says crows gather to decide the capital fate of another crow), wildly applauded. They loved the line and obviously agreed with it. They thought it was hysterical. What fun it is to make fun of the stupid people.

And it isn't just Hillary and her swell pals who sneer with venom and utter condescension at the millions of Americans who have been left behind by the policies of the Obama administration's "transformation of America." It is the whole of the Democratic Party elites; it is their mantra. It is what makes them feel so good about themselves, so superior. They are smarter that the rest of us morons.

It is the wealthy, powerful and progressive people who have given Clinton millions and millions of dollars to win the election to continue that transformation. They mean to rid the nation of any religiosity, any standards of decency beyond verbal political correctness, to rid us of biological notions of gender, of any protection of the unborn, that unfortunate consequence of sex. They mean to make the United States a nation of tribes: blacks, LGBT, Latinos, illegal immigrants, feminists, and almost any victim group, real or imagined. Their plan, as always, is to pit them all against each other. White heterosexual people, except for those who contribute generously to the progressive agenda, are meant to be at the bottom of the heap. That would include Trump supporters no matter what their color or national heritage. To this bunch, if you support Trump, you are a Neanderthal, an object of well-deserved ridicule. Of this they are certain.

The George Clooneys, Tom Steyers, Leo DeCaprios, Ben Afflecks, Beyonces and Lena Dunhams of the world just want to be members of this exalted club of celebrity, so they pay. Not one of them has a core belief. They want to party with the all the other famous people so they pony up and are rewarded with endless invitations to show up at events like the one Friday night that so loved hoary Hillary.

Much has been written and discussed these past few days about Hillary's remarks. Her surrogates swear this will not hurt her campaign, because, in their view, what she said is essentially true and is what her supporters believe. But for millions of others who have become aware of her comments, she is seen as even more imperious than they already knew. She considers herself entitled to be queen of the minions, American citizens for whom she has contempt.

The woman is a known pathological liar. With her Friday night slander, she has also has revealed herself to be an empress with no clothes. Her no-holds-barred quest for the presidency is, at this point, pathetic in its naked attempt to become a tyrant who intends to rule over her lesser being subjects. For their own good.

Her questionable health considerations aside, let us hope a parliament of owls prevails.
Once upon a time, if politicians were caught in a corruption probe, they would quickly resign their offices and attempt to hide from the embarrassing publicity, while praying that they would not go to jail. In addition, when public officials were exposed as incompetent, reckless, or negligent in the performance of duty, theyd step down amid a swirling tide of public outrage.

Not anymore! These days, it takes a lot more than bribery, mismanagement, or mendacity during congressional hearings to remove these reprobates from office. It seems as though weve arrived at a time in which those in power have rigged the system to keep from being penalized for their reckless disregard for the law.

Suppose you were the first black president of the U.S. and you knew that Republicans were loath to confront you on many serious issues because theyre afraid to be branded as racists. Suppose further that you appointed an attorney general who is black and female, hence doubly impervious to criticism from a white majority of elected representatives. Keep in mind that the A.G. is the boss of the justice system, including the FBI director.

Now, if Hillary Clinton had been recommended for prosecution because of the FBIs findings that she was reckless and negligent in her handling of classified national security documents, her chances to be elected president would likely have been reduced to slim to none. That would have practically guaranteed Donald Trump a victory on November 8.

If The Donald becomes the next president and fulfills his campaign pledges, one of the first items on his agenda will be the systematic dismantling of the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. Secondly, he could begin overturning, or making ineffective, many of Obamas executive orders. In addition, he might hire an A.G. to investigate the Clinton Foundation and the pay to play bribe-taking by Ms. Clinton during her suspicious wealth-gathering career as secretary of state. Moreover, the newly elected commander in chief could initiate a probe of the money-laundering scheme involving $400 million to Iran that Obama denied was a ransom payment for release of U.S. prisoners, in violation of the law.

And the foregoing could be just the beginning of a massive expose of the systemic corruption in the political establishment that runs this country like an organized crime empire.

The attempt by highly placed people in the government on both sides of the aisle to scuttle Trumps ambition is unprecedented in the history of politics in our country. Why are so many insiders conspiring to keep an outsider from pushing the curtain aside and looking in the tent? Is it possible that the level of corruption is so immense that if uncovered, elected officials from coast to coast could end up wearing orange jumpsuits? Is it unfathomable that top officials in our government have created an alliance with corporate giants and underworld figures to make exposure impossible? When I see an IRS director taking the Fifth during a congressional probe, Im reminded of Mafia goons smirking at the law.

What other explanation can there be for the gang mentality coming from GOP leaders who have been verbally bludgeoning their own nominee, thereby virtually assisting his opponent? Knowing full well that a Hillary Clinton presidency would mean a left-wing Supreme Court for generations to come, these deeply entrenched establishment moguls are proving that they care less about the country than they do about keeping the lid on their nefarious rise to power and wealth. Nevertheless, Mr. Trumps popularity with a large portion of the electorate continues, despite the knife in his back from those he vanquished in the primaries and the kick in the groin from a dishonest, biased media working indefatigably to distort every syllable he utters.

Hopefully, on November 8, the voters in this great country will prove they still have the moral certitude and political acumen to rip the blinders off and see through the charade being foisted on them by an administration that does not have their best interests in mind.

When the president, the attorney general, the director of the FBI, et al. have conspired to not merely shield a crook from prosecution, but elect her to the highest office in the land, they resemble mobsters who use bribes, threats, and murder to expand their criminal syndicate. What the Founding Fathers put together is now on life support, and the grasping fingers of criminal collusion and left-wing dogma are about to pull the plug.
Talk about selective editing. Charlie Rose of CBS was interviewing Bill Clinton about Hillary's health when the ex-president dropped what should have been a bombshell  that Hillary faints "frequently." But in later versions of the interview that were broadcast, CBS editors dropped the word, which set off a storm of protest.

The Hill:

"Well, if it is, then its a mystery to me and all of her doctors," Bill Clinton said when Rose asked him if Hillary Clinton was simply dehydrated or if the situation was more serious. "Frequently  well, not frequently, rarely, on more than one occasion, over the last many, many years, the same sort of things happened to her when she got severely dehydrated, and shes worked like a demon, as you know, as secretary of State, as a senator and in the year since." But the "CBS Evening News" version cut Clinton's use of "frequently" out. And a review by The Hill of the official transcript released by the network shows that Clinton saying "Frequently  well, not frequently," is omitted as well. Chuck Ross of The Daily Caller first discovered the edit of the television version. Oddly, unlike the "CBS Evening News" version, Clinton's use of "frequently" can be heard on a version played on "CBS This Morning." Time constraints unlikely played a role, since it takes less than three seconds for Clinton to say "frequently  well, not frequently." The Hill has reached out to CBS News for comment.

The "explanation" by CBS News belongs in the Campaign Funnies Hall of Fame:

CBS News has responded to a controversial edit of a Charlie Rose interview with former President Bill Clinton that did cut out his comment that Hillary Clinton "frequently" fainted in the past. "The clip in question from former President Clintons interview with Charlie Rose ran in its entirety on CBS THIS MORNING, CBSNews.com and on CBSN, CBS News 24/7 digital streaming news service," the network said in a statement. "One clip that ran on CBS Evening News was edited purely for time while on deadline for the live broadcast."

Here's the excerpt. Note how editing the word "frequently" changes the entire tenor of the answer:

BILL CLINTON: Shes doing fine. She was even better last night before she went to sleep. She had a good nights sleep. She just got dehydrated yesterday.

CHARLIE ROSE: Is that what happened? She just got dehydrated. Because when you look at that collapse, that video that was taken, you wonder if its not more serious than dehydration.

BILL CLINTON: Well, if it is then its a mystery to me and all of her doctors. Rarely, on more than one occasion, over the last many, many years, the same sort of things happened to her when she got severely dehydrated, and shes worked like a demon, as you know, as secretary of State, as a senator and in the year since.

CHARLIE ROSE: But, more importantly, shes on a grueling campaign. And you know what thats like, and she's older than you when you ran.

BILL CLINTON: And she had two and a half hard days before the day when she got dizzy. Today she made a decision, which I think was correct, to cancel her campaign day to take one more day to rest.

The edit by CBS News was extremely helpful  to Hillary. There is no doubt that Bill Clinton immediately realized the import of using the word "frequently" when describing Hillary's fainting spells and sought to edit himself later in the sentence. But it raises a question.

Did the ex-president contact CBS and request that the word be deleted?

The idea that it was cut for time constraints is laughable. This has all the earmarks of a Clinton whitewash. And CBS News was a willing partner.
I am not deplorable. Heres why.

I am not a racist  but I do resent anyone who uses the color of his skin as an excuse to bully me in any way. I judge people on the content of their character, not the color of their skin. A racist, no matter what color his skin is, is someone who does judge someone by the color of his skin. It is not a one-way street.

I am not sexist  I judge people based on the content of their character, not whats between their legs.

I am not homophobic. I dont care  it is what it is. But I do ask that if you want me to respect you, you have to respect me, too.

I am not xenophobic  a country is not a country without borders. It is not a civil society without laws. If you dont like the laws, change them  dont break them.

I am not Islamophobic. Islam is not a religion; it is a complete way of life (political, judicial, every part of life). Ive read their book. It condones horrible treatment of women. It condones killing those who disagree with them. Many take that teaching literally and have harmed Americans. Many dont want to assimilate into an American way of life. They want to have us assimilate into theirs. Who are they, and how do we discern who is who? That is not a phobia  it is reality that should concern every freedom-loving American.

The elite may be able to live above the world they are trying to design for us so they can call us names and try to shame us into shutting up. But this is my country and my world that they are destroying. When they flood our streets with people who are not interested in assimilating, who take our jobs, flood our schools and hospitals, use taxpayer dollars in assistance, only to want to have us submit to their way of life  I will not be silenced.

I am not deplorable. I am an American who loves our country.

How dare a presidential candidate, who claims to be compassionate, take our concerns and turn them into an ugly label? We are Americans who are deeply concerned about our schools, our jobs, our childrens safety, and our culture. What happened to our representative government? Why are our elected leaders more interested in what is best for non-citizens and labeling citizens with ugly labels when we see clearly what the influx of immigrants, who have no desire to assimilate, is doing to our lives?

America has always been a melting pot where out of many we become one nation. What is happening to us now is a balkanization, where we are being divided and where our leaders create labels and finger-pointing, making everyone an enemy of someone else. That is not what leaders do.

Stop the name-calling, Hillary.

I am not deplorable. I am an American.
At the commencement of President Obamas first term in 2009, he tried to shut down the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program. A highly successful charter school program, with a 91% high school graduation rate. Our first African-American president wanted to send the D.C. Opportunity students, of which 95% are black, back to failing public schools. John Boehner deserves credit for winning at least one congressional battle against President Obama. He held firm on preserving the D.C. voucher program.

This president cares so little for the educationally disadvantaged that he continued to try to dismantle the voucher program every year of his two terms. Mr. Obama promised hope and change but offered hopelessness. He tried to relegate poverty-stricken children to a substandard education while sending his children to elite private schools. If that was change we could believe in, no wonder few Americans still believe in him.

Even our biased media occasionally acknowledges that the Democratic Party sleeps with the National Education Association. Their relationship, financed with taxpayer money, is a Democrat sacred cow. President Obama should be in the business of protecting students, not the NEA. Unfortunately, K-12 students do not vote, pay dues, or fill Democratic coffers.

Donald Trump supports vouchers and school choice. He wants to put the educational power back into parental hands, which is intolerable to both Democrats and the teacher unions. They claim that unlimited vouchers will lead to school closures, thereby worsening the situation for the children left behind.

Lets apply their logic this way. If your neighborhood market started selling old meat, would you continue shopping there? Of course not. You would find a store that sold fresh meat. You wouldnt even allow the possibility of the store closing down to prevent you from shopping elsewhere. Since you will not sacrifice your childrens health, why would you sacrifice their education?

A store that wants to stay in business will quickly find a new meat supplier. Likewise, if poor schools want to stay in business, they will fire poor teachers and administrators and abandon failing policies. They will hire dedicated teachers and exemplary administrators and introduce successful programs that enhance student performance. Otherwise, they will close down, as they should.

Parents must be allowed to use the same common sense they use when shopping for food to shop for schools. That is possible only if parents have control. Voucher programs empower parents, not the teacher union. Democrats need to understand that a government by the people can work only if the people maintain their right to govern. Robotic loyalty works great for robots, not for people.

Samuel E. Tolley, III CPM , B.A., M.A. is the author of Enemy of Christ: Revelation 21:8. Follow Samuel on his website: inhimfirst.com, email inhimfirst@sbcglobal.net, Facebook, or Twitter.
Warning: This is not from The Onion.

Are you a devout Muslim worried about completing your Eid al-Adha animal sacrifice? Are you tired of fighting the crowds to get that goat or lamb youve had your eye on since the hajj started? Tired of cleaning up all the blood and guts while your family impatiently waits to prepare the meal?

Well, fear no more. The Islamic Development Bank, based in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, takes all the worry out of your animal sacrifice needs by offering the electronic coupon animal sacrifice system. Thanks to the banks new technology and SMS messaging, Muslims are now able to make their sacrifice without getting blood on their hands. Pilgrims around the world now have the option of using computer-generated coupons to order an animal sacrifice on the holidays marking the end of the hajj.

Cmon, Lamb Chop, my iPhone says youre next.

Rabie Saleh, a Sudanese in line at a Saudi post office at Mina's Jamarat Bridge, said, "If each pilgrim himself sacrificed a sheep, there wouldn't be enough space." And postal worker Mansour al-Maliki explains that "as soon as someone buys from us, a request is sent to the Islamic Bank through our system and a sheep is slaughtered in an abattoir." Mishal Qahtani, a Saudi pilgrim, is another satisfied customer: "They told me that I will soon get an SMS to tell me that a sheep has really been slaughtered."

Who can argue with the systems efficiency ease of access  and all for only $123.00 per sacrifice? Stay tuned for more innovative business ideas from the Mid-East.

John Smith is the pen name of a former U.S. intelligence officer.
A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed at the State Department today by Israel and the U.S., pledging a record $38 billion over 10 years for the Jewish state.

It's the largest aid package in history. Not lost on anyone is the fact that this is an election year, and President Obama's attitude toward Israel has been, at best, hostile. Proposing such a large aid package is designed to solidify the Jewish vote.

CNN:

"It's an important message to the region that nobody should misread the differences between the US and Israel when it comes to Iran or policy differences when it comes to the Palestinians," said David Makovsky, director of the Project on the Middle East Peace Process at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "At the core, the US remains very committed to Israel's long-term security." Israeli perceptions that sanctions relief provided as part of the nuclear deal would allow Tehran to wreak greater havoc in the region drove Jersusalem's argument that the deal should be much larger than previous packages. Regional unrest in Syria and Iraq deepened Israeli concerns. READ: Opinion: Why Iran deal is good for Israel New York Representative Nita Lowey, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement Tuesday that the agreement would put Israel "in a better position to address turmoil and instability in the region and therefore be able to better protect its citizens and secure its borders." Some reports put Netanyahu's initial aid request as high as $45 billion. In the end, political imperatives may have driven both sides toward an agreement. Obama will be able to leave the White House in an election year saying that Democrats have done more than any other party to protect a long-standing ally. His party's presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, can claim part of that legacy as Obama's former secretary of state and will likely pledge to continue those policies in her campaign appeals to pro-Israel voters. "I think President Obama sees this as vindication of his belief that there's an iron-willed distinction between his commitment to Israel's security and whatever policy differences might exist between the two countries," Makovsky said. For Netanyahu, reaching an agreement now removes any of the uncertainty that might surround the decisions made by Obama's successor. The agreement sets the Israeli prime minister up for a successful visit to New York next week for the UN General Assembly, where he is expected to meet with Obama. And there is symbolic value as well in having a Democrat ink this deal with Israel, Makovsky said. "By ensuring that a liberal Democrat has signed this deal, it's a way of locking in bipartisan support."

It should be pointed out that the money would still need to be appropriated by Congress and weapon sales approved. There is no guarantee that if Democrats are in control, the full amount will be appropriated.

This is especially relevant given the probability that over the next 10 years, Israel will be forced into another war with Hamas and perhaps feel the necessity of taking out the Iranian bomb program. Liberals may use the aid package as a club to prevent Israel from defending itself.

All of this is apparent to Prime Minister Netanyahu, who wanted a larger package. What he got was significantly less than he asked for, contributing to the uncertainty over how strong the U.S. commitment to Israeli security really is.
Secretary of State John Kerry appears to have followed the Clinton lead in enriching his family at taxpayer expense, according to a report by the Daily Caller:

More than $9 million of Department of State money has been funneled through the Peace Corps to a nonprofit foundation started and run by Secretary of State John Kerry's daughter, documents obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation show.

The Department of State funded a Peace Corps program created by Dr. Vanessa Kerry and officials from both agencies, records show. The Peace Corps then awarded the money without competition to a nonprofit Kerry created for the program.

The Daily Caller indicates that Dr. Kerry's project was awarded a $2-million contract in September 2012, when then-senator Kerry was "the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, which oversees both the Department of State and the Peace Corps."

A $6.4-million extension to the contract was awarded in September 2015, when Dr. Kerry's father was secretary of state, and an additional "almost $1 million" modification was added to the initial contract to cover additional expenses.

The Peace Corps contract awarded to Dr. Kerry's organization, now called Seed Global Health, "sends volunteer physicians and nurses to medical and nursing schools" in several African countries.

The Daily Caller goes on to detail the various meetings and discussions surrounding the launch and funding of the program, and adds a few observations in summary:

Kerry and government officials colluded to launch the program and ensure that Seed would get the contract[.] ... Officials  also assured Kerry that she would not have to compete with other groups for Department of State funds[.] ... Meanwhile, the State Department buried its intent to transfer funds to the Peace Corps in its required congressional notification[.]

The Seed Global Health IRS Form 990, titled "The Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax," which is linked in the Daily Caller article, indicates that Dr. Kerry was compensated $140,000 for 30 hours of work per week in the year ending September 30, 2014.

For its part, the Peace Corps claims it has been unable to find another group to compete in filling the needs of the program.

The Daily Caller quotes a spokesman for the Seed organization who notes that Dr. Kerry is "primarily" employed elsewhere in the medical field, and the column also quotes a State Department spokesman who indicates that there is "absolutely no conflict of interest here."

Investor's Business Daily has posted an editorial with a different take on the apparent corruption at State:

What is it about Democrats and the State Department? Despite their repeated claims of transparency, it turns out that both Hillary Clinton and current Secretary of State John Kerry used their positions to enrich members of their own families  at taxpayer expense. Another conflict of interest. Crony capitalism, anyone? Whether you think that what Seed does in Africa  it helps train doctors and nurses  is valuable or not, this no-competition grant to a nonprofit founded by a top official's daughter reeks of rank favoritism at best, corruption at worst. The U.S. State Department used to be known for its high-toned and principled stands in defense of U.S. foreign-policy goals and interests. But today, after two Democratic leaders, it appears to be more of a revolving door for crony capitalists. Such clear conflicts of interest used to raise political hackles.

A rigged system, indeed.
The Washington Post went through an entire article without anti-Israel bias, only to succumb on the last sentence because it just couldn't resist the temptation. In "Palestinian President Abbas was once a KGB spy, report claims" (09/09/16), the last sentence states that Mahmoud Abbas "spent time in Moscow as a student and wrote his doctoral thesis on the Holocaust while studying there."

Abbas didn't write his doctoral thesis "on" the Holocaust. He wrote against the concept of the Holocaust. Even The NY Times wrote, "Mr. Abbas has been vilified as a Holocaust denier because in his doctoral dissertation, published as a book in 1983, he challenged the number of Jewish victims and argued that Zionists had collaborated with Nazis to propel more people to what would become Israel" (Mahmoud Abbas shifts on Holocaust [04/26/14]). Further, according to Israeli publication Arutz Sheva ("Report: Abbas' Holocaust-Denial Dissertation Widely-Taught in PA" [04/28/11]), Abbas's dissertation "downgrades the number of Holocaust victims to '[possibly] below one million,' and accuses Zionist leaders of encouraging the persecution of Jews. It also denies that the gas chambers were used to murder Jews, quoting a 'scientific study' to that effect by French Holocaust-denier Robert Faurisson."

Saying that Abbas wrote his doctoral thesis "on" the Holocaust is like saying that Adolph Hitler merely wrote his anti-Semitic manifesto Mein Kampf "on" Jews.
One of the most infamous dolphin hunting season has begun on the small coastal town of Taiji, in southwestern Japan. Hundreds of dolphins are herded into a small cove by fishermen on boats and then slaughtered for meat or captured to be sold to aquariums and marine parks around the world. These annual hunts last for six months, from the beginning of September through the end of February, during which close to two thousand dolphins are killed.

The hunt takes place early morning, usually before sunrise. A small group of fishermen get into a dozen motorized boats and head towards the region where dolphins are known to migrate. Once a pod of dolphin is found, the fishermen lower several stainless steel poles into the water and strike them with mallets. The noise disrupts the dolphin's sonar throwing off their navigation and causing them to panic. This enables the fishermen to drive the panicked dolphins towards the bay which leads to a sheltered cove. Once inside, the mouth of the cove is sealed with nets trapping the dolphins inside.

Photo credit: Japan Times

At this point, the dolphins are too agitated to hunt. So the fishermen leave them to cool off for the night. The next morning, the fishermen enter the bay in small boats, and kill the dolphins one at a time. In the past, the fishermen used to stab the dolphins with sharp hooks and harpoons and bleed them to death turning the waters of the cove red with blood. Protests and condemnation against this practice has forced the fishermen to adopt a different killing technique. Nowadays, the dolphins are killed by driving a long metal rod into the cervical region of the dolphin, severing its brainstem, which supposedly kills them within seconds. In realty, the dolphins thrash about in agonizing pain for several minutes. To prevent spilling blood into the cove and turning it red, which would look really bad and inhumane, the fishermen push wooden corks into the wounds.

Aside from the physical pain, the dolphins undergo extreme psychological distress. The hunters would often release the smaller and younger dolphins and kill only the larger adults as they provided more meat. The released animals are traumatized and stressed by the hunts and rarely survive for long without the support of their pod. A pod is not just a random collection of dolphins, but is largely built on dolphin families with very close relations. When dolphins within a pod die, members of the pod exhibit signs of grieving and distress just like humans do.

Photo credit: Nat Geo

The gruesome hunting was secretly filmed by National Geographic photographer Louie Psihoyos in 2009 for the Academy Award-winning documentary The Cove. Since the release of the documentary, the hunt has created an outrage across the world. Millions of people, animal activists and organizations have demanded that the hunting be stopped. But this isnt going to happen, because its a multi-million-dollar industry and is supported by the Japanese government.

The government issues permits to hunt dolphins, whales and other marine animals. About 1,800 permits for dolphin are issued per year. Along with porpoises and other small whales, the total number of permits issued for a single hunting season exceeds well over 16,000. This is a significant drop from 23,000 permits that were annually issued at the time the documentary was made.

The fall in demand for dolphin meat is largely due to efforts from non-profit organizations and activists who have been educating the Japanese people about the dangers of eating mercury-contaminated dolphin meat. In 2015, the World Association of Zoos an Aquariums (WAZA) also banned the buying and selling of dolphins from the controversial hunt, after protests and pressure from global organizations. But there are still plenty of marine parks that do not belong to WAZA and are ready to buy dolphins from Taiji.

Related: Mass Whale Hunting in Faroe Islands Leave Sea Blood Red

Sources: Wikipedia / Save Dolphins / Huffington Post / Australia for Dolphins
As it turns out, Alexa was right. Almost two years after releasing Amazon Echo in the US, Amazon announced that its smart speaker running the Alexa voice assistant is making its way to Europe. Well, some parts of Europe, at least. More specifically, the Seattle-based tech giant has opened up preorders for Amazon Echo in the United Kingdom and Germany earlier today. The speaker is priced at 149.99 in the UK and 179.99 in Germany while the preorders will start shipping on September 28th and October 26th, respectively. Amazon Prime customers are also eligible for a 50 or 50 discount on their orders if they pay for the device by the end of the week.

This news is rather significant given how it expands the availability of the Echo, which was so far exclusively available for purchase in the US. The plans to bring it to the UK and Germany were announced earlier today at a special Amazon event held in London. During the short presentation, Amazon representatives have revealed that British and German consumers will be able to purchase Echo in two versions  the original black one and the brand-new white one. The latter will also be available in the US as of September 28th.

With the European launch of Echo, Amazon will also open up Alexas skills kit to more developers who will now be able to work on new features and integration with apps and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. In addition to that, the Seattle-based company has announced that its partnering with the likes of Sky Sports, Spotify, Uber, and Jamie Oliver in the UK in order to better integrate their services in its voice assistant living inside Amazon Echo. Some specific examples of upcoming features that were mentioned during todays Amazon event include Alexas ability to dictate Jamie Olivers recipes and summaries of Sky Sports news broadcasts. In addition to that, Alexa will be able to place Just Eat orders for you and dictate train commute times thanks to its integration with the National Rails database. Amazon refused to comment on the possibility of Amazon Echo making its way to even more European countries stating that its currently only focused on launching its smart speaker in the UK and Germany.
Earlier this week, the Google-backed First Draft News media coalition announced that Facebook and Twitter are the latest two big names in the industry which agreed to join its fight against fake news and improve the general quality of journalism. More specifically, the said network was founded with the goal of facilitating communication between media organizations, social media platforms, and general tech companies so that all three can more efficiently gather, publish, and distribute news. In addition to that, the union will also attempt to improve communication between individual eyewitnesses and news organizations which may be interested in their stories.

Google believes that funding First Draft News is important in todays day and age due to the increasing number of fake news stories that are spreading online on a daily basis. The Mountain View-based tech giant took a bigger interest in the journalism industry in recent years and has been working independently in order to change it for the better. Its latest step in that endeavor before First Draft News was prioritizing local news stories within Google News.

In that regard, the fact that two of the largest social networks on the planet agreed to support the coalition is incredibly important given how platforms like Facebook and Twitter arent just news aggregators anymore and are often playing the role of news sources. Members of the First Draft News network will agree to steps regarding verification of information contained in online articles which have the potential to go viral but details on this partnership are still vague at the moment.

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Apart from Facebook and Twitter, First Draft Media already got a bunch of other big names to sign up to its cause. These include New York Times, Washington Post, Channel 4 News, and BuzzFeed News in the US, the Australian ABC News, and the European Agence France-Presse. All of them have the status of official partners in the coalition and have expressed the desire to cooperate in order to improve the general quality of online journalism.

First fruits of this collaboration are yet to be seen but Facebooks journalism partnerships manager Aine Kerr has already announced that the largest social network on the planet will definitely benefit from First Draft News. Namely, she expressed a strong belief that the union will allow Facebook to showcase the products and technologies it has built specifically for journalists while the social network can assist it by preventing the distribution of information that is confirmed as fake.
The Xiaomi Mi 5s is one of the upcoming high-end smartphones. This device has been rumored for a while now, and the phone got certified by AnTuTu quite recently as well. AnTuTus listing confirmed its partial specification, which is something well talk about in a second, and the rumors are constantly rolling out. Some people think that the Mi 5s might launch alongside the Mi Note 2, a device which is expected to be announced soon, while others think that Xiaomi will host a separate event in order to unveil this smartphone. No matter what the case may be, another Xiaomi Mi 5s leak just surfaced, and is accompanied by a rumor, read on.

According to Wang Yang, a member of the IHS Technology team, the Xiaomi Mi 5s will sport Qualcomms ultrasonic fingerprint scanner (called Sense ID). The source claims that this fingerprint scanner will be placed underneath the glass on the Xiaomi Mi 5s, and that it will be the first of its kind on a smartphone. Now, in addition to this rumor, we also have a leak to share with you, though this does not come from the same source. The image you can see down below leaked in China recently, and it shows off this fingerprint scanner in action, and the Xiaomi Mi 5s is also mentioned in it, as you can see. So, if this rumor and leak are accurate, we can expect to see Qualcomms ultrasonic fingerprint scanner included in the Xiaomi Mi 5s, which essentially means that the phone might ship without a physical home key, as the fingerprint scanner is expected to be included under the glass (quite probably below the display).

As mentioned earlier, the Xiaomi Mi 5s got certified by AnTuTu quite recently. According to that info, the device will sport a fullHD display, and even though the listing does not mention it, you can expect to see a 5.15-inch panel here, as Xiaomi is expected to use Xiaomi Mi 5s display here. Qualcomms Snapdragon 821 64-bit quad-core SoC is expected to fuel this smartphone, along with the Adreno 530 GPU. Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow was also mentioned by AnTuTu, and the company will include their MIUI 8 OS on top of Googles Android OS. In addition to all this, the Mi 5s is rumored to sport a 3,490mAh battery and two nano SIM card slots, while it will be made out of metal and glass.

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The HTC 10 is one of the best smartphones currently available out in the market. This handset has it all, great build, premium specs, very capable camera, etc. The HTC 10 might be a great phone, but HTC will need far more than a single device in order to get back to the right path, the companys sales havent exactly been good in the last couple of years, and this Taiwan-based company is constantly looking for ways to change that. That being said, the company has been teasing the September 20th event for quite some time now, and many people are guessing that the Desire 10 will be introduced during that event, but according to a new report, we might see two new smartphones announced by the company, read on.

According to Economic Daily News (EDN), HTC will introduce two smartphones on September 20th, the Desire 10 Pro and Desire 10 Lifestyle will be announced. Now, the former handset is expected to be the companys high-end offering, while the latter one will be a mid-range smartphone. Judging by the info we have at the moment, the HTC Desire 10 Pro will sport a 5.1-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) display, along with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. Qualcomms Snapdragon 820 64-bit quad-core processor will fuel this phone, and a 12-megapixel shooter will be placed on the back of this phone. The HTC Desire 10 Lifestyle, on the other hand, is said to sport a 5.5-inch 720p (1280 x 720) display, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of native storage. This phone will probably ship with Qualcomms Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor, which is actually a 32-bit chip. Another thing worth mentioning here is the fact that these two phones will feature fingerprint scanners, and will be the first Desire-branded devices to ship with such sensors.

Now, the Desire 10 Lifestyle makes sense, its an affordable smartphone, and presuming that HTC gets its price right, it might appeal to some consumers. The Desire 10 Pro is well, nobody expected it, presuming these specifications are accurate. Judging by the specs, this is essentially the HTC 10 in another form, all the specs that weve listed in the second paragraph are identical to the ones the HTC 10 sports, except the HTC 10 comes in 64GB storage variant as well, and has a slightly larger display (a 5.2-inch panel). So were essentially getting the companys flagship with a mid-range branding in a different shell? Doesnt really make all that much sense, does it now. Well, well see what happens on September 20th, keep in mind these are just rumors, at least for the time being.
The Samsung Galaxy A8 2016 edition continues to elude us. Judging by the release time frame of last years model, the sequel should have already been unveiled by now but this isnt the case and instead, the Samsung Galaxy A8 2016 keeps rearing its head through unofficial channels instead. The device was already spotted in the databases of benchmarking websites Geekbench and GFXBench, and has already passed through the FCC, signaling what could be an imminent market release. Now, the Samsung Galaxy A8 2016 has made yet another unofficial appearance, this time in the benchmarking tool AnTuTu.

According to a new post on the Chinese microblogging website Sina Weibo, the Samsung Galaxy A8 2016 recently paid AnTuTu a visit, showcasing some of its characteristics. The list includes model number SM-A810F, and goes on to mention that the device is powered by a Samsung Exynos 7420 System-on-Chip housing four Cortex-A57 cores clocked at 2.1 GHz, four Cortex-A53 cores operating at frequencies of up to 1.5 GHz, and an 8-core Mali-T760 graphics chip. The model exposed in AnTuTu appears to accommodate a Full HD (1920 x 1080) display, as well as an 8-megapixel main camera coupled with a 5-megapixel front-facing sensor. Last but not least, the AnTuTu spec sheet includes 64 GB of on-board storage, as well as 3 GB of RAM. However, it should be noted that, according to all the previous leaks, this wont be the only configuration available for the Samsung Galaxy A8, and in certain regions, the device will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 System-on-Chip with an Adreno 405 GPU.

All in all, the information above is not entirely new, but it does confirm most bits of information revealed thus far. Specifications aside, the Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016) should wrap its components in an updated design similar to the Samsung Galaxy S7, presumably boasting a more modern 2.5D display as well as a glass back panel  as seen in the unofficial render above. As far as pricing is concerned, theres no official word on the matter but the source behind the AnTutu screenshot below expects the smartphone to hit the shelves in China for the price of 2,000 Yuan give or take, which would translate to about $300 at todays conversion rate.
Democracy manifest: Corbyns women fight over his seat in boundary changes plot

New constituency boundaries will result in 600 MPs sitting at Westminster  we have 650 now. What this will do to London markets in second-homes, vanity mirrors and prostitutes can only be guessed at. Emily Thornberry (lab) calls it a gerrymandering sham. I am sure that there is no conspiracy, she told in the Commons whilst rolling her eyes.

The FT explains:

They are also designed to bring greater consistency to constituencies, which form an irregular patchwork of sizes  covering between 21,000 people and 110,000. In the future each seat will be formed from 71,000 to 78,500 constituents.

The BBC adds:

Many experts believe the shake-up goes some way to remedying anomalies in the system  such as the disparities in constituency sizes which means MPs need different amounts of votes to get elected  which were historically unfair on the Tories. But Labour claims the opposite, accusing the Conservatives of seeking to gerrymander the boundaries to their own political advantage

Tristram Hunt (Lab) is unhappy:

In an act of grotesque gerrymandering, some 23 Labour seats will be liquidated, hundreds of other seats affected and 2 million voters disenfranchised. On an out-of-date electoral register, hundreds of thousands of young people who registered to vote in the EU referendum are being denied a voice in the new constituencies. Wales will lose a quarter of its representatives as no account is taken of the asymmetric needs of the Union. While the Tories pack the Lords, they are thinning out the Commons beginning, with their usual gift for power, with Jeremy Corbyns own Islington North seat that is set to be discontinued. Driving these changes is not a considered idea about the nature of representation and accountability in the 21st century, but David Camerons arbitrary desire to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600. So it was perhaps only fitting that he chose to quit on the day the Boundary Commission announced its conclusions.

Owen Jones agrees

A ruthless gerrymandering of British democracy to favour the partisan interests of the Conservative party: thats what the new electoral boundary proposals amount to.

Asa Bennett tells Telegraph readers Labour and its supporters are crying because theyve lost an advantage.

Step forward the independent Boundary Commission, which unveiled its initial proposals today for how to divide voters on much fairer lines in England. This will come as part of a wider review aiming to balance the distribution of voters across 600 seats in time for the 2020 General Election. The Commission is an outside body. It has no party allegiance. It is a professional outfit, not a bunch of Tory stooges. .. the boundary reviews critics have a choice. They could either calm down and engage constructively with the proposals, or they could dismiss it as a Tory plot. They may find that comforting, but a review of the system is overdue. Britons will not appreciate having to continue with a system where some of their votes arent as valuable as others simply to satisfy Labour and Liberal Democrat egos.

The Times predicts:

Research conducted by the political website Electoral Calculus found that planned alterations to the size and make-up of constituencies would increase the Conservative majority from the current 12 seats to a comfortable 48-seat lead. Coupled with recent changes in the publics voting intentions as support for Labour and Ukip slips, the net effect would give the Conservatives a majority of 90 seats in a smaller House of Commons.

And this is great:

Jeremy Corbyns parliamentary seat is set to disappear under boundary changes to be announced today, forcing him to fight for a seat at the 2020 general election. The Labour leaders Islington North seat could vanish under plans to redraw the electoral map from 650 to 600 seats. Mr Corbyns seat is set to be divided between Diane Abbott and Emily Thornberry.

Democracy in action.

Anorak

Posted: 14th, September 2016 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
Theresa May: sexist TUC demand sensible shoes for all working women

Where do we stand on womens shoes? Sky News reports that Unions want Theresa May to dress down  literally:

May has been urged to kick off her kitten heels and wear flat shoes instead to support a campaign against women being forced to wear high heels at work. The call came during a debate at the TUC conference in Brighton in which delegates backed a demand for a new law to ban workers being compelled to wear stilettos.

The story can be linked to a story back in May, when Nicola Thorps employment agency told her she must wear high heels for her part-time job as a receptionist. She said the demand was discriminatory. After a bout of news on Nicolas shoes, the employers dress-coded was revised.

Meanwhile, Jenny Robinson, of the GMB, thundered:

We now have someone running the country who can set an example for the rest of us by making a point of wearing sensible shoes.

Over in Australia: Former Army chief David Morrison says no to domestic violence at a Walk a Mile in their Shoes event. He eschewed trainers, ballet pumps and Wellington boots for a pair of high heels.

Any excuse.

Anorak

Posted: 14th, September 2016 | In: Politicians, Reviews Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink
(ANSAmed) - ROME, SEPTEMBER 14 - According to data as of September 9, Italy has registered 75,681 asylum applications of which 13,555 have been examined in 2016, prefect Angelo Trovato said Wednesday. Trovato, the president of the National commission for asylum rights, released the data during an audition at the parliamentary committee to control the implementation of the Schengen agreement.

''Males are the great majority, 64,638, against 11,043 women'', said Trovato. ''In terms of the countries of origin, there is a difference on the data provided in June, because flows and nationalities of origin have changed: the first country today is Nigeria with 14,291 asylum requests, followed by Pakistan with 10,209. Then there are the African countries of Gambia, Eritrea with a significant increase compared to the previous years, the Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali and so on''.

''From January 1 until today - he continued - the average timing to examine an asylum request has been 106 days, on average the best timing in Europe'', against the 250 days in 2014 and 2015.

In particular, this year 13,555 applications were examined, he said, challenging ''any other European country to do what we did''.
(ANSA) - Strasbourg, September 14 - "Prudence" is needed on liberalising visas for Turks and it can happen only when Ankara has fulfilled all the requirements, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told a plenary session of the European Parliament Wednesday.

The European Union, he added, is living through an "existential crisis" with European citizens fed up with the "scant consistency" of their governments, which are not very pro-European in their national parliaments.

Juncker said that the European Stability and Growth Pact was a key mechanism of the EU economic and financial systems, and must not become "a flexibility pact". The EC chief also announced the doubling of the EU's investment fund to 500 billion euros until 2020.


(ANSA) - Reggio Calabria, September 13 - Calabria's regional council said on Tuesday that a demonstration would be held on October 21 in the coastal town of Melito di Porto Salvo to raise awareness around a recent case of gang-rape and blackmail of a local 13-year-old girl.

The abuse took place for over a year, from the end of 2013 to the start of 2015. Police last week arrested eight suspects, including an underage boy.

The "Calabria says no to violence against women" initiative will be "an occasion to show your face, come out in the square by the side of the young victim and plan concrete ways to fight this unacceptable violation of human rights," the council's press office said in a statement.

Calabria Governor Mario Oliverio said he would be inviting senior politicians from around Italy as well as local community leaders.

Investigators say one of the assailants, most of whom are in their 20s, started a romantic relationship with the teen and then forced her to have sex with his friends.

The gang then blackmailed her by threatening to post intimate photos of her online, and threatened a young boy she had started dating.

Among those under arrest is Giovanni Iamonte, 30, whose father Remingo Iamonte is currently serving time in prison and is believed to be the head of the Iamonte clan of the local 'Ndrangheta mafia in Melito Porto Salvo, which is near Reggio Calabria.

The eight suspects face charges including aggravated rape, sex with a minor, possession of child pornography, stalking, and serious bodily harm.

According to local reports, some community members may have known about the abuse and chose to remain silent, and a recent local rally to condemn the abuse organised by an anti-mafia association was sparsely attended.

photo: Governor Oliverio
(ANSA) - Rome, September 14 - The case of a 31-year-old woman who committed suicide Tuesday in the town of Mugnano following a legal battle to remove explicit videos from the Internet sparked calls Wednesday for increased attention to online insults and violent misogyny.

Antonella Bozzaora, head of the psychologists association of the Campania region, stressed that women and girls are "victims of a society in which there is a sexist mentality that leaves women open to constant harassment. It is a mentality that is still deeply rooted in our country and in the Western world in general." "(The woman's) suicide," Elena Centemero, Forza Italia MP tasked with education issues and the head of the Council of Europe's Equality and Non-Discrimination Commission, "stuns us all because it is the expression of the violence and hate that uses the web as a vehicle and that finds fertile ground in social networks. Aspects of stalking are seen, with daily doses of derision and ridicule perpetrated through social networks." She added that "it is once again a woman who is the target of violence and hate", and that schools must instill respect for individuals and responsible use of social networks. There is also, however, she added, "the need for internet and social network managers to bring in policies to fight this type of hate and violence". MP Donata Lenzi, head of the Democratic Party (PD) group in the Social Affairs Commission, stressed instead that laws regulating such crimes needed to be brought in as soon as possible.

"We are faced with illegal acts that can no longer be passed off as childish pranks. This is a phenomenon that cannot be ignored and must be dealt with in a complete manner, with educative measures for minors, sanctions for adults and a rapid removal from the internet of defamatory words and images." "These are the main points of the draft law that will be discussed at the Chamber of Representatives starting on Monday," she said. "The draft law was created in memory of Carolina", a 14-year-old who killed herself in January 2013 after several teenage boys circulated a video on Facebook of her appearing drunk in a bedroom, "but we would now like to dedicate it to (the latest victim) as well."
RABAT - The funding plan for climate and national contributions, provided for in the Paris accord, have been established. The global agenda, dialogue between the sides and action plan for 2018 have been discussed.

The two-day closed-door meeting in Skhirat has in some ways prepared the ground for the conference on climate change to take place on November 7-18 in Marrakech. Organizers call it a ''success''.

The appointment number 22 for the planet's health has thus a smooth road ahead. The 140 delegates from over 50 countries have found themselves under the leadership of Salaheddine Mezouar, president of COP22 and foreign minister of Morocco, Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of UNFCCC (the UN Framework Convention on Climate change), Aziz Mekouar, Ambassador COP22 for multilateral negotiations, Hakima El haite, Moroccan environment minister and special envoy for COP22 for mobilization, and Laurence Tubiana, ambassador for climate of COP21.

The next appointment is scheduled on October 18-19 in Morocco.
Migrants: 75,000 asylum requests in 2016, 13,555 examined Prefect Trovato tells Schengen Committee, waiting time 106 days

(ANSAmed) - ROME, SEPTEMBER 14 - According to data as of September 9, Italy has registered 75,681 asylum applications of which 13,555 have been examined in 2016, prefect Angelo Trovato said Wednesday. Trovato, the president of the National commission for asylum rights, released the data during an audition at the parliamentary committee to control the implementation of the Schengen agreement.



''Males are the great majority, 64,638, against 11,043 women'', said Trovato. ''In terms of the countries of origin, there is a difference on the data provided in June, because flows and nationalities of origin have changed: the first country today is Nigeria with 14,291 asylum requests, followed by Pakistan with 10,209. Then there are the African countries of Gambia, Eritrea with a significant increase compared to the previous years, the Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali and so on''.



''From January 1 until today - he continued - the average timing to examine an asylum request has been 106 days, on average the best timing in Europe'', against the 250 days in 2014 and 2015.



In particular, this year 13,555 applications were examined, he said, challenging ''any other European country to do what we did''. (ANSAmed)
BRINDISI - The vessel 'Aquarius', managed by the association Sos Mediterranee with an equipe from NGO Medicins du Monde, landed at 8 am Wednesday morning in Brindisi with 391 migrants of different nationalities on board.



The migrants were rescued over the past few days in the strait of Sicily.



They include 292 men and 99 women (including five who are pregnant and one who is sick). Some 154 are minors, many of them travelling alone.



There is also a child who was born two days ago during rescue operations and is in good health, along with a two-month-old baby.



The city of Brindisi is organizing procedures to welcome the migrants while immigration police are identifying those on board to send them to different structures in Veneto, Lombardy, Tuscany, Piedmont and Emilia Romagna. (ANSAmed)
BRUSSELS - European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker proposed an ''ambitious'' plan on Wednesday for investment in Africa and EU neighbourhood partners, which will be able to mobilize 44 billion euros or double that amount if member states contribute.



Juncker, speaking at a plenary session of the European Parliament in a State of the Union address, said that the logic was the same as that for internal investment, in that public funds would be used to attract public and private investment in order to create jobs. He added that the plan would offer opportunities to those who would otherwise be likely to seek a better life elsewhere. Juncker would also like to double the investment plan for growth and employment, which generated 150 billion euros last year.



He added, ''we must do more'', proposing to double the capacity and the duration of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), launched in 2015 with the aim of generating investments of at least 315 billion euros by 2018, so that it will generate at least 500 billion euros by 2020 and 532 billion by 2022.

Anti-terrorism 'top priority'. We will register those entering the EU

European Commission chief Jean Claude Juncker said Wednesday as part of his State of the Union address during a plenary session at the European Parliament that protecting the bloc against terrorism was its top priority. ''Tolerance cannot come at the price of our security,'' Juncker added.

By November the Commission will propose a European traveler information system: ''Each time someone enters the EU, the place, date and motivation of their travels will be registered'', so that ''this new automatic system will say who is authorize to travel to the EU before they arrive in the EU'', Juncker said.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is currently under study as a method to tighten EU external border control. ETIAS would be used for all non-EU citizens that can enter the Schengen zone without a visa for short stays, on the lines of the US's ESTA system. By gathering information prior to the trip, ETIAS will make traveller screening possible and will determine their eligibility to enter the Schengen zone and whether they may pose some sort of risk. ETIAS will be an additional measure to the Entry-Exit System (EES) proposal, which the Commission expects to adopt by the end of the year and to bring into force by early 2020 after three years' development. EES will gather information on the entrances and exits of all non-EU citizens from the Schengen zone.
Vatican City - Pope Francis on Wednesday urged all faiths to condemn killing in God's name is ''satanic''.



Speaking at a Mass in the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican to commemorate the July 26 slaying of Father Jacques Hamel in his church near Rouen by two Islamist extremists, the pontiff said that ''Christians suffering today, both in prison or with death or torture so as not to disown Jesus Christ, show this persecution's cruelty.



''And this cruelty demanded by apostasy, let's use the word, is satanic'', the pontiff said, urging ''all religious confessions'' to say that, ''killing in the name of God is satanic''. The pontiff celebrated a Mass to commemorate Father Hamel, attended by his family and some 80 members of his church's community in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, outside Rouen, including its bishop. Two extremists slit Hamel's throat while he was celebrating Mass and were later killed by police.



ISIS group claimed responsibility for the murder.(ANSAmed).


CAIRO - The Libyan premier of Tripoli, Fayez al Saraj, has asked for an ''urgent meeting between the sides in the conflict to resolve with courage and responsibility the crisis affecting the country'' after the armed forces of general Khalifa Haftar - tied to Tobruk - seized control of key oil facilities.



In a statement, Sarraj stressed he has ''accepted his mission as head of a unity government of all Libyans to protect them and unite them against terrorism'' but that he will ''never accept to lead a Libyan faction or a war against another Libyan faction for political or ideological reasons''.



''My duty - he added - is to stop the bloodshed, eliminate conflicts and preserve the riches of Libyans''.



Finally, he called on all sides to ''end provocations and immediately gather around a table to resolve the crisis, strengthening the political agreement in the name of the country's unity''.
Speaking at the London Aviation Festival, Clark told reporters that the airlione was seriously considering premium economy.



Analysts suggest the carriers revenue per seat is not keeping pace with the number of passengers carried due, it believes, the growing number of passsengers travelling with special deal tickets below the standard rate.



As a result, from October 3, the airline will introduce a new ancillary fee to passengers who buy Special and Saver fares, by charging for advanced seat selection.


The Cargo-XML messaging is an initiative mandated by International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a preferred standard for electronic communication between airlines and other air cargo stakeholders such as shippers, freight forwarders, ground-handling agents, regulators, as well as customs and security agencies.



IATAs Cargo-XML eliminates the constraints posed by the traditional Cargo Interchange Message Procedures (Cargo-IMP) standard and is designed to promote greater and seamless data interfaces. The new messaging standard while providing better data quality, will also simplify the electronic data interchange between airlines and other air cargo stakeholders. Cargo-XML is recognised as the universal language for improving e-commerce, and therefore facilitates growth in trade and encourages participation in global commerce through electronic data submission for all air cargo shipments. The new messaging system supports easier transmission of more electronic documents, thereby streamlining air cargo processes and reducing their costs.



Qatar Airways chief officer cargo Ulrich Ogiermann said: We are proud to be the first carrier to complete the adoption of Cargo-XML messaging standards mandated by IATA. Qatar Airways Cargo is already at the forefront, collaborating with IATA on other such initiatives. With the implementation of this new messaging standards, we are now able to offer numerous benefits to our partners in the supply chain including customers and regulatory authorities who have adopted Cargo-XML.



With its adoption of Cargo-XML Qatar Airways is bringing the freight industry one step closer to achieving messaging standardisation on a global scale, said Glyn Hughes, IATA Global Head of Cargo. Achieving alignment across the industry  IATAs goal  not only facilitates trade growth and improves cargo security, it also helps to ensure that the millions of tonnes of air cargo transported annually from medicines to crucial electronic components reach the consumer more easily.



The Cargo-XML specifications are compatible with other industry standards such as the World Customs Organization (WCO) and International Standards Organization (ISO), hence adopting a common
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev on the occasion of his birthday on September 14, press service of the Presidential administration told Armenpress

The Presidents message reads:

Dear Mr. Medvedev,

Accept my sincere congratulations on Your birthday.

The rich experience in state and political activity, the ability to reach the set goals for the benefit of Russias socio-economic development brought You to earned respect among the compatriots and abroad.

Your personal input on strengthening the allied relations between Armenia and Russia is indisputable. I sincerely highly appreciate the mutual understanding and trust established between us.

I am confident the further joint efforts aimed at enriching the multilateral cooperation of our states, as well as implementing strategic agreements on trade-economic, investment and cultural-humanitarian sectors and the development of new prospective projects completely derive from the interests of further strengthening the friendship of the people of our states.

Dear Mr. Medvedev,

I wish You good health, happiness and new achievements.
Howard Sherman: To start at the end, or at least where we are today: Michele Roberge, executive director of the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of California State University, has resigned, effective yesterday. Why? Because the schools president, Jane Close Conoley, insisted upon the cancelation of Roberges booking of the comedy :N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk, a show that has toured extensively for more than a decade to performing arts centers on and off college campuses. In fact, it played to a sold out house of more than 1,000 seats last year at the Carpenter Center.
Turkeys crackdown on dissent has spread to the field of archaeology, with a dig at the ancient site of Ephesus in western Turkey suspended because of a political dispute with Austria. The project, run by the Austrian Archaeological Institute, was forced by the Turkish government to stop work at the end of August, despite two more months of planned conservation at the site.
Singapore Signs Agreement with Australia to Curb Tax Evasion

Singapore and Australia signed a deal called the Competent Authority Agreement to help curb tax evasion. The agreement was signed by Singapores Inland Revenue Authority (IRAS) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Under the pact, IRAS will exchange financial account information of accounts held by Australian tax residents in Singapore, while the ATO will do the same for Singapore. The agreement is based on automatic exchange of financial account information (AEOI) by Common Reporting Standard (CRS). The CRS is an internationally agreed standard for AEOI endorsed by more than 100 jurisdictions. The agreement will come into effect by September 2018.

Philippines: Government Simplifies Business Registration Process

The Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued making changes to the document requirements for business applications to further streamline the process. As per BIR, steps that will be implemented are:

Apply for Registration

Pay Annual Registration Fee

Get Certificate of Registration with auto-approved Authority to Print (ATP) for initial principal receipts/invoices

During registration, businesses must submit all the documents as per the revised checklist. Payments can be done through authorized agent banks, G-cash, and revenue collection officers, among others. The developments bodes well for businesses that want to register themselves and will help in the ease of doing business ranking for the Philippines.

Indonesia: Banking Rules Eased for First Time Customers

Indonesias central bank, Bank Indonesia, has relaxed requirements for first time customers that want to open bank accounts. As per the new law, customers only need to present an ID card and submit their mothers maiden name to open a new account. The country is attempting to convince half of the population to get bank accounts. Earlier in 2009, Bank Indonesia introduced banking agents which allow banks to assign individuals to provide banking services on their mobile phones to customers. However, the 100,000 agents in the past seven years have only been able to onboard 1.2 million customers as opposed to the banks target of 50 million new customers.

The new system will cut down the long paperwork required for opening accounts, as the elaborate background checks were frustrating customers from opening new accounts. In addition, the law also allows lenders with capital of at least US$384 million (IDR 5 trillion) and regional banks to sign up individual banking agents to expand their digital services. The development bodes well for new customers that wish to open bank accounts as the government wants to push its citizens into the banking system.



About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email asean@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. 

Annual Audit and Compliance in ASEAN

For the first issue of our ASEAN Briefing Magazine, we look at the different audit and compliance regulations of five of the main economies in ASEAN. We firstly focus on the accounting standards, filing processes, and requirements for Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. We then provide similar information on Singapore, and offer a closer examination of the city-states generous audit exemptions for small-and-medium sized enterprises.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership and its Impact on Asian Markets

The United States backed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) includes six Asian economies  Australia, Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, while Indonesia has expressed a keen willingness to join. However, the agreements potential impact will affect many others, not least of all China. In this issue of Asia Briefing magazine, we examine where the TPP agreement stands right now, look at the potential impact of the participating nations, as well as examine how it will affect Asian economies that have not been included.

An Introduction to Tax Treaties Throughout Asia

In this issue of Asia Briefing Magazine, we take a look at the various types of trade and tax treaties that exist between Asian nations. These include bilateral investment treaties, double tax treaties and free trade agreements  all of which directly affect businesses operating in Asia.
by Thuy Trang

Over the years, the priests have helped some 5,000 Republic of Vietnam war veterans in Ho Chi Minh City with free medical check, as well as material and economic aid. The initiative was launched in collaboration with a Buddhist pagoda. The former soldiers, wounded during the war, have been abandoned by the Communist government. "I lost my leg in battle and only after 40 years I got an adequate prosthesis thanks to the Redemptorist Fathers, said one veteran.

Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews)  About a hundred former soldiers of the Republic of Vietnam were welcomed on Monday at the "House of peace and justice" run by the Redemptorist Fathers in Ho Chi Minh City for a day of free medical services.

Organised in collaboration with local Buddhist monks, the initiative began years ago. This year, there have been 11 such days.

The veterans come from several southern provinces like Ben Tre, Anh Giang, Can Tho and Binh Duong. They fought for the pro-American former Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), which was defeated by the North Vietnamese army in 1975 that reunified the country.

The Communist government left these soldiers to fend for themselves despite the serious wounds and injuries sustained in battle. Now they are unable to earn a living and are thus forced to beg.

The medical services provided by the Redemptorist Fathers include psychological tests, regular medical care, and free transport to appropriate facilities.

Over time, the charity has drawn the attention of several Vietnamese citizens, who now come from distant areas to help the scarred veterans materially and economically.

"I was an Army Ranger. I was wounded in battle in 1970, said Nguyen Tan P. I heard about the House of peace and justice run by the Redemptorists in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh Citys old name) when the Fathers invited me for medical tests.

The priests gave me a device to measure my pressure and a wheelchair. Now I am happy because they have supported me and helped me and my family deal with disease and poverty."

Nguyen Van is another veteran getting help. Born in 1952, he lost a leg in the war. Abandoned by the government in poverty, he lived for years with a wooden prosthesis he made himself, which did not allow him to perform normal work.

"It's been 41 years walking with this wooden leg, he said. Initially it weighed about 8 kilos and I had to go to work in the rice fields, but it was very heavy. Only now I got a light prosthesis from the Redemptorist Fathers."

Fr Anthony, one of the priests, explains the difficulty these veterans lived with for decades.

"We started this project because we saw them in poverty, torn by guilt, abandoned and excluded by society, the clergyman said.

This programme helps them not only physically but also encourages and supports them on a mental level. We try to treat the wounded veterans in the soul because they have been labelled [soldiers of] a puppet army."

The Redemptorists launched the initiative in collaboration with Lien Tri Buddhist pagoda, which left the organisation to them in 2013.

"Right now with this programme we have helped about 5,000 Republic of Vietnam veterans to whom we are very grateful, said Fr Paul Loc, responsible for the administration.

That is a pretty high number. Now we have to develop our activities to help specific cases the best way."
by Melani Manel Perera

The ceremony began with a procession of the statue of the saint. The apostolic nuncio and the auxiliary bishop of Colombo celebrated the service. Nuncio stressed three reasons "why Mother Teresa is really important to us. Some who met her remember.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  About 1,500 faithful took part in a Thanksgiving Mass in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo dedicated to Mother Teresa, who was declared a saint on 4 September by Pope Francis.

The service was held last Sunday at the St John the Baptist Church in Mutwall, a Colombo neighbourhood, which is where the Missionaries of Charity have their headquarters.

After the Mass, their Shanthi Niwasa (House of Peace) was open to the public and hosted an exhibition dedicated to the saint of Calcutta.

The thanksgiving ceremony began with a short procession in which a statue of the Mother, later placed in the church, was carried.

Archbishop Pierre Nguyen Van Tot, apostolic nuncio to Sri Lanka, celebrated the Mass together with Mgr Emmanuel Fernando, auxiliary bishop of Colombo, and 15 other priests.

The service was celebrated in three languages  Tamil, English and Sinhalese  with as background choral music sang by parishioners and missionaries.

The faithful offered prayers for the poor, the sick, and the patients abandoned and welcomed into the homes of the Sisters of Mother Teresa, and also for the Holy Father.

On behalf of Pope Francis, I thank you and the benefactors for the great service you do for the poor of Sri Lanka, said the apostolic nuncio in the homily. He also stressed three reasons "why Mother Teresa is really important to us.

The first is that she taught us to be kind to others. World leaders refer to her as 'Angel of kindness'. She served for free and today her work is carried on by the sisters here and in many parts of the world. "

The second reason is that "even when the Mother experienced Gods silence, which is the period in which she felt abandoned by the Lord and questioned his presence, she maintained strong her faith."

The third reason "is the shared message that she spread around the world: she did not care about the religious affiliation of people, she stretched out her merciful hands to every human being."

During the offertory, Sr Johannes MC, the mother superior, offered two relics of Mother Teresa  strands of hair - to enrich the exhibition in the house of the Missionaries.

People who knew her confirmed Saint Teresas kindness. They include Joseph Bertram, 67, and Kingston Perera, 87, who talked to AsiaNews about the joy "of working together with her. Her kindness, holiness and overflowing love filled everyone, no matter who they were."

Even those who never met Mother, like Maureen Dias and Dinushi Perera (mother and daughter), today thank God "because having her as a saint is a great blessing for all of us."
by Santosh Digal

Sister Santowna Singh belongs to the Congregation of the Servants of Mary. She professed her first vows in December 2008, as the Odisha pogroms by radical Hindus raged against Christians. The nun confirmed her choice on 8 September with 18 other sisters. After the massacres of Kandhamal, there was an exponential increase in vocations.

Rourkela (AsiaNews)  Seeing "the faith of the persecuted people in Odisha in 2008 confirmed the more my desire to serve Jesus as a nun, Sister Santowna Singh, of the Servants of Mary (HM), told AsiaNews.

The nun took her final vows on 8 September during a ceremony at the Risen Christ Church in Kalunga, officiated by Mgr John Barwa, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar, and Mgr Kishor Kumar Kujur, bishop of Rourkela, in the presence with 40 priests, 55 nuns and more than 2,000 faithful.

Sister Singh comes from the district of Kandhamal, where in 2008 Hindu radicals carried out the most vicious slaughter of Christians to happen ever in India.

"I was impressed, she said, by the simple but strong faith of Christians. It strengthened my love for Jesus and spurred me to serve the poor in the Church. It gave me the strength to become a messenger of Christ."

Sister Singh has four brothers and one sister. She was born in the small village of Mardipanka and her vocation matured attending the St Sebastian Church in Saramuli, in the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar.

She jointed the Congregation of the Servants of Mary in 2008, and made her first profession of faith on 8 December, just as in the pogroms were raging District.

Last week the nun confirmed her vows along with other 18 sisters. Of these, 14 are from the Sundargargh district, in the diocese of Rourkela, three from the neighbouring state of Jharkhand, and one from the district of Kandhamal.

"The flame of the faith of persecuted Christians is in me and the others, she said also speaking on behalf of the other nuns. In all there is the power and grace of God. We are grateful to the Lord for giving us this wonderful life to serve in Odisha, which is one of the poorest states in all of India. "

After Odisha became the scene of persecution, there was an exponential rise in vocations. In 2009, nine Sisters confirmed their vows; in 2011 and 2012, four more did the same each year; in 2015, there were 14; in 2016, 19 in last weeks ceremony.

At present, the nun teaches at a high school of St. Mary's parish. "I love to teach and pass on the joy of the Gospel and God's mercy to my students, she said. I am proud of my land of persecution, where God continues to bless Christians."

During the confirmation ceremony, Mgr Kishor Kumar Kujur reminded the sisters that "It is your free choice and responsibility to serve Jesus in others. The religious vocation requires to serve with total dedication. To all of you is given the burden of the mission and this is to be accomplished with the help of prayers and the grace of God. Be steadfast in the love of God and surrender to his will in all you do."
by Louis Raphael Sako*

The Chaldean primate stresses the need to clear mines left by the Islamic State before thinking about homes and hospitals. This sneaky hidden enemy in the ground and everyday objects must be eliminated. Mine clearing is necessary for the return of Christians. A 14-year-old boy dies from a mine explosion.

Baghdad (AsiaNews)  Rebuilding homes, churches, and hospitals can bring satisfaction for a life getting back to normal after the devastation wrought by the Islamic State; however, even before reconstruction starts it is essential to demine, this according to Chaldean Patriarch Raphael Louis Sako, in a letter to AsiaNews in which he says that Working step by step, stage by stage, rebuilding after clearing, we Iraqi Christians can return to live here.

Even today, more than two years after the fall of Mosul and the Nineveh Plain to Islamic State militias on the eve of a major operation by the Iraqi army against Jihadis, it is difficult to know in what condition Christian villages will be after they are liberated.

Of course, rebuilding homes and infrastructures will be necessary, but before returning to revive our beloved cities, [. . .] a big obstacle will have to be removed. This is a sneaky hidden enemy, under the ground and sometimes even in everyday objects.

Today, we must seriously consider a post-Daesh plan after life returns to the ancient and fertile plain called Nineveh. Here is the Chaldean patriarchs appeal sent to AsiaNews:

Right now many newspapers mention the preparations for the battle of Mosul. Yet once the fighting is over, a great humanitarian project will have to be undertaken. For over two years, hundreds of thousands of people from the Nineveh plain  about 120,000 Christians, tens of thousands of Yezidis, kakais and all other inhabitants of the region  have been hoping to return to their homes.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to know in what condition Christian villages will be after they are liberated. There unfortunately is no doubt that as in other liberated Iraqi cities schools, homes, clinics, hospitals and churches will have to be rebuilt.

Yet before thinking about reconstruction, before returning to revive our beloved cities in the plain of Nineveh  Teleskuf, Bqaofq, Batnaya, Tell Keff, Bartala, Ba'ashiqa, Karamless and Qaraqosh , a big obstacle will have to be removed.

This obstacle is a sneaky hidden enemy, under the ground and sometimes even in everyday objects. I mean mines and many Islamic State booby traps left when they are forced to leave an area. Wherever it pulls out, it sows death by leaving hidden mines and explosive devices.

How many people died on the way to their homes in Sinjar, Ramadi and Tikrit? How many families have been bereaved as they rejoiced to find finally their homes after being displaced or becoming refugees?

The traps left by Daesh (Islamic State) should not prolong the plight of refugees in the Nineveh Plain. Today, we must seriously consider a post-Daesh plan after life returns to the ancient and fertile plain called Nineveh.

If I wish to draw the worlds attention to the tragedy it is because I do not want our children to grow up amid minefields. Our people has suffered too much for there to be more people injured, amputees, death by mines.

A young Christian of 14, Eugene Salah, died on a mine when he came to work the land with his father alongside one of our liberated villages.

Today I invite all the people of good will, all Christians, to mobilise so that the Nineveh plain can come back to life. Yes, with trust in Christ I want to believe in the resurrection of the plain of Nineveh and Mosul!

To rebuild the cradle of Iraqs Christian communities, we have to start with large-scale demining. In the beginning of July, I asked the Fraternite en Irak (a French NGO that helps Iraqs Christian, Yazidi and Shabak minorities) to see how to clear two already liberated Christian villages.

Currently, the Fraternite en Irak and France have announced that they will start soon to clear these two Christian villages as well as four Kaka'i villages. The project, which also aims to train Christians, is only a first step.

Sure! Rebuilding schools or clinics brings greater rewards, but if mine clearance is not done before we can rebuild nothing.

By addressing this problem early, we can accelerate the return of Christian refugees to their homes and villages. By bringing in demining specialists to the Nineveh Plain now, we can start the process of reconstruction of areas liberated from the Islamic State.

I invite all those who read these words to believe in Christ, our Saviour, and in the resurgence of Mosul and the Nineveh Plain one day. Working step by step, stage by stage, rebuilding after clearing, we Iraqi Christians can return to live here.

* Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad, and President of the Iraqi Bishops' Conference
The special UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura speaks of "significant decline in violence. Since the beginning of the ceasefire no civilian casualties. Tension persists in some areas of the country. Jihadist groups excluded from the truce. Need to ensure the delivery of food and basic necessities.

Damascus (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura confirms the "significant fall" in violence in Syria, recorded during the first day of the fragile truce signed by the US and Russia and in force since the evening of September 12. However, warns the United Nations diplomat, there must be greater efforts to ensure the security of cargo convoys of aid for areas of the country most in need.

The ceasefire started with the Islamic festival of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) and is the latest in a series of diplomatic efforts so far agreed to by Washington and Moscow. The goal is to try to stem a five-year conflict that has caused, according to the latest estimates, more than 300 thousand deaths (of which 87 thousand civilians) and millions of refugees, creating an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

The agreement provides for the end of the fighting between forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the various rebel groups operating on the ground; jihadist groups like the Islamic State (IS) and the Nusra Front are excluded from the truce. The US and Russia are continuing diplomatic work to launch a joint campaign targeting them.

According to reports from the UN special envoy de Mistura there have been a few isolated outbreaks of conflict, especially during the night between September 12 and 13. However, in the last 24 hours the picture is positive and there were no victims among the civilian population.

Local sources in Aleppo add that in the west, mainly under government control, and in the eastern sector in the hands of the rebels, there have been no bombings or rocket attacks. There is also relative calm reported in Damascus and the rebels in the suburbs; the residents took advantage to celebrate the Islamic festival.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group based in London with an extensive network of informants on the ground, reports fighting between government forces and the jihadist group Jund al-Aqsa Mosque in the central province of Hama.

Meanwhile citizens brought to their knees after months of intense fighting are cautiously welcoming the truce. "Usually we spend the night awake listening to the noise of the airplanes, but thank God this night we could sleep," said the activist Hassan Abu Nuh, from Talbisseh currently in rebel hands.

Children ran through the streets east of Aleppo, some have taken advantage to play ball. "The truce is a good thing - says Abu Jamil, a resident in the area - we now hope for the arrival of some food."

Currently no convoy has been able to distribute aid. The goal of the United Nations is the creation of humanitarian corridors to facilitate the entry and delivery of food, medicines and basic necessities.
The category five storm unleashes winds of over 216 km / h and today will reach the maximum power. Schools, shops and airports closed in the southern and eastern provinces of the island. About 200 thousand homes without electricity. Southern China also on alert for arrival of Meranti in the coming days.

Taipei (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Schools and shops are closed, trains and flights canceled, hundreds of thousands of homes are without electricity. Taiwan has been brought to a standstill ahead of the arrival of the super-typhoon Meranti, due to hit its coastline today. The Category 5 storm is considered by experts the most powerful recorded this year in the world.

The super typhoon will make landfall in the southern and eastern provinces of the island, then move up to touch the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Fujian. The Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan has issued the alert for high winds, torrential rains and floods. The maximum recorded so far, Meranti moves at about 216 km/ h, causing the uprooting of several light poles and trees. Spokesman Hsieh Pei-yun, says that the worst is yet to come: "The greatest impact [of the typhoon] on Taiwan will be recorded throughout the day today."

Businesses and schools were forced to close in the city of Kaohsiung (to the south, the second largest in the country), with over 1,500 people evacuated. About 200 thousand homes were left without electricity and airports have canceled both domestic and international flights. The authorities of China's southern provinces have already prepared the evacuation of the population and have begun to suppress the rail service waiting for the storm.

Meranti follows just two months after Nepartak, which last July left at least 66 people wounded, and tens of thousands of displaced people in Taiwan. Last year the super-typhoon Dujuan killed three people and injured 300. In 2009, storm Morakot devastated the island leaving 600 victims, most of them buried in a landslide in the south of the country.
A statement from the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace calls on regional actors to eliminate all nuclear weapons from the peninsula: "You cannot justify the development of such weapons for national defense, or the desire for peace, it is a contradiction." The North must put an end to its provocations, while the South "has to apply sanctions to encourage dialogue, not to crush the people." Criticism of neighboring countries: "Do not use Pyongyang tests as an excuse to spread bombs throughout Asia".

Seoul (AsiaNews) - An appeal to Pyongyang to abandon the development of a nuclear arsenal, but also to Seoul, Washington and the "other powers in the region. Stop using nuclear tests by North Korea as an excuse to fill Asia with bombs. Peace is built through dialogue and patience, not with an escalation of tension and sanctions , writes the South Korean Bishops' Commission for Justice and Peace in a statement entitled "Appeal for Peace."

The President of the Commission, Msgr. Lazzaro You Heung-sik has written a text that unfolds in three points. After recalling the "Pacem in Terris" of Pope John XXIII, the prelate appealed to Pyongyang: "Give up the development of atomic weapons. The nuclear ambitions of North Korea is contrary to the common effort for peace in Korea and the nuclear disarmament of the peninsula. You cannot separate peace from having nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons can never be developed for 'the protection of peace' and 'security of ones country'. Nuclear weapons only cause disputes, and they bring the great spiritual and physical danger of destruction and death ".

The second point is addressed to Seoul: "Continuing to tighten sanctions against the regime in the North, will only increase the tension. The real purpose of any sanction should be to open the door to dialogue and negotiation. It is not right that the people, and especially the weakest, are those who suffer sanctions most. Targeting the economy is a measure that should be prudently applied, always following a criterion of legitimacy and morality. Remember that heavier sanctions will only increase the danger of a direct clash. Do not abandon dialogue. "

The third and last point touches instead "the nations that surround the peninsula. North Korean nuclear tests should not become a pretext to put nuclear weapons in any Asian country. We hope for the disarmament of the peninsula, as well as that of the continent. We must foster peace between the two Koreas, so that peace can become the seed for true peace in the world. Only the balance of peace, not the balance of power, can resolve the tensions in Korea and the threat to peace in the world ".

In conclusion, Msgr. You recalls the 15th anniversary of 9/11: "We hope and pray that mankind never forget that the fruits of hatred and violence are still flourishing in the world. Hatred creates greater hatred, violence creates more violence. Peace comes not through the logic of the powerful (cfr. Gaudium et Spes, 78). Peace is complete when disagreements and misery, which lead the war, decrease and when the desire for order and for peace grows in all men. "
Eric Sison was still alive after he fell three storeys from the roof opposite Maria's house, snagged his shorts on her neighbours' awning, and, in his underwear, crawled underneath her bed.

When the police drew back the yellow curtain that partitions her shanty home from Pasay City's F Munoz street, Maria faced their gun barrels. "I shouted, 'Have mercy on us, don't fire, we don't know who this guy is,'" she told Al Jazeera through an interpreter.

The police told Maria and her family to leave their house. She heard Sison plead for his life. And then she heard the gunshots.

Sison is one of more than 2,500 people to have been killed between July 1 and September 5 during President Duterte's bloody war on drugs, which has had a death rate of about 38 people per day.

A Philippine National Report released last weekend said that a total of 1,466 suspected people involved in drugs were killed during police operations. Another 1,490 were killed by suspected vigilantes since Duterte took over as President.

More than 16,000 suspects involved in illegal drugs have been arrested while the number of those who voluntarily handed themselves in numbered 700,000, the Philippines Star reported.

While Western nations, leaders and activists have condemned the vigilante killings, Asian nations embolden by the reported success in reducing the drug inflow into the Philippines are resorting to adopt hardline anti-narcotics policies. Experts say they are likely to only make things worse but Pinoys in the U.S. and Canada say Duterte is doing the right thing.

Filipinos in the United States and Canada held rallies last Sunday to show their support to Dutertes all-out war to end the drug menace gripping the Philippines.

There is no political color here. Like every Filipino, we simply want to save our country! said Jess A. Gatchalian, one of the organizers of the newly formed group called US Pinoys for Real Change in the Philippines (USPRCP), in an e-mail

Gatchalian said that the rallies were held in Washington, DC, Anchorage, Las Vegas and Vancouver in Canada where thousands of Filipino immigrants live, he said.

The blood anti-drug drivein the Philippines has prompted neighboring Indonesia to declare a "narcotics emergency" and resume executing drug convicts after a long hiatus.

In Thailand and Myanmar, petty drug users are being sentenced to long jail terms in prisons already bursting at the seams due to the soaring popularity of methamphetamine - a cheap and highly addictive drug also known as meth.

Geoff Monaghan investigated narco-trafficking gangs during his 30-year career as a detective with London's Metropolitan Police, then witnessed the impact of draconian anti-drug policies as an HIV/AIDS expert in Russia.

He believes President Duterte's anti-drugs campaign in the Philippines will fuel more violence and entrench rather than uproot trafficking networks. "I'm very fearful about the situation," he said, according to a news report in Asia.

Reflecting the regional explosion in use, the amount of meth seized in East and Southeast Asia almost quadrupled from about 11 tons in 2009 to 42 tons in 2013, said the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Meth was the "primary drug of concern" in nine Asian countries, the UNODC said, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan and South Korea.

A rising chorus of experts blame this surge in production and use of meth in Asia on ineffective and even counterproductive government responses.

They say national drug-control policies are skewed towards harsh measures that criminalize users but have failed to staunch the deluge of drugs or catch the kingpins behind it.

They also want a greater emphasis on reducing demand through more and better quality drug rehabilitation.

"There is so much scaremongering and hysteria surrounding the issue of drugs," says Gloria Lai of the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), a global network of 154 non-governmental groups. "That's a disincentive for challenging old ways of thinking."

Meth is a transnational business, worth around $15 billion in mainland Southeast Asia alone in 2013, the UNODC says.

Much of the production takes place in laboratories in lawless western Myanmar. Ingredients such as pseudoephedrine and caffeine are smuggled across porous borders from India, China and Vietnam.

Laos and Thailand are major trafficking routes, with the finished product traveling by road or along the Mekong River for distribution throughout Southeast Asia and China.

Meth is sold in cheap pills called "ya ba", a Thai name meaning "crazy medicine", or in a more potent, crystalline form known as "crystal meth", "ice" or "shabu".

Contraband is effectively hidden amid rising volumes of regional trade, leaving law enforcement to play catch-up, said Jeremy Douglas, the UNODC's Asia Pacific chief.

"We need to start thinking about big-time regional engagement, up to the highest level. It's impossible to deal with the problem on a country-by-country basis," he said.

"I can't recall the last time a major trafficking kingpin was caught."

The meth explosion carries huge social consequences: overburdened health services, overcrowded prisons, families and communities torn apart.

Small-time users and dealers bear the brunt of unsparing law enforcement that is popular in crime-weary communities. In mid-July, as drug war killings escalated in the Philippines, one survey put President Duterte's approval rating at 91 percent.

Thailand launched an equally popular "war on drugs" in 2003 that killed about 2,800 people in three months. But figures show it had no lasting impact on meth supply or demand in Thailand.

Policy in Asia is largely moving in the opposite direction, with drug rehabilitation underfunded and inadequate.

Less than 1 percent of dependent drug users in Indonesia got treatment in 2014, said the UNODC. Lacking alternatives, desperate Indonesians resort to herbal baths, Islamic prayer and other remedies of unproven efficacy.

"Rehab" in many countries often means detention at a state facility.
Guest Commentary

By Dan Kelly

While it hasnt received a medal for its efforts, the B.C. provincial government is doing the country proud by following through on an important step skipped by the federal and most provincial governments.

B.C. is the only province (outside of plans in Quebec) to open a channel for public feedback on the proposal to hike contributions to the Canada Pension Plan.

A surprise tentative agreement announced in June by federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau was to receive final approval by mid-July. But while B.C. gave initial support to the new deal, it decided to hold off signing off on the deal until it had consulted with the public. As any change to CPP requires the agreement of seven out of 10 provinces representing two-thirds of the countrys population, the federal government doesnt have the numbers to proceed without B.C.

B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Finance Minister Mike de Jong deserve full credit for this deliberative pause. While the other provinces showed no such restraint and plowed ahead in the face of Ontarios pressure tactics with its Ontario Retirement Pension Plan, B.C. thought it wise to bring the proposed CPP hike to the people to let them have a say on a policy that stands to have a significant, lasting socio-economic impact. It is this kind of thinking that has helped B.C. stay at or near the top on the level of small business optimism for a long while.

So why did B.C. elect to consult with its public before proceeding? In addition to smart politics (B.C. voters go to the provincial polls in the spring of 2017), its also how smart economic policy is made: reviewing the data and evidence; weighing all possible options that could achieve the policy goal; taking input from a wide spectrum of stakeholders; and, finally, proceeding based on a preponderance of reliable evidence. The federal government, which promised full public consultation on CPP expansion as recently as the 2016 budget, decided to skip the step entirely.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has presented a ton of important evidence to the B.C. government on this file: surveys of our 10,000-strong B.C. membership; economic impact projections; public poll results; and hundreds of insightful comments from concerned independent business owners in the province.

While many finance ministers have been touting the modesty of the seven straight years of CPP premium hikes needed to increase future benefits, small business owners have a different take. A full 70 per cent do not think the CPP hike is modest, while 90 per cent want an opportunity to be consulted and provide input on the proposal.

Small businesses explain why they are so concerned far better than I can. Heres a sample of what business owners are saying:

In Burnaby, B.C.: The living costs and increased commercial rent rates already make it extremely difficult to survive as a small business owner. This new increase will be just one more thing that will put a strain on the growth of our business. If anything, it may result in the layoffs of several of our team members.

In Chilliwack, B.C.: There have to be other creative ways developed to offset the need for the (CPP) increase. The required increases cannot be on the backs of the small businesses, as it is very difficult now to pay all of the required taxes, as well as operating costs, to keep businesses operating. Without existing and new businesses, where are the jobs? Wage increases will be enough to close many and the added taxes to go with higher wages (are) certainly enough to lose small businesses. The general public have no idea of the costs and see only one side.

These views are in stark relief to the prevailing narrative on the supposed merits of CPP expansion. While polls show general support for increased CPP benefits, few Canadians are aware that the increase in what they may receive fully kicks in almost 50 years from now. The premium hikes come far sooner, and will take critical dollars out of the pockets of Canadian workers at a time when many need them.

For our part, were calling on all provinces and the federal government to step up to the podium like the B.C. government and consult the public before they move forward on a policy that has yet to be properly studied or understood.

Dan Kelly serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
The rise of pumpkin spice in America





As Autumn hits the US, the country is once again being inundated with pumpkin spice flavoured food and drinks.

The rise of pumpkin spice flavoured food and drinks has become big in America over the past few years. According to a Nielsen US report, in 2014, 37 per cent of US consumers purchased a pumpkin flavoured product. Within the 2014 calendar year, pumpkin product sales totaled US $361 million in sales, a 79 per cent increase on 2011 figures.

The rise of pumpkin flavoured food and drinks is often attributed to the introduction of the Pumpkin Spice Latte by Starbucks in 2003. Since then, fans of the drink eagerly await the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte every Autumn (it is only on sale during the cooler months of the year). Although Starbucks does not release information on individual beverage sales figures, Forbes predicted in 2015 that its Pumpkin Spice Lattes would bring in US $100 million in revenue that year.

The popularity of the drink seems to be continuing into 2016 with a social media analytics company, Spredfast, releasing data which showed there were over 5, 000 tweets a minute about the beverage when it came available again last week.

What is in pumpkin spice mix and why is it so popular in America?

There is no standard recipe for pumpkin spice but it is generally a combination of different spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves.

As to why it is so popular in America, most have put it down to a mixture of clever marketing, along with taste. A Pumpkin Spice Latte, for example, not only contains coffee which can keep consumers coming back regularly, but it also includes 50gs of sugar and can be served with whipped cream, so there are plenty of incentives for the taste buds.

Could a pumpkin spice craze be hitting Australia?

Unlike America, Australia does not have a history of eating pumpkin pies, nor do we have Thanksgiving, so the chances of pumpkin spice taking off like it has in American is probably far slimmer.

That said, a quick visit to the Starbucks Australia Facebook page shows a handful of comments and posts requesting Pumpkin Spice Lattes. A response from Starbucks in late August said they were on their way soon so perhaps Australian food producers need to watch this space.
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A Canadian judge whos in danger of being removed from the bench for his controversial conduct in a rape trial has conceded that he had non-existent criminal law knowledge when the case was heard by his court.Federal Court judge Robin Camp, who asked an alleged rape victim in court why she couldnt just keep her knees together, made the admission during his trial at the Canadian Judicial Council which could remove him from the bench.My colleagues knew my knowledge of Canadian law was very minimal. It was non-existent, Camp said at his trial, according to CNN.I think its become apparent that I didnt know what I didnt know, Camp said, adding, Please remember I wasn't in this country through the 1960s, '70s and '80s.Camp, 64, was born in South Africa and moved to Calgary in 1998.Camp, who has since apologised for his conduct, was an Alberta provincial court judge when he heard the 19-year-olds case in 2014.He later acquitted the accused man, determining his version of what happened was more credible.According to records of the trial , Camp said in court: Why couldnt you just keep your knees together?The woman who said she was raped over a bathroom sink during a house party was also asked why she didnt skew her pelvis or push her buttocks into the sink to avoid penetration.The judge also commented that young women want to have sex, particularly if theyre drunk.He also said at a different time that Some sex and pain sometimes go together and that this is not necessarily a bad thing.When he acquitted the man accused of rape, he said: I want you to tell your friends, your male friends, that they have to be far more gentle with women. They have to be far more patient. And they have to be very careful. To protect themselves, they have to be very careful.Youve got to be very sure that the girl wants you to do it. Please tell your friends so that they dont upset women and so that they dont get into trouble. Were far more protective of women  young women and older women  than we used to be and thats the way it should be, he said.During his trial, Camp apologised to the woman saying his comments were rude and insulting.According to the Calgary Sun, Camp said that he most wanted to apologise to the woman before he was cross-examined.Her background has not been easy, her life has not been easy, I was rude and insulting, Camp said.He added that he caused unhappiness among some people, mostly women but some men who have been sexually abused.Canadians deserve better of their judges, he said. I must apologize to the judiciary of this country.According to the Toronto Sun, Camp admitted he may have prejudices he wasnt conscious about.At some level that I wasnt aware of, I was subject to prejudice ... the prejudice that all women behave the same way and they should resist, Camp said in the hearings.If allowed to continue his judgeship, he vowed to avoid making the same mistakes.I cant guarantee that Im not prejudiced in other areas, but what I have learned is to be constantly vigilant ... and to ask for help when I need it, he said. I was and will always be vigilant ... perfect I will never be, he said.
Hi,



We (husband and I) are living a nomadic lifestyle - Currently on Bali.



We want to apply for the above visa in order to stay in Australia for a year (British nationals). We're travelling around Asia but do have a PO Box in Kuala Lumpur.



Has anyone managed to get this visa without have a fixed address? *We could give a relatives address in the UK but this would only complicate matters if snail mail were to be sent there (again, not sure if they do even send mail). Also, we have no proof of a "home". To further complicate matters, before we left Europe (18 months ago) we spent 25 years in The Netherlands.



Any info would be greatly appreciated - Thanks!
Hi, I am applying for a 300 prospective marriage visa with my fiancee in Australia.



We are currently working our way through completing the forms for the application but are having a bit of trouble with this one. I have only been there to visit once for 2 weeks and during this time we decided to not get friends/family involved and just have kind of a vacation to ourselves. It was our first time meeting in person, despite an extensive skype/texting relationship before this for about 10 months. We both knew after this for sure that we are ready to commit to being together as husband and wife, but we don't have any friends or family of hers who has met me. She has told several of her friends/family a lot about me. Will this suffice for the application if they just give an account of what they know about me or do they actually have to know me in person? I will be going back in december, but we want to get the application submitted asap since it can take a while to process.
The one you are about to see was created to mark the company's sponsorship deal with the Emmys, but don't expect any references to the famous awards. Titled "Desolation," it features a family of four that lives in a beautiful house. Nothing out of the ordinary so far, right? Well, there's a reason they went for that title: the house is in the middle of a desert.Extrapolating a little, you could say that Audi is finally admitting that the only way owning an R8 makes sense is if you're surrounded by acres of empty, flat land that, most importantly, isn't frequented by the police. Or, as we've seen recently , if you're a Russian billionaire such as Roman Abramovich.The clip opens up with a few nature shots that set the mood, followed by a first glimpse of the house this family lives in. And even though it doesn't do anything special in the clip - it's a house, what exactly could it do? - the house is very important because Audi and Airbnb have gotten together to offer anybody interested the chance of booking three nights there.The Rondolino Residence is located near Scotty's Junction in Nevada, having 80 acres of land in its property. It looks just like what you see in the clip, but if you'd like to get a closer look, it's also available on the Airbnb website . And as for Audi, the Germans are providing the transportation: an Audi R8 V10 Plus will be waiting in front of the house for anyone who rents it.The offer is available throughout the month of October, with bookings starting on September 18. Seven three-night stays will be available, with each night costing $610. Nobody said it was going to be cheap, but think of it this way: you'll be living two hours away from Las Vegas, and you'll be having the keys to an Audi R8 V10 Plus . That means at least four hours of fun every day, even though considering the performances of the car, you could probably cut the commute time in half with ease.
vehicle

car

After rising to fame as the first man to hack the iPhone and the Sony PlayStation, he inevitably caught the attention of the tech industry. He even snubbed a move to Tesla, deciding instead to form his own company called Comma.ai whose main goal was to build an aftermarket device that could turn most modern cars into self-driving vehicles. And the best part? The conversion kit would cost less than $1,000.Through the voice of its CEO, Comma.ai announced yesterday that the plan had been partially completed by introducing Comma One. The devices should become available by the end of the year for a price of $999, plus a $24 monthly fee for the use of the company's software (without which the Comma One is nothing but an overpriced dashcam). For now, though, its public will be extremely restricted: only Honda or Acura models with lane keeping assist will be able to take advantage of their features.During his overly-theatrical presentation at TechCrunch Disrupt, George insisted that Comma One will not make aHonda fully autonomous, but it will be able to relieve the driver of any worries while cruising a highway. Sounds familiar? Hotz didn't shy away from calling the system "on par" with the Tesla Autopilot. He didn't make it clear if that would apply to the system before or after the latest update, though.The Comma One is a green device about the size of a large smartphone - but much thicker - that replaces the rearview mirror of yourHonda. It relies on the vehicle's radar system and on its built-in camera for acquiring the data, which is then translated into inputs toward the vehicle's accelerator, brakes, and steering.Interesting, despite his well-known row with Tesla's Elon Musk , George Hotz was quick to praise the Autopilot system, and he even defended the company in the case of Joshua Brown's fatal accident: 40,000 people die a year from not paying attention. It isnt like it is a special case a self-driving car killed him, it was the case of a driver not paying attention, he said, quoted by TechCrunch . It did unfortunately happen with Tesla. And I think Teslas response was very appropriate.Hotz didn't go into details about how Comma One will try to keep the driver alert to their surroundings, but we would expect something similar to Tesla's visual and audible alerts. Even though it should begin shipping this year (in limited quantity), the device is clearly still in its early stages and is a bit rough around the edges. However, what Comma.ai has managed to do in such a short time is highly encouraging. It also makes you wonder why the hell are companies with huge budgets finding it so hard to come up with similar products?
ECU

The Motorsport Industry Association is organizing a race mechanics school, and it begins this November. The course will be held each weekend until February, summing up to a total of 160 hours of tuition with both theoretical and practical classes.The course is aimed at students already studying Mechanics at technical colleges, bike mechanics who want to move into motorsport, teams wanting to invest in training their staff and even race competitors needing more practical knowledge. Students must be over 18 years old to attend, and there is a maximum of 20 places available. Lessons will take place at the Donington Park circuit, in the garages for hands-on courses and in a suite for theoretical modules. Topics include the assembly and disassembly of the front fork and damper, racing set-ups, troubleshooting of riders difficulties,mods, pneumatics, final drive, assembly and disassembly of the engine, gearbox and clutch as well as many more tips and tricks.The course will include organized tours to race teams while bikes such as the Yamaha R1 Suzuki GSX-R1000 , and Aprilia 125 RS will be used for practical training.However, to get involved in the courses youll need to fork out 2,950 (3,460/$3,890). Its not that much if you count on the fact that at the end of the training you will be able to tackle any challenge and fix any bike problems under the typical time restraints of a racing weekend.The top five students are also guaranteed a placement with a professional racing team for one season, which will further boost your experience in the domain.
After introducing its first high-volume electric vehicle in 2010 in the form of the Nissan Leaf, the Franco-Japanese automotive alliance has come a long way. Believe it or not, Renault-Nissan has moved more than 350,000 EVs since December 2010, the month during which the Nissan Leaf went on sale. To date, more than 230,000 units of the frog-eyed electric dweller were sold."This historic milestone confirms our customers' recognition of the benefits of Renault and Nissan electric vehicles," declared Carlos Ghosn. "Our commitment to contribute toward a zero-emissions world by bringing to the market a full range of affordable EVs makes Renault-Nissan the indisputable leader in EV technology." The next-gen Nissan Leaf is a step toward that goal.In this regard, the Leaf is not alone. The most important forming the pure electric stable of Renault-Nissan are the Nissan e-NV200 light commercial vehicle, Renault Kangoo Z.E. van, Samsung SM3 Z.E. sedan, Renault Fluence Z.E., Renault Twizy urban commuter, and the Renault Zoe subcompact.Speaking of the Zoe, the cheeky little thing is currently enjoying the title of best-selling electric vehicle in Europe. It sells so well that the Renault brand currently accounts for one in four electric vehicles on European roads. Despite this immense success in the detriment of challengers such as Tesla, General Motors, and BMW, the alliance doesnt plan to rest on the laurels of success.As per a statement from the Franco-Japanese consortium, the peeps over at Renault-Nissan plan "to launch more than 10 vehicles with autonomous drive technology by 2020. The technology will be installed on mainstream, mass-market cars at affordable prices, confirming the Alliance's commitment to achieve its twin goals of zero-emissions and zero-fatalities.
Reports coming from China are now suggesting that Joshua Brown 's tragic demise was predated by an equally violent crash that took place in January on a highway in China. A Tesla Model S traveling at high speed smashed into the back of a very slow moving sweeper truck that was in the left-most lane, next to the divider.As we've seen in previous cases such as the one of a Model S hitting a broken down van in Switzerland, the Tesla Autopilot can't detect stationary vehicles, especially when they're on the left side of the road. Since the driver failed to react in any way despite having plenty of time and space, the electric sedan hit the truck on the driver's side at full speed.The Tesla was being driven by the owner's 24-year-old son, who was alone in the car and was killed during the impact. The dashcam footage appears to indicate that neither the driver, nor the car's systems attempted to reduce the speed, meaning they both failed to spot the hazard.The unnamed driver's family has since sued Tesla, blaming the automaker for its vehicle's failure to avoid the crash. However, Elon Musk's recent statements suggest that he wasn't aware of any other fatal accidents involving the Autopilot except for the one that happened in May. After Electrek had contacted the company, a possible reason for that emerged: Tesla can't check whether Autopilot was on at the time.Here is the full reply offered: "We were saddened to learn of the death of our customers son. We take any incident with our vehicles very seriously and immediately reached out to our customer when we learned of the crash. Because of the damage caused by the collision, the car was physically incapable of transmitting log data to our servers and we therefore have no way of knowing whether or not Autopilot was engaged at the time of the crash. We have tried repeatedly to work with our customer to investigate the cause of the crash, but he has not provided us with any additional information that would allow us to do so."Below there's a TV report from a Chinese station where you can see the images captured by the dashcam (starts at 00:35). Until an official investigation is concluded, we can't know for sure what happened, but based on past situations, we'd say the crash is consistent with previous Autopilot behavior. But since this is China, it might be a while before the case is completely over. We'll try to keep you posted.
Bid those goodbyes to the Volkswagen GTI Two-Door variant. The automaker is retiring the model for good.

The car company confirmed that they will no longer produce the variant during the brand's full line launch event on Sept. 13. According to Car and Driver, Volkswagen will now focus on manufacturing four-door models.

"The trend is clearly shifting toward four-door models," Hendrik Muth, marketing chief of Volkswagen America, said. However, the production of two-door will resume next year but for the base trim only.

Meanwhile, the automaker will continue to make manual transmissions for the GTI models. While the reason for the Two-Door GTI is yet to be elaborated, one of the possible reason might be the rareness of the variant.

In other news, Volkswagen is not so sure whether to continue marketing the diesel cars in North America. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company has been contemplating on the effect of the diesel emission cheating scandal which brought them to the center of negative media attention.

The emission regulations have been strict with the car companies with regards to testing the diesel-powered vehicles. But more than that, Hinrich Woebcken told the news outlet on Monday that they will focus on selling gasoline-powered models and will eventually launch electric models in the future.

Notably, a previous report revealed that the EPA found out that Volkswagen has installed a software to surpass the fail level. For that, they might face criminal charges.

Furthermore, Volkswagen must also pay around $15 billion to buy affected vehicles back from customers. Aside from that, the budget covers to end leases early, invest in zero-emission technology and fix affected vehicles.

The investigation continues while the company is said to undergo another meeting with the authorities before 2016 ends. Nevertheless, readers must wait for an update regarding the violation committed by Volkswagen.
The Weekenders headed to all four corners of the country with festivals, air tours and airshows to choose from on SocialFlight.com.Head to the Hop Capital of the World, Independence, Oregon, for the Hop & Heritage Festival Friday and Saturday. Fly into theIndependence Airporton Saturday morning for the Flap Jack Feed, a fundraiser for a local youth aviation scholarship. Theres also a 7 a.m. hot air balloon launch.

EAA Chapter 27 in Meriden, Connecticut, will hold a plane-wash fundraiser at Meriden Markham Airport on Saturday for Teens-to-Flight students who are building an RV-12. Donate to the cause and get your airplane washed while you grab a pizza lunch on-site.

The Michigan Air Tour 2016 kicks off Friday with stops all around the state, including time to attend AOPAs Battle Creek fly-in on Saturday. Each stop of the tour will feature a trivia quiz and plaque ceremonies for participating communities and a chance to talk to visitors about general aviation.

On Saturday and Sunday in Waco, Texas, the Heart Of Texas Airshow will feature a variety of performances including a U.S. Marine Corps Osprey demo, the Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team, Navy TAC Demo Team, U.S. Coast Guard and Texas Air and Army National Guard, plus lots of attractions for the family and rides in helicopters and warbirds.
Every once in a while, its fun to cast off the wispy tendrils connecting sanity to what passes for reality these days and consider a real crack pipe concept: What if Elon Musk made airplanes? This occurred to me this week when the news broke that tech billionaire Jeff Bezos plans to build a giant rocket called the New Glenn. (Catchy name.)

Despite my throwing a little shade at Musk last week after one of his rockets blew upI mean burned rapidlyyou have to give the man his due. He founded SpaceX only in 2002, but since then, he has become the runaway success story in the private launch business, having launched 29 Falcon 9 boosters and landed a $1.6 billion contract for NASA missions, plus a lot of other satellite business. Seven more launches are planned before the end of the year, assuming SpaceX figures out fairly quickly why the last one failed on the pad.

While thats impressive, the bigger story is how much cheaper SpaceX claims to be doing these launches compared to its chief rival, United Launch Alliance, a consortium of Boeing and Lockheed. Even the Chinese cant match SpaceXs launch costs. ULA is cagey about its launch prices, but what data is available from sources like space.com suggest that SpaceX gets a Falcon payload into low earth orbit for about $62 million, while ULA charges$164 million for an Atlas V, although the real number could be higher. If SpaceX gets its reusable first-stage to work out, its costs might shrink to $48 million and some customers are wishing for $30 million as though they expect to get it. Getting there will require a certain volume formula, since SpaceX will need a pool of recovered cores to refurb for the next flight.

Twenty years agoeven 10, maybefew in the aerospace business would have said this magnitude in cost reduction to orbit would have been possible for the same reasons those of us who think we know about airplanes say the prices of new ones will never come down. You can see where Im going here. If I apply Musknomics to, say, a $380,000 new Cessna 172, the price would drop to $114,000, using the best-case numbers. And a really nice LSA would cost $40,000, just like so many people have told me they were promised it would. (They werent; they imagined it.) Anyway, wouldnt this be interesting?

What Musk may be proving is that the military-industrial complex has built a lot of margin into rockets sold to the moneybags government and competition may be about to trim that. Lets hear it for private enterprise space initiatives! Blue Origin promises to bring yet more competition to the launch business and this will no doubt tank the Russians habit of charging $82 million for a seat to the ISS.

Before the hallucinogenic wears off, Ill deconstruct the airplane dream. First of all, I dont think Elon Musk is a sociopath and it takes at least sociopathic tendencies to voluntary start building airplanes. And how did he accomplish these remarkable economics anyway, given that hes trained in physics and business and is by no means a rocket scientist?

As Air and Spaces Andrew Chaikin explains in this article, SpaceX has done it by building a much simplified booster system that uses the same engine for all stages. Furthermore, at every phase of manufacture, it seeks commonality of parts and materials to reduce tooling and acquisition costs. By comparison, ULAs Atlas V is a more complex rocket, requiring different engines and fuels for each stage. But because of its complex configurations, it can also lift payloads the Falcon 9 cant.

Then theres the market, or lack thereof. Around 2000, when NASA was planning to exit the launch business, Musk saw an opportunity with not many players competing. He seized it and now enjoys strong demand for his launch services. He got into rockets because it interested him.

The market dynamic in GA is entirely different, of course, but in the odd delusional moment, think what GA might be like if a new Cessna 172 really did cost $114,000. Would it fundamentally reset the market? Or how about a $40,000 LSA? Musk set out to turn the cost of space travel on its head and hes come close to delivering. We do know hes talked about an electric supersonic airplane and has a design in mind. I can think of crazier things. (Even Musk himself has described his Mars colonization plan as entertaining.)

One hill SpaceX has yet to climb is long-term reliability at a high launch cadence, which NASA, at least, will want for man rating Musks rockets. In 29 attempts, and counting the launch pad fire earlier this month, SpaceX has lost two boosters for a 93 percent score. Competitor ULA is 60 for 60 on the Atlas V and looking back at NASAs record for manned flight, Mercury-Redstone, Mercury-Atlas, Gemini-Titan and Apollo-Saturn manned launches were all 100 percent. The Space Shuttle had one launch failure for a score of 99.3 percent. (The Columbia entry loss was not a launch failure.)

If SpaceXs current score had been applied to the Shuttle, it would have translated to 10 vehicle losses and would have been untenable. Even for unmanned launches, the military has been willing to pay ULAs higher launch costs for its expensive spy satellites, evidently figuring the Atlas demonstrated reliability is worth it. Still, given SpaceXs short history, the record is impressive.

At this point, SpaceX is thought to be profitable, although because its closely held, no one outside the company knows for sure. If it is, Musk has established a new paradigm by radically reducing the cost to get into space while still making money at it. If only he could do the same for the black hole economics of airplane manufacturing.

The foregoing is opinion and commentary based on disclosed facts.AVwebwelcomes other points of view, including guest blogs.
14 September 2016 10:42 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Armenias armed forces have 16 times violated the ceasefire on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops over the past 24 hours, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry reported on September 14.

The Armenian armed forces stationed in Vazashen village of the Ijevan district, Chinari village of the Berd district and on the nameless heights of the Krasnoselsk district opened fire at the Azerbaijani positions located on the nameless heights of the Gazakh district, Kokhanebi village of the Tovuz district and the nameless heights of the Gadabay district.

Positions of the Azerbaijani army also underwent fire from the Armenian positions located near Shikhlar village of Azerbaijani Aghdam district, Kuropatkino village of the Khojavand district, Qarakhanbayli village of the Fizuli district, Mehdili village of the Jabrayil district and the nameless heights of the Khojavand district.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
14 September 2016 12:31 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The supporters and families of the members of armed group Sasna Tsrer, who in July seized the building of a police station in Yerevan and later surrendered to the authorities, carried out a protest in front of the Armenian Parliaments building on September 13, News.am reported.

The demonstrators tried to figure out what actions will be taken in connection with Sasna Tsrer from the Armenian parliamentarians.

One of the participants of the protest said that none of the MPs listened to their demands. We want to understand what the parliamentarians are planning to take in relation to the members of Sasna Tsrer and political prisoners. However, none of them, except Hovhannes Margaryan wanted to listen to us, she said.

On July 17, a group of armed men entered the territory of the Armenian police patrol department in the Erebuni district of Yerevan and took several people hostage. The attackers demanded the release of Armenian opposition figure Jirair Sefilyan, who was arrested on charges of illegal possession of arms. They also demanded resignation of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

Following the long-lasting talks, the armed group on July 23 released all of the hostages. Nevertheless, they refused to lay arms down and surrender to the authorities. On July 27, the group took new hostages. They were four ambulance doctors who arrived at the police station to assist the wounded in the shootout between the police and Sasna Tsrer members. By July 31, they were also released, and the armed group surrendered. The two-week seizure took lives of two Armenian police officers.

From the first day of the seizure, Armenian people started their protest actions against authorities by gathering on Yerevans streets. Following the rally in Sari Tagh district of Yerevan, the police brutally dispersed the protesters and arrested 165 people. As a result, 73 citizens addressed medical institutions with injuries of varying degrees of severity.

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14 September 2016 17:42 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Following numerous complaints of international organizations and experts, the Armenian government dared to temporarily suspend the operation of the old Metsamor nuclear power plant (NPP). The plant will be stopped for preventive repair works, Director General of the NPP Movses Vardanyan said, Rusarminfo states.

The beginning of repair works is scheduled for September 20. They will last for 61 days. Then, on November 20, the plant is expected to be put into operation again.

A number of activities in the course of the preventive works will be implemented jointly with company RusAtom Service. Some of them will be carried out at the expense of loan borrowed from Russia.

After the completion of works, the plants management will appeal to the State Committee for Regulation of Nuclear Security in order to obtain permission for further operation until 2026. The current resolution allowed the plant to operate until September 1, 2016.

Renovations at the Metsamor NPP will not reduce the threat of this station and will not facilitate the reduction of region's pollution with radioactive waste, the Chairman of the National Nuclear Research Center of Azerbaijan, Adil Garibov, believes.

"The repairs conducted at the nuclear power plant are a maintenance process which is periodically being conducted there since 2014 with the aim of extending the exploitation of the Metsamor NPP," he told Trend.

During these two months, final repairs and testing will be conducted. Upon their completion, the life cycle of the NPP life will be extended for another 10 years by the decision of Armenias Cabinet of Ministers. "The International Atomic Energy Agency visited the reactor and found the result satisfactory. Our objections were not heard, said Garibov.

However, despite all those repair works, the Metsamor NPP continues to remain nearly the most dangerous object for the whole region, Garibov emphasized.

This was noted also by international observers. There is great nuclear security risk to the region regarding Metsamor NPP, especially in the context of the occupation of Azerbaijan territory by Armenia, The Korea Times states. The dubious condition of spent fuel and waste material from Metsamor NPP also raises safety concerns.

The construction of Metsamor NPP began in 1970. After the devastating earthquake of 1988 in the town of Spitak, it was closed; but in 1995, despite numerous international protests, the Armenian government renewed the operation of the NPP  moreover, the second reactor was launched.

Many international ecologists and scientists keep noting that the seismic activity of the area makes the operation of the nuclear power station in Metsamor an extremely dangerous enterprise even if a reactor of new sample is constructed.

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14 September 2016 12:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Patricia Espinosa and Mario Molina

Next month, signatories to the 1989 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer will convene in Kigali, Rwanda, to consider an amendment to the treaty that would gradually reduce, and eventually eliminate, the use of hydrofluorocarbons. HFCs, which are one of the six main greenhouse gases, are commonly used in air conditioners and refrigeration systems worldwide.

The amendment would be a boon for sustainable development, and could prevent the release of as much as 100-200 billion tons of climate-changing emissions by 2050. That would be enough to take the world a quarter of the way toward achieving the 2 Celsius global-warming target set by the December 2015 Paris climate agreement.

The Montreal Protocol was established to repair the ozone layer, which protects all life on the planet from deadly levels of ultraviolet rays. So far, it has been a remarkable success, with nearly 100 ozone-destroying chemicals phased out over the past three decades. The ozone layer is healing and, according to the latest estimates, it could recover by 2065, saving trillions of dollars in global health-care and agriculture costs.

Much of this improvement is thanks to HFCs, which are excellent ozone-friendly alternatives to older chlorofluorocarbons, which have been phased out. However, HFCs, some of which are 4,000 times more potent as greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide, are a disaster for climate change, and their use is still increasing annually by 10%.

It thus makes sense to focus on HFCs in taking action on climate change. For starters, reducing them can yield economic benefits, owing to the significant energy-efficiency improvements afforded by newer air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Just phasing in more efficient air-conditioning systems would be the emissions equivalent of retiring 2,500 medium-size peak power plants (power plants that come on-stream during periods of high demand, such as during the summer).

In China, switching to climate-friendly refrigerants and boosting the energy efficiency of air conditioning and refrigeration could lead to the equivalent in emissions savings of eight Three Gorges hydroelectric dams. In India, the switch could be equal to two more of the Indian governments current National Solar Mission, which promotes solar-energy penetration and the construction of new rooftop and ground-mounted solar plants.

Many countries  including the European Union and the United States, as well as Belize, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Egypt, Serbia, and Yemen  already recognize these far-reaching benefits and are taking unilateral action to phase out HFCs. A strong HFCs agreement in Kigali would add momentum to these efforts and provide financial support for developing countries that want to move to newer technologies but currently cant afford it.

In the private sector, retail giants such as Walmart, Nestle, and Tesco have joined the Consumer Goods Forum, a cooperative climate initiative, and agreed to phase out products with HFCs. The United Nations and Greenpeace, through an initiative called Refrigerants, Naturally!, are working with Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Redbull, and Unilever to do the same.

The Kigali meeting is set to yield a strong HFCs amendment. However, some countries in especially hot parts of the world heavily worry that climate-friendly alternatives for their essential air conditioning may not function as well. Any agreement can account for those concerns through a temporary exemption for those countries, while others move ahead with newer systems to demonstrate their effectiveness.

A warming planet is already having a devastating impact on some of the worlds most vulnerable populations, and it will only continue to do so. Ultimately, all countries will have to find a way forward on reducing HFCs and climate change generally, through national action plans and emissions reductions agreed to under the 2015 Paris agreement. Frameworks established by sister agreements like the Montreal Protocol can help to do this.

HFCs will also be a central topic at the next major UN climate change conference, COP22, which convenes in Marrakesh, Morocco, in November. We are confident that the governments preparing to meet in Kigali understand the need for a strong HFCs amendment, which would give momentum to other agenda items, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in Marrakesh.

If the world is to succeed in quickly reducing global emissions to prevent climate change from reaching catastrophic levels, reducing HFCs is a sensible  perhaps the most sensible  first step.

Copyright: Project Syndicate: The Climates Low-Hanging Fruit

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14 September 2016 11:59 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

A reception has been hosted for the participants of the 87th FIDE Congress in Baku. Addressing the event, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov spoke about the 42nd Chess Olympiad. The Baku Chess Olympiad is drawing to a close. However, I can say with confidence that this competition will be remembered for a long time. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the organization of the Olympiad. I extend my sincere gratitude to the Government of Azerbaijan, Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov and President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation Elman Rustamov, Ilyumzhinov said.

I should also emphasize the work of the Baku Chess Olympiad Operating Committee. In 2016, our representatives paid regular visits to Azerbaijan to monitor the progress of preparations. They always reported that the Operating Committee was working hard. Today, the results of this work are seen to the whole world. I would like to thank the members of the Baku Chess Olympiad Operating Committee and personally its director Mahir Mammadov on behalf of FIDE, he added.



In conclusion, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov presented Director of the Baku Chess Olympiad Operating Committee Mahir Mammadov with a special award for the excellent organization of the Baku Chess Olympiad and contribution to the development of chess.

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14 September 2016 19:46 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Official exchange rate of the Azerbaijani manat against the US dollar was set at 1.6375 manats for Sept. 15, said Azerbaijans Central Bank (CBA) on September 14.

Thus, manats rate against the US dollar increased by 0.1 percent compared to the rate on Sept. 14.

The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) sold $78 million to 22 banks through an auction held by the CBA Sept. 14.

According to the CBA, $150 million were put up for the auction.

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14 September 2016 13:17 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

An exhibition of works of Russian artist Olya Kroytor will open at Artwin Gallery Kicik QalArt in Baku on October 31.

The exhibition will feature works inspired by artist's experience and emotions, Azertac reported.

The main themes in her creativity are self-destruction, death and detachment.

This is not the first exhibition of the artist in Azerbaijan.

Kroytor's exhibition remained open in Baku for three months last year.

Russian contemporary artist is famous for her unique paintings, collages, installations and sculptures. She is particularly renowned for her performance pieces, receiving the Kandinsky Prize in 2015 in the category of 'Young artist: Project of the Year'.

Born in 1986 in Moscow, she studied at Moscow State Pedagogical University in the Graphic Art Department. Later she participated in Moscow Museum of Modern Art's programme "Free Workshops" and studied at the Institute of Contemporary Art.

Olya Kroytor has shown her work in many different exhibitions, including solo shows "Unnecessary", "Dissociative identity disorder", "Split personality", "Composition No1" etc.

Her solo exhibition Olya Kroytor. 8 Situations inaugurated the opening of Artwin Gallery's space on Tverskoy Boulevard.

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14 September 2016 14:40 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Russian Perm will host the Second International Festival of Martin McDonagh on October 1-7, 2016.

It is safe to say that the Festival has become the center of attraction for lovers of modern theatre art, in particular of the artwork of Martin McDonagh, it is also intended to bring together distinguished Russian and foreign theatres.

The Festival will bring together the best productions based on the plays of Martin McDonagh from theatres of Russia, Iran, Poland, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Montenegro, Azerbaijan, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Moreover, Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators will come to the Festival with production "The Beauty Queen".

The Programme of the Festival will also include movie screenings, lectures, seminars, discussions, workshops of Russian and foreign directors.

The idea of this years Festival belongs to the founder and artistic director of Perm Theatre U Mosta Sergei Fedotov, and this idea wasn`t accidental. Theatre U Mosta is a pioneer for the Russian theatre world of the outstanding Irish playwriter, moreover, it is the only theatre in the world where all the eight plays of McDonagh are put on the stage. In 2010 The Cripple of Inishmaan staged by Theatre U Mosta became a winner of the Golden Mask National Theatre award. Performances A Behanding in Spokane and The Lonesome West are nominees of the National Theatre award. In June 2016 the last play of M.McDonagh Hangmen was the first in Russia and the second in the world premiere of the outstanding playwriter shown on the stage of Theatre U Mosta!

The First International Festival of Martin McDonagh was held in October, 2014 and gathered the best European performances based on McDonagh`s plays: 7 days and 16 performances shown by theatres from Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Bosnia and Herzegowina, Poland, Azerbaijan and Russia.

Theatre "U Mosta" is the first theatre in the world that invented and organized the International McDonagh Festival.

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14 September 2016 18:29 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The glamorous festival of decorative and applied arts will kick off in Art Villa gallery on October 1.

The exhibition will feature original and unique pieces of art, including batik, tapestry, ceramics, stained glass, jewelry and rugs, Trend Life reported.

Being traditional, the festival aims at promotion and development of various types of decorative and applied art as well as to reveal new talents.

To participate in the festival, which will last October 16, it is necessary to e-mail the photos of works to [email protected]

The festival will be held with the financial support of the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and NGO Arts Council Azerbaijan. Exhibition's curator is Sabina Najafova.

Each participant can send only five photos.

Entries with exact name and mobile phone number are accepted until October 1.

Media partners of the event are Trend, Day.az, and Milli.az.

For many centuries, Azerbaijani people have created a rich and distinctive culture, a major part of which is decorative and applied art.

The art form is represented by a wide range of handicrafts, including carpet weaving, batik (silk kerchief), gobelin, pottery (ceramics), knitting, embroidery, jewelry, art glass, art carving (wood, metal, stone, bone carving), etc.

One of the most widespread folk art is carpet weaving. There are biggest carpet making schools in Azerbaijan like Garabagh, Gazakh, Tabriz, Shirvan, Baku and Guba. Most of the Azerbaijani carpets are made of silk or wool of lamb and sheep.

Due to the high aesthetic value, they are used to decorate the walls and floors of marquees, huts, homes, nomads' tents, and other buildings. The unique patterns and overall rich colors provide great opportunities for the development of this industry.

Batik is an ancient type of art. Silk kerchief is square-shaped woven women's veils made of silk. In the western zone of Azerbaijan it is called as charqat. Azerbaijan produced silk kerchief is known from ancient times. The high quality kerchiefs were made in Tabriz, Ganja, Sheki, Nakhchivan cities, Basqal village of Ismayilli.

Since Middle Ages Ganja and Basqal silk kerchiefs were exported to foreign countries.

Known as Heyraty, Soqani, Istiotu, Albukhar, Abi, Yeleni, motley silk kerchiefs are appreciated as famous among many art lovers.

At present, there are many dynasties continued the work of weaving silk kerchief. The Samilovs are considered to be skilled master of this art in Sheki.

Another form of widespread decorative and applied arts is the gobelin. The art developed by the Arabs in the 12th century spread to many eastern countries, including Azerbaijan.

Gobelin is a "needle stitch painting", widespread in the world, and the culture of the ancient folk art.

The "art of eternity" is related to tapestry, but instead of being woven, it is sewn on canvas with a fine needle. Depending on size of the piece, its complexity of the design, the process may take from 3 months to 1 year.

Scale knitting is one of the most interesting artistic knitting. Small scales cut from metal (iron, bronze, silver, gold) are attached on silk curtains, mirror covers and makes various forms of plant and geometric forms and ornaments.

Scales are used widely in such Azerbaijani regions as Garabagh, Ganja, Nakhichevan, Baku and Sheki.

The art of carving is the act of using tools to shape something from by scraping away portions of that material. The technique can be applied to any material, including stone, wood, bone etc.

Stone carvings in Gobustan, Gamigaya are the best examples of the art of carving in Azerbaijan.

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14 September 2016 14:52 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The British government will fund the demining operations to be held in the Azerbaijani border region to clear the areas from mines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs).

The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) and the British Embassy in Azerbaijan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on September 14 to fund the demining project that will be implemented starting from late this September to the end of March of next year.

The Memorandum was signed by ANAMA director Gazanfar Ahmadov and British Ambassador to Azerbaijan Carol Crofts.

ANAMA implements demining operations in the regions adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, being for over two decades occupied by neighboring Armenia. The frontline areas are constantly being mined by Armenian troops.

In addition to this, Armenia further breaks international laws by using banned chemical weapons against Azerbaijan. For instance, a shell containing chemicals landed in Eskipara village of the Terter district of Azerbaijan. It was later found and neutralized by ANAMA on May 10.

Recently, ANAMA announced the statistical data of its August work on clearing the territory of Azerbaijan from mines and UXOs.

So, ANAMA cleansed a territory of 7.3 million square meters from mines and UXO in August. As a result, 27,007 UXOs and 17 anti-personnel mines were detected and neutralized.

A total of 505 persons of operation staff and 125 of administrative staff participated in cleansing of the territories. The operations also included six mechanical minesweeping vehicles and 34 sappers.

To date, territory of more than 385 million square meters was cleaned, while the number of found and neutralized mines and UXOs is 752,059 units.

In August, ANAMA held its operations in Absheron, Agdam, Aghjabadi, Agstafa, Fuzuli, Ganja, Goranboy, Tartar and Garadagh regions and Guzdek village in Azerbaijan.

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 surrounding districts.

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14 September 2016 17:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has started distribution of ballots to the District Election Commissions (DECs) in connection with a vote at the upcoming referendum to be held on September 26.

At the event, held in the printing house of the Azerbaijani Parliament attended by CEC members, management, Secretariat staff, Chairmen and Secretaries of the DECs, all conditions were created for the participation of representatives of international and foreign organizations, the media and others who are interested in it.

Ballots for 36 constituencies were transferred to their representatives on the basis of the act, indicating the number, date and time of issue of ballots.

The process of ballots edition began from August 8 after the approval of requirements for the text, form, number and rules for preparation of ballots in connection with the popular vote (referendum). More than 5 million ballots were issued by decision of the Commission.

In accordance with the Electoral Code, the ballots will be transferred to precinct election commissions three days prior to the voting.

As of September 7, the CEC has registered 846 observers for the upcoming referendum, and 37,429 observers on the polling stations.

September 26, 2016, was set as the date for the referendum on proposed changes to the constitution of Azerbaijan and it was announced as a non-working day across the country.

In a bill recently sent to the Constitutional Court, President Ilham Aliyev proposed amendments to 29 Articles of Azerbaijans current constitution. The changes envisage the extension of the presidential term from five to seven years, the establishment of the first vice-president and vice-president positions in the country as well as the cancel of minimum age limit for presidential candidates, and dissolution of parliament by the president.

The League of Protection of Labor rights, Center for Aid and independent advice "For Civil Society" and, Independent Research Center ELS passed registration to conduct Exit Poll.

Final results of the Referendum will be announced until October 21.

The last time changes to the Constitution were made seven years ago, following Constitutional referendum held in 2009.

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14 September 2016 17:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

The construction of SOCARs carbamide plant in Sumgait city is completed by almost 40 percent

Khayal Jafarov, director of the plant, said that some 96 percent of equipment which was provided by the leading companies of Asia, Europe, and America has been delivered to Azerbaijan.

We are currently engaged in placing and installation of the equipment in the territory of the plant," he added. "Laying of underground communication lines and other pipelines was also completed. Installation of metal and other surface constructions are currently underway.

The construction is expected to accomplish by late 2017. The plant will be handed to SOCAR after passing necessary test trials. The plant will produce 1,200 tons of ammonium per day, while natural gas will be used as a raw material. Ammonium will be further used for the production of carbamide, the volume of which is expected to amount to 2,000 tons per day (some 700,000 tons per year). Jafarov said that the volume will fully meet the demand of the domestic market (which is about 150,000-200,000 tons per year), while surplus will be sold on the international markets. He underlined that Turkey is considered to be one of the main foreign market, as the demand for carbamide is high in the country.

Jafarov also said that Azerbaijan has managed to reduce the construction cost of the plant by reducing it to 700-750 million ($786 - $842 million) through optimization of expenditures. The cost was previously estimated at the level of 900-920 million ($1.010  $1.033 billion).

The cost is currently estimated at 700-750 million, including taxes. This is the sum, of investments, which is required for the launch of production at the plant, he said.

Jafarov said that certain engineering decisions lead to the reduction of the cost, underlining that performance figures will not be anyhow affected by the reduction.

With regards to attracting investment for the project he said that talks are planned to be held with the South Koreas Export-Import Bank. Moreover, talks are currently underway with Deutsche Bank and other authoritative European banks.

SOCAR expects to make high benefits and productivity from the plant, which is expected to generate profit within seven or eight years after its commissioning. The plant, which will consist of sectors that produce ammonia, liquid and granular carbamide is expected to release its first products in the first quarter of 2018. The launch of the plant will provide new working places for some 2, 000 people in Azerbaijan.

The main construction contractor is the Korean Samsung Engineering Company, while other licensors include Dutch Stamicarbon and Danish Haldor Topsoe. Finnish Neste Jacobs Oy will act as a management consultant for the project.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held in December 2011, which was followed by tender process that received bids for the implementation of construction works. SOCAR signed design, procurement and construction contract with Samsung Engineering Co. Ltd in March 2013.

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14 September 2016 11:49 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Energy-rich Uzbekistan, which currently ranks the 19th in the world for the volume of its proven gas reserves, is currently engaged in gas sale talks with Russia.

The issue was on the highest agenda during the meeting between Gazproms head Alexey Miller and chairman of the Uzbekneftegaz National Holding Company (NHC) Alisher Sultanov in Moscow, September 13. The sides discussed bilateral cooperation between the countries, the issue of purchase of Uzbek gas by the Russian side, as well as implementation of investment projects in Uzbekistan. Russias energy giant Gazprom earlier announced its plan to increase gas purchase from Uzbekistan in 2016

The contract with Uzbekneftegas was signed on the background of the escalation of relationships between Gazprom and Turkmengas. The companies argued about the price of Turkmen gas for the Russian company and Gazprom stopped buying Turkmen gas in early 2016.

Gazprom launched implementation of projects in Uzbekistan in December 2002, following the agreement on strategic cooperation in the gas industry with Uzbekneftegaz. Joint development of the Shakhpakhty field, which was put into operation in April 1971, became a pioneer project.

Gazprom also implements a number of projects in the sphere of exploration of hydrocarbon fields in Ustyurt region, located not far from the Shakhpakhty block. The sides entered into the agreement on the basic principles for geological exploration of the investment blocks in the Ustyurt region in January 2006. Jel gas and condensate field was discovered by Gazprom as a result of the exploration work implemented in Ustyurt. Gazprom carried out supplementary exploration of the Jel field in 2012 and determined the existence of some 14 productive horizons.

Gazprom purchased some 6.38 bcm of Uzbek gas in 2015, while about 3.5 bcm of the volume was delivered to far abroad, 2.9 bcm to Kazakhstan and 20 mcm to Kyrgyzstan.

Being created in 1998, Uzbekneftegaz national holding company is considered to be a monopoly operator of oil and gas complex in Uzbekistan

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14 September 2016 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Hasanova

Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the meeting of Council of Heads of CIS member states on September 16 in Bishkek, said the Kremlin on September 14.

In the framework of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of CIS, the heads of the states will sum up the activities of the interstate associations and exchange views on key issues regarding the further development of Commonwealth, RIA Novosti reported.

The meeting is expected to adopt a number of multilateral instruments, including statements on combating international terrorism and drug problem in connection with the 25th anniversary of CIS and the occasion of 70th anniversary of the accomplishment of the Nuremberg Tribunal, established after World War II for trial of main criminals responsible for Nazi crimes.

In addition, it is planned to sign some documents on organizational decisions, particularly regarding Russian chairmanship in the CIS in 2017.

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was created in December 1991. The CIS united Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

However, in 2008 Georgia withdrew its membership.

The CIS has few supranational powers but aims to be more than a purely symbolic organization, nominally possessing coordinating powers in the realm of trade, finance, lawmaking, and security.

Integration of the countries in the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States is executed through its coordinating institutions (charter bodies, executive bodies and the bodies of branch cooperation of the CIS).

The Council of the Heads of States is one of the charter bodies.

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14 September 2016 12:17 (UTC+04:00)

On Tuesday, September 13, at the International Maritime forum held in Batumi, an Agreement was signed between the governments of Ukraine and Georgia on the organization of direct international railway traffic through the ports of Ukraine and Georgia, ukrop news 24 reported. It was reported by the press-service of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine.

Today we signed a very important document, which connects the Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan on the Great Silk road. This initiative has gained new life and, undoubtedly, it has great prospects. Our countries have made many efforts in order to simplify the logistics, to make transit cheaper, and most importantly  increase the speed of delivery of the goods that it was the most comfortable for business. Currently, the market requirements are such that the rate of delivery is no less important than the price of shipping. More and more companies are willing to bear the additional costs that the product was not delivered for two or three months, and for 9-15 days. This year we have to increase the speed of transit of containers from China to the Western borders of Ukraine to 9-10 days, said the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Volodymyr Omelyan after signing.

He also noted that currently negotiations are ongoing regarding the introduction of a thoroughfare and simplification of customs procedures: I hope this year we can complete all the formalities and to proceed directly to the supply. There is high interest from the EU. Ukraine is not only an economic but also a political project. We need to be independent from the attitudes of individual countries. We need to start the procedure in such a way that the load was delivered on time and in any weather: both political and economic.

The Minister expressed confidence that the Agreement will contribute to strengthening the Ukrainian-Georgian relations: trade, business and infrastructure.

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14 September 2016 14:25 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

The people of Turkey demand reinstating the death penalty, countrys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Sabah newspaper reported on September 14.

Erdogan said that if the Turkish parliament decides to restore the death penalty, no one has the right to criticize this, since decisions of the parliament reflect the will of people.

Earlier, Turkeys Minister for the EU Affairs Omer Celik said that reinstating the death penalty in Turkey wasnt put up for consideration by the countrys parliament.

Turkey cancelled the death penalty in 2001. Reinstating the death penalty was discussed after 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.

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14 September 2016 16:29 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Hasanova

Turkmenistan is preparing to hold new presidential elections in 2017.

Three parties for the first time will get involved in the presidential election scheduled for 2017 in Turkmenistan, the countrys President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said on September 14 in a speech at the Council of Elders meeting, the Turkmen government said in a message.

In addition to the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and the Agrarian Party may participate in the presidential election.

The competition between these parties will attach a new tone and importance to the political life of the country, provide a high level of multiple choice option during the election, which in turn will further enhance the political culture of the whole society and each citizen, strengthen the unity of the people and the authorities, consolidate society on democratic principles, Berdimuhamedov added.

Meanwhile, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a constitutional law on approval of the new constitution of Turkmenistan at the countrys Council of Elders meeting held in the city of Ashgabat.

The new edition of the Turkmen constitution will become a stronghold of the national legal system, a guarantor of the rule of law, human rights and freedoms, inviolability of principles of genuine democracy.

Before that, the draft constitutional law of Turkmenistan on approval of the new constitution was considered and unanimously adopted by national MPs participating in the work of the Council of Elders in Ashgabat.

The draft Basic Law was being prepared in collaboration with and taking into account the suggestions of experts of the UN, the OSCE, the German Society for International Cooperation and other international organizations, which are long-term partners of Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan is a presidential republic, whereby the President of the country is both head of the state and head of the government. The country has a multi-party system.

Current Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was twice elected to this high post. During the last election in February 2012, he gained support of 97.4 percent of voters.

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14 September 2016 17:28 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Hasanova

Iran may rent regional gas pipelines instead of building new routes to export gas to the EU.

Head of the National Iranian Gas Company Alireza Kameli said that one of the possible ways of delivering the gas to the EU is the construction of gas liquefaction plants (LNG) in Iran, but Iran may also consider the option of gas export by pipeline, Mehr news agency reported.

Tehran was released of the most part of sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies over the long-debated Iranian nuclear program on January 16, 2016. The historical deal was signed after the IAEA presented a report which confirmed the willingness of the Iranian authorities to implement the program regarding the significant cut of nuclear potential created in the result of long negotiations.

Later, the European Union and the United States confirmed the removal of the economic and financial sanctions on Iran related to its nuclear program.

BP reports that in the beginning of 2015 Iran's gas reserves were 34 trillion cubic meters, while Iran's share in the global gas market is 17 percent.

There is no transit gas pipeline connecting Iran with the EU.

Thats why Iran may build a gas pipeline through Turkey. Even, some experts previously suggested that Iran may use Southern Gas Corridor and build a connection pipeline to TANAP instead of building a new one.

The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for the EU. It envisages the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey.

At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of Stage 2 of the development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor project. Other sources can also join this project at a later stage.

As part of Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and TAP.

Iran also considers building a gas pipeline to Oman where it can use already existing LNG facilities. Moreover, the country sees Kuwait and UAE as potential buyers of its natural gas supplies.

During last months, Iranian officials stressed several times that they are negotiating with international companies about both renting and building the floating liquefied natural gas vessels. The country signed an agreement on building LNG with a domestic company.

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14 September 2016 18:57 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Hasanova

Gazprom has received the first permit of Turkey for the construction of the maritime area of the pipeline Turkish Stream in the framework of the preparatory procedures for the resumption of the project.

"I would like to note about the speed and coordination of work with Turkish partners in the first phase of the project Turkish Stream," , RIA Novosti quoted the chairman of the board Gazprom Alexei Miller.

The construction of the Turkish Stream pipeline to deliver Russian gas to Turkey via the Black Sea was initially scheduled to begin in 2014 but was delayed later due to the failure to reach an intergovernmental agreement. Negotiations on the project were suspended after downing of a Russian plane in Syria in November 2015.

After the August 9 meeting between the Turkish and Russian presidents, Turkey has confirmed that its ready to continue negotiations on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project.

In addition, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak previously said the agreement on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project envisions the construction of one pipeline leg by late 2019, with a possible expansion to two.

The minister also said Russia and Turkey agreed to set up a working group to implement the project aiming to bring Russian natural gas to Southern Europe via Turkey.

Previously, forecasting its construction timeline at the second half of 2019, Novak said that an intergovernmental agreement on the Turkish Stream could be reached and signed by October.

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Email contributing columnist Richard Beene at rsbeene@yahoo.com. His work appears here on Wednesdays and Fridays; the views expressed are his own. Read more on his blog at BakersfieldObserved.com.
Opinions expressed in this column are those of Lois Henry. Her column runs Wednesdays and Sundays. Comment at http://www.bakersfield.com, call her at 395-7373 or email lhenry@bakersfield.com

LOIS HENRY ONLINE Read archived columns by Lois Henry at Bakersfield.com/henry. Lois Henry appears on First Look with Scott Cox every Wednesday on KERN 1180 AM and 96.1 FM from 9 to 10 a.m. The show is also broadcast live on www.bakersfield.com. You can get your 2 cents in by calling 842-KERN.
Making a claim

If you have a well in the Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District boundaries that went dry recently, you may be eligible for financial assistance.

Go to Rosedale-Rio Bravos website at http://www.rrbwsd.com/ and look under the Newsletters & Notices tab for more information and a claim form.
Foodservice supplier Coup de Pates has announced that Fabrice Prochasson will join the company as its new director of creation and innovation.

Prochasson, who is nicknamed the travelling creator, has been the one-time holder of Frances highest pastry honour  the best craftsman of France  and has worked in cities such as New York, Beijing, Tokyo and Athens.

He joins the premium foodservice supplier, with the UK market in his sights and will be tasked with building on the companys portfolio of products, using his experience and vision to push the boundaries in frozen bakery.

Prochasson commented: Im delighted to join Coup de Pates  a name held in such high regard with so many chefs in France, now making waves in the UK. This country is in the middle of something very special, its an amazing time to be a chef and involved with food  the levels of knowledge and innovation have never been so high, which is one of the reasons I just had to be a part of it.

I hope to help Coup de Pates build on their chef-to-chef relationships while ensuring French gastronomy continues to play a leading role in helping shape the innovative UK market.

The new director of creation and innovation will be demo-ing live in the UK for the very first time when Coup de Pates return to Omnivore World (21-23 October 2016) a three-day festival of cooking demonstrations and pop-up restaurants taking place across East London.

In July, Coup de Pates unveiled two new patisserie lines at the Taste of London food festival.
An ongoing NASA study focused on our oceans' coral reefs took its operations 'down under' to Australia this week to examine the Great Barrier Reef.

CORAL stands for COral Reef Airborne Laboratory

CORAL scientists, Australian collaborators will study Great Barrier Reef from above



Technology allows high resolution images shot through ocean's surface



To some, the Great Barrier Reef is the center of a number of scientific mysteries. Among those mysteries are the factors that affect its health, which experts do agree is currently poor.

Soon, however, scientists could know a whole lot more about how we can protect coral reefs, thanks to a three-year NASA project called CORAL.

The latest part of the mission involves a two-month investigation of the Great Barrier Reef from above. Scientists will use a device known as PRISM (Portable Remote Imaging Spectrometer) to literally peer through the oceans surface and generate high resolution images of the reef.

NASA scientists say this is important because the public is generally unaware of the dynamic features of coral. It can shrink and grow, and is constantly changing.

To learn more about the CORAL project, check out NASA's release on the latest developments.

The Gulfstream III carrying NASA's PRISM instrument being readied for science flights from Cairns, Australia. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/BIOS)
A sign outside the China Market convenience store asks for donations to help the homeless prepare for the winter. "I would like to do more," it reads.

Three months ago, on the day of his junior prom, 17-year-old Jacob Scholl was picking up his tuxedo when he stopped to give some extra cash to a homeless man near Men's Wearhouse on Dowlen.

He got in his car, drove to Walmart and returned with food for the man and his dog.

He does those kinds of things all the time.

Two weeks ago, Scholl, now a senior at Hardin-Jefferson High School, started his next project by hanging a sign at 229 Broadway in China.

He explained his plans to management of the convenience store, where his mother works, and they allowed him to leave two donation boxes inside for people to drop off clothing, hygiene products and non-perishable food items.

"He'll do anything for anyone," said Gretchen Wilson, Scholl's mother.

Wilson, who has worked at China Market for two years, said that Scholl spends most of his free time at the store while she works. It just made sense to him to set up donation boxes there.

She said that other employees are supportive of his efforts.

Within a week of the donation boxes being set out, two full garbage bags of women's clothing, blankets and shoes were donated, and Scholl was receiving a lot of feedback via social media.

Two women have reached out and offered to make toiletry care bags for him to pass out.

Along with donated items, Scholl plans to have food handy when he drives around making personal deliveries to the homeless.

Wilson said she and her husband will accompany Scholl.

Scholl said he wants to make sure the items are free, so he is making deliveries himself.

He said he has received some criticism for helping the homeless - and for buying food for the dog on the day of his junior prom - but he doesn't see the harm.

"Whatever helps them helps them," he said.

Scholl said he eventually wants to make hot meals and deliver them fresh.

He has reached out to his school's principal, Patrick Brown, about getting students involved in his self-driven project.

Brown told Scholl that the school already sponsors several similar projects, especially around the holidays, but encouraged him to reach out to individual organizations on campus.

"He's a good kid. I've seen him grow from a little freshman to now a young man," Brown said.

SFlores@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/_saraeflores
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Southeast Texas schools are trying everything from counseling to bribery to remedy absenteeism, which is prevalent in several local districts, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Education in June.

A report released last week, which analyzed 2013-14 data from the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, found that half of the nation's chronically absent students attend just 4 percent of districts across the country, one of which is Beaumont ISD.

The Office for Civil Rights defines a chronically absent student as one who misses 15 or more days in a school year, regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. The 2013-14 school year was the first for which the department requested the information from schools.

Nationally, more than 6.5 million students - or about 13 percent - missed that many days. Texas students were slightly lower, at 12 percent.

Since the 2013-14 school year, however, truancy regulations in Texas have changed, and districts are now required to implement programs for preventing and confronting chronic unexcused absences.

Until 2015, Texas was one of two states that made truancy a criminal violation, with sanctions and fines. Now, schools are required to have programs in place to notify parents when students are chronically absent and to provide situational support, with students referred to truancy court if those measures fail.

The state uses a measure of 10 days within six months to determine truancy. The Texas Education Agency tracks school's overall attendance rates, but does not specifically monitor chronic absenteeism.

Those average daily attendance rates are also used in determining state funding, Many districts offer

students rewards to boost that number, by incentivizing perfect or close-to-perfect attendance.

Students who miss substantial amounts of class time are at risk of not receiving credit for the courses they are enrolled in, which can impact promotion to the next grade or graduation.

Common causes of recurring absence include illness, transportation issues or simply not making attendance a priority, local districts said. For older students, employment can also contribute to chronic absence, especially if students are families' primary wage-earners.

Reasons vary by age

Senecia Saveat, Beaumont's assistant director for student services, said those are all issues that the district tries to identify and address as part of truancy prevention programs.

"It's going to look a little bit different at different campuses," she said, because reasons for absence vary by age level.

At all levels, classroom teachers or campus administration are prompted to contact parents when students are absent for consecutive days.

From there, students could be referred to counselors or Communities in Schools liaisons, who work specifically with students at risk of dropping out.

Sometimes, the campus finds a teacher or staff member on the campus who students are required to check in with or finds an extracurricular activity for the student to commit to.

"That's one of our big deterrents (to absence) at the secondary campuses," Saveat said, because extracurricular involvement keeps students engaged in coming to school.

The key is identifying the barriers that are interfering with regular attendance, she said.

Attendance committees also review cases if students attend less than 75 percent of a class, and determine if extenuating circumstances and credit recovery will allow the student to pass that class.

Beaumont's overall attendance rate has generally been above 94 percent, she said.

Outreach to families

The prevention programs haven't been in place long enough to determine whether they will be more effective than the previous policies, said Nederland ISD Assistant Superintendent Stuart Kieschnick.

"It took some schools away from the school" for filing truancy cases with a justice of the peace, he said, "but it also put more steps in the process to fix it before it becomes a legal matter," Kieschnick said.

Elsewhere in Southeast Texas, 12 other districts also had rates above the state average. West Orange-Cove CISD had the highest chronic absence rate, at 49.27 percent for 2013-2014.

Local administrators, however, emphasized their high overall rates of attendance, which are calculated based on the percentage of registered students who attend each day.

Several districts encourage attendance with incentive programs, offering everything from class celebrations to additional privileges and valuable prizes.

As in Beaumont, preventing both sporadic and chronic absence starts with working with families.

In Evadale, where the 2013-14 chronic absence rate was about 21 percent, the district also uses incentives to encourage attendance, superintendent Gary Fairchild said, though he doesn't consider chronic absence to be a major problem.

"We have not had a kid that has not graduated because of absences"In his four years as superintendent, Fairchild said.

When a student misses several consecutive days, "the first thing we do is make contact with a parent and find out what is going on there," he said. "There may be an issue that we need to deal with."

If a student lives with grandparents or foster parents, for example, he said, or if students are sick or have a chronic illness, that will impact attendance.

Overall, though, "our community is cooperative, it's been pretty easy to get them here," Fairchild said.

Incentives like recognitions for good attendance and prize drawings also "seemed to improve (attendance) some," he said.

Vidor's attendance rate in 2013-14 was 96 percent, according to Director of Communications Sally Andrews, though the Education Department reported that 29 percent of the district's students missed more than 15 days that year.

In addition to automatically contacting parents when students have more than three consecutive unexcused absences, sending letters after six absences and calling families to check on students, the district also runs incentive programs at each campus to encourage attendance, Andrews said.

Those range from popcorn parties to privileges like using cell phones at lunch and wearing shorts on Fridays.

High school students with perfect attendance also can receive scholarships when they graduate, ranging from $360 to $1,000, depending on how many years of perfect attendance they have. Almost 20 percent of graduates earned those in the last two years, Andrews said.

Attendance incentives

Other districts use similar rewards to motivate attendance, which can be as small as five extra minutes of reading or recess time for young students, or as large as drawings for iPads and other prizes for older students.

Those are less targeted at students with critical attendance issues and more at reaching perfect attendance whenever possible.

In Hamshire-Fannett, classes and grades with high attendance can win pizza or ice cream parties, Superintendent Pamela Lechler said, as well as be entered into drawings for gift cards.

In Beaumont, Saveat said that campuses sometimes have competitions between grades for best attendance. Students also can lose privileges, such as being able to drive to school or attend events, if they have poor attendance.

Nederland ISD has perhaps the largest attendance award: Each year, high school students who missed fewer than three days are entered into a drawing for a new car, donated by Philpott Motors.

Kieschnick said that the district began the drawing in the late 1990s, when attendance was around 93 percent.

The incentive had an immediate impact, improving attendance 4 percent and keeping it there.

Students who meet attendance criteria and other academic standards also can be exempt from final exams, he said.

Incentives like those, however, are targeted more at improving general attendance than resolving chronic absence, because those cases tend to have deeper causes that can't be solved by offering a reward.

"Usually there's a problem area that exists before truancy becomes a problem," Kieschnick said, such as family problems at home or drug and alcohol abuse.

No chronic absences

According to the report, 89 percent of school districts in the country reported having chronically absent students.

Locally, however, five districts had none: Deweyville, East Chambers, Hull-Daisetta, Port Neches-Groves and Woodville.

PN-G superintendent Rodney Cavness credited the district's parents and teachers with making sure students are in school.

"We've just got a winning combination. If kids feel welcome and loved and safe, they come to school," he said.

Hull-Daisetta superintendent Mary Huckabay said that an advantage of being a small district is that administrators "know most of the parents and kids personally so we try to keep on top of it."

Connecting with parents is the first line of defense against truancy, local administrators said, and the first step all districts take in dealing with extended absences.

Beaumont ISD has been trying to send a message to families this year about the cumulative impact of absence, Saveat said.

"Most people don't realize how as little as two days a month can add up" over time, she said. "That means that a kid misses 10 percent of the school year."

LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.comTwitter.com/LizTeitz

Chronic absenteeism rates 2013-14

National: 13 percent

Texas: 12 percent

Beaumont ISD: 14.62 percent

Bridge City ISD: 10.88 percent

Buna ISD: 22.36 percent

Deweyville ISD: 0 percent

East Chambers ISD: 0 percent

Evadale ISD: 20.93 percent

Hamshire-Fannett ISD:9.91 percent

Hardin-Jefferson ISD:3.55 percent

High Island ISD: 3.55 percent

Hull-Daisetta ISD: 0 percent

Jasper ISD: 16.51 percent

Kirbyville CISD: 17.02 percent

Kountze ISD: 13.51 percent

Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD: 17.92 percent

Lumberton ISD: 7.77 percent

Nederland ISD: 9.13 percent

Newton ISD: 13.64 percent

Orangefield ISD: 9.54 percent

Port Arthur ISD: 12.17 percent

Port Neches-Groves ISD:0 percent

Sabine Pass ISD:11.64 percent

Silsbee ISD: 19.13 percent

Spurger ISD: 11.11 percent

Warren ISD: 18.81 percent

West Hardin County CISD: 19.90 percent

West Orange-Cove CISD: 49.27 percent

Woodville ISD: 0 percent

Vidor ISD: 28.99 percent

Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
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DEWEYVILLE -- Six months after the Sabine River washed out Lucille Salter's home, the lifelong Deweyville resident has slowly pieced it back together.

The house was gutted after flooding in March left about 5 feet of water inside her living room.

Now it has new floors, cabinets and tile in the kitchen.

Salter, who commutes from Kirbyville six days a week to work on the house, spent Tuesday painting new walls, one of many odd jobs she and her family have taken up since rebuilding from the flood.

Although far from finished, Salter hopes to be back home by the end of the week, she said.

Getting back to normal, or even close, has come at a heavy price. She said the Federal Emergency Management Agency cut her a check for $15,000, but Salter reached even further into her savings to spend the $50,000 that was needed.

She quit her job with the Deweyville school district to dedicate six hours a day to rebuilding the home her father built in the 1950s shortly before his death.

"It seems like the more work we did, the more work was needed," Salter said in a living room filled with plywood and power tools.

Salter is one of more than 500 property owners joined in a lawsuit against the Sabine River Authority claiming its decision to open nine spillway gates - swallowing the small rural area about 15 miles north of Orange near the Texas-Louisiana border - violated their constitutional rights.

After nearly four months of back-and-forth in federal court, the lawsuit is headed back to Orange County.

U.S. District Judge Ron Clark ruled Monday that claims brought by the property owners are solely governed by the Texas Constitution.

SRA-Texas, which controls Toledo Bend, sought to move the case from state court because it blames flooding on federal guidelines and regulations.

The river authority wanted the lawsuit dismissed because of the Federal Power Act, which SRA argues should protect it from landowner flood claims based on a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in 2013.

Toledo Bend is licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for power generation and water conservation. The reservoir was not designed for flood control.

Clark, however, wrote in his order sending the case back to Orange County that "federal law and FERC's actions are only at issue in this case because SRA-Texas wishes to rely on them" as a defense.

Salter said she is not concerned about receiving money from lawsuit. It's far more personal, she said.

"If (the lawsuit) doesn't do anything but stop them from ever doing this again, I'll be happy," Salter said. "This never should've happened."

Since 1999, FERC has twice punted on implementing flood control measures, citing studies by the U.S. Corp of Engineers and historical flood data.

SRA officials have said releasing the floodwater was required under the FERC license, which Clark said is a defense for the river authority to present in state court.

"Plaintiffs have not based their claims on federal law," Clark wrote. "They have not made any claims based on violations of the FERC license or violations under the FPA."

Bennie and Jean Grimes have yet to join the SRA lawsuit but said they plan to soon.

The couple lost furniture, appliances and had to replace flooring.

The $11,000 they received from FEMA was not enough to cushion their fall.

Since the flood, Bennie Grimes has retired from truck driving, making it more difficult to make ends meet.

"We're a lot poorer," Jean Grimes said when asked about how much life has changed in the last six months. "We've been rebuilding one room at a time. It's been rough, but we're making it."

Bennie Grimes, now 69, recalled his senior year at Deweyville High School, at the time Toledeo Bend was being built.

It's been more than 40 years, but he said at the time residents were led to believe there would be some flood control.

The Grimes lived closer to the river for about 17 years before moving back to Deweyville in 1991. They never even considered buying flood insurance until six months ago.

Deweyville has flooded before, yet Salter said this was the first time water got into the house.

"I'm not saying that dam is a bad thing, but they could run it a lot better," Bennie Grimes said. "I thought I was alright up here - not this time."

BScott@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/BrandonKScott
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Texas has been on a slower than usual pace in executing death row inmates this year, but a federal appeals court's ruling this week may put the state back in the business of carrying out death sentences.

The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled that questions about the drug the state plans to use in executions isn't enough reason to delay five executions.

A state court stopped the execution of three of the five men involved in the case on unrelated grounds, including the case of Robert Jennings, who had been scheduled to die Wednesday night. The federal appeals court decision could mean the executions of Terry Edwards and Ramiro Gonzales will go forward over the next two months as scheduled.

READ MORE: Sentences of Jeffrey Wood, Bobby Moore add to execution controversy

To date, Texas has executed six prisoners in 2016, the slowest pace since 2010, when 10 people were sent to the death chamber. With at least three more executions scheduled before the end of the year, 2016 could mark the first time since 1996 that Texas has executed less than 10 people.

Edwards is awaiting execution on Oct. 19 for the 2002 robbery and shooting deaths of two people at a Dallas restaurant. Gonzales was condemned to death and scheduled for execution on Nov. 2 for the 2001 kidnapping, sexual assault and killing of an 18-year-old woman in Medina County.

In the latest case, five inmates - Jeffrey Wood, Ronaldo Ruiz, Jennings, Edwards and Gonzales - asked a federal court to force the state to re-test the five gram shot of pentobarbital used to induce death and halt their executions until that was done.

READ MORE: Texas' most controversial executions

U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes rejected that request last month. The appeals court, led by Judge Patrick Higginbotham, found no grounds to force the state to test the pentobarbital, an anesthetic that in large doses can cause death.

In fact, the appeals court said, the state's interest in carrying out a final judgement in a capital case outweighs an inmate's interest in a painless death. Higginbotham wrote for the court that two of the inmates involved in the suit have been on death row for more than 20 years.

"To these eyes, a system that leaves persons on death row for over two decades more surely taxes the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of undue suffering than does the elusive search for minimum pain for those brief moments of passage across the river," Higginbotham wrote.

READ MORE: Drug testing delays execution for Houston killer

Mike Biles, an Austin-based attorney for the inmates, said the ruling renders the Eighth Amendment pointless.

"Above all else, in carrying out executions, the state should be held to the highest levels of transparency and accountability," Biles said. "It is unfortunate that the courts allow the state to cloak the entire process in secrecy."
Connecticut's largest insurer ConnectiCare announced its intentions to stay in the state's ACA exchange, after it had decided to pull out of the exchange last week, the Connecticut Mirror reports.

Here's what you should know.

1. The insurer had a 27.1 percent rate increase denied by the state's Insurance Department earlier in the month, and it had threatened to leave the exchange. But the insurer announced it would participate at the approved rate schedule for 2017.

2. ConnectiCare will join Anthem as the only other option through the exchange.

3. ConnectiCare was initially afraid the new rates would not cover its expenses for the year, and had withdrawn because of them. The company did not comment on why the new rate schedule was acceptable.

4. UnitedHealthcare and HealthyCT have both withdrawn from the exchanges.

More coding, billing and collections news:

Are ACOs failing to fulfill their goals of truncating costs & improving care? Why Dartmouth's dropout raises doubts

ConnectiCare becomes latest insurer to leave ACA: 3 takeaways

Payers can forge partnerships with physicians to yield cost savings, deliver efficient care: 5 key notes




Hillary Clinton was diagnosed with pneumonia after hastily leaving a Sept. 11 anniversary ceremony, leading many to question the Democratic candidate's health, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Here are four takeaways:

1. A campaign spokesperson said Ms. Clinton will release medical documents detailing her pneumonia type within the next couple of days.

2. By releasing the documents, the campaign hopes to settle any concerns the public has about Ms. Clinton's health.

3. Donald Trump said he would release new medical records on a "Dr. Oz" appearance this week.

4. The public has also speculated about Mr. Trumps' health. His gastroenterologist Harold Bornstein, MD, released a four-page letter saying, "If elected, Mr. Trump, I can state unequivocally, will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency."

More healthcare news:

Where do US residents get the most shut-eye? 10 states with the highest & lowest sleep rates

Global market for anesthetic, respiratory devices to reach $24.2B by 2020: 3 notes

Payers can forge partnerships with physicians to yield cost savings, deliver efficient care: 5 key notes
As patient satisfaction scores are increasingly linked to provider reimbursement, it's critically important hospitals resolve instances where patients report great clinical outcomes and negative experiences with billing.

Becker's Hospital Review recently spoke with Beth Prince, director of operations, business performance services for McKesson, about how hospitals are adapting to manage an increasing number of patient billing complaints.

Root causes of billing complaints

Healthcare reform has transformed how hospitals conduct business. Due to shifts in cost sharing, a larger portion of many hospitals' reimbursement now comes from patients rather than commercial payers. This means hospitals are interfacing more than ever with consumers to collect. Many hospitals' revenue cycles are struggling to meet today's financial demands and consumer expectations due to a confluence of factors, from historic underinvestment to administrative burden.

Many Americans who gained healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act are unfamiliar with what their health insurance entails. The first time some policyholders hear about deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance or benefits is when an unanticipated hospital bill shows up in their mail. In fact, consumers' No. 1 billing complaint is that hospital employees did not explain how much their medical care would cost, says Ms. Prince.

The shock of an unexpected expense can destabilize the patient-hospital relationship and reduce satisfaction rates. A 2013 survey by TransUnion found nearly 70 percent of patient respondents who gave the highest ratings to their quality of care during the past two years also gave high ratings to their billing and payment experiences, compared to only 24 percent of those who gave low ratings to their quality of care. This has made customer satisfaction a strategic priority for hospitals as clinical outcomes and HCAHPS scores are increasingly linked to reimbursement rates.

Negative financial interactions also have a direct effect on hospitals' cash flow. A 2016 study by Connance found 74 percent of satisfied patients paid their medical bills in full, compared to 33 percent of their lesser satisfied counterparts. Intermittent or unreliable cash flow can harm a hospital's ability to respond to changing market conditions, putting an organization at a disadvantage in the transition to value-based care.

Many patients lodge complaints about the length of time between services rendered and when they get a bill in the mail, says Ms. Prince. The number of days an account is in days not final billed is a great indicator of revenue cycle efficiency. High claims denial rates and slow adjudication processes can delay patient billing for up to four months or longer. "Hospitals forecast receiving patient payments within a certain timeframe," says Ms. Prince. When patients don't get bills on time, hospitals likely won't get paid on time, she says.

In recent years, hospital revenue cycles have struggled to remain efficient under a mountain of new regulations and reporting measures implemented by the ACA. Because of the increased demand for documentation under ICD-10, physicians are required to perform clinical and time-intensive administrative duties with no increase in compensation, says Ms. Prince. Tedious, administrative tasks can slow down the claims submission and billing process, causing patients to receive bills later than anticipated.

Hospitals enlist outside expertise

Implementing revenue cycle upgrades in-house can be cost-prohibitive and time-intensive. Because hospital leaders traditionally considered revenue cycle a cost-of-business expense, hospitals have typically underinvested in revenue cycle capabilities, training and infrastructure. This has forced hospitals and health systems of all sizes to the market in search of tools and expertise to help them meet contemporary market demands.

Outsourcing financial operations to subject matter experts has emerged as a successful and growing trend because it eliminates overhead costs. Outsourcing allows a hospital to take advantage of a vendor's updated IT infrastructure without having to buy and implement the technology itself. "More healthcare organizations are investing in external companies to improve their revenue cycle workflow and free up capital by cutting operating expenses," says Ms. Prince. Many hospital leaders recognize that updated IT systems and advanced payment tools in the hands of capable financial experts can speed claims processing and drive positive patient experience down the line, resulting in improved cash flow, she adds.

Best practices

Ms. Prince recommended hospitals implement the following four best practices to successfully address and mitigate patient billing complaints.

1. Front end registration. Sloppy registration processes can cause administrative burden and claims delays downstream for billing department staff. Simple mistakes, such as missing or incorrect demographic information, can extend the claims resolution process and add days in accounts receivable. Ms. Prince recommends hospital leaders augment or enhance their registration processes to reduce errors.

2. Financial counseling. Helping patients understand their insurance benefits, medical costs and financial responsibility prior to scheduling a procedure can prevent the hospital from taking on bad debt and eliminate a significant portion of billing complaints. Ms. Prince suggests administrators invest in financial and insurance education services to improve patient experience and the hospital's bottom line.

3. Process, employee accountability. Leaders should implement and uphold revenue cycle benchmarks to ensure operations don't fall behind. "If you need to get clinical documentation completed within 72 hours of discharge, then you need to implement checkpoints to make sure that happens," says Ms. Prince.

4. Trending. Hospital administrators should document each billing complaint patients report. This enables staff to identify the root cause of negative financial interactions and turn that data into actionable process improvements, says Ms. Prince. "You are always going to have patient complaints. The idea is to recognize the opportunities and challenges to improvement moving forward."
Here are companies that debuted revenue cycle management products for healthcare providers in the last month.

1. Windham Brannon, an audit and accounting firm, will provide advisory and financial assistance to rural hospitals through its revenue cycle consortium.

2. Fiserv, a financial services technology provider, introduced a payment platform designed to help utility, insurance, lending, healthcare and telecommunication companies customize billing and payment options for customers.

3. FAIR Health launched a mobile app aimed at promoting healthcare literacy among Connecticut patients.

4. Medical billing business owners Jean Chenette and Jennifer Gomm released their medical billing support service, Help My Biller.

5. Healthcare technology company RemitDATA and StarHealth Provider Solutions launched a comparative analytics tool.

6. Shamrock Solutions released a digital explanation of benefits solution.

7. CareCredit launched a digital application that enables patients to apply for and use CareCredit financing during appointments at physicians' offices.

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The top three vendors hospitals use to attest to the meaningful use program are Cerner, MEDITECH and Epic, according to June 2016 ONC data.

Here are 21 hospitals and health systems that posted job listings seeking EHR and IT expertise for these systems in the past two weeks.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Job listings were compiled from job seeker websites.

Cerner

1. Southwest Healthcare System (Wildomar, Calif.): Seeks a clinical systems analyst

2. Einstein Medical Center (Philadelphia): Seeks a clinical systems analyst

3. Christ Medical Center (Oak Lawn, Ill.): Seeks a clinical informaticist

4. University of Washington Medicine (Seattle): Seeks a clinical informatics analyst

5. Community Health Systems (Franklin, Tenn.): Seeks an application systems analyst

6. Northwest Texas Healthcare System (Amarillo): Seeks an EMR specialist

7. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (Memphis, Tenn.): Seeks a physician systems analyst

MEDITECH

1. Memorial Hospital (Jacksonville, Fla.): Seeks a public benefits coordinator

2. Nashoba Valley Medical Center (Ayer, Mass.): Seeks a secretary

3. Mount Sinai Hospital (Chicago): Seeks a resource coordinator

4. Mount Sinai Health System (New York City): Seeks a registrar

5. Saratoga Hospital (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.): Seeks a clinical systems analyst

6. Anderson Regional Medical Center (Meridian, Miss.): Seeks a systems analyst

Epic

1. The Guthrie Clinic (Sayre, Pa.): Seeks a clinical analyst

2. Asante (Medford, Ore.): Seeks an Epic trainer

3. HonorHealth (Scottsdale, Ariz.): Seeks an EMR reporting analyst lead

4. Greater Baltimore Medical Center: Seeks an application coordinator/analyst

5. UMass Memorial Health Care (Worcester, Mass.): Seeks an applications systems analyst

6. John Muir Health (Walnut Creek, Calif.): Seeks a clinical analytics lead

7. Greenville (S.C.) Health System: Seeks a senior analyst

8. University Medical Center New Orleans: Seeks a health information management systems analyst

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Plantation (Fla.) General Hospital CEO Robert Lee has resigned, according to a South Florida Business Journal report. Mr. Lee took on the role on June 1.

Plantation General Hospital is a part of Hospital Corporation of America East Florida in Ft. Lauderdale. Mr. Lee has been with HCA since 1992, and he most recently served as CEO of Raulerson Hospital in Okeechobee, Fla.

Sara Callari, spokesperson for HCA East Florida, announced Mr. Lee's resignation, but did not give a reason for his departure. The hospital's CFO Tony Gomez and COO Patrick Rohan are currently taking on Mr. Lee's responsibilities.

HCA East Florida previously announced plans to move 200 of Plantation General Hospital's beds to a new hospital the company is building in Ft. Lauderdale, according to the report.
Violence in hospitals is a growing public health concern. In recent years, attacks on patients and providers in the healthcare setting, particularly those perpetrated by patients and visitors, have impelled administrators to consider ways to enhance systemwide security models.

Though still relatively rare, acts of violence are occurring in hospitals with increasing frequency. Healthcare institutions reported a 40 percent spike in violent crime between 2012 and 2014, with more than 10,000 incidents aimed at hospital staff, according to a survey from the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety.

Individual acts of violence in hospitals made headlines numerous times so far this year.

In January, Michael Davidson, MD, a cardiac surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital and assistant professor at HarvardMedicalSchool in Boston was shot and killed in the hospital by a deceased patient's son. The shooter then committed suicide in an exam room. In March, a 22-year-old patient nearly tore off a nurse's ear and attempted gouge out her eye at Pembroke (Mass.) Hospital.

In early July, a 55-year-old male patient attacked Ruth Anne Mardock, MD, at Timberlawn Mental Health System in Dallas, by tackling her and knocking her head into the ground. She lost consciousness and later died from her injuries. Later that month, a man entered a patient's room at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Fla., and opened fire, killing an 88-year-old patient and a 36-year-old hospital employee. Police deemed the shooting a random attack and charged 29-year-old David Owens with two counts of first-degree murder. According to his lawyer, Mr. Owens is severely mentally ill and incompetent to stand trial.

The New York Times, in collaboration with WBEZ's This American Life, in February published a detailed report on the case of Alan Pean, a 26-year-old college student who was shot just millimeters from his heart by armed hospital security at St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston while he was having a manic bipolar episode. Nurses called hospital security  who were off-duty police  to his room when Mr. Pean refused to comply with their orders, and after a confrontation ensued, the officers shot him.

"I thought of the hospital as a beacon, a safe haven," Mr. Pean, who survived the gunshot, told The New York Times. "I can't quite believe that I ended up shot."

After CMS launched an emergency investigation of the event, the agency faulted St. Joseph for the shooting, concluding the hospital created "immediate jeopardy to the health and safety of its patients," and that "the facility had no clear guidance for the role, duties and responsibilities of the police officers they employ to provide security services," according to The New York Times. CMS demanded the hospital restrict its use of weapons or risk losing federal reimbursement.

Tragic episodes of violence in hospitals have prompted many healthcare executives to rethink their security models, with some electing to arm security guards. Meanwhile, others warn that the presence of guns in hospitals could increase the likelihood of violence, as in the case of Mr. Pean. There is also concern that patients or visitors could obtain officers' guns from their holsters, particularly behavioral and mental health patients with conditions that manifest as aggressive behavior.

Given the complexity of the violence and security, Becker's Hospital Review asked three health system executives to break down the decision-making process behind their unique security models.

Scripps Health CEO weighs pros and cons of introducing armed guards

Concerns about excessive force used to restrain mental health patients are partially what has kept Chris Van Gorder, CEO of San Diego-based Scripps Health, from deploying armed security guards in Scripps facilities. A great proportion of people who visit hospitals, and emergency rooms in particular, have mental or behavioral health conditions. A variety of factors contribute to this, including underfunding of behavioral health and social programs in the community, the release of mentally disturbed prisoners with inadequate support and a large homeless population, according to Mr. Van Gorder.

"If [the police] don't know what to do with [a mentally disturbed person] and they haven't committed a crime, they just drop them off in the ER," says Mr. Van Gorder. "We're seeing people with behavioral health issues boarded in our ERs because there is no other appropriate place for them. When we don't have enough mental health units, we have to put them in a regular medical bed."

In addition to the fact that patients with mental and behavioral health issues would be better served in a psychiatric department than the ER, overcrowding in the ER with people who may be suffering mental health crises could increase the risk of aggressive behavior, leading to a confrontation with security.

In the event that security is called on any patient, Mr. Van Gorder says, "We don't want a situation where security personnel are shooting or injuring patients. If law enforcement shoots a citizen out on the street, that's different than a hospital security officer shooting a patient. And if you use a Taser in a hospital, you could be injuring someone with a heart condition. Same with using pepper spray on someone with a respiratory disorder."

However, Mr. Van Gorder notes that the health system leadership has an obligation to protect Scripps' staff, patients and visitors. "There does seem to be an uptick in violence. I'm trying to find a balance between providing security with the tools they need to maintain safety, but not go so far as to increase the risk for patients in the hospital."

The decision to introduce armed security personnel in hospitals isn't one-size-fits-all  each system can scale up or down their security system as leaders see the need. At Scripps, Mr. Van Gorder is considering the concept of a rapid response team to respond to violent emergency situations.

"While we wouldn't generally arm security, I've been thinking about having a small, highly trained response team of ex-law enforcement or former military police, put them through all the necessary screening and training, and have them on call to respond to a threat anywhere in our health system," he says. "Introducing guns to a hospital increases risk for gun violence, but a small rapid response team doesn't carry the same risks as if you armed all security officers."

Northwell Health aims to strike a balance

The security model in place at New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health is similar to Mr. Van Gorder's rapid response team idea.

Northwell Health has about 525 licensed security guards across the system, according to Mark Solazzo, executive vice president and COO. Of those, just 20 officers  each at the director level  are armed.

"You would never know we have an armed force," says Mr. Solazzo. "It's a very small proportion. During our deliberation on the matter, we knew we didn't want to appear as an armed force to patients while still being able to ensure a safe environment."

The armed officers, who are all former members of law enforcement, do not stand on the frontlines in Northwell Health facilities. They are intended to be deployed during particularly dangerous situations, such as the event of an active shooter. Otherwise, the health system predominantly relies on non-armed force to maintain security.

However, Mr. Solazzo notes that each of Northwell Health's 21 hospitals require varying degrees of security measures.

"Each hospital is extremely different and their risk profile is different," he explains. "We take that into account as to how we approach visitor access and the number and visibility of security force."

Whether armed or not, all 525 of Northwell Health's security personnel are licensed security officers of New York State. They are also trained on how to control and de-escalate situations involving patients experiencing a mental health crisis, and how to safely restrain them.

"We are trying to maintain a balance of a healing and caring environment with comfort and safety," says Mr. Solazzo. "While safety is important, we don't want to alarm the public or make them feel like they are in a restraining environment."

Health First's summer decision to enhance hospital security

Rockledge, Fla.-based Health First recently introduced armed security officers to its facilities. As of July 21, certain authorized security personnel at Health First, a 900-bed health system comprised of a tertiary hospital and three community hospitals, began carrying a firearm and baton. Stuart Mitchell, Health First COO, said the idea of arming hospital security had been under consideration for a long time, but the July shooting at ParrishMedicalCenter drove the final decision.

"Because of the tragic events at Parrish, we egged it on. But we were probably close to doing this regardless," says Mr. Mitchell. "We have to understand we're living in a world that's changing. We must face the reality that there are people out there who want to do harm."

The decision to introduce armed security guards adds to Health First's existing security model, which includes a visitor badging system that conducts immediate background checks, enhanced security staffing and processes and upgraded systems to help staff monitor and manage crises, according to a news release from the hospital.

Not all security personnel at Health First qualify to hold a firearm. Additionally, armed guards, who are contracted through security vendor G4S, have completed all Florida Department of Licensing Firearms Training required for armed private security officers. This annual certification authorizes the selected officers to carry Tasers. The guards stationed at Health First facilities  primarily in the ER and main entrances  must also pass the same testing that all Florida law enforcement officers are required to complete, and maintain their certifications and licenses. In addition to rigorous training, the armed guards at Health First facilities wear holsters designed to guard against someone obtaining their gun.

Mr. Mitchell acknowledges concerns about introducing guns in hospitals. But he says that since G4S  not the health system  is responsible for organizing the guards' firearm training and certification, hospital staff, patients and visitors can be confident the armed guards are trained by leading security experts and have passed psychological assessments deeming them fit to serve in a hospital setting.

"If you think we'd give guns to just anyone, I'd be nervous too," says Mr. Mitchell. "We found a vendor that is a security expert to help us do this. We're not just arming regular people."

Overall, Mr. Mitchell says the health system staff and the community have supported Health First's decision to bring on armed security officers.

"It's unfortunate that we must take these actions, but through careful and thorough review and implementation, these steps will provide us a greater opportunity to avoid a tragic event within our organization," says Mr. Mitchell.

Ultimately, hospitals and health systems must determine the best strategy to preserve a safe healthcare environment. While it's unfortunate that violence is becoming more prevalent in centers dedicated to healing and restoring life, healthcare leaders must be vigilant in their mission to protect their patients, staff and visitors.
These hospital CEOs delivered college or medical school commencement speeches, offering their best counsel and encouragement for the graduates beginning their own journeys.

1. Donna Sollenberger, executive vice president and CEO of Galveston-based University of Texas Medical Branch Health System, delivered the commencement speech at University of Illinois Springfield's 2016 graduation.

"The choices you make become the story of your life. As your story unfolds, define who you are."

Ms. Sollenberger emphasized the graduates should follow their hearts as they embark on their career paths, noting that passion is the key to success.

2. Richard Gilfillan, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Newtown Square, Pa.-based Trinity Health, gave Georgetown University Medical Center's 2015 commencement speech.

"Be humble. Be curious. Be bold. Laugh a lot, enjoy your work, and celebrate your team. And remember that listening well to your patients is the starting point of great patient care."

During his address, Dr. Gilfillan offered advice on how to create a healthcare industry positioned around people, in order to achieve better outcomes and enhanced efficiency. He pointed out that the graduating physicians were the first generation of post-Affordable Care Act practitioners, thus positioned to make impactful change.

3. Christina Ryan, CEO of Newburgh, Ind.-based The Women's Hospital, delivered the 2015 commencement speech at Elmhurst (Ill.) College.

"Ask yourself, do you seek success or significance?"

Ms. Ryan tasked the graduates to focus on impacting the world and others, as opposed to just striving for personal success.

4. Donna Hyland, president and CEO of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, delivered University of Georgia's 2015 fall commencement address.

"I asked our college interns at Children's what they would like to hearFrom the majority I heard consistent themes  'Tell us it's going to be ok. Tell us we are good. Tell us it's ok if we fail a few times along the way. Tell us about the things that have helped you in life.'"

Ms. Hyland offered the 2015 fall Athens-based University of Georgia graduates three key lessons her career had taught her throughout the years.

 "Put people first."

 "Everyone makes mistakes."

 "Take care of you."

5. Chris Van Gorder, CEO of San Diego-based Scripps Health, gave the keynote address at the 2014 University of Southern California Price School of Public Policy commencement.

"Our lives are a blank canvas. Life is wonderful, and very unpredictable. None of us knows where we will be in 30 years, what we will experience, how our education will come into focus and how many people we will have a chance to help."

During his address, Mr. Van Gorder acknowledged life will never stop changing and the graduates should think clearly about how they will respond to presented opportunities  for those choices will shape their careers.
Detroit Medical Center and Detroit-based Wayne State University Physician Group have returned to the negotiating table after talks came to a halt Sept. 1, Crain's Detroit reported Tuesday.

The groups are discussing a clinical services and administrative agreement that expires Sept. 30, according to the report. At issue is a "nonsolicitation" clause that would keep DMC from hiring UPG physicians.

Officials have agreed not to discuss progress with the media until a deal is reached, according to the report. However, the publication quotes a "source close to the negotiations" who said the physician group still wants DMC to sign the nonsolicitation clause. The source said DMC offered a compromise that would allow physicians to approach the hospital for employment, but not the other way around. The source also told Crain's the physician group has considered merging with Detroit-based Henry Ford Medical Group.

Read the full story here.

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Catastrophic events often come without warning. Regardless, the public expects local health systems to be prepared to respond efficiently and effectively. However, the majority of hospitals are not equipped to handle disaster situations, according to a poll of U.S. physicians from SERMO.

The poll found only 49 percent of U.S. physician respondents believe their regional health systems are prepared to handle a mass casualty situation, and 51 percent do not feel that their health systems are prepared to deal with an emergency or care for the wounded. A total of 1,859 U.S. physicians responded to the poll.

"With hospitals financially mandated to operate at 90 to 95 percent capacity, there is no safety margin for a surprise surge in admissions," said one U.S. physician responding to the poll. "I have been told that occupancies under 85 percent are insufficient for meeting expenses, and hospital staffing has been cut to its bare bones if not to completely unsafe levels. Many hospitals here are already ready to snap, let alone handle a catastrophe."

In contrast, European physicians rated their disaster-response readiness higher than U.S. physicians, with 78 percent of Danish physicians, 61 percent of French physicians, 61 percent of Spanish physicians and 55 percent of Italian physicians responding that their regional health system is equipped to handle a mass casualty event.
Atos, a French IT company, plans to have as many as 2,000 employees in the Dallas-Fort Worth area within the next five years, reports Dallas Business Journal.

This plan follows the company's recent acquisition of Dallas-based Anthelio Healthcare Solutions for $275 million. Atos announced the acquisition Monday.

Right now, Atos employs about 900 people in Dallas, according to the article. Anthelio, which offers IT services to physician practices, hospitals and healthcare providers, including Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente and Plano, Texas-based LHP Hospital Group, employs about 100 people in Dallas.

After the Anthelio acquisition, Atos plans to bring as many as 200 jobs to the area per year over each of the next five years, reports Dallas Business Journal.

The company's North American president, Chad Harris, told the publication Atos will have the office space for the new employees, and in December will move its regional operation to a 100,000-square-feet space in Irving, Texas.

"We have 40,000 square feet on reserve, which we expect to take down pretty quickly," Mr. Harris said.

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A class-action lawsuit filed Sept. 9 against Carolinas HealthCare alleges the Charlotte, N.C.-based system engaged in illegal and anti-competitive behavior, according to The Charlotte Observer.

Christopher DiCesare, of Mecklenburg County, N.C., is the lead plaintiff in the case. The suit alleges Mr. DiCesare and other plaintiffs were forced to pay higher prices for insurance due to Carolinas HealthCare imposing steering restrictions in contracts with commercial health insurers.

Carolinas HealthCare purports to be a nonprofit but "in fact operates in its own interests leveraging market power to maximize revenues at the expense of its patients," according to the suit.

The allegations made in the suit are similar to those included in an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice and North Carolina Attorney General against Carolinas HealthCare in June.

That lawsuit alleges the system used its market power to require steering restrictions in its contracts with every major insurer in the area, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. For example, the complaint states some of the contracts give Carolinas HealthCare the right to terminate their agreements if the insurers attempted to steer business from the system.

The steering provisions have prevented insurers from introducing health plans that encourage patients to use providers that offer lower price, higher quality services than Carolinas HealthCare, according to the DOJ.

Carolinas HealthCare has disputed the government's allegations and asked the federal court to dismiss the complaint, according to the report.

Carolinas HealthCare hasn't formally answered the class-action complaint. The system didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the pending litigation.

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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed suit against Montrose (Colo.) Memorial Hospital, alleging hospital administrators discriminated against older nurses, according to The Denver Post.

The federal lawsuit alleges Montrose Memorial officials made ageist comments and gave preferential treatment to younger nurses. For instance, the lawsuit claims a nurse who worked at the hospital for 27 years was fired for policy violations in 2012, while younger nurses received more lenient treatment for similar violations, according to the report.

The lawsuit alleges Montrose Memorial officials have engaged in widespread age discrimination since at least 2012.

Montrose Memorial CEO Steve Hannah disputed the allegations in a statement provided to The Denver Post. "Montrose Memorial Hospital takes any claim of discrimination very seriously. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure our employees are being treated fairly. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to terminate employees to ensure that our patients and families are receiving the quality care and customer service our community deserves," said Mr. Hannah.

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U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang denied Evanston, Ill.-based NorthShore University HealthSystem's motion for summary judgment Sept. 9 in a class-action antitrust lawsuit, according to the Cook County Record.

In the suit, a group of health insurers and patients allege they were overcharged for healthcare services by NorthShore nearly 16 years ago when the system acquired Highland Park (Ill.) Hospital.

In its motion for summary judgment, NorthShore argued the suit should be barred, as the four-year statute of limitations for the claim had already expired when plaintiffs filed suit in 2004. The system argued the clock on the statute of limitations began ticking when the plaintiffs first became aware of the transaction.

Judge Chang disagreed with NorthShore, saying it was not to late for plaintiffs to bring their legal action, as the statute of limitations didn't begin to run until they received the higher bills from NorthShore after the acquisition was completed.

"As far as the class could tell as of Jan. 1, 2000, NorthShore was touting that the merger was only going to benefit consumers, [managed care organizations], and the communities that the three hospitals served," Judge Chang wrote, according to the Cook County Record. "And here, class members could not have discovered that they suffered any injury as a result of the merger until they knew that NorthShore had illegally overcharged them for its healthcare services."

Since the suit was filed in 2004, NorthShore has been unsuccessful in its many attempts to get the suit dismissed, according to the report.

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The FDA recently held a two-day public hearing, titled "Draft Guidances Relating to the Regulation of Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products." At this hearing, the federal agency heard comments and feedback regarding its new draft guidelines on the regulation of stem cell treatments.

Here's what you need to know:

1. The FDA says it will consider feedback from the hearing  which included comments from physicians, researchers and other stakeholders  when finalizing its four draft guidance documents on stem cell treatments.

2. At present, stem cell therapies do not require FDA approval if the stem cells are derived from a patient's own cells; if the cells are not significantly altered; and if the cells are used in a similar role as their original function. However, some feel these guidelines need additional clarification.

3. While many scientists believe stem cell therapies will prove useful in the future, they emphasize that without additional research, stem cell clinics may be marketing dangerous procedures. Paul Knoepfler, PhD, told the Washington Post he is "worried that these are essentially experiments."

4. However, others oppose the argument that stem cell therapies should be more closely regulated. In March 2016, a group of senators led by U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) introduced the REGROW Act, which would require the FDA to develop standards that expedite stem cell therapy approval  not slow it.

5. Orthopedic treatments are the most commonly marketed stem cell procedures, according to the Washington Post.
The International Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery appointed S. Rajasekaran, MS, DNB, PhD, the new president, according to Medical Dialogues.

Here are five things to know:

1. Dr. Rajasekaran's presidential term will run from 2016 to 2018.

2. He was appointed the new president on Sept. 10 at the SICOT annual meeting in Rome.

3. He serves as the chairman of India-based Ganga Hospital's orthopedics, trauma and spine surgery department.

4. SICOT is based in Brussels.

5. The society includes more than 32,000 members.
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Researchers from MIT and Georgia Tech in the US have figured out a way to read the pages of a book without actually opening it.

The team from the two institutions pulled it off with a system they developed that looks like a cross between a camera and a microscope.

They said it could someday be used by museums to scan the contents of old books too fragile to handle or to examine paintings to confirm their authenticity or understand the artist's creative process.

Writing in the latest issue of the journal Nature Communications, the scientists explained how they used terahertz waves - a type of radiation situated on the electromagnetic spectrum between microwaves and infrared light - to read a stack of papers with a single letter handwritten on each page.

The device, called a terahertz spectrometer, managed to clearly read only nine pages, though it could see writing on up to 20.

"We were very excited because we didn't think we would be able to see as deep as we did," said Barmak Heshmat, a research scientist at the MIT Media Lab.

While the device is still a long way from actually scanning an entire book, Mr Heshmat said the team is already talking with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York about using it to inspect some of its artworks and antique volumes.

He said it could also be used in industry - for example, to see whether there are cracks or other defects beneath the paint on an aircraft part.

Mr Heshmat said that for now, broader uses would be limited by the cost of the device, which runs about 100,000 US dollars (75,000).

The device works by directing ultrashort bursts of terahertz radiation at stacks of paper. Some of it is absorbed by the paper, and the remainder is reflected back. The signals that bounce back are then analysed with algorithms that can discern individual letters.

In the study, the stack of paper had no cover, but Mr Heshmat said he is confident the system could see through one.

Mr Heshmat said the system works much better than X-rays, which are currently used to scan documents and paintings but entail harmful levels of radiation.

With X-rays "you won't be able to read the pages unless the ink is written by some metal like silver or gold", he said.

"But with our system, because it uses a different part of the electromagnetic spectrum, it can identify many other chemicals, so it can contrast between the blank paper and the part that has ink."

AP
A Stormont-run Brexit committee is to examine the "significant opportunities and challenges" for Northern Ireland's agri-food sector.

The Brexit consultative committee has been set up by the Agriculture Minister to gauge and examine the views of businesses in the sector here in the wake of the UK's vote to leave the European Union.

It includes some of the biggest names in the industry, including the Agri-Food Strategy Board, Dairy UK and the Northern Ireland Food & Drink Association.

Agriculture and related industries are likely to be hit hard by the withdrawal, with farmers receiving more than 2bn from the EU in subsidies over a seven-year period.

Speaking after the group's first meeting, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Michelle McIlveen said: "It provides a forum for open and frank discussion and I want to encourage those involved to provide me with clear advice and feedback on the needs and concerns of their sectors.

"The United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union presents significant opportunities, and challenges, for the local agri-food, fisheries and environmental sectors.

"It is therefore hugely important that we establish close two-way communications between Government and industry representatives, so that views and analysis are shared and taken account of as we develop our policy programme and negotiating position.

"Since taking office and throughout the summer, through a series of visits and events, I have reached out to and engaged constructively with the agri-food, fisheries and environment sectors; this new committee formalises and builds on that initial contact.

"The committee brings together organisations that are at the forefront of Northern Ireland's agri-food sector and international trade, as well as representatives from the environmental sector."

Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said: "The agri-food sector is an important and growing part of our economy.

"That is why we have established this committee, to ensure we have an open forum through which to gain industry insight to ensure our particular circumstances - which will be different in terms of agriculture to the rest of the UK - are represented in the negotiations to leave the EU."

Members of the committee include some of Northern Ireland's largest employers, including Moy Park.

Ms McIlveen said that the devolved administrations need to occupy a "central role in the UK's negotiations to leave the EU".

She said, following meetings with her Welsh counterpart Lesley Griffiths, as Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire and Secretary of State for Exiting the EU David Davis, that she hoped to "maintain and build upon these contacts in the coming months".

"As we develop a new suite of policies that best suit Northern Ireland's needs, this committee will help ensure that the local agri-food, fisheries and environmental sectors are properly represented and I look forward to working with the bodies represented on that basis," she said.

Following Brexit, Dale Farm parent company United Dairy Farmers said the EU vote had led to "an uncertain outlook".
Peter Burnside of BDO said the firm was committed to investing in Northern Ireland.

First Minister, Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness today announced an expansion in Belfast by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO creating up to 43 new jobs over the next three years. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO is creating 43 new jobs over the next three years.

The new roles will provide professional services to a range of blue chip and FTSE 500 clients within BDO's international network.

By 2018 the firm will employ 200 people in Northern Ireland with the new positions paying over 27,000 a year.

Invest NI offered BDO 217,935 to support the recruitment of 36 of the 43 new jobs, as well as the companys training activities.

The First and deputy First Ministers celebrated the announcement saying it equated to a 1m boost to the local economy a year.

First Minister, Arlene Foster said: This is a promising new venture for BDO Northern Ireland which operates as part of an international accountancy and business advisory network.

I congratulate BDO for this expansion and commend Invest NI who worked hard to secure this investment by offering the company over 217,000 in employment grant and training support.

I wish BDO continued success in the competitive environment in which they provide professional services.

The deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness added: BDOs decision to establish this new business line and create 43 new jobs is a positive development for the local economy.

BDO require a skilled and educated workforce and this expansion in Belfast is testament to existing BDO staff and the wider labour market. In addition to salaries of over 27,000, the new jobs will provide employment and training opportunities for people at various stages of their career.

I congratulate BDO and assure them the Executive will continue to make every effort to create a pro-business environment enabling companies to grow and create jobs.

Supported by Invest Northern Ireland, the Belfast-based accountancy and business advisory firm beat stiff international competition to secure a lucrative contract for UK and Global Outsourcing services.

Peter Burnside, managing partner of BDO Northern Ireland, said: As an established local firm we are committed to investing in and developing the local marketplace, creating as many employment opportunities as we can. Through our membership of the BDO International network we have been able to secure this significant contract with the support of Invest NI.

At BDO Northern Ireland, we provide careers, not just jobs, and this contract enables us to create up to 43 new positions that will contribute over 1million per annum to the local economy. With 12 of the roles already filled, we are continuing to recruit and greatly appreciate all the support provided by Invest NI.

BDO Northern Ireland is an award-winning accountancy practice that employs more than 170 people in Northern Ireland and provides professional services to more than 1,000 local companies.
Bayer is to acquire Monsanto in a deal creating the world's largest seeds and pesticides firm

German pharmaceuticals and chemicals giant Bayer is to acquire Monsanto in a 66 billion US dollars (50 billion) deal that will create the world's largest seeds and pesticides company.

The all-cash deal will see Bayer acquire Monsanto at 128 US dollars per share (97p)

Bayer has been courting the US crops and seeds specialist for months.

The German company previously offered Monsanto 125 US dollars per share. That bid was turned down by Monsanto which deemed the price inadequate.

Bayer later sweetened its bid, raising its offer incrementally until agreeing to the deal at 128 US dollar per share.

Werner Baumann, chief executive of Bayer, said: "We are pleased to announce the combination of our two great organisations.

"This represents a major step forward for our Crop Science business and reinforces Bayer's leadership position as a global innovation driven Life Science company with leadership positions in its core segments, delivering substantial value to shareholders, our customers, employees and society at large," he added.

Bayer said sales in the combined agriculture business would be worth as much as 23 billion euro, based on 2015 figures, adding that its annual research and development budget could total 2.5 billion euro.

John Colley, a professor at Warwick Business School, warned it may be too soon to celebrate the deal, which is expected to come up against significant antitrust hurdles.

"Apart from Monsanto's shareholders, who have hit the jackpot, this looks like a lose-lose bid.

"Bayer have been forced into paying too much and face major integration and competition authority risks."

Mr Colley said Bayer may have felt pressure to seal the deal with Monsanto amid a wave of sector consolidation.

It is the latest in a series of global agribusiness deals, including ChemChina's 44 billion dollar (33 billion) takeover of Syngenta and the 130 billion dollar (98.6 billion) merger of Dow Chemicals and Du Pont.

"Bayer was clearly concerned at being left behind and was running out of options for merger targets, precipitating the move for Monsanto," Mr Colley claimed.

Bayer may also have to contend with reputation concerns, given that Monsanto has been the target of the controversial campaign against genetically modified food.

The German firm currently has its UK operations headquarters in Newbury, focusing on pharmaceuticals, consumer and animal health. Bayer's UK crop science unit is currently based in Cambridge.

Monsanto's UK operations, which include a vegetable seeds division, is also based in Cambridge.
The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that a backlash against globalisation is destined to fail, and that protectionist policies and closed borders are "not the way to go".

In a speech delivered in Toronto, Canada, yesterday, IMF managing director Christine Lagarde championed the benefits of "openness and integration" while stressing that countries need to work to alleviate the negative "side-effects" of globalisation - including concerns over wages and jobs.

"The ability of countries to rise above narrow self-interest has brought unprecedented economic progress over the past 70 years," she said.

"History clearly tells us that closing borders or increasing protectionism is not the way to go. Many countries have tried this route, and just as many have failed.

"Instead, we need to pursue policies that extend the benefits of openness and integration while alleviating their side-effects. We need to make globalisation work for all," she said.

Economic integration has lifted living standards even in advanced economies, she said, explaining that more efficient spending has helped increase productivity and lower consumer prices. Globalisation, Ms Lagarde added, has also helped raise real incomes.

Ms Lagarde's comments come just months after the Brexit vote, the result of which many experts have put down to a backlash against globalisation and further economic integration.

The IMF managing director was a strong supporter of the UK remaining part of the European Union, having warned of the downward economic risks of Brexit. She also rebuffed claims that migration had a negative effect on the labour market.

In her speech Ms Lagarde acknowledged some of the risks associated with globalisation - increased inequality and downward pressure on the wages for low-skilled workers amid overseas competition.

But economic reforms could help ease those "side-effects" she said.
Around 55m of critical funding for Northern Ireland could be lost after the brakes were put on a scheme in the wake of Brexit, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal.

The Northern Ireland Investment Fund was outlined in the Executive's Budget, with more than 55m set aside for the infrastructure scheme.

Now, in an email seen by the Belfast Telegraph from the Department of Finance, it says "uncertainty" and a "greater reluctance" by the European Investment Bank (EIB) means that it is now "reassessing possible delivery models".

The Department of Finance was advertising for a 'fund manager' to run the scheme, but that is now on hold.

And it's understood if the cash is not spent by the conclusion of this financial year - ending March 31 - it will have to be returned to the Treasury.

There is now a "clear risk of losing a lot of the funding" to Westminster, which is a "situation we cannot afford", according to John Armstrong, managing director of the Construction Employer Federation.

The programme was due to fund a range of key areas of infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

That included urban regeneration, energy, telecoms and social housing.

The email said: "There is much uncertainty and greater reluctance on behalf of the European Investment Bank in playing an active role in the delivery of, and co-investment into, the Fund in the post-EU referendum context.

"The department is therefore currently reassessing possible delivery models. As soon as this work has concluded, a decision on the fund manager procurement will be taken."

Another industry expert said it was a "pretty big setback".

It was initially due to get the backing and support of the European Investment Bank, but it is now reluctant to get involved in the wake of the EU vote.

"While to some extent understandable in the context of Brexit, this announcement is nonetheless extremely disappointing for a local construction industry facing seismic sustainability challenges and for the partnership approach between the public and private sectors that was proposed," Mr Armstrong said.

"The Investment Fund had, rightly, earmarked specific areas where we have specific infrastructure challenges, such as urban regeneration and housing."

He said questions must now "urgently be asked, and reassurance sought" about what happens next.

"It may well be that the UK Government will propose an infrastructure stimulus in the Autumn Statement but it would be unwise to wait for further detail on this while a significant pot of money remains at our immediate disposal. Given the length of time a procurement process for a fund manager would take, in addition to the completion of deals to get the finance flowing, there is a clear risk of losing a lot of this funding to the Treasury at the end of the financial year."

The Department of Finance did not respond when asked to comment.

Finance committee deputy chair, Claire Hanna, said: "We do not want to be in a position where we are returning money for much-needed capital investment, at a time when we are facing the loss of infrastructure funding from Europe.

"We have to hold on to every penny. Whether this is an early consequence of Brexit...it would appear uncertainty around the EIB has stalled the recruitment."
Northern Ireland's technology park Catalyst Inc has signed a major sponsorship deal with Barclays Bank. Catalyst, formerly the Northern Ireland Science Park, will now be assisted by experts from the bank, with Barclays also hosting events to help boost and grow the hub's Connect programmes.

Steve Orr, director of Connect at Catalyst, said: "We believe that the talent and ambition of entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland has the power to change the world.

"We're here to make that happen and through Connect we provide the way for our most experienced people to effectively and efficiently volunteer their time to share their experiences, contacts and collective intelligence to give our entrepreneurs an advantage.

"We are delighted to have Barclays as a partner, working with us to support our entrepreneurs and helping us to achieve our vision for Northern Ireland to have one of the most entrepreneurial economies in Europe by 2030."

John Mathers, corporate development director at Barclays, said the bank shares in its "ambition to support our innovative entrepreneurs".

"We've been impressed with the impact Connect has had, particularly in recent years," he said.

"Running any fast-moving, high-growth company takes substantial investment, from both an emotional and financial perspective.

"It's an investment we at Barclays want to support. High-growth businesses have a hugely positive impact; they create new jobs, new opportunities for investors and they help to galvanise economic growth as a whole.

"That's without even exploring the difference these companies can make to our day-to-day lives, through innovations in technology, medicine, communications and so much more."
Everyman is aiming to increase its cinema numbers from 20 to 40 over the next five years

Upmarket cinema chain Everyman plans to double in size and create more than 500 new jobs as it continues to ramp up expansion plans.

The group's chief executive Crispin Lilly told the Press Association that Everyman is aiming to increase its cinema numbers from 20 to 40 over the next five years, which would see job numbers rise from 520 to over a thousand.

"We are seeing an uptick in growth after our most recent expansion. We'd like to get to 40 in the next five years at a rate of about three to five a year, not just in London but around the country," Mr Lilly said.

To this end, the chain has secured an 8 million loan from Barclays.

Mr Lilly added that the firm has seen "no impact" from Britain's decision to quit the European Union.

He said: "We've been resilient like the rest of the sector, which has gone through recessions before.

"Cinema is affordable and offers customers a chance to escape their woes, so we don't foresee any impact in future either."

However, Everyman recorded a pre-tax loss of 295,000 for the first six months of the year due to "heavy investment" in its estate and planned openings.

Revenue rose 49% to 12.1 million in the period as the firm cashed in on blockbuster releases including The Revenant, The Jungle Book and The Big Short.

The opportunity to enjoy a "gin and tonic and the perfect burger" helped the firm usher 700,000 customers through its doors, Everyman added.
The Securities and Futures Commission penalty follows an investigation into HSBC's positions on the Hang Seng China Enterprise Index

Hong Kong's securities watchdog has slapped HSBC with a 2.5 million HK dollar (243,993) fine for regulatory breaches dating back to 2014.

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) penalty follows an investigation into HSBC's positions on the Hang Seng China Enterprise Index (HSCEI).

It found that the bank breached the limit of open positions it could hold in HSCEI futures and options contracts on two separate occasions - May 26 and August 1 2014.

The SFC said HSBC failed to "implement adequate internal controls" to ensure it complied with those limits.

"In deciding the penalty, the SFC has taken into account that HSBC has since taken steps to improve its internal controls on monitoring of position limit and co-operated with the SFC in resolving the SFC's concerns," the SFC said.

An HSBC spokesman said: "HSBC apologises for the breaches identified and reported to the Securities and Futures Commission in 2014.

"The Bank has co-operated fully with the SFC throughout this investigation and has taken actions to improve our internal controls regarding our compliance with the prescribed position limits in Hong Kong.

"No clients were impacted by these breaches."

It adds to a growing list of charges linked to HSBC's conduct in recent years.

The bank was fined 325 million by US authorities earlier this year over "abusive mortgage practices" between 2007 and 2009 in the midst of the financial crash.

Back in 2012, HSBC paid 1.2 billion after US prosecutors said the bank violated US sanctions and failed to implement anti-money laundering programmes.

The lender is also one of the many UK banks to have been hit as a result of investigations into payment protection insurance (PPI) mis-selling.
Stephen Nolan has suffered a massive blow after his leading editor quit for a top post at Stormont.

One of Northern Ireland's most respected journalists, David Gordon, who is credited as the driving force behind the success of the 'biggest radio show in the country' is to become the Executive's new spin doctor.

The 51-year-old has been the editor of the Nolan Show for three years after the BBC brought him in to add his heavyweight political clout to the popular Radio Ulster morning show.

Mr Gordon, a former political editor of the Belfast Telegraph, will earn an annual salary of 75,000 as the most senior spokesman for the First and Deputy First Ministers.

Mr Nolan described him as the "most talented, knowledgeable political journalist".

"The Nolan Show has held Stormont to account for many years now and David has been at the very heart of this," the broadcaster said.

"He is a political anorak, the very best and the most decent. His journalism is aggressive, but fairness and integrity is always his core bottom line."

Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness issued a statement saying it was a "joint appointment". They added: "We are delighted that David, an experienced and well-regarded journalist, has agreed to take up this post.

"This is a joint appointment, reflecting the Executive's shared commitment to communicate effectively and move forward together, and we look forward to working closely with David as our Executive Press Secretary."

Mr Gordon - who is replacing another former BBC journalist, Stephen Grimason, at Stormont - described his new post as an exciting challenge.

He said: "This is an opportunity I simply could not turn down.

"I will enjoy getting a different perspective on the interaction between journalists and Government.

"Journalists have a duty to hold politicians to account and ask the tough questions that need to be asked."
Carried away: Dave Linton founded Madlug to help provide bags, from rucksacks to travel bags, to children in care.

Former foster dad Dave Linton, from Lurgan, has started an innovative business that aims to provide children in care with stylish luggage to carry their possessions in when they move.

When Dave Linton discovered that children in care put all their worldly possessions into a black bin bag every time they moved, he was determined to do something to change that.

The former foster carer was shocked to find out that every time a child is moved into a new home or accommodation, all they have to carry their personal items and clothes in is a plastic bag.

And for those who find themselves growing up in the care system, who are often lonely and isolated in society, physical possessions invariably take on added significance.

Now he is doing his utmost to initiate change, having launched a lifestyle brand based on the admirable premise that "no child in care should carry their life in a bin bag".

A youth worker turned social entrepreneur, Dave (44), from Newtownabbey but now living in Lurgan, is the founder and executive director of Madlug, a "community interest company" that provides individuals with backpacks, gym bags, laptop bags and luggage as a means of providing the same to young people in care for free.

Packing up personal possessions can be a traumatic experience at the best of times, but the prospect of having to do so with only black plastic bags to act as luggage for many is simply unthinkable. Yet that is, in fact, the reality for hundreds of young people currently subsisting within the UK care system, an unfortunate, evidently overlooked norm that has been the case for years if not decades.

But thanks to Dave's enterprising idea children in care need never feel that they, or their prized possessions, have little value.

Dave, who has been married for 16 years to Judith and has two daughters, Melanie (11) and Maya (9), has developed a "one for one" model, on which the business is based, to ensure that for every branded Madlug product purchased by a member of the public, another unbranded bag is donated to an individual most in need, with no stigma attached. This approach enables those in care to transfer personal possessions with confidence as their journey towards adulthood continues.

Each backpack costs 28.99 and is available in a variety of vibrant modern colours, with other items in the range including holdalls (39.99), cabin suitcases (74.99) and laptop bags (34.99).

He was inspired to create Mudlug after an experience at an introduction course to fostering in the spring of 2014.

Dave says: "While I was attending the course, I was shown a video interview with a young girl in a wheelchair who said, 'Health Trusts don't provide suitcases. Sometimes foster carers loan us a suitcase but more often our belongings are moved in black plastic bin bags and we lose our dignity'.

"This statement really stuck with me," he adds. "And for the remainder of the evening I thought of nothing else but the fact that these children's belongings are being transferred in bin bags. I was moved immediately to think of ways in which I could help these vulnerable youngsters.

"As I began to research and consider many possible solutions, I was continually drawn to the value and worth of children in care and the fact that they deserve to make their way through life with dignity. I was also drawn to the fact that the widespread use of bin bags to move the belongings of children and young people in care is a global issue. It was at this point that Madlug (Making a Difference Luggage) was, essentially, born."

With just 480 of funding, he began the search for affordable, durable products that would fit the Madlug bill.

Dave quickly sourced a range of bags through a UK manufacturer, ethically produced in China, and the concept began to take form.

"I expected the growth to be slow," he says. "But I have been totally amazed at how quickly it has taken off. I knew that the Madlug story would connect with people, and hoped that the business model would prove sustainable, but I wasn't expecting the media recognition to come so quickly."

Earlier this year, Nesta - an independent charity that works to increase the innovation capacity of the UK - selected Madlug from a longlist of thousands as a New Radical 2016 for innovation and social impact. The idea has fast caught on all around the world, with customers posting pictures of their Madlug bags online from the Gold Coast in Australia, the Grand Canyon, Brooklyn Bridge and Rio.

While the demand from the public is growing, the need to provide bags to those in care is also on the rise. Dave says that approximately 9,000 children are registered in care within the UK, with one child entering the system every 20 minutes.

"Children in care often have to deal with issues of low self-esteem, low self-confidence and low expectations, alongside having to fight against negative stereotypes and avoid the self-fulfilling prophecy of failure," says Dave. "This is hard for anyone, never mind a young person who is in a vulnerable place.

"The complexities and demands placed on health trusts, social workers, foster carers and agencies who work with these amazing children is often challenging. Everyone agrees no child should have to carry their life in a bin bag, but despite policies being in place, many still do."

Dave is quick to praise those professionals who work to make the UK care system what it is, but believes that education is essential to stopping the problem from within. "In my opinion, there is always room for improvement," he says.

"Shortly after I started Madlug, I received a message from a social worker who thanked us for what we were doing and asked how to get hold of our bags. They said that they had never noticed the bin bag issue before, but since reading about Madlug they had seen it evidenced a number of times.

"If you allow a child to eat a sweet from the ground, they will see no problem with it and do so again. In the same way, social workers and foster carers have come to see black bin bags as the norm. Madlug is helping to change that perspective."

Dave, a former foster carer, has dedicated his life to helping those less fortunate. His dyslexia saw him leave school with few qualifications, but, undeterred, he went on to achieve the equivalent of an NVQ Level III in youth work through the JTP Programme and subsequently volunteered with charitable organisations in Canada, Germany and England.

He hopes one day to foster again after the "extremely positive" experience of helping to raise a foster child who has since gone on to graduate from university.

"She is now 21 and still comes to visit along with her own two beautiful children. It has been a great thing for our girls," he says. "Recently I found an Adoption Today magazine on our bed and I asked my daughters who had been reading it. My youngest said she had, because she is interested and wants to foster and adopt when she gets older. That's just wonderful to hear, for myself and for Judith."

A committed Christian, he cites James 1:27 as a particular inspiration and describes himself (when pressed) as "socially conscious, people-focused, strategic and creative". Madlug has enabled him to speak in schools across Northern Ireland and pass on his message of hope and empathy. But the greatest reward has come from foster carers and care leavers who have contacted him to express their gratitude.

"Our current foster child arrived with us two weeks before Christmas," one message read, "and all of her belongings were packed in black bags - the contents of her bedroom floor, half eaten food and dirty clothes. We are unsure how long she will be with us, and it would be lovely to give her one of your bags when she moves on."

Another read: "I love the philosophy behind your company. I'm a care leaver and I will never forget being told that when I moved to my first placement 18 years ago, that I had to bring all my stuff in black bags. It's so encouraging to see a company who have a focus on looking after children."

Dave says: "Each child and young person has experienced loss and the trauma of being removed from their families, often without fully understanding the reasons. This often leads them to feeling that they are at fault and the reason for being in care.

"They have files created on them, many social workers getting involved and then moving on, and as a result they are no longer receiving the childhood and youth experience that every child deserves.

"But every child has value and worth and should never lose the opportunity to experience a loving childhood as a result of an adult or situation out of their control.

"Our future plan for Madlug is to grow our sales reach across the UK, Ireland and beyond, which will then enable us to give out more bags across the whole of the UK and Ireland."

Aside from purchasing a Madlug bag, and in turn offering one to a child in care, the former foster carer is full of advice for those keen to help in other ways. He flags up organisations like Voice of Young People in Care, which does "stellar work" here, but relies on volunteer assistance and public donations to operate, and directs all concerned to the Madlug website for more relevant information.

Visit madlug.com for more information on the bags and organisations which work with young people
Stormont's First Minister Arlene Foster speaking to media at Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast where she said a Sinn Fein prison visit to meet one of the men convicted of the dissident republican murder of a policeman in Northern Ireland was a publicity stunt that has caused much pain and anguish

A Sinn Fein prison visit to meet one of the men convicted of the dissident republican murder of a policeman in Northern Ireland was a publicity stunt that has caused much pain and anguish, Stormont's First Minister has said.

Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster urged her partners in government to reflect on the decision to send a delegation into Maghaberry high security prison to meet Brendan McConville and another republican inmate.

Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness defended the visit, insisting parties from all traditions in Northern Ireland had a responsibility to listen to those who lobbied them.

McConville and John Paul Wootton were found guilty in 2012 of the Continuity IRA murder of Constable Stephen Carroll in Lurgan in March 2009.

The men have been engaged in a long campaign to overturn their convictions. An appeal was dismissed in 2014 and the men are now hoping to have the evidence against them examined by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Mr Carroll's widow Kate expressed hurt and anger when it emerged that three Sinn Fein members of Stormont's Justice Committee - Declan Kearney, Pat Sheehan and Michaela Boyle - met McConville inside Maghaberry last week to discuss his case.

Mrs Foster said while the party was entitled to question judicial issues she branded the visit as nothing more than a stunt aimed at shoring up support among hard-line republicans.

"I think it was a Sinn Fein publicity stunt, I think that's very clear, but in their stunt they have caused a lot of pain, a lot of anguish, particularly to Kate Carroll, and they should reflect on that but unfortunately they don't seem to take into consideration the pain and anguish that they caused by their publicity stunt," she said.

"They are trying to appeal to elements of their constituency which they are clearly concerned about at the moment.

"That is a matter for them but I think they should very much reflect on the fact that they have caused a lot of pain and a lot anguish."

Mr McGuinness described Mrs Carroll as a "wonderful human being" and said he had "tremendous respect" for her.

But he said politicians had a responsibility to listen to those lobbying them

"I have great time for Kate Carroll," he said.

"I think she is a wonderful human being, I met her at the time of the murder of her husband which was a cruel and foul deed by those who would try to plunge us back to the past, so all my sympathies are with her.

"At the same time if you look at the situation in the north of Ireland over the course of the last 20 to 30 years politicians from all sides, both unionist, nationalist and republican, have been lobbied by people where concerns have been expressed around the quality of a conviction.

"So there is a responsibility on politicians whenever they are lobbied to play their part to ensure they are in full possession of all of the facts."

Mr McGuinness said the DUP had in the past advocated for people serving jail sentences.

"I don't think we should turn this into a party political dispute," he added.

"The reality is that Kate Carroll lost her husband, all of my sympathies are with her, and I think in the context of the visit to Maghberry it is quite obvious that politicians from all sides have been to Maghberry over the course of a number of years."
Stormont's First Minister Arlene Foster speaking to media at Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast where she said a Sinn Fein prison visit to meet one of the men convicted of the dissident republican murder of a policeman in Northern Ireland was a publicity stunt that has caused much pain and anguish

A Sinn Fein prison visit to meet one of the men convicted of the dissident republican murder of a policeman in Northern Ireland was a publicity stunt that has caused much pain and anguish, Stormont's First Minister has said.

DUP leader Arlene Foster urged her partners in government to reflect on the decision to send a delegation into Maghaberry high security prison to meet Brendan McConville and another republican inmate.

Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness defended the visit, insisting parties from all traditions in Northern Ireland had a responsibility to listen to those who lobbied them.

McConville and John Paul Wootton were found guilty in 2012 of the Continuity IRA murder of Constable Stephen Carroll in Lurgan in March 2009.

The men have been engaged in a long campaign to overturn their convictions. An appeal was dismissed in 2014 and the men are now hoping to have the evidence against them examined by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Mr Carroll's widow Kate expressed hurt and anger when it emerged that three Sinn Fein members of Stormont's Justice Committee - Declan Kearney, Pat Sheehan and Michaela Boyle - met McConville inside Maghaberry last week to discuss his case.

Mrs Foster said while the party was entitled to question judicial issues she branded the visit as nothing more than a stunt aimed at shoring up support among hard-line republicans.

"I think it was a Sinn Fein publicity stunt, I think that's very clear, but in their stunt they have caused a lot of pain, a lot of anguish, particularly to Kate Carroll, and they should reflect on that but unfortunately they don't seem to take into consideration the pain and anguish that they caused by their publicity stunt," she said.

"They are trying to appeal to elements of their constituency which they are clearly concerned about at the moment.

"That is a matter for them but I think they should very much reflect on the fact that they have caused a lot of pain and a lot anguish."

Mr McGuinness described Mrs Carroll as a "wonderful human being" and said he had "tremendous respect" for her.

But he said politicians had a responsibility to listen to those lobbying them

"I have great time for Kate Carroll," he said.

"I think she is a wonderful human being, I met her at the time of the murder of her husband which was a cruel and foul deed by those who would try to plunge us back to the past, so all my sympathies are with her.

"At the same time if you look at the situation in the north of Ireland over the course of the last 20 to 30 years politicians from all sides, both unionist, nationalist and republican, have been lobbied by people where concerns have been expressed around the quality of a conviction.

"So there is a responsibility on politicians whenever they are lobbied to play their part to ensure they are in full possession of all of the facts."

Mr McGuinness said the DUP had in the past advocated for people serving jail sentences.

"I don't think we should turn this into a party political dispute," he added.

"The reality is that Kate Carroll lost her husband, all of my sympathies are with her, and I think in the context of the visit to Maghberry it is quite obvious that politicians from all sides have been to Maghberry over the course of a number of years."
The Irish Government has ordered an inquiry into the controversial 1.2 billion sale of Northern Ireland property assets by bad bank Nama.

After months of allegations and revelations, Taoiseach Enda Kenny took the unprecedented step of asking opposition leaders to set out their concerns as he decides how the investigation should be conducted.

The Republic's spending watchdog found Nama lost up to 190 million on the Project Eagle sale to US investment fund Cerberus in 2014.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) said Nama undervalued loans associated with the 800 properties in the portfolio when it slapped on a 1.3 billion price tag.

It warned Nama that it should have been concerned after one bidder, US investment fund Pimco, alerted it to a "success fee" payment of 15-16 million for three parties behind the scenes and pulled out of the process.

The C&AG said Nama was warned by Pimco that the money was to be shared equally by Frank Cushnahan, Nama's former Northern Ireland adviser, Brown Rudnick, a US law firm which ultimately acted for two bidders in the sale and a managing partner of Tughans, a Belfast law firm subcontracted to assist in the deal.

Mr Cushnahan has denied any wrongdoing.

The watchdog's audit found Nama was subsequently told by Cerberus that it had a separate "success fee" arrangement with Brown Rudnick and Tughans and money would be split 50/50.

The C&AG report also revealed that Nama reported a net loss of 162 million on sales of assets held by Northern Ireland debtors in 2014.

The Project Eagle deal with Cerberus has been dogged by scandal for more than a year, including 7 million linked to it being found in an Isle of Man bank account.

Former managing partner of Tughans, Ian Coulter, resigned after it was unearthed.

Nama said it categorically rejected the C&AG's findings and insisted it got the best price and one that could not be beaten today.

"There is nothing in the report that changes the unanimous view of the Nama board that the Project Eagle sale was the best achievable outcome for the state either back in 2014 or now in a post-Brexit environment," chairman Frank Daly said.

Project Eagle will first be examined by the Public Accounts Committee in Dublin. Meetings are planned for the end of September and early October, first with Nama executives and then Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

One of the big issues in the midst of the controversies has been the cross-border aspect of the deal, in particular the inability of parliaments to compel witnesses from overseas.

Investigations have been launched by the UK's National Crime Agency, the US Department of Justice's Securities and Exchange Commission as well as a parliamentary inquiry in Stormont.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams described the offer of an inquiry as welcome but belated.

He called for governments and statutory agencies in the north and south to give maximum co-operation to the inquiry.

Nama is the so-called bad bank set up in 2010 to take loans linked to property investments off bailed-out Irish banks at a discount.

It is on course to make a more than 1.75 billion euro profit on its deals by 2020 but has faced repeated questions over its handling of Project Eagle.

Cerberus offered 1.241 billion - just 11 million above a reserve price reduced by 70 million in the days before final bids were entered.

The only other bidder, Fortress, offered 1.075 billion.

Nama previously revealed some of the assets in the Project Eagle portfolio were worth as little as 5p in the pound.

The C&AG said there is no indication that Nama had considered a bulk sale of its Northern Ireland assets until US law firm Brown Rudnick wrote on behalf of US investment fund Pimco in June 2013 offering an exclusive deal.

Tughans insisted it was not aware of the 7 million transfer to the Isle of Man.

All parties involved in the 2014 transaction have denied wrongdoing.
Northern Ireland's finance minister Mairtin O Muilleoir has said his department will co-operate with the Irish government's investigation into Nama's 1.6bn Northern Ireland property sale.

The Project Eagle deal with US investment fund Cerberus in 2014 has been dogged by scandal for more than a year, including 8.2 million euro linked to it being found in an Isle of Man bank account.

Mairtin O Muilleoir said: "I have written to the Irish government's Finance Minister Michael Noonan telling him that I'm looking forward to receiving a copy of the report from the Comptroller and Auditor General into the NAMA sale.

"In the letter I have reiterated that my department will co-operate and work with the investigation.

"This is a matter of huge importance north and south and it is vital that we get to the bottom of the events concerning Project Eagle."

The Republic's government confirmed the Public Accounts Committee would first examine a Comptroller and Auditor General report into the affair before a formal inquiry is launched.

"The Government's objective is to ensure that all matters of public concern are addressed in a speedy and effective manner," a spokesman said.

Project Eagle involved loans linked to more than 800 properties in Northern Ireland being sold in one lot to the New York investment firm which boasts former US vice president Dan Quayle in its ranks.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny offered to meet opposition leaders on Thursday to identify areas of public concern around the deal that need to be investigated and how that should be carried out.

There have been calls for a cross-border inquiry due to the limitations of parliaments in Dublin and Belfast and their inability to compel witnesses from other jurisdictions.

Project Eagle has been examined on previous occasions at the Public Accounts Committee in Dublin.

Investigations have also been launched into the deal by the UK's National Crime Agency, the US Department of Justice's Securities and Exchange Commission as well as a parliamentary inquiry in Stormont.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams described the offer of an inquiry as welcome but belated.

"Sinn Fein has consistently called for an inquiry into the sale of Project Eagle and at each turn the government and Fianna Fail have bizarrely sought to frustrate and delay it," he said.

Mr Adams called for governments and statutory agencies in the north and south to give maximum co-operation to the inquiry.

Nama is the so-called bad bank set up in 2010 to take loans linked to property investments off bailed-out Irish banks at a discount.

It is on course to make a more than 1.75 billion euro profit on its deals by 2020 but has faced repeated questions over its handling of Project Eagle after Cerberus offered 1.241 billion - just 11 million above the reserve price set days before final bids were entered.

Mr Adams alleged earlier this year under parliamentary privilege that a member of Nama's Northern Ireland advisory board offered to disclose information on the value of the portfolio to one bidder, US investment house Pimco, and demanded a 15 million fee.

Nama chairman Frank Daly has insisted the Eagle deal was not corrupt and that taxpayers got value for money.

Project Eagle was valued by Nama at 27p in the pound, with some assets worth as little as 5p in the pound.

The Comptroller and Auditor General found Nama has losses of 162 million on deals linked to Northern Ireland properties, the vast majority from Project Eagle.

Its audit found the deal was worth 1.137 billion - with Nama having paid about 2 billion for the loans.

The C&AG said there is no indication that Nama had considered a bulk sale of its Northern Ireland assets until US law firm Brown Rudnick wrote on behalf of US investment fund Pimco in June 2013 offering an exclusive deal.

It found that two of Nama's valuations of its Northern Ireland loans in late 2013 and early 2014 underestimated their value.

The C&AG report also noted that Pimco withdrew from the bidding war in March 2014 after it told Nama about a "proposed success fee arrangement" involving Brown Rudnick, a Belfast law firm called Tughans, and a former member of Nama's Northern Ireland Advisory Committee.

The 7 million subsequently discovered in the Isle of Man was in an account controlled by a former managing partner of Tughans, Ian Coulter, who resigned after it was unearthed.

Tughans, which acted as a subcontractor for Cerberus's US lawyers, Brown Rudnick, insisted it was not aware of the transfer and all parties involved in the 2014 transaction have denied wrongdoing.

The C&AG found Nama dropped its reserve price in late March 2014 to 1.23 billion and on April 1 that year Cerberus offered 1,241 million and the only other bidder, Fortress, offered 1.075 billion.

In Northern Ireland, Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster called for maximum transparency over the deal and argued that the National Crime Agency (NCA) probe should take precedence north of the border.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness backed calls for a cross-border investigation.

"I think there is an unstoppable argument in the south for a very intensive investigation and of course many of us are arguing that is a much more effective investigation if it's done on an all-island basis," he said.

Seven things you need to know about the C&AG report on NAMA

There are just seven things you need to know about the report by the Irish government's taxpayers watchdog, the Comptroller & Auditor General, on the National Assets Management Agency. John Downing guides you through the maze of acronyms and jargon.

1.

Dont be phased by the alphabet soup. NAMA is the National Asset Management Agency, a body set in 2008 by the late Irish Finance Minister Brian Lenihan to manage the Irish banks massive bad loans and the grossly over-valued property portfolios acquired by borrowers for exorbitant sums. NAMAs job was to get the loans and properties as cheaply as possible and sell them for as much as they could get to cut taxpayer losses. The Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) is the taxpayers watchdog who looks into how public money is spent and whether citizens get value.

2.

At issue is the gigantic book of loans on properties in Northern Ireland called Project Eagle. These properties had an original face value of 5.7bn and were eventually sold off in 2014 to the US vulture fund, Cerebus Capital Management. The Irish government has always argued that NAMAs work, selling off indebted properties, means it had to be very secretive. This probe by the C&AG is very extensive, probably the biggest outsider look-in on NAMAs workings. Some 40,000 documents were trawled from NAMA files.

3.

A huge question raised by the C&AG is why NAMA sold the Northern Ireland portfolio in one single block. Previously, it tended to split things up and sell them off over time. This was a big bang, which the C&AG says, cost Irish taxpayers hundreds of millions. NAMA looked at splitting things up, according to property type or individual debtors.

4.

NAMA say they opted for a one-off sale because of legal complexities dealing in another legal jurisdiction and deteriorating relations with debtors. NAMA also hugely contests the C&AG finding that it lost taxpayers hundreds of millions. They contest the calculations used to back the C&AG arguments. This is complex stuff based around valuation methodologies and other formulae.

5.

The C&AG deals with questions around the bidding process itself which NAMA insists was always competitive. Three of the firms expressing interest pulled out. One firm said they were pulling out because another US consortium, PIMCO, got unfair advantage. PIMCO had been the first firm to approach NAMA proposing a big block buy. The firm was later excluded from the process.

6.

The C&AG are concerned about potential conflicts of interest. A member of the NAMAs Northern Ireland Board, Frank Cushnahan, was advising seven of the debtors who had 50pc of the loans involved. He also at one stage advised PIMCO. There are big questions around this.

7.

We dont know what form the Irish government's inquiry will take. But we do know it will be tip-toeing through a minefield. There is the cross-border element with much of the action happening in British legal jurisdiction. There are a number of other inquiries also going on. It will take a lot of work, time and expense to get a result.
The Republic of Ireland's most powerful financial watchdog says NAMAs response to initial reports of alleged wrong doing surrounding the sale of its Northern Ireland portfolio came up short  with the agency not even contacting the businessman at the centre of the events to find out what was happening.

The report from the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) into the controversial Project Eagle sale has questioned Namas reaction to the emerge of allegations that businessman and Nama advisor Frank Cushnahan was involved in an arrangement to share fees with law firms Brown Rudnick and Tughans (or the managing partner of Tughans) if a sale went ahead.

The case has sparked investigations in the UK and in the US, where prospective buyers were based.

The allegation warranted more action by NAMA when the matter came to light, such as seeking advice from a sister unit within the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) responsible for providing compliance support to the agency, or even writing to Mr Cushnahan to seek confirmation or an explanation.

Namas financial advisor Lazard was not briefed on the disclosures, or asked for its assessment of the potential implications, the C&AG said .

NAMA appears to have taken a narrow approach, focusing on what were its legal obligations, rather than on what were the options for action that should be considered, the C&AG said.

The long awaited report also questioned the valuations placed on loans to be sold by Nama.

NAMA released a statement in which it categorically rejected key conclusions of the C&AG report.

It claimed that the reports key finding was based on an incorrect assumption about the discount rate used to value Northern Ireland loans.

It incorrectly assumes NAMA should apply the same discount rate to poor quality Northern Ireland loans as it did to much higher quality assets in Dublin and London, said the statement.

It also claimed that the report was carried out by C&AG staff with no market experience of loan sales.

And it said that if the evidence of market experts the discount rate was accepted, then the price actually achieved on the Project Eagle sale was the best achievable in the market.

The Board remains of the strong view that the sale of the Project Eagle portfolio for STG1.322bn was the best achievable outcome, it said.

And it pointed out that the C&AG report made no findings of irregularities in the sales process.

NAMA chairman Frank Daly added: NAMA has the utmost professional respect for the C&AG and his staff. The C&AG has performed a very important role in scrutinising our decisions and auditing our accounts over the past seven years but regrettably, the key conclusions in this report are without the relevant loan sale expertise and as such we have no option but regretfully to reject them categorically.

Ulster Unionist Finance Spokesperson, Philip Smith MLA, welcomed the report.

Mr Smith, who sits on Stormonts Finance Committee, said: "I welcome the publication of this report by the Republics Comptroller and Auditor General. The fact that it has already been met with a commitment from the Irish Government that they will be setting up an investigation into the sale of Project Eagle stands in stark contrast to the pitifully slow response from the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive.

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"What little credibility the Northern Ireland Assembly has left to investigate this matter is now rapidly draining away. The public distrust regarding the NAMA sale has been further compounded with the revelations surrounding Daithi McKay and those recently broadcast by BBC NI Spotlight.

"The Committee for Finance has still not resurrected their own inquiry, despite it being 6 months from the Committee inquiry being placed on ice, and the NCA/PSNI investigations are progressing at a sluggish pace. Now with the Republic commencing its investigation it is ironic that it is only the Northern Ireland Assembly that is not progressing its own investigation despite the impact on our political and business reputation.

"During the meeting of Wednesdays Finance Committee, I asked whether there was even a will or desire amongst the members to proceed with an investigation with teeth, and the response I received suggested not.

"If Stormonts Finance Committee, influenced primarily by its DUP and Sinn Fein members, continues to procrastinate on this crucial issue then its time to take the investigation from it and ask the Assemblys Public Accounts Committee to take this forward.

"There is a massive requirement to build public and investor confidence following the revelations to date and the longer that the Assembly prevaricates the more damage is done."
Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service Sue McAllister has worked in prisons for 30 years

The head of Northern Ireland's prison service has said she had never seen such an extreme case of self-harming as Sean Lynch's.

Director general Sue McAllister has worked in prisons for 30 years.

She said: "This report clearly illustrates the difficulty of managing someone with severe mental health issues in a prison.

"Prison officers support a wide range of challenging people in custody and play a pivotal role in keeping prisoners safely and securely.

"In my thirty years in prisons I have never come across a case of such extreme self-harm.

"While this incident took place over two years ago, it is important that the Service learns from the findings of the Prisoner Ombudsman."

Stormont Justice Minister Claire Sugden said it was an awful case.

"It is important to reflect on the independent assessment quoted in the Ombudsman's report which said Mr Lynch's condition was beyond anything that prison officers could cope with.

"While our officers are trained to support and care for vulnerable prisoners, the Supporting Prisoner at Risk (SPAR) process was not designed to care for someone as challenging as Mr Lynch."

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust is responsible for healthcare in prisons.

A spokeswoman said it accepted the findings and recommendations relating to healthcare in the Ombudsman's report.

The Trust also commissioned an independent review of Mr Lynch's treatment and care and recently met Mr Lynch and his family to discuss the findings of this review and receive their feedback.

She said: "The review highlighted that dealing with drug misuse and associated mental health issues within a custodial setting is very difficult.

"Mr Lynch was in Maghaberry for a short period of time, during which he was assessed and reviewed by mental health and primary care healthcare staff.

"We have advised Mr Lynch that the learning from these reviews has been used to implement improvements to our systems in the provision of healthcare in prison.

"This has been a tragic outcome for Mr Lynch and we have already expressed our sympathy to him and his family.

"We will continue to work closely with Northern Ireland Prison Service to improve support for vulnerable people within the prison setting."
City of Derry Airport's future was dealt a heavy blow with Ryanair's decision to cut its services to London Stansted and Faro

The Stormont Executive is poised to step in with a rescue funding package to save the troubled City of Derry Airport.

The loss-making airport's future was dealt a heavy blow this week with Ryanair's decision to cut its services to London Stansted and Faro and reduce its flights to Liverpool.

Talks on a rescue package have been ongoing between the airport board, Derry City and Strabane District Council and Stormont's governing parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein.

Ratepayers in the council area are currently footing the airport's 2.145 million annual losses.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the "disappointing" Ryanair announcement had threatened the airport's "future existence".

But he indicated the Executive was willing to intervene to save it.

"It is incumbent upon us at Executive level to deal with that," he said.

"There is a duty and responsibility to ensure the connectivity of the people in the north-west is of the highest quality."

He added: "I am totally confident that we will be able to rescue the situation at City of Derry."

DUP First Minister Arlene Foster said: "Discussions are ongoing in relation to that airport.

"I think what's important for us is we have connectivity for all of our people because that not only allows our people to exit Northern Ireland but it's important for us to bring in people here as well who want to invest and visit."

From April 2017 Ryanair will only operate five weekly services to Glasgow International and two to Liverpool from City of Derry Airport

Derry City and Strabane District Council is seeking a Public Service Obligation (PSO) commitment from the Government that a direct route will continue to be operated between Derry and London.
The time has come for republican and loyalist paramilitary groups to disband, Secretary of State James Brokenshire has insisted.

Writing exclusively in the Belfast Telegraph today, the Conservative minister, who replaced Theresa Villiers, says there is no justification for paramilitaries - and never has been.

"These people serve no political cause. What they're doing is committing crime using the cloak of paramilitarism to line their own pockets," he states.

His comments come after the British and Irish Governments moved ahead with establishing the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), which will give an annual update on paramilitary activity.

As revealed last week, the commission - part of the Fresh Start deal reached by the DUP and Sinn Fein at Stormont almost a year ago - will be operational by the end of 2016.

The Secretary of State formally signed a treaty with the Republic's Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan in Dublin yesterday.

"This signals our intent to ensure that future generations are not blighted by the sort of paramilitary activity that for too long has endured in Northern Ireland," he says in today's article.

With members of the new Victims' Forum being announced today, Mr Brokenshire says he has made it a priority since his appointment to meet survivors of the Troubles.

"Across Northern Ireland, I've spoken to many people who have been devastated by their loss, whose pain is as real today as it was decades ago," he says. "I've been struck by their desire that, despite their suffering, they want peace to endure, that people will be reconciled and the next generation can live in a society so much better than before."

Mr Brokenshire says his "dearest wish" is that future generations in the province "will not be blighted by the scourge of paramilitarism".

"We have made so much progress already," he writes.

"The establishment of the Independent Reporting Commission is a further step on that road."

The Government has offered 25m of additional funding over the next five years to support the Stormont Executive's strategy aimed at ending paramilitarism, along with a further 3m for the IRC.

It is to have four members - one each nominated by London and Dublin, and two nominated by the Executive.

They will make recommendations to Stormont for action to tackle paramilitaries.

Mr Flanagan said it was "another landmark day for Northern Ireland" and "an important step in implementing the Fresh Start Agreement provisions to eliminate paramilitarism and tackle organised crime".

The two ministers also discussed the impasse over efforts to establish new mechanisms to deal with the legacy of the Troubles, and the implications of the Brexit referendum result for Northern Ireland.

Speaking ahead of their talks, the Secretary of State refused to be drawn on whether the UK will pull out of the EU customs union - which many observers say will force the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland.

But he suggested a solution could be created around the common travel area, a decades-old agreement between both countries which allows Irish and British citizens to cross internal borders without controls.
Motorists are urged to be patient.

The A1 in Northern Ireland has re-opened after emergency services dealt with a fire involving gas cannisters nearby.

Police closed A1 until the Fire Service ensured the area was safe.

The Northern Ireland Fire Service received a call at midday to the report of the fire involving a gas cylinder at Rowantree Road, Dromore.

Four fire appliances were sent to the scene and firefighters using thermal imaging cameras and jets dealt with the incident.

A NIFRS spokesman said: The A1 Dual carriageway was closed in both directions by Police Service of Northern Ireland who carried out traffic management during the incident. The A1 dual carriageway has now re-opened.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service finished at the scene at 2:57pm and the incident has been passed through to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland.
British officials have been likened to a bucket of "slippery eels" over their repeated failures to guarantee compensation for victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA attacks.

The DUP's Ian Paisley Jr insisted it is "impossible" to get a straight answer from Whitehall as he warned many victims need answers and a settlement before they die.

He urged ministers to "take a risk for peace" by agreeing to use British cash to compensate families and victims, knowing around 9.5bn of Libyan assets are currently frozen in the UK.

Under Mr Paisley's proposal, the UK Government would then reclaim its money when a new government of national unity in Libya is fully established - by the two parties coming to an agreement over how much of the seized assets are returned.

The regime of former Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi supplied Semtex explosive and other weapons to the IRA, with attacks including the 1996 London Docklands bombing.

Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate, North Antrim MP Mr Paisley Jr said he appreciated there are difficulties in dealing with the Libyan government given the circumstances there.

But he added: "Can I also put on the record there has been difficulties dealing with successive governments of Her Majesty.

"I don't know if you've ever tried to fish eels from a bucket of water, but it's an incredibly difficult task, and trying to get your hands on some people in the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) and getting your hands on the Government to give a straight answer, successive governments to give a straight answer, to many of the issues that victims genuinely put on the table.

"It's like putting your hand into that bucket and trying to catch a slippery eel. It's practically impossible to get straight answers and I think the purpose of today's debate starts to get to the point where victims have waited long enough for answers.

"They are sick and tired of the dilly-dallying and the delays. Many of them are coming to - let's face it - the latter years of their lives and they need answers before they pass the immortal tide, and I think we need to face up to that and face up to it pretty darn fast."

Mr Paisley Jr said "life-changing injuries require life-changing levels of compensation" before he suggested that the UK put forward the cash before claiming it back from Libya at a later date.

Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood said: "Until Libya has a government we can work with, we are simply not able to consider what to do with the frozen assets - we are simply not able to have those conversations."
A Northern Ireland man who had been threatened with deportation from the United States has won a last-minute reprieve.

Former republican paramilitary Malachy McAllister was due to be expelled from America today, but can now remain for at least another year.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was among those who supported the Belfast grandfather's bid to remain in his adoptive country. "I am elated and hopefully there is something substantial that will come down rather than a temporary fix for the next several months," the 57-year-old said.

Previously McAllister, a long-term New Jersey resident, was told by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to report for deportation at an office in Newark, New Jersey, this morning.

It would have brought an abrupt end to two decades in the States after fleeing Northern Ireland with his family when their home was shot at by loyalist terrorists in 1988.

But, following sustained pressure from leading Irish American politicians, McAllister's attorney Eamonn Dornan told him he had been notified by the US Department of Homeland Security that he was no longer required to appear for deportation today.

The former INLA prisoner, who has been engaged in a sustained fight for full residency since moving to the United States 20 years ago, was ordered in March to "surrender for removal" after being granted annual deferrals since 2003. US immigration officials have yet to inform him of the term of his reprieve.

Last week immigration officials received a letter from 44 Democratic and Republican members of Congress, arguing that deporting McAllister would be contrary to the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement.

Congressman Joe Crowley, a New York Democrat, and other US politicians raised McAllister's case with US Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. "The reprieve is not permanent at this point, but I am confident it is one that allows Malachy to work on a permanent solution to his problem," Mr Crowley said.

The former republican was jailed for seven years for two INLA attacks on RUC officers during the 1981 hunger strikes. He was released in 1985, abstained from paramilitary activity, and left Northern Ireland in 1988.

The 2012 report by Sir Desmond de Silva into collusion found that British security forces supplied a loyalist agent with a photograph of McAllister used by the Red Hand Commando, which fired 26 shots during the attack on his home.

McAllister's bid to stay in the US received strong support from the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Irish American community. McAllister was photographed with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and its vice president Mary Lou McDonald at this year's St Patrick's Day parade in Manhattan last month.
Shirley McMichael, one of 10 new members of the Victims Forum.

The widow of former senior UDA chief, John McMichael, is to join an official body campaigning for victims of the Troubles.

Shirley McMichael is among 10 new members of the Victims Forum who will be officially announced today.

Most are sons, daughters and other relatives of people who died during the Troubles.

They include Londonderry man Donal Dunn who was aged 18 when his father, John, was killed in a bomb explosion in January 1974 claimed by the 'official' IRA.

Another member is Sarah Malone from Belfast whose father, Michael, was a Catholic police officer murdered by the IRA when she was three.

Other new forum members include Belfast man Paul Gallagher who was 21 when seriously injured in a sectarian gun attack on his home in 1994 in which he and his family were held hostage, and Jan Crawford, the wife and carer of Gary Crawford who was severely injured in the Teebane bombing in January 1992.

Mrs McMichael did not want to make any immediate comment yesterday.

Mr McMichael was killed by the Provisional IRA in a booby-trap bomb outside his home in December 1987.

He had been instrumental in writing the 'Common Sense' document which called for a written constitution to help "build a new pluralist society" in Northern Ireland.

McMichael also helped set up the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) which his son, Gary, continued to represent after his father's death until the party's demise.

The appointments have been made from a panel of 55 people who voiced interest in helping the commission widen its work and links to victims and survivors groups.

The remaining 13 members of the Forum have already served an additional two years to their original term, and have agreed to remain until March 2017 when further new members will be appointed.

Commissioner Judith Thompson said the appointments were based solely on balancing the current forum, whose members had complained that it was under-represented in terms of victims and survivors of state violence and people from the loyalist working-class community. But she also hit out at "political procrastination" which she said had disappointed victims "time after time".

"I want to pay tribute to the tireless work of those members of the Forum who have served since 2012," Mrs Thompson, who replaced former Commissioner Kathryn Stone over a year ago, said.

"They could not have known then the level of responsibility that would rest on their shoulders, nor the immense contribution they would make on such seminal events as the Haass Talks, the subsequent Stormont House Agreement and all of the work that has gone into our work on services for victims, research and advice to ministers, in particular the consistent lobby for a pension for the severely injured.

"The leadership they have shown and their dignified approach to being disappointed time after time by political procrastination, is matched only by their determination to use the pain and hurt they have endured to be a positive and proactive force for good in building a shared future."
An international farm animal charity has condemned the death of 120 Irish lambs from heat stress on a flight to Singapore.

An international farm animal charity has condemned the death of 120 Irish lambs from heat stress on a flight to Singapore.

The animals were part of a shipment of 1,704 Irish lambs being sent to the Asian city to be slaughtered at the Eid al-Adha Muslim celebration.

However, when the plane landed at Changi Airport on Sunday morning, officials from Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority discovered that more than one hundred had died.

The Republic's Department of Agriculture, and authorities in Singapore have commenced separate investigations.

A spokesperson said: "Initial indications are that the animals may have succumbed to heat stress as a result of a problem that arose during a scheduled refuelling stop en route."

Philip Lymbery, CEO of Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), a leading farm animal welfare charity which highlighted the plight of Irish lambs being sent to Singapore for slaughter in 2014, claims the suffering the lambs endured on their journey "is unthinkable".

"It is appalling that Irish animals are still being sent on such long journeys, to countries with animal welfare standards which fall far short of what is acceptable."

He said they faced horrific mistreatment and cruel, prolonged deaths at such festivals.

"They face conditions that would not only be illegal in the EU, but often breach even basic internationally recognised recommendations on slaughter," he said.
Thousands of mourners have turned out to pay their respects to the family of heroic Irish coast guard, Caitriona Lucas.

Ms Lucas is the first member of the Irish Coastguard volunteer to lose her life in the course of her duties.

The 41-year-old experienced coxswain lost her life on Monday, after the rescue boat overturned off the coast of Kilkee, Co Clare.

All evening long, mourners have been filing into the parish Church in Liscannor, the small village near the Cliffs of Moher, where she had lived with her family.

Amongst them are volunteers from coast guard units all around the country, sympathising with Caitrionas husband, Bernard  also a coast guard volunteer at Doolin  as well as the couples two children, Ben and Emma.

One of the first groups to pay their respects was a group from the unit at Achill, Co Mayo.

There were also volunteers from the unit at Kilkee, Co Clare  which often works with the Doolin coast guards, where Caitriona Lucas had been based, as well as volunteers from Kilrush and many others.

Mattie Shannon, Officer in Charge (OIC) with Doolin Coast Guard said he was overwhelmed by the great outpouring of sympathy from around the country.

All coast guard services work in tandem and they have come together at this time to mourn a member of the family, he said.

Caitrionas death had been a big loss, he said.

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She was such a fantastic person, he said, adding that they could take solace from the fact that she had loved doing what she did.

Amongst the crowds, many had expressed gratitude for the work of the coast guards, Mr Shannon said, revealing that he had just met a woman whose husband was a fisherman the Doolin unit had rescued six or seven years ago.

Mr Shannon said the Doolin unit was one of the busiest in the country because with the beauty comes the danger.

The increasing popularity of the west coast means that the risk increases, he warned. The Doolin unit had received 57 calls so far this year  their busiest period to date.

Emotional, he said that the coast guard volunteers are proposing to meet back in a months time to reflect on Ms Lucas life and to just take time to be together.

The funeral will take place in the morning at Liscannor church in Clare.
A star of the Father Ted comedy from Northern Ireland has admitted damaging two flower pots at a bank.

Gerard McSorley, a 66-year-old Omagh native, pleaded guilty at Dungloe District Court to causing criminal damage to two flower pots at the Bank of Ireland in Bunbeg in the Donegal Gaeltacht on June 16.

The defendant has appeared in major films like Braveheart and Veronica Guerin.

But he is best known for playing Fr Todd Unctious in the Father Ted Christmas special episode, A Christmassy Ted.

Inspector Denis Joyce told the court that the defendant had roared and shouted in the bank and had broken a flower pot inside the building.

McSorley, whose address was given as Cul na Toinne, Maghaerclogher, Bunbeg, had also broken a flower pot outside the bank on June 16. The incident was captured on security cameras.

When gardai called at the actor's home to question him about the matter, he made a full admission and apologised for his actions.

The court was told the defendant had previous convictions for using insulting, threatening and abusive behaviour and being drunk and a danger to himself and others.

Defence solicitor Jacqui Sharkey said her client "regretted very much" the matters before the court.

He had had his health difficulties over the years.

The defendant was a very calm individual, and was well liked in Bunbeg, where he had been living for quite some time, the court heard.

The amount of compensation needed was 40. The Donegal court was told that this would be forwarded to the bank.

Judge Paul Kelly said this was not the worst case to come before the courts.

The judge said he would apply the Probation Act as soon as the money was paid.

In the hit Channel 4 comedy Father Ted, Fr Unctious is remembered as a priest who turns up at the Craggy Island parochial house at Christmas claiming to be an old friend of Ted's - who has no memory of him.

While Ted attempts desperately to guess his name, Unctious wanders into his bedroom in his underpants and shows off some intimate scars gained in a car accident which prevented him from attending a Dana concert with Ted.

It later turns out that Unctious is not his real name, and he is in fact a thief hell-bent on stealing Ted's Golden Cleric award after he started hitting the altar wine hard.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire says he believes a positive outcome can be reached in keeping the Irish border open after Britain leaves the EU.

The fate of the 310-mile frontier has been plunged into uncertainty, amid fears for the peace process and the island's cross-border economy, since the Brexit referendum result in June.

The issue was top of the agenda as Mr Brokenshire made his first official visit to Dublin for only his second face-to-face meeting with Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan since his appointment in July.

Speaking ahead of their talks, the Secretary of State refused to be drawn on whether the UK will also pull out of the EU customs union - which many observers say will force the return of a hard border in Ireland.

But he suggested a solution could be created around the common travel area, a decades-old agreement between both countries which allows Irish and British citizens to cross internal borders without controls.

"No decisions have been taken in relation to the customs union," he said.

"I would stress that really strong will, that strong commitment, on the UK Government's part, working with the Government of Ireland, to see that we do create that solution around the common travel area."

Mr Brokenshire added: "I stress the priority I give as Secretary of State around this, knowing that there is that strong will, that strong intent and how we will seek to achieve that positive outcome, which I think is attainable."

Mr Flanagan has already signalled Ireland is cautious of British reassurances there will be no return to a hard or heavily militarised border on the island.

The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will also become an EU frontier after Britain leaves the European bloc.

Mr Flanagan has said he was "taken aback" by reports that International Trade Secretary Liam Fox is pressurising Prime Minister Theresa May into leaving the European customs union as well as the EU.

Welcoming Mr Brokenshire to Dublin, Mr Flanagan said Ireland does not want to see the UK leaving the customs union.

Insisting the border must remain "invisible", he warned unemployment black-spots that straddle the frontier - such as Derry, Donegal, Fermanagh, Sligo and Leitrim - would be worst hit by a return to border controls.

"It is absolutely essential in my mind that these unique circumstances are taken into consideration, and in this context any return to borders of the past or any imposition of a hard border would adversely impact on the livelihoods of communities in these areas - both north and south," he said.

The European Union customs union is the biggest in the world and countries within it can trade more freely with each other, without tariffs, or taxes on imports.

If Britain were to leave the customs union as well, it would make it more complicated in maintaining a soft border in Ireland.

Mr Fox reportedly wants to leave the customs union to make it easier for Britain to strike new trade deals with non-EU countries after Brexit.
Lynne Sandford and her son Michael, 20, who was accused of attempting to shoot Donald Trump at a Las Vegas casino and pleaded guilty to lesser charges

A British man who tried to grab a police officer's gun at a Donald Trump rally and open fire has pleaded guilty in a bid to avoid a lengthy jail sentence.

Michael Sandford, of Dorking in Surrey, was due to stand trial over the incident at a Las Vegas casino where the Republican presidential hopeful was speaking on June 18.

The 20-year-old appeared in court in Nevada on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to charges of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and disrupting an official function. He had previously denied the charges.

Sandford faced up to 20 years in jail had he been found guilty of the offences at a trial, although the plea bargain may see his sentence significantly shortened.

Under the terms of his plea agreement he could face between 18 and 27 months in prison before being deported.

Sandford is due to learn his fate at a sentencing hearing on December 13, and his family fear he may still face years in jail.

His mother, Lynne Sandford, spoke to the Press Association from the UK shortly after her son's guilty pleas were entered.

She said: "The upshot of it is that there is no certainty. Even though he has signed the plea agreement, which should be the best option, it won't necessarily happen that way.

"The judge at sentencing can either agree with what is in the plea bargain or he can totally overthrow that and impose a punishment of his own."

Mrs Sandford flew with a UK-based lawyer to her son in custody last week and persuaded him to sign the plea agreement, something she said he had been "pondering" over doing for some time.

Lawyers acting for Sandford said he suffers seizures, obsession-compulsion, anxiety and autism spectrum disorders and his mother said he was recently diagnosed as having had a psychotic episode at the time of the incident.

"He is now receiving medication for that and he is feeling the benefit of it," she added.

When Sandford appeared in court on Tuesday a judge said he was satisfied that he was fit to enter the plea.

Standing in orange jail clothes with the word "detainee" across his back, Sandford acknowledged that he has been treated in the past for mental illness.

Entering his pleas, he said: "I tried to take a gun from a policeman to shoot someone with, and I'm pleading guilty."

Mrs Sandford said her son told her he was "incredibly sorry and remorseful for everything," adding: "Everybody says this is not him - this is so opposite to what he is."

Last week's tearful reunion was the first time the mother-of-two had seen her son since he left for America more than a year ago.

"We were able to put our hands side-by-side through the mesh and I could at least feel the warmth of his hands through it. But to travel 5,500 miles and still not be able to give him a hug is incredibly difficult," she said.

Sandford's sister and grandmother also made the journey to visit him at the remand centre, with his mother saying the whole incident has been hard on the family.

"For my mum especially, she was not granted the face-to-face visitation through the mesh and she is in her late 70s and just wonders if she will see him in the flesh again," she said.

"He is the only male in the family left and he means a tremendous amount to us."

Mrs Sandford added: "Obviously it was extremely difficult to turn around and leave him and get on the plane - not knowing when we will see him again.

"When I left he just looked so sad, forlorn and dejected."

She revealed her son told her "coming to America was the worst thing he ever did", and said he is "desperate" to return home.

"He is not coping, he said to me: 'I don't know how to get through each day let alone longer than that."

Sandford told his mother that he was being kept in a cell so narrow he could reach across by stretching out his arms.

"It is just as long as the bed which he has one side and a toilet the other," she continued.

"There is no window - he gets 10 minutes of exercise outside each day which is in an outside cage, but due to the desert heat that is all he can manage anyway.

"There is nothing to do there - it is very stark and barren. He is not allowed any keepsakes other than letters and pictures that we send, but even those get cleared out once a week."

His mother said that even though things are still uncertain they are at least "one step closer" to getting him home.

:: The family are trying to raise funds to cover the cost of the legal fees. To make a donation visit https://www.crowdjustice.co.uk/case/michaelsandford/

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Mrs Sandford said her son had originally gone to the US because he had "met a girl".

She told presenters: "We tried to stop him going but everyone told us he is an adult and we can't stop him."

Describing the night she found out about her son's arrest, she said: "I was in bed when I got woken up by a call from the Foreign Office with the news no parent wants to hear." She then saw what had happened on television news.

"He (Michael) doesn't remember what happened, he said it's just a blur and he is so glad nobody got hurt.

"We know now that at the time he was suffering from a delusional psychotic episode and we are hoping the authorities will show some leniency under the circumstances."

Explaining that her son had never shown an interest in politics before the incident in Las Vegas, she added: "He is a kind, compassionate and caring person. It's so out of his normal character and I think people realise that."
The father of a woman who had to bring her baby's remains home in a cool bag after an abortion in England has made an emotional plea for Northern Ireland's politicians to change the legislation.

It comes after a senior Northern Ireland doctor told how she was forced to resign over abortion interventions.

Dr Caroline Gannon told the BBC the final straw was having to tell a couple they should use a picnic cooler bag to bring their baby's remains home to Northern Ireland.

The couple's baby was diagnosed with fatal foetal abnormality.

It is illegal in Northern Ireland for an abortion to be carried out on the grounds of such a diagnosis and the couple had to travel to England for a termination.

And the only means they had to transfer the child home were by in a cooler bag with ice packs.

They requested a post-mortem from the paediatric pathologist to understand the baby's diagnosis.

The woman's father spoke on Wednesday afternoon and made a direct appeal to Northern Ireland's MLAs to consider how they would feel if this happened to their own family.

He said: "If we can change the legislation in Northern Ireland it would be one good thing that would come out of all this terrible trauma that my daughter has gone through."

The father told how 12 months before this ordeal the same thing had happened to his daughter - but she was able to get treatment in Northern Ireland. They couldn't believe it when a year later they got the same phonecall.

He told BBC Talkback: "Twelve months before this happened the same problem occured. In that case the heartbeat of the baby ceased at about 14 weeks and she was taken in to hospital.

"There was a great team of people, terrible experience but it was all done in Northern Ireland and she was trying to get over it.

"A year later she had the 12 -week scan and had the same phonecall and couldn't believe it. It's a very, very unusual situation.

"So the weeks went by and the heart rate dropped, and the weeks went by and my daughter was suffering terribly with the mental strain of it all

"So we had to take the decision to go to England."

His daughter and her husband travelled first and were followed by her father and mother who carried the cool bag.

"We were to bring it back to save them having to do that. It was a traumatic day and night.

"We got the foetus and put it in the cool bag and started driving at 2am in the morning up the motorway."

However they got a phonecall to say she had collapsed and was being rushed to hospital.

"We had to turn the car and drive for 20 miles to turn around to see how she was.

"We got to the hospital where she was being looked after really well. I had to sit in the car with the engine running to keep the cool bag cool. I hadn't slept for nearly 24 hours.

"At 6am we headed home and got to the Royal at about 8 o clock to hand it over."

The father appealed to Northern Ireland's politicians to change the legislation so that no other family has to go through what they have.

He said: "If the legislation could be changed, if those MLAs could picture their own daughter when the vote comes around. I wish this on no-one. I don't know if Mr Larkin has a daughter, I hope he would never have to go through what my daughter and her husband went through and my wife and I have gone through.

"It is a horrendous and a terrible shame that Northern Ireland in this day and age has to look people in the eye around the world and say this is the way we deal with things."

The heartbroken father says he hopes that one day his daughter will "have the child she so desperately wants".

He said: "I'm a Christian all my life and I see nothing wrong at all with what we did. It's the greatest form of humanity that one can do for one's daughter, is to try and end the terrible pain she is suffering.

"We pray every day she'll have the child she longs for. We are getting tests done on the basis of the foetus coming back.

"We hope that one day she will have the child that she so desperately wants.

"The last thing she would ever do is end the life of a child if there was an alternative.

"I hope this will change the legislation because at least something good will have come out of the most awful experience we have had as a family this last number of months."
A senior Northern Ireland doctor has been forced to resign over abortion interventions, it has been reported.

Dr Caroline Gannon told the BBC the final straw was having to tell a couple they should use a picnic cooler bag to bring their baby's remains home to Northern Ireland after an abortion in England.

The paediatric pathologist resigned over interventions by attorney general John Larkin on abortion laws surrounding fatal foetal abnormality.

She investigated the deaths of babies including those in the womb or stillbirths and said recent interventions made her position "untenable".

"I think he (the Attorney General John Larkin) was the tipping point," she told the BBC.

"The workload we had was manageable, but then when these rulings came out - that was the tipping point and for me, professionally, I just felt I was acting unethically by taking part in this system where parents are denied a voice in what happened to their baby."

The doctor cited an example of the advice she gave to one couple whose baby was diagnosed with fatal foetal abnormality.

It is illegal in Northern Ireland for an abortion to be carried out on the grounds of such a diagnosis and the couple had to travel to England for a termination.

And the only means they had to transfer the child home were by in a cooler bag with ice packs.

They requested a post-mortem from the paediatric pathologist to understand the baby's diagnosis.

"They're on their own in a strange town, a strange country in a private clinic with no support," Dr Gannon said.

"If this had happened in a hospital in Northern Ireland midwives would be there, hospital processes would be in place they could sit with their baby and then somebody else would be responsible for bringing their baby down to the mortuary to ensure the post mortem is carried out."

Dr Gannon said she could not longer work within the Northern Ireland system which "denied couples information and choice".

The doctor's resignation leaves just one paediatric pathologist in Northern Ireland.

Amnesty International said the resignation said the resignation should be a "wake-up call" for abortion reform.

Patrick Corrigan, Amnestys Northern Ireland programme director, said: "Dr Gannons resignation should serve as a wake-up call to the Northern Ireland Assembly which has, to date, turned its back on women in Northern Ireland who require access to abortion.

Sadly, the horrific story told by Dr Gannon, of a couple with a fatal foetal diagnosis for their pregnancy having to travel to England and then return to Northern Ireland with the foetal remains in a cooler bag, is far from an isolated case.

Amnesty is aware of a great many women and couples who have been forced to travel to England to access abortion and then transport the foetal remains back home for a proper burial or post mortem.

Many medical professionals in Northern Ireland are faced with similar ethical dilemmas to Dr Gannon, having to work within a legal regime that flouts the rights of their pregnant patients and threatens both patient and medic with criminal prosecution.

In 2015 the High Court found that Northern Irelands abortion law violates the human rights of women. It is inhuman and degrading to deny abortion to women whose pregnancy has a fatal foetal impairment or where it has been a result of rape or incest. It is a daily human rights abuse and it needs to end.

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In response, attorney general John Larkin said: "Our law on abortion in cases of so-called fatal foetal abnormality - There is no agreed clinical definition of fatal foetal abnormality - is currently under consideration by the Court of Appeal.

"The court has been asked to consider, among other things, an argument by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland that the protection of unborn children with disabilities should not be less than that for unborn children without such disabilities. That argument is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

"While there is no barrier under our law to a post-mortem examination of the remains of babies who are aborted in England and Wales, a Northern Ireland Coroner has no jurisdiction to conduct an inquest where death occurs outside Northern Ireland and a Northern Ireland Coroner cannot, therefore, order a post mortem investigation in respect of any death occurring outside Northern Ireland.

"That territorial limitation on jurisdiction applies to any death, whether of a still-born child or of an adult travelling abroad."

He continued: "Post mortem examinations can play an important role in developing medical knowledge and in understanding present limitations on such knowledge.

"The UK Parliamentary Inquiry into Abortion on the grounds of Disability [July 2013] reports evidence from Jay Jayahoman, consultant paediatric neurosurgeon, that of of the 32 post mortems that he knew had been done on late stage terminations there have been two where the diagnosis had been profoundly wrong'.

"In relation to still-births, our law recognises the still-born child as a deceased person. This has been confirmed by the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland.

"It is for the Coroner to determine whether an inquest takes place and while the Coroner will take account of the wishes of parents, parents do not have a veto on whether or not an inquest should take place when a child dies. This is so whether a child is stillborn or has died at any age after birth.

Mr Larkin's office told the Belfast Telegraph, it had nothing further to add.
Doctors' estimates of when terminally ill patients would die were sometimes out by up to three months, researchers found

Doctors often get it wrong when predicting how long terminally ill people have left to live, new research suggests.

A review of more than 4,600 medical notes where doctors predicted survival showed a wide variation in errors, ranging from an underestimate of 86 days to an overestimate of 93 days.

And it does not appear that more experienced or older doctors are any better at predicting when somebody will die than their younger counterparts.

The review of existing research on the subject was carried out by a team at the Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department at University College London (UCL).

Further work is now being carried out to see if it may be possible to train doctors to make better predictions.

Paddy Stone, professor of palliative and end-of-life care at the research department, said: "Delivering the most appropriate care and treatments for those with terminal illnesses is often dependent on doctors making an accurate prognosis.

"Knowing how much time is left can also better equip patients and their carers to make more informed choices about their care. This research suggests that there is no simple way to identify which doctors are better at predicting survival.

"Being more senior or more experienced does not necessarily make one a better prognosticator but we now want to see if we can identify how and why some doctors are better at predicting survival than others and to determine if this is a skill that can be taught."

Stephanie Aiken, deputy director of nursing for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said: "For a dying person and their loved ones, uncertainty can make a very distressing time much harder to deal with.

"Just as when we are born, the precise timing of death can be an inexact science - but nurses looking after people at the end of their lives recognise the positive impact of being as open as possible about what is observed, even if definitive answers can't be given.

"As a society we have become much better at speaking about death and dying, and respecting and understanding people's wishes at the end of their lives.

"But there is clearly more to do to improve recognition of the signs that someone is dying, and supporting families with information."

Janice Jones, whose father, Stephen Flint, died in 2011 from bile duct cancer, said: "We weren't given an accurate timescale. The doctor was very non-committal. While some people would prefer not to know, having an idea of how much time dad had left would have made us feel more in control of the situation.

"What hurt the most was that the doctor had seen dad just before the evening that he died and hadn't given us any indication that it would be so soon.

"Knowing would have allowed us to fill our last days with memories rather than get so bogged down in the routine responsibilities of caring for someone who is dying."
Brexit Secretary David Davis said it was very improbable that the UK could be in the single market and control its borders

Jean-Claude Juncker said the UK cannot expect "a la carte" access to the single market (AP Photo/Jean Francois Badias)

The murder of a Polish man in Essex and the suspected rise in hate crime following the Brexit vote have been condemned by European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

Mr Juncker defended the free movement of European Union citizens - seen as a key factor in the vote to leave - as he denounced the killing of Arkadiusz Jozwik in Harlow last month.

Police are treating the attack as a possible hate crime and six teenagers, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested and released on bail.

Poles have been victims in a series of incidents since the UK voted to leave the EU in June, including the assault of two Polish men within hours of a vigil following Mr Jozwik's death.

Last week a Polish man was attacked and beaten by a group of up to 20 teenagers in a suspected racially-aggravated assault in Leeds.

Amid the violence, Theresa May called the Polish prime minister Beata Szydlo to express her "deep regret" and to stress "hate crime has no place in UK society".

Now Mr Juncker has intervened.

At his state of the EU address to the European Parliament, Mr Juncker said: "We Europeans can never accept, never, Polish workers being harassed, beaten up or even murdered in the streets of Essex."

He added: "The free movement of workers is as much a common European value as our fight against discrimination and racism."

Meanwhile, Mr Juncker suggested that Britain cannot be a member of the European single market and regain full control over immigration from the continent.

He said the UK cannot expect "a la carte" access to the free trade zone once Brexit is delivered.

European leaders see the free movement of EU citizens as a condition of single market membership.

The issue has become central to the Brexit debate and has caused friction within the Government as ministers weigh up how to maintain the benefits of the trading bloc while regaining full control over immigration.

The Prime Minister slapped down Brexit Secretary David Davis for saying it was "very improbable" that the UK could be in the single market and also control its borders.

Mr Juncker warned Britain: "There can be no a la carte access to the single market."

He also called on the Government to trigger Article 50 - the formal process for leaving the EU - as soon as possible.

"We would be happy if the request for Brexit could happen as quickly as possible so that we could take the specific steps which need to happen," he said.

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage was branded a liar by MEPs after saying the EU had "declared war" on Britain by appointing federalist Guy Verhofstadt as the European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator.

The former Ukip leader suggested the appointment would lead to a continuation of the "dogma" that free movement is a condition of single market membership and therefore no trade deal with Britain.

This "isn't too bad" for the UK but would hurt German car companies and French wine makers, because they would face tariffs to export into the UK, Mr Farage said.

Responding to Mr Juncker's speech, he told the European Parliament: "If you were to think of this building as a temple, well Mr Verhofstadt is the high priest - a fanatic.

"In fact, there is only one real nationalist in the room and it's you (Mr Verhofstadt) - because you want flags, anthems, armies, you are an EU nationalist.

"I frankly think that this appointment amounts to pretty much a declaration of war on any sensible negotiating process.

"If you stick to the dogma of saying that for reciprocal tariff-free access with the single market we must maintain the free movement of people, then you will inevitably drive us towards no deal - no deal and trading on WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules."

Mr Farage added: "I would argue what we really need is to have a sensible, common sense approach and for this parliament to recognise it has made a mistake and to find somebody who actually likes the United Kingdom to lead these talks."

At Prime Minister's Questions, Mrs May continued her approach of not offering a "running commentary" on the Government's Brexit negotiating strategy.

After being pressed on whether the UK will retain so-called "passporting" rights for financial services to operate across the EU, which are part of the single market, the PM said: "This Government will be working to ensure the right deal for the United Kingdom in trade, in goods and services."

She also reiterated her commitment to ending free movement of EU citizens as it currently operates, insisting voters sent a "very clear message" to the Government in the referendum.

"They want to see control of movement of people from the European Union into the UK, and that's what we will deliver," Mrs May said.

Responding to Mr Juncker's comments, Mrs May's official spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister has herself already expressed concern about hate crime in this country. That's why the Government has set out an action plan.

"As we said last week, the Prime Minister has spoken to the Polish prime minister about some of the incidents we have seen.

"Of course, we need to let the police investigations take their course, but the Prime Minister is absolutely clear about the values that make this country great - We are a tolerant nation and we should continue to be one."

Later, Mr Farage criticised Mr Juncker for focusing on the killing of Mr Jozwik, arguing that all violence and murder should be condemned - including that perpetrated by criminal EU citizens in the UK.

He told BBC Radio 4's World At One: "He (Mr Juncker) did refer to that awful incident, but equally he could have referred to many other dreadful things being done all over Europe.

"Not to mention 14 recognised terrorist attacks in the space of this year.

"I don't actually think that it's ever very wise to pick any one incident against an individual and to use it for political ends."
Tim Magowan and David McAllister, Belfast charity workers who witnessed the aftermath of a massacre in the Congo. They are pictured with Consolate, a Tearfund staff member, at the displaced people camp.

A Belfast man who witnessed the aftermath of a massacre in the Congo has described it as "Hell on Earth".

Tim Magowan, the Northern Ireland director of charity Tearfund, went to the Democratic Republic of Congo to work on a film about conflict survivors - but arrived just a day after the atrocity in which at least 64 people were killed.

The man he was visiting, David McAllister, witnessed thousands fleeing from their homes during the incident and shot a video.

The next day the Belfast men went to the village the people had been fleeing to and spoke to some of them.

"If Hell had a capital, it was right there," Mr Magowan said.

He added that he had been to other places of poverty and need, but the refugee camp had the biggest impact on him.

"It was easily the place that was most horrifying," he said.

Before going to the DR Congo he had been worried about his safety, but Tearfund has a good risk management system that kept him safe.

The contrast between his situation and the situation of those who had fled the massacre made a huge impression on him.

"They had nothing. There was absolutely no system of support around them," Mr Magowan said.

While they were in the village, he and Mr McAllister spoke to several of the displaced.

One woman, a farmer with eight children, told them of men cutting people to pieces with their machetes.

She said: "We ran away with only the clothes on our bodies."

Another woman told of how her pregnant relative was killed after her baby was cut out of her stomach.

Mr Magowan said her story was "just sheer, raw emotions".

But even though he was in one of the most horrible places he'd ever been, there were positive things happening as well.

"In the middle of that, what I saw was a few sparks of hope," he said.

Mr Magowan was inspired by the people around him, like Mr McAllister, who were using their experiences to make a difference.

Mr McAllister, whose family are known from the BBC1 documentary A Deadly Mission: Belfast To Congo, now works in the DR Congo with Tearfund. The charity works in remote areas with the Government, local partners and other agencies to help conflict survivors recover and rebuild their livelihoods.

When Mr Magowan and Mr McAllister saw how much the refugees needed, they reported their needs to Tearfund.

NI donors raised 10,000 for waterproof roofs, and 82,000 more was sent from the START network, an non-governmental organisation funding pool.

Mr Magowan knew he would see difficult things in Congo, but didn't realise how close he'd be.

"We were there to make a film about conflict survivors I hadn't reckoned on being caught up in the aftermath," he added.

He said most of the stories he had gathered had more recovery time between their trauma and the interview, but "what we saw in the Congo was in real time".
The EU needs to unite to move forward in the face of widespread opposition to more powers being centralised in Brussels, the European Commission president said on Wednesday.

Jean-Claude Juncker said in his State of the European Union address to the European Parliament that the EU "still does not have enough Union".

He said that EU integration cannot be for individual member states to manage alone, and insisted that "too often national interests are brought to the fore".

Mr Juncker's speech has been hotly anticipated for weeks as the EU struggles with multiple crises, including the influx of migrants over the past year and the shock June referendum in Britain to leave the EU, the first member state ever to walk away.

Britain still has to officially trigger the exit negotiations and Mr Juncker said "we would be happy if the request for Brexit could happen as quickly as possible so that we could take the specific steps which need to happen".

There are fears the EU is facing paralysis until Britain decides to move.

Mr Juncker also warned that Britain should expect not to get the same access to the EU's unified market as if nothing had happened.

"There can be no a la carte access to the single market," he warned.

The British exit has given rise to much soul-searching among the remaining 27 nations, and their leaders will meet in Bratislava on Friday to plot the way ahead.

It has already been cast as a fight between those backing less Europe - exemplified by several eastern nations - and those who still want to forge ahead with more unity.

As such, Mr Juncker's centralised EU Commission has come under pressure, accused of being a power grabber at the expense of the freedoms of the member nations.

"People in Europe don't want this petty envy between the various institutions," he said. "They want results. The next 12 months are decisive if we want to realise our union."

AP
The scene of a bus crash in Barcelona, with seven British and two Irish tourists among the 24 people injured, local government officials have said. SER Catalunya/Aitor Alvarez/PA Wire

The scene of a bus crash in Barcelona, with seven British and two Irish tourists among the 24 people injured, local government officials have said. SER Catalunya/Aitor Alvarez/PA Wire

A number of Irish people are among 24 people who were injured in a bus crash in Barcelona

The bus was carrying tourists who were on their way to the city's El Prat airport early this morning.

Three of the injured were reported to be in a serious condition after the bus crashed at around 3.10am this morning, during heavy rain, an emergency services spokesperson said.

Locals reports said tourists from Ireland, Britain, Germany, Lituania, Belarus and Spain.

The driver is also reported to be injured.

Fifteen people sustained light injuries, while six people were in 'moderate condition', according to the emergency services.

The bus had been travelling on a ring-road near the waterfront on the way to El Prat airport when the crash happened.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed they have not been contacted for assistance.

They are looking into the matter and said they stand ready to provide assistance if needed.

The nationalities of the three seriously hurt passengers is not known.

Last night Glasgow Celtic played Barcelona in the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.
Smoke billows on September 14, 2016 following a reported airstrike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemeni capital Sanaa. AFP/Getty Images

The UN Security Council is calling on all parties in Yemen's civil war to halt all military activity and abide by the terms of a cessation of hostilities agreed upon in April.

The council said in statement that the humanitarian situation will continue to deteriorate in the absence of a durable peace agreement and urged all parties to resume talks, as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned: "At least seven million people - a quarter of the population - are living under emergency levels of food insecurity." That is near famine level.

It's a crisis that has deepened since the civil war broke out, and there has been a 15pc increase in hunger during the past year.

The WFP further warns that another 7.1 million people are ready to fall into hunger if the situation does not improve. In all, 19 of the 22 governorates of Yemen are experiencing severe hunger.

Meanwhile Saudi-led airstrikes on a water well in northern Yemen have reportedly killed 30 people and wounded 17, a UN official said.

The UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, said in a statement that the casualties in the village of Beit Saadan included first responders and children.

The strikes took place on Saturday, on the eve of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

Mr McGoldrick said he is "deeply disturbed by the unrelenting attacks on civilians and on civilian infrastructure", and urges rival parties to resume a ceasefire declared by the UN in April.

Yemen's official news agency SABA, which is controlled by Houthi rebels, has reported that 100 people were killed or wounded in the airstrikes.

Witnesses said an initial airstrike killed 13 people, but then a number of rescuers were killed in subsequent airstrikes.

The Saudi-led coalition made no statement regarding the airstrikes, but its spokesman, Brig Gen Ahmed al-Asiri, has said before that relief and rights groups are biased and give misleading reports.

Yemen's conflict pits the internationally recognised government, which is allied with a Saudi-led military coalition, against Shiite Houthi rebels and forces loyal to a former president.

The Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis and their allies since March 2015.

Mr McGoldrick says the fighting has killed or wounded 10,000 people.

The Houthis, along with allied forces loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh, have also waged cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia.

The coalition said Saudi air defence forces shot down a ballistic missile fired from Yemen before dawn on Monday.

It says the coalition air force struck the area of the missile's launching pad. No damage or casualties were reported.

The coalition, which is supported by the United States, has accused Iran of arming the Houthis, something Tehran and the rebels deny. Saudi Arabia and Iran are regional rivals.
Margaret Thatcher did not win most of the popular vote, despite having huge majorities

Tony Blair did not win most of the popular vote, despite having huge majorities

In February 1974, the Prime Minister, Edward Heath, called a snap election. This was only two months after the creation of the power-sharing Executive agreed at Sunningdale. The Executive had scarcely an opportunity to bed itself down as a cross-community administration when the election was called.

The snap election gave Ian Paisley and Harry West an opportunity to galvanise anti-power-sharing unionists against the newly formed power-sharing Executive.

Paisley and his anti-power-sharing coalition triumphed, winning 11 out of the 12 Westminster seats and delivering a crippling psychological blow to the power-sharing Executive.

However, the reality was that the anti-power-sharing unionists actually won only 51% of the overall vote.

It was, therefore, a skewed and unrepresentative result, given the fact that there had been a UUP-SDLP majority elected to the Assembly only eight months previously, in June 1973, but under the much fairer and more representative PR voting system. There was a pro-power-sharing majority in the Assembly of 52 to 26 members.

At the present time, Westminster - quite rightly - seeks to reform itself and reduce its numbers from 650 down to 600 MPs. and that is a worthy objective.

Strangely, though, but perhaps not surprisingly, it has failed to address what surely is the elephant in the room: that is its grossly unfair and appallingly disproportionate electoral system.

Neither Tony Blair nor Margaret Thatcher - two of the most successful PMs in Britain's history - ever had a majority of the popular vote. Nonetheless, both of them enjoyed large majorities in parliament.

It is truly baffling that such a sophisticated modern democracy as Britain has such an unfair and unrepresentative electoral system.

But, be that as it may, it is the continued imposition of the first-past-the-post system on us here in Northern Ireland that is a problem and will be an even greater problem when the proposed new boundary changes come in to force here.

There has been for a very long time a strong case to make an exception in Northern Ireland and to have our MPs elected under proportional representation to ensure fairness and representativeness in our politics.

The first-past-the-post system actively encourages rabid sectarian voting, which squeezes out more moderate, non-sectarian, or cross-community, voting.

Every five years or so, it reignites sectarian feeling and passions and undermines whatever progress we have made politically.

Westminster elections, whether they be in North Belfast or Fermanagh and South Tyrone, become sectarian dog-fights, where the central objective is to score one over on the other community, rather than deal with real social, or economic, issues.

There is no reason why Northern Ireland could not be subdivided into four areas and our 17 MPs elected under PR for those new, multi-member constituencies.

If Westminster believes in assisting and helping to build our new democracy and moving away from sectarianism, then it should give PR to Northern Ireland and encourage new politics.

We are a unique case and the granting of PR should not in any way undermine Westminster's current choice to use the first-past-the-post system for Britain.

But systems of elections aside, Westminster has again - albeit unwittingly, through the reduction in parliamentary seats and the boundary changes for the new 17 seats - triggered a huge earthquake to the political geology of Northern Ireland.

This not only affects the number of MPs and the geopolitical make-up of those seats, but it also has a knock-on effect on the Assembly, reducing its membership, based on the new 17 seats, down to 85 in 2021.

The current number of Assembly members is 108.

This reduction is fewer than the 90 seats envisaged in the so-called Fresh Start agreement last year.

This will cause serious uncertainty and instability, as parties and politicians assess the future political map. Such uncertainty is bad for our young institutions.

While some reduction was agreed by most of the political parties, such an additional reduction was not anticipated.

This combined with the proposed reduction from six seats down to five seats per constituency will certainly give both Sinn Fein and the DUP a further strengthening of their grip on power and consolidate their baneful duopoly.

This means a further squeezing of the numbers for the Opposition parties and smaller, aspirant political groupings, such as People Before Profit and the Greens.

It will lead to an even greater domination by the DUP/Sinn Fein axis, which will be profoundly damaging.

Unfortunately, like Brexit, Westminster reform will have a negative impact on our politics.

But, hopefully, in this parliament totally dominated by the future with the European Union, this proposal can be quietly jettisoned.

After all, it only takes for half a dozen Tory MPs fearful about their electoral future to scupper this mischievous measure.
James Brokenshire (right) shakes hands with Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan after signing the international treaty to establish the Independent Reporting Commission.

Over 20 years on since the first ceasefires, much has changed in Northern Ireland. But, despite huge progress in many areas, the spectre of paramilitarism still looms. Despite many men and women of violence turning their back on their evil deeds of the past and signing up to peace, there are still some in our society who feel violence is the way forward.

These people serve no political cause. What they're doing is committing crime using the cloak of paramilitarism to line their own pockets.

They use intimidation and fear to exert influence within their communities. All this does is holds communities back; deterring investment and jobs and preventing people from moving forward with their lives.

There was never any justification for paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, there is none today and there must not be any in the future. They should disband.

But that, sadly, is more easily said than done.

As I told a group called the British-Irish Association in Oxford on Friday, this requires a concerted effort across society.

We need to look at how we prevent young people being drawn into these groups in the first place.

We need to help communities challenge the influence and legitimacy of these groups.

We need to look at how we can better support people coming forward to give evidence in paramilitary-linked cases.

And we need to ensure that the criminal justice system works to prosecute more of these people and put them behind bars for longer.

We cannot tolerate cold-blooded murder in alleyways masquerading as justice. It has to stop.

One way we will do that is through the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), which I signed in Dublin yesterday alongside the Irish government.

This signals our intent to ensure that future generations are not blighted by the sort of paramilitary activity that for too long has endured in Northern Ireland.

The IRC is one of the provisions of the Fresh Start agreement, which my predecessor, Theresa Villiers, worked so tirelessly to bring about.

Independent scrutiny by the IRC will help to ensure that the UK Government, the Irish government and the Northern Ireland Executive are held to account and that the commitments in the Executive's action plan for tackling paramilitary activity are delivered.

The IRC will have a four-member panel of international standing with a simple aim: to review progress towards disbanding paramilitary groups which continue to blight our society.

It will report annually to keep everybody updated on progress.

Its members will be nominated by the Government, the Irish government and the Executive.

The Government is committed to playing its part and has offered 25m of additional funding, over five years, to support the Executive's strategy to end paramilitarism. We're helping fund the Independent Reporting Commission's work with an additional 3m.

And, today, I will lay regulations in parliament to make the IRC operational by the end of the year. The Irish government is doing similar legislative work over the coming months.

A priority in my time as Secretary of State has been to meet victims and survivors of the Troubles. Across Northern Ireland, I've spoken to many people who have been devastated by their loss, whose pain is as real today as it was decades ago.

I've been struck by their desire that, despite their suffering, they want peace to endure, that people will be reconciled and the next generation can live in a society so much better than before.

And it's undoubtedly true that so many positive things have happened in Northern Ireland since the 1990s. I want to build on that as Secretary of State.

One of my priorities is to promote Northern Ireland as a place to do business. I'm just back from a two-day visit to Washington, where there is huge goodwill for Northern Ireland. So many people told me they want to help us secure a peaceful and prosperous future.

There's much to celebrate - and much to tell investors. Our economy continues to grow, with unemployment falling and over 55,000 more people in work since 2010.

And, in the last year, Northern Ireland's exports to the US have increased by a staggering 74%.

Northern Ireland is a highly competitive place in which to invest. We have a highly educated, skilled and dedicated workforce. We've two world-class universities with strong links to local business and commerce. There are great transport links into the rest of the UK, Ireland, Europe and beyond.

Our operating costs are over 48% lower than London and 14% lower than Dublin.

And the UK Government remains committed to handing corporation tax powers to the local administration, in accordance with the Stormont House Agreement.

So, it's not surprising that Belfast is one of the leading destinations for foreign direct investment into the UK outside of London.

This is the story that needs to be told of Northern Ireland today.

Today, a wonderful place to do business, to invest, and to live.

Northern Ireland must be allowed to reach its potential.

It is my dearest wish that future generations will not be blighted by the scourge of paramilitarism. No more families grieving, no more needless death and destruction; simply a normal, prosperous and peaceful society in which everyone is given the chance to flourish.

We have made so much progress already.

The establishment of the Independent Reporting Commission is a further step on that road.

It will help us to build a brighter, more secure future for Northern Ireland - a Northern Ireland that works for everyone.

James Brokenshire MP is Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Ian Crutchley has been cleared of allegations that he brutally assaulted his ex-wife

A leading Northern Ireland dentist has opened up about his trial by social media after an allegation that he brutally assaulted his ex-wife was withdrawn by prosecutors.

Ian Crutchley, who runs Fifteen Dental, which has practices in Downpatrick and Belfasts Lisburn Road, protested his innocence from the beginning.

The 53-year-old, from Dromore, had been charged in July with inflicting GBH on his then wife Bronagh Crutchley in August 2002.

But last week the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) withdrew the GBH charge at Belfast Magistrates Court.

It understood that significant new evidence came to light. Following a review, the PPS decided the case no longer met the test for prosecution.

Mr Crutchley told Sunday Life the last couple of months had been difficult for his family and he thanked friends, colleagues and patients for their support.

It has always been my position that these charges were false and the fact that I never had to attend or even enter a plea at court speaks volumes, he said. Trial by social media is a horrible thing and the experience my family and I have endured this last two months I would not wish on anyone.

This has been a difficult time and we now wish to put this unpleasant period behind us.

One of Mr Crutchleys children added: Myself and my two siblings were more than happy to provide witness statements that in our view confirmed the allegation to be false.

Our father has had full custody of us for the last 14 years, during which time we have built a safe, happy and loving home together.

We are extremely pleased that the charge has been dropped and now wish to continue on with our lives together as a family.

Mr Crutchley, who is now happily remarried, studied at Queens University in 1987 before becoming an associate in Downpatrick. He then took a top job at local practice Downe in the Mouth in 1993, now known as Fifteen Dental.

He has grown the business considerably and has also built up an extensive patient list.

He said: I would like to thank all those friends, colleagues and patients who gave me their kind support both in words and deeds.
There is shock and disappointment in Londonderry after Ryanair axed its flights from City of Derry Airport (CoDA) to London Standsted and Faro.

The routes will close next April. The airline also slashed the number of flights to Liverpool from five times a week to twice weekly, leaving only the Glasgow route unscathed by the cuts.

The DUP slammed the move, saying the connection to London is vital for the economy of the North West and must be secured.

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said: "For many years it has been the case that a local airport which most people in the North West support, must diversify.

"It is absolutely critical now that a London route is reinstated and airlines apart from Ryanair are secured for other routes."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood called on the Executive to take action to subsidise the loss-making Derry airport.

He said: "Businesses in Derry are already operating in an extremely difficult trading environment. Ryanair's announcement will come as a bitter blow to them as they try to create jobs in a market that depends on effective transport infrastructure.

"The Executive put up 9m to save the route between New York and Belfast and the people of Derry deserve no less."

CoDA chairman Roy Devine said he was optimistic about securing a new operator for the route to London, and moves are under way to secure a Public Service Obligation (PSO) commitment from the Government that a direct route be operated between Derry and London.

This could keep the London route open using a subvention.

Derry and Strabane Council chief executive John Kelpie said: "We are currently involved in discussions with the Department for Transport about this and remain confident that we meet the criteria."

Currently, council ratepayers cover the 2.14m annual running costs of the airport. Mr Kelpie said the council does not expect the cuts will have an immediate impact on the amount of subvention it hands over to the airport.

Staff have been told their jobs are safe in the meantime.

Alan Law from Nipsa said staff were shocked at the devastating news. "The discussion with Mr Kelpie and Mr Devine was very positive and I wish them well in their continued efforts to secure replacement carriers for the services withdrawn," he said.

"The impact of Air Passenger Duty continues to disproportionately affect the airport and this remains a huge issue which local politicians need to grasp. "

Chief Executive of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, Sinead McLaughin, said: "Despite its cost to the ratepayer, the airport has consistently generated much more in terms of Gross Value Added to the region than it costs."
Police commander Guruh Arif Darmawan stands near suspected militant Basri (right) at a military hospital in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Sept. 14, 2016.

Indonesian police Wednesday arrested a man they claim took control of the militant group Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT) following the death of leader Santoso, cutting the number of its members at large to a dozen.

Muhammad Basri, a 41-year-old deputy to Santoso, whose MIT swore allegiance to Islamic State (IS), was caught in Tangkura village in Central Sulawesi provinces Poso Regency along with his wife, Nurmi Orman (also known as Oma), officials said. Police said they also recovered the body of another suspected MIT member.

Basris arrest further weakens MIT, according to terrorism analyst Taufik Andrie.

Their movement is already limited, their choices are few because their ammunition is lacking. So it is expected that soon they will be caught dead or alive, Taufik, executive director of the Institute for International Peacebuilding in Jakarta, told BenarNews.

Authorities said they captured Basri and his wife, who were on the national polices most wanted list, soon after discovering the body of a suspected MIT member Andika in a local river. The cause of his death remained unclear.

After discovering the body we carried out an investigation at the scene. We found Basri not far from the river and his wife trapped in the river. They were immediately arrested, provincial police spokesman Hari Suprapto told reporters.

Police did not release details about how Nurmi was trapped. A homemade bomb was found in a vest that Andika was wearing, and Basri was not armed, police said.

Another suspect MIT militant, Adji Pandu (alias Suwotono or Subron), was with the group but escaped from a joint security task force, officials said.

Members of Operation Tinombala, a task force comprising police officers and soldiers and that was set up to hunt down Santosos group, are now searching for Adji and the other 11 MIT members who remain at large.

Hundreds of security personnel have been on the ground in remote Poso regency since January 2015 in two operations code-named Camar Maleo and Tinombala.

Officers transported Basri and his wife to a military hospital in Palu around 4 p.m. (local time). After arriving, Basri smiled and bowed his head, but did not answer reporters questions.

Let him go in to be examined first, Police commander Guruh Arif Darmawan told the journalists.

Sought in many cases

Police claim that Basri took the lead of MIT following the death of Santoso on July 18. Until then, Santoso (alias Abu Wardah) was Indonesias most wanted militant.

According to police, Basri allegedly had roles in 18 criminal cases during his time with MIT.

Basri was involved in the mutilation of three schoolgirls in Tentena on Oct. 29, 2005, Central Sulawesi police chief Brig. Gen. Rudy Sufahriadi said recently.

Born Mohammad Basri bin Baco Sampe, the militant has several aliases including Bagong, Opa and Ayas. Basri left his first wife to join MIT, and later married Nurmi in April 2013. Her first husband was a MIT militant killed in Poso, police said.

No more blood in Poso

In recent weeks, a team of humanitarian workers and human rights activists had joined efforts to persuade the few remaining MIT holdouts to surrender to the authorities peacefully.

By involving family, friends and relatives, this can give a guarantee of safety without involving bloodshed. I think MIT members need to consider the governments offer, Taufik said.

Imdadun Rahmat, the head of National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), traveled to the provincial capital, Palu, two weeks ago to plead to authorities that they treat the remaining militants at large humanely.

We continue to support and encourage the government initiative to restore the losses suffered by the community following the conflict in Poso, and urge good treatment of those prisoners who were captured alive, Imdadun told reporters at the time.

Rudy, the local police chief, echoed that sentiment.

The main point is, no more blood in Poso. We are taking these steps together, prioritizing a persuasive approach, Rudy said at the time as he called again on the remaining militants to give up.
Philippine soldiers stand guard next to an armored personnel carrier inside a military camp in Jolo, Sulu province, amid preparations by government forces to intensify an operation against Abu Sayyaf Group militants, Sept. 5, 2016.

A new move by Malaysia to bolster its defenses in eastern Sabah state aims to deter potential coastal threats from the nearby southern Philippines as Manilas new government escalates operations against Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) militants, a security expert told BenarNews.

We cannot rule out the possibility that their shore is just close to us, Professor Zaini Othman, who directs the Strategic Security Research Center at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, said Wednesday.

Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters during a weekend visit to Sabah that his ministry intended to boost security there against threats posed by the extremist group Islamic State (IS) and militant groups based in the neighboring southern Philippines, the state-run Bernama news agency reported.

The move comes after the government of newly installed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte late last month intensified a military offensive against the ASG in Sulu Province, whose southern end lies close to Sabahs easternmost tip.

On Sept. 2, a bomb blast killed at least 14 people in Davao City, on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. A Philippine radio station, DZMM, reported that ASG, whose senior ideological leader had sworn allegiance to IS, had claimed responsibility for the bombing, according to Rappler.com.

ASG this year abducted Malaysian and Indonesian sailors from ships sailing in waters that separate Borneo from the southern Philippines. Eight Indonesians and at least four Malaysians are believed to still be in the groups custody, after 18 sailors from Indonesia and Malaysia were released by ASG and another armed group in the southern Philippines earlier in 2016. Two more Indonesian sailors reportedly escaped.

Over the weekend, three Filipino nationals and permanent residents of Sabah were abducted from a Malaysia-registered fishing boat sailing off the state, Malaysian authorities confirmed.

Last week, Duterte and his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Jokowi Widodo, signed a bilateral agreement in Jakarta on strengthening maritime security in their common waters, such as through launching joint naval patrols to safeguard the Sulu Sea from future hijackings.

We hope in the future there will be no security problems in the Sulu Sea and we will do joint patrols to ensure the safety at the sea, Jokowi said Friday during a joint news conference at the Presidential Palace.

I apologize, Mr. President, as sometimes the coal deliveries needed for power plants in my country have been delayed due to the hijackings, Duterte told Jokowi, according to the Jakarta Globe.

Bolstering coastal defenses

Among the new defensive measures being taken by Malaysia, the government will deploy 20 armored vehicles and at least four helicopters equipped with Gatling guns to the Lahud Datu area, which lies within the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), Bernama quoted Hishammuddin as saying. The Malaysian military will also install radar and coastal surveillance systems at five locations on Sabahs east coast, the defense minister said.

ESSCOM was created in the aftermath of a deadly incursion three years ago by an armed group from the Sulu archipelago in the southern Philippines. The group called itself the Royal Army of Sulu, and its members identified themselves as followers of a self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu.

In early 2013, Malaysian security forces put down the insurrection by around 200 fighters from Sulu. Seventy-two people, including 56 Sulu gunmen, 10 members of the Malaysian security forces and six civilians were killed in fighting spread over several weeks in Tanduo village.

ESSCOM is responsible for overseeing security from northern Kudat to south-eastern Tawau.

The ESSCOM brigade has been stationed in Felda Sahabat ever since the Tanduo incident took place. Therefore, the announcement made by Hishamuddin is more about boosting the military strength in the said area, security analyst Zaini told BenarNews.

There is no shift

Since taking office in Manila in late June, Duterte, the former mayor of Davao City, has launched a deadly crackdown on suspected drug traffickers and has stepped up military operations aimed at crushing ASG.

Through early September, more than 3,000 people have been killed in Dutertes war on drugs. The campaign has drawn international criticism including from the United States, a longtime close ally of the Philippines, over alleged extrajudicial killings of suspects.

This week, the Philippine president ratcheted up tensions with the U.S. by saying that American special forces, which have been stationed in Mindanao and serving as advisers to the Philippine army in the war against ASG, should leave his country.

On Tuesday, Philippine Foreign Secretary Pefecto Yasay moved to smooth tensions with the United States.

There is no shift in so far as our policy is concerned with respect to our close friendship with the Americans, Yasay said according to Agence France-Presse.

The deployment of five more battalions to Sulu by Dutertes government in its offensive against Abu Sayyaf could cause a ripple effect, which could push militants to flee to Sabah from their bases in the southern Philippines, Malaysian media quoted ESSCOM chief Wan Abdul Bari Abdul Khalid as saying on Sept. 5.

He said Malaysian forces were on high alert for potential incursions by Philippine militants, according to reports. He declined, however, to comment to BenarNews about the new security initiatives in Sabah.

Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata in Jakarta contributed to this report.
An Islamic State video uploaded this week shows young boys burning what appear to be Malaysian and Indonesian passports.

The chilling image of five children staring into the camera with guns in their upraised arms as five grown men dressed in orange jumpsuits kneel in front of them, about to be executed, was posted by Islamic State (IS) extremists almost as a badge of honor.

According to the SITE counterterrorism website where the image was released Friday, the young boys were British, Egyptian, Kurdish, Tunisian and Uzbek  and featured in an IS video from Raqqa, Syria.

IS has increasingly featured children in its constant barrage of propaganda, a deeply disturbing sign of the extremist groups profound level of psychological warfare.

The exact number of children who have been put through the Islamic States child soldier boot camp is unknown. The German magazine Der Spiegel quoted experts as saying about 1,500 boys were serving the militant group in Iraq and Syria.

One of the experts VOA, a sister entity of BenarNews, talked with suspects there are that many in Iraq alone.

As the Iraqi Security Forces, with Kurdish troops and U.S.-led coalition support, converge on the IS stronghold of Mosul, there are growing concerns about what will happen to the children who have been forced to live under IS.

There is no way we are prepared to manage the scale of what we see in front of us, John Horgan, a professor at Georgia State University and an expert on terrorism and political violence, said. We are looking at a level of [child] mobilization that is unprecedented and increasing.

Snipers and suicide bombers

According to Farah Dakhlallah, UNICEFs Middle East and North Africa spokeswoman, child recruitment has increased across the Middle East, and the roles that children are recruited into are changing.

In previous years, children were in support roles, Dakhlallah said by phone from Jordan. But in the past two years, they are taking on much more active roles, carrying weapons, manning checkpoints, being used as snipers and as suicide bombers.

In Syria, children are increasingly being used in armed and combat roles by different parties to the conflict, at times recruited as young as seven years old, Dakhlallah said.

Often we think this is happening without parental consent, she said. But there may be instances where the parents have been complicit, further complicating the psychological picture.

Ive been studying terrorism for 20 years; I have seen nothing like this, Horgan said. This is altogether different.

Unprepared

While organizations such as UNICEF provide a level of psychosocial services to children who have escaped the conflict, experts warn that some children may have been severely brutalized.

I dont think we have a real understanding of what these kids have been through, Horgan said. We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg.

IS has been grooming, training and indoctrinating children for several years and has also widened its recruitment approach to include children, encouraging entire families to join IS.

Children who have escaped have described the horror they have been through.

Some children were sexually assaulted as part of their training. Some were beaten by sticks. They slept on flea-ridden mattresses and were beaten and bullied if they faltered even for a second, Horgan said.

IS executed children who showed signs of disillusionment or of missing their parent, he added.

These children did not emerge out of the ether in the last couple of months, Horgan said. [IS militants] have been grooming and indoctrinating kids for a few years now. I think its an investment in their future.

UNICEF efforts

In Iraq, UNICEF says it is working with the Iraqi government to improve juvenile detention centers and programs for children in detention, including those on security-related charges.

The U.N. agency is also advocating for training front-line security forces on child rights.

But Amnesty International has criticized Iraqs judiciary structure as weak and opaque, and security officials as barely coping with the flood of people fleeing IS control. Hundreds of males have already disappeared from unofficial security screening points.

Asked whether the humanitarian agencies were prepared for the wave of children who will be emerging from Mosul as security operations ramp up to retake the IS stronghold, Horgan had only one word to say:

No.
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For Immediate Release, September 14, 2016 Contact: Ileene Anderson, (323) 490-0223 or ianderson@biologicaldiversity.org Renewable Energy Plan for California Desert Positive But Inadequate Step Forward Missed Opportunity for Greater Wildlife Conservation PALM DESERT, Calif. Today Interior Secretary Sally Jewell will announce the adoption of the long-awaited Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. The ambitious plan, for 10 million acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Californias deserts, aims to provide direction for renewable-energy development. While it increases protection for large areas of desert habitat, it fails to permanently conserve many lands important for wildlife and culture. In addition, it fails to rein in destructive recreational activities on the conserved lands because of overlapping designations. Finally having a plan in place will help prevent poorly sited renewable-energy projects, said Ileene Anderson with the Center for Biological Diversity. Its a compromise plan that provides more than enough land to reach Californias current renewable-energy goals and beyond, but it fails to adequately protect important wildlife habitat. The overall goal of the plan is to coordinate local, state and federal efforts to achieve a balance between conservation of Californias world-class deserts and renewable-energy development as part of a rapid transition to non-fossil-fuel energy. The BLMs plan is the first phase of coordinated planning efforts for renewables development; the state and local agencies continue planning for renewable energy on private lands in Phase 2. The plan allocates 388,000 acres  more than 600 square miles  of the California desert as development focus areas, with another 40,000 acres remaining open to solar-energy development under a variance process. According to the California Energy Commission, this amount of land will be sufficient for California to meet its bold climate goals.



Nearly 2.8 million acres of lands will be permanently conserved as national conservation lands. Another 1.4 million acres are designated as areas of critical environmental concern yet do not receive durable protection despite the fact that they are crucial for long-term conservation in light of rapid climate change. The plan also fails to address how conservation management will be funded and implemented; it provides no commitment to address increasing unlawful off-road vehicle use that destroys conservation lands. We should first be steering renewable-energy development to the most appropriate places in the built environment and on previously disturbed sites. We can both protect our beautiful desert and rapidly deploy renewable energy, said Anderson. We encourage the counties and the state, as part of Phase 2, to adopt local and state policies and incentives that significantly increase solar power on rooftops, parking lots and in communities, which reduces the inefficiency and impacts of long-distance transmission lines, too. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.1 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

www.biologicaldiversity.org


For Immediate Release, September 14, 2016 Contact: John Buse, (323) 533-4416, jbuse@biologicaldiversity.org Rare San Fernando Valley Flower Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection WASHINGTON In response to a settlement with the Center for Biological Diversity to speed protections for 757 species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to protect the San Fernando Valley spineflower as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. There are only two known populations of the flower, which is so rare it was once thought to be extinct. Its wonderful news that this plant has finally been proposed for the Endangered Species Act protection. The Act can ensure it sticks around for future generations to enjoy, said John Buse, senior counsel at the Center. The San Fernando Valley spineflower is an annual plant in the buckwheat family that grows low to the ground with small, white flowers. Historically it was found in washes and sandy areas in only 10 locations in the foothills of Los Angeles and Orange counties. All 10 of these locations were lost to development, and scientists thought the species was extinct from 1929 until a population was discovered in 1999 in Ventura County and the Service placed the flower on the candidate waiting list for protection. In 2000 an additional population of the flower was discovered near Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County, within the footprint of the proposed Newhall Ranch development project. The Service has received multiple petitions to protect the flower. In 1999 the city of Calabasas petitioned for the plants protection; the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy petitioned for its protection in 2000; and the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned for its protection in 2004. In 2011 the Center and the Service reached a landmark agreement requiring the agency to make decisions on all of the plants and animals on the candidate waiting list by the end of this fiscal year. The Ventura County population is protected from development because it occurs in a designated open space preserve. The population in the footprint of the Newhall Ranch development has been proposed for management under a conservation plan developed by the company, under the state Endangered Species Act, that allowed the company to remove part of the population in exchange for creating preserves to protect about 75 percent of the plants. Protection under the federal Endangered Species Act will require the company and state to work with the Service to develop an expanded and supplemented conservation strategy. This added federal protection is needed and welcome, because the current plan is inadequate to safeguard this unique wildflower from development, said Buse. In addition to development, the plant is threatened by non-native invasive plants, Argentine ants, grazing, agriculture, utility-line maintenance, recreation and global climate change. Following todays proposed protection, the Service will accept public comment before finalizing protection for the plant in one year. The plants scientific name is Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.1 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.


For Immediate Release, September 14, 2016 Contact: Ryan Beam, (928) 853-9929, rbeam@biologicaldiversity.org In Wake of Bundy Militia Takeover, Bishop Bill Would

Seize Millions of Acres of Public Land in Utah WASHINGTON Undaunted by public opinion and political reality, Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) held a congressional subcommittee hearing today on his so-called Public Lands Initiative, which would seize millions of acres of federally owned land in Utah and give it to state officials for mining and oil and gas drilling by private companies. H.R. 5780, drawn up by Bishop and fellow Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz, has been widely panned in Congress and by dozens of environmental groups, tribes and members of the public. Even Republican Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, initially a strong supporter of Bishops bill, has now stepped away from the proposal. It took Bishop three years to produce a bill that literally no one wants except those who seek to profit from the destruction of these irreplaceable landscapes, said Ryan Beam with the Center for Biological Diversity. This bill is nothing more than an attempt to legitimize a Bundy-like radical fringe of paramilitary, anti-government extremists that refuses to respect federal jurisdiction over any public land. Its aim is to steal land from the public trust, hand it to corporate polluters and rob future generations of their chance to enjoy these special places. Bishops and Chaffetzs bill, aired today in the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, is an amalgam of the land-seizure views espoused by extreme western lawmakers and special interests, including the Koch brothers-funded American Lands Council, the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Coalition of Western States and others. The principles driving this public-land seizure are the same as those at the heart of the argument posed by Cliven Bundy and his sons Ammon and Ryan Bundy, who led an armed seizure of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon this year. Republican politicians should be wary of supporting the extreme views of the Utah delegation, Beam said. The American public overwhelmingly supports keeping public lands in public hands and is staunchly opposed to giving them away to corporations that strip lands of resources and leave pollution and devastation behind. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.1 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
Mewing is a TikTok trend that has blown up in the last few months. It is claimed that it can help shape your jawline as well as cure other ailments by actively pressing your tongue to the roof
Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
NAIROBI, Kenya - The MasterCard Foundation has committed $5.2 million to Root Capital over five years to support early-stage agricultural businesses that generate transformational impact in rural communities in Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Senegal.

Woman farmer, West Africa

Impact investor Root Capital announced the new partnership with The MasterCard Foundation at the African Green Revolution Forum. The initiative will help raise incomes for over 300,000 smallholder farmers in West Africa.

With Root Capital we will help to bring much-needed financing and capacity building to businesses in West Africa that work with farmers otherwise excluded from the formal economy, said Ann Miles, director of financial inclusion and youth livelihoods at The MasterCard Foundation. We see this as a good avenue to help increase incomes and opportunities for 4,000 employees of agricultural businesses, 300,000 smallholder farmers, and over two million farm family members.

Without access to predictable markets for their crops, small-scale rural farmers are often forced to accept lower prices for their crops and find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty. While the global credit supply for smallholders has grown in recent years, it is geographically skewed with less than 10% of financial flows reaching sub-Saharan Africa.

Over the seven years that Root Capital has worked in West Africa, it has provided loans of between $50,000 and $2 million to 52 agricultural businesses that have raised incomes for nearly 12,000 employees and over 190,000 smallholder farmers. Root Capital has also scaled its advisory program in the region, offering agricultural business leaders a suite of training modules to develop the leadership and financial management skills they need to grow and sustain their businesses.

With the support of The MasterCard Foundation, Root Capital will be able to increasingly target earlier-stage businesses in West Africa that operate on the fringes of financial inclusion  businesses that demonstrate potential to grow and generate increased impact, said Diaka Sall, Root Capitals general manager for West Africa.

Specifically, Root Capital will collaborate with The MasterCard Foundation to:

Accelerate the bankability and growth of more than 100 high-impact, early-stage agricultural businesses with capital needs under $150,000 and/or business revenues under $300,000.

Pilot an expanded set of advisory services, including leadership development of agribusiness employees; financial literacy training for smallholder farmers; mobile technology and mobile money; and empowering local microfinance institutions to better serve the agricultural sector.

Contribute to sector learning by developing a framework for documenting and analysing the costs and impacts associated with early business growth in the agricultural sector.

This initiative will help address the urgent need of early-stage West African agribusinesses for capital and capacity building. With an estimated 48 million smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, however, who remain disconnected from such businesses and the stable sources of income they offer, a great deal of work remains to be done.
ABUJA, Nigeria - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a US$21.6 million cash contribution from the Government of Japan to provide vital food and nutrition assistance to the most vulnerable people in 11 countries, with 90% of the contribution going to 10 African nations.

A large portion of the contribution will be used to purchase foodstuffs such as cereals and pulses to provide nutritious meals to school children and specialised nutritional products to infants under two, as well as to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

At the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), held in Nairobi in August, Japan reaffirmed the importance of nutrition as the very foundation of health, and is stepping up its support for the alleviation of hunger and malnutrition on the continent.

WFP is an active partner of the Initiative for Food and Nutrition Security in Africa (IFNA), which was launched at TICAD VI by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and New Partnership for Africas Development (NEPAD), and is ready to accelerate collaboration with Japan in the area of nutrition.

WFP is grateful for Japans strong commitment to investing in food and nutrition security, said Stephen Anderson, director of the WFP Japan Relations Office. Ending malnutrition is the best and smartest investment. Studies have found that for every dollar invested in proven nutrition interventions, the return is US$16. This contribution will help establish the healthy growth of children, who will, in turn, contribute to the robust development of nations.

In Guinea, where the deadly Ebola outbreak exacerbated the already severe food insecurity, nearly 150,000 school children across the country will be provided with nutritious hot meals to boost nutrition and education.

In Uganda, the fund will be used to provide 30,000 children under two as well as 20,000 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers with fortified blended food. Mothers will also receive education in health, nutrition and growth monitoring, when food is distributed.

Beyond Africa, US$2.2 million will be granted to Sri Lanka to provide school meals to 160,000 food-insecure school children.

The breakdown of the contribution is as follows:

Africa: Guinea (US$3.8 million), Uganda (US$2.5 million), Liberia (US$2.3 million), Madagascar (US$2.3 million), Sierra Leone (US$1.9 million), Djibouti (US$1.4 million), Rwanda (US$1.4 million), Gambia (US$1.3 million), Guinea Bissau (US$1.3 million), Republic of Congo (US$1.2 million); Asia: Sri Lanka (US$2.2 million).
Telecommunications company Etisalat Nigeria, in partnership with the GSM Association (GSMA), Vas2Nets and Audrey Pack, has unveiled a mobile-based health service called Special Midwife Service.

Special Midwife Service is a unique first-of-its-kind service in the country that involves organisations partnering to provide a mobile healthcare education and information service for expectant and new mothers.

Special Midwife Service is a mobile-based service that gives pregnant women and new mothers the opportunity of getting information about pregnancy and nutrition, wellness/fitness, medication reminders, and more, through their Etisalat line.

Director, digital business, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho, commented: Special Midwife Service (SMS) is a mobile healthcare education and information service aimed at promoting good nutrition behaviours as well as reducing maternal and child mortality in Nigeria, by providing crucial information and reminders for expectant and new mothers.

It is an informative platform where women are better informed about the right choices to make during and after pregnancy, she said.

Speaking further, Sowho expressed belief in the ability of the new service to assist first time mothers especially. The service will provide them with unhindered access to information on everything they desire to know about pregnancy, child care and nutrition-sensitive issues for the various stages of life, at any time of the day. It also gives subscribers the opportunity to speak with a doctor or midwife on demand, she added.

The Special Midwife Service is a Short Message Service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) based service which costs N30 for two days.
Food Lover's Market recently launched The Goodness Gang - a line-up of fresh produce plushies to hero healthy eating and nutrition. The Goodness Gang is designed to help parents of Grade RR to Grade 3 learners teach their kids about the healthy benefits of eating their fruit and veg. The veg characters are available for collection via stickers earned over the course of the six-month campaign.

Introducing the gang

Each of the cute, collectible plush toys come with their own message on the benefits of healthy eating.

Leading the Goodness Gang is Sally Strawberry, sweet and tasty and helping the heart beat the way it should, while Benny Banana is packed with vitamins to ensure plenty of energy for learning and playtime. Gary Garlic is full of flavour and good for the heart. Meanwhile, boosting the immune system is Betty Broccolis speciality.

Charlie Carrot is the protector of teeth and gums and improves eye-sight and while Anna Aubergine might be a funny purple colour, she is packed full of vitamins to help bones grow big and strong. Finally, theres Pamela Pear who is juicy, sweet and helps with healing.

Fun activities in-store and at selected schools in the Western Cape

To reinforce the message of healthy eating and nutrition, the Goodness Gang mascots will be visiting stores and schools in the Western Cape over the next few months.

Selected Western Cape schools will be visited by the Goodness Gang puppet show, while Fresh Cooking with the Goodness Gang cooking classes will be held at seven selected Food Lovers Market stores over the school holidays in October. For additional information on the Goodness Gang puppet shows and the Fresh Cooking with the Goodness Gang cooking classes visit Food Lovers Market.

The campaign runs from August to the end of January 2017. The Goodness Gang is exclusively available at Western Cape Food Lovers Market stores.
This week, we find out what's really going on behind the selfie with Jacque Matthee, new ECD of Y&R SA's Johannesburg office.

Jack-of-all-trades Mathee shows us various sides of his personality.

1. Where do you live, work and play?

Matthee: I live in Linden/Roosevelt Park, where all creative-Afrikaans types congregate, work at Y&R Jozi (Bryanston) and I play at home, watching sport on my couch whenever I can.

2. Whats your claim to fame?

Matthee: Despite working in advertising, and having played in numerous hard rock bands and being addicted to sneakers  I do not drink, smoke or do drugs  have never, will never.

3. Describe your career so far.

Matthee: Ive never been afraid to jump from one shop to the next or from one discipline to the next. This devil-may-care attitude has afforded me some highs and lows, but has mostly contributed to building a career that is firmly rooted in integrated advertising solutions to clients problems  and a love for pitching hell of a scary stuff to clients.

4. Tell us a few of your favourite things.

Matthee: My wife and our life, tattoos, sneakers, fast cars, chocolate, SuperSport.

5. What do you love about your industry?

Matthee: That we have an opportunity to use someone elses money to make really kiff stuff that solves their problems; the fact that I get to wear sneakers, caps and hoodies to work and go into a suit and tie boardroom and shoot the lights out with friggin lekker work that excites the crap out of people.

6. What are a few pain points your industry can improve on?

Matthee: I think were getting there  if this was 10 years ago, Id have a proper rant about client vs agency relationships. But I think agencies and clients have worked through that, especially if an offering is sincere and truly multi-channel to the benefit of the client. There can be a lekker alignment of the stars when both parties are willing, able, and brave together.

7. What are the tools of your trade?

Matthee: Bravery, stamina, luck and insight  and a lot of coffee.

8. Who is getting it right in your industry?

Matthee: Those who have figured out, and mobilised true integration in their organisations  the only way to achieve this is to drop the attitude and the ego at the f**king door and get stuck into solving the clients problem without any preconceived agendas.

8. What are you working on right now?

Matthee: Y&R SAs Johannesburg office  The Resurrection.

9. Tell us some of the buzzwords floating around in your industry at the moment, and some of the catchphrases you utter yourself.

Matthee: Integrated thinking and branded content  love em, use them all the time!

9. Are you a technophobe or a technophile?

Matthee: Half-and-half.

10. Where and when do you have your best ideas?

Matthee: In my sleep  I have to sleep on a brief.

11. Whats your secret talent/party trick?

Matthee: I love public speaking.

12. What would we find if we scrolled through your phone?

Matthee: Pictures of my wife and family, cars, sneakers, and architecture and home gym selfies its weird, I know!

13. What advice would you give to newbies hoping to crack into the industry?

Matthee: Be patient, be willing, plug into the agency and the work  you have a lot to learn, very quickly, this is not an Instagram filter or a clever tweet  be prepared for the long game.

Simple as that. Connect with Mathee on LinkedIn or visit his blog and view his latest graft for more. You can also follow Y&R on Twitter for more.

*Interviewed by Leigh Andrews.
The MediaShop Johannesburg and DStv took top honours at last night's MOST Awards, with The MediaShop taking home the MOST Full Service Media agency 2106, a category that the Media Shop has won in five previous years.

Adding to that, the agency also walked away with the overall MOST Award for Media Agencies, a feat it has accomplished four out of five years.

The MediaShop receiving their MOST Media Agency of the Year Award.

In winning the Awards, Chris Botha, MD of The MediaShop, acknowledged The MediaShops 150 people. From HR to finance, planning and strategy this Awards comes for 150 people at the MediaShop. You are the best team ever and there is no-one else I would ever go to war with.

DStv won the Television MOST Award and the MOST Award for Media Owners 2016. Chris Hitchings, CEO of DStv Media Sales, was ecstatic at the recognition. Its been a while since we won, so this means the world to us.

Held at Wanderers in Johannesburg, the Awards saw the whos who of the media industry gather to celebrate their best. Honours went to industry stalwarts Barry Sayer who was recognised as this years MOST Media Legend, and Josh Dovey, who was awarded MOST Media Agency Legend.

Receiving his award, Sayer acknowledged the industry. An Award like this does not come alone. Our team has done a huge job. I also want to pay tribute to my competitors for keeping us on our toes.

Celebrating exceptional teams

Founded eight years ago by Sandra Gordon, the MOST Awards recognises media owners and agencies for their professionalism and is an annual measure of the service efficacy of providers in the South African media industry.

Every year, media agency employees are invited to rate the performance of the media owner sales teams with whom they have frequent contact, and vice versa. This year, 268 respondents participated in the media owners survey  an increase on last years 233, while just short of 4,000 votes were cast for the various companies.

The Awards are conducted annually as a market research survey administered by Freshly Ground Insights (FGI). To ensure the Awards are current and relevant, every year the MOST Awards pull together legends and leaders to come to a forum to review the MOST Awards. This year there were a couple of quite fundamental changes were made to the methodology. The performance criteria to rate and review companies was changed, the questionnaires online structure was revamped, and some new categories were introduced, explains Brad Aigner, MD of FGI.

One such new category is the Bell Award, which recognises an individual who is not immediately part of the agency/owner environment, yet has substantially contributed to the betterment of the industry. The first winner of the Award is Jos Kuper, the founder of Kuper Research and a key figure behind the futurefact research survey.

Media Owner Rising Star Award went to Wanele Mngomezulu of the MSG Afrika Group, where he is group commercial director and MD of MSG Group Sales. Ilse Grabe was recognised as the MOST Media Agency Rising Star for her role as strategic director at Carat, despite having left the industry to work on the client side for Heineken where she is communications and engagement manager. Grabe says people are the key to success in the industry. You have to recognise the importance of people and the relationships you forge. I am only who I am today because of that.

Lerato Tsotestsi was also awarded a course from Boston Media House worth over R100,000.

This year no MOST Shepherd Award was awarded. The Award, which recognises a persons exceptional contribution to the industry, has only been awarded twice since its inception in 2013. In Paul Middleton was the first recipient, and last year the Award was given to Gordon Patterson. In consultation with Paul and the shocking death of our friend and colleague, Gordon, we agreed not to award the trophy this year. The timing is wrong, the memory of Gordons death still lingers, Sandra Gordon, founder of the MOST Awards says.

WINNERS

Media owner radio award

3. United Stations

2. Primedia Broadcasting

1. Mediamark Radio

Media owner TV award

3. eNCA

2. e.tv

1. DStv Media Sales

Media owner cinema

2. Cinevation popcorn

1. Cinemark

Media owner OOH

3. Provantage

2. JCDecaux

1. Primedia Outdoor

Media owner newspapers

3. Independent Media Group

2. Spark Media

1. Times Media Group

Media owner magazines award

3. Ndalo Media

2. Caxton Magazines

1. Media 24 lifestyle

Media owner digital award

3. The SpaceStation

2. Google Inc.

1. Mark1

Media owner lamb award

3. Mamela Media

2. Ramsay Media

1. MASSIV Media

Media sales consultancy award

MMAP

Media owner African award

3. Alliance Media

2. DStv Media Africa

1. JCDecaux

Media agency Africa award

OMG Africa

Specialist media agency award

2. Mediology

1. Aegis Media Central Services

Media agency lamb award

3. PhD Cape Town

2. Vizeum Cape Town

1. Hitch Digital Media

Full service agency award

3. OMD Johannesburg

2. Mindshare

1. The MediaShop Johannesburg

Media agency of the year

3. Aegis Media Central Buying Services

2. Mindshare

1. The MediaShop Johannesburg

Media owner of the year

3. Media24 Lifestyle

2. Mediamark Radio

1. DStv Media Sales

Click here for a gallery of images from the night.
Targeting Millennials who are drawn to consuming content on YouTube and other online platforms, Cell C has partnered with BI!nk Pictures to release an online reality show tagged #BreakTheNet (#BTN). A talent search for the show's 30 contestants will commence on 15 September.

 Viacheslav Lakobchuk via 123RF

Participating contestants will be given a task to include in the filming of their videos and will be selected to continue week by week based on the number of views that they receive for each video. Contestants will have 48-hours to deliver on each challenge. The number of views determines who stays. The aim is to go viral, says Bl!nk Pictures director, Odette Schwegler.

The 30 participating contestants stand a chance to win a quarter of a million rand, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to Hollywood, Los Angeles.

#BTN is driven by a host of social media celebrities, who will form the backbone of the talent search and offer mentorship to contestants. Derick Watts and the Sunday Blues will anchor the show, with Whackhead Simpson portraying the Task Master. The mentors include South Africas well-known YouTube star, Suzelle DIY, who joins Instagrammer Ofentse Mwase and online personality Theodora Lee. South African actor Blessing Xaba will participate as a celebrity contestant.

Entry guidelines

Prospective participants will be able to view the entry task and the terms and conditions of participation by downloading the Cell C Reality App on either the Apple App store or the Google Play store. The only way to enter is via the Cell C Reality App. Entries open on Thursday, 15 September and will close on Saturday, 15 October 2016.

The first of the shows kicks off at 7pm on Sunday, 23 October on the Cell C Channel on YouTube. From then on viewers will be able to watch a digital flow of content 24/7 from the weekly shows, to tasks, to behind the scenes clips and celeb one-on-ones. Viewers can also win Cell C prizes by interacting (clicking, watching and sharing) via the app.

We have extended access to the show and the Cell C Reality App for #BTN to any customer on any local network, however, you need to be on Cell C to get access to free data to be used in the app and more great prizes, says Cell C CEO, Jose Dos Santos.
Nampak has concluded a sale and leaseback transaction of 15 group properties announced in June including the outright sale of one property to Imbali Props 21, a company in the Collins Property Group.

Payment of R1.744bn has been received in full by Nampak. The packaging company will lease the properties for 15 years, with an option to renew the leases for a further 10 years. This includes an option to repurchase the properties at market-related prices on termination of the leases.

"Rentals payable are equivalent to the current rental paid by Nampaks divisions to Nampaks property division," Nampak CEO Andre de Ruyter said.

The competitiveness of Nampaks operating divisions would therefore not be affected by the deal, which was earnings positive for the group.

The deal was in line with Nampaks strategy to deleverage its balance sheet, strengthen its debt covenant positions and create the capacity for future growth.

"The transaction has significantly improved the groups gearing ratio through a boost to equity and a substantial reduction in interest-bearing debt, with a clear focus to now deploy capital for the highest return," Nampak chief financial officer Glenn Fullerton said.

Murray Collins, of Collins Property Group, said Nampaks South African property portfolio fitted well into his groups portfolio. "Nampak is a blue-chip tenant with an exceptional credit rating," he said.
In 2012, KFC changed their tagline to 'So Good', but South African consumers, stubborn as they are, never stopped licking their fingers. I was recently invited to a special sensory experience at the Giggling Gourmet to celebrate KFC returning to its roots by bringing back 'It's Finger Lickin' Good'. Now, in my mind, fast food and sensory food experience were not related - my curiosity was piqued.

KFC Head cook, Sam Mdluli (who has been with KFC for 25 years) and JSomething

My sentiments about fast food were shared by the MC for the night, J-Something, who also had his doubts when KFC approached him to champion the brand. He was quick to assure us that KFC is full of surprises that will sway our opinion for the positive by sharing some KFC secrets:

1. Everything that KFC sells is made fresh every day.

2. They dont just have cooks, each KFC has a chef.

3. They source their produce from the same suppliers that stock the racks of our most trusted food retailers such as Woolworths and Pick n Pay.

4. Each chef goes through vigorous training in the KFC formula  which is more than just those 11 herbs and spices, but an entire routine followed down to the T. Ever wonder how KFC tastes the same no matter where you eat it?

Now this is a KFC I can get on board with  and feel less guilty about eating.

Its the original recipe, that true KFC taste, that has kept lovers of the crispy chicken loyal to 'Its Finger Lickin Good', and what eventually prompted the KFC brand to return to their famous tag line. Says KFC chief marketing officer Africa, Mike Middleton, KFC is a brand that has been in SA for over 40 years and our Original Recipe chicken is still cooked the same way the Colonel first prepared it all those years ago. The Original Recipe taste really differentiates KFC and keeps our customers coming back for more. To be honest, it is so entrenched we feel that most people didnt even notice that it was gone.

It's more than a taste, it's a feeling

But more than that, its also the KFC feeling that comes from the comfort of eating it, from childhood memories of KFC outings when mom doesnt feel like cooking, a treat while on holiday to the perfect hangover cure  whatever your KFC memory may be. Let Thabisa Mkhwanazi, KFC marketing director explain:

Celebrating its return to the original tagline, KFC collaborated with Ogilvy & Mather Johannesburg on a television advert that aimed to conjure the Finger Lickin Good taste and feeling. Directed by Keith Rose of Velocity films, the advert hit screens in August. In addition to the ad, KFC SA also launched the new KFC Burrito.

Says Middleton, This advert really celebrates the moments in life that unite us all. Were at our happiest when lifes simple moments give us the freedom to be ourselves - simple moments with the uninhibited Finger Lickin Good taste of KFC.
Conflict arenas are fertile ground for the spread of infectious diseases, which pose a major public health threat in South Sudan and add to the chronic burden of disease.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and its partners are responding to multiple outbreaks including cholera, malaria, measles, suspected haemorrhagic fever, and kala-azar.

In spite of the insecurity, were taking every opportunity to ensure that we reach the people with health care services to protect them at this time when the health system has crumbled, says Dr Abdulmumini Usman, WHO representative to South Sudan.

Displaced people risk cholera

Cholera was confirmed in Juba on 21 July 2016 in the aftermath of the recent escalation of violence in the region where clashes between the military and opposition forces resulted in hundreds of people dead and thousands displaced. As of 6 September 2016, a total of 1,762 cholera cases, including 26 deaths had been reported from five states: Juba, Terekeka, Jonglei, Eastern Lakes and Imatong.

WHO has treated approximately 1,700 cholera patients and issending health promoters to visit around 88,000 households with prevention messages and items such as water purification tablets, oral rehydration solution and soap.

Malaria on the rise

More than 1,3, malaria cases have been reported since the beginning of 2016. They started rising in early May and, during the week of 30 May 2016, an outbreak was declared in Bentiu, a camp for internally displaced people. By 28 August 2016, 31 counties in eight states had exceeded the malaria epidemic threshold countrywide. Since May, over 800,000 people have received treatment for malaria through static, outreach and mobile health teams. WHO has supported airlifting of malaria medicines and commodities and malnutrition kits to Northern Bahr el Ghazal, one of the most affected states, and has donated malaria medicines and commodities to affected areas in six other states.

Vaccination best protection against measles

Since the beginning of 2016, more than 1,600 measles cases, including at least 19 deaths, have been reported countrywide. WHO has confirmed and responded to measles outbreaks in 12 counties. Since the fighting escalated in mid-2016, around 182,000 children have been vaccinated against measles. A follow-up campaign is planned for October 2016. Ensuring the majority of children receive vaccination is the best protection against this highly contagious disease.

Deadly disease spread by sandflies

Kala-azar is the most severe form of leishmaniasis, a disease spread by sandflies. It causes fever, weight loss, anaemia, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and is fatal if left untreated in most cases. The disease is endemic in parts of the country. In 2016, more than 1,000 cases including 42 deaths have been reported in South Sudan. WHO co-leads the kala-azar taskforce and is supporting deployment of rapid response teams to affected areas. The organisation also helps train health workers at treatment sites, provide weekly analysis of data and deployment of supplies such as rapid diagnostic kits and medicines to the treatment centres.

Disease detection important for fast response

Most of these infectious diseases have been controlled or eradicated from most parts of Africa but are still causing epidemics in South Sudan due to poor socio-economic conditions. When countries are struck by conflict or natural disasters, exacerbated by weak health systems, overcrowding and population displacement, they are most vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks.

Adding to the challenge is the weakness of disease surveillance systems, making it hard to measure the true scope of the problem, or to allow for the early detection of outbreaks and appropriate response.

The early warning alert and response system (EWARS), a network of static and mobile partner-supported reporting sites enhances detection of disease outbreaks in populations of humanitarian concern. There are now 58 EWARS reporting sites in South Sudan, and these sites will continue to be expanded to complement the existing surveillance system in areas affected by the crisis.

Support to detect and control outbreaks

The organisation also trains rapid response teams to investigate and respond to emerging outbreaks and has prepositioned outbreak investigation and response kits for several infectious diseases, as well as for medical complications of acute malnutrition, at nine state hubs. These supplies have been used to promptly respond to emerging outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies countrywide.

Working with the state rapid response teams, United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) and partners, WHO facilitates and supports the shipment of biological samples to the national public health laboratory and international collaborating laboratories for confirmatory testing. It also supports the national public health laboratory to test samples of cholera, measles and other priority diseases, to enable a fast response that will ultimately save lives.
All 35 turbines of the R1,9bn, 80MW Noupoort Wind Farm are now producing clean renewable electrical energy to meet the needs of almost 70,000 average South African households, and with that the plant has been declared officially operational by local community leaders.

Mzwandile Toto, district mayor of Umsobumvo Municipality, did the honours for the town of Noupoort, historically known for its railway activity in the eastern Karoo region.

We are honoured to be welcomed by the people of Noupoort who have been incredibly supportive of our project during its construction. It is now our chance to give back to the community during our 20-year operational period, where we will be investing through our economic development programmes, said Dennis Solomon, plant manager for Noupoort Wind Farm.

Commercial activity in town was previously heavily dependent on the railway, which has largely dwindled due to the decline in rail activity. This makes the socio economic and enterprise development initiatives even more relevant to the local community of Noupoort than where wind energy projects are situated close to prosperous regions.

We have a focus on community investment throughout all of our projects to help create thriving and empowered communities including education, skills development, employment and enterprise, environment and energy investment, said Chris Antonopoulos, CEO of Lekela Power, the majority shareholder of the project.

Noupoort Wind Farm is currently implementing various economic development projects, which include capacity building for existing and prospective entrepreneurs; local maths and science development programmes that incorporate science and computer labs as well as local wi-fi infrastructure.

The Noupoort Community Trust, which owns a 5% share in wind farm, was established to carry out public benefit activities in the local community. It has been equally funded by the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the Noupoort Wind Farm Shareholder. A local community trustee has already been appointed.
Discussions about climate change and the effects it will have on public health and the global burden of disease have been long in the making. These consequences are now starting to come to fore.

By Gerhard Roux  Wikimedia Commons

Several examples have recently played out. For example, in Russia, an anthrax outbreak in the remote region of Siberia meant that nomadic communities and thousands of reindeer were affected. The outbreak was due to the bodies of infected people buried in 1941 defrosting and releasing anthrax spores into the water system as the permafrost defrosts with global warming.

Closer to home, prisoners are starving in Malawian jails and suffering from acute severe malnutrition as a result of food shortages due to erratic climate conditions from both droughts and floods. Malawi has since declared a state of national disaster.

These unanticipated public health consequences of unsustainable development reminds the world that the issues are not in the distant future, but instead face us now.

Climate change exerts its influence on public health through three main mechanisms.

First, the effects of extreme weather events such as heat, storms, floods or fire that directly cause loss of life or illness.

Second, there are indirect effects of climate change on natural systems. This leads to, for example, changes in disease vectors such as mosquitoes that spread malaria, availability of fresh water, crop survival, or the concentration of pollen in the air.

Third, the effects on economic and social systems as people migrate or conflict over scarce resources.

These effects can be moderated by the presence of early warning systems and effective disaster and emergency medical services.

More affluent communities with more resources will be better able to adapt and withstand these effects. Having strong primary healthcare systems will also increase the resilience of communities.

But in sub-Saharan Africa many communities do not have these protective mechanisms in place, and will be particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

Disease and environmental health

The World Health Organisation has recently published a new report on the burden of disease due to modifiable environmental risks. The report estimates that 23% of all deaths globally can be attributed to environmental risks. This percentage rises to 26% in children.

These environmental risks include:

air, water and soil pollution;



ultraviolet radiation;



the built environment;



the occupational environment;



agricultural methods; and



climate and ecosystem changes.

Children, the elderly, and those living in low- and middle-income countries are most at risk.

The diseases that make the greatest environmentally attributable contribution to the global burden of disease are stroke, ischaemic heart disease, diarrhoea, lower respiratory tract infection, cancers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. And over the last ten years the contribution of non-communicable diseases has significantly increased.

An example in South Africa is from Mpumalangas Highveld, which has 12 coal fired power stations. The collective air pollution from these power stations has been reported as being responsible for just over half of the deaths from respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease in the area.

Living differently

Sustainable development has been defined as:

 development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals recognise that improving the wellbeing and health of people requires an approach that protects the planet from degradation. This is required because there are ecological limits to development that is based on ever-increasing consumption.

But the climate crisis is just one of the manifestations of the worlds collective inability to live sustainably.

There is also a loss of ecosystems and the biodiversity. This compromises the natural services they render to humanity: food, fresh water, clean air, building materials and even new medicines.

Economic inequality is increasing. It is reported that 62 people now own as much wealth as 50% of the planets population.

At the same time, we have seen unprecedented population growth and increasing urbanisation that is characterised by the growth of slums or informal settlements.

The 21st-century challenge

Humanitys biggest challenge in the 21st century may be its ability to find a way of living sustainably and to tackle the crises of both planetary and public health. This will require action on a global scale by world leaders and by a change in collective consciousness.

There are some encouraging signs. Brazil has joined China and the US in ratifying the Paris agreement on tackling climate change. China and the US are responsible for 38% of global emissions.

World religious leaders have also joined forces to promote a change of consciousness as part of a season of creation.

It can be summed up in the video message from Pope Francis, who says the relationship between poverty and the fragility of the planet requires another way of managing the economy and measuring progress, conceiving a new way of life.


T-Systems South Africa, for a consecutive year, has been recognised at the Gender Mainstreaming Awards (GMA) ceremony, coming first in three categories and walking away as overall winners of two of them.

The GMAs, an initiative of Business Engage, exists to encourage and publicly recognise private sector buy-in on the meaningful representation of women in mainstream business.

We believe in inclusive transformation, not only for the betterment of our country and its people, but also for the creation of a culture that recognises and celebrates individual diversity to the benefit of the individual and the company. These accolades are an affirmation that we are continuing to make a positive impact with our Nation Building Strategy, which outlines our commitment to embracing the magic of all people, regardless of gender, race, age or disability, says Gert Schoonbee, MD of T-Systems South Africa.

Women empowerment

There are nine categories in all, of which T-Systems entered five. T-Systems was announced the overall winner in the following two categories:

Empowerment of Women in the Community

Women on Executive Committees in Multinationals

Furthermore, T-Systems was also recognised as the winner within the non-listed Mainstreaming Gender and Disability category, and came second in the overall Women on Boards category.

The Empowerment of Women in the Community category recognises organisations that implemented sustainable initiatives around the alleviation of poverty through skills development and income opportunity provision, positively impacting the lives of women and poor communities. T-Systems was honoured for its continued and committed investment in skills development in rural areas through its Hazyview Digital Learning Centre (HDLC) in Mpumalanga, which particularly benefits women from poor backgrounds, and where women make up 86% of all HDLC non-paying students.

The Women on Executive Committees in Multinationals and Women on Boards categories recognise those organisations that have successfully implemented programmes to shift the statistics in terms of women on their executive committees and/or boards. These companies must have also made successful executive committee and/or board appointments, or have developed a pipeline program geared towards future appointments.

The T-Systems executive committee is vastly different to that of six years ago, having undergone significant gender constructive changes since then. T-Systems board has undergone similar positive changes, now consisting of 67% female representation. Winning the Executive Committee in Multinational award and taking second place in the Women on Boards category highlights T-Systems dedication to sustaining these developments.

Supporting the previously disadvantaged

Finally, the Mainstreaming Gender and Disability category acknowledges and rewards organisations that promote economic empowerment through the integration of disabled people into existing or planned sustainable development programmes that will enhance their skills and provide them with employment opportunities. T-Systems has earned its award by creating a strong focus on disabled persons and providing multiple equal opportunities for them within their ICT Academy, an initiative that assists and supports previously disadvantaged individuals to further their education in the field of technology.

Says Adre du Plessis, VP of Strategy and Transformation at T-Systems, We are very proud to be associated with the well-known and established brands that have been similarly honoured at this event. As a collective we are all actively invested in seeking change for our country and have the common goal of contributing positively to a nation that embraces diversity on all levels in business.

As the 2014 Gender Mainstreaming Champion, our awards this year provides testimony to the ongoing sustainability of our transformation program. Transformation is a key strategic agenda item within our organisation. We take our responsibility seriously and aim to inspire others to be part of a future of inclusive transformation that embraces diversity for a better South Africa.
Agri SA has expressed concern over farmers in certain parts of South Africa who are battling to survive through the current season. Johannes Moller, President of Agri SA stated, "It's time for government to show its hand with assistance to commercial and smallholder farmers." Agri SA has done its best to assist farmers with emergency measures being implemented across the country to provide feed and fodder to farmers in need.

"To date we have not received a cent from government Omri van Zyl, CEO of Agri SA remarked. It seems that the government is ill-equipped to deal with disasters of this magnitude, moreover, it is concerning that the safety net for South Africans have been weakened to such an extent that assistance is not possible van Zyl remarked.

Moller remarked that in comparison South African Airlines has been sustained by state guarantees of R14.4 billion with an additional R5 billion from Treasury that was just approved. Eskom with state guarantees amounting to R466 billion has reached its "prudency" limit in this regard.

The turnover of the agriculture sector is approximately R227 billion per annum with a net tax contributor of approximately R50 billion in primary agriculture alone over the past 10 years. We employ more than 850,000 people in the sector and we are the only food secure country in Sub-Saharan Africa. How do you protect this asset in times of dire need? You help them van Zyl stated.

Agri SA has called for emergency assistance from government, in either state guarantees or direct assistance to farmers through the structures of the Land Bank, agribusinesses or special purpose vehicles. Any assistance would be welcome van Zyl remarked.

A drought is not just a one-year event, and cash flow and production credit issues will be with us, for the next two to three years van Zyl remarked. We have set up our own fund and will continue to provide assistance to farmers in need, but this is a drop in the ocean vis-a-vis whats required. Moller mentioned that Agri SA will be looking at setting up a long-term disaster fund for farmers. Agri SA cannot do it alone and will require financial muscle from treasury of other state entities, the private sector, and any other contributors.
An EU trade deal with Morocco was wrongly quashed and the decision should be overturned, a lawyer said to the bloc's top court on Tuesday, 13 September 2016, about a case which soured ties between Brussels and Rabat.

Morocco suspended links with Brussels early this year after the General Court of the EU, the bloc's second top court, annulled the deal on the grounds that it illegally applied to the Western Sahara.

The Polisario Front, a group which seeks independence for the Western Sahara, had challenged the 2012 trade deal. The EU in turn had appealed against the court's decision to quash the pact.

Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony now controlled by Morocco.

On Tuesday, the top legal advisor to the European Court of Justice, the EU's top court, said that in his opinion the original deal with Morocco did not in fact apply to Western Sahara, making the original objection to it moot.

The ECJ's advocate general Melchior Wathelet believes that the top court should "set aside the judgement of the General Court which held that those agreements apply to that territory".

"Neither the EU-Morocco Association Agreement nor the EU-Morocco Agreement on the liberalisation of trade in agricultural and fishery products apply to Western Sahara," he said.

This was because the EU and its member states had never actually recognised Western Sahara as part of Morocco, making the issue irrelevant.

Opinions by the ECJ's advocate generals are not binding but in most instances the court follows their recommendations.

The 28-nation EU had pushed the trade accord with Morocco as a way to improve ties with the key North African country.

The Polisario Front has fought for Western Sahara's independence for decades, backed by Algeria.

Morocco took control of most of the territory in 1975 when Spain pulled out, sparking a war that lasted until 1991.

A UN-brokered ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario has held since then but UN efforts to organise a referendum on the territory's future have been resisted by Rabat.

Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge
Judges for top British literary award the Man Booker Prize spurned big-name novelists in favour of experimental new talent as they announced their shortlist in London.

LONDON - None of the six writers who made the cut for the coveted prize for fiction is well known outside literary circles.

Those who failed to make the shortlist included Nobel Prize-winner JM Coetzee, with The Schooldays of Jesus.

The panel of judges told a press conference they wanted to reward creative pioneers.

"Being innovative, being bold, courageous, a willingness to take risks, being novel within the novel -- that's what really excited us because it shows that the art form isn't being nostalgic," said Amanda Foreman, chair of the judges.

 Man Booker Prize on Twitter

Bookmakers Ladbrokes have made Graeme Macrae Burnet favourite to win with His Bloody Project at odds of 5/2.

The novel tells the story of a memoir written in prison in 1869 by a triple murderer. The manuscript is discovered by one of his descendants, who shares the author's name. He then edits and publishes the work himself.

Previous winners of the prize include Hilary Mantel for Wolf Hall, Salman Rushdie for Midnight's Children and Michael Ondaatje for The English Patient.

The winner will be announced in London on 25 October.

Other shortlisted novels include US author Paul Beatty's The Sellout, a satirical novel set in a fictional Los Angeles neighbourhood which explores racial equality and the civil rights movement.

One of the judges was actress Olivia Williams, who read many of the books between rehearsals and performances at London's National Theatre.

She described The Sellout as "shocking and unexpectedly funny" and compared it to the work 18th century satirist Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels.

Another was All That Man Is by Canadian-British author David Szalay, which judge Jon Day said was about "masculinity and the state of contemporary Europe -- a post-Brexit novel for our times".

It traces nine moments in the lives of different men across the continent -- from a Prague suburb to a Belgian motorway -- to make wider points about masculine identity.

South African-born Briton Deborah Levy is the only author previously shortlisted for the prize to make this year's final six.

She made the cut for Swimming Home in 2012 but this year is included for Hot Milk, described by its publishers as "a study in paralysis" set in a Spanish fishing village.

Foreman said it was about "the toxic waste produced by damaging parents and damaged children".

Completing the shortlist are Eileen by US author Ottessa Moshfegh and Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Canada's Madeleine Thein.

First-time author Moshfegh, 35, has written a portrait of a disturbed young woman trapped between caring for her alcoholic father in a squalid house and her job as a secretary at a boys' prison.

Do Not Say We Have Nothing is based around a world of classical music and silence in revolutionary China.

The judges dismissed suggestions that many of the books were gruelling and their characters unsympathetic.

'Hot Milk' had me laughing out loud, said Williams, whose films include Rushmore and The Sixth Sense.

"I was banned from reading The Sellout in bed by my husband because I kept shaking the bed, I was laughing so much."

The Man Booker carries a cash prize of $52,500 ($69,000, 62,000 euros), but its higher reward lies in prestige which typically generates huge sales.

Source: AFP
Since the adoption of real estate investment trust (Reit) dispensation in SA, the listed property sector and associated industries have benefited from unprecedented growth, say property experts.

The biggest boost has come from foreign investors who are attracted to high-yielding South African funds.

"The implementation of Reit legislation in SA has catapulted the local market onto the global stage," Riyaad Khan, a transactor at RMB, said on Monday, 14 September.

"Reits have attracted a disproportionate share of investment capital for a number of reasons including tax benefits, having to pay regular income distributions and having been easy to understand," he said.

By adopting the Reit capital structure in 2013/14, many property firms aligned themselves with global best company practice. Tax complications were sorted out for various listed funds.

Before Reit dispensation, property funds either adopted a property loan stock (PLS) or property unit trust (PUT) structure. Over time, these companies were not tax compliant.

"There were tax problems for various reasons. The PLS structure was no longer tax compliant and it was only held because of a special dispensation from the South African Revenue Service. By changing into Reits, the firms no longer had the tax problems which had become inherent in the PLS structure," said Evan Robins, listed property manager of Old Mutual Investment Group's MacroSolutions boutique.

Many funds also joined global Reit indices and thereby attracted investment from many foreign index trackers that were mandated to buy exposure to these indices. But while SA's listed property sector has enjoyed a large level of investment compared with other sectors, some fund managers argue that domestic investors have benefited only from a tax standpoint.

"We do have more certainty around the tax status of Reits but otherwise there have been no significant benefits for local investors," said Grindrod Asset Management chief investment officer Ian Anderson.

"Many foreign investors didn't see our PLS companies and PUTs as Reits and so didn't invest in the sector until after the introduction of Reit legislation."

Source: Business Day
70% of South Africans start their search for a new home on online property sites, a recent poll by Absa shows. According to Barrie Swart, head of Gumtree Property, this number will continue to grow in the near future.

The immediacy of the net appeals in a competitive property market, says Swart. Potential home owners want immediate, two-way communication with prospective sellers and estate agents, hence the need to list online.

According to Swart, for an estate agency to succeed at digital selling, it is important to make sure that listings are current. No one enjoys phoning an estate agent and finding out their dream home has just been sold.

Swart says that Gumtree, one of the largest property sites in South Africa, has taken these factors into consideration when developing a new property inventory management system that will save time and enhance sales for anyone listing multiple properties.

ProTool for Property

The platform, called ProTool for Property, streamlines admin for professional sellers and provides major benefits in both reporting and the delivery of leads, Swart explains.

Gumtree showcases over 95,000 live SA property listings at any given time. Swart explains that anyone who has used Gumtree will appreciate the massive benefits the ProTool offers; In most instances, clients are able to upload ads automatically through their feed provider and have these ads bumped back to the top of the search lists, frequently and automatically, without any manual intervention  a massive saving in time and administration.

Platforms will have to match estate agents requirements for full control and flexibility when it comes to listings. Properties have to be discoverable and listings up to date  ProTool will assist with this, says Swart.
"Spring has sprung and it's time to walk among the flowers!"  featuring @thelawry ____________________________ If you'd like to see your images being featured here just use #capetownmag - We really enjoy sharing your shots of all the different aspects of the Mother City and the rest of the Western Cape.

A photo posted by CapeTownMagazine.com (@capetownmag) on Sep 1, 2016 at 7:33am PDT
The call centre industry is once again undergoing a seismic shift thanks to the evolution of technology - specifically, that of the cloud and big data. The cost of cloud computing has dramatically decreased, thus the ability to store more data has increased. Clustered servers in the cloud have further enhanced performance, thus effectively supporting the large volumes and varied formats of big data.

tpsdave via Pixabay

As the cloud has opened up new possibilities for big data, the pressure to improve customer service across multiple channels has also fuelled the advancement of this technology. According to Accenture, 66% of customers switch companies thanks to poor service and 65% are frustrated by inconsistent experiences across channels. Insight from Harvard Business Review revealed that 56% of customers have to re-explain an issue when speaking to customer service. There is a need to collate customer interactions across all touchpoints to improve their experiences and brand engagement.

Its clear that, today, call centres can play a vital role in ensuring a seamless customer experience by leveraging the many benefits of the cloud and big data.

Vendor criteria

As call centres explore the possibilities of big data, selecting the right customer engagement technology vendor is critical. Call centres must look for a vendor that offers a 'single source of truth'. This will enable them to pull meaningful data from multiple data stores, such as different database and data warehouse systems. Also important is real-time data processing, as well as alternate paths to process the data offline for new features, exploratory analysis, and predictive and prescriptive modeling. And be sure the vendor not only stores all the original raw data, but can also deliver refined, transformed and aggregate views of that data.

Call centres should also look for a vendor that offers inherent omnichannel capabilities. Many vendors offer omnichannel capabilities via different acquired solutions, which are then loosely integrated. This can add huge expense and complexity when trying to obtain data across different interaction channels. Look for a single-platform customer engagement solution  those where omnichannel applications are inherently built into one platform  to avoid undue cost and complexity.

Finally, the vendors architecture has major implications relative to big data. A distributed, microservice cloud architecture ensures not just maximum reliability and scale, but also the flexibility to iterate and innovate fast and on-the-fly. This means a company can completely switch out data processing and database platforms  something unthinkable not so long ago.

Key performance indicators

Standard KPIs have traditionally included speed to answer, call handle time, cost per call, abandon rate and queue delay. While big data metrics might not change these, its ability to quickly synthesize and evaluate significance across functional silos will have an impact. It will reveal if these KPIs are truly supporting company objectives, which means data scientists and business experts must come together to evaluate the results from a customer-focused perspective. As the front line of customer service, call centres can play a major role in this potentially transformative exercise.

The insights that call centres can glean from big data are virtually endless. Many companies today are using big data to personalise the customer experience. This can range from anticipating a customers problem, to proactively providing service via his or her channel preference. Its clear that with many more use cases on the horizon, big data will increasingly give call centres the ability to provide better service, while at the same time drive more sales. This means call centres can evolve into a profitable arm of the company, which is particularly relevant for smaller companies that are traditionally more cost-sensitive.
Now in its fourth year running, The South African Recovery Film Festival, which screens films that cover themes of addiction, mental health issues and recovery, will take place at the Labia in Cape Town and at the Bioscope in Johannesburg from 22-25 September.

About the festival

The festival, in partnership with SACAP (the South African College of Applied Psychology), aims to educate, entertain, inform and promote solutions. Successes of recovery from addiction is part of the International Recovery Month initiative which sees thousands of events take place all around the world. Addiction, alcoholism and mental health issues remain clouded by stigma and lack of understanding. The shame and ignorance often surrounding these conditions make accessing help lonely and difficult despite the reality that we are all affected.

Everyone knows someone who is negatively affected by substance abuse, whether alcohol or drugs. Process addictions such as sex, gambling, eating problems, gaming and technology are seemingly increasing. The problems are all too evident, and the impacts on every level of society all too obvious. However, the solutions are too seldom celebrated, says festival organiser, Dougie Dudgeon, The South African Recovery Film Festival encourages those in Recovery to come together as active members of their communities, as role models and credible messengers of hope. We believe recovery needs to be celebrated, and addiction needs to be understood, so we welcome those in recovery, family, friends, health care professionals, carers of all types, policy makers, law enforcement, and most of all anyone who likes good films!

South Africa is in the grip of some devastating socioeconomic challenges including poverty and homelessness and rampant violent crime. Almost invariably these are interlaced with substance abuse and addiction. That is the visible face of the addiction pandemic, but there is an invisible aspect too. Dependency disorders hidden behind a mask of normalcy and upward mobility. Individuals teetering on the edge, families ripped apart, relationships redefined. The Recovery Film Festival draws a spotlight on these challenges, raising our awareness and taking us behind the mask.

More importantly the festival highlights the heroic path to recovery that many have chosen - a pathway that was only faintly visible to them from within the darkness of their dependency, says SACAPs Chief Executive, Lance Katz. These are not the actions of super-human Olympians, but rather ordinary men and women who courageously chose life instead of death. This is the most empowering message of the festival. That recovery is not the preserve of a few elite, but a possibility for all addiction sufferers.

The opening night

The festival opening night on Thursday, 22 September will be the South African premier of (DIS) Honesty  The Truth About Lies, a film about the ambivalent culture of truth. In recovery honesty is seen as a foundation stone, but what about everyone else? The showing of the documentary will be followed with a Q&A looking at the South African context of issues raised, and the concept of personal honesty.

All the documentaries in the lineup are showing in South Africa for the first time. To see the full programme, visit www.thesouthafricanrecoveryfilmfestival.co.za

Tickets are available from Webtickets and cost R50 per ticket.
According to Grant Thornton, if South African hotels are to remain successful amid increasing competition posed by online travel agents and other players in the digital economy, they need to fully leverage their brand.

Gillian Saunders

Gillian Saunders, global leader for travel, tourism and leisure and head of advisory services at Grant Thornton said its latest research indicated a need for hotel groups to tackle the online travel agents, aggregators, and review sites, who are fast growing into dominant players for bookings. In recent years the power of hotel group brands has waned. Online travel agents (OTAs) and metasearch platforms have grown in popularity, frequently making price or location the key differentiator, said Saunders in the report entitled The Brands Dilemma: Hotels Roadmap to 2020.

Digital brands such as TripAdvisor, which judge the industry from the outside, are becoming the true go-to resource for travellers. In 2015, as in 2014, not a single hotel group appeared in Forbes ranking of the worlds 100 most powerful brands.

Brand strength is what sustains SA hotels, but for how long?

Saunders said that while South African brands were still lucky in the sense that they could rely on their strong local brand affinity, it is increasingly important that they fully leverage their positive brand association and value, to stave off the increasing digital economy competition.

Our local chains are behind the curve in reinforcing their brand competitively in the digital economy compared to the global chains. In some respects, they are lucky because they are so well entrenched in the South African psyche. International chains coming into South Africa have found in the past, that it was difficult to win market share over the strong local brands, said Saunders.

This brand strength is still sustaining the SA hotel brands, but it will not endure the onslaught from digital brands and the digital response of the global brands that, while ahead of the SA groups, are still also grappling to be relevant in a changing world. Business disruptors, digital power and connectivity and the fourth industrial revolution are challenging standard business models and brands and the hotel industry is no different.

She said that local chains would have to up their game because the steady migration to different types of digital intermediaries would impact them, first in the international travel market and ultimately in all markets. Foreign travellers are increasingly choosing their next stay through review sites, aggregators, search engines and OTAs. Local hotels that rely on their brand penetration in the international travel markets will be forced to compete head to head with the sophisticated strategies of the online players, she said.

In this modern booking environment, Saunders said two trends stood out as being particularly important for the future. Firstly, hotels had to speak directly to customers via digital platforms and build direct and personal connections with them in order to own the relationship with their clients and generate brand loyalty and even create brand ambassadors. Secondly, hotel groups needed to significantly differentiate their brand and their brand experience in order to leave each customer with a more personalised experience that kept them satisfied and wanting to come back.

According to Saunders, hotel brands which adopt the new way of doing business in a changing landscape early enough would do very well.

Grant Thornton identified six areas in which hotel chains globally and in South Africa, will need to focus:

1. Build the online brand

Online intermediaries do not have a monopoly on digital expertise. Many hotel groups are building stronger brands online, forging relationships with consumers to drive direct bookings. Hotels also need to accept that many consumers today are mobile first. International hotel groups are taking advantage of this. Hilton Hotels, for example, is launching a series of marketing initiatives in 2016 including its Stop clicking around campaign, which urges travellers to book directly through its mobile app.

Saunders said it was imperative that hotels focus on engaging content that could build their own media platforms including websites; social media and mobile sites.

2. Reach out to influencers

Another global trend that local chains could use is influencer marketing which works on a number of levels. Last year, the Marriott Hotel chains It pays to book direct campaign featured YouTube personality Grace Helbig. Celebrity endorsements are also becoming more common. The Mandarin Oriental Groups Hes a fan, shes a fan campaign, for example, has recruited actors and models to support the brand.

Brand association, such as working in partnership with well-known chefs to develop menus and thereby enhance the overall hotel brand profile, is another popular tactic.

3. Segment the brand

Internationally, segmentation is a tried-and-tested tactic for many hotel groups, enabling businesses to target niche market audiences using a customised brand identity. Many of the global groups have lifestyle brands aimed at younger markets and other newer chains design and operate for millennials; CitizenM being a leader here. The key is to build a detailed understanding of the niches your brands are designed to serve while working hard to avoid brand confusion through too many sub-brands.

You must understand exactly what your customers want, the report says. Its about building a brand tailored to the specifics.

4. Deliver the experience

Guest experience is key to brand differentiation. Groups that engage meaningfully with consumers create brand stickiness. It all comes down to building a personality. Angeles Alarco Canosa, president of Paradores de Turismo, said the company had developed three separate sub-brands offering distinct deals. Its Naturia hotels focus on the natural environment; its Civitia properties in cities focus on business tourism, and its Esentia chain consists of buildings of historical value.

Often South African brands are caught napping with regard to experience and communication. Even your average business traveller experience has to be more than just a bed, said Saunders. The experience must be tailored to suit their needs from digital communication to the layout, lighting, and temperature of the room. South African hotels are  in many instances - miles behind in this regard.

5. Focus on the physical estate

Despite all the talk about digital, hotel groups should not lose sight of the brand significance of their physical estate  the look and feel of their hotel properties. Canny investment adds huge value. Starwood sub-brand Ace Hotels bought the Crowne Plaza hotel in Londons Shoreditch out of administration in 2012 and restyled it to reflect the fashionable location. Last year, the property sold for 150-million.

Local groups could do more and think about incorporating technology into their properties. Sensor technology, smart devices that can personalise anything from restaurant offers, room temperature to television channels, for example, would assist hotel groups to better personalise and optimize the guest experience.

6. Consolidate for scale and power

Hotel groups that can build global portfolios of scale will find it easier to invest in the digital development needed to keep up with the curve. Further consolidation is possible in the South African market allowing for groups to further leverage brand affinity and introduce scale to take on the online aggregators, agents, and reviewers.

The deal still faces some hurdles, but Marriott Internationals takeover of Starwood Hotels & Resorts was finally agreed in April. The merger is partly predicated on this consolidation theory, and may herald a few more such deals in the sector at global regional and national level around the world.
On the next Biz Takeouts Marketing & Media radio show on Thursday, 15 September 2016, from 9-10am, show host Warren Harding takes a look at getTOD (Get Tasks on Demand), launched in Johannesburg a month ago on 15 August 2016 only four months since its inception in Cape Town. .

With over 250 registered tradespeople and an exciting exclusive partnership with Builders Warehouse, its set to become a game-changer for South African homeowners and tradespeople.

Developed in Cape Town, getTOD (@getTODSA) is an innovative mobile application offering reliable on-demand services. By allowing you to book trusted suppliers in your area in real time; its quickly removing the frustration of finding reliable plumbers, electricians, locksmiths and handymen. Available immediately and free to download, getTOD takes the hassle out of home maintenance with the tap of a button.

Shannon Mackrill, one of the four partners and founders of getTOD, explains how nationwide supplier sign-ups are increasing on a daily basis, how getTOD is the first of its kind, and plans to creating an African tech business that'll soon be able to compete on the world stage.

Tune into Biz Takeouts every Thursday from 9am-10am live from the 2oceansVibe Radio studio in Cape Town as we discuss the topics that matter in Marketing & Media.

How to listen

Comments or questions

Podcast

A podcast of the show will be available in the Biz Takeouts special section on Biz later during the week.
Inspired by the need for sustainable living, including access to sustainable energy, transport, and housing billions of dollars are being invested in the development of tech futuristic cities. The continent is surely making a global mark with its avant-garde innovations, from cutting edge cities to mobile money payment technologies - a move that has attracted the attention of global innovators such as Facebook's Founder Mark Zuckerberg.

While almost every sector of the African economy is set to benefit from the innovations, the tourism industry will no doubt have a big share from the developments. Sprouting tech cities will become major tourist attractions, if not for the magnificent beauty, for proof to many that Africa is not about desolation but rather of absolute determination to overcome all odds and stand tall in the face of the world.

Visitors will also be attracted to other destinations in the continent, to experience the beautiful naturalistic existence between man and nature. For instance, during his recent tour of Africa, Zuckerberg not only visited various technology hubs in Nigeria and Kenya but also got to see amazing natural beauty and wildlife from around Lake Naivasha as he posted on his Facebook page. Jumia Travel listed five budding futuristic cities, that are set to boost the continents tourism industry.

1. Konza Technology City  Kenya

In its official website, Konza is described as a sustainable green city with smart technology that will attract 17,000 jobs, $400 million in annual wages and generate $1.3 billion in GRP in Phase 1. This world-class technology hub is considered a major economic driver for Kenya, that will help the country attain middle-income status by 2030. Located on 5,000-acres of land 60 kilometers South of Nairobi in Machakos, the multi-billion dollar Silicon Savannah will be a software development hub as well as a business process outsourcing (BPO) hub, with a vibrant mix of amenities. Konza is set to complete in a span of 20 years and its ground was broken in March this year.

Image courtesy of www.konzacity.go.ke

2 . Hope City  Ghana

Hope stands for Home, Office, People, and Environment. Hope City was launched in March 2013 by President John Mahama and is considered Ghanas Technopolis; and will become home to one of the tallest skyscrapers in Africa at 270 meter high. Located approximately 30 minutes West of Accra in Prampram, Hope City sits on an area of about 1.5 million square meters and is set to transform Ghana into West Africas tech hub. Once completed, Hope City will provide business, leisure and residential space for about 25,000 inhabitants and aims at creating a whopping 50,000 jobs including in the hospitality industry.

3. Eko Atlantic City  Lagos, Nigeria

This ambitious project in Lagos Nigeria is built on the reclaimed land from Atlantic Ocean off Ahmadu Bello Way on Victoria Island and will host approximately 250,000 residents while creating job opportunities to about 150,000 others. Eko Atlantic City which is expected to use self-sustaining green energy sources for power, aims at enhancing Nigerias status as a stronger tech and financial hub in Africa. It is set for completion this year.

Image courtesy of ekoatlantic.com

4 . Safari City  Tanzania

This satellite city located in Mateves, Arusha, Tanzania, offers this East African country an opportunity to provide sustainable living for its citizens. As its name implies, Safari City will also give safari tourists a chance to stay in world-class accommodation while touring Tanzanias northern parks and the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro. This will go a long way in boosting the countrys tourism and hospitality industry, gaining more confidence from both local and international tourists.

Image courtesy of thesafaricity.com

5 . Centenary City  Abuja, Nigeria

Another one from Nigeria, Centenary City will boast of an inter-connected urban center with cutting edge technology characterized by various amenities including world-class hotels and resorts. While it is expected to serve as an economic and political tool to secure foreign investment for Abuja, and Nigeria as a country, the technopolis will also be a major attraction for both local and foreign visitors due to its luxurious touch of style. This will boost revenue inflow from the tourists and a ripple effect will be witnessed in the entire tourism and hospitality industry in the country.
With the rhino poaching crisis showing no signs of abating, Vietnam must crack down on its rampant illegal rhino horn trade or face sanctions, WWF has said ahead of the CITES conference next week in Johannesburg.

As the worlds largest market for illegal rhino horn, Vietnam will be in the spotlight as Johannesburg hosts the 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP17) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) from 24 September to 5 October.

This will be the largest CITES meeting ever with participation of 181 countries and a record number of items up for negotiation, including wildlife trade issues relating to elephants, sharks, pangolins and tigers. But given its location in South Africa, which has lost nearly 6000 rhinos to poachers since 2007, including more than 700 so far this year, rhino issues will be high on the agenda.

No successful prosecutions

According to WWF, despite widespread evidence of rhino horn openly for sale in Vietnam, authorities have made no significant rhino horn seizures within their borders and have reported no successful prosecutions.

Vietnams poor law enforcement record speaks for itself: ending the illegal rhino horn trade and helping to save Africas rhinos is clearly not a priority for the government, said Ginette Hemley, WWF head of delegation to CITES. With around three rhinos being poached each day, there is no time to lose. CITES must take a tough line with Vietnam: swiftly implement critical measures to tackle the illegal rhino horn trade or face trade sanctions.

New legislation needed

Specifically, Vietnam must agree to enact new regulations to treat wildlife crime as a serious crime with a minimum sentence of four years in prison; legislate to treat fake rhino horn as real rhino horn for enforcement and prosecution purposes; and successfully target and prosecute illegal traders and traffickers. Otherwise, CITES must call on countries to prohibit trade with Vietnam in all CITES-regulated wildlife, said WWF in a recent press release.

International trade bans are critical to saving wildlife, but without rigorous efforts to prevent poaching and trafficking they are never enough on their own. Organised criminal networks will continue to target threatened species, as we have seen with rhinos, elephants and tigers, said Hemley.

Decreasing restrictions

The conference will also provide countries with the chance to decrease the restrictions on trade in some species, such as the peregrine falcon and the Cape mountain zebra, which have recovered since they were placed on Appendix I of CITES  the highest level of trade protection.

The recovery of species like the peregrine falcon shows that CITES can work and that populations can bounce back thanks to trade bans and conservation efforts, said Hemley. If the world takes decisive action in Johannesburg, we can look forward to more success stories in the future.

Along with specific species proposals, the conference will also address broader issues that will be critical to long-term success, such as improving the livelihoods of local communities, tackling corruption and reducing demand for illegal wildlife products.
The continuous evolution of technology is disrupting business on a global scale. Not only are countless new ways to interact and transact being developed every day, but the spaces typically reserved for traditional players who conform to a specific criterion are opening up to new, innovative and atypical players.

This is especially evident in the banking sector, where technology trends are impacting traditional banking methods, redefining who the financial service providers are, and leading us towards an era of entirely virtual banking.

Virtual banking is not a new concept. In fact, weve been transacting virtually since ATMs were introduced. Nevertheless, the idea of being able to do anything banking related, securely from the comfort of your home in as little time as it takes to update your Facebook status, means that banking, as we know it, is fundamentally changing. This is shaping the way money is transferred, property is bought and sold, and it even affects how the stock exchange is explored. Furthermore, it simplifies the transaction processes by reducing them, improving efficiencies both locally and globally.

The use of mobile devices to open bank accounts, transfer funds and validate transactions is seeing steady growth in South Africa, particularly as we see a surge in smartphone use. To cater to this, banks are looking at innovative security tools such as biometrics so as to enable maximum security in instances where they have less physical control. There are many digital banking trends sweeping the globe that are making themselves felt within our borders that could heavily impact the way we bank and conduct business in general.

The players

There have always been multiple intermediaries in the background when one conducts a financial transaction. However, many technology giants such as Facebook have recently emerged with the desire to remove most  if not all  of these intermediaries in a bid to establish real-time transactions and to enable users to not leave their platform to conduct those transactions.

In many parts of the world, such as the United States of America, the demand for banking services to be offered by tech giants is quite high. Although there are time constraints for transferring funds in this way as most such transactions go via the automated clearing house  a process that takes at least three to five working days and, sometimes, longer.

In South Africa, though, banks have already adopted a fast transaction approach, with many enabling immediate fund transfers across multiple accounts and banks. As a result, the appeal of using the facilities provided by tech giants is less apparent and the uptake may be more muted than in the States. Nevertheless, a change in the key players is on the cards, and people can look out for financial services on offer from unexpected players.

Blockchain

Blockchain has the potential to revolutionise the financial sector on both a local and global scale with, possibly, the same impact as the introduction of the internet in the 90s. A blockchain comprises a series of current blocks, each being able to securely record and time stamp some or all recent transactions, ensuring each transactions permanence and validating its authenticity.

Currently, companies that transact require a host of people such as accountants and validation processes in order to maintain their ledgers, but with the blockchain, none of these things are required. Its all online, available and accessible from a centralised database. Whats more, its secure and not erasable. And, because transacting using the blockchain doesnt require physical currency, it is a system that could also render banks obsolete in the process, reducing, if not entirely removing, their functionality.

While blockchain is still being explored and may take a good five years to be felt in South Africa, it will eventually land here and there will undoubtedly be a large impact on our banking sector. We will probably be looking at several regulatory changes, not to mention changes within how the banks themselves conduct business, as they strive to remain relevant and valuable.

The data

Terms like big data and internet of things are still big trends across the globe and, on a local scale, were definitely seeing the same. South African banks are at varying levels of development in terms of harnessing their data and there are many who are already ahead, utilising user data to determine customer trends and sensor data for monitoring purposes.

For many banks, though, the challenge lies in restructuring legacy processes within their organisations in order to effectively manage and use the data they mine. On top of this, large investments in entrenched IT processes and systems can hinder innovation, particularly as speed is of paramount importance to quick adaption and adoption of data driven tools. Many banks are faced with the need to rethink their entire organisational structure and culture so that they are able to fully benefit from the possibilities that data presents.

The challenges

While the internet has opened the door to multiple means of banking from virtually anywhere, the method still remains the same, whether banking at a branch, at an ATM or from your mobile phone. South African banks would benefit from focusing more on customer-centric innovation, promoting ease of use and looking at the next generation of users.

The banking sector needs to adjust its way of thinking, shifting from traditional thinking to innovative, agile thinking. Banks can put the reams of information they are able to access about their customers  both current and potential  to good use, developing new services and products, holding emerging players and threatening technologies at bay to secure their positions.

While banking itself seems to remain unchanged, with users still needing to conduct the same business and transactions, the platforms and players available are evolving very quickly, in line with technological development. Banks will need to adapt quickly in order to keep apace of the market and remain ahead of their game.
Farming has an unglamorous image across Africa. But this might be changing - the BBC's Sophie Ikenye met some young professionals who packed in their office jobs and moved back to the family farm:

Six years ago Emmanuel Koranteng, 33, gave up his job as an accountant in America and bought a one-way ticket to Ghana. He now has a successful business growing pineapples in a village near the capital, Accra. He says that even when he was far away from the farm, it was always in his thoughts.

Across the continent, Dimakatso Nono, 34, also left her job in finance to return to the family farm in South Africa. She left her lucrative job five years ago and moved from Johannesburg to manage her fathers 2,000 acre farm outside the Free State Province.

I knew that if I came to assist my father, I would be able to actually make meaningful change, Nono says. At the beginning, we were not sure about what the animals were doing and where they were in the fields, so for me it was important to ensure that every single day, every activity that we do is recorded.

Life on the farm has not been easy

This years drought across Southern Africa put an end to her apple, maize and sunflower crops. But Nono says she does not regret moving away from the corporate world. Im not always on top of the world but on such days I appreciate the fact that if I need to rest or recuperate, theres no better place than here where you have the nature to support you.

Make agriculture entrepreneurial

But both young farmers have found it difficult to get funding for equipment. For this reason, Koranteng has decided to stay small.

If you are small and you dont have funding, dont try to do anything big. Its all about being able to manage and produce quality because if you produce quality, it sells itself, he says.

But there is to be made money in farming. A World Bank report from 2013 estimates that Africas farmers and agribusinesses could create a trillion-dollar food market by 2030 if they were able to access to more capital, electricity and better technology. Agriculture has a bright future in Africa, says Havard University technology expert Calestous Juma.

But to encourage more young people to return to the land, he suggests a simple solution: A name-change. The best way to attract young people into farming is to define it as agribusiness  this entails making agriculture entrepreneurial and technology-driven.

BBC
At the end of September, Popcorn Cinema Advertising's first 4DX advertising campaign will screen at Nu Metro's 4DX cinemas at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, The Pavilion in Durban and at the opening of the first 4DX cinema at Hyde Park in Johannesburg. The campaign is for the new Jaguar F-TYPE SVR vehicle.

4DX uses motion, vibration, water, wind, lightning, scents, and more to provide moviegoers with a multi-sensory movie experience. The 4DX cinemas give viewers a cinema outing like nothing theyve ever heard, felt, seen and even smelt before.

Photographer: Anton Robert. Photo courtesy of Nu Metro Cinemas.

Blockbusters such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Deadpool, Batman V Superman, Jungle Book, The Legend of Tarzan, Suicide Squad and Star Trek Beyond are just some of the titles which have screened in 4DX. Wind, air, water and scent lines along with moving seats are synchronized with the action on-screen, as coded by 4DX in conjunction with the film studios. The action-adventure Ben-Hur starts showing in Nu Metros 4DX cinemas from this Friday.

The technology

Johan van Staden, Nu Metros head of technical, was sent to Seoul for three weeks last year to specifically train for certified status to manage the installation of 4DX technology locally. A current cinema at Nu Metro Hyde Park is being converted to 4DX. The introduction of 4DX at Nu Metro Hyde Park forms part of the overall renovation project in process at this cinema complex.

Courtesy of Jaguar/Popcorn Cinema Advertising.

The content screened in 4DX is projected in HD (2D and Digital 3D) on a silver curved wall-to-wall screen. Its audio system has been upgraded to a Dolby CP750 with 7.1 full surround sound. The Barco projector used in the cinema also uses an upgraded lamp for brighter picture in both 2D and 3D.

We had to install a complete new steel floor structure in the 4DX cinema to be able to handle the 0.3G-force the unit moves with; as well as water, air and scent lines. The complete system uses 24 computers (one in each of the 21 seats, motion PC, monitor PC and screen server). The force utilises Servo motors and transducers, and not hydraulics, making the movement much smoother and more active. explains van Staden.

Advertising in 4DX

Popcorn Cinema Advertising offers brands the opportunity to add the 4DX dimension to their campaigns in cinemas. Apart from giving the campaign multi-sensory effects, the rollout will also include a foyer display and activation at each 4DX site. For more information, contact the Popcorn Cinema Advertising team on 011 329 0601.
Got a question or tip? Contact us at bizmojoidaho@gmail.com.
Lt. Col. Abu Zar Al Jahid from Teknaf Battalion 2 confirmed that he was arrested from the Bangladesh side of Whykong locality because of illegal entry. Members of BGB didnt get anything from him after searching his body.

However, members of BGB discussed with BGP and handed over him at around 5:00 pm the same day, Lt. Col more added.

According to local villagers, the Burmese national came to Bangladesh from Burma to visit in the refugee camp where his relatives live in the Nayapara camp.
On Thursday [September 8], gunfire was exchanged between a unit from the NMSPs armed wing, the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA), and the KNUs Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) over a land territory dispute near Tae Chaung Village, Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division.

Although no one from either side was wounded, it damaged several houses in the Tae Chaung Village, according to Tae Chaung villagers.

To prevent further clashes in the Yebyu Township, prior to focusing on the territory dispute, representatives from both sides met on September 11 and founded a liaison committee.

The clash occurred because of the ambiguity in territories amongst ethnic armed groups and the lack of networking with one another, these are the essential reasons leading to the liaison committees establishment, according to Padoh Win Khine, official in charge of KNU Myeik-Tavoy District Liaison Office.

They will explain to the central level about this territory dispute. However, before that, in order to solve the problem and prevent further problems, officials in charge of territories from both sides met and founded a committee to work together, said Padoh Win Khine.

Sundays meeting was led by NMSPs central committee member Nai Aung Magay and NMSPs Tavoy District Chairman Nai Aka as well as KNUs central committee member Padoh Man Nyein Maung and KNUs Myeik-Tavoy District Chairman Padoh Saw Sar Pithu.

The meeting was a district level meeting, wherein both sides agreed to report to the central levels of the NMSP and KNU respectively, to recognize territories, to supervise by respective KNU and NMSPs territory unit commander officers in order to prevent further clashes, and to inform each sides patrols.

What happened was not on purpose. Founding this liaison has the potential to avoid further problems, said Nai Win Hla, official in charge of NMSP Home Affair Department.

On September 9, representatives from the KNU and NMSP also met at NMSPs liaison office in Three Pagodas Pass Town, on the Thai-Burma Border, after Thursdays clash in Yebyu Township, in order to prevent further clashes in other territory areas.

Thursdays clash was the first clash between the NMSP and KNU after they had a major clash over a territory dispute in the Three Pagodas Pass area, 1988.
Family members say they have not been in contact with 13 Arakanese from Haigyi Island in Ayeyarwady Region for more than a month, after they were...
The Girl Who Rejected A Marriage Proposal For Her Pet Dog Pulse oi-Syeda Farah

Pets are cute and having them comes with a big responsibility. There are many pet owners who make life decisions based on the impact of having their pets in their lives.

Here, in this article, we are about to share the story of the girl who rejected a wedding proposal, just for her pet dog!

Yeah, that just did happen in Bangalore, where a girl seriously rejected a man's proposal, as he was not willing to adopt her pet after their wedding.

This is something that clearly shows an owner's love for the pet. When a person has a pet, their responsibility increases and these cute little furry animals tend to become a part of your family.

It is just like the way one would take care of their baby, the pet needs the same "CONSTANT" attention too!

So, find out how the girl rejected a wedding proposal to just be sure her pet was safe and happy with her all the time.

He Asked Her Final Decision The guy was keen on knowing the girl's final decision, but she had decided what she already wanted in her life! He Was Not Willing To Share His Bed With A Dog! This was one of the meanest things a frustrated man could tell! Well, how could he even think of telling something so demeaning, REALLY!! It Didn't Affect Her She was not ready to budge in to his marriage proposal. After all, her pet has been there in her life for quite sometime now and none could fill in for him! He Gave Up! He tried to come up with all possible explanations to make her understand that her pet might not be there with her life long and this decision of marriage is all about her life. Finally, He Lost It! After trying to convince her with all possible reasons, this man told her those harsh words, which are just not okay to be heard by any pet lover! At the end, the girl is having a happy time with her pet dog! That's awesome, way to go, girl!

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Story first published: Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 19:15 [IST]
Onam Special: Who Was King Mahabali? Story of Mahabali And Vamana Associated With Onam Festival Festivals lekhaka-Asha Das

Like all other festivals, Onam also carries various legends and traditional beliefs. This year Onam will be celebrated from 30 August to 8 September 2022. Do you know what the story behind the Onam festival is? Well, read on. Onam is connected with King Mahabali and the golden era of his reign. The prominent story behind Onam is about King Mahabali and Vamanan (the incarnation of Lord Vishnu).

According to the story, King Mahabali is sent to another world called Pathala by Lord Vishnu's incarnation, Vamana. It is believed that during Thiruvonam, the most important day among the 10 days of Onam, King Mahabali will come back to his homeland to see his people.

This legend of Onam is famous across the globe, as you can find many Malayalis around the world celebrating its significance.

The annual visit of Mahabali is celebrated as Onam. It is also considered as a festival of harvest and prosperity. After the rainy deprivation month of Karkidakam (July-August), Chingam will come with its pleasant enthusiasm.

There will be bright sunlight and colourful flowers blooming during this season. This makes pookalam or flower rangoli an important part of the Onam celebration.

One of the best parts of Onam is that it is celebrated by all people in Kerala, irrespective of caste and religion.

Let's have a look at the story behind Onam in detail.

Golden Era of Mahabali

A long time ago, Kerala was ruled by King Mahabali who was wise, sagacious and warm-hearted. It is believed that the state enjoyed all prosperity during his reign. King Mahabali made sure that his subjects got everything they wanted. The story behind Onam begins from here, where mankind had a better time.

Who Was King Mahabali?

King Mahabali, according to the legend of Onam, is said to be the grandson of Prahalad and the son of Veerochana, who were demons or asuras. So, Mahabali was an asura too, but he had no trait of it because he was fervid towards Lord Vishnu from his childhood. Due to the piety to Lord Vishnu, Mahabali attained power and strength.

Envious Gods

The story behind Onam narrates the jealousy incidents of the Gods on Mahabali. As the popularity of the King increased, gods and goddesses thought this as a threat to their lordship. They began to think Mahabali as a rival and requested Lord Vishnu to help. Lord Vishnu was in dilemma first. But, when the gods and goddesses explained the threat, lord Vishnu agreed to help.

Vamana, The Dwarf Brahmin

By turning to a poor dwarf Brahmin, Lord Vishnu, as Vamana, went to see King Mahabali. He requested Mahabali to give a small piece of land. Mahabali told him to take as much as he desires. But, Vamana told he needs only three feet of land.

Soon, Vamana increased in size and his first step covered the whole earth while his second the whole of skies. For keeping the promise, Mahabali bowed before the boy and asked him to place the feet on his head. Before doing so, Vamana revealed the truth that he is Lord Vishnu. So, Mahabali was pushed to the nether world with happiness.

Once In A Year Visit

As a loving and caring ruler, Mahabali requested Lord Vishnu to allow him to visit his land and people. He wished to see his subjects once a year. Lord Vishnu granted the boon and was pleased by Mahabali for his love that he had towards his kingdom and people.

This is the story behind Onam, and every year Keralites welcome their king Mahabali with all enthusiasm and happiness.
Edgardo Antunano is leading a team in Texas and Brian McGonagle is promoted in Florida.



Team Worldwide, a freight forwarder and 3PL company, opened a team branch office in McAllen, Texas, on Monday under the leadership of Edgardo Antunano.

Antunano (pictured above), a 24-year veteran in transportation and global logistics, joined forces with custom house brokers in the McAllen and Reynosa, Mexico, border area under the umbrella of Team Worldwide.

Antunano and his group operate a 70,000-square-foot facility in McAllen that offers transborder service northbound and southbound and a 63,000-square-foot multiclient storage depot in Monterrey, Mexico.

We are excited to welcome Mr. Antunano and his team to our Team Worldwide family. TEAM recognizes the importance of transborder relationships in global trade. With Mr. Antunanos many years of experience and commitment to customer service, Team Worldwide customers can expect superior transborder services and a very knowledgeable, capable team to assist them with all of their transportation needs, said Jason Brunson, president and chief executive officer of Team Worldwide.

The Lee County Port Authority (LCPA) has named Brian W. McGonagle division director of administration.

The division oversees the areas of air service development, communications and marketing, finance, human resources, information technology and properties for Southwest Florida International Airport and Page Field in Fort Myers, Fla.

McGonagle joined LCPA in 1997 as a budget analyst, was promoted to manager of budget and accounting and then named director of finance in 2004. Prior to joining LCPA, McGonagle worked for more than 12 years in accounting and finance at the Bank of Boston. He started his career as a cost accountant for United Airlines flight kitchen in Boston.


An internet imagery

SAINT-MALO, FRANCE (AFP): Dubbed the "Solar Impulse of the Seas," the first boat to be powered solely by renewable energies and hydrogen hopes to make its own historic trip around the world.



A water-borne answer to the Solar Impulse - the plane that completed its round-the-globe trip using only solar energy in July - the Energy Observer will be powered by the Sun, the wind and self-generated hydrogen when it sets sail in February as scheduled.



The multi-hulled catamaran is in a shipyard at Saint-Malo on France's west coast, awaiting the installation of solar panels, wind turbines and electrolysis equipment, which breaks down water to produce its component elements, hydrogen and oxygen.



"We are going to be the first boat with an autonomous means of producing hydrogen," says Frenchman Victorien Erussard, who is behind the project - confidential until now - with compatriot Jacques Delafosse, a documentary filmmaker and professional scuba diver.



The plan is for the boat's batteries, which will feed the electric motors, to be powered in good weather by solar and wind energy, explains the 37-year-old merchant navy officer with a smile.



"If there's no Sun or wind, or if it's night, stored hydrogen - generated by electrolysis powered by the solar panels and two wind turbines - will take over," he says.



As a result, the vessel's trip will not use any carbon-emitting fossil fuels, as is the case for 96 percent of boats today.



The vessel itself has a storied past.



The catamaran won the Jules Verne trophy, for a team sailing non-stop round the world, in 1994. It was bought for 500,000 euros (USD 562,000) and extended by a whopping six metres, to 30.5 metres (100 feet), for the project.



One of the backers of the endeavour is well-known French environmentalist Nicolas Hulot.



"I support it because it's the first project of this kind to actually be undertaken, it's ambitious and looking toward the future," Hulot, a former special envoy on environmental protection to President Francois Hollande, told AFP.



"It's very promising for marine transport," Hulot added.



"The Energy Observer is going to demonstrate that you can have great autonomy (at sea) and you can store and find energy when there isn't any more wind or sun."



Its world tour is expected to take six years. After a careful crossing of the Mediterranean, the catamaran will venture out into the Atlantic and then Pacific oceans.



In all, 101 stopovers are planned from Cuba to New Caledonia to Goa on India's west coast.




An unrelated file photo

AMBALA/NEW DELHI (PTI): Indian Air Force's Jaguar aircraft, a deep strike fighter plane capable of carrying nuclear payload, on Tuesday caught fire minutes before take off at Ambala air base but the pilot got out safely.



Defence sources said the pilot spotted fire during the take off roll, aborted the take off and carried out safe exit.



"Today evening at Ambala air field, a Jaguar aircraft aborted takeoff while getting airborne for a routine night flying mission. The pilot carried out safe and quick exit.



The aircraft caught fire," an IAF spokesperson said in New Delhi.



A court of inquiry has been ordered into the accident.



On Saturday, another MiG-21 trainer aircraft crashed in Rajasthan's Barmer district but no loss of life was reported with both the pilots ejecting safely.



The MiG-21 T-69 aircraft, which took off from the Uttarlai airforce station in Barmer, crashed near the airbase.



Ambala Deputy Commissioner Prabhjot Singh, quoting a senior IAF official, said the incident occurred at around 8 pm. "The pilot is safe and has been taken to Army hospital for a check-up," Singh said.




External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with Mauritian Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Pravind Jugnauth in New Delhi on Tuesday. A PTI Photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): India and Mauritius have explored greater collaboration in the area of defence and security even as discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between the two countries restarted.



External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday met visiting Finance Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.



She appreciated Jugnauth for giving priority to visiting India on his first tour abroad which was in keeping with the "very special blood relationship" between India and Mauritius, official sources said.



She said India has always given full support to the development priorities of Mauritius.



We are finalising the MoU under which the Metro Express project and other projects announced by Jugnauth in his budget could begin to be implemented, sources said.



The long-standing request from Mauritius for restarting negotiations on CECPA and PTA (trade agreement) had also been met with discussions held on Monday in Port Louis, they added.



Swaraj thanked Jugnauth for the forward looking decision which had made the protocol on amendment of the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) possible.



This, she said, had added to Mauritius' financial credentials.



Swaraj said long-standing partnership between India and Mauritius had played a critical role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region.



In this context, both leaders called for greater collaboration in the area of defence and security. India offered to provide assistance in terms of hydrographic surveys, sources said.



The two leaders also discussed their concerns on terrorism and agreed to increase the collaboration in this area.



Jugnauth reiterated Mauritius' consistent support for India's bid for permanent membership of a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC).



In terms of people-to-people contacts, the two leaders discussed the construction of the World Hindi Secretariat in Mauritius.



Swaraj invited significant participation from Mauritius in the forthcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), 2017.



She said India would be sending a delegation this month to examine whether it can use the Girmtiya records for giving Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.



Girmitiya records relate to indentured labourers from India working in plantations in Mauritius.






WASHINGTON (AP): The United States will provide Israel's military with US$ 38 billion during the next 10 years, officials said on Tuesday, the largest batch of military assistance the US has ever pledged to another country.



Following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the State Department said the two countries had reached a 10-year agreement, with a signing ceremony planned for Wednesday.



The US and Israel haven't disclosed the exact sum, but officials familiar with the deal said it totals US$ 3.8 billion a year, up from the US$ 3.1 billion the US gave Israel annually under the previous 10-year deal.



Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, planned to attend the ceremony at the State Department, a senior Obama administration official said.



Israel's acting national security adviser, Jacob Nagel, arrived in Washington ahead of the announcement and was also expected to attend.



Israel's government had no immediate comment on the deal.



Under the agreement, Israel's ability to spend part of the funds on Israeli military products will be gradually phased out, eventually requiring all of the funds to be spend on American military industries.



Israel's preference for spending some of the funds internally had been a major sticking point in the deal.



The new agreement also eliminates Israel's ability to spend a fraction of the funds on fuel for its military.



In another apparent concession, Israel has agreed not to ask Congress to approve more funds than are included in the deal, said the officials, who weren't authorized to discuss the details publicly ahead of a formal announcement and requested anonymity.



The agreement concludes many months of negotiations that involved a delicate calculation by Jerusalem about whether to strike a deal with the outgoing US president.



In February, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly floated the prospect of waiting for Obama's successor in hopes of securing a better deal.



But the Obama administration has been eager to lock in the agreement before leaving office to help bolster Obama's legacy and undercut the criticism that his administration was insufficiently supportive of Israel.



Obama's relationship with Netanyahu has been famously fraught for years, and ties between the countries worsened significantly when the US and world powers struck a deal with a nuclear deal with Iran.



Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran to be an existential threat and disagreed sharply with Obama's contention that the deal actually made Israel safer by limiting Iran's nuclear program.


Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/09/2016 (2237 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE PAS  The last major hurdle to the largest casino in northern Manitoba moving to Assiniboia Downs is the provincial government, says the owners of Aseneskak Casino near The Pas.

Without moving to a larger market, the casino located on Opaskwayak Cree Nation will have to shut down in the next two-and-a-half years, Chief Clarence Easter of Chemawawin Cree Nation said Tuesday afternoon.

We need their blessing on the location  and we need a bigger market, said Easter, who said a memorandum of understanding still exists between the casino and Peguis First Nation to relocate the casino to land near Assiniboia Downs.

Chemawawin is one of six First Nations from the areas Swampy Cree Tribal Council which owns the casino. In 2015, the Winnipeg Free Press reported the partnership was in the midst of negotiating a deal with Peguis First Nation to move the casino, which is involved in a joint venture with Assiniboia Downs.

Easter said talks with Peguis Chief Cindy Spence have been optimistic and that Peguis remains on board with supporting the relocation. A request for comment from Spence was not returned. The casino would be part of a larger multimillion-dollar plan to turn 36 acres of the Downs into an urban reserve with the Manitoba Jockey Club  which operates Assiniboia Downs  as a partner.

The jockey club, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak also support the move, said Suzanne Barbeau-Bracegirdle, CEO of the casino.

However, final approval falls to the Pallister government, and so far, no one is ready to give the location a rubber stamp.

Crowns Minister Ron Schuler and Justice Minister Heather Stefanson met with the casino owners on Monday, but werent ready to reveal their stance, Barbeau-Bracegirdle said.

They asked a lot of questions, she said. They didnt say they wanted us to stay, but they also didnt say they wanted us to leave.

In a prepared statement, Stefanson said her government isnt ready to make politically motivated agreements like the Selinger NDP government without a solid business plan from the casino.

Our government is currently conducting a broader review of the implications of relocated or expanded gaming in Manitoba. The 2016 Manitoba Gaming Market Study indicates that the gaming market is oversupplied throughout the province, including in Winnipeg. Any change in capacity must therefore be supported by a solid market analysis and business plan, she said.

The Gaming Market Study revealed a bleak market for casinos in the province, calling Manitoba one of the most penetrated gaming markets in North America.

Late last month, the Aseneskak Casino told The Brandon Sun it had not ruled out a move to Brandon.

Winnipeg or Brandon, it doesnt really matter to us. We want a location where we can get good profits, Barbeau-Bracegirdle said at the time. We want to make sure that they get the investment returns back in dividends.

Easter said the casino hasnt made a profit in the past 10 years, as VLTs have expanded elsewhere and online gaming options became more prevalent.

Ten years ago, a Saturday night would bring more than 200 people to the casino now the casino is lucky if it gets 80, Easter said. On Tuesday afternoon, 24 customers were in the casino for an area that can operate up to 600 gaming machines. There are six gaming tables in use, while the casino has a licence for 40.

We have all these other machines we arent using that is not generating revenue for our partners, Barbeau-Bracegirdle said. When you are in business, you are in business to make money and right now the casino just doesnt have the market.

 Winnipeg Free Press, with files from The Brandon Sun

The casino is one of the top five employers in The Pas, a town with a population of 5,500. There are about 140 jobs on the line if the casino shuts down, a major blow for The Pas, which is facing the loss of over 300 jobs if Tolko Industries closes down as planned on Dec. 2.

However, Easter said they plan to start a program that will move current employees of the casino to the new location, allowing them to live part-time at the site of the casino.

We dont want to leave anyone behind, Easter said.

 Winnipeg Free Press, with files from The Brandon Sun
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/09/2016 (2237 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG  The case of a Westman teen who admitted to promoting terrorism for the Islamic State has attracted national attention as security experts say the radicalization of youth appears to be on the rise.

Terrorism expert and retired University of Manitoba professor Peter St. John said the case could be a homegrown example of a desperate Islamic State trying to lure young Westerners with slick online campaigns.

Its pushing very hard to disrupt Western societies as much as it can by getting through to young people, he said. So maybe this is why suddenly, after nothing in Manitoba, weve had a couple of cases like this  because we dont look on ourselves as a place where terrorists would be. But there is a huge, sophisticated push to reach young people through the Internet.

The 17-year-old boy from rural western Manitoba pleaded guilty to counselling to commit an indictable offence for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a terrorist group, namely the Islamic State. He was 16 at the time and cant be identified.

Details are scarce as to what the offence involves, but the homeschooled teen boy was charged in November 2015 after police seized computer equipment, books and notebooks from his home.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the RCMPs National Security Enforcement Section were involved in the investigation.

The teen also tried to convert to Islam at the Brandon Islamic Centre, The Brandon Sun reported.

He pleaded guilty in court at the Manitoba Youth Centre Monday and is set to be sentenced in Brandon Oct. 25. The Crown is not expected to ask for an adult sentence on the charge, which would carry a maximum penalty of life in prison for an offender over 18.

Instead, the teen is expected to be sentenced as a youth, meaning he faces a maximum three-year sentence. Hes been in custody since his arrest.

Defence lawyer Saul Simmonds called it a serious offence when speaking to his client in court Monday.

Whether Crown prosecutor Ian Mahon asks for a sentence involving community supervision or more time in custody will depend upon a presentence report and how well you continue to behave, Simmonds told the teen.

He said police took lengthy statements and seized computer material to support the case against him.

This is a situation in which a trial would be lengthy, complicated, and (the accused) also made representations by way of the materials that have occurred since the time of the offences, which are also in possession of the Crown, Simmonds told court.

While its unclear exactly what transpired to warrant a terrorism charge against the teen, the legal community is watching closely as the case unfolds.

Wendy Martin White, a Winnipeg criminal defence lawyer with experience in youth law who has worked with terrorism-related cases, said such charges are rare.

Its necessary to understand what happened in this young persons life that would lead him to supporting a terrorist group such as the Islamic State, she said.

I think those are questions that as Manitobans, we would want to have answers to, because we certainly dont want to see that type of targeting (by terrorist groups) continue and we certainly want to be trying to put in preventative measures in order to protect our youth and our province, she said.

Its important not to overplay something like this, but Im sure that were all going to be carefully watching how these types of charges unfold, because they seem to be at least getting more attention and that might mean that theres a trend to more of this happening, Martin White added.

This is not the first case of a Manitoban getting involved with a terrorist group, though the 17- year-old may be the youngest recent offender.

IS sympathizer Aaron Driver, 24, was killed during an August police raid in Strathroy, Ont., carried out by investigators who suspected Driver had planned a suicide bomb attack on an unnamed major Canadian city. Driver, who was never criminally charged, had been living in Winnipeg earlier this year bound by a peace bond meant to thwart any terrorist actions. Driver agreed to the peace bond last summer after he was detained following a police raid of the Charleswood home he was renting. He grew up in a Christian, military family that moved around Ontario and the Prairies, and he converted to Islam as a teen.

James Fergusson, director of the University of Manitobas Centre for Defence and Security Studies, said its more common for young people to be targeted as potential radicalized homegrown terrorists because they tend to be more idealistic and easily influenced.

They have very little experience, they can be easily persuaded under peer pressure  and this would be peer pressure through the Internet  they may feel, for a variety of reasons, disaffected or alienated in society and they look to identify with someone else, he said.

The public should be concerned about cases like this, keeping in mind they are rare in Manitoba and across Canada, Fergusson said.

You should be concerned, but its not as if theres radical youth around the corner everywhere, so no need to panic, no need to get upset, no need to overreact.

St. John said teachers who notice changes in youths behaviour are absolutely valuable to helping prevent radicalization, especially as IS continues to promise adventure to disaffected youth via seductive, well-planned websites.

Its something thats going to intensify; its going to reach potentially a lot more kids and I dont think weve seen the end of it at all, until weve seen the end of the Islamic State, and even then there could be problems after that.

The 17-year-old boy also pleaded guilty earlier this summer to possessing child pornography. Police discovered 1,513 disturbing images and two videos of girls aged six months to 14 years on his hard drive as part of the terrorism investigation, The Brandon Sun has reported.

 Winnipeg Free Press, with files from The Brandon Sun
Ryanair has cancelled 22 European flights due to depart this evening and 72 flights scheduled for tomorrow due to the 14th strike this year by French air traffic controllers (ATC).

Further delays are likely. Ryanair apologised to affected customers, all of whom have been contacted by email and SMS and advised of their options of a full refund, rebooking on to the next available flight, or rebooking onto an alternative route.
I'm sure you've heard of the black metal band from Norway called Darkthrone. No, me neither.

Anyway, they may have gained a bit more exposure now that their drummer, Gylve Fenriz Nagell, has been elected as a town councillor.

While Fenriz was busy making Satanic music for his band's new album "Arctic Thunder", he got a call from the local neighborhood council in Kolbotn, a suburb of Norway's capital, Oslo.

Fenriz said: "They called and asked if I wanted to be on the list [of backup representatives]. I said yeah, thinking I would be like 18th on the list and I wouldnt really have to do anything."

So, to show his eagerness for the job, he used a poster of himself pictured with his cat, whose name roughly translates to "Peanut Butter".

"My campaign was a picture of me holding my cat saying, 'Please dont vote for me'," Fenriz said.

"But people just went nuts."

So the 9,000 people of Kolbotn will have Councilman Gylve Fenris Nagell for the next four years since, under Norwegian law, he is not allowed to turn down his new position.

He said: "If you get voted in, you have to stay in that position for four years. And then you can pull out."

Thankfully, it's only as a back-up as Fenriz explained to CLRVYNT: "Basically, I have to step in when the usual people who go to the big meetings are sick or something. Then I have to go sit there and feel stupid among the straight people.

Im a pillar of my community, he added.

Some of his fans just can't handle it.

If you want to hear what the residents of Kolbotn might be listening to at their next council meeting, check out the video below.

H/T Factmag.com.
Update 11.20am: The ISPCC has today reminded young people receiving their Junior Cert results about Childlines range of services.

Thousands of teenagers across Ireland will receive their Junior Cert results this week in what can be a very exciting time for students.

However, it can leave some young people anxious and others may be disappointed or concerned about their results.

Teenagers call Childline to access free, confidential support and information by phone 24 hours a day on 1800 666666, where staff are on hand to listen in a non-judgemental way.

Childline can also be contacted by texting the word: talk to 50101 (from 10pm to 4am) or via live online chat on Childline.ie (from 10am to 4am),

Director of services for the ISPCC, Caroline OSullivan, today said: Congratulations to everyone getting their results. The Junior Cert is a big milestone for young people and there is rightly excitement around the achievements.

While its important to mark this occasion, its even more important to stay safe. Some Junior Cert students may come under pressure to drink alcohol or do things they arent comfortable with.

For some people, their results might be a bit disappointing. It is important to remember that your exam results dont define you as a person.

We encourage young people to talk about how they are feeling to friends or family, especially if they are concerned about their results or indeed how to deal with any peer pressure. Alternatively, and at any time day or night, they can contact Childline which is always here to listen.

Earlier:

More than 60,000 students will get their Junior Cert results this morning.

It is the last year of the exam in its current form as the Government introduces controversial reforms.

Tens of thousands of students will get their results this morning after sitting their exams in June.

Education Minister Richard Bruton says it's a milestone moment for many students and congratulated those getting their results.

The teachers union of Ireland also congratulated students and said it is key they stay in education to complete the Leaving Cert or LC Applied.

They have also used the opportunity to call on the restoration of guidance counsellor provision to help students.

Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) Clive Byrne said:On behalf of principals throughout the country, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to students who today see the fruits of their hard work over the last three years.

I also wish to thank teachers, families and friends for their support throughout the exams and indeed the entire Junior Certificate cycle

The completion of the Junior Certificate cycle is an important moment in a students educational development. It prepares them for the Leaving Certificate cycle and the decisions that need to be made for further education.

These are exciting times for our education system in Ireland. With reform of curriculums and the introduction of diverse subjects such as Politics and Society, our students are being readily equipped for their journey beyond secondary school.

We are also seeing the benefits of initiatives such as Project Maths which has seen an increase in students taking Higher Level Maths at both Junior and Leaving Cert level.

While it is important that the students receiving their results now take time to carefully consider the subjects they will take for the Leaving Certificate cycle, for today I would encourage them to reflect on their achievements to date and celebrate in a responsible manner. I would like to take this opportunity to wish them the best in the coming years.

It's the last time students will get results from the traditional Junior Cert - with reforms to English and the new Junior Cycle framework taking place this year, despite the protests of teachers.

Students will naturally celebrate the results - but Alcohol Action Ireland are warning that drink should play no part in the celebrations for junior cert students.
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Is Shepard Smith Gay, Who Is The Boyfriend & What Is His Net Worth? There are only a few media personalities who are as bold and confident as Shepard Smith. Apart from his impressive stint at Fox News Channel which includes but not limited to his classic news delivery, upfront stance on virtually every issue and much more; he loves his job as much as he loves his personality. Smith ...

Is Milo Yiannopoulos Gay? His Husband and Net Worth Milo Yiannopoulos is a popular writer, journalist, polemicist, public speaker, and political commentator who is also known as the founder of The Kernel, an online blog. He has been said to be among the list of 100 weird and influential people in the United Kingdom. He appeared on this list as a result of personal beliefs and ...

Does Ryan Seacrest Have A Wife Or Girlfriend, What Is His Net Worth? From radio to television, Ryan Seacrest is a household name and a force to be reckoned with in showbiz. The radio personality, television host, and producer is best recognized as the host of the popular TV talent search contest American Idol. Heres how the media personality who always knew what his lifes ambition was and diligently pursued ...

Is Anderson Cooper Gay, Who is The Boyfriend or Husband? For many, the thought of becoming a millionaire by writing and talking about other people appears unachievable but this is the reality of the prominent American journalist Anderson Cooper who gathered millions of dollars for conducting accurate political analysis and other vital reports on TV. He is the main anchor of the CNN news show Anderson ...

Is David Muir Gay or Does He Have A Wife, What Is His Salary? David Muir is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who works for the ABC broadcast-television network and anchors the ABC World News Tonight with David Muir program while also co-anchoring the magazine program 20/20. The Ithaca College graduate, whose show has become the most-watched newscast in America, has covered stories from all across America and the world; reporting ...

Joel Osteen  Divorce Rumors, Net Worth & Family Members Joel Osteen is an American Televangelist, Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church based in Houston, Texas, a husband and a father of two. He is an author of many books, seven of which are New York Times Best Sellers and his televised sermons capture more than 7 million viewers per week and 20 million every month ...

Who Is Todd Chrisley? What To Know About His Children, Gay Rumors & Net Worth Premiered on the USA network in 2014, Chrisley Knows Best is one of the most watched family reality TV shows in the U.S. The series which is currently in its sixth season is centered around U.S real estate mogul Todd Chrisley and his family. The show reveals Todd the patriarch of the Chrisley family as a strict dad who rules ...

Who Is Shannon Bream Of Fox News? Her Husband, Children & Net Worth Shannon Bream who hosts the iconic primetime program started her journalism career in the late 1990s debuting as the evening and late-night news reporter for the CBS affiliate, WBTV. The beauty from America currently works for the Fox News Channel and she is best known for anchoring the primetime program. She also hosts Americas News ...

Is Troye Sivan Gay, Who Is His Boyfriend and What Is His Net Worth? Troye Sivan is an Australian singer and songwriter best known for songs like Happy Little Pill, Youth, Heaven (with Betty Who) and The Boyfriend Tag (with Tyler Oakley) which have all garnered him different awards and ranked on the Billboard Charts. Sivan, who was born in South Africa but now resides in the United States, is ...

Did iDubbbz Have Cancer, Is He Gay and Who Is His Girlfriend Now? iDubbbz is one YouTuber who has made a career out of courting controversy. Renowned for his absurdist channels and comedy video series, the Los Angeles based personality is the owner of two channels, iDubbzTV, and iDubbzTV2, as well as the brains behind comedy video series such as Content Cop, Kickstarter Crap, Gaming News Crap, and ...

Inside Greg Gutfelds Love Story With Wife Elena Moussa and Why Fans Thought He Was Gay Greg Gutfeld is a seasoned American television producer whose career in the media industry has spanned over a decade. He is a man of many talents who makes extra income through comedy, journalism, and editorial works. Gutfeld regularly appears on Fox News Channel as a panellist and co-host of the political talk show The Five ...

Works That Made Bo Burnham A Household Name and How Much He Is Worth Now One of YouTubes first viral stars and the worlds most exciting young comedian, Bo Burnham, has always amazed critics and comedy aficionados alike. Often regarded as the Justin Bieber of comedy, thanks to his fresh looks, floppy blond hair and hoodies, he has a multi-faceted career bigger than many comedians twice his age. It wouldnt ...

Is Louie Anderson Gay And What Is His Net Worth? Louie Anderson has one of the most abstract faces in the industry and equally knows how to use it to his advantage. He is not only a stand-up comedian but also an actor and television host who is known for his distinctive comic wits. Some of his notable projects include Family Feud, where he was ...

Is Don Lemon of CNN Gay, Who is His Partner and What Is His Salary? Don Lemon has risen to become one of the most recognizable faces on CNN over the past few years. The fiery journalist, who anchors CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, is liked and somewhat disliked for his strong and candid opinions on a variety of matters that do not just include politics but also race, significantly, matters that ...

Is Rachel Maddow Gay, Who is the Wife and How Much Does She Earn in Salary? Rachel Maddow is an award-winning American journalist, political commentator, and television news anchor. She is best known for hosting the popular nightly TV show The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. Prior to this, she hosted a talk radio program on Air America Radio from 2005 to 2010. As of now, the TV sensation co-anchors MSNBCs ...

Demystifying Pokimane  Her Real Name, Ethnicity & Boyfriend Like most social media celebrities in this digital era, Pokimane Thicc is one of those stars who took advantage of the internet to make a name for herself. Given the unlimited potentials which the social media space offers, many people have been instantly propelled to fame just by posting creative online contents. Not only has ...

A Breakdown of Kris Jenners Net Worth, Sources Of Income and Relationships Over The Years Standing outside and looking in, Kris Jenner looks like the oil that greases the wheels of the entire Kardashian/Jenner machine. She has been dubbed a momager and rightfully so because she seems to have had a part to play in the trajectory of each and every one of her daughters individually and the Kardashian brand ...

Pursuits That Brought Liza Koshys Fame To its Zenith and Her Love Life Since David Dobrik Liza Koshy is an American actress who has leveraged YouTube as a platform to promote her comedy while also serving as a television host on occasions. She is talented and funny and has gathered a lot of fans from around the world. Koshy started on Vine in high school and was able to get millions of ...

Alex Aiono Biography  Inside The Life Of The American Singer Not everyone who started from the streets has attained the heights where Alex Aiono is currently. His story could be referred to as the perfect definition of rising from Grass to Grace. He came into the limelight after he started out as a YouTuber, singer, and producer. One fascinating thing about the young YouTuber is ...

Virginia Vallejo Biography And Her Love Story With Pablo Escobar Virginia Vallejo can be referred to as one of the oldest whistleblowers in history after her involvement with Pablo Escobar which made her famous. Over the years, many questions have been raised about her relationship with the drug lord and why she endangered her life to be with him despite his notorious acts. The death ...

Princess Love Bio  Ethnicity, Real Name & Parents For many people, Princess Love is simply Ray Js wife but there is so much more to this feisty lady than meets the eye. She is a star in her own right and has many feathers on her cap. Princess Love is a reality TV star, a model, video vixen, and fashion designer. She and her ...

Who is Papa Franku Also Known As Filthy Frank or Joji, Where is He Now? The social media as we all know today has given people the opportunity to be creative and innovative and at the same time, make something of themselves. YouTube is one of the known social platforms we have today that makes it possible for people to express their God-given talents and post videos they created to ...

Who Is Molly Qerim, How Did She Become a Famous Sports Anchor and Who Is Her Husband? Molly Qerim is an American sports anchor popularly known for moderating First Take, a highly rated sports talk show, on ESPN. Prior to joining ESPN, Qerim hosted Fantasy Live and NFL AM on NFL Network. It is quite obvious that the widely acclaimed television personality is in a class of her own when it comes ...

Safiya Nygaard  Height, Parents & Net Worth Safiya Nygaard is an American YouTuber, writer, content producer, and director who is popular for posting makeup, beauty and fashion videos on YouTube. Her videos regularly top at least one million views, thanks to her lively character as well as her willingness to experiment with outrageous outfits and different beauty products. Here are the things to ...

The Rigors of Sunlen Serfatys Career Journey Until CNN and Fun Facts About Her Personal Life CNN correspondent, Sunlen Serfaty is an Emmy Award-winning journalist known for covering a broad range of breaking news stories, national news, and Washington politics. She has been able to garner widespread recognition for herself which even goes beyond the sphere of her work. Her profile also increased with the extensive work she did in covering ...

Demystifying Jazz Jennings Real Name, Boyfriend & Family Of One The Youngest Transgenders Jazz Jennings is an unusual personality who became famous as a transgender activist and was recorded as the youngest documented public figure to be seen as transgender. She is also a YouTube personality and spokesmodel for brands, her fans, and other transgenders. She fought for acceptance in her high school with her super supportive family for over ...

Inside Fred Armisens Life  Ethnicity, Romantic Relationships and Gay Rumors Fred Armisen is an award-winning American comedian, he is also a writer, an actor as well as a musician. He was a cast member of the legendary comedy show, Saturday Night Live for 13 years and also one of the brains behind the successful satirical show Portlandia. Find out more about this incredibly talented guy ...

Ed and Lorraine Warren Biography: Cases, Kids, and Family Life Have you ever woken up with fear you could not explain, or felt a strange presence that made the hair at your nape rise or even experienced strange occurrences around you? Well, these were some of the promptings that made the well-known paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren delve into trying to explain the ideas ...

Truth About Tony Romos Wife, Kids and Life Since His NFL Retirement Tony Romo grew from the field as a quarterback to the screens as an American Football Analyst. He was a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the richest football league in the world (NFL) before retiring. As a junior, he was honored as an All-Ohio Conference Member, an Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and ...

Who is Brittany Venti, The Controversial Game Streamer and YouTuber? In recent times, many people live stream themselves playing video games. This has become a popular pastime on the internet and many highly skilled gamers have become internet celebrities through this means. However, some of them rather than becoming renowned for their gaming skills and great commentary, have become controversial and infamous. A good example ...

Rob Dyrdeks Family: His Kids And Relationship With Wife Bryiana Noelle Flores A multi-talented star and an elite pro skateboarder, Rob Dyrdeks success story began at a remarkably young age. Yet another proof that schooling doesnt always correlate with success, Rob has established himself not just as a phenomenal sportsman but also as a successful entrepreneur. Besides perfecting his skill as a natural talent on the board, ...

xChocobars  Biography and Everything You Should Know About Her Having distinguished herself and recorded massive successes in an industry notably dominated by men, it is very safe to say that Xchocobars deserves all the attention and cash she makes from her career. A household name on Twitch (a smart live streaming video platform), the online-gamer is popularly known for streaming classic games such as Stardew ...

Everything To Know About Mary Padian, Her Boyfriend and Net Worth Mary Padian is a famous American television reality personality best known for her involvements on the Reality show Storage Wars. She also has her own shop called Mary finds where she displays her antique collections. Since her childhood, Padian has been a creative learner. At the time, she used to create new items out of reusable ones and ...

Betsy Woodruffs Family Life: Is She Married or Related To Bob Woodruff? An old name in the world of journalism, Betsy Woodruff has warmed her way into the hearts of many with her impressive talents. Through hard work, Woodruff has carved a niche for herself in a very competitive field. Betsy has strong family and work values and is also an advocate for equal opportunities for everyone ...

Matpat (Matthew Patrick)  Wife, Height & Net Worth As far as internet business is concerned, Matpat remains one of the most dynamic and seasoned figures. He boasts a wealth of experience that has helped him in growing his business from one level of greatness to another. Like most successful people, MatPat started out small but today, he makes millions of dollars from his ...

Facts About Ricegum  His Girlfriend, Real Name & Net Worth Ricegum is an online gamer and YouTube sensation who ditched college; took advantage of the digital era, and made a name for himself on the internet. Though he began as a gaming YouTuber, Ricegum soon gained recognition as a controversial internet star following his many diss tracks. Here is everything you need to know about the youngster ...

Joy Taylor Once Married MLBs Richard Giannotti  Inside Look At Her Love Life and Family The erosion of the sexist idea that women have no business in sports broadcasting created a host of women celebrities who attained fame outside of modeling and acting. One of them, Joy Taylor, a radio personality and TV host for Fox Sports 1, has been in the industry since 2009, becoming one of the most ...

What To Know About Conan OBriens Wife, Kids & Family Today The name Conan OBrien is one that jumps right at you almost immediately you start talking about the most popular television hosts in the USA and this is no surprise because the man behind that name has risen to become one of the most admired men in the business. Known for hosting the late-night talk ...

David Letterman  Net Worth, Wife & Son In all of American, one man whose face has been seen frequently by late night TV talk show lovers is none but David Letterman. The comedian and TV show veteran has been hosting late night talk shows for more than three decades. His Late Night with David Letterman show began on February 1st, 1982 aired ...

Demystifying Sssniperwolfs Family Background And The Boyfriends Shes Had Since she launched her eponymously named channel in 2013, Sssniperwolf has been on the rise when it comes to video game influencers. She is one of the biggest names in the online gaming subgenre of YouTube videos. Real name Lia Shelesh, she started with Call of Duty: Black Ops II but has diversified with other ...

Lester Holt  Wife, Family & Net Worth Lester Holt is a multiple award-winning journalist, newscaster, reporter, and actor who has worked for notable media houses like WCBS TV, CBS, MSNBC and among others. His remarkable feat in journalism has endeared him to the hearts of many and earned him some awards and recognitions. Read on to get acquainted with his biography, ethnicity, ...

What Is Louis C.K. Doing Now, Where Are His Family And How Much Is His Net Worth? It is not easy to make it in comedy. It takes more than a funny bone and the ability to elicit a few giggles from a listening audience. For all the complexities that go into making a successful career in comedy, Louis C.K, the Washington D.C-born comedian, did it. For years, he was at the ...

The Progression of Hoda Kotbs Career, Her Ancestry and Family Life Hoda Kotb gained fame as a television host and news anchor for NBC. She anchors the shows signature show Today, and it has been an excellent vehicle for her skills in front of a camera. Kotb has won several awards, including Daytime Emmys and Peabody Awards. Simply put, she is one of the most successful ...

Jerry Seinfelds Family: All About The Amazing Comedians Wife and Kids Apparently one of the highly important entertainers in America, Jerry Seinfeld is a man of many talents. A very funny man, he is considered to be one of the most successful comedians in the USA who has been in the business as a professional rib-cracker for more than 40 years. As an actor, he has ...

The Rigors Of Sarah Silvermans Rise To Prominence And Rundown Of The Men She Has Dated A comedian, writer, and actress, Sarah Silvermans art and craft is as unique as you would ever find. Her poignant use of comedy to discuss social issues such as race, sexism, politics, and religion has gained her an impressive following. As unorthodox as her style is, so is her life experiences. She previously suffered from epiglottitis ...

Who Is Hannibal Buress, Does He Have A Wife or Girlfriend & Why Was He Arrested? Making people laugh when they are tense or not in the mood is a tough order and to ply the trade, it must indeed take some guts and expertise, this is what the humor maker, Hannibal Buress has been able to achieve and sustain after his inital teething process. The African-American is a screen writer, stand-up ...

The Success of John Mulaneys Career Efforts Since His Work On Saturday Night Live and Facts About His Wife John Mulaney had been working as a professional comedian for years before Saturday Night Live changed his status for life and like many who are now his fans, you probably did not know of him then. However, that changed when he joined the sketch comedy show in 2008. Since then, he has been one of ...

Jeff Dunham  Wife, Children and Net Worth Ventriloquism is a very subtle method of making an inanimate object (like a puppet, doll or dummy) appear to be saying words which are actually coming from the person (holding the inanimate object). In effect, the individual throws his/her voice to the puppet and can even appear to be having a conversation with it. Not ...

Ellen DeGeneres  Net Worth, Wife  Portia de Rossi & Parents Ellen DeGeneres is an American female standup comedian who has proven that whatever a man can do, a woman can also do. Since her journey as a standup comedian started in 1981, she has held swirl as one of the finest comedians America and the world at large has seen. She is often referred to ...

Revisiting Joan Rivers Death  The Daughter, Husband & Net Worth She Left Behind Joan Rivers was a renowned American comedian, TV host, writer, and actress. Her brand of comedy consisted of scathing one-liners and no individual or topic is spared. She hosted her own talk shows in the 80s and 90s and was a pioneer for women in stand up comedy. She was the first woman to host a late night ...

The Struggles of Margaret Chos Childhood, How It Influenced Her Career Growth and Love Life Margaret Cho is best described as a comic star who knows how to maneuver everything related to life into a rib-cracking joke. She is also known to criticize every social and political problem, especially those involving race and sexuality. Apart from her talents as a comic actress, she does amazingly well as a singer and ...

Where Is Eric Bolling Today? Who Is His Son & What Is His Net Worth? Eric Bolling who was once a notable figure on Fox News, is an American TV personality, an author, and versatile Journalist. As a political and financial analyst/commentator, he anchored discussions bothering on finance for Fox Business Channel. Here is everything there is to know about his career, family, and allegations that led to his exit ...

Who Is Chelsea Handler and Does She Have A Husband or Boyfriend? Chelsea Handler is one of Americas top female comedians. She is also an actress, writer, television host, producer, and activist. She is known to be very outspoken even with things that are very personal. In separate interviews with The New York Times, Handler revealed that she had an abortion twice when she was 16. She has authored five books ...

How Did Laura Lee Achieve Fame, How Much is She Worth and Who is Her Husband? Laura Lee is a popular American YouTuber, make-up artist and beauty blogger. From posting videos of her makeup routines on Instagram, Lee has transformed into a beauty influencer and a YouTube sensation. Today, her YouTube Channel has over 630 million views and 4.5 million subscribers. Asides having millions of followers across all social media platforms, ...

Madison Gesiotto Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Measurements Madison Gesiotto is no ordinary woman; although she excelled in quite a number of pageants and competitions while she was in school, it is her views on politics and issues in America that has made her name known to most people. She possesses beauty and intelligence in a seemingly equal measure and has been able ...

Who Is Lil Tay? Parents, Brother, Sister, Age, Net Worth, Ethnicity Child stardom is nothing new in the entertainment world. With the advent of social media, we have seen more stars made from the internet than ever before, and Lil Tay is one of them. Her uploaded rap videos trademark is cursing, swearing, cash-throwing, and use of obscene languages. Her fame went wild after she dropped ...

What To Know About Tig Notaros Wife, Kids and Family Today Tig Notaro is an American stand-up comic star, writer, actress, and radio analyst. Since she started her career in 2001, she has become one of Americas best comedians, particularly when it comes to observational comedy. One prominent aspect of her routine involves her family, which includes a wife and two children. Interestingly, Tig Notaro is part ...

Who Is Chantel Jeffries? What To Know About Her Age, Ethnicity & Net Worth Chantel Jeffries is a lady of many talents. Beyond being celebrated as a DJ, she has fared well as a model, an actress, musician, and as an artist. She first rose to fame on Instagram where she has a large following. However, in recent times, she has hit the spotlight for her rumored relationships with some ...

Is Ellen DeGeneres Married, Who Is The Brother  Vance DeGeneres and Family Members? Ellen DeGeneres is one of a kind celebrity in todays world as she has used her wealth for the greater good for many people. She has served a host of famous awards shows like the Grammy, Primetime Emmy and Academy Awards. Moreso, she is probably one of the most decorated entertainment personalities around the world and ...

Carli Bybel Bio  Height, Boyfriend & Net Worth Video blogging is now on the rise and YouTube is the place where most of it happens. If you are a lady who cares about her looks or a guy who likes to help his woman out with her looks, then one person whose name rings a bell when it comes to giving beauty tips ...

Who Is Lexy Panterra? What To Know About Her Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth Lexy Panterra is one of the YouTube personalities whose breakout came through the Twerk dance videos she posted on her social media handles and YouTube which has so far generated over 13 million views for her. From there on, she created her LexTwerkOut workout program in 2014. She is sure very talented as she as moved ...

Who Is AnneMunition? What Is Her Ethnicity & Does She Have A Girlfriend or Boyfriend? AnneMunition is a professional gamer and content creator of American origin. She is one of the most sought-after streamers on Twitch  a popular online platform for watching and streaming videos, especially video games. AnneMunition has almost half a million followers on Twitch and her channel has accumulated at least 13 million views. Her favorite games ...

Norm MacDonald  Former Wife, Son & Net Worth Recently, 59-year-old former Saturday Night Live stand-up comic Norm MacDonald caused a not-so-funny stir when he expressed his personal opinion about the #MeToo movement speaking in defense of Louis CK and Roseanne Barr. Following the backlash of his actions, he is diligently doing damage control for his questionable opinion by posting a public apology on ...

Inside Iliza Shlesingers Life With Husband and How Much She is Worth Now Witty, spontaneous, and truly humorous, Iliza Shlesinger is an American comedian who is clearly proving that the stereotypical claim that women are not really funny is not only incredibly wrong but completely outrageous. Having been in the game for more than 10 years, Shlesinger has grown bigger with each step, stunning fans with her incredible ...

Who Is Nessa Diab? Details of her Parents, Ethnicity & Relationship With Colin Kaepernick Nessa Diab has gained more fame as the girlfriend of different footballers than in her career. She is currently with the popular National Football League (NFL) player, Colin Kaepernick, and has stood by his side during his most trying times. Also known for her mononym, Nessa, she recently engaged in a tweet battle with the ...

Samantha Bee  Inside the Life of Full Frontal Comedian and Presenter We have over the decades seen various brands of humor and personalities who have walked the ropes. One of the formidable forces in the world of comedy is no other than the iconic Samantha Bee of the Daily Show who now runs her own television show on TBS channel. She is a Canadian-American political commentator, ...

What Happened To Jessica Williamss Boyfriend And Which Are Her Best Works? Jessica Williams is a woman who has a lot of feathers in her cap  and keeps acquiring more. The former senior political correspondent of the comic Daily Show, who is also a comedian and actress whose recent movie appearance include starring as a playwright just recovering from a recent split with her boyfriend, Damon, and ...

Who is Nicole Byer? Here are 5 Facts You Need To Know About The Comedian Nicole Byer, an American comedian, actress, and writer, made a name for herself after she played supporting roles on MTVs prank show Ladylike and the reality show Girl Code. The latter was a series that featured comedians who analyzed in minute details, all the issues that young women deal with daily, from period to dating, to weird friendship dynamics and questions about sex. Currently, ...

A Closer Look At Bart Kwans Ethnicity, Height & Personal Life Bart Kwan is one of few Asians who is known for being successful in the comic industry at an international level. His fame broke out after the YouTube channel which he created with his close pal Joe Jo garnered up massive followings. The talented duo has been running the channel since 2007 and their success ...

Heres How VanossGaming Achieved Fame Online, His Worth and Other Facts About The Gamer For many years, the decision to drop out of college to pursue an online career was considered to be foolish and self-destructive by conventional wisdom. It was no different when Evan Fong, popularly known as VanossGaming, dropped out of college to pursue a YouTube career. However, that radical move paid off, and he stands shoulder to ...

Desi Perkins  Ethnicity, Net Worth & Husband YouTube is littered with videos of makeup tutorials by different people but if you are interested in learning how to do your makeup like a pro, there is just one person on that platform who you must follow. She is none other than Desi Perkins! She is a popular make-up artist, Instagram star, and vlogger. Desi, ...

The Phases of Casey Neistats Pursuits and His Love Story With Candice Pool YouTuber, vlogger, filmmaker, and creator extraordinaire; these are just a few hats that Casey Neistat wears and the story of how he got here is incredible. A native of Connecticut, Neistat started out by making refreshingly-authentic short films and videos that featured content that was based on everyday life and called attention to serious issues. He ...

Connor Franta  Inside The Life of American YouTuber YouTube has produced a lot of young celebrities in modern times and Connor Franta happens to be one of them. Apart from being a YouTuber, the young American is also an entrepreneur, entertainer, and writer. His journey to fame began almost a decade ago when he started a self-named YouTube channel where he uploads content ranging ...

Rhett and Link  Bio, Who are Their Wives, Net Worth and Family Facts Rhett and Link refer to an American comedy duo who are very popular on YouTube. They are known for their comic songs, viral commercials, skits and the daily show, Good Mythical Morning. Good Mythical Morning is the most watched daily show online, averaging 100 million views in a month. The show has featured guests such ...

A Walk Through The Maze of Ryan Higas Career Pursuits And Relationship With Arden Cho Ryan Higa is not only celebrated as a YouTube star, but he is also famed for appearing on television screens as an actor and comedian. Nigahiga, his Youtube channel, has gathered over 20 million subscribers and billions of views with his different comic acts, short films, and music videos uploads. With the rise in his career, ...

What to Know About The Shows That Made Craig Ferguson a Star and His Family Ties Rising to the top of your profession can sometimes be a hard and difficult process. It requires days and nights of working consistently hard to be better than what you were yesterday. It requires not giving up when all of your experiences seem to be pushing you to quit. It is because of these challenges ...

David Dobrik Married Liza Koshy for One Month  Inside His Family and Relationships David Dobrik is a YouTube sensation who has garnered fame not just for his vlogs but his love life too. Given his career as a YouTuber, his channel is one place where he shares his romantic escapades. With a cute boyish look like his, this Slovakian young man is definitely a good catch, and not ...

Merrell Twins Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Boyfriend One of the beautiful things about modern life is social media. As rudimentary as it might seem, it could turn out to be the greatest thing that would be invented in the next 50 years because of its impact on human life. Very few tools have revolutionized human behavior and culture as much as social ...

Who Is Bunny Meyer, Is She Married & What Is Her Net Worth? Bunny Meyer is a YouTube celebrity who has amassed over 8.8 million subscribers with 1.5 million viewers on her channel. She is popularly known as Grav3yardgirl and is one of the highest-paid YouTubers in the world. She initially started out as a fashion designer and later chose the path of a YouTuber. Grav3yardgirl has used her knowledge on fashion, makeup, ...

Ninja  Inside The Life of The American YouTuber and Internet Personality Ninja is a talented video game player known for his mastery of Fortnite and other seemingly difficult games he plays with ease. The video gamer made a career out of what is ordinarily the hobby of many people and has since then amassed a huge online following. Find out about him here, including the controversies that ...

What Is Eva Gutowskis True Sexuality and How Did She Rise So Fast As an Influencer? Ever since Eva Gutowski joined YouTube in 2011, it has been an interesting journey for her, moving from one milestone to the other. Backed by an army of young women and teenage girl fans known as Evanators, she has risen to become one of the most-talked-about personalities in the digital stratosphere. She has also leveraged ...

Emma Chamberlain Biography  Age, Height & Net Worth Before now, people in the entertainment industry could only achieve popularity after many years of dedication and hard work but since social media came into the scene, massive success and overnight popularity became possible. That is the story of Emma Chamberlain who encountered fame as a fifteen-year-old. Emma is one of the many young people who became ...

Anna Akana  Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth There is a new crop of YouTubers known by their different contents with a very strong uniqueness that stands every one of them out, some upload video games, some fashion while some others have comedy video contents to showcase on their channels. Anna Akana has used her platform to showcase her comedy contents to the ...

Revealing Truths About Lilly Singhs Ethnic Background, Family and Her Relationship With Yousef Erakat Lilly Singh is an Indian-Canadian YouTube personality, actress, and comedian also known as Superwoman. She kicked off her YouTube career in 2010 with the launch of her channel IISuperwomanII and followed it up with a vlog channel in 2011. This paved the way for her fame and success which led to a world tour. The ...

Who Is Andrea Constand, Is She Married and What Is Her Connection With Bill Cosby? Many people got sexually molested but could not voice out due to the stigma victims suffer and what will become of them thereafter. Very few of the victims danm every consequence to seek justice and bring the perpetrator to the book, like Andrea Constand. She never got any media buzz, not until her friend cum molester; ...

Who Is Lazarbeam (Lannan Eacott)? Here Are Facts You Need To Know Lannan Eacott became a person of interest after his YouTube channel, LazarBeam pulled him to the limelight. Initially, he started with uploads of Madden Challenge videos before deciding to build his own channel in January 2015. Within the space of three years, his YouTube channel had gathered over 7 million loyal subscribers. Today, he has not ...

Puzzling Facts About Wengies YouTube Success and More About Her Fiance Among the many YouTubers who have succeeded in winning the hearts of millions of people is Wengie. She is a Chinese-Australian YouTube personality, vlogger, singer, and voice actress. Wengie is famous for a lot of things, from her simple life hacks, DIYs, craft ideas to fun experiments, tricks and pranks. Her content portfolio also includes hair tutorials, diet & fitness tips, lookbooks, ...

Is Jeffree Star A Billionaire and How Much Does He Make On YouTube? If looks can be deceptive then theres no other person who proves this maxim better than Jeffree Star. A quick look at Stars pictures would likely leave you wondering whether or not to tag him a male or female. But who says being controversial has to be a curse? For Star, his looks have caught ...

The Place of Rosanna Pansinos Career Hats In Her Rise To Fame and Facts About Her Personal Life There are a few phrases that could summarize Rosanna Pansinos rise to fame. None of them can do it better than the famous axiom, no knowledge is lost. Her popularity YouTube comes out of her foray into other professions, specifically acting. Although acting now occupies one of the major professional hats in Rosannas resume, it was ...

Muselk (Elliott Watkins) Biography  Age, Girlfriend and Net Worth The new and best in-thing in terms of career is video gaming and we have over time seen young men and women make massive income from an activity that was purportedly designed to serve as a hobby or a relaxation activity. One of such individuals is the Australian-born YouTube Celebrity and Twitch streamer, Muselk, whose ...

PopularMMOs Biography: 5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know We have over the years seen social media millionaires, especially on the YouTube social platform. These celebrities cum millionaires have made names for themselves after carving out niches on the internet, and a typical example of one of such exciting media personality on the YouTube is American Minecraft gamer and YouTube star, PopularMMOs whose channel ...

Jason Nash Once Married Marney Hochman  What To Know About His Ex-Wife and Kids The now-defunct video-sharing app Vine was the path that led Jason Nash to fame. With it, he built an audience of over two million followers, which he parlayed into a significant YouTube career. That move has seen him become one of the most popular personalities on the internet, with the cash income to go with ...

Where Does Dantdm Live? What Do We Know About His Net Worth, Wife and Brother? Most parents buy video games for their kids to occupy their time leisure, while other parents frown at their kids when they play video games. Despite the disparity, every parent would be proud of their child if he/she eventually turns a celebrity or millionaire through playing video games like Dantdm. Biography of Dantdm Dantdm was born Daniel ...

LaurDIY  Biography: 5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTuber LaurDIY is the YouTube channel of Lauren Riihimaki which she created on December 1, 2011, when she was still a college undergrad with the sole aim of giving Do It Yourself (DIY) as well as practical fashion and beauty tips to her followers. She has used the channel to establish herself as a YouTube personality ...

Lachlan Ross Power  Bio And Family Life Of Australian The YouTube Star It is amazing the varied sources of income that the internet has made possible in this day and age. Internet fame can get its holder a whole lot of monetary and social benefits, but it must be noted that it does not come easy or cheap. For those who desire fame, content is the sacrifice ...

Alfie Deyes  Bio and Net Worth: Everything You Need To Know Alfie Deyes is one internet personality you definitely would like to know about. He boasts of over 10 million subscribers on three of his YouTube channels and has three bestseller books to his name. He is probably the most renowned young personality on YouTube today and his vlogging empire continues to grow by the day. ...

Colleen Ballingers Love Story With Husband Erik Stocklin and How Much She Is Worth Now Colleen Ballinger is an American comedian and YouTuber who is a very funny, adventurous, and highly talented woman. She is also an actress, singer, and writer. Collen is widely known for her work on YouTube where she posts content on her channel, Miranda Sings. The comedian has gained many subscribers over the years and has ...

Who Are The Dude Perfect Members and How Much Are They Worth? Entertainment in the 21st century can be digested in many forms and with platforms like YouTube, the creators and purveyors of entertainment have been democratized. Today, one of the most popular platforms to exhibit ones creative talents is YouTube, even though there are other platforms like Twitter, Facebook, who suffer in comparison to YouTube because ...

Who Is Rudy Mancuso, What Is His Earning Power and What Do We Know About His Girlfriend? Rudy Mancuso started his internet journey on Vine. He would later transition to YouTube where he solidified his place among the internets most beloved comedic creators. He is now regarded as one of the renowned internet personalities in the world, with a presence in mainstream TV and film projects like Comedy Centrals Drunk History and ...

Vsauce (Michael Stevens) Biography and Net Worth: All You Need To Know The advent of YouTube and the internet as a whole revolutionized how human beings consume information. With each passing year, the percentage of learning that is done in a traditional classroom decrease as a seismic shift to internet-based learning happens in our education industry. From open courses online to YouTube classes and videos, there are ...

How did Jake Paul Make His YouTube Big Break and Who is His Wife? One of the most interesting Social Media personalities of the 21st century is the young and popular Jake Paul whose elder brother is the famed Vine star, Logan Paul. Jake has utilized the power of the internet to bring himself to the limelight with a channel named JakePaulProductions that has amassed up to six billion ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About Reaction Time (Tal Fishman)  The American YouTuber Before 2015, the leading meaning of reaction time was the amount of time it takes to respond to a stimulus, until Tal Fishman started his channel, Reaction Time on YouTube and the dominant meaning changed. Today, a google search of Reaction Time would deliver Tal Fishmans videos and YouTube channel link with a few physics ...

Grace Helbig  Net Worth, Boyfriend and Family Life of The YouTuber Grace Helbig is an American internet personality, comedian, actress, and writer. She became popular due to her daily vlog series, DailyGrace, which ran on My Damn Channel from 2008 to 2013. Helbig is also popular for her own indie series on YouTube, ItsGrace, which she launched in 2014. Her vlogs which feature random stuff such as ...

Mark Wiens Bio  Ethnicity, Wife and Parents Food is a great way to connect with people. We all love to eat, if not for the pleasure of food, the satisfaction of quenching hunger, and the very process of providing and sharing that food is part of the strongest bonds that bind humanity together. Maybe it is our historical connection to food, where ...

Is Filthy Frank Dead, What Happened To Him and How Much Is He Worth? As George Kusunoki Miller, he was a nobody. However, as Filthy Frank, George was one of the most famous internet personalities on the planet. The Filthy Frank Show, a sketch series on his YouTube channel, TVFilthyFrank, was one of the platforms most influential creations. He is the reason a crazy dance song, Harlem Shake, made it ...

CaptainSparklez Bio  Net Worth, House and Cars of The Famous YouTuber Sometimes, what society wants from its citizens is quite different from what the citizens want for themselves. This is evident in the life and career of video blogger and American YouTube personality, Jordan Maron famous for his YouTube channel CaptainSparklez. He dropped out of school after discovering his talent in playing an online game called Minecraft. ...

Who is Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg)? Here are Facts You Must Know Canadian Youtube personality, Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg) originally started out polishing and designing nails even before it became a trendy culture in the social media. Simply Nailogica started out her showbiz career in her early days as a child actress, acting in commercials for game and toy companies. Aside from acting, she is blogger, vlogger, specializing ...

5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know About Huda Beauty In the world of entrepreneurship, it is interesting when an individual has a mentor who he/she looks up to, this yield more productivity on the part of the individual. The iconic and rich American beautician and makeup artist Huda Kattan nicknamed Heida is the founder of the Huda Beauty blog which is number one Instagram beauty blog ...

Is Dino MasterChef Gay? Details About His Ethnicity, Girlfriend, Where He Is Now Food, for the better part of the early years of human life, was nothing more than what we needed for survival. There was no artistry or curation to the method of cooking. The scarcity of food left no room for artistic expression until we figured out agriculture and we could make as much as we ...

Who Is Gabbie Hanna And How Did She Become Famous? As the world shifts to digital media and depends more and more on streaming services for its news and entertainment content, YouTubers have become one of the leading creators in the new media world. Their understanding of the online audience: how to create, maintain, and increase followers, are all handy skills that have primed them ...

Jacksepticeye  Height, Girlfriend & Net Worth Jacksepticeye is a YouTuber and actor who gained popularity with a series of gaming videos he uploads on his channel to the delight of millions of his subscribers. He is Known primarily for his comic video game series titled Lets Play and his vlogs. His channel was formerly ranked 46th in the list of most subscribed ...

Chris Heria Personal Details: About His Wife, Height & Ethnicity Background In this generation, keeping fit has become one of the major criteria for being hale and hearty. In fact, most occupations these days are majorly concerned with ones body mass, weight and looks. Unlike the past where most people have to register in a gym to keep fit, social media has made it quite easy ...

Everything You Need To Know About Game Grumps Gaming is becoming incredibly popular on YouTube these days with game vloggers make millions of dollars out of them yearly. One of the most popular up-coming gaming YouTube channels is Game Grumps. The Lets Play series was created in 2012 and celebrated its fifth anniversary on July 18th, 2017. In six years of its existence, the ...

Daithi De Nogla Biography, Girlfriend and Net Worth YouTube has created an avenue for many to make wealth and become famous from the comfort of their homes while having fun. Many have built a career out of the platform, uploading numerous videos that have earned them the admiration of viewers across the globe. For Daithi De Nogla, he is loved for his humorous commentary on ...

Does Phoebe Robinson Have A Boyfriend or Husband and What Do We Know About Her Family? Phoebe Robinson is a New York-based comedian, writer, and actress. She is best known as the co-creator and co-host of the WNYC Studios podcast 2 Dope Queens. Just like some other female comedians, she never had any original plans of becoming a stand-up comedian even though, according to her, she took a class on a whim at Carolines on Broadway. After ...

Who Are Lex and Alana from Listed Sisters? What Is Their Ethnicity & Is the Show Cancelled? America is a country built on diversity. Everywhere you look all over the country, a countless number of immigrants or children of immigrants have become an integral part of the fabric of the country. From entertainment to business, immigrants are creating a niche for themselves and climbing to the summit of their respective professions. One ...

Riveting Facts About Danielle Lombard And What She Is Best Known For The American entertainment industry is one that provides many avenues for aspiring hopefuls to express their talents and become famous. From films to television shows and game shows, there is no shortage of ways for men and women who desire fame to pursue and earn it in the United States of America. Another tested medium ...

Unearthing New Details About The YouTube Success And Personal Life of Alex Burriss of Wassabi Productions Wildly hilarious and truly audacious, Alex Wassabi is an American YouTuber who has become a very popular face on the video-sharing platform after having garnered millions of subscribers over the years by keeping people glued to his channel with his witty parody video releases. If you have always loved parody videos, there is every chance ...

Everything You Need To Know About H2O Delirious H2O Delirious whose full birth name is reported to be Jonathan Gormon Dennis has successfully kept himself mystified by hiding his face behind the masks leaving his loyal fans speculating who he really is for many years. The American YouTube star is easily identified by the Jason Mask Style with make-up which he wears on his ...

Who Is HolaSoyGerman and What Happened To Him? German Garmendia has certainly seen it all when it comes to internet success. His channels, HolaSoyGerman and JuegaGerman are in the top twenty most subscribed channel on YouTube. The Chilean YouTuber found a way to tap into one of the worlds greatest inventions and make a living from it. He has been able to build ...

Who Are Glenn Becks Family, What Is His Net Worth And What Happened To Him? The American political commentary space is filled with different personalities. A few of them, through their rhetoric, charisma, and resources have been able to build a large following of men and women who listen to them for insight and direction for various political and social issues in the United States. For Conservatives, the story is ...

Following Charissa Thompsons Rise Through The Ranks Of Sports Casting and All About Her Boyfriend Superstar TV host and sportscaster, Charissa Thompson, has been hailed as one of the highest-profile women journalists in America, and the reason is there for all to see. She has worked for popular establishments such as Versus, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN, GSN, and Big Ten Network. She currently hosts the popular pre-game show, Fox NFL Kickoff, ...

Is Chris Kattan Gay or Does He Have A Wife? What Is His Net Worth? Chris Kattan is a popular American comedian and actor. He has appeared in several comic movies and TV series such as The Middle, A Night at the Roxbury and Bunnicula. Kattan is, however, most popular for his six-year stint as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. During his time on the legendary show, he ...

Everything You Should Know About the Rise of Insta Star Claire Abbott and Why She Gave It All Up A lot of young Americans have shot into the limelight for uploading different kinds of videos on YouTube. Some of these young stars include Connor Franta, Desi Perkins, Emma Chamberlain, the Dolan Twins (Ethan and Grayson), and Claire Abbott. The latter became a social media celebrity for uploading sexy bikini pictures of herself on social media. Apart from ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTube Channel  h3h3Productions H3h3Productions is a YouTube channel that specializes on Comic responses or reactions of other contents or trendy stories. The celebrity couple that created the channel has over time racked up sizable views for their commentaries and contents. Even though they had their own fair share of copyright cases, thankfully they scored an unprecedented victory in all ...

Lilypichu Bio  Height, Brother and Love Story With Albert SleightlyMusical Chang Like most popular internet celebrities, Lilypichu is one of those Twitch streamers who spend their lives on camera. From daydreaming about the possibility of becoming a full-time professional streamer, she grew to live out her dreams on the popular live streaming platform where people play games, make crafts, and showcase their day-to-day activities. Given the rise of ...

KSI  What To Know About His Girlfriend, Brother  Deji Olatunji & Net Worth Assuredly, when Internet inventors Vint Cerf and Bob Khan created the technological masterpiece, they probably did not know how massive the creation will be harnessed by many for different purposes including as a platform for earning money through content creation. One of such person who smiles to the bank regularly today for spending time creating ...

The Interesting Progression and Highlights of Carrie Keagans Career as a Host and Actress Carrie Keagan has garnered huge fame through her various stints on television. She is not just your regular TV host but one with a difference. Keagan has hosted several high profile events and TV shows, including VH1s Big Morning Buzz Live and Fox News Channels Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. However, not many know she ...

The Gist On Elise Jordans Marriages And Her Rise To Prominence Political commentaries tend to be boring when it is handled by someone who does not have a knack for it. However, when you see the likes of Elise Jordan run the same commentary, you will have a lot of reasons to look forward to watching her again as the journalist is well-versed in the field ...

What Is Timmy Thick Best Known For and How Successful Is The Star? Thanks to the internet, many people whose talents would have ordinarily gone unnoticed have become famous. A very good example of this modern-day internet celebrity is Timmy Thick, an American social media star. He became popular on Instagram due to his penchant for posting raunchy pictures of himself. He also often posted videos of himself ...

What Does Heather Storm Do For a Living and Who Is She Dating? Reality Television is a great way to make a name for oneself as well as amass a fortune. Heather Storm can attest to this as she is one of those who have made a name and earned a lot from reality TV. She made her name appearing on shows like Car Fanatics, Awesome Autos, and, ...

Matt Carriker Biography  Net Worth, Wife & Height Unlike your regular veterinary doctor next door, Matt Carriker chose to spice up his noble profession with the unusual. Though he is known to many as a medical practitioner, Carriker is better renowned as a YouTube star and an animal lover. Having recorded huge successes on his various YouTube channels, the vet doctors name and ...

Jillian Mele of Fox News Career Achievements, Husband & Measurements There are quite a good number of presenters on radio and television who listeners and viewers may never wish to miss any of their shows because of their sensational golden voice, beauty or the special way or artistry they anchor their shows. Jillian Mele is one of such. She has been at the top of ...

Who is Gillian Turner of Fox News? Her Fiance or Husband and Net Worth Gillian Turner is well-known as a news correspondent for Fox News Channel but before she became a TV personality, she built an intimidating resume working for different institutions, including the American government. She served in different capacities at the White House National Security Council during the administration of former US Presidents  George W. Bush and Barack Obama. ...

Gloria Govan Bio  Age, Ethnicity & Height Even as Gloria Govan is famous as an American actress, author, a TV host, and reality television star, shes more popular as the wife of the former NBA player, Matt Barnes. She became known after appearing on the Florida version of the reality television series, Basketball Wives and later, Basketball Wives: LA  after Matt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Sadly, ...

Michael Fishmans Interesting Start as an Actor and Why He Divorced His Wife of Many Years When one door closes, another one opens. As silly as that axiom may seem, it is the story of the resurgence of Michael Fishman, who plays D.J Conner on the popular show, Roseanne. Having played the character for several years as a child actor into his teenage years; when the show originally ended, Michael did ...

Who Is October Gonzalez  Tony Gonzalezs Wife? All You Need To Know October Gonzalez is a popular American TV host and media personality. Additionally, she is also a model. Gonzalez has hosted several TV shows such as Beat Shazam, Entertainment Tonight, and Rachel Ray. She has also featured in several reality TV shows. Gonzalezs fame is not just due to her profession but also because of her ...

Who Is Tony Berlin  Harris Faulkners Husband: His Children and Family Facts Tony Berlin is a popular American media guru. He has variously worked as a reporter, anchor, and producer for some of the biggest TV networks in America. They include CNN, CBS, NBC, and ABC (where he hosted the popular Good Morning America). Berlin has now diversified into public relations and owns his own PR firm. ...

The Progression of Gianna Tobonis Journalism Career and Details About Her Marriage to Kyle Buckley Gianna Toboni may not be your ideal newscaster but her unusual reporting is what made her a household name. The American journalist is renowned for her hard-hitting and authentic reportage. A motivator and activist for total press freedom, Gianna loves to explore pervasive cultural issues. Not only does this unique and ambitious journalist call for all ...

Dog The Bounty Hunters Family Including Details of His Late Wife and Kids Popularly known as Dog, a name which he got from the television series, Dog The Bounty Hunter, Duane Chapman, an American bounty hunter, and one-time bail bondsman, went from being convicted for a felony to being a reality TV star. He was brought to the limelight following the capture of the convicted criminal, Andrew Luster in 2003 and this eventually made ...

Vicky Karayiannis, Chris Cornells Wifes Bio, Children and Family The world of showbiz is made up of different people who serve different roles, and function in a variety of capacities, and one of the most important people are those in the background. Publicists are undoubtedly one of these background people yet they are vital to the life and fame of most of our favorite ...

Joe Rogan Has A Step-Daughter and 2 Other Kids With Wife Jessica Ditzel  Meet His Family Joe Rogan is a popular American stand-up comedian and TV host. His journey to stardom began in the late 80s and has seen him host several shows, the most popular is the game show titled Fear Factor. The exciting show dares contestants to face some of their greatest fears and embark on challenging stunts. The ...

Josh Gates and Wife Hallie Gnatovich Have 2 Kids But Who Has the Higher Net Worth? Best known for his explorations and adventures, Josh Gates, is a television presenter with a voracious appetite for seeing the world and the beauties in it. Some of that beauty, however, is in his home, in the form of two children he shares with his wife, Hallie Gnatovich. Not excluded is their marriage which has lasted ...

Holly Sonders Wiki, Plastic Surgery & Why She Divorced Her Husband  Erik Kuselias After trying everything within her capacity to have a low key wedding, Holly Sonders was drawn to the public because of her husbands controversy at his workplace. Well, the two are rumored to be divorced but the article below will give more light on how true these rumors are. Meanwhile, Holly Sonders is yet to ...

Nadeska Alexis Bio  Age, Boyfriend & Net Worth Journalism is one diverse profession that allows the practitioners to choose their area of specialty, build a career on it by reporting the truth and facts which in the long run will distinguish them as deserving commendation and recognition among their peers. Some choose to specialize in political journalism, while to others it is sports ...

Media Platforms Charlamagne Tha God Has Explored and All The Controversies He Has Courted Charlamagne Tha God is an American on-air personality, radio presenter, and more recently, author. He is popularly known as a co-host on New York radios nationally syndicated show, The Breakfast Club, a program he has been hosting alongside DJ Envy and Angela Yee since 2010. However, his early years had no connection to his current career ...

A Look At Jimmy Fallons Net Worth and Family Including His Wife & Kids Sometimes, a childs passion for something is a pointer to what he/she would become in the future. As a child, Jimmy Fallon was literally obsessed with watching the late-night comedy program, Saturday Night Live (SNL). Then, his parents would tape the clean parts for him to watch and later, he and his sister would re-enact sketches from the ...

Kay Adams Biography  Does The Sportscaster Have A Husband or Boyfriend? When you hear the phrase sports enthusiast, women are hardly the first group that comes to mind. Well, thats changing pretty fast. Especially with the rise of female sports analysts and broadcasters like Kay Adams who is famed for knowing more about sports than most men do. And why not, shes paid handsomely for it ...

Ben Shapiros Family  Meet His Wife, Kids and Sister Who is Popular for the Wrong Reasons A multi-talented man, Ben Shapiro is a man of controversial nature, an attribute that has made him an unusual public figure. An intellectual whose career path was clearly defined even before he became a man, the Jewish conservative commentator has always had his way with words. He became popular by sharing his critical and often ...

QVC Shawn Killinger Bio  Husband, Net Worth & Facts To Know Shawn Killinger is a prominent TV personality who has worked her way to the top. Though not initially a journalist by training, she defied the odds and today has established herself as a household name, as well as, worked alongside some industry legends. More than just being a reporter, newscaster, and anchor, heres all you ...

Liv Lo  Dissecting the Ethnicity, Parents and Personal Life of Henry Goldings Wife While many are aware that Liv Lo is the better half to Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding, only a few understand why his beautiful wife appears increasingly endearing to fans. A former model turned TV personality, and fitness star, Liv has an impressive resume which when combined with that of her statuesque spouse is considered a perfect ...

Stpeach Age, Husband and Other Facts About The Twitch Streamer Lisa Vannatta, famously known by her online alias, STPeach is a Canadian video game streamer cum vlogger who has garnered fame through her appearances on different video-sharing/social networking platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, Twitch, Reddit, and Twitter. The beautiful lady got her career to a start in August 2015 when she joined the live streaming video platform, Twitch. She rose to ...

Insights into Seth Meyers Wife, Family and What His Net Worth Is Celebrities are mostly remembered and known for the work they do. For Seth Meyers, his career as a comedian, writer, actor, TV host, and producer is his biggest identifier. He was on Saturday Night Live SNL show as a head writer and cast member for more than ten years during which he built a reputation ...

Who Is Jessica Gadsden  Age, Net Worth & All About Charlamagne tha Gods Wife Jessica Gadsden is an American fitness coach as well as a personal trainer. She is better known as the spouse of popular American media personality, Charlamagne Tha God. Charlamange Tha God is a well-known TV and radio personality in the U.S. He has featured in several shows (both on the radio and TV) and is ...

Who Is Collins Tuohy  Michael Ohers sister ? Her Wedding, Husband & Net Worth Collins Tuohy is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, blogger, and social media personality. She is also better known as the adoptive sister of NFL player, Michael Oher, whose life story inspired the Hollywood blockbuster The Blind Side. The Blind Side tells the true life story of Oher who grew up in an impoverished background consisting of a ...

Eye-Popping Facts About The Personal Life And Career Success Of Sportscaster Heidi Watney Heidi Watney is a media personality who has created a niche for herself as a sportscaster. Starting out as a radio presenter, the brilliant young lady has gone on to work for several prominent sports networks, and currently, she is with the MLB. The sportscaster is also known to have been an avid sports lady right ...

Marty Lagina Bio  Siblings (Martina and Rick Lagina), Net Worth and Wife Marty Lagina is an American engineer and businessman who has risen to fame as a reality TV star. This is thanks to his involvement in the adventure TV series, The Curse of Oak Island. The Curse of Oak Island is a long-running TV series which airs on the history channel. The show aims to solve ...

Is Jordan Schlansky Just A Character or a Real Life Person and What Does He Do? The world of late-night television is an interesting one. Shows during that time are geared towards giving viewers comedic relief from a long day at work through interviews and comedy sketches. The often charismatic host of this show requires the balancing talent of a producer whose primary job is to deliver great episodes. It is ...

Heres How Wealthy Jimmy Kimmel Is From All The Phases of His Career, Marriages and Sons Health Jimmy Kimmel is a renowned late-night talk show host known for his charm, wit, and the A-list guests he features on his show. As the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! On ABC, Jimmy has been serving comedy to television viewers for years which played a pivotal role in launching him into mainstream fame and enabled ...

Natasha Bertrand Biography  Is She Married? Who Is the Husband & What Is Her Age? Natasha Bertrand is not just a young prominent journalist but a first-rate investigative reporter. With her natural beauty and smile, Natashas sharp, insightful political commentary also makes her a thorough reporter. Her sound political perspective and coverage in the country have made her a force to be reckoned with in the profession. Renowned for her ...

What Happened to Shane Kilcher? His Injury Update, Net Worth and More Shane Kilcher is well-known thanks to the Discovery Channel series Alaska: The Last Frontier. It is a show that documents the daily lives of the extended Kilcher family, people who live without plumbing or modern heating. The episodes follow their routines as they rely on hunting and farming for their nutritional needs as well as ...

Is Stephanie Gosk Gay or Lesbian, Who is the Wife or Partner  Jenna Wolfe? In August 2013, NBCs Today viewers were greeted with two shocking news. Today weekend anchor, Jenna Wolfe, announced that she was as a lesbian, introducing her partner as NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, and said the two are expecting their first child. A long time has passed since then and certainly, a lot of things ...

Nikki Mudarris  Bio and Net Worth: 5 Interesting Facts You Need to Know Nikki Mudarris, also known as Miss Nikki Baby, is a reality television star, model and fashionista. Shes best known for VH1s reality TV series Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood. Her entrepreneurial skills enable her to create and run a successful lingerie line Nude by Nikki. Not only that, but Nikki has also successfully run the Las ...

5 Interesting Things You Need To Know About Kelly Nash Ever heard of the lady who gained national prominence for taking a selfie with a dangerous ball just a few inches away from hitting her? Its no other person than Kelly Nash, an American sports broadcaster currently working as host of The Rundown show which airs on MLB Network every weekday at 2 pm ET. ...

Understanding The Height of Fame John Oliver Achieved With The Daily Show and How He Met His Wife Without knowledge of who he is and his exemplary career, John Oliver cuts an unassuming figure of a regular man but he is one of the most influential personalities in America, especially on television. Since he began his career in 1998, he has been a loud and unapologetic agent of change, using his wit and ...

Why Did Big Chief Leave Street Outlaws, Where Is He Now And Why Did He Divorce His Wife? Justin Shearer, otherwise known by his professional name Big Chief is a famous street racer and television personality. He is famously known for being one of the main characters on the racing reality television series, Street Outlaws. Justin, who had been a significant part of the show since its premiere in 2013, appeared in a ...

Who is Josina Anderson of ESPN? Her Husband and Family Facts There has been a gradual paradigm shift in the world of sports which has today produced the likes of Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and other female athletes that are pulling great feats in different sporting fields. Their achievements have also been followed by the emergence of female sports journalists such as Jillian Mele, Eboni Williams, ...

Is Brittany Wagner Married, Who Is The Husband, How Old Is She? Brittany Wagner has been an inspiration to a lot of sports youngster. She has won the hearts of many athletic students with her role as a life coach and an academic counselor. She is well groomed in her career and has worked over a decade for The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and The National ...

Tati Westbrook Bio  Age, Husband & Net Worth With five videos dished out every week, alongside running her own brand, beauty guru, and YouTube superstar Tati Westbrook has proved to the world that theres utterly no impossibility or limit to whatever one is passionate about. Tati is best known for being the owner and manager of the worlds most-viewed beauty and lifestyle YouTube channel, ...

Cathy Areus Long Road to Becoming a Freelance Journalist and What to Know About Her Kids An American freelance journalist, news analyst, and author, Cathy Areu has built a lasting reputation for herself on cable television. Popular for her skillful and sassy presentation of professional views on varying topics including cultural and feminist issues, Cathy is an inspiration to many women across the globe. In addition to being a journalist, she ...

Tucker Carlsons Love Story With Wife Susan Andrews, their Children and Net Worth Today On the TV screens, Tucker Carlson is that fiery fellow who passionately dishes out his conservative and often controversial views on issues of national importance. Such brazenness has fetched him many enemies, especially on the left-wing, but it has also helped him cement a reputation as one of the foremost broadcast journalists in America. His ...

Paige Wyatts Net Worth, Boyfriend and Where She Is Now Paige Wyatt became popular after the Wyatt family began running the reality television show, American Guns. The Wyatt family comprises Rich Wyatt (father), Renee Wyatt (mother), Paige and Kurt Wyatt (children). Rich Wyatt originally ran a gun shop, the Gunsmoke Guns in Wheat Ridge, Colorado which is outside of Denver. The business which he ran together ...

The Progression of Howard Sterns Career As A Media Personality And Why He Divorced His First Wife Howard Stern is a legendary American radio host, who has also done some notable work as an actor, producer, author, as well as photographer. The radio personality achieved worldwide fame as a result of his self-titled radio program, The Howard Stern Show. As a professional radio personality, he has worked in different radio stations. Since 2006, ...

Lisa Joyners Biography  Ethnicity, Net Worth and Other Key Facts Lisa Joyner is an American Journalist, TV talk show host, and actress. Some of her well-known works are her correspondences for the Los Angeles based TV KCBS, inFANity show, Find My Family Show including her film and television appearances in Brimstone, American Sweetheart, The Bold and The Beautiful among others. Lisas passion for reconnecting people with their biological families ...

Amanda Balionis Rise Through the Ranks of Sportscasting and the Identity of Her Boyfriend Amanda Balionis is an American sportscaster currently working as a golf broadcaster for CBS Sports. Among so many of her works in the field of sports reporting, Amandas PGA Tour coverage seems to be the most popular so far. She covered the Super Bowl working with CBS Sports social media team in Atlanta, where she ...

Dissecting Charles Paynes Sexual Allegations, Its After Effects and More About His Wife Charles Payne had a respectable career as an analyst on Wall Street before he made the transition to television and became a contributor and later a host on Fox. In that time, his expertise has come under scrutiny, and he has been at the center of at least one major controversy. The major controversy in question ...

Erik Asla And Tryra Banks Split: Everything You Need To Know Tyra Banks and Erik Asla have called it quits! The couple, who began dating in 2013 and have a son named York Banks Asla, has decided to end what everybody taught was the perfect relationship. Neither person has come out to give a reason for the breakup, but what is obvious right now is that ...

What to Note About Dr Terry Dubrows Qualifications, TV Works and Marriage to Heather Kent In the realm of people that we expect to see regularly on our screens, medical doctors are closer to the bottom of the list. Aside from the fact that their work has little correlation with TV, they are presumably too busy to pursue life as TV personalities. Yet, a few of them have usurped this ...

Jessica Goch  Bio: 5 Things You Didnt Know About Ninjas Wife Jessica Goch is the Schofield-born American Social Media Influencer who has worked as a model but is now better known as a host and interviewer of prominent Electronic sports celebrities at popular gaming events/tournaments. The screen queen also serves as the manager of her famous husband Ninja aka Tyler Blevins whose exploits on Twitch and Fortnite has ...

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The path has been cleared for Michael Lynn's extradition from Brazil back to Ireland.

The Brazilian Supreme Court has confirmed there is no legal reason to delay moves to extradite the former solicitor.

Mr Lynn is wanted here in relation to allegations over an 80m mortgage fraud.

He left Ireland in 2007, and had settled with his family in the eastern city of Recife.

He is been fighting moves to extradite him since he was arrested in 2013 on foot of an international arrest warrant.

The court first ruled the former solicitor should be extradited in December 2014. However, a series of delaying tactics by Mr Lynns lawyers drew out the legal process, even as their client remained in a dirty and overcrowded jail he said was making him ill.

The decision comes nine years after he fled from justice and three years since he was arrested in his beach hideout near Recife.

Last night, the judges rejected a second attempt by Mr Lynns lawyers to request clarification of the original ruling. The petition had no chance of changing the substance of the judgement, but has delayed his extradition by months.

This time, Mr Lynns lawyers argued that the fact a lawyer had left his legal team during proceedings meant his defence was harmed. However, all five Supreme Court justices rejected that, saying he had other lawyers also working on the case.

Now, if there are no more delays, Brazils justice ministry will inform the Irish authorities that Mr Lynn will be extradited and the logistics will be negotiated via the countys Federal Police. However, there is still no date set for extradition.

Mr Lynn faces 33 charges at Dublins High Court relating to an alleged 80m mortgage fraud, although some will be dropped as part of the extradition deal.

Additional reporting from the Irish Examiner
Update 12.40pm: A man has been arrested in Malaga in connection with the murder of Gary Hutch in Spain last year.

23,000 in cash was seized, along with counterfeit documents relating to money laundering.

Pic: Solarpix

Gardai, assisted by Spanish police, also launched a series of raids in six areas of Dublin this morning.

The Tanaiste has praised the Gardai for their relentless pursuit of gangland criminals.

I am determined that Irish criminals will not escape justice by fleeing the jurisdiction, or by seeking to conduct their noxious activities from elsewhere, she said.

There will be no let-up in the pressure we are bringing to bear on these people.

Briefing the media this afternoon, Detective Superintendent Tony Howard said: "This morning a number of Gardai were present with members of La Guardia Civil in Malaga in Spain.

Garda and Guardia Civil officers in Dublin. Picture: Garda Press Office

"They carried out a number of searches in Spain and one person has been arrested in relation to the homocide of Gary Hutch in Spain in 2015."

Earlier: A number of raids were carried out this morning across Dublin city and country to gather evidence against individuals engaged in serious organised crime.

It has been reported the raids are targeting the Kinahan gang.

Gardai from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, along with staff from the Criminal Assets Bureau carried out the seaches.

The raids began at 6.30am this morning and are currently ongoing.

They are searching various properties in Tallaght, Clondalkin, Crumlin, and other parts of Dublin.

The operation is the culmination of significant investigative activity to date and is supported and assisted by the Spanish police La Guardia Civil.

The presence of Spanish Police Officers in Dublin is key they've been helping Gardai investigating the Kinahan Hutch feud for a number of months.

The Kinahans are based in the Costa del Sol  where at least two murders linked to the feud have taken place.

This mornings searches are in a bid to gather evidence that would enable them to prosecute those involved in, organised crime.

Its understood raids are taking place in Spain in tandem with this operation this morning.
Update 6.22pm: Independent TD Mick Wallace said today that he believes the Commission of Investigation is the best way to proceed as the Government investigates Namas sale of Project Eagle.

Deputy Wallace, a long-time critic of the financial institution, also believes that Nama should halt further sales activity.

Absolutely, he said.

And not only that  I believe its a mistake on the part of the Government to think that Nama should play a senior role in the housing crisis and tackle the housing crisis, where theres plans for them to build 20,000 units.

I think if the State is going to build those houses, it should be done in a different format  it shouldnt be done by Nama.

Update 5.34pm: Taoiseach Enda Kenny will meet Opposition leaders tomorrow to discuss the terms of reference for a further inquiry into the findings of todays report by the State's spending watchdog into Nama.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe says further scrutiny of the sale of the Project Eagle loans is now needed.

The matters that are being raised here today are of a level of significance that while we accept the Public Account Committee will undertake their work, we believe action from Government is also necessary, and thats why were taking this action.

Update 5pm: Northern Irelands Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness backed calls for a cross-border investigation into Namas controversial 1.2bn sale of Project Eagle after todays publication of a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG).

"I think there is an unstoppable argument in the south for a very intensive investigation and of course many of us are arguing that is a much more effective investigation if it's done on an all-island basis," he said.

Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster called for maximum transparency over the deal and argued that the National Crime Agency (NCA) probe should take precedence north of the border.

The Comptroller and Auditor General found Nama has losses of 162m on deals linked to Northern Ireland properties, the vast majority from Project Eagle.

Its audit found the deal was worth 1.137bn - with Nama having paid about 2bn for the loans.

The C&AG said there is no indication that Nama had considered a bulk sale of its Northern Ireland assets until US law firm Brown Rudnick wrote on behalf of US investment fund Pimco in June 2013 offering an exclusive deal.

It found that two of Nama's valuations of its Northern Ireland loans in late 2013 and early 2014 underestimated their value.

The C&AG report also noted that Pimco withdrew from the bidding war in March 2014 after it told Nama about a "proposed success fee arrangement" involving Brown Rudnick, a Belfast law firm called Tughans, and a former member of Nama's Northern Ireland Advisory Committee.

The 7m subsequently discovered in the Isle of Man was in an account controlled by a former managing partner of Tughans, Ian Coulter, who resigned after it was unearthed.

Tughans, which acted as a subcontractor for Cerberus's US lawyers, Brown Rudnick, insisted it was not aware of the transfer and all parties involved in the 2014 transaction have denied wrongdoing.

The C&AG found Nama dropped its reserve price in late March 2014 to 1.23bn and on April 1 that year Cerberus offered 1.241bn and the only other bidder, Fortress, offered 1.075bn.

Update 4.13pm: The Board of the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) has categorically rejected the key conclusions reached by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) in its report on the sale of Project Eagle.

The Government today confirmed that the Public Accounts Committee would first examine the C&AG report into the affair before a formal inquiry is launched.

The report states that the loss to the Irish taxpayer was around stg190m.

"The Government's objective is to ensure that all matters of public concern are addressed in a speedy and effective manner," a spokesman said.

However, Nama claims that the reports key finding is based on an incorrect assumption regarding the discount rate used to value the portfolio.

It incorrectly assumes Nama should apply the same discount rate to this poor-quality loan portfolio as it applied to much higher quality assets in Dublin and London, a Nama statement read.

As a result the report overstates the estimated value of this portfolio.

The statement adds: The reports conclusion that a better price could have been achieved is hypothetical and highly speculative. It produces no credible evidence to show any other buyer or group of buyers would have paid more than was achieved.

Nama also pointed out that contrary to some media reports in recent days, there are no findings of irregularities in the sale process.

NAMA chairman Frank Daly added: It is clear to us that, if NAMA had retained the Eagle portfolio, there would be no investor interest in buying it today  or in the foreseeable future  at anything close to the stg1.322bn price that was actually achieved.

He stated that although Nama has the utmost professional respect for the C&AG and his staff, regrettably, the key conclusions in this report are without the relevant loan sale market expertise and as such we have no option but regretfully to reject them categorically.

The Project Eagle deal with US investment fund Cerberus in 2014 has been dogged by scandal for more than a year, including 7m linked to it being found in an Isle of Man bank account.

Project Eagle involved loans linked to more than 800 properties in Northern Ireland being sold in one lot to the New York investment firm which boasts former US vice president Dan Quayle in its ranks.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny offered to meet opposition leaders on Thursday to identify areas of public concern around the deal that need to be investigated and how that should be carried out.

There have been calls for a cross-border inquiry due to the limitations of parliaments in Dublin and Belfast and their inability to compel witnesses from other jurisdictions.

Project Eagle has been examined on previous occasions at the Public Accounts Committee in Dublin.

Investigations have also been launched into the deal by the UK's National Crime Agency, the US Department of Justice's Securities and Exchange Commission as well as a parliamentary inquiry in Stormont.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams described the offer of an inquiry as welcome but belated.

"Sinn Fein has consistently called for an inquiry into the sale of Project Eagle and at each turn the Government and Fianna Fail have bizarrely sought to frustrate and delay it," he said.

Mr Adams called for governments and statutory agencies in the north and south to give maximum co-operation to the inquiry.

It is on course to make a more than 1.75bn profit on its deals by 2020 but has faced repeated questions over its handling of Project Eagle after Cerberus offered 1.241bn - just 1m above the reserve price.

Mr Adams alleged earlier this year under parliamentary privilege that a member of Nama's Northern Ireland advisory board offered to disclose information on the value of the portfolio to one bidder, US investment house Pimco, and demanded a 15m fee.

Project Eagle was valued by Nama at 27p in the pound, with some assets worth as little as 5p in the pound.

Earlier:

The Cabinet has agreed that further investigation of the sale of Nama's Northern Ireland loans is warranted.

A report from the Comptroller and Auditor General, to be published this afternoon, will say there was a potential loss of hundreds of millions of euro to the taxpayer.

"The C&AGs report raises a number of important issues which the Government acknowledges will require further investigation," a Government press statement read.

"The Public Accounts Committee is an appropriate forum for consideration of the C&AG report and for the exercise of public accountability in these matters.

"The Government expects that the PAC will wish to convene a public hearing at an early date. It would welcome such a public hearing and will offer any support that the PAC needs in the conduct of its inquiries.

"The Government also recognises that it has its own responsibilities to ensure that all matters of public concern with regard to the functions of an important public body such as NAMA are fully addressed.

"It has therefore decided that the Taoiseach will invite Opposition party leaders to meet him tomorrow with a view to seeking agreement on the issues of public concern that require further investigation and the most appropriate nature and terms of reference for such an investigation.

"Subject to the outcome of those discussions, the matter will then be the subject of a Dail debate early in the new session.

"The Governments objective is to ensure that all matters of public concern are addressed in a speedy and effective manner."
The Irish naval vessel, the LE James Joyce, has rescued 265 migrants in the Mediterranean.

It followed a request from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre.

They were rescued from two rubber vessels north of Tripoli.

But during the operation, five bodies were recovered - including one heavily pregnant woman.

They are now being transferred to an Italian navy ship, which will bring them to port.
Ireland should threaten to leave the EU over the Apple tax ruling, according to Michael O'Leary.

The Ryanair boss has said Europe is bullying Ireland and trying to undermine our right to dictate our own tax laws.
Update 11.20am: It has been reported that two Irish tourists were among 24 people injured in a bus crash in Barcelona, local government officials said.

Three of the 24 were seriously injured, while six suffered less serious injuries and 15 were treated for minor injuries, according to the region's ministry of health.
Gardai and officers from Spain's Guardia Civil carried out co-ordinated dawn raids in both countries as part of an international investigation into the Kinahan crime cartel, a press briefing in Dublin was told today.

Garda Detective Superintendent Tony Howard said that police arrested a man in connection with a murder that sparked a bloody gangland war that has spilled over on to the streets of Dublin and Spanish sun resorts.

The man is being questioned about the murder of Gary Hutch in September last year on the Costa del Sol.

"They carried out a number of searches and one person has been arrested in relation to the homicide of Gary Hutch in Spain in 2015," he said.

Gardai have posted pictures on their Facebook page in connection with the operation, showing a luxury yacht being searched while a man is detained at a marina, as well as a black Bentley car.

To see this post on Facebook, click here.

Members of the Guardia Civil were also in Dublin to take part in co-ordinated raids of six premises in the Tallaght, Clondalkin and south inner city areas.

Mr Howard said "a lot of evidence" was gathered during the searches, involving up to 60 officers.

"We have seized computers, phones, cash - approximately 23,000 in cash which was hidden at a location in one of the search sites," he said.

Pic: Solarpix

"We have also seized false identification papers and we have seized financial documentation in relation to banks outside this jurisdiction."

He said he expected more arrests to follow.

"Today was about gathering evidence and disrupting and dismantling these organised crime groups," he added.

"It was about gathering evidence so we can go to the director of public prosecutions to seek a charge of possibly directing organised crime, but certainly facilitating organised crime in these jurisdictions.

"I do know a significant amount of evidence has been retrieved in Spain."

Pic: Solarpix

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald welcomed the "excellent co-operation" between Irish and Spanish authorities.

"Gardai have an unrelenting, a very serious and ongoing persistent focus, on interrupting the criminal activities and this cycle of revenge and retaliation that we see with these gangs," she said.

She added: The intensity of this cooperation can now be seen.

An Garda Siochana will continue to take whatever measures are open to them to counteract the deadly activities of gangs, and I know that the Commissioner and her colleagues are fully committed to maintaining and indeed augmenting the already excellent cooperation between our two countries, and with the law enforcement agencies of other countries whose communities have been damaged by these gangs and their heinous activities.

Trevor O'Neill, an Irish father of three shot dead while on holiday with his family in Majorca last month, was believed to be the latest mistaken target of the feud.

In April, innocent bystander Martin O'Rourke died after being gunned down in Dublin's north inner city during an assassination attempt of another figure connected to the fall-out.

Gardai said in June that the unprecedented spate of underworld-ordered killings was being directed from Spain, the Netherlands and the UK.

A special crime taskforce has been set up into the blood-letting but the Garda has admitted the international dimension is a challenge for their investigations.
A consultant at University Hospital Waterford says the South East of the country is uniquely disadvantaged when it comes to cardiac care.

Dr Rob Landers has criticised a clinical review which suggests that another cath lab is not needed at University Hospital Waterford.
Jean-Claude Juncker has insisted that Turkey must meet all conditions for its citizens to win visa-free travel in Europe, a key plank of the EU-Turkey migrant deal.

The European Commission President said in his address that "visa liberalisation will only happen if all of the necessary conditions are fulfilled by the Turkish side".
A former Michigan state official has pleaded no contest in an investigation into the lead-contaminated water crisis in Flint.

Epidemiologist Corinne Miller entered the plea to a count of neglect of duty. In exchange, prosecutors dropped felony misconduct and conspiracy charges.
New York's attorney general has launched an investigation into a charity run by US presidential candidate Donald Trump.

The office says the inquiry into the Donald J. Trump Foundation is to ensure the Republican's charity is complying with state laws governing nonprofit's.
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump has handed over a one-page summary of a recent physical examination on a doctor's television show - but his campaign will not reveal what was disclosed.

Mr Trump, ever the showman, appeared on The Dr Oz Show in what was billed by his campaign as a discussion about his general well-being and his family's medical history.

However, reversing what aides had said earlier, the Republican candidate handed host Mehmet Oz one page of results from a physical conducted last week by his physician, Dr Harold Bornstein.

The show does not air until Thursday and the campaign declined to immediately disclose the results.

A statement from the show said "Dr Oz took Mr Trump though a full review", looking at his nervous system, cardiovascular health, prostate health and family medical history.

Both Mr Trump and his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, have been under increased pressure to release detailed medical records, especially after Mrs Clinton was diagnosed with pneumonia and was captured on video stumbling getting into a waiting van at a 9/11 memorial ceremony on Sunday.

Dr Bornstein had previously written a note declaring that the 70-year-old Mr Trump would, if elected, be the healthiest president in history. The campaigns of both Mr Trump and Mrs Clinton, 68, have said that their candidates would be releasing detailed medical records in the coming days.

The appearance with Oz came hours before Mr Trump was to visit Flint, Michigan to condemn the government failure which led to that city's water crisis. The city's mayor made clear she did not want him to come.

It is the Republican presidential nominee's first visit to the poverty-stricken city since lead was detected in its water supply in April 2014.

He is expected to visit a water plant and a church while denouncing the crisis that affected 100,000 people after the city left Detroit's water supply and started using improperly treated Flint River water.

Donald Trump on Clinton's health: "Something is going on but I just hope she gets well" https://t.co/AZ2PiYMD9A https://t.co/QNnfyYKEjJ  CNN (@CNN) September 12, 2016

Mr Trump's visit to Flint, like his one last month to flood-stricken Louisiana, is bound to produce images aimed at persuading Americans that the celebrity businessman can appear presidential.

It also highlights his aims to compete in the industrial Midwest, though polls have him down in Michigan, which last went Republican in 1988.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, a Democrat, condemned the visit, saying the Trump campaign had not offered to help the city and his visit would be a distraction.

Flint was under state control in 2014 and Michigan's governor, Rick Snyder, a Republican, has come under scrutiny for his handling of the crisis. Mr Trump has declared Flint's water problems "a horror show" and said "this is a situation that would have never happened if I were president".
US president Barack Obama confirmed America is lifting economic sanctions and restoring trade benefits to former pariah state Burma as he met with Aung San Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner who is now the nation's de facto leader.

Mr Obama hailed a "remarkable" transformation in the country, which spent five decades under oppressive military rule.

Ms Suu Kyi's party swept historic elections last November, and the visit by the 71-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, deeply respected in Washington, is a crowning occasion in the Obama administration's support for Burma's shift to democracy.

The US has eased broad economic sanctions since political reforms began five years ago, and Mr Obama has visited the country twice.

But the US has retained more targeted restrictions on military-owned companies as well as officials and associates of the former ruling junta.

American companies and banks have remained leery of involvement in one of Asia's last untapped markets.

"The United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma for quite some time," Mr Obama said as he sat alongside Suu Kyi in the Oval Office.

He said it was "the right thing to do" to ensure Burma benefits from its transition. Asked by a reporter when sanctions would be lifted, Mr Obama said, "soon".

Ms Suu Kyi concurred it was time to remove all the sanctions which had hurt the economy in Burma. She urged Americans to come to the country and "make profits".

Congressional aides said that Ms Suu Kyi requested the removal of the national emergency with respect to Burma - the executive order authorising sanctions which has been renewed annually by US presidents for two decades.

"It represents a remarkable process that Burma is undergoing." @POTUS on Aung San Suu Kyi's historic visit today. https://t.co/iunIZ2Qy1v  White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) September 14, 2016

A US official said that by terminating the emergency, 111 Burmese individuals and companies will be dropped from a Treasury blacklist, and restrictions will be lifted on new investment with military and on the imports of rubies and jade.

But penalties intended to block the drug trade and to bar military trade with North Korea would still apply, as would a visa ban barring some former and current members of the military from travelling to the US.

The US Chamber of Commerce has hailed the announcement as "historic".

However, human rights groups say there are compelling reasons for retaining sanctions. Military abuses continue in ethnic minority regions, while Rohingya Muslims remain displaced by sectarian violence and denied citizenship. The military and its associates also retain huge stakes in the economy.
By of the

Madison  The state Supreme Court last year ended an investigation into Gov. Scott Walker's campaign and groups supporting him, but prosecutors are hoping the nation's high court will allow them to revive it.

Meanwhile, federal courts have thrown out lawsuits brought against prosecutors by some of the targets of that probe and an earlier investigation. One of those cases will now head to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago for review.

Here's a look at what's happened so far and what's on the horizon. This article updates two earlier Q&As on the issue.

Q. Who launched the investigation?

A. Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, a Democrat, conducted a wide-ranging probe of aides and associates to the Republican governor going back to Walker's time as Milwaukee County executive. That investigation led to six convictions, ranging from misconduct in office for campaigning on county time to stealing from a veterans fund. Walker was not charged, and that investigation was shut down in March 2013.

Before closing that probe, however, Chisholm launched a separate investigation  known as John Doe II  in the summer of 2012 based on information learned in the first one. To get the investigation off the ground, Chisholm worked with district attorneys from both parties in four other counties and the state Government Accountability Board, which administers the state's elections and ethics laws. Francis Schmitz, a former assistant U.S. attorney and self-described Republican, was named special prosecutor in the case.

Q. What is a John Doe investigation?

A. The state's unusual John Doe law  which dates to the 19th century  allows prosecutors to compel people to give testimony under oath and turn over documents. They've been dubbed John Doe probes because their purpose is to determine whether a crime has been committed and, if so, by whom.

The probes are conducted in front of a judge, who presides over testimony and rules on legal questions that arise.

Such probes have long been conducted in secret, but that changed last year. Angered by the probe of Walker's campaign, Republican lawmakers and Walker last year scaled back the John Doe law, greatly limiting secrecy orders that could be used. They also eliminated the ability of prosecutors to use the John Doe law to investigate campaign finance violations or other crimes related to political activity.

Q. What was being investigated in John Doe II?

A. Some details of the investigation are not known because the probe was conducted in secret. But many specifics have come out because of litigation over the investigation and through other means. Investigators were looking into whether the Wisconsin Club for Growth and other conservative groups illegally coordinated with the campaigns of Walker and candidates for state Senate during the 2011 and 2012 recalls that were sparked by Walker's limits on collective bargaining for most public workers.

Prosecutors contend they developed evidence that Walker and his top campaign aides extensively raised large sums from donors for the Wisconsin Club for Growth. Prosecutors say the club received $700,000 during that period from Gogebic Taconite, an iron ore mining firm that secured relaxed environmental regulations as it pursues developing a massive mine in northern Wisconsin. Walker has said he was unaware of that donation.

In one filing, prosecutors spelled out a theory that Walker was part of a "criminal scheme" to subvert campaign laws. But an attorney for one prosecutor later said Walker was not a target of the probe.

Q. What is illegal campaign coordination?

A. Candidates are required to disclose all the donations they receive, and individuals who donate to their campaigns face limits (for statewide offices such as governor, at the time they could give no more than $10,000 each in a normal four-year election cycle). Independent groups  if they're set up in a certain way  can keep their fundraising secret and accept and spend unlimited amounts from individuals, corporations or unions.

Candidates and such independent groups have long taken the view that they were limited in what kind of contact they could have and could not closely cooperate with each other on spending and ad strategies.

Q. Why did the probe end?

A. Reserve Judge Gregory Peterson oversaw John Doe II and in 2014 he effectively halted it when he concluded the activity being investigated was not illegal. Last year, the state Supreme Court agreed with that finding in a 4-2 ruling and terminated the probe.

The state's high court found that candidates and groups have wide latitude to work together if the groups don't explicitly tell people how to vote. In essence, those groups can avoid the ban on working with candidates by avoiding phrases like "vote for" and "vote against" in their campaign ads.

Initially, the state Supreme Court ordered the prosecutors to destroy all the evidence they had gathered, but later said prosecutors must turn over their copies of the material to the Supreme Court and get rid of their own copies.

Chisholm last month asked the U.S. Supreme Court to restart the investigation. He is standing by his legal theory that cooperation between candidates and issue groups can be illegal. He also contends state Justices David Prosser and Michael Gableman should not have been allowed to participate in the decision ending the probe because of support they got in their campaigns from groups that were being investigated.

Q. Didn't federal courts also get involved? Why?

A. In 2014, the Wisconsin Club for Growth and one of its directors, Eric O'Keefe, sued in federal court in Milwaukee in an attempt to stop the investigation because they said it violated their rights to free speech, free association and equal protection under the law. They portrayed the investigation as a partisan witch hunt aimed at bullying conservative groups from making their voices heard during election time.

U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa expressed skepticism toward the prosecutors and refused to dismiss the lawsuit as they requested. They said the case should be thrown out because federal courts generally can't interfere with state proceedings and because prosecutors are usually immune from lawsuit.

Randa issued a preliminary injunction staying the probe  which had already been effectively halted by the state judge overseeing the probe  could not continue. He said the probe appeared to be violating O'Keefe and the club's First Amendment rights.

Prosecutors appealed and a panel of the 7th Circuit threw out the lawsuit. The panel found that the prosecutors were immune from litigation and also noted the U.S. Supreme Court had never found there is a First Amendment right for issue groups and candidates to work together.

Q. Has there been any other litigation over the probes?

A. Former Walker aide Cindy Archer last year sued Chisholm in federal court in Milwaukee alleging he violated her constitutional rights. Archer worked for Walker both when he was county executive and governor, and her Madison home was raided in 2011 as part of John Doe I. Archer was given immunity and never charged in that investigation.

She contended the raid of her home violated her rights and that the two probes exhibited a pattern of retaliatory actions against conservatives.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman this week threw out the lawsuit, saying it was "textbook example" of when prosecutors should be immune from litigation. Such lawsuits can intimidate public officials from doing their jobs, he wrote.

Archer's lawyers have said they will appeal to the 7th Circuit. She is using the same lawyers as O'Keefe, but he has declined to say if he is funding Archer's litigation.

Q. What about all the sealed records?

A. Normally, court records are available to the public. But in these case, thousands of pages have been fully or partially blacked out because of the secrecy inherent in the underlying investigation.

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and four other journalism groups intervened in the O'Keefe case in an attempt to unseal all those documents. The 7th Circuit allowed some of them to become available, but many others were kept sealed.

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court accepted parts of Chisholm's filing to it under seal. That means the public cannot review his full brief while the nation's high court decides whether to take the case.
When Joanne Wallis first started teaching at The Australian National University she realised many of her students were petrified about getting a job at the end of their degree.

Dr Wallis is a senior lecturer at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, specialising in Australia's interactions in the Pacific and international security, and saw many of her students pressured by employment outcomes.

From left, Dr Joanne Wallis, Jeremy Smith and Dr Alexandra Webb from the Australian National University each received a citation for excellence in the government's Australian Awards for University Teaching. Credit:Stuart Hay

"I began thinking about how could I make my teaching more practical, of ways I could give them skills that would get them a job, help them prepare for study but also give them some transferable skills that would set them apart," Dr Wallis said.

She devised a crisis simulation for her students to participate in, working with former Chief of the Defence Force Chris Barrie, who is now an adjunct professor at the ANU, where students have to assume roles of government officials, whole governments, even rebels intent on stirring up trouble on a fictional Pacific Island.
A mix of both independent design and high street fashion will strut the catwalk at this year's Fashfest. It's the fourth year for the Canberra fashion event, held from September 29 - October 1, and the first time fashion from retail chains will join the mix. Models Tessa Mues, Lym Garratt, Nicola Button, Lauren Cribb, and Sadia Nabila modelling fashion from Fashfest at Canberra Centre stores. Credit:Rohan Thomson New collections from Aquila, Country Road, Cue, Decjuba, Saba, Seed and Veronika Maine will be on display, in a collaboration with Canberra Centre. "Fashfest has been and always will be focussed on Canberra local talent. But like in any industry, I'm a big believer in you need to be on a platform with other inspiring designers," said Fashfest co-founder Clint Hutchinson.

"To me it's a win-win - designers should be really happy and proud about it because they're up with big brands. We're going to continue targeting really big independent brands to get them to Canberra so this is another step to make sure nationally people are looking at us." They will be joined by many local designers who have graced the Fashfest catwalk before, including Zilpah Tart, SZN, Sovata, Hunter The Label and Edition, as well as four brands stocked at Braddon fashion boutique Rebel Muse. Canberra designer Naomi Peris Bridal will make her debut appearance with Fashfest's first bridal collection, and designs from Mumbai-based Vitamin by Sonalika and New Zealand's Melanie Childs adding an international flavour. The event will run across three nights, with two separate shows each night, and this year they're hoping to open it up to a wider audience. "We said from day one we'd always make tickets affordable to everyone so basically there's six rows now this year that are $49. The cheapest ticket last year was $79. So we've done that to make sure we can attract everyone across the board," he said.
The $44 billion life insurance industry  and its regulators - will soon face a powerful parliamentary inquiry that will look into wide ranging issues including whether insurers are engaging in unethical practices to avoid paying claims.

The inquiry, called for by Nationals Senator John Williams, received strong support from all sides of politics on Wednesday afternoon.

It can't come soon enough. Life insurance is an important product sold on trust but for too long that trust has been breached by some unscrupulous advisers and insurers trying to make a buck out of hardworking Australians.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee (PJC) inquiry follows a joint Fairfax Media and Four Corners investigation into Commonwealth Bank's life insurance arm Comminsure then a separate Fairfax investigation that revealed a slew of super fund trustees had recently renegotiated life insurance contracts on behalf of members that rendered some of them junk insurance.
A state-of-the-art six-screen digital cinema will feature at the new $60 million Delacombe Town Centre in Ballarat.

The Swan Hill-based Showbiz Cinemas chain has signed a 10-year lease on 1100 square metres of retail space at the centre, which is currently under construction and expected to open in September, 2017.

Ballarat's Delacombe Town Centre shopping complex.

Showbiz Cinemas has a triple-screen cinema at Swan Hill and operates the indoor/outdoor Twilight Cinema events. It has recently opened a screen at the Portland Arts Centre in western Victoria and has been named as the preferred new operator of the cinema operations in Colac.

Showbiz Cinemas director Chris Jones said the new cinema was announced a week ago and public interest, via social media, had been positive.
So Malcolm Roberts reckons he's a modern-day Socrates, helping us towards the truth about global warming, the UN, the IMF and the EU by posing provocative questions?

Don't scoff. He may speak truer than he knows.

The Socratic method is the touchstone of teaching perfection. Rather than instructing pupils in the right answer to a question, it supposedly enables them to arrive at it themselves by posing dilemmas which force them to choose. The choices they make progressively close off options, leaving the solution as the last choice standing.

The problem for Senator Roberts starts with the fact that Socrates never wrote anything. Like his capacity for drink, his ability to focus was legendary  he was once observed in a meditative trance in the middle of a battle  but his ability with the pen is missing in action.
It was reported as an artificial earthquake, and North Korea did truly shake the world. The secretive state  one of the world's longest surviving dictatorships  set off another nuclear explosion on Friday, creating a magnitude 5.3 seismic tremor. This latest test was the fifth, and largest, the regime has conducted in the past decade.

No doubt North Korea is making a petulant demand for attention, and the thought of the regime's 32-year-old leader, Kim Jong-un, playing with nuclear firecrackers seems to invite an almost comic response. But North Korea's intentions are no joke and the world appears remarkably complacent about the danger.

The usual round of condemnation has followed the most recent explosion, with countries quick to issue strongly worded statements against Pyongyang. Further economic sanctions are mooted, but essentially it is business as usual as far as the prevailing attitude towards the Korean Peninsula is concerned. It is surely time the world considered more deliberate action.

The Obama administration has adopted a policy described as "strategic patience", essentially amounting to waiting the North Korean regime out. Sanctions were strengthened in March, with the logic being that Kim will eventually decide the pain of economic isolation is too much to persist with his nuclear ambitions. Such an approach is understandable. Washington has enough problems to confront, whether a festering conflict in Syria, a resurgent Russia, or just a consuming domestic election. Attempts to negotiate with North Korea have been fraught and frustrating, producing little reward.
Greens senators walked out of Pauline Hanson's incendiary first speech to the Senate, after she claimed the nation was "in danger of being swamped by Muslims" with its people "living under sharia law and treated as second-class citizens" if urgent changes weren't made to immigration policies.

The Queensland senator made her views on Islam and those who practise it clear just a few minutes into her first Senate speech since her re-election, claiming they "bear a culture and ideology which is incompatible with our own" and calling for an end to all immigration.

Migrants already within the borders, who did not "assimilate" into what Senator Hanson described as Australia's culture, could "go back where you came from  if it would be of any help, I'll take you to the airport and wave you goodbye with sincere best wishes".

But the senator, who also called for an end to halal certification and for a ban on the construction of any further mosques - with those existing to be monitored - said she did not believe the nation could remain secure under current policies.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway took place at the MFA of Armenia on September 13.

As Armenpress was iformed from the press service of MFA Armenia, the consultations were chaired by Gagik Ghalachyan, Head of the European Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, and Mrs. Hilde Svartdal Lunde, Deputy Director General of Department of Security Policy and High North, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway.

During the consultations the Armenian and Norwegian delegations discussed issues of bilateral agenda. Both sides stressed the importance of furthering the political dialogue, strengthening the inter-parliamentary relations, as well as discussed the steps aimed at the development of economic and trade ties between the two countries. The sides also referred to the cooperation within international organizations.

On the same day the Norwegian delegation had a meeting with Garen Nazarian, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia. During the meeting the sides touched upon the urgent issues of regional and international agenda, exchanged views on the prospects of Armenia-EU cooperation. In the course of consultations, the sides touched upon the process of peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
Medicines that have been approved in the United States or Europe will be fast-tracked into the Australian market under new medicine regulations to be introduced by the federal government.

The move is estimated to reduce by 4 months the amount of time that Australians wait for new medicines, and bring more medicines into the market.

Health Minister Sussan Ley will fast-track medicines into the market that have been registered overseas. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Health Minister Sussan Ley on Thursday will release the government's response to a review of medicines and medical devices regulations, 15 months after it was submitted by independent expert Lloyd Sansom.

She said the government would adopt most of the recommendations, including greater use of comparable overseas regulators such as the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.
"His brother has described him as the kind of person who kept to himself and wouldn't hurt a fly," Chifley Local Area Command Detective Inspector Luke Rankin said.

Investigators haven't found a clear motive for his murder. One avenue they are looking at is whether anything was stolen from Mr Whiteley's home when he was killed.

Complicating that inquiry is the fact Mr Whiteley, who lived by himself, was a hoarder.

"One of the challenges that confronted us was because of that hoarding lifestyle," Inspector Rankin said.

"It might not be immediately clear if something had been stolen."
A detainee in Goulburn's SuperMax prison has been charged with terrorism offences after he threatened to kill the state's prisons boss Peter Severin.

Bourhan Hraichie, 19, was charged on Wednesday over some documents allegedly found in his cell, one of which allegedly related to a threat to kill someone.

Fairfax Media understands the documents included a handwritten letter that Mr Hraichie intended to send outside jail containing plans to behead people.

It is understood in it he threatened to kill Mr Severin, the corrective services commissioner.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has called in West End's controversial $800 million West Village development, seizing planning control of the old Absoe site from the Brisbane City Council.

A new approval, or rejection, of the master planned community was expected to be provided by December 2016.

An artists' impression of the plan for West Village at West End.

The 1350-unit development application in three stages from Sekisui House* has long been considered too intensive for the Mollison Street site at West End, behind the Gun Shop cafe.

Ms Trad said about 700 submissions had been received over the proposed development, most of which asked for the development to be called in and re-examined.
Police have confirmed a man has been taken into custody after a 10-hour siege in Brisbane's south-west.

SERT police entered the frozen foods business at Wacol just after 8am and were able to take the man, 46, into custody without injury.

Police said the man was carrying a "large knife" however he had followed police instructions and the matter was "resolved peacefully".

Investigations were continuing.
Koalas are facing near extinction at Noosa National Park, as numbers dwindle down to single digits following a disease "crisis" and habitat loss in the area.

The 4000-hectare park attracts a large number of tourists each year, eager to see the Australian native in its natural habitat however sightings of healthy koalas are becoming less and less frequent, Queensland Koala Crusaders Megan Halverson said

Koalas may be threatened by proposed changes to land clearing. Credit:Noosa Koala Sightings/Facebook

"About 10 years ago, there was at least 35 you would know of, it was a given that if you walked into the park, you could see a koala," she said.

"We were guessing in the last two years we had about 13 koalas, based on sightings, and out of those we have lost seven, so we could guess we have about five left."
A man has been charged after he allegedly attacked police officers in Brisbane's south-west.

Police attempted to speak to a man in the car park of a fast food outlet on Government Road, Richlands, when he allegedly became "combative" and violent towards the officers.

Officers had to call for additional resources to help restrain and arrest the man. Credit:Glenn Hunt

The man, who police said had "inordinate" strength, allegedly punched, kicked and assaulted the police.

Tasers and pepper spray were deployed however they had little effect and additional police resources were called to help restrain and handcuff the man.
Fans of Steve Irwin are petitioning for the Crocodile Hunter to feature on Australia's currency, a decade after his death.

Kyle Ryan started the petition last week saying Australia should pay respect to the "all time greatest Australian bloke".

Steve Irwin - from crocodiles to coins?

"It's been ten years without the Aussie icon and although he's been recognised in many ways I'd imagine we could all support the idea of going one step further," Mr Ryan writes.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. A student of the University of Economics Vladimir Vardanyan is serving in the Armenian Armed forces from January, 2016. He said he has started the service with a great readiness first of all as an orderly in the educational unit, then he has been transferred to the reconnaissance battalion.

I chose myself the service in the battalion since I am also engaged in sports. I think the service is all mens duty since the Motherland and the family start from the border. We all understand that we are protecting our Motherland, family and friends, he told Armenpress.

Vladimir says the service provides great experience to soldiers for their future life.

Important features such as, for instance, discipline, vigilance are very appreciated during the service: you are starting to more strengthen those features. It prepares you for the future life since in any case this is a new beginning when the commanders, rather than parents and childhood friends are together with you. You already start to become more independent and solve problems independently. I am happy that I have good commanders both in the previous place and here. They always support us, talk with us and give advice, the soldier said.

Vladimir said during the April four-day war one of his friends was wounded who is serving in the defense unit of Hadrut. He said the war left a big mark on him, at the same time it taught him much.

I think the April war changed something in everyone. First of all, everyone must be more vigilant and show more realistic approach to the service, the knowledge acquired here since all we understand that Armenia is a country at war, and the war never ends. Thats why we must always be ready to resist, he said.

Vladimir is confident the difficulties created during the service are possible to overcome within a time.

For instance, the first difficulty was longing for my parents, friends, they also missed me, but you realize that you overcome it in time and start to get used to it, he said.
Latest News Lendi Group settles $33.6 billion in FY22 Ambitious target of a deal a day for brokers

APRA announces new appointments The prudential regulator has a new chair, deputy chair, and members

Aggregator PLAN Australia has announced two major changes as it looks to embark on a period of growth and expansion.The aggregator yesterday announced that its chief executive officer Phil Quin-Conroy has decide to step down from his role and that it has proposed to integrate with Advantedge Financial Solutions (AFS).AFS is a subaggregation business that works with financial advisers to meet the finance needs of customers.In a statement provided to Australian Broker, a PLAN Australia spokesperson said the proposed integration with AFS would help the aggregator meet its growth targets, while also allowing PLAN brokers to improve their offerings.This change will see the incorporation of AFS into PLAN Australia, which will continue under the name PLAN Australia, the spokesperson said.Our focus is on continuing to grow and strengthen PLAN Australia and we believe this decision will provide the appropriate structure to achieve that ambition.The change will allow a closer relationship between PLAN and its wealth counterparts and enable PLAN brokers to continue to evolve and diversify their offering for their customers.While the spokesperson said the proposed integration would be a positive for PLAN Australia in terms of growth, it does appear to be the impetus for Quin-Conroys decision to move on.This inevitably provides the chance to consider new challenges and as a result, Phil Quin-Conroy has decided to stand down as CEO of PLAN Australia and pursue other opportunities, the spokesperson said.Phil will remain in his role as CEO until early October. Anthony Waldron , PLAN Australia chairman, said Quin-Conroy had made a significant contribution to the aggregators fortunes in his six years in the CEOs chair.Phil has been a huge part of the PLAN Australia journey, starting in 2010 when he led the development and strengthening of the Podium platform, before taking on the role of CEO over three years ago, where Phil has driven a legacy of growth, Waldron said.We wish Phil all the very best in his next chapter and thank him for his enormous contribution to the shaping and evolution of PLAN Australia, he said.
Latest News Lendi Group settles $33.6 billion in FY22 Ambitious target of a deal a day for brokers

APRA announces new appointments The prudential regulator has a new chair, deputy chair, and members

Major bank Westpac has made a significant investment in uno, a fintech platform which helps consumers to broker their own home loan online.Launched in May this year, uno today announced that it has secured a $16.5m investment from Westpac as part of its Series A capital raising.While Westpac has been involved with uno since the concept phase, uno founder and chief executive officer Vincent Turner told Australian Broker the injection of funds from the major bank is a vote of confidence for the platform.Were stoked to have had them involved from the get go, but this is a pretty significant investment in terms of the size of it and thats a pretty good reflection of the progress were making, Turner told Australian Broker.Uno claims to allow consumers access to the same tools and information brokers use analyse and find suitable loans, while also offering support staff to assist them in that process. Expanding that support team will be one of two main areas funds from the round of capital raising will be funnelled to.Most of the growth we expect to see is in ramping up our marketing. A lot of that will be digital, things like Google and doing targeted stuff, were not going to be going out and doing a TV campaign or anything like that soon, Turner told Australian Broker.Obviously will give people technology, but theres people behind it to provide advice and support so we have to scale that team. Of the 35 that people that are on the uno team at the moment, 12 are in service based roles and thats going to continue to grow as our volume grows.Since its launch, more than $400m worth of mortgages have been compared through uno and Turner believes the platform is positioned to become a key part of peoples search for a home loan.Traditionally there were two options, you could go and see a bank or you could go and see a broker.We see uno as the third wave. There are people who prefer to operate digitally and why should their mortgage be any different? Were servicing that base and we think that will really continue to grow.Gary Thursby, chief strategy officer at Westpac, said the banks investment showed it too believes uno will become a key player in the industry.unos success has been impressive and were seeing its potential to become a serious player in the home loan market. Westpac has been involved since the concept phase, and today were pleased to announce we will increase our involvement in uno as a strategic investor, Thursby said.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The contest Armenian for All is launched. It is open to all interested students of grades 3-12. This year the contest will be held on October 27, Ayb Education Foundation informed Armenpress.

The packages with invitations for participation have already been sent to more than 1250 schools in Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The packages include the school application form, detailed rules of the contest, and other relevant materials.

The deadline for children to pay their participation fees and register at schools is October 4, and the school application deadline is October 7.

For further details, please visit our website.

Meghu Armenian Language Contest is created by the Ayb Educational Foundation. The contest has been held in schools of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh since 2014.

Meghu aims at generating universal interest toward the Armenian language, making this subject maximally engaging for students, developing linguistic thinking and abilities, helping students discover their potential and realize themselves, and contributing to the further development and promotion of the Armenian language.

In total, 41606 students of grades 3-12 from 1001 schools of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh participated in Meghu 2015. The contest had one winner. Besides, 308 students showed best results. Moreover, the Ayb Educational Foundation, as the organizer of the competition, will award prizes to another 905 students at schools where there are no best results or winners.

The contest is held under the auspices of the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science in Armenia, and the NKR Ministry of Education, Science and Sport.
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Nada Surf is still Popular  in Europe, at least.

The rock band that dominated the airwaves of 1996 with the teenage anthem Popular has since become a critics darling, releasing seven beloved but little-heard albums since its big break. But Nada Surf, who will play the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Sept. 17, is in the top-tier of rock bands across the Atlantic, says drummer Ira Elliott.

Weve worked really hard to cultivate various parts of Europe, said Elliott. France took to us immediately; the French really love American indie rock. The fact that [guitarist] Matthew [Caws] and [bassist] Daniel [Lorca] speak French didnt hurt at all.

The groups success there, as well as in Austria and Switzerland, has often sustained them when things were slow closer to their home.

At times when we couldnt get arrested in the States, we could go to France and play a 22-city tour, he said. And thats the kind of thing that they dont forget.

Back in the United States, the band has come to terms with its more modest kind of success.

I think Nada Surf should be much bigger, says Elliott. Im biased, of course. But honestly, I dont lose sleep over it.

The groups latest album, You Know Who You Are, he said, is another chance for people to discover the band.

Whenever you start making a record, in a sense youre starting from zero, said Elliot. You put the past behind you, and here you are in the present.

He says that he and his band mates are proud of their body of work  from their big hit to their latest album.

Its amazing to us that weve been able to survive this long, he said. Were a 20-year-old new band. And were trying to get people to like us!

The show on Sept. 17 is a sort of homecoming, said Elliott  when the New York band formed in 1992, it held a number of practices in the basement of what is now Music Hall of Williamsburg.
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Thousands of big-hearted Brooklynites came to Prospect Park on Saturday to walk with survivors of ovarian cancer and raise awareness and funds for those still struggling with the brutal disease  but only one attendee came to kneel.

Participant Eileen Lopez came to the annual Teal Walk in honor of her mother, who has battled ovarian cancer for the last five years, and with so many other loved ones at the event, she also surprised her longtime girlfriend with a diamond ring.

I wanted to do it with my friends there and make it a little bit special for her, said Eileen Lopez, who proposed to her now-fiancee Carmen Rios at the walk. It was just a special day, and I know a lot of people who were going to be there and it meant a lot to her.

Windsor Terrace ovarian cancer group Teal

Lopezs mom Milagros wasnt well enough to attend the event herself, but the pictures of her daughter on one knee came as real tear jerker, she said.

She loved it, she cried when I proposed, and she wanted to be there, so we went for her, Lopez said.

The walk  organized annually by Windsor Terrace group Teal  is the largest event of its kind in New York City thats specific to the deadly womans disease, which is expected to claim more than 14,000 women in the United States in 2016 alone, according to the American Cancer Society.

Teal-garbed participants at this years event raised more than $200,000, but it was the survivors in attendance who really gave Lopezs mom hope that the disease can be beat and that a little courage goes a long way, she said.

Theres other people fighting it who are strong, and she needed to see that, said Lopez.

Reach reporter Colin Mixson at cmixs on@cn gloca l.com or by calling (718) 260-4505.
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Hes going to Albany  but hes not driving!

Windsor Terrace lawyer Robert Bobby Carroll won the Democratic primary for the 44th Assembly District seat on Sept. 13, beating public-school teacher Robert Curry-Smithson and community organizer Troy Odendhal with a landslide 5,293 votes to their 313 and 271 respective tallies (in unofficial, election-night results), as the successor to outgoing Assemblyman Jim Brennan.

In the deep blue seat  which covers Kensington and Windsor Terrace, and parts of Park Slope, Borough Park, Flatbush, and Ditmas Park  the result all but guarantee Carroll a ticket straight to the Assembly, which is just as well, because the 29-year-old says he still doesnt have a drivers license.

Im going to learn how to drive, he said after his victory. Im going to take the train a lot of the time.

Carroll comes from a long line of local politicos. He previously served as president of the influential Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats club, which his grandfather co-founded. His dad John Carroll  also a former president of the club and his sons boss at Manhattan law firm Wolfson and Carroll  ran unsuccessfully against now-Mayor DeBlasio in the Democratic primary for the local Council seat in 2001, and Bay Ridge Democratic District Leader Kevin Peter Carroll is a cousin.

The Community Board 7 and Park Slope Civic Council member had been preparing to challenge long-time local male Democratic District Leader Jacob Gold for his low-level post until Brenann announced his retirement at the end of May, and quickly anointed Carroll as his heir apparent, followed by a swath of endorsements from other elected officials including influential local Councilman Brad Lander (DKensington), nine political organizations, and 16 unions.

The seamless passing of the torch raised some eyebrows, not least of all Curry-Smithsons, who believes the race was over before it even began.

Brennan retired after more than 30 years in office and, in the same breath as retiring, he endorsed Carroll, who managed to wrap up any endorsement of anyone in politics before there was even a race, said the Kensington resident after the results came in.

But Carroll maintains that his formidable victory was built on his name recognition as a life-long local resident, the many hours he put in shaking hands and knocking on doors on the campaign train, as well as his policy of cleaning up Albany  and pointed out that he received endorsements from influential voices outside the party, including the New York Times and good-government watchdog Citizens Union.

I dont believe there was any fait accompli, he said. Whole hosts of third-party actors looked at all the candidates and made a decision and I think that decision was clear.

And even Curry-Smithson says he will back Carroll in his battle against Tea Party Republican Glenn Nocera come November.

Ill be voting for him in November and hope hell be a good representative for us, said the runner-up.

Of 41,440 registered Democrats in the district, only 6,463 cast a ballot in the race.

In other area races

Williamsburg housing activist Debbie Medina failed in her second attempt to unseat 13-year incumbent state Sen. Martin Malave Dilan (DBushwick) from his 18th Senate District seat  which covers Bushwick, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint  earning 3,843 votes to his 5,593 with 99 percent of sites reporting. Still, it is not far off the 4,061 Medina nabbed in the 2014 primary, despite her campaign being overshadowed by headlines relating to her son murdering a toddler in 2008, and losing the influential Working Families Party endorsement she had in the last election.

Longtime state Sen. Velmanette Montgomery retained her hold on the 25th Senate District  which includes Fort Greene, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Sunset Park, Gowanus, and Park Slope  fending off a challenge from upstart former teacher and Obama administration staffer Michael Cox, who nevertheless secured a respectable 4,471 votes to the 32-year incumbents 10,006.

In one of the more hotly contested Brooklyn state races of the night, Community Board 3 chair and BedfordStuyvesant businesswoman Tremaine Wright bested community housing activist and Assemblyman Erik Dilan (DBushwick) staffer Karen Cherry for outgoing Assemblywoman Annette Robinsons 56th Assembly District seat  encompassing Bedford-Stuyvesant and part of Crown Heights  with 3,679 votes to Cherrys 2,577.

Newly anointed Coney Island Assemblywoman Pam Harris successfully defended the 46th Assembly District seat she won in a special election after Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny stepped down last year, edging out Bay Ridge community leader and former Brook-Krasny staffer Kate Cucco with 3,091 votes to Cuccos 1,740 in a campaign that was rife with mud-slinging on both sides.

Veteran Greenpoint female District Leader Linda Minucci narrowly held onto her post in a close contest with local activist Emily Gallagher  a member of Antonio Reynoso (DBushwick)s reformist New Kings Democrats club  scoring 1,799 to her rivals 1,454 with 99 percent of precincts reporting. Minucci has held the position for 32 years, but Gallaghers supporters accused the incumbent of being largely missing in action from local events and meetings in recent years  a perception Minucci probably didnt help by reportedly telling the Gallagher-aligned Greenpoint Star that those who do show up to such events are just self-gratifying and nurturing a future political agenda.

Clinton Hill female District Leader Olanike Alabi handily held off challenges from former Borough President Marty Markowitz staffer Renee Collymore  who held the seat between 2012 and 2014  and Brooklyn Young Dems president Veronica Aveis, earning 3,184 votes to her rivals 2,259 and 660 respective scores, with 99 percent of sites reporting.

And in a nail-biting race for Kings County Civil Court judge, Fort Hamilton High School alum and attorney Odessa Kennedy is beating Brooklyn Law School grad and state Supreme Court clerk Connie Melendez 34,361 to 31,807 with 99 percent of precincts reporting.

Looking for Southern Brooklyn results? Our pals at BrooklynDaily.com have the scoop.
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78th Precinct

Park Slope

A little fishy

Cops arrested a man for stealing fish from an Atlantic Avenue grocery store on Sept. 3.

A market rep told police that the suspect was inside business between Fort Greene Place and S. Portland Avenue at 3:30 pm when he allegedly attempted to carry a small-feasts worth of seafood past the clerk.

What a boob

Cops cuffed a man who they say lifted clothes and a television from a Flatbush Avenue chain store on Sept. 2.

A store rep told police that someone at the emporium between Hanson Place and Atlantic Avenue spotted the suspect boosting a pair of jeans, three shirts, and the boob tube at 4:45 pm.

Officers stopped the man after breezing past the register carrying the ill-gotten merchandise, cops said.

Bike bandit

A thief took off with a teens bike that was locked inside the gated area of Second Street building on Sept. 4.

The victim locked his ride past the gate between Fifth and Sixth avenues at 5 pm, and returned the next day to find it  and his lock  missing, police said.

Whack and jam

Cops busted a 21-year-old man for striking a teen and then throwing a hissy fit that snarled traffic on Atlantic Avenue on Aug. 31.

A patrolmen reported spotting the suspect in the middle of Atlantic Avenue where it meets Flatbush Avenue  one of Brooklyns busiest intersections  at 5:19 pm, where he was blocking vehicles and attracting a crowd.

When asked to take his sideshow antics to the sidewalk, the suspect refused, before suddenly attacking the cop, according to police.

After a brief struggle, cops placed the man under arrest, after which an investigation revealed that he had punched a 16-year-old boy in the face before drawing the officers attention, cops said.

Purse snatcher

Police slapped a man in irons after they say he stole a womans purse from inside a Sackett Street nightclub on Sept. 4.

The victim told cops that she had stashed her purse underneath a bar inside the watering hole between Third and Fourth avenues at 3:40 am, but she found it missing after checking on it a few moments later.

Cops collared the 23-year-old suspect after investigators discovered surveillance footage showing him grabbing the ladys bag, according to police.

The victim also told police that a credit card stolen along with the purse was used three times following its theft.

Crack head

Police cuffed a guy for allegedly cracking a beer bottle over another mans head in Prospect Park on Sept. 2.

The victim told police that hed been arguing with the suspect over a pair of broken glasses at 12:50 am when, as he was walking into the park near Lincoln Road and East Drive, the man attacked him from behind.

The suspect struck the victim directly on top of his head, opening up a nasty gash that sent him to Kingsbrook Hospital in an ambulance, cops said.

 Colin Mixson
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian National Congress will not take part in the voting on electing the Armenian Prosecutor General, ANC faction Secretary Aram Manukyan said at the Parliaments session.

In his speech he said they do not believe the nominated candidate can change something, will effectively fight against corruption and other negative things.

We dont believe, and of course, we will not participate in the voting, he said, Armenpress reported.

The Parliament continues discussing the appointment of the Prosecutor General of Armenia. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan proposed Artur Davtyans candidacy.
Check out which Bucks County homes are selling for seven figures
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The businessmen, who have arrived in their homeland from abroad continue replenishing the Armenian economy with their experience, innovative thinking and unique approaches.

One of them, George Tabakian, who was born and grew up in Lebanon, received his education and was a businessman there, sometime later decided to continue his activities in Armenia, ACBA-CREDIT AGRICOLE Bank informed Armenpress.

George came to Armenia in 2011, in 2013 founded Mer Sarer Holding LTD, which now is engaged in collection and processing honey from different corners of Armenia.

I have always been interested in honey production and promotion of the honey types produced in different areas in the market. After reaching a final idea to do this, we started to examine the honey market in Armenia and the further perspectives of the production development. The process took us around one and a half years. At first it was a little difficult, the beekeepers were suspicious towards us, the sellers didnt want to cooperate, the customers didnt believe that our product was ecologically pure, George Tabakian said.

Honey itself is quite expensive, and when Honey.am was making the first steps, the company had to sell the honey almost at cost. At that time the greatest problem was to gain trust of the customers, and find a stable position in the market. Now, three years after the beginning, the company has registered quite big achievements: it cooperates with large store chains by offering types of honey which have extraordinary taste and expand year after year. The product has become quite popular. Currently, the beekeepers cooperating with the company work on the territory of Arpi Lake, Berkaber, Qarvachar, Shamshadin, Urtsasar, Haytagh, and each type of the honey carries the name of the area where it was produced.

Of course, export was also a primary issue, as there is a high demand on ecologically pure products all over the world, and our honey meets all that requirements. In this case, our participation in the organic food certification program implemented by ACBA-CREDIT AGRICOLE Bank and NABU was very important, as we were announced winners and thanks to the financial investment of the organizers received an organic food certificate, George Tabakian said and added that in the framework of the program, together with the other winners, they have visited Berlin, Germany and taken part in Bio OST organic food exhibition, and most important, signed an export agreement with a store chain in Germany which sells exceptionally organic food.

Our meeting with George finished by talking about the future and tasting delightful cream made of honey, which is yet in the process of development. He said the company is ready to step forward and expand the production and cooperation with the Bank and the German company, being sure that new and broader perspectives will rise to the European market.
Peaceful gathering to support Native American land threatened by pipeline

UBs Haudenosaunee-Native American Research Group and the Native Graduate Students Association will host a peaceful gathering in support of the Standing Rock Sioux and #NoDAPL from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Student Union Field on the North Campus.

The Dakota Access Pipeline Project, which will link oil fields in North Dakota to refineries in Illinois, is a 1,170-mile underground crude oil pipeline designed to carry 470,000 barrels of crude oil daily.

Developers say the project will reduce dependence on foreign energy, but Native American tribes and environmental groups say the pipeline is a threat to cultural and historic sites and safe drinking water in the region.

Last week, the Obama administration temporarily blocked construction of a section of the pipeline north of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation near Fort Yates, North Dakota, but demonstrations have continued.

In the last few days, sacred sites have been destroyed, people have been threatened with dogs and there is significant concern about environmental degradation, says Hilary Weaver, professor and associate dean for academic affairs in the School of Social Work. Last week, Native American faculty members at UB met and determined that as members of an educational community we could play an important role in sharing information and promoting dialogue.

Organizers of the gathering will collect supplies, such as gift cards for Home Depot and Loews, tents, cold weather gear and cell phone battery packs, for Sacred Stone Camp, an alliance dedicated to protecting sacred land from the pipeline.

Fridays gathering is co-sponsored by UBs Humanities Institute, First Nations Students Association, Graduate Student Association, the School of Social Work and Department of Transnational Studies.

For more information, contact Theresa McCarthy.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. On September 14 President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan sent a congratulatory letter to newly appointed Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan, press service of the NKR Presidential administration informed Armenpress.

The letter reads:

"On behalf of the people and authorities of the NKR and personally myself I extend my cordial congratulations to You on Your appointment as Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

You have rich experience and knowledge, high personal and professional abilities that will greatly favor the realization of Your activity in this responsible position.

I am confident You will continue serving selflessly to the patriotic mission of bringing prosperity and development to the Motherland and native people, strengthening the Armenian statehood, securing economic progress, deepening and widening ties between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh on a consistent basis.

I wish You great achievements for the glory of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people".
A FEAST OF VULTURES

The Hidden Business of Democracy in India

Josy Joseph

HarperCollins

229 pages; Rs 599



India supposedly liberalised its economy in 1991. In the quarter-century since, the state is supposed to have pulled back its borders, freeing up private enterprise. This is the narrative, at any rate, that we have been sold. But it is untrue in its essence. As the veteran journalist Josy Joseph argues in his new book, A Feast of Vultures: "India's socialist economy has not really been replaced by laissez-faire in these decades. The government did not really withdraw from the marketplace or regulations. If anything, it found new ways to coerce and assist a new breed of business people as the scope widened dramatically." This may not be obvious to the onlooker; but Mr Joseph goes on to argue that what we call corruption is in fact proof that the state's control is still tight: "What is constant is the grip of corrupt politician-businessmen-criminal syndicates on governance. It is even greater than anything the average observer of Indian democracy can imagine, even in these days of exposes and hidden cameras."



I may not agree with Mr Joseph on the extent of corruption, and I definitely do not agree with him on the limits to the imagination of the average observer of Indian democracy. In fact, the average observer tends to assume corruption even where there is just incompetence or laziness - or, for that matter, relatively pure motives. But Mr Joseph's larger point, about how government intervention sustains high-level corruption, is certainly proved beyond doubt in his book.
AirAsia India is well on course to achieve a fleet size of 20 by end-2018, after which, it will start flying on international routes, said chief executive officer (CEO) Amar Abrol on Wednesday.
Following a consolidation trend globally in the agro chemicals and seed sector, Bayer and Monsanto announced a merger on Wednesday, where the former will pay 44 per cent higher price to Monsanto shareholders. While both are present in India and their Indian arms are listed, the share prices of both went up on the day with surging 9.9 per cent, while Bayer Crop Science surged 1.1 per cent.
India's relationship with the global technology industry has become increasingly fraught. This year alone, the government has banned Facebook's free web service and declined to exempt Apple from local sourcing rules and open its own stores. Now, the government could force companies to use technology cooked up in a government-funded lab. The initiative is part of Aadhaar, the national biometric identity programme. Millions of people use fingerprint and iris-scan authentication to access a range of public and private services which includes banking, too. Failure to join the effort ...
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YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Acting Minister of Economy of Armenia Artsvik Minasyan isn't in a hurry to make predictions over the formation of a new Government.

He said the Government will be formed within the timeframe set by the Constitution and everything will be clear that time.

Lets wait, and we will see, I dont want to make any predictions. At this moment I cant say anything else on that, he said, reports Armenpress.

To the question whether he will be appointed Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, he said: I personally exclude it.
Debt-laden Tata Steel, this countrys largest in the sector, has indicated to UK trade unions that until the pension scheme issue there gets sorted, the company will not include the UK operations for sale discussion with Germany-based ThyssenKrupp.
Barely three weeks after exported Tata Ferroshots (granulated pig iron) from its Kalinganagar plant in Odisha, the steel maker today flagged off its first consignment of hot rolled steel export rake to Nepal.
Essar Ports, one of the leading private port is in a mode of rapid expansion. It is expanding cargo handling capacity from 140 mtpa to 190 mtpa. The expansion needs a fresh investment of Rs 2,000 crore- to be financed by internal accruals and long-term debt. But, Rajiv Agarwal, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) at asserts there would not be a large increase in consolidated debt and peak debt would hover at around Rs 7,000 crore (from Rs 6,400 crore now). Agarwal also shares his thoughts on the rising share of third party cargo and status of the planned LNG terminal at Hazira in an interview with Jayajit Dash:
Low realisation from e-auctions and depleting interest income from banks saw state-owned Coal India (CIL) posting a 14.8 per cent decline in net profit to Rs 3,065 crore. In an interview to Jyoti Mukul & Shreya Jai, Chairman & Managing Director Sutirtha Bhattacharya says power consumption will go up because of electrification. Edited excerpts:



Where do you see the demand for coal coming, given there is surplus? Increasingly, there will be a move towards renewable power.



We have to understand the anatomy of money that comes to us. A customer pays for the electricity bill that goes to the distributor and then the generator, who pays to the fuel supplier. Depending on the generation efficiency and the aggregate technical & commercial loss of different states, we are entitled for payment accordingly.
In yet another sharp rebuff to the UNHCHR's reference to Jammu and Kashmir, India on Wednesday said it was concerned at "persisting ambiguities" in the UN body's governance and asserted that the violence in the state was "choreographed" from across the border.

Hitting out at Pakistan, India also emphasised that it has shared evidence of terrorists who came across the border with instructions to target the security forces by mingling with protesting crowds and using them as human shields.

"Terrorism, I would emphasise, is the most egregious violation of human rights," India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva, Ajit Kumar, said during the General Debate on the oral update by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) during the 33rd Session of Human Rights Council here.

India also stated that the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir is its integral part while Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of its territory and the "two cannot and should not be equated".

"The neutrality of the phrase 'Indian-administered Kashmir' is, therefore, artificial. Furthermore, the state of Jammu and Kashmir has an elected democratic government that represents all sections of the people unlike the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir," the Indian envoy said.

India in its statement said, "We have noted the reference in the High Commissioner's statement to the situation in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir".

"The current violence in Jammu and Kashmir has been choreographed from across our border since the death of a known terrorist belonging to an internationally proscribed terrorist organisation in police action in July this year.

"We have shared evidence of terrorists who came across the border with instructions to target our security forces by mingling with protesting crowds and using human shields," he said.

In sharply critical comments, India said it has been appreciative of the High Commissioner's efforts at improving efficiency and streamlining OHCHR's work, however, it remained "concerned at persisting ambiguities in OHCHR governance and administrative arrangements. High Commissioner's proposed Change Initiative requires more clarity."

Kumar also stressed that Jammu and Kashmir has started to move towards normalcy after sustained and system-wide efforts by both the central and the state governments, including the exercise of maximum restraint by the security forces, 7000 of whom have sustained injuries till date.

India's statement came in reaction to the remarks by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

In his opening statement at the meet, Hussein had said, "We had previously received reports, and still continue to do so, claiming the Indian authorities had used force excessively against the civilian population under its administration. We furthermore received conflicting narratives from the two sides as to the cause for the confrontations and the reported large numbers of people killed and wounded.

"I believe an independent, impartial and international mission is now needed crucially and that it should be given free and complete access to establish an objective assessment of the claims made by the two sides," Hussein said.

India also thanked the High Commissioner for his update on the situation of human rights and OHCHR activities since the last HRC Session.

"However, more would be gained if primacy were accorded to cooperation over confrontation with states concerned as the guiding principle in our collective effort," India said.

"India's robust democratic institutions and processes have sufficient tools for redressal of grievances and they are already engaged with this issue across the entire democratic political spectrum," it said.

India asserted that the protection and promotion of human rights on a sustained basis can be best achieved through constructive dialogue and cooperation.

"States are the primary bearers of responsibility in this regard; countries often have unique circumstances, and it is important to invest trust in their efforts.

India also reiterated its commitment to extend full cooperation to the High Commissioner and OHCHR for the meaningful and productive discharge of his mandate.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear a PIL filed against government funding to Kashmiri separatists, alleging that they are misusing the money for anti-India activities.

Advocate M L Sharma filed the plea which seeks to stop funding on separatists for foreign travel and the government spends other expenses as more than 100 crore on them.

Last week, the apex court had 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 Court asked Sharma to number his petition, "To stop government funding of Jammu and separatists and come back to mention it in court at 2 pm."

After Home Minister Rajnath Singh's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, briefing him on the separatists leaders' refusal to hold talks with the all-party delegation, 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.
It was a tightrope walk for Mamata Banerjee as she balanced the roles of a victorious leader of the movement against forcible land acquisition for the Tata Motors project in Singur and that of the head of a state that needs industry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday denounced the sponsorship of terror in the region and vowed to further deepen bilateral cooperation.

India also pledged one billion dollars for the support and development of "a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan".

Ghani is on a two-day visit to India starting Wednesday.

"The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives," a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting said.

"They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond."

"Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, they called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India," it said.

Modi and Ghani reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement.

The two sides also signed an Extradition Treaty, an agreement on cooperation in civil and commercial matters and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in peaceful use of outer space.

"The Prime Minister reiterated India's abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. He conveyed India's readiness to consider further requirements of Afghanistan for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

"To this end, the Prime Minister offered that... India would allocate a sum of $1 billion. The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments," the MEA statement said.

The two sides also discussed quick implementation of the trilateral agreement involving Afghanistan, India and Iran, signed in May 2016, using Chahbahar port.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The oversee appointed in Derik district of Mardin province of Turkey ordered to remove the Armenian tablet posted at the entrance of the municipalitys building, Agos reported.

Besides Armenian, there were notes on Turkish and Kurdish on the tablet. The tablet was replaced by the Turkish flag.

According to the Turkish Governments new decision, oversees were appointed in 2 provinces, 24 districts and 2 cities.

The decision was made on the grounds of fighting against the PKK militants and Gulenists in these settlements.
All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has warned the central and Uttar Pradesh governments against the alleged policy of over dependence on the private sector for the country's energy requirements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani during the exchange of agreements between India and Afghanistan in New Delhi
India is asking global smartphone makers such as Apple and Google to adopt locally designed standards on their devices or operating systems that would allow use of biometric scanners for authentication, a move that could face resistance from global firms.
As an interim arrangement, the Union Rural Development Ministry has relaxed norms for in regard to payment of wages and non-wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Act.

After the state government's request, the ministry relaxed the norms for payment of wages and non-wages under MGNREGA through bank and post office accounts to the wage earners where outreach bank and postal service is inadequate, state RD Commissioner Indra Mallo said in a release here on Wednesday.

"The payment of wages and non-wages under MGNREGA to the job card holders can be made in cash by considering constituting a payment committee (PC) at each gram panchayat," he said.

The payment committee should comprise of gram panchayat president and chairman, gram panchayat member of concerned villages, two women self help group members wherever available, traditional tribal head gaon burahs, minimum three MGNREGA workers, including a woman member of the concerned gram panchayat.

Videography of the cash payment proceedings should also be made, Mallo said.

The district DC should constitute the payment committee, she said adding, arrangement for cash payment to the job card holders is an interim arrangement till proper banking and postal arrangement are established.
The Commerce Ministry is aiming to create a mechanism, which will allow cash strapped African nations to clear payments that are stuck for months to Indian exporters.
The foundation stone of two new commuter rail corridors, Churchgate to Virar and CST to Panvel, will be unveiled next month by the Prime Minister.The former is a Rs 23,000-crore project. The latter is a Rs 11,000-crore one.These two projects are part of the state government's ambitious plan of a little over Rs 1 lakh crore to strengthen Mumbai's transportation infrastructure.Union railways minister last week reviewed the status of the pre-project development exercise. He and state chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had recently said investors from abroad have evinced interest in providing long-term low interest loans for these two corridors.

The 48.3-km one between CST and Panvel, along the existing central line, will be elevated for 31.6 km and run parallel to the existing lines for 12.4 km on the surface. Churchgate-Virar entails 63.3 km along the existing western line, approximately 42 km of elevated stretch, eight km underground and 12 km on grade.
The Summit in January could be the first occasion to showcase to the international community the issues related to Goods and Services Tax (GST) and its implementation, a senior state official has said.

"In January Global Summit is one occasion that basically all these issues (related to GST) could be discussed and showcased," Bharat Lal, Resident Commissioner, Gujarat told Indian reporters here.

Leading a high-level Gujarat delegation, Lal is currently on a week-long trip to North America - the US and Canada - holding road shows and meeting business leaders and officials on the next edition of the Global Summit from January 11 to January 13.

Scheduled to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 10, the mega event is likely to be attended by several heads of States and Cabinet ranking ministers from more than two and half dozen countries.

With the theme of 'Connecting India to the World', the Government of Gujarat has invited all Chief Ministers so that other states could benefit from the presence of hundreds of top business executives from across the world, who are keen on investing in India.

"This summit is not focused only on Gujarat. This is focused on all India," he said.

Delegates from 110 to 120 countries are expected to attend the eight edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.

Based on initial feedback, Lal said a number of Governors from the United States are likely to attend the event.

"It is open to every State. They can do their business there," he said.

"We expect that various union ministers, ministries would be present," he said.

For the first time about 10 prominent Nobel Laureate have been invited to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.

"Idea is the Nobel Laureates who have done great work in innovation, science, physics, chemistry and medicine and their discoveries have led to invention, if they come to Vibrant Gujarat, they speak and conduct seminars they would be beneficial to India," he observed.

Ahead of the January event, officials from Gujarat are travelling to 23 countries, from where they expect foreign direct investment to flow into the country.

Responding to questions, Lal said there is a "great enthusiasm" among foreign companies about India and in the last two years it has created a buzz around the world.

"India is now a preferred destination for foreign investors," he noted based on his interaction with corporate leaders in the US and Canada.

"Generally people have very very positive thing to talk about India. People are very bullish about India. India is a happening place.

"There is a wind of change in India. There is a lot of enthusiasm. People want to invest in India. This would be visible in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit," Lal said.
FM launches the Web Responsive Pensioners Service portal to provide better services to the pensioners; highlights the importance of data analytics in assessing the quality of Government expenditure and revenue.

The Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Shri Arun Jaitley commended the new initiatives undertaken by the Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) to serve the pensioners better through the newly launched Web Responsive Pensioners Service portal among others. The Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the new office premises of the Office of the CGA in the national capital here today. The Finance Minister lauded the role of CGA in handling the growing volume of Government revenue and expenditure through IT initiatives like the PFMS (Public Financial management System) and NTRP (Non Tax Receipt Portal). He also highlighted the importance of data analytics in assessing the quality of Government expenditure and revenue.

Further Shri Jaitley appreciated the role of PFMS in ensuring that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries and are essentially used for the purpose they were intended for. The function was co-presided by the Minister of State for Expenditure, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal and was attended among others the by several Secretaries of different Ministries/Departments and other senior functionaries of the Government of India.

On the occasion, the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley launched a new Digital India initiative taken up by the O/o the Controller General of Accounts, namely, a Web Responsive Pensioners Service. This portal developed by the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) provides a one-stop solution for pensioners to access information relating to status of pension cases, and pension payments processed by Central Ministries/Departments and Banks. This service will also help in speedy redressal of pensioners grievances.

Later, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between the O/o Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), India aimed at strengthening the Internal Audit function in line Ministries and Departments of the Government of India.

The new building is designed and constructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and conforms to new norms of a Green building and for energy conservation. A grid integrated solar panel system is also planned to be installed for harnessing solar energy.
Shri J P Nadda holds high level review meeting on Dengue and Chikungunya in Delhi & NCR Assures all support of Central Government

Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare chaired a high level meeting to review the status of Dengue and Chikungunya in Indian with a special focus on Delhi and NCR, here today, with senior officers of the Union Health Ministry, officials from National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Medical Superintendents of Central Government hospitals such as AIIMS, DR. RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Safdurjung, and officials from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Shri C K Mishra, Secretary (HFW), Shri K B Agarwal, AS (HFW) and senior officials were also present during the meeting.

Taking stock of the situation, Shri Nadda was briefed on the recent upsurge in the cases of Dengue and Chikungunya in Delhi, NCR and other States. It was apprised that since January 2016, there have been 17 review meetings (including 3 Video Conference with States). Also, 11 Advisories have been issued to all States. Government of India has requested to all States/UTs to declare Dengue as notifiable disease for improving reporting and for taking preventive measures in the affected areas. The Health Ministry has also initiated several awareness programmes through print and electronic media and issue advertisements for controlling these diseases. Intensive IEC campaigns have been launched to enhance the level of awareness regarding the promotive and treatment protocols of Dengue and Chikungunya.

Assuring that there is no cause to panic, Shri Nadda said that the Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Delhi Government on the recent death cases reported due to Chikungunya. The Health Minister further said that the Ministry is working very closely in coordination with the Delhi Government and the Union Health Ministry has already provided all logistical and technical support to the Delhi Government in terms of surveillance and diagnostic kits to strengthen their efforts in addressing Dengue.

Shri Nadda said that he has spoken to the Delhi Health Minister Shri Satyendar Jain and assured him all support. Shri Jain has assured that all adequate measures shall be taken.

The Health Minister assured that there is no shortage of drugs and testing facilities to counter this recent upsurge. He further added that the doctors have been advised to strictly follow the protocols with Ministry also providing training to health workers to ensure timely implementation of various activities that need to be undertaken for vector control. The representatives from the Central government hospitals informed that there was no shortage of beds, drugs, testing facilities etc., to treat the incoming patients.

Noting that community participation and empowerment are the most crucial areas in prevention of vector diseases such as Dengue and Chikungunya, Shri Nadda urged people not to panic and maintain high levels of hygiene and sanitation in the surrounding areas. The Health Minister pressed on the need to start rigorous awareness campaigns regarding the preventive steps to be taken by the people in their communities. He further urged people to rely on the symptomatic treatment for Chikungunya and consume lots of liquids as the disease is generally non-fatal. He mentioned that the Ministry has launched India Fights Dengue mobile application that has all the relevant information needed for control of the disease. He also suggested awareness activities to be taken up in schools, colleges and various localities with the help of the school administration and the RWAs.

The Health Minister directed the officials to be alert over next few months and to gear up activities and measures to be taken for awareness generation, prevention and control of Chikungunya so as to effectively address the situation, and not allow it to escalate. The Union Health Minister also asked the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) of the Health Ministry, Delhi Government and the Municipal Corporations to further coordinate their awareness activities towards this end.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The head of the Russian Government has sent a congratulatory message to Karen Karapetyan on the occasion of assuming the post of the Prime Minister of Armenia.

As Armenpress was informed from the official website of the Russian Government, the message reads as follows, Russia and Armenia are linked by allied relations and strategic partnership based on firm traditions of friendship and mutual trust and confidence. I am convinced that future development of cooperation in the spheres of trade and economy, investment, science and technologies and other spheres, as well as deepening of integration in the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union fully comply with the long-term interests of our countries.

Dmitry Medvedev reassured his readiness for a bilateral constructive work in all the spheres of partnership between the Russian and Armenian governments.
Shri Mansukh Lal Mandaviya Inspects National Highways Projects In Arunachal Pradesh : Says Appropriate Technology Should Be Used For Hillside Maintenance.

The Minister of State for Road Transport &Highways, Shipping, Chemical & Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Lal Mandaviya has stressed upon the Central Governments commitment to build high class road infrastructure in the North Eastern states of the country. Speaking to mediapersons in Itanagar yesterday he said that of the total 2570 km roads sanctioned for the state, 653 km have been completed and 1917 km are under progress. Out of this total length, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways will build 710km, state PWD will construct 420km, NHIDCL 722 km and Border Roads Organization 718 km. The ongoing projects and their costs are 250km Nechipu-Hoj (Rs 1985 crore); 20 km Dibang-Alubari river bridge system ( Rs 860 crore); 75 Km Pasighat-Pangin (Rs 500 crore) and 12 km Itanagar-Naharlagun 4 laning (Rs 250 crore). The Minister said that building of road infrastructure in the state would herald a new era of socio-economic development.

On a two day visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Minister inspected the Pappu-Yupia-Hoj-Potin section of NH 713 A and Potin-Ziro section of NH-13. He also spoke to senior officials from the department .

The 50 km long Pappu-Yupia-Hoj-Potin section of NH 713 A has been damaged at about 30-35 spots as a result of heavy rains and consequent landslides since April.

Two laning of the road through the state PWD was completed in March this year, and the Ministry is now required to take it over for maintenance purposes. Shri Mandaviya inspected several of the damaged locations and expressed serious concern at the condition of the highway . He directed concerned officials to take urgent remedial measures at these sites. He also stressed that guidance should be sought from expert agencies for making use of appropriate technology for hillside maintenance and slope stability as a long term measure.

Regarding the 50 km long Potin-Ziro section of NH-13, Shri Mandaviya said that work on repair of bad road patches must be done on a priority basis in a time bound manner. He directed officials to submit the repair estimates to the Ministry within a week. The Minister also discussed land acquisition issues regarding the stretch from Poti to Bopi via Ziro with concerned officials.
Two Day Rabi Conference begins in New Delhi tomorrow

The National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2016 will be held on 15th-16th September 2016 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh will inaugurate and address the conference. The two days Conference will look at the implementation progress of important schemes related to Agriculture and Farmers Welfare announced by the Centre in the last two years.

The Minister of States for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri S. S. Ahluwalia, Shri Parshottam Rupala and Shri Sudarshan Bhagat will also be present on the occasion

The Conference will be attended by the Secretaries of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and State Agriculture Secretaries and other senior officials dealing with Horticulture, Post Harvest Management and agricultural marketing.

EK/SS/AK
A group of Baloch activists has held protests against Pakistan outside the UN headquarters here, demanding freedom and highlighting Pakistan's crimes against humanity in .

The protest was organised by the Free Movement (FBM) on Tuesday across the street from the world body's headquarters, around the time the 71st session of the General Assembly opened in the UN.

Waving the US and Baloch flags, the small group of protesters held banners of 'Stop Human Rights violation in Balochistan', 'Stop Bombing Balochistan' and ' is not Pakistan' and stood around five dolls, smeared in red colour to portray blood and placed on the ground on a white banner that read 'Save Baloch Children'.

Some wore white T-shirts with the slogan 'Dire Human Rights Violations in Balochistan' written in black.

The men and women protesting shouted slogans of 'India help Balochistan', 'Freedom for Balochistan', 'Stop Genocide of Baloch People', 'UN UN Where are you', 'Stop funding Pakistan', 'Balochistan is another Bangladesh' and 'Stop breaking Balochistan'.

The protesters accused Pakistani forces of killing around 5,000 over the past few years and causing nearly 20000 forced disappearances in Balochistan.

FBM said in a statement handed out at the protest that the demonstration aims to highlight the "illegal occupation and Pakistani state's crimes against humanity in Balochistan, and to give awareness about Baloch national struggle for freedom."

"It is the responsibility of the United Nations to take notice of the violations of its charter and state brutalities by Pakistan in Balochistan," FBM said.

The organisation said Pakistan has been committing gross human rights violations and killing innocent Baloch people since it occupied Balochistan in 1948 and "Pakistani state has made life difficult for Baloch by target killings, indiscriminate bombardment and enforced-disappearances."

The protests come just a week before heads of state and government descend at the world body's headquarters for the high-level General Debate of the 71st UNGA session.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address the General Assembly on September 21, five days before External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addresses the gathering of world leaders.

The US has said it does not support independence for Balochistan and respects the unity and territorial integrity of Pakistan.

In his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talked about the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit and Balochistan and said people from there have thanked him for raising their issues.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has said he is probing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's Foundation over its allegedly questionable donations.

The New York billionaire donated $25,000 to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's campaign in 2013, as her office was considering whether to open an investigation into fraud allegations against Trump University.

Bondi's office did not open an investigation afterwards, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We have been concerned that the Trump Foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view," Schneiderman told CNN's "The Lead" programme on Tuesday, calling himself a "regulator of nonprofits in New York state".

"We have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York," Schneiderman said.

Yahoo News reported last week that the Trump charity donated $100,000 to a conservative group that was suing Schneiderman as he was probing Trump University.

In a Tuesday campaign rally, US President Barack Obama, speaking on behalf of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, made a mockery of the Trump Foundation, highlighting reports that Trump used foundation money to buy a 6-foot (about 183 cm) portrait of himself.

Also on Tuesday, Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee wrote a letter to Florida's Attorney General Loretta Lynchare, seeking a Justice Department investigation of the Trump Foundation over its donation to her.

"These payments may have influenced Bondi's official decision not to participate in litigation against Trump," the letter said, citing anti-bribery laws in their request.

The Trump campaign has repeatedly declined to provide evidence to show that Trump has donated as much to charity as he claims.

Defending his running mate, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence said on Monday that Trump has donated millions of dollars in charity.

"Anyone who knows anything about and his career knows that this is a man who's given away tens of millions of dollars to charitable causes throughout the course of his business life, he's been incredibly generous," Pence said, though offering no evidence.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker touted a plan on Wednesday for free mobile roaming and wireless internet in cities across the European Union, trying to rally popular support for a bloc battered by Brexit.

Juncker highlighted the initiatives in an annual State of the Union address that sought to counter euroscepticism with concrete examples of how technocratic institutions in Brussels can deliver improvements to people's everyday lives. Telecoms firms have been lobbying intensely for more flexible rules allowing them to boost revenue and invest in costly fast broadband to help the bloc catch up with the United States and Asia.

The European Commission also proposed reining in internet giants such as Google, Facebook's WhatsApp and Microsoft's Skype by extending telecoms security rules to web-based apps.

Its plans, part of a drive to create a digital single market in the EU, largely favour incumbent telecom operators and media firms over the technology companies, analysts say. Some of the plans could force tech firms to channel revenues from internet services to their telecoms rivals.

Only eight of the top 100 global tech companies are headquartered in Europe, according to a A T Kearney study.

The unveiling of Juncker's reform plan starts what is expected to be a fierce fight among EU lawmakers, member states and industry groups before it can become law.

When you travel in Europe with your mobile phone, you will be able to feel at home anywhere in Europe thanks to these new roaming rules, Juncker told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

In a surprise move this month before the speech, Juncker withdrew proposals to limit the number of days consumers can use their mobile phones abroad without paying extra fees after criticism that the rules favoured telecoms firms.

He ordered the draft to be revised in what allies and officials said showed the EU executive wanted to be seen to listen to voters three months after Britons opted to leave the bloc.

Juncker also promoted a copyright proposal that could give publishers more bargaining power with Google when demanding payment from the world's most popular internet search engine for displaying snippets of their news. The outlines of this proposal stirred controversy when they were leaked last month but Wednesday's plan provided few specifics.

PROTECTING THE CONSUMER A new set of rules is likely to put new pressure on American tech companies

In a decade of sluggish growth, local lawmakers assert that these proposed changes will bring together the regions national economies into a digital market

The aim is to give the blocs roughly 500 million consumers unfettered access to online services, no matter where they live

The rules would force some of the worlds largest tech companies to comply with stringent competition, privacy and copyright rules

The creation of content is not a hobby, it is a profession, Juncker said. As the world goes digital we have also to empower our artists and creators ... I want journalists, publishers and authors to be paid fairly for their work. EDiMA, a trade group backed by top U.S. and European tech firms ranging from Airbnb and Candy Crush game maker King.com to Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google, called the copyright framework more 1916 than 2016.

It does not reflect the current environment in which users access and consume content online and lacks the ambition called for by most European stakeholders and consumers to realise a Digital Single Market, EDiMA said in a statement.

The Society of Audiovisual Authors, speaking on behalf of media licensing rights groups, praised elements of the package.

However, it said the plan failed to provide an unwaivable right to remuneration for European film, TV and multimedia screenwriters and directors to make a living from their works.

BenoAt Machuel, General Secretary of the Federation of Musicians, said: What we need is a right for all performers to be paid each time a performance is used online on iTunes, Netflix or Spotify.



Grassroots internet rights groups said the draft proposal to extend copyright for news publishers even to short snippets of news repeats the mistakes of laws passed in Germany and Spain, which hurt publishers and internet users alike.

We now have a proposal that is poison for Europeans' free speech, poison for European business and poison for creativity, said Joe McNamee, Executive Director of European Digital Rights.

It could not conceivably be worse.



PRIVACY MATTERS

Juncker said the EU would also create a legal framework to promote the expansion of high-speed internet and efforts to protect the personal online data of citizens across the bloc.

We propose today to equip every European village and every city with free wireless internet access, Juncker said, without giving more details of how the EU would help to achieve this goal within the next decade.

He added that the EU would work to defend people's right to privacy, saying: Europeans do not like drones overhead recording their every move, or companies stockpiling their every mouse click. In Europe privacy matters. As the EU executive's seeks to reform the bloc's telecoms and copyright industries, it has balanced such populist initiatives with proposals that favoured telecoms operators such as Deutsche Telekom and Orange.

The EU initiatives got a thumbs up from ETNO, the European telecoms operators' association whose members include Orange and Telefonica.

We need to ensure that the new Code (proposal) provides technologically-inclusive incentives, allowing our members to deliver a further increase in broadband investment, ETNO Chairman Steven Tas said.

The telecoms industry had already lobbied against the burden of the original proposal of allowing them to charge extra only for clients who use their phones abroad for more than 90 days a year or 30 in a row.

The European Consumer Organisation welcomed Juncker's reforms but expressed concerns they would favour dominant market players and do little to lower prices on calls.

Consumers need operators to compete with one another in the market to deliver innovative services at cheaper prices, its head Monique Goyens said in a statement.
Five operatives of the Yemen-based Al Qaeda branch were killed when a US drone strike targeted their vehicle in Yemen's central province of al-Bayda on Tuesday, a military official told Xinhua.

The military source confirmed that missiles fired from the unmanned US aircraft destroyed a vehicle carrying Al Qaeda operatives in the mountains of Radaa area in central al-Bayda province.

The military source said that "the slain Al Qaeda men were apparently travelling from Marib province and heading to meet their comrades in the al-Bayda province".

On Tuesday, the United States announced that its military killed 13 Al Qaeda militants in three separate strikes in in recent weeks, but it did not specify how the strikes were conducted or reveal the identities of the militants targeted.

has recently seen a growing number of Al Qaeda activities due to the prolonged security vacuum resulting from the 19-month civil war between the exiled government and Houthi rebels who seized much of the country's north, including capital Sanaa since 2014.

The military conflict has left more than 6,400 dead, according to the UN, displaced thousands and left the country's civilians facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
Success inside China's most-valuable public company sometimes requires a bit of cannibalization. Tencent Holdings Ltd's ubiquitous WeChat service emerged after founder Ma Huateng encouraged employees to compete against each other to create a mobile messaging business. WeChat now has more than 805 million users, who turn to the service not just for texting but also for playing games, paying bills and buying money-market funds. That blockbuster helped propel Tencent's growth into the biggest publicly traded company in China with a market value of HK$1.97 trillion ($257 billion). ...
The United States will provide Israel's military with $38 billion during the next 10 years, officials said today, the largest batch of military assistance the US has ever pledged to another country.

Following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the State Department said the two countries had reached a 10-year agreement, with a signing ceremony planned tomorrow.

The US and Israel haven't disclosed the exact sum, but officials familiar with the deal said it totals $3.8 billion a year, up from the $3.1 billion the US gave Israel annually under the previous 10-year deal.

Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, planned to attend the ceremony at the State Department, a senior Obama administration official said.

Israel's acting national security adviser, Jacob Nagel, arrived in Washington ahead of the announcement and was also expected to attend.

Israel's government had no immediate comment on the deal.

Under the agreement, Israel's ability to spend part of the funds on Israeli military products will be gradually phased out, eventually requiring all of the funds to be spend on American military industries.

Israel's preference for spending some of the funds internally had been a major sticking point in the deal.

The new agreement also eliminates Israel's ability to spend a fraction of the funds on fuel for its military.

In another apparent concession, Israel has agreed not to ask Congress to approve more funds than are included in the deal, said the officials, who weren't authorised to discuss the details publicly ahead of a formal announcement and requested anonymity.

The agreement concludes many months of negotiations that involved a delicate calculation by Jerusalem about whether to strike a deal with the outgoing US president.

In February, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly floated the prospect of waiting for Obama's successor in hopes of securing a better deal.

But the Obama administration has been eager to lock in the agreement before leaving office to help bolster Obama's legacy and undercut the criticism that his administration was insufficiently supportive of Israel.

Obama's relationship Netanyahu has been famously fraught for years, and ties between the countries worsened significantly when the US and world powers struck a deal with a nuclear deal with Iran.

Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran to be an existential threat and disagreed sharply with Obama's contention that the deal actually made Israel safer by limiting Iran's nuclear program.
The should set up a headquarters to coordinate efforts towards creating a common military force, European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said on Wednesday.

"We don't have a permanent structure and without that, we are not able to work efficiently and so we must have a European HQ and... Work towards a common military force," Juncker told the European Parliament in his annual State of the Union address.

The speech was dominated by Britain's shock June vote to quit the European Union, depriving it of a major, nuclear-armed NATO military power but one which had also been hostile to any suggestion the bloc should have its own army.

Juncker stressed that post-Brexit, the EU's remaining 27 member states had to stick together and that included taking on increased responsibility for their defence.

"We can no longer depend on the power of individual member states and together we have to make sure we protect our interests," he told MEPs.

Twenty-two of the EU's 28-member states are also members of the US-led NATO alliance, headquartered in Brussels, but Juncker insisted the bloc's military ambitions would not undercut this key relationship.

"This should be complementary with NATO -- more European defence does not mean less transatlantic solidarity," he said.

Juncker gave no further details although it is expected that any such EU military HQ would also be based in Brussels, home to all its major institutions.

As well as an increased military role, Juncker also said the EU will have to step up its diplomatic presence, suggesting the bloc should have a single foreign minister.

Current foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini was doing a "remarkable job" in promoting peace in Syria but backed up by the member states, she should now have a seat at the negotiating table, he said.
on Wednesday said it is yet to form a position on the accession of any specific non-NPT country into the NSG, as it parried questions on whether its "two-step formula" for allowing new members into the elite nuclear club was aimed at pushing Pakistan's case along with that of India.

India and are "yet to agree on accession of any specific member into the group", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying told media here referring to yesterday's first round of talks between the two countries on India's admission into the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which controls global nuclear commerce.

Nearly two-and-a-half months after scuttled India's NSG membership bid, a Chinese delegation led by Director General of Department of Arms Control Wang Qunheld talks in New Delhi with Indian delegation led by Amandeep Singh Gill, Joint Secretary (Disarmament & Security) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

During the talks, China proposed a two-step approach for admission of new members who are not signatories of nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which Beijing asserts is a must to join the NSG.

Asked about Indian media reports that the formula was aimed at pushing Pakistan's membership along with that of India, Hua said, "What you said is the Indian report. What I said is what DG Wang Qun said. China has not had a position on the accession of any specific non-NPT country. So first we need to have a proposal on the accession on all the non-NPT countries, then accession of specific non-NPT country," she said.

"That is to say, China is yet to form a position on any specific non-NPT country. But we are willing to have discussion with the NSG members on the accession of non-NPT countries," she said.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement after Tuesday's talks said, "China supports the notion of two-step approach within the Group to address the above question, i.E., at the first stage, to explore and reach agreement on a non-discriminatory formula applicable to all the non-NPT states, and to proceed to take up country-specific membership issues at the second stage. China, for its part, expressed its readiness to actively participate in the above process within the group".

Hua said the next round of talks between the officials of India and China on the issue will be held in Beijing.

While blocking India's membership in the NSG with the NPT rider in the last few months despite majority backing, China has not openly spoke of its backing for Pakistan's membership along with that of India.

Officials say that China's emphasis on "non- discriminatory formula" could become stumbling block for India, considering strong reservations among several NSG members about Pakistan's track record in nuclear proliferation.

In the June Plenary of NSG in Seoul, despite strong American support, China stonewalled India's bid to join the group on the grounds that it was a not a signatory to the NPT.
STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 14, ARTSAKHPRESS: The Armenian PM congratulated Dmitry Medvedev on the occasion of his birthday.

Karen Karapetyan highly appreciated Dmitry Medvedevs personal input on the development of allied mutual cooperation between Armenia and Russia which is based on the friendship of the people of the two states.

The Armenian PM attached importance to the active cooperation of the Armenian and Russian Governments. He also stressed the importance of deepening bilateral trade-economic ties for the benefit of the further development and strengthening of Armenian-Russian relations both in bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as within the EAEU framework.

Karen Karapetyan expressed gratitude for Dmitry Medvedevs congratulation addressed to him over assuming the PMs post.
Click on graphic Victory for Donald Trump in the US presidential election could be a game changer for China's economy. The candidate's promise to slap punitive tariffs on Chinese imports would be highly contractionary, deflationary and wipe hundreds of billions off the value of the world's second-biggest economy, according to new research by Kevin Lai, the Hong Kong-based chief economist for Asia (excluding Japan) at Daiwa Capital Markets. Lai estimates that Trump's suggestion for a 45 per cent tariff on Chinese goods to narrow the trade deficit with America would ...
Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine today announced a unilateral cease-fire starting at midnight tomorrow, which could be a major step in solving the conflict that has raged for more than two years.

The conflict between Russian-backed separatist rebels and Ukrainian government troops has killed more than 9,500 people since it began in April 2014.

Representatives of Ukraine, the separatists and Russia signed a February 2015 Minsk peace deal brokered by France and Germany, but frequent clashes have continued to claim lives and political provisions of the agreement have never been implemented.

Alexander Zakharchenko, rebel leader in Donetsk, made the cease-fire announcement in a recorded statement aired on Russian television today, berating Kiev for a "lack of willingness to solve the problem in a peaceful manner."

Zakharchenko said he has ordered rebel troops to cease fire at midnight tomorrow and urged Ukraine to do the same.

Wearing a suit instead of his normal camouflage for the televised statement, the separatist leader said the rebels are "fully committed to the Minsk agreements" and see them as "the only solution."

Igor Plotnitsky, leader of the self-proclaimed part of the Luhansk region, also announced a cease-fire today.

It's the first time that that the separatists, who are widely believed to be controlled by Moscow, have come with an idea of a unilateral cease-fire.

At least three government troops have been killed and 15 wounded in fighting in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, officials said.

One more person was reported missing.

In Donetsk, the rebel mouthpiece Donetsk News Agency said three of its men have been killed.

The announcement comes a few hours after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that he expects the parliament to vote soon on constitutional amendments granting more autonomy to Ukrainian provinces, including the rebellious eastern regions.

"Decentralisation is a policy that has no alternative," Poroshenko tweeted today. "I expect the Verkhovna Rada to support the constitutional amendments regarding decentralisation."

Ukraine has blamed Russia for not doing enough to get the rebels to relinquish control over parts of the Ukrainian-Russian border while Russia is unhappy that Ukraine still has not adopted the constitutional amendments.

Poroshenko is set to meet with top diplomats from France and Germany tomorrow, and also hold separate talks with the foreign ministers of Britain and Poland in what appears to be part of a diplomatic blitz to discuss the conflict settlement.
With rebound in share prices of state-owned companies in recent months, the government is rethinking on a plan for public sector units buying back their stocks from the Centre (promoter). It is, instead, looking at a secondary market offering, said investment bankers in the know.
The Centre is all set to create a huge buffer stock of of around 2 million tonnes, half of which would be realized through domestic procurement and rest via imports. This would play a crucial role in resolving the crisis in that the country faces year after year, but a body to purchase, store and distribute them is required for any such success. This buffer  procurement for which started sometime back  would ensure that the crop is purchased when prices drop below MSP and it is disposed off when they rise abnormally to cool down the .



Given that the Centre now plans to be regular player in the domestic market, experts say the need has come to have an FCI like permanent body for pulses, which could solve this vexed problem once and for all.



Of course, we need an FCI like permanent body to handle the pulses procurement, storage and distribution, but needs to be much more efficient than FCI is. Also, to create any viable buzz about pulses among farmers we not only need assured purchases, but also irrigation facilities as despite all things pulses still cant compete with cereals when it comes to profitability for farmers, Dr S Mahendra Dev, director of Mumbai-based Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR) told Business Standard.



P K Joshi, South-Asia director of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) said that there three models which can be considered for handling this pulses buffer. The first is that the Centre does it on its own, second the entire operations are done by private companies and third one to combine the two.



Experts say the Centre needs to ensure that neither farmers nor consumers suffer. The initial procurement for pulses started from kharif 2015 when it was first decided to create a buffer of 0.5 million tonne, which was later scaled up to 0.8 million tonnes and now almost 2 million tonnes.



However, the big difference between purchases done earlier and now is that till last rabi season procurement was being done at market rates, but from 2016 kharif they are being done at MSP rates because prices have dropped sharply in the past 3-4 months. The difference is also reflecting on the Centres sale of pulses and the commodity purchased at around Rs 90 per kilogram is not even fetching Rs 60 in the market now.



The move to create a permanent mechanism for purchasing and disposing off pulses, if fruitful would go a long way in solving the perennial pulses crisis in India. However, one of the most critical parts of this exercise is the creation of an agency or empowering an existing one which is capable of undertaking large-scale procurement of pulses, storing them scientifically and also distributing them on time and efficiently.



More so as the total expenditure for handling such huge amount of pulses would come to around Rs 18,500 crore, which is over 40 per cent of the entire agriculture ministrys 2016-17 Budget.



The money, according to the plan wont come from budgetary support but would be raised from the market and elsewhere for which also a professional agency is desirable.



For the time being NAFED along with SFAC assisted by Food Corporation of India (FCI) is doing most of the procurement, while the stocks are being stored at the Central and State Warehousing Facilities. CWC has a storage space of around 1.07 million tonnes, while State Warehousing Corporations have much more. Nafed since the 2015 kharif procurement season has purchased over 45,000 tonnes of pulses from farmers, while it has been mandated to buy around 0.35 million tonnes during the ongoing kharif season. It has already started purchases of moong where prices have dropped below the MSP of Rs 52.25 per kilogram and soon it will start purchasing urad and tur as their prices are also showing a downward trend. Urad MSP for 2015-16 is Rs 50 per kilogram, while that of tur/arhar is Rs 50.50 per kilogram. The total buffer stock of pulses available with the government as on date is around 300,000 tonnes.



The ideal model according to us will be a mixture of both. That is public sector agencies procure pulses, while private agencies store them and the distribution is again handled by public sector, Joshi said. He said transparent and clear guidelines could be developed for each of the three operations that is procurement, engagement of warehouses and storage spaces and thereafter their release through public agencies or into the open market, monitored by a committee.



For the time small pilots can be conducted in select districts to test this model, before being replicated nationally, Joshi said, adding that handling 2 million tonnes of pulses in one go is a big task and the Centre instead should have dealt with 1-1.25 million tonnes of pulses to begin with.



As studies conducted by IFPRI itself shows that South-East Asia comprising countries such as India, Pakistan among others could face huge pulses deficit till 2050, and as such permanent structure to manage purchase, storage and lifting of pulses would go a long way in dealing with the recurring crisis.



The Centres attempt to engage a professional agency to handle the buffer stock should consider all these.



Pulses production in million tonnes





Year Production 2009-10 14.66 2010-11 18.24 2011-12 17.09 2012-13 18.34 2013-14 19.25 2014-15 17.15 2015-16* 16.47

NOTE: The Crop year runs from July to June
Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) has rallied 7% to Rs 41, also its fresh 52-week high on the BSE, after the company said it has been awarded Rs 181.65 crore contract by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to build premium high rise residential towers at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.
India has been declared avian influenza (bird flu) free by the department of animal husbandry from September 5 onwards, a move expected to boost the country's poultry exports. This has also been notified to the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE).
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday met the Service Chiefs and the members of the Armed Forces Pay Commission Cell to discuss the anomalies in the 7th Pay Commission of the Armed Forces.

Parrikar was briefed of all the issues and assured to resolve them at the earliest, to which the services expressed satisfaction at his response.

Earlier, overruling service chiefs, Parrikar has asked them to implement the 7th Pay Commission without any delay.

Meanwhile, a committee has been formed to look into various pay related anomalies arising out of the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission's recommendations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Members of the Free Balochistan Movement protested in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York to highlight the plight, atrocities and human rights violations on the people of Balochistan by Pakistan.

The protesters gathered at the Isaiah Wall, a gathering spot for demonstrators across the street from the General Assembly Building, yesterday and raised slogans urging the UN to intervene into the matter.

Raising slogans, "Balochistan needs your help. Pakistan shame shame!UN UN where are you?", the protestors held banners which read 'Human rights violations in Balochistan'.

Farzana Majeed Baluch, a Baloch activist, had earlier asked the people having interest in human rights issues to join the cause.

"Who have interest in international human rights issues,come join our protest on 3 to 5pm at UN headquarters New York USA. #BalochAtUN," she tweeted.

The protesters also put on display dolls with blood stains on them to demonstrate the link between how their people were treated.

Today's protest is the not the first one to highlight the atrocities by Pakistan on the Baloch people.

Several Baloch activists have in the past warned of more protests against the concerned authorities in Pakistan for the human rights violations in the region.

Dilshad Baloch, an activist, had earlier confirmed that Baloch activists will protest outside the United Nations General Assembly on September 13.

"We are going to hopefully see more of these protests in the future and there are going to be bigger and more frequent protests. We will now protest on September 13 outside the UN General Assembly," he told ANI.

Earlier, protests were held in Melbourne to save Baloch women and the atrocities going on in Balochistan, especially to highlight that the house of Peer Jan Baloch in Turbat is under siege by the Pakistan Army for the past six days. Peer Jan Baloch is the nephew of Rauf Baloch.

While both are reported to be staying together, Rauf Baloch has been alleged by the forces of hosting the family members of a senior Baloch political leader.

The Baloch Human Rights Organization (BHRO) also staged a protest in front of the Karachi Press Club.

The Baloch Republican Party (BRP) activists also staged a protest in Busan, South Korea, to highlight the atrocities and human rights violations in Balochistan.

Earlier, welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on Balochistan in his Independence Day address, several Baloch activists claimed that the people of the region support him and he should take up the Baloch issue with the international community at the United Nations.

In a bid to highlight the ongoing Baloch genocide and human rights violations and the disappearance of Baloch people through the hands of Pakistani military and intelligence agencies in Balochistan , the Baloch National Movement (BNM) Germany chapter had held demonstrations in different cities last month.

Many activists are asserting that more than 23,000 activists, students, lawyers, women, journalists, writers and human rights defenders have been enforced disappeared by the Pakistani army and its death squads since 2003.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a bid to stop the violence in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water dispute, a Kanyakumari-based activist today moved the Supreme Court seeking direction to the two states to act against those who had indulged in protests.

The apex court has agreed to hear the petition tomorrow.

An ugly battle ensued between the two states over the issue of sharing Cauvery water.

The situation escalated to a level where two civilians lost their lives.

After violent protests against release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Bengaluru is limping back to normalcy.

Curfew was lifted in all the 16 police station limits of Bengaluru city from 9 a.m. today.

Meanwhile, the security forces conducted a flag march in Kamakshipalya area where curfew has been imposed.

Pro-Kannada activists staged a protest in Channapatna on Bangalore-Mysore highway earlier today.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sought appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek his intervention to bail out the state from the present crisis as the storage position in reservoirs is poor.

Karnataka Road Transport buses have started operating to all places except Tamil Nadu.

Metro rail has also resumed its service in the city since last night.

Modifying its September 5 order, the apex Court earlier on Monday asked the Karnataka Government to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water every day to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

It had earlier directed the Karnataka Government to release of 15,000 cusecs of water for 10 days as immediate relief to farmers in Tamil Nadu.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a major development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is set to take over the probe into the murder of Hindustan daily's Siwan bureau chief Rajdev Ranjan.

This comes after a furore erupted over Mohammad Kaif, the wanted sharpooter in the murder case, who was spotted next to former RJD parliamentarian Shahabuddin, when he was released from prison.

Kaif is one of the accused in the murder of Hindustan daily's Siwan bureau chief Rajdev Ranjan.

In the video clip, Kaif can be seen standing right next to Shahabuddin and cheering him on, as he spoke to media after being released on bail on Saturday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had launched a scathing attack over the development, stating that he had become helpless, questioning his silence over a murder accused walking scott free and the police being unable to trace him.

Meanwhile, speaking to ANI, Kaid has rubbished all accusations against him and said that he has no involvement in the murder of journalist Rajdev Rajan.

Kaif told ANI that he had very close and good relations with Rajan, adding that he was at his sister's residence for the post funereal ceremony at the time he was killed as she died two days before his murder.

Speaking on the accusation levelled against him by Rajan's wife, he said, "Rajdev's wife doesn't know me that well. People have said wrong things about me to Rajdev's wife.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 14, ARTSAKHPRESS: The Presidents message reads:

Dear Mr. Medvedev,

Accept my sincere congratulations on Your birthday.

The rich experience in state and political activity, the ability to reach the set goals for the benefit of Russias socio-economic development brought You to earned respect among the compatriots and abroad.

Your personal input on strengthening the allied relations between Armenia and Russia is indisputable. I sincerely highly appreciate the mutual understanding and trust established between us.

I am confident the further joint efforts aimed at enriching the multilateral cooperation of our states, as well as implementing strategic agreements on trade-economic, investment and cultural-humanitarian sectors and the development of new prospective projects completely derive from the interests of further strengthening the friendship of the people of our states.

Dear Mr. Medvedev,

I wish You good health, happiness and new achievements."
Mark Wahlberg, who portrays rig worker Mike Williams in 'Deep Horizon', based on the 2010 catastrophic incident of Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, attributed the survivor as a "hero."

"I certainly view him as a hero and think the things that he did were extremely courageous," the 'The Fighter' star expressed in a statement, reports the BBC.

The Peter Berg-directed movie was premiered at the ongoing Toronto film festival, which was graced by Williams himself.

Further speaking about the survivor, Wahlberg said, "He was just doing his job and everything he could to help others and to survive."

The 'Planet of the Apes' star went on to describe Williams as "a very humble guy," who even came down to advising on the film.

"For him (Mark Williams) to be able still be able to relive it with us to make sure it was as accurate as possible takes a special individual," he said.

According to the American actor, 'Deepwater Horizon' is not just an action movie but also "about the people that lost their lives" on the drill rigs.

Meanwhile, Wahlberg promised the audience an "extremely moving and emotional" work regarding the movie which he also says is a "tribute to the 11 people who lost their lives."

'Deepwater Horizon' casts include Kate Hudson, playing Felicia, Mike Williams' wife, Kurt Russell, Gina Rodriguez and John Malkovich.

The movie will hit the theaters in the UK September 29.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has urged the French industrialists, businessmen and investors to invest in Pakistan, while addressing the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) in Paris.

According to a statement of the Ministry of Finance, Dar said that the investment climate in Pakistan is conducive to the European investment, reports Geo News.

He said that Pakistan's strategic location makes it an attractive destination for foreign investment and it has already attained 4.7 per cent growth rate which is better than the growth achieved in the last eight years.

"The French companies should take full benefit of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project which will link Pakistan with Afghanistan, CARs and Europe", he added.

"The population of 200 million offers business friendly opportunities to Foreign Firms", he said adding that the foreign companies working in Pakistan are having unparalleled profits.

He further said that there has been an unparalleled investment in North Waziristan despite security fears and added that Karachi is opening up for various investment opportunities for foreign investment including France.

MEDEF is a forum of French businessmen and enterprises having 800, 000 members across France.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Manager of Mocambo Ashish Malik on Wednesday said the eatery doesn't believe in discrimination, while asserting that the driver who had come along with a woman was 'dirtily dressed'.

Kolkata's oldest fine dining restaurant Mocambo has found itself in a soup, after a woman named Dilashi Hemnani alleged that the eatery did not let her driver inside for dinner.

"She was a well to do lady of course. When she came, she asked for a table for two. The person who was there said of course we will give you table. We don't have any discrimination... we allow everybody. After some time, the person who was giving the table asked her...please call your friend and she pointed out to a guy, who was very dirtily dressed...absolutely dirty," Malik told ANI.

Malik said his person in the restaurant had got perturbed and said that they could not give the driver a table.

"She said he is my driver...from 8' o clock he is driving me. My person said we can't give you a table but we can give a packing for him. She got very furious and started shouting. She said on humanitarian grounds you are stopping a person...this is not right," he added.

Malik said the eatery doesn't stop anyone and they are not racist.

"We allow each and every person. Many families come with their maids, some come with their drivers. They are all well-dressed. They are sitting inside and having food...we never stop anyone...till today we have not done. She has a wrong conception that she has been insulted and a person has been insulted on humanitarian grounds...that is wrong," he added.

Malik said if a person is not clean and goes inside, they have to draw a line somewhere.

"Other guests were sitting...they will see...they will obviously feel bad. So, that's the reason why we stopped him. I don't think we have done anything wrong. We have no dress code. Many people come in half-pants also...many in Bermudas, but they are well to do. When you will see them, you will understand the profile of the person...neat and clean, decent looking. If you are dirty, how can you allow a person?," he said.

The incident took place on September 9, when Hemnani walked into Mocambo along with her driver but failed to secure a seat even after waiting for some time and requesting to the staff.

Outraged at their behavior, Hemnani went on to allege that the restaurant deliberately chose to keep her away because she was accompanied by her driver who didn't meet the restaurant's standards of a well-dressed customer.

The Congress held a demonstration on Tuesday afternoon outside Mocambo asking for the manager to be arrested.

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The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday cautioned the Samajwadi Party while hinting at a crack in the party fold post Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's move to sack his uncle from all ministerial portfolios and said they will have to very soon take corrective measures to see that everything is in order.

NCP leader Majeed Memon pointed out that the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls will be a semi-final contest ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

"Uttar Pradesh is going to face the people's mandate in a few months to come hereafter and it being the largest state of the country, it's going to be margdarshak for 2019. As a matter of fact, this is something like a semi-final and therefore the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also pulling up its socks and trying its best to ensure that what result people gave them in 2014, that they literally swept Uttar Pradesh," said Memon.

The NCP leader also pointed out that Samajwadi Party boss Mulayam Singh Yadav may have many tough days to come to face hereafter even the present situation continues in his party.

"Although Modi wave has receded substantially anywhere else in the country also, but then they want to retain their upper hand in Uttar Pradesh and probably think of getting to power, which does not seem very probable in the present circumstances," said Memon.

"But as far as the ruling party is concerned...the Samajwadi has threat from the BJP, Congress and others because now Nitish and Lalu are also likely to plunge into Uttar Pradesh politics," he added.

Emphasizing on Amar Singh's entry in the Samajwadi Party camp, Memon said very soon they will have to take corrective measures to see that everything is in order.

"Amar Singh's entry also caused some kind of an anguish in Azam Khan's camp and all these things are going on. But I am sure the necessity is to make everything in order and I think the Samajwadi Party would do that soon," he added.

Akhilesh Yadav yesterday divested party member Shivpal Yadav of all important ministerial portfolios including PWD, irrigation, cooperative, flood control and revenue and handed him the social welfare department.

Prior to it, Shivpal had replaced him as its new chief in Uttar Pradesh on the instructions of Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The development came hours after Akhilesh shunted out state chief secretary Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal and replaced him with Rahul Bhatnagar.

The move comes at a time when the state is gearing up for assembly elections which is scheduled to take place next year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United States President will today host Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in the Oval Office, where he is likely to ascertain whether the time is right to remove further economic sanction on Myanmar leaders to help boost economic development in the country.

In November last year, when Suu Kyi won Myanmar's landmark election and claimed majority in the Parliament, ending half a century of dominance by the military, Washington removed certain government-run businesses and some banks from the blacklist in an attempt to jump-start trade, reports the CNN.

A latest round of sanctions relief could ease restrictions on Myanmar's military, which still controls important government functions like its borders and armed forces.

It's, however, not clear whether Suu Kyi would support such sanctions relief.

The US is also looking to end restrictions on imports of jade and other precious gems, which could prove a boon to Myanmar's fledgling economy.

US deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes had said last week during Obama's visit to Laos, "I think the biggest thing we can do is help their economy grow by opening up greater trade between Myanmar and the United States and other countries around the world."

"Some of that involves sanctions relief, and we've taken steps to relax the sanctions and to authorise greater activity. It's something that we continue to look at, because the purpose of the sanctions regime was to support a democratic transition, and some of the sanctions even were tied to the treatment of Suu Kyi specifically," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani today discussed regional situation and expressed concern at the continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objective.

They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond.

Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, both leaders called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India.

Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in India-Afghanistan strategic partnership agreement.

It was agreed that the Strategic Partnership Council headed by the External Affairs Minister of India and the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan will meet shortly, review the recommendations of the four Joint Working Groups dealing with diverse areas of cooperation and impart further guidance.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister fondly recalled his visits to Kabul and Herat in December 2015 and June this year respectively.

He mentioned that he cherished both the warm reception he had received during those visits and the fruitful discussions then and in his other meetings with the President in Tehran (May 2016) and Tashkent (June 2016).

Both leaders expressed their happiness at the close and regular consultations between India and Afghanistan at all levels, which have served to guide their strategic partnership and strengthen all-round cooperation.

Recalling that India-Afghanistan bilateral development cooperation has assisted Afghanistan's own efforts for successful political, security and economic transitions, the two leaders noted with happiness the recent completion of major milestones such as Parliament Building and the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam.

The President stressed the significance of the Prime Minister's assurance conveyed during the joint inauguration of Storay Palace on August 22, 2016, via a video link that 1.25 billion people of India firmly stand with their Afghan brothers and sisters.

He conveyed India's readiness to consider further requirements of Afghanistan for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

To this end, the Prime Minister offered that, as a close neighbour and friend of Afghanistan and its people, India would allocate a sum of USD one billion.

The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments.

The leaders expressed satisfaction over signing of the Extradition Treaty, the agreement on cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space during the President's visit.

It was also stressed that expeditious implementation of the trilateral agreement involving Afghanistan, India and Iran, signed in May 2016, using Chahbahar will augment connectivity within and of the region.

In this context, the leaders appreciated the recent decision taken by the three countries to convene a joint forum involving important stake holders, including from business and industry.

Both leaders welcomed intensification in the interaction involving India and Afghanistan with regional and other countries and international organisations to foster peace, stability and development in Afghanistan.

They appreciated, in particular, the outcome of the India-Iran-Afghanistan trilateral consultations and looked forward to the resumption of India-U.S.-Afghanistan consultations in New York later this month.

Prime Minister Modi conveyed to Afghan President Ghani that India would continue to engage with the international community to assist the Government of Afghanistan in all possible ways.

In this context, the leaders underscored the significance of the Amritsar Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA) on December 4 as well as the Brussels Conference on October 5.

They noted that the choice of Amritsar underscored the value of restoring connectivity and was in consonance with this year's theme for HoA: 'Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity'.

It also underscored that India and Afghanistan remain committed to the expeditious realization of seamless two-way connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia.

The Prime Minister invited the President to grace the inauguration of the Amritsar Ministerial.

The President accepted the invitation. The President will highlight to senior Indian industry and trade captains the economic opportunities and potential of Afghanistan.

He will also deliver an address to a select gathering of strategic experts at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses on 'Fifth Wave of Political Violence and Global Terrorism.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Priyanka Chopra, the global ambassador for Global Citizen is proud to bring India and the United States closer through the amazing cause to fight poverty and focus on sanitation, clean water, education and gender equality.

In a video posted by Global Citizen on its Twitter handle and reposted by the 34-year-old actor, she is seen saying, "Namaste Mumbai. As the Global Citizen global ambassador, I am so excited to support the launch for the first Global Citizen Festival in India and I am proud to bring my home country and the US closer through this amazing cause. This is an incredible opportunity to bring real and meaningful change into the lives of people across all over India and Inspire the world through your actions."

Adding on to this, the 'Quantico' star further said, "Through Global Citizen India, you will join a movement of people who are working to build a more sustainable future for all of us, especially for girls and women. Empowering girls and women is a key step in ending extreme poverty. Starting today, you can do your part to bring about gender equality in India."

Along with the video, the Global Citizen tweeted, "Join @GlblCtznIN ambassador @priyankachopra at #globalcitizenindia Fest! #ShuruaatHoonMain https://globalcitizen.in"

On a related note, PeeCee serves as an ambassador for Girl Rising, the campaign to improve girls' education globally, and Girl Up, a United Nations foundation. She was also appointed as a National Ambassador to UNICEF for children's rights in 2010.

The charity concert, which is overseen by the Global Poverty Project, will be held at the MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai on November 19 on the occasion of World Toilet Day with a focus on sanitation, clean water, education and gender equality.

The inaugural Global Citizen Festival India will be headlined by International artists like Coldplay and Jay Z and a host of B-Town biggies like Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, Katrina Kaif, AR Rahman, Farhan Akhtar, Shraddha Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Arijit Singh, Dia Mirza, Shankar Ehsaan Loy and Monali Thakur.

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With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led municipal corporation blaming each other following four more deaths due to complications arising from chikungunya, Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra on Wednesday urged all to work with a positive approach to fight the vector-borne diseases rather than indulging in politics over the same.

"It is easy to point fingers. We should work together with a positive approach. I will approach everyone. Prevention is the key and we should work for it. We should work as 'one Delhi' and stop politics," he told the media.

"The situation is serious and that is why I have written an open letter to everyone including the Congress, BJP, journalists and to my own party and party workers that now we have to stop this politics and work together on prevention. We have to work together on fixing this out," he added.

The Delhi Government has ordered a probe into the deaths reported in the capital in the last two days.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday carried out inspections of five government hospitals and said there is no need to panic.

Jain said, medically, there is no death due to chikungunya, but media is showing deaths due to this disease.

He said, according to doctors, is not a life-threatening disease in general, but in rare cases leads to complications that prove fatal, especially in children and old persons.
Five Tibetan families living in Switzerland have urged the United Nations, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the government of various countries to support them against the alleged ongoing political repression, cultural assimilation, social discrimination, economic marginalisation and environment destruction imposed by the Chinese government and Communist Party.

The Tibet Solidarity Movement in a press statement said that five families since January 13, this year have been protesting on every second Wednesday of each month in front of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), housed at the Palais des Nations calling on the UN, especially to the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the international community to take immediate actions on the Tibet issue as the number of self-immolations in Tibet dramatically escalated to 144.

"124 of the 144 Tibetans who self-immolated are known to have died following their protest. Even eight Tibetan-in-exile have offered their lives as an expression of complete solidarity with their people inside Tibet," the statement said.

The five families also placed their demands and urged the UN to support the cause.

The demands include, "The United Nations must review the issue of Tibet based on the resolutions passed in 1959, 1961 and 1965. The return of his holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet should be facilitated. Freedom and peace in Tibet must be restored."

The statement also added that the UN must intervene towards the release of all Tibetan prisoners starting with the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedun Chorkyi Nyima, held incommunicado by the Chinese Government since 1995.

Highlighting that on July 12th, 2015 the former political prisoner, Tulku Tenzin Delek Rimpoche, passed away in a Chinese prison of unclear death after being imprisoned for 13 years, serving a life sentence for a crime he did not commit, the statement said that the UN must urge the Chinese Authorities to investigate and make public the circumstances surrounding the death.

"The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein should lead a fact-finding mission with unfettered access to Tibet immediately. The UN must intervene and ask the Chinese Government to hold a constructive and meaningful dialogue to settle the Tibet issue with the representatives of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala, India," the statement said.

It also pointed out that the UN should also protect the Human Rights in China, Mongolia and Xinjiang.

The statement added that the UN also demand from the Chinese government the release all Chinese and Uyghur political prisoners like Xiabo and Ilham Tohti.

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A senior administration official has said that the United States is planning to increase the number of refugees accepted into the country to at least 1,10,000 in 2017.

Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday briefed the Congress about the administration's decision and stated that the United States would seek to welcome 1,00,000 refugees in 2017 and would even accept more, if possible, reports the CNN.

The increase from 70,000 during 2013-2015 to 85,000 in 2016 to the plan of 1,10,000 in 2017 is more than a 57 per cent increase in refugee arrivals since 2015 and is consistent with the administration's belief that all countries should do more to help the vulnerable.

The refugee policy has also been the top issue in the 2016 presidential election.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump stoked controversy last December when he proposed a temporary ban on all Muslims immigrating to the United States.

However, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has said that she would like to see the number of Syrian refugees accepted into the United States increase from the Obama administration's goal of 10,000 a year to 65,000 refugees.
On 14 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan sent a congratulatory address to the newly-appointed prime-minister of the Republic of Armenia Karen Karapetyan, Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh Republic President stated.

September 14, 2016, 15:50 Bako Sahakyan sent congratulatory address to the newly-appointed Armenian prime-minister Karen Karapetyan

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 14, ARTSAKHPRESS: The address runs as follows:

"On behalf of the people and authorities of the Artsakh Republic and personally myself I extend my cordial congratulations to You on being appointed to the post of Republic of Armenia's prime-minister.

You have rich experience and knowledge, high personal and professional abilities that will greatly favor the realization of Your activity in this responsible position.

I am confident You will continue serving selflessly to the patriotic mission of bringing prosperity and development the Motherland's and native people's, strengthening the Armenian statehood, securing economic progress, deepening and widening ties between Armenia and Artsakh on a consistent basis.

I wish You great success for the glory of the Republic of Armenian and the Armenia people".
The National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped under Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities with support of Abhoy Mission recently organized a one-day orientation and training programme on disabilities for the mediapersons in Agartala.

34 mediapersons from different electronic and print media including All India Radio, Agartala, Department of Information and Cultural Affairs and Doordarshan Kendra, Agartala participated in the programme.

Dr Binapani Mahapatra, HOD, department of Rehabilitation Psychology, NIMH, Secunderabad; Dr Mosumi Bhaumik from NIMH, regional centre Mumbai; R C Nitnaware from Regional Centre, NIMH, Kolkata; Susmita De, State Coordinator, SNAC, Tripura under National Trust and President of Abhoy Mission, Shyamal Deb, were among the notable persons who attended the meeting.

Dr Mahapatra made discussion on features and types of disabilities. She also discussed about myths and misconceptions about disabilities.

A brief description on Niramay Insurance, Legal Guardianship and objective of National Trust with emphasis on development of attitude of parents of disable children particularly in the field of education along with the various provisions, schemes, benefits and description of teaching learning materials were discussed.

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With widespread damage to the vital urban infrastructure, interruption in the transport including, roads, rail and air and inability of the workforce to safely move to and from offices and factories, Karnataka , particularly Bengaluru city, is estimated to have suffered a loss between Rs 22,000-25,000 crore due to Cauvery dispute related violence, apex industry body ASSOCHAM said today.

Violence in the state capital and other parts of Karnataka has severely dented the image of Bengaluru as Silicon Valley of India, home to almost all the Fortune 500 companies, said ASSOCHAM while making a fervent appeal for peace in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The way the violent incidents had spread is demoralizing the business and industrial community, particularly in the capital city of Karnataka. The image that India built around Bengaluru as its 'Silicon Valley' is being sullied, said ASSOCHAM secretary general, Mr D S Rawat.

The authorities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu should not allow under any circumstances the law and order to be compromised. While the water is a basic requirement and an emotional issue, the situation is being exploited by miscreants, scaring away the peace loving workforce which has settled in both Bengaluru and Chennai from all over the country and even abroad, said Mr Rawat.

According to ASSOCHAM, widespread loss would accrue to IT and ITES facilities due to poor attendance for the last several days. Besides, the inter-state tourism, particularly involving pilgrims, domestic travellers, has been affected.

Cancellation of air tickets have also been reported to and from Bengaluru.

Likewise, industrial production, movement of cargo and retail trade including malls, cinema halls, restaurants, have been halted. All these losses would run between Rs 22,000 crore and Rs 25,000 crore, besides of course immense damage to the goodwill of the state as an attractive investment destination.

ASSOCHAM has also urged the Centre to effectively monitor the situation and ensure that peace is restored in the two states. A lot of damage has already been done to the trade and factory output with movement of the vehicles hit by the agitation which is taking violent shape. There is a huge stake for the country's showpiece information technology in both Bengaluru and Chennai.

The strikes and bandhs should not be allowed to take violent shape and the law and order machinery should be geared up well in advance, with good amount of intelligence gathering, it said.

While we are selling ourselves to be the fastest growing economy of the world, we cannot afford the incidents which are taking place in the metropolitan cities. After all, the two states had built with a lot of hard work image of progressive areas, which should not be compromised at any cost.

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Bharat Heavy Electricals rose 0.34% to Rs 148 at 10:20 IST on BSE after NHPC awarded a contract worth Rs 132.74 crore to the company.

The announcement was made by NHPC after market hours on Monday, 12 September 2016. Stock market remained closed yesterday, 13 September 2016 on account of holiday. Shares of NHPC rose 2.15% to Rs 26.15.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 34.65 points or 0.12% at 28,311.15.

On BSE, so far 2.05 lakh shares were traded in the Bharat Heavy Electricals' counter as against average daily volume of 9.98 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 149.40 and a low of Rs 147.55 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 219.70 on 27 October 2015. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 90.40 on 29 February 2016. The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 12 September 2016, rising 6.65% compared with 0.71% rise in the Sensex. The scrip had also outperformed the market in past one quarter, gaining 19.29% as against Sensex's 6.45% rise.

The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 489.52 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2.

The contract awarded to Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) by NHPC is for renovation and modernization of 180 megawatts Baira Siul Power Station in Himachal Pradesh. The scope of the contract agreement signed by NHPC with Bhel includes electromechanical works packages comprising supply, erection, commissioning of turbines and accessories and dismantling of existing system.

Meanwhile, shares of Bhel turned ex-dividend today, 14 September 2016, for final dividend of Rs 0.40 per share for the year ended 31 March 2016. Before turning ex-dividend, the stock offered a dividend yield of 0.27% based on the closing price of Rs 147.50 on Monday, 12 September 2016.

State-run Bhel is an integrated power plant equipment manufacturer. It is one of the largest engineering and manufacturing companies in India engaged in the design, engineering, manufacture, construction, testing, commissioning and servicing of a wide range of products and services for core sectors of the economy, viz. power, transmission, industry, railways, renewable energy, oil & gas, water and defence.

The Government of India currently holds 63.06% stake in Bhel (as per the shareholding pattern as on 30 June 2016).

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Senior Dental Doctors and Specialists working in Government of India approached the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and sought his intervention against alleged discrimination towards them in the matter of age of superannuation.

A delegation led by Dr H. P.

Singh, President, Central Government Dental Doctors' Association handed over a memorandum to Dr Jitendra Singh in which it has been pointed out that whereas the Central Government, vide its order dated 31.05.2016, raised the superannuation age of Non-teaching Specialists sub-cadre, public health sub-cadre, GDMO sub-cadre of CHS to 65 years, the same rule somehow, did not become applicable to Dental Doctors working in Central Government. This has led to feeling of discrimination and grievance among the Central Government Dental Doctors, they said.

The memorandum also sought to note that out of 34 sanctioned posts of Dental Doctors all over India under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, at present only 24 posts are filled and occupied. In other words, this means that the grievance pertaining to the enhancement of retirement age to 65 years in order to make at par with the other doctors of Central Health Services is confined only to 24 doctors who happen to be from Dental Specialty working under the Central Government.

The delegation underlined that they had represented their grievance to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and were now approaching Dr Jitendra Singh.

Dr Jitendra Singh gave a patient hearing to the members of delegation and said that he would take up their grievance with the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

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Godfrey Phillips India lost 4.54% to Rs 1,383 at 11:05 IST on BSE after net profit dropped 62% to Rs 22.38 crore on 18.5% fall in net sales to Rs 465.59 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015.

The result was announced yesterday, 13 September 2016, when the stock markets were closed on account of Bakri Id.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 59.63 points or 0.21% at 28,293.91.

On BSE, so far 63,000 shares were traded in the counter as against average daily volume of 38,264 shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 1,446.50 and a low of Rs 1,350.70 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 556.10 on 11 September 2015. The stock had hit a record high of Rs 1,660.25 on 3 December 2015. The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 12 September 2016, surging 19.08% compared with 0.71% rise in the Sensex. The scrip had also outperformed the market in past one quarter, gaining 66.64% as against Sensex's 6.45% rise.

The mid-cap company has equity capital of Rs 10.40 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2.

Godfrey Phillips India, a flagship company of the K.K. Modi Group, is one of India's largest cigarette manufacturers. The company makes cigarette brands including Four Square, Red & White, and Cavanders, as well as Hawk Eye brand of premium cigarettes. The company exports its own cigarette brands, like Jaisalmer, Stellar and Black Jack among others, all over the globe. And under a license agreement with Philip Morris, it manufactures and markets Marlboro cigarettes in India.

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To deliver innovative solutions to Life Insurance companies

Hexaware Technologies announced its association with Oracle Insurance Policy Administration (OIPA), a leader in the Life Insurance solution space. The Company will leverage OIPA to develop a preconfigured platform for Life Insurance companies.

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The Japan share market ended lower on Wednesday, 14 September 2016, dragged down by tracking negative lead from Wall Street overnight. Meanwhile, sentiments were downbeat on growing speculation that the Bank of Japan will maintain the negative rate on excess reserves at the policy meeting next week and could even lower the rate in the future. The 225-issue Nikkei lost 114.80 points, or 0.69%, to finish at 16,614.24 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The Topix index of all first-section issues lost 8.25 points, or 0.62%, to close at 1,314.74. Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by 1354 to 543 and 161 ended unchanged. The Nikkei Volatility, which measures the implied volatility of Nikkei 225 options, was up 2.40% to 23.02.

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Tata Steel dropped 0.32% to Rs 372.40 at 9:25 IST on BSE after the company reported net loss of Rs 3183.07 crore in Q1 June 2016, higher than net loss of Rs 316.91 crore in Q1 June 2015.

The result was announced after market hours on Monday, 12 September 2016. Stock market remained closed on Tuesday, 13 September 2016 on account of holiday.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 43.66 points or 0.15% at 28,397.20.

On BSE, so far 55,952 shares were traded in the counter as against average daily volume of 9.64 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 377.75 and a low of Rs 368 so far during the day.

Tata Steel's total income fell 5.5% to Rs 26542.83 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. Tata Steel's consolidated earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose 21% to Rs 3270 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015 due to improved operating performance across India, Europe, and South East Asia. EBITDA margin expanded to 12.4% in Q1 June 2016 from 9.6% in Q1 June 2015. Tata Steel said that the company recognised loss of Rs 3296 crore in Q1 June 2016 on account of divestment of Long Steel UK Limited.

In its business outlook for Indian business operations, Tata Steel said that India realisations in Q2 September 2016 are expected to be affected by lower demand from large steel consuming sectors such as construction and capital goods as well as seasonal sluggishness due to monsoon. Demand is expected to pick up post-monsoon and the festive season on the back of increase in disposable income due to the Pay Commission award, good harvest and easier liquidity, Tata Steel said. Supply side pressures from domestic steel companies likely to cap realisations and keep industry mill utilisation levels under check, the company said.

In its business outlook for European business operations, Tata Steel said that European Union economy is expected to continue to grow gradually though UK's stronger growth may slow down following the referendum result. Supply pressures from imports are expected to continue. The weaker pound is expected to improve UK's short term competitive position on exports, however it will add cost pressure due to higher cost of raw materials purchased in US dollars, Tata Steel said.

In its business outlook for South East Asia busines, Tata Steel said that steel demand is expected to be stable on the back of infrastructure building. Margins will remain under pressure as China's slowing growth and overcapacity is expected to result in continued exports to global markets, particularly South East Asia.

Tata Steel said that while iron ore prices have been volatile, coking coal prices have surged upwards by almost 60% since the start of August 2016. Prices of iron ore and coking coal are expected to remain volatile, the company said.

T V Narendran, Managing Director of Tata Steel India and South East Asia, said that seasonal headwinds and a slowdown in a large steel consuming sector like real estate affected steel demand in Q1 June 2016. While the regulatory changes have helped stem the flood of imports, domestic supply has increased and added to the competitive pressure, Narendran said. Tata Steel Kalinganagar commenced commercial production during Q1 June 2016 and the plant is ramping up well both in terms of output and quality, he said. Despite continued imports from China, the South East Asia operations have shown a significant improvement in the business due to the focus on downstream products and solutions, exports and effective management of spreads, he added.

Tata Steel is Europe's second largest steel producer, with steelmaking in the UK and Netherlands, and manufacturing plants across Europe. The combined Tata Steel group is one of the world's largest steel producers.

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On a consolidated basis, Tata Steel reported net loss of Rs 3183.07 crore in Q1 June 2016, higher than net loss of Rs 316.91 crore in Q1 June 2015. Total income fell 5.5% to Rs 26542.83 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced after market hours on Monday, 12 September 2016. Stock market remained closed on Tuesday, 13 September 2016.

Tata Steel's consolidated earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose 21% to Rs 3270 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015 due to improved operating performance across India, Europe, and South East Asia. EBITDA margin expanded to 12.4% in Q1 June 2016 from 9.6% in Q1 June 2015. Tata Steel said that the company recognised loss of Rs 3296 crore in Q1 June 2016 on account of divestment of Long Steel UK Limited.

In its business outlook for Indian business operations, Tata Steel said that India realisations in Q2 September 2016 are expected to be affected by lower demand from large steel consuming sectors such as construction and capital goods as well as seasonal sluggishness due to monsoon. Demand is expected to pick up post-monsoon and the festive season on the back of increase in disposable income due to the Pay Commission award, good harvest and easier liquidity, Tata Steel said. Supply side pressures from domestic steel companies likely to cap realisations and keep industry mill utilisation levels under check, the company said.

In its business outlook for European business operations, Tata Steel said that European Union economy is expected to continue to grow gradually though UK's stronger growth may slow down following the referendum result. Supply pressures from imports are expected to continue. The weaker pound is expected to improve UK's short term competitive position on exports, however it will add cost pressure due to higher cost of raw materials purchased in US dollars, Tata Steel said.

In its business outlook for South East Asia busines, Tata Steel said that steel demand is expected to be stable on the back of infrastructure building. Margins will remain under pressure as China's slowing growth and overcapacity is expected to result in continued exports to global markets, particularly South East Asia.

Tata Steel said that while iron ore prices have been volatile, coking coal prices have surged upwards by almost 60% since the start of August 2016. Prices of iron ore and coking coal are expected to remain volatile, the company said.

T V Narendran, Managing Director of Tata Steel India and South East Asia, said that seasonal headwinds and a slowdown in a large steel consuming sector like real estate affected steel demand in Q1 June 2016. While the regulatory changes have helped stem the flood of imports, domestic supply has increased and added to the competitive pressure, Narendran said. Tata Steel Kalinganagar commenced commercial production during Q1 June 2016 and the plant is ramping up well both in terms of output and quality, he said. Despite continued imports from China, the South East Asia operations have shown a significant improvement in the business due to the focus on downstream products and solutions, exports and effective management of spreads, he added.

Coal India's consolidated net profit fell 14.78% to Rs 3065.28 crore on 6.11% decline in net sales to Rs 17796.05 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced yesterday, 13 September 2016 when the stock market was closed on account of Bakri Id.

Reliance Capital announced on 13 September 2016 that its board of directors approved a proposal to independently list its home finance business - Reliance Home Finance Ltd (RHF) - on the stock exchanges. The independent listing of Reliance Home Finance is expected to unlock substantial value for existing shareholders of Reliance Capital. The listing of Reliance Home Finance will also lead to increased management focus and accelerated growth in the home finance business. As per the proposal, 49% stake in Reliance Home Finance Limited will be allotted to all shareholders of Reliance Capital, in the ratio of one share free of cost in Reliance Home Finance Limited for every one share held in Reliance Capital.

Reliance Capital will hold a 51% stake in Reliance Home Finance, and the company will be adequately capitalised to grow the lending book to over Rs 20000 crore in the next 18 months. The proposal is subject to necessary shareholders and other approvals. Reliance Home Finance, a 100% subsidiary of Reliance Capital, provides a wide range of loan solutions like home loan, LAP, Construction Finance and affordable housing loans. The company reported an AUM of Rs 8259 crore ($ 1.2 billion) during the quarter ended 30 June 2016.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals announced before market hours today, 14 September 2016 that it has been granted final approval by the United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for Diclofenac Sodium Gel, 3%, the generic version of Solaraze Gel, 3% of Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. According to IMS Health sales data for the 12 month period ending July 2016, the Solaraze Gel, 3% market achieved annual sales of around $297.90 million in the US.

Shares of Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) and NHPC will be watched. NHPC announced after market hours on Monday, 12 September 2016, that it has awarded a contract worth Rs 132.74 crore to Bhel for renovation and modernization of 180 megawatts (MW) Baira Siul Power Station in Himachal Pradesh. The scope of the contract agreement includes electromechanical works packages comprising supply, erection, commissioning of turbines and accessories and dismantling of existing system.

Meanwhile, Bharat Heavy Electricals turns ex-dividend today, 14 September 2016, for final dividend of Rs 0.40 per share for the year ended 31 March 2016.

National Aluminium Company (Nalco)'s net profit fell 22.55% to Rs 135.01 crore on 3.26% rise in total income to Rs 1682.63 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The announcement was made after market hours on Monday, 12 September 2016.

Motherson Sumi Systems said that the board of directors of the company has considered and approved the issue and allotment of 1.77 crore equity shares of the company to Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Japan at Rs 317 per share on a preferential basis. The announcement was made after market hours on Monday, 12 September 2016.

Allahabad Bank announced after market hours on Monday, 12 September 2016, that Credit Analysis and Research (CARE) has assigned CARE AA rating to the bank's proposed Basel-III compliant Tier 2 bonds aggregating to Rs 1000 crore. Further, CARE and Brickwork Ratings India have also reviewed the existing ratings of the bank's outstanding Tier 1/Tier 2 Bonds rated by them.

Godfrey Phillips India's net profit dropped 61.99% to Rs 22.38 crore on 12.06% fall in total income from operations to Rs 940.56 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced yesterday, 13 September 2016, when the stock markets were closed on account of Bakri Id.

IL&FS Transportation Networks reported net profit of Rs 17.87 crore in Q1 June 2016 as compared to net loss of Rs 18.64 crore in Q1 June 2015. Total income rose 16.41% to Rs 1281.56 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced yesterday, 13 September 2016, when the stock markets were closed on account of Bakri Id.

Balmer Lawrie & Company turns ex-dividend today, 14 September 2016, for dividend of Rs 20 per share for the year ended 31 March 2016.

Gujarat State Petronet turns ex-dividend today 14 September 2016, for dividend of Rs 1.50 per share for the year ended 31 March 2016.

PTC India Financial Services turns ex-dividend today, 14 September 2016, for dividend of Rs 1.20 per share for the year ended 31 March 2016.

PTC turns ex-dividend today, 14 September 2016, for final dividend of Rs 2.50 per share for the year ended 31 March 2016.

Repco Home Finance turns ex-dividend today, 14 September 2016, for dividend of Rs 1.80 per share for the year ended 31 March 2016.

SJVN turns ex-dividend today, 14 September 2016, for final dividend of Rs 0.47 per share for the year ended 31 March 2016.

T D Power Systems turns ex-dividend today, 14 September 2016, for dividend of Rs 3.05 per share for the year ended 31 March 2016.

Suzlon Energy reported consolidated net loss of Rs 259.97 crore in Q1 June 2016 compared with net profit of Rs 1014.34 crore in Q1 June 2015. Total income dropped 36.81% to Rs 1668.94 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced on 13 September 2016.

Amtek Auto reported net loss of Rs 319.68 crore in Q1 June 2016 compared with net loss of Rs 157.60 crore in Q1 June 2015. Total income dropped 33.45% to Rs 576.49 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015. The result was announced on 13 September 2016.

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Cairn India and Vedanta rose 1.85% and 2.01% respectively at 14:42 IST on BSE after the shareholders of Cairn India approved the company's merger with Vedanta.

Vedanta (up 2.01% at Rs 164.80) and Cairn India (up 1.85% at Rs 192.45) edged higher.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 39.23 points or 0.14% at 28,314.31.

Cairn India's equity shareholders approved the scheme of arrangement for merger of the company with Vedanta with requisite majority. Vedanta's shareholders had already approved the same on 9 September 2016.

Tom Albanese, CEO of Vedanta said that the approval for the Vedanta and Cairn India merger by both sets of shareholders consolidates Vedanta's portfolio of attractive, Tier-I assets and simplifies the group structure. Vedanta remains committed to delivering superior value for the shareholders of the merged company through its diversified portfolio of world-class, low cost, long-life assets that have significant growth potential.

The merger scheme is now subject to the approval of the jurisdictional High Courts and other regulatory approvals and is expected to be effective by the end of the current financial year (FY 2017).

It may be recalled that Vedanta, Cairn India and the parent company, Vedanta Resources plc had announced revised and final terms to the recommended merger between Vedanta and Cairn India on 22 July 2016. The boards of Vedanta and Cairn India had approved revised and final terms for the transaction, taking into account prevailing market conditions and having regard to underlying commercial factors. Pursuant to the revised and final terms, each Cairn India minority shareholder would receive for each equity share held in Cairn one equity share in Vedanta and four redeemable preference shares with a face value of Rs 10 in Vedanta with a coupon of 7.5% and tenure of 18 months from issuance and implied premium of 20% to one month volume weighted average price (VWAP) of Cairn India share price.

Vedanta is a diversified natural resources company. Its business primarily involves producing oil & gas, zinc - lead - silver, copper, iron ore, aluminium and commercial power. The company has a presence across India, South Africa, Namibia, Australia, Ireland, Liberia and Sri Lanka. The company's consolidated net profit fell 27% to Rs 615.02 crore on 15.2% decline in net sales to Rs 14364.01 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015.

Cairn India, a part of the Vedanta group, is one of the largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in India. On a consolidated basis, the company's net profit slipped 28.3% to Rs 359.55 crore on 28.2% fall in net sales to Rs 1885.11 crore in Q1 June 2016 over Q1 June 2015.

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Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday suggested the setting up of an Afghan-India Task Force by both governments and chambers of commerce to take forward the India-Afghanistan strategic relationship.

"The Task Force could meet during the Heart of Asia conference in December in India," Ghani said here.

He was delivering his keynote address at a business meeting jointly organised by industry chambers FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM on the sidelines of the Afghan President's two-day official visit to India,

"The allocation of $1 billion by Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards rebuilding the economy of Afghanistan is a statement of belief in the strategic partnership between the two countries," Ghani said.

He also urged the business chambers of both countries to contribute towards Afghanistan's efforts by setting up a target of $10 billion in trade and investment in the next five years.

On connectivity, Ghani said that cargo flights had major capabilities and could be used for transporting Afghan goods in demand to India.

"And Indian products like tea could travel back to Afghanistan creating a value chain which can be affordable and sustainable," he said, adding that Kabul also looked to New Delhi to set up dry ports in his country.

In this connection, an agreement was signed earlier this year by India, Iran and Afghanistan of the Chabahar trilateral transit and trade corridor deal that will ensure easy movement of goods between the three countries, bypassing Pakistan.

India is to invest up to $500 million in the project to develop Iran's Chabahar port, located on the coast of Gulf of Oman and over 70 km from Pakistan's Gwadar port that China is developing.

The Chabahar port transport and transit corridor would help link trade routes from the Indian Ocean to Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond.

In his address at the event, Minister of State of External Affairs V.K. Singh said the strategic partnership between India and Afghanistan had been growing steadily and now was the time to take trade and investment between the two countries to the next level.

--IANS

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With India's ratification of the the Paris Agreement on combating climate crucial to the accord coming into force early, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is lobbying New Delhi to ratify it and has been in contacts with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other officials, according to his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

"There have been contacts between the Secretary General and the Prime Minister and at other levels, and I think it's no secret that the Secretary General very much hopes that at the climate event which will be coming up next week, more countries will be bringing their instruments of ratification," Dujarric told the media on Tuesday.

"Ban is continuing his lobbying effort, if you will, to all concerned member states," he said.

Dujarric said this while replying to a question at daily briefing -- whether Ban was in close contact with the New Delhi leadership "to prod India to signing or ratifying the agreement".

While reporters called India an "outlier", Dujarric explained, "We fully understand that there are different constitutional processes in different countries. Some take more time. Some take less time."

He cited the example of the European Union, which is also lagging in ratifying the agreement.

"We know that the EU is in a particular spot where all of them have to agree before any can," he said.

Ban has convened next Wednesday a high-level event for countries to deposit their ratification documents.

He had hoped it would have the required ratifications for the agreement to enter into force, but a week before the event it was not certain if it would as only 27 countries had ratified it.

At least 55 countries that together account for 55 per cent of the output of greenhouse gases have to ratify it before it comes into force.

For both Ban and US President Barack Obama, who are in the last months of their terms in office, the climate change agreement to keep global warming rise to below two degrees Celsius is considered their legacy.

India's ratification is considered important for the agreement to take effect early.

The two top emitters of greenhouse gases, the US and China together account for 38 per cent and India, which is a distant third biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, four per cent, according to the annexure to the agreement.

New Delhi can help reach the 55 per cent mark after all the other smaller emitters have ratified.

China and the US have ratified the agreement and Chinese Presidents Xi Jinping and Obama handed over the documents to Ban at the G20 summit in Hangzhou in China, earlier this month.

Although Modi and Obama said in their joint statement in June that the two nations would ratify the agreement this year, India is lagging.

While there is strong opposition to agreement in the Republican-controlled Senate, Obama side-stepped it by not treating it as a treaty, which would have needed the legislative approval, but rather as an agreement.

India signed the accord in April, but has not formally ratified it. Niti Aayog head Arvind Panagariya told the media in Hangzhou during the G20 meeting that New Delhi was unlikely to ratify it this year.

According to various reports, New Delhi is linking its ratification to its admission to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an international consortium that controls the export of nuclear materials, that would guarantee access to nuclear materials for civilian uses. While there was broad support to the US initiative for giving India membership, China blocked it.

India has not openly made NSG membership a biding condition for Paris accord ratification, but the Indian External Affairs Ministry hinted at it in June after New Delhi was turned down, "Our application has acquired an immediacy in view of India's INDC (intended nationally determined contributions to reducing greenhouse gases under the Paris agreement) envisaging 40 per cent non-fossil power generation capacity by 2030. An early positive decision by the NSG would have allowed us to move forward on the Paris Agreement."

--IANS

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The BJP on Wednesday condemned the "behaviour" of the Delhi Chief Minister and his ministers towards journalists and wrote to the Editors Guild of India (EGI) and Broadcasting Editors Association (BEAI) demanding their "apology".

"This is not the first instance of the Chief Minister or his colleague's misbehaviour with the media," Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit chief Satish Upadhyay wrote in his letter.

"Since it came to power, this Delhi government has repeatedly tried to gag the media, beginning by a dos and don'ts instruction circular issued to the media," Upadhyay alleged.

Upadhyay also requested the EGI and BEAI to intervene in the matter and to make the Delhi government to apologise to the journalists.

The BJP leader's remarks came a day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at a senior journalist on Twitter and Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had reportedly thrown a reporter's mobile phone during a press conference.

--IANS

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Two days after violence shook Bengaluru in protest against Karnataka releasing more Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, the country's tech hub was back to normal on Wednesday.

"The city is back to normalcy, with shops, hotels, offices and private establishments opening in all areas except in northwest and southwest suburbs where curfew is in force till Thursday for maintaining law and order," a top police officer said.

With buses, taxis, autos and metro rail resuming service, thousands of people were seen commuting to offices and workplaces in and around the city.

Passengers going to or alighting at railway junctions and bus terminals in the city and the airport on the outskirts are able to get transport as trains, inter-state buses and flights are operating on schedule.

"Security across the city remains tight and ban order under section 144 of the CrPC on assembling of more than five persons at public places and populated areas continues till further order to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incident," said Police Commissioner N S Megharikh.

Most of the schools and colleges have declared holiday for Onam festival and remained shut in curfew-hit areas to avoid inconvenience.

"Educational institutions, offices and businesses will remain shut in curfew-bound areas as a precautionary measure," Megharikh told reporters here.

Situation at Mandya and Mysuru in the river basin remained under control amid peaceful protests by farmers, traders and youth against releasing water to the lower riparian state.

Meanwhile, state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is waiting for an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to seek his intervention in the inter-state water dispute.

"Siddaramaiah is waiting for an appointment with the Prime Minister from the PMO (prime minister's office) to go to New Delhi as there is no response yet," an official from the chief minister's office told IANS.

Siddaramaiah wrote a letter to Modi on September 9 for convening a meeting of the chief ministers of both the states and his intervention to resolve the vexed issue after the Supreme Court directed the state to release 15,000 cusecs of the river water to Tamil Nadu on September 5 for 10 days and extended it to September 20, reducing the quantum of release to 12,000 cusecs per day.
on Wednesday warned Taiwan that allowing the Dalai Lama to visit the island, which Beijing claims as its own, will "severely impact" ties.

The Dalai Lama, called a "traitor" by for his views on Tibet, has been invited to Taiwan by one of its high-profile lawmakers, Freddy Lim, who met the Tibetan leader in India last week.

"The intention of some forces in Taiwan to collude with separatists seeking Tibet independence and to create disturbances will have a severe impact on relations across the Taiwan Strait," Ma Xiaoguangan, official in-charge of China's Taiwan Affairs, told the media here.

"We firmly oppose the Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan in any form," Ma added.

The ties between and Taiwan have soured after the newly-elected Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen declared she did not recognise the "One China" principle.

Following her refusal to do so, Beijing cut all its communication with Taipei.

If the Dalai Lama visits Taiwan, it can escalate the tension between the two entities.

China has accused the Dalai Lama of fomenting trouble in Tibet to separate it from the mainland. The Buddhist spiritual leader fled to India after a failed uprising in Tibet in 1959.

He has lived in exile in India since then.
The supreme Court on Wednesday asked the central government to persuade the states to halt the holding of sterilisation camps with well-equipped primary health care centres taking over the role.

The court also asked the central government to take a decision by December 31, whether it would like to frame a National Health Policy or not.

"The Union of India should make efforts to ensure that sterilisation camps are discontinued as early as possible but in any case within the time frame (of three years) already fixed," said a bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit in their judgment.

Calling for a decision on the National Health Policy, the court said: "We have already expressed our sadness at the fact that the National Health Policy has not yet been finalized despite the passage of more than one and a half years."

Besides calling for a halt to the sterilisation camps, the court said that there should not be any targets for the implementation of the sterilisation programme.

"Although the Union of India has stated that no targets have been fixed for the implementation of the sterilization program, it appears that there is an informal system of fixing targets," said Justice Lokur speaking for the bench.

"We leave it to the good sense of the each state government and union territory to ensure that such targets are not fixed so that health workers and others do not compel persons to undergo what would amount to a forced or non-consensual sterilisation merely to achieve the target."

Pointing to the policy imperative of increasing the proportion of male sterilisation from existing five per cent to 30 per cent, the court said: "Coercive methods are not justified and are not even effective in meeting the goals of population control. Improved access, education and empowerment should be the aim.

"The right to health is an integral part of the right to life does not need any repetition."

Referring to 363 deaths that have taken place due to sterilisation procedures during 2010-2013, the court said that discontinuation of sterilisation camps would "necessitate simultaneous strengthening of the Primary Health Care centres across the country both in terms of infrastructure and otherwise so that health care is made available to all persons".

Stressing that the significance of well-equipped PHCs across the country "certainly cannot be over-emphasised", the court said: "We direct the Union of India to pay attention to this as well, since it is absolutely important that all citizens of our country have access to primary health care."

Referring to the submission of the central government in the course of the hearing that as a matter of public health issue, sterilisation programme was the responsibility of the states, the court said that it could not pass the buck of its failure of giving national campaign for population control and family planning the importance it deserved.

"It is rather unfortunate that the Union of India is now treating the sterilisation program as a public health issue and making it the concern of the state government. This is simply not permissible and appears to be a case of passing the buck," the court said.

"This game of passing the parcel and treating a national program as a public health issue has to stop and somebody must take ownership of the Population Control and Family Planning programme."

The verdict came on a PIL by a health rights activist Devika Biswas who had sought the court's intervention following spate of botched-up sterilisation camps that were conducted across the states - from Bihar to Chhattisgarh - resulting in loss of precious human lives.

--IANS

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Prayers and 'darshan' at four Hindu temples, sandalpaste and vermillion smeared on his forehead and photo ops with Hindu religious leaders. In the first week of his 'Kisan Yatra' aimed at regaining power in Uttar Pradesh, is Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi resorting to soft Hindutva?

If yes, will it work in favour of the Congress or backfire -- as it did in the time of his late father, Rajiv Gandhi?

While party mandarins refuse to be drawn into a debate, Congress leaders in the state informally admit there has been a change in the way the Gandhi scion is being presented.

Often riled for being a party which appeases the minorities, the Congress appears to be making a conscious effort to win back the Hindus as it braces to give its best shot in assembly elections slated for early 2017.

Turned into rubble with only 28 legislators in a house of 403, a sharp contrast to its glorious past when it ruled India's most populous state, Gandhi's 2,500-km Yatra, covering 223 assembly segments, was also aimed at "soothing frayed nerves", a senior party leader said.

This, in effect, means the party is engaged in a major outreach to Hindus.

"The visit to Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya and a closed-door meeting with its priest Mahant Gyandas was choreographed well in advance not only for grabbing eyeballs but also to dent the stranglehold of the BJP on the community of holy men," a party leader told IANS.

But Congress leaders are quick to add that the party is wedded to secular values and respects all communities and religions.

Gandhi also visited Kichaucha Mazaar in Ambedkarnagar. But it was the first visit to Ayodhya in 26 long years by any member of the Gandhi family to the temple town.

Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had visited Ayodhya in 1990, though he could not go to Hanumangarhi.

One analyst said that from announcing an ageing Sheila Dixit as its presumptive Chief Minister in Uttar Pradesh, to tap the Brahmin vote bank, to the carefully orchestrated visits to temples in Gorakhpur, Faizabad, Ambedkarnagar and Ayodhya, the grand old party finally seems to be coming out of the closet to embrace the majority community.

UP's powerful cabinet minister Mohammad Azam Khan, however, trashes the outreach of Rahul Gandhi and says he was engaged in "fraudulent activities". "Visiting mazaars and temples is meant to fool people. Rahul should realise that people are wise and will not be swayed by his antics," Khan said.

Mahant Suresh Das of Ayodhya too feels that Gandhi's actions are politically motivated. "If the Congress leader was serious, he should have also visited Ram Lalla, who sits just a kilometre from Hanumangarhi," he said, referring to the makeshift Ram temple built on the ruins of the Babri Masjid.

He said the Congress will have to come clean on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri mosque issue.

The Congress last tasted power in Uttar Pradesh in 1985 and is now desperate to end its exile. Strategist Prashant Kishore has been tasked with working out the religious matrix.

The Dalits, Brahmins, Thakurs and Muslims along with OBCs were once the core base of the Congress. Large chunks of them have drifted away to the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seriously hitting the Congress.

Gandhi has clearly taken the first steps to rebuild the lost rainbow coalition. Will he succeed? It is a million dollar question.

(Mohit Dubey can be contacted on mohit.d@ians.in)

--IANS

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US presidential candidate will return to the campaign trail on Thursday, spokesman Nick Merrill said.

The Democratic nominee, who was recently diagnosed with pneumonia, spent Tuesday at her home in Chappaqua, New York, where she watched President Barack Obama's stump speech in Philadelphia on her behalf, Merrill said. She has no events on Wednesday, CNN reported.

"She has spent the day catching up on reading briefings, making calls, and she watched President Obama's speech in Philadelphia on TV," he said.

Clinton was initially eyeing a return to the campaign trail as soon as Wednesday, with aides scouting for a location to deliver a possible speech on the economy. But as the day wore along Tuesday, a person close to the campaign said, it became clear that Clinton would rest for at least one more day.

She is now scheduled to appear before the Congressional Hispanic Caucus meeting on Thursday night in Washington. Although that was the first scheduled event, aides said an earlier campaign stop is under consideration for Thursday.

Clinton abruptly left a September 11 commemoration ceremony on Sunday after what her campaign said was an episode of "overheating". A video showed a wobbly Clinton stumbling as she was assisted into her van to depart the ceremony.

She then went to daughter Chelsea Clinton's apartment and later returned to her home in Chappaqua, where campaign manager Robby Mook told CNN she was attended to by her doctor.

Clinton was diagnosed with pneumonia on Friday but decided to continue on the trail. The incident has prompted further scrutiny of her health and her campaign's transparency, and comes less than two months before Election Day and as polls show a tightening race.
Without naming Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on Wednesday expressed grave concern over terrorism in the region while New Delhi extended Kabul $1 billion in aid for capacity and capability building.

Briefing the media following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said that a large part of the discussions was devoted to the challenge of terrorism.

"The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at the continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives," he said.

Ghani arrived here on Wednesday in what is his second official visit to India after the one in April 2015.

A joint statement issued following the talks said that the two leaders agreed that terrorism "presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond".

"Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, they called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India," the statement said.

"Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement."

According to Jaishankar, Ghani pointed out that this new wave of terrorism was supported by the narcotics trade and that it was very well funded.

"The thrust of the discussion was that today this wave of terrorism is actually a common regional problem," the Foreign Secretary said.

India also pledged $1 billion for the support and development of "a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan".

Jaishankar said that much of this new development aid would cover capacity and institutional building.

"There was some discussion on water management and more collaboration on smaller dams," he said.

In June, Modi and Ghani jointly inaugurated a mega dam that was reconstructed with Indian aid in Herat province of Afghanistan.

Jaishankar also said that India was ready to deliver 1.7 lakh tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan but there have been transit problems.

He said that a transit request has been made to Pakistan but there has been no reply from Islamabad.

"Both leaders welcomed intensification in the interaction involving India and Afghanistan with regional and other countries and international organisations to foster peace, stability and development in Afghanistan," the joint statement said.

The two sides also discussed quick implementation of the trilateral agreement involving Afghanistan, India and Iran, signed in May 2016, using Chabahar port.

"They appreciated, in particular, the outcome of the India-Iran-Afghanistan trilateral consultations and looked forward to the resumption of India-US-Afghanistan consultations in New York later this month," the statement said.

According to Jaishankar, at the India-US-Afghanistan trilateral on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, "we expect a political, economic, security discussion".

Modi and Ghani also discussed the ministerial conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process on Afghanistan's development to be held in Amritsar on December 4 and the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan to be held on October 5.

To be hosted by the European Union and the Afghan government, the Brussels conference will be attended by up to 70 countries and 30 international organisations and agencies.

Following Wednesday's bilateral talks, India and Afghanistan exchanged agreements on a mutual legal assistance treaty, for peaceful uses of outer space and an extradition treaty.

The documents were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and President Ghani.

The Union Cabinet had on Monday approved the inking of an extradition treaty between India and Afghanistan.

The treaty would provide a legal framework for seeking extradition of terrorists, economic offenders and other criminals from and to Afghanistan.

Wednesday's was the eighth meeting between Modi and Ghani.

--IANS

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India is "cozying up" to Myanmar because it is threatened by the growing strategic ties between China and Myanmar, a Chinese think-tank has said.

However, the Shanghai-based think-tank acknowledged that India had less barriers in building its relations with Myanmar as compared to China, which had strongly backed its erstwhile military junta.

Zhao Gancheng, director of Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies, Shanghai Institute for International Studies, said no matter how fiercely India and China compete to wield influence in the country, Myanmar will astutely maintain neutrality to gain the most benefits.

"Myanmar plays a vital role in India's Act East policy as its closest Southeast Asian neighbour. Bordering Myanmar, India's northeastern region has long suffered from chaos and an underdeveloped economy.

"Under such a background, New Delhi needs to enhance its collaboration with Myanmar in border areas for economic reasons." Zhao wrote in an oped published on Wednesday in the Global Times.

"More importantly, India sees the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Beijing and Nay Phi Taw as a threat. It hence feels the urge to take the offensive by cozying up to Myanmar in order to gain more influence in the country as leverage to counterbalance China."

The write-up made a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on the sidelines of the just-concluded India-Asean summits and the East Asia Summit in Laos in which he assured Suu Kyi that India stood by Myanmar.

"Compared with Beijing, New Delhi currently enjoys an advantage in strengthening its ties with Myanmar. Previously, China strongly backed military rule in Myanmar while the West vigorously ostracized it.

"Yet now, after Nay Pyi Taw's political and power shift, the nation's domestic public opinion holds a relatively negative attitude toward Beijing. Therefore, in terms of ideology, India seems to have fewer barriers to developing its relations with Myanmar."

Zhao argued even though China was of great importance to Myanmar, Nay Pyi Taw "will not put all its eggs in one basket".

"While New Delhi has always hoped it can draw Myanmar over to its own sphere of influence, the former is thus another basket for the latter to put its eggs in," he said.

The article said that despite India having an upper hand in Myanmar, its economic might was "limited" and "the economic and trade volume between China and Myanmar as well as Chinese investment in Myanmar have long left India's far behind".

"Situated on either side of Myanmar, China and India will keep competing for more influence in the country. Such a reality will long exist.

"Given Nay Pyi Taw's strategic geographical location, the nation will neither fully tilt toward China nor lurch toward India, but will only continue its balancing act and try to pursue friendly policies with the two big neighbours for the sake of gaining the most benefits."

--IANS

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Actress Mandana Karimi will walk the ramp at the seventh season of India Runway Week for Kolkata-based brand Studio AV by Gaurav & Nitesh.

Mandana will be seen showcasing the collection titled Dhaage on Friday at the Thyagraj Stadium here.

"We've put in a lot of hard work and effort - we await this beautiful journey. The collection reveals every ounce of effort and love that has gone into creating something so special. Our designs are a perfect blend of the ethnicity of Indian wear," designer Nitesh Sharaff said in a statement.

The entire collection is handmade in threads with a little bit of zardosi and dabka work to add some glitter. It consists of two different stories of thread-work embroideries- the soft and subtle Parsi embroidery and the colourful splash of threads in Madhubani embroidery.

The designers feel this collection would help in reviving the dying tradition of Madhubani art and would provide them a good platform and more recognition.

--IANS

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The Congress-affiliated National Students Union of India (NSUI) on Wednesday said it will approach the Delhi High Court to "expose the corruption behind the electoral process of Delhi University".

The NSUI has been alleging that the elections to the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU), where it won only one (Joint Secretary) of the four seats at stake, were not conducted fairly and that the rules were bent to "make certain individuals victorious".

On Wednesday, as per the instructions of the Grievance Redressal Committee, the defeated NSUI candidates were provided with machine-wise data and the video recording of the counting held on September 10.

But the NSUI said it was not satisfied and pointed out several discrepancies in the counting process.

"The candidates were also shown the video recording but the camera was focused only on one or two machines and didn't show all the 12 tables wherein 140 machines were being counted. We are dissatisfied as no transparency could be established by looking at just one or two cameras," the NSUI said in a statement.

"There were also discrepancies found in the machine wise data provided by the university as some papers showed the date of counting as September 9 instead of September 10 which was the actual day of counting," it added.

The NSUI pointed out that the date was missing from some papers and some papers were signed by just one official instead of the requisite number of two officials.

It alleged that the "election results have been manipulated with a clear agenda to make certain individuals victorious" and said it would approach the Delhi High Court "in the hope of finding justice... and to expose the corruption behind the electoral process of Delhi University".

--IANS

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It is the perfect feel-good story. Some young men in a remote Orissa hamlet, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat mission, launch a campaign that results in their village becoming an open defecation-free zone. What's more, in the process, the number of lavatories in the village jumps from 46 to 260.

Scratch the surface however, and what emerges is a more complex picture that is in tune with the realities of rural India, and which has elements of vigilantism, caste divides and simple lack of basics such as water that renders futile the very building of so many toilets.

Welcome to Kandigaon village in Odisha's Ganjam district.

While a part of the objective has been achieved, the upper castes and the scheduled castes are yet to overcome the age-old animosities that keep them apart. During summer, when the wells and ponds dry up, the communities still line up in separate queues to fetch water from the two tube-wells in the village.

Village Committee secretary Kailash Pal said: "During summer, people belonging to the upper castes and the scheduled castes depend on the tube-wells. We don't prevent anyone from taking water and we don't discriminate or else our purpose would get defeated."

He, however, admitted that the communities form separate queues for fetching water, a stark reminder that the divisions are pretty much ingrained in the minds of people and may take quite a while to stamp out.

Add to that the reality that there's water scarcity in the village. As a result, even though toilets have been built in many households -- thanks to the funding by the Village Committee -- the facilities seem to be of no use.

"Though we managed to achieve the open defecation-free tag, it is difficult for us to get water for toilet use. There are two-three open wells and tube wells. In the summer, we face acute water scarcity," Rabindra Nayak, Village Committee President, told IANS.

He said the district administration had been urged several times to facilitate piped water supply, but in vain. Ironically, Ganjam district is represented by four ministers, including Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Yet, despite these odds, the villagers are striving to keep their village clean and adopt hygienic practices.

So how did it all begin?

The prime movers behind this initiative were five young men who were inspired by the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan that was launched by Prime Minister Modi.

"The movement started last year. Initially, we did not get support from fellow villagers. They started mocking us. But we continued to sensitise them about the ill-effects of open-defecation," said Manmath Pal, one of the youths who spearheaded the movement.

He said they first stopped open defecation on the approach roads. "A squad was formed to keep strict vigil in public spaces, especially on approach roads, from 4 am to 6 am and from 7 pm to 9 pm. We took this decision after finding two sides of the approach roads filled with human faeces that created a bad impression," said Pal.

Later, the village formed a Swachh Bharat Committee and adopted a resolution saying relieving in the open would be a punishable offence.

"We impose a fine of Rs 151 for defying the order of village committee for the first time. The second time, it is Rs 500, and for the third time Rs 1,000. It is Rs 5,000 for the fourth time. We have collected over Rs 10,000 as penalty so far from the villagers," said Village Committee President Nayak.

No one violated the rule for the third time fearing heavy penalty, he said.

"The village committee even collects fines from outsiders. Whenever they find an outsider who violates the rule, the villagers come to me and ask to intervene in collecting the penalty," said Ramachandra Sethi, the Sarpanch of Kanheipur panchayat under which the village falls.

Over a period, the Village Committee also provided Rs 10 lakh to 100 households to construct toilets. "Several people from the village are below the poverty line and they don't have money to construct toilets. So we provided money to them to build toilets," said Kailash Pal, the committee's secretary.

During this period, the number of latrines in the village increased from 46 to 260.

The initiative has brought cheer to the women in the village. "Even though my husband had built a toilet after I got married, I used to see other women going to the fields to relieve themselves in the night. That was embarrassing for us, and also a security concern," said Bishnubala Swain, a self-help group member.

The efforts by UNICEF, which is working on sanitation in the area, also motivated the villagers.

"We sensitised the villagers how open-defecation affects the health of a man or woman. We continued to motivate them to have access to toilets. UNICEF provided support to help the village cover the last mile towards becoming open defecation-free," said Johnson Rhenius Jeyaseelan of UNICEF.

In association with Woodland, UNICEF also supported the creation of group hand-washing stations in the village. School children have been sensitised on key hygienic behaviours. Even the school walls are painted with messages about cleanliness.

(Chinmaya Dehury can be contacted at chinmaya.d@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Italian town hit by a deadly earthquake is pursuing legal action against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo for defamation over a series of cartoons about the tragedy.

An earthquake last month killed at least 292 persons in Italy, most of whom lived in Amatrice, home to a famous tomato sauce "amatriciana".

The complaint was based on two cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo after the quake, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.

One cartoon, entitled "Earthquake Italian Style", depicted the earthquake victims as sauce-splattered survivors, and layers of Lasagna with blood and feet emerging from it.

The cartoon immediately sparked outcry among Italians and prompted the French embassy in Rome to issue a statement saying the drawing "in no way represents France's position".

The publication then responded with a follow-up cartoon suggesting the mafia was to blame, saying "it's not Charlie Hebdo who built your homes, it's the mafia!"

"It amounts to a macabre, tactless and inconceivable insult to the victims of a natural catastrophe," the town council's lawyer Mario Cicchetti said after the legal move was announced.

In January 2015, two gunmen stormed Charlie Hebdo headquarters in Paris and killed 12 people, to "avenge" the publication of cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammad.

--IANS

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The wife of slain journalist Rajdeo Ranjan on Wednesday urged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to provide her justice following the release of former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin from jail.

Asha Ranjan, addressing media persons here, said her family was experiencing "sleepless nights" ever since Shahabuddin, allegedly involved in Ranjan's killing, was released on bail on September 10 by the Patna High Court.

Asha, a contractual teacher in a government-run school in Siwan, said she feared for her family in the backdrop of the alleged shooter, Mohammad Kaif, being seen accompanying Shahabuddin at his release.

In an impassioned appeal to Nitish Kumar, she said: "Shahabuddin was released on bail. He is out of jail, I and my family are living under the shadow of fear."

She told the Chief Minister: "You cannot fathom how we go through sleepless nights. Only four months back I lost my husband, now anything can happen. There is a threat to my family."

Asha said that she felt intimidated ever since the main accused and sharp shooter Kaif was seen with Shahabuddin. Kaif's picture with the RJD leader had gone viral on social media.

"Shahabuddin should be interrogated by top police officials in connection with the murder, and action should be taken against him," Asha said.

She said mere assurances by the central and state governments were not enough.

"Why has the CBI not started a probe," she asked.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had alleged Shahabuddin's involvement in the killing of Rajdeo Ranjan.

Police in Siwan had said that Ranjan's killing was part of a pre-planned conspiracy.

The state government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising two Deputy Superintendents of Police, three Inspectors and five Sub-Inspectors to trace the killers.

The Bihar government had already recommended a CBI probe into the killing.

Ranjan was the Siwan Bureau Chief of Hindi newspaper Hindustan, which is part of the Hindustan Times Media company.

He was shot dead in May at a busy market place near Station Road in Siwan, 145 km from state capital Patna.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tension gripped Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Wednesday as some members of the Muslim community were beaten up by unidentified assailants for slaughtering a camel on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, officials said.

Reports here said that the incident occurred in the Palma village of Rajouri in Jammu region when the Muslim men slaughtered the camel on Eid day on Tuesday.

As news of the assault spread in the Muslim-majority district, tension gripped the area and police was deployed to prevent any untoward incident, officials said.

--IANS

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Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy escaped unhurt after the car in which he and his wife were travelling met with an accident in West Bengal's Birbhum district on Wednesday, an official release here said.

A tractor hit the rear side of the vehicle in which Roy and his wife Anuradha Roy were returning from Santiniketan to Kolkata at Ilambazar in Birbhum, the release said.

None was injured in the incident.

The release said that a probe was on following the accident and appropriate steps are being taken.

In Santiniketan, the Governor attended at a function in Visva Bharati University on 'Rajbhasha' day celebration.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has introduced an unorthodox childcare plan, becoming a rare Republican calling for paid maternity leave.

Introduced on Tuesday by his daughter Ivanka, who asserted that childcare issues were at the "root of wage inequality by disproportionately affecting women", Trump tried to soften his image at an event held in Pennsylvania, a former stronghold for moderate Republicans that has trended Democratic in recent years, the Guardian reported.

Trump also asserted that "my opponent has no childcare plan". Clinton has in fact made a number of detailed proposals on childcare.

Clinton in June last year first outlined a programme for universal pre-kindergarten and in May this year proposed to cap childcare costs at ten per cent of household income and to introduce 12 weeks of paid family leave.

Maya Harris, a senior policy adviser to Clinton, described Trump's plan as "half-baked and completely out of touch".

Trump's proposal came as he faces a major deficit among college-educated white women in polls.

According to a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has a 50-40 lead over her Republican rival in a demographic that Mitt Romney won by six points in 2012 despite his decisive loss that year.

Trump called for making a childcare tax deductible, up to the average cost in a given family's state, until the age of 13, as well as an expanded rebate of up to $1,200 for those families that do not pay income tax and receive earned income tax credit (EITC).

Trump said his plan would provide six weeks of maternity leave "to any mother with a newborn child whose employer does not provide the benefit" by tackling fraud in unemployment insurance.

For the six-week period, the mother would receive the equivalent to unemployment benefits while she is out of the workplace. This would not apply to fathers, though.

Harris described the New York billionaire's proposal for paid maternity leave as "not just regressive, deficient, demeaning and damaging for women" because it only applies to women and pegged to unemployment benefits, not the actual workplace salary of the mother.

Trump's proposal came the same day as comments from New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman that he had opened an inquiry into Trump's personal charity.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed to the Guardian that Schneiderman "opened an inquiry on the Trump Foundation based on troubling transactions that have recently come to light".

Trump also went toe-to-toe with the man he is hoping to succeed as US President Barack Obama made his first solo appearance on the campaign trail on Tuesday.

Appearing in downtown Philadelphia, just 20 miles (32 km) from Trump, Obama coordinated his message with Clinton's attack on some Republican nominee's supporters being "deplorables".

He told a crowd of thousands: "This isn't Abraham Lincoln's Republican Party. This isn't even the vision of freedom that Ronald Reagan talked about."

Instead, he thought the Republican nominee offered "a dark, pessimistic vision of a country where we turn against each other, we turn away from the rest of the world".

Clinton echoed that message in an attack ad released on Tuesday that used only Trump's words to paint a picture of the Republican nominee as a candidate who demeaned voters.

It was an attempt to repair the damage from the former Secretary of State's statement at a Friday fundraiser that half of Trump's supporters belonged in the "basket of deplorables".

Although Clinton quickly backed away from the remark, insisting that she only meant to refer to Trump's fringe support from the so-called "alt right", the Republican nominee has used it as an attack line.

Trump insisted in a speech on Monday that the remark was "disqualifying" and that Clinton was an elitist for saying it.

The controversy has been compounded by the fact that the former Secretary of State has been off the campaign trail for the past few days with pneumonia. Although Clinton was diagnosed on Friday, it wasn't publicly revealed until Sunday afternoon, eight hours after she had to abruptly leave a ceremony commemorating the September 11 attacks after feeling "overheated".

The Democratic nominee has had to cancel several days of events, but her campaign told reporters on Tuesday that she would resume travel on Thursday and has announced an event that day in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Clinton's return to the campaign trail won't go unchallenged by Trump. The Republican nominee is expected to give a major economic policy address that day at the New York Economic Club.
Typhoon Meranti paralysed southern Taiwan on Wednesday after floods damaged buildings and infrastructure, a media report said.

Taiwan deployed some 20,000 soldiers, evacuated 20,629 persons from Green Island, Orchid Island and eastern Taiwan, EFE news reported.

According to the National Commission for Disaster Reduction (NCDR), more than 20,000 households were left without water and electricity.

Flights and railway services were postponed, while schools and government agencies have been shut on Wednesday.

Due to strong waves in the seas around southern Taiwan fishing and transport boats were suspended.

With a radius of 200 km, the typhoon was carrying maximum sustained winds of 209 kmph, with gusts of up to 263 kmph, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau.

So far, there were 341 litres of rain per square metre in southern Taiwan, and more is expected.

Meranti -- the strongest typhoon to hit the country since 1959 -- is expected to cross the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday and arrive China's Fujian coast by Thursday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US military forces should leave the Persian Gulf as their presence in Iran's southern waters has no legal basis, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said on Wednesday.

"The presence of American forces in the Persian Gulf lacks any legal and international justification and is against the will of regional nations," Shamkhani was quoted as saying by Press TV.

Washington's claims about Iran's allegedly "provocative" acts in the Persian Gulf is part of the White House's media hype against Iran, he said.

The Iranian official stressed that the US claims about Iranian vessels getting too close to American warships in the Strait of Hormuz are mere propaganda.

On Wednesday, the navy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) also urged the US warships to leave the Persian Gulf.

"If the US leaves the Persian Gulf, there would be no problem between IRGC vessels and those of the Americans," said IRGC commander Ali Fadavi, according to Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).

On August 24, western media reported that four Iranian vessels carried out a "high-speed intercept" of a US destroyer around the Strait of Hormuz.

Citing a US Navy official who spoke on condition of anonymity, media reports said the US deemed the incident "unsafe and unprofessional", adding that two of the IRGC vessels came within 300 yards of the USS Nitze.

The USS Nitze, navigating in what the US official described as "international waters" at the time of the incident, was forced to change its course, reports said.

The incident took place seven months after 10 US sailors were detained by Iran for about 15 hours after their vessels drifted into Iranian territorial waters early this year.

--IANS

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With reference to Asish K Bhatta-charyya's article, "Boards must adopt integrated reporting framework" (September 12), while such a framework would undoubtedly provide a more holistic analysis of corporate performance, it would require a change in the mindset of the boards of directors and shareholders.
That the Patna High Court has granted bail to a criminal, who had been convicted for life and had several cases of murder, assault and kidnapping registered against him, is a cause of extreme concern.
The way to an Indian's heart is through the stomach, isn't it? With an eye on India's outbound tourists, the Kenya Tourism Board has launched a campaign, "Kenya Kalling", in New Delhi.
A major controversy erupted in on Wednesday after the surfacing of a photograph of an absconding accused in the murder of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan with RJD chief Lalu Prasad's son and Health minister Tej Pratap Yadav.

Yadav, however, dismissed the charge and feigned ignorance about the suspect, Mohammad Kaif.

TV channels flashed photograph of Kaif with Yadav which went viral on social media.

On Tuesday, Kaif was seen in photographs and videos standing beside RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on September 10.

Appearance of minister Tej Pratap in the same frame with Kaif drew severe criticism from BJP.

Kaif and Mohammad Javed, another absconding suspect in the murder of the scribe at Siwan in May, were shown in the same frame with Shahabuddin after his release attracting sharp criticism of the state government.

Following the surfacing of his photo with Kaif, the health minister told reporters that thousands of supporters and people meet him everyday and click photograph with him and it was not possible for him to know their background.

"How would I know who is a shooter from among 1,000 people who click photo with me?" Yadav said.

Yadav, who is elder son of RJD President Lalu Prasad, alleged that BJP was behind the controversy. "It is a conspiracy of opposition BJP. They bring some photograph from somewhere and make some false allegations."

His younger brother and Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav jumped to his defence.

"Is it written on somebody's forehead what he is?" he said on the photograph of Kaif with Tej Pratap Yadav.

"Does Prime Minister Narendra Modi verify the background of everybody he shares dais in a function or meet?" he said in a counter-offensive against BJP.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Prem Kumar used the opportunity to attack the state government, saying this reflected the state giving shelter to criminals.

Meanwhile, Siwan Police said their were looking for Kaif and Mohammad Javed, who have been absconding in connection with the killing of the scribe of a Hindi vernacular on May 9 this year.

"We are conducting raids at their residences and other known whereabouts, but so far no success has been achieved," Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah told PTI.

Asked about photograph shown today of Kaif with minister Tej Pratap Yadav, the SP said, "Such things does not come under our domain. Our focus is to search for the absconders in the murder of the journalist.

Tejaswi Yadav said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph had appeared with jailed religious leader Asaram Bapu... Did Modi resign?"

He was reacting to a question that should Tej Pratap resign after the surfacing of a photo of him and absconding shooter Mohammad Kaif.

"We go to public platforms where it's not written on people's foreheads what somebody is," Yadav said.

To a barrage of questions on former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, he posed a counter question to mediapersons as to what good the debate on Shahabuddin would do to citizens of Bihar.
A day after sacking his chief secretary and stripping his uncle Shivpal Yadav of key ministerial portfolios, Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister (CM) Akhilesh Yadav and his administration on Wednesday announced decisions that seemed aimed at consolidating his image as a development icon, but also reached out to farmers of the state.
The Congress on Wednesday appointed as the new president of Tamil Nadu unit three months after former chief EVKS Elangovan had stepped down.
An open war broke out on Tuesday in the (SP) with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav stripping his uncle Shivpal Yadav of key ministerial portfolios, hours after his removal as the party's state unit chief and appointment of the latter in his place.

Sharp differences in the Yadav family were open on Tuesday as Akhilesh Yadav shunted Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal, barely two months after his appointment. This has set off a chain of developments that saw the SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav ousting his son as the state party chief and replacing him with Shivpal.

Hours after Mulayam made his brother and senior cabinet minister the UP unit head of the ruling party, in an angry retort, Akhilesh clipped his uncle's wings by stripping him of the plum PWD, irrigation and cooopetative portfolios.

"Singhal has been removed and put on wait list. Principal Secretary (Finance) Rahul Bhatnagar has been made new Chief Secretary," an official spokesman said in Lucknow.

Though no reason was cited, the SP insiders said the Chief Minister was not happy with him as he had attended a dinner hosted by the SP Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh in Delhi which Akhilesh gave a miss. Mulayam and some other top party leaders were peresent at the dinner.

Differences between Akhilesh and Shivpal have been reported on several occasions, including on the choice of official to be appointed as the state's chief secretary after Alok Ranjan's term ended, and stalling of Qaumi Ekta Dal's (QED) merger with the SP. Shivpal was said to have shepherded the merger of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari's QED with the SP.

Singhal was earlier Principal Secretary (Irrigation), a department held by Shivpal.

Hours after Singhal was eased out as the state's top bureaucrat, Mulayam's cousin and the SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav wrote to Shivpal, "SP President Mulayam Singh Yadav has appointed you as the president of the Uttar Pradesh unit. It is hoped that with your hard work, you will further strengthen the party."

A copy of the letter was also marked to Akhilesh Yadav.

Not to take it lying down, the Chief Minister immediately divested his uncle of key departments, keeping with himself the PWD portfolio and giving irrigation to minister Awadhesh Prasad and revenue and cooperatives to Balram Yadav, an official release said late tonight.

Shivpal, who is now left with land development, water resources and social welfare ministries, is likely to resign from the cabinet. Though there was no official word from him, sources in the party said he was most likely to tender his resignation on Wednesday.
The might like to call itself socialist but it has never shied away from family rule. The last time SP was in power, Mulayam Singhs brother Shivpal, his cousin Ramgopal, nephew Dharmendra and son Akhilesh were the moving figures behind the administration in Lucknow. Shivpal was the PWD minister but wielded enormous clout in the government and was responsible for recruitment in the states police force for allegedly pecuniary benefits.
CBI today filed a report in a Delhi court on its further probe into a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in which Congress leader Jagdish Tytler was earlier given clean chit for his alleged role.

The report was filed in a sealed cover before link magistrate Rakesh Kumar Singh who fixed its consideration by the concerned court for September 28.

During the hearing, the court rejected CBI prosecutor's submission seeking a long date on the ground that he was busy in other matters.

"You (prosecutor) have other cases listed in courts is no ground for seeking a long date. Why are you not filing the report as asked by the concerned court earlier," the magistrate asked.

When the prosecutor said the report was ready and he would file it before the court, the magistrate said "you file the report now and take the next date when the concerned court hears the matter."



CBI's plea seeking a long date was vehemently opposed by H S Phoolka, senior advocate representing riot victims, saying it had sought time thrice for the purpose and the court had given it the last chance at the last hearing on July 11.

The court had given a last chance to CBI to complete its further probe in two months, observing that justice delayed amounted to justice denied.

After the court's earlier direction, CBI had recently questioned Tytler in connection with the riots case on September 9 when he had answered questions put by the investigating officers.

The court had earlier pulled up the agency for not taking proper steps to complete the probe and had made it clear that if no fruitful results are shown in two months, CBI's Superintendent of Police would have to explain. It had also directed CBI to write to the Canadian High Commission for information regarding the case.

The case pertains to the riots at Gurudwara Pulbangash in North Delhi where three people were killed on November 1, 1984, a day after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The court had said it would monitor the probe every two months so that no aspect of the matter is left uninvestigated.

CBI had re-investigated the case of killing of Badal Singh, Thakur Singh and Gurcharan Singh near the gurudwara after a court had in December 2007 refused to accept the closure report. CBI had filed three closure reports in it. Tytler has denied any role in the riots.

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India today hosted a high-level meeting of BRICS countries on counter-terrorism during which cooperation in areas like capacity building, information- sharing, technology-sharing and countering online radicalisation was discussed.

As the chair of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) grouping, India hosted the First Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism with delegations from all member countries attending it.

"The meeting discussed various issues related to terrorism including domestic perspectives and assessments of threat scenario and cooperation among BRICS Member States on capacity building, information sharing, technology sharing, countering online radicalisation as well as cooperation in multilateral forums such as United Nations and Financial Action Task Force," a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

"The discussions were held in frank and friendly atmosphere. The discussions led to better understanding among BRICS Member States on the issue of terrorism and all participants agreed to take this issue forward in coming years," it said of the meeting that was presided by Santosh Jha, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.

The delegation from Brazil was led by Ambassador Nelson Antonio Tabajara de Oliveira, China by Liu Guangyuan, Russia by Ilya Rogachev and South Africa by Nakampe Michael.

The meeting took place just about a month ahead of the BRICS Summit in Goa.

"Terrorism is a global problem. It cannot be tackled



individually and has to be tackled collectively. We cannot have a differential policy towards terrorism. There is no good terrorist or bad terrorist. So, these are the issues on which there will reiteration of national positions," Secretary (Economic Relations) in External Affairs Ministry Amar Sinha had said.

During the meeting of NSAs of BRICS grouping, India had strongly pitched that action should not only be taken against sources of finances but also sources from where terrorists get arms and ammunition.

Three MoUs including those on cooperation in the area of environment and customs have been agreed upon by the BRICS countries, Sinha had said, adding the pact pertaining to customs will help in breaking the trade barriers between these countries.

The other key issues to be taken up during these significant diplomatic outreach events include cooperation in areas of economy, tourism, connectivity, cultural, education and sports.

The main BRICS Summit on October 16 will begin with a photo opportunity followed by restricted talks between the leaders and later a meeting of business captains from the member-countries. In the second half, after the speech of the leaders, there will be BRICS and BIMSTEC retreat.

Security situation in Afghanistan, Syria and Sudan is also expected to be discussed when the BRICS leaders take up important regional and international issues.
Amid the blame game over chikungunya deaths in the national capital, AAP today called for "bridging gaps" between the Delhi government and the BJP-ruled civic bodies and underlined the need to "rise above politics" in tackling the health crisis.

Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra quoted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as having said "no matter what", the various agencies and political parties will have to work together to tackle chikungunya that has so far claimed at least 10 lives in Delhi this season.

This came a day after Kejriwal said Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be "questioned" over the issue as "all powers" regarding the city's governance "rest with them".

Striking a conciliatory note, Mishra said the "barriers" among the Delhi government, the Lt Governor, the civic bodies and the Centre should be "brought down" in favour of "one Delhi" as "passing the buck" would only trouble the residents of the national capital.

"We have to fight these diseases together, forgetting politics. No matter what, we will have to be united in eliminating these diseases and mosquitoes," Mishra quoted Kejriwal as having told him.

"Delhi's seven MPs, 70 MLAs and 272 municipal councillors can do it together by hitting the streets and undertaking fogging exercises wherever possible. In fact, the MPs should lead the programme and guide the MLAs and councillors," Mishra said.

AAP's Delhi convener Dilip Pandey also made a similar appeal, saying everyone, including the elected representatives of BJP and AAP, should work together to combat chikungunya.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe earned unusual praise from Chinese netizens today -- but for the quality of his calligraphy, rather than his diplomacy.

Beijing and Tokyo are at loggerheads over disputed islands and wartime history, and Abe has raised hackles with his criticism of his neighbour's assertiveness in the South China Sea.

But the Japanese leader was lauded after he purportedly left a hand-written note in Chinese thanking a cleaner at the hotel he stayed in for the G20 summit in Hangzhou last week.

It gave Abe's name, title and the date, adding: "Thanks".

It was posted on China's Twitter-like Weibo last week by a journalist who founded what is said to be Japan's largest Chinese-language website, and had been reposted more than 700 times by today.

"His characters are good-looking," wrote one poster.

Another appreciated his attention to detail, saying "This small gesture shows the nation's breeding", and adding the country was "formidable" and worthy of respect.

A spokesman at Abe's office could not confirm the authenticity of the note, but said that he had stayed at the Sheraton Grand hotel, on whose notepaper it was written.

The reaction is a contrast to how Abe is often portrayed by Chinese media and online, where an army of posters regularly comment in praise of Beijing's Communist government.

Abe has regularly been blasted by state-run Chinese media for his impenitent comments on Japan's wartime history and its invasion of China, publicly questioning claims that the Japanese military systematically compelled women to become sex workers.

In 2013 he visited Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni shrine, which honours the country's war dead including several high-level officials executed for war crimes after World War II.

The two countries are locked in a long-running dispute over uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, and Abe has vocally criticised China for rejecting a July ruling by an international tribunal invalidating its extensive claims to the South China Sea.

"Does he know that he is nearly scolded to death by Chinese people?" wrote one poster, adding "this behaviour can by no means draw any verbal abuse".

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After roping in Bollywood actress Vidya Balan for the Samajwadi Pension Scheme, the Uttar Pradesh government today appointed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the brand ambassador of the Samajwadi Kisan Beema Yojna.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced it at a function at his official residence here in the presence of the actor.

He hoped that with Nawazuddin's help, the benefits of the scheme, aimed at providing insurance coverage to the farmers, will reach a large number of people.

The scheme provides for cashless treatment upto Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs one lakh for organ transplant.

Speaking on the occasion, Nawazuddin said he was happy to be associated with the scheme as his forefathers were farmers.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar said plastic cards, bearing the picture of the chief minister, will be issued to the beneficiaries of the scheme.

He said an agreement with four insurance companies has been reached in this regard.

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Government is considering reclassifying large hydro power plants as renewable projects, Power Minster Piyush Goyal said today, adding that it can help India achieve clean power capacity of 225 GW by 2022.

Removing the distinction between small project (up to 25 MW) and large hydro project can help India projecting that its installed renewable energy capacity would be 225 GW by 2022.

Of the 305 GW installed power generation capacity, 43 GW comes from large hydro projects (above 25 MW) and 44.23 GW from other renewable power generation capacities.

India has set an ambitious target of adding 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022 which includes 100 GW of solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from bio-power and 5 GW from small hydro-power (up to 25 MW capacity each).

"Why should I have two distinctions. There are 3-4 countries which have this distinction," Goyal said addressing a conference on sustainability here.

Goyal was of the view that if these large hydro projects are included in the renewable segment then the total installed capacity of clean and green power would be 225 GW by 2022 after achieving the target of 175 GW set by government.

Asked about steps being taken by government on the issue, Goyal replied, "My office has prepared a report on that. Now we shall be opening it up for public consultation. Then we take view that whether all hydro (power plants) should be categorised as renewable energy."



As per experts, besides better projection of India's renewable energy capacities, it would help the hydro power sector as it would be able to access incentives being provided to renewable energy projects by the government.

Goyal further said, "A lot of stalled hydro power projects is my first focus area. We are working on stalled projects because nobody will invest in a sector where the stalled projects are lying unattended."



Earlier in March, Planning Minister Rao Inderjit Singh had told the Lok Sabha that the planned hydro power generation capacity addition of 4,371 mw out of total target of 10,897 mw in the 12th Plan will not be completed.

"Based on the current status of works, out of 12th Plan hydro capacity addition target of 10,897 mw, capacity aggregating 4,371 mw is slipping, and 930 mw capacity is critical to commissioning during the 12th Plan," he had said.

Goyal also spoke about fall in government procurement price of LED bulbs to Rs 38 per unit of 9W from Rs 310 about 17 months ago.

He also called for cooperation from the international community for allowing access to clean technologies so that developing countries can develop it further as per their requirement.

He was of the view that climate change is collective responsibility and developed world is more responsible for carbon emissions than developing countries.

He also said that India will quadruple its expenditure on R&D of clean technologies.

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Afghan President Ashraf Ghani today set a target of USD 10 billion for bilateral trade and investment with India in five years, underlining the importance of a concrete road map for future collaboration.

He marked out retail, power, pharmaceuticals, solar energy, water management, ports and skill development as areas that hold immense potential.

"You spoke of a road map. Let's start with a target of USD 10 billion in trade and investment, five years and we are going to realise it," Ghani said at a business meet here.

India-Afghanistan bilateral trade stood at USD 643 million in 2015-16.

The President proposed formation of a taskforce between the industry chambers of the two countries and governments for laying a concrete road map of future collaboration.

The visiting Afghan President thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allocation of USD 1 billion for Afghanistan's capacity and capability-building in education, health, agriculture, skill development, women empowerment, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

"Committing a billion dollars to the future of Afghanistan is not just a commitment of money, it is a statement of confidence of belief in a strategic partnership," he acknowledged.

Stating that Afghanistan had invested over USD 30 million in its airports, Ghani proposed formation of a joint cargo company with India.

He also spoke of Afghan fruits that can be made affordable for middle class and low-income Indian households.

Noting that the Kandahar airport has "first-grade cold storage capabilities", Ghani sought investment from Indian supermarket chains.

In an apparent jibe at Pakistan, Ghani said: "My request is for 4-5 major Indian supermarket chains to free us from the constraints of those neighbours who do not wish us well."



Pegging the Afghan medicine market at roughly USD 658 million a year, Ghani reached out to "five of the best Indian pharmaceutical companies" for proposals to supply medicines, underlining their criticality for Afghan soldiers. He even assured the Indian side that there is no constraint on transport of pharmaceuticals by air.

The Afghan President hoped that India will play a crucial role in skill development in Afghanistan's carpet industry.

Referring to opportunities Afghanistan presents for the gold and jewellery sector, Ghani said: "We want to make sure the contracts given for gold are given transparently, but the gold sector is up for investment as is the precious stone sector."



Noting that Afghanistan is interested in establishing dry ports with facilities like SEZs, which could connect to countries such as China and Iran, Ghani sought India's engagement in this regard.

Ghani also proposed collaboration with India in



generation of power and water management, seeking support from the Indian power industry in exploration of turbine engine standards.

He also described solar energy as "a crucial area of collaboration" while pitching for a cluster development approach in skill development.

Ghani made a reference to Afghanistan's enormous mineral wealth and said the about gas is "beginning to look good".

General (retd) V K Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, said the strategic partnership between India and Afghanistan has been growing steadily and now is the time to boost this relationship by taking trade and investment between the two countries to "the next level".

He exhorted the private sector to explore new avenues for partnership between the two countries and engage in creating capabilities and capacities, allowing Afghanistan to rebuild its economy and provide job opportunities to its citizens.
Budget airline AirAsia India today said it plans to have a fleet size of 20 by end-2018, thereby becoming eligible to operate on international routes.

The airline, which will soon add 8th aircraft to its fleet, is also offering lifetime free flights to Indian gold medallists, five years and three years of free flights to silver and bronze medallists at the Olympics and Paralympics in Brazil, AirAsia India Chief Executive Amar Abrol said.

"Our game plan, that has been approved by the AirAsia Board, is to get roughly, over the course of 2017 or 2018, 20 aircraft. We ourselves want to get 20 aircraft as soon as possible. That will allow us to fly international. By end of 2018, I think we will be there (having 20 aircraft)," Abrol said at a press conference here.

Without giving a figure, Abrol said the company will soon infuse "millions of dollars" to meet its expansion plans.

Abrol said the low-cost carrier will be operating its latest aircraft between Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kochi from October 8.

AirAsia India currently flies to 11 destinations with hubs in Bengaluru and New Delhi covering Chandigarh, Jaipur, Guwahati, Imphal, Goa, Pune, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Kochi in its destination network.

"As a continuation to the celebration of AirAsia's next chapter in India, the airline is pleased to announce a lifetime of free flights to the gold medallists, five years and three years of free flights to silver and bronze medallists at the Olympics and Paralympics.

"Indian athletes who won gold, silver and bronze medals will be able to fly to any of the 120-plus destinations within AirAsia and AirAsia X's extensive network in Asia, Australia and Africa," Abrol said.

Tata Sons holds 51 per cent stake in the no-frills carrier, while the rest is with Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd.

To celebrate the induction of its new aircraft and the introduction of a new route, AirAsia India is offering limited promotional seats for all-inclusive-fares from as low as Rs 2,999 from Hyderabad to Kochi and vice versa. Guests can start booking their flights on the company's website from today, a press release said.

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Vice President Hamid Ansari will embark on a visit to Venezuela tomorrow to attend the 17th NAM Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi not going for the meeting of the Cold War-era bloc.

Modi is only the second Indian Prime Minister to give a NAM Summit a miss after Charan Singh in 1979.

The summit, which started yesterday and will end on September 18, is taking place in Venezuela's Margarita Island and has meetings scheduled in three consecutive segments -- meeting of senior officials, foreign ministers meeting and a conference of heads of state and government.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit is expected to bring together leaders from the 120 developing countries that are its members. The NAM Summits have been among the largest gatherings of countries, after the United Nations.

"The summit is expected to deliberate on issues of contemporary relevance and concern such as terrorism, UN reforms, the situation in West Asia, threats to peace and security, UN peacekeeping operations, climate change, sustainable development, economic governance, south-south cooperation, refugees and migrants, and nuclear disarmament," a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

"All these issues are of relevance in the context of the discussions that will take place at the United Nations in coming months," it said.

NAM is also an important forum for interaction with partner countries across continents, including from Africa, Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs), with whom India has long-standing development partnerships in a spirit of south-south cooperation, the statement said.

"NAM continues to represent space for action in pursuance of the collective interests of the developing world, along with the G-77, especially on subject such as the reform of the global economic system and disarmament. At the United Nations, the NAM is an influential grouping on a range of issues such as UN peacekeeping and disarmament," it said.

India has a close bilateral engagement with Venezuela, the host of the 17th NAM Summit.

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez had led a high-level delegation to India last month when she had personally extended the invitation to India to attend the NAM Summit. She had also held talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during the visit.

India is one of the founding members of NAM and it had hosted the 7th NAM Summit in 1983 in New Delhi. The last NAM Summit was hosted by Iran in 2012.

Talking about the situation in insurgency-hit areas,



Ansari said alienation, both at the community and group level was increasing.

He said the quality of life in rural and urban areas, except for the affluent, has deteriorated with the gap between the haves and have-nots widening.

He also referred to a constitutional authority few years back depicting the rule of law as under siege on account of "cancerous developments eating into the fabric" of the three organs of the State - the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

The Vice President also quoted various government and parliamentary reports referring to multifaceted internal security challenges facing India which included Left wing extremism, ongoing proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in some states in the northeast and organised crime.

He said another aspect of internal security which was very much on the public mind, related to social cohesion and that threats to it emanated from sporadic instances of caste, communal or other instances of social disharmony.

Ansari said 201 of 535 districts in India were affected by one form of violence or the other, and as a result, many in the public were losing faith in the system, in the ability of the law enforcement agencies and the judicial system to provide justice.

The Vice President also quoted sociologist TK Oommen, who had argued "since insecurity manifests itself in genocide, culturocide and ecocide, a society free from them may be conceptualised as a secure society."



Ansari said the focus had to be on the rule of law, accountability of state action, and the principles to which the Indian state subscribes to deal with negative trends of internal security.

"This would require an adjustment in our approach to security management," he said.

Speaking at the event, Subrahmanyam's son and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said security was always viewed holistically by his father who was deeply convinced that economic growth, technology absorption, skilling human resources and social modernisation were central to India's security.

Subrahmanyam was considered a doyen of India's strategic affairs community and a prominent figure in shaping its nuclear policy.
Anti-CorruptionBureau sleuths today unearthed disproportionate assets worth Rs 1.75 crore belonging allegedly to an Executive Engineer of Andhra Pradesh government.

Vidya Sagar, who was attached to Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) Department, has been put under arrest, the ACB said.

Details of the assets allegedly owned by him were uncovered during searches conductedby the anti-graft agency in Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam, it said.

On credible information, a case of disproportionate assets was registered against Sagar and simultaneous searches were conducted at his residences at Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam, said Lakshmi Pathi, DSP of ACB here.

During the searches,details of two plots and three flats worth over Rs 1.75 crore owned by the engineer were unearthed, the DSP said.

He was arrested and will be produced in Visakhapatnam ACB Court tomorrow, the DSP added.

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The next book from former President George W Bush will be more about pictures than words.

"Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors" will feature 66 paintings and a four-panel mural drawn by Bush of military veterans and those in active service, the Crown Publishing Group told The Associated Press today.

The book is scheduled to come out February 28, 2017, and will include an introduction by Bush and forewords by former first lady Laura Bush and by Gen. Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"This is a book about the men and women who have been tremendous national assets in the Armed Forces and who continue to be vital to the future success of our country," Bush writes in the introduction.

"The greatest honor of the presidency was looking them in the eye and saluting them as their Commander in Chief. And I intend to support and salute them for the rest of my life."



The book will be released in two editions: a USD 35 hardcover and a USD 250 "deluxe" volume, cloth-bound and signed by Bush.

According to Crown, "Portraits of Courage" also will have stories written by Bush in "his inimitable voice" about each of the subjects.

"As the stories unfold some of them inspiring, some of them heartbreaking readers will encounter the faces and the hearts of those who answered the nation's call and learn from their bravery on the battlefield, their journeys to recovery, and the continued leadership and contributions they are making as civilians," the publisher's statement reads.

No financial numbers were disclosed. Bush was represented by Washington attorney Robert Barnett, who has also handled book deals for President Barack Obama and 2016 Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton.

Bush's previous books include the best-sellers "Decision Points" and "41," about his father, former President George H W Bush.

Bush, who has become an avid painter since leaving the White House, is donating any net author proceeds to the George W Bush Presidential Center and its Military Service Initiative, which helps post-September 11 veterans and their families' transition to civilian life.

Bush was expected to mention the book in a speech today at the Fort Carson Military Community Transition Summit at Fort Carson, Colorado.

The paintings from "Portraits of Courage" will be on exhibit in 2017 at the Bush Center, in Dallas, from March 2 through early October.

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The owner of a central New York hearing aid business is headed to prison for stealing $1.65 million from a health insurance plan available for state employees, including officers at Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities.

Joshua Miller, 37, of Norbert Place, Minoa, was sentenced by Onondaga County Judge Anthony Aloi to serve 4 to 12 years in state prison. Miller pleaded guilty in June to first-degree and second-degree grand larceny.

As part of his sentence, Miller will be required to pay full restitution.

"State prison is an appropriate sentence for this defendant," Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said. "Unfortunately, we do not have all the money he stole from taxpayers in hand, but the court's restitution order will allow us to continue to collect until it is paid back, however long it takes."

Miller, who owns Syracuse Hearing Aid Centers, orchestrated a scheme between May 2012 and December 2014 involving the sale of earbuds and ear plugs to state employees, most of whom worked at Auburn, Cayuga and other correctional facilities throughout the state. Some of the employees worked at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse or the Willard Drug Treatment Campus in Seneca County.

When Miller sold the products he billed United HealthCare, the insurance company that administers the Empire Plan for state employees, for hearing aids, even though the earbuds and ear plugs employees received weren't eligible for coverage under the plan.

After billing United HealthCare, Miller was paid $3,000 for each package of ear buds or ear plugs he sold.

Over a two-year period, the state Inspector General's office said Miller submitted 575 fraudulent claims totaling $1.65 million. In all of the transactions, the products sold to state employees weren't medically necessary hearing aids.

The investigation into Miller's scheme also found he targeted relatives of state employees. He would bill the state's insurance plan as if he sold hearing aids to these relatives. The relatives, though, didn't receive hearing aids or any other devices from Miller.

"This defendant manipulated hundreds of state workers to tap into their health benefits so he could brazenly and criminally enrich himself at taxpayer expense," said Catherine Leahy Scott, the state's inspector general.

Miller wasn't the only figure involved in the scheme.

Joshua Powers, who was a corrections officer in Auburn, met Miller at the New York State Fair in 2013. Miller paid Powers approximately $72,000 in referral fees. In exchange, Powers urged hundreds of state employees to buy earbuds or ear plugs from Miller.

Powers was arrested and charged with petit larceny. He pleaded guilty in May and received a one-year conditional discharge. He also paid $72,000 in restitution and a $500 fine.
All government secondary schools in Assam will soon be declared tobacco-free zones as a mission of the state education department.

There are 4,316 government secondary schools in the state and out of these, all secondary schools in the districts of Lakhimpur, Baksa, Tinsukia, Udalguri, Sonitpur, Golaghat, Goalpara and Bongaigaon have been reported to be Tobacco-free Educational Institutions (TFEI), as per the submissions made by school inspectors to the Secondary Education Department (Rastriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan).

Secretary for Secondary Education R C Jain said educational institutes must be tobacco-free to ensure an atmosphere for imparting quality education and as such this has been accorded priority to this endeavour.

Sustained efforts have been leading to positive results in this respect, he said.

Jain had launched the mission by issuing instructions on April 26 to all school inspectors and these included a set of questions for the school principals who have now started sending declarations that their institutes are tobacco-free, which are now being forwarded to the RMSA office.

The mission to make schools tobacco-free in the state is being pursued by Healis Seksaria Institute for Public Health, education department and Dr B Barooah Cancer Institute, in association with Tata Trusts.

As many as 78 secondary schools in Bongaigaon, 189 in Baksa, 79 in Udalguri, 197 in Sonitpur and 120 in Goalpara have also been declared tobacco-free zones.

Other districts are also working towards achieving this goal and the endeavour will enable us to save the future generations from the deadly clutches of tobacco addiction, Jain added.

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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, holed up in the Ecuadorean embassy here, will be interrogated at the mission on October 17 by an Ecuadorean official on behalf of Swedish prosecutors over rape allegations against him.

Assange will be questioned by an Ecuadorean prosecutor and Sweden's chief prosecutor and a police investigator will be allowed to pose their questions through him, it was confirmed today.

"After the report, the Swedish prosecutor will take a view on the continuing of the investigation," Swedish prosecutors said in a statement.

Ecuadorean prosecutor Wilson Toainga will take the statement and would also be responsible for "the possible taking of samples of body fluids" from Assange in an attempt to end a four-year impasse since the Wikileaks founder sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden on rape and sexual assault charges.

The 45-year-old is wanted in Sweden in relation to a 2010 rape claim, which theAustralian national denies.

He has fought against being extradited to Sweden, saying he fears he would then be transferred to the US to face charges on Wikileaks' activities.

Swedish prosecutors have pushed for Assange's extradition since 2010, when they issued a warrant for his arrest following sexual assault allegations by two female Wikileaks volunteers.

Ecuador had said last month that it would allow him to be interrogated about the allegations.

In 2012, while on bail, he claimed asylum inside the Ecuadorean embassy in central London after the UK Supreme Court had ruled the extradition against him could go ahead.

A UN working group had ruled in February thatAssangewas being arbitrarily detained.

However, the UK Foreign Office has called for the UN decision to be reviewed, sayingAssangewas staying in the embassy voluntarily and that the UK had a legal duty to extradite himto Sweden.

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German pharmaceutical and chemical giant Bayer AG today announced it will acquire global seed major Monsanto for USD 66 billion in an all-cash deal.

Both Bayer and Monsanto have presence in India. The deal marks a major consolidation in global seed business. Recently, Monsanto's rival Syngenta was acquired by ChemChina.

"Bayer and Monsanto today announced that they signed a definitive merger agreement under which Bayer will acquire Monsanto for USD 128 per share in an all-cash transaction," Bayer said in a statement.

The board of the two companies have unanimously approved the agreement, it said.

The offer of USD 128 per share is 44 per cent higher than the closing price of Monsanto's share on May 9, the day before Bayer's first written proposal to Monsanto.

"USD 128 per share in all-cash transaction, represents 44 per cent premium to Monsanto shareholders and an aggregate value of USD 66 billion," the statement said.

In last about four months, Bayer had revised its bid twice to clinch this deal. The first offer of USD 122 per share was revised to USD 125 per share and then to USD 127.50 per share.

Bayer said it intends to finance the transaction with a combination of debt and equity. The equity component of about USD 19 billion is expected to be raised through an issuance of mandatory convertible bonds and through a rights issue with subscription rights.

Bridge financing for USD 57 billion is committed by BofA Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and JP Morgan, it added.

"In addition, Bayer has committed to a USD 2 billion reverse antitrust break fee, reaffirming its confidence that it will obtain the necessary regulatory approvals," it added.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2017.

Bayer CEO Werner Baumann said: "This represents a major step forward for our Crop Science business and reinforces Bayer's leadership position as a global innovation driven Life Science company with leadership positions in its core segments, delivering substantial value to shareholders, our customers, employees and society at large."



"We believe that this combination with Bayer represents the most compelling value for our shareowners, with the most certainty through the all-cash consideration," said Hugh Grant, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monsanto.

Monsanto, which played a key role in increasing cotton output through genetically modified technologies, has three entities in India - Monsanto India Ltd (MIL), Monsanto Holdings Pvt Ltd (MHPL) and JV firm Mahyco Monsanto Biotech India Ltd (MMBL) with a staff strength of more than 1,000.

Bayer CropScience, a listed Indian entity, posted a turnover of Rs 3,818.60 crore last fiscal. Besides crop science, Bayer also has interest in pharmaceuticals, animal health and consumer health in the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After spearheading the movement on the Medium of Instruction (MOI) issue, RSS affiliate Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch has now decided to widen its political horizon by floating its own party on October 2 to contest the upcoming Goa Legislative Assembly elections.

Headed by former RSS Goa Chief Subhash Velingkar, the outfit is preparing to float the party on October 2, the modalities of which will be chalked out in a "crucial meeting" scheduled for September 16.

"When we are going to contest the 2017 elections, all issues concerning the state or people will have to be included in the agenda. A meeting will be held regarding this on September 16," Arvind Bhatikar, a BBSM leader told PTI.



This would be the first time that BBSM leaders will meet its convener Velingkar after he was relieved of the post of RSS Goa chief. He then formed the Sangh's Goa Prant.

BBSM had been aggressively demanding making regional languages the Medium of Instruction in in primary schools of Goa and stopping grants to English medium school. It has been at loggerheads with the BJP-led state government for the last couple of months on the issue.

Bhatikar said the MOI issue will always remain a focal point of the party.

To a query, he said the RSS Prant led by Velingkar would be a major component of this political party.

On prospects of pre-poll alliance, he said, "The decision is yet to be taken on whether we will extend support to any political party or contest in all constituencies on own."



Shiv Sena has already submitted its proposal to BBSM to join hands during elections as they strongly support stand of BBSM on the issue, he said.

Bhatikar said decision or discussion on the proposal would be held during upcoming meeting.

He said agendas on which election will be fought are yet to be discussed, but broadly the soon-to-be formed party will speak out against off-shore casinos and Electronic Dance Music festivals like Sunburn and Supersonic.

Bhatikar said it will also oppose increasing "de-Goanisation" in North Goa's coastal belt on the name of tourism.

To a query regarding Velingkar's ouster from the RSS, the former IAS officer said the act indicates "collective failure of RSS leadership in Nagpur."



In the meeting, it will also be discussed whether or not to project a chief ministerial candidate for the polls, he said.
The crisis in the Samajwadi Party refused to die down as senior party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav today told party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav that he was being painted as a villain despite following his orders.

Shivpal, who is the younger brother of Mulayam, reached Delhi to meet the party chief at his official residence.

In his over four-hour-long meeting, Shivpal told Mulayam that in the past four-and-a-half years, he has followed the party supremo's directions despite having difference of opinion on certain issues.

Sources close to Shivpal said he gave examples that as a senior minister in the Akhilesh government, he never publicly opposed the decisions taken by Akhilesh or Mulayam even though he may have expressed difference of opinion to them in private.

Later talking to reporters, Shivpal, however, rejected suggestions that there were differences within the party and the Yadav family.

"Neither I nor Netaji (Mulayam) is angry. We all are happy... There are no differences," he said.

He also said that the decision on Cabinet portfolios are the discretion of the chief minister. "But Netaji has decided to appoint me as the party's state unit chief. My role is to bring back SP to power in next polls. I will fulfil my responsibility...I will not resign...I am still part of the cabinet," he said.

He said from re-inducting Amar Singh into the SP to experimenting with the 'Grand Alliance', he had always followed the directions of Mulayam. Still he has been painted as a villain.

As the meeting between the Yadav brothers was on, Rajya Sabha MP and media baron Subhash Chandra reached the residence of Mulayam and remained there for nearly two hours.

Akhilesh had yesterday shunted out Deepak Singhal as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary after he reportedly attended a party here thrown by Amar Singh to welcome Chandra in Rajya Sabha without the CM's knowledge.

(REOPENS DEL82)



There have been speculations that the SP's Parliamentary Board may meet in the next two days to sort out the crisis. But some Board members said they have not been intimated about the meeting so far.

In today's meeting SP National General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, considered close to Mulayam, was not present. He is Mulayam's cousin.

Earlier today, Gayatri Prajapati, who was sacked as the Mining minister by Akhilesh two days ago met Mulayam for nearly three hours.

In an image-refurbishing exercise ahead of Assembly elections, Akhilesh had yesterday cracked the whip on two ministers -- Mining minister Prajapati and Panchayti Raj minister Rajkishore Singh -- facing corruption charges.

Mulayam is likely to reach Lucknow on Friday morning amid indications that he may have a one-one-one meeting with Akhilesh there.
Curfew was lifted in all 16 police station limits here today as the city bounced back to normal after widespread violence over the Cauvery water sharing row with neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

The country's IT capital bustled with activity with transport vehicles and the Metro back in service and commercial establishments and schools and colleges reopening.

"Curfew has been lifted in all 16 police station limits of Bengaluru city from 9 AM today," City Police Commissioner N S Megharikh tweeted.

Curfew was clamped on the night of Sept 12 after violence erupted with dozens of buses and lorries with Tamil Nadu registration being set on fire as mobs let out their fury over reports of some incidents of attack on Kannadigas and their property in the neighbouring state.

The violence had also erupted within hours after the Supreme Court modified its September 5 order and asked Karnataka to release a reduced quantum of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

In its September 5 order, the apex court haddirected the state to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery waterfor 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers of theneighbouring state.

Though curfew was lifted, officials said prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC will continue until further orders as a precautionary measure.

"....Peace has been restored, there is peacefulatmosphere where people can come out of their homes," state Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters here after touring violence-hit areas along with senior police officials.

Megharik said, "There is no question of rail roko. Though we have lifted curfew in some parts of the city, section 144 is still on. Therefore, there is no question of rail roko or any kind of protest in coming days."



He said the police has not given any permission for pro-Kannada leader Vatal Nagaraj's party to stage rail roko tomorrow.

As many as 350 people had been rounded up and investigations are on to find out the culprits who indulged in violence.

The Cauvery unrest has claimed two lives in the city. One person had died in police firing on Monday while another succumbed to injuries he suffered while fleeing police lathicharge as he jumped in panic from a three-storey building.

In Mandya, the epicentre of Cauvery agitation, Tamils took out a procession in the city and protestedagainst the Supreme Court verdict, carrying empty vessels.

The residents of a Tamil colony also condemned some incidents of attacks on Kannadigas and their property in Tamil Nadu and appealed to the neighbouring state Chief Minister to ensure safety of Kannadigas living there.

The 'Rythara hithrakshana samithee', (committee for protection of farmers' interests) headed by G. Madegowda, which is spearheading the Cauvery stir, staged a dharna and said they have no other option but to continue their protests till water release to Tamil Nadu stops.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Normalcy returned to the violence-hit city today after a day of uneasy calm following large-scale violence over the raging Cauvery water sharing row with neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Transport vehicles were back in service and shops and establishments functioned normally, senior police officials said, adding, adequate measures have been taken to prevent occurrence of untoward incidents.

Curfew, imposed late on Monday night, continued to remain in force in 16 police station limits of the city which were under prohibitory orders.

Though government has not declared holiday of schools and colleges, few private institutions remained shut today.

Uneasy calm prevailed in the city yesterday with sporadic incidents of protests after outbreak of violence on Monday following the Supreme Court order modifying its September 5 order asking Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

In its September five order, the apex court had directed the state to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water for 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers of the neighbouring state, which had triggered strong protests from farmers and pro-Kannada outfits with Karnataka observing a bandh against it on September nine.

Two persons were killed following Monday's violence in the city.

One person had died in police firing while another succumbed to injuries he suffered while escaping police lathicharge when he jumped in panic from a three-storey building.

No major untoward incidents have been reported from other parts of the state as well.Sporadic protests were witnessed in Mandya, Mysuru, Chitradurga, Ramanagra and other parts yesterday.

Karnataka government had yesterday decided to obey the Supreme Court's modified order asking it to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till September 20 and warned that those indulging in violence during protests against release of water will be dealt with an "iron-hand".

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hadstated that he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and request him to call a meeting of the Chief Ministers of both states to resolve the issue.

He has also called for a meeting of Congress legislators from the city today to discuss about the situation and Monday's violent protests.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
No fresh flood-related deaths were reported from Bihar today but water entered few villages in the catchment areas of Punpun river due to a breach in its embankment even as the national capital received some rains by the afternoon.

The swollen Punpun river had yesterday breached the ring embankment near Shahbajpur in Patna district and flood waters entered two-three adjoining villages, prompting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to conduct an aerial survey of the area.

Special Secretary for the state's Disaster Management Department Anuridh Kumar said the flood situation in the river's catchment area is "stable".

He expressed hope that the waters will start receding from tomorrow and the situation will improve.

Meanwhie, due to relatively lesser rainfall in the state, temperatures climbed marginally in Patna and other parts of Bihar. The capital city witnessed traces of while Gaya recorded 3.8 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours.

Light rains were recorded in parts of national capital even as the mercury settled a notch above normal. The maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 34.9 and 25.7 degrees Celsius respectively.

Humidity levels oscillated between 88 and 56 per cent.

Heavy rains and thundershowers have been forecast for some parts of Odisha till tomorrow due to a low pressure over west central Bay of Bengal, the IMD said today.

Yesterday's low pressure over west central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh now lies over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining west central Bay of Bengal, an IMD bulletin said.

The associated upper air cyclonic circulation extends upto 5.8 km above the mean sea level, tilting southwards.

Under its impact, rain or thundershower is likely to occur at a few places over Odisha in the next 24 hours.

In West Bengal, with zero rainfall, weather in the capital city remained hot and sultry. The maximum temperature was 34.4 degrees Celsius while the minimum was 27.

The maximum temperature dropped slightly since yesterday at most places in Punjab and Haryana and hovered close to normal limits.

Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a maximum temperature of 33.4 degrees Celsius.

In Haryana, Ambala recorded a high of 33.9 degrees Celsius, up one notch, while Hisar's maximum settled at 37 degrees Celsius, also one notch above normal.

The monsoon remained normal over east Uttar Pradesh resulting in light to moderate rain and thundreshowers at few places in the east and at isolated places over western region.

Chief amount of rainfall was recorded in Gonda, Sardanagar (11 cm each), Rae Bareli (10 cm), Agra (9 CM), Sitapur (8 cm), Banda, Haidergarh and Fursatganj (7 cm each).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP today accused the Naveen Patnaik regime in Odisha of having failed on all fronts and said incidents like killing of civilians in firing, malnutrition deaths and "body on shoulder" episode occurred due to its inefficiency.

The party observed 'Lajja Diwas' (day of shame) as a mark of protest against the BJD government's alleged apathy towards problems faced by people and held it responsible for the recent suicide of a dismissed homeguard.

During the protest senior BJP leaders claimed that the state has been witnessing misrule, lawlessness and highhandedness during the BJD regime which was exposed by the killing of five civilians, mostly tribals, during anti-naxal operation by police at Gumudumaha in Kandhamal district.

The Gumudumaha incident had made it amply clear that the government had lost grip over police administration, state BJP unit President Basant Panda said.

Citing the death of at least 19 infants due to severe malnutrition within a short span at Nagada in Jajpur district, the party leader said it showed that the health care sector had completely collapsed in Odisha, party leaders said.

The manner in which tribal Dana Majhi, unable to get a hearse, was made to walk over 10 kms carrying his wife's body on his shoulder from a hospital in Kalahandi district recently had brought disrepute to the state, they said.

Taking a dig at the state government over the suicide of dismissed homeguard Sandip Hati outside chief minister's residence, the BJP leaders said he was forced to take the extreme step as his repeated pleas for sympathy went unheeded for the last three years.

They demanded an independent probe into Hati's dismissal in 2013 and his self immolation protesting the action.

All these unfortunate incidents have brought shame to the state due to the state government's inefficiency and apathetic attitude, BJP state unit general secretary Prthiviraj Harichandan said.

"These incidents have proved wrong state government's tall claims about development. BJD government's inefficiency has been thoroughly exposed," he said.

Stating that the protest programme is aimed to make people aware about the BJD government's failure on all fronts, he said BJP would take the issue to every nook and corner of the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Republicans headed to the polls today in the 54th Senate District to select the party's nominee in the race for to succeed state Sen. Michael Nozzolio.

There are five candidates vying for the party's nomination:

 Pam Helming, the Republican Party's endorsed candidate and the current town supervisor in Canandaigua

 Floyd Rayburn, a businessman from Ontario County

 Sean Hanna, a former state Assemblyman and small business owner

 Jon Ritter, a retired Greece police officer

 Brian Manktelow, a farmer and town supervisor in Lyons

After the polls close at 9 p.m., we will post results as soon as they are available.

The results will be posted below.
Gold and silver ornaments worth nearly Rs 35 lakh were stolen in broad daylight from a jewellery shop after burglars broke into the outlet by drilling a hole in an adjacent building in, police said.

The theft took place on Monday afternoon when the jewellery shop in Naigaon area was closed for lunch, a police official said.

Police PRO and DSP Suresh Nirmal, in a release last night, said a case has been registered in this connection and a hunt is on for the burglars.

The burglars drilled a hole on the wall of a building adjacent to the jewellery shop and entered between 2 and 4.30 pm when it was closed and the owner had gone home for lunch, Nirmal said.

They decamped with gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 34.90 lakh, the DSP said.

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Newly found debris, suspected to be that of Malaysian Airlines has burn marks, suggesting that a fire broke out on the plane before it vanished mysteriously over the Indian Ocean in 2014, according to media reports.

The five pieces of the debris discovered by American independent investigator Blaine Gibson were handed over to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in Canberra on Monday, over two-and-a-half years after the plane carrying 239 people, including five Indians, disappeared.

The ATSB has previously analysed several pieces of debris and concluded that four of them were "almost certainly" from the missing plane.

Gibson, has previously found other pieces of the debris of the Boeing 777 that were confirmed to be from MH370, the Guardian reported.

"If they are confirmed as and if the fire was before the crash, this is significant evidence of what caused the plane's demise," Gibson said.

Gibson, whose private search is self-funded, described the items as shattered composite panels with hexagonal honeycombing inside. Both had evidence of blackened singeing and burning to off-white paint on both sides.

He said he believed the parts were likely to be from an internal section of the plane, such as the cabin or cargo area, rather than a structural piece involved in flying, such as the wing.

However, he warned it was too early to draw firm conclusions - or even to know if the debris is from the missing plane.

The parts, found by a local fisherman in southeast Madagascar, near Sainte-Luce, could have been burned after the crash once they washed ashore, he said.

In July last year, a flaperon was found on Reunion Island off the coast of Madagascar. It was the first piece to be formally identified as part of the MH370 wreckage.

Flight MH370 went missing on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with available data indicating that the plane flew into the waters of the southern Indian Ocean.

More than 1,10,000 sq km of the seafloor have been searched so far for clues to or debris of the missing jetliner.
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron was today blamed for the rise of the Islamic State terror group in north Africa by a damning parliamentary inquiry, which blamed his "opportunist policy" for the botched 2011 intervention in Libya.

The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee MPs criticised the intervention by Britain and France that led to the overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, when Cameron was Prime Minister.

"By the summer of 2011, the limited intervention to protect civilians had drifted into an opportunist policy of regime change. That policy was not underpinned by a strategy to support and shape post-Gaddafi Libya," the report says.

It accuses Cameron of backing regime change without a coherent strategy for the country after the removal of Gaddafi, The Times reports.

Britain and France led airstrikes on Libya after an uprising triggered by the Arab Spring. The threat of further violence by Gaddafi spurred Western powers to take action but since then thousands of people have been killed and unrest continues to this day.

The 49-page report adds: "The result was political and economic collapse, inter-militia and inter-tribal warfare, humanitarian and migrant crises, widespread human rights violations, the spread of Gaddafi regime weapons across the region and the growth of [ISIS] in north Africa.

"Through his decision-making...David Cameron was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy."



The criticism echoes remarks by US President Obama this year that Britain and France had not done enough to "follow up" after the conflict.

After Gaddafi was toppled, Libya descended into violence, with rival governments and the formation of hundreds of militias, while so-called Islamic State, also known as ISIL and Daesh, has gained a foothold.

Cameron has defended his handling of the situation, telling MPs in January that action was needed because Gaddafi "was bearing down on people in Benghazi and threatening to shoot his own people like rats".

But the foreign affairs committee said the government "failed to identify that the threat to civilians was overstated", adding that it "selectively took elements of Gaddafi's rhetoric at face value".

The committee said there should now be an independent review of the operation of the NSC, which is chaired by the prime minister, to see if it had succeeded in addressing the weaknesses in government decision-making identified in the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The UK Foreign Office defended the intervention in a statement: "Muammar Gaddafi was unpredictable and he had the means and motivation to carry out his threats. His actions could not be ignored and required decisive and collective international action. Throughout the campaign we stayed within the United Nations mandate to protect civilians."



The UK will continue to play a leading role within the international community to support the internationally recognised Libyan Government of National Accord.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rajasthan Congress President Sachin Pilot today attacked the state government over rising cases of atrocities against women saying the state ranks second in the country despite Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje being a woman.

Addressing a public meeting in Alwar, Pilot said cases of atrocities against women are on the rise in Rajasthan and the situation is "not being controlled".

"The efforts that former UPA government made towards empowerment of women have been stalled by the BJP government. The state can progress only when the condition of women improves but the situation here is adverse," he said.

Pilot said all decisions which have hampered the growth will be changed if Congress is voted back to power.

Former chief minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot said the state's image has suffered due to harassment of women.

"BJP government is solely responsible for this. All the public welfare schemes initiated by the former government have been dumped by the current government," he said.

Mahila Congress President Shobha Oza, former PCC President Girija Vyas, former union minister Jitendra Singh, Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Rameshwar Dudi, former president of Mahila Congress Prabha Thakur and Rajasthan Mahila Congress President Shakuntala Rawat were also present in the meeting.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CBI today exposed an alleged nexus between officials of a defence canteen in Ahmedabad and civilians involve in diverting subsidized goods meant for defence personnel to the open market.

Suspicious transactions of around Rs 2.12 crore are under the CBI scanner. The money was allegedly sent by private parties to civilian officials, sources said.

The Defence Ministry had earlier filed a complaint with CBI, alleging a nexus between officials of CSD area depot, Ahmedabad, Unit Run Canteen (URC) and civilians for diversion of large quantity of CSD stores to civil market.

From January to June last year, one of the URCs repeatedly submitted indents for a certain category of goods every month and collected supplies which was abnormal, the spokesperson said.

After registering a case against a civilian, Nitish Makhija, and unidentified officials of CSD in this regard, the investigating agency carried out searches at five locations, a CBI spokesperson said.

The raids were carried out at the residences of Nitish, his uncle Kundan Makhija, three public servants -- the then Assistant Manager S G Sambharkar, accountant D A Parmar and former cashier T V Makwana, who were posted at CSD depot.

CBI said that during the scrutiny of transactions, it came to light that a large number of payments were allegedly received from third party against indents of a particular URC.

Also, the supplies were shown to have been collected by an authorised representative of URC on each occasion.

Rs 1.83 crore were received by way of such third party payments in six months. Besides, there were a few other suspected transactions. The total amount of the fraudulent payments was 2.12 crores, the spokesperson said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Four months after the murder of bureau chief of a Hindi daily Rajdev Ranjan in Siwan, CBI will be taking over the investigation in the case.

CBI sources said a team will soon leave for Siwan after a case is registered by it in the murder of Ranjan, the Siwan bureau chief of 'Hindustan'.

Alleged gangster and RJD leader Shahbuddin, who was recently released on bail, was under the scanner of investigation agencies in the case, they said.

Bihar had transferred the case to CBI. The agency is now all set to register an FIR under the charges of criminal conspiracy and murder, the sources said.

The state government had issued a notification requesting the CBI to take over the investigation of the murder case, a demand made by the kin of the journalist who was killed on May 13.

The case has again come into limelight as a photograph appeared of absconding suspects Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed with Shahbuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on Saturday last on bail granted by Patna High Court.

"In exercise of the powers conferred under section 6 of Delhi Police Establishment Act 1946 (Act 25 of 1946), the Governor of Bihar is pleased to accord his consent to exercise of powers and jurisdiction to the whole of Bihar to the members of Delhi Special Police Establishment to investigate/ supervise and inquire into the Siwan Town P.S. Case No. 362/16, dated May 13, 2016 u/s 302/120 (B)/34 IPC and 27 Arms Act which is related to murder of reporter Rajdev Ranjan," the notification issued by Bihar home department had read.

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More than Rs 100 crore were released by the Centre for various development projects in Manipur in the first five months of this fiscal, DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh said today.

Chairing a meeting of the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Singh said that among the northeastern states, Manipur is the major beneficiary of liberal funding and assistance from various central ministries.

An amount of over Rs 100 crore has been released by the DoNER Ministry in the first five months of the current financial year for various development projects in Manipur, Singh said.

The Minister said an amount of Rs 28.47 crore was released for different projects under NLCPR (Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources) and approximately Rs 75 crore was released for the NEC (North-Eastern Council) projects.

This is in addition to the various other fundings and budget releases coming to the state from other ministries of the central government.

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A day after intense bickering over chikungunya deaths with the BJP-ruled civic bodies, the ruling AAP today pitched for 'One Delhi' as it extended "olive branch" to the Opposition, saying the health crisis has to be tackled together.

In line with the party's emphasis to "rise above politics" and "bridge differences", Water Minister Kapil Mishra was joined by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari during a fumigation drive in north east Delhi's Sonia Vihar area in the afternoon.

Mishra also quoted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as having said "no matter what", various agencies and political parties will have to work together to tackle chikungunya that has claimed several lives in Delhi this season.

The political cool down came a day after Kejriwal said Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be "questioned" over the issue as "all powers" regarding the city's governance "rest with them".

Striking a conciliatory note, Mishra said the "barriers" among the Delhi government, the Lt Governor, the civic bodies and the Centre should be "brought down" in favour of "one Delhi" as "passing the buck" would only trouble the residents of the national capital.

"We have to fight these diseases together, forgetting politics. No matter what, we will have to be united in eliminating these diseases and mosquitoes," Mishra quoted Kejriwal as having told him.

"Delhi's seven MPs, 70 MLAs and 272 municipal councillors can do it together by hitting the streets and undertaking fogging exercises wherever possible. In fact, the MPs should lead the programme and guide the MLAs and Councillors," Mishra said.

AAP's Delhi convener Dilip Pandey also made a similar appeal, saying everyone, including the elected representatives of BJP and AAP, should work together to combat chikungunya.

"Passing the buck around doesn't solve anything, Delhi Gov, MCD and LG must work together to ensure people come first. #OneDelhi above politics, allegiances and personal interests. @KapilMishraAAP offers the olive branch to all, ensuring health comes first.

"#OneDelhi cannot be crippled by fractured politics. All responsible must come together to solve the vector borne disease outbreak. MCD must handle prevention, while Health Ministry will ensure quality treatment. #OneDelhi must together overcome this crisis (Sic)," Delhi AAP's official handle tweeted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China is set to launch its second experimental space lab as part of its efforts to build a permanent space station as part of its ambitious space programme that aims for a manned space station by around 2022.

China will launch its Tiangong-2 space lab from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwestern China's Gobi desert tomorrow.

The ambitious space programme aims for a manned space station by around 2022.

Engineers have begun injecting propellant into the the Long March-2F T2 rocket, which will carry Tiangong-2 into space, said Wu Ping, deputy director of the manned space engineering office.

"All systems are ready for lift-off," she said.

"The launch of Tiangong-2 will lay a solid foundation for the building and operation of a permanent space station in the future," state-run Xinhua agency reported today.

Once in space, the 8.6-tonne space lab will manoeuvre itself into an orbit about 380 kms above the Earth for initial on-orbit tests.

It will transfer to a slightly higher orbit at about 393 kilometers above the Earth's surface before the Shenzhou-11 manned spaceship ferries two astronauts into space to dock with the lab.

The two astronauts will work in Tiangong-2 for 30 days, before reentering the Earth's atmosphere.

The space lab is part of preparation to build space station by 2022 to rival Russia's international space station Mir.

Also China's first space lab Tiangong-1 is expected to fall into the Earth's atmosphere in the latter half of 2017, Wu said.

Tiangong-1 was launched in September, 2011 and ended its data service in March this year, when it had "comprehensively fulfilled its historical mission," Wu said.

The space lab is currently intact and orbiting at an average height of 370 kilometers, she said.

It was in service for four and a half years, two and a half years longer than its designed life, and had docked with Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 spacecraft and undertaken a series of tasks, making important contributions to China's manned space cause, Wu said.

"Based on our calculation and analysis, most parts of the space lab will burn up during falling," she said, adding that it was unlikely to affect aviation activities or cause damage to the ground.

China has always highly valued the management of space debris, conducting research and tests on space debris mitigation and cleaning, Wu said.

Now, China will continue to monitor Tiangong-1 and strengthen early warning for possible collision with objects.

If necessary, China will release a forecast of its falling and report it internationally, Wu said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of Security Advisors meeting in Delhi, China on Wednesday said it wants member countries to strengthen coordination on security issues and play a major role in international affairs.

" (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is playing a bigger role in international issues and we hope that countries can strengthen coordination and development and security issues and contribute to peace, prosperity and stability," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said here.

She said China's State Councillor Yang Jiechi will take part in the BRICS Security Advisors (NSAs) meeting which will be held in New Delhi tomorrow.

She, however, said she has no information about bilateral meeting between Yang and Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Both Doval and Yang are Special Representatives for India-China boundary talks as well.

Hua said major agenda for NSAs meeting is anti-terrorism, energy security, cyber security, situation in West Asia and North Africa and other issues of international and regional issues of common interest.

"The attendees will have in-depth discussions on these topics," she said.

The meeting is being held ahead of BRICS leaders summit. The BRICS leaders summit will be held in Goa next month in which Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend.

"In the past, BRICS countries have had dialogue on political and security issues of common interests and established high mechanism for security affairs," Hu said.
U.S. Rep. John Katko took federal officials to task Wednesday for not being forthcoming about whether air marshals would be on board commercial flights between the United States and Cuba.

Officials representing the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration acknowledged at a House committee hearing that there isn't an agreement in place between the U.S. and Cuba to allow federal air marshals on commercial flights.

Katko, R-Camillus, referred to a statement issued by the TSA in August which said an agreement had been reached between the two countries that would allow for "the deployment of (federal air marshals) on board certain flights to and from Cuba."

At the hearing, Katko pressed Deputy TSA Administrator Huban Gowadia on whether the agency's statement was actually referring to a pre-existing agreement between the U.S. and Cuba to have air marshals on chartered flights.

Gowadia initially dodged the question.

"It is important for us to realize that to compromise the strategy, the exact operations of our federal air marshals is not in the best interest of aviation security," she said.

"We try to be very careful in allocating our FAMs to flights based on risk, based on threat and certainly based on agreements. We will continue to try to expand our FAMs coverage on all flights out of Cuba and we have no reason to believe that this will not proceed on scheduled flights at this time."

When Katko repeated his question, Gowadia confirmed there was no agreement in place for federal air marshals to appear on commercial flights between the U.S. and Cuba.

The revelation led to Katko's charge that the TSA misled the public when it released a statement saying there would be air marshals on board when commercial air travel between the U.S. and Cuba resumed.

Katko noted that earlier in his round of questions, Gen. Francis Taylor of the Department of Homeland Security agreed that federal air marshals are "an integral part of the multi-layered security apparatus and indeed, the last line of defense for terrorism and air piracy."

"We have opened up service to Cuba without having that last line of defense in place and I think anyone who is in their right mind will tell you that is not a good idea, and that is what I'm very concerned about," he said.

The exchange is the latest scuffle Katko has had with Homeland Security and TSA officials on Cuban aviation security.

In May, Katko chaired a subcommittee hearing on the agreement between the U.S. and Cuba to resume commercial air service. Following that meeting, he accused President Barack Obama's administration of not being open about Cuban airport security, especially the equipment the country may  or may not  have.

Katko and other members of Congress wanted to travel to Cuba in June to assess Cuba's aviation security situation for themselves. But Cuba didn't issue visas to allow them to make the trip.

Two months ago, Katko introduced a bill that would halt commercial air travel between the two countries until the TSA could verify whether Cuba has the proper security infrastructure in place.

The bill was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a former Republican presidential candidate.

While Katko has concerns about the flights, he reiterated Wednesday that he doesn't necessarily oppose the idea of resuming air travel between the U.S. and Cuba.

"That is not my job," he said. "Whether I agree with it personally or not is not the question. My job is to make sure that things are as safe as possible."
Alarmed over growing imports of Chinese tyres in the country, a top official of Apollo Tyres today said the situation was jeopardising the Centre's 'Make in India' campaign.

"Chinese products were earlier marginally impactive on truck-bus radials. But, last year, Chinese imports grew by 70 per cent and so far, it has grown 40 per cent this year," Apollo Tyres, president, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Satish Sharma told reporters here.

Giving out statistics, he said, "The truck-bus radial tyre industry is around four lakh tyres a month. We (Apollo Tyres), sell about one lakh tyres. Whereas, it is 1.50 lakh units a month in case of Chinese tyres".

Sharma, who is also the Vice Chairman, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA), representing the tyre industry, said a representation had been made to the government in this regard.

"After two years of following it up with the government, they (Government) have accepted the plea for Anti Dumping Duty in May 2016. They have started the process. But it is a long process", he said.

"Why we should open the market that is predatory to domestic players. Prime Minister's vision is Make in India. But, I see that vision getting jeopardised. I am ready to compete with local manufacturers (not with Chinese imports).", he said.

Responding to a query, he said, the biggest dilemma facing the industry is Chinese imports and there is nothing that any manufacturer can do about it.

He also said that over the past two years, the Indian tyre prices have come down anywhere between 10 and 15 per cent and is still climbing down. On the other hand, Chinese tyres are still around 30 per cent cheaper.

He said that in the past, competition was limited between three and four tyre manufacturing companies. However, the scene has changed entirely now with the entry of several foreign players like Michelin, Yokohama and Continental Tyres.

Sharma and senior company officials were here for the launch of Apollo EnduRace RD HD, Apollo EnduMile LHD and Apollo EnduComfort CA under the truck-bus radial segment.

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend this year's UN General Assembly instead of President Xi Jinping who last year made a big splash making a state visit to the US and meeting top American business houses.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying today said that Li's trip will last from September 18 to 28 during which he will also visit Canada and Cuba.

Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong said that Li in his speech to the UN General Assembly will outline China's stance on global governance and international order and its measures to cope with global challenges.

Li will also hold talks with state leaders of other countries during his stay in New York.

"China hopes to take the premier's UN tour as an opportunity to strengthen communication with other sides and underline the basic norms of international relations. The international community should jointly establish a new international order with cooperation and reciprocity at its core," Li Baodong told reporters today.

As for the premier's visit to Canada, the first by any Chinese premier in 13 years, Li Baodong said it shows the importance China attaches to the development of bilateral ties with Canada and will inject a strong impetus into future development.

Cuba, the first country in the Latin American and Caribbean region to have diplomatic ties with China, is the last stop on Li's visit.

Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao said Li will discuss with Raul Castro Ruz how to strengthen the China-Cuba friendship and cooperation.

The two sides will also sign cooperation documents in areas such as the economy, technology, energy and nuclear power.

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Chuck Pratt has replaced Charles Murray as the showrunner of Lee Daniels' upcoming music drama "Star".

Pratt has replaced original showrunner Murray, who recently departed "Star" because his vision for the series differed from that of Daniels and co-creator Tom Donaghy.

Sources say the split was amicable, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Daniels co-wrote the pilot with Donaghy for the Atlanta-set drama which centers on three girls (newcomers Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny and Brittany O'Grady) who form a band.

While Daniels' other Fox music drama, "Empire", is told from the perspective of music executives, "Star" focuses on the artist's point of view as the series details the trio's rise to the top in a tough business.

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Navi Mumbai planning authority CIDCO has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese firm China Fortune Land Development (CFLD) to assist it in creating infrastructure in the state.

"The City & Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and CFLD have signed an MoU to create a strategic cooperation relationship in order to better promote the economic and urban development of Maharashtra," CIDCO Managing Director Bhushan Gagrani said at the MoU signing event here today.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was also present on the occasion, said, "Through this MoU, both CIDCO and CFLD have agreed to explore the prospects of developing modern, ecological and favourable living and business environments, which will result in harmonious growth between the city, industries and the citizens."



CFLD will leverage its large experience of comprehensive urban planning and industrial promotion systems to develop the infrastructure in CIDCO's area of operations.

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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton feels that India can play a prominent role in global affairs in the years to come, a top Jain spiritual leader has said after meeting her.

"She (Clinton) said India in the coming years is destined to play an important global role. And spiritual leaders can play a big role in this," Acharya Lokesh Muni said.

The former Secretary of State, who played a key role in strengthening India-US relationship in the first term of the Obama administration, expressed her views during her interaction with Muni, who led a delegation of Jain leaders to the US.

Clinton family has a great relationship with India, he noted, adding that he told the Democratic presidential nominee that India and the US need to work together to fight the menace of poverty and illiteracy in other parts of the world, in particular in Africa.

"We need to put a joint fight against violence and terrorism, which of late has posed a major challenge to peace and development across the world. She was all for it," Muni said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is laying a strong foundation for the development of India.

"One should realise that it takes time to fix things. His government is moving in the right direction. Its results in the coming days would be visible," he said adding that there have been no major corruption cases in this government.

However, he said expectation of the people from this government are much higher.

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has released new information about her health as she recuperated from a diagnosis of "mild, non-contagious" pneumonia, with her doctor stressing she remains healthy overall and "fit to serve" as president.

Pressure had mounted for the campaign to release information about the Democratic White House nominee's medical status after she fell ill at a 9/11 memorial event Sunday, and it was disclosed that she had pneumonia.

The former secretary of state, 68, "continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as president of the United States," her personal physician Lisa Bardack wrote in a detailed, two-page "summary update" on Clinton's health.

Bardack released Clinton's laboratory results that showed "normal" readings for cholesterol, triglycerides and other key readings.

"The remainder of her complete physical exam was normal and she is in excellent mental condition," she said.

Bardack also said Clinton has been taking the anti-coagulant Coumadin, and that her blood levels "have been relatively stable."

Clinton "is recovering well with antibiotics and rest" from her bout with pneumonia, she added.

Clinton had released a detailed statement about her medical history in July 2015.

Her campaign had been pressed to be more transparent about Clinton's health, particularly after it failed to reveal her Friday pneumonia diagnosis until Sunday, when she nearly collapsed as she left the Ground Zero site in New York.

Her rival Donald Trump is also being called on to reveal his own medical records, something he has not done save for a brief letter released last year by Harold Bornstein, the Republican nominee's doctor for 35 years, who wrote that Trump's health was "excellent and that a recent examination "showed only positive results."

Trump had another physical in recent days, and he went on the television set of celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz on Wednesday to disclose his new health records.

In a statement, the show said "Dr Oz took Mr Trump through a full review of systems." The show airs Thursday.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will return to the White House campaign trail on Thursday after taking a few days of rest to recover from pneumonia, her campaign has said.

"On Thursday, September 15, Hillary Clinton will deliver remarks in Greensboro, North Carolina and discuss her vision for an America that is stronger together," her campaign said yesterday.

"She has spent the day catching up on reading briefings, making calls, and she watched President (Barack) Obama's speech in Philadelphia on TV," her spokesman Nick Merrill said, according to CNN.

Clinton, 68, was diagnosed with pneumonia last Friday and was advised rest by her doctors but she she continued with her grilling campaigning schedule.

On Sunday, she fell ill at Ground Zero and was forced to leave the 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York early.

In a video posted by one of the spectators, she was seen fumbling while getting on a van, raising questions about her health condition. The development was made an issue by her political opponent.

In an interview on Monday, Clinton said she thought her falling ill at Ground Zero was not going to be "that big a deal" as she promised to resume campaigning this week amid calls for transparency into her health condition.

The health scare forced the former secretary of state to cancel campaign and fundraising trips to California and has fuelled concerns about her medical fitness less than two months to go for the November 8 election.

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Congress today requested the President Pranab Mukherjee to direct Telangana government to implement the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act for acquiring land for various projects in the state.

In a memorandum submitted to President, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) also urged Mukherjee to direct the TRS government to lift prohibitory orders imposed in some villages where irrigation projects are being taken up, and also to lift "false cases" against villagers.

"The government of Telangana is unfortunately violating all constitutional and legal norms thereby the farmers, land tenants, agricultural labourers artisans have become most helpless and vulnerable. And their very survival is endangered as the government is unwilling to provide the rehabilitation, resettlement and fair compensation.

"The present government is disregarding the principles of democracy and ruthlessly suppressing the voice of the people," TPCC stated in their memorandum.

Congress also accused Telangana government of acquiring lakhs of acres of land across state "in the name of irrigation, industrial and power projects."



Congress has been protesting against the government over the issue of land acquisition for Mallanna Sagar Irrigation project and redesigning of some other projects.

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Leading travel company organised a special clean-up drive initiative along a three-kilometre coastal area of the Juhu beach in suburban Mumbai, as part of an initiative to create awareness and preserve the natural beauty of the environment.

Karan Anand, Head at Relationships, Cox and Kings in a statement issued here said approximately 150 employees of the company actively participated in the drive by volunteering for the cleaning activity last Sunday.

" employees carried out the clean-up drive in conjunction with its NGO partner, Juhu Citizens Welfare Group, employees of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as well as the local residents," he said.

"The beach cleaning activity aims to help preserve the beauty of the Juhu Beach and at the same time keep the beach clean for the upcoming Visarjan on Anant Chaturdashi. We aim to educate the community at large about the need to keep our beaches clean," Anand said.

He said that during the drive, the team of also discussed eco-friendly ways to celebrate festivals with the local residents.
CPI today asked Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments to take measures to curb the violence that has erupted in the two states over Cauvery river water sharing row and settle the issue through talks.

Noting that rivers are "part and parcel of national assets", the party alleged that "absence" of a national policy on rivers and sharing of water with mutual understanding have often led to "chauvinistic" agitations.

"Both the governments must take measures to curb violence and to ensure safety of the people irrespective of which state they belong to. Normalcy should be restored at the earliest and through talks the two governments should settle the issue," it said in a statement.

"While condemning the violence strongly, the party appeals to the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka not to resort to violent agitations," it said.

The Supreme Court had on September 5 ordered Karnataka to release 15,000 cusec of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu for a period of 10 days to ameliorate the plight of the farmers there.

The decision triggered protests in Karnataka, especially in Mandya district, the hotbed of Cauvery politics.

However, after the Karnataka government sought a review of this order, the apex court on September 12 directed the state to release 12,000 cusec per day to Tamil Nadu until September 20.

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AUBURN  In 1995, Edward Myers Hayes was working in the Capital District of New York when his boss gave him a mailer for another agency  an organization called Cayuga Home For Children.

Located in the city of Auburn, the $2.2 million agency conducted residential congregate care for children in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. In other words, it was responsible for the 24-hour supervision of difficult or displaced children in Cayuga County.

And in June of '95, Hayes took the job.

"As I came in (as executive director), we were about to enter a new millennium, so we started asking questions," he said. "What does a human service agency need to be relevant and helpful in a new millennium and how do we go prepare for the future?"

At the time, Cayuga Home for Children  now known as Cayuga Centers  had a residential campus on Hamilton Avenue and a group home over on Franklin Street, and the previous executive director had created a few very small home-based programs. In addition, the office for people with developmental disabilities had introduced a home-based waiver program with a small overnight respite program on weekends.

"We were doing a couple small programs, a bit of after-school care and some case management," Hayes said. "But we started to position ourselves and say, 'What are other people doing and how do we get that?'"

By 1998, Hayes had partnered with Cayuga Home's board chair Frederick "Chuckles" Richardson to grow and improve their services, starting with an expansion of services to nearby Seneca County.

"Fred was an incredible partner who made me better every day of my life," Hayes said. "And together, we went on a noble adventure and tried to create a human services agency that we would want to serve our children if they were in need of the program... and we decided to venture into the world."

And at the turn of the century, Cayuga Home began making history, first in New York State  where they became the first agency certified in Functional Family Therapy and the first to do Multi-Dimensional Treatment Foster Care  and then in the world.

"In 2005, we began doing Multisystemic Therapy, and we were the first people in the entire world to offer three evidence-based treatment programs at the same time," Hayes said. "And we used that to begin selling our services to other counties."

Counties like Monroe, Ontario, Oswego, Oneida and Onondaga where the agency not only introduced old projects, but created new ones. And over the next decade, Cayuga Home transitioned from social workers and home visits to one-on-one therapy focused on tackling trauma.

"Twenty years ago, nobody talked trauma, and we soon realized we couldn't just do safe care of kids, we needed to do therapy of kids," Hayes said.

Now, each child at the agency gets a minimum of individual therapy twice a week and 62 percent of families are getting individualized family therapy at least twice a month. And their services stretch from New York City and Albany to places like Palm Beach, Florida and Fort Worth, Texas.

According to Hayes, Cayuga Centers went from dealing with roughly 80 children and families to thousands. And the risks Hayes and Richardson took to get here have paid off.

"The view we were using is the sea was shifting and there were going to be tidal waves," Hayes explained. "Some people had boats that were big enough that the wave would just splash by them... Then there were a whole lot of people who would get crushed by the waves. We had to be a speed boat and get in front of it... and that's what we did.

"We're alive, we're independent and we're a lot bigger than we used to be, and most importantly, we do incredibly good services for children and families."

That's why on Thursday, Sept. 22, Cayuga Centers will host a dinner at the Springside Inn to celebrate nearly 50 years of service between Hayes and Richardson. Unfortunately, only one of them will be there to see it; Richardson passed away at 65 years old late last month.

"Fred got up every day and he made the world a better place," Hayes said. "He touched lives... and I always felt that Cayuga Centers was his priority."
Dalit organisations, fighting against "atrocities" on the community in Gujarat, on Thursday announced holding of "rail roko" agitation at some places in state on October 1.

Dalit leaders associated with 'Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti' and 'Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch' said they will stop trains at two to three places.

The call was given at a gathering of held in the city tonight.

"To highlight the issue of atrocities on in state, we have called for a 'rail roko' protest on October 1 at some places in Gujarat. We have also urged dalit leaders in other parts of country to engage in similar kind of protest on that day," said Subodh Parmar, who is associated with both these dalit bodies.

Parmar claimed the stir is not limited to the cause of only, but they also wanted to highlight issues concerning tribals, OBCs and farmers as well.

At the gathering here, dalit leaders sought "explanation" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is scheduled to visit tribal districts of Dahod and Navsari.

Modi will celebrate his 66th birthday in tribal-dominated Dahod district on September 17.

"As our PM is coming here, we want to ask him what happened to more than 12 lakh pending applications of tribals, who are demanding land rights since many years?" he said.

Dalits have upped their ante since some youths of the community were flogged at Una in July, allegedly by cow vigilantes for skinning a dead cow.

In a bid to highlight the issues affecting them, many dalits have stopped disposing of carcasses in many parts of the state.

The 'Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti' and 'Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch' yesterday launched "Badbu (stench) Gujarat Ki" campaign and sent around 1100 postcards with a small message to Bollywood icon and Gujarat tourism brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan.

"Badbu Gujarat Ki" is a parody of the Tourism Department's famous television advertisement "Khushbu Gujarat Ki (scent of Gujarat)" featuring the megastar.
The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) today issued a show-cause notice to Delhi police Commissioner asking why an FIR has not been registered on the five month old sexual harassment complaint of a constable against an inspector.

"The commission is in receipt of a complaint from a lady constable in Delhi Police wherein she has alleged sexual harassment by an inspector. She has also alleged that similar complaint has been made against the accused by 24 other policewomen too," DCW Chief Swati Maliwal said in the notice.

"The women constable has also informed DCW that despite approaching the concerned DCP several times for past 5 months, no action against the accused has been initiated yet," she added.

In the notice, Delhi Police has been asked to explain reasons behind not registering an FIR on the woman constable's complaint despite the offence being cognizable.

"Has Delhi Police formed Internal Complaints Committee under the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act at the level of Headquarter, all police stations and offices? If yes, the commission wants to know what is the status of the woman's complaint," the notice said.

The accused inspector has been summoned for questioning by the Vigilance unit which is probing the case after the woman personnel, posted at provisions and logistics department, complained to Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma alleging no action has been taken on her complaint since five months.

Later, nearly two dozen more women personnel complained against the inspector, who is posted at Provisions and Logistics Department of the force, to the commissioner.

The complainants have alleged that the accused had used words pertaining to physical attributes and made sexual overtures to them while threatening to spoil their career if they objected.

According to police, the complaints are being probed by the vigilance unit and the sexual harassment committee.

The LG office had said Kaur's appointment was temporary



and necessitated by retirement of Alka Diwan, who previously held the post.

As per the note, the government had moved a proposal for appointment of Dhal as Member Secretary on August 19. The file was pending in LG office for several months and was returned to the CM on December 15, it said.

While turning down Dhal's appointment, Jung had pointed out instances of alleged irregularities in appointments in DCW, which are being probed by the Anti-Corruption Branch.
Filing of number of applications for registration of designs have increased by 5.41 per cent during April-August period of the year.

A professional body under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) also stated that design examination has increased by 52.8 per cent during the five months of this fiscal.

National Intellectual Property Organisation (NIPO) President T C James said that increase in the number of filings reflects increase in the manufacturing activity and consumer goods particularly lifestyle products.

The DIPP is taking steps to facilitate faster processing of applications for registration of designs.

The Indian Patent Office has recently decided that all official communications for registration of designs will be communicated through e-mail or digital address of the applicant.

The Commerce and Industry Ministry is taking steps to reduce the pendency of applications for registration of intellectual property rights (IPRs).

CIPAM also said in a tweet that the next major change that it is introducing is simplifications in procedures to boost filing of IPR applications.

"Patent rules have been amended recently & TM (trademark) rules expected to be amended in a couple of months," it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Revenue department will hold a public hearing later this month before making a "final determination" of safeguard duty on imports of unwrought aluminium to protect domestic manufacturers.

"It has been decided by the Director General (Safeguards) to hold a Public Hearing in the safeguard investigation concerning increased imports of 'Unwrought Aluminium (Aluminium not alloyed and Aluminium alloys)' into India on September 29, 2016," the Directorate General of Safeguards (DGS) said.

On the basis of preliminary findings, DGS observed that increased imports of the product had caused "serious injury and threat of serious injury" to domestic industry.

As a result, the domestic industry incurred financial losses in recent period 2015-16, it had said while recommending preliminary safeguard duty on the imports for 200 days in April this year.

While recommending the duty, DGS had said that a public hearing will be held "before making a final determination".

Earlier, Vedanta Ltd-Aluminium and Power, Bharat Aluminium Company and Hindalco Industries had moved DGS for imposition of safeguard duty on imports of unwrought aluminium.

The imports of unwrought aluminium increased from 2,42,533 MT in 2011-12 to 4,32,370 MT till 2015-16 (annualised) recording an increase of 78 per cent. The most recent increase, between 2014-15 to 2015-16, has been quite sharp and significant, the said.

The product is imported from a number of countries such as the UAE, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Thailand.

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Opposition parties, including DMK, today extended their support to the September 16 Tamil Nadu bandh called by various traders and farmers bodies in the state over the Cauvery water sharing row.

"DMK has decided to support the bandh," party President M Karunanidhi said in a statement.

He urged his party workers to extend "full support" to the protest and participate in good numbers in the bandh, called to protest against the violence targeting Tamils in Karnataka and seek a long-term solution to the water sharing issue.

VCK, MDMK, PMK, CPI (M) and CPI have also expressed their support to the bandh.

VCK founder leader Thol.Thirumavalavan said his party workers will participate in the rail blockade as part of the bandh and that he himself would lead a protest here.

President of the Coordination Committee of Tamil Nadu All Farmers Associations P R Pandian said while about 22 lakh shops will be closed on Friday, 11 lakh lorries will keep off the roads while farmers and members of political parties would ensure the proposed rail-blockade.

The Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramaippu (Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders' Association) is also taking part in the bandh.

The Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers' Association announced petrol bunks would remain shut from dawn to dusk on Friday.

About 4,600 fuel outlets will not function on September 16, according to the association Secretary Mohammed.

Meanwhile, protests on the Cauvery issue continued in different parts of the state.

BJP state President Tamizhisai Sounderrajan led a protest here where the agitating members raised slogans against the Karnataka government.

Groups such as Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NMK) held protests in Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Sivakasi and Tanjavur, among other places.

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An investigator "with a bit of free time" decided to send for testing DNA samples from a long-dormant cold case, which led authorities to arrest a pair of men linked to the 1973 shotgun slayings of two young girls, authorities said.

Police in Oklahoma and California arrested the two 65-year-old suspects yesterday morning for the murders of Valerie Janice Lane, 12, and Doris Karen Derryberry, 13.

The seventh grade classmates told their mothers they were going to a mall shopping near their homes about 40 miles north of Sacramento on Nov. 12, 1973. Witnesses saw them in their neighborhood that night, but neither girl returned home. Both suspects were living in Olivehurst at that time, investigators said.

Two boys were target shooting and found the girl's bodies about 20 hours later, according to accounts at the time. Investigators say the girls were driven to a wooded area and shot at close range.

Authorities then and now said a large-scale investigation was immediately launched and some 60 people interviewed over a three-year period before the case went cold for a lack of solid leads and was shelved in 1976.

In March 2014, an investigator doing a routine look through cold cases decided to send semen samples found on Derryberry's body and preserved for 43 years to the state Department of Justice forensics lab for analysis. Seven months later, state DOJ technicians reported that the DNA in the semen matched the genetic profiles of cousins Larry Don Patterson and William Lloyd Harbour, who each committed serious enough crimes since 1973 to have their DNA samples collected and placed in law enforcement computer systems.

"Over time, anyone that's been assigned to our investigations unit for any length of time looks into some of the unsolved cases that we have," Yuba County Sheriff Steve Durfor said. "And this was one in particular that one of our investigators had a bit of free time and really looked very closely at this case and identified that we should send some things off and see what it might yield for us."



Durfor said both suspects served prison sentences. Patterson was arrested in 1976 for raping two women and again in 2006 for failing to register. Patterson also had a 2006 arrest for failing to register as a sex offender, Durfor said.

Harbour had felony drug convictions, Durfor said.

Patterson was arrested yesterday morning in Oklahoma. Harbour was arrested after a traffic stop two hours later near his home in Olivehurst, where the two victims also lived.

Durfor said the victims' families were told of the arrests yesterday morning and have requested privacy.

The families "have endured decades of suffering and grief for not knowing who was responsible for the brutal murder of their loved ones," Durfor said.

"We're asking for the family to have time to process this news," said Stan Vantassle, Derryberry's nephew. "We would like to have time to come to grips with this."



Some of the family members are now elderly and "have waited for something for 43 years for an answer as to what happened to their kids," Yuba County District Attorney Patrick McGrath said.

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A former JNU students union member has alleged that she was raped by an ex office-bearer of the All India Students Federation following which a zero FIR has been registered against him.

Ashish Raghuvanshi, convener of the Madhya Pradesh unit of AISF, the student wing of CPI, was expelled from the organisation in June after the victim approached its top brass.

The girl, a PhD scholar and former vice-president of JNUSU, was in a relationship with Raghuvanshi. She has in a police complaint alleged that he raped her and also extorted money during the course of their relationship.

The girl had earlier this week levelled the allegations in a Facebook post that went viral and also put up posters on the JNU campus narrating her ordeal.

According to police, a zero FIR has been registered at Vasant Kunj (North) police station in south Delhi based on a complaint filed by the victim on the night of September 12.

"The zero FIR has been registered because the complainant has mentioned the place of the offence as Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The complaint will be trasferred to Bhopal police who will probe the charges," said a senior police officer.

Vishwajeet Kumar, National General Secretary of AISF, said, "The girl had approached us in June with the complaint and we had stripped Raghuvanshi of the post and expelled him from the outfit. We also assured her we would help her get the money back from him and advised her to approach police in this regard."



Meanwhile, in a separate case a JNU PhD scholar was arrested for allegedly raping a 26-year-old girl on the pretext of marriage.

The varsity, which had last year recorded, the highest number of sexual harassment complaints in any educational institution in the country, was in last month over rape of a PhD scholar by an All India Students Association activist who was expelled from the party following a complaint.

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Facebook has chosen a village on the edge of New Mexico's largest metropolitan area as the location for its new data centre, an announcement that spread quickly as elected officials celebrated a hard-sought win that could have ripple effects for the state's struggling economy.

Yesterday's of the social media giant's decision to build in Los Lunas, just south of Albuquerque, comes after a roller-coaster contest between New Mexico and Utah to attract the facility.

US Senator Martin Heinrich broke the on social media, and the rest of the congressional delegation followed minutes later. Governor Susana Martinez in a statement welcomed what she described as a stellar, cutting-edge company. In Los Lunas, village officials were rejoicing.

"This is huge for the state of New Mexico, for the region, for the whole Southwest. This is a big win," said Ralph Mims, the village's economic development director.

The courting of Facebook began more than a year ago with a meeting between the Republican governor and Facebook executives. During a visit to California, Martinez and her economic development team pitched the sparsely populated state as a good place to do business.

New Mexico wasn't on the radar before that August 2015 meeting.

"With the improvements we've made over the past several years, New Mexico is finally competing again, and in this case, it's a big win for the people of our state and our economic future," the governor said.

While the project has enjoyed broad political support in New Mexico, local leaders in Utah pushed back against a tax-incentive plan they saw as too generous.

Utah supporters said the project would bring a high-tech cachet that could draw other companies to West Jordan, but critics said the cost was too high for land that could attract other development.

The village of Los Lunas, meanwhile, agreed to give up all property taxes for 30 years in exchange for annual payments from Facebook that start at USD 50,000 and top out at less than USD 500,000. The complex economic development agreement also involves tax breaks on billions of dollars in computer equipment over time.

In Utah, an initial USD 240 million tax-break plan publicly fell apart one night in August after several leaders said the lure was too rich. Talks were revived the next morning, but two weeks later, Utah Governor Gary Herbert said the deal looked dormant, if not dead.

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Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil today alleged that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' meeting with Maratha leaders, in the backdrop of a number of rallies by them on various issues, is aimed at "creating a rift" in the community.

"The Chief Minister is trying to divide people of Maratha community who are holding peaceful agitations across state. These agitations are not political in nature but are being held by common people who are frustrated with this government," he alleged.

"We expected the Chief Minister to hold talks with the organisations that are out on the streets and protesting. Instead, he chose to ignore them and met only those Maratha leaders who belong to BJP," Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly said.

Fadnavis yesterday met some Maratha leaders at his residence here and assured them that his government is taking steps to solve "various social issues" concerning them.

He said had Fadnavis been really "positive" to the demands of the Marathas, he would not have hesitated to meet the people who are "actually protesting".

"On one hand (the Chief Minister is) speaking about holding discussions with community leaders and on the other (he is) inviting only party (BJP) persons. This is an attempt to play the divide and rule game," Patil alleged.

The Congress leader also announced his participation in the stir of the Marathas scheduled on September 23 in Ahmednagar district.

"Attempts are being made by the BJP to give a political colour to otherwise apolitical agitations and a sense of hatred is being developed in the minds of the Dalit community," he alleged.

The rallies have been held since August at Aurangabad, Osmanabad, Jalgaon, Beed and Parbhani, and more such programmes are planned in Nanded, Jalna, Solapur, Navi Mumbai, Ahmednagar, Pune, Sangli, Satara.

The trigger for the rallies was the gangrape and murder of a teenage girl in Ahmednagar district. Following the incident, the Marathas are raising demand for amendments to the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, and quota in government jobs and education.

As a counter to rallies by Marathas, many Dalit organisations began staging morchas in Nanded and other parts of the state.

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Even as the state government today handed over the land 'parchas' to the farmers of Singur, both "willing" and "unwilling" farmers are in a dilemma over the status of the land whether it will ever be back to a condition where it can be cultivated again.

"We are happy that we have got back our land and money. But, we don't know what to do with the land. We have to see what can be done, whether the condition of it can be improved so that it can be cultivated again. If it can't be cultivated, we will have to look for other options," said Prasanta Das, an "unwilling" farmer who received both the cheque and the 'parcha' today.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee handed over the land 'parchas' and cheques to the farmers even as she sent messages to companies saying anyone willing to set up automobile factories in the state was "welcome".

Distributing land parchas among 9,117 farmers and cheques among 806 persons amid jubilation, Banerjee said, "Today, I am happy because I have kept my promise (of returning the farmland)".

"Let's see, what can be done with the land. If it returns to a position where it can be cultivated once again, it's good. Or else, we will wait for Mamata Banerjee's direction and see what can be done," said R Chakraborty, who received the 'parcha' and the cheque.

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AUBURN  Thomas Francis Conaty may have retired from his Auburn fish store at the age of 82, but that didn't stop him from hopping in a taxi and popping in to T.F. Conaty's Fish Market to check on his son-in-law running the business.

"My poor dad," said Mary Payne McCarthy, laughing about the memory. The Auburn resident and retired speech language pathologist at Owasco Elementary School was the granddaughter of the local Irish fish mogul, and daughter to his successor.

"We had two phones, one upstairs and one down, and I would have to run upstairs to go to the bathroom, and I'd call my father and tell him he's coming down to the store," she said.

Often donning a suit and bowler hat, Conaty would leave their home where grandparents, parents and grandchildren lived, to check on George Payne and the seafood market at 47 North St.

Urban renewal, revisited A series examining the impact of Auburn's urban renewal initiatives, including the Arterial:

Standing in her dining room last month with her husband, Dave McCarthy, Mary said her grandfather's passing at the age of 93 in March 1963 was a blessing, in a way. The store, bought by Conaty in 1917, had survived the Great Depression and two World Wars.

But it did not survive the Arterial.

The store, which sat across from where the Auburn Police Department is now, is a photographed memory. Several pictures hang on the McCarthy's walls.

"My grandfather had achieved so much coming in," Mary said. "He came in as this farm boy who was really enraged that he didn't get the education that he wanted, and then he came in and that was his goal: He was going to have a lovely house, and he was going to have his own business and be his own boss. He achieved that. It really was the great American dream. I guess that's what's so sad."

Conaty came to Auburn from Scipio Center at the age of 19. He had a quarter in his pocket and a drive that kept him going, despite facing ridicule from those who were against his Irish heritage. He started out clearing stables, sleeping in the place he worked before eventually working for Henry F. Mott, who owned a local seafood business at the time.

In 1917, Conaty bought the business from Mott and by 1924 had paid his mortgage for the building on North Street of $2,054 in full. With no one else in line to take the reins, Payne left his job as a reporter for The Citizen-Advertiser to learn the seafood business, working under his father-in-law starting in 1937.

The store became a downtown Auburn staple. There were clambakes and fish fries. People came to the store and bought their fare or had their seafood delivered by the Conaty's Seafood truck. Mary often accompanied her father on these deliveries when she was approximately 8 years old.

It was a beautiful fall day in 1962 where Mary remembers her father's recount of an ugly meeting at City Hall. She was in eighth grade at the time, and she remembers her grandfather had offered to go to the meeting, but her father had said, no.

"He (Payne) went up and he came back, and I remember the discussion was that everyone started bickering, and everyone got up to talk, and it was the York Street people against the North Street people," she said, recalling the day. "There were people crying, and there were people bickering. He (Payne) says, 'It will be 14 years before they get their act together, if then.' He says, 'I'm not going back again. It's just too awful.'"

Conaty more or less shrugged off the meeting, telling his son-in-law that the city and state would do what they wanted. The family hired a lawyer and decided to sit tight. Neither family member attended any more meetings at City Hall.

And for a while, the Arterial did seem like a distant, if unattainable outcome. The store continued on as before, with Payne now in charge. Mary would often stop at the fish store after school and grab 15 cents from her father for the bus ride home. As she got older, the store became a place to weed out boyfriends.

"Fresh seafood smells like fresh seafood," she said, laughing. "If they didn't come in the store, I thought, 'Well, you're done,' and then if they would come in the store, and literally, you talk about someone turning green," she laughed.

That's how her husband Dave passed the test.

While things seemed relatively calm, Mary said throughout the years, strange men would come and go. She doesn't know if they were from the city or the state, but every time they came, her father's disbelief about the coming state highway mounted.

"My father was really quite annoyed with the attitude," Mary said. "He thought they were kind of heavy-handed, so to speak."

In the early months of 1967, Auburn artist Truxton Hosley showed up at the store. Hosley had been sitting outside of businesses, painting the storefronts of those that might soon disappear.

"'You know the Arterial is coming,'" Mary remembers Hosley saying to her parents when she was a senior in high school. "'You'll want a memory.'"

For $55, Mary's mother Helen Payne bought Hosley's painting. A similar copy with the same frame hangs in the Cayuga Museum today. Mary has her family's copy hanging in the foyer of their home, a tangible prophecy of something the Paynes never thought would come to pass.

But it did. During the last couple of years operating the business, the state bought the seafood store. Sending in its own assessors, the property was valued at 1/3 the amount of what George had been paying taxes on for the last decade, Mary recalled. That amount was multiplied by three, and that amount is what the family received for compensation.

"I can't even tell you what my parents got for their business," Mary said. "But I do remember the unfairness of that whole thing. That wasn't germane to my family or my family's business. It was the whole process. They were not singled out. It was massive."

George continued to operate the family business, but he was a renter now. When the building's bathroom needed a new pipe, the state refused to send a plumber. Despite the risk, George fixed the bathroom on his own. He continued with his nightly procedure of closing up shop. He'd sweep the foyer and toss out the trash. He'd throw boiling water over the counters and equipment, scrubbing down the surface. He'd throw two more buckets of boiling water over everything.

"I remember going down, and if anyone said to him 'They're going to condemn it (the building),' he'd be like," Mary paused. "All the store owners would be out sweeping and doing their windows, and yah, they (the buildings) were very old, and they were very humble  but there was great pride."

As demolition day drew near, the state told Payne he could not take anything from the building  not even his store's neon sign. Mary said the state threatened to arrest her father if he took even a brick.

Her father did try to move his business elsewhere. But so did many others.

"People caught wind of that," Mary said. "The market prices just threw everything off. I think they had a real sense that they were caught up in a real cyclone, trying to make sense of it, and everyone was impacted."

George wrote his last item for The Citizen-Advertiser  a goodbye note to his loyal customers, put in as an advertisement on July 17, 1973.

"The Conaty's Seafood 45 North St. is out of business due to the state arterial highway," it read. "We wish to thank all of our customers for their past patronage and association with us since 1917 and regret being unable to relocate." The note was signed by George and Helen Conaty Payne.

"That really chokes me up," Dave said, looking at the old newspaper clipping. "There were hundreds of people that lost their homes. People lost their businesses, and what it did to the tax base was just incredible."

When the McCarthys moved back to Auburn from western New York in 1974, Mary said they came "just in time, I think, for the climax of this whole thing."

Within the first weeks of March, 1974, Payne watched the business that had been in his family for 57 years crumble and fall. The neon sign fell to the ground, smashing into pieces. Soon after in November, the 66-year-old died of a heart attack.

Mary, now 67, stood at her dining room table. The original T.F. Conaty's Fish Market sign, wooden and green with gold leaf writing leans up against the wall. Newspapers from the '60s and '70s are clipped and spread out among old receipts from the fish store, old advertisements, and black and white photos of the family patriarchs. It all may be gone now, but she remembers.
A 15-year-old Saudi girl living in Germany has proposed designing a headscarf emoji as countries across Europe wrestle with the issue of the Muslim veil.

Rayouf Alhumedhi has sent a proposal to The Unicode Consortium, a non-profit corporation that reviews and develops new emojis.

The idea gained the backing of the co-founder of online discussion forum Reddit, Alexis Ohanian. If approved, her emoji will be available in 2017.

Rayouf Alhumedhi told the BBC it was during a group chat with her friends on social media that she had realised there was no emoji to represent her, a headscarf-wearing woman.

After reading an article on emoji design, she wrote an email about her idea to Unicode.

Intrigued, a member of a Unicode subcommittee replied, offering to help her draft a formal proposal.

"In this day and age, representation is extremely important," she said of her reasons behind the project.

"People want to be acknowledged... And recognised, especially in the tech world. This is massive. Emojis are everywhere.

"There are so many Muslim women in this world who wear the headscarf. It might seem trivial... But it's different when you see yourself on the keyboard around the world. Once you experience that, it's really great."



To boost support for the initiative, Ohanian hosted a Reddit live online discussion on Tuesday where Reddit users could ask Rayouf Alhumedhi about the new idea.

Some wanted to see whether they could get involved while others questioned the need for the hijab, saying it was a tool to oppress women.

The drafting committee hopes to present a final version of the proposal to Unicode in November, the report said.

The proposal comes as countries across Europe wrestle with the issue of the Muslim veil - in all its forms.

The debate takes in religious freedom, female equality, secular traditions and even fears of terrorism.

The veil issue is part of a wider debate about multiculturalism in Europe, as many politicians argue that there needs to be a greater effort to assimilate ethnic and religious minorities.

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Italian coastguards said today the bodies of five migrants were recovered while 650 others had been rescued during the day in several operations.

The rescued migrants were rescued from five inflatable boats and one small vessel, said a coastguard statement, giving details of six separate operations.

An Italian navy vessel and a Maltese non-governmental group's boat were involved, along with Irish navy patrol boat the James Joyce, which recovered five bodies, the statement said.

On September 5, operations in the Mediterranean area between Italy and Libya recovered 15 bodies in a single day.

Italy is sheltering growing numbers of would-be refugees as its neighbours to the north move to tighten their borders and make it harder for migrants to travel to their preferred destinations in northern Europe.

According to Italian interior ministry figures today, the number of migrants arriving in the country since the start of the year reached 128,397, up 5.15 per cent compared to the same period in 2015.

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Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today reiterated his government's resolve to check corruption at all levels and said the focus should be on nabbing those senior government officials who indulge in corrupt practices.

"You have a free hand and there would be no pressure or demand for any undue favour in your drive to check graft. This would give clear message to people about the government's policy of zero tolerance towards corruption," he told officials after inaugurating the newly built building of State Vigilance Bureau here.

Khattar appreciated the bureau for its efficiency and said since the formation of the present government in October, 2014, it has so far registered 334 cases. Out of these, 58 are public servants and 31 of them have been punished.

Terming corruption as "cancer", the Chief Minister said it can be checked by using Information Technology and directed the police department to suggest preventive measures to keep public servants away from indulging into corrupt practices.

Citing an example, Khattra said the government has left no scope for anyone to use discretionary powers in the recent recruitment drive by the Haryana Public Service Commission and Haryana Staff Selection Commission.

Both the Commissions uploaded the results soon after the interviews on the same day, he said.

Khattar announced to set up two more stations of the Vigilance Bureau in Faridabad and Karnal and said with this, the number of such stations would raise to seven in the state.

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Germany has temporarily closed its embassy, all other consular offices and a school in Turkey, reportedly due to fears of a possible attack.

Germany's Bild newspaper reported today that the move was taken as a precaution after the Foreign Ministry learned of rumored attacks on consular facilities in Turkey during the Eid al-Adha holiday week.

The Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the Bild report, but confirmed that its embassy in Ankara and other consular offices were closed to the public during the holiday week of September 12-16.

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Gionee mobile phones would now be manufactured in Haryana as the company today signed an MoU with the state government to set up its phone manufacturing hub with an initial investment of Rs 500 crore which, later on, would be increased to Rs 1,500 crore.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and state industries minister Vipul Goel by Chairman, Gionee Mobiles, Liu Lirong and Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) here.

Goel said that the Mobile Manufacturing Hub would be set up over an area of 40-50 acres in Faridabad and would provide employment to 28,000 people in next three years.

This, he said, would be a major project in Faridabad and more such projects would come up in other areas of the state, according to an official release here.

Gionee plans to manufacture about six lakh mobiles per month.

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A group of Union ministers today deliberated on the government's stand to be taken in the Supreme Court on the issue of Muslim practices of polygamy, triple talaq (talaq-e-bidat) and nikah halala.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi discussed the issue during an hour-long meeting.

Sources said no final decision has been taken by the Group of Ministers (GoM) and it will deliberate the issue further before finalising the government's stand to be taken in the apex court.

The development came after a Muslim woman, who was divorced by her husband through a phone call from Dubai, challenged the Muslim practices of polygamy, triple talaq (talaq-e-bidat) and nikah halala, leading the Supreme Court to seek response from the Centre on her plea.

Talaq-e-bidat is a Muslim man divorcing his wife by pronouncing more than one talaq in a single 'tuhr' (the period between two menstruations), or in a tuhr after coitus, or pronouncing an irrevocable instantaneous divorce at one go (unilateral triple talaq).

Nikah halala refers to the marriage of a woman with another man who subsequently divorces her so that her previous husband can remarry her.

While dealing with the plea of the 26-year-old woman from Kolkata whose husband divorced her by saying talaq thrice over telephone from Dubai, a bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, had issued notice to the Ministry of Minority Affairs and others.

Petitioner Ishrat Jahan has sought a declaration from the court that Section 2 of Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 was unconstitutional as it violated fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 (equality), 15 (non-discrimination), 21 (life) and 25 (religion) of the Constitution "in so far as it seeks to recognise and validate talaq-e-bidat (triple talaq) as a valid form of divorce".

"My husband and his relatives are constantly attempting to drive me out of my matrimonial home," Jahan had said, adding that her four children were also forcibly taken away from her.

"The petitioner does not have any support as her parents are residing in Bihar. She is surviving with her sister's help. The police are also not making any effort to trace her children," the petition said while seeking urgent directions from the court for her and her children's protection.

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Grocery delivery start-up has sought government's approval for foreign direct investment to carry out trading in food products.

The government has recently permitted 100 per cent FDI under government approval for trading, including through e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured or produced in India.

According to the information on the website of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), India Pvt Ltd has sought approval "to undertake trading including through e-commerce in food products manufactured and/or produced in India".

Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has said India's food processing industry is expected to treble in coming years on the back of a higher economic growth.

The size of the industry is about Rs 1.5 lakh crore.

The food processing ministry has proposed to organise the World Food Summit in 2017 that would act as a single platform for investors, technology solution providers, processors, manufacturers and all other relevant national and international stakeholders.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said a committee had been constituted to study the report of Justice Dhingra Commission.

He said the government would take a decision after getting the recommendations of the committee.

On August 31 this year, the Dhingra commission had submitted its report to the state government about the controversial land deals in Haryana allegedly involving Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra.

The commission had found "irregularities" in the deals.

Justice S N Dhingra, a former judge of Delhi High Court, had presented a 182-page report to Khattar, 15 months after he was appointed to probe land deals in Gurgaon during the tenure of the then chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Justice Dhingra had indicated that he clearly found irregularities in the grant of land licenses in the area.

The land deals became a major issue in 2014 during the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls in Haryana.

The Khattar government had on May 14, 2015 set up the one-man Commission to probe issues concerning the grant of licenses for developing commercial colonies by the Department of Town and Country Planning to some entities in Sector 83, Gurgaon including mutation of land deal between a firm M/S Skylight Hospitality owned by Robert Vadra and realty major DLF.

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The Madras High Court today hoped that the state and central governments will not createa situation for it to take recourse to provisions of the Constitution for allotment of necessary funds for functioning of the judiciary.

A Full Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justices T S Sivagnanam and R Mahadevan made the observation while passing interim orders on three PILs, one filed by G Krishnamoorthy in 2001, another by Elephant G Rajendran and third one by M/s. GM Mani Associates in 2002, praying for allotment of necessary funds for the effective functioning of the judiciary.

During pendency of the pleas, "the problem of finances for the judicial infrastructure and running of the courts has still not been solved. As on date, about 176 financial proposals are pending with the government, an aspect which is being attended to in another petition".

"It is with deep regret we note that a judicial training programme scheduled for second half of October 2016 has been cancelled on account of lack of funds with the judicial academy.

The court said, "It is in the aforesaid circumstances that we called upon the Additional Solicitor General of India to assist us as to how the functioning of the court would take place if fund-flow does not arise from the state government.

"He has drawn our attention to Article 256 of the Constitution, to submit that if the situation so arises, administrative directions can be issued by the central government."



It said, "the Government Pleader submits on behalf of the state government that the proposals are being processed on an urgent basis. We can only hope that a situation does not come to pass where recourse to provisions of the Constitution becomes necessary on account of not making available the funds for the functioning of the judiciary."



The bench said on account of failure of the state government to use central allocated funds for 2014-15 and 2015-16, "the funds have lapsed. Allocation for the financial year 2016-17 has been used but further allocation has been sought for by the state for Rs 107 crore approximately".

Stating that these matters can be discussed with law officers of the central and state governments, it then posted the matter toNovember 10.

When the matter came up today, Justice Kaul said, "The



major problem is infrastructure and without funds how to get infrastructure for judiciary. The allocation in the budgets is much less. State is not interested in judiciary.

"If the State is not allocating funds what can be done?" he told Additional Solicitor General G Rajagopalan appearing on behalf of the central government.

The ASG said, "If there is non-compliance by the state, there can be administrative order by the Union under Article 256.

"There appears to be non inter-coordination between the central government and state government law officers. We will sit and discuss and there may be a judicial order on that aspect," he submitted.
Delhi High Court today dismissed a petition challenging the AAP government's decision to award a group 'C' government job to the brother of Hyderabad University Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula, who had committed suicide.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal said they were not going into the merits of the matter, after the government said that Rohith's brother was himself not interested in taking up the job offered to him on compassionate ground.

Delhi government's senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra told the bench that the petitioner cannot raise such issue in the name of a public interest litigation (PIL) as he cannot say he was aggrieved by the decision.

Mehra said since Rohith's brother, Vemula Raja Chaithanya Kumar, was not interested in taking up the job, "nothing survives in this plea".

Petitioner advocate Avadh Kaushik asked the bench "how can Delhi government give job to a person who has nothing to do with Delhi on compassionate ground?"



However, the bench said they would not go into the merits of the case.

The plea had challenged the government's decision, which was notified on March 3, as well as government accommodation on out of turn basis, saying it was "illegal, arbitrary and politically motivated".

The petitioner had alleged that the Cabinet decision was "illegal, arbitrary, motivated, discriminatory and unjustifiable and unfair exercise of discretion without any mandate of law, statute, policy and guidelines".

It said there was no need to give a job on compassionate grounds to the kin of Rohith as he "was neither a resident of Delhi nor was a government employee under Delhi administration or for that matter, under any Government organisation, and he was also not a student in any University/college connected or affiliated to Delhi in any manner and even no offence or any wrong act whatsoever had been committed against him in Delhi".

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SKANEATELES  Zonta? It is a Lakota word meaning honesty, integrity and trustworthy that since Nov. 4, 1914 is also the name of a womens club centered on empowering women and girls worldwide. The newest club in Zonta International District 2 was chartered Tuesday night at the home of Eileen Price in Skaneateles.

This is the first club to be chartered since the 1970s, newly appointed president Christine Alexander said.

Members as far away as Saratoga and Buffalo crossed the state to join the 23 new members in the celebration. Zonta has 30,000 members in 67 countries on every continent except Antarctica.

We are delighted to advance the cause of women worldwide, district governor Marjorie Lavin said. I know we have very dedicated leaders standing right before us, and all of the members tonight will be termed founding charter members.

Zonta says 'No' to violence against women, said Gloria Wrister, a Zonta member since 1989 and past club president and immediate past governor of the district.

There are 18 clubs in District 2 from Auburn to Vermont and up into Canada including Montreal and Ottawa.

This is truly an international district, Wrister said.

During the induction ceremony each charter member, agreed to attend and actively participate at the monthly board meetings.

May your mark be one of unity, Zonta International Chairman Candace Edwards said.

The genesis of the Skaneateles Club started with four Auburn Zonta Club members who wanted to focus more on international advocacy for women and girls. Empowering youth is vitality important. Some clubs focus entirely on local projects. Each club has its own priorities.

The club doesnt get into politics but instead has worked with the United Nations since its inception in 1944. This year, Zonta International is donating $4 million to the United Nations for projects.

We would like to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in different countries," Alexander said.

Alexander said they went to the United Nations and want to push the United Nations' 2030 agenda of equal rights and equal pay worldwide by 2030.

We are pushing that thought process in this club, she said.

Each member of the new charter was given a yellow rose as a sign of their commitment to fellowship.
President Pranab Mukherjee today said Hindi has become an influential language globally and hoped that Hindi and other Indian languages would be widely used in different spheres of life in the country.

Addressing a function on the occasion of Hindi Divas, the President said the significance of Hindi in all walks of life has been increased manifold over the years and the language is now taught in many reputed university in different countries.

"Hindi has become an influential language globally," he said.

Mukherjee hoped that Hindi and regional languages of the country would be used in different spheres of life like science, technology, etc.

"I appeal everyone to communicate and propagate Hindi more in their everyday life," he said.

The President said Hindi is the soul of Indianess and plays an important role as a link language.

"We have to encourage translations of Hindi literature into other Indian regional languages and vice-versa. This will deepen relations between Hindi and regional languages," he said.

The President called upon people to learn historical, cultural and literary aspects of different cultures.

He said when people of India will come to understand that "our past and present is one, our literature and culture is one, national unity will be strengthened".

Addressing the function, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said some vested interests were trying to create a rift in the country in the name of language.

"Some people are trying to create a rift in different parts of the country in the name of language. We have to be alert," he said.

Singh said it was non-Hindi speaking leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangdhar Tilak, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee etc., who wanted Hindi to be declared as a national language.

The Home Minister said Tamil is considered to be the oldest language in India after Sanskrit and it is Hindi which is spoken by the largest number of people in the country.

He also said Hindi is one of the five top most spoken languages of the world.

Singh said Hindi is the common language in rural areas across the country.

In his speech, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said Hindi is the emotional cord of the country and days are not far when the language would be spoken in every nook and corner of the country.

In the function, around 50 individuals and organisations were honoured for promotion and propagation of Hindi.

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The President presented Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar 2015-16 in house journal category to National Institute of Hydrology (Roorkee), which comes under the Resources Ministry, at the Hindi Divas Samaroh here.

R D Singh, director of the institute, received the award for its house journal 'Jal Chetna' at the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti congratulated the institute and lauded it, saying the journal is helping spread crucial information among those associated with the institute and hydrology.
Jharkhand Urban Development, Housing and Transport minister Chandreswar Prasad Singh today said the biggest contribution of India to the world is that of Hindi language.

Addressing on the occasion of Hindi Diwas here, Singh said India is universal guru and one of its big contributions is Hindi language, an official release said quoting him.

Calling upon to take a pledge to promote and spread Hindi through use of the language, Singh said no other language in the world could take its place.

He also called for respecting the mother tongue and constantly try for its uplift.

Stating that the influence of English in the country could not be denied and that Hindi could not develop as it should have been, Singh called upon the people for a change in mindset for development of Hindi.

"We should observe every day as Hindi Diwas. Hindi is our National language. Even if it is slow, the language is growing. Hindi is being taught in Germany's Frankfurt University," he said.

Chief Information Commissioner Aditya Swaroop said if one desired to spread Hindi as a language, one has to take it to the people in its practical shape and avoid to make it difficult, the release said.

Nowadays, guardians were after English, but children should be taught Hindi first, he said.

Swaroop also called for strict implementation of Hindi-related policies made by the Centre, the release added.

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Congress today hoped the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government will take a considered decision in challenging controversial RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin's bail plea in Supreme Court and will follow previous guidelines and established practices to decide on it.

Congress, which is a partner in the ruling grand alliance in Bihar, said the matter should not be politicised.

"There is no question of a political party taking a stand on the legal proceedings. These are established criteria in every state government as to when to and when not to challenge a judicial High Court order in the Supreme Court. We have no doubt that government will follow the guidelines.

"The state government will take a considered decision. Ultimately in these matters, the decision lies with the high court or the appellate court. Please don't try to politicise that. The state government through its established channels and used criteria for several years will decide that," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.

He also refused to be drawn in the controversy within the Samajwad Party-led Uttar Pradesh government saying, "it is their internal matter" but hoped there is governance in the state in the remaining period of its term.

"As far as UP is concerned, a political party in its formal briefing will not make any comment on the internal affairs of another party. It is their internal matter.

"We only believe that the remaining time of this government, at least the state gets governance, if not governance as one cannot expect of good governance from them," he said.

To a question on separatists leader Geelani not paying income tax, he said the Income Tax Act is the same for everyone in the country and cannot be suspended for an individual or a state and the authorities will take action once the facts have come out in public domain.

"I feel the Income Tax act is the same for everyone in the country. Income Tax Act cannot be suspended. Whenever facts come out, the department should analyse and should certainly take action accordingly. I don't think a law can have different yardsticks. The authority under the statute will take a decision," he said.

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In an election-year broadside, the Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee approved legislation today to prohibit the United States from making cash payments to Iran and require that Congress be notified before any future claims settlements with Tehran are conducted.

Passage of the bill on a 21-16 vote comes a week after the Obama administration acknowledged it paid Iran USD 1.7 billion in cash earlier this year to settle a decades-old arbitration claim between the two countries.

An initial USD 400 million delivery of euros, Swiss francs and other foreign currency was delivered on pallets on Jan. 17, the same day Tehran agreed to release four American prisoners.

The remaining USD 1.3 billion was paid in cash installments made on Jan. 22 and Feb. 5, administration officials said last week in a closed-door briefing for congressional staff.

Republicans have decried the payments as ransom, a charge the Obama administration has rejected. Citing Iran's status as a leading state sponsor of terrorism, Republicans also have contended the money will be used to finance terrorism around the world.

The committee's chairman, Rep. Ed Royce of California, said President Barack Obama made it easier for Iran to funnel money to Hezbollah and other terrorist groups by delivering Tehran virtually untraceable cash.

"We are basically doing their money laundering for them, in a sense," Royce said.

Obama said last month at a Pentagon conference that cash was delivered "because we couldn't send them a check and we couldn't wire the money. We don't have a banking relationship with Iran which is part of the pressure we applied on them."



But Royce said he recently learned that the administration used a bank wire to send Iran USD 8.6 million for 32 metric tons of heavy water. The deal, announced in April, was aimed at helping Iran meet the terms of last year's landmark deal in which Iran agreed to curb its atomic program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said today that GOP lawmakers never imagined a bill prohibiting cash payments to Iran would be necessary.

"This USD 1.7 billion payment to Iran sets a dangerous precedent that puts a price on the head of Americans traveling abroad," the Wisconsin Republican said.

Democrats who opposed the bill denied the USD 1.7 billion amounted to ransom and accused Republicans of trying to score political points.

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Human error was probably to blame for the death of a Filipino crewman on the world's biggest cruise liner the Harmony of the Seas, a prosecutor said today.

The 42-year-old electrical engineer was killed and four others, including an Indian, were injured today when a lifeboat became detached from the liner during a safety drill, sending it plunging 10 metres (35 feet) into the water while the ship was docked in the French port of Marseille.

Marseille prosecutor Xavier Tarabeux said the investigation had so far found no sign of "faulty equipment".

Investigators are now examining whether mistakes were made in the use of the lifeboat.

"The investigation is shifting towards the theory that human error was to blame," Tarabeux said.

The men were carrying out a routine weekly safety drill on the 120,000-tonne ship.

Witnesses are being questioned and the Harmony of the Seas, which had been due to sail for Italy on Tuesday, has been forced to remain in port in Marseille while the investigation continues.

The ship's owners, Florida-based Royal Caribbean, said two of the injured men had been discharged from hospital, while two others who were more seriously injured were still receiving treatment.

Harmony of the Seas entered service less than four months ago, in late May.

At 66 metres (217 feet), it is the widest cruise ship ever built, while its 362-metre length makes it 50 metres longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower.

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Students of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B), Powai, are coping with the 'monkey business' on the institute's 550-acre campus located next to the Sanjay Gandhi Park.

"We have approached BMC and Forest authorities, after several students complained of the aggressive behaviour of monkeys," IIT-B spokesperson Falguni Benerjee-Naha told PTI.

"Monkeys have always been a part of the IIT ecosystem. It is only of late that their aggressive behaviour has become a cause of concern," she said.

While the campus has the occasional leopards straying from the adjoining park, monkeys are more frequent visitors.

Students have complained about attacks by monkeys on the lookout for food. There have been complaints about food and personal belongings of students stolen from hostel rooms and students being chased by troops of monkeys.

Students say maximum attacks happen in the morning when they leave their rooms for lectures. If they forget to properly lock their rooms, monkeys damage clothes and valuables, a student who wrote about the monkey menace in the IIT-B in-house magazine 'Insight' said.
Immersion of six remaining Lord Ganesh idols here was held by the district administration amidst tight security today as tension continued in the town following a series of clash between the members of two communities.

Balasore Superintendent of Police Niti Sekhar said the idols were taken to the water bodies by noon for immersion and no procession was allowed in view of Eid.

The administration also did not allow any procession on Eid yesterday though prayers were conducted under tight security covers.

The town witnessed clash during the immersion of a Ganesh idol following brick batting and altercation between groups, as a result, the six idols could not be immersed on the night of September 9.

Meanwhile, some shops were set on fire at Soro which led to extension prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC to other areas. Restriction on movement between 6 PM to 6 AM remain imposed for the third day.

Till today, 13 people have been arrested and about 30 detained for violating law and order situation in Soro area, police said.

Meanwhile, situation at the steel city of Rourkela, where clashes during immersion were reported on Tuesday, was under control today as prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC remained in force in vulnerable areas, said Superintendent of Police Anirudha Singh.

The administration ordered closure of shops by 6 PM in the main business zone on Main Road in old Rourkela, where trouble broke out, police said.

Besides, police has instructed that no bike will carry more than one rider between Madhusudan Chowk and Ambedkar Chowk, the main business district of the city, as prohibitory orders were in force, he said.

Rourkela Sub-Collector Himansu Sekhar Behera said the administration is prepared to deal with any situation. "Anyone seen violating prohibitory orders will be taken into custody. On behalf of the administration, I appeal to all not to heed any rumour and maintain peace.

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With "positive atmospherics" in Indo-Nepal ties which had witnessed a strain in the recent past, India is looking at a "substantive" outcome from Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's four-day visit starting tomorrow.

India, however, wants Nepal to take steps to address the concerns of its citizens, especially those in Tarai, over its newly adopted constitution, as it feels the more the process in this regard gets delayed, the situation will "worsen and can get messy again".

The caution comes ahead of Prachanda's visit to India during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Indian leaders.

"Atmospherics and vibes are positive after Dahal, better known as Prachanda, replaced K P Oli who was adamant about not supporting amendment in the constitution," government sources said, adding that Prachanda has spoken in support of addressing grievances in this regard.

"There is still a lot of uncertainty. The longer the delay, the more complicated it will become," they said, even as they acknowledged the enormity of the task facing the Nepalese leadership, saying that it is not easy to come to common ground.

They said the passage of a constitution amendment would require two-thirds majority, technically possible but not an easy task for the ruling alliance, but added that they were "reasonable confident that an amendment will be registered".

If all goes well, the Indian President may visit Nepal and the vice versa, they said, adding that "very, very intensive bilateral engagements" have been going and it reflects the desire of both the countries to step up relationship, putting behind the strain seen earlier.

"These are much better times for relationship, but pitfall remains," they said.

Both the sides will work to sort out technicalities over hydro-power projects of 6800 MW in Nepal so that these could take off the ground.

On the unrest in Nepal after the new constitution was adopted, they said the Himalayan country then thought that it is better to have a constitution than not having one and problems can be resolved later.

The Indian view was that unrest in a border region like Tarai, will affect Nepal as well as India and it wanted Nepal to address the people's concerns.

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Raising the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the UN, India today accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations there as well as in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

In a scathing attack on Pakistan during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council here, India said the main reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan that stems from its territorial ambitions over the place that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions.

Pakistan's dismal track record is well known and many countries have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross- border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure; and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva Ajit Kumar said.

India's credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that is deeply committed to the welfare of its people are well established and on the contrary, Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country including Balochistan, Kumar said.

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Lao People's Democratic Republic has banned export of timber and wood products to protect its environment, which has put many foreign investors in a fix, including Indians.

"In May, we have banned timber and wood products export to ensure sustainability and protect our power sector which contributes 10 per cent to our GDP," Lao PDR Director-General, Department of Industry and Handicrafts, Manohack Rasachak said, on the sidelines of an investment roundable at Bharat Chamber of Commerce today.

There are some 50-odd veneer manufacturing units, of which half are owned by overseas investors including those from India due to good quality timber. The entire veneer produced is exported to countries including India.

He said that unless there was adequate forest cover, there would be insufficient rainfall and in turn there would be not enough water to generate hydro-power.

Lao PDR exports power to neighbouring Thailand.

"Our power sector is also very important and environment sustainability is important. Wood and articles of wood comprise 29 per cent of total Lao's export," Rasachak said.

According to an estimate, about 18,000 MW of hydro power is technically exploitable, with 12,500 MW found in the major Mekong sub-basins and the remainder in minor Mekong or non-Mekong basins.

Rasachak said Lao has prioritised foreign capital in four sectors: agro processing, mining processing, electronics and engineering.

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An Indian diaspora group will organise an inaugural ball for the 45th President of the US in January to highlight the importance of Indian-American community in American politics.

To be attended by who's who of the community, top US lawmakers and possibly the president elect him/herself, the second presidential ball being organised by Indiaspora on January 18 would signify the emergence of this small but powerful community in a big way, event organisers said yesterday.

"This would be a bipartisan event to celebrate the success and significance of the Indian-American community and to welcome in the new administration," eminent Indian-American investor and philanthropist M R Rangaswami said.

The inaugural presidential ball was held in January 2013.

He hoped that with community support, the second presidential ball might see the attendance of the new president and vice president.

Rangaswami hoped that the general elections would also result in greater representation of the Indian-Americans in the US Congress.

Kamala Harris is all set to become the first Indian- American to be elected as a US Senator.

In addition to incumbent Ami Bera, several other Indian- Americans have a much greater chance of winning the election to the US House of Representatives.

Prominent among them being Raja Krishnamurthy from Chicago, Pramila Jayapal from Washington State and Ro Khanna from the Silicon Valley.

"We hope that after January, Indian-Americans could comprise of one per cent of the members in the Congress," Rangaswami said.

The ball among other things would showcase things that came to the US from India like yoga, Bollywood and even chicken tikka masala.

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An inquest has ruled that security forces gunned down four unarmed Muslim men in Thailand's conflict-hit south, a lawyer said today, a rare finding that could pave the way for landmark prosecutions of state officials.

No member of the Thai security forces has ever been jailed for extrajudicial killings or torture in the restive 'deep south', despite frequent allegations of abuses across a region that has seen more than 6,500 people killed since 2004.

The majority of the dead are civilians, killed by the secretive rebels or in raids by Thai security forces.

Two villagers and two students were gunned down on 25 March last year in a raid on Ban To Chut village in Pattani province when security forces, acting on a tip-off, opened fire on a group of suspected militants.

Initially authorities said the men were armed rebels but an investigating panel set up after the killings revealed the four to be unarmed civilians.

Today's inquest at Pattani's court found "the men died from shooting by military personnel and policemen during a raid," according Abdulha Awaerputae, a lawyer from the Muslim Attorney's Centre representing the families of the dead men.

The court declined to give AFP details of the ruling.

Weeks after the killings Thai police said seven security officers would be charged with murder over the incident. But more than a year later no charges have been brought.

Campaigners hope the ruling will finally see criminal charges brought in the latest case to inflame resentment from local Muslim Malays towards the Buddhist-majority Thai state.

"Sadly this is not an extraordinary case... We have handled similar cases before," said Pornpen Khongkachonkiet of Amnesty International Thailand.

"But in the end you never see any punishment for the officials."



Muslims in the region feel "nothing has changed since Tak Bai" she added, referencing the deaths in 2004 of scores of Muslim protesters detained by authorities which remains a clarion call for rebellion to this day.

Rebels want autonomy for the culturally-distinct and Muslim majority southernmost provinces, which were colonised by Thailand more than a century ago.

But peace talks have floundered and the rebels may now be forcing the issue with widened violence.

Coordinated bombings in August in southern Thailand towns popular with tourists carried the hallmarks of the 'deep south' insurgents.

All the suspects named so far by police for those attacks hail from the region. The bombings left four dead and sent a shudder through Thailand's key tourist industry.

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Announcing its plan of investing Rs up to 1.80 trillion across verticals in next six years, state-run Indian Oil Corporation today said it also is talks with foreign entities to co-invest in the investment that includes setting up a mega refinery in coastal Maharashtra.

"In next six years, we need to spend Rs 1.70-1.80 trillion on refinery expansions, new petrochemical projects which are coming up and expenditure being incurred on natural gas, besides some exploration blocks that we are actively looking at," IOC Chairman B Ashok told reporters here.

He further said about Rs 50,000 crore will be invested in setting up refining capacity where it plans to add at least 24 million tonnes per annum over the next five years, followed closely by marketing infrastructure including new plants, new terminals, LPG import infrastructure and pipelines.

Besides this, it has also earmarked sums for investments in petrochemicals and natural gas, he said.

The state-run company will be investing Rs 15,000 crore in the current fiscal and will accelerate to over Rs 25,000 crore each over the next two fiscals, Ashok said, adding it has budgeted for a Rs 72,000 crore investment over the next three years.

Meanwhile, Ashok said the ambitious project to set up the largest refinery project in the country in coastal Maharashtra is on and the state government has shown six potential sites where it can come up.

IOC, which is taking leadership in the project that is estimated to cost Rs 1.76 trillion, will be holding a 50 per cent stake in the refinery while the remaining will be split evenly between its sister companies HPCL and BPCL.

The company is also in talks with international investors for participating in the ambitious project, Ashok said, adding that the three domestic partners will dilute their stake equally as and when such an investor comes in.

Ashok declined to name the foreign investors with whom talks are on and also refrained from giving a time-line for the project, saying it should come to life as soon as possible given the demand projections on the back of economic growth.

It is looking for a 15,000-acre land parcel to set up the refinery, he said, adding that a third of it will be reserved for green zone.

The technical specifics of the project, including the fuel to be refined and which products to be done has already been prepared in consultation with EIL (Engineers India).

Asked about getting required clearances, given the heightened ecological sensitivities, Ashok exuded confidence of getting all the nods.

The IOC Chairman also said that all the units of the newly



constructed Paradip refinery will start functioning next month.

Ashok further said working of the entire modern refinery complex will help bolster its gross refining margins by up to USD 3 per barrel.

He said the company expects to hold on to the GRMs of the last fiscal, excluding the one-time benefits received from the inventory effect.

The company also expects a benefit of up to 30 cents per barrel courtesy a new oil trading desk that it has started, which has downsized the time taken for tendering to two hours from the earlier 26 hours.

On its borrowing plans, Ashok said it has plans to raise USD 300 million in long term loan for taking 23.9 per cent stake in Russian company Rosneft's Vankorneft block.

A senior official said the company is not interested in raising resources from the masala bonds route, saying it is not attractive from a pricing perspective.

It plans to open 2,000 retail outlets during the fiscal, which will include 1,200 retail outlets and 800 kisan seva kendras which are focused on the rural areas.

Ashok said the volume growth is higher in the rural markets at 14 per cent and is even out-pacing the large volume urban and highway markets.

A senior official said it controls 46 per cent share in retailing and the critical issue is to hold on to it in face of oil marketing by the private sector companies like Reliance Industries after de-regulation, which already command 5 per cent of the volumes.

The company is keen to enter the Myanmar with fuel and LPG retailing, he said, adding that it has bidded for the same recently. It is also expanding its presence in Sri Lanka which should include new bunkering facilities and is also willing to set up a new refinery in the island nation.

On the Farzad gas field, ONGC Videsh is leading the consortium and the company expects a final decision in another one month, Ashok said.

IOC will also be ramping up its capacities on the LNG terminals front over the next five years by developing its own assets, buying equity stakes and reserving space. The new LNG terminal capacities will be at Ennore, Dahej, Mundra, Dhamra and Jafrabad where Swan Energy is developing a terminal, he said.

Ashok also dismissed concerns expressed by analysts on low capacity utilisation, saying it is operating its refineries at optimum levels.
Former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres, the last of Israel's founding fathers, was sedated after suffering a stroke and is breathing with the aid of a respirator.

A statement by his office yesterday said the 93-year-old was being treated at a hospital near Tel Aviv.

Peres, widely respected as an elder statesman both in Israel and abroad, was admitted to Sheba Medical Centre at Tel HaShomer in Ramat Gan "after suffering a stroke", his office said.

After first reporting that "his condition is stable and he is fully conscious", his office said he had been sedated and was breathing with the aid of a respirator.

The last of Israel's founding fathers, Peres has held nearly every major office in the country, including prime minister twice and president, a mostly ceremonially post, from 2007 to 2014.

A former hawk turned dove, the highlight of his career came in 1994, when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Yitzhak Rabin and the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for his role in negotiating the Oslo accords with the Palestinians.

"Former president Peres' doctors sedated and intubated him so as to best facilitate the continuation of his treatment," his office said.

"He will undergo a CT scan so as to get a full and updated assessment of his situation."



Speculation mounted over his condition late yesterday in Israel, with local media reporting that he was in serious condition, and statements of concern flooded in from the country's politicians.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken with the director of the hospital to receive an update, a spokesman said. "The prime minister conveyed the prayers of the entire nation for a quick recovery," his office said.

Netanyahu said on his twitter account: "Shimon, we all love you".

President Reuven Rivlin said in a statement he was "following with concern the updates from the hospital, and pray together with the entire people for my friend Shimon's recovery."



Opposition leader Isaac Herzog also wished the elder statesman a rapid recovery.

In January, Peres was hospitalised twice for heart trouble. In the first instance, the hospital said he had suffered a "mild cardiac event" and underwent catheterisation to widen an artery.

He was rushed to hospital a second time days later with chest pains and an irregular heartbeat.

A co-architect of the 1993 Oslo peace accords, Peres won the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with Rabin, who was assassinated the following year, and Arafat.

He once confided that the secret to his longevity was daily gymnastics, eating little and drinking one or two glasses of good wine.

Beyond his accomplishments in the public eye, Peres was also seen as a driving force in the development of Israel's undeclared nuclear programme.

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Shimon Peres, former Israeli president and Nobel laureate, suffered a massive stroke and was in "serious but stable condition" today with the Jewish nation praying for 93-year-old veteran politician who first attempted to end the century-old conflict with Palestinians.

Rafi Walden, the son-in-law and personal doctor of Peres, said the statesman seemed "responsive" when taken out of the induced coma for a short while overnight.

"We were happy to see that when there was a short pause in the anesthetics, we realised that he's responsive, that he's probably attentive to what we're saying to him. He shook our hand," Walden said.

Peres was rushed to Israel's largest Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv after he suffered the stroke yesterday. He made it through the night and was being taken to the neurosurgical intensive care unit, the centre's head Itzik Kreiss said.

Kreiss said the stroke had caused "lots of bleeding".

Peres was "in serious but stable condition", doctors treating him said. In January, he had undergone a successful minor surgery at the same hospital after suffering a small heart attack.

The veteran politician was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his contributions in reaching an interim peace agreement with the Palestinians, along with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

The Oslo peace accords constituted a historic breakthrough in the conflict between Jews and Arabs in Palestine. It was the first peace agreement between the two principal parties to the conflict: Israelis and Palestinians.

The elder statesman is one of Israel's most admired symbols and the last of its founding fathers. Peres has held almost every major political office since Israel was founded in 1948, including three terms as prime minister and stints as foreign and finance minister.

He was the architect of Israel's secret nuclear programme. As a defence official in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Peres was involved in establishing the nuclear reactor in Dimona.

His office said the former president received a pacemaker last week.

Concern and well wishes poured from across the political spectrum. The chief rabbis of Israel have called on the public to pray for Peres' recovery.

"Shimon, we love you and the entire nation is wishing for your recovery," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted.

In a statement, President Reuven Rivlin said he was "following with concern the updates from the hospital, and pray together with the entire people for my friend Shimon's recovery.

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Ritesh Batra is following up his "The Lunchbox" success with back-to-back, highly-anticipated international projects -- "The Sense of an Ending" and "Our Souls at Night"-- but for the director it is more about working with great actors than "going Hollywood".

Batra has begun shooting for his second international film "Our Souls at Night", which is backed by Netflix and has Hollywood veterans Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, in Colorado.

Based on Kent Haruf's novel, the story revolves around two elderly Colorado neighbours, who seek companionship after the death of their respective spouses.

"I don't think of it like that (going international). It is just that one thing leads to another. I never thought about it like I am doing stuff in Hollywood or somewhere else. You do it because you love your job and get a chance to work with these great actors," Batra told PTI in an interview.

The director did not have much time between the two projects as he got the offer for the movie while he was still shooting the adaptation of Julian Barnes' Booker Prize-winning novel.

"I was wrapping 'The Sense of an Ending' in London when the producer reached out to me. I had a phone call with Robert. I love the book and the script and I really wanted to work with Robert and Jane. It just happened very quickly. I was very happy to jump onboard. It is an interesting time for me."



Batra is happy to see Indian actors working in international projects but feels the industry should also welcome foreign talents.

"Hopefully, it is a trend. But it would be great if we also welcomed people in our world. Foreign directors should come to India and make films for the Indian audience. This kind of exchange is important. We have such great actors.

"There is a strong tradition in the UK of foreign directors coming and making movies. I felt very welcome there and I am very comfortable making this movie in Colorado."



Both his films are book adaptations and star some of the biggest names in international cinema - be it Jim Broadbent, Charlotte Rampling and Michelle Dockery or Redford and Fonda.

Batra says it was hard to adapt "The Sense of An Ending" as he did not want to mess with the tone of the book and his latest film also demands similar approach.

A love for reading and writing helped Batra tackling these screen adaptations.

"There is no method to it but I have a discipline about writing and rewriting things, allowing them to grow. Being able to create things on the page helps me a lot. 'Sense' is a delicate story, it deserves a good movie. 'Lunchbox' was also like a book in my head.

"The novels medium is complex but these stories have to be told in a very simple and gentle manner."



Batra, whose "Lunchbox" was set in Mumbai, says he may not be familiar with the setting of these books but he brings something else to the stories.

"Mumbai was home. I knew the place inside out but yes these places are very different. I felt the local thing had to come from other collaborators. I bring something else. These stories need a foreign eye."



Interestingly, loneliness is a recurring theme in all the three movies. Batra agrees that he tends to gravitate towards such stories naturally.

"'Lunchbox' was more about urban loneliness. These two people are alone till they find each other in the movie. While in 'Sense', Jim's character has chosen loneliness. He has become used to living on his own but yes people are lonely everywhere..."



Batra says he first felt alone when he left his home to study in the US and he also experienced his grandfather's loneliness while living with him during his growing years.

"I seem to gravitate towards loneliness. The other aspect of it is that people identify certain kind of work with you and that tends to come your way but you don't think too much about it.
Filmmaker James Gunn says he would love to work with Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.

The "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" helmer responded to Tyler's request to be a part of the next "Guardians of the Galaxy" film, reported People magazine.

On September 8 Tyler gave a shout-out to the helmer, "I would do anything to be in 'Guardians of the Galaxy 3' - are you listening James Gunn?"



The 46-year-old filmmaker posted a video of him before screening "The Belko Experiment" at the Toronto International Film Festival.

"Yes, I did hear that Steven Tyler wants to be in 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. He gave me a shout-out the other day in an interview. He said, 'James Gunn are you listening?' The answer is, Steven, yes I am listening and I'm a big fan of Steven Tyler's.

"I had the pleasure of directing his daughter (Liv Tyler) in a movie ('Super' in 2010) in which she was fantastic, and I met him for a few seconds at a screening of that movie. He's a cool guy. And of course I would love to work with Steven Tyler sometime," Gunn said.

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Kick-starting the administrative preparedness for the upcoming 2017 Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) polls, Mumbai City District Collector Ashwini Joshi today asked eligible voters to enrol their names in the voter list.

She also asked the voters to make necessary corrections to their names in the voter list during the summary revision of electoral rolls between September 16 to October 14.

As per the current voter list, the city district voter population in comparison to the 2012 voter list has seen a drop by 3.99 lakh, Joshi told reporters here.

Besides this, the ensuing delimitation of existing civic wards is likely to see a reduction of seven civic wards from the Mumbai City district boundaries and their subsequent addition to the Mumbai suburban district, she said.

As per the current voter population of Mumbai City district, the total voter population now stands at 23.95 lakh. This includes 13.18 lakh male, 10.77 lakh female and 83 trans-gender voters.

Compared to the total voter population of 27.94 lakh voters during the 2012 MCGM polls, there is a drop of 3.99 lakh voters in Mumbai City district.

The Collector said that a special campaign for voter registration will be taken on two days - on September 18 and October 9 (both Sundays).

"The voter registration and corrections to the voters lists will be taken up at the central offices in 10 assembly segments and 218 specially designated centers in Mumbai City district," she added.

Joshi said on both the days the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in association with the Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties shall cooperate in enrolling as many voters as they can.

Eligible voters and those intending to make corrections in the voters list can contact Voter Help Center (VHC) on 1950 for voter list information, she said.

Commenting on the decline in the voter population in the Mumbai City district, she said that the decline had been due to migration of voters from city limits to Mumbai suburban district and beyond.

"The election machinery has been able to ensure enrolment of 83 trans-genders in the others category of voters. Out of which a maximum of 35 were registered in Sion-Koliwada Assembly constituency and 31 in Mahim Assembly constituency," she informed.

While nine trans-genders have registered in Mumbadevi



Assembly constituency, the number is seven for Byculla and one for Malabar Hill.

A special drive was taken for their enrolment in pockets like Nagpada, Kamathipura, Sion Koliwada and Dharavi with the help of NGOs working amongst the trans-gender and Commercial Sex Workers, Joshi said.

As per the 2011 Census the total population of Mumbai stood at 1.24 crore, of which Mumbai City district population is 30.85 lakh and that of Mumbai Suburban district 93.56 lakh.

Meanwhile, sources in the State Election Commission (SEC) said that in the 2012 MCGM elections since the ward-wise break up of the population of 2011 Census was not available, the delimitation exercise of the 227 electoral wards was not possible then.

However, now the delimitation process of election wards will be carried out by the committee comprising of civic commissioner, District Collector's of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts and SEC officials, they said.

As per tentative figures, one election ward each from MCGM's administrative wards - A, B, C, D and E and two election wards from G North ward are likely to be less.

Besides this, one election ward each from Mumbai Suburban district - H East and N ward of MCGM are also likely to be reduced.

Sources in the SEC also said that those civic election wards which are larger in size in the Mumbai Suburban district will become compact.

Currently out of the 227 civic electoral wards there are 62 in Mumbai City district and 165 civic electoral wards in Mumbai Suburban district.

Seven electoral wards from city district will add up to the electoral wards in Mumbai Suburban district. However, there will be no change in the district wise break-up of the administrative wards of the civic body, they informed.
Candidates for state and local office talked about national issues including gun violence and college financial aid for undocumented "Dreamers" at the candidate accountability forum hosted by the Northern Arizona Interfaith Council Monday night.

The forum, held at the Flagstaff Federated Community Church, drew a crowd of about 200 people to listen to what candidates planned to do about those issues. All candidates for Flagstaff City Council and mayor were in attendance, and Legislative District 6 Democratic candidates Nikki Bagley and Alex Martinez attended. Incumbent Republicans Sylvia Allen, Brenda Barton and Bob Thorpe did not attend.

Organizers said candidates were briefed on the questions and the format ahead of time, and each person was given a minute to respond to each of the questions.

Gun violence

Bagley said her family enjoys hunting, and her husband, a law enforcement officer, is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

This puts me in a unique position to make progress, Bagley said.

Bagley said in order to combat gun violence, she would work in the state senate to integrate databases of prohibited possessors for easy access for law enforcement officers.

Martinez said in his years as a teacher, he had two instances of students bringing weapons to school and teachers having to de-escalate the situation. He said he does not support previous attempts to allow guns into schools, but said he does support the right to bear arms.

All Council and mayoral candidates said they would support de-escalation training for police officers and other occupations who interact with the public, and many said they had seen the effects of de-escalation as a lifesaving measure.

I have had the unfortunate experience of having to call two fathers and tell them their sons had been killed in Flagstaff, Mayor Jerry Nabours said. If someone involved in the shooting at NAU had said, Wait a minute, lets all take a breath, the shooting might never have happened.

Mayoral candidate Coral Evans said she would like to see training provided to all city employees as well as sessions for the public.

The more people with these skills, the better community we have, Evans said.

Education

Both Martinez and Bagley said restoring funds to public education would be a priority if elected.

You cant attract high-paying jobs if you dont have an educated workforce, Martinez said. We have to restore funding, not just to public schools, but to community colleges and universities. The best investment you can make is in human capital.

Bagley said education funding and support are nonpartisan issues, and said she has heard from business leaders and educators that education must be funded.

As a teacher at a community college, this issue is very close to my heart, Bagley said. I will work tirelessly to restore funding.

City council candidates were asked if they would commit to a city partnership to provide early childhood education in Flagstaff.

Candidate Jamie Whelan said she would like to see more of an emphasis on early childhood education, and said she would like to build consensus on the council about being good partners with the school district and other educational organizations in the city.

Candidate Adam Shimoni said he would support a city collaboration for early childhood education, and said his student teaching experience in Flagstaff -- and how disappointed he was at the state of education in Arizona -- was one of the reasons he wanted to run for city council in the first place.

Councilman Jeff Oravits said he has supported the councils allocations to the FACTS program in FUSD, which provides after school programs. However, he said he would not want to commit to spending extra city money without looking at the entire budget and seeing if the choice would be economically feasible.

Candidate Charlie Odegaard said he would support a partnership because it is disappointing to see Arizona continuously near the bottom of lists in funding by state. Odegaard said he would like to continue to support the FACTS program and help it grow.

Candidate Jim McCarthy said early childhood education is critical for child development, and said he would like to expand and build on existing programs.

Should we as a city be involved in a new major effort for pre-kindergarten?  McCarthy asked. If the community wants it I would support it, but we might need new taxes to pay for it.

Councilwoman Karla Brewster said if there is room in the citys budget, she would like to see an increased focus on the early grades, but said the money to fund such a program would have to come from a new tax or new revenue source.

Financial aid for Dreamers

Bagley said she would be happy to meet with the Board of Regents to discuss higher education access options.

Arizona is one of three states with laws that deny in-state tuition to undocumented students, which also makes them ineligible for state scholarships.

But the Regents have voted to treat undocumented students with work visas under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program as state residents for the purpose of tuition. The so-called Dreamers, who arrived in the United States as children with undocumented parents, still remain ineligible for most types of financial aid.

We need to see that as a wonderful and valuable asset, Bagley said.

Martinez said he would also meet with the Board of Regents because he did not want to see more roadblocks for students who want to get high-paying jobs and contribute to society.

They add great diversity, Martinez said.

Nabours said he personally contributes to scholarships at NAU and CCC, but said he did not want to commit city money to a plan without knowing the details of what would be done. He said he would be willing to look at any program suggested.

Evans said she has already worked with groups representing Dreamers, many of whom struggle to pay even in-state tuition without access to financial aid.

Its horrific, Evans said. We have kids weve invested in and they cant go to school, not because theyre not trying -- theyre trying their hardest.
European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday issued a rallying cry for unity after Brexit, saying the EU is not in danger of splitting up but must fight back against "galloping populism".

In his annual State of the Union speech, Juncker unveiled a raft of economic and security proposals to find common ground after a year of crisis, including a defence headquarters.

"The still does not have enough union," Juncker told the European Parliament in Strasbourg. "There are splits out there and often fragmentation where we need further union, that is leaving space for galloping populism."

Juncker's keenly-awaited speech comes two days before the 27 EU leaders meet without Britain in the Slovakian capital Bratislava for a summit aimed at drawing up a roadmap for the future after the British vote to leave.

The head of the EU executive urged Britain to trigger its formal divorce as quickly as possible so that both sides can move on to face the challenges of a dangerous and uncertain world.

"We respect and at the same time regret the UK decision, but the as such is not at risk," said Juncker, who spoke in a mixture of German, French and English during the speech.

The 61-year-old former Luxembourg prime minister called for ties to "remain on a friendly basis" but warned London could not expect "a la carte" access to the EU's single market if it brings back immigration controls.

Juncker also hit out at rising nationalism and racism, referring to the recent killing of a Polish man in Britain with the words: "We Europeans can never accept Polish workers being harassed, beaten up or even murdered on the streets of Harlow."

With Europe increasingly divided by issues ranging from the migration crisis to terrorism, Juncker's speech focused on security and the economy to find ways that EU nations can work together.

Juncker said there "must be a European HQ and work towards a common military force" -- both plans that Britain had long been hostile to and which will come up at Friday's summit.

He stressed however that this should be "complementary with NATO" in reference to concerns that the EU will be treading on the toes of the US-led military alliance, which is also based in Brussels.

Juncker meanwhile proposed doubling the size of his signature investment plan to 630 billion euros ($708 billion), and announced measures to help young people hit by the eurozone debt crisis.

With Europe facing its biggest migration crisis since World War II, Juncker also called for a new EU border and coast guard force to start work quickly with 200 guards and 50 vehicles deployed in Bulgaria by October.

He announced an ambitious investment plan for African countries to stem the migration crisis, too.

But the difficulties of keeping Europe united were underscored on the eve of Juncker's speech when Luxembourg's foreign minister said Hungary should be suspended from the EU for treating refugees like "animals".
Karnataka government today said it would try to convince the Supreme Court about "ground realities" and difficulties faced by people for water in the Cauvery basin when the matter related to release of the river water to Tamil Nadu comes up for next hearing on September 20.

"We will reiterate and request with folded hands before the Supreme Court that Karnataka is facing water problems in Cauvery basin, and water is left only for drinking purpose," state Water Resources Minister M B Patil said.

"Please understand the ground realities and, if need be, send an expert team. Let them assess," he told reporters here.

Patil also expressed hope that CauverySupervisory Commitee will not direct Karnataka to releasefurther water when the matter comes up before it on September 19.

"We request to keep at this mark only (not exceeding 12,000 cusecs). If you ask us to release further water... We will be in a very (big) crisis," he said.

On September 5, the Supreme Court had directed release of 15,000 cusecs for 10 days. In its modified order on September 12, the court said 12,000 cusecs should be let out till September 20.

Patil said there was only 40 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water left in all the four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin.

About 28 TMC ft was needed for providing drinking water to cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya and villages in Cauvery basin up to June.

"We hardly have any water left. We require about 28TMC. Our reservoirs have 40 TMC. Now already 33 TMC have been released and again, about 17 TMC are to be released," he said.

Despite the opposition's demand not to release waterand facing hardships, the government has been abiding by the court's order and discharging the water with "a heavy heart."



To a question, he said, "I cannot predict any further rains in the catchment area, but if it rains the problem will be resolved and If doesn't it add to our crisis," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Kashmiri youth, identified as Umar Ashraf Bhat, was today detained by BSF at the International Border in RS Pura sector of Jammu where he landed up while driving a car allegedly under the influence of drugs.

Nothing incriminating was recovered from him but he was handed over to police as his antecedents could not be verified immediately in view of the troubled situation in Kashmir, a BSF officer said.

"We intercepted a car at Border Out Post (BoP) along International Border (IB) in R S Pura sector in Jammu district. A youth identified as Umar Ashraf Bhat (28) of Pattan, Baramulla, in Kashmir was detained," a senior BSF officer said here.

"He told BSF security people that he was going to Pathankote and then to Delhi for attending to a job call. He was under the influence of drugs and reached to IB (instead of Pathankote)," officer said.

The officer said his anticedents could not be verified immediately in view of the troubled situation in Kashmir.

"He was carrying some personal documents and Rs 38000 cash. So we handed him over to police. Nothing incriminating was recovered from him," he said.

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Kenya is looking at around 1 lakh visitors from India in 2018, as it undertakes a slew of initiatives to hardsell itself as a preferred destination in its third largest source market.

The country is expecting around 70,000 visitors from India in the current year, after the African nation witnessed a decline in Indian visitors to 49,700 last year.

"We are expecting one lakh visitors from India by 2018-end. With historical ties between the two countries, the numbers of visitors from India should be much larger," Kenyan High Commissioner, Florence Imisa Weche told PTI.

Kenya has the second largest Indian diaspora in Africa after South Africa, and Indians feel much at home there, she added.

India is the third-largest source market for Kenya after UK and US, Weche said.

"The initiatives that the government has undertaken are providing enhanced security across the country, development of infrastructure such as expanding airports, new air strips and introduction of new products," she added.

The new products that Kenya plans to offer tourists are MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions) travel and environmental tourism, apart from wildlife safaris and beaches, Weche said.

Highlighting that India has a great potential to grow further as a major source market, Kenya Tourism Board Assistant Regional Marketing Manager, Hilda Ogada said: "India has grown as a source market and has tremendous potential to grow further."



The Board, along with airline partner Kenya Airways, has launched an all-India advertising and travel trade incentive campaign, 'Kenya Kalling' that will run in print, radio and digital mediums, she added.

"We shall continue to invest more in future as we aim to make India our number one source market," Ogada said.

Tourism plays an important role in Kenyan economy with destinations like Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo, Samburu, Laikipia and Mount Kenya for safaris and Lamu Island, Diani and Malindi for the coasts. It has 60 National Parks and Reserves.

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Lt Governor Najeeb Jung today asked Delhi government and civic bodies to mount full efforts to tide over the growing incidences of dengue and chikungunya, appealing all to rise above political considerations to deal with vector-borne diseases which have claimed several lives this season.

Yesterday, Health Minister Satyendar Jain had accused the LG of "paralysing" the city's health system to deal with chikungunya and dengue by "creating" hurdles in the functioning of AAP government.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also said Jung and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be "questioned" over the issue as "all powers" rested with them.

Within hours of returning from United States in the afternoon, Jung, who also faced criticism for being away from the capital for ten days, held a high-level meeting to review the situation related to spread of vector-borne diseases.

Delhi Health Secretary Chandrakar Bharti, who was also on a 15-day leave, cut short his holidays and today joined back to work owing to sudden spurt in such cases.

The Lt Governor today took stock of the situation and got feedback from medical superintendents of major hospitals in Delhi and also about the steps taken by Health Department to tide over the current situation.

In meeting, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that private hospitals must not use this opportunity to exploit patients and asked people not to panic.

He also informed the LG that the government has cancelled leave of all hospital staff and has issued directions to hospital to employ temporary staff for the next two months. The Rogi Kalyan Samiti too is working round the clock and is making ORS available in hospitals.

Jung directed the Health Department and MS of hospitals present, to ensure that hospitals, clinics and laboratories do not turn away any critical case of Chikungunya or Dengue.

He added that though the hospitals and staff are under tremendous pressure, they must rise to the occasion to meet the challenge.

He also directed the municipal agencies to mount full scale efforts to check mosquito breeding and follow a targeted approach, based on pockets of high incidence and to carry out planned fumigation in vulnerable areas.

Lt Governor directed all stakeholders - the health department and municipal bodies to generate more robust awareness about prevention and cure through advertisements, radio spots, circulation of pamphlets/posters, particularly in neighbourhoods, especially those which are more vulnerable. He urged them to use advertisements to spread awareness, informing people of the dos and don'ts.

(REOPENS DES 51)



"I appeal to all to rise above political considerations and fight the menace unitedly . Historically, in emergency, people have come together and fought together. That is what is required now," LG said.

Jung was informed by East MCD that it has reported 70 cases of Dengue and 57cases of Chikungunya. The East MCD has 700 Domestic Breeder Checkers and 4 spray machines, fogging machines and pumps. EDMC has issued 16000 legal notices and prosecuted 1400 houses for breeding of mosquitoes



The meeting was attended by Health Minister, Chief Secretary K K Sharma, Health Secretary, Chairman (NDMC), all three MCD with their medical health officers, medical superintendents of all major hospitals of Delhi.

Five more deaths from chikungunya complications were reported today at a private hospital in Delhi, taking to 10 the number of fatalities due to the vector-borne disease in the national capital that is grappling with a severe health crisis.

All five deaths have taken place at Apollo Hospital and most of the victims were aged 80 or above.

Jung urged the city to come together and help tide over the situation.

He appealed to all citizens, who as individuals have a larger stake in prevention of breeding of mosquitoes within households and neighbourhoods, to ensure that no water stagnates and water tanks and other utensils used for water storage are kept covered.
German airline Lufthansa today donated a mini bus to Aasra Trust to help the NGO provide medical aid and educational support to over 1,300 economically disadvantaged children from the streets and slums of the city.

Accompanied by a medical officer and equipped with basic medical amenities such as stretcher and first aid box, the bus will provide medical aid to children from 13 projects of the Aasraa Trust.

Additionally, the bus will provide commute to over 800 children for the Trust's after school support programme.

The bus was handed over by Lufthansa Passenger Airlines Director for South Asia Wolfgang Will and Sangeeta Sharma, Senior Manager, Marketing and Product, Lufthansa India here.

"We are happy to strengthen our association with Aasraa Trust that has enabled us to touch young lives and provide them with an opportunity of a better future. Through our latest initiative we hope to expand our contribution to provide necessary medical aid to these children while continuing our support to their education," Will said after handing over the bus to the Trust.

Noting that it was not a one-time initiative, he said similar endeavours will be continued by Lufthansa in collaboration with Help Alliance, the airline's employees' aid organisation under its corporate social responsibility in the future.

"Lufthansa has been in India for over 50 years and India is an important market for us. As part of our social commitment, Lufthansa India will continue to focus on humanitarian activities such as health programmes and education in partnership with Help Alliance," he said.

Help Alliance is the employees' aid organisation of Lufthansa German Airlines, promoting sustainable human, social and economic development.

Employees of Lufthansa in India as well as from abroad have frequently volunteered to support the several welfare programmes in India over the past few years.

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Around 1.26 lakh government gazetted officers will launch a two-stage agitation next week to press for their demands including stern action against those who target officers while discharging their duty.

"The officers across the state will put on black ribbons on September 20, 21 and 22. On September 22, they will also resort to 'pen down' strike despite sporting black ribbons," said 'Maharashtra Rajya Rajpatrit Adhikari Mahasangh' general secretary Samir Bhatkar.

He alleged that several instances of attack on officers had taken places since 2011.

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Exiled Maldives opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed has said he is in talks with the former president, who repeatedly threw him in jail, to "legally topple" the current leader of the troubled honeymoon islands.

Nasheed became the first democratically elected president of the Maldives in 2008, but now lives in exile in London after he was jailed on terrorism charges that he says were politically motivated.

In the past he has accused Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the Maldives for 30 years and is still regarded as the power behind the throne, of being behind his downfall.

But yesterday he indicated he wanted to bury the hatchet with Gayoom, amid reports of a rift between the former strongman leader and his half-brother, current President Abdulla Yameen.

"How can you build a future if you always want to go back to live in the past," Nasheed told reporters in Colombo via a video link from London.

"Yameen's days are numbered. He has lost the support of the people and the international community. We can restore democracy in the Maldives."



Nasheed said he had forgiven Gayoom and was in talks with his faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) "for a new political alignment".

He did not disclose details, but said he had visited Colombo late last month to meet fellow dissidents and map out a strategy to "legally topple" Yameen.

He served repeated jail terms under Gayoom's autocratic leadership before winning the country's first democratic election in 2008.

There was no immediate comment from Gayoom, however, and diplomats in Colombo were cautious about the prospect of such an alliance.

"The opposition was expecting Gayoom to get a section of his party to withdraw support for Yameen late last month, but for some reason that did not happen," said one western diplomatic source in Colombo, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It is not easy for the opposition to organise any agitation inside the country because all their leaders are either in jail or in exile."



An alliance between the 78-year-old Gayoom and Nasheed was unthinkable even a few months ago.

But an intensifying crackdown on political dissent in the atoll nation of 340,000 people has dented its popular image as an upmarket holiday paradise.

Almost all key opposition leaders and a number of ruling party dissidents have either been jailed or gone into exile since Yameen took office after winning a controversial run-off election against Nasheed in 2013.

In July, Gayoom's daughter Dunya Maumoon quit as foreign minister saying she did not agree with a plan to bring back the death penalty after nearly seven decades.

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West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra today assured businessmen that his state was not anti-industry, but was only trying to strike a balance between industry and people's rights.

"Balance is what we present, protecting rights of people and also inviting industry for job creation," Mitra said at the AGM of The Bengal Chamber.

He pointed out that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was protecting the rights of the people on one hand and pushing for industry on the other, as she not only invited the Tatas to invest more but took them with her to Germany as well.

Mitra said the MSME sector was an important sector and even in Germany the sector played an important role. West Bengal is showing encouraging performance in the sector.

Banerjee will meet deputy prime minister of Singapore at Bangkok in November and will discuss on transformation of Singapore and West Bengal, he said. The minister hoped that if everything worked right the Singapore deputy prime minister would attend the state's annual investment summit.

Meanwhile, Mitra urged the Bengal Chamber to adopt an ITI and a polytechnic institute and open a GST cell for corporates.

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The maiden two-day long Maser Chief Petty Officers (MCPOs) conference, an initiative of Western Naval Command (WNC) to integrate and empower senior sailors, started here today.

The conference was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, WNC, this morning, a Defence release said.

The conference of sailors with rich expertise and experience is aimed at participative management, with analysis and views being put forward in professional and frank manner, it said.

The conference will cover entire spectrum of naval operations, HR issues, technical and administrative challenges, maintenance philosophies and harnessing of information technology, it added.

MCPOs from Naval Units in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka are participating in the conference as delegates.

The conference is also being managed by senior sailors, including preparation of agenda, presentations, discussions, and issue of proceedings, the statement said.

Vice Admiral Luthra stressed on the importance of empowerment at all levels, including intellectual empowerment.

He urged the participations to contribute effectively through objective analysis and discussions.

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A Flagstaff man will spend the better part of a decade in prison for his role in an unusual shooting in the Sunnyside neighborhood.

In Coconino County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon, Judge Mark Moran sentenced Evan Creech, 34, to 7.5 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections for attempted aggravated assault, followed by four years of intensive probation for weapons misconduct, in accordance with a plea agreement. He will receive credit for 61 days of time served.

Even though this situation was something that you perhaps unwittingly () participated in at the beginning, it did snowball into something that got out of control and resulted in the dangerous situation that led to these charges, Moran said.

A jury convicted Creech in July of possessing a shotgun when he was a prohibited possessor during a confrontation at the door of a house in the 1900 block of East Arrowhead Avenue on Sept. 22, 2014.

At the trial, prosecutor Ammon Barker told the jury Creechs friend Joshua Palmer, 32, drove Creech to the home to confront Joshua Alicea, 32, because Palmer mistakenly believed Alicea had been sending him antagonistic text messages.

When they arrived, the prosecutions witnesses said, Creech pulled a black mask over his face, grabbed a pistol grip shotgun and went up to the house with Palmer, who demanded to be let inside. As Alicea opened the door, Creech rushed at him with the shotgun, according to witnesses.

Meanwhile, Aliceas pregnant girlfriend retrieved a gun from another room. She gave it to Alicea, who fired multiple shots out the door toward Palmer and Creech. They missed Creech completely but two bullets pierced Palmers neck and arm. Creech rushed Palmer to Flagstaff Medical Center, where the latter was admitted in critical condition.

A representative from Victim Witness Services for Coconino County read a victim impact statement from Aliceas girlfriend Tuesday.

(She) was nine months pregnant at the time of the incident and believes that the trauma she endured as a result of being victimized is one of the main reasons her daughter was taken away from her after being born, the Victim Witness representative said.

Flagstaff Police Department executed a search warrant on the vehicle after they located it in the hospital parking lot. Inside, they found a lot of blood, a black mask, the shotgun Creech was accused of using to intimidate Alicea and a handgun. Neither Palmer nor Creech was supposed to have any firearms because they were both convicted felons. Flagstaff police arrested Creech and Alicea, who was also a prohibited possessor. They also arrested Palmer once he recovered from his wounds.

Creech did not make a statement about the crime at the hearing but did thank the judge for allowing him to hug his family before he was sentenced to prison.

On Tuesday, Moran called the sentencing a hybrid-type of procedure.

In addition to weapons misconduct, Creech was initially charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and first-degree burglary. Moran had agreed to sever the weapons misconduct trial from the more-serious charges even though they stemmed from the same incident.

Creech was scheduled to have a separate trial on the assault and burglary charges but reached an agreement with the prosecution instead. The Coconino County Attorneys Office agreed to roll the weapons misconduct conviction into the plea deal, where Creech pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated assault.

At the sentencing hearing, Moran called Creechs decision to accompany Palmer unfortunate and noted that Creech conducted himself in a professional manner throughout the court proceedings.

I will attempt to assist you in rehabilitation post-release (from prison) in any way that I can from the bench, Moran said.

Alicea was the first person in the case to accept a deal from the Coconino County Attorneys Office. In September 2015, he pleaded guilty to misconduct involving a weapon and methamphetamine possession in connection with the 2014 shooting. A few days later, Palmer pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and first-degree burglary.
The governor of Saudi Arabia's Mecca region today urged Muslim religious leaders to fight sectarianism, an indirect criticism of Shiite Iran.

Prince Khaled al-Faisal was speaking at a conference to discuss the annual hajj pilgrimage, which ends on Thursday and has added to tensions between Riyadh and Tehran.

"I call on Muslim leaders, whether they are political leaders, ulemas (scholars), or intellectuals, to combat sectarianism," Faisal said.

For the first time in nearly three decades, Iran's 64,000 pilgrims are not attending the hajj in Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia after the two regional rivals failed to agree on security and logistics.

"Combat this sectarian divide between Muslims. Islam is one and only one religion," Faisal said in Mina, a pilgrimage site on the edge of Mecca.

Saudi Arabia is home to Islam's holiest sites, which pilgrims visit during the hajj, and is the seat of Sunni Islam which predominates in the Muslim world.

The kingdom is founded on the teachings of 18th century Sunni preacher Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab, whose ideas have themselves been decried by critics as a driving force behind sectarianism and an inspiration to violent jihadists.

Iran is the world's major Shiite power, and the two nations are at odds over a number of regional issues including the wars in Syria and Yemen.

The rivals have no diplomatic relations and have been engaged in a slanging match over the hajj since last week.

"Islam is unique. There is no multiple Islam," said Faisal, president of the Central Hajj Committee.

He said this year's hajj occurred without incident despite "the lies and allegations... Of those who wanted to place in doubt the capacity of the kingdom to serve the pilgrims."



Among its concerns over Iranian participation in this year's hajj, Riyadh said Tehran had demanded the right to organise demonstrations.

Tehran in turn accused Riyadh of "blocking the path leading to Allah".

Security was one of the contentious issues following last year's hajj stampede which, according to foreign officials, killed roughly 2,300 people.

Iran reported the largest number of victims, at 464.

Just days before the hajj began on Saturday Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei questioned Saudi Arabia's right to manage Islam's holiest sites.

He called the Saudi ruling family "puny Satans" who had politicised the pilgrimage. Khamenei also said Saudi authorities "murdered" the stampede victims.

Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh retaliated by telling a newspaper that Iranians "are not Muslims".

Reiterating a point made on Tuesday by King Salman, Faisal said Saudi Arabia does not interfere in Iran's internal affairs "but we don't permit the holy sites and the hajj to be used for political ends".

More than 1.8 million faithful from around the world have been attending the annual pilgrimage.

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released a letter today from an immigration attorney that provided more detail on what she said was her legal pathway to US citizenship.

But the Slovenian-born wife of the GOP presidential nominee did not publish any part of her immigration file official documents that would put to rest questions about whether she followed immigration law.

The two-page letter from New York attorney Michael J. Wildes, who has represented Donald Trump's companies, also advanced an alternate timeline for a nude photo shoot that had been cited in news reports as possible evidence of Mrs. Trump working as a model in New York City without authorization.

At issue is whether the photo shoot occurred in 1995 before Mrs. Trump has said she began legally working in the US or in 1996, as Mrs. Trump and Wildes assert.

The letter marks the first time that Mrs. Trump has publicly identified the type of visas she held and gave specifics about her entry into the US.

Mrs. Trump has often said she came to the US legally and used her story to defend Donald Trump's hard line on illegal immigration, an issue that he has made a signature part of his campaign.

In the letter from Wildes, it's unclear whether Mrs. Trump provided him access to her full immigration file during his review. Wildes wrote that he had reviewed a series of news reports and "documents regarding the US immigration history of Mrs. ."



But the letter did not indicate which documents.

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung did not immediately respond to detailed questions from The Associated Press about the review and whether Mrs. Trump planned to release her immigration file for public examination.

The immigration file is one of several documents that the Trumps have refused to make public including Donald Trump's tax returns.

In his letter, Wildes dismissed news reports that Mrs. Trump had been professionally photographed posing nude in New York City in 1995.

Last month, the New York Post published the photos along with an article saying they were taken during a two-day photo shoot in Manhattan in 1995.

The Post reported that the photos were then published in the January 1996 issue of the French magazine Max.

But Wildes said that then-Melania Knauss was not in the country in 1995.

"The allegation that she participated in a photo shoot in 1995 is not only untrue, it is impossible," Wildes wrote.

He said he interviewed Mrs. Trump and "we ascertained that the photo shoot in question did not occur until after she was admitted to the United States in H-1B visa status in October 1996.
US First Lady Michelle Obama may be willing to appear on "Carpool Karaoke" and "Parks and Recreation", but she declined to appear on animated series "The Simpsons".

During a recent interview, "The Simpsons" co-creator James L Brooks revealed that the long-running comedy series once tried to get the First Lady to play herself in an episode but she refused to be a part of it, reported Variety.

After finding out that Michelle, 52, said "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", another of Brooks' co-creations, is one of her favorite programs, the Emmy winner explained how she turned down a chance to make her debut on "The Simpsons".

"We tried to get her on 'The Simpsons' and we couldn't. We finally got a note that said 'good try' because we were so aggressive," Brooks said.

"The Simpsons" version of Michelle (voiced by Angela Bassett) did show up in the fifteenth episode of the twenty-first season, an installment in which she teaches Lisa that there's nothing wrong with being an overachiever.

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Expressing grave concern at continued use of terrorism for achieving political objectives in the region, India and Afghanistan today called for an end to all sponsorship and sanctuaries to terrorists, in what is seen as a message to Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani expressed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement.

Following delegation-level talks between the two sides at the Hyderabad House here, Modi said India would allocate a sum of USD one billion for Afghanistan's capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

Both sides also signed three agreements - Extradition Treaty, cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

"The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives.

"They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond," a joint statement said without naming Pakistan, a nation that both countries accuse of sponsoring terror.

Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, they called upon "the concerned" to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India.

The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments.

Recalling that India-Afghanistan bilateral development cooperation has assisted Afghanistan's own efforts for successful political, security and economic transitions, the two leaders noted with happiness the recent completion of major milestones such as Parliament Building and the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam.

Both leaders said they looked forward to the resumption of India-US-Afghanistan consultations in New York later this month.

The Prime Minister conveyed to the President that India would continue to engage with the international community to assist the Government of Afghanistan in all possible ways.

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In a stern message to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan today called for an end to all support, sponsorship and safe havens to terrorists and decided to strengthen security and defence cooperation.

During their talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism for achieving political objectives in the region as the two leaders had extensive discussions on the regional and bilateral issues.

Reiterating India's abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, Modi conveyed the country's readiness to consider further requirements for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

"To this end, the Prime Minister offered that, as a close neighbour and friend of Afghanistan and its people, India would allocate a sum of USD 1 billion," a joint statement said.

After the talks, the two sides inked three agreements - Extradition Treaty, cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Briefing the reporters, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, "The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives.

"They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond."



Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, the leaders called upon "the concerned" to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India. However, they did not name Pakistan.

Asked if India conceded to long-pending demand of Afghanistan for stepped up defence supply, Jaishankar said, "Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement".

However, the Foreign Secretary did not give any further details and only noted that this was discussed during the recent visit of the Afghanistan's Chief of Army Staff to India.

The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments.

Jaishankar also talked about India's offer of supplying 1.75 lakh tonne of wheat to Afghanistan, which was suffering shortage. India wanted to supply the wheat and it made a request "months back" to Pakistan for the transit, he said, adding "we have not received any response".

Modi and Ghani also agreed that the Strategic Partnership



Council co-chaired by the External Affairs Minister and the Afghan Foreign Minister will meet shortly, review the recommendations of the four Joint Working Groups dealing with diverse areas of cooperation and impart further guidance.

Recalling that India-Afghanistan bilateral development cooperation has assisted Afghanistan's own efforts for successful political, security and economic transitions, the two leaders noted with happiness the recent completion of major milestones such as Parliament Building and the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam, the statement said.

Both leaders said they looked forward to the resumption of India-US-Afghanistan consultations in New York later this month.

Prime Minister Modi conveyed to President Ghani that India would continue to engage with the international community to assist the Afghan President in all possible ways.

"In this context, the leaders underscored the significance of the Amritsar Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA) on the forthcoming 4 December, as well as the Brussels Conference on 5 October," the joint statement said.

The leaders also noted that the choice of Amritsar underscored the value of restoring connectivity and was in consonance with this year's theme for HoA: 'Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity'.

It also underscores that India and Afghanistan remain committed to the expeditious realisation of seamless two-way connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia.

The Prime Minister invited the President to grace the inauguration of the Amritsar Ministerial. The President accepted the invitation.
India and Afghanistan today called for expediting a trilateral pact using Chabahar port in Iran to boost regional connectivity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, during their talks here, stressed that expediting the pact would also augment connectivity among the three nations.

"Expeditious implementation of the trilateral agreement involving Afghanistan, India and Iran, signed in May 2016, using Chabahar will augment connectivity within and of the region," a joint statement said here.

The leaders appreciated the recent decision taken by the three countries to convene a joint forum involving important stakeholders, including from business and industry, it added.

"Both leaders welcomed intensification in the interaction involving India and Afghanistan with regional and other countries and international organisations to foster peace, stability and development in Afghanistan," the statement said.

A "milestone" pact on the strategic Chabahar Port in southern Iran, which will give India access to Afghanistan and Europe bypassing Pakistan, was inked by India and Iran in May this year after detailed discussions between Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Besides the bilateral pact to develop the Chabahar port for which India will invest USD 500 million, a trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridor was also signed by India, Afghanistan and Iran, which Prime Minister Modi has said could "alter the course of the history of the region".

The trilateral pact, linked to Chabahar port development, was signed later by India, Iran and Afghanistan in the presence of Modi, Rouhani and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

The key agreement signed was a contract for development of Phase I of the Chabahar port on the southern coast of Iran by an Indian joint venture.

Chabahar port, located in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Persian Gulf nation's southern coast, lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India's western coast, bypassing Pakistan.

"The bilateral agreement to develop the Chabahar port and related infrastructure and availability of about USD 500 million from India for this purpose is an important milestone," Modi had said in joint media interaction with Rouhani.

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Pope Francis today denounced killing in God's name as "satanic" as he held a mass to honour Jacques Hamel, the French priest whose throat was slit by jihadists in July.

"Killing in God's name is satanic," he said in his address which was attended by around 80 pilgrims from the northern French diocese of Rouen where the attack took place.

"He was a martyr," he said of Hamel, describing him as a "good, gentle man" who had been killed "like a criminal.

"How good it would be if all religious confessions declared that killing in the name of God was satanic."



The elderly priest was killed on July 26 while presiding over an early morning mass for a handful of parishioners in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

The pope's early service on Wednesday was held in the chapel at St Martha's, the boarding house where Francis stays and where a photo of the late priest was set upon the altar.

"Today the Church has more Christian martyrs than in the first centuries," he said in his sermon which was delivered in Italian but translated into French for the visitors.

Christians were currently suffering persecution through being "imprisoned, tortured and killed because they refuse to deny Jesus," he said.

"This cruelty which demands apostasy is, let us say it, satanic," he said. Apostasy is the renunciation of one's religious beliefs.

Earlier this month, Francis met with French President Francois Hollande over the attack, and on September 24, he will meet relatives of the 86 people killed in a jihadist truck attack in the Riviera resort of Nice on July 14.

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Two former executives at Rupert Murdoch owned now-defunct ' of the World' tabloid were today held in contempt by a UK parliamentary committee for answering questions falsely about evidence in the phone-hacking case.

The House of Commons Privileges Committee found that Colin Myler, the former editor of 'NoW', and Tom Crone, the legal affairs manager at the tabloid's holding firm International, now rebranded as UK, misled the Parliament.

MPs on the committee concluded in their 150-page report that Myler was guilty of "answering questions falsely about knowledge of evidence that other 'News of the World' employees had been involved in phone-hacking and other wrongdoing" and Crone "misled" Parliament, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The committee has the power to summon people to the Commons to apologise for misleading Parliament and can also consider fines or even imprisonment.

In this case, the committee has recommended "formal admonishment".

Both Myler and Crone issued statement condemning the findings, while stressing their "respect" for parliamentary process.

"It is profoundly disappointing that the Privileges Committee has chosen to act in a manner which serves to discredit parliamentary procedures rather than enhance the very authority and respect which they profess to command," said Myler.

"I do not accept the findings made against me in the Committee of Privileges Report. I stand by the evidence I gave on both of the issues they have highlighted," said Crone.

The finding by the committee follows a report in 2012 from the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee at the height of the phone-hacking scandal, which involved journalists illegally hacking phones in pursuit of stories.

It had ultimately led to the closure of 'News of the World' and criminal proceedings against several senior journalists, including its former editor Andy Coulson.

The culture committee's report on the phone-hacking scandal concluded that News International executives sought to downplay the extent of hacking at the paper when summoned to give evidence before the committee over several years.

It had then referred its report to the Privileges Committee to investigate complaints that it was unfair to 'NoW' executives.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Navy today said it has set a target of 2018 for inducting its first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) and is "seriously considering" about having a second such ship.

Indian navy has set the target of having 212 ships in its fleet by 2027 which will be a "real challenge" and there is a need to work "very hard" for it, Vice Admiral (Controller Warship Production and Acquisition) G S Pabby told reporters.

The government is seriously considering IAC-2 and it is in "concept" stage, he said.

The Information Exchange Annex signed between India and the US will benefit the navy in its IAC-1 project, Pabby said.

"Since the Americans have a good experience as they have commissioned a large number of ships, we are hoping that we will draw from their experience," the senior navy officer said.

For getting technologies available with the US, an agreement and protocol for sharing information - maintaining its confidentiality and integrity - was needed to be signed. The Information Exchange Annex is that protocol.

Since then, a team of senior US Navy officials has visited the shipyard at Cochin last month to help with some issues in the IAC-1.

Contracts for transfer of technology about the Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMV) or minesweepers should be signed soon, he said.

"It is moving very well. We are monitoring it very closely because we badly need these ships. We have finalised almost all issues related to transfer of technology from the foreign collaborators and that contract should be signed very soon," he said.

When asked about the Landing Platform Docks (LDP) for the Indian Navy, the Vice Admiral said the technical evaluation has been carried out for the project and there are some issues about capacity assessment, which is also in final stages.

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BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said new political parties coming up in Punjab ahead of Assembly elections next year, have no future in the state.

"New political parties have no future in Punjab. The state's interest would be served if SAD-BJP alliance forms the government. BJP heads the government at the Centre and development grants would flow to Punjab," he said.

The Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping was addressing a rally after laying the foundation stone of four to six laning of Ropar-Phagwara section of National Highway 21 here. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Sukhbir, in his address, alleged that if AAP comes to power nobody would procure paddy and other crops.

Navjot Singh Sidhu along with MLA Pargat Singh and two Ludhiana MLA brothers Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Bains have floated Awaaz-e-Punjab forum, while former Congress MP Jagmeet Singh Brar is leading Lokhit Abhiyaan.

The Centre would spent Rs 2 lakh crore on road infrastructure in Punjab, of which Rs 33,000 crore has already been spent, Gadkari said, and stressed on the urgent need to reduce traffic congestion as around 1.50 lakh people die in over five lakh road accidents in the country every year.

He asked the state government to reduce dependence on roads and shift to water transportation as Punjab has natural water resources and full advantage should be taken of it.

The Centre has proposed to Delhi-Amritsar Express highway which will connect to Katra in Jammu and Kashmir and the distance between Amritsar and Delhi will be covered in two-and-half hours, Gadkari said.

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Before Sacred Stone Camp on the edge of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation became a village of tents, campers and teepees, before it became the center of what many are calling a history-making merging of tribal nations, the gathering of people standing against the Dakota Access Pipeline numbered just a handful, said Cody Fetty.

The 21-year-old Flagstaff resident, who is Navajo, first traveled to the camp near the confluence of the Cannonball and Missouri rivers in July. He said at that time the groups numbers were so small they were afraid they would be invaded or infiltrated, their message silenced by just a few officials.

My friend had told me with these 12 people we have to start taking action, we have to start planning something, we can't stand around thinking this is just camp, Fetty said. This pipeline is going to be put down but we can do tiny actions, we can do large actions.

Now, those actions have grown to capture national attention and Fetty, who is a leader of the local group Indigenous Youth 4 Cultural Survival, is part of an expanding stream of representatives and members of northern Arizona tribes that have organized to support ongoing protests against the construction of the 1,172-mile-long, $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline.

Solidarity and unity

Brandon Benallie, who is from Black Mesa, made the 1,300-mile drive to North Dakota with a group of eight people at the end of August, stuffing a 15-passenger van, a truck and flatbed trailer with donations, camping gear and firewood.

A member of Red Nation, A group dedicated to the liberation of native people, Benallie said he and others made the journey to show solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux in their struggle to protect their clean water. The tribe is concerned because the oil pipeline is proposed to cross the Missouri River upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation.

Benallie, who is Navajo and Hopi, said the experience of unity among hundreds of tribes was beautiful.

You have historic enemies like the Lakota Sioux and Crow camping together, eating together and praying together -- that's really significant, he said.

While protesters didnt clash with law enforcement during his time at the camp, Benallie said there appeared to be a more subtle form of deterrence. Law enforcement officials had positioned themselves along the road from Bismarck to the Standing Rock reservation and were screening cars, stopping those headed for the Sacred Stone Camp and rerouting them along a gravel road that made the half-hour drive into a two-hour trip, Benallie said.

But instead of frustration or anger, after a week staying at Sacred Stone, Benallie said he came away with a sense of empowerment.

This to me is another reinvigoration of that compassionate spirit of native people in defense of the land, he said.

Another group of nearly 30 Hopi and Tewa people traveling to Sacred Stone on Thursday hope their trip will inspire their fellow tribal members to become more engaged in local water issues. The Hopi Tribes opposition to the Grand Canyon Escalade project, its lawsuit to halt snowmaking on the San Francisco Peaks and challenges with arsenic in tribal members drinking water are all causes that need more attention, trip organizers Waylon Pee Pahona and Samantha Honani Antone said.

The chairman said you come back and you bring attention to water issues because its just the chairman and council representatives sitting in courtrooms or going to meetings regarding this," Antone said. "They need people in the seats with them."

Pahona said he hopes the protests will also inspire native people to be more proactive in a broader sense, recognizing the power of the vote and understanding that our voices can be heard, he said.

Pahona said they pulled together the trip in just a week and have seen donations come in from every direction.

Ripple effects

Support for the Standing Rock Sioux was also evident in Flagstaff last week when more than 50 people attended a march and rally to spread awareness about the Dakota Access pipeline protests. A small group including Fetty organized the march that ended at City Hall, where leaders pressed Flagstaff City Council to create a future agenda item to discuss the pipeline protests and consider officially supporting them.

Already the attention on Standing Rock has had ripple effects for tribal nations states away, said Marlena MT Garcia, another march organizer.

Because of the unity and solidarity that has come with Standing Rock it has woken up a lot of people ... it will bring acknowledgement to issues that are happening and that we have the power to stand up to and make it stop, said Garcia, who is Navajo.

The Hopi, Navajo and Havasupai tribes have sent official letters expressing solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe as well.

The Navajo Nation issued a letter of support and also sent money to help provide water and necessities for those in the camp, said Mihio Manus, spokesman for the office of the president and vice president.

President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez visited the camp two weeks ago while in the area for other meetings and took a Navajo flag to display there, Manus said.

In an Aug. 25 letter, Hopi Tribal Chairman Herman Honanie noted that the protests are continuing indigenous peoples centuries-long fight to protect their children and homelands.

In its own letter, the Havasupai Tribal Council referenced the tribes struggles to preserve its water sources in the Grand Canyon.

The Havasupai Tribe has been fighting for many years against the potential destruction of our own waters and lands by uranium mining, said the letter signed by Tribal Chairman Don Watahomigie and Vice Chairman Edmond Tilousi. We as an entire Native American people must stand together against the destruction of the worlds most precious resource, Haa (water).

Editor's note:

On Aug. 9, the Obama Administration temporarily blocked construction on part of the Dakota Access oil pipeline that will pass beneath a dammed section of the Missouri River. The Departments of Justice, the Interior and the Army called for a "serious discussion on whether there should be nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes views on these types of infrastructure projects.
National Green Tribunal today asked Uttar Pradesh and Haryana government to mull over the possibility of installing CNG stations in NCR while refusing to grant permission to over 10 year old diesel vehicles to ply in these areas.

"Why don't you (UP and Haryana) introduce CNG stations in places like Karnal and Meerut? People are ready to convert to CNG. Why don't you make the requisite arrangement? ... The counsels of both the states shall seek instructions if CNG can be installed in these areas particularly when applicants are ready to convert to CNG," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

It asked both the states to consider the proposal after it was informed that there was no CNG station in Karnal and Meerut.

"Why should we permit diesel buses in these areas? Why don't you run CNG buses," the bench said.

The NGT directed Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to inform it about the stand of both the state governments by October 1, the next date of hearing.

The tribunal was hearing petitions filed by a Meerut- based Transport Union and Karnal Independent Schools Association seeking permission to ply diesel vehicles over 10 years old until adequate number of CNG filling stations are set up in their city that falls in the NCR.

"Since the members of the Union hold valid permits upto 2018 and there is no alternative arrangement in the region where applicants have been plying their vehicles of more than 10 years old, they submit that they be allowed to ply on the route Ballani-Baraut via Aminagar Sarai and other villages which is more than 60 kms away from Delhi till alternative arrangements are made in the region by setting up CNG pumps," the Meerut-Baghpat-Baraut-Chhaproli-Tanda Motor Union said in its plea.

The school association has sought permission for its members to ply diesel school buses over 10 years old till CNG installation and fitment kits are made available.

On July 18, the green panel had directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to cancel the registration of all diesel-powered vehicles which are more than 10 years old.

After de-registration, the authorities will issue public notice in this regard and supply the list of such vehicles to Traffic Police which will take appropriate steps in consonance with directions of tribunal, it had said.

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Facing flak over controversial RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin's release, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar is mulling moving the Supreme Court for cancellation of his bail even as opposition NDA today demanded his arrest in the journalist Rajdeo Ranjan murder case.

"This has been an established process followed by Nitish Kumar government in the past 11 years that if the state is not satisfied with the bail of somebody, it goes in appeal in higher court," JD(U) spokesman Ajay Alok said.

"It has been done in the past and would be followed in the present case of Shahabuddin too," he said.

He said in such cases the concerned district administration makes a proposal if any condition of the bail has been violated and an appeal is moved for cancellation of bail.

With BJP questioning delay in appeal for cancellation of bail, the JD(U) spokesman said courts were closed for festival and hence it is wrong to talk about delay.

Meanwhile, Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah said the district police was scrutinising if any condition of the bail has been violated in the case of Shahabuddin, a former RJD MP.

"If any evidence comes to the surface indicating violation of condition of bail we will move for cancellation of bail in the case," the SP said.

The SP had said yesterday the police has taken cognisance of photograph of absconding suspects Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed in the killing of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan with Mohammad Shahabuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on Saturday last on bail granted by Patna High Court.

Notice would be send to Shahabuddin in this connection and police would also question him on it.

According to media reports, the chief minister recently held a long meeting with Advocate General Ram Balak Mahto and Additional Advocate General Lalit Kishore over the Shahabuddin release issue.

Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi demanded Shahabuddin's arrest at a press conference held on the sidelines of a 'Mahadharna' organized by NDA in Patna to protest against the state government's alleged lackadaisical approach to trials in all cases against the former RJD MP.

"A fresh evidence has emerged in which a sharp shooter Md Kaif wanted by Siwan police in the Rajdeo Ranjan murder case has been seen standing close to Shahaduddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail last week in a video footage."



"The evidence proves beyond doubt that Kaif, who is absconding in the Rajdeo Ranjan murder case, has close connection with Shahabuddin," he said.

In the light of this evidence the state government must arrest Shahabuddin without any further delay in the journalist murder case and direct Siwan police to question the RJD leader about his role in the journalist murder as it has sufficient documents to prove his role in the case with his name appearing several times in the case diary, he said.

Sushil Modi, a former deputy chief minister, further asked the state government to move Supreme Court seeking quashing of Shahabuddin's bail in addition to a similar petition that noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan will file on behalf of Chandrakeshwar Prasad alias Chanda Babu, the father of three youths killed allegedly by Shahabuddin's men in Siwan.

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Asserting that there is "no blame game" or "logjam" in appointments and transfer of judges for higher judiciary, the Centre today told the Supreme Court that the high courts have "pretty much delayed" starting the process.

"There is no blame game. There is no logjam in the system. It's like a race, if you start in time, you will reach in time. The High Courts, by and large, were pretty much delayed in starting the race. The process to fill up five year, six year old vacancies have been started late," Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur.

At the outset, he said "there is progress in the appointments and have the (hearing of the) matter after two weeks. We will see more progress."



The top law officer placed before the bench, which also comprised Justice A M Khanwilkar, two sets of documents in sealed envelopes containing a compilation of facts and figures on the appointment and transfer of judges.

Rohatgi told the bench that the documents will indicate every aspect of different high courts including that of the oldest Allahabad High Court where the vacancies are "alarming" and there has been a delay of nine years in starting the process by the judiciary.

He hastened to clarify that there was no "blame game" over the issue and said the recommendations made by the collegium with regard to Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Allahabad High Courts have been "cleared".

While "appreciating" the efforts made by the Centre, the bench said "it is an arduous process after which the recommendations come to us. Once we start the process, there should not be delay or it should be stalled. It has to move forward."



During the brief hearing, the CJI referred to his visit to Chattishgarh High Court and said there were only eight judges working there and the vacancy was more than one-third.

Rohatgi responded by saying that all the three names pertaining to the Chhattisgarh High Court have been cleared.

The bench then posted the matter for further hearing on September 30.

Today's hearing came nearly a month after it had sent a stern message to the Centre over non-execution of collegium's decision to transfer and appoint Chief Justices and judges in High Courts.

Earlier, the apex court had said it would not tolerate



"logjam in judges' appointment" and intervene to "fasten accountability" as the justice delivery system is collapsing".

The bench had said that if the Government had reservation against any names, then it can always come back to the collegium.

The Attorney General had pleaded that no notice should be issued for the time being on the PIL filed by 1971 war veteran Lieutenant Colonel Anil Kabotra on the issue as he will get back with the facts and figures.

The PIL has referred to the huge backlog of cases and vacancies in the judiciary and sought a direction to the authorities in this regard.

Kabotra, in his PIL, has sought a direction to Ministry of Law and Justice to take "immediate steps" to facilitate filling up of existing vacancies in the judiciary across the country.

He has also sought a direction to consider and implement 245th report of the Law Commission on reforms in judiciary and to increase judges' strength, infrastructural facilities in courts in the country.

The plea has further said "the respondent (Centre) is duty bound to facilitate filling up of existing judges strength across the country and to consider increasing the same substantially in terms of the Law Commission's report.

(Reopens LGD 47)



The apex court said the distinction between what lies within and what lies outside the power of judicial review is necessary to preserve the sanctity of judicial power.

"Judicial power is respected and adhered to in a system based on the rule of law precisely for its nuanced and restrained exercise. If these restraints are not maintained the court as an institution would invite a justifiable criticism of encroaching upon a terrain on which it singularly lacks expertise and which is entrusted for governance to the legislative and executive arms of government.

"Judgements are enforced, above all, because of the belief which society and arms of governance of a democratic society hold in the sanctity of the judicial process. This sanctity is based on institutional prestige.

"Institutional authority is established over long years, by a steadfast commitment to a calibrated exercise of judicial power. Fear of consequences is one reason why citizens obey the law as well as judicial decisions. But there are far stronger reasons why they do so and the foundation for that must be carefully preserved. That is the rationale for the principle that judicial review is confined to cases where there is a breach of law or of the Constitution," the judge said adding that the judgement of the Rajasthan High Court is an example of a matter where the court should not have entered.
People can now book or website name for free in six Indian language scripts  Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Gujrati, Punjabi and Marathi.

Indian IT start-up firm Data Group on Wednesday launched booking service with .Bharat for free with extension like .com, .net, .in but the .Bharat extension will be in devnagari script.

Starting today (Wednesday), which is celebrated as Hindi Divas, anyone can book their name in six Indian scripts with .bharat (in devnagari script) extension for free from our website godil.in and also get email id created, which is on paid basis, in Indian scripts, Data Group Founder and CEO Ajay Data told PTI.

Data Group is the first company to start the service. While the name of website can be registered for free, the company is offering creation of email id in the price range of Rs 100 per month to Rs 1,500 per year. Our objective is to create enabling technology for promotion of content in regional languages in local languages as envisaged by government under Digital India programme. This will help people develop content in Indian languages and provide access to those who don't read and write English, Data said. The email ID created in India scripts can connect with Gmail IDs.

The IDs will be able to connect with email service of all companies who have unicode facility like Gmail, Data said.

We are planning to soon start service for creating free email IDs in Indian scripts like other foreign multinational companies provide at present,.

The email service is being provided by Xgen Plus unit of Data group.

"After pioneering this technology of email service in Indian scripts, we have received interest from Russian and German entities. We will be also working with them to help them create email and website facility in their native scripts," Data said.
US President Barack Obama today notified to the Congress about his intent to restore trade benefits to Burma (Myanmar) that had been suspended more than two decades ago amid allegations of rights abuses.

In a notification to the Congress minutes before his meeting with Myanmar Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, Obama announced his intent to designate Burma as a least-developed beneficiary developing nation for purposes of the GSP program.

"I am writing to inform you of my intent to end the suspension of preferential treatment for Burma as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme and to designate Burma as a least- developed beneficiary developing country for purposes of the GSP program," Obama said in a notification to the Congress.

The move is seen as commensurate to the progress made towards restoration of democracy in Myanmar which is still being called by the US by its previous name Burma.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United States will strive to take in 110,000 refugees from around the world in the coming year, a senior Obama administration official said today, in what would be a nearly 30 percent increase from the 85,000 allowed in over the previous year.

The increase reflects continuing concern about the refugee crisis stemming from Syria's civil war and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yet it's still far short of what advocacy groups say is needed to address an unprecedented crisis that saw some 1 million people pour into Europe alone last year.

The official wasn't authorized to discuss the numbers before an official announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Secretary of State John Kerry had previously suggested that the US target would climb to 100,000 in the coming year, but that the figure was a floor, not a ceiling.

He briefed lawmakers on the revised figure yesterday.

The 110,000 goal covers a 12-month period that starts next month. In the 12 months ending September 30, the US goal was 85,000, and in the three years before that, the target was 70,000 per year.

The White House has tried to emphasize that the refugee program is safe and doesn't pose a major threat to national security.

That concern was heightened last year after terrorist attacks in European cities, including some connected to people who had spent time in Syria.

Officials said that potential refugees would continue to be subject a rigorous screening process that typically lasts more than a year and involves both in-person interviews and examination of biographical and biometric information.

The announcement comes two weeks after the US announced it had met President Barack Obama's goal of admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees despite early skepticism that it would reach its goal.

Millions of Syrians have been displaced by a civil war that has killed roughly half a million people.

Republican governors have pushed back vehemently and tried to refuse to let them into their states, leading to a clash with the administration, which has maintained that states can't legally bar refugees who otherwise meet the criteria.

The administration did not release a breakdown of how many refugees would be accepted from specific countries in the coming year.

The US has tried to encourage other countries, too, to increase their contribution to alleviating the refugee crisis.

The official said increasing the US target this year reflected that strategy and Obama's belief that all nations need to do more to help the neediest.

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Thai police shot dead a suspected meth trafficker and arrested 30 more during a raid on a party to reward drug dealers for hitting sales targets, police said today.

A gunfight erupted after several revellers tried to flee the late-night bash held at an upscale resort near Khao Yai, a popular national park northeast of Bangkok.

A 24-year-old man wanted for drug trafficking was killed and one police officer was injured during a streetside shootout, said Rawat Klinkesorn, the commander of Thailand's Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

"Based on police intelligence we discovered they were holding a thank you party at this resort so we launched a raid," he told AFP.

The party was organised by the gang leaders to "award those who hit sales targets," he added.

Three suspects managed to flee but officers believe they were able to nab four of the major traffickers.

Officers also seized ten firearms, including machine guns, plus cash and cheques amounting to USD 2.5 million, said Rawat.

"Police are now questioning all the suspects," he said.

Nearly all of those arrested tested positive for drugs, mostly the meth pills known as "yaba" or "crazy medicine".

The cheap drug is chiefly produced in isolated laboratories in the Golden Triangle, a lawless border region where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet.

The remote area has long been a drug trafficking hub, with surging methamphetamine smuggling now adding to the traditional illicit opium trade.

Thailand has harsh drug laws and after a decades-long "war" on narcotics its prisons are overflowing with offenders.

In an unexpected turnabout earlier this year, the kingdom's justice minister admitted Thailand had failed to stem the scourge and said he is pushing to see meth decriminalised.

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A wheelchair-bound paralysed woman doctor, who received Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' assurance for her transfer to her hometown - Pune, today thanked the CM for his support.

"I can't thank the Chief Minister enough. His response will completely change my life. I won't need to travel 100 km every day and I will be able to raise my daughter and also do my duties as a doctor with equal commitment," Dr Alaknanda Vaidya said.

After knowing that Chief minister has reacted over her online petition at Change.Org, she also thanked those who signed her online petition in support.

"My daughter is overjoyed. I am going back to Pune. Thank you so much! Without your support this would not have been possible," she said.

Expressing satisfaction over Fadnavis' response, Preethi Herman, Country Lead for Change.Org, said, "By being so proactive to Dr Alaknanda's supporters on Change.Org, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his government have ensured that a single mother does not have to chose between her work and family. This truly is a great day for engaged citizenship and a responsive government."



Dr Vaidya, in her petition, signed by over 85,000 people, stated that she is 90 per cent disabled after she had met with an accident six years ago in which lower part of her body was paralysed.

"I am 90% disabled and they expect me to travel 100 km everyday! I am a doctor and a single mother and I am trying to make an honest living... Six years back, my life changed upside down after an accident left me paralysed waist below," she said.

She said since she is completely dependent on others from getting up from bed, to get into wheelchair or even while going to bathroom, found difficult while working in Baramati without her family.

Citing government rule that a physically-challenged person is not supposed to be posted further than 10 km from their home, Dr Vaidya petitioned the chief minister, appealing to get her transferred to her hometown in Pune.

Replying to her petition, Fadnavis had yesterday tweeted, "Needful for your transfer will be done by tomorrow. Please inform which officer did not consider your request. Apologies for inconvenience.

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A 28-year-old Indian-origin MIT scientist has won a prestigious award for his research on radio waves, solving a problem that had stumped scientists for almost 150 years and enabling a host of new applications from Internet of Things connectivity to motion tracking.

Dinesh Bharadia, a graduate of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, was honoured with the 2016 Marconi Society Paul Baran Young Scholar Award that carries a cash prize of USD 4,000.

Bharadia's research disproved a long-held assumption that it is "generally not possible for a radio to receive and transmit on the same frequency band because of the interference that results."



His work culminated in making full-duplex radios a reality through the development of effective self-interference cancellation technology.

Bharadia, who pursued his PhD from Stanford University in the US, will receive the award in November in California.

"Let's say you are shouting at someone and they are shouting at you. Neither of you can hear the other, because you are both shouting in the same frequency," said Bharadia, currently a researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US.

"The noise in your ears (interference) from your own shout prevents you from hearing the other person. That's a good analogy for why radios have needed to use two different frequencies to transmit and receive simultaneously," he said.

"It's also why solving the challenge of developing 'full duplex radios' effectively doubles the amount of available spectrum," Bharadia said.

The problem is more difficult than it sounds, said Bharadia. First, the interference is extremely strong - nearly a hundred billion times stronger than the signal that the radio might be trying to receive.

The resulting interference depends on the environment and its reflectors, changing in real-time as people move around.

Typical radios (eg Wi-Fi) span many frequencies and use multi-antenna systems. Bharadia was able to demonstrate systems that overcame all these obstacles.

He turned full-duplex radios into a commercial reality by inventing new formulas that could in real-time, model the non-linear, time-varying self-interference as well as analog and digital self-interference cancellation circuits to apply the model to the known transmitted signal and cancel the self-interference.

The analogue cancellation filter Bharadia developed, also unleashed the potential for many more applications. The unique architecture had to allow cancellation in all environments.

"Dinesh's work enables a whole host of new applications, from extremely low-power Internet of Things connectivity to motion tracking," said Sachin Katti, Bharadia's PhD advisor at Stanford.

"It has the potential to be used for important future applications such as building novel wireless imaging that can enable driverless cars in severe weather scenarios, help blind people to navigate indoors, and much more," Katti said.

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Hillary Clinton became overheated and left a Sept. 11 memorial service abruptly after an hour and a half. Television cameras were rolling, allowing much of the world to see her being loaded into her van. She went to her daughters nearby apartment for a breather, emerged looking chipper, stopped for a picture with a child and drove off.

If it had ended there, the incident would have been unfortunate, but wouldnt have altered the course of the campaign. Instead, the public learned later that Clinton had been diagnosed with pneumonia on Sept. 9 and neglected to tell anyone.

The lack of transparency played right into Donald Trumps hands. Clinton began her career as a staffer on the Watergate hearings, yet she has repeatedly ignored the central lesson of the scandal: Its not the crime that gets you but the cover-up. Pneumonia is hardly a crime and neither is a private server, but by covering up both she made them seem worse.

On Labor Day, she brushed off a coughing episode in Ohio merely as evidence that she is allergic to Trump. But four days later, a doctor put her on antibiotics for pneumonia and she didnt find it worthy of comment. Too bad she didnt get a prescription for truth serum.

Now the burden is on her to prove shes fine. She would have to drop and do 20 push-ups to satisfy Trump that she is. Just as he tried to delegitimize Barack Obama with birtherism, Trump has tried to Swift Boat Hillary by delegitimizing her physically. For months, the Republican nominee has been stoking the charge that something serious is wrong with her physical and mental strength and stamina. His wingman, Rudy Giuliani, directs voters to go to the internet and look up Clinton illness and watch a ginned-up video that makes it look as if Clinton is having a seizure. After the coughing, Trump tweeted that the media wasnt covering it enough.

Henceforth it will all be covered  every sniffle and every pause that could be a sign that her mind is going. In addition to his medical diagnosis, Trump has taken to charging that she doesnt look presidential, a catch-all that adds the dig that the little lady keeps a light schedule so that she can get home to bed early and isnt, obviously, a perfect male specimen of health like Trump himself, even though, at 70, hes two years older.

Trump himself has been somewhat wanting when it comes to his health records. First, he made public a laughable letter from his doctor  idiosyncratically addressed To Whom My Concern  that echoed Trumpian grandiosity with the assessment that the Donald would be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.

Then, with a good sense of timing, Trump got a physical last week, presumably at the hands of another physician, which he is releasing any day. Hes set to appear Sept. 15 on The Dr. Oz Show to unveil his personal health regime, presumably without pictures of his fast-food habits on his plane.

After the episode Sunday, he knew enough to let the facts stand for themselves, congratulating himself for taking no satisfaction in her troubles. On Fox News on Monday morning, he sent her a Hallmark card hoping she gets well soon. He inched back to his usual self a bit later on CNBC, saying, It was interesting because they say pneumonia on Friday but she was coughing very, very badly a week ago and even before that this wasnt the first time.

Getting pneumonia doesnt mean youre unhealthy. Its one of the many occupational hazards of the endurance trial a modern campaign is. But shes going to have a hard time proving shes healthy now.

Imagine an alternate drama. Clinton reveals before the weekend that she has pneumonia. She soldiers on. She kept her schedule, including the LGBT fundraiser with Barbra Streisand where the candidate offered her controversial description of some Trump voters as deplorables.

She was up early Sunday, but the crowd, the sun (New York Congressman Joe Crowley said that he and Sen. Chuck Schumer had soaked through their suits), and the sadness of the day were too much and she left after an hour and a half. Most people would think she was a trouper to play through the pain and wish her a long nap in a cool room with a bowl of chicken soup.

Instead, much of Sunday, no one knew what was going on. Information dribbled out. Her motorcade back to her home in Chappaqua, N.Y., was covered like O.J.s ride in the Ford Bronco. Hours later, a statement from her doctor came out. Thats no way to overcome a trust deficit.
Noting that "planned and well-guided urbanisation" was central to economic growth, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today asked the BRICS nations to collectively address "urban challenges" so that they could drive the global economic recovery.

"Given the size of the economies of BRICS countries and the potential still to be realised, member countries need to collectively address urban challenges so that they could drive global economic recovery," he said, inaugurating the 3rd BRICS conference on Urban Transition here this afternoon.

Stating that Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), with a population of over three billion accounted for about one-fourth of global GDP, Venkaiah urged them to step up cooperation in addressing the challenges associated with urban transition through sharing of experiences and knowledge.

Listing various initiatives launched by the Central government for urban rejuvenation, he said it has committed to provide an assistance of Rs 1.13 lakh crore over the next three years to improve basic urban infrastructure in India.

The Centre has been adopting a 10-point strategy for "urban renaissance" and the paradigm shift in approach towards urban development has started yielding results, he added.

"Urban revival in India is being sought to be realised based on citizens' participation, autonomy to urban local bodies and states in project formulation.

"Promotion of a healthy spirit of competition among ULBs, area-based development, capacity building and enhanced resource flows to ULBs and states are other key forces driving our new urban rejuvenation policy," the Urban Development Minister added.

"The political class of the country is now more sensitised than ever to the challenges in urban sector and the need to fix them at the earliest in interest of rapid economic growth besides enabling a decent quality of life," he said.

The NDA government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has "ended the ambiguity" in approach to urban development since Independence as planned and well-guided urbanisation was central to economic growth, he said.

(Reopens BOM9)



Stating that resources were key to addressing "huge infrastructure deficit" in urban areas, Venkaiah said the Union government was taking measures to enable increased flow of resources to ULBs, including enhanced Central assistance.

Under Smart City Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), the Centre has committed to provide an assistance of Rs 1.13 lakh crore to improve basic urban infrastructure till 2018-19, he said.

"This is a quantum jump from just Rs 33,902 crore financial assistance the Centre extended to ULBs in 10 years from 2004 under JNNURM for basic infrastructure."



"The pace and scale of project and investment approvals have increased manifold since 2015 with the Centre approving an assistance of Rs 1.84 lakh crore.

"This includes Rs 78,292 crore under Smart City Mission for 33 mission cities, Rs 45,293 crore under Atal Mission and another Rs 56,231 crore for building affordable houses for urban poor. These are the early gains of urban renaissance in the country," the Union minister explained.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu delivered the key-note address to the three-day conference.

Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog Arvind Panagaria, Ministers from BRICS countries, urban development experts, academicians and representatives of industry are attending the conference.

(REOPENS BES21)



Panagariya said the Aayog was currently handling the task of preparing the "vision and strategy" for the country's economic growth with urban development as a crucial focus area.

"There would be more urbanisation in India as industry and services have to grow to support the country's huge population. Agriculture alone cannot support our population," he said.

A huge challenge lay ahead to build quality towns and cities as India's urban population was set to grow from the current 30-35 per cent, Panagariya added.

Stressing on the need for sustainable urban development, Chandrababu said the experiences of BRICS nations would be very useful in this regard.

"Our emphasis should be on improving the quality of life in urban areas," he added.

About 72 delegates from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and 259 from India are attending the conference.
Delhi High Court today said that proper preservation of forensic and scientific evidence by the police was needed to nail real culprits in criminal cases as it would enable investigators to present water-tight case before a court.

A bench of justices B D Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar observed that as per police, there were departments to look into each and every aspect of the crime, but this was only on paper and nothing functions on ground.

It asked Delhi police whether it had any procedure to store biology/chemistry samples at police stations (malkhanas) till they are deposited at forensic laborataries after being collected from the crime scene.

"Do you follow all this? If so, you will have a water- tight case on the basis of which you can nail the main culprits, rather than catching innocent people," the bench observed.

The bench also asked the counsel for Delhi police whether they had any data regarding culprits caught on the basis of such forensic and scientific evidence.

The court's oral observation came on being told by Delhi police counsel Rajesh Mahajan that "biological samples, whether they are in dry or wet form, are properly placed in a sealed and air-tight container kept in a refrigerator at the specified temperature of four degree Celsius at the malkhana in police stations".

The bench asked the Delhi State Legal Services Authority to visit these malkhanas and find out whether such samples were kept properly as claimed by police, so that the court can get an exact status of the manner in which the samples collected from the crime scene were stored.

The court was hearing a PIL initiated by it after the December 16, 2012 gangrape case, in which it has been giving directions from time to time with regard to improving crime investigation and protection of women in Delhi.

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The widow of a radical imam was arrested today in Mombasa for alleged links to one of three female assailants shot dead while attacking the Kenyan city's main police station, a police source said.

"She is in custody for questioning because of the communication she had with one of the female terrorists killed" in Sunday's attack, the source said, requesting anonymity. The assailants were alleged to be "sympathisers" of the Islamic State group.

The arrested woman is the widow of Aboud Rogo Mohammed, an imam killed in Mombasa in August 2012 who was until his death the main preacher at the city's Musa mosque, seen as the heart of radical Islam in Kenya.

The imam was accused of recruiting young Kenyans to fight in neighbouring Somalia with Shabaab, East Africa's long-time branch of Al-Qaeda, Islamic State's rivals.

The new arrest brings to four the number of women detained over the weekend attack. Three Somali refugees suspected of sheltering the assailants, who were arrested on Sunday, appeared before a judge today.

The three women were brought into court to be charged but police said one of them, Shukri Haji, who is said to be deaf, claimed she could not understand what the sign language interpreter was saying.

Resident magistrate Emmanuel Mutunga ordered the three be detained five more days.

Sunday's knife and firebomb assault was the first of its kind by female assailants in Kenya, in what police said was "an apparent terror attack."



The so-called Islamic State group said its "supporters" carried it out, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, quoting the group's Amaq agency.

"The executors of the attack on the Kenyan police in the port city of Mombasa are supporters of the Islamic State and they carried out the operation in response to calls to target the Crusader states," the agency said.

Police have said two of the women involved in the knife and firebomb assault were Kenyans and that one was wearing a suicide vest that did not detonate.

After entering the police station saying they wanted to report a stolen phone, they shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest), hurled a petrol bomb and stabbed two officers.

Kenya's Muslim minority is largely concentrated along the Indian Ocean coast and the country in the past has repeatedly come under attack by the Somalia-based Shabaab.

Somali-led insurgents have staged repeated attacks in Kenya, including the killing of at least 67 people at Nairobi's Westgate Mall in 2013 and the massacre of 148 people at a university in Garissa in April 2015.

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Rajasthan Cabinet today decided to disinvest two units of Giral Lignite Power Limited (GLPL) in view of losses in per unit power production.

"The cabinet has decided for 100 per cent disinvestment of two GLPL units. The plant, a Rajasthan Rajya Vidhyut Utpadan Nigam Limited subsidiary, was set up in two phases and power production began in 2011," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore.

"The per unit power production was Rs 7.96 in 2014-15 and Rs 12.33 in 2015-16 with a loss of Rs 2.99 and Rs 3.01 respectively. Therefore, the decision for disinvestment was taken. It will take place as per the laid procedure through open bidding," he said.

He informed the second phase of Mukhyamantri Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan will begin from November 16 under which works worth Rs 1950 crore will be undertaken in 4200 villages.

Besides, he said, the Cabinet has decided to introduce a special campaign from November 1 and Panchayat Shivirs after October 14 to resolve passage disputes in villages.

"The shivirs will be held in two gram panchayats every Friday after October 14. The Panchayti Raj and Rural Development, Social Justice and Empowerment, Food and Civil Supplies, and Health departments will participate in the campaign," he said.

"Works like distributing digital ration cards, birth and death certificates, physical verification of properties, issuance of paata among others will be taken up at the Shivirs. All the Gram Panchayats will be covered under the campaign," he said.

The cabinet also reviewed the preparations for the three-day Global Rajasthan AgriTech summit to be held in November.

"50,000 farmers will participate in the summit and 20 per cent of them will be women. Special trains will be run to ferry farmers from Udaipur, Sriganganagar and Barmer," he informed.

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Rajasthan government today announced to give a cash reward of Rs 25 lakh, a plot in the state capital and a piece of land along Indira Gandhi canal to javalin thrower Devendra Jhajharia for winning gold medal at the Paralympics in Rio.

Also, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, State Congress President Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot congratulated Jhajharia on his win.

Sports Minister Gajendra Singh announced a cash reward of Rs 25 lakh and a plot of 220 sq metre in Jaipur and 25 bigha of land in Indira Gandhi canal area.

Expressing her happiness over her son's achievement, the gold medallist's mother in Churu said she was very happy over her son's achievement while his wife, Manju, said she was confident that her husband would win the medal.

Jhajharia, who hails from Rajasthan, scripted history by becoming the first Indian to clinch two gold medals at the Paralympics (the first one in 2004 Athens Games) after he broke his own world record to clinch the top honours at the ongoing Rio Games.

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Urban Development Secretary Rajiv Gauba will hold the additional charge of Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, till September 25.

The competent authority has approved additional charge of the post to Gauba, as I&B Secretary Ajay Mittal was on medical leave, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said.

In another order, the Appointments Committee of Cabinet has appointed Yellapantula Mallikarjun as Officer on Special Duty to Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.

Mallikarjun has been appointed to the post till March 26, 2019, i.E., the date on which he attains the age of 60 years, the DoPT order said.

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Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications today agreed to merge its wireless telecom business with smaller rival Aircel to create the country's 4th-biggest mobile phone operator with asset base of more than Rs 65,000 crore.

In the largest consolidation in the country's telecom sector, RCom and Aircel's majority owner, Malaysia's Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB), announced signing of definitive documents for the merger of their Indian wireless businesses.

RCom and Aircel will hold 50 per cent each in the new company. The board of the new company will have equal representation from the two sides.

"The RCom-Aircel combination will create a strong operator clearly ranked amongst India's top 4 telcos by customer base and revenues, also ranking amongst the top three operators by revenues in 12 important circles," both the firms said in a joint statement.

RCom is India's 4th-biggest telecom operator with almost 110 million customers, while Aircel ranks fifth with 84 million subscribers.

RCom had 9.8 per cent market share while Aircel had 8.5 pe cent share. Sistema, which RCom earlier merged with, had 0.7 per cent share.

Both the companies will transfer Rs 14,000 crore of debt each to the joint venture, taking the total debt of the new company to Rs 28,000 crore, excluding Rs 6,000 crore of spectrum payment liability.

The deal will help RCom pare its debt by Rs 20,000 crore (or 40 per cent of the total debt on its books).

"RCom will continue to own and operate its high growth businesses in the domestic and global enterprise space, Data Centres, optic fibre and related telecom infrastructure, besides owning valuable real estate," the statement said.

MTS (Sistema) will continue to hold 10 per cent stake in RCom, with no presence on the board.

The merged entity, said the statement, will be one of India's largest private sector companies, with an asset base of over Rs 65,000 crore (USD 9.7 billion) and net worth of Rs 35,000 crore (USD 5.2 billion).

It will hold 19.3 per cent of total spectrum - highest in the sector. It will have a unique combination of spectrum in 800, 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz band, helping it offer 2G, 3G and 4G services nationwide.

(Reopens DEL 74)



The deal will also help Aircel's debt to go down by Rs 4,000 crore (USD 600 million) upon completion of the transaction in 2017.

The net present value (NPV) of capex and opex synergies is estimated at Rs 20,000 crore (USD 3 billion), the companies said.

The merged company will be managed by an independent professional team under the supervision of the Board.

"Together with our partners, MCB, we are delighted to have taken the lead in consolidation of the Indian telecom sector, first, with RCom's acquisition of the wireless business of SSTL (Sistema / MTS), and now, with the combination of our business with Aircel in a 50:50 joint venture with MCB," Reliance Group Chairman Anil D Ambani said.

He added that this combination is expected to create substantial long term value for shareholders of both RCom and MCB, given the benefits of the wide-ranging spectrum portfolio and significant revenue and cost synergies.

"Since acquiring Aircel in 2006, MCB has invested in excess of Rs 35,000 crore (USD 5.2 billion) into Aircel, making this one of the largest foreign investments into India, not only in the telecom industry but across all sectors," MCB said.

On consummation of the merger, RCom and MCB are committed to additional equity infusion into the merged company to further strengthen the balance sheet, fund future growth plans, and enhance financial flexibility, they said.

Both parties are already in talks with international investors in this regard, they added.

In January this year, RCom had announced the acquisition of Russian conglomerate Sistema's Indian telecom unit in an all-stock deal, creating an operator with 118 million subscribers.
A woman doctor today alleged that a male attendant "misbehaved" with her at a hospital here, police said.

The incident happened at the RML Hospital in the reception area.

The attendant got irked after the doctor, "didn't see" his ailing brother whom he had brought to the hospital for treatment, a senior police officer said.

He allegedly shoved her and used abusive language, the officer said.

Sources said the hospital doctors have threatened to go on a strike after the incident.

The police said they were awaiting a written complaint from the doctor on the matter, adding, the accused attendant has been detained.

"Our officers are there. We are awaiting written complaint and have apprehended the person involved," Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said.

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The South Sudan government has shut down the country's main English-language daily, which headlined on a war profiteering report commissioned by actor George Clooney, the paper's editor said today.

Nation Mirror editor Simon Aurelious said officials from the National Security Service gave no clear reason for the closure, simply saying "the paper is indulging in activities incompatible with its status."



"We were called today to the office of the National Security and after reaching there they showed us an order. The order is instructing us to close down," Aurelious told AFP.

The paper's headlines today and yesterday focused on a report released in Washington this week about the alleged implication of President Salva Kiir, rebel chief Riek Machar and the country's army chiefs in corruption during the nation's three-year civil war.

The report by watchdog group The Sentry said leaders of the world's newest country had profited from a conflict that has driven a quarter of a million people from their homes and left tens of thousands dead.

One of the Nation Mirror headlines read "Kiir, Machar and top Generals implicated in Sentry Report" while another said "Machar's source of weapons uncovered."



The government has denied the report as "completely rubbish".

Aurelious said security authorities two weeks ago summoned him and demanded the paper's management produce the author of a critical piece on the government.

But the Nation Mirror refused to give the writer's name.

"They told us that if this is the case we are going to notify you" to close down, he said.

In February last year the paper was shut down by government security agents for nine months after publishing details on the activities of rebels affiliated to Machar.

Alfred Taban, a veteran South Sudanese journalist who is chairman of the country's Association for Media Development, AMDISS, said the latest decision "is shocking ."



"We are yet to check with the Media Authority as to why they (National Security) are doing this," Taban said.

Taban spent 13 days in detention in July after writing an editorial sharply critical of Kiir and Machar.

The paper's closure comes days after the United Nations expressed concern over alleged threats by government officials against civil society activists in contact with a UN Security Council group that visited South Sudan to look at the possible deployment of a regional protection force.

The government rejected the idea.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Celebrated Serbian director Goran Paskaljevic has put Uttarakhand on the world cinema map with his latest film "Dev Bhoomi" (Land of the Gods).

Premiered at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Dev Bhoomi offers a rounded and enigmatic view of life in the beautiful north Indian hill state that was ravaged by floods and landslides in 2013.

"Despite all the social and ecological ills that the film dwells upon, 'Dev Bhoomi' is aimed at upholding hope and humanity," says the 69-year-old Paskaljevic.

The director's films have over the years competed for the top prizes at the world's top festivals in Cannes, Venice and Berlin.

Starring Victor Banerjee in the role of a man who returns to his remote Himalayan village after a 40-year absence to wrap up unfinished business, the film goes into various challenges that the region faces - obscurantism, limited scope for women's education and emancipation, and the scourge of the caste system.

But above all, Paskaljevic asserts, "Dev Bhoomi" is an ode to the beauty of Uttarakhand. "India is a country that evokes very strong emotions," he says.

"One either hates it and never returns or falls in love with it and keeps coming back. I fell in love with India."



"Dev Bhoomi" germinated when Paskaljevic was the jury chief of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa two years ago.

Banerjee was a member of the jury and the two men struck up a friendship and decided to work together on a film.

"Our worldviews and cinematic interests were the same and so we hit it off instantly," says Paskaljevic.

"Dev Bhoomi" was jointly scripted by Paskaljevic and Banerjee and shot entirely in Uttarakhand after the director toured the entire state over a period of a month.

"Although 'Dev Bhoomi' is an Indo-Serbian co-production, it is really more a Serbian film shot in India. I did not want to be overly critical of things that are wrong here. It would not have been fair on my part. I am an outsider. I am nobody to judge," says Paskaljevic.

Besides Banerjee, the cast of "Dev Bhoomi" includes Geetanjali Thapa, Uttara Baokar and Raj Zutshi.

For Paskaljevic, India's appeal lies in its sheer riot of



colours and the faces of its people. In "Dev Bhoomi", both are lovingly captured by the director's long-time collaborator, Milan Spasic.

"Despite the undercurrents of tension that run through its storyline, the film has a sense of serenity and repose. My idea was to capture the languid rhythms of life in the region," says Paskaljevic.

Some Indian members of the crew, the veteran director points out, wanted him to film link shots so that some pace could be imparted to the narrative. "All I told them was that life here was devoid of pace and that is exactly what I wanted to capture."



Paskaljevic is now understandably keen to take "Dev Bhoomi" to India but he is unclear at the moment exactly how the distribution strategy will pan out. "The film could definitely do with a run in the multiplexes," he says.
WASHINGTON  As insurers exit Obamacare marketplaces across the country, critics of the Affordable Care Act have redoubled claims that the health law isnt working.

Yet these same critics, many of them Republican politicians in red states, took steps over the last several years to undermine the 2010 law and fuel the current turmoil in their insurance markets.

Among other things, they blocked expansion of Medicaid coverage for the poor, erected barriers to enrollment and refused to move health plans into the Obamacare marketplaces, a key step to bringing in healthier consumers.

Those decisions left the marketplaces in many red states with poorer, sicker customers than they otherwise might have had.

Now, consumers are paying the price, as insurers seek major rate hikes or stop selling plans altogether.

Indeed, eight of the nine states where consumer choices will be most limited in 2017 have rejected Medicaid expansion and taken other steps that have weakened their marketplaces, data show.

Its the same basic lesson I tell my kids, said Manatt Health managing director Joel Ario, a former insurance commissioner in Oregon and Pennsylvania. If you put the work into something, you will get results. If you just sit on the sidelines and complain, you shouldnt be surprised if things dont work out.

The marketplaces have been shaken by the closure of more than a dozen new insurance co-ops and moves by major national insurers, including UnitedHealth Group, Humana and Aetna, to scale back offerings in 2017. Many of the insurers that remain in the marketplaces are seeking double-digit rate hikes.

Nearly all cited unsustainable losses due to sicker, and thus costlier, customers than the health plans anticipated.

The market exits have left consumers in wide swaths of the country with diminishing choices going into 2017.

In nearly a third of counties nationwide, just a single insurer will offer plans next year, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation.

That has fueled a new round of criticism from Republican politicians. Obamacare has been a disaster for Missourians, and its about to get even worse, Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt said last week, citing the recent Kaiser analysis.

Missouri has been among the hardest hit by the recent insurer exits, as 98 of the states 114 counties will have just one insurer offering plans next year, up from only two counties this year.

The marketplaces, which currently provide coverage to about 11 million Americans, were supposed to more competitive.

The laws architects hoped insurers would be drawn in by the opportunity to sell health plans to millions of Americans. They also included provisions in the law to bring in healthy customers most prized by insurers, included federal subsidies, which help defray most consumers monthly premiums. Americans who dont have coverage are subject to tax penalties.

Importantly, the law also depended on states to support their marketplaces and help enroll healthy consumers.

Like all insurance, the Obamacare marketplaces require a mix of policyholders, or risk pool, so lower-cost participants offset the higher medical costs of sicker customers.

State insurance regulators were to phase out health plans that insurers had been offering before 2014, thereby moving those policyholders into the marketplaces. These customers were overwhelmingly healthy because prior to 2014 insurers in most states largely didnt sell plans to people with preexisting medical conditions.

States were also offered millions of dollars in federal aid for outreach and enrollment efforts starting in 2013.

Marketing was seen as critical since sick customers were expected come to the marketplaces on their own, while younger, healthier consumers would probably need to be educated about the importance of getting coverage.

The assumption was that states would play an active role, said Jon Kingsdale, who ran the Massachusetts marketplace that became the model for the federal law.

Some states, including California, Connecticut and Maryland, did.

State officials there and elsewhere also worked closely with insurance companies to get them into the markets so consumers would have more choices. California spent hundreds of millions of dollars on outreach campaigns.

States like California that made tough decisions early on and used all the tools available have competitive markets, with opportunities for consumers to choose plans, said Peter Lee, head of Covered California, the states marketplace.

California and other states that actively supported the law havent been immune to the current market turmoil, as many factors have affected their marketplaces and helped drive up premiums for 2017.

But even with some market exits, consumers in more than half of California counties can choose from at least three insurers when selecting health plans next year. That means many will probably be able to find lower-priced options even though some insurers are planning double-digit rate hikes for 2017.

There are many fewer options in states whose leaders have spent years working to sabotage the law.

These include Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee, all of which will have only one insurer in most counties next year, according to the Kaiser analysis.

Building viable insurance marketplaces in some of these states always figured to be challenging, as competition was limited before the law was enacted.

But many of these states made it even more difficult.

Several are among the more than a dozen that imposed additional regulations on people who were supposed to help consumers enroll in health plans.

Proponents of these regulations argued they were trying to protect consumers. Our biggest fear, of course, is identity theft, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News in 2013.

But consumer advocates, patients groups and others saw the rules as another tactic to weaken the law. Missouris regulations were so restrictive that they were thrown out by a federal judge, who concluded state leaders were trying to undermine the marketplace.

Insurance regulators in more than three dozen states, facing a backlash from consumers, also refused to move customers with health plans that predated the health law into the marketplaces.

And 19 states are still rejecting federal aid to expand their Medicaid programs to poor, childless adults, a group of Americans traditionally excluded from the government safety net.

This has been particularly problematic for those states marketplaces, research suggests, as many poor  and probably sick  residents who couldnt get Medicaid have gone into the marketplaces.

Federal data indicate that more than 40 percent of marketplace enrollees in states that didnt expand Medicaid earn less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $16,000 a year.

By contrast, less than 10 percent of marketplace enrollees in states that expanded Medicaid are so poor.

Americans making less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for Medicaid coverage in expansion states.

Obama administration officials are now working to adjust marketplace rules for 2018 in an effort to bring in more younger, healthier customers.

And Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell recently sounded an upbeat note, explaining that the new rules should make the marketplaces more attractive for insurers in the future.

It remains to be seen whether more states will help, however.

We had community after community saying, Lets make this work, said Lee in California. That made a difference.
HOOQ, a Singapore-based premium video-on-demand service provider, and Bengaluru's ACT Fibernet, an internet service provider, today announced a strategic partnership.

Under the partnership, ACT customers of Hyderabad will be able to avail one month free subscription of HOOQ.

Salil Kapoor, MD of HOOQ India, said, the partnership is being piloted first in Hyderabad which will then be taken to other ACT markets such as Bengaluru, Chennai and Delhi.

"Under this partnership, ACT customers will be able to avail one month of free HOOQ subscription that translates into a window to unlimited streaming of over 10,000 Hollywood, Bollywood and local movies along with drama titles available on HOOQ," Kapoor said.

Bala Malladi, CEO of ACT Group, said they see an internet revolution in the country and Hyderabad is one of the highest internet penetrated markets.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Enterprises across the world are becoming conscious of value proposition of speech analytics, but only 29 per cent of them in South Asia have adopted this technology and the outlook remains sanguine.

According to a recent survey commissioned by Uniphore Software Systems and conducted by OPUS Research, with explosive growth opportunities and advantages of adopting speech analytics, South Asia is rapidly headed towards integrating the technology across industries.

Speech analytics is the process of analysing recorded calls to gather information.

"In contrast to enterprises in countries like India and the Philippines, their peers in North America, Australia and New Zealand are way ahead in adoption of speech analytics, thereby delivering better customer experience, saving cost and enhancing revenue," the survey said.

According to the survey, 247 out of 500 respondents (49 per cent) have deployed speech analytics at their enterprises. While 64 per cent respondents from the North American region have already deployed speech analytics in their business, the figure was around 44 per cent for Australia and New Zealand.

"Uniphore has had a ring-side view of how enterprises in more and more countries across South Asia, including India, have been harnessing the technology for explosive growth opportunities," Uniphore Software Systems Co-founder and CEO Umesh Sachdev said, adding that many Indian enterprises are rapidly adopting the technology to ace their service industry.

North America is a leading light in understanding growth and speech analytics deployment whereas Australia/New Zealand, with 36 per cent in 'testing and trial' range, represents a greenfield opportunity, the report said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sri Lanka today announced it was planning to relocate farmers living on the edges of forests inhabited by elephants to reduce the numbers killed on both sides.

Wildlife minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said the island's elephant population had dropped to 6,000, from 7,379 counted five years ago, as deadly encounters between animals and humans increase.

"Although various measures like erecting of electric fences were taken to prevent human-elephant conflicts, so far this has not been resolved," Perera said in a statement.

"Steps are being taken to resolve the issue by relocating the inhabitants in identified elephant migratory pathways."



He did not say how many farmers would be relocated in 18 affected districts out of the island's total of 25. But elephant expert Jayantha Jayewardene said he believed thousands were encroaching on elephant habitats and moving them would be a challenge.

"Sri Lankan elephants usually don't migrate from one area to another, but what has happened is that thousands of farmers have encroached and split the traditional habitat of elephants.

"This means frequent clashes and we need a much more thought out plan to deal with the problem," Jayewardene told AFP. "Evicting thousands of people will not be easy. One thing is sure, more elephants than people get killed in this battle."



Elephants are considered sacred animals in Sri Lanka and killing them is a criminal offence, punishable by death.

But officials said there had been a rapid expansion of farms near wildlife parks, shrinking elephant habitats and causing frequent clashes between the two.

Official figures show 270 people and 942 elephants were killed in such encounters across the country over four years to 2014. Some 5,095 homes were damaged during the same period.

Wild elephants were also killed after being hit by trains and due to floods and lightening strikes. Female elephants are known to have been killed so that their babies can be snatched and kept as pets.

Owning a baby elephant is a status symbol in Sri Lanka although authorities recently began a crackdown against the trend.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal will lead a delegation to Dubai on board the first international flight from Chandigarh which will fly to Sharjah tomorrow.

Chandigarh will get its international flight which will be run by Air India to Sharjah tomorrow. Later this month, a private carrier will operatre a flight to Dubai from here.

The 18-member CII delegation, which will accompany Sukhbir, will be a part of a roadshow in Dubai to explore areas of mutual interest to enhance trade ties between India and UAE, a CII release said here today.

Prominent members of the Confederation of Indian Industry Northern Region will be part of the Punjab government delegation, it said.

The CII industry members will be part of a roadshow and B2B meetings to be held over the two-day tour.

"The CII delegation members will explore areas of mutual interest to enhance trade ties between the two regions," said Gurmeet Bhatia, Vice-Chairman, CII Punjab State Council.

"India maintains a special relationship with the UAE because it has been its top trading partner as well as a strategically important country. In the last few years, India and the UAE have signed a number of agreements and MoUs in all possible areas of mutual interests, including trade and investment," he said.

"Non-oil trade between the two countries has a higher proportion in the overall trade and it is here that we need to concentrate our efforts," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today said he had supported Irom Sharmila of Manipur for her 16-year-long hunger strike protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

Speaking at the premiere of a documentary 'Rambuai' (Mizoram's trouble years) in Aizawl, Lal Thanhawla said a junior officer in the Army could execute "jungle rule" under the Act.

He said grouping of hundreds of villages during the insurgency days in Mizoram into bigger villages known as Protective and Progressive Villages (PPVs) was not progressive as people were herded as cattle to a new place where they lived miserably.

"Mizoram should know about its past and history, about insurgency and there should be records on the phase of the Mizo people's history," the Chief Minister said.

The documentary 'Rambuai' is a film by Sanjoy Hazarika and Preeti Gill of the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research (C-NES) on the 20 years of insurgency in Mizoram.

Lal Thanhawla also released a book entitled 'After Decades of Silence: Voices from Mizoram' authored by Prof. Margaret Ch Zama of the Mizoram University and Dr C Lalawmpuia Vanchiau, on the occasion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy today moved the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the process to grant security clearances to companies for FM broadcast and restraining them from taking part in auctions if they are involved in criminal cases.

The Rajya Sabha MP, in his plea, said that Ministry of Information & Broadcasting had issued a notice on March 2, 2015 inviting applications from eligible parties for the Phase-III e-auction process of FM radio channels.

In the course of processing their applications, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had denied security clearance to the Sun TV network of Maran brothers, resulting in cancellation of its pleas for auctioning, Swamy claimed.

The Sun Group, which is controlled by Kalanithi Maran and former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, is accused in the Aircel Maxis case and criminal cases filed by the CBI and the ED under various penal provisions were the main reasons for denial of the security clearance by the MHA for the e-auction process, the petition alleged.

"It is submitted that for the same auction process for another group, the Bombay High Court has also given a judgment thereby rejecting the plea of the private company to grant the security clearance once it was rejected by the nodal Home Ministry," he said.

The BJP MP has referred to the Madras and Delhi High Court judgements allowing Sun TV network to participate in private FM radio auction and said "the nodal ministry (MHA) failed to make a full-proof security clearance policy which is primarily the reason for the divergent views of different High Courts of the country."



"The inadequacy, vacuum and non-uniformity in the security clearance policy of the government has developed this problem where a tainted person or a company can be a part of a process which can have a serious impact on the national security of the country," it claimed.

Swamy has urged the apex court to "restrain the MHA and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to withhold the process of auction of private FM radio channels Phase III & airwaves of the entities or individual in view of the denial of the security clearance.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tata Steel Kalinganagar plant in Odisha today achieved yet another milestone with the flagging off of the first Hot Rolled steel export rake from the plant.

T V Narendran, Managing Director of Tata Steel, India and South East Asia, flagged off the export rake to Nepal, a company release said.

The Hot Rolled coils are being exported through Raxaul border to customers in Nepal. In the first export consignment, around 3,000 metric tonnes of Hot Rolled coils are being exported to key customers in that country, it said.

Rajiv Kumar, vice president (Operations), Tata Steel Kalinganagar and senior officials of Tata Steel were present on the occasion.

Tata Steel has set itself an ambitious export target from its Kalinganagar plant to cater to various segments.

The products from Kalinganagar have been very well received in the market and the ramp up is on schedule both in terms of quantity and quality.

Tata Steel is setting up of a six million tonne per annum (MnTPA) integrated steel plant at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district in two phases of three MnTPA each.

The state-of-the-art steel plant, which was dedicated to Odisha in November 2015, started commercial production in May 2016, the release added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang raped by four youths at Velleru village in Krishna district, police said today.

The incident, allegedly occurred last month, came to light today after the girl approached police.

As per her complaint, she was returning to the village on cycle when the accused waylaid her to nearby oil palm grove where they raped her, a senior police officer said, adding the youths are residents of the girl's village.

She didn't disclose the matter as the accused had threatened her with dire consequences, he said.

The girl has been sent to government hospital for medical examination.

A case of rape is registered and attempts are underway to trace the accused.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani today tore into Pakistan's stance of "good terrorists and bad terrorists" saying the approach is "extremely shortsighted" and warned that those who try to block increasing Indo-Afghan trade will be blocked themselves.

Mincing no words, Ghani said Pakistan is a country which celebrates "every single one of its defeat" as victory and every single one of its intelligence failure as a confirmation of conspiracy theory.

In his address at the IDSA here, the Afghan President also said countries that feel threatened by increasing Indo-Afghan cooperation, especially in the military side, "need to change their outlook and not blame others".

Noting that stability does not come through the barrel of the gun, he said, "We see that there is a distinction between good and bad terrorists. Good terrorists are the ones that attack your neighbours, bad terrorists are the ones who attack you. This type of approach is enormously shortsighted. The blowback phenomenon is going to be bad. Terrorism will bite, like a snake, who feeds it".

He stressed on the need for regional cooperation to fight terrorists and said one country's response is "totally insufficient".

Asked about Pakistan blocking road route to Afghanistan via the Wagah border, Ghani said both countries need to worry as their is air connectivity and efforts are on to increase that.

However, he said those who try to block two great nations, will be blocked themselves.

Told that they are reports that he had warned Pakistan that their export to central Asian countries through Afghanistan will be blocked, Ghani said he speaks sternly.

(REOPENS DEL 76)



Ghani said that Afghanistan is land locked but thinks openly and "Pakistan has a coast but acts like a land locked nation".

He said that there is a war in Pakistan that the media doesn't speak about.

"There are 207,000 members of Pakistan Army just in Khyber Patunkhwa and of course in Balochistan. This violence needs coverage. This needs understanding.

"We need to understand why a force of 207,000, which after 1898 is the greatest force assembled, is required there. My humble suggestion is use of force alone is not going to do it. It requires regional common understanding," he said.

However, asked about his views on Balochistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, he said Afghanistan is a mature state and does not believe in interfering in internal affairs of another country.

Ghani also rejected Pakistani allegations that India's external intelligence agency RA&W operates in Afghanistan.

"We don't let our soil be used by anyone against another country," he said and questioned how many members of Haqqani network, who target Afghanistan, has Pakistan killed in comparison to the TTP leaders, who target Pakistan, that the Afghan military has killed.

He stressed on the need for creating jobs to eradicate the source of terror and pointed out that large number of people in Pakistan are falling under poverty line every year.

He said weak market institutions are as bad as a weak state.

Ghani also spoke about the need to revitalise global institutions to fight terror and for faster exchange of information and coordination.
Police has registered a case in connection with alleged threating calls received by mediaperson Dipak Chaurasia after his phone number was tweeted by AAP minister Kapil Mishra.

"A criminal case under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 507( criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication), 509( word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 354D (stalking), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC has been registered at Safdarjung Enclave on the complaint of Anusuiya Roy, wife of Deepak Chaurasia Editor in Chief, India News," said a senior police officer.

Roy alleged that on the intervening night of September 13-14 between 11 PM and 4 AM, Chaurasia received threatening calls and messages from unknown numbers.

The complaint also mentioned that the calls and messages started after Mishra tweeted Chaurasia's phone number.

"Investigation has been taken up. Serious efforts are on to identify the culprits. The calls on Chaurasia's number were made from India as well as abroad including Canada and the numbers are being verified," said the officer.

"We have registered the case against unknown persons only and the name of the minister is not there in the FIR," the officer added.

The incident happened after the numbers of the Chief Minister and Delhi government ministers were flashed in a programme on Chikungunya hosted by Chaurasia on his channel.

Afterwards, Kapil Mishra retaliated by tweeting Chaurasia's number on his own twitter handle.

"Dear Dipak Chaurasia you just showed my personal number on your channel. I think this should not be one sided affair so I will share both your numbers. Enjoy," Mishra tweeted before giving the number on his handle asking followers to retweet the numbers.

Later, however, he deleted his tweet containing Chaurasia's numbers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Police's Special Cell will probe the alleged threatening calls and messages received by mediaperson Dipak Chaurasia after his phone numbers were tweeted by AAP minister Kapil Mishra.

A case was registered at south Delhi's Hauz Khas police station on a complaint by Chaurasia's wife Anusuiya Roy earlier today.

A senior police officer said the case has been handed over to the Special Cell as it is equipped with a fast surveillance system needed to track numbers, even from abroad.

The calls on Chaurasia's number were made from India as well as abroad, including from Canada.

"A criminal case under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 354D (stalking), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC has been registered at Safdarjung Enclave on the complaint of Anusuiya Roy, wife of Deepak Chaurasia, Editor-in-Chief, India News," said the officer.

Roy alleged that on the intervening night of September 13-14 between 11 PM and 4 AM, Chaurasia received threatening calls and messages from unknown numbers.

The complaint also mentioned that the calls and messages started after Mishra tweeted Chaurasia's two mobile numbers.

"Investigation has been taken up. Serious efforts are on to identify the culprits. The calls on Chaurasia's number were made from India as well as abroad including Canada and the numbers are being verified," said the officer.

"We have registered the case against unknown persons only and the name of the minister is not there in the FIR," the officer added.

The incident happened after the mobile numbers of the Delhi government ministers were flashed in a programme on chikungunya hosted by Chaurasia on his channel.

Afterwards, Mishra retaliated by tweeting Chaurasia's number on his own twitter handle.

"Dear Dipak Chaurasia you just showed my personal number on your channel. I think this should not be one sided affair so I will share both your numbers. Enjoy," Mishra tweeted before giving the number on his handle asking followers to retweet the numbers.

Later, however, he deleted his tweet containing Chaurasia's numbers.

Delhi government's Health Minsiter Satyendar Jain too complained that he received 138 calls after his mobile number was flashed by Chaurasia on TV.

"138 calls received since 12.00am after my personal mobile no. Flashed by Deepak Chaurasia on TV(Sic)," Jain tweeted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tight security arrangements have been made here for a day-long tour Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal DahalPrachanda, who will be visiting Jhakri in this district on September 17.

Elaborate security arrangements are being made for the visit of Prachanda who would arrive at Sarahan by helicopter from Chandigarh, a senior police officer said.

Besides deployment of commandos, jawans of reserve battalion and security personnel in plain clothes, bomb diffusion and Dog squads would also be deployed, Inspector General of Police (law and order) Z H Zaidi said.

Also the area would be cordoned off a day in advance, he said.

During his tour here, Prachanda would visit the 1500 MW Nathpa-Jhakri and other projects of Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL), which also run the Arun-3 (900 MW) project in Nepal, he said.

The Prime Minister of Nepal would return in the afternoon after inspecting the project, the officer added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An alleged kingpin of a human trafficking racket, which sold Bangladeshi girls for prostitution in India, has been arrested from his village in West Bengal, police said today.

Sujoy Biswas (33), resident of Laxmipur, was arrested for trafficking girls, mostly minors, for prostitution. He used to bring them from Bangladesh and sell them in different towns and cities of India through his network, said SHO (Udaimandir) Madan Beniwal.

Police produced him at a local court today, which sent him to three days of police custody.

He said the arrests were made by a joint team of the Jodhpur and West Bengal police. A team of the Jodhpur police had left for Bengal three days ago.

"Biswas has earned around Rs1 crore from human trafficking in the past three years," he said.

"We are questioning him about his network and modus operandi," said Beniwal.

Earlier, his local aide, Tumpa, a Bangladesh national, was arrested for attempting to kidnap a 3-year-old girl.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Trai has ordered Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance Jio, BSNL and MTNL to submit call details to examine the traffic pattern on their networks, a move which may help the regulator analyse allegations by RIL group firm against incumbents on interconnection issue.

"Trai has asked telecom operators to submit traffic details for purpose of examining them under interconnection usage paper. Airtel, Vodafone, Jio and public sector firms did not submit even after reminder. Therefore, Trai issued order for them. They have to submit data by September 16," an official source told PTI.

Trai had on August 5 issued a discussion paper to review IUC norms following a complaint by Cellular Operators Association of India against BSNL service that allowed its subscribers to make calls on mobile and landline through a mobile app. COAI alleged that the offer was in violation of licensing norms as well as interconnect pacts.

The data will also help Trai to analyse the more recent allegations by Reliance Jio against incumbent telecom operators - Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular - that they were not providing proper interconnection for its service.

Interconnection is required to enable mobile users to make calls to customers of other telecom networks. A mobile operator levies inter-connection usage charge (IUC) for each incoming call it gets from subscriber of another network.

The BSNL service could not be made operational as the regulator asked to hold the launch till the matter is resolved.

Separately, Reliance Jio, which commercially launched its services on September 5, has accused the incumbent players of not releasing sufficient inter-connection ports which is leading to call drops.

Incumbents have alleged that free calling service being offered by Jio is leading to huge incoming traffic on their network due to which they have to incur huge cost and services of their customers may be adversely impacted.

Airtel last week had asked regulator Trai to find a way to curb the "massive asymmetric traffic" and ensure that receiving networks are not "abused by tsunami of free traffic" from Reliance Jio.

Jio has rejected the allegation saying that outgoing traffic is less than 2 calls per customer per hour even during peak traffic and these calls are not to one operator but distributed over all the operators.

Jio has alleged that 75 per cent of calls made from its network, with most of them on incumbents network, are failing due to insufficient interconnection ports provided by service providers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Donald Trump today handed over a one-page summary of his recent physical on a doctor's television show but the campaign won't reveal what was disclosed.

Trump, ever the showman, appeared on "The Dr. Oz Show" in what was billed by the campaign as a discussion about his general well-being and his family's medical history.

But reversing what aides had said earlier today, Trump handed host Mehmet Oz one-page of results from a physical conducted last week by his longtime physician, Dr. Harold Bornstein.

The show does not air until tomorrow and the campaign declined to immediately disclose the results.

But a release from the show said that "Dr. Oz took Mr. Trump though a full review of his systems" including his nervous system, cardiovascular health, prostate health and family medical history.

Both Trump and his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, have been under increased pressure to release detailed medical records, especially after Clinton was diagnosed with pneumonia and was captured on video stumbling getting into a waiting van at a 9/11 memorial ceremony Sunday.

Bornstein had previously written a note declaring the 70-year-old Trump, if elected, would be the healthiest president in history.

The campaigns of both Trump and Clinton, 68, have said that their candidates would be releasing detailed medical records in the coming days.

The appearance with Oz came hours before Trump was to visit Flint, Michigan to condemn the government failure which led to that city's water crisis. The city's mayor made clear she did not want him to come.

It's the Republican presidential nominee's first visit to the poverty-stricken city since lead was detected in its water supply in April 2014.

He is expected to visit a water plant and a church while denouncing the crisis that affected 100,000 people after the city left Detroit's water supply and started using improperly treated Flint River water.

Trump's visit to Flint, like his one last month to flood-stricken Louisiana, is bound to produce images aimed at persuading Americans that the celebrity businessman can appear presidential.

It also highlights his aims to compete in the industrial Midwest, thought polls have him down in Michigan, which last went Republican in 1988.

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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump today questioned President Barack Obama's move to hold election rallies in support of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton instead of focusing on resolving pressing issues facing the nation.

"Why isn't President Obama working instead of campaigning for Hillary Clinton?" Trump asked in a tweet, a day after the US President went on a campaign trail in the key battelground state of Pennsylvania in support of his former secretary of state.

"Russia took Crimea during the so-called Obama years. Who wouldn't know this and why does Obama get a free pass?" Trump asked in a second tweet.

In his election rally, Obama slammed Trump for his rhetoric and praising Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a fiery speech, Obama said Trump is not fit to be the president of the United States.

Clinton did not attend the rally.

She has been diagnosed of pneumonia and taking rest as advised by her physician. She would resume her election campaigning tomorrow from North Carolina.

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Turkey today blasted the United States' top diplomat in Ankara after the American embassy expressed concern over the ousting of two dozen mayors over suspected links to Kurdish rebels.

In a statement on Sunday, the US embassy in Ankara raised concerns over clashes in the southeast between protesters and police after 28 mayors were suspended mainly for suspected ties with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The embassy called for early local elections to replace the ousted mayors, who had been elected in 2014 polls, "in accordance with Turkish law."



The statement "is unacceptable, in particular for independent countries," Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said, attributing the comments to US ambassador John Bass.

Soylu said "the way he (the ambassador) spoke, like he was trying to provoke us... Has upset us." He said the US administration should warn the ambassador.

"That's what we expect because it is not the right approach," he said. "It is a test of sincerity. It is unacceptable."



Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also conveyed Turkey's "concerns" over the embassy statement during a phone conversation with US Secretary of State John Kerry late Tuesday, foreign ministry sources said.

Speaking in the southern city Antalya Tuesday, Cavusoglu harshly criticised the embassy's statement, saying that the US ambassador was not "a governor" of Turkey.

"None of you are the boss of Turkey," he said. "Your ambassadors are not a governor in Turkey. They should do their job properly."



Diplomats in the hugely sensitive post of American ambassador to Ankara often find themselves hit by brickbats from the government and Bass' predecessor Francis Ricciardone was often hit by similar criticism.

The row comes against the background of strained relations between the United States and Turkey, in the wake of the July 15 failed coup.

Ankara wants Washington to extradite Fethullah Gulen, who it accuses of masterminding the plot and is frustrated by American warnings that the process will take time.

Soylu, who took over from his predecessor Efkan Ala earlier this month in a surprise reshuffle, has hit the ground running in his first days in office.

The suspension of the 28 mayors was welcomed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a decision long overdue.

But in a symbolic gesture, Soylu also announced he was opposed to the removal of a Kurdish-language signs from Diyadin municipality.

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A police force in the East Midlands region of England is using a sniffer dog, specially trained to track downtraces of human semen, to help them in their hunt for rapists.

Derbyshire Constabulary are using the services of Billie the cocker spaniel, whose nose is trained to find DNA evidence used in sexual assault cases.

"He's already been used in numerous investigations and has found further evidence that has resulted in crime scene investigators identifying DNA profiles," Superintendent Dick Hargreaves of Derbyshire Constabulary told 'The Times'.

"We are always looking for innovative ways to improve our service and we're hoping that Billie's skills will lead to more convictions," he said.

The cocker spaniel's nose is so sharp that he can detect as little as a millilitre of sperm, about a third of the average ejaculation, more than a year after it was deposited indoors.

He can even catch the faint whiff of eight-week-old semen outside if it is "protected from the worst of the weather", a leaked police briefing reveals.

Since March this year, Billie has already carried out 13 live searches, according to a document drawn up by Derbyshire police.

Dogs are believed to have a sense of smell that is about 10,000 times more acute than that of humans.

Dogs trained by South Yorkshire police to find bloodstains have previously picked out deposits 14 years after the crime.

The typical dog has several hundred million olfactory receptors in its nose, compared to about six million in humans.

If you scaled up a dog's brain to the same size as a person's, the region that processes scents would be 40 times the size of humans.

Dog noses also channel air into separate airways for sniffing and breathing.

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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon said today he was in talks with Russia and the United States to ensure they press all sides in Syria to guarantee the security of a UN aid convoy ready to head toward the battered city of Aleppo.

Ban said 20 trucks loaded with food and other needed supplies were still at the Turkish border with Syria awaiting the all-clear for the journey to Aleppo.

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In what could give a boost to Andhra Pradesh's efforts at rapid industrialisation, Russia's United Shipping Corporation has evinced interest in setting up a shipbuilding facility in port city Visakhapatnam even as Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu invited Russian corporations to come and invest in the sunrise state.

Taking part in the two-day dialogue of Indo-Russian Defence Industry, jointly organised by FICCI and Economic Development Board (EDB) of AP here in the last two days, United Shipping president Alexey L Rakhmanov said his company would consider making AP its base for both Indian and world markets.

"This will give a major boost to our state," EDB Chief Executive Office J Krishna Kishore said on the development.

Addressing the delegates this afternoon, the Chief Minister said AP, with its longest seacoast, could serve as the gateway for southeast Asian countries.

"You have abundant opportunities here and we are keen to work with you. If we work together, it will be a win-win situation," Naidu told the Russians.

AP currently has seven seaports while an equal number would soon be developed.

"We are strong in information technology. You are strong in many technologies, including aerospace and defence. That is your core competence. We want good relations with Russia," the Chief Minister added.

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice-Admiral H C S Bisht said ties between India and Russia have been most enduring since World War II and Vishakhapatnam has been a key pillar of collaboration.

Hindustan Shipyard Limited chairman Rear Admiral L V Sarat Babu said shipbuilding was central to India's strategic interest and Andhra Pradesh had natural advantages due to its ecosystem.

"The focus of AP government is on indigenisation as 45 per cent of input requirements are currently imported. Indigenisation can contribute to three per cent of GDP and accelerate manufacturing from 16 to 25 per cent," he added.

The EDB CEO said AP has a strong presence of defence public sector units that focused on missile testing, optical and opto-electronic devices manufacturing, satellite launching stations and shipyards.

"It is ideal for attracting investments in aerospace and defence sectors," he added.

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A suburban Indianapolis teenager accused of trying to travel overseas to join the Islamic State militant group has been formally indicted.

A federal grand jury indicted Akram Musleh yesterday on a charge of providing material support to a terrorist organisation. The Brownsburg man, who was 18 at the time of his June arrest, faces a September 23 initial hearing. He's being held in federal custody.

FBI agents arrested Musleh as he tried to board a bus to New York. Prosecutors have said he planned to fly to Morocco and on to territory controlled by the Islamic State. A criminal complaint alleges Musleh intended to join the terror group.

Messages seeking comment were left for two of Musleh's attorneys.

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The American ambassador to Australia has voiced US concerns over China's impact on Australian politics, saying the United States wants the system reformed to remove the influence of Chinese political donations.

Ambassador John Berry said in an interview with The Australian newspaper that the United States is "surprised" by the amount of Chinese money and influence in Australian politics and wants Australia to resolve the foreign donation issue. The embassy confirmed in a statement that Berry had been accurately quoted in the interview, published today.

Last week, the opposition Labor Party called for foreign political donations to be banned after Labour Sen Sam Dastyari stepped down from a senior role for asking a Chinese company to pay a 1,670 Australian dollar (USD 1,250) travel bill.

While Dastyari broke no law, he acknowledged that having the Sydney-based company Top Education Institute pay a personal bill was wrong.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pointed to a Chinese language report that quoted Dastyari as saying, "The South China Sea is China's own affair."



Turnbull said that statement contradicted both the government and the opposition's foreign policy position that China should respect international law in territorial disputes.

The prime minister accused Dastyari, who has been dubbed Shanghai Sam, of saying what Chinese donors paid him to say.

Dastyari said he might have misspoken during the Chinese interview, but said he supported his party's policy.

The issue is broader than Dastyari, with Top Education Institute donating more than AUD 230,000 to both Labour and the ruling conservative Liberal Party.

Unlike the United States, which bans foreign donations, Australian law has never distinguished between donors from Australia and overseas.

Berry said the United States hopes that Australia will protect its "core responsibilities against undue influence from governments that don't share our values."



He said the US objects to Beijing being able to fund political candidates in an Australian election campaign to advance Chinese interests.

"That, to us, is of concern," Berry said in the newspaper interview. "We cannot conceive of a case where a foreign donation from any government, friend or foe, would be considered legitimate in terms of that democracy."



"We have been surprised, quite frankly, at the extent of the involvement of the Chinese government in Australian politics," he added.

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Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul today released a book titled 'Shanti ki Talaash mein Zindagi' written in Hindi by Haridwar-based author and journalist Radhika Nagrath.

"The book is a philosophical treatise written in simple language incorporating interesting examples and anecdotes from day-to-day life," the Governor said in his address after releasing the book in the Raj Bhawan auditorium.

Describing the book as a result of in-depth study of life and people, Paul said it highlighted the importance of leading a life that avoids engaging itself with the superficial side of things.

"The five-thousand-year-old Indian civilisation always advocated a value-based way of living and regarded superficiality as just a Mrigtrishna (illusion), " Paul said, adding, it was onlyappropriate to release the book on the occasion of Hindi Diwas.

Swami Chidananda Saraswati of Rishikesh-based spiritual organisation Paramarth Niketan who was a special guest on the occasion, said there is no limit to human desires and running after them could not bring peace.

He said meditation and introspection were as important for human beings as anchors to boats.

Head of Gayatri Parivar Pranav Pandya said, "Peace is within us while we keep looking for it outside".

He said that if a person attains peace, he or she will get joy and success automatically.

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The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 is receiving tremendous response in the US, members of a high level state delegation said after meeting senior government officials and CEOs of top tech companies here.

In a bid to promote the business summit that will take place in January next year, the delegation led by Bharat Lal, Resident Commissioner, Government of Gujarat, organised roadshows and met with business leaders.

The delegation also met with Indo-American Chamber of Greater Houston (IACCGH) earlier this week and received huge positive response from the business community.

"Vibrant Gujarat is connecting India to the world," Lal said.

"Our objective is to interact with government officials and the business community during this roadshow in Canada and USA, to attract investors, scientist, and entrepreneurs from all over the world to come to Gujarat and participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017," he told PTI at the reception organised by Consul General of India, Dr Anupam Ray.

"Vibrant Gujarat is the biggest platform for enabling business in India. In the post GST (Goods and Services Tax Bill) scenario, when India becomes 'One Nation - One Market', Gujarat holds a unique distinction with favourable geographical location, state-of-the-art infrastructure and sound policies," he said.

"We have had various meeting with leading companies across USA and had an amazing response. People are very excited about GST... Business industry is bullish, they think this is the right time to invest.

Underlining the rapid economic development that is taking place under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lal referred to Gujarat as being the driving engine of Indian growth.

"The state accounts for 19 per cent of industrial output, 41 per cent of cargo exports and 10 per cent of India's manufacturing industries," he said, adding that Gujarat ranked number one in "ease of doing business".

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett who was special invitee at the roadshow said Houston is looking forward to Prime Minister Modi's visit in the near future.

His visit will further strengthen the ties between Houston businesses and India, he added.

India's Counsel General Ray said India is the world's largest fastest growing economy and India and the US are natural partners.

The delegation was accompanied by government officials, CEO Invest India and senior executives from GIFT City, iCREATE, Cadilla Pharmaceuticals, Gujarat Agro, Suzlon Group, Reliance, and GSPC among others.

They met around 100 top officials of Houston based companies during the roadshow and series of one-to-one meetings.

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government is coming up with two big PPP models in the tourism industry, including the country's largest tourism hub, state tourism minister Gautam Deb said on Wednesday.

The proposed PPP models will be at Gajaldoba near Siliguri and in Jharkhali region of Sunderbans.

Rs 130 crore have been spent on power, infrastructure, roads, water supply etc. In Gajaldoba, he said.

"This will be India's largest tourism hub. We will have safari rides there," Deb said at the annual general meeting of the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.

The second PPP model, in Jharkhali region, will have "water bodies and mangroves. It is going to have a unique Sundarban flavour," the minister said.
The spouse of slain scribe Rajdev Ranjan today moved Supreme Court seeking transfer of probe and trial in the murder case to Delhi from Siwan in Bihar alleging that media reports have shown two absconding killers of her husband in the company of recently-released RJD leader Shahabuddin and Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav.

The furore over the release of the RJD strongman from Siwan has now reached the apex court through various petitions.

Asha Ranjan, wife of Rajdev Ranjan who has filed the plea through advocate Kislay Panday, has sought reliefs including a direction to CBI, to which probe has been transferred, to take up the investigation forthwith in view of the fact that the proclaimed offenders, Mohd Kaif and Mohd Javed, have been spotted with Shahabuddin and the state Health Minister, where several cops were also present.

Simultaneously, Chandrakeshwar Prasad of Siwan, whose three of four sons were allegedly murdered by the gangster- turned-politician, would tomorrow file an appeal in the apex court challenging Patna High Court's order granting bail to the former RJD MP through his lawyer Prashant Bhushan.

The scribe, working with a vernacular daily, was shot dead on the evening of May 13 in Siwan town by some sharp- shooters allegedly at the instance of then jailed RJD leader, the plea alleged, adding that despite being named by the family of the journalist, Siwan police did not name Shahabuddin in the FIR as a key conspirator.

The plea also alleged that CBI, to which the case was handed over on May 16 by Bihar government, was yet take it up.

Besides Bihar government, the plea has made Superintendent of Police of Siwan, Shahabuddin and Tej Pratap, minister son of RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad, as parties.

"The local police is harbouring and criminally colluding with the proclaimed offenders. If police is deliberately not arresting Kaif and the Health Minister is taking photographs with the proclaimed offenders, the life of Rajdeo Ranjan's wife and her two minor children is at stake," Panday said.

It has been alleged that the RJD leader was irked over some reports by the slain journalist on the issue of murder of three sons of Chandrakeshwar Prasad. The leader has been convicted and awarded life term in one of the cases.

"At this stage the petitioner has felt very insecure, terrorised and helpless with regard to the safety and security of her own self and of her two children...," it said.

The plea has sought lodging of an FIR against Shahabuddin



and Tej Pratap Yadav for "conspiring, harbouring and sheltering proclaimed offenders" of the murder case.

Raising the question of law, the wife of the slain scribe said sought transfer of "the entire proceedings and the trial...,in the interests of justice, to Delhi from Siwan." It also said that a status report be sought from the CBI about the progress made so far in the case.

"Direct the state to pay the appropriate compensation to the petitioner and her family members as per law," it said adding that the state be asked to ensure "respectable and appropriate free of cost and safe residential accommodation to the petitioner and her family out of Bihar".

The other plea, likely to be filed tomorrow by Prashant Bhushan, would challenge the Patna High Court's order granting bail to the former RJD MP.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan's office said they were giving final shape to the petition in which they are challenging how bail can be given to a "history sheeter".

"We are filing the appeal tomorrow on behalf of victims' father Chandrakeshwar Prasad alias Chandra Babu. We are on way to give final shape to the appeal and it will be filed tomorrow in which several grounds are taken.

"We will be challenging how bail has been given to a person who is a history sheeter. Facts are being verified about the number of cases etc and convictions that have taken place against him," advocate Rohit Singh from Bhushan's office said.

Shahabuddin, who was granted bail by the Patna High Court on September 7, was released from Bhagalpur jail on September 10. He was in jail for 11 years in connection with dozens of cases against him.

Controversial RJD strongman Shahabuddin was granted bail in the 2014 murder case of Rajiv Roshan, son of Chandrakeshwar Prasad.

Roshan was a witness to the murder of his brothers Gitish and Satish, who were drenched with acid and killed in 2004. The trial for Roshan's murder is yet to start.

Meanwhile, facing flak over Shahabuddin's release from jail, the Bihar government is also reportedly considering filing an appeal in the Supreme Court against the bail granted to him.
The Gujarat BJP will ensure that at-least seven lakh people download the ' App', a party office bearer said on Thursday.

"This will be gift from the BJP unit in Gujarat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 67th birthday on September 17," Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani said after addressing party workers here.

"The state unit of the party will ensure that at-least 7 lakh people download the ' App'," he added.

Meanwhile, the party's state unit has organised week-long programmes including cleanliness drives to celebrate Modi's birthday.

MP Ranjanben Bhatt and mayor Bharat Dangar were also present on the occasion.
President for the 71st session of the UN General Assembly Peter Thomson has said combating terrorism, moving the reform process forward and ensuring implementation of the new global development goals will be his focus in the current session.

The 193-member General Assembly opened its 71st session yesterday, a week before world leaders gather at the UN for the high-level General Debate beginning on September 20.

The session is the last for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, whose 10-year tenure end in December.

Thomson, who had been serving as Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations until his appointment, said his focus will be the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, combating terrorism, moving the reform process forward and the refugee crisis engulfing the world.

He said the 70th Session launched the Sustainable Development Goals and for "integrity's sake" the 71st session must be the year "we witness the wheels turning on the implementation of all 17 SDGs".

The theme of the 71st session is 'The Sustainable Development Goals: A Universal Push to Transform our World.'

Over the next fifteen years, with the aim of achieving the SDGs, countries will mobilise efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

He underscored that the reform of the UN Security Council is "work at hand" for the 71st session.

"The membership is unanimous in agreeing that reform is necessary to align the Security Council with the realities of the 21st Century, not least of which will be the security consequences of climate change. The question is not whether reform is necessary, but how and in what form it will be achieved.

"And since reform is required in the best interests of the community of nations as a whole, it is therefore logical that the community as a whole must move forward together in resolving reform. I am committed to facilitating this movement in the 71st session," he said.

He added that the current session will be also special in that his office will have the experience of working with two Secretaries-General.

The search for the best possible candidate to fill the post is approaching its final stages.

"As President of the Assembly I will dedicate myself to facilitation of the transition process, and will be available at all times to assist the incoming Secretary-General settle into her or his responsibilities of office," he said.

He added that the link between sustainable development, peace and security, and human rights has never been more explicit, drawing attention to next week's high-level meeting on large movements of refugees and migrants.

"I regret the evidence of widespread lack of empathy for people on the move, many of whom are fleeing from conflict, persecution, or climate change [...] It is time to turn down the rhetoric of intolerance and ratchet up a collective response based on our common humanity," he said.

In the area of peace and security, the Assembly President said the 71st session must build on the review of counter-terrorism strategy, including the Secretary-General's Plan of Action on Violent Extremism, and act on improving the UN architecture to face these threats.
Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sanjeev Kumar Balyan today said the recurring flood and erosion problems of Assam will be tackled in an "attacking mode".

"So far we have been in a defensive mode in tackling the flood and erosion problem of Assam. But, from now on we will go for an attacking mode," Balyan said at a press meet here.

For this and construction of embankments, 66 projects have been submitted by the state government to the Centre requiring Rs 10,000 crore, he said.

Stating that the Centre has asked the Assam government to sort out the projects according to priority, Balyan said the allocation would be made in a phased manner.

A fund Rs 1,500 crore lying with the World Bank, Rs 367 crore with Asian Development Bank and Rs 400 crore with the Union DoNER ministry could be utilised for flood and erosion control, he said adding NABARD could also be approached for loans with the Assam government chipping in with their own contributions.

The Union Minister said Assam has lost four lakh hectares of its land to erosion.

Pointing that out only 10 per cent of agricultural land in Assam is irrigated, Balyan wanted more land to be included so that farmers go for multi-cropping with incentives such as solar powered tube wells provided to them.

Speaking about three irrigation schemes started in the 1980s remaining incomplete till now, he said funds would be released by this month for their completion by March next year.

The three projects were the Rs 567 crore river Dhansiri scheme for irrigating 83,000 hectares, Rs 309 crore river Champaboti scheme for 16,581 hectares and Rs 157 crore Borolia river scheme for 13,562 hectares.

Speaking about the Brahmaputra, Balyan said there was a consensus that a study should be undertaken to understand the river and come up with long lasting solutions for the recurring floods and erosion problems caused by it.

Assam and central government officials with experts could also work together for resolving the problem, he said.

On Majuli, considered Asia's largest river island in the Brahmaputra, Balyan said the DoNER Ministry would soon announce a Rs 260 crore project for tackling its flood and erosion problems.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Badaliyya is a movement based on the concept of BADAL (an Arabic word for "Substitution" or "Ransom". The inspiration comes from the "understanding" that interreligious relation, is primarily a movement of LOVE - a PASSIONATE LOVE that moves one to offer his/her life that others may have life and life to the full. It is a movement of self-expenditure... The model is Jesus Christ in the cross who paid the price by being a RANSOM for us! Bapa Eliseo "Jun" Mercado, OMI
BJP today accused Congress of neglecting women during its rule.

Addressing a one-day Bharatiya Janata Mahila Morcha Working Committee Meeting here, its president Vijaya Rahatkar claimed only BJP has been concerned about the social and economic upliftment of women.

"Narendra Modi after becoming the Prime Minister launched a number of welfare schemes with an objective of making women self dependent and make her lead a dignified life in the society," she said.

She highlighted several initiaves of Modi Government like Beti Bachao Beti Padao, Mudra Bank, Kanya Samridi Yojana, formulation of national women policy, passing of Bill on maternity leave for the empowerment of women.

Rahatkar said Jammu and Kashmir is the land of sacrifices and every nationalist feels pride in getting associated with work which is undertaken here.

State BJP President and MLA Sat Sharma said BJP has given 33 per cent reservation to women in its organisational setup and is committed to ensure that they get due representation in decision making bodies like Parliament and state Assembly.

He said the coalition government in the state has also launched exclusive schemes for women like Ladli Beti, Scooty Scheme and Marriage Assistance Scheme similar to Central government initiaves.

Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh lauded the contribution of women activists in giving the party strength in all three regions of the state.

"We claim that we are a party with difference because it is neither caste or region-based nor run by a family," he said, stressing the welfare schemes launched by the Centre and the state governments need to be popularised among the people.

State Education Minister Priya Sethi elaborated on the welfare schemes being launched for women by the state government and claimed that for the first time due care has been taken for women while formulating new projects.

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The Bombay High Court today said zero tolerance will be adopted for any kind of construction that comes up in violation of height regulations near both domestic and international airports in the city.

A division bench headed by Justice V M Kanade made the observation while hearing an application filed by the developer of a residential building near the international airport.

In the application, the developer has sought a stay on an order passed by the HC directing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to demolish the top three floors of the building built in violation of height regulation norms.

The HC, on August 10, asked the civic body to demolish three floors of the building, developed by SAILEE Developers Pvt Ltd, as it is very close to the runway and overshoots the permissible height limit. The DGCA allowed construction up to 13.9 metres, but the building is 24.7 metres high.

The developers today filed an application seeking a stay on the demolition order and argued they were not aware if the height was to be calculated from the main sea level or the runway level.

The HC, however, refused to accept the argument and said the developers have earlier also misrepresented facts before the authorities and constructed buildings.

"There will be zero tolerance for such kind of constructions near the airport. You (developer) should have demolished the floors on your own after learning that it is in violation of the height regulations," Justice Kanade said.

The HC posted the application for further hearing on September 20 along with the two petitions on height violations around the airport. The demolition was ordered on August 10 during a hearing on them.

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By Sankalp Phartiyal and Devidutta Tripathy

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's Reliance Communications Ltd is to combine its wireless business with smaller rival Aircel to create the nation's third-biggest mobile phone network operator in terms of subscribers, as intensifying competition pushes consolidation in the world's second-biggest market.

Reliance Communications, controlled by billionaire Anil Ambani, and Aircel's parent Malaysia's Maxis Communications Bhd will each own 50 percent of the merged carrier, the two sides said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

The merged business with more than 190 million customers will overtake Idea Cellular Ltd in terms of subscription numbers although will still lag it in terms of revenue.

Currently Reliance Communications is the fourth-largest mobile carrier by subscribers, while Aircel ranks sixth in the market of 10 players led by Bharti Airtel Ltd and Vodafone Group Plc's Indian unit.

With more than 1 billion mobile phone subscriptions, India's telecoms market is the world's second-biggest behind China, but tough competition means low margins.

Competition is intensifying further with Reliance Jio, a new 4G telecoms venture backed by Anil's elder brother and India's richest man Mukesh Ambani, that started operations this month is expected to shake up the market with its cut-rate services.

"We expect this combination to create substantial long-term value for shareholders of both ... given the benefits of the wide-ranging spectrum portfolio and significant revenue and cost synergies," Reliance Communications Chairman Anil Ambani said in the statement.

The two sides are also talking to international investors about injecting more equity capital into the combined business, the companies said in the statement. Reliance Communications will separately run its enterprise business comprising undersea cables and data centres after the deal closure in 2017.

"It is just another way of surviving," Jigar Shah, chief executive at Maybank Kimeng Securities India, said of the deal. "They can become better only if the two partners bring further cash into the business and they buy a reasonable amount of 4G spectrum."

In the first sign of sector consolidation, Reliance Communications in November agreed to buy Russian conglomerate Sistema's Indian mobile phone business in an all-stock deal. That transaction has yet to be completed.

DEBT BURDEN

The combined business will have debt of about 280 billion rupees ($4.2 billion) as Reliance Communications and Aircel transfer some debt into the new entity, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said.

The deal will help cut Reliance Communication's debt by 200 billion rupees ($3 billion), or more than 40 percent of its total debt, while Aircel's debt will fall by about 40 billion rupees, the companies said, without disclosing their latest debt levels.

As of end-March, Reliance Communications had net debt of 413.62 billion rupees. Closely-held Aircel had 185 billion rupees of debt as of 2013, according to rating agency ICRA. Reliance Communications, the most leveraged listed telecoms carrier, also has plans to sell its telecoms masts to cut debt.

The companies had entered into exclusive talks in December last year for the deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals and consent of creditor banks.

Goldman Sachs, SBI Capital Markets, Standard Chartered and A.T. Kearney were among the advisors for the deal.

($1 = 66.8061 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Sankalp Phartiyal and Devidutta Tripathy; Editing by Louise Heavens, Greg Mahlich)

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submitted before the Delhi High Court on Wednesday it would not share contents of messages sent by users with its parent company Facebook (or its affiliate entities), as part of their data-sharing policy, which is expected to come into effect on September 25.


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Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry has revealed the challenges he faced after taking over the job of one the biggest and most successful industrialists in India, Ratan Tata.

Mistry reflected on the early days as the chairman of Tata Group and said he understood the significance of his new role in an interview to the company's in-house magazine.

"When I assumed office as the group chairman, I was acutely aware of a few things. I knew I was not leading a single company, but was at the helm of a unique institution with a rich and glorious history," he said.

Mistry was appointed as the chairman of Tata Group on 28 December 2012 . He had to fill the shoes of a man who had helmed the group for 21 years and was credited for transforming the group through bold decisions including large global acquisitions.

"I was very conscious that we had a powerful foundation that had been nurtured over the last fifteen decades, and we now needed to build the capabilities that would allow us to succeed for the next 150 years," Mistry said.

But, it was not just Ratan Tata's retirement, there were many other senior executives in the company who were hanging their boots around the same time.

"For this peerless institution, this was more than a routine change of guard at the leadership level. It was a generational change. Many senior executives who had helped shape the group for decades were retiring around the same time. There was great institutional knowledge with them which I needed to imbibe before they called it a day. Therefore, my initial approach was to adopt a listening mode," he said.

Instead of using his authority as the top boss, Mistry gave more importance to earning the trust of his employees and other stakeholders.

"I also recognised that to successfully lead the group, instead of relying on the position of chairman as the primary basis of my authority, I needed to earn the trust and respect of all our chief executives, the boards of directors and external stakeholders. This meant building enough depth of knowledge about specific domains to ask the right questions, while exposing myself to a variety of views on geopolitics, technology and societal issues. A learning orientation on my part was essential," he said.

Gradually, Mistry developed a strategy that focused on companies that needed more attention and one that put customers at the centre.

"After obtaining a deeper understanding of the group, I focused on identifying areas that needed special attention. Then, several important group-wide initiatives were launched, leveraging the newly formed Group Executive Council (GEC) and other group resources for implementation. On the people side, we initiated interventions to improve engagement and the quality of life. We developed a customer manifesto to enhance customer centricity," he said.

Mistry said that he learnt a lot from watching his predecessor early on.

"During my first year, I had the opportunity to concurrently serve, alongside Mr Tata, on the boards of many of our operating companies. One of the most positive takeaways from these interactions was the ease with which Mr Tata wore two hats. While sitting on the board of the operating company, his first duty was to the company and its board; equally, he represented the promoter company and its interests," he said
Grocery delivery start-up Grofers has sought government's approval for foreign direct investment to carry out trading in food products.

The government has recently permitted 100 per cent FDI under government approval for trading, including through e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured or produced in India.

As per the information on the website of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Grofers India Pvt Ltd has sought approval "to undertake trading including through e-commerce in food products manufactured and/or produced in India".

Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has said India's food processing industry is expected to treble in coming years on the back of a higher economic growth.

The size of the industry is about Rs 1.5 lakh crore.

The food processing ministry has proposed to organise the World Food Summit in 2017 that would act as a single platform for investors, technology solution providers, processors, manufacturers and all other relevant national and international stakeholders.
For the fourth time in the last 45 days, Bangalore shut down, this time on the issue of sharing Cauvery water. The unprecedented scenes of violence and destruction have been reported extensively.

A bandh had been called earlier by trade unions. Irrespective of the reason and justification cited for these bandhs, what is worrying is 'Brand Bangalore' - assiduously built and cultivated over a few decades - is getting severely dented.

A large part of Bangalore's appeal, especially for new economy companies in sectors like Infotech, Biotech and startups, has been the cosmopolitan culture of the city. Its easy going nature, welcoming of migrants and allowing them to assimilate into the weft and warp of the city has been its strength. These are the reasons why Bangalore has emerged among the world's top 10 start-up hubs and named as the second fastest growing one.

Which is why the recent spate of frequent bandhs, leading to the whole city being shutdown and normal life being paralysed, is a worrisome development. Attacks on sections of citizens are deplorable in the strongest possible terms. Grievances, however genuine, cannot be resolved by either violence or by industry and trade activity being forced to come to a standstill.

When an eminent citizen of the city, like Kiran Mazumdar Shaw of Biocon, appealed that 'Bangalore should not be converted to Bandhalaru,' the assault on her - through social media and other fora by a section of people - was so severe, that she had to clarify and withdraw her remark. Another noted Bangalorean, Venture Investor and former CFO of Infosys, T V Mohandas Pai, has bemoaned that he is afraid to even speak out because of the current climate of fear and intimidation.

The US even issued an advisory cautioning its citizens travelling to Bangalore. This for a city which houses virtually every possible major American company's Indian operations including the likes of IBM, Cisco, Microsoft, GE and Accenture.

In a democratic polity like ours, dissension is both common and frequent given the competing pulls and pressures of different interest groups. However, care should be taken to ensure that repeated bandhs don't destroy the brand equity of Bangalore. The government, industry, political parties, NGOs and everybody else needs to join hands to ensure that Brand Bangalore doesn't get permanently dented.
India is likely to post its first current account surplus in nine years in the latest quarter, which should bolster the rupee though it is not a good sign for the economy as it reflects weak investment demand at home and subdued exports, analysts said.

Forecasts given by investment houses' research notes and from analysts that Reuters spoke to showed expectations centering on a surplus INCURA=ECI of $4 billion, or 0.8 percent of GDP, in April-June quarter.

That compared with a deficit of $6.2 billion, equivalent to 1.2 percent of GDP, in the same quarter a year ago. And, if the forecasts prove correct it will be the first surplus since January-March 2007, though India is unlikely to keep the surpluses coming.

For the full year ending in March 2017, India is likely to post a deficit even lower than last year's 1.1 percent of GDP, as foreign investment inflows remain steady - and that should be broadly supportive for the rupee.

Analysts have revised down their forecasts for the 2016/17 deficit to below 1.0 percent from earlier projections of between 1.2-1.5 percent.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to release the June quarter data this month.

For a developing economy like India slow import growth is a negative sign, as it reflects weak investment demand because Indian firms need to buy capital goods and machinery from abroad.

That weakness in the economy, analysts say, could persuade the RBI to keep liquidity easy for now. The RBI is also unlikely to let the rupee strengthen too much, and any central bank action to take dollars out of the market will add to rupee liquidity.

"The improvement in current account deficit is definitely positive for the rupee..." said A Prasanna, economist at ICICI Securities Primary Dealership Ltd. "But it is not a cause for celebration, so far as the RBI is concerned, as it is a reflection of weak investment demand which is impacting the pick up in imports."

Trade data released last month showed imports fell 16.33 percent to $114 billion in the four months through July thanks to lower gold and oil import bills, while exports fell 3.62 percent to $87 billion.
Amid Opposition's criticism of alleged manipulation in Jan Dhan figures, government officials on Tuesday said deposits under this flagship financial inclusion scheme have crossed Rs 42,000 crore-mark and the percentage of zero-balance accounts has fallen below 25 per cent.

Since April, there has been an addition of about Rs 6,000 crore under the Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).

At the beginning of the financial year, the deposit base was about Rs 36,000 crore and it increased to Rs 42,504 crore as on September 7.

The balance in Jan Dhan accounts has been steadily rising and the government will use such accounts for direct benefit transfers with a view check pilferage, officials said, while adding that these balances have stayed with the banks for a long time.

As many as 24.27 crore accounts have been opened under the scheme and the percentage of zero balance has come down to 24.43 per cent.

"No target has been set for reduction of zero balance account, instead strategy is that these accounts are ready for DBT purpose and ensure that there are banking trails for various transactions," they said.

Besides, the objective is to inculcate banking habits among unbanked population, officials added.

There were reports that some bankers have deliberately deposited small amount in PMJDY accounts so that they do not remain under the category of zero balance.

The Congress today latched on to the reports of "sly game" of depositing Re 1 to reduce the number of zero-balance Jan Dhan accounts to accuse the Modi government of "fooling the nation" through "lies, deceit and trickery".

"Rhetoric and 'jumlas' having become the sole hallmark of his government. The Prime Minister seems to be buying the loyalty of people at the rate of Re 1," the party said.

PMJDY, a national mission on financial inclusion, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day - 2014 speech and was formally launched by him on August 28 of same year with the main objective of covering all households with at least one bank account per household across the country.
DC Explosion Leaves Key Hillary Clinton Witness DEAD!!!

us pOLITICS lIVE ^ | September 10, 2016

Posted on by UMCRevMom@aol.com

Breaking News: DC Explosion Leaves Key Hillary Clinton

At least two people were found dead and several more heavily injured in a DC explosion that happened early this morning  officials said.

Assistant Chief Russ Hamill of the Montgomery County Police told reporters Friday that two bodies were found in the ashes of an old building and several more were heavily injured, after an explosion leveled an apartment building early this morning. The scene will be handled as a death investigation said Russ.

The identity of one of the victims is yet to be published but the speculators are saying that it belongs to a key witness against the Clintons.

Hamill said that more than 20 people were taken to the hospital. Many of them are suffering from injuries they sustained while they were jumping out of the windows in a hope they will survive.

The neighbours are saying that dozens more are missing, and it is believed that a long time insider and key witness is among those.

The identities of the victims are yet to be confirmed. First we have to contact the families of the deceased and afterwards we will come up with the full list of victims  said Hamill.

All eyes are on the mysterious deaths that are surrounding the Clintons lately, especially those who were labeled as "suicides."
The United States and Israel have reached final agreement on a record new package of at least $38 billion in US military aid and the 10-year pact is expected to be signed this week, sources close to the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

The deal will represent the biggest pledge of US military assistance made to any country but also involves major concessions granted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to officials on both sides.

Those include Israel's agreement not to seek additional funds from Congress beyond what will be guaranteed annually in the new package, and also to phase out a special arrangement that has allowed Israel to spend part of its US aid on its own defense industry instead of on American-made weapons, the officials said.

Israel's chief negotiator, Jacob Nagel, acting head of Netanyahu's national security council, arrived in Washington overnight in preparation for a signing ceremony with US National Security Adviser Susan Rice, according to one source familiar with the matter.

Nearly 10 months of drawn-out aid negotiations have underscored continuing friction between US President Barack Obama and Netanyahu over last year's US-led nuclear deal with Iran, Israel's arch-foe. The United States and Israel have also been at odds over the Palestinians.

But the right-wing Israeli leader decided it would be best to forge a new arrangement with Obama, who leaves office in January, rather than hoping for better terms from the next US administration, according to officials on both sides.

A deal now allows him to avoid uncertainties surrounding the next president, whether Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump, and to give Israel's defense establishment the ability to plan ahead.

Obama's aides want a new deal before his presidency ends, seeing it as an important part of his legacy. Republican critics accuse him of not being attentive enough to Israel's security, which the White House strongly denies.

Israel has long been a major recipient of US aid, mostly in the form of military assistance against a backdrop of an ebbing and flowing conflict with the Palestinians and Israel's neighbors, as well as threats from Iran.

The 10-year aid packages underpin Washington's congressionally mandated requirement to help maintain Israel's "qualitative military edge" in the region.

MISSILE DEFENSE

The deal, known as a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, calls for at least $3.8 billion a year in aid, up from $3.1 billion annually under the current pact, which expires in 2018, officials say. Netanyahu had originally sought upwards of $4.5 billion a year.

The new package for the first time will incorporate money for Israeli missile defense, which until now has been funded ad hoc by Congress. US lawmakers have in recent years given Israel up to $600 million in annual discretionary funds for this purpose.

Officials say Israel has agreed not to lobby Congress for additional missile defense funds during the life of the new MOU, a pledge expected to be made in a side letter or annex to the agreement. But the wording is likely to be flexible enough to allow exceptions in case of a war or other major crisis.

Barring a last-minute snag, the new agreement is expected to be officially rolled out this week, one source close to the matter said. Another source familiar with the negotiations confirmed that the signing would be "in the coming days".

It will not be signed by Obama and Netanyahu, who have had a fraught relationship, but instead by two of their senior aides, in keeping with the way the two governments have formally sealed previous deals of this type.

Netanyahu gave ground on several major points. He conceded to a US demand for a gradual phasing-out of the amount of aid money - now 26.3 percent - that Israel can spend on its own military industries rather than on American products. The provision originated in the 1980s to help Israel build up its defense industry, which is now a major global player.

Netanyahu also agreed to end Israel's use of 13 percent of the US money on military fuel purchases, officials said.

Obama and Netanyahu will both be in New York next week for the opening of the U.N. General Assembly, and officials have not ruled out the possibility of a meeting on the sidelines.

Negotiators working behind closed doors had all but completed the new package several weeks ago. But an announcement was quietly put on hold as objections were raised by a key pro-Israel lawmaker, Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham, who had called for a more generous and less restrictive aid package, sources familiar with the matter said.

It was unclear, however, whether the administration's differences with Graham had been resolved or it had decided to go ahead with the announcement anyway.

US congressional approval is needed each year for disbursement of the aid to Israel as part of the annual budget process. But little opposition is expected in Congress, where support for Israel's security is strong.
The president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, sought on Wednesday to rally support for the European Union, saying the bloc battered by the UK Brexit referendum was not about to break up despite its existential crisis.

In setting out the Commission's plans for the first time since the UK voted to exit the EU on June 23, Juncker highlighted the British referendum as a warning that the EU faces a battle for survival against nationalism in Europe.

"The European Union doesn't have enough union," Juncker told the European Parliament in Strasbourg, noting his own executive was limited in its response to problems by division among states that was the worst he had seen in three decades in EU politics.

"There are splits out there and often fragmentation exists," he said. "That is leaving scope for galloping populism."

But he underlined he believed the world's biggest trade bloc was still an important force. "The EU as such is not at risk."

Proof of that, Juncker said, was the success of a new European investment fund that the former Luxembourg premier proposed to double to 630 billion euros ($707 billion) by 2022 to help with a sharp fall in spending since the global financial crisis, helping projects from airports to broadband networks.

The 48-minute speech drew a standing ovation from the main parties in an assembly dominated by supporters of closer European integration, but there was scorn from eurosceptics, including Marine Le Pen, the French National Front leader, and Nigel Farage, the triumphant Brexit campaigner from UKIP.

The pro-Brexit British Conservative leader, Syed Kamall was also dismissive: "Today was billed as a relaunch, but sadly it's fundamentally the same mantra we've heard year after year," he said, criticizing plans for more EU military cooperation -- something long blocked by Britain, whose voice no longer counts.

AFRICA FUND

Juncker also wanted to extend the fund to the private sector in Africa to help curb emigration to Europe, starting with a pot of 44 million euros that could also be doubled later on.

An Africa fund was part of Juncker's efforts to stress a more positive agenda, particularly over the migration crisis that has deeply divided the European Union. He also had veiled criticism of eastern European countries unwilling to take in refugees from North Africa and the Middle East.

"Solidarity must come from the heart. It cannot be forced," Juncker said.

But the Juncker address offered few clues to the talks with London that the EU insists cannot start until Prime Minister Theresa May formally sets starts a two-year countdown to British departure. Juncker urged that to be done quickly and reiterated the EU negotiating position that Britain could not retain its full EU market access if it blocks free immigration from the EU.

"There can be no a la carte access to the single market," he said of British hopes to cut immigration and keep free trade.

A summit of the 27 EU leaders in Bratislava on Friday is also unlikely to shed much light on the Brexit issue. Juncker will travel there to urge national leaders to remember the big picture and stop their "bickering."

"What are we instilling in terms of values in our children. Is this a union that has forgotten its past, has no vision for the future? Our children deserve better," Juncker said, speaking of his own father, a war veteran who died last month.

BORDER GUARDS

With Germany and France both facing major elections in the coming year, major changes in the Union are unlikely, but EU officials are concerned that left-right political tensions over fiscal policy in the euro zone or divisions over taking in refugees will jeopardize the cohesion of the bloc.

Juncker also urged states to complete the setting up of a European Border and Coast Guard, a project driven by last year's chaotic arrival of over a million migrants and refugees, and proposed new cooperation among EU armies, as well as pushing for an acceleration of capital markets union.

Claiming success in fostering investment by the application of seed capital and guarantees from the EU and national governments, the Commission has put the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) at the heart of its economic policy.

Set up last year to run for three years until 2018 with a target of mobilizing 315 billion euros of investment, the current EFSI target is based on 21 billion euros of EU money being leveraged 15 times by other investors.

However, as the EU's current, seven-year budget program ends in 2020, the total target will rise to 500 billion euros for five years and the Commission will call on member states to add to their contributions.

Brussels says the fund could also serve to bolster Internet connectivity across the bloc.

"We propose today to equip every European city with wireless internet," Juncker said, revealing the kind of project he hopes can help build some love for the EU among ordinary voters. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Britain's exit from the European Union creates an opportunity to rethink the bloc's burdensome solvency rules for insurers to better serve consumers, British lawmakers said on Tuesday.

Prudential, Aviva and the Lloyd's of London insurance market comply with EU rules known as Solvency II that came into force in January.

Overseeing their implementation was the single biggest task last year for the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority arm, and cost millions of pounds for insurers in systems changes.

"Brexit provides an opportunity for the UK to assume greater control of insurance regulation," parliament's Treasury Select Committee said in a statement. It will open an inquiry into the EU's Solvency II insurance rules.

The findings are likely to shape the new regulatory framework that will be needed once Britain leaves the bloc.

"Among its manifest shortcomings was the failure to secure value for money over its implementation. The Treasury Committee will now take a look at the Brexit inheritance on insurance to see what improvements can be made in the interests of the consumer," the committee said.

Britain is the world's third-largest insurance and long-term savings industry in the world, and the largest in the EU, contributing 29 billion pounds to UK economic output in 2012.

Complying with Solvency II has meant that insurers in Britain can write policies and offer other services to customers across the EU.

But once Britain leaves the bloc, it is unclear for the time being if these "passporting" rights will continue in any form.

"Is Solvency II a price worth paying for the passporting of insurance services across the European Economic Area?" the committee asked.

The ABI, which represents the insurance sector in Britain, said it would respond to the parliamentary committee's "pertinent set of questions".

Lloyd's of London and some of underwriters that operate on its market, such as Hiscox, have said they would consider shifting some operations to the EU if there were no passporting rights in order to continue serving continental customers.

The committee will also look at whether Solvency II rules make it harder for UK insurers to compete with their U.S. counterparts. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
The UK markets regulator is seeking to ban a former Barclays executive from holding senior roles in the UK financial services industry, alleging he recklessly made misleading statements about a 2012 report into the culture of a bank unit.

The FCA alleged Andrew Tinney, the former chief operating officer of Barclays' wealth and investment management division, did not circulate a report from consultants, which said the bank's U.S. wealth unit had a "high risk" culture that was "actively hostile to compliance".

Tinney, who left Barclays in 2013, is contesting the FCA decision and has referred it to the Upper Tribunal, a body that hears challenges to regulatory notices.

"I do not accept that any of my actions can be construed as misconduct and ... I look forward to finishing the job of clearing my good name in the Upper Tribunal," he said in an emailed statement on Wednesday. Tinney left Barclays in 2013.

The FCA said Tinney was appointed chairman of a steering committee in early 2012 tasked with overseeing a remediation programme after a U.S. regulator found deficiencies in the wealth division's U.S. branch, Barclays Wealth Americas (BWA).

A consultancy, hired to examine the culture at BWA, produced a 29-page report which Tinney received in March 2012 and which the FCA said included statements and quotes from interviews of employees who were "highly critical" of some senior BWA managers.

The FCA said that according to the report, BWA had pursued a course of "revenue at all costs". Its main recommendation was that the firm should replace or consider replacing some senior BWA managers.

After discussing its contents with his manager, the FCA alleged Tinney ensured the report would not be seen or made available to others, did not add it to the firm's records or IT systems and told the consultancy not to circulate a copy.

Tinney did put in place briefings and a workshop to address criticisms in the report, the FCA said. But the regulator said he "recklessly made misleading statements and omissions" to colleagues about the report's nature and existence.(Reuters)



Source: www.businessworld.ie
In a boost to key regional transport links Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, announced today that his Department is allocating 2.7 million in funding support for the four regional airports across Ireland.

Donegal is set to receive 341,000, Knock 1,314,000 and Kerry 205,000. Waterford will receive 870,000 when the resumption of scheduled passenger services has been secured by airport authorities.

Waterford are in discussions with a number of airlines with a view to securing a replacement carrier for VLM Airlines which filed for bankruptcy protection in Belgium in June.



The capital funding that will begin to come into play from next year.

Minister Ross said: These Exchequer grant allocations are being made under the Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019, which was approved last year by the EU Commission and administered by my Department. The funding support that I am announcing today will assist with capital investment on various projects at the four regional airports over the coming months in the areas of safety and security such as CCTV monitoring equipment, repairs to taxiways, aprons and perimeter roads, upgrades to electrical systems and winter-ready equipment.

Source: www.businessworld.ie
New research published today finds that the female labour participation rate has increased significantly since 1992 when 48 per cent of Ireland's women aged 20 to 64 were in the labour force.

By 2007, this figure had risen to 67 per cent, with 2015 showing a moderate rise to reach 68 per cent.

ESRI, the Dublin based think tank, highlight the factors in the report 'Recent Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in Ireland.'

In addition to changes in culture, the increase was driven by rising educational attainment and the resultant increase in salaries, which incentivise individuals to enter and remain in the workforce.

The average educational attainment of women rose during the years of the economic crisis and will continue to rise for at least the next decade, resulting in greater numbers participating in the labour force, especially among women over 40 years of age.

The report concludes that the percentage of women in the Irish workforce will increase annually, due to higher education levels, compared to men, and a rising adult population generally.



Source: www.businessworld.ie
Ireland's economy grew by 0.6 percent quarter-on-quarter in the three months to the end of June to stand 4.1 percent higher than a year ago, data showed on Wednesday.

The relevance of using GDP to measure the true health of the Ireland's open economy was called into question in July when growth for 2015 was revised up to 26 percent after a massive revision to the stock of capital assets.

The data in July also showed that first quarter GDP fell by 2.1 percent quarter-on-quarter despite all other secondary data suggesting three months of growth and those figures were unchanged on Wednesday.

Personal consumption in the second quarter fell by 0.5 percent after growing by 0.7 percent in the three months previous, less than originally estimated.

Even before last year's revisions, Irish economic growth outpaced the rest of Europe for the last two years and will do so again this year if the government meets its forecast for an expansion of 4.9 percent. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Dublin Bus last night advised customers that strikes will go ahead on Thursday 15th September and Friday 16th September.

In a statement Dublin Bus said The Trade Unions have confirmed that this action will take place from midnight on Wednesday night, 14 September. This leaves us with no option but to terminate all routes at 21.00 on Wednesday night.



On the other side of the dispute SIPTU have voiced their frustration at the ongoing stalemate, with a statement; SIPTU members in Dublin Bus have expressed anger and frustration at the continued silence of management and the Department of Transport in relation to resolving the dispute at the public transport company.

SIPTU Organiser, John Murphy, said: The complete intransigence shown by Dublin Bus, the Department and the Minister for Transport in response our members need for an acceptable pay rise, has created real anger and frustration. It has also strengthened our members resolve to implement further industrial action.



He added: SIPTU representatives will meet with their colleagues in the four other trade unions in Dublin Bus on Thursday to discuss further industrial action.

Source: www.businessworld.ie
The Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach will meet today with representatives of groups that decide on the scale of insurance pay outs.

Motorists in Ireland have seen their insurance premiums rising up to 40% in the last year.

The Injuries Board and the Society of Actuaries in Ireland are set to resume their hearings this afternoon on the rising cost of motor insurance in Ireland.

Representing the Injuries Board are Mr. Conor OBrien, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stephen Watkins, Secretary to the Board, and Mr. Maurice Priestley, Director of Operations.

Representing the Society of Actuaries in Ireland are Mr. Gary Dunne, Chair of the General Insurance Committee, and Mr. Ronan Mulligan, Vice-Chair of the General Insurance Committee.

Committee Chairman John McGuinness TD, said Given that the remit of the Injuries Board is to assess compensation claims for those that have been in an accident and suffered an injury, the Committee very much look forward to this meeting where we can specifically address possible links between compensation payments and rising motor insurance premiums.

Our considerations will then continue with the Society of Actuaries in Ireland  the body representing an integral constituent in the insurance industry. We look forward to hearing the expert opinion of Mr. Dunne and Mr. Mulligan in this regard, where we can further explore the reasons behind rising costs and the solutions that may exist.



Source: www.businessworld.ie
The Government has reviewed the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) report on the sale of Project Eagle in detail in a meeting today.

The Taoiseach will now invite Opposition party leaders to meet him tomorrow with a view to seeking agreement on a wide range of issues that were raised in the C&AG report.

In a release this afternoon the issues of public concern that require further investigation and the most appropriate nature and terms of reference for such an investigation will be at the forefront of any cross-party discussions.

Subject to the outcome of those discussions, the matter will then be the subject of a Dail debate early in the new session.

Post todays review the Minister for Finance has authorised the C&AG to publish the report and to lay it before the Houses of the Oireachtas today.

Source: www.businessworld.ie
WILBER -- Demolition of the American Legion building in Wilber began Monday.

Once the structure is cleared, crews will build a new Legion with a completion goal of next May. The new building will have more space and better amenities.

Construction on the new building will begin sometime this month.

The old building was constructed in the late 1970s and finished in 1980, said Wilber American Legion Commander Gary Wooten. It has been a community multi-purpose building since then, but It has started to have structural problems and needed additional bathrooms so we decided it was time for a new building.

The new building will provide additional restrooms and be 30 feet larger than the previous one. In addition, there will be a full kitchen that's handicap accessible.

The old building needed help with amenities and repairs and we talked about a better or replacement building for some time and decided that a new building was the best option, Wooten added. The majority of the money for the building is coming from donors.

American Legion was created in 1919 when many veterans came home for World War I and needed assistance. It is the nations largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsors of wholesome programs in nationwide communities, according to the American Legion website. The organizations success depends entirely on active membership, participation, and volunteerism.

Membership numbers are about steady, Wooten said of the Wilber branch. We may be losing members as ages increases, but we have new members that continue to join. Numbers are steady to growing.

To be eligible to join the American Legion, members must have served active duty in the United States Armed Forces and must have been honorably discharged or still serving.

All members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join The American Legion at this time, until the date of the end of hostilities as determined by the government of the United States, states the website.

We have members from World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and every war since, Wooten said. We have had some members that have been with the organization for 65 years and others that just joined last month.

Wooten said the nonprofit organization works to assist veterans to get to the right place for help, sets up scholarships for family of military members who die in service, provides materials or supplies to veterans through national funds, and much more.

The American Legion remains active within local communities and youth organizations and a new building is something that the entire Wilber community can look forward to.

To join American Legion former or current military veterans can visit www.legion.org , call a local commanding officer, or attend a scheduled meeting with proof of eligibility and a vote will be held by the current members.
Old Main

LOGAN  It has been more than a week since the Utah State University Student Association (USUSA) declared mental health a crisis at the university. Matthew Clewett, USUs student advocate vice president, said the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Not only has support come in from organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness, community officials, school administrators and students, but the declaration has gotten the attention of state leaders. Clewett said that there has been positive reception from Representative Ed Redd, R-District 4, and Senator Lyle Hillyard, R-District 25.

Weve seen them in support of this bill in taking before the state legislature during the upcoming session, Clewett said. Im also planning on sitting down with Representative Redd over the next two or three days.

Clewett said other higher education institutions are being approached to make the effort a more cohesive front as the 2017 legislative session approaches. He said USU Student Body President Ashley Waddoups brought the issue to the attention of other higher-education student leaders at a Utah Student Association meeting.

They discussed the mental health legislation at length, trying to receive support from other higher education institutions student governments to pass similar pieces of legislation, he said.

The mental health issue was declared a crisis due to the growing concern that the amount of professional help and the long wait times to see a counselor is insufficient. Clewett said it can often take six weeks for a USU student to see a counselor or get psychological help at the university, which he believes is far too long. According to Clewett, wait times at other institutions are even longer. Extra funding would mean more professional help, which would mean a faster response for those struggling.

We need one counselor for every 1,000 to 1,500 students on campus, Clewett said. That would mean we need approximately 11 to 16 counselors. The number we have now is 7.25, being that some of them are part-time employees. That is well-below what we need at Utah State.

Clewett said that everyone at USUSA is grateful the issue is being brought to the attention of the media and local leaders. He is hopeful it will lead to a positive outcome.

This is just the beginning, he said. This was the first step of passing it here at Utah State University. The next step is to get other schools to pass it as well. Going forward, the main priority of this legislation and subsequent legislation that may come about from other schools is to get funding from the state.
Andrew Lesky, 43, arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony and two felony counts of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.

LOGAN  A judge has denied several emergency motions and ordered Andrew Lesky to finish preparations for his trial next month on attempted aggravated murder and other charges.

The rulings came in 1st District Court Tuesday morning, during Leskys final pre-trial conference. Prior to calling the case, attorneys for both sides met in Judge Brian Cannells chambers for 30-minutes, reportedly discussing how the trial would proceed.

Lesky was arrested in October 2014 after allegedly trying to shoot his ex-girlfriend outside her apartment. He also threatened her and another man with a handgun and a knife. Prosecutors later filed charges that he had earlier tried to strangle her in September. He faces a total of 10 felonies and 17 misdemeanors. He is being held in the Cache County Jail without bail.

During Tuesdays hearing, defense attorney Chad Hutchings said Lesky had given him two emergency motions, one claiming that jail deputies were using cruel and unusual punishment on him. The second motion was a request for Lesky to be a co-counsel during the trial, which would have allowed him to directly question witnesses and the victims in the case.

Judge Brian Cannell denied both motions and said he was concerned that they were submitted against his previous ruling, that all motions must be filed through attorney Hutchings.

Tuesday was not the first time Lesky has tried to file motions on his behalf.

In January, Lesky filed a writs of habeas corpus to argue he was being treated unfairly by deputies and should be transferred to a different jail. He also requested the county attorneys office be removed as prosecutors in the case, claiming they had illegally intercepted private letters between him and his then attorney, Shannon Demler.

Later in June, Lesky again filed three more motions that included requests to dismiss his charges, change the venue and relocate him to the Box Elder County Jail. He again claimed jail staff were monitoring his private phone calls to his attorney and unfairly targeting him. Also that the amount of media coverage surrounding his case made it impossible for him to receive a fair trial.

In both instances, Judge Cannell found no evidence that Lesky was being treated unlawfully or that his right to a fair trial was violated.

The three-week jury trial is scheduled to begin October 11.

<hr /><p style=text-align: center;>will@cvradio.com
This is how Cameron ends: not with a bang, but a whimper

Published on September 14, 2016

Story by Phil W. Bayles

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After making a pigs ear of the EU Referendum and stepping down as Prime Minister in July, David Cameron is resigning as a Member of Parliament. He will not be missed. [OPINION]

Brits dont quit, David Cameron told us on 21 June. Three days later he hold us that he would be doing just that  making reassurances that he would stay on as leader until autumn. He ultimately lasted less than 30 days. And now, less than two months later, Britains youngest Prime Minister since 1812 has sidled awkwardly towards the door with his tail between his legs, muttering something about not wanting to be a distraction. Lets hope it hits him on the way out.

Here is a man who had every opportunity to leave office with a half-decent legacy. He took over a Conservative Party diminished by 13 years of Labour government and won two terms in office, first as a coalition government and then with a surprise outright majority. He saw unemployment reduced to near-record levels, and saw the introduction of same-sex marriage in the UK; perhaps the one thing for which history might look upon him favourably.

But Camerons time in office presented him with plenty of chances to ruin his reputation and he welcomed many of them with open arms. Huge cuts to tax credits for working families (which had to be stopped by our unelected House of Lords) and Ian Duncan Smiths merciless butchering of our benefits system are two of the clearest examples of the Cameron governments ill-conceived austerity measures. Students found themselves saddled with three times the debt under the Coalition government, and now the NHS finds itself struggling to cope under our Health Ministers ridiculous demands.

But all of these failures pale in comparison with Camerons greatest blunder: Brexit. For the sake of winning an election he offered the British public a choice that they were ill equipped to make and did nothing to make our choice any easier. He legitimised a growing wave of suspicion, xenophobia and outright racism in the United Kingdom, and in the process made it less united than it has ever been. And in the chaos and uncertainty that followed he washed his hands and declared that the mess was someone elses problem.

In this post-referendum uncertainty, one of two things will happen. Either Britain will indeed leave the European Union and Cameron will go down in history as the worst Prime Minister in living memory. Or Theresa Mays talk of Brexit meaning Brexit will be all for naught; the country will regain some semblance of normalcy and history will barely remember him at all. For our sakes, I hope its the latter.

Story by Phil W. Bayles
Murphy Givens Columnist SHARE At San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, Sam Houston rode in front of the charging Texas lines on a big stallion named Saracen. Houston was hit in the ankle and had two horses shot from under him, including Saracen, during the battle. From a painting by S. Seymour Thomas.

Only mopping up operations were left, Santa Anna thought, after his army reclaimed the Alamo and destroyed Texas forces at Goliad. He split his 6,000-man force into four parts and planned to make short work of Houston's ragtag army.

Sam Houston burned Gonzales and retreated, leaving a scorched earth behind him, while settlers trying to get away from the war fled in the Runaway Scrape.

Houston had 400 men, some without weapons, and most without training. They marched to the Colorado and crossed at Burnham's Ferry. Houston burned the ferry and they marched up the east bank to Beason's Crossing. Gen. Ramirez y Sesma, leading one of Santa Anna's armies, camped west of the rain-swollen river, which was too high to cross. The armies watched each other across the rushing stream.

A week later Houston's army pulled out at dusk, leaving campfires burning, and marched to San Felipe then to Groce's Plantation. The men wanted to stand and fight and were near the point of mutiny, but Houston was not going to get trapped between converging Mexican columns.

At Groce's, Houston drilled the army and tried to instill discipline among soldiers as likely to debate an order as carry it out. Houston was getting it from all sides. David Burnet, interim president, wrote a sharp reprimand: "You must retreat no further. The country expects you to fight."

Houston learned that Santa Anna was leading a detached regiment trying to capture Texas leaders, who had moved to Harrisburg. This was an opportunity to catch Santa Anna away from his main army.

Perhaps Houston intended to retreat to Nacogdoches, where the piney woods would provide ideal ground for Texas rifles and hamper Mexican cavalry. It would put him closer to support and succor from American friends. But when he came to a fork in the road he chose the one leading to Harrisburg. His men cheered, knowing they would run no more.

Santa Anna's 750-man special task force found Harrisburg deserted. Texas leaders fled to the coast and escaped across Galveston Bay in a small boat. Santa Anna turned back and made camp between Buffalo Bayou and San Jacinto River. It was a park-like area, with lush green grass, that lived up to its Spanish name, Jacinto, for hyacinth. Houston's army camped in woods 400 yards away.

Santa Anna ordered his men to build a makeshift breastwork and sent a courier urging Perfecto de Cos, who was 20 miles away with 500 men, to join him.

Cos arrived at 9 a.m. on April 21, 1836. Santa Anna had expected Houston to attack early that morning but when the Texans failed to show, he told his soldiers to get some rest. Cos's men were worn out after the forced march. Santa Anna also took a nap in his brown-and-white striped tent. (The tale that he had a private interlude in his tent with a young black woman named Emily has never been substantiated beyond one hearsay reference of doubtful veracity.)

About 3:30 that afternoon Houston ordered his men to form lines to attack. Houston rode in front on a charger named Saracen. The Texan artillery, the six-pounders called the Twin Sisters, anchored the middle. The Texans crept through tall grass and were within 200 yards of the Mexican camp before the alarm sounded. Santa Anna was caught napping.

The Twin Sisters ripped holes in the breastwork as a four-man Texas band played an old Irish folk tune, "Will You Come to the Bower?" The Texans broke into a wild charge, yelling "Remember the Alamo!" "Remember Goliad!" as they streamed over the breastworks and into the encampment, attacking with ferocity.

Mexican soldiers, confused and fleeing in panic, were shot, stabbed, or clubbed to death as they ran or tried to surrender. Mexican officers tried vainly to rally their men to their own defense. The battle lasted 18 minutes but the slaughter continued until dark.

In a blind and furious rage, the Texans killed everything that moved. Without mercy. Houston tried to stop them. "Gentlemen," he berated his men, "I applaud your bravery but damn your manners." The frenzied killing was done in the heat of battle, unlike the cold-blooded murder at Goliad, but it left a stain on the day's victory.

Col. Pedro Delgado, on Santa Anna's staff, made it to Buffalo Bayou before he was captured, with other bewildered Mexican survivors. They were marched to the woods where they saw a huge bonfire. Delgado thought they were going to be burned alive in retaliation for those Texas bodies burned at the Alamo. "We were relieved when they placed us around the fire to warm ourselves and dry out our clothes."

Six hundred and eight Mexican soldiers were killed, 208 wounded, 730 captured. The Texans lost six killed and 26 wounded. It was one of the most lopsided battles ever fought.

Santa Anna was captured next morning, looking wretched in stolen clothes and still wearing red Moroccan slippers from his nap the afternoon before. How the mighty had fallen. So this was His Excellency, the generalissimo, the Napoleon of the West. He was brought before Houston, who was being treated for a gunshot wound in his ankle. Santa Anna asked for the opium from his tent and it was given to him.

The Texas soldiers would have liked nothing better than to have stood Santa Anna before a firing squad, but Houston shielded him, knowing he was more valuable alive.

In the battle of San Jacinto, Houston defeated one part of the Mexican army, leaving powerful contingents in the field, under more capable generals than His Excellency. The lopsided victory would not have ended the war except for Santa Anna's capture. Houston and Santa Anna conferred. Santa Anna agreed to order a withdrawal of Mexican forces to below the Rio Grande. That agreement and retreat did end the war.

At San Jacinto, the bodies of the Mexican soldiers lay unburied on the field of battle, becoming at one with the landscape, for all flesh is like the grass and the past buries itself. As Santa Anna said after the fall of the Alamo, it was a small affair  but one that changed the course of history.

(This is the last of eight columns on the battles of the Texas Revolution.)
Greg Perkes and Leticia Hinojosa are running for election to a post that can't raise your taxes, won't get your street fixed, can't change the zoning on your block and can't do anything about your kid's report card.

Is it any wonder they have trouble getting the attention of voters?

Perkes and Hinojosa are candidates for a state appellate court post. More specifically, they are running for Place 3 on the 13th Court of Appeals. Hinojosa, of McAllen, is the Democratic nominee. Perkes, of Corpus Christi, is the Republican incumbent.

It's been said before that appellate court judges are the Rodney Dangerfields of Texas electoral politics. Like the late comedian, they don't get no respect.

Or at least they get along in life without very little recognition. Even at election time. Outside the world of attorneys, they can go around incognito without much effort.

Even the court's local offices do a good job of hiding in plain sight. They are located on the tenth floor of the Nueces County Courthouse, far above the pulsating world of trials, juries and warring lawyers on the lower floors.

On a slow news day, in my days as a courthouse reporter, the tenth floor was a good place to hide from my editor. This was before cell phones.

(The 13th Court also has offices in Hidalgo County, but more about that later.)

In fact, the 13th Court of Appeals is a key link in the judicial system of the state. It is one of 14 appellate courts in the state that take on practically every civil and criminal case that comes out of the state's trial courts, with the exception of death penalty cases.

That means multimillion damage cases, cases involving government actions, cases regarding serious and not-so-serious crimes. That includes cases that would bore the tears out of most of us and cases that are on the front page of newspapers and lead stories on TV news broadcasts.

The 13th Court handles cases that come out of the courts in a 20-county district that stretches from Lavaca and Wharton counties in the north to Cameron and Hidalgo counties to the south.

Trial court judges get all the fun. They are in the arena of the public trials. They speak to juries. People rise when they enter the courtroom. They get to order around attorneys and scold criminal defendants, usually for the benefit of the TV cameras.

Some trial judges seem to think they are the stars of the show. But nobody goes to the ball game to watch the referees. But that's my opinion.

Appellate court justices do their work outside of the view of the public. They do a lot of reading, research work and lots of writing. They produce the rulings that either uphold or reverse the work of trial judges.

"We grade the work of the (trial) judges," Perkes said. He is running for his second term on the court.

Candidates for appellate judge, like other judicial candidates, can't promise they will cut your taxes, or save the turtles, or assure you that your Uncle Bert will get lots of money from the insurance company for his accident.

They campaign strictly on their merit, which is a kind of refreshing change. The law requires that candidates be citizens, be between the ages of 35 and 74 and be a practicing attorney or a judge in a court of record for at least 10 years.

Hinojosa has served as a county court and district court judge and Perkes had more than 20 years experience as a practicing attorney before he became a judge.

With no promises to make and judicial ethics prohibiting much campaign blabber, that makes for a short campaign speech.

That might leave voters with not much to hold onto. That's why political labels, geography and name recognition, all else being equal, seems to govern appellate court races. And that's why there's 13th Court offices in the Valley.

Of the six justices on the 13th Court, only two are from Corpus Christi, including Perkes. There was a time when Corpus Christi ruled the court. But now, the majority of the voters in the jurisdiction make the Valley their home.

The beauty of American democracy is that a voter can pick a candidate for any reason at all, both silly and serious. But judges are too serious a pick to relegate to a "eeny meeny miny moe" choice. A bad judge can sit on a bench for a long time; an appellate court judge has a six year term.

Voters can give the 13th Court respect just by casting a thoughtful vote.

Nick Jimenez has worked as a reporter, city editor and editorial page editor for more than 40 years in Corpus Christi. He is currently the editorial page editor emeritus for the Caller-Times. His commentary column appears on Wednesdays and Sundays.
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By Julie Garcia of the Caller-Times

A $1 million endowment to Texas A&M University-Kingsville and The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation has been doubled with the help of several donors.

Last year, the Arrington Match was announced  $1 million in endowed funds  from a $1.3 million donation to the university from alumna Nadine (Rucker) Arrington. She died in 2009.

Arrington graduated from the Texas College of Arts and Industries, now A&M-Kingsville, in 1946. She worked as chief clerk of the U.S. Senate Committee of Health, Education, Labor and Pensions for more than 20 years.

The match was completed with 18 donors establishing endowed funds at each of the school's colleges. New endowments will go toward supporting faculty work, student scholarships and academic programs.

Twitter: @Caller_Jules
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By John C. Moritz, USA Today Network Austin Bureau

AUSTIN  More than 400 public school campuses across the state earned all distinction designations applicable to their individual school based on a variety of academic standards, the Texas Education Agency said Wednesday.

Among those earning the distinction were campuses in Corpus Christi, El Paso, Abilene and San Angelo school systems.

Distinction designations are awarded to campuses that have already cleared TEAs Met Standards benchmark for the 2016 accountability ratings. The distinction designations are based on achievement in performance indicators relative to a group of 40 campuses of similar type, size, and student demographics.

Depending on campus grade levels and type, the number of potential distinction designations can vary.

Earning one or more campus distinctions is noteworthy and should be a source of pride in a community, said Education Commissioner Mike Morath. Earning all possible distinctions is a significant accomplishment and should signal to parents that there is extraordinary work taking place on that campus.

Among the performance indicators the TEA used were Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading; Academic Achievement in Mathematics; Academic Achievement in Science; Academic Achievement in Social Studies; Top 25 Percent: Student Progress; Top 25 Percent: Closing Performance Gaps; and Postsecondary Readiness.

Windsor Park Elementary in Corpus Christi also made the list. Windsor Park is a magnet school qualifying first-fifth grade students who live in the Corpus Christi Independent School District. It is also classified as a world school under the International Baccalaureate Programme.

Six districts in the El Paso school district made the list: Silva Health Magnet High School; Transmountain Early College High School; Hughey Elementary School; Collins Elementary School; Cielo Vista Elementary School; and Polk Elementary School.

Transmountain was developed in partnership with El Paso Community College to provide students an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an associates degree at the same time.

Two in San Angelo ISD also were honored Fannin Elementary School and Fort Concho Elementary School. Fort Concho made news in April when one of its third grade classes made a presentation to the San Angelo City Council to promote a safety program for school kids.

In Abilene ISD, the Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math & Science was honored. The academy opened in 2009 and graduated its first class in 2013. According to the Abilene school district, 94 percent of its graduates have been accepted into post-secondary schools.

See all the ratings at http://tea.texas.gov/.

Twitter: @JohnnieMo
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One of the principles of good management, leadership, parenting and grade-school teaching is to focus on the behavior, not the person.

Bigotry, racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia and Islamophobia are examples of deplorable behavior. But people can change their behavior. They do it all the time. George Wallace, the deplorably segregationist Alabama governor, expressed regret before he died.

Many of Donald Trump's followers harbor deplorable beliefs. Hillary Clinton wasn't wrong about that. They behave deplorably at the Republican nominee's rallies, such as when they chant "Trump that b-word," with deplorable encouragement from Trump, and when they attack protesters physically in response to his deplorable goading.

But as reprehensible as their behaviors and beliefs are, they, like Wallace, are redeemable. Calling them a "basket of deplorables," as the Democratic nominee did recently at a fundraiser, was deplorable because it declares them beyond redemption.

Clinton's defenders can say, correctly, that Trump has said and done much worse and continues to say and do so, daily. They can say, correctly, that Trump and his running mate Mike Pence are sanctimonious hypocrites for condemning Clinton's comments while Trump continues to scratch his base's basest bigoted itch. And Clinton's defenders can say, correctly, that the news media lets him get away with it and that not letting her get away with this one is a double standard.

Darned right.

We condemn Clinton's deplorable remarks precisely because we expect much more of her. Everyone does, even the Republicans. All Americans should have high expectations for presidential behavior and Clinton needs to meet those expectations if she is to be president. By not meeting those expectations, she narrows the choice between her and Trump, who never met those expectations.

Trump has encouraged all of the phobias we listed earlier, making the people who have those phobias feel safe and vindicated in expressing them openly. That's deplorable and it confirms that he is unfit to be president. Everyone except his not-quite-irredeemably bigoted base knows it.

Even the Republicans recognize that Clinton is presidential. That's why her remarks are being condemned, not just by Republicans  because instead of acting presidential like she normally does, she acted like Trump. And that's unacceptable.

A president must serve an entire constituency, including the tens of millions who voted for someone else. Some will have voted for someone besides Clinton for honorable reasons, others for deplorable reasons. But, either way, they'll number in the millions. In January they will have a new president  whether she or he is the one they chose or not.

Clinton wouldn't have had the votes of the people she insulted anyway, and she won't need their votes to win the election. But this election isn't just about who wins. It's about what happens afterward. The nation needs a president who's presidential, like Clinton usually is. They need someone who can reach out to them. And the entire world needs a U.S. president who would never, ever act like Trump  not on her worst day.

That's why Clinton's deplorable remarks come perilously close to disqualifying her. If it's a onetime thing and voters focus on the behavior, not the person, the world will be safer for it. But, even if it's a onetime thing and no matter how profuse Clinton's apologies, she has made the next president's job more difficult.
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Voter ID may not be important to the Caller-Times Editorial Board, but it is important to me, the state Legislature which passed this law, a governor who signed it, and to the overwhelming majority of Texans who believe in the integrity of our electoral process.

My office is in the process of appealing a recent Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruling to the United States Supreme Court. We are doing so because this issue is important enough to be fully adjudicated by the highest court in our land. We will also continue litigation at the district court to ensure that the law is properly enforced.

I would suggest that the Caller-Times put aside name calling and focus on the law and the direction given to us by the courts. To be clear, the court of appeals never accused anyone of voter suppression, nor is there evidence that supports the accusation. Moreover, the court of appeals is allowing Texas to amend the law before passing final judgment on Voter ID.

In previous rulings, the Supreme Court has made clear that photo identification requirements are nondiscriminatory. The Court has explained that it is not too much to ask of voters to get photo identification. After all, the inconvenience of getting a free photo ID does not even represent a significant increase over the usual burdens of voting. Indeed, President Obama's Department of Justice, who sued Texas to block our voter ID law, never identified a single person who faced a legally substantial obstacle to voting during the dozens of elections where Texas' voter ID law was enforced  even though its lawyers crisscrossed the state, microphones in hand, searching desperately for voters who could fit their narrative.

Under the Texas voter identification law, voters must show a government-issued photo identification in order to cast their ballot. Texans who do not already have a driver's license, passport, military identification card, or other approved form of identification can get a state-issued voter identification card free of charge from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Additionally, anyone who is disabled or over age 65 can vote by mail, which allows them to use mail-in ballots without having to get a photo identification.

The Texas Legislature, of which I was a member at the time, enacted the photo voter identification law in 2011 amid overwhelming support throughout the state. A few months before the law's passage, a poll conducted by the University of Texas and the Texas Tribune revealed that 75 percent of Texas voters agreed that voters should be required to present a government-issued photo ID to vote. The support was universal: 58 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of African-Americans, and 68 percent of Hispanics supported a voter-ID law.

We in the Legislature enacted the law to help deter and detect election fraud and to improve the public's confidence in our elections, both of which the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized as valid state interests. Indeed, even the Commission on Federal Election Reform, chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker, agrees: "The electoral system cannot inspire public confidence if no safeguards exist to deter or detect fraud or to confirm the identity of voters. Photo IDs are currently needed to board a plane, enter federal buildings, and cash a check. Voting is equally important."

Safeguarding the integrity of our elections process is essential to preserving our democracy, and our common-sense law provides simple protections to ensure our elections accurately reflect the will of the voters of Texas.
| BY Ricki Green |

Epica has announced the full line-up for its 2016 Creative Circle conference, which will be held at The Panama Club in Amsterdam from 9.30am to 5pm on November 17.

The subject of the conference is From Advertising to Artvertising. What is the purpose of art in todays creative industry? How is it evolving along with our fast-paced and highly-connected culture? What does creativity mean in the digital era?

Appropriately, one of the speakers will be Bas Korsten, executive creative director of J. Walter Thompson Amsterdam, who will speak about his project The Next Rembrandt  a work of art generated by artificial intelligence.

Barry Wacksman (above, left), EVP global chief strategy officer of R/GA, will talk about building brands at the speed of culture. Stephane Xiberras, multi-award-winning president and chief creative officer of BETC Paris, will reveal some of the inspirations behind his work. Cecilia Martin (above, right), co-founder of Amsterdam-based Lava Lab, will present her branding projects for museums around the world, including the V&A and the Guggenheim.

Danny Rogers, editor-in-chief of the Brand Republic group, will talk about the blurring borders between PR and advertising. Author Thomas Kolster will cover the positive trend of advertising for good. And award-winning work from the Gunn Report team will complete the day.

Says Mark Tungate, editorial director, Epica: Weve often heard conversations about whether advertising can ever be considered an art form, so we wanted to go a little deeper into the subject and find out where the two overlap.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 9:11PM

Luke Cage is set to debut worldwide on Netflix on September 30. Building up anticipation for it, the streaming service giant released a new teaser for the latest Marvel show. This time, the focus is away from the reluctant yet bulletproof Luke Cage (played by Mike Colter) and focuses on the shows villainous gang boss Cornell Cottonmouth Stokes (played by House of Cards Mahershala Ali). In this short yet menacing trailer, he reminds us that everyone wants to be king.
The victim allegedly said he left the room to find Banks with one of their guns. It's alleged he said if she was going to shoot him she'd have to shoot him in the back and he turned around.
Like so many members of the Greatest Generation, Orin R. Leslie was no stranger to dangerous situations. In 1944, he served as a radar man aboard the USS Wachapreague in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The largest naval battle in modern history, it was a pivotal moment in General MacArthurs island hopping campaign in the southwest Pacific during World War II. There, and elsewhere in the Pacific, Orins ship provided support to the U.S. Navys famous PT boats, of the kind commanded by then-Lieutenant John F. Kennedy.

Due to a bureaucratic oversight, Orin never received the medals he earned for his service in World War II. Despite his impressive combat experience, he returned home with no official recognition from the country he so courageously served.

More than 70 years later, his daughter, Janet, who lives in Omaha, was preparing an album honoring her late fathers military service. She had old photos and letters her father had written to her mother while he was at war. But she also felt the medals he earned were an important part of his story. For more than a year, Janet tried to get Orins long overdue honors from the federal government, without success.

In June, Janet reached out to my office; by August, she had her dads medals.

My diligent staff went to work for Janet and contacted the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), the agency responsible for tracking the service of veterans from all branches of our military. From there, the NPRC Medals Research Team verified Orins service record to determine which honors were his. As it turns out, he had earned quite a few: the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and several others.

Helping Janet honor her dad is just one example of the many ways my office performs important work on behalf of Nebraska families. Through mobile office hours, my staff assists Nebraskans in navigating federal agencies and answers questions about legislation. They provide help in grant applications and give guidance on veterans issues and resources for military families. They also shepherd applicants for nominations to attend our nations military academies.

In 2016 alone, my team has held more than 40 mobile office hours events across Nebraska. Through them, we help provide rural Nebraskans with the same representation and access to their U.S. senator that citizens in our bigger cities enjoy.

I am proud to provide these services through my office. They are a core part of my role as your U.S. senator. I also see them as a way to keep our government accountable to the people, which is where Americas true greatness and strength has always resided.

Orin Leslie is a terrific example of that. Like millions of other young Americans, he answered his countrys call to service in World War II. Unlike General MacArthur or Lieutenant Kennedy, Orins name doesnt appear in the history books. But he does appear in a far more important book, his daughter Janets album. Now, Orins medals will be there too, as a part of his story, and a reminder of his great service.
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States with nonpartisan redistricting process haven't eluded lengthy litigation

Plaintiffs in a lawsuit that convinced a panel of federal judges to toss out North Carolina's legislative redistricting maps want new districts drawn during a special session in January 2017.The plaintiffs' proposal is just that at this point. There's no guarantee federal courts will order the General Assembly to convene a special session for redistricting. Even so, new maps will have to be drawn next year, barring further intervention by appellate courts.For decades, North Carolina has been at the forefront of redistricting litigation.said Wendy Underhill, program director for redistricting and elections at the National Conference of State Legislatures.Unlike North Carolina, where the General Assembly draws legislative and congressional districts with no input from the governor, a handful of other states farm out their redistricting duties to bipartisan or nonpartisan entities.Seven states use an alternative method for drawing congressional maps while 13 states use those methods for legislative maps, Underhill said.she said.One state - Iowa - directs its nonpartisan legislative staff to draw maps.Jane Pinsky, director of the N.C. Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform, is a long-time advocate of redistricting reform in North Carolina. She's encouraged the General Assembly to adopt a plan similar to Iowa's.The Iowa law doesn't allow the staff to consider the voters' political party, incumbency, previous election results, or demographic data other than head counts - other than what is required by federal law - when establishing districts.It also requires the congressional and legislative districts toAfter the nonpartisan staff draws the maps, the Iowa legislature has an up-or-down vote on the maps. Only technical amendments are allowed.If the legislature does not approve a map or the governor vetoes it, the nonpartisan staff starts over and submits a second plan. Again, the legislature gets an up-or-down vote.If the second plan is rejected by the legislature or vetoed by the governor, the nonpartisan staff draws a third map. Unlike the previous two maps, the third map can be amended by the legislature.Arizona has a five-member Independent Redistricting Commission. Two Republicans and two Democrats are appointed by the caucus leaders from the state's legislature. Those members appoint a fifth member, who is not from the two major parties, said Colleen Mathis, the independent member and chairwoman of the Arizona commission.Arizona's commission resulted from a voter-initiated constitutional amendment that was approved in 2000.The amendment says the commission can't consider incumbency or pre-existing districts. Every 10 years, the commission has to start from scratch.Mathis said.Unlike Iowa, Arizona does take partisan demographics into account because competitiveness is a requirement.Mathis said.Mathis said, noting that a number of lawsuits still get filed.North Carolina legislators have filed bills establishing some sort of nonpartisan or bipartisan redistricting commission for decades. But none have become law.The chairman of the House Redistricting Commission, Rep. David Lewis, R-Harnett, said he doesn't think it's possible to come up with a nonpartisan commission.Lewis said.In what he called a "blunt" assessment, Lewis said,Pinsky agrees that there is no perfect redistricting system.she said.
Press Release:

"Veterans for Burr" Leadership Team

Contact: Jesse Hunt

Jesse Hunt jhunt@burrforsenate.com

Raleigh, NC The Burr campaign today announced the "Veterans for Burr" leadership team with members from cities and towns throughout North Carolina. The group of veterans is supporting Senator Burr this fall in large part for his efforts to ensure that veterans receive the world-class health care they have earned and for his overall commitment to our country's service members. As a former ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Burr has led the charge on holding the VA accountable for their mismanagement. Senator Burr fought to create the Veterans Choice program so that veterans could see a doctor of their choice, and this year he has authored legislation to fix the VA health care system so that veterans no longer have to face unacceptable waits or bureaucratic hassles to get medical care. He has also successfully fought to bring new VA medical facilities to communities across North Carolina.- Maj. Gen. Hugh Overholt, Co-Chair of the "Veterans for Burr" leadership teamIngram is the former Director of the Army National Guard. General Ingram received his commission in 1972 as a Distinguished Graduate through Officer Candidate School, North Carolina Military Academy at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He has commanded United States, United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces in Croatia, Macedonia and Kosovo and has taken leading roles in homeland security and disaster response at home. General Ingram previously served as Chairman of the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee (ARFPC). He served as The Adjutant General, North Carolina for over nine years. Prior to serving as the Director of the Army National Guard, Ingram served as Special Assistant to the Vice Chief of Staff, Army.Blot graduated from Villanova University with a B. E. Degree in June 1962, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He served in the Marine Corps from 1962 to 1996. After completing instruction at The Basic School, Quantico, VA., he underwent flight training at Pensacola, FL, and Beeville, TX. His first operational assignment was to VMF-232, and the assignment included a combat tour at Danang, Vietnam. In February 1967, General Blot reported to the 3d Marine Division in Phu Bai and took command of the Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion. He was advanced to major general on May 24, 1991 and took command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing until July 1993. He then assumed duties as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC. General Blot was promoted to lieutenant general in July 1994 and was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation until his retirement in 1996. Lieutenant General Blot is married to the former Marie Frasmer. They have four children: Harold Jr., Michael, Thomas and Caroline.Lt. General Tom Waskow retired from the United States Air Force in April 2005. He currently serves as the Chairman of the USO-NC. He served the USAF as Commander, U.S. Forces Japan, and Commander, 5th Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan. In these two position he was the senior U.S. military representative in Japan and commander of U.S. Air Force units in Japan respectively. He was the key force provider in response to the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean during Operation Unified Assistance in Japan in 2005. Waskow also directed the protection of the Hawaiian airspace during the September 11th attacks and was Director of Air and Space Operations, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, in Hawaii. He has held command at all Air Force levels and accumulated nearly 5,000 flight hours, including 904 combat hours. Selected to fly the air-to-air F-15 Eagle early in its operational deployment, he has flown all models and variants of the Eagle. During the Vietnam War, he flew 282 combat missions over South Vietnam and Cambodia. In addition to intense combat experience in Vietnam, Lt. Gen. Waskow contributed extensively to contingency operations Deny Flight and Silver Wake in the Balkans, Noble Eagle in Hawaii in 2001, and the multinational Peace Keeping Operations in East Timor. Waskow received his bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering and his Masters degree in business. He also was a Senior Executive Fellow at Harvard and a Seminar XXI Fellow at MIT.Overholt is a retired Major General of the U.S. Army and has been appointed to the North Carolina State Board of Transportation. Prior to joining his current position at the firm of Ward and Smith P.A., he served as the Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army from 1985 to 1989. Mr. Overholt also served as Assistant Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army from 1981 to 1985. General Overholt has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit, Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Army Commendation Medal (Two Oak Leaf Clusters). General Overholt is a Member of the Arkansas Bar, North Carolina Bar, District of Columbia Bar and a Member of the American Bar Association. He resides in New Bern and is married to the former Laura Annell (Ann) Arnold with two children.Braaten is the chairman of the the Marine Cops Scholarship Foundation for the New Bern area and also the Eastern Carolina Aviation Heritage. Braaten joined the Marine Corps in February 1965, and retired as major general in 2001. After starting as a repairman, Braaten attended Officer Candidate School and became an aviator in June 1968, after which he served a year in Vietnam. He served as commander of the Marine Corps Air Bases, Eastern Area from July 1998 until July 2001 when he retired. He had earned several medals, including Distinguished Service, Defense Superior Service, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Combat Action Ribbon.Ensminger served in the Marine Corps for twenty-five years, part of which he served as a drill instructor. Jerry's daughter Janey passed away from leukemia when she was only nine years old, after having been exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Jerry has devoted his life to making sure those who lived at Camp Lejeune while the drinking water was contaminated receive proper medical care from the federal government. His work culminated when the Janey Ensminger Act of 2012, which was introduced and championed by Senator Burr, became law.Quiles was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and joined the Marine Corps in 1988. Quiles served in Operation Just Cause, Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Desert Stay. He has deployed with the 11th and 15th Marine Expeditionary Units in support of operations Land Pakistani Forces Somalia and Operation Southern Watch. Quiles is a graduate of the Marine Scout Sniper, Amphibious Reconnaissance and the Assault Breachers Courses. He is a graduate of the US Navy Dive School, US Army Airborne, Stateline Jump Master, Military Free Fall, Free Fall Jump Master and Pathfinder courses. Quiles retired from the Marine Corp in 2010. He is married to Maritza Quiles, a Guilford County teacher for more than 25 years, and has three children, two of whom are also Marines.Cress graduated from the Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, in 1970. Cress served in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for heroism during the Vietnam Winter-Spring Campaign. Cress has become a tireless advocate for veterans, receiving the Governor's Award for Volunteer Service and the North Carolina Society of Historians Barringer Award of Excellence for military history.Michael Verardo served as an infantryman with the 82nd Airborne Division and was severely wounded from an enemy planted IED while deployed to Afghanistan. The IED immediately ripped off his left arm and leg, left him badly burned over 35% of his body, caused severe facial trauma and left him with a severe traumatic brain injury. Michael spent three years recovering and endured over 100 surgeries and years of speech, physical, visual and occupational therapy. Sarah serves as Michael's full time caregiver and manages all aspects of his medical care as he is unable to advocate for himself. In addition to her service for Michael, Sarah works closely with veterans to ensure they are receiving the proper access to benefits and health care. Sarah serves as the alumni Fellow representing North Carolina for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to bring awareness to Hidden Heroes, the caregivers who take up the battle on the homefront. Sarah also serves as the Development Director for the Independence Fund, raising funds for veterans and their families as it relates to mobility, wellness, and peer support. The Verardos are passionate about sharing their story of "surviving surviving" and life after catastrophic combat injuries. Their story has been shared on Fox News, Fox and Friends, Evening News with Diane Sawyer, Bill O'Reilly's O'Reilly Factor, the Huffington Post and other national and local publications. Sarah and Michael live outside Charlotte, NC, and have two daughters under two years old: Grace Gloria, and Mary Scott.
Toyotas presentation of the C-HR has been a prolonged and somewhat tedious affair that began in 2014 with the CH-R Concept followed by the 2015 CH-R II Concept before we saw the production car in Euro-spec at this years Geneva show in March.



But even then, the Japanese brand withheld the small crossovers interior blacking out the windows, and it wasnt until June that it shared photos of the cabin. The C-HR will finally make its full debut at the Paris Auto Show at the end of September, with the North American model expected to be introduced in LA this November or in Detroit next January.

Today, it was Australias turn to get a taste of the C-HR, which, well, looks just like the European version. So, why did we bother? Because apart from sharing the first photo of the non-hybrid models interior, for the first time, Toyota has shown the C-HR in other colors aside from silver.

For the Australian market, Toyota has forgone the 120hp (122PS) 1.8-liter hybrid model available in Europe and will only offer (at least during launch) the 1.2-liter turbocharged four gasoline engine delivering 114hp (116PS / 85kW) and 185Nm (136 lb-ft) of torque in both front and all-wheel drive configurations.

The C-HR will be sold in two grades, the higher of which will be named Koba after the cars global chief engineer, Hiroyuki Koba, when it arrives in Australia in the first quarter of next year.

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Toyotas chief engineer says that electric powertrains have developed to the point where it is now cheaper to build low-range electric cars than it is to produced hybrids.



According to Satoshi Ogiso, who recently spoke to Forbes, the future of automobiles will be purely electric powertrains but that for the moment, those with acceptable ranges will remain more expensive than hybrids until 2025.

The cost of pure electric depends very much on range. Up to 250km (155 mile) range, battery-electric vehicles already can be built for less money than hybrids.

However, the market generally wants more range. With a range above 300km (186 mile) a battery-electric vehicle will remain more expensive at least through 2025, Ogiso confirmed.

In the coming 10 to 20 years, Toyota expects that between 50 per cent and 60 per cent of its models will be hybrids or fuel cells while upwards of 30 per cent will be fully electric. However, it is going to take quite some time for EVs to dominate the market with company predictions asserting that by 2050, 90 per cent of new vehicles will be electric.

Beyond the future of electric powertrains, Ogiso also revealed that the Japanese marque is able to produce a hybrid car with an automatic transmission for the same price that it can create a diesel-powered model. As automakers are forced to comply with stricter diesel emissions targets post-dieselgate, hybrids for Toyota will soon become cheaper, effectively killing off its diesel-powered models.

PHOTO GALLERY
Some things we can grow tired of pretty quickly: pickle-flavored potato chips, Steven Segal movies, family visiting from out of town but races between automobiles and aircraft dont count among them. We could watch those all day long. And heres another, courtesy of Jeep.



While most of these showdowns tend to involve supercars and jet airplanes, this one takes a different approach, pitting a Jeep Grand Cherokee against a propeller stunt plane. But it wasnt just any old Grand Cherokee: this race was contested by the SRT model, with its 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in all its 461-horsepower glory.

The Hemi engine was, as FCA is keen to point out, originally developed to propel the WW2-era Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. So bringing the latest version of the engine back together with an airplane seemed only natural.

Natural as well is that Jeep chose a plane with similar performance capabilities to the Grand Cherokee SRT. Enter the Silence SA1100 Twister, which flew between the pylons above the Blyton Park Driving Center in Lincolnshire, England. Watch the video below to see how it went down.

Video
Photo: Contributed

World Oceans Day Canada is celebrating a victory after convincing Save-On-Foods grocery stores to remove styrofoam coolers from their shelves across British Columbia.

Volunteers from UBC Okanagan had spent hours cleaning up garbage near the sails in downtown Kelowna and found thousands of pieces of styrofoam washed up on the beach.

Sun, rain and water break down styrofoam into tiny pieces, which birds and fish eat. Those fish and birds that live long enough to be eaten by larger animals pass along the styrofoam surprise to the bigger creatures, causing more devastation.

Each store received a letter from head office detailing that Save-On had not realized how harmful styrofoam products are until it was explained to them and we were all asked to pull the styrofoam coolers from our shelves immediately," said a local Save-On-Foods employee.

"We consider Save-On an ocean hero for removing the styrofoam coolers from their shelves quickly and urge all businesses to look at how they can improve their environmental impact, said Debbie White, founding director of World Oceans Day.

World Oceans Day is celebrated globally on June 8.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Penticton's school board will have some extra funding this year to amp up transportation infrastructure.

The Okanagan Skaha School District will be taking into consideration a recent funding announcement by the provincial government that was intended to eliminate charges for students busing to and from school.

However, the district hasn't charged students for transportation in the past, which provides the district with an extra $167,035 to allocate elsewhere.

Trustee Ginny Manning said the issue will come up at Monday night's night's board meeting, but noted that decisions will likely be made down the line.

She said the secretary treasurer and director of transportation at the district will be looking at projects the funding could go toward, with allocations likely to come in the "near future."
Photo: Google Street View

UPDATE: 9:50 p.m.

Highway 97A is now open in both directions 10 kilometres south of Sicamous, Drive BC reports.

"Expect delays due to congestion," it says.

The cause is still unclear, as RCMP did not return calls.

UPDATE: 5:05 a.m.

DriveBC says Highway 97A is estimated to reopen at about 7 p.m.

UPDATE: 3:55 p.m.

Highway 97A is now closed in both directions.

DriveBC says a "recovery" is in progress.

Northbound traffic is detouring via Highway 97B, except for local traffic. Southbound traffic is detouring via Highway 1 to the Highway 97B junction with Salmon Arm, then following Highway 97B to Highway 97A.

Send pictures or tips to [email protected]

ORIGINAL: 2:30 p.m.

Highway 97A is bottlenecked south of Sicamous.

DriveBC says a motor vehicle incident 10 kilometres south of the Shuswap town has reduced the highway to single-lane alternating traffic.

There's no estimate yet for reopening.
Photo: Twitter - @thenaturephotog

UPDATE: 4:30 p.m.

Highway 1 is now open in both directions 40 kilometres east of Revelstoke.

"Expect heavy traffic due to congestion," warns DriveBC.

ORIGINAL: 3:25 p.m.

A vehicle crash has closed Highway 1 in both directions between Revelstoke and Golden.

The crash happened just after 2 p.m., 40 kilometres east of Revelstoke.

It involved at least one semi truck.

No information is currently available as to the extent of any injuries suffered by those involved or the nature of the crash.

DriveBC reports an assessment is currently in progress and does not have an estimated time the highway will reopen.
Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie is fighting back against accusations levelled against him of misspending and careless use of band money.

Those accusations were posted on Facebook by Grand Chief Ron Derrickson.

In a letter to WFN band members, Derrickson had said he was running for WFN chief again because "it is obvious we are going backwards as a community.

When I was elected as chief in 1986, when I came into power, this band was on the verge of bankruptcy, that was under his administration, said Louie in response.

I worked for two years, 18 hours a day, seven days a week, to clean up that mess. I did it and I am proud of it and this band has prospered ever since.

Derrickson's post claimed one councillor racked up almost $18,000 in expenses in one month, a statement Louie said is ridiculous.

Absolutely absurdity, absolute the worst absurdity and the worst communication that has ever been recorded, said Louie. That did not happen, we have clear law and procedures in place. It is the absurdity of absurd.

Derrickson also called the privatized WFN hospital a financial disaster, claiming it has cost band members more than $8 million.

It has cost us a lost of money, admitted Louie. However, business is business. This term, if elected, I intend to remedy that.

He said if the membership agrees to move forward, the hospital will still be a go.

Despite the accusations, Louie claims Derrickson has withdrawn his interest in the chief position at the last minute.

He knew the ground rules going in, said Louie. He accepted and in his election speech, his last breaths, he said he is withdrawing his nomination.

Louie said the election constitution does not allow a nominee to withdraw this late and Derrickson's name will still be on the ballot.

If elected, Louie said he has a solid plan for the next three years.

I intend to bring this community to 100 per cent self-sufficiency, said Louie. We are at 85 per cent self-sufficiency right now.

He also wants to bring land claims front and centre.

Either we negotiate or litigate. One way or another, land claims are going to be on the table, said Louie. We have been dealing with this issue for well over 100 years.

His election promises include a focus on social issues from youth court to housing to poverty and homelessness.

I have a commitment that within one year, by the end of next fiscal year ending in 2018, we will have that issue solved. I mean it and I will do it, said Louie.

We will not have homeless people on this reserve that are members of WFN.

Economically, Louie said he will continue to work to bring business to the WFN including building a cultural centre and "Centre of Excellence."

I intend to do as I say, I intend to correct some of the issues and I intend to work on unfinished business. I am going to make the best effort any elected official has done in the past to achieve exactly as I say.

If Louie wins this election he says it will be his last term as chief of the WFN.

Derrickson, Larry Derrickson and Roxanne Lindley are all on the ballot, opposing Louie's efforts to win re-election.

Louie has been chief since 2002. He was chief previously from 1986 until 1996.

Elections for chief and council will be held Thursday, Sept. 15.

Derrickson did not reply to Castanet's request for an interview.
Photo: Dustin Godfrey

A woman arrested at Penticton's casino last week was allegedly dealing something other than cards.

Jennifer Lynn Montgomery was taken in by Penticton's Target Enforcement Unit on Sept. 8 on charges of drug trafficking.

She was apparently spotted by security staff outside the casino acting suspiciously, when the police were called.

The Penticton RCMP said they found methamphetamine, heroin, cash and items consistent with drug trafficking.

Montgomery was charged with three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property, with a court date set for Sept. 19.

She has a history of drug-related arrests this year, including one in January.

That arrest was the result of a two-month investigation into trafficking at her residence on Penticton Avenue.

Upon arrest, Montgomery was found to have cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

She was released on bail in March, but was arrested again in June when she was found leaving her residence with cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.

A search warrant was later conducted at her house, where more drugs were found, along with cash and other items consistent with trafficking, all of which were seized by police.

She was once again out on bail at the time of her most recent arrest.

Police have not released the amounts of drugs she was found to be in possession of in any of the charges.
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."
Photo: UBC Okanagan

The Okanagan tech sector is growing by leaps and bounds.

A new report has found that the technology sector is now contributing $1.3 billion to the local economy.

On Wednesday, Accelerate Okanagan CEO Raghwa Gopal and Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran will discuss the results of an economic report on the two-year growth of the Okanagan technology sector. It shows 30 per cent growth over that time.

The report was commissioned by Accelerate Okanagan.

Accelerate Okanagan is an organization that helps tech companies grow and succeed.
Photo: John Boivin Slocan activist Marilyn Burgoon in front of the Nelson courthouse.

Criminal charges laid after an environmental disaster in the Slocan Valley near Nelson three years ago will be heard in court next month.

A provincial court judge in Nelson set the start of the trial in the Lemon Creek spill case at a hearing today.

The Executive Flight Centre, the driver of the truck that spilled its load of jet fuel, and the provincial government are all co-defendants in the case.

The defendants have been charged with two counts of depositing a deleterious substance in a water frequented by fish under the federal Fisheries Act. There are also six counts of introducing waste into a stream causing pollution under the Environmental Management Act.

A handful of activists who were pushing for federal charges to be laid in the case attended the courtroom in Nelson to watch the proceedings. Lawyers for the federal government and the defendants spoke to Judge Robert Brown by conference call.

The defendants did not enter a plea at todays hearing.

The trial almost never happened. The province declined to lay charges after investigating the spill, as did the federal government. It was only after local Slocan activist Marilyn Burgoon, with the support of the West Coast Environmental Law Centre, successfully laid private charges that Ottawa decided to prosecute the case.

Burgoon told reporters after the hearing it was satisfying to see the proceedings begin.

Everyone who has helped is very pleased, she told reporters. Its hard to get justice for the environment so this is a good first step in our community to try to keep it clean and keep the water as a priority for our homes and our children to play in.

Many of the things that suffered in that spill cant really voice that, so I feel its my responsibility to do so. Im willing to take it on and Im glad to see the federal government is taking it over too.

The spill occurred when the Executive Flight Centre, which provides aviation fuel to the provinces firefighting efforts, sent driver Danny LaSante up the Lemon Creek Road in the Slocan valley to deliver a load of jet fuel to firefighting crews. The driver got lost and the truck overturned, spilling 33,000 litres of jet fuel into Lemon Creek.

The spill killed fish and wildlife downstream, and affected shallow wells of residents living in the area. Residents criticized what they said was a too-slow response to the cleanup.

A civil case by residents is also running parallel to the criminal trial.
RCMP officers will soon be carrying naloxone nasal spray to protect themselves against accidental contact with opioids such as the potentially deadly fentanyl.

Commissioner Bob Paulson said he cannot overstate the danger of the powerful synthetic drug that has already killed thousands.

"It's spreading across the country, leaving a trail of misery and death," he said in a news release Tuesday. "First responders and the public need to know that even being near it can make you sick, or worse."

The RCMP said it will begin distributing naloxone kits to officers to use on themselves or others to reduce or reverse the effects of opioids. New procedures are also being developed for Mounties to safely handle unknown substances.

The force released a video Tuesday featuring two British Columbia officers who became sick immediately after inhaling or touching fentanyl that belonged to people they came across while on the job.

Const. Rob Dupuis of Kamloops said in the video that he responded to a call about a young man who was slumped over in the driver's seat of a vehicle that had numerous narcotics in plain view.

Dupuis said he noticed a chemical smell and became nauseous and dizzy from what he later learned was fentanyl, and that tests at a hospital later showed his heart rate and blood pressure were elevated.

Traces of opiates were also found in his urine, he said.

"That was just after a 15-minute exposure in a vehicle," Dupuis said, adding that officers at traffic stops may believe they are dealing with cocaine or heroin, unaware that a substance is laced with fentanyl.

Const. Dawn Adams of Kelowna said she went to check on a man slumped over a table and noticed he had dropped a folded piece of paper.

"When I picked it up it unfolded (it) basically exploded white powder in my face," she said in the video.

"I felt dizzy, I felt nauseous, I couldn't stand up very well. I had to lean over. It was a feeling of helplessness too. Very unnerving for a police officer."

Adams said she felt better immediately after receiving a dose of naloxone, which is sold under the brand name Narcan.

"It takes a second for you to be exposed and another second for you to die. And we all want to go home at the end of the night."

In British Columbia alone, the coroners' service has said there were 433 opioid-related deaths between Jan. 1 and July 31 of this year, a nearly 75-per-cent increase compared with the same period in 2015.

The number of deaths between Jan. 1 and June 30 where fentanyl was detected has leapt to 238, a 250-per-cent increase over the same period last year.
Take down the zombies Penticton - 6:45 pm
Photo: Contributed

Police say they've arrested a man who donned a mask before confronting a driver and hijacking his truck from a home in Nanaimo.

RCMP say the 35-year-old suspect drove into a driveway and produced a firearm before jumping into a vehicle.

Police say the two men struggled, the suspect's mask came off and that he lost hold of the gun while the vehicle, which was in gear, was driven into the house.

RCMP say the pair then exited the truck and continued the scuffle but the suspect got back into the vehicle and left.

The homeowner called RCMP, and officers spotted his vehicle before arresting him when he pulled into a parking lot behind a store, where he sustained a dog bite to his left shoulder.

The man who is known to police was assessed and taken into custody and the weapon turned out to be an imitation firearm.
Dustin Godfrey

Electoral reform was on the minds of dozens who attended a town hall meeting in Penticton.

MP Dick Cannings was joined by Nathan Cullen, vice-chair of the federal electoral reform committee, who has been travelling across Canada to get a feel for people's thoughts on how best to alter the electoral process.

"People seem to want to struggle with these issues," Cullen said. "They want to say, 'OK, what do we do about age? What do we do about changing the voting system in a more fair way?'"

Penticton didn't diverge from the message he's been hearing across the country, but Cullen said he said he was impressed with the turnout Monday night.

"Which is fantastic, a lot of folks say that no one cares about this issue, and lo and behold, they do," he said. "People are coming both with opinions and a lot of questions. Some of this stuff is very complicated, but when it gets down to values, you can actually connect with people on what they care about."

Cannings said between the event in Penticton and another he held in Castlegar, the general feel from his constituents is in favour of proportional representation.

The federal government has promised electoral reform legislation by May 2017.

"A lot of people think, 'Do we have the time to do it right?'" he said. "But really, I think there's a solid support out there to change the system into something that's fair and more proportional."

Canada currently uses a first-past-the-post system, which has been criticized for being disproportionate  including the last federal election, in which the Liberal Party won a majority of seats with 39.5 per cent of the vote.
Photo: Philip Charles, Spirit Bear Adventures

A humpback whale that had become entangled in rope off the B.C. coast was rescued Monday.

The whale was tightly wrapped up in the debris for hours before help arrived.

This animal was definitely in major distress, and just with the ropes, the tight tension, that were wrapping around the animal and seeing the skin and the abrasions and the bleedings, it was awful to see, said Paul Cottrell, Department of Fisheries and Oceans. This animal definitely couldnt have survived too long under that kind of tension.

Rescuers found the whale snagged on an anchor line at the empty Marine Harvest fish farm near Bella Bella, north of Vancouver Island off the mainland.

Rescuers believe it may have already been entangled in the rope before becoming hooked on the anchor line.

This if the first time this has ever happened to us, said Marine Harvest spokesman Ian Roberts. So well review the situation and see how our anchor lines may have contributed to this event, and if we need to make changes to our farms, well make them across all our farms if thats needed.

Cottrel warns the public to never attempt to rescue a whale themselves, and to report any incidents to DFO through their 24/7 hotline  1-800-465-4336.

If we get the call and we can get there, our success rate is huge, said Cottrell. Its all about the 1-800 number, and not having people engage with the animal and trying to cut gear off, because thats made situations worse in the past.

An alarming 47 per cent of humpback whales in B.C. Water have become entangled in debris at one point in their lives.

- With files from CTV Vancouver Island
Photo: RCMP handout Police are looking for the owner of this car, who may have witnessed a murder.

Police are looking for a possible murder witness to a shooting on Kelowna's notorious Hein Road this summer.

Benjamin Cory Virgint, 35, was found shot to death in his home.

Now police are looking for the owner of a red sedan.

The Kelowna RCMP Serious Crime Unit is asking for help identifying the owner of a red four-door sedan that travelled on the 400 block of Hein Road on Aug. 5 at about 6 a.m.

Police strongly believe that this was a targeted attack, said Const. Jesse ODonaghey at the time.

Contact Const. Bob Moon of the Kelowna RCMP Serious Crime Unit at 250-470-6295 with information.
Photo: Twitter

A crewmember on the world's largest cruise ship died and four others were injured Tuesday when a lifeboat fell from the deck into the water during a rescue drill in Marseille, the operator and officials in the southern French port city said.

Julien Ruas, a deputy mayor of Marseille, told The Associated Press that the lifeboat fell about 10 metres from the fifth deck of the Harmony of the Seas into the sea with the five crewmembers aboard. He identified the dead crewmember as a 42-year-old Filipino. Circumstances of the accident are still unclear.

Local naval firefighters told the AP one person died, two were seriously injured and two were more slightly injured in the "violent" fall. All were members of the crew.

"It seems the people didn't get the time to secure themselves so the fall was quite a violent one, like if you or me fell around 10 metres from a building," Ruas, who is in charge of firemen, told The Associated Press. He said the reason the lifeboat broke away was not immediately clear.

The Miami-based Royal Caribbean cruise line "deplored" the death and said in a statement that the incident happened during a safety exercise while the ship was docked in the port of the Mediterranean city.

The Harmony of the Seas holds the record for the largest cruise ship ever built, with a capacity of 8,690 people, including 6,300 passengers and 2,390 crew members. The $1 billion ship was built in France and set sail for its inaugural cruise in May.
Photo: CTV

UPDATE: 2:35 p.m.

Police have arrested a 17-year-old after a "sexually motivated break-in" at a home in Vancouver.

Just after 2 a.m. Wednesday, a 57-year-old woman woke up to find a man standing in her bedroom. He attempted to sexually assault her before he was scared off by others living in the home, said Vancouver Police.

"The young man in custody is known to the VPD," police said in a release.

"It is still very early in the investigation and detectives continue to interview witnesses and gather evidence to support criminal charges."

ORIGINAL: 8:55 a.m.

Police are looking for a male intruder after a Vancouver woman woke up to a stranger in her bedroom this morning.

The Vancouver Police Department says it's not clear what the man was doing in the woman's East Vancouver home.

The intruder was scared off, and the woman was not harmed in the incident, which happened on Sherbrooke Street, near 37th Avenue.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
As the 2016 voting starts (mail absentee ballots are already being requested), it is illustrative to look at opinions among unaffiliated voters this year to get a sense of which way these voters are leaning and compare to where they were in 2012 at the same time. The big difference is the rapid growth of unaffiliated voters in North Carolina. According to CarolinaTransparency.com , unaffiliated voters now make up close to 30 percent of voters in the state. Their ranks, currently over 1.9 million, are growing by tens of thousands every month and should exceed 2 million by Election Day 2016. Since 2012 the ranks of unaffiliated voters have grown by over 335,000 registrants.(To find out the latest about this and other political trends, attend our next Poll Release Breakfast on September 15!)Every August (since 2010) Civitas conducts an extensive poll of unaffiliated voters. The 2016 answers below are taken from our latest poll . We also drew on answers to similar or identical questions in our 2012 unaffiliated poll Many people have pointed to the influx of outside residents, the growth of the urban areas and the skyrocketing unaffiliated voter registration as proof that North Carolina is permanently changing. However, they do not take account what is happening on the ground. The new voters - especially unaffiliated voters - are not permanently in one camp; they shift allegiances. For an excellent analysis of what has been happening in North Carolina, read this article One of the best measures to determine what is happening with the voters is to look at what is known as a "generic ballot" question. Here is a look at the generic ballot question beginning in 2010, the year we conducted our first unaffiliated poll, and a close-up look at 2012 and 2016.The question we asked:To dive in a little deeper, we will look at 2010, 2012 and 2016 numbers. I am including the 2010 numbers as that year we saw the largest gap in the generic ballot in our polling - that is, until this year:The baseline for the presidential election is basically the same (with two very different major-party candidates this year). Both candidates are universally known and voters have strong, even if more negative, views of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. In a reversal from 2012, the Democratic candidate is seen in a less favorable light than the Republican candidate.The 2012 numbers below show Obama with a net favorability of plus-4 percent, compared to Clinton's 2016 net favorability of minus 38 percent. Romney had a net favorability of minus-7 percent, which compares to Trumps net favorability of minus-14 percent. So while both candidates are much worse off than the respective 2012 candidates, Trump is in far better position relative to Clinton than Romney was to Obama. Trump's favorability numbers are within the margin of error of where Romney was in 2012. Clinton, on the other hand, is clearly in a worse position with these voters than Obama was in 2012.Looking at just the top two races in the state from the 2012 and 2016 elections, presidential and governor (there was no U.S. Senate election in 2012), gives us another look at the direction of the unaffiliated voter in 2016. This year we see a large number of unaffiliated voters choosing libertarian Gary Johnson for president, while in 2012 no third party choice was offered in the survey. It is not surprising that a third-party candidate would do well among voters who have chosen not to register with one of the two major parties.While the 2012 unaffiliated poll showed a tie between the two presidential candidates, in 2016 we see Trump with a significant lead among those expressing an opinion.In the race for governor we also have a very different dynamic, with Pat McCrory running as an incumbent against a well-funded challenger who has been in statewide office for 16 years. In 2012 McCrory faced an underfunded challenger who was a last-minute candidate after the incumbent governor declined to run for reelection.It appears that Republicans up and down the ticket have the advantage with unaffiliated voters as of this poll. Another indicator as to how this data will hold up is the question we ask as to "how much attention have you been paying to the various campaigns so far?" These voters are much more aware of this year's election than they were in 2012.This indicates that despite the ups and downs of the 2016 campaigns and peoples' complaints about the two candidates, it is generating more interest, at least among unaffiliated voters, than the 2012 election!If you are interested in our latest polling - Attend our next Poll Release Breakfast on September 15
Photo: Wayne Moore

Twelve per cent of eligible voters turned out for the two days of advance polling in the West Kelowna City Hall referendum.

Nearly 1,600 ballots were cast on the first day of advance voting on Sept. 7. Almost as many, about 1,550 people, came out to vote Sept. 13.

The vote is being held to determine if the City of West Kelowna can borrow up to $7.7 million to build a new city hall.

With advance polling now complete, the general referendum will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Votes can be cast at Constable Neil Bruce Middle School, George Pringle Elementary School, Glenrosa Middle School and Mar Jok Elementary School.

Voters must be 18 years old or over, a Canadian citizen, a resident of B.C. for at least six months prior to registering, and a resident or registered owner of property in the City of West Kelowna.

There are about 26,000 eligible voters in West Kelowna.
The cochlear implant program in British Columbia needs immediate attention to address the current two year surgical wait times.

Imagine being outside with your family taking a walk in a park. You can hear the birds chirping and the wind rustling the leaves above you. Your children are laughing and sharing all the sights and sounds with you and are eagerly telling you about all that they see and hear. Now imagine taking the same walk in the park with your children but you can no longer hear the birds, the leaves rustling, or the sounds of your children laughing; their voices are now just a distant mumble and you are not able to make out what they are saying to you. This is my life, I have severe to profound hearing loss in both of my ears and I am in desperate need of a cochlear implant.

I am just 34 years old and wear bilateral hearing aides but still I cannot hear the sounds that I have described to you. My hearing aides can no longer help as my hearing has degraded to such a point that I have little to no word understanding left. This traumatic loss started only six years ago with a moderate loss in my right ear. Over the course of the last six years I have gradually lost most of my hearing in both of my ears. I have what is called idiopathic severe to profound sensorineural bilateral hearing loss. I have been told that a cochlear implant can drastically improve my life, however, due to the current wait list one in the near future is not possible. St. Pauls Hospital in Vancouver, BC is the only hospital in the province that can perform this operation and it reports that the wait time for this surgery is currently two years. In those two years my hearing will continue to deteriorate and I may become completely deaf.

I am a mother to a 7 and 9 year old. I soon wont be able to hear them. I am a wife, who has such a patient and loving husband, who soon will not be able to hear him tell me how much he loves me. I have a house, a car and a good job. All of those are at jeopardy because of the wait time.

I am a nurse with 12 years of surgical experience on a busy surgical floor at Kelowna General Hospital. I have since lost my job as I am no longer able to perform my duties safely due to my hearing loss. I am in the process of having the hospital attempt to find me an accommodated position and in the interim have been forced to apply for medical EI and in short order long term disability. The surgeries that my unit takes care of are orthopaedic, neurological, and urological. It seems so ironic to me that I am a frontline nurse dealing with the increase in orthopaedic surgeries due to the government mandate to lessen the wait time for these surgeries. We are working harder trying to provide safe nursing care so that our patients can get the care they need in a shorter amount of time. Yet the surgery that I so desperately need to be able to continue to do my job is a two year wait! A wait that is two years too long! If I were to have had my surgery three months ago I would be able to be back at work by now. I would be able to continue to work in a profession that is in such demand and saves lives. I could continue to be a contributing person to society and continue to be able to pay my income taxes to support those that truly need assistance. Instead I must wait two years on disability. Wait to be a nurse, wait to hear when this is an ability I have had my whole life? A basic sense that most take for granted.

Losing a basic sense is extremely traumatic. What is even more traumatic is being told that there is a procedure that can give me my life and my job back, but I cannot have it done for two years.

I feel so isolated and feel so alone. I face a depression and isolation that is numbing. The only thing that gets me out of bed anymore is my husband and my kids. I cant even go through a drive thru and order a coffee because I can no longer hear what is said through the speaker. I am constantly avoiding situations because of the looks I get when I dont understand what is being said to me. Our health care system is failing me, one of its front line workers, and this a system that I have worked to support. What about all the other people waiting for this life changing surgery? What about the person with no family supports? The person sitting at home right now on disability falling deeper and deeper into depression. A depression that they probably wont be able to get out of. Who is going to support them? Who is going to encourage them?

Now lets talk about this medical masterpiece that is just sitting in the hospital waiting to help me and many others. A cochlear implant is an electronic device that replaces the function of my damaged inner ear; specifically my cochlea. Unlike my hearing aides, which only make things louder for me, the cochlear implant does the work of the damaged cochlea in my inner ear. The cochlear implant is able to provide sound signals to my brain. Signals that my brain will be able to understand and interpret again. My word understanding will start to recover over the course of rehabilitation. Instead of the 46% word understanding that I have now I could recover up into 80-90%. I can start to use the phone again and no longer have to rely on lip reading. The cochlear implant will help me focus better in noisy environments because it isnt simply making sounds louder for me. The cochlear implant surgery itself is a day procedure. It is done under general anaesthetic and is approximately two-three hours in length. I would go home the same day. After 4-6 weeks I would go back to St. Pauls and have my implant activated and programmed specifically to me.

St. Pauls Hospital in Vancouver BC is the only hospital in BC that does the cochlear implant surgery. They only do 35 surgeries per year! That means that only 35 people receive a cochlear implant per year. So if my math is correct, that means that around 70 people are currently waiting for a cochlear implant. 70 people are waiting two years to get a surgery that would get most back to work and back to being productive citizens. Back to living their lives. In order to be a candidate at St. Pauls Hospital one must have less than 60% word understanding in their left ear, right ear, and both ears together. Imagine for a minute only being able to hear 60% of what someone says to you. And that is 60% in a quiet environment. Not when you are out to dinner with friends and you have the restaurant noise plus multiple people talking at the same time. You miss a lot, and you learn to smile a lot hoping that it is an appropriate response to what is being said. Life moves on without you and without you knowing what is going on.

I have many contacts on Facebook with a cochlear implant recipient group. I know that the wait times across Canada differ greatly. The funding per province differs greatly. In Ontario for example a cochlear implant surgery is done within approximately 3-8 months and they will do both ears. In BC it is a two year wait and they will only do one ear. Quebec it is under one year. Back in 2004 one of my contacts only waited 8 months in BC now it is up to two years!

My goal in all of this is not only to increase the funding available for cochlear implants in BC at St. Pauls Hospital to help myself, but to the help the other people who are not as vocal as me. When I think about the two years to come and all that I am going to miss out on it stuns me. It makes me angry, angry that I have to be a burden to the system when a two hour surgery could change all of that. Something has to be done and it has to be done now! 35 surgeries in a year is too low the number must be increased. The demand over the years has clearly grown and it is time to act. It is time to give those living with hearing loss their lives back. Give them the chance to live again, to work again, to be productive tax paying citizens.

Jordona Hubber
Photo: Contributed

A man has been charged in the death of an RCMP constable  five months after the fatal crash on Vancouver Island.

RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett, 32, a mother of two young children, was killed in a crash April 5 at 3:30 a.m. at a major intersection in the Victoria suburb of Langford.

Kenneth Jacob Fenton, 28, faces five charges, including impaired driving causing death, operating a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner and failing to stop while being pursued by a police officer.

Police wouldn't comment on why it took five months to lay charges, other than saying "it's not unusual."

"As this is now before the courts, it would be inappropriate for me to comment, other than to say thank you, once again, to the community for the overwhelming support we have received," said Island District Commander, Chief Supt. Ray Bernoties.

The death made headlines across the country, drawing condolences from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier Christy Clark.

"Nothing anyone can say will ease their pain during such a dark time," said Clark at the time.

Beckett was remembered as a loving wife and mother with a quirky sense of humour and a commitment to service.

"You warned me this day may come when we first met each other," her husband said in a message read at the funeral. "I would still take this journey 1,000 times with you."
Photo: Getty Images

A police agency that investigates organized crime in British Columbia says 32 more people have been charged with drug-related offences in the province's Peace region.

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says an investigation that began in July 2015 resulted in the arrests of dozens of people and the seizure of drugs and firearms related to alleged trafficking offences.

The anti-gang agency says the latest arrests add to three others in June and that police conducted numerous traffic stops in the seizure of drugs including cocaine, fentanyl and about $70,000 in cash.

Unit spokesman Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton says charges involving the alleged offences have also disrupted street-level drug networks in the province's Chilcotin, Cariboo and northern areas.

Court appearances for the latest people charged are scheduled to continue until Oct. 25.

Warrants have also been issued for at least eight other individuals who have not yet been arrested.
Photo: CTV

British Columbia's auditor general says she's putting hot-button government issues such as the controversial Site C dam under her audit microscope over the next three years.

Carol Bellringer says making public the programs she'll audit is an important part of maintaining transparency with British Columbians.

Other projects she aims to review include rate-regulated accounting at Crown-owned BC Hydro and government management of the province's grizzly-bear population.

Bellringer says plans are also underway for reviews of how the government manages risks posed by climate change and an examination of the independent B.C. Utilities Commission, which is primarily responsible for gas and electricity utilities.

The auditor general says she's adding seven new projects to her target list, bringing to 56 the total number of projects started over the next three years.

Bellringer says future projects include reviews of access to clean drinking water and audits of government employment and domestic violence programs.
Photo: CTV

Investigators looking into allegations of misconduct by Victoria's embattled police chief have once again been granted more time to complete their work.

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner has extended the timeline for a series of investigations involving Chief Frank Elsner, who allegedly sent inappropriate Twitter messages to the wife of one of his officers.

The reviews were scheduled to be done by Friday, but investigators asked for more time and were granted an extension until Nov. 30.

This is the second extension investigators have received, after they asked for more time in June.

Elsner stepped aside from his duties last December pending the results of two investigations into his conduct, but was suspended in April after yet another investigation was announced.

The third investigation was launched when new information surfaced containing allegations of false statements and the deletion of data, with the deputy police complaint commissioner saying Elsner faces 11 allegations of misconduct.


Nakoula Basseley Nakoula blamed for the Benghazi terrorist attack was arrested and locked up by the Obama administration.

The controversial filmmaker - a relative unknown Christian Arab - whose attempt at marketing a motion picture about Islam has had his life turned upside down by President Barack Obama and his then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton following the Sept. 11, 2012 Islamic terrorist attack.The Egyptian-born man was framed for causing the event that is now called the Battle of Benghazi in which four Americans including a U.S. Ambassador were killed by Libyan jihadists.Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, the Coptic Christian whose short video "The Innocence of Muslims," was blamed by Obama, Clinton and their minions - including members of the news media - for sparking a protest against the motion picture at U.S. diplomatic compound that allegedly turned ugly.Nakoula - who is credited as Sam Bacile the film's creator - today is a homeless man sleeping on a cot at a men's shelter in Buena Park, California. The penniless man served a prison sentence, been vilified by the White House, and was even threatened with death by those who believed what they were told by Obama and Clinton, who were revealed as liars..he said.In the aftermath of the Benghazi attack, President Obama and Hillary Clinton selected the anti-Islamist film as the cause of a spontaneous protest that turned violent. U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith and CIA contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty were killed when armed terrorists laid siege to the compound.said counterterrorism analyst Brian Hanratty.said the former police commander.The documents also show that the Obama minions were looking at a video - The "Pastor Jon" video by Oregon-based Pastor Jon Courson entitled God vs. Allah, a low-key exposition of the Biblical book of Kings.said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.According to former U.S. Marine Captain Steve Klein in an exclusive interview with Jim Kouri, Sam Bacile is a pseudonym and he uses several aliases - Mark Basseley Youssef, Yousseff M. Basseley, Nicola Bacily and Malid Ahlawi - in order to avoid being victimized by Muslims from his Middle East homelandKlein was the military consultant for the movie project who said that he and Bacile wished to make a film that would expose the truth about the Prophet Mohammed to radical Muslims throughout the world.said the decorated Marine veteran.Klein said he had promised to help Bacile produce the feature film but cautioned him thatVan Gogh was a Dutch filmmaker killed by a Muslim extremist in 2004 after making a film that was perceived as insulting to Islam.Klein said.In trailers posted on YouTube in July 2012, there were scenes of the Prophet Mohammed portrayed as a womanizer, ruthless killer and child molester. While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama said the film was "disgusting," most Americans are aware of its truthfulness, said former police detective Mike Snopes.asks Snopes.
Press Release:

Contact: Attila Nemecz

Attila Nemecz (252)-940-6387

The following students have received scholarships through the BCCC Foundation. For information about scholarships, contact Serena Sullivan, executive director of the BCCC Foundation, at serena.sullivan@beaufortccc.edu or 252-940-6326.Sarah Allender of Washington has received the James Franklin & Hannah Roberson Bagwell Endowment Scholarship. Allender, 29, attended Cape Hatteras Secondary School and is working toward an Associate in Applied Science. Daughter of Sheila Jackson of Frisco, wife of Justin Allender and mother of two, she plans to return to the Outer Banks to open up her own mobile salon.Marcel Bowser of Plymouth has received the Community Endowment Scholarship. Bowser, 18, is a criminal justice student and attended Plymouth High School. Son of Morris and Gloria Cox of Plymouth, he plans to continue his education at a four-year university. Bowser currently works at McDonald's.Tyler Campbell of Chocowinity has received the Thomas E. Minges Memorial/Pepsi-Cola Scholarship. Campbell, 20, is attending Beaufort County Early College High School and is working toward an Associate Degree in Nursing. He holds an Associate in General Education from BCCC. He plans to acquire a bachelor's degree in nursing and become an anesthesiologist.Jenna Caraway of New Bern has received the Irwin & Frances Hulbert Endowment Scholarship. Caraway, 32, attended New Bern High School and is working toward an Associate Degree in Nursing. Wife of Ricky Caraway and mother of two, she also holds a degree in cosmetology from BCCC. Caraway plans to work in a hospital helping people.Jacqueline Chavez of Pantego has received the Margaret Hodges Hackney Endowment Scholarship. Chavez, 19, attended Northside High School and is working toward an Associate in General Education. She is the daughter of Octaviano and Lourdes Chavez of Pantego. She plans to work with Vidant Beaufort Hospital and holds a certificate in manicuring nail technology. Chavez currently works as a host/server at Grub Brother Eatery.Stacy Dennis of Beaufort County has received the Lou Tyer Memorial Endowment Scholarship. Dennis, 41, attended Chocowinity High School and is an early childhood education student. She is the daughter of Malvin King and Harvey E. Dennis, Sr., and mother of one. She plans to be a teacher and currently works in the bakery at Walmart.Yalissa Dominicak of Washington has received the Tayloe's Hospital Pharmacy Scholarship and the Robert C. Page Endowment Scholarship. Dominicak, 27, attended Bear Grass High School and is working toward an Associate Degree in Nursing. She is the daughter of Anthony and Sonya Beal of Washington, wife of Iseal Mondragon and a mother of two. Dominicak has also earned an Associate in Arts and an Associate in General Education from BCCC. She plans to work locally while finishing her Bachelor of Nursing.Crystal Floyd of Pinetown has received the Robert C. Page Endowment Scholarship. Floyd, 26, attended Northside High School and is pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing. Mother of one, she plans to work in the operating room at Vidant Beaufort Hospital. Floyd currently works at the Golden Living Center in Greenville as a CNA.Michael Hall of Washington has received the Community Endowment Scholarship. Hall, 23, attended Washington High School and is working toward an Associate in Arts and Sciences. He is the son of Paula and David Hall of Washington, and holds an Associate in Science from BCCC. He plans to continue his education at ECU and pursue a career in information technology. Hall is currently working as a stocker at Food Lion.Brandy Holliday of Beaufort has received the James Franklin & Hannah Roberson Bagwell Endowment Scholarship. Holliday, 33, attended North Pitt High School and is a human services student. Daughter of Pauline and Luke Holliday, she plans to transfer to ECU to finish a bachelor's degree in social work
Ghana: Dangote sets up tarpaulin distribution centres

14 September 2016

Dangote Cement Ghana Ltd has embarked on an exercise to distribute 1000 tarpaulins to its cement distributors across Ghana, said Dangote marketing manager, Evans Oloquaye Martey.

He explained that with the tarpaulin technology, distributors only need platforms on which to put the cement, then use the tarpaulins to cover and secure them against theft and rain. The tarpaulin concept of trading cement is an age-long practice in Nigeria and other west African countries that does not require any investment in office space."

The move is aimed at reducing the high cost of putting up or renting office space, which was mostly required to trade in cement," he said. The cost of office space in Ghana's cities is very high and the tarpaulin concept is being introduced to relieve the plight of the distributors.

Following the distribution of the first batch of the tarpaulins, the marketing manager said, the lower cost of the initiative would help the company to make its products affordable and accessible in Ghana's market.

We want many Ghanaians, who desire to put up houses and other infrastructure to buy cement at very affordable prices without having to pay indirectly for the operational cost. This is why we are introducing this technology that does not really require an office space to set-up, he explained.







Published under
Bert and Jack Yates serve with the IMB-SBC in Nairobi, Kenya. Jack, whose heart's desire is to equip and teach God's children in Africa to carry out the Great Commission, serves as the Principal of the Kenya Baptist Theological College. Bert serves as the Prayer Networker for the Sub-Saharan African Peoples Affinity, sharing what God is doing in our part of the world and how others can join in His work!


LAME DEER  A new laundromat will open on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation on Wednesday, supplying a service the community has lacked for almost 10 years.

After almost six months of construction, the Cheyenne Avenue Laundry, Northern Cheyenne's newest tribal business, will house the only coin-operated laundry machines on the reservation.

Until now, people without a washer and dryer would have to drive to Ashland, Colstrip or Hardin to wash their clothes.

Housing Authority Executive Director Lafe Haugen estimated about 10 percent of Northern Cheyenne residents have washers and dryers in their homes.

Before being bought by the tribe, the cinder block building housed several businesses, including a post office, a casino, a fireworks stand and a pawn shop. The building is one of the oldest in Lame Deer and was remodeled by the Northern Cheyenne Housing Authority's construction team.

Many of the machines are refurbished, said Jay Fraser, Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority foreman, but a few are new.

Project foreman Quanah Magpie and his team moved as fast as they could to get the job done, which included tearing up the old floor, putting in a new ceiling and installing new lighting.

"We ran into every problem you can think of," Magpie said.

The announcement that the project was nearing completion was met with intense anticipation from the tribal community, Fraser said.

"They're like, 'Let me in.' They've got their clothes ready," Fraser said.

The reservation has been without a laundromat since about 2007, when Ardyce Stennerson, manager of the Chicken Coop, died in a car crash at the age of 71. Stennerson ran the business that was part restaurant, part laundromat, part small auto repair shop with her husband, Richard Stennerson.

When Ardyce Stennerson died, her husband gave up the business.

The new business will be under the management of the Northern Cheyenne Development Corporation, a corporation created by the tribe about four years ago to manage the tribe's three retail businesses. The corporation will now manage four businesses, including the laundromat, and will soon also manage the tribe's mini-mall, which is nearing completion.

Northern Cheyenne Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Bo Vocu said the laundromat will create four new jobs on the reservation. Two full-time shift workers will staff the laundromat Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with two part-time workers taking the Sunday and Saturday shifts, Vocu said.

Northern Cheyenne Council Member Benjamin Headswift said he and his nine fellow council members pulled together to make the laundromat happen after discovering there was funding available through a grant from a Minnesota tribe.

Headswift used to wash his clothes at family and friends' houses before he got his own machine, he said. Living in poverty is tough, and the laundromat will be a great service the tribe will be able to provide for its people, he said.
The Northern Cheyenne Development Corp. will be tested in the coming months as the Northern Cheyenne tribe takes a new strategy when it comes to business development on the reservation.

Created in 2012 by the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Government, the Northern Cheyenne Business Development Corp. is meant to put an "arm's length" between tribal politics and business, Northern Cheyenne Council member for the Ashland District Tracy Robinson said.

Up until now the corporation has managed only the Northern Cheyenne Depot, a gas station located in the heart of Lame Deer.

This week, a tribe-owned laundromat is planned to open. Projects also in the works include opening a small mall in Lame Deer and a new gas station in Ashland, as well as reopening the tribe's lube station. All of the projects will test the management skills of the corporation's five-person board.

The strip mall, which is being referred to as a "business incubator" by tribal leaders, was created through a grant from the United States Department of Agricultural Rural Development program. The tribe received the $500,000 grant about five years ago. The tribe matched the USDA grant and paid an additional $200,000 in costs to complete the building.

The goal for the $1.2 million building is to provide an opportunity for tribal members with solid business ideas to open storefronts on the reservation.

The business development corporation's Chief Executive Officer Bo Vocu has vetted the business proposals of several people interested in leasing a space in the building. These businesses include an office supplies store that will also provide data-technology consulting, a hair and nail salon, a screen printing business, an art gallery and a cellphone store.

The cellphone store will be through Choice Wireless, which has put up five cell towers on the reservation and will provide affordable cell service to tribal members. The cellphone store is a big bonus to the business incubator as it requires someone with technical knowledge to work there, Vocu said. There are many technologically advanced people living on the reservation who can't get a job in their field, Vocu said. This store will give them that opportunity.

Vocu, along with People's Partners for Community Development Board Chairman Barbra Braidedhair, are working to make sure the business plans proposed by those seeking leases in the building are solid.

"We don't want to set anyone up for failure," Vocu said.

The corporation will require rent from the businesses, but will pay for the building's general utilities. The stores will be responsible only for phone and internet service.

The prospect of managing all of these businesses has made Vocu's life hectic, he said. He spent the past few months learning about laundromats and lube stations. Depot General Manager and tribal member Carrie Braine has taken care of the operations of The Depot and is managing the opening of the tribe's Ashland gas station, Vocu said.

Vocu's position was created after the tribal council traveled to reservations that did not have casinos but still had robust economies, Robinson said. They found that many tribes had corporations running their businesses rather than their tribal governments.

The corporation handles the daily management of tribal business, including hiring and firing, determines how much of the profit goes back into the project and determines its own budget. The tribal government will determine how to use the rest of the profit, Robinson said.

It was difficult to convince the tribal government to give up control over the businesses, Robinson said. Even he found it nerve-racking. But with a lot of work on the part of the tribal council and many other people in the government, Robinson said he believes the tribe has created a structure that will allow the Northern Cheyenne economy to build itself from the ground up.
Elise and Terje Gording Hong, a father-daughter duo from Lillehammer, Norway, will perform at the Elks Lodge at 7 p.m. on Sept. 20.

Admission for the concert, which will include Norwegian cookies, lefse and coffee, is $5 per person. The event is being presented by Jotunheimen Lodge, No. 499, which has been in Billings for 46 years.

The musicians will perform Norwegian folk music and songs from Eastern Norway. Elise plays violin and sings and Terje is an 11-time Norwegian accordion champion. He has performed at Walt Disney World in Florida.

The lodge also presents a Torsk meatball dinner the fourth Saturday in October at the Billings Food Bank. The group will use proceeds to sponsor a Norwegian family language camp in Red Lodge next July. The lodge also provides money for the food bank and other Billings nonprofits, including the Peace Studies Institute based at Rocky Mountain College.
A two-year pilot project announced on Tuesday will link Billings Clinic psychiatric staff with rural medical providers.

The project aims to provide a virtual meeting space where staff from rural health providers can meet weekly with mental health professionals to discuss patient cases and find the best course of treatment to go with their primary care.

"Integrated behavioral health care helps people get the care they need, when they need it and where they need it," said Dr. Eric Arzubi, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and chair of the psychiatric department at Billings Clinic.

The project kicked off with the announcement of $180,000 in funding.

In Billings, Todd Lovshin, vice president and Montana regional director of insurance provider PacificSource Health Plans, announced that his company will donate a minimum of $30,000 to get the pilot off of the ground.

In Helena, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana announced that it will give $50,000 to the effort through its Healthy Kids, Healthy Families grant program.

In addition, Montana's Medicaid office will provide $100,000 to the Integrated Behavioral Health Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) pilot, pending approval from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, according to Gov. Steve Bullock's office.

Arzubi said that having strong mental health care resources in one community or facility doesn't do the most good if they don't spread to nearby communities that need them and that ECHO can help accomplish that.

Initially, the two-year pilot will include 10 rural doctors' offices and health clinics connecting with psychiatric staff at Billings Clinic for weekly tele-conference meetings.

Project ECHO is a global initiative based out of New Mexico that works to connect experts and panels of specialists with clinicians in smaller or rural areas where such services might not be otherwise available.

Tuesday's announcement is the second Project ECHO pilot announced in Montana for 2016, after Billings Clinic in January started a similar effort to connect addiction specialists, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and psychiatrists with Montana Department of Corrections staff working with offenders preparing to transition back into communities.

Speaking via video, Dr. Sanjeev Arora, founder and director of Project ECHO, told a crowd of about 50 people in Billings how he developed the program to help treat Hepatitis C in rural New Mexico.

It has since grown to run more than 72 hubs in 22 states and six countries, focusing on more than 45 conditions, diseases or issues.

Arora said that mental health care in rural Montana presents many of the same challenges that spurred the creation of Project ECHO, namely that there are resources out there that can help but that aren't currently available in those rural communities.

He also noted that Montana is the first to have such an involved public-private partnership backing a Project ECHO hub.

"I really look forward to keenly watching the growth of ECHO in Montana and to it being an example to the rest of the world," he said.

The new Montana pilot also has the support of Bullock's Governor's Council on Healthcare Innovation, tasked with improving outcomes and reducing costs of health care in Montana.

Bullock spoke at the Billings announcement and said that even with significant advances in health care in Montana, such as Medicaid expansion and investment in mental health resources, access to services is still a large barrier. Project ECHO, he said, can help.

"There's still so much more to do," he said.

By connecting doctors or other primary care staff with mental health specialists on a regular basis, the pilot could also help get more timely and specific care to patients.

Matt Kuntz, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Montana, said that a recent statewide report indicated many people completed or attempted suicide after long waits and travel distances kept them from getting timely care.

"There are a lot of reasons for that, but Project ECHO will move the needle on that in Montana," he said.

Jessica Cotton, CEO of the Southwest Montana Community Health Center in Butte, said that providing mental health services to clients has been an ongoing challenge and that Project ECHO has "built a bridge" between needed psychiatric services and patients.

"Treating some of the most vulnerable patients in Montana is what this does," she said.
BUTTE  A Montana State University architecture professor is directing a reclamation project that will one day transform Buttes Bonanza Mine Dump into a recreation site that will include a BMX racing course.

Bradford Watson, assistant professor of architecture in the MSU School of Architecture in the MSU College of Arts and Architecture, is spearheading the reclamation effort to construct an officially sanctioned USA Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racing course, park and trail system at the site adjacent to Buttes West Elementary School. The project recently received a $100,000 grant from the Butte Natural Resource Damage Council to get things underway. Watson said the total cost of the project is expected to be $750,000 to $1million.

We are still working with Butte Silver Bow, the community and grant organizations to raise funds, which will determine final scope of the project, he said.

The project is one of five small restoration efforts recommended by the council and approved by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock to improve former Butte mine sites. The grant will be used at the Bonanza Dump to develop a trail, plantings and wetlands along an existing creek as a part of a larger trail system. Continued fundraising efforts are underway to fund the BMX track.

Soil and water sampling has begun and Watson said he will work with three MSU graduate architecture students this fall to design the BMX track. He said construction on the course is anticipated to begin next spring or summer, with the track opening in the summer or fall of 2017.

Watson began examining the extraction and reclamation efforts on the Butte Hill in 2013, drawn to the area by its significant historical presence as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund program. With a background studying old industrial and early 1900s architecture, Watson said he is interested in how we can bring back cultural parts of a community as an economic revival.

Watsons vision is an alternative strategy to the established plan that calls for propagation of open grass fields that are closed to the public in order to protect them from erosion. Instead, Watson hopes to construct a site that can safely be used by the community while also remaining self-sustainable.

This gives ownership to the community, Watson said.

The project area is an eight-acre parcel formerly used as a mine dump that was adopted as an unsanctioned BMX racing track a number of years ago. Drawing on this established use for the land, Watson spoke with operators from the Gallatin Valley BMX track in order to learn about the sport and site construction.

The Butte BMX track will be one of only three in the state, in addition to tracks in Bozeman and Great Falls. Because participants will pay a small fee in order to race on the track, it will be financially sustainable, he added.

This project speaks to what I believe is a larger value to what design can do, Watson said. We as designers can engage with solving problems, and look at the opportunities (these problems) create.
A handful of Montanas oldest residents gathered in Billings on Tuesday and shared some wise words gleaned from a century of life experience.

Eight centenarians attended a luncheon in the Billings Hotel and Convention Center as part of the 48th annual Governors Conference on Aging. The Montana Department of Health and Human Services recently compiled a list of 138 Montanans ages 101 or older and hosted the event to honor those who have reached the milestone.

Thelma Green has celebrated 102 birthdays and credits her long life to advances in medical science and Vitamin B12.

Green moved to Billings in 1936 but grew up in Volborg, a town south of Miles City named after her mother. She traveled six miles on horseback to school from her familys homestead, even in winter weather.

My dad never kept a thermometer because he said if he knew how cold it was he wouldnt send us, Green said.

She said she remembers seeing freight haulers with wagons pulled by a team of eight horses. Now she makes regular visits to Starbucks with her family.

Green said she didnt know where to begin to describe the changes shes witnessed in Montana. Gov. Steve Bullock spoke at the luncheon and attempted to put the advances in context.

Bullock said he received a Smith Corona electric typewriter as high school graduation gift. The present has been obsolete for decades, but the people honored Tuesday were in their 60s and 70s when he received it.

He said Montana is a great place to live, but aging here is not without its challenges.

Our rural nature is part of what we cherish, but the small towns dotted across the state present a challenge in delivering services, Bullock said.

He said there are 100,000 people in Montana who are at least part-time caregivers for the elderly. He advocated for programs like Meals on Wheels and respite care that offers short-term care to provide a rest for primary caregivers.

At least one centenarian in attendance still lives independently in his own home. Barney Meyers turned 106 on Tuesday and still dances regularly  with younger partners as Bullock noted.

Some of the other centenarians offered their tips for staying sharp like frequent reading and crossword puzzles. Millie Eyre, 106, likes to play bridge when she isnt watching "Jeopardy" or her beloved Utah Jazz on TV.

Eyre knows a thing or two about longevity. Her husband, Don Eyre, lived to see 100, and they were married for more than 75 years.
We screen students for vision, hearing and spinal problems. Why not for depression?

The Montana Suicide Mortality Review Team, composed of Montana health care professionals and other citizens, has recommended that all students be screened for depression beginning at age 11. That recommendation is consistent with what the U.S. Prevention Services Task Force advised recently.

What we envision is making parents aware, giving parents information and suggestions on where to go for follow up, said Karl Rosston, statewide suicide prevention coordinator. We want to give parents information so they can make decisions.

Shocking as it may be to think that children as young as 11 are seriously depressed, Montana statistics argue for detection of this disease at an early age. Since 2014, at least two Montana 11-year-olds have taken their own lives, one child in Billings, one in Great Falls. Several 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds have killed themselves in the same period.

Not all who suffer depression will kill themselves or even attempt self-harm. But the majority of people who die by suicide had undiagnosed, untreated or ineffectively treated mental illnesses. Depression is the illness most often connected with suicide.

The review team was created by a 2013 law that aims to reduce the rate of suicide in Montana, which is the highest of any state  double the national average.

The Montana team made other recommendations for a multi-level approach for all elementary and secondary students, including:

Teaching resiliency and coping skills starting in grades 1 and 2.

Training school counselors in suicide prevention.

Training all middle and high school students in a Question, Refer Persuade, a simple, evidenced-based method of asking a few questions to help their peers stay safe.

Requiring each school district to develop protocols to respond to students identified as being at high risk.

Among the 27 Montana youth who died by suicide between Jan. 1, 2014 and March 1, 2016, 21 were white, five were American Indian and one was Asian. Seven were 17 years old, 20 were younger. Eighty-one percent were boys.

The Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a confidential survey conducted every other year in Montana middle and high schools, has shown an increasing trend toward serious depression among our youth. In 2015, the most recent survey:

Nearly 30 percent of Montana students said they had felt sad or hopeless for more than two weeks in a row in the past year and had stopped doing some of their normal activities.

Nearly 9 percent reported attempting suicide.

Students with disabilities were more likely than any other student group to answer yes to those questions. The second highest rate of risk was among students in alternative schools, followed by American Indians living in urban areas and American Indians living on reservations. All those groups had higher risks than the general student population, according to the YRBS.

Montana cannot ignore depression and suicide. The student screening recommendations are new, but the screenings arent. Family doctors and mental health professionals have used depression screenings (often a series of questions) for many years.

The Montana Suicide Prevention Review Team has asked that lawmakers consider mandating some type of depression screening for middle and high school students. Such a law is justified for protecting adolescent health  and life. But local school boards dont have to wait for lawmakers to act next year. In consultation with their community and health care professionals, school trustees can and should establish depression screening programs.

We urge Montana school leaders not to wait for the next student suicide. Step up now to help parents learn about depression, treatment and recovery.
From the sound of Harley-Davidsons in the Upper Cumberland to feeling the rough surfaces of boulders in East Tennessee and getting a birds eye view of autumn colors in West Tennessee, travelers can look to Tennessee for an autumnal adrenaline rush.

Rock Climb

Knoxville is a climbing hub with more than 5,000 different routes within a three-hour drive of the city. Outdoor Knoxville guides adventure seekers to those routes which can be found in Tennessee natural gems like Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Devils Racetrack, Black Mountain, and Ijams Crag to name a few.

Additionally, Chattanooga is known nationwide for the miles of sandstone bluffs, crags and boulders that range in difficulty. Outdoor Chattanooga offers the equipment and insight into climbing and bouldering areas like the Tennessee Wall, Sunset Rock, Foster Falls, The Stone Fort, and Walnut Wall.

On Wheels

Rev up an all-terrain vehicle in Huntsville, Tennessee to explore more than 19,196 acres of Brimstone Recreation. More than 300 miles of OHV trails and roads lead to overlooks and explorative points of interest. Other activities include kayaking, fishing and hunting. Enjoy the beauty of the surrounding Appalachian Mountains in this adventure wonderland.

Hug the curves of the 14-county Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee through the Carve the Cumberland guide which outlines 12 different motorcycle routes filled with tree-lined curves, hills, waterfalls, and rural attractions. Routes range from 77 miles to a more extensive 184 miles.

West Tennessee helps cyclists enjoy the crisp fall air while taking in the autumn colors. Check out Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park with its five-mile intermediate trail. Experience pavement, unpaved switchbacks and turns with some elevation gain, weaving through the forests colorful palette.

Shelby Farms Park offers a variety of trails for cyclists. Hop on the 10.85-mile Shelby Farm Greenline that runs from the Park to Memphis Midtown area. Have some quiet time among the pine and hardwood forest areas of the 2.75-mile Chickasaw Trail. Meet the challenge on the mountain biking Tour De Wolf which leads past hidden lakes and wildlife viewing areas.

Sky Dive

Whether its an individual skydive or visitors would like to enroll in diving school, Tennessee provides the means to get a birds eye view of fall color as participants jump from a plane and descend to a soft landing. With expert jumpers with years of experience, guests can suit up with skydiving companies like Sky Dive Tennessee in Tullahoma; Adventure Sky Divingin Nashville; and Sky Dive King Air in Whiteville (40 miles east of Memphis).

Hiking

Travel the Short Springs State Natural Area trail as it opens to Machine Falls in Tullahoma with its endless cascading water and opportunities for great photos. The 1.6-mile trail is a loop thatll take hikers to the falls and back. For a longer hike, folks can cross the bridge to get to the other side of the waterfall. Step carefully as the path can sometimes be slippery.

Located near Smithville, Tennessee, the hike to Carmac Falls is a bit steep to get to but the reward is ample. Its situated on the property of Evins Mill Resort, so call ahead and reserve the day picnic/hike package thats listed for $20. Its a great way to spend a romantic afternoon or family outing.

Driving along the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway, travelers can stop off at milepost 404.7 to stretch and enjoy Jackson Falls that are beautifully sculpted as they cascade from the Duck River. A steep trail, about 900-ft. long, leads to the falls base.
Over the next five years, students at Chattanooga State Community College will have the opportunity to apply for a newly-created $10,000 scholarship thanks to Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union (TVFCU).

The Chattanooga State Foundation will present a $2,000 scholarship to an eligible student, each year for five years, on behalf of TVFCU, said Director of College Advancement Tammy Sawyers.

Chattanooga State maintains strong ties to schools within the TVFCU service area to ensure that all students have an opportunity to apply for the TVFCU scholarship.

Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union is a community credit union committed to enhancing the lives of those we serve. Chattanooga State is a community college striving to empower and enrich lives through lifelong learning. We both desire to see this community grow and thrive and by working together, we can help make this happen. TVFCU recognizes the importance of a good education and desires to do our part to ensure that young people have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, shares Todd Fortner, President and CEO, TVFCU.

For more information about establishing a scholarship, please contact Tammy Sawyers, director, College Advancement, at 423 697-3359 or email tammy.sawyers@chattanoogastate.edu.
Moms Clean Air Force is hosting a Play-In for Clean Air on Friday to highlight the need to protect children's health and the environment.

Tennessee Play-In for Clean Air will be a free, family-friendly event with activities, healthy snacks and an opportunity to learn about clean air, clean energy, and the role parents can play in Tennessee.



The event will be held from 10 a.m.-noon at the St. Elmo Playground, 5001 Saint Elmo Ave.

There will be a musical performance by Shar-La-La Music Together.

For more information contact Lindsay Pace at lpace@momscleanairforce.org.
Welcome! We join together to extend to the Montana University System Board of Regents and Commissioner Clay Christian a hand of welcome, with rolled-up sleeves, and our expression of commitment and support to work with the BOR and Chancellor Mark Nook on the future of our universityMontana State University Billings.

From the perspective of our regional economic development, support for our growing businesses, and the redevelopment of our downtown, we consider the growth and development of Montana State University Billings fundamental to our collective efforts. Were working to address ever-growing workforce challenges, create a platform for research and innovation to drive new business, invest in place-making to retain and attract talent, and seek opportunities for continued economic diversity. We believe that a growing, dynamic MSU Billings is a key driver in all of these initiatives.

We have a strong partnership with Chancellor Nook, his team, and Regent Martha Sheehy. Our goal for the Regents meeting in Billings this week is to express our support for our local team as they work with the community in defining a clear path forward for the future of Montana State University Billings. We also desire to use this opportunity to engage the Board of Regents and Montana University System in what we hope will be ongoing dialogue and teamwork as we finalize our vision, commitments and the investments needed to see MSU Billings prosper and support the economic and community development of our region.

So, we share our sincere welcome. Were ready to go to work with the Board of Regents, under Nook and Sheehys leadership, with great expectations for Montana State University Billings.
Merck inaugurated its Display Materials Research and Development (R&D) Lab in Shanghai, China. Merck invested about  5 million to expand and upgrade its local R&D capacity in display materials and strengthen its commitment to the display industry in China. The investment is in line with Mercks strategy to provide local support to its customers in the display industry in China.

We have now realized the plans we announced when we opened our Liquid Crystal Center China in 2013, says Walter Galinat, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Performance Materials. We are glad to be part of Shanghais technological initiative, dedicated to collaborating with local industry players to boosting strong demand in China for the years to come.

The Shanghai R&D Lab will focus its research on developing new and improved mixtures for LC displays manufactured in China, one of the most important markets in the display industry. Formerly the liquid crystal application laboratory which opened in 2011, it has now been upgraded and expanded. The new lab will enable Mercks experienced R&D team in China to provide local customers with high-quality materials and better responsiveness so as to jointly address the dynamic growth of Chinas display industry. The lab also enables the state-of-the-art Liquid Crystal Center China to complete its full value chain from R&D to manufacturing, application support, and sales and marketing.

A well-developed capacity for research and development is the key to the success of our localization, says Alasdair Jelfs, Managing Director of the Merck legal entities within the Life Science and Performance Materials businesses in China. We are continuing our investment in upgrading and expanding our application lab to an R&D lab. This is enabling us to fully utilize our talented China R&D team, which we have been building for more than five years, in line with our strategy to position Merck in China as a service-oriented and innovative player in the market.
One chain of the double helix is formed by an alternating string consisting tin and iodine atoms, the other is formed by phosphor atoms.

It is the double helix, with its stable and flexible structure of genetic information, that made life on Earth possible in the first place. Now a team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has discovered a double helix structure in an inorganic material. The material comprising tin, iodine and phosphorus is a semiconductor with extraordinary optical and electronic properties, as well as extreme mechanical flexibility.

Flexible yet robust  this is one reason why nature codes genetic information in the form of a double helix. Scientists at TU Munich have now discovered an inorganic substance whose elements are arranged in the form of a double helix.

The substance called SnIP, comprising the elements tin (Sn), iodine (I) and phosphorus (P), is a semiconductor. However, unlike conventional inorganic semiconducting materials, it is highly flexible. The centimeter-long fibers can be arbitrarily bent without breaking.

"This property of SnIP is clearly attributable to the double helix," says Daniela Pfister, who discovered the material and works as a researcher in the work group of Tom Nilges, Professor for Synthesis and Characterization of Innovative Materials at TU Munich. "SnIP can be easily produced on a gram scale and is, unlike gallium arsenide, which has similar electronic characteristics, far less toxic."

Countless application possibilities

The semiconducting properties of SnIP promise a wide range of application opportunities, from energy conversion in solar cells and thermoelectric elements to photocatalysts, sensors and optoelectronic elements. By doping with other elements, the electronic characteristics of the new material can be adapted to a wide range of applications.

Due to the arrangement of atoms in the form of a double helix, the fibers, which are up to a centimeter in length can be easily split into thinner strands. The thinnest fibers to date comprise only five double helix strands and are only a few nanometers thick. That opens the door also to nanoelectronic applications.

"Especially the combination of interesting semiconductor properties and mechanical flexibility gives us great optimism regarding possible applications," says Professor Nilges. "Compared to organic solar cells, we hope to achieve significantly higher stability from the inorganic materials. For example, SnIP remains stable up to around 500C (930 F)."

Just at the beginning

"Similar to carbon, where we have the three-dimensional (3D) diamond, the two dimensional graphene and the one dimensional nanotubes," explains Professor Nilges, "we here have, alongside the 3D semiconducting material silicon and the 2D material phosphorene, for the first time a one dimensional material  with perspectives that are every bit as exciting as carbon nanotubes."

Just as with carbon nanotubes and polymer-based printing inks, SnIP double helices can be suspended in solvents like toluene. In this way, thin layers can be produced easily and cost-effectively. "But we are only at the very beginning of the materials development stage," says Daniela Pfister. "Every single process step still needs to be worked out."

Since the double helix strands of SnIP come in left and right-handed variants, materials that comprise only one of the two should display special optical characteristics. This makes them highly interesting for optoelectronics applications. But, so far there is no technology available for separating the two variants.

Theoretical calculations by the researchers have shown that a whole range of further elements should form these kinds of inorganic double helices. Extensive patent protection is pending. The researchers are now working intensively on finding suitable production processes for further materials.

Interdisciplinary cooperation

An extensive interdisciplinary alliance is working on the characterization of the new material: Photoluminescence and conductivity measurements have been carried out at the Walter Schottky Institute of the TU Munich. Theoretical chemists from the University of Augsburg collaborated on the theoretical calculations. Researchers from the University of Kiel and the Max Planck Institute of Solid State Research in Stuttgart performed transmission electron microscope investigations. Mossbauer spectra and magnetic properties were measured at the University of Augsburg, while researchers of TU Cottbus contributed thermodynamics measurements.

The research was funded by the DFB (SPP 1415), the international graduate school ATUMS (TU Munich and the University of Alberta, Canada) and the TUM Graduate School.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. officially opened its new global headquarters at 168 Third Avenue in Waltham, Mass. The company designed and constructed the new 286,000-square-foot facility in accordance with green building rating systems, making it eligible for LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) silver certification. The building is currently occupied by 330 professionals.

Todays celebration of the new Thermo Fisher Scientific headquarters is a credit to the founders and the current management team who have created a leading technology and life sciences company over the course of the last 60 years, said Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. From its humble beginnings, the company has grown into the largest provider of scientific instruments, equipment, software and consumables in the world. Thermo Fisher is a local economic powerhouse providing high-quality jobs and careers.

Thermo Fishers new headquarters reflect the companys commitment to scientific excellence and employee involvement. Work spaces and common areas encourage open communication, and state-of-the-art technology connects the companys global hub to centers of excellence around the world for real-time collaboration serving scientific and healthcare communities.

We have a long history of calling Massachusetts home and we take pride in our mission, which is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer, said Marc N. Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. As the company has grown and evolved, we have remained focused on anticipating the needs of our customers and delivering solutions to help them meet their goals.
Celebrating jailhouse recovery Audio Article Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle Sears paid a visit to the Chesterfield County Jail last week, meeting with over 50 of the men and women participating in the HARP (Helping Addicts...

An icons legacy memorialized Audio Article Enon Library was dedicated in memory of the Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker on Friday, Oct. 21. Board of Supervisors Chair Chris Winslow, right, was joined by Walkers daughter, Patrice Walker...
Giving credit where credit is due, one should commend the governors Montana Developmental Center Transition Planning Advisory Council for their good work in moving the MDC clientele from the current institutional setting at MDC, into a more community-based setting as instructed by Senate Bill 411. Signed by the governor, SB 411 came about as an alternative method of managing the population at MDC, and continuing to keep the population safe with effective and efficient policy changes.

However, hearing of some of the recommendations from the governor-appointed commission on MDC, it would seem appropriate to remind the good people of Boulder and Jefferson County that the 2015 legislature voted to close MDC, not abandon Boulder. The main objective of SB 411 may have been to close MDC, but another important objective of the bill sponsor was to repurpose the campus in Boulder, protect jobs, and thus the economy of Boulder.

The good citizens from this community should be asking a lot more questions. The promise of a couple of four-bed units, and a bribe to Boulder of $500,000, to go quietly into the night, fall way short of what you deserve from the state of Montana. Looking at other abandoned, state-owned properties like Warm Springs and Galen, the Legislature should not sit idly by, potentially subjecting the buildings, and Boulder, the same fate of disrepair and abandonment. Im guessing if the people of the community are willing to stand up for themselves, they will find friends in the 2017 legislative session that would be willing to help. Friends could be as close as your local legislators, who certainly want the best for your community and the state.

It would also seem appropriate to remind the citizens of Boulder that the governor just signed a 20-year, $25 million lease agreement for forensic overflow from the Montana State Hospital, without any legislative approval or oversight. The mayor of Boulder, Jefferson County Commission, and the citizens of the community should be asking real pointed questions as to why this economic and employment opportunity was not considered for the Boulder community. Knowing the proposed costs of remodeling what is left at MDC, and cost of remodeling Galen, I would suggest renovation cost as an excuse for not considering Boulder, doesnt hold water.

Given the good work of the council in transitioning the clientele out of MDC, I would hate to see the final chapter of the council, chaired by the governors budget director, tainted for lack of legislative and community input. The good citizens of Boulder, and Montana have to know that the state has done everything possible to help with this transition. I would suggest the governor pay close attention to these recommendations. The apparent lack of input, or consideration of all possibilities, puts the success or failure of this endeavor squarely on the back of the governors office.
Sigfox, a French provider of network connectivity for Internet of Things devices, is now live in Chicago, the company announced Tuesday.

It aims to connect smart home devices such as washing machines and refrigerators, as well as public utilities and shipping tools. Up to 6.4 billion internet-connected devices could be in use across the world by the end of 2016, with the number skyrocketing to 20.8 billion in 2020, according to technology research firm Gartner.

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The University of Chicago is among the local partners that will use the network, which Sigfox hopes will become the choice of industrial and academic organizations aiming to connect more and more objects to the cloud in coming years.

The service seeks to offer a low-cost, high-efficiency alternative to traditional cellular networks, which tend to concentrate on data-hungry devices like smartphones.

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Sigfox's network is already live in its home country, as well as Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands. The company is in the process of rolling out to another 19 countries, including the United States, following its raise of $115 million in early 2015.

"It's really not much different than trying to build a Wi-Fi hotspot," said Allen Proithis, president of Sigfox North America. He said the company places small base stations outfitted with antennas on existing structures to install the network in a market.

Proithis declined to say how many such stations were installed in Chicago, but said there are enough to provide coverage for the whole city. The network, which operates at 902 MHz in North America, also reaches south to Kankakee, west to Aurora and north to the Wisconsin border, he said.

The central location of Chicago, as well as its role in major industries, made it a target for Sigfox's nationwide rollout. It is already in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Atlanta and New York. In May, the company announced plans to expand to 100 American cities by the end of the year.

"Chicago  is really a key area in terms of transportation for the U.S.," Proithis said. "It's also a really great place for agriculture."

He said customer demand for connectivity to support devices in shipping logistics and agriculture helped push Chicago high on the list for deployment.

The University of Chicago is installing the network on campus, where it is nicknamed "Thoreau," for the naturalist who was among the first to recognize the importance of measurement, said researcher and professor Monisha Ghosh, of the Institute of Molecular Engineering.

Ghosh said the university received the base station and connectivity free of charge. They plan to use the network to test sensors in obstructed environments, like underground or submerged in water, she said.

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"We just want to use the campus as an experimental lab environment," Ghosh said. "This is not really testing it in an indoor artificial lab environment but as close to as real an environment as possible."

aelahi@tribpub.com

Twitter @aminamania
Ford is preparing to move production of small cars from the U.S. to Mexico, CEO Mark Fields told investors Wednesday. (Stand Honda / AFP/Getty Images)

Ford is shifting all North American small-car production to Mexico, CEO Mark Fields told investors Wednesday.

Detroit  "Over the next two to three years, we will have migrated all of our small-car production to Mexico and out of the United States," Fields said.

The auto industry has known for decades that domestic manufacturers struggle to make a profit on small cars. Shifting assembly to Mexico can reduce costs to a point. But some of these cars are over-engineered.

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For example, Field said the current Ford Focus can be ordered in 300 different configurations of options and colors. Ford wants to reduce that number to 30, which will make the production process simpler and less expensive.

Americans increasingly prefer larger vehicles, especially pickups and higher-riding SUVs and crossover vehicles for their personal use.

The future of smaller cars in the U.S. may depend on the ability to electrify their powertrains and introduce them to ride-sharing fleets where they can generate revenue from fares paid by multiple riders.

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Along those lines, Fields and other Ford executives on Wednesday outlined an aggressive $4.5 billion investment plan that will unfold over the next four years. The investment will result in new models in segments such as commercial vehicles, trucks, SUVs and performance vehicles, the execs said.

Ford also reiterated its commitment to developing an autonomous vehicle by 2021. The company believes that autonomous vehicles could account for up to 20 percent of vehicle sales by 2030.

The days announcements came as Ford gave a presentation on corporate strategy to more than 100 analysts and investors. The meeting came as the U.S. auto industrys six-year recovery is cooling and the United Kingdoms exit from the European Union has presented a new challenge to Fords rebound in Europe.

Then there is the high-stakes competition to develop and refine fully autonomous vehicles that initially will be used in ride-sharing services.

Ford shares have fallen 12 percent from the beginning of the year from $14.09 to $12.16 in afternoon trading Wednesday.

Fields spent the first half of his 45-minute presentation assuring analysts that Fords core business remains strong, especially in its most profitable segments such as full-size pickup trucks, commercial vans and its resurgent Lincoln luxury brand.

But he also said the company must respond to a global shift away from personal vehicle ownership to one in which personal ownership will be challenged by on-demand shared mobility.

"This is very different thinking for us," Fields said. "For most of our history we have thought about the thing and how many of the things we have sold."

In exploring how a traditional manufacturer can profit in a market where the vehicle becomes a service platform, Fields said the first question he and fellow executives had to define is, "What's our point of view on autonomy?"

"We see huge social economic and environmental benefits. We're focused on usage where miles traveled be," he said. "Autonomous vehicles will account for one of every 10 miles traveled by 2025, and will grow from 5 percent of all vehicles sold in U.S. in 2025 to 30 percent in 2030."

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More than 100 former ITT Tech students are taking part in a "debt strike," refusing to pay back loans from the shuttered school. (Rich Pedroncelli / AP)

More than 170 former ITT Tech students have joined a debt strike, refusing to pay their federal loans in the wake of the for-profit school's abrupt closing.

The group, which includes six former students from Illinois, claims the shuttered school defrauded them with an education they called a "scam" on an ITT debt strike website.

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"I am stuck up to my neck in debt for the rest of my life," posted Marc Asistores, of Chicago. "Now when I interview or submit my resume to future employers they will look at where my education and degree is coming from and laugh."

ITT Technical Institute last week ceased operations at its more than 130 campuses after the U.S. Department of Education cut off access to federal financial aid for new students. The closure affected 40,000 current students and more than 8,000 employees nationwide, the company said.

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There were four ITT Tech campuses in Illinois: Arlington Heights, Oak Brook, Orland Park and Springfield.

While Secretary of Education John King Jr. told current ITT students they may be eligible to have their federal loan debt discharged, former students who claim they were defrauded received no such assurances and are seeking relief through the debt strike.

"Each of us is still left with tens of thousands of dollars of debt to you, the very agency that was supposed to have protected us from ITT's scam," the students wrote in a joint letter to President Barack Obama and King, which was published online.

I am stuck up to my neck in debt for the rest of my life.  Marc Asistores, former ITT Tech student from Chicago.

In its most recent annual report, ITT said 73 percent of its employable graduates in 2014 found work by April 2015 in positions that required the "direct or indirect use of skills" taught in their education programs.

The for-profit college industry has been facing increased scrutiny in recent years. Last year, for example, the Education Department fined Corinthian Colleges $30 million for misrepresenting graduates' job placement rates. A fraud investigation found that Corinthian schools paid temporary agencies to hire its graduates for as few as two days and then counted them as placed in their field. It also showed placements that were clearly out of a student's field of study were counted as in-field placements.

The federal sanctions against ITT were based on concerns about the "financial viability" of the 50-year-old company, based in Carmel, Ind. ITT Educational Services generated net income of $23.3 million on nearly $850 million in revenue last year.

If several ongoing federal and state investigations into ITT campuses show evidence of fraud, former students may also be eligible for debt relief, according to the Education Department.

The Debt Collective, a grass-roots group, helped organize the ITT Tech strike. Laura Hanna, co-director of the group, said more than 1,500 former ITT Tech students submitted applications to the Education Department to have their debt discharged.

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"I have been overcharged and undereducated," said Alyse Zachary, 32, of Cleveland, on the strike website. "If I can return a defective item ... get discounts or free items for poor service I should be able to do this with my education."

The Debt Collective mobilized a similar strike last year for former students of Corinthian Colleges. California-based Corinthian sold or closed most of its 107 campuses and liquidated its assets through Chapter 11 bankruptcy under pressure from regulators, who alleged deceptive practices.

As of June, the Education Department has agreed to forgive $171 million in student debt held by former Corinthian students.

"Even though that seems like a large number, only a tiny minority of Corinthian debtors have had their loans canceled," Hanna said Wednesday. "Roughly 98 percent have not received relief."

rchannick@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @RobertChannick
Developer Sterling Bay unveiled plans for McDonald's Fulton Market headquarters June 22, 2016. The burger chain is slated to move to the site in spring 2018. The area where it is located is variously known as Fulton Market, West Loop and West Town. (Sterling Bay rendering)

The developer behind McDonald's new $250 million headquarters on Chicago's Near West Side has received final approval to build a bigger building on the site of Oprah Winfrey's former Harpo Studios.

The proposal to increase the site's allotted density won unanimous approval from the Chicago Planning Commission in July but also required final approval by the City Council, which passed the measure with no objections Wednesday.

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The new headquarters complex at Randolph and Carpenter streets is expected to be complete by spring 2018. It will be a massive two-building, 608,000-square-foot structure that will stretch nine stories tall.

McDonald's officially announced in June that it would leave its decades-old, custom-built headquarters in Oak Brook in favor of a rapidly gentrifying area of Chicago known for its trendy restaurants like Girl and the Goat and Au Cheval. The world's largest burger chain wants to be closer to the young, digital-savvy city dwellers it seeks as both employees and customers. McDonald's joins a roster of big companies that have moved, or plan to move, from the suburbs to the city, including Motorola Solutions, Kraft Heinz, Gogo, Hillshire Brands, Beam Suntory and ConAgra.

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Developer Sterling Bay first submitted plans for the new headquarters to the City Council in June.

In return for the approved expansion plan, Sterling Bay said it will pay more than $4 million to the city's Neighborhoods Opportunity Fund, Adopt-A-Landmark Fund and Local Impact Fund, which direct money from downtown development projects to Chicago's depressed neighborhoods.

sbomkamp@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @SamWillTravel
When filmmakers Jessica Jane Hart and Peter Tolton set out to compare the historic booms and busts of the badlands of Montana and the Dakotas, they didn't expect the whole cycle to play out in front of them.

Hart and Tolton began filming their documentary Makoshika  meaning badlands in the local Lakota-Sioux  at the height of the Bakken oil boom, and wrapped up as oil prices dropped and folks realized the bust was around the corner.

"We really got to see this perfect curve," Hart said, "but that wasn't lucky for most people in the area."

Hart first heard of the Bakken boom when her brother, a diesel mechanic, came home from the oil fields of Williston, N.D., with wild stories of RV cities in Walmart parking lots and signs banning unescorted women. She'd never heard anything like it.

A photographer with a degree from Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., Hart headed to the Bakken. She soon realized still photos couldn't capture the vastness of the landscape or adequately compare the ghost towns of previous busts with contemporary MonDak boom towns, and the idea of a documentary film took hold.

At the time, most news of the Bakken covered the social or environmental costs of fracking and man camps, like poisoned water and endangered women. Hart said she wanted to cover the day-to-day effect the boom had on the people in the Bakken, and compare the latest boom with the three that preceded it in the 20th century.

The first boom was the railroad wave of homesteaders that transformed the badlands from hard scrubland into millions of acres of irrigated farmland. Then came the discovery of oil in the 1950s, with a resurgence of interest in petroleum in the 1980s when prices rose.

A bust followed each boom, and when the MonDak busts, it busts hard.

"The thing that I wanted to look at is why does it bust so severely?" Hart said.

Asking around, the filmmakers got a similar answer from everyone: The badlands didn't get their name for nothing, and the region's brutal winters mean most folks don't see a good reason to stick around when easy opportunity dries up.

"Everybody that we met we asked them their coldest memory, and everybody had some horrific story that just doesn't happen everywhere. Like 40 days in a row that it did not get above negative 20 degrees, and another guy talked about his cows freezing to the ground."

Hart said those who stuck around though were especially important to their documentary.

"There's a generational attachment to place that has to withstand whatever happens economically if possible, and we felt that those voices were underrepresented, and we wanted to get out there and get those stories told."

While the stories of workers following the boom are important, too, Hart said they don't define the regional identity of the place in the same way as those who have remained.

"We found people who mostly had to find ways to abide their surroundings, and who are just trying to make it and many of whom love the life that they have, especially an agrarian life," Hart said.

"Those are kind of unrepresented voices but also the fabric of America, or at least at one time they were."
Children visiting websites for SpongeBob SquarePants, Barbie and other popular kids' brands will no longer have their personal data illegally tracked for marketing purposes under a deal between New York's top cop and four companies including Viacom and Mattel.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Tuesday that a two-year probe of the companies, including Hasbro and JumpStart Games, found they violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. The companies used technology that allowed third-party vendors to collect and use personal information from children under the age of 13 without parental approval, Schneiderman said in a statement.

The investigation "revealed that some of our nation's biggest companies failed to protect kids' privacy," Schneiderman said. "Federal law demands that children are off-limits to the prying eyes of advertisers."

The probe, which Schneiderman said is the first of its kind in the U.S., covered sites for Viacom's Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon brands; Mattel's Barbie, Hot Wheels, and American Girl toys; Hasbro's My Little Pony, Littlest Pet Shop, and Nerf; and JumpStart's Neopets, a virtual pet community it purchased from Viacom in 2014. The companies will pay $835,000 in total as part of the agreement.

Schneiderman began his investigation after discovering that websites operated by the companies enabled marketers to track so-called persistent identifiers, such as cookies and IP addresses, that can be used to recognize a specific user over time and across websites, according to the statement.

Julie Duffy, a spokeswoman for Hasbro, said the Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based company cooperated fully with the investigation and is committed to protecting the privacy of its website audience.

"We will be more closely vetting and monitoring companies that work on our behalf," Duffy said in a statement. "We are rolling out a new, stricter online privacy protection policy for our partners, and enacting new protocols and technology to scan our digital properties for any cookies, widgets or other applications that may violate our policy."

All the companies agreed to similar reforms, according to Schneiderman's statement.

Messages left with press representatives for the other companies weren't immediately returned.
When Wells Fargo was hit last week with $185 million in fines after thousands of its employees were caught setting up fake accounts customers didn't ask for, regulators heralded the settlement as a breakthrough.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau noted that the $100 million it will collect as part of the deal was the agency's "largest penalty" ever. The head of Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, a banking regulator, said its $35 million penalty would "demonstrate that such practices will not be tolerated and banks will be held responsible." "This is a major victory for consumers," said Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer, touting the $50 million the city extracted from the bank.

But the fines being levied against Wells Fargo pale in comparison to the bank's yearly profit  more than $20 billion in 2015.

It is also less than the more than $200 million that the stock in the company held by company CEO John G. Stumpf is worth. The fines also are not that much more than the $125 million one of its top executives, Carrie Tolstedt, will walk away with when she retires this year. A 27-year veteran of the bank, Tolstedt ran the community banking division where regulators said aggressive sales goals fueled illegal behavior by bank employees.

"Tolstedt's team is a leader in building and deepening customer loyalty and team member engagement across the business, which today serves more than 20 million retail checking households and 3 million small business owners, and employs 94,000 team members," the company said in a July statement announcing her retirement.

As first noted by Fortune Magazine, the retirement package of Tolstedt, 56, is expected to reach nearly $125 million, including thousands of shares of Wells Fargo stock, options and restricted shares. Tolstedt has received a base salary of $1.7 million for at least the last four years, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings. That was set to reach $1.75 million this year before Tolstedt announced her retirement. She typically has been awarded millions a year in bonuses and Wells Fargo stock.

According to regulators, thousands of Wells Fargo employees were allegedly involved in a widespread scheme to reach aggressive sales goals  and earn bonuses  by creating 2 million accounts, including credit cards, customers didn't authorize. The employees created phony email addresses to enroll existing customers in online-banking services, for example, and issued them debit cards they didn't request. Customers were then often hit with assorted fees for accounts they didn't know they had, the regulators charged.

Wells Fargo said it has dismissed 5,300 workers, including some managers, during the past five years for such illegal practices. They all worked in Tolstedt's community banking division, the company said.

The bank is "working to significantly strengthen our training, monitoring, oversight and compensation structure, which led to a reduction in this behavior," Wells Fargo spokeswoman Richele Messick said in an email. "We believe the changes we have made have strengthened Wells Fargo and will help ensure this behavior doesn't happen in the future."

At the center of the bad behavior appears to be an effort by the bank to persuade customers to sign up for multiple products, known as "cross selling." A customer who opened a checking account would be encouraged to consider a debit card or savings account. This strategy is common in the banking industry, but Wells Fargo is considered particularly aggressive.

The case has thrust the San Francisco-based bank into a harsh spotlight at a time when big U.S. banks are still attempting to repair their reputations following the 2008 financial crisis. Anti-Wall Street rhetoric has become a common refrain during the presidential campaign and some advocates are hoping to turn that populist anger into an aggressive legislative push to rein in the financial industry next year.

The Wells Fargo case could be used to further galvanize criticism that the Obama administration has not done enough to punish banking industry executives responsible for bad behavior, consumer advocates say.

"There are two possibilities: Customer abuse was part of the business model, in which case lots of high-ranking people need to go to prison," said Bart Naylor, a financial policy advocate for Public Citizen. "Or the bank is too big to manage, and folks high up don't even know that laws are being broken a few levels down."

The magnitude of the fraud described by regulators should be thoroughly investigated, five Democratic lawmakers said in a letter to the head of the Senate Banking Committee, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., asking for a hearing on the case. The lawmakers, including Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, said Wells Fargo CEO Stumpf should be called to testify.

"It is difficult to believe a large-scale, coordinated (scheme) like this took place without knowledge of some higher ups," Menendez said in an interview.
1. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. The Chicago Tribune Lin-Manuel Miranda in Conversation Sweepstakes (the "Promotion") is sponsored by Chicago Tribune, a Chicago Tribune Co. LLC publication, 435 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 ("Sponsor"). Promotion is offered only in the following counties: Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane and Will ("Promotion Area"). Void outside Promotion Area and where prohibited.

2. Sponsor will be entitled to interpret these Official Rules  including but not limited to rules regarding entries, deadlines, winner selection, prize restrictions, and eligibility  and all of its decisions are final. By entering, entrants agree to these Official Rules.

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3. Winner will be issued an IRS 1099 MISC tax form (or its equivalent) for the total Approximate Retail Value ("ARV") of the prize awarded if required and is solely and exclusively responsible for any and all state, federal, or local income taxes or other fees that may result from his or her acceptance of any prize. Winner may also be required to provide Sponsor a valid social security number for tax purposes.

4. Promotion begins on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 12:01 AM CT and runs through 11:59 PM CT on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 (the "Promotion Period"). Sponsor's computer is the official time-keeping device for this Promotion.

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ELIGIBILITY

5. To be eligible, each entrant must be at least 18 years old and be a legal resident of the Promotion Area (above) as of the Promotion start date.

6. Officers, directors, members, and employees of Sponsor and tronc, Inc., and of the parents, affiliates, or subsidiaries of the foregoing or of any entity directly involved in the development or administration of this Promotion, and those individuals' immediate family members (defined as spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren) and members of their households are not eligible to enter or win. The term "household" includes all persons residing together in a single residence, whether or not related.

TO ENTER

7. There is one way to enter. Complete an official entry form at www.chicagotribune.com/ct-lin-manuel-miranda-hamilton-ticket-giveaway-20160913-htmlstory.html (the "Promotion Page") with all required information, which may include your full name, current mailing address, phone number, email address and age or date of birth and submit the entry form during the Promotion Period.

8. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt by Sponsor. Sponsor will not accept screen shots as proof of entry.

9. Limit one entry per person. Additional entries received from any such person thereafter will be subject to disqualification. Any use of robotic, repetitive, automatic, programmed, script, macro, or any other automated means or similar entry methods or agents (including, but not limited to, contest-entry services or multiple or different email addresses, identities, registrations or logins) is prohibited and will void all entries submitted by that entrant. No group submissions will be accepted.

10. Entries must include a valid email address for the entrant. Sponsor is not responsible for electronic communications that are undeliverable as a result of any form of passive or active filtering of any kind. If there is a dispute as to the identity or eligibility of a winner based on an email address, the entry will be deemed made by the "Authorized Account Holder" of the email address used for entry. The Authorized Account Holder is the natural person who is assigned to the email address by the relevant Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the corresponding domain.

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11. Entrants who fail to provide any required information may be disqualified without further notification by Sponsor. Sponsor is not responsible for entries that are lost, misdirected, garbled, distorted, truncated, incomplete, illegible, incorrect or late for any reason, and all such entries are void. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entry at any time that in its opinion does not comply with these Official Rules. Received entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned or acknowledged.

12. The information that you provide in connection with the Promotion will be used by Sponsor in accordance with its Privacy Policy, which is found at http://www.tronc.com/privacy-policy/ and which may be updated from time to time.

SELECTION, NOTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION OF WINNER

13. On Wednesday, September 21, 2016, or within a reasonable time thereafter, Sponsor or its designee will randomly choose 10 names from all eligible entries received. Subject to verification of eligibility, the persons whose names are so drawn will be declared the winners.

14. Sponsor will attempt to contact potential winner in accordance with the information supplied to Sponsor on his or her official entry form. Winner must respond to initial notification within 48 hours and may be required to present valid photo identification, proof of age, residency, signed affidavit or declaration of eligibility, liability release, publicity release, tax forms and/or other legal documents to Sponsor. If so, winner must provide any required identification and signed documents, no later than 48 hours after Sponsor sends prize documents to winner. Sponsor may in its sole discretion allow transmission of verification documents via fax or email. Prizes will be available at will call the day of the Event (as defined below).

15. If potential winner: (a) cannot be contacted directly by, or does not respond to, Sponsor within 48 hours of initial attempted notification, (b) fails to satisfy any eligibility or verification requirement herein, (c) declines to accept the prize, (d) fails to provide required documents or identification by the deadline established by Sponsor, or (e) is otherwise determined to be ineligible, Sponsor in its discretion may disqualify that individual and an alternate winner may be chosen by random drawing from remaining, non-winning entries as soon as reasonably practicable after such disqualification. Any alternate winners are subject to all eligibility requirements and restrictions of these Official Rules. If a winner cannot be verified for a particular prize after one alternate drawing or there is not enough time remaining prior to the Event (defined below) to verify the winner for such prize, no further drawings will be held for that prize and that prize will not be awarded.

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16. Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, post the verified winners' names on the Promotion Page and/or any of Sponsor's websites.

PRIZES

17. Prizes (10): Ten winners will each receive two tickets to "Lin-Manuel Miranda in Conversation with Chris Jones", (the "Event"), Friday, September 23 at Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Upper Wacker Dr.). Approximate retail value ("ARV") of each prize: $80.00. ARV of all prizes: $800.00.

18. The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries.

PRIZE RESTRICTIONS

19. Use of Event tickets is subject to all rules and restrictions of the Event and its venue. Visitchicagohumanities.org for more information. Sponsor will not be responsible for weather, talent illness or other inability to perform, acts of God, acts of terrorism, civil disturbances, strike, work stoppage, or any other natural disaster outside their control that may cause the cancellation or postponement of the Event, and the terms and conditions of the tickets will govern in such event. Sponsor will not replace lost, stolen or damaged prize tickets or similar items once they have been given to winner.

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20. Sponsor will not be responsible for any delays or substitutions or any acts or omissions whatsoever by the venue or any other person or entities providing any of these services.

21. All prize details will be at Sponsor's sole discretion. Winner assumes sole responsibility for all expenses and incidental costs associated with the prize not explicitly outlined above, including without limitation, all federal, state and local income, sales and use taxes (if any), or any other taxes, fees, and surcharges, gratuities, tips, transportation, parking, souvenirs, concessions, upgrades, personal items, and incidentals. Guest of winner must be at least 18 years old and may be required to sign and return release prior to attending Event with winner.

22. Prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash and may not be sold, bartered or auctioned. Prize may not be substituted except that Sponsor in its discretion may substitute a prize, or portion thereof, with a prize or portion of equal or greater value if it deems necessary. Any such changes will be announced by Sponsor.

23. Any portion of the prize not used by winner is forfeit and no cash substitute will be offered or permitted. If winner is unable to attend Event on designated date, prize will be forfeited. Prize offered is provided "as is" with no warranty or guarantee either express or implied by Sponsor or Prize Provider. Merchandise prize carries no warranty other than that offered by manufacturer. Sponsor and Prize Provider have neither made nor are responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to the prize, including but not limited to its quality, mechanical condition or fitness for a particular purpose.

PUBLICITY RELEASE

24. By accepting a prize, the winner and guest grant Sponsor the right to publicize his or her name, photographs (including the use and appearance of their photograph on Sponsor and Prize Provider's websites), likeness, biographical information, voice and details of winning for purposes of this promotion without further compensation, except where prohibited.

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LIMITATION OF LIABILITY & DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

25. Entrants agree that Sponsor, tronc, Inc., any other company involved in the development or administration of this Promotion, and all of their respective parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates and all of their agents, agencies, franchisees, and promoters, and all of the officers, directors, employees and related persons of the foregoing (collectively, "Released Parties"): (a) are not responsible for technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to lost, disconnected, interrupted, or unavailable network, server, or other connections, late, lost, undeliverable, damaged or stolen mail, or for any failed telephone or computer hardware or software, or for any failed, delayed, misdirected, corrupted, or garbled transmissions or errors of any kind, whether human, mechanical, or electronic, or for entries that for any reason are not received by Sponsor by the deadline stated above; (b) are not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing, typographical or other errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Promotion or in the printing of this offer, administration of this Promotion, or in the announcement of the prize; (c) are not responsible for any injury or damage to any computer, modem or other electrical device as a result of participation in this Promotion or downloading of any software or materials; (d) are not responsible for unauthorized human intervention in any part of the Promotion; (e) are not responsible for any printing, typographical, technical, computer, network or human error that may occur in the administration of the Promotion, the acceptance of entries, the selection of winners, the prize or otherwise in any Promotion-related materials; (f) are not responsible for any unauthorized third party use of any entry; (g) are not responsible for the inability to select winners because of postal failure, equipment failure, or data storage failure; and (h) are released from any and all alleged, existing, or future actions, claims, and/or liabilities of whatever nature including, but not limited to, personal injury, bodily injury (including, without limitation, wrongful death and disability), property damage, and expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) and loss or damage of any other kind, arising in whole or in part directly or indirectly, from participating in the Promotion (in whole or in part), the use (including modification, adaptation, and reproduction) of entry materials during or after the Promotion, and the delivery, acceptance, possession, redemption, use, misuse, loss, or misdirection of the prize or any part thereof, including without limitation any injury, loss, and/or damage that results from attendance at the Event.

26. RELEASED PARTIES EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND (WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE), INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. RELEASED PARTIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES MADE OR OFFERED BY ADVERTISERS, PARTNERS, MANUFACTURERS OR SUPPLIERS, INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO THE PRIZE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL RELEASED PARTIES BE HELD RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION AND/OR PRODUCTS PROVIDED AND/OR MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PROMOTION OR FOR ERRORS OR ANOMALIES RESULTING IN THE UNINTENDED OR ERRONEOUS PARTICIPATION, PRIZE AWARD OR OTHER BENEFITS UNDER THESE OFFICIAL RULES. RELEASED PARTIES OFFER NO ASSURANCES, GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES THAT THE PROMOTION OR RELATED WEBSITES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE AND DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH THE PROMOTION.

27. BY ENTERING THE PROMOTION AND/OR ACCEPTING A PRIZE, YOU AGREE THAT THE RELEASED PARTIES WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR, AND WILL BE HELD HARMLESS BY YOU AGAINST, ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE, INJURY OR LOSS TO PERSON (INCLUDING DEATH) OR PROPERTY RELATED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, REDEMPTION, USE OR MISUSE OF THE PRIZE OR ANY PART THEREOF, PARTICIPATION IN ANY PRIZE-RELATED ACTIVITY OR TRAVEL, USE BY A RELEASED PARTY OF ANY ENTRY, PARTICIPATION IN THE PROMOTION, OR ANY OTHER CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST A RELEASED PARTY.

TRADEMARKS

28. All third party trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective trademark owners. The use or mention of such third party trademarks in these Official Rules or in the Promotion is solely for descriptive purposes and will in no way imply an endorsement or sponsorship of the Promotion.

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MISCELLANEOUS

29. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend or terminate this Promotion or any part thereof if Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that the security, administration, fairness and/or operation of the Promotion has been corrupted or impaired by any non-authorized intervention, network failure, information storage failure, telecommunications failure, malfunction, or any other cause beyond Sponsor's control. In such an event, Sponsor will post notice of same at the Promotion Page and select the winners by conducting a random drawing from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to the suspension, cancellation or termination of the Promotion or in such other manner as Sponsor, in its sole discretion, deems fair and appropriate under the circumstances.

30. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any individual from further participation in the Promotion if Sponsor concludes, in its sole discretion, that such person: (a) has attempted to tamper with the entry process or other operation of the Promotion, (b) has disregarded or has attempted to circumvent these Official Rules, or (c) has acted toward Sponsor or any other entrant in an unfair, inequitable, deliberately annoying, threatening, disrupting or harassing manner. Tampering includes attempting to enter more than the number of times permitted herein, including through the use of any prohibited device or method. Any failure by Sponsor to enforce any of these Official Rules will not constitute a waiver of such Official Rules.

31. All activity arising out of and relating to the Promotion, including any reference to an entrant's status as a "winner," is subject to verification and/or auditing for compliance with the Official Rules and you agree to cooperate with Sponsor concerning such verification and/or auditing. If Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that verification or auditing activity evidences non-compliance of an entry and/or entrant with the Official Rules, Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify such entry and/or entrant from the Promotion and any prize at any time. If a dispute arises regarding compliance with these Rules, Sponsor may consider, in its sole discretion, data reasonably available to Sponsor through information technology systems in Sponsor's control, but Sponsor will not be obligated to consider any data or other information collected from any other source.

32. Sponsor reserves the right to correct typographical, printing or clerical errors in any Promotion-related materials. All properly claimed prizes will be awarded provided a sufficient number of eligible entries are received, but no more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. If production, technical, seeding, programming or any other reasons cause more than the stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be available and/or claimed, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing from among all legitimate, un-awarded, eligible prize claims.

DISPUTES

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33. By entering the Promotion, entrants agree that: (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Promotion, or any prizes awarded, must be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (b) any and all claims, judgments and awards will be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Promotion, but in no event attorneys' fees; and (c) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses. Some jurisdictions do not allow for limitations on the ability to pursue class action remedies, or certain kinds of damages, and so these limitations may not apply to you.

34. If there is any discrepancy or inconsistency between any terms or conditions of these Official Rules and any disclosures or other statements contained in any other Promotion-related materials, including but not limited to the Promotion entry forms, or the point of sale, television, print, mobile or online advertising, the terms and conditions of these Official Rules will prevail, govern and control.

35. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrants or Released Parties in connection with the Promotion, will be governed by Illinois state law, without giving effect to any choice of law rules that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Illinois. All entrants expressly agree that any legal proceedings arising out of or relating in any way to this Promotion or these Official Rules will be brought only in the federal or state courts located in Cook County, Illinois and entrants consent to the mandatory and exclusive jurisdiction of such courts with respect to any such legal proceedings.

36. If any provision of these Official Rules is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Official Rules will otherwise remain in effect and be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein.

WINNERS' LIST/OFFICIAL RULES

37. For a copy of the Official Rules or the final Winners' List (available after Wednesday, September 21, 2016), mail a SASE to: Chicago Tribune Marketing, Lin-Manuel Miranda Conversation Sweepstakes, 435 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago , IL 60611, specifying either "Winners' List" or "Official Rules." Requests for Winners' List must be received by no later than November 18, 2016.
Mezcal: Mexico in a Bottle will bring mezcal-makers to Wicker Park for a day of tastings, cocktails, music, art and food. (Mezcal: Mexico in a Bottle)

If the word "mezcal" only inspires associations with smokiness, it's time you brushed up on your agave-based spirits  there's a wider world of mezcal out there, and it's worth exploring.

Chicago has experienced a boon of mezcal-obsessed spots in recent years  from Mezcaleria Las Flores to Rick Bayless' Lena Brava to Masa Azul and La Mez Agave Lounge  and the spirit shows no sign of abating. As if to put a fine point on the matter, a roaming celebration of all things agave, Mezcal: Mexico in a Bottle, is setting up shop in Chicago on Sunday to teach the uninitiated about the spirit in all its forms.

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Formally launched by Susan Coss and Max Garrone in 2014, the event actually got its beginnings as a blog called Mezcalistas. While blogging, Coss and Garrone started hosting mezcal tastings that, over time, evolved into pop-up events and tastings in San Francisco, Los Angeles and the spiritual homeland of mezcal, Oaxaca, Mexico. As their relationships with producers and mixologists deepened, Coss and Garrone have expanded into New York and, now, Chicago, with plans for a Mezcal Week in the fall.

"The thing we love most about mezcal is that it pulls all these things of Mexico together," says Garrone. "Art, people, food, social conviviality. It really is Mexican culture in a bottle."

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The Chicago event, hosted by Chop Shop in Wicker Park, promises a boisterous, fun atmosphere that nurtures education and curiosity, says Garrone. This is no small shindig, either: the organizers have cobbled together more than 100 mezcals, tequilas, sotols and raicillas  all distillates made from agave, except sotol, which is made similarly to mezcal  to taste and educate fans and guests alike. Brands pouring at the event include Fidencio, Del Maguey, Don Amado, Amaras and many more.







"It's not just a drink fest  we try to bring together great food, music, cocktails," says Garrone. "A huge part of falling in love with mezcal is talking to the people behind it. In Chicago, we're going to have at least three mezcal-makers to speak to people who make the stuff and compare notes. It's a great social and cultural event."

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The big draw is being able to try the complexity of flavors in one place  really understand the sense of terroir, what makes bottles special from one to the next.

So what should consumers look out for?

"Mezcal is this really neat junction of maker, environment and tradition," Garrone notes. "I think people will really latch on to the personalities  the brand leaders or brokers. Hearing these stories  the history of a brand, their process  they'll learn mezcal is so much more than just smoky; they'll learn why it's different from tequila."

According to Garrone, the trendiness of mezcal is a direct reflection of the current obsession with traditional artisanal goods. The very process by which mezcal is made makes it "authentic," he says. "The stories behind these bottles isn't mere marketing. They're true."

If you're curious about mezcal and agave distillates in general, here are five things you should know about the fascinating spirits.

Mezcal is incredibly expressive, and whatever is put in the bottle shows up in the glass. In other words, youre tasting exactly how it was made, from the quality of the agave to how it was handled. Was it aged in a barrel? How long was the pina  the agaves fruit  roasted? These factors all show up in the glass. Agave itself is different from any other spirit base out there. Whiskeys grain, bourbons corn, rums sugar cane: All of these are in relatively abundant supply. Not agave. The pinas take years to mature, often pushing a decade, before they can be harvested  but then youre out of a crop, as each individual plant isnt renewable. Mezcal producers have to really balance cultivation and planting with the ebb and flow of demand. About that worm: Its not hallucinogenic, and its more of a marketing choice than a production one. Its a throwback to the 1940s and '50s, when American tourists came across mezcal. Its a gimmick attractive to people looking to seem tough. Tequila is mezcal, but not the other way around. Mezcal is defined as an agave-based spirit; tequila is one such type, made from blue agave in the state of Jalisco from around the city of Tequila. Mezcals dont have to be smoky. According to Garrone, thats how newbies originally define the spirit, when they get bit by the bug, but a whole range of styles and flavors exist, depending on the type of agave, the state of production and more. Raicilla, for instance, is a mezcal made in Jalisco (the same state as tequila), and sotol is from Chihuahua  which isnt actually made from agave, but it is similar in production and flavor, which is why youll find it at the event.

Details: Mezcal: Mexico in a Bottle, 3-7 p.m. Sunday, The Chop Shop & 1st Ward, 2033 W. North Ave.; $45. For tickets, go here.

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jbhernandez@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @joeybear85
Amy Adams stars in "Arrival," which will close the Chicago International Film Festival. (Paramount Pictures / TNS)

After rousing successes at the Venice, Telluride and Toronto film festivals, the musical "La La Land" will open the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 13.

The closing night film Oct. 27 will be "Arrival," another well-received festival title, this one starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker in a drama about an alien invasion of an unusually low-keyed variety.

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The "La La Land" announcement confirms the worst-kept secret of this year's festival; late last month writer/director Damien Chazelle told the Tribune of the plans. The musical stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.

Other films showing at the festival include: "Hunter Gatherer" (starring Andre Royo of "The Wire"), "Prevenge" and Chicago-set "The View From Tall."

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To read the entire press release and for more information, go here.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago hosted its 15th annual Gala of the Arts on Sept. 9 in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier with a record-breaking crowd of nearly 600. The event helps fund Catholic Charities' Emergency Assistance Programs and included the presentation of the Mandatum Award to Deacon Stan Strom, chief of staff at Holy Name Cathedral.

During a reception, guests enjoyed an art show and sale that featured original paintings and photographs by 16 locally and nationally recognized artists. A highlight of the show was the "After Supper: Visions of My Life" exhibit. These pieces are created by homeless artists who receive services through Catholic Charities. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of their artwork goes directly back to them.

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The gala was chaired by Jim Serritella and vice chaired by Heide and Gerry Kenny. Serritella's son Anthony shared the significance of the event that his parents co-founded in 2001: "Whether you're that first soldier about to land at Normandy, that Navy Seal about to break down a door not knowing what's on the other side or someone who stays late at a mission to bring that last person in before they freeze to death, God lives right at the front lines, and so do Catholic Charities. They're always there, front and center, fighting injustice and helping others after everything else has failed," he said.

Deacon Stan Strom from Holy Name Cathedral receives the Mandatum Award, Catholic Charities highest award, at Navy Pier. (Chicago Tribune)

Monsignor Michael Boland, president of Catholic Charities, welcomed guests and spoke about the charity's outreach. "Every 30 seconds, someone calls us for help in the city or from our suburban communities. We serve the poorest of the poor. It's very humbling." The monsignor presented the Mandatum Award, the charity's highest honor, to Deacon Strom for his longtime dedication and service to those in need.

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A moment of silence was observed in remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy. Emcee Marley Kayden, of WMAQ-Ch. 5, then sang "God Bless America" as the audience stood and sang along.

Following dinner, Rich Daniels and the City Lights Orchestra performed a musical tribute to commemorate Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday year, with special guest Ron Hawking. In keeping with the event's theme, "Swingin' Gala," images of the Rat Pack lined the entry to the ballroom, and guests posed for photos beside a life-size cutout of "Ole Blue Eyes."

The event raised more than $300,000 for the organization's Emergency Assistance Programs that provide food, clothing, emergency shelter and financial assistance to those in need. Since 2008, they have provided more than 9 million meals to the hungry and homeless.

Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.

More coverage

Find more photos and events at www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace. Visit Candid Candace's website at www.candidcandace.com, or follow her on Twitter @CandidCandace.

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A Montana man will not face misdemeanor charges after he was accused of sexually propositioning a 12-year-old girl shortly after he was granted clemency in a 1979 slaying, authorities said Tuesday.

Billings City Attorney Brent Brooks announced the decision following a monthslong investigation by city and county prosecutors into the accusation against Barry Beach.

"There are insufficient facts and evidence to support the filing of a misdemeanor criminal charge at this time," a statement released by Brooks' office said. "Any new facts of evidence that may arise in the future will be reviewed and evaluated as appropriate."

Beach was convicted of murder in 1983 when he was 17 and sentenced to 100 years prison with no possibility of parole for the beating death of 17-year-old Kimberly Nees. He long denied killing the girl, and hundreds supported his push for freedom, including Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and former Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

Beach was temporarily freed in 2011 when a retrial was ordered but sent back to prison 18 months later by the state Supreme Court. Last November, Gov. Steve Bullock granted him clemency, which required Beach to be on probation for 10 years.

Beach did not immediately return a call for comment. Neither did the 12-year-old girl's mother, who filed the complaint against him with police. The Associated Press is not naming the mother because it could identify the girl who says she is a victim.

State officials were waiting for the results of the criminal investigation into the sex case before deciding if they would try to revoke or alter the terms of Beach's probation.

Since the accusations, probation officers have tightened their oversight of Beach, restricting his out-of-town travel and requiring more drug and alcohol tests, according to Beach's mother, Bobbi Clincher.

She said Tuesday that her son was glad to have the matter resolved.

It's been nine months since the complaint alleged that he propositioned the girl after picking her up on a cold January night on the outskirts of Billings.

"He's had all this hanging over him, just because he tried to be a good Samaritan," Clincher added. "I told him, now you can live your life and he said, 'We'll see.' He knows he has to be really careful and can't do anything wrong."

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported the allegation in late June.

Beach was accused of picking up the girl after she ran away from a center for troubled youth. He asked her to touch him and if he could touch her, according to the victim's mother. The girl told him no, and Beach later dropped the girl off about a half-block from her house, according to a police report based on the complaint.

The Yellowstone County Attorney's Office said in July that it was not pursuing felony charges.

Under the conditions of his release, Beach does not have to be convicted or even charged with a new crime for authorities to revoke or alter his probation. A final determination would be up to a judge.

State officials will review the decision before deciding if any more action will be taken, said Judy Beck, a spokeswoman for the Montana Department of Corrections.
You would have thought that by now, Donald Trump's deplorables would have gotten over Hillary Clinton's diss. But they can't let it go.

Apparently, "racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic," deplorables are better at talking smack than taking it.

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Clinton's comment about putting half of Trump's supporters into "the basket of deplorables" isn't even harsh. I would be content if that were the worst name anyone ever called me. I get a trove of nasty emails every time I write about violence or race or, God forbid, Hillary Clinton. I'll spare you the specifics, but think of the vilest terms you can for African-Americans and triple them.

You'll never hear me whining about it, though. In fact, I support the rights of bigots to be bigoted.

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That's one of the good things about living in America. Our Constitution gives each of us the right to choose the kind of citizen we want to be.

If you don't like blacks, you can march down the street draped in a white sheet and carrying a big sign saying so. If you don't care for illegal immigrants, you can try to build a wall to keep them out. And if you think all Muslims are terrorists, you have every right to picket on the sidewalk outside a mosque.

Supporters hold up signs during a campaign rally of Donald Trump at Fredericksburg Expo Center Aug. 20 in Fredericksburg, Va. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)

Now, does that make you deplorable? Absolutely. Would it make you less of an American? No.

In our country, there are no laws forbidding people from being a bigot. Our laws do, however, set limits on how far a bigot can go in exercising his bigotry.

Trump knows about that firsthand. While serving as head of his family's real estate company in 1973, he tried to discriminate against blacks looking to rent apartments in New York. The U.S. Justice Department stepped in and sued Trump Management Corp. for alleged racial discrimination. Trump Management denied the accusations but eventually settled with the government and changed its rental policies.

That's the way the American system is supposed to work. I would take that any day over what countries like France and South Africa have done to end racism by, in effect, curtailing freedom of expression.

In France, actress Brigitte Bardot was convicted on charges of inciting racial hatred in 2008 after she criticized the ritual slaughter of sheep during a Muslim feast and warned that France had been "invaded by an overpopulation of foreigners, especially Muslims." She wasn't jailed, but she had to pay a fine.

In South Africa, where the racially discriminatory apartheid system ended in 1994, a white woman, who is also a member of country's opposition party, recently was charged with "infringing the dignity of all South Africans and for dehumanizing black South Africans" after she called black people "monkeys" on Facebook.

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It is understandable how a country ripped apart by systemic racism that lasted nearly 40 years would be touchy about such things. But in America, another country whose history is rooted in racism, we understand the importance of individual rights. And for that, I am thankful.

How wonderful it would be if every bigot in America suddenly had a change of heart. That's not going to happen, so those of us who are targeted by bigotry have to decide how we will deal with it.

The first thing to consider is that bigotry isn't necessarily the victim's problem. It's the bigots' problem. They are the ones consumed with hatred. How awful it must be to wake up every morning fearing that those you consider to be less deserving might end up with something that you're entitled to.

That's the thing deplorables fear most. And Trump has given them a warm, fuzzy basket to huddle in.

Trump isn't the first politician to prey on the insecurities of a constituency that feels bound by anti-discrimination laws that keep their bigotry at bay. George Wallace was a mastermind at herding angry deplorables behind his equally bigoted cause.

In the 1960s, when many Americans were terrified by the idea of sharing classrooms, bathrooms and water fountains with African-Americans, Wallace provided them a basket too.

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The former Alabama governor was best known for his declaration: "Segregation now. Segregation tomorrow. And segregation forever." And when Wallace ran for president in 1968, his hate-filled rhetoric fired up crowds and gave deplorables hope that America could be as great as it once was when blacks lived on plantations, unable to read, write or vote.

Trump seems to be borrowing pages from Wallace's playbook. But he should remember that when it was over, Wallace did not win. He garnered less than 14 percent of the popular vote.

Still, there is something to learn from Wallace. He is an example of how even the greatest deplorables can change if they choose to.

Years ago, I had a chance to speak with Wallace as he lay near death at home in Alabama. By then, unable to hear and weakened from Parkinson's disease and the long-term effects of bullet wounds that left him a paraplegic, Wallace was unable to speak coherently. An aide had to interpret for him.

Over time, Wallace came to realize that his segregationist views were wrong and that it had been a mistake to view others as inferior. Years after standing in the doorway of the University of Alabama to block black students from entering, he apologized.

"How do you feel today about your role as a segregationist in the civil rights movement?" I asked as his aide typed big letters onto a computer screen at his bedside.

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Wallace read the question, stuck a cigar in his mouth and looked away from the screen. Then he turned to me and answered, "I'm for civil rights programs."

At the end of the brief visit, he autographed a photograph taken when he was in his prime and handed it to me. And as I walked away, the governor waved goodbye and blew me a kiss.

In case you're wondering how any of this might relate to you. Consider this:

If you can't figure out what all the fuss is about, then chances are you're not in Trump's basket of deplorables. But if you are offended by the term, then you might want to dig deep and find a way to get out.

dglanton@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @dahleeng
Gary police officer Shae Russell takes notes as she speaks with a Gary resident on Tuesday during the department's Coffee with a Cop event. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Patrons pulling into the McDonald's parking lot Tuesday on South Lake Street in Gary's Miller section found police patrol vehicles were scattered among the cars.

It was not crime that brought them, but rather the community. Inside, officers in uniform sat across from people, listening, sipping coffee from brown to-go cups.

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The turnout for Gary Police Department's second Coffee with a Cop event just about doubled from the first one a couple of months ago, Commander Kerry Rice said, an increase the department wants to see as it promotes community outreach.

Some people came with questions for the police department. George Rogge, who lives nearby, was pleased to learn things about the department he didn't know before, like how Gary Police work to return stolen items to the owners that were brought to pawn shops, Rogge said.

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Others came with concerns about their neighborhoods. One woman was worried about a burglary, Rice said, while another was concerned about speeding near a local high school. Carol Smith, another resident, came to talk about how parking lots at the Lake Michigan shoreline a few blocks away are used in the off-season.

Smith said she liked being able to talk one-on-one with an officer about her concerns.

"I think it's just great the police are doing that, and we need to support them," she said.

Rice said he heard many similar comments Tuesday.

"A lot of them just want to thank us for our service," Rice said.

After the event, Rice and the other department leaders get together and brainstorm about how the concerns citizens raised can be addressed. The goal is to have some solutions ready to share with people, and hopefully by the next Coffee with a Cop next month at the McDonald's on 35th Avenue, Rice said.

If people didn't feel comfortable sharing their thoughts with the police in person, the officers handed out business cards so people can contact them later, Commander Del Stout said, and many do call later.

The goal is to get people out talking with police at a time that might be more convenient to them, such as when they pick up their morning coffee, Stout said. As Stout was talking about how these events make police more approachable, a man walking past Stout said hello and shook Stout's hand. Stout said he had never met the man.

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"I think it opens up a lot of avenues to us," Stout said.

Why have Coffee with a Cop events?

Gary Police certainly isn't the first department to hold a Coffee with a Cop event. Portage, Indiana University Northwest, Hobart and Hammond police have done the same, as well as police departments across the country.

It's all about community policing, said Joseph Ferrandino, an associate professor in the school of public and environmental affairs at Indiana University Northwest in Gary. It's police getting out, being approachable, hearing from people not committing crimes about how to make their community better, he said.

Community policing became more well-known and used in the 1970s, he said. After major scandals with big police departments, "people felt very closed off from the police," he said.

"The officers used to walk around. They used to be much more accessible," Ferrandino said. "Now they kind of drive around with their windows up and drive through neighborhoods."

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There's a variety of ways police can make themselves more approachable, he said, from going out and walking through the neighborhoods and knocking on doors, police explorer and citizen police academy programs or having school resource officers that get to know students in their daily lives. Last summer, Griffith Police handed out Slurpee "tickets" to children outside playing, Ferrandino said.

Still, a police department can have as many community outreach events, like Coffee with a Cop, as it wants, but "you can't say that you community police," Ferrandino said  it's not something you do so much as something you are.

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"Some agencies do what they've always done, but they have a program here and a program there," Ferrandino said, but the real community policing is including it in the fabric of everything a department does.

Success from events like Coffee with a Cop don't come from seeing a reduction in crime, he said.

"If you had a hundred of them, you wouldn't have fewer murders or something like that," Ferrandino said.

Success is more in how many people show up, he said, to see people becoming involved in their communities. And it's good to see older and younger members of the community showing up, he said.

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"The older people tend to be more involved, more civic-minded," Ferrandino said. "And with younger people, it's trying to make it better the next time they see an officer, so they won't be uncomfortable. It's the guy who gave you a Slurpee, not the guy taking you to jail."

rejacobs@post-trib.com

Twitter @ruthyjacobs
Five people were wounded Tuesday in separate shootings across the city, police said.

The most recent shooting happened at 11:55 p.m. in the 8100 block of South Elizabeth Street in the city's Gresham neighborhood on the South Side, police said.

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A 25-year-old woman was sitting in a parked vehicle when someone in a silver SUV began firing shots at the car, police said. The woman was shot on the right hand and left ankle.

She was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Law, and her condition was stabilized, authorities said.

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About 10 p.m. on the West Side, a 25-year-old man was shot as he was walking in the 5200 block of West Kamerling Avenue in the city's Austin neighborhood, police said.

The man heard gunshots and felt pain. He was shot in the back and the right leg, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.

About 6:40 p.m. on the Northwest Side, a 25-year-old man and a 30-year-old man were shot in the 4800 block of West Patterson Avenue in the Portage Park neighborhood, police said. Both men were shot in the leg, and they were taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where their conditions were stabilized.

Earlier Tuesday in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, someone shot a 23-year-old man in the leg, police said.

The man was in the 800 block of North Monticello Avenue about 10:30 a.m. when he was wounded, police said.

He was in good condition at Mount Sinai Hospital.

No one was in custody, and Area North detectives were investigating, police said.
Lester McCarty sat on the porch of his home of 40 years with his wife of 48 years and surveyed the crime scene across the street at Eckersall Park.



Officers walked in and out of the park's stadium south of 82nd, where a retired deputy police chief had exchanged gunfire with a robber during an exercise session for senior citizens about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.



The retired officer, Fred Coffey, 72, was hit in the arm. The robber, 21, suffered a more serious wound in the lower body, according to police. Both were stabilized at hospitals, but police were releasing few other details.



McCarty said a person who appeared shot hobbled out to a waiting car and jumped in. He was later arrested and taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. The retired officer went to the University of Chicago Medical Center.



"They picked the wrong one," McCarty said.



Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson visited Coffey at the hospital and later released a statement saying "gun offenders in Chicago do not discriminate. Their reckless conduct and lack of respect for humanity puts families, public servants and anything that stands in their way at risk.



"Enough is enough," added Johnson, who has campaigned for stricter sentencing laws for repeat gun offenders. "Retired Deputy Chief Coffey was a great police officer and public servant to the people of Chicago and I am glad he is okay."



McCarty said he watches the group walking in and out each morning for their exercises. His corner home has a small white-picket fence and hostas with purple flowers. Aside from the roof just recently fixed, McCarty made every repair in his home with his own hands.



He sits out here each day with coffee,and each night because it's pleasant past park closing time. The playground is clean.



The family had three children: a 32-year-old man who died almost one year ago due to complications from diabetes diagnosed at the age of 18 months, and two daughters who are both nurses.



"My youngest, she's been trying to move us from over here," he said. "I'm going to have to make sure she doesn't handcuff me and drag me out of here."



He's not sure where, but she has a house lined up in a suburb. It has four bedrooms, and he'd be able to take his walks, he said. The neighborhood's been getting younger since the CHA tore down projects, and buildings in the area have been rented to tenants with housing vouchers, he said.



He and his wife bought their home from a bus driver for the CTA, where McCarty also worked for 30 years before retiring at the age of 53.



He started at the CTA after a two-year stint in the Army. He was drafted in 1964 and returned home stronger after carrying around an M60 machine gun in Vietnam for 13 months. He had trained as an aircraft mechanic but was moved to infantry when he landed in country.



The South Chicago neighborhood was one of the first where Chicago's first generation of black middle-class homeowners -- many of them civil servants working for the CTA, Chicago Public Schools, the police and fire departments and other city jobs -- put down roots.



At 71, McCarty said he's the newest homeowner on the block. Everyone else up and down the east side of the 8100 and 8200 blocks moved in before him. As the couple talked, neighbors wandered by. They traded what they heard: A few shots. An officer had maybe shot the person who shot him.



An older man who looked young, in a black-and-white hat and tucked-in white button up, wondered aloud: "Nine out of 10 people ain't gonna walk around with money."



"Who's using common sense nowadays?" responded Kenneth Warmack, 81 and a longtime neighborhood resident.



Everyone laughed.



After police started clearing out, a family friend left the front porch. He mentioned he had been working out after someone gave him a treadmill.



"You're married," one asked.



The young man smiled. "I'm trying to save up for the ring."



Warmack yelled as he walked away: "Weren't we just talking about common sense?"
Thomas J. Calhoun Jr. makes a statement after Chicago State University trustees name him the new president at a special board meeting in Chicago on Oct. 8, 2015. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

After almost nine months at embattled Chicago State University, President Thomas Calhoun Jr. is apparently parting ways with the Far South Side university.

Trustees on Friday plan to vote on Calhoun's "separation agreement" and name an interim president, according to a board meeting agenda posted Wednesday morning. Calhoun is paid $300,000 a year, and the terms of the agreement were not immediately available.

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Calhoun took over in January to much fanfare, with a five-year contract scheduled to run through 2020. The contract provides for various scenarios under which the board can remove Calhoun without cause, including with him accepting two years of salary, or $600,000, to leave immediately. He also could be reassigned to different job responsibilities but maintain his presidential salary through the length of his contract.

Calhoun and trustees did not return calls for comment, and a spokeswoman said the agreement was not available.

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His impending departure comes at a troubling time for Chicago State, which serves a predominantly African-American student population. With a heavy reliance on state funding, it has struggled to stay afloat as state lawmakers failed to pass a budget for most of the year and then provided only partial funding.

The school declared a financial emergency in February and was notified that its accreditation status was at risk because of its shaky finances.

About 40 percent of the university's employees have been terminated or laid off since the beginning of the year, and academic programs have been cut. The campus library has reduced its hours, and is now only open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Student enrollment is expected to be down steeply this fall when the university releases figures later this month, and the most recent graduation rate was down to just 11 percent.

On campus Wednesday, it was not clear if Calhoun still occupied his office on the top floor of the campus administration building. The suite, with a large reception area decorated with student art, was nearly empty. Doors to conference rooms were shut.

Tyrel Dochee, a graduate student studying clinical health, said he heard the news about Calhoun from a library staffer, who urged students to spread the word and attend Friday's board meeting.

"We shouldn't have to find out this way," said Dochee, 28. "It's just a disservice. We have phones, we have email. There's just no respect. Nobody's telling us anything. Nobody cares about the students."

Dochee said he'd never met Calhoun and did not have an opinion about him or his tenure. But he said friends and alumni wanted to give Calhoun a fair chance to fix problems at Chicago State that have only worsened in recent months.

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"This school used to have so much morale," Dochee said. "I don't know if it's even going to be up and running."

The decision to part ways with Calhoun is an about-face from 11 months ago when trustees enthusiastically announced hiring the Alabama administrator to replace President Wayne Watson, who retired last year.

Nikki Zollar, the board vice chair and head of the presidential search committee, said then that Calhoun, who previously worked at the University of Northern Alabama, was the only one of the three finalists who received overwhelming support from students, staff and faculty groups.

As people wondered about the 149-year-old university's future, Calhoun urged optimism, saying the institution had a bright future ahead.

"I believe that by working together, Chicago State University will continue to have a transformational impact on the lives of our students and our surrounding communities, and I look forward to the start of this journey together," Calhoun said at the time.

Watson, who was president from 2009 until last year, heaped praise upon his successor. While the university's accreditation was renewed during Watson's tenure, the school faced declining enrollment, whistleblower lawsuits and low morale.

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"His qualifications are impeccable, his experience has great depth to it, and equally as important, his vision, his vision as an educator, is something that is going to take Chicago State University to the next level," Watson said at the time.

As word spread this week that Calhoun may be out, faculty members made a last-ditch effort to show their support.

On Wednesday morning, the president of the university faculty union sent a letter to the board to show the faculty's "virtually unanimous support" for Calhoun, saying he has "provided steady leadership and a strong public voice" during the difficulties presented by the budget crisis of the past year.

"As we begin to normalize operations, we are sure you want to join with us in full support of Dr. Calhoun," states the letter, signed by more than 130 faculty members. "To do otherwise would continue the turmoil we have experienced since February and likely expose the still vulnerable university to additional harm. We are eager to begin the work of rebuilding the institution. We have the right president at the right time."

Robert Bionaz, president of the faculty union, criticized the board for getting rid of a popular president while keeping other senior administrators who are opposed by faculty and staff.

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"The board has chosen a path guaranteed to create continued conflict, contention and uproar on this campus," said Bionaz, a history professor. "This is a truly dark hour for our university, and Gov. (Bruce) Rauner should immediately replace every member of this current board of trustees."

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Rauner on Wednesday afternoon had little to say about Calhoun's possible departure. About the faculty's call for him to replace trustees, he said: "We'll all sort that out, I guess, together. I don't know yet."

Sen. Bill Cunningham, a Chicago Democrat on the Higher Education Committee, said he had not heard about Calhoun's impending departure until informed by a reporter and did not know the reasons behind it.

"It's the exact opposite of what the university needs right now: more turmoil," Cunningham said.

Chicago Tribune's Kim Geiger contributed.

drhodes@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @rhodes_dawn
Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans is facing the most serious challenge to his leadership since he became chief judge in 2001. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Before a law clerk in Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans' office last month allegedly donned a robe and impersonated a judge, the race to unseat Evans was relatively restrained, with two judges waging a quiet challenge to Evans' 15-year rule.

But the scandal that broke out in the lower level of the south suburban Markham courthouse  where Judge Valarie Turner is suspected of allowing the clerk, Rhonda Crawford, to preside over three traffic cases  has given the race to become the county's top judge new urgency. Some longtime judges are trying to stoke discontent among colleagues in advance of Thursday's vote; others are seeking to undermine Evans with allegations of bungling and ham-fisted management.

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The actions represent the most serious challenge to Evans' leadership since he became chief judge in 2001.

At stake is a position that holds great sway over one of the nation's largest judicial systems, exerting deep influence over cases ranging from traffic violations to murder trials.

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"There's obviously a rebellion going on," said Dick Simpson, the former Chicago alderman who is now a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "There's no doubt there's some pushback against Tim Evans. He's been there a very long time."

Evans, 73, is a former alderman who lost the 1989 mayoral race to Richard M. Daley. He faces challenges from Tom Allen, the former Northwest Side alderman who is now a judge, and Sandra Ramos, a former assistant state's attorney and criminal defense lawyer who was elected to the bench in 2010.

Ballots for the three-year term will be cast in secret Thursday. Cook County's 241 circuit court judges vote; 145 associate judges do not.

Races for chief judge tend to focus on management style dominating what are typically rather staid discussions of court procedures, much of it in "Dear Colleagues" letters rather than boisterous campaigning. Candidates sometimes go courtroom to courtroom seeking votes, and elected officials have been known to quietly lobby on behalf of a favored candidate.

Indeed, letters from Allen and Ramos seeking support from their colleagues are so buttoned-up it is hard to know a race is even on.

"It's a little like the old days of the machine. It's a pretty closed world," Simpson said. "A lot of it is whether the judges are satisfied with their own little world, and Tim Evans at the top. They're not looking at the overall question of whether there will be change to the system."

Evans, according to Simpson, has the "upper hand" in the election, in part because many judges owe Evans for their assignments.

There's obviously a rebellion going on. There's no doubt there's some pushback against Tim Evans. He's been there a very long time.  Dick Simpson, former Chicago alderman and UIC political science professor

Who controls Cook County's massive court system is important; an ineffective system can harm those who pass through it and cost taxpayers greatly. Allen and Ramos have said in letters and to colleagues they can run the system better than Evans.

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Allen, who lost a primary election for state's attorney in 2008, declined to comment other than to say, "I care about the future of the courts."

Ramos drew a sharp distinction between herself and Evans and Allen. "Unfortunately, I'm not a politician. I'm an option," said Ramos, who was in private practice before she became a judge. "If they want same old, same old, let them have same old, same old."

While Allen and Ramos are seen as underdogs, Allen perhaps poses the greater threat to Evans' reign. Allen is widely known among his fellow judges and his family is connected through marriage to the storied Cullerton family, a force in city politics since the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.

Evans, in an interview Tuesday, brushed aside criticism from Allen and Ramos, saying neither has any experience as a supervisory judge.

"One of the things that needs to be clarified is that this is a coveted position," Evans said. "I'm being challenged by two people. I don't take it personally."

Evans, a Democrat like his two opponents, has run unopposed in three of the previous four elections. His last challenger was William Maddux, then the presiding judge of the Law Division who has since retired. Evans easily turned back Maddux's challenge.

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Evans is a longtime figure in Chicago politics. He was elected to City Council in 1973, a position he held until Toni Preckwinkle, now county board president, narrowly defeated him in 1991. During his time on the council, he served as floor leader for Mayor Harold Washington, the city's first black mayor. After Washington died, Evans made his first bid for mayor when the council voted on his replacement, only to lose to Eugene Sawyer. Then, after losing his council seat, Evans ran for circuit court judge in 1992 and won. Nine years later, he ascended to chief judge when he defeated four challengers.

Today, Evans heads a sprawling system that has 13 courthouses, with about 1.2 million criminal and civil cases pending at any given time. Besides the 386 circuit and associate judges, Evans supervises close to 2,700 employees, and also heads the county juvenile temporary detention center and probation department. The court's 2016 budget is nearly $236 million, according to Pat Milhizer, a spokesman for the chief judge.

In a letter to judges, Evans touted his accomplishments, from technology upgrades to introducing new courts, such as the domestic violence court and specialty courts to hear veterans' issues, and matters involving mental health, drug abuse and sexual exploitation.

"While I respect any judge's right to run," Evans wrote, "I respectfully suggest that no other judge has more passion for improving our system of justice nor fought harder or longer to produce the results that I believe my leadership and experience have brought about."

Evans' long tenure has not been without controversy, much of it met with more than a little secrecy or inaction by him. A series of Chicago Tribune investigations has raised questions about how effectively Evans has managed the courts. A 2012 investigation, for instance, uncovered judges improperly hiding from public view potentially embarrassing cases involving politicians, athletes, wealthy businessmen and others.

The Tribune reported in 2013 that the Adult Probation Department had lost track of hundreds of convicts and had overlooked curfew violations and new crimes by offenders, some of whom went on to rape and kill. Not until three months later did Evans make leadership changes.

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Another Tribune investigation into the probation department in 2014 found that an armed unit of rogue officers had allegedly violated probationers' civil rights. Evans hired a law firm to investigate the Tribune's findings, but he has refused to release the firm's report, or even to say if he had disciplined any employees or referred any wrongdoing to authorities.

That same year, the Illinois Supreme Court released a unprecedented report into how the court system under Evans handled criminal defendants. The report pointed out a lack of leadership and basic understanding of certain court services that led to people unnecessarily awaiting trial behind bars.

Evans said that years before the Supreme Court issued its report, he had been working to improve pretrial services and bond court.

The scandal out of the Markham courthouse is, perhaps, Evans' most embarrassing. Crawford was a law clerk and staff attorney in Evans' office who had won the Democratic primary for a seat on the bench and was running unopposed in this fall's general election.

Evans fired Crawford, who remains on the ballot for a position in the 1st Judicial Subdistrict, which includes the South Side and some south suburban villages. Evans reassigned Turner, the judge, to administrative duties, and apparently referred the matter to state commissions responsible for oversight of judges and lawyers. At the same time, the Cook County state's attorney's office has said it was conducting a criminal investigation.

Privately, and occasionally publicly, Evans' fellow judges have criticized his management style and leadership. Several judges said that Evans' office was slow to alert the sheriff's office after failing to take seriously a series of anonymous death threats made against five judges in 2015. Judges said Evans also was slow to respond to allegations from two female judges that they were sexually harassed by other judges.

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Evans disputed those criticisms, saying he takes the safety of judges personally and does not tolerate a hostile work environment.

Judge Sheryl Pethers said in an email to fellow judges that Evans often plays favorites in promotions and courtroom assignments, a charge echoed  privately in most cases  by many judges. In a July 12 email, Pethers, who is retiring in early December, said she watched as less qualified judges were promoted, noting that "there are judges who regularly don't even come to work, but get to choose their courtrooms."

"Being 'nobody who nobody sent' doesn't cut it," she wrote. "And because of that, qualifications and experience don't either."

Judge Patrick Murphy also has written to his colleagues and to Evans, urging the chief judge to adopt changes in the courts  most of which would have the effect of loosening Evans' tight grip on the courts. Murphy suggested term limits for chief judge, more democratic input from judges, and a professional administrator to provide expertise on hiring and the budget. Evans, according to Murphy's emails, typically does not respond to his suggestions.

In a nod to the rampant politics in the court, Murphy also recommended that job openings on the bench be posted publicly.

"Rumors persist that qualified judges are at times overlooked for 'plum' assignments in favor of those who might be politically connected," he said. "The best way to put these rumors to rest is to post the job."

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Evans, though, has cultivated support over the years.

Judge Robert Balanoff, for example, wrote to his colleagues to praise Evans, saying a change of chief judges could be disastrous.

"I fear a return to the storied past when judges were banished to distant courtrooms based on personal whims, prejudices and the decisions they made," he wrote.

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Allen and Ramos suggest Evans has overstayed his welcome. In a Sept. 2 letter to colleagues, Allen said he would make the chief judge's office more transparent and accountable, and would support a limit of two three-year terms for chief judge. He pledged to hire court administrators to make the courts more efficient and said he would pursue improved relationships with the county board and other "government partners."

Ramos, in an Aug. 5 letter to colleagues, said she would improve communication between the chief judge's office and courtroom judges by scheduling regular meetings. She also said she would address what have become frequent complaints about assignments.

"What I have found to be my experience as a member of the judiciary in Cook County," Ramos wrote, "is the lack of communication between the Chief Judge and the majority of the judiciary."

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Pedestrians stop by a memorial near the scene of a hit and run accident which killed 10-month-old Julissa Ochoa and five-year-old Eric Ochoa at South Western Avenue and 45th Street on March 25, 2012. (Jose M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune)

Eric Ochoa remembers turning to make sure his young son had his seat belt on as the family drove to a hair salon. As the two kids' mother drove, Ochoa fiddled with the car radio to find a song his music-loving son would like.

The next thing he knew, he said Tuesday, was waking up in a hospital and learning both his children were dead.

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"Who could imagine such a thing?" Ochoa said.

Julissa Ochoa, 10 months, and her brother, Eric, 5, were killed almost instantly when Joey Chavez, fleeing an earlier crash, slammed into the back of their parents' car at more than 80 miles per hour.

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"It looked like a bomb went off on Western Avenue," said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Emily Stevens.

On Tuesday, Judge Lawrence Flood sentenced Chavez to 26 years in prison, just two years under the maximum for the 2012 crash in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.

Despite his vow to be sober after his alcoholic father died in a 1980 car crash, Chavez had abused drugs for decades as he headed to a family party that Saturday night while high on PCP, Valium and codeine, prosecutors said.

Earlier this year, after a bench trial at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Flood had convicted Chavez, now 41, of multiple counts of aggravated DUI and reckless homicide.

Bernice Cabrera, 26, mother of the children, cried in court as she read her victim-impact statement. She placed her hand on Ochoa's left leg after the judge announced the lengthy prison term. Ochoa, 27, wore a T-shirt with his children's photo displayed under the words "Forever in our hearts."

On the day of the crash, Cabrera said she had been flung from the family's green Dodge Neon as it spun 360 degrees and hit a utility pole.

"I was screaming for help  anyone," she said after the hearing.

The white Mercury Mountaineer sport utility vehicle Chavez was driving went airborne and flipped at least three times, prosecutors said. At the hospital, Chavez cried and asked if he was in trouble but never asked about the victims, they said.

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"He asked for a sandwich," Stevens said.

Prosecutors also blasted the reputed gang member and seven-time convicted felon for failing to seek drug treatment while he was locked up in Cook County Jail awaiting trial. Instead, they said, he took yoga and classes on beekeeping and chicken farming.

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"These two children are dead, and you're learning how to be a beekeeper," Stevens said mockingly in court.

Prosecutors said Chavez laughed while testifying at his trial when he described getting high that night.

Chavez had tried to blame a female friend, saying she was driving the SUV. But Flood ruled that Chavez had been behind the wheel, basing his decision in part on the discovery of Chavez's DNA on the center of the driver's side air bag.

Ochoa and Cabrera now have a daughter, whose middle name is Julissa in honor of the girl they lost.

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Sometimes, her parents say, the 3-year-old wears the same pink Hello Kitty sweatshirt her sister wore on the day she died.

sschmadeke@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @SteveSchmadeke
Mario Booker, 27, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 24-year-old woman on the South Side in 2012. (Police photo)

A Chicago man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in prison for the 2012 kidnapping and sexual assault of a 24-year-old woman in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.

Mario Booker, 27, of the 6400 block of South Washtenaw Avenue, was convicted earlier of aggravated criminal sexual assault and kidnapping, prosecutors said.

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On Aug. 27, 2012, Booker ran toward the victim, who thought he was going to run past her. Instead, Booker grabbed her from behind, put his arm around her neck and placed her in a chokehold, prosecutors said.

Booker told the victim if she screamed he would kill her. He then dragged the victim to a gangway in the 6100 block of South Artesian Avenue, where he put a condom on before the assault, prosecutors said.

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After the attack, Booker made her stay in an alley until he fled. The woman ran to her cousin's house and called police. Investigators recovered a used condom and sent it for forensic testing, prosecutors said.

In 2015, Booker was charged after his DNA was linked to the South Side attack, officials said. The victim's DNA also was linked to the same condom.

Booker appeared Wednesday before Cook County Judge Charles Burns, who sentenced him to 30 years.
A Louisiana energy company is asking a federal judge to reverse the cancellation of a 33-year-old oil and gas lease on land considered sacred to the Blackfeet tribes of the U.S. and Canada.

Solenex LLC of Baton Rouge filed court papers Monday seeking a judgment in the case that's before U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington, D.C.

The 6,200-acre lease is in the Badger-Two Medicine area of the Lewis and Clark National Forest. It's just outside Glacier National Park and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

U.S. Interior Department officials cancelled the lease in March.

They said it was improperly issued in part because environmental studies did not consider the effects of drilling on the tribes.

Government attorneys must respond to the company's request to restore the lease within two weeks.
Chicago police are asking for help in finding a 76-year-old man with Alzheimer's disease who went missing Tuesday.

John Green was last seen in the 800 block of South Damen Avenue, according to a news release from the Chicago Police Department.

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Green is 6-foot-2 and about 170 pounds. He has brown eyes, brown hair and a medium complexion, according to the release.

He was last seen wearing black shorts, a black T-shirt and a white alarm bracelet on his wrist.

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Anyone with information about Green's location should contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife, Sandi, depart after their sentencing hearing Aug. 14, 2013, in Washington. (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune)

WASHINGTON  Former Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson is enjoying a taste of freedom on her birthday after leaving a federal prison camp in West Virginia, where she had been serving a one-year sentence for filing false income tax returns, Bureau of Prisons records show.

The wife of ex-Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., she reported to the women's prison in Alderson, W.Va., on Oct. 20 after pleading guilty. The facility is nicknamed "Camp Cupcake" because domestic diva Martha Stewart served a five-month term there more than a decade ago.

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Sandi Jackson's scheduled release date was Oct. 18. It was not clear where she went after leaving the prison camp.

Jackson was eligible for home detention as of Tuesday, said Melissa Evans, public information officer for the federal prison camp.

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"Obviously, her full-time release date is still Oct. 18, 2016, and has not changed," Evans said.

"She's still under the jurisdiction" of the Federal Bureau of Prisons until then, the prison spokeswoman said.

Evans said inmates are still under the bureau's jurisdiction while in a halfway house or on home detention. She declined to give additional details about Sandi Jackson's whereabouts.

Jackson was accused of filing false returns during a bizarre crime spree in which her husband looted about $750,000 from his federal campaign treasury and spent the money on vacations, furs, celebrity memorabilia and two mounted elk heads, among other things.

She failed to report about $600,000 of the income for several years ending in 2011, court records show.

Jackson, who turned 53 Wednesday, and her husband were convicted in 2013 and given staggered terms so one of them could care for their two children.

Jesse Jackson Jr., 51, served about 22 months of a 30-month sentence and completed that last September. Weeks later, Sandi Jackson reported to the minimum-security prison camp.

Under the rules, federal prisoners may spend up to 12 months of their sentences in a halfway house and the final portion of their terms may be served on home detention. That was true in Jackson Jr.'s case.

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Once half of a Democratic power couple, Sandi Jackson represented the 7th Ward on Chicago's South Side from 2007 until she resigned in 2013.

Jackson Jr. was in Congress from 1995 until he quit in 2012 amid the criminal investigation and treatment for bipolar disorder and depression. He is the son of civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

In plea deals, Jackson Jr. was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and make false statements, and she was convicted of the tax violation. His 30-month term was cut for completing a substance abuse program in prison and good conduct.

Federal prisoners who behave are eligible to have their sentences reduced by up to 54 days a year. The break applies only to inmates given a sentence of more than 12 months, so Sandi Jackson apparently did not qualify.

She declined interview requests while incarcerated.

San Francisco attorney Alan Ellis, whose specialty is federal sentencing, said in a recent interview that inmates with a one-year term usually serve no more than 10 percent of the sentence on home detention  or about 36 days in Sandi Jackson's case.

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The Jacksons have homes in Washington and Chicago. He is on supervised release, or what used to be called parole, and his travel restrictions were eased in February after he told a judge that the rules limited him to taking his children to see their imprisoned mother only about once a month.

The terms of Jackson Jr.'s supervision had required him to stay in Washington unless a judge or probation officer said he may leave, court records show.

The judge granted his request to allow him to email his probation officer before proposed travel and say where he is going and why, then confirm when he returns to Washington.

Sandi Jackson's attorneys did not immediately respond Wednesday to requests for comment.

Similarly, an inquiry to the Federal Bureau of Prisons press office in Washington did not yield an immediate response.

kskiba@chicagotribune.com

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CHICAGO  A Southwest Airline aircraft flying from Columbus, Ohio, to Denver has been forced to make an emergency landing at Midway International Airport.

In a statement, a Southwest Airlines spokeswoman says the pilot declared an emergency Tuesday and the flight was diverted to "investigate potential smoke in the cockpit."

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The statement said protocol was followed and emergency vehicles met the aircraft upon its arrival. There were no injuries. Southwest said 112 passengers and five crew members continued on to Denver on a different aircraft.

The original aircraft will remain out of service pending a review by Southwest maintenance teams.

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Illinois U.S. Senator Mark Kirk talks with media before attending a panel discussion on common-sense immigration reform at TechNexus in Chicago on Aug. 10, 2016. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk on Wednesday released a letter from the physician who led the medical treatment of his stroke declaring that the senator has made a "full cognitive recovery" while still dealing with some physical limitations.

"He is unlikely to regain further range of motion on his left side, but he continues to undergo regular exercise and physical therapy to maintain his strength," wrote Dr. Richard Fessler of Rush University Medical Center , who called Kirk otherwise "a healthy 56-year-old male."

"His speech is occasionally halting but has vastly improved. The stroke did not affect the left side of his brain, which controls cognitive and verbal functions," Fessler wrote.

Kirk suffered a severe stroke in January 2012, returning to the Senate after a near yearlong absence for recovery and rehabilitation. Since the surgery, Fessler wrote, Kirk "has made a full cognitive recovery and has made rapid improvements in his physical recovery."

Kirk often uses a wheelchair and occasionally uses a cane. Fessler wrote that Kirk has "no increased risk" of suffering another stroke.

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The letter is dated July 19, about two weeks after the Chicago Tribune asked Kirk and Democratic challenger U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth to provide detailed medical information and make physicians available for interviews. Each campaign was asked to turn over summary reports from general practitioners and specialists, as well as provide updates on rehabilitation.

Missing from the letter released Wednesday was any detail about Kirk's ongoing rehabilitation.

Health is a unique issue in the race for the U.S. Senate in Illinois, with both candidates suffering from physical disabilities.

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In 2004, Duckworth was deployed in Iraq when the Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. She lost her legs and partial use of her right arm and spent a year recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center . Duckworth often uses a wheelchair or walks with the aid of prostheses.

Duckworth has not released any of her medical records to date.

Kirk, a first-term senator viewed as the most politically vulnerable Republican in the chamber, has made his recovery from his stroke a major portion of his political biography, including a TV ad during the campaign. He returned to the Senate in January 2013 by climbing the Capitol steps, using a cane and accompanied by two Democrats  Vice President Joe Biden and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin , a close friend.

Kirk's doctor letter came amid increasing debate nationally over presidential candidates providing full disclosure of their medical histories, prompted by Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton 's recent diagnosis of pneumonia and a portrayal of her by some Donald Trump supporters that she has long been unwell. In a letter released by the Clinton campaign Wednesday, Clinton's physician, Dr. Lisa Bardack, said that the Democratic nominee was "recovering well" from pneumonia and remains "fit to serve as president of the United States."

Trump on Wednesday taped an episode of the "Dr. Oz Show," to air Thursday, in which he handed Dr. Mehmet Oz a one-page summary of an exam conducted last week by Dr. Harold N. Bornstein. In a December letter, Bornstein, a gastroenterologist, declared Trump would be "the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency." Reports of the show from audience members said Trump said he weighed 267 pounds and takes a statin, which is used to control cholesterol.

Fessler, who performed surgery on Kirk at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, said back in 2012 that Kirk had a "good" probability of making a full mental recovery but conceded the chance of a full physical recovery was "not great."

That prognosis was repeated in the letter Wednesday.

"Mr. Kirk's stroke was on the right side of his brain, affecting the portions of his brain that regulate movement on the left side of his body," the letter states. "As a result, he has no use of his left arm or hand and limited use of his left leg, which is strongest near the hip and weakest near the foot."

Kirk's health has become part of the bitter political campaign. Duckworth recently seized on a comment made by Kirk in which he likened President Barack Obama to a "drug dealer in chief" over the $400 million Iran prisoner deal. She labeled Kirk "unhinged," a term meaning "mentally deranged."

Kirk has denied that he suffers any mental impairment. He countered that Duckworth was "desperate" and said her comment mocked stroke victims.

But Kirk also has made a series of controversial statements since his return.

Kirk, an ardent foe of the multinational agreement aimed at curbing Iran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon, called it "the greatest appeasement since (British Prime Minister Neville) Chamberlain gave Czechoslovakia to Hitler." He also referred to the president as "Barack Hussein Obama," something usually used by right-wing detractors.

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Last year, Kirk apologized after telling a Boston radio station that Obama wanted "to get nukes to Iran." The senator said he had gotten "carried away" with his anger over the Iran deal.

Previously, Kirk told the Peoria Journal Star of his efforts to help African-American entrepreneurs "so that the black community is not the one we drive faster through."

During a debate over homeland security funding, Kirk warned: "If we have a successful terrorist attack  all the dead Americans from that should be laid at the feet of the Democratic caucus." He also said Republicans shouldn't amend the bill. "Hopefully we're going to end the attaching of bull---- to essential items of the government," he told reporters.

More recently, at an agricultural forum as part of his re-election bid, Kirk spoke of the need for the U.S. to pause accepting refugees from war-torn Syria until adequate background screening exists.

"We cannot go the way of the Germans, who committed a kind of national suicide by letting in so many folks that hold radically different views and will someday pop off in jihad against the United States," he said.

On Wednesday, Fessler said he has met with Kirk probably twice in the past year and assessed him during conversation. "We talk current events and we talk past events," the doctor said. "His memory is fine."

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Asked about Kirk's gaffes and whether they could be the result of the stroke, the doctor said he does not "think that's a consequence of the stroke." Fessler added that when he's heard some of the things Kirk has said, he's wished to himself that Kirk hadn't said them because he guessed political opponents would use them to question the senator's health.

The doctor has contributed more than $16,000 to Kirk's campaigns, for which Fessler offered a simple explanation: "I happen to be a Republican."

Fessler closed the letter declaring that Kirk has maintained a healthful lifestyle since his stroke, has never been a smoker and rarely drinks alcohol.

Kirk has told reporters that drinking a certain type of wine has improved his post-stroke speaking ability.

"A lot of my verbal skills kicked in one night, when I was at a fundraiser, over a glass of pinot grigio. So I've been insisting on pinot grigio everywhere," Kirk said in a March 2015 profile by Politico.

More recently, in an interview with CBS-2 Chicago, Kirk said, "I used to talk like this and I couldn't keep anybody's attention" as he demonstrated by speaking very haltingly.

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"Suddenly, as the pinot grigio hit the brain stem, my speech abilities came back. And I said to my girlfriend, 'OK, it's going to be only pinot grigio,'" he said.

Chicago Tribune's John Chase contributed.

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Chicago CFO Carole Brown, left, answers questions from aldermen last week before a key test vote on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposed water and sewer tax increase. (Anthony Souffle / 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

The Chicago City Council is set to vote Wednesday on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's new tax on water and sewer service that would cost Chicagoans an extra $226 on their yearly water bills by 2020.

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The estimated $239 million a year generated by the mayor's latest tax would be poured into the city pension fund for municipal workers to prevent it from going broke within a decade. Approval of the tax increase is highly likely, given that during a test vote last week at a Finance Committee meeting, 26 of the city's 50 aldermen voted in favor.

Also on tap: a plan to give nearly 1.5 million people who got automated or red-light tickets during a five-year period a second shot at contesting the citations; the payout of $2.7 million in lawsuit settlements, including $1.375 million to the estate of Eugene Ratliff, who was hit by a car being pursued by police in 2013 in the Avalon Park neighborhood; a proposal to give city contractors who hire ex-offenders a slight advantage when bidding for city projects; and approval of a plan to make further upgrades to Navy Pier that would include a new hotel at its east end.

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Typically, the council meets once a month, but there's more to come this September. Emanuel plans to make a Sept. 20 speech on law enforcement and crime, and on Sept. 29, the council will meet to consider Emanuel's plan to revamps the city's police oversight system. (Hal Dardick)

What's on tap

*Mayor Emanuel will preside over the City Council meeting.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner will attend a holocaust memorial museum lunch with first lady Diana Rauner, meet with innovation award winners and take part in a University of Chicago charter school groundbreaking.

*The Cook County Board meets at 10 a.m. On the agenda are a couple of lawsuit settlements: $2 million in a case involving discharge procedures at the County Jail and $5.5 million in a medical negligence case. Also: a measure on new decorum rules.

*County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will make a health coverage announcement at 9:15 a.m. before the meeting.

What we're writing

*Republican state's attorney candidate says Foxx's law consulting conflict has "appearance of impropriety," further erodes confidence in prosecutor's office.

*Emanuel's top attorney Patton says police oversight plan fixes are coming, offers no details two weeks ahead of vote.

*Illinois Supreme Court says nyet to redistricting referendum reconsideration.

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*In 14 cases, no gun is found after Chicago police shot someone they said was armed.

*Chief Judge Evans faces rebellion as he tries to keep his job.

What we're reading

*Lollapalooza Grant Park restoration costs near half-million bucks.

*Developers divulge details about Wrigley Field hotel.

*The downfall of Roll Call.

From the notebook

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*Kirk up on Spanish language TV: Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, in a tough re-election fight against Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, is trying to let Spanish-language TV viewers know he's not a fan of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Kirk's campaign debuted a new 30-second ad featuring the senator speaking Spanish to viewers. The campaign said the ad will run on Spanish-language channels Univision and Telemundo until the end of the election cycle.

So far, Univision, which airs on WGBO Ch. 66, reported the Kirk campaign bought seven ads for this week at a cost of $3,175. No spending report was on file with the Federal Communications Commission for Telemundo, which airs on WSNS Ch. 44.

"When Donald Trump says bad things about immigrants, I have spoken out against him. I don't support Trump," Kirk says in the ad.

"I've worked with Republicans and Democrats to reduce gang violence in Chicago. And I support immigration reform so families can stay together," he says.

Duckworth, the two-term congresswoman from Hoffman Estates, has purchased $75,134 worth of cable TV ad time in Chicago, Peoria, Rockford and Springfield. No word on what the ad is, but the bulk of the spending, $53,958, is in the Chicago market. (Rick Pearson)

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*Republicans continue cable ads in legislative contests: Republican and Democratic legislative campaign committees and their candidates continued to spend heavily on cable TV advertising for the current week.

The latest report shows the House Republican Organization and its candidates spending $374,976 for ads this week in eight contests, topped by the $143,871 being spent on Republican Rod Drobinski, of Wauconda, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Sam Yingling, of Grayslake.

Another $67,990 is being spent by Republicans trying to protect state Rep. Sheri Jesiel, of Winthrop Harbor, who is running against Democrat Nick Ciko, of Lindenhurst. There also was $63,508 worth of cable ads bought on behalf of Republican Jerry Lee Long, of Streator, who is taking on appointed Democratic state Rep. Andy Skoog, of LaSalle.

The Republican State Senate Campaign Committee and its candidates chipped in another $115,823 on two races: $62,498 on behalf of Michael Amrozowicz, of Gurnee, who is taking on Democratic Sen. Melinda Bush, of Grayslake; and $53,325 for Republican Seth Lewis, of Bartlett who is challenging Democratic state Sen. Tom Cullerton, of Villa Park.

Democrats also placed a $349,656 buy to run through the end of October for appointed Sen. Laura Murphy, of Des Plaines. She is being challenged by Republican Mel Thillens, of Park Ridge. (Rick Pearson)

*Police plan critics, wait in line: The biggest critics of Mayor Emanuel's plan to revamp police oversight in Chicago had to wait during more than four hours of testimony and aldermanic questioning to get their say at Tuesday's City Council hearing on the matter.

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First came Stephen Patton, the city's top attorney, explaining Emanuel's intent to create a new police oversight agency and deputy inspector general to audit the entire system. Then came a pair of experts on the subject from New York City.

After that, the usual suspects were up: Lori Lightfoot, who led the mayor's task force on the subject, and police accountability experts who have had multiple chances to speak out previously. Those folks did have complaints about the ordinance  mostly ones that Patton already had pledged to fix.

Once they all had their say, after 4 p.m. with many of the aldermen and all but one of the TV cameras gone from council chambers, the attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police weighed in.

Ripping the mayor's plan was Brian Hlavin, saying that Sharon Fairley, who for at least a time would carry on in her current role as head of the agency that investigates police shootings and misconduct, "is not fair, impartial or independent in her judgment." (Under Fairley, findings of misconduct have been far more common, not that the bar was particularly high before her.)

Hlavin went on to list a host of other concerns. He was followed by Jeffrey Baker, who as a member of Chicago Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression, has been a major advocate for an elected civilian board to oversee police oversight in the city.

Finally, after 5 p.m. came George Blakemore, a gadfly type who testifies at nearly every hearing held by the City Council or Cook County government. (Hal Dardick)

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*Cha-ching: The same law firm that stands to make millions of dollars if it succeeds in its suit against the city for failure to provide second notices for automated red-light and speeding tickets anticipates a big payday Wednesday from the Cook County Board.

On the Finance Committee agenda is a $2 million payment to Myron M. Cherry & Associates. That's the amount of legal fees and costs owed to the firm for its handling of a class-action suit against the county for alleged mistreatment of detainees at the County Jail, said Cara Smith, chief of policy and communications for Sheriff Tom Dart.

Back in April, the County Board approved a payment of more than $1.2 million in the case brought by men who said they were forced to return to their cells after they were fond not guilty in court or charges were dropped in their cases. Now the county's considering the legal tab it owes as part of the settlement.

The suit was brought by a plaintiff who in November 2009 was arrested on burglary charges but after being found not guilty in July 2011 was brought back to the jail, where he said he was beaten by other detainees. The sheriff's department, which transports about 1,000 people a day between the jail and various courtrooms, has since taken steps to address the issue.

Cherry's firm has sued the city on the automated ticket notice issue. Although Mayor Emanuel and the City Council are taking steps to give more than 1.5 million of those cited a second chance to contest their tickets, the firm is proceeding with the case.

If they were to win, the city could owe hundreds of millions of dollars in refunds  and Cherry's firm would stand to make millions of dollars in the process. Cherry is a Democratic campaign donor, including $25,000 to Rod Blagojevich ahead of his 2002 election as governor. (Hal Dardick)

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Follow the money

*Democratic State Sen. Melinda Bush, of Grayslake, reported $111,000 in contributions, led by $46,000 or so from the Senate Democrats and $25,000 from AFSCME Council 31, which is embroiled in a contract dispute with Republican Gov. Rauner. Bush is being challenged by Republican Michael Amrozowicz of Gurnee.

*The House Republican Organization reported $66,500 in contributions, including some transfers from caucus members.

*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

Beyond Chicago

*Trump to unveil ideas on child care, maternity leave.

*With Clinton on sidelines, Obama blasts Trump as phony champion of working class. Related: Clinton to resume campaigning Thursday.

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*U.S. household income grew 5.2 percent last year, Census Bureau alleges.

*Nearing end of term, U.N. chief disappointed in many world leaders.
Chelsea Manning in an undated file photo provided by the U.S. Army. (U.S. Army via AP)

A transgender soldier imprisoned in Kansas for leaking classified information to WikiLeaks says she is ending a hunger strike because the Army has agreed to allow her to get medical treatment for her gender dysphoria.

Chelsea Manning began a hunger strike Friday to protest her treatment at Fort Leavenworth. The American Civil Liberties Union said in a news release Tuesday that Manning's treatment will begin with surgery that her psychologist recommended in April. Manning says in the release that she's relieved the military approved the treatment but frustrated that it took so long.

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Manning, who was arrested as Bradley Manning, was convicted in 2013 in military court of leaking more than 700,000 secret military and State Department documents.

Army spokesman Wayne Hall didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Associated Press
Briefing reporters in Washington D.C. on Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry said it is too early to draw conclusions regarding the Syrian ceasefire but emphasized the need for humanitarian assistance, especially in neighborhoods of Aleppo. Sept. 12, 2016. (Department of State) (Chicago Tribune)

BEIRUT  Russia is urging Syrian rebels to separate themselves from 'terrorists' to ensure that the Russia-U.S.-brokered cease-fire continues to hold in Syria, where a relative calm has prevailed since the truce went into effect two days ago.



A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin says the Kremlin is hopeful that the truce deal "will create the necessary environment for political settlement."



Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that the Kremlin welcomes the cease-fire but that the key thing now is to make sure moderate opposition groups are separated from the "terrorists"  a reference to militant groups such as Syria's al-Qaida affiliate.



Peskov said that's the "key task, without which further progress can hardly be possible."



Russia launched its operation in Syria last year to support ally President Bashar Assad's forces.

Associated Press
A short video about lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual diversity may bring an abrupt end to a federal employee's 14-year career with the Social Security Administration. David Hall, who works in information technology at the agency's office in Champaign, Ill., refused to watch the 17-minute video on several occasions.

Hall told the News-Gazette that the mandate to watch the video first came in April, when the national office sent out an email memo regarding LGBT diversity and inclusivity training. (The Washington Post contacted the Social Security Administration to confirm this initiative early Wednesday, although the agency was unable to immediately respond.) The Chicago-area Social Security office issued a statement to Illinois's WCIA to explain the training without commenting on the specifics of this case.

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"In support of an inclusive work environment, as well as exemplary customer service, the Social Security Administration recently announced a diversity and inclusion training on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community to our employees," the statement read. "The training includes a brief session on tips for increasing cultural awareness in a diverse and inclusive environment."

For Hall, that premise was too sinful. The 42-year-old, who identifies as Christian, said he does not believe God would have wanted him to watch the video. Signing a statement he had watched such a video, moreover, was equal to endorsing "an abomination," he told WCIA. "I'm not going to certify sin."

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On two occasions in June, Hall's boss told him to watch the video. When Hall declined, he was reprimanded. He later received a two-day suspension, in August, without pay.

The employee does not have a public-facing job, and said he considers himself neither a "martyr or a bigot." He told WCIA during an interview that the video was propaganda, and cited his right under the Constitution to religious freedom in support of his refusal. He could not be "sorta Christian," he said, any more than you could be "sorta pregnant." Hall added he has LGBT friends.

Hall is willing to lose his job -- he admits it is likely, in fact -- and he sees his stance as a call to other Christians. "This is something I want to fight and expose, to give other Christians the courage of their convictions," he said told the News-Gazette. He said several Christian co-workers are "scared" and "their fears are being realized through me."

Hall hired an attorney, Jason Craddock, who has also represented the Christian man who runs the Timber Creek Bed and Breakfast in Paxton, Ill. Owner Jim Walder refused to host a same-sex ceremony on the venue's grounds in 2011; the bed-and-breakfast was ordered to pay an $80,000 settlement in March.
When President Barack Obama took office, two-thirds of his top aides were men. Women complained of having to elbow their way into important meetings. And when they got in, their voices were sometimes ignored.

So female staffers adopted a meeting strategy they called "amplification": When a woman made a key point, other women would repeat it, giving credit to its author. This forced the men in the room to recognize the contribution - and denied them the chance to claim the idea as their own.

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"We just started doing it, and made a purpose of doing it. It was an everyday thing," said one former Obama aide who requested anonymity to speak frankly. Obama noticed, she and others said, and began calling more often on women and junior aides.

For decades, women have struggled to crack the code of power in the White House, where grueling hours, hyper-aggressive colleagues and lack of access to the boss have proved challenging to women from both parties. The West Wing is also home to the ultimate glass ceiling: Men have had a lock on the Oval Office for more than 200 years.

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That could change if Democrat Hillary Clinton prevails in November. Not only would she break a gender barrier by winning the presidency, she also could bring in a female chief of staff - another first in the White House - like she did as first lady, as a senator and as Obama's secretary of state.

During Obama's second term, women gained parity with men in the president's inner circle; Clinton has actually had women outnumber men within her senior staff at times during her government career. GOP nominee Donald Trump has installed some female managers while working in the male-dominated construction industry, and has at least three women playing senior roles in his campaign.

President Obama holds a meeting about Ebola with, from left, Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism; National Security Adviser Susan E. Rice; Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson; Tony Blinken, deputy national security adviser; CDC Director Thomas Frieden; communications director Jennifer Palmieri; and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell. (Pete Souza / The White House)

The White House is unlike any workplace in America. Power is defined by proximity to a single individual: the president. Being "in the room" - whether it's the Oval Office or the 7:30 a.m. senior staff meeting where the chief of staff hashes out the administration's top priorities - is crucial to exerting influence.

And the job is a constant race against the clock: Presidents have as few as four years to pursue an agenda and cement a legacy. Burnout is endemic, and top White House aides typically leave after less than three years.

"Given the short period you are in the White House, you leverage every minute to ensure that you can be there, fully committed and totally present," said Juleanna Glover, who served as press secretary to Vice President Richard Cheney during President George W. Bush's first term.

Women often struggle just to get a foot in the door. Presidents typically select their most senior advisers from the male-dominated ranks of their campaigns. As late as the Eisenhower administration, the only women working in the West Wing were secretaries - and they were barred from dining with men in the White House mess.

President Obama meets with top aides including National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling; chief of staff Bill Daley; Biden chief of staff Bruce Reed; legislative affairs assistant Rob Nabors; OMB Director Jack Lew; Vice President Joe Biden; and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett; "I think having a critical mass makes a difference," said Jarrett, who came in with the president and remains one of his top aides. (Pete Souza / The White House)

"Regardless of the weather, we had to slog out to any hole-in-the-wall we could find," recalled Patty Herman, who worked there until she met and married George Herman, the White House correspondent for CBS. "Now, I understand, that's changed."

Once your foot is in the door, you have to get a seat at the table. Anne Wexler, who served as Jimmy Carter's assistant for public outreach, complained that Chief of Staff Hamilton Jordan never invited her to a key daily meeting where aides offered ideas to the president, even though Jordan publicly described Wexler as "the most competent woman in Democratic politics."

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"Personally, I never spent a great deal of time with the president," Wexler said in a 1980 interview for Carter's presidential library. "I think that was a mistake on [Carter's] part."

Bonnie Newman got a job in the Reagan administration in 1981 after playing squash with Helene von Damm, who had acted as Ronald Reagan's personal secretary since the 1960s. Although von Damm had "access and proximity" to the president, Newman recalled, "There weren't a whole lot of other women" in the West Wing: "So when you looked around, you looked a little out of place."

In Bill Clinton's presidency, several women gained greater influence, including the first lady, who spearheaded Clinton's signature health-care reform initiative. But Hillary Clinton retreated to a more traditional role after the initiative foundered. And the president's affair with intern Monica Lewinsky served to undermine his claims of gender progress.

In the early days of the Obama administration, the West Wing was a well-documented bastion of testosterone, due largely to the dominating roles of men such as Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, now mayor of Chicago, and then-economic adviser Lawrence Summers. At a dinner in November 2009, several senior female aides complained to the president that men enjoyed greater access and often muscled them out of key policy discussions.

"If you didn't come in from the campaign, it was a tough circle to break into," said Anita Dunn, who left her post as White House communications director shortly after that meeting. Dunn says it was a matter of simple math: "Given the makeup of the campaign, there were just more men than women."

The atmosphere has changed considerably in Obama's second term. Many of the original players have moved on. Today, Obama's closest aides - the ones who sit in the 7:30 a.m. meeting and earn the top White House salary of $176,461 a year - are equally divided between men and women. Overall, the average man still earns about 16 percent more than the average woman. But half of all White House departments - from the National Security Council to the Office of Legislative Affairs - are headed by women.

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"I think having a critical mass makes a difference," said White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, who came in with the president and remains one of his top aides. "It's fair to say that there was a lot of testosterone flowing in those early days. Now we have a little more estrogen that provides a counterbalance."

National security adviser Susan Rice also has served throughout Obama's administration. In previous positions, Rice said, she had to push to get into key gatherings. "It's not pleasant to have to appeal to a man to say, 'Include me in that meeting,' " she said.

Now, said Domestic Policy Council Director Cecilia Munoz, "the folks who were jockeying to get into meetings or struggling over manifests are just kind of not around anymore."

Today, "if we're not in the room," Rice said of herself and other senior female advisers, "it's not happening."

Second terms have traditionally served as a critical period for women, an opportunity to move up after the men move out. After Obama's reelection, Jennifer Palmieri replaced Dan Pfeiffer as communications director. She remembers the moment the president expressed his confidence in her and shared his high expectations.

"This is it, you're in the room. There is no other room: This is the Oval Office," Palmieri recalls him saying. "You're here for a reason, and I want to know what you think."

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Sylvia Mathews Burwell, secretary of health and human services, describes a "woman pull" during Clinton's second term, when she was promoted from deputy chief of staff to deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget. Another woman, Maria Echaveste, got Burwell's former position, and a third woman, Minyon Moore, moved into Echaveste's spot.

In George W. Bush's second term, Condoleezza Rice and Margaret Spellings were promoted to the Cabinet, becoming secretary of state and secretary of education, respectively. Other women moved into more senior White House jobs, including legislative affairs director Candi Wolff and press secretary Dana Perino.

Regardless of when they served, women described a constant struggle to balance work and family, especially if they had young children. After Bush was elected in 2000, longtime aide Karen Hughes said she recoiled when incoming chief of staff Andrew Card tried to establish a 24/7 work schedule.

Hughes said she called Bush and told him that she didn't "have to be there at 10:30 at night" to do her job.

Bush responded quickly, Hughes said, telling Card: "Don't run off all my working mothers!"

Although Card made accommodations, Hughes left the White House after a year and a half, saying the job was too hard on her "homesick" Texan family. That fact hit her one Saturday morning, she said, when her teenage son asked her to bake him some brownies and she was simply too exhausted to do it.

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President Obama carries the twin boys of Katie Beirne Fallon, director of legislative affairs, into the Oval Office just a few months after they were born in 2015; White House aides say a slew of recent changes have improved conditions for working mothers. (Pete Souza / The White House)

Sarah Bianchi had two children under 3 when she joined the White House in June 2011 as a deputy assistant to the president and the vice president's head of economic policy. She left in May 2014 to return to the private sector.

"Half the battle from there is parenting," Bianchi said. "We're just not doing well enough on this."

White House aides say a slew of recent changes has improved conditions for working mothers. Last year, when legislative affairs director Katie Beirne Fallon and public engagement director Paulette Aniskoff were pregnant, the General Services Administration set up a tasteful Japanese screen in a West Wing bathroom to provide a private spot for pumping breast milk. (Years earlier, then-deputy chief of staff Alyssa Mastromonaco had successfully procured a tampon machine.)

Meanwhile, the administration encourages staff to take advantage of up to 12 weeks of paid medical and family leave - a much more generous benefit than what most federal workers receive.

Aniskoff said she assumed she would have to quit when her son was born, but decided to stay after Jarrett helped her work out the logistics.

"Even though I know theoretically that we had paid leave and all these things," Aniskoff said, "I just didn't know that it applied to me."

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Karen Tumulty contributed to this report.
As an African-American woman, Deborah Sawyer broke ground in the fields of civil engineering and environmental remediation when she formed her own firm, Environmental Design International Inc., 25 years ago.

"Deborah had a tenacity and drive that you don't often see, and she applied that drive to all facets of her life, both personal and professional," said Jamie Rhee, chief procurement officer for the city of Chicago. "She never failed to be a role model to upcoming businesses, especially to minorities and women venturing to start out on their own."

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Sawyer, 60, died of complications from ovarian cancer Aug. 7 while visiting family in Columbus, Ohio, said her sister, Leslie. She was diagnosed with cancer in January 2014, her sister said. Sawyer was a longtime resident of the Kenwood neighborhood on Chicago's South Side.

Born and raised in Columbus, Sawyer graduated from the Columbus School for Girls daytime college preparatory school, where she referred to herself as a "math and science chick," her sister said with a laugh.

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"The school we attended really empowered girls and young women to go after whatever they desire to do in life," Sawyer's sister said. "We were taught to pursue our dreams and you could be successful at anything you worked hard at or were passionate about doing."

Sawyer earned a bachelor's degree in political science, with a minor in biology, from Emory University in Atlanta. After earning a master's in petroleum microbiology from Eastern New Mexico University, Sawyer returned to Columbus, where she worked for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, writing hazardous waste legislation for the state.

Sawyer later worked for the engineering design and construction firm URS in Columbus before working for a smaller firm in the Quad Cities. In 1991, she struck out on her own, founding Environmental Design International in Chicago's western suburbs and later moving the firm to the Loop.

Early on, Sawyer received assistance from the Women's Business Development Center, which provided loans and certified her firm as a woman-owned business.

"She came to us before she started her business with a great idea, lots of experience and a little bit of her mother's money to start a business, and then she grew her business enormously," said Hedy Ratner, co-founder of the Women's Business Development Center. "The major part of it was the challenges she faced first as a woman, then as a black woman and then as a black woman engineer, doing business in a very male field and also doing business both with the government and with the private sector."

Sawyer's company later won certification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, a U.S. Department of Transportation designation for minority-owned companies doing business with local and state agencies that receive federal funds.

The business was the engineering firm of record for an Exelon City Solar plant in the West Pullman neighborhood and handled site engineering for an ultraviolet-light disinfection project at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District's Skokie site. The firm also had a role in O'Hare International Airport modernization, Illinois Tollway and state Department of Transportation projects. Private clients included Wal-Mart, Northwestern University and the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.

Today, Environmental Design International, where Leslie Sawyer is the new CEO, has about 65 employees.

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"She was the type of leader who could see something in you that you didn't see," said Claire Williams, Environmental Design International's president. "She was able to get you where she thought your strengths are."

Sawyer also strongly encouraged girls and women to pursue education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. She served at one time as president of the board of directors of the Young Women's Leadership Charter School on the South Side, and continued to counsel students about their careers.

"She was so committed to giving back," Williams said. "STEM is the new buzzword, but she'd been doing that for years. She thought it was important for young women and especially young black women to be exposed to STEM. She was adamant about getting these kids exposure at a young age. They need to see women like her to see what is possible."

Sawyer's sister said her professional mentoring went beyond simply championing STEM education.

"As she grew and had established her business, she became increasingly interested in encouraging and helping women become entrepreneurs, so she was interested in helping women not only pursue their career dreams in math and science and engineering but also as business entrepreneurs," Leslie Sawyer said. "I don't think she ever set out to be a role model, but because of all that she was, and that she had accomplished, she quickly became a major role model."

In addition to her sister, Deborah Sawyer is survived by a brother, W. Gregory Sawyer, and her mother, Betty Sawyer.

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A celebration of life will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Spertus Institute, 610 S. Michigan Ave., followed by a reception.
MISSOULA  Every day, a line of gray tank cars rolls between Missoula and Thompson Falls  reminders of another time an oil company got in a fight with Indian tribes over a pipeline.

With international attention focusing on the Standing Rock Siouxs protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes fought and won a similar battle with Yellowstone Pipeline Co. in 1995.

A 10,000-gallon gasoline leak at Camas Creek near Hot Springs in 1993 put YPL in a difficult negotiating position just as its 20-year permit to cross the Flathead Indian Reservation was up for renewal. Then-Tribal Chairman Mickey Pablo said the Tribal Council was being extra careful about a new deal in light of at least three serious spills on the reservation from the 40-year-old pipeline.

The line delivered gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel 644 miles from Billings to Moses Lake, Wash. About 21 miles of that sat on reservation land between Evaro Hill and Plains. In addition to the Camas Creek spill, a break at Magpie Creek released about 163,000 gallons of fuel. Both leaks were reported by passing motorists and not the pipeline company; Camas Creeks break reportedly ran 45 days before discovery.

The belief among many tribal members is that the risk associated with this pipeline is too great, that enough is enough, CSKT environmental protection division manager Bill Swaney told the Missoulian in 1994. To the tribes, its not a question of money, but a question of trying to protect the environment. Many in the tribal public dont want to take this chance anymore. The pipelines track record has been fairly dismal.

At the time, YPL was jointly owned by Conoco Inc., Exxon and Union Oil Co. Its now managed by Phillips 66, whose spokesman, Dennis Nuss, had no comment on the past ownerships record of the events. The present YPL did earn praise from Missoula County officials last month for its safety improvements to pipeline crossings of Rattlesnake Creek and the Clark Fork River.

In 1995, YPL offered a deal paying between $25 million and $30 million over 20 years for a lease renewal across the reservation. Tribal officials said the previous 20-year deal only paid about $250,000 and was accompanied by the environmental disasters. Former CSKT Natural Resources Department Director Sam Morigeau described the cleanup efforts as cat-box technology.

We basically had to leverage whatever we could (to get effective cleanup at the Magpie site), Morigeau told the Missoulian in 1995. If they (YPL) were as environmentally conscious as they say, they would have done something about it sooner. I think they would have walked away from it if we hadnt pressured them.

The CSKT Tribal Council voted in early 1995 not to renew the lease. On April 20, 1995, pipeline managers turned off the flow at Missoula and started transferring the fuel to trucks and rail cars to Thompson Falls.

That triggered four years and approximately $5 million in environmental reviews of YPL proposals to build a new pipeline around the Flathead Reservation. Lolo National Forest officials preferred a 140-mile route along Interstate 90, while the company pushed for a 65-mile passage through the Ninemile Valley.

YPL gave up the effort in 2000 as futile according to then-President William Hicks, who cited a loss of confidence in the fairness and objectivity of the Lolo National Forest process. Then-Lolo Supervisor Debbie Austin defended her agencys work to the Missoulian, saying intense public interest and company application amendments, not bureaucratic missteps, delayed the environmental review.

YPLs Nuss said the company has no current plans to change the rail shipment system between Missoula and Thompson Falls. A river-crossing structure near Perma has been removed, making the remaining parts of the pipeline unusable across the Flathead Indian Reservation.
One of us experienced war firsthand serving in the U.S. Army in Korea in 1952. The other first learned about war by asking about the ribbons on his father's uniform hanging in the closet. The son went on to serve as a civilian in the United States government, working on defense policy and nuclear arms-control issues, some involving North Korea.

Both of us understand the nature of a North Korean regime. Its civilian and military leaders are and have always been brutal, deceptive and uncompromising. North Koreans suffer unimaginable isolation, deprivation, torture and murder. Our longtime family physician was taken captive in the first months of the Korean War, spending much of the next three years in a North Korean prison camp where he was tortured, starved and brutalized.

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We also understand what a second war on the Korean peninsula would mean: the loss of tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of lives in North and South Korea and Japan  including heavy American casualties  and the economy of a vital region severely disrupted for decades. It could also involve the use of nuclear weapons.

Recently, North Korea tested a nuclear weapon estimated to be the size of the atomic bomb that devastated Hiroshima. This was North Korea's fifth nuclear test. It has missiles today that could carry a nuclear warhead and target South Korea and Japan; it is working on missiles that could possibly hit the United States. The growing stockpile of nuclear weapons and materials in North Korea increases the likelihood of a nuclear weapon in the hands of terrorists. It is hard to find a more serious threat awaiting America's next president.

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In reaction, there is now a growing call from political leaders, candidates, officials, analysts and pundits for the United States to "get tough" on North Korea. They say we must respond to North Korean provocations with tougher economic and political sanctions, an increased military presence in Northeast Asia, maybe even shooting down North Korean missile tests or striking inside North Korea. What's dangerously missing is a serious discussion of the likely North Korean response to these actions and what we do next.

Enforcing existing sanctions, and crafting more effective ones, is required  albeit not without risks. But one thing we know from our experience with North Koreans: If we start shooting at them, they will shoot back, and perhaps more. The assumption that the United States and its allies could carefully and gradually escalate military pressure on the North Korean regime to achieve a political outcome without entering into a military conflict is a weak and dangerous plank for U.S. policy.

The other part of getting tough with North Korea, they say, is that the United States should not have formal talks with the regime unless the regime first agrees that the goal of the talks is to abandon its nuclear and missile programs, or stop testing nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles. In other words: Be tough, and don't talk until North Korea agrees to the objectives and conditions we have set for negotiations.

But insisting on preconditions  or preconcessions  for negotiations along with escalating military pressure is likely to accelerate us down a path toward war, without having truly tested what could be achieved through talks.

So here's the stark choice for our next president, made even starker by the increasing nuclear and missile threat from North Korea: Do we, or do we not, sit down with the North Koreans in direct formal talks, before this crisis escalates even further?

Supporting negotiations with North Korea without preconditions would take a measure of strength and toughness rarely displayed during a presidential campaign. Who has enough chutzpah  Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump or Gary Johnson or Jill Stein  to take the heat for agreeing that the United States should sit down with North Korea with no preconditions? Who will be tough enough to take the pressure while negotiations are hammered out? Who is strong enough to consider incremental steps that could reduce nuclear dangers, then build support for those steps with our allies, Congress and the American people? Who is secure enough to risk negotiations failing  as the odds for success are certainly not great? Who is tough enough to level now with the American people about the real risks of military action against North Korea's nuclear and missile program and explain the consequences?

In 1995, the two of us had the honor of attending the dedication of the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The statues there are a moving tribute to all who served and sacrificed their lives in what was a brutal war. Today, we are looking for a president who has the strength and wisdom to fully test diplomacy before taking military action on the Korean Peninsula.

Ottar Andreasen served as a corporal in the Army's 72nd Tank Battalion 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. His son, Steve Andreasen, was the director for defense policy and arms control on the White House National Security Council staff from 1993 to 2001.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan stands between passengers in the first Night Tube train along the Victoria line on Aug. 20, 2016, in London, England. (Jack Taylor / Getty Images)

Chicago is a beautiful and buzzing city, and I've been struck by the similarity of challenges facing London and the Windy City. Nearly 4,000 miles separate us, but we will likely face the same tests over coming decades.

Securing economic growth in the face of a global slowdown.

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Building the homes and infrastructure we need as public spending dips.

Fighting climate change and air pollution.

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Keeping citizens safe from crime and the growing threat of extremism.

And, crucially, ensuring that our communities are cohesive and integrated during a time of great social change.

My election as mayor this year was an embodiment of London's openness and tolerance. Few Western cities would elect a Muslim whose parents moved from Pakistan to London in the 1960s and who grew up in a housing project. My opponent ran one of the most divisive political campaigns ever seen in Britain. It was designed to make Londoners question whether they felt comfortable voting for someone of Islamic faith. I'm humbled that Londoners responded with a resounding yes.

Today, 1 in 3 Londoners was born outside the United Kingdom. More than 300 languages are spoken in London. Religions are freely practiced. Rich and poor live on the same street, side by side. We've actually escaped many of the most difficult problems  integration and community cohesion. We don't have the urban ghettos that many European cities have. We have remained cohesive throughout 30 years of rapid population growth. Immigrant communities have been genuinely accepted in London.

But we're not perfect, and the equilibrium we have struck is fragile.

All Western cities face significant challenges on social integration. Our populations are booming, but social integration is not keeping pace. Rapid growth is a sign of our success, but it also puts stress on housing, infrastructure  and on communities.

Across Europe, immigration is at its highest rate ever, and these new citizens have become increasingly concentrated, sometimes segregated. Rapid change is genuinely unsettling for some people.

However, the less integrated our societies are, the greater the economic and social costs we face, now and in the future. Failure to integrate impedes economic growth by limiting opportunities and prolonging unemployment. It feeds extremism  whether in the Muslim community or the far right. It causes anxiety and fear of crime and causes mistrust between people.

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A laissez-faire approach to achieving social integration just doesn't work. I don't mean assimilation  people shouldn't have to drop their cultures and traditions. I'm a proud Londoner, a Brit, European, of Pakistani heritage, a Muslim  we all have multiple layers of identity  that's what makes us who we are.

There is so much that city leaders can do to ensure people of different ethnicities, faiths, cultures, age groups and incomes don't just tolerate each other, but live truly interconnected lives  meaningfully interacting with one another as neighbors, citizens and friends. Working together, playing together, studying together, having a shared set of common values and laws that are clear, progressive and tolerant and around which communities can unite.

We shouldn't be embarrassed to say that immigrants should learn our way of life  for example, people employed in public-sector jobs in London should speak English. Our public institutions should promote our common values and laws. We need to ensure our housing and planning laws mean we design and build integrated communities and institutions where neighbors have real reasons to come together. We should create the right conditions for new migrants to integrate fully, and we should be clear about our values and our expectations of them.

In short, we should build bridges rather than walls.

This has been made more urgent by events on both sides of the Atlantic. We have seen horrendous terrorist attacks in New York, Boston, Orlando, Fla., London, Paris, Istanbul and elsewhere  driven by the rise of extremism. In the United Kingdom, our vote to leave the European Union  Brexit  was driven by growing anti-immigration sentiments and followed by a spike in hate crimes toward minority communities. In France, the same worries led to the burkini ban this summer. In the U.S., you are heading toward a presidential election that is dominated by these issues.

It all leads back to social integration.

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It's not for me to get involved in your presidential election. It's up to you to decide who runs your country. But I will say this: We play straight into the hands of the extremists and terrorists trying to divide us when we buy into the belief that it's not possible to hold Western values and to be a Muslim. It makes it harder to build cohesive communities. It makes it easier for terrorists to radicalize young people. And it makes us all less safe  whether in the U.S., France or Britain.

Social integration is a new area of public policy, a 21st century challenge caused by globalization and cultural change. We don't yet have enough information to compare levels of social integration between cities like Chicago and London. That is why I'm looking forward to working with mayors like Rahm Emanuel to fix this problem. Because for the first time ever, social integration and community cohesion are at the top of the agenda of many Western cities  as they must be.

Sadiq Khan is the mayor of London. He will give a keynote address on the breakdown of social integration Thursday before the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
"The court ... 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. If they are to succeed rather than be overwhelmed by demands for alternative schools, public schools must keep their promises. 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."

 Connecticut Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher, in a decision declaring much of his state's educational system unconstitutional, Sept. 7, 2016

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Yes, we're jealous.

We devoured Connecticut Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher's 90-page takedown of his state's education status-quo-hugging system. "Beyond a reasonable doubt, Connecticut is defaulting on its constitutional duty" to provide all children with an adequate education, the judge thundered.

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We read that with one thought in mind: Where's ours? Why should Illinoisans be left to press their noses against the glass, pointing at a powerful judge's assault on a system that mis-serves so many children and pining  We want one of those!

Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher reads a 254-page ruling on a decade-old education funding lawsuit on Wednesday at Hartford Superior Court. (Michelle Mcloughlin / Wall Street Journal)

Where is the Illinois leader  legislator, governor, citizens group, justice-seeking parent, you name it  who calls out the public education industry for too often serving the needs of adults first, disadvantaged children second if at all? For kowtowing to entrenched employees, their pet politicians and other defenders of the status quo while so many of this state's students are cheated of a quality education?

That is, who will prompt the Illinois judiciary to think: We didn't send our kids to these schools. Why should any parent be forced to do so?

If you haven't read Moukawsher's bracing decision, we highly recommend it. The judge demolishes every aspect of how that state's system divides money among districts, sets education standards for children, evaluates and pays teachers.

Hard to believe a court ruling could be compelling? Try this: "The state's definition of what it means to have a secondary education is like a sugar-cube boat. It dissolves before it's half-launched."

Or these caustic gems, each of which resonates in Illinois:

"The state's teacher evaluation system is little more than cotton candy in a rainstorm. Everything about it suggests it was designed to give only the appearance of imposing a significant statewide evaluation standard. These empty evaluation guidelines mean good teachers can't be recognized and bad teachers reformed or removed."

The system "spends money on school construction without rhyme or reason. ... This happens while experts for both sides in this case rated physical facilities at the bottom of their lists of things that help students learn. ... This building boom has happened while the state's student population has been shrinking considerably."

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Paying teachers for adding degrees or seniority, but not according to their performance? "Better teachers aren't made by teachers earning better degrees or by long years on the job. ... (T)he billions that flow to increased teacher pay in this state have nothing to do with either how much teachers are needed or some recognized measure of how well they teach."

"Despite a lot of talk, teacher evaluation is still almost entirely local and the state standards are almost entirely illusory. This has left virtually every teacher in the state  98 percent  being marked as proficient or even exemplary while nothing in the system and no one in the case indicated these results are useful or accurate."

"The state sings the praises of a high school degree as a door opener. It hears clamoring from the community to get (diplomas) into students' hands. But in the end, it only leaves districts free to meet these demands in the easiest possible way  by supplying students with unearned diplomas."

Moukawsher ordered Connecticut lawmakers to draft a plan to overhaul public education in 180 days. His ruling may be appealed, pushing off the reforms.

And here in Illinois? Over the past few years, state and Chicago leaders have pushed through strong reforms. But there's much more to be done to close achievement gaps, lift test scores, prepare students to earn college diplomas.

If only someone in Illinois would think through how to force change  by judicial intervention if necessary  on the schools that do not educate. The beauty of the Connecticut ruling isn't only a judge's willingness to speak bluntly about a supposedly child-centric industry that often puts adults first. It's also the urgency he brings. It's his 180 days. It's his conviction that public officials can't keep holding youngsters hostage in inferior public schools.

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Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.
The No. 1 reason Cook County voters confront a race for state's attorney is the widespread perception that politics played a role in the handling of the Laquan McDonald case. The release of that infamous video with its staccato of deadly gunfire raised public suspicions that city and county officials had slow-walked the investigation and disclosure of what had occurred on a Chicago street. In brief: Many residents of Chicago and Cook County thought their elected officials had reacted to the McDonald shooting based on what might help their political careers.

Fairly or not, State's Attorney Anita Alvarez lost her re-election primary race over her office's delay in reaching prosecutorial decisions in the McDonald case. The victor, her fellow Democrat Kim Foxx, faces Republican Christopher Pfannkuche (pronounced fon-COOK) in the Nov. 8 general election.

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After watching them debate for an hour Tuesday before the Tribune Editorial Board, we came away with a unanimous verdict.

No, not that we've settled on whom to endorse; we haven't yet had that discussion. We did, though, agree that they're an unusually impressive pair. If only every Cook County (and city government and Chicago-area legislative) race could feature a two-party matchup of this caliber. One of Pfannkuche's strongest arguments was that one-party rule has contributed to public corruption here and that voters should elect a prosecutor of a rival party. He spoke about the paucity of public corruption cases that Alvarez and Attorney General Lisa Madigan have pursued: "Democrats here don't seem to like to prosecute other Democrats." It's an embarrassment, he told us (correctly), that citizens here have to rely on federal prosecutors to make the corruption cases that local prosecutorial talent rarely does.

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Corruption isn't top of mind for many county residents in 2016; rampant violence and inadequate police accountability protocols very much are. Foxx and Pfannkuche offer different tactics for rebuilding trust of the justice system in crime-ravaged communities  Foxx would embed prosecutors in far-flung neighborhood offices, Pfannkuche would have virtually all of his attorneys at community meetings and other events because, as is, the only time citizens see a prosecutor is in a courtroom. We grade these as two twists on a shared priority: getting more people to cooperate with authorities in putting away bad actors.

We asked the candidates to weigh in about various proposals to overhaul the police oversight system, including a Mayor Rahm Emanuel's still-developing plan to replace the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) with a Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) that would have its own watchdog in the city inspector general's office. Neither candidate ventured to endorse a particular plan, but both nailed the parameters: independence from City Hall and the Police Department, a commitment to transparency and the resources to do the job. Anything less is just "a change of acronyms," as Foxx put it. Are you listening, Chicago aldermen?

What about the prosecutor's role in holding cops accountable? The candidates agree that the state's attorney has a conflict of interest when it comes to pursuing criminal charges against police officers. To many voters, "tough on cops" is the new "tough on crime." From the start of the campaign, Foxx has called for a special prosecutor to handle all cases of police-involved shootings. Pfannkuche said he supports that idea, though it would require a change in state law. Absent that, he would assign those cases to prosecutors in the state's attorney's public integrity unit, he said, and would end the practice of constantly rotating attorneys in and out of that group.

To the extent that Foxx and Pfannkuche differ, the biggest variable is the experience each brings to the job. She spent 12 years in the state's attorney's office, primarily in juvenile court, and earned her administrative chops as chief of staff to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Pfannkuche is the more experienced prosecutor: In 31 years with the office (before leaving for private practice in 2011), he says he has been involved in prosecuting thousands of felony cases. The demands on any state's attorney include managerial skill and legal acumen; either of these candidates can plausibly claim to be qualified.

That voters even face this choice is its own shocker. Ten months ago we would have guessed that Alvarez could glide to re-election in 2016. The McDonald case changed that. The next state's attorney of Cook County has to help lead police accountability and other criminal justice reforms but primarily has to help find solutions to the violence that consumes too many neighborhoods.

Is Foxx or Pfannkuche better suited to lead change and battle crime? In a metropolitan area accustomed to one-party rule, it's rare to have this good a choice.

Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.
Texas Sen. John Cornyn, left, and Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York discuss the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act in Washington in May. The legislation is headed to President Barack Obama. (Drew Angerer / Getty)

House Republicans and Democrats don't agree on much. But they did come together on Sept. 9 to back legislation that would allow the families of people killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S. to sue Saudi Arabia for whatever role, if any, Saudi officials might have had in the plot.

The legislation now goes to President Barack Obama. The White House on Monday said what it has been saying for months  that Obama will veto the bill. If he does, then Congress should override him. There are more than enough votes in both chambers.

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The question of possible Saudi involvement in the 9/11 attacks at some official level has never been fully put to rest. A redacted 28-page document from a 2002 congressional inquiry into the attacks was finally made public last July. It revealed contacts between Saudi officials and the 9/11 hijackers, but was by no means a smoking gun.

The September 11 Commission's report, released in 2004, concluded that there was no evidence that the Saudi government or any senior Saudi officials were involved in the 9/11 attacks. Still, members of that commission have said their report did not rule out involvement by lower ranking Saudi officials. And for years, families of victims of the 9/11 attacks have claimed that the Saudis financially support terrorism. Those families filed lawsuits that attempt to hold the Saudi government liable.

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Their attempts have failed, however, because of a 1976 law that grants foreign governments immunity from litigation in U.S. courts. The new law Congress has passed, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), negates that immunity for foreign governments that have been found culpable for terrorism that kills U.S citizens on American soil. The law leaves it up to the courts to rule on allegations of a foreign government's involvement in terrorist attacks committed in the U.S.

New York Democratic lawmaker Chuck Schumer, one of the bill's sponsors, says if the Saudis weren't involved in the 9/11 attacks, "they have nothing to fear about going to court." We think Schumer's right.

Fifteen years after that terrible day, we still do not know everything that we need to know about the attacks, and the meetings and planning that preceded them. It's crucial that victims' families have the means to resolve those questions  or at least to know they've proceeded as far as they possibly can.

The White House's principal argument against the new law is that other governments could use it to justify retaliatory lawsuits against the U.S. "It's not hard to imagine other countries using this law as an excuse to haul U.S. diplomats, U.S. service members or even U.S. companies into courts all around the world," said White House press secretary Josh Earnest.

The problem with that line of thinking is that the new law's parameters are sufficiently narrow: It's about foreign governments that facilitate terrorism. In any case, there are regimes all over the world that already manufacture legal cases as they see fit. It's a reality that the U.S. deals with right now, and would continue to face  with or without this law.

The Saudi government has denied any connection with the 9/11 attacks, and points to the September 11 Commission's findings as proof of that. The Saudis also threaten to sell off $750 billion in Treasury securities and other U.S. assets if JASTA becomes law. That's their right, though experts have said it would hurt their economy more than it would hurt ours.

Also important to remember: This measure isn't just about the 9/11 attacks and Saudi Arabia. It applies to any future terrorist attack on U.S. soil in which there are questions raised about a foreign government's role in that attack. Terrorism isn't going away, and neither are countries that, to varying degrees, empower terrorists.

Make no mistake, Saudi Arabia is a vital U.S. ally. It's an energy giant, and it's an important counterpoint to the Iranian regime's intent to exert a stranglehold on the Middle East. But we cannot afford to look the other way when it comes to culpability for terrorism  if there's compelling evidence of a connection. The new law isn't an indictment of Saudi Arabia or any other country. It's merely a means to get at the truth.
BUTTE  A trial is underway for a Texas man charged in a triple shooting in Montana that left one man dead last year.

The Montana Standard reported that opening statements in Tony Dwade Sawyer's trial began Monday. The 48-year-old man is charged with deliberate homicide and attempted deliberate homicide in connection with the 2015 shootings.

Prosecutors argued that Sawyer made a conscious decision to kill 37-year-old Joe Powers, of Whitehall, when he shot him in the back and wound two other men near Butte.

But Sawyer's attorney, Ed Sheehy, told jurors his client was "in fear of his life" and justified in shooting the men.

The trial will continue Tuesday with testimony from Jefferson and Butte-Silver Bow County law enforcement officers.
LaShawnda Young talks about her son DiVonte Young, who was shot and killed by Chicago Police in 2012. Police claimed he was armed, but no gun was recovered. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)

A flashlight. A wrench. An L-shaped object under a towel. Even a Chicago Fire Department badge in a wallet.

All allegedly have been mistaken for guns in recent cases in which people were shot by Chicago police officers who believed they were under threat, a Chicago Tribune investigation has found.

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At least 14 times since 2010, Chicago police officers shot someone and said they thought the person had a gun, though police ultimately never found one. That, in turn, opened up the city to millions of dollars in legal claims, according to public records.

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To quantify and detail such cases, the Tribune analyzed 235 officer-involved shootings that wounded or killed people over six years using 2010-15 data from the Police Department as well as reports from the Independent Police Review Authority (the agency that investigates officer-involved shootings), court records and findings by the Cook County medical examiner's office.

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Those shootings, in which police said the victim had a gun but one was never found, resulted in seven deaths. But that was not the only cost. Lawsuits have been filed in all 14 shootings, and, even with three cases pending, the city already has settled with plaintiffs for more than $15 million  a hefty price for Chicago taxpayers.

Although none of them had guns, six people who survived the shootings were nevertheless charged with aggravated assault of a police officer. Four were either found not guilty or convicted of a lesser crime. One person shot by police, a paramedic, was not charged.

Emmett Farmer, 51, holds a poster seeking justice for his son at his Sauk Village home Oct. 21, 2011. Flint Farmer, 29, was unarmed when he was shot and killed by a Chicago officer that June. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

IPRA sided with officers in every completed investigation but two. Detective Dante Servin resigned from the force after he was acquitted of firing into a crowd of people and killing Rekia Boyd but before a hearing to fire him could begin. Boyd was a bystander, but Servin wounded the person he thought had a gun, which was never found. Officer Gildardo Sierra, who was captured on police video shooting and killing Flint Farmer even though Farmer was on the ground, also resigned. Two of the IPRA investigations remain open.

Modern Chicago's history of such cases includes the shooting of LaTanya Haggerty, who died in June 1999 after a car chase when an officer approached the vehicle Haggerty was riding in and fatally shot her. No gun was found, but police later suggested Haggerty was holding a silver padlock, though it was never proved. Haggerty's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and settled for $18 million.

LaTanya Haggerty was fatally shot by Chicago police in 1999. No gun was found, and the city settled with her family for $18 million. (Charles Osgood / Chicago Tribune)

The Haggerty shooting prompted the Police Department to beef up officer training, but the Tribune review shows the shooting of unarmed citizens remains a stubborn problem. To be sure, chaos on the street can force an officer to make a split-second decision about whether someone is a threat. But for a force facing increased scrutiny, particularly following the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, the shooting of unarmed citizens leaves police particularly exposed to criticism and lawsuits.

The missing-gun data is contained in reports and documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act after a lengthy battle with the city over the release of public records. The Tribune  which had threatened to sue for that information  last month published an unprecedented database of police-involved shootings from 2010 through 2015, showing that city police officers had shot and killed 92 people and wounded 170 others during that period.

In addition to the 14 cases, the Tribune's review found other cases where no gun was recovered after a police shooting. Those were left out of the final count because there was a realistic opportunity for the person to ditch a gun that officers said they had  such as driving for blocks following an initial confrontation with police.

Also not included were incidents where those shot weren't armed, but police did not claim they were; cases where a person was alleged to have used a vehicle as a weapon, for instance, also were left out. Finally, some recent investigations where IPRA paperwork remains incomplete and a determination of the circumstances of a shooting could not be discerned also were not counted.

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As a result, the 14 remaining cases are the clearest examples of such shootings, providing the most straightforward look at how they are handled and what the outcomes were for those who are wounded and for the city.

A police spokesman said in a statement that the department has worked hard to reduce police shootings. Officers receive training at the academy to use the least amount of force possible, and they continue that training after they hit the streets. The department has added de-escalation training as well.

"Every day, Chicago police officers are faced with dangerous situations that end peacefully due in part to their extensive training," the spokesman said. "This ongoing commitment by CPD has resulted in the reduction of officer-involved shooting incidents by almost half over the last five years."

Ortiz Glaze, center, stands with attorneys Russell Ainsworth and Ruth Brown at Loevy & Loevy offices in Chicago during a news conference April 30, 2014, to announce a lawsuit against the Chicago police for shooting him while unarmed the year before. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

One incident, two stories

Ortiz Glaze was finishing his duties as the grill man at a barbecue in April 2013 when officers rolled up on the tail end of the party. There was a loud sound like a gunshot, he said, and partygoers, including Glaze  who had been drinking and smoking marijuana  started to run.

Two officers fired a total of 10 rounds in his direction. The officers later told investigators that the 35-year-old Glaze made a "furtive movement" toward his waistband, where they saw a chrome object. Glaze was struck by a bullet in the back of his left thigh, and a second shattered the bone above his left elbow.

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Police recovered a black iPhone, an ID card, keys and money from Glaze, but never a gun. Still, he was charged with aggravated assault of a police officer. At Glaze's trial, Officer Jeffrey Jones testified that he started chasing Glaze and saw him pull a shiny object from his waistband and point it backward at him.

"He turned towards me and he came up in a gesture motion," Jones testified, according to a transcript, showing the jury a motion of turning backward with his right arm extended. "I seen a chrome, shiny object coming out simultaneously. At that moment, that's when I slowed down and I discharged my weapon."

Glaze continued to run, and Jones said he saw the same shiny object a moment later as Glaze made the same hand motion a second time, according to the transcript.

"At that moment I slowed down," Jones testified. "Again, I was in fear of my life and I discharged my weapon again."

At that point, Jones said, his partner, Louis Garcia, joined the foot pursuit and also shouted at Glaze, who allegedly responded with the same hand motion for a third time. Garcia then shot at Glaze as well, Jones said, and Glaze fell in a parking lot.

Glaze, who declined to comment for this story, provided a dramatically different account at trial. He testified that he started running after hearing a shot and never turned toward Jones. No gun was found, and the iPhone that Glaze had on him that night was black.

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"He was saying 'Police' and shooting at me," Glaze testified. "I'm not (going to) stop with bullets coming at me and he not stop shooting."

Glaze was found not guilty.

He filed a federal lawsuit against police, and the city later paid him $350,000 to settle.

Shielded by law

Although the shooting of an unarmed person is among the most troubling of cases, experts say the law, in effect, protects police. David Shapiro, a professor with the MacArthur Justice Center at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, said the legal system, while trying to balance an officer's need to protect himself with a guard against acting with impunity, almost creates an environment for questionable shootings.

Indeed, he said the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the standard for determining if an officer's use of force is excessive is whether a reasonable officer in the same position could perceive circumstances the same way as the accused officer and make the same choice.

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What's more, police typically are shielded from liability if their conduct is not clearly a violation of federal law, according to Shapiro.

The law, Shapiro said, "provides a whole lot of insulation for officers to act unreasonably. It's designed to keep officers from being too cautious, but the net effect makes it so there are almost no consequences."

Russell Ainsworth, Glaze's lawyer in his lawsuit, said his case is typical of those where someone is shot by officers who say they saw a weapon. Once legal action is a threat, police and IPRA tend to circle the wagons around the police version of events, Ainsworth said, no matter how implausible.

IPRA's investigation of the case remains open, 3 1/2 years after Glaze was shot.

"We created this culture where it became OK to shoot and OK to provide any explanation no matter how ludicrous, so long as it involved a gun being pointed at a police officer," Ainsworth said.

But in many cases it is difficult to tease out what really happened. David Klinger, a professor of criminal justice at the University of Missouri at St. Louis and a former police officer, said the context of each incident needs to be taken into account when analyzing police-involved shootings.

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Some shootings, he said, are complicated by both the speed of the interaction and the erratic behavior of the suspect.

"Among the jobs of police officers is to engage with people involved in criminal activity, and without a doubt they can be chasing an individual, and at the termination point of a pursuit they jump out," Klinger said. "Why would you jump out of a car in that scenario with something in your hand and point it at police?

"People running from the police do some fairly foolish things," he added. "There's going to be across the years some of these interactions that truly defy belief."

Klinger also said it is not necessarily uncommon that a police oversight agency, criminal court and civil court arrive at seemingly different conclusions about a shooting. Klinger pointed to the 1999 shooting of Amadou Diallo by police in New York City. Diallo was shot 19 times after officers thought he was raising a gun  which turned out to be his wallet  in their direction. The four officers involved in the shooting were placed on desk duty, indicted in state court but then cleared in a criminal trial. The city settled a civil suit with Diallo's family for $3 million.

While three of the four officers involved retired, the one who did not eventually was restored to full duty and given his gun back.

"It is possible to have what you would call a bad shooting that is still not illegal," Klinger said. "We call it 'awful but lawful.' "

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Cases settled

In 11 of the 14 cases reviewed by the Tribune, the city has settled lawsuits with those shot or with their families.

The pending lawsuits include one filed by a former Chicago Fire Department paramedic who was shot by six officers in July 2013 when he raised what turned out to be his wallet while exiting his car. The man's lawyers have argued he was trying to show officers his badge, while lawyers for the officers have filed court motions suggesting he was distraught and trying to provoke police to kill him.

Lawyers for the former paramedic, who was not charged, say the claim is false and would have had no bearing on how officers responded to the incident.

The most recent settlement, in the fatal 2013 shooting of 17-year-old Cedrick Chatman, is awaiting City Council approval and has not been made public. That shooting was captured on video as Chatman ran from a traffic stop carrying a dark object  a black iPhone box.

Dalon Stevens also was 17 when he was shot by police in June 2012. He was with three teens when they were approached by two officers in a squad car investigating a report of shots fired in the area. The group ran, and Officer Michael Bubacz began chasing Stevens, later telling investigators that he saw Stevens with a gun. In a gangway in the 6300 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue, Bubacz confronted Stevens and fired seven times, striking Stevens in the leg.

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Bubacz said the teen had pointed a gun at him and tossed it in the air as he was shot. Although officers searched the site, including on the roofs of surrounding buildings, they turned up no weapon. Still, Stevens was charged with aggravated assault of a police officer.

He was found not guilty in February 2013.

A federal lawsuit filed in the case, in which Stevens said he was carrying only a cellphone, alleged a long-standing failure by Chicago police to adequately investigate officers and punish them for missteps.

"That failure results in Chicago police officers expecting their actions will never be scrutinized, thereby encouraging future abuses such as those Dalon Stevens experienced," the suit claimed. "The practice is so prevalent as to constitute municipal policy."

The suit was settled for $100,000, according to city records. A lawyer for Stevens said his client was trying to move on with his life and would not comment.

An IPRA review ended with an investigator determining that the Stevens shooting was justified and in compliance with CPD policy.

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Laura De La Fuente and her late boyfriend, Esau Castellanos, pose for a photo in 2006. He was killed by Chicago police in 2013. The shooting has so many inconsistencies that it spurred an FBI investigation that remains open. (Laura De La Fuente photo / Chicago Tribune)

Deadly encounter

One case analyzed by the Tribune did not involve officers saying they had mistaken a common object for a firearm, and included so many inconsistencies it spurred an FBI investigation that remains open.

The city has agreed to pay the family of Esau Castellanos $3.75 million in his fatal shooting. After the father of three who worked delivering pizzas was shot in his car, nothing was found near his body that lined up with what officers said they saw before firing 19 rounds at him.

Officers Juan Martinez and Shawn Lawryn followed Castellanos' speeding car on Wilson Avenue until he crashed in the early morning of March 16, 2013. The partners approached his vehicle  its wheels still spinning after the collision  and said they commanded him to show them his hands.

"As I attempt to get closer to Mr. Castellanos, Mr. Castellanos suddenly does a quick turn, turns towards me," Martinez testified in a deposition in the case last year. "And as he's turning towards me, I see a gun being pointed at me."

Martinez said he then dove to the ground near some parked cars as he heard gunshots and returned fire. Pressed for specifics by attorney Daniel O'Connor about what he allegedly saw being extended in his direction, Martinez said it was "a dark object."

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"Is it possible the guy could just be saying, hey, here's my hands, I'm showing you my hands?" O'Connor asked, according to a transcript of his sworn deposition.

"It's possible," Martinez answered.

Both officers during their depositions insisted it was also still possible they were grazed by bullets fired by Castellanos, or even that another person in the car shot at them, although the officers never told supervisors at the time that they saw anyone else. But no one else at the scene reported seeing Castellanos with a gun. He was mortally wounded as he still sat in the driver's seat of his blue Honda Civic, with the officers then handcuffing him to the steering wheel until an ambulance arrived.

A police search for the revolver that the officers said they saw turned up nothing, O'Connor pointed out, so where did it go?

"I don't know. Good question," Martinez answered. "I don't know."

Tribune reporters Todd Lighty, Angela Caputo and Cynthia Dizikes contributed.

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jcoen@chicagotribune.com

jrichards@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @JeffCoen

Twitter @jsmithrichards
CHEYENNE, Wyo.  A 77-year-old man shot three people Wednesday at a senior citizen apartment complex where he lived, killing one before he killed himself nearby as officers closed in on him, police said.

One victim was shot inside the Heritage Court Apartments in Cheyenne, and two were shot outside, said Dan Long, spokesman for the Cheyenne Police Department.

Larry Rosenberg fled after the shootings armed with a handgun and rifle. He killed himself as officers approached him in a neighborhood about a mile away, Long said.

No motive was disclosed for the shootings, but a woman who knew Rosenberg said he had grown distant recently.

"He started getting more and more distant, complaining about the facility and about people and just kind of pulling away, isolating himself more and more," said Margaret Rosso, whose mother lives at the complex.

Long did not identify the victims or provide information about the conditions of the victims who were wounded. Attempts to reach Rosenberg's family weren't successful.

Rosso's mother, 80-year-old Mary Eastman, said she and Rosenberg went to yard sales together.

Eastman said she saw Rosenberg before the shooting, went out shopping and came back to find that the complex had turned into a crime scene.

Police comforted a distraught woman at the scene. What appeared to be a covered body was visible within an area cordoned off by authorities.

Heritage Court Apartments has 32 affordable housing units for households with at least one member 62 or older, according to its website.

Messages left with the complex's owner, Accessible Space Inc. of St. Paul, Minn., were not immediately returned.

Multiple shootings are rare in Cheyenne, Wyoming's capital city with a population of just more than 60,000. City police handled six homicide cases last year, the department's annual report said.
A loaded taser lies on top of a table at the Chicago Police Education and Training Division on Feb. 4. The Oak Park police union is calling for its officers to be equiped with tasers following the Sept. 1 assault of an officer. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

Aurora police tased a man who fought officers trying to handcuff him early Saturday morning outside a home on Aurora's East Side, according to police reports.

At about 2:34 a.m. Saturday, police went to the 900 block of Jackson Street after getting a report of a fight.

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On Friday, police had responded to the same home for a disturbance.

When police arrived Saturday morning, they saw a man on top of Patrick Holt, 27, of the 3000 block of Preakness Court, on the driveway of the house. Police could hear the other man telling Holt to calm down, and the two were not fighting as officers approached them, according to reports.

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As police got closer, they could see Holt was bleeding from his right ear and noticed large amounts of blood on his head, face, hands, arms and body. While the other man was still laying on Holt holding his arms still, police started talking with Holt, telling him an ambulance was on the way, according to reports. Holt initially stated he would not cooperate with police and told them several times to (expletive) off," according to reports.

In order for Holt to receive medical attention, and because he seemed combative, officers decided to handcuff him, according to police reports.

One officer took hold of Holt's left wrist, while another took his right. The other man stood up and moved away. As the officers tried to secure Holt in handcuffs, he was able to pull both hands away, locked them under his chest and refused to remove them, according to reports.

When the officers tried to pull Holt's hands out from under his chest, he allegedly pushed one officer in the chest, then hit him with an open hand, causing him to stumble backward, according to police reports. The other officer felt that his partner's safety was in jeopardy and used his Taser on Holt.

Officers handcuffed him without further resistance, although he continued to be otherwise uncooperative, according to police reports.

Aurora Fire Department paramedics transported him to Rush Copley Medical Center for medical evaluation. One officer was also treated at an area hospital in connection to the incident.

Dispatchers informed police Holt had one active warrant out of DuPage County for drunken driving and another out of Kane County for aggravated battery.

The Kane County state's attorney's office authorized two counts of felony aggravated battery to a police officer and one count of resisting a peace officer against Holt. Holt is currently in the Kane County Adult Justice Center with bail set at $80,750, online records show.

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Holt was previously convicted in Kane County of aggravated battery of a merchant and sentenced in 2014 to 70 days in county jail, plus 24 months' probation. He was also ordered to pay $856 in restitution, records show.

Holt previously lived in Chicago, and was convicted in 2010 in Cook County of aggravated battery of a peace officer, records show.

hleone@tribpub.com

Twitter @hannahmleone
The John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School at Aurora University was one of two Illinois schools to be recognized recently by the National PTA.

The school was recognized as a 2016-2018 National PTA School of Excellence. The designation recognizes leadership and accomplishment in building strong and effective partnerships between families and schools, according to the organization.

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The National PTA designation recognized 173 schools in 31 states and a Department of Defense School in Germany, according to the organization.

"Strong family-school partnerships are proven to advance children's learning and growth, increase student achievement and positively impact school improvement efforts," Laura Bay, president of National PTA, said in a statement on the organization's website. "We are pleased to designate these schools and PTAs as 2016-2018 National PTA Schools of Excellence for their commitment to partnering to support student success and continuous school improvement."

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Maria Tiongco Ramos, vice president of the parent-teacher-student association at the STEM school  which focuses on science, technology, engineering and math and serves third- through eighth-grade students from East Aurora School District 131, West Aurora School District 129, Indian Prairie School District 204 and Batavia School District 101  said in an email it was the first year the school applied for the designation. The PTSA had not formed before the deadline to apply for the 2014-2015 award, she said in the email sent through an Aurora University spokesman.

Families are involved in PTSA activities, including education and community outreach activities, socials and fundraising efforts, despite the fact that the school's boundaries cover a larger area than other public schools' attendance areas, she said.

The School of Excellence program allows parent-teacher associations and their schools to look at how families feel the school measures up to a set of specified standards, then work to address problems and create new ways for families to be involved in student success, according to the organization. The National PTA awards a School of Excellence designation when a PTA and school achieve a high level of family engagement or make significant improvement in families' perceptions by the end of the year.

Ramos said the STEM school PTSA chose to focus during the 2015-2016 school year on improving family engagement in education, specifically to support student success in literacy, math and science. Their application was assessed based on how the partnership between families and schools improved during the year, she said.

The other Illinois school to earn the designation was an elementary school in downstate Collinsville.

sfreishtat@tribpub.com

Twitter @srfreish
A 24-year-old Aurora man has been convicted of possessing as much as $1.3 million worth of drugs at his home, which also doubled as a distribution center for the substances, according to the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

Gerardo Contreras-Gonzalez, of the 500 block of North Lancaster Drive, Aurora, was convicted late Tuesday by a Kane County jury of two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, both class X felonies; unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, a Class X felony; two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, both class 1 felonies; unlawful possession of marijuana, a class 1 felony; and unlawful possession of a firearm, a class 3 felony.

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The jury reached the verdict after deliberating for about an hour and a half, according to a news release from the State's Attorney's Office.

Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that on Aug. 4, 2014, Homeland Security Investigations agents, with help form the Aurora Police Department, went to Contreras-Gonzalez's home and found 803 grams of crystal meth, 603 grams of cocaine, 9,145 grams of marijuana, a .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, and a variety of items commonly associated with selling illegal drugs, including a ledger, scales and packaging materials, according to the release.

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"This defendant's home was a so-called stash house that was used to store large quantities of drugs for distribution in Kane County, the Chicago area and around the region," said Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon. "The presence of these drugs in our community creates a significant public safety risk and inevitably leads to an increase in other crimes, such as thefts, robberies and even murder."

Authorities estimate the combined street value of the recovered drugs is between $550,000 and $1.3 million.

Contreras-Gonzalez is next scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 29 for motions and sentencing in Kane County Court in St. Charles. He faces a sentence of between 12 and 50 years in prison.

In the meantime, Contreras-Gonzalez remains in custody at the county jail, where he had been held since his arrest on $1 million bail. His bond was revoked upon conviction.

hleone@tribpub.com

Twitter @hannahmleone
Michael Luciano plans to lean on a horrific childhood filled with violence in seeking a minimum prison term for the 1990 murder of a gang rival in Aurora, according to documents filed by his attorney in advance of his resentencing.

Those contentions now won't be aired in court until November as Luciano's sentencing hearing scheduled for this week was moved by Kane County Judge Linda Abrahamson during a brief court appearance Wednesday.

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Luciano had been given mandatory life in prison for convictions in two Aurora murders - the 1989 killing of Willie Arce and the Halloween 1990 shooting death of Albert Gonzalez - which were considered cold cases until his arrest as part of 2007's Operation First Degree Burn sweep by Aurora police and federal officials.

Luciano had not yet turned 18 at the time of either killing, a fact that initially earned him life in prison based on Illinois sentencing rules which call for such a punishment for anyone convicted of more than one murder. However, a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision - known as the Miller case - deemed unconstitutional the portion of the Illinois law that mandated an automatic life sentence for a person convicted of two murders committed as a juvenile. The Second District Appellate Court cited that ruling in its decision to vacate Luciano's sentence tied to Gonzalez's death, although he continues to serve a 38-year prison term for the Arce murder.

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Luciano's sentencing memorandum filed lays out a bevy of mitigating factors which his attorney claims should earn Luciano the minimum sentence of 20 years in the Gonzalez case. Among them, his age - he was 17 - and the fact he did not pull the trigger. The filing goes deeper into Luciano's position as the son of now-imprisoned Aurora gang leader Angel "Doc" Luciano and life in a "uniquely brutal and dysfunctional environment" tied to gangs, according to the document.

The filing also highlights Luciano's world as family man who tried to better himself through work and his wife and children. His attorney, Viviana Ramirez, describes how a psychologist helped Luciano go "from gangbanger to businessman."

Prosecutors have not yet indicated their sentencing recommendation.

Abrahamson scheduled the sentencing for Nov. 21 and 22, while acknowledging the possibility that part of a third day could be needed to complete the hearing.

Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News
An Oswego man died in a boating crash Friday night in Wisconsin during which another man was severely injured, according to the Door County sheriff's office.

Vernon J. Rubenic, 54, of Oswego, was identified as the victim in a Door County Sheriff's Department news release Tuesday morning.

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Rubenic and a 40-year-old man from Washington Island in Wisconsin were on a 23-foot Powerquest boat owned by Rubenic that crashed into a large rock on the shore in Liberty Grove, Wis., according to the release.

The sheriff's office was notified of the crash at 11:49 p.m. Friday. The crash is now under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which will determine what caused the crash, Door County Sheriff Steve Delarwelle said. The sheriff's office did not determine if weather or any other factors played a role, Delarwelle said.

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A Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman did not return a message about the investigation Tuesday. The Door County medical examiner also did not return a request for information.

The Sister Bay-Liberty Grove Fire Department and Door County Emergency Services assisted the sheriff's office at the scene, according to the news release.

The sheriff's office Tuesday identified the passenger who was injured as Frank Gibson, 40, of Washington Island.

Rubenic was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, Delarwelle said. There are no known witnesses to the crash, he said.

hleone@tribpub.com

Twitter @hannahmleone
A woman and her daughter are suing Spotlight Youth Theater Inc. and Batavia Public School District 101, alleging negligence during a show on the Batavia High School campus.

The lawsuit centers on a February 2015 production of "Aladdin" at Batavia Fine Arts Centre, on the Batavia High School campus, in which the daughter allegedly hit her head on a light fixture.

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Attorney Marion A. Morawicz filed the suit on behalf of the woman and her daughter, a minor. They are seeking at least $50,000 from the theater company and information from the school district, according to the lawsuit.

Spotlight was operating a youth theater arts education program where the girl was participating in classes along with the "Aladdin" production, the lawsuit states. While participating in the show, the girl was required to pick up confetti that had been shot out of a cannon at the end of Act I and to exit the stage through back curtains, the lawsuit states.

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Between the back curtains was an adjustable stage light set on a pole. The lawsuit alleges that an employee of the theater company had adjusted the light to about 5 feet from the ground. The girl, however, was 5 feet 8 inches tall.

While picking up the confetti, the girl stood up and hit her head on the stage light, according to the lawsuit.

As a result, the girl was severely and permanently injured, and has sustained severe and permanent disability, severe and permanent disfigurement, and severe and permanent anguish of both mind and body, the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit also states it is likely the girl will incur more medical bills and suffer a loss of wages in the future.

The lawsuit alleges the theater company was negligent.

The lawsuit also names Batavia Public School District 101 as a respondent in the discovery of the case because the plaintiffs believe the district has essential information about who should properly be named as additional defendants in the action.

On behalf of the school district, spokeswoman Sue Gillerlain declined to comment on the suit.

Spotlight, which is based in Cary, is a nonprofit theater arts education program for youth 5 to 18 years old that hosts programs in many locations across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, according to its website.

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An email seeking comment from the theater company's board was not immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.

A message left for Morawicz through her office was also not returned Wednesday.

Kane County Judge Edward Schreiber has been assigned to the case, according to Kane County records. The next stage in the case is a case management conference at 9 a.m. Nov. 3 in Room 310 of the county's courthouse in Geneva.

hleone@tribpub.com

Twitter @hannahmleone
When Kevin Fitzpatrick thought about making a donation to the Dominican Literacy Center, the Aurora businessman and philanthropist had no idea he and its founder Sister Kathleen Ryan knew each other.

She wasn't so sure either.

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"Are you the Kevin Fitzpatrick who used to go to Holy Angels School," Ryan asked last week when he called to set up a meeting with her at the center next to St. Therese Church.

"I was startled," the Dominican nun admitted later, upon learning the man she'd been reading about as he became more known for his good works and business deals was the same struggling student she knew while teaching at Holy Angels School more than 40 years ago.

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Turns out Fitzpatrick was even more surprised because back in the late 1960s, Ryan was a rookie nun who went by the name Sister Mary Danelle, and did so for another four years until the Vatican allowed women in religious orders to go back to using their legal names.

A lot has happened since then.

Fitzpatrick, 55, who sits on the board of SciTech Hands-On Museum, Aurora Civic Center Authority Board and Kane County Regional Office of Education, is known today for his redevelopment projects as well as generosity to organizations and individuals in need.

The self-made finance specialist tends to focus his attention on educational groups, particularity reading, because "I was in trouble a lot in school," due to learning disabilities that, back then, were not always understood.

"I was in the slow classes, the special education classes," Fitzpatrick readily admits. He also uses adjectives like "hyperactive" and "frustrated" to describe himself, as were the nuns trying to teach him.

Despite Holy Angels having more 800 students at that time, Ryan  who taught first grade when Fitzpatrick came to the school as a second-grader -- recalls him as a "tall kid who struggled." She even remembers overhearing the principal and one of his upper-grade teachers talking about their concerns that "Kevin was brilliant . but could not read."

And when you can't read, how do you keep up? When you can't keep up, how do you not give up?

Fitzpatrick admits feelings of failure followed him long after he got out of school  he never finished college  but instead of giving in to his weaknesses, he figured out how to circumvent those disabilities and capitalize on his strengths. And he credits the sisters of Holy Angels and other mentors in his life  including Kane County Board President Chris Lauzen who was a college student when he took the floundering grade-schooler under his wings  with keeping him from a life that "could have turned out so differently."

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"It's amazing what he has done," Ryan said of Fitzpatrick's accomplishments.

The same can be said of her.

After serving as a teacher and school administrator for many years, Ryan was watching a television show on a women's literacy center in Connecticut when it hit her, "that's what I want to do next."

Ryan did her research and found that here in Aurora, like much of the country, immigrant women are the most underserved segment of the population. Kids, who are like sponges and pick up another language easily, will usually speak only Spanish to their mothers, as do the husbands, who are more apt to learn the second language in their jobs, she explained.

But because these women end up working in housekeeping or factory work, they don't have those same language opportunities. And so, in 1993, she and four sisters, along with a lay volunteer, began the Dominican Literacy Center in "a very small corner of St. Nick's basement."

As she predicted, the need was great. Today, operating on a $230,000 budget with seven employees, the center rents out the entire former convent at St. Therese Church, where 160 to 180 volunteers work with an equal number of women ranging from age 18 to 80. Classes are held all day long, yet the wait list can be more than a year, particularly for the evening sessions.

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"It is such a quiet problem," Ryan said of the immigrant woman's struggle to learn English and fit in. "Reading truly is a springboard to communication."

I met up with Ryan and Fitzpatrick on Tuesday morning, the first day of the new school year for the literacy program. And there was genuine excitement as volunteers and students were introduced  some for the first time  before beginning the one-on-one tutoring.

Maria Rios, 33, who is back for her third and final year, was "excited," while first-timer 40-year-old Marisol Solorzano admitted to being "nervous."

"You develop strong bonds," noted long-time volunteer Joanne Callahan, who still meets twice a month with a former student who'd never had any schooling in her 73 years and was "so proud" when she graduated from the program.

Fitzpatrick, who learned only recently about the center from one of his business clients, was given a tour and had a chance to meet some of these students and volunteers last week.

"Impressive," he noted.

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And after researching the group's finances, he handed this former first-grade teacher a check for $10,000. Then he challenged the community to make a "matching donation" to the Dominican Literacy Center.

"This is my opportunity to help the sisters who helped me," he said.

As surprised as she was by the benefactor who walked through the center's doors, Sister Kathleen Ryan, aka Sister Mary Danelle, is above all else, a believer. Despite having never taught Fitzpatrick in his seven years at Holy Angels, there's a reason "I kept him in my memory bank."

This "was a providential reunion," she said. "This was the time we were supposed to meet."

Dcroby@tribpub.com
Unlikable candidates: I think it's good that we have been given the chance to see two of the most unlikable people running for president. What we are seeing are things we need to get rid of, racism and bigotry. This election is showing how racially divided this country is. We are all Americans, and we are making ourselves look bad to other countries. We don't treat everyone the same.

Install the right lights: I read that the city of Aurora received a grant to put LED lights in backyards and places where it is dark in order to help reduce crime. There is a problem, however. First of all, I researched this. I wanted to put LED solar-powered lights in my backyard. The LED lights are expensive. By putting the lights on the north side, they might not get enough sun to keep them powered up. The batteries in these systems are quite expensive. Two years down the road when they wear out, who will pay to replace them? I don't think people have thought this through. Just putting in my 2 cents.

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Leery of Chapa LaVia: Thank you, Denise Crosby, for the article on Linda Chapa LaVia and her supporters. She needs to pull out of the Aurora mayoral race. We don't need her, and we don't need Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan giving her input on how to run our city. We sure don't need Madigan. Look what he has done to our state.

Riled about pedophiles: I just need to say something. I'm not a bad person, but I am so tired of all of these people who are child pedophiles showing up in court in wheelchairs and on oxygen while saying they only have a few months left to live. This is so ridiculous. They need to be punished. A child, or anyone who has been sexually abused, will live with that forever. I mean forever. I know, I've been there. The judge needs to be tough on these people. The heck with them being in wheelchairs. Guess what? They are still alive. It's a bunch of baloney.

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Worried about weeds: Real allergy season is approaching quickly. I feel so sorry for people who are allergic to weeds. I have family members who have allergies. The state has allowed weeds to grow several feet tall. Pollen blows everywhere in the air. It is a disaster. Medical insurance costs for allergy sufferers keep going up. Weeds that need to be cut down and burned are just left blowing in the wind. The person who was in charge of cutting these weeds down very short was put out of business and now collects unemployment. Get busy and cut down all those weeds so people can become healthier.

Isolation situation: I would like to say that the big reason why we have all these shootings in the inner city is because, way back when, there were projects that isolated people. This came about because the rich white people separated themselves from the poor blacks. When you start isolating people, this is what happens.

Enforce the laws: I want to offer my condolences to Mayor Weisner. I hope things go better for him as he works his way through his treatment. That being said, we need to get someone in besides Linda Chapa LaVia. She is a puppet for Michael Madigan. We do not need sanctuary cities. We have laws on the books that the people in Aurora want to have enforced. The gang that rode through Aurora was breaking the law. They were a gang of thugs against one person in a truck. Most of them were from Chicago. Weisner tied the police's hands and wouldn't let them do anything. It's time to wake up. We need to do things the right way. Weisner wasn't bad, but he didn't enforce all of our laws.

Help our own: I think if Donald Trump was elected, he would do something about illegal immigrants. He would not give them food stamps or free medical services. President Obama promised he wouldn't do it, yet he did. Hillary Clinton would just keep letting illegal immigrants in. Obama didn't give seniors a raise, but he gives 2 percent loans to illegal immigrants. I'm a senior with six major medical issues, but I can't get help. I'm really tired of this country. We don't help our own.

Money and power: If Hillary Clinton had divorced Bill Clinton over his lifetime of indiscretion, would we ever have heard of her again? It's a marriage for money and power. There can never be enough of either for such people.

Problems for police: In Chicago, if guns were taken away from all police and they were only given foam batons, they would still be sued on the grounds of using harsh language.

Editor's note

Speak Out is a reader-generated column of opinions. If you see something you disagree with or think is incorrect, please tell us. Call us at 312-222-2460.
Michael Zaky Bassaly, of Downers Grove, enters for his arraignment on murder charges at the DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton on Sept. 13, 2013. He is charged with killing his mother in the parking lot of a Burr Ridge church. (Chicago Tribune)

A federal fraud case may delay the starting date in the trial of a former Downers Grove resident who is accused of killing his mother outside a Burr Ridge church.

Marc Wolfe, who is representing Michael Zaky Bassaly, said the ongoing federal case of a man who may be called as a witness in Bassaly's case could interfere with the DuPage County murder trial.

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Bassaly, 30, is scheduled to go on trial Sept. 27, in the 2013 slaying of Yvonne Baky Bassaly, 61. Authorities say Bassaly shot his mother to death in the parking lot of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church as he was about to be implicated in an immigration scam.

At a hearing Wednesday, Wolfe said he may call a certain witness in Bassaly's defense, but the unsettled outcome of the witness' federal fraud case has put Wolfe in a difficult position from a legal standpoint. Wolfe asked Judge Daniel Guerin to delay the Bassaly trial until the federal matter is resolved.

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Although the potential witness was not identified, it is likely Wolfe was referring to Robert DeKelaita, a Glenview attorney who was convicted in May of falsifying immigration paperwork to help clients gain legal status in the United States.

Prosecutors say that Bassaly had written in a letter that DeKelaita had helped Bassaly and his mother emigrate from Egypt. Bassaly also implicated DeKelaita in an immigration scam that Bassaly was operating, according to the recovered letter.

The potential witness is seeking to have his conviction overturned and if the conviction is lifted, it would bolster the witness' credibility, Wolfe said. The potential witness' motion to overturn his conviction has been argued and is awaiting a decision in federal court, though the judge has not said when he might rule, Wolfe said.

"Mr. Bassaly indicated to me that he absolutely needs this witness to testify on his behalf," Wolfe told the judge.

Michael Zaky Bassaly (DuPage County sheriff's office / DuPage County sheriff's office)

But Guerin said he did not want to reschedule the Sept. 27 start of Bassaly's trial. The judge said he would call the federal judge in an effort to determine a timetable on the federal case. Guerin ordered attorneys to return to court Friday for an update.

Bassaly, according to court documents, falsified records in more than 100 cases of people who had come to him seeking immigration assistance. Prosecutors said that he killed his mother as his alleged scheme was about to be revealed by federal investigators.

Editor's note: The first name of Robert DeKelaita was incorrect in an earlier online version of this story.

Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.
Homeowners in Hinsdale High School District 86's buffer zone turned out in force to protest the possibility that their children might not be able to attend Hinsdale Central High School.

The Hinsdale High School District 86 Board held a special meeting Tuesday to discuss whether an advisory committee should be formed to examine attendance areas for the district's two high schools, Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central.

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Hundreds of people filled the cafeteria at Hinsdale Central where the meeting was held in anticipation of a large crowd. At the end of the meeting, it was not clear whether a committee would be formed.

The school board will discuss the idea again and possibly vote on it at its regular meeting Sept. 19.

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The board is discussing boundaries and attendance areas because district officials say Central is overcrowded, while South has room for more students. School board officials have taken heat from two different groups of residents at recent meetings.

District officials were considering putting an $80 million referendum on the November ballot to make facility improvements at both schools, including adding classrooms and science labs at Hinsdale Central.

At a board meeting Aug. 15, parents from South's attendance area argued against the referendum, because the majority of the money the referendum would raise would be spent at Central, the older of the two schools. The overcrowding district officials reported at Central could be alleviated by less costly options than expanding the school, such as switching students from Central to South, where there is room for them, parents said.

"Fill South first," was the group's rallying cry.

They also objected to the board's decision earlier this summer to expand the buffer zone, because it allowed more students to attend Central at the same time the district was saying the school did not have enough classrooms.

At least one board member was swayed by the people's comments and the school board, by a 4-3 vote, decided not to proceed with the referendum.

But the issue of needed facility improvements, overcrowding and the buffer zone remain.

The zone is an area roughly east of Cass Avenue and between 63rd Street and Plainfield Road, where families can choose to send their children to either Central or South.

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It became a heated topic after a family asked that their son, who lived outside the zone in South's attendance area, be allowed to attend Central. In certain spots, the boundary was based on imaginary line that extended 67th Street east from Route 83 and cut through people's backyards, they argued. Deciding to remedy that unusual situation, the board voted to extend the southern boundary east of Route 83 to Plainfield Road.

Board member Claudia Manley voted against that change because she believes the entire buffer zone is unfair and a form of discrimination, because it allows parents to send their children to Central, rather than South, where there are more black and Hispanic students.

But some parents at the Sept. 13 meeting said shifting students in the buffer zone to South would exacerbate the lack of racial and economic diversity at Central. The zone is comprised of neighborhoods in Willowbrook and Westmont where there are more minorities than in Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and Oak Brook, where the majority of the Central students live.

"I do believe we are on the verge of a civil rights violation," said Robin Gonzales, who lives in the buffer zone and identified herself as an educator with the Chicago Public Schools.

More than half the diversity at Hinsdale Central comes from the buffer zone, she said.

Other parents protested that children in the buffer zone can walk to Hinsdale Central, while families in the northwest corner of the school's attendance area live six and seven miles from Central.

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For many homeowners, it's a question of property values. A home in Central attendance area would sell for much more than a comparable home in Hinsdale South's attendance areas, said residents such as Cassie Swieton and Susan Hoffman, both of Willowbrook.

"It's about perception," Hoffman said, but it's also about test scores and college admission rates, she said.

kfornek@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @kfdoings
New rules that would require berms to better contain spills from North Dakota oil well sites and impose sweeping regulations for oil and saltwater gathering pipelines were delayed Tuesday as state lawmakers questioned whether regulators had overstepped their authority and legislative intent.

The Legislatures Administrative Rules Committee voted to postpone five of the more than 40 rule changes until its December meeting, after industry representatives complained the rules would create confusion and additional costs, and that they arent what lawmakers intended in a comprehensive bill passed last year.

A handful of the changes, in our opinion, go beyond the legislative intent that you and your colleagues so clearly laid out, North Dakota Petroleum Council President Ron Ness said, calling the rules arbitrary and capricious.

The committees decision to delay the rules that otherwise would have taken effect Oct. 1 was very disheartening to Troy Coons, chairman of the Northwest Landowners Association. He said some of the rules had been in the works for four years or longer and were thoroughly vetted.

As property owners, farmers and ranchers, we feel the time is now to be protected by these rules, he said.

It was an unusually long and involved discussion for the committee, which reviews administrative rules before they take effect to ensure agencies act within their legislative authority.

Sen. Kelly Armstrong, R-Dickinson, moved to delay the rules, including groundbreaking regulations for underground gathering pipelines that transport crude oil, natural gas or produced water from oil and gas facilities.

Armstrong said a rule requiring pipeline owners to report what leak detection methods theyre using appeared to go against the intent of lawmakers who specifically replaced detection with protection in the bill. He also noted that Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms had testified the section wouldnt apply to gas-gathering pipelines.

Were not voiding the rule; were holding it over to get more clarity, Armstrong said.

The other delayed rules pertain to a bonding requirement for oil- and saltwater-gathering pipelines and the berm requirement, both of which would have been applied retroactively to existing pipelines and well sites -- something Armstrong and Ness said wasnt specifically authorized in legislation.

Bruce Hicks, assistant director for the departments Oil and Gas Division, said he was disappointed the industry tried to use Tuesdays meeting as another comment period, after the department had received 490 pages of written comments and 89 pages transcribed from four hearings. He said the state Industrial Commission approved a number of revisions to accommodate industry concerns, including cutting the berm height from 12 inches to 6 inches and providing flexibility to allow for exceptions at some sites.

I dont think were being unreasonable at all, he said.

Currently, 4,360 well sites have berms and 3,165 wouldnt need them because they produce less than 100 barrels of fluid per day, Hicks said. About 1,400 wells and saltwater handling facilities could need berms, he said, at a cost estimated by the department at $3,500 per site.

Ness put the cost at $6,000 to $10,000 per site and said berms may not be practical or beneficial in some locations. He said the industry favors working with state regulators on a case-by-case basis.

Hicks said the goal is to protect the environment, noting the percentage of spills contained on-site has dropped from 81 percent in 2013 to 75 percent.

That concerns us because weve had some major spills that have come off these locations, he said.

Committee members voted 14-0 to delay the berm rule.

Sen. Connie Triplett, D-Grand Forks, said she was concerned about a lack of general authority to require berms where theres no effect on the environment, adding the department is on kind of shaky ground. But she said she hopes the industry will work with regulators to address the wells in need of protection this fall.
An amnesty program meant to help parents catch up on past-due child support encouraged more of them to pay, according to a state agency.

During June and July, twice as many people than usual signed up for payment plans  agreements to make monthly installments on arrears  according to the Child Support Program of the North Dakota Department of Human Services.

In total, 307 parents entered agreements to pay past-due support, according to the agency. Of the people who signed on in June, 87 percent made their second payment toward past-due support in July.

It was time well spent to negotiate with more obligors and get them into payment plans, Jim Fleming, director of the agency, said in an interview.

To incentivize parents, the agency granted amnesty to those with child support-related warrants and reinstated suspended driver's licenses for anyone who set up a payment plan. For every $2 a person paid toward past-due support under those plans, the agency wrote off $1 in accrued interest or state-owed money.

Sixty-four people took advantage of the match and paid an average of $1,700 toward their debts.

Fleming said he has two main takeaways from the program: First, it's worth doing special outreach to people who make monthly payments, but have suspended licenses because of arrears. Second, it may be sensible to ask courts to quash warrants for people who agree to payment plans at any time, not just during the amnesty period.

"We have to let obligors know they dont have to wait to come in until they can pay in full," Fleming said.

The agency contacted about 2,600 people who would have qualified for the program. Fleming said he would consider offering amnesty again in the hope of attracting a larger group.

"It would have been nice to have more participants. I think there are a lot more obligors who have the ability to pay," he said.

Meanwhile, the agency plans to ramp up enforcement efforts against those who didn't take advantage of the amnesty, he said, adding court warrants may be issued.

Weve gotta do something to collect the arrears for those families, Fleming said.

The total reduction in past-due support, including payments and the match, was about $108,000, according to the agency. About $250 million in past-due support is owed in the state.
By Jake Liddle

So far this year, 11 regions in China have published their respective Salary Guidelines for Enterprises. Formulated by provincial and local level governments according to the years economic development, the guidelines are published annually and are intended to provide a reference for wage increases by percentage over base salary levels.

When comparing with percentage increases from 2015, salary standards for 2016 have noticeably dropped, reflecting the slower economic growth levels that have spread across China. Below, we detail the reference base line across each of the 11 regions released so far, as well as their recommended upper and lower guideline.

This drop in salary levels  a trend which started in 2014  can be seen in both the reference base line and in the upper guidelines. The only increase was made by Beijing in its lower guideline, from 3.5 percent to 4.

Problems

The Salary Guidelines for Enterprises have come under much criticism, with commentators pointing out that actual salary levels do not reflect the guidelines, and many workers not even reaching the lower guidelines for their region. Governmental departments also widely consider it as existing in name only, with little bearing in practice.

RELATED: Payroll and Human Resource Services

It is stipulated that the guidelines should be published by local governments before the end of March every year to allow enterprises time to make adjustments to salaries. However, some provinces are late to publish. Chengdu, for instance  the first city to pilot the salary guidelines in 1994  has never once published before the end of March. Its publishing dates have been random each year, and guidelines were not published at all in 2012.

Comparison with Singapore and Hong Kong

China used Singapores salary guidelines as inspiration for its own, which were published by the city-states National Wages Council in conjunction with employees and employers up until 1986. From 1987 onwards, however, the decision was left to enterprises and trade unions to decide their own standards.

Hong Kong also deals with its salary guidelines in a similar way, but these are mainly aimed at civil servants. HR organizations such as the Talent Management Association will annually publish a neutral standpoint salary survey and related suggestions. Some organizations will take into account increase rates of GDP and CPI, while also looking to see if corporate executives have added bonuses to their salary, and will suggest an increase to lower level workers wages in order to keep a balance.

Key Takeaways

The issue of raising salaries should take into consideration many factors, such as economic performance, productivity growth, employment, international competitiveness, and labor market conditions. It is evident from cases like Singapore and Hong Kong how important consulting employers and workers is when calculating salary increases  something China lacks in its Enterprise Salary Guidelines.

The Salary Guidelines serve mainly as a means for state owned enterprises to manage wage amounts. In more cases than not, the rate of salary increase is decided by individual enterprises themselves, and not by the state. This gives cause for many to question the use of publishing the guidelines.



About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email china@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight.

Human Resources and Payroll in China 2015

This edition of Human Resources and Payroll in China, updated for 2015, provides a firm understanding of Chinas laws and regulations related to human resources and payroll management  essential information for foreign investors looking to establish or already running a foreign-invested entity in China, local managers, and HR professionals needing to explain complex points of Chinas labor policies.



Tax, Accounting, and Audit in China 2016

This edition of Tax, Accounting, and Audit in China, updated for 2016, offers a comprehensive overview of the major taxes that foreign investors are likely to encounter when establishing or operating a business in China, as well as other tax-relevant obligations. This concise, detailed, yet pragmatic guide is ideal for CFOs, compliance officers and heads of accounting who must navigate the complex tax and accounting landscape in China in order to effectively manage and strategically plan their China-based operations.

An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2015

Doing Business in China 2015 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in China. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market, but also for companies that already have a presence here and want to keep up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes.
The latest sales figures from PSA - the French automotive giant that owns Citroen, Peugeot and DS - show that it is having a turbulent time in the Chinese market.

According to the Financial Times, the group's sales in the Country fell by 19 percent over the first half of this year. That's despite the Chinese auto market growing by close to ten percent over the same period.

Apparently, CEO Carlos Tavares has now pledged a turnaround.

So why aren't Peugeots and Citroens selling so well in China?

Part of the answer must surely come from the rise in the number, quantity and desirability of domestically produced cars. Chinese auto manufacturers are now at the cutting edge of technology, and have been leaders at innovation in the field of electric cars.

This has led to European and American car firms lowering some of their prices to be able to compete, which according to the FT has eroded their pricing power.

Finally, much of the growth in the Chinese market has been amongst larger vehicles and SUVs - whereas PSA predominantly sell smaller saloon and hatchback vehicles.

All eyes will be on the French company, along with its local partner Dongfeng, to see if this sales decline can be reversed.
More people in Hong Kong are optimistic about the housing market on the Chinese mainland, according to a recent survey by GoHome.com.hk, an online real estate portal.

Over 30 percent of respondents said they believe homes on the mainland are worthwhile investments, 12 percent higher than the first half of this year.

The survey also found that 61 percent already own real estate there.

In addition, more people are confident about the performance of Hong Kong's property market for the rest of this year, with 36 percent saying they believe home prices here would rise, an increase of 22 percent in the first half of the year.

Nearly 60 percent said they might buy a home in Hong Kong in the coming months, compared to about 47 percent at the start of 2016. The number of people who were pessimistic about the home markets fell to 42 percent, a sharp decrease of 35 percent compared to the first half.

Terence Tai-Leung Chong, assistant professor of economics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, expected home prices in Hong Kong to remain stable after a decline of 15 percent since the end of last year. Prices could stop falling and the market may rise during the rest of this year, Chong said.

Among 70 mainland cities monitored, new home prices in more than 10 saw increases of over 10 percent year-on-year in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Some insiders said home prices in the biggest cities such as Beijing and Shanghai would continue to rise this year due to the lack of inventory and relatively loose monetary policies.
An attorney representing a pipeline protester in court on Wednesday afternoon said she wasn't a flight risk and bond should be set at zero, because she has no intention of leaving the state.

"She intends to return to the camp," Bismarck attorney Chad Nodland told the judge of Karla Lorenzanaayala, of California, who is accused of trespassing. "She's in charge of inventory, as I understand it. So she'll be in North Dakota at least for the immediate future."

Nodland, who was making a limited appearance for the protesters, made similar arguments for four of the seven people he represented, all of whom were arrested during a protest Tuesday near Glen Ullin in which people allegedly trespassed and attached themselves to construction equipment.

South Central District Judge Thomas Schneider did not take up Nodland's suggestion for personal recognizance bonds.

Instead, he set bond at $250 for everyone who appeared before him at the Morton County Courthouse. He also ordered some of the protesters to have no contact with Dakota Access Pipeline personnel, property or equipment.

The seven who appeared were among 22 people arrested Tuesday. The other 15 arrested Tuesday had already been released on scheduled bonds, according to the Morton County Detention Center.

Most were facing criminal trespass charges. Carlo Voli and Corey Maxa are accused of locking themselves to equipment and were charged with disorderly conduct, as well. The Morton County Sheriff's Department said the two would soon face reckless endangerment charges.

All but one had bailed out by Wednesday evening, according to the jail. The last is being held for extradition to another state on unrelated charges.

Phil Lee, a Vermont man staying at the protest camp, was waiting outside with three boxes of sandwiches and snacks for the protesters. He said some of the protesters spent the night in jail because they had high bonds, others because they elected to.

Eight more people were arrested Wednesday during a similar protest, bringing the arrest total to 69, according to the sheriff's department.
Shanghai police are investigating two crippled online peer-to-peer lending platforms affiliated to Shanghai Kuailu Investment Group on suspicion of illegally pooling public deposits, police in Changning District said on its official Weibo account.

"The two lending platforms, Jinlu Fund and Dangtian Wealth, are suspected to pool funds from public investors without legal operational certificates," said Changning police said in a notice on Tuesday.

"The police will take coercive measures against people in charge and urge the mother company Kuailu Investment Group to fulfill its obligations."

The Shanghai-based private company has been involved in a cash redemption crisis since the start of 2016. The firm used investors' funds to finance the Ip Man 3 movie but was alleged to have used the money on other investments which did not generate good returns. It then allegedly came out with fradulent box-office receipts for the movie, media reported.

When investors found out about the so-called fake box-office receipts, there ensued several rounds of public battles between them and the company over a repayment plan. Kuailu then agreed to pledge at least 3 billion yuan (US$449 million) of assets as collateral to pay back the investors from October 1. But last week the company breached this deal, further igniting investors' fury, media added.

Kuailu sold wealth management products at a high 10 percent annual return, said Xinhua News Agency in January.
Four executives of a former popular internet company have been found guilty of using internet technology to spread pornography, judges in Beijing announced on Tuesday.

The four defendants were given prison sentences ranging from three years to three years and six months for broadcasting pornography online, according to a verdict from the Beijing Haidian District People's Court.

Wang Xin, chief executive officer of Shenzhen QVOD Technology in Guangdong province, received the top sentence and was fined 1 million yuan ($149,700), according to the judgment.

The three other defendants were also fined between 200,000 yuan and 500,000 yuan, it said. The company was ordered to pay a fine of 10 million yuan.

A decision on whether the defendants would appeal to a higher court was still pending, the court said.

Police started to investigate QVOD in late 2013 on suspicion of spreading porn videos online. According to company figures, QVOD had about 400 million users at that time.

Wang, who had fled overseas, was sent back to China in August 2014 after he was the subject of an Interpol red notice. He was officially charged in February 2015.

In January, when the case was first heard at the Haidian court, the prosecuting authority said that police investigated 29,841 videos from four servers seized from the company, of which more than 70 percent contained pornographic content.

The case was heard in Beijing because the investigation began there in 2013 with a probe of a Beijing company that was cooperating with QVOD.

The defendants said they were only operating and providing a new online technical person-to-person service and did not upload any obscene videos themselves.

However, Wu Yangchuan, the judge responsible for the case, said on Tuesday that the executives were well aware of the existence of such a large amount of obscene content on their servers, but "they didn't intervene and indulged the spreading of the pornography".

"A technology or network company has the duty to examine and supervise uploaded information in line with laws, but the defendants did not abide by this," Wu said. "The technical service is fine, but no one can take advantage of new technology to break laws or harm the society."

Wu said technical service providers can avoid punishment only if they are not aware of the uploaded information or have performed their duties to review or supervise the content.

The company also got illicit profits through advertisements attached to the obscene videos, he said. "The more a video was viewed or downloaded, the more money it could obtain indirectly."

In 2013 alone, a business department of the company gained 140 million yuan, and the company's total gains surged since 2008, Wu said.

The company and the behavior of the executives seriously harmed users, especially youngsters, he said, adding that their illicit profits met the "huge amount" defined in Criminal Law, without disclosing the exact amount of the illegal gains.

Since the four defendants pleaded guilty and there was no proof that they had deliberately spread pornography online, "we punished them leniently," said Yang Xiaoming, another judge in the case.

Wang Sixin, a law professor at Communication University of China, said, "Technical services should be encouraged if they promote internet developments, but if someone uses them for illegal practices, they should be restricted in line with laws."
This 1913 family picture of Soong Ching-ling, Sun Yat-sens wife (front right), was taken at her home in Shanghai. It is one of the more than 100 original photos to be exhibited from Tuesday. [Xinhua]

A series of activities will be held to celebrate the 150th birthday of Sun Yat-sen, known as the great forerunner of China's democratic revolution, authorities said yesterday.

Government officials, Sun's relatives, and representatives from home and abroad will visit the Shanghai Sun Yat-sen Former Residence Museum on 7 Xiangshan Road to commemorate him. This was his last residence in the city and is the best preserved.

Another ceremony will be held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center on November 12, Sun's birthday.

An exhibition of Sun's private photograph collection will be launched on Tuesday. This will feature more than 100 original photos and Sun's personal belongings to tell the story of his life through family and friends. Most of the objects are being displayed for the first time to the public.

The photographs include Sun and some members of Tongmenghui (Chinese Revolutionary League) that wanted to overthrow the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911); Sun's grandson Sun Zhi-ping when he was a baby; and a shot of Soong Ching-ling's family taken in Shanghai in 1913.

The exhibition will be held until the end of December. Admission is free.

Another photo exhibition will be unveiled on November 8, four days before Sun's birthday, to show his contribution to China's national revival. This exhibition is being planned and will be held in the China Finance Information Building at Lujiazui in Pudong.

A book about Sun's family is also scheduled to be published during the exhibition, expected to run at least one month.

A contest has also been launched by the Shanghai Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang to invite the public to design souvenirs marking Sun's anniversary.Designs can be sent to htwcds@163.com up until October 15 and those that pass the initial selection procedure will have to present their actual products by November 15.

Winners will win bonuses up to 30,000 yuan (US$4,490) and their products will be sold at museums, such as Sun's former residence.
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Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, underscored that any "Taiwan independence" activities would be opposed.

Any attempt by secessionists to use the UN to challenge the one-China policy, which is supported by the international community, will not succeed, said Ma on Wednesday.
Alibaba was setting up a platform in its internal system allowing its staff to buy mooncakes at lower prices on Monday as an employee benefit.

E-commerce giant Alibaba fired four employees on Tuesday for stealing mooncakes by exploiting program loopholes in an in-house shopping spree.

Alibaba was setting up a platform in its internal system allowing its staff to buy mooncakes at lower prices on Monday as an employee benefit. Four programmers from the company's cyber security department exploited the loopholes of the platform and designed a program to steal 124 boxes of mooncakes.

Alibaba Group fired the four staffers, stating they "violated job responsibilities and broke the credibility red line by using technical measures to cheat."

One of the fired employees later wrote a post explaining he just wanted to buy a box of mooncakes to give to relatives. He said he initially found he could not successfully order the mooncake by simply clicking the button of the platform, because he found there were others using self-developed programs to snap up the purchase. So he also designed a program to place an order.

While he was busy doing other work, he didn't notice his program had ordered 16 boxes of mooncakes. He called the administrative department asking to cancel the orders, but the company soon talked to him and let him go.

The ex-employee said he never thought of selling the mooncakes for profits and denied he had moral problems.

The incident soon sparked heated debate online, with some calling it "a tragedy caused by mooncake." While some criticized the employees' wrong doing, others questioned if it was legitimate for Alibaba to fire people like this.

Han Xiao, a lawyer, said the credibility issue is not the basis for an employer to dismiss employee unilaterally, according to China's Labor Contract Law. "Only when employees severely violated the company's internal disciplines, can a termination happen," he said. "But we don't know Alibaba's internal disciplines."

The mooncake is a must-have delicacy for China's Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Sept. 15 this year.
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Chinese prosecutors have filed separate lawsuits against three senior officials suspected of graft, the Supreme People's Procuratorate announced Wednesday.

Xu Gang, former vice governor of Fujian Province in east China, is charged with taking advantage of his positions to seek benefits for others and accepting a "huge amount" of bribes.

Xu Jianyi, former party chief and chairman of major Chinese automaker FAW Group, is accused of taking advantage of his positions to seek profits for others as well as accepting bribes.

Liao Yongyuan, former general manager with China National Petroleum Corp., is charged with accepting a "huge amount" in bribes and seeking profits for others.

Liao's property and expenditure obviously exceeded his legal income, and he could not explain the source of the money. He is also accused of holding a large amount of property with unidentified sources.
Lead water-service pipes in the city of Bismarck may eventually be replaced through special assessments.

City commissioners Tuesday asked the Public Works Department to draft a clearer policy on how water line fees are used before it supports that plan.

Michelle Klose, director of utility operations for the city, proposed using a special assessment system in addition to revenue from curb-stop repair fees to pay for the replacement of aging water lines. She said a special assessment program would allow affected homeowners to spread the cost of the service line replacement over several years.

Klose said about 935 water service lines in the city were installed before 1935, an era when lead pipes were commonly used.

She attested that the levels of lead in Bismarck's water comply with the Lead and Copper Rule, part of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act; but she said public awareness and concern were raised when the water in Flint, Mich., exceeded safe levels.

The EPA's compliance level is 0.015 milligrams of lead per liter, but Klose said that could decrease to 0.010 milligrams or less.

"This is considered a health safety issue. ...The goal is to have zero milliliters of lead in the drinking water," she said.

She said the EPA and the North Dakota Health Department are expecting increased monitoring of lead within service lines.

Service line replacement costs will vary because the lengths differ from home to home, depending on how they were installed, explained Klose.

"I think your proposal is very wise," said Mayor Mike Seminary.

Commissioner Josh Askvig asked that Klose put together a clear policy of how the fees would be used, then present it at a future commission meeting. All five members approved his motion.
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Former Israeli president Shimon Peres had a stroke on Tuesday evening and was taken to a hospital, his office said in a statement.

The Israel's ninth president was hospitalized for treatment in the Tel Hashomer Hospital outside Tel Aviv, the statement said.

"His condition is stable, and he is fully conscious," the statement read. "He is receiving medical treatment in accordance with his condition," it added.

Peres, 93, was one of Israel's most popular presidents.

In January, he was rushed to a hospital twice after experiencing chest pains. He was later diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.

The former president, who ended his tenure in 2014, remained active in the public sphere through his activities at the Peres Center for Peace, advocating for coexistence and peace between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East. He is also active in promoting high-tech ingenuity worldwide.
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Five operatives of the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch were killed when a U.S. drone strike targeted their vehicle in Yemen's central province of al-Bayda on Tuesday, a military official told Xinhua.

The military source confirmed that missiles fired from the unmanned U.S. aircraft destroyed a vehicle carrying al-Qaida operatives in the mountains of Radaa area in central al-Bayda province.

The military source said that "the slain al-Qaida men were apparently traveling from Marib province and heading to meet their comrades in the al-Bayda province."

Scores of the al-Qaida gunmen launched numerous armed attacks against positions of army troops loyal to the Shiite Houthi group in al-Bayda province in the past few days, according to the Yemeni source.

On Tuesday, the United States announced that its military killed 13 al-Qaida militants in three separate strikes in Yemen in recent weeks, but it did not specify how the strikes were conducted or reveal the identities of the militants targeted.

The U.S. drones have been active over skies of Yemeni cities since years ago, launching hundreds of air strikes that killed scores of al-Qaida leaders and many other extremists.

Yemen has recently seen a growing number of al-Qaida activities in eastern and southern provinces, due to the prolonged security vacuum resulting from the 19-month civil war between the exiled government and Houthi rebels who seized much of the country's north, including capital Sanaa since 2014.

The military conflict has left more than 6,400 dead, according to the UN, displaced thousands and left the country's civilians facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
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Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry demanded on Tuesday Bashar al-Assad's government to stick to the ceasefire for the best interests of Syrians, Saudi Press Agency reported.

An official source from the ministry stated that Saudi Arabia supports the implementation of the temporary ceasefire in Syria.

The source said the truce will contribute to relieving the humanitarian suffering of Syrian people.

Saudi Arabia also stressed the importance of abiding by this truce by Assad's government and his allies, adding that the truce would help restart the political process in Syria which would lead to peaceful transition of power.

The truce came into effect on Monday evening brokered by the United States and Russia.
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South Sudan is implementing peace because "we have no other option than having peace", visiting First Vice-President Taban Deng said on Tuesday.

More violence is not an in South Sudan or anywhere elsewhere in Africa, Deng said at a press briefing after talks with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.

"We have to settle so that people develop, so that people can have health services, people have roads and people are food secure," Deng said.

He said his government is very serious in implementing peace and there is no going back to any crisis or war.

Deng arrived in Cape Town earlier on Tuesday for talks with Ramaphosa on the peace process in South Sudan.

Ramaphosa said he and Deng had held "really good discussions" and are "confident that peace will finally be entrenched in South Sudan and they will now be moving to the development plan."

"We can say now that the guns have gone silent and they are working together in cooperation with President Salva Kiir. The government has become stable, the parliament has opened and we were very pleased and heartened to hear all these developments," said Ramaphosa, who has been appointed by President Jacob Zuma as peace envoy to South Sudan.

Ramaphosa said they have decided to set up a task team to work on matters of mutual interest.
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Chairman Zhang Dejiang of China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) held a meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who is on a short visit to China, in Beijing Tuesday.

During the meeting, the Speaker termed friendly relations with China as a key priority for Pakistan. He expressed the hope that frequent parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts would further strengthen the historically robust relationship. Mr. Zhang termed Pakistan and China as "All Weather Strategic Partners" and expressed support for the initiatives undertaken by the Government of Pakistan for socio-economic development.

The two sides reiterated their commitment to the timely completion of various projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It was underscored that the CPEC was to the benefit of the two countries as well as for the entire region. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the complete political consensus in Pakistan on the importance of the CPEC and on Pakistan-China relations.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also briefed his Chinese counterpart on the current situation in the Indian occupied Kashmir and emphasized on the need for a peaceful settlement of this longstanding dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Mr Zhang expressed his understanding of Pakistan's position on the Kashmir dispute.

The two sides agreed on the need for frequent parliamentary exchanges at various levels to have parliamentary oversight over the CPEC projects as well as to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries in different areas.

Later same evening, the Speaker also attended a dinner hosted by Madam Shen Yueyue, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), at the Great Hall of the People.
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Three IS suspects arrested by German police on Tuesday morning were brought to the country with the same help that last year's Paris attackers had got.

A man walks by guarding police officers outside the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, on Nov. 14, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere made the remarks on Tuesday, when being asked by press about the links between the three suspects and the Paris attackers last November.

Everything has suggested that they were brought to Europe by the same trafficking network, and their fake traveling documents were made at the same place, said de Maiziere.

He also said that the three suspects had been under surveillance in two refugee camps for months.

In the raids carried out by German police on Tuesday morning, six refugee camps located in the federal states of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony have been searched.
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Questions have been raised over the health of U.S. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton after she suddenly fell ill on Sunday, which could become a stumbling block for the 68-year-old candidate in her presidential bid.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton climbs into her van outside her daughter Chelsea's home in New York, New York, United States September 11, 2016, after Clinton left ceremonies commemorating the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks feeling "overheated." [Photo/Xinhua]

Clinton nearly collapsed Sunday due to alleged pneumonia after attending the Sept. 11 ceremony in New York. While her aides said she would be back on the campaign trail in a couple of days, the incident is the latest in a string of health concerns about Clinton.

Some analysts said perceptions of Clinton's poor health may be exploited by her Republican rival Donald Trump, 70.

"There certainly are going to be more questions about Clinton's health in light of the recent incident," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.

Clinton will need to provide more information about her health and reassure voters that she is up to the job, including answering questions and releasing relevant medical records, West said.

She also can use this episode to demand more health information from Trump, who has not released his medical records either, he said.

Clinton is one of the oldest candidates to run for the White House since former President Ronald Reagan. But while Reagan's age was a factor, he used humor to deflect public concern and kept up a vigorous schedule to reassure voters.

Dan Mahaffee, an analyst with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, told Xinhua that Trump has been relatively tame in his response to Clinton's mishap on Sunday, and has largely let media coverage of the event speak for itself.

"He has carefully avoided what could be seen as gloating over Clinton's misfortune, yet allows the media narrative to vindicate some of the questions that he and his surrogates have raised about Clinton's health," Mahaffee said.

For Clinton, as the latest episode has raised concerns among the broader U.S. public about her health, it'll be important for her to recuperate rapidly and come out strongly in the upcoming presidential debates. The first debate is slated to be held on Sept. 26.

Given Trump's age, paucity of medical records, and what appears to be a predilection towards fast food, there are legitimate concerns from medical experts about both candidates' health, Mahaffee said.

As a candidate, Clinton needs to tackle this issue with full transparency and directly address the issue, Mahaffee said.

"The perception that something is being hidden is worse than acknowledging that Clinton has fallen ill due to the recent tempo of the campaign or other factors," he said, referring to Sunday's incident, when Clinton's team appeared to try to sugar coat the issue.

While the team initially said she was overheating, the temperature Sunday was mild. And there was a 90-minute period in which there was not a word from the team on Clinton's health.

"While there is no crime per se with Clinton's health, one can apply the political rule that the cover up is worse than the crime. It only empowers conspiracy theorists and feeds the narrative of the Clintons being overly secretive," Mahaffee said.

Some analysts said both candidates can take a lesson from the 1980 presidential election, when Reagan, 69, was the oldest person to ever seek the presidency.

Reagan approached the medical issue with complete transparency during his campaign, allowing his doctors to release a wide range of medical records.

Additionally, he used lots of imagery of him being outdoors and working on his ranch to portray an image of health and strength, Mahaffee noted.
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Chinese Vice-Premier Ma Kai disclosed that China has technological, capital and market advantages and rich experience in developing industrial parks; therefore, he encourages the two sides to share their experience to realize major benefits for win-win cooperation.

He made the statement in Guangzhou, China, during a press conference on the 2nd Investing in Africa Forum, which was attended by two African presidents, Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Patrice Kallon of Benin, World Bank representatives, China bank representatives and national and international journalists.

Ma Kai said it is an important corner stone of Chinas opening up policy to develop solidarity and cooperation with African countries.

As Africa is now at a very critical moment of its economic development, industrialization has been accelerated and infrastructural development is taking off, and Africa needs more than ever international cooperation, Ma said.

He concluded that China has a comprehensive industrial system as well as advanced equipment for manufacturing companies.
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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend the 71th session of the United Nations General Assembly and pay official visits to Canada and Cuba.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Wednesday that Li's trip will last from Sept. 18 to 28.

Li was invited by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Raul Castro Ruz, respectively, Hua said.
Russias place in American politics used to be (relatively) simple. The further right you stood, the more you feared Ivan and his Slavic wiles. The further left, the more you likely thought the Red Menace was mostly just a scare story.

Now things are more complicated. In just 15 years, the Republican Party has had a president who famously claimed a soul-to-soul relationship with Vladimir Putin  followed by two consecutive nominees who took a starkly hawkish stance on Russia  and now a presidential candidate in Donald Trump who has a palpable man-crush on Putin and promises closer ties with his regime.

Over the same period, Democrats have gone from mocking George W. Bushs naivete about Putin  to mocking Mitt Romney for describing Russia as Americas main geopolitical foe  to spinning theories about Trump being an agent of Russian influence that seem ripped from a right-wing periodical circa 1955.

The ideologues, too, have lost the plot. Sean Hannity is hosting the Russian cats-paw Julian Assange because he might have dirt on Hillary. The Nation is defending Donald Trump against what it calls the neo-McCarthyism of mainstream liberalism. Team-player conservatives are tying themselves in knots explaining or defending Trumps Putin crush; liberal pundits are trying to memory-hole everything they wrote about Romney and Russia in 2012.

This confusion reflects various partisan derangements, plus the destabilizing influence of Trumps strongman shtick. But to some extent confusion is entirely justified. We should be uncertain about how to think about our relationship with Russia, and our parties should be trying on different perspectives, because it isnt clear at all where our national interest vis-a-vis the Russians really lies.

At the root of this uncertainty is the fact that neither the United States nor Russia seems certain exactly what kind of power it intends to be. During the Cold War, we were (mostly) a status quo power  practicing containment, building intricate alliance networks, propping up bad actors for fear of something worse  and the Russians were the revisionists, promoting socialist revolution from Havana to Hanoi. Then in the early 2000s we seemed to have changed places: Under George W. Bush, America was a revolutionary power, preaching the messianic faith of liberalism and democracy, while Moscow was a friend of strongmen, stability and the Saddam-era status quo.

But now its a muddle. In the Middle East, throughout the Arab Spring and its aftermath, Washington has remained revisionist while Moscow has labored at realpolitik, seeking to protect the devils that it knows. But at the same time Putin has become opportunistically revisionist in his own right, sensing American weakness and looking for ways to destabilize the Western order  including through tacit support for Donald Trump.

Unless youre Trump himself, Putins destabilizing moves  the Crimean anschluss, the Ukraine invasion, the shadow war against his neighbors and Western governments writ large  have made it much harder to imagine Moscow as anything but an adversary to be checked, contained, opposed.

But the trajectory of events in the Middle East, where American grand strategy has mostly come to grief and we face a shifting array of foes and rivals, suggests the limits of a new Cold War lens. Our primary interest in Syria and elsewhere is not, as it was decades ago, containing Russian expansion. Its containing jihadi terrorism, ending the refugee crisis, restoring some kind of basic order  and in all these tasks we need a way to work with Moscow if we hope to see them through to any kind of finish.

Which gets at the underlying question here, one that both parties ought to be debating: Just how right was Romney? Russia certainly looks more like a more dangerous geopolitical rival today than it did four years ago. But is Putins regime and its revanchist ambitions the biggest potential danger that we face? Bigger than al-Qaida and ISIS and their epigones? Bigger than the far-richer, far-stronger, and equally authoritarian Peoples Republic of China?

It is not enough to say that all of them are dangers; statesmen must prioritize, and our priorities are dangerously open-ended and undefined.

If the last four years really are a Cold War 2.0 overture, then our approach to the Middle East and Asia needs to be refashioned with an eye toward winning a new twilight war with Moscow.
 Flash

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who has been staying at home since swooning at a 9/11 memorial ceremony due to pneumonia, will return to campaign trail on Thursday, her Campaign twittered Tuesday.

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. [Photo/Xinhua]

The former secretary of state is set to speak at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute gala in Washington D.C. on Thursday and due in several battleground states next week, said her campaign, which has promised to release Clinton's medical records later this week.

Donald Trump, her Republican rival, also promised to offer up more information about his health later this week, following quarrels between the two campaigns over which candidate is more secret about their health and wealth.

A damaging video of Clinton's faint at Ground Zero on Sunday, has turned the issue of health transparency onto the central stage in their White House bids.

Clinton was diagnosed pneumonia two days before she fainted on Sunday but her campaign had kept it quiet until the video was put online.

However, earlier on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid blasted the media for having blown Clinton's pneumonia out of proportion.

"You've all been unfair to Hillary ... Look at Donald Trump at his medical records, which are nonexistent," he told reporters at a news conference.

Also on Tuesday, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine suggested that Clinton's decision to keep campaigning despite suffering from pneumonia was influenced by the historic nature of her bid to become the country's first woman president.

The United States is "uniquely bad at electing women to office," the Virginia senator told a crowd at the University of Michigan, citing it a factor affecting her race against the New York billionaire.

Only 19 percent of the U.S. Congress is female, though it is the highest percentage in the country's history, Kaine noted.

The September race is observed unexpectedly rough for Clinton as her wounds were rubbed salt into continuously, including a gaffe about Republican "deplorables." A series of national poll results show that her lead over Trump has been narrowed since Labor Day.
The recent letter by Shylah Schauer has some inaccuracies to correct.

First note I also grew up on, but I still live here, on the Dakota prairie. Perhaps she feared Bismarck Tribune readers might discredit her words as West Coast extremist outsider nonsense, if honest about her Portland, Ore., location, as her online profile shows.

Census statistics indicate North Dakota is growing, a large portion of young families returning to the home state they loved, but couldn't find the jobs they needed. You haven't returned to your beloved open prairie! Go figure? I know many people who've moved from the northwest states, looking for jobs.

Concerning her claim half the U.S. population will develop cancer; the ACS website had a much different rate than 50 percent, at 462 per 100,000 people, or 0.46 percent. U.S. lifespan is 78.74 years. At a 0.46 percent rate, well have to average 108 years, for half to get cancer. Fear mongering perhaps?

Gas capture has improved 26 percent in North Dakota, up to 90 percent. While gas is still flared, it steadily drops due to North Dakota oil and gas rules, and industry efforts.

Fracturing is regulated! The NDIC DNR set rules protecting workers and the environment. Even the North Dakota Health Department is involved. The EPA, BLM, DOT, and an entire alphabet soup of federal agencies impact a North Dakota oil and gas wells life.

Recently, Williston held a summit of North Dakota regulators, OSHA, NIOSH, API, local STEPS group, hosting EU and UK HSE officials who came seeking guidance on regulating hydraulic fracturing. We must be doing something right!
After a swift start, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has solid governance, good policies and good cooperation among members to take the challenge of building up more projects, a Dutch policy advisor said on Tuesday.

The policy advisor at the Dutch Ministry of Finance made the remarks at a workshop at Groningen University in the north of the Netherlands.

"What remains now the main challenge is to build up more standalone projects and do it more in the private sector. Also is important the implementation of the policies in practice," Alex Niatsetski told dozens of researchers attending the workshop on the impact, opportunities and difficulties of the Belt and Road Initiative for the China-EU relations.

Niatsetski, who is also advisor to a Dutch alternate member of the board of directors at the AIIB, emphasized that the Beijing-based lender is not a Chinese bank but an international financial institution with its own governance to serve two basic goals -- to foster sustainable economic development in the region by amongst others investing in infrastructure and to promote regional cooperation.

"It has been a really swift process since the announcement of the initiative by Chinese President Xi Jinping in October 2013," he said.

"In March 2015 the Netherlands decided to join as prospective founding member. After intensive negotiations about the policies and strategies of the bank, the final agreement has been satisfactory for all the prospective founding members. The Netherlands ratified the treaty in December. Then in January, the official inauguration of the AIIB took place in Beijing and the bank officially became operational. And half a year after that inauguration, the first four projects have been approved by the board of directors in Beijing," he explained.

In his analysis, the Netherlands has clear arguments to be a member of the AIIB.

"We really recognize the great financial gap in infrastructure sectors in the region, and that by complementing to that gap, by offering capital through the bank, we would foster economic growth and by doing that as an open economy with a big export sector, we could benefit from it ourselves," he said.

"The second argument is the direct influence on policies. As a prospective founding member, you are sitting at the table and negotiating on policies, you can really have influence. The third argument is a geopolitical one: it is important to cooperate within the region, with China but also with other members," he added.

As to the management of the bank, the Dutch expert noted that the consensus rule works really well in practice.

"The board comes together four times a year, and decides on more operational questions like policies and projects, but in practice they decide by consensus. Our experience so far is that the president of the bank, who is Chinese, really manages these dynamics really well," said the Dutch policy advisor.

Niatsetski believed that the AIIB has solid environmental and social policies comparable to that of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, saying "We made analyses about the differences and those are really minor, so it is really solid."

"Also, the procurement policy which looks at how the contracts are awarded to companies who build the infrastructure is also along the international standards. Dutch companies can also apply for projects if they have the best price-quality deal," he added.

Niatsetski considered it important to underline that for the AIIB, there is no competition with other IFIs (international financial institutions).

"The first thing that the AIIB did was making co-financing agreements with other MDBs," said the policy advisor.

"That means that the AIIB in the starting phase can trust the knowledge and guideline and capacity of other Multilateral Development Banks, and they can build their own experience from that. I think that is a very good signal," he said.

In June, AIIB approved its first four loans totalling $509 million to fund infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Indonesia. These projects span the energy, urban development and transport sectors.

The AIIB, which supports infrastructure development and regional connectivity in Asia, is targeting at lending of about $1.2 billion in 2016.

The AIIB will begin reviewing membership applications in September as it calls on more countries and regions to join its infrastructure funding efforts. Canada has decided to apply for membership. If Canada joins the AIIB, it will be the first North American member of the multilateral bank.
CHONGQING - More than 1,000 vehicles have been imported using a rail service from Germany to southwest China's Chongqing municipality this year, a local entry port said.

The imported vehicles were worth 283 million yuan ($43 million). A total of 1,500 vehicles will be imported on the rail system by the end of the year, according to the railway port.

China imports over 1 million vehicles every year, but most of them arrive via shipping routes at the coastal ports.

Chongqing won central government approval to import cars by rail last July.

The railway trip takes just 16 days from Duisburg in Germany to Chongqing, two-thirds faster than shipping them, reducing logistics costs.

Huang Xiang, general manager of Chongqing Rail Port Logistics, said the car imports have spurred new business in and around Chongqing, with BMW, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Audi all establishing operations at the railway port.

Besides Chongqing, other inland ports, including Chengdu, Sichuan province; Zhengzhou, Henan province; and Yueyang, Hunan province, have also increased the import of vehicles through the rail service.
A Boeing employee uses a lift to get a view of an 787 engine during a media presentation at Boeing's site in Everett. [Photo/Agencies]

Firm says nation may become first $1 trillion plus aviation market

Boeing Co said on Tuesday that China is now the most dynamic market for international flights, and it is very positive about the outlook for the growth of China's long-haul market, due to strong domestic and overseas travel demand, and a rising middle class.

The plane manufacturer lifted its forecast for China, and said the nation is likely to become the first country with an aviation market exceeding $1 trillion in the next two decades. Chinese airlines are estimated to purchase 6,810 airplanes valued at $1.025 trillion in the next 20 years.

Among the new deliveries, Boeing predicts that China will need 5,110 new single-aisle airplanes through 2035, accounting for 75 percent of the total, and China's widebody fleet is to triple in size over the next two decades.

"As China transitions to a more consumer-based economy, aviation will play a key role in its economic development," said Randy Tinseth, vice-president of marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"Because travel and transportation are key services, we expect to see passenger traffic grow 6.4 percent annually in China over the next 20 years."

Meanwhile, low-cost carriers and full-service airlines have been adding airplanes and expanding new point-to-point services between smaller cities to cater for both leisure and business travel demand from a rising middle class in China and throughout Asia.

In the last five years, the number of direct international flights to and from China saw a surge of 150 percent. Direct flights between second-tier Chinese cities and overseas cities have been the main driving force of the growth.

Tinseth said the continuing expansion of China's middle class, coupled with new relaxed visa policies and a wide range of wide body airplanes with new technologies, capabilities and efficiencies, gives Boeing sufficient reason to expect a very bright future for China's long-haul market.

Li Xiaojin, a professor at the Civil Aviation University of China in Tianjin, said China is expected to have a surge on international travel volume. By 2020, China is likely to witness 200 million international trips annually.

"The trend of airlines to add more international flights between first-tier Chinese cities and second-tier foreign cities, and vice-versa, is likely to continue to grow rapidly, since the direct flights between first-tier cities are nearly saturated, and demand is keeps growing."

On the other hand, driven by China's growing e-commerce businessalready the largest in the worldair cargo is expected to become a key driver for the continuous growth of aviation in China, with the need for 180 new freighters and 410 converted freighters.

In the past five years, the express delivery services saw an average annual growth rate in their total volume of 55 percent, and sales revenues grew by an annual average of 39 percent, according to the State Post Bureau.
A jogger runs on the Bund after a rain with the skyline of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings in Shanghai. [Photo/IC]

Speculators reportedly use fake names for margin trading

China will soon allow individual investors to open no more than three stock trading accounts for Shanghai-listed shares, after detecting growing new accounts with fake identities in recent months, according to well-connected industry sources.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission is expected to announce the rule change after the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept 15-17), said a source close to the securities watchdog.

But, individuals who have already opened more than three accounts prior to the new ruling will not be affected, the source said.

The CSRC did not respond to a query sent by the China Daily on Tuesday.

China Securities Depository and Clearing Corp Ltda subsidiary of CSRC that settles all transactions in the A-share marketlifted a 17-year-old ban in April last year, allowing individual investors to open up to 20 securities trading accounts simultaneously to trade in Shanghai-listed shares.

Previously, an individual investor was permitted to have one only account at a time. The relaxation facilitated those who wish to have separate securities accounts in various securities firms.

However, the Chinese securities regulator found recently that a number of new registrations are likely to be false after a few securities firms began heavy marketing activities to encourage investors to open securities accounts.

"Many correspondence addresses used for newly opened accounts in a securities firm were found to be the same," according to the source.

The new curb would take its toll on mainland's brokerage firms, putting them on course to brace for an elevated competition vying for clients and suffer from further reduction in commissions, said Hannah Li Wai-han, a strategist at UOB Kay Hian Hong Kong, adding that it sends out a clear signal that mainland's securities regulator is looking to tighten its grip on market participants.

"From the perspective of individual investors, the new rule could also deal a blow to margin trading. They are left with a limited number of brokers to borrow money from for stock purchases," Li told China Daily.

Market data suggested that newly opened securities accounts on the Chinese mainland exceeded two million in August amid a lukewarm stock market performance during the month.

Luo Weiteng, Duan Ting and Li Xiang contributed to this story.
Postal Savings Bank of China Co is seeking as much as $8.1 billion in a Hong Kong initial public offering starting on Wednesday, which could become the world's biggest share sale this year.

The Beijing-based bank is offering 12.1 billion shares at HK$4.68 ($0.6) to HK$5.18 apiece, the bank said on Tuesday evening. Cornerstone investors, who commit to hold their shares for six months, agreed to buy about $5.9 billion of stock, accounting for 76 percent of the offering at the midpoint of the marketed range.

The price range values Postal Savings Bank at about 1 to 1.1 times its net assets at the end of March this year, a person with knowledge of the matter said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. Mainland lenders listed in Hong Kong trade at a median 0.88 times their latest book value, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

"Even though there are some positives for Postal Savings Bank, the valuation is not attractive enough," Edmond Law, an analyst at UOB Kay Hian (Hong Kong) Ltd, said. Investors may prefer the shares of other listed State-owned banks due to their more attractive price-to-book ratios, Law said.

A Hong Kong-based external spokesman for Postal Savings Bank declined to comment on the valuation.

Even at the bottom end of the price range, Postal Savings Bank's first-time share sale would be the largest globally this year, surpassing the $3 billion offering from Danish utility Dong Energy A/S in June, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The IPO is set to be the largest globally since e-commerce billionaire Jack Ma's Alibaba Group Holding Ltd priced its $25 billion New York share sale in September 2014, the data show.

Postal Savings Bank reported an 11 percent increase in first-quarter profit as it pared provisions for bad loans, according to pre-listing documents filed with Hong Kong's stock exchange. The bank will use the proceeds to strengthen its capital base to support ongoing business growth, Tuesday's terms show.

The lender's capital adequacy ratio stood at 10.26 percent at the end of March, with a core tier-1 ratio of 8.35 percent. The China Banking Regulatory Commission requires non-systemically important banks such as Postal Savings Bank to have a minimum capital level of 10.5 percent by the end of 2018, with a core ratio at least 7.5 percent.

State-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corp will invest about $2.2 billion in the offering, while Shanghai International Port Group Co agreed to purchase around $2.1 billion of stock, according to the terms. HNA Group Co will buy $1 billion of shares.

Bloomberg
LHASA - Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (SPD Bank) opened a branch in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet autonomous region on Tuesday.

The bank also signed an agreement with the Tibetan regional government, the government of Lhasa city, and a local State-owned company to earmark 60 billion yuan ($9.2 billion) for local development, said Ji Xiaohui, president of SPD Bank.

It joins the booming financial sector in the region to support economic and social development in Tibet, he said.

The bank will meet the public need for financial services and offer financing and loans for infrastructure, engineering projects and other local industries.

Established in 1993, SPD Bank has over 1,700 branches and offices nationwide.

Financial services in Tibet have grown rapidly in recent years. By the end of 2015, Tibet had 14 financial institutions operating in the region.

The assets of all financial institutions in Tibet reached 405.6 billion yuan as of the end of last year, about 2.4 times the figure in 2010.
A woman plays virtual games in a car manufactured by GAC Motor Ltd during an auto expo in Beijing. [Photo/China Daily]

GAC Motor Ltdthe Guangzhou-based carmaker focusing on research and development of Chinese homegrown vehicleswill expand its annual output capacity to one million vehicles by 2020 from current levels of 400,000, amid growing demand for high-end Chinese cars, its president said.

"We will launch more high-end varieties in the years ahead, based on our C-Class research and development platform," said Wu Song, president of GAC Motor.

In a sharp contrast to a slow growing domestic car industry, GAC Motor has been forging ahead. The company sold 226,000 vehicles in the first eight months of this year, up 148 percent year-on-year.

Vehicle sales in the Chinese market grew only by 11.4 percent year-on-year from January to August, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

"The big sales increase was based on our principle for yearsto develop high quality and safe cars," said Wu, who is also vice general manger of Guangzhou Automobile Group Co, the parent company of GAC Motor. He was speaking during the annual China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The company's newly-launched sedan, the GA8, which is developed under its high-end and luxury C-Class development platform, became designated cars for guests of the annual expo, which concludes on Wednesday.

"We are considering building production lines in Southeast Asia, an important market for the future growth of Chinese self-developed cars," Wu said.

GAC Motor, which was founded in 2008, has begun construction of its assembly line in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, focusing on production of medium and high-end SUV and new energy vehicles.

"Establishment of the Xijiang facility will allow us to tap the far northwest China market and help meet the growing demand for Chinese domestically-made vehicles from countries and regions along the Silk Road Economic Belt," Wu said.

The company is aiming for an initial annual production of 50,000 cars at the 1.6 billion yuan ($244 million) plant, located in the Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone. It will eventually target making 200,000 cars annually under the brand of Trumpchi when it is fully operational.

GAC Motor is also planning to improve its assembly facilities in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, after the company acquired GAC Gonow in March, the joint venture between Guangzhou Automobile Group Co and Zhejiang Gonow Holdings Group Co.
An advertisement for Ant Financial Services, an affiliate of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, is pictured in Shanghai, October 16, 2014. [Photo/IC]

Ant Financial, Alibaba's finance arm, recently acquired US biometric authentication tech startup EyeVerify Inc, in a move aimed at better securing consumers' data and transactions, said Ant Financial in a statement.

"The acquisition of EyeVerify is a critical part of our effort to make bold, yet thoughtful moves to continually enhance users' trust, safety, and experience," said Jason Lu, vice-president of fraud risk management at Ant Financial, in the statement. "It is an important extension of our efforts to accelerate the global adoption of secure mobile payments and allows us to improve our overall risk management."

According to EyeVerify, which uses pictures of the human eyeball to unlock mobile services, it will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Ant Financial and continue to be based in Kansas, Missouri.

"Ant Financial is paying about $70 million for the acquisition," said a Bloomberg report, citing a person familiar with the matter.

According to the report, as its first investment in the US, Ant plans to use the technology to upgrade its own security systems and could eventually apply it to a future US-targeted product.

Earlier this year, the two companies entered into a licensing agreement in which Eyeprint ID was integrated into Ant Financial's payment authentication platform.

In 2004, Ant Financial was established as Alipay, a PayPal-like online payments processor for e-commerce sites. Since then, it has expanded into an internet finance empire that offers a range of services, from internet banking to providing credit ratings.

In 2011, the company was spun off under Jack Ma, Alibaba's executive chairman, and earlier this year it raised $4.5 billion at a reported $60 billion valuation, making it China's most valuable financial technology company.

Eric Jing, president of the company, told China Daily in early September that Ant hopes to replicate its success in China in the wider world, and has a goal of boosting user numbers to two billion within 10 years.
Chinese actress Liu Wen is the eighth highest-paid model in the world, earning $7 million from endorsement deals, according to Forbes magazine.

It ranked the models based on pretax estimates of their earnings from cosmetics, fragrances and other contracts. Management, agent and attorney fees were not deducted.

No 10: Miranda Kerr

Australian model Miranda Kerr arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California February 28, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Total earnings in 2016: $6 million

The recently married former Victoria's Secret angel earned $6 million in 2016. She also has her own skincare line, Kora Organics.
LISBON - Visiting Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region Chui Sai On has said Macao is keen to strengthen cooperation on economy and language education with Portugal.

Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region Chui Sai On (L) meets with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Lisbon on Monday. [Photo/Xinhua]

During his meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Monday evening, Chui briefed the president on the fourth Macao-Portugal joint committee meeting, which was held earlier in the day.Chui said Macao would actively promote adequate economic diversification and regional cooperation while further strengthening cooperation on economy and Portuguese language education with Portugal.Meanwhile, the Portuguese president said both sides had been enjoying good cooperative relations in finance, economy, culture, and language and the Portuguese language was a key element for establishing good relationships.He cited the forum for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries as an example of the Portuguese language's function in promoting friendly relationships between the two sides.Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said when meeting with Chui that Macao, an important bridge for maintaining a good relationship between China and Portugal, was actively promoting adequate economic diversification, which opened the door for cooperation for Portugal, and also helped to promote cooperation and development in economy and innovation in science and technology.Chui, who co-chaired the fourth Macao-Portugal joint committee meeting on Monday with Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva, told a press conference that through the efforts of both parties, Macao and Portugal had signed cooperation agreements on more than 120 projects, covering 33 fields.He said he was satisfied with the fruitful results, and hoped to make further enhancements in bilateral cooperation.For his part, Santos Silva said Macao was an important exchange platform for enterprises between China and Portugal and also a bridge for Portuguese language education and mutual exchange.He said the Portuguese government was duty-bound to offer appropriate support for training for Portuguese-speaking professionals and hoped that both sides would further enhance the cooperation in the high-tech domain.
Chinese and Russian marines pose for photos during a joint naval drill in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong province, Sept 13, 2016. China and Russia started "Joint Sea 2016" drill off Guangdong province in the South China Sea on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Military exchanges are taking a turn toward more frequent soldier-to-soldier communications in the ongoing China-Russia naval exercises, Chinese Senior Colonel Shi Zhigang said on Tuesday.

"In the past, China-Russia joint exercises gave much more attention to the communications between commanders of the two sides, but this time there are more programs involving the exchanges between soldiers," said Shi while training troops from both sides on day two of the eight-day China-Russia Joint Sea-2016 drill.

The drill is being held in the eastern waters off Zhanjiang, Guangdong's southernmost city, where the Chinese Navy's Nanhai Fleet is head-quartered.

Shi, who is in charge of the marines' training programs in the drill, said soldier-to-soldier communications are important to the joint exercise because the troops will cooperate better through such training.

Both countries' marines engaged in multiple exercises on Tuesday, such as shooting drills and crossing barriers in simulated beachhead fights.

Both sides' sailors underwent a damage control training program that simulated emergency leaks and fires on a warship.

It was the first time the program was included in the China-Russia naval exercises, said Lieutentant Colonel Ren Kai, a commander in charge of the damage control training.

"Damage-control training is important because what the crews learn about fighting leaks and fires can give warships a second life," he said.

For the first time in the five years of the annual drills, the China-Russia joint naval exercises are being held in the South China Sea. Last year, they were conducted in the Mediterranean in May and in the Sea of Japan in late August.

Shi, leader of the marines' drills, said that the international community should not read too much into the site of exercises.

"The two navies have already carried out drills in the country's North and East seas, and it's natural that we should have exercises in the South China Sea," he said.

Shi added that it was the duty of China's military to protect "every inch of national territory".

Sergey Shimankin, a Russian marines' commander, said he hoped Russian troops would hone their combat abilities through the joint exercise.

He spoke highly of the Chinese marines' training and said he expected both sides would cooperate better because of the joint operations.


Announcement failed to mention 1992 Consensus, casting shadow on relations

The new chief of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation took office on Monday with no mention of the "1992 Consensus", showing that the island's administration is reluctant to pursue stronger cross-Straits ties, scholars said.

Island leader Tsai Ing-wen's office announced at the end of August that Tien Hung-mao would be the new chairman of the foundation. But a letter from the foundation to its mainland counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, informing it of Tien's appointment, did not mention the consensus, which acknowledges that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China.

"The mainland has never softened on the consensus," said Zhu Songling, director of Beijing Union University's Institute of Cross-Straits Relations. "The only way to push forward communication is for Taiwan to recognize the one-China principle."

"Connect or halt - it depends on Taiwan's attitude," he said.

Liu Xiangping, head of the Institute of Taiwan Studies at Nanjing University, said that if Taiwan does not uphold the consensus, a precondition of the mainland for increased communication, then any policy or mechanism, including the naming of the foundation chief, is meaningless.

"The key is not to appoint any specific person to shoulder the task of expanding communication across the Straits," he said. "The key is to uphold the 1992 Consensus and recognize the one-China principle."

"Tien belongs to the pro-independence camp, and is expected to make no effort to improve cross-Straits ties," Liu said.

The top foundation post had been vacant since Tsai took office in May.

Taiwan-based Economic Daily News reported that foundation members had resigned after Tien took office.

"It shows that people who want to improve cross-Straits relations are disappointed," Liu said.

On Monday, Chen Deming, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, said in a statement: "Only if the foundation is authorized to recognize the 1992 Consensus - the political foundation of the one-China principle - can authorized communication between both sides resume."
Police detained 13 residents of Wukan village in Lufeng, Guangdong province, on Tuesday, accusing them of disrupting public order and inciting illegal assemblies.

A statement from the Lufeng city bureau of public security, released on Tuesday, named the leaders of the protests as Cai Jialin, Zhang Xiangkeng and Yang Jinzhen.

The protests disrupted social order, preventing fishermen from going to work and others from opening their shops for business, the statement said. Crowds also disrupted the normal operations of schools, it said.

"The behavior of the suspects severely damaged local life and exerted a bad influence on Wukan," the statement said. "Police have therefore detained the 13 for further investigation, in an effort to safeguard the interests of residents and to restore order."

Wukan came under the media spotlight at home and abroad in 2011 when villagers staged three large-scale rallies over four months protesting what they said was local officials' illegal land grabs, corruption and violations of financing and election rules.

The rallies finally came to an end when an agreement was reached in face-to-face talks between residents and senior Guangdong provincial officials in 2012.
Who says you can't do anything about the weather?

Initial research has begun on a way to modify weather patterns to divert massive amounts of water through the sky from a place where it's abundant to another that's dry.

Scientists are planning to use weather modification techniques to divert water vapor through the sky, and the initial researches of the project have started, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The Tianhe Project (the name means "sky river") aims to guide rich water vapor that's in the air above the Yangtze River Basin northward to the Yellow River basin, where it would become rainfall, said Wang Guangqian, president of Qinghai University and an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In theory, the project could eventually divert 5 billion cubic meters of water annually across regions - an amount equivalent to 350 Hangzhou West Lakes - to alleviate water shortages in the Yellow River Basin and other inland rivers, Wang said.

Wang has been leading a research team of many top scientists looking into the underlying principles for years, including Wei Jiahua, deputy head of Water Resources and Electrical Engineering at Qinghai University.

"By the end of June 2017, we expect to have made some progress toward a certain level of capacity to conduct tests," said Wei, who is also a water resources researcher at Tsinghua University.

Wei said the team has conducted some initial experiments using satellites and ground stations to monitor results, and it will continue to deepen its work with more institutes.

Current research has found stable and orderly passageways that can transport water vapor at the boundary of the troposphere. These passages could be called tianhe, or sky rivers.

Following basic physical laws to transform liquid water on the land to vapor in the air, and then learning how to transport it accurately, the scientists believe they can use rockets to trigger rainfall.

The concept of the sky corridor will maximize the ecological effects of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, boosting the economic and social development for the whole country, especially in the northern areas, said Bao Weimin, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"The project has wide and promising prospects for applications," Bao said.

It's not the first time that scholars have considered the feasibility of delivering atmospheric water resources to drought-stricken regions. Discussions have been underway at various levels for decades.

Around 2000, a plan emerged to shift precipitation from the Yarlung Zangbo River area to China's dry northern region.

But scholars never got on board with the concept because of the problem of complex and variable weather conditions, along with geological influences.

For example, in 2007, Gao Dengyi, a researcher at the Institute of Atmosphere Physics under the science academy, concluded the idea wasn't feasible at the time.
Guo Jishi is the co-owner of one of the shops in Liyuan dog market. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily]

Capital's controversial canine market finally closes as part of the city's ongoing transformation, Du Juan and Liang Shuang report from Beijing.

Under the summer sun, behind a sign on which the words have peeled off, only a few shops are still open. Inside, several dogs lie lazily, waiting to be fed.

The other shops are either abandoned, or their owners only available through the telephone numbers on notices stuck to the doors.

Further inside, wild grass is reclaiming the land where there used to be a market for pet supplies.

This is what used to be North China's largest pet dog market looks like now.

Officially named Dongfangxin Pet Paradise, but more commonly called Liyuan Dog Market because of its location, the market is located in Beijing's southeast Tongzhou district.

Now, only a dozen or so shops are still open at the dog market, as it is officially closed - the site is to be redeveloped as part of the government's grand plan to transform the district into an administrative sub-center and cultural district.

"Sometimes we can hardly sell one dog for a whole day," said Guo Jishi, co-owner of one of the shops still open in the market, told China Daily. "But it's low season anyway in the summer because it's so hot."

He said the owner of the market has been compensated for the proposed move and many of the shop owners actually moved out last summer, but some of the them got called back by the owner of the market as he claimed he hadn't received all the compensation he was promised.

"At least I'll stay here for this month as the rent has been collected," said Guo. "If they collect the rent next month then I'll keep on going, but we'll see what happens."

However, the remaining shop owners are fully aware that it's just a matter of time before they have to say goodbye to the place.

"I have been working and living here for more than 10 years since my daughter married and moved to this area," said a dog shop owner surnamed Li. "But I have my own dog farm and will continue the business when we move to another place."


He Lijun poses in front of a piano he bought in Ohio, the United States, in 2012. [Provided To China Daily]

He cannot play the piano, yet he owns one of the biggest piano museums in China. He is not a painter, yet he just opened an art museum. He is not a mechanic, yet he invented a water-resistive barrier that could potentially help prevent flooding. He is not a tycoon, but simply immersed in his affections.

Born in Huanggang city, Hubei province, He Lijun started a company which deals with geological disaster treatment while studying for his master's degree at China University of Geosciences in Wuhan, the capital of the province.

His passion for pianos began during a trip to Missouri in 2010, when he was fascinated by the ivory keys and elegant craftsmanship of a piano made in 1911. After buying the instrument from its bankrupt owner, he began collecting and restoring more pianos.

"Rather than being a mere musical instrument, it's more like an artifact," He said. "I participate in the restoration work of every piano, as it requires a lot of thought and each restoration project involves a dialogue with the designer."

He had collected more than 70 pianos by the time he returned to China in 2013. In 2014, his piano museum was officially opened, which currently has more than 100 pianos on display.

The museum is located at Guqin Tai, which literally means "terrace of guqin (a Chinese zither)".

Legend has it that Bo Ya, a Chinese musician living about 2,400 years ago, once played the guqin at this location. The musician's piece was greatly appreciated by Zhong Ziqi, a woodcutter from nearby, and the two became close friends. However, at their scheduled meeting a year later, Ziqi failed to attend for he had died. Bo Ya was heart-stricken for he thought no one else could understand his music anymore, so he smashed the guqin and never played again.

"This is the place where Bo Ya and Ziqi became zhiyin - bosom friends, literally 'know music', " He said. "The traditional legend makes this an iconic place for classical music in Wuhan."

Despite the fact that many of the museum's exhibits, including more than 50 Steinway and Sons pianos - the acclaimed Rolls-Royce of pianos - are rare and precious, he insists on allowing visitors to experience playing some of them.

"I want to share my joy of music with visitors," he said. "Many museums are too uptight and old-fashioned. The famous piano museum in Xiamen even banned photo taking."

He's art museum opened in June this year at the same site.

"The city's private art museums demonstrate its humanistic culture," Fu Zhongwang, former curator of Hubei Museum of Art, said in an interview with Hubei Daily.

He was recently named president of an association of 34 private museums in Wuhan, all of which face funding problems. But He chooses to see the glass as half full.

"We are, after all, supplements to the public museums," He said. "We shouldn't care too much about profit, but more about the meaning of what we are doing."

Liang Shuang contributed to this story.


[Photo/Sina Weibo]

A professor at Sichuan University has introduced a facial recognition system to monitor students in his class.

The system, invented by Professor Wei Xiaoyong of the university's computer science department, has been deemed a "magic device" by Wei's students. Among other things, it is able to analyze the effect of Wei's teaching.

In Wei's lab, a reporter got to examine the system at work, observing a video in which every student's face was marked with a yellow box. Each box was labeled as "happy" or "neutral," classifying the students' overall feelings.

Based on facial expressions, Wei is able to know when students are the most active, and when they need more interaction to stay engaged. Long-term monitoring of 324 students revealed that academic performance may be proportional to the level of students' activity in class."The facial expressions tells me which teaching methods are most easily understood and accepted," Wei confirmed.

[File photo: Wei Xiaoyong]

The system has also been used to study relationships between students. By recording the students' interactions with others, the system tells Wei whether an individual pupil is an introvert or an extrovert.

"In the future, expressions will be divided into more categories, which will allow us to do more analysis," Wei said. In addition to maximizing the efficacy of teaching, the system can be employed in many other fields.

"For example, a camera installed in front of an advertisement can analyze the effect of the advertisement by capturing the expressions of the public," Wei offered.
BEIJING -- Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, underscored that any "Taiwan independence" activities would be opposed.

Any attempt by secessionists to use the UN to challenge the one-China policy, which is supported by the international community, will not succeed, said Ma on Wednesday.
BEIJING -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday expressed the mainland's opposition to the Dalai Lama visiting Taiwan.

"The intention of some forces in Taiwan to collude with separatists seeking 'Tibet independence,' and to create disturbances will have a severe impact on relations across the Taiwan Straits," said Ma Xiaoguang with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office at a press conference.

"We firmly oppose the Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan of any form," Ma said.



Related story:

Mainland stresses firm opposition to 'Taiwan independence'
BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend the 71th session of the United Nations General Assembly and pay official visits to Canada and Cuba.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Wednesday that Li's trip will last from Sept 18 to 28.

Li was invited by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Raul Castro Ruz, respectively, Hua said.
Kenneth E. Behring (third on the right), an 88-year-old American philanthropist confined to a wheelchair, rises to his feet to pose in front of the specimen of two South African oryxes he donates to the Chengdu Museum in Sichuan province on Tuesday night. [Photo by Huang Zhiling/chinadaily.com.cn]

A brief donation ceremony was held in the Chengdu Museum in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, on Tuesday night.

Kenneth E. Behring, an 88-year-old American philanthropist confined to a wheelchair, donated the specimen of two South African oryxes.

"He has signed an agreement to donate the specimen of nearly 300 rare animals including the antelope and polar bear to the museum. All the specimen will open to the public next summer," said Xiao Feige, an information officer with the museum.

Behring had donated rare animal specimen to museums in Beijing, Dalian, Shanghai and Tianjin cities and Shandong province in China before his trip to Chengdu.

He said that he had donated animal specimen to many countries hoping the donations would keep the memory of the beautiful animals.
Mooncakes by Alibaba for employees. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

With the Mid-Autumn Festival coming tomorrow, who doesn't want a box of sweet mooncakes? But for some employees of Alibaba, China's e-commerce giant, they may have paid too high a price for the delicacy.

The company confirmed on Tuesday that it has fired four employees after they hacked into the internal sales system and snap-ordered 124 boxes of mooncakes made exclusively for Alibaba employees.

Every employee can get a free box of mooncakes featuring the Alibaba mascot and cultural elements as Mid-Autumn Festival gifts every year. As many employees hope to buy more for their friends and families, the company decided to sell the limited extra ones at cost through, unsurprisingly, an online order system.

However, four employees working for Alibaba's cyber security department were caught "cheating using technology" and hoarding 124 boxes in total.

"This is the fastest dismissal I have ever experienced. It may also rank high on the list for goofballs,"an anonymous user said on Zhihu, China's equivalent of Quora, alleging being one of the cheaters.

The user said that he tried to buy a box of mooncakes through the sales page but failed. After finding out that others got the cakes through their own home-made programs, he made his own plug-in.

While he was busy doing other work, he didn't notice his program had ordered 16 boxes. He was then "caught off guard" when being asked to leave only two hours after the fraud scheme.

Alibaba said the "controversial decision" was made because the behaviors of the four "touched the bottom line of integrity", and caused "unfairness in welfare distribution among employees".

Wang Shuai, Alibaba's top PR official said that "the decision is to remind myself and every employee that everything has a bottom line."

The news soon triggered heated debate online, where many believe the rule-breakers should be punished but firing them is way too harsh.

"This has nothing to do with one's integrity. It is after all a game inside the company," Weibo user Manbu said.

SjzAllen said that there is no need to connect the incident with the hackers' values and moral quality. "Their explanation is very highfalutin and I feel disappointed with the company's culture and way of administration."

Some pointed out that Alibaba should try to improve the sales platform instead of punishing the cheaters. "You shouldn't arrest the people who withdraw more cash from a dysfunctional ATM," shengheyikan wrote.

A person working in the IT industry for over ten years told thepaper.cn that it is very normal in the mentality of coders to find solutions in computer programs and it is also a manifestation of the geek spirit if the program is perfectly coded. "For those creative coders, it is fun to find loopholes in their own company's programs and make a joke about it."
BEIJING -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Wednesday that the suspension of the cross-Straits communication mechanism will affect the negotiation and signing of new agreements.

The communication mechanism featured regular meetings between the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF).

The current leader of Taiwan, who took office on May 20, has refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus that upholds both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China. This has shaken the political foundation of cross-Straits interactions and resulted in the suspension of regular cross-Straits communication, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office.

The suspension will also affect the execution of existing agreements, Ma said in response to a question at a press conference.

"Eight years of peaceful cross-Straits relations has been seriously impacted and people from both sides, especially from Taiwan, are concerned about the future of the cross-Straits relationship," Ma said.

Adherence to the 1992 Consensus and the common political foundation that features the one-China principle is the correct road and in line with common interests across the Straits, he said.

Ma said only by sticking to the 1992 Consensus and the core meaning that both sides belong to one China can the two sides seek common ground while shelving their differences.
Local residents in Zhanjiang visited a Russian anti-submarine warship and a Chinese destroyer on Wednesday amid the ongoing joint navy exercise.

The Russia's anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs and the Chinese destroyer Zhongshan were open to the public for the whole day, during which hundreds of local people boarded the two warships.

Zhang Xuejun, 69, told China Daily after visiting the Russian warship that he was glad to see the two countries joining hands to safeguard peace and stability.

"In the past decades, Russia has long been our teacher in military equipments, and nowadays, China's self-developed weapons have also become stronger and stronger," he said.

Zhang said that as a retired man, he would like to enjoy a peaceful life, and such peace and tranquility must be safeguarded by powerful national defense.

Yan Yushu, a 9-year-old girl who is studying in primary school, said that she could feel the China-Russia friendship "from the warm smiles of the Russian sailors".

"My dad told me that China and Russia are good friends," she said.

Ten Chinese Navy ships - destroyers, frigates, landing ships, supply ships and submarines - are participating in the drill, as well as 11 fixed-wing aircraft, eight helicopters, 160 marines and amphibious armored equipment.

Russia's large anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Vinogradov, the large amphibious ship Peresvet, the sea towboat Alatau, and the tanker Pechenga will be part of the drill.

The drill will highlight real combat, digitization and standardization to promote naval cooperation.

Several procedures will be undertaken during the drill, including joint air defense, anti-submarine operations, landing, island-seizing, search and rescue, and weapon use.
Different language proves "not a big problem" for the marine corps from China and Russia during the joint navy exercise, a brigade commander said on Wednesday.

Captain Sun Hao, who is in charge of commanding the island-seizing combat in the drill, said that the marine forces of both sides could understand each other despite speaking different languages.

"I noticed that during the exercise, soldiers from the two countries could communicate with body language, simple English and even eye contact," he said.

The eight-day drill, "Joint Sea-2016," is being held from Sept 12 to 19 in the eastern waters of Zhanjiang, the southernmost city of Guangdong province, where the Nanhai Fleet under the People's Liberation Army Navy is headquartered.

The drill features Navy surface ships, submarines, fixed-wing aircraft, ship-borne helicopters marine corps and amphibious armored equipment from both navies, according to navy spokesman Liang Yang.

Several procedures will be undertaken during the drill, including joint air defense, anti-submarine operations, landing, island-seizing, search and rescue, and weapon use.

The Russian marine forces have performed excellently in the drill, which takes place at strange venues for them, said Sun, the captain.

"Besides, the high temperature here is also a torture for Russian soldiers who are more used to cold weather," he said.

Roman Kosarev, a senior journalist of Russia Today, also found that the "language barrier is no longer a problem" for the soldiers of both sides after they have short but efficient communications.

"Russia and China are friends, both geographically and strategically," he said.

Ten Chinese Navy ships - destroyers, frigates, landing ships, supply ships and submarines - are participating in the drill, as well as 11 fixed-wing aircraft, eight helicopters, 160 marines and amphibious armored equipment.

Russia's large anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Vinogradov, large amphibious ship Peresvet, sea towboat Alatau, and tanker Pechenga are participating in the drill.
He is expected to propose 'pragmatic moves to meet world challenges, visit Canada, Cuba

Premier Li Keqiang is expected to announce a raft of "pragmatic moves" supporting the United Nations in addressing global challenges when he attends the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, a senior diplomat said in Beijing on Wednesday.

During his stay in New York from Sunday to Wednesday, the premier is also scheduled to meet with representatives of various US organizations, exchanging views on developing relations between the worlds two largest economies, Vice-Foreign Minister Li Baodong told a news conference.

After the UNs annual meeting, he will fly to Canada and Cuba, on a trip expected to end on Sept 28.

While details of Lis schedule in New York were not released, he is expected to join the annual general debate and a UN high-level meeting on refugees and migrants, according to the UN General Assembly agenda.

The UN General Assembly opened its 71st session on Tuesday with a focus on joint global efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, a blueprint for eradicating poverty and hunger, promoting equality, and protecting the environment for the years leading up to 2030.

The first action plan for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was formulated at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou this month.

China has been a staunch supporter of UN causes and hopes the annual session of the UN will result in a convergence of efforts in fighting global challenges such as terrorism, the refugee and immigration crises, cyberspace security and spread of infectious diseases.

At the UN headquarters, the premier is likely to expound on Chinas standpoints on world order, global governance, and peace and development, and announce a range of measures in support of the UN in dealing with the global challenges, the vice-minister said.

Peter Thomson, president of the General Assembly, said it had been heartening to observe the sincerity with which governments and national planning agencies have begun integrating the 2030 Agenda into national processes.
China will launch the Tiangong II space laboratory on Thursday night, paving the way for a Chinese manned space station, Deputy Director Wu Ping of the China Manned Space Agency said on Wednesday.

Wu, also spokeswoman for the agency, told reporters at a news conference in the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center that a Long March 2F carrier rocket was being fueled and would lift the Tiangong II from the Jiuquan center on 10:04 pm Thursday.

"By now, all of the missions elements have completed their preparations and rehearsals, she said.

"The Tiangong II mission will lay a solid foundation and gather valuable experience for the building and operation of our future manned space station, she said.

Tiangong II, Chinas second space lab, has two cabins with different functions  the experiment cabin will be hermetically sealed and will act as the astronauts living quarters, and the resource cabin will contain solar panels, storage batteries, propellant and engines.

The space lab is 10.4 meters high, 3.35 meters in diameter and weighs 8.6 metric tons. It is designed to work two years in the space, Wu said.

China launched its first space lab, Tiangong I, in September 2011. Despite its designated life span of two years, it was in service for four and a half. It made six automatic and astronaut-controlled dockings with Chinas Shenzhou VIII, Shenzhou IX and Shenzhou X spacecraft.

During its mission, Tiangong II will dock with the Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft and Tianzhou 1 cargo spaceship.

The space labs main tasks will be to accommodate astronauts medium length stay in it and test life-support technologies, and it will be used to test in-orbit refueling and repair plans, conduct experiments in space medicine and space sciences, and examine technologies for the future manned space station, Wu said.

In addition, it will carry 14 pieces of equipment for scientific research and experiments in space, she added.

After entering an initial orbit at about 380 kilometers above Earth, the space lab will perform some of its experiments and also test its equipment.

It will then maneuver to a rendezvous orbit at an altitude of 393 km to dock with the Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft, which will be launched in mid-October from the Jiuquan center. The two male Chinese astronauts will stay in the space lab for 30 days.

The two are scheduled to make Chinese astronauts longest stay in space to date: 33 days. Chinese astronauts current longest space journey was a 15-day mission in June 2013 involving Shenzhou X and Tiangong I.

Tiangong II will also take part in international missions.

Wu said the space lab will carry the worlds first high-sensitive gamma-ray burst detector, which was codeveloped by engineers from China and European Space Agency.

It will also execute an in-orbit study of the effects of weightlessness on cardiovascular functions, a joint effort by Chinese and French scientists, she added.

Space experts and officials from several nations including Germany, Italy and Pakistan, as well as the European Space Agency will be in the Jiuquan center to witness the launch.

Chinas manned space program intends to put a permanent manned space station into service. It will consist of a core module attached to two 20-ton labs, around the year 2022, according to the manned space agency.
Everywhere you look in Sichuan province there is beauty to be found. From the mountainous landscapes and unique local architecture to the hospitality of the people, every day here brings with it some fresh delight.

Yet as we followed the rough line of the route taken by the Red Army 80 years ago, steadily snaking our way over hills and through valleys further and further from the provincial capital of Chengdu, something else became evident  Sichuan, in its hinterland, is not a rich place.

But everywhere you look there is progress - it can be seen in the newly-built concrete bridges that allowed us to traverse in seconds the rivers and streams that would have proved a major obstacle in the days of the Long March, and in the houses of far flung villages, where residents live in comfort and modern convenience despite their remoteness.

There are also ample efforts being made to stimulate the local economy and give the people a means of making a living that doesn't require them to become migrant workers and leave their place of birth.

On one farm in Lushan county, for example, we saw how cooperation with nearby universities and academic institutes was helping villagers turn a profit by applying the latest scientific methods to the planting of crops and rearing of animals. In 2015, the farm's first year of operation, it made 1.3 million yuan ($194,600) profit and employed around 50 local people. Costs were kept down thanks to government help with the provision of raw materials; while a portion of the kiwifruits, grapes and ducks that the farm produced were given away free to local families.

The following day, we visited Kangyuan eco-sightseeing village - mere kilometres away from the epicenter of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck the region in 2013. In this one village alone, two people were killed, 284 were injured and more than 1,000 homes were destroyed.

With money from the local government, the houses were rebuilt to earthquake proof designs and the village was developed into a tourist attraction, offering holiday cottages for city dwellers. Organic fruit and vegetables are now grown in the fields and greenhouses surrounding the village, with visitors given the chance to pick their own produce, while bed and breakfasts offer wholesome, nutritional meals.

Progress can also be seen in the construction work being doing all along the old route of the Long March. At one point we passed through a tunnel that wasn't yet completed, burrowing through a mountain on an unfinished road with no lights and a metal barricade on one end that had to be swung open to let us through.

The concrete piles of partly constructed bridges were also visible in several places, part of the government's efforts to upgrade the area's infrastructure by building bigger, better roads.

In Baoxing county, an area renowned for its wild pandas, we visited the beautifully named Snow Mountain Village, which had also been badly affected by the 2013 quake, as well as an even larger one that hit the region in 2008. Here, all around, were newly rebuilt homes, guest houses, a visitor center and restaurants for tourists.

We heard how the Party head of a nearby Tibetan ethnic village had used his own money to help others, forsaking the rebuilding of his own house for nearly two years. In an attempt to diversify the local economy away from the rearing of oxen, he had subsequently opened a theme hotel to offer an alternative form of employment and also encouraged farmers to try planting more profitable crops, such as roses, as oppose to the potatoes that were so often uprooted and eaten by the area's roving wild pigs.

In some parts of Sichuan, such as Aba prefecture, large numbers of ethnic Tibetans and Qiang people make up a substantial portion of the population, and we heard how preferential government policies help them to build better lives.

By encouraging tourism, developing the local economy, upgrading infrastructure and providing modern facilities and attractions, all the areas we saw along the route of the famous Long March are being given fresh hope, and a chance to thrive and develop.

In the words of one billboard we spotted along the way, these areas have now become "an important part of the tourism routes in the west of Sichuan province, attracting numerous domestic and foreign tourists every year to enjoy the landscape and remember the Red Army."




Roberto Vargas, sales director of Agricola Norsur, a fruit supplier in Peru, made his first visit to the Chinese mainland in the hope of increasing the export of mandarins and blueberries to China.

"Currently, our company exports around 100 tons of mandarins to China a year, and we hope to increase the amount to up to 1,000 metric tons next year. I'm also looking forward to exporting 1.5 to 2 million kilograms of blueberries to China in the next three to four years," he said.

As a member of 25 Peruvian companies, associations and chambers of commerce, his firm attended a face-to-face meeting with 50 Chinese companies in Beijing on Tuesday, which was organized by the Chinese government and Bank of China Ltd, to discuss opportunities for business cooperation and investment.
Jiangsu

Man held over acting indecently

A man in Wuxi city was detained for five days after he acted indecently toward a woman. He said he was angry that his girlfriend was once molested. The 25-year-old man, surnamed Ding, followed a single woman, surnamed Huo, into the elevator of their residential building at about 10 pm recently and acted indecently toward her. Huo struggled against Ding and called her boyfriend for help. Ding was later caught and detained by police. Ding told police that he had behaved in such a way because his girlfriend was molested by another man and he wanted to do the same thing to vent his anger.
From left to right: Georgian Sinologist Marine Jibladze, South Korean translator Kim Tae-Sung and Latvian bilingual-dictionary compiler Peteris Pildegovics are among the winners of the Special Book Award of China for their contributions in telling Chinese stories to the world. Photos Provided to China Daily

South Korean translator Kim Tae-Sung, one of the 19 recipients of the 10th Special Book Award of China, who was recently honored at the Great Hall of the People, says he was a rebel at university when he started learning Chinese.

And it was only when he was pursuing his master's courses later that he finally understood the power of Chinese literature and began translating it.

Then, thanks to the geographical proximity of his country with China, he began to visit frequently to meet the writers whose works he was translating and introducing to readers in South Korea, he says.

Kim has translated the books of Nobel winner Mo Yan and Tie Ning among the more than 100 works he has translated.

The award Kim won was set up by then General Administration of Press and Publication in 2005 for foreign writers, translators or publishers who made contributions in popularizing Chinese books, or promoting cultural exchanges between China and the world.

This year's winners also included five awardees who were given the Youth Award, a category which was introduced last year.

Georgian Sinologist Marine Jibladze, who speaks Mandarin like a native Chinese TV news anchor, won an award in the youth category.

Revealing how he became so proficient in Mandarin, Jibladze says: "I spent a lot of time practicing the tone of speaking during my first year in China."

Jibladze, who manages the Confucius Institute in Georgia, says China's Belt and Road Initiative has led to more exchanges between officials and businesspeople from both countries.

Justifying her decision to focus on the language, she says: "I decided to learn Chinese for I could see a bright future for mutual exchanges."

Meanwhile tracing the history of the awards, Zhao Haiyun, deputy director of the Department of Import Administration at the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, says: "As of this year, a total of 88 translators, sinologists, writers and publishers have been honored for their contributions in telling Chinese stories to the world. They include Howard Goldblatt, Ezra Vogel and Beijing-based publisher Jo Lusby.

"But we are still expanding our range and source of recommendations to look at more countries for candidates," says Zhao.

At the award ceremony, Minister of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, Cai Fuchao, says China has publishing links with more than 190 countries, 50 of which have established mutual translation projects with China.

Speaking about the awardees, Cai says: "These experts have made outstanding contributions to cultural exchanges ... and we look forward to their continued contribution to people-to-people links between China and their countries."

Among the other winners is Latvian Peteris Pildegovics.

Pildegovics, who has spent 50 years teaching Chinese in Latvia, and has compiled the only Chinese-Latvian dictionary, says his interest in China started in 1949 when his father showed him a magazine about a new country: China.

"I feel a bond with this country. It's my second home," he says.

Making a joke that he is not a retired cadre who plays mahjong to kill time, Pildegovics, 78, says: "I'd like to go on and do what I can for Chinese-language teaching in Latvia and for the Sino-Latvian friendship."
A Dakota Access Pipeline protest organizer says its reasonable to assume that protest actions 80 miles away from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation will continue further up the route as protesters attempt a death by delay outcome, among other strategies.

Dallas Goldtooth, spokesman for the Indigenous Environmental Network, said many protesters intend to stop the pipeline overall, not just where it crosses the Missouri River-Lake Oahe near the reservation boundary.

Our opposition is not just to the river crossing, but to the very premise of this pipeline, said Goldtooth, who wouldn't comment on specific plans.

Protest action this week shifted away from the reservation nexus where its been focused since mid-August into rural areas of construction near Interstate 94 northwest of Almont. Police arrested 28 people Tuesday and Wednesday after five people locked themselves to equipment and others reportedly trespassed onto the locations. Twenty-two were arrested Tuesday and eight were arrested Wednesday, at locations about one mile apart.

Both actions were staged slightly northwest of Exit 120, where the pipeline approaches the interstate. Wednesdays protest was less than one-quarter mile from an occupied farmstead.

A total of 69 people have been arrested to date since protest action started Aug. 10, according to Morton County Sheriffs Department spokesman Rob Keller.

He said law enforcement isnt privy to where actions are planned and depends on tips from the public, landowners and pipeline operators and direct calls for assistance.

Last week, law enforcement swapped in the National Guard to man a Highway 1806 checkpoint en route to the reservation in order to put more patrol officers in the rural Morton County area.

Until now, the six-week stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline had been primarily centered near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Tribal members and others occupying a large encampment of about 2,000 people have focused on stopping the pipeline from crossing the river for fear it will contaminate the water and harm what they call sacred lands just north of the reservation boundary. For now, construction is officially stopped at the crossing by order of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers while it examines the tribes claims and past reviews.

Cody Hall, a leader of the Red Warrior Camp who Monday pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor trespass charges from earlier actions, said the actions further up the pipeline are intended to prevent it from being built.

Hall said the tactics of locking humans to the equipment and interrupting construction cause delays and hit the project in the pocketbook. The $3.8 billion project will transport 500,000 barrels of Bakken crude daily from near Williston through four states to Illinois.

Were getting word from our legal team that investors are dropping out. Thats how its effective, Hall said.

Whether investors are leaving the $3.8 billion project isnt clear, but the companys stock value was down to $36.47 a share Wednesday, compared to $42.53 on Aug. 3.

Any halt in construction does affect their pocketbook," Goldtooth said.

Pipeline spokeswoman Vicki Granado did not respond to an email or voice message seeking comment for this story. The company issued a statement Tuesday saying it is committed to completing the project.

"Concerns about the pipeline's impact on the local water supply are unfounded," said Kelcy Warren, chairman and CEO of Energy Transfer Partners, in Tuesday's memo to employees. "Multiple pipelines, railways and highways cross the Missouri River, carrying hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil."
Doctors and research organizations, including Chinese Association of Oncology, and Chinese Association for the Study of Pain, jointly launched a charity program for cancer patients in Beijing last week.

The program team consists of top oncologists and specialists, as well as media professionals and business leaders. It aims to raise the public's awareness on cancer pain as a disease that needs to be treated, and aims to provide quality care and support to patients and their families, through a series of activities in future.

According to a report released during the launching ceremony, about 6.6 percent of cancer patients in China suffer from cancer pain  50 percent of them have moderate to severe pain, and 30 percent have unbearable pain.

About 70 percent of cancer pain sufferers haven't received any standardized anti-pain treatment. That results in painful experiences for both patients and families, the report shows.

The report was based on a survey conducted by the cancer rehabilitation and palliative care professional committee under Chinese Anti-Cancer Association in more than 100 hospitals nationwide.

"Many people believe they would become addicted if they receive anti-pain treatment, and such worry is groundless," says Han Jisheng, honorary head of the team, and an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"Standardized treatment is indispensable for cancer treatment."

The team hopes ultimately cancer patients will live a painless and dignified life, says Yu Jinming, head of the team, an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, and president with Shandong Tumor Hospital.

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A pair of handcuffs. [Photo/IC]

"I'M MORAL BECAUSE I take bribes selectivelyI only take bribes from the rich." That's what Chen Peng, an official being investigated for corruption, wrote in his confession. Beijing News comments:

Corrupt officials always make ridiculous statements such as bribery promotes economic growth or bribery stabilizes society.

By bribing officials, the person giving the bribe hopes to gain from the deal, such as being given the right to monopolize a local industry. In some cases, the bribes are given to officials in order to get contracts for urban development projects, such as the construction of a bridge or a building. They will use bad-quality materials and hire unqualified workers to save money and get more profit, which is a direct threat to people's safety.

Just like Ren Jianming, a professor at Beihang University who studies corruption, said, "Those who give bribes always want 10 times more in return."

Besides, even if you do not need to purchase the goods or use the services of those who give bribes to get a favor, as long as you pay tax you are a victim, too. For example, Cao Yong, former mayor of Huainan in East China's Anhui province accepted a bribe worth 21.47 million yuan ($3.2 million) while he was in office, but he caused a loss of 1.5 billion yuan to the State. Therefore, everybody is a victim of Cao's corruption.

Chen's logic is thus ridiculous. Maybe he was trying to find an excuse for himself, but such an excuse doesn't hold water. Bribery is a very serious crime because it hurts the normal economic order of society and can harm anyone and everyone. Chen's excuse cannot be the reason for him to get a lighter punishment.
Lu Jianzhong, Chairman of Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce addresses the SRCIC conference in Xi'an, North China's Shaanxi province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In opening the G20 summit, President Xi Jinping counseled world leaders to "avoid empty talk" that usually accompanies such conclaves. Two excellent conferences 10,000 kilometers apart in which I recently participated prove the point that the One Belt and One Road (OBOR) initiative, which has been called "the most significant and far-reaching initiative that China has ever put forward", is exactly thus and that China's actions speak louder than words.

The University of San Francisco's (USF) China Business Studies Initiative (CBSI) forum "One Belt, One Road, One World: New Dimensions of US-China Investment Relations" on September 1 drew intense interest from San Francisco Bay business leaders and others from as far away as Silicon Valley. They wanted to know what OBOR means for US-China investment and trade relations, specifically what new business opportunities OBOR opens for them.

Deputy Chinese Consul-General Ren Faqiang stressed that OBOR is open to all countries. He said that since many US companies are famous for their international experience, global resources and cutting edge technologies, they are well positioned to bid for OBOR projects and cooperate with other companies. Professor Yang Xiaohua, director of CBSI, said that OBOR could even improve bilateral relations if US businesses participate in OBOR, which would positively influence US government policies towards China. CBSI is planning a 2017 follow-up conference in Beijing.

USF's interest in China is hardly opportunistic. University President Paul Fitzgerald spoke about how USF admitted Chinese students a century ago when virulent anti-Chinese sentiments were still codified into law. USF's diverse student population includes 10% Chinese. USF houses the Matteo Ricci Institute, a global resource for studying Sino-Western cultural exchange, which is named after the Italian missionary who lived in China from 1583.

The Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC) Development Cooperation Conference took place in Xi'an a week later and 500 participants from 52 countries attended, including government officials, diplomats, experts and 49 national chambers of commerce heads. The SRCIC is the brainchild of visionary business leader and philanthropist, Lu Jianzhong, who chairs the organization.

The confab resulted in the Xi'an Declaration affirming that SRCIC would facilitate partnerships between governments, national chambers and federations of commerce and businesses to promote win-win OBOR participation. Agreements were signed establishing framework institutions such as the state-of-the-art e-Silk Road platform, Silk Road International Development Fund and Silk Road International Commodity Exchange.

According to Chairman Lu, seven projects launched on the e-Silk Road platform will "promote business opportunities and stimulate pragmatic cooperation by matching up interconnected projects and investments, integrating resources as well as providing services for members of the SRCIC and other countries to facilitate business investment and cultural exchange."

Summarizing the hope and spirit of both conferences and of OBOR itself, Professor Jean-Pierre Lehmann concluded that "having in many ways missed and mangled the great opportunities that presented themselves with the transformations of the early 21st century, and fallen into a despondent rut, we must ensure that new opportunities arising from OBOR are seized with entrepreneurial verve and the dreams materialize into financially, socially, environmentally, and culturally gainful opportunities."

I couldn't agree more! Instead of promoting empty talk, these two conferences, half a world apart, each provided participants with the knowledge, tools and motivation to profit from President Xi's farsighted initiative and benefit all stakeholders.

The author is a senior adviser to Tsinghua University and former director and vice-president of ABC Television in New York.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and don't represent views of China Daily website.
Tourists visit Wucun for its pastoral appeal. The village in the famous water town Wuzhen in Zhejiang province has been developed into a tourist attraction that brings city people close to nature, and they can enjoy fresh food directly from the fields. Photo by Yang Feiyue / China Daily

A village in Zhejiang's celebrated Wuzhen water town has been reinvented as a tourism attraction that proffers a pastoral charm. Yang Feiyue explores this rural retreat.

Green fields and white-walled farmhouses with black-shingled rooftops color Wucun's agrarian allure.

It's a land where rice paddies and wooden fences emanate from a vast lake.

Farmers in straw hats plant, tend to and harvest crops.

The village saddles up against the ancient Grand Canal that connects Beijing to Zhejiang's provincial capital, Hangzhou. Boats bob along the waterway.

Wucun is the newest attraction in Wuzhen, a water town whose canals have long lured travelers from around the world. But while Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) architecture remains the main attraction for Wuzhen's Xizha and Dongzha areas, Wucun's appeal is pastoral.

Visitors immerse themselves in farm life. They can grow vegetables, catch fish and collect water caltrops amid stunning scenery.
President of the European Council Donald Tusk looks on during a joint news conference at the government headquarters Rosenbad in Stockholm, Sweden, September 9, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

WARSAW - European Council President Donald Tusk said here Tuesday European Union(EU) should be united and Poland should not join the group of countries who want to rock the European boat.

After a meeting with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, Tusk said "European Union is our common good and as such it deserves our attention and support. Here in Warsaw, I did my best to convince the Prime Minister that Polish government should refrain from undermining EU's position."

"We need a strong, stable and united Europe. It is crucial that we commit ourselves to building our common future", he said.

Tusk is currently visiting EU member states in an attempt to forge a common stance on a series of issues. He said the main purpose of his Warsaw visit was to strengthen Poland's position in the EU.

Experts said that current migrant crisis, economic downturn and British decision to leave the EU pose a serious threat to European solidarity.

After the meeting, Polish government spokesman Rafal Bochenek said Tusk and Szydlo also discussed the pending EU summit in Bratislava, Slovenia on Friday.

"We believe that changes in the European Union are certainly necessary and should be initiated with the forthcoming summit," said Bochenek.
Police officers take part in a joint anti-terrorist exercise between Chinese and Laotian police in Xishuangbanna of Southwest China's Yunnan province, Sept 13, 2016. A total of 280 police officers from Yunnan's Xishuangbanna prefecture and Luang Namtha province of Laos participated in the 90-minute drill, which started at 10 am on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]
[Photo/Sina Weibo]

The missing Chinese tourist last seen at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Thailand's Chonburi province has been found. The 36-year-old, Gao Liping, was last seen with her tour group visiting the zoo. Her tour guide later said Gao looked to be in low spirits due to her recent divorce. She preferred to venture off on her own away from the group.

Over 200 police and volunteers joined the search efforts to find Gao. Local authorities also examined footage from the 122 security cameras installed around the zoo in hopes of pinpointing her location.

After being reported missing around 6:00 pm Sunday evening, she was discovered washing her clothes by a river roughly four kilometers away from the zoo on Tuesday morning.

Police reported that despite feeling exhausted, Gao had sustained no injuries.
WASHINGTON - The United States has concluded a new 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Israel on security assistance for Fiscal Years 2019 through 2028, the State Department said Tuesday.

This MOU constitutes the single largest pledge of bilateral military assistance in the US history, the State Department said in a statement, without disclosing the figure.

The new MOU will be signed in a ceremony on Wednesday in Washington. Jacob Nagel, Israel's acting national security adviser, arrived in Washington on Tuesday to sign on behalf of his country.

The agreement is expected to give Israel as much as $3.8 billion a year over 10 years, The Washington Post reported.

That represents a significant increase over the $3.1 billion the United States gives annually now, a figure that increases to about 3.5 billion a year with aid supplements approved by Congress, the newspaper said.

Negotiations for the aid package have been underway since November to replace an MOU that will end in 2018.
WASHINGTON - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Tuesday he is probing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's foundation over its allegedly questionable donations.

According to reports, the New York billionaire donated 25,000 dollars to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's campaign in 2013, as her office was considering whether to open an investigation into fraud allegations against Trump University. Bondi's office did not open an investigation afterwards.

"We have been concerned that the Trump Foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view," Schneiderman told CNN's "The Lead" program, calling himself a "regulator of nonprofits in New York state".

"We have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York," he said.

Yahoo News reported last week that the Trump charity donated 100,000 dollars to a conservative group that was suing Schneiderman as he was probing Trump University.

In a Tuesday campaign rally, President Barack Obama, speaking on behalf of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, made a mockery of the Trump Foundation, highlighting reports that Trump used foundation money to buy a 6-foot (about 183 cm) portrait of himself.

Also on Tuesday, Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee wrote a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynchare, seeking a Justice Department investigation of the Trump Foundation over its donation to Florida's attorney general.

"These payments may have influenced Mrs. Bondi's official decision not to participate in litigation against Mr. Trump," the letter said, citing anti-bribery laws in their request.

The Trump campaign has repeatedly declined to provide evidence to show that Trump has donated as much to charity as he claims.

Defending his running mate, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence said Monday that Trump has donated millions of dollars to charity.

"Anyone who knows anything about Donald Trump and his career knows that this is a man who's given away tens of millions of dollars to charitable causes throughout the course of his business life -- he's been incredibly generous," Pence said, though offering no evidence.
HANOI - A 40-year-old Vietnamese woman was diagnosed with Zika virus while travelling in Japan, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health (MoH) on Wednesday.

Accordingly, the patient who was bitten by mosquitoes in Vietnam experienced a headache and rash on the body before arriving in Japan last Thursday.

After undergoing other symptoms such as joint pain and red eyes, the woman sought medical attention at a hospital in Japan's Tokyo last Friday. Two days later, she was diagnosed with Zika virus.

Tran Dac Phu, head of the MoH's General Department of Preventive Medicine, said on Vietnam's state-run news agency VNA on Wednesday that his department is asking Japan's health authorities for the patient's address in Vietnam.

The woman is the 11th Zika-infected case in Japan since 2013.

On Tuesday, the department issued guidelines on how to avoid contracting Zika and how to kill mosquitoes carrying the virus.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May is ready to announce the go-ahead for the 18 billion pound nuclear power station, to be built in southwest England using French technology with Chinese financing, British newspapers reported.

Hinkley Point C nuclear power station site is seen near Bridgwater in Britain, September 14, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

The Daily Telegraph said May was ready to call France's President Francois Hollande on Monday to inform him she was ready to give the project the green light, but the call was cancelled at the last minute because of fresh questions from Britains Department of Energy.

The Daily Mirror reported that the announcement would come as early as Thursday but that Britain would be seeking modifications to some aspects of the original agreement.

Bloomberg News cited an unidentified official in Paris as saying May had already informed France that the project can go ahead, although it would be subject to unspecified conditions.

May shocked diplomats in France and China when, only days after she took over from David Cameron, who quit shortly after he lost a referendum on EU membership, she announced she was delaying approval of the project until September.

Tonight her office in Downing Street would only confirm that a decision would be announced this month.

The Financial Times said Mays officials were concerned about financial aspects of the deal, as well as security issues.

The deal, originally put together by Cameron and his Chancellor, George Osbourne, included a clause that Chinese technology would be used to build a further nuclear power plant at Bradwell-on-Sea in eastern England.

China, which has pledged to invest around 40 billion pounds in the UK in the wake of President Xi Jinpings successful state visit in October last year.

Both sides hailed the beginning of a "golden era" in Sino-British relations, a phrase repeated by May when she met Xi for the first time at the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou earlier this month.

Xi told May China understood why May needed time to evaluate agreements struck by her predecessor, and indicated his government would be patient.

The Financial Times said May could give her approval with the condition that the Bradwell clause be treated as a separate deal, to be renegotiated.

Hinkley Point will generate 25,000 jobs and supply power for 7 million households. China is financing a third of the deal.

To contact the reporter: chris@mail.chinadailyuk.com
Duterte meets with communist rebels who released five policemen (to right of Duterte) they took prisoner.

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Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte again "apologized" for his latest incendiary remarks without really apologizing at all.



In a pattern that's become all too common since he became president on June 30, Duterte has made offensive and insulting remarks then indirectly "apologized" for them by having his surrogates such as his official spokesmen or the foreign affairs secretary express his "regrets."



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Duterte has never once gone before the camera to personally apologize in public to the person, country or institution he's insulted.



Not to Pope Francis; not to U.S. president Barack Obama; not to UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon and most certainly not to the innocent Filipinos he's accused of being drug peddlers or drug bosses.



The apparently anti-American Duterte hasn't insulted Chinese president Xi Jinping and probably won't since Duterte's long been accused of being a closet communist or a member of the Philippines' communist party.



Duterte has also publicly said he wants to buy weapons from China and Russia.



The job of explaining to the world Duterte doesn't really mean what he's saying has been left to press secretary Martin Andanar; presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella and foreign affairs secretary Perfecto Yasay.



Lately, Duterte blamed the media through his surrogates for causing "much controversy" stemming from his inflammatory statements.



Duterte last week called Obama "a son of a whore" and Ban "an idiot" for raising the issue of human rights and extrajudicial killings in Duterte's drug war that's killed 2,400 Filipinos so far.



Reading from a prepared statement, Andanar said Duterte regrets the furor ignited by Duterte's calling Obama, "a son of a whore." Andanar, instead, blamed the media for causing and stoking the controversy.



"Pres. Duterte explained that the press reports that Pres. Obama would lecture him on extrajudicial killings led to his strong comments, which in turn elicited concern. He regrets that his remarks to the President have caused much controversy," said Andanar using diplomatic language Duterte would never have used.



And to assuage mounting fears he intends to turn his back on the U.S., the Philippines historical ally, and instead make the Philippines a satellite of China, Duterte's foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay tried his best to claim Duterte's declaration he wanted U.S. troops out of Mindanao was not a signal relations between Washington and Manila will end.



"The president has said ... that we will respect and continue to honor our treaty obligations and commitments," claims Yasay, statements Duterte has never made in public himself.



Yasay also claims the Philippines had no intention of leaving the UN or starting a parallel organization with China and African nations. Duterte made this threat after Ban condemned the extrajudicial killings under Duterte. In reply, Duterte said the Philippines will pull out of the UN.



"I unequivocally condemn his apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killings, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms," said Ban last June.



Duterte's pattern of insulting and not personally apologizing for his insults fit perfectly with a diagnosis he suffers from an antisocial narcissistic personality disorder.



According to Dr. Natividad Dayan, former president of the International Council of Psychologists who diagnosed Duterte as part of a divorce proceeding, people suffering from this disorder tend to justify their bad behavior.



"For all his wrongdoings, he tends to rationalize and feel justified. Hence, he seldom feels a sense of guilt or remorse," wrote Dr. Dayan in a report submitted to a Philippine court.



She said the hallmarks of a person with an antisocial narcissistic personality are "gross indifference, insensitivity and self-centeredness;" a "grandiose sense of self-entitlement and manipulative behaviors" and a "pervasive tendency to demean, humiliate others and violate their rights and feelings."



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TagsRodrigo Duterte, Pope Francis, Barack Obama, Ban Ki Moon, Martin Andanar, Perfecto Yasay, china, Xi Jinping, Dr. Natividad Dayan
(Photo : Getty Images) In the initial stage, Baidu Venture will have US$200 million dedicated to AI projects.

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Baidu has unveiled a US $200 million venture capital firm dedicated to virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence (AI) projects.



The new firm would be called Baidu Venture and will be handled by chief executive Robin Li Yanhong. It will work independently from Baidus existing investment teams, according to South China Morning Post.



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The first-phase investment is planned at US$200 million, and the fund will invest in projects that are at their early stage, the company said.



Industry observers have noted that Baidu is looking to expand its artificial intelligence expertise, jumping slowly from being a search and advertising business. Internet expert and CEO of Shanghai-based Wanqing Consultancy Lu Zhenwang said that Baidu urgently needs to find a new engine to get by with the slowing momentum of its established search business.



Baidu established a deep learning research institute in 2013. Recently, the company invested 15 percent of its profits in technology research, setting up facilities focused on big data and AI, China Money Network.



The Chinese internet search giant recently announced a partnership with Nvidia to build a computer platform for self-driving cars. Baidu plans to fit cloud-based high-definition 3D maps with the ability to assess different road conditions. The company also plans to mass produce autonomous vehicles in the next five years and has invested in some related technologies such as $75 million into Velodyne LiDAR.



Li said that the company would benefit from entering the AI market earlier than its competitors. However, analysts have predicted that for the next few years, there will be no major growth drivers for the company beyond its search business unless it has chances upon a major breakthrough in AI technology.



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TagsBaidu, Chinese search engine, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, VR, Augmented Reality, AR, Self-driving cars, search engine business
(Photo : Getty Images) Philippine President Duterte is keen on buying military arms from China and Russia to defend the country from local insurgents and terrorists in Mindanao.

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In an apparent shift in US-Philippine defense relations, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he is seeking to buy arms from China and Russia while ordering his top defense officials to end joint freedom of navigation patrols with the US in the South China Sea.



In an interview on Tuesday in Manila, Duterte said two countries had offered a 25-year loan for Manila to buy military weaponry, but he refused to identify these countries.



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The Philippine leader said he had instructed the Philippines defense minister and other high-ranking military officials to proceed to China and Russia and check out the various military equipment needed by the armed forces.



Planes and weaponry



Duterte said the country needs planes and weaponry to fight local insurgents and terrorists in Mindanao, but ruled out the purchase of fighter jets saying these would not be of use in defending the country.



"I want to purchase arms where they are cheap and where there are no strings attached, and it is transparent," Duterte stated.



He said that since the Philippine government has no intentions of going to war with any country, the sophisticated F-16 fighter jets would have no use for the military in protecting the country's sovereignty.



"I don't need jets, F-16 -- that's of no use to us," Duterte said. "We don't intend to fight any country."



According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 75 percent of the Philippine military's arms were imported from the United States since 1950.



Political analysts say Duterte's latest remarks could indicate a shift away from the Mutual Defense Treaty which has governed the US-Philippine defense relations since 1951.



Duterte recently called on US forces to leave Mindanao following a public spat with US President Barack Obama during the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos.



Independent foreign policy



"Duterte seems to be putting into action his latest remarks about trying to implement an independent foreign policy," said Eduardo Tadem, a lecturer of Asian Studies at the University of the Philippines.



"The problem is what's the quid pro quo? What will the Chinese especially get in exchange,?" he asked.



Duterte, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Philippine military, said the country would not join the US anymore in patrolling the disputed South China Sea saying he does not want his troops to be involved in a "hostile act."



The Philippines had joined the US in conducting freedom of navigation patrols in the disputed maritime territory this year despite China's opposition.



An arbitration court ruling handed down in July dismissed China's claims to the disputed South China Sea saying Beijing violated the Philippines' rights to explore resources within its exclusive economic zone.



China boycotted the entire legal proceedings in the Hague-based court and dismissed the verdict as "illegal" and "null and void."



Duterte is pushing for bilateral talks with China to settling their conflict and has vowed not to raise the ruling before any international forum.



He said Philippine and Chinese officials are currently laying the groundwork for possible formal talks between the two countries, which would be held within this year,



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(Photo : Getty Images) High-ranking officials attend a plenary session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.

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The Chinese government ousted 45 deputies at the Liaoning provincial legislature on Tuesday for being elected through fraud, Xinhua News Agency reported.



According to Channel News Asia, the National People's Congress' (NPC) Standing Committee invalidated the election of the said legislators on the grounds of vote buying and bribery during the 2013 election.



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The standing committee voted for the disqualification of 45 delegates out of nearly 100 people listed as attending from Liaoning at March's annual meeting of the legislature.



The committee also voted to adopt a resolution to create a preparatory panel that would assume the duties of the unseated legislators, according to IBTimes.



The panel would be held responsible for recording the disqualification cases of the 45 delegates and making the records public. It is also tasked with confirming the qualification or nullifying the election of local legislators voted in the by-election based on the reports given by the relevant credentials committee. The panel will be responsible for convening the seventh session of the 12th Liaoning Provincial People's Congress.



Authorities did not say what would happen to the 45 delegates; if they are bound to face prosecution.



Meanwhile, Zhang Dejiang, the chairman of the NPC Standing Committee who presided over the extraordinary meeting, said the case of the Liaoning electoral bribery was the first of its kind to take place since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949.



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Tagschina, electoral fraud, Fraud, Bribery, National People's Congress
(Photo : Getty images) Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) accompanies Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (R) during a welcoming ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the recently elected Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski to China as he arrived on a five-day foreign visit to the country on Tuesday.



A red carpet ceremony was held to welcome President Pedro as both leaders prepared for their talks.



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During the meeting, Xi thanked Pedro for picking China as the first country he would visit after assuming office. He assured Peru of China's support as the South American country prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders meeting.



"Mr. President is an old friend of China and has contributed a lot in promoting bilateral ties," Xi said. "You have chosen China as your first foreign destination. It shows you and your government have attached great importance to developing ties with China.



The Chinese leader explained that the Chinese community is ready to assist Peru in whichever way necessary to ensure that not only APEC is a success but also spurs worldwide economic growth.



The APEC meeting is scheduled for November this year and will be held in Lima, Peru's capital city.



President Xi would be attending the event as a special guest.



Pedro added that Peru looks up to China for its in-depth exposure in the industrial field.



"This visits the Peruvian people's admiration toward China for its achievements in independent development," Pedro told Xi.



Before his trip, Pedro noted that the Peruvian government aims to attract investment from countries like China while promoting economic development by maintaining an open-door foreign policy.



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TagsPresident Xi Jinping, President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, APEC summit, china, peru
(Photo : Huawei) Huawei universal service routers.

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U.S. military and intelligence agencies are raising the alarm against the participation by China's Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., the largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer in the world, in building the U.S. 5G wireless network.



Suspected for over a decade by the U.S. of being an intelligence gathering arm of China's armed forces, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Huawei has also been dogged by similar allegations from other western countries. In 2012, Australia banned Huawei from taking part in building its National Broadband Network out of similar security concerns.



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The FBI and the National Security Agency (NSA) are examining the national security implications of Huawei's participation in building the U.S. 5G wireless network.



The U.S. Federal Communications Commission last July approved the plan to begin readying the U.S. for 5G or 5th generation mobile networks. Theis next generation network is the next major phase of mobile telecommunications standards beyond the current 4G/IMT-Advanced standards.



5G includes Internet connection speeds faster than current 4G, and other improvements such as data rates of tens of megabits per second for tens of thousands of users and 1 gigabit per second simultaneously to many users on the same office floor. Rollout for 5G is expected by 2020.



The two largest U.S. telecom players -- AT&T and Verizon -- will join the effort to build a national 5G network but will need the support of telecommunications equipment manufacturers like Huawei to do so. AT&T has begun preliminary talks with a number of companies, including Huawei, to create global standards for the 5G network.



The FBI, NSA and CIA are concerned Huawei, which has unusually close ties to the PLA, might implant "microscopic beacons" inside its routers and circuits, allowing the PLA or any of its hacking teams to spy on U.S. military and government communications networks in real time.



They're also worried Huawei might insert "backdoors" into critical telecommunications infrastructure, giving the PLA and its legion of cyberspies unfettered access to U.S. national communications. Backdoors allow unauthorized remote access to a computer or a network.



One intel source said the federal government has long been concerned about Huawei's efforts to obtain access to key U.S. and allied telecommunications infrastructure.



In October 2012, a U.S. House Intelligence Committee panel issued a report describing Huawei as a "national security threat" because of its alleged ties to various Chinese governmental agencies.



The panel's report suggested Huawei "be barred from doing business with the US government." A subsequent White House review found no concrete evidence to support the House's espionage allegations, however.



The House report also said another Chinese firm, ZTE Corporation, "cannot be trusted to be free of foreign state influence and thus pose a security threat to the United States and to our systems."



ZTE is a telecommunications equipment and systems company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong.



Huawei has consistently denied these spying allegations by the U.S.



Huawei offers a range of network technologies and solutions to help telecommunications operators expand the capacity of their mobile broadband networks.



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TagsHuawei Technologies Co. Ltd., china, People's Liberation Army, U.S. 5G wireless network, FBI, NSA, ZTE Corporation
(Photo : Australian Army) The new "Made in China" Australian Army dress uniform.

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The new dress uniform recently adopted by the Australian Army made by a Chinese firm in China is drawing heavy flak from critics in government and from the public.



The dress uniform worn only in ceremonial occasions such as parades or official ceremonies is being made by the unnamed Chinese company over the next two years. The deal between Australia's Ministry of Defense and Australian Defense Apparel (ADA) based in Melbourne is worth A$9 million.



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ADA hired a Chinese sub-contractor to make the darker brown khaki non-combat clothing.



The ministry said they selected ADA as the preferred tenderer because the firm offered the "best value for money" following an open competitive process.



Defense Minister Marise Payne said ADA estimated that making the uniforms in Australia will triple the cost of the contract.



"Australian Defense Apparel's tender was assessed as the best value for money with the tendered price representing an estimated saving of over 18 percent over the prices at that time," said Payne.



She was reacting to strident criticism from Federal Opposition and South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon, who said the contract is a "nothing short of a disgrace."



Xenophon said the decision to make in China was also a "failure to support Australian jobs." He said he's working on a bill to change the way Government buys equipment so Australian products and all their multiplier effects are taken into account.



He also said the government failed to see the economic and jobs benefit of buying local.



"If something is a little more expensive on the surface here in Australia but it means we're going to get all sorts of flow on benefits in terms of jobs, in terms of economic activity and tax and other benefits then it's a no-brainer," he said.



"Surely something as iconic as the uniforms our serving men and women of the Defense Force wear ought to be made in Australia. The fact that it's not is nothing short of a disgrace," he added.



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Representatives of Telangana Advocates JAC lodged a complaint against Pawan Kalyan at Nampally Police Station for the remarks he made during the public meeting held at Kakinada.

According to the complaint, Telangana Advocates alleged Pawan Kalyan has hurt the sentiments of Telanganites and insulted the Indian democracy while addressing the large gathering at JTNU Grounds in Kakinada. They demanded action as per legal procedures against the Jana Sena President.

BJP Leader Sudeesh Rambotla alleged Pawan Kalyan is uttering the dialogue version written by someone else and provoking people. He advised the Jana Sena President to maintain his stature while addressing peoples issues.

The lawyers of JAC further ridiculed Pawan Kalyan for saying that he didnt eat for 11 days after the injudicious bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and said that his statement is hurting the sentiments of Telangana people apart from mocking the Indian Constitution.
Appeals court tosses case against Catholic hospital that wouldn't abort baby 14 September, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , |

DETROIT, Michigan (Christian Examiner)  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has thrown out a case against a Catholic health care system that refused to abort a baby after its mother began having complications in the 18th week of pregnancy.

The case was filed by Tamesha Means and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in 2013 after Means sought care at Mercy Health Partners in 2010. According to the original complaint, Means went to the hospital after her water had broken early in her pregnancy.

The hospital, however, reportedly refused to abort the unborn child because of its longstanding policy of adhering to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, which govern all Catholic hospitals and health care systems and are based on the doctrines of the Catholic Church. They are unabashedly pro-life directives.

According to the ACLU, the hospital turned Means away twice before she delivered the unborn child prematurely on her own. The baby died a short time after, but Means struggled with an infection afterwards, the complaint said.

In June 2015, a lower court threw the case out on procedural grounds but it was soon appealed to the Sixth Circuit. Late last week, the appellate court also ruled that the case had no merit, but it did not preclude other challenges from being brought in other states.

The ACLU called the decision a "narrow ruling." It was, however, one that was a victory for the church and the American Conference of Catholic Bishops, which created the health care directives.

Brigitte Amiri, senior staff attorney with the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Project, said in a statement that the hospital was directly responsible for Means's injury. They were, Amiri said, following directives written by theologians and not physicians.

"Her suffering and trauma was a direct result of hospital policies drafted by non-medical professionals who let their religious doctrine trump patient care," Amiri said.

"While this is a deeply unjust result for Ms. Means, the court's decision today in no way sanctions turning away women based on a hospital's religiously based policies. Women have the right to know that when they go to an emergency room, their treatment will be determined based on their doctor's best medical judgment and not a hospital's religious restrictions," she added.

Planned Parenthood also responded to the court's dismissal of the case. Cecile Richards, president of the abortion mill, said the church-based hospital should not have turned away Means for "religious reasons."

"In some communities, these Catholic hospitals are the only health care providers available  leaving people with nowhere to turn for reliable access to basic, and often lifesaving, reproductive health care," Richards said.
Atheist group skewers presidential candidates for discussing faith, prayer 14 September, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , |

MADISON, Wisconsin (Christian Examiner)  The Wisconsin-based atheist group known as the Freedom from Religion Foundation is miffed with both of the 2016 presidential candidates over their use of religious language on the campaign trail.

Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, the group has claimed, are both "pandering" to religious voters to the neglect of "the growing secular vote."

Trump's courting of the evangelical vote, which he claimed Sept. 9 propelled him to victory in the primaries, is well known. Clinton, however, has largely remained silent on the subject of religion. In fact, she has criticized religious voters and suggested they needed to change their "deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases."

We've long said that we don't need pious politicians who spend valuable time on their knees. We need politicians who will get off their knees and get to work. Prayer doesn't fix anything, but it does waste time and energy. And it also lets pandering public officials congratulate themselves on accomplishing something, when they are really just talking to themselves. Prayer doesn't heal the sick or rebuild cities after natural disasters.

On Sept. 8, however, Clinton told an audience at the National Baptist Convention  a gathering of black Baptists in Oklahoma  that America needs "a president who understands the powerful role that faith  and communities of faith  have always played in moving our country toward justice."

Clinton also said she favored having a president "who will pray with you, and for you" while pursuing social justice and walking "humbly with our God."

The atheist group staunchly disagreed with Clinton's assertion.

"We've long said that we don't need pious politicians who spend valuable time on their knees. We need politicians who will get off their knees and get to work. Prayer doesn't fix anything, but it does waste time and energy. And it also lets pandering public officials congratulate themselves on accomplishing something, when they are really just talking to themselves. Prayer doesn't heal the sick or rebuild cities after natural disasters," FFRF said in a statement.

FFRF was also critical of Trump's call to overturn the Johnson Amendment to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. That amendment, added after Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson was opposed for re-election by several pastors and churches, established rules for political speech from the pulpit. A pastor can speak on political issues, but cannot endorse a candidate. Trump disagrees with the rule and claims pastors should be free to speak on any topic or any person.

Churches that do not follow the rule could potentially lose their tax-exempt status. That isn't likely, however, as the IRS seldom calls churches to account for political speech.

FFRF also called for an end to tax-exempt status for churches nationwide.

"Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits are afforded a special privilege, which amounts to an indirect but 'huge' public subsidy. If an organization profits from tax-exemption, it forfeits the right to engage in political campaign intervention in exchange for this subsidy. Were unaccountable, tax-exempt churches allowed to politick, watch out! Churches and their congregations would turn into political money-laundering operations. And our secular republic, not just our elections, would be imperiled," FFRF said in its statement.

FFRF claims that 25 percent of Americans are atheists, secularists or "religious nones." That number, however, is grossly inflated because the category "religious nones" includes people who still believe in God but are not attached to an official denomination or church group.
A controversial pastor who strongly condemned homosexuality has been banned from South Africa.

CNN.com reports that Pastor Steven Anderson and his associates have been banned from the country because of Andersons comments about homosexuality which South Africas Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba called hate speech.

Anderson made controversial comments after the shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando. He even went so far as to praise the shooting because it targeted gays.

Although homosexuality is illegal in most African countries, South Africa is among the most progressive.

Gigaba was forceful in his condemnation of Anderson:

"I have identified Steven Anderson and members and/or associates of his church as undesirable persons," he said in a statement.

"I have withdrawn their visa exemption status, enjoyed by all Americans ... on the basis that I am certain they promote hate speech as well as advocate social violence."

Anderson had planned on visiting South Africa this week.

Upon hearing of the ban, Anderson posted a message to Facebook and YouTube, saying he is sorry for people who live in South Africa.

He added that he will instead travel to Botswana.

Publication date: September 14, 2016
Howard E. Butt Jr., who dedicated his life to Christian causes and helping other people realize their true calling in whatever occupation they may be pursuing, passed away at the age of 89 on September 11 in San Antonio, Texas.

The cause of his death is related to complications from Parkinson's disease.

Butt was born into a business family which operated the H-E-B grocery chain, which now has over 350 stores, and was ranked as the 15th largest private company by Forbes in 2014. Butt was supposed to take over the family business as he was the oldest son, but he stepped back and devoted his life to work for church revivals and philanthropic work, while his younger brother Charles took up the position as the CEO, according to Wide Open Country.

He graduated from Baylor University with a business degree in 1947. At the university, Butt participated in a youth revival movement which inspired him to become a lay evangelist and he started preaching while still a student.

Butt worked in the family business as Vice President of the company, but in the 1960s he formally resigned from the position and took up a board role of vice chair to concentrate on ministry practice.

Nevertheless, even in his early working years at the company he made over 1,500 appearances as a motivational and evangelical speaker at various events.

He also formed Layman's Leadership Institute in collaboration with Billy Graham to guide business leaders about reconciling leadership, work, and faith.

In 1982, he became the president of the H.E. Butt Foundation which was founded by his mother Mary Holdsworth Butt in 1933.

The foundation's mission is to bring revival to the church, apart from running faith-based retreats, forums, and Christian camps for youth, and disadvantaged children.

Butt extended the philanthropic activities of the foundation to include building hospitals, libraries, and conducting more diverse retreat programs.

He spent most of his life encouraging and leading people to Christ, and was most fondly remembered for his one-minute radio program "The High Calling of our Daily Work," in which he encouraged people to always put God first in their occupations and do it the Lord. The program was broadcast on 3,000 radio stations across the country.

Butt is survived by his wife, Barbara Dan, three children, Howard III, Stephen and Deborah Dan Rogers, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter, and two siblings Eleanor Butt Crook and Charles Butt.

"Howard E. Butt Jr. was a great friend of my father's and served alongside him in ministry for many years," Franklin Graham said. "He realized that every Christian is called to serve, not just those who have positions in ministry. For this reason, he was an early pioneer in the area of workplace ministry, encouraging the body of believers-whether they be businessmen, doctors, carpenters, or teachers-to see their work as their calling and to do it as unto the Lord."
A polygamous family featured on the TV series Sister Wives filed a request on Monday, September 12 for the U.S. Supreme Court to review their case regarding polygamy.

Kody Brown and his four wives are asking the Supreme Court to review a provision in Utahs polygamy law that prohibits a man to live with his other partners despite being married to just one woman.

In 2013, Clark Waddoups, a Utah federal judge ruled the section of the state law that banned cohabitation with other partners even when he was legally married to just one woman unconstitutional, which proved to be a victory for the Browns. A lower court ruling, however, reversed Waddoups decision.

In April, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver denied to reconsider the case, after which the Browns took the case up to the Supreme Court.

Brown is legally married to one wife, Robyn, while being spiritually married to the three other women he lives with. The Browns are members of the Apostolic United Brethren, a fundamentalist group of Mormons that affirms polygamy.

The Browns currently reside in Las Vegas, having moved from Lehi, Utah in 2011 after an investigation opened up regarding their polygamous practice.
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.
A first-of-its-kind study takes an empirical look at the true value of faith.

A growing segment of religious nones, with their less-than-flattering views of the role of religious institutions, has led Georgetown Universitys Brian Grim and Newseum Institutes Melissa Grim to calculate three estimates of religions socio-economic value to the United States.

Given the division of opinion on religions contribution to American society, this present study seeks to shed light on the topic by making an estimate of religions socio-economic value to society, wrote the father-and-daughter team. Indeed, we should know if the decline in religion is likely to have negative economic consequences.

Most religiously unaffiliated Americans think churches and other religious institutions are too concerned with money and power (70%) and too involved with politics (67%), according to the Pew Research Center. And fewer unaffiliated Americans ...

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home World Advocacy groups call for establishment of Christian 'homeland' in Middle East

Advocacy groups recently met in Washington D.C. to raise awareness about the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and discuss possible solutions to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The Philos Project and a group known as In Defense of Christians organized an event titled "Beyond Genocide: Preserving Christianity in the Middle East" to discuss how Americans can end violence in the Middle East and help believers in the region.

The Philos Project and other groups believe that Christians will only be safe if they have their own homeland. The group is proposing to turn the Nineveh Plains in Iraq to an independent Christian State. Some believe that the proposal is impractical but Robert Nicholson, president of the Philos Project, cited some examples to show that it is possible.

"History has shown us various examples of this concept working in practice, of minority peoples under existential threat surviving and thriving by securing territory: Israel, Armenia, Iraqi Kurdistan, even (to a far less satisfactory degree) Native American reservations in the U.S.," said Nicholson in his speech at the convention.

Nicholson noted that the idea has some support from the governing bodies in Iraq.

"The Government of Iraq has endorsed the Nineveh Plain Province idea. The Kurdistan Regional Government has endorsed the idea. The European Parliament has recognized the importance of securing the Nineveh Plain for Assyrians Chaldeans and others," Nicholson stated.

Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft gave a keynote speech about religious freedom at the convention.

"The idea of religious freedom is at the forefront and center, not just of what it means to be an American, but what it means to be a human being," Ashcroft said.

Rep. Anna Eshoo and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry were presented with Solidarity Awards for co-sponsoring a resolution that declares ISIS guilty of genocide against religious minorities.

Other groups involved in the convention include the Armenian National Committee of America, the Institute for Global Engagement and the Iraqi Christian Relief Council.
home US 'Religious liberty' is code for Christian supremacy, claims U.S. civil rights commissioner

The chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) released a report on Thursday stating that the words "religious freedom" and "religious liberty" have become mere code words for intolerance and Christian supremacy.

The report titled "Peaceful Coexistence: Reconciling Nondiscrimination Principles with Civil Liberties," signed by USCCR chairperson Martin R. Castro, highlighted the conflict between religious liberty and non-discrimination laws. Most of the conflicts mentioned in the report are rooted in issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

"The phrases 'religious liberty' and 'religious freedom' will stand for nothing except hypocrisy so long as they remain code words for discrimination, intolerance, racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, Christian supremacy or any form of intolerance," said Castro in the report.

Gail Heriot, a member of the USCCR, disagreed with the majority opinion presented in Castro's report. "I'm troubled by the growing attitude that somehow anti-discrimination laws trump everything. We live in a more complex world than that," Heriot told the Washington Times.

The report asserted that religious exemptions to nondiscrimination laws are infringing on the civil rights of protected classes.

In an interview with the The Christian Post, Brian Wash, president of Civil Rights Research Center, remarked that freedom of religion and conscience are also civil rights.

The report also emphasized that the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) "protects only religious practitioners' First Amendment free exercise rights, and it does not limit others' freedom from government-imposed religious limitations under the Establishment Clause."

Douglas Laycock, a religious liberty expert and a professor at the University of Virginia Law School, said that the USCCR has not presented a valid reason why faith-based organizations or businesses cannot be protected under the RFRA.

"This report gives no reason for preferring the rights of the same-sex couple, except that a majority of the [commission] chose up sides," said Laycock to The Washington Times.

Laycock was the lead counsel for the plaintiff in the Hosanna Tabor case. The case involved a teacher who was fired by the Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church after receiving a narcolepsy diagnosis. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the church in 2012 stating that anti-discrimination laws do not protect church employees involved in religious duties.
home Entertainment Sadie Robertson stars in new film about Columbine shooting

Sadie Robertson will be featured in a prominent role in the upcoming film about Rachel Joy Scott, one of the victims of the Columbine High School Massacre in 1999. The "Duck Dynasty" star joined the cast of "I'm Not Ashamed" as Scott's cousin, Charity.

The film is based on the journals of Scott who was the first victim of the Columbine shooting. Before Scott was killed, one of the shooters reportedly asked her, "Do you still believe in you God?" Scott replied, "You know that I do."

The tragedy took the lives of 11 other students and one teacher. Robertson was only 2 years old when the tragedy occured but it made a lasting impact on her after she learned the whole story behind the shooting.

"Everybody has heard of the Columbine shooting and it's a tragedy, but Rachel Scott's story is a even though she did pass away a her story is not about her death, it's about her life," Robertson said in an interview with The Church Boys. "And it's kind of bringing light into a really dark situation," she added.

Robertson reflected on the positive things that came after the tragic event.

"A lot of times, the big news only captures the darkness and the bad parts of the story and the terrible things that happen, but they forget to go back and capture the good things that happened," Robertson said. She surmised that many people have turned to Christianity because of Scott's story.

Robertson's role as Charity is her first attempt to act in a film. Robertson also appeared in the movie "God's Not Dead 2" which was released earlier in April but was shot after "I'm Not Ashamed." Her mother Korie and her younger sister Bella will also appear in the upcoming film.

Newcomer Masey McLain plays the role of Rachel Scott. Other members of the cast include Ben Davies, Jennifer O'Neill and Jaci Velazquez. The film was directed by Brian Baugh. "I'm Not Ashamed" will be released in theaters across the U.S. on Oct. 21.
home US Missouri School board discontinues prayers and hymns after complaint from atheist group

Prayers and religious hymns are no longer allowed in a school district in Tipton, Missouri, following a complaint from an atheist group.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to the Tipton R-VI School District last July complaining about the school board opening each meeting with a prayer. The board received another letter addressing the use of a hymn in the school's awards ceremony.

The school board started opening meetings with a prayer on Sept. 11, 2001, the day of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C.

The board was advised by a legal team to cease opening the meetings in this manner. The awards ceremony will also stop using the hymn "Blest Be the Tie That Binds."

The school board evaluated other school practices to make sure that it is not violating the U.S. Constitution. A portrait of Jesus Christ displayed at the elementary school was removed following the evaluation.

Daniel Williams, Tipton R-VI superintendent, clarified that students can still pray but school employees are not allowed to lead the prayers. He added that the students and the community members are now more aware of their constitutional rights due to the complaint.

"A positive side of this is that students are learning more about their rights," Williams said. "We want to provide the same learning environment to all the students. The end result is for the students and the community members to step forward," he added.

Community members met at the town hall on Thursday to discuss the school district's decision. The attendees voiced their concern regarding the new rules.

"Without Christ there's no liberty, there's no United States, there's no nothing, and evil wins when good men do nothing," said one community member at the meeting.

The Wisconsin-based FFRF has successfully prevented schools from being involved in religious activities in other states.

Last month, a Baptist minister was banned from the premises of Harrisburg Middle School in Illinois after the FFRF sent a complaint to the school district. Earlier this month, a Bible club has been disbanded at the Brea Olinda Unified School in California following a complaint from the group.
home US Tim Kaine says Catholic Church will change its stance on gay marriage

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine has said the Catholic Church could abandon its opposition to gay marriage. Kaine, who identifies as a Roman Catholic, admitted that his position on gay marriage contradicts the doctrine of the Catholic Church but he thinks that the Church will change.

Kaine made these remarks during his keynote speech at a dinner for the 20th Annual Human Rights Campaign in Washington last Saturday.

"I think it's going to change because my church also teaches me about a creator who, in the first chapter of Genesis, surveyed the entire world, including mankind, and said, 'It is very good,'" Kaine said in his speech.

He continued, "I want to add: Who am I to challenge God for the beautiful diversity of the human family? I think we're supposed to celebrate it, not challenge it."

Kaine revealed that he once fought against gay marriage until he changed his mind in 2006. As a governor of Virginia, Kaine opposed the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. He said that he began to support same-sex marriage when he heard the motivations of the people who supported the ban.

"Some folks said to me candidly that this is really about trying to make the state inhospitable to gay people," Kaine said.

As senator, he voted in favor of a legislation that would prohibit workplace discrimination against LGBTs.

Kaine's position on gay marriage is not the only issue that agitated devout Catholics. Last month, a group of Catholics staged a protest outside the church he attends in Richmond, Virginia, to denounce him for his pro-abortion stance.

Kaine once declared himself to be "personally pro-life" but his record in the senate is disconcerting for some Catholics. Kaine received a 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America for his first seat at the Senate. Kaine is also a co-sponsor of the Women's Health Protection Act, a bill that would prohibit states from imposing restrictions on abortion services.
Apple Watch Series 2 vs. Samsung Gear S3 comparison: Battle of the next-gen flagship wearables

The rivalry between Samsung and Apple goes beyond the smartphone market nowadays, as both companies unveiled their next-generation smartwatches just to vie against each other for the best new wearable device.

On Aug. 31, the South Korea-based electronics manufacturer unveiled the Samsung Gear S3 in Berlin, Germany just before the annual IFA trade show began. On the other hand, the Cupertino-based tech giant dropped the announcement about the new Apple Watch 2 during the company's Keynote event on Sept. 7.

Based on the designs of both wearable devices, the new Samsung Gear S3 and Apple Watch 2 almost look the same as their predecessors. But the new generation wearables will reportedly come out with more features compared to the older ones.

According to the reports, the Samsung Gear S3 will have the same circular face that the Samsung Galaxy S2 has. But this time, there will be two types of models for the Gear 3. One of them is the Samsung Galaxy Gear S3 Classic, which, reportedly, has a more minimalist design. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Gear S3 frontier is created with a more playful, sports-oriented appearance.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch 2 also reportedly almost have the same look as the previous model. However, the new edition of the wearable device will have a ceramic white model that is said to be four times harder than regular steel.

Samsung developed the Galaxy Gear 3 with a 1.3-inch Super AMOLED watch face display with 360x360 pixels resolution as well as the brand's in-house Tizen operating system. It also comes with a number of features, including the accelerometer, a heart-rate sensor, GPS, altimeter, built-in compass, LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity, 4 GB of music storage space, as well as IP68 water resistance. The device can also last up to four days without charging.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch 2 will come with an option of a 38mm 1.3-inch OLED with 38mm: 340x272 pixels resolution or 42mm 1.5-inch OLED with 42mm: 390x312 pixels resolution on its watch face display. It is also equipped with other built-in features like the accelerometer, the heart-rate sensor, GPS, LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity, 2 GB of music storage, as well as 5ATM water resistance. It will be run by Apple's WatchOS 3 operating system, but it can only last up to 18 hours before its battery needs to be recharged.

Samsung will ship the units of Samsung Gear S3 later this year, while Apple will release the Apple Watch 2 in September.
Britain's Libya intervention was flawed and Cameron was to blame, say MPs

Britain's 2011 military intervention in Libya, ordered by former prime minister David Cameron, relied on flawed intelligence and hastened the North African country's political and economic collapse, MPs said on Wednesday in a damning report.

Britain and France led international efforts to help oust Libya's then-leader Muammar Gaddafi in early 2011, using fighter jets to beat back Gaddafi's armies and allow rebels to topple the longtime dictator.

But Libya has since suffered years of chaos. Islamic State has gained a foothold, former rebels still fight over territory and people smugglers have set up a huge operation, sending tens of thousands on the perilous sea journey to Europe.

Cameron, who ran Britain from 2010 until July, had a "decisive" role in the decision to intervene and must bear the responsibility for Britain's role in the crisis in Libya, a report produced by parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee said.

"The UK's actions in Libya were part of an ill-conceived intervention, the results of which are still playing out today," said committee chairman Crispin Blunt, a member of Cameron's Conservative party.

"UK policy in Libya before and since the intervention of March 2011 was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the country and the situation."

The committee's statement said the "ultimate responsibility rests with David Cameron's leadership".

Earlier this year, US President Barack Obama said European allies had become distracted from the Libyan crisis after the intervention. Obama's office later said he had not intended to be critical of Cameron.

Cameron stepped down as prime minister after losing a referendum to keep Britain in the European Union, and on Monday resigned as a member of parliament saying he did not want to become a distraction for his successor Theresa May.

The report said his government failed to identify from intelligence reports that the threat to civilians was overstated and that the rebels included a significant Islamist element.

The post-intervention response was also lacking, it said.

"Our lack of understanding of the institutional capacity of the country stymied Libya's progress in establishing security on the ground and absorbing financial and other resources from the international community," Blunt said.
Cardinal tipped to be pope warns of 'Islamic conquest of Europe'

A senior Austrian Cardinal who has been widely tipped in the media to be pope has warned of an "Islamic conquest of Europe" and said that the Continent is in danger of "forfeiting" its Christian heritage.

Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, is reported to have said in a speech to mark the 333rd anniversary of the Battle of Vienna: "Will there be an Islamic conquest of Europe? Many Muslims want that and say: Europe is at its end."

The Cardinal reportedly went on to pray: "God have mercy on Europe and on thy people, who are in danger of forfeiting our Christian heritage". He added that this was already being felt "not only economically, but above all, in human and religious matters".

Cardinal Schonborn, 71, is a conservative who has been referred to as the "spiritual son" of his one-time mentor, Pope Benedict XVI.

The comments came as a new study in the US found that only 14 per cent of Catholics have a favourable view of Muslims. The poll, carried out by the Bridge initiative, a multi-year research project that focuses on Islamophobia at Georgetown University, also found that Catholic media outlets present a biased view of Islam and that some 39 per cent of Fox News viewers have an unfavourable view of the religion, compared to a quarter of CNN viewers.

The poll of 1,027 self-identified Catholics found that one in three said they had either very or somewhat unfavourable views.

The report, entitled Danger & Dialogue: American Catholic Public Opinion and Portrayals of Islam, finds that nearly half of Catholics can't name any similarities between Catholicism and Islam.

An apparent bias was found among certain Catholic media outlets. More than 60 per cent of readers of outlets like the Catholic World Report and Patheos Catholic blogs said they had unfavourable views of Muslims. However, the author of the study notes that only a fraction of respondents consume Catholic media regularly.

Father Patrick Ryan of the Society of Jesus, McGinley professor of religion at Fordham University, said Catholic people tend to be "rather hostile to Muslims with perceptions coloured by things like 9/11 and the persecution of Christians in places like Syria".
Christian school teacher resigns after leaving loaded gun in bathroom

A teacher at a Christian school in Pennsylvania has resigned after she left a loaded pistol in a bathroom only for it to be discovered by pupils.

Children at the Cumberland Christian School in Chambersburg, PA, found the weapon which had been left by 63-year-old Beth Jean Dixon.

State Police confirmed that the teacher had left the loaded gun on the tank of a toilet and then forgotten about it.

Despite her resignation she will still face legal action with charges of reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of children.

It's also reported that four children, aged six to eight, used the bathroom while the gun was there. Eventually a child reported the incident to his parent, who was also a teacher at the elementary school.

School President, The Rev Mike Sanders, said weapons have temporarily been banned from the school. "We're thankful because it could have been a lot worse," he said.

The incident highlights the risk of guns falling into the hands of children.

At least 265 children under the age of 18 picked up a firearm and accidentally shot themselves or someone else with it in the US in 2015, according to numbers compiled by the gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety.

Of those incidents, 83 ended in death.
How to respond to those times when it feels God isn't saving the day

I don't think I've ever met anyone who doesn't like superhero movies. That's because I believe that deep down in all of us is a desire to be rescued by someone from a certain crisis or problem that we may be facing. We know that God is a God who rescues, but when the time comes that we are caught in a mishap and we need God's help, we can often be more quick to call out "Why did you leave me?" instead of "Save me, Lord!"

I love reading Isaiah 43 where God gives a promise to the people of Israel that He will come to their rescue. Verses 2 to 4 really capture the power of the promise God makes: "When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. For I am the Lord your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you. I will give up Egypt to set you free; I will give up Ethiopia and Seba. I will give up whole nations to save your life, because you are precious to me and because I love you and give you honor."

This promise is not just an empty promise. Over and over again, God has come through in rescuing not just in days of old but even today. The Old Testament alone makes mention of no less than 500 instances where God came to rescue someone.

There are really two issues we face when we battle with God being our rescuer. Sometimes we battle with the thought that God can rescue us and other times we battle with the thought that God will rescue us.

Can God rescue us? Without a shadow of a doubt He can! Isaiah 59:1 says, "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear." God is all powerful and all capable and will rescue us from any physical, spiritual or any form of harm that may come our way.

More often the struggle really is with the idea that God will rescue us. We know that God has the power to save, redeem and reconcile, but why does it sometimes feel like He won't do it? Psalm 27:14 captures perfectly why and what we should do in response: "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

God sometimes asks us to wait, not because He's late or too busy, but because He wants us to learn to trust Him more. Often God will allow us to be in jeopardising situations, whether with health, finances, calling or even relationships - to train and remind us to put our full trust in Him. And in the nick of time, He will save. I don't think there was ever a time in my life that God did not come through and I'm sure that you can say the same. That is because we have a God who saves the day and never fails to do so.
Indonesia: Bullet-riddled body of Catholic teacher found

A Catholic teacher has been shot dead in Indonesia.

Yuni Yesra Patatang was head of a Catholic youth group and was found dead on Monday evening. His bullet-riddled body was discovered in Ilaga, in the Puncak Jaya district, Papua.

The Commission for Youth Ministry of the Indonesian Bishops Conference revealed he had been killed and his body discovered with two bullet wounds around 6.30pm on Monday evening.

No one has yet claimed the killing in a province heavily troubled by separatist violence. Puncak Jaya remains one of the most dangerous districts with groups such as the Organisasi Papua Merdeka fighting against government forces.

Patatang was from a Toraja ethnic family and was a religion and catechism primary school teacher after having graduated in catechetical studies. He also worked part time as a taxi driver.

Local police described the killing as "savage" as they vowed to send two special teams to hunt for the attacker.

"These teams would help the police and the Indonesian Military deployed in Puncak Jaya to hunt down the shooter," said Papua Police chief Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw. "The perpetrator's act is savage and inhumane, shooting a teacher who every day teaches children there to become educated."

Waterpauw added the scene suggested a fight had occurred before Patatang was finally shot from a short distance.

Markus Tandiyu, the head of Torajan community in Puncak Jaya, said: "That afternoon he was on his way from Kota Baru to his house in Kota Lama. He took a passenger to Kota Lama. Not long after that, he was found dead with a gunshot wound."
It isn't grim up north, it's glorious. Why don't more Christians realise it?

"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

Nathaniel was sceptical of Jesus not because of His teaching, His claims to be God or even His healings. It was because of where He came from.

Surely we've moved on and got over this kind of petty attitude in the 21st-century Church? I'm not so sure...

This week I've been enjoying listening to Melvyn Bragg's wonderful Radio 4 series The Matter Of The North. In it, Bragg takes us on a tour of the history, culture, politics and faith of the north of England.

For US readers who haven't visited the UK, the north of England is roughly similar to the American south. Its people are friendly, it has a distinct culture and history and it is far away from the seat of power  London. This means people in the north often feel looked down on by the south and ignored by the political and cultural elite.

What Bragg's series did so well was to highlight not only the history and achievements of the north (the cradle of the Industrial Revolution which changed the world, the birthplace of radical democratic movements such as the Independent Labour Party, Chartism and the Suffragettes, home to towering cultural work from Wordsworth to Morrissey). It also celebrated the profound spiritual heritage that the north has bequeathed to the rest of England, and indeed Britain.

Monastic communities which came from Ireland and Iona found a home on Holy Island  Lindisfarne. From there we heard of the pioneering historical work of the Venerable Bede  the only Englishman recognised as a 'Doctor of the Church'. The astonishing Lindisfarne Gospels, the pivotal Synod of Whitby which changed Christian faith forever, the Pilgrimage of Grace and the doughty resistance to Henry VIII's vandalism and destruction of monasteries were all highlighted.

Moving into the modern era, we heard of the powerful influence of Nonconformity in Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Northumbria and beyond. Not only were they an inspiration for much social transformation, Methodism, Quakerism and other sects led the way in renewing the British view of faith as something not merely to be practised by clergy on a Sunday. Instead it was to be an all-consuming, whole life of discipleship.

I really hope some of my Christian friends in the south were listening.

I was born, raised, educated and worked in Lancashire until work brought me to London nearly a decade ago. In that time I've met many wonderful people, been part of great churches and am proud to be a small part of the renaissance of the Church in the capital. I love London.

Yet there is a worrying trend among Christians here. Instead of being counter-cultural as we are called to be, I've noticed a sense in which some of my fellow Christians here in the south east slavishly follow the culture of the rest of society. They far too easily dismiss the north of England as "backward", "grim", or even "inferior". They may not use those words, but the feelings can be obvious.

Otherwise educated and informed people will proudly proclaim their ignorance when it comes to the north. "Oh," they say with an odd air of pride, "I've never been north of Watford (they mean Watford Gap)"  as if it's some kind of badge of honour. In which other field would people feel free to comment on something of which they've just proclaimed their ignorance? Yet proclaim they do. "Ooh, listen to your accent." "Doesn't it rain all the time up there?" "Oh, I could never live up there  I need to be in London."

How depressing.

The Church in London is in decent health. Elsewhere in the country, though of course not everywhere, it is struggling. When he was Bishop of Durham, Tom Wright told me that he despaired of the discrepancy in applications to clergy posts between his diocese and those down south. While a post in the south may attract 20-odd applications, he was often struggling to find candidates.

This is a big problem for the Church. If we believe all are equal before God, then there aren't certain parts of the country we should esteem higher than others. Sure, much of the southern commentary on the north is done jokingly, but many a true word is said in jest. There is a real socio-economic north/south divide in this country and we as Christians shouldn't buy into it. In fact, we should be actively opposing it. If Jesus sought out the more marginalised places, then so should we. If the Church was founded in an unlikely backwater of the Roman Empire, then why wouldn't the next big move of God in the UK come from the north of England?

There are, of course, many wonderful churches in the north. Exciting things are happening in our great northern cities, towns and villages. They don't need condescending sympathy. Yet they might need you to go and join in. Those from the south might be surprised at the breathtaking beauty of the north, the wonderful culinary delights (I'll have a Butter Pie, followed by a Manchester Tart since you're asking), and yes, the warmth of the people.

Of course, not all Christians in the south are prejudiced. Some love the north, while others have good reasons for being committed to their lives and ministry in London.

Others, though, would do well to remember what Philip said to Nathaniel once he had asked, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

His reply: "Come and see."

Follow Andy Walton on Twitter @waltonandy
Pope signals he will declare murdered priest Father Jacques Hamel a saint

Pope Francis has signalled that he is preparing to canonise Father Jacques Hamel, the French priest murdered by two Islamist terrorists in July.

Father Hamel could be made a saint without needing miracles because he died a Christian martyr.

The pope, who has been declared a top target himself by Islamic State, said the Islamist terrorists were satanic.

He was preaching this morning in St Marta's chapel at a mass for Father Hamel at St Marta's chapel in the Vatican to a group of 80 pilgrims from the Diocese of Rouen, who were there with the Archbishop of Rouen Dominique Lebrun, who has recently stated his own desire to see Father Hamel declared a saint.

Father Hamel was murdered on July 26 in the church of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

Pope Francis said: "Father Jacques Hamel has been slaughtered in the Cross, just as he celebrated the sacrifice of the Cross of Christ.

"A good man, meek, a brother, who was always trying to make peace, was assassinated as if it were a criminal."

This was a feature of satanic persecution, the pope said, speaking on the Feast of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

He said it was clear that Father Hamel saw his martyrdom coming while he was there, at the altar, and accepted it: "He gave his life for us, he gave his life not to deny Jesus. He gave his life in the same sacrifice of Jesus on the altar and from there he accused the author of persecution: 'Go away, Satan!'"

Pope Francis spoke of the current growth in Christian persecution. "Today there are Christians murdered, tortured, imprisoned, slaughtered because they do not deny Jesus Christ. In this story, we come to our Pere Jacques: he is part of this chain of martyrs. Christians who today suffer - either in prison or the death or torture - not to deny Jesus Christ, they show precisely the cruelty of this persecution."

It was satanic, he said, and martyrs are blessed. "We must pray to him, to give us meekness, brotherhood, peace, even the courage to tell the truth: to kill in the name of God is satanic."

Christian Today reported that Archbishop Lebrun is launching a cause for the canonisation of Hamel which he hopes will be fast-tracked. Archbishop Lebrun said recently: "The death of Father Jacques Hamel is the ultimate testimony of his faith in Jesus, he affirmed to the end. The holiness of recognition procedure... can not begin until five years after the death of the person. Formally, it is the bishop of the person's place of death to initiate the procedure. There is a local phase with a careful survey of the life and death of the person. Then the case is sent to Rome where [it is] studied before the Pope's decision."
Reflection: The mystery of Fr Jacques Hamel's final words

Just a few weeks ago, on a drive down France, I went to visit the church where Fr Jacques Hamel was brutally killed. The town, or suburb, of Sainte Etienne-du-Rouvray, is a small, quiet place beside the railway tracks, south of Rouen. The church was still closed, surrounded by barricades. There was a small, moving and tired-looking array of flowers, cards, mementos and tributes.

We are told that Fr Hamel died with these words on his lips: 'Go away Satan.' It is not clear what he meant. Journalists said it was directed at those who came at his throat with their knives. Or did those words point to a deeper struggle? I have pondered on these words as the utterance of a man of peace and a priest. His 'Satan' could have been the fear gripping his heart, or a despair that all was about to be lost. His 'Satan' may well have been anything that could have made him lose trust in Jesus at this hour of his death, the radical temptations urging him to abandon the very foundation on which he had built his whole life. He was, evidently, a man of peace, refusing a commission in the French Foreign Legion during his years of service because it would have meant giving orders to kill. He had built a life of daily peacefulness and his struggle may well have been in maintaining that stance, his radical decision of heart, of spirit, until the last moment of consciousness. The witness of his daily life as a priest, I suggest, is summed up in the manner of his death: on his knees, before the altar, the very position he had taken when he was ordained.

Our struggles are different but we too have to fight, each day, to keep fresh the original call and inspiration which brought us to our knees at the moment of our ordination. We too want to bring that dedication to the moment of our death.

There is so much more we can draw from our history, from many other shining examples of priesthood who emerge in the darkness of cruelty and human sinfulness. They are our brothers and they enrich us in our own striving and service.

So what is it that binds us together, across the centuries and the great diversity of experience? For me, the most appropriate word, the only word, that takes us to the heart of priesthood is that it is a gift. Priesthood is a gift given by the Lord to us in our daily unworthiness, entrusted to these vessels of clay, unfolding in responsibility, in opportunity, in a flow of trust, respect, affection that we do not deserve but which is given solely in the light of the office, the gift, we have received. Sometimes we have mistakenly thought that this gift bestows a personal superiority over others, or that it is a source of personal privilege setting us above others. How wrong that is, yet how beguiling: that we mistake for personal honour, the respect and esteem that belongs solely to the gift of being a priest of Jesus Christ.

We know only too well, as have all our brothers of ages past, that we are men who face every temptation, who know every weakness that characterises our humanity and our age: the difficulty of sustaining faithfulness in the commitments we have given; the difficulty of handling all relationships with integrity and openness; the challenges of social media and their addictive power; the dangers of misinterpreting anger or praise or indifference. The list is as complex as our common humanity. Yet the Lord has chosen us. Day by day we can rejoice in that choice, in the utterly astonishing fact that we are bound to Him for ever and that He chooses to use our hands, our words, our hearts to accomplish the most sublime work of His grace. The gift unfolds in so many ways, but especially, I suggest, in the way so beautifully expressed by Tony Philpot, in our witnessing and sharing in 'the great and miraculous joy' in the lives of so many ordinary people. That indeed is the stuff of our daily living!

The above article is an extract from a talk given by Cardinal Vincent Nichols for a day conference for the priests of the Archdiocese of Birmingham on 13 September 2016.
Retiring Archbishop of Wales delivers parting shot to conservatives: Bible can support gay marriage

The Archbishop of Wales has argued that taking the Bible seriously can lead to supporting same-sex marriage as he defended his acceptance of LGBT relationships.

Dr Barry Morgan, who will retire in January, used his last address to the governing body of the Church in Wales on Wednesday to deliver a parting shot to conservative critics who said he had been "swayed by the liberal culture of our age" and "ignored Holy Scripture".

He argued the Bible had more than one view on LGBT relationships as the authors' stances evolved. He said it was necessary to look at the texts as a whole, and especially at the ministry of Jesus, to understand God's will.

"Taking the Bible as a whole and taking what it says very seriously may lead us into a very different view of same-sex relationships than the one traditionally upheld by the Church," he said.

Although a majority in the Church in Wales' governing synod voted for change in September 2015, the Church said it was "not yet ready to allow or bless same-sex marriages" because the level of support did not reach the two-thirds majority needed to change Church law. But a statement added that "the debate is not over" and the Welsh bishops vowed to "work for a Church in which you can be fully affirmed as equal disciples of Jesus Christ or seekers after truth".

In a pastoral letter issued after 18 months of consultations across the Church, the bishops told gay couples: "We will pray with you and for you, that together we may seek God's blessing on our lives, and for faithful discipleship."

Dr Morgan, who has spearheaded the drive for change, compared those who interpreted the Bible as being against same-sex marriage with those who used the Bible to justify slavery. He argued that as opinions within the Church changed over slavery, so they may over same-sex relationships.

"What all this amounts to is that one cannot argue that there is one accepted traditional way of interpreting Scripture that is true and orthodox and all else is modern revisionism, culturally conditioned. Scripture itself is diverse and theological views held in some biblical books are reshaped in the light of experience by other writers," he told the governing body on Wednesday.

"Given that each of the passages purported to be about homosexuality can be interpreted in more than one way, we come to the fundamental question as to whether taking the Bible as a whole, we can come to the same conclusions about committed, faithful, loving, same-sex relationships as we did about slavery.

"We are not thereby abandoning the Bible but trying to interpret it in a way that is consistent with the main thrust of the ministry of Jesus, who went out of His way to minister to those who were excluded, marginalised, and abandoned by His society because they were regarded as impure and unholy by the religious leaders of His day, either because of their gender, age, morality or sexuality. Taking Holy Scripture seriously means paying attention to Jesus' ministry of inclusivity."

The Archbishop concluded his address by quoting from Amazing Love, a book that urged Christians to embrace LGBT relationships. He said people flourish in committed relationships with one other person. "Those of us who were or are married have found that to be the case," he said. "Why would we want to deny such a possibility for those who are attracted to their own gender?"

The address is likely to enrage conservative Anglicans who see Biblical opposition as the key argument against accepting same-sex marriage.

Ian Paul, a prominent conservative blogger and member of the Archbishops' Council, told Christian Today Morgan's comments were "really quite extraordinary".

He said: "Very many scholars of the Bible, including those who do not agree with the Church's traditional teaching on sexuality, would be astonished by his statement that 'the Bible has more than one view on homosexuality'. The few texts that are directly relevant are uniformly negative.

"The fact that these verses 'can be interpreted in different ways' demonstrates nothing; every verse in the Bible can be interpreted in different ways  the question is whether such interpretations stand up to scrutiny."

He went on to say the comparison with slavery was "odd". He accused Morgan of "offering precisely the kind of misreading that he is protesting that he is not".

Paul added: "Taking the Bible 'seriously' is fairly meaningless unless we explain what we are taking it 'seriously' to be."
The damaging myth of religious persecution in America

American Christians are not suffering right now, but if you read some of the headlines lately, you'd think our churches are in danger of being shuttered. A recent editorial in Christianity Today presents a particularly damaging perspective on the American Church because it redirects our attention from the believers suffering persecution around the world to the cultural shifts in America.

Before addressing the unfortunate piece in Christianity Today, let's examine what Christians around the world face compared to the American church:

A snapshot of global persecution

Besides the highly publicized torture, rape, and killing of Christians in Iraq and Syria and the imprisoning of Christians in Iran, or the current crackdown on Christians in China, there are equally serious attacks that Christians face in Pakistan where they are frequently marginalized, turned into indentured servants, and targeted in terror attacks. As Hindu nationalists take power in India, missionaries have been intimidated by local officials, Christians and churches attacked, and pastors beaten and threatened with cans of gasoline and matches. These all fit the profile of the dictionary meaning of persecution where a group is exterminated, driven away, or subjugated because of their beliefs.

Christians throughout Nigeria face attacks by extremist groups who control portions of the northern part of the country, while both government officials and extremists throughout Egypt continue to limit church building progress, marginalize, and harass Christians.

From economic marginalization to attacks on buildings, to personal threats and harm, Christians around the world face extraordinary pressure, stress, anxiety, and obstacles. They need our attention, prayers, and support. However, on a secondary note, they can also teach us how to persevere in the midst of suffering and trials, patiently trusting God to deliver them instead of fighting on the public square for greater political power.

What passes as "persecution" in America?

The focus of perceived "persecution" in America has been around issues such as prayer in schools, the use of public buildings for church services, same sex marriage, and transgender bathroom laws. However, each of these situations take for granted the freedom of religion and rather aim to determine whether the rights of religious practice are infringing on those who do not practice a religion or do not share the same religious beliefs. We could say that "freedom of religion" issues in America often try (sometimes failing, sometimes not) to balance the rights of different groups rather than seeking to attack or marginalize Christians.

These are serious and important issues in their place, but they are apples and oranges compared to the attacks on Christians around the world and the ways that groups attempt to limit their rights or livelihood because they view the very existence of Christians as a threat.

The primary group who could be described as "persecuted" in American are those who attend black churches. The shooting in a Charleston, SC church by a white supremacist was racially motivated, but this type of threat is closer to the real persecution that Christians face around the world. While there surely are legal concerns and expenses involved in discussing what kind of bathroom churches offer transgender individuals, this discussion of extending rights to a particular group in light of religious freedom is hardly close to the marginalization and danger Christians face around the world.

Overall, America is shifting to include more religious minority groups and more people who self-identify as atheists or religiously unaffiliated. Our laws are also shifting to reflect this mindset. While more traditional or conservative Christian views no longer dominate American lawmaking to the same degree, that isn't the same thing as saying the American government, which is still primarily filled with Christians, has any designs to eliminate the freedom of religion guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

Are American Christians Persecuted?

The mistaken editorial in Christianity Today suggests that American Christians should heed the analysis of persecuted Christians in the Middle East when it comes to the state of persecution in America. The article notes: "If our overseas brothers and sisters say we are, then we probably are."

First, there are many areas where we should defer to the wisdom of our Christian brothers and sisters overseas, especially those who are persecuted. We also owe a great debt of gratitude to those who venture overseas to support them, such as groups like the Preemptive Love Coalition that delivers food and supplies to refugees near the front lines of the conflict in Iraq.

Having said all of that, this article makes several key mistakes right off the bat. For starters, while persecuted Christians in the Middle East have much to teach us, they may not be experts in the state of the American Church or American politics. Would we expect persecuted Christians in Egypt to explain the state of the church in China? I would want to know what exactly these believers in the Middle East know of the American Church and, most importantly, which sources their information comes from.

However, even more baffling, this article in the top evangelical Christian magazine in America, includes some quotes that show the author has clearly made some mistakes in properly conceiving "persecution". Take the following quotes for instance from persecuted Christians in the Middle East:

"American persecution is like an advanced stage of cancer; it eats away at you, yet you cannot feel it. This is the worst kind of persecution."

"It wasn't only ISIS who laid waste to the Church; our cultural compromises with the government and our divisions against each other brewed for a long time. We are Damascus, the seat of Christianity; what happened to us can happen to you. Be careful."

The author follows these quotes with the following warning: "When persecuted Christian leaders overseas warn about how seriously US Christians are marginalized, it's time to listen."

From what I can tell, there must have been something lost in translation or some manner of confusion in these conversations. Neither of these quotes come even close to the perception of persecution in America.

For starters, there is more than enough noise in America about perceived "persecution". It's not a cancer that we haven't detected because 1) there is no actual persecution in America (unless you take hate crimes against black churches into account) and 2) there is plenty of noise about religious liberty fears. One could hardly visit a news website without an update regarding the religious liberty concerns over Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who refused to hand out same sex marriage licenses.

The second quote from a Middle Eastern Christian mentions cultural compromises with the government and internal divisions, not an organized threat attempting to marginalize, kill, or drive away Christians due to their beliefs. I could not agree more with the statement itself. Christians in America have much to learn about cultural compromises, the cost of forging political agreements with divisive groups, and attacking each other. These are all legitimate threats to the Church, but none of them qualify as "persecution."

The real danger of an article like this is that it appears to call American Christians to greater awareness of the global Church, but it merely distorts what the global Church says and drives American Christians into a deeper obsession with perceived religious liberty threats that have not and most likely will not materialize. As we delve deeper into our fears of persecution over matters such as church bathroom usage, we will miss an opportunity to bless persecuted Christians with our prayers, support, and resources.

Missing our brothers' and sisters' great needs in the world is the true danger of claims that the American church is persecuted.

Ed Cyzewski (MDiv) is the author of Pray, Write, Grow: A Christian Survival Guide, and The Contemplative Writer. He writes at www.edcyzewski.com and is on Twitter as @edcyzewski.
Antenna: Material gains

Meredith Etherington-Smith hails the collectibility of textile art, including a 1,000-year-old tapestry from Peru and the dyed-cotton installations of Malian artist Abdoulaye Konate

Both ancient and contemporary textiles are becoming increasingly sought after by collectors interested in the art of cultures from around the world  a field sometimes termed ethno-aesthetics. I dont like the expression tribal art; we are all members of tribes, says British textile dealer Jonathan Hope, one of the star exhibitors at this years Parcours des Mondes fair in Paris, which specialises in the art of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. Hope insists he prefers the term non-European art. The Paris fair attracted collectors from all over the world, who swarmed to the warren of galleries on the citys Left Bank, each presenting specially curated displays of world art, instead of their usual offering of 20th-century modern and Art Deco.

Open a larger version of this image Tapestry depicting a fish trap, circa 400-900 AD. Chimu culture, Lambayeque, northern coast Peru. Woven alpaca wool and cotton tapestry, 90 x 114 cm

In the first week of September, Londons Tribal Art Fair had previously run as a curtain-opener for the main attraction in Paris. Now in its third year at the Mall Galleries, the event has gone from strength to strength  this year it featured 22 galleries and attracted 4,000 additional visitors. This constant flow of participants proves that the London event has earned its place as a pit stop for international collectors heading to the French capital. New among exhibitors was Brussels dealer Marcuson & Hall, a self-described ethno-aesthetics expert and textiles specialist who showed a Yombe sleeping mat from the 1930s. Much older was an alpaca tapestry depicting a fish trap (above), made in Peru between 400 and 900 AD. Attributed to the Chimu culture based around modern-day Trujillo in the northeast of the country, it illustrates the importance of fishing to the Chimu, who were ultimately conquered by the Incas around 1470. The piece was presented by exhibitor Kapil Jariwala. Back at Pariss Parcours des Mondes, a new textile collecting area was unveiled by New Yorks Donald Ellis Gallery, which specialises in Native American art, in particular the emerging art of Americas northwest coast and Inuit art.

Open a larger version of this image Model Tipi, Cheyenne, circa 1870. Buffalo hide, pigments, 57in wide. Courtesy Donald Ellis Gallery

This is a very interesting area to collect in because, historically, textile enthusiasts have looked to works from Europe, East Asia and  increasingly in recent years  Africa. North America opens up a new field of collectibles ranging from dance blankets to entire tipis, like the one shown above.



Open a larger version of this image Abdoulaye Konate, Composition vert avec bande rouge et noire, 2016. Courtesy the artist and Blain | Southern, Photo Todd White



Textiles are also a living and vibrant contemporary tradition in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ghanaian artist El Anatsui, for instance, has drawn international attention in recent years. Now, from Mali, artist Abdoulaye Konate is having his first major London show with Symphonie en Couleur at Blain | Southern until 24 September. Konate is celebrated for his monumental, abstract textile compositions  made from hand-stitched woven and dyed cotton  which explore formal colour composition as a means of reflecting on political and social issues. The brilliant colours of these works are inspired by the hues found in rocks and minerals.

Open a larger version of this image Abdoulaye Konate, Loiseau rouge, 2016. Courtesy the artist and Blain | Southern, Photo Todd White
Halliburton is selling its west Houston office complex known as the Oak Park campus, according to Jones Lang LaSalle, the commercial real estate brokerage listing the property.

The 48-acre site at 10200 Bellaire Blvd. includes a 568,458-square-foot office building, a 17,500-square-foot fitness center, a day care center, central plant and a five-level parking garage.
Asia Society

1370 Southmore, asiasociety.org/texas

SOLD: A girl risks everything for freedom after being trafficked from her mountain village in Nepal to a brothel in India. 6:30 p.m. Thursday

Holocaust Museum Houston

5401 Caroline, hmh.org

NO ASYLUM: THE UNTOLD CHAPTER OF ANNE FRANK'S STORY: The stunning discovery of the lost letters of Anne Frank's father, Otto, reveal an unknown chapter of the family's life. 8 p.m. Thursday

River Oaks Theatre

2009 W. Gray, landmarktheatres.com

THE GODFATHER: The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son. Midnight Friday and Saturday

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

1001 Bissonnet; mfah.org

RIVER OF FUNDAMENT: Writer Norman Mailer reincarnates three times in three bodies by magically entering the womb of his wife. Shows will be in a three part series. 7 p.m. Friday, 6 and 8:10 p.m. Saturday, 2, 4, and 6:10 p.m. Sunday

Houston Museum of Natural Science

5555 Hermann Park Drive; hmns.org

WILD AFRICA 3-D: From the highest snow-covered mountains in Kenya, along great rivers, into steamy rainforests and wide-open savannahs, "Wild Africa 3-D" reveals the striking contrast of stunning deserts beside wild oceans and the sunlit abundance of the coral reefs. Multiple screenings daily

DINOSAURS ALIVE: 3-D adventure follows paleontologists around the world as they uncover evidence that the descendants of dinosaurs still walk or fly among us. Multiple screenings daily

NATIONAL PARKS ADVENTURE: World-class mountaineer Conrad Anker, adventure photographer Max Lowe and artist Rachel Pohl bike, hike and climb their way across America. Multiple screenings daily
The Army identified a soldier who died in a crash last week outside Fort Hood as Stacy Jordan Hardy, 20.

Hardy was killed September 9 just outside the central Texas Army post. The fatal motorcycle crash remains under investigation by police in Killeen, Army officials said.
Police are searching for a suspect in the stabbing death of a man Sunday in the parking lot of his home in north Houston.

The stabbing happened about 11:15 a.m. at 197 Goodson near Airline, according to the Houston Police Department.

Police identified the victim as 35-year-old Jose Hernandez.

Police said Hernandez had just placed his child in his truck when a man approached him. The man began to fight with Hernandez and then stabbed him several times. When Hernandez screamed for help, several people nearby ran to his aid.

Hernandez was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect ran away after the stabbing and so far has eluded capture.

The man is described as being between about 18 years old and 25 years old and between about 5 feet, 7 inches and 5 feet, 10 inches tall. He had a short afro hair cut, was shirtless and wore dark-colored jeans. A red shirt was hanging over his shoulder.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS or online at www.crime-stoppers.org. Tips may also be submitted by text message. Text TIP610 and tips to CRIMES.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect or charges being filed against him.

All tipsters remain anonymous.

Crime Stoppers will pay a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org. Tips may also be sent via a text message by texting the following: TIP610 plus the information to CRIMES (274637) or via our mobile app (Crime Stoppers Houston). All tipsters remain anonymous.
Healthy food may be a trend, but there are some things you just don't mess with, especially Louisiana gumbo.

In an effort to get in on the action, Disney decided to post a video about how to make "healthy gumbo," and this went very wrong.
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Although the former first lady and honorary chair was unable to attend the Ladies of Literacy Guild of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's inaugural "Power of Literacy" luncheon (try saying that three times fast), there was still plenty of star power packed into the River Oaks Country Club on Wednesday.

A bookshelf stocked with children's titles and florals welcomed some 430 guests including Joanne King Herring, Kelli Cohen Fein, Diane Englet, Chree Boystun, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Donna Vallone, Christine Falgout, Jo Lynn Falgout, and Alicia Maguire Smith to the first-time fete. A few gentlemen  Scott McClelland and Jim Postl, to name a few  crashed the nearly all-female gathering. Inside the venue's foyer, a life-size cardboard cutout of Barbara Bush stood guard in front of a literacy tree that was literally dripping with popular hardcover books; there, her son and daughter-in-law, Neil and Maria Bush, posed with several attendees during the bustling reception.

"We have some educators in the audience; clap once if can you hear me, clap twice if you can really hear me," opened KRPC-2 anchor and mistress of ceremonies Rachel McNeill in an attempt to quiet the excitable crowd. "Nothing makes me happier than going upstairs and hearing my older son reading to my younger son  without being asked."

After Dr. Tom Pace gave the invocation, Neil followed to thank chair Alice Mosing, the luncheon committee, and Dr. Julie Baker Finck  the latter spearheaded the "Houston's Literacy Crisis: A Blueprint for Community Action Outline"  for their efforts.

"These tables sold like hot cakes," he quipped.

"One year ago, 97 women agreed to serve on Ladies for Literacy," explained guild president Betty Hrncir. Their project, Owlbortron and Northtale's mobile Curiosity Cruiser, dubbed the "library on wheels," will hit the streets of low-income neighborhoods beginning next summer.

Dr. Patricia Kuhl, keynote presenter and "Brain Science and Early Learning: It's All About Timing!" author, spoke next on the importance of using language as a tool during the first years of childhood development to build success in school and life.

"Behold the power of women gathered together and harnessing their energy," Kuhl noted. "The first time I heard the phrase 'learning to read, reading to learn,' was when Mrs. Barbara Bush was first lady."

Mosing closed the program by reminding patrons that while the Love Advertising-designed, John Poindexter-built Curiosity Cruiser was sponsored by Phillips 66, proceeds from the luncheon will help customize its interior and exterior. In an effort to reach the event's $300,000 goal, the centerpieces and book plates placed on each table were available for purchase. Early reports indicate that the guild's first fundraiser raised nearly $250,000 before doors opened.

Sidney Faust, Cora Sue Mach, and the River Oaks Bookstore collaborated to provide collectible swag gifts: commemorative bookmarks and reading lights.
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For some, it's not enough to carve a pumpkin and call it a day. They take Halloween to a spiritual level.

And in Texas, that's not hard to do.

The Lone Star State is home to residents, both in this life and the hereafter, and it makes for especially spooky road trips in the fall months.

The Lone Star State is so haunted, it even conjured up the likes of the cast and crew of TLC's "Ghost Adventures" earlier this year. The show filmed at a bridge in Denton (pictured above), thought to be haunted by a man who was reportedly killed by the KKK in 1938.

Some people thought the KKK were actually out at the bridge, not realizing it was just a reenactment for the television show. Yikes.

If were weren't able to make it to Galveston during the summer, there's still a good excuse to visit in October: The Ghost Bride. The gorgeous historic Hotel Galvez is said to be haunted by an unlucky soul who committed suicide when she was erroneously told her fiance died in a shipwreck. This happened around the turn of the century, but her spirit has yet to move on.

The hotel offers ghost tour dinners all throughout the month of October.

SEE ALSO: Louisiana's most haunted destinations

If you want to go even further back in history, Presidio La Bahia in Goliad is said to be haunted. Unexplained lights and sounds have been reported at this fort, which was constructed in 1721.

You don't need a Ouija board to help you unravel the mystery of which spots are haunted around Texas; we've compiled some of the best locations around the Lone Star State for you.

Check them in the gallery above (if you dare, muah ha ha).
Rice University broke into the top 20 U.S. national universities, with a ranking of No. 15, up from the No. 18 slot the previous year, in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report national rankings. That makes the private Houston institution the highest ranked Texas university.

Other Texas universities had mixed results.

The University of Texas at Austin ranked No. 56, down from No. 52, and the University of Houston fell to No. 194 from No. 187.

Baylor University rose to No. 71 from No. 72.

Click here for a slideshow of how other Texas universities fared.
Look up into the night sky and it's quickly apparent we are but a speck in a vast universe.

On Wednesday, the European Space agency released the first data from the Gaia space telescope that drives home that point even further  a catalog of over a billion stars.

It is the largest all-sky survey of celestial objects to date and scientists involved in the project say the new data is just a mere sample of what's to come, namely the most detailed 3-D map of the Milky Way ever created.

"Gaia is at the forefront of astrometry, charting the sky at precisions that have never been achieved before," said Alvaro Gimenez, ESA's director of science. "Today's release gives us the first impression of the extraordinary data that await us and that will revolutionize our understanding of how stars are distributed and move across our galaxy."

Not only is Gaia pinpointing the location of the stars, it can plot their trajectory.

By understanding how stars move, scientists might be able to gain new insight into how quickly the universe has grown since its inception.

Scientists hope to discover new stars, exoplanets and possibly even distant galaxies, known as quasars, during the five-year mission.

Gaia was launched three years ago and began collecting star data in 2014. The data released Wednesday was from the first year of observation.

European scientists have collected so much data, they've actually taken the unusual step of appealing to the public to sort through it all. Of the billion stars detected about Gaia, about 400 million never have been catalogued before. You can find the Gaia database here.

Scientists say the data captured by Gaia is a vast improvement over that taken by the previous star-mapping telescope, Hipparcos, which launched in 1989.

"With Hipparcos, we could only analyze the 3D structure and dynamics of the stars in the Hyades, the nearest open cluster to the Sun, and measure the distances for about 80 clusters up to 1,600 light-years from us," said Antonella Vallenari of the Astronmical Observacory of Padua, Italy. "But with Gaia's first data, it is now possible to measure the distances and motions of stars in about 400 clusters up to 4,800 light years away."
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Heard enough from the presidential candidates on immigration? Tired of the talk about globalization?

You might be. Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have talked a great deal about these issues on the campaign trail.

They have spent far less time talking about science and technology.

There's a fairly comprehensive roundup of Trump, Clinton and Green Party candidate Jill Stein's views on science and technology this week in Scientific American. (Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson has yet to participate).

The publication, along with ScienceDebate.org, sought input from dozens of scientific organizations to come up with 20 questions for the candidates.

Some of their answers won't surprise you. Clinton, for example, sticks pretty close to her stump speech on the issues of climate change, reiterating her desire to see half of all electricity generated from "clean" sources within 10 years and reducing oil consumption by a third over the same time.

Trump's response on climate change is interesting.

He says, "There is still much that needs to be investigated in the field of 'climate change.' Perhaps the best use of our limited financial resources should be in dealing with making sure that every person in the world has clean water. Perhaps we should focus on eliminating lingering diseases around the world like malaria. Perhaps we should focus on efforts to increase food production to keep pace with an ever-growing world population. Perhaps we should be focused on developing energy sources and power production that alleviates the need for dependence on fossil fuels. We must decide on how best to proceed so that we can make lives better, safer and more prosperous."

The semantics here are worth noting: he doesn't deny man-made climate change is affecting our planet. Then again the dubious quotation marks might suggest otherwise.

Interestingly, the issues he suggests might be more worthy of our attention  clean water, malaria and food security  all will be affected by climate change, according to several studies. Here's a good look at food security and climate change by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and a peer-reviewed journal article that predicts a mixed-bag type of scenario for the spread of malaria on a warming planet.

The candidates go on to provide their thoughts on issues such as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, opioids, nuclear power, water and mental health.

Their response to questions about space exploration should be of particular interest to residents of Houston. Clinton seems to share NASA's current ambitions to send humans to Mars. Trump makes no mention of Mars but says he values a robust space program.

It's an interesting read, and in the coming days the staff at Scientific American plans on assigning letter grades to the candidates' answers, scoring them on whether the candidate really answered the questions, the details provided in the answers and whether there's scientific consensus around them.

That should be published next week.

We'll certainly be reading.
A 74-year-old Liberty County man died after he was attacked by what are believed to be Africanized honey bees while on a hunting lease in Uvalde County, Texas.

Jerry Chapman and his wife of 52 years, Frances, of Hardin, were at their hunting lease over the Labor Day weekend when the attack occurred.

Frances says the bees had been discovered inside an exterior compartment of their fifth-wheel travel trailer. They had entered the compartment through a small screw hole. Jerry donned a borrowed beekeeper's mask and was in the process of removing the bees when he was attacked.

"The bees must have found a way to get into the mask. He started running and threw the head gear off and ran to our truck and got inside, but they were all over his bee suit," Frances said.

Trapped inside the travel trailer with a swarm of bees surrounding it, Frances called her husband's cell phone and asked what she could do to help.

"He said, 'Baby, don't go out there, don't go outside,'" Frances recalled. "I could hear him fighting off the bees inside the truck."

When the phone went dead, she called him back to urge him to drive the truck to a neighboring hunting camp where he could seek help. She heard the truck start and pull away as she remained huddled inside the camper.

A little while later, she said hunters from a neighboring camp arrived to help.

"Three hunters came running up to the door of the trailer and said to quickly gather my purse and whatever else I needed. Then we ran to their vehicle," she said.

She found out that her husband had been driven to a hospital in Uvalde, where it was decided that he would be airlifted to a medical center in San Antonio.

"When I got to the hospital and saw my husband, I couldn't believe what I was looking at. The bee stingers were just poking out all over the place on his hands and face," Frances said. "The doctors said he had been stung as much as a thousand times by the bees. He had so much toxic poisoning in him that they put him on dialysis twice but his kidneys finally shut down. There was nothing more they could do."

Chapman died Sept. 7, four days after the attack. He was a father to two sons, grandfather to seven children and great-grandfather of three.

In his community, Chapman is being remembered for his years of service as a Mason. He was a member of the East Houston Masonic Lodge #1299 for 29 years and became a dual member of the Batson Lodge #974, where he was chaplain. He also was a 25-year member of the Arabia Shriners.

Retired at the time of his death, he had worked for Amoco Oil for 33 years as a crane operator.

Frances said she hasn't returned to the travel trailer in Uvalde but was told the bees were eradicated after the attack.

Deadly bee attacks uncommon

Africanized honey bees, often referred to as killer bees, are actually hybrids.

"People think of them as killer bees but they are not. The Africanized term means they are a hybrid of the African bee and the European honeybees," said Cameron Crane of Liberty County Beekeepers. "They have some portion of the gene of the African bee but they also have European genes."

Of the two genetic strains, the European bees tend to be more docile while the Africanized bees are aggressive and known to attack with minor provocation.

"You can't tell them apart by physically looking at the bees. The only way to tell them apart is through genetic testing," Crane said.

Most often, it is the behavior of the bees that is most telling. The European bees, when provoked, will follow a perceived threat for 20 yards or so until returning to the hive. Africanized bees are known for following a perceived threat for a quarter-mile or so. A victim will get tagged by one or more of the bees with an alarm pheromone, which can be removed by bathing or changing clothes.

Jumping into water to avoid bees is never a good option, said Crane, because the bees will linger in an area longer than the victim can hold his or her breath.

"On a regular hive with European bees, when you upset the bees, you might have two dozen bees come after you, usually not even that many. But when you disturb an Africanized hive, you will have hundreds and possibly thousands of bees coming after you," Crane said.

In Liberty County, and the neighboring Chambers, Hardin and Jefferson counties, activity of Africanized bees is rare, according to Crane, in large part due to the number of beekeepers in the area.

"Hive keepers are constantly introducing good genetics to their hives and keeping the African genetics pushed out," he said.

While areas closer to Houston might not seem more likely places to find Africanized bees, Crane said the opposite is true.

"In areas where beekeeping is limited, such as suburbs and around chemical plants, there is an increase in Africanized hives," he said.

Genetics of a hive can change quickly, so it is important for apiarists to closely monitor their hives for changes in behavior, according to Mary Reed, apiary inspector for the Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS), part of Texas A&M University's AgriLife Extension Service.

"It's uncommon for people to be killed by bees but every year there is usually a death or two of a dog or horse from honeybee issues," Reed said. "The human victims are typically the elderly or the very young and those who go into anaphylactic shock. They are the most vulnerable."

Honeybees are resourceful creatures who can gain entry to a home, business or outbuilding through small access points, but people can limit their risk by sealing holes in their structures as quickly as possible.

"We try to encourage people to regularly survey their property. Make sure there are no cavities where bees can build up. If there are cavities in your structure, seal them up quickly so this doesn't become a problem," Reed said.

Some of the areas in which bees are known to build hives are abandoned vehicles, empty containers, fences, lumber piles, manholes, water meters, utility boxes, old tires, trees, garages, walls, chimneys and crawl spaces.

"I did a bee removal of a hive once that was built coming down from a mattress that was being stored in a shed. It was a magnificent hive but it couldn't stay in the shed," Reed said.

When removal isn't possible, terminating the hive might be the best option, particularly when there is a risk of humans being attacked by the bees.

"I hate the thought of terminating a hive, but when human life is at risk, I make it clear to people they should not hesitate to terminate the hive," said Reed, though referring the person to a bee removal expert is always her first suggestion.

For a list of apiarists who offer bee removal services, go to http://txbeeinspection.tamu.edu/
When the Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo kicks off Sept. 23, its newest staff member will likely feel right at home, despite having never attended the event before.

That's because the county fair's new manager, Sam Magee, is a lifelong rodeo-goer.

He replaced interim manager Cindy Schmidt, who took on the role in late spring after the previous fair manager, Susan Sillavan Forbes, stepped down.

The president of the board of the Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo, Neil O. Yelderman, said he hopes Magee will find ways to increase revenue, efficiency and attendance at the 10-day event, which already draws about 200,000 visitors annually. And Magee has the personal and professional background to equip him for the job.

Magee, 53, has been a county fair manager since 2006, when he took over as the manager of the four-county Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Magee's roots in the county fair business extends back to childhood.

He didn't show swine or heifers  though his son and daughter, now 20 and 17, both did  but he rode bulls for eight years.

Magee started when he was 17. He reveled in the adrenaline rush that came with holding onto a bull with just with his legs and a rope in one hand, the sound of other riders cheering him on in the background.

"The great thing about rodeoing is, yeah, you're competing against other cowboys but nobody sees it that way," Magee said. "It's just you and this bull. So the other cowboys are just, 'You can do it! You can ride him.' They're just very supportive."

Magee worked construction to support what he still calls his "rodeo habit." He spent his summers and falls riding at fairs and rodeos throughout Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma. He hit about 60 a year, Magee said.

After a stint as a police officer and time working for an insurance agency where he did GPS mapping of farmland, Magee took over as manager of the four-county Rio Grande Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2006.

The rodeo drew about 280,000 visitors per year, and had similar carnival games, food and livestock competitions to those of the Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo, Magee said.

A desire for a fresh start after a divorce brought him to Fort Bend County, Magee said.

He and his daughter, Gentry, now live between Rosenberg and Needville, where Gentry attends high school.

This year, Magee's role at the fair and rodeo will be largely observational. Most of the planning was complete by the time Magee was hired.

Beginning in October, Magee will lead the planning for the 2017 county fair.

"My whole philosophy is to jump on and let's go," Magee said. "I will follow Cindy and see how it runs. I will see it through this first fair. I couldn't be more excited."
Sugar Land City Council members opted on Sept. 6 not to include funding in this year's budget for the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation.

The decision came after three budget presentations by the Heritage Foundation. The foundation requested $75,000 from the city to cover its maintenance and operation expenses for the 2017 fiscal year.

Mayor Joe Zimmerman repeatedly said the budget presented did not adequately depict the foundation's financial situation and needs.

"I don't think we have the detail to be able to discuss it," Zimmerman said at a Sept. 1 meeting.

Instead of approving funding, Zimmerman asked Sugar Land's financial team to look over the foundation's budget and come forward with a revised funding request in October.

The 8-year-old Heritage Foundation has covered its maintenance and operations costs in previous years through a combination of city money and its own fundraisers, Executive Director Dennis Parmer said.

But the foundation has struggled with fundraising because it lacked a permanent location, Board President Martin Nicholas said at the Sept. 6 city council meeting.

Coupled with the oil downturn, the foundation's fundraisers have fallen short of their expected income so far this year.

"We're at a point that it's taken an inordinate amount of effort to raise operating funds," Nicholas said.

Sugar Land created the Heritage Foundation with the expectation that it would become self-sustaining and run a museum about the city's history.

Though admission to the museum will be free, the foundation's future income will come from that museum, through facility rentals and a gift shop, once it's open, Parmer said.

But in order to make it to the museum's expected opening in winter of 2017, the Heritage Foundation needs additional help from the city, Parmer said.

"To me, it's like a Catch-22," Council Member Harish Jajoo said. "You don't have the money because you don't have the place open. If you had the place open, you could have the money."

Sugar Land forged an agreement in 2009 that expired this year to contribute $75,000 annually to help cover the foundation's maintenance and operations costs, which, for the 2016 fiscal year were about $140,000, Parmer said.

That covered Parmer's salary and a part-time archivist, plus costs associated with its temporary museum on the site of the future Imperial Market development off of U.S. Route 90 Alternate.

Sugar Land paid $675,000 to renovate the museum's site, located above the Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center in the Imperial Market development.

The museum will take up 8,000 square feet of the 12,800-square-foot second floor. The rest of the space will be a visitor center, staffed and funded by Sugar Land.

The Heritage Foundation has the funding to open the museum with one permanent exhibit and several temporary exhibits, Parmer said.

The permanent exhibit will likely be an interactive timeline, Parmer said.

The Heritage Foundation will launch a capital campaign at the end of 2016 or in early 2017 to raise money for additional permanent exhibits, Parmer said.

Sugar Land city staff will present the city's revised budget to the council in October, and come up with a new estimate as to how much the Heritage Foundation needs to sustain it until opening day, Assistant City Manager Mike Goodrum said.

City council will have approved the fiscal year 2017 budget by October, so that amount will be an amendment to the budget, Goodrum said.

Council Member Himesh Gandhi has already put a cap on how much he thinks the city should pitch in.

"I probably would not exceed a 75 [thousand dollar] number," Gandhi said.
A 15-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital Wednesday morning after a vehicle hit him as he rode his bicycle near Cinco Ranch High School in Fort Bend County.

The incident happened about 6 a.m on the Grand Parkway near Cinco Ranch Boulevard, according to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner visited the city of Katy last week as part of an effort to develop stronger relationships with the area's suburban towns.

Turner toured the new city hall and met with several city leaders, including Mayor Fabol Hughes, City Administrator Byron Hebert and Mayor Pro Tem Charles Brawner.The group discussed how both cities could work together and improve communication  both points that are increasingly important as the 16,000-resident city and its surrounding area continue to expand, according to Brawner.

"We talked about how we can help each other," Brawner said. "There were no specifics. But he knows we're willing to work with them, and we want to work closer with them. It's a good thing for the western side of Houston. It opened doors to be able to discuss things in the future."

Both cities will have more extensive dialogue going forward, according to Brawner, who also said Turner's visit was a segment in his plan to increase communication from his city to various areas of Houston.

The mayor first scheduled the visit to the 11-square-mile city to happen months ago, before historic flooding in the Houston area on April 18 delayed the meeting, Brawner said.

Various areas of Houston were impacted then when nonstop downpour caused waterways to swell out of their banks. At least eight people died in the region due to the floods and federal disaster declarations were announced for several counties in the region.

About 12-17 inches of rain hit the Katy area that day, and in the city, hundreds of homes were damaged.

On June 28, the city of Houston announced that eight nonprofits in the Houston area would receive a combined $1.8 million from the city's Greater Houston Storm Relief Fund, which was created in the aftermath of the floods.

Katy Christian Ministries, located on 1st Street, was included in that list. The nonprofit received a share of approximately $33,000, according to the city of Houston.

The city of Katy has plans for a geological study to see how improvements can be made for flooding, Brawner said. To this day, people in and around the city need financial aid and supplies due to the floods.

Turner and city of Katy officials only briefly discussed the floods, Brawner added.

This is the first visit by Turner since being elected mayor last December. Brawner said he could not recall the last time a Houston mayor formally visited Katy.

"We are neighbors and see the meeting as a way to open the dialogue to see how Katy and Houston can work together on transportation, flooding and drainage issues that affect our region," Turner said in an emailed statement. "I'm looking forward to building a strong, productive relationship between our cities."
Dallas Ledger walked into Memorial Hermann Katy last Dec. 17 for a checkup on her 26-week-old unborn son. She and her husband, Travis, had plans for dinner that night to celebrate their four-year wedding anniversary. Ledger was anxious to get the appointment over with and prepare for her date.

In a hospital room minutes later, though, doctors appeared concerned after viewing a monitor of Ledger's baby, who had been named Noah.

Doctors told Ledger that her son's heart had stopped beating.

"Everything in me just kind of shut down," Ledger said through tears. "It's almost like his 80 years or 90 years of life that he would have lived flashed before my eyes. I thought, 'He's never going to go to kindergarten or get married.' It happened so fast that we didn't have time to find him burial clothes."

Instead, the hospital provided a tiny gown from the nonprofit Angel Gowns by Diane in which to bury Noah.

The Katy-based nonprofit, which takes donated wedding and formal dresses and reconstructs them into miniature gowns for babies who have died before or soon after birth, has been expanding significantly this past year after beginning operations about two years ago.

Its founder, Katy resident Diane Dionne, has grown her staff from a handful of people to 250 volunteers sprinkled across the nation, 175 of them in the Houston area.

Stillbirths, or the death of a baby before or during delivery, affect about 1 percent of all pregnancies in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control.

America's infant mortality rate, or the death rate for children that are generally less than one year old, is troubling. About 6.1 out of every 1,000 infants die in the U.S., a rate higher than many of the other wealthiest countries in the world, according to a 2014 report by the CDC.

The statistics prove how many families here need aid during the loss of their baby, Dionne said.

Angel Gowns by Diane has drop-off spots for dresses at various locations in Houston and throughout the state, as well as in other states such as Virginia.

After receiving the donated dresses, Dionne and her team work to cut and sew the dresses into gowns.

The gowns are for babies who died before ever being able to go home, such as stillborn babies or ones who died shortly after birth at the hospital or in hospice care, according to Dionne. Her team also sews "angel wraps" for the smallest of babies such as those in a miscarriage.

The gowns and wraps are given to hospitals and funeral homes in the Houston area, as well as to other in- and out-of-state locations. The nonprofit has delivered more than 10,000 gowns and wraps since its inception, Dionne said.

One of them went to Ledger, who had to return to Memorial Hermann Katy the day after being informed of Noah's death to deliver her stillborn baby.

"He was buried in something that is meaningful," said Ledger, who lives in Tomball. "It's meaningful, and it gives importance to the life he did have. As a family going through a loss, we are hit with many costs ... So having Angel Gowns provide a burial gown at no cost is very helpful during that time."

Ledger joined the nonprofit soon after her baby's death. She now aids with cutting dresses and with organizational efforts.

Angel Gowns by Diane began after Dionne became aware of a group called Angel Gowns by Michelle based in Washington State. Angel Gowns has several branches spread throughout the U.S., and there are other organizations under different names that perform similar work.

Dionne's daughter, Sarah Zirkle, had a baby that died about 12 years ago. She lost a second baby two years later.

"The reason I started Angel Gowns is because of my daughter," Dionne said. "These are families who are going through a loss. This is their darkest hour. If myself and our volunteers are able to offer a glimmer of light, we are doing our jobs. This gown that is handed to these families  I think of it as this is the only time that these parents will be able to dress their children."

Dionne's nonprofit is funded through donations. Dionne hosts fundraisers in the Katy area, but she said cash is still tight in most months, and it is becoming more difficult to support her cause as she expands her operations.

Dionne said her organization spends anywhere from $750 to $1,000 a month on expenses that include shipping costs, gas money and sewing materials.

Dionne's organization is the only major nonprofit for baby burial gowns in the Houston area.

The group seems to have affected many people positively. The Angel Gowns by Diane Facebook page has almost 6,000 "likes," and it is filled with positive reviews.

"You think it will never happen to you. I never thought it would happen to me," Ledger said. "It's just about knowing that these tiny and precious gowns are being given time and love to help the families to grieve and move forward."

For more information on the organization, and to donate, click here.

To view the Angel Gowns by Diane Facebook page, click here.
Supporters of Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson held a rally dozens of feet above the Southwest Freeway during the Tuesday afternoon rush hour.

About a dozen supporters flocked to the Dunlavy Street bridge over U.S. 59 about 5 p.m. to show off campaign signs to motorists below.
Bryant, Moore.jpg

Mississippi attorney general Jim Hood said Wednesday he will defend Gov. Phil Bryant (left)and the State of Mississippi against a lawsuit over the state flag filed by Moss Point native and Grenada attorney Carlos Moore (right). (File photos/The Mississippi Press)

(bn)

JACKSON, Miss. -- Moss Point native and attorney Carlos Moore has decided to file an appeal with the State of Mississippi on Wednesday after his suit against Gov. Phil Bryant was dismissed last week by Judge Carlton Reeves.

In February, Moore filed a federal lawsuit against Bryant seeking to eliminate the nation's last state flag with the Confederate battle emblem.

Moore told The Mississippi Press in March that he is adamant about improving the state for the next generation of residents of Mississippi and feels that he will be successful in his endeavor to rid the state of a symbol of vitriol to its African American population.

Reeves dismissed Moore's case last week, citing Moore's inability to articulate a "cognizable legal injury."

While Reeves dismissed Moore's case, he did not hold any punches in articulating his sentiments in the state's continuous flight of the state flag.

"Since the Civil War, this nation has evolved and breathed new life into 'We the People' and 'all men are created equal,'" Reeves stated in his conclusion. "Mississippi is known for its resistance to that evolution."

While Moore did not receive the judgment he was seeking, he noted that Reeves shared similar sentiments regarding the feelings and historical vitriol Mississippi's flight of the state flag renders onto its citizens.

"I think Judge Reeves interpreted standing in a way that is inconsistent with Supreme Court precendent," Moore said. "My lawyer and I are confident that he will be reversed by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals."

"As for his opinion concerning the repulsive nature of the Confederate battle emblem and its historical ties to slavery, lynchings, pain, and white supremacy, he hit the nail on the head. I wholeheartedly agree with his assessment in that regard," Moore said.

Moore's attempts to have the state flag removed has sparked what seems to be a feeling of shared inclusiveness among universities in Mississippi as seven of the eight public universities have removed the flag. Moore says he is elated by what he has seen.

"I am elated that seven of the eight public universities in the state have taken down the state flag on their respective campuses," Moore said. "I believe Delta State University will soon be added to that number and this indicates that the tide has turned and we are swiftly heading toward a new Mississippi."

"I strongly believe that the offensive state flag's days are numbered -- it's just a matter of time," Moore said.
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North Texas teacher Brandy Young recently received praise from around the country after she sent a note home saying there would be "no formally assigned homework."

For the United States, the discussion about the pros and cons of homework is more than a century old. The early 1900s saw a strong national movement behind banning homework. Even an 11-year-old Barack Obama protested against homework by holding up a sign that said "Strike!"

Many of the conversations about homework revolve around the student, but almost no attention has been given to what homework does to teachers.

READ MORE: Too much homework? Some parents are just opting out

A decade before Young asked parents to eat dinner as a family instead of doing homework, education author Alfie Kohn published his book "The Homework Myth."

The book contained evidence against take-home assignments as well as teacher testimonies about what happened when they stopped giving out homework. In his book, one teacher explained that he used to assign a lot of homework "as a crutch, to compensate for poor lessons."

Two years later, Kohn featured some of the emails on his blog that he received from teachers who were inspired to cut homework because of the book.

"I eliminated most of the homework assignments (except for major projects), and had the students do the exercises in class while I walked around giving help where needed," wrote David Moore, a music theory teacher. "This has made for a lot less busywork for me and for the students, and has brought me into closer contact with the students and how they are learning."

READ MORE: Portland elementary joins others in ditching homework

Richard Coleman, a San Diego teacher, told Kohn that it broke his heart to know that students who had a hard time in class were only getting discouraged at home if they struggled with the homework.

"They would stuff it in their backpacks never to be looked at again," Coleman wrote. "How could any teacher not feel bad about that?"

Click through above to see what other major changes might be in store for Texas' education system.
Four people, including a middle-aged mother and her grown son, are in federal custody on charges they participated in a Magnolia cocaine processing lab run out of a stately suburban home.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo in Houston heard several hours of testimony Tuesday afternoon about the defendants, whose arrests last week resulted from protracted air and land surveillance by two dozen narcotics agents.

Palermo found probable cause to hold them for trial and said all four should be detained in the interim, despite testimony from some of their relatives that they posed no danger or flight risk.

RELATED GALLERY: Report shows what drugs young teens are abusing

"We are talking about a large quantity of drugs. All of these defendants had money or drugs or guns," Palermo said Tuesday before turning them over to the U.S. Marshal's Office. "We're talking about a significant quantity of drugs, a large quantity of money, we're talking about scary guns."

Lalo Buddy Perez, 26, and Michael Anthony Patran, 28, are charged with money laundering, cocaine possession with intent to deliver and possession of firearms used in trafficking or crime. Perez's mother, Pauline Lucy Rivas, 50, and Robert Ashleigh Whitten, 37, have been charged with money laundering and possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

James Emerson, a Galveston narcotics officer who coordinated the investigation for the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force, testified that the sting resulted from a tip from a confidential informant who indicated Perez and Patron were transporting proceeds from drug sales toward the border.

He said a canine unit from Harris County Sheriff's Office stopped the men in their Cadillac Escalade for speeding and crossing lanes improperly and found an AK-47, a pistol, and stacks of cash wrapped in cellophane and duct tape.

The deputy relayed details about the stop through law enforcement to the surveillance teams, who then closed in a gold Dodge Ram leaving the house they'd been watching in the 9700 block of Deer Path Lane, Emerson said.

Officers stopped Whitten and arrested him after he tried to flee. Emerson testified they found 18.5 kilos of cocaine in the car and $666,000 in U.S. currency, wrapped in cellophane according to denomination.

Rivas, Perez's mother, who like him has no prior arrests, was stopped leaving the house with $6,000 in cash. She claimed she was not aware of the drug operation in the house, according to Emerson.

When officers searched the home, they found seven more firearms, including rifles, machine guns and pistols, $26,000 in cash and paraphernalia associated with a cocaine lab, including dilutants or fillers typically used to cut cocaine, tubs and buckets, a scale, a cocaine brick press, wrappers with residue of cocaine and crack, and a dolphin stamp used to identify the maker of the cocaine.
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A big truck that struck the West Dallas bridge spanning Interstate 45 earlier this month did far more serious damage than initially anticipated, which could be a long-term problem for some downtown commuters.

Texas Department of Transportation officials plan to reopen one lane in each direction of the bridge downtown sometime this week, agency spokesman Danny Perez said, once signs and other detour information can be installed. The bridge has been closed to traffic since it was struck.
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Police have identified a 19-year-old woman found shot to death Tuesday at an apartment in northeast Houston.

The woman, the mother of a 2-year-old girl, was found at about 12:40 p.m. in a unit at the Uvalade Ranch apartments at 5300 South Lake Houston Parkway, according to the Houston Police Department.

Police identified the victim as Lekendra Childs.

Childs' boyfriend told investigators he came home and found Childs lying on the floor. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said residents in the complex told them a black, newer model Chevrolet Camero with tinted windows stopped outside the apartment and a man inside the car fired several gunshots through the wall. The gunman was described only as being black, and he appeared to have his head shaved.

Childs' death left her family grieving.

Childs, a cashier at Walmart, was "amazing," said her cousin Angel Woodward. "She lit up the room and was one of a kind. She would do anything for her daughter."

Woodward said Childs had no problems with anyone that would cause someone to shoot her.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
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A north Texas woman who was arrested after police found her husband dead in a car with a single gunshot wound told police she killed him with her boyfriend because he was abusive.

Chacey Poynter, 29, is being held in Hunt County Jail and is charged with conspiring to commit murder after her husband, Bob Poynter, 47, was found dead, according to the Royse City Police Department.

READ MORE: Convicted San Antonio widow gets lightest possible sentence for killing husband

Her boyfriend, Michael Garza, 37, is charged with murder and has a $1 million bond.

Poynter's husband was a fire captain for nearly 20 years for the University Park Fire Department in north suburban Dallas.

According to WFAA, Poynter told police that her husband abused her and that she had been dating Garza while she was married. Court records obtained by the news station say her husband filed for divorce and said he'd take their daughter, spurring Chacey to turn to Garza. WFAA reports Garza said he was a "shot caller" and was willing to kill for Poynter.

The Royse City Police Department said in a news release that officers found Poynter in Royse City Friday night standing next to a vehicle with her husband inside. Officers found him dead with a single shotgun wound.

READ MORE: Daughter indicted in March killing of parents in Odessa

Police found Poynter's story about finding her husband to be "suspicious and conflicting information." According to documents obtained by WFAA, Garza hid in the woods while Ponyter pretended her Jeep was stuck. She then called her husband to come help her. When he arrived, he was allegedly shot by Garza.

According to the Dallas Morning News, the Poynters married in December 2009. The two have been estranged since May 2014 and filed for divorce. The newspaper reports the fire captain and three other University Park firefighters went to Louisiana to search for survivors after Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area.
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A San Antonio couple buying property on the Northeast Side was shocked by racist stipulations in the deed limiting use of the property to whites, except for the "servants quarters."

Maggie Rios, a small business owner, and her fiance, Fidel Simmons, a Barbados native and adviser to international students at Alamo Colleges, called their realtor at midnight after first seeing the language in the land's deed initially signed on Oct. 18, 1948.

"No lot, site, structure, or dwelling, with the exception of bona fide domestic servant's quarters shall be used or occupied by any person, or persons, other than members of the Caucasian or White Race," the now-void document stipulates.

RELATED: Fifty-five years ago, San Antonio was the first southern city to integrate lunch counters

Bexar County Clerk Gerry Rickhoff estimated seeing a handful of similar deeds in his 20 years, in a statement to mySA.com Tuesday.

"Some historic racism is indeed bound in our public records," he said, adding that the city's "not-so-proud past" should serve as a "reminder to never go there again."

The couple, who previously purchased two adjacent lots, noticed the fine print while scrutinizing the paperwork when preparing to buy the new parcel of land.

RELATED: San Antonio native's perfect response to Internet meme featuring Trinity athlete wearing turban

"(Rios) said, 'Have you seen this?," Simmons recounted."We called the realtor at midnight, I still wasn't in my rational mind, I can't believe this ever really existed  it's one thing to read about something in a book, it's another when it's something personal."

The deed was binding until 1974, when the documents would then be subject to annual renewal with all stipulations in tact. Six years prior to the expiration date, the Fair Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, was passed, overruling the conditions and prohibiting discrimination "because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and the presence of children."

Still, the buyers told mySA.com they feel sharing the deed is important, because it remains relevant to situations they have heard their friends experience in modern times. They said interracial couples they know have been the subjects of "blatant prejudice" when attempting to buy property on the outskirts of San Antonio controlled by "private clubs."

"Just because the Fair Housing Act exists, doesn't mean you can get property wherever you want," Simmons said.

He added that peers have shared similar deeds with more explicit, derogatory language.

RELATED: Where former slaves in San Antonio lived

Rickhoff said there is not an applicable statute in place allowing him to strike stipulations, like those mentioned in the 1948 deed, from the record. However, documents controlled by his office are stamped with a disclaimer stating: "Any provision herein which restricts the sale, or use of the described the real property because of race is invalid and unenforceable [...]"

The couple said they have received negative, racial comments since their story garnered exposure, which Simmons said he "expected."

"Hopefully, it (the story) can be used to enlighten folks who don't understand there are people of color who still do not feel fully embraced by American society," he said. "Land is a legacy so lack of access, for generations, to that resource is one way that many minorities in the country have been disenfranchised. Maggie and I are on our quest for our literal '40 acres.'"

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye
Under pressure to solve a problem or meet a deadline, as in The reporter was under the gun for that article on taxes . This idiom alludes to a gun being pointed at a person to force him or her to act. [ Colloquial ; c. 1900]

The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright  2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

~~

The Clinton campaigns email ploy this week didn't work and she once again looks shifty if not a liar, Colin Powell wrote on Aug. 20 to someone who worked with him in the White House. Trump folks having fun with her. | AP Photo Emails show Colin Powell unloading on Clinton, Rumsfeld and Trump And former Vice President Dick Cheney should 'go away already,' Condoleezza Rice writes back in one leaked document.

The newly leaked trove of Colin Powells emails offers a rare window into the former secretary of states unvarnished, at-times scathing thoughts on Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and old political adversaries who served with him in the George W. Bush administration.

In more than two years of conversations with former White House and State Department colleagues, Powell blasted Trump as "a national disgrace and an international pariah," lit into Clinton aides for their relentless efforts to link the two former secretaries' email practices and excoriated former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his top deputy for trying to blame him for the Iraq debacle.

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Powell and Condoleezza Rice, who succeeded him at the State Department, also joked that Trump seemed in over his head in running for president.

If Donald were to somehow win, Powell wrote in a June 23 email to Rice, by the end of the first week in office he'd be saying 'What the hell did I get myself into?

I think his attention span may be waning because national campaigning is a lot harder than just showing up at rallies, Rice said of Trump earlier in that conversation.

Powell also offered an acerbic  even crass  description of what he saw as Clinton's liabilities as a presidential candidate, along with tabloid rumors about former President Bill Clinton's personal life, in one July 2014 email exchange with New York financier Jeffrey Leeds.

"I would rather not have to vote for her, although she is a friend I respect," Powell wrote. "A 70-year person with a long track record, unbridled ambition, greedy, not transformational, with a husband still d---ing bimbos at home (according to the NYP)."

Clinton's campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest declined to weigh in Wednesday when asked about another leaked email, in which Leeds opined to Powell that Clinton would "pummel" President Barack Obama's "legacy if she gets a chance."

"I'll let newsrooms across the country make their own coverage decisions about what they feel is appropriate for the American public to consider," Earnest told reporters. "But I'm not going to have any comments on the contents of a private email of a private citizen."

The emails show Powell corresponding with his inner circle, his team at a speakers bureau and interview-hungry journalists over a period of 26 months, from June 2014 to this past August. POLITICO reviewed the correspondence this week after being given access by DC Leaks, a purported anti-secrecy site that researchers have linked to the Russian hackers responsible for breaches at top Democratic organizations. A spokesperson for Powell told ABC News early Wednesday that the emails "are accurate."

DC Leaks did not explain how it had obtained the emails.

The leaked documents continued to cause buzz Wednesday, especially the ones showing Powells irritation with Clinton aides efforts to invoke his track record while defending her use of a private email server when she was secretary of state.

The Clinton campaigns email ploy this week didn't work and she once again looks shifty if not a liar, Powell wrote on Aug. 20 to someone who worked with him in the White House. Trump folks having fun with her.

Not that he was a huge fan of The Donald, however. Trump just looks stupid trying to appeal to blacks and Latinos, Powell wrote to the former White House aide on Aug. 21.

Powells frustration with Clinton loyalists trying to draw him into her email controversy grew so great that when James Carville, a longtime friend of the Clintons, wrote a Sept. 10, 2015, column linking the two former secretaries' email habits, Powell unloaded on him.

Dear James, he wrote in a note intended for Carville, you are the latest HRC acolyte trying to use me to cover her on the email caper. All these attempts and her dissembling has just made it Worse.

She now is apologizing, Powell continued, adding that suddenly you surface to throw another log on the fire.

Powell and Rice also repeatedly and vividly criticized Rumsfeld, the chief steward of the Iraq War.

One day when we both have had too many drinks we can discuss why [President George W. Bush] tolerated him and why Dick [Cheney], a successful SecDef, was so committed to Don, Powell wrote on Dec. 16. I must say I gagged as [President George H.W. Bush] praised him as the best at the statuary hall unveiling.

Powell and Rices other targets included former Vice President Dick Cheney and Iraq War architect Paul Wolfowitz.

Hee, hee, he won't, Powell wrote to Rice on Nov. 26, after she said Cheney should concentrate on quality time with his grandkids and let it go. Powell had flagged a Fox News reporters interview with Cheney that delved into Iraq and other Bush-era controversies.

Rice told Powell that Cheney should go away already!

Powell called Wolfowitz, the deputy secretary of defense who spearheaded the Iraq invasion, a f--king liar after reading an interview in which Wolfowitz blamed Powells State Department for what many experts allege were the United States two largest post-invasion blunders: the disbanding of the Iraqi army and the decision to expel members of Saddam Husseins Baathist Party from the civilian government.

Bremer worked for him, Powell wrote to Lawrence Wilkerson, his former chief of staff, on Aug. 28, after Wilkerson flagged the interview for him. He was referring to Paul Bremer, who oversaw the post-invasion transitional government in Iraq. It wasn't State, it was the President and the guy who reported to Paul.

This is the narrative in the Feith and Rummy books, Powell said, referring to memoirs by Rumsfeld and Bush-era Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith. No one has really fallen for it.

The next day, in an email to Rice, Powell wrote that he would never forget the lunch in your office when Don abdicated the position. Its not clear to what he was referring, but Powell added that Rumsfeld should have been fired that afternoone [sic].

Rumsfeld got mad when I tried to pull his you know what out of the fire by sending [National Security Council Iraq specialist Robert] Blackwill out there, Rice wrote, recalling the meeting. And when you and I started to talk to [Bremer] directly.

Yep, Powell responded, remember his tantrum vividly.

In their Dec. 16 exchange, Powell and Rice reflected on how their experience with intelligence agencies left them wary of blaming the Obama White House for its controversial early explanation of the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.

It is one reason I am not too tough on who said what to whom about Benghazi, Rice wrote, referring to National Security Adviser Susan Rice blaming an Islamophobic YouTube video, rather than a terrorist plot, for the compound assault. The White House defended Susan Rice, saying she was relying on talking points based on early intelligence.

In her email to Powell, Condoleezza Rice wrote that intel agencies know how to cover themselves and hang policy types (even POTUS) out to dry.

Powell replied that the Benghazi investigation was a stupid witch hunt and said the basic fault for the attack falls on a courageous ambassador who thought Libyans now love me and I am ok in this very vulnerable place. He was apparently referring to Ambassador Chris Stevens, who was killed in the assault.

He added that he also blamed Stevens leaders and supporters in Washington, including the intelligence community, diplomatic security officials, Undersecretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy and yes, HRC.

Cory Bennett contributed to this report.
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Texas State University police are in the midst of an investigation into three university offices that were ransacked as recently as Sunday.

University Police Sergeant Alex Villalobos told mySA.com Tuesday two offices in Old Main, the school's most recognizable building, and one in nearby Lampasas were ransacked, resulting in university property being damaged.

He said the calls for the Old Main offices came in Sept. 11 around 1 p.m. and the office in Lampasas was reported vandalized Sept. 12 around 9 a.m. But officials are still unclear as to what time the offices were damaged, he said, because the damage could have occurred days before an employee came to work.

Most of it was university property that was damaged, he said. (I) cant speak to the specifics on what was taken.

RELATED: Video: College pool party brawl in San Marcos goes viral

The University Star reported that one of the victims is Kelly Kaufhold, an assistant professor for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Kaufhold, whose office is located on the second floor of Old Main, told the Star nothing was taken, some of his items were broken, and there was blood on his office walls.

According to an email obtained by mySA.com, the suspect is thought to have cut their hand when trying to break open a piggy bank in Kaufhold's office, and then left blood on a door in one of the men's restrooms in the building. Lecturer Holly Wise's office was also broken into, the email said.

RELATED: Texas State student arrested on 14 counts of possession of child pornography

Villalobos could not confirm to mySA.com the substance was blood, because the department is still testing and analyzing evidence.

He also could not speculate on how a suspect gained access to the two buildings, located next to each other on the east side of the campus in San Marcos.

At this time, the University Police Department has no leads on any suspects, Villalobos said.

RELATED: Texas State opened exhibit to honor late Tejano star, university alumnus Emilio Navaira

Villalobos did not rule out the possibility of a Texas State employee being the culprit.

You know, we look at everything, so theres a possibility of many different factors here, he said. (But its) inappropriate to center in on any one individual.

He said the employees involved have been released to use their offices after officials picked up everything needed for the investigation.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
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WASHINGTON  Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, in his first public splash since seeking the presidency, clashed sharply with top Obama administration officials Wednesday over a plan he says will turn over control of the Internet to an international body that includes authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China.

The confrontation played out in a packed Senate Judiciary hearing convened by Cruz to block the turnover, which could take effect as early as Oct. 1. The privatization of the Internet domain name system has been in the works for two decades, with the support of global technology companies like Google and Microsoft. Cruz, however, has recently taken to calling it a "giveaway" comparable to the Panama Canal.

Cruz, pressing for a policy rider to maintain the traditional oversight by the Commerce Department, accused the administration of ignoring a current law barring the U.S. government from actually relinquishing control of the domain name system, even while planning is underway.

Cruz's charge prompted an immediate rebuke from the panel's star witness, Lawrence Strickling, an assistant secretary for communications and information at the Commerce Department, who testified that his office has been instructed by Congress and a succession of administrations to prepare for the new system.

Cruz called it a "tortured interpretation" of federal law, and warned Strickling and other program administrators that they could be in violation of the federal Antidefficiency Act barring unauthorized spending and could face criminal prosecution under a new administration in January.

"I understand that you have a political mandate," Cruz said, cutting off Strickling as he tried to object. "You are risking personal criminal liability of up to two years in prison."



"Senator, we have followed the law," said Strickling, drawing a distinction between making preparations and actually relinquishing responsibility for the system. "I am outraged that you are accusing us of doing that."

Depite past bipartisan support for the privatization effort, Cruz has sought to rally elements of Republican right to oppose the deal by tying it to a must-pass government funding bill, much as he sought to do three years ago in fight over Obamacare that led to a government shutdown.

Administration officials characterize the change as a "clerical" function best left to non-profit Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which Cruz likens to a United Nations like organization run by "global bureaucrats." In a flurry of speeches, opinion pieces, and even a Web site, Cruz has warned of a "parade of horribles" prompted by an international non-governmental entity that is not subject to the American free speech protections.

"Once the government is out of the picture," Cruz said, "First Amendment protections go away."

Backers of the plan describe ICANN as a non-governmental "global Internet multistakeholder community" charged with managing the efficient flow, not the content, of Internet traffic and Web sites.

Delaware U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, the ranking Democrat on the panel, argued that the network has no ability to censor Intenet activity, though it can't control how authoritarian regimes control their citizens' access to the Web.

Coons rejected Cruz's characterization of the transition as a giveaway, and warned that the real threat to the Internet would be the formation of an alternate body under the control of the United Nations or some other governmental body. "The United States does not 'own' the Internet," he said.
Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle

Mayor Sylvester Turner is expected to announce a preliminary reform agreement with the city's three pension funds on Wednesday, according to several sources with knowledge of the plan.

Details were not available late Tuesday, but the mayor for months has been open about his ongoing talks with leaders from the police, fire and municipal pension funds, and his desire to reduce the city's $5.6 billion pension underfunding and the city's annual pension bill.
A majority of Texas adults, 59 percent, said they oppose Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps central campaign promise to build a wall on the U.S-Mexico border, according to a new poll from the statewide nonpartisan leadership group Texas Lyceum.

That number drops to 48 percent when the poll considered likely voters, while 46 percent said they support a border wall. The question sharply divides Democrats and Republicans  11 percent and 67 percent support the idea, respectively  and support for Trumps idea among independent voters stands at 24 percent.

READ MORE: Trump 'wall' gag at Texas high school prompts Twitter outrage

The polls sample of adult Texans is more diverse than the states registered voter and likely voter samples often used in public opinion and election polling, said Josh Blank, polling and research manager at the University of Texas at Austin's Texas Politics Project.

If youre used to looking at registered voters and election results, its very easy to characterize the state as a deep red place with uniform conservative views, he said. You miss the nuance that this poll highlights.

READ MORE: The national economic implications of a taco truck on every corner

The survey also found that immigration remains the dominant issue on the minds of Texans. Fifty-four percent of the polls respondents said immigration helps the United States more than it hurts, with 33 percent saying it has more of a negative impact and 8 percent saying it has a little of both.

Another core tenet of Trumps campaign  to deny entry to the United States to anyone who lives in a country that has a history of terrorism against the country and its European allies  won the approval of 40 percent of Texas adults. The poll found that 51 percent opposed such a measure. Among likely voters, however, the figures resulted in a statistical dead heat, with 47 percent saying they support the ban and 46 percent said they oppose it.

READ MORE: Texas DPS proposes $1 billion to further ramp up border crack down

In results similar to last years poll, the survey showed that 51 percent of black Texas adults recalled a specific instance when they felt discriminated against by police. That number dropped to 23 percent for Hispanics and 6 percent for whites. When it comes to employment, the trend among black Texans held, with 45 percent of them telling Texas Lyceum that they have felt discriminated against by an employer or potential employer. Twenty-five percent of Hispanics and 13 percent of whites responded the same way.

A majority of Texas adults also say that transgender students should have access to public school bathrooms and locker rooms based on their gender assigned at birth. According to the survey, 31 percent said the decision should be based on gender identity and 15 percent said they were unsure. Democrats favored gender identity over birth gender, 47 percent to 37 percent, and Republicans chose birth gender by an overwhelming margin, 77 percent to 30 percent.

READ MORE: Conservative media - and NPR - entertain the possibility of a Hillary Clinton replacement

However, the most noticeable divide on the issue shows up in an age breakdown. At 53 percent, Texans between the ages of 18-29 were more likely to support transgender students rights to use school facilities that correspond with their gender identity. Thirty-eight percent of those surveyed in that age range chose birth gender.

The poll was conducted Sept. 1 - 11, questioning 1,000 adult Texans. It has a margin of error of plus- or minus-3.1 percent, according to the Texas Lyceum.
New York (CNN) Donald Trump has embraced a tried-and-true schoolyard tactic to swat away Hillary Clinton's barbs: He's flinging her words right back at her.

Clinton has accused Trump of being thin-skinned, feeding "prejudice and paranoia" and lacking any "real solutions."

Trump -- never one to dodge a fight -- has returned fire in recent weeks, calling Clinton "trigger-happy," a "bigot" and accusing her of running a "policy-free" campaign.

The Republican nominee has gotten plenty of attention for his trash-talking and bare-knuckle style. But he's also developed a sub-specialty: the boomerang insult.

Rather than running from the words his opponents hurl at him, Trump seizes them, shakes them up and turns them around. It's a strategy that muddies stark differences between Trump and his rivals, and helps neutralize political vulnerabilities.

Whatever he does, he accuses everyone else of doing ," Ted Cruz, whom Trump relentlessly attacked as a liar during the Republican primaries, said at a fiery press conference the morning of the Indiana primary in May. "In a pattern that I think is straight out of a psychology textbook, his response is to accuse everybody else of lying. He accuses everybody on that debate stage of lying. And it's simply a mindless yell."

Trump's GOP primary opponents also relentlessly pegged the brash billionaire with the same accusation as he sketched out, with little specificity, grandiose promises to rid America of all undocumented immigrants, send the economy roaring and force other countries to bend at the knee -- all while lowering the federal debt. And like with Clinton, Trump threw the attacks back.

"Hillary Clinton is running a policy-free campaign. She offers no ideas, no solutions and only hatred and derision," Trump said Tuesday during a rally in Clive, Iowa.

And on a call with reporters Tuesday morning previewing a new policy proposal, a Trump campaign official accused Clinton of "basically running a completely idea-free, issues-free campaign."

The attack is one Clinton has lobbed time and again at Trump.

"Donald Trump offers no real solutions for the economic challenges we face," Clinton said in June. "He just continues to spout reckless ideas that will run up our debt and cause another economic crash."

While Trump has delivered an increasing number of policy speeches offering more specifics on a range of issues, including one Tuesday night on paid family leave , Clinton and her running mate Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine last week released a 256-page policy book and the Democrats' campaign website lays out policy proposals to address 38 issues compared to eight on Trump's website.

"Like a schoolyard bully who can't 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 communications director Jennifer Palmieri said in a statement to CNN. "You could dismiss these actions as insecure schoolyard behavior but this man is running to be President of the United States."

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Over the past few weeks, Trump and Clinton have exchanged a volley of attacks on everything from the "bigotry" of each other's candidacies to the other's temperament to serve as commander-in-chief.

Just a day after Clinton said in an interview that jihadists were praying, "Oh please Allah, make Trump president of America," the Republican nominee fired back at his rival with ricochet-like reflex.

"Oh boy would they (ISIS) dream of having her as president," Trump said Friday during a speech in Washington. "Can you imagine? They dream about it every night having Hillary Clinton."

While Clinton has pointed to Trump's vitriolic rhetoric and quickness to fire off insults whenever he feels slighted, he has offered little evidence to back up his boomerang attack.

This week, the real estate mogul repeatedly slammed Clinton as "trigger-happy" and "unstable" as the two sparred over national security and each other's fitness to be commander-in-chief -- returning a frequent attack of Clinton's.

"Imagine Donald Trump sitting in the Situation Room, making life-or-death decisions on behalf of the United States. Imagine him deciding whether to send your spouses or children into battle. Imagine if he had not just his Twitter account at his disposal when he's angry, but America's entire arsenal," Clinton said during a speech in June in San Diego

"Do we want him making those calls -- someone thin-skinned and quick to anger, who lashes out at the smallest criticism?" Clinton continued. "Do we want his finger anywhere near the button?"

One of Clinton's most persistent criticisms of Trump is his fitness to serve as commander in chief: that he lacks the "temperament" to be president.

"I have the best temperament," Trump has said repeatedly at rallies raising Clinton's attack. "She has bad temperament."

Trump, meanwhile, has returned the attack by pointing to Clinton's support for military interventions, including her vote for the Iraq War and her push for the US to intervene militarily in Libya -- both of which Trump publicly supported.

As Clinton prepared to deliver a speech eviscerating Trump for legitimizing white supremacists and cozying up to far-right extremists, Trump responded in kind.

"From the start, Donald Trump has built his campaign on prejudice and paranoia," Clinton said last month in Reno, Nevada, slamming Trump for his "steady stream of bigotry."

Trump's retort came just hours after the Clinton campaign released snippets of the biting speech.

"Hillary Clinton is a bigot who sees people of color only as votes, not as human beings worthy of a better future," Trump said during a speech in Jackson, Mississippi.

Clinton, a Democrat who has forged deep ties with African-American leaders over her decades on the national political scene, has the support of more than 90% of black Americans, according to the latest polls.

Trump's support with black voters is in the single-digits.
The House of Representatives voted to approve a reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act on Tuesday, after the House education committee unanimously backed the bill earlier this year.

The Perkins Act has not been reauthorized since 2006, but the proposed reauthorization, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act , makes several notable changes to existing law . Among them are:



Theres a new definition of which students can be classified as concentrators in career and technical education. The bill defines a concentrator as a secondary student who has completed three or more career and technical education courses, or completed at least two courses in [a] single career and technical education program or program of study.

States would be able to withhold a greater share of their federal CTE funding under Perkins for their own competitive grants or formulas.

A new grant program, overseen by the education secretary, would award money to programs that align CTE with states workforce needs.

Schools are supposed to get less paperwork dumped on them when it comes to CTE.

The House committee passed the bill by a vote of 37-0 in July .

It was co-authored by Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa. Speaking on the House floor Tuesday before the vote, Thompson also said the bill reduces Washingtons role in CTE: By streamlining performance measures, the bill empowers state and local leaders rather than the federal government.

Noting that the Perkins Act impacts over 11 million American students across the country, Clark also said on the House floor that, This legislation will comprehensively update the program, overhauling how government invests in our workforce and strengthens American competitiveness and jobs training.

When we interviewed Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., for a recent article about pressing education issues in Congress and other matters , she expressed optimism about the chances of the CTE bill passing Congress. The Senate could also make progress on its own version of Perkins reauthorization soon.

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
-- Yesterday felt a lot like session, which is 117 days away, in case you were wondering. Get caught up here:

-- Reports the Chronicles Andrea Zelinski: The textbook experts say is laden with errors, omits key history and characterizes Mexicans as lazy is dead on arrival at the State Board of Education, according to the board's vice chairman.  About 200 people who traveled to Austin for a rally before a nearly five-hour hearing Tuesday called on the SBOE to reject the textbook titled Mexican American Heritage.

-- Potential changes to Hazlewood unveiled, per the Chrons Lindsay Ellis: Texas university officials urged the state to either absorb millions of dollars in higher education benefits for veterans and their dependents or limit who can access the funds. During Tuesday's joint hearing before the House higher education and veterans affairs committees, college officials discussed who exactly receives benefits from the Hazlewood Exemption law, which covers college costs for veterans and their dependents under the age of 26.

-- CPS moving too quickly on proposed foster care fix, senator worries, by The Dallas Morning News Bob Garrett.The Senate's leading social services policy writer said Tuesday that he's worried child welfare chief Henry "Hank" Whitman wants to move too fast in changing the way Texas purchases help for foster children. Sen. Charles Schwertner said a requested speed-up in the geographic rollout of foster care redesign might be too ambitious. Numerous changes in hiring, training and business practices are under way at Child Protective Services, said Schwertner, a Georgetown Republican. I'm just not convinced yet about the speed, he said during his Senate panel's last review of CPS before next year's legislative session.

>> Are education savings accounts the new private school vouchers? Austin American-Statesman

-- Straus outlines legislative priorirtes for 85th session, from Quorum Reports James Russell. ($) Weve declared the official state dinosaur and pie, Straus joked about resolutions, then went on to talk about serious issues. Weve had an overarching focus in the Texas House: To address the underlying issues that can fuel private sector growth  or, if neglected, the things that can keep it from growing, Straus said.

Specifically, weve focused on the quality of our workforce and the reliability of our infrastructure. These issues may not generate the highest ratings or the most outrage on talk radio. But what they lack in controversy, they make up for in substance.

-- Ex-Texas assistant AG talks about Trump U probe appears in pro-Clinton PAC video, by the Chrons Brian Rosenthal. A former assistant attorney general who has criticized his former boss, Greg Abbott, over his response to an investigation into Trump University's business in Texas is re-entering the national political debate despite threats that doing so could be illegal. John Owens, who worked for Abbott at the Texas attorney general's office and earlier this summer publicized documents about how he was told to close a probe into Trump University, has cut a video for Correct The Record, a super PAC supporting Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump.

-- GOP gains ground on Dems in voter reg in key states, by the APs Hope Yen. Republicans have gained ground on Democrats in registering voters in three battleground states and kept their razor-thin advantage in Iowa  encouraging news for Donald Trump eight weeks before Election Day. Republicans added hundreds of thousands of voters to the rolls since 2012 in states including Florida and Arizona, and narrowed the gap in North Carolina, according to data compiled by The Associated Press. In Iowa, Republicans prevented Democrats from surpassing them, aided by a court ruling upholding a ban on voting by ex-felons, who often register as Democrats.

>> Sylvester Turner to announce pension reform deal on Wed, Houston Chronicle

>> Cruz Meets with Pence, Still Declines to Endorse Trump, The Texas Tribune

CAPITOL DAYBOOK

HOUSE

1pm - Investments & Financial Services [E2.028]

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence [E2.010]

SENATE

9am - Education [E1.028 (Hearing Room)]

Health & Human Services [Senate Chamber]

SPEED READ

Former first lady and Monarch Wrangler Laura Bush pushes butterfly recovery, Houston Chronicle

City Council to consider property tax rate cut, Houston Chronicle

Texas sees an unusual lull in executions, The Texas Tribune

Oil industry should brace for a long slog, Houston Chronicle

Americans running up $1 trillion credit card bill, Houston Chronicle

Why Venture Capitalists Abandoned Clean Energy, The Wall Street Journal

Simone Biles' Olympic drug-testing records hacked by Russian group, Houston Chronicle

University of Texas study estimates 10B recoverable barrels of oil in Eagle Ford patch, San Antonio Express-News

Dems fear their Senate takeover chances dimming, AP

Cruz forks over $100K to boost endangered Republicans, Politico

Interim Amarillo police chief gets job, never applied, AP

For Every 10 U.S. Adults, Six Vote and Four Dont, The New York Times

For Hurricane Ike recovery projects in Galveston completed, AP

RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE

>> Can Latinos Learn to Love a Libertarian? Texas Observer

-- From the The Dallas Morning News : Sen. Ted Cruz met Tuesday with Donald Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, but the Texas Republican sounded no closer to endorsing his party's presidential nominee.

-- Donald Trumps Rough Rider, by NYT: If you live outside Texas, you are probably unfamiliar with Mr. Miller, who is the states agriculture commissioner. Within Texas, he is recognizable as one of those folks who keeps our infamous stereotype alive, against the best efforts of new Texas ambassadors like Beyonce and those wonky, presentable Castro twins, Julian and Joaquin.

-- John Owens, Trump University and You: A former assistant attorney general who has criticized his former boss, Greg Abbott, over his response to an investigation into Trump University's business in Texas is re-entering the national political debate despite threats that doing so could be illegal. ( Houston Chronicle )

-- In Florida, Trump faces a Clinton campaign behemoth, by the APs Bill Barrow in Miami: For Trump, the fight for Florida begins and ends with mass appeal: signature rallies and direct social media contact with voters who believe he can make America great again. Add some 30 Florida Trump employees to about 80 Republican Party field workers deployed around the state and that pretty much covers the GOP nominee's conventional ground game operation in the largest battleground state.
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.
Twenty states now require that high school students be allowed to count a computer science course as a math or science credit toward graduation , according to a new report from the Education Commission of the States.

Thats up from 14 states with such requirements when the first Computer Science in High School Graduation Requirements  report came out last year.

The requirements vary from state to state. In Georgia and Utah, computer science can only count as a science credit. In nine other states, the course can only fulfill a math credit. It can fulfill either math or science in the remaining nine states.

Texas is the only state in which, in addition to fulfilling a math credit, computer science can also fulfill a foreign language requirement. (Other states have considered such policies, but ultimately not passed legislation on them.)

In addition, three statesArizona, California, and Coloradoleave the decision about whether computer science can fulfill a math or science graduation requirement up to the local districts.

West Virginia is, under a recent law, in the midst of determining its plan for whether and how it will count computer science toward graduation.

The ECS report focuses on states that have passed statutes or regulations regarding computer science and high school graduation. But the nonprofit Code.org, the report notes, has also identified eight states that have authorized computer science to fulfill a math or science credit through non-policy means, such as board resolutions or public announcements. Those include Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia.

Jennifer Dounay Zinth, the author of the reports, said in an interview that state policies regarding credit are really just a first step in getting more students to take the subject.

Its great if you can use computer science as a credit for math or science, but what if your high school doesnt offer computer science? she said. And if they do, do they have a qualified teacher? Even if they have a qualified teacher, does that teacher have some sort of supports, online or otherwise, to ensure high-quality instruction day in and day out? And what if you take that course and your local university doesnt accept it as math or science credit for admissions?

Those are realistic concernsas we wrote recently, more than half of high school seniors attend high schools that dont even offer computer science .

Related:


A federal civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of seven Detroit schoolchildren alleges that state officials have failed to provide the students access to literacy.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, names Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, members of the Michigan Board of Education, the state schools superintendent, the director of the state department of technology, management and budget, and the state school reform/redesign officer as defendants.

The lawsuit was filed by lawyers with Public Counsel, a pro-bono firm. The plaintiffs want the court to determine whether the state violated the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by failing to provide the Detroit students with the same access to literacy as other students in the states public schools and whether the current school system violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

A spokesman for Gov. Snyder said that the office does not comment on pending litigation.

The lawsuit argues that the education the Detroit students are receiving is both separate and unequal.

The citys schools, the lawyers wrote in their brief, are in such state of disrepair and crisis that they are irreparably damaging childrens futures and depriving them of their constitutionally-guaranteed fundamental right of access to literacy.

The students named as plaintiffs attend four of the worst-performing schools in the city, according to the Detroit News. One student attended the now-shuttered charter school, Experiencia Preparatory Academy. More than 97 percent of students in those schools are students of color and the majority of them are poor, according to the lawsuit.

According to the document:

On a percentile scale of zero to 100, Michigans statewide accountability system rates Plaintiffs schools that are currently open one, two, four, and six. The non-profit organization Excellent Schools Detroit has likewise assigned grades of Fs and Ds to Plaintiffs schools.

The lawsuit cites a host of deficiencies at the schools. Among them: either out-of-date textbooks or none at all; absence of basic resources such as pens, pencils, paper and a reliance on donations and teachers to provide them; overcrowded classrooms; unsanitary conditions; vermin-infested classrooms; insufficient and unqualified staff; and lack of instruction for English-learners.

It should not be shocking that students have trouble reading given the conditions in their schools, according to the lawsuit.

The alarming outcomes in Plaintiffs schools are a predictable consequence of the States consignment of Plaintiffs to chaotic, under-resourced, and unsafe schools that lack the necessary learning and teaching conditions for effective delivery of literacy instruction, according to the filing.

The lawsuit alleges that the state was aware of the problems, but did not take the necessary steps to address them.

The lawsuit is seeking class action status on behalf of current and future students the plaintiffs schools, attorneys fees, and corrective measures. In the case of Experiencia Preparatory Academy, which is now closed, it sought to represent past students.

Among the corrective measures sought: remedial classes to bring students up to grade level; a screening system for literacy problems, along with timely and appropriate interventions; and the implementation of evidence-based literacy instruction and intervention programs.
While I was on blog break in August finishing Letters to a Young Education Reformer, HBO host John Oliver did a segment making fun of charter schools. The result? A large swath of the education policy world lost it. It was like Bill Clinton and the Loch Ness Monster had crashed a Trump rally. Some folks were livid, others were elated (Robert Pondiscio had the best take on the whole thing here ). Given that Im still getting emails about it, I thought the following conversation might be worth sharing.

I hopped into my Uber just as I was wrapping up yet another heated phone conversation about Olivers segment.

My Uber driver looked up. I dont want to intrude, he said. But I just heard you talking about John Olivers HBO show.

I said, Sure was.

He said, I dont know why but, soon as you get a guy with a British accent, people think hes witty. Me? Ive never found the guy to be funny. Didnt care for him on The Daily Show and dont watch his HBO thing.

Yeah, maybe, I said, But hes got a lot of YouTube hits. And young people watch YouTube.

And these young people are watching HBO clips on YouTube to get up to speed on education policy, are they? he asked.

Maybe not on purpose, I said, but theyre absorbing these horrible, misleading, and inaccurate depictions of charter schooling. Its like drinking tap water in the wrong country, itll infect your system.

Hmm, he said. He told me he used to teach. He asked what the commotion was all about.

I told him how Oliver had used outdated, cheap-shot anecdotes to try and smear charter schooling. I told him that we werent going to have it. That we reform types didnt truck in cheap shots.

He said, If I remember right, seems to me like you reformers used to take great joy in seeing traditional school districts pilloried by John Stossel and folks like that?

Yeah, maybe, I said, but that was different.

Whys that? he asked.

Well, this John Oliver thing hurt students, I said. That stuff was just about truth-telling.

Oh, he said.

Yeah, I said.

Heres a question, he said. How do you even know that Oliver much cares about charter schools? Hes just doing shtick, right? Now, Ive never watched Oliver. But I used to watch Jon Stewart. When Stewart or his correspondents would make fun of Obama or of drive-through daiquiri shops in Louisiana, I didnt think he was anti-Obama or anti-daiquiri. I thought he was just being funny. Why are you all taking Oliver so seriously?

Hes got a lot of YouTube views, I reminded him. And hes cool. People think hes cool. They care what he thinks.

Do you think hes cool? he asked.

Not so much, I said. But I hear that other people do.

Well, you want to hear what I think? he asked.

I told him sure.

I mean, Im not an expert like you, he said, but seems to me your real problem is that a lot of regular people dont think charter schools matter for them and their kids. I mean, sure, maybe it helps city people trapped in lousy schools, but Im driving 60 hours a week to keep my house. I like my kids schools. I paid good money to buy my house in my school district. Ive still never heard anyone much explain why charter schools are good for my kids.

Thats nuts, I said. CREDO reports serious test gains for kids in urban charters. A lot of charters have long wait lists. No excuses schools are doing great things for kids who would be trapped in high-poverty, broken schools.

He looked up in the mirror. Like I said, none of that tells me why these charters are good for my kids. I pay taxes. I work hard. I send my kids to public schools. Theres millions of parents like me. You convince me that charter schools are good for my kids and for my neighborhood, too, and I wont give a flip what an HBO comedian thinks. Ill bet the same goes for a lot of other folks.

He paused. Rather than worrying about the British guy, you might want to spend more time figuring out why guys like me should give two figs about charter schools, one way or the other.

Huh, I said. You may be onto something.
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
Politico Magazines oral history of Air Force Ones nerve-racking flight after the Sept. 11 attacks is more than just a fascinating story. Its a historical document of some of Americas darkest hours, told from the perspective of those with theoretical power to respond but no practical way to do so.

Air Force One took to the sky that day to keep President George W. Bush safe from any additional threats. Garrett M. Graffs re-creation of the roughly eight hours afterward, published Friday, traces the planes harrowing and at times aimless flight through the fog of war, as told by roughly two dozen of the aides, crew, servicemen, and journalists on board. The 16,000-word story is one of the most-read Politico pieces of all time, says Graff, a former editor of Politico Magazine whos now finishing a book on US government doomsday plans.

CJR caught up with Graff by phone Wednesday morning to talk about his reporting process, how 2001-era communications left Air Force One in the dark, and the lone passenger who declined to be interviewed outright. The following discussion had been edited for length and clarity.

What was the genesis of this project?

Three years ago, when I was at Washingtonian magazine, I did a piece for the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedys assassination that recreated the Air Force One flight back from Dallas. Ever since I did that, Ive wanted to do a piece on Air Force One on 9/11. I sort of see them as two chapters of the same storythe two most famous flights of the worlds most famous plane.

How did you approach the reporting? Why an oral history?

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I wasnt interested in trying to recreate all of the facts and the tick-tock of that day, because that has been well-trod territory. Journalists have done it, and the 9/11 Commission has also done it. I couldnt ever recall reading a piece that was really about the emotions of that day as they were lived by policymakers and leaders. That was the goal of doing it in oral history format.

Director of Communications Dan Bartlett points to news footage of the World Trade Center Towers burning, September 11, 2001, as President George W. Bush gathers information about the attack from Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida. (Courtesy George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.)

Did you reach out to everyone on the plane? Did anyone decline to be interviewed?

I didnt reach out to everyonemore than anything, it was a time factor. I tried to interview the majority of the people who were on board for the majority of the day, and I tried to find at least one person from each category of people who were on the plane. The only category that I didnt get was the flight stewards who were on boardsort of the Air Force flight attendants who staff the plane.

There were people that I did reach out to who just didnt respond. But the only person who actually declined to speak was President Bush. I expected that. He has given very few interviews about 9/11. He doesnt give many interviews nowadays, period.

From a writing and craft perspective, I was OK not having the presidents voice in it because he was such a presence in the story anyway. The entire story is basically about him. Its about peoples interactions with him and the way that he motivated and inspired and shaped the experiences of everyone else aboard the plane that day. I think that some of the power of the story comes from him being a presence but not an overpowering one.

So you ended up with about 40 hours of interviews. What fraction of that eventually made it into the piece?

An incredibly tiny percentage. The piece was already one of the longest pieces Politico has ever published, so I knew I was already pushing the upper bounds of what it was going to be.

There were so many incredible details throughout. How did you go about balancing those with the narrative?

One of the things that most fascinated me was realizing how many different experiences there were aboard the plane. From an outsiders perspective, I had been thinking all of these people were on the plane together, so they all must have had the same experience.

What I found was quite the opposite. Its a 230-foot-long airplane, and people were spread across two different decks and a dozen different cabins. The people who were at the back of the plane had no idea what was going on in the front of the plane. The people who were up on the communications and flight deck mostly didnt know what the people below them were doing.

There were some shared experiencesgetting off the plane in Barksdale, Louisiana, or taking off from Sarasota, Florida, or seeing the fighter planes off the wingsbut people had different jobs and were doing different things. So, some of my job was trying to weave together a wider variety of experiences than I had originally thought when I was starting the piece.

After departing Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, President George W. Bush confers with Vice President Dick Cheney from Air Force One, September 11, 2001, during the flight to Andrews Air Force Base. (Courtesy George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.)

You also talked to some of the journalists who were on the plane. Was there any major difference in their take on the situation compared to those of the non-journalists on the plane?

Not necessarily. The journalists had notes about the day and the timeline, but a number of people who I spoke to had notes that they were able to refer back to. Sonya Ross [of The Associated Press], Ann Compton [of ABC], and a number of reporters who were on board did a tremendous job of working under incredible stress. But in some ways, they knew the least of anyone involved in the flight because they were largely cut off from the news below and didnt have access to the telephones to be able to learn more. The White House staff and security and military folks on board knew more about what was happening than a lot of the reporters did.

That gets to my main takeaway, which is that the communications were so primitive compared to now. People on board really had no idea what was going on. Did anyone you interviewed reflect on how it might be different now?

The inadequacies of Air Force One that day drove the White House to make substantial investments for a better Air Force One in the future. They spent a lot of time and money after 9/11 fixing some of those issues that were made apparent by 9/11. There have also just been tremendous underlying advances in technology. Obviously Twitter and Snapchat and Facebook Live would change the way that everyone would experience those events today.

But, at the same time, the fog of war is something else entirely. Thats still something that we see play out in the age of social media as disparate events become conflated in original reporting. Social media and modern technology would solve some of these communications issues, but the fog of war, as [White House Chief of Staff] Andy Card said in the piece, is real. I dont think that the confusion of those initial hours would necessarily be different today.

What has stuck with you the most from doing this piece?

I have been overwhelmed by the global response to the story. I got a letter from every continent but Antarctica over the course of the weekend. I got a letter from someone in PolandI cant imagine what 9/11 meant to someone who was in Poland. I did a long interview with Radio New Zealand on Monday, which made me think about what 9/11 would have meant to people who would have woken up on the morning of Sept. 12 to see all of this had happened overnight, while they were sleeping. These heartfelt, amazing reactions to the piece made me realize just how raw and global 9/11 still is.

We think of these attacks as such an American event. And even within America, we think of them as a New York, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Boston event, depending on how you define it. But the trauma of that day is just so much greater than I had imagined.

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.
Massachusettss Republican Gov. Charlie Baker called the $100,000 donation by state school board Chairman Paul Sagan toward a campaign to expand the states charter sector a nothing-burger to which both the media and the states Democrats are overreacting.

Are we going to get into the business of saying every private citizen in Massachusetts has no ability to do anything associated with their private position? Baker said, according to the Associated Press.

Voters are expected to decide on Nov. 8 whether the state should allow for an annual 12 new charter schools. The schools would be open in the states lowest-performing school districts.

Massachusetts law doesnt allow for more than 120 charter schools to operate in the state; there are currently 78 active charters.

Those opposed to the measure say it will dramatically expand the states charter sector and financially hurt the states traditional public school districts.

Those in support of the measure say charter schools will expand learning opportunities for the states growing population of poor and minority students.

The campaigns for and against the ballot measure, known as Question 2, have drawn millions of dollars in donations, including from national charter school supporters and from the states teachers union, which opposes the measure. Sagans donation, in particular, has stood out.

Tom McGee, the states Democratic Party Chairman, said, according to the AP, that the donation suggests an inappropriate bias and, at the very least, shows poor judgement.

He said the chairman of the state board has an obligation to serve in that position in an unbiased manner, free from personal opinion.

Sagan said in a statement earlier this week that he received approval from the states Ethics Commission before making the donation and that he is working toward maintaining Massachusettss position as a national leader in public education.

Dont miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics.
Braylon Robinson

Braylon Robinson, age 1. Killed April 12, 2015. Braylon died in his East 63rd Street home, after a 3-year-old boy shot him with a gun that was hidden under a sofa.

(Family photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The parents of a 1-year-old boy accidentally shot dead in Cleveland two years ago pleaded guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter.

The boy's father, Ricardo Sims, faces a mandatory one year prison term under the plea agreement, while the mother, Shanee Robinson, could be sentenced to prison at the discretion of Cuyahoga Common Pleas Judge Nancy R. McDonnell.

The couple was set to stand trial this week on reckless homicide, involuntary manslaughter and multiple counts of endangering children. Under the deal reached Wednesday, the reckless homicide charges and all but one endangering children charge will be dropped.

Braylon Robinson was fatally shot in the head when another 3-year-old boy he was playing with found a gun that police say Sims hid underneath a living room sofa.

Shanee Robinson, 24, had been babysitting the 3-year-old boy, along with several other children, at their home on East 63rd Street.

Both parents will remain free on bond until Oct. 19, when McDonnell is scheduled to hand down a sentence.

Assistant County Prosecutor Kristin Karkutt credit Cleveland Police body cameras for providing the evidence used to secure a conviction against the parents.

"Video from police body cameras was absolutely critical to getting the convictions in this case," Karkutt writes in an email. "They provided real-time, unblinking evidence of the chaotic shooting scene."

Camera footage captured statements from Robinson when officers arrived, Karkutt said, and also the discovery of a second handgun found underneath the couch.

Sims' mandatory year-long sentence comes as a result of an illegal firearm specification included in both the involuntary manslaughter and endangering children charges. Prosecutors say the 27-year-old father placed the gun under the sofa, along with other weapons.

If you'd like to comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comment section.


Federal courthouse cleveland

A Medina man and a Wellington woman are charged with defrauding their employer, Variety Contractors, of $275,000.

(Plain Dealer file photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Medina man and a Wellington woman were indicted Tuesday and charged with stealing $275,000 from their employer.

Brian Stepp, 50, and Rachel Penn, 41, face conspiracy and wire fraud charges. Stepp also faces charges for making false statements.

Stepp spent some of the ill-gotten money on a county club membership, cars and Victoria's Secret items, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

They are charged with defrauding Variety Contractors Inc., a Seville-based general contractor. Stepp was its vice president and eventually acting president. Penn worked in the accounting department where she reviewed expense claims submitted by employees and issued reimbursement checks.

The release says Stepp formed a shell company named S&S Kelsey LN. While it did not perform any business, it submitted fake invoices from his company and others to Variety Contractors. He and Penn then ensured that Variety Contractors paid the invoices.

Stepp used the money in a variety of ways. The release says the company issued him a $31,500 check in September 2014 when he applied for reimbursement for exterior metal panels. Three days later, he cut a check to Ganley Automotive to partially pay for a Chevrolet Silverado pickup he purchased in his wife's name.

He also used a company credit card to pay membership fees at Weymouth Country Club in Medina, hotel charges, legal fees, and purchases at Victoria's Secret and GNC, the release says. He also lied to obtain loans.

The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko in Cleveland.

It was not immediately clear whether Stepp and Penn had attorneys.

A message could not be left for Variety Contractors, as its phone appeared to be disconnected Wednesday morning.

If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section.
cafe falafel

Cafe Falafel is shutting down, but the owner talks about relocation in the near future.

(David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cafe Falafel is closing its doors today but fans should note: The name will live and the restaurant will be relocated soon, owner-chef Ehab Enaia said.

"It was a little tough time," Enaia said. "My wife is pregnant, and we had to do it for now. We have two kids - 6 and 4 - and my wife is expecting. I need to be around."

But the closure is more of a hiatus. Enaia said he will reopen in another location in "six months or less."

"I'm working on something else for now. We'll be updating on Facebook. It will be another location but really soon. It'll carry the same name, same things. Cafe Falafel, the name, exists. One hundred percent sure it will be relocated someplace else."

In a review for cleveland.com, Beth Segal calls the Kamm's Corners eatery "mostly a takeout emporium" whose menu wasn't large but had items prepared fresh daily in an open kitchen.

Cafe Falafel offered "perhaps the best meat-free burger in town, and most probably the messiest," she wrote. She called the house-made falafel patty "impossible to eat with your hands, it's even hard to tame in its Styrofoam clamshell container with a plastic knife and fork."

The restaurant, on Riveredge Road near Fairview Hospital, served up a Falafel Pizza that Segal described as "perhaps the healthiest 'pizza' in town -- crumbled falafel, finely diced cucumber-and-tomato salad and shredded lettuce drizzled with tahini sauce on a grilled pita that's more like lavash, soft thin Armenian flatbread, than the traditional thicker pocket pita -- its floppy goodness is best handled at home."

A post Wednesday afternoon on the restaurant's Facebook page states simply:

"The time has come for Cafe Falafel to close its doors. Until our next venture, it's never goodbye, it's see you soon! Today is our last day open, so if you have time, please stop by! Would love to see you all!"
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland school district has not met the improvement goals it set in the Cleveland Plan for Transforming Schools in 2012, CEO Eric Gordon said in his State of the Schools speech today, but is making progress.

And it is "tackling our own challenges," just as the district always has.

Throughout his annual report on the district, Gordon wove together updates on his recent efforts with an 1895 evaluation of an earlier "Cleveland Plan" that also had struggles in meeting its goals.

"While this plan has not accomplished all that can be desired, it has worked so successfully that there is no thought in any responsible quarter of abandoning it, or of relinquishing any of its essential features," H.Q. Sargent, the school director of 1895, said at the time.

In his own annual school update, Sargent stressed "the necessity of more constant and earnest endeavor, of increased watchfulness and fidelity and of greater energy, zeal and honesty, if it is to be faithfully and intelligently administered."

Gordon asked how people will view the current Cleveland Plan in 100 years.

"Let's recommit ourselves today so that 100 years from now, when people read about the historic Cleveland Plan of 2012, they will know that real school reform comes from within," he said as he closed his speech. "Let's make history, Cleveland. Let's make history again!"

That includes supporting the renewal of 2012's giant school tax increase that's on the ballot in November, he said.

Click here for a look at how much the tax gives the schools and costs you.

See Gordon's full speech below.

The address had two notable omissions. Gordon offered no real preview of the district's 2015-16 state report card that will be released tomorrow, even though the Ohio Department of Education has already given districts an early look at their results.

He also didn't draw his historical parallel to its conclusion and say whether the 1895 Cleveland Plan brought any results.

He instead focused on a few ways the current Plan has made gains for students and ways that it has not. Most of those came as no surprise, since recent reviews of the Cleveland Plan by the Innovation Ohio think tank and by the Transformation Alliance, have already spelled them out.

Click here for a look at Innovation Ohio's report.

Click here for a look at the report by the Transformation Alliance.

"It is true that The Cleveland Plan has not yet accomplished all that can be desired," Gordon said. "We have not yet met our goal of tripling the number of students enrolled in high-performing district and charter schools. And we have not yet met our goal of eliminating failing schools in our city."

Left unsaid was the district's recurring D grade on state report cards for a key student achievement measure, as well as the district continuing to languish near the state's bottom of test score rankings.

The last report cards for 2014-15 showed that Cleveland had the fifth-worst test scores in Ohio, an improvement from having the second-worst scores before the Cleveland Plan was enacted.

But Gordon listed several ways he says students are achieving more:

- Preschool is making more Cleveland kids prepared for kindergarten.

- The district is helping many students with poor reading scores in the fall of third grade learn enough by the end of the year to pass requirements of Ohio's Third Grade Reading Guarantee and advance to fourth grade.

- The district made gains on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a test commonly called the "nation's report card." Those gains were mostly tiny - not even statistically significant according to NAEP - but came even as scores for Ohio and the nation fell.

- The district's graduation rate has risen from 52% in 2010 to 66% on last year's state report card.

- The need for graduates to take remedial classes in college has fallen significantly and more Cleveland graduates stay in college for a second year, instead of quitting after their freshman year.

Click here for coverage of his 2015 State of the Schools speech, here for his 2014 speech, and here for 2013.

The speech, organized by the City Club of Cleveland, will be available soon on the club's website. It will also be rebroadcast at 7 a.m. Sunday, September 18 on WCPN 90.3.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Federal Aviation Administration is looking for public comment on the routes airplanes should fly in and out of Cleveland.

The FAA wants to hear public concerns about noise, air traffic and the environment, among other issues, as it prepares to change the routes airplanes use in the skies around Cleveland.

As part of its Metroplex initiative, the FAA is preparing to convert the airspace around Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Airport to satellite-based navigation from ground-based navigation.

That means, air traffic controllers will rely on satellite navigation systems to move airplanes in and out of Cleveland instead of ground-based navigation, creating faster, more efficient routes.

As part of the process, the FAA is seeking public input as it draws new flight paths. While most planes still will fly in the same general area, there will be some streamlining of routes, notably along highways and existing flight paths.

"When we use satellites, there are things we can do that we couldn't before," said Ron Wood, co-lead on the Cleveland/Detroit Metroplex Project.

The changes to the airspace are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2018. However, another round of community meetings will be held next year after a preliminary design is drafted.

Anthony Caticchio of Chesterland, a pilot and flight instructor at Burke Lakefront Airport, attended the first of three community meetings being held this week on the FAA's changes to learn more about the Metroplex process.

While most of the planes he flies are smaller aircraft that likely won't be affected by the changes, Caticchio wanted to keep abreast of changing flight paths and alterations to the airspace in which he flies.

"The biggest things about this are safety and efficiency and how those are impacted," said Caticchio, while walking around the FAA's display at the Gunning Recreation Center Tuesday.

The FAA already has met with aviation groups and is working closely with Cleveland Hopkins staff, but also wants to heard feedback from the community and businesses that might see some changes from noise and airplane traffic.

"Hopefully, we're going to reach a fair amount of people," Wood said.

The FAA will hold two more community meetings:

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14 at the Middleburg Heights Community Center, 16000 Bagley Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44130

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 at Gemini Center, 21225 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, Ohio 44126

After that, the community will have another 30 days to submit comments on the process.

The Metroplex changes are part of the FAA's nationwide efforts to convert the National Airspace System into a Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).

In the Cleveland-Detroit Metroplex, preliminary studies project $9.7 million in annual fuel savings. Aircraft are expected to use 3.4 million fewer gallons of fuel per year and reduce carbon emissions by 28.9 thousand metric tons annually.

Cleveland is paired with Detroit as a Metroplex given the proximity of the two cities' airspace. The Cleveland-Detroit Metroplex is one of eight areas in the NextGen conversion process. Four Metroplexes already have finished the process.
cleveland police tape 2

Cleveland police are investigating five shootings that happened Wednesday night and early Thursday.

(File photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Five people were injured late Tuesday and early Wednesday in several shootings across the city.

The shootings included a 16-year-old boy injured by gunfire and a man shot in the stomach by someone firing from an assault rifle, according to police.

The shootings happened between 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The first happened in the 11000 block of Superior Avenue. A 25-year-old woman was shot in the wrist as she drove. She told police that someone opened fire from a maroon Chevy Impala and that no one else in her car was hurt.

About two hours later, a 22-year-old man was shot while walking on East 149th Street and Kinsman Avenue. He told police someone fired shots from a black four-door Honda. The man was taken to University Hospitals for treatment.

About 10 minutes later, two gunmen, including one with an assault rifle, fired several shots into a crowd in front of a home in the 9000 block of Kempton Avenue.

The gunmen walked up to the group in front of a vacant house and opened fire, police reports say. The two shooters ran to a white Chrysler parked on the Kempton and sped off, according to police.

A 22-year-old man was shot in the left side and stomach. Others in the group carried him to a car and drove him to the Cleveland Fire Station at 10225 St. Clair Avenue.

The men yelled "help" and firefighters started treating the 22-year-old man. The men who drove him to the station drove away, police reports say. The man was taken to University Hospitals where he was rushed into emergency surgery.

He was later taken to the intensive care unit, where he was in unstable condition. Police later found a Chinese SKS rifle behind the vacant home and a bullet in the 22-year-old man's pocket.

About 11:30 p.m., a 41-year-old man was shot through his left knee outside Q's Gas and Go on West. 44th Street and Clark Avenue. The man was uncooperative with police. A witness told officers he was talking to the man in the parking lot when someone drove by and fired several gunshots.

The man fell to the ground and said he'd been shot. He was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center for treatment.

The final shooting happened about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of East 70th Street and Hough Avenue. Three boys -- two 16 year olds and a 17 year old -- were walking from a friend's house in the area when a green sedan drove up from behind.

Someone fired at least 10 gunshots at the group from a passing car, police reports say. The car sped off. A bullet grazed one of the boys in the left shoulder.

Bullets fired from the car also struck the upstairs bedroom window of a 53-year-old woman's home. No one inside the home was injured.

Police found 14 bullet casings in the road.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A homeless man is charged with a sex crime after sneaking into a sleeping woman's downtown Cleveland hotel.

Investigators linked evidence he left in the hotel to another rape that happened about two weeks prior outside on a bar on West 6th Street in the city's Warehouse District.

Aaron Dandridge-Halsey, 21, is charged with rape, kidnapping, gross sexual imposition and burglary and is currently being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on $100,000 bond.

He pleaded not guilty Wednesday at his arraignment.

Dandridge-Halsey on May 5 broke into the woman's room at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel on Public Square, according to court records.

He placed his groin on the sleeping woman's hand, which woke her from her sleep, police said. He grabbed her foot and then left. The woman went back to sleep, court records say.

The woman noticed clothing in the bathroom the next day as she was checking out of the room. She reported finding the clothing to police.

The items tested as matching Dandridge-Halsey. Surveillance video also showed him walking into the hotel wearing the clothes, then walking out without them, court records say.

The items also matched DNA in a rape kit taken from a woman who was reported being raped on West 6th about two weeks prior.

Dandridge-Halsey is also under investigation in three other sexual assaults, two in Cleveland and one in Euclid, according to court records.

Dandridge-Halsey was charged in a 2013 sex crimes case, in which he was accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl. Prosecutors dismissed the charges but are allowed to bring the case back if they find more evidence.

To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments section.
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The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a complaint filed by backers of the initiative to set Cleveland's minimum wage at $15 an hour.

(Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Ohio Supreme Court has dismissed the complaint filed by backers of the campaign for a $15 minimum wage in Cleveland, who had argued that thousands of signatures in support of the initiative should have compelled City Council to put the issue on the November ballot.

In a one-sentence docket entry Wednesday, the high court ruled that the case was "dismissed without prejudice as the cause is not yet ripe for review."

The complaint was filed in July on behalf of several city residents contending that Council Clerk Pat Britt had unlawfully refused to accept 18,000 signatures calling for the issue to be decided at the general election.

City lawyers countered that the signature drive was premature because, at the time, the issue was still pending before council as proposed legislation.

Raise Up Cleveland, with the support of the Service Employees International Union, had gathered enough signatures to compel City Council to introduce legislation in May seeking a $15 citywide minimum wage that would have begun in January. The rest of the state would have remained at $8.10 an hour.

Since then, council has voted down the proposal.

The City Charter then gave Raise Up Cleveland the back-up option of putting the issue to a vote during a special election. They amended the ballot language, however, to take a more tempered, phased-in approach to reaching $15 an hour that they hope will alleviate voters' concerns that an 85 percent increase all at once would harm local businesses and kill jobs.

The proposal now seeks a $12 minimum wage in Cleveland beginning in January 2018, with $1 annual raises for the following three years. After that, the minimum wage would be tied to the cost of living index.

The new language was submitted to City Council within 10 days after council had rejected the earlier proposal.

Council, however, was not set to meet again until Sept. 12 - a few days too late to forward the issue to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections for inclusion on the November ballot.

Instead, council passed legislation on Monday night setting the special election for May 2.

Raise Up Cleveland had hoped that the Supreme Court would intervene with a ruling, requiring council to accept the additional signatures collected this summer and add the issue to the November ballot.

But it seems Cleveland voters will have to wait for May to get their say on the proposal.
The Detroit Federation of Teachers has tentatively agreed to its first contract with the new Detroit Public Schools Community District, which was formed this summer after the governor signed off on a $617 million bailout and restructuring plan for Detroit public schools. While both the union and district have hailed the deal as an important step forward, both teachers and Republican state lawmakers have questioned the plan.

The deal still needs to be ratified by DFTs 2,900 members and the Financial Review Commission, a board with financial oversight power over the city and the school district, both of which have been bailed out by the state in recent years.

Under the deal, teachers at the top of the current salary schedule will get a 3-percent bonus. Some veteran teachers complain that this fails to make up for the $7,000 pay cut they agreed to a few years ago, reports the local FOX-affiliate WJBK.

Its like a slap in the face. Its like, theyve taken over $20,000 away and now theyre just offering a thousand dollars here $1,200 thereI say no, one teacher told the station.

According to details of the deal released by the union, the tentative agreement relies heavily on one-off bonuses. Teachers in critical shortage areas and those who receive ratings of highly effective evaluations would receive one-time payments. But the deal could also lead to salary increases if the district takes in $12 million or more in local revenue during the 2016-17 school year. In that case, teachers would be moved ahead one full step on the schedule. Additionally, the deal reinstates salary step increases starting next school year.

The Detroit Free Press spoke to several teachers who insisted on raises being guaranteed in this deal, regardless of whether the district can secure additional revenue, in addition to bonuses and other incentives like class-size reductions.

If those things arent in there, then we need to reject it, Nicole Conaway, a 15-year teacher in the district told the newspaper. The vague language in the document doesnt make me hopeful. Its a very tentative agreement.

Meanwhile, State Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, a Republican, questioned the validity of the entire deal since it was made between interim Detroit school district emergency manager Steven Rhodes and the union.

Well, I have some questions because I thought that was up to the new school board and the new superintendent (and the) Financial Review Commission, Meekhof told The Detroit News . I didnt believe that the interim manager had the ability to do collective bargaining.
FREMONT, Ohio -- The Ohio Supreme Court has created a three-judge panel that will determine whether to suspend embattled Sandusky County Sheriff Kyle Overmyer.

A Sandusky County judge ordered Overmyer to hand over his badge and guns after he pleaded not guilty to dozens of drug and theft charges on Aug. 24. The 42-year-old sheriff has refused to resign after being indicted.

Special Prosecutor Carol Hamilton O'Brien on Aug. 25 asked the state's highest court to establish a special commission to determine whether Overmyer should be suspended. The court announced the selection of the three retired judges on Tuesday, records show.

Overmyer's defense attorney Andrew Mayle said the sheriff still has no plans to resign. But Mayle said he is focused on preparing for Overmyer's criminal trial.

"My focus in on securing an acquittal in the criminal case," Mayle said. "The [special commission process] will play itself out."

Judge Patrick McGrath, Judge V. Lee Sinclair and Judge John Solovan are required to conduct hearings -- which will be closed to the public -- and issue a preliminary decision within two weeks, according to state law.

If the judges decide to suspend Overmyer, he would have an additional two weeks to contest the decision. The judges would then have two weeks to conduct a hearing with Overmyer and issue a final decision.

The commission will issue a public report once it makes its final decision.

If Overmyer is suspended it will remain in effect until his case is adjudicated. He could also appeal a suspension to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Capt. Steve Stotz is serving as interim sheriff following Overmyer's arrest, officials said.

Overmyer's name will appear as a Republican candidate on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. Independents Christopher Hilton and Jim Consolo are running against him.

Overmyer's indictment came after the Aug. 15 deadline for another candidate to declare. New challengers would need to seek election as write-in candidates, according to the Sandusky County Board of Elections.

Overmyer, the son of a longtime sheriff's deputy, faces 43 charges -- including 38 felonies -- including tampering with records, theft in office and deception to obtain a dangerous drug.

His trial is set for March 6, 2017 with a status conference set for Nov. 9, 2016.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation began its investigation into Overmyer in September 2015. Sandusky County Prosecutor Thomas Stierwalt said last month that there were concerns about Overmyer's behavior regarding prescription drug disposal drop box collections.

Investigators say Overmyer was improperly taking drugs from the drop boxes. They also say he was deceiving doctors and pharmacists to obtain pain medications such as Percocet, and that he misused money for the department and altered records.

The Sandusky Register reported earlier this year that six police chiefs in Sandusky County raised concerns about pills collected from the drop boxes that went missing. The chiefs said in a joint statement that the disappearance of the drugs was "very disturbing."
Film Review Snowden

From left, Melissa Leo, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Wilkinson and Zachary Quinto in a scene from, "Snowden."

(Jurgen Olczyk)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The perfect story meets the perfect director in Oliver Stone's "Snowden." Free-floating paranoia has never served a movie so well.

"Snowden" is the story of Edward Snowden, an NSA contractor who leaked thousands of documents to Britain's Guardian newspaper, revealing that the CIA and the NSA were monitoring the Internet activity of millions of ordinary citizens around the world.

The movie opens with Snowden meeting journalists in Hong Kong to give them classified documents he downloaded from the NSA computers. From there, the story flashes back to the beginnings of Snowden's career working as a computer programmer for both the CIA and NSA.

Joseph Gordon Levitt plays Snowden with a subdued seriousness of purpose. His Snowden takes the responsibilities of his job to heart. It's this same dedication to American ideals that eventually led him to actions for which some will later brand him a traitor.

Over the course of the movie, Snowden goes from being a proud computer whiz kid to someone who puts a Band-Aid over his laptop camera lens because he thinks he being watched.

Rhys Ifans plays Corbin O'Brian, the creepy, super-spook who oversees Snowden's career as an intelligence officer. Snowden's concern for national security and safety in post-9/11 America slowly turns into a fear for the loss of privacy as he sees the computer programs he develops being used recklessly to spy on people all over the world.

Snowden was a superstar in the intelligence world. While training for the CIA, he was able to create computer programs in 40 minutes that would take other trainees between five and eight hours to complete.

He moved up the ranks quickly, being stationed first in Geneva, Switzerland, and then in Hawaii, where he was assigned to thwart hackers working for the Chinese government to steal advances in U.S. industry and technology. But the more he learns about his chosen profession, the more wary he becomes.

Shailene Woodley plays Lindsay Mills, Snowden's smart and sexy girlfriend, who supports his career but can't be told about the breaches of privacy he witnesses on a daily basis. At one point, she leaves him as his frustration with his job and his inability to communicate with her puts an unbearable strain on the relationship. One of Snowden's final straws before leaving the country for good was learning that his bosses were spying on his girlfriend, too.

Stone does a great job pacing the story's energy, flipping back and forth between Snowden's growing disillusionment with the government agencies he serves and the tension during the end game when he's passing the forbidden information clandestinely to eager journalists.

Stone uses Snowden's story to posit important questions about the price of security versus the cost of having Big Brother monitor our lives. In an era when millions of people are gleefully handing over the most intimate details of their lives on Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat, you have to wonder if Snowden's sacrifice was all for nothing.

Stone's "Snowden" takes some of the most important issues regarding the future of American online freedom today and illuminates them in the form of a taut, fast-paced thriller.

Paranoia has never been so entertaining as it is here.

REVIEW

Snowden

Who: With Joseph Gordon Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson, Scott Eastwood, Timothy Olyphant, Rhys Ifans and Nicolas Cage. Directed by Oliver Stone.

Rated: R.

Running time: 134 minutes.

When: Opens Friday.

Where: Area theaters.

Grade: B+
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The late composer-conductor Pierre Boulez, seen here in concert with the Cleveland Orchestra, is the subject of a new retrospective concert series at the Cleveland Institute of Music titled "The Boulez Legacy."

(Roger Mastroianni)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Better a few months after his passing, and better here than anywhere else in the United States.

That's the principle behind "The Boulez Legacy," a concert series in the works at the Cleveland Institute of Music in memory of the towering musical polymath Pierre Boulez.

Unlike many tributes to the conductor-composer upon his death in January, this one spanning September and October addresses all aspects of his life and involves everyone from students and faculty to guests. Of particular significance: It takes place in Cleveland, a city with which Boulez fostered a special and long-running relationship.

PREVIEW

The Boulez Legacy

What: A concert series in honor of Pierre Boulez.

When: Sunday, Sept. 25-Sunday, Oct. 30.

Where: The Cleveland Institute of Music, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland.

Tickets: Free, but passes required in some cases. Go to cim.edu or call 216-795-3211.

"It really does make a lot of sense for us to be doing this," said Steven Smith, a partner in the series and leader of a program titled "Boulez the Conductor."

"I think there was a personal connection here. I think there are a lot of different reasons we should be celebrating him."

No one could have said it better. Nor is it just an opinion. The truth of Smith's assertion is borne out by the series.

One or two events wouldn't have sufficed. Not for someone so broadly talented, whose impact on musical life here and everywhere was so enormous.

In order to do full justice to Boulez, a regular guest conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra from his U.S. debut here in 1965 until the last years of his life, organizer Keith Fitch planned not just one but a whole series of themed concerts, each one exploring his legacy as a conductor, composer and mentor.

At least one member of the Cleveland Orchestra appears on every program, alongside faculty and students at CIM and a handful of guest artists. One especially notable visitor: composer Augusta Read Thomas.

"It all just kind of came together," recalled Fitch, head of composition at CIM. "Much more easily than I thought it would. I think that speaks to the love and affection people had for him. I didn't have to twist any arms. The programs basically wrote themselves."

"THE BOULEZ LEGACY" CONCERTS

4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25

Mixon Hall

"Boulez the Modernist I"

8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28

Mixon Hall

"Boulez the Friend and Teacher"

8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5

Kulas Hall

"Boulez the Conductor"

8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26

Mixon Hall

"Boulez the Modernist II"

4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30

Mixon Hall

"Boulez the Advocate and Mentor"

(Pre-concert talk at 3 p.m.)

If that's true, they did a good job. Only if they dipped into the Baroque and Classical could "The Boulez Legacy" concerts span a wider array of music.

Under the "Modernist" and "Advocate" headings, listeners will encounter at least five works by Boulez: "Domaines" for solo clarinet, "Derive 1," "Improvise," Sonatine for flute and piano, and "Memoriale," a 1985 work born out of "Explosante-Fixe." Fitch and Smith said they hope these programs foster awareness of his work and dispel any myths of coldness or rigidity.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Surrounding those pieces is a wealth of music spanning over a century, from Mahler to the latest by Thomas.

The "Modernist" thread entails Ligeti, Carter, Berio and Stockhausen, giants all and peers of Boulez, while the "Conductor" program highlights Stravinsky's "Le Chant du Rossignol," Messiaen's "Sept Haikai," and the Adagio from Mahler's Symphony No. 10, three scores Boulez famously recorded with the Cleveland Orchestra.

With those recordings, and others, "You could finally hear the great 20th-century repertoire the way it was meant to be played, because he taught the orchestras to play it," Fitch noted.

An equally broad array, meanwhile, awaits on the "Advocate" and "Friend" lineups. Those two programs reach from the Debussy Cello Sonata and Ravel's "Le Tombeau de Couperin" up to works by Thomas, Kurtag and Rands.

The message underlying those two programs is also fairly clear, Smith explained. "For him," he said, "it was all about the music and achieving the best possible result.

"He held himself to that same incredibly high standard. He took any composer's writing to heart. He had an ability to connect us as listeners to the heart and mind of the composer."

Really, though, there's only one goal with "The Boulez Legacy," Fitch said: To flesh out the portrait of an artist many know but do not fully appreciate.

It's still too early to evaluate his impact, even with a grand series of concerts, but now in Cleveland may be just the right time and place to remember and explore, to begin to consider in depth one of the greatest figures in 20th-century music.

"I'm looking at this not only as a celebration but as an introduction as well," Fitch said. "I hope people come and find context."
AP Poll Climate Change

National security experts are expressing concern about how climate change could affect the U.S. military.

(Matt Brown, Associated Press file photo)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Climate change is a "significant risk to U.S. national security and international security" according to three new documents that have been endorsed by more than two dozen military and national security experts, reports say.

Among the 25 experts warning about the dangers of climate change are former advisers to Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, as well as retired General Anthony Zinni, former commander of the U.S. Central Command, and retired Admiral Samuel Locklear, head of the Pacific Command until last year.

The documents say climate change will increase the chances of international conflict and threaten U.S. military operations, Reuters reports.

"There are few easy answers, but one thing is clear: the current trajectory of climatic change presents a strategically-significant risk to U.S. national security, and inaction is not a viable option," says a statement published on Wednesday by the Center for Climate and Security, a Washington-based think tank, according to Reuters.

The Guardian reports the group recommends creating cabinet-level official to deal with security issues related to climate change and to assess risks.

The U.S. military has 1,774 coastal military installations worldwide, and officials are concerned they could be subject to increased flooding as sea levels rise.

"The conclusions are clear: climate risks are accelerating in their likelihood and severity," retired Navy rear admiral David Titley says, according to the Guardian. "The next administration, whomever is elected, has the duty and obligation as commander-in-chief to manage this risk in a comprehensive manner."

Reuters reports that the large number of bipartisan former officials who signed the reports could put pressure on future U.S. administrations to address climate change.
Britney Spears Settles Lawsuit and Gets Aggressive With the Media

In what should be considered a lesson to everyone who thinks that legal relief can be had quickly, the 2008 case between Sam Lufti and Britney Spears and family just settled last week. In the lawsuit, Lufti claimed Spears' father actually struck him. Lufti also alleged that Spears' mother lied about him in her memoir.

Details of the settlement were not released by the court, and it is unlikely either party is free to release the actual numbers. After this action was initially dismissed by the lower court in 2012, Lufti appealed the dismissal and won. Had this settlement not occurred, trial was scheduled to begin next month.

Lufti vs. Spears Settlement

TMZ is reporting that Spears paid Lufti in the low six figures to settle the case, which they estimate is less than the half million dollar attorneys costs Spears would have had to shoulder to take the case to trial. The amounts in question have not been confirmed. The settlement came after many years of courtroom battles.

Lufti claimed that Spears' drug use was what caused her problems back in 2008, and eventually led to the pop star's hospitalization. Spears' family believed that Lufti, her former manager, was the cause of the star's rapid decline. Fortunately, we don't have to live through these claims being dissected in a Los Angeles courtroom, as the matter has settled.

Spears Is Getting Aggressive With the Media

While Britney's lawyers have threatened to sue In Touch Weekly if they run a piece about Britney acting strange before the recent MTV VMAs, TMZ got wind of the story, and basically let the cat out of the bag. In Touch claims to have received information that Britney was speaking with a British accent and talking to herself before the show. When the magazine reached out for Spears to comment, they were told by Spears' lawyers that publishing the story would result in a lawsuit.

Spears has arguably recovered from her spectacular descent back in 2008 where she appeared to have buckled under the weight of her own massive popularity. Now, it sounds like she is aggressively trying to keep any negative press at bay.

Related Resources:
Vamonos a Cuba, Legalmente: Doing Business in Cuba Today

With the U.S. relaxing its longstanding embargo against Cuba, the island nation is suddenly the place to be. Everyone from hotel chains to fruit importers to Jimmy Buffett (really) is looking into expanding to Cuba. And when Buffett shops around Havana for a good spot for his Margaritaville restaurant chain, he can already stay in one of thousands of Airbnb rentals. This is not exactly the Cuba of Che Guevara anymore.

But doing business with Cuba isn't a free-for-all, either. While Cuba is implementing market-oriented reforms and has allowed for foreign investment, doing business on the island still involves negotiating a host of Cuban and American laws and restrictions -- with the help of a skilled attorney, of course.

Patria o Muerte o Abogados!

The Cuban market may be alluring, but it's not entirely straightforward. Clients who want to expand to the island will need significant legal guidance. Non-Cuban business is governed, in part, by Cuba's Foreign Investment Law, for example. And anyone doing business (or pleasure) in Cuba is subject to the nation's laws, governing everything from corporate management to basic contract law.

American companies doing business in Cuba must also comply with U.S. law, as well. The reestablishment of diplomatic relationships with Cuba hasn't brought the end of the U.S. embargo, which remains in place, though it's been relaxed. And the embargo is just one restriction affecting U.S. businesses. Someone who acquires or uses confiscated American properties in Cuba, for example, could be subject to suit in U.S. courts under the Helms-Burton Act of 1996.

Like Lonely Planet, but for the Law

Of course, if you're looking for a guide to navigating this unique mix of Cuban and American law, we've got one. "Cuba: A Legal Guide to Business," published by Thomson Reuters, provides a practical guide to help you navigate this unique legal regime for clients and businesses. (Disclaimer: Thomson Reuters is FindLaw's parent company.)

This practical overview gives you a look at the Cuban legal system, from expropriation laws, to its court system, to its civil code, with a special focus on corporate and contract law and foreign investments. It also provides an explanation of U.S. laws regarding Cuba, from Cuban asset regulations to trade sanctions, along with an analysis of recent legal developments between Cuba and the U.S. It even delves into regulations affecting travel, migration, and remittances.

It's a wealth of information for any lawyer dealing with issues connected to Cuba. And at just $199, it's priced low enough to make you scream "Nooo, que barato!"

Related Resources:
watch now

As the averages tumble into the red, Jim Cramer says: Get used to it; this is the way that September always plays out. Statistically, September is the worst month of the year, and always seems to Cramer that it plays the role of a wake-up call. Investors return from the summer and realize that there is more risk than they thought, particularly in an election year. Cramer sees the market in a strange place, where whoever spoke last, or whatever the price of oil does, is magnified by the gloominess of September. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve officials seem to have a disparate opinion from the unelected voices that have tremendous power over stock prices. "But without them, there is nothing to trade off of, no earnings, no pronouncements," Cramer said. Ultimately, Cramer recommends erring on the side of caution. He is not willing to risk making a big bet on stocks, and prefers to have a higher cash position rather than take his next cue from which of the Fed players last spoke or the price of oil. "We should take our cue from the value stocks are offering, and as they come down they do, alas, get cheaper, not more expensive."



John Stumpf, CEO, Wells Fargo Scott Mlyn | CNBC

Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf says he feels accountable for the alleged abusive sales practices that cost the company $185 million in fines. The company announced on Thursday that it had reached a settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and two other agencies to pay $185 million in fines stemming from allegations abusive sales practices from employees attempting to meet sales goals. "To the extent that we don't get it right 100 percent of the time  because that is our goal  if we don't make that plan, I am responsible. I am accountable," Stumpf said in an interview with Jim Cramer on Tuesday. "Anybody else in the company, we all feel when we fall short of that plan, we feel accountable and responsible. And we are taking action." Cramer also reminded investors on Tuesday that all of the market volatility isn't only because of the Federal Reserve, it could be stemming from uncertainty surrounding Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. "When you see the volatility, keep in mind that not all of it is based on the Fed. A lot of it's the election, the lack of common ground, and the fact that the polling has gotten tighter, all of which could make for a treacherous couple of months until we get to Nov. 8," he said.

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton John Sommers II | Reuters; Getty Images
Cramer broke down how he views each candidate's potential impact on the market if elected.

This was the revelation from Cramer after he attended a panel hosted by E Trade and TheStreet.com. He was taken aback by the lack of common ground discussed between the two candidates.

"When you see the volatility, keep in mind that not all of it is based on the Fed. A lot of it's the election, the lack of common ground, and the fact that the polling has gotten tighter, all of which could make for a treacherous couple of months until we get to Nov. 8," the " Mad Money " host said.

Jim Cramer reminded investors on Tuesday that all of the market volatility isn't only because of the Federal Reserve , it could be stemming from uncertainty surrounding Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump .

The first pure uncertainty that could arise if Trump were to be elected is a potential for a trade war with China.

"A Trump presidency means he is very hard to game, except that you should sell anything related to commodities if you believe Trump is going to win, because he seems eager to start a trade war with China," Cramer said.

Investors may forget how much commerce the U.S. does with China, he added, especially the consumer packaged goods, technology and capital equipment needed to mine and build roads that are sold to China. That could impact Apple , Caterpillar and PepsiCo , among others.

Cramer also thinks the railroads could be impacted, as much of U.S. coal goes to China. That business has been part of the major rebound for the group. Airlines and aircraft builders could also be crushed, including Boeing and United Technologies .

"So many of our industrials would be impacted by this trade war," Cramer said.

If Clinton wins the election, Cramer has concerns over the heath care sector. It was clear to him that Clinton intends to take her cue from Mylan , Teva and Valeant , and do everything she can to prevent drug companies from raising prices. The scrutiny could even extend beyond these companies to ones involved in research and development, too.

Additionally, if Clinton was to win in a landslide and the Democrats take both houses of Congress, Cramer also expects Senator Elizabeth Warren to have a significant amount of influence.

"Even though Hillary has taken a huge amount of money from Wall Street, you can only imagine what kind of damage a newly empowered Elizabeth Warren could do to the financial sector," Cramer said.

However, as long as the Republicans keep the house, Cramer anticipates that a divided government under Clinton will look a lot like the divided government under President Obama.

"You can't necessarily hide in the domestic companies because, let's face it, the nationwide minimum wage would go up with Hillary, and that means higher labor costs for the retailers and restaurants," Cramer said.

The only real common ground that Cramer could find between the candidates is that more money will be spent on defense, and those stocks have all been elevated in pricing already.

"Suffice it to say, unless you get a clear winner going into November, the uncertainty would be incredible and  uncertainty is the one thing we know above all, investors hate," Cramer said.
A worker in a textile factory in Dongguan, Guangdong province, China. Lucas Schifres | Getty Images

The balance of power between capital and labor is shifting back towards the former in China's troubled manufacturing heartland as the economic slowdown wipes out jobs faster than the labor supply falls. Many factories in the Pearl River Delta are reverting to past practice of hiring only young, preferably female, workers, a different approach from China's post-stimulus years when even men in their 40s or 50s were in demand. In many recruitment flyers posted on walls, electricity poles and bulletin boards in Changan, a small town in Dongguan, the maximum age requirement is 35, and another less explicit preference is for women, who are regarded as less rebellious than men. The shifting job-hunting landscape is particularly hard for people like Huang Li. Huang, from a village in Guangxi and approaching 35, was leaning against a pool table in a public park and drinking a can of beer during a break from job hunting. Wiping sweat from his face with the bottom of his shirt, Huang said he lost his previous job at a Dongguan lamp factory last year when the boss "ran away"  a term describing a factory owner who suddenly disappears to avoid debts and salary payments. Although Huang finally received his wages with the help of local authorities, he became one of the migrant unemployed and was desperately searching for a new position  returning to his rural home was no longer an option for him as he can't make a living from the small family plot of land. "I'm deeply worried," Huang said, adding that it was easier for women to find general, or non-skilled, jobs. He described a jobs vacant post he had seen from a watch manufacturer saying it needed dozens of general workers, but only women aged 18 and 35 would be accepted. "I want to work in an electronics factory," Huang said. "I don't have much education, all I can do is manual labor." For now, Huang pays 300 yuan (HK$350) a month in rent to share a room with another worker, and is desperately in need of cash to cover his monthly expenses of about 2,000 yuan, including food and phone bills.

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"If I can't find a proper job, then I will do whatever I can find, like hourly paid work," Huang said. "If I don't work, I won't have money for food."

The frustrations felt by Huang and many other migrant jobseekers who lack the necessary skills to ride China's hi-tech wave and are excluded from China's social security coverage, is the result of the persistent economic slowdown and the redistribution of global production. While China is moving up the value chain and the government is keen to replace sweatshops with hi-tech firms, Beijing also faces serious economic and social challenges in creating jobs for its 270 million migrant workers  whose average age in 2015 was 38.6 years while only one in four had made it to high school. "There is a price to pay for China's economic restructuring  if you want the services sector to rise, you have to accept that the manufacturing sector will drop," said Lu Zhengwei, chief economist of the Industrial Bank . "But services haven't been strong enough to take over completely. We should be alert that there is a problematic hollowing of manufacturing, or recession." These stresses have emerged as China's labor supply is peaking. China's overall labor pool, defined as those aged between 16 and 59, has been shrinking for the past four years. Meanwhile, a growing number of migrant workers are employed in the services sector as manufacturing jobs retreat. The average wage of migrant workers is still rising, reaching 3,072 yuan a month in 2015, but the growth in wages has slowed. Beijing has targeted three main groups  migrant workers, an estimated 1.8 million workers expected to be laid off from China's coal and steel sector, and an estimated 7 million college graduates every year  to ensure job market stability. More from the South China Morning Post :

Stuck in the past: how China's manufacturing powerhouse of Dongguan got left behind

Labour pains: are higher wages and benefits for China's workers harming its economy?

Why China's factory workers are slowly winning their battle for stronger labour rights

The situation is still manageable on a nationwide basis as governmental job indicators are still within safe zones, but the rising pressure will be acute in the industrial rust belts and traditional low-cost manufacturing hubs like Changan, which once had more than 30 industrial zones crowded with small factories.

These industrial towns are now dotted with empty factories and closed shops. The local government said 243 factories closed or moved out of Dongguan in 2015 while labor unrest in Guangdong province was at a three-year high at the end of 2015. Across the street from where Huang used to work, a small metal workshop had cut more than half of its staff to 12 people in two years, blaming the rising cost of raw materials, wages and higher product quality requirements. Cai Xuewen, a trader of secondhand machinery, said the exodus of foreign investment  which plummeted 87 per cent last year in Changan  had led him to buy more used machines from closed factories than he could sell. He hasn't sold any in two months. "A manufacturer friend of mine once joked that if you want a man to experience hell, then make him run a factory," Cai said. "Of course it's a joke, but I think it's pretty close to reality." Cai, a former migrant worker who built up his small machinery repair shop, now spends most of his time sipping black tea in his workshop full of secondhand machines and tools in the Shatou Industrial Zone. In Jinxia Yifang Industrial zone, home to more than 20 small factories, Liu Sheng, 50, ran two firms  one making moulds and the other dolls, and he said his workforce had shrank to about 60 from a peak of 200 workers. Liu said his customers couldn't pay him in full or on time, which disrupted his cash flow, so he couldn't afford to hire more workers. "Some migrant workers have recently come to my factory to look for jobs. I can't take them on simply because I can't afford to," Liu said. "I'd rather give extra orders to other factories and pay for their few days of work than recruit another migrant worker."

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New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is making inquiries into the Donald J. Trump Foundation, a source told CNBC, after Schneiderman told CNN of concerns that the presidential nominee's charitable foundation may have been involved in "some impropriety."

Schneiderman told CNN's "The Lead" on Tuesday that he was "looking into the Trump Foundation and making sure it's complying with the laws that govern charities in New York."



"My interest in this issue really is in my capacity as regulator of non-profits in New York state and we have been concerned that the Trump foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view," Schneiderman said.

The Attorney General, who has also been embroiled in an alleged fraud case against Trump University, told CNN that his office had "inquired into" the issue and exchanged correspondence with the foundation but "didn't make a big deal out of it or hold a press conference."

The inquiry comes on the heels of a report in The Washington Post that the GOP presidential nominee had not donated to his foundation since 2008. Schneiderman has previously endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller called Schneiderman's comments as "nothing more than another left-wing hit job designed to distract from Crooked Hillary Clinton's disastrous week."

"Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is a partisan hack who has turned a blind eye to the Clinton Foundation for years," Miller said.



Watch Schneiderman's full remarks on CNN.
Andrew Rich | Getty Images

Tax policy reform is king in this election. That's the finding of a recent survey of 1,040 individuals conducted by WalletHub, a provider of free credit scores and reports. Nearly 57 percent of participants said that "tax fairness"  what people should pay and how much  was more important than "whatever is best for the economy," which garnered close to 23 percent. And when it comes to taxes on the well-to-do, two-thirds of those polled said they preferred Hillary Clinton's plan to tack on a 4 percent surcharge on incomes exceeding $5 million. Meanwhile, 32 percent said they preferred Donald Trump's proposal to lower the top federal income tax bracket to 33 percent from its current 39.6 percent. WalletHub polled people online from Aug. 26 to Aug. 29 and the survey has a 3.1 percent margin of error.

The focus on tax fairness may stem from Americans paying closer attention to their personal finances. "Consumers are spending more than they should over the past few years," said Jill Gonzalez, an analyst at WalletHub. "They're thinking more about their bottom line personally than the entire nation's bottom line." "With less than two months until the election, survey participants have also come up with a wish list of tax changes they'd like to see to make the system more 'fair,'" Gonzalez said. For example, seventy-three percent were in favor of a tax plan where levies increase with income. "Most people think everyone should be taxed," said Gonzalez.

Levies on investments

About 90 percent also supported taxing investment income at a higher rate, akin to the federal income tax brackets. The highest income earners pay a 20 percent tax rate on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends. There's also a 3.8 percent net investment income tax on top of that rate if your modified adjusted gross income meets the $200,000 threshold (for singles) or $250,000 for married filing jointly.

In comparison, 2016 wages  ordinary income  have a top tax bracket of 39.6 percent for singles whose income exceeds $415,050, or $466,950 for married taxpayers who file jointly. Short-term capital gains are also subject to that rate.

Respondents in the WalletHub study also wanted to cut deductions, which filers use to reduce their taxable income. Forty-seven percent said that the fairest tax code would have fewer of these breaks.

The experts' take

Separately from the participants in the WalletHub survey, experts take a nuanced approach toward tax reform. They see estate taxes as an opportunity for change. These levies apply to the wealthiest people: In 2016, the exemption is $5.45 million per individual. The maximum tax rate on estates exceeding the exemption is 40 percent. Tax experts have highlighted President Barack Obama's former proposal to do away with the step-up in basis. The step-up permits decedents to transfer at death assets that have appreciated in value  free of capital gains taxes. Obama proposed it in 2015, but Clinton has not revived it in her campaign. Trump, meanwhile, has called for an end to the estate tax.

The Tax Policy Center in 2015 said that 10,800 individuals dying that year would have estates large enough to warrant filing an estate tax return. Of those, only 5,330 of them would owe any tax. "The estate tax is a little redistributive, but it doesn't raise a lot of money relative to the overall budget," said Roberton Williams, a Sol Price Fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. An alternative could be to do away with the estate tax and the step-up in basis, which is the case in Canada. There, once an individual dies, the appreciated asset is subject to capital gains taxes, as if the decedent had sold the property to the heir. "People will say the rich should pay their fair share, but if we eliminate the step-up in cost basis, then that will affect people who don't normally have to pay taxes," said Charlie Douglas, partner and director of wealth planning at Cedar Rowe Partners in Atlanta. "There's 1 percent that has to pay the estate tax, but many people will have a step-up in gains," he said.
While the tech pundits gave the iPhone 7 release a tepid reaction, investors putting real money at risk cheered. Shares of Apple saw a spike in bullish mentions on Twitter in the past week after the company announced the new version of the smartphone last Wednesday. Social Market Analytics, which scans posts on social networks to form predictive trading signals, found that the tech giant had among the five-biggest increases in bullish sentiment among major U.S. stocks in the last five trading days. Apple shares followed the jump in bullishness, reaching a new nine-month high Wednesday. The stock is now up 6 percent for the month versus the S & P 500's negative 2 percent return as of midday trading. The investor enthusiasm for the iPhone7 is so far proving the tech media wrong as carriers released better-than-expected iPhone 7 preorder data this week. To be sure, the major U.S. wireless carriers are offering aggressive trade-in promotions for the new model so it's not yet certain who will ultimately be correct as to whether the new phone is a game changer for the stock. Below are the other four stocks seeing the biggest one-week jump in bullish sentiment on Twitter, according to SMA.

Apple CEO Tim Cook Josh Edelson | AFP | Getty Images
In CNBC Conversation's latest episode, Carolin Roth sits down with U.S. Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz to discuss the state of the European economy, among other current global news stories.

"I think the two biggest risks (to the euro zone currently) are the Italian situation and that will depend in part on how the European Commission handles that," Stiglitz tells CNBC.

"The other one is Greece. Europe pretended that they solved the Greek crisis a year ago. But actually the Greek economy has continued to go down; the medicine that they gave was the wrong medicine and was more dosage of the medicine that had not worked, and the country continues to sink further and further down the depression gets worse and worse."

Aside from the economic state of Europe, Stiglitz also weighs in on the upcoming U.S. presidential election, telling CNBC that a Donald Trump presidency would be "a nightmare", while giving his thoughts on the European Commission's recent ruling on the Apple tax case.
With Hillary Clinton in the hot seat for delaying the release of her pneumonia diagnosis, her campaign manager on Wednesday explained the move, while blasting Donald Trump for not releasing detailed medical records.



In an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box," Robby Mook said Clinton had tried to "power through it," because she "originally didn't want this to disrupt the campaign."

"When she became overheated on Sunday, it was clear she needed to take some down time," he added, referring to her abrupt departure from a Sept. 11 memorial ceremony in New York City.

The Clinton campaign on Sunday initially blamed her departure on being "overheated," but later revealed she had been diagnosed with pneumonia two days earlier.



Meanwhile, Mook described Trump's health disclosures thus far as a "joke," arguing the GOP presidential nominee "has not released a single, serious health record."



Trump told CNBC on Monday he plans to release a more comprehensive report on his own health this week. The billionaire real estate mogul is set talk about his health on "The Dr. Oz Show," being taped Wednesday and set for air on Thursday.

Clinton plans to return to the campaign trial on Thursday, with appearances that include a rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, a key battleground state.



"We'll be back at it tomorrow," Mook told CNBC.



Asked whether Clinton's pneumonia was viral or bacterial, Mook said: "I'm not a doctor, so I can't tell you. Her doctor is working on compiling information that we will be releasing very, very shortly."

Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in one to three weeks, but for elderly or debilitated patients it may take longer, according to the American Lung Association.

The 68-year-old Clinton canceled West Coast events earlier this week.

In a phone interview with CNN on Monday, the Democratic presidential nominee said she didn't disclose her pneumonia diagnosis sooner because she "didn't think it was going to be that big a deal."

Clinton has been resting at her home in Chappaqua, New York.
"In other words, the Fed is set up for failure with its easy money policies. However, I am of a very different mindset," the " Mad Money " host said.

Cramer noted that many discussions among large hedge fund managers at the conference focused on the role of central banks in propping up stocks, or how the Federal Reserve has distorted the economy by creating artificial opportunities that could get taken away one day.

If Jim Cramer got $100 every time someone called the world's markets as "dangerous" at the Delivering Alpha conference, he would be a very rich man.

When you hear how stocks are dangerously inflated, I want you to think of diligence and innovation

More importantly, hedge fund managers could not see that the market is made up of individual stocks, not a market of markets. That told Cramer that they are either hopelessly removed from the stock pricing process, or just don't care what companies are doing to improve their situations.



"Every day I interview CEOs, every day. I know some periodically admit that their stocks are benefiting from the Fed's moves  or lack thereof  but their own moves are far more important," Cramer said.

For instance, Cramer interviewed Boston Scientific CEO Mike Mahoney on "Mad Money" on Tuesday. Ten years ago, Boston Scientific paid $27 billion for Guidant in a bid that almost destroyed the company.

Since then, Boston Scientific has struggled back, and now the company is beating its own projections to grow much faster than the 3 to 6 percent numbers forecasted one year ago.

Monetary policy had nothing to do with Boston Scientific's growth, Cramer said. The strength came from invention, ingenuity and competitive spirit combined with leadership and financial management.

But here's the problem: Boston Scientific is only a $31 billion company. That might seem large to some, but it's too small for most of the hedge fund managers at Delivering Alpha.

Hedge fund managers default to a macro perspective of whole markets. Thus, some of the fund managers would have to own all of Boston Scientific, and even then it might not be a big enough position.

It matters to investors trying to manage their portfolios at home, though. Some investors who pick stocks would love to own one like Boston Scientific that is up 25 percent this year.

"So, when you hear how stocks are dangerously inflated, I want you to think of diligence and innovation. Those aren't manipulated. Those aren't supported by the European Central Bank or the Fed or any other government," Cramer said.

Companies are supported by themselves. Boston Scientific trades at $23 because it deserves to be there from what the company has done to save itself, Cramer said. It might not matter to the big dogs, but it does to everyday investors.
It's that time again! Jim Cramer rang the lightning round bell, which means he gave his take on caller favorite stocks at rapid speed:



Macy's : "You want to keep that stock. More than 4 percent [yield]. I saw the upgrade today, and I believe there is going to be a catalyst of it closing 100 stores. I say buy, buy, buy."

Community Bank System : "It's OK. You know what, that group is under pressure right now because of another bank, Wells Fargo. I would tell you that I think it is just an OK situation. Not expensive, not cheap. Not enough for me. No edge."

Smith & Wesson Holdings Corp : "I like the stock, I think it is too cheap. I think you want to own the stock now. You want to own it during these periods where people feel it's rolling over. It represents good value."

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd : "I have to admit that stock is going higher. I don't like to recommend Chinese stocks, but that stock has the most momentum of any international stock. I think you've got a good one there. I was actually kind of shocked at how good it does sound. I know my friends who are bears on the name can't believe it, but wow, there is momentum there."

Intrexon Corp : "I think it's a good spec for zika. It's not my favorite stock because it's expensive, but it is a good spec. And I'm not going to deny that."

Spectra Energy Corp : "I like that combination. That is a good one with a good yield, just the opposite by the way, of Intrexon. Not a lot of risk there."
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European leader Jean-Claude Juncker's proposed measures to stem the risk of "galloping populism" and stop the 28-country bloc from breaking up have been slammed as inadequate and insufficient. During his annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament, Juncker, the head of the European Union's executive arm, was, as expected, bullish about the region's future as well as recognizing that there were problems. Mainly, he deplored the state of disunity in the EU, saying "never before have I seen such little common ground between our member states. So few areas where they agree to work together." "Never before have I heard so many leaders speak only of their domestic problems, with Europe mentioned only in passing, if at all.Never before have I seen national governments so weakened by the forces of populism and paralysed by the risk of defeat in the next elections.Never before have I seen so much fragmentation, and so little commonality in our Union," Jean-Claude Juncker, State of the Union address. Juncker also warned that unemployment was still too high and that Europe faced the risk of "galloping populism." Still, rather than addressing popular dissatisfaction with the EU, as seen in the the Brexit vote, his strategies to address euroskepticism appeared absent. Rather, he proposed more unity and solidarity between the remaining member states. "Do we give in to a very natural feeling of frustration? Do we allow ourselves to become collectively depressed? Do we want to let our Union unravel before our eyes? Or do we say: Is this not the time to pull ourselves together?... Is this not the time when Europe needs more determined leadership than ever, rather than politicians abandoning ship?," Jean-Claude Juncker, State of the Union address.



Dream on, Juncker?

As for Brexit, Juncker said again that the U.K.'s decision to leave the EU was regrettable but that the EU itself "was not at risk." Not everyone agreed, however, with some analysts and politicians saying that Juncker's speech showed that he was ignoring the risks of other countries following the U.K.'s suit.

One of the key architects of Britain's vote to leave, Nigel Farage, the former head of the UK Independence Party and still, somewhat ironically, a member of the European Parliament, responded to Juncker's speech by saying that "it is clear that there are no lessons that are going to be learnt from Brexit and indeed it was the usual recipe of 'more Europe'." Even MEPs friendly towards the EU cause noted that the EU needed to be willing to change in a plenary session following the speech. Analysts watching the proceedings also felt that Juncker was complacent about the risks facing the union and underlying causes of dissatisfaction with the EU.

Robin Bew, chief economist of The Economist Intelligence Unit, told CNBC on Wednesday that Juncker was mistaken to think that the EU was not at risk as he believed there was "quite a high risk of other countries leaving" the bloc like the U.K. "I think it's going to be pretty difficult for Greece to stay in over the longer term given what's going on with their finances and although you could very narrowly say Juncker was right- that the U.K. pulling out will not of itself lead to the EU disintegrating but of course, that's not how it works. The U.K. pulling out means that a whole bunch of EU governments are questioning their own relationship with the EU." "If enough countries did question this I think there is a real risk of countries falling away but we're seeing a large number of countries arguing vociferously that Europe needs to be different to meet their aspirations and that puts the EU under strain," Bew said.

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Daniel Hannan, a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Conservative Party and pro-Brexit campaigner, told CNBC that Juncker was missing the point and had not recognized that many EU citizens did not want more integration. "I heard him saying that we needed 'more Europe, a stronger union' and so on and that's precisely what's caused people to vote against it in the first place. If the EU were just a club or association of states or common market we wouldn't have had this (vote)," he told CNBC on the sidelines of the European Parliament on Wednesday. He added that it was "perfectly possible" that other countries could leave the EU. Although Britain has yet to officially trigger the exit process, Juncker stressed again that Britain would not be able to "cherry-pick" the parts of EU life that suited it  such as access to the single market without accepting the free movement of people.

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The European Union (EU) lacks unity and faces the danger of an unprecedented rise of "galloping populism," the head of the European Commission said on Wednesday. Delivering his annual "State of the Union" address, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that there was still "a lack of union" in the EU and that "this has something to do with the crisis in the EU." "There are too many areas where the scope in which we cooperate together is too small and national interests are brought to the fore. European integration cannot be left or bow to the interests of individual members states," he said.

Juncker said that the EU did not want to undermine national states but wanted a "better Europe" and "more solidarity." "There are splits out there and fragmentation exits...and that is leaving scope for galloping populism  and that does not solve problems, it creates them and we need to be aware of that and protect ourselves against it," he warned. "It's high time we take a clear look at the situation, unemployment continues to be too high in Europe and social injustice continues and that's why we have to very quickly get to work on the basis of social fairness and equity," he said.



European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker Ints Kalnins | Reuters

Juncker also proposed that the region double the duration and financial capacity of its European Investment Fund which, he said, would provide a total "of at least 500 billion euros ($561 billion) of investment by 2020, and will work to reach 630 billion by 2022."

The European Union (EU) has a lot to worry about: The U.K.'s decision in June to leave the economic and political bloc, rising anti-EU sentiment elsewhere, the migrant crisis and potential political upheavals in some of the region's biggest economies. Mentioning the U.K.'s decision to leave the EU, Juncker said again that the decision was regrettable but that the EU itself was not at risk. He again called on the U.K. to not delay in acting on the June referendum result.

Political risks

Juncker's speech comes against a backdrop of political and economic risks facing the continent. Italy is holding a referendum on constitutional reform next month, which, if lost, could see the prime minister step down, and elections in France and Germany next year could see the "old guard" in politics shaken by Euroskeptic parties. In the meantime, Spain still does not have a government and could be heading towards its third election in 12 months. Elsewhere in the euro zone, Greece is a particular worry as it struggles to meet the conditions of its third bailout program. Meanwhile in eastern Europe, governments have become increasingly vocal in their opposition to the EU's migrant policy and proposals that each country should take a quota of migrants to help share the burden of hundreds of thousands of people from war-torn countries in the Middle East and Africa. In addition, Europe's relationship with Russia (and whether to extend economic sanctions on its neighbor when they expire next year), Turkey (with whom it has a fragile migrant deal) and the rest of the world also hang in the balance. In Juncker's address on Wednesday, he said that the EU also needed to protect its industries and workers, tackle tax evasion and promote investment. He said that terrorism was also a threat and that a "collective approach" was needed to tackle it. "We need to show terrorists that they have no chance when they try to attack (European) values."

Anti-EU feeling
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European stocks ended mostly lower on Wednesday, as a renewed decline in oil prices put a dampener on sentiment, while investors looked ahead to the Federal Reserve's meeting next week. The pan-European STOXX 600 came off its highs to close 0.09 percent down. Sectors closed in different directions.

The U.K.'s FTSE 100 finished 0.12 percent up, while Germany's DAX ended 0.08 percent down. France's CAC extended its losses, closing down 0.39 percent.

European markets



Uncertainty over central banks' next moves continued to worry investors on Wednesday, with the main focus being on the Fed and its meeting next week. However, chances of the central bank raising interest rates appear slim. "Once again we're left to absorb all the information we've had over the last couple of weeks, the result of which appears to be that the Fed will hold off on raising interest rates next week," Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA, said in a note Wednesday. "While a number of policymakers would clearly be comfortable with raising rates at this point, I think there are enough that want to see more evidence of higher inflation to prevent a hike next week. Investors are clearly in agreement on this with markets pricing in only a 15 percent chance of a hike," he added.



Bayer-Monsanto deal; luxury eyed

Chemicals and healthcare group Bayer announced plans to acquire U.S. seeds company Monsanto with a takeover offer of around $66 billion. An agreement has been signed for Bayer to pay $128 per share, up from its previous offer. Bayer shares rose on the news, but pared to close only slightly higher. A number of luxury stocks were lower after earnings. France's Hermes said it was going to scrap annual sales growth forecasts as of 2017, due to the uncertain trading environment. This sent shares in the luxury goods maker to close almost 9 percent down.

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Richemont said operating profit for the six months ending September 30 is expected to be around 45 percent lower than in the same period last year. Shares slipped almost 4 percent, while LVMH , Burberry and a number of other luxury stocks also fell.

Meanwhile, Ocado extended its losses from Tuesday, sinking to close 7.55 percent down on Wednesday after Exane BNP Paribas cut its rating on the stock to "underperform".
U Hla Myint instructed the village admin officers to be alert in the villages and follow the laws and orders of present government, Halim said.

The Township admin officer  U Hla Myint more said in the meeting, not to teach Arabic language in Moqtabs  religious teaching schools or houses; not to link with the people who live in abroad and unknown persons; dont allow to stay in the village who were cancelled from family list, said a village admin officer who participated in the meeting.



If anyone does not follow the law and order (rules and regulations) of the concerned authority, he/she will be punished according to the law, the officer ordered in the meeting, participant further said.



The Udaung village admin officer U Tin Maung  A Rakhine community- held a meeting with villagers, religious leaders and Iman-leading person of mosques - to discuss about the instruction of Maungdaw Township administration officer and took signatures from all the participants as they will follow the law and order of concerned authority, said Nur Bosher, an elder from the village.

In similar way, Syed Alam- the Khonzabill village admin officer also held a meeting with village elders to inform the instruction of Maungdaw Township admin officer recently, Refan, a student from the village said.



If Rohingya villagers are not able to educate small children (Arabic language) in Moqtab or in houses, their future of the next generation will be destroyed and dark from religious, Refan more added
Bill Maris speaks during a conference in Laguna Beach, California on October 20, 2015. Mike Blake | Reuters

Bill Maris, the former head of Google Ventures, is raising money for his own venture capital fund, according to people familiar with the matter. Maris, who left Alphabet's start-up investing arm in August, has preliminary plans to raise between $350 million and $500 million, though no amount has been set, said the sources, who asked not to be named because his talks with investors are confidential. Despite the weakest tech IPO market since the financial crisis, institutions are pouring money into venture capital funds. U.S. VCs raised over $14 billion in the first quarter, the most in a decade, and followed up with an additional $8.8 billion in the second quarter, according to the National Venture Capital Association. Whether Maris can replicate his Google success operating on his own is the big question limited partners face as they consider putting in money.

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Maris started Google Ventures, now known as GV, in 2009 as a way for the internet giant to re-invest in the start-up ecosystem. The firm struck quick success thanks to the Google brand and the ability to give emerging companies valuable resources like cloud-computing infrastructure along with help from specialists in engineering, design and recruiting. Under Maris's leadership, GV made winning bets on Uber, Nest Labs and Jet.com. It also invested in HomeAway , HubSpot and RetailMeNot prior to their initial public offerings and has stakes in Slack, DocuSign and Blue Bottle Coffee. After Theranos's improprieties were uncovered by The Wall Street Journal last year, Maris told Business Insider that a GV life science investor looked at the medical device company and the firm passed because "it wasn't that difficult for anyone to determine that things may not be what they seem here." He told TechCrunch in February that GV opted against backing Zenefits, but made mistakes by not getting into companies including Airbnb, Palantir and Snapchat. Maris's abrupt departure in August came a year after Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin reorganized the company and created Alphabet as the parent, with Page as CEO. GV was slotted into the "other bets" category, which includes brands and units that are removed from Google's core internet business. Autonomous cars, Nest thermostats and the anti-aging division Calico are also in that category. Now that the group "other bets" is broken out in Google's financials, the pressure is on to show returns. That's coincided with some high-profile executive departures. Nest founder Tony Fadell left the company in June and Chris Urmson, the technology chief of Google's self-driving car project, stepped away in August.

The Nest Thermostat, which can be controlled from voice control within the home or from an app outside of the home. Lauren Thomas | CNBC
In the wake of the $185 million settlement by Wells Fargo (WFC) over charges employees opened fee-generating accounts for unsuspecting customers, Chairman and CEO John Stumpf told CNBC he holds himself accountable, but does not plan to resign.

Mylan (MYL), assailed for hefty EpiPen price increases, had the second-highest executive compensation among all U.S. drug and biotech firms over the past five years, paying its top five managers a total of nearly $300 million. (WSJ)

German chemicals and health care group Bayer announced plans to acquire U.S.-based seeds giant Monsanto (MON) for $128 per share or $66 billion. The breakthrough in talks came last week, when Bayer sweetened its offer. (Reuters)

Investor Carl Icahn told the Delivering Alpha conference he's asked for the right to buy up to a 50 percent stake Herbalife (HLF). However, he has no intention of doing so right now. Icahn also said he thought Herbalife would be better off as a private company. (CNBC)

If Donald Trump were able to implement all of his proposed policies, they would undermine global economic growth and knock 5 percent, or as much as $1 trillion, off where U.S. gross domestic product would otherwise be in 2021, according to Oxford Economics. (CNBC)

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is said to be making inquiries into the Donald J. Trump Foundation, after Schneiderman expressing concerns the GOP presidential nominee's charitable foundation may have been involved in "some impropriety." (CNBC)

Trump is set talk about his health with Dr. Mehmet Oz. The candidate tapes the show today for air tomorrow. Dr. Oz said he would ask Trump "pointed questions," but stay away from things Trump "doesn't want to have answered." (Politico)

Trump rolled out a plan to guarantee new mothers six weeks of paid maternity leave and suggesting new incentives for employees to provide their workers with childcare. Ivanka Trump, who appeared with her father, also wrote a Wall Street Journal op-ed on the topic.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell called Trump "a national disgrace," and said "Hillary's mafia" was trying to drag him into her email scandal. Those remarks were made in Powell's personal emails leaked by hackers, according to BuzzFeed and The Daily Caller.

In his first solo appearance on the campaign trail on behalf of Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama accused Donald Trump of adopting the authoritarian Russian leader Vladimir Putin as his "role model." Obama also made the case for Clinton. (WSJ)

Facebook (FB) and Twitter (TWTR) have joined more than 30 other companies in a joint effort to keep fake news from spreading over social media. The First Draft Coalition was formed last year with the backing of Alphabet's (GOOGL) Google unit. (Reuters)

The reviews are in for the Apple Watch Series 2. The Verge calls it a fitness tracker with the benefits of a smartwatch. But the new software for the device shows Apple (AAPL) "doesn't have ambitions of acting like a 'smartphone replacement.'"

Apple said it's identified and fixed a bug that caused some users to have their phones and tablets rendered unusable after updating to iOS 10, the new version mobile operating system for iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches. (Recode)

When Apple unveiled its AirPod wireless headphones last week (and killed the headphone jack on the iPhone 7), the big concern was that the new headphones would fall out of people's ears and get lost. But CEO Tim Cook dispelled those worries, saying AirPods stay in place even when he dances. (CNBC)

Florida's northeast coast was drenched by Tropical Storm Julia early this morning, leaving six million people under a flash flood watch. Georgia and parts of the South Carolina coastlines were expected to see heavy rains through Friday afternoon. (NBC News)
Opening arguments began on Tuesday in the trial of former American International Group chairman Maurice "Hank" Greenberg over accounting fraud at the insurance giant some 16 years ago.



Greenberg, 91, is facing civil charges from the New York Attorney General's Office of orchestrating a $500 million transaction to inflate the insurer's reserves and a $200 million transaction to hide underwriting losses. Former AIG Chief Financial Officer Howard Smith is also named as a defendant.

The two men "designed, created, negotiated and implemented every major aspect" of the two fraudulent transactions in the case, Assistant Attorney General David Ellenhorn said in his opening statement.

Greenberg, who sat at the defense table in New York state court in Manhattan, is expected to testify during the trial.

David Boies, Greenberg's lawyer, said in his opening that the attorney general's office would not be able to prove any wrongdoing.

"This case is devoid of any admissible evidence that ties Mr. Greenberg to anything improper in either of these transactions," Boies said.

Vincent Sama, who represents Smith, will give his opening on Wednesday.

The case, filed by then-New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer in 2005 and continued by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, did not go to trial for more than a decade, due to legal wrangling that twice made its way to the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court.

Greenberg nearly settled the case in 2008 with a $100 million gift to charity, Boies told Reuters on Monday, but the market crashed that September along with the value of Greenberg's AIG stock holdings.

Damages were dropped from the case in 2013 after Greenberg and Smith entered into a $115 million settlement with AIG shareholders, but Schneiderman wants to claw back millions in bonuses, plus interest, paid to the defendants during the period the alleged fraud took place.

Ellenhorn said on Tuesday the state was seeking $46 million from Greenberg and $6 million from Smith, subtracting around $16 million the two paid in a 2009 settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over the improper accounting.

The attorney general also is seeking to bar the executives from serving as officers or directors of public companies.

Justice Charles Ramos of New York state court in Manhattan will decide the non-jury case, which may run into early next year with breaks between trial dates.

"My fear is at the end of this trial I will know more about reinsurance than I ever wanted," the judge quipped.

Leaving court on Tuesday, Greenberg told Reuters the case "never should have gotten to this point," but that it would be good "to set the facts out."

The defendant, who is still the head of C.V. Starr, a private insurance company, said he was about to fly to Argentina for a conference.

Greenberg led AIG for four decades before he was ousted in 2005. The following year, AIG paid $1.64 billion to settle federal and state probes into its business practices.

The case is People v Greenberg et al, New York State Supreme Court, New York County No. 401720-2005.
A welder repairs the A1 bridge between Cologne and Leverkusen in Germany. Source: Straen.NRW

FRANKFURT  It was a scene that had become all too common on the autobahn. Hundreds of heavy trucks slowed to a crawl on diverted routes into Germany's fourth-largest city. The usual bridge crossing over the Rhine from Leverkusen into Cologne could no longer support their weight. "When you see steel breaking, the steel ripping apart, then you get an idea of what it means to have an old bridge in desperate need of repair," said Ernst Grigat, head of chemical facility operator Chempark, which runs three industrial complexes in Germany including one in Leverkusen. Crumbling bridges and traffic jams are staining Germany's global reputation for efficiency. The infrastructure in Europe's largest economy  as in the United States  has been slowly deteriorating from a lack of investment over the past few decades. Now the budget-conscious German government is stepping up efforts to rebuild the country's roads, bridges, railways and waterways before it's too late.

If the government starts spending a lot on infrastructure, you never know if it's going to the right place. Raymond Van Der Putten economist, BNP Paribas

In 2006, Germany ranked third in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report for the overall quality of its transport infrastructure. This year, it has slipped to 11th place, while the United States ranked 13th.

Last month, Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure adopted a plan to spend 269 billion euros (roughly $300 billion) on construction and modernization of the country's infrastructure over the next 15 years. The plan prioritizes repairing existing systems, with 70 percent of funds allocated toward maintenance. "It is the strongest program for infrastructure that Germany has ever seen," said Michael Groschek, minister of Building, Housing, Urban Development and Transport of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Cracks in the system

The deteriorating state of bridges, roads and railways has forced infrastructure investment onto the political agendas in Germany, and the U.S. presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton both have promised to invest hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild U.S. highways, bridges and ports. "There are certain parallels with the U.S., where the roads, bridges, ports are in an ever-worse state and deteriorating," said Marcel Fratzscher, president of DIW, a research institute in Berlin.

But efforts to rebuild infrastructure in both countries show cracks between national, state and local levels of government. For instance, federal funding in the U.S. often goes to the national highway system, instead of to local roads in more desperate need of repair, according to Adie Tomer, a fellow at the Brookings Institution. "Interstate roads are in great shape, but it's actually the local roads that are having more problems," Tomer said. Germany similarly lacks coordination between federal and local governments when it comes to funding projects. A study by development bank KfW found German municipalities needed nearly $40 billion in road and transport infrastructure last year. Only 1 in 20 municipalities was able to ensure comprehensive maintenance of local transport infrastructure, according to the report. In a June staff report, the International Monetary Fund urged Germany to remove administrative and regulatory constraints in municipalities in order to improve infrastructure. The report said the federal government's new infrastructure plan is encouraging, but it advised governments to remain vigilant when addressing the spending reforms.

Long road ahead

The A1 bridge between Cologne and Leverkusen in Germany no longer supports trucks weighing more than 3.5 tons. Source: Straen.NRW

The work ahead is daunting. Groschek said one-fifth of the road networks in his region need to be repaired. The German Institute of Urban Affairs estimated that 15 percent of Germany's municipal road bridges need to be completely rebuilt. German railway company Deutsche Bahn said new measures to increase train punctuality will take several years. Last year, 1 in 4 long-distance trains on the network did not run on time, in part because of construction efforts. Berlin's Brandenburg Airport serves as a high-profile example of the country's bungled attempts to improve public infrastructure. The airport remains closed after more than 10 years under construction. Former Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit described the airport as his "biggest failure" after 13 years in office. The repercussions of Germany's crumbling infrastructure  and reconstruction efforts  extend beyond travel delays and traffic jams. DIW's Fratzscher said the current conditions are causing lasting economic damage. "Public investment for investment in infrastructure is an important precondition for the creation of jobs, productivity and economic dynamism," he said.

If you build it, will they come?
Hong Kong's airport construction fee (ACF) will benefit Hong Kongers over the long term, amid a fierce battle between regional transit hubs, one aviation analyst says.

The ACF, which kicked in on August 1, adding up to 180 Hong Kong dollars ($23.20) to every ticket for flights departing Hong Kong International Airport, was designed to help pay for the airport's third runway and other improvements. Construction of the third runway also began on August 1, with completion scheduled for 2024, at a cost of HK$136 billion ($17.5 billion).



There has been some grumbling over the ticket surcharge, and even a failed attempt to win a judicial review, but Centre for Aviation senior analyst Will Horton told CNBC that it was vital Hong Kong retained its status as a major aviation hub, amid tough competition from other Asian destinations.

"This isn't the time to be telling passengers, hey, instead of taking Cathay from Manila to North America or Taipei to Australia, take ANA through Tokyo or take EVA through Taipei," Horton said. "We need to reinforce the Hong Kong hub, double down and make sure it remains competitive."
As conflicts in Syria and other parts of the world prompt people to find asylum elsewhere, the Obama administration has a new goal to accept at least 110,000 refugees in fiscal year 2017, according to The Washington Post.

The Post said Secretary of State John Kerry told lawmakers about the new target Tuesday. If established, the goal would represent a 57 percent increase in refugee arrivals since 2015, said the report, which cited a senior administration official.

The question on whether to allow more refugees to enter has been a hot issue in the presidential election. Democrat Hillary Clinton has said the United States should welcome Syrian refugees. Republican Donald Trump has said the U.S. should stop the flow of Syrian refugees and, if elected, said he would ban immigration from areas with terrorism ties.

The White House did not immediately respond for CNBC's request for comment on the Post report.

Read The Washington Post's full report here.
The concerned Maungdaw high level officers also surveyed the land and told the Rohingya community the authority need the land to build a pagoda on it. The land survey department put land mark on it, Mohin more added.



The owners of lands are--- Kala Meah (57), son of Abdul Hakim: Ahamd Ullah (40), son of Kullah Meah; Omar Hazi (50), son of Kasim; Lal Meah (55) and Salamat (45), son of Yousuf. They all hailed from Khonzabill village under the Aley Than Kyaw village tract of Maungdaw township, he more added.



The said lands are also near the Border Guard Police (BGP) camp of Khonzabill, which is under the Aley Than Kyaw BGP camp of Maungdaw south, Refan, a villager said.



Earlier, in 2014, the concerned authorities seized more than 200 acres of arable lands from Rohingya villagers of Khonzabill and Udaung for building Khorzarbill BGP camp. The lands were forcibly seized from Rohingya villagers though there are available other lands for extending BGP camp and other purposes, some villagers said.



A village elder said on condition of anonymity, earlier the military junta and quasi-civilian government confiscated thousands of lands of Rohingyas and provided it to Natala villagers and others. Like them, the present NLD government is also starting to seize the lands of Rohingyas.



How to maintain our family members as our lands are being seized, said Nawseinma Khatoon, a village elder woman from the village.
Shoppers pass a Cartier luxury store, operated by Cie. Financiere Richemont SA, in the Galeries Lafayette SA luxury department store in Paris, France.

Luxury goods group Richemont said it expected difficult trading conditions to continue after sales fell 13 percent in constant currencies in the five months to August, hit by weak demand for luxury watches and inventory buybacks in Hong Kong.

Swiss watchmakers are grappling with dwindling sales in their biggest market, Hong Kong, where retailers sit on piles of unsold watches, and fewer tourists shopping in European luxury capitals, such as Paris, following extremist attacks.

Sales at the maker of IWC watches and Cartier jewellery fell 14 percent in reported terms, the company said in a statement on Wednesday ahead of its annual general meeting in Geneva.

Analysts in a Reuters poll had expected sales to fall 11.3 percent in reported terms and 10.4 percent at constant exchange rates.
In the past two years, the unpaid bill for a budget category known as "other post-employment benefits" rose by 12 percent, to $554 billion. Most of that represents health-care benefits for retirees.

Increases like that are "unsustainable," S&P said in its report.

The report is based on 2015 figures, the latest available, which don't reflect cost improvements some states have seen.

"Nevertheless," the report said, "the growth in total state OPEB liabilities underscores the magnitude of liability growth states can experience over a short period of time."

Many state governments have given health-care benefits a lower funding priority than pension funds because, unlike pension payments, they are not protected by state constitutions.

Those protections mean that the bill for underfunded pensions will eventually come due, even in states where retirement plans have been cut back or eliminated for new workers.

But most states lost ground in fiscal 2015, according to S&P, in part because their investment returns came up short.

"After losses in 2008 and 2009, most U.S. state pension plans have not been able to recover to funded levels seen in the early 2000s," S&P said. "Investment returns in 2015 and 2016 are not going to make that path any easier."
An employee, center, assists customers at a T-Mobile US store in New York.

T-Mobile 's stock climbed on Wednesday after the release of iPhone 7 data appeared to impress Wall Street analysts.

The mobile carrier is UBS' top U.S. wireless stock pick, analyst John Hodulik wrote in a research note, as service providers offer aggressive trade-in offers to lure iPhone buyers. The stock rose as high as $46.29 a share, and closed at $45.87, up 1.2 percent.

T-Mobile said this week that iPhone pre-orders had broken previous records, up nearly 4 times compared to the next most popular iPhone and topping pre-registrations for both the iPhone 6S and the popular iPhone 6.



Sprint announced similar pre-orders of the new iPhones, up more than 375 percent in the first three days compared to last year. A Verizon executive later called its iPhone sales volume "business as usual," while AT&T said sales volume was up on a year-over-year basis, according to Bloomberg.

But T-Mobile has financial and strategic value, Hodulik said, as iPhone deals threaten to weigh on margins in the industry.

The four major U.S. carriers offer a free iPhone 7 in exchange for specific trade-in phones. This year's trade-in values are about twice last year's offers, Hodulik estimates. But Sprint, Verizon and AT&T saw their shares rise half a percent or less on Wednesday.

"T-Mobile/Sprint's new attractive unlimited offers are also likely resonating with customers," Hodulik wrote, but added: "We estimate the carriers are losing [about] $300 per iPhone under the trade-in promos (creeping back toward the $450 hit under the old subsidy model), which depending on uptake, could provide incremental pressure on margins."

T-Mobile in particular, though, is under-penetrated with iPhones compared to peers, and has 400 new retail stores on the way, writes Nomura analyst Jeffry Kvaal. Kvaal expects T-Mobile to keep the lion's share iPhone momentum despite increased competition.

T-Mobile shares are up more than 15 percent over the past year.
If you want to be an entrepreneur, then you might want to apply to Stanford, the University of California at Berkeley, or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

These schools top the list of undergraduate colleges that produce the most venture-backed entrepreneurs, according to an analysis by enterprise data software company PitchBook.

For the report, PitchBook measured the number of founders of companies that received a first round of venture funding between January 1, 2006, and August 15, 2016.


Your toilet might unwittingly be narcing on you.

Researchers in both the United States and Europe have been dipping sensors into wastewater looking for evidence of drug use, according to an editorial published in Nature News.

When the human body processes drugs  even alcohol  it produces various metabolites that show up in human waste. For example, the prescription drug Ritalin, used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, produces a byproduct in urine called, fittingly, ritalinic acid. This can be measured in public water systems.



A group of scientists at a private college in Washington found evidence students were using performance-enhancing  typically prescription  "smart drugs" during exam times, according to chemicals found in dormitory sewage, according to a 2013 study cited in the article.

And another study in the journal Forensic Science International suggested that wastewater analysis may be a tool for identifying drug supply chains. The process is far from perfect, but it might be good for painting a broad picture. For example, sensors measured metabolites for heroin in the sewers of Lausanne, Switzerland. Subtracting the amount of morphine prescribed to patients in tested areas gave an idea of how much heroin was in circulation. When paired with other police information, the data led to the arrests of local dealers.

Read the full article in Nature News.
The storm was 50 miles north of Jacksonville with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph at 5 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

A tropical storm warning was in place from Fernandina Beach in Florida to Altamaha Sound in Georgia.

It was expected to dump between 3 and 6 inches of rain on the northeast Florida, Georgia and parts of the South Carolina coastlines through Friday afternoon, forecasters said.

"Gradual weakening is forecast during the next day or so, and Julia is expected to weaken to a tropical depression later [Wednesday]," the NWS added.

Jen Carfagno tweet

Some isolated areas could get up to 10 inches of rain and flash floods are possible, the weather service said. Florida Gov. Rick Scott urged residents to review and evacuation plan just in case.

"We know that heavy rainfall is expected across northeastern Florida between Daytona Beach and the Florida - Georgia border for the next several days," Scott said.

NWS WPC tweet

He also urged residents to dump standing water in an effort to help control mosquitoes which can carry the Zika virus.

Parts of Florida were flooded last month when Hurricane Hermine struck the state's northwest Gull of Mexico coast. Two deaths, one in Florida and one in North Carolina, were blamed on the storm.
The KNUs statement said that the current military operation jointly carried out by the Burma Army and its militia, the Border Guard Force (BGF) in Mae Tha Wor areas is in the KNUs border territory of Pa-an and Papun districts.

The KNU said the conflict has confirmed that citizens are losing trust in the peace process that the KNU has been trying to workout with the government.

The KNU statement said that as a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, they see the current military operation causing mass displacement of people. The KNU said that it will destroy the stability and peaceful environment in the areas.

Padoh Thawthi Bwe, joint secretary of the KNU told Karen News that the purpose of putting out the statement is that to make it clear that the KNU dont want to see armed conflicts in its areas.

Before we issued this statement, we have sent a letter to the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) letting them know that the current military operation by the government and its militias troops is causing problems for the local villagers, Padoh Thawthi Bwe said. At the same time, this has a negative impact on the ongoing peace process that is currently being sought.

Padoh Thawthi Bwe said that the KNU dont want the current conflicts to spill over to other areas and that urgent action needs to be be taken to stop this from happening.

The KNU confirmed that they will not use force to solve the problem, if the conflict spreads, but will try to negotiate the issue through talks.

The KNU statement reiterated that the KNU is committed to work for peace in Karen state and nationwide by closely working with the union government and its military.

Fighting in the Mae Tha Wor areas of Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State intensify in early September after Burma Army and BGF militia increased reinforcements in the areas.

More than 2,000 villagers were forced from their villages in the conflict areas and are seeking temporary safety in the Myaing Gyi Ngu special areas  more than 200 villagers close to the Thai border cross over to the Thai side seeking safety.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump just released more details about his proposal to make child care affordable for working families. Spoiler alert: It still benefits wealthier families most and leaves behind the working families who are struggling to make ends meet.

By now it's become clear that anytime Trump is looking to woo women voters, he trots out his daughter to be his proxy. And for good reason  after years of misogynistic remarks and behavior, women know that Donald Trump is not their champion. Ivanka, on the other hand, represents a certain reality about today's workforce, namely that women work outside the home and continue to do so even after becoming moms.

But as the daughter of a so-called billionaire, Ivanka does not represent the majority of working parents. And so it should be no surprise that Trump's child care plan, of which she is apparently an architect, benefits people closer to her end of the income spectrum. Though distinctly more coherent compared to Trump's other proposals (no doubt a hallmark of Ivanka's involvement), contrary to Trump's assertions, this plan will not bring the cost of child care within reach for most working families.

Trump's plan is built on tax deductions, which is problematic for three reasons. First, you cannot deduct something you cannot pay for to begin with. For the typical working family, child care costs $10,000 to $20,000 a year, which can amount to nearly 30 percent of a family's income in the United States.

And tax deductions do nothing for the 44 percent of families that don't earn enough to pay income taxes. Trump's solution for accommodating these lower-income families is to offer a rebate of $1,200 per year. With average child care expenses exceeding the cost of rent and college tuition in most states, this rebate will barely make a dent in most families' child care bills.

Second, most families have to pay their child care provider weekly or monthly, so an end-of-year tax break is no help. Trump's child care plan assumes parents can pay thousands of dollars up-front each month to even qualify for his deduction, and then wait up to a year to get reimbursed. When you're struggling every week to make ends meet, an end-of-year deduction or rebate is too little too late.

Finally, wholly absent from Trump's child care plan is support for the child care workforce. The very people who love and care for our children are paid a median hourly wage of just $9.77. As a point of comparison, we pay people more to park our cars than we do to care for our children.
In what the economists call their "adverse Trump scenario" of substantially all of the Republican candidate's stated policies being enacted, the slowdown would be far deeper than in a scenario of partial policy enactment and growth would remain subdued longer. Oxford Economics' baseline forecasts were for the U.S. economy to grow 1.5 percent to 2.3 percent a year for 2016-2021.

"The consequences are far-reaching," the economists said. Oxford Economics is an independent advisory firm, originally founded in 1981 as a commercial venture with Oxford University's business college.

If Trump were able to implement all of his proposed policies, that would undermine global economic growth and knock 5 percent off where U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) would otherwise be in 2021, U.K.-based economists Jamie Thompson and Sarah Maxwell said in a note Tuesday. That would erase as much as $1 trillion off the forecast size of the U.S. economy in 2021, Thompson said via email.

A win for U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump could have grave implications for the world's largest economy, according to Oxford Economics.

That would be partly due to the impact of Trump's trade and immigration policies on potential supply of economic inputs, such as labor and raw materials.

"Towards the end of the five-year forecast, U.S. GDP falls to a level around 5 percent below baseline. And the anticipated recovery in global growth is significantly undermined," the report said.

The most direct impact would come from trade policies which would impose high tariffs on Chinese and Mexican goods, which may also have knock-on impacts on other countries, the report said.

"If U.S. businesses and consumers were to switch away from higher priced Mexican and Chinese imports following the imposition of tariffs, some other emerging market economies might initially benefit," the report said. "They might then suffer if the U.S. were to respond by raising tariffs on a broader set of emerging market economies. U.S. exporters would most likely suffer as well, as impacted emerging market economies retaliate."

The trade policies would also take a bite from U.S. businesses and workers, the report noted, citing 2011 estimates from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco indicating U.S. services account for more than half of every dollar spent on China-produced items.

Supply chains would also be hit as they increasingly cross national boundaries, particularly in the auto industry, the report said. It noted that some estimates indicated cars built in North America have their parts cross U.S. borders eight times during production.

Additionally, U.S.-produced materials accounted for around 40 percent of every dollar spent on Mexican goods imported into the U.S., the report said.

On an indirect basis, those policies would also impact productivity, in part because of the effects on the quality and variety of inputs available to domestic producers.

On tax policies, the report noted that the timetable of implementation wasn't clear, but Trump's proposed fiscal changes would initially stimulate demand through tax cuts and then have increasingly contractionary effects on the U.S. economy amid harsh government spending cuts.

Trump's plan to deport the estimated 10.9 million to 11.3 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. at an estimated cost of around $10,000 per head would weigh on consumer and investment expenditure, the report said.

"The reduction in population size, equivalent to around 5 percent of the workforce, would also represent a material drag on U.S. labor supply," it noted.

The indirect effects of Trump's policies would also be substantial, particularly on confidence, the report said, noting that just the Republican candidate winning the election would be "highly unexpected."

"This would transmit the shock across the globe, affecting not just countries directly impacted by the policies and not just businesses with significant direct trade exposures to the U.S., Mexico and China," the economists said. "A weakening in confidence would most likely result in the scaling back of business investment plans, accompanied by the postponement of major household purchases."

Oxford Economics said a Trump victory would likely be accompanied by significant market turbulence and shifts in monetary policy. If there were indications that a potential President Trump would impose his proposals on restructuring U.S. government debt, that would amplify the turbulence and result in a spike in government bond yields, the economists said.
The 2016 Theodore Roosevelt National Park 5-ounce silver bullion quarter dollar is the fourth of five America the Beautiful issues to be released in 2016.

The 2016 Theodore Roosevelt National Park 5-ounce silver bullion quarter dollar was first offered for sale by the U.S. Mint to its authorized purchasers on Aug. 29.

Sales by the United States Mint of America the Beautiful 5-ounce silver bullion quarter dollars in 2016 are second only to 2011, with one coin still to be released before years end.

Through Sept. 13, sales for the first four 2016 America the Beautiful 5-ounce silver bullion coins reached 246,100 coins or 1,230,500 ounces. 2011 sales for the first four issues of 2011 reached 416,400 coins or 2,082,000 ounces. Total 2011 sales reached 465,100 coins, or 2,325,500 ounces of silver.

Two 2011 issues tie for the highest sales for an individual 5-ounce silver bullion coin: the Gettysburg National Military Park and Glacier National Park coins each recorded sales of 126,700 coins, amounting to 633,500 ounces of silver for each issue.

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The latest 5-ounce silver bullion coin to be offered for sale by the U.S. Mint to its authorized purchasers is the 2016 Theodore Roosevelt National Park quarter dollar released Aug. 29. Sales through Sept. 13 totaled 30,000 coins, or 150,000 ounces.

Story behind the bullion

The America the Beautiful 5-ounce silver bullion quarter program runs alongside the America the Beautiful circulating quarter dollar program, which has issued five coins per year since 2010.

The 56-coin circulating and bullion quarter programs will continue through 2021, when one last edition will be issued.

The circulating quarters and bullion coins share the same obverse and reverse designs. Each issue commemorates a location or site that is under the management of the U.S. National Park Service, one in each of the 50 states plus the five U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. The release order is determined by the date each site was named to its official status.

The U.S. Mint also produces an Uncirculated version of the 5-ounce coins, bearing the P Mint mark of the Philadelphia Mint and a post-strike finish. The Uncirculated versions are sold by the Mint directly to the public at a numismatic premium above the intrinsic value of the precious metal each coin contains.

RELATED: Designs for 2017 America the Beautiful quarter dollars unveiled

The U.S. Mint's American Eagle silver bullion coin program often gets more attention, but the America the Beautiful 5-ounce coins contribute signifcantly to the Mint's overall bullion sales.

What's still on the way in 2016?

Still to be released is the 2016 Fort Moultrie (Fort Sumter National Monument) coin.

The 5-ounce silver bullion quarter dollars are not sold directly to the public by the U.S. Mint. Instead, the Mint sells the coins to authorized purchasers who buy the coins from the Mint based on the closing London PM spot price of the metal per troy ounce plus a premium of $9.75 per coin.

The coins may then be sold to other dealers, investors and the public at a markup.
On the RCSS/SSA side, the talks were attended by the groups chairman, Lt-Gen Yawd Serk, Vice-chairman Gen. Sai Yi, Brig-Gen Pong Khur, Sao Khuensai and Sao Puenkham. The Taang were represented by TNP central committee members Tar Hla Pe and Tar Aye Maung, as well as Buddhist monks Panyathiri and Htikkha Nyanna.

Fighting between the two ethnic militias broke out on November 27 last year, just weeks after the RCSS/SSA had joined seven other ethnic armed groups in signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the Burmese government.

The main Taang armed force in the area, the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), was excluded by the government from joining the peace process or from signing the NCA in October 2015. Since then, both the TNLA and RCSS/SSA have frequently accused one another of trespassing or conducting incursions into each others territory. Hostilities have continued ever since.

We are not different. We are brothers and sisters, said Shan army leader Yawd Serk in his opening speech. Throughout history, we never fought each other.

I believe that the Palaung [Taang] people and monks do not wish to create problems among us, he said. We [the Shan] also do not want it to happen.

He said that if they do not engage in negotiations, any small problem could develop into a large one.

If we meet with each other regularly, the problems that we are facing will be reduced, he added.

According to the TNPs Tar Hla Pe, his delegation had come to this meeting in Chiang Mai to act as mediators, and to help resolve problems between the RCSS/SSA and the TNLA, as well as to discuss matters of development in the region.

Let us not focus on past problems, he said. Rather, I think it would be better to concentrate on ways we can work together in the future.

Following Mondays talks, he said that the meeting had been successful, adding that he was confident both sides would talk again soon and cultivate a close relationship.

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
Demand of NCA signing

The common understanding of 21CPC convening joint committee and as well the Union Political Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC)  the highest organ giving direction to the political dialogue  is that while non-NCA signatory groups were permitted to attend the 21CPC, they will not be allowed to take part in the national-level peace talks, if they failed to sign the NCA.

Echoing Khin Zaw Oo, UPDJC member Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong of Chin National Front (CNF) and as well, Khun Okker of Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization (PNLO), both also said that signing of the NCA is essential for the continued participation of national-level political dialogue, which is to start soon and tasked with collection of data, gathering opinions and suggestions at grass-root level to be tabled in the second round of 21CPC within the next six months.

Practically and effectively, this means that members of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), as well as the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) also known as Kokang, the Arakan Army (AA) and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), are not included in the coming steps of the peace process, including the United Wa State Army (UWSA), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) or Mongla and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Kaplang (NSCN-K).

Government officials encouraged ethnic armed groups to find ways to sign the NCA in the interim period. If they cannot sign within this period, it is not yet clear if they will be invited to attend the upcoming second session of the 21CPC.

General Gun Maw from the Kachin Independence Organisation said no one wants to see any groups left behind, and so negotiations over signing the NCA must begin as a matter of urgency.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that while the government prioritises making the process as inclusive as possible, it cannot wait indefinitely to start the political dialogue.

They (the non-signatories) have to think about it in this coming period. But it is impossible to wait and hold up the process  without knowing when they will sign, Khin Zaw Oo said.

Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing also made it clear in his opening speech during 21CPC that NCA signing would be the necessary condition to participate in the peace process.

UNFC amendment proposal of NCA

The government side has always maintained that the NCA is the handiwork of all EAOs, including the UNFC. For the drafting of it involved the UNFC all along from the start and thus should not be a problem to sign it, is partly true but not all encompassing. As core outstanding issues were not allowed to be ironed out, prior to the 15 October NCA signing, to UNFCs satisfaction, this has led its members not to ink the document. The situation, in turn, has resulted in only eight EAOs signing the document from a total of twenty-one EAOs countrywide.

Nai Han Thar during the 21CPC told reporters that the UNFC inability to sign the NCA is due to the fact that the document has been unable to be amended because of the government blockage and rejection to do so.

Nai Hong Sar recently said that because the government at that time had rejected UNFC demands to amend some points in the draft agreement, only eight EAOs went on to sign the governments hijacked, finalised NCA version on 15 October 2015, with all the current members of the UNFC refusing to comply to it.

The seven EAOs that havent signed the NCA are: the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), the Arakan National Council (ANC), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), and the Wa National Organisation (WNO).

The main issue that has held back the UNFC then to sign the NCA was the lack of all-inclusiveness, which the government and military today is still implementing by excluding the MNDAA, TNLA and AA. But other than that proposal designed to overcome this hurdle and lead to more comprehensive tackling of the 21CPC is explained by the UNFC in its eight point guidelines.

UNFC eight point proposal guidelines

According to Htun Zaw, also known as Twan Zaw, secretary of the UNFC, an eight-point proposal, also identical with the agreement of Mai Ja Yang ethnic leadership summit meeting, in Kachin State, involving all signatory and non-signatory EAOs during the last week of July, can be divided into three categories of military, political, and transitional tasks to be fulfilled for the process to continue.

Militarily there are four points to ponder.

The first is achieving nationwide ceasefire, whether through unilateral ceasefire declaration of the government first, followed by the EAOs declaration, or declaration of ceasefire simultaneously together by the military and EAOs.

The second is to agree upon political agenda and ceasefire arrangement, including prior understanding of Ceasefire Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) undertakings, like military Code of Conduct (CoC) and Terms of Reference (ToR) among others.

The third is the inclusion of international organizations in JMC related issues and undertakings.

The fourth one is an establishment of independent, neutral enforcement tribunal with international judiciary experts to oversee the ceasefire, with the mandate to take action if either party wouldnt follow or breach the ceasefire agreement.

Politically, there are three points, which includes agreeing to the Federal Union Army (FUA) formation; tripartite dialogue which would involve the government-parliament-military, EAOs and political parties, as decades-long endorsed by the United Nations; and the Union Accord that would be achieved through UPC be implemented in the amendment of 2008, military-drawn constitution or rewriting it altogether.

The last one is the transitional period arrangement, which emphasizes the point that the government should discuss and negotiate with the EAOs concerning developmental projects in the ethnic areas.

Buttressing its position, on 11 September, the UNFC issued a five point statement after its members met from 10 to 11 September, for emergency meeting. The statement thanked President Htin Kyaw and the government for the successful, historical 21CPC and transparency shown to the public. But pointed out that all-inclusiveness and termination of all military offensives still need to be implemented, adding that the culture of resolving political problems through political means should be practised to achieve solution.

Tin Myo Wins official response

Regarding the UNFC proposal, especially the genuinely enforcible nationwide ceasefire agreement on the ground, Dr Tin Myo Win, Aung San Suu Kyis top peace negotiators official reply has not been positive, according to Htun Zaw. He said: There is an official reply from Dr Tin Myo Win, which said that regarding nationwide ceasefire declaration, there has been no such declaration made during the previous NCA signing (with the eight EAOs), implying that they also have no intention to do otherwise with the non-signatory EAOs (proposal).

He added: We still need to negotiate on this. The Tatmadaw (military) needs to declare nationwide ceasefire. If they do, the concerned EAOs will do likewise. Alternatively, fixing a date to declare (ceasefire) altogether at once is also acceptable.

He also stressed: To be able to conduct political dialogue smoothly, there must be no military offensive.

Analysis

And so it seems, we are all back to the square one. The first NCA signing was not all-inclusive and thus the first UPC held in January this year was also not inclusive. But the new regime headed by Suu Kyi again comes up with the commitment, vowing to make it all-inclusive, inviting all non-signatory EAOs to attend the opening of 21CPC, which nearly almost all heeding the call, except for the three EAOs that the military opted to sideline for various reasons. Again, it was not all-inclusive, but Suu Kyi initiated UPC or 21CPC was far more better then just eight EAOs attending the first conference, as some seventeen EAOs participated at the second UPC.

People were really in the upbeat mood and looking forward for a comprehensive, all-inclusive gathering for the next round of conference, due to be held within six months, when the government peace negotiators began pressing for immediate NCA signing from the non-signatories or risk being sidelined. One could hardly understand why this has to happen immediately on the heels of the 21CPC, which Suu Kyi has put a lot of energy and efforts to woo the non-signatory EAOs to participate. The non-signatory were even invited and allowed to participate in the amendment and fine-tuning of the Framework for Political Dialogue (FPD) prior to the 21CPC, so that a sense of ownership of the peace process could be instilled, according to the government.

Now it is not clear, whether the non-signatory EAOs could participate in the soon to be started national level political dialogue, if they refused to sign the NCA immediately first. This position of exclusion threat is, at least, what Khin Zaw Oo has being driving at, with CNF and PNLP leaders endorsing it.

The sequence normally should be deliberation of the UNFC eight points proposal between stakeholders; followed by FPD amendments that would in turn correct some flaws or disagreement in the NCA text; the signing of NCA by all the non-signatory EAOs; conducting national level political dialogue; and finally tabling the findings to the next 21CPC for further negotiations.

Given the convoluted nature of the peace process, mainly due to the present scenario of cart before the horse, a workable solution should be to at least let the non-signatory EAOs participate in the different levels of FPD, NCA amendments and national-level political dialogue, while parallel adjusting of different outlooks and finding ways to be able to sign the NCA. Because prohibiting the non-signatory EAOs to participate in national level political dialogue for failing to sign the NCA, as it is formulated, immediately would do away with the dream of all-inclusiveness peace process and only heighten the ongoing ethnic armed conflict. Thus pushing further back the so far achieved peace talks progress and national reconciliation deliberations down the drain.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said that the Delegation for Political Dialogue (DPN), an UNFC peace negotiation team, has been asked whether it would attend the 15-17 September FPD meeting. The first day is said to be scheduled for the meeting between the government and DPN alone to negotiate the eight point joint statement proposal, and the next two days to discuss the Terms of Reference (TOR) for national level political dialogues. The DPN was said to reply that it wasnt ready to attend it yet for unknown reason. But one inside source reported that the three preconditions needed to be met first by the government side were all-inclusiveness, joint statement on the eight point proposal, and tripartite dialogue. However, it is not at all clear if this is a demand or just a proposal to actually conduct discussions on the said topics.

In a nut shell, it is advisable that the government and also the military should be reminded that the whole peace process should be a jointly owned one of all stakeholders and excluding one or the other from participation doesnt really look like a co-ownership at all, but only exclusively dominated by the government.

Besides, pushing the parties to sign the document which they are not totally in agreement is not a wise approach. The government, especially the military faction, should not be rigid but open and ready to alter the document that all could agree and live with. There is even a saying in peace negotiation that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

Another argument of CNF Vice Chairman Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong in a SHAN report on 9 September is also noteworthy. On 7 September, he reportedly said the 21CPC that has just finished was an undertaking outside the jurisdiction of parliament and the 2008 military-drawn constitution.

He said: When the 2008 constitution was drawn and also when it was promulgated, the EAOs were not involved. That is why due to the countrys need for essential peace, political dialogue is being conducted outside of the 2008 constitutional law.

And finally, even a child knows that conducting peace negotiation while waging war is a recipe for failure and disaster. There is no such thing as a just war. The military faction within the government would be well advised to accommodate this earnest request of nationwide ceasefire, by all the EAOs and hundreds of civil society organizations, and bringing in the three excluded EAOs, so that different levels of peace process could be pulled through, paving way for the absence of war, development and reconciliation for the benefit of the people.
Over 100 people from towns including Columbia, Jefferson City, Moberly and Fulton attended a candlelight vigil Sunday for Dr. Lamichhane, who was killed July 1 when he was hit by a car while he was on a walk near his office.
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.
Someone  possibly the government of China  has launched a series of probing attacks on the internet's most critical infrastructure, using carefully titrated doses of denial-of-service to precisely calibrate a tool for shutting down the whole net.



Security expert Bruce Schneier, who consults for many of these infrastructure firms, describes in general terms the confidential information he's been privy to, describing these systematic, iterative probing attacks and speculating on the kind of end-game they'll result in. Though Schneier doesn't know who's behind these attacks, he says the data "suggests China, an assessment shared by the people I spoke with"  but he adds it could also be another country trying to pin the blame on China.



I am unable to give details, because these companies spoke with me under condition of anonymity. But this all is consistent with what Verisign is reporting. Verisign is the registrar for many popular top-level Internet domains, like .com and .net. If it goes down, there's a global blackout of all websites and e-mail addresses in the most common top-level domains. Every quarter, Verisign publishes a DDoS trends report. While its publication doesn't have the level of detail I heard from the companies I spoke with, the trends are the same: "in Q2 2016, attacks continued to become more frequent, persistent, and complex." There's more. One company told me about a variety of probing attacks in addition to the DDoS attacks: testing the ability to manipulate Internet addresses and routes, seeing how long it takes the defenders to respond, and so on. Someone is extensively testing the core defensive capabilities of the companies that provide critical Internet services.



Someone Is Learning How to Take Down the Internet

[Bruce Schneier/Lawfare]





(Image: Castle Romeo, United States Department of Energy, PD)





(via Dan Hon)
Stephen Mader, a former police officer in Weirton, W.Va, was fired without severance because he decided not to shoot Ronald D. "R.J." Williams Jr, who had threatened to kill himself and was holding a gun that turned out to be unloaded.



Mader, a Marine Corps veteran, says that he assessed the situation and decided that Williams was not a threat to him or others, so the officer used his "stay calm voice" and tried to defuse the situation: when Williams said, "Just shoot me," he replied, "I'm not going to shoot you brother." Then two other cops showed up and shot the man dead. His gun was unloaded.

One month, the Weirton police department fired Mader, after telling him that he'd "put two other officers in danger." Because he was a probationary, "at-will" employee of the police force, he was denied any severance or pension.





The obvious contrast here is with the cops who murder unarmed people, even children, and are given short administrative leaves before being welcomed back on the force with full benefits  or, if they're terminated, simply walk one town down the road and get a new job in law enforcement.

America's police forces have no trouble summarily firing cops who de-escalate and avoid needless killing, but are institutionally incapable of doing anything about sociopathic murderers with badges.



After he received his termination notice, Mr. Mader sought attorneys to help him fight the city. He was told because he was still a probationary employee in an "at-will" state, he could be fired for any reason and there was no point in fighting the city. One attorney told him the best he could hope for was to ask to resign instead of being terminated. "But I told [the attorney] 'Look, I don't want to admit guilt. I'll take the termination instead of the resignation because I didn't do anything wrong,' " Mr. Mader said. "To resign and admit I did something wrong here would have ate at me. I think I'm right in what I did. I'll take it to the grave."

Weirton terminates officer who did not fire at man with gun

[Sean D. Hamill/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

West Virginia cop fired for not killing a man with an unloaded gun

[Radley Balko/Washington Post]





(Image: Ronald D. Williams Jr., shot and killed by a Weirton police officer May 6 after a domestic dispute. He is shown here earlier in 2016 with his now 5-month-old)
A stained glass window inside Memphis' Mason Temple.

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By Thomas Bailey Jr. of The Commercial Appeal

The Church of God in Christs headquarters at historic Mason Temple will become home early next year to free financial literacy counseling for consumers, small business owners and entrepreneurs.

First Tennessee will provide a full-time Operation HOPE financial counselor who will offer seminars and one-on-one counseling on credit and money management for consumers, and entrepreneurial training for start-up small businesses, the bank announced Tuesday.

The counselor will be available to COGIC congregation members and the public at the Lelia Mason Museum on the grounds of Mason Temple. Hours will be established in partnership with the Church of God in Christ.

First Tennessee has committed to providing the financial counseling for four years in partnership with the Church of God in Christ.

"This financial literacy center will provide training and assist individuals in raising their credit scores and provide classes for small business development, said COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake. This center is only the second of its kind in the country and could not have been accomplished without COGIC Urban Initiatives, First Tennessee Bank and Operation HOPE coming together to help the Memphis community.

Operation HOPE is a national, nonprofit organization that provides financial education to the working poor.

David Popwell, president of banking for First Tennessees parent company, First Horizon National Corp., said, We will offer easy access to the financial literacy skills that support economic justice and can make free enterprise work for everyone.
Insomnia Cookies has filed for a building permit at 545 S. Highland on the Highland Strip near the University of Memphis. (By Thomas Bailey/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Thomas Bailey Jr. of The Commercial Appeal

There's about 90 of them in the U.S., including one on Cumberland Avenue in Knoxville, on Lamar in Oxford, on Cotton Mill in Starkville, on Chimes in Baton Rouge, on 11th in Birmingham, on University in Tuscaloosa, and on Hardy in Hattiesburg.

And now Insomnia Cookies has filed for a building permit that indicates possible plans to locate at 545 S. Highland on the Highland Strip.

That site cozies up to the University of Memphis just like those other Insomnia Cookies operate near the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, LSU, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama and University of Southern Mississippi.

The Memphis space is next door to the venerable Newby's pub.

The 16-year-old Insomnia Cookies was founded by offering students at the University of Pennsylvania a warm, sweet guilty pleasure for their late-night study breaks.

Despite the building permit application, Highland Strip landlord Loeb Properties could not confirm Insomnia Cookies is coming to the site. Loeb Properties is still negotiating a possible lease with Insomnia Cookies.

"We're looking forward to adding a variety of great new tenants to the Highland Strip as our renovations begin to wrap up,'' spokeswoman Ciara Neill said Wednesday morning.

If a deal is completed, the construction to build out the bakery would cost about $100,000, according to Insomnia Cookies' permit application.

The bakery specializes in offering and delivering still-warm cookies from midmorning to 3 a.m.

Efforts to reach the company for comment have been unsuccessful so far.
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By Yolanda Jones of The Commercial Appeal

Kenneth Griffin has been identified as the man shot and killed Monday in Southwest Memphis, according to police.

Griffin, 51, was found in the 900 block of South Wellington. Police said Griffin may have been shot in the 1000 block of South Wellington and fled next door where he was pronounced dead.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-2274.
June 24, 2013 - Zach Willis with the accounting firm Watkins Uiberall inspects some of the 57 voting machines Monday morning at the Election Commission Operations Center that will be used for early voting in the suburban municipalities to vote on the municipal schools referendum. (Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Linda A. Moore of The Commercial Appeal

A resolution approved by the Shelby County Commission this week asks the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to protect the nation's election systems, though local election officials say the possibility of a hack on systems here is unlikely.

The resolution, sponsored by commissioners Steve Basar and Van Turner, petitions Homeland Security to "formally designate state election systems as part of the nation's critical infrastructure."

"Our voting system is a critical part of our democracy and we want to make sure it is as safe as possible," Basar said.

Last month the FBI advised that it was investigating attempted hacking of the elections systems in two unnamed states.

State election websites in Illinois and Arizona experienced hack-related shutdowns earlier this summer. In both cases, the parts of the websites affected involved online voter registration.

"This is a trend that's national," Turner said. "States and local jurisdictions are supporting the whole notion that we need to protect the voting franchise from hackers."

The resolution recognizes the potential for susceptibility and asks the federal government to be involved as much as possible, said Dale Lane, director of the county's Office of Preparedness.

Sometimes an official designation makes the designee eligible for grant funding, he said.

Any additional safeguard offered by the federal government to protect elections or provide grant money is appreciated, Shelby County Election Commission Chairman Robert Meyers said, but citizens shouldn't be worried that the county's election system is especially vulnerable.

The election commission's two primary systems are for voter registration and vote tabulation and they are not connected to each other or to the Internet, Meyers said.

"So we believe with the safeguards we have in place and the county's IT (information technology) department has in place, that we're unlikely to be hacked," he said.

Workers monitor those systems every day, making it unlikely that something could happen that isn't detected quickly, Meyers said.

"I would want to reassure the voters that we've taken reasonable precautions and that our data is reasonably safe and unlikely to be tampered with," he said.
The new National Museum of African American History and Culture across the mall from the Washington Monument includes displays featuring the Memphis sanitation strike, the Black Power salute from the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and the election of President Barack Obama. (Photos by Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA and Michael Collins/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Michael Collins of The Commercial Appeal

WASHINGTON  A simple gold crucifix and a white collar worn by the Bishop G.E. Patterson of Church of God in Christ in Memphis sit behind a glass case on the fourth floor of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Just around the corner, a short video clip of Patterson delivering one of his sermons plays on a continuous loop.

"That's pretty powerful," Deidre Malone of Memphis said Wednesday as she looked over the exhibit honoring the man she worked for and admired. "He was well-loved, well thought-of, not just in Memphis, but really around the world."

One floor below, another exhibit celebrates the life and career of another Tennessee trailblazer.

A fedora, trench coat and Coronet electric typewriter belonging to Nashville Banner reporter Robert Churchwell, known as "the Jackie Robinson of journalism," are on display, along with copies of his articles and personal recollections of the hardships he faced as one of the first black journalists to work for a white-owned newspaper in the South.

"I wrote a story every morning  but it never got in the paper," reads one Churchwell quotation, referring to the difficulty he had getting stories published about student-led sit-ins and mass protests that rocked Nashville in 1960.

The museum won't open until Sept. 24, but reporters got a sneak peek Wednesday during a special preview for them and other guests.

The exhibits honoring Patterson and Churchwell are among more than 3,000 artifacts on display when the 400,000-square-foot museum opens on the National Mall near the Washington Monument.

The museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, traces the history of African-Americans from slavery to the civil rights movement to the historic election of President Barack Obama. Its 11 inaugural exhibits include a slave cabin, a cell from Louisiana's Angola prison, the original casket of Emmett Till  the 14-year-old killed in Mississippi in 1955 for reportedly whistling at a white woman  a 40-ton Jim Crow railroad car and Chuck Berry's red Cadillac.

Many of the objects on display have ties to Tennessee.

A wooden chair used by the deacons of Spruce Street Baptist Church in Nashville is there. So are a printing plate and a Sunday school program printed by R.H. Boyd's National Baptist Publishing Board in Nashville.

"Honor King: End Racism" reads a placard that's part of an exhibit on the death of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The poster was carried by Memphis sanitation workers during a memorial march for King on April 8, 1968, just four days after he was gunned down at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.

A 45-rpm single of the song "B-A-B-Y," recorded by Carla Thomas in 1966 on the Memphis-based Stax label, hangs on the wall in a section celebrating the musical contributions of African-Americans. A black-and-white photo of Memphis-born Aretha Franklin, eyes closed tightly, mouth open wide in song, shows the legendary Queen of Soul performing during a Southern Christian Leadership Conference convention in Memphis in July 1968.

All told, nearly five dozen objects from Tennessee are among the museum's 40,000-item collection. Less than 10 percent of the collection will be part of the inaugural exhibit, so many of the Tennessee items remain in storage but could eventually be put on display as other items rotate into the exhibit.

The crucifix and collar belonging to Bishop Patterson are part of a larger exhibit on cultural expressions, including the language and oral traditions of African-Americans.

"Who is a better example of preaching traditions than G.E. Patterson?" said Anne Hyppolite, the exhibit's curator.

Patterson's widow, Louise, donated the items to the museum after his death. The museum is developing a center for religion, so some of Patterson's memorabilia not currently on display could eventually end up there, Hyppolite said.

Patterson's artifacts are important in helping the museum tell his story, Hyppolite said.

"It really brings it home to have a cross  a crucifix that he actually wore every Sunday, when he did his sermon," she said. "It's a personal aspect of the man himself, and it's an implement of his trade."

Malone, a public relations executive whose firm worked with Patterson, said his widow, Louise, is delighted by his inclusion in the museum. Louise Patterson will attend the formal ribbon-cutting on Sept. 24, when guests of honor will include President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

Rhonda Parks of Memphis, who worked for Patterson for 32 years, said it's fitting the bishop's crucifix is on display.

"That cross means just what he stood for  the cross of Jesus Christ," she said. "Not rubies and diamonds, but what Jesus did on the cross to request and receive salvation. That was his thing."

Other Tennessee items in the museum's collection include a sign from a segregated public bus in Nashville, a 1902 marriage certificate belonging to a couple in Centerville, an advertisement for a slave market in Memphis and a clock used by Citizen's Savings and Trust Co. in Nashville.

Dozens of vintage, black-and-white photos depict everyone from a mourning Coretta Scott King to a beaming young woman receiving her voter registration card in Fayette County. The young woman holds the card up in the air for everyone to see, a smile stretched across her face.
September 14, 2016 - Ernest Jett Jr. (right) hugs his first cousin Roosevelt Henderson on Severson Avenue on Wednesday at the site where his children, mother, girlfriend and family friend were killed in a house fire on Monday. (Yalonda M. James/The Commercial Appeal)

By Yolanda Jones and Jody Callahan of The Commercial Appeal

Cameron Hollingsworth, the sole survivor from Monday's deadly fire, remained on life support as doctors harvested his organs Wednesday, the boy's father said.

Cameron will be allowed to pass away after the organs are taken, his father said. Another relative earlier told a reporter that the boy had died.

Ernest Jett Jr., Cameron's father, said the decision was made to donate the organs in hopes that "we can stop another family from going through what my family is going through."

Cameron's six brothers and sisters: Angel Mitchell, 17; Ernest Jett III, 9; Diamond Jett, 8; Alonzo Ward, 7; Kierra Jett, 5; and Precious Rose Jett, 2 or 3, died Monday after they were pulled from the fire at their grandmother's South Memphis home.

Their grandmother Eloise Futrell, 61, their father's girlfriend Lakesha Ward, 27, and family friend Carol Collier, 56, also died in the fire.

While relatives had told reporters that Cameron was 7 or 8, his father said he was 10.

On Wednesday evening, dozens of people gathered outside the home on Severson as sort of a community block party to show support for the faimly. Some brought food and drinks, and family and friends were gathered outside the house, with people coming up to offer condolences to the father.

The deaths of the 10 victims marks the deadliest fire in the city in nearly a century, fire officials said.

The Memphis Fire Department responded to the fire shortly before 1:30 a.m. Monday at the one-story brick home in the 1100 block of Severson, off Bellevue Avenue.

Firefighters pulled 10 people from the house. The three adults and four of the children were pronounced dead on the scene.

Cameron, along with Kierra and Diamond, were taken to Le Bonheur. Kierra and Diamond died at the hospital.

Fire inspectors determined the fire was sparked by a malfunctioning power cord to an window-unit air conditioner. The home had a working smoke detector.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.

An account has been established at First Tennessee Bank in the family's name to help pay for funeral services. To donate, contact First Tennessee Bank.

A GoFundMe fundraiser can be found at: www.gofundme.com/2f2jjek4?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=sharing_image&utm_campaign=invite_n
August 24, 2016 - Thomas Scott, owner of the old Collierville Herald building, has plans to construct a retail and office building on this vacant lot near Collierville's Town Square. "It's a two-story office building, and it's going to be built in the style of the square," Scott said. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal)

SHARE August 24, 2016 - Thomas Scott , owner of the old Collierville Herald building, is renovating the structure and has plans for a new building in the adjacent vacant lot. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal) August 24, 2016 - Thomas Scott , owner of the old Collierville Herald building, is renovating the structure and has plans for a new building in the adjacent vacant lot. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal)

By Daniel Connolly of The Commercial Appeal

A plan to construct a new building on Collierville's iconic town square has won approvals from local regulators and is moving forward, though more steps remain.

Property owner Thomas Scott has proposed building a two-story office structure in a parking lot on Main Street by the square. It would have three retail shops on the first floor and up to seven professional office spaces on the second floor.

The plan won approval from Collierville's Planning Commission and its Historic District Commission in late August. This week, the town's Board of Mayor and Aldermen likewise approved a preliminary site plan for the new building, Town Planner Jaime Groce said.

"This is the first step, and they still need to turn in a Final Site Plan and construction plans before they can obtain a building permit," Groce wrote in an email.

The property owner sees it the same way.

"We've still got quite a ways to go to get everybody happy," Scott said, adding that organizers may be able to get a building permit this year. He said he's already begun preleasing the building. "There's been a lot of interest in it, so I think it's gonna go well."

The new building at 140 North Main is just one of several new developments around the square. Scott is also leading renovations of the neighboring old post office building into a restaurant called 148 North. He said the restaurant may open by the end of the month, but he's not sure.

"I'm always surprised how long it does take," he said.

Authorities have approved plans for a new restaurant building in a vacant lot by the railroad track that runs by the square, and a restaurant called Brooks Pharm2Fork is expected to open soon in another storefront. And businessman Alan Mullen is pursuing plans to place a Scottish bar called The Highlander in an existing space on the square.

More coverage:

Growth in Collierville Town Square could make parking a premium
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By Daniel Connolly of The Commercial Appeal

A public hearing on the Collierville school system's curriculum on sex education and related matters is set for 5:30 p.m. Monday at the school system's central office at 146 College St.

The hearing is required each year by Tennessee law, school system chief of staff Jeff Jones told school board members at a meeting Tuesday.

The curriculum, which Collierville calls Family Life, is abstinence-based, Jones said. He said he wasn't familiar with what exactly has been proposed. "We'll all get a first look at it on Monday."
A group of Russian scientists have been trapped for two weeks by polar bears at an Arctic island weather station. The scientists face a month-long wait for a rescue.

Five scientists based at a weather station on Troynoy Island in the Kara sea north of Siberia were surrounded by the group of 10 adults and cubs about two weeks ago, Russian news agency TASS reported on Monday. They will be shipped dogs for protection, as well as flares, said the head of the Russian agency that controls the station.

From the Guardian:

Vassiliy Shevchenko, the head of the Sevgidromet state monitoring network that owns the station, told TASS on Tuesday that staff would be sent dogs for protection and flares via the Mikhail Somov expedition vessel. That was due to reach the station in "about a month", he said, though the possibility of sending flares earlier was under consideration. In the meantime, personnel had been advised to "use extreme caution" and to remain inside the station in all but the most serious circumstances. Meteorological work that required going out to observation sites had also been abandoned. Shevchenko told TASS that the event was not without precedent. "Things like this have happened before on the Troynoy island because bears inhabit the area and people work there."

MORE: "Russian scientists besieged by polar bears to get dogs and flares for protection," ITAR-TASS
SHARE John Gorman

By Ron Maxey of The Commercial Appeal

The wife of a Mississippi Gaming Commission officer killed during a 2015 training accident in Tunica has filed a lawsuit, providing the first details of what happened when John Gorman was shot to death.

Summer Gorman, John Gorman's widow, alleges in the lawsuit that those in charge of the training exercise and subsequent investigation used excessive force, failed to protect a law enforcement officer in a controlled setting and exhibited reckless indifference to medical needs. As a result, claims the suit filed in U.S. District Court in Oxford, Gorman died during what should have been a routine event.

Summer Gorman seeks unspecified damages to be determined by a jury. The plaintiffs have not replied to the suit.

John Gorman, 45, had just been promoted to director of investigations for the Gaming Commission shortly before attending a required firearms training course Jan. 20-21, 2015, at the Tunica County Firing and Qualification Range. During the second day, Gorman received a fatal gunshot wound to the chest and died at the Gaming Commission office in Robinsonville near Tunica.

Officials at the time called the shooting a "tragic, freak accident" but gave no details of what happened.

According to the lawsuit, the first day of training was conducted at the range as intended, but instructor Robert Sharp moved the second day of training to the Gaming Commission office in Robinsonville as he tried to bring agents who missed the first day up to speed.

Agents participating in training removed their real firearms and replaced them with dummies, but Sharp did not, according to the suit.

"Early in this training exercise," the suit says, "Robert Sharp ... became agitated with how one of the trainees/Special Agents was responding to the role-playing, and stepped in to show ... how it should properly be performed. Robert Sharp then pulled his REAL firearm and shot John Gorman in the chest."

After the shooting, the lawsuit says the Tunica County Sheriff's Department took control of the scene but made a decision to not transfer Gorman to a hospital even though a trauma center was nearby at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis.

Exacerbating the situation, the suit alleges the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation failed to conduct a "standard and objective" investigation, resulting in no criminal charges against Sharp.

John Gorman was a resident of Madison County, near Jackson. His death was the first in the 22-year history of the Gaming Commission, which regulates activity at Mississippi casinos as well as other charitable gaming such as bingo.
SHARE Ronnie Hale

By Ron Maxey of The Commercial Appeal

Ronnie Hale will return to the seat he previously held on the Southaven Board of Aldermen after defeating political newcomer Brandon Henley in a special election Tuesday to fill the vacant Ward 2 post.

Hale received 271 votes, according to complete but unofficial returns, compared to 155 for Henley. The total was a little more than 10 percent of the ward's roughly 4,000 registered voters.

Shirley Kite resigned because of changes in Mississippi's pension system laws. The changes would not allow her to retire from her post as DeSoto County Justice Court Clerk and continue serving in another public service role as alderwoman.

"I just thank the people who came out to vote, and I'm ready to hit the ground running," said Hale, who hopes to be sworn in by the next board meeting later this month.

Hale, 56, held the Ward 2 seat for one term before losing to Kite, who at the time was Shirley Beshears, in 2013. Hale was on the board during the tumultuous tenure of former Mayor Greg Davis. He and other aldermen at the time asked the state auditor's office to step in after questions arose about spending by Davis, who ultimately was ordered to repay more than $170,000 to the city.

Earlier, Hale said cleaning up the ward and enforcing code requirements would be a priority. Ward 2 encompasses the older part of Southaven near the state line, and blight from deteriorating properties has become a concern.

Even after being ousted from the seat by Kite, Hale said he continued to remain involved in public service.

"I never really stopped serving," said Hale, who said he continued to attend board meetings.

Henley, 34, said earlier that he decided to seek his first elective office to help ensure the older part of the city isn't forgotten by the six-member board. He works for Smith and Nephew and is an Army National Guard veteran. His wife, Ashley Henley, is a state representative.
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By Dick Polman

I won't waste your time trying to use Feeling Poorlygate as an excuse to play amateur doctor  plenty of people in the basket of deplorables are doing that already  because here's the sagacious bottom line:

Given what we already know about the 2016 presidential candidates  combining their ages, this is the oldest duo in American history  it's imperative that they both release their medical records. Only then can we begin to put Hillary Clinton's ill health episodes, and notably her latest one, in the proper perspective. Only then can we begin to determine whether Donald Trump's rotten health habits  four hours sleep a night and an insatiable intake of junk food  are blinking yellow lights for an overweight 70-year-old man.

But neither of these candidates is particularly transparent, and there's no requirement that they come clean on the medical front. Indeed, their predecessors rarely went the extra mile. Barack Obama and Mitt Romney didn't share those personal histories in 2012. John McCain did it in 2008, but with a big caveat: He dumped 1,000 pages on a select few reporters, and gave them only a few hours to read up. So when Trump tweeted in August that he was willing to "release detailed medical records," that he had "no problem in doing so," it just read like a head fake.

But we do need to know, not just because the presidency is such a grueling job, but because in the absence of hard information, the conspiracy theories continue to metastasize  as we've long seen already, as when Karl Rove cited Clinton's 2012 concussion and conjured brain damage. And the public wants a lot more info. According to a national poll last month by the survey firm Morning Consult, 64 percent of registered voters want Clinton and Trump to release detailed records, a 9 percent hike since the question was asked in May.

Still, it doesn't necessarily mean that the public will rationally assess the released info. Take a look at what has happening right now: Clinton's doctor says she has pneumonia, and the usual loons and trolls, their hair afire, spent their Sunday tweeting pneumonia death stats. This is a big a reason leaders often embrace secrecy  as arguably evidenced best by FDR. Post-polio, he hid the fact that he couldn't walk; back then, most Americans didn't look kindly on "cripples." The truth would have damaged him politically; only after his death did people learn that Hitler was beaten by a guy who couldn't stand.

But now that we're supposedly more sophisticated about these things, and about modern medicine, the scales should tilt toward transparency. At least the rational among us would know more than we know now.

And lest we forget, we know a lot less about Trump's medical fitness than we do about Clinton's. All we've got from the demagogue is a four-paragraph letter written in five minutes nine months ago in the back of a limo. Trump's gastroenterologist, Harold Bornstein, did the honors, declaring in suspiciously Trumpy language that "his strength and stamina are extraordinary," that his lab results "are astonishingly excellent" (no doctor talks that way), and that of course Trump would be the healthiest leader in the history of human endeavor.

With Clinton off the road for the next few days, the health speculation will only get worse. In theory, the best  one that has been floated for years  is to bring in an independent team of doctors to fully examine both candidates. The idea is to depoliticize the situation as much as possible. The potential upside, at minimum, is that the candidates (especially Clinton) would no longer be accused of hiding anything. On the other hand, I fear that everything is so politicized that if Clinton were judged to be basically healthy, the trolls would simply retaliate by sliming the independent doctors.

But here's one thing we can say for real: The vice presidential debate between Tim Kaine and Mike Pence is suddenly more important.

Dick Polman is the national political columnist at NewsWorks/WHYY in Philadelphia. Contact him at dickpolman7@gmail.com.
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The U.S. Government Accountability Office has said that the internet domain name system is unlikely to be government property, ahead of the planned transfer by month end of the oversight of key technical functions supporting the internet, including the domain name system, to an independent multistakeholder body.

"It is unlikely that either the authoritative root zone filethe public 'address book' for the top level of the Internet domain name systemor the Internet domain name system as a whole" is U.S. government property, the GAO said in a legal opinion provided to legislators.

The report by the Congressional watchdog comes ahead of a hearing on the issue Wednesday chaired by Republican Senator Ted Cruz from Texas. The Republicans are intent on blocking the transfer of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions, currently being operated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) under a contract with the Department of Commerce, which expires on Sept. 30.

Some of these legislators have raised questions about whether the administration of President Barack Obama can go ahead with the transfer without approval of Congress. In a letter this month to Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, the legislators said there is still no legal certainty about whether the termination of the IANA functions contract would amount to relinquishment of U.S. government property, which would then require approval from Congress.

The legislators, who are asking the administration to reconsider current plans to transition the supervision of the IANA functions on Oct. 1, 2016 as there are outstanding issues, said a request for an audit on the transfer of property issue had been submitted in 2015 to the GAO.

The U.S. government does have "certain rights under a series of contracts and agreements related to the domain name system and the IANA functions, and has title to limited intellectual and tangible property related to performance of these functions," according to the GAO. "We find that almost all of U.S. Government property that we have identified will be retained and not transferred or otherwise disposed of in connection with the proposed transition," it added.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency within the Department of Commerce, said last month it will go ahead with its plan to transfer supervision of the IANA functions to a multistakeholder body on Oct. 1, in line with a plan first announced in March 2014.

We thank the GAO for its thorough analysis of the property implications of the IANA transition. We are pleased that GAO concluded that the transition does not involve a transfer of U.S. government property requiring Congressional approval, NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling said in a statement on Tuesday.

Last week, Cruz indicated that the Republicans would not give up without a fight against what he described as a giveaway of internet control by the Obama administration. Besides pushing for legislation called the Protecting Internet Freedom Act, which would prohibit any transfer of internet DNS functions unless expressly allowed under a federal statute passed after the new legislation has been enacted, Cruz will likely invoke riders passed by Congress earlier that prohibit spending taxpayer money on the IANA transition.

A number of tech companies including Google and Facebook have written to Congress asking them not to delay the transition.

Ahead of the hearing by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts, ICANN released a document to clarify that the transition isn't the U.S. Government handing over the Internet to any one country, company or group.

The truth is that nobody, including the U.S. Government, has a control of the Internet to hand over, ICANN wrote in a brief. The community of stakeholders that has flawlessly coordinated the Internet's domain name and addressing systems since their inception will continue to do so.

The Republicans have raised concerns that the transfer could increase the influence of authoritarian regimes like those in Russia, China and Iran over the Internet.

The IANA functions are very technical, invisible to average users and narrow in scope, and should not be equated with the Internet as a whole, Kathryn C. Brown, president and CEO of the Internet Society, wrote in a letter to legislators. Legitimate public policy issues like net neutrality, censorship, and human rights are being addressed elsewhere, and are not part of this discussion, she added.

GAO distanced itself from this part of the dispute by stating that its opinion does not express views on the merits of the proposed transition. Congress may wish to take steps to address the broader issues raised by the transition if it believes there should continue to be direct U.S. oversight and control, it said.
Cisco Systems and Apple have been working together to implement enterprise-focused business communications features beginning with Wi-Fi connectivity, VoIP, collaboration and app prioritization improvements. One year on and the first results have appeared within iOS 10. I spoke with Rowan Trollope, Ciscos SVP GM of IoT and Applications Group to find out more.

Just nine years

Its hard to believe that weve had the modern smartphone  pioneered by the iPhone of course  for only nine years, he said. Just nine years! Does anyone remember how they lived before smartphones?

Apple offers the most innovative mobile technology in the world combined with the worlds most advanced mobile OS. Cisco has led every wireless transformation since wireless became possible, not only providing the best Wi-Fi technology but delivering the best end-user experience.

In a post on the Cisco blog, Jeff Reed, senior vice president of Cisco's Enterprise Infrastructure and Solutions Group, wrote that as a result of the collaboration iPhone users will see call reliability increase 66 percent and management overhead is reduced by as much as 50 percent. Over 30 customers and partners participated in field trials to test the new features, he wrote.

Digital transformation

Businesses everywhere are becoming digital, software driven, and we believe ultimately - mobile centric. And it's not just consumer services. It's every industry and vertical on the planet, Trollope told me, and this has driven both partners to try to meet these changing needs. Studies show that companies that master digital will not only drive more revenue, but will be 29% more profitable on average, he said.

To meet these needs, Apple and Cisco are focused on networking, voice and collaboration. This means they optimized Wi-Fi connectivity over Cisco kit, improved the capacity to prioritize key enterprise traffic and improved voice and collaboration.

These areas help customers accelerate their mobilization of business-critical workflows, changing how people do their jobs and increasing productivity and efficiency, Trollope explains. These are three separate features, but they build on each other It is crucial to have a fast, reliable, and effective Wi-Fi network. Prioritizing business-critical data makes your important apps run faster. And by tightly integrating iPhone into your corporate network, you can make sure communication and collaboration are seamless.

Change is everywhere

Why does it matter? The digital transformation of the enterprise is creating new ways to work with customers  you see a lot more retail outlets using mobile PoS systems, for example, and the demand for available Wi-Fi in store is becoming essential to keep customers happy. When it comes to major deployments this dependence on wireless creates new challenges.

A retailer like a coffee shop can have multiple employees connected to the wireless networks, some of them creating excess load on the network from streaming apps while on a break, further affecting the performance of a critical app like a mPos or a stock management app, he explains.

Cisco and Apple have solved this by enabling web traffic controls that prioritize mission-critical business apps over traffic generated by non-work apps. At its simplest, this means the payment systems used at the mPoS isnt going to be impacted by the customer downloading family photos over the same network. Banks are already developing Siri-based mobile payments solutions.

Trollope sees a range of verticals in which Apple and Cisco can make a difference:

Healthcare: nurses standardizing on iPads, Doctors accessing patient care information on the latest iPhone devices

Retail: Business deploying new shopper experiences such as mPOS, omnichannel

Education: advanced learning environments such as iPads and MacBooks for students.

Corporate offices: employees working in mobile workspaces, and moving around a corporate campus.

Big business for business

This mobile transformation will have the biggest impact on business since the advent of the Internet, he said.

The digital transformation is a huge thing. Almost 40 percent of incumbent enterprises may be displaced by more agile competitors. But this isnt just about business, Trollope explains. Schools and governments are also reinventing themselves, mobilizing their business critical workflows.

This isnt just about enhancing productivity. Mobility is causing businesses to rethink entire processes and ways of getting work done. This is changing B2C relationships and enabling remote teams to work far more collaboratively than before, sharing documents, notes, voice and video with each other, anytime, anywhere.

Glancing at the tech

To support all this it is mandatory that the enterprise-grade network infrastructure is capable of supporting effective communication between mobile devices, which must themselves be capable of using back-end systems, delivering real-time analytics and collaboration using voice and video. This is where Apple and Cisco working together makes so much sense, says Trollope. only Apple and Cisco can enable this level of transformation.

The opportunity is to help organizations take the leap to being agile with no compromise collaboration experiences in every pocket by combining Apples mobile user experience with Ciscos enterprise grade security reliability and performance.

Communication is about more than simply being able to call employees, customers or partners. Its about being able to message, meet, and call instantly in a way that strengthens relationships and increases productivity.

Cisco Spark

Cisco Spark provides a complete Collaboration as a Service solution from the Cisco Collaboration Cloud. It provides feature-rich communications tools including Cisco Spark, so instant communications and live video/voice meetings can take place reliably and securely too.

When it comes to integration between the systems the partners used public APIs to integrate Spark and iOS for better collaboration. We are making the iPhone an extension of the desk phone  so users can collaborate easier than ever before  and still offer a business class experience for everyone, he said.

iPhone integration with the Cisco Collaboration Cloud also allow users with VoIP to connect to their companys PBX. This brings significant cost savings for organizations because they arent using the cellular network and reducing their roaming charges. It will remove the need for many users to forward calls from their desk to mobile numbers, or leverage additional apps that allow connectivity to business features.

When it comes to compliance and security policy and protocols the integration puts the combined solutions firmly in business class. This is because enterprises that must comply with such protocols (think government, financial and/or health, for example) can use the system to deliver essential call logging and auditing tools.

You can find out more about the impact in Trollopes blog post on the Cisco website.

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Even though both parties' presidential candidates say they oppose the Trans Pacific Partnership  the secretly negotiated "trade" deal that lets corporations sue governments to repeal their environmental, labor and safety laws if they hurt profits  Obama's plan to ram through a vote before the election is alive and well.



Today is the day to call your member of Congress and explain how much this matters to you  today, weeks away from an election, is one of the few days that elected representatives really care what their constituents think of their actions. EFF's action center will help you call your congresscritter with a few clicks, and the call will take only a few minutes. It's the difference between a democracy that can be held accountable to people, and one where corporations literally get to veto laws they don't like.



It's now or never for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). It's almost certain that if the TPP can't pass during the lame duck session of Congress in its present form before the new President takes office, it won't pass at all. You may also have heard that a lame duck vote on the TPP is off the tablebut that's false. In fact, the administration's pressure for such a vote to take place following the election has never been greater. Officials held a new round of meetings just last week with business interests to encourage them to sell the flawed agreement to an increasingly skeptical public and Congress. So you shouldn't believe for a moment that the TPP can't still pass within the next few months. It can.



TPP Goes Down to the Wire: Help Stop It by Joining Our Call-In

[Jeremy Malcolm/EFF]
WikiLeaks released a 678.4 MB zipped file of new DNC documents provided by Guccifer 2.0. The hacker had been scheduled to live-stream at the Future of Cyber Security Europe conference in London. However, Guccifer 2.0 opted to use a proxy to read pre-written remarks and announce the newest DNC data dump.

As you know, some experts claim Russian cyber-espionage groups are really Guccifer 2.0.

Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile immediately pointed the finger of blame at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Theres one person who stands to benefit from these criminal acts, and thats Donald Trump.

The DNC is the victim of a crime  an illegal cyberattack by Russian state-sponsored agents who seek to harm the Democratic Party and progressive groups in an effort to influence the presidential election, Brazile added. We have been anticipating that an additional batch of documents stolen by Russian agents would be released. Our legal team is now in the process of reviewing these private documents, and attempting to confirm their authenticity, as it is common for Russian hackers to forge documents.

Additionally, she warned people who might download the documents to use caution given the potential malware risks. Thats not to say there is malware tainting the files, but there have been thousands of malicious files included in WikiLeaks' dumps in the past.

DNC hack is great fiction, an inside job

The whole DNC hack is great fiction, according to director Oliver Stone. He told CNN that he doesnt believe the Russians were responsible; instead, Stone believes the DNC hack was probably an inside job. Why would he think that? Stone claims that is what intelligence experts told him, but he refused to go into more detail.

30,000 Colin Powell emails leaked

About 30,000 emails allegedly written by Colin Powell, former Secretary of State, were handed over to DC Leaks. In some of those communications written between June 2014 and August 2016, Powell called Donald Trump a national disgrace and an international pariah. He suggested the Democrats didnt need to attack Trump, since calling him an idiot just emboldens him and Trump was already in the process of destroying himself.

Tim Greene During his keynote address at Gartner Security and Risk Management Summit former Secretary of State Colin Powell told attendees he had two computers on his desk, one the official secure computer  clunky and difficult to use  and the other a laptop with a phone line and modem that he used exclusively for his AOL account.

Others revealed that Powell was really irked at Hillary Clinton since she had tried to point at his use of private email accounts to justify her own use of a private email server.

Been having fun with emailgate, Powell allegedly wrote in March 2015, but Hillarys Mafia keeps trying to suck me into it.

He warned the Clinton campaign, You really dont want me to get into this, adding that he didnt intend to comment upon the Clinton private email server scandal unless you all start it.

Clinton ended up telling the FBI that Powell advised her to use a personal email account.

In August, Powell allegedly wrote, Sad thing is that HRC could have killed this two years ago by merely telling everyone honestly what she had done and not tie me into it. I told her staff three times not to try that gambit. I had to throw a mini tantrum at a Hamptons party to get their attention. She keeps tripping into these character minefields.

When contacted by The Daily Caller, Powell said he had no idea if the two years worth of emails stolen from his private Gmail account were related to the DNC hack. I wasnt aware of any infiltration of my Gmail account. If accurate my privacy has been violated, Powell said. As a private citizen I would hope journalists would respect that privacy.

FBI: Dont worry about voting system hack cause system is a clunky mess

If you are worried about our electronic voting system getting hacked, FBI Director James Comey said to relax because the beauty of the American voting system is that it is dispersed among the 50 states, and it is clunky as heck. A lot of people have found that challenging over the years, but the beauty of that is its not exactly a swift part of the internet of things, and so it is hard for an actor to reach our voting process.

Yes, it does sound like you are not to be concerned about the election being electronically sabotaged because the voting system is such a wreck that it would be too challenging for hackers to tweak the outcome. Feel comforted?
After having promised to reveal a medical status report, then reportedly deciding not to, millionaire presidential candidate Donald Trump finally offered a handful of details via TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz. He takes statins and weighs 267 pounds, which Oz describes as "slightly overweight" but which The New York Times eagerly informs us is, in fact, medical obesity for a man of Trump's height.

Over many months, Mr. Trump has sought to raise questions about the health of Mrs. Clinton, 68, and his supporters have asserted that she is hiding something about her health (her aides have denied this). But Mr. Trump has answered almost no questions about his own health over the last 15 months of his campaign, except for issuing a highly unusual doctor's note. So the appearance on Dr. Oz's show, announced on Friday, had been anticipated as a potential breakthrough, as Mr. Trump's aides had said that over the next few days he would release results from the physical examination, which was conducted last week. Earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Trump's campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, told Fox News that she did not think the candidate should release medical information on a television show.

This paragraph at the end of the Maggie Halberman's story caught my attention:

He has also been criticized for questionable assertions over the course of his television career, and sometimes speaks in the same type of hyperbole as Mr. Trump, which the medical profession has been known to reject.

What you are supposed to know from these words: that Oz is paid to pitch weight-loss pills on his show, that he describes them as "magic," and that his colleagues think he's a quack.

That 36-word sentence exemplifies the euphemistic language that the Times indulges in like a literary crack addict. Once you start noticing these passages, they're impossible to miss: another one today comes from "Public Editor" Liz Spayd, who writes in passing that journalist Suki Kim "considers herself a journalist." Oof! I've met NYT journos who think tabloid Britishisms such as "tired and emotional" are erudite and worthy of emulation. Perhaps the writers of these paragraphs should be sent for enhanced conversational repartee with occupying authorities.
Cllr David Simmonds is Deputy Leader of the London Borough of Hillingdon and Deputy Chairman of the Local Government Association.

It was a baking hot August day when I visited the camp known as the Jungle on the outskirts of Calais. Talking to its residents and the Mayor of Calais was a window into the refugee and migration issues that have been the focus of attention since the photographs of Aylan Kurdi, washed up on a beach, dominated the media a year ago. The UKs history and global interests mean we are a key participant in resolving the crises that mean an estimated 160 million people are on the move around the world. However, while treaties and negotiations take place at the level of national governments, local and regional authorities do the work of supporting people and face the day to day consequences.

The Mayor of Calais, Natacha Bouchart, is a Conservative elected after 30 years of Communist rule there. We find ourselves as local politicians dealing with the fallout from international events. My involvement in refugee issues started with the unfunded cost of supporting asylum-seeking children to Hillingdon, which has cost local taxpayers in excess of 20 million over the years. In both cases, better working with local authorities could have avoided the problem in the first place.

Councils in the UK took in more than 4,000 unaccompanied children last year, double the previous annual arrival rate. Additionally more than 25,000 refugees came to the UK, plus councils continue to support people whose asylum claim has failed but who remain in the country. Detailed costs are hard to come by for those in a grey area of legal status (grey because although the law bans them from claiming benefits, it obliges councils to support destitute persons).

However, the No Recourse to Public Funds Network (NRPF) estimates, interpreted nationally, suggest that this group alone may need in excess of 100m in council support every year. In addition, there are self-supporting refugees and others who may have gained asylum elsewhere and subsequently moved to the UK. This complex picture explains in part the rapid demographic changes we see, and why councils are determined to influence the way we deal with refugees for the better.

My visit to the Jungle was organised by Safe Passage UK, which helps people who have a valid claim to move to Britain. The camp is no place for a child under any circumstances and it is absolutely right to get them out of there as quickly as possible. This leads into some important policy questions, about the nature of the camp and the role of the UK on another countrys territory.

The Jungle is in reality two camps, the official camp housing around 1,500 people that was built by the French authorities, and the sprawling shanty town and tent city with an estimated 8,500 residents next door. Calais has prioritised children and women with children for residency in the official camp, and with plans to clear the tent city well publicised, the atmosphere is becoming very tense.

For the local authorities the response starts with a very practical one, of how to deal with 8500 people, mostly young men, in a tense and often violent confrontation. The fencing supplied by the UK has helped protect the international terminals, but the practicality of keeping that many people under any form of supervision in the wider environs of the town has clearly overwhelmed the authorities. As the Mayor explained, the contractors simply cannot recruit enough people to do the work.

The second issue is that the reason the camp is there at all is entirely down to criminal enterprise. Traffickers have a rate card for their services, starting at 500 for access to a traffickers turf, essentially buying an opportunity to break into a vehicle in a defined area such as a lorry park or railway siding, enforced by beatings of anyone who has not agreed to pay. 10,000 buys a seat in a UK-plated vehicle for as many attempts as are needed to smuggle you in. Most Jungle residents are poor economic migrants and a nightly trip to gain illegal entry to a lorry, caravan or train is the main occupation. It is highly unlikely that they would meet most tests to be allowed to be resident in the UK legally so simply opening the border is not a solution, but the traffickers continue to make a fortune.

The third big question is why this is happening at all in a country like France, which has a welfare state the equal of the UK and laws to protect vulnerable people very similar to our own. The answer is the Dublin protocols, the international agreement which boils down to an obligation for refugees to claim asylum in the first safe country.

One young man told me he had been deported from the UK three times, the last after living for seven years in Tooting Broadway. He was planning to smuggle himself back. But each time he came to the attention of UK authorities, the records showed he had been in France, so back he went. This means a powerful incentive for the residents of the jungle not to get on the radar of the French authorities, because if they do and subsequently get into the UK we will send them back. It is not purely a matter of French authorities dragging their feet and reluctant to help. The system encourages the camps residents not to seek help, if they want to get to and stay in the UK  which is of course the main reason they are there at all.

This leads to the question of what our response should be. There are some in the Labour Party who argue that the UK should assume responsibility for refugee children across Europe, which may be well meaning but is totally impractical. It is right that our efforts are put to getting the relevant governments to fulfil their obligations which are no different to our own when it comes to unaccompanied children on their territory. Others argue that we should bring them to the UK, but our strict immigration laws mean that this will usually fail the best interests test applied by other states as their parents and family would not be allowed to join them later.

The reason that the local government response to the Syrian resettlement scheme is a success story points to the way forward. All support needs to be funded based on a realistic assessment of the costs involved; it needs to involve councils from the very start in planning as well as executing the programme; and it needs to be voluntary so that areas that take refugees do so knowing they have the capacity and the community goodwill needed.

Councils have to reconcile the views of those who want a completely open door to refugees and migrants with those who would rather send them all back, so getting a balance that is visibly fair and just is vital. I am often asked by the media how many can we take? and the truthful answer is, it is elastic depending on the resources available and the goodwill of the British people. In wartime we housed millions in temporary homes and we could do so again  but we cant put them all on a council housing list and assume the problem will resolve itself.
Donors turn off the tap on Scottish Labour over constitutional pusillanimity

The Herald reports that several major donors have stopped giving funds to Scottish Labour, with one saying that their leader had to do more to back the Union.

It reports that this created a funding black hole that covered, and doubtless contributed to, the Partys disastrous performance in Mays Holyrood elections, when it fell behind the Scottish Conservatives.

As we explained on this site earlier this week, Ruth Davidsons strategy is to hoover up unionist voters with a firm constitutional line. Kezia Dugdale, her Labour counterpart, has helped her out by suggesting she might back independence in the event of Brexit.

Scottish Labour have been skewered early on the horns that are rushing towards the party nationally: their coalition is fracturing in irreconcilable ways, and rather than making a bold decision to seize as much of the remnant as they can they seem paralysed, trying to work out how to win it all back and losing more in the process.

Jones tells Labour to get its act together and opposes EU referendum rematch

The First Minister of Wales, who along with Sadiq Khan is one of Labours most senior elected representatives, has accused the national party of failing to provide effective opposition to Theresa Mays Government.

Carwyn Jones was interviewed whilst on an official visit to the United States, for which he has been criticised by the Welsh Conservatives for flying out of an English airport.

He also told an audience in Chicago that despite being a staunch (and extremely opportunistic) Remainer he is opposed to having a second referendum on Brexit, which he feels would be viewed as an attempt by the establishment to overturn democracy.

A rerun is the official policy of Owen Smith, the Welsh MP who is challenging Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour leadership. Jones has refused to endorse either candidate.

In other news, his administration will introduce Wales first new tax for 800 years on Monday when it exercises new powers to introduce a replacement for Stamp Duty.

Irish nationalists deflate as polls show similar lack of post-Brexit momentum

In what Sam McBride describes in the News Letter as a crushing blow to Sinn Fein, a BBC poll has found only a negligible increase in support for a change in Northern Irelands constitutional status despite the Brexit vote.

There is a small but clear rise in support for the Provinces accession to a greater Irish state, but it is not clear that this is down to Brexit.

In any event a far cry from the mass public backlash that the Republicans  and a chorus of doom-mongering Remainers  had predicted. As Alex Kane points out, Sinn Fein and the SDLP havent even convinced their Catholic base.

SNP face budget pressures as independence drive continues to stall

The Scottish Government has come under pressure to outline which taxes it plans to raise to fund the Nationalists spending promises, the Daily Telegraph reports.

A new report from the University of Strathclydes Fraser of Allander Institute warns that the devolution of major new budget responsibilities means other parts of the budget may face deep cuts if new funds arent raised.

Elsewhere this week John Swinney, the Education Secretary, ruled out allowing schools to opt out of local authority control  despite arguing that headteachers were best placed to make decisions for their pupils.

Swinneys put his centralising instincts on full display in his previous post as Finance Minister, when he used a council tax freeze to ratchet up Edinburghs influence over Scottish councils.

Meanwhile, the latest polls show that Brexit has still not delivered a boost to Scottish independence, and writing in the Times () Alex Massie warns that Nicola Sturgeon risks doing her Party great damage if she keeps stoking the fires of a referendum she doesnt intend to trigger.

DUP hit out at Ulster Unionists and Sinn Fein

The Democratic Unionists have been on the offensive this week, with shots fired at both their major nationalist coalition partner and their smaller unionist rival.

Gregory Campbell, the partys MP for East Londonderry, has complained to the police ombudsman about the PSNIs decision not to question Martin McGuinness, the Deputy First Minister, over Bloody Sunday.

Elsewhere Arlene Foster, the First Minister, attacked a UUP plan to turn the entire province into an enterprise zone. She claimed that the Opposition document was entirely uncosted and contained propositions which were six to ten years old.
Corbyn did better. His ancient and inveterate prejudice against grammar schools happens to be shared by the Labour Party, the educational establishment and even by a considerable number of Conservatives.

So for once, the Labour leader could speak for the cautious majority which opposes change. He asked if the Prime Minister could quote any experts who are in favour of grammar schools. Naturally she could not.

He asked if existing grammar schools in places such as Kent and Buckinghamshire are going to be required to widen their admissions. Once again, the Prime Minister did not wish to get into that.

May offered no detail about grammar schools, for as with Brexit, the detail does not yet exist. She preferred to make general observations about the difference between Corbyn and herself: he believes in equality of outcome while she believes in equality of opportunity.

But that gave Corbyn the chance to declare that equality of opportunity is not selective education. By taking her stand on equality, she gave Corbyn the chance to be the better egalitarian.

May pointed out that at present, there is selection but it is selection by house price. Once again, she seemed to be opposing selection.

But education must be about selection. As Boris Johnson said in April 2009, when attacking the timidity of the Cameroons approach to education: The answer, as everybody knows but dare not admit, is to allow state schools the freedom once again to select on the basis of academic merit. Everything else is just blah.

May is less timid than David Cameron. She has made the bold decision to set up more grammar schools. But she has not yet articulated the bold arguments which are needed to defend this policy.

There was rejoicing in the press gallery that Corbyn had at last done a bit better, for it is tedious to have to report week after week that he was useless.

But the truth is that he only did better because May offered him an undefended target.
On Saturday, September 24, at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom, WBA World lightweight champion Anthony Million Dollar Crolla (31-4-3, 13 KOs), the Fighting Pride of Manchester, will defend his title against three-weight champion and current WBC titleholder Jorge El Nino de Oro Linares (40-3, 27 KOs), the warrior from Tokyo, Japan, by way of Barinas, Venezuela.Crollas rise to the top of the lightweight division is the stuff from which dreams are made. With four losses and three draws in 38 fights, and possessing so-so power, he was always admired, but respect was sometimes hard to come by.That changedand changed dramaticallyin his last two fights where he KOd extremely tough Darleys Perez (32-1-1 at the time) in November 2015 and no less tough Ismael Barroso (19-0-2) six months later.Those fights put Crolla on the map. Those knockout victories also made him the man to beat at 135 poundsand Jorge Linares believes hes the man to do it.Linares is a road warrior. He has fought in Japan, Panama, Venezuela, Mexico, America, and at Londons O2 Arena where he TKOd resilient Kevin Mitchell in May 2015.I love fighting in my opponents back yard with all the noise that comes with it from their fans, said Linares. The supporters cannot get in the ring with their fighter, its just me and him.When I first started to fight all over the world it took some time to adjust but now, its easy and I am confident doing it.The fans are excited for this one. Were both world class fighters and world champions that are willing to fight each other, as were proving in this one. Theres no need to trash talk or build the fight up, its a great fight and theres lots of respect between us.The best fighter on the night is going to win, and I think thats going to be me.
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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

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Partners: HPE-Arista Partnership Will Take Share From Cisco

Mark Haranas

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Cisco Systems heated rivalry with Arista Networks just got turned up a notch as Arista and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Tuesday inked a new strategic partnership, a move that HPE and Arista partners say is the final ingredient needed to take significant market share away from the networking giant.

"This really gives us the last bullet in the chamber that we need to go compete for Ciscos business," said Bill Tracy, director of solution architecture at Structured Communications Systems, a Portland, Ore.-based HPE/Aruba solution provider, ranked No. 241 on the 2016 Solution Provider 500 list. "The main goal between the Aruba Networks-HP merger was to compete with Cisco on that campus edge, but Cisco still had an advantage where they could round out the rest of the core switching solution and try to keep customers sticky on that side of the house  but that changes now with Arista-HPE."

Aristas networking technology will be the data center infrastructure foundation for HPEs software-defined infrastructure offerings. Starting Nov. 7, HPE partners will be able to buy Arista network switching products directly from Palo Alto, Calif.-based HPE.

[Related: 12 New HPE-Aruba Offerings That Will Drive Partner Profitability]

Rich Baldwin, chief strategy officer at Nth Generation Computing, a San Diego-based solution provider that is already selling Arista switches, said the partnership is going to accelerate sales gains for Arista.

"This is going to be huge for Arista," he said. "We recognized it as a leading technology last year and hooked up with them. Now that we have HPE behind this, it is really going to accelerate the success."

Baldwin said he expects the deal will double or triple Nth Generation Computing's Arista sales. "These guys at Arista can outdo Cisco," he said. "There is no question about that."

Cisco, San Jose, Calif., declined to comment on the HPE-Arista partnership.

The deal between the two companies was unveiled in front of 1,300 partners attending HPEs Global Partner Conference in Boston Tuesday by Antonio Neri, executive vice president of HPEs Enterprise Group.

In an exclusive interview with CRN, Neri said the Arista partnership is a significant threat that will put significant pressure on Cisco.

[Arista] has gained share for multiple quarters in a row, said Neri. Now together, we are going to accelerate the taking of share in the cloud. Customers need compute and storage with the right fabric.  This is definitely a significant threat for Cisco.

Although Cisco leads the data center networking market, it lost share in 2015, with revenue share declining from 62.1 percent to 60.7 percent and shipment share falling from 46.9 percent to 44.2 percent, according to research firm Gartner.

Santa Clara, Calif.-based Arista, meanwhile, continues to be one of the fastest-growing vendors in the data center, with product revenue growth of more than 40 percent in 2015 year over year.

Aristas been a scrappy dog from the beginning; theyre a competitor, said William Buckalew, COO of Comm Solutions, a Malvern, Pa.-based solution provider and HPE partner. With Arista-HPE and Aruba, we have the opportunity to design a competing architecture to Cisco. Thats an opportunity to intrude upon that traditional Cisco space.

Partners said the strategic partnership and sales pact will turn up the heat by rounding out the HPE portfolio, enabling channel partners to go after Ciscos hybrid cloud customers as well as its Unified Computing System.

The technology leapfrog game will come into play with things like HPEs Composable Infrastructure, which puts them another step ahead of where Cisco is, and bundling in Arista allows us to compete end to end in the full stack with Cisco and even with a Dell that has that complete offering to clients, said Structured Communications Systems Tracy. We can do everything under the HPE umbrella and roll in Arista for that high-performance core switching.

Being able to sell Arista alongside HPEs FlexFabric and Altoline product lines also opens the door for larger opportunities that previously went to Cisco, said another Arista partner.

We run into some Cisco customers and one of the reasons they like Cisco is because Cisco has such a large global presence and they probably feel safer from a support standpoint  and so you can now mitigate that objection with the [HPE-Arista] partnership, said Chris Becerra, president and CEO of Terrapin Systems, a San Jose, Calif.-based solution provider and Arista partner. With Arista-HPE, theyre even bigger than Cisco and have more of a global presence and support system in place.

Cisco and Arista are in the midst of a long-running, heated patent infringement legal battle.

In June, the International Trade Commission ruled that Arista networking switches infringed on three of the five patents cited in a lawsuit filed by Cisco in December 2014, recommending a ban on selling and importing several Arista products. Cisco is pushing for the halt of Arista products found with infringing technology while Arista says it has since released new versions with design-arounds to address features the commission ruled were infringed upon.

Reza Zarafshar, president of ACC Premier IT Solutions, a McLean, Va., HPE partner, said he sees the Arista deal as a "game-changer" for HPE.

"I think this is going to have a sizable impact on the market," he said. "This opens the door for us to have an important conversation with customers looking for software-defined solutions. It's a very important addition for HPE."
The Prince Bay Cruise Terminal will start operations later this year, having been built within a free trade zone. It is the only homeport in Southern China to have a comprehensive sea, land, air and train transportation connection.

The port was developed by China Merchants Group, which also has a Memo of Understanding with Carnival Corporation to explore port and destination development and ship-owning with a local cruise brand.

However, this past April, China Merchants Group also signed a deal with Genting Hong Kong for the SuperStar Virgo to become the first ship to homeport at Prince Bay.

The Star Cruises vessel will debut in the port in November, sailing to Sanya and Vietnam. Silversea has also scheduled a visit to the port in January 2017.

--

The 11th edition of the China Cruise Shipping and International Expo is the Asia/Pacific's No. 1 cruise event, learn more at http://www.ccyia.com/. The show takes place Sept. 23-26 in Tianjin.

Read a detailed analysis of the Chinese cruise market Cruise Industry News Fall/October 2016 Quarterly Magazine, due out Sept. 23.

Visit Cruise Industry News, the official event media sponsor and partner, at CCS in Tianjin
Earlier this summer the European Commission and the US Department of Justice signed the much-anticipated EU-US Privacy Shield data pact agreement. As of Aug. 1, 2016, companies and other entities in the United States are able to register with the Commerce Department, self-certifying their compliance with the Privacy Shields principles.

Many companies are still deciding whether they will self-certify because they don't completely understand what the rollout will look like and the impact it will have on data transfer and storage.

Kendall Burman, a cybersecurity and data privacy counsel at Mayer Brown, offered some advice on the data transfer and storage issues companies need to be prepared for, including and extending beyond Privacy Shield. Hopefully these insights will help you to determine what is the best course of action for your enterprise in light of this new agreement.

Depending on your company, you've either been anxiously awaiting this agreement and will eagerly self-certify or you've started thinking about whether you have data to transfer. If you're part of the latter group, you're likely asking whether Privacy Shield is a good fit for your business.

"That second category of companies is in the strategy phase," said Burman, "there are advantages in terms of ease and use of it. It can be much easier to be certified to the Privacy Shield than having to look at each contract."

Still many remain anxious about the uncertainty and are reluctant to move too quickly. "Article 29 gave some comfort as it provides a moratorium for one year as details get worked out, to see how the principles apply and how companies deal with the new agreement," said Burman.

There are, said Burman, principals of the Privacy Shield that are worth specific attention as they are different or increased Safe Harbor provisions.

For companies to transfer data, whether certified or not, they need to ensure data is protected according to those Safe Harbor principles. "That third party, even if not certified, will be required by contract to protect data with the same level of security set forth with Privacy Shield, which is one reason it may be beneficial to certify," said Burman.

[ MORE ON CSO: Privacy Shield needs improvement, says EU privacy watchdog ]

Because different companies have different business models, there is no one right course of action. Burman said if a particular business has very few sources of personal data that they are receiving, and they can uphold the EU through their practices, thats a workable option.

"The concern that has been pervasive is whether whatever replaces Safe Harbor would endure. Theres no doubt that there will be legal challenges to Privacy Shield," Burman said. For those enterprises that have alternative workable options, you might be able to continue on as usual while those legal challenges get resolved.

Another issue of concern with choosing to self-certify is around data integrity and purpose limitation. Burman said, "It has been revised from Safe Harbor requirements so that organizations will no longer be able to process personal information in a way that is incompatible with the new provisions."

This means that if companies have relied on a privacy policy in which the purpose of their data collection was specific or narrow, these new requirements around data integrity could present problems in terms of revising or reinforcing.

"There are a lot of different enforcement mechanisms that are different from Safe Harbor. There are more layers. If there is a complaint, the company needs to respond. Data protection authorities is one recourse, but it could also be directed to the Federal Trade Commission," Burman said.

What's also worth considering is that even if you dont receive complaints, there is a huge emphasis in Privacy Shield that a company is living up to its principles.

"Depending on how they address these issues, there may be more work for them to gear up. If you were an above the board member of Safe Harbor framework, and were vigorous in how you looked at these issues, you updated regularly, then enforcement and recourse will work," said Burman.

One critical goal of the new agreement is to ensure that the company is not just writing policies on how it ought to handle data but that they are actually living their commitment. Their data transfer and storage transactions should show that they are rigorous in protecting data.

Opting to self-certify is an empty effort if your business isn't living up to its promise.
Corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can be fraught with risks related to financial matters, company culture, personnel, IT systems integration and other areas.

Security risks, both cyber and physical, certainly belong on the list of concerns. And with the ongoing shortage of professionals who are expert in various aspects of data protectioncoupled with the seemingly endless stream of reports about data breaches and other security threatsthis has become an even bigger concern for companies that are considering or in the midst of M&A deals.

Any M&A activity involves an assumption of risk, says Ariel Silverstone, vice president of security strategy, privacy and trust at GoDaddy, a provider of domain name registrations.

Among the issues Silverstone has looked at during M&A activity are regulatory compliance, security framework compatibility and potentially different business risks presented by the new organization. Examples include physical access control, geographic data center location, cloud use model, exposure after breach, and organizational placement of the security function, he says.

[ ALSO ON CSO: How to make mergers and acquistions work ]

A recent report by business and technology consulting firm West Monroe Partners found that businesses lack qualified cyber security talent during an M&A. According to the study, a majority of companies (80 percent) said cyber security issues have become highly important in the M&A due diligence process.

But more than one third (40 percent) of acquiring businesses said they had discovered a cyber security problem at an acquisition after a deal went through, indicating that standards for due diligence remain low, the report said.

The lack of skilled information security talent seemed to be the leading cause, as 32 percent of acquirers claimed not enough qualified people were involved in the cyber security diligence process in recent deals. To conduct the study, West Monroe commissioned Mergermarket to interview 30 North America-based senior M&A practitioners from the healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, banking and high-tech sectors.

Many of those queried for the report said compliance problems are one of the most common types of cyber security issues uncovered during due diligence, and a lack of comprehensive security architecture is another common issue.

In the realm of M&A, concerns about cyber security are becoming a critical issue when companies target acquisitions, the report notes. A companys cyber security infrastructureor lack thereofcan affect the deal price, and at times determine whether a potential acquirer goes through with a deal at all.

For companies looking to acquire another business, one of the first things to do as part of due diligence is thoroughly investigate and understand the organization theyre intending to acquire.

That includes not only the obviouspending claims and reported breaches, for examplebut also what the target [company] may not realize is deficient, says Behnam Dayanim, a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of law firm Paul Hastings LLP, and global co-chair of its Privacy and Cybersecurity practice.

Privacy and security issues should be an integral part of every M&A deal, Dayanim says. Beyond simply requiring a representation, which amazingly some still do not require, acquirers and merger partners should understand what regulatory regimes apply to the counterpartys business.

[ RELATED: Inherited risk: The downside of mergers and acquisitions ]

They should also review all security policies and procedures and talk directly with the CISO or other executive officer responsible for security, to gain insight into the degree of sophistication of the organizations security program, Dayanim says.

Companies that are anticipating a potential acquisition would do well to audit the target companys information security compliance status. That may involve external validation, but at a minimum should include a review of existing policies and procedures and an evaluation of current resources, Dayanim says.

The pre-acquisition evaluation should include gathering security intelligence by using a third-party and directing a security questionnaire to the IT security staff of the target company, says

David Barton, CISO at security company Forcepoint said that includes identifying the crown jewels of the company such as intellectual property and financial data and making sure its adequately protected.

Its also important to make sure the company has proactive employee communications in place regarding areas such as phishing and data sharing, Barton says.

As the transaction moves forward, the acquiring company should take steps to remediate any vulnerabilities that have been found, and evaluate both companies security policies to determine gaps and differences, Barton says.

Having people in place with the right security skills and knowledge of M&A issues is ideal. But hiring cyber security talent to help when an acquisition is imminent is too late.

It is unrealistic to expect a company to be able to bring in a white knight who can revamp a deficient security situation, Dayanim says. Nonetheless, if a company finds itself in that situation, it would be prudent to hire capable staff and, most likely, retain external assistance to put its house in as good an order as possible before the acquisition.

Upgrading talent before the completion of an M&A activity is difficult at best, Barton says. In most cases, the security teams are not informed of the M&A activity until its near the completion of the merger.

Some organizations approach the new threat landscape only after the merger is complete, Silverstone says. This implies a possible impairment in the value of the acquired/merged organization, he says.

A good practice is to have the information security functionor at least a prepared checklistbefore the closure of the deal. I've used that model successfully, which resulted, at times, in deal dollars put in escrow towards mitigation of discovered security issues post deal closure, Silverstone says.

Companies should use a risk-based approach to merger review, Silverstone says. It would be good to have a security-focused project manager on board, and a person familiar with unique risks involved in the acquired company's business, he says.

When such skills are not internally available, a reputable third party should conduct a risk assessment relevant to the acquiring company's framework and to the acquired company's market, such as financial services, Silverstone says.

The role of senior security executives in M&A transactions will vary from deal to deal, based on the degree of sensitivity of the industry and data to be protected, the target companys history including whether it has experienced prior breaches or problems, the clarity of the targets existing policies and procedures, and other factors, Dayanim says.

Generally, the CSO/CISO of the acquiring company will only become directly involved if requested by the deal team, Dayanim says. That involvement may consist of review of key documents, a conversation with his or her counterpart at the target or a more extensive investigation of the target.

The level of involvement of senior security executives in M&A transactions also depends on the comparative size of both organizations, Silverstone says. The CSO should at least be responsible for consulting the business throughout the process, and review reports before these are submitted to the board, to the CFO or to the M&A function, he says.

The CSO and/or CISO should be included in any M&A activity from the beginning, Barton says. The CSO should be assigned to take the lead on all security-related issues for a merger or acquisition, he says. This lets them prepare for the eventual connection of the two merger companys networks. Too often those networks are connected without regard to any potential security risks.

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced yesterday that students who had taken out private student loans from the for-profit University of the Rockies and Ashford University would not have to pay them back. Bridgepoint Education, the company that runs both colleges, was ordered to discharge debts totaling more than $24 million that had been made to students via Bridgepoint's in-house financial aid program.

The CFPB's statement went on to say that Bridgepoint was found guilty of using deceptive practices to convince students to take out these loans by misrepresenting how much students would owe in total and how much they would be required to pay back. In many cases, student borrowers were told they would be able to pay a minimum of $25 as their monthly payment only to receive a bill for much more. Some of these loans were made as far back as 2009, while others were made towards the end of Bridgepoint's loan program in 2013. In total, students paid back about $5 million, leaving almost $19 million unpaid.

In addition to forgiving the debt, Bridgepoint has been fined $8 million. A spokesperson for the company stated that Bridgepoint is not admitting or denying guilt in this matter but has simply agreed to the terms laid out by the CFPB in order to move on from the case.

Students who are affected by the decision will be contacted by Bridgepoint with information about how to have their loans forgiven.

Find out quickly at what rate you can refinance your student loan.


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STRATFORD  The man who fired at town police officers early Wednesday is not a Stratford resident and did not have a police record, officials said.

Two police officers have been placed on administrative duty while the shooting is investigated by the State Police Major Crime Unit, Deputy Chief John Popik said. That is standard procedure in such cases, and staff from the states attorneys office for the Fairfield Judicial District is also involved in the investigation.

The man, who has not been identified, remains in stable condition at Bridgeport Hospital.

The reason the wounded man allegedly fired at police remained a mystery.

Stratford Police Deputy Chief John D. Popik said in a statement when the officers responded to a report of a man with a gun near Russian Beach on Park Boulevard, The male immediately fired his weapon.

State Police said at least one of the Stratford officers returned fire about 4:45 a.m., wounding the man, who was taken to Bridgeport Hospital. Police, who did not release the wounded mans name, said he was in stable condition Wednesday afternoon.

Neither of the officers was hurt in the shooting, police said. Their names were not released.

The two Stratford officers have been placed on paid administrative duty per Stratford Police Department policy, Stratford Police Chief Joseph McNeil said.

Police at the scene would not discuss why an armed man might be moving around the leafy, shorefront Russian Beach neighborhood before dawn, or whether the man lived there. Officials declined to speculate on his motive for allegedly opening fire.

State Trooper First Class Kelly Grant said the man had been ordered to drop his weapon but instead advanced toward Stratford police and fired.

Shortly after the shooting, residents along Margherita Lawns, the street closest to the scene, said they heard nothing, despite the cool night that had many sleeping with their windows open.

The last thing youd expect down here would be violence, Roger Cox said, who added that he only learned of the shooting by reading news online.

I am thankful that no Stratford police officers or any bystanders were harmed in the incident today at Russian Beach, Stratford Town Council Chairwoman Beth Daponte said. I have confidence that the state will do a thorough investigation of the incident and that the matter will be handled appropriately.

John Burgeson, John Nash and Digital Editor Jim Shay contributed to this report.
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The recipients know no one political party.

They cut across economic lines, from Bridgeport and Norwalk to Greenwich and New Canaan. Theres a Kennedy on the list, as well as the lone survivor of one of the most heinous crimes in the states history  the 2007 Cheshire home invasion.

The common denominator is public campaign cash.

Nearly 200 legislative candidates have qualified for funding under Connecticuts clean-elections program, with the state disclosing Wednesday it has handed out $8 million in grants this campaign cycle. The grants range from $28,150 for House races to $95,710 for the Senate.

Open to incumbents and challengers, the Citizens Election Program is aimed at weaning candidates off special-interest money and freeing them from the time required for fundraising. But with the state facing a $960 million deficit, the program has had to fight for its survival, with critics calling it a form of political welfare and recipients defending its spirit.

I dont regret it, said state Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, who qualified for $95,710 in late August. I dont come from a big-bucks background.

Cleaning up elections

More Information Citizens' Election Program: 212 applications 196 grants awarded for an estimated total of $7,977,653 14 pending applications 2 denied applications Senate candidates can receive $95,710 for the general election and $39,410 for a primary if they raise $15,000 from at least 300 contributors in their districts. House candidates are eligible for $28,150 for the general election if they raise $5,000 from at least 150 contributors in their city or town, plus $11,260 if they have a primary. Source: State Elections Enforcement Commission See More Collapse

The four-term incumbent was one of the few Republicans to support the program during its inception a decade ago, following the resignation and imprisonment of Gov. John G. Rowland for accepting bribes from state contractors. Boucher said she went along with the program out of loyalty to M. Jodi Rell, who succeeded Rowland after serving as his lieutenant governor.

She needed a vote on public financing after John Rowlands problems, and she was really trying to clean up the elections process, Boucher said. There are cases to be made about not having it. Certainly, in times of great financial duress it makes a person question it.

Senate candidates can qualify if they raise $15,000 from at least 300 contributors in their districts. Carolanne Curry, a Westport Democrat who is challenging Boucher for the second time, decided to forgo the public funding option this time after qualifying in 2012.

I dont need to be spending taxpayer money on an election thats such a longshot, Curry said. I know what the odds are. Thats taxpayer money.

Even so, Curry supports the program and its intent.

I think its one of the more leveling components in campaigns that Ive seen in Connecticut, she said.

Overall, 196 of 212 grant applications have been approved by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, with 14 still pending and two denied. The programs oversight agency is predicting a participation rate of 80 percent this year, with 151 House and 36 Senate races on the calendar.

Well-known names

Notable recipients of public funds include state Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr., D-Branford, the son of the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy. The list includes Dr. William Petit Jr., the lone survivor of a 2007 Cheshire home invasion in which his wife and two daughters were murdered. The GOP newcomer is running for the House in Plainville and part of New Britain.

House candidates must raise $5,000 from at least 150 contributors in their city or town to qualify.

In the 36th Senate District, which includes Greenwich and parts of Stamford and New Canaan, Democratic challenger John Blankley qualified for public funding for his candidacy against GOP incumbent L. Scott Frantz.

Dialing for dollars is an unpleasant task, Blankley said. The whole point of it was to enable people who might not otherwise have the resources to run. I think the model that we have is one that should be followed by all states.

Frantz, who is seeking a fifth term, has never participated in the program.

I think taxpayers should not necessarily be funding campaigns, Frantz said. Maybe theres another way to do this. I dont think you have to be wealthy at all. I just think you have to be willing to work a tremendous amount to raise the money to win an election.

neil.vigdor@scni.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy
Business / Companies

by Thobekile Zhou

Zimbabwe Electricity Transformation and Distribution expects to suffer a staggering $18million loss be end of the year.The utility firm partly blame the development on current tarrif structure."The issue of declining tariff had continued to weigh down on us' Managing Director Julian Chinembiri told a World Energy Council Dialogue series in Harare today.He added 'Ever since the announcement of the tarrif hike rejection nobody wants to be associated with us".A 49% tarrif hike was thrown out early this year.He said $42 million is required for maintanance and replacement of transformers.
Photo by Donna Porstner /Americares.

Americares Free Clinics and Walgreens are offering flu shots to help keep the uninsured healthy this winter. Flu shots will be available at no cost in October to eligible residents age 18 and over during walk-in clinics at the Americares Free Clinics in Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford and Bridgeport. Immunizations will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis by a Walgreens pharmacist. Participants cannot have any health insurance, including Medicaid.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone six months of age and older get vaccinated by October. Seasonal influenza can lead to serious illness, hospitalization and even death. Young children, the elderly and adults with underlying medical conditions are most at risk. The CDC estimates influenza vaccination prevented approximately 1.9 million illnesses and 966,000 medical visits associated with influenza in the 2014-2015 flu season.
With large companies, like Google and Facebook, taking wellness programs to extremes - and spending a large chunk of money in the process -- it can be difficult to understand how the costs balance out for smaller businesses. With just a little digging, though, its clear that employee wellness is a sound investment for even the smallest of businesses.

At a small business, employee wellness brings about a unique set of benefits. Yes, you could still see a positive ROI, which is a great perk to wellness in any business. You might also notice improved productivity, easier talent acquisition and retention and an increase in brand recognition.

Perhaps youve heard about all these great wellness benefits. Maybe youre thinking of starting a wellness program where you work. Or you might even be revamping a program youve already implemented. Regardless, there are a few things you should know before diving into a wellness strategy.

1. Theres no right way.

There really isnt a formal definition of "wellness program." Your wellness program can include anything from providing health education materials to bringing preventive services into the workplace. There are a wide variety of things you can work into your program, and its completely dependent upon your corporate culture and goals.

Many people get caught up in the idea that employee wellness needs to include crazy and expensive wellness perks. Thats simply not true. Your program can be as robust or as simple as you need it to be. Dont get caught trying to find rules, requirements or the right way to do wellness. None of those things exist.

2. Inclusivity is important.

One common misconception about employee wellness is that it excludes people with existing health conditions. Many people worry that wellness only works for people who are already relatively healthy. If thats the case in any wellness program, its not being done right.

You cant force employees to participate in your wellness program, but you do need to make it accessible to every employee at your company. If disabilities or health conditions are a concern, plan for that and make adaptations to your wellness activities as needed.

3. Adaptability is mandatory.

Like many corporate strategies, a wellness program isnt something you can plan and then forget about. It needs to be a living, breathing strategy that changes as your company changes. Be flexible.

Ultimately, employee wellness should mesh seamlessly with your corporate culture. In a startup or small business, that culture can change as you try to settle into your industry, and develop your corporate identity. Let your wellness program be adjusted according to your culture.

Related: Why Your Workplace Wellness Program Is Unhealthy

4. Its actually working.

Theres no reason to be skeptical about whether employee wellness is worth your effort. It is. And theres plenty of research to show it. In fact, according to a survey by Kaiser/HRET, 59 percent of employers reported their programs actually improved employee health. Similarly, wellness activities have been associated with an eight percent increase in productivity.

The best way to tell if wellness is working at your company is to be sure you build you program with evaluation in mind. Obviously youll have measures to track your direct ROI - just as you would with any new business investment. You can also track things like biometric health results, productivity and employee satisfaction year-over-year (YoY) to determine the longer term impacts your program is having.

Related: Are Wellness Programs Right for Your Company?

5. Youre not alone.

A majority of companies have begun to think about employee wellness as a business strategy. While the percentage of smaller businesses that have actually begun implementing wellness programs remains fairly low, few small business owners dispute the idea that a wellness program would be good for their bottom line.

Increasingly positive attitudes toward employee wellness suggest a coming surge of wellness program implementation. Staying ahead of that surge can help give your business an edge and one added benefit. Being an early adopter of employee wellness allows you to differentiate your business from others in your corporate space in regards to both public image and recruitment of talented employees.

Related: How to Cope When the Mandatory Workplace Health Program Is Driving You Crazy

Starting a wellness program is a great way for a small business to invest in both its workforce and its bottom line. Getting started with employee wellness can seem overwhelming or confusing, especially when it comes to scaling down the large, expensive wellness programs that are often thrust into the public eye.

If youre considering wellness where you work, or trying to get a program started, youve made an excellent first step. Keep gathering information and building a program that works for you, your employees and your company.

Related:

These 3 Women Are Utilizing Technology To Make Life Simpler For Doctors

5 Tips Before Implementing Your Wellness Program

The Curious Combination Of Data, Technology And Healthcare



Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Mai Boliang "gets" disruption. The Chinese tycoon has mastered the ability to stay one step ahead of the competition despite today's turbulent and global bit economy.

Related: How to Disrupt an Industry in Three Steps

Mai is the CEO of CIMC, one of the worlds largest container businesses. And, in his high-energy way, Mai regularly tells anyone within earshot about his companys most important motto: We learn, we improve and we disrupt! He makes sure that CIMC is constantly reinventing itself, in an effort to maintain a widened economic moat.

Much of CIMCs success has had to do with its ability to predict and promptly react to business megatrends. CIMC seems to always be the first one on the block to recognize incoming global shockwaves and launch innovations to leverage specific disruptions.

Employees also seem to like being led by Mai, knowing that industry surprises will likely evade them, freeing them up mentally and emotionally to focus on the most critical work. In today's age of disruption, Mai's change before you have to approach is a better path to take than the change because you have to alternative.

The message? Global organizations of all shapes and sizes can significantly benefit by being proactive disrupters and avoiding playing victim in the digital economy. The following two powerful strategies can help.

1. Place buoys in your competitive ocean.

There are only two weeks a year when the waves at Mavericks, a surfing location in Northern California, are large enough to attract big-wave surfers from around the world.

In peak season, waves at Mavericks can average between 25 and 80 feet. These waves are known as the thickest waves in the world. They are dark in color, versus the aqua blue seen in other places. This makes them extra deadly if you crash and burn.

So, how do the worlds best big-wave surfers, all of whom live in different places around the world and benefit economically from sponsorships associated with surfing at Mavericks, know when the big ones are breaking? They listen intently to wave forecasts coming from special radios they carry with them wherever they go.

These forecasts originate from specially placed buoys out in the Pacific Ocean that send information to meteorologists regarding the size of the swells approaching the area. When the swells reach a specific size, meteorologists send a "Mavericks Alert" message to the big-wave surfer community. It is not uncommon for surfers from around the world to be already in their wet suits, positioned on their long boards and paddling toward a Maverick swell one mile offshore within 48 hours. For them, its time to disrupt.

Related: Disruption Is More Than the Buzzword It's Become

So, does your organization have buoys in place (metaphorically speaking), too, to make sure you are rarely surprised when global shockwaves begin pounding on your doorstep?

Market champions are rarely stunned by incoming business-related, Mavericks-size shockwaves. They are voracious readers and have a sense of the inevitable approaching. These reinvention champions understand the implications of the approaching shockwave and begin formulating their strategy for leveraging it.

An example of an organizational buoy might be the team you form that's comprised of leaders and employees to conduct environmental scans for your organization. This is a way to keep your finger on the pulse of customer needs, competitors' movements and industry trends.

Another buoy might entail conducting benchmarking exercises on firms outside your industry that are best in class in a competency you are seeking to master. Leap-frogging competition cannot happen by simply using intra-industry best practices.

2. Master reinvention agility.

Judo is the only martial art form that is defensive in its attack. The premise of judo is to use the force of the attacker to your advantage.

Judo originated in 1880, when its founder, Kano Jigoro, was motivated to stop the bullying going on at a local school. He knew jujitsu, but wanted something more effective that allowed a smaller force to defeat a larger force. Judo was the result.

Central to Kanos vision for judo was the principle of seiryoku zenyo, translated as maximum efficiency, minimum effort. One powerful principle states: Resisting a more powerful opponent will result in your defeat, whilst adjusting to and evading your opponents attack will cause him to lose his balance; his power will be reduced; and you will defeat him. This makes it possible for weaker opponents to beat significantly stronger ones.

Similarly, todays global organizations can address incoming shockwaves as judokas, or judo practitioners, by leveraging the force of the incoming change in a way that actually strengthens their position in the end. We call this approach reinvention agility.

Reinvention-agile leaders are both willing and able to seek out, humbly accept, diligently explore and quickly adapt to incoming global shockwaves within their industry and market. Willingness in this context refers to the general attitude and degree to which change is embraced. Capability refers to the skill-set and tool-set strength of the organization confronting the need for quantum change.

Reinventive-agile leaders embrace change as an ongoing cost of doing business. They approach new industries, new technologies, new restrictions and other disruptions with a glass-half-full mind-set. They are always looking for opportunities to take their game to the next level when shockwaves come at them.

Make your choice.

There is no question that having a mind-set like Mai Boliang of "lets disrupt, rather than be disrupted" makes an entrepreneur feel more in control of his or her future and ability to leverage external global shockwaves in a beneficial way.

Related: How Purple, Uber and Airbnb Are Disrupting and Redefining Old Industries

Todays global leaders and organization would be wise to disrupt rather than be disrupted, and avoid playing the global game of business as a victim of circumstance.

Whats your choice?

Related:

To Disrupt or Be Disrupted: What's Your Choice?

Why Technology Disruption Is Not Better for Entrepreneurs

The Evolution of Banking With Technology



Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
News / Africa

by Agencies

The growth of micro-grid solutions for power supply is gaining momentum across the globe, with both developed and undeveloped regions increasingly realising the value of energy solutions that do not depend on a centralised power grid. In the coming years, the most significant opportunities for micro-grids will be for rural electrification across sub-Saharan Africa.This is according to Mark Makanda, regional sales director for APR Energy, who says in a region where approximately 600 million people lack access to electricity, micro-grids are beginning to provide energy to areas long perceived as too difficult or uneconomic to connect to a national grid.Additionally, micro-grids have the potential to become the building blocks of a larger distributed grid in countries such as Malawi, where power supply is significantly less than the demand."There have been a substantial number of micro-grid applications in sub-Saharan Africa so far," Makanda says. "Bringing electricity to these rural areas now means that they have access to proper medical care, lighting for schools, modern irrigation methods and sanitation."The installation of micro-grids in remote sub-Saharan communities also is providing an essential tool for local economic development. "The introduction of electricity opens the door to new commercial activities and revenue generation that previously were not feasible due to a lack of power. In addition, the generation facilities create job opportunities as local people hired and trained to operate the system," Makanda explains.Southern Africa has already produced a number of successful micro-grid installations. In South Africa, the infamous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, as well as the island of Ascension in the middle of the Atlantic, both run on micro-grid systems."We are also seeing many applications in the industrial sector," Makanda says. "Two examples are the Zwartkop and Thabazimbi Chrome mines in South Africa, which are powered by gas-diesel hybrid micro-grids. This solution combines solar technology with high-speed reciprocating engines to offer the sustainable benefits of renewables and the reliability of conventional back-up power."The backbone of these micro-grids consists of mobile power modules that are the size of a trailer and can easily be transported to remote areas via air, road or sea. Once on-site, they can be up and running within 30 to 90 days. These modular plants also are easily scalable to accommodate local power needs, and can be quickly ramped up or down according to demand. These plants also offer economic advantages, since they require minimal capital investment, with the main cost considerations being the land and fuel."I believe that with the energy deficit we face in Africa and the rest of the developing world, there is not one single solution," Makanda says. "Certainly, in urbanised areas, large-scale generating facilities and extensive transmission and distribution infrastructure make sense. In the remote areas of the world, such as sub-Saharan Africa, smaller and more economical solutions are needed, and that's where local micro-grids can excel."
Weve heard this election is the most important one in our history. This really is the one. Hillary Clinton can never be elected President.

Two of my dear friends, Chris Shays and Jack McGregor, seem to feel that as Republicans they have to support her.

Donald Trump, in the midst of a hectic primary campaign may have said some mean things and some that were inappropriate. He has expressed regret for those comments. He has not said any since the conventions.

Heres why Hillary should never be allowed into the Oval Office: While Trump may have said some terrible things, Hillary has actually done many things including lying under oath, endangering our national security, destroying documents after they were subpoenaed by Congress, lying under oath about Benghazi and has a history of skirting the law. Mrs. Clinton and her husband will say absolutely whatever they have to in order to get what they want.

Bill and Hillary Clinton have finally gone over the edge. Emails sent by her assistants, Cheryl Mills and Huma Abedin, stated there was a pay to play plan between the State Department and the Clinton Foundation.

The Clintons began their questionable activities back in Arkansas, where she lobbied for the Rose law firm, and he was Governor. There was Trooper Gate, where state troopers maintained an office in the basement of the Governors mansion for Bills many liaisons with women.

They brought all of Bill Clintons Little Rock shenanigans into the 1992 Presidential campaign. They almost got caught with Jennifer Flowers, but they got away with it. They were able to win the White House with the theme of Its the economy, stupid, and got less than fifty percent of the vote each time he ran.

Hillary did well in investing $1,000 in the futures market in which she had never invested and made $100,000 in a few weeks. Of course, we can all remember the Monica Lewinsky scandal and the lies as well as the vast right wing conspiracy. There was the lying under oath, the disbarment and the impeachment.

For a donation to the Democrat Party, one could sleep in the Lincoln bedroom. More people slept in the Lincoln bedroom than in the Holiday Inn.

It is hard to forget that the Clintons took $326,000 dollars worth of furniture from the White House, and settled by paying the government $28,000.

Of course, they were broke when they left the White House and had to have friends pay for a mansion near the Vice Presidents home and the home in New York. They made over $15 million on book assignments when they left.

In 1997, before he left the White House, Bill Clinton began the non-profit Foundation whose purpose was to serve peoples needs. It was clear that Bill and Hillary were planning for the use of her U.S. Senate position and his Presidency to raise money for their own needs as well.

The idea of Hillarys running for President was raised in 2007, and her campaign was the way she could help Bill raise money. After all, foreign countries would want to be close to someone that was an easy winner in 2008. Unfortunately, Barack Hussein Obama got in the way, but it was for a short time. There was a break of six months before she became Secretary of State. Her office has since proven to be a gold mine for her and Bill.

Lets look at examples. Sweden was on a black list at the State Department for going around the embargo of Iran. Bill was given $750,000 for a speech in Sweden, and Sweden was removed from the black list. A bank in Canada that was funding the company that was building the Keystone Pipe Line was concerned that the State Department was not acting on moving ahead. Bill received $500,000 for two speeches in Canada, and the pipeline was moved out of the Department. The giving of huge amounts of uranium to Russia was a disgrace but she did it.

There are a number of instances of this type of activity that have been written in the book and played out in the movie, Clinton Cash by New York Times reporter Peter Schweitzer.

Now we learn that emails from the Foundation to the secretarys office prove that there was a pay-for-play operation going on at the department by arranging for appointments for donors to the Foundation. Following the appointments, money suddenly was given to the Foundation. They have identified over 100 appointments with the Foundations receiving over $150 million dollars.

Mrs. Clinton received a subpoena from the Congress for certain email material. After the receipt of the subpoena her staff deleted the emails, washed the server with an acid so they could not be found and destroyed her telephones with hammers. That is obstruction of Justice and she should go to jail. Jack McGregor is a talented lawyer and knows that.

Now she refers to Trump supporters as a bundle of deplorable people. Racist, and every other name she can call them before her Hollywood elite.

They have finally gone over the cliff. All of the illegal things they have done have caught up with them. If Hillary is ever elected to the Presidency, the Lincoln bedroom would become an Air B&B for donors. People and the press attack Donald Trump for saying some ridiculous things, but have nothing to say about what Hillary has done. Makes one wonder if this is fair or there is a different standard for the Clintons.

Nicholas A. Panuzio is a former mayor of Bridgeport and chairman of the Trump campaign in Maryland.
Cuba and Canada sign new agreements to strengthen ties

Cuba and Quebec, Canada, signed on Tuesday in this capital three agreements that will make it possible to boost the progress of bilateral economic and commercial ties, in areas such as tourism and biopharmaceuticals.

The accords were signed during a business forum attended by Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX) Rodrigo Malmierca, and the Premier of Quebec, Philippe Couillard, who is on an official visit accompanied by representatives of 40 companies of different sectors.

The parties signed the document called Joint Declaration between MINCEX and the Ministry of International Relations and of the French Speakers, focused on the development of cooperation, asserted the Cuban official.

They also signed a bilateral agreement for the first stage of the cooperation project between the Tourism and Hotel Institute of that Canadian province and the Ministry of Tourism and the National Tourism System of Cuba.

The other accord consists in strategic cooperation between the office of the Scientific Director and the Higher Organization of the BioCubaFarma Business Management for the implementation of rain cartography Quebec, Canada, China and Cuba.

It was known that, at present, there are 40 Canadian branches in Havana, nine of them from Quebec. (acn)
Cuba and Puerto Rico sign agreement on roaming services

Cubas Telecommunications Company (ETECSA) and Puerto Ricos CLARO Company signed an agreement on international roaming service of voice, text and data to clients of that company traveling to the Caribbean island.

The agreement that allows clients of CLARO mobile services to use their phones in the ETECSA network came into effect on Tuesday, asserted Elisa Alfaro, a specialist of the Institutional Communications Department of the Cuban enterprise.

CLARO provides global roaming services to 179 countries, airlines and cruiser companies around the world, with a wide gamut of advances services of home telephone systems, Internet, mobile telephones and TV.

The new agreement joins the already signed by ETECSA with five U.S. enterprises, among them AT&T, T-mobile, and Spring.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Government has been urged to prioritise retrenchment packages for civil servants who will be affected by the labour rationalisation exercise which was proposed by Minister of Finance, Patrick Chinamasa during the mid year fiscal policy review.This was said by Mutare residents during the 2017 national budget consultation process.Despite low turnout which characterised the national budget consultation meeting in Mutare, spearheaded by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development, residents said government should set aside retrenchment packages for those who are going to be affected by the exercise.Others noted the need to allocate 15 percent to the health sector in line with the Abuja Declaration and to fully support the agriculture and education sector.The need to plug illicit flaws and corruption was also a top priority during the 2017 national budget consultation process.Dorothy Mhangami who led the portfolio committee members on Finance and Economic Development in Mutare said despite the low turnout, the residents articulated key issues which needs special attention in the 2017 national budget.The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development and three other portfolio committees have started the countrywide national budget consultation process to gather view from the public, stakeholders and organisations.The exercise will be completed on the 17th of this month.
News / National

by Thobekile Zhou

Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo has suggested that President Robert Mugabe who chairs Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by would not have approved far-reaching measures proposed by Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa.The government rejected Treasury plans to reduce spending through job cuts and suspension of bonuses.According to a micro blogging site twitter feed, Martin Takawira asked former finance minister Tendai Biti to share his experience on government dealings."Tendai - from your experience how do u explain this minister presenting something rejected by cabinet?" asked Takawira.Biti said "They are hanging him to dry.Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs which Mugabe chairs would have approved this".Moyo jumped in to say "Kwete. There's no way those kind of measures would have been presented, let alone approved, in that forum!Last week, Chinamasa said his proposals would save the government at least $355 million over the next two years, a significant amount that's nearly 10 percent of projected 2016 government revenue.Mugabe's government has, over the past three months, faced a series of protests over a growing economic crisis marked by bank note shortages, widespread hunger after another failed farming season as well as job losses and rising poverty.In July, grassroots protest movements took advantage of a government strike over unpaid salaries to stage the biggest boycott against Mugabe's rule in a decade.The government has been struggling to pay its employees, estimated at 500,000 including security forces, on time.
These real PA creatures could become cryptids if we don't save them
Opinion / Columnist

On 8 September, 2016, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa presented his long overdue Midyear Budgetary Review Statement.That review was presented in the context of massive structural challenges arresting the Zimbabwean economy.Chief among them being the collapse in output, deindustrialization, unemployment, deflation, revenue under performance, unsustainable current account deficit and an out of control wage bill to name a few.Indeed we have consistently argued that this economy is in a recession, one that is fast tracking itself towards economic depression.Understanding that this reality of a recession, should trigger anti-depression and anti-cyclical policy measures, but this has escaped this Government to date.Compounding Chinamasa's challenges were further headwinds;The non-performance of agriculture resulting in at least 4, 3million people being fed by the international community.Perennial challenges such as that of massive corruption and leakages within the financial system.Corruption has resulted in a steady hemorrhage of resources that otherwise would be available to Government.Chief among these being missing resources from the diamond sector which the country's president modestly put at $15billion.COLLAPSED OUTPUTAt the epicenter of Zimbabwe's economic challenges is the fact that output and production have collapsed.\The heart of the collapse is centred on the decline in agriculture. In its heyday, agriculture used to contribute 45% of the GDP. But its contribution now is a negative territory averaging a -5% in the last four years.The sectorial growth rates produced in the mid-term review itself are significant.The above table shows a declining output reflected in GDP growth rate at 10, 6% in 2012 down to 1, 1% in 2015.In our own calculation, the projected growth rate in 2016 would be -3, 8%down from -1, 1% in 2015.It is incorrect and illegal for the government to understate the depth of economic under performance and positively cook books.CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICITPrecisely as a result of low productivity, Zimbabwe continues to carry "unsustainable trade and current account imbalances, reflecting declining exports, low foreign direct investment flows and limited offshore lines of credit, against high current account outflows primarily in the form of imports".The Mid-Term Review Statement discloses that in the period under review, the country's exports were $1 billion against an import bill of $2, 5 billion.In that short period of time, the mid-term review statement acknowledges a current budget deficit of 12% of GDP.In our view, the country is now almost totally dependent on imports and this is evident from the goods stocked in our supermarkets.The current account deficit is an unacceptable hemorrhaging of a tiny economy such as our own and has resulted in the crude exportation of human resources.FDI AND DIASPORA REMITTANCESGiven the huge thirst of capital that this economy faces, it is shocking that the mid-term review statement did not address the key question of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).Part of the obvious reason being that no meaningful investment came in during the first half of the year.Self-induced policy distortions, the chaotic state, violence and abuse of the rule of law would work against any investment.Moreover, the government keeps on clinging on the unsustainable Indigenization and Empowerment Act with its 51% appropriation of all foreign investmentNo wonder why according to the UNCTAD, FDI figures for 2015; were a paltry $360 million.Worryingly Diaspora remittances which were over $1 billion a year or so ago have also dramatically collapsed.In the period under review, remittances were a paltry $387 million compared to $457 million for the corresponding period in 2015.LIMA AND DEBT QUESTIONThe 2016 Budget was predicated upon the success of Zimbabwe's re-engagement exercise, now commonly known as the Lima Plan.As we have constantly argued the resolution of Zimbabwe's debt crisis is one of the necessary but not sufficient preconditions of moving this country forward.That no single line devoted in the mid-term review statement to the Lima process is as misleading as it is unacceptable.Chinamasa had a duty to update the country on the Lima process.In doing so, he would have been obliged to disclose that the process is all but dead as a result of failure by the government to accept and implement huge structural reforms that are required.He would have been obliged in the same process to disclose the reality that without reforms and a successful debt relief this country will remain the little banana republic that it is.THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM  LIVING BEYOND ONE'S MEANSWe have constantly argued before that sound economic management requires fiscal discipline and strict adherence to budget lines approved by Parliament and contained in the Blue Book.The biggest challenge of any Zanu PF government is the failure to live within its means and the assumption that money grows on trees.Chinamasa must take full responsibility for abandoning the cash budgeting principle; "We eat what we kill", that was desperately maintained during the Government of National Unity (GNU).His contempt of policies pursued during the GNU, has led him to where he is now, a desperate abyss of lawlessness, isolation and contempt with no friend or sympathiser.In the period under review, over expenditure was $3, 084 million, with the total budget deficit standing at $623 million and projected to be $1 billion by year end.Ironically as expenditure is increasing, revenue projection has been revised downwards from USD3, 85 billion to $3, 7 billion.The reality, therefore, is that at a certain stage the government will reach a gridlock, a complete shutdown  technically called insolvency.The failure of the government to pay its wages on time and to service its creditors is a teaser of the Armageddon to come.THE COMING ARMAGEDDON:It is the manner in which the government has financed its budget deficit which is frightening.The mid-term review statement discloses that the budget has been financed by toxic Treasury Bills.Regrettably the government does not disclose the size and quantity of the Treasury Bills.Section 300 (4) (a) of the constitution obliged Minister Chinamasa to disclose all loans raised by the state in his mid-term review statement.In our estimation toxic Treasury Bills out there are well in excess of $3 billion and we challenge the Authorities to prove us wrong by making full disclosure.For a long time we have argued that the Zimbabwe government has raided the central bank's RTGS balances to finance its recurrent expenditure.The mid-term review statement proved us right.Tagged disingenuously in Paragraph 152, Page 38, of the current midterm budget review statement, the government disclosed a table; Government Position at the RBZ.The graph shows that government has been running an unlawful and unconstitutional facility with the RBZ now totalling $726, 1 million. This is unlawful and unconstitutional.In our estimation, therefore, the budget deficit is at least 30% of the GDP.Any minister presiding over such a mess must resign on his own.If not, he must be fired.POLICY RESPONSETo counter the impending implosion, the Minister had proposed cuts to the total sum of $318 million.These savings were intended to be made from the salaries of top civil servants, suspension of bonuses for 2016/17 and the abolition of certain allowances.That was never going to be enough.In our view what is required is the following measures; dismissing all ghost workers on government's payroll, cutting Mugabe's frequent overseas travels and taking firm action against rampant corruption in government and state enterprises.Deep seated reforms were required which would be painful and vicious. These reforms regrettably would require unity of purpose and strong leadership in government ingredients that do not exist in ZANU PFThese reforms will require the following measures:Microeconomic stability including reverting back to cash budgeting and the target of a primary balancePublic sector reform including elimination of 200 000 ghost workersState enterprise reformRepeal of the Indigenization And Empowerment act in order to appeal for FDICrafting of a diamond law and a new mining act to deal with leakages in the commodities sectorFull alignment of Zimbabwe laws to the constitutionRespect of the rule of law and constitutionalismAttending to much needed electoral and political reformsPutting in place legislative measures to deal decisively with corruptionZANU PF will always be ZANU PFChinamasa's reforms were nothing but in their nothingness, the government saw it fit to reverse the same.This proves our point all along that ZANU PF is not capable of reforming and that the international community and anyone else who thought that they could be saved were wasting their time.ZANU PF is a creature still living in the 14th Century and is oblivious to the imperator and duty to reform.That is just is the bottom line.With Chinamasa's wings fully clipped it should now be clear to everyone beyond reasonable doubt that Zimbabwe will never reform under ZANU PFThe few in the international community who thought otherwise must now change their message and in some cases messengers to shift attention to the agenda of transition and transformation alongside traditional humanitarian obligationsAny policy approach at this late stage based on a belief that the regime can reform and that the economy is the point of entry, will be naive and foolishNational Transitional AuthorityThe Mid- Term Review Statement and Government's violent reaction to Chinamasa's miniscule pseudo-reforms is proof beyond reasonable doubt that Chinamasa and his principles have failedWe thus reiterate our position on the need for an NTA that will provide a soft landing for the thousands of suffering Zimbabweans. The National Transitional Authority will also create an environment for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe which to date are unknown.I Thank You
Check it out: Fun things to do this weekend in Lake County

entertainment
Theres A Topless Hillary Clinton Dummy In Oregon, Proving This Election Is A Cesspool

This week, in totally-normal-no-its-ok-that-this-election-is-a-giant-shitstorm news, a topless effigy of Hillary Clinton has been hung on a crane parked off of Interstate 5 in Sutherlin, Oregon. The effigy was made out of a black, rubber wetsuit dressed up in a pink bra and blazer, as well as a blonde wig. It was hung by a noose, which was attached to the crane  an effective image, if one lacking in subtlety. Alongside the effigy were three signs: One saying VOTE TRUMP, another URANIUM ONE (a reference to the scandal in which cashed flowed into the Clinton Foundation during a Russian Uranium deal), and the last TREASON? ASK HER.

The man who constructed the effigy was Billy Pitner. Despite requests from a local priest, Pitner refuses to take it down and says that he plans to change the signs daily. Pitner said I'm allowed to have my feelings, right, wrong, or indifferent, when questioned on Sunday evening. Here you are. Got your attention, didn't it?

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Yes. It certainly has.

The effigy of Ms. Clinton fits into a lengthy history of conservatives - mostly men - painting pictures of violence against the candidate. Following her Pneumonia diagnoses, InfoWars Alex Jones declared that he was in ecstasy over the diagnosis, and that has been containing a Cheshire cat grin all day long.

A candidate for office in West Virgina called for Clinton to be hung over her use of a private email server while serving as secretary of State. Al Baldasaro, New Hampshire State Representative and advisor to Donald Trump, has said that "Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason" because of her actions relating to Benghazi, and good-musician-turned-conservative-bullshit-spewer Ted Nugent has also said that Clinton should be "tried for treason & hung.



Conservatives have been using violent imagery and wishes of threats and harm against Clinton for some time  particularly execution imagery. This is clearly rooted in misogyny. The fact that Clintons body is so often commented upon  that it continues to be the point of attack against her, is deeply sexist.

The language used to attack Clinton is inextricably tied to her identity as a woman  and, particularly, as a woman in power. We live in a world in which violence against women is systemic, and that fact contextualizes every piece of rhetoric implying harm  every call for Clinton to be shot, or hung, or waste away from pneumonia.

Proclaiming threats or wishes for physical violence does two things:

1. Reduces her to her physical body, in effect dehumanizing her

2. Feeds into a long history of silencing vocal women by threatening or committing violence against them.

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While we are not fans of the naked Trump statue in Union Square because it was fat-shaming and transphobic (it seemed to depict Trump with comically small genitalia), there have been few real threats of violence against Trumps body and personal autonomy, or really any of his male cohort.

So while Pitner might claim that his effigy was supposed to get our attention, we know that this is just another in a seemingly endless onslaught of threats and attacks against Clinton, and, in a sense, all women. While we can debate our opinion of Clinton as a politician, a leader, and thinker  a discourse that has validity, that is productive  we must recognize this effigy for what it is: a symbol of misogyny and hate.

The image of a woman, hanging by a noose, her pink shirt torn open, rendering her exposed - this is an image of sexual violence and of hatred. It is a deliberate caution against women who speak up, who speak their mind, who step out of line. Imagine, if you will, a woman driving down I-5 and seeing this. What kind of job is that woman driving home from? What kind of home is she going to? Is she safe in either of those places? What do you think she sees when she sees that effigy, swinging by a noose from that crane?

This is about politics, to be sure, but it is also about a womens right to be a person who lives free from fear of violence and harm. Theres nothing wrong with criticizing Hillary Clinton  by all means, she is a politician, and certainly a flawed figure. But there is something deeply wrong with the culture and vocabulary of violence that surrounds the current political culture. It is dehumanizing, it is unproductive, and is unacceptable.

Photo source: YoutTube

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I'm a recent Bard grad livin large and in charge! I write and perform comedy (articles, standup, all that jazz). I'm writing a tv pilot right now about a cardiologist who is unlucky in affairs of the heart it's called "How to Get Away with Murmur."
High school students endure four years of education, which, for many, are filled with back-to-back homework assignments, weekly exams and limited freedom. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. With a diploma in hand and cap tossed, graduates finally take their first steps towards conquering the world  choosing a major.

Im still unsure about what I want to major in, said Adam Siegler, a junior at the University of Kansas. When I came to college, I just wrote down accounting because I knew I wanted to do something in business, and I knew the most about it.

Siegler isnt alone. About 80 percent of college bound students have not chosen a major, according to Fritz Grupe, founder of the website, MyMajors.com.

Its honestly absurd for anyone to expect high school graduates to know what they want to do for the next 50 years of their life, Siegler said. Very few people can do that, especially without taking real classes or being in the work force.

This might explain why 50 percent of those who declare a major, change it. Many do so two or three times during their college years, according to Grupe.

However, changing majors has never been an issue for Madison Durkee, junior at Mississippi State University. Durkee said she chose her major in high school and has stuck with it.

Before entering college, I thought I wanted to do graphic design because I liked computers and creating things, Durkee said. Then, I realized that it required a lot of art, which I wasnt very good at, so I decided to look into a marketing career path and shadow professionals to see if it was for me.

Durkee said shadowing before starting college was the best decision she made because it helped her learn that marketing was the best fit for her.

Some students, like Siegler, would rather not get their parents involved.

To me, its an individual experience, Siegler said. So, I chose to figure it out on my own and not involve my parents with the process. I knew they would support me in whatever choice I made.

Siegler remains uncertain about whether he wants to major in accounting or finance. However, he is comfortable because he knows he can always go with one or the other and not fall behind.

Just like Siegler, Antonio Hernandez, director of corporate communications at ServiceMaster, had no benchmark for choosing a major or a college.

Hernandez, who came from a family of migrant farmers, was the first person from his family to attend a university. Originally, he was fascinated with science so he entered college as a pre-med biology major with the intention of being a doctor. However, after various psychology courses, he realized it was not the best choice.

During my junior year of college, I was doing so well in my communication courses that one of my professors asked me if I had ever thought about a career in public relations, Hernandez said. I decided to get my feet wet and ended up doing my first internship at a PR agency and loved it. I was immediately hooked.

He graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in communications.

Changing majors is not a bad thing, Hernandez said. Whether you want to be a PR practitioner, doctor or IT specialist, you have to decide and ask yourself what type of education you will need to get to that point. Just be sure to follow your dreams and take your time with your decision... after all, youre in it for the long-haul.
Chadwick Boseman On The Black Panther Plot

Trending News: Chadwick Boseman On What To Expect From The Black Panther Plot

Why Is This Important?

Because Black Panther is the most intriguing Marvel hero in a while.

Long Story Short

We spoke to Black Panther actor himself, Chadwick Boseman, about what we can expect from the upcoming film.

Long Story

Alongside Doctor Strange (released October 28th 2016), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (April 28th 2019) and a whole load more films, phase three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will see the release of Black Panther on February 9th 2018.

Of course, weve already met Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War, where the ruler of the fictional nation of Wakanda got caught up Cap and Iron Mans feud. But the Black Panther standalone film has got us excited for a number of reasons: its being helmed by Creed and Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler; its shaping up to have an excellent cast with the addition of Lupita Nyongo and Michael B. Jordan; and, of course, its significant for being the first Marvel film to feature a person of colour in the starring role.

When we spoke to actor Chadwick Boseman, he told us how Black Panther is different to the other Marvel superheroes weve seen on the big screen. He has a country that he has to consider in his decisions, hes the head of state, says Boseman.

And the actor confirms that the protection of the isolated and technologically advanced country of Wakanda will play a part in the films storyline. I can definitely say that he has to preserve his country. Wakanda is just now connecting with the rest of the nations for the Sokovia accords, and thats them coming out of a period where theyve kept themselves separate and secret.

Black Panther also shares its name with the real-world African-American revolutionary party. Will the film make reference to real-world politics and race relations? Boseman, cautious not to reveal too much about the plot-line, remains guarded. They are two different things. Black Panther  it is the same name, it does come out of that revolutionary spirit... Stan Lee is somewhat, I guess, referring to that, but I think its its own thing.

But whether or not the movie will deal with racial identity or racial injustice  I cant say anything.

Guess well just have to wait 17 months to find out

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How much of a political statement will Black Panther make?

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Another reason why Marvel are killing it over DC Films.

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To prepare for the role of Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman trains 5-6 times a week for up to 6 hours a day.

Captain America: Civil War is out on Blu-Ray and DVD now
Voicing his opposition to grammar schools, Labours Lord Prescott, 78, recalls being parted from an unnamed childhood sweetheart: Wed been forcibly separated.

'Not because wed grown apart or even because there was someone else we parted because I wasnt good enough to pass a test.

'Shed managed to pass the 11-plus. I did not. He adds, in his Sunday Mirror column: I sent her a love letter pledging my undying love. She sent it back correcting my spelling and grammar mistakes.

Voicing his opposition to grammar schools, Labours Lord Prescott, 78, recalls being parted from an unnamed childhood sweetheart: Wed been forcibly separated'

Does his wife Pauline  described as Chesters answer to Elizabeth Taylor  correct the old boobys atrocious grammar?

The Queen wont be pleased by The Great British Bake Offs move from the BBC to Channel 4.

HM cant abide advertisement breaks. But at least she has flunkeys capable of recording shows and fast forwarding through the ads.

Former No 10 policy chief Camilla Cavendish ennobled by David Cameron in his resignation honours list, is introduced on Radio 4s Today show as Baroness Cavendish of Little Venice...

Todays Sarah Montague, (right) 50, (in private life Lady Brooke, wife of baronet Sir Christopher Brooke), asked Camilly Cavendish (left): What is the defence of an honour, not least for yourself?

Todays Sarah Montague, 50, (in private life Lady Brooke, wife of baronet Sir Christopher Brooke), inquires: What is the defence of an honour, not least for yourself? Camilla, 48, replies: I feel relatively comfortable, because I do have a long history of campaigning. Why didnt she add: and what is your explanation for being Lady Brooke?

Canada's PM Justin Trudeau has persuaded Prince William and Kate to bring their children George and Charlotte with them on their visit there next week.

Canada's PM Justin Trudeau has persuaded Prince William and Kate to bring their children George and Charlotte with them on their visit there next week

Locals say the plan is for Trudeaus three children  Xavier, eight, Ella Grace, seven, and two-year-old Hadrian  to bond with their royal guests.

The republican cause in Canada is struggling. So Trudeaus demonstration that he has pulling power with the monarchy does him no harm.

Theresa's May takes a more principled line on honours than her predecessors.

So David Cameron might have to wait longer for his elevation to the Lords.

I fancy Cameron might be offered a Garter Knighthood, which is in the gift of the Queen.

HM will have to forgive his most egregious indiscretion: that she had purred down the line with pleasure after he told her by phone the result of the Scottish referendum.

Dying of leukaemia, brilliant poet, broadcaster and writer Clive James, 76, is disappointed with BBC2s Newsnight and its culture correspondent, snivelling know-all Stephen Smith.

He arrived to interview James about his (likely to be last) book, Play All, about TV box sets  announcing proudly that he never watched them.
During the six years since High Speed 2 was formally proposed, countless alarms have been raised about the projects spiralling costs and diminishing benefits.

Its fervent supporters have wheeled out increasingly tenuous justifications for its construction, but the zombie train refuses to die. Indeed, as the claims for its necessity have become weaker and weaker, its backers only become more adamant that it is a matter of supreme national importance that the project goes ahead.

To give you a sense of the magnitude of this issue, it is worth remembering that HS2 is the most extravagant infrastructure project in Britains history: a railway line running 335 miles from London to Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds. The line is budgeted at 55 billion, although late last year its cost was widely reported to be closer to 70 billion.

During the six years since High Speed 2 was formally proposed, countless alarms have been raised about the projects spiralling costs and diminishing benefits, says Simon Jenkins

The bill that will enable construction to begin passed through the House of Commons in March and is now before the House of Lords. It is 444 pages long, with a gargantuan accompanying environmental report of 50,000 pages.

As this crucial time, the projects chief executive Simon Kirby  whose 750,000 salary made him Britains most highly-paid civil servant  has just abandoned his post to join Rolls-Royce.

The story of HS2  and its ever-more questionable future  is a story of our persistent failure to properly plan and prioritise major infrastructure projects.

Politicians and civil servants find it hard to reverse poor decisions, even when their initial rationale has slipped into distant memory. With its mix of political machismo, muddled planning, and boundless expense, HS2 should be a cautionary tale for the other megaprojects waiting in the wings not least the 20 billion Hinkley Point power station whose future Theresa May must now decide upon.

Warnings

One reason the ministers in charge wanted a high-speed railway was that, according to forecasts from Network Rail, the main railway track which already runs up the centre of Britain, from London to Birmingham and Manchester, would reach capacity in 2024.

Warnings went unheeded that commuter networks (i.e. trains to suburban areas close to major cities)  rather than inter-city trains (longer-distance trains between big cities)  were the most congested and most critically in need of improvement.

But the fact was that as Patrick McLoughlin, the then transport secretary, admitted, the money being spent on HS2 would not have otherwise gone to less grandiose rail improvement schemes.

Patrick McLoughlin, the then transport secretary, admitted, the money being spent on HS2 would not have otherwise gone to less grandiose rail improvement schemes

Lets be honest, McLoughlin said in 2013, if we didnt build HS2 I dont think [George Osborne] would be saying to me, Oh well Patrick, heres the 42 billion you were going to spend on HS2 to spend on other transport projects over the next 15 years. Thats for the fairies. It was a virtual admission that the enormous cost was not money for the railways as such, but little more than a vanity project.

In pushing through HS2, the then Prime Minister, David Cameron, had a problem typically of his own making. In a bid to win support in marginal seats in West London, he had promised residents there that he was against any new runway at Heathrow.

When the airport protested that this would mean curbing domestic flights from the North, Cameron responded by offering the sop of a new railway line from the North into Heathrow.

In 2010, when the Tory-led government took over running the country, focus turned to the Treasury as it grappled with recession and the impact of austerity on all public spending proposals. Soon after he became Chancellor, George Osbornes officials presented him with a list of Labour projects that were candidates for possible cuts. But Cameron and his colleagues had publicly supported HS2.

Osborne had seen Japans high-speed bullet train and he had a weakness for mega-projects, which he viewed as a talisman of a virile, manufacturing-orientated Toryism. Osborne declined to kill the project. Instead, he decided to do all he could to drag HS2 towards fruition.

So it was that in October 2010, when the new government announced some of the deepest cuts in the history of public spending, Osborne specifically declared that HS2 was safe. But just as the lobbyists for the project found new vigour, so did those opposed to it.

The publication of the proposed route galvanised a new constituency: those whose homes and lives would be upheaved.

Numerous local protests cohered into Stop HS2. As opposition mounted, the coalition government began to shift its case for HS2. Rather than the glory of speed, which would save business travellers a few minutes on trips into London, the argument for HS2 now invoked the more mundane issue of capacity  the need for more trains to carry passengers to and from the North.

Soon after he became Chancellor, George Osbornes officials presented him with a list of Labour projects that were candidates for possible cuts. But Cameron and his colleagues had publicly supported HS2

But the requirement for additional capacity on the HS2 route was not entirely obvious. Published data appeared to show that Euston was the least-pressured London long-distance station: using only 60 per cent of capacity in the morning peak, while trains at Paddington and Waterloo were more than 100 per cent.

Stephen Glaister, a transport economist who was initially on one of HS2s panels, became increasingly cynical about HS2s use of figures. HS2 was investigated against standard benefit-cost analysis for roads and other public projects, Glaister told me. When the economic appraisal didnt wash, other arguments about wider social benefits started to be used, such as the North-South divide.

When that didnt stack up, they started talking about capacity. When even that didnt give the right answer, the project became politically totemic.

By 2012, the project had indeed attained such status. In September of that year, when Cameron appointed Patrick McLoughlin as Transport Secretary, he told him HS2 was his priority.

But while McLoughlin was to prove an ardent champion of high-speed rail, he became ever more beleaguered.

By 2013, Treasury officials suggested to the Financial Times that what had been a 30 billion project, and then a 42 billion project, was now starting to look more like a 72 billion project. Other stories appeared suggesting that the cost could rise to as much as 80 billion by the time construction started.

Devastating

The Major Projects Authority, which oversaw complex government projects, consistently gave the railway the rating Amber/Red  meaning a high risk of not delivering value for money.

In 2013, the National Audit Office issued a devastating charge, taken up by the Commons Treasury select committee, that officials were using fragile numbers, out-of-date data and assumptions that do not reflect real life.

The committee spoke of serious shortcomings in HS2s cost-benefit analysis.

Similar doubts began to emerge over the most abstract justification for the project  that it would help mend the North-South divide. Studies of Frances high-speed TGV by an HS2 adviser showed most benefits from new transport links went to the economically stronger end of the chain.

The new London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has already demanded another look at Euston

This meant that HS2 would merely make London even more magnetic an economic attractor. In 2014, the Labour grandees Alistair Darling and John Prescott broke cover to express their opposition to the project. Labours Lord Mandelson, a previous supporter, said HS2 was an expensive mistake. The Institute of Directors called it a grand folly.

The Institute For Economic Affairs, meanwhile, predicted a cost of 80 billion and said the line defies economic logic.

Even the Engineering Employers Federation demanded the money be switched to roads. The former chairman of Eurostar, Adam Mills, called HS2s economics away with the fairies.

Faced with this blizzard of opposition, Osborne appeared to weaken. In January 2014, he moved his biggest available gun, Sir David Higgins, to the project. Higgins, an Australian civil engineer, is credited with bringing the Olympics to successful conclusion, then getting to grips with Network Rails costs.

He was charged with getting the budget of HS2 Ltd  the umbrella organisation  under control. It was heading towards spending 1 billion of public money before laying a yard of track.

In the clearest possible sign of trouble as regards the future of the project, the Cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, was last year ordered to investigate.

In March 2016, the Treasury was reported to be looking at cost-cutting options.

One option was to halt the Manchester arm of HS2 at Crewe, 36 miles south of Manchester, and for trains to proceed on existing track.

Another was whether the London end should conclude at Euston as had been the plan, or west of the city at the former rail interchange at Old Oak Common in Acton.

The new London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has already demanded another look at Euston  he told me this summer he thought the railway should stop at Old Oak Common.

The forces now ranged against completing HS2 as planned are becoming formidable. If the other mooted cuts are made, Britains first long high-speed route could start at Acton and end at Crewe.

This would verge on white elephant status. Former chief executive Simon Kirby has seemingly jumped ship before the link truly goes off the rails.

The fact is that HS2 was always a project born of political vanity.

Like several other unstoppable mega-projects, it was not rooted in commercial reality or value for money  and has therefore not been halted by accusations that its not needed or is not worth the cost.

It may have been a noble idea, but one that could only fly with huge amounts of public money, and that is now in short supply.
But some of her 1.3 million Instagram followers took exception to the post

in a dress she wore before she was pregnant

An Instagram model from the Gold Coast has hit back after she was blasted for sharing a photo of herself and her newborn baby.

Hannah Polites, who gave birth to her first child three weeks ago, posted a photo to Instagram with her newborn bub.

In the photo the 24-year-old mother and midwife looked stunning in a figure-hugging dress while she held her daughter Evaliah Grace, then two and a half weeks, in one arm.

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Hot mama: Hannah Polites posted a photo of herself two and a half weeks after giving birth (above)

Sun and sand: The 24-year-old midwife has more than one million followers on Instagram

But some followers took exception to the snap.

'You look good but please don't hold that baby like that,' one person said.

But Dr Andrew Pesce, who is a leading obstetrician and former president of the Australian Medical Association, told Daily Mail Australia that whilst it didn't look like 'the most comfortable position' there was nothing in the photo which in this opinion suggested a risk of harm to the baby.

The dress Ms Polites wore in the photo is the same one she wore on New Year's Eve in 2015, before she fell pregnant.

The fact she was able to fit in to it less than there weeks after giving birth caused a bit of a stir.

Before: Ms Polites wore the same dress on New Year's Eve 2015 (pictured), before she was pregnant

Haters: Critics have accused Ms Polites of exercising too much weeks after giving birth

'Looks like she's got more attention for her phone than supporting than little baby's neck [sic],' one person wrote.

'It looks like she prefers show her body and not the baby,' said another.

The comments caused Ms Polites to hit back.

'Calm down people, I know how to hold my baby safely and have barely left her side for more than a couple of minutes since she was born,' she wrote.

Facing backlash: She has been criticised before for her baby body, with haters saying she was too thin while pregnant

'You can bond with your child without needing to lose your identity.'

Other commenters also rushed to her defence.

'Good on @hannahpolites for looking so fricking amazing 2 weeks after giving birth while she just probably stopped for 2 seconds from rushing around to take a photo! Because I know if I looked that good then I'd be doing it too! Get some life experience before you judge every single mother out there!' wrote one supporter.

Happy: The 24-year-old said she would continue to post photos of her body and not let the critics get her down

'You're a beautiful mother & you don't need to explain yourself to other haters, especially when you are a midwife. Bless you & your beautiful little girl,' another wrote.

Earlier in her pregnancy Ms Polites received comments because of her body, with some of her 1.3 million Instagram followers saying she was too thin.

She spoke out, saying that doctors said her baby was very healthy, and actually 20 per cent bigger than average.
Jodie Marsh comes face to face with women accused of killing their own children in her latest documentary.

The body builder, 37, from Essex, went behind the bars of Dallas county jail to find out what life was like for the female inmates awaiting trial and to challenge her own perceptions of those incarcerated.

From the emotional fallout of women forced to give birth in prison only to have their babies taken away 48 hours later, to the rare moments of joy - including a 'twerk off' - Jodie discovered tales of solidarity and horror during her 72 hours in the lock-up.

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It's one of the biggest facilities of its kind in the US, with seven million people passing through its doors every year . Pictured, Jodie Marsh, right, being searched by a prison guard

Despite the 'degrading' conditions inside the jail, Jodie, pictured being searched by Officer Freeman, came across women who said they'd rather be prisoners than free as they feel 'safer'

Explaining her reasons for choosing to do the documentary, Jodie said: 'Rightly or wrongly, I have got a morbid obsession with prisons and people behind bars.

'Especially women behind bars, because by our very nature we are care-givers, we're nurturers, so for women to commit crimes, especially violent crimes, is a subject of real fascination for me.'

Among the prisoners she met was a 25-year-old woman called Cynthia who stands accused of intoxication manslaughter after her daughter was killed in a drink-driving accident.

The inmate told Jodie: 'I had alcohol in my system and I was in a car accident. I was with my daughter... and I only had three drinks, I wasn't nowhere near drunk.

'There was a pile up of cars back-to-back and I was going to go into the back of them and get into another car accident, so I swerved and went into a tree and my daughter didn't make it.

'It just sucks because I've never really been in any kind of trouble and I don't even drink. I only had three drinks and it was an accident. I just wish it had been me not her. She was only five years old. I have to live with that for the rest of my life.'

Prison guard Officer Freeman took Jodie on the tour of the facility and she too became emotional after hearing one of the women's talk of having her child taken away from her

Jodie, who made her name as a glamour model, also spoke to a woman called Paula, who has already been convicted of the statutory rape of a minor and is in Dallas county jail after violating probation.

She tells Jodie she was 19 at the time of the incident after meeting the boy, aged 13, in a drugs house.

He kept asking me if I wanted to sleep with him and I kept saying no and, erm, I ended up just giving in

'He kept asking me if I wanted to sleep with him and I kept saying no and, erm, I ended up just giving in,' Paula says.

'I have a lot of remorse, I know what I did was wrong. I should have never done it.

'People make mistakes. I've never been a child molester. I've been raped and beat and tortured and I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. I was about 12. I was raped here, too... by a guard. He was fired. I used to want to die all the time.'

After speaking with Paula, Jodie said it had challenged her preconceived ideas.

'When I think of a sex offender, I think of a dangerous, predatory individual. The reality of what I've found with Paula is, once again, completely different.'

25-year-old Cynthia is accused of killing her five year old daughter in a drink driving accident

'I thought I was meeting these monstrous women but in actual fact they are victims, too.

'Nothing in life is ever as it seems until you know the full story on something you just can't judge or even pass comment.

'And the outcome of this is that I feel sorry for a paedophile. How? It's so mental.'

The outcome of this is that I feel sorry for a paedophile. How? It's so mental.'

Jodie also came face-to-face with a woman accused of starving her son to death as well as a mother, called Sunday, who shot her schizophrenic son in the face after years of abuse.

She said: 'There's a massive part of me that sympathises with these women. She's [Sunday] lived a life of abuse and mental illness and drug use, and then you get to the point you can almost understand how it happens.

'Then you think you don't get why she did it - she killed her son and shot him in the head. It's a strange feeling to not know what's right and wrong any more.'

Despite fears she would be 'eaten alive', Jodie said she was surprised by the feeling of 'sisterhood' and 'solidarity' inside the jail, which has been turned around from its grim past in recent years by celebrated sheriff Lupe Valdez.

Jodie speaks to Paula, a woman convicted of raping a minor. Shes back at the prison after breaching probation rules

Paula revealed how she became a statutory rapist after sleeping with a 13-year-old when she was 19. She claims her victim kept badgering her for sex until she gave in

'Despite knowing that many of the people in here are guilty of crimes, it's surprisingly easy to find common ground with them,' Jodie explained.

But the model says she got also got a glimpse of something altogether more chilling when she spoke to a 21-year-old woman inside the high security wing, where the most 'dangerous' inmates are kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.

The woman, called Sonia, is accused of capital murder following a car jacking in which the man was shot.

She told Jodie: 'People tell me every day that I'm not going home. People tell me that I'm going to get the needle.'

The inmate was moved into high security after having 'too many confrontations'.

Jodie met 21-year-old Princess who is accused of starving her son to death

'I have a lot of haters... Because I'm pretty. But yeah, people keep messing with me.'

Sonia appears to laugh as she describes methods of 'self defence' against other inmates including putting packets of chilli sauce in socks to hit people, tying women's hair around poles and hitting their heads against the wall.

Jodie said: 'Sonia may be making me laugh, but it's nervous laughter. But I feel I've caught a glimpse of something much more chilling.'

Those in the 23-hour lockdown also include women involved in high-profile cases.

During the visit, Jodie talks to a woman who adopted a 14-year-old girl who was later impregnated by her son and allegedly beaten into miscarrying the child at eight months pregnant by family members.

Sonia, 21, is in the highest security wing of the prison awaiting trial for capital murder

Those involved are accused of trying to get rid of the evidence by burning the baby's body on a charcoal grill.

But, Jodie found out the details of the case after meeting the woman and felt a sense of inner conflict after originally feeling sympathetic towards her.

'It's like nothing is real any more. Every single person in here has made me feel sorry for them,' she said.

Despite 'degrading' conditions, the reality TV star also encounters women in the jail's low security wing who tell her they 'prefer' life inside as they are effectively in rehab.

One told her: 'It's better than being out there. I'm a recovering addict so it's better for me to be in here than out there. You don't have to worry about looking over your shoulder and getting killed.'

Jodie shows how small the cells are by holding her arms outstretched on either side

Jodie concluded: 'I've learnt that for most the women it was not a choice to be here, it was almost inevitable. Their lives, the people they mix with, their circumstances have all forced them on that collision course.

'Many will be back because their desperate lives leave them with no choice. Maybe the problem lies outside these walls.

'As the UK looks to reform its prisons, I can't help but think that investment is needed in these women before prison becomes inevitable.'
A certain type of elegance is required to carry off a red carpet look  and 'less is more' is not a bad rule of thumb.

This rule, alas, was either not known to  or went unheeded by  a brassy young brunette who turned up at one such glitzy event at London's Royal Albert Hall in 2006.

The fake tan bottle had been squeezed dry; the make-up applied with gusto. The heaving bosom strained to escape from a skimpy lace frock. The big hair would have looked at home on a WAG.

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Victoria actress Jenna Coleman has undergone a dramatic transformation (pictured left in 2006 and right, this year)

The 30-year-old rose to fame playing Jasmine in ITV soap Emmerdale in the early noughties

Today, this is an image that Victoria actress Jenna Coleman, 30, would rather you consigned to history.

After all, to play the formidable monarch on the ITV Sunday night drama, alongside Tom Hughes and Rufus Sewell, she's had something of an Eliza Doolittle-esque transformation from ladette to lady.

Having developed a certain froideur and overhauling her look, even mingling with royalty, Jenna has sped several rungs up the society ladder.

A distinctly less glamorous Jenna Coleman pictured on her way into the Emmerdale set in 2008

Ten years ago, Jenna-Louise, as she was known before dropping the second part of her name in 2013, was enjoying a small degree of fame after taking part in a lesbian scene in Emmerdale.

Born in Blackpool to middle-class parents (her father has a business fitting interiors, having recovered from a bad spell in 2007 when his firm was shut down with debts of 250,000), she was offered a place at York University to study English.

But she turned it down to play Jasmine Thomas in the long-running soap. Her big break came in 2012, when she took the role of Clara Oswald in Doctor Who alongside Matt Smith and later Peter Capaldi. It was over the next two years that her transformation took place  and the result is remarkable.

In 2012 Jenna had begun to showcase a more sophisticate look

Indeed, when she was photographed last year at the polo with Prince Harry at Ascot, Berkshire (he had his hand on her knee), she could easily have been taken for a high-society beauty born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

So who is behind this transformation? According to a well-placed source, Miss Coleman's agent, Conor McCaughan, is focused on making her a Hollywood star. He turned Michael Fassbender into a movie A-lister and it's said he wants to work the same magic with Jenna.

To this end, he has employed the services of Rebecca Corbin-Murray, a highly regarded stylist who helped to create the fashionable but elegant look of Downton Abbey's Lily James and Jessica Brown Findlay.

She is responsible for ensuring Miss Coleman looks suitably high-class at red carpet appearances and chat show interviews. She has introduced her to key players in the fashion industry and made sure every designer in town is eager for Jenna to showcase their clothes.

According to a well-placed source, Miss Coleman's agent, Conor McCaughan, is focused on making her a Hollywood star

Miss Corbin-Murray told a newspaper that Jenna is 'insightful' to work with and 'likes a vintage sort of feel to things'.

Meanwhile, the Percy & Reed salon in London  a favourite of A-listers such as Anna Friel, Diane Kruger and Sophie Dahl, where a cut and blow-dry can cost 300  says on its website that Jenna is a client.

The Jenna who walks the red carpet nowadays is virtually unrecognisable from the girl who turned up at the Royal Albert Hall in 2006.

She's lost a huge amount of weight. A leading actress must be a size ten or under. Jenna, who looked about a size 16 in the older picture, is now a size eight.

The untamed hair has been cut into a chic style just above the shoulders, with flattering auburn lowlights.

Jenna is currently wowing audiences in ITV's new period drama Victoria

Her make-up is expertly applied and there is a hint of a healthy, natural-looking tan.

Gone are the revealing High Street dresses. Instead she's turned to blue-chip designers such as Alexander McQueen, Burberry and Mulberry for expertly tailored dresses that are all the more beguiling for what they conceal  and are favourites of the Duchess of Cambridge.

The first screening of Victoria at Kensington Palace last month was a case in point. Jenna was a vision in an outfit by British designer Erdem, one of Sam Cam's favourites. While the demure, knee-length dress concealed her tiny figure, the floral print and her subtle make-up made the effect striking.

But it takes more than a well-cut dress to make a lady. One's demeanour must also undergo a subtle change.

Note how in the picture taken in 2006, Jenna is looking straight at the camera and has a wide smile. Posing now, the smile is chilly, the head tilted very slightly to one side. Its effect is haughty, rather than approachable.

Jenna's down-to-earth Lancashire accent has also been softened. In the ten years since her Emmerdale lesbian scene, it has become less pronounced.

In TV interviews in 2013 and 2014, a faint trace of her Northern roots could still be heard. But in interviews in May to promote her film Me Before You, it's gone.

While her new cut-glass English accent is not what you might call BBC received pronunciation, it's rather like how properly posh people speak nowadays  with a hint of estuary to avoid sounding too monied.

She is starring alongside Tom Hughes as Prince Albert in the eight-part adaptation

And she's cultivated an upper-class imperiousness.

On Good Morning Britain, Kate Garraway asked Jenna about a photo of her and Prince Harry at Ascot, saying: 'I'm assuming you were together because of research into the Royal Family? Is that what it was?' Jenna responded with an icy, regal stare. 'No, he's a friend of mine,' she said coldly. The rest of the interview was frosty.

According to one source, Jenna has been very much involved in the transformation process. 'It's been a bit of a project,' says the source.

'She's read all the magazines to see who is wearing what and who are the 'in' designers.'

And certainly, it seems her ambitions don't stop with British TV. One agent tells the Mail: 'Jenna has been to California recently and the rumour is that her agent has scheduled a lot of meetings.

'Victoria has been conceived as the next Downton, which made the cast household names in America. It's the perfect stepping stone.'
It has been one year since Madeline Stuart made her debut on the New York Fashion Week runway.

And now the Australian supermodel has returned to where it all began, gracing the catwalk for the Art Hearts Fashion show.

The 19-year-old made global headlines last year as the the second ever Down syndrome woman to take part in the coveted event, and ever since she has been a permanent fixture on the fashion scene.

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She's back! Australian supermodel Madeline Stuart returned to the runway at New York Fashion Week for Art Hearts Fashion

A-lister: The 19-year-old was pictured front row (right) alongside (left to right) Molly Kate Bernard, Brooke Dulien, Kelly Osbourne and Bonang Matheba

The auburn-haired beauty walked in the Art Hearts Fashion show on September 13.

She wore a designer gown by the US label House of Byfield which featured a cut-out on the hip and layered skirt.

The orange one-shoulder gown was contrast with a heavily patterned fabric that broke up the layered skirt.

The design was paired with a black clutch and wedge black sandals.

Front and centre: Madeline walked hand-in-hand down the runway with designer Rutu Bhonsle

Frocked up: Madeline wore a yellow and soft blue cut-out gown by the designer during the Art Hearts Fashion show

She proceeded to take to the runway again, this time in a soft yellow and blue cut-out design by Rutu Bhonsle.

The piece featured a sheer skirt and gold detailing around the waist.

Madeline Stuart's mother, Rosanne Stuart, has previously spoken to Daily Mail Australia about her daughter's career.

Glam squad: Madeline got her hair and make up done backstage at the show

Making a difference: Before the show Madeline posed with her mother Rosanne Stuart who hopes models with a disability will one day be the norm on the catwalk

She hoped one day it would become the norm to see models with a disability on the catwalk.

If she gets lots of attention its amazing because we can speak to the world about inclusion and diversity, Ms Stuart said.

In a way if she doesnt get as much attention it means its becoming the norm. Its a win either way.

Front row! Madeline sat front row on the catwalk alongside a slew of celebrities, models and It Girls

Sealed with a kiss: She received a kiss on the cheek by designer Rutu Bhonsle on the catwalk

Runway ready: Madeline took to the catwalk in a series of designs including a bright orange frock (left) and yellow and blue gown (right)

When she was not on the runway, Madeline sat front row on the catwalk alongside the fashion pack.

She was joined by Kelly Osbourne who opted for an all-black outfit and brought her pampered pooch Polly to the show.

The Art Hearts Fashion show was presented by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and The Angel Orensanz Foundation.

Bold and bright: Madeline stormed the runway with alongside a male model who wore a matching orange suit with flamboyant sleeves

Camera ready: While in New York, Madeline also attended the Vivienne Hu Spring/Summer 2017 show

Red carpet glam: Madeline posed on the red carpet alongside Meredith O' Connor at the Levi's Kids Rock! Runway Show (left) and the Vivienne Hu (right)

While in New York, Madeline has also attended a series of other fashion shows.

She was photographed on the red carpet at the Vivienne Hu Spring/Summer 2017 show in a soft green silk shirt and black skirt.

For the Levi's Kids Rock! Runway Show she opted for a more casual look pairing a leopard print and white dress with black-and-white sneakers.
Mark and Monica said their relationship had no depth beyond the show

Keller admitted he still had feelings for Nicole, but things didn't work out

They married at first sight, and split at the earliest opportunity.

Just one day after the drama-filled season finale of Married At First Sight Australia went to air, the three remaining couples have confirmed their relationships are over.

In an interview with The Fix, Keller and Nicole, Bella and Michael and Mark and Monica spoke out about their failed romances and revealed they are all single since the show ended.

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It's over! Nicole and Keller have confirmed their relationship ended after a drama-filled season finale of Married At First Sight Australia on Tuesday night

Lacking connection: Monica and Mark also confirmed they have split since the show

Shock outcome: They appeared loved-up and even said they were '150 per cent' committed to making it work, but Bella and Michael have also parted ways

Their relationship has been on the rocks since Keller started a row at the couples' dinner party.

And despite Nicole giving him a second chance, their relationship could never fully recover.

Speaking out to The Fix, Keller admitted he is still in love with Nicole and hopes one day the pair can make it work despite having parted ways.

Unlucky in love: A seemingly heart-broken Keller admitted he is still in love with his television bride Nicole

Moving on: Unfortunately for Keller, Nicole was unable to get past his behaviour that saw his start not one, but two drunken rows

'She's the one that I want,' the 26-year-old mechanical fitter said.

'I feel like we are meant to be together, but I don't know if now is the right time.'

Unfortunately for Keller, Nicole does not feel the same way.

While the pair's relationship was on-and-off since the show ended Nicole, a teacher from the Gold Coast, said she could not move past Keller's behaviour.

Happier times: The pair married at first sight and their relationship was seemingly off to a good start

Sealed with a kiss: On the show's season finale Nicole said she was willing to give Keller another go, despite saying she did not know if she could trust him

In the series not only did Keller get embroiled in a row at the couples' dinner party, he also enjoyed a boozy night out with his mates that ended in him getting a tattoo on his ankle that he did not remember.

Keller continued to drink the morning after, prompting Nicole to pack her bags and leave the house.

'While we connected on a lot of levels  like we could have a good laugh together, and we have similar morals and values  there were just some behaviours that I couldn't get past,' Nicole said.

She also cited Keller's lack of independence as a deal breaker.

'Sticking point: There were just some behaviours that I couldn't get past,' Nicole said

All over: Bella and Michael (pictured) were seemingly smitten on the show, but once it was over they realised their lifestyles were worlds apart

While Nicole and Keller's split is hardly a surprise, a seemingly loved-up Bella and Michael have also called it quits.

The couple were the only ones on the show to say they loved each other, and repeatedly spoke out about their sex life.

On Tuesday's night's finale both said they were '150 per cent' committed to making their relationship work, but after the cameras stopped rolling, cracks began to form.

Bella, a 30-year-old radio host, and Michael, a former fashion stylist and store manager, ultimately decided they lifestyles were too different to make it work.

Falling hard: The pair quickly fell in love after meeting at the altar and were the only couple to say they loved each other

Lost love: Bella and Michael appear to be on the same page when it came to their failed relationship

Michael, who has a six-year-old son from a previous relationship, said while he is somewhat of an introvert who is happy to stay at home, Bella is the opposite.

His feelings were mirrored by Bella, who said she wishes her ex-husband all the best and hopes he is able to find lasting love.

While both are currently single, Bella said she would be 'less selfish' going into a relationship in the future.

Easy: Monica and Mark remained drama-free throughout the series and shared a similar sense of humour

Divorced: Despite saying in the season finale they were willing to give their relationship a go, the pair found they did not have much in common once the cameras stopped rolling

Their relationship seemingly went from strength to strength throughout the show.

But despite their shared sense of humour, Mark and Monica found after Married At First Sight ended, their relationship lacked the substance it needed to keep going.

Mark, a 30-year-old firefighter, said he and Monica mainly bonded over the show, and once that was over, they did not have much in common.

Monica, a 28-year-old project manager agreed, and while both are still single, said they remain friends.

No love: Dave (left) and Jess (right) also called it quits after a disastrous honeymoon in Byron Bay

Short-lived romance: Andy (pictured) and his partner Craig also broke up on their honeymoon in New Zealand

Where is the love? Craig (pictured) said a lack of intimacy was a deal-breaker

The splits come after the two other couples on the show, Craig and Andy and Jess and Dave, also called it quits before the series even ended.

Craig and Andy, the show's first same-sex couple, split on their honeymoon after Craig said he was not getting enough intimacy from his partner.

Jess and Dave also split on their honeymoon, after Dave cited Jess's lack of confidence as a deal breaker.

In it for the wrong reasons? A Woman's Day source has claimed Mark (pictured) was head-hunted for the show and was never in it for love

The splits were confirmed after an insider spoke out to Woman's Day magazine to say each of the three remaining brides were the ones to call it quits.

According to the magazine's source, Mark was never interested in finding love and only appeared on the show after being headhunted by producers.

'Mark was approached to go on the show after they saw his sexy fireman calendar,' the source said.

'He was never in it for love and did it all for a bit of a laugh. It was really hurtful and poor Monica had no idea.'

Looking for love? 'Michael is fame-hungry, and as soon as the cameras stopped rolling his behaviour changed completely,' an insider said

End of an era: The source said it was not long before Bella and Michael broke up after the show

The source also claimed Michael's behaviour changed once the cameras stopped rolling.

'Michael is fame-hungry, and as soon as the cameras stopped rolling his behaviour changed completely,' they said.

'Needless to say it wasn't long before he and Bella broke up.'
In Kerman province in southern Iran, cities have grown rich from pistachios, but time is running out for the industry. Some 300,000 of Irans 750,000 water pumps are illegala big reason why the United Nations says Iran is officially transitioning from a state of water stress to water scarcity. In 2013, Irans chamber of commerce carried out a survey showing that Kerman province was losing about 20,000 hectares (49,400 acres) of pistachio farms every year to desertification.

a spokesman for Tehrans Interior Ministry said he would accept help from all countries except one: Israel. The Islamic Republic of Iran accepts all kinds of humanitarian aid from all countries and international organizations with the exception of the Zionist regime, the spokesman said.

P. David Hornik is a freelance writer and translator living in Beersheva and author of the book Choosing Life in Israel. His memoir, Destination Israel: Coming of Age and Finding Peace in the Middle East, is forthcoming from Liberty Island later this year.





Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

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..Frontpagemag.com..12 September '16..Irans pistachio farms are dying of thirst.That may not, in itself, seem like major news. But it has a greater significance.After crude oil, pistachio nuts are Irans biggest export, with only the United States producing more. Yet a drought lasting years, along with uncontrolled pumping of water by farmers, has created a situation where the pistachio crop is drying up.AFP reports that:Overall, Irans water crisis is so severe that it could lead to mass internal migration and emigration . Even in the water-scarce Middle East, Iran is one of the most imperiled countries . Drought conditions were one of the factors that led to Syrias civil war with its horrendous consequences.The above-linked AFP report notes that some Iranian pistachio farmers have taken matters into their own hands and installed drip-irrigation systemswhich save their crops, allowing them to flourish again while using up to 70 percent less water.The systems, however, are expensive, and only farmers with cash and connections in Tehran can obtain them.What the report doesnt mention is that modern drip irrigation is a technology that was invented and developed in Israel . From Israel, drip irrigation has spread throughout the world and was a key factor in the Green Revolution in Asia and Africa.Not long ago, however, Israel was counted among the Middle Eastern countries facing a water crisis. What changed the situation over the past decade was Israels unique, revolutionary desalination and water-conservation technology , which has made it the worlds leader in the field.Yet, just as one can be sure that Irans state-controlled media are not highlighting the fact that the drip irrigation now helping some of Irans farmers is an Israeli innovation, one can likewise be sure that the government of the ayatollahs will notno matter how severe Irans water crisis getsturn to the newer Israeli technology for salvation.The regime has a history of rejecting assistance from Israel even when disasters have struck. As The Times of Israel notes , in the case of the 2003 earthquake in Bam, Iran, which killed over 26,000,Meanwhile Israels new water technology is one of the factors fostering ties with countries that were once unfriendly or hostile. Israel (pop. 8 million) is helping China (pop. 1.357 billion) solve its serious water problems . Israel is also providing key assistance for Indias (pop. 1.252 billion) chronic water shortage. (In the case of a traditionally friendly country, Israel is described as  leading a water revolution  in California.)Closer to home, Israel has been supplying crucial drinking water to Jordan (with which it fought wars in 1948 and 1967) for two decades. And the huge Red Sea-Dead Sea Canal project will be channeling desalinated drinking water to Israel, Jordan, and the Palestiniansnot known for instilling a love of Israel.Sometimes, though, in case of dire need, pragmatism can trump old or even current hatred. Its seen increasingly in Israels warming ties with Sunni Arab governments in general.But in the case of Iranwhere, as AFP reports, once-green fields are now nothing but dirt furrows and farming is being destroyedno such pragmatism toward Israel is on the horizon. Hate has to burn out slowly and meanwhile wreak havoc for other countries and for Iran itself.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark regularly speaks out about the importance of gender equality and women's health.

And on Monday, the passionate Princess arrived at the UN office in Copenhagen to present a powerful speech at the meeting of the World Health Organisation's 66th Regions Committee.

The 44-year-old arrived at the meeting in spectacular style and rocked a chic corporate get-up for the occasion.

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Chic: Princess Mary arrived at the UN office in Copenhagen to present a powerful speech at the meeting of the World Health Organisation's 66th Regions Committee

Stylish: The fashionable Princess stunned in a long sleeve Hugo Boss Boucle two-in-one dress which retails for around AUD $420

Princess of the people: She also stopped to accept a bunch of flowers from a young girl

The fashionable Princess stunned in a long sleeve Hugo Boss Boucle two-in-one dress which retails for approximately AUD $420.

She paired the white high-waisted number with nude pumps from Prada and carried a matching nude Saffiano Cuir Double Bag, also from Prada.

As a dedicated patron of the World Health Organisation Europe Regional Office, the passionate royal opened the meeting with a speech about 'health and happiness.'

Passionate: And as a dedicated patron of the World Health Organisation Europe Regional Office, the passionate royal opened the meeting with a speech about 'health and happiness'

Serious business: The Australian-born royal underlined the 'economic, social and environmental benefits of ensuring healthy lives' and stressed that a focus on women is 'vital'

According to WHO, the theme of the meeting was 'the central role of health in leaving no one behind' - with Princess Mary focusing strongly on girls and women.

The Australian-born royal spoke about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and underlined the 'economic, social and environmental benefits of ensuring healthy lives' and stressed that a focus on women is 'vital.'

'I share the belief that girls and women are key to building healthy, prosperous and sustainable societies and communities,' she said.

Determined to make a change: 'I share the belief that girls and women are key to building healthy, prosperous and sustainable societies and communities,' she said

Spreading the word: 'Our ability to achieve truly transformative change and results across all 17 goals is dependent on the realisation of gender equality and significant progress for girls and women,' she said

'Our ability to achieve truly transformative change and results across all 17 goals is dependent on the realisation of gender equality and significant progress for girls and women.'

Princess Mary also spoke about a 'strategy on women's health and wellbeing in the WHO European Region' and the 'European action plan for sexual and reproductive health and rights as useful tools and guidance for Member States.'
A mother has described how her pet horse saved her life by helping to find her breast cancer.

Jacqueline Lloyd, from the Wirral, Merseyside, says her horse, Maguire, began behaving strangely in the weeks leading up to her diagnosis  refusing to walk on his usual side, where Jacqueline was unknowingly harbouring a cancerous tumour.

He then started nudging and butting 50-year-old Jacqueline in her chest  and when she examined the area, she found a lump.

Jacqueline during her cancer treatment. The mother-of-two says her pet horse Maguire saved her life by 'finding' her breast cancer

Weeks later, Jacqueline was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer  and she now believes that early diagnosis had saved her life.

The mother-of-two said: 'Maguire and I had always shared a special bond but I was amazed at how he sensed my illness  and managed to communicate it to me. I truly believe he saved my life.'

A year on from the diagnosis, Maguire sadly passed away. But although she was heartbroken, Jacqueline believes that finding her cancer was Maguire's parting gift.

She said: 'I was devastated but Maguire was 20 years old  he had a long and happy life. I felt as though his final gift to me was to find my cancer and to save my life.'

Jacqueline with Maguire. She recalled: 'Maguire and I had always shared a special bond but I was amazed at how he sensed my illness  and managed to communicate it to me'

Maguire was put down in 2014. Jacqueline said: 'My research nurse told me of other incidents where dogs had sniffed out cancer in their owners. Maguire had done the same for me'

Maguire had been with the family for 11 years, and though he was Jacqueline's horse, the whole family, including her son, Oliver, 25, and daughter, Abigail, 22, doted on him.

His odd behaviour began in December 2012. Jacqueline recalled: 'Maguire had been really awkward for a few weeks, and wouldn't let me lead him on the left side, as I always did. I couldn't understand why.

'Then one day in February 2013, when I was helping to untack him, he suddenly lunged at me and hit my chest.

'It was so unlike him, because he wasn't at all aggressive or moody. But he did it again and again, shoving his nose into my chest.'

Jacqueline and her husband, Clive. The pair were due to go on a dream holiday to New Zealand to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary when she was diagnosed with breast cancer

The couple with their son, Oliver, 25 (left) and daughter, Abigail, 22 (right)

When Jackie went home that night, the incident played over in her head.

She said: 'I found myself feeling around the area [where] Maguire had been butting me  and I felt a lump. I was sure it was nothing serious; a cyst maybe.'

Jacqueline and her husband, Clive, were due to go on a dream holiday to New Zealand to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

So she decided to get the lump checked before she went away - and was 'shell-shocked when tests showed she had an aggressive form of breast cancer.

'My doctors said they had caught the cancer early, and so it could be treated,' she explained. 'And of course I thought of Maguire. By showing me the lump, he had saved my life.

Gruelling: Jacqueline went through two years of treatment, including two operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Wirral

Jacqueline now. Last year her treatment finished and she is now back at work and enjoying getting back to normal life

'My research nurse told me of other incidents where dogs had sniffed out cancer in their owners. Maguire had done the same for me.'

Though she was too ill to ride, Jacqueline found spending time with Maguire during her treatment to be a great comfort.

But in March 2014, Maguire became ill with severe colic. He had to be put down by a vet that same day.

'I was devastated but it was the kindest thing to do for him,' she said.

Jacqueline went through two years of treatment, including two operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Wirral.

'It was exhausting and I felt dreadful,' she said. 'My hair fell out and of course our dream holiday had to be cancelled.'

Jacqueline during her treatment. She said: 'It was exhausting and I felt dreadful. My hair fell out and of course our dream holiday had to be cancelled'

Maguire (left) was put down in 2014. Jacqueline said: said: 'He had a long and happy life. I felt as though his final gift to me was to find my cancer and to save my life'

But last year her treatment finished and she is now back at work and enjoying getting back to normal life.

For her 50th birthday, in January this year, Jacqueline raised funds for Clatterbridge Cancer Centre where she was treated.

And this summer, her daughter Abigail raised over 600 for the centre by completing The Great North Swim, The Manchester Swim and a tandem skydive.

Jacqueline said: 'I will forever be grateful to Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and to Maguire. I will never forget him and he will always have a very special place in my heart.'
One self-confessed 'messy' artist decided to take a big risk for her special day by painting her own wedding dress.

Taylor Ann Linko, based in San Diego, knew that having a pure, pristine and white wedding dress just wasn't her thing and so decided to do something different.

She got creative and the result is a beautiful airbrushed gown with vibrant shades of yellow, red, orange, purple and blue.

Taylor Ann Linko, pictured above with her husband Chris, knew that she didn't want just a white dress for her wedding

Taylor's bridesmaids' dresses flowers matched her beautiful airbrushed gown

When Taylor Ann tied the knot with husband Chris, she decided to go with a sunset theme.

When she told friends she was going to paint her wedding dress, Taylor admitted: 'I was surprised no one tried to steal my paint and hide it until after the big day.

'I think it has just gotten to that point where people knew the Art in me cannot be contained. Color color color!!! EVERYTHING!'

Taylor Ann began by purchasing her dress from a discount store.

The cake, with its bright and vibrant colours, was in keeping with the theme of the wedding

Each and every part of the wedding, including the table decorations pictured above, matched the bride's dress

The drinks table is littered with photographs of the couple and colourful bottle decorations

Taylor Ann's dress, hung up outside, was one-of-a-kind

Bride Taylor Ann made sure her flowers, and even her hair, matched her dress perfectly

Her hair was dyed different colours so that it was in keeping with the theme

She wrote on her blog: 'For months I had been cutting out and coloring pieces of lace I planed on stitching to the dress.

'As I laid it on the dress though it just did not look how I wanted, instead of a fade from one color to the next it just looked like patchy flowers that were messy and hard to even see.

'I scrapped that idea and started brainstorming a few others like colorful tulle (too light), puffy paint (too shiny) and fabric dyes (didnt take color well).

Even groom Chris was roped into the theme - donning matching socks

The happy couple, Taylor Ann and Chris, pictured above in their wedding photos by photographer James Tang

Pictured above dancing, Taylor Ann says all in all it was 'about three layers of paint on each layer of fabric and even on the inside of the lace.'

Since the wedding Taylor Ann, pictured above with her new husband Chris, has been asked on her blog to create custom dresses for other weddings

'Finally I was fed up with all these tests and fails, so I just took my airbrush I had been using to get nice fades of color on the flowers and just sprayed it. And kept spraying it more and more.

'All in all it was about 3 layers of paint on each layer of fabric and even on the inside of the lace edge.'

She then decided to match each and every detail of the wedding on June 25 - right down to groom Chris's socks - to her artistic dress.

As the photos from wedding photographer James Tang show, all the hard work was worth it.
Victoria Beckham came under fire after strikingly thin models took to the runway at her New York Fashion Week show - but on the eve of London's sartorial showcase, three plus-size models want to send the opposite message.

Size 26 supermodel, Tess Holliday, along with Callie Thorpe and Britains first Asian Curve model, Bishamber Das, have posed in a striking new campaign to promote body positivity.

The women have teamed up with eBay to star in a shoot and short film with the aim of inspiring British women to reset the rules of plus-size dressing; defying the stale conventions of style and celebrate fashion at any size.

Size 26 supermodel, Tess Holliday, along with Callie Thorpe, centre, and Britains first Asian Curve model, Bishamber Das, right, have posed in a striking new campaign to promote body positivity on the eve of London Fashion Week

The women were enlisted by the e-tailer to launch its new plus-size section on its website called the Curve Fashion Hub, which showcases a diverse range of fashion items from sizes 18  36.

Speaking about the new campaign, a spokesperson said: 'When selecting our ambassadors for the Curve Collective, we knew Bishamber, Callie and Tess were the perfect partners.

'They are all incredibly accomplished women who represent the broad spectrum of our community.

'At eBay, we aim to respond to what shoppers want. Our ambition is to inspire women and allow them to buy fashion with confidence and ease, no matter what their size.'

Tess, who has carved out an incredible career in fashion, flying the flag for curvy women everywhere, lead the parade of plus-sized models at the groundbreaking Curve Fashion Festival, held at The Exhibition Centre Liverpool on Saturday.

The American star, who is the world's first [UK] size 26 supermodel, broke with style protocol in a bold horizontal striped dress.

The women have teamed up with eBay to star in a shoot and short film with the aim of inspiring British women to reset the rules of plus-size dressing

'They are all incredibly accomplished women who represent the broad spectrum of our community,' said a spokesperson for the e-tailer about snapping up the stars

Tess proudly showcased her killer curves in the punky A-line number, which also offered a glimpse of her tattoo sleeves and heavily inked calves.

She was joined on the runway by fellow plus-sized model Hayley Hasselhoff, who looked the picture of elegance in a flowing silk wrap dress.

Tess and her partner Nick Holliday welcomed their son Bowie Juniper into the world on June 6.

The social media star, who was born Ryann Hoven, is already a mother to a ten-year-old son Rylee from a previous relationship.

Throughout her pregnancy, Tess became an even more vocal body advocate, sharing plenty of candid photos of her growing baby bump as well as nude photos to celebrate her changing body.

Tess and her partner Nick Holliday welcomed their son Bowie Juniper into the world on June 6

The plus-size model would often take to Instagram to hit back at critics who insisted that her baby's life was in danger because of her size.

In an interview with ET this summer, Tess hit back at critics who insist her weight is a danger to her unborn child, claiming that her doctor had just given her a clean bill of health.

'I literally saw my OB/GYN yesterday and everything's fine,' she said. 'He's happy. Everything's fine and I'm fine.'

Tess also discussed with the publication her decision to post nude photos on social media, despite the criticism she ultimately receives from online trolls.
Prince Harry is gearing up to celebrate his 32nd birthday on Thursday.

In previous years the royal has partied with Ellie Goulding at Clarence House and hit the Chelsea pub circuit with A-list pals.

While it is not known how he will mark his big day this year, it is likely he will spend it in London after returning to the UK after spending much of the summer in southern Africa.

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Harry is gearing up to celebrate his 32nd birthday - after spending previous years partying with Ellie Goulding at Clarence House and hitting the Chelsea pub circuit with A-list pals

When he turns 32, Harry will be the same age his father Prince Charles was when he got engaged to his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales in 1981

Harry, fifth in line to the throne, is also busy preparing for a high-profile foreign tour in the autumn when he heads to the Caribbean on behalf of his grandmother the Queen.

In turning 32, he will be the same age his father Prince Charles was when he got engaged to his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales in 1981.

The island-hopping trip will take him to Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

He is also said to be looking to buy his first home - in Norfolk, close to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family.

The Sun reported that Harry was interested in a 3.6 million pad with a swimming pool complex called Water Hall.

Harry takes part in a round-table discussiona at King's College Hospital, London, in July

The hard-working royal spent his summer helping with a project to transfer 500 tranquilised elephants hundreds of miles to save them from poachers in Africa.

The 500 Elephants initiative in Malawi is one of the largest and most significant elephant relocations in conservation history.

The prince, who left the Army last year after 10 years as an officer, has spoken in the past f how he found it difficult to find the right job after leaving the forces, as he attempts to settle on his future career.

Happy birthday Harry! The prince holds up a 'birthday shirt', at West Ham United's Upton Park ground in London, ahead of his 21st birthday in 2002

He admitted most jobs he looked at 'were not going to work' alongside royal duties and others were 'not even on the table'.

Harry has stepped up his work supporting the fight against HIV in recent months, speaking at an international conference in South Africa to warn against the threat of complacency.

On Friday, he paid a private visit to HIV hospital Mildmay in east London, which he has toured before. It was where Diana, Princess of Wales helped to break down the stigma surrounding the illness by kissing an Aids patient.
However, she has replied to a fan on her blog about her outfit choice

Said people wouldn't do it to Michael Portillo who presents politics show

Presenter Victoria Coren Mitchell has hit back at fans who tweet her to find out where her clothes from.

The reluctant fashion icon made her comments at the end of Monday's episode of Only Connect, the quiz she's hosted for almost a decade, saying the problem has arisen since the show moved from BBC Four to BBC Two.

'Now I don't want to be all knee-jerk offended and political but I ask you, would you write to This Week and ask what Michael Portillo was wearing?'

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Presenter Victoria Coren Mitchell has hit back at fans who tweet her during Only Connect - her BBC2 quiz show - to to find out where her clothes from. On Monday's episode she wore a 145 Karen Millen dress, which is now sold out

Victoria wears the 125 tea rose print Aston dress from Diva Catwalk

The presenter, who is also a journalist and an international poker player, argued that nobody would tweet Michael Portillo to ask where his clothes are from

Fans hailed her comments on Twitter, with Jessica__Taylor summing up many people's thoughts saying: 'Hats off to Victoria Coren for her callout! You wouldn't ask a man that! #SpotOn #EndSexistQuestions.'

Indeed, a trawl through Twitter does reveal that the TV host who is married to comedian David Mitchell does regularly receive questions about her outfits.

Dozens of tweets dating back over the past year inquire where people can buy the dresses she wears on the show.

MacrolensMn tweeted her to say: 'Loved your dress tonight, where's it from (don't say your wardrobe lol).'

Fans praised Only Connect presenter Victoria for taking a stand after she called out tweeters who ask where she buys her dresses

The green Alika dress Victoria wore on the Great Sport Relief Bake Off in February provoked a flurry of admiring tweets

The presenter has declared herself a huge fan of high street favourite Karen Millen

And she even received a tweet from a male fan on behalf of his wife.

TheGingerDrWho asked: 'My wife loved the dress from Monday's Only Connect with the roses on, where did it come from, please?'

Em_Fellows tempered her request with a sorry, saying: 'Apologies if you have loftier concerns, but I love the dress you are wearing in this episode. Where is it from?'

The star who is a prolific tweeter never replies to the queries, although a 2010 post from her blog shows her take a softer approach.

In reply to a fan who wanted to know where the dress she wore on Have I Got News For You was from, she replied: 'The dress is from Karen Millen, LIKE PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING ELSE I OWN. Im such a predictable shopper.'

It seems she is still a fan six years on, as the '60s style scalloped mini dress she wore on Monday's episode also came from Karen Millen.

In the past, the presenter didn't seem to mind people asking about her clothes and was happy to answer questions about fasjhionm

The 145 black and white scalloped frock is unfortunately sold out.

Shoppers can still get their hands on a retro style green circle dress, which drew admiring comments when Victoria appeared on the Great Sport Relief Bake Off.

The Alika green circle dress is still available to buy online for 125.

The host says that if Michael Portillo donates some of his clothes to charity, she will speak out about her fashion choices

Retro styles are a favourite with Victoria who also wears dresses from the brand Diva Catwalk

The presenter is a fan of bold prints

Retro styles are a favourite with Victoria who also wears dresses from the brand Diva Catwalk.

She sported their tea rose print Aston dress on a recent episode of Only Connect, which is on sale for 89 - reduced from 125.

At the end of the show the mother-of-one added that she has actually been trying to find out more about Michael Portillo's clothing.

'In fact I've written to offer to collect anything Michael Portillo has worn, for charity. And the moment he replies, so will I,' she explained.
A Muslim teenager has launched a campaign for a hijab emoji to be created - after feeling left out during Whatsapp conversations with her friends.

Rayouf Alhumedhi, 15, who is from Saudi Arabia but now lives in Berlin, says she wants 'millions of women across the globe to be represented' on the keyboard.

She is currently drawing up a proposal for the Unicode Consortium, which governs the approval of new emojis, along with designs showing what the symbol would look like.

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Rayouf's plans for a new hijab emoji as designed by Aphelandra Messer. The teen said she never expected so many people from around the world to support her proposal

Since her seven-page proposal was posted online it has been backed by one of the co-founders of Reddit and swept social media - with many hailing the teen as a hero.

Rayouf's proposed design would create a headscarf emoji which could then be adapted to fit alongside different human emoji.

Writing on Reddit, Rayouf explained her decision, saying: 'I didn't think that this many people from all around the world would be eager to support this proposal.

'I would like to be represented and acknowledged. Because with the massive amount of women that wear the headscarf today, there should be at least one place on our keyboards reserved for them.'

She added: 'Might seem baffling, but when I wear the headscarf I actually feel liberated because I'm in control of what I want to cover.

'The headscarf allows for people to see past a women's beauty and see her for her knowledge. Now I know that some women are forced to wear it, but that is micro in comparison to those who see the beauty in it.'

While Rayouf is currently making final tweaks before submitting her proposal, many have already thrown themselves behind the campaign on social media.

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Tunisian-British writer Soumaya Ghannoushi wrote: 'Millions of wmoen around the world wear the #hijab and this bright young designer wants our phone to reflect that.'

While Kaitlin Vahling wrote: 'Can I have an #emoji with a #hijab? Please and thank you' and Assiaa added: 'I'm gonna need the next emoji updates to have a girl wearing a hijab.'

Amaal tweeted: '2017 is around the corner and I think it's time for a Muslim women #emoji with a hijab #Apple #2017.'

There are currently more than 500 people around the world who wear headscarves (file photo)

Twitter user Taylor added: 'There should be a hijab emoji. Women come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and cultures. Why not have an emoji that represents that.'

Samantha commented: 'Seeing that a 15 year old girl is fighting for a hijba emoji is the best news I could have woken up to. YOU GO GET IT GIRL, YOU DESERVE IT.'

While one Twitter user wrote: 'Apple be making the most USELESS emoji updates but they still won't have a hijab emoji? Im tired.' Gee added: 'I think a hijab emoji is a great idea.'

Graphic designer Aphelandra Messer, who created the illustration, told MailOnline: 'I was so excited to be involved, as I've always been passionate about diversity and representation.'

Unicode recently unveiled a new range of human emojis with a choice of skin and hair tone - as well as same-sex couples as an alternative to mixed-couple families - but no hijab yet

There are currently more than 500 people around the world who wear headscarves.

Unicode recently unveiled a new range of human emojis with a choice of skin and hair tone - as well as same-sex couples as an alternative to mixed-couple families.

Meanwhile, 2015's 'word' of the year chosen by Oxford Dictionaries was a picture of a yellow smiley face emoji.
Terrible news reaches me of a new epidemic. An unstoppable invasion of tiny terrors that will strike fear into every parent at the start of this school term.

Say hello to the super nit, a dastardly mutant form of head lice. A nit that is practically immune to all chemical killers; a survivor who bounces back more times than X-Men villains.

Brace yourselves, mums and dads, for close encounters of the not-so-miniature-any-more kind.

Say hello to the super nit, a dastardly mutant form of head lice

Frankly, were all doomed  and the only way out may be to shave your offsprings head.

A study of 25 U.S. states has found that nits are smarty pants that have rapidly evolved to become what is known as KDR (knock-down resistant). This means whatever you throw at the pesky insects is useless.

Apparently, in the UK, one in ten kids has nits at any one time.

And while were all happy about the sunny weather, a mild autumn is even more joyful if you are a super nit. Along with Crocs shoes, these creatures will be the only things to survive Armageddon and theyll live to fight another day invading neighbouring galaxies (nits, not Crocs).

And because there is no real financial incentive for inventing nit zappers, those normally money-mad drug companies are leaving us to fend for ourselves.

As a mother of four, I have been waging my own war against them for more than a decade. Short of visiting hidden tribes in the Amazon to see if they have a magic cure, Ive tried everything.

Yet, this week, we have once again fallen prey to the nasty nibblers. My heart sank when five-year-old Mabel yelled from the bathroom: Mum, Ive got passengers!

If the smallest one  a serial cuddler  has them, then so does everyone else.

And so it began after school, the hours of endless washing and combing. Step one: pour myself double shot of alcoholic drink of choice. Step two: douse childs head in oil. Step three: comb, comb and comb again. Step four: repeat seven days later.

A study of 25 U.S. states has found that nits are smarty pants that have rapidly evolved to become what is known as KDR (knock-down resistant)

Nowadays, were beyond nit shame because, apart from research suggesting that these fussy pests prefer clean, well-brushed hair, everyone  and I mean everyone  gets them.

You are probably standing next to someone with them.

There was one summer, though, when we were on holiday in Cornwall and I was the only victim, a statistical impossibility, but the evidence was irrefutable.

Wow, observed Gracie-in-the-middle. They really are having a party on your parting.

A study of 25 U.S. states has found that nits are smarty pants that have rapidly evolved to become what is known as KDR (knock-down resistant). This means whatever you throw at the pesky insects is useless

When we are going through what is delightfully called an infestation, to avoid contamination our two eldest daughters, aged 12 and 14, ferociously braid their hair so tightly that every strand stays in place.

My son, aged nine, dramatically leans away during physical contact and Baby Mabel, as we still call her, goes into confession mode, like a first-timer at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

I am Mabel and I have nits, she tells anyone she meets. Only non-parents recoil in horror, but we are beyond embarrassment. Its one of those side-effects of motherhood you come to accept after the initial denial and humiliation have faded.

Besides asking the kids to wear motorbike helmets to school or banning them from leaving their bedrooms (this is why teenagers dont get nits), what can you do?

My husband secretly welcomes the arrival of nits. He is a patient man with very good eyesight. He finds some zen in quietly and methodically combing long hair and extracting the tiny black menaces one by one. If you are not prone to histrionics, it can be vaguely meditative.

I am useless at it. Every time I spot a nit, I react with the same kind of horror as in the Ghostbusters film when a terrifying paranormal creature is discovered lurking behind a fridge door.

I am most effective when it comes to telling those mums who ignore the nit situation and dont put in enough comb hours that they must tackle the problem pronto.

So, now we know about the super nits, we are gearing up for the mother of all battles.

And those of you still stuck in the denial, humiliation and shame stage of nit-gate, be warned: its time to man up. Were all on the frontline.
Nine o'clock on a Wednesday morning, in a brightly coloured classroom in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and a tiny boy in a red sweatshirt is clinging to his father's neck as if his life depended on it.

Big, fat tears roll down his cheeks as he buries his face in his dad's hair. 'I don't want to go!' he wails, bottom lip wobbling. 'Don't make me go! Pleeeease don't leave me, Daddy. Don't leave me here!'

His father makes a bid to untangle himself, but his son only grips him tighter and cries louder.

Oscar Cocliff from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, who is on the TV show First Big Day At School

Oscar Cocliff-Clark, aged four, doesn't want to go to school.

It's his very first day and he's scared  of the teachers, of the other children, and of how he's going to get through the day without a nap.

Up and down the country, 650,000 children  and their parents  have just confronted the very same milestone.

At four, British children are among the youngest in the world to start full-time education.

Most European youngsters don't go to school until they're six, and in some countries (such as Finland and Sweden) it's as late as seven.

As any parent who's dropped their little one at the school gates will know, it's hard to let go.

Victoria Cocliff with her son Oscar, who was scared of the teachers, of the other children, and of how he's going to get through the day without a nap during his first day of school

Francesca, Sebastian, Bethany, Yusuf, Layla, Freddie, Francesca, Elisabeth, Oscar and Emily

Will they make friends? Are they behaving themselves? What if they don't like their lunch  or they miss their mum?

A new Channel 5 fly-on-the-wall documentary, First Day At Big School, answers those questions by following a group of four-year-olds through their first week at Walton Primary Academy, a West Yorkshire state school.

Secret, roaming cameras offer a gripping insight into these life-changing moments.

So just what is the secret to getting a four-year-old through their first day of school  and are they really old enough to cope?

Often, that's quite hard to predict. Just a few minutes into the day, Oscar's tears have dried up and he's sitting cross-legged in a circle with the other children, talking about dinosaurs.

TOP CLASS The world's biggest school has more than 52,000 pupils. Set up by in 1959, the City Montessori school is located in Lucknow, India. Advertisement

'Can dinosaurs eat people?' reception teacher Liz Armitage asks the group. 'No!' says Yusuf Carlyle, incredulously. 'Dinosaurs cannot eat people because people were not there yet. That was in, like, the 1980s.' Sparky Yusuf is full of such helpful facts  'I'm strong, me,' he announces.

Other children take to school life with no drama at all. Emily Lloyd, wearing a bow in her hair and a blue backpack twice her size, toddles in all smiles and waves her mum off without a second glance.

'I don't think she realised she'd be staying there all day,' laughs mum Leanne, 38, a dentist. 'I was the one who was a bundle of nerves. I found myself panicking because she'd picked sausages for her lunch option and she might choke on them.'

For Freddie, a cheeky blond chap, the confidence boost that sometimes comes with going to school begins even before he reaches the gates.

Getting dressed in the morning, he proudly announces to his mother: 'I'm going to big school. I don't need help!'

Emily Lloyd from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, who is starting school and starring on Channel 5

So far, so good  although there's a slight hiccup on the path to independence when his mother points out that his shorts are on back to front. At least the first potential faux pas of the school year has been avoided.

As well as Freddie, Emily and Yusuf, there's shy Beth, who's so timid she's taken to squeaking rather than talking to her classmates.

By the end of the week, however, she's come out of her shell and is firm friends with the group.

Chatty Layla proudly shows off her slightly concerning maths skills ('I can count to 12 . . . I have 12 fingers') and has brought a Minnie Mouse backpack full of plasters in case any of her new friends fall over.

'Even at this age, you notice patterns in behaviour in the boys and girls,' says another reception class teacher, Bryony Marshall.

I was the one who was a bundle of nerves. I found myself panicking because she'd picked sausages for her lunch option and she might choke on them

'The boys are fast and loud and like showing off, trying to prove who is the most dominant. The girls are more reserved; they sit back, watching what is going on.'

By mid-morning, the girls are playing dress-up: Emily is twirling around in a blue gown like the one worn by Elsa in the Disney film Frozen, while a giggling Cinderella and Snow White skip past, arms linked.

Meanwhile, Oscar gets himself into hot water with the fledgling female group when he knocks the top off their sandcastle. Their tiny faces contort into cross frowns and a teacher is called.

Luckily, Mrs Armitage and Miss Marshall are old hands at defusing tensions as these little people negotiate new friendships, allegiances  and rivalries.

The battle for supremacy among the boys begins in the dinner queue when Freddie and Oscar engage in a spot of name-calling, which requires the intervention of Miss Marshall. An apology is elicited from Oscar and the children return to the serious business of getting to grips with cutlery (a task, which, at age four, often requires the assistance of a teacher).

Leanna Lloyd with her daughter Emily, who takes to school life with no drama at all

Oscar's mum Victoria Cocliff, 31, who works in the police force, is relieved by how quickly her little boy settles down.

'I didn't have that many friends when I was a kid; I was quite geeky and different, and Oscar's like me,' she says.

'He's a handful  hyper and noisy and difficult to keep in line. I worried he might not fit in, and I know how hard it is to feel different.'

One of the biggest challenges is getting children used to their teachers  an authority figure who isn't mum or dad.

Tony Harpham, headmaster at Walton Primary, has come up with a rewards system that he says is far more effective than strict discipline.

'We make sure everything is channelled towards positive behaviour, and the children being polite and kind  but we're not soft,' he says. 'We don't let them get away with things that they know and we know shouldn't be allowed.'

In Mrs Armitage's class, there's a weather chart with the children's names stuck on it.

Good behaviour entitles them to move up a level, to 'blue skies' or the 'pot of gold' at the top.

But misbehaving means their name is moved down, to 'cloudy' or 'thunder and lightning'.

L-RFront row: Oliver , Seth , Megan , Daisy , Harrison. Second row: Max, Francesca, Caitlyn, Laird, Emily and Olivia. Third row: Harvey Layla Bella , Bethany, Alex , Yusuf, Bradley, Aaron, Thomas , Sebastian, Ellie, Lola and Francesca. Back row: Mrs Armitage, Freddie, Oscar Lennon , Elisabeth, Darcie, Oscar and Miss Marshall, of Walton Primary Academy in Wakefield

Even at four, the children have a clear sense of right and wrong.

Emily, a girly girl who likes twirly dresses and hates monsters, is a particular stickler  even her mum says that she's 'never a troublemaker, ever', adding: 'She tries so hard. She just wants to be good.'

Her diligence pays off when Oscar, eager to endear himself after the sandcastle upset, reports her to the teacher  for good behaviour.

As a result, she's moved up the behaviour chart to 'blue skies'  a heady height that Oscar, too, is desperate to reach. In a terribly sweet play for the teacher's approval, he gives away his toy milk bottle to Layla.

Sure enough, he's moved up, too. Ecstatic, and keen to repeat this coup, he bangs two plastic cups together and shouts: 'Does anybody else want some milk?'

I didn't have that many friends when I was a kid; I was quite geeky and different, and Oscar's like me

Later, though, he learns that some rules are different in this strange new environment.

While giving a friend a boisterous hug, he's surprised to be admonished and reminded to use 'kind hands'. 'I was just cuddling him!' he exclaims.

Meanwhile, Freddie is threatened with demotion on the behaviour chart for facing the wrong way and talking. It's clear that, only a few hours into their first day, the seriousness of this new world has made a deep impression.

Chastened, Freddie sorrowfully nods his head.

On the other side of the room, Oscar and Layla are having a spirited discussion about who put their hand in the air first when the teacher asked a question.

Their heads bob up and down to the sound of their cries of 'Me first!' The dispute is resolved peacefully  when Layla generously admits that Oscar might just have snuck in ahead.

Most touching is watching how the other children deal with seeing one of their classmates upset: holding hands, offering to share a treasured toy  or, in the case of bubbly Layla, allowing a tearful Emily to sit next to her at lunch while they munch chips in companionable unison.

(L-R): Sebastian, Bethany, Yusuf, Layla, Francesca, Elisabeth, Freddie, Emily and Oscar

It's fascinating to see how much these tiny ones have already learned about the world, and how they use it to process the new information bombarding them from every side.

Yusuf remembers to ask the teacher whether the custard for pudding is vegetarian. 'Phew!' he exclaims, when assured that it is. And, displaying excellent manners, remembers to add: 'Thanks for letting me know.'

There are, throughout the programme, constant reminders of just how young these children are.

'It's hard to engage them after lunch, as that's when they get really tired,' says Miss Marshall.

'You see their heads starting to nod. Some of them ask for a nap and we have to let them lie down.'

Indeed, some parents admit they feel their child was too young to start school.

'In some ways, Oscar wasn't ready,' says Victoria Cocliff. 'They expect the children to go to the toilet on their own, and he couldn't wipe his bottom.

'He loves numbers and learning, but whether he needed to do that in a school setting, or at home with me, I don't know.'

The boys are fast and loud and like showing off, trying to prove who is the most dominant. The girls are more reserved; they sit back, watching what is going on

Even getting dressed still presents a four-year-old with some serious problems.

Every student at Walton Primary has to wear the same uniform: red sweatshirt and grey trousers or shorts for boys, grey skirt, pinafore or checked dress with a red cardigan for the girls.

But during the summer holidays, Oscar had several tantrums about his PE trainers.

'I made the mistake of getting him trainers with laces, while his school shoes have Velcro on them,' says mum Victoria.

'He can't tie laces and he kept panicking that he wouldn't be able to do them up and he'd miss PE.'

Layla, meanwhile, spent the days leading up to school worrying about her plimsolls.

'She can be fussy  she's the type of little girl who likes you to pick the crumbs off her chicken nuggets,' says her mother Faye Nowell, 33, a complaints adviser.

'If she doesn't get her own way, you'll know about it. She starts stamping her feet and screaming.'

(L-R): Sebastian, Bethany, Yusuf, Layla, Francesca, Freddie, Elisabeth, Emily and Oscar

Layla's taken a disliking to her new coat, too, and at lunchtime refuses to put it on  after a spirited attempt to pretend that she doesn't have one at all. 'I want to go home with my mummy,' she cries, her little face crumpling.

It's a familiar problem, but one Mrs Armitage, a teacher of 20 years' experience, knows how to handle. Rule one is not to talk about home. 'We use distraction techniques,' she explains in the documentary, which aired on Sunday on Channel 5.

'Instead, we focus on things like their pets, favourite toys and what they did on their holidays.'

Often, says Miss Marshall, who's been at the school for two years, it's the parents who get most worked up.

'The children will spend the best part of the morning asking questions: what time is it? When's lunch? When's my mummy coming? And the parents will cry. They always cry.'

Julie Land, 43, an IT trainer and mother-of-three, was one such mum. Freddie is her youngest son and she admits she 'bawled her eyes out' on his first day.

'I was gutted that my baby was all grown up,' says Julie.

CHILDREN DO SAY THE FUNNIEST THINGS! Oscar: Likes winning. Hates not winning. 'Don't leave me here.' Emily: Likes twirly dresses. Hates scary monsters. 'I did what I was asked, I got ready nicely.' Beth: Likes Yorkshire puddings. Hates falling over. 'I can't see proper without my glasses.' Layla: Likes guinea pigs. Hates salad. 'I don't want to have fun. I want my mummy.' Freddie: Likes cakes for breakfast. Hates washing his hair. 'I like Star Wars and Scooby-Doo.' Yusuf: Likes tomato pasta. Hates booster seats. 'I'm strong. Told you I was a cool guy. Girls just cry all the time.' Advertisement

'The whole family turned up to walk him to the gates and we were all blubbing.'

'It's a day of mixed emotions,' admits Layla's mum, Faye.

'On one hand you're bursting with pride  she looked so grown-up in her uniform  but on the other it's nerve-racking. Layla was so excited that I couldn't show her I was upset. The tears came the minute I turned away.'

By the time the bell rings at the end of the day, the children's beaming smiles as they swarm into the playground are ringing endorsements of the day they've had.

'Layla was so excited to see me,' says mum Faye. 'She wanted to talk about school non-stop  then was fast asleep by 7pm.'

Whether they struggled or triumphed at first, a year on all 44 children in reception at Walton Primary have settled into school life.

Quiet Emily is confident and outgoing; hyperactive Oscar has calmed down (slightly); Yusuf, Freddie, Layla and Beth are all thriving.

That momentous first day is one they  and their parents  will never forget.

'They come to us fresh out of nursery, unable to write or hold a knife and fork,' says Miss Marshall.

'And when they leave they're telling stories and adding and subtracting all on their own. It's such a precious, rewarding time, but it goes by in a flash.

'All you can do is prepare for the worst, hope for the best  and bring plenty of tissues.'

First Day At Big School is available on catch-up TV and Channel 5's website.
Last month, I spent the Bank Holiday weekend doling out tissues as my old friend, Giles, sobbed on my shoulder. His wife had just left him for someone else after 24 years of marriage and three children. He was as bewildered as he was devastated.

I thought our sex life was good, he said. We werent swinging from the chandeliers or anything, but she always seemed to enjoy it.

What had made her betrayal so much worse, he confided, was that she had left him not for another man, but for her best female friend, whod been their chief bridesmaid, no less.

So I thought of poor, perplexed Giles last week when author Elizabeth Gilbert, announced she had left husband Jose Nunes  for her female best friend, Rayya Elias  a decade after writing about their romance in her international bestseller Eat, Pray, Love.

Writer Tess Stimson cheated on her husband with a woman several years ago

Gilbert, who had been married to Nunes since 2007, said it was Elias diagnosis of pancreatic and liver cancer this spring that made her realise her feelings for her friend were no longer platonic.

Of course, Gilbert is not the first female celebrity to leave her man for a woman. In 2003, Sex And The Citys Cynthia Nixon shocked fans when she left her boyfriend of 15 years and father of her two children to move in with a woman.

Mary Queen Of Shops Portas was married to a man with whom she had two children before meeting her fashion editor wife. And psychotherapist and writer Susie Orbach spent more than 30 years with the father of her two children before her relationship with writer Jeanette Winterson.

But I know all too well that this sort of about-turn is not confined to celebrities. Five years ago, I had a brief affair with a female friend and, though my marriage survived  thanks to a very understanding husband  I did face his initial confusion.

So why do so many otherwise heterosexual middle-aged women develop a sudden attraction to females? As I tried to explain to my husband  and my friend Giles  in many cases, the affairs have little to do with sex and everything to do with your time of life.

In my case, I was a 40-year-old mother of three who had never had so much as a teenage crush on a female before, never mind a physical relationship with one. I wasnt even attracted to women, and I still loved my husband, Erik, then also 40.

Yet Id found myself caught up in a passionate affair that could have ended my marriage.

While I didnt leave my husband, Im convinced a lot of women make the mistake of doing so because, in our 40s, our needs from relationships change.

Last week author Elizabeth Gilbert (left) announced she had left husband Jose Nunes for her female best friend, Rayya Elias (right)

We dont need men biologically any more as fathers, weve often raised our children and we find we have more in common with other women than with men.

Sometimes, this spills over into a physical relationship and women who have never considered themselves lesbian find they fall in love with their female friend. But I think its a mistake to make the relationship sexual as it changes the dynamic and, often, we lose the friendship when the romance dies. As happened in my case.

Women need to recognise their emotional needs have changed and find ways to share female friendships without making the error of thinking its sexual love.

I had become too settled in my cosy, middle-class life and lost the adventurous edge Id had when Erik and I first met.

Elizabeth and Jose's relationship was famously dramatised for the Julia Roberts movie Eat Pray Love

My affair taught me some surprising things about myself, and jolted me out of my rut. But I was lucky: my husband forgave me. Its not a risk Id take again.

Erik and I met in 2001, when I had flown to Florida for a friends wedding. Bruised by an acrimonious divorce, romance was the last thing on my mind.

But I got talking to a tall, handsome American with blond hair and blue eyes and fell for him straight away. He was studying for a philosophy PhD, while I was a journalist in London.

We flew back and forth across the Atlantic for nearly a year, and then, in 2002, I moved with my sons, Henry and Matt, then seven and four, to Florida permanently.

Much as I loved my husband, I craved the kind of intense feminine friendship most women take for granted

Our daughter, Lily, was born the same year, and we married in a church in December 2005.

Three years later, we moved to Vermont for Eriks work. I loved our new town, and the children settled well into their schools, but once more, I had to start again finding new friends and I was often lonely.

I worked from home, which made it hard to meet new people. I was used to living in a city, and felt suffocated by the small town where everyone knew each other.

Much as I loved my husband, I craved the kind of intense feminine friendship most women take for granted. Then, out of the blue, I got an email from a former colleague who had moved to Montreal, around two hours away in Canada. I didnt know Freya well, but she was also British and far from home  so when she suggested meeting, I agreed.

We clicked straight away. It was so nice to have a girlfriend to talk to. Erik was always sympathetic, but there are some things only a woman can understand.

We met every few weeks, and then she invited me to a party in Montreal. It was wilder than I was used to, and we drank too much. At some point, Freya kissed me and we ended up in bed.

Elizabeth and Rayya came out in an emotional Instagram post to followers last week

Inhibitions long gone, part of me was simply curious: Id never done this sort of thing before. But it also felt surprisingly natural.

And because it was a woman I slept with, not a man, I tried to kid myself I wasnt unfaithful. Sex with Erik was still satisfying, but over the years, my interest had dwindled and we were in a rut.

Freya and I grew closer over the next few months, talking nearly every day on the phone and texting. We were both entering our 40s, dealing with teenagers, coping as freelancers in a depressed economy. With her, I didnt have to explain how I felt.

I realised I was confiding in her instead of Erik. I felt too guilty to tell anyone about her, and I was acting like I was having an affair.

Psychologist Lisa M. Diamond, of the University of Utah, and author of Sexual Fluidity, argues that, for some women, love and desire are not rigidly heterosexual or homosexual and change as women move through life.

One of the fundamental, defining features of female sexual orientation is its fluidity, she says. She believes women are more open in how they connect to others and that, sometimes, when a woman forms a strong emotional bond with another woman, sexual attraction can follow.

Because it was a woman I slept with, not a man, I tried to kid myself I wasnt unfaithful. Sex with Erik was still satisfying, but over the years, my interest had dwindled and we were in a rut

I know two other women who have had similar experiences, but their marriages didnt survive.

One is now happily living with her lesbian partner, but the other bitterly regrets blurring the boundaries of friendship and sex.

In my case, when I told my husband, he was remarkably forgiving, revealing that hed known about the affair all along, but had been waiting for it to run its course.

Id thought he wouldnt understand what it felt like to be a woman entering middle-age, prey to hormones and the ravages of time. But, as Erik put it, he lived with me so he knew me better than anyone  male or female.

My assumption that as a man he wouldnt understand me was as sexist as it was wrong.

Freyas husband, however, was livid and we stopped meeting.

Of course, theres nothing wrong with intense female friendships, but its a mistake to confuse that with sexual love.
Lying on her side in front of her bedroom mirror, Hannah Stevens ignited a long, tapered candle and then inserted its unlit end into her ear.

But as she attempted the delicate manoeuvre, the candle slipped from her hand  and fell into her light brown hair.

Thankfully, 43-year-old Hannah was unharmed except for a few singed hairs. 'But it could have been so much worse,' she says. But why on earth was Hannah putting a naked flame near her hair in the first place?

The answer is ear candling  an alternative therapy that claims to remove ear wax, give a better sense of taste, stop headaches and even result in a more balanced emotional state.

ear candling is an alternative therapy that claims to remove ear wax, give a better sense of taste, stop headaches and even result in a more balanced emotional state

And as bizarre as it sounds, its popularity is soaring with ear candles available from major online retailers such as Amazon and High Street health food shops.

However, they are deeply controversial. Last week, TV doctor Dawn Harper was forced to apologise after recommending ear candling.

Speaking on LBC's Health Hour, the doctor, who has also appeared on This Morning and Embarrassing Bodies, advised a caller who wanted to get rid of ear wax to try ear candling rather than syringing.

Her spokesman later admitted Dr Harper recognised that specialists did not recommend the treatment.

Available to buy for 8 a pair, ear candles are thin, hollow tubes of linen soaked in paraffin or beeswax.

The process takes ten to 15 minutes for each ear. The thinner, tapered end is placed in the ear (you should be lying on one side with your hair and shoulders covered with protective silver foil or a damp towel.)

The other end of the candle is then lit. As the candle slowly burns down, the theory is that the heat produced creates a low-level pressure that draws wax and other debris out of the ear and into the candle.

It is known as the 'chimney effect' because it is known that rising heat produces a vacuum.

And as bizarre as it sounds, its popularity is soaring with ear candles available from major online retailers such as Amazon and High Street health food shops.

Once the candle has burnt down to a protective ring encircling the cone, about 4 in from the ear, it should be put out.

The remains can then be opened to reveal what's been drawn from the ear. However, some critics claim this is just debris from the candle.

'I was suffering irritation in my ears and they felt blocked all the time,' says Hannah, who is divorced and lives in London.

'So when I saw these ear candles in a health food shop, I thought I might try them. What I didn't think about was how tricky they would be to use and that I would end up nearly setting myself on fire.'

Once the candle has burnt down to a protective ring encircling the cone, about 4 in from the ear, it should be put out

In fact, burns are only one of the risks of ear candling. Critics warn the procedure can also lead to injuries ranging from ear drum perforations to hearing loss.

Ear candling  or thermo- auricular therapy  does have many advocates, who insist it brings benefits ranging from clearing sinuses to relaxation. Some people who don't suffer from a specific problem say they enjoy the warm, soothing feeling created by the process, or that the candles draw out so-called 'negative energy'.

One fan is Nicky Whatling, 40, who regularly uses the candles for a range of conditions. 'I started using them ten years ago and now always keep them in a cupboard,' says Nicky, a charity worker from West Malling, Kent.

'I was working as a beauty therapist and I learned how to use them and would practise ear candling on others. Yes, I was sceptical at first, but it seemed such a calming and relaxing way to relieve congestion. Then I started trying them myself.

'I use them to clear my ears and sinuses whenever I have a cold. I have family in Australia and have discovered that ear candles are fantastic for re-balancing your ears after a long flight.

'They are relaxing since they create such a lovely sensation in the ear.

Ear candling  or thermo- auricular therapy  does have many advocates, who insist it brings benefits ranging from clearing sinuses to relaxation

'When my son was little, he used to get lots of colds and I used them all the time on him. Not only did they clear his congestion, but they also seemed to help calm and relax him, too.

'I know experts have criticised them but all I know is that they work so well for me.'

However, experts warn that not only is the procedure dangerous, but there is little evidence it actually removes ear wax.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology points out that there are no controlled studies to support their use.

It declares the procedure is not safe, listing some of the common injuries as burns, obstruction of the ear canal with wax and perforation of the membrane that separates the ear canal and the middle ear.

'Not only does the science not stack up, ear candles are clearly dangerous,' says Nick Taylor, chief audiologist with Specsavers.

'If people are feeling blocked up because of fluid in the middle ear from a cold or their sinuses, it is impossible for it to get through to the outer ear this way.'

So HOW should you clean out your ears if they feel blocked, waxy or heavy? 'There's a misconception that wax is dirty, unhealthy and should be removed to keep the ears clear,' says Henry Sharp, consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon with East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

'Actually ear wax forms a protective barrier against bacteria and microbes entering the ear canal.'

Sometimes, however, it can get stuck or impacted  especially for those with thin or hairy ear canals. But never be tempted to try to remove it with cotton buds, Mr Sharp warns.

'If you use cotton buds, what you will end up doing is pushing the wax further inside the ear.'

If you are troubled by blocked ears, you could try using over-the-counter ear drops.

These usually contain olive or almond oil and can help soften ear wax so it falls out.

If you're suffering ear pain or discomfort, see your doctor, who can offer other treatments.

One method is microsuction, in which wax is removed with a mini suction device. Otherwise, ears can be pumped or syringed, with a jet of water that gets behind the wax to push it out.

When it comes to ear candling, devotees won't be deterred  but some do agree it should be carried out only by a trained practitioner to avoid the sort of near miss that Hannah Stevens suffered.

'I think they are effective for clearing my ears when they feel blocked up, which can happen after I've had a cold,' says Jane Silver, 48, a clinical hypnotherapist from Manchester.
For relaxation, Jo Scott loves nothing more than curling up with a good novel. Attentive to her health, she makes sure she swims regularly and eats well. Cosy nights in with her beloved partner are sacrosanct.

So seemingly serene is the 51-year-old that she even soothes others in the course of her career as a reiki therapist. But, like an increasing number of respectable women, Jo has become so consumed by rage that even a simple trip to buy the weekly groceries can lead to frighteningly aggressive outbursts. Recently, she completely 'lost it' when another driver tried to take the space she wanted in a Tesco car park.

Jo's response was instant, and utterly disproportionate. 'I was there first. So I got out of my car as he approached and shouted: 'F*** you, a*******, I'm staying here until I get this space.'

Jo Scott, 51, from Sussex, has become so consumed by rage that even a simple trip to buy the weekly groceries can lead to frighteningly aggressive outbursts

'The driver was a man much bigger than me, but I wasn't intimidated. I told him we'd be stuck there all day if he didn't move  which eventually he did.' It was just another explosion among many for Jo, whose slender size ten frame belies her steely aggression. And despite the fact that her career relies on her being positively zen-like about life, her dark side is on show almost daily.

'Once I'm riled it's as if a switch is pressed and my temper turns me into a completely different person,' says Jo. 'I swear, slam doors, shout and throw things.'

Worryingly, it would seem this is a dangerous trend, seen by many as yet another dark side of equality. Stories of professional women drinking themselves into ill health, trying to keep up with male colleagues are well documented.

But they are now matching men on the aggression front, too, putting themselves in physical danger  risking their good name, career prospects and relationships. In 1957, men were responsible for 11 violent offences for every one perpetrated by a woman  today, that is four to one.

Jo says: 'When I've calmed down, I apologise if I'm in the wrong'

Add to the mix long hours, pressure juggling work and family life, plus fluctuating hormones caused by the menopause, PMS or childbirth and it's no wonder so many women are exploding with rage.

Indeed, earlier this month it was reported that Oxford-educated Jocelyn Robson, a company director, 40, etched the word 'c***' in capital letters on two of her former boyfriends' cars after they broke up.

And last month BBC presenter Jeremy Vine released footage of a woman  smartly dressed and driving a top-of-the-range car down one of London's most expensive streets  who swore at him to 'get the f*** off the road' and allegedly kicked his bicycle.

My temper drove away my partner. I just couldn't stop screaming at him and then storming out

Research has also found that women are significantly more likely to be verbally and physically aggressive to men than vice versa  something physicians are seeing more of in their clinics.

'We are treating more women than ever who are struggling to regulate their emotions and express themselves appropriately,' says Dr Monica Cain, a counselling psychologist at London's Nightingale Hospital.

So what is causing the red mist to descend for so many women? And why is this anger afflicting so many upstanding women, the sort you might hope would be immune to, or too ashamed of, having outbursts?

Some experts suggest women believe that such outward displays of aggression allow them to seize the initiative from traditionally dominant men. Whether it's in the workplace or around the dining table, shouting, swearing or throwing things are increasingly viewed as valid methods for women to assert themselves.

Dr Elle Boag, social psychologist at Birmingham City University, says: 'Women feel aggression is a form of empowerment. It has become so commonplace that it's not even shameful.'

Worryingly, it would seem this is a dangerous trend. Stories of professional women drinking themselves into ill health, trying to keep up with male colleagues are well documented

Indeed, Jo insists it's her right to shout at family and strangers alike. 'When I've calmed down, I apologise if I'm in the wrong. But if someone has been rude or disrespectful, I feel my temper is justified,' she says.

'Lashing out is just a way of expressing myself.'

As well as this sense of entitlement, there's the ever-present, age-old pressure to 'have it all'. With competitive streaks accentuated by demanding careers and the seemingly perfect lifestyles displayed by celebrities, women are cracking under the pressure.

'There is a perception that women have to have the perfect home, raise children and have a career that's fulfilling and brings in an enviable lifestyle and income,' says Dr Cain.

If someone has been rude or disrespectful, I feel my temper is justified. Lashing out is just a way of expressing myself

'We are driving ourselves to the limit and a build-up of internal pressure over time can lead to us getting very frustrated over issues that would normally cause no more than a niggle.'

Such outbursts can also become addictive, a form of almost animalistic release. The burden mounts, tension builds and the almost exquisite joy of letting it all out becomes almost compulsive for some women.

It's a feeling that Jo, who lives in Brighton with her partner Steven, 50, and his two children Jane, 21, and Tommy, 17, can identify with.

'While I don't feel proud of myself there is a cathartic release in letting my emotions out,' says Jo.

But as well as this rush, Jo also admits to feeling under constant pressure to provide for her family.

'While I don't feel proud of myself there is a cathartic release in letting my emotions out'

After quitting a lucrative but exhausting career as an IT consultant to retrain as a therapist a decade ago, the increase in financial pressure has been almost intolerable.

Add to this the post-menopausal mood swings she has suffered since 2013 and it's a toxic mix. The targets for her anger are many and various. Call centre customer service operators are prime targets (she told one to shove their internet connection where the 'sun doesn't shine'). Drivers who hog the middle lane prompt a storm of furious beeping. Litter droppers are screamed at.

Her near daily outbursts follow a similar trajectory. 'First, I get heart palpitations and shake. Then I open my mouth without engaging my brain. I shout and use foul language I regret afterwards. It takes me a couple of hours before I can calm down.'

Her anger isn't limited to verbal assaults. Last week, after a hard day at work, she slammed her front door so hard the handle fell off.

Thankfully Steven who works with disabled children, has learned how to cope with her outbursts. As mild-mannered as Jo is volatile, he's found that the best thing to do is to walk away and let the tantrum burn itself out .

RISING ANGER Two in five victims of domestic violence in the UK are men. The number of women prosecuted for it rose from 1,575 in 2004/5 to 4,266 in 2008/9. Advertisement

He first fell foul of her temper three months into their relationship when she smashed every bottle in her bathroom after a minor disagreement.

Once, when Jo wanted to eat out and Steven didn't, she kicked the air conditioning in her car so hard that it broke.

'I apologised profusely and promised I would never lose it with him again. But I obviously did.'

Her stepchildren, too, have learned to walk away from her outbursts. 'They usually react by storming off. Jane didn't speak to me for three days after an argument about tidiness.

'Our relationship is still strained, which is a shame, but I feel convinced she is as much to blame as me.'

According to Dr Cain, anger is a surface emotion that masks hurt, frustration and fear. 'It's part of the body's fight or fight response,' she says. 'It works as a form of control and can make us assert ourselves better.'

However, Dr Cain says, once anger escalates we are incapable of rational thought.

'We lose our cognitive functioning and are less likely to see things objectively and communicate healthily. It can lead to us hurting or attacking someone else, either verbally or physically. It can corrode relationships.'

It's rare that a day passes without Annmarie Fisher, 32, descending into an all-out rage. From long queues to bad drivers and noisy neighbours, it's almost easier to list what doesn't make her angry.

A rare day passes without Annmarie Fisher, 32, from Iver, descending into an all-out rage

Her rage is fuelled by an endless quest for perfection, as she admits: 'I see red when things aren't done in a certain way.

'Anger also masks my insecurity. I take everything personally and if I didn't get angry I'd burst into tears.' Interestingly, it was her pregnancy with son Frank, now six months, which led to her temper escalating. An otherwise quietly spoken sales manager, Annmarie says she has always been someone to 'stand up for herself if something seems wrong', but suddenly she became easily infuriated.

'I got into shouting matches with doctors' receptionists and threw a shoe at my neighbour's wall when their building work disrupted my Sunday morning.'

Though she makes a concerted effort never to shout in front of her baby son, she can pinpoint the time her fuse became short to the day she gave birth in February.

From long queues to bad drivers, it's almost easier to list what doesn't make her angry

Psychologists say this is probably due to testosterone levels  the same hormone associated with aggression in men  which remain low during pregnancy and then rises after a woman gives birth.

So extreme are her moods that her husband Stephen, 36, an office team leader, has nicknamed her 'hormones'.

'Thankfully, he is easy going. I might snap at him if he hasn't done the washing up but, if anything, his support for me has made our marriage stronger.

I take everything personally and if I didn't get angry I'd burst into tears

'If he hears me being rude to someone he'll put a hand on my shoulder and remind me it's not worth getting angry about.'

But despite his patience with her, even Stephen can foresee trouble ahead if his wife doesn't attempt to temper her moods.

'He warns me that one day I'm going to get angry with the wrong person and they will be provoked and I will be physically hurt. You read these horror stories about people carrying knives, especially in incidents of road rage.'

Despite her husband's advice, it hasn't stopped Annmarie swearing impatiently at fellow drivers who don't allow her adequate time to reverse her 4x4 into the drive of her three-bedroom London home.

And when, last year, she decided a driver was too close behind her as she kept to a 30mph speed limit, she braked suddenly and got out of the car. 'I asked the driver, a young man, what the hell he thought he was doing driving up to my bumper,' she says. 'My heart was pounding as he called me a bitch and drove off.'

Despite her husband's advice, Annmarie hasn't stopped swearing impatiently at fellow drivers

Targets for her ire are wide- ranging. The elderly, for example, do not escape.

'Old people can be so rude. They don't open the door for me when I'm wheeling Frank in his buggy. I mutter 'For Christ's sake', but make sure they can hear me.'

When a childless woman took the last mother and baby parking spot at her local supermarket, Annmarie followed her inside 'like a fox chasing a rabbit'.

'I said 'I have a new baby and it's selfish of you to park there when you have no children and could have parked anywhere.'

I might snap at him if he hasn't done the washing up but, if anything, his support for me has made our marriage stronger

'The woman didn't stop apologising and moved her car immediately. Afterwards, I felt awful for intimidating her.'

Perhaps unsurprisingly, she has upset family and friends with her behaviour. In restaurants, she has embarrassed loved ones by high-handedly sending back food she considers isn't good enough.

And, as she confesses: 'Some feel wary of me and I have started avoiding others in case I alienate them more.'

Despite her guilt at her bad behaviour, Annmarie, whose GP referred her to a counsellor six weeks ago, insists she 'only gets angry at things when it's justified. In some ways I'm only behaving in the way men have for years'.

Frustration at not being able to live up to modern society's high standards is also making many women angry, says Dr Cain. 'Women today expect to have everything, and have it quickly, which results in anger,' she says.

Gemma Dawson, 27, a mature business studies student from Wakefield, Yorkshire, found herself becoming so furious at her failure to keep up with her friends' polished lives as seen on social media that she gave up using Facebook altogether.

Gemma Dawson, 27, a mature business studies student from Wakefield, Yorkshire, found herself becoming furious at her failure to keep up with her friends' polished lives

'It was so competitive and fake and made me feel bad about myself,' says Gemma. 'I would look at pictures of friends' perfect lives on Facebook and feel so angry that mine wasn't as good.'

But despite curbing her internet activity, she still struggled to control her temper throughout her previous relationship.

Nearly every day with former partner Chris, 36, a customer services representative, was filled with shouting matches.

'If he didn't want me to go out and I did, I reacted by screaming and storming out anyway,' says Gemma. But, as she confesses, her attempts to seize control by showing such aggression led to more problems.

'I'd look at pictures of friends' lives on Facebook and feel angry that mine wasn't as good'

'Yelling didn't solve anything. It just made me feel more wound up. I shouted at friends if I felt they weren't paying me attention  even my mum because I thought she favoured my brother.'

As her seven-year relationship broke up in 2014, Gemma saw a counsellor. 'She suggested ways to deal with my aggression other than screaming  that I should listen to the other person finish talking before I started and write letters to people to articulate my emotions.'

And it's this process of stepping back that is the best way women can conquer the plague of rage, says Dr Cain. 'If we wait until the anger subsides, we can get to the underlying emotions of hurt, frustration and fear, and communicate from that position.'
Home of the classic sausage roll and the Cornish pasty, Greggs would rarely be described as a bakery for the health-conscious.

But that could all change with the chain's new range of 'healthy' sourdough pasties, which are less than 300 calories.

FEMAIL decided to put them to the test to see if they can keep the flavour while slashing the calories.

A Katsu Chicken Bake made with sourdough pastry, pictured, is among the new healthy options that have less than 300 calories. FEMAIL was pleasantly surprised to find it was tasty with a creamy, but fiery, filling

The Katsu chicken bake is wrapped in the sourdough-based shortcrust pastry but the filling is a little too sweet for our tester's taste

KATSU CHICKEN BAKE

A standard Steak Bake contains 405 calories and 26g of fat, while the 1.30 Katsu Chicken Bake has just 288 calories per portion, and 8.8g of fat.

Wrapped in sourdough-based shortcrust pastry it has a crispy crumb topping, which provides welcome texture on top, while remaining soft on the bottom.

A bite into the snack reveals moist chicken chunks in a creamy but slightly too sweet katsu curry sauce, which is fiery with lots of chilli.

It certainly doesn't taste like a 'lighter' option. Instead, it's just like munching on a flavoursome katsu curry, but one wrapped in comforting carbohydrate.

The fact it's lower in calories makes it taste all the sweeter.

RATING: 4/5

BOMBAY POTATO BAKE

The Bombay potato bake costs just 1.30 and is slightly lower in calories than the chicken katsu sourdough option

FEMAIL's taste testers found this pasty enjoyable but too runny inside, while the pastry was a little on the tough side

The 1.30 vegetarian option is slightly lower in calories than the chicken option at 274, but contains more fat - with 9.5g per portion.

It's made with the same pastry and has the same crunchy top, but is speckled with black and brown mustard seeds - a must for any bombay potato dish.

Inside is a rich tomato-y goo, containing mushy slices of potato.

The flavour is good and the spices come through well, but it's quite sloppy to eat - and the potatoes could have done with slightly less cooking.

A colleague said it tasted 'nice' but agreed it was too runny inside and would have preferred a softer pastry.

Again, this doesn't taste like a healthy option, and we wouldn't have been able to tell that it was a low-calorie bake if it wasn't advertised as one.

RATING: 2/5

Earlier this year, Greggs introduced a range of boxed salads, falafel and noodles that come in at under 400 calories under its Balanced Choice brand

VERDICT

A slightly mixed bag, but I'm pleasantly surprised by the Katsu Chicken Bake.

It was definitely the better of the two, with a strong flavour and a less sloppy filling than the vegetarian Bombay Potato Bake.

As more people grow concerned about the rise of obesity, it's wise for the bakery to become a bit more health and calorie conscious.

Following the likes of McDonald's and Pret A Manger, earlier this year it introduced a range of boxed salads, falafel and noodles as part of its Balanced Choice range - all of which contain fewer than 400 calories.
She spent her life watching lips move and only hearing muffled sounds

She spent her whole life watching her mother's lips move, and only hearing muffled sounds.

But finally, at the age of 14, Breanna has been given an effective cochlear implant.

And this heartwarming video captures the moment she heard her mother's voice clearly for the first time.

Scroll down for video

Breanna, 14, from Houston, has finally been given an effective cochlear implant which allowed her to hear her mother's voice clearly for the first time in years - reducing her to tears

At first, the technician turns on her implanted hearing aid and asks if it works.

'Yeah,' Breanna says with a nod and a smile.

Then her mom Melissa chimes in: 'Can you hear my voice?'

Breanna laughs, 'yes!' Then she gets hit by a wave of emotion and starts to cry.

It was a monumental moment for the Houston teenager, who has had severe hearing loss since birth.

She was given a hearing aid at two years old, but sounds were still muffled.

Her hearing had decreased over time to the point that her left hearing aid was not helping her understand speech.

But the new implant, fitted at the Center for Hearing and Speech in Houston, will help her to overcome this problem.

'She's doing so well,' a spokesman for the Center told Daily Mail Online.

'Breanna's been coming to the Center since she was a baby. Over time it was getting harder and harder for her to understand what people were saying.

'When she heard her mom's voice - it wasn't muffled, and the clarity... It was very emotional.'

Cochlear implants are small electronic devices which have two parts. One sits behind the ear, while a second is surgically placed underneath the skin.

The devices can't restore normal hearing, but they can help a deaf person understand speech better.

Implants bypassed damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.

These signals are then sent to the brain, which recognizes them as sound.

After her emotional outburst, Breanna and her family started to work with a therapist to help improve her ability in understanding speech.

Speech therapy is essential for young children with a cochlear implant as it can help users develop language and literacy skills similar to their friends.
A girl who was paralysed down one side of her body was found to have a giant tapeworm cyst covering more than half of her brain.

Nita Juggi, from India, had been suffering from seizures, headaches and weakness for more than two years.

Over the last 12 months she had become paralysed down her right side, leaving her unable to feed herself or even pick up a glass of water.

She was eventually diagnosed with neurocysticercosis, a rare condition in which a person becomes infested with tapeworm.

Scans showed Nita Juggi has a giant cyst in her brain which was caused by a tapeworm

Following surgery to remove the growth, Nita has fully recovered the function in the right side of her body and is thrilled she can play with friends again

Her father Kishor Parbat Jogi, 45, had taken her to different doctors without success.

Eventually, she was referred to Dr Chirag Solanki, a consultant neuro and spine surgeon two months ago.

An MRI scan at Sterling Hospital, in Gandhidham, in Gujarat, central India, two months ago.

And after lengthy examinations and MRI scan they found a cyst on her brain, roughly the size of a grapefruit, weighing just over a pound.

Dr Chirag Solanki said he believed the cyst had been slowly growing for the past eight to ten years.

'As it got bigger it had more affect on her day to day life and her headaches were getting worse,' he said.

It had grown to be half the size of her brain. It was very dangerous and there were chances the cyst could have ruptured and killed her at any time.

'Its a bubble so it could burst at any moment.

Tapeworms are parasitic worms which most recognised in their adult stage when they can live in intestines and grow to huge lengths.

Before they become adults, tapeworms are larvae in large cysts which can end up in people's brains.

The most common form is echinococcus granulous, and its caught by herbivore animals such as sheep or cattle and then transferred to carnivores animals such as dogs and cats.

The hydatid cyst, which measured 12 cms, is caused by a parasite infestation from a tapeworm

Surgeons worked to remove the sac of fluid, which is caused by tapeworm larvae

It can be transferred to humans inside contaminated food by an ova of a parasite. In Nita's case, the parasite had been left for so long it had developed into a cyst.

Dr Solanki said the family were shocked to discover the cause of her symptoms.

They eventually admitted that they had lived in a very dirty environment and they accepted they had not been very hygienic and that is how she contracted the tapeworm to begin with.

HOW DO THE CYSTS FORM? Tapeworms are parasitic worms which most recognised in their adult stage when they can live in intestines and grow to huge lengths. Before they become adults, tapeworms are larvae in large cysts which can end up in people's brains. These cysts can affect various parts of the body - when they form in the brain it is known as neurocysticercosis. When the brain is affected it can cause seizures and can be fatal. The condition is caught by eating the microscopic eggs excreted by a person who has an intestinal pork tapeworm. For example, if a person eats undercooked, infected pork and develops a tapeworm they can excrete eggs and may contaminate food or surfaces by not washing their hands properly. Once inside the body, the eggs hatch and the larvae find their way to the brain. Advertisement

Dr Solanki conducted the two-and-a-half-hour long operation and he and his team successfully removed it.

Nita spent two weeks in hospital recovering.

Kishor, a farmer said, he had to sell wife Sarla's jewellery to pay for the surgery.

But he said the family were thrilled with the change to Nita's life.

'I have told the doctor he is like my God. He performed the surgery very well.

'My daughter is now back to normal and is doing very well,' he said.

'We make her to do some exercises to keep her fit and we try to support her in every possible way. I thank god that she is better.

Nita is now happy that she can play with her friends again.

I used to get very sad that I was not well. I didn't feel good and I was always crying,' she said.

'But Im fine now. I can even play with my friends so I am very happy.

Dr Solanki said the best way to avoid it was through good hygiene and recommended people treat their pets with anti-tapeworm medication.

'Its very easy for animals to carry it and transfer it to humans,' he said.
Women who reach the menopause early in life are at greater risk of having a heart attack, research suggests.

Those who start the menopause before the age of 45 are about 50 per cent more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease - such as a heart attack and angina - than women who undergo the change later in life.

The research, led by Erasmus University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, suggests that oestrogen hormones have a significant protective effect on the heart.

The menopause, which occurs on average at the age of 51, happens when the body stops naturally producing oestrogen and other sex hormones.

An estimated 1.9million women in Britain are going through the menopause at any one time.

Women who enter the menopause early are at greater risk of suffering from a heart attack, new research has warned

Some 80 per cent of these women are thought to experience symptoms, which typically last for about four years, including depression, hot flushes, headaches and night sweats.

Around one in ten women start the menopause earlier in life - before the age of 45, with in 100 women before they are 40, and one in 1,000 before they are 30.

The Dutch researchers reviewed 32 previous studies, involving more than 310,000 women.

They compared women who experienced menopause younger than 45 and women who were 45 years or older at onset.

The findings, published in the JAMA medical journal, suggested that overall, women who experienced early-onset menopause were 50 per cent more likely to suffer coronary heart disease, 11 per cent more likely to die as a result of a heart attack, and 12 per cent more likely to die early from any cause.

There was no link to increased risk of suffering a stroke.

The authors suspect that oestrogen plays a crucial role, helping blood vessels relax. When oestrogen supply decreases, arteries are likely to stiffen - a major cause of heart attacks.

They wrote: In health vessels, oestrogens are involved in the relaxation and expansion of blood vessels, helping to accommodate blood flow.

Women between the ages of 50 and 54 at the onset of menopause had a decreased risk of fatal coronary heart disease

Consequently, decreased levels of oestrogen result in stiffer blood vessels.

Women who reach the menopause later in life are exposed to oestrogen for longer, the authors said, decreasing their risk of heart disease.

However, they said it was not clear whether simply taking hormone replacement therapy pills - known as HRT - would decrease the risk.

MENOPAUSE REVERSED? Scientists claim to to have effectively reversed the menopause by 'rejuvenating' women's ovaries. The Greek team say the technique enabled women to release eggs and re-start their periods. The new technique involves platelet-rich plasma (PRP) - a concentrated mix of substances in the blood that help cells grow - and may stimulate tissue regeneration. Researchers also found PRP also seems to rejuvenate older ovaries. When they injected it into the ovaries of menopausal women, they claim it restarted their menstrual cycles, and enabled them to collect and fertilise the eggs that were released. Advertisement

They wrote: The complex interplay between exogenous [external] hormones and cardiovascular disease risk is not fully understood, and the results regarding hormone replacement therapy and CVD risk are conflicting.

Previous research, however, has suggested that women who took oestrogen HRT pills within six years of the menopause were less likely to suffer blocked arteries, a problem which can cause heart attacks and strokes.

That study, led by the University of Southern California, found that giving women HRT soon after starting the change showed significantly slower rates of fatty build-ups, reducing their risk of heart problems.

Emily Reeve, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: Before the menopause, women generally have a lower risk of developing coronary heart disease than after the menopause.

This review suggests that women experiencing the menopause before they reach 45 could be at an increased risk of coronary heart disease, although more research is needed to better understand the reasons for this.
The first of a series of crippling five day strikes by junior doctors looks set to go ahead next month, despite fears over patient safety.

British Medical Association (BMA) leaders have been in talks today to discuss whether to call off the strikes planned between now and Christmas.

But a spokesperson said 'the BMAs position has not changed' and the industrial action will go ahead as planned.

Since January junior doctors have been locked in a bitter row with ministers over a new contract that will see them paid less for weekend work.

Junior doctors have repeatedly taken to the picket lines this year and will start a series of longer walk outs next month

The Government insists the revised deals are crucial to deliver a seven day NHS service but junior doctors rejected a settlement brokered in the spring.

Last week Ellen McCourt, the chairwoman of the junior doctors committee at the BMA, announced a strike set for this week, would not go ahead.

Speaking at the time, she said: 'We have to listen to our colleagues when they tell us that they need more time to keep patients safe.

'We have also listened to the concerns of working doctors, patient groups and the public.

'Thousands of you have been in touch, your level of anger over the Secretary of State's imposed contract remains high, but at the same time you want to keep your patients safe during industrial action.

'The BMA is therefore suspending the industrial action planned for the week of 12 September. The remaining programme of industrial action stays in place.'

The decision comes after health leaders warned junior doctors who go on strike for more than two weeks could face competency assessments.

Prolonged industrial action could lead to a 'loss of training experience', according to the body which oversees education and training within the health workforce in England.

Health Education England (HEE) has said that if any trainee misses out on more than two weeks of training - or work days - then they could be red-flagged by the General Medical Council (GMC).

The bitter dispute centres around a new contract which will be imposed next month

The next action is scheduled for October 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11, November 14 to 18 and December 5 to 9, which will see junior doctors withdrawing from labour between the hours of 8am and 5pm, in the ongoing dispute over a controversial new contract for training medics.

The five strikes they have staged so far were limited to 24 or 48 hours and week-long walkouts would be much more disruptive.

Hospitals will be overstretched in the run-up to winter and the strikers might forfeit any remaining public sympathy.

Ministers had hoped to have finally settled the dispute in May when they agreed a provisional new contract with senior BMA officials.

But this was later rejected by the 50,000 junior doctors who are members of the union in a vote in July.

To their dismay, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt decided to impose the contract regardless and it is due to take effect in October.

Speaking previously, Joyce Robins, of the campaign group Patient Concern, said any further action would be at the expense of patients.

She said: What they are proposing puts peoples lives in danger and you dont expect that behaviour from doctors. People will die and people will suffer, and for what?

The public has been misled over this, it has been made to sound as though junior doctors are living in penury and being denied their rights, but actually they have already got most of what they asked for. Its really very upsetting.

WHEN ARE THE JUNIOR DOCTORS DUE TO BE ON STRIKE? Junior doctors announced a new string of strikes ahead of a controversial employment contract being imposed upon them in October. With some health professionals suggesting millions of people could face disruption as a result, we answer a few questions about patient cancellations. When are the walkouts due to take place? There are still three sets of walkouts currently scheduled over coming months, the first on October 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11, followed by November 14 to 18 and December 5 and 9. How badly will services be affected? The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced the strikes will see a 'full withdrawal of labour' which will lead to considerable disruption and other medical staff having to attempt to plug the holes in the workforce. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt estimated some 100,000 operations would be cancelled and more than one million appointments. NHS Providers, which represents NHS leaders, estimated it would be closer to half a million cancelled operations and four million appointments. What should I do if I'm concerned about a cancelled hospital appointment or operation? The Patients Association has advised contacting your local hospital's admissions clerk to see if you're affected - and how badly. It added that quick answers should not be expected, as many places will still be attempting to piece together their contingency plans following the announcement of industrial action by the BMA. How long would I have to wait for my appointment or operation to be rescheduled? According to NHS guidelines, these should be rearranged within 28 days of being cancelled. But, given the scale of strike action and the number of appointments which face cancellation, the Patients Association warned this could take longer. Advertisement
As we age, our memories become foggier and our bodies weaker.

But new research has revealed the astonishing techniques our brains employ to fight that process.

Older brains struggle to rapidly switch from one focus to another.

However, they compensate by paying more attention to details than younger people.

The findings offer a rare glimpse into how the brain streamlines its functions to strengthen its abilities.

Elderly brains compensate by paying more attention to details than younger people

'To a certain extent, the brain is able to slow down negative effects of aging by increasing its level of attentiveness,' lead author Sabrina Schenk, of Germany's Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, explained.

This is down to a shift in the way we categorize things.

Younger people spread their attention wide, Schenk explained, gathering lots of information from different sources.

The elderly focus their attention, looking more at detail.

To explore this phenomenon, the team gave categorization tasks to groups of younger and older people.

The participants of the study were asked to sort circles with varying color combinations into one of two categories.

Some of the circles were very similar to each other, some very different.

During the test they were given feedback as to whether they were right or wrong.

As the groups completed the test, the researchers recorded their brain waves with an EEG.

They also used an eye tracker to trace their line of vision.

With the similarly-colored circles, the results were the same: both young and old participants easily categorized everything.

When it reached a point with multiple circles of very different colors, older participants struggled to divide their attention as well as the younger patients.

That is hardly surprising, given the slowing affect ageing has on the brain.

'There are two main strategies which we use to categorize things,' Schenk said.

'While we perceive similar looking members of a category holistically, we must specifically learn exceptions and memorize them.

'Older people find it harder to switch from one strategy to the other.'
A 38-year-old tea seller spent five hours driving around east Delhi in a private ambulance carrying the dead body of his wife after she died of chikungunya.

Later the body was moved to the house of the village pradhan thanks to the help of local police, and was later cremated.

Chote Lal, a tea seller near Cross River shopping mall, was forced to shuttle his wifes body between Hedgewar Hospital his house in Kakrakrooma village and his tea stall after the hospital refused to issue him with a death certificate.

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Tea seller Chote Lal spent five hours in a private ambulance carrying the dead body of his wife between the hospital and his home

After being denied entry into his house by his landlord Chote Lal tried desperately to borrow the money needed to preserve his wife's body in an air-conditioned ambulance and perform her last rites at a local cremation ground.

Doctors at the hospital told me that my wife died due to chikungunya. The hospital authorities, however, did not provide me doctors prescription note or death certificate, mentioning the cause of death, Chote Lal said.

He alleged that instead of arranging an ambulance, the hospital staff asked him to take his wifes body home on his own. I was alone but the hospital staff asked me to arrange an ambulance and take her body home on my own. They did not give me any documents, he said.

Hospitals have been under increased pressure recently due to the outbreak of Chikungunya in Delhi (Pictured - the overcrowded emergency ward of AIIMS hospital)

Clueless Chote Lal paid Rs 200 to a private ambulance driver to drop him home. Around 11 pm, Chote Lal arrived outside his rented accommodation.

But the landlord allegedly denied permission to enter his building with the body. As opposed to his statement, the landlord said Chote Lal didnt have any documents of his wifes death that could prove that she died of Chikungunya and was admitted in hospital.

However, his landlord gave him Rs 2,000 and asked him to return to the hospital and arrange the documents needed for the cremation process.

Patients suspected to be suffering from dengue, chikungunya and viral fever

At the hospital, he was again stopped by the security guard as he did not have the proper documents.

So, at last, he requested the ambulance driver to drop him near his tea stall where some of his friends lived.

But a Delhi police constable stepped up and made further arrangements for him. Constable Vikram was patrolling the area when he spotted the ambulance and approached its driver who narrated the entire story.

We provided Chote Lal all necessary help, said a senior police officer. The hospital administration is conducting an internal enquiry after the matter came to light.
As Delhi faces a major health crisis, the AAP city government and the BJP Centre government have kicked-off the blame game, pointing the finger at one another for the outbreak of the vector-borne disease.

AAP has blamed Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and municipal corporations for lack of preventive measures while the Delhi government is facing accusations of being negligent over the rising number of Chikungunya cases.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who returned from Punjab on Monday, said L-G Najeeb Jung and PM Narendra Modi should be questioned over the issue.

As Delhi faces a major health crisis, the AAP city government and the BJP Centre government have kicked-off the blame game, pointing the finger at one another for the outbreak of the vector-borne disease

Chikungunya Chikungunya is an infection with symptoms that include the sudden onset of fever two to four days after exposure. The fever usually lasts two to seven days, while accompanying joint pains typically last weeks or months but sometimes years. The risk of death is a little less than 1 in 1,000; the elderly or those with underlying chronic medical problems are most likely to have severe complications. The best means of prevention for Chikungunya is mosquito control and the avoidance of bites by mosquitoes in areas where the disease is common. Advertisement

While his Cabinet minister, Kapil Mishra, claimed that the Delhi government was at the receiving end of a criminal conspiracy after the L-G deliberately sent the health secretary on a 12-day leave.

This is a criminal conspiracy against the people of Delhi. First, the health secretary was transferred despite (Deputy CM) Manish Sisodias request not to do so.

"Then the person who sat on the file of Chinese Manjha ban for six days was made the new Secretary.

"He refused to meet Health Minister Satyendar Jain time and again since being appointed. And then the L-G deliberately sent him on a leave of 15 days and disappeared himself. Where did he go? Mishra questioned.

Water Minister claims that Principal Health Secretary Chandraker Bharti is on leave till September 16. His leave was sanctioned by the L-G office on September 6.

No one knows where the mayors, councillors, the seven MPs and Indias Health Minister are. Medicine was not sprayed, fogging was not undertaken, he said.

Virtually, the entire Delhi Cabinet is missing from action as ministers including Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai and Imran Hussain are out of station.

While the CM is scheduled to undergo a throat operation in Bengaluru on Tuesday, his deputy Sisodia is in Finland to study its education system.

Jain, who holds the Health portfolio, was touring poll-bound Goa and returned to Delhi on Tuesday afternoon.

Rai is in Chhattisgarh and Hussain is on Haj pilgrimage. Only Water minister Kapil Mishra was stationed in Delhi and available for comment.

Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain, who came back from Goa, targeted the L-G and MCDs for the lack of preventive measures before the onset of the Monsoon.

The responsibility of curbing and preventing dengue, malaria and chikungunya lies with the MCD. We had called a special Assembly session to discuss the degrading condition as it seemed that the corporations are purposefully trying to lead the Capital into an epidemic, said Jain.

Blaming the MCD, Jain said the L-G and the central government should be questioned for the ongoing health crisis.

Fumigation: The best means of prevention for Chikungunya is mosquito control and the avoidance of bites by mosquitoes in areas where the disease is common

Two MCD mayors are out of Delhi, ask them why? Their only work is to ensure cleanliness, Satyendra Jain said.

The municipal leaders, however, said while their responsibility was limited to the prevention of the vector-borne diseases, all attempts are being made to contain it.
United Nations designated global terrorist Hafiz Saeed has thanked pro-Pak Hurriyat leaders in Kashmir for fueling unrest in the Valley.

In a video message the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind urged the youth to continue sacrificing themselves.

At a time when people around the world are sacrificing animals on Eid-ul- Azha, we applaud people in Kashmir for their sacrifice, the terrorist said thanking separatists like Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Asiya Andarabi among others.

United-Nations designated global terrorist Hafiz Saeed has thanked pro-Pak Hurriyat leaders in Kashmir for fueling unrest and urged the Kashmiri youth to continue sacrificing themselves

A top intelligence officer told Mail Today: From Geelani to Andarabi - separatists want to see the death toll in the Valley climb to further, but none of them would send their own children to pelt stones. Their own children are leading normal lives.

In the video accessed by Mail Today, terrorist Saeed is praising other Hurriyat leaders including Massarat Alam Butt, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabir Shah and Yasin Malik, urging the people of the Valley to follow their agenda.

Indian Kashmiri protesters clash with Indian government forces during the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Adha in Srinagar

Who is Hafiz Saeed? Hafiz Saeed is a Pakistani terrorist and the chief of Jama'at-ud-Da'wah, a terrorist organisation confirmed by the United Nations. In April 2012, the United States announced a bounty of $10 million on Hafiz Saeed, for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which over 600 people died. Hafiz Saeed has claimed that 9/11 attacks were staged by United States. He has blamed India for the floods in Pakistan, calling it "Water Terrorism" and he also blames India for the Peshawar Attack which resulted in 141 deaths and 124 injuries. Pakistani officials maintain that Saeed is innocent and he has been helping with identification and rehabilitation of former militants. Saeed lives in Lahore, Pakistan in a lavish and heavily fortified house, with a private mosque. Advertisement

I request all Kashmiri people to stand behind Hurriyat leadership. This is a time for complete unity in ranks. Slightest difference can cause immense loss to the movement, Saeed warned.

For the terrorists, separatists and their supporters it is feared that the agitation is losing momentum especially with the government both at the centre and the state, having adopted a hard-line approach to the separatists' pressure tactics.

The tourist season has virtually been lost. Unless the situation improves the apple season will also be lost.

"The separatists and their supporters make money but not the common man on the street. This is a terrible year for them, a source added.

However, the government has decided to tighten the screws on the Hurriyat finances too.

After the National Investigation Agency (NIA) sent a notice to Geelanis son Naeem Geelani, the income tax department is preparing to send a notice to Geelani himself for tax evasion.

Hafiz Saeed is a Pakistani terrorist and the chief of Jama'at-ud-Da'wah, a terrorist organisation confirmed by the United Nations

He has not paid taxes since 1996. There was a raid carried out in 2002 which revealed about an income of over Rs 5 crore. He was assessed and has repeatedly defaulted on tax payment, a source added.
The BJP are worried about the debacle of the previous Delhi and Bihar assembly elections

A consensus of option continues to elude the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its parent organisation, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over the choice of the formers chief ministerial candidate for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections next year.

The absence of a chief ministerial candidate was seen as the main reason behind the BJPs electoral debacle in the Delhi and Bihar assembly elections.

Sources said that, after discussions, those considered for the role include Union Minister of State for Telecom Manoj Sinha, Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath and Lucknow mayor Dinesh Sharma.

Union Minister of State for Telecom Manoj Sinha is thought to be a leading candidate for Uttar Pradesh

However, the RSS were yet to find a 'sure-shot winner' in any of these candidates.

The Sangh has attached great significance to the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, for it sees it as the semi-final to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

This was evident as no less than RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Champat Rai were camping in Lucknow and Allahabad to oversee the selection exercise and the brain-storming process.

Although Varun Gandhi is in with a chance, the RSS were yet to find a 'sure-shot winner' in any of the discussed candidates

The Sangh, however, described Bhagwats stay in Lucknow as a routine pravas (visit).

Sources said that among the three candidates, Sinha emerged as the most favoured contender due to his clean image and administrative skills, not to mention his proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.

However, his influence and popularity is confined only to eastern UP.

Yogi Adityanath does have a strong presence, but he too is not seen as a pan-state leader, and his influence is majorly limited only to western UP.

Besides, unlike Sinha, Adityanath does not subscribe to the Centres plank of conclusive growth and development.

Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath

His flirtations with controversial statements too were seen as an impediment to his candidature, sources said.

The same issue of limited popularity affected the elevation of Dinesh Sharma, whose influence is centred around urban Lucknow.

Sources denied that Union Minister for Tourism Mahesh Sharma is in the race for candidature.

His name apparently did not even come up for discussion. It is likely that the party would introspect over a new list of contenders and the exercise would be taken up afresh in the coming months.

One name that has propped up time and again is that of Varun Gandhi and Siddharth Nath Singh, grandson of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Champat Rai have been in deep discussions

Singh commands a clean image and is seen as a suave leader who can fit into the development agenda.

Some party leaders also speculated that BJP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya could emerge as the dark horse, while a few are still batting for Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti.
As Delhi's dengue and chikungunya outbreak worsens, the health system has been dragged into further controversy after an India Today investigation unearthed a black market of benevolent touts cashing-in on the crippling shortage of blood in the capital.

Despite being given a clean-bill of health by top health officials, Delhi's hospitals are bursting with patients suffering from debilitating mosquito-borne illnesses.

Against this backdrop, blood brokers roam the wards freely, selling blood and fixing donors for desperate relatives, India Today has revealed.

As Delhi's dengue and chikungunya outbreak worsens, the health system is facing further criticism after an India Today investigation unearthed a black market for hospital blood touts (picture for representation only)

At government-run health institutions several staff members and blood touts were found to be profiteering from the ongoing crisis.

At the LNJP hospital, the largest run by the Delhi government, India Today's crew met an employee to inquire about blood availability on the black market.

Posing as relatives of a critical dengue patient, the reporters feigned urgency.

Within minutes, the employee activated his network and called brokers for supplies.

He introduced the journalists to a blood tout, who negotiated the deal. Ill get blood for you from here, the broker said.

Dengue Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease. Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection and may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. Recovery generally takes less than two to seven days. In a small proportion of cases, the disease develops into the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs. The best means of prevention for both Dengue and Chikungunya is mosquito control and the avoidance of bites by mosquitoes in areas where the disease is common. Advertisement

The hospital worker standing alongside the tout warned about the no-return policy of their shady business.

There shouldn't be any issue later, meaning you cant refuse to take it once it's arranged, the employee said.

The two men then quoted a bill of Rs 3,000 for a single unit and promised to arrange eight as requested.

This gang of hospital staff and middlemen told India Todays journalists that they would not have to donate blood in order to get their quotas.

Only cash works in their trade, they suggested. You'll get your eight units. You just have to manage how you carry them, the tout said.

In severe cases of dengue, patients might need a blood transfusion to replace platelets and stabilise internal organs.

When the platelet count drops the bloods clotting property diminishes and this raises the possibility of continuous bleeding and eventual death.

The investigation found a widespread racket also traded in platelets and professional donors as demands soared from dengue and chikungunya patients.

If its about platelets, it will cost Rs 12,000, said an agent.

Rs 12,000 a unit for platelets? the reporter asked.

Rs 12,000 a unit for platelets and Rs 3,500 for the donor, replied the agent.

India is suffering with more than 12,000 cases of chikungunya reported across the country (file pic)

He agreed to organise eight units of blood and three units of platelets for Rs 64,000.

India Todays team visited the GTB hospital, another healthcare facility managed by the Delhi government.

Chikungunya Chikungunya is an infection with symptoms that include the sudden onset of fever two to four days after exposure. The fever usually lasts two to seven days, while accompanying joint pains typically last weeks or months but sometimes years. The risk of death is a little less than 1 in 1,000; the elderly or those with underlying chronic medical problems are most likely to have severe complications. The best means of prevention for Chikungunya is mosquito control and the avoidance of bites by mosquitoes in areas where the disease is common. Advertisement

At its parking lot, a fixer offered both blood and a donor in exchange for money.

We need B-, said the undercover journalist.

If its available, well give it you. Youll have to pay, the tout answered.

But we have no donor, the reporter said.

You dont, but we do, the tout replied and asked for Rs 3,500 to get a blood donor.

We'll send in a clean donor. We don't send dirty boys. We don't have such boys.

At AIIMS, India's largest government-run hospital, a group of touts promised to outsource college students as professional donors.

We are so scared, we need five units of blood, an undercover reporter told Mahesh Punjabi, a broker operating around AIIMS.

No issues. Don't worry. You will get blood, be it five, 10, 15 units or more, Punjabi claimed.

We will have college students to come in. They'll be paid.

After some bargaining, he fixed the price at Rs 2,800 a unit.

Additionally, Punjabi quoted Rs 6,000 for one unit of platelets.

An India Today journalist also discovered how insiders at the central government's RML hospital were possibly selling blood from its blood bank.

Sachin, an RML blood bank employee, demanded Rs 10,000 a unit for supplies from inside the facility.

How much money? asked the undercover reporter.

Rs 10,000, replied Sachin. He claimed he would also arrange platelets from his links in a Red Cross blood bank.

Sachin sought Rs 30,000 for two units of platelets.

It's too expensive, isn't it? asked the reporter.

Expensive? Why? said Sachin.

We are giving platelets also. You don't find it anywhere and still you are cribbing about money. Your work will be done.

After TEN deaths, the Centre finally asks Delhi for a report

By Neetu Chandra Sharma

Despite several meetings and advisories issued by the Centre before-hand, the outbreak of dengue and chinkungunya has claimed 10 lives in Delhi.

The outbreak has affected thousands across the country, and made a mockery of civic bodies and the preparations made by the government.

Concerned over the outbreak in Delhi, NCR, West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala and Karnataka, Union Health Minister J P Nadda convened a high-level meeting on Wednesday and sought a detailed report especially from the Delhi government.

The outbreak has affected thousands across the country, a made a mockery of civic bodies and the preparations made by the government

The Centre has been sensitive about both the diseases since January and has been working in coordination with state governments.

Since January 2016, there have been 17 review meetings. While 11 advisories have been issued to the states regarding protocols and methodology to be followed to tackle the diseases, three video conferences have also been done, said Union Health Minister J P Nadda.

The Union Health Ministry has already provided all logistical and technical support to the Delhi Government in terms of surveillance and diagnostic kits to strengthen their efforts in addressing dengue.

Doctors have been advised to strictly follow the protocols and the Ministry has also trained health workers to ensure timely implementation of various activities that need to be undertaken for vector control, he said.

Nadda directed officials to be alert over next few months and strengthen activities for awareness generation and prevention and control of chikungunya to effectively address the situation and not allow it to escalate.

He also asked NVBDCP, Delhi Government, and municipal bodies to coordinate their awareness activities.
A battle for supremacy at the heart of the Yadav clan has began after former UP chief secretary Deepak Singhal made a casual remark about Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

However, sources in the party said the episode was a difference of opinion within the family, and there was no threat of a split in the party.

On Wednesday, Shivpal Yadav met elder brother and party president Mulayam Singh Yadav at the latters official residence in New Delhi.

Yadav Family Values: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav with his uncle Shivpal

Emerging after a four-hour meeting, Shivpal said: "Neither I nor Netaji (Mulayam) is angry. We all are happy... There are no differences.

Sources close to Shivpal said in the meeting he gave examples of how as a senior minister in the Akhilesh government, he never publicly opposed the decisions taken by Akhilesh or Mulayam even though he may have expressed difference of opinion to them in private.

Shivpal told reporters outside Mulayams residence: The decision on Cabinet portfolios are at the discretion of the chief minister.

Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav arrives at the residence of Mulayam Singh Yadav in New Delhi

Netaji has decided to appoint me as the party's state unit chief. My role is to bring back Samajwadi Party to power in next polls.

Shivpal denied rumour of his stepping down from the post.

I will fulfil my responsibility...I will not resign...I am still part of the cabinet, he said.

Mulayam Singh Yadav outside of Parliament during Parliament Monsoon Session

The Samajwadi Party (SP) leader said from re-inducting Amar Singh into the SP to experiment with the Grand Alliance, he had always followed the directions of Mulayam. Even though he has always been painted as a villain.

The flare-up started when former UP chief secretary Deepak Singhal made a casual remark about chief minister Akhilesh Yadav

While Singhal was unceremoniously booted-out by the chief minister within 36 hours of the party, the event had threatened to become the last straw in a tussle for dominance that has been going on between Akhilesh and his uncle Shivpal Yadav.

The tug-of-war between the uncle and the nephew had been going for a long time.

It first came to light when Akhilesh vetoed the proposed merger of mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED) with the Samajwadi Party, a deal that had been struck by Shivpal.

Things came to a head after Shivpal was made the new party chief in UP, to succeed Akhilesh.

Chief Minister Yadav stripped his uncle Shivpal of key ministerial portfolios

In response, the chief minister on Tuesday stripped his uncle Shivpal of key ministerial portfolios.

According to observers, while there might be a rift that has spilled into the public realm, party patriarch Mulayam Singh is expected to rein in both his son and his brother.

Akhilesh is the best face of the party while Shivpal is Mulayams best organisation man, an SP leader said.

Handshake: Sources in the party said the episode was more to do with family differences and there was no threat of a split in the party

A split in the party can be ruled out so far as Netaji is alive. He will not let that happen at any cost while the prime actors in this latest bout of feud also know that without Netaji neither has any chance with the people of UP. After him people are free to do as they wish, he said.

Meanwhile, breaking his silence on the ongoing developments, Akhilesh clarified that this was not a family feud.

This is entirely a difference between the ministers in the government. Whatever decision Netaji takes is final. Whatever decision are taken by me are based on the directives of Netaji, Akhilesh said.

In an indirect reference to Amar Singh, he said: It is impossible to run the party if outsiders interfere.

However, he also went ahead to confirm that he is the CM. I have taken some decisions on my own with the capacity of the CM.
A Tahrir Square like gathering of over one lakh people aimed at attacking security forces in Srinagar was foiled on Tuesday after intelligence arrived concerning the plans of Pakistan-backed militants.

According to intelligence inputs, ahead of the Eid festival mobs backed by terrorists were set to trigger turmoil.

A top government official told Mail Today: They called it the Tahrir Square moment and planned to launch a massive strike on the forces.

A Kashmiri throws back a tear gas canister at Indian security personnel during a protest after Eid al-Adha prayers in Srinagar

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

A protest march from Idgah to Lal Chowk Srinagar downtown was to be organised after Eid prayers on Tuesday aimed at escalating the continuing unrest in the state since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in July.

In 2011, Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt became the central point for demonstrators seeking democracy and eventually led to the overthrowing of then President Hosni Mubarak as thousands gathered on the square that has became a symbol of revolution.

Top intelligence sources said that the mass gathering could not take place as forces on the ground ensured a clampdown.

Even if 10,000 turned up and with terrorists being part of the crowd the situation would have got out of hand. If the forces were to retaliate with firing hundreds would be killed and things would only get worse, said an official.

With another two deaths on Tuesday, the death toll in the last two months reached 78.

Based on specific intelligence generated areas from where people were expected to join the march were identified and put under a strict vigil, the official added.

Intelligence reports also indicate that a spike in local recruitment by terror outfits is expected following the turbulence in the state over the last two months.

There have been a series of clashes between raging stone pelting mobs and security forces.

Last year the number was local recruits was around 80 but sources say by the end of this year the number will definitely be more.

Before violence struck the state two months back this years tally of local youth join- ing terror outfits was over 30.

According to intelligence agencies, Pakistan is using the strategy to generate local unrest.

The death toll in J&K has reached 78 in the two months since the death of militant Burhan Wani

This year Pakistans strategy has been to try and promote radicalisation through the vested interest groups and on social media so that this can be given the shape of civil resistance.
As the outcry over an onslaught of viral diseases in the Capital reaches fever-pitch and hospitals continue to struggle under an unrelenting tide of patients, the men and women in white have also started to fall ill.

Doctors, nurses, and even sanitation workers are going on leave at a time when the number of people afflicted by dengue and chikungunya this year in the city has crossed two thousand.

Dr Ramesh Chugh, medical superintendent of Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital in south Delhi told Mail Today: In our hospital, 10% of the staff is currently down with fever.

As the outcry over an onslaught of viral diseases in the Capital reaches fever-pitch, the men and women in white have also started calling in sick with over 10% of staff down with fever in one hospital

We have over 100 doctors, and currently 7-8 doctors are down with fever, he said.

Experts say heavier than usual rainfall, a large number of construction projects and scores of open drains in Delhi are allowing mosquitoes to breed in stagnant water.

At Lok Nayak Hospital in central Delhi, 18 doctors are on leave.

Either the doctors are down with fever or somebody in their family is ill. The doctors are taking leave for at least 4-5 days. We have had cases where physicians were ill but returned to work early seeing the number of patients, said a senior doctor.

In east Delhis Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, 18 members of the medical staff, including doctors, nurses and sanitation workers, are absent.

In a staff of nearly 1200, 10-15 doctors are on leave due to viral illnesses, said Dr Punita Mahajan, medical superintendent of Baba Ambedkar Hospital in northwest Delhi.

At Lok Nayak Hospital in central Delhi, 18 doctors are off sick

We are not exerting pressure on the doctors to continue if they feel slightly unwell as it is very important for the hospital to ensure that they remain healthy.

The Delhi government has asked hospitals to ensure that dengue and chikungunya patients are treated without distress.

Officials say the health department has already dedicated an additional 1,000 beds for those suffering from fever at the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospital and Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital.

These institutes have been designated nodal hospitals for fever in the city.

All hospitals - government and private - in the National Capital Territory have been directed to increase their surge capacity.

While doctors are trying their best to remain on duty till the effect of vector-borne diseases recedes the city, the shortage in staff and the new directions from the government would add to the existing burden, said a doctor on condition of anonymity.

Workers use fogging machines to repel mosquitoes at a hospital

The Delhi government says it is fully prepared to battle with the onslaught of diseases and has denied in the city high court claims that the Capital is facing its worst dengue crisis.
One local said 'Britain did the right thing when it voted for Brexit'

Some estimate as many as nine in 10 Swiss will back 'locals first' proposal

A Swiss province is set to limit foreigners' access to jobs in order to 'protect home grown talent', in another blow to Europe's chaotic open borders policy.

The region of Ticino sees thousands of Italian migrants enter the country every day to earn generous, Swiss levels of pay. At night they go home to the cheaper cost of living in Italy, leaving locals to cope with higher prices in Switzerland.

The Italians, dubbed by some locals as 'frontalieri', or 'border workers', have been blamed for driving down wages in Ticino, leading to the highest unemployment level in the country.

Now a referendum is being held later this month that could restrict the number of foreign migrant workers getting jobs there.

Under the proposals, businesses would be forced to offer a job to a Swiss worker before a 'foreigner'.

Upset: The beautiful Swiss province of Ticino is set to limit foreigners' access to jobs in order to 'protect home grown talent', in another blow to Europe's chaotic open borders policy

Local jobs: A referendum is being held later this month in the southern canton of Ticino that, if successful, will restrict the number of people from outside the country from getting a job

Anger: The vote comes after wages were pushed down and unemployment up by an influx of cheap Italian labour. 'It is time that the people of Switzerland and this region came first,' said Piero Marchesa (pictured), the President of the Swiss People's Party in Ticino

The move is the latest in a series of measures taken by European countries to pull back from the EU's Schengen policy, which guarantees freedom of movement among member states.

France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden have all reintroduced border controls to cope with the migrant crisis, while Hungary has even put up a fence to keep them out.

The gradual collapse of the Schengen Zone has been hailed by pro-Brexit MPs as highlighting the dangers of 'watering down' Britain's decision to leave the EU.

'The EU's ideological obsession with the free movement of people creates instability, and may even lead to hostility towards migrants,' Jacob Rees-Mogg MP told MailOnline.

'It is natural for societies to seek stability, which depends upon some control of borders.'

A Swiss referendum in 2014 voted to limit the number of foreign workers but the Government has until 2017 to put this into law.

The upcoming Ticino referendum, scheduled for 25 September, is an attempt to force the local government to act.

Fed up: The referendum is a popular move. Iranian Saeed Gharibipor, who has lived in the Swiss canton for 16 years, is backing it

Support: Aimo Cerati, who sells hats on Lake Lugano, pictured, described the situation as 'absolute nonsense', adding that 'Britain did the right thing when it voted for Brexit'

Switzerland is not in the EU, but as a signatory to the Schengen Agreement it is bound by its rules.

About 62,000 Italians cross the border to work in Switzerland each day, where levels of pay can be up to 50 per cent higher than in Italy. It has been suggested that as many as nine in 10 locals will vote to limit their access to work, but this cannot be verified. Ticino, where residents voted to ban the burka, has historically had high numbers of cross-border workers.

Gabriel Luchinger, General Secretary of the populist Swiss People's Party which brought the proposals, told MailOnline the referendum would send a clear signal to the Federal Government.

'We no longer want to be part of the Schnegen Agreement and the Government has to come up with an alternative to the 2014 referendum,' he said.

'In the province of Ticino, it is concern over wages being driven down by cheap labour from Italy that has led to the proposal. We are very confident that it will pass.'

Frustration: Roberto Casole, who runs a coin and stamp shop in Vienna Nassa, agreed - saying too many people came across the border and 'something had to be done'

But those who make their living driving across the border into Switzerland fear that the proposals could greatly damage their prospects for the future.

'I work hard for my money, and the reason I am here is because the money is so much better,' said Luca, a 31-year-old Italian waiter, who enters the country five days a week to work in one of the lakeside restaurants.

'I want to start a family with my partner, and the money I make here will give me that chance. I could not do that on my wages in Italy. That is why so many people make the trip every day.'

The proposals have met strong opposition among the trade unions, however. Sergio Aureli, secretary of Unia Ticino Canton, said: 'Our hope is that employers can decide which employees to take based on their quality, not on their identity document.

'If there are problems to be addressed it is right to do so, but based on the real economic issues and not on sensationalism.'

Tempting: Some 62,000 Italians work in this small area of Switzerland, tempted over the border for jobs because the pay can be as much as 50 per cent higher than in places like Como

Guiusoso Charadonna, economics editor for the LaRegionne newspaper, said there was widespread support for the move as people were 'sick to the stomach' of the problems immigration has caused.

'At least 90 per cent of the population backs the idea,' he told MailOnline. 'The workers from Italy are blamed for the low wages. If an employer can pay someone less, then they are going to do that.

'Personally, I hope the initiative fails. But I think it will pass.'

The proposals have proved popular among local people, however, even those who were born abroad.

Iranian-born Saeed Gharibipor told MailOnline that 'local people should be put above foreign workers'.

'I have lived here for 16 years and it is expensive to live here, but I know from talking with my friends that having too many workers from Italy has put wages down,' he said. 'There has to be some control otherwise all the jobs will be taken.'

Gharibior, who works in a men's clothing store, added: 'It might seem strange coming from an immigrant to this country, but controls are needed.'

Aimo Cerati, who runs a stall selling hats on Lake Lugano, agreed. 'This freedom of movement is absolute nonsense,' he said. 'Britain did the right thing when it voted for Brexit.

'Why should people be able to go to whatever country they want for work? If there is a local person and they are qualified, they should have the job.'

Widespread: Guiusoso Charadonna, economics editor for the LaRegionne newspaper, said 'at least 90 per cent' of residents would vote in favour of the proposal

'It is time that the people of Switzerland and this region came first,' said Piero Marchesa, the President of the Swiss People's Party in the Ticino region.

'Under our initiative, employers will have to offer a job to a local resident if they are equally qualified as a foreign worker.

'The problem in Ticino has been steadily getting worse and we have many unemployed people and those with no chance of work.

'I don't see why this region should have to suffer. If a local person can do the job, then under our initiative he will get the first offer on a job.'

The Ticino government is backing a counter-proposal which suggests the issue should be tackled at a national level. It wants the issue to be part of the debate on how to implement immigration quotas without contravening the EU principle of free movement of people.
It is alleged he had sex with a college student in his office after drinks

Representative Jeremy Durham became the first Tennessee lawmaker in 36 years to be expelled from office after a series of damaging sexual harassment allegations saw him voted out by the chamber.

The state House voted 70-2 yesterday to oust the once-promising conservative. He surprised his colleagues by showing up in the chamber and arguing that he shouldn't be kicked out, before he abruptly left in mid-debate.

The vote to remove Durham, who represented the Nashville suburb of Franklin, followed an attorney general's investigation that detailed allegations of improper sexual contact with at least 22 women during his four years in office.

Rep. Jeremy Durham of Franklin talks to reporters as he leaves the Capitol before a vote to expel him from the House of Representatives was taken during a special session

Although 14 Republicans abstained from the vote and two voted against it some 47 of his fellow party members opted to vote him out along with 23 Democrats.

The House needed 66 votes to expel him.

The investigation uncovered allegations that Durham plied a 20-year-old college student with a cooler full of beer and had sex with her in his office in 2014.

Another woman interviewed was a lobbyist who nicknamed Durham 'Pants Candy' after she said he rummaged in his pocket before suggestively offering her a dirty, unwrapped mint.

House Speaker Beth Harwell effectively quarantined Durham from other lawmakers, staff and lobbyists after preliminary investigation findings were released in April, moving his office across the street and barring him from entering the main legislative area other than for official business.

The move came after state Attorney General Herbert Slatery said Durham could pose a risk to 'unsuspecting women' at the Capitol complex.

The expulsion vote prevents Durham from qualifying for lifetime pension benefits once he reaches retirement age. He lost his re-election bid in the August primary.

Durham walks down the steps talking to reporters as he leaves the Capitol before his expulsion. His once promising political career is now wrecked

Durham had told colleagues in a letter that he wouldn't attend the proceedings because of concerns that he wouldn't be allowed to mount a defense. Then he showed up anyway, took to the well of the chamber and read a long statement. When questioned by colleagues, he denied most of the allegations.

'This is an expulsion proceeding  the idea that I would have due process right now is ridiculous,' Durham said. 'If somebody wants to let me confront accusers, let me present my own evidence, that's fine. But this is not the forum to do it.'

Durham said he had assembled materials about each incident outlined in the report, but the open floor session wasn't the proper venue to bring them up.

'I assure you, you do not want me releasing some of the things that are in this binder,' he said.

When disagreements grew heated during a Republican caucus meeting before the session, Durham's supporters tried to throw the media out of the meeting. That motion failed.

The investigation uncovered allegations that Durham plied a 20-year-old college student with a cooler full of beer and had sex with her in his office in 2014

Durham addresses the House from the well of the camber to urge his colleagues not to expel him from the Tennessee General Assembly

Durham later abruptly left the chamber, causing an uproar among other lawmakers who wanted to pose more questions. Democrats tried to get Harwell to order Durham to return to the chamber, but the motion was voted down by Republicans.

Democrats have criticized Harwell for not moving sooner or more aggressively to address sexual harassment allegations against Durham.

Several women who spoke to the attorney general for his investigation said they felt unable to say no to Durham because he held a position of power over them. None of them ever filed a formal complaint against him, and many told investigators they felt that doing so would hurt their careers.

House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, a Chattanooga Republican who has been one of Durham's most vocal critics, said he was happy to see him go.

'I hope he sets his life on a good course and he's got plenty of time to correct what he's done wrong,' McCormick said. 'I hope he does that, but I'm glad he's not going to do it here.'

Alone in the dock. Durham was voted out by his own-47 Republicans were joined by 23 Democrats in the vote to expel him

An initial call for a special session to expel Durham fell well short of the required 66 House members' signatures last month.

They got another chance to address the issue when Republican Governor Bill Haslam hastily called an unrelated special session to repeal an underage drunken driving law that threatens to cost the state $60million in federal road money.

The governor, who had joined other GOP leaders in calling on Durham to resign in recent months, praised the House's vote.

Durham's actions have been a major focus of attention all year, beginning with reports that prosecutors had sought fraud charges against him for falsifying prescriptions, only to see the grand jury in his home county decline to indict him.

His colleagues also questioned why he had written a letter on House stationery on behalf of a former pastor who pleaded guilty to child porn possession and statutory rape of a 16-year-old parishioner.

Durham, who is a trained attorney, was once highlighted as a rising political star in Tennessee.
A Roman Catholic priest in Pennsylvania is facing child pornography charges.

Monsignor John Stephen Mraz, of Bethlehem, was charged Tuesday morning. He was arraigned and released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin says a friend of the 66-year-old priest's discovered a file labeled with a reference to nude boys while working on Mraz's computer.

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Monsignor John Stephen Mraz (center) was charged Tuesday morning with possession of child pornography

Mraz, 66, was caught when a friend of his discovered a file labeled with a reference to nude boys while working on the priest's computer

Court records say the folder was named 'naked little boys' or 'something similar to that name,' WFMZ reported.

The friend then contacted the Diocese of Allentown, which notified the DA's office.

Authorities seized Mraz's computers and found he had downloaded child pornography.

Mraz was the pastor of the Church of St. Ann in Emmaus. He previously served as a Catholic school administrator.

The diocese says it has removed Mraz from ministry.

Martin says Mraz now lives at a home for retired priests.

Mraz, the former pastor of the Church of St. Ann in Emmaus (pictured), had a folder named 'naked little boys' on his computer, court records show

'I dont want anyone to jump to judgement because we havent had any hearings, any evaluations,' defense attorney John Waldron told WFMZ.

The Diocese of Allentown says it has removed Mraz (pictured) from ministry

Mraz was ordained in 1975 and had high-ranking jobs at schools likethe former Reading Central Catholic High School, Allentown Central Catholic High School and Marian High School, the diocese said in a statement.

He had also been a chaplain at the Newman Center at Lehigh University and assistant superintendent in the Diocesan Office of Education.

Mraz had been a minister at the former St. Bertha Parish in Tuscarora and at Assumption B.V.M in Northampton.

Officials said they don't have any evidence pointing to improper contact with minors.

'This is a pornography case at this juncture and I hope it will continue to be just that,' Martin told WPVI.
A University of Richmond fraternity has been suspended over what the school called a 'grossly offensive' email that described a party as one that 'makes fathers afraid to send their daughters away to school.'

The fraternity's suspension comes as the school faces scrutiny over its handling of alleged sexual assaults after two female students wrote highly critical essays about the university last week on The Huffington Post.

The university has suspended operations, activities and events of Richmond's Kappa Alpha chapter, pending an investigation into the email, which was sent to about 100 students, the school said in a statement.

The fraternity's national headquarters said in a statement that it has also suspended the chapter due to actions that are contrary to its value of 'gentlemanly conduct.'

University of Richmond's Kappa Alpha fraternity (pictured) was suspended over an email containing 'grossly offensive language,' officials said

The email (pictured), which was obtained by school newspaper The Collegian , was an invitation to the fraternity's 'lodge' for a party last Friday night

'The e-mail contained grossly offensive language and suggestions of behavior inconsistent with our policies concerning Greek life and with the caring nature of our campus community,' the university said.

The email, which was obtained by the school newspaper, The Collegian, was an invitation to the fraternity's 'lodge' for a party last Friday night.

The writer of the email said he's 'looking forward to watching that lodge virginity be gobbled up for ya'll (sic).'

'If you haven't started drinking already, catch up,' the email read. 'Tonight's the type of night that makes fathers afraid to send their daughters away to school.'

University officials will meet with Greek leadership to discuss the suspension, the school's statement said.

Jesse Lyons, a spokesman for the National Administrative Office of the Kappa Alpha Order, said his office also will investigate.

University President Ronald Crutcher (pictured) urged the campus community to tell officials what more they can do to address sexual violence on campus

The beginning of the school year at the University of Richmond has been roiled by allegations that the university mistreated female students who reported that they were sexually assaulted.

In an essay posted on The Huffington Post website last week, one woman accused the school of trying to protect an athlete who she says sexually assaulted her last year.

That woman said she has filed a complaint with the Department of Education and spoken with attorneys from the department's Office of Civil Rights.

Another woman followed with an essay claiming that the university also mishandled her reported sexual assault. She told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that she has also filed a complaint with the education department.

The university has said it responds actively to all reports of sexual violence and doesn't give any students preferential treatment.

President Ronald Crutcher urged students and others on campus in an email last week to tell officials what more they can do to address sexual violence on campus.

'It is clear that members of our community are concerned and frustrated, and some are hurting,' Crutcher said.
The wife of a Mexican drug lord has been arrested after being accused of trying to resurrect his cartel while he is still in jail.

Federal police swooped on Clara Laborin Archuleta, also known as La Senora, after officers said her criminal gang was behind a wave of killings in the Pacific coast resort of Acapulco.

Archuleta is married to Hector Beltran Levya, who was jailed in 2014 for being the leader of the infamous Beltran Leyva cartel.

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Federal police swooped on Clara Laborin Archuleta, also known as La Senora, pictured, after officers said her criminal gang was behind a wave of killings in the Pacific coast resort of Acapulco

Archuleta's name and picture has appeared on dozens of wanted 'narcos banners' across Acapulco in the past year

She was arrested on Monday along with another man who allegedly helped her to restart the cartel's operations in Sonora and Acapulco, which was once unrivalled turf for the gang.

When police detained her, she was found to be carrying two kilos of cocaine as well as firearms.

Archuleta's name and picture has appeared on dozens of wanted 'narcos banners' across Acapulco in the past year.

According to Vice News, the city's murder rate has spiralled recently due to drug cartel turf wars.

Archuleta is married to Hector Beltran Levya, oictured, who was jailed in 2014, for being the leader of the infamous Beltran Leyva cartel

Beltran Layva's cartel was named after him and his two brothers, who became infamous for the bloody turf war they waged with their former ally Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman

A source told the website that Archuleta had been trying to take back control of Acapulco and had been backed by an alliance with the growing Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

However, she reportedly failed to negotiate the takeover and had to be guarded by a squad of Jalisco hitmen.

Her arrest comes two years after her husband was detained by Mexican special forces at a seafood restaurant popular with Americans in San Miguel de Allende.

His cartel was named after him and his two brothers, who became infamous for the bloody turf war they waged with their former ally Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman.

At its peak, the Beltran Leyva cartel dominated drug-trafficking in western Mexico and waged a bloody turf war with Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, pictured

When arrested, the 49-year-old had been living in the nearby city of Queretaro posing as a businessman dealing in art and real estate, the government said.

Beltran Leyva and an associate were carrying military-issue handguns, but he was arrested without a shot being fired.

At its peak, the Beltran Leyva cartel dominated drug-trafficking in western Mexico.
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The stripper mother of the little boy who has become the face of America's heroin crisis has revealed for the first time her anguish at seeing her son looking on in a daze as the adults who were taking care of him slump unconscious in their car.

'I bawled for four days straight,' Reva McCullough, 25, told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview. 'I want my boy back.'

The decision to release the unaltered picture that stunned the world, was made by three city officials in East Liverpool, Ohio: mayor Ryan Stovall, police chief John Lane, and service-safety director Brian Allen - and they all say the made the right call.

'If we hadn't, Rhonda Pasek would have received a slap on the wrist and that little boy would have gone back to her - that's not going to happen now,' Allen told DailyMail.com. 'I doubt she will see that child again'

McCullough's four-year-old son was, on Monday, placed in the care of a great aunt living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Authorities are trying to keep him away from his paternal grandmother Rhonda Pasek, the woman pictured passed out from an apparent heroin overdose in the front passenger seat of her boyfriend's SUV.

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Reva McCullough, 25, said she wants her four-year-old son back after he was placed in the care of a great aunt in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Authorities are trying to keep the boy away from his paternal grandmother, Rhonda Pasek, who was pictured passed out from an apparent heroin overdose in the front passenger seat of her boyfriend's SUV while the boy sat in the back

Alhough the boy's grandparents had full custody of the child, McCullough and Devon Pasek still were able to spend time with the child

Court papers obtained by DailyMail.com show the boy has been tossed around among warring relatives almost since birth.

McCullough, who admitted she did crack, lost custody of the boy in December 2012 about four and a hald months before he was born because of her drug use. The judge originally gave custody to his great grandparents, now in their mid-80s, but custody battles have involved his birth parents, a grandmother, a friend and two great aunts, living in a total of four different states.

We tracked McCullough down to Tiffany's Dolls, a 'gentleman's club' in the Youngstown suburb of North Lima, Ohio, where she dances under the name Mercedes.

Wearing nothing but heels, a minuscule G-string and a tiny black dress which didn't even skim her backside, she talked openly about the past drug use that led to her losing two of her three sons.

Tattoos of a fish and a cowboy boot adorn her torso.

When told that just hours before our meeting, her oldest son had been placed with her aunt, hundreds of miles away, she said: 'I didn't even know that.'

DailyMail.com approached McCullough shortly before 2am on Tuesday. She appeared bright, intelligent and sober.

Sipping on a plastic cup of water, she said: 'I don't take drugs any more. I haven't even had a drink all night.

'Ironically I have never taken heroin,' she said, but she admitted she had abused crack cocaine and marijuana for years.

McCullough who now works at Tiffany's Dolls, a 'gentleman's club' in the Youngstown suburb of North Lima, Ohio, where she dances under the name Mercedes, says she no longer abuses crack cocaine or marijuana

McCullough, a dancer at Tiffany's Dolls (pictured), said she doesn't use drugs anymore and that she's never taken heroin

'I've made a lot of bad decisions in my life,' added McCullough, who said she is now living in East Palestine, Ohio. 'I just went wild when I was 18.'

The picture of McCullough's son, taken by cops in East Liverpool, Ohio, put a human face on the scourge of heroin that has attacked America's heartland for years.

In the five days that followed, East Liverpool, a town of 11,000 people, saw seven more overdoses and one death from heroin.

'And that's just what we know about through 911 calls,' said city service-safety director Brian Allen.

In the same time period, a bad batch of heroin killed eight people and hospitalized dozens more in Akron.

In the picture, the boy is seen staring blankly as his grandmother Rhonda Pasek, sits slumped and unconscious, a bra strap hanging down her arm. The driver, Jim Acord, is also slumbering with his head back and mouth open.

The boy in the heroin picture is the son of McCullough and Devon Pasek, pictured back left with McCullough, back right

McCullough and Pasek have two sons together. The boy pictured in the police photo was born in Delaware in August, 2012, but within days his parents moved back to Ohio

The pair both live some 15 miles from East Liverpool, in New Manchester, West Virginia.

Acord told police that he was taking Pasek to the hospital in East Liverpool shortly after 3pm on September 7.

But he was spotted driving erratically by off-duty cop, Kevin Thompson, who pulled him over after he stopped behind a school bus.

Acord's head was 'bobbing back and forth, his speech was unintelligible', Thompson wrote in his report, adding that he also 'noted pin point pupils'.

Acord then attempted to drive off and Thompson reached into the SUV and took the keys.

'The driver eventually went completely unconscious. Rhonda Pasek was completely unconscious and turning blue,' wrote Thompson.

Pasek, 50, is due in court on Thursday. Acord has already been sentenced to two consecutive terms of 180 days in jail.

The decision to release the photograph, clearly showing the four-year-old's face, has ignited controversy.

According to court papers, the boy, pictured in an ultrasound photo, was in the care of his octogenarian great grandparents, Dick and Barbara McCullough, almost from the start

Dick and Barbara McCullough signed affidavits in December 2012, four months after his birth, saying their granddaughter was 'using illicit and illegal drug (sic) and specifically crack cocain (sic)'

McCullough's grandparents also claimed the boy's father 'is involved in narcotics trafficking', although he has never been charged

Cops and East Liverpool city officials defend their action saying it was necessary to let everyone see his blank expression to depict the full horror of the heroin epidemic that has gripped the heartland.

DailyMail.com has pieced together all the strands surrounding the child's life, from court documents and interviews.

It shows how he has been passed around since the day he was born, long before the world became aware of his existence.

Pasek, 50, is due in court on Thursday. Her boyfriend, Jim Acord has already been sentenced to two consecutive terms of 180 days in jail

He is one of two boys McCullough had with Devon Pasek, Rhonda Pasek's 25-year-old son. She also has a third boy with a different man.

The boy pictured was born in Delaware in August, 2012, but within days his parents moved back to Ohio.

According to court papers, the boy was in the care of his octogenarian great grandparents, Dick and Barbara McCullough, almost from the start.

They signed affidavits in December 2012, four months after his birth, saying their granddaughter was 'using illicit and illegal drug (sic) and specifically crack cocain (sic)'. They said they found tinfoil with burnt residue on it in her purse.

They claimed in the court papers that the boy's father 'is involved in narcotics trafficking', although he has never been charged.

In November, 2013, Reva and Devon applied for custody of their son, saying she 'has a stable and happy home life to offer the child' but later withdrew the application

The boy (above) is just one of three of McCullough's children. Along with the two she had with Pasek, she has a third child with another man

When asked in the strip club if Devon Pasek is a drug dealer, Reva McCullough smiled and said 'I have no idea about his profession'.

She said she and Pasek are no longer together. Attempts to reach Devon Pasek were unsuccessful.

An October 2012 report in the East Liverpool paper the Morning Journal said Devon Pasek was patted down by cops during a drug bust 'and officers reportedly found a hard object in his pants pocket that turned out to be a large sum of money wrapped in rubber bands'.

'(T)he conduct of these parents is erratic at best and is certainly unreliable,' Dick and Barbara McCullough wrote, saying their granddaughter and her boyfriend 'are not providing appropriate care as would be in the best interest' of the child.

The McCulloughs - who live in East Liverpool just a quarter mile from where Pasek and Acord were arrested - were given full custody of the boy despite their advanced age.

They invited representatives of DailyMail.com into their house but then refused to talk.

In November, 2013, Reva and Devon applied for custody of their son, saying she 'has a stable and happy home life to offer the child' and she and Pasek could offer 'a good environment within which to raise a child'.

They later withdrew their application.

By August, 2014, Barbara and Dick McCullough began to worry about their ability to look after the growing boy.

Reva McCullough, at left wearing the dress she wore at the Strip club when seen by DailyMail.com, said that she has 'no idea about his ex's profession

When McCullough and Pasek applied for custody - before rescinding their application, they said Pasek could offer 'a good environment within which to raise a child'.

Pasek was never charged with narcotics trafficking, but he was booked for failure to appear on for a speeding offense last year

According to one report, they found they did not have the strength to lift the boy out of his crib.

'At the current time, while great-grandparents are physically and emotionally able to provide for the minor child, they are concerned about their ability to do so into the future due to their ages of 82 and 83 years old,' they said.

They asked that custody be transferred to their daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Terry Lane, in South Carolina.

But Rhonda Pasek - the woman who was found passed out in the car - objected and asked that she be given custody saying she is 'financially, mentally and emotionally' able to look after him.

The case dragged on until June 2015 when Rhonda Pasek was given partial custody, but within months she was asking for the McCulloughs to be held in contempt of court for refusing to hand the boy over 'at one point sending the minor child out of state with unknown relatives'.

Eventually, Rhonda Pasek was given full custody on July 25, 2016, a little over six weeks before she was found unconscious.

Judge Thomas Baronzzi acknowledged in his decision that the McCulloughs were 'critical of the lifestyle of Rhonda Pasek,' adding: 'They indicate their belief that she continues to struggle with the abuse of alcohol.'

But the judge said there was no evidence that either her drinking or her 'diagnosed bipolar condition' affected her ability to care for the boy.

Rhonda Pasek (her home in West Virginia pictured above) was given full custody on July 25, 2016, a little over six weeks before she was found unconscious

Baronzzi specifically ordered that Devon Pasek should be kept away from his son 'due to his ongoing involvement with drug abuse or drug sales'.

Even now the fate of the boy with the sad face is not sealed.

After Rhonda Pasek's arrest, a judge in West Virginia agreed he should go to live with a neighbor, 60-year-old Gene Kuhn in New Manchester.

But at the same time in Ohio, Judge Baronzzi was giving custody to Terry and Lori Lane in South Carolina.

Kuhn had custody of the boy just for the weekend, during which time he bought him a puppy and two new pairs of shoes and took him to church.

On Monday he sent him to Head Start School, only to be told later in the day that the child had been removed after the two judges had agreed that Ohio laws should apply.

'He was basically kidnapped from school,' Kuhn told Daily Mail Online.

Kuhn said he was looking after the boy only until he could be reunited with his younger brother - who lives with Rhonda Pasek's sister in Dover, Delaware.

But that now looks unlikely to happen. Judge Baronzzi has set another hearing for September 26, insisting that Rhonda Pasek should have no contact with the boy at least until then.
Thieves stole several items from home in Texas including a laptop and PlayStation 3 before leaving behind notes explaining why they did it.

The burglary took place at a home in southwest Houston on Monday afternoon after the crooks jumped homeowner Joseph Alvarado's fence and kicked in the back door.

His daughter came home and noticed the front door was open before they found the notes in children's handwriting that included several misspellings, Alvarado told Daily Mail Online.

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Thieves stole several items from home in Texas including a laptop and PlayStation 3 before leaving behind notes explaining why they did it (one shown above)

In the second note, the word 'We' is crossed out, and reads: 'I broke in... haha... and took your PS3, controlers (sic), games, and computer.' It was signed 'By: a kid... haha'

'I stole your stuffe (sic) because my borther (sic) told me to,' one note read.

In the second note, the word 'We' is crossed out, and reads: 'I broke in... haha... and took your PS3, controlers (sic), games, and computer.'

That note was signed 'By: a kid... haha.'

'The backdoor had been kicked in from the back and all the drawers had been opened and gone through,' Alvarado told Daily Mail Online.

'We noticed that the things that were missing was the PS3 and the laptop.

'We called the cops and filed a report and it wasn't until afterwards that as noticed the notes.'

Homeowner Joseph Alvarado (pictured left and right) said he rushed home on Monday when he and his family noticed their home had been broken into. He said the suspects jumped the fence and kicked in the back door

The family's home is located on Bexley Drive (pictured above). Following the incident, Alvarado has filed a police report and is working on improving his security system

Alvarado, who is a middle school special education teacher, said at first he thought the incident was gang related.

'When I read that note I was super annoyed,' he told Daily Mail Online.

'To think that I could have taught kids like this is super frustrating.

'I was a little scared to think at first that it could be some gang related hit..... only to see that it looks like some poorly educated kids. Thankfully no one was hurt.'

Alvarado, who is a special education teacher, said he finds the notes 'heart-wrenching.'

Alvarado noted the back door of his home now has to be replaced after the suspects kicked in it.
Court documents say Courtier and Bruce were arguing before his death

Police say Larnell Bruce could have been killed by due to his race

An Oregon man and his girlfriend accused of intentionally running down a black teen after an altercation in a convenience store parking lot face new hate crime charges alleging they targeted the victim because of his race.

Russell Orlando Courtier, 38, pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges of first- and second-degree intimidation in the death of Larnell Malik Bruce, court documents say.

Colleen Hunt, 35, who was in the passenger seat during the incident in Gresham, pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree intimidation.

Under Oregon law, a charge of intimidation means the defendants are accused of acting based on their perception of the victim's race, color, religion or disability.

Larnell Malik Bruce was mowed down by a Jeep Wrangler after a fight outside a 7-Eleven in Gresham with Russel Courtier in August

Courtier and his girlfriend, Colleen Hunt face new hate crime charges for targeting the victim because of his race, according to authorities and court records. Hunt encouraged the killing saying: 'Get him baby, get him' as Bruce was mowed down

The two had previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder in the death of 19-year-old Bruce, of Vancouver, Washington.

Courtier is believed to be affiliated with a white supremacist group after he posted pictures on Facebook that show him with a tattoo of 'EK,' which stands for European Kindred, on his calf.

Courtier has a lengthy criminal record. In 2011, he avoided punishment for illegally shooting rounds from his car because police had performed an illegal search.

A year later, he got probation for smashing a womans head against a windshield.

And he was on parole after serving two years in prison for attacking another woman with a knife on the night he ran over Bruce.

The European Kindred is a white supremacist street and prison gang formed in Oregon. It has ties to the KKK and Aryan Brotherhood

Courtier has a lengthy criminal record. He was on parole after serving two years in prison for attacking another woman with a knife on the night he ran over Bruce

As of today, authorities had not charged him or Hunt with a hate crime, but were investigating.

Gresham police said Tuesday the defendants' 'clear ties' to a white supremacist gang were initially not enough to charge them with a hate crime.

'Anything like this, we have to be very careful in looking at motive before we just assume something that may seem very clear to other people,' said Officer John Rasmussen, a spokesman for the Gresham police.

'We have to be sure to tie it in correctly to where it could withstand a court trial.'

Additional investigation, including more witness interviews and input from experts on white supremacists, led a grand jury to re-indict the couple on Monday.

The teenager (pictured) had moved to Gresham to live with his mother and younger brother only six months before his death

According to court documents, Bruce and Courtier got into an argument that turned physical outside a Gresham 7-Eleven on August 10. Bruce was armed with a machete which he pulled out - prompting the couple to get back in their car.

It still isn't clear what the two were fighting about, but moments later Courtier jumped in his 1991 Jeep Wrangler and chased down Bruce as the teen ducked and wove through the parking lot on foot, according to an affidavit.

Surveillance video shows the Jeep turning around rapidly and accelerating toward Bruce as he tries to flee.

The video did not capture the moment Bruce was struck, but a responding officer found him unconscious on the ground with blood streaming from his head and ears. The officer also spotted a red Jeep speeding away.

Hunt shouted 'Get him, baby, get him' during the fight, but has denied any involvement in Bruce's death, according to court papers.

Police found Bruce on the street with critical brain injuries. He was taken to hospital but died of his injuries four days later.
David Cameron's 'ill-conceived' military intervention in Libya helped fuel the migrant crisis, MPs have warned

David Cameron's 'ill-conceived' military intervention in Libya fuelled the migrant crisis and spurred the growth of ISIS, MPs warn today.

In a devastating verdict, the Commons foreign affairs committee savages the former prime minister's judgment in rushing to war in 2011, saying the intervention was based on 'erroneous assumptions'.

The cross-party committee accuses Mr Cameron of ignoring military chiefs and a lack of reliable intelligence to pursue an 'opportunistic policy of regime change' in Libya.

And it says he gave little thought to how Libya would fare following the removal of dictator Colonel Gaddafi, setting the scene for the country's descent into chaos.

It claims the bungled military action in Libya paved the way for a major new terror training base for ISIS fanatics.

'Various tribes, independent militias and ISIL took advantage of the absence of central government to seize control of portions of Libyan territory,' the report states.

'ISIL has used its presence in Libya to train terrorists.'

The committee says Mr Cameron's Libyan adventure 'was not informed by accurate intelligence', with ministers underestimating the threat that the country could become an Islamist stronghold.

It concludes: 'By the summer of 2011, the limited intervention to protect civilians had drifted into an opportunist policy of regime change. That policy was not underpinned by a strategy to support and shape post-Gaddafi Libya.

'The result was political and economic collapse, inter-militia and inter-tribal warfare, humanitarian and migrant crises, widespread human rights violations, the spread of Gaddafi regime weapons across the region and the growth of Islamic State in North Africa.

Mr Cameron poses with Libyan rebels upon his arrival at Benghazi Airport in 2011

The Commons foreign affairs committee accused Mr Cameron of giving little thought to how Libya would fare following the removal of dictator Colonel Gaddafi (pictured)

'Through his decision making in the National Security Council, former prime minister David Cameron was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy.'

Today's report says Mr Cameron's failings in Libya means Britain now has a 'particular responsibility' to assist the war-ravaged country and help deal with the flood of migrants heading from its shores to Europe.

But it says ministers should not deploy troops to the country until it becomes more stable, warning they would become 'an accessible Western target' for IS and other militants.

The committee's Tory chairman Crispin Blunt last night: 'The UK's actions in Libya were part of an ill-conceived intervention, the results of which are still playing out today.'

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy (left), Mustafa Abdel Jalil (centre) and Mr Cameron (right) join hands in Benghazi in September 2011

A rebel fighter is pictured looking at a burning vehicle belonging forces loyal to Gaddafi, after an air strike by coalition forces in 2011

The report claimed that the military intervention in Libya spurred the growth of ISIS, pictured is a still from one of the chilling execution videos

An international coalition led by Britain and France launched strikes against Gaddafi's forces in March 2011 after the regime threatened to attack the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Mr Cameron claimed the intervention was necessary to prevent a massacre of civilians, but the new report says that, despite appalling human rights abuses over 40 years, Gaddafi had no record of large-scale attacks on Libyan civilians.

Today's report also criticises Mr Cameron for ordering military action despite the reservations of the then Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Richards.

MPs are scathing about the lack of post-war planning. The report cites unpublished research by the House of Commons Library showing Britain spent 320million bombing Libya, but just 25million on reconstruction.
Solace: Lord Rose, 67, and his partner Anna Hartropp, 35, this week

Ever since his rather disastrous crusade to keep Britain in the European Union, former Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Rose has been skulking in the shadows.

But now, for the first time since the referendum result in June, the businessman has emerged on the social scene  and he cuts a much chastened figure.

The whole thing was all a disaster. It was a train crash, Lord Rose tells me. It was a train crash politically, it was a train crash personally  it was a train crash in every sense.

But what can you do? It was a hard summer, but it just shows that businessmen should never mix with politicians and vice versa.

The 67-year-old, who was executive chairman of M&S for two years before stepping down in 2010, made his first foray back into society at the Fortnums X Frank private view at Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly.

Things are going to get tougher because people didnt really think through the consequences of what theyve done, he adds.

But you know, its democracy, its what the country voted for and the Government now is in charge of getting done what they said theyd do.

Roses stint leading the Britain Stronger In Europe campaign was not a smooth ride, following a series of poor media performances.

After forgetting the name of his own campaign group four times, he scored an own goal when he claimed, to the delight of Brexiteers, that wages would go up if Britain left the EU.

Train crash: Roses stint leading the Britain Stronger In Europe campaign was not a smooth ride

But the failings to which he now frankly admits have not been suffered alone, for he has been seeking solace in the arms of his latest girlfriend, 35-year-old investment banker Anna Hartropp, who remained by his side throughout the evening.

The couple, who have been dating for at least a year, met while she was at M&S as investor relations manager for nine months in 2010  the same year he got divorced from his wife of 37 years, Jennifer Cook, with whom he has a son and a daughter.

And it would appear he has a soft spot for sprightly blondes  he earlier had an on-off affair with Tatler magazine editor Kate Reardon while he was estranged from his then-wife.

Keith Vaz kept his apparent fondness for sex-enhancing poppers quiet, but former Labour minister Ed Balls had to shout about his own need for drugs. The Strictly contestants old ankle injury became very sore while he was running the London Marathon. I wasnt sure I could keep going, and the person I was running with said I had to get some ibuprofen, Balls tells me. So she started shouting out to the crowd: Drugs, drugs? Has anybody got any drugs? Which I felt was inappropriate for me as a politician . . .

Midwife star thinks pink

Best known for playing blonde bombshell Trixie Franklin in Call The Midwife, Helen George is determined to strike a new pose.

The 32-year-old posted online this selfie with pink highlights in her platinum locks. Pink ambition, she wrote. Helen doesnt say why shes flirting with a new image  but it could be a bid to win a wider variety of roles.

She has complained she is typecast due to her hair. Directors see the blonde one on Call The Midwife and think: Were not going to cast her in a cop drama. 
Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey is seen arriving for the second day of the hearing at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Edinburgh

Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey who was today cleared of accusations she 'put the public at risk' by returning to the UK with the virus has said she would 'never have knowingly put anyone in danger'.

The 40-year-old Scottish medical worker was accused of allowing an incorrect temperature to be recorded in a 'chaotic' screening centre in Heathrow on her return from west Africa in 2014.

However, she was cleared of professional misconduct by a disciplinary panel following a two-day hearing at the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Edinburgh today.

The independent panel found three charges against Ms Cafferkey were not proven and therefore her fitness to practise was 'not impaired' - meaning she can now return to nursing.

Following the decision, Ms Cafferkey's solicitor said she 'would never have knowingly put anyone in danger' and was 'lucky to survive' herself.

Joyce Cullen said the disciplinary process had been 'stressful and upsetting' for her client, but added that she was 'delighted' with the outcome.

Speaking outside the hearing while standing next to Ms Cafferkey, she also criticised Public Health England (PHE), for the 'disorganised and chaotic' airport screening.

During the case, the panel heard allegations that the nurse failed to disclose her correct temperature as she passed through screening at London Heathrow on arrival from Sierra Leone. It was also alleged that she failed to admit she had taken paracetamol, which can reduce fever, after learning of her high temperature.

The panel listened to claims that the medical worker's conduct had 'undermined' public trust and confidence in the nursing profession.

But the nurse's legal team pointed to her 'previously unblemished record' and insisted the legal threshold for a finding of misconduct against her had not been met.

Ms Cafferkey, from Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, was among a group of doctors and nurses returning to Heathrow on December 28, 2014 after a six-week deployment to the west African country.

In agreed evidence put before the panel, it was said screening staff from Public Health England at the airport 'were not properly prepared to receive so many travellers from at-risk countries', and this resulted in the area being described as 'busy, disorganised and even chaotic'.

During the first day of the hearing yesterday, the disciplinary panel in Edinburgh heard allegations that the Cafferkey, pictured with her solicitor Joyce Cullen today, failed to disclose her correct temperature as she passed through screening at London Heathrow in 2014

The hearing was told that a doctor took Ms Cafferkey's temperature and found it to be up to 38.3C (100F). A high temperature can be an early sign of an infection.

'Dr one says that registrant A (someone else in the group) stated at this point that she would record the temperature as 37.2 degrees on Ms Cafferkey's screening form and then they would 'get out of here and sort it out',' the evidence stated.

The facts stated that Ms Cafferkey cannot remember who said it or who entered the lower temperature on her form. She admitted taking paracetamol after she realised she had an elevated temperature.

Throughout her career Pauline has been motivated by a genuine desire to help other people even if this meant putting her own life at risk. She would never have knowingly put anyone in danger Solicitor Joyce Cullen

Today, the panel ruled that Ms Cafferkey had not set out to mislead Public Health England (PHE). She was present at the session to hear the decision of the panel and appeared to smile as she left the hearing room.

In reaching the decision, chairman Timothy Cole said 'compelling and clear medical evidence' about Ms Cafferkey's state of mind and ability to reason and make objective decisions at the time was central to the panel's deliberations.

On the taking of paracetamol at the airport by Ms Cafferkey, the panel said it was satisfied she did not 'set out to mislead any health professional or withhold information'.

'The panel is not satisfied that your actions can be characterised as misconduct,' he said on that aspect.

Turning to the charges of allowing an incorrect temperature to be recorded, Mr Cole pointed to the nurse's 'medically-impaired state' at the time.

It was 'not disputed' that she was 'experiencing the early effects of a significant viral load of Ebola', he told the hearing.

Ms Cafferkey's solicitor Ms Cullen, pictured after the hearing today, earlier told the panel that, in going to Sierra Leone, the nurse had strengthened the reputation of the profession

After the charges were not proven, Ms Cullen, pictured with Miss Cafferkey after the hearing, said the disciplinary process had been 'stressful and upsetting' for her client, but added that she was 'delighted' with the outcome

He said her health was 'going rapidly downhill at that time' and the events 'occurred in circumstances characterised as disorganised and chaotic'.

Mr Cole added: 'The panel is of the view that in your diminished mental state you were swept along by events and it was satisfied that in order to make a finding of misconduct it would be necessary to find a degree of participation.'

The chairman then turned to the charge of leaving the screening area without reporting her true temperature to staff.

He said that, as a professional with knowledge of the importance of recording temperature, it was 'inconceivable' she would 'leave the safe environment of the PHE screening area but for the fact that you were already seriously ill'.

He added that the fact she was unable to accept she was ill when she returned to Glasgow pointed to her 'diminished reasoning' caused by the virus.

'For all the reasons outlined, the panel has concluded that your actions ... did not amount to misconduct.'

The question of whether her fitness to practise was impaired did not therefore arise.

Concluding the hearing, Mr Cole wished Ms Cafferkey 'a full recovery and every success for your future'.

The nurse arriving at the first day of the Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing yesterday

Miss Cafferky is pictured being taken to London in isolation for treatment after contracting Ebola. She was accused of allowing an incorrect temperature to be recorded upon her return

Ms Cafferkey's solicitor Ms Cullen had earlier told the panel that, in going to Sierra Leone, the medical worker had strengthened the reputation of the profession.

Ms Cullen pointed to the fact that, at the time of the screening, Ms Cafferkey was exhausted after completing a 22-hour journey to London.

She was 'very likely to be substantially impaired' as a result of exhaustion and the early effects of the Ebola virus, the panel was told.

In a statement, Ms Cullen said: 'She willingly put her life at risk to travel to Sierra Leone to work as a volunteer helping to treat people suffering from Ebola.

'She and hundreds of other volunteers played a vital role in saving lives, helping to curb the epidemic in extremely challenging circumstances.

'As the panel heard, when Pauline and her fellow volunteers arrived at Heathrow they were faced with chaotic scenes. Public Health England were unprepared for the volume of people returning from countries affected by Ebola.

'There were also serious failures in communication amongst the Public Health England staff.

'It is perhaps ironic given the criticisms made of Public Health England's processes it was their complaint which led to the NMC investigation and these proceedings being initiated against Pauline. No doubt lessons have been learned.

'Throughout her career Pauline has been motivated by a genuine desire to help other people even if this meant putting her own life at risk.

'She would never have knowingly put anyone in danger. Pauline was lucky to survive.'

She said the disciplinary process had been 'stressful and upsetting' for her client.

Pauline Cafferkey (right), with Breda Athan (left), senior matron and high level isolation unit lead and Dr Michael Jacobs (centre), infectious diseases consultant at the Royal Free, London

Pauline Cafferkey was taken to the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead, London in February this year after a suspected relapse of Ebola

'She is delighted that the panel has made the decision she has no case to answer and is now able to continue her nursing career in Scotland,' she added.

Following the hearing, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: 'Sending my very best wishes to Pauline Cafferkey. Her bravery is an inspiration to all of us.'

NMC chief executive Jackie Smith said: 'As the independent panel recognised, the NMC has an overarching duty to protect the health and wellbeing of the public and need to ensure the maintenance of public confidence in the profession.

WHAT IS EBOLA? Ebola is a viral hemorrhagic fever that can be contracted by humans and other primates. Symptoms start between two to three days after the sufferer comes into contact with the virus. Initial symptoms include fever, sore throat and headaches. The ebola outbreak in West Africa started in March 2014. The epidemic killed 11,315 people across Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, the US and Mali. Liberia declared it was free of ebola in June 2016, which meant there were no known cases in any of the affected West African countries. Advertisement

'The referral from Public Health England showed a highly unusual set of circumstances that clearly required a thorough and proper investigation. In circumstances like this, it is right for an independent panel to hear all the evidence to decide if any action is required.'

As a nurse of 16 years who had carried out aid work before, Ms Cafferkey was aware of the risks but felt 'compelled' to help in the fight against Ebola and went as a volunteer for Save the Children.

After military training, her team set off for the Ebola treatment centre in Kerry Town and a diary Ms Cafferkey kept for the Scotland on Sunday newspaper detailed the difficulty of her four-week stay.

She described how the disease destroyed families, particularly that of a young boy she consoled after losing his mother, father and sister to Ebola in a short space of time.

Ms Cafferkey returned to the UK on December 28 2014 for what was supposed to be a break as part of a rotation system but she was quickly struck down herself.

After more than 24 hours of travelling, she arrived back at her flat in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire.

She raised the alarm as she quickly became unwell and was rushed to the infectious diseases unit in Gartnavel Hospital, Glasgow.

It was the first time she was put in isolation but she would soon become accustomed to it as she was moved on an RAF Hercules aircraft to the Royal Free Hospital in London.

There were fears for her life but her condition was said to have stabilised by early January and she was discharged from hospital later that month, with doctors saying she had completely recovered and was not infectious in any way.

However, she was readmitted to hospital twice - in October 2015 and February 2016 - after suffering complications linked to the disease, at one stage falling critically ill.

During the Ebola outbreak which swept Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, more than 28,000 cases were reported, resulting in over 11,000 deaths.

The World Health Organisation declared Sierra Leone Ebola-free in March this year but Ms Cafferkey continues to experience health problems.

In an interview with the BBC in May, she said: 'Although I am negative Ebola, I still have some remnants there as a result of it. But, on the other hand, I am alive and I have received the best care in the world.

'I've got pins and needles and numbness over various parts of my body. I've still got swelling at the base of my spine, which is very painful and dizziness - my balance isn't too good.
A cocaine-laced greeting card has shut down an entire police station after officers believed the white powder inside was anthrax.

A man who received an envelope containing the card and suspicious powder through the mail bought it into Boondall Police Station in north Brisbane on Monday.

Alarmed officers feared the powder could be a deadly chemical so set up a 50-metre exclusion zone around the suburban station.

A cocaine-laced greeting card has shut down an entire police station after officers believed the white powder inside was anthrax. Pictured, officers in Hazmat suits outside Boondall Police Station

A man who received an envelope containing the card and suspicious powder through the mail bought it into Boondall Police Station in north Brisbane. Pictured, officers in Hazmat suits outside the station

The man, who has not been identified, was sent two cards through the mail and placed both of them, along with the powder, into a plastic bag before taking them to police, the ABC reported.

Officers called in firefighters to help determine what the powder was and forensics teams were later seen sweeping the station in yellow bright yellow Hazmat suits and gas masks.

The powder has been sent off for analysis but it is believed to be 2g of cocaine, not anthrax as first feared.

The card and cocaine is believed to have been sent from a UK address and Queensland Police are working with British officers to work out who put it in the post.

Anthrax is a deadly bacteria that causes horrific lesions when exposed to people's skin, and can also cause severe lung and intestinal damage if ingested.

The bacteria's spores are deadly unless a patient is promptly treated with large doses of antibiotics.

Alarmed officers feared the powder could be a deadly chemical so set up a 50-metre exclusion zone around the suburban station

Anthrax (pictured) is a deadly bacteria that causes horrific lesions when exposed to people's skin, and can also cause severe lung and intestinal damage if ingested

Anthrax has been used as a biological weapon for the last century, with its first use against the Imperial Russian Army in Finland in 1916.

It was stockpiled by most major countries until it was outlawed by the Biological Weapons Convention.

Despite this, it was used in the 2001 bioterrorist attacks on two US senators, several news organisations and the US Postal Service. A total of 22 people were infected, with five dying.
A North Carolina man has been charged with first-degree murder after he allegedly stabbed his six-year-old daughter in the heart, according to the FBI.

Seth Willis Pickering, 36, was arrested in Asheville, North Carolina, after it was reported his daughter, Lila Pickering, had gone missing amid a bitter custody battle with his estranged wife, according to KTLA 5.

The FBI said Pickering was taken into custody around 7pm on Friday after authorities discovered his car parked on the side of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Police said they found Lila's body inside the vehicle.

Seth Willis Pickering (left), 36, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his daughter Lila Pickering (left pictured together, right). Police have said that Lila was stabbed in the heart

Lila's body was found inside Pickering's car. Authorities said Pickering abducted his daughter from her foster home on Friday before murdering her

Lila was placed in a home by child protective services as Pickering and his estranged wife Ashley, who lives in Florida, battled for custody.

Ashley Pickering said she had talked to a CPS worker just hours before Lila was killed and was told the little girl was 'happy and healthy and in a great home'.

'They were going to work on getting her back down (to Florida)', Ashley told the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Pickering was taken into custody around 7pm on Friday after authorities discovered his car parked on the side of the Blue Ridge Parkway

But just hours later Ashley received a phone call at 2am from a police officer, informing her that Lila was dead.

'What they said to me just keeps playing in my head like a broken record,' the devastated mother said.

Lila was abducted from her foster home some time after she was picked up from school on Friday, Ashley told Fox Carolina.

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office was about to issue an AMBER Alert for Lila when they were notified by the National Park Service of a homicide on the Parkway.

Two rangers found Pickering and his daughter after they saw his car outside of a designated parking space and decided to investigate.

The FBI is leading the homicide investigation because Blue Ridge Parkway is part of the National Park System.

Named 'America's favorite drive', the Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

It is dotted with numerous campgrounds, picnic areas and trails.

Video courtesy of WLOS

Lila was placed in a home by child protective services as Pickering and his estranged wife Ashley Pickering, who lives in Florida, battled for custody

Authorities closed a portion of the Parkway until 1am on Saturday morning as investigators gathered evidence at the scene of the murder.

The National Parks Service and Buncombe County Sheriff's Office are also involved in the investigation.

Ashley said she separated from Pickering in May 2015 because he was abusive. She said the custody battle to bring Lila to Florida had been going on for 15 months.

Lila was placed in another home after Pickering was involved in a violent dispute with another person.

But Ashley said he had never hurt Lila in the past and she never thought he was a danger to their daughter.

'Lila worshiped the ground he walked on,' she told the Asheville-Citizen Times.

'She would jump in his lap and smile and laugh and be so happy when he was holding her.'

Pickering's occupation on Facebook is 'Daddy' and his profile is full of pictures of the curly-haired girl.

Lila was just a month shy of turning seven-years-old. Ashley's mother said they had planned to pick her up in just a week to take her back to Florida.

The girl's grandmother also revealed that Pickering was mentally ill and had recently been released from a psychiatric hospital.

Ashley Pickering (pictured) said she separated from Pickering in May 2015 because he was abusive. She said the custody battle to bring Lila to Florida had been going on for 15 months

She told WHNS that it's ' still a mystery how Lila got into his custody after school on Friday'.

'The family doesn't understand that either. They were notified at 2am that Lila was "deceased" over the phone,' said her grandmother.

Ashley revealed Lila was a miracle baby, as the mother suffers from a connective tissues disorder that makes it dangerous to carry a child to full term.

'I had her and she was perfect,' Ashley said. 'She was happy and healthy.

'She had no medical problems. She was absolutely beautiful. She is absolutely beautiful.'

Lila was a student at Johnston Elementary in Buncombe County. The Buncombe County School District issued a statement about the incident:

'While many questions have yet to be answered, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the heartbreaking loss of this wonderful little girl, Lila Pickering' BCS Superintendent Dr Tony Baldwin said in the statement obtained by KTLA.

'We will have crisis support teams on hand Monday morning at Johnston Elementary School to help students, teachers, and staff come to grips with this senseless tragedy. They will remain for as long as they are needed.'
Ministers were ordered to hand Ismail Abdurahman 13,600 of taxpayers money for his legal fees

European judges have ordered Britain to pay thousands of pounds to a terrorist who helped the failed July 21 bombers because his human rights were breached.

Ministers were ordered to hand Ismail Abdurahman 13,600 of taxpayers money for his legal fees after the Islamist convict successfully argued he had been denied the right to a fair trial.

In a ruling which risked provoking outrage, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that a statement the extremist provided as a witness, rather than a suspect, was used against him in court.

It comes as a surprise following a series of unsuccessful legal challenges by the plotters behind the failed attacks on the London Underground in 2005  a fortnight after 52 were murdered by suicide bombers on July 7.

Abdurahman, a British citizen, was charged with assisting one of the bombers and of failing to disclose information about the attack. He was sentenced to ten years in prison, later reduced to eight on appeal. He hid would-be bomber Hussain Osman for three days after his plan to repeat the carnage of the 7/7 bombings failed.

He was initially treated as a witness, and so quizzed without a lawyer. However, when the terrorist began to incriminate himself, police delayed allowing him access to legal advice and failed to tell him of his right to silence.

He argued this violated Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which safeguards the right to a fair trial. Yesterday he was awarded 13,600 after judges voted by 11 to six that his rights had been violated.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that a statement the extremist provided as a witness, rather than a suspect, was used against him in court

In its judgment, the ECHRs Grand Chamber said: The court was not convinced that the [UK] government had demonstrated compelling reasons for restricting his access to legal advice and failing to inform him of his right to remain silent.

It was significant that there was no basis in domestic law for the police to choose not to caution Mr Abdurahman at the point at which he had started to incriminate himself.

However, the court ruled that the terrorist had not been wrongly convicted and dismissed his claim for compensation.

Three other men jailed over the failed plot to blow up the London transport network lost an attempt to have their convictions overturned at the ECHR.

Somali nationals Muktar Said Ibrahim, Ramzi Mohammed and Yassin Omar  who each tried to detonate bombs  claimed their convictions were unfair because statements they gave when denied access to lawyers were used in their trial.

But judges dismissed their claims by a majority of 15 votes to two.
A popular pram has been recalled after fears children could fall out of the seat while it is being used.

The Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip and Armadillo Flip XT strollers, which are available online, are being recalled across Australia.

The recall is for prams purchased between August 1 2014 and April 30, 2016.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Product Safety Australia has said that under certain conditions, when in the parent facing position, a latch may slip and cause the seatback to tip backwards.

The Mamas & Papas Armadillo Flip and Armadillo Flip XT strollers (pictured) which are available online are being recalled across Australia over fears a latch could fail causing the seat to tip backwards

The product recall notice has said the seatback tip cannot occur when the infant is in the forward facing position or when a bassinet attachment is being used.

Despite there being no record of any injuries by consumers to date, there is a potential for infants to fall out of the pram and be injured if the safety harness is not used or incorrectly used.

The advice from the ACCC is that until the pram has been fixed it should not be used on rough terrain in the parent-facing facing position.

Owners of the pram will reportedly be contacted to arrange repairs for the pram.

The strollers, which retail for $799.95 and $949.95 respectively, are described on the company's website as 'award-winning strollers designed for an off-road life'.

Mamas & Papas is a UK-based retailer that sells prams, pushchairs, baby products, furniture and maternity clothing.
Winifred Brogan died after being put on the Liverpool Care Pathway

The daughter of a 93-year-old woman who died after being wrongly put on the discredited Liverpool Care Pathway yesterday demanded that the junior doctor involved be prosecuted.

Pat Brogan said the hospital doctor who decided that her mother Winifred was dying and who ordered that all treatment should stop had escaped with a slap on the wrist.

She also dismissed the 1,000 compensation payment her family had been offered by the NHS trust that runs the hospital as an insult.

It was offered after a report by the Health Ombudsman found that the old lady was in robust health before she went into the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan and all indicators suggested she was not dying when examined by the doctor.

A report by an investigator from the Ombudsmans office said it could not be said for certain that Mrs Brogan died because of the decision to put her on the Integrated Care Pathway  the version of the LCP system designed to ease the last hours of patients that was used by that hospital.

But it said she should not have been denied life-saving care and she was not given the best opportunity to live for longer. The deaths caused by the LCP and the anguish of families whose loved ones died were highlighted in a Daily Mail campaign that led to its abolition.

Under the system patients considered to be dying would no longer receive treatment to save their lives. Frequently, patients would be heavily sedated with morphine and then refused nutrition or hydration. Pat Brogan, who is an auxiliary nurse, said: She was sat up in bed talking and she was lucid. To me she wasnt terminally ill. The junior doctor just gave up on her and said she was dying. I hold the doctors responsible but they have got away with it. They have just got a slap on the wrist. I think they should be taken to court. The payment is an insult. It is not really about money, it is that someone takes full responsibility.

Winfred Brogan, a former mill worker, from Wigan, was taken to hospital just after 9pm on November 7, 2013, suffering from pneumonia and sepsis, and was seen by the junior doctor at 2am.

The report said available medical evidence did not support the idea that she was dying. But three hours later the doctor put her on the LCP.

Her family objected and asked for her discharge. Mrs Brogan was discharged later on November 8, but without antibiotics recommended by a consultant.

She was re-admitted on November 13 after her condition worsened and died the next day. The report said it was difficult to understand the haste with which the decision [about the Pathway] was made.
Legal action: Shoe designer Tamara Mellon

Shoe designer Tamara Mellon's decision to sue her former employer Jimmy Choo is 'utterly stupid'  according to Jimmy's cobbler niece Lucy Choi.

'I don't get it,' says Lucy, speaking at the British Asian Trust charity night. 'She left the firm years ago and it's like she's attention-seeking and still wants to bask in the limelight with all the celebrities.'

Mellon, 49, alleges Choo threatened to boycott factories that were producing creations for her new brand, resulting in her firm going bankrupt. 'Tamara did well out of Jimmy Choo,' adds Lucy. 'If that was me, I would move on. It's a shame, but then, Tamara did once sue her own mother!'

In 2009, Tamara's mother had to repay 6 million in shares after her daughter sued her.

He's just a few weeks away from his 93rd birthday, yet Nicholas Parsons has just been signed up for his latest programme. The Just A Minute host is making a BBC4 documentary, A Matter Of Time, about his favourite subject: clocks. 'I used to collect antique timepieces, but have given many away now,' he says. 'It was my father who taught me how to take clocks apart and put them back together, so I could always repair them.'

Diver Daley is a flop in the kitchen

Just weeks after crashing out of the Olympic finals, Tom Daley has suffered a nosedive in the kitchen.

The 22-year-old diver is writing a fitness and nutrition book, but was ridiculed by many of his 1.6 million social media fans for his 'disgustingly basic' smoothie in a video he shared online.

Nosedive: Tom Daley, 22, was ridiculed by many of his fans for his 'disgustingly basic' smoothie

'First up, we're going to do a banana and strawberry smoothie,' explains Tom. 'You add one banana, about ten to 12 strawberries, two tablespoons of Greek yoghurt, and blend together.'

Criticism came in thick and fast, including 'U can do better,' and 'I love how it seems like it's a unique recipe.'
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The railway station designed by legendary architect Brunel and the seminary where Johnny Vegas trained to be a priest are now among the most endangered Victorian buildings in the UK.

Also included in the top ten list, named by the Victorian Society, is the former home of the inspirational Victorian explorer Gertrude Bell, in Redcar, North Yorkshire, who shaped the imperial middle east with her travels and contacts.

Another of the buildings at risk is a former mill in Grimsby, which has been partly converted into flats, but is saturated in parts and experts fear will be lost forever unless it is refurbished soon.

Old Bute Road Railway Station, Cardiff: A Grade II listed station which was thought to be designed by Brunel and was home to the first steam-powered train service in Wales. It has fallen into dereliction after a museum it housed closed and a modern shelter has been built at the station

St Joseph's Seminary, Upholland, Lancashire: A Grade II listed complex of Gothic sandstone buildings which was first a seminary and then a boarding school whose alumni are said to include comedians Tom O'Connor and Johnny Vegas. The buildings closed in the early 1990s and have been decaying since, but could be converted to residential properties

St Paul's Church, Boughton, Chester, Cheshire: A Grade II listed church with a 'stunning interior' which retains wall paintings and stained glass windows by leading artists. The church is going through a closure process after the congregation merged with another church, and the Victorian Society warned the building was too important to be left to deteriorate with no plans for its future

This year is the first time that the list of endangered historic buildings does not feature any from London or the South East, which experts say shows a lack of investment outside those areas.

In Cardiff, one of the buildings at risk is a station thought to have been designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who was one of the heroes of the industrial revolution and changed the British landscape forever.

Another building at risk is a church in Cheshire, where comedian Johnny Vegas boarded as a Catholic schoolboy for four terms but left after becoming homesick.

Also on this year's list is a Devon brick factory where Grade II listed buildings are under threat and the derelict Philip Webb arts and crafts house in Redcar where Bell, a pioneer explorer of the Middle East, once lived.

The charity's director, Christopher Costello, suggested the contrast in fortunes of old buildings in different areas reflected the 'vastly different financial climate' for development in many places outside the South-East.

But he and the society's vice-president, TV presenter and comedian Griff Rhys Jones, urged local people to seize the opportunity to save the buildings.

Victoria Mill, Grimsby, Lincolnshire: A Grade II former flour mill, warehouse and office complex which was partially converted to flats in the 1990s. The tower, which was not converted, suffered structural problems leading some people being moved out temporarily as their homes were declared unsafe, and the council was forced to carry out work to help them return and prevent a collapse on a main road

Rylands Mill, Wigan, Greater Manchester: A Grade II listed former cotton mill, with boiler, engine house, chimney and weaving sheds which has lain derelict since the early 2000s, posing a risk to children who trespass, and is currently for sale at 2.5 million

Old Library, Stafford, Staffordshire: A Grade II building partially funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and once housed Clement Lindley Wragge's collection of ethnographic, zoological and geological material. It was sold in 2012 and appears to be on the market again, with its future uncertain. The Victorian Society urged the council to compulsorily purchase it and give it to a community group which wants to create an arts and cultural hub there

Publicity from inclusion on the endangered list often sparked new interest in the buildings which could help protect them, the charity said.

Mr Costelloe said: 'This year, for the first time, the top 10 has no entries from London or the South-East. We simply got far more nominations from other regions.

'This perhaps reflects the vastly different financial climate for development in many areas outside the South-East.

'Retaining historic buildings like those in the top 10 is vital to maintaining local identity and creating places in which people want to invest, live and work.'

Clayton Hospital, Wakefield, West Yorkshire: The building is not listed but is a very high quality carved stone Tudor revival building which dominates the surrounding conservation area. It is threatened under a planning application by the foundation which owns schools on either side of it to demolish the hospital to enable expansion, the Victorian Society said

Oliver Buildings, Barnstaple, Devon: The Grade II Shapland and Petter brick factory, showroom and office complex on the riverside in the town, designed by William Clement Oliver. The Victorian Society said the developer who owned the site tried to get the recent listing overturned, and urged the company to produce plans incorporating the buildings 'without any further delay'

Mount Street Hospital, Preston, Lancashire: A Grade II high Victorian Gothic building, which was built as an orphanage and was later a convalescent home but has been empty for more than a decade. Urgent action is needed to implement plans to convert it into residential properties before the building is lost, the society warns

Red Barns, Redcar, North Yorkshire, a Grade II* listed building by arts and crafts architect Philip Webb, former home of Gertrude Bell, which is in a 'terrible state' with internal water damage, while plans to convert it to flats have not commenced. The Victorian Society suggested the developer could support the local campaign to turn it into a museum to Bell

Rhys Jones added: 'The nationally important buildings on the Victorian Society's top 10 list are in dire need of help. Many of them are in prominent locations in their towns and cities.

'Following my experience with the Hackney Empire I know how difficult finding funding can be - especially outside London.

'However, restoring important historic buildings is worth investing in as it can be a catalyst for wider regeneration.
A scuba diver who found a wedding ring off the coast of Benidorm will soon reunite it with its owner after it spent 37 years lost at sea.

Spanish diver Jessica Niso said the ring was covered in sediment and almost looked as though it was part of the sea bed but for a tiny sparkle when she spotted it.

After cleaning it up, she found an inscription noting the wedding day of February 17 1979 and began her quest to find the owner, posting a message on Facebook.

Happy returns: A scuba diver who found a wedding ring off the coast of Benidorm will soon reunite it with its owner after it spent 37 years lost at sea

Reunited: Agustin and Juani Aliaga will get the rung from the diver who found it when they all meet in Zaragoza on September 26

Spanish diver Jessica Niso said the ring was covered in sediment and almost looked as though it was part of the sea bed but for a tiny sparkle when she spotted it

A few weeks ago, Agustin and Juani Aliaga got in touch and Juani, who lost her ring while swimming off the coast of Benidorm 37 years ago, will now be reunited with it.

'It was a pleasant surprise. More than the material value, the most important thing is symbolic and emotional, as it is the ring that we were married with,' she told Heraldo newspaper.

Jessica first launched her quest to find them with a post that read: 'I found a wedding ring diving off the island of Benidorm. I wish I could give it back to the owner. It has been lost for a long, long time because it was covered in sediment.'

Although she wrote the date, she did not reveal that Juani's name was also inscribed on it to foil scammers. So she was delighted when Juani, now 60, from Utebo, near Zaragoza, got in touch.

Search: Jessica (left) first launched her quest to find them with a post that read: 'I found a wedding ring diving off the island of Benidorm.' She has now found the owners (right)

Stroke of luck: A few weeks ago, Agustin and Juani Aliaga got in touch and Juani, who lost her ring while swimming off the coast of Benidorm 37 years ago, will now be reunited with it

'When my wife told Jessica her name, Jessica began shouting with excitement,' Agustin Aliaga said.

He explained how they sent Jessica a photocopy of their family register and a picture of the matching wedding rings they have to show them that she was the true owner.
Pauline Hanson has taken swipe at embattled Senator Sam Dastyari by calling him 'Sam Desperado'.

The One Nation leader's jab at the former Labor frontbencher happened on Channel Nine's Today on Wednesday morning, just hours before she was set to deliver her maiden speech, and left co-host Karl Stefanovic in stitches.

Senator Dastyari resigned as manager of opposition business in the Senate and shadow spokesman for consumer affairs last week after it emerged Chinese company Top Education Institute had paid his personal travel debt of $1,670.

Stefanovic asked Senator Hanson: ' Anyone been wining and dining you that we should know about? You know I like to be across these things.'

'No, I'll leave that up to Sam Desperado,' the Queensland senator said without missing a beat.

Her response sends Stefanovic into a fit of laughter.

'Desperado! You're a funny lady,' he said, struggling to get the words out as he laughs.

'They keep clear of me,' Senator Hanson added.

'Well they shouldn't,' Stefanovic responded.

Pauline Hanson has taken swipe at embattled Senator Sam Dastyari by calling him 'Sam Desperado' and left Today co-host Karl Stefanovic in peels of laughter

The One Nation leader's jab at the former Labor frontbencher happened on Channel Nine's Today on Wednesday morning, just hours before she was set to deliver her maiden speech

He then added: 'Well we'll try and take you out to dinner next time you visit the Today show.'

But Senator Hanson was quick to shut down the invitation.

'Oh no, no favours Karl. Alright? You're not going to get me on the program whenever you want me. No, not going to happen,' she said.

'Oh c'arn Queenslander,' Stefanovic, who shares a home state with Senator Hanson, protested.

After the interview ended, Stefanovic's host, Lisa Wilkinson, teased him about Senator Hanson's rejection.

'See that's your first mistake, you thought she could be bought with a cheap dinner,' Wilkinson said.

'Like Maccas or something, fish 'n' chips,' Stefanovic suggested.

Senator Dastyari resigned as manager of opposition business in the Senate and shadow spokesman for consumer affairs last week

'Not going to happen Karl,' Wilkinson said.

It is anticipated the One Nation leader will canvass party policies such as immigration, the family court and other issues in her first speech as Queensland senator.

But it is understood the speech, which is being kept top-secret, will go beyond her normal addresses.

The speech will be just four days out from the 20th anniversary of her infamous maiden speech to the House of Representatives delivered on September 10, 1996.

As the then-member for Oxley, Senator Hanson caused ripples when she questioned multiculturalism and warned Australia was being 'swamped by Asians'.
An Adelaide councillor has pushed a plan to make all cyclists across the state wear high visibility clothing after he almost hit a small child riding on the footpath.

City of West Torrens councillor Arthur Mangos said after the South Australian State Government allowed all cyclists to ride on footpaths, there have been two occasions he almost hit a bicycle while reversing from his driveway.

The council has now pushed for all South Australian cyclists to be forced by law to wear either a hi-vis vest or adhesive tape on their helmets to heighten visibility.

'At night I almost hit a cyclist while I was reversing onto a major road in Adelaide. He was wearing dark clothing, had a dark bike, had no lights and was riding on the footpath,' Mr Mangos, who is a cyclist himself, told Daily Mail Australia.

An Adelaide councillor has pushed a plan to make all cyclists across the state wear high visibility clothing (stock image)

Mr Mangos said he initially pushed for just children to wear hi-vis after he failed to see a small child on a bike as he reversed from his driveway (stock image)

'I am now more aware for my community and health and safety and in my personal view everyone should wear hi-vis vests'.

Mr Mangos (pictured) has pushed for all South Australian cyclists to be forced to wear either a hi-vis vest or adhesive tape on their helmets to heighten their visibility

Mr Mangos said he initially pushed for just children to wear hi-vis after he failed to see a small child on a bike as he reversed from his driveway, but the idea quickly extended to adult cyclists also.

He said riders could chose to wear either a vest over their own clothes or place a strip of light-reflecting tape across their helmet to reduce costs.

Under the scheme, those who ride a mobility scooter would also be expected to drive with a piece of hi-vis.

Mr Mangos said he has seen many of the scooters with a flag on the back and riders could easily replace it with a high visibility material.

He said the plan should be a 'national safety rule'.

He said riders could chose to wear either a vest over their own clothes or place a strip of light-reflecting tape across their helmet to reduce costs

Chief executive Christian Haag from Bike SA told Daily Mail Australia the plan would be 'detrimental to participation'

'It will save lives as there will be less accidents and we'll have a safer community and protect the safety of cyclists,' Mr Mangos said.

But, the Councillor's personal views have been met with criticism by local cyclists after the council announced the controversial plan.

Chief executive Christian Haag from Bike SA told Daily Mail Australia the plan would be 'detrimental to participation'.

He said the way forward is 'through education, not regulation'.

'80 per cent of crashes between motorist and cyclists are the motorist's fault,' he said.

Under the scheme, those who ride a mobility scooter would also be expected to drive with a piece of hi-vis

'There's a big difference between a motorist looking and a motorist seeing and it doesn't matter if you're lit up like a Christmas tree'.

The plan will go to a local government meeting in October where all the state councils discuss motions.

If passed, the State Government could make changes to the Australian road rules to include compulsory hi-vis.

Cyclists of all ages are permitted to ride on the left of footpaths in South Australia unless there is a 'no bicycles' sign.
Still they come flooding in! I refer to the Establishment fixers and schmoozifiers who, by the day, continue to pour into our Legislature via the House of Lords. Is the chamber not full? Can someone please not hang outside the door one of those signs you get at seaside boarding houses  no vacancies?

Yesterday we had two new baronesses, each introduced with a ceremony involving a costumed dance with Black Rod holding a billiard cue, and the Garter Principal King of Arms doddering along in his medieval-style tabard, and a wigged clerk in white tie declaring a message from the Queen about her latest most beloved and trusty Life peer.

Liberty founder Shami Chakrabarti (pictured) is introduced to the House of Lords yesterday

First arrival was a Nordic-lookin blonde from Tory high command, name of Olivia Bloomfield. She was a governor of Cheltenham Ladies College and a City headhunter who later helped David Camerons big-spondoolicks fundraising. Lady Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist, as we must now call her  Hinton Waldrist sounds like a brand of chutney  will have a say over the laws of our land, though no one has voted for her. She uttered her allegiance to the Queen in an accent that could have cut whale blubber. Add an elegant hairdo, strong cheekbones and two eyes as blue as Arctic ice. With those looks she put me in mind of Charles Gray, the greatest of the actors to play 007s foe Blofeld in the James Bond films.

And then  HA!, ha ha ha ha!  enter another freeloader, another parasite with her feeder jaws sunk into Britannias dugs, another legislator by appointment. And who should it be? Why, none other than that baby doll of political correctitude, that pin-up of the Guardian set, Miss Lip Bitten In Earnestness Herself, Shami Chakrabarti. The quavering voice of liberal superiority came tripping in almost with the self-assurance of a catwalk model.

Her Labour supporters were the Ladies Lawrence and Kennedy of the Shaws (the first being mother of Stephen Lawrence, the second being that gassy Irish lawyer). How come the owner of Britains most self-polished conscience found herself in this den of anti-democracy? How on earth could her principles accept it? Very easily indeed, it seems. She wrote some report on Labour anti-semitism for Jeremy Corbyn, reached a conclusion not too inconvenient for the anti-Israel Corbynites, and  ping!  one new Labour Life peer, hot and piping and ready for your delectation. She was made-up to look like a flapper and threw her fringe off her brow in a chic manner. On her left wrist was a chunky, fashionable timepiece. Come the moment for the oath (affirmed, not sworn), she spoke the words in an actressy manner, pausing for special accentuation and emphasis just the way she often has done in TV interviews when laying out her anti-Establishment views.

Her Labour supporters were the Ladies Lawrence and Kennedy of the Shaws (the first being mother of Stephen Lawrence, the second being that gassy Irish lawyer)

In the clerks voice I thought I detected just a scintilla of resentment as he reached the final words about the rights, privileges, pre-eminences and immunities of the House now being available to this new Member of our Parliament, and it all being laid down under the Queens signed manual. Baroness Chakrabarti of Kennington in Our London Borough of Lambeth (as the clerk so fastidiously put it) then signed her name in the historic Houses annals, with all the ease of a guest placing her moniker in the register of a Travelodge in Wolverhampton.

Boiling, and not just because it was a hideously hot day, I stomped off to hear Brexit Secretary David Davis give evidence to the Commons foreign affairs select committee. DD was cheerful enough, chuckling away, little bovvered by the committees questions. But it was noted by the committees chairman, Crispin Blunt (Con, Reigate), that the May Government could face problems getting Brexit past the House of Lords.
Whistleblower Chelsea Manning has ended her hunger strike after the Army agreed to give her gender transition surgery.

The transgender soldier, who is serving a 35-year prison term for passing classified files to WikiLeaks, went on hunger strike on Friday.

A statement, supplied by her attorney, said that Manning would continue the protest until she received the 'minimum standards of dignity, respect and humanity' and warned she was prepared for the possibility of dying.

Today, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Manning, 28, has ended her strike after the Army agreed to the treatment.

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Chelsea Manning was imprisoned in Kansas for sending classified information to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks

The transgender soldier, who is serving a 35-year prison term for passing classified files to WikiLeaks, went on hunger strike on Friday (pictured in 2010, before beginning the transition into a woman)

'I am unendingly relieved that the military is finally doing the right thing,' Manning said in a statement released by her lawyer Chase Strangio, reported by ABC News. 'I applaud them for that. This is all that I wanted - for them to let me be me.'

'But it is hard not to wonder why it has taken so long,' Manning added. 'Also, why were such drastic measures needed?'

Manning was recommended for gender transition surgery in April this year.

Her ACLU lawyer Strangio said that he hopes the military will now progress with the treatment Manning is 'legally entitled' and that was 'medically needed' to ensure that 'her suffering does not continue.'

'This medical care is absolutely vital for Chelsea,' he added. 'It was the government's refusal to provide her with the necessary care that led her to attempt suicide earlier this year, and it was all the more troubling when she became subject to an investigation and possible punishment in connection with the suicide attempt.

'We hope that the government recognizes that charging Chelsea with the crime of being denied essential health care is outrageous and drops those charges.'

Meanwhile, Manning hopes her case can set a precedent for other transgender people behind bars.

Arrested originally as Bradley Manning, she was convicted in 2013 of six Espionage Act violations and 14 other offenses for leaking more than 700,000 secret military and State Department documents, plus some battlefield video.

Manning, who was an intelligence analyst in Iraq at the time, later filed a transgender prisoner rights lawsuit.

In an email to media outlets, Chelsea Manning's legal representatives did not disclose details about the circumstances surrounding the July 5 incident at the military prison at Fort Leavenworth (pictured)

Manning herself has since taken to Twitter, posting: 'I am okay. I'm glad to be alive. Thank you all for your love <3 I will get through this. #standwithchelsea'

She has appealed the criminal case, arguing that her sentence was 'grossly unfair' and that her actions were those of a naive, troubled soldier who aimed to reveal the toll of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The appeal contends Manning's disclosures harmed no one, but prosecutors have said the leaked material damaged US security and identified informants who helped US forces.

Her attorney's statement concluded: 'For us, hearing Chelsea's voice after learning that she had attempted to take her life last week was incredibly emotional.

'She is someone who has fought so hard for so many issues we care about and we are honored to fight for her freedom and medical care.'

Manning has faced a long battle for her rights as a transgender woman to be recognized by the military.

In November last year, she announced she was suing the Army after being forced to have the men's regulation two-inch prison haircut.

Manning, who says she has identified as a woman since childhood, had been receiving access to hormone therapy, speech therapy and cosmetics while in prison.

But complained she 'felt like a freak' after the military ruled that the former U.S. Army intelligence analyst must continue to cut her hair to 'military standards.'

In August, 2015, Manning then lost recreational rights when she was caught with Vanity Fair which hair an interview with transgender celebrity Caitlin Jenner, and an issue of Cosmopolitan that contained an interview with her.

In 2013, Manning - pictured above before beginning the transition into a woman - was sentenced on the charges to 35 years in prison. Her lawyers filed an appeal in May citing that she acted in the interests of the public

Manning made an attempt to take her own life in July after being previously denied treatment for her gender dysphoria, her attorneys confirmed.

Chelsea Manning's legal representatives said in a statement: 'Chelsea made a decision to end her life. Her attempt to take her own life was unsuccessful.'

They did not disclose details about the July 5 incident at the military prison at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, where the 28-year-old is serving a 35-year sentence.

But they accused the U.S. Army of a 'gross breach of confidentiality' for publicly revealing last week that Manning had been rushed to hospital.

Manning's lawyers added that the soldier 'knows that people have questions about how she is doing' and will remain under close observation at the lockup for several weeks.

'She would have preferred to keep her private medical information private, and instead focus on her recovery,' said her attorneys.

'The government's gross breach of confidentiality in disclosing her personal health information to the media has created the very real concern that they may continue their unauthorized release of information about her publicly without warning.'

Manning herself has since taken to Twitter, posting: 'I am okay. I'm glad to be alive. Thank you all for your love <3 I will get through this. #standwithchelsea'.
An alleged fraudster accused of stealing the identities of up to 12 dead men so he could send 'significant funds to the Philippines' was caught when authorities noticed he was wearing a wig and synthetic facial features in a fake passport photo.

Peter Anthony Short, 68, from the Gold Coast, was exposed by staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who were reviewing a passport photo he submitted in March under a false name, the Courier Mail reports.

Short is facing 61 fraud, forgery and impersonation charges alleged to have occurred in the past nine years.

Peter Anthony Short, 68, is facing 61 fraud, forgery and impersonation charges alleged to have occurred in the past nine years

The pensioner is accused of searching out the graves of men that died around 1948 and signing up for utility bills in their name so he could then open bank accounts, collect identity cards, birth certificates and passports, the Courier Mail reported citing Supreme Court documents.

He was refused bail in Brisbane Supreme Court on September 2, where an officer from the High Tech Crime Investigations Unit said Short was a money courier who visited the Philippines 49 times between May 2007 and September 2015, using the alias Kevin Gordon Smithers.

Police say Short has a 15-year history of fraud and identity offences in Queensland and was jailed in 2011 for using the identity of Barry Allan Eldridge, the Courier Mail reported.

He is currently being investigated for using the same same to claim multiple Centrelink payments.

Constable Tyler James Matchett told the court that after Short was released from prison in 2012 he immediately started reoffending.

Mr Matchett said Short was considered a high flight risk because when he was arrested on April 17 another passport application in a dead person's name was underway.
A novel that nods to the Black Lives Matter movement and contains hundreds of expletives has been shortlisted for the Man Booker prize.

The Sellout, by American author Paul Beatty, tells the story of a young black man whose father is killed in a police shoot out in a dangerous neighbourhood in Los Angeles.

The book was praised by Booker judges who described it as an eccentric mix of Swiftian satire and observational comedy.

The Sellout, by American author Paul Beatty (pictured), tells the story of a young black man whose father is killed in a police shoot out in a dangerous neighbourhood in Los Angeles

But the content is not for the faint-hearted and contains a litany of expletives including the f-word (used more than 80 times) and the n-word (used more than 90 times).

Black Lives Matter is a movement started in America after a number of black men were killed at the hands of white police officers.

But the group, which has a faction in the UK, caused controversy last week after nine of its members, all white, forced London City Airport to close after protesting on the runway.

Speaking about The Sellout Man Booker judge Jon Day said the book was of the moment adding, although its not directly related to the Black Lives Matter movement it was in our minds when we were reading it.

Fellow judge David Harsent, a poet and professor of creative writing at the University of Roehampton, called the number of profanities part of the musical structure of the book.

The Sellout tells the story of a black man who is left in a state of despair after his father is killed by police

The Sellout tells the story of a black man who is left in a state of despair after his father is killed by police but in an attempt to right another wrong he ends up in the Supreme Court.

British author Deborah Levy, who was previously shortlisted for her novel Swimming Home in 2012, also made the shortlist for the 50,000 prize.

Scottish author Graeme Macrae Burnet was also recognised for what is just his second novel. His Bloody Project tells the story of the murders of three people in a remote community in 1869.

Chair of judges Amanda Foreman said: The Man Booker Prize subjects novels to a level of scrutiny that few books can survive.

In re-reading our incredibly diverse and challenging longlist, it was both agonising and exhilarating to be confronted by the sheer power of the writing.

In the third year that the prize has been open to writers of any nationality, the shortlist is split between two British, two US and two Canadian writers.

The shortlisted authors each receive 2,500 and a specially bound edition of their book.

The winner will be announced on 25 October at a glitzy black tie dinner at Londons Guildhall.

Last years winning novel A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James, has sold over 315,000 copies and is available in 20 languages.
A teacher described how she could have been killed after her Samsung Galaxy 7 phone overheated in her hand and exploded.

Sarah Crockett, 30, said that the phone wasn't even being charged when it heated up as she held it then blew up after she dropped it in the busy cafe in Witham, Essex.

The mother-of-two was with her husband Matt, 29, when she noticed that the three-month-old phone was expanding, so she threw it on the table.

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Sarah Crockett, 30, said that the phone wasn't even being charged when it heated up in her hand then blew up after she dropped it in a busy cafe in Witham, Essex

The mother-of-two was with her husband Matt, 29, when she noticed that the three-month-old phone was expanding, and it got so hot that the casing melted

The phone then melted, letting off huge clouds of white smoke, causing customer to run away in the Hold The Anchovies cafe

The phone then melted, letting off huge clouds of white smoke, causing customers to run away in the Hold The Anchovies cafe.

She told The Sun: 'It suddenly just expanded in my hand and got really, really hot.

'I dropped it on the table. Within a few seconds there was smoke everywhere and I jumped out of the way. The whole thing was just barbecued.

I lost all my photos, including my four-year-old son Ollie's first day at school. But what if it had been in his hands? What if I had been driving?'

It got so hot that the metal casing was left charred and had even bubbled, before a staff member picked it up with a damp cloth and put it outside.

There have been similar claims in the US, and the company has previously recalled its 750 Note 7 after some burst into flames while charging.

Just this week it was reported that Kadim, six, from Brooklyn, New York, was at home with his mother, Marsha Lewis, when the Samsung Galaxy Core he was playing with burst into flames.

Mrs Crockett has sent CCTV footage to the company and was told that the phone must have been charging when it happened, but she insists that is not the case.
The leak was attributed to hacker Guccifer 2.0 by WikiLeaks

Hackers who broke into Democratic Party files have released documents including the contact details for top Obama aides, and what appears to be the personal cell phone number of vice-presidential candidate Tim Kaine.

Furious party officials claimed the hackers were Russian state-sponsored agents trying to influence the US presidential election

They added that Republican candidate Donald Trump will be the main beneficiary of the leak, and accused him of courting foreign espionage to further his campaign.

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Tim Kaine's personal mobile phone number is believed to be included on a spreadsheet which was hacked by Guccifer 2.0

It follows similar leaks earlier this year, after the Democratic Party's system was breached in April.

The hacker, who claims to work alone, yesterday released 670 megabytes of documents, including the work phone numbers, personal email addresses and personal phone numbers of White House officials.

A link to the documents was posted on WikiLeaks' Twitter account and attributed to alleged hacker Guccifer 2.0.

In the latest document release, Kaine's title on the spreadsheet of contacts is 'Chairman's Office', indicating that it was created between 2009 and 2011, while the vice presidential candidate was with the DNC.

The batch also contains official mobile phone numbers of Valerie Jarrett, who is current Senior Advisor to the President, and former Presidential advisers Rahm Emmanuel and Daniel Pfeiffer.

Democratic Party officials have accused Donald Trump of courting foreign espionage, with DNC chair Donna Brazile saying he is the main beneficiary of the data breach

The new documents also list 450 people who have raised money for Obama for America (OFA), the DNC and the CFC - believed to refer to the Combined Federal Campaign.

Party officials are understood to be concerned about further embarrassment at the hands of Guccifer 2.0 in the build-up to the November 8 presidential election.

Donna Brazile, the DNC's interim chair, accused Trump of encouraging Russian espionage

The release came during a presentation on Tuesday from a person speaking on behalf of Guccifer 2.0 at a London cyber security conference, Politico reported.

Democratic National Committee interim chair Donna Brazile said in response to the leak: 'There's one person who stands to benefit from these criminal acts, and that's Donald Trump.

'Not only has Trump embraced (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, he publicly encouraged further Russian espionage to help his campaign.'

In July Trump invited Russia to dig up emails from Hillary Clinton's time as secretary of state. This angered Democrats, who accused him of using foreigners to spy on Americans, but Trump said he was being sarcastic.

Brazile continued: 'We have been anticipating that an additional batch of documents stolen by Russian agents would be released.'

Following a data leak in June, a party official told MailOnline: 'Our experts are confident in their assessment that the Russian government hackers were the actors responsible for the breach detected in April, and we believe that the subsequent release and the claims around it may be a part of a disinformation campaign by the Russians.'

Former chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz stood down on the eve of July's Democratic National Convention after WikiLeaks published an earlier series of hacked DNC emails, which showed party officials favoring eventual nominee Hillary Clinton over US Senator Bernie Sanders during the party's nominating contests.

Three other senior officials also stepped down from the DNC after the leak.

Russia has previously distanced itself from the hacks.

In June, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'I completely rule out a possibility that the (Russian) government or the government bodies have been involved in this.'

Russia's government led by Vladimir Putin, pictured, has denied being behind the data hacks

The hacker himself denies being Russian, or working on behalf of the Russian authorities. In blog posts he claims to be Romanian.

In messages sent to the Wall Street Journal, an individual claiming to be the hacker said: '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.

'This is their strong evidence.'

And he continued: 'It made me angry they attributed my deals to the Russians. But then I realised the deeper they go this way the safer I am.'

In a statement delivered by a representative yesterday at The Future of Cyber Security Europe in London, the hacker said: 'We need to shake the situation, to make our voices sound.

'Yeah, I know if they find me I'm doomed to live like Assange, Snowden, Manning or Lazar.

'In exile or in prison. But it's worth it for they are the heroes, heroes of new era.'

Guccifer 2.0 is believed to have been named in homage to Marcel Lehel Lazar, who adopted the alias Guccifer when hacking into the emails and social media accounts of high profile Americans.

Lazar was arrested in Romania in January 2014, and was extradited to the USA.

He claims to have repeatedly broken into a private email server used by Hillary Clinton - but Clinton denies the breach happened.

He said he arrived at the name Guccifer by combing Italian fashion brand Gucci with Lucifer, the Biblical name for the devil.
Katie Ghose (pictured), chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, has been accused of hypocrisy

An 'independent' campaigner who criticised the boundary review that could scrap key Labour seats has herself tried to run in four Labour areas.

Katie Ghose, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said the changes, which will see the number of seats cut from 650 to 600, are unfair.

But despite claims she is an independent observer, Miss Ghose has in fact put herself forward as a Labour candidate in Stoke-on-Trent North, Brighton Kemptown, Grimsby and York  prompting allegations of hypocrisy from Tory MPs.

She has never been selected, and the boundary review will make it much less likely that she ever will be.

It came as Jeremy Corbyn said that inner-city seats such as his Islington North constituency  which could be axed under the review  could not be expected to be the same size as rural ones, because urban voters had more complex problems.

The Boundary Commission for England is proposing to reduce the number of constituencies in order to make them roughly the same size for the first time.

Other high profile MPs who face losing their seats include George Osborne, Priti Patel and David Davis.

It came as Jeremy Corbyn (pictured) said that inner-city seats such as his Islington North constituency could not be expected to be the same size as rural ones

Experts said the changes would disadvantage Labour, with one analysis showing that, on current polls, the party would fall below 200 seats for the first time since the 1920s. Electoral Calculus said Theresa May would be on course to win the 2020 election with a majority of around 100, with the Tories gaining 349 seats compared with just 176 for Labour.

When the changes were announced yesterday, Miss Ghose said they were unfair because they were based on out-of-date electoral rolls.

'Areas with the lowest levels of registration are often those that already have the lease voice in politics,' she said. 'Young people, some ethnic minority groups and those in the private rented sector are all less likely to register to vote than others. That makes many of them effectively cut out of the new political map.'

However the former aide to Lord Janner did not mention her previous attempts to become a Labour candidate.

Electoral Calculus said Theresa May would be on course to win the 2020 election with a majority of around 100, with the Tories gaining 349 seats compared with just 176 for Labour

Last night Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen said: 'There is more than a whiff of hypocrisy in these comments from a serial carpet-bagger candidate.' Bernard Jenkin, Tory chairman of the Commons public administration committee, also criticised Miss Ghose.

He said: 'We know the present distribution of seats creates disproportionate representation for Labour MPs compared to the number of votes polled.

'She is entitled to her views but she shouldn't be using a charity as a platform for them.'

MP Philip Davies added: 'She is masquerading as being independent when she is anything but independent ... she should be open about her clear affiliation.'

Meanwhile, as he fought to keep his North London seat  one of the country's smallest by area  Mr Corbyn argued that inner-city constituencies should be smaller than rural ones because of such voters' complex needs.

The review recommended Islington North be carved up among its neighbours, pitching him into a selection battle with his ally Diane Abbott, who represents a nearby seat. Mr Corbyn said: 'I'm very unhappy about the size of the new constituency that has been put forward. Multiple-needs areas, such as I represent, don't need to be too big.

'They need to be places where MPs can represent them properly, just like anywhere else in the country.'

But one of Mr Corbyn's Left-wing supporters said he should take the opportunity to purge the party of MPs who stood against him.

Councillor Darren Williams, a member of Labour's NEC ruling body, told Radio 4's Today programme: 'Redrawing the boundaries does present an opportunity for the selection of some new candidates.

'Where MPs have consistently demonstrated their disloyalty to the party leader ...then I think party members are within their rights to ask whether those MPs should continue to represent them.'
Adrianne Terry, 37, has been arrested on suspicion of stealing a purse containing $100 from an 86-year-old grandmother in the Bronx, New York

New York police have arrested a woman accused of stealing more than $100 from an 86-year-old grandmother in a wheelchair.

Surveillance footage shows Bernice Starnes, 86, in her wheelchair in the Bronx when the heartless criminal approached her shortly after 2pm on Sunday.

Adrianne Terry, 37, was charged with larceny over the incident, DNAinfo New York reported.

'She said, "Good morning"  the next thing she did, she grabbed my purse and she said, "Now it is a good morning,"' Starnes told DNAinfo New York. 'I was calling her every name but a child of God.'

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Adrianne Terry, 37, has been cuffed on suspicion of being the woman caughgt on camera (pictured) stealing a purse from an 86-year-old woman in a wheelchair

'I used to run track,' added Starnes, who has been in a wheelchair because she broke her hip.

'If I wasn't in this wheelchair, I would've caught her a** and put my foot up her.'

Terry has about a dozen arrests for selling and possessing drugs as well as two assaults, DNAinfo New York reported.

The purse-snatcher was standing behind the 86-year-old grandmother, before she slowly walked around in front of her.

Then, in the blink of an eye, the thief grabbed Starnes' purse and sprinted off down the street.

A witness heard the thief shout, 'why don't you run after me and get it', to the Starnes as she fled the scene, according to the New York Post.

Police also said the 86-year-old had her bank card and $100 cash inside the purse.

The purse-snatcher (left) approached her victim slowly from behind before she carried out the despicable act

The incident comes just days after a 93-year-old great-grandmother had $600 stolen out of her bra while she was shopping.

Maria Vasquez, who now uses a wheelchair after suffering three strokes, was looking for a pair of sandals at Regines department store in New York last Wednesday.

Similarly to the most recent incident, Vasquez's thief was also caught on camera as he shockingly snatched her cash and made a break for it.

The thief walked around to be standing in front of her victim, before she reached down and grabbed the bag

The robber was later seen tossing what appeared to be a handbag in a bin nearby

The footage shows 26-year-old Broyoan Lopez looking at some clothes when the thief, clad in chinos and a T-shirt with his hair in a bun, approached.

After looking over his shoulder to check if anyone was around, the thief suddenly thrust his hand down her bra and grabbed an envelope containing the cash.

The money was Vasquez's social security check, which she had cashed at the bank mere moments before the robbery.

Lopez was arrested near his home last Friday and charged with robbery, grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

26-year-old Broyoan Lopez was caught on camera last week stealing from a 93-yer-old great-grandmother
Woolworths says high-quality local avocados are down this season

Avocados Australia has warned there could be a glut of inferior produce

Australian avocado growers have accused Woolworths of taking fruit from New Zealand over domestic suppliers, saying consumers could be left with a glut of poor quality produce.

'Australian growers are very disappointed Woolworths has stopped sourcing locally-grown avocados for most of its Queensland stores already, given the large volumes of Australian fruit that are currently available,' said John Tyas, CEO of industry body Avocados Australia.

Mr Tyas said Australian growers are expecting to harvest more than 17,000 tonnes of avocados - about 85 million avocados - between September and Christmas.

Australian avocado growers say they are disappointed with Woolworths for opting to import fruit from New Zealand early this spring

'This volume is down a bit from last year, but should be sufficient to supply more than half of the Australian market demand during this period,' he said.

Local supply is usually boosted by imports from New Zealand during the spring and summer months, but Avocados Australia say Woolworths have jumped the gun.

An oversupply of avocados could lead to lower prices for consumers, but Mr Tyas told Radio New Zealand there was also a risk to the market.

'There's lots of regions that are currently harvesting, the risk is if we put New Zealand fruit on top of that right now then there is a risk that we'll have a market glut, which isn't good for anyone,' he said.

'It's not good for consumers, we end up with old fruit sitting around, we start to have a lot of quality problems and that further erodes the market as well.'

Woolworths says it is not unusual to take additional fruit from New Zealand to complement Australian supply

A Woolworths spokesman defended the sale of imported avocados, saying feedback from suppliers was that avocados of high quality are down this season.

'In response to the market we sometimes take additional fruit from New Zealand to complement our Australian supply - this is the case in Queensland at the moment,' the spokesman said, adding customer demand was up.

Woolworths is still sourcing avocados from local growers at its Townsville distribution centre and all other states are unaffected.

Australian consumption of avocados has been steadily increasing over the past two decades and per capita consumption is at about 3.2 kg per person.

Mr Tyas said it was important major chains consult with their suppliers and Avocados Australia to ensure their decisions are based on the best information available.
can go without a helmet if they are over 21, have had their license for at least two years and increase their medical coverage

Michigan lawmaker Rep Peter Pettalia (pictured) was riding his motorcycle when a pickup truck turned directly into his lane of traffic and the two collided

A Michigan lawmaker who opposed helmet laws has died in a motorcycle crash, despite wearing a helmet.

The Michigan State Police confirmed that Rep Peter Pettalia was driving southbound on M-33 on his motorcycle when a pickup truck turned directly into his lane of traffic.

Pettalia's motorcycle struck the pickup truck. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

He was on his way to Lansing for Tuesday's session of the House of Representatives, when the accident happened.

The 59-year-old woman who was driving the truck was alone in the vehicle and not injured, police said.

The House of Representatives observed a moment of silence Tuesday for Pettalia, whose desk was draped in black and covered with a large spray of red, orange and white flowers.

The House convened Tuesday, but officials said it would not be voting on pending bills out of respect for Pettalia's sudden passing, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Pettalia, who was a Michigan state lawmaker, voted to repeal universal helmet laws in the past.

The 61-year-old Republican from Presque Isle, was an advocate for motorcyclists' rights and had served the state's District 106 since he was elected in 2010, according to CNN.

The 59-year-old woman who was driving the truck was alone in the vehicle and not injured, police said. Pettalia (right), who is a Michigan state lawmaker, voted to repeal universal helmet laws in the past. He is survived by his wife, Karen (left), and his two children

Gov Rick Snyder tweeted his condolences to Pettalia's family

He sponsored a bill in 2011 to abolish Michigan's requirement that all motorcycle riders wear helmets, according to the Detroit Free Press.

His bill, House Bill 4608 of 2011, was not the version that ultimately became state law in 2012.

In the US, 19 states and the District of Columbia require all motorcyclists to wear a helmet, while 28 states require only some to wear them and three states have no helmet laws at all.

Since the repeal of Michigans 35-year-old helmet law, riders can go without a helmet if they are over 21, have had their license for at least two years and purchase at least $20,000 in additional medical insurance coverage.

Gov Rick Snyder tweeted his condolences to Pettalia's family saying he was 'heartbroken to hear of the death' of Pettalia.

House Speaker Kevin Cotter released a statement about Pettalia's 'shocking' and 'devastating' death.

Petallia sponsored a bill in 2011 to abolish Michigan's requirement that all motorcycle riders wear helmets, according to the Detroit Free Press . His bill, House Bill 4608 of 2011, was not the version that ultimately became state law in 2012. He's pictured speaking in 2013

'We are all devastated to hear the news today about Rep. Pettalia,' Cotter said.

'Pete was a dear friend and longtime colleague who was well-known for his expertise, his hard work, and his love for the great outdoors.'

Cotter went on to say that Pettalia was 'deeply involved in his local community' as a volunteer firefighter, advocate for parks and recreation and township supervisor.

Pettalia also chaired the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and was the vice chair of the Financial Services Committee.
The 22-year-old accused terrorist who allegedly stabbed and sliced off the fingers of an Australian grandfather was attempting to 'influence the Australian government' during the 'IS inspired attack'.

Ihsas Khan did not appear via video link when his case was briefly mentioned in Sydney's Central Court on Wednesday morning.

He was charged with committing a terrorist act and grievous bodily harm with intent to murder or cause serious injury after police allege he stabbed Wayne Greenhalgh, 59, with a large hunting knife in Minto, a suburb in Sydney's south, on Saturday.

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Ihsas Khan (pictured) who allegedly stabbed and sliced off the fingers of a grandfather was attempting to 'influence the Australian government' during the 'IS inspired attack'

The accused terrorist - who police claim was inspired by, but not linked to Islamic State militants - has not entered a plea or made an application for bail.

Magistrate Les Mabbutt said the 22-year-old will be remanded in custody until his case is heard in Parramatta Local Court on November 24, when he is expected to appear via video link for the first time since the frenzied attack.

According to court documents, police prosecutors will allege Khan was attempting to 'influence the Australian government' when he launched the bloody attack in front of scores of witnesses - some who heroically fought back - in a quiet suburban park.

Details surrounding the life of the accused terrorist started to emerge following his dramatic arrest, where he allegedly tried to stab a police officer, on Saturday.

The accused terrorist (pictured as a student) - who police claim was inspired by, but not linked to Islamic State militants - has not entered a plea or made an application for bail

He did not appear via video link when his case was briefly mentioned in Sydney's Central Court (pictured) on Wednesday morning

Police allege Khan used a hunting knife to stab and slice off victim Wayne Greenhalgh's fingers (pictured) during an 'IS inspired' attack

Details surrounding the life of the accused terrorist started to emerge following his dramatic arrest (pictured), where he allegedly tried to stab a police officer, on Saturday

Local heros (left) said they used a fence paling to fight Khan (right) off before police arrived on the scene

Police claim he tried to stab an officer as he was detained after heroic bystanders defended his alleged victim

Khan has been described as an erratic recluse who was not put on a terror watch list after spitting at ex-Labor MP Laurie Ferguson in a 'premeditated' stunt during Eid celebrations at Campbelltown's Islamic Al-Faisal College during Eid celebrations last year.

His obscure behaviour dated back to his time as a student at Hurlstone Agricultural High School, in Sydney's south-west, where a teacher said he would often ramble to himself.

At 19, Khan told police he hated Australia for its involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars after he was arrested in 2013 for cutting down Australian flags in his neighbourhood - including one owned by a Vietnam war veteran, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Former ALP MP Laurie Ferguson claims Khan ambushed him on stage during Eid celebrations - which mark the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca - last year

Mr Ferguson was spat on while on stage at Campbelltown's Islamic Al-Faisal College (pictured)

His obscure behaviour dated back to his time as a student at Hurlstone Agricultural High School (pictured) where a teacher said he would often ramble to himself

The larceny and malicious damage charges against Khan (pictured) were reportedly dropped under the Mental Health Act, on the condition he take psychiatric medication and attend doctors appointments to review his mental state

The larceny and malicious damage charges against him were reportedly dropped under the Mental Health Act, on the condition he take psychiatric medication and attend doctors appointments to review his mental state.

According to reports, he suffered with schizophrenia which worsened following the death of his mother last year and caused him to isolate himself from the local Muslim community at his mosque - Minto's Suburban Islamic Centre.

A man who attended the same place of worship told the Daily Telegraph Khan was 'depressed' and chose to live an 'isolated life', while another said he would often have visitors late at night.

His married sister said she was was 'deeply worried' about his increasingly erratic and bizarre behaviour - which neighbours had noticed - and a week before his alleged attack, begged him to live with her, the Daily Telegraph reported.

His case will be heard again in Parramatta Local Court on November 24.
Customer Omeed Mehdi (pictured) contacted a concreter for a quote - only to be told he 'looked like a Muslim'

A man has claimed a tradesman made a racial remark after refusing to attend his construction site to give him a quote simply because he 'looked like a Muslim'.

Customer Omeed Mehdi, from Perth in Western Australia, contacted the concreter last week via classified trading website Gumtree.

The concreter had agreed to attend the site to give Mr Mehdi a free quote - but he later failed to show up, explaining via text message that he 'got caught up at the pub'.

However, the following day, the concreter contacted Mr Mehdi via text again, explaining the real reason behind why he initially didn't drop by at the site as promised.

'Look I drove past your job and seen you there and its only that you looked like a Muslim that I went to the pub,' the concreter said.

But the tradesman quickly changed his mind about the customer's religion, claiming he was 'willing to give you a chance because I have a quiet week'.

Mr Mehdi claimed a tradesman made a racial remark after refusing to give him a quote

Stunned by the offensive text message, Mr Mehdi then responded: 'Nice to your business promotes racism! All the best.'

But the concreter insisted he was 'willing to give you a musis a go', during which Mr Mehdi replied: 'Thank you mate, it's people like you that divide the nation.

'We live in a beautiful country and should embrace what's around us including every human being. There is too much hate in this world, we need more love,' Mr Mehdi continued.

'PS. I am not even Muslim, but I got nothing but love for them.'

Following the encounter, Mr Mehdi took to social media to share the message exchange as he warned his friends and family to steer clear of the company.

'He stood me up on a job site then said he drove past and saw that I looked like a Muslim so he drove to the pub instead,' Mr Mehdi wrote.

'Then asked if he could come back to the job 'im willing to give you musis a go'. Good luck with your racist business mate!'

He also called on his followers to contact the business as 'Mohammad or Ali' to see if the concreter would provide them with a quote.

The Perth customer contacted the concreter last week via classified trading website Gumtree

Mr Mehdi took to Facebook to warn his friends and family to steer clear of the company

Mr Mehdi told The West Australian he was 'furious' with the man's behaviour.

'It's not the fact that he's called me a Muslim because I'm not actually a Muslim ... it's that he's racially profiling me,' he said.

'In 11 weeks I'm marrying a Muslim girl ... and that just really hurts me that someone can judge someone just by driving past.'
A 27-year-old mother charged with murdering her two-year-old daughter left her lying dead in a bathtub for up to three days, police allege.

The mother appeared in Penrith Local Court briefly by video link on Wednesday morning after being charged with murder on Tuesday night.

She was dressed in prison greens, had orange highlights in her hair and did not say anything. She did not apply for bail and will appear in court later this year.

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A 27-year-old mother charged with the murder of her two-year-old daughter (pictured) left her lying dead in the bathtub of their Sydney housing commission home for up to three days, police allege

Investigators allege the girl's mother murdered her daughter sometime between 6am on Saturday and 12.30pm on Tuesday (pictured is the house's backyard)

Forensic investigators were seen entering the property shortly after the girl's body was found on Tuesday afternoon

The mother was charged with the murder of her daughter, 2, who is believed to have been dead at their housing commission home in Sydney's south-west (pictured) for several days

Court documents show the woman was arrested at 7.30pm on Tuesday night and charged at Katoomba Police Station in the Blue Mountains.

Her daughter's body was discovered about midday on Tuesday at the woman's housing commission home in Miller, south-west Sydney.

Investigators allege the girl's mother murdered her daughter sometime between 6am on Saturday and 12.30pm on Tuesday.

The mother (pictured) appeared in Penrith Local Court briefly by video link on Wednesday morning after being charged with murder on Tuesday night

The mother accused of murdering her baby girl often sat out the front of her Housing Commission home smoking and wore revealing clothes, a neighbour said.

Residents of Miller - the western Sydney suburb where the woman lived with her daughter and a man believed to be her partner - were shellshocked on Wednesday at the death of the little girl who was 'always happy'.

One neighbour said if he had known of any problems with the baby he would have raised her himself.

'I wish she gave it to me,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

The neighbour, who asked not to be identified, described the mother as a private person and 'very, very quiet'.

He rarely saw her outside except for when she would smoke out the front. Before he had not seen her around for a week.

He saw a man at the front of the house drinking a beer on Friday.

Neighbours say the mother would often sit and smoke on her step

A man in his 40s would visit the home every fortnight and help around the house, including fixing the washing machine. It's understood the family had only been in the home for about a year.

Police had taped off the suburban street on Wednesday, with a large van parked out the front and two officers standing guard. Police were called to the Miller home about midday on Tuesday after a friend reported concerns for the young girl's welfare.

The friend was on the phone to police when she made the grim discovery at the housing commission home.

Officers made the grim discovery upon entering the housing commission home (pictured)

'Fly high angel RIP': A teddy bear with a pink sunflower and a handwritten message was placed by a tree outside the family's home

The street was cordoned off by police on Wednesday

Police investigations into the two-year-old girl's death are continuing

The girl's 27-year-old mother had been treated in hospital after she was involved in a car accident in the Blue Mountains on Sunday.

Neighbour Pat Ingram said she hadn't seen the girl since last Wednesday and said a woman had earlier knocked on her door to check if Pat had seen the girl.

'Someone knocked on our door, asked if we had seen the little girl. She said she was concerned for the child's welfare. She asked if I had a ladder,' Ms Ingram told Daily Telegraph.

'I told her if she was really concerned, she should ring the police.'

'A report will be prepared for the coroner and a post mortem will officially determine how the child died,' the spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

A child's trampoline can be seen in the backyard of the state-owned home, which is now cordoned off by police tape.

A child's trampoline can be seen in the backyard of the state-owned home

A shocked neighbour (pictured) spoke to media outside of her house on Wednesday afternoon

The specialist investigators wore full blue suits to ensure they did not compromise evidence inside the crime scene

A child's trampoline can be seen in the backyard of the state-owned home, which is now cordoned off by police tape
A California man was arrested after he led cops on a three-hour chase on a stolen a big rig filled with low-grade hazardous waste.

Authorities say 48-year-old James Edgley, of Victorville, was spotted shortly before 9am on Tuesday, driving a semi-truck and trailer that had been reported stolen out of Barstow.

San Bernardino sheriff's deputies located the truck via its GPS device and tried to stop the vehicle  but Edgley stepped on the gas and took off onto southbound Interstate 15, police said.

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James Edgley, of Victorville, was arrested after leading law-enforcement officials on a three-hour chase (pictured) through San Bernardino and Riverside counties, in California

Edgley was spotted driving a big rig (pictured) that had been reported stolen out of Barstow

The pursuit continued through both San Bernardino and Riverside counties  and continued for some three hours.

The big rig contained a cargo of non-explosive, low-grade hazardous waste.

About 1:30pm, Edgley got off the freeway and pulled over in Whitewater and parked neatly into a rest area spot.

He got out of the vehicle, his arms raised, and surrendered to the California Highway Patrol without incident.

Edgley was charged with two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle and felony evading, the San Bernardino Sheriff's Office said.

The pursuit continued through both San Bernardino and Riverside counties  and continued for some three hours

The big rig contained a cargo of non-explosive, low-grade hazardous waste from ACT Enviro

The truck, which belonged to ACT Enviro, had been stolen from Sunnyvale as it headed to Nevada, the company said in a statement.

It contained'78 drums of non-flammable, non-radioactive debris primarily from laboratory and manufacturing research and development processes.'

'We commend the professionalism of the California Highway Patrol in bringing this to a peaceful resolution and extend them our sincerest thanks,' a rep for the company said.

Edgley (pictured) got out of the vehicle, his arms raised, and surrendered to the California Highway Patrol without incident
Australians will be able to surrender illegal and unregistered guns without penalty after the Commonwealth, states and territories agreed to pursue an amnesty.

The federal government amnesty is set to be the biggest seizure of firearms since the wake of the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, when gunowners were obliged to hand in any semi-automatic weapons.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan made the announcement in Canberra on Wednesday morning, reported the ABC.

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Justice Minister Michael Keenan (pictured) announced a national firearm amnesty in Canberra on Wednesday morning. Australians will be able to surrender illegal and unregistered guns without being penalised

The amnesty is set to be the biggest since the wake of the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania in 1996

Justice Keenan said 'thousands' of illegal guns could be handed in under the proposal, which in the past had been very successful at taking guns off the street.

'This isn't about people who legally own firearms, this is about targeting the grey market, the black market for guns, and getting these guns that are not registered, that are not held properly, off our streets,' he said.

'Somebody might have grandpa's old gun in the back shed that hasn't been registered, that we would like to be handed in.'

Justice Keenan told reporters his state and territory colleagues would work out the details of the amnesty at the next police ministers meeting.

The Coalition plans to introduce legislation in parliament on Thursday for tougher penalties for gun smuggling.

Justice Keenan said 'thousands' of illegal guns could be handed in under the proposal, which in the past had been very successful at taking guns off the street.

The Coalition is also planning to introduce legislation in parliament on Thursday for tougher penalties for gun smuggling

It will call to increase the maximum imprisonment time to 20 years for gun smuggling, with a mandatory minimum of five years.

Robert Borzak from the Shooters' Party of NSW told the ABC the government needed to do more at Australian borders to crack down on gun smuggling.
An online petition calling to have late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin on Australian currency has gone viral, gaining a huge amount of support from fans of the Australian icon.

Australian man Kyle Ryan started the petition on change.org to show his support for the wildlife advocate who he described as 'the greatest Australian bloke'.

The petition to have Steve Irwin on Australian currency has already been signed more than 6000 times

The petition comes 10 years after Steve's death on September 2, 2006, when he was pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming a documentary titled Ocean's Deadliest.

To mark the anniversary, Mr Ryan said he wanted to honour his hero by 'going one step further'.

The petition comes 10 years after Steve Irwin's (pictured) death on September 2, 2006, when he was pierced in the chest by a stingray barb

Steve Irwin (centre) with his daughter Bindi (left) and wife Terri Irwin (right)

'It's been ten years without the Aussie icon and although he's been recognised in many ways I'd imagine we could all support the idea of going one step further,' Mr Ryan said.

'With a list a mile long of all the good Steve had accomplished in our world let's show our appreciation to a great true blue Australian by putting Stephen 'Steve' Irwin on our country's currency.

Thousands of fans have thrown their support towards the movement, even designing currency with Irwin's face themselves (pictured)

'It's about time we payed [sic] our respects to the all time greatest Australian bloke.'

The petition which was started a week ago, already has more than 6,000 signatures online.

'I'm not even from Oz but this has to happen, the guy was an absolute legend' Josiah Stringer said

With the petition circulating on various social media websites, thousands more joined the movement, with 11,000 liking a Facebook page titled Put Steve Irwin on the Aussie currency.

Fans have thrown their support at the cause, with one man even declaring he would 'get a portrait of him tattooed on me' if the petition was a success.

'If we can successfully get Steve on the Aussie currency, i'll go one step further and get a portrait of him tattooed on me' Brandon Mangion said

When news of the petition made its way to Bindi Irwin, she threw her support at the idea.

'It is such an honour that Dad is being considered to be remembered forever on Australian currency. His legacy will continue to inspire us all, he truly changed the world,' she told News Corp Australia.

Bindi, Irwin's daughter, has kept her father's legacy alive with her ongoing conservation work with Australia Zoo.

'You'll be my hero for my entire existence. I love you more than words can describe.' Bindi said

'You'll be my hero for my entire existence, love you more than words can describe' Bindi Irwin said

Marking the tenth anniversary of her father's death, Bindi posted a photo to Twitter showing her dad holding her as a baby and declaring him as her 'hero'.

'You'll be my hero for my entire existence, love you more than words can describe,' she said.

After the petition went viral, Royal Australian Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid spoke out and urged people to send a written proposal in support.

'It is such an honour that Dad is being considered to be remembered forever on Australian currency' Bindi Irwin said

'The Royal Australian Mint prides itself on commemorating significant events and inspirational Australian icons through the art of minting coins,' he said.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has raised a few eyebrows with some of the names he has picked for naval ships.

Why, critics questioned, would he name a ship in honor of the late gay rights leader Harvey Milk or after former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords when there are plenty of military heroes to choose from?

Mabus has said he is honoring people who have shown heroism, just as past navy secretaries have done. He said he believes that by looking outside the military, at times, for heroes, he can help connect people with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Mabus is officially announcing five new ship names on visits to Mississippi and Massachusetts beginning Saturday.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus (pictured) has raised a few eyebrows with some of the names he has picked for naval ships

Rep. John Lewis (right) wears a hat bearing the name of a fleet replenishment oiler named after him during a ceremony with Navy Secretary Ray Mabus on Capitol Hill in Washington. Left, Harvey Milk

Among the group, a replenishment oiler will bear the name of abolitionist Sojourner Truth.

'I have named ships after presidents. I have named ships after members of Congress who have been forceful advocates for the Navy and Marine Corps,' Mabus said in a recent interview.

'But I think you have to represent all the values that we hold as Americans, that we hold as a country. And so that's why I've named ships the Medgar Evers, Cesar Chavez, John Lewis, the Harvey Milk. Because these are American heroes too, just in a different arena.'

Republican U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, of California, objects to Mabus naming ships after Milk, farm labor leader Chavez and others.

He wants ships to be named after service members honored for valor to inspire their crews.

A photo illustration shows the littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords

A photo illustration announcing that Military Sealift Command fleet oiler, T-AO 206, will be named USNS Harvey Milk after the late gay rights activist

Evers and Lewis were civil rights activists. Lewis is now a Georgia congressman.

A measure stalled recently in the House that would have prevented the Navy from naming ships after lawmakers who haven't served in the military or as president.

Retired Vice Adm. Doug Crowder questions naming a ship after Giffords, who survived after being shot during a constituent meeting.

It's the secretary's right to name ships, and previous secretaries have made political decisions, but there's an inherent risk in making a string of political statements, said Crowder, who served as a deputy chief of naval operations before retiring in 2010.

Critics questioned why Mebus would name a ship in honor of the late gay rights leader Harvey Milk, Medgar Evers (left) or after former U.S. Rep. Giffords (right)when there are plenty of military heroes to choose from

'It just doesn't help at all for what the basic sailor or officer thinks of his chain of command, up to the secretary of the navy,' he said. 'Is it catastrophic? No. But that's the risk you run.'

Crowder said he doesn't think a ship should be named after Peyton Manning, either, 'to take it to the ridiculous end state to make a point.'

Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, though, argues the names are in sync with the military's embrace of a changing society.

Chavez is an iconic name in the Latino community, as Milk's name is in the LGBT community, said Courtney, of Connecticut.

Republican U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, of California, objects to Mabus naming ships after Milk, farm labor leader Cesar Chavez (pictured) and others

Mabus noted that he's naming nine ships after Medal of Honor winners, including World War II Marine John Basilone.

A naval historian said Mabus follows naming conventions, for the most part.

'He has made some, what people would consider exceptions to the rules, because in his view it was the right thing to do to reach out to different communities in the country,' said David Winkler, of the Naval Historical Foundation.

It's also up to the navy secretary to choose sponsors to christen the vessels, and Mabus is willing to break with the tradition of having female sponsors.

Mabus said he asked the male spouse of a female naval officer to sponsor a ship but was turned down.

Facebook's chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, and the women who integrated Little Rock's Central High School in Arkansas in 1957 are sponsoring submarines.

Transgender Navy veteran Paula Neira and Sen. Dianne Feinstein are sponsoring Milk's ship.

On Saturday in Mississippi, Mabus plans to announce that two destroyers will be named after Medal of Honor winners Jack H. Lucas and Louis H. Wilson Jr.

In Massachusetts on Monday and Tuesday, he'll name replenishment oilers after Truth, suffragist Lucy Stone and Robert F. Kennedy, bringing the total number of ships he has named to 86.

He's not the only navy secretary who has raised eyebrows with ship names. George Washington wanted the names of the Navy's first six ships to be inspired by the Constitution.
A man forcibly removed a woman's singlet and exposed her chest to another man in a failed threesome bid, a Queensland court has heard.

Troy Allan Burley, 38, fronted the Brisbane District Court on Wednesday having pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman in the Moreton Bay region in March 2015.

In his opening, Crown prosecutor Jacob Robson said the pair had known each other for two years and developed a relationship via exchanged letters, phone calls and sexually explicit emails.

Troy Allan Burley, 38, fronted the Brisbane District Court on Wednesday having pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman

They had consensual sex when they eventually met up at a motel but the woman, 47, was surprised when Burley returned later in the evening with another man, the jury heard.

Mr Robson said the clearly uncomfortable woman was trying to cover herself with a bed sheet when Burley moved closer and kissed her.

'The defendant kissed her, she kissed him back, dropping the sheet she was protecting herself with,' he said.

It is alleged he then removed her singlet, ignoring her protests, after telling the other man: 'Look at these big t**s'.

It is alleged he removed her singlet, ignoring her protests, after telling the other man: 'Look at these big t**s'

The court heard Burley continued to be 'demeaning and degrading' towards the woman.

Mr Robson said the other man was not expecting an 'unwilling participant' when he came to the motel and left.

The accused later told her she would have to have sex with his friends if she wanted to continue their relationship, Mr Robson said.

'She told him that was disgusting and she wasn't interested in that,' he said.
A man who stalked and raped a woman in a car park that he had only met through Facebook has been jailed for at least four years and will likely be deported.

Anjan Shrestha, 29, was found guilty of one count of rape in Victoria's County Court on Wednesday over the sexual assault of a woman he followed from a nightclub in Berwick, a suburb in Melbourne's south east, at around 2am in August 2014.

The Nepalese man, who moved to Australia as a student, had not met his victim before the attack, but recognised her as a Facebook friend and decided to follow her after he watched her friends walk ahead when she stopped for food at a kebab shop.

Anjan Shrestha, 29, has been jailed for at least four years after a judge found him guilty of stalking and raping a woman he had only met through Facebook (stock image)

Shrestha, who was lurking in the area as he suspected his girlfriend was cheating on him and wanted to spy on her, pleaded not guilty but the court rejected his claims of innocence and condemned his predatory behaviour, The Age reported.

The court heard he positioned his car in the corner of the car park knowing his victim, who can not be named for legal reasons, would have to walk past him to join her friends.

He had turned his headlights off so he would not draw attention to himself and grabbed his victim, forcing her down on to the ground, after she tried to avoid him when he called out her name.

'[You] grabbed her, pushed her to the ground ... mounted her by straddling her, calling her name, saying you had her on Facebook,' Judge Geoff Chettle said.

According to The Age, the woman fought back and managed to push her attacker away momentarily but he was able to subdue her again before digitally penetrating her.

'[You] grabbed her, pushed her to the ground ... mounted her by straddling her, calling her name, saying you had her on Facebook,' Judge Geoff Chettle told the County Court (pictured)

She fled and reported the incident to police, but Shrestha had already constructed a story to tell police and changed his name and profile picture on Facebook to throw her off his trail.

Shrestha told the court the victim had approached him as she had recognised him from Facebook and that he had swooped in to help when she fell down, which is when she forced his hands down her underwear, the Age reported.

The former student - who is expecting his first child - then claimed she inexplicably started to tell him to 'f**k off' and left.

Judge Chettle said the offending was particularly disturbing and had a profound affect on the victim who told the court it had 'shattered' her.

'You stalked, attacked and violated a young woman, you lied repeatedly about what occurred, you repeatedly falsely impugned the conduct of your victim,' he said, according to The Age.

She reported the incident to police, but Shrestha had already constructed a story and changed his name and profile picture on Facebook to throw her off his trail (stock image)

He sentenced Shrestha to six years jail with non-parole period of four years and ordered he be placed on the sex offenders register.

Judge Chettle said the rapist deserved a harsher sentence, but he was unable to impose one under current 'out of touch' sentencing practices, the Herald Sun reported.

'Attacking women the way you did cannot be justified and must attract strong condemnation,' he said.

Shrestha has been living in Australia on a partner visa, which will likely be cancelled resulting in his deportation once his sentence has been served.

Judge Chettle warned the Nepalese man was likely to re-offend after a psychologist found he had a 'sense of sexual entitlement'.
The son of two mothers, Eddie Blewett has turned to Malcolm Turnbull and demanded the Prime Minister 'do his job' ahead of a possible same-sex marriage plebiscite.

The 13-year-old faced relentless teasing over his parent's same-sex relationship, until he was moved to a new high school, but his mums Neroli Dickson and Claire Blewett fear a plebiscite campaign will ignite further bullying for even more children.

'It has given people permission to say things in the playground - to pass on what they've heard at the dinner table,' Ms Dickson told the Sydney Morning Herald.

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Eddie Blewett, 13, (pictured here with his mothers Neroli Dickson, left, and Claire Blewett, right) has demanded Malcolm Turnbull 'do his job' ahead of a possible same-sex marriage plebiscite

Mr Turnbull said that while he welcomed Eddie to Question Time at the House of Representatives, he accused his presence as a political point being made by Tanya Plibersek

The family traveled to Canberra on Tuesday with LGBTQI support group Rainbow Families, where Eddie's story was represented in Question Time by Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek.

Eddie and his mums watched from the public gallery as Ms Plibersek questioned Malcolm Turnbull why a 13-year-old boy should 'have to put up with a $7.5 million campaign by people who have never met him, telling him that there is something wrong with his family'?

She quoted Eddie who said: 'Why should people who barely know us make an assumption on our families and vote on how we can live?'

In response, Mr Turnbull said that while he welcomed Eddie to Question Time at the House of Representatives, he accused his presence as a political point being made by Ms Plibersek, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

'Eddie will understand that everything we do here in this Parliament is designed to ensure that Australia becomes an even better place for him to grow up in and realise his dreams,' Turnbull said.

'What [Plibersek] has said is that people who do not know Eddie are not entitled to express a view on the Marriage Act. That's what she is saying.'

The Australian Prime Minister added that the country has nothing to fear from the plebiscite, because the debate will be 'respectful' and 'civil'.

But Eddie's mum, Nicole, disagreed.

'He has no idea how uncivil a playground can be.'

Eddie's story was represented in Question Time by Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek (back row, centre)

Eddie and his family travelled to Canberra with LGBTQI support group Rainbow Families

Labor leader Bill Shorten (pictured) has threatened to block the bill, cautioning the impact the vote could have on vulnerable children. Pictured with Ms Plibersek (right)

The Australian Prime Minister said that the country has nothing to fear from the plebiscite, because the debate will be 'respectful' and 'civil'

Eddie was also unhappy with Mr Turnbull's response and wrote him a letter after Question Time.

'That really upset me,' he wrote.

'Please do your job.

'We want same-sex marriage without hearing in the playground that I am not normal.'

A date for the same-sex marriage plebiscite has been proposed for February 11, 2017.

The Coalition has to convince nine senators to support legislation in order for the plebiscite to go through.
New reports show he has previously been charged with similar offences in

Propes failed to tell either of his condition and was jailed for 10 years

with at least two women

He had used Craigslist to arrange sex

An HIV-positive man who used Craigslist to arrange unprotected sex encounters with at least two different women has been jailed after he failed to disclose his condition.

James Allen Propes, 24, of Gwinnett County, Georgia, was found guilty Friday of two counts of reckless conduct by an HIV-infected person.

Judge Tom Davis called the defendant an 'evil person' as he sentenced him to serve the next ten years in jail, according to a news release from the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office.

James Allen Propes, 24, (left on his arrest, and right) of Gwinnett County, Georgia, was sentenced to ten years in jail after he was found guilty Friday of two counts of reckless conduct by an HIV-infected person

Propes was originally arrested on July 30 after he became embroiled in a domestic dispute with two women - both roommates - that he'd had sex with in the past, Gwinnet Daily Post reports.

Around a week later, the women had searched for Propes name online only to discover news reports which stated that he had previously been charged with reckless conduct for having sex and not telling the women he was HIV positive.

Both victims said that they had unprotected sex with Propes who had never mentioned that he was HIV positive.

One of the women told police that the suspect had encouraged her not to use a condom during their encounter.

Propes had arranged to meet one of the victims through Craigslist.

Propes contacted at least one of his victims over Craigslist but failed to tell her he was HIV positive

News reports of other sexual encounters in Oregon and Indiana stated that the 24-year-old had met his other victims on the same website.

Propes was arrested in July 2012 in Curry County, Oregon, for 'intentionally failing to inform (a sexual partner) of his medical condition.'

At that time, he was already wanted for the same crime in Lawrence, Indiana after a 17-year-old woman said she met Propes on Craigslist but had then received an email from a woman claiming she'd contracted HIV from him.
An enormous 'super' typhoon set to rip through China after leaving a trail of devastation in Taiwan has recorded wind gusts of up to 370 km/h and waves 14-metres high.

Super Typhoon Meranti is the strongest recorded since Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and almost 1800 tourists have already been evacuated from smaller islands off Taiwan.

There are also fears for 3000 people on the tiny island of Itbayat in the Philippines after the category 5 storm crashed through on Wednesday.

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Residents waded through ankle deep water to remove rocks and create a clear passage to try and escape the flash floods in their vehicles

Over 200,000 homes lost power, schools were closed and flights were cancelled in Taiwan on Wednesday

Super Typhoon Meranti (pictured) is the strongest recorded since Typhoon Haiyan in 2013

It is unknown if residents had time to escape the typhoon as it engulfed the 83 square kilometre island, The Guardian reported.

The typhoon hit Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon before moving on to China.

Meranti is the strongest typhoon since Super Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. Haiyan was the deadliest typhoon to hit the Philippines and over 6000 people were killed.

Photos of the devastation in Taiwan after Meranti ripped through show a truck southern Pingtung show a truck rolled on its side as the rain bucketed down.

Meranti is the strongest typhoon since Super Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. Haiyan was the deadliest typhoon to hit the Philippines and over 6000 people were killed

A police officer in southern Pingtung puts out traffic signs on blocked roads as the wild weather ripped through the country

It is unknown if residents on Itbayat in the Philippines had time to escape the typhoon as it engulfed the 83 square kilometre island (pictured)

Photos of the devastation in Taiwan after Meranti ripped through show a truck southern Pingtung show a truck rolled on its side as the rain bucketed down

Residents waded through ankle deep water to remove rocks and create a clear passage to try and escape the flash floods in their vehicles.

Over 200,000 homes lost power, schools were closed and flights were cancelled in Taiwan on Wednesday, according to the Indian Express.

'Its impact on Taiwan will peak all day today,' weather bureau spokeswoman Hsieh Pei-yun said.

China is celebrating its Mid-Autumn Festival and a dumping of 100 to 200 millimetres of rain is expected to affect the festivities on Thursday.

The typhoon recorded 300km/h winds for 18 hours on Wednesday, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

An enormous 'super' typhoon set to rip through China after leaving a trail of devastation in Taiwan
A young man with autism was left naked and shackled to a hospital bed by the arms and legs for 24 hours a day because staff did not know how else to handle him.

He couldn't take himself to the bathroom and was very distressed following the nine-month ordeal in Victoria's Alfred Health hospital, according to The Age.

The young man was initially shackled to the bed when he arrived to the hospital because he had suffered a back injury  but once he was allowed to move he was bound again over allegations he attacked a staff member.

A man with autism was strapped down to a hospital bed for 24 hours a day for months at a time (stock image)

After he was well enough the young man was forced to stay in the hospital because of a lack of suitable disability accommodation in the community.

He was put in a bed in the brain injury unit.

Public Advocate Colleen Pearce has worked with the man and said she is concerned that a hospital thinks it is ok to treat him in this way.

'The safety of staff is paramount, but so are the human rights of people with autism and other disabilities,' Ms Pearce said.

The man went to Alfred Health hospital, pictured, following a fall from a building, the restraints were initially there so he could get better

An Alfred Health spokesman said the hospital was working closely with the man's family.

'While every effort was made to minimise the use of restraints, they were required for his own protection, and that of staff following a number of assaults,' he said.

A disability worker was funded for a small period of time  during this time the man was not shackled to the bed however funding for that staff member has since ran out.
He was investigated but cleared of misconduct in 2014 by Michigan State

areas and breasts during treatment, was visibly aroused and made

A famous team doctor accused of sexually abusing an Olympic medalist and another former gymnast was investigated but cleared in a third case by Michigan State University.

Larry G. Nassar allegedly began abusing the Olympian, named only as Jane Doe, when she was just six years old in 1994, according to her lawsuit.

Fellow gymnast Rachael Denhollander claimed she too was assaulted by the doctor on a number of occasions while she was being treated for back pain at Michigan State University, aged just 15 in 2000.

Now it appears that Nassar was investigated by Michigan State University authorities in 2014 after an MSU accused the doctor of abuse during a medical procedure.

Rachael Denhollander (left) came forward last month to accuse Larry G. Nassar (right) of abuse

A member of the 2000 U.S. women's Olympic gymnastics team has claimed she was sexually abused by team doctor Larry G. Nassar. The team pictured from left to right: Amy Chow, Jamie Dantzscher, Dominique Dawes, Kristen Maloney, Elise Ray and Morgan White

During the investigation, Nassar was temporarily reassigned from patient duties.

However, the school's investigation found no violation of policy, and despite an investigation by local police, the prosecutor's office did not file charges.

School spokesman Kent Cassella said Tuesday that local prosecutors did not file charges two years ago following an investigation by MSU police.

News of the complaint by the Michigan State graduate comes after the two gymnasts came forward to say they were sexually abused as teenagers by the former USA Gymnastics doctor.

The Olympian was identified by her lawyers as one of the team of six medal-winning women on the U.S. team that competed at the Sydney Games.

The members of that team were Amy Chow, Elise Ray, Jamie Dantzscher, Kristin Maloney, Tasha Schwikert and Dominique Dawes.

Her suit also claims that USA Gymnastics were aware of the abuse but failed to take action because it feared a sex abuse scandal.

'It f elt like a privilege to be seen by him,' she told The Indy Star. 'I trusted him.'

Her lawsuit said Nassar carried out procedures that were 'well outside any recognized and/or accepted technique and were done for the Perpetrator's  own sexual gratification.'

Denhollander came forward last month to accuse Nassar of abuse, saying he assaulted her five times during treatment at Michigan State.

She said she was 'terrified' by Nassar's abuse,NY Daily News reports.

'I was ashamed,' she said. 'I was very embarrassed. And I was very confused, trying to reconcile what was happening with the person he was supposed to be,' she said.

Denhollander said he assaulted her five times while she was being treated for back pain at Michigan State University by the doctor, as a teenage athlete in 2000

The 200 team was awarded bronze in the team all-around in 2010 (above), after China was eventually disqualified. From left to right: Tascha Schwikert, Elise Ray, Kristen Maloney, Dominique Dawes, Jamie Dantzscher and Amy Chow

'He's this famous team doctor. He's trusted by my friends. He's trusted by these other gymnasts. How could he reach this position in the medical profession? How could he reach this kind of prominence and stature if this is who he is?'

Denhollander said she was just 15 at the time of the abuse which took place while her mother was in the room. But she said the doctor positioned himself in such a way that her mother was unable to see what was going on.

Both women say Nassar fondled their genitals and breasts during treatment.

The unnamed victim said the doctor had made inappropriate comments about oral sex while Denhollander said he'd had an erection during treatment.

Lawyers for Nassar told The Indianapolis Star that their client denies any wrongdoing.

Nassar, 53, has been a highly respected doctor in the field for decades and has treated numerous Olympic athletes.

USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny even praised him as being 'instrumental to the success of USA Gymnastics at many levels, both on and off the field of play.

Lawyer for Nassar told The Indianapolis Star that their client denies any wrongdoing

Lawyer for Nassar told The Indianapolis Star that their client denies any wrongdoing

USA Gymnastics said in a statement they had notified law enforcement after it learned about the allegation against Nassar in the summer of 2015.

'We also relieved Dr. Nassar of his duties, and he ceased to be affiliated with USA Gymnastics,' the statement said.

'USA Gymnastics has cooperated fully with the law enforcement agency since we first notified them of the matter, including-at their request  refraining from making further statements or taking any other action that might interfere with the agency's investigation.'

However, a Star investigation found USA Gymnastics failed to report or document sexual abuse allegations for decades.

USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for the sport and is responsible for selecting the Olympic team.

Nassar resigned from the organization last year but continued to work as a faculty member at Michigan State's College of Osteopathic Medicine, and team physician at Twistars Gymnastics Club USA, Michigan State University and Holt High School.

Officials at Michigan State and Twistars said USA Gymnastics did not inform them of the allegations against Nassar who continued to work with young athletes.
A mother who was accused of flying overseas and leaving her two children home alone has had all charges against her dropped.

The Perth woman, 28, allegedly left her four and six-year-old children home alone while she flew to Bali in June.

The heavily pregnant mother, from the northeastern suburb of Cloverdale, was facing child neglect charges for leaving her children behind while she went to Bali to renew her visa while her husband was in the US.

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Charges dropped against Perth mother, 28, who had been accused of flying to Bali and leaving her two children, aged four and six, home alone

The heavily pregnant mother was facing child neglect charges for leaving her children behind while she went to Bali to renew her visa while her husband was in the US

It was alleged she had left the children at home alone, where they were discovered by police two days later and taken into state care.

Appearing alongside a Mandarin interpreter at Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, the 28-year-old was told the charges had been dropped after prosecutors liaised with the Department for Child Protection and Department of Immigration.

The court was told it was not in the public interest to pursue charges and it's unlikely the woman would have received a custodial sentence for the offences.

The mother's lawyer Oliver Paxman, said if the case could have taken a year or more to be finalised if it continued.

'Given this lady's got two young children, is heavily pregnant with a third child, to keep her in Australia for the sole purpose of conducting that prosecution would have cost the State and the Federal Government huge sums of money,' The ABC reports.

The children are currently still in care but they will be returned to their mother's custody

The Perth Magistrates Court was told it was not in the public interest to pursue charges and it's unlikely the woman would have received a custodial sentence for the offences

'It is an unfortunate set of facts, but she did not knowingly abandon her children for two days while she could go and have a holiday in Bali.'

The children are currently still in care but they will be returned to their mother's custody.
Pizza company Domino's has launched brand new gourmet pizza toppings, in its largest menu overhaul in seven years.

The new toppings feature gourmet meats such as maple cured rasher bacon, cherry wood smoked leg ham and slow cooked lamb.

The new varieties will include Lamb Tzatziki Pizza, BBQ Lamb and Bacon Pizza and a Creamy Chicken Carbonara Pizza.

Domino's is launching a new menu with healthier pizzas including Lamb Tzatziki Pizza (left) and BBQ Lamb and Bacon Pizza (right)

The company is also launching a Creamy Chicken Carbonara Pizza. The menu will be out on September 19 in Australia and New Zealand

The company is launching the new menu on September 19 and said Domino's chief executive Don Meij said they wanted to push the message that pizza can be healthy.

'This is all about challenging consumers to think about what pizza can be and to realise they can do more pizza occasions,' Mr Meij said.

Domino's currently offers a variety of different menus including chicken and prawn pizzas, chef's best, traditional pizzas, extra value pizzas, value pizzas, gluten free options, and a design your own pizza option - if ordering online.

As part of the menu update the company is also improving the flavours of existing pizzas including the BBQ Meatlovers and the Supreme.

The company is also adding new sides and desserts to the menu including Korean spicy chicken wings, mac 'n' cheese croquettes, cookie brownies and triple choc brownies and a caramel fudge pie.

Domino's chief executive Don Meij said the company wants to push the message that pizza can be healthy. He said customers would be able to taste the improved quality ingredients in the new range

'With the introduction of premium new ingredients like slow cooked lamb, fresh mixed capsicum, parmesan cheese and fresh spring onion, as well as brand new items, we really are celebrating the colour of food in our top quality ingredients,' Mr Meij said.

Domino's chef Stefaan Codron said the new menu had been months in the making and something he is extremely passionate about.

Once the new menu is launched in Australia and new Zealand, Domino's will also be launching it in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan and Germany.

Domino's is also launching a new sides menu featuring mac 'n' cheese croquettes and Korean spicy chicken wings. The head chef said the updated menu has been months in the making
Former Republican secretary of state Colin Powell blasted Donald Trump in a series of private emails, it has emerged.

The messages, which were shown to Buzzfeed by DCLeaks.com, were sent by Powell to various associates over the past two years.

In them he calls Trump a 'national disgrace' and an 'international pariah' whose anti-Obama birther movement was 'racist.' And he said Tuesday that he doesn't deny it.

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Leaked: Emails written by Colin Powell in 2015 and 2016 and leaked Tuesday show him calling Donald Trump 'an international pariah' and a 'national disgrace'

Powell made the 'disgrace' and 'pariah' remarks in an email sent to ex-aide-turned-journalist Emily Miller on June 17 this year.

'(Trump) is in the process of destroying himself,' he added, 'no need for Dems to attack him. Paul Ryan is calibrating his position again.'

Powell wrote again to Miller on August 21 complaining about Trump's involvement in the birther movement, which claimed Obama was not, in fact, born in America.

'Yup, the whole birther movement was racist,' he wrote. 'That's what the 99% believe.

'When Trump couldn't keep that up he said he also wanted to see if the certificate noted that he was a Muslim.

'As I have said before, "What if he was?" Muslims are born as Americans everyday.'

When contacted by BuzzFeed, Powell said: 'I have no further comment. Im not denying it.'

'Racist': Trump accused the birther movement, which Trump backed, as being 'racist,' and said the candidate was so self-destructive Democrats need only wait

He also mocked Trump adviser Roger Ailes - who resigned from Fox in July after sexual harassment allegations - saying he won't 'heal women.'

Powell also showed discomfort with the preponderance of Trump coverage in the media.

'You guys are playing his game, you are his oxygen,' he told CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria in December 2015.

'He outraged us again today with his comments on Paris no-go for police districts. I will watch and pick the timing, not respond to the latest outrage.'

Mocked: Powell also mocked Trump's decision to take advice from Roger Ailes, who resigned as Fox News CEO this year after sexual harassment allegations

And in July 21, 2015, Powell despaired about Trump handing out Senator Lindsay Graham's personal phone number, saying 'Trump has no sense of shame.'

He also wrote to his friend Jeffrey Leeds back in August of 2015 that he saw Trump possibly winning the Republican nomination for president.

'Trump conceivable take it to the convention.He appeals to the worst angels of the GOP nature and poor white folks,' wrote Powell.

To prove his point, Powell talked about the newfound relationship between Trump and former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes.

'FOX got the highest ratings ever after the debate so Ailes makes friends again with Trump and sends Megyn Kelly off to get over her period. Hey, noting [sic] personal, just business.'

In other emails seen by The Daily Caller multiple people seem to suggest in exchanges with Powell that he plans on endorsing Clinton for president.

Christie Whitman, the former New Jersey governor who has already endorsed Clinton over Trump despite being a Republican, wrote to Powell in late July: 'Have you endorsed her yet?'

Powell responded by writing: 'Nope.'

He later added: 'You'll recall that in 2008 and 2012 I waited until early fall.'

In another exchange, Powell's friend Harlan Ullman responded to a story the former Secretary of State sent out about Trump's negative remarks about the Khan family by saying: 'W hen are you going to throw the knock out blow?'

Powell responded to this by saying: 'I try not to bother someone who is beating himself and the GOP up. And please, don't start bugging me like every newsie and getter in town.

'I and when I do it will be known.'
Assemblyman Bill Nojay who was facing fraud charges has won a primary four days after killing himself

A New York assemblyman who was facing fraud charges has won a primary four days after killing himself.

Assemblyman Bill Nojay was facing a fraud trial in Cambodia and was reportedly under FBI scrutiny when he went to his family's cemetery plot in Rochester and shot himself in front of an arriving officer on Friday.

The Tuesday defeat of his challenger Richard Milne coupled with a quirk in state election law means that local GOP leaders, who encouraged voters to choose Nojay despite his death, get to pick someone to take on Democrat Barbara Baer in November.

Nojay's Republican-leaning district in the Legislature's lower chamber covers parts of suburban Rochester and the Finger Lakes region.

'I really don't know what to say. It's such an unusual situation,' Milne said as unofficial results showed him trailing by nearly 1,000 of the 4,500 votes cast.

Though he hopes the three county leaders put him on the ballot, Milne was critical of 'robocalls' and other efforts by the 'powers that be' to boost Nojay after his death.

'They really did some things in the past few days that were in poor taste in my opinion to sway the vote,' he said.

Nojay was facing a fraud trial in Cambodia and was reportedly under FBI scrutiny when he went to his family's cemetery plot in Rochester and shot himself in front of an arriving officer on Friday

The Tuesday defeat of challenger Richard Milne coupled with a quirk in state election law means that local GOP leaders, who encouraged voters to choose Nojay despite his death, get to pick someone to take on Democrat Barbara Baer in November

While rare, posthumous elections happen, notably when Missouri Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan died in a plane crash but defeated the Republican incumbent and future US Attorney General John Ashcroft in a 2000 Senate race.

That victory led to the appointment of Carnahan's widow, Jean Carnahan, to the Senate.

Since 1962, four people who died close to Election Day have been elected to the House of Representatives.

Nojay, a 59-year-old Rochester native and father of three, was elected to the Assembly in 2012.

He quickly emerged as a leading critic of stricter gun control laws that Democratic Gov Andrew Cuomo pushed through the Legislature after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

Nojay had graduate degrees in law and business from Columbia University and was a research fellow at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal, according to his official biography.

Nojay (pictured) also hosted a regional conservative talk radio show and encouraged Trump when he previously flirted with running for governor of New York

In addition to his work as a lawyer and lawmaker, Nojay hosted a regional conservative talk radio show and encouraged Trump when he previously flirted with running for governor of New York.

Authorities haven't said what might have been behind Nojay's suicide, but multiple Rochester media outlets have reported he was due to surrender to the FBI to face federal fraud charges on the afternoon he killed himself near his brother's grave.

Federal prosecutors have declined to comment on that case.

Nojay and two other men were also facing trial in Cambodia on fraud charges, accused of bilking an investor of $1 million in a proposed rice exporting business.

But Nojay denied fraud was committed.

'All the people I've worked with have been honorable people, but again, some of them have done well, and some of them have stumbled.

'That's just the nature of small business work,' Nojay told Rochester's WHAM radio the day before he died.

Milne, who is mayor of Honeoye Falls, said he ran a 'clean and solid race' and was disappointed.

'I really believe we would have fared better with Mr. Nojay still alive,' he said.
A thief who was spared jail has been arrested for stabbing a British adventurer to death in Mongolia.

The 31-year-old man, identified only at T, was found with 300-worth of local currency and a passport believed to have been taken from Steve Nash, from Cheshire, who was in Asia on a paragliding expedition.

The 53-year-old's body was found on September 1 in Arkhangai province, central Mongolia, with stab wounds to his chest, and friends say he was killed for his wallet.

Experienced: Mr Nash, 53, posted this photograph on Facebook with the caption: 'Flying my IBEX 3 above the tiny island of Vartersay in the south of the Outer Hebrides'

Police spokesman Baatarkhuu Buyant said that Mr Nash had been stabbed in the chest and died of blood loss.

He added the suspect had previously been given a suspended sentence in 2016 for stealing.

Mr Nash, from Helsby, Cheshire, was hiking and paragliding across remote terrain with his friend and fellow pilot Gareth Aston when he was reportedly targeted by assailants.

Attack: Steve Nash was reportedly robbed and killed in a remote part of Mongolia

Speaking to Cross Country Magazine, friend Malcolm Grace said that Mr Nash's wife Shirley first became concerned when his satellite tracking device stopped updating his route online.

He said: 'There was no end-of-day "OK" message. The last track-point showed him stopped in themiddle of a valley.

'Some hours later we got the devastating news from Gareth that Steve had been killed and robbed.

'His passport and his money were missing. Everything else was still there, including his paraglider - packed in his backpack.'

Mr Nash is believed to have flown in Mongolia before and had returned to traverse the Khangai Nuruu mountain range.

According to a post on the 'Spiralling the Steppes 2' expedition Facebook page, Mr Aston was forced to leave the trip early on August 31 due to injury and Mr Nash chose to continue on his own.

The alarm was raised just hours after Mr Aston was collected by a local adventure company.

Mr Nash had twice competed in the Red Bull X-Alps race, considered to be one of the world's toughest adventure races.

Participants must complete a 1,000km route across the mountain range by foot or paraglider.

He was also a member of the Nova Paragliding Team.

Adventurer: Paraglider pilot Steve Nash, second from left, with expedition partner Gareth Aston, far right, hours before Mr Nash was reportedly killed by a robber in Mongolia

Friends paid tribute on Mr Nash's JustGiving page for the Red Bull X-Alps race, remembering 'a true gent and amazing pilot'.

One wrote: 'Steve was a true inspiration, happy to share his knowledge, skills and adventures in the most enthusiastic of ways. Nicest guy you would ever want to me. Thoughts are with you Shirley and Family.'

Another posted: 'RIP Steve, you were a friend to everyone in the sport and always happy to share your skills and knowledge. Such sad news. Condolences to Shirley, your family and friends.'

Mr Nash's family have asked that donations in Steve's memory be made to the Wings for Life - Spinal Cord Research Foundation, and the Llanberis and Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Teams in Snowdonia, Wales.
Newsagency owner Bronwyn Scully wants the winner to buy her flowers

From Melbourne's eastern suburbs, he said he almost didn't play the draw

The Maroondah man was 'tripping off the moon, off the planet' at the news

Man discovers he's won $10 million in Oz Lotto draw on train into work

One man's commute to work this morning was interrupted when he found out he'd won $10 million in last night's Oz Lotto division one prize.

The Maroondah man, who wished to remain anonymous, was on the train on his way into work this morning when he got the life changing news he'd become a multi-millionaire overnight.

The unsuspecting winner took out the entire $10 million jackpot prize in last night's Oz Lotto draw with a 4-game marked entry he bought from Ringwood East Authorised Newsagency.

The unsuspecting winner bought the ticket from Ringwood East Authorised Newsagency in Maroondah

He said he was so surprised he was 'tripping off the moon'.

'I can't think straight! I am so surprised, I am off the planet!' he said.

'I'm tripping off the moon, off the planet.

'Geez I can't believe it! It's going to change my life! Oh my god!

'Hopefully I don't get struck by lightning on the way home.'

Maroondah City is about half an hour's drive from inner-city Melbourne, where the winner was on his way into work when he found out he'd won

While the winner said the numbers were favourites saved on his Tatts Card, he said he almost didn't play them.

'I had some favourite numbers saved on my Tatts Card that I'd had there for quite a while so I thought 'oh look I'll put them on and see what happens'

'To think I may not have done it  and now this has happened!'

The Maroondah man took out the entire $10 million jackpot prize in last night's Oz Lotto draw with a 4-game marked entry

While the Maroondah man said the news was 'still sinking in', he already had plans for how he would spend it.

'I think I might be getting a new car and taking a holiday overseas,' he said.

'I'll be able to help family out and it'll put me on a bright path for my future.

'But I want to take it easy and do the right thing so that I can get the most out of this and live reasonably well for the rest of my life.'

Owner of Ringwood East Authorised Newsagency, where the winning ticket was purchased, Bronwyn Scully said was 'rapt' when she discovered the news.

'It's been madness in here this morning,' Ms Scully said.

'It's been nuts today, I've got a headache from the champagne.'

Owner of Ringwood East Authorised Newsagency in Maroondah (pictured) , where the winning ticket was purchased, Bronwyn Scully said the store was overcome by 'madness'

The newsagency owner said 'this could be just the start of a lucky streak' for the Maroondah (pictured) business

Hanging balloons in celebration, Ms Scully said the news was talk of the town.

'Everyone has been asking us what is going on, and I've been telling them that we sold the only $10 million winning Oz Lotto ticket in the country  it's really exciting,' she said.

'I'm rapt, I just hope it's one of our regulars.'

Ms Scully said she wasn't told who won, but has two different men in mind.

'One's youngish, a really nice guy and he just got a job in the city,' she said.

'We joked it was bad luck he had to travel into the city.

'I had some favourite numbers saved on my Tatts Card that I'd had there for quite a while so I thought 'oh look I'll put them on and see what happens' the winner said

'The other one, a slightly older man, just jokes around with me all the time.

'I'm hoping it's one of them.'

Ms Scully said she hated being left in the dark, and just wished the winner would 'come in and say hi'.

'If they just smile and don't say anything when I ask, that will be enough,' she said.

'Or just come in with some flowers.'

Newsagency (pictured) owner Bronwyn Scully hoped the winner would go in, say

In her 10 years in the business, Ms Scully said she'd never sold a winning ticket with such a high price tag.

'We've sold a few division one winning tickets, our last one in 2014, but our $10 million winning customer certainly takes the cake,' she said.

The newsagency owner said 'this could be just the start of a lucky streak' for the business.

'I'm excited to see what will come next, i'm still on a high and buzzing from today' she said.

'I'm rapt we've sold it, and rapt for the winner.'
Retired teacher Chris Whiteley, 69, was stabbed to death in his own home and lay undiscovered for a month

A retired teacher who was stabbed to death in his own home lay undiscovered for a month before officers found his lifeless body.

Chris Whiteley, 69, 'met a violent death' not long after he spoke with his family on August 7 but was not found dead until last Wednesday, police said.

Mr Whiteley had been stabbed numerous times inside his home in Lithgow, New South Wales, but it is not known who killed him.

Police have launched a murder investigation and are looking into whether he was killed during a bungled robbery.

Mr Whitely 'suffered a number of stab wounds and met a violent death', Chifley Police's Detective Inspector Luke Rankin said after a post-mortem examination.

Officers are investigating whether anything was stolen from the former teacher's home, but their probe has been complicated because he was a hoarder, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

'One of the challenges that confronted us was because of that hoarding lifestyle,' Chifley Police's Detective Inspector Luke Rankin said.

'It might not be immediately clear if something had been stolen.'

Chris Whiteley, 69, 'met a violent death' not long after he spoke with his family on August 7 but was not found dead at his home (his home is pictured above Country Noodles) until last week

Mr Whitely's brother, Neil, said his sibling had no enemies and had move the town years ago because he wanted to enjoy a quiet retirement.

'Chris was a quiet, gentle man, who moved to Lithgow because he loved the peaceful community atmosphere,' Neil Whiteley said.

'Our family have been greatly impacted by Chris' murder and we are calling on the community to provide police with information - no matter how small - to help them bring whoever is responsible to justice.'
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A man who can't even grip a ball has used a ramp, a mouth pointer, a robotic arm and pure determination to achieve his dream of representing for Australia in Boccia.

Daniel Michel has travelled more than 13,000 kilometres from his hometown of Sydney to compete in the 2016 Rio Paralympics Games, making him the first boccia player to don green and gold in sixteen years.

The 21-year-old, who was born with spinal muscular atrophy - a severe disability that affects his ability to move his arms, legs and torso, made his Paralympic debut on Wednesday at Carioca Arena alongside his sporting assistant, Ashlee McClure.

He beat Great Britain's Jamie McCowan in his first round of competition 3-2 ahead of his second match against world number three and Greek bronze medallist Grigorios Polychrondis - which he must to win to advance to the quarter finals.

Daniel Michel has travelled more than 13,000 kilometres from his hometown of Sydney to compete in the 2016 Rio Paralympics Games, making him the first boccia player to don green and gold in sixteen years

The 21-year-old can't even grip a ball but has used a ramp, a mouth pointer, a robotic arm and pure determination to achieve his dream of representing for Australia in Boccia

PARALYMPIC BOCCIA Boccia made its debut as a Paralympic sport in 1984 and tests competitors muscle control and accuracy. Athletes with impairments throw, kick or use a ramp to propel leather balls as close to the jack as possible. There are four different classes of ability. Michael competes in BC3, where players who are unable to throw or kick the ball use a ramp and other devices to help them play. Players can use a ramp assistant who sits in front of them with their back to the play and places the ramp and ball according to the competitors instructions. Source: paralympic.org.au Advertisement

Michel, who was introduced to the sport at 15, competes in BC3 classification - for those who can not 'hold and release a ball - and is able to employ the help of a ramp and an assistant as he attempts to get his ball closest to the jack.

Ms McClure, who trains with Michel five days a week, is not permitted to look at the court during play so she does not give advice that could influence his shot based on the ball's placement, but has become an integral part of Michel's success.

'I am physically incapable of playing but mentally I am very capable,' Michel told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'She is the body and I am the mind. There is no real comparison with other sports.'

Michel said that if he achieves gold, he would not even consider taking the podium unless Ms McClure was right there next to him.

'Ashley is as invested in this adventure as I am. We both really wanted to be in Rio, to compete and also bring home the gold medal,' Daniel told the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

The 21-year-old has been a sporting fanatic for as long as he remembers, but had reserved himself to watching from the sidelines until he was introduced to boccia at a camp run by Muscular Dystrophy NSW.

Michel, who was born with spinal muscular atrophy - a severe disability that affects his ability to move his arms, legs and torso, made his Paralympic debut on Wednesday at Carioca Arena alongside his sporting assistant, Ashlee McClure (right)

Ms McClure, who trains with Michel five days a week, is not permitted to look at the court during play so she does not give advice that could influence his shot based on the ball's placement

Michel (left) said that if he achieves gold, he would not even consider taking the podium unless Ms McClure (right) was right there next to him

'I am physically incapable of playing but mentally I am very capable.She is the body and I am the mind,' he said

'All of a sudden I realised that straight off the bat this was a sport I might be able to do. I got behind the ramp, started playing and was like, hang on, this is actually possible,' he told the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

'It was like I'd been liberated. It was a weird feeling because my mind was opened to this new possibility, something I thought was never possible. In a split second the impossible suddenly became possible.'

The bilingual athlete - who is completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Wollongong - went from strength to strength, picking up a number of junior titles before coming in fourth at the State and National competitions.

Michel uses a customised mouth pointer, robotic arm and ramp to take a shot - giving verbal cues to tell Ms McClure to best position the shute that holds his ball

Michel, McClure smile alongside South Korean boccia player Howon Jeong and his sporting assistant Cheol-hyeon Kwon

The strong medal contender said the key to boccia is 'a strong focus on the fundamentals', including the shot and calibration, and the perfect equipment.

He uses a customised mouth pointer, robotic arm and ramp to take a shot - giving verbal cues to tell Ms McClure to best position the shute that holds his ball.

Aside from the physical preparation, Michel has to deal with the pressure of competing in one of the toughest sporting arenas on the planet.

Michel said he has found it tough getting in the right state of mind knowing he is competing against the 'best players in the world' but knows he has put in the work to ensure he is fully prepared to take the challenge on, according to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

Aside from the physical preparation, Michel has to deal with the pressure of competing in one of the toughest sporting arenas on the planet

Michel said he has found it tough getting in the right state of mind knowing he is competing against the 'best players in the world' but knows he has put in the work to ensure he is fully prepared to take the challenge on

'I think it's just a matter of staying in the present and making sure that you do the best that you can,' Michel said

Michel and McClure enjoy a coffee with CEO of the Australian Paralympic Committee Lynne Anderson (right) ahead of the Games

'That thought can play in your mind, you get caught up in it and you do think am I really good enough to be here,'

'It's something that you struggle with all the time and I think it's just a matter of staying in the present and making sure that you do the best that you can.'
First there was the burqa, then the burkini and now comes - the burkirndl.

A woman in Germany has modified her traditional Bavarian dress - called a dirndl - after converting to Islam.

Renate Hoffmann, 63 from the small village of Fensterbach was once like her neighbours: God-fearing, Christian worshipping, singing in the local choir, enjoying a beer at the local festivals and sporting the dresses designed to showcase the female figure.

Renate Hoffmann (pictured, left) has created her own version of the traditional Bavarian dirndl (pictured right). Gone is the low cut top and now it comes with a Muslim-style headcovering

But then she made a journey to Israel and decided upon returning to convert to Islam.

Having shed her beliefs, however, she was not prepared to give up on the dirndl.

The low bustline was raised and she added a headscarf in keeping with Muslim tradition.

Kim Kardashian models a dirndl during a visit to the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich in 2010. The traditional Bavarian dress was designed to show off a lady's figure

Renate said: 'When I read the Bible side by side with the Koran I decided that Islam was the religion that went straight to my heart.

'I gave up a lot of things for it but I didn't want to give up my dirndl so I modified it.

'Many of my friends understood my decision to convert but some didn't - they equated all Muslims with terrorists.
Surf Life Saving NSW were recently left gobsmacked when it found out more than $3 million had been embezzled from its resigning general manager.

Matthew Hanks, former Head of Surf Life Saving NSW, admitted to defrauding the organisation in his eye-opening letter of resignation on July 13, the NSW Supreme Court has heard.

Surf Life Saving NSW are running an internal investigation, but Justice James Stevenson said the total amount stolen so far was more than $3 million.

In special circumstances, Mr Hanks has been able to lift the freezing order on some of his assets with Judge Stevenson allowing him to increase the withdrawal limit on his credit card and sell his $390,000 boat to pay off liabilities and support his pregnant wife according to the SMH.

Matthew Hanks, former Head of Surf Life Saving NSW, admitted to defrauding Surf Life Saving

Justice James Stevenson said the total amount stolen from Mr Hanks was more than $3 million

He asked to increase the withdrawal limit on his MasterCard from $600 to $2000 per month.

The 'terrified' Mr Hanks said he was worried about his pregnant wife and her inability to be able to afford treatment and healthcare on her modest salary.

Judge Stevenson agreed to the request, however lowering the total amount to $1000 which 'seems to be more in the range'.

'This is causing me significant stress and worry,' Mr Hanks said, according the SMH.

'My partner works one day a week because of the impending birth of our child.

'It is not possible to survive only on her income, which is approximately $600 per week.'

The boat was permitted to be sold only if the money goes towards paying off Mr Hanks' debts.

A spokeswoman has said that an external auditor was investigating the matter before court

Mr Hanks has had his company assets frozen, which includes two properties worth around $1.4m each in Sydney's northern beaches.

A spokeswoman told the SMH that an external auditor was investigating the serious matter.

'Surf Life Saving NSW immediately referred the matter to its external auditor to lead this inquiry, and notified all regulatory and law enforcement authorities regarding this matter,' the spokesman said.
Jane Haining, from Dunscore in Dumfriesshire, died in the notorious camp

A trove of photos have shed light on a Scottish missionary who died in Auschwitz after refusing to abandon the 400 Jewish girls in her school during WWII.

Jane Haining, from Dunscore in Dumfriesshire, died in the notorious camp after she was found protecting and caring for the children at the Scottish Mission School in Budapest, Hungary.

She was arrested by two Gestapo officers in Budapest and charged with 'suspicion of espionage on behalf of England' because she was working among Jews, listening to news broadcasts on the BBC and sending parcels to British prisoners of war.

The discovery of her will and 70 photos were found as part of a 'priceless' church archive in Edinburgh, offering a glimpse into the life of the 'Christian martyr' who died in 1944 at the age of 47.

The material was discovered in a box at the Church of Scotland World Mission Council's archive in Edinburgh.

The Rev Ian Alexander, secretary of the Council, said: 'Jane Haining was a matron in the girl's home of the Scottish Mission and her story is one of heroism and personal sacrifice.

'The most poignant discovery is her last will and testament which says 'to be opened in the event of my death' and dated July 1942.

'It states, in her own handwriting: 'I, Jane Mathieson Haining, being in my right mind, do hereby with my own hand give directions for the disposal of my possessions in the event of my death.'

Jane Haining (back second left) during a trip to Lake Balaton with some of the girls in her care

Miss Haining wrote her last will and testament. In neat handwriting the Church of Scotland missionary left instructions detailing what should happen to her worldly possessions should she not make it home

Miss Haining wrote on the piece of paper: 'To be opened in the event of my death'

'She lays out what her legacies are to be and who is to receive her wireless, typewriter, fur coat and watches.

'It is a wonderful document and tremendously exciting to have something that Jane Haining herself has written. It gives a sense she was fully aware of the risks she was taking.

'Scottish missionaries were advised to return home from Europe during the dark days of the Second World War, but Jane declined and wrote: 'If these children need me in days of sunshine, how much more do they need me in days of darkness?'

A trove of photos have shed light on a Scottish missionary who died in Auschwitz (pictured) after refusing to abandon the 400 Jewish girls in her school during WWII

Jane Haining, from Dunscore in Dumfriesshire, died in the notorious camp after she was found protecting and caring for the children at the Scottish Mission School (pictured) in Budapest, Hungary

Haining is also the only Scot to be officially honoured at the Yad Vashem memorial in Israel (pictured) for giving her life to help protect Jews during the Holocaust

Around 1.1million people died in Auschwitz, but the true circumstances behind Miss Haining's death are unclear.

According to her death certificate, she died of 'cachexia following intestinal catarrh'.

In 2010, she was awarded a Hero of the Holocaust medal by the UK Government.

Haining is also the only Scot to be officially honoured at the Yad Vashem memorial in Israel for giving her life to help protect Jews during the Holocaust.

A road sign in Budapest, Hungary, pays tribute to Miss Haining, who protected local girls

Pictured is a memorial for Miss Haining in her hometown of Dunscore in Dumfriesshire

After leaving Dumfries Academy, Miss Haining become a secretary at JP Coats weaving factory in Paisley.

She was a regular at Queen's Park West Church in Glasgow, which now has a stained glass window in her memory.

It was in 1932 that she saw a job advert as a matron for the Scottish Mission School in Budapest and the multilingual Scot chose to leave her life to help others.

This weekend marks the 175th anniversary of the Church of Scotland Mission in Budapest, which was home to a sizeable middle-class Jewish population in the 1930s.
Pauline Hanson has said Australia is in danger of being swamped by Muslims and said the infamous maiden speech she made 20-years-ago is still relevant today.

The One Nation senator's fiery first speech to the Senate in Canberra on Wednesday afternoon even prompted a walk out of all Greens senators in the chamber.

In her controversial speech from 1996, delivered 20-years and four-days-ago, Senator Hanson had warned: 'Australia is in danger of being swamped by Asians.'

On Wednesday she said that speech remained relevant.

But she said: 'Now Australia is in danger of being swamped by Muslims.'

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Pauline Hanson delivering her maiden speech to the Senate on Wednesday

Greens senators are pictured staging a walk-out of Senator Hanson's maiden speech

Senator Hanson offered to personally drive to the airport anyone who did not 'obey our law and culture' to the airport and wave them goodbye.

'If you are not prepared to obey our laws, respect our culture and our way of life, then I suggest you go back where you came from,' she said.

'If it will be any help, I will take you to the airport and wave you goodbye with sincere best wishes.'

She said the 'culture and ideology' of Islam is 'incompatible to our own'.

Senator Hanson reiterated her call for Muslim immigration into Australia and burqas to be banned.

'Racism has no place in Parliament but that is what we have just heard from Senator Hanson. I stand with those people hurt by her words,' Senator Di Natale wrote on Twitter after his party staged a walk-out

'If we don't make changes now, have no doubt we'll be living under sharia law and treated as second class citizens,' she said.

Senator Hanson said there would be 'lives lost trying to determine' which Muslims are 'good' and which are 'bad'.

'There is no sign saying "good Muslim" or "bad Muslim".'

Senator Hanson also took aim at Family Law, which allows women to make 'frivolous claims' and keeps men from accessing their children.

'We will continue to see murders due to pure frustration,' she said.

She had begun her speech by casting her mind back to her last day in the chamber in 1998.

'I called out cross the chamber: "I'll back".'

'If we don't make changes now, have no doubt we'll be living under sharia law and treated as second class citizens,' she said

Senator Hanson said there would be 'lives lost trying to determine' which Muslims are 'good' and which are 'bad'

She said her opponents yelled back: 'No you won't.'

'I am back,' she said on Wednesday.

All Greens MPs in the chamber staged a walk-out mid-way through her speech.

Leader Richard Di Natale said the party would 'call our racism wherever it occurs, including Parliament'.

'Racism has no place in Parliament but that is what we have just heard from Senator Hanson,' Senator Di Natale wrote on Twitter.

Senator Hanson discussed her speech on Wednesday night with Sky's Paul Murray.

She told the television host Islamic people 'are all in the one basket' because 'we cannot define who are the radicals'.

Senator Hanson also said if the weather bureau informed the public to 'batten down' because of a cyclone possibility, the public ought to do it to be prepared for the worst.
The service station comes with annual income of around $240,000

He didn't hesitate as he bid for the United Service station in Sydney's west

Johnson Chin was standing with his parents during the ten minute auction

A Chinese man in his 20s was the unexpected highest bidder at a heated auction walking away with a $4.82 million service station in less than ten minutes.

Johnson Chin was standing alongside his parents Man Wah Chin and Suk On Li Chin on Tuesday as a United petrol station in Yagoona, in south-west Sydney, was put up for auction, reported Commercial Real Estate.

Opening with a $3.8 million bid Mr Chin was battling for the service station with a 'stable [and] long-term lease' against an unnamed phone bidder.

A young Chinese bidder opened the auction with a $3.8 million bid before placing the winning bid of $4.82 million

Johnson Chin (left) stood alongside his parents (above) as he bid and purchased the petrol station within ten minutes

The Hong-Kong based family who already have a well-developed portfolio of Sydney properties were purchasing their first petrol station.

The United station has a 20 year lease to 2036, has a fixed 3.5 per cent annual rent increase and comes with an annual income of around $240,000.

Mr Chin also noted that this property will not be their last with hopes of purchasing more is the 'price and location are right.'

Director of Burgess Rawson, Simon Staddon, says investors are now after stability.

'There's a massive appetite for 20-year leases to brand name tenants like United across the board of asset classes, particularly when they occupy valuable main road locations and are underpinned by land values,' Mr Staddon said.

'Both Dee Why and Yagoona are strong trading sites, which an inspection by prospective buyers instantly confirmed.'

The United station has a 20 year lease to 2036, has a fixed 3.5 per cent annual rent increase and comes with an annual income of around $240,000
Europe's highest court has frustrated Britains attempts to deport the criminal daughter-in-law of hate preacher Abu Hamza.

In a blow to Home Secretary Amber Rudd, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled the UK could not automatically deport foreign convicts who have a British child.

Unelected judges said that because the woman is the sole carer for her four-year-old British son she could not be booted out simply because she had committed a crime.

But in a crumb of comfort for ministers, the court in Luxembourg said expulsion should be allowed in exceptional circumstances.

Europe's highest court has frustrated Britains attempts to deport the criminal daughter-in-law of hate preacher Abu Hamza (pictured)

Euro judges said a foreign offender with a British child aged under 16 could be flown home if they presented a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat to society, including public security.

The ruling potentially opens the door to scores of low-level foreign criminals to claiming the right to stay in Britain.

Ministers are determined to kick the Moroccan woman out of the UK after she spent a year in jail for smuggling a mobile phone SIM card into radical cleric Hamzas high-security prison under her burka.

There is an order banning the media from naming the woman, known only as CS.

But in February she was identified as the daughter-in-law of hook-handed Hamza - who for years spouted evil on Britains streets and is now serving life in America for terror offences - by a Tory MP using Parliamentary privilege.

The case will intensify pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May to implement Brexit because the ECJ interprets EU law to make sure it is applied in the same way in all member states.

In a blow to Home Secretary Amber Rudd (pictured on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday), the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled the UK could not automatically deport foreign convicts who have a British child

Under current immigration laws, Britain automatically serves a deportation order against all non-EU offenders who are sentenced to more than one year in prison, irrespective of their family circumstances.

Hamzas daughter-in-law married his British son in 2002. In 2005 she was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

In 2011 the couple had a son who holds British citizenship. But the marriage ended in divorce, leaving her in sole care of the child.

In May 2012 CS was jailed after attempting to smuggle contraband - the mobile phone SIM card - into high-security Belmarsh prison in South-East London, where her father-in-law was being held.

Hamza was detained as a Category A prisoner at the time following his conviction for inciting murder and pending extradition on terror charges to the US.

CS was jailed for 12 months at Blackfriars Crown Court on May 4 after she was convicted of conveying a prohibited article into prison.

Mr Justice Openshaw said at her appeal against sentence that Hamza could have used the SIM card to convey messages of support to his followers outside, or use it to encourage or incite the commission of further offences.

Abu Hamza (pictured left) was detained as a Category A prisoner at the time following his conviction for inciting murder and pending extradition on terror charges to the US

After completing her sentence, CS was given a deportation notice in 2013. But she appealed, claiming she could not be expelled because there would be no one else to care for the boy.

Because there were no other family members he could live with in the UK, sending him to Morocco would breach his human rights.

She won that case when immigration judges ruled that deportation amounted to constructive expulsion of her son from Europe - a breach of EU rules.

Ministers appealed against that decision and the case was sent by the British courts for a ruling from the Luxembourg court. The Upper Tribunal of Britains immigration courts will hear the case in due course.

Euro judges said any decision to boot out CS must be proportionate and consider the childs best interests.

A Home Office spokesman said: Foreign nationals who abuse our hospitality by committing crimes in the UK should be in no doubt of our determination to deport them.

We are considering the implications of todays finding, but it should be emphasised this represents guidance on a point of law  it is not a final judgment on this deportation case.
Theresa May is set to give the go-ahead for the controversial Hinkley Point nuclear power plant this week, it has been claimed.

Downing Street is said to be working flat out with the Business and Energy department to seal the deal.

The Prime Minister put the 18billion pound project on hold pending a review after taking over from David Cameron last month.

The 18billion deal for a new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point is due to be a joint British-French-Chinese project

There was said to be concern about the long-term costs and giving China too much control over key national infrastructure.

But according to ITV News she is now close to being satisfied that the agreement - which will see the plant delivered by a French-Chinese partnership - can proceed.

Mrs May was reportedly preparing to inform French President Francois Hollande in a phone call on Monday, but delayed the call to settle some outstanding details raised by Business Secretary Greg Clark.

A senior Downing Street source played down the idea that the deal was effectively finalised, branding it 'speculation'.

The source said the 'position has not changed', no decision had been taken and there was 'no timetable' beyond Mrs May's commitment to resolving the issue this month.

The new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point is currently due for completion by 2025.

But the deal - championed by Mr Cameron former Chancellor George Osborne - is already late and has been criticised over guaranteeing high energy prices and national security worries about Chinese involvement.

Theresa May and Chinese President Xi Jinping had their first private meeting at the end of the G20 summit earlier this month

Mrs May and Chinese premier Xi Jinping touched on Hinkley when she attended the G20 summit in Hangzhou province earlier this month.

After the meeting, a Number 10 official said Mr Xi made clear he understood why Mrs May felt the need to take a fresh look at agreements made by her predecessor.

The Chinese were said to be willing to be 'patient' while the decision was re-examined.
A one-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism dubbed the 'real life Thumbelina' by her six-foot-tall parents will travel to the US to see a specialist who could save her life.

Helena Lang, from Sydney, who was diagnosed with Diastrophic Dysplasia dwarfism while she was still in the womb, has cheated death three times but continues to struggle with additional health conditions, including having difficulty breathing.

Her parents, Jaime Jenkins and Jakob Lang, say Australian doctors are not sure how to continue treating their daughter, who is a mere 68cms tall, and they are now raising money so a specialist in Delaware can address her club feet, cleft palate, scoliosis and small chest cavity.

One-year-old Helena Lang (pictured), from Sydney, who suffers from rare form of dwarfism and is dubbed the 'real life Thumbelina', will travel to the US to see a specialist who could save her life

The young girl has cheated death three times but continues to struggle with additional health conditions, which her parents, Jaime (right) and Jakob (left), said are 'becoming a big issue' that have stumped Australian doctors

The average height for a one-year-old is between 69 and 79cms.

The specialist is an expert in Helena's specific genetic condition and its related medial complications, whereas in Australia knowledge is extremely limited because it is so rare here, Jaime told Daily Mail Australia.

'Our team [of doctor's in Australia] has done the best they can with a lot of trial and error approaches sometimes resulting in her being worse off then we started,' Jaime said.

'They are currently in discussion about a massive heart surgery and tracheostomy [to ease her breathing], but don't have the knowledge in how she will react, recover, and progress. So Jakob and I, as her parents, set out to seek someone who does,' she said.

'If we do not go through with the [chest] surgery, she will continue to have the compressed airway and in blunt honesty, we aren't too sure how long her little body could continue on working so hard to breathe,' Jaime said.

The young family is gathering X-rays, scans and other paperwork this week to take with them on their October 30 flight, which is being paid for with the help of.

So far $5,303 of $20,000 has been raised - allowing Jaime and Jakob to purchase the flights.

Jaime said, 23, refused to abort her girl at 34 weeks pregnant and despite being told her girl had died three times, she celebrated her first birthday in July.

Helena (pictured) was diagnosed with Diastrophic Dysplasia dwarfism - one of the rarest forms of the condition that affects the growth of bones and cartilage

Helena with Jakob- Fancy dress party. Both Helena's parents are both almost six foot tall and they had no idea they both carried the same dwarfism gene until they conceived Helena

Jakob , 24, who are both almost six foot tall, had no idea they both carried the same dwarfism gene until they conceived Helena.

They were told to say their final goodbyes to their baby girl at just a few hours old.

'We all said our final goodbyes and waited for the dreaded call that she had gone, but she refused to give in and has since gone from strength to strength, she really is a little fighter,' Jaime said.

'It's crazy that me and Jacob carry the same gene that causes dwarfism as we are both so tall.'

'I would love to extend our family at some point but we would need to think about the risks as there's a one in three chance that we could have another dwarf and they could be even more severely affected than Helena.'

Helena's parents were told to say their final goodbyes to their baby girl at just a few hours old. Above, Helena getting stronger on Fathers Day

Helena the real life thumbelina all dressed up. 'It's crazy that me and Jacob carry the same gene that causes dwarfism as we are both so tall,' Jaime said

Jaime said: 'I would love to extend our family at some point but we would need to think about the risks as there's a one in three chance that we could have another dwarf and they could be even more severely affected than Helena'

Helena, who loves being dressed up in fairy costumes and smiling for the camera, has been duped the real life Thumbelina by her parents, after the Disney film character

Helena was diagnosed with dwarfism at six weeks old, but Jaime knew after her twelve week scan that something was wrong with her baby.

'It was hard being pregnant but not knowing what was wrong with my baby, I had to accept that my baby was going to have health issues and it was impossible not to blame myself,' Jaime said.

'I thought it was something I must have done but as the weeks passed, we were faced with even more devastating news, Helena didn't have any lung tissue in her lungs and at 34 weeks I was advised to terminate.

'I could feel her kicking and we'd already named her, there was no way I couldn't give her a chance at life.'

Helena, who loves being dressed up in fairy costumes and smiling for the camera, has been duped the real life Thumbelina by her parents, after the Disney film character.

Now Jakob and Jaime are sharing their journey to raise awareness for Diastrophic Dysplasia to help and offer hope to other parents who are going through a similar situation.

'Dealing with Helena's diagnosis has been heart breaking, but dressing her up in beautiful dresses gives us a sense of normality away from all her medical appointments and visible differences,' Jakob said.

Helena was diagnosed with diastrophic dysplasia dwarfism at six weeks old, but Jaime knew after her twelve week scan that something was wrong with her baby

Jakob with Helena sleeping with together. Jakob and Jaime are sharing their journey to raise awareness for Diastrophic Dysplasia

Jaime and Jakob want to help and offer hope to other parents who are going through a similar situation

Pictured, Helena in intensive care. Jaime said she and Jakob feared for the quality of Helena's life but watching her smile and grow has assured them they made the right decision to fight to keep her

'Helena currently models for some Australian handmade clothing businesses, she loves being in front of the camera.

'She will always be ''daddy's little girl'' and we know she won't grow more than a few feet tall.'

Jaime said she and Jakob feared for the quality of Helena's life, but watching her smile and grow has assured them they made the right decision to fight to keep her.

'She's such a tiny baby but she's full of personality and will do anything to make me and Jakob laugh,' she said.

'I couldn't imagine out lives without her and celebrating her first birthday on Saturday brought back so many emotions.'

This is Helena just minutes after she was born. 'She's such a tiny baby but she's full of personality and will do anything to make me and Jakob laugh,' Jaime said

Helena after her first operation to drain fluid from ears and lesson swollen cartilidge

Jaime Jenkins, 23, refused to abort her girl at 34 weeks pregnant. Above, the 16-week scan

'We never imagined we'd hit this milestone, after doctors warned us she was too weak to take her first breath and then passing away three times in her first few weeks of being alive.'

When Helena was born and the extent of her dwarfism was revealed - she spent three months in hospital before Jakob and Jaime both learned how to medically care for their daughter in hopes the nurses would be confident enough to let them take her home.

'Helena has already amazed us in so many ways, she's a real little miracle and I hope our story helps other parents who are facing the same situation, Jaime said.

'She's going to continue to hit her milestones and I have no doubt she will be walking by next year, she currently shuffles on her bum.
Jackson Grubb was just nine-years-old when he took his own life

A nine-year-old boy apparently killed himself after he was badly bullied by peers from his elementary school.

Jackson Grubb was found dead by his sister in his room in Raleigh, West Virginia on Saturday.

Police said the boy was found hanging and no foul play is suspected by authorities in his death.

Relatives of the third-grader had noticed a change in Jackson's behavior and say Sophia Soak Creek Elementary school bullies, who sometimes waited to torment him by his trailer park, caused the child to take his own life.

'I was spending time with him, trying to get it out of him. But Jack's the type that holds things in and I couldn't get to him,' said Jackson's grandmother and guardian, Betsy Baber.

Courtesy WVVA

Baber said Jackson tried to fend off the bullies with humor and sometimes by force although he had lost he desire to fight them in recent weeks. His grandmother also helped build him a clubhouse to help him make more friends.

Jackson was said to fend off bullies with humor and on occasions force but in recent weeks his mood had lowered

Jackson attended Sophia Soak Creek Elementary school which is in walking distance of his home. Bullies used to wait outside his trailer park to torment him

'I don't know what he was thinking,' Jackson's uncle Shane Baber said. 'He wanted to spend the night with me for two days and I couldn't figure out what was going on.'

On Saturday afternoon the boy's sister found her brother's body in his room after she went to cheer him up with a frog she had found outside.

His mother Diana Crump said: 'We came straight over. I saw the ambulance go that way and I said, "Turn around! Turn around! That's Jackson!" When I got to the hospital they wouldn't let me in so I knew when I saw EMS crying that he was gone.'

'Based upon the examination of the scene and interview of various witnesses and neighbors foul play is not suspected,' according to the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office.
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North Korea has staged a mass rally to celebrate carrying out its fifth nuclear missile test amid fears leader Kim Jong-Un has enough uranium to make 20 similar bombs in the next three months.

The epic gathering, in the heart of the secretive nation's capital Pyongyang, featured tens of thousands of civilians and military personnel gazing up at their leaders who were watching on from a balcony.

Footage shows the vast crowd started clapping in unison and making bizarre synchronised arm movements as they celebrated North Korea's fifth and largest-ever nuclear test conducted last week.

The rally was staged as it emerged that dictator Kim Jong Un has ensured North Korea will have enough material for about 20 nuclear bombs by the end of this year - with ramped-up uranium enrichment facilities and an existing stockpile of plutonium.

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North Korea has staged a mass rally to celebrate carrying out its fifth nuclear missile test amid fears Kim Jong-Un has enough uranium to make 20 similar bombs in the next three months

The epic gathering, in the heart of the secretive nation's capital Pyongyang, featured tens of thousands of civilians and military personnel gazing up at their leaders who were watching on from a balcony

Assessments by weapons experts say the North has evaded a decade of UN sanctions to develop the uranium enrichment process, enabling it to run an effectively self-sufficient nuclear programme that is capable of producing around six nuclear bombs a year.

Meanwhile, North Korea today accused the United States of pushing the Korean Peninsula to 'the point of explosion' after it dispatched two huge bombers in a show of force against Pyongyang.

The supersonic B-1B Lancers flew over South Korea Tuesday as Washington vowed its 'unshakeable commitment' to defend its allies in the region following the North's fifth nuclear test.

Washington called the demonstration 'just one example of the full range of military capabilities'. It took similar military actions following previous atomic tests.

North Korea labelled the flyover by the 'infamous' nuclear bombers as Washington's attempt to seek 'an opportunity of mounting a preemptive nuclear attack,' referring to US plans to deploy further strategic assets to the peninsula.

Support: A rally celebrating the success of a recent nuclear test is held in Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang yesterday

Footage shows the vast crowd started clapping in unison and making bizarre synchronised arm movements as they celebrated North Korea's fifth and largest-ever nuclear test conducted last week

The rally was staged as it emerged that dictator Kim Jong Un has ensured North Korea will have enough material for about 20 nuclear bombs by the end of this year - with ramped-up uranium enrichment facilities and an existing stockpile of plutonium

'These extremely reckless provocations of the US imperialist warmongers are pushing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the point of explosion hour by hour,' the state-run KCNA news agency said.

It warned that the North Korean army was fully armed with 'all means for military counteraction' to strike back at any enemy attack in 'a single blow'.

Washington is planning to send the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS Ronald Reagan and the Japan-based Carrier Strike Group Five to South Korean waters next month for a joint naval exercise, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

South Korea hosts 28,000 US troops as the two Koreas technically remain at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice instead of a peace treaty.

The bombers' flight came after the North on Friday carried out what it described as a 'nuclear warhead test' and vowed to take further measures to increase its nuclear strike force 'in quality and in quantity'.

The true nuclear capability of the isolated and secretive state is impossible to verify.

But after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test last week and, according to South Korea, was preparing for another, it appears to have no shortage of material to test with.

North Korea today accused the United States of pushing the Korean Peninsula to 'the point of explosion' after it dispatched two huge bombers in a show of force against Pyongyang

Military leaders stood on a balcony and watched out the massive rally held in the centre of North Korea's capital Pyongyang

After Pyongyang conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test last week and, according to South Korea, was preparing for another, it appears to have no shortage of material to test with

Pictures show lines of supporters clapping in unison at the rally. The true nuclear capability of the isolated and secretive state is impossible to verify

North Korea has an abundance of uranium reserves and has been working covertly for well over a decade on a project to enrich the material to weapons-grade level, experts have said.

That project, believed to have been expanded significantly, is likely the source of up to 330lbs of highly enriched uranium a year, said Siegfried Hecker, a leading expert on the North's nuclear programme.

That quantity is enough for roughly six nuclear bombs, Hecker, who toured the North's main Yongbyon nuclear facility in 2010, wrote in a report on the 38 North website of Johns Hopkins University in Washington published on Monday.

Added to an estimated 32- to 54 kilogram plutonium stockpile, the North will have sufficient fissile material for about 20 bombs by the end of 2016, Hecker said.

North Korea said its latest test proved it was capable of mounting a nuclear warhead on a medium-range ballistic missile, but its claims to be able to miniaturise a nuclear device have never been independently verified.

Assessments of the North's plutonium stockpile are generally consistent and believed to be accurate because experts and governments can estimate plutonium production levels from telltale signs of reactor operation in satellite imagery.

South Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo this year estimated the North's plutonium stockpile at about 40 kilogrammes.

Thousands of military recruits clapped in unison as they lined up for a huge rally in celebration of the country's nuclear weapons test

Under orders: Civilians were also brought in to create a huge crowd in Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang

Warning: US B-1 bomber, center, flies over Osan Air Base with U.S. jets in Pyeongtaek, South Korea on Tuesday

But Hecker, a former director of the US Los Alamos National Laboratory, where nuclear weapons have been designed, has called North Korea's uranium enrichment programme 'their new nuclear wildcard,' because Western experts do not know how advanced it is.

Jeffrey Lewis of the California-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies said North Korea had an unconstrained source of fissile material, both plutonium from the Yongbyon reactor and highly-enriched uranium from at least one and probably two sites.

'The primary constraint on its programme is gone,' Lewis said. Weapons-grade plutonium has to be extracted from spent fuel taken out of reactors and then reprocessed, and therefore would be limited in quantity. A uranium enrichment programme greatly boosts production of material for weapons.

The known history of the uranium enrichment project dates to 2003, when the North was confronted by the United States with evidence of a clandestine programme to build a facility to enrich uranium with the help of Pakistan.

North Korea has an abundance of uranium reserves and Kim Jong Un (pictured) has ordered covert work on a project to enrich the material to weapons-grade level, experts have said

North Korea said its latest test proved it was capable of mounting a nuclear warhead on a medium-range ballistic missile, but its claims to be able to miniaturise a nuclear device have never been independently verified

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said in his memoirs that A.Q. Khan, the father of that country's nuclear programme, transferred two dozen centrifuges to the North and some technical expertise around 1999.

'It was also clear that the suspected Pakistani connection had taken place, as the centrifuge design resembled Pakistan's P-2 centrifuge,' Hecker said in a report in May.

Hecker reported being shown around a two-story building in the Yongbyon complex in November 2010 that a North Korean engineer said contained 2,000 centrifuges and a control room Hecker called 'astonishingly modern.'

By 2009, the North had likely acquired the technology to be able to expand the uranium project indigenously, Joshua Pollack, editor of the US-based Nonproliferation Review, has said.

North Korea has not explicitly admitted to operating the centrifuges to produce weapons-enriched uranium, instead claiming they were intended to generate fuel for a light water reactor it was going to build.

Despite sanctions, by now North Korea is probably largely self-sufficient in operating its nuclear programme, although it may still struggle to produce some material and items, Lewis said.
Firms in Japan are cracking down on 'smell harassment' by ordering employees to brush their teeth at lunch and use deodorant.

Body odour and breath hygiene are being included in some companies' dress codes and workers are being sent to seminars to combat bad habits.

Some company officials said the increase to the sensitivity of smell can be attributed to more women being employed in Japan and energy-saving tactics like setting the air conditioning to a higher temperature.



Body odour and breath hygiene are being included in some companies' dress codes and workers are being sent to seminars to combat bad habits

But body odour is not the only pitfall, with bad breath, lingering cigarette smell and excessive perfume is also being stamped out by companies.

Glasses manufacturer Owndays Co has put such an emphasis on odour care, it is included in its dress code and employee appraisals.

After receiving a complaint from a customer about store staff smelling like cigarettes as they adjusted glasses, bosses set about stamping the problem out.

Store staff members are instructed to brush their teeth after lunch or a break, to refrain from using perfume - but not deodorant - and to avoid eating strong-smelling food before or during work.

'Smells can worsen the impression of our stores,' a company official told Mainichi.

'There are many positive sides to the measures, too, such as an increase in employees who, concerned about cigarette breath, are trying to quit smoking.'

Another tactic used by employers is sending staff to seminars like the one put on last month by men's cosmetics company Mandom Corp where 40 workers from SoftBank went along.

The aim was to teach employees about the causes of body odour and how to use deodorants properly.

Yasuko Okabe, a SoftBank employee who attended the seminar, told Mainichi: 'Body odor is a very sensitive subject, and it's not easy to tell employees to their face that they smell.

'But if we pass on the content of this seminar at our workplaces, problems with body odor may improve.'

But body odour is not the only pitfall, with bad breath, lingering cigarette smell and excessive perfume is also being stamped out by companies as Professor Mel Rosenburg from the Tel Aviv University in Israel demonstates his tongue scrape invention

Keisuke Oku, from Mandom's product PR department, suggested the rise awareness of the issue could be attributed to 'a marked increase in the workforce of women, who are sensitive to the smells of men, and the spread of energy-saving awareness leading to higher air conditioner temperature settings may have led to a demand for finding ways to stop perspiration,' according to Mainichi.

But Tsuneaki Gomi, head of Gomi Clinic in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward, which treats body odour and excessive sweating, believes people are getting worked up over nothing.

About 70 percent of people who come to his clinic over body odor concerns do not have a body odor problem, he said, adding: 'Worrying excessively about the smell of one's body can lead to self-rejection.
A pharmacology student who hoped to help find cures for dangerous diseases died just 48 hours after contracting a deadly strain of meningitis.

The last words Paawan Purba, 20, said to her mother was 'whatever you do, don't leave me.' She died just a few hours later.

The clever University of East London student, who worked part time time in a local pub, had complained of feeling ill after returning from a shift on Thursday August 25.

University of East London student Paawan Purba (pictured), who worked part time time in a local pub, had complained of feeling ill after returning from a shift on August 25 this year

The next morning she told her worried parents she thought she might have flu, and after checking she did not have a rash - one of the telltale signs of meningitis - they called their GP surgery.

A doctor said Paawan's symptoms, which included a high temperature, loss of appetite and aches and pains in her neck, was probably caused by a virus.

She was told to drink plenty of fluids and take paracetemol, but while Paawan's temperature dropped she still had not eaten by Friday.

Her worried mother, Jasmeelsher, 49, decided to sleep in her bed with her and just before she fell asleep as 1.40am on Satuday morning Paawan whispered to her: 'Whatever you do, do not leave me.'

The last words Paawan Purba, 20, said to her mother was 'whatever you do, don't leave me'

At 3.30am Mrs Purba woke to find her daughter unresponsive and breathing heavily. She was rushed to hospital but died at 7.45am with her family at her bedside.

The London Evening Standard reports Paawan was killed by a strain of meningitis W - she had missed the Men ACWY vaccine.

Her father Baldev Purba, 48, a telecoms engineer, told the Standard: 'The sadness is beyond belief. I keep looking at the door thinking my beautiful, bubbly daughter will come home and we will all be together again.

A doctor said Paawan's symptoms, which included a high temperature, loss of appetite and aches and pains in her neck, was probably caused by a virus - but it turned out to be meningitis

'Our daughter is gone but if we can help raise awareness of what needs to be done to save others than maybe we can prevent this happening to another family.'

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, and can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Bacterial meningitis can develop into blood poisoning, which can lead to organ failure.

The ST-11 strain of meningitis W, which first appeared in Britain in 2008, has seen a five-fold increase in cases since 2009.

The condition is especially alarming because it is so lethal; there is a greater chance of dying from it than from other strains of meningitis in the UK, according to charity Meningitis Research Foundation.

Teenagers are particularly at risk of contracting meningitis, partly because they are more mobile and encounter more bacteria types. Hormonal changes may also make them more susceptible.
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A group of middle-class protesters from the 'Black Lives Matter' movement hailed their 'white privilege' today as they got away with a slap on the wrist despite bringing an international airport to a standstill.

The group, eight of whom are white, chained themselves to the runway at London's City Airport in a protest at what they called a 'racist climate crisis', causing chaos for thousands of air passengers.

All nine admitted obstructing a person engaged in a lawful activity when they appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court. Other charges were dropped.

All of them were given a conditional discharge by the court, meaning they will face no punishment unless they get in trouble again in the next two to three years.

As the sentences were handed down, a female member of the group, who sat close together in the dock, exclaimed: 'Go, white privilege.'

Natalie Fiennes (left), a film producer who is a cousin of actor Ralph Fiennes, and Alex Etchart (right), whose theatre troupe have played the Edinburgh fringe, were among the group

Houseboat dweller Sama Baka and actor Richard Collett-White, seen arrived at court together, also admitted the charge

Film student Esme Waldron (left), activist Sam Lund-Harket (left in right picture) and organic farmer William Pettifer who advocates the 'downfall of white supremacist capitalist patriarchy'

Deborah Francis-Grayson, a 31-year-old environmental activist from Slough, as well as Ben Tippett, who in a multi-million pound six-bedroom townhouse in Wandsworth, south London with Fiennes (above) outside court today

Among the nine protesters is 25-year-old Natalie Fiennes, a film producer who is a cousin of renowned actors Ralph and Joseph.

Ben Tippet, 24, her housemate in a multi-million pound six-bedroom townhouse in Wandsworth, south London, was also in the dock today.

Organic farmer William Pettifer, 27, and 23-year-old Esme Waldron, a student from Brighton, also face the charges, along with Alex Etchart, a 26-year-old musician who founded a theatre group that performs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Actor Richard Collett-White, a 23-year-old former Oxford student, and Deborah Francis-Grayson, a 31-year-old environmental activist from Slough, are also in the group. The final pair are Sama Baka, 27, Sam Lund-Harket, 32, who live in a houseboat in the village of Roydon, Essex.

The demonstrators disrupted flights for more than six hours with the stunt on 6 September after occupying the runway from 5.30am.

They filmed their protest on hand-held cameras and were uploading clips on to social media. The airport closed until about midday and 131 flights were either delayed or cancelled.

Pettifer, Waldron, Baka, Lund-Harket, Fiennes, Collet-White and Tippet each received an 18-month conditional discharge.

Etchart was given a two year conditional discharge, while Francis-Grayson received a three year conditional discharge due to previous convictions.

Flights in and out of London's City Airport were disrupted and cancelled for hours during the protest earlier this month

Among the banners unfurled by the group on the runway was one claiming climate change is a 'racist crisis'

WHAT IS AGGRAVATED TRESPASS AND HOW IS IT PUNISHED? To be committing aggravated trespass, a person must be both trespassing and intentionally obstructing others from carrying out lawful activities. By refusing to cooperate with police, the Black Lives Matter protesters committed the offence. The maximum sentence for the offence is three months imprisonment or a fine of 2500. First time offenders usually get fines of 200 and 300. Despite the disruption caused, the judge in this case gave all nine a conditional discharge, which means they will not be punished unless they commit another offence in a specified period. The group also had to pay a 95 court fee, which they reportedly paid on their debit cards. Advertisement

Mike Schwartz, defending, said: 'They took their action in support of Black Lives Matter UK, in their view it's a matter for white people to take responsibility in a society that privileges them through racism.'

'They were protesting against the negative impact of the airport on the local community which are largely black and multi-ethnic.'

'They want to highlight Britain's contribution to climate change which is primarily felt by the global South and developing countries.'

'Equally, there is inequality of freedom of movement which is to do with this airport in particular - city airport deals with city passengers on business.'

When District Judge Elizabeth Roscoe queried the connection between the protestors and Black Lives Matter, Mr Schwartz said: 'They say that this is one whole issue and climate change disproportionately and unfairly affects black people and countries in the global South.'

Handing all the protestors except Francis-Grayson and Etchart an 18 month conditional discharge, Judge Roscoe said: 'It's quite clear to me that you are individuals who care deeply and are strongly motivated by this cause which is clearly near to your heart.

'Your protest background is generally speaking climate change and I understand your concerns and of course in this country their is inherently a right to protest and protest peacefully and there is not suggested for a moment that this was anything other than a peaceful albeit extremely disruptive protest.

'I can see the link between the racial element and your concerns, however I find it rather hard to see the link between the movement started in America that goes by the name Black Lives Matter which protests against the treatment of the black population by the police in America - I didn't see how that links to London City Airport or climate change.

'However I don't doubt for a moment the honesty, sincerity and strength of your beliefs.'

'Having said that it's quite clear this caused a lot of people a lot of disruption and a great many were no doubt the people you were aiming at, people on business flights but others would not have been and you may have caused real upset to people who may have had similar beliefs to yourselves.

'The matter of going into a secure area of an airport is a matter that does cause concern to the public. I appreciate you have strongly held beliefs, maybe other people do and want to travel.

Former LSE student Natalie Fiennes (left) and musician Alex Etchart (right) were among those who admitted the charge

Another two of those charged are Esme Waldron, a film student from Brighton, and William Pettifer, an organic farmer

Prosecutor Philip McGhee had told the court: 'They crossed the water to the runway via use of inflatable rafts under power launched from the other side of the dock.'

Having scaled the fence, they erected a bamboo tripod, which Pettifer climbed and then chained himself to the top.

Mr McGhee said: 'The remaining members secured themselves around the tripod by means of arm locks.

'Their arms are joined with lengths of metal or plastic tubing which was secured by the use of expanding foam which made their ability to separate themselves non-existent.

The foam is of the type used to fill double glazed window frames which hardens almost immediately.

Mr McGhee added:'That was in Runway One and that runway was unserviceable as a result - a number of police attended and the runway closed to all traffic.

'They were chanting things like 'Black Lives Matter' and about matters relating to climate change. When police offered to engage with them they offered no comment and they were all subsequently arrested.'

Ben Tippet, pictured at his graduation from LSE, has previously attended climate protests

THE RAG BAG GANG OF LEFT-WING PROTESTERS WHO BROUGHT A BUSY AIRPORT TO A STANDSTILL... The Fiennes cousin Twenty-five-year-old Natalie Geraldine Twistleton-Wykeham-Fiennes is a cousin of actor Ralph. She is a veteran of climate camp protests, taking her Cath Kidston tent. The LSE graduate, who studied English literature and sociology, lives with her parents in their 2million house just off Clapham Common. She told the court she supports herself by babysitting. The lesbian expert Esme Waldron, 23, a University of Sussex film graduate and former Churston Grammar School pupil, is a documentary maker and self-proclaimed expert on lesbian culture. Once named A-level student of the year, she later made a film about older lesbians called Now You See Me. The buddhist Ben Tippet gave his address as Fiennes family home in Wandsworth and is another LSE graduate. With blonde-dyed hair, the 24-year-old is an outspoken critic of the arms trade. One of his online user names is Buddhist Ben. The expert climber Spanish graduate Sama Baka is one of three protesters who live on the Northern Soul houseboat, moored at Roydon, Essex. Baka, 27, is an expert climber who has volunteered for clean air projects and raised cash for clean water in Uganda. The musician Anti-aviation campaigner Richard Collet-White, who has a degree in French and Russian from Oxfords Exeter College, is jobless. The 23-year-old is an accomplished tenor, who played keyboards in a ska band and has volunteered for causes from Oxfam to community food growing. The green fanatic The second houseboat resident, Sam Lund-Harket, 32, supports activists across the UK in a range of movements from disaster aid to the RSPB. An environmental officer at university, the shaven-headed campaigner says he has been passionate about the planet since he was 16. He is a leading activist with the campaign group Global Justice Now and has worked with other similar groups. The stage director The final houseboat dweller, Corbynista Alex Etchart, 26, founded and directed West End show the Sex Workers Opera, performed by real-life burlesque dancers. He is a musician who works with youth empowerment charities and has a degree in social anthropology and ethnomusicology from SOAS. His father is a Uruguayan who claims to be living in the UK in political exile. Etchart has previously taken part in anti-fracking camps. The organic farmer William Pettifer, 27, works on an organic Somerset farm and claims to be plotting the downfall of white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. The son of a company director, he took part in a blockade of Heathrow Airport last November. The student activist The oddest member of an odd group, Deborah Francis-Grayson, 31, lives in Slough where she is doing a media and communications PhD. She is interested in intergenerational education work and volunteers with various groups to get people involved in politics. She has a conviction relating to a demonstration at Parliament against climate change in 2009. Advertisement

He continued: 'Plainly because of the manner in which they had attached themselves together it took a long time for them to be removed from the runway safely.'

'Up to 131 flights in and out of the airport were cancelled or diverted that morning in the six hours the runway was closed and around 9,000 passengers had their journeys disrupted.

'Of course it's not possible to know quite what the purpose of those journeys were but we can readily agree they were all kinds of journey for all kinds of reasons.'

Other members of 'Black Lives Matter' have complained the movement in the UK has been hijacked by middle-class white activists.

Collett-White led a student strike against high food prices on campus during his time as an undergraduate.

Etchart, who describes himself as a 'community musician' has taken part in the Occupy London protests and anti-fracking camps in the past.

Pettifer, who works on an organic farm in Somerset, and Waldron, 23, a film maker from Brighton, took part in the blockade of Heathrow Airport in November last year.

Richard Collett-White,, pictured second from right, who is also among those charged, was the Junior Common Room president at Oxford's Exeter College

This saw anti-climate change activists occupy the entrance tunnel to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 for nearly five hours, causing long delays for passengers.

Pettifer claims to plot the 'downfall of white supremacist capitalist patriarchy' on Facebook.

Fiennes, part of the Fiennes acting dynasty and a former student at London School of Economics, took part in the six-week occupation of its central London campus in protest at student fees last year.

She has also taken part in Climate Camp protests along with Tippet, while Lund-Harket is a leading figure in campaign group Global Justice Now.

Group's ringleaders are a geography student, a hip hop artist and a teenage model

Key players in the UK's 'Black Lives Matter' group are an 18-year-old model, a hip hop artist and an Oxford University student.

Adam Elliott-Cooper, a postgraduate geography student at Oxford, has become the public face of the group.

He is studying the organisation as part of his postgraduate diploma, and is working on research which he says is about 'the Struggle that has No Name', 'black-led organising functions' and 'racialised spaces in the city'.

Elliott-Cooper once 'blacked up' and joked about being in 'the minstrels'.

Oxford student Adam Elliott-Cooper, 29, covered his face in mud while holidaying in St Lucia and and even copied Al Jolson's 'jazz hands'

He has become the group's public face , writing for media outlets and appearing on the BBC

He covered his face in mud while holidaying in St Lucia and even copied Al Jolson's 'jazz hands'.

A picture was posted on Facebook and a friend asked him if he 'was trying to be black' and he responded: 'I was actually going for the dark skinned asian look'.

Another ringleader is believed to be a man named Joshua Virasami, who was arrested at the Occupy London camp in St Pauls in 2011 for allegedly assaulting a police officer.

Mr Virasami, who admits to 'being in and out detention, suspension and behavioural monitoring programs' as a teenager, has been part of a number of protest movements including demonstrations against the expansion of Heathrow. He has represented these caused in the media, including on BBC News.

In a vile tweet, he said the massacre of five police officers in Dallas who were patrolling at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas was 'chickens coming home to roost'.

Another ringleader of the group in Maryam Ali, 18, known as Capres Willow

Hip hop artist Joshua Virasami has also worked in bringing the US organisation to the UK

Aside from protesting, Mr Virasami has also released a hip-hop album.

Another major driving force behind the group has been student Capres Willow from Waltham Abbey, Essex, who organised a major protest involving 3,000 people on Oxford Street through the capital.
The murder of a Polish man on a street in Essex is evidence of a rising trend of nationalism and racism across Europe, the European Commission President said today.

Jean-Claude Juncker condemned the shocking rise in hate crime directed towards Polish migrants in the UK since June's Brexit vote as he warned the EU faces a 'battle for survival' against those who want an end to destroy EU's open borders policy.

But the unpopular leader faced a furious backlash for singling out criminal behaviour in Britain.

Outgoing Ukip leader Nigel Farage said Mr Juncker had ignored the 'heinous crimes' being perpetrated by EU migrants who were free to travel to Britain under freedom of movement rules.

And he accused the EU chief of only focussing on one criminal act in the UK but neglecting to mention the '14 recognised terrorist attacks in the space of this year' that have hit European cities.

The EU faces a 'battle for survival' following the shock Brexit vote, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured in the European Parliament in Strasbourg) warned today

Mr Juncker pointed to the hate crime against Polish migrants in the UK as a sign of a rising trend of nationalism across the continent, which he said threatened the very existence of the EU.

He warned there was a danger of other EU member states following Britain out of the exit door as he acknowledged the next 12 months would be critical for the bloc.

Significantly, Mr Juncker referred to the tragic death of Arkadiusz Jozwik, a 40-year-old Polish man who was killed in Essex last month.

Police are treating the attack as a possible hate crime and six teenagers, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested and released on bail.

He said the EU must be robust in its response to the rising evidence of racism in the UK and other European countries, saying: 'The Europeans can never accept  never  Polish workers being harassed, beaten, beaten up or even murdered in the streets of Essex.'

He defended the EU's open borders immigration policy, adding: 'The free movement of workers is as much a common European value as our fight against discrimination and racism.'

Significantly, Mr Juncker referred to the shocking rise in hate crime directed towards Polish migrants in the UK since June's Brexit vote, including the tragic death of Arkadiusz Jozwik (pictured), a 40-year-old Polish man who was killed in a suspected hate crime in Essex last month. He said the EU must be robust in its response to the rising evidence of racism in the UK and other European countries, saying: 'The Europeans can never accept  never  Polish workers being harassed, beaten, beaten up or even murdered in the streets of Essex'

Police are treating the attack as a possible hate crime and six teenagers, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested and released on bail. Police released CCTV footage of witnesses after the incident

Arkadiusz Jozwik 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

However there have been an increasing number of instances suggesting EU member states are angry at the EU's open borders policy.

Just today the Swiss province of Ticino was set to limit foreigners' access to jobs in order to 'protect home grown talent'. The region sees thousands of Italian migrants enter the country every day to earn generous Swiss levels of pay but return to Italy at night for the cheaper living costs.

And yesterday the Luxembourg government demanded Hungary be kicked out of the EU for building a 110-mile long fence to stop migrants crossing the continent.

An enraged Mr Farage said Mr Juncker had made a 'big mistake' to single out an individual crime in Essex.

'What is also happening is we have people who were previously convicted of rape and murder coming into Britain and committing heinous crimes again because of the free movement of people,' he told LBC radio.

'Murder is murder. Whatever the motivations for it are on either side of the argument, murder is murder and I think we're getting a bit hung up on this and frankly what we should be asking ourselves is why have there been 14 terrorist attacks that have taken place over the space of the last year.

'If Brexit has led to any increase in bad language or bad behaviour, it is regrettable but I'm not sure the link is direct.'

An enraged Nigel Farage (pictured today in the Strasbourg parliament, left) said Jean-Claude Juncker (right) had made a 'big mistake' to single out an individual crime in Essex

Responding to Mr Juncker's comments, Mrs May's official spokeswoman said: 'The Prime Minister has herself already expressed concern about hate crime in this country. That's why the Government has set out an action plan.

'As we said last week, the Prime Minister has spoken to the Polish prime minister about some of the incidents we have seen.

'Of course, we need to let the police investigations take their course, but the Prime Minister is absolutely clear about the values that make this country great - we are a tolerant nation and we should continue to be one.'

Mr Juncker admitted the EU was facing a crisis and warned of the existential threat nationalism posed to the future of the EU.

He told European politicians the world was looking to see if the bloc would survive after Brexit.

He said: 'I believe the next 12 months are decisive if we want to reunite our Europe, if we want to overcome the divisions between East and West, which have opened up in recent months.

'If we want to show that  that we can be fast on things that really want  if we want to show to the world that Europe is still a force capable of joint action, we have to get to work.'

Mr Juncker also told Britain there would be no 'a la carte' access to the single market after Brexit and said the UK would have to continue signing up to freedom of movement rules if it wanted to carry on tariff-free trade with EU countries.

Mr Juncker was delivering his key State of the Union speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg this morning ahead of a crucial summit of 27 EU heads of states in Bratislava, Slovakia at the end of the week.

Theresa May will not be attending the key summit due to Britain's vote to leave the bloc but Mr Juncker told reiterated this morning that the European Commission wants the UK to trigger Article 50 - the formal process of leaving the EU - as soon as possible.

Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today) pointed to the murder of a Polish man on the streets in Britain as evidence of what happened when nationalism was allowed to fester in society

Outgoing Ukip leader Nigel Farage (pictured in the European Parliament next to President Jean-Claude Juncker today) said the EU had learnt 'no lessons' from the Brexit vote

He insisted the EU 'respects and regrets' the decision of Britain to leave the EU but insisted the Brexit vote along did not put the EU 'at risk'.

He told Britain: 'There can be no a la carte access to the single market.'

He also called on the UK Government to trigger Article 50 - the formal process for leaving the EU - as soon as possible.

The European Commission announced a Brexit Task Force today to head up negotiations with the UK.

It will be 'composed of the Commission's best and brightest,' Mr Juncker said and will be led by former French Commissioner Michel Barnier, who was dubbed the 'scourge of the City' for the swathes of financial regulation he imposed on London.

'Together, Michel and his team will live up to this new challenge and help us to develop a new partnership with the United Kingdom after it will have left the European Union,' Mr Juncker said.

Speaking in the same session today, European Parliament's top negotiator Guy Verhofstadt told Britain to leave 'as quickly as possible' so the EU could get on with further integration such as creating an EU army.

He repeated his ultimatum that Britain must continue to accept open door immigration if it wants continued access to the single market.

But outgoing Ukip leader Nigel Farage, attending the same session, said his stubborn position would do more harm to German car manufacturers and French wine producers than British firms and urged the European Parliament to rethink its decision to appoint Mr Verhofstadt as its chief Brexit negotiator because he was the 'high priest' of European federalism.

Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured making his key Sate of the Union speech in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today) warned that the EU faced a 'battle for survival' to beat the rising trend of nationalism across the continent

Jean-Claude Juncker was delivering his key State of the Union speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg this morning ahead of a crucial summit of 27 EU heads of states in Bratislava, Slovakia at the end of the week

He branded his appointment a 'declaration of war on any sensible negotiation process'.

'What we really need is to have a sensible, common sense approach and for this Parliament to recognise that its made a mistake and find somebody who actually likes the United Kingdom to lead these talks,' Mr Farage said.

He also hit out at Mr Juncker, saying his plans for a 'European army' and 'more Europe' in the next 12 months showed he had learnt 'no lessons' from Brexit.

Mr Juncker, urging the EU to unite in the wake of June's Brexit vote and prevent the rising trend of nationalism, told MEPs: 'Far too often national interests are brought to the fore. We shouldn't misunderstand this - European integration must not bow to the interests of the nation state. Europe cannot become a colourless melting pot.

'We want to construct. We want a better Europe. Europe is not going down the path of nationalisation, it can never become that type of national area, but there splits out there and often fragmentation exists where we need further effort from the union, and that is leaving room for galloping populism.

'We can't accept that because populism doesn't solve problems. Populism creates problems, and we have to be aware of that and protect ourselves against it.

'We're not the United States of Europe.

'The citizens of Europe cannot be fooled any longer. We have to look them straight in the eyes. People in Europe don't want this petty envy between the various institutions. People expect of Europe that they see clear results, results which should be implemented over time.'

He urged Brussels politicians to 'listen to the citizens more' and said EU officials needed to visit national parliaments to better understand the people they serve.

And he admitted there was too much rivalry and squbbling between EU institutions, telling colleagues they must 'do away with old spats'.

But in his response to Mr Juncker's speech, his biggest critic Mr Farage said: 'It is clear that there are no lessons that are going to be learnt from Brexit.
A young Briton who accused her father of keeping her 'caged' in Saudi Arabia for kissing a boy has ended her bid for freedom - but a judge has refused to accept it.

Amina Al-Jeffery, 21, took pictures of herself in front of metal bars at he academic father's home and accused him of throttling and starving her and keeping her locked in his home without access to a bathroom.

Her plea for freedom made it to the High Court last month where a judge ordered she be delivered back to the UK within six weeks - but the deadline has passed.

Yesterday the High Court heard Amina had written an email saying she wanted 'withdraw my charges and end this case'.

'Caged': Amina Al-Jeffery, 21, took pictures of herself in front of metal bars at he academic father's home and accused him of throttling and starving her

U-turn: Amina, left, wanted the chance back to the UK - six weeks on she has changed her mind - and Mr Justice Holman, right, says a lawyer will go to see her and check it is true

The document read to the court said she and her father Mohammed, 63, had been 'building our trust' and that she wishes to stay in Saudi Arabia to 'work on my relationship with my father and get my life back on track'.

But sitting judge Mr Justice Holman said he could not 'give up' on the 21-year-old from Swansea, and her lawyer is now set to go to Saudi Arabia to check the veracity of the claims.

Mr Justice Holman said he believed that a visit by Miss Al-Jeffery's solicitor Anne-Marie Hutchinson 'is the only way to get to the bottom of this matter'.

Her father, Saudi academic Mohammed Al-Jeffery, disputed her allegations and said he was trying to protect her.

On August 3 Mr Justice Holman said her father had to 'permit and facilitate' his daughter's return to England or Wales by September 11.

She has not returned and a further hearing was held before the judge on Tuesday when he was given an update on the current situation.

He was told that Miss Hutchinson, a partner at London law firm Dawson Cornwell, was prepared to make the trip to Saudi Arabia to talk to Miss Al-Jeffery at a private meeting about her wishes, and to ensure 'as best she can that any decisions taken by Amina are informed'.

Ruling: Miss Al-Jeffery, pictured in a school photo, was born and raised in Swansea until her father took her to the Middle East when she was 16, and was supposed to have returned by Sunday

The judge said Miss Hutchinson was concerned, on the basis of all of the material in her possession, that Miss Al-Jeffery's position appeared to be 'equivocal', and the solicitor 'wishes to make further inquiries'.

The judge said there had been a 'significant development' in the case on September 12 when Miss Hutchinson and other colleagues at her firm 'received an email which comes from what is known to be the email address of Amina'.

He added that it 'does not follow of course that Amina sent the email'. A document was attached described as 'Amina's statement' to be submitted to the court.

Mr Justice Holman said that on the 'face of it' the language of the statement sent from her email was 'clear and unequivocal'.

But the view of her lawyers, taking into account other material, was that her position appeared to them to be 'equivocal'.

The judge added: 'It seems to me in this situation that there is only one efficient, effective and reliable way for all of us, and ultimately myself - this court - to get to the truth of the matter, and that is for Miss Hutchinson to be enabled to have a direct face-to-face meeting with Amina with no-one else present in the room.'

The judge said it would be 'wrong of this court simply to give up on Amina at this stage and bring these proceedings to an end'.

It was hoped that by the time of the next hearing in late October there could be 'clarity in this case'.

He said he was 'immensely grateful' to Miss Hutchinson for her 'personal preparedness' to make the journey to Saudi Arabia.
Paul Hollywood, pictured today outside his home in Wingham, has played down suggestions he will quit Bake Off

Paul Hollywood has played down suggestions he will quit the Great British Bake Off saying the matter is out of his hands and he is 'just a judge'.

The baker, a judge on the show alongside Mary Berry, has so far remained tight-lipped about whether he will stick with the programme when it transfers to Channel 4.

But today the 50-year-old - who has so far been a vocal supporter of the show staying on the BBC - hinted he will continue judging, insisting the decision was not up to him.

He told The Sun's TV Magazine: 'It's not my call. I work for Love Productions. I work for the Bake Off. I'm just a judge.'

Hollywood's comments have mounted pressure on Mary Berry, who was seen today at her Buckinghamshire home for the first time since news of the deal emerged on Monday.

Last night, her husband said Ms Berry was so far not 'signing anything' with Channel 4 and that what her Bake Off colleagues chose to do 'would be a factor' in her final decision.

Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, who front the hit baking show, have already announced they will be standing down from the show when it leaves the BBC.

It means Channel 4 has a battle on its hands to hold onto the show's star judges and maintain the programme's popularity.

In a candid statement about the move, Mel and Sue said they had made 'no secret' of their desire for the show to stay with the BBC where they said it had been 'nurtured'.

The friends added: 'The BBC nurtured the show from its infancy and helped give it its distinctive warmth and charm, growing it from an audience of two million to nearly 15 at its peak.

'We've had the most amazing time on Bake Off, and have loved seeing it rise and rise like a pair of yeasted Latvian baps.

'We're not going with the dough. We wish all the future bakers every success.'

Channel 4 confirmed yesterday that none of the stars had signed a contract but said they would be 'delighted' if the team wanted to join.

Mary Berry, 81 (left and right) is pictured outside her home for the first time since GBBO's move to Channel 4 was announced

But a source for Love Productions added that if they don't, 'we have great creative minds and will come up with something else'.

Although the presenters and experts are contracted to Love Productions, the three-year contract secured by Channel 4 only includes the rights to the show and not to the presenters themselves.

Analysts have questioned why Channel 4 had paid 75million without locking in the four stars, and described the exchange as nothing more than the 'sale of a tent'.

But a Channel 4 source said the broadcaster had gone into discussions with Love Productions with their 'eyes fully open' and were prepared for the presenters to opt out.

The stars' contracts with the production company - rather than the BBC - also means they would be free to move to Channel 4 if they wished.

Since the news was announced on Monday, critics have questioned why the BBC did not offer more to keep what is the ultimate jewel in their crown and attracts more than 10m viewers per week.

The relationship between the BBC and Great British Bake Off broke down when the producers sued the Corporation for copying the show's format with two new programmes, it has been claimed. The show's creators form Love Productions, Richard McKerrow and Anna Beattie (circled) are pictured with Sue Pekins, Mary Berry and Mel Giedroyc at the Baftas

But sources have claimed that the relationship between the BBC and the Great British Bake Off started to break down years ago, before negotiations over the show's contract began.

In 2014, Love Productions allegedly sued the Corporation for copying the show's format with two new programmes.

According to reports, Love Productions accused Hair - an in-house BBC3 production which tried to find the country's best hairdresser - of having a 'staggeringly similar' format to GBBO.

The company - founded by Richard McKerrow and Anna Beattie - employed Jonathan Coad, a TV copyright specialist at law firm Lewis Silkin, to sue the BBC after the show was released in 2014.

The company behind GBBO allegedly launched legal action against the BBC when it accused the Corporation of 'ripping off' the cooking show (pictured) to create two separate series

According to Business Insider, the matter was resolved out of court when the BBC paid Love Productions an undisclosed financial settlement.

But a year later, Love and BBC are said to have become embroiled in a similar wrangle, this time regarding The Big Painting Challenge, a show presented by Richard Bacon and Una Stubbs.

According to the Telegraph, the BBC hired an official mediation service to try to settle the claim, with executives insisting that GBBO was itself based on a similar format to the Corporation's own MasterChef.

Although it was eventually resolved, the secret row apparently led to a 'catastrophic breakdown' in relationship ahead of the GBBO negotiations.

According to reports, Love Productions accused Hair (pictured) - an in-house BBC3 production which tried to find the country's best hairdresser - of having a 'staggeringly similar' format to GBBO

The company then employed Jonathan Coad, a TV copyright specialist at law firm Lewis Silkin, to sue the BBC over the show (pictured)

It is understood that Channel 4 - for whom the founders of Love Productions both previously worked - waded in with a 75million deal once talks between the BBC and the production company broke down.

The BBC and Love Productions declined to comment, but a BBC source said it was 'nonsense' to say that a deal couldn't be done.

'We made a very strong offer, everyone understands why the production company made the choice they made,' they told MailOnline.

The discussions over the continuation of GBBO are said to have taken place for a year, with an eleventh hour meeting taking place on Monday.

It emerged yesterday that the BBC were 10million short of keeping the Great British Bake Off on its screens after producers refused to accept offers below 25m.

The Corporation offered Love Productions around 15m per year - double the current contract - in a bid to retain the much-loved programme.

A year later, Love Productions made the same allegations, regarding The Big Painting Challenge, a show presented by Richard Bacon and Una Stubbs (pictured)

But the company apparently demanded 25m, a deal which the BBC said was a 'considerable distance' from what they could offer.

The BBC issued a thinly-veiled attack on the producers, saying resources were 'not infinite' and the money could not be met.

But Love Productions insisted the move had 'never been about who might write the biggest cheque'.

Insiders said the company even rejected an offer from another, unnamed broadcaster - believed to be ITV.

Paul Hollywood (pictured), 50, and Mary Berry, 81, have so far remained tight-lipped about their future on the show following its move to Channel 4

The BBC issued a thinly-veiled attack on the producers, saying resources were 'not infinite' and the money could not be met

Creators were also said concerned about the future of the GBBO with the BBC, including the constraints on commercial opportunities.

Last year, viewers complained about the prominence give to Smeg fridges in the show, which had been given to Love by the manufacturers in exchange for publicity.

Richard McKerrow - one of the two creators behind the show - said they had found the 'perfect new home for Bake Off'.

'It's a public service, free-to-air broadcaster for whom Love Productions have produced high quality and highly successful programmes for more than a decade, he said.

'It's tremendously exciting to have found a broadcaster who we know will protect and nurture The Great British Bake Off for many years to come.'

Channel 4  which is a publicly-owned and commercially-funded broadcaster  has gone from recording losses of 29million in 2012 and 15million in 2013, to declaring a surplus of 26million for the last year.
An 18-year-old daughter is suing her parents for posting embarrassing photographs of her as a child on Facebook.

The teenager, from the southern Carinthia region of Austria, claims the intimate pictures from her childhood have made her life a misery.

She claims more than 500 images have been posted by her parents on the social media site without her permission since 2009.

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An 18-year-old daughter is suing her parents for posting embarrassing photographs of her as a child on Facebook (file picture)

Lawyer Michael Rami says his client has a good chance of winning in court.

The pictures show such childhood moments as having her nappy changed and undergoing potty training, according to The Local Austria.

She is quoted as saying: 'They knew no shame and no limit - and didnt care whether it was a picture of me sitting on the toilet or lying naked in my cot - every stage was photographed and then made public.

'I'm tired of not being taken seriously by my parents.'

The teenager, from the southern Carinthia region (file picture) of Austria, claims the intimate pictures from her childhood have made her life a misery

Her parents have reportedly refused to delete the pictures, which were shared with their 700 friends on Facebook.

The father is understood to be arguing that since he took the pictures, he has the right to publish them.

A court case is set to take place in November and Rami says his client will win if it can be proven the photos violated her rights to a personal life.

If successful, the parents may end up having to pay compensation to their daughter - as well as her legal costs
A court judge is now deciding whether their case can progress to a trial

A group of 21 children have launched a landmark legal battle against President Obama saying he has failed the younger generation by not doing enough to protect them from the effects of climate change.

The youngsters, who are from across the United States and range in age from eight to 19, have filed the lawsuit against the federal government in the US District Court in Oregon.

In their complaint, the group called 'Our Children's Trust' say that the federal government's inaction has 'violated the youngest generation'.

Some of the children from the group 'Our Children's Trust' on the steps of the courthouse in Eugene, Oregon, where they launched their legal battle against Obama

Environmental activists also took to the courthouse to support the children's suit where they accuse the president of not doing enough to tackle climate change

They added that by not tackling climate change, it has ruined their 'constitutional rights to life, liberty, property and has failed to protect essential trust resources.'

Yesterday, the children along with their attorney Julia Olson were in court in Eugene to present their case.

Among those defending the suit were lawyers from the US Department of Justice and the fossil fuel industry.

Judge Ann Aiken will decide within 60 days if the lawsuit can go to trial.

One of the children to tell her story to the court was 13-year-old Jayden Foytlin from Rayne, Louisiana.

CNN reported that Ms Olson explained how the teenager woke up one morning in her home to find it knee-deep in water, and now has to sleep in the living room as her bedroom has been damaged by flood water.

President Obama has tried to make progress on the issue during his time in office

And after the hearing, the 13-year-old told reporters: 'I don't want to see another family go through what we are experiencing.

'Nobody should have to bury their loved ones simply because the government wants to bury their heads from the truth or because oil companies want to bury themselves in money.'

The court also heard from Sean Duffy, a US Department of Justice attorney, who admitted that climate change is real.

But he added that federal courts are not the forum to hash out solutions adding that it was up to the President and Congress to make a difference on climate change.

President Obama has tried to make progress on the issue during his time in office, but Republicans in Congress have thwarted his plans.

They have mocked him for his focus on the the topic they see as less pressing than the economy or defense.

The President has also has faced criticism from environmental groups for not doing more to limit US oil and gas production.

But former Environmental Protection Agency director Carol Browner said Obama has done what he could on climate both through leadership on the international stage, and by using existing laws to kick-start the clean energy sector and cut emissions from vehicles and power plants.
A cameraman is claiming to have captured a spaceship as he filmed a time-lapse video of the sky in Peru.

The footage of dark object appears among the clouds was uploaded to YouTube by Mexican group Misterio Canal - translated to Mysterious Channel.

A huge outline bearing a striking resemblance to a Star Wars space craft can be seen moving in the sky, but the video was quickly shot down by users saying it was just a cloud.

Poll What do you think this is? UFO Clever editing Dark cloud Proof aliens exist Star Wars space craft Don't know What do you think this is? UFO 343 votes

Clever editing 235 votes

Dark cloud 190 votes

Proof aliens exist 111 votes

Star Wars space craft 45 votes

Don't know 97 votes Now share your opinion





Misterio Canal wrote: 'Shocking, if true would confirm that we are guarded by extraterrestrial intelligence or existing experiments related to this type of technology on our planet.

'A cameraman left his video equipment recording the sky to generate a power timelapse effect.

'The passage of a time to pick up your computer for a previous edition discovered what could be a mother ship that appears out of the clouds.

'Mysterious video that comes from Freedom, Peru.

'Mysterious phenomenon in an area where others had recently been recorded sightings of white objects floating in the sky.'

Not many people were sold, but Luis Antonio Marrega said: 'If this is not just a party without sunlight, it may be something that came from the future to collect something or prevent something from occurring now not to jeopardize the future.'

Misterio Canal describes itself as a group from Mexico who love mystery and collecting videos.

In the groups description, it says: 'We must clarify that not everything we publish what we take for granted and not take so much for false, simply publish what we find interesting, you have the last word and we love the debates, let us open our minds together.'

Nothing to see here: No dark object in the sky as the photographer shoots his footage

Then a huge outline bearing a striking resemblance to a Star Wars space craft can be seen moving in the sky, but the video was quickly shot down by users saying it was just a cloud

The footage of dark object appears among the clouds was uploaded to YouTube by Mexican group Misterio Canal - translated to Mysterious Channel

Not many people were sold, but Luis Antonio Marrega said: 'If this is not just a party without sunlight, it may be something that came from the future to collect something or prevent something from occurring now not to jeopardize the future.'

However, the vast majority of people do not believe it to Star Wars brought to life, suggesting it was either a fake video or just a dark cloud.

Segaheaddy15 wrote: The object is completely mirrored from top to bottom. Weird. I guess whoever created it didn't have enough on the bottom so decided to mirror it before inserting it into this fake footage.'
Terror charges have been laid against imprisoned Islamic State sympathiser Bourhan Hraichie, who allegedly carved an ISIS slogan into a cellmate's forehead.

Hraichie, 19, who is at present held in one of Australia's most secure jails, Goulburn SuperMax, allegedly threatened to behead New South Wales prisons boss Peter Severin.

The teen was on Wednesday charged after allegedly writing a letter threatening to kill Mr Severin, the NSW Corrective Services Commissioner.

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ISIS supporter Bourhan Hraichie, 19, who now faces terror charges after allegedly planning to kill New South Wales' top prison official

NSW Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin

Documents found in his cell allegedly included death threats, The Sydney Morning Herald report.

A letter with beheading plans was intended to be sent out of prison, it was understood.

He faces two terrorism-related offences as well as threatening to kill a person after materials were seized from the southern NSW prison.

His case is set to be heard at Sydney's Central Local Court next month.

Hraichie was moved to Goulburn's SuperMax prison earlier this year after allegedly carving an IS slogan into his cell mate's forehead and pouring boiling water onto the man's face.

The teenager was charged with causing grievous bodily in April after a brutal attack on ex-army reservist Michael O'Keefe.

This image shows the caged yards on the Circle at Goulburn Main prison can be seen in the centre of the photo between the two diagonally aligned prison wings, and house around 30 inmates each in racially segregated yards of Middle Eastern, Aboriginal and Asian inmates, as well as killers and rapists together

The 18-year-old has been accused of using a razor blade to etch 'E4E'  meaning 'eye for an eye' into O'Keefe's forehead. He then allegedly tortured O'Keefe.

Senior prison sources claim the bloody assault went on for more than 20 minutes before Mr O'Keefe was rushed to Port Macquarie hospital.

He had serious burns to his face and injuries to his head and sternum and was placed into an induced coma.

Following the attack, the general manager of the prison, Greg Steele, was stood down.

Hraichie was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and intentionally choking a person.

The teen ISIS supporter was transferred to Goulburn Supermax Jail (pictured) after allegedly assaulting Mr O'Keefe on April 7
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It has been 11 years since people were forced to evacuate and flee in fear as Hurricane Katrina battered New Orleans.

And haunting new pictures have now emerged of what remains of a hospital that was decimated and has been left to rot in the city.

The eerie images show equipment and supplies that were left behind at the Charity Hospital before the hurricane hit in August 2005.

Beds lie abandoned in a ward of the Charity Hospital in New Orleans that has been untouched since Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005

The hospital had to be quickly evacuated as the hurricane approached meaning all of the equipment was left behind in the building

A wheelchair is left to rot in a corridor of the hospital. After the hurricane hit, the area was then subsequently flood with high water

An incubator, where newborn babies would have slept, is left abandoned in a corridor in the empty Charity Hospital in New Orleans

Other shots show the damage the hospital endured during the disaster and the subsequent flooding, which left paint peeling from the walls and offices and consultation rooms ruined.

The snaps were taken by American photographer Jeff Haggerman from Atlanta, Georgia, while on a trip to New Orleans.

He said: 'This is a unique type of abandonment as the hospital had been evacuated due to an emergency, much like the disasters in Ukraine and Japan, where everything just had to be left behind.

'Full of equipment and supplies, the hospital is finally slated for a clean-up. It makes me wonder if and when there will be another place like it here in the US.

Not only was the building and the furniture left to rot, also left behind was medication and equipment, including containers for samples

The haunting pictures from inside the empty hospital in New Orleans were snapped by American photographer Jeff Hagerman

Samples remain inside microscope slides and stored away in a file despite the hospital being abandoned. The only thing retrieved was medical records

'I just don't want these places to be forgotten - especially this place. Charity Hospital (not this building) goes back to the early 1700's. Before long, all that's left will be our pictures.'

And Mr Hagerman added that the pictures show just how quickly the hospital was evacuated.

He explained: 'Most people are blown away by the amount of stuff left there, not realising there's not much you can do with all that stuff when there's a category five hurricane coming your way.

'I'm sure the majority of it is water-damaged, and now after eleven years, everything is out-dated anyway.

Mr Hagerman believes that the pictures show just how quickly the hospital was evacuated as the hurricane approached

Books and other records are left strewn across desks and the floors having been abandoned in the hospital 11 years ago

Hurricane Katrina was the costliest natural disaster in the history of the United States and almost decimated the Charity Hospital

Derelict: The eerie images show equipment and supplies that were left behind at the Charity Hospital (pictured above in 2015) before the hurricane hit in August 2005

'People are also surprised at what was actually left at the place too. There are body parts in jars, microscope slides, medical records  everything.'

Hurricane Katrina was the costliest natural disaster in the history of the United States. The hurricane caused severe damage along the Gulf coast from central Florida to Texas.

New Orleans, nicknamed The Big Easy, was hit the hardest and the city continues its recovery 11 years on.

A consultation room has almost been destroyed and left to ruin inside the abandoned Charity Hospital in New Orleans

Mr Hagerman said: 'This is a unique type of abandonment as the hospital had been evacuated due to an emergency, much like the disasters in Ukraine and Japan'

City officials now have plans to clean out the building in a project expected to cost $10million and take six months to complete

The Charity Hospital was a teaching hospital beforehurricane struck.

Rather than reopen the hospital, its services were carried out at the renovated University Hospital until a new facility opened in August 2015, called the University Medical Center New Orleans.
A 15,000-a-year boarding school have ordered the parents of an eight-year-old boy to 'moderate' their son's blond hair after it was bleached in the sunshine during the school holidays.

Logan Taylor-Johnstone started a new school year at Royal Alexandra & Albert School, in Reigate, last week - but was informed his hair was 'too extreme'.

The school said it was too light after summer and he was sporting a floppy fringe that was hindering his ability to work.

His parents, Joe Johnstone and Joanne Taylor, were sent home a letter from the school telling them to sort out their son's hair.

His father said he was 'flabbergasted' by the school's policy.

He said: 'They said his hair could not be of an 'extreme fashion' or 'extreme colour'. I would consider having a multi-coloured Mohawk or Nazi symbols shaved into his head as being 'extreme''.

Logan Taylor-Johnstone started a new school year at Royal Alexandra & Albert School, in Reigate, last week - but was informed his hair was 'too extreme' - his father Joe Johnston (pictured together, right) said he was 'flabbergasted' by the school's policy

The school said Logan's hair was too light after summer and he was sporting a floppy fringe that was hindering his ability to work

Mr Johnstone, 32, a business intelligence planner, said: 'I'm stunned. I have asked the school several times what is extreme about his hair and they said the length and colour.

'He had the same hairstyle before he broke up for the summer and no-one said anything to me then.

'The only difference is that he's got a longer fringe. I agree it needs a bit of a trim, but it's not getting in his way.

'And I wouldn't have said blond is an extreme colour.

'He spent a lot of time outside over the summer and his hair always goes more blond in the sunshine.'

Logan's parents did admit they had used a product called Sun-In which lightens the effect of sun on blond or medium brown hair and costs 6 a bottle.

Logan pictured (left, before school holidays) and (right, after) - his father said there was little difference and he was not told to 'moderate' his hair then

In the letter sent to Logan's parents, the school said: 'According to our behavioural policy, Logan's hair is on an extreme fashion and we would recommend that his hairstyle is moderated.'

Headmaster Mark Dixon said: 'The policy about pupil appearance has been determined by the school's governing body and details are sent to every parent before a child start at the school.

'The policy states that "hair may not be of an extreme fashion or extremely coloured".

'It is my view that the request made to Mr Johnstone regarding the colour and length of his son's hair is entirely consistent with his policy.'

A spokesman for the school added: 'His hair is bleached and is very dark between the roots and the bleached part is very light.

'He does have a very long fringe making it difficult for him to work at school.'

Responding to that, Mr Johnstone added: 'Until a couple of weeks ago I sported the same hairstyle as him and my hair was perfectly acceptable for work in an office. I only cut it because I got too hot.'

He said he was disappointed by the school's conduct and claimed their approach was impersonal and unprofessional.

He said: 'If they had said "Just to let you know, Logan's hair gets in his way when he's working, could you trim the fringe?'"

'Then I would've said "no problem'''.

The school have since agreed to let Logan's hair colour grow out because he is unable to shave it off as that would also be considered too extreme.

The school has ordered the parents of Logan to 'moderate' their son's blond hair

The Royal Alexandra and Albert is a state boarding school, one of only 35 in the whole of the UK.

Boarding fees are a fraction of those at independent schools because the education is free and parents pay just for food and lodging.

The school takes local day pupils, just like other state schools.

It comes after 60 children pupils were denied entry to Hartsdown Academy in Margate, Kent, last week for infringing uniform rules.

The following day 20 pupils were sent home for the same reasons, leading to accusations of 'draconian' rules.

Pelmet skirts, skin-tight leggings, trainers, hoodies  even shoes embellished with gilt buckles or ornamental stitching  were all outlawed in a wider bid to drive up standards.

Up to five parents have now removed their children from the school roll in protest at the 'Gestapo' uniform guidelines.
A Maine man has pleaded not guilty to killing his neighbor in a brutal machete attack, which police say he then tried to cover up by hiding his victim's body among deer carcasses.

Bruce Akers, 58, appeared in York County Superior Court Tuesday and entered the not guilty plea to a murder charge in connection with the slaying of 55-year-old Douglas Flint in June.

Authorities say the killing may have stemmed from an altercation between the men over a six-pack of beer. Family members of Flint, a widowed father-of-two, reported him missing and told police about his history with Akers.

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Arraigned: Bruce Akers (left), 58, of Limington, Maine, has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the machete killing of his neighbor, 55-year-old Douglas Flint (right)

Grisly crime: Police were called to Akers' property on June 10 and found Flint's body, with his head nearly severed, under a pile of rotting deer carcasses

Search dogs uncovered Flint's body on Akers' three-acre property in Limington underneath a pile of rotting deer carcasses.

Flint had been nearly decapitated, and his body showed extensive trauma to his head and neck.

Bruce Akers called the York County Sheriff's Department on June 9, accusing Douglas Flint of stealing several missing items from his home, including a six-pack of beer.

The following day, both Flint's brother and his daughter, Amanda Flint, called authorities saying the 55-year-old had gone missing, pointing to worrying signs that he had left his phone and cigarettes at home.

Family members told police they were suspicious of Akers, who often entered his neighbor's home without permission, according to an affidavit filed by a Maine State Police detective.

Amanda also said her parents had previously returned home to find Akers bathing in their pool, and she instructed Flint to keep her children away from him because he 'creeped her out'.

Police questioned Akers and asked whether Flint was alive, to which he shook his head 'no' and said he could bring them to Flint's body.

He also said, 'The guy just wouldn't leave me alone,' before telling authorities: 'I actually would have called you guys right away but I wanted a few hours of freedom...and enjoy it. I can't say that I've enjoyed it that much.'

Detectives also noticed he had several scratches on his hand, shins, back, arm and abdomen.

After obtaining a search warrant, police enlisted the help of a cadaver dog and found Flint's body under rotting deer carcasses.

'Out of character': Akers' attorney Paul Aranson (right) said his client, pictured center in court in June, had served in the military and is 'very personable'

A bloody machete was located in Aker's camper home, and an autopsy found Flint died from injuries to the head and neck with 'almost total decapitation', according to the affidavit.

During Akers' arraignment Tuesday, which lasted just over a minute, a judge ordered that he remain jailed without bail.

Following the hearing, Akers' attorney, Paul Aranson, told reporters that violent behavior was out of character for his client.

'He's got relatively no criminal record, and he was in the military,' said Aranson, according to a report by NECN. 'If you met him, he's very personable. So this is a highly unusual circumstance he has found himself in.'

Akers sold four of his seven acres of land after a divorce, the Portland Press Herald reported.

The land was foreclosed, and Flint and his late wife, Dawn, purchased the plot and built a small house in 2014. Flint worked as a carpenter throughout his life and had two children, Doug Jr and Amanda Flint.

Akers and Flint lived on adjacent plots, sharing a dirt driveway.
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of planning to carry out a terror attack in Paris.

The teenager was arrested in the 20th arrondissement of Paris this morning and his home is being searched.

It is understood he had been tasked with carrying out an attack and had been in touch with Rashid Kassim, a French jihadist with links to the brutal double murder of two police officers in Magnanville in June and the slaying of a priest in Saint-Etienne du Rouvray, near Rouen in July.

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of planning to carry out a terror attack in Paris

Police say the boy was not previously known to them, according to The Local, and details of what kind of attack had been planned and where have not yet been made public.

The 15-year-old tried to get hold of a weapon to use in his attack, say BFM TV.

Police will now investigate his link to Kassim and another 15-year-old boy arrested on Sunday on suspicion of plotting a knife attack on Parisians.

It is also claimed he knew at least one of the women arrested last week over a car found abandoned near Notre Dame cathedral in the French capital.

Following the atrocities in November last year, France is still in a state of emergency with the country's police and intelligence services on high alert to foil further plots.
A 19-year-old accused of being the leader of a criminal syndicate which sells stolen luxury cars linked to Apex members spends his money on prostitutes and cocaine, a court has heard.

Mahmoud Taha faced Melbourne's Magistrate court on Wednesday to face charges relating to armed robberies, car jackings and police pursuits, reported Herald Sun.

Mr Taha allegedly paid the criminals up to $5000 for each stolen cars before selling the vehicles and spending the money on his lavish lifestyle.

Mahmoud Taha, 19, is accused of being the leader of a criminal syndicate . Pictured is an Apex gang member

'Taha has no legitimate income yet he leads a particularly lavish lifestyle, which includes dining at expensive inner-city restaurants, employing the services of high-end escorts, staying in luxury hotels and apartments, purchasing expensive designer-brand clothing and using cocaine regularly,' Armed Crime Squad detective Senior Constable Elise Douglas said.

'Taha's offending over the last few months shows that he is completely lawless,' Sen-Const. Douglas told the court.

As well as dealing with stolen vehicles Mr Taha is accused of taking more than $200,000 worth of jewelry stolen by two 17-year-old Apex gang members.

He also allegedly took pat in an armed hold-up of a cash courier who was depositing $230,000 in May.

He has been refused bail.
A little boy has lost all four limbs and has had skin grafting on most of his body after a shock meningococcal diagnosis.

Riley Nixon, one, woke up vomiting with a temperature in May this year, but was taken to the doctor when he 'could barely move a muscle'.

The Adelaide boy soon broke out in a horrific rash head-to-toe and was soon diagnosed with meningococcal B.

His shocking story comes as a Western Australian child died from the rare disease, the Health Department confirmed.

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Riley Nixon, one, has had all four limbs amputated (right) after he broke out in a horrific rash head-to-toe (left) with meningococcal

The family has launched a fundraising appeal to help pay for little Riley's prosthetics and 'gadgets to help him with everyday tasks'

Riley's mother, Amy Wales, said he was 'sedated, put on a breathing tube and pumped full of antibiotics'.

'The first 24-hours were critical and he had a very high chance he wouldn't make it through,' Ms Wales said doctors informed her.

But the one-year-old pushed through.

'Riley surprised everyone with how strong he was and how hard he was going to fight for his life.

'He has won the battle but not without sacrifices.'

Riley has had all four of his limbs amputated, and has had skin grafting on the majority of his body, Ms Wales said.

The 'outgoing boy' had previously 'spent all his time playing outside', but has spent the past four months in hospital.

The 'outgoing boy' had previously 'spent all his time playing outside', but has spent the past four months in hospital

The family has launched a fundraising appeal to help pay for little Riley's prosthetics and 'gadgets to help him with everyday tasks'.

The GoFundMe page, called Rally Round Riley, has raised $25,000 of their $50,000 goal to provide him with the ongoing care and support he needs.

Ms Wales said her son had been given all recommended vaccinations, including for meningococcal  but not for strain B, Nine News reported.

His story comes as a child in Western Australia died from meningococcal.

Close contacts have been given information, and where appropriate, antibiotics and a vaccine to minimise the chance of the organism being passed on to others.

Meningococcal disease is an uncommon, life-threatening illness caused by a bacterial infection of the blood and/or membranes lining the spinal cord and brain, and occasionally other areas such as large joints.

The incidence of meningococcal disease has decreased in WA over the past decade, with fewer than 20 cases reported each year, down from a peak of 86 cases in 2000.

The GoFundMe page, called Rally Round Riley , has raised $25,000 of their $50,000 goal to provide him with the ongoing care and support he needs

'Riley surprised everyone with how strong he was and how hard he was going to fight for his life,' his mother, Amy Wales said (pictured with Riley's father, Chad Nixon)

There were 17 incidents reported in 2015 and this is the 12th case this year, with winter and spring being the most common times of year for the disease.

The Health Department says meningococcal bacteria are carried harmlessly in the back of the nose and throat by about 10 to 20 per cent of the population at any given time, and it is very rare for the bacteria to invade the bloodstream and cause serious infection.

Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, severe muscle and joint pain, neck stiffness and confusion.

In young children unable to complain of symptoms, signs may include blotchy complexion, lethargy and a rash.

A vaccine to protect against the serogroup C type of meningococcal disease is provided free to one-year-old children.
The majority of the 224 Russian passengers and crew on a tourist flight hit by a bomb attack over Egypt died in mid-air from 'severe barotrauma' after the tail of the A321 airbus was blown off.

An explosion in the oversized baggage compartment led to the loss of the plane 11 months ago over the Sinai peninsula, according to an international commission into the crash.

A small bomb was hidden amongst children's pushchairs and cane chairs, bought by tourists as souvenirs, which detonated 22 minutes after take-off blowing the tail off the Kogalymavia aircraft leading to an 'uncontrolled dive'.

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An explosion in the oversized baggage compartment led to the loss of the plane 11 months ago over the Sinai peninsula, according to an international commission into the crash

Most passengers on the flight from Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg 'died in the air from severe barotrauma' - rapidly changing air pressure after decompression. Irina Vitalieve, 37 (right), and her daughter Alisa, 14, were both passengers on the doomed passenger jet

Most passengers on the flight from Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg 'died in the air from severe barotrauma' - rapidly changing air pressure after decompression, reported Moscow newspaper Kommersant.

They suffered an 'horrendous overload', according to the Russian newspaper, citing its own sources on an investigation team which includes experts from Egypt, Russia, France and the US.

An Interfax report said those on board 'sustained grave barotraumas and were exposed to tremendous g-force, and therefore died in midair'.

After the crash, a relative of passengers who had tried to identify his loved ones said 'the majority of the bodies are badly crippled.

'It is impossible to recognise they were human beings'.

While the bomb was not very powerful, its blast immediately tore off the aircraft's tail assembly, sending the plane into an uncontrolled dive. Teenager Maria Ivleva (pictured) was among those who died

Nadezhda Bashakova (left) with her daughter Margarita Simanova (right) were also victims of the crash

Earlier, Russian reports had claimed the bomb causing the country's worst-ever aviation disaster was placed in the passenger cabin, beneath a seat.

However, after a reconstruction of the plane's fragments in a hangar in Cairo, a different conclusion was reached.

'The centre [of the blast] was not behind the [last row of the] seats, as was presumed before, but about two metres lower, on the floor of the so-called aft bulk compartment,' reported Kommersant.

While the bomb was not very powerful, its blast immediately tore off the aircraft's tail assembly, sending the plane into an uncontrolled dive.

It is believed one or more employees at Sharm el-Sheikh airport were 'hired by terrorists' to plant the bomb on 31 October 2015, stated the newspaper.

'The oversized items they were transported toward the aircraft parked on the tarmac by a special loader, in whose operation the terrorists' accomplices were involved.

Nadezhda Bashakova was sitting in sear 30A of the doomed aircraft which crashed down in Sinai

Militant group Sinai Province, affiliated with ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for downing the plane. Alisa Vitalieva, 14, was also among the dead

'These people had to load the cargo through the bulk compartment's door located on the right side of the airliner's aft section, and they apparently brought a small package with a bomb into the plane first.

'It has been determined that the explosion occurred on the floor in the left side of the compartment.

'The device was then blocked by pushchairs and (cane) furniture and so was reliably covered from prying eyes.'

Militant group Sinai Province, affiliated with ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for downing the plane.

ISIS had published last November a picture of the improvised explosive device (IED) they allegedly used to bring down the flight.

Intelligence information from Britain was passed to the Russians indicating that the aircraft was blown up by terrorists.

Egypt maintains that it still lacks evidence as to the cause of the crash.
Chinese SWAT officers who pretended to date each other for years in order to fool their parents have ended up getting married.

26-year-old Yang Liu and 27-year-old Li Jisheng were told by their seniors to pretend to be a couple.

But they later became an official item, recently tying the knot.

Romantic: 26-year-old Yang Liu worked with 27-year-old Li Jisheng and the pair fell in love

Turn of events! They were told to pretend to be romantically linked before they fell in love

The couple from Hebei City, central China's Henan province were instructed by their seniors to pretend to be a couple, reports CCTV News.

However their relationship was kept low profile with many of the team members unaware that they were in a relationship until they got engaged.

For their wedding photos, the pair wore their combat gear to show their profession and the way they met each other.

Beautiful photos: For the wedding photos, the couple decided to pose at their work place

An interesting photoshoot: They said they thought it showed off their authentic lifestyle

They insisted that they were holding fake guns during the photo shoot.

The newly-wed bride told reporters at CCTV News: 'The reason for taking wedding photos in army style comes from the fact that this is how we knew each other and fell in love.

'And I think it showed our authentic lifestyle as members of the SWAT team.'

The photos were taken at the police camp because they live and work there and have so many fond memories of the place.

The newlywed bride is the only female member of the Hebei City SWAT team and is known as a sharp shooter.
In the dock: Sri Lankan-born Sivarajah Suganthan, 31, was jailed for a sex attack - three years after being saved from deportation

An asylum seeker has been jailed for 30 months for a sex attack carried out three years after he was saved from deportation in a campaign led by his local MP.

Sri Lankan-born Sivarajah Suganthan, 31, was allowed to remain in the UK thanks to a 2011 campaign headed by Lib Dem MP for Bristol West Stephen Williams.

After an 800-signature petition was presented to Parliament calling for a halt to the deportation process, Suganthan - nicknamed Siva - moved in with friends in Bristol.

But three years later the father-of-two 'preyed' on a vulnerable 21 year-old who had rejected his advances at a night shelter.

Bristol Crown Court heard that she woke at 3am to find her knickers pulled down and Suganthan forcing a sex act on her.

DNA at the scene of the assault in February 2014 proved it was him and Suganthan, who has a previous conviction for shoplifting, was arrested shortly afterwards.

After initially pleading not guilty, he confessed to the crime on the day of his trial - but still maintains he 'doesn't remember doing it', the court heard.

Two and a half years after the attack, he has been finally jailed by a judge who slammed the 'inexplicable' delay in getting the case to court.

Judge Martin Picton called for a review of the Crown Prosecution Service's handling and said 'lessons should be learned' to ensure it 'never happens again'.

Support: Suganthan meets Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams at Westminster during his campaign to stay in the UK

He told Suganthan - who was supported in court by his English girlfriend - the incident had had a 'devastating' impact on his victim's life.

She still suffers from anxiety and depression and struggles to leave the house.

He said: 'Your victim made quite clear to you earlier in the evening that she was not receptive of your attention and she was not welcoming of any sexual contact'.

He added: 'I fully accept that you have had terrible experiences in your life.

'I fully accept that you have come a long way from the child who came to this country in a damaged condition.

'I fully accept that you have done much to change.

'There is obviously a different side to your character that is much more creditable than your awful actions on this night appear to demonstrate.'

Campaign: Protesters call for Sivarajah Suganthan to stay in the UK outside Newton Hall in Bristol in 2010 - in 2014 he sexually assaulted a woman in a vicious sex attack

The court heard the assaulted happened at The Julian Trust Night Shelter in St Paul's Bristol, where the woman was the only female in the dorm.

Earlier in the night Suganthan touched her on the bottom and asked her if she wanted to share a shower with him but she declined.

Defending, Anjali Gohil said Suganthan had a 'terrible background', and was trafficked from Sri Lanka to India and Africa and arrived on British shores in 1999.

She said: 'He was orphaned at six and was trafficked after that and made to work in slave-like conditions.'

She added he Suganthan has been backed by charities, MP Stephen Williams and even has a girlfriend, Lucy Gilbert, who attended court.

She said: 'In the two long years since this took place, he has turned himself around.'

Suganthan pleaded guilty to sexual assault by penetration and will serve half his sentence.

The Crown Prosecution Service did not apply for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order because the incident was a 'one off', the court heard.

Suganthan, a father of two, came to the UK in 1999 at the age of 14. His initial claim for asylum was refused in 2003, and dismissed a second time in 2004 following an appeal.

In 2011 he was volunteering at the Refugee Welcome Centre in Easton, before he was held at the Dover immigration removal centre for 37 days.

He was released after a successful campaign led by Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams, who lobbied immigration minister Damian Green to grant him asylum.

Mr Williams, former MP for Bristol West, said at the time: 'It was wonderful to meet Siva in person and to see that he was happy and smiling and delighted to be back among friends in Bristol.
Police in west Georgia say they've received several calls about clowns trying to talk to children and are investigating an online threat to abduct children from local schools.

LaGrange police said in a statement that officers will file charges if appropriate.

LaGrange police Lt. Dale Strickland tells WXIA-TV someone started a Facebook page threatening to dress like a clown and drive a white van to five local schools and abduct children.

The Facebook posting threatened to kidnap children from Callaway Elementary, Franklin Forrest Elementary, Callaway Middle School, Troup High School, and Callaway High School.

Clowning around? The LaGrange Police Department said it received several calls Monday night about clowns in vans in wooded areas trying to speak to children (file photo)

The department is now working to obtain warrants that will help them track down who posted the threats.

Although there were no sightings of creepy clowns, the police department was flooded with calls from concerned parents.

The police department posted a message on Facebook: 'This behavior is not cute or funny... if applicable, you may face charges.'

Cops are now working to track down the person who posted those threats.

It all comes after a series of reports of clowns lurking around children in other states.

Authorities have determined some of those cases are unfounded.

In August, an apartment complex in South Carolina sent letters to residents warning them about a clown trying to lure children into the woods.

Officers have warn the pranksters that it is not cute or funny and could face criminal charges Pictured, Troup High School, where one of the the alleged threats have been made

The first week of September, neighbors in Winston-Salem, North Carolina said a creepy clown was offering kids candy if they followed him into the woods.

Police in the town later arrested a man they say filed a false report of a clown sighting.
A strict vegetarian has blasted Morrisons supermarket after she ate a ham pasty sold to her by mistake - and was offered a 10 voucher as compensation.

Helena Veysey, 42, bought a fresh pasty labelled as 'cheese and onion' flavour only to make the 'horrific' discovery that it actually contained meat once she bit into the snack.

The animal activist was left fuming after store bosses first offered her a refund and then a 10 voucher as way of apology.

Ms Veysey, from Cardiff, called on fellow vegetarians to boycott Morrisons after seeing 30 years of vegetarianism 'ruined' on August 17.

Helena Veysey, 42, found ham inside the vegetarian cheese and onion pasty she bought from Morrisons in Cardiff

She bought the pasty with her boyfriend Royston Casanova, 45, at the company's Newport Road branch in the Welsh capital four weeks ago.

Ms Veysey added: 'I bit into the pasty and immediately knew it had meat in it. I was so disgusted I threw up.

'I was horrified. They have ruined 30 years of me being a vegetarian for me.'

Ms Veysey said she took the pasty back to the store where the manager informed her the mistake may have been due to a staff change, which ended in the wrong label being put on the package.

Ms Veysey has branded the 10 voucher she was offered as compensation 'an insult'.

Ms Veysey (right) bought the fresh pasty on offer for 75p (left) while visiting the supermarket with her boyfriend

She posted pictures she had taken of the pasty on social media with the label clearly stating it was a cheese and onion pasty

She said: 'It's nowhere near good enough.

'It was only when I began to cause a fuss on Twitter and people were noticing that Morrisons paid more attention.

'It's as if my 30 years without meat mean nothing. If I didn't eat meat for religious reasons I'm sure they would have been more forthcoming.'

She posted pictures she had taken of the pasty in its packaging on social media, with the label clearly stating it was a cheese and onion pasty.

Ms Veysey claims the store then asked if she still had the food so they could check the barcode.

She added: 'Why would a vegetarian keep something that made them vomit?

Ms Veysey, 42, said she was outraged because she's been a strict vegetarian for more than 30 years

The angry shopper shared one of the responses she got from Morrisons on Twitter which said 'a mistake was made here'

'I took it back to the manager. Why would I keep it? I don't eat or keep dead animals.'

The company later offered Ms Veysey an extra 30 but she said she will not be buying food from the store again.

She said: 'They said that in the future I should only eat packaged food from the store to avoid something like this happening again.

'It's 2016 and vegetarianism is growing - mistakes like this shouldn't be made.

'I strongly suggest fellow vegetarians don't shop there ever again.'

A spokeswoman for Morrisons said: 'We are very aware that for various reasons our customers may wish to avoid certain foods for personal beliefs, and therefore we take the correct labelling of these very seriously indeed.

'We were very sorry to learn that the customer was sold an incorrectly labelled product, and have offered our sincerest apologies.
Mother-of-seven Hoden Aden, 44, who was on her mobile phone when she ran over and killed a toddler in Asda car park, has been spared jail

A driver who ran over and killed a toddler in an Asda car park while she was on her mobile phone has been spared jail.

Mother-of-seven Hoden Aden, 44, was driving near to a zebra crossing at the store in Wembley, north London, when she crashed into two-year-old Fahima Hassan, who was holding her mother's hand.

The court heard how Aden, who was talking on the phone while looking for a parking space, was driving at just 5mph.

But her view was obstructed by a box of tissues on the dashboard and the woman crashed into the little girl without seeing her.

Shockingly, Aden believed she had hit a trolley and continued driving over the girl for some time.

Aden initially denied causing death by careless driving but was found guilty last month following a four-day trial.

Today, she was sentenced to 14 months in jail, suspended for two years, after the court heard she had ill heath and has to care for her sick mother.

As the sentence was delivered, Fahima's mother Narmin Nur, of Kingsbury, north west London, ran out of the courtroom.

Speaking outside court, the 31-year-old - who also referred to her daughter as Yaya - said: 'We are not happy with the sentence. How can this be justice? We are so sad.

'How can someone kill a child and still walk free? I can't believe it. I know no sentence can bring Yaya back, but we thought she might get some prison time.

'As she drove over her I heard my daughter's bones crunching. I know she didn't set out to kill my kid, but she's never said anything to me.'

During the trial, the court was told how Fahima and her mother had just left the store in September 2014 when Aden hit her with her Volkswagen Tiguan at around 8.20pm.

Aden later told police in an interview she thought she had struck a trolley.

The court heard that Aden had been to a job interview earlier that day and was discussing it with a friend when she hit Fahima.

Szilvia Booker, prosecuting, said: 'On the day in question the standard of the defendant's driving fell well short of the standard expected of of a careful and competent driver.

'She was not looking at the road in front of her and there was a box of tissues partially obscuring her view from the windscreen.

Mother-of-seven Hoden Aden, 44, was driving near to a zebra crossing in the car park in Wembley, north London (pictured), when she crashed into two-year-old Fahima Hassan, who was holding her mother's hand

The court heard Aden collided with the girl 'simply because she didn't see her in the roadway'. The Asda car park is pictured above

'She was distracted by looking for a car park space and by a telephone conversation which she was engaging in on a hands free phone.

'This was a particularly tragic place for this to happen as it was an area many vulnerable road users and pedestrians come to do their shopping.'

Ms Booker said Aden collided with the girl 'simply because she didn't see her in the roadway'.

The car continued to drive over her for a period of time because she did not see what she had collided with.

'Because she was going at such a slow speed there was plenty of time to see the pedestrians, but she simply wasn't looking, she was unaware she impacted with the child and was confronted with a hostile crowd at the scene,' she said.

In a victim impact statement read to the court by Ms Booker, Fahima's mother Ms Nur described the last two years as 'hellish'.

'It has taken everything to rebuild my life. I have lost my child, she was ripped from me,' she said.

'Having to kiss a photo because I can no longer kiss or hold her and it has been indescribable.

'The child I gave birth to, raised and protected for two-and-a-half years has been taken.

'I kiss a photo of her every night, but have to lay to face down so as not to remind me of the pain.

'I know I was not responsible but as a mother it's the natural for me to feeI could have done something to protect her.

'It is something no mother should have to go through. My family life has changed and will never be the same again.'

Aden offered a plea of guilty at the start of the trial, claiming she was not on the phone. But that was rejected by the prosecution.

Sally Hobson, in mitigation, told the court Aden suffered depression, anxiety and weight loss after the accident, and that her only other driving offence was going 32mph over Tower Bridge last year.

Judge Freya Newbery decided not to jail Aden because of her remorse and poor health after the accident.

The Judge told her: 'This was a tragic accident.

'It was an ordinary shopping trip, but one with extraordinary consequences for all involved.

'You should have been aware of the pedestrians. Ms Nur has been left devastated and her victim impact statement was heartbreaking.

'Due to the remorse you have expressed and the illness you have suffered, I believe this is a physical expression of your remorse and guilt from this.

'Because of your responsibilities I'm going to suspend the sentence for 24 months.'
A Blade scooter tied to a Maxwell & Williams breadboard are also clues

The suitcase she was found in was reportedly weighed down by green tiles

It took more than two months for police to identify the 57-year-old

The reclusive artist whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase in a river had once received a divorce settlement worth more than $10 million.

Police are now investigating if the large sum of money had any part in the death of Annabelle Chen, 57, whose mutilated, half naked body was found in the suitcase floating in Swan River, Perth.

Ms Chen received the settlement in the early 1990s, Perth Now reported.

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Annabelle Chen, 57, was found mutilated in a suitcase floating on Swan River in Perth on July 2

Divers returned to scour the Swan River in Perth for clues as the investigation into Ms Chen's death continued

The investigation into her death continued this week as divers again scoured the Swan River near Fremantle Traffic Bridge where her body was found by squid fishermen in July.

Police had been unable to identify the body until two months later, on September 5, after her Melbourne-based daughter reported her missing.

The mystery surrounding her death led detectives to flag the case as a top priority.

Earlier, divers recovered green floral tiles used to weigh the suitcase down and a Blade push scooter with a bread board cable tied to it, according toNews.com.au.

The tiles that were found in the suitcase with Ms Chen reportedly match the tiles in her home

A Blade scooter that was cable tied to a Maxwell & Williams breadboard linked to the death

It has been reported the scooter setup was possibly used to transport the suitcase from a vehicle to the river.

The distinct tiles were reported to have 'specifically matched' the same tiles in Ms Chen's bathroom in her Mosman Park, Perth home, according to police.

Ms Chen, who was described as deeply spiritual, had an 'estranged' relationship with her family and often did not see relatives for months at a time.

She moved to Australia from China in 1999 and had lived in the same $1 - $2m home since 2001.

The talented artist came from a wealthy family and Detective Senior Sergeant Tom Mills said she was a 'private, caring, spiritual person'.

Her Melbourne-based daughter last saw her mother on June 30 at her Mosman Park home, two days before her body was found, and reported her missing nearly two months later upon returning to Perth when she couldn't make contact.

It was then that police identified Ms Chen's body, after a two-month, international effort wasn't successful.

The mother was found killed in a SB Polo suitcase near Freemantle Traffic Bridge in Swan River

Ms Chen was wearing this black Disney t-shirt when she was murdered and left in the river
A couple have been conned out of 14,000 in a horrific cyber crime after a fraudster claimed to be a Microsoft worker who could 'help rid porn from their computer'.

Retired Carole Pearson, of Cleckheaton in Kirklees, West Yorkshire, said she handed over 14,000 to the conman after he phoned her claiming he was from Microsoft.

The man, who went by the name of Harry, allegedly told her he could help wipe porn from her computer but only if she transferred him the money.

She ended up giving him 14,100 of her life savings - which she said was 'supposed to be our nest-egg' - before realising she had been conned.

Retired Carole Pearson (pictured above with her husband) handed over 14,000 to the conman after he claimed he was from Microsoft and could help 'rid porn from her computer'

She said: 'Nothing like this has ever happened before to me  it has had a massive impact on us  it is heartbreaking.

'This was my pension money and was supposed to be for our future  but I felt really bad when it happened  it was supposed to be our nest-egg.

'There is now no chance of getting this money back.'

She said she only uses the computer for surfing the internet and a bit of online shopping so was shocked when the caller claimed there was porn on her PC.

The pensioner recalled: 'This man rang me and he said "I'm from Microsoft, if you look at your computer you've got porn on it, we can get rid of it".

'I thought "well I don't want porn on my computer" so I automatically signed into my computer and there was porn on it.

'He said to me "What we can do, you've got security on it, we can get rid of that, we will refund the money and then you can go onto a Microsoft account."'

Mrs Pearson added: 'My head was all over the place and it was a bit worrying.

'He said: "First of all, go down to the Post Office and do a moneygram". It was for about 5,000. I didn't think anything of it so I did the moneygram and the next day it's come out of my bank, and I thought "fair enough".

'But the next morning, the phone rang again and it was him  this Harry - he said this guy that was going to pick up the moneygram had been in a car accident and he said you've got to use a different post office [to drop off the cash].

'So I went [to a different Post Office] and did another moneygram, which was for another 5,000. I never gave it a thought at all.'

The man, who went by the name Harry, told her he could help wipe porn from her computer but only if she transferred him the money - which she did before realising it was a scam

Mrs Pearson said she later realised that she had been swindled  but had no way of tracing or getting back to the 14,000 she handed over.

She reported the incident to West Yorkshire Police, which has now launched a campaign against cyber crime.

Mrs Pearson added that the fraud had had a huge impact on her relationship with her husband.

She said: 'We've argued a lot about it. It was my pension money. I had just retired in September and had just got my retirement through and everything.

It has had a massive impact on us  it is heartbreaking. This was my pension money and was supposed to be for our future  but I felt really bad when it happened  it was supposed to be our nest-egg Carole Pearson

'I would advise people to be careful  especially when giving personal details out. If someone calls you up about an issue like this then say you will call them back, go on their website and use the number listed there.

'I am disappointed in myself that something like this could happen.'

Cyber crime has more than doubled in the last year and can affect anyone with access to a computer, mobile phone or tablet.

Between June 2015 and June this year, cyber crime rose by 119.4 per cent compared to 2014, with more than 5,000 crimes reported.

The majority of these crimes were 'cyber enabled'  personal attacks on social media rather than pure hacking-type offences.

Mark Burns-Williamson, of West Yorkshire Police, said: 'Mrs Pearson has shown great courage in sharing her story and I hope that it will encourage people to think about their own online safety and reduce the chances of this happening to anyone else.

'Victims of cyber crime can be reluctant to report it for a number of reasons but I would always urge anyone who thinks they may have been a victim, or anyone that would like some advice on staying safe online, to contact West Yorkshire Police.'

Cyber crime has more than doubled in the last year with more than 5,000 crimes reported

Detective Chief Inspector Vanessa Smith, who is part of the force's Cyber Crime Unit, added: 'Mrs Pearson's case is tragic but by no means unique. The computer is the new crow bar for criminals and they are hiding behind a computer screen to prey on people.

'Many people think so-called cyber-crime is a victimless crime  they think only large financial institutions or large businesses suffer and when members of the public are caught up in the crime then they get their money back anyway.

'That certainly isn't the case. Mrs Pearson is just a normal member of the public who was going about her daily business and has now lost a lot of money  money she is unlikely to ever see again.

'Mrs Pearson has decided to speak out to warn others about the dangers and help people to guard against becoming a cyber victim.'

She added: 'One of the best ways to protect yourself is to be aware of the risks.

'Mrs Pearson has bravely relived what happened to her  if you are aware of what can happen you are much more likely to take precautions against it.

'If a company calls you or emails you 'out of the blue' then don't respond immediately. Go online and check their website and if you still have concerns then contact them using the details on their website.
EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured today in the Eurpoean Parliamnet in Strasbourg) has dismissed rumours he is an alcoholic, claiming he appears drunk when walking because of injuries sustained in an accident

EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker has dismissed rumours he is an alcoholic, claiming he appears drunk when walking because of injuries sustained in a car accident.

During an interview with a French newspaper to set the record straight, the European Commission president downed four glasses of champagne.

But the 61-year-old former prime minister of Luxembourg said: Youd think Id still be in office if I was having cognac for breakfast?

Mr Juncker said the persistent rumours about him being drunk had even caused problems in his marriage.

He told Liberation: It really makes me sad and it has even led my wife to question if I lie to her, as I do not drink when I'm home.

Mr Juncker, who is also a heavy smoker, said whispers about him having a drinking problem had begun after he staggered at a meeting of EU ministers.

I have a balance problem with my left leg that requires me to grab the rail when on a staircase,

After a lunch I grabbed a Dutch minister by the arm and he said that I was drunk.

This problem goes back to a serious car accident. In 1989, I spent three weeks in a coma, and then six months in a wheelchair.

At EU summits, Mr Juncker has become known for his jovial greetings of leaders that have included kissing their bald spots and slapping Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban across the face and shouting Hi dictator.

Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today) downed four glasses of champagne in an interview with French newspaper Liberation

Orban, I always call dictator, Mr Juncker said. I am like this. As soon as someone breaks the mould they are obviously crazy or an alcoholic.

French journalist Jean Quatremer, who conducted the interview, said Mr Juncker glugged four glasses of champagne during the course of their light lunch.

He recalled how during a previous meeting when Mr Juncker was prime minister of Luxembourg, he had drunk three straight glasses of cognac at the end of a meal where he had enjoyed many glasses of white wine.

Mr Juncker has also been plagued by rumours of ill health since he admitted he was suffering from kidney stones, but yesterday he insisted he is no longer unwell.

In June 2015, I was treated and since then I have been very well, thank you, he said.

He insisted that his only current personal problem is fatigue, adding: Being president of the European Commission is not the same as being prime minister of Luxembourg. I have to work fourteen, fifteen hours a day and that I was not used to, he said.

Mr Juncker dismissed criticism that he does not have as busy a schedule as predecessors. I should publish my appointments, all my phone calls, inform the press of the least of my movements to show that I work? This is ridiculous, he said.

In the wake of the Brexit vote, EU countries including Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Estonia called for his resignation, but Mr Juncker denounced this as a destabilisation campaign.

The EU faces a 'battle for survival' following the shock Brexit vote, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured in the European Parliament in Strasbourg) warned today

He was in Strasbourg today to give his State of the Union address to the European Parliament.

He warned the EU faces a 'battle for survival' following the shock Brexit vote and pointed to the murder of a Polish man on the streets in Britain as evidence of what happened when nationalism was allowed to fester in society.

The unpopular EU leader also told Britain there would be no 'a la carte' access to the single market after Brexit and said the UK would have to continue signing up to freedom of movement rules if it wanted to carry on tariff-free trade with EU countries.

Mr Juncker warned there was a danger of other EU member states following Britain out of the exit door as he acknowledged the next 12 months would be critical for the bloc.

The rise of nationalism across the continent threatened the very existence of the EU, he added.

And he admitted there was too much rivalry and squabbling between EU institutions, telling colleagues they must 'do away with old spats'.

Significantly, Mr Juncker referred to the shocking rise in hate crime directed towards Polish migrants in the UK since June's Brexit vote, including the tragic death of Arkadiusz Jozwik (pictured), a 40-year-old Polish man who was killed in a suspected hate crime in Essex last month. He said the EU must be robust in its response to the rising evidence of racism in the UK and other European countries, saying: 'The Europeans can never accept  never  Polish workers being harassed, beaten, beaten up or even murdered in the streets of Essex'

Significantly, Mr Juncker referred to the shocking rise in hate crime directed towards Polish migrants in the UK since June's Brexit vote, including the tragic death of Arkadiusz Jozwik, a 40-year-old Polish man who was killed in Essex last month.

Police are treating the attack as a possible hate crime and six teenagers, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested and released on bail.

He said the EU must be robust in its response to the rising evidence of racism in the UK and other European countries, saying: 'The Europeans can never accept  never  Polish workers being harassed, beaten, beaten up or even murdered in the streets of Essex.'

He defended the EU's open borders immigration policy, adding: 'The free movement of workers is as much a common European value as our fight against discrimination and racism.'

Warning of the existential threat to the EU - and admitting the EU was facing a 'crisis' - Mr Juncker told European politicians the world was looking to see if the bloc would survive after Brexit

He said: 'I believe the next 12 months are decisive if we want to reunite our Europe, if we want to overcome the divisions between East and West, which have opened up in recent months.

'If we want to show that  that we can be fast on things that really want  if we want to show to the world that Europe is still a force capable of joint action, we have to get to work.'

Police are treating the attack as a possible hate crime and six teenagers, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested and released on bail. Police released CCTV footage of witnesses after the incident

Arkadiusz Jozwik 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

Mr Juncker was delivering his key speech to MEPs this morning ahead of a crucial summit of 27 EU heads of states in Bratislava, Slovakia at the end of the week.

Theresa May will not be attending the key summit due to Britain's vote to leave the bloc but Mr Juncker told reiterated this morning that the European Commission wants the UK to trigger Article 50 - the formal process of leaving the EU - as soon as possible.

He insisted the EU 'respects and regrets' the decision of Britain to leave the EU but insisted the Brexit vote along did not put the EU 'at risk'.

He told Britain: 'There can be no a la carte access to the single market.'

He also called on the UK Government to trigger Article 50 - the formal process for leaving the EU - as soon as possible.

The European Commission announced a Brexit Task Force today to head up negotiations with the UK.

It will be 'composed of the Commission's best and brightest,' Mr Juncker said and will be led by former French Commissioner Michel Barnier, who was dubbed the 'scourge of the City' for the swathes of financial regulation he imposed on London.
But beachgoers were outraged and rushed to 'migrants' defence, telling the man 'don't be a racist p***'

The man shouted 'we don't want migrants here, we voted out! Did you not hear about the Brexit?'

They sent two 'migrants' in a dinghy to land on the beach while another man appeared to abuse them

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This is the moment British beach-goers race to help a pair of 'migrants' who were abused and told to 'go home' by a raging man after their dinghy washed up on Brighton beach.

In the video two men laden with bags struggle to make it to shore from their rubber boat.

As a number of bemused holidaymakers dressed in swimwear watch, a man who had apparently been sunbathing races down to the shore line and begins heckling the men, pushing their dinghy back into the surf and telling them 'we don't want migrants here, we voted out!'

A social experiment on a Brighton beach showed beach-goers racing to help two male 'refugees' as they were abused by a heckler and told to 'go home' because 'we don't want migrants here' (Pictured: The men begin acting out the experiment)

After just a minute a number of beach-goers attempted to defuse the situation and leaped to the defence of the two migrants.

But the two 'migrants' and the angry bystander were actually actors, and the video was produced as a social experiment by serial YouTube pranksters Trollstation.

The video begins with the men in the boat shouting: 'Is this England?'

The angry man replies: 'No, no, no this is Japan mate. Did you not hear about the Brexit? Hey, what are you doing, turn around, Go back, go back! Refugees are not allowed in here!'

'You go back out that way. We voted out! Someone help me out, don't be letting these refugees in.'

'You're not allowed in, your're not coming in. Go back, get out. You're not allowed in England. Foreigners out! They're going to start taking my dole money!'

In the video two men posing as migrants are laden with bags as they struggle to make it to shore in a rubber dinghy

As bemused beach goers dressed in swimwear watch, a man who had apparently been sunbathing races down to the shore line and begins heckling the men, pushing their dinghy and telling them 'we don't want migrants here, we voted out!'

At this point beachgoers begin interrupting him. One said: 'Are you being serious? Leave them alone.'

But the angry man then begins manhandling one of the 'migrants' before pushing him into the water.

But the hero beachgoers are having none of it and begin pushing him before separating him from the two men. One said: 'What are you doing? Leave them alone you heartless p****.'

As the man (centre in blue shorts) shouts at the migrants, several of the other beachgoers (pictured) begin interrupting him

Another said: 'They are human beings!God created them and you.'

One man shouted: 'F*** off man, stop being a f****** racist!'

Eventually the beachgoers who leaped to defend the refugees were told that the incident had been a social experiment.

Racists have been emboldened by the historic vote to leave the EU, Britain's equalities watchdog claimed last month.

A beachgoer (pictured far right) intervenes as the angry man (left) shouts at one of the migrant men (centre)

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission said Britain's reputation for tolerance was facing 'its greatest threat for decades, as those who spread hate use the Leave result to legitimise their views'.

The Government-funded quango said there had been an 'unprecedented spike in the levels of hate crime across England and Wales (which) has been described as a frenzy of hatred'.

The National Police Chiefs' Council reported a 57 per cent rise in reports of race hate crimes in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit vote in June, prompting condemnation from Brexit leaders, such as Boris Johnson.

David Isaac, chairman of the equalities commission, yesterday said Brexit had damaged race relations, saying some people 'were able to legitimise their feelings about race following the referendum result'.

But Tory MP Philip Davies said it was 'offensive' to suggest Brexit supporters were racist, adding: 'Perhaps the Equalities and Human Rights Commission might have considered the idea that what led to a spike in racist incidents was uncontrolled immigration.'
David Cameron has signed up star literary agent Ed Victor to secure him a deal for his memoirs.

But the ex-PM he is already facing warnings he will fail to beat Tony Blair's bank-busting 4.6million advance.

Mr Cameron's public profile in the United States is far lower than his Labour predecessor was making it unlikely he will match Mr Blair's achievement of writing the fastest selling political memoir ever.

David Cameron, seen leaving home this morning, is said to want to secure a 4million advance for his book after signing up agent Ed Victor

Mr Cameron shocked Westminster this week by quitting politics altogether despite promising in the wake of his Brexit-inspired departure from No 10 to stay on as Witney MP

Mr Victor told today's Times he was confident as he entered negotiations with publishers.

He said: 'He's going to write a wonderful memoir and get a great deal but that's all I'm going to say.

'I've been characteristically discreet.'

Mr Blair's memoir, A Journey, smashed publishing records when it was released in 2010.

The blockbuster advance - which Mr Blair gave to charity - was secured on the promise of huge US sales given the former PM's high profile in America in the decade after 9/11.

Mr Cameron is said to want 4million from a publisher nevertheless.

Tony Blair's autobiography A Journey secured a 4.6million advance before smashing sales records for a political memoir

Alastair Campbell, Mr Blair's former spinner, also used Mr Victor when he released his own book and said Mr Cameron was in good hands.

Mr Cameron has signed with agent Ed Victor

Mr Campbell said: 'Ed is a terrific agent not least because he doesn't just care about money but about everything that might impact upon the success and reputation of a book or an author.

'He has become a really good friend, much more than an agent.'

Mr Cameron shocked Westminster this week by quitting politics altogether despite promising in the wake of his Brexit-inspired departure from No 10 to stay on as Witney MP.

The move sparked speculation the former Tory leader was on his way to a lucrative new post and it was reported today he had been approached by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
A police dog tragically died after she was left in a hot patrol car by her handler in western Arkansas.

Madison County Sheriff Phillip Morgan says the dog, named Lina, died Friday.

The sheriff says the dog's handler, Deputy Jonathon Cornelison, was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation that's being conducted by the sheriff's office in Washington County.

Cornelison, who has worked with the sheriff's office since 2007, reported the K-9 officer's death to Sgt. Russell Alberts.

Lina, a police dog (above) died after she was left in a hot patrol car by her handler in western Arkansas

The sheriff says her handler, Deputy Jonathon Cornelison (left and right), was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation

Lina was left in Cornelison's car which was parked outside of his residence.

'I don't know exactly what happened,' Morgan told Arkansas Online.

'It was a bad accident. It wasn't done on purpose.'

The five-year-old dog had been with the sheriff's office for three years after being acquired through donations from businesses and citizens in the area.

Lina, a Belgian Malinos, was used in drug investigations, the sheriff says.

Lina (above), a five-year-old Belgian Malinos, was used in drug investigations, the sheriff says

'We got lots of drugs with her,' he said.

Morgan told the newspaper that he has not spoken with Cornelison since Lina's death.

According to Weather.com, the temperature reached a high of 89 degrees Fahrenheit on September 9.

It's unclear if the dog will be replaced.

Last month, a police dog in Stephens County, Oklahoma, died after being left for 38 hours in a hot car and its handler was charged with animal cruelty.
She smashes into the door and collapses on the floor

This is the painful moment a drunk partygoer headbutts her hotel door in Ayia Napa after stumbling down the hallway at 8am.

The short clip was posted to the Ayia Napa 2017 Twitter account.

It shows the unidentified woman smashing into the door with a loud bang, after returning from the strip after a big night out.

A partygoer stumbles towards her hotel room at 8am in the Cyprus resort Ayia Napa

She falls back before collapsing on the floor, knocked unconscious by the impact.

Another video on the Twitter feed, posted last Sunday, shows a male reveller laughing uncontrollably after inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon.

A woman standing nearby encourages the holidaymaker as he takes in a lungful of what appears to be laughing gas.

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Bang! She headbutts the door in a painful collision captured by her friend on camera

He then starts laughing hysterically, rocking up and down in his chair holding his face.

Young party-lovers flock to the resort in Cyprus to go clubbing into the early hours.

Yet the drunken youths, many of them Brits, have proved a nuisance to locals, who have protested to the authorities to launch a crackdown.

Plans were made in 2015 for local police and tourism bodies to improve the destination's image.

The force of the blow knocks her out cold and she collapses unconscious on the floor

A Holiday Hangover campaign started last year to encourage youths to act responsibly on their trip, and resort reps handed out wristbands with useful emergency contacts and information.

But it seems many party-goers still get up to the same old anti-social antics.
Police fear another appeal which White made in 2009 about a nine-year-old cancer victim was fabricated

Dreamt-up bucket list included wish for 'Andrew to write about his life'

Andrew White, 34, invented a dying nine-year-old girl and pretended to raise money so she could complete her fictional bucket list

A fantasist invented a dying nine-year-old girl and swindled money so she could complete her fictional bucket list - which included a 'wish' for him to go to Disneyland.

Andrew White, 34, fleeced residents and businesses out of hundreds of pounds by claiming his imaginary student Nicole Walker had terminal leukaemia and wanted to make a final trip to the Florida theme park.

As well as creating a fake fundraising page - complete with a bogus family photograph - White came up with 12 'wishes' for the child which he presented to supporters as a 'bucket list'.

Among the list of wishes, 'Nicole' said she wanted to appear on CBBC and that she wanted 'Andrew' to write a book about his life.

Another wish read: 'My dance teacher Andrew gets his dream to be a Disney Prince in the parade at Disneyland Paris.'

White continued the scam by posting fake updates from Nicole's 'mother and father' in which they urged people to help make their little girl's 'dream come true'.

Weeks later, the twisted fraudster even announced Nicole's fictional death on Facebook, telling supporters: 'We are really sorry to have to post that earlier this afternoon Nicole lost her battle with her illness.'

But police began investigating the teacher after suspicions were raised by cancer charity CLIC Sargent, for which White claimed to be raising money.

Incredibly, officers believe another appeal which White made in 2009 about a nine-year-old girl cancer victim called Jenny Howells is also fabricated.

White, of Castle Donington, Leicestershire, has now been spared jail after admitting fraud by false representation.

Mr White fleeced residents and businesses out of hundreds of pounds that he used to go to Disneyland Paris (pictured), which was on his fictional bucket list

The dance teacher was obsessed with Disney and posed here dressed as Prince Charming, with a Frozen calendar in the background

During the hearing, the court was told how White, who ran Bare Feet Dance and Drama in Whitwick, Leicestershire, came up with up the list as a way of pocketing money.

The list claimed Nicole dreamed to be 'gunged and slimed' at the US resort and would also love to visit Disneyland.

It also said that she wanted her 'cheer-leading, gymnastic and dance friends and Andrew my teacher find a new venue so they can carry on with their wonderful dancing and gymnastics'.

Mr White (pictured), 34, claimed his made-up student Nicole Walker had terminal leukaemia and he wanted to make a final trip to Florida

NICOLE'S FICTIONAL BUCKET LIST 1. My mum and dad stay married forever 2. My mum and dad get to one day re-say their wedding vows in the Bahamas 3. My family and friends raise money for children who also have cancer and are less lucky than me 4. My family will always help people less lucky than me Mr White went to the trouble of writing the list in the style of a child, adding things like 'my mum and dad to stay together' 5. My family and friends help to stop cruelty to animals and save animals who are endangered 6. All schools everywhere stop bullying 7. My cheer-leading, gymnastic and dance friends still run the messy game show party to remember my best friend Jenny I was planning with them to raise money for children with cancer 8. My cheer-leading, gymnastic and dance friends and Andrew my teacher find a new venue so they can carry on with their wonderful dancing and gymnastics 9. One day my friends get to dance at Disneyland Paris and get to perform their wonderful Nutcracker show somewhere 10. One day my dance teacher Andrew gets his dream to be a Disney Prince in the parade at Disneyland Paris (he is very kind and he helped my mum and dad and friends while I have been ill) 11. My mum and dad and I would love Andrew to write his book about his life 12. If I could have one dream come true for me it is my friends, my dance teacher and I go on CBBC show and be gunged and be sponsored to do it for children who are ill, or if we are very lucky to go to Florida with our family and go to Disneyland and visit the Nickelodeon Suites and get to be covered in green slime or go on the Norwegian cruise ship with the Nickelodeon shows and be slimed but again still be sponsored to raise money for children with cancer who are less lucky than me. Advertisement

The fake post added: 'If anything happens to me please do not be sad. I want all my friends and family to be happy forever. I love you all, Nicole (age nine).'

As part of the guise, White created an entire family for Nicole, providing regular updates from her mother, Charlotte, on the supposed fundraising page Nicole's Hearts, Stars and Slimes.

On the Facebook site, White, writing as Nicole's mother, said: 'I have shown Nicole all the get well messages I received for her.

'She has asked if I could say to everybody she is sorry she could not write individual thank yous to all of you and she hopes you all do not mind but to say one huge thank you to all of you.'

As well as created a fake fundraising page with a bogus family photograph, White came up with 12 'wishes' for the decoy child which he asked businesses to fund

The court was told how he would regularly contact his local paper with the twisted story to con readers out of their money.

In one article he boasted how his dance class sacrificed their own money - which they had put aside for a trip to Disneyland Paris - so that Nicole's dream could come true.

But the paper became suspicious after they found the family photo of Nicole with Charlotte and father Peter appeared on a professional photographer's website.

Among the list of wishes, 'Nicole' said she wanted to appear on CBBC, her parents to go to the Bahamas and for 'Andrew' to write a book about his life

White also wrote regular updates about Nicole's cancer battle on Facebook, pretending to be from her father.

One post read: 'Nicole was rushed back into hospital during the weekend as she became very unwell but thankfully it looks like it was a bug she picked up but because of the leukaemia it made it a lot worse.'

Another described how the little girl had 'just started her second round of treatment' and that it had been 'really hard'.

It continued: 'It could get worse or it could get better. Her friends are upset as well.'

It then added that Nicole had 'hidden a list under her pillow'.

'She is a bit sneaky like that,' it read. 'It would mean absolutely everything to her and a dream come true.

'Even though she is sick she is still trying to keep everyone happy and is always smiling.

'Charlotte and myself were asked to attend a meeting with the parents and children in Nicole's cheer-leading and gymnastics class.

'They have been trying raise money so they can perform at Disneyland Paris and that night they handed over a cheque with the money they had raised to go to Paris to help Nicole's dream come true of going to Florida.

'We did not really want to accept it but the parents and children insisted so they have delayed their own dream so that Nicole's dream can come true.'

The fraudster (pictured) would also regularly contact his local paper with the twisted story to con readers out of their money

White was handed a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay 85 in costs.

Speaking after the hearing, he apologised for conning cash out of well-wishers by inventing a dying nine-year-old in a fake fundraising scam.

In a statement, he said: 'I am truly sorry to everybody involved and that I have let down my students and parents as I have never done anything like this before and I am very upset and ashamed of what I did, it has caused me lots of sleeplessness nights, worry and regrets since it happened as I have worked with lots of charity's before and helped raise money for them.'

Neighbours described White, who lives with his parents, as 'an odd ball'.

White also wrote regular updates about Nicole's cancer battle on Facebook, pretending to be from her father

One said: 'He's obviously got no moral compass, how can you look at yourself in the mirror knowing you're making money from people who believe its going to help a dying girl?

'He's known as a bit of an odd ball round here.'

A spokeswoman from CLIC Sargent, the charity White claimed to be raising funds for, said: 'Our local fund-raising team identified some concerns and as a result notified the police. We are satisfied with the conclusion of the case.

'CLIC Sargent's vital work to support children and young people with cancer is funded entirely on public donations.

'Any fraudulent fund-raising activity can damage the public's faith in donating to charities.
With just seven weeks to go before Americans head to the polls, many voters might be considering snapping a selfie with their ballot paper.

But they are being warned that depending on what state they vote in, taking a picture in the ballot booth with their voting paper and posting it on social media could be against the law.

The warning comes amid a current appeals court case in New Hampshire after the state ruled in 2014 voters were banned from taking selfies with their ballot papers.

A map showing exactly which states allow voter selfies, where they are banned, and where the laws on ballot selfies is unclear

Opponents of the ban are suing the state saying the law violates their right to free speech.

And now NBC News has drawn up data, which shows exactly where ballot selfies are allowed and where they are banned.

The map shows that out of the 50 states, voters can legally snap a ballot selfie in nine of them.

These states include Maine, Delware, Indiana, North Dakota, Arizona and Utah.

However, 26 states have laws that ban ballot selfies due to camera equipment being prohibited in polling places. These states include California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida.

In a further 15 states, such as Ohio, Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee and Connecticut, the law on ballot selfies is unclear.

Data shows 26 states have laws that ban ballot selfies due to camera equipment being prohibited in polling places. These states include California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida

The data comes as three federal appeals court judges showed skepticism yesterday over the claim New Hampshire's ban on voters taking selfies with their ballots does not violate the right to free speech.

The judges repeatedly asked a New Hampshire official to explain how the law was supposed to prevent a replay of scandals that rocked many US states in the late 19th century, when politicians paid for votes, in cash or alcohol.

The state's attorney general told the court that the growing trend of ballot selfies on social media sites could lead to voters being paid or coerced to change their votes.

But Judge Sandra Lynch said he had no concrete evidence of that.

The data comes as three federal appeals court judges showed skepticism yesterday on how New Hampshire's ban on voters taking selfies with their ballots on election day does not violate the U.S. right to free speech

Meanwhile, fellow Judge Ojetta Rogeriee Thompson noted that Rhode Island legalized the practice last month, reasoning that it helps to excite young voters.

In October 2014, a New Hampshire voter sued after posting a photo of his ballot on which he filled in the name of his dog as a sign of displeasure over his choices in the 2014 Republican primary for the US Senate.

The US District Court in New Hampshire agreed with him, pronouncing the law unconstitutional in August 2015.
New Jersey police on Tuesday are trying to determine how a five-year-old boy came to his school in Trenton with 30 packets of heroin in his lunchbox.

The boy was sent to hospital and examined by doctors on Monday after his teacher discovered that he had been playing with packets of heroin that were initially thought to be candy.

Police told the Times of Trenton that the incident occurred at the International Academy of Trenton Charter School on Bellevue Avenue.

After doctors at Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell conducted tests, they found the boy did not ingest any of the drugs.

The boy, 5, was enrolled at a kindergarten in the International Academy of Trenton Charter School on Bellevue Avenue (seen above)

When contacted by the Trentonian newspaper, police officials declined to say whether the boy was back in his parents custody or whether he had been turned over to child services.

The police also did not say whether the parents were under investigation.

Heroin consumption has been in the news in the United States in recent weeks following an unusually high number of overdoses across the country.

On Friday, it was reported that 24 people suffered heroin overdoses in a single night in Ohio as the state battles a drug epidemic.

Authorities in Akron reported the heroin overdoses on Friday night and it came a day after four people died in the city on Thursday.

The conditions of those who overdosed on Friday are unclear.

That brought the total number of overdose deaths in Akron this year to 112.

Heroin consumption has been in the news in the United States in recent weeks following an unusually high number of overdoses across the country

Addiction to opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, codeine and morphine has reached crisis point in many states in the US.

Across Ohio - which has been among the hardest hit by the opioid scourge - there were 3,000 unintentional drug overdoses last year. This equated to eight every day.

Fentanyl was to blame for nearly 40 per cent of overdose deaths in Ohio last year, state data revealed.

America's Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) said the drug was being used to cut heroin on the streets to stretch dealers' supply.

Last month, 27 people overdosed  one fatally  within a span of five hours in West Virginia.

Rhonda Pasek (left), 50, and 47-year-old James Acord (right), were disgracefully pictured passed out in a car after allegedly overdosing on heroin as a toddler sat in the backseat

Last week, the country was horrified at photographs disseminated by authorities in Ohio showing two parents passed out in the front seats of their car after overdosing on heroin as the womans toddler son sat in the backseat.

50-year-old Rhonda Pasek and her partner, 47-year-old James Acord, are seen in the photos slumped over unconscious even while the keys to the car was in the ignition.

Officials said they decided to publish the photos in an attempt to raise awareness of the heroin epidemic in the state, and also to try and deter people from using drugs while having children in their care.

Acord, who was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, endangering children, and slowing or stopping in a road for this incident, has a laundry-list of offenses dating back to the early 1990s.
The United States will strive to take in 110,000 refugees from around the world in the coming year, a senior Obama administration official said Wednesday, in what would be a nearly 30 per cent increase from the 85,000 allowed in over the previous year.

Whether that goal is met is largely contingent on whether Hillary Clinton is elected president in November. That number is about as large as the population of Billings, Montana or Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The increase reflects continuing concern about the refugee crisis stemming from Syria's civil war and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet it's still far short of what advocacy groups say is needed to address an unprecedented crisis that saw some 1 million people pour into Europe alone last year.

The official wasn't authorized to discuss the numbers before an official announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Obama administration will aim to take in 110,000 refugees in the next year, starting in September 2016. Above, migrants cross the Austrian-German border in November 2015, searching for a more peaceful life away from the civil wars and Islamic extremists in their Middle Eastern homeland

Secretary of State John Kerry had previously suggested that the U.S. target would climb to 100,000 in the coming year, but that the figure was a floor, not a ceiling. He briefed lawmakers on the revised figure on Tuesday.

The 110,000 goal covers a 12-month period that starts next month. In the 12 months ending September 30, the U.S. goal was 85,000, and in the three years before that, the target was 70,000 per year.

The White House has tried to emphasize that the refugee program is safe and doesn't pose a major threat to national security. That concern was heightened last year after terrorist attacks in European cities - including some connected to people who had spent time in Syria.

Syrians make up the largest group of people fleeing their home country, thanks to both a civil war and the incursion of ISIS

Compared to other countries, the U.S.'s pledge to take in 110,000 refugees is just a fraction of the millions of asylum-seekers countries like Turkey, Pakistan, and Lebanon, have been hosting

Officials said that potential refugees would continue to be subject to a rigorous screening process that typically lasts more than a year and involves both in-person interviews and examination of biographical and biometric information.

The announcement comes two weeks after the U.S. announced it had met President Barack Obama's goal of admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees despite early skepticism that it would reach its goal. Millions of Syrians have been displaced by a civil war that has killed roughly half a million people.

Republican governors have pushed back vehemently and tried to refuse to let them into their states, leading to a clash with the administration, which has maintained that states can't legally bar refugees who otherwise meet the criteria.

The administration did not release a breakdown of how many refugees would be accepted from specific countries in the coming year.

The U.S. has tried to encourage other countries, too, to increase their contribution to alleviating the refugee crisis. The official said increasing the U.S. target this year reflected that strategy and Obama's belief that all nations need to do more to help the neediest.

As part of that effort, Obama plans to host a summit on refugee issues with world leaders next week during the U.N. General Assembly gathering in New York.

The refugee crisis has become a major political issue in Europe, where countries have been inundated by migrants after harrowing journeys that have killed scores. Concerns about refugees have played into the broader debate about immigration in Europe and were a major factor in Britain's recent vote to leave the European Union.

The U.N. refugee agency chief, Filippo Grandi, said Tuesday that Europe needed to boost its efforts to take in people from places like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. In an Associated Press interview, he called it 'one of the great challenges' of the future.
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As the first official photo of Theresa May's Cabinet emerged today, it was clear that it's not only fashion that has succumbed to the march of progress since the days of Thatcher.

While Margaret Thatcher was considered an international inspiration as the first female Prime Minister in 1979, everyone else in the black and white photo taken in the Pillared Room is male.

But as they gathered in the same spot yesterday, there were seven female ministers in the Cabinet photo, a sign of the progress made by the Conservative party and politics in general over the last four decades.

Theresa May's Cabinet gathered yesterday in the No 10 Pillared Room for an official photo. Back row (from left): Sir Jeremy Heywood, Cabinet Secretary, Gavin Williamson, chief whip, Jeremy Wright, Attorney General, Sir Patrick McLoughlin, Party Chairman, David Gauke, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and Ben Gummer, Paymaster General. Middle row (from left): Priti Patel, International Development Secretary, Andrea Leadsom, Environment Secretary, David Mundell, Scotland Secretary, Baroness Evans, Leader of the Lords, Sajid Javid, Communities Secretary, Damian Green, Work and Pensions Secretary, Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, David Lidington, Leader of the Commons, Alun Cairns, Welsh Secretary, James Brokenshire, Northern Ireland Secretary, and Karen Bradley, Culture Secretary. Front row (from left): Greg Clark, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary, David Davis, Brexit Secretary, Justine Greening, Education Secretary, Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary, Amber Rudd, Home Secretary, Theresa May, Prime Minister, Philip Hammond, Chancellor, Sir Michael Fallon, Defence Secretary, Liz Truss, Justice Secretary, Liam Fox, International Trade Secretary and Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary

Margaret Thatcher's first Cabinet gathered on the same spot in 1979. The differences are clear as Mrs Thatcher had a smaller top team and every one of her senior ministers were men. Left to right (standing): - Norman Fowler, Transport Minister; John Biffen, Chief Secretary to the Treasury; David Howell, Energy Secretary; Norman St John Stevas, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; Humphrey Atkins, Northern Ireland Secretary; George Younger, Scottish Secretary; Michael Heseltine, Environment Secretary; Nicholas Edwards, Welsh Secretary; Patrick Jenkin, Social Services Secretary; John Nott, Trade Secretary; Mark Carlisle, Education Secretary; Angus Maude, Paymaster General; and Sir John Hunt, Secretary to the Cabinet. Left to right (seated) :- Sir Ian Gilmour, Lord Privy Seal; Lord Soames (1920 - 1987), Lord President of the Council; Sir Keith Joseph, Industry Secretary; Lord Carrington, Foreign Secretary and Overseas Development; William Whitelaw, Home Secretary; Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister; Lord Hailsham, Lord Chancellor; Sir Geoffrey Howe,

Among those to take office under May, who was previously Home Secretary, are high-profile female politicians such as Priti Patel, the International Development Secretary, and Andrea Leadsom, Environment Secretary.

There were a few other obvious changes: The picture is in colour, the suits are slimmer, and the room has obviously been renovated since the 1975 picture, in which the politicians appear under a grand chandelier.

But despite the increased number of women in the Cabinet, it hasn't stopped May been accused of returning to the bad old days of Thatcher in a brutal PMQs, the first since her grammar school plan was announced.

Jeremy Corbyn shocked Westminster today with a PMQs performance sufficient even to convince Labour MPs he won the weekly joust with May.

The embattled Labour leader - who is expected to win a contest to keep his job next week - slammed Mrs May over her controversial plans to bring back grammar schools.

In the unlikely event Mr Corbyn loses the Labour race to Owen Smith today would go down in history as his final appearance at PMQs as the Commons goes into recess for the party conference season tomorrow.

Mr Corbyn warned school reforms desired by the Prime Minister were the sign of a Government 'heading backwards to a failed segregation for the few and second-class schooling for the many'.

Jeremy Corbyn shocked Westminster today with a PMQs performance sufficient even to convince Labour MPs he won the weekly joust with Theresa May

In the unlikely event Mr Corbyn loses the Labour race to Owen Smith today would go down in history as his final appearance at PMQs as the Commons goes into recess for the party conference season tomorrow

Mrs May had sought to play on both her and Mr Corbyn's grammar school backgrounds, although Tory MPs appeared to be less vocal in their support during Prime Minister's Questions when compared to recent weeks due to concerns over the school proposals.

Mrs May swerved questions from Mr Corbyn although insisted she wants them to provide opportunities for a wide range of pupils.

She added to Mr Corbyn: 'There are many examples across the country of different ways in which that's done through selective education.

'But you talk about the good education for every child. That is exactly what our policy is about.

'There are 1.25 million children today who are in schools that are not good or outstanding. There are parents today that fear their children are not getting the good education to enable them to get on in life.

'I believe in the education that is right for every child. It is the Labour Party that has stifled opportunity, stifled ambition in this country.

'It is members of the Labour Party who will take the advantages of a good education for themselves and pull up the ladder behind them for other people.'

Mrs May was flanked by her Cabinet colleagues again today as she faced a tough session of Prime Minister's Questions where Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was seen to put in an unusually strong performance

Mr Corbyn replied: 'It's not about pulling up ladders, it's about providing a ladder for every child.'

A string of Labour MPs who have been fiercely critical of Mr Corbyn's leadership queued up to praise his performace at the Despatch Box.

Jonathan Reynolds claimed the Labour leader was 'thrashing the PM' while Wes Streeting said: 'PM on the ropes today against six evidence-led questions from Corbyn.'

Yvette Cooper said Mrs May was 'struggling to defend' her controversial plans and Lucy Powell - the former shadow education secretary who quit the shadow cabinet over Mr Corbyn's performances - said it was an 'easy win' for the Labour leader.

As Mrs May underwent the grilling in the Commons, an historic photograph of Theresa May's first Cabinet was revealed today, taken on exactly the same spot in No 10 as an image of Margaret Thatcher's top team in 1979.

Britain's most senior ministers were snapped yesterday in the grand surroundings of the Pillared Room as they gathered for their weekly meeting.

Mrs May was surrounded by her colleagues again today as she suffered a rough ride at Prime Minister's Questions as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn took her to task over plans to open new selective grammar schools.

The image - with Mrs May at the centre and flanked by Home Secretary Ambernbew Rudd and Chancellor Philip Hammond - drew comparisons with the similar shot of Margaret Thatcher's first Cabinet in 1979.

Britain's second female Prime Minister has a bigger group around her that also includes seven women - seven more than Mrs Thatcher.
Huge swathes of animal sacrifices marking the Islamic festival Eid al-Adha turned the streets of Bangladesh's capital into rivers of blood.

Authorities in Dhaka had designated areas in the city where residents could slaughter animals, but heavy downpours Tuesday rendered them out of action.

Instead, Muslims took to car parks, garages and alleyways to traditionally mark Eid al-Adha - or the Feast of Sacrifice - by slaughtering livestock and when the blood flowed into the streets, it turned them red.

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Huge swathes of animal sacrifices marking the Islamic festival Eid al-Adha turned the streets of Bangladesh's capital into rivers of blood

People wade past a road turned red after blood from sacrificial animals on Eid al-Adha mixed with water from heavy rainfall in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Authorities in Dhaka had designated areas in the city where residents could slaughter animals, but heavy downpours Tuesday rendered them out of action

Instead, Muslims took to car parks, garages and alleyways to traditionally mark Eid al-Adha - or the Feast of Sacrifice - by slaughtering livestock and when the blood flowed into the streets, it turned them red

Muslims took to car parks, garages and alleyways to traditionally mark Eid al-Adha - or the Feast of Sacrifice - by slaughtering livestock and when the blood flowed into the streets, it turned them red

Flooding is common in Dhaka, an overcrowded city of more than 10 million people, because of poor drainage systems.

Usually a goat, sheep or a cow is killed to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's test of faith at the festival.

The meat of the sacrificed animals is shared among family and friends and poor people who cannot afford to sacrifice animals as a gesture of generosity to promote social harmony.
An elderly woman wearing an oxygen tank to treat a lung disease has been attacked outside a Donald Trump rally in North Carolina.

The 69-year-old woman was punched by a man while she was protesting outside the Republican nominee's campaign stop on Monday night.

Shirley Teter, who wearing a pink top and dark jeans, can be seen sprawled out on the sidewalk as police and protesters helped her, a video published by the Washington Post shows.

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69-year-old Shirley Teter says she was punched in the face by a man outside the rally on Monday

Teter (pictured) said she has protested all her life, and got involved during the Trump event because: 'the situation was sickening (her) heart'

'Some old guy hit her... an old guy punched her,' one of the protesters can be heard saying during a video recorded at the rally.

A huge crowd gathered around the 69-year-old back to her feet.

Teter told WLOS she has protested all her life, and got involved Monday because: 'the situation was sickening (her) heart'.

'Whenever groups of them would start chanting "Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump!" I would chant back, "Dump! Dump! Dump! Dump!" It was kind of comical,' she told the network.

The 69-year-old woman uses an oxygen tank (pictured) to help treat a lung disease she suffers from

Violence has again marred a Donald Trump rally, with one man (pictured, left) having a warrant issued against him for punching a protester

She explained how the man approached her and punched her in the face, before telling the network she wonders if people find her being punched in the face by a Trump supporter 'deplorable'.

WLOS claimed police will arrest Richard Campbell of Edisto Island, South Carolina, for the alleged assault.

The Asheville Police Department said on Tuesday it has also issued a warrant for Thomas Vellanti Jr. after a shocking video of him 'assaulting' against anti-Trump protesters emerged.

'This morning, the Asheville Police Department followed up on the incident and obtained warrants for the suspect, Thomas Vellanti Jr.,' a police department statement on Facebook read.

'The Asheville Police Department worked diligently to protect both those attending the rally and those exercising their right to protest.'

Asheville Police Department also said it has issued the warrant for Thomas Vellanti Jr. (left) after video of him attacking a protester emerged on Monday

The Trump supporter (left) was seen in the video shaking the man by the collar of his shirt, and throwing a punch after a security guard arrived to take the protester away

Vellanti Jr.'s arrest warrant comes after footage of him punching a man in the face and also grabbing his around the neck during Trump's speech.

The Trump supporter was seen in the video shaking the man by the collar of his shirt, and throwing a punch after a security guard arrived to take the protester away.

The guard's back was turned when Vellanti Jr. took his swing at the unidentified protester.

One of the protesters had reportedly lifted his shirt and exposed his chest to the crowd prior to the assault. It appeared as though the group of anti-Trump attendees were involved in a heated discussion with Vellanti Jr.

The video continues to show another male protester and a woman with him being led away by security.

There were protests outside Trump's (pictured) rally, with one elderly woman being punched in the face

As the second man is steered down a flight of stairs, Vellanti Jr. is seen reaching over the back of the guard to grab at the man and push him by the back of his head.

When the woman with the male protester stops walking down the stairs and takes issue with Vellanti Jr, he then appears to slap her in the face.

The video continues for a few more seconds, showing other Trump supporters get in the face of the woman who was slapped as she walks down the stairs.

The men and woman involved in Monday's incident  attacker and victims  were all white.

It comes after a 78-year-old man was charged with assaulting a black protester at another Trump rally in North Carolina in March.

The event was the latest rally held by Trump (pictured) to be marred by protests and violent clashes

In addition to Monday's drama in North Carolina, protesters have also been physically harmed during Pennsylvania and Arizona rallies

The 78-year-old was captured on camera sucker-punching a man as he was being walked out of the event in Fayetteville.

The incident six months ago sparked discussion about Trump's fans and their propensity to lash out against the candidate's detractors  especially those of other races.

Protesters have also been physically harmed during Pennsylvania and Arizona rallies.

At a rally earlier this year Trump told his fans he wished he could have punched a protester in the face, as he claimed would have been accepted 'in the old days'.

'I love the old days, you know what they used to do to guys like that when there were in a place like this?' Trump asked his supporters.
Western intelligence agencies may have been responsible for terror attacks, including 9/11, Egyptian state media has suggested

The September 11 attacks and subsequent atrocities in Europe were not carried out by Islamist terrorists, but by Western intelligence agencies, Egyptian state media has suggested.

An article in the country's government daily newpaper Al-Ahram said the attacks were carried out to justify 'the occupation and devastation of the Middle East by the West and the persecution of Muslims in Europe'.

Columnist Noha Al-Sharnoubi wrote: ' 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?'

And she went on to suggest the attacks could have been carried out to justify the war on terror.

She wrote: '[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 Al-Sharnoubi went as far as suggesting ISIS supporters shown in the group's videos are in fact western actors.

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The article, published in government daily newspaper Al-Ahram, said ISIS operatives in videos could actually be western actors

She wrote: '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?

'Is it not strange that all the ISIS [fighters] were equally tall, had the same white [skin], and wore identical expensive foreign[-made] watches?'

TOO MUCH BULLS***: SOAP OPERA ACTOR POSTS ABOUT 9/11 Adam Thomas tweeted about 9/11, saying there was 'too much bulls***' A British soap actor was branded an 'idiot' after suggesting the truth has yet to come out about 9/11/ Adam Thomas, who stars in long-running drama Emmerdale, took to Twitter to write: 'I hope the truth comes out one day 9/11'. His post coincided with a TV documentary that aired last night called 9/11: Truth Lies and Conspiracies. Thomas later responded to one person, who asked where the plane that crashed into the Pentagon was, stating: 'Too much bulls***'. Last night's programme, screened on British network ITV, examined a number of theories about the terrorist attack, including claims it was caused by explosives in the World Trade Centre. But many were not won over by Thomas' skepticism, with one posting: 'It was a terrorist attack. I dont buy conspiracy theories. Only idiots do.' The soap actor sparked a debate on Twitter with his comments Advertisement




A great-grandfather has been arrested on suspicion of killing his 14-month great grandson by running him over during a visit to the family home.

The pensioner, Robert Dollimore, was also arrested on suspicion of child neglect along with the parents of little Jacob Burden, who was killed just weeks after taking his first steps.

It is believed the child tottered out of the family home in the village of Pitstone, Buckinghamshire, and into the road where he was struck by 71-year-old Mr Dollimore.

Jacob's parents, Catherine Burden, 26, and Ryan Gallagher, 24, remain in police custody. Mr Dollimore has since been released on bail.

Pictured is Jacob Burden, who died yesterday afternoon, with his mother Catherine Burden, 26. She and her partner Ryan Gallagher, 24, have been arrested on suspicion of child neglect

Mr Dollimore, who was arrested at the scene of the tragedy but released on police bail this afternoon, fought back the tears when asked about the tragedy

Superintendent Olly Wright said: 'People in the community may notice officers in the area who are investigating the circumstances of this collision'. Pictured is the family home

A single floral tribute, accompanied by two candles and addressed as 'RIP little one, sleep tight little angel,' was placed outside the family end-of-terrace home.

It remains unclear as to how the toddler was killed by the car as police investigations continue.

Devastated family members took to social media to pay their respects to the boy, who only celebrated his first birthday in June, following his tragic death yesterday afternoon.

Susan Morgan, Jacob's great-grandmother and Mr Gallagher's grandmother, posted: 'No words can describe how our family are feeling at this traumatic time.

'Unbelievable and not sunk in yet, that poor little boy, my great grandson. Heartfelt thoughts to all the family.

'Feeling devastated for Great grandad and great grandma. All the Burden family and Grandma Emma and great granddad and me. Life is a bitch and then you die.

'Don't want to wake up tomorrow and be shocked when I realise it ain't no dream. It was a pure accident.'

A single floral tribute, accompanied by two candles and addressed as 'RIP little one, sleep tight little angel,' was placed outside the family end-of-terrace home

Emily Anne Howlett also posted on Facebook and said: 'I was there right after the incident. I'm pretty sure he didn't suffer. RIP sweet boy.'

Mr Dollimore, who was arrested at the scene of the tragedy but released on police bailed this afternoon, fought back the tears when asked about the tragedy.

He said: 'I was arrested but I haven't been charged. I really can't talk about it.'

Jacob Burden with mother Catherine Burden and father Ryan Gallagher and family

He was questioned by Thames Valley Police and then released on police bail until next January.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police confirmed that a 26-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man were arrested and were being questioned on suspicion of neglect of a child after the collision in Long Hale, Pitstone.

The spokesman said that a 71-year-old man from Cheddington, Buckinghamshire, was also arrested on suspicion of neglect of a child and causing death by careless driving.

Jacob Burden died after the incident outside his home in Pitstone, Buckinghamshire

The force spokesman added: 'Officers attended Long Hale following a report at 3.20pm yesterday that a child had been involved in a collision with a vehicle.

'A one-year-old boy sadly died at the scene.'

Superintendent Olly Wright said: 'People in the community may notice officers in the area who are investigating the circumstances of this collision.

'I recognise incidents of this nature can be upsetting for residents, and I thank people for their patience whilst police officers carry out their inquiries in the village.'

Paramedics arrived on the scene in the street but the toddler was pronounced dead.

A spokesman for the South Central Ambulance Service said: 'We were called at 3.15pm to reports of a road traffic collision involving a vehicle that had hit a little boy.

'A specialist paramedic and ambulance officer were on the scene. However at that point the the boy had died.'
A Muslim Marine says a drunk drill instructor ordered him to get inside an industrial-sized clothes dryer at the South Carolina boot camp and repeatedly asked him if he was a 'terrorist' and 'part of 9/11.'

The Marine, who has not been named, suffered burns to his neck and shoulders in the incident because the instructor turned on the dryer multiple times.

The report said the Marine believed he was targeted for harassment during Marine Week because of his Islamic faith at the Marine training camp in Parris Island, according to ABC News.

The week comes after nine intense weeks of basic training for recruits and just before their graduation ceremony.

An investigation into hazing at the Marines training camp was triggered by the death of Raheel Siddiqui, a young Muslim who killed himself in March after being slapped by one of the instructors involved in the dryer incident.

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The Marine, who has not been named, suffered burns to his neck and shoulders in the incident because the instructor turned on the dryer multiple times. File photo

The unnamed Marine said he was ordered out of bed by two instructors who told him to march into the shower area in 2015.

He claimed he could smell alcohol on their breath and said one of the recruits say one of the instructors carrying a bottle of Fireball whiskey.

The Marine was then ordered to march in place, perform push-up and crunches with the water running, he said.

Because he was soaked, the instructors allegedly told him he needed to dry off before heading back to bed  so he followed their order to get into the large dryer.

One of the instructors allegedly told him that the Marine Corps pays him 'to weed out spies' and he was on a mission to discover the recruit's 'real identity.'

An investigation into hazing at the Marines training camp was triggered by the death of Raheel Siddiqui (above), a young Muslim who told his relatives he wanted to become a Marine to serve his country

The door to the dryer was then closed and opened again after it ran for 30 seconds. Then, the instructor opened the door and asked him 'who was he working for?'

When the Marine replied 'nobody' the door was closed again and the machine was run for another 30 seconds.

Then, he was asked his religion  to which he replied: 'Islam.' After this, the dryer was turn on for what he described as 'the longest duration.'

The Marine said 'his neck and shoulders burned and he began to cry.'

He was asked again if he was Muslim, he said 'yes' and the dryer was on again for another 15 seconds.

Another Marine told investigators that the instructors asked: 'Why are you even here? You're going to kill us the first chance you get aren't you? What are your plans? Are you a terrorist?'

And one of the two instructors involved in that incident last year was the one who 'forcefully slapped' recruit Siddiqui, a young Muslim who told his relatives he wanted to become a Marine to serve his country.

Moments later, the 20-year-old, of Taylor, Michigan, died after falling nearly 40 feet from a third story stairwell in his barracks.

Raheel Siddiqui, 20, from Taylor, Michigan, died in March, just 11 days after beginning his training at South Carolina's Parris Island

The Muslim Marine said that instructor hazed him on other occasions due to his religion  including behind told to yell 'Allahu Akbar' loudly so other recruits would wake up.

Siddiqui's death was ruled a suicide but also triggered a broader Marine investigation into allegations of abuse and mistreatment of recruits at the training camp.

The results of three investigations released last Thursday found trainees - and even some drill instructors - were subjected to repeated verbal and physical abuse at the storied training site.

It also faulted commanders for paying insufficient attention to what was going on.

The Marine Corps is now considering possible punishments and potential courts-martial for up to 20 officers and enlisted leaders.

The three most senior Marines in charge of the recruit's unit have already been fired.

The Marine Corps said immediate steps have been taken to enforce a 'zero-tolerance' approach to hazing, and called for increased oversight of training activities by additional Marine Corps officers.

An attorney for Siddiqui's family, Shiraz Khan said he and the family are reviewing the findings.

'There are too many questions that remain unanswered. We will work with NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) as they move forward with their investigation.'

The report said the investigation found the abuse was confined to Siddiqui's battalion at Parris Island, but the ordered changes to policy will apply to all battalions at Parris Island and the Marine Corps' West Coast training facility in San Diego.

Siddiqui is the fourth person to die at Parris Island since 2005, according to the Marine Corps Times.

In February 2005, 19-year-old recruit Jason Tharp drowned after struggling to pass a combat water survival test. A staff sergeant was later acquitted of negligent homicide.

In 2014, a drill instructor was found dead in base housing while another recruit died in 2009 after finishing his physical fitness test.
Children at a 'cult-like' yoga ashram were separated from their parents, sexually assaulted and threatened with violence if they reported abuse, a royal commission has found.

Satyananda Yoga Ashram was insensitive and defensive in its handling of abuse complaints from the 1970s and '80s against its former spiritual leader, Swami Akhandananda Saraswati, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse found.

Ten women and one man gave evidence they had been sexually abused by Akhandananda as children at the ashram at Mangrove Mountain on the NSW Central Coast.

Children as young as four, including one with brain damage, were physically abused at the ashram by Akhandananda or his former partner, Shishy, fourteen former residents reported.

The Royal Commission investigated responses to allegations of abuse in the 1970s and '80s by former leader Swami Akhandananda Saraswati (pictured)

Pictured: Satyananda Yoga Ashram in Mangrove Mountain on the NSW Central Coast

Physical abuse ranged from slaps to repeated striking with heavy objects, while discipline included hard labour, starvation, and humiliation through public nudity, the commission found.

One victim in 2014 gave evidence she had been held down naked when she was seven-years-old and had the skin between her breasts cut during an initiation ceremony before Akhandananda had sex with her.

The commission released its report into the ashram on Wednesday.

A 'culture of violence and humiliation' prevented children and victims from reporting the abuse, the report said.

Some people were threatened with murder.

Children were separated from families and developed a 'cult-like dependence' on Shishy (centre), 'who clearly played a significant role in their lives in the absence of their parents'

'We also heard considerable evidence of beatings of children,' the report said

Evidence also showed adults were publicly physically abused by Akhandananda, who would beat grown men with a stick or throw them down a well in front of children.

'We also heard considerable evidence of beatings of children,' the report said.

'We are satisfied that the physical abuse that the children experienced or witnessed contributed to a culture of fear of Akhandananda that prevented children from disclosing their sexual abuse.'

The commission heard Shishy was also accused of abuse and had witnessed Akhandananda rape two girls, as well as summoned girls for sex with him.

The commissioners Justice Jennifer Coate and Professor Helen Milroy accepted Shishy was subjected to violence and sexual violence by Akhandananda.

'Shishy said this included Akhandananda putting a gun in her vagina and cutting her vagina with nail scissors,' the report said.

Physical abuse ranged from slaps to repeated striking with heavy objects, while discipline included hard labour, starvation, and humiliation through public nudity, the commission found

Commissioners Justice Jennifer Coate and Professor Helen Milroy during the opening address of the royal commission into Satyananda Yoga Ashram in December, 2014

She also reported she was regularly slapped, cut with a knife and beaten, and instructed not to wear underwear so she was 'easily available' to him.

Shishy left the ashram in 1985, when she was about 25.

Children had been routinely separated from families and developed a 'cult-like dependence' on Shishy, 'who clearly played a significant role in their lives in the absence of their parents.

At the commencement of the public hearing in December 2014, the ashram said in a statement it accepted abuse had occurred.

Six survivors called for $1 million compensation each.

The commission's report described the ashram had invited requests for compensation from some, but not all, survivors who gave evidence.

'This apparent distinction between survivors remained unexplained at the close of the public hearing,' the report said.
Anjan Shrestha, 29, stalked then raped a woman he'd added as a friend on Facebook after he saw a post detailing where she was spending a night partying and followed her.

Shrestha was found guilty of one count of rape in Victoria's County Court on Wednesday over the sexual assault of a woman he followed from a nightclub - at the time called 'Blitz' in Berwick, a suburb in Melbourne's south east, at around 2am in August 2014.

The Nepalese man, who moved to Australia as a student, had not met his victim before the attack, but was a Facebook friend and decided to follow her after she posted a details of the bar she was going out to and a photo of what she was wearing, The Herald Sun reported.

He's been sentenced to six years in prison and is likely to be deported to Nepal afterward.

Anjan Shrestha, 29 (pictured) stalked and raped a woman he'd added as a friend on Facebook

Shrestha waited for his victim outside this nightclub, which was called 'Blitz' at the time of the attack

He waited outside until she left and eventually watched her friends walk ahead when she stopped for food at a kebab shop.

The court heard he positioned his car in the corner of the car park knowing his victim, who can not be named for legal reasons, would have to walk past him to join her friends.

He had turned his headlights off so he would not draw attention to himself and grabbed his victim, forcing her down on to the ground, after she tried to avoid him when he called out her name.

'[You] grabbed her, pushed her to the ground ... mounted her by straddling her, calling her name, saying you had her on Facebook,' Judge Geoff Chettle said.

The woman fought back and managed to push her attacker away momentarily but he was able to subdue her again before digitally penetrating her, according to The Age.

She fled and reported the incident to police, but Shrestha had already constructed a story to tell police and changed his name and profile picture on Facebook to throw her off his trail.

Anjan Shrestha, 29, has been jailed for at least four years after a judge found him guilty of stalking and raping a woman he had only met through Facebook (stock image)

Shrestha, who said he was lurking in the area as he suspected his girlfriend was cheating on him and wanted to spy on her, pleaded not guilty but the court rejected his claims of innocence and condemned his predatory behaviour, The Age reported.

He told the court the victim had approached him as she had recognised him from Facebook and that he had swooped in to help when she fell down, which is when she forced his hands down her underwear, the Age reported.

The former student - who is expecting his first child with his partner - then claimed she inexplicably started to tell him to 'f**k off' and left.

Judge Chettle said the offending was particularly disturbing and had a profound affect on the victim who told the court it had 'shattered' her.

'[You] grabbed her, pushed her to the ground ... mounted her by straddling her, calling her name, saying you had her on Facebook,' Judge Geoff Chettle told the County Court (pictured)

'You stalked, attacked and violated a young woman, you lied repeatedly about what occurred, you repeatedly falsely impugned the conduct of your victim,' he said, according to The Age.

He sentenced Shrestha to six years jail with non-parole period of four years and ordered he be placed on the sex offenders register.

Judge Chettle said the rapist deserved a harsher sentence, but he was unable to impose one under current 'out of touch' sentencing practices, the Herald Sun reported.

'Attacking women the way you did cannot be justified and must attract strong condemnation,' he said.

Shrestha has been living in Australia on a partner visa, which will likely be cancelled resulting in his deportation once his sentence has been served.

Judge Chettle warned the Nepalese man was likely to re-offend after a psychologist found he had a 'sense of sexual entitlement'.

'In my view, it would be in the interests of the community if you were deported,' Judge Chettle said during sentencing.
Appearing on Sean Hannity's show on Fox Tuesday night, he warned that he would trick Clinton with respect 'unless' she treats him a certain way

After Clinton stumbled Sunday, Trump said he looked forward to seeing her at the debates

Donald Trump is planning to treat Hillary Clinton with 'great respect' in the upcoming presidential debate  unless the Democratic nominee really tries to get under his skin.

Told that Clinton would try to 'aggravate' or 'irritate' him in the high-stakes debate during an appearance with host Sean Hannity on Fox News Tuesday, Trump responded with a warning.

'I don't know. Honestly, I don't know what she's going to do. I don't know what her attitude is going to be,' he said.

'I will treat her with great respect unless she treats me, you know, in a certain manner, in which case, that will be the end of that,' Trump said, prompting laughter from his host.

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GREAT RESPECT: Republican Donald Trump is preparing for the first presidential debate with Hillary Clinton, and promises to treat her with 'great respect'

Trump, who surprised some commentators with his words wishing Clinton well after she nearly collapsed at a Sept. 11th event on Sunday: 'I'm certainly starting off with the  you know, the feeling that I'm going to treat her with great respect.'

Trump, whose campaign mostly held back on policy details only to issue a flurry of proposals in recent weeks, added: 'I hope we can talk about policy and talk about certain things. I am not looking to go in and treat her with disrespect.'

Trump repeated his claim that Clinton doesn't have the 'temperament' to serve, and that he would prefer a debate with no moderator at all.

'Well, I don't think she has the temperament, and I've been saying it for a long time. I don't think she's fit to be president, and I certainly don't think she has the temperament. And look, we're going to have debates. We'll see how it goes. I frankly would like to have no anchor or moderator,' he said.

Trump spoke about the upcoming debates on an appearance with Sean Hannity on Fox Tuesday

STUDYING UP: Both Trump and Hillary Clinton are spending time prepping for the high-stakes debates. Clinton will be back on the campaign trail on Thursday after taking off several days following her near collapse

Then he referenced the recent forum on NBC, where host Matt Lauer got panned for failing to challenge Trump when he said he had always opposed the war in Iraq during the recent commander in chief forum on the network.

'I think it's all games. You know, we had a skirmish the other day on NBC, and I thought Matt Lauer did an excellent job, but he was criticized horribly because everyone said and all the polls said even the NBC poll said I won that debate, or whatever you want to call it,' Trump said.

On Monday, after Clinton's near-collapse, Trump referenced the debate as well. 'I just hope she gets well and gets back on the trail and we'll be seeing her at the debate,' he said.

THIS COULD WORK OUT FOR BOTH OF US: The Clinton campaign is now raising money off Matt Lauer's failure to 'fact-check' Trump

Matt Lauer was 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

Then, referencing Clinton backers, said, 'They went after Matt. And that means that whoever is hosting now -- in this case, it's Lester Holt, who I think, hopefully, would be fair, but I think there's so much pressure on him.

And I really believe that it's very unfair what they're doing because they're gaming the ref, so to speak. You know, like Bobby Knight, who's the greatest -- if Bobby Knight would be screaming at the referee all night, and then all of the sudden, in the last play, the referee won't make the bad call against him.'

Clinton turned the event into a fundraising plea. '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,' said the fundraising email immediately following the forum.

Trump has been rolling out new policies that will get an airing in the debates. On Monday in Pennsylvania he spoke about new details in his plan for paid maternity leave. The Clinton camp hit him for not including dads and for not providing a benefit that is generous enough

'Not only did the moderator, Matt Lauer, fail to fact-check Trump  he then kept the conversation moving,' the cash plea continued.

Trump had spent the preceding days questioning whether Lauer would be 'fair' to him. He ultimately ended up lauding Lauer's performance.

In an attack likely to get an airing on the debate stage, Trump went after Clinton for saying half his supporters fit into a 'basket of deplorables'l including racism and sexism. Clinton later tried to walk back the comment.

'It's this attitude of arrogance that explain why Hillary Clinton made 13 phones disappear, including with a hammer, so the FBI couldn't see them and why she bleached her e-mails after a congressional subpoena. That's after the subpoena came. This isn't before. That's after the subpoena came,' Trump said.
A 33-year-old man who raped and strangled a woman as she slept at a friends house lied to police several times, telling officers he was not involved at all and was saddened by her death.

Musa Brandon Ngwira, 33, was sentenced to life in prison in the Cairns Supreme Court last week for killing Jo La Spina, 26, before placing a noose around her neck to try and make it look like a suicide, in Bingil Bay, far north Queensland, in April 2014.

The South African native pleaded not guilty to the charges of rape, murder and interfering with a corpse, but a jury decided otherwise.

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Musa Brandon Ngwira (pictured), 33, who raped and strangled Jo La Spina, 26, in far north Queensland in 2014, lied to police several times, telling officers he was not involved

Ngwira was sentenced to life in prison in the Cairns Supreme Court last week for murdering Ms La Spina (pictured)

Both Ms La Spina and Ngwira had spent the night at a friend's house (inset) after a night out

Police interviewed Ngwira the day after Ms La Spinas body was discovered at her friends home but he denied being involved.

The recording of the interview, which was seen on Wednesdays episode of A Current Affair, shows Ngwira calmly lying repeatedly as officers pushed him about his involvement.

I have not basically played any part at all, he told police.

I dont know anything about this. It saddens me that something like that would happen to her, he continued.

As the lengthy interview ended, officers asked Ngwira if he was telling them the truth  to which he replied everything has been the truth.

A police interview with Ngwira recorded the day after Ms La Spinas body was discovered shows Ngwira calmly lying repeatedly as officers pushed him about his involvement (pictured)

I have not basically played any part at all, Ngwira told police of Ms La Spina's (pictured) death

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, with the water still running.

Ngwira was working as a tour guide in Mission Beach and Ms La Spina was working as a photographer for a local white water rafting company at the time.

The night before the incident, the pair had been partying with friends at a local hostel before heading to a beach to continue the shindig.

Friends reportedly said Ms La Spina rejected Ngwira's advances and told party-goers she found him 'creepy,' according to ACA.

Later that night Ms La Spina asked to stay at her friend Warrick Daniel's home for the night.

Ngwira also asked to stay at Mr Daniel's home, sleeping on the couch downstairs while Ms La Spina slept in an empty room upstairs.

Mr Daniel's left for work early on Saturday morning and is believed to have spoken with Ngwire as he headed out the door.

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 last week

The court heard Ngwira (pictured) tried to make it appear as if Ms La Spina had taken her own life

Only 20 minutes after Mr Daniel left, a neighbour told police he heard a woman screaming loudly and a man yell out that everything was fine, according to ACA.

During his trial, the court heard Ngwira made the scene appear as if Ms La Spina had taken her own life after killing her and placed her in the bathtub with a noose around her neck and a note near her body.

Ngwira said got into a fight with La Spina during a sexual encounter gone wrong and that 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.

Ms La Spina's (left) 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, 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.
Officer Tim Brackeen, of Shelby police, was shot while serving outstanding arrest warrants to a suspect who failed to show up to court in August

A wounded fugitive wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a police officer in North Carolina was captured in Rhode Island early Wednesday morning 'in pretty bad shape,' state police said.

Police surrounded a Coventry, Rhode Island, home where Irving Fenner, 23, surrendered peacefully around 2:30 a.m., Major Joseph Philbin said.

Fenner was taken to a hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound that authorities say apparently happened in North Carolina.

'It took a while for him to come out, and when he did he was in pretty bad shape,' Philbin said. 'He was holding his left side.'

Philbin did not know Fenner's condition.

Fenner is accused of shooting 38-year-old Officer Tim Brackeen of the Shelby Police Department in the North Carolina city on Saturday.

Brackeen confronted Fenner about two outstanding arrests warrants, one for carrying a concealed weapon and the other for marijuana possession.

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Police arrested Irving Lucien Fenner, 23, (pictured) on charges of attempted murder in connection with the officer's shooting

The two struggled outside the suspect's house  and Brackeen, who was wearing his bulletproof vest, was shot in the chest. The officer was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte but died on Monday.

The Rhode Island State Police tactical team had raided a home in South Providence just before 9 p.m. Tuesday in hopes of finding Fenner, but he was not there.

Police did, however, arrest Fenner's half-sister on a charge of harboring a fugitive. She also is wanted on a warrant out of North Carolina, Philbin said.

Two occupants of the Coventry apartment where Fenner was found also were arrested on harboring charges. Their names were not immediately released, but Philbin described them as Fenner's friends.

Fenner will be arraigned on a fugitive from justice charge in the hospital when he is well enough, Philbin said, although the timing is uncertain.

Brackeen, 38, was a 12-year department veteran assigned to Shelby police's K9 unit with partner Ciko (pictured)

The officer was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte about 12:20am on Saturday, but succumbed to his injuries two days later

After the shooting on Saturday, the officer's mother, Phyllis Brackeen, wrote on Facebook that 'the doctor said his brain shows no activity.'

'If he pulls thru this, it will only be because God steps in and does the impossible,' she wrote. 'But God can. This is a deep valley for us, but even in the valley, God is good.'

The officer succumbed to his injuries Monday morning at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Fenner was charged with attempted murder in connection with Brackeen's shooting.

Brackeen, 38, was a 12-year department veteran currently assigned to Shelby police's K9 unit.

He is remembered in Shelby, some 45 miles west of Charlotte, for community classes and demonstrations alongside canine partner Ciko, the Shelby Star reported.

Brackeen is remembered in Shelby, some 45 miles west of Charlotte, for community classes and demonstrations alongside canine partner Ciko

A $10,000 reward was put up for the capture of Irving Lucien Fenner, 23, (pictured)

'He was such an outstanding person and loved by everybody,' said Mayor Stan Anthony, who presented Brackeen with an award for officer of the year in 2012, to the Shelby Star.

'He was one of these guys who everybody admired and respected,' the mayor continued. 'This is such a huge loss to community. We're all heart-broken for the family, and I know the community will rally around them and show them love.

'We're all going to miss him.'

The officer leaves behind wife Mikel, 39, and daughter Daphne.
Bombing Libya was not in Britain's national interest, defence and security chiefs said today. It is a further dent on David Cameron's legacy in Libya, where violence has ravaged since the removal of dictator Colonel Gaddafi (pictured) in 2011

Bombing Libya was not in Britain's national interest, defence and security chiefs said today in a further dent on David Cameron's foreign policy legacy as Prime Minister.

Lord Richards, the former chief of the defence staff, said he and MI6 chief John Sawers raised doubts over the Government's plans to intervene in Libya in 2011.

He criticised Mr Cameron for failing to conduct a 'rigorous analysis' of the situation in the National Security Council.

He spoke as a damning report by MPs warned that Mr Cameron's 'ill-conceived' military campaign in Libya had fuelled the migrant crisis and spurred the growth of ISIS.

In a devastating verdict, the Commons foreign affairs committee savaged the former prime minister's judgment in rushing to war in 2011, saying the intervention was based on 'erroneous assumptions'.

The cross-party committee accused Mr Cameron of ignoring military chiefs and a lack of reliable intelligence to pursue an 'opportunistic policy of regime change' in Libya.

And it says he gave little thought to how Libya would fare following the removal of dictator Colonel Gaddafi, setting the scene for the country's descent into chaos.

Lord Richards confirmed Mr Cameron had ignored advice. Asked if he believed the air-strikes were in Britain's national interest, he told the BBC: 'Whether it was in our vital national interest to intervene, I think is a matter for debate.

Former chief of the defence staff Lord Richards (pictured left in 2006) said he and MI6 chief John Sawers raised doubts over the Government's plans to intervene in Libya in 2011 and criticised David Cameron (pictured outside his west London home this morning, right) for failing to conduct a 'rigorous analysis' of the situation in the National Security Council

'I always was doubtful, and one or two of my colleagues, John Sawers, also shared that doubt - the head of SIS.

He added: 'The issue isn't the military campaign, it's what we failed to do after that, and during, in terms of setting up for the peace. The issue is - was there a strong case for regime change?'

Then head of MI6, John Sawers (pictured), had also warned Mr Cameron against the disastrous military adventure which has plunged Libya into chaos

The report by the influential foreign affairs committee claimed the bungled military action in Libya paved the way for a major new terror training base for ISIS fanatics.

'Various tribes, independent militias and ISIL took advantage of the absence of central government to seize control of portions of Libyan territory,' the report states.

'ISIL has used its presence in Libya to train terrorists.'

The committee said Mr Cameron's Libyan adventure 'was not informed by accurate intelligence', with ministers underestimating the threat that the country could become an Islamist stronghold.

It concludes: 'By the summer of 2011, the limited intervention to protect civilians had drifted into an opportunist policy of regime change. That policy was not underpinned by a strategy to support and shape post-Gaddafi Libya.

'The result was political and economic collapse, inter-militia and inter-tribal warfare, humanitarian and migrant crises, widespread human rights violations, the spread of Gaddafi regime weapons across the region and the growth of Islamic State in North Africa.

Mr Cameron poses with Libyan rebels upon his arrival at Benghazi Airport in 2011

'Through his decision making in the National Security Council, former prime minister David Cameron was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy.'

But Alistair Burt, who was minister responsible for the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, told the BBC: 'I think it's a very harsh judgment on David Cameron. If you want to look at a situation where a dictator stays in place, and is able to remain in place and conduct war against his people, you can look at Syria.'

Today's report said Mr Cameron's failings in Libya means Britain now has a 'particular responsibility' to assist the war-ravaged country and help deal with the flood of migrants heading from its shores to Europe.

But it insisted ministers should not deploy troops to the country until it becomes more stable, warning they would become 'an accessible Western target' for IS and other militants.

The committee's Tory chairman Crispin Blunt said last night: 'The UK's actions in Libya were part of an ill-conceived intervention, the results of which are still playing out today.'

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy (left), Mustafa Abdel Jalil (centre) and Mr Cameron (right) join hands in Benghazi in September 2011

A rebel fighter is pictured looking at a burning vehicle belonging forces loyal to Gaddafi, after an air strike by coalition forces in 2011

The report claimed that the military intervention in Libya spurred the growth of ISIS, pictured is a still from one of the chilling execution videos

An international coalition led by Britain and France launched strikes against Gaddafi's forces in March 2011 after the regime threatened to attack the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Mr Cameron claimed the intervention was necessary to prevent a massacre of civilians, but the new report says that, despite appalling human rights abuses over 40 years, Gaddafi had no record of large-scale attacks on Libyan civilians.

Today's report also criticises Mr Cameron for ordering military action despite the reservations of the then Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Richards.

MPs are scathing about the lack of post-war planning. The report cites unpublished research by the House of Commons Library showing Britain spent 320million bombing Libya, but just 25million on reconstruction.
Melania Trump has never broken U.S. immigration law and entered the country legally, according a letter she released Wednesday morning from an immigration lawyer.

Allegations that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's wife worked illegally as a model in 1995 are false, attorney Michael Wilde wrote.

'It has been suggested by various media outlets that in 1995 Mrs. Trump illegally worked as a model in the United States while on a visitor visa,' his letter recalls.

'Following a review of her relevant immigration paperwork, I can unequivocally state that these allegations are not supported by the record, and are therefore completely without merit.'

Melania Trump released a letter from her immigration lawyer on Wednesday describing her immigration history and concluding that she has never been in the United States illegally or worked outside the limits of her travel visas

Mrs. Trump spoke at the Republican National Convention in July, weeks before reports began to swirl questioning her immigration history

'Mrs. Trump never worked in the United States in 1995 because she was never in the United States in 1995,' he wrote.

Mrs. Trump released the letter on Twitter to dispute news reports that speculated she had worked as a model 1995 without legal authorization

Mrs. Trump tweeted images of the letter Wednesday morning along with a message reading: 'I am pleased to enclose a letter from my immigration attorney which states that, with 100% certainty, I correctly went through the legal process when arriving in the USA.'

The potential future U.S. first lady attracted unwanted attention this summer when the New York Post published nude pictures of her.

The newspaper wrote that the racy images came from 'a two-day photo shoot in Manhattan in 1995, when Melania Knauss, as she was called, was 25 years old and modeling under the name "Melania K".'

But Wilde concluded that 'such reports are not supported by the facts.'

'Because Mrs. Trump did not enter the United States until August 27, 1996, the allegation that she participated in a photo shoot in 1995 is not only untrue, it is impossible. In reality, through an interview with Mrs. Trump, we ascertained that the photo shoot in question did not occur until after she was admitted to the United States in H-1B visa status in October 1996.'

Like the letter Donald Trump released in December 2015 from his personal physician, Wednesday's immigration letter did not come with supporting documents.

But it does include a detailed history of her contacts with America's immigration system.

Melania, then named Melania Knauss, was a successful model in Europe and New York before she married Donald Trump

She first entered the United States was on August 27, 1996, Wilde wrote, 'pursuant to a B-1/B-2 visitor visa.'

'Shortly thereafter, on October 18, 1996, the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia issued Mrs. Trump her first H-1B visa, a category which authorizes employment as a model in the United States.

'Mrs. Trump was thereafter consistently issued H-1B visas, five in total, between October 1996 and 2001, at which point she became a lawful permanent resident, or "green card" holder.'

Wilde added that she 'did not receive her green card through marriage.'

'Rather, in 2000, Mrs. Trump self-sponsored herself for a green card as a model of "extraordinary ability," and on March 19, 2001, she was admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident.'

'Based on this timeline, Mrs. Trump became eligible for citizenship in 2006, after five years of continuous permanent residence,' he said.

During an August 9 campaign rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Trump said he and his wife would host a press conference to walk reporters through her immigration history.

'They said my wife Melania might have come in illegally. Can you believe that one?' he asked a crowd of thousands.

'Let me tell you one thing: She has got it so documented, so she's going to have a little news conference over the next couple of weeks.'

It's not clear whether that press conference will still happen.

The letter from Wilde supports a message Melania tweeted on August 4

'In recent days there has been a lot of inaccurate reporting and misinformation concerning my immigration status back in 1996,' the Slovenian-born model wrote then.
Carey has a sickening criminal history dating back to the early 1960s

Carey explained he was reading and doing his internet internet banking

He breached his restraining order on 58 occasions by attending a library

A notorious paedophile was spared jail despite breaching his restraining order by entering a library visited by children on 58 occasions.

Philip Carey , 86, received a three-month suspended jail term on Wednesday after admitting he frequented Len Beadell Library in Adelaide between April and August last year as well as Playford Library in Elizabeth, north of Adelaide.

Carey, who has a sickening criminal history dating back to the early 1960s, has previously referred to his victims as 'pieces of meat,' reported The Advertiser.

Paedophile Philip Carey , 86, breached his restraining order by attending a library frequented by children on 58 occasions

Carey said he frequented the library to read newspapers and books as well as do his internet banking, a court heard.

He pleaded 'unintentionally guilty' with his lawyer explaining Carey was 'bordering on dementia'.

Carey was convicted and his restraining order was once again imposed with a restriction of being closer than 50 metres to Len Beadell Library.

'This offending has occurred against a background of very serious offending involving the risk of harm or actual harm to children,' Magistrate Terry Forrest said.

'With your history you should have been much, much more careful that you did not breach your restraining order.'

In 2007 Carey breached his restraining order 27 time and was jailed in 2014 for downloading pornographic material of young boys.

The magistrate imposed a a three-month suspended jail term on Wednesday
The US gave billions to Afghan warlords and criminals in a system filled with corruption during efforts to rebuild the country after the war.

A federal watchdog has slammed the government for lining the pockets of crooked power-brokers, some with ties to the drug trade and Taliban, with taxpayer dollars.

They did this by injecting huge amounts of cash into Afghanistan's economy - while being too slow to realize where the funds were actually going.

It meant the money was either wasted, or fed into the hands of individuals who were in charge of a system filled with endemic corruption.

Multi-million dollar villas were built for the corrupt individuals with the funds, while programs meant to help rebuild the country were severely undermined.

A report has found the US gave billions to Afghan warlords and criminals in a system filled with corruption during efforts to rebuild the country after the war. Here is one of the multi-million dollar villas constructed by the Department of Defense's Task Force in Afghanistan

Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko said on Wednesday: 'Considering that more than 2,300 Americans have died in Afghanistan and that Congress has appropriated nearly $115 billion for Afghanistan reconstruction - a number that does not include [the estimated $680 billion] spent on U.S. military operations there - it would be an absolute dereliction of duty not to try to extract lessons from 15 years of struggle.'

His harsh words came in conjunction with a report that said widespread corruption in Afghanistan undermined efforts to redevelop infrastructure that was decimated

The report, published by SIGAR, said corruption fueled grievances against the Afghan government and channeled material support to the insurgency.

The United States, meanwhile, contributed to the growth of corruption by being too slow to recognize the magnitude of the problem as it injected tens of billions of dollars into the Afghan economy'.

While corrupt power-brokers reaped in the rewards, programs such as the construction of this police academy were undermined

FIVE KEY FINDINGS FROM DAMNING REPORT Corruption undermined the U.S. mission in Afghanistan by fueling grievances against the Afghan government and channeling material support to the insurgency. The United States contributed to the growth of corruption by injecting tens of billions of dollars into the Afghan economy, using flawed oversight and contracting practices, and partnering with malign powerbrokers. The U.S. government was slow to recognize the magnitude of the problem, the role of corrupt patronage networks, the ways in which corruption threatened core U.S. goals, and that certain U.S. policies and practices exacerbated the problem. Even when the United States acknowledged corruption as a strategic threat, security and political goals consistently trumped strong anticorruption actions. Where the United States sought to combat corruption, its efforts saw only limited success in the absence of sustained Afghan and U.S. political commitment. Advertisement

The report, entitled: 'Corruption in Conflict: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan,' suggests the U.S. government should have viewed anticorruption as an essential part of its goals after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

SIGAR's report quoted Ryan Crocker, who re-opened the U.S. Embassy in Kabul soon after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and served again as ambassador in 2011-2012 as saying that 'the ultimate point of failure for our efforts wasn't an insurgency.

'It was the weight of endemic corruption.'

Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko said there's definitely lessons to be learned from how the US is dealing with the rebuilding effort

'The corruption lens has got to be in place at the outset, and even before the outset, in the formulation of reconstruction and development strategy, because once it gets to the level I saw.

'It's somewhere between unbelievably hard and outright impossible to fix,' Crocker added.

The report further noted that U.S. policies and practices were partly to blame for the growth of corruption.

In 2009 and 2010, the emerging concern was that poor U.S. oversight, procurement, and contracting practices were enabling corrupt behavior, it said.

Without sufficient controls on U.S. funds, millions of dollars in U.S. reconstruction funds for Afghanistan were being wasted.

'In Afghanistan today, corruption remains an enormous challenge to security, political stability, and development,' SIGAR said.

In 2010, U.S. Embassy Kabul reported that in a meeting with senior U.S. officials, Afghan National Security Advisor Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta said 'corruption is not just a problem for the system of governance in Afghanistan; it is the system of governance.

In 2013, The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said corruption was one of the main reasons Afghan residents were supporting the Taliban.

In December 2015, a top US official in Afghanistan told SIGAR: 'In a conflict environment, oversight is difficult, but our systems of accountability are also poor. So when you push large amounts of money through and theres no way to pull it back, it creates an incentive for corruption.

'The environment in which you are operating shifts and corrupt actors create ways to bleed the system for all it is worth, because they know the money will keep flowing no matter what they do, and they can make more by being corrupt than non-corrupt.

'This is a dynamic we have to change if we want to use our money well and effectively achieve our goals. U.S. officials on the ground have to be appropriately authorized and encouraged to pull money back if it is not being used well, and these decisions need to be politically supported in Washington.'

U.S. civil affairs soldier based with a Provincial Reconstruction team hands out humanitarian relief to local Afghans in Bamiyan province in 2003
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Prince Charles has built a spectacular replica of Buckingham Palace in the heart of his 'Utopian' village in a touching tribute to his late grandmother.

The huge palladian property sits in the heart of Queen Mother Square, the centrepiece of Poundbury in Dorset, which is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.

The grand building has been named Strathmore House in a nod to the Queen Mother's heritage. Her father, Claude Bowes-Lyon was the 14th Earl of Strathmore.

The neoclassical building features a large balcony with two majestic pillars and looks remarkably similar to Buckingham Palace, where the Queen Mother lived with King George VI until his death in 1952.

Grand design: Prince Charles has built a stunning replica of Buckingham Palace, called Strathmore House, in his village of Poundbury in Dorset. The neoclassical building features a balcony and columns and boasts eight luxury apartments

Inspiration: Buckingham Palace, where the Queen lived with King George VI until his death in 1952

In her memory: The buildings look over Queen Mother Square, named after Prince Charles' beloved grandmother (pictured)

It contains eight luxury flats worth 650,000 each, which have all been sold.

Next to Strathmore House is the Duchess of Cornwall, a five-storey public house modelled on the Ritz Hotel, a favourite haunt of the Queen Mother.

The building, a joint venture between the Duchy of Cornwall and Hall and Woodhouse brewery, will offer a pub restaurant, conference facilities and hotel accommodation.

According to the Hall and Woodhouse website, Prince Charles requested the venture be named after his wife.

Another block of 20 exclusive flats and a spa is being built on the other side of the square and will be called the Royal Pavilion, named after one of the Queen Mother's racehorses.

The finishing touch to the square will be a 10ft tall statue of the Queen Mother.

A large plinth has been put in place in the square in readiness for the installation of the monument, which is a second casting of the one of the Queen Mother in The Mall depicting her aged 51 and wearing robes.

Prince Charles was very close to his grandmother, who died in 2002 aged 101, and decided several years ago to honour her in Poundbury which is his 25-year experimental project to build a classically designed urban development on Duchy of Cornwall land.

Moden living: The kitchens inside the luxury apartments in Strathmore House appear bright and spacious

Royal touches: One of the high-end bathrooms is kitted out with grey tiles and plush purple towels, pictured

Warm and welcoming: The corridor inside Strathmore House hints at the stylish living enjoyed by residents

Luxury living: Across Queen Mother Square will be the Royal Pavilion, which will offer 20 stylish apartments (pictured)

Touching tribute: Stathmore House, left, sits next to The Duchess of Cornwall public house, right, which is modeled on the Ritz Hotel in London, a favourite haunt of the Queen Mother. The inn will offer accommodation and is set to open next month

Striking similarities: Outside the new Duchess of Cornwall inn, left, and the Ritz hotel in central London, right

Simon Conibear, from the Duchy of Cornwall, said: 'The square has been planned since the inception of the project - it is part of Poundbury.

'It is physically in the centre of Poundbury and will include a statue of the Queen Mother. His Royal Highness wanted to commemorate his grandmother.'

Queen Mother Square, which is an acre in size, has been designed by renowned architects Quinlan and Francis Terry. Their previous work includes the State Rooms at 10 Downing Street and six classical villas in Regent's Park for the Crown Estate Commissioners.

Despite the apparent similarities between Buckingham Palace and Strathmore House, a spokesman for architects insisted they had not been intentional.

The spokesman said: 'Buckingham Palace was never the inspiration for Strathmore House. The major influence for all our work at Queen Mother Square is the English Palladian tradition.'

A spokesman for estate agents Parkers Properties, which has sold the flats in Strathmore House, said: 'Queen Mother Square has a very regal design to it. The square is a tribute to the Queen Mother'.

Magnificent: All eight of the luxury apartments in Strathmore House, pictured, have already been purchased

Attention to detail: The Royal coat of arms on Strathmore House. Right, the property next to the Ritz-inspired public house

In charge: Prince Charles is pictured here visiting Poundbury in November 2015. The village has been created on the basis of architectural principles found desirable by the royal

The collection of buildings is both bemusing and delighting local residents in Poundbury, which sits on the edge of Dorchester.

Ron Smart, 74, said: 'It really does look like Buckingham Palace. It never ceases to amaze me how grand the new buildings they keep putting up are.

'I think this one is the most eye-catching yet - coming here it sometimes feels walking into the past.'

Tracey Hughes, 46, added: 'It is certainly very different from what you expect block of flats to look like these days.

'I think the design fits in well with the square. I always love the imagination and attention to detail they put into each new design.'

Miriam Phillips, 32, who lives locally and is editor of magazine Celebrating Poundbury, said of Strathmore House: 'It is a complete feast for the eyes - very grand and the architecture is absolutely beautiful. It finishes Queen Mother Square off in style.

Plush interiors: A photograph advertising the Royal Pavilion building gives a sneak peek at what the bedrooms will look like

Detailed: This computer generated image, printed on a billboard, shows how the Royal Pavilion will look when complete

Lit up: The Royal Pavilion, which will house luxury apartments, takes its name from one of the Queen Mother's racehorses

'Some lucky residents have already secured their apartments and can look forward to great views overlooking the square.'

Matthew Hutton, 58, said: 'I love seeing how the area is being developed. Poundbury was such an ambitious project, but it seems to be working and this new big yellow palace looks pretty magnificent.'

Julia Evans, 36, said: 'It is so ornate but this is a style we have become used to here. I love the classical style - we're very lucky to have buildings of this class here.'

Poundbury has been created on the basis of architectural principles found desirable by Prince Charles.

It is intended as a Utopian idyll where there is no segregation of social classes, and schools, shops and places of work are within walking distance.

The village's overall plan was developed in the 1980s by Leon Krier, an architect from Luxembourg, and construction began in October 1993.

It is due for completion in 2025 and Poundbury will have a population of 5,000 people living in 2,250 homes.
Hillary Clinton allowed her staff to mistakenly think that she had a pulled muscle rather than tell them she had a blood clot in 1998.

The Democratic Presidential candidate, who was First Lady at the time, did not correct White House staffers when they assumed the problem with her right leg was due to over exercising.

According to Clinton's doctor at the time, Connie Mariano, 'very few' people knew the truth and her boss refused to take time of the campaign trail for her husband's re-election.

Instead a nurse came with her to check on her condition and administer drugs if needed but nobody outside of her Secret Service detail was told who she was.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

The collapse: Clinton's astonishing collapse as she left the New York 9/11 memorial service was captured on video and led to the admission she had pneumonia and kept it secret

On the trail: Hillary Clinton campaigned heavily for Democrats in the 1998 Senate elections, including Chuck Schumer, who went on to defeat the Republican incumbent

The incident shows that Clinton's habit of choosing secrecy over coming clean has a long history.

It would not be until 2003, five years after the blood clot and two years after her husband left office, that Clinton would even disclose it had happened in single paragraph in her memoir.

Clinton's health has become an issue during the Presidential election after she nearly collapsed during the 9/11 memorial event at Ground Zero in New York on Sunday.

A video shot by a bystander shows the 68-year-old's legs buckling as tries to get into a waiting van.

Her campaign team said she was 'overheated' but later that on Sunday Clinton's personal doctor revealed she had been diagnosed with pneumonia two days before - but she kept it a secret.

During her decades in public life Clinton has suffered a number of health scares and her response to handling them appears to have changed little.

Rear Admiral (lower half) Connie Mariano. She revealed Clinton's health secrecy in her memoirs

The first of her three blood clots happened in 1998 whilst she was campaigning for her husband Bill to get his second term as President in the face of possible impeachment over the Lewinsky scandal.

According to Mariano, who as a Navy captain and latterly rear admiral (lower half), was the White House doctor for President Clinton, she told his wife that she was 'at risk' for a blood clot and insisted on coming to see her on a Saturday.

In her memoir The White House Doctor: My Patients Were Presidents, she takes two pages to explain how she told the First Lady: 'I'm worried about your leg. You've been out on the campaign trail for some months now, sitting in cars for hours at a time.'

Within an hour Mariano was examining Clinton's right calf which was 'swollen'.

Marian's initial examination caused her enough worry to insist Clinton go to Bethesda Naval Hospital for an ultrasound.

Once they were there and the diagnosis confirmed Mrs Clinton 'balked' at the idea of being kept into hospital so they agreed to treat her as an outpatient with blood thinning drugs.

The book says: 'Hillary was back on the campaign trail within days...very few people knew of Hillary's blood clot at the time; she wrote about it after she left the White House.

'She did have a pain in her calf but her staff thought she had pulled a muscle exercising.

'If my slogan was: "Don't let them see you sweat", Hillary's must have been: "Don't let them see the pain".'

Mariano wrote: 'I assigned a female nurse in civilian attire to accompany Hillary on the campaign trail.

'I also notified the Secret Service that she was on medication. In the event she was injured, excessive bleeding would be a dangerous complication.'

Cordon sanitaire: Massive barricades have been set up around the Clintons' Chappaqua, New York, home while she recovers from pneumonia

Clinton first revealed the blood clot in 'Living History', her 2003 memoir, though with much more brevity.

She devoted just one paragraph to the incident and said that it happened in New York when she was attending a fundraiser with Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer.

Clinton wrote that her right foot was 'so swollen I could barely get my shoe on'.

The book says that Mariano 'whisked me off to Bethesda Naval Hospital' to determine if she had a blood clot from all the 'nonstop flying around the country'.

Clinton wrote: 'Sure enough I had a big clot behind my right knee that required immediate treatment.

'Dr Mariano told me to stay in bed and take blood thinners for at least a week. Although I wanted to take care of myself, I was determined not to cancel any of my campaign stops.

'So we compromised. She sent a nurse to administer the medication I needed and to monitor my condition.'

In her book Clinton did not mention the secrecy around her condition.

Among the other health problems Clinton has suffered was a fractured elbow in 2009 while she was walking to her car at the State Department - at the time she was Secretary of State.

A report by the New York Times from 2009 sought to cast Clinton's illness in heroic terms and claimed that as she was lying on the ground she continued to issue orders to Richard Holbrooke, the White House special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Despite the pain from her injury Clinton supposedly told him: 'Go to the meeting, that's an order'.

On the stump: Hillary Clinton made a massive effort to boost Democratic chances in the 1998 Senate elections - at the expense of her own health

Such stubbornness and refusal to take orders from others was reportedly the reason why she got dehydrated at the 9/11 memorial.

According to Politico Clinton has clashed with her aides who ask her to drink more water.

As one put it: 'She won't drink water, and you try telling Hillary Clinton she has to drink water'.

Clinton's most serious health episode was in 2012 when she suffered a concussion having fainted due to dehydration and hit her head.

Clinton delayed an appearance before Congress to testify about the Benghazi terror attack and took six months to fully recover.

She was put on blood thinning drugs which she still takes today, as well as a common thyroid hormone-replacement pill.

Last year the Clinton campaign released a letter written by Dr Lisa Bardack, Clinton's personal physician, which said that she had fully recovered from the concussion and was healthy.

This year while campaigning for the Presidency Clinton has suffered numerous coughing fits.

The most serious was on September 5 at a rally in Cleveland, Ohio, where she had to pause and drink some water; it appears she was already suffering from pneumonia by that point.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT CLINTON'S HEALTH - AND WHAT WE DON'T

Clinton's medical history  and her tendency to keep personal and medical information far from view  is coming in for new scrutiny following revelations that the candidate got diagnosed with pneumonia Friday

Hillary's dramatic collapse in New York on Sunday is prompting new examination of her health  as well as how her aides have closely guarded information

1998 Blood Clot

Clinton's first known blood clot occurred in 1998, while she was still first lady.

Clinton experienced symptoms while attending a fundraiser for Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, who would soon become her Senate home-state colleague. Her right foot swelled up to the point where she couldn't put on her shoe.

Clinton got quietly taken to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda for treatment at the time. She was found to have 'a big clot' blood clot behind her knee, Clinton wrote in her memoir, 'Living History.'

She called it 'the most significant health scare I've ever had,' the Washington Post noted.

According to her physician, Mt. Kisco physician, Lisa Bardack, Clinton was advised at the time to take Lovenox, described as a short-acting blood thinner, when she took flights. The meds were discontinued when she went on Coumadin.

2009 Blood Clot

Clinton had a second blood clot incident in 2009. The episode was described by her doctor in a 2015 letter.

The doctor didn't provide a detailed description of the event. Rather, she wrote that Clinton's 'past medical history is notable for a deep vein thrombosis in 1998, 2009 and a concussion in 2012.

Clinton takes a daily blood thinning medication for her deep vein thrombosis.

Clinton, a frequent flier whose staff catalogued her pursuit of the overall mileage record as secretary of state, may have exacerbated the problem through her extensive air travel.

Frequent jet travel can exacerbate blood clots, which is why some people make sure to walk around the cabin on long flights

2009 Elbow Fracture

Clinton had to work from home for a while after she fractured her elbow during a fall in 2009, CNN recounted. She fell at the State Department on the way to the White House, and went to George Washington University hospital for treatment.

She underwent a two-hour surgical procedure.

'She is working from home. She is already taking some calls, and I'm sure starting to learn the limits of movement - how well you can text with one arm in a sling,' quipped then spokesman P.J. Crowley at the time, in an early reference to Clinton's communications habits.

Clinton was pictured wearing a sling emblazoned with the seal of the State Department when she returned to work. She also was photographed providing left-handed hand shake with a visiting Palestinian dignitary owing to her condition. She has showed no visible signs of lingering problems related to the injury.

HARD KNOCKS: Clinton got a fractured elbow in 2009, but still managed to negotiate with Hondouran leaders, and, according to her spokesman, text with one hand

2012 Blood Clot and Concussion

Clinton got a bad stomach bug and fainted at her home in Washington in 2012, an event that led her to get a concussion. Information about what exactly had happened emerged only slowly over time.

As her doctor put it, 'In December 2012, Mrs. Clinton suffered a stomach virus after traveling, became dehydrated, fainted and sustained a concussion.'

The then-secretary of state wasn't seen in public between Dec. 7th and when she left the hospital in New York January 2, 2013.

Clinton experienced 'double vision for a period of time and benefited from wearing glasses with a Fresnel Prism,' a special corrective lens, her doctor wrote in a letter voluntarily released to the media in 2015 as part of Clinton's presidential campaign. Her concussion 'resolved within two months,' Bardack wrote.

In 2014, Bill Clinton revealed that the injury 'required six months of very serious work to get over.' The former president called it a 'terrible concussion'

Clinton was diagnosed with a blood clot in the brain, transverse sinus venous thrombosis, and began anticoagulation therapy, her doctor wrote.

Clinton had to work from home and postpone planned testimony before a House Benghazi committee.

Clinton leaves New York Presbyterian Hospital with husband Bill and daughter Chelsea on January 2, 2013. The secretary of state, had not been seen in public since Dec. 7

Hypothyroidism

Clinton also suffers from Hypothyroidismrefers to an under-active thyroid gland, resulting in a lack of important hormones.

Clinton's doctor identified the condition in her 2015 letter, but did not state for how long Clinton has suffered from the condition. She takes a medication called Armour Thyroid.

Allergies

Clinton suffers from 'seasonal allergies,' according to her physician. It isn't known for how long she has suffered from allergies, although Clinton herself has cited her allergies when she has developed a cough  including on-stage during public events.

Her doctor states that Clinton is taking antihistamines, which treat the effects of allergies.

2016 Collapse and Pneumonia Diagnosis

Clinton had to leave a Sept. 11th service in New York early after spending 90 minutes at the ceremony. Her staff first cited heat and exhaustion, then ultimately revealed that Clinton had been diagnosed in pneumonia on Friday.

Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon did not reveal what type of pneumonia Clinton has during a Monday interview on MSNBC, but said Clinton would be putting out more medical information.

'She was put on antibiotics and advised to rest and modify her schedule,' said Bardack in a statement released at the end of the day. While attending the event, 'she became overheated and dehydrated. I have just examined her and she is now re-hydrated and recovering nicely.'

Hours after Clinton was taken away from the Sept. 11th ceremony, her office released a doctor's statement. 'Secretary Clinton has been experiencing a cough related to allergies. On Friday, during follow-up evaluation of her prolonged cough, she was diagnosed with pneumonia. She was put on antibiotics, and advised to rest and modify her schedule. While at this morning's event, she became overheated and dehydrated. I have just examined her and she is now rehydrated and recovering nicely,' Clinton's doctor, Lisa Bardack, said in a written statement Sunday.'

'There's no other undisclosed condition. The pneumonia is the extent of it,' Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon told MSNBC.

Fallon also acknowledged: 'I think in retrospect we could have handled it better in terms of providing more information more quickly.'

Campaign manager Robby Mook, speaking of the 90 minute delay before the press was told Clinton's status after she left the New York event, said Monday: 'We wish that that had been a lot shorter and that's on us.'

Clinton herself tweeted Monday: 'Thanks to everyone whos reached out with well wishes! Im feeling fine and getting better,' signing the missive with the letter 'H.'

Clinton had to shake with her left hand following her 2009 injury. She is pictured here with Palestinian Authority Salam Fayyad

Clinton campaigned in New York in June along with aide Huma Abedin. She was diagnosed with pneumonia Friday, according to her office

Clinton is 68 and would be 69 when she assumed office, second to Ronald Reagan in age taking office. Donald Trump is 70, and has released few details about his medical background.
A Kenyan woman has launched an appeal for cash to pay for the removal of a gigantic tumour on her leg - but villagers think she has been bewitched and refuse to help.

Eunice Anyango, from Eshirumbwe village in western Kenya developed the growth after she tripped on a stick which damaged her tibia in 1992.

The 35-year-old mother did not think the fall was serious and did not go to hospital -but the tumour started to grow and has 'become huge' over the years.

Eunice Anyango, from Eshirumbwe village in western Kenya developed the growth after she tripped on a stick which damaged her tibia in 1992

Now living with her blind mother and 16-year-old son, many in the community have turned their back on her and only members of the church drop in to visit.

A neighbour claimed even the village chief had abandoned Eunice, who has had minor surgery and tetanus injections in a bid to tackle the problem.

Mabel Akiso told Kenyan newspaper, The Star: 'The chief and her assistant know about the condition of this family, but they have never done anything about it.

He added that most people in the community believe the family are 'bewitched'.

The 35-year-old mother did not think the fall was serious and did not go to hospital -but the tumour started to grow and has 'become huge' over the years (file picture)

'That is why most people stay away from Anyango, her mother and son,' Akiso added.

Responsibility has fallen on Eunice's son Odongo to care for his mother and grandmother and he often skips school to look after them.

However, help may be at hand and the local NGO Mashinani Initiative has vowed to help with the youngster's school fees.
Arson suspect: Reginald Hester, 51, was charged with murder in a Chicago apartment building fire that killed three children and a man in late August

A Chicago man has been charged with murder for allegedly starting an apartment building fire that killed an infant, two other children and a middle-aged neighbor.

Police say in a statement that 51-year-old Reginald Hester was arrested on Tuesday on four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of arson.

Police said after the August 23 fire it appeared to have been deliberately set by someone after a domestic dispute over money owed for cigarettes.

The Chicago Tribune reports Hester was earlier questioned in the case and released.

Hester's family has denied he had anything to do with the fire, which claimed the lives of three sisters, identified as Shaniyah Staples, 7, and Madison Watson, 4, and 3-month-old Melanie Watson.

The blaze also killed the girls' neighbor, 56-year-old Kirk Johnson.

The Chicago Fire Department responded to reports of the fire in the 8100 block of South Essex Avenue in the South Chicago neighborhood at around 1.30am on August 23.

Innocents: The August 23 blaze claimed the lives of three sisters (L to R): Shaniyah Staples, 7, and Madison Watson, 4, and 3-month-old Melanie Watson

Fourth victim: The blaze also killed the girls' neighbor, 56-year-old Kirk Johnson

The fire broke out in the 8100 block of South Essex Avenue in the South Chicago neighborhood on the morning of August 23

It took about 200 firefighters three hours to get the blaze under control after it had consumed the building's interior and exterior stairwells.

One witness said he tried to get his own ladder to help people trapped on the third floor, but before he knew it, a man, later identified as 36-year-old Michael Watson, jumped from a window with his baby daughter in his arms in a desperate bid to save her from the flames.

Authorities later confirmed 3-month-old Melanie Watson was taken to Comer Childrens Hospital, and was pronounced dead.

An autopsy showed she died from injuries from a fall from height and smoke inhalation. Her father was hospitalized in critical condition, reported CBS Chicago.

Firefighters discovered the bodies of Shaniyah Staples and Madison Watson, and their next-door neighbor Kirk Johnson, hours later during a search of the building once it was safe to go inside.

Fierce flames: It took about 200 firefighters three hours to get the blaze under control after it had consumed the building's stairwells

Fiery revenge: Police said it appeared to have been deliberately set by someone after a domestic dispute over money owed for cigarettes

Mourners are seen consoling each other near the scene where an apartment building caught fire

All three were found on the third floor of the apartment complex. The young sisters were found in one apartment, but not together, and the 56-year-old man was found in an adjacent apartment.

Autopsies have revealed that Johnson and the two little girls succumbed to burns and smoke inhalation, according to an NBC Chicago report. All four deaths have been ruled homicides.

The girls' aunt, Kasey Daniels, wrote in the description of a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for their final expenses that Melanie was born prematurely at six months and was 'the strongest baby' she has ever known.

'She shocked us all when she pulled through and the family brought home a happy baby,' the fundraiser page reads. 'She is now home with the Lord.'

The fire spread through back porches to a neighboring building. Those who were inside had no chance, and several people jumped out of their windows

Causes of death: Autopsies have revealed that Shaniyah Staples and Madison Watson (pictured left) succumbed to burns and smoke inhalation. Three-month-old Melanie Watson (right) died from injuries from a fall from height and smoke inhalation

Melanie's older sister Madison had just celebrated her fourth birthday two weeks before her death in the fire.

Daniels described Shaniyah Staples, the girls' half-sister from a different father, as 'brighter than her years' and 'loyal.'

'Heaven couldn't wait. God sent for the three sisters to come home and be together, forever,' the aunt wrote.

Police questioned Reginald Hester, who lives a block away from the apartment building, a day after the fatal fire but let him go without charges two days later.

He was taken into custody again shortly before noon on Tuesday, and police announced charges against him early Wednesday morning.
A terrifying car fire was caused by a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 blowing up while on charge, police have said.

Flames engulfed the car on a highway in Port St. Lucie, Florida, after the cellphone exploded in the passenger seat on Tuesday night.

It happened less than a week after Samsung urged customers around the world to stop using the device - warning they are prone to catch fire.

An unprecedented 2.5million phones were recalled, just two weeks after their release.

Nurse Sharon Cain captured the blaze from her car after hearing a 'loud pop'.

She uploaded the video on Facebook and wrote: 'A car caught fire from a charg(ing) Note Galaxy 7 on Crosstown (in) Port St. Lucie. I was told (that) the gentleman was charging his phone when he heard a loud pop (and then) the phone blew up. I am a nurse so I stopped to make sure there was no help needed from me.'

Police told WPBF the car's owner, Clifford Samuels, 55, believed the cellphone was the cause of the fire.

Earlier this month, U.S. authorities said the Galaxy Note 7s were banned from being used during flights.

Some airlines also stated they could not be added to checked luggage, fearing they could set alight in the hold.

A terrifying car fire in Port St. Lucie was caused by a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 blowing up while on charge, police have said

As a result, Samsung asked users around the world to 'immediately' return their existing Galaxy Note 7 and get a replacement.

Koh Dong-jin, Samsung's mobile president, posted a statement on their website saying: 'We are asking users to power down their Galaxy Note 7s and exchange them as soon as possible,' said .

'We are expediting replacement devices so that they can be provided through the exchange program as conveniently as possible.'

Consumers can visit Samsung's service centers to receive rental phones for temporary use.

Samsung plans to provide Galaxy Note 7 devices with new batteries in South Korea starting September 19, but schedules for other countries vary.
Manchester doorman Shaun Torevell (above), 48, who travelled to Luton to meet a 14-year-old schoolgirl for sex, was caught in a sting by a 'paedophile hunter'

A Manchester doorman who travelled to Luton to meet a 14-year-old schoolgirl for sex was caught in a sting by a 'paedophile hunter'.

Shaun Torevell, 48, believed he was having explicit conversations with a schoolgirl over the internet.

But the 'girl' was campaigner Neil Ivall, who handed Torevell over to police when they met at Luton railway station.

Torevell was convicted yesterday of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming during a trial.

He previously told the jury: 'I am not a paedophile. The conversations on Facebook were crude, but it was bravado.

'She never once said I was being inappropriate, but she would reply with kisses and smiley faces.

'I thought she existed and I was going to meet the woman in the photograph. There is no way I would date a 14-year-old girl.'

Despite this, Judge Philip Bartle QC, at Luton Crown Court, granted him bail while probation reports are prepared - but warned Torevell: 'You have been found guilty of an extremely serious offence. There is a real likelihood the sentence will be one of immediate custody.'

During the trial, Mr Ivall described how he set up a website called 'Chris Fear - Paedophile Hunter' after a member of his family had been the victim of grooming. CHRIS stands for 'Children Have Rights in Society'.

He told the jury he set up a fake Facebook account in the name of a 14-year-old, using the picture of a friend when she was that age.

Torevell believed he was having explicit conversations with a schoolgirl over the internet. But the 'girl' was campaigner Neil Ivall, who handed Torevell over to police when they met at Luton railway station. File picture

The public profile gave the girl's date of birth as being 2002. 'We make the girl's age clear, straight away,' he said.

On Tuesday, May 3, he received a friend request from Torevell and two days later the defendant is said to have told the 'girl' she was 'bang tidy'.

The jury heard Torevell said: 'I hope you don't mind chatting to an older guy' and later sent her explicit pictures of himself and messages that made it clear he wanted sex.

In another message, the doorman told her: 'I work in a few clubs in Manchester. I am a bouncer. When I am bored I take my black Harley Davidson for a blast.'

Mr Ivall said he made it clear the girl was 14, offering the defendant a way out.

During the trial, Mr Ivall (above) described how he set up a website called 'Chris Fear - Paedophile Hunter' after a member of his family had been the victim of grooming. CHRIS stands for 'Children Have Rights in Society'

Prosecutor Rory Keene told the jury that the defendant agreed to meet the girl at Luton railway station in the early hours of May 9. When he arrived, after pleading with the 'girl' to stay because he was delayed, he was greeted by Neil Ivall and the police were called.

Torevell told the police that he had come to Luton to say hello to the girl, insisting he thought she was over 18. 'If she was a young girl, I would have given her 20 for a taxi to go home,' he said.

In the witness box, he said that he thought he was coming to meet a young woman not a 14-year-old girl.

He said the girl's Facebook picture looked like that of a woman over 18, possibly 20. Although in online chats she said several times she was 14, he thought she was role playing and lying about her age, the jurors were told.

He said he first got talking to her on a website entitled 'young girls looking for older men'.

Torevell, who had been suspended from his job at the time, said he was bored at home. He wanted to take his motorbike out for a trip and that was why he arranged to meet the girl, the jurors were told.
A man has proposed to his girlfriend as they were pulled from the wreckage of a helicopter crash.

Mitchell Green and Kaydee Gosper had been on a snow trip in New Zealand when the helicopter they were in rolled over as it attempted a snow landing at Mount Sale near Queenstown on Monday.

The man from Penrith in Sydney's west suffered leg injuries, but went on with his plan to propose to Ms Gosper moments after they were pulled from the chopper, NZ Herald reported.

Sydney man Mitchell Green proposed to his girlfriend Kaydee Gosper moments after the helicopter they were in crashed (Mr Green and Ms Gosper pictured together)

The helicopter they were in rolled over as it attempted a snow landing at Mount Sale near Queenstown on Monday

Ms Gosper said fellow shaken tourists were being helped from the wreckage when Mr Green proposed.

'Mitch, as he couldn't walk, he had his arm around me. We were trying to get away from the helicopter and he said he couldn't wait any longer,' Ms Gosper told NZ Herald.

'He pulled it [the ring] out and he put it on my finger.'

The couple have been together for seven years.

'Mitch, as he couldn't walk, he had his arm around me. We were trying to get away from the helicopter and he said he couldn't wait any longer,' Ms Gosper

The couple have been together for seven years

Mr Green has undergone leg surgery at Southland Hospital.

Emergency services confirmed one person suffered leg injuries.

There were a total of six people onboard the helicopter, including three Chinese tourists.

Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) visited the site on Wednesday.

The pilot, who has been flying for the company for two years, has been stood down from flying indefinitely.

The company will also investigate the accident as part of standard procedure.

'He pulled it [the ring] out and he put it on my finger,' Ms Gosper said
A college graduate student was killed and two other cyclists were injured when a woman allegedly under the influence of drugs struck them while driving along a road in Athens, Georgia.

Ashley Block, a 25-year-old University of Georgia graduate assistant and triathlete, was killed as she and two other bicyclists were taking an organized trip, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.

Another cyclist, Mitchell Enfinger, was listed in serious condition as he recovers at Athens Regional Medical Center.

The third bicyclist, Brian Molloy, was treated for minor injuries and released.

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Ashley Block, a 25-year-old graduate assistant at the University of Georgia, was one of three cyclists struck by an oncoming SUV on a roadway in east Athens on Monday

According to local police, Whitney Baker Howard, a 31-year-old resident of Hull, Georgia, was driving her 2012 Jeep Liberty along Athena Drive in east Athens when she crossed the center dividing line on the highway and struck all three cyclists.

A two-year-old child was in Howard's vehicle at the time of the incident.

According to police, Howard was driving westbound near the intersection of Anderson Lane when she crossed the center lane and hit the cyclists, who were riding in the opposite direction.

The local NBC station in Athens, WXIA-TV, is reporting that police believe Howard rammed into Block head-on, killing her almost instantly.

Whitney Baker Howard, 31, was driving her 2012 Jeep Liberty when she veered across the center lane, hitting the cyclists who were riding in the opposite direction

Enfinger was hit on his left side and sent flying to the shoulder of the roadway. Molloy was hit by the car's mirror, injuring his left arm.

Channel 2 Action News reported that Howard told police she was under the influence of prescription medications.

She also acknowledged that she was using her cell phone as she was driving.

Howard is being charged with first degree homicide by vehicle, serious injury by vehicle, driving under the influence, DUI endangerment, failure to maintain a lane, and distracted driving.

Block was pronounced dead at the scene. Police believe that she was struck head-on by the oncoming vehicle driven by Howard, who had a pending DUI charge dating from last June

Court documents show that there was a pending DUI charge against Howard dating from last June.

Traffic police in Athens said that Block and the other cyclists were 'doing everything right' and following the rules of the road when they were hit.

Mitchell Enfinger, one of the three cyclists, suffered serious injuries when he was struck on his left side and sent airborne before landing on the pavement of the roadside shoulder

'The University of Georgia community is deeply saddened by the tragic death of graduate student Ashley Elizabeth Block,' the school said in a statement.

'The UGA family extends its most sincere sympathy, thoughts and prayers to her family in this time of need.'
'High': Terra Carroll, 35, a Manatee County criminal attorney, was arrested on Saturday

A criminal attorney in Florida has been arrested on multiple charges after allegedly leading police on a drug-fueled high-speed chase.

Police say that Terra Carroll, 35, might have been under the influence of bath salts during her chaotic arrest on Saturday in Gulf Freeze, which was caught on dash camera.

'She was messed up on drugs,' Gulf Breeze Police Chief Robert Randell told CW39.

'The reason why they were after her was they thought she was DUI and they were just trying to stop her.'

According to the police report, Carroll led Santa Rosa County Sheriff's deputies on a pursuit westbound on Highway 98 in Gulf Breeze.

Dash cam: The footage shows police smashing the window (left) of Carroll's car when she refused to get out

After smashing a second window, police dragged Carroll from the car (right), however the vehicle started moving because she slipped it into reverse

Caroll also fell to the ground as the car began moving (right), with an officer managing to reach inside the vehicle and bring it to a stop (left)

She was reported doing over 70 miles per hour and swerving onto sidewalks.

Police were also told that she was going the wrong way down traffic lanes.

Officers were able to cut her off and force Carroll to stop, however she refused to get out of her car.

The cops were then forced to break in her car window. However, once the glass was smashed, Carroll told police he had a gun.

With their weapons drawn, police told Carroll not to grab for her gun.

She then said she did not infact have a gun.

Inside the vehicle police found 'green flakes', white powder and bath salts

The officers pulled Carroll out of the car, but before they did Carroll put the vehicle in reverse.

As she is removed from the car, one officer is heard calling out: 'Car's moving, car's moving.'

The officer then managed to dive in the smashed window and bring the car to a stop.

As Carroll is handcuffed, other officers search her car, and seized some suspicious packages - 'green flakes', a white powdery substance and a jar of bath salts.

Terra Carroll, 35, a Manatee County criminal attorney, was arrested in Gulf Breeze, Florida, on Saturday, after a bizarre chase

The Florida Bar told WEAR-TV that Carroll is a member and "in good standing with no disciplinary history."
A mother accused of almost killing her toddler after he overdosed on a stash of methamphetemine has pleaded not guilty to child neglect charges.

The 27-year-old woman from Koonawarra, south of Wollongong, appeared in court on Wednesday to face five counts of drug possession and one of exposing a child to the danger of death.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, failed to appear in court a fortnight ago because she called in sick, reported Illawarra Mercury.

Her 21-month-old son, was rushed to Wollongong Hospital on January 25 suffering serious seizures, where tests revealed he had consumed meth.

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A mother accused of almost killing her toddler after he overdosed on her stash of meth has pleaded not guilty

The mother pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and not guilty to charges relating to other drugs seized from her Koonawarra home during a search warrant.

Officers had seized methylamphetamine, cannabis, cathinone, buprenorphine and drug paraphernalia.

The mother refused to comment outside the court as she drove away with friends who were waiting in a car.

The toddler overdosed on a stash of the drug ice that the mother allegedly left in his room while he slept

The mother reportedly rang an ambulance in a panic after she found the boy convulsing in January.

He was rushed in a serious condition to hospital, where the drugs in his system were revealed.

The toddler is now being cared for by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.

The case was adjourned to November 9.

Officers had seized methylamphetamine, cannabis, cathinone, buprenorphine and drug paraphernalia from the mother's home
Eleven SWAT officers were sent to hospital after becoming ill when they were exposed to heroin and fentanyl during a drug bust.

Deputy Chief Brian Foley said the officers were sickened while executing a search warrant at Tuesday night in the Asylum Hill neighborhood of Hartford, Connecticut.

The officers were treated at a hospital and released.

Foley wrote on Twitter the SWAT team members had symptoms of exposure to airborne heroin and fentanyl including nausea, light-headedness, sore throats and headaches.

Police seized 50,000 bags of heroin, three-quarters of a pound of raw heroin, fentanyl, two handguns and drug packaging materials. Three people were arrested.

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Eleven SWAT officers were sent to hospital after becoming ill when they were exposed to heroin and fentanyl during a drug bust. Above, items seized in the raid which included 50,000 bags of heroin, three-quarters of a pound of raw heroin, fentanyl and two handguns

He said members of the Emergency Response Team were executing a search warrant at around 7.30pm when they started experiencing symptoms.

Foley said they were 'classic symptoms' of heroin and fentanyl exposure and that all the officers would be OK.

It's not uncommon for SWAT teams to accompany narcotics officers on searches, according to the Hartford Courant.

Fentanyl is a strong painkiller blamed for thousands of overdose deaths nationwide.

Officers have gotten sick from airborne fentanyl, but no police deaths have been reported.

Deputy Chief Brian Foley said the officers were sickened after exposure to airborne heroin and fentanyl

Over the past few months, the Drug Enforcement Administration has been working to crack down on fentanyl dealers  a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin.

In June, the DEA highlighted the dangers of the drug which is often cut into heroin to increase its strength in a video to be played at police roll calls.

They warned that fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled and its effects can be experienced very quickly.

And this month, it was revealed that there have been a rise in drug-related deaths in Connecticut, largely due to the rise of fentanyl.

Statistics show that 119 people died from a combination of heroin and fentanyl in the first six months of this year  more than in the whole of 2015.
The president of the European Commission today called for steps bringing an EU-controlled army closer.

Jean-Claude Juncker, making his State of the Union address, called for an EU military headquarters to be set up.

He claimed a lack of a 'permanent structure' means money is being wasted on duplicate missions.

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European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said an EU military headquarters should be set up

He said this would create a common military force between member states - 'in some cases owned by the EU'.

Mr Juncker insisted the plans would not undermine NATO, which shares a number of members with the European Union.

Britain has long been an opponent of a shared European army, so Brexit has potentially made it more feasible.

The EU would benefit from increased military research and development if a European Defence Fund is set up, Mr Juncker believes

Mr Juncker said: 'More defence in Europe doesn't mean less transatlantic security.'

Thirty military and civilian missions have been run in Africa and the Middle East by the EU in the last 10 years, but Mr Juncker insists a permanent headquarters would make operations more effective.

In March last year he said the formation of a common army would send the clear message to Russia that member states are willing to stand up to it.

Mr Juncker wants to make EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini (right, with US Secretary of State John Kerry) a fully-fledged minister representing member states

He told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper in Germany that the army 'would convey to Russia that we are serious about defending the values of the European Union'.

And Mr Juncker, a former prime minister of Luxembourg, said: 'Such an army would help us design a common foreign and security policy.

'Europes image has suffered dramatically and also in terms of foreign policy, we dont seem to be taken entirely seriously.'

Nigel Farage branded today's speech paved the way to a 'more military Europe'

The idea was immediately rejected by the British government.

Mr Juncker has also said a European Defence Fund, which he wants to be introduced by the end of the year, would boost military research and development.

The Europe chief also proposed making EU foreign policy leader Federica Mogherini a fully-fledged foreign minister representing member states.

It would give her a stronger voice in negotiating a solution to the Syrian conflict, it is believed.

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage voiced his opposition to Mr Juncker's stance.

He said: 'It is clear that no lessons are going to be learned from Brexit.
The student's father claims his son tried to kill himself twice in 14 days

The Year 12 student has since been expelled but no charges have been laid

The incident which occurred in Rockhampton in July is being investigated

He allegedly told his victim to take of his pants in the school toilets

The Queensland student is accused of assaulting his victim from behind

A high school student claims to have been raped by a Year 12 student

A student is reportedly suicidal after he was allegedly told to pull down his pants and was raped in his school toilets by another student.

The incident, currently being investigated by the police as well as the Department of Education, occurred in a high school in Rockhampton, Queensland, in July.

The Year 12 student who has since been expelled is accused of assaulting his victim from behind, reported The Courier Mail.

A Queensland high school student was allegedly assaulted from behind by a Year 12 student who followed him into the school bathroom (stock image)

'The kid has tried to kill himself twice in the last 14 days. We're at a loss as to what else we can do,' the father said.

'He was followed into the toilet, made to pull his pants down and raped.

'Now we're having to do medical tests and shipping him in and out of hospital because he is bleeding from the bowel and having flashbacks when he goes back to school  but we need to have tests done for the legal side of things as well.'

The alleged victim's family has since requested Slater and Gordon to represent them as they pursue a public liability claim against the state.

The Year 12 student has not been charged.
A Florida woman has been charged with making a bomb threat in an attempt to keep her boyfriend from submitting a urine sample at a probation office.

Winter Haven police say 31-year-old Deniz Martinez called 911 on Tuesday, saying a man outside the office was going to 'blow the building up.'

Investigators tracked the call to a cellphone number belonging to Martinez, who drove her 38-year-old boyfriend Jason Drake to the Probation and Parole building at 1289 1st Street South in Winter Haven earlier Tuesday.

Loyal girlfriend: Deniz Martinez (left), 31, was charged with making a false report about a bomb in an attempt to keep her boyfriend, Jason Drake (right), from submitting a urine sample

Bomb hoax: Martinez called 911 on Tuesday, saying a man outside the the Probation and Parole office in Winter Haven was going to 'blow the building up'

Officials say Drake was unable to provide the urine sample upon his arrival at 8.30am and was required to stay there until he submitted a sufficient sample.

The bomb threat was called in at around 2.40pm. When the 911 dispatcher began questioning the caller, the line went dead.

When police reached Martinez at her apartment in Lake Wales and questioned her about the fake bomb threat, they say she acknowledged making the call.

The 31-year-old mother-of-one was charged with making a false report about a bomb. Drake was also arrested and accused of a probation violation.

The investigation into Drake's role in the bomb threat is ongoing and possible charges could be filed at a later date.

Investigators tracked the call to a cellphone number belonging to Martinez, who had dropped off Drake for his appointment earlier in the day

Dark past: Both Martinez (left) and Drake (right) have criminal records in Florida

Drake has a criminal record that includes arrests for shoplifting, drug possession and domestic battery by strangulation.

The 38-year-old owns a tattoo parlor in Kissimmee, Florida.

Martinez was arrested in February 2014 on a misdemeanor criminal conspiracy charge, and she landed in jail again in March of 2016 on one count of battery.
She was found not guilty by reason of

charged with the murder of her baby daughter

A mother who slit her baby's throat came to believe her daughter was a 'devil thing', a court has heard.

Newcastle Supreme Court heard there was no disagreement between Crown prosecutor Lee Carr and the mother's barrister that she had cut her six-week-old baby's throat on July 24 last year.

The Senegalese national, who cannot be named, was found not guilty by reason of mental illness after a judge-only a trial in court on Wednesday, Newcastle Herald reported.

A mother charged with slitting her baby's throat came to believe her daughter was a 'devil thing', a court has heard (stock image)

Medical experts said the mother was suffering from a 'disease of the mind' at the time of the attack.

Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Richard Furst said: 'The accused said she came to believe that her baby was "something else."'

"More like a devil thing I was holding."

The family of the woman had been worried about her mental health prior to the attack.

When her husband returned home on the morning of July 24 he found his daughter's throat had been cut with a large knife.

Justice Robert Allan Hulme offered his condolences to the friends and family of the young girl.
In the past 75 years, the number of wild orangutans has fallen by 80%

Zoo visitors won't be able to visit the baby for the

For the first time in 25 years a Bornean orangutan has been born born in the Smithsonian's National Zoo - providing a much needed boost for the endangered species.

The yet to be named male ape was born at 8.52pm on Monday to Batang and Kyle after they successfully bred in February, according to the zoo.

The two 19-year-old orangutans were paired following a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan (SSP).

Batang with her newborn baby. The male is the first to be born in the Smithsonian's Zoo in 25 years and comes at a time when the number of orangutans in the world is dwindling

Zoo staff are optimistic that mother Batang will take good care of the newborn, allowing the boy to thrive, after he was observed clinging to her during his first few days of life.

A statement from the zoo says the Great Ape House will remain closed to provide Batang a quiet space to bond with her infant.

Although zoo staff found out Batang was pregnant on February 2, after she took a human pregnancy test, they only revealed the news in June using Facebook.

'Each and every birth of a critically endangered species is significant, but it is all the more exciting and this is a historic moment for our Smithsonian's National Zoo,' said Meredith Bastian, curator of primates and member of the Orangutan SSP Steering Committee.

'I am very proud of Batang and my team. Ever since we received the breeding recommendation, they have dedicated themselves to preparing Batang for motherhood. I look forward to watching the infant experience everything for the first time - especially meeting the other orangutans and going outside for the first time with Batang.'

After citing the orangutan as mother material, the zoo keepers have been training her for infant care.

Batang was give three years of mother training by zoo keeping staff. She learned how to hold a 'baby upright and present it to keepers for bottle feedings' among other essential actions

For the passed three years Batang has learned how to hold a 'baby upright, present it to keepers for bottle feedings and place the baby in a specially designed box when asked'.

This would ensure that if there is a problem with the youngster specialists can see to it as soon as possible.

Orangutans, which are native to rainforests in Indonesia and Malaysia, have seen their numbers dwindle over the past seven decades due to human destruction of their natural habitat.

One hundred years ago there were around 230,000 left in the wild, but now there are only up to 69,000 Bornean variants of the species and 7,500 Sumatran orangutans left in the wild.

Humans have cleared a lot of orangutan territory to obtain the natural materials necessary to process palm oil products and plant food crops leaving the ape with less space and food.

Should the boy continue to thrive zoo visitors will be able to visit the baby and her newborn soon.
A hotelier has claimed his establishment is the first in Britain to tell customers not to leave tips - as 'the more you spend, the more you are nailed'.

Thomas Noblett, who has been managing director of Langdale Chase Hotel in Windermere for 23 years, said tips embarrassed customers and punished those who had a more expensive meal.

The 54-year-old said: 'If customers want to leave a tip, we do not take it. I do not think there is anywhere else doing this.

'I do not want to insult them with an added surcharge - with us what you see is what you pay.

Staff at the Lake District hotel are paid the national minimum wage or higher but are also provided with accommodation and food.

Mr Noblett said the perks given to staff were worth about 10,000 a year.

Thomas Noblett, who has been managing director of Langdale Chase Hotel in Windermere for 23 years, said tips embarrassed customers and punished those who had a more pricey meal

The picturesque Langdale Chase is located on the shores of Windermere and offers spectacular views

Mr Noblett, a record breaking open swimmer, said: 'Establishments should not be inflicting a service charge on your bill.

'These are supposed to be discretionary, but who wants the embarrassment of doing the walk of shame when querying this charge and having management approach you with the old saying "wasn't everything OK?"

'The customer has chosen to use our establishment over other establishments - shouldn't we be giving them the service charge for their loyalty in using their facility, and enticing them to come back?

'My main beef is with the fact that the more you spend, the more you are nailed.

Mr Noblett, 54, said: 'Establishments should not be inflicting a service charge on your bill'

'A plate of expensive ingredients or more expensive bottle of wine involves no more workload or effort from the service personnel as a lesser plate of ingredients or bottle of house.

'If the service charge is 15 per cent and your bill is 100 you are paying 15 service but if your bill is 200 you're paying 30 service - when the service you received was exactly the same.

'Special occasions can cost you the equivalent of another meal with these charges put onto your bill.'

Mr Noblett insisted all staff were happy with the rule of having no tips

The picturesque Langdale Chase is located on the shores of Windermere and first opened in 1930.

The 29-bedroom hotel pays its junior waiting staff 7.20 an hour, with supervisors receiving an extra 1.50 an hour.

Management salaries for serving staff are around 22,000 while head chefs can expect to be paid up to 30,000.

All staff are housed in the hotel's newly built 24-bedroom staff accommodation block - which was unveiled at a cost of 1,000,000 in April.

Employees also receive two meals a day for the cost of 5.18.

Mr Noblett - who is looking to retire with the hotel being put up for sale - insisted all staff were happy with the rule.

He went on: 'The perks we give our staff are worth about 10,000 a year to them. We have no zero hour contracts - staff work 45 hours a week and any extra hours are banked for them to take back.

'We look after our staff so that they are better able to look after our guests.

'It is a good job to be in. There are so many other customer service industries where staff do not receive tips - we do not tip our mechanics, or the people who do our accounts.

'Other establishments use the tips to top up staff wages, but why should the customer be paying the wages for the staff? They have come in to spend their well-earned money.

'I have worked around the world in high class establishments and been fortunate enough to visit many restaurants and I find this a very unnecessary surcharge to inflict on customers.'
A former Pennsylvania high school teacher has been charged with sexual assault after allegedly preying on a teenage girl with no mother.

Colleen McGarry, 45, has been charged with institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and furnishing alcohol to minors.

The former teacher at Pittston Area High School was interviewed by police about allegations of a sexual relationship with a student in February, WNEP reports.

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Colleen McGarry (pictured leaving court) has been charged with institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and furnishing alcohol to minors

She was fired by the school district in May.

Court documents show that the math teacher told investigators that she had taken the girl, then 17, under her wing.

The relationship began after the victim admitted to having feelings for McGarry, court papers say.

She had no mom in her life at all, and was forced to grow up quick, McGarry said to investigators, according to the local station.

Police say Collen McGarry's (above, with an unidentified child) relationship with the student was not secret

She's an impressive young woman for what she's been through.

McGarry remained silent as she left the magistrate's office in Plains Township on Tuesday.

Police say her relationship with the student, who has not been named, was not secret.

The teenagers friends reportedly saw her out with McGarry numerous times.

Court papers say the ex-teacher even provided alcohol when the girl threw a party attended by underage students.

She remains in custody at Luzerne County Prison after being unable to post bail.
Event was part of public campaign led by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International to persuade President Obama to pardon Snowden

Fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden says it would 'chill speech' and 'erode the quality of our democracy' if he serves a long prison sentence in the US.

Snowden spoke to reporters by video at a New York news conference on Wednesday.

The event was part of a broader public campaign spearheaded by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International to persuade President Barack Obama to pardon him before he leaves office in January.

Snowden currently faces 30 years in prison for espionage charges of theft of government property, unauthorized communication of national defense information and willful communication of classified communications intelligence.

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Charm offensive continues: Edward Snowden is seen on a TV screen via video uplink from Moscow during a news conference Wednesday to call upon President Obama to pardon him

Unapologetic: Snowden insisted he performed a public service by leaking thousands of classified intelligence documents to journalists in 2013

Supporters: The campaign to secure a pardon for Snowden includes representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International

Speaking from Moscow where he is in exile, Snowden insisted that he performed a public service by leaking thousands of classified National Security Administration documents to journalists in 2013, exposing excessive and intrusive electronic spying by the intelligence agency.

He also called whistleblowers 'democracy's safeguard of last resort' and touted the need to create an environment where they can act.

'I look forward to coming home, but I cannot support the persecution of those charged under an Espionage Act when they have committed no espionage,' Snowden told about 50 members of the press who attended the news conference, reported the Washington Times.

'We believe this is precisely the time for the US president to act,' American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony Romero said. 'Presidents normally take some of the more difficult actions of their years in office in the final months.'

I look forward to coming home, but I cannot support the persecution of those charged under an Espionage Act when they have committed no espionage. Edward Snowden

Wednesday's event was timed to coincide with the highly anticipated release of Oliver Stone's new biopic Snowden, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the title role, which hits theaters Thursday night.

Stone previously said he hopes Obama would pardon the former CIA contractor, and Gordon-Levitt, who met Snowden in Moscow while preparing for the role, said he 'would like to come home.'

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Monday that the president believes Snowden should return to the US to face charges in connection to the high-profile leaks.

He said Obama's position is that Snowden's actions harmed national security and put Americans at risk.

The White House rejected a public petition for Snowden's pardon in July last year, which has been signed by 167,955 people, saying he should 'come home' to be 'judged by a jury of his peers'.

In an interview published by The Guardian on Tuesday, Snowden said the US Congress, the courts and the president all 'changed their policies' as a result of his disclosures, and that 'there has never been any public evidence that any individual came to harm as a result.'

Dinah PoKempner, left, general council for Human Rights Watch, listens as Edward Snowden speaks on a television screen via video link from Moscow

Naureen Shah, director of Amnesty International USA's Security & Human Rights Program, holds up a photo of Edward Snowden during the news conference

Character: Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who stars in the new biopic Snowden, said the NSA whistleblower wants to come home

Snowden, 33, also added that the public would be 'worse off' without these revelations.

Some government officials have acknowledged that Snowden raised legitimate questions about the extent and effectiveness of some electronic eavesdropping, particularly the NSA's sweeping collection of 'metadata' on domestic telephone calls by Americans, a practice that was curtailed after his revelations.
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A forlorn koala has been drenched in floodwaters and perched itself on a fence post as severe storms batter the south-east of Australia.

The koala was soaked through as raging floods surrounded him on Wednesday afternoon in Stirling, south-west of Adelaide, a photograph by resident Russell Latter shows.

He wasn't the only one battered by the severe weather, as Melbourne and the rest of Victoria and South Australia was soaked.

Children and teachers had to be rescued from a primary school in Rapid Bay when it was cut off by floodwaters.

A forlorn koala has been drenched in floodwaters in Stirling, south-west of Adelaide, and perched itself on a fence post

A park bench is rained under in Mylor, south-west of Adelaide, on Wednesday afternoon

Police said everyone was accounted for when the school, south of Adelaide, was successfully evacuated.

Avoca River in Victoria's west reached major flood levels and is expected to keep rising as warnings remain in place.

The river reached five metres about 7pm on Wednesday and is expected to reach seven metres about midday on Thursday.

Heavy downpours have soaked Victoria since the weekend, seeing 12 local government areas flooded, 102 road closures and mudslides along the Great Ocean Road.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Wednesday emergency crews had performed 11 rescues, more than half from swift water, because people had entered floodwaters in vehicles or on foot.

A backyard in Brown Hill Creek, south-west of Adelaide, was inundated with floodwaters on Wednesday. The resident said their neighbour has lost their tennis court and most of their garden, but sandbags would save their house

Floodwaters rage through Athelstone, north-west of Adelaide on Wednesday

Among them were two people rescued by helicopter from the roof of a car in Maryborough.

A man and his dog were helped out of a fast-flowing creek in Pascoe Vale by firefighters late on Tuesday.

Mr Andrews asked people to 'just exercise some common sense' and avoid entering dangerous waters.

In Victoria, major flood warnings are in place for the Avoca, Loddon and Wimmera river catchments.

More than 50km of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria was closed after wild weather lashed the state caused landslides, strong floodwaters and fallen trees.

Communities along the Great Ocean Road are being warned of the risk of further landslides.

The small town of Walpeup in Victoria's northwest received an entire month's worth of rain in just 12 hours on Tuesday.

The rain, except for some minor showers, has now left Victoria but the threat was not over, Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley told reporters.

'We've now got water on the ground, in the river system,' he said.

Severe weather warnings remain across the states as wet weather is expected to continue

Goodwood Road in Adelaide remained flooded on Wednesday night

In low-lying areas of Hamilton, 44 homes were evacuated due to the threat of the Grange Burn breaking a levee.

The Victorian SES received 426 calls for help on Wednesday to 4pm.

The SES has urged drivers to postpone all non-essential travel from Moggs Creek to Skenes Creek.

A severe weather warning for much of the state has been downgraded to include only the Mallee and alpine areas.

Mt Emu Creek at Skipton peaked at 4.65m on Wednesday afternoon and will fall below four metres on Thursday, authorities predict.

On Wednesday morning, flood warnings were issued for eight rivers in NSW.

A park bench is rained under at a park in Victoria as severe storms batter the south-east of Australia

Floodwaters in Taradale, between Melbourne and Bendigo in Victoria, is pictured on Wednesday

On Tuesday afternoon, a man was finally rescued by SES after becoming trapped inside his car in a flash flood near Forbes in central NSW.

On Wednesday, the weather bureau renewed the severe flood warnings and asked drivers to avoid driving in the dangerous conditions.

'You may think it is safe, but it is never safe to drive into floodwaters,' a SES spokeswoman said.

The SES also said commuters should be conscious of falling trees and branches as thunderstorms loom.

On Wednesday, houses were flooding in Adelaide's eastern suburbs, including Brownhill Creek, and at various places in the Mt Lofty Ranges, including Hahndorf.

The South Australian SES responded to more than 660 calls for help, many involving flooded homes or trees over roads and buildings.

A creek overflows above a bridge and rushes down the road in Adelaide Hills on Wednesday

The South Australian SES responded to more than 660 calls for help, many involving flooded homes or trees over roads and buildings (flooding in the Adelaide Hills pictured)

Creeks and rivers across the Adelaide Hills broke their banks, forcing several roads to be closed.

The Bureau of Meteorology said more than 70mm of rain had fallen across the Onkaparinga River catchment area, leading the river to exceed minor flood levels in several areas.

The conditions resulted in a serious of power outages from Currency Creek, south of Adelaide, to Nuriootpa, in the Barossa Valley.

By late on Wednesday more than 2500 properties remained without electricity with SA Power Networks working to repair damage to equipment.

BOM maintained severe weather and flood warnings for Adelaide and the hills.

Areas most at risk of further flooding included those south of the Mt Bold reservoir along with the suburbs of Port Noarlunga and Old Noarlunga.

A severe weather warning is in place for parts of Tasmania with heavy rainfall forecast along the east coast.

Flash flooding could result from 24-hour totals of up to 120mm at elevated centres between Bicheno and Orford starting overnight, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

The State Emergency Service is urging residents to take care particularly nearby rivers, many of which are the subject of flood warnings.

A landslide blocks a section of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria on Wednesday, where 50km was cut off

A car is dwarfed by cliffs and a landslide on the Great Ocean Road after severe weather rocked the south-east of the country

Floodwaters are pictured raging in the Nigretta Falls in the Southern Grampians Shire, Victoria

Aerial images shows the severe flooding from Casterton to Coleraine in Victoria on Tuesday

Motorists have been warned to avoid attempting to cross flooded roads. Glenelg River in western Victoria is pictured

Strong winds also caused a huge tree to tear through a bedroom in Cockatoo, 48 km south-east of Melbourne's city centre

The small town of Walpeup in Victoria's northwest received an entire month's worth of rain in just 12 hours on Tuesday

Heavy rain and flash flooding are still a possibility for the Mallee, Northern Country, Wimmera, North Central, Central, Southwest and Northeast districts during Tuesday and into Wednesday. Pictured is Coleraine in Victoria

FORECAST: WHAT THE WEATHER LOOKS LIKE AROUND AUSTRALIA SYDNEY Thursday: Min 12, Max 22. Mostly sunny Friday: Min 12, Max 21. Morning shower Saturday: Min 12, Max 21. Morning shower BRISBANE: Thursday: Min 18, Max 27. Showers Friday: Min 18, Max 28. Showers Saturday: Min 13, Max 26. Possible shower ADELAIDE Thursday : Min 9, Max 17. Showers Friday : Min 8, Max 17. Partly cloudy Saturday: Min 9, Max 17. Showers DARWIN Thursday: Min 25, Max 33. Possible storm Friday : Min 25, Max 33. Possible storm Saturday: Min 25, Max 33. Possible storm MELBOURNE Thursday : Min 9, Max 15. Showers Friday: Min 10, Max 17. Cloudy Saturday: Min 9, Max 18. Possible shower CANBERRA Thursday : Min 4, Max 13. Shower or two Friday : Min 4, Max 15. Shower or two Saturday : Min 2, Max 16. Possible shower PERTH Thursday : Min 6, Max 18. Showers Friday : Min 6, Max 17. Morning shower Saturday: Min 4, Max 18. Partly cloudy HOBART Thursday : Min 9, Max 14. Morning rain Friday : Min 6, Max 16. Cloudy Saturday: Min 7, Max 16. Possible shower Advertisement

Aerial images shows the severe flooding from Casterton to Coleraine in Victoria on Tuesday

Amazingly, no one was injured after strong winds caused a huge tree to tear through a bedroom in Cockatoo, 48 km south-east of Melbourne's city centre

A driver from Nareen in Victoria ploughed through the floodwater after the Glenelg River burst its banks
Playboy has seen sales jump by almost 30% since they decided to stop publishing naked pictures.

Newsstand sales of the magazine have increased six months after they chose to remove nude shots from their pages, but paid subscriptions have dropped.

Representatives from the 62-year-old publication said they expected the change in sales and are encouraged to be reaching a new group of readers.

The March 2016 issue was the first to be published without any naked pictures.

Playboy has seen sales jump by almost 30% since they decided to stop publishing naked pictures. The March 2016 issue (above) was the first to be published without any nudes

CEO Scott Flanders announced the decision, suggesting the magazine could not keep up with online pornography.

According to the Alliance for Audited Media, monthly sales from the newsstand has risen from 36,762 to 47,203 in six months.

But, only 10 percent of Playboy pick up a copy on newsstands.

Most readers are subscribers.

Paid subscriptions dropped 23.2 percent, to 582,765, in the same six-month period.

But a spokesman for the company confirmed they have received 100,000 more subscribers.

Newsstand sales of the magazine have increased six months after they chose to remove nude shots from their pages, but paid subscriptions have dropped

He told the New York Post: 'When we launched the new version of Playboy magazine with our March 2016 issue, we had anticipated that some longtime subscribers would not be happy with the new direction of the magazine, so we took our ad rate base down to 500,000 [from 550,000] at the beginning of the year in anticipation of this trend.
Armed police are hunting for a gunman after shots were reportedly fired outside a Sainsbury's on a south London street today.

Dramatic video footage has emerged of the moment police smashed down a front door during the dramatic raid on Mitcham Lane in Streatham shortly before 4pm.

No one was injured in the 'firearms incident', according to Scotland Yard.

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Dramatic video footage has emerged of the moment police smashed down a front door after shots were reportedly fired outside a Sainsbury's on a south London street on Wednesday

Met Police told MailOnline there were no injuries and no victims or suspects have yet been found.

Mike Padhiar, who works in Nicholls Motor Spares in Mitcham Lane, told MailOnline that he heard a number of gun shots outside the business.

He said: 'I heard gunfire when I was inside the shop. But when I went outside to look, I didn't see anyone there.

'There were definitely a few shots, then lots of police surrounded the area.'

Armed police are hunting for a gunman after shots were reportedly fired outside a Sainsbury's on a south London street today

One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Evening Standard she heard shots and lots of shouting.

'I was just in the manager's office when we heard what sounded like a shot and then lots of shouting.

'We ran onto the roof and were told immediately to get back by police. There were about two cars and then suddenly another three turned up.

'We don't really know what has happened but police said they think there is a gunman. All the shops are shut and the road has been taped off.'

Another worker on Mitcham Lane said armed police had told everyone to stay indoors.

She said: 'Apparently someone fired two shots out there. I heard there were two cartridges found but I don't know if that's true.

'There were a lot of police here. They were all armed.'
Office supply forim Avery UK study polled 2,000 workers to illuminate British office habits, from lateness to tea-drinking

Over a 47-year career, the average British office worker will drink 24,648 cups of tea, fall out with colleagues 479 times and send 400,816 emails.

The typical worker will also arrive to work late 1,026 times, take 98 sick days, contend with 1,176 technological problems and sit through 9,824 meetings.

Office supplier Avery UK's 2,000-person poll found that the average employee spends a total of five months and three weeks gossiping and two years and three months on the phone - making a total of 158,982 calls throughout their career.

Fiona Mills, marketing director at Avery UK, said: 'It's fascinating to see just how much people experience throughout their careers.'

'It may be quite an eye opener for office workers as they may not realise quite how much time they'll spend doing things or the number of times they'll do them.'

'The research certainly suggests that they deserve all the cups of tea they consume, however bosses might not be too happy about the number of times people are late.'

When they are late, the average British office worker arrives nine minutes and 52 seconds behind schedule.

The average employee with argue with their boss 891 times throughout their career

The average employee is late twice a month, with traffic the number one cause of blame. The average office commute is 29 minutes.

Other prevalent causes of lateness include oversleeping and bad timekeeping.

Meanwhile, 57% percent of workers said that they are never late to work.

Workers said that the most annoying part of the office is management. Fellow employees ranked second, with IT department failures coming in third.

The typical British employee sends 33 emails a day and receives 44 - for a total of 537,860 emails received over the course of their career.

British workers will sit through 9,824 meetings during a 47-year career

The typical British worker will take 98 sick days and arrive at work late 1,026 times

Workers spend an average of 13 minutes and 13 seconds each days looking for missing paperwork, even though one in five cleans their desk on a weekly basis.

The average employee goes through 196 notepads, 282 pens and 343,504 printed pages over the course of their career.

He or she drinks about two cups of two and two cups of coffee everyday, starting with their first at 8:59 am.

Employees are most likely to row over a building's temperature, followed by other workers pretending to be busy to avoid work.
A teenage cyclist is facing an Old Bailey trial after his bicycle hit an HR executive who later died.

Kim Briggs, 44, was allegedly struck by the bike while on her lunch break near her office in Old Street, central London, on February 12.

The mother-of-two was taken to hospital by air ambulance but later died from her injuries.

Kim Briggs, 44, collided with the bike while she was on her lunch break near her office in Old Street, central London, on February 12. Right, Charlie Alliston is facing an Old Bailey trial

Ms Briggs, from Lewisham, south east London, had recently started work as head of human resources at ancestry website Find My Past.

Charlie Alliston, 19, appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court today accused of causing bodily harm by wilful misconduct.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Ajayi said: 'His actions led to the death of a female pedestrian.'
Bill Clinton was governor of Arkansas when an accident took place at a missile silo in Damascus, Arkansas

The United States narrowly avoided a nuclear disaster that threatened to obliterate the entire state of Arkansas, according to a bombshell new book.

Command and Control, a book written by renowned investigative journalist Eric Schlosser, details how a maintenance accident in a missile silo buried underneath farmland in Damascus, Arkansas, nearly caused a thermonuclear explosion.

'I wish this was just a historical, fascinating story,' Schlosser told CBS News. 'As long as these machines exist, the possibility of something going terribly wrong exists as well.'

The near-catastrophe occurred on September 18, 1980, when maintenance technicians at a Titan II missile silo accidentally allowed a socket being replaced on a missile to fall 70 feet down a shaft.

The socket then punctured the tank, resulting in leakage of chemicals that eventually caught fire.

Somehow, the prospect of thermonuclear explosion was diverted.

Seen above: A film depiction of a Titan II missile silo similar to the one in Damascus, Arkansas, that caught fire and nearly caused a catastrophic nuclear explosion on September 18, 1980

Schlosser's book, which was made into a documentary directed by Robert Kenner, is all the more shocking since it reveals that accidents of this kind were much more commonplace than initially believed.

Officially, the US government acknowledges that there have been 32 accidents involving mishaps and malfunctions at American nuclear installments (so-called 'broken arrow' incidents).

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In reality, however, Schlosser found that the number is closer to 1,200  and that's just between the years 1950 and 1968.

It has been widely assumed that if a nuclear device were to have ever been detonated on American soil, it would have been one fired by the now-defunct Soviet Union  the US's chief adversary during the Cold War.

The accident in Damascus, Arkansas, made headlines at the time, though few people knew just how close they came to being the victims of a nuclear catastrophe

Schosser's book highlights the dangers of maintaining and storing nuclear weapons whose upkeep is in the hands of men and women who are prone to make mistakes  though, in this case, with potentially apocalyptic consequences.

Harold Brown, who was secretary of defense at the time of the Damascus accident, said that he had quickly 'forgot about it' soon after 'because things like this happened every day.'

'That for me was probably the scariest line in the movie,' Kenner said. 'These are, on one level, stories of human mistakes. But in reality these small mistakes should not be able to blow a nine-megaton warhead.'

Schlosser said he learned that the failure of nuclear technicians and engineers to communicate with one another over faulty designs and accidents has led to a situation that endangers Americans who have no idea that these incidents take place.

A test missile breaks up in mid-air. Though the Pentagon acknowledges that there have been 32 'broken arrow' incidents, the real number if closer to 1,200, according to Eric Schlosser

'It was a sign of the compartmentalized secrecy at the time,' Schlosser said.

'The weapons designers who knew there were safety problems didn't know how the weapons were being handled in the field, and the guys who were literally having their lunches sometimes sitting on nuclear weapons smoking cigarettes had no idea there were any safety problems with these weapons.'
because she enjoyed watching and used dating website Plenty of Fish to look for men

The mother told cops she set up sex

The mother of a 10-year-old New Mexico girl found dead and dismembered told police she sought men online and at work to sexually assault her daughter.

Michelle Martens told police that she had set up encounters with at least three men to sexually assault her daughter, Victoria Martens, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

Michelle, 35, told investigators that one of the men was a co-worker. Two others she met online, including Fabian Gonzales, 31. He was to be the last.

Michelle, Gonzales, and Jessica Kelley  a cousin of Gonzales  all face charges in connection with Victoria Martens' death.

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Young victim: Police officers discovered Victoria Marten's (above) butchered body wrapped in a blanket and set on fire in the bathtubin the apartment she lived in with her mother

Horror crime: Michelle Martens (left), her boyfriend Fabian Gonzales (center) and his cousin Jessica Kelley (right) have been charged in the shocking rape, murder and dismemberment Martens' daughter

Mark Earnest, the mother's attorney, did not immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press.

Police found Victoria's dismembered body last month inside the apartment she shared with her mother.

On the day Victoria was going to celebrate her 10th birthday, she was found murdered in her family's apartment in New Mexico by police.

Her dismembered body was found wrapped in a burning blanket.

Officers who responded to the Arroyo Villas Apartment Complex on Irving Boulevard came upon a gruesome crime scene in the bathroom, said Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden.

'This is a horrific tragedy for our community,' Eden told reporters. 'I want to assure the public that we will pursue justice and we will make sure that we exhaust every resource into this investigation.'

Police said Victoria was injected with methamphetamine, sexually assaulted, strangled and stabbed before being dismembered.

Mother's confession: Martens told police her boyfriend drugged her daughter so he could 'calm her down' and have sex with her

Gonzales denied having anything to do with the girl's death as he was led out of the police station in handcuffs last month

According to the warrants, Michelle told investigators she didn't do it for the money. Martens said she set up the sexual assaults because she enjoyed watching.

The mother's statement to police is included in nearly a dozen search warrants obtained by the Journal.

Investigators sought DNA evidence from the suspects, as well as multiple electronic devices and a camcorder they believed may have been used for sexual exploitation of children.

The mother told police she used the dating website Plenty of Fish to look for men to have sex with Victoria.

It's unclear how long she'd been arranging meetings before Victoria was killed or if police have identified any of those men.

Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Tanner Tixier said investigators are working with federal agencies to determine whether Michelle will face federal charges for alleged online activity.

Sickening details: The 35-year-old mother-of-two (left) said Gonzales and Kelley (right) drugged her daughter with methamphetamines to calm her down before the rape

According to the criminal complaint, Michelle made a confession, telling police Gonzales drugged the girl so he could 'calm her down' and have sex with her.

She said Kelley held her hand over the child's mouth and she stabbed the girl in the stomach after Gonzales had choked her.

The complaint also states that the mother, who also has a younger son, told investigators that Gonzales and Kelley dismembered Victoria.

Some of her remains were found in a plastic bag in a hamper near the kitchen, reported The Albuquerque Journal, citing court records.

Albuquerque Public Schools said Victoria was a student at Petroglyph Elementary School on Albuquerque's west side.

In a statement, the district said school officials were having a hard time wrapping their heads around around the sickening case.

People who knew the slain child said she was well-liked and friendly.

Christine Zamora said she taught Victoria gymnastics every Saturday and that she came to class happy.

Neighbor John Madrid says he often saw the girl at the pool and that she was excited about the start of the new school year.

Tragic: Victoria (left) was a student at Petroglyph Elementary School. She is survived by a younger brother (right)

Gonzales has an arrest record stretching back to 2004, including a felony child abuse charge, driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest.

It was unclear whether he was convicted of most charges, but he did plead no contest to a charge of child abandonment.

Kelley's arrest record includes battery, domestic violence and drug charges  most of them dismissed. Online court records show no past criminal history in New Mexico for the child's mother.

Laura Bobbs, a local minister and close family friend of the victim, told the Albuquerque Journal she was planning Victoria's birthday celebration when the child was supposed to arrive home from school on Wednesday afternoon.

They were going to have pedicures and manicures and eat cake.

Dozens of people gathered outside an Albuquerque apartment complex for a candlelight vigil for the 10-year-old girl who was murdered and dismembered last month

Bobbs broke down sobbing and yelling Wednesday outside the apartment complex as detectives investigated.

'Who does this to a little child?' she asked. 'Oh Jesus. Oh what evil.'

The child's death sparked vigils and outcry across the state last month.

Dozens of people gathered outside the Albuquerque apartment complex for a candlelight vigil August 25.

The complex where the child lived had opened up the property to mourners who wanted to pay their respects.

Family, friends and neighbors placed numerous balloons, toys, stuffed animals, candles and flowers outside the apartment building.

A public funeral for Victioria will be held on October 29 at 11am at the Copper Pointe Church at 10500 Copper NE, near Eubank and Interstate 40, Bobbs said.

'It's going to be a public celebration for those who want to come and pay their respects,' Bobbs said.
A Florida judge has revoked the bail of a 19-year-old man accused of impersonating a doctor after he was arrested in Virginia on charges he tried to illegally buy a car.

Malachi Love-Robinson has been told he will remain behind bars after he tried to purchase a Lexus using fake payslips - just months after he was charged with practicing medicine without a licence.

He is in jail in Stafford, Virginia, and will remain in custody when he is brought back to Palm Beach County, Circuit Judge Krista Marx said.

Circuit Judge Krista Marx revoked 's $26,000 bond Wednesday and ordered him jailed if he is brought back to Palm Beach County.

A Florida judge has revoked the bail of Malachi Love-Robinson - the 19-year-old accused of impersonating a doctor - after he was arrested again in Virginia on charges he tried to illegally buy a car

Love-Robinson was arrested in February after law enforcement officials said he was practicing medicine without a license.

Authorities in Palm Beach County said Love-Robinson was illegally operating a medical practice, complete with an office, a lab coat and stethoscope.

He allegedly stole $35,000 from a patient. He has denied the charges.

Love-Robinson had initially submitted an online inquiry about the Jaguar that was for sale, saying he was seeking credit approval, ABC News reported.

By the time he showed up in person on Friday, the Jaguar had been sold so a salesperson then showed him a 2013 Lexus.

Staff at Kargar Motors car dealership in Stafford (pictured) became suspicious when the teen applied for a car loan with an elderly woman as the co-signer on the loan, police said

The teen was with an elderly woman when he went to see the car who he said was going to be a co-signer on the loan, according to ABC News.

He reportedly also said that he was a doctor making $120,000 a year, which raised another red flag.

The employees called the sheriff's office after looking up Love-Robinson's name in an internet search.

Deputies then went to the car dealership where they spoke with Love-Robinson, who said he came to Virginia to buy a car for himself and another for his godmother.

The woman, who was not identified, later told deputies that she had not given Love-Robinson permission to be listed as a co-signer on the loan.

She also told police she was unaware of recent purchases made on her credit card for two iPads, which deputies seized when they arrested Love-Robinson.

Love-Robinson (center) has been accused of illegally operating a medical practice  complete with an office, a lab coat and stethoscope  but had no license to do so, authorities in Palm Beach County

Authorities are still investigating the incident and Love-Robinson is being held in the Rappahannock Regional Jail, sheriff's officials said.

Last month, the teen was arrested for a third time for two charges of grand theft and fraud.

In that incident, he is accused of writing a bad check for $1,500 as a down payment for a car at West Palm Nissan in May 2015, court records indicated.

Details on the new grand theft charge were not available.

Previously, Grieco Mazda in Delray Beach filed a lawsuit seeking roughly $7,200 in damages and interest claiming that the teen wrote them a bad check for a new car.

A lawsuit claims that in June 2015, Love-Robinson gave a salesman a Wells Fargo check for $1,800 as a down payment for a 2016 red Mazda 6 costing more than $27,000, the Palm Beach Post reported.

The bank refused to cash the check, saying the account was closed.

Records show Love-Robinson responded to the suit in writing in August, claiming the bad check was a mistake, and that the dealership did not give him enough time to fix it.

The Sun Sentinel reported Love-Robinson lost that case in April 2016.

Love-Robinson was arrested in February after law enforcement officials in Florida said he was practicing medicine without a license

In February, the teen was arrested after deputies said he was practicing medicine without a license and stole more than $35,000 from an 86-year-old patient.

He was then arrested again in March and charged with two counts of practicing medicine without a license, two counts of practice of naturopathy without a license, three counts of forgery, two counts of grand theft from a person 65 or older, and three counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information.

The teen was illegally operating a medical practice  complete with an office, a lab coat and stethoscope  but had no license to do so, authorities in Palm Beach County said.

In one instance, they said he went to a woman's house five times after she contacted him online to treat her for stomach pains.

He told her she suffered from arthritis and sold her vitamins, charging her $3,494, which she paid by check.

He was charged then with two counts of practicing medicine without a license, one count of grand theft larceny and four counts of fraud.

Love-Robinson has denied the charges, saying he never said he was a medical doctor.

He claims to have a doctorate from the Universal Life Church, which sells them online for $29.95.
Police believe two additional women could have been attacked by the same man (pictured) who is believed to have set fire to a Muslim woman's sleeve while she was shopping in New York

Police believe two additional women could have been attacked by the same man who allegedly set fire to a Muslim woman's sleeve while she was shopping in New York.

The original victim, identified as Nemariq Al-Hinai, 35, from Glasgow, Scotland, was assaulted Fifth Avenue in Manhattan at 8.58pm on Saturday night.

She was looking through the windows of designer clothes store Valentino after getting off a tourist bus when she 'felt something warm on her left arm and noticed her blouse was on fire'.

Nemariq patted out the fire and observed a male standing next to her with a lighter in his hand before he fled the scene.

She flagged down a police officer to report the crime but the suspect had already fled down 54th Street.

The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force has been identifying the incident, and it has now been revealed another two women may also have been set on fire in the area on Saturday night.

Police say the other two potential victims, one who is white and one who is Hispanic, were near the 42nd St subway station when a man tried to set their clothes on fire at 9:03pm, according to ABC7.

The new information has cast doubt over whether the series of incidents were motivated by bias held by the alleged attacker.

The initial victim, named in media reports as Nemariq Al-Hinai, 35, from Glasgow, was assaulted on Midtown Manhattan's Fifth Avenue

It comes after police released security footage showing the man they believe to be behind the initial attack on Tuesday.

It shows a man wearing a black hat, black tank top, black trousers and black shoes checking behind him and walking away from the incident.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attack on Al-Hinai, describing it as, 'the latest in a series of attacks on Muslims in that state and nationwide in recent days and months,' NBC 4 reports.

The woman, who was visiting the city from Scotland, had been walking along Fifth Avenue and was outside the Valentino store (above) at around 9pm on Saturday when the attack occurred

Police now believe the suspect (pictured on security camera footage) may have attacked two other women nearby just minutes after the first attack

An arrest is yet to be made in the investigation.

The incident comes less than a week after a woman allegedly attacked two Muslim mothers in Brooklyn.

Emirjeta Zhelili reportedly punched the women in the face and attempted to rip their hijabs from their heads on Thursday.

The Scottish tourist who was attacked first flagged down a police officer to report the crime but the suspect (pictured) had already fled

The woman dressed in traditional Muslim clothing had her sleeve set on fire outside a designer boutique in Manhattan on Saturday (stock image)

Ibraham Hooper, a spokesman for the Council of American-Islamic Relations, said he urges police to thoroughly investigate a possible bias motive.

'It's almost impossible to keep up with the number of incidents in recent days and months since the mainstreaming of Islamophobia by people like Donald Trump,' Hooper said.

He added that in the past week, the organization has seen numerous complaints of incidents apparently fueled by anti-Muslim sentiment, including an tractor-trailer that crashed into a Maryland mosque.
A trucker could be facing jail after he was filmed on dashcam deliberately driving his lorry at a group of migrants.

Arpad Levente Jeddi can be heard shouting as he swerved his truck along the side of a road where the migrants were gathered, sending them scattering.

Jeddi, from Hungary, was furious after the crowds pelted his vehicle with bottles and other missiles in an attempt to make him stop.

Arpad Levente Jeddi can be heard shouting as he moves his truck along the side of a road where the migrants were gathered, sending them scattering onto the kerbside

Jeddi swerved his vehicle towards the side of the road, forcing the migrants to run onto the grass verge

The trucker got dangerously close to hitting the migrants, who dodged out of his way just in time. He was angry after some of the crowd threw missiles at his vehicle

At one point, he even threatened to stab someone if they try to got onto his truck.

Jeddi briefly became well-known after the dashcam video was uploaded onto YouTube last year and racked up more than four million views.

Now prosecutors in Hungary are calling for him to be given a suspended jail sentence.

They also want him to receive a lengthy driving ban when the dangerous driving case comes to court.

Jeddi was sacked soon after the video first emerged last year, but he has since been hired by another transport firm.

Jeddi, from Hungary, was furious after the crowds pelted his vehicle with bottles and other missiles in an attempt to make him stop

Jeddi briefly became famous after his dashcam video was uploaded onto YouTube last year and racked up more than four million views

The trucker has angrily defended his actions on social media, saying: 'They haven't understood that I didn't have a chance to respect traffic rules.'

He added: 'The reason was I was a victim of an open attack, public vandalism. Nobody was hurt and nothing was damaged.'
Powell also said that Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz were 'idiots'

While Hillary Clinton enjoyed her last day of bed rest, Bill Clinton was more than happy to fill-in as he took selfies with a number of young and excited female voters.

Clinton's face is no doubt filling a number of Snapchat stories after he took a caffeine break the hip Alfred Coffee shop on Melrose Place in West Hollywood.

In one photo Bill could be seen clutching a blonde's hand as they posed for a photo, while in another he helped one young woman hold up her phone for the selfie.

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While Hillary enjoyed her last day of bed rest, Bill Clinton was happy to step in and sub for the Democratic presidential candidate on the campaign trail on Wednesday

Clinton was spotted taking selfies with a number of young admirers as he stopped for a caffeine break at Alfred Coffee in West Hollywood

The crowd of Los Angelenos were clearly shocked to see the former president outside

Women were lining up to take pictures with Clinton, and he was more than happy to oblige

Clinton later subbed in for Hillary at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

The pictures of Clinton and his admirers come as comments about his past marital infidelities were discovered in leaked emails written by Collin Powell.

Powell told a close friend in a July 2014 email that he did not want to vote for Hillary in the 2016 election, seemingly citing Bill as a factor.

'I would rather not have to vote for her, although she is a friend I respect,' he wrote.

'A 70-year person with a long track record, unbridled ambition, greedy, not transformational, with a husband still di**ing bimbos at home (according to the NYP),' Powell wrote to wealthy private equity investor Jeffrey Leeds.

That email was in response to one Leeds wrote which contained some comments saying how former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani thought Clinton would win the election.

' They don't think Hillary is stoppable. Every one is beatable,' wrote Leeds, who also said that he managed to get Giuliani to admit that 'the President is a decent man.'

Clinton later subbed in for Hillary at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas

The pictures of Clinton and his admirers come as comments about his past marital infidelities were discovered in leaked emails written by Collin Powell (pictured together in 1993)

Shock: In that same exchange, his friend Jeffrey Leeds said Rudy Giuliani thought President Obama was a 'decent' man and that Hillary would win in 2016 (above)

The emails also reveal that Powell was urged to run for president by Eric Shinseki - the former Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Obama.

COLIN POWELL ON REFUSING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT C'mon Ric. I would be 80 upon my first months in office. Yes, every day someone kindly mentions it that I should have. I didn't want to and nothing has changed. And I can't carry the burden of the GOP. They left me years ago. He then added: 'We have got to stop thinking that a superman or superwoman could come save us as President. Until we super people start fixing things a President won't help. Toss out Congress incumbents that do nothing, fix taxes, fix the infrastructure, get super rich money out of the system, eliminate Gerrymandering, etc. And none of this is presidential. Advertisement

'I'm sure good friends and associates from past political campaigns have asked, and I hope you have seriously considered entering your name into the campaign for President. I'm not [a member of the Republican party], but I worry at what is happening to your proud and distinguished Party,' wrote Shineski.

'I do hope for the sake of the Republican Party and our country that there is time for you to consider a late entry into the run for the White House. We'd all be well served.'

Powell responded to this by writing: 'C'mon Ric. I would be 80 upon my first months in office. Yes, every day someone kindly mentions it that I should have. I didn't want to and nothing has changed. And I can't carry the burden of the GOP. They left me years ago.'

He then added: 'We have got to stop thinking that a superman or superwoman could come save us as President. Until we super people start fixing things a President won't help.

'Toss out Congress incumbents that do nothing, fix taxes, fix the infrastructure, get super rich money out of the system, eliminate Gerrymandering, etc. And none of this is presidential.'

Better times: 'I told you about the gig I lost at a University because she so overcharged them they came under heat and couldn't any fees for awhile. I should send her a bill,' wrote Powell about Clinton in an email to a friend (pair above in 2014)

Not a fan: Powell also had less than kind things to say about retired General Michael Flynn, Trump's closest military adviser (Powell's email exchange with his son above)

Other emails show Powell being incredibly critical of Republican nominee Donald Trump, calling him a 'national disgrace' and an 'international pariah' whose anti-Obama birther movement was 'racist.'

'Yup, the whole birther movement was racist,' wrote Powell to journalist and former aide Emily Miller earlier this year.

POWELL'S COMMENTS ON TRUMP IN LEAKED EMAILS -'Yup, the whole birther movement was racist. That's what the 99% believe. When Trump couldn't keep that up he said he also wanted to see if [President Obama's] certificate noted that he was a Muslim.' -'If Donald were to somehow win, by the end of the first week in office he'd be saying 'What the hell did I get myself into?' ' -'You guys are playing his game, you are his oxygen. He outraged us again today with his comments on Paris no-go for police districts. I will watch and pick the timing, not respond to the latest outrage.' -'To go on and call him an idiot just emboldens him.' -'Trump has no sense of shame' -'National disgrace' -'International pariah' Advertisement

'That's what the 99% believe. When Trump couldn't keep that up he said he also wanted to see if the certificate noted that he was a Muslim.'

He then added: 'As I have said before, 'What if he was?' Muslims are born as Americans everyday.'

Powell also complained about the media's coverage of Trump in an email late last year.

'You guys are playing his game, you are his oxygen,' he told CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria in December 2015.

'He outraged us again today with his comments on Paris no-go for police districts. I will watch and pick the timing, not respond to the latest outrage.'

And in July of last year, Powell despaired about Trump handing out Senator Lindsay Graham's personal phone number, saying 'Trump has no sense of shame.'

He also said to former New Jersey governor Christine Todd Whitman about Trump: 'NYC finance guys hate him, wouldn't lend him money. He cheats and then sues.'

Powell also had less than kind things to say about retired General Michael Flynn, Trump's closest military adviser.

'Flynn got fired as head of DIA. His replacement is a black Marine 3-star. I asked him why Flynn got fired. Abusive with staff, didn't listen, worked against policy, bad management, etc. He has been and was right-wing nutty every since. I watched about five minutes on line of his [RNC speech] and switched off,' wrote Powell in an email to his son.

He also sent a clip of Trump supporter and New Hampshire state representative Al Baldasaro speaking to a friend, writing: 'In case you missed this nut.'

Not great: Major political donor Jeffrey Leeds told Powell in an email last March that Hillary Clinton 'HATES' President Obama (above at the Democratic National Convention in July)

Revelations: Leeds also claimed that the Clintons refer to President Obama as 'that man'

Meanwhile, Leeds told Powell that Clinton 'HATES' President Obama in emails between the two men that were first obtained by The Intercept.

POWELL EMAIL TO LEEDS IN AUGUST 2015 Agree, press has started asking Peggy and me about our use. We have answered 3 IG questionaire [sic] and are clean. A newsie asked today to interview me on my use. Told them to read my book, Chapter on 'Brainware.' They are going to d**k up the legitimate and necessary use of emails with friggin record rules. I saw email more like a telephone than a cable machine. As long as the stuff is unclassified. I had some secure State.gov machine. Everything HRC touches she kind of screws up with hubris. I told you about the gig I lost at a University because she so overcharged them they came under heat and couldn't any fees for awhile. I should send her a bill. Trump conceivable take it to the convention. He appeals to the worst angels of the GOP nature and poor white folks. Just finished a book by a guy named Llosa about loss of culture. It was reviewed in the WSJ last week. Culture is going and with it the ties that bind. An increasing theme in my speeches-----celebrification of our society..FOX got the highest ratings ever after the debate so Ailes makes friends again with Trump and sends Megyn Kelly off to get over her period. Hey, noting personal, just business. Advertisement

Jeffrey Leeds wrote to Powell in one email which was first posted on Twitter by Lee Fang that all Clinton wants is to win the upcoming election, and that she might not win in the end.

He then went on to say: 'It's the one prize she wants. She has everything else. And she HATES the President ('that man' as the Clintons call him) kicked her a** in 2008. She can't believe it or accept it.'

In another March 2015 email exchange between the two the men talk about Clinton's health, with Leeds stating that Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse informed him that 'she could barely climb the podium steps' when the two gave a speech at the same event a few months prior.

DailyMail.com has reached out to both Leeds and Whitehouse for comment.

Leeds also wrote to Powell about other problems he believed Clinton would be facing in the upcoming election.

'No one likes her and the criminal thing ain't over,' wrote Leeds.

'I don't think the president would weep if she found herself in real legal trouble. She'll pummel his legacy if she gets a chance and he knows it.'

That message was sent with a forwarded email from Politico declaring that Bernie Sanders had won Maine in the primary election.

In the email where the men were discussing her health, Powell also said about Clinton: 'On HD TV she doesn't look good. She is working herself to death.'

He then goes on to tell Leeds that the two were at the same home in San Francisco and he 'ducked her so we didn't turn loose another email story by being seen together.'

In an email exchange Powell had with another former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, her called Benghazi a 'stupid witch hunt.'

Powell wrote: 'Basic fault falls on a courageous ambassador who thoughts [sic] Libyans now love me and I am ok in this very vulnerable place.'

He then added in the email, which was seen by Buzzfeed: 'But blame also rests on his leaders and supports [sic] back here. Pat Kennedy, Intel community, DS and yes HRC.'

JEFFREY LEEDS EMAIL TO POWELL ABOUT CLINTON I think Hillary can't believe she might not make it. It's the one prize she wants. She has everything else. And she HATES the President ('that man' as the Clintons call him) kicked her a** in 2008. She can't believe it or accept it. Advertisement

Rice responded by saying: 'Completely agree. Let me know when you're in town and we'll have that glass of wine (or two).'

Powell and Rice also spoke about what kind of President Trump would be, with Powell writing in a June 2016 email: 'If Donald were to somehow win, by the end of the first week in office he'd be saying 'What the hell did I get myself into?''

Rice responded by saying: 'I think his attention span may be waning because national campaigning is a lot harder than just showing up at rallies.'

In other emails seen by The Daily Caller multiple people seem to suggest in exchanges with Powell that he plans on endorsing Clinton for president.

Christie Whitman, the former New Jersey governor who has already endorsed Clinton over Trump despite being a Republican, wrote to Powell in late July: 'Have you endorsed her yet?'

Powell responded by writing: 'Nope.'

He later added: 'You'll recall that in 2008 and 2012 I waited until early fall.'

In another exchange, Powell's friend Harlan Ullman responded to a story the former Secretary of State sent out about Trump's negative remarks about the Khan family by saying: 'W hen are you going to throw the knock out blow?'

Powell responded to this by saying: 'I try not to bother someone who is beating himself and the GOP up. And please, don't start bugging me like every newsie and getter in town.

'I and when I do it will be known.'

Smart choice: It was Senator Sheldon Whitehouse who allegedly told Leeds that Clinton had trouble scaling the stairs at a 2015 event (Whitehouse and Clinton above in 2008)

Pen pals: The men also discussed Clinton's health in a March 2015 email (above)

Powell was not happy however when Clinton and her 'mafia' tried to drag him into what he referred to as 'emailgate.'

POWELL ON CLINTON AND TRUMP IN AUGUST 2016 It could have been so easy for her just tell what she did, a 'Full Monte.' Last night several folks came up to me to say 'She threw you under the bus.' I replied 'don't be silly, she is under the bus.' The FBI guys loved me and so did the IG types. But conversation turned to: 'Clintons always trying to use you.' Most folks up here detest Trump and won't vote for him, but dislike her intensely at the same time. Ah, well the country will decide. The NYT piece yesterday on emails was fine and balanced. I worked with the reporter. I found out from her about the book coming out. No alert from State or HRC team. Same with WP reporter. He gave me info that had been leaked to them. Trump just looks stupid trying to appeal to blacks and Latinos. Advertisement

In a series of emails he asks Cheryl Mills, who has worked with both Bill and Hillary, to make sure his name is not brought up when members of the Clinton team speak about her email scandal.

He continues to write her as his name continues to come up, and finally threatens in one email from August 19 that was seen by The Daily Caller to 'send an even tougher counterattack from a Trump media friend.'

Powell complained about becoming a scapegoat for the Clinton campaign to a confidante one week later in an email that was seen by The Intercept.

'HRC could have killed this two years ago by merely telling everyone honestly what she had done and not tie me to it,' wrote Powell.

'I told her staff three times not to try that gambit. I had to throw a mini tantrum at a Hampton's party to get their attention. She keeps tripping into these 'character' minefields.'

He also wrote the entire situation was 'dumb,' saying: 'She should have done a 'Full Monty' at the beginning. I warned her staff three times over the past two years not to try to connect it to me. I am not sure HRC even knew or understood what was going on in the basement.'

Not fans: Both Powell and fellow former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice agreed that Benghazi was a 'witch hunt' (Powell and Rice above at the 2005 inauguration)

In an email to Leeds, Powell wrote about the scandal: 'They are going to dick up the legitimate and necessary use of emails with friggin record rules. I saw email more like a telephone than a cable machine.'

He added: 'Everything HRC touches she kind of screws up with hubris.'

POWELL ON GENERAL FLYNN, TRUMP'S MILITARY ADVISER Flynn got fired as head of DIA. His replacement is a black Marine 3-star. I asked him why Flynn got fired. Abusive with staff, didn't listen, worked against policy, bad management, etc. He has been and was right-wing nutty every since. I watched about five minutes on line of his [RNC speech] and switched off. Advertisement

Powell went on to lament losing out on a job to Clinton, writing: 'I told you about the gig I lost at a University because she so overcharged them they came under heat and couldn't any fees for awhile. I should send her a bill.'

And to close things off in that email Powell, back in August 2015, stated that he could very see Trump becoming the Republican nominee for president.

'Trump conceivable take it to the convention.He appeals to the worst angels of the GOP nature and poor white folks,' wrote Powell.

To prove his point, Powell talked about the newfound relationship between Trump and former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes.

'FOX got the highest ratings ever after the debate so Ailes makes friends again with Trump and sends Megyn Kelly off to get over her period. Hey, noting [sic] personal, just business.'

Much better times: They are idiots and a spent force peddling a book that ain't going nowhere,' said Powell about Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz (pair above in 2000)

An email Chuck Ross posted on Twitter also seems to suggest that Powell is not a huge fan of Dick Cheney, and refuses to appear with him on Meet the Press.

POWELL ON DICK AND LIZ CHENEY IN SEPTEMBER 2015 MTP told us yesterday morning they were going to put the Cheneys on with me. Chuck [Todd] had apparently seen them somewhere and offered it. I said that was there call but it would be without me. Panic at NBC. They pushed them off a couple weeks. I don't know why CBS gave them that much time. They are idiots and a spent force peddling a book that ain't going nowhere. Advertisement

He wrote in a 2015 email: 'MTP told us yesterday morning they were going to put the Cheneys on with me. Chuck [Todd] had apparently seen them somewhere and offered it. I said that was there call but it would be without me. Panic at NBC. They pushed them off a couple weeks.

The former vice president and his daughter Liz were promoting their book Exceptional: Why the World Needs a Powerful America at the time, and had been given a lengthy interview earlier that week on CBS This Morning.

Powell wrote about that appearance: 'I don't know why CBS gave them that much time. They are idiots and a spent force peddling a book that ain't going nowhere.'

He and Conoleezza Rice also went after Donald Rumsfeld in an email seen by Politico, with Powell writing: 'One day when we both have had too many drinks we can discuss why [President George W. Bush] tolerated [Rumsfeld] and why Dick [Cheney], a successful Sec Def, was so committed to Don.'
Bill and Chelsea Clinton will step down from the board of a major division in the Clinton Foundation - but only if Hillary is elected, the charitable organization said.

The institution announced on Wednesday that the two Clintons would step down from the board of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Foundation's flagship health project, in an apparent attempt to appease critics of its links to public office.

It will also spin out the division, it said.

The Foundation released the news as it prepares to host its final Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York next week, where speakers will include the President of the Republic of Colombia and the CEO of Sony.

Bill Clinton previously said it would be the last as the organization awaits the nation's vote.

The Clinton Health Access Initiative accounts for about two thirds of the foundation's expenses, much of that from foreign sources, according to the foundation's financial reports.

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Clinton and her daughter Chelsea at a Foundation event in 2015

The wider organization has been under scrutiny since Hillary Clinton was revealed to have met Foundation donors while she was serving as secretary of state.

She has hit back against accusations that wealthy donors to the institution - including foreigners and corporate leaders - might receive favorable treatment from the U.S. government in return for their money.

Still, her staff have said she recognizes reorganization would be necessary to avoid any appearance of conflicts of interests.

If Clinton is elected the project would no longer use the family name and would only go by its acronym, CHAI, Wednesday's announcement said.

The project has worked to lower the cost of HIV medicine in sub-Saharan Africa and help governments set up health coverage for their citizens.

Other long-time Clinton associates - Bruce Lindsey, Ira Magaziner and Maggie Williams - would also step down from the board, and the remaining board members would replace all five in consultation with global health experts, the charity said.

Bill Clinton has been hitting the campaign trail while Clinton recovers from pneumonia

Magaziner would remain in place as the project's chief executive, although the board would also draft a 'succession plan' by the end of the year.

'If Secretary Clinton is elected President, the changes outlined here will be implemented and CHAI would become an organization completely independent of the Clinton Foundation,' the institution said.

The announcement did not mention what would happen to Chelsea and Bill Clinton's board director positions at the helm of the wider Clinton Foundation.

Chelsea Clinton said last Friday that she would remain at the Foundation even if her mother was elected.

'For now, I'll certainly stay on the board,' she told ABC's The View.

Clinton Foundation President Donna Shalala told interviewers on Wednesday that it was Chelsea's decision, and called her 'an extraordinarily important leader on the board', Politico reported.

Shalala also said that it was not unusual for Clinton to have met influential people who were also Foundation donors while she was secretary of state.

She said Clinton's meetings with people including Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and Melinda Gates were 'courtesy appointments'.

'These are people any secretary of state would have seen...I don't see evidence that there was policy decisions made as a result of that other than courtesy appointments,' she said.

The Trump campaign fired back at Shalala's words.

'It speaks volumes that the Clinton Foundation's CEO would casually admit on national television that its donors received access and "courtesy appointments" at Hillary Clintons State Department,' Jason Miller, Trump's senior communications advisor, said in a statement.

'This is emblematic of the corrupt pay-to-play culture Hillary Clinton and those in her orbit bring to the table, where it so pervasive it is actually uncontroversial to those involved.
Bondi was weighing whether to sign on to a lawsuit against Trump U when the contribution got made

Trump camp says the investigation is a 'left-wing hit job' designed to distract from Clinton's 'disastrous' week

Said investigation is 'to make sure its complying with the laws governing charities in New York

Told CNN he 'didn't make a big deal about it or hold a press conference' when he opened inquiry

Schneiderman is an elected Democrat and supporter of Hillary Clinton

New report that foundation paid $20,000 for an artist's portrait of Trump to get scrutiny

New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman has an investigation into the Donald J. Trump Foundation with less than two months to go before the election and says the charity 'may have engaged in some impropriety.'

Schneiderman revealed how his investigation came about on CNN, and indicated he has already been trading correspondence with Trump Foundation attorneys for months.

The Trump campaign immediately blasted Schneiderman as a 'hack.'

'My interest in this issue really is in my capacity as regulator of nonprofits in New York state,' Schneiderman said.

New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman has opened an investigation of the Donald J. Trump Foundation, the Democratic official confirmed

"We have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws that govern charities in New York,' he said.

Schneiderman said his office has been 'concerned that the Trump Foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view.'

And weve inquired into it, and weve had correspondence with them. I didnt make a big deal out of it or hold a press conference. We have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York.'

Schneiderman and the foundation have been trading letters since June, beginning with an inquiry about a $25,000 to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's campaign PAC in 2013. At the time, Bondi was considering signing on to a lawsuit led by Schneiderman against now defunct Trump University.

Trump paid a $2,500 fine to the IRS for making the charity contribution to the political entity.

Schneiderman also led a suit against Trump University, charging it defrauded students

The Trump campaign blasted Shneiderman as a 'partisan hack'

Schneiderman is a supporter of Hillary Clinton, who is hitting Trump's foundation's contribution to Florida AG Pam Bondi in a campaign ad

The Trump camp called Schneiderman 'a partisan hack who has turned a blind eye to the Clinton Foundation for years and has endorsed Hillary Clinton.'

'This is nothing more than another left-wing hit job designed to distract from (Hillary Clinton's) disastrous week, Trump spokesman Jason Miller said.

Schneiderman said in the interview that foreign donations to the Clinton Foundation weren't in the scope of his office.

Schneiderman sued Trump University in 2013, seeking $40 million in restitution.

The Associated Press reported that Bondi sought the donation personally about when the state was deciding whether to join the Trump University lawsuit.

The check arrived after it was reported her office was reviewing the lawsuit.

The Washington Post this weekend reported that Trump hasn't personally contributed to his foundation in years, and that many of its charity contributions to other groups were funded by other charity foundations.

The paper also reported that the foundation paid $20,000 for a six-foot tall portrait of Trump.

Trump, meanwhile, has accused 'crooked Hillary' of doing special favors for donors to the Clinton Foundation while at the State Department.

A new Hillary Clinton ad blasts Trump for making the 'pay-to-play donation' to Bondi while running through the allegations. The ad shows Trump and Bondi engaging in an air kiss at a Trump rally.

The Trump camp denies engaging in pay to play, and has called the contribution an error.
George W. Bush's first book of paintings will be released early next year.

The former president, who has dabbled in portraits of political leaders and puppies in his post-White House life, has put together a collection of artwork that will hit the shelves on February 28, 2017.

'Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors' will feature 66 paintings and a four-panel mural drawn by Bush of military veterans and those in active service.

President George W. Bush's first book of paintings will be released on February 28, 2017. 'Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors' will feature 66 paintings and a mural drawn by Bush of military veterans and those in active service

The former president has taken up painting since leaving office in 2008, trying his hands at a range of subjects from puppies to landscapes

The book will be released in two editions: a $35 hardcover and a $250 'deluxe' volume, cloth-bound and signed by Bush.

It will include an introduction by Bush and forewords by former first lady Laura Bush and by Gen. Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

'This is a book about the men and women who have been tremendous national assets in the Armed Forces  and who continue to be vital to the future success of our country,' Bush writes in the introduction.

'The greatest honor of the presidency was looking them in the eye and saluting them as their Commander in Chief.

'And I intend to support and salute them for the rest of my life.'

According to the publishers, Crown: 'Portraits of Courage' also will have stories written by Bush in 'his inimitable voice' about each of the subjects.

The former president has dabbled in portraits of political leaders, including his father George H.W. Bush (left), in his post-White House life. He even painted himself in 2014

'As the stories unfold  some of them inspiring, some of them heartbreaking  readers will encounter the faces and the hearts of those who answered the nation's call and learn from their bravery on the battlefield, their journeys to recovery, and the continued leadership and contributions they are making as civilians,' the publisher's statement reads.

No financial numbers were disclosed. Bush was represented by Washington attorney Robert Barnett, who has also handled book deals for President Barack Obama and 2016 Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton.

Bush's previous books include the best-sellers 'Decision Points' and '41,' about his father, former President George H.W. Bush.

Two pieces in his collection include a portrait of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (left) and former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi

He created a portrait of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for his 2014 exhibit, 'The Art of Leadership: A President's Diplomacy,'

One of his pieces was featured on a Christmas ornament in time for the holiday season in 2013

Bush, who has become an avid painter since leaving the White House, is donating any net author proceeds to the George W. Bush Presidential Center and its Military Service Initiative, which helps post-Sept. 11 veterans and their families' transition to civilian life.

Bush was expected to mention the book in a speech Wednesday at the Fort Carson Military Community Transition Summit at Fort Carson, Colorado.

The paintings from 'Portraits of Courage' will be on exhibit in 2017 at the Bush Center, in Dallas, from March 2 through early October.
Many focus on his plans for EU army, which he set out to MEPs today

But hashtag #AskJuncker has been flooded with questions mocking him

President of European Commission is set to answer questions on Youtube

EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker has been savaged on Twitter after an online Q&A hashtag was hijacked by critics.

The President of the European Commission is set to answer questions live on Youtube tomorrow.

However, the hashtag #AskJuncker has been flooded with questions and memes mocking the bureaucrat.

EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker has been savaged on Twitter after an online Q&A hashtag was hijacked by critics

Many focused on Juncker's plans for an EU army, which he set out to MEPs earlier today. One Twitter user compared it to Hitler's military campaign in Europe

Many of the cutting questions focused on Juncker's plans for an EU army, which he set out to MEPs earlier today.

One Twitter user asked: 'Is Poland going to be the first place you'll invade with your new EU army?'

Another also compared a potential EU army with Hitler's military campaign in Europe, writing 'Do you remember the last military force to unify Europe?' along with a picture of Nazi soldiers.

Meanwhile, Twitter user David M posted a picture of Nigel Farage with the question: 'Do you still weep inside when you see Nige or hear his voice?'

Another Twitter user asked if he wept inside every time he saw a photograph of Nigel Farage

Meanwhile, Terri Yoki appeared to question whether Juncker was listening to EU citizens

Terri Yoki appeared to question whether Juncker was listening to EU citizens, writing simply 'CAN YOU HEAR US?' above a picture of the bureaucrat holding his fingers up to his ears.

And one user posted a photograph of vehicles set alight during a riot along with the question 'Is this your European dream?'

Earlier today, Juncker called for an EU military headquarters to be set up during his State of the Union address.

One user posted a photograph of vehicles set alight during a riot along with the question 'Is this your European dream?'

He claimed a lack of a 'permanent structure' means money is being wasted on duplicate missions.

Mr Juncker, a former prime minister of Luxembourg, said: 'Such an army would help us design a common foreign and security policy.
A male shoplifter made a dash for the door after taking two bottles of spirits from a shop - but was promptly tackled by three saleswomen.

One of the shop assistants went over to block the exit, as the thief tried to escape with a bottle of Cognac and some whiskey.

But when the 28-year-old attempted to force his way out of the supermarket in the city of Kolomna in north-west Russia, the saleswoman firmly held the door closed.

This man strolled into a supermarket in the city of Kolomna in north-west Russia and took a bottle of Cognac and some whiskey

One of the shop assistants went over to the door to block the exit, as the thief tried to escape with the stolen alcohol

As she started wrestling with the thief, two of her colleagues rushed over to grab hold of him.

The shoplifter tried to wriggle free, but with the three women holding him tight, he had no chance and was stuck there.

After another shopper walked in, the thief decided to surrender.

The video was filmed on a CCTV camera in one of the supermarkets of the Diksi chain.

The shop staff said that they had already been stolen from twice by the same man and were determined not to let him get away a third time.

He was arrested by police who are currently investigating and the unnamed man could spend up to two years in prison if found guilty.

The shoplifter tried to force his way out but she firmly held the door closed and the pair started wrestling. The saleswoman's two colleagues then joined in the tussle
An elderly man shot three people - killing one - at a senior citizen apartment complex in Cheyenne Wednesday morning before killing himself, police said.

Larry Rosenberg, 77, shot the victims shortly after 11am both inside and outside the Heritage Court Apartments on 3912 Gregg Way.

He fled the scene after the shooting, but killed himself as cops closed in on him at a nearby location, Cheyenne PD said. He was found with a handgun and a rifle.

Killing: Larry Rosenberg, 77, shot three people, killing one, at the Heritage Court seniors' apartments in Cheyenne. He then fled and ultimately killed himself as police approached him

One of the victims was shot inside the complex and the other two were shot outside. It's not known whether the victims - who are not being identified - lived at the complex.

There was also no immediate word on the condition of the other two victims.

What appeared to be a covered body remained visible at the complex after the shootings.

For a period of time, police officers attempted to comfort a distraught woman at the scene.

Lockdown: Armed police stand guard outside the entrance to the building while investigating the shooting

Cordon: One officer roped off the crime scene during the investigation

Police have not identified the weapons used in the shooting, although the Wyoming News said that scanner traffic indicated that the handgun was a .22 American Arms revolver.

Some residents at the two-story apartment complex remained inside their rooms after the shootings while others left.

Vince DeGrazio, who lives across the street from the complex, said Wednesday that he didn't immediately notice sirens because there are several nursing homes in the area and a fire station up the street.
Prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges against a former Playboy model accused of attacking a restaurant manager on Wednesday.

Lawyers for Christina Carlin-Kraft say that prosecutors have offered to drop the charges if she stayed out of trouble for the next six months.

'The DA offered a reasonable deal and we hopped on it,' defense lawyer Dan Ollen told the New York Post.

Christina Carlin-Kraft has struck a deal with prosecutors, who will drop the assault charges against her if she stays out of trouble for the next six months. The former Playboy model pictured above leaving Manhattan court on Wednesday

Carlin-Kraft wore a gray A-line dress and patterned white and black pumps to the court appearance

The 34-year-old appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court to strike the deal on Wednesday, wearing a gray A-line dress and pumps.

She is accused of attacking a restaurant manager while having dinner with a male friend in New York on March 6.

Sergey Anokhin, manager of The Smith restaurant on the Upper West Side, claimed that Carlin-Kraft hit him in the back around 10pm that evening, causing 'redness and substantial pain'.

The 34-year-old stunner was accused of attacking the manager of The Smith restaurant on New York City's Upper West Side (pictured) in March

Carlin-Kraft (left and right) was allegedly dining at The Smith when her friend got into a fight with the manager because he didn't want to pay

Carlin-Kraft pictured center at a 2004 photo shoot for Stuff Magazine

He added that she also kicked him in the groin.

'The guy didnt want to pay. The manager interceded,' a source told the Post of the incident. 'She was intoxicated, and she claimed that the manager pushed her, but there was video of the incident that showed she was lying.'
children at a bar mitzvah and allowing them to fondle

A yoga instructor who was accused of committing sex acts with underage boys at a bar mitzvah last year has been acquitted.

An Arizona jury found Lindsey Ann Radomski not guilty on all 18 charges levied against her on Wednesday due to lack of evidence, after deliberating for three hours.

During the trial, prosecutors claimed that the 34-year-old flashed young boys at a bar mitzvah before performing sexual acts with a 15-year-old.

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Lindsey Ramdomski was found not guilty on all 18 counts on Wednesday (in court on Wednesday, center), in connection to allegations that she committed sex acts with a minor at a bar mitzvah last year

The 34-year-old is seen embracing one of her lawyers after the favorable decision on Wednesday

Lindsey Ann Radomski, 34, of Scottsdale,was accused of flashing minors at a bar mitzvah in March 2015, and then performing a sex act with a 15-year-old

But Radomski claimed that she was drugged and even raped by the teens.

The mother who threw the party testified on Wednesday, saying that Radomski was her best friend at the time and taught at the yoga center she owned.

She told the jury she was devastated and shocked to learn what happened the night of the party.

All of the alleged victims in the case testified against Radomski during the month-long trial.

Radomski, of Scottsdale, was arrested last year after she was accused of allowing several boys - some as young as 11 - to fondle and lick her newly enhanced breasts at the March 22, 2015, celebration.

The court heard she also performed oral sex on one of the boys, then aged 15, after the others left the room.

Earlier this month, Radomski's lawyer, Jocquese Blackwell, claimed his client had been intentionally drugged with GHB by an 18-year-old at the party, according tot he NY Daily News.

He insisted that his client was also a victim in the incident and that she had been 'raped' by the minors.

'A woman that's incapacitated can't consent to any sexual contact, any sexual assault,' Blackwell said last year.

Radomski's attorney claimed that she was drugged with the date rape drug GHB before the alleged incident March 22

According to court records, in the early hours of March 22, while most of the bar mitzvah guests were asleep or had gone home, Radomski was accused of inviting seven boys, aged 11 to 15, into a bedroom and let them fondle her surgically augmented breasts.

The victim's parents learned of the encounter and went to the police.

Radomski, who teaches yoga in the Scottsdale area, was interviewed two days later. She told authorities that she had been too drunk to remember the incident but did admit to flashing party guests.

Radomski was accused of inviting seven boys, aged 11 to 15, into a bedroom and let them fondle her surgically augmented breasts

She later said she was slipped a date rape drug which was why she cannot recall the incident.

'Ms. Radomski has no memory of what happened in that room and because she has no memory, from her perspective and from my perspective as her attorney, it didn't happen and we'll see what happens in court,' Blackwell told KPNX last year.

Her attorney told a court at a previous hearing that he had a hair test which proves his client was drugged with GHB.

But the prosecution disagreed, saying that the levels of GHB found in her blood stream were no higher than what would naturally occur in a person's body after analyzing a set of newly obtained blood tests.

Prosecutors also claimed that Radomski had changed her story only when it came apparent she would be charged.

Radomski was initially charged with 21 felony counts, including sexual conduct with a minor, sexual abuse and indecent exposure, but in June last year, a grand jury declined to indict her citing a lack of evidence.
The United States will give Israel $38billion in military aid over a decade, the largest such aid package in U.S. history, under an agreement disclosed this week and signed on Wednesday.

The deal will allow Israel to upgrade most of its fighter aircraft, improve its ground forces' mobility and strengthen its missile defense systems, a top U.S. official said.

While the package constitutes the most U.S. military aid ever given to any country, it entails concessions by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to officials on both sides.

US President Barack Obama (right) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) shake hands during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington (2015 file photo)

Those include Israel's promise not to seek additional funds from Congress beyond what will be guaranteed annually in the new package, and to phase out a special arrangement that has allowed Israel to spend part of its U.S. aid on its own defense industry instead of on American-made weapons, the officials said.

The $38billion memorandum of understanding covers U.S. fiscal years 2019-2028 and succeeds the current $30billion MOU signed in 2007, which expires at the end of fiscal 2018.

Netanyahu gestures as he opens the weekly cabinet meeting at his Jerusalem office on Sunday in this image

Israeli soldiers are pictured on Tuesday keeping an eye on the border with Syria

'Prime Minister Netanyahu and I are confident that the new MOU will make a significant contribution to Israel's security in what remains a dangerous neighborhood,' U.S. President Barack Obama said in a written statement.

The agreement was signed at the State Department by U.S. Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon and by Jacob Nagel, acting head of Netanyahu's national security council.

According to a White House 'factsheet,' the deal includes:
Lil Wayne is so desperate to sell off his Miami Beach home that he has slashed the price by $6million over the course of 2016, and now has the house listed for $12million.

The rapper purchased the 15,101-square-foot home, which has nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms, for the same price in 2006.

Over the last ten years, the home has been the scene of at least two swatting incidents -where SWAT teams are deployed to an unsuspecting victim's home under false pretenses - including last month when police received a call claiming a man had been shot and was bleeding at the rappers home.

Lil Wayne has listed his 15,101-square-foot Miami Beach, Florida, home for $12million - the same price he purchased it for in 2006

Over the last ten years, the home, which has nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms, has been the scene of at least two swatting incidents

Wayne first listed the beachfront property for $18million in April 2015, but lowered the price to $14million on July 8, then again to $12million on July 28

The open interior of the home appears to have three floors and a built-in bar on the main level

The home sits right on the water in Miami Beach, overlooking a canal leading out to Biscayne Bay

When police arrived at the home, they entered through an unlocked door and found Wayne asleep.

The rapper gave them permission to search the home and nothing was found.

Wayne first listed the beachfront property for $18million in April 2015. On July 8 of this year, he lowered the price to $14million.

On July 28, however, Wayne dropped the price to $12million - the lowest he could and still break even.

The main floor, which looks out to the water, features floor-to-ceiling windows and tiled floors

The home has a modern look to it, smoothly transitioning from tile to wood floors in the bedrooms

One bedroom features a bathroom with a glass-walled shower and plenty of storage space

The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, two sinks, and a large island in the middle of the room

Earlier this week Wayne announced that he would not work again until Cash Money Records pays him the millions he claims the company owes him.

'I have a family. I have kids. I have a mother. We have bills. This is just business,' he said, adding that he will never work with Birdman again.

Last week he hinted on social media that he was done with the music business.

On September 3 the the Grammy Award-winning rap star admitted he was burned out - and appeared to be contemplating retirement - in the wake of a nearly-two-year beef with his label.

Earlier this week Wayne also announced that he would not work again until Cash Money Records pays him the millions he claims the company owes him

One bathroom features intricate tiling along the walls as well as what appear to be wood cabinets

Another features features a glass-walled shower, a stand-alone sink and modern wall designs

Residents can watch the canal activity as they soak in a tub in one of the home's many bathrooms

He claims Birdman owes him millions of dollars and has been holding his never been released album, Tha Carter V, hostage, added the site.

It was added that Wayne has been screaming, 'F*** Cash Money' on Drake's stage.

The star also has his health to think about.

Lil Wayne suffered two seizures while on a flight from Wisconsin to California in the spring, causing the pilot of his private jet to make two emergency landings in Omaha, Nebraska.

The second time the rapper was taken by ambulance to a hospital.

The New Orleans native - best known for his hits Mirror and How To Love n - had 'blacked out.

An elevator near the front door of the home allows for easy access to all levels without using the stairs

The home also features an outdoor pool overlooking the pool as well as a shaded seating area nearby

Near the front door of the home there is a koi pond featuring a small water fountain
The car belonging to missing U.S. Army Private First Class Shadow Branice McClaine (pictured) has been found in an abandoned lot

The car belonging to a soldier who has been missing for more than a week has been found abandoned in a private lot.

U.S. Army Private First Class Shadow Branice McClaine, 25, was reported missing on September 6 when she did not show up for duty at Fort Campbell military base in Kentucky.

After more than a week searching, PFC McClaine's car was discovered on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old's silver 2013 Hyundai Elantra was found in a Nashville parking lot - about 70 miles from her base, according to WSVM.

Fort Campbell officials told the network they will not release any further information about the disappearance.

However, a missing poster shared on social media provides further details about when and where McClaine was when she went missing.

'On September 2, Shadow McClaine was supposed to house sit for a friend in Clarksville, Kentucky, for the weekend,' the poster reads.

'Her mother last had contact with her via text message with her phone on Friday September 2 at 7:07pm.'

Branice McClaine (pictured), 25, was reported missing on September 6 when she did not show up for duty at Fort Campbell military base in Kentucky

A poster (pictured) shared on social media provided more details about McClaine's disappearance

The 25-year-old was reported missing after she did not show up for duty at Fort Campbell military base (pictured) in Kentucky on September 6

'The last text from (McClaine)'s phone stated that she was driving at the moment. Her phone has been turned off and there has been no activity on her bank account.

'This is completely out of character.'
A New York City landlord has been accused of drugging and raping at least four women at his Upper West Side apartment.

Eliseo Adorno, 67, was arrested in July and arraigned on criminal sex act, rape, sex abuse and unlawful surveillance charges.

Officials uncovered 350 sexually explicit photos and 45 videos taken between October 2014 and March 2015 at his posh $8,500-a-month apartment on Central Park West.

The 67-year-old native of Puerto Rico had 350 explicit photos and 45 videos on his phone that show women asleep or unconscious during sex at The Langham apartments near Central Park

'Each image and video depicts an asleep or unconscious woman photographed in the most intrusive way imaginable,' Manhattan prosecutor Melanie Soberal said, according to the New York Post.

'They have absolutely no recollection of any of the conduct depicted in the images or videos,' Soberal said. The victims were so drugged up that in 'some videos, snoring can be heard in the background.'

The crime was only uncovered after a victim found photos of herself on Adorno's phone.

'What he has done to these victims, in taking these pictures not just of himself engaging in sexual acts with the victims but of the victims' bodies in the most intrusive, outrageous, unthinkable angles and views, they couldn't be more violated,' Soberal said.

One victim told authorities that Adorno handed her a drink and the next thing she remembers is waking up without her pants or underwear, 'which was completely shocking for her,' Soberal said, according to a court transcript.

Prosecutors urged the judge to hold the suspect without bail, because Adorno has multiple properties upstate and in the city.

Despite the large numbers of images of various women, so far the Adorno has only been charged with assaulting two complainants.
A grieving husband has hinted that his teenage daughter and her boyfriend are responsible for the brutal murder of his wife  adding he hates the 15-year-old girl.

Rhonda Oakley, 52, was found dead by her 13-year-old stepson inside her home in Danville, Kentucky, on September 1.

That day, her stepdaughter Jenna Oakley went missing.

She was found two days later in her mother's car with her 21-year-old boyfriend Kenneth Nigh nearly 1,200 miles away in a motel parking lot in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

State police have previously said they are not looking for any suspects in the case.

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Phillip Oakley (right, with his slain wife) has hinted that his teenage daughter Jenna (left) and her boyfriend are responsible for the brutal murder of his wife

Now, Jenna's father Phillip Oakley has revealed to the Lexington Herald-Leader that he knows who murdered his wife.

He branded his wife's killers 'monsters' and added that the pair's identities would soon be revealed  but he declined to elaborate himself so as to not jeopardize the case's outcome.

But he added: 'I can tell you that I hate my daughter. I do not care about my daughter.

'I'm worried about the people that I need to protect and that's not one of them.'

He also said his wife's death was 'unnecessary' and said there are others he holds accountable for it too.

Jenna and her boyfriend Kenneth Nigh (left) disappeared on the day of Rhonda Oakley's death

In an earlier interview with local station WDRB, Oakley said: 'You grow up and you have children and you know, you say youve got unconditional love for your children.

'Thats not true. Thats not true. I found some way to not have unconditional love for my child.'

He added: 'What people say about Jenna, I dont care. Say, feel however you want about her. I dont care.'

A criminal complaint reveals 911 dispatchers in Tucumcari referred to Jenna Oakley as 'a primary suspect of a homicide that occurred in Boyle County, Kentucky,' according to WDRB.

She was found after Kentucky State Police alerted authorities in New Mexico that her cellphone indicated she was at a truck stop in Tucumcari.

The teenager and her boufriend were found two days later nearly 1,200 miles away from Danville in a motel parking lot in Tucumcari, New Mexico

Jenna and Nigh were found inside a white Honda Civic, which had been reported stolen, in the parking lot of a Motel 6.

The teenager has since been returned to Kentucky, but authorities did not elaborate on if she is in police custody as she is a juvenile.

Nigh has been charged with one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Both he and Jenna are facing auto theft charges.

He intentionally hurt himself while in a New Mexico jail and was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to another in Amarillo, Texas.

On Tuesday, Oakley  who would have celebrated three years of marriage with his wife in December - set up a GoFundMe page to recover his wife's stolen car after it was impounded in New Mexico.

He paid tribute to the mother and grandmother, saying she adored all of her children and grandchildren.
Company is due to roll out over 200 other locations across the US and abroad

Members will gain exclusive access to services and amenities in exchange for an annual fee

First New York area branch to open in Greenwich, Connecticut, within the next year

Multimillionaires eat at fancier restaurants, drive expensive cars, and live in secluded mansions, but they have always had to gas up their cars with the common folk  until now.

The swanky New York suburb of Greenwich, Connecticut, is about to be one of the first cities in the world to play host to a new, high-end gas station and convenience chain.

According to The Greenwich Time, the Guess Corporation, a North Carolina-based conglomerate that initially amassed a fortune in the diamond trade and has since expanded to other industries, selected Greenwich due to its well-heeled residents.

The gas-station-and-convenience-store-for-the-rich, which will be called GP Club, is scheduled to begin operations within the next year, according to Greenwich Time.

A model illustration of a GP Club (seen above) shows a four-story mansion that will offer amenities like waterparks, steakhouses, and a designer clothing boutique

Anyone wishing to earn the privilege of fuelling their car at GP Club will have to have a household net worth of at least $50million.

Members will also need to pay an annual fee, though it is not known exactly how much as the company has declined to reveal the amount.

While that may seem steep, these ultra-rich patrons will likely get a bang for their buck, as these locations  which will be styled like four-story mansions - will also offer other amenities including a waterpark, a steakhouse, and a designer clothing boutique.

There is also a 'sleeping suite,' business and video-conferencing centers, meeting rooms, a salon, and a medical clinic.

Guess Corp. amassed its fortune in the diamond trade and then branched out. Now it is planning to open 250 ultra-luxury gas stations across the US and abroad

Members will also have access to 24-hour-a-day emergency roadside service as well as a traffic concierge.

'Greenwich is considered an ultra-affluent city in America, and we think it is important for GP Club to have a presence in the city,' Guess Corp. corporate vice president Tiffany Taylor told Greenwich Time.

The company is collaborating with a New York real estate firm, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, to select a store location.

The facilities will be designed by Scott+Cormia, a Florida-based architectural firm.

This Greenwich mansion is being sold for $35million. One of the wealthiest towns in the country, residents of Greenwich earned a per capital income of $92,759

Guess Corp. is expected to roll out 250 GP Club locations in the US and abroad. There are expected to be two locations in each of the 50 states, with sites already announced in Atlanta, Charleston, Orlando, Nashville, Arlington, and Beverly Hills.

Greenwich is one of the wealthiest cities in the US. According to the 2010 Census, residents of Greenwich earned a per capita income of $92,759.
A soldier who had been stationed overseas for 10 months decided it wasn't enough to just walk in the front door on his return home.

So Eric Cook, from the Fort Carson Army site near Colorado Springs, decided his daughter deserved something extra special when seeing her father for the first time all year.

He dressed up in a lion costume and fronted her classroom, saying there was a special announcement for the little girl.

Surprise!: Eric Cook went to his daughter's classroom dressed as a lion and then unveiled himself, after being on tour overseas for the last 10 months

Touching moment: In a video taken of the two, the father and daughter have a loving embrace after not seeing each other all year

In a video obtained by Fox 31, Cook is seen in the suit holding a bunch of flowers.

He says to his none-the-wiser classroom: 'I have a special surprise for someone in here today. Can I have Miss Briel Cook come up here please.'

Cook's daughter then approaches, and he continues: 'Somebody has missed you for a very, very long time. And he's here today.'

With that, Cook takes off the headpiece of his costume to reveal himself.

It takes his daughter a few seconds to work out what is happening, but she quickly yells: 'Daddy!'

'Somebody has missed you for a very, very long time,' Cook said to his daughter

The two then embrace as the class watches on in wonder.

'It was him the whole time!' one of the students can be heard saying.

Cook had been away from his wife and daughter for 10 months while touring in Egypt, Kuwait and Iraq.

The video, which has been going viral this week, was taken by Cook's cousin, Chris Minter.
A disgruntled former employee has been arrested after he barricaded himself inside a food plant in a dramatic 10-hour siege against police.

The 46-year-old man armed with a knife had refused to leave the frozen foods business since 10pm on Wednesday, sparking a tense stand-off with officers.

Police alleged the man was making threats towards workers, triggering an evacuation of the Vesco plant on Grindle Road in Wacol, in Brisbane's south-west.

Heavily armed police stormed the industrial building - the size of two football fields - shortly after 8am on Thursday and were able to take the uninjured man into custody.

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A disgruntled former employee has been arrested after he barricaded himself inside a food plant for more than 10 hours - since Wednesday night

Heavily armed police stormed the food plant after an armed man locked himself inside

A disgruntled former employee barricaded himself inside a food plant in a dramatic siege

'In the early hours of this morning [Thursday], specialist police entered the building at Vesco and a male person who is 46 [was] taken into custody peacefully,' a police spokeswoman told reporters.

'He complied with police direction and has been taken to the watch house for investigations. No words were spoken when he was taken into custody.'

The police spokeswoman confirmed the man was a 'disgruntled former employee'.

The arrest comes after workers evacuated the premises safely. There are no reports of injuries.

Specialist police armed with rifles and sledgehammers and the dog squad surrounded the building since the early hours of Thursday morning.

Specialist police armed with rifles and sledgehammers had prepared to storm the building

Heavily armed police stormed the building, described as the size of two football fields

Police declared an emergency situation shortly after 7am under the Public Safety Preservation Act as negotiators attempted to make contact with the man via the PA system.

Inspector Sean Cryer said the man in question had not responded to police, prompting heavily armed officers to storm the premises.

'He has entered the building armed with a knife, so we do believe he is still armed with a knife and we do believe he's still inside the building,' Insp. Cryer said earlier on Thursday.

'We're trying to negotiate and get him to surrender and come out.'

Investigations are continuing.

Heavily armed police have surrounded the building since the early hours of Thursday morning
A six-year-old boy with Down syndrome who went missing from his rural family home has been found.

Ben Dean was reported missing by his distressed parents after he disappeared from their Chiltern Road property in Beechworth in Victoria's north-east around 5pm on Wednesday.

The little boy was found just after 11am on Thursday morning one kilometre away from his home after spending the night in freezing, wet conditions, with temperatures dropping as low as eight degrees.

Ben Dean, 6, spent the night in freezing, wet conditions after he went missing from his rural family home in the rural Victorian town of Beechworth on Wednesday evening (pictured in the clothing he went missing in)

Ben's cousin, Michelle Drinnan confirmed the good news to Daily Mail Australia.

'Ben has been found, cold but ok. Family wants to thank police, SES, and the amazing volunteers. We are all incredibly grateful.'

Ms Drinnan added that the family were incredibly relived to find the little boy 'cold with low temperature, but safe.'

'Words can't describe.'

Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia that the six year-old is 'now being assessed by paramedics.'

Police, SES and CFA members failed to find the six-year-old in an earlier search of Ben's parents large rural property.

Additional resources such as the Air Wing, K9 and Search and Rescue assisted local police.

Sergeant Geoff Still from Victoria Police had told the ABC a large number of local community people were involved in the search.

'It's very rugged terrain, very hilly, very slippery, very muddy. It's rained all night here and we are very concerned about him.'

Police, SES and CFA members failed to find the six-year-old in an intial search of Ben's parent's large rural property in Beechworth (pictured)

His recovery comes as floods engulf Victoria and the states SES Commissioner Craig Lapsley had raised concerns over the welfare of the six-year-old as well as an 88-year-old man who has also been reported missing.
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Disgraced MP Keith Vazs wife owns a luxury villa in Goa, it has been revealed, meaning they have a property portfolio worth 4.4million.

The holiday home in western India is registered under Maria Fernandes name after she purchased it for 400,000 in 2007.

It builds on the couples property empire in the UK comprising seven houses and flats in Leicester and London  including the apartment where he allegedly paid two male prostitutes for sex.

Mr Vaz, 59, and his wife, 57, live in a 2.2million five-bedroom detached house, and have bought and sold a string of properties since the 1980s.

Labour MP Keith Vaz's wife Maria Fernandes owns this 400,000 holiday home in Goa, pictured, it has been revealed

Ms Fernandes bought the property in 2007 and the family has visited it several times over the years, neighbours say

The holiday home brings the value of the couples (Mr Vaz pictured left and Ms Fernandes right) property empire to 4.4million

According to the Daily Mirror, questions are now being raised about the extent of Mr Vazs wealth.

MP Andrew Bridged told the paper the former Home Affairs Committee chairmans financial affairs are an enigma wrapped up in a mystery and added: This raises many questions but we are getting very few answers from Mr Vaz.

The villa is set in a gated community, is three storeys tall and has an outdoor swimming pool.

A pillar at the entrance has four handprints on it with a sign saying Keith & Maria, Luke & Anjali, placed their hands on this building on 1st January 2009.

Neighbours say the Labour MP has welcomed a number of celebrities and politicians at the property and that Mr Vaz was a very nice person and down to earth.

A spokesman for Mr Vaz confirmed the property belongs to Ms Fernandes and as such did not have to be declared on his register of interests.

They told the Mirror: The agreed purchase price was for 98,000 in 2007. It was paid for by six separate instalments and financed by the sale of land inherited from her parents.

The spokesman added the 4.4million valuation of the couples property holdings did not take into account existing loans and mortgages.

One pillar contains the handprints of the couple and their children Luke & Anjali and is dated January 1, 2009, pictured

The property, pictured, does not have to appear on Mr Vaz's register of interests as it legally belongs to his wife

Mr Vaz earns 74,926 as an MP and received an extra 15,025 from his role on the Home Affairs Committee before his resignation.

His wife, Maria Fernandes, runs a legal firm, with reports suggesting she earns in the region of 60,000 a year.

But the couple have apparently managed to send their two children to private schools in Hertfordshire with annual fees totalling 35,000.

As previously reported, the MPs latest acquisition was the sex flat in which he met the rent boys, near his marital home in Edgware, north London.

He put down 387,500 in cash  more than four times his 89,951 salary as a senior backbench MP  to buy the two-bedroom apartment in June.

Mr Vaz had explained the purchase by saying he had taken out a personal loan to fund the sale.

This loan would be repaid, he claimed, by selling a house in Leicester which he inherited from his mother.

Mr Vaz allegedly met the Eastern European prostitutes in this block of flats, pictured, in Edgware, London

The couple's family home in Stanmore, London, pictured, is thought to be worth around 2.2million

Mr Vaz had bought that house in 1989, which his mother then bought off him and subsequently bequeathed back to him. Mr Vaz is now the registered sole owner of the house which is rented out to a family.

Beyond his London family home and the sex flat, the other properties owned by Mr Vaz and his wife are the house bequeathed to him in Leicester and the home next door  which he uses as a constituency office.

There is another London flat too, from which he derives more than 10,000 a year in rental income. The sixth property is an office in north-west London, where his wife runs her business as a solicitor.

She paid 485,000 for the office in 2010, with the help of a Lloyds Bank mortgage.

In 2012 Scotland Yard revealed that funds believed to have been of a suspicious nature were paid into accounts either in Mr Vazs name or linked to him.
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Margaret Thatcher was the only woman in her first Cabinet, surrounded by mostly upper-class, privately educated men. By contrast, Theresa Mays first official photo with her Cabinet shows a more diverse line-up including seven women. The seven who went to a private school are outnumbered by the eight who went to grammar school and 12 who went to a comprehensive. It is the lowest proportion of former private pupils in the Cabinet since 1945.

Theresa May's Cabinet, pictured in their first official image today in the Pillared Room at Number 10 Downing Street

1. Greg Clark, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary, 49

State-educated at St Peters Catholic School, Middlesbrough, before Cambridge University. Father ran a milk delivery company, mother worked at Sainsburys. Married father of three. Backed REMAIN

2. David Davis, Brexit Secretary, 67

Brought up by a single mother, attending Bec Grammar School in Tooting, before Warwick University, London Business School, Harvard University. Married father of three. LEAVE

3. Justine Greening, Education Secretary, 47

Steelworkers daughter who attended Oakwood Comprehensive School, Rotherham, before Southampton University and London Business School. In a happy same-sex relationship. REMAIN

4. Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary, 52

Eton College (private) and Oxford University. Married to second wife Marina Wheeler QC since 1993, after divorcing from socialite Allegra Mostyn-Owen. Father of four. LEAVE

5. Amber Rudd, Home Secretary, 53

Stockbrokers daughter who attended the private Cheltenham Ladies College before Edinburgh University. Divorced mother of two. Was married to newspaper columnist AA Gill from 1990 to 1995. REMAIN

6. Theresa May, Prime Minister, 59

Daughter of a vicar. Attended Holton Park Girls Grammar School, before Oxford. Married, no children. REMAIN

7. Philip Hammond, Chancellor, 60

Pupil at Shenfield School, a comprehensive in Essex, before Oxford. Married father of three. REMAIN

8. Sir Michael Fallon, Defence Secretary, 64

Surgeons son who attended the private Epsom College before University of St Andrews. Married father of two. REMAIN

9. Liz Truss, Justice Secretary, 41

Professors daughter. Attended Roundhay comprehensive in Leeds, before Oxford. Married with two children. REMAIN

10. Liam Fox, International Trade Secretary, 54

Teachers son who went to St. Brides High School, a comprehensive in East Kilbride, before University of Glasgow Medical School. Married father of one. LEAVE

11. Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary, 49

Father was an admiral. Attended the private Charterhouse school in Surrey, before Oxford. Married father of three. REMAIN

12. Priti Patel, International Development Secretary, 44

Shopkeepers daughter who attended Watford Grammar School before Keele and Essex Universities. Married mother of one. LEAVE

13. Andrea Leadsom, Environment Secretary, 53

Brought up by a single mother and attended Tonbridge Girls Grammar School before University of Warwick. Married with three children. LEAVE

14. David Mundell, Scotland Secretary, 54

Publicans son, attended a comprehensive in Lockerbie before Edinburgh University. Married Lynda Carmichael but the couple divorced. Came out as gay in January. Father of three. REMAIN

15. Baroness Evans, Leader of the House of Lords, 40

Privately educated at Rockport School near Belfast, then state grammar Henrietta Barnett School in London, before Cambridge. Married to special adviser. REMAIN

16. Sajid Javid, Communities and Local Government Secretary, 46

Bus drivers son, educated at Downend comprehensive in Bristol and then University of Exeter. Married with four children. REMAIN

17. Damian Green, Work and Pensions Secretary, 60

Attended Reading School, a grammar, before Oxford. Married with two children. REMAIN

18. Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, 54

Pupil at Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe, before Cambridge. Married father of two. LEAVE

19. David Lidington, Leader of the House of Commons, 60

Attended Haberdashers Askes Boys School (direct grant grammar school) before Cambridge. Married with four children. REMAIN

20. Alun Cairns, Welsh Secretary, 46

Welders son who attended a Swansea comprehensive school before University of Wales, Newport. Married father of one. REMAIN

21. James Brokenshire, Northern Ireland Secretary, 48

Pupil at Davenant Foundation Grammar School in Loughton, Essex, before attending University of Exeter. Married with three children. REMAIN

22. Karen Bradley, Culture Secretary, 46

Hoteliers daughter who attended comprehensive Buxton Girls School in Derbyshire before Imperial College London. Married mother of two. REMAIN

23. Sir Jeremy Heywood, Cabinet Secretary, 54

Archaeologists son. Privately educated at Bootham School in York, before Oxford, then the London School of Economics. Married father of three. Most senior civil servant.

24. Gavin Williamson, Chief Whip, 40

Attended Raincliffe comprehensive in Scarborough before Bradford University. Married with two children. REMAIN

25. Jeremy Wright, Attorney General, 43

Teachers son privately educated at Taunton School in Devon, before Exeter University. Married with two children. REMAIN

26. Sir Patrick McLoughlin, Party Chairman, 58

Miners son who attended Cardinal Griffin Catholic comprehensive in Cannock, before Staffordshire Agricultural College. Married with two children. REMAIN

27. David Gauke, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, 44

Attended comprehensive Northgate High School in Ipswich, Suffolk, before Oxford. Married with three children. REMAIN

28. Ben Gummer, Paymaster General, 38

Son of former Cabinet minister John Gummer. Privately educated at Tonbridge School in Kent, before Cambridge. Married father of one. REMAIN
An Australian pelican that strayed hundreds of kilometres from its nearest known habitat to end up in the Philippines is the first such bird to be seen in the Asian archipelago, wildlife enthusiasts say.

The waterbird, which is common throughout Australia, flew into a fish breeding farm on the outskirts of the southern port of General Santos in early September, resident Levy Discamento said.

'We saw a small flock of swallows chasing this big strange bird. There was an air battle until the big bird gave up and ran toward the mangroves,' Discamento said, recounting his first sighting.

An Australian pelican that strayed hundreds of kilometres from its nearest known habitat to end up in the Philippines

The mostly white pelican - a species which boasts the longest bill of any bird, measuring up to 47 centimetres - has since attracted a flood of Filipino and foreign birdwatchers.

They rent dugouts to watch and photograph the bird while it gorges on fish in nearby Sarangani Bay, Discamento said.

'We feel (it) is a blessing, bringing good vibes to people,' Jimmy Poja, a local fisherman, told AFP.

Willem van de Ven, a Manila-based biologist and president of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, said the species (Pelecanus conspicillatus) is found all over Australia and occasionally as far as New Zealand, some Polynesian islands, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia.

In Australia, the birds can be seen on shorelines and waterways, including lagoons, rivers and swamps.

Filipino and foreign birdwatchers have flocked to see the bird at Sarangani Bay, Mindanao

'General Santos is definitely the most northern place it has been recorded in recent history, and quite a bit farther than usual,' he said.

He added that the birds, which do not migrate seasonally, have never been seen north of Indonesia's Sulawesi island, located more than 600 kilometres south of General Santos.
A young mother just shy of her 20th birthday was killed in a drive-by shooting on Tuesday in Texas after being repeatedly threatened on social media.

Lekendra 'Kendra' Childs, 19, was found dead on the bedroom floor inside her apartment when her boyfriend came home around 12.40pm, the Houston Police Department said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

Childs, who has a two-year-old daughter and worked as a cashier at Walmart, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses told authorities that a black Chevrolet Camaro with tinted window stopped outside of the Uvalde Ranch apartments on South Lake Houston Parkway.

Tragic: Lekendra 'Kendra' Childs, a young mother just shy of her 20th birthday, was killed in a drive-by shooting on Tuesday in Texas after being repeatedly threatened on social media.

She (pictured above) was found dead on the bedroom floor inside her apartment when her boyfriend came home around 12.40pm in Houston. She was pronounced dead at the scene

The shooter fired several shots from the ground below - aiming the weapon at the second level apartment where Childs was home alone.

'If you can see it's just a blank wall, they wouldn't have had known someone was exactly in there and it was a very unlucky shot,' Mark Holdbrook of the Houston Police Department told ABC13.

Holdbrook described the suspect as a black male who appeared to have a shaved head.

However, several reports claim that a woman may have also been in the car, but police would not confirm that detail DailyMail.com.

Police say they received a tip which lead them to a black Camaro parked in front of a home at Noah and Scott Streets.

Witnesses told authorities that a black Chevrolet Camaro with tinted window stopped outside of the Uvalde Ranch apartments (above) on South Lake Houston Parkway

The shooter fired several shots from the ground below - aiming the weapon at the second level apartment where Childs (pictured above) was home alone. Her relatives say that she was targeted

Detectives searched the car, but did not say if it was the one involved in the incident that left Childs dead.

On Wednesday, the hashtag '#RIPKendra' was trending on Twitter for a few hours, as many paid their condolences for the tragic loss of her life.

Police have not named any suspects, however, Childs' relatives say that she was targeted.

'I feel very broken, and it just hurt because she didn't deserve to go like this,' the victim's cousin, Angel Whitaker, told ABC 13.

'I understand it was her time, but she didn't have to go like this.

'She didn't even make it to her birthday tomorrow.

Tweets (above) from a user on the social media site dating back several months ago appeared to possibly target Childs, as thousands of people had retweeted them after the shooting accusing her of the crime

In June the woman, who is allegedly the ex-girlfriend to Child's boyfriend, reportedly wrote the above message, saying that she doesn't care if police see the message

'Whoever did this, they were wrong and we will get justice for her.'

One of her final tweets shared days before her shocking death, Childs wrote 'Mommy will always be there' as a caption to a video she uploaded of her daughter.

As the hashtagh '#RIPKendra' kept trending on Twitter, social media users also speculated that the identity of the shooter was an ex-girlfriend to Childs' boyfriend, as one of her friends shared a heartbroken message about the tragic situation to Facebook.

How do you kill somebody this pretty behind a n****? You shot her dead in her head,' Quotta Taylor wrote to Facebook.

'D*** is not that serious for you to be sitting behind bars, because that n**** not gone write you or nothing.

'Karma is a b**** and best believe you gone get yours! And I'm pray for your baby daddy, because he was the one who found you man I can only imagine the pain and thoughts running [through] his head right now.

Back in January the same user reportedly tweeted the above message threatening to kill and eat someone, but did not name Childs specifically in any of the messages

'She was only 19. She ain't even get to experience life yet, man. Kendra was all about her daughter and it's sad she had to leave her daughter in this cruel world cause it took her mama.

Tweets from a user on Twitter who Taylor seemingly wrote about in her Facebook post date back several months ago and appeared to possibly target Childs.

Thousands of people had retweeted them after the shooting accusing the woman of of the crime.

One message shared to Twitter in June of this year by the woman, who is allegedly the ex-girlfriend to Childs' boyfriend reads: 'my plan is to plot for a year.. And I'm gone kill them people...'

'We're aware of it and we've gotten multiple calls,' Victor Sentries, public affairs spokesman with HPD told DailyMail.com.

The tweets did not name Childs, and police would not comment further as the investigation is ongoing.
EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday ignited fury after he claimed the murder of a Polish man in Essex last month shows what happens when Europe does not unite.

The European Commission president was accused of stirring up fear as he took aim at Britain in the wake of the referendum vote.

In his annual State of the Union speech to MEPs in Strasbourg, the former prime minister of Luxembourg warned the EU would maintain a hard line in Brexit negotiations.

EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday ignited fury after he claimed the murder of a Polish man in Essex last month shows what happens when Europe does not unite

But he caused anger as he highlighted the killing of Arkadiusz Jozwik in Harlow as he put forward his federalist vision and railed against Euroscepticism.

While defending the free movement of European Union citizens, which was seen as a key factor in Britains vote to leave, Mr Juncker denounced the attack.

Europe can never accept Polish workers being harassed, beaten up or even murdered in the streets of Essex, he said, to applause in the chamber.

The free movement of workers is as much a common European value as our fight against discrimination and racism.

Police are treating the murder as a possible hate crime and six teenagers, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested and released on bail.

Mr Juncker warned the EU was facing an existential crisis but insisted: Many are wondering whether Brexit is the beginning of the disintegration process of the EU. Allow me to state: we respect and at the same time regret the UKs decision, but the EU as such is not at risk.

He highlighted the killing of Arkadiusz Jozwik (pictured) in Harlow as he put forward his federalist vision and railed against Euroscepticism

Polish policemen Dariusz Tybura, left, and Bartosz Czernicki, right, are joining patrols with police in Harlow, Essex, to reassure the public after a Polish man was murdered there in a suspected hate crime last month

He made clear that Britain will not get access to the EUs free trade zone if it wants to regain full control over immigration from the continent. There can be no a la carte access to the single market, he said, adding that free movement of workers was an absolute requirement.

Mr Juncker announced the setting up of an EU task force to handle negotiations with Britain, which he said would be composed of the Commissions best and brightest.

He also called on the UK Government to trigger Article 50  the formal process for leaving the EU  as soon as possible so that we could take the specific steps which need to happen.

TRAGIC CASES HE DIDN'T SEE FIT TO COMMENT ON... Arnis Zalkalns, a 41-year-old Latvian builder, killed Alice Gross, 14, in London in 2013. It emerged he had been allowed into Britain despite being a convicted murderer in his own country. Zalkans was later found hanged. Polish national Ireneusz Bartnowski, 22, was convicted of murdering an elderly Italian couple in Wolverhampton with a claw hammer in 2011. Bartnowski, who had been in Britain only a week, was jailed for life. He had been convicted of burglary in Poland. Lithuanian Victor Akulic was jailed for eight years in his homeland in 2001 for raping a girl of seven whom he lured into his house with lemonade. This came after he had been jailed for seven years for beating up a girlfriend. He then came to the UK, living in Sheerness, Kent, and in 2010 carried out a violent rape. He was jailed for life. In May this year Damien Pankiewicz, 37, from Poland, was sentenced to 12 years for attacking a man he never met and throwing him in front of a London bus. The victim was in hospital for three weeks. Pankiewicz, who was convicted of GBH, had carried out rapes and assaults in Poland. A Slovakian thug was jailed for 18 years in January after attacking jeweller Colin Butlin, 89, in Keighley, West Yorkshire, with a knuckleduster. Viktor Lakatos, 42, had served a six years in his homeland for GBH. Romanian Ciprian Stanescu, 41, raped a woman who had been stranded at Victoria station in London in January last year and was jailed for eight years. He had been let into Britain, despite being jailed in Romania for a revenge killing. Advertisement

Theresa May could, however, take some solace from remarks from the European Parliaments chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, who said both Britain and the EU should want to make Brexit a success.

For me, Brexit is not a matter of punishment or revenge, he added. I never did politics like that. Its about sound relations between Britain and Europe. British politicians last night lined up to criticise the way Mr Juncker had focused on the killing in Harlow in his speech.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage argued that all violence and murder should be condemned  including that perpetrated by criminal EU citizens in the UK

Tory MEP David Campbell- Bannerman, whose East of England constituency includes Essex, said: It was entirely inappropriate to make an issue of this appalling murder.

Playing the hate card is a disgrace. It is the EUs economic and migration disasters that have created community tensions right across Europe. I dont remember the EU saying anything about the sad murders of Polish workers in Ireland.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage argued that all violence and murder should be condemned  including that perpetrated by criminal EU citizens in the UK.

He told BBC Radio 4s World At One: He did refer to that awful incident, but equally he could have referred to many other dreadful things being done all over Europe. I dont think its ever very wise to pick any one incident against an individual and to use it for political ends.

Mrs Mays official spokesman said: The Prime Minister has spoken to the Polish prime minister about some of the incidents. The Prime Minister is absolutely clear about the values that make this country great. We are a tolerant nation and we should continue to be one.
A couple in China who were told their twin son had died were shocked to bump into him at a local hospital after 35 years.

Ding Qiaorong gave birth to twins in August 1981 in Shuyang County but was told her second child has died, reports Huanqiu, an affiliation with the People's Daily Online.

The son says he was adopted however he has refused to take a paternity test as he doesn't want to offend his adoptive parents.

35 years on: Couple were shocked to find out that their son was alive after bumping into him

The couple were told that their second son had died shortly after birth (File photo)

The mother, Ding Qiaorong, gave birth to twins in August 1981 but she was later told by doctors that the second child had died.

She had fallen asleep after giving birth and when she woke up was told the horrifying news.

Her husband was skeptical at the time because it could not be verified however they carried on with their lives.

Seven years later, the father Yu Guanghui overheard a family talking at a table about a baby boy which was adopted at around the same time they were told their son had died.

Yu asked them about it but they wouldn't discuss it any further.

Ding bumped into her son at a hospital after she realised he looked a lot like her son

The couple suddenly became convinced that their other son was alive.

During Chinese New Year, Ding went to the hospital for treatment and spotted a man who looked just like her son.

She asked him his named and the man told her that he was adopted 35 years ago.

He told her that he had been stolen as a baby.

However he has refused to take a paternity test as he didn't want to offend his adoptive family who he treats as his real parents.

Yu Guanghui told reporters: 'He says he has adapted to his current life and he doed not want to cause them pain.'

The couple are still hoping to be reunited with their son.
A self-made gaming tycoon has reached a divorce settlement with his wife at 7.5 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) - one of the most expensive divorce cases in history.

Zhou Yahui, who owns a popular Chinese online gaming operator, has transferred millions of shares of his Beijing-based firm to his wife Li Qiong, who is a freelancer, reported People's Daily Online.

The 39-year-old, who also owns dating app Grindr, shared $3.45 billion worth of assets with Li, according to Hurun Report, the Chinese equivalent to Forbes billionaire list.

Zhou Yahui, a self-made Chinese billionaire, has divided $3.45 billion with his separated wife

The 39-year-old owns Beijing Kunlun Tech, one of China's largest online gaming operators

Zhou Yahui is the Chief Executive Officer of Beijing Kunlun Tech, one of China's biggest online gaming operators with a market worth of around $4.3 billion.

The company is listed on the country's Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

It released on statement on Tuesday confirming the transfer of the shares from Zhou Yahui to his wife Li Qiong.

Li, 38, received a total of 277,934,791 shares from her billionaire husband.

These shares are worth 7.5 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) on the market, making the divorce settlement the most expensive one from the country, said People's Daily Online.

An employee from Beijing Kunlun Tech, who wished to remain anonymous, told MailOnline: 'Our stock price hasn't changed much. The divorce settlement has not brought any negative impact to our company in particular.

'We have informed our investors regarding this divorce and they thought it was normal.'

Having graduated from the distinguished Tsinghua University, Zhou Yahui is one of the most prominent internet tycoons in China who rubs shoulders with influential figures, such as Alibaba's Jack Ma and Baidu's co-founder Li Yanhong.

In comparison, his wife remains a mysterious character to the public, with no pictures and little information of her available on the internet.

She is known to be a freelancer and has a Master's degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from Tianjin University.

Online gaming has a huge market in China and internet cafes can still be found in cities and towns across the country. Zhou's company is one of China's largest online gaming operaters

Educated in distinguished Tsinghua University, Zhou is a prominent internet tycoon in China

It remains unknown how many years the couple have been married and it seems the couple have not been pictured together at any public events.

But one Chinese website, pedaily.cn, reported that the Zhou and Li had grown up together and fallen in love when they were both young.

The website also claimed the cause of their split-up was that Zhou had spent most of his time in the United States of American and had 'neglected his family'.

Zhou and Li's divorce settlement is one of the most expensive divorce settlements in the world.

The other high-profile cases include billionaire F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone and his ex-wife Slavica; as well as Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev and his ex-wife Elena.

Slavica, who had been married to Bernie Ecclestone for 24 years, allegedly received $1.3 billion when the pair divorced in 2009.

While in 2015, Dmitry Rybolovlev was ordered to pay Elena, with whom he had been married to for 23 years, some $600 million by a court in Switzerland. Later last year, the couple announced 'an amicable divorce settlement for an undisclosed amount'.

Slavica allegedly received $1.3 billion from billionaire F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone when the pair divorced in 2009. They were pictured in 2005 cruising in the Adriatic
Smokers get a rush of dopamine when nicotine from a cigarette enters their body.

It's this chemical reaction that means so many people are addicted to smoking.

But scientists believe there is something else at play - a smoker's belief in the chemical reaction can also change their cravings.

In a study, researchers have discovered that if smokers dont think they are getting nicotine, the rush of dopamine never arrives.

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While it has been estimated than around one billion people around the world regularly smoke cigarettes, people have different responses to nicotine. And a new study suggests that these differences may be due to the smoker's belief about the content of the cigarette (stock image)

THE PLACEBO EFFECT Each visit, participants underwent an fMRI scan and were administered a cigarette, but each visit tested a different condition: 1) Believes the cigarette contains nicotine but receives placebo 2) Believes the cigarette does not contain nicotine but receives a nicotine cigarette 3) Believes the cigarette contains nicotine and receives nicotine 4) Believes the cigarette does not contain nicotine and receives placebo Advertisement

The research comes from the Centre for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Contrary to their expectations, researchers found that in order to satisfy nicotine cravings, smokers had to not only smoke a cigarette with nicotine but also believe that they were smoking nicotine.

Dr Xiaosi Gu, who led the study, said: 'These results suggest that for drugs to have an effect on a person, he or she needs to believe the drug is present.'

The study involved 24 chronic nicotine-addicted smokers.

Over four visits, participants were twice given a nicotine-containing cigarette, and twice a placebo.

With each type of cigarette, they were once told the accurate type they had, and once told the opposite.

Each visit, the researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) - technology that measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow - to capture neural activity in the insula cortex.

This region of the brain plays a key role in bodily perception and self-awareness and is also associated with drug cravings and addiction.

Smokers showed significant neural activity when they were told there was nicotine in the cigarette and smoked nicotine, but not in other conditions

THE COLOUR THAT COULD STOP YOU SMOKING It has been described as a dreary mix of tar, vomit and olive, but a shade of drab brown widely regarded as the world's ugliest colour could soon be helping to save lives. The unpleasant greeny-brown hue will replace the brightly coloured packaging that currently adorns cigarette packets in a number of countries. Officially known as Pantone 448 C, the brown-green tint will adorn tobacco products in several countries after it was picked out by a marketing company as the colour most likely to put off buyers. Advertisement

The participants rated their level of craving before and after smoking the cigarette, and also had fMRIs after smoking.

Dr Read Montague, co-author of the study said: 'We expected the presence of nicotine to show some sort of craving response compared to conditions where the subjects did not receive nicotine despite the belief about the nicotine given, but that was not what we found.'

The fMRI scans showed significant neural activity that correlated to both craving and learning signals when participants smoked a nicotine cigarette and believed its nicotine content was genuine.

However, smoking nicotine but believing it was a placebo did not produce the same brain signals.

These results support previous findings that beliefs can alter a drug's effects on craving.
It was a major blow to Elon Musks plans to eventually transport humans to Mars.

But the explosion of his SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad earlier this month has not deterred the company.

SpaceX has said it is aiming to resume flights in November despite still conducting an investigation into the blast that destroyed the rocket and the $200 million (154m) satellite it was carrying.

The unmanned rocket burst into flames on 1 September as it was being fuelled for a routine pre-launch test at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

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SpaceX has said it aims to resume flights of its Falcon 9 rocket in November, just three months after an explosion destroyed one of its rockets and the $200 million satellite it was carrying on the launchpad at Cape Canaveral Air Force station in Florida (pictured left to right)

The fireball, which rattled windows miles away, has also shaken the faith of customers of the firm.

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

The Israeli company that built the satellite destroyed in the fire have already said they will want to see several safe flights from SpaceX before they use it for launches again.

SpaceX suspended its Falcon 9 flights while it investigates the cause of the accident.

But Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX, told a satellite industry conference in Paris they expected to be able to resume flights within the next three months.

"We're anticipating being down for about three months, getting back to flight in the November timeframe," she said.

She did not elaborate on what repairs to the rocket, if any, would be needed for SpaceX to return to flight in November.

The company also has not said how much damage the blast caused to the launch pad and ground support equipment.

The Falcon 9 rocket (pictuerd) was carrying a AMOS-6 satellite to provide home internet for Africa and the Middle East. Facebook had signed a deal with Eutelsat to lease broadband capacity from the satellite as part of its efforts to increase internet connectivity in Africa

The explosion destroyed SpaceX's launch complex at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (pictured) but the company hopes to move to a new site at Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in November

But earlier this month SpaceX said a nearly-completed second launch site in Florida, located at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, would be finished in November.

The pad was last used to launch NASA's space shuttles five years ago and the company will now shift its launches to Kennedy Space Center from Cape Canaveral.

NASA insisted this week it had no reservations about SpaceX flying at its facility.

"We're confident that SpaceX will understand and recover from what happened," said Tom Engler, deputy director of planning and development at Kennedy Space Center.

"From our perspective, (the accident) changed nothing as far as our planning and implementation activities are concerned."

SPACEX'S CHEQUERED AND EXPLOSIVE HISTORY Founded in 2002 by PayPal founder Elon Musk, SpaceX has been one of the driving forces behind the efforts by commercial companies to venture into space. Previously the domain of government-sponsored national agencies like Nasa and Russia's Roscosmos, launching spacecraft into orbit was seen as being prohibitively expensive. SpaceX, however, became the first privately funded company to launch a rocket powered by liquid-propellant into orbit in 2008 with its Falcon 1. It later became the first to launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft. With the end of the Nasa's Space Shuttle program, SpaceX has also stepped in to allow the US to continue to send supplies to the International Space Station. In 2012 the company was the first private firm to send a spacecraft packed with cargo to resupply the space station. This year alone it has achieved eight launches carrying supplies to the ISS and a number of satellites into orbit. But SpaceX's journey has been hit with setbacks and problems. Perhaps its worst accident prior to this month's explosion occurred on June 28 2015 one of its Falcon 9 rockets carrying an unmanned Dragon capsule filled with cargo for the ISS exploded just minutes after launch. An investigation into the explosion revealed a failed strut on the helium pressure vessels broke as it accelerated out of the atmosphere, allowing a catastrophic escape of gas. Part of SpaceX's model for reducing the cost of space travel is to reuse its rockets. But this has been beset with a series of accidents that saw the rockets topple over and explode during these landing attempts. It lost two rockets after they failed to land safely before it managed to successfully land the first stage booster at Kennedy Space Centre on December 21 2015. Freezing fog that caused a landing leg to fail to lock caused another rocket to topple over on a barge in January 2016 on landing. Since then the company has managed to land four of its Falcon 9 launch rockets on floating barges at sea. But on 15 June this year another of its rockets toppled over and was destroyed after managing to touch down on a barge. The company has also had problems while in orbit. In March 1 2013 a Dragon spacecraft suffered thruster issues due to a blacked fuel valve leaving it unable to properly control itself before docking with the ISS. On this occasion engineers were able to remotely clear the blockages and the craft docked with the ISS one day later than scheduled. Advertisement

SpaceX is still conducting an investigation into the fireball that destroyed its rocket and the Israeli satellite that had been built for social media firm Facebook.

Mr Musk, the billionaire chief executive of SpaceX, said the explosion was the most difficult and complex failure the firm has ever had to deal with.

He said the explosion occurred while the engines were not on and there was no apparent heat source.

Particularly trying to understand the quieter bang sound a few seconds before the fireball goes off. May come from rocket or something else.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2016

Some have speculated that a mystery object hit the rocket during the refuelling and Mr Musk said they had not ruled that out.

He added on Twitter: 'Particularly trying to understand the quieter bang sound a few seconds before the fireball goes off. May come from rocket or something else.'

SpaceX's first flight from Kennedy Space Center is expected to be a Falcon 9 rocket, not the debut flight of Falcon Heavy, as previously scheduled.

Alien hunters have developed their own theory of what caused SpaceX Falcon 9 to explode yesterday. Footage from the blast shows an anomaly pass over at the same time as the blast and some believe it was an alien air strike that sabotaged the mission

The Falcon Heavy, a 27-engine version of the nine-engine Falcon 9, would most likely fly in the first quarter of 2017.

Before the accident, the next satellite slated to fly aboard a Falcon 9 from Florida was owned by Luxembourg-based SES SA.

SpaceX has a backlog of more than 70 missions, worth more than $10 billion. Before the accident at the start of the month, Falcon 9 rockets had flown 27 times successfully and failed once.

Rival space companies, however, have warned that the three month schedule for a return to flights may be optimistic.
The latest version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 10, has caused serious 'bricking' problems for iPhone and iPad users.

Millions of users flocked to social media shortly after Apple's 'biggest release ever' to share images of their devices that were rendered temporarily unusable by the upgrade.

This glitch appeared after customers downloaded iOS 10 wirelessly - but the firm says the problem is fixed and it is now safe to install the software.

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Millions of users flocked to social media shortly after Apple's 'biggest release ever' to share images of their devices that were rendered temporarily unusable by the upgrade.

A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS This is not the first time that an Apple software update has encountered problems. In 2011, when users tried to update to iOS 5, many received multiple error messages. The iOS 9.3.2 released in May this year was supposed to prevent bugs, but instead added a larger one for some iPad Pro customers. Many of the unfortunate users received an 'Error 56' message that prompted them to plug the device into iTunes, but this was not found to reverse the glitch. Advertisement

'We experienced a brief issue with the software update process, affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability,' an Apple spokesperson told DailyMail.com in an email.

'The problem was quickly resolved and we apologize to those customers. Anyone who was affected should connect to iTunes to complete the update or contact AppleCare for help.'

Apple has also shared instructions for those unlucky users, which should turn the 'brick' back into a working iPhone.

The firm says customers should begin by putting their device in recovery mode and set it up just like they did when it came out of the box.

It is also important that you are using the latest version of iTunes.

'Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes,' Apple explains.

'If you don't have a computer, borrow one from a friend or go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for help.'

Apple has also shared instructions for those unlucky users that have shared their complaints on Twitter about their bricked devices. The firm says customers need to begin by putting their device in recovery mode and set it up just like you did when it came out of the box

Connect to iTunes and when you see the options 'Restore' and 'Update', choose' Update'. If it 15 minutes has passed and your device still displays the recovery mode screen, Apple says you will need to repeat all of the steps and choose 'Restore' instead of 'Update'

DID THE GLITCH GET YOUR DEVICE? HERE'S HOW TO FIX IT After the iOS 10 release yesterday, some users complained that it rendered their phones unusable. However, Apple says the glitch has been fixed and has provided its unlucky users with instructions to restore their 'bricked' devices: 1) Make sure you have the most recent version of iTunes 2) Connect your device to a computer and restart your device by pressing and holding both the Sleep/Wake button and Home button for at least 10 seconds 3) Do not release until recovery mode is displayed on the screen 4) Next, iTunes should present you with the option to 'Restore' or 'Update' - choose 'Update' 5) If 15 minutes has passed and your device still displays the recovery mode screen, you will need to repeat all of the steps and choose 'Restore' instead of 'Update' 6) After the update or restore is complete, simply set up your device Advertisement

When you have located a computer, simply restart the device by pressing and holding both the Sleep/Wake buttons and Home button for at least 10 seconds.

Apple states that users should hold the buttons simultaneously, 'and don't release when you see the Apple logo'  keep holding until recovery mode is displayed on the screen.

When you see the option to 'Restore' or 'Update', choose' Update' and iTunes should then kick in and attempt to reinstall iOS 'without erasing your data'.

Half way through the #iOS10 update while learning it could brick your phone... pic.twitter.com/XNVBImVJzU  Instant Regret (@IRGame) September 13, 2016

Many iPhone users could not wait to download the new iOS 10 update yesterday, but a new glitch made a 'small number' wish they had after finding the update rendered their phone unusable. However, Apple shares instructions that should restore the devices

iOS 10 - KEY FEATURES Messages - New multimedia features such as stickers and a predictive emoji keyboard - Handwritten notes that animate at the other end - Invisible Ink lets users send secret messages iMessage App Store - Mini apps will include stickers and gifs and payment apps that can be used without leaving the conversation Maps - Updated design - Ability to quickly search for services such as petrol stations - Reminder on where you parked Memories - A new Memories feature will help users to rediscover old photos, similar to Facebook's On This Day - New software will automatically create Memory Movies slideshows Siri - Now available to third-party developers Options to delete Apple apps - Apps such as Stocks or Watch can now be removed from the device Advertisement

If 15 minutes has passed and your device still displays the recovery mode screen, Apple says you will need to repeat all of the steps and choose 'Restore' instead of 'Update'.

After the update or restore is complete, simply set up your device.

Apple's iOS 10 is only designed to work on relatively recent models, so owners must have an iPhone 5 or newer to download the update.

The update also won't work on the oldest iPads - iOS 10 users must have an iPad 4th generation, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad Pro 9.7-inch or any subsequent models for the update to work.

The new software will also work on the iPod touch 6th generation, but not on any older iPod models.

This is not the first time that an Apple software update has encountered problems.

The iOS 9.3.2 released in May was supposed to prevent bugs, but instead added a larger one for some iPad Pro customers.

Many of the unfortunate users received an 'Error 56' message that prompted them to plug the device into iTunes, but this was not found to reverse the glitch.

Having been first revealed at Apple's developer conference in June, iOS 10 sees more artificial intelligence implanted into the software, with the Photos app now better able to identify and show you photos in your library based on time, location, people and even the items in them.

Many users took to Twitter to express their concerns with the update, including Danny Angove, who tweeted 'Loving the new "forcing my iPhone into recovery mode" feature of #iOS10. Great job, Apple'

iOS 10 has several new features, including an updated design to the Maps app (left), and new multimedia features such as stickers and a predictive emoji keyboard in the Messages app

The iOS keyboard has been given a similar intelligence boost, Apple says, and is now able to better understand context as you type, including showing you a snapshot of your calendar as you discuss making plans with contacts.

The firm's Apple Music has also been redesigned as part of the update, having been criticised for being confusing when it launched last year.
Apple created mass hysteria when it unveiled a handset paired with wireless headphones.

Although users feel it will only be a matter of time before they lose the AirPods, Apple CEO Tim Cook says he 'never personally had one fall out since using them' and has used them on treadmills.

In an exclusive interview with Good Morning America, the tech tycoon suggests it is the weight of the wires that pull the headphones out of people's ears, and by cutting the wires, the earbuds should now stay in place.

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Although users feel it will only be a matter of time before they lose the AirPods, Apple's CEO Tim Cook says he 'has never personally had one fall out since using them'. The tech tycoon suggests it is the wires connected to the earbuds that pull them out of people's ears

COOK LIKES THE AIRPODS Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke with Robin Roberts on ABC News' 'Good Morning America' about the concerns consumers might have about Apple's new AirPods. 'There's a little case that you put the Airpods in and magnetically they're sort of sucked down into the case,' he told Roberts. 'The wires tend to help the ear bud fall out right because it applies weight on the earbuds.' 'By snipping the wires, I have never personally had one fall out since I have been using them.' 'I have never personally had one fall out since I have been using them.' Advertisement

With the introduction of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, Apple made one of the boldest moves smartphone design has seen in recent years - the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack.

The reason behind the decision, Apple executive Phil Schiller explained was 'the courage to move on and do something new that betters all of us.'

Cook spoke with Robin Roberts on ABC News' 'Good Morning America' about the concerns consumers might have about Apple's new AirPods.

'There's a little case that you put the Airpods in and magnetically they're sort of sucked down into the case,' he told Roberts.

'The wires tend to help the ear bud fall out right because it applies weight on the earbuds.'

'By snipping the wires, I have never personally had one fall out since I have been using them.'

Roberts joked with Cook that a colleague was convinced he was going to lose the new headphones, something many people around the world have been saying.

'I've been on treadmills, walking, doing all the things you normally do,' Cook said, adding, 'You know how you walk around with the earbuds and they're constantly getting caught on something? You never have that problem.'

A report on abc also reports that the tech guru reveals he dances wearing them too.

The interview will air on Wednesday morning from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET.

Cook spoke with Robin Roberts, pictured, on ABC News' 'Good Morning America' about the concerns consumers might have about Apple's new AirPods

The wireless ear buds are scheduled to go on sale in late October and cost $159, but Rhiannon Williams with MailOnline was given a sneak peek into the new world of Apple's wireless headphones.

AirPods resemble Apple's older white EarPods minus an attached cable.

They connect to your iPhone using a form of Bluetooth technology.

They work to a distance of around 10 metres from the paired device, meaning if you wander away any further, the connection will drop.

Roberts joked with Cook that a colleague was convinced he was going to lose the new headphones, something many people around the world have been saying

To pair them with an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac running the latest iOS 10, watchOS 3 or macOS Sierra software, open their small magnetic carry case close to the device and wait for a notification asking to connect.

Every time you remove the headphones from the case and pop them into your ear, they will connect automatically.

This is helpful if you're used to fiddling around with Bluetooth on other wireless headphones, ensuring they're forgotten by one device before you try to pair them with another in range.

WHAT DOES THE CHANGE MEAN FOR YOU? Owners of the iPhone 7 will not be able to directly connect any headphones with a traditional 3.5mm plug. If people want to use other wired headphones, they will need to use the Lightning 3.5mm adapter - which is included with the phone. The phone also comes with new Lightning earbuds, which plug into the charging port. However, this means that users can no longer listen to music while simultaneously charging their phone, unless they use separate charging dock. Apple has also introduced its wireless AirPod headphones, but these are not included with the phone, and cost $159 (159). Advertisement

If two compatible devices are near to the AirPods case, you can choose to connect to the earphones via the control centre on your iOS device and selecting 'AirPods'.

Slotting the headphones back into the case as music is playing will allow the track to keep going until you close the magnetic lid.

The AirPods charge through their case, which in turn is charged by a lightning connector, just as you would an iPhone.

Apple claims each AirPod has a battery life of roughly five hours, while we found an hour's worth of continual listening depletes the battery by about 16%.

The case itself carries around 19 hours worth of power on a single charge, equating to around 24 hours battery, the company claims.

When the AirPods are not in your ears, they're not using battery power and will automatically recharge once slotted back into the case.

The pair use optical sensors and infra-red technology to sense when they've been removed from the wearer's ear.

AirPods (pictured right) resemble Apple's older white EarPods (pictured left) minus an attached cable, and connect to your iPhone using a form of Bluetooth technology

Slotting the headphones back into the case as music is playing will allow the track is keep going until you close the magnetic lid. The case itself carries around 19 hours worth of power on a single charge, equating to around 24 hours battery juice, the company claims

Pulling one earphone out of your ears pauses your music, which resumes when inserted back.

If you remove both earphones, you'll need to manually press play to resume playback.

One unexpected downside of this is it makes it hard to tell if the volume of your music, podcast or video is noisy enough to disturb others around you.

Instead of the remote control embedded on the EarPods' wire, you can skip songs or adjust the volume by gently double-tapping on one of the rounded buds, which triggers Apple's digital assistant, Siri

Instead of the remote control embedded on the EarPods' wire, you can skip songs or adjust the volume by gently double-tapping on one of the rounded buds, which triggers Apple's digital assistant, Siri.

Speaking phrases including 'Resume playback', 'Skip song', or asking Siri to play a certain artist will draw up a selection of their popular tracks, and it smoothly recognised each of our requests - even more complicated demands like 'play the last song'.

The only scenario when Siri got slightly confused was when we asked it to 'start playing music', as it prefers 'start playing'.

The microphone at the bottom of the AirPods worked well, except during exercise, when heaving breathing made commands difficult for Siri to understand

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Siri does tend to err on the side of caution: asking it to turn down the volume from 50 per cent caused the music to become almost inaudible.

The AirPods fit comfortably into the ear, and don't tend to need much readjustment once they're in.

The audio quality is excellent, and is surprisingly bassy and well-rounded.

We were also impressed at the sheer volume they were capable of - a song played at maximum volume through the AirPods sounded much louder than the included lightning connector EarPod pair.

The EarPod headphones bundled in with the phones have been given a makeover, and are significantly better at noise retention than the predecessors.

One point worth bearing in mind is the price.

At 159 in the UK and $159 in the US, the AirPods are undoubtedly expensive, but not ludicrously so when compared to other wireless headphones currently available at a similar quality.

The pair use optical sensors and infra-red technology to sense when they've been removed from the wearer's ear

Our key concern is how easy it would be to lose them.

Misplacing one or both of the little AirPods or their small case is not beyond the realms of possibility, especially as they aren't connected to each other with a wire the way that the majority of wireless headphones are.

However, this ultimately hinges on how careful you are with them.

One question on many people's minds following the Apple event was how likely the AirPods are to fall out of your ears whilst exercising.

We put this to the test by taking them on several runs on a variety of terrains, including flat pavement, grassy hills and steep cobbles.

We experienced no problems whatsoever in terms of the headphones working themselves loose or falling out, and found that they didn't skip or need to be twisted more deeply into the ear like others we've tried in the past.

We would welcome a set of small buttons on one or both of the AirPods' stems to skip or replay tracks and change the volume while exercising, as Siri voice commands are just not suitable during exercise

The audio was clear and loud, but we found it very difficult to skip tracks or change the volume via Siri.

Breathing heavily while exercising doesn't lend itself well to speaking commands, and we found it easier to change songs and adjust sound levels using a paired Apple Watch than on the AirPods themselves.

So while Siri commands work well in general environments, you might struggle with them whilst running or playing sports.

Overall, the audio standard and brilliant pairing and charging technologies make AirPods an attractive prospect for Apple fans with multiple other iOS, macOS or watchOS devices looking to invest in new wireless headphones for use across the entire product range
In The Matrix trilogy of films, the main character, Neo, realises he is living in a simulation in which nothing is real.

And according to the Bank of America, this worrying plot-line could be close to reality.

It says that there is around a 50 per cent chance that we ourselves are living in The Matrix - meaning that the world we experience as 'real' is actually just a simulation.

In The Matrix trilogy of films, the main character Neo, realises he is living in a simulated reality in which nothing is really real. And according to the Bank of America, this worrying plot-line could be close to reality

In the first film in the Matrix trilogy, Neo holds a spoon in his hand and realises that it is not real, along with everything around him.

While the claim that this could be a reality may sound like it comes from conspiracy theorists, it is really from the Bank of America.

Last week, the bank's wealth management company, Merrill Lynch, sent out a briefing note to investors outlining their Matrix theory, according to Business Insider.

The note said: 'Many scientists, philosophers, and business leaders believe that there is a 20-50 per cent probability that humans are already living in a computer-simulated virtual world.'

It explained that earlier this year, researchers gathered at the American Museum of Natural History to debate this notion.

The note continues: 'The argument is that we are already approaching photorealistic 3D simulations that millions of people can simultaneously participate in.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch released an infographic showing future reality by numbers, including the probability of living in a simulated world

'It is conceivable that with advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and computing power, members of future civilisations could have decided to run a simulation of their ancestors.

'Unless we are now living in a simulation, our descendants will almost certainly never run an ancestor-simulation.'

While the researchers have predicted this could be a daunting reality, unfortunately they neglected to mention whether there was a way out of it, if true.

It is also unclear what the investment implications are for the Bank of America.
It is used to disguise a person's identity, cover explicit areas of an image or to render vehicle number plates unreadable.

But deliberate pixilation of photographs could soon be rendered useless by artificial intelligence that can peer through the blurring to see what is hidden beneath.

Software engineers have used machine learning to teach a piece of software to adapt image recognition techniques to recognise objects, faces and words in obscured images.

Artificial intelligence could be used to defeat attempts to protect people's identity (stock image) or hide certain information in videos and photographs posted online. Researchers found it was possible to train software to recognise faces, text and objects in obscured images

The software could mean that people who appear on Google Street View, for example, could be identified despite attempts by the search company to hide their identity with image blurring.

KANYE'S DISAPPEARING ACT It is a bizarre disappearing act that only the most affluent seem to be able to afford. Dozens of million dollar homes in some of the world's most exclusive areas have mysteriously disappeared from Google's Street View - and nobody knows why. They include the homes of Kim and Kanye West, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake and Drake, who all reside in the suitably named 'Hidden Hills' in California, along with other gated communities. There are 648 home built in Hidden Hills, California, a gated community 20 minutes outside of Los Angeles. When users type in an address in the neighborhood, such as the stunning home at 23726 Long Valley Road, into Google Street View the entire community seems to not exists. Advertisement

Video sharing website YouTube also offers a tool to blur the faces of people in videos, which could be exposed by with the new too.

Similarly text that has been obscured by blurring could be identified.

Writing in a research paper published on the science journal site arXiv.org, Richard McPherson, a computer scientist at the University of Texas, and his colleagues said: 'We demonstrate that modern image recognition methods based on artificial neural networks can recover hidden information from images protected by various forms of obfuscation.

'We argue that humans may no longer be the 'gold standard' for extracting information from visual data.

'Trained machine learning models now outperform humans on tasks such as object recognition.'

The researchers warn that the technology could have serious implications for people's privacy online.

The researchers were able to show it was possible to defeat three privacy protection technologies currently used online.

They demonstrated that it was possible to unblur faces from videos in YouTube that had used the site's own blur tool.

The researchers used a series of data sets to examine whether image recognition software was able to recognise images that have been pixellated using photography software or using the P3 privacy software (illustrated)

YouTube currently offers a tool that allows faces or other objects to be blurred within videos (pictured). The researchers showed, however, this could be overcome using image recognition software, which can match blurred faces with those in its database

The researchers were also able to unpick information from pictures that had been pixelated using common photography software like Photoshop.

Finally they were also able to defeat a tool called Privacy Preserving Photo Sharing, or P3, which encrypts parts of an image that may identify someone so it cannot be seen clearly.

The researchers trained their software using images of words, faces and objects. When it achieved 90 per cent accuracy they then gave it the same images that had been blurred.

When they later fed the machine blurred or pixelated images it had not seen before, they found it was able to identify what was in the image 80 to 90 per cent of the time.

Google Street View uses blurring to protect people's identity if they were photographed by its Street View cameras (pictured). Image recognition software may be able to defeat this though

It had the least success when tacking celebrity faces that had been obscured using the P3 system.

Vataly Shmatikov, a computer scientist at Cornell Tech in New York who led the research, told Wired: 'The techniques we're using in this paper are very standard in image recognition, which is a disturbing thought.'

However, the software was not able to reverse the blurring or pixellation, or even recreate the pictures it was identifying.

Instead it was able to use image recognition tools to match the faces or objects to things already in its database.

Writing in their paper, the researchers said: 'As user-contributed photographs and videos proliferate online social networks, video-streaming services, and photosharing websites, many of them can be found to leak sensitive information about the users who upload them, as well as bystanders accidentally captured in the frame.

'In addition to the obvious identifiers such as human faces, privacy can be breached by images of physical objects, typed or handwritten text, license plates, contents of computer screens, etc.'

Besides helping to reveal information that people might want to obscure in images they post online, the system could find some practical uses too.

For example it could be used to help identify a person's face from low quality CCTV footage where an individual's features can often be blurred or hard to make out.

The system could match the image to photographs of suspects or people in a police database.
Uber riders in Pittsburgh can get a glimpse of the future by summoning a car capable of handling most of the tasks of driving on its own.

Starting Wednesday morning, a fleet of self-driving Ford Fusions will pick up Uber riders who opted to participate in a test program.

While the vehicles are loaded with features that allow them to navigate on their own, an Uber engineer will sit in the driver's seat and seize control if things go awry.

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A group of self driving Uber vehicles position themselves to take journalists on rides during a media preview at Uber's Advanced Technologies Center in Pittsburgh, Monday, Sept. 12, 2016 (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Uber's test program is the latest move in an increasingly heated race between tech companies in Silicon Valley and traditional automakers to perfect fully driverless cars for regular people.

Competitors such as Volvo and Google have invested hundreds of millions of dollars and logged millions of miles test driving autonomous vehicles, but Uber is the first company in the U.S. to make self-driving cars available to the general public.

'That pilot really pushes the ball forward for us,' said Raffi Krikorian, Director of Uber Advanced Technologies Center (ATC) in Pittsburgh, the company's main facility for testing self-driving vehicles.

'We think it can help with congestion, we think it can make transportation cheaper and more accessible for the vast majority of people.'

Removing the cost of the driver is one way to make rides more affordable. But that prospect didn't sit well with some Uber customers.

Starting Wednesday morning, dozens of self-driving Ford Fusions will pick up riders who opted into a test program with Uber (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

HOW WILL THE TESTS WORK? Uber is now testing autonomous vehicles around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A hybrid Ford Fusions with the Uber logo be used for mapping data of Steel City and testing its self-driving capabilities on public streets. Included in the announcement is a photo of a hybrid Ford Fusions equipped with a variety of sensor, radars and high-resolution cameras. While the car is roaming around Pittsburgh, a trained driver will be seated in the driver's seat to monitor the vehicles performance -- but the car will be set in self-driving mode. Advertisement

'It scares me not to have a driver there with an Uber,' said Claudia Tyler, a health executive standing near the entrance of an office in downtown Pittsburgh.

A reporter from The Associated Press tried out the service Monday.

The ride through downtown Pittsburgh and over some bridges went smoothly, with the car waiting for oncoming traffic before making a turn and at one point stopping for a vehicle that was backing into a parking space.

Parking, however, was a task the human driver had to perform.

Approaches to driverless technology differ. Google, a unit of Alphabet, and Ford Motor Co. want to perfect the fully driverless car  no steering wheel, no pedals  before letting the public climb in for a ride.

Others are adding autonomous features in phases, while relying on the driver to take over in certain circumstances.

Uber safety driver Zachary Rearick, left, and vehicle operator Paul Rocchini take journalists on a drive through the streets of downtown Pittsburgh (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

A journalist gets in a self driving Uber for a ride during a media preview. While the vehicles are loaded with features that allow them to navigate on their own, an Uber engineer will sit in the driver's seat and seize control if things go awry (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Many experts predict that it will be years, if not decades, before the public is being driven around in fleets of fully driverless vehicles under any condition.

'Because vehicles are driving at seventy miles per hour on the highway, if something goes wrong, things could go wrong very bad, very quickly,' said Carnegie Mellon engineering Professor Raj Rajkumar.

'This technology needs to be ultra-reliable before we can take the human out of the driving equation.'

NuTonomy, a spinoff from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, got the jump on Uber globally three weeks ago when it began picking up passengers in self-driving taxis in Singapore.

The company said Tuesday that its six taxis  with backup drivers  haven't had any accidents since the service launched.

The Uber vehicles are equipped with everything from seven traffic-light detecting cameras to a radar system that detects different weather conditions to 20 spinning lasers that generates a continuous, 360 degree 3-D map of the surrounding environment.

During the demonstration for reporters two engineers were seated in front  one ready to take control in case the car encountered a situation it couldn't handle, the other monitoring the car's 3D map and scribbling notes on how to improve the car's software.

Removing the cost of the driver is one way to make rides more affordable. But that prospect didn't sit well with some Uber customers (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The Uber vehicles are equipped with everything from seven traffic-light detecting cameras to a radar system that detects different weather conditions to 20 spinning lasers that generates a continuous, 360 degree 3-D map of the surrounding environment (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The engineers must undergo a week of safety orientation or more to drive the cars, with additional training as the vehicles continue to be refined.

Pittsburgh is a particularly good place to experiment, they said, because the city is a research hub of self-driving cars and has notoriously bad driving conditions, including snowstorms, rolling hills and a tangled network of aging roads and bridges.

Uber executives are watching to see how the cars handle these challenges before saying when fully driverless vehicles will be ready to hit the roads.

'We actually think of Pittsburgh as the double black diamond of driving,' Krikorian said.

Pittsburgh is a particularly good place to experiment, they said, because the city is a research hub of self-driving cars and has notoriously bad driving conditions, including snowstorms, rolling hills and a tangled network of aging roads and bridges (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

During the demonstration for reporters two engineers were seated in front  one ready to take control in case the car encountered a situation it couldn't handle, the other monitoring the car's 3D map (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

'If we can really tackle Pittsburgh, that we have a better chance of tackling most other cities around the world.'

Pennsylvania also lacks stringent testing regulations at the moment, unlike other driverless car-testing venues such as California.

The Uber trial is perfectly legal under current state law, Pennsylvania officials said.

'There's no requirement that you be touching the steering wheel,' said Kurt J. Myers, deputy secretary at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

'But there is a requirement that you are a licensed driver and that you are in the driver's seat.'

A task force commissioned by the state is expected to make policy recommendations in November.

Many experts predict that it will be years, if not decades, before the public is being driven around in fleets of fully driverless vehicles under any condition (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Uber officials hope the initial trial will teach them how to ease public fears of adopting the bleeding-edge technology.

'The Pittsburgh pilot is our opportunity for real world testing, so that we can learn more about what makes riders feel safe and comfortable,' said Uber product manager Emily Bartel.

Uber's Silicon Valley roots means it tends to pivot quickly and plan, experiment, and adjust direction within weeks, in contrast to longtime carmakers like General Motors or Toyota who have yearlong timelines when bringing out new features, Rajkumar and Uber officials said. When the drivers are removed from front seats, the cars will likely be restricted to driving in specific locations under good conditions at first.

'I'd probably give them a little bit and let them work their kinks out,' Patrick Holland, a Philadelphia-area student, said right before getting into a human-driven Uber.
The latest version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 10, caused serious 'bricking' problems for iPhone and iPad users.

But even for those who have managed to install the software without this glitch, it has been met with mixed reactions.

Users are mourning the loss of the gun emoji and are irritated by changes to the Home button, but feel ecstatic the Stocks app can finally be deleted and that the running emoji seems to have 'hit puberty'.

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Users are mourning the loss of the gun emoji and are irritated by changes to the Home button, but feel ecstatic the Stocks app can finally be deleted and the running emoji seems to have 'hit puberty'

The software update was released worldwide yesterday, with a few teething problems.

Once the glitches were overcome, millions of users flocked to social media shortly after Apple's 'biggest release ever' to share their opinions on the changes.

One of the biggest points of contention is the new emojis that now feature.

Some emojis have been given makeovers, with one Twitter user suggesting the girl 'just learnt how to contour', while the boys have also become sassy.

Some emoji have been given makeovers, with one Twitter user suggesting the girl 'just learnt how to contour', while the boys have also become sassy. The running man emoji has also 'hit puberty' and developed some more muscles

One user Tweeted: 'Thank you Apple for acknowledging boys can be sassy too' with a picture of the new boy emoji (pictured)

But not all the changes have been met with positivite reactions. In particular, the water gun (shown right) that has replaced the pistol emoji (shown left) was poorly received, with Twitter users suggesting it would make their messages appear less threatening

iOS 10 - KEY FEATURES Messages - New multimedia features such as stickers and a predictive emoji keyboard - Handwritten notes that animate at the other end - Invisible Ink lets users send secret messages iMessage App Store - Mini apps include stickers and gifs and payment apps that can be used without leaving the conversation Maps - Updated design - Ability to quickly search for services such as petrol stations - Reminder on where you parked Memories - A new Memories feature will help users to rediscover old photos, similar to Facebook's On This Day - New software will automatically create Memory Movies slideshows Siri - Now available to third-party developers Options to delete Apple apps - Apps such as Stocks or Watch can now be removed from the device Advertisement

The running man emoji has also 'hit puberty' and developed some more muscles.

But not all the changes have been met with positive reactions.

In particular, the water pistol that has replaced the gun emoji was poorly received, with Twitter users suggesting it would make their messages appear less threatening.

One user said: 'ioS 10 went from bang bang to squirt squirt'.

Another new feature that seems to annoy users is the change to the Home button.

As default, users now have to press the Home button to unlock the phone, but this feature can be removed.

This can be done by accessing settings, then general accessibility, then swiping the 'rest finger to open' option under 'Home button'.

But what seems to overshadow the rest of the changes is the joy users are expressing at their ability to remove Apple's default apps from the home screen, including the Stocks app.

'What a time to be alive' one user posted, alongside a screenshot of the Stocks app being deleted.

'I've never been so happy to delete something as I am deleting the Stocks app. Dreams do come true' said another.

Having been first revealed at Apple's developer conference in June, iOS 10 sees more artificial intelligence implanted into the software.

The Photos app is now better able to identify and show users photos in their library based on time, location, people and even the items in them.

What seems to overshadow the rest of the changes is the joy users are expressing at their ability to remove the Stocks app.'What a time to be alive' one user posted, alongside a screenshot of the Stocks app being deleted

I've never been so happy to delete something as I am deleting the Stocks app. Dreams do come true. #iOS10 pic.twitter.com/DQcaSs3loU  Felecia Wellington (@fdwellington) September 13, 2016

The firm's Apple Music has also been redesigned as part of the update, having been criticised for being confusing when it launched last year

The iOS keyboard has been given a similar intelligence boost, Apple says, and is now able to better understand context as users type, including showing a snapshot of the calendar as users discuss making plans with contacts.

The firm's Apple Music has also been redesigned as part of the update, having been criticised for being confusing when it launched last year.

The new software will also come built in to the new iPhone 7, which along with the larger 7 Plus will go on sale in the UK on Friday after being announced in San Francisco last week.

DID THE GLITCH GET YOUR DEVICE? HERE'S HOW TO FIX IT After the iOS 10 release yesterday, some users complained that it rendered their phones unusable. However, Apple says the glitch has been fixed and has provided users with instructions to restore their 'bricked' devices: 1) Make sure you have the most recent version of iTunes 2) Connect your device to a computer and restart your device by pressing and holding both the Sleep/Wake button and Home button for at least 10 seconds 3) Do not release until recovery mode is displayed on the screen 4) Next, iTunes should present you with the option to 'Restore' or 'Update' - choose 'Update' 5) If 15 minutes has passed and your device still displays the recovery mode screen, you will need to repeat all of the steps and choose 'Restore' instead of 'Update' 6) After the update or restore is complete, simply set up your device Advertisement

Millions of users flocked to social media shortly after Apple's 'biggest release ever' to share images of their devices that were rendered temporarily unusable by the upgrade.

A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS This is not the first time that an Apple software update has encountered problems. In 2011, when users tried to update to iOS 5, many received multiple error messages. The iOS 9.3.2 released in May this year was supposed to prevent bugs, but instead added a larger one for some iPad Pro customers. Many of the unfortunate users received an 'Error 56' message that prompted them to plug the device into iTunes, but this was not found to reverse the glitch. Advertisement

'We experienced a brief issue with the software update process, affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability,' an Apple spokesperson told MailOnline.

'The problem was quickly resolved and we apologize to those customers. Anyone who was affected should connect to iTunes to complete the update or contact AppleCare for help.'

Apple has also shared instructions for those unlucky users, which should turn the 'brick' back into a working iPhone.

The firm says customers should begin by putting their device in recovery mode and set it up just like they did when it came out of the box.

It is also important that they are using the latest version of iTunes.

'Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes,' Apple explains.

'If you don't have a computer, borrow one from a friend or go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for help.'

Apple has also shared instructions for those unlucky users that have shared their complaints on Twitter about their bricked devices. The firm says customers need to begin by putting their device in recovery mode and set it up just like you did when it came out of the box

Connect to iTunes and when you see the options 'Restore' and 'Update', choose' Update'. If it 15 minutes has passed and your device still displays the recovery mode screen, Apple says you will need to repeat all of the steps and choose 'Restore' instead of 'Update'

Once a computer has been located, user should simply restart the device by pressing and holding both the Sleep/Wake buttons and Home button for at least 10 seconds.

Apple states that users should hold the buttons simultaneously, 'and don't release when you see the Apple logo'  keep holding until recovery mode is displayed on the screen.

When the option to 'Restore' or 'Update', user need to choose' Update' and iTunes should then kick in and attempt to reinstall iOS 'without erasing your data'.

Half way through the #iOS10 update while learning it could brick your phone... pic.twitter.com/XNVBImVJzU  Instant Regret (@IRGame) September 13, 2016

Many iPhone users could not wait to download the new iOS 10 update yesterday, but a new glitch made a 'small number' wish they had after finding the update rendered their phone unusable. However, Apple shares instructions that should restore the devices

If 15 minutes has passed and your device still displays the recovery mode screen, Apple says users will need to repeat all of the steps and choose 'Restore' instead of 'Update'.

After the update or restore is complete, simply set up your device.

Apple's iOS 10 is only designed to work on relatively recent models, so owners must have an iPhone 5 or newer to download the update.

The update also won't work on the oldest iPads - iOS 10 users must have an iPad 4th generation, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad Pro 9.7-inch or any subsequent models for the update to work.

The new software will also work on the iPod touch 6th generation, but not on any older iPod models.

This is not the first time that an Apple software update has encountered problems.

The iOS 9.3.2 released in May was supposed to prevent bugs, but instead added a larger one for some iPad Pro customers.

Many of the unfortunate users received an 'Error 56' message that prompted them to plug the device into iTunes, but this was not found to reverse the glitch.

Many users took to Twitter to express their concerns with the update, including Danny Angove, who tweeted 'Loving the new "forcing my iPhone into recovery mode" feature of #iOS10. Great job, Apple'
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Esa has unveiled a stunning 3D map of a billion stars in our galaxy that is 1,000 times more complete than anything that previously existed.

The data for the map was collected by a space-based probe called Gaia, which has been circling the sun nearly a million miles beyond Earth's orbit since its launch in December 2013.

On its journey, the satellite has been discreetly snapping pictures of the Milky Way.

Now the European Space Agency has released the first batch of data collected by Gaia, which includes information on the brightness and position of over a billion stars.

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The European Space Agency has released the first batch of data collected by Gaia, which includes information on the brightness and position of over a billion stars. An all-sky view of stars in our galaxy and neighbouring galaxies is pictured, based on the first year of observations from ESAs Gaia satellite, from July 2014 to September 2015

WHAT GAIA CAN TEACH US By identifying stars from smaller galaxies long ago swallowed up by our own, Gaia will also help scientists better understand the Milky Way's origin and evolution. Tens of thousands of previously undetected objects will be discovered by Gaia over the next five years. These include asteroids that may one day threaten Earth, planets circling nearby stars, and exploding supernovas. 'It seems like a good bet that the mission will reveal thousands of new worlds,' Gregory Laughlin, an astronomer at Yale University, told Nature. Astrophysicists hope to learn more about the distribution of dark matter, the invisible substance thought to hold the observable universe together. They also plan to test Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity by watching how light is deflected by the sun and its planets. Advertisement

The satellite is now just over half-way through its five-year mission, and Gaia's two telescopes have located a billion stars.

This sounds like a lot, but is still only one per cent of the Milky Way's estimated stellar population, that lies scattered over an area 100,000 light years in diameter.

'The beautiful map we are publishing today shows the density of stars measured by Gaia across the entire sky, and confirms that it collected superb data during its first year of operations,' said Timo Prusti, a Gaia project scientist at ESA.

The satellite's billion-pixel camera, the largest ever in space, is so powerful it would be able to gauge the diameter of a human hair at a distance of 621 miles (1,000 km).

This means nearby stars have been located with unprecedented accuracy.

'Over the centuries we have sought to catalogue the content of the skies,' said Francois Mignard, an astronomer at France's National Centre for Scientific Research and a member of the Gaia science team.

'But never have we achieved anything so complete or preciseit is a massive undertaking.'

This first data dump 'opens a new chapter in astronomy,' he added, and is certain to generate hundreds of scientific studies.

Gaia's mapping effort is already unprecedented in scale, but it still has several years left to run.

Gaia maps the position of the Milky Way's stars in a couple of ways.

It pinpoints the location of the stars but the probe can also plot their movement, by scanning each star about 70 times.

This is what allows scientists to calculate the distance between Earth and each star, which is a crucial measure.

While the location of 1 billion stars has been measured, the distance to only 2 million stars is available.

'That's 20 times more than what we had before,' Mignard said. 'And all in one fell swoop!'

By the end of 2017, Gaia will have done the same for a billion stars.

At the same time as plotting distances from Earth, the satellite will collect vital data about each star's temperature, luminosity and chemical composition.

A space-based probe called Gaia has been circling the sun nearly a million miles beyond Earth's orbit since its launch in December 2013. On its journey, the satellite has been discreetly snapping pictures of the Milky Way. Now the first batch of data collected by Gaia hsa been published, including information on the brightness and position of over a billion stars

Artist's impression of Gaia mapping the stars of the Milky Way. Gaia's mapping effort is already unprecedented in scale, but it still has several years left to run. Gaia maps the position of the Milky Way's stars in a couple of ways. It pinpoints the location of the stars but the probe can also plot their movement, by scanning each star about 70 times

THE MILKY WAY The Milky Way is thought contain more than 200 billion stars. This makes it a middleweight galaxy with the largest galaxy known, IC 1101, containing more than 100 trillion stars. On a clear night, when you look up into the night sky the most you can see from any one point on the Earth is about 2,500 stars. Like more than two-thirds of the known galaxies, the Milky Way has a spiral shape. At the centre of the spiral, a lot of energy and, occasionally, vivid flares are created. Astronomers believe the Milky Way was not always a stunning barred spiral. It formed into its current size by eating other galaxies. Advertisement

On top of plotting stars, tens of thousands of previously undetected objects will be discovered by Gaia over the next five years.

These include asteroids that may one day threaten Earth, planets circling nearby stars, and exploding supernovas.

'It seems like a good bet that the mission will reveal thousands of new worlds,' Gregory Laughlin, an astronomer at Yale University, told Nature.

Astrophysicists hope to learn more about the distribution of dark matter, the invisible substance thought to hold the observable universe together.

They also plan to test Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity by watching how light is deflected by the sun and its planets.

'Gaia is going to revolutionise what we know about stars and the Galaxy,' David Hogg, an astronomer at New York University working on the project told Nature.

Knowing the positions and motions of stars in the sky to astonishing precision is a fundamental part of studying the properties and past history of the Milky Way and to measure distances to stars and galaxies.

But it also has a variety of applications closer to home  for example, in the solar system.

In July, Pluto passed in front of a distant, faint star, offering a rare chance to study the atmosphere of the dwarf planet as the star gradually disappeared and then reappeared behind Pluto.

Gaia data allowed scientists to predict exactly when this would happen from precise knowledge of the star's position, and allowed astronomers all over the world to witness the event.

The outline of our Galaxy, the Milky Way, and of its neighbouring Magellanic Clouds, in an image based on housekeeping data from ESAs Gaia satellite, indicating the total number of stars detected every second in each of the satellite's fields of view. Brighter regions indicate higher concentrations of stars, while darker regions correspond to fewer stars

WHAT GAIA CAN TEACH US ABOUT THE SOLAR SYSTEM: PLUTO'S OCCULATION The image shows an image of the star and Pluto, five minutes before the event (top), then Pluto passing in front of the star (centre), then again the star and Pluto, five minutes after the event (bottom) Knowing the positions and motions of stars in the sky to astonishing precision is a fundamental part of studying the properties and past history of the Milky Way and to measure distances to stars and galaxies. But it also has a variety of applications closer to home  for example, in the solar system. In July, Pluto passed in front of a distant, faint star, offering a rare chance to study the atmosphere of the dwarf planet as the star gradually disappeared and then reappeared behind Pluto. This stellar occultation was visible only from a narrow strip stretching across Europe, similar to the totality path that a solar eclipse lays down on our planet's surface. Precise knowledge of the star's position was crucial to point telescopes on Earth, so the exceptional early release of the Gaia position for this star. This was 10 times more precise than previously available, was instrumental to the successful monitoring of this rare event. Astronomers observed the event using telescopes across Europe, Middle East and northern Africa. To further analyse the data, they were also aided by an improved determination of Plutos orbit after Nasas New Horizons mission flew by the dwarf planet in 2015. Early results hint at a pause in the puzzling pressure rise of Pluto's tenuous atmosphere, something that has been recorded since 1988 in spite of the dwarf planet moving away from the sun, which would suggest a drop in pressure due to cooling of the atmosphere. 'These three examples demonstrate how Gaia's present and future data will revolutionise all areas of astronomy, allowing us to investigate our place in the universe, from our local neighbourhood, the solar system, to galactic and even grander, cosmological scales,' said Dr Anthony Brown from Leiden University in the Netherlands. Advertisement

This first data release shows the mission is on track to achieve its ultimate goal: charting the positions, distances, and motions of one billion stars  about 1 per cent of the Milky Way's stellar content  in three dimensions to unprecedented accuracy.

'The road to today has not been without obstacles: Gaia encountered a number of technical challenges and it has taken an extensive collaborative effort to learn how to deal with them,' said Fred Jansen, Gaia mission manager at ESA.
Orbiting a frozen world in the darkest fringes of our solar system, the blood-coloured north pole of Pluto's largest moon Charon appears so foreboding that astronomers nicknamed it Mordor.

A study of images beamed back by Nasa's New Horizon's space probe may now have uncovered what causes the dark red patch that stains the top of the icy moon.

Named after the shadowy lands that were home to the evil Sauron in JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, it appears the area is being 'spray painted' with methane gas from Pluto that becomes trapped on its surface.

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The north pole of Pluto's largest moon Charon is covered by a large dark red stain (pictured) that has led to it being nicknamed Mordor after the evil land in JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Analysis of images of the area have revealed it may be caused by trapped methane gas

Researchers claim the methane may have leaked out from Pluto's atmosphere and been trapped at Charon's pole as the moon passes through the stream of methane.

CHARON'S GRAND CANYON If you thought Earth's grand Canyon was impressive, think again. Nasa has revealed a stunning New horizons image of Pluto's moon Charon with an even bigger rift. Called Argo Chasma, it measures 430 miles (700 kilometers) long and nine miles deep. For comparison, Arizona's Grand Canyon is 280 miles (450 kilometers) long, and five times shallower. Scientists were stunned by the unusual canyon system that's far longer and deeper than the Grand Canyon. The section of it seen here measures approximately 185 miles (300 kilometers) long. As far as New Horizons scientists can tell, Argo's total length is approximately 430 miles (700 kilometers) long  for comparison, Arizona's Grand Canyon is 280 miles (450 kilometers) long. Advertisement

They say this area of Charon spends long periods in shadow, meaning temperatures drop to extremely low enough to trap the methane as ice.

After a long winter, the pole is then exposed to sunlight which triggers chemical reactions in the methane ice that produce the red colour.

Writing in the journal Nature, Dr Will Grundy, an expert on the outer solar system at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and his colleagues said it could explain similar reddish spots found on Pluto's other moons such as Nix.

They said: 'The most prominent colour feature in New Horizons images of Charon is its reddish northern polar cap.

'The red coloration is interrupted by a few impact craters with diameters of several kilometres.

'Impacts that size occur rarely, probably much less frequently than once every million years , so their existence implies that the red material must accumulate slowly.

'Infrared spectroscopy also supports slow accumulation.'

Charon is named after the ferryman of hades who in Greek mythology carries the souls of the newly deceased to the underworld.

The 750-mile-wide rocky and icy world is the largest of five known moons that orbit the dwarf planet, Pluto.

Charon (pictured) is 750 miles wide and the largest of the five known moons that orbit the dwarf planet Pluto. It is named after the ferryman of Hades who in Greek mythology carries the souls of the dead to the underworld

In Lord of the Rings, Mordor (pictured) is an twisted land in permanent shadow and the home of the evil Sauron

Images beamed back in 2015 by the new Horizon's space craft, which was launched in 2006, revealed Pluto and its satellites in unprecedented detail.

Among these images, scientists found that the north pole of Charon was stained a dark, deep red colour.

While there were some theories that it may be coloured by processes similar to those thought to take place on Pluto, it had not been proved.

On Pluto, hydrocarbons like methane break down into polymer-like molecules similar to tholin, which can take on a deep red colour.

In their new study the scientists found that winters at the north pole of Charon can last for more than 100 years, allowing methane streaming off Pluto to slowly accumulate.

With temperatures reaching as low as -433F (-258C), small amounts of nitrogen from Pluto's atmosphere are also trapped along with the methane.

The New Horizon's space probe (artist's impression at Pluto with Charon in the background) beamed back images of the dwarf planet and its moons in 2015

The researchers estimate that Charon's north pole could accumulate around three nanometres of ice per Earth year.

Energetic ultraviolet radiation from the sun impinges onto the night side of Charon during its long winter, causing the methane molecules to join together into tholin-like molecules.

This process, known as photolysis, creates heavier organic molecules on the surface of Charon that have a reddish colour

Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Grundy said: 'Methane is colourless in visible light. There's a long chain of events to get from colourless methane to reddish tholins.

'First, methane is trapped at Charon's winter pole for several decades.

'Ionising radiation, mostly ultraviolet light but other forms of radiation can do it too, occasionally breaks a carbon-hydrogen bond in a methane molecule.

'the hydrogen that is broken off escapes to space and the remaining radical chemically recombines with other methane or radicals for form a heavier hydrocarbon.

'These heavier hydrocarbons are colorless, too, just like methane is, but they are less volatile than methane, so when the sun rises again in the spring, the surface of the pole quickly warms up, and the methane sublimates away.

'The heavier hydrocarbons remain behind. Continuing radiation keeps breaking bonds, and the fragments keep

recombining, building progressively heavier and more carbon-rich molecules.
At their closest point, Africa and Europe are just 8.7 miles (14km) apart, yet the Mediterranean sea prevents the two continents from meeting.

But in 1928, a German architect proposed a plan called Atlantropa, which would involve partially draining the Mediterranean Sea and creating a 'Eurafrican supercontinent'.

While the idea sounds bizarre, it was seriously considered by heads of state, and at one point, even the United Nations.

Herman Sorgel hoped the colossal plan would be an answer to Europe's post-WWI refugee crisis and help bring world peace.

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In 1928, a German architect proposed a plan called Atlantropa, which would involve partially draining the Mediterranean Sea and creating a 'Eurafrican supercontinent'. He wanted it to be formed by dams across the Strait of Gibraltar, the Dardanelles, and between Sicily and Tunisia

THE BASIS FOR ATLANTROPA The basis for his supercontinent would be formed by dams across the Strait of Gibraltar, the Dardanelles, and eventually between Sicily and Tunisia, each containing huge hydroelectric power plants. Herman Sorgel believed that this would convert the Mediterranean into two basins, with the western part lowered by 100 metres, and the eastern part by 200 metres. This would give a total of 254,900 square miles (660,200 square kilometres) of new land reclaimed from the sea  an area larger than France. Advertisement

The idea was suggested in 1928 by Sorgel, who tirelessly promoted it until his death in 1952.

In an article for The Conversation, Dr Ricarda Vidal, a lecturer in Visual Culture and Cultural History at King's College London, said: 'His experience of World War I, the economic and political turmoil of the 1920s and the rise of Nazism in Germany convinced Sorgel that a new world war could only be avoided if a radical solution was found.

'With little faith in politics, Sorgel turned to technology.'

The basis for his supercontinent would be formed by dams across the Strait of Gibraltar, the Dardanelles, and eventually between Sicily and Tunisia, each containing huge hydroelectric power plants.

Herman Sorgel hoped the colossal plan of creating a 'Eurafrican supercontinent' (artist impression pictured) would be an answer to Europe's post-WWI refugee crisis and help bring world peace

The idea was suggested in 1928 by Herman Sorgel, a German architect, who tirelessly promoted his idea until his death in 1952

He believed that this would convert the Mediterranean into two basins, with the western part lowered by 100 metres, and the eastern part by 200 metres.

This would give a total of 254,900 square miles (660,200 square kilometres) of new land reclaimed from the sea  an area larger than France.

Dr Vidal said: 'Later plans for Atlantropa also included two dams across the Congo River and the creation of a Chad and Congo Sea, which Sorgel hoped would have a moderating influence on the African climate making it more pleasant for European settlers.'

While this proposal might sound ridiculous now, when Mr Sorgel first suggested it, it was taken seriously by architects, engineers, politicians and journalists.

'What made Atlantropa so attractive was its vision of world peace achieved not through politics and diplomacy, but with a simple technological solution,' said Dr Vidal.

Atlantropa would be controlled by an independent body which would have the power to switch off the energy supply to any countries posing a threat.

A concept drawing of land bridges between Africa and Europe created by partially draining the Mediterranean under the radical plan

THE MEDITERRANEAN FORMED WITH A FLOOD The Mediterranean Sea as it is today formed around 5.3 million years ago in a colossal flood. Water from the Atlantic Ocean breached a land bridge across the strait of Gibraltar, sending water flooding into the basin. The Mediterranean basin had previously been part of the wider network of oceans as the continents drifted into place. It was cut off from the world's oceans around 5.6 million years ago and almost completely evaporated over the next the hundreds of thousands of years. But it is thought that rising sea levels and movements of the Earth's crust caused the Gibraltar Strait to sink, allowing the Atlantic Ocean to flood back into the Mediterranean. Advertisement

Mr Sorgel also worked out that constructing the supercontinent would cost countries so much money that they wouldn't have enough left to finance a war.

To promote his idea, he dedicated a vast part of his work to promotion, including radio programmes, films, talks and even an Atlantropa symphony.

'Unsurprisingly, in the eyes of his contemporaries the required collaboration between nation states always appeared even more utopian than the vast technological dimensions of Atlantropa,' said Dr Vidal.

In 1948, UN World, a New York-based magazine, wrote: 'Harnessing Gibraltar for mankind's good does sound like a dream, but in this 20th century no dream  not even that of cooperation among nations  is quite impossible.'

Unfortunately for Mr Sorgel, his plans did not go ahead, and Africa and Europe remained separate continents.
While driverless cars may be a few years away, it appears self-driving shopping carts are right around the corner.

Walmart has been awarded a patent illustrating disc-shaped robots that use sensors and cameras to transport and navigate shopping carts throughout stores.

This application comes two months after reports surfaced that the firm was developing driverless carts that scan a customer's shopping list and then guide them to the aisles and shelves.

The patent suggests the system could easily retrieve abandon carts in and around the area of the shopping facility, including the sale floor areas and back-room areas. Pictured are the motorized robots underneath the shopping carts

WALMART'S NEW PATENT Walmart was awarded a patent called Shopping Facility Assistance Systems, Devices and Methods is the patents title which was filed on March 4, 2016. The pages describe a motorized transport unit that is a disc-shaped robotic device designed with motorized wheels, which transports and navigates the shopping carts through the store. Customers could summon the robots by pushing a button. When the cart arrives, the person would either push the cart or have the robot drive. It could also be controlled with a mobile device or voice commands. The document describes components of inventory tracking and parcel retrieval process using a multitiered inventory system. Illustrations suggest the shopping cart would be navigated to specific locations where items could be placed, swept or blown into the car Advertisement

Shopping Facility Assistance Systems, Devices and Methods is the title of a patent filed on March 4, 2016, which is just four months before Bloomberg reported that Five Elements Robotics collaborated with Wal-Mart to build the tech savvy carts.

DailyMail.com has contacted Walmart for comment and has yet to hear a response.

The new patent presents an illustration of a motorized transport unit that is a disc-shaped robotic device designed with motorized wheels.

These devices are neatly arranged in a docking area, where they wait to be summoned by shoppers.

Somewhere in the store will be a central computer that transmits a wireless signal to the unit, informing it of the customers location after the human pushes the request button, reports PatentYogi.

The motorized unit then exits the holding area and navigates itself to the shopping cart storage where it slides under an empty cart, and both objects then head towards the customer's location.

Customers would have two options with Walmart's technology: they can either detach the shopping cart from the robotic disk to push it themselves or navigate the motorized unit using a mobile device.

The patent also suggests the system could respond to voice commands.

The user may speak voice commands to the motorized transport unit itself and/or to the user interface unit, reads the patent.

In some embodiments, a voice print is used to authorize to use a motorized transport unit to allow voice commands from a single user at a time.

The new patent presents an illustration of a motorized transport unit (pictured) that is a disc-shaped robotic device designed with motorized wheels. These devices are neatly arranged in a docking area, where they wait to be summoned by shoppers

The motorized unit then exits the holding area and navigates itself to the shopping car storage where it slides under an empty shopping cart, and both objects then head towards the customer's location. It has a second tier that activates when it slides under a shopping cart

Although this technology is aimed at helping its customers, Walmart believes it will also be a fan favorite among its employees.

The pages in the patent suggests the system could easily retrieve abandon carts in and around the area of the shopping facility, including the sale floor areas and back-room areas.

The technology would use its visual recognition to tap into the stores cameras, user interface units and central computer systems to identify the lonely shopping carts and use the motorized units to return them back to the storing area.

Customers has two options: they can either detach the shopping cart from the robotic disk to push it themselves or navigate the motorized unit using a mobile device. The patent also suggests the system could respond to voice commands

REPORTS FROM BLOOMBERG Wal-Mart is working with a robotics firm to developing 'driverless' shopping carts that help customers find items on their lists. It has implemented tools that allow consumers to scan and purchase items using their mobile phones without ever having to step foot in a checkout line. Wal-Mart is also working on an online grocery service that brings a cart full of edibles right to the customer's vehicle in the parking lot and in some cities the firm has teamed up with Uber and Lyft for home delivery. Advertisement

Walmart's new system may also end the frustration of not being able to find items on your shopping list.

The document describes components of inventory tracking and parcel retrieval process using a multitiered inventory system.

Illustrations suggest the shopping cart would navigate to specific locations where items could be placed, swept or blown into the car - this portion coincides with news that surfaced this past June.

Altogether, this new innovation is a way for Walmart to compete with the convenience that Amazon and other online stores offer consumers.

'I don't have a lot of details to share but here's what I can tell you', Ravi Jariwala, director of public relations at Wal-Mart, told DailyMail.com in June.

Walmart has been awarded a patent illustrating disc-shaped robots that use sensors and cameras to navigate shopping carts for customers throughout shopping centers. This is just two months after rumors surfaced that the firm was developing driverless carts

'We test many new technologies at any given time, including innovations from several companies.'

'We are focused on testing how these advanced technologies can help make shopping faster, easier and more convenient for our customers.'

Bloomberg reported that Five Elements Robotics has collaborated with Wal-Mart to build the tech savvy carts, following a panel discussion with the New Jersey firm's founder and CEO Wendy Roberts.

During the conference, Roberts said they are working on a project with the 'world's largest retailer', a title given to Wal-Mart this year by Market Watches.

And although Wal-Mart has declined to share any details, a person familiar told Bloomberg that a prototype is currently in the works and the firm is providing feedback on the design and technology.

Rumors surfaced in June that Walmart was working with a robotics firm to develop 'driverless' shopping carts that will help customers find items on their lists. This new innovation is a way for the retiler to compete with the convenience that Amazon

WAL-MART TO TAKE ON AMAZON IN DRONE WARS Wal-Mart says using the drones enables it to check inventory in about a day or less, instead of a month that it takes manually. Right now, employees stand on lifts that go up and down the stacks, and scan items to make sure that boxes are in the right place. Shekar Natarajan, Wal-Mart's vice president of logistics strategy, told reporters the technology is custom-built on top of the drone and is proprietary for Wal-Mart. 'We are still in early phases of testing and understanding how drones can be better used in different types of business functions,' he said. The remotely controlled drone captured 30 frames per second of products on aisles and alerted the user when product ran out or was incorrectly stocked. Natarajan said drones can reduce the labor intensive process of checking stocks around the warehouse to one day. It currently takes a month to finish manually. A control tower will oversee the images on a screen and will send alerts when items are flagged so that workers can go back to the stacks to fix the issue. Advertisement

This innovation is among a handful of others the American corporation is developing in order to compete with e-commerce sites that are slowly taking over the world of retail.

Wal-Mart has implemented tools that allow consumers to scan and purchase items using their mobile phones without ever having to step foot in a checkout line.

It is also working on an online grocery service that brings a cart full of edibles right to the customer's vehicle in the parking lot and in some cities the firm has teamed up with Uber and Lyft for home delivery.

Although Walmart declined to share details, a person familiar told Bloomberg that a prototype is currently in the works and the firm is providing feedback on the design and technology. This innovation is among a handful of others the American corporation is developing

The grocery service is said to be a bid to gain back shares and business Wal-Mart has lost to rivals like Kroger and Costco Wholesale.

Since 2008, grocery sales at Wal-Mart US division has contributed 100.4 percent of its sales growth, which is $48.7 billion, increasing overall revenue from 47 percent to 56 percent, reports The Motley Fool.

The retailer is also toying with drones as a method to deliver online orders or monitor inventory in its distribution centers.

AMAZON DRONE DELIVERIES COULD BEGIN IN TWO YEARS Drones could be bringing parcels to your door within two years, thanks to a bill that left the Senate in april. The bipartisan aviation policy bill, which passed the Senate 95-3 earlier this month, demands that the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) authorize package deliveries by drones within two years. Amazon says Prime Air will start once government regulations are in place to support it. It has development centers in the U.S., the U.K. and Israel The bill, which must now be debated by the House, also makes changes to various regulations including those affecting airport security and airplane pricing. The FAA currently bans commercial drone flights but has granted several thousand waivers. It has granted Amazon approval to fly drones for research. The drones will fly under 400 feet and weigh less than 55 pounds, according to details posted on Amazon's web site. Amazon says Prime Air will start once government regulations are in place to support it. It has development centers in the U.S., the U.K. and Israel. Advertisement

Although Wal-Mart has been operating since 1962, the corporation has stuck very close to its traditional ways of operating.

However, as technology advances the firm has found itself in a race to impress investors  not only with competing technology, but prove they can maintain the honorable title of 'world's largest retailer'.
It has long been thought that the chemistry of our planet is unique.

This was because studies looking into the composition of meteorites, which formed from the same gas and dust Earth was made of, found our planet had more of of a particular isotope than anything else.

But a new study has overturned this idea, by looking at different objects in the asteroid belt.

The study found the objects have these isotopes in the same concentrations as Earth  which shows our planet is not as distinctive as we thought.

The planets formed from clouds of dust and gas (artist's impression), from which groups of meteorites called chondrites were also made. In the 4.6 billion years since the beginning of the solar system, the materials in these meteorites has generally stayed the same

WHAT THE STUDY FOUND The research, published in the journal Nature, looked at the abundance of the isotope neodymium-142 in some of the oldest solid materials formed in the solar system. The isotopes of Nd were measured precisely in 2005 but in different materials, the studys lead author Dr Audrey Bouvier told MailOnline. The interpretation back then was that the difference between Earth and chondrites had to be the consequence of Earths differentiation into different internal layers (mantle, crust, core) very early in its history.  But the new findings show these isotopes are present in other materials  ones as old as the solar system itself. This means they must have been in the gas and dust that gathered at the start of the solar system  also known as the protoplanetary disk. Advertisement

The planets in our solar system formed from clouds of dust and gas, from which groups of meteorites called chondrites were also made.

In the 4.6 billion years since the beginning of our solar system, the materials in these meteorites has generally stayed the same.

This means the bulk composition of Earth should be the same as the rest of the materials that formed at the start of the solar system.

But in 2005 this idea was put under question by findings that indicated materials on Earth had more of a particular isotope than meteorites.

This abundance of neodymium compared with other chondrites implied the composition of Earth was different to that of the early solar system.

Now a new study by researchers at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada has looked into other objects, and found they do share a composition with Earth.

The research, published in the journal Nature, looked at the abundance of the isotope neodymium-142 in some of the oldest solid materials formed in the solar system.

The new findings show isotopes are present in other materials  ones as old as the solar system itself. This means they must have been in the gas and dust that gathered at the start of the solar system  also known as the protoplanetary disk

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR EARTH'S EVOLUTION The results have implications for our understanding of how the earth formed, Dr Bouvier says. The Earth evolved from materials that were different or in different proportions than the ones that built other planets such as Mars, she told MailOnline. It took longer than we thought for the Earth to form and evolve but we find that both Earth and the moon share more and stronger similarities with their building blocks and chemical evolution. Advertisement

The isotopes of Nd were measured precisely in 2005 but in different materials, the studys lead author Dr Audrey Bouvier told MailOnline.

The interpretation back then was that the difference between Earth and chondrites had to be the consequence of Earths differentiation into different internal layers (mantle, crust, core) very early in its history. 

But the new findings show these isotopes are present in other materials  ones as old as the solar system itself.

This means they must have been in the gas and dust that gathered at the start of the solar system  also known as the protoplanetary disk.

We found that other primitive materials formed in the earliest years of the solar system and closer to the sun also have the same composition as Earth, she said.

The differences found previously were thus actually already present within the protoplanetary disk at the time of formation of Earth.'

Looking at isotopes of neodymium and samarium helps to pinpoint the evolution of materials in the solar system because one is stable and the other decays quite quickly.

Nature has gifted us with a spectacular diversity of stable isotopes and of isotopes formed through radioactive decay, thus allowing us to place precise constraints on Earths composition, said Professor James Day from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, in an accompanying article.

The results have implications for our understanding of how the Earth formed, Dr Bouvier says.

The Earth evolved from materials that were different or in different proportions than the ones that built other planets such as Mars, she told MailOnline.
The search for life on Mars does not always have to involve travelling outside our own atmosphere.

Researchers have been studying rocks in some of the UK's most remote parts - the Outer Hebrides - to get an idea of what could be happening on the red planet.

Now hydrogen found in the rocks is raising hopes the same processes could be happening on Mars, and the researchers think it could potentially lead to life.

Hydrogen found in the rocks is raising hopes the same processes could be happening on Mars. A rock on the beach at Barra that was looked at by the research team, pictured. The black veins were produced by deep earthquake friction and contain the hydrogen

WHY MARSQUAKES COULD MAKE HYDROGEN Analysis of the rocks on the islands of Barra and Uist suggests that tremors can generate hydrogen in the Earth's crust. 'Marsquakes' are known to occur on the red planet and may have the same effect, scientists believe. Hydrogen could provide a life-sustaining energy source for simple microbes living underground Advertisement

Analysis of the rocks on the islands of Barra and Uist suggests that tremors can generate hydrogen in the Earth's crust.

'Marsquakes' are known to occur on the red planet and may have the same effect, scientists believe.

Hydrogen could provide a life-sustaining energy source for simple microbes living underground.

'Earthquakes cause friction, and our analysis of ancient rock in the Outer Hebrides has demonstrated how this creates hydrogen,' said lead researcher Professor John Parnell, from the University of Aberdeen.

'Hydrogen is a fuel for simple microbes, so microbes could live off hydrogen created in the Earth's subsurface as a result of seismic activity.

The search for life on Mars does not always have to involve travelling outside our own atmosphere. Researchers have been studying rocks in some of the UK's most remote parts - the Outer Hebrides - to get an idea of what could be happening on the red planet (pictured)

'Marsquakes' are known to occur on the red planet and may have the same effect as the tremors on Earth, scientists believe. This could provide a life-sustaining energy source for simple microbes living underground

ALIEN LIFE COULD BE FOUND IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS As we make strides in space travel, many people appear to be leaning towards the notion that alien life does exist  and one former astronaut in particular says 'there is life all over our universe'. Having spent 230 days in space, the Nasa veteran Leroy Chiao suggests it is 'arrogant' for humans to think we are the only living beings in the cosmos. In a recent article, Chiao discussed how the discovery of Proxima b confirms his suspicions about alien life and warned Earth may not have a bright future. Advertisement

'This is a model that could apply to any other rocky planet, and on Mars there are so-called "Marsquakes"' that may produce hydrogen and therefore could feed life in the Martian sub-surface.

'Our analysis finds that conservative estimates of current seismic activity on Mars predict hydrogen generation that would be useful to microbes, which adds strength to the possibility of suitable habitats that could support life in the Martian sub-surface.'

Nasa plans to measure seismic activity on Mars during its 2018 InSight mission.

'Our data will make those measurements all the more interesting,' said Professor Parnell.

The findings were reported in the September issue of the journal Astrobiology.

While InSight looks at heat escape and maps the rocky interior, the Maven orbiter (pictured) is busy above Mars, dipping in and out of the atmosphere. In combination, all of this technology will mean scientists have a better model for understanding what Mars looked like in the past
Books with features such as flaps that lift up may make reading more enticing for restless, fidgety children.

But they are distracting and make it harder for children to learn new words, researchers have found.

In tests, toddlers who looked at picture books with 3D elements were less likely to identify objects they had seen earlier compared to children who had looked a conventional picture books.

In tests, toddlers who looked at picture books with 3D elements were significantly less likely to identify objects they had seen earlier compared to children who had looked a conventional picture books (stock image)

HOW THE STUDY WORKED A total of 31 toddlers aged 25 months were split in to two groups. Each group were asked to look through a book with a researcher that contained nine food objects. One group looked at a book with lift-the-flap pages and one looked at a book with standard pages. Otherwise, the books were exactly the same. Of the nine food objects viewed only one was unfamiliar to all toddlers starfruit - as confirmed by their parents. The toddlers looked through the book with a researcher who labelled each target six times, using Latin for the starfruit (carambola). Following this the researchers tested the toddlers to see if they would recognise the slice of starfruit by name when shown both photos and realistic replicas. They were also shown other fruits that were similar in colour and size and whose names were also not very likely to be known at this age, for example a slice of lime or kiwi fruit). Advertisement

Study author Dr Jeanne Shinskey, from Royal Holloway college at the University of London, said books with 3D features were seen as toys by children and did not boost language learning.

Parents should show toddlers a range of different books to increase their word skills, says the psychology expert.

Dr Shinskey said: 'Many educational picture books for toddlers often feature manipulatives like flaps or texture to encourage interaction, but do these actually help toddlers to learn new words?

'We wanted to test how a commercially-available book with or without flaps affected 2-year-olds' learning of a new word for an unfamiliar object.'

A total of 31 toddlers aged 25 months were split in to two groups.

Each group were asked to look through a book with a researcher that contained nine food objects.

One group looked at a book with lift-the-flap pages and one looked at a book with standard pages.

Otherwise, the books were exactly the same.

Of the nine food objects viewed only one was unfamiliar to all toddlers, starfruit, as confirmed by their parents.

The toddlers looked through the book with a researcher who labelled each target six times, using Latin for the starfruit (carambola).

Following this the researchers tested the toddlers to see if they would recognise the slice of starfruit by name when shown both photos and realistic replicas.

They were also shown other fruits that were similar in colour and size and whose names were also not very likely to be known at this age, for example a slice of lime or kiwi fruit).

The results showed young children who looked at the book without flaps were significantly more likely to correctly identify the starfruit slice.

The results showed young children who looked at the book without flaps were significantly more likely to correctly identify the starfruit slice (stock image used)

Dr Shinskey said: 'Books with these sort of features are very popular with parents who hope the interactive feature will aid learning and enjoyment of reading.

'However, if parents want their children to learn factual information about the world from books, it doesn't appear to help to make books more toy-like by adding 3D features.

'This seems to enhance their tendency to treat books as just another type of physical toy, rather than a tool for learning.

'As the findings suggest young children can find these features in a book distracting we would recommend having a range of books available so children learn to love reading as well as learning more about the world around them..'
Amber Heard had a long-term relationship with a female photographer, Tasya van Ree, before her ill-fated marriage to film star Johnny Depp

Women enjoy looking at naked female bodies just as much as male ones, a study suggests.

Experts found that while the attention of red-blooded males was drawn to images of women, their female counterparts were more flexible.

Some experts say this is because women are innately more fluid than men when it comes to their sexuality.

Another theory is that women have lower sex drives, meaning they are not as immediately excited by seeing a naked man. Women may also feel the need to look at female bodies so they can compare them with their own.

For the experiment, Cardiff University psychologists showed 57 men and women a series of sexy images and asked how attractive they found the people in them.

The volunteers then sat in front of a computer screen and watched as the pictures flashed up in pairs  one female and one male.

The images stayed on the screen for just one-fifth of a second  less time than it takes to blink  before one was replaced with a faint dot.

The more quickly the participant spotted the dot, the more attention they were thought to have been paying to the preceding picture.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the male volunteers noticed the dots that followed the pictures of female bodies most quickly, suggesting they found these more appealing. However, the womens attention was equally drawn to both the male and female images.

This was the case even though the women said they preferred the pictures of the men when asked.

In a second, similar experiment, a different group of women actually responded more quickly to female images than male ones.

The pictures flashed up so briefly that it is unlikely they were making a conscious decision about what to look at, the study said. This suggests women who consider themselves heterosexual are more fluid when it comes to sexuality than men.

Supermodel Cara Delevingne has spoken out about dating musician Annie Clark

Some experts claim this trait evolved to reduce tension among co-wives in early polygamous marriages. The findings come as bisexual women are gaining more visibility in the media, with growing numbers of female celebrities discussing their same-sex relationships.

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie  who is now married to actor Brad Pitt  once dated Japanese-American model Jenny Shimizu. Mother-of-six Miss Jolie once said that, in different circumstances, she would probably have married Jenny.

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie  who is now married to actor Brad Pitt  once dated Japanese-American model Jenny Shimizu

Supermodel Cara Delevingne has spoken out about dating musician Annie Clark, while actress Amber Heard had a long-term relationship with a female photographer, Tasya van Ree, before her ill-fated marriage to film star Johnny Depp.

The Cardiff psychologists results are echoed in recent research from the US, which found that women were more likely to describe themselves as bisexual than men.

The poll of more than 9,000 young adults showed that women were also more likely than men to choose the label mostly heterosexual.

The participants were questioned on their sexuality three times, around the ages of 16, 22 and 28. Women were more inclined to change their mind about their preferences over this time. But men tended to describe themselves confidently as 100 per cent heterosexual or 100 per cent homosexual.

Researcher Elizabeth McClintock, from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, said that male eroticisation of same-sex female relationships allows women to experiment  for instance by kissing other women at parties  without being stigmatised.
I travelled to Washington DC for a BBC World Service series called Blind Man Roams the Globe, which explores different cities through the sounds, rather than the sights.

Most visitors to Washington DC will have a tourist wish list - the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Senate.

As someone blind from birth, that's no good to me. They are simply buildings which just sit there - they don't speak to me and the most imaginative guided tour still doesn't paint me a picture which makes any sense.

To travel enjoyably I have to be directly involved. I need the sounds, the tastes, the smells and most of all, the voices.

Iconic buildings such as the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and the Senate in Washington DC don't speak to Peter White, BBC's disability affairs specialist

Instead Peter has to rely on his other senses to get a feel for a destination

And not the voices of the marketers, the official guides nor the historians but the real people who live there - the bus drivers, the families with kids, the barmen and the people living on the streets.

I'd been in DC about 20 minutes when I almost witnessed my first arrest - well, not so much witnessed it, as caused it!

I'd arrived by train at Union Station and was trying to extricate myself into the city.

I heard two guys talking. They sounded as if they might be rough sleepers, every big city station has them.

Such people aren't a threat to me, in fact they're often the most helpful.

But no sooner had we started to chat - they were indeed giving me directions - a fearsome Amazon, implying she had some responsibility for station security, approached and set upon them, accusing them of harassing me and of having designs on my luggage.

As it happened I had no luggage and I tried to explain that I had in fact been harassing them for directions.

I was ignored and she threatened to call the police.

Peter found two homeless men helpful at Union Station but they were chased away by a concerned security guard

Peter looks for a local blind person who knows the area well and uses the same methods as he does to build a sensory map of their city

Then, as they scuttled off, she proceeded to try to sell me a city tour. This gave me the golden opportunity to explain that so far the only Washingtonian who had harassed me that Sunday morning was her!

Guilty as I felt, it struck me that within half an hour of arriving I had a real sense of the tension within this city, between its idea of itself as the capital of the most powerful country in the world and the poorest of people who live on its streets with nothing.

A sense it might take a sighted visitor far longer to grasp.

To acquire the information I need quickly for the documentary - the BBC can't afford to let me stay anywhere for long - I do cheat a bit.

I look for a local blind person who knows the area well and will have been using the same methods as I do to build a sensory map of their city.

Blind local Olivia uses the sound of the subway trains as a reliable guide to where she is and delights in the smells of the city after a semi-tropical rainstorm

Olivia has grown up in Washington.

She took me to breakfast and explained how one of her delights is to listen to the sound of the subway trains whistling through the gratings set into the streets.

It helps her figure out where she is when she's walking. It's a technique I've used for other programmes in this series.

Marilee uses the direction of the wind coming off the bay to find her way around San Francisco and a blind man I met in Istanbul reckoned that the different smells issuing from garbage bins in various parts of the city were a reliable guide to where he was.

Back to DC, which is a gritty, dusty, rather dirty city, Olivia explained how she loves it after the semi-tropical rainstorms when it is washed clean and smelling, for just an hour or so, much sweeter.

But she also walked me through the echoing corridors outside her small flat, where she said you could go for weeks without talking to a living soul.

Peter prefers to talk to locals rather than marketers and official guides to get a real sense of a destination. Pictured, above, a guide takes visitors on a rickshaw tour of the city

I got a completely different sense of the area that afternoon, when I went out in a small boat on a lake just over the DC- Virginia border.

My pilot was a former TV editor, steeped in reporting on the murky politics of Washington right back to the Nixon days.

The lake laps an opulent property that was used as a safe house for Russian defectors. It was chosen to impress them with the glories of the American dream.

The hope was they would spill all their secrets in the expectation of enjoying the same lifestyle.

Peter said: 'I had a real sense of the tension within this city, between its idea of itself as the capital of the most powerful country in the world, and the poorest of people who live on its streets with nothing'

An extraordinary picture of a city gleaned in just one day, armed only with a white cane and a tape recorder, and with no reference to visual clues at all.

As I sailed along listening to Jim's tales of senators and spies I wondered what the two harmless guys I'd met on Union Station that morning would make of it.

I just hoped, as I enjoyed the first drops of a Washington shower, that they weren't in the slammer just for trying to help a blind man roaming the globe.
A former Kilimanjaro porter has opened up about the shocking conditions faced by mountain staff, with many underpaid and over-worked.

Justin Mtui from Arusha, Tanzania, told MailOnline Travel that when he started as a guide on Kilimanjaro as a teenager, he would make as little as $1.30 (99p) a day.

While climbing the 5,895m (19,340ft) peak in a range of harsh weather conditions, the 29-year-old said he would carry weights of up to 35kgs, packed with camping and food supplies for clients.

A long way up: A former Kilimanjaro porter has opened up about the shocking conditions faced by mountain staff, with many underpaid and over-worked

Although there are restrictions in place when it comes to baggage weight, Justin revealed park rangers would often be bribed to ignore the reading on scales.

Adding insult to injury, Justin revealed that he wasn't given any food on the mountain and he would have to pack his own basic supplies before setting off.

When it came to accommodation, the mountain guide said he would often have to share a tent with other porters, which made it difficult to get a good night's sleep.

Sometimes the tents would also be in a poor condition, which meant water and snow could seep in.

Lasting scars: Justin Mtui, 29, from Arusha, Tanzania, told MailOnline Travel that when he started as a guide on Kilimanjaro as a teenager he would make as little as $1.30 a day

He added: 'Sometimes the tents get soaking wet from the inside if they're in bad condition.

'It means porters can't sleep and everything gets wet.

'This can make it very dangerous and potentially lead to death from hypothermia. There are deaths almost everyday on the mountain.'

Talking to other guides, it appears that many men around the area of Kilimanjaro start portering as young teenagers.

Sometimes the tents get soaking wet from the inside if they're in bad condition. There are deaths almost everyday on the mountain

Justin said the youngest porter he met was just 14-years-old.

For many, scaling the mountain is the only way of making money.

Justin said he portered on Kilimanjaro for around six years, completing more than 200 summits.

At the end of each trip, he was often left without tips as the guides would pocket the money received from clients.

If he did get anything, Justin said it would be around $10 (7.59) to $30 (22.77) for a seven-day expedition.

Today, the former porter runs his own tour company called Tanzania Expeditions and he says it is his sole aim to improve conditions for mountain staff.

Mountain man: Justin (pictured above) said he portered on Kilimanjaro for around six years, completing more than 200 summits

Justin, pictured above with a group of hikers, now runs his own expedition company called Tanzania Expeditions and he says it is his sole aim to improve conditions for mountain staff

He explained: 'I pay my men good wages, which helps them support themselves and their families.

'Also they can buy proper gear. From time to time we have gear donation which we give to our porters.

'I also make sure staff get three meals a day while on the mountain and they have good hiking tents.

'Lastly, I ensure the men get tips from the clients themselves so nothing goes astray.'

On the luggage front, Justin will only let porters carry the weight as recommended by the Kilimanjaro National Park, which is 15kg per person.

The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, a non-profit organization based out of Boulder, Colorado, is another organisation working to improve the life of porters on the mountain in Tanzania.
Nobody was hurt but the report

A Malaysia Airlines A330 collided with an aerobridge at Melbourne Airport when the captain released the brakes without checking if the wheel chocks were in place.

A report into the incident on March 31 was released on Tuesday by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

It found miscommunication between crew and ground staff led to the collision that damaged one of the plane's doors.

A Malaysia Airlines A330 collided with an aerobridge at Melbourne Airport when the captain released the brakes without checking if wheel chocks were in place

The captain had engaged the plane's parking brake before carrying out an external inspection, ahead of its flight to Kuala Lumpur according to the report.

Consequently when the aircraft maintenance engineer saw the park brake indicator light on the nose landing gear, he reportedly assumed the park brake would remain on and removed the main landing gear chocks.

According to the report this was 'out of sequence with the relevant procedure' and done 'without informing the others in the ground crew.'

On his return to the flight deck of the A330 the captain released the park brake, unaware the chocks were no longer in position.

Whereupon, in a dramatic turn of events, the huge aircraft rolled back about 3m (9.8ft) and smashed into the aerobridge.

The captain had engaged the plane's parking brake before carrying out an external inspection, ahead of its flight to Kuala Lumpur according to the report

The plane's forward-left door and hinges were damaged but fortunately no one was injured.

The ATSB report found: 'The ground and flight crew procedures were not well harmonised, leading to reduced cohesion between the crews'.

It added: 'The flight crew and engineers did not explicitly convey their actions and intentions to the others, resulting in a number of missed opportunities to discover the resulting procedural errors.'

In response to the incident Malaysia Airlines informed the ATSB that it 'was planning to amend its procedures so that flight crews advise ground crews whenever the park brake is about to be released.'

The report said: 'As an interim measure, Malaysia Airlines sent A330 flight crews a reminder to communicate with ground crews before releasing the park brake to verify that chocks are in place.'

The report said: 'As an interim measure, Malaysia Airlines sent A330 flight crews a reminder to communicate with ground crews before releasing the park brake to verify that chocks are in place' (file photo)

However, it concluded: 'These findings should not be read as apportioning blame or liability to any particular organisation or individual.'

A spokesperson for Malaysia Airlines said: 'We are awaiting the details of the full report and are in close discussion with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

'We regularly examine our safety procedures and conducted a thorough debrief following the incident. The safety of our passengers and crew is of the upmost importance to Malaysia Airlines.'

The airline, previously known as Malaysian Airline System Berhad, was declared bankrupt last year and re-launched as Malaysia Airlines Berhad under former Chief Executive Christoph Mueller.

With CEO Peter Bellew currently at the helm of the company the airline now features new Business Class suites and new menus in all cabins.
Some newborn babies are gifted with shiny rattles or adorable tiny clothes, but one lucky infant has been given free flights for life after he was born mid-flight.

The boy's mother went into labour while travelling on a flight from Libya's capital Tripoli to Niamey, the capital of Niger, with Buraq Air.

Quick-thinking cabin crew helped to deliver the baby, who was then named Abdul Basset - after the plane's captain.

This lucky infant has been gifted with free flights for life after he was born mid-flight. Cabin crew helped deliver the baby, who was named Abdul Basset after the plane's captain

A video uploaded on Facebook by The Libyan Observer showed the crew hastily gathering tissues together as a man tended to the infant lying on the floor.

Several others were seen crowded around the child to snap a photo of the rare birth.

Buraq Air announced on Facebook that the baby would be granted a lifetime of free tickets with the carrier to celebrate his in-flight birth.

The boy's mother had gone into labour during a flight on Buraq Air from Libya's capital Tripoli to Niamey, the capital of Niger

However, the Tripoli-based airline only flies to a small number of destinations, including in Turkey, Tunisia and Libya.

Flights to Egypt, Morocco, Syria and Bosnia & Herzegovina were suspended in 2011 due to the Libyan Civil War.

Baby Abdul isn't the first little one to be born thousands of miles up in the air this year.

On August 14 little Haven was born on a Cebu Pacific flight halfway from Dubai to Manila and was gifted one million air miles by the airline.
Iain Miller and his partner had attempted the

When thwarted not once but twice while climbing, some mountaineers might simply give up.

But this brave climber was determined to defy all odds and scale Dun Briste, a 160ft towering vertical column of rock off the coast of north west Ireland.

In accomplishing the feat in August, adventurer Iain Miller, 46, became the first person in 25 years to climb the rock, known as a sea stack, and the second person ever to achieve the feat.

Scroll down for video

In climbing the rock, adventurer Iain Miller, 46, became the first person in 25 years to ascend the sea stack and the second of all time

Miller said: 'A summit that is seen yearly by thousands of people and has only been climbed once before ever is always going to be a good if scary goal for climbers'

Locals from nearby Ballycastle cheered Miller and Kaniszewska on from Downpatrick Head but sadly, rainfall prevented the latter from climbing more than 66ft up the stack. Fortunately Miller managed to successfully reach the top on his own

Miller, who lives in Donegal, was not put off by his two previous failed attempts.

He told MailOnline Travel: 'A summit that is seen yearly by thousands of people and has only been climbed once before ever is always going to be a good if scary goal for climbers.

'Dun Briste is one of those iconic and elusive summits. The two attempts prior to the ascent did not put me off - it rekindled the fire of enthusiasm to stand on top.'

The sea stack off Downpatrick Head in County Mayo was once part of the mainland until the 14th century.

It is believed St Patrick had founded a church on the headland.

But this brave man and his climbing partner Paulina Kaniszewska (pictured) were determined to defy all odds and scale Dun Briste, a 160ft towering vertical column of rock off the coast of north west Ireland

He and climbing partner Paulina Kaniszewska approached the sea stack in a dingy before beginning their precarious journey equipped with full climbing gear

The sea stack off Downpatrick Head in County Mayo was once part of the mainland until the 14th century

According to local legends, when a pagan chieftain refused to convert to Christianity, St Patrick struck the earth with his crozier, causing a chunk of the headland to split off into the sea with the chieftain still on top.

A more likely version of events is that coastal erosion collapsed the cliff around the shard of rock in 1393, when locals had to be rescued from the separated chunk using ships' ropes.

However Miller - who runs adventure and climbing company Unique Ascent - voluntarily chose to undertake the extremely dangerous climb, and even filmed the dramatic ascent.

He and climbing partner Paulina Kaniszewska approached the sea stack in a dingy before beginning their precarious journey, equipped with full climbing gear.

A huge amount of research had gone into their adventure but fortunately calm sea conditions made the first part of the climb relatively straightforward.

A huge amount of research had gone into their adventure but fortunately calm sea conditions made the first part of the venture relatively straightforward

But there was nothing easy about the climb and it posed numerous challenges to the pair, who can be heard panting with exhaustion in the footage of the event

But there was nothing easy about the climb and it posed numerous challenges to the pair, who can be heard panting with exhaustion in the footage.

Locals from nearby Ballycastle cheered Miller and Kaniszewska on from Downpatrick Head but unfortunately, rainfall prevented the latter from climbing more than 66ft up the stack.

Miller managed to successfully reach the top and his GoPro footage shows him lying in relief on his back on the green grass as well as examining the ruins remaining there.

But arriving at the summit only meant Miller's journey was half way completed.

He exaplained: 'Standing on top you are so focused on getting back down that there are no celebrations.'

'For me no other activity comes close to exploratory sea stack climbing for the happy-to-be-alive feeling,' Miller said of his dangerous hobby

The daredevil returned to sea level by creating an anchor to absail down from, leaning back over the 160ft drop and walking down the rock face.

It was only when he and Kaniszewska were back at the bottom did relief flood over them.

Miller enthused: 'Once we were back at sea level and in the boat then the first wave of celebration hits you and it is like a bomb going off in your head.'

The brave pair were greeted by the locals who prepared well-deserved hot dinners, and nine-year-old Naoise O'Sullivan even baked chocolate-covered queen cakes.

And was it worth it? For thrill-seeking Miller, it certainly was.

He told MailOnline Travel: 'For me no other activity comes close to exploratory sea stack climbing for the happy-to-be-alive feeling.'

Locals from nearby Ballycastle cheered Miller and Kaniszewska on from Downpatrick and later welcomed them back with well-deserved hot dinners

The stack has only been successfully climbed once before by UK climbers Mick Fowler, Nikki Duggan and Steve Sustad in 1990.

According to the Irish Independent, Mountaineering Ireland have confirmed this and Miller's as the only ascents, but says it is 'open to correction' if a record of another can be produced.

The only other time in recent history people have visited the sea stack is when, in the 1980s, a small team of scientists were dropped on the summit by helicopter in order to investigate the ruins.
as little as 52 next year

One-way tickets from Europe may be

One-way flights to America may soon be as cheap as 52 and from as early as next year.

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA hopes to sell these bargain transatlantic tickets by flying from US airports that have low fees and little to no international service and the introduction of its new fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircrafts.

The third-largest budget airline in Europe have announced that they're considering $69 (52) flights to Edinburgh and Bergen, Norway, from US airports such as New York's Westchester County Airport and Connecticut's Bradley International Airport.

The third-largest budget airline in Europe have announced that they're considering $69 (52) flights to Edinburgh and Bergen, Norway, from US airports such as New York's Westchester County Airport and Connecticut's Bradley International Airport

Average prices on such routes are likely to be closer to $300 (228) round trip according to the airline's Chief Executive Officer Bjrn Kjos.

Currently, many of Norwegian's fares can be as high as $500 (380) because of higher fees levied by busier airports.

The potential plans are part of Norwegian's broader move to cut prices and take a share of the market from traditional flag carriers that dominate trans-Atlantic flights.

While airlines such as Lufthansa offer travelers hundreds of destinations via connections in airport hubs, Norwegian is aiming to make nonstop service to small cities that straddle the Atlantic more common, which keeps costs low.

The 737 MAX features new fuel-efficient CFM LEAP-1B engines, upgraded avionics, and aerodynamics which means these planes are equipped to traverse the Atlantic but are smaller than most jets that currently do so, making them a better size for international flights to cities such as Birmingham in Britain

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BOEING 737 MAX JETS? By increasing the fleet to 100 737 MAXs, Norwegian estimate over 65,000 passengers will experience fewer delays Passenger capacity has been increased by 12 people by accommodating two more seat rows than the 737-700 The aircraft also boasts superior fuel efficiency which will reduce carbon emissions It has a 40% smaller noise footprint than today's single-aisle airplanes. Boeing Sky Interior intends to enhance travelling experience featuring improvements such as overhead bins and LED lighting as well as split scimitar winglets Planes will feature four new large-format display screens that will increase pilots' situational awareness and efficiency. There will also be a new digital regulator for the engine bleed air systems to improve its reliability The new and smaller engine has an advanced core and larger turbine fan Advertisement

Kjos said: 'I think you will see a lot to that effect within five years' time. What will happen to [Lufthansa] when everyone starts to fly direct?'

Norwegian has 100 Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets on order and expects to receive five in 2017.

The 737 MAX 8 features new fuel-efficient engines, upgraded avionics, and aerodynamics.

It means these planes are equipped to cross the Atlantic but are smaller than most jets that currently do so - making them a better size for international flights to cities such as Birmingham in Britain according to Kjos.

Regulators will have to agree to set up customs stations at US regional airports to handle international traffic - although Kjos said he is confident this can be arranged.

Norwegian is not the only airline to market cheap fares across the Atlantic.

Iceland's Wow Air recently offered one-way fares between Boston and Paris for 75.

Lufthansa's low-cost subsidiary Eurowings is also starting cheap long-haul flights.

The potential plans are part of Norwegian's broader move to cut prices and take share from traditional flag carriers that dominate trans-Atlantic flying

Kjos downplayed the competitive threat of Eurowings, saying, 'I don't believe in their being able to operate low cost with a Boeing 767,' in part because the widebody planes save less fuel and have smaller range than planes such as Boeing Dreamliners in Norwegian's fleet.
She's the 24-year-old transgender model who turns heads on and off the catwalk.

And on Sunday, Andreja Pejic didn't disappoint, as the Australian model stepped out in two chic ensembles while attending four VIP New York Fashion Week events in Manhattan.

First stop was the NARS x Paper Magazine party to celebrate Beautiful People, where Andreja mingled with fellow model Alina Baikova.

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Channeling the '60s: Australian transgender model Andreja Pejic, 24, showed off her slender body and toned, trim legs on Monday in New York while attending several VIP events

The striking blonde then headed to the W Magazine and Hugo Boss party, held to celebrate The Shot Photography Competition.

The third exclusive event was in honour of Vogue and Stuart Weitzman, celebrating New York Fashion Week.

To each event, Andreja stunned in a faux fur, A-line Jo Oh dress, and light grey over-the-knee Stuart Weitzman boots.

Legs 11: Andreja's Ji Oh mini dress and Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee boots accentuated the model's stunning figure and seemingly endless pins

The outfit showed off her slender physique and her endless pins.

Her long blonde locks were blow-dried straight.

Andreja opted for a smokey eye look for her make-up, with nude lipstick, and wore no jewellery.

White on white: The model opted to keep her long blonde locks straight, and kept her make-up to a minimum, with a hint of a smokey eye

For Moschino designer Jeremy Scott's afterparty for his Spring/Summer 17 collection, Andreja swapped her '60s vibe for a '90s style.

The model rocked double denim - jeans and a jacket, which had a caramel collar.

She complemented her look with a white crop top, showing off her toned torso.

Ready for her close-up: Andreja shot to fame in 2011 when she walked for Jean Paul Gaultier

Around her neck hung a statement piece of jewellery - a long black beaded necklace with a cross on it.

Andreja opted for a touch of blue and pink for eyeshadow, and a smack of pink on her lips.

At the event, the Australian beauty mingled with more of the fashion It crowd, including Provocateur co-founder Brian Gefter, and The Misshapes designers Geordon Nicol, and Leigh Lezark.

Fashion royalty: Andreja chatted with The Misshapes designers Geordon Nicol and Leigh Lezark at Jeremy Scott's afterparty, held at Flash Factory in New York

Jeremy's afterparty was held at Flash Factory and started at 11pm.

While she hasn't walked in any of the shows this year, instead, opting to be in the audience, she recently walked in the Marc Jacobs Resort 17 show back in June, and back in March, stormed the catwalk for H&M Fall/Winter 2016.

The model catapulted to fame when she stepped out on the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier in 2011.

Model moment: Andreja posed for the paps at Jeremy Scott's afterparty where she schmoozed with fashion royalty

Scouted as a model while working in McDonald's aged 16, Andreja has enjoyed a successful career in fashion - appearing in shows for Marc Jacobs, Michalsky and Rosa Clara, among others.

The sultry supermodel was ranked number 98 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World in 2011, three years before she underwent sex reassignment surgery.

Working the crowd: Andreja leans in to hug Provocateur co-founder Brian Gefter




She's been a staple at New York Fashion Week recently.

And Jessica Hart, 30, took timeout in between shows on Tuesday to catch up with an unlikely friend.

The statuesque blonde was pictured strolling through the streets of Manhattan alongside French banker Olivier Sarkozy, 47, who is the half brother of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

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Who knew they were friends? Jessica Hart, 30, took timeout in between shows at New York Fashion Week on Tuesday to catch up with an unlikely friend, French banker Olivier Sarkozy, 47

The pair had reportedly picked up some lunch and were seen walking along the sunny sidewalk.

With a coffee in hand, Jessica flashed her slender pins as she strutted in a mini leopard-print number.

The Sydney-born model completed the look with a tan-coloured sweater and black lace-up military-style boots.

She opted for natural makeup consisting of bronzer, mascara and nude lipstick and as she smiled, her trademark tooth gap could be seen.

Strutting her stuff: With a coffee in hand, Jessica flashed her slender pins as she strutted in a mini leopard print number

Wedded bliss: Mary-Kate Olsen wed Olivier, who is the half brother of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in New York last year

Her sophisticated companion, who is married to 30-year-old fashion designer Mary-Kate Olsen, looked dapper in a black suit and matching tie.

Earlier in the day, Jessica was spotted making her way to Carolina Herrera's fashion show in midtown.

On Wednesday, the former Victoria's Secret model attended the Tory Burch event followed by Alice and Olivia's show.

Bold look: Earlier in the day, Jessica was spotted making her way to Carolia Herrera's fashion show in midtown

Fashionista: On Wednesday, the former Victoria's Secret model attended the Tory Burch event followed by Alice and Olivia's show

Stunning: Jessica is known for her endless legs and slender frame

The slender model has been romantically linked to Greek billionaire, Stavros Niarchos III, since 2011.

The couple reportedly moved in to a ritzy New York apartment in 2012.

In 2014, they were pictured attending the royal wedding of Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo in Gstaad, Switzerland.
She plays the lead role in London's West End production of Funny Girl.

So it's perhaps not surprising that Sheridan Smith was on playful form when she emerged from the Savoy Theatre on Tuesday.

The critically-acclaimed actress, 35, was typically jovial as she was greeted by a collective of hardcore fans.

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Fun! Sheridan Smith was on playful form when spotted outside the Savoy Theatre on Tuesday following an appearance in Funny Girl

Dressed down following her latest performance, the blonde performer seemed have co-ordinated her look for comfort.

Wearing a pair of black leggings with a matching T-shirt, she also sported a pink bra and covered up in a khaki, military coat.

She added a pair of pristine, white, Adidas trainers to the mix.

Relaxed: Dressed down following her latest performance, the blonde performer seemed have co-ordinated her look for comfort

On fine form! Pulling tongues at onlookers, she certainly had a spring in her step as she looked happy, showing off her natural beauty

Scooping her hair up into a tousled bun, she looked happy and showed off her natural beauty.

The Lincolnshire-born star took time from her schedule to greet theatre-goers.

Pulling tongues at onlookers, she certainly had a spring in her step.

Happy: Sheridan looked ecstatic as she made her way through the bundles of devotees as she took pictures and signed autographs with her devotees

Strike a pose: Sheridan cosies-up to a fan as they share a post-show selfie

Sheridan looked ecstatic as she made her way through the bundles of devotees as she took pictures and signed autographs with her devotees.

She seemed particularly pleased with the warm welcome following her short break from West End due to stress and exhaustion.

The actress returned to the role of Fanny Brice on 8 July, but producers feared her prolonged stints talking to devotees would leave her tired - especially as temperatures soared into the 30s during the time.

Fan-tastic: Sheridan seemed pleased with the warm welcome following her short break from West End due to stress and exhaustion

Embrace: Sheridan hugs a devotee as she leaves the London theatre on Tuesday

In a statement, producers Sonia Friedman, David Babani and Scott Landis told The Sun: 'Given the number of people at stage door and the amount of time it takes for Sheridan to see everyone, we - the producers - advised Sheridan not to sign every night, particularly during the heatwave.

'In our experience it is unrealistic to expect a leading actor to sign after every performance.'
He's one of the most famous teens in the world.

And Brooklyn Beckham, 17, has landed a new lucrative role as the face of clothing retailer Pull&Bear.

The deal comes just months after the eldest son of Victoria and David Beckham signed a 100,000 contract to appear in an advert for Chinese mobile phone company Hauwei.

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Pulling in the customers: Brooklyn Beckham, 17, has landed a new lucrative role as the face of clothing retailer Pull&Bear

The fashion company, which originated in Spain, posted a picture of the teen in one of its hoodies along with the caption:

'Brooklyn Beckham: Jump barriers and be in the right place.

The retailer was founded in 1986, before acquiring the Pull&Bear name five years later. It belongs to the Inditex group which also owns Zara.

It's been a busy year for Brooklyn, with the youngster shooting Burberry's Brit fragrance campaign in addition to his roles with Huawei and Pull&Bear.

In demand: The deal comes just months after the eldest son of Victoria and David Beckham signed a 100,000 contract to appear in an advert for Chinese mobile phone company Hauwei

A source previously told The Sun: 'Huawei went for Brooklyn because he's young, well-presented and seen as a good role model for kids his age.

'He's got millions of social media followers and this is a good way to engage a load of youngsters.

'People will think he's only got this job because of his rich parents but he doesn't take anything for granted.'

It's over: Brooklyn recently split from his actress girlfriend Chloe Moretz, 19

Shot in London, Burberry's campaign consisted of an all-British cast of newcomers including Ben Rees, Lewis Helim, Todd Dorigo, Eliza Thomas, Liv Mason Pearson, Maddie Demaine, Carvell Conduah and Harry Pourdjis.

In January, he shot his first Burberry campaign live on social media, drawing praise from the brand's creative director Christopher Bailey.

'Brooklyn has a really great eye for image and Instagram works brilliantly for him as a platform to showcase his work,' he said at the time.

Brooklyn recently split from his actress girlfriend Chloe Moretz, 19.

The couple spent much of the summer together, attending premieres and high-profile events as a couple, as well as gushing over their romance on social media.
She's rarely seen with a hair out of place.

And Elsa Pataky has now revealed the secluded hair salon behind her silky blonde mane.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the 40-year-old wife of Chris Hemsworth described it as 'in the middle of the forest' near her home in Byron Bay.

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Free spirit: Elsa Pataky, 40, revealed the secluded hair salon behind her silky blonde mane in an Instagram post on Wednesday, which she said is located 'in the middle of the forest' at Byron Bay

'Arriving to my hairstylist to do my Color, best salon in the world just in the middle of the forest, me and breezycosmicavalon,' she wrote, tagging the stylist in her post.

Writing in her native Spanish, Elsa also told her 970,000 followers that she enjoys being 'surrounded by nature just me and @ breezycosmicavalon' while she gets her hair done.

The Fast & Furious star, who shares three children with Chris, 33, is often spotted around Byron Bay where she lives with her actor husband and their three children.

Stunning: The Spanish actress is rarely seen without a hair in place on the red carpet

Earlier this year, Chris explained why he and Elsa left Hollywood to raise daughter India, four, and 18-month-old twin sons Tristan and Sasha in Australia.

'It's no longer all about me, which is quite refreshing,' he told Modern Luxury magazine.

'Acting is the most self-absorbed world, where you are thinking about your feelings. Once the kids arrived, I was like, 'Wow, this is what life is about.''

Adapting: A keen beach-goer, Elsa recently shared this cheeky snap of herself before a surfing session

Love birds: Elsa and Chris are often pictured bonding in Byron Bay

He continued: 'L.A. is a tough place to get around with kids. There's not a whole lot of foot traffic. It was all about loading up the car and car seats,' he explained.

'We were living shoulder to shoulder in the suburbs and thought that's not how we want our kids to grow up.'

Elsa, who was born in Madrid, wed Australian actor Chris in a private ceremony in 2010.

Content: Elsa and Chris Hemsworth previously left Hollywood to raise their three children in Australia

In a blog post for Spain's Glamour magazine, Elsa said their new home on the east coast of Australia is 'special' and that her style has been influenced by her new surroundings.

'As there is a tropical climate and a hippie lifestyle, you often see people walking barefoot on the street,' she said.

'I was quite surprised at first, but now even I walk barefoot sometimes!'
Her granddaughters North and Penelope love nothing more than visiting Disneyland.

But on Tuesday Kris Jenner enjoyed an adults-only trip to the theme park in Anaheim, California.

The 60-year-old naturally got the VIP treatment and was spotted strolling through Disneyland with a park escort and some friends.

A magical day: Kris Jenner was joined by some friends at Disneyland in Anaheim, California on Tuesday

Kris was dressed down for the outing in a baggy camouflage jacket which she wore over black leggings.

Knowing that she was about to do a lot of walking, the momager wisely decided to keep her feet comfortable.

Kris was seen sporting a pair of grey Yeezy trainers, designed by her son-in-law Kanye West.

The Kardashian-Jenner matriarch finished off her low-key look with a black choker and some huge sunglasses over her perfectly made-up face.

Dressed down: The momager went for a low-key look in a camouflage jacket, black leggings and large sunglasses

VIP treatment: A park escort led the way for Kris, who also wore Yeezy trainers, and her pals

Kris recorded a video while on the It's A Small World ride and shared it to her Instagram page.

She wrote in the caption: 'Thank you so much @disneyland for the perfectly MAGICAL day!!! #love #blessed #itsasmallworldafterall #Disneyland.'

A love of Disney certainly runs in the family and that same day Kris's eldest child Kourtney shared an Instagram from Walt Disney World in Florida while posing with Mickey Mouse.

'Thank you so much': The 60-year-old shared an Instagram video while on the It's A Small World ride

Family favourite: That same day, Kourtney Kardashian had shared a photo of herself and Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World

Kris currently has five grandchildren and a fifth on the way, as her son Rob Kardashian is expecting his first child with fiancee Blac Chyna.

The mother-of-six shared her excitement on Sunday after it was revealed on the premiere episode of Rob & Chyna that the couple are having a daughter.

'IT'S A GIRL! So happy for Rob and Chyna! Can't wait to welcome this new little love bug to the world. #RobandChyna,' she tweeted.

Kris is already grandmother to Kourtney's children Mason, six, Penelope, four, and 21-month-old Reign, and Kim's kids North, three, and Saint, nine months.
Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump has been using her reality show to publicize the horrors of China's Yulin Dog Meat festival.

And on Wednesday the Bravo reality star and restaurateur will have an audience of lawmakers when she takes her fight to the nation's capital.

The committed animal rights advocate is one of several activists who plan to address the members of Congress in Washington D.C., seeking a formal U.S. condemnation of China's dog meat trade and in particular the annual Yulin Festival.

Plans to lobby Congress: Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump, 55, takes her fight to censure China over its dog meat industry to the nation's capital on Wednesday

'This is our big push,' said John Sessa, the executive director of the Vanderpump Dog Foundation on Tuesday night speaking to DailyMail.com from D.C.

Vanderpump has been working with Florida Congressman Alcee Hastings since late March on a resolution calling for the condemnation of China's dog meat trade.

The subsequent HR 752 was introduced by the Congressman in May and has, according to Sessa, garnered bipartisan support.

Wants the U.S. to formally condemn China: John Sessa, executive director of the nonprofit Vanderpump Dog Foundation, said Wednesday's event on the Hill is the group's 'big push'

Platform: Dog lover Vanderpump dotes on her own pets, pictured at LAX in April, and has used her reality show this year to publicize the horrors of the Yulin festival and the need to stop it

What the group led by Vanderpump want now is for a vote to take place on the floor of the House that would formally make the United States the first country to take a stand on animal rights, said Sessa.

'There's no real governing body for animal rights,' Sessa explained.

'A vote would show that we are, as the United States of America, against the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, and we can't condone this any longer.'

Leading the political battle: Florida Congressman Alcee Hastings introduced House Resoluton 752 condemnming China in May and now he and Vanderpump want the House to vote on it

At the Wednesday morning session to be held in the Capitol building, Vanderpump and Hastings will address the attendees, lawmakers and media about the issue.

They'll be joined by Peter Li from the Humane Sociey International, Andrea Gung from the Duo Duo Project, and Mark Ching from the Animal Hope And Wellness Foundation.

Vanderpump, 55, revealed earlier this year that one of the reasons she decided to remain part of Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills was the platform the show gave her to promote her Dog Foundation and the cruelty towards dogs in Asia.
Since her appearance alongside Jonny Depp in Dark Shadows, the Australian starlet has shot to fame.

And now, Bella Heathcote has landed herself a role in Fifty Shades Darker alongside stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Doran.

The 29-year-old plays Leila Williams, a former submissive of main character Christian Grey.

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Creepy: Australian actress Bella Heathcote plays a former submissive to Christian Grey in the soon-to-be released Fifty Shades Darker film. Her character, Leila Williams, is seen stalking Christian's current girlfriend Anastasia

In a trailer released on Monday, Bella's character is perceived to be threatening and unstable.

Wearing a brunette wig to cover her light blonde hair for the movie, the rising star bears a strong physical resemblance to her ex's new partner, Anastasia.

Her already porcelain skin appears even lighter in the film, giving her a ghostly appearance.

Stalker: In the trailer, Leila seems to appear and disappear out of thin air

Leila and Anastasia only appear to have one major physical difference between them - their eye colour.

The trailer shows Bella's character follow the woman, watch her sleep and in one scene, she appears to vanish in to thin air.

Most recently, the actress appeared at the June premiere of her latest movie, The Neon Demon.

In the horror film, she played jealous and eventually murderous model Gigi.

Blonde bombshell: The 29-year-old recently premiered The Neon Demon, where she plays a jealous, and eventually murderous, model

In July, the blonde beauty told Screen Slam she felt attracted to darker roles and content.

'It's something about that heightened world,' she said.

Fifty Shades Darker will be released in Australia on February 9.
She famously replaced her on the popular TV series Charmed back in 2001.

And on Tuesday, actress Rose McGowan sought very publicly to build bridges between herself and Shannen Doherty 15 years later.

Writing alongside a cartoon drawing of herself and Doherty, who is battling breast cancer, McGowan, 43, blamed Hollywood for making them see themselves as rivals.

Reached out: Rose McGowan, who replaced Shannen Doherty on Charmed in 2001, penned a message to the cancer-stricken actress on Instagram regretting they'd been made into rivals

Afraid of being branded 'bad girls': McGowan, 43, shared this cartoon of the two Charmed stars and wrote about how the 'vile' brainwashing of Hollywood had controlled them

'As young women we were pitted against each other for society's pleasure,' McGowan wrote. 'The rules of Hollywood engagement brainwashed into us were truly vile.'

'We were cast in this weird fake reality show where we were supposed to be enemies. You and I were pitted against each other, I resented it greatly, she went on.

'I regret not being awake enough to articulate this to you at the time. Fear was drilled into me from day one in this town & you were the barometer by which my behavior was judged.'

Difficult reputation: Doherty starred for three seasons on the popular TV series Charmed but exited the show in 2001 amid rumors of feuding with co-star Alyssa Milano

Big break: McGowan, in red, replaced Doherty, joinging Milano ad Holly Marie Combs until the series ended in 2006

Doherty, 45, left the series about sister witches after the third season, amidst reports of bitter feuding with co-star Alyssa Milano.

Her departure paved the way for McGowan, who was already a jobbing actress, to raise her profile and become a household name.

'I was under a microscope, one false move and I'd be branded 'difficult' just like you,' McGowan reflected.

'The Bad Girl Shaming you received at the hands of the media was merciless....... You cast a long shadow over my life. We were both cast in a fake real life role, that of the Bad Girl. I had to prove I wasn't as bad as you or I'd get the axe, too. But we were never the bad ones, it was them,' she wrote.

'You cast a long shadow': McGowan's Instagram post comes as Doherty, 45, nears the end of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. She's pictured with husband Kurt Iswarienko

McGowan's heartfelt Instagram post comes as Doherty nears the end of her chemotherapy and radiation treatment for breast cancer.

She was diagnosed with the disease last year and in May she underwent a single mastectomy.

On Saturday, she walked the red carpet at Hollywood's fifth Stand Up To Cancer fundraiser.

McGowan ends the post: 'I send you strength. #rosearmy #BRAVE #shannendoherty.'
Mel B brought her little angels to work with her on Tuesday night.

The 41-year-old was every bit the doting mother as she posed with her daughters, Madison Brown Belafonte, five, and Angel Iris Murphy Brown, nine, before taping America's Got Talent in Hollywood.

The girls were clad in heavenly white Olvi's dresses as they practically stole the spotlight away from their mother.

Her little angels! Mel B was every bit the proud mother as she posed with her daughters, Madison Brown Belafonte and Angel Iris Murphy Brown, before taping America's Got Talent in Hollywood

Mel gave her girls a little TLC as they posed together on the red carpet.

The pop star gave her eldest child Angel a kiss as she held little Madison's hand.

Mel's daughters were clearly stars in the making, looking as comfortable as could be while posing with their mother on the red carpet.

But Mel still managed to turn heads as she wore a very sexy outfit that clung to her toned physique.

Hugs and kisses: The pop star gave her eldest child Angel a kiss as she held little Madison's hand, and both girls were wearing white Olvi's dresses

Family first! Mel's daughters were clearly stars in the making, looking as comfortable as could be as they posed with their mother on the red carpet

The pop star wore a nude dress that had sheer panels as it also exposed her midriff.

Her tresses were slicked back into a wet hair look, and her face was complimented with long lashes and pink blush.

She brought some drama with a slick of plum lipstick.

Mel made sure to savor the moment with her daughters as she took a selfie with them before heading onto the red carpet.

Look who's here! Heidi Klum looked sensational in her off-the-shoulder number

All eyes on Heidi! The catwalk queen had her blonde locks slicked back to put her captivating features on full show

The popstrel captioned the image, 'Me and my kiddies are ready to go live on @nbcagt boom.'

She also shared another sweet image of themselves on the red carpet, of which she captioned, 'It's take kids to work day at @nbcagt with my Queens.'

Angel's father is Hollywood funny-man Eddie Murphy, while Madison is from Mel's current marriage with Stephen Belafonte.

Mel also has 17-year-old daughter Phoenix Chi Gulzar from her previous marriage to dancer Jimmy Gulzar.

Suited and booted! Nick Cannon showed off his silly side as he posed in his sharp suit and silver shoes

Treating themselves! Cannon and Howie Mandel showed off the pinatas which appeared to be replicated after them

The popstrel was joined on the red carpet by fellow America's Got Talent star Heidi Klum, who sizzled in an off-the-shoulder embellished frock.

The catwalk queen had her blonde locks slicked back to put her captivating features on full show.

Mel, Heidi, Howie Mandel, and Nick Cannon's latest episode aired on Tuesday night.

The two-hour America's Got Talent finale will air on Wednesday on NBC.

'Me and my kiddies': The popstrel took a selfie with her girls before heading onto America's Got Talent
It's a matter of hours until The Bachelor can openly be in a relationship with his chosen woman.

And it appears Richie Strahan and his new lady may have found other ways to profess their love for one another while they're on lockdown.

The 31-year-old hunk could barely contain his smile as he spoke on the phone while leaving a radio station in Perth on Wednesday.

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Who could that be? Bachelor Richie Strahan looked distinguished as he stepped out in Perth on Monday, but couldn't contain his smile as he spoke on the phone

The rope access technician cut a suave figure as he stepped out in his home state.

He wore a navy blue blazer with a pale blue lining and sand-coloured chino pants, teamed with a denim shirt.

Richie finished off the outfit with a pair of brown dress shoes, which dipped at the ankle and had a plaited detail, as well as a brown leather belt.

No longer a Bachelor? The 31-year-old appeared deep in conversation as he exited a Perth radio studio

The reality TV hunk looked more styled than usual, with his golden locks swept to the side, giving him a distinguished look.

He sported a grin as he walked out of the radio station, part of an extensive media campaign ahead of the Bachelor finale.

Richie also appeared on 2Day FM on Wednesday, where he spoke to former Bachelorette Sam Frost and her co-host Rove about his chosen girl's 'understanding' when it came to the Perth man dating multiple women at once.

Is there any chemistry or is it all for show? Richie Strahan fumbled through an interview with Kyle and Jackie O on Monday, where he avoided any questions about sex and chemistry.

He also spent time speaking to KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O, where he had an awkward encounter with controversial radio veteran Kyle Sandilands.

Trying to stir up the reality TV star, the host suggested he may be having a hard time in the bedroom.

Richie, seemingly uncomfortable with the topic, fumbled over questions about sex and chemistry, and could only offer up that the pair 'were never short of a conversation'.
She appeared on this year's Celebrity Big Brother to a mixed reception.

Yet Chloe Khan has evidently moved onwards and upwards from the Channel 5 show as she was seen clambouring into her plush car while departing her London hotel on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old former X Factor star looked sensational in a skin-tight ensemble which clung to every curve while showing off her peachy derriere and eye-popping surgically-enhanced assets.

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A bit of all white: Chloe Khan has evidently moved onwards and upwards from the Channel 5 show as she was seen clambouring into her plush car while departing her London hotel on Tuesday

Chloe showed off her usual brand of over the top chic as she sported head-to-toe white - an unseasonable ensemble for the looming autumn months.

Although she was totally covered up, naturally the Playboy model was sure to show off her incredible figure, which won the heart of her CBB co-star Stephen Bear.

Her 32HH chest was hidden beneath her sheer white polo-neck yet she still managed to give a hint of her busty physique due to the tight top.

She paired the look with lace-up nude shoes with a staggering heel and an open toe which showed off her flawless and complementary white pedicure.

Stunner: The 25-year-old former X Factor star looked sensational in a skin-tight ensemble which clung to every curve while showing off her peachy derriere and eye-popping surgically-enhanced assets

Peachy! Chloe showed off her usual brand of over the top chic as she sported head-to-toe white - an unseasonable ensemble for the looming autumn months

Chloe added some super blingy touches to the ensemble with her pearl necklace, a pair of chandelier diamond earrings and a stunning Chanel brooch.

A further designer touch to the look was her chic Louis Vuitton holdall which she packed into the boot of her plush white Range Rover.

Chloe caused shockwaves when she got steamy with her CBB co-star and the show's eventual winner Stephen Bear - with the duo seemingly having sex in the confines of the house.

Now however, she appears to have moved on with the winner of this year's non-famous Big Brother, Jason Burrill.

Leggy stunner: Although she was totally covered up, naturally the Playboy model was sure to show off her incredible figure, which won the heart of her CBB co-star Stephen Bear

Loving the bling! Chloe added some super blingy touches to the ensemble with her pearl necklace, a pair of chandelier diamond earrings and a stunning Chanel brooch

The reality duo were reportedly seen on a date in London earlier this month, and an onlooker told Star Magazine: 'Chloe and Jason were inseparable.

'They spent the whole afternoon together and they were definitely flirting. They snuggled up together under an umbrella in the rain.'

Jason later told the magazine: 'She's really business orientated. I'm sure our paths will cross again. A gentlemen would never tell if he kissed. I would never kiss and tell. It's between the two people and nobody else.'

Designer diva: A further designer touch to the look was her chic Louis Vuitton holdall which she packed into the boot of her plush white Range Rover
His girlfriend Gigi Hadid made a rather awkward comment about their exes in a new interview.

And Zayn Malik looked decidedly sheepish as he arrived at the supermodel's New York City apartment on Tuesday evening, hours after the catwalk queen, 21, made a subtle dig at the likes of Perrie Edwards, Joe Jonas and Cody Simpson.

The Pillowtalk hitmaker, 23, didn't seem too bothered by the latest drama to hit his relationship as he rushed from his chauffeured car and made his way into his girlfriend's abode.

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Feeling awkward? Zayn Malik looked sheepish as he arrived at Gigi Hadid's New York City apartment on Tuesday, hours after the catwalk queen, 21, made a subtle dig at their exes

The former One Direction heartthrob rocked a laidback look, donning an open buttoned shirt and slim fit trousers.

Zayn's outing comes after his girlfriend claimed that her relationship with the British star marks the first time the pair have shared similar interests, outside of work, with someone they are dating.

Gigi's comments, which came in the latest edition of ES magazine, will no doubt come as news to her ex Joe Jonas and Zayn's former fiancee Perrie Edwards.

When asked what attracted her most to Zayn, Gigi said: 'I would say his brain. For the first time, we are both in a relationship where we have very similar interests outside of work and that is really important.

No drama: The Pillowtalk hitmaker, 23, didn't seem bothered by the latest drama to hit his relationship as he rushed from his chauffeured car and made his way into his girlfriend's abode

Keeping it casual: The former One Direction heartthrob rocked a laidback look, donning an open buttoned shirt and slim fit trousers

Ouch! Zayn's outing comes after his girlfriend claimed that her relationship with the British star marks the first time the pair have shared similar interests, with someone they are dating

'We cook a lot together and do art together and were each others best friends. We both feel we can talk about anything and learn a lot from one another.'

Candid: The full interview appears in this weeks issue of ES Magazine, out Thursday

The model also revealed that her and BFF Taylor Swift share a soft spot for British charm.

She admitted: 'Well I think we both like the British sense of charm.

'Im also getting super into British foods. Im loving Heinz baked beans in the morning, yeah and Z cooks a lot.

'He makes a brilliant curry. Butter chicken is his signature dish. Dont worry  hes representing good for the British boys!'

As one of the most in-demand models in the world, it's unsurprising that Gigi has been asked to do nude shoots.

But when it comes to modelling in the buff, she explained it has to be just right.

'I have just been very picky about doing nudes and only doing it when it felt right,' said Gigi.

'I have done it. And there were times when it didnt feel comfortable, and I havent done it for a while. Its always the people that I am working with who remind me that [my body] is part of the image.'

Her relationship with Zayn courts plenty of media attention thanks to their high-profile careers.

Throwing shade: Gigi made a rather awkward comment about the pair's various high-profile exes in a new magazine interview

Throwing shade? Gigi's comments, which came in the latest edition of ES magazine, will no doubt come as news to her ex Joe Jonas and Zayn's former girlfriend Perrie Edwards

Handy in the kitchen: The model also revealed that Zayn can rustle up a mean butter chicken curry for the couple

Despite having spent years in the public eye, living in the limelight still comes as a shock to the American beauty.

She said: 'Fame always shocks me. Stuff that you didnt think happens except in movies. I tried for a long time to move away from certain things, like [extra] security, thinking my life would have a sense of normalcy that way.

'But I realised that Im not really in control of a lot of that stuff. I think what people dont realise is that there is still so much that goes on behind closed doors that people dont know about.'

It's unlikely Gigi will ever be stuck for work in the modelling industry given her profile and stunning looks, but if she wasn't blessed with natural beauty, she said she'd return to school.

The price of fame: Despite having spent years in the public eye, living in the limelight still comes as a shock to the American beauty

She revealed: 'I studied criminal psychology for two years so Id carry on with that. Throughout my life I have had several serious ambitions, or aspirations.

'I wanted to be everything. I wanted to be an emergency-room doctor, I wanted to be an Olympic volleyball player and an Olympic horseback rider.'

Her busy schedule means she regularly has to be up early and raring to go.

'Im a good morning person,' she said. 'If I get more than five hours sleep, which nowadays is rare.

'Actually I used to be much more of a morning person at school. Im feeling old now; Im only 21, which cant be a good thing. Showers help me out a lot; you have to commit to the morning.'

The full interview appears in this weeks issue of ES Magazine, out Thursday September 15.
Just three months after news emerged of their controversial affair, Roger Waters and Rula Jebreal have reportedly gone their separate ways.

The Pink Floyd rocker, 73, was first romantically linked to the 43-year-old journalist and author in the early summer following his split from fourth wife Laurie Durning last year, but Page Six reports that the romance has come to an end.

A source said: 'It was over as quickly as it began - while they agreed on many issues, they couldn't find common ground on others. Plus, their families didn't get along.'

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The end? Roger Waters has reportedly split from Palestinian writer and journalist Rula Jebreal after just a few months of dating

Roger and Rula were dubbed the 'Palestinian power couple' because they were both outspoken about rights in Palestine.

A source added: 'It is the talk of the Hamptons, and some people are calling them the "Palestinian power couple". One can only imagine the pillow talk.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Roger Waters for comment.

The couple got together after being introduced by their exes, Laurie, and Rula's now former husband, entrepreneur Arthur Altschul Jr.

The ex: The pair were introduced five years ago by his wife at the time Laurie Durning (above in 2014), who was friends with Jebreal's now former husband Arthur Altschul Jr.

No more: A source claims the two began having an affair after Waters and Durning separated last September, and that Arthur Altschul (above in 2014) left Jebreal when he learned

A source added: 'It was very weird for their former spouses, who introduced them. Rula had asked to meet Roger because he's a vocal activist for Palestine.

'The two former couples have had dinner together many times. They were all friends.'

Roger and Laurie got engaged in 2004 and married in January 2012 before filing for divorce in September 2015.

Banks: Roger, one of the founders of Pink Floyd, who is worth an estimated $245million has been married four times

He was previously wed to Priscilla Phillips - with whom he has a son, Jack, 32 - for eight years from 1993 to 2001, and before that Lady Carolyne Christie, with whom he has son Harry, 39, and daughter India, 38.

Roger and Carolyne divorced in 1992 after 16 years of marriage.

His first wife was childhood sweetheart Judy Trim, with whom he tied the knot in 1969 before divorcing in 1975. They had no children together and she sadly died in 2001.

Past loves: Roger Waters and first wife Judy Trim (left); Roger Waters and second wife Lady Carolyne Christie (right in 1990)
An altercation between Halle Berry and her estranged husband Oliver Martinez and an LAX employee is believed to have been the final straw that caused the couple to split.

And whilst it's been reported that the pair have now put their divorce on hold, the lawsuit between the airline worker and the couple appears to be ongoing, with TMZ reporting the claimant has allegedly tried and failed four times to get them to attend a deposition.

Ronaldo Owens is seeking at least $5 million in compensation after Martinez, 50, allegedly used a baby's car seat to push him to the ground after jetting into Paris with Berry and their two young children in October 2015.

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In the firing line: Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez have reportedly failed to show up at four depositions after being sued by an LAX worker that claims to have been attacked by the pair

Owens filed a police report following the incident but in April it was reported that the L.A. city attorney had declined to prosecute Martinez.

The scuffle was caught on paparazzi video and showed Martinez, 49, walking in front of Berry who has their baby son Maceo in her arms and is holding the hand of her daughter Nahla, six, from a previous relationship.

In the civil lawsuit, Owens reportedly accused Berry of masterminding the whole thing, claiming she gave her husband 'carte blanche ability to attack.'

Grey day: Halle Berry looked to be feeling pensive as the news broke, as she cut a solo figure strolling around West Hollywood on Tuesday in an all grey ensemble from Z Supply

TMZ now reports that the couple have failed to attend four depositions, with Berry and Martinez's lawyer reportedly saying he's willing to produce his clients, but only if they get assurance Owens will keep the proceedings private.

Meanwhile, Owens' lawyer stated: 'In this country, litigants are not afforded special treatment because of who they are or who they think they are.'

MailOnline have contacted representatives for Berry and Martinez for comment

Au natural: Going make-up free for the outing, the 50-year-old actress was a vision of beauty, but appeared sombre as she walked through the city alone

As the news broke, Berry looked to be feeling pensive as she cut a solo figure strolling around West Hollywood on Tuesday.

Going make-up free for the outing, the 50-year-old actress was a vision of beauty, but appeared sombre as she walked through the city.

Clad in all grey, the Monster's Ball actress teamed a loose fitting hoodie with slouch Z Supply sweatpants that concealed her incredible figure.

Slipping her feet into black pool sliders, the stunning star looked stylish yet sensible as she pounded the pavements.

Sweeping her choppy chestnut locks away from her face, she showed off her stunning good looks.

Sticking with sweats: Clad in all grey, the Monster's Ball actress teamed a loose fitting hoodie with slouch sweatpants that concealed her incredible figure

Her outing also came after it was claimed she had called off her divorce from husband of two years.

The couple announced their split in October, but according to TMZ, leaked legal documents show the former spouses are yet to make further steps in a bid to end their marriage.

The website alleges that a court clerk has issued Berry and Martinez with a warning that failure to take further action will result in the case being dismissed.

Sources close to the couple claim they are happy to remain married for the sake of son Maceo, two, and Berry's eight-year old daughter Nahla  the Oscar winner's only child with her former partner, French-Canadian model Gabriel Aubry.

Back on? Halle is also claimed to have halted divorce proceedings with estranged husband Olivier as the pair reportedly have not filed the correct paperwork

The fresh claims follow recent reports that Martinez 'never wanted the divorce and still doesn't.'

'If Halle wants to call it [divorce] off, Olivier would be fine with it because he never wanted the divorce in the first place,' a source told People magazine.

'To get a divorce and share custody of Maceo is not a situation that Olivier wants to be in... he also wants to be around Nahla like before. He cares about Nahla like if she were his own.'

The source added: 'The divorce is still being finalized, and there is no change for now. But there seems there might be a slim chance that they decide to stay married. There is still a lot of love between them.'
She revealed her shock yesterday after discovering 'creepy' naked photos of her sleeping were being circulated without her consent.

But Megan Marx has remained strong despite the devastating news as she shared yet another body-confident selfie to Instagram.

The former Bachelor star posted a risque photo of herself posing in lingerie to her 45,000 social media fans on Wednesday.

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Defiant: Megan Marx shared a racy Instagram selfie on Wednesday after discovering naked photos of her sleeping, taken without her consent earlier this year, were being circulated

In the image, Megan displays her ample cleavage in a lacy black bra as she reclines on a windowsill and touches the sheer curtain.

The health promotions officer, from Geraldton, casts a dreamy gaze into the distance while gently pouting for the camera.

Her sleek blonde hair falls loosely across her shoulders and sun-kissed decolletage as she strikes a sultry pose.

Body confident: The Bachelor star, 27, revealed her horror yesterday after discovering 'creepy' nude photos of her sleeping were being shared without her permission

This comes a day after The Daily Telegraph reported that nude photos of Megan, taken without her permission, were being shared in parts of Australia.

After being alerted by the publication about the existence of the images, the reality TV star confessed 'it's quite horrific'.

The pictures were said to be taken earlier this year while Megan was asleep, and have been circulating throughout Sydney, Melbourne and Western Australia.

She's not shy! It seems the shock news has not diminished Megan's free spirit as she continues to post risque photos of herself on Instagram

The Perth native, 27, who was raised in a strict religious community, confessed she felt distressed and betrayed.

'Obviously, if someone's taken (nude) pictures of you sleeping it's incredibly weird and creepy and inappropriate.

'It just shows that you don't ever fully know anybody, it's quite horrific,' she continued.

Criminal: While Megan is still deciding whether to take the matter to police, she may know the identity of the person who took the photos. Pictured with rumoured girlfriend Tiffany Scanlon

While Megan is still deciding whether to take the matter to police, she may know the identity of the person who shared the photos.

'I have a pretty good idea of who it was, but I've had a couple of ex-boyfriends so I can't confirm'.

It is against the law in WA to take or share a photograph of somebody naked without their permission.

This follows rumours Megan is dating fellow Bachelor contestant Tiffany Scanlon, 29, after she refused to deny the pair were in a relationship.
She had jetted in to keep an eye on her eldest son as he returned to school in London.

But notoriously strict Madonna seems to have loosened the reigns over her 16-year-old son Rocco as he appeared to enjoy a beer during a meal with her on Tuesday night.

Just hours after she risked embarrassing the teen by turning up to his London school in a sheer blouse to meet his headmistress, the pair enjoyed dinner together at Notting Hill's trendy Farmacy restaurant.

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Mama won't preach: Notoriously strict Madonna seems to have loosened the reigns over her 16-year-old son Rocco as he appeared to enjoy a beer during a meal with her on Tuesday night

The pair were in good spirits as they chatted for several hours over the super-healthy food, which the Queen of Pop enjoyed with a glass of white wine.

It seems Rocco also decided to join her in raising a toast - he was seen sitting with a bottle of Freedom East India Pale lager, which has a percentage of 5.5., on the table in front of him.

Drinking is illegal under the age of 18 in UK, however, if you are dining with an adult, you are allowed a beer, wine or cider with a meal. The law prohibits you from buying it, so Rocco's multi-millionaire mum would have picked up the tab.

Despite it all being above board, the teen drinking on a school night is bound to raise eyebrows with some.

Relaxed: Just hours after she risked embarrassing the teen by turning up to his London school in a sheer blouse to meet his headmistress, the pair enjoyed dinner together at Notting Hill's trendy Farmacy restaurant

Toast to the future? The pair were in good spirits as they chatted for several hours over the super-healthy food, which the Queen of Pop enjoyed with a glass of white wine

Is that wise? It seems Rocco also decided to join her in raising a toast - he was seen sitting with a bottle of Freedom East India Pale lager, which has a percentage of 5.5., on the table in front of him

Good choice: The restaurant's menus says that the beer is 'inspired by the iconic ipa with a full American hop character'

Moving on: It was the first time the mother and son had been seen in public together since she lost her custody battle with ex-husband Guy Ritchie, who now has primary custody of the teen

It was the first time the mother and son had been seen in public together since she lost her custody battle with ex-husband Guy Ritchie, who now has primary custody of the teen.

Despite their rocky last 12 months, they seemed incredibly close, with one fellow diner saying: 'Looking at them, you'd never guess they'd been through so much drama this summer with the custody battle. It's clear they're happy it's all over and they can get on with life.'

When can you drink in the UK? Drinking is illegal under the age of 18 in UK. However, if you are dining with an adult, you are allowed a beer, wine or cider with a meal. But the law prohibits you from buying it and it must be paid for by the accompanying adult. Advertisement

According to reports, the hitmaker was concerned the absence of Guy, 47, who is believed to be spending the week at Sting's Malibu mansion, would affect their son's schooling.

A source close to Madonna said: 'It's the start of a new school year and if his father, who lives in London, can't be there, then his mother is going to have to be.'

Madonna met with the principal of his North London school and appeared very chummy with her - linking arms as they walked out while the teacher waved her off as she got into her car.

Guy reached a settlement with ex-wife Madonna hours before they were due in court in New York last week.

Speaking outside the court Guy's lawyer, Peter Bronstein, said the teenager would continue to live with his father in London.

According to Page Six, Bronstein said: 'The case is settled and everyone agrees that Roccos needs changed and hes going to be living with dad.

'Everyones agreed to that and theres no further need for any kind of a court case.'

Mum's the word: Madonna met with the principal of his North London school and appeared very chummy with her - linking arms as they walked out while the teacher waved her off as she got into her car
The long-awaited tenth season of Australia's Next Top Model is only days away.

And the latest promo shots for the Fox8 TV series reveal the 13 new faces soon to become fixtures on our screens.

The aspiring models are seen flashing the flesh in barely-there attire, highlighting their lean legs and svelte physiques.

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Model looks: With the highly-anticipated tenth season of Australia's Next Top Model, hosted by Jennifer Hawkins, only days away, new promo shots have revealed the 13 new faces

As expected, there are plenty of caucasian blondes and brunettes, as well as two exotic-looking with endless olive-skinned limbs.

Daisy Davies, 19, from New South Wales, with her doe-eyed looks and honey blonde locks, flaunted her leggy figure in light wash denim overalls with a coordinating bandeau style top.

Jordan Simek, 20, of New South Wales, highlights her balayage tresses in the promo shot, while opting to cover her petite upper frame with a unisex style button-up shirt.

Bronzed: Daisy Davies, 19, from New South Wales, with her doe-eyed looks and honey blonde locks, flaunted her leggy figure in light wash denim overalls with a coordinating bandeau style top

Leggy: Jordan Simek, 20, of New South Wales, highlights her balayage tresses in the promo shot, while opting to cover her petite upper frame with a unisex style button-up shirt

Sultry: Aleyna Fitzgerald, 16, from New South Wales, drew attention to her luscious brunette tresses placed strategically in front of her chest

Urban: Sofie Baric, 17, from Tasmania, sported an edgier look with a ripped denim jacket left undone at the bottom to reveal her taut torso

However she was sure to draw attention with her lithe legs in a pair of short shorts of a darker denim.

Aleyna Fitzgerald, 16, from New South Wales, drew attention to her luscious brunette tresses placed strategically in front of her chest. The striking face is the youngest of the competition, along with Linnea Stevens-Jones, also from New South Wales.

Meanwhile, Megan Gale was announced as the show's permanent judge, replacing her good friend Charlotte Dawson two years after her death.

Smouldering: Sabine Jamieson, 17, from New South Wales, highlighted her toned legs in a patchwork style denim skirt

Trim: Kassidy Ure, 19, from New South Wales, revealed her toned mid-section in a two-piece ensemble of the same denim hue

Summer Kane, 19, from Victoria, opted for a flirty frock in a denim hue

Enviable: Vitoria Triboni, 25, of New South Wales, opted for a body-con style dress with a plunging neckline

She will also join veteran judge Alex Perry and guest judges Cheyenne Tozzi and Zac and Jordan Stenmark on the series.

Confirming her position months earlier, Megan said: 'I've loved working on the show in a guest capacity over the years and to now join the series as a permanent judge is both an honour and a privilege.

'I look forward to working with the girls and sharing some of my own experiences about what it takes to be a successful working model,' she continued.

Denim darling: Laura Taffe, 20, of Western Australia, tied a loose fitting button-up shirt around her waist, flashing just a glimpse of flesh

Feminine: Christy Baker, 17, from Queensland, highlighted her endlessly bronzed legs with a white denim mini skirt

Natural: Belinda Kosorok, 18, from New South Wales, brought attention to her striking facial features

Revealing: Jessie Andrewartha, 21, of South Australia, accentuated her taut torso with a midriff-style button-up shirt

Petite: Linnea Stevens-Jones, 16, from New South Wales, brought the focus to her delicate decolletage

The winner of Australias Next Top Model will receive a 12 month modelling contract with Priscillas Model Management, and will feature in an editorial spread for leading fashion magazine, Elle Australia.

They will also get a $20,000 trip to New York during Fashion Week, and drive away in a stylish Mazda.

The winner of the model quest will also be launched into the spotlight like so many of her predecessors including former David Jones ambassador Montana Cox, who won cycle seven in 2011.

The panel: Jennifer Hawkins (centre) hosts the show alongside judges Alex Perry (third left), Megan Gale (second left), Cheyenne Tozzi (second right) and twins Jordan and Zac Stenmark

New fixture: Megan Gale was announced as the show's permanent judge, replacing her good friend Charlotte Dawson two years after her death

Additions: Twins Jordan and Zac Stenmark will also lend their knowledge and expertise on the hit reality series

Montana has well and truly been the show's most successful winner, having walked for some of the world's most coveted fashion houses around the world.

Alice Burdeau, who won the series' three cycle, has gone on to forge a hugely successful career internationally, having walked for Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton and Alexander McQueen.

Enthusiastic: Confirming her position months earlier, Megan said, 'I've loved working on the show in a guest capacity over the years and to now join the series as a permanent judge is both an honour and a privilege'

Staples: Firm friends Alex Perry and Cheyenne Tozzi will return to the series, no doubt giving essential critique where needed
She's known for her striking looks and voluptuous figure.

And Sofia Vergara was flaunting her fabulous frame as she treated herself to a shopping spree at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills on Tuesday.

The actress, 44, showcased her envy-inducing curves in a skintight black top as she emerged from the West Hollywood department store.

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Stunner: Sofia Vergara, 44, was flaunting her fabulous frame as she treated herself to a shopping spree at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills on Tuesday

The Modern Family star rocked a casual yet chic look, donning cropped fitted jeans as she teetered on sky-high platform heels.

Along with her fancy footwear, Sofia accessorised with an over-the-shoulder leather bag and large rimmed sunglasses.

The stunning star wore her signature ombre tresses in a middle parting while opting for a bright berry lip colour.

The mother-of-one spent the day browsing make-up stores with her assistant before heading home to her hunky husband Joe Manganiello.

Columbian beauty: The Modern Family actress rocked a casual yet chic look, donning cropped fitted jeans as she teetered on sky-high platform heels

Beauty: The stunning star wore her signature ombre tresses in a middle parting, while opting for a bright berry lip colour

Successful shopping spree: The mother-of-one spent the day browsing make-up stores with her assistant before heading home to her hunky husband Joe Manganiello

Now that she's in her 40s, Sofia has opened up about her about her beauty regime and has, in her own words, 'figured it out.'

'I'm not going to lie, I liked being in my 20s. Youth makes everyone look good. Your skin looks better, your hair looks better,' Sofia told New Beauty.

'But as you get older, you figure it out. You get more confident - and that's beautiful.'

Another reason for her glowing look is the blissful break she enjoyed in London with her husband Magic Mike actor Joe, 39.

Because she's worth it: Sofia has been keeping busy this summer filming season eight of Modern Family, which will premiere on September 21

Sofia has been keeping busy this summer filming season eight of Modern Family, which will premiere on September 21.

The brunette, who has played the role of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett since 2009, co-stars alongside Ed O'Neill, Julie Bowen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ty Burrell, Eric Stonestreet, Sarah Hyland, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould and Rico Rodriguez.

Sofia is also looking forward to celebrating her first wedding anniversary with Joe in two months - the two exchanged vows in a romantic wedding in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 21.
She revealed she was a single mother to one during the first episode of The Bachelor Australia.

And during the show's finale part one, on Wednesday night, Alex Nation discussed possible living arrangements with Richie Strahan.

While sitting in the Bali rice fields, the 25-year-old tried to work out whether he would be a good father figure for her son Elija if she were to win.

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Moving forward: Alex Nation discussed possible living arrangements with Richie Strahan during Wednesday's episode of The Bachelor Australia

'Could you see yourself living in Melbourne?' she asked tentatively.

'You know, I knew that coming down this journey, I'm gonna meet people from different states... so I was certainly open to.....to moving around,' Richie trailed off.

Alex hit back with her opinion on moving her life and young son away from his Melbourne home to Richie's Perth hometown.

Options: She asked him, 'Could you see yourself living in Melbourne?' to which he replied, I am certainly open moving around'

Reasoning: Alex hit back with her opinion on moving her life, saying: 'I don't want to pull the little guy out of school and get him moving around all these different places'

'I don't want to set barriers, I don't want to set a limit on, you know, what could be a really beautiful relationship,' Alex explained.

'When I think about, like, how we were trying to make this relationship work, I don't want to pull the little guy out of school and get him moving around all these different places,' admitted Alex.

Following the in-depth conversation, the pair shared a passionate kiss.

Locking lips: Following the in-depth conversation, the pair shared a passionate kiss

Getting into it: With their eyes shut tightly, Alex wrapped her arms around the hunk's head to pull his muscular body towards her

With their eyes shut tightly, Alex wrapped her arms around the hunk's head to pull his muscular body towards her.

The blonde model later gushed in her piece to camera: 'It just feels so right and it's so raw and it's so real.

'I really do adore him and when I think about that, it's like, "Oh, my gosh, I'm falling in love with this guy", and it does scare me that considering all of that, the fact that I do have a son, that could change everything for Rich and I.'
The Bachelor's Richie Strahan flew his final three girls to Bali for the two-part finale which began on Wednesday.

And in a shock twist, front-runner Nikki Gogan expressed doubt over Richie's feelings, revealing she still 'needs to protect her heart'.

The 29-year-old made the surprising confession as the 'couple' shared a passionate kiss following a bikini-clad beach date.

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Still the 'winner'? The Bachelor's Nikki Gogan expressed doubt over Richie Strahan's feelings on Wednesday night, revealing she 'needs to protect her heart'

Nikki said: 'I guess I feel like I am confident in what Richie and I have, but I'm not confident he's made up his mind.

'So, I guess there is that part of me that, you know... I need to some extent protect my heart a little bit.'

Despite her close bond with Richie, Nikki was clearly intimidated by her two rivals, Alex Nation and Olena Khamula.

Sealed with a kiss? Nikki, 29, made the surprise confession after the pair shared a passionate kiss during the two-part finale, which was filmed in Bali in early June

Earlier in the date, Richie and Nikki strapped onto an inflatable went on a 'flying fish' trip around the waters of Bali.

Nikki, a real estate agent from Perth, stripped down to a skimpy pink bikini as the pair enjoyed the thrill ride.

Afterwards, the pair shared a romantic dinner and their relationship was even given a 'blessing' by a local healer.

Earlier in the date, Richie and Nikki strapped onto an inflatable went on a 'flying fish' trip around the waters of Bali

Flying high! Nikki stripped down to a skimpy pink bikini as the pair enjoyed the thrill ride

But despite the romantic gesture, Nikki was not totally confident Richie has made his final decision.

She added: 'We have an amazing time when we're together and Rich knows exactly how I'm feeling.

'But, you know, I'm under no illusion that this is all done and dusted.'

Is she The One? Afterwards, the pair shared a romantic dinner and their relationship was even given a 'blessing' by a local healer

'I'm under no illusion this is all done and dusted': But despite the romantic gestures, Nikki was not totally confident Richie has made his final decision

Winning smile? Nikki was clearly intimidated by her two rivals, Alex Nation and Olena Khamula, but she remains the bookie's favourite to win the reality TV show

Nikki may have her doubts, but she remains the bookie's favourite to win on Thursday night.

And in the past few weeks, she has dropped several hints during interviews that she and Richie are still dating.

At the end of Wednesday's episode, Richie offered Nikki a rose and sent her through to the series finale.

Success! At the end of Wednesday's episode, Richie offered Nikki a rose and sent her through to the series finale. Pictured with Alex Nation (centre) and Olena Khamula (right)
Her latest movie, American Honey, has already garnered praise from critics, winning the Prix du Jury at May's Cannes Film Festival.

And Riley Keough certainly looked like she has one super-fan in her co-star Sasha Lane.

The pair hit the red carpet at the New York premiere of the new indie film and playfully shared a kiss for the cameras.

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All shook up: Riley Keough looked sensational as she hit the red carpet at the American Honey premiere in New York on Tuesday

Riley - with the striking looks of her mother Lisa-Marie Presley - looked sensational on the red carpet as she slipped into a beaded white Rodarte mini-dress.

The stunning number worked wonderfully with her tanned skin, and showed off her slim pins to their full potential.

Sasha went for grunge glamour in an eye-catching suede mini-dress, with colour-blocking panels.

She wore her dreads in a stylish up do while kept her footwear practical with a pair of Doc Martins.

Bosom buddies: The actress arrived with co-star Sasha Lane, who treated her to a peck on the cheek

What a pair! Riley - with the striking looks of her mother Lisa-Marie Presley - looked sensational on the red carpet as she slipped into a beaded white Rodarte mini-dress

Good pals: Sasha went for grunge glamour in an eye-catching suede mini-dress, with colour-blocking panels as she playfully showed off Riley's dress

Team work: The pair have become great pals since filming the movie last year alongside Andrea Arnold and Laurent Vinay

Star status: Trudie Styler, pictured, whose production company Maven Pictures was behind the movie, also attended the event, alongside Maven's co-founder Celine Rattray

The pair have become great pals since filming the movie - which was produced by Trudie Styler's production company Maven Pictures - last year.

They hit the red carpet together at the Toronto Film Festival this week in another series of stunning ensembles.

The 27-year-old granddaughter of Elvis Presley wowed as she arrived at the Ryerson Theatre in a semi-sheer black dress, which featured embellishments and cut-outs.

The full-length gown featured a bejewelled high Bardot neckline, while small sections of her slender arms and toned midriff were exposed via glittering cut-outs.

She teamed her eye-catching number with a pair of black heels, which added extra height to her enviably lithe frame.

Riley's wavy chestnut brown tresses were tied into a loose bun, while her dramatic make-up featured heavy eyeliner, applied to give her the popular cat eye look.

Co-stars: The 27-year-old actress was joined by her American Honey co-star Sasha Lane

Sheer delight: Screen beauty Riley wowed as she stepped out in a semi-sheer black dress

As the beauty arrived at the event, she was joined by her stunning co-star Sasha Lane, who lit up the red carpet in a simple golden camisole dress.

Their movie, which also stars Shia LaBeouf, tells the story of a teenage girl who joins a travelling magazine sales crew and gets caught up in a whirlwind of mischief.

Riley has seen a jolt in her career since starring on the series The Girlfriend Experience. She is best known for her work in Magic Mike and Mad Max: Fury Road.

Strike a pose: As she walked the red carpet, Riley posed for a range of selfies with fans

Eye eye: Her dramatic make-up featured heavy eyeliner, giving her the popular cat eye look

The actress met her husband Ben Smith-Petersen while starring in the film, in which she starred as Capable alongside big names Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy.

Riley and Ben tied the knot in the romantic setting of Napa Valley's vineyards in California last year.

Speaking with Hello! magazine about the nuptials, Riley said, 'It was the most beautiful, amazing, fun day and night.

'It was every single person I love in one place. I didn't want it to end.'

Squad: The actresses were joined by (l-r) Raymond Coalson, Isaiah Stone, Mccaul Lombardi

Bust a move: Sasha showed off some slick dance moves, much to the delight of onlookers
She's known as the rather outspoken personality on hit dating series The Bachelor.

And its breakout star Keira Maguire did not shy away from flashing the flesh while at Peppermayo's Carnival of Appiness in Sydney's Bondi on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old led the fashionable arrivals in a little black dress that highlighted her toned back and lean legs.

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Daring to bare! Bachelor breakout star Keira Maguire, 29, flashed the flesh in a little black dress as she attended Peppermayo's Carnival of Appiness in Sydney's Bondi on Wednesday

Taking to the media wall, Keira gave the cameramen a good look of her toned back and lean limbs in the revealing attire.

Accessorising with an oversized denim jacket draped loosely around her waist, the account manager elongated her frame with a pair of simple black heels.

Sweeping her short cropped locks off her face in a Kim Kardashian inspired do, Keira opted for a glamorous makeup look of a metallic eye, lashings of mascara, a touch of highlighter on her cheeks and an overall bronzed complexion.

Pucker up: The account manager flaunted a bronzed complexion and a slicked back hair-do as she pouted for the camera

Details: The blonde starlet elongated her legs with a pair of simple black heels

Posing: The Bachelor's 'villain' gave the cameramen a good glimpse of her toned frame

The show's 'villain' looked a picture of content as she happily chatted and posed for photos.

At one stage of the night, she cozied up to former Bachelor star Zilda Williams, who rose to fame thanks to her enviable figure.

Other notables in attendance included Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris, Geordi Shore star Ricci Guarnaccio and lifestyle blogger and Yoga enthusiast Caroline Groth.

Exposing: The plunging neckline of the dress brought attention to her delicate decolletage

Content: Keira looked clearly at ease at the exclusive media event

Keira has certainly been keeping busy since her time on The Bachelor wrapped up.

It's been reported that the blonde starlet has recently signed with PR queen Roxy Jacenko's talent agency, Ministry Of Talent.

The Brisbane native, whose LinkedIn profile describes her as a Product Specialist at CoreLogic RP Data, is also developing a fashion blog.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, she said: 'I'm very creative, the way that I dress is how I express myself.

Mingling: The reality star also happily posed for photos with former Bachelor star and aspiring actress Zilda Williams

'It's something that I'm very passionate about, so I am creating and doing a blog'.

She has also spoken of her desire to become Australia's next Bachelorette, telling Mamamia she would be well-suited to the role.

'I feel like it's more my thing, at least I can have control,' Keira said, referring to her controversial stint on The Bachelor.

'The poor guys that are on it - could you imagine?' she said, adding: 'I would definitely do it because I'd just f*** s*** up'.
The Bachelor fans ruthlessly mocked Richie Strahan during Wednesday's episode after he repeatedly called Olena Khamula 'mysterious'.

Because for hundreds of Twitter users, it was no 'mystery' why Olena was not chosen for the finale - she just didn't want to date him anymore.

It was clear that Richie, 31, was trying to force a connection with the Ukrainian model but she kept finding excuses why their relationship wouldn't work.

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Ouch! For hundreds of Twitter users, it was no 'mystery' why Olena Khamula (pictured) was not chosen for The Bachelor finale - she just wasn't attracted to Richie Strahan anymore

Olena, 23, told Richie her parents warned her off dating him because the long-distance relationship would be too hard.

And at one point, she even lost her temper and snapped: 'You want to live in a fairy tale but this is the real s***!'

For many Bachelor fans, the very awkward date and lack of romantic chemistry was almost unbearable to watch.

That's awkward! It was clear that Richie, 31, was trying to force a connection with the Ukrainian model but she kept finding excuses why their relationship wouldn't work

Misreading the signals, Richie? Twitter fans ruthlessly mocked Richie after he repeatedly said Olena was 'mysterious' when in reality she may have been bored with him

That's gotta hurt! Even comedian Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes couldn't resist poking fun at how Richie misinterpreted Olena's lack of interest

Twitter user @outbacknt wrote, rather bluntly: 'It's clear she don't give a f*** about Richie'.

And @DavidSoulTrader tweeted: '(Olena) seemed to be one of the few that kept one foot in reality.

Comedian Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes wrote: 'Let me help you figure Olena out Richie. She's not into you'.

Is it something he said? Olena, 23, told Richie her parents warned her off dating him because the long-distance relationship would be too hard

'She's just not that into you!' For many Twitter fans, the very awkward date and lack of romantic chemistry was almost unbearable to watch

Speaking out: Bachelor fan @birchyyk summed up the Twitter response by pointing out the 'lack of chemistry or even potential relationship' between Richie and Olena

How rude! One Twitter user wrote, rather bluntly: 'It's clear she don't give a f*** about Richie'

And @Unamoosedkid praised Olena for being forthright - despite Richie claiming she was 'distant' or 'mysterious'.

Meanwhile, @birchyyk summed up the Twitter response by pointing out the 'lack of chemistry or even potential relationship' between them.

Several fans even suggested Olena should be considered for an upcoming series of The Bachelorette.

She's already moved on: Olena has confirmed to the Herald Sun she is now dating someone very 'different' to Richie

Does she even care? There were also plenty of hilarious memes inspired by on Olena's muted response to being dumped by Richie in the rose ceremony

Not holding back: Twitter user @tmazzzz wrote, 'By not receiving a rose, Olena wins'

Popular view: @Unamoosedkid praised Olena for being forthright with her feelings - despite Richie claiming she was 'distant' or 'mysterious'

There were also plenty of hilarious memes which poked fun at how Richie misinterpreted Olena's lack of interest.

The overall conclusion was that Olena was quite happy to not receive a rose at the end of the episode.

And she effectively confirmed the fact to the Herald Sun, adding that she is currently dating someone very 'different' from Richie.

See you later! The general conclusion was that Olena was quite happy to not receive a rose at the end of the episode. Pictured with finallists Nikki Gogan (left) and Alex Nation (centre)

Frank: @DavidSoulTrader wrote: 'She seemed to be one of the few that kept one foot in reality'
She's the former Bachelor hopeful from 2015 that's often seen on the social circuit.

And Zilda Williams certainly dressed to impress as she attended Peppermayo's Carnival of Appiness at popular Bondi haunt El Topo Mexican in Sydney on Wednesday.

The busty 33-year-old flaunted her ample assets in a body-con ensemble with daring thigh split, as she mingled with other former contestants from the hit dating series.

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Working it: Former Bachelor contestant Zilda Williams, 33, from last year's season, flaunted her ample assets in a figure-hugging ensemble while attending Peppermayo's Carnival of Appiness in Sydney's Bondi on Wednesday

Taking to the media wall, the aspiring actress gave onlookers a glimpse of her pert derriere as she turned to the side.

Opting to go braless, Zilda put on a busty display in a neutral-hued top tucked into a high-waisted black skirt that featured embellished chain detailing.

Teaming the look with a pair of black strappy heels, the Sydney-based star impressed in the style stakes.

Curvaceous: Taking to the media wall, the aspiring actress gave onlookers a glimpse of her pert derriere as she turned to the side

Not shy: Opting to go braless, Zilda put on a busty display in a neutral-hued top tucked into a high-waisted black skirt

Allowing her mid-length tresses to fall effortlessly around her face and shoulders, Zilda complemented the effortless beauty look with a bronzed complexion and lashings of mascara.

While mingling at the exclusive event to promote fashion and lifestyle retailer Peppermayo's new app, the popular personality was seen having a good yarn with other former Bachelor stars.

The beauty was seen sidling up to former Bachelor stars Keira Maguire, as well as last year's contestant Bec Chin and her boyfriend Dean Vee.

Beauty: Allowing her mid-length tresses to fall effortlessly around her face and shoulders, the popular personality complemented the look with a bronzed complexion and lashings of mascara

Mingling: The Sydney-based star sidled up to fellow Bachelor star Keira Maguire who dared to bare in an LBD

Competitors turned friends: Also attending the exclusive bash was Bec Chin, of last year's season of The Bachelor who cut a chic figure in a simple black frock teamed with a pair of ankle boots of the same hue

Zilda has been working on her acting career, having been seen filming scenes in Sydney last month for Channel Nine comedy series Here Come The Habibs.

Since finding fame on reality TV, the Kiwi-born beauty has been trying to change her image in a bid to be taken seriously as an actress.

In June, she told New Zealand's Sunday Star Times that her decision to downsize her FF implants, cut her hair, and stop using Botox was to shed her 'Barbie' image.

Living it up: Keira and Zilda were seen looking clearly at ease with Bec Chin's partner Dean Vee

Social: The two starlets looked to be enjoying themselves as they engaged in conversation with Dean

Animated: It appeared the trio had met up previously due to their relaxed vibes around one another

She has kept busy since swapping reality TV for acting, filming a pilot for a major network last year and working consistently as a professional extra.

Zilda has also been working hard to get back in shape after gaining weight on holiday recently.

The former Maxim centerfold has already had a taste of the A-list lifestyle, after being linked to actor Firass Dirani last year.

The loved-up pair were spotted together following a wrap party for Mel Gibson's war drama Hacksaw Ridge, which Firass stars in.

Zilda has also been linked to Bondi Rescue star and surf champion Rod Kerr and former Gold Coast Titans player-turned-actor Kevin Gordon.

In-the-know: Zilda has been keeping busy since her time as a reality star, often appearing at various media events

Pucker up: The Kiwi-born star was seen giving her best pout for the cameras
Photos have surfaced showing luggage belonging to The Bachelor's Richie Strahan and finalist Alex Nation being loaded into the SAME van the day after filming the final rose ceremony in June.

The images show two identifiable bags - which Richie and Alex have been spotted carrying before - in the back of a vehicle parked outside of a villa in Bali, Indonesia.

A black Nike gym bag, which 31-year-old Richie was seen holding as he arrived in Sydney recently, is clearly visible in the back of the van.

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Does this prove Alex Nation is The Bachelor winner? Photos have surfaced showing luggage belonging to The Bachelor's Richie Strahan and finalist Alex Nation being loaded into the SAME van the day after filming the final rose ceremony in June

Looks familiar! The images show two identifiable bags - which Richie and Alex have been spotted carrying before - in the back of a vehicle parked outside of a villa in Bali, Indonesia

And a light green suitcase which Alex previously carried on her way to a group date back in April can also be seen just beneath it.

The 25-year-old single mother, from Victoria, has been spotted with the brightly-coloured luggage on several other occasions.

She was notably photographed carrying it as she flew from Melbourne to Sydney ahead of the two-part finale on Wednesday.

Neither Richie, Alex or fellow finalist Nikki Gogan appear in the photos obtained by Daily Mail Australia, but several members of The Bachelor's production staff are present.

Top of his trolley: A black Nike gym bag, which 31-year-old Richie was seen holding as he arrived in Sydney recently, is clearly visible in the back of the van

Spotted again: The 25-year-old single mother, from Victoria, notably was photographed carrying the case as she flew from Melbourne to Sydney ahead of the two-part finale on Wednesday

Firm favourite: The fan favourite from the start of the series previously carried the same unmistakeable cabin bag on her way to a group date back in April

His chosen one? While neither Richie or Alex are seen in the photo, the suitcases could be a spoiler as to who gets the final rose

Meanwhile, it is understood the series runner-up departed from Bali soon after Richie decided his winner over three months ago.

Richie, a rope access technician from Perth, was seen returning to Australia three days after the last episode was filmed.

The second part of the finale will be broadcast on Network Ten on Thursday night.

The previous episode saw Olena Khamula, 23, sent home after clashing with Richie over the future of their relationship.

Then there were two: Wednesday night's episode saw Olena Khamula (right) sent home after clashing with Richie over the future of their relationship, leaving Nikki Gogan (left) and Alex (centre)

It has been previously reported that Warner Bros. hired the Indonesian military to keep paparazzi from taking photographs during filming.

The outcome is a closely guarded industry secret and contestants are banned from revealing 'spoilers' before the finale.

However, Richie notably smiled when quizzed about Alex by a videographer as he arrived at Sydney Airport earlier this week.

Meanwhile, contestant Nikki has dropped several hints she is dating Richie in interviews over the past few weeks.

Still in the running: Meanwhile, contestant Nikki has dropped several hints she is dating Richie in interviews over the past few weeks

Speaking to The West Australian in late July, The 29-year-old appeared to confess the pair are still in contact.

The real estate agent said: 'When I first met him I was in his eyes immediately. And thats something that continues... continued, continued.'

Nikki later spoke to NW Magazine about her relationship with Richie, again strongly hinting it is not in the past.

The Bachelor series finale airs at 7.30pm on Network Ten
As a model and actress, Joanna Krupa has an appreciation for how much work goes into looking glamorous for the cameras.

And on Tuesday, as the star shot scenes for Poland's Next Top Model in Madrid, she decided to wait until the last minute to reveal her stunning black minidress.

The 37-year-old shrouded her scintillating cutout number with a large patterned wrap and a turquoise quilted jacket while she wore black flip-flops before shooting.

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Model behaviour: Joanna Krupa was seen shooting scenes for Poland's Next Top Model in Madrid, Spain on Tuesday

As she stepped out on the Spanish streets, Joanna even wrapped the accessory around her blonde tresses as she waited to shoot her scenes.

And once it was time for the action, the Warsaw native looked a world away from her wrapped-up look, as she peeled away the layers to reveal her dress.

Her long-sleeved frock of choice boasted lines of metallic pins holding together the sweeping cut-outs, which worked their way down to an asymmetrical hemline.

It's a wrap! Before going in front of cameras, the Polish model kept herself tightly under wraps

Hotline bling: She appeared to be engrossed in her phone as she waited around on location

Social: She chatted away with a member of the crew as she prepared to go before cameras

As she pouted for the cameras, Joanna stood tall in a pair of metallic heels, doing away with the black sandals, which had previously kept her feet comfortable.

And she was seen applauding the modelling hopefuls as she stood alongside her fellow judges.

Dancing With The Stars and Reals Housewives Of Miami alum Joanna has become committed to activism in recent years.

Big gig: She has served as a host and judge on Poland's Next Top Model since 2010

Reality: She has also appeared on Dancing With The Stars and The Real Housewives of Miami

In 2009, she appeared in PETA's Angels for Animals campaign, which ignited the fury of the Catholic League over its use of the cross.

Other PETA appearances include a 2015 ad promoting their boycott of SeaWorld, which featured her undressed again, only this time painted black and white in order to mimic the appearance of the theme park's captive Orcas.

Joanna, who is married to 43-year-old nightclub owner Romain Zago, has served as a host and judge on Poland's Next Top Model since 2010.

The final countdown: Crew members were seen getting Joanna ready as she prepared to shoot

It's showtime! Once she was camera ready, the star ditched her flip-flops for metallic heels

Applause: Joanna looked enthusiastic and she and her fellow judges perused the hopefuls
She famously bid farewell to her EastEnders alter-ego Peggy Mitchell in May, after her character's battle with breast cancer was revealed as her final storyline.

And Dame Barbara Windsor looked elated as she reunited with her former BBC co-star Jake Wood on Tuesday night for a double date with their respective partners.

The beloved 79-year-old actress looked phenomenal in a red-and-blue lip-print top as she exited London's upscale Ivy restaurant with her dapper pal.

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Enjoying a night out: Dame Barbara Windsor, 79, reunited with her former EastEnders co-star Jake Wood on Tuesday at The Ivy in London

Looking much younger than her years, the talented actress made a statement in her bold top, which she paired with light blue trousers.

Tapered around her ankle, she teamed it with a glamorous pair of shiny matching heels which boosted her frame.

With her signature blonde bob coiffed to perfection, Barbara beamed as she was joined by Jake - who recently returned to the role of Max Branning in the hit soap after a year-long hiatus.

Making a statement: The national treasure looked phenomenal in a red-and-blue lip-print top as she exited London's upscale Ivy restaurant with her dapper pal

Double date! Jake was joined by his stunning wife of five years, Alison, who wowed in a little black dress, while Barbara's husband Scott Mitchell also looked suave

Looking like he belonged in the spotlight, the British star stepped out in a stylish combination of jeans, a white T-shirt, navy blazer and brown boots.

Jake was joined by his stunning wife of five years Alison, who wowed in a little black dress, while Barbara's husband Scott Mitchell also looked suave.

The Shoreditch-born actress appears to be enjoying her soap retirement and was the guest of honour at the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On earlier this month.

Speaking to The Blackpool Gazette, Barbara said: 'Its been a big year for me.

Goodbye: She famously bid farewell to her EastEnders alter-ego Peggy Mitchell in May, not long after her character's battle with breast cancer was revealed as her final storyline

'I asked Peggy Mitchell to die and now Im ending it with something Ive always wanted to do.'

The star's emotional final episode in EastEnders moved fans of the show to tears, with many taking to Twitter in their droves.

Having made her debut on the series in 1994, the former landlady of the Queen Vic poignantly left the show after her much-loved character decided to commit suicide.
As has always been the chase throughout the history of the entire franchise, few details have been released about the anticipated Star Wars: Episode VIII.

But Adam Driver, who joined the cast as Kylo Ren for 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, says the script's tone will be hugely different to last year's installment.

In an interview with Collider, the 33-year-old Girls star has revealed that the upcoming film is reminiscent of 1980 classic The Empire Strikes Back.

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Nugget of information: Adam Driver has revealed details of the script for Star Wars: Episode VIII in a new interview with Collider

And Adam has expressed his joy that writer-and-director Rian Johnson isn't 'dumbing down' the script for audiences.

Asked what the script is like, he told the website: 'It's great. It's similar to how The Empire Strikes Back has a different tone.

'For that people always go, "Oooh, it's dark", but I don't know that it necessarily is. It's just different in tone in a way that I think is great and necessary but also very clear.

Similar: The actor has compared the upcoming film to 1980 epic The Empire Strikes Back

'He trusts [that] his audience is ready for nuance and ambiguity. He's not dumbing anything down for someone and that's really fun to play.'

Adam also praised the new helmsman for the ease in which he has taken over from J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan in writing for his character.

He said: 'Rian is coming into something that we kind of set up and he just took it to the next level in a really great way.

Telling it like it is: Adam has praised the new script for not pandering to audiences

'He wrote it, too, and Rian's writing is so clear. I learned a lot of things about my character through his writing.

'To understand what J.J. was doing and take ownership from there is kind of a remarkable thing.'

In June, several leaks for the highly anticipated space opera were shared by YouTube user Mike Zeroh.

Awakening: Adam, in black, first appeared as Kylo Ren in 2015's The Force Awakens

Can it be true? A fan revealed several leaks on Episode VIII in June, which include the advanced Jedi powers of Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, pictured here at the end of The Force Awakens

The fan claimed that he received an email from a source - who he says accurately gave him information on Episode VII before its release - about a new scene where Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) spectacularly dismantles a lightsaber in front of Rey's (Daisy Ridley) eyes.

The email read: 'Luke takes his arm out and uses the force and pulls the lightsaber from Rey gently, her lightsaber floats through the air in between them, slowly going to Luke's hand as he grabs it.

'The next sequence is of Luke Skywalker taking out his other hand and his lightsaber floats out of his belt, at this point Luke has two hands semi raised up with two lightsabers, green on the left and blue on the right.

New reveal: According to a source, Luke dismantles a lightsaber in front of Rey, played by Daisy Ridley

'From what has been described, Luke closes his eyes and dismantles both lightsabers, all metal and components removed into pieces, all the building blocks of both lightsabers are separated into tiny bits and pieces, leaving only two crystals, one in each hand (green over left and blue over right hand) and informs her about the importance of the Crystals.'

Meanwhile, a previously leaked script appeared to share details about Rey's background.

In the scene, Luke tells Rey about the origins of the Jedi, which started with a boy and a girl living on a planet with their parents.

Like magic: The email read: 'Luke takes his arm out and uses the force and pulls the lightsaber from Rey gently, her lightsaber floats through the air in between them, slowly going to Luke's hand as he grabs it

The children manage to secure weird powers before the boy tries to kill the girl.

Thinking he has got rid of his sister, he joins the Dark Side but she actually survives and becomes the founder of the Jedi order.

Episode VIII will be the tenth installment in the Star Wars film series, and the second in the Star Wars sequel trilogy following Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The film, produced by Lucasfilm and distributed worldwide by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis and Benicio del Toro, among others.

The last one was a good set up: At the end of Force Awakens, Luke comes into contact with Rey and it's made clear he will be her new teacher just as Yoda once was to him

Some scenes, which required shooting at Skellig Michael in Ireland, took place during pre-production in September 2015, while principal photography began at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom in February 2016.

Principal photography begun on February 10, 2016. Filming took place in Dubrovnik from March 9 to March 16. Shooting ended in the summer.

Star Wars: Episode VIII is scheduled for release on December 15, 2017.

Episode IX, the final installment of the sequel trilogy, is scheduled for release on May 24, 2019, and will be directed by Colin Trevorrow with Rian Johnson writing a story treatment for the film.
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have welcomed a new son into their family.

InTouch Weekly reports that the parents of 19 have taken in the 8-year-old son on Michelle's niece Rachel Hutchins after his 'unemployed and homeless' mother struggled to care for him.

Court documents show that the pair have been granted temporary custody of the child, with a hearing scheduled for November to determine whether or not they will be able to adopt the young boy.

'There's a strong hope that once that happens they will be able to adopt him,' a source told the magazine.

'They didn't have to think long about coming to the boy's rescue. Helping this little angel was an answer to their prayers.'

The news comes a little over a year after it was revealed that the Duggars' eldest son Josh had molested four of his minor sisters when he was a teenager.

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New baby: Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar have adopted the 8-year-old son of Michelle's niece Rachel Hutchins (l to r: Jessa, Joy Anna, Janna, Michelle, Carolyn, Rachel and her son, Jinger and Jill in 2014)

Tough times: Hutchins was arrested and charge with felony breaking and entering this past April (mugshot above)

Hutchins' has reportedly already signed the papers giving the Duggars custody of her son.

She is on probation for three years after being arrested this past April on felony charges of breaking and entering.

'She's a good person, but she's made some bad decisions,' said an insider.

Her current situation is not known, but according to Facebook she is engaged to a man named Michael Wright. She gave birth to her son as an unwed teenager.

Hutchins first gave up custody in August 2015, months before her arrest, to Michelle's sister Carolyn.

The Duggars then took custody of the young boy after Carolyn suffered a stroke this past July.

The family has spent a good amount of time with Rachel and the young boy in the past, with Hutchins frequently posting photographs of them together on her Facebook page.

Michelle has also frequently talked about her desire to have another child, having given birth to a stillborn daughter in December 2011 that she named Jubilee Shalom.

Close: Hutchins frequently posted photos of her self with the Duggar family (above with Jinger)

Forms: The documents granting the Duggar family custody (left) and their adoption hearing date (right)

Problems: It was revealed last may that the Duggars eldest son Josh had molested four of his sisters when he was a teenager (Josh and wife Anna in February 2015)

The timing of the adoption could however cause problems for the Duggar family.

It was revealed in May that Josh had molested multiple minors when he was a teenager, and in June the family confirmed that four of the five victims were his own sisters.

Then in July, TLC announced they would be cancelling the family's show 19 Kids and Counting, but featuring Jessa and Jill in their sexual abuse special.

Josh was never charged with a crime for the incidents as by the time police learned of the offenses the statue of limitations had passed, and his parents did not notify authorities in an official capacity at any point after learning about their son's actions.

The insider said however that the Duggars have no worries that this might hurt their chances of getting custody of the young boy come November.

'They believe there should be no problems at the November hearing,' said the insider.
Amy Adams looked relaxed and content Tuesday in New York City as she took a evening stroll through the city while chatting on her phone.

The Catch Me If You Can, 42, star wore a button-up black skirt with a long grey coat and heels, clutching onto a brown purse as she made her way through Manhattan looking carefree.

The ravishing redhead was coming off a busy weekend at the Toronto International Film Festival promoting her upcoming film Arrival, an extraterrestrial thriller that reunites her with American Hustle co-star Jeremy Renner.

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A reason to smile: Amy Adams, 41, was snapped strolling through NYC Tuesday, after returning from a successful outing at the Toronto International Film Festival, where she promoted her upcoming film Arrival

Bad connection?: The actress spoke on the phone as she made her way down the Big Apple streets

On the upswing: The redhead beauty's career continues to flourish, as she has a number of exciting projects and releases lined up through next year

An earful: The actress had a green sweatshirt dangling from her arm on the jaunt through Gotham

In the sci-fi thriller, Adams plays the role of Dr. Louise Banks, a language expert recruited by the military after a dozen mysterious spaceships begin to hover above the earth, leading to a potential global crisis that threatens the existence of all mankind. Banks is also dealing with personal upheaval, having lost her daughter to cancer.

Speaking with Deadline at the festival Monday, the Golden Globe winner - who has a daughter named Aviana, aged six years, with her artist husband Darren Le Gallo - said that Arrival 'felt like a mothers story.

'I think that it didnt remind me of a film, was kind of what attracted me to it,' Adams said. 'It had a uniqueness that belonged to it.'

Reunited: The actress was in top form over the weekend at the TIFF, where she walked the red carpet alongside Arrival co-star Jeremy Renner

Ready for her close-up: The A-list beauty cut a fab figure walking the red carpet at the festival's Arrival premiere

Coming soon: Arrival tells the story of a military response to an extraterrestrial visit

Also on Monday, Adams praised the film's director, Denis Villeneuve, as she said she was inspired working with the filmmaker, who was also behind the lens of movies such as 2013's Prisoners and 2010's Incendies.

'Denis was a joy to work with,' the Oscar-nominated stunner told reporters. 'He is so much fun and has so much passion and so much love for what he does and you feel it every day when you arrive on set.

'I always felt so supported ... hes the best.'

A meaty part: Adams said that her role in the film as a brilliant-yet-troubled linguist was taxing

Last month, Adams told USA Today her Arrival role took an emotional toll on her, explaining how her character 'felt real, like somebody I would know and somebody I would like to have a conversation with.

'Emotionally, the journey she takes in this was devastating to me,' said the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice beauty, who will reprise the role of Lois Lane in next year's Justice League,

Arrival arrives in theaters November 11.
She is usually seen walking gracefully up and down high-end fashion catwalks while modelling designer ensembles.

But on Wednesday, model Jennifer Hawkins switched the runways for a farm as part of her latest ambassadorship with health company, Freedom Foods.

In a pictured shared to Instagram, the 32-year-old showed off her long toned legs as she dressed in a pair of denim skinny jeans.

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Hanging up the heels? Jennifer Hawkins showed off her long legs on Wednesday as she dressed in a pair of skinny jeans while on a farm for latest ambassadorship with Freedom Foods

She matched the tight-fitting trousers with a maroon and navy flannelette top, which she tucked in at the front while allowing it to over hand at the rear.

Jennifer accessorised with a tan belt and matching ankle boots.

While wearing a beige cowboy-style hat, she allowed her luscious blonde locks to fall freely over her shoulders while styled with a natural wave.

Expanding: The day earlier she announced her latest signing with a health food company

Model behaviour: The 32-year-old explained she joined the team to help promote healthy living and fresh foods throughout Australia

The model also showed off her blemish-free complexion in the image as she opted for a nude base makeup, which included a black mascara and a light pink lipstick.

She captioned the photo: 'Farm life!! I could get use to this...So excited to be working with the amazing team at #FreedomFoods.'

The day earlier she announced her latest signing with a health food company.

Representing: Along with her most recent business venture, Jennifer is an ambassador for Mount Franklin and is also the face of the Trinity Point development at Lake Macquarie

Settled down: For the last seven years, she has also been busy representing Myer as a brand ambassador and model and most recently signed on for another two years

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, the model revealed she joined the Freedom Foods team in a bid to promote healthy living in Australia.

'In one of my first meetings with the team from Freedom Foods, they told me that 95 per cent of Australians do not shop in the health food aisle,' she said.

'I was amazed because I think its important for people to know where to find healthier options, and what brands to trust.'

Busy schedule: Jennifer is also the host and judge on Australia's Next Top Model

While revealing she will be the face of the company's upcoming campaign, Jennifer explained she joined the organisation because of her love for fresh foods and healthy living.

'I am very excited to be working with Freedom Foods; food is such an important part of my life and I have been a fan of their products for a few years now,' she said.

Along with her most recent business venture, Jennifer is an ambassador for Mount Franklin and also the face of the Trinity Point development at Lake Macquarie.

Many talents: The blonde beauty also founded JBronze (L) and Cozi swimwear (R)

For the last seven years, she has also been busy representing Myer as a brand ambassador and model and recently signed on for another two years.

Since 2012, Jennifer has also served as the host and judge on Australia's Next Top Model.

She founded Cozi swimwear, JBronze by herself, and Sesion Premium Tequila and J GROUP Projects & Developments with her husband Jake Wall.
She recently signed to prestigious Australian modelling agency Chadwick.

But Olena Khamula, 23, has been criticised by her former modelling agent, Stephen Muller of Next Model, for allegedly 'going behind his back' by signing with a new agent.

'Olena can work with someone else. I have never stopped her from getting work but there is a 20 percent of whatever she gets paid that would go to us the mother agent,' explained Muller in an interview with Confidential.

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'There is a 20 percent of whatever she gets paid': Olena Khamula, 23, has been criticised by her former modelling agent, Stephen Muller of Next Model, for allegedly 'going behind his back' by signing with a new agent.

'My concern is that this could have been done better and not behind my back,' he went on.

Olena responded to these claims by telling Confidential that 'there is no exclusivity agreement' on the Next Model website and that she is 'just looking for a new experience and a new start' at Chadwick.

According to Confidential, Muller claimed to have signed Olena on when she was 16.

Hitting back: Olena responded to these claims by telling Confidential that 'there is no exclusivity agreement' on the Next Model website and that she is 'just looking for a new experience and a new start' at Chadwick

She has since modelled on the catwalk, runway and for catalogues while also maintaining her business as a makeup artist.

Olena isn't the only Bachelor star to have signed with Chadwicks- Richie Strahan himself appears in the agency's books.

Upcoming Bachelorette contestant Sam Johnston is also signed with Chadwick.

History: According to Confidential, Muller claimed to have signed Olena on when she was 16

With Olena eliminated from The Bachelor on Wednesday night's episode, all eyes are on the show's two finalists as they enter the much-anticipated finale on Thursday.

Nikki is currently the bookmakers' favourite to win the heart of Richie Strahan, according to Sportsbet.

In the past few weeks, she has dropped several hints during interviews she is still dating the Perth rope access technician.

Coincidence? Olena isn't the only Bachelor star to have signed with Chadwicks- Richie Strahan himself appears in the agency's books
It is perhaps one of the highest profile dates in the New York Fashion Week calendar, and Michael Kors was given an appropriately high profile guest list as he unveiled his latest collection on Wednesday afternoon.

Taking front row seats ahead of the Spring-Summer 2017 catwalk show at Spring Studios, fashion forward actresses Sienna Miller and Emily Blunt were on hand to cast a seasoned eye over the new range of clothing.

Polka dots proved to be a recurring theme on the day, and both modelled the on-trend pattern during their appearance at the high-end event.

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Fashion forward: Actresses Emily Blunt and Sienna Miller were on hand to cast a seasoned eye over the Michael Kors Spring-Summer 2017 range at New York Fashion Week on Wednesday

Sienna, 34, opted for a generously cut monochrome dress with a plunging neckline and scalloped hem teamed with a matching neck scarf.

The accessory afforded her ensemble a bohemian flourish, while black and white peep-toe platform shoes continued Sienna's eye-catching monochrome effect.

Effortlessly styling her willowy blonde hair with a simple centre parting, the British star drew attention to her naturally pretty features while settling into her front row seat.

Pretty as a picture: Emily and Sienna looked stunning while posing for snaps

Side by side: The celebrated stars were in high spirits while occupying front row seats at New York's Spring Studios ahead of the runway event

In Vogue: Anna Wintour joined Sienna and Emily as Michael Kors unveiled their latest line

Sitting alongside her British compatriot, Emily, 33, displayed her style credentials in a chic spotted dress shirt.

The patterned garment offset her tailored blue trouser suit, distinctive in its own right by virtue of its over sized white button detail.

Both Sienna and Emily were in high spirits, and they offered beaming smiles while posing for a series of playful snaps.

The main man: The British stars were warmly greeted by designer Michael Kors following his runway launch on Wednesday afternoon

Well spotted! Sienna, 34, opted for a generously cut monochrome dress with a plunging neckline and scalloped hem teamed with a matching neck scarf

Let's talk: The actress settled down for a chat with US Vogue editor Anna, who continued the polka dot trend by wearing a blue and white spotted dress

The actresses were joined by US Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour - a front row mainstay at New York Fashion Week.

Opting for a sweeping spotted dress, the 66-year old continued the evident theme for polka dots as she settled down ahead of the show.

All three were on hand to watch runway models Kendall Jenner, Joan Smalls, Romee Strijdand and Bella Hadid display the latest designs from American designer Kors.

Stunning: Effortlessly styling her willowy blonde hair with a simple centre parting, the British star drew attention to her naturally pretty features

Easy tiger: The actress was in a playful mood while celebrating the latest Kors' launch

Say cheese: Sienna and Emily were the stars of the show at New York Fashion Week on Wednesday afternoon

Well defined: Sienna showed off her sculpted cheekbones while posing for photos

However there was a minor calamity when Bella - the younger sister of supermodel Gigi - took a tumble in her towering skyscraper heels.

Guests looked on in horror as she toppled onto her knees, but the model quickly remained her composure, a thin smile forming on her lips as she resumed her walk across the runway.

Various pieces from Kors' latest collection will be available for purchase immediately after his latest show draws to a close.

Here she comes: Guests watched as Kendal Jenner took to the catwalk

Top Stepper: Dasha Denisenko walked for the Michael Kors show in New York

Model behaviour: Romee Strijdand (L) and Joan Smalls (R) were also enlisted to model the latest range from American designer Kors

Catastrophe: However there was a minor calamity when Bella - the younger sister of supermodel Gigi - took a tumble in her towering skyscraper heels
He has been making audiences laugh for decades.

And Rob Schneider has another reason to smile.

The 52-year-old actor welcomed a bouncing baby girl into the world on Wednesday with his wife Patricia.

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Excited: Rob Schneider welcomed a bouncing baby girl into the world on Wednesday with his wife Patricia, as they are pictured together in New York back in February 2015

Rob took to his Twitter to announce the new addition to the family as her name is the same as one of the most beloved children's literary characters.

He wrote: 'The world just got 7.6 pounds more beautiful today.

'Madeline Robbie Schneider was born at 5:56am. Patricia and the baby are doing great!'

This is the second child together for the couple as they already have daughter Miranda Scarlett, who is three-and-a-half.

Proud papa: The 52-year-old actor wrote on Twitter: 'The world just got 7.6 pounds more beautiful today. 'Madeline Robbie Schneider was born at 5:56am. Patricia and the baby are doing great!'

The Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo star also has a 27-year-old musician daughter named Elle King whom he shares with model London King.

Just days ago Patricia looked ready to pop as she posted a selfie featuring her burgeoning baby belly.

She rocked a purple and white paisley patterned dress with the caption: 'Pinata style!!'

Ready to pop! Patricia posted this selfie just a few days ago featuring her burgeoning baby belly

Earlier this month, the television producer posted an adorable photo from a family night out with Rob and their daughter Miranda.

Patricia could be seen with her arm around the youngster as she captioned the photo: 'Family night out!! [family emoji].'

Schneider could currently be seen in his Netflix series Real Rob as it was recently renewed for a second season.
Not even rising temperatures could keep Megan McKenna away from her tanning lotion on Wednesday afternoon as the UK continued to bask in a post-summer heatwave.

Sporting an orange bikini, the TOWIE star, 23, showed off her lithe physique while applying fake tan in a post shared with her Instagram followers.

Seemingly keen to show off the results of her beauty regimen, Megan admitted shed been taken aback by the Indian summer that has swept across much of the United Kingdom.

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Tantastic: Not even rising temperatures could keep Megan McKenna away from her tanning lotion on Wednesday afternoon

Captioning the shot, she wrote: 'What is with this September weather!?! It's so warm, getting my @bondisands tan on! Picked some up from @bootsuk earlier#bondisands #spon #tan #september#summer.'

The TV personality was sharing her latest post shortly after enjoying a sunshine break in Barcelona with boyfriend Pete Wicks.

Taking to her Instagram page last Friday, Megan posted a photo of the pair enjoying their final dinner of lobster, smiling with two large glasses of wine in hand.

Smitten: The TV personality was sharing her latest post shortly after enjoying a sunshine break in Barcelona with boyfriend Pete Wicks

Sumptuous: Taking to her Instagram page last Friday, Megan posted a photo of the pair enjoying their final dinner of lobster, smiling with two large glasses of wine in hand

The couple, who have been dating since Megan joined the ITVBe show in March, looked more loved-up than ever after a week of alone time together away from Essex drama.

After one last evening of indulgence, the pair announced the next day that they were heading back home to their stomping ground of Essex.

Not letting one last opportunity to show off her bikini body go to waste, Megan displayed her abs on Instagram once again as she posed in a crop top at the airport, writing to fans: 'Professional jet setter over here - en route to Essex!'

The posts were certainly more tame than Megan's previous update, in which she and her other half were running a bath.

Going completely naked, Megan covered her modesty with her arms wrapped around her legs but Pete used girlfriend's body to cover his intimate areas.
She's been getting a lot of exposure since her sultry Carl's Jr All Natural Burger ad during Super Bowl 2015.

Charlotte McKinney was chilling and spilling some too while joining a friend for an evening at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old stunner did just that while wearing a clingy grey top with lace-up front along with a pair of dark denim jeans that molded to her curves.

Chilling and spilling: Charlotte McKinney proved why she's the IT girl as she enjoyed an evening out at the Chateau Marmont in LA on Tuesday

Charlotte's now-famous cleavage was spilling out even as she was chilling out at the historic celebrity hangout.

Her waist-length locks were thick clusters of waves pouring over her shoulders and down her back

A swipe of pastel pink lipstick brightened up her features that relied on neutral beige and brown shadow and golden glowing bronzer.

Networking: The 23-year-old donned a lace-up top and jeans with glittery heels while taking in the celebrity scene at the historic hangout

Sign of success: Charlotte smiled a little as she glanced down at her cell phone

The model-turned-actress clutched a small black bag while stepping outside in her glittery silver-strapped high heels.

Moviegoers will get to see more of Charlotte in the upcoming Baywatch movie starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Zac Efron.

Although the nature of her role hasn't been revealed, she joins a bevy of beauties including Alexandra Daddario, Kelly Rohrbach, Priyanka Chopra and Brazilian stunner Izabel Goulart.

Adieu: The Baywatch star tossed her long blonde hair as she climbed into a waiting car with her friend

While Charlotte's career seems to be on the fast track, her romance with actor Stephen Dorff, 43, fizzled out over the summer.

Page Six reported in July that she broke up with the Blade actor over his 'other women.'

'He was fooling around with other women,' a source told the news site.

Single-minded: Charlotte has been stepping out quite a bit on her own since breaking up with actor Stephen Dorff earlier this summer

'Charlotte has been dating Stephen for a while, but he carried on texting other women and inviting them over to his house on the beach in Malibu.'

The source added: 'July Fourth weekend... there were all these random people in his house. Charlotte has had enough of him.'

Charlotte has been wasting no time getting out there and was spotted at Craig's restaurant in West Hollywood on September 9, looking sultry in a black crop top and matching mini-skirt.

She also enjoyed a splash in the ocean during a recent holiday in Hawaii with a male friend earlier this month.
She's no stranger to an attention-stealing ensemble during a night on the town.

And Jemma Lucy, 28, turned to a dress designed by pal Vicky Pattison, on Tuesday, as she stepped out in Manchester in a vivid pink and orange number.

Seemingly taking inspiration from the wrapper of Fruit Salad sweet, the eye-catching design was more reserved than Jemma's usual choice of attire.

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Colourful: Jemma Lucy, 27, turned to a dress designed by pal Vicky Pattison, on Tuesday, as she stepped out in Manchester in a vivid pink and orange number

With its Bardot cut and below-the-knee length, the bodycon dress was no doubt designed with a glam occasion in mind.

The heavily-tattooed reality star teamed the dress with a pair of pale blue heels and a number of statement bangles.

Jemma covered her plump pout with a slick of glossy pink lipstick, and her eyes were decorated with a metallic shadow.

Work it: Seemingly taking inspiration from the wrapper of Fruit Salad sweet, the eye-catching design was more reserved than Jemma's usual choice of attire

She tied her brunette locks up in a bun and posed with her hands on her hips while stood on the pavement.

Jemma and her EOTB co-star Stephen Bear appear to have struck up a firm friendship since their departure from the show.

The pair touched down in Dublin on Monday following days of larking around together.

The tattoo model went low-key for her jaunt to the Irish capital - looking worlds away from the extremely racy selfie she shared a day later - as she opted to shed her knickers for a busty snap.

Reality pals: Jemma and her EOTB co-star Stephen Bear appear to have struck up a firm friendship since their departure from Ex On The Beach

Before their trip the pair stripped down to their underwear for an impromptu photoshoot, with Bear covering Jemma's mouth with his instantly recognisable skull tattoo.

Both Bear and Jemma returned to EOTB for the all-star fifth season.

Jemma has caused quite a stir in the most recent three episodes, with her behaviour growing increasingly erratic as she beds and brawls her way through the show.

Having shared a bed with Geordie Shore's Gary 'Gaz' Beadle on the first night of the Thailand-based series, the star has become locked in a series of feuds.

After Holly Rickwood entered the programme and enjoyed a date with Jemma's ex David Hawley, the tattooed star consequently threatened to rip out her hair extensions as the pair locked into a furious fight.
Leonardo DiCaprio reunited with his girlfriend of four months, Nina Agdal, for a romantic dinner date at Cipriani Downtown in Manhattan Tuesday.

The 41-year-old Oscar winner and the casually-clad 24-year-old were seen leaving the Italian restaurant's exclusive upstairs section together.

Earlier that night, the Dakota Access Pipeline protester took three smoke breaks with his trusty vaporizer outside the UNITAS Gala Against Human Trafficking.

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Still going strong! Leonardo DiCaprio reunited with his girlfriend of four months, Nina Agdal, for a romantic dinner date at Cipriani Downtown in Manhattan Tuesday

Top-bunning: The 41-year-old Oscar winner and the casually-clad 24- year-old were seen leaving the Italian restaurant's exclusive upstairs section together

Inside Capitale, Leonardo - rocking a goatee and grey flatcap - mingled with Jaimi Diner.

After Nina's grandmother Lona told the Daily Mail DiCaprio 'will get me to deal with' if he breaks her heart, the IMG Model confirmed as much.

'She's very protective,' Denmark-born Agdal told New York Post of her 'mormor' at last month's W Dubai bash.

Polluting the air: Earlier that night, the Dakota Access Pipeline protester took three smoke breaks with his trusty vaporizer outside the UNITAS Gala Against Human Trafficking

Rubbing elbows: Inside Capitale, Leonardo - rocking a goatee and grey flatcap - mingled with Jaimi Diner

'She follows me on Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook. She's on everything. She is definitely a modern grandma. It has its downsides, but it's cool.'

The SI Swimsuit stunner previously romanced Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine and The Wanted boybander Max George.

It usually takes Nina about 20 pictures to narrow down the perfect bikini selfie.

'She's very protective': After Nina's grandmother Lona (M) told the Daily Mail DiCaprio 'will get me to deal with' if he breaks her heart, the IMG Model confirmed as much

Denmark-born Agdal told New York Post of her 'mormor': 'She follows me on Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook. She's on everything. She is definitely a modern grandma. It has its downsides, but it's cool'

'I don't really like my boobs so much, so I kind of do a lot of back shots': It usually takes the SI Swimsuit stunner about 20 pictures to narrow down the perfect bikini selfie

'[That way] you have a bunch to pick from. I don't really like my boobs so much, so I kind of do a lot of back shots,' the Entourage actress noted.

The Burning Man enthusiast will next head up Target Style's upcoming fashion campaign alongside an Afghan Hound.

Meanwhile, the Revenant actor produced and stars in Fisher Stevens' globetrotting climate change documentary Before the Flood, which airs October 30 on the National Geographic Channel.

'Feeling twinning #vibes on set!' The Burning Man enthusiast will next head up Target Style's upcoming fashion campaign alongside an Afghan Hound
She has lived anything other than The Simple Life.

And Paris Hilton has appropriately named her new fragrance Gold Rush, which she unveiled at The Build Series in New York on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old blonde opted for a loose fitting blue mesh dress with a tight bodice and short sleeves as she posed flirtatiously on the arrivals carpet.

Promotion time! Paris Hilton was at The Build Series in New York on Wednesday to discuss her latest fragrance Gold Rush

She accentuated her small waist by wearing a thin black belt around her torso.

She styled her signature locks into flowing big waves as she went for a dramatic side parting.

As well as launching a new fragrance, Pairs has also been bust with several business ventures.

Pretty: The 35-year-old blonde opted for a loose fitting blue mesh dress with a tight bodice and short sleeves

Recently, the former party girl and socialite has opened multiple resorts, opened fifty eponymous boutiques across the globe and created lines of makeup and skin care.

With her hectic schedule it's no wonder the great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton finds it tough to find a man.

'I'm so busy with my work that I don't even have time for a relationship or even myself, so I would love to find someone someday that I could trust to have a family with but I don't know, in my line of work it's very hard,' she explained to The Mirror.

Perfect accessory: She accentuated her small waist by wearing a thin black belt around her torso

Traditional look: She styled her signature locks into flowing big waves as she went for a dramatic side parting

She went on to talk about being an Aunt to her sister Nicky's baby:

'When I held her for the first time, I was crying with happiness and I've never seen my sister so happy that makes me emotional'.

When asked if looking at her sister's growing family did it make her broody and eager to settle down, Paris confessed she wasn't sure if it was in the cards for her.
Reese Witherspoon put her money where her mouth is.

The actress launched her fashion brand Draper James last May, and on Wednesday, she was spotted in Brentwood giving it a fine bit of advertisement.

The 40-year-old left the elegant Tavern restaurant showcasing her impressively toned legs in her company's tweed shift dress.

Posh destinations: On Wednesday, Reese Witherspoon was spotted leaving the elegant Tavern restaurant in Brentwood

She accessorised the dress with a pale pink purse, as well as as large gold watch and gold bracelet and several rings.

A pair of white stilettos splotched with a brown pattern completed her outfit. Round tortoiseshell sunglasses were perched in front of flowing platinum blonde hair.

The Legally Blonde star's grandparents, Dorothea Draper and William James Witherspoon, inspired the name of her company. The tweed shift dress currently sells on the website for $250 (188.99).

As far as film projects go, the Academy Award winner is one of the voice stars of the animated musical Sing, which is due for a mass release in America this December and in Britain next January.

Promotion: She was wearing a tweed shift dress from her own fashion brand, Draper James, which she launched last May

The Wild actress will play a pig opposite leading man Matthew McConaughey, whose koala character is struggling to keep his theatre open. Their castmates include Scarlett Johansson, Seth MacFarlane, Leslie Jones, Nick Offerman and Jennifer Saunders.

Last Sunday, the film celebrated its world premiere at the Princess of Wales Theatre during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Witherspoon, who wore an elegant pale pink miniskirt flecked with a green floral pattern, told DailyMail.com on the red carpet: 'I think it's a real sort of wish-fulfillment movie. I think a lot of people always have dreams.'

The mother of three added: 'My character is a mom of 25 kids, so she always sort of put her dreams to the side, and I think a lot of parents can relate to that.'

In the offing: She will be voicing a pig in the animated musical Sing, which will open in American cinemas this December and in Britain next January
American formerly held in Cuba hails coming age of internet freedom

Alan Gross, the American contractor imprisoned for five years in Cuba before a thaw in relations between Havana and Washington, said in an interview with AFP that he would return to the island "in a heartbeat" despite his ordeal.

Gross, interviewed in Miami, said he still believes passionately in the mission that took him to Cuba -- spreading "connectivity" to the island famous for its lack of internet access.

But he said conditions are slowly improving from what they were even a few short years ago.

Alan Gross (C), recently freed after being held in Cuba since 2009, pumps his fist after being recognized by US President Barack Obama during the State of the Union speech in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 20, 2015 in Washington, DC Rob Carr (Getty/AFP/File)

"What I was able to observe was that despite foreign citizens coming to Cuba using internet, if a Cubano would walk into a hotel and tried to use the internet they would either be thrown out or arrested," he said on the sidelines of a conference in Miami.

"By June of 2013 all of that changed, the laws changed in Cuba. Internet became legal for all Cubanos," Gross said.

The two-day Cuba Internet Freedom Conference wrapped up in Miami on Tuesday, with Gross one of its key participants. The gathering was sponsored by The Free Cuba Foundation, a US-based group working for democracy on the communist-ruled island.

Cuba freed Gross on humanitarian grounds in December 2014 at the request of the United States, five years after arresting him.

He was arrested for distributing communications equipment to members of the island's Jewish community while working as a contractor for the US Agency for International Development.

Gross denies that he was engaged in espionage, or in trying to spread a political message to Cubans.

"It's very consistent with the better part of my career in enabling people to have connectivity," he told AFP, adding that his work in Cuba involved bringing to the island "only with the technology, no content, no democracy, none of that stuff. Only the technology."

He added that he is heartened that the work he gave up five years of his life for -- the spread of internet access in Cuba and around the world -- seems to be taking hold.

"It's a message that says internet freedom is at the forefront of our thinking now, because so many aspects of our lives are associated with our ability to connect," Gross said.
White House trip marks Suu Kyi's journey from icon to politico

President Barack Obama rolls out the red carpet for Myanmar's elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday, a visit that will signal her transition from democratic idol to politician.

The 71-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate is barred by military constitution from heading Myanmar's government, but she will still get a leader's welcome in Washington.

On her first visit to the United States since being elected last year, Suu Kyi will meet over three days with assorted cabinet secretaries, followed by talks with Obama and a coveted Oval Office grip-and-grin photo shoot.

US President Barack Obama (L) greets Myanmar's elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi during the ASEAN-US Summit in Vientiane on September 8, 2016 Ye Aung Thu (AFP/File)

The White House is keen to reinforce Suu Kyi's primacy as the de facto head of the government of Myanmar, also known as Burma.

In public there will be lofty rhetoric about freedom, peace and transition. But private talks between Obama and Suu Kyi are likely to focus on the nuts and bolts of governing.

After spending much of the last few decades under arrest, since her election last November she has taken the role of foreign minister and created a new position for herself as state counsellor.

As the de facto leader, she now presides over a skeletal government, an economy hollowed out by decades of kleptocratic dictatorship and a country riven with ethnic and religious violence.

The veteran campaigner must tackle all those problems while keeping an eye on still-powerful generals, lest they have second thoughts about democratic reform.

Since her election, Suu Kyi has shocked some of her more ardent Western supporters by following the junta's lead, most notably by refusing to recognize the Rohingya -- a persecuted Muslim minority group in the overwhelmingly Buddhist country.

Tens of thousands of stateless Rohingya have spent the past four years trapped in bleak displacement camps with limited access to health care and other basic services.

Privately, US officials acknowledge Suu Kyi is working with some very tough political constraints and dare not push the military, or the public, too far or too fast.

"She has to tackle problems one by one" said Ben Rhodes, a key Obama aide who has spearheaded the administration's Myanmar policy.

- US sanctions remain -

The biggest question for the Obama administration may be how far and how fast to lift remaining US sanctions.

In May, Washington lifted a host of financial and trade embargoes on state-owned banks and businesses.

But Obama has stopped short of rescinding an executive order that declares Myanmar a "national emergency" and underpins sanctions.

Scrapping that order would bring clarity to US firms thinking about doing business in Burma, helping the economy and with it Suu Kyi's government.

But it could also weaken US leverage and perhaps let the military off the hook.

Officers still control huge business conglomerates as well as crucial home, border and defense ministries.

They are also guaranteed a quarter of legislative seats, giving them a veto on the constitutional changes needed for deeper reforms -- including civilian control of the military.

"We'll want to hear from her directly about how she is viewing our sanctions regime," said Rhodes.

That may be tacit acknowledgement that the White House believes Suu Kyi -- like her father, a military officer who steered Burma toward independence from Britain -- can best navigate some perilous political shoals.

"It has been interesting to watch the transition that she has made from an icon to a politician, a democratically elected leader of a country," said Rhodes.
Strikes on IS group in Syria may have hit civilians: Pentagon

The Pentagon said it launched various strikes on Islamic State group forces in Syria over the past several days, including hits on some targets that "may have resulted in civilian casualties."

The incidents took place September 7, September 10 and September 12, according to a statement from CENTCOM.

It did not give a number of dead or injured.

Syrian soldiers set fire to an Islamic State (IS) group flag in the province of Homs in central Syria Joseph Eid (AFP/File)

But in the September 10 raid "near Ar Raqqah, Syria, a strike against an ISIL target may have resulted in the death of civilians near where the strike occurred," CENTCOM said, employing a alternate term used to refer to the jihadist group.

On September 7, a raid near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria, on an ISIL target, struck a non-military vehicle that drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft.

And September 12, a bombing near Ash Shaddadah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target another apparently non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft, CENTCOM added.
US 'surprised' at Chinese influence-buying in Australia

The US envoy to Canberra has raised concerns about China buying political influence in Australia, after a raft of revelations over Beijing's financial support for influential figures.

Political donations from foreign sources have become a highly sensitive issue in Australia, which last week saw the resignation of a leading opposition senator after he admitted taking payments to cover expenses.

"We have been surprised, quite frankly, at the extent of the involvement of the Chinese government in Australian politics," departing US ambassador John Berry said in The Australian newspaper on Wednesday.

A martial arts group performs a lion dance in Sydney's Chinatown Greg Wood (AFP/File)

"It is an entirely different matter when the government of China is able to directly funnel funds to political candidates to advance their national interests in your national campaign," Berry said.

"That, to us, is of concern. We cannot conceive of a case where a foreign donation from any government, friend or foe, would be considered legitimate in terms of that democracy."

Foreign donations are illegal in the United States, Australia's closest ally, and Berry urged Canberra to clean up.

"Our hope is that, in resolving this, Australia will consider doing what many other democracies have done: that is to protect their core responsibility against undue influence from governments that don't share our values."

The opposition Labor Party -- reeling from Senator Sam Dastyari's sudden downfall after a donor with links to the Chinese government paid for one of his expenses bills -- has proposed a ban on foreign donations in election campaigning.

Dastyari, a high-profile powerbroker, had also reportedly contradicted Labor and government policy on the South China Sea.

However Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Liberal Party has also received large donations from Chinese firms and individuals, often with links to the Beijing government, and has shown little appetite for a ban.

"Look, Australia is a sovereign nation, but I can see no argument of how a foreign government's involvement through political contributions advances Australia's interests," the envoy said.

"In our country it's illegal. It would be against the law for any foreign donation to be accepted by any level of government or member of government."

China's rise and its sweeping claims to the South China Sea have seen a dramatic sharpening of Sino-US rivalry.

Australia has also become increasingly concerned about the purchase of domestic infrastructure and land by foreigners, and recently banned a sale by the country's biggest private landowner to a Chinese-led consortium.

However, the government's first foreign land register last week showed that British and US investors own far more agricultural land in Australia than Chinese nationals do.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Liberal Party has received large donations from Chinese firms and individuals, often with links to the Beijing government Ye Aung Thu (AFP/File)
Iran banking hobbled by Western reluctance to engage

Despite hopes of a new dawn for Iran's economy after nuclear-related sanctions were lifted, major Western banks are reluctant to do business with the Islamic republic for fear of US retribution.

President Hassan Rouhani has said that to reach the target of eight-percent growth needed to modernise the industrial sector and relaunch the hobbled economy, Iran needs up to $50 billion in foreign investment every year.

But without the big foreign banks, that looks impossible.

President Hassan Rouhani has said that Iran needs up to $50 billion in foreign investment every year Atta Kenare (AFP/File)

"For the moment, the little European banks have agreed to work with us," said Parviz Aghili, head of the private Middle East Bank in Tehran.

They include banks from Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium, he said without naming them.

"But not a single medium-sized or big bank has so far agreed to do it," he added.

A major challenge is that while nuclear-related sanctions were rolled back in January under a landmark deal with major powers, the United States has maintained a raft of other penalties linked to ballistic missile testing and human rights violations.

Nearly 180 Iranian individuals and entities are still on the US sanctions list, notably the Revolutionary Guards, the ministries of defence, culture and intelligence, as well as defence companies, two airlines and several banks.

The Americans are "feeding a sort of Iranophobia so that in practice no one works with Iran," Amir Hossein Zamaninia, deputy oil minister, recently told the Middle East Eye website.

The limited number of institutions that do deal with the Islamic republic include Raiffeisen Bank and Erste Bank from Austria, Mediobanca and Banco Popolare of Italy, Germany's EIH, KfW and AKA banks, Belgium's KBC, ING of the Netherlands and Turkey's Halk, according to a banking expert in Tehran.

"These banks have established working relations with the Iranian banks to open letters of credit for fairly small sums of 10, 20 or 50 million dollars."

But they lack the resources to finance big projects like the deal struck between Iran and European aircraft manufacturer Airbus for 118 airplanes, or oil and gas development projects, the expert said.

- American hurdles -

"The main obstacle for banking relations is the US Treasury, which is putting pressure on all countries and is blocking banking relations and the lifting of sanctions," Alaeddin Boroujerdi, president of the Iran's parliamentary foreign affairs commission, said recently.

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control, linked to the US Treasury, has yet to sign off on the sale of around 100 Boeing planes agreed earlier this year, or even the 118 Airbus planes -- which it is blocking on the grounds that some of the parts are from the US.

Banks face a mountain of due diligence work when dealing with Iran to make sure they do not fall foul of any US regulations.

"Banks need to consider the nationality of any companies and people involved in a specific transaction, and the Iranian beneficiary of the transaction, due to the limitations imposed by remaining UN, US and EU sanctions," said Henry Smith, an Iran analyst for consultancy Control Risks.

Complaints from Iran are frequent, and dominate discussions with visiting officials and diplomats.

The situation has also frustrated European governments, who are desperate to tap into one of the last frontier markets.

"It's completely unacceptable," French Environment Minister Segolene Royal said in Tehran last month where she was trying to set up business links for renewables companies.

"It's a real problem. It's been raised by the Iranian ministers but also by French businesses."

- 'Black sheep' -

For those hoping that the nuclear deal might lead to a broader rapprochement between Iran and the West, the signs are troubling.

"The reluctance of banks to do business in Iran has clearly bolstered interest groups in Iran that were at best sceptical of the deal and whether the US and other negotiating parties could be trusted," said Smith, the analyst.

"This severely limits the already limited potential for future engagement between Iran and the US."

With Rouhani seeking re-election next year, hardliners have used the financial blockages to suggest that he sold out the country's defences for scant reward.

For Aghili, there are two problems that Iran must overcome.

"First, we must modernise the banking system to adapt to the new international banking rules that have evolved a lot," he said.

Iranian banks, which have been cut off from the world for 15 years, must apply the new rules adopted by the international community to fight money laundering and terrorist financing, he said.
Israel's Peres in critical condition after 'major' stroke

Former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres, the last of Israel's founding fathers, showed improvement Wednesday following a major stroke, but remained in critical condition, doctors said.

Concerns mounted for 93-year-old Peres, widely respected as an elder statesman both in Israel and abroad, after he suffered the stroke and bleeding on Tuesday.

"He is still in a critical condition, stable, but we can see some improvement," Yitzhak Kreiss, director of the Sheba Medical Centre at Tel Hashomer in Ramat Gan, told reporters outside the hospital near Tel Aviv.

Former Israeli president Shimon Peres delivers a speech in honour of the victims of the Paris attacks in Tel Aviv in November 2015 Jack Guez (AFP/File)

Peres was still sedated and breathing with a respirator, but doctors were seeking to reduce sedation to evaluate him and he was occasionally awake, Kreiss said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited his old rival's bedside and told reporters in Hebrew, "we feel some relief... because this evening he is better than he was yesterday evening".

"With God's help tomorrow he will be better than this evening," he added. "There is hope and there is prayer."

Peres, who was twice Israeli prime minister, has held nearly every major office in the country, including that of president, a mostly ceremonial post, from 2007 to 2014.

A former hawk turned dove, the highlight of his career came in 1994, when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Yitzhak Rabin and the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for his role in negotiating the Oslo accords with the Palestinians.

Peres's personal physician and son-in-law, Rafi Walden, said the former president's chances for survival were "pretty good," with no immediate threat to his life.

He added that Peres was responsive during treatment.

"When we lessened the sedation, he woke up -- not completely but definitely was responsive to our appeals to him," he told AFP.

"He squeezed my hand and was definitely listening and understanding what was happening."

Doctors have decided not to operate for the time being.

Zeev Feldman, president of the Israeli Neurosurgical Association and involved in Peres' treatment, told AFP "the fact that he regained consciousness gives us some cautious optimism".

"The processes can go wrong in the next 48-72 hours. Some situation may happen and that is why he is in intensive care," he said.

- 'Difficult times' -

Peres's son Chemi told journalists late Tuesday that "we are going to have to take difficult decisions apparently later, but not yet."

"Myself and my family members are going through difficult times, difficult hours," he said.

"I know that my father did not care about anything as much as he cares about people, as much as he cares about Israel, the Jewish people, and the people in Israel," he said.

"And I will take this opportunity on his behalf to send all of you his love."

Statements of concern flooded in from across the political spectrum and dozens of journalists gathered outside the hospital, Israel's largest, awaiting word on his condition.

President Reuven Rivlin said in a statement he was "following with concern the updates from the hospital, and pray together with the entire people for my friend Shimon's recovery."

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog also wished the elder statesman a rapid recovery.

Nickolay Mladenov, UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said he was praying for Peres, calling him "a patriarch of peace and progress".

- Daily gymnastics -

In January, Peres was hospitalised twice for heart trouble.

In the first instance, the hospital said he had suffered a "mild cardiac event" and underwent catheterisation to widen an artery.

He was rushed to hospital a second time days later with chest pains and an irregular heartbeat.

Peres has sought to maintain an active schedule despite his age, particularly through events related to his Peres Center for Peace.

When leaving hospital on January 19, Peres said he was keen to get back to work.

"I'm so happy to return to work, that was the whole purpose of this operation," he said.

In March, he met visiting US Vice President Joe Biden.

Peres once confided that the secret to his longevity was daily gymnastics, eating little and drinking one or two glasses of good wine.

Having earlier hawkishly rejected any compromise with hostile Arab states, he said he was converted after 1977, when Egyptian president Anwar Sadat made a historic visit to Jerusalem, leading to the first Arab-Israeli peace treaty.

Born in Poland in 1923, Peres emigrated to what was then British mandatory Palestine when he was 11.

He joined the Zionist struggle in the 1940s and while hitchhiking met David Ben-Gurion, who would become Israel's first prime minister.

He became director general of the nascent defence ministry at just 29 years old.

Beyond his accomplishments in the public eye, Peres was also seen as a driving force in the development of Israel's undeclared nuclear programme.

Shimon Peres John SAEKI (AFP)

Ayelet Frisch (centre) spokeswoman for former Israeli president Shimon Peres, holds a press conference at the Sheba Medical Centre in Tel HaShomer on September 14, 2016 Jack Guez (AFP)

Then Israeli president Shimon Peres, pictured in July 2011 in Tel Aviv Jack Guez (AFP/File)

Former Israeli president Shimon Peres, pictured in May, has held nearly every major office in the country Ahmad Gharabli (AFP/File)

Chemi Peres (right), the son of former Israeli president Shimon Peres, arrives to talk to journalists outside the Sheba Medical Centre, near Tel Aviv, on September 13, 2016 Jack Guez (AFP)
Archaeologists dig Afghanistan, map its cultural heritage

For archaeologists Afghanistan, rich in ancient treasures and once a key stop on the legendary silk road, is an "open-air museum", albeit one ravaged by war and plagued by looters.

After 30 years of conflicts, Afghanistan's cultural heritage is in dire straits, but one group of archaeologists is trying to put the country's historical sites back on the map - literally.

An international team is working to map the country's numerous sites and monuments with satellite imaging into a huge database -- a giant geographic information system (GIS).

For archaeologists Afghanistan, rich in ancient treasures and once a key stop on the legendary silk road, is an "open-air museum" Massoud Hossaini (AFP/File)

"The authorities have long feared encouraging looting by locating such sites... In fact, most have already been looted, " says Julio Bendezu-Sarmiento, a French-Peruvian archaeologist who heads the French Archaeological Delegation to Afghanistan (DAFA).

The project is going ahead now because "it is often the looters who are best informed about where the archaeological sites are," he adds, so a database will not affect this.

Afghanistan's location and the variety and abundance of its bountiful mines of gold, copper and precious stones make it an archaeological holy grail. The Afghan lapis-lazuli, a brilliant blue semi-precious gemstone, was used as decoration by the Egyptian pharaohs and the great kings of Assyria and Babylon, Bendezu-Sarmiento notes.

In DAFA's offices a large satellite image of the country, with its bust bowls, deep valleys and steep mountains, is shown on a widesceen display. Heritage sites are indicated by yellow, blue and red dots depending on whether they have been excavated, identified or only recently discovered.

The work consists of linking this mapping to each site in the database.

In 1982, under pressure from Soviet Russia which had invaded Afghanistan, DAFA -- who had been there since 1922 -- had to leave the country where they'd identified 1,286 heritage sites.

"Today, we've identified five times that," Bendezu-Sarmiento says.

On the map, there are numerous marks as the archaeologists try to connect information from the first excavations in the 1930s.

"The country is huge, with an enormous wealth of sites," says Elena Leoni, an Italian archaeologist specialising in Central Asia and GIS.

Leoni gives the example of the historical town of Balkh in northern Afghanistan, known to the ancient Greeks as Bactra, where an incredible amount of gold was discovered.

Often compared to the famed treasures discovered in the burial chamber of Egyptian king Tutankhamun, "L'Or de Balkh" is shown all over the world as part of a touring exhibition.

Thomas Lorain, the organisation's scientific secretary adds: "When one digs, one always stumbles across something."

- Copper vs. Buddhas -

Mohamed Nader Rassouli, a consultant at DAFA who is esteemed by his colleagues as a living "library of Afghan archaeology" and studied the subject in Russia in the 1960s, has seen his country's vast cultural heritage tragically squandered.

"Houses have been built over the sites around Kabul that DAFA excavated in 1937," he laments.

"And in the provinces, sites have been destroyed by looters and antiquities traffickers as well as people simply working in the fields," he adds.

For the Afghan authorities, the archaeological map will also serve as a tool for ministries to launch major development projects, explains Haroon Hakimi, spokesman for the ministry of culture.

"People say Afghanistan is an open-air museum," he says. "It is vital to identify these sites, then you know where they are when you want to build roads, operate mines or drill for oil."

This is especially important as the government is in the process of distributing mining concessions and according to sources plans to sign at least 25 contracts this year.

"Interest in mineral resources is not a modern thing and it was the desire to exploit and manage these resources that undoubtedly led to the creation of these great cities," Bendezu-Sarmiento says.

Mes Aynack, a huge historical site with thousands of Buddhas located south of Kabul, was discovered by a Chinese mining company because of the huge amounts of copper lying beneath the ruins.

The Metallurgic Corporation of China agreed to suspend its work there, but Afghan archaeologist Rassouli says many other sites remain at risk.

"Once this map is complete, it will be publicly available for people so that they can participate in its protection. Everyone must do their bit," Rassouli said.

Julio Bendezu-Sarmiento (L), head of the French Archaeological Delegation to Afghanistan (DAFA), with a small sculpture in Kabul Wakil Kohsar (AFP)
US billionaire echoes Rhodes with China scholarship

A US billionaire's giant gift to one of China's top universities for a programme echoing Oxford's Rhodes Scholarships comes as the country seeks to boost its schools' prestige while tightening ideological control in classrooms.

Tsinghua University in Beijing inaugurated its new Schwarzman College at the weekend, named after the co-founder of the Blackstone hedge fund Stephen Schwarzman, who donated $100 million and raised $350 million more to start the scheme.

The programme, a fully funded one-year master's degree intended to foster understanding of China, is in some ways reminiscent of the Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford.

Steve Schwarzman, Founding Trustee of Schwarzman Scholars delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the Schwarzman college at the Tsinghua university in Beijing on September 10, 2016 Nicolas Asfouri (AFP/File)

They were established by the will of British colonialist and mining magnate Cecil Rhodes, who died in 1902, for students who showed "moral force of character" and "instincts to lead", with the ultimate intent to "render war impossible".

At the opening ceremony, Schwarzman emphasised the role students would have in "fostering friendship, fellowship, and collaboration" between the US and China in a time of increasing geopolitical tensions.

"It is the paradox of our time that the innovations and progress that bring the world closer together often create conditions of fear and misunderstanding that could pull us apart," he said.

The first class of 110 Schwarzman Scholars, the vast majority from outside China, were welcomed by messages of support from a long roster of luminaries.

US President Barack Obama praised the programme for helping the US and China move forward "in deeper understanding and mutual respect", and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping lauded it for "planting the roots of global vision and encouraging the muse of innovation".

But Xi's official stamp comes as the Communist party decries the influence of "Western values" in schools.

Xi has overseen stricter media censorship and a crackdown on dissent, and has called for higher education to play a larger role in "ideological guidance", urging more teaching of Marxism.

Liberal scholars fear censorship, with several outspoken academics sacked or jailed, among them Uighur economics professor Ilham Tohti, convicted of separatism and sentenced to life.

William Nee of Amnesty International said restrictions on academia had "clearly intensified" in recent years.

"These are some of the risks that face Western organisations or universities when doing partnerships with their Chinese counterparts," he said.

"In the past, China has tried to go out of its way to give high-profile foreign dignitaries or academics the impression that it is much more open to rigorous academic debate than it actually is," he added.

Yale University president Peter Salovey dismissed such concerns, saying there would be "continued movement" towards greater academic freedoms in China, especially as more mainlanders travelled abroad.

Speaking in the Schwarzman College library, where the still largely empty shelves were dominated by dozens of copies of Xi's propaganda tome "The Governance of China", he said: "China recognises that creativity and innovation is a product of liberal education, so they want more of their students to be educated in that way."

- 'Special education zone' -

China has greatly expanded higher education as its economy has boomed, with universities and colleges more than doubling in numbers over the past decade.

But quality has lagged and even Tsinghua, one of China's most prestigious institutions, ranked just 59th on the US News and World Report's 2016 list of best schools worldwide.

Xi has set a goal for two Chinese universities to be ranked among the world's top ten within 20 years, said Schwarzman.

"You can't do that without opening yourself up for new experiences and new learning. We're part of that."

His fund has several business interests involving China, and in March sold $6.5 billion of luxury properties to Chinese insurer Anbang, which has helped fund the college.

The 25,000 square metre facility has courtyards and tiled roofs inspired by the East, but inside seeks to promote Western-style group work and camaraderie via myriad lounge-like common spaces and a dark-stooled student pub.

But one of Schwarzman's first beneficiaries, Princeton graduate Ella Cheng, 23, expressed doubts about the extent of integration.

Unlike most of the 70 percent male cohort, she speaks fluent Chinese and said: "The linguistic barrier is the primary thing keeping people from cross-cultural interaction and communication."

Schwarzman Scholars dean David Li described the facility as a "special education zone" where internet and academic censorship would not apply -- a reference to the special economic zones where China's reforms were first rolled out.

"Within this college, everything can be discussed at international standards of academic freedom, because our scholars come here to understand, not to provoke a revolution... [or] go to Tiananmen Square to protest," he said.

"They go home when they graduate and make changes in their own politics."

But not all Tsinghua students could enjoy the same liberties, he acknowledged.
Seven Niger soldiers killed by Boko Haram: army

Seven Niger soldiers were killed and eight others wounded in two separate attacks by Boko Haram Islamists over the past week, the army has said.

The two attacks took place in the southeastern Diffa region near the border with Nigeria, according to a military statement released late on Tuesday.

Five of them were killed in an ambush on Monday morning carried out by "members of the Boko Haram terrorist group" which also left six others wounded.

Niger soldiers patrol near a village in the Diffa region Issouf Sanogo (AFP/File)

In an earlier incident on September 8, two soldiers were killed and another two wounded when their patrol vehicle went over "an improvised explosive device", the statement said.

Earlier this month, five villagers were killed and two others wounded in the same area in another attack by the Nigeria-based jihadist group in the first such incident since early June.
'Lost' Aussie pelican a hit in the Philippines

An Australian pelican that strayed hundreds of kilometres from its nearest known habitat to end up in the Philippines is the first such bird to be seen in the Asian archipelago, wildlife enthusiasts said.

The waterbird flew into a fish breeding farm on the outskirts of the southern port of General Santos in early September, resident Levy Discamento told AFP.

"We saw a small flock of swallows chasing this big strange bird. There was an air battle until the big bird gave up and ran toward the mangroves," Discamento said, recounting his first sighting.

This Australian pelican, which strayed hundreds of kilometres from its nearest known habitat to end up in the Philippines, is the first such bird to be seen in the Asian archipelago Ferdinandh Cabrera (AFP)

The mostly white pelican -- a species which boasts the longest bill of any bird, measuring up to 47 centimetres (18.5 inches) -- has since attracted a flood of Filipino and foreign birdwatchers.

They rent dugouts to watch and photograph the bird while it gorges on fish in nearby Sarangani Bay, Discamento said.

"We feel (it) is a blessing, bringing good vibes to people," Jimmy Poja, a local fisherman, told AFP.

Willem van de Ven, a Manila-based biologist and president of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, said the species is found all over Australia and occasionally as far as New Zealand, some Polynesian islands, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia.

"General Santos is definitely the most northern place it has been recorded in recent history, and quite a bit farther than usual," he said.

He added that the birds, which do not migrate seasonally, have never been seen north of Indonesia's Sulawesi island, located more than 600 kilometres (370 miles) south of General Santos.

According to the club, the last previous pelican sighting in the country was in 2009 when a Dalmatian pelican was seen on the central island of Leyte but died a few days later.
Key Syria rebel supporter Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire

Saudi Arabia, a key backer of Syria's rebels, has welcomed a ceasefire brokered by Moscow and Washington, but stressed President Bashar al-Assad's regime must abide by it.

A foreign ministry source quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency said that the truce which began at sundown on Monday "will contribute to relieving the humanitarian suffering" in Syria, and Riyadh is following developments "with interest."

"The kingdom stresses the importance of Bashar al-Assad's regime and his allies abiding by this truce," the source said late Tuesday, expressing hope that it could ultimately lead to a peaceful transition of power.

A man carries three girls on a bicycle in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli on September 13, 2016 as a truce brokered by Russia and the United States saw guns fall silent at sundown the previous night Delil Souleiman (AFP)

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said late Tuesday that there were reports of a "significant drop in violence" since the truce took effect.

But he said no aid had yet reached besieged civilians as foreseen by the truce deal because the UN was still seeking assurances for the safety of relief convoys.

Saudi Arabia has been a major backer of Islamist rebel groups in the civil war that erupted in Syria in 2011.

It was instrumental in the formation late last year of the High Negotiations Committee, an umbrella group uniting an array of rebel and political opposition factions.

Its rival Iran, the main regional backer of the Assad regime, has also welcomed the truce.
The sanctions game: US mulls rewriting Myanmar blacklist

Rolling back US sanctions on Myanmar will top the agenda Wednesday as President Barack Obama hosts democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi, with American firms desperate to tap millions of consumers once cut off by the former junta.

The Nobel laureate, who is Myanmar's de facto leader, helped persuade the West to impose sanctions during her years under house arrest.

In a symbol of the democratic change sweeping her country, one of the poorest in Asia, she now holds the key to unlocking the nation to US businesses as a reward for its peaceful elections last year.

US President Barack Obama (L) greets Myanmar's elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi during the ASEAN-US Summit in Vientiane on September 8, 2016 Ye Aung Thu (AFP/File)

"We'll want to hear from her directly about how she is viewing our sanctions regime," said Obama aide Ben Rhodes.

But not everyone is happy. Some activists say sanctions must remain to keep the still-powerful military in line.

- What are the sanctions ? -

US sanctions on Myanmar target more than 100 people and companies linked to the former junta.

Americans are banned from any dealings with those on the blacklist, or with the companies they own; have to report new investments over $5 million, and cannot import rubies or jadeite from Myanmar.

The list includes military-owned conglomerates, such as Myanmar Economic Holdings, and firms linked to so-called "cronies" like Steven Law's Asia World Co, which built Yangon's airport.

Sanctions also target companies trading with Myanmar's resources, including gems, such as Myanmar Ruby Enterprise and Myanmar Imperial Jade.

- What is the impact of the blacklist? -

While some major brands including Colgate, Chevron and Coca-Cola have taken the plunge, most US companies say sanctions make it too expensive and dangerous to invest in Myanmar.

The military elite and their cronies still control much of the economy through a network of opaque holding companies.

Coca-Cola was left red-faced last year when Global Witness discovered its local partner was linked to a sanctioned military holding company, while a dealer for machinery giant Caterpillar had ties to jade companies controlled by a major drug lord.

Banks also fear extending credit in Myanmar will put them in the US regulators' crosshairs after the record $8.9 billion fine meeted out to BNP Paribas for breaking sanctions in 2014.

"Most foreign banks do not bother to check if the parties they are remitting to are on the US sanctions list -- they just automatically stop the transaction," said Andrew Tan, managing director of Yangon-based Consult Myanmar.

- What could Obama do? -

Washington began rolling back sanctions after a quasi-civilian government took power in 2011.

In May this year, it further eased restrictions on state banks, mining and timber companies after Suu Kyi's party became the first civilian government to take power in 50 years.

Obama, who has invested much political capital in Myanmar's transition, could lift some of the sanctions, scrap them completely or try to replace them with tarrifs.

Scrapping them would send a "meaningful signal" that one of Asia's poorest countries is open for business, said former US Treasury sanctions official Peter Kucik, who now consults with Inle Advisory Group.

US senators upped the political stakes on Tuesday when they introduced legislation that would set "benchmarks" on sanctions relief, linking it to democratic reforms and ethnic reconciliation.

Either way, an arms embargo and trading restrictions on the murky jade mining sector are expected to stay in place.

- So why not scrap them? -

While the military allowed elections last year, it retains a quarter of seats in parliament.

It also controls the civil service and key security ministries, and is locked in decades-long conflict with ethnic minorities in Myanmar's borderlands.

Opponents say easing the sanctions will remove a key pressure point on the generals.

"Sanctions provide an essential tool for reformers against the powerful elites which still threaten the country's future," said Global Witness senior analyst Juman Kubba.

"They must not be eased until they've served that purpose."

- What are the other roadblocks? -

Sanctions are just one of many challenges for businesses trying to operate in Myanmar.

After years of neglect, Myanmar lacks much of the basic infrastructure and the skilled workforce needed to attract foreign businesses.

As in Iran and Cuba, unpicking the impact of sanctions could also take many years.

"Clearing the (sanctions) list tomorrow isn't going to lead to a sudden gold rush into Myanmar," said Anthony Nelson, from the US-ASEAN Business Council.

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi helped persuade the West to impose sanctions on the country during her years under house arrest Noel Celis (AFP/File)
The United Nations urged Syria's government Thursday to "immediately" allow humanitarian aid into the country, after a fragile ceasefire was extended for 48 hours by Russia and the United States.

In a sign of renewed tensions between the two powers, who back opposing sides in the conflict, Moscow accused Washington of failing to meet its obligations under the truce agreement.

The UN, which has dozens of food trucks waiting at the Turkish border, warned that the "clock is ticking" to distribute desperately needed aid.

Syrians welcomed the lull in fighting as they celebrated the Eid al-Adha festival in the rebel-controlled town of Hamouri, on the outskirts of Damascus, on September 14, 2016 Abd Doumany (AFP)

Washington said late Wednesday that US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov had spoken and agreed to prolong the ceasefire which began on Monday.

They recognised that "despite sporadic reports of violence, as a whole the arrangement is holding and violence is, I'd say, significantly lower in comparison to previous days and weeks," US State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters.

But hours later Russian military spokesman Igor Konashenkov slammed Washington for what he called "rhetorical fog" intended "to hide the fact that it is not fulfilling its part of the obligations."

Earlier Moscow, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, had accused rebels of violating the truce 60 times since it came into force.

The ceasefire, agreed after marathon US-Russia talks in Geneva last week, is part of the latest bid to end a five-year conflict that has killed more than 300,000 people.

It aims to halt fighting between Assad's forces and rebel factions, but does not include jihadists like the Islamic State group (IS).

The UN's Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said Thursday that the truce was holding "by and large".

But promised authorisation from Damascus for large-scale humanitarian convoys had not yet been received.

"This is something that is required to happen immediately," de Mistura told reporters in Geneva.

- 'Time is of the essence' -

A key focus is rebel-held eastern districts of Aleppo city where around 250,000 civilians are besieged by government forces.

The ceasefire extension "provides us a critical window of opportunity to assist the people in need in east Aleppo," said a spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, David Swanson.

"That being said, the clock is ticking and time is of the essence."

He said 40 aid trucks carrying food supplies for 80,000 people were waiting on the Turkish border, but it was "highly unlikely" the first convoy of 20 trucks would set off on Thursday, given the situation on the ground.

The deal calls for the demilitarisation of the Castello Road route into the city, and Syrian troops had been set to begin withdrawing by 0600 GMT on Thursday.

But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said Thursday that government forces and rebel fighters were still on the road and the army was not willing to pull back before opposition forces did so.

Eastern Aleppo is in desperate need of humanitarian aid after weeks of heavy fighting, and a government siege that has lasted most of the past two months, with no aid entering since early July.

Residents in Aleppo have welcomed the lull in the conflict that has displaced more than half their country's population and destroyed their city, a former economic powerhouse.

But they expressed frustration about the delay in promised aid.

- Waiting for food, fuel -

"I don't just want the renewal of the truce to be about stopping the bombing. I want them to allow in vegetables and fuel," said 30-year-old Mustafa Morjan, in the Al-Zabdiya neighbourhood.

"How can we cook for and feed our children if we don't have any fuel?"

Aleppo's markets have little to sell besides locally grown aubergines, parsley and other herbs.

"We were dying from shelling before, and now we're going to starve to death," said Abu Ibrahim, 53.

The deal calls for the truce to be renewed every 48 hours, and for Washington and Moscow to begin unprecedented joint targeting of jihadists like IS and former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front if it lasts a week.

There remains deep scepticism about whether the truce will hold.

The opposition has yet to officially sign on, and hours before the ceasefire began Assad said he was committed to recovering all of Syria.

If the deal does hold, it could open the door to new peace talks to resolve the conflict, with Russia saying the UN envoy could invite government and opposition representatives to new talks "at the very beginning of October".

Syrians offload aid after a convoy of Syrian Arab Red Crescent and UN vehicles arrived in a rebel-held area on the outskirts of Damascus Amer Almohibany (AFP/File)

The Syrian truce was agreed after marathon US-Russia talks in Geneva

A Syrian girl watches butchers at work in the rebel-controlled town of Hamouria, on the outskirts of the capital Damascus Amer Almohibany (AFP)

More than 300,000 people have been killed since the start of the Syrian conflict in March 2011 Abd Doumany (AFP)

Russia has called for the Syrian ceasefire to be extended to help civilians in towns such as Qamishli Delil Souleiman (AFP)
Australia's Hanson targets Muslims in Senate speech

Anti-immigration politician Pauline Hanson Wednesday warned Australia was in danger of being swamped by Muslims and told those unwilling to give the nation their undivided loyalty to "go back where you came from".

Twenty years after saying Australia was at risk of being overrun by Asians, Hanson used her first speech to parliament since being re-elected in July to declare: "I'm back".

"Now we are in danger of being swamped by Muslims who bear a culture and ideology that is incompatible with our own," she told the Senate in Canberra.

Australian anti-immigration politician Pauline Hanson's One Nation party won four seats in the Senate on strong backing for her long list of anti-Muslim policies in the July polls Saeed Khan (AFP/File)

Pauline Hanson's One Nation party won four seats in the Senate on strong backing for her long list of anti-Muslim policies in the July polls, marking a stunning comeback for a woman whose populist views caused a stir in Asia during her first divisive political stint in the late 1990s.

She said Wednesday that while Australia had embraced migrants from all over the world, many of whom had integrated into society, Islam had had an impact on Australia like no other religion.

"Islam can not have a significant presence in Australia if we are to live in an open, secular and cohesive society," said Hanson, who famously ditched her fish and chip shop to represent Queensland ahead of her first foray into national parliament.

Warning that if changes were not made now, "there will be no hope in the future", she called for an end to Muslim immigration and a ban on the burqa.

"In addition, no more mosques or schools should be built and those that already exist should be monitored in regards to what they are teaching until the present crisis is over."

As she spoke, Greens leader Richard Di Natale walked out with his party colleagues.

"Racism has no place in Parliament but that is what we have just heard from Senator Hanson. I stand with those people hurt by her words," he tweeted.

Hanson left parliament when she lost her seat in 1998 and quit as One Nation's leader in 2002. But she returned to lead the party in 2014 after a 12-year hiatus, a period during which she was jailed for several months for electoral fraud before her sentence was quashed.

Her decision to return paid off in July, as voters disillusioned with the ruling conservatives and opposition Labor voted her and three others from her party into the Senate.

"If you are not prepared to become Australian and give this country your undivided loyalty, obey our laws, respect our culture and way of life then I suggest you go back where you came from," she said Wednesday.
Radical imam's widow arrested over Kenyan attack

The widow of a radical imam was arrested Wednesday in Mombasa for alleged links to one of three female assailants shot dead while attacking the Kenyan city's main police station, a police source said.

"She is in custody for questioning because of the communication she had with one of the female terrorists killed" in Sunday's attack, the source said, requesting anonymity. The assailants were alleged to be "sympathisers" of the Islamic State group.

The arrested woman is the widow of Aboud Rogo Mohammed, an imam killed in Mombasa in August 2012 who was until his death the main preacher at the city's Musa mosque, seen as the heart of radical Islam in Kenya.

Police patrol outside of a police station in Mombasa on September 11, 2016, following a knife and firebomb attack by three women

The imam was accused of recruiting young Kenyans to fight in neighbouring Somalia with Shabaab, East Africa's long-time branch of Al-Qaeda, Islamic State's rivals.

The new arrest brings to four the number of women detained over the weekend attack. Three Somali refugees suspected of sheltering the assailants, who were arrested on Sunday, appeared before a judge on Wednesday.

The three women were brought into court to be charged but police said one of them, Shukri Haji, who is said to be deaf, claimed she could not understand what the sign language interpreter was saying.

Resident magistrate Emmanuel Mutunga ordered the three be detained five more days.

- 'Apparent terror attack' -

Sunday's knife and firebomb assault was the first of its kind by female assailants in Kenya, in what police said was "an apparent terror attack."

The so-called Islamic State group said its "supporters" carried it out, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, quoting the group's Amaq news agency.

"The executors of the attack on the Kenyan police in the port city of Mombasa are supporters of the Islamic State and they carried out the operation in response to calls to target the Crusader states," the agency said.

Police have said two of the women involved in the knife and firebomb assault were Kenyans and that one was wearing a suicide vest that did not detonate.

After entering the police station saying they wanted to report a stolen phone, they shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest), hurled a petrol bomb and stabbed two officers.

Kenya's Muslim minority is largely concentrated along the Indian Ocean coast and the country in the past has repeatedly come under attack by the Somalia-based Shabaab.

Somali-led insurgents have staged repeated attacks in Kenya, including the killing of at least 67 people at Nairobi's Westgate Mall in 2013 and the massacre of 148 people at a university in Garissa in April 2015.

But recent arrests show the Islamic State's growing presence in East Africa, where they are recruiting young Kenyans for jihad abroad raising fears some will return to threaten the country.
Zimbabwe protest leader freed on bail before planned demos

Zimbabwe's high court on Wednesday ordered the release on bail of protest leader Promise Mkwananzi ahead of mass anti-government demonstrations planned later this week.

Mkwananzi, one of the most prominent activists campaigning for President Robert Mugabe to step down, was arrested during protests on August 26 and charged with public violence.

"He was given $100 bail," his lawyer Tonderai Bhatasara told AFP. "He was told to surrender his passport and to report at the police law and order section every Friday."

Zimbabwe Opposition Party Movement for Democratic Change Tsvangirai faction (MDC-T) supporters take part in a march against police brutality in Harare on August 24, 2016 Wilfred Kajese (AFP/File)

Mkwananzi, spokesman for the pressure group Tajamuka (We are agitated), has called for a national strike to pile pressure on Mugabe and the ruling ZANU-PF party.

The 92-year-old president has vowed to end a wave of recent protests against his regime, last weekend warning marchers that they were "playing a dangerous game".

Further rallies are planned for Saturday, despite a police ban on demonstrations in the capital Harare.

"Much depends on what protests take place... but there's likely to be deployment of public order policing and the use of teargas and possibly rubber bullets," Piers Pigou, of the International Crisis Group, told a briefing in Johannesburg.

"I think a big danger is if we see the deployment of ZANU-PF youths to take on (protesters) either in preparation for coming into town or indeed in central Harare."

The Tajamuka group also said Wednesday that another of its activists, actor Sylvanos Mudzvova, was being treated in hospital after being abducted, beaten up by assailants and dumped outside the city.

"Six men forced their way into his house," said Denford Ngadziore, a member of Tajamuka.

"He was found after nearly five hours. He is being treated for head, rib and leg injuries.

"We suspect it's ZANU-PF people who have been targeting Tajamuka activists. The regime has scaled up its violence against opponents."

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said it had received reports that suspected ZANU-PF supporters were attacking people believed to have joined anti-government protests.

"The perpetrators were moving door-to-door in some cases forcing entry into victims' houses," the forum said in a statement, adding four victims had been beaten with barbed wire whips and thick sticks.
Rights groups to push for Snowden amnesty after Stone film

Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Union will on Wednesday urge US President Barack Obama to pardon NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden on the back of a new film by Oliver Stone.

"I think Oliver will do more for Snowden in two hours than his lawyers have been able to do in three years," Ben Wizner, Snowden's lawyer, was quoted as saying by Vice Motherboard, which said the two rights groups would make a joint appeal on Wednesday.

"We are going to be doing both a mass signature campaign around the world and trying to get prominent individuals and organisations to join our call to President Obama to pardon Snowden before he leaves office," Wizner was quoted as saying.

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden's residency permit in Russia runs out next year Tobias Schwarz (AFP/File)

Contacted by AFP, London-based Amnesty International did not confirm or deny the report.

Vice Motherboard said the signatures would be collected through the website www.pardonsnowden.org.

Anti-establishment director Stone also called for a pardon at the Toronto film festival last week at a screening of his espionage thriller biopic, "Snowden".

"We hope that Mr. Obama has a stroke of lightning and he sees the way," Stone said.

- Amnesty would be 'lovely' -

Sarah Harrison, a WikiLeaks representative who helped Snowden flee Hong Kong and seek refuge in Russia, said she hoped the film would help rehabilitate him but thought an amnesty was unlikely.

"That would be lovely if it came. I would be very surprised if it does," Harrison told AFP last week.

Snowden's residency permit in Russia runs out next year.

"Then the question comes up again of where he can be safe. Obviously, he'd love to go back home," said Harrison, director of the Courage Foundation which helps whistleblowers, including Snowden.

Alternatively, "he'd really like asylum in a number of other countries, some European countries. Maybe the situation will have changed in some of those, but sadly so far he's always been denied," said Harrison.

"In this current environment in which it's kind of an empire that the US is running, his chances are minimal," she said.

Harrison said whistleblower protections in the United States were too weak, but that "public awareness is improving and that's always a first step."

"These sorts of actions should be protected in some way or at least be allowed a defence."

"What will help Snowden's situation and potential other whistleblowers as well, is getting more public awareness of the retaliation that's used against people that do these sorts of things," Harrison said.

US authorities charged Snowden with espionage and theft of state secrets after he released thousands of classified National Security Agency documents to journalists Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras and Ewen MacAskill in 2013.

Considered a traitor by some and a hero by others, the 33-year-old fled to Hong Kong, where he hid among Sri Lankan refugees in cramped tenements, and was later given political asylum in Russia after the US revoked his passport.

He now leads a reclusive life there.

- Leaks morally 'necessary' -

Snowden himself called on Obama to pardon him in comments published by Britain's Guardian newspaper on Tuesday, arguing that it had been morally "necessary" to shine a light on mass surveillance.

"If not for these disclosures, if not for these revelations, we would be worse off," he told the Guardian in a video-link interview from Moscow on Monday.

"Yes, there are laws on the books that say one thing, but that is perhaps why the pardon power exists -- for the exceptions, for the things that may seem unlawful in letters on a page but when we look at them morally, when we look at them ethically, when we look at the results, it seems these were necessary things," he said.

Snowden insisted he had widespread support, saying the "public, by and large, cares more about these issues far more than I anticipated."

Last year, the White House rejected a petition signed by over 150,000 people urging a pardon for Snowden, saying he should be "judged by a jury of his peers".
Bayer sets $66 bn deal for Monsanto after lengthy pursuit

German chemicals giant Bayer announced Wednesday a $66 billion deal to buy controversial US seeds and pesticides firm Monsanto, triggering immediate criticism from farmers and environmentalists.

After a months-long pursuit, Bayer said its US peer had accepted an improved offer of $128 per share for Monsanto in an all-cash transaction, avoiding the need to resort to a hostile takeover.

If completed, the 58.8-billion-euro deal would mark the largest-ever takeover by a German firm and would create one of the largest firms in the agribusiness sector.

Bayer has been looking to buy controversial US seeds and pesticides firm Monsanto since late May Patrik Stollarz (AFP/File)

"The combination with Monsanto represents the kind of revolutionary approach to agriculture that will be needed to sustainably feed the world," Bayer chief executive Werner Baumann told investors in a conference call.

But investors' reaction in the US, where Monsanto shares rose 0.6 percent but remained more than $21 below the deal price, suggested deep market doubts that the deal can pass financial and antitrust hurdles.

Bayer's share price initially leapt on news of the deal but fell back as the afternoon wore on, gaining 0.3 percent to 93.55 euros.

Meanwhile environmental groups geared up for a fight. In a nod to fierce opposition in Europe to Monsanto's use of genetically modified crops and its potent herbicide Roundup, Friends of the Earth labelled the tie-up a "marriage made in hell".

"This mega corporation will be doing its best to force damaging pesticides and GM seeds into our countryside," campaigner Adrian Bebb said in a statement.

The National Farmers Union in the US said the Bayer deal, along with other pending agricultural mergers, "are being made to benefit the corporate boardrooms at the expense of family farmers, ranchers, consumers and rural economies."

The group said it looked forward to making its case at a congressional hearing next week to be chaired by Senator Charles Grassley, who plans to press antitrust regulators to ensure that farmers benefit robust competition from suppliers. Grassley represents the farm-rich midwestern state of Iowa.

"Iowa farmers who I've spoken with are worried about rising input costs, especially in an increasingly weak agriculture economy," Grassley said in a statement. "Today's announcement will only heighten those concerns."

The deal is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, Bayer said, though it still requires shareholder and regulatory approval.

Baumann said that he had already "received encouraging feedback" from regulatory agencies.

"There is very little overlap" between the two companies that might concern regulators, Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant told investors on Wednesday. "I think it's a very clean deal."

But the Bayer-Monsanto tie-up comes in the wake of two other proposed mega-mergers involving US companies DuPont and Dow Chemical, and Swiss company Syngenta and ChemChina.

They also come as low crop prices take a toll on farmer incomes in many countries.

German Green Party MEP Martin Haeusling insisted that "it's up to German regulators and European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager to stop Bayer from dominating the worldwide agrochemicals market."

- A long engagement -

Bayer -- best known as the company behind aspirin -- has been wooing Monsanto since late May, when it made an initial bid of $122 per share, valuing the crop giant at $62 billion.

Monsanto rejected that bid, but said it was "open" to further talks.

The 153-year-old German chemicals behemoth then raised its offer twice more but was rebuffed each time as Monsanto held out for more money.

Under its final bid, Bayer also offered to pay Monsanto a $2-billion fee in case the merger is rejected by US or European authorities.

"We do not like this transaction, because we think that Bayer is overpaying significantly," wrote analyst Peter Spengler of DZ bank on Wednesday before the deal was confirmed.

But Bayer said that it expects synergy savings from the merger will allow it to add $1.5 billion to its underlying profit as measured by EBITDA within three years.

Added together, Bayer and Monsanto booked sales of 23 billion euros in 2015.

- Cries of dismay -

As well as Monsanto's genetically modified crops, environmental campaigners in Europe are also highly critical of its best-selling weedkiller Roundup, whose active ingredient glyphosate is suspected of being a carcinogen.

In Europe, debate about glyphosate has reached Brussels, where EU member states in July voted to restrict its use by the bloc's farmers for 18 months.

The merged firm "will play a defining role in deciding which seeds and pesticides come onto the market," warned Greenpeace agriculture expert Dirk Zimmermann.

Turnover of the six top agrochemical companies, after Bayer announces its purchase of Monsanto Jonathan Jacobsen (AFP)

News of Bayer's takeover of Monsanto was met with dismay by environmental campaigners who have long been critical of the US firm's genetically modified crops Patrik Stollarz (AFP)

After a months-long pursuit, Bayer said its US peer had accepted an improved offer of $128 per share for Monsanto
N. Korea says floods 'worst disaster' since WWII

Floods in North Korea that have left hundreds dead or missing are the "worst disaster" to hit the country since World War II, state media said on Wednesday.

The official KCNA news agency did not give exact numbers of those killed or unaccounted for, but a UN report said 138 people have died and 400 are missing after torrential rains caused devastation in the country's far north.

The floods along the Tumen River, which partially marks the border with China and Russia, tore through villages, washing away buildings and leaving thousands in urgent need of food and shelter.

UN says 138 people have died and 400 are missing after torrential rains caused devastation in North Korea Murat Sahin (UNICEF DPRK/AFP)

"The flood that resulted from the typhoon that hit North Hamgyong province from August 29 to September 2 was the worst disaster since liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945," KCNA said.

It also provided figures on the flood damage and those displaced for the first time, saying 68,900 people had been forced to flee their homes, compared with a UN figure of 107,000.

At least 29,800 homes and 900 public buildings were destroyed, it said, adding that 180 sections of road and over 60 bridges had been severely damaged, and electricity and communication lines were cut.

But the report trumpeted the role of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party in responding to the disaster, saying all efforts were being put into rebuilding the northeastern border region, and that the military and people had responded to government calls to join rescue efforts.

Impoverished North Korea is vulnerable to natural disasters, especially floods, as mountains and hills that have long been stripped bare for fuel or turned into terraced rice fields allow rainwater to flow downhill unchecked.

However, huge government resources are swallowed up by a missile and nuclear weapons programme that Pyongyang says is essential to deter what it considers US aggression.

A series of floods and droughts was partially responsible for a famine that killed hundreds of thousands between 1994-98, with economic mismanagement and the loss of Soviet support exacerbating the situation.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization said in April that North Korea's chronic food shortages were expected to worsen, due to tight food supplies last year and this year when "most households were already estimated to have poor or borderline food consumption levels".

The United Nations Security Council is also planning fresh sanctions against the North after it staged its fifth nuclear weapons test last week.

Map of North Korea showing the areas affected by severe flooding
DR Congo warlord on 7th day of hunger strike at ICC

Congolese former rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda on Wednesday again refused to attend his war crimes trial on the seventh day of a hunger strike which is posing a legal dilemma for international judges.

Ntaganda is protesting his treatment in detention and has said he is "ready to die", accusing the International Criminal Court of failing to give him a fair chance to defend himself.

"The situation is not developing for the best," his defence lawyer Stephane Bourgon admitted to the court in The Hague where his trial opened a year ago.

Congolese former rebel Bosco Ntaganda has denied 18 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity arising out of savage ethnic attacks carried out by his rebel Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo in 2002-2003 Michael Kooren (Pool/AFP/File)

"He has not eaten for seven days. There are no signs that he will resume eating," Bourgon said, adding his client had told him earlier Wednesday "he did not feel well enough to attend".

"And if they come and get me, I will refuse to go," Ntaganda said, according to his lawyer.

Ntaganda, who has been held in the ICC's detention unit in the seaside suburb of Scheveningen since he surrendered in 2013, has also instructed his lawyers to stop acting for him.

There is little precedent in international law courts for this kind of situation.

Judge Robert Fremr warned the court's patience was "very close to the end", adding he believed Ntaganda had voluntarily waived his right to attend the trial.

Ntaganda, once dubbed The Terminator, has denied 18 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity arising out of savage ethnic attacks carried out in the Democratic Republic of Congo by his rebel Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (FPLC) in 2002-2003.

In a rambling statement read to the court by Bourgon on Tuesday, Ntaganda took issue with the court's refusal last week to ease restrictions on visitors, saying he was losing hope of seeing his wife and children.

But Fremr insisted his family was not banned from seeing him, and that the restrictions were aimed at protecting witnesses.

A psychiatrist who examined Ntaganda on Wednesday concluded "he is mentally competent to oversee the implications of his decisions," Bourgon said.

But despite speaking again to Ntaganda on Wednesday during a 10-minute break in the trial, Bourgon failed to persuade him to return to court.

His client was "emotionally really confused", Bourgon said, adding he was trying to resolve the situation.

The judges on Tuesday ordered the case should continue in Ntaganda's absence, but in the presence of the defence team.

But Bourgon questioned what would happen next.

"Should we force Mr Ntaganda out of his chair and sit him in the video room?" he asked.
Abe's Chinese calligraphy wins plaudits in China

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe earned unusual praise from Chinese netizens Wednesday -- but for the quality of his calligraphy, rather than his diplomacy.

Beijing and Tokyo are at loggerheads over disputed islands and wartime history, and Abe has raised hackles with his criticism of his neighbour's assertiveness in the South China Sea.

But the Japanese leader was lauded after he purportedly left a hand-written note in Chinese thanking a cleaner at the hotel he stayed in for the G20 summit in Hangzhou last week.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been in power since 2012 Wang Zhao (AFP/File)

It gave Abe's name, title and the date, adding: "Thanks".

It was posted on China's Twitter-like Weibo last week by a journalist who founded what is said to be Japan's largest Chinese-language news website, and had been reposted more than 700 times by Wednesday.

"His characters are good-looking," wrote one poster.

Another appreciated his attention to detail, saying "This small gesture shows the nation's breeding", and adding the country was "formidable" and worthy of respect.

A spokesman at Abe's office could not confirm the authenticity of the note, but said that he had stayed at the Sheraton Grand hotel, on whose notepaper it was written.

The reaction is a contrast to how Abe is often portrayed by Chinese media and online, where an army of posters regularly comment in praise of Beijing's Communist government.

Abe has regularly been blasted by state-run Chinese media for his impenitent comments on Japan's wartime history and its invasion of China, publicly questioning claims that the Japanese military systematically compelled women to become sex workers.

In 2013 he visited Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni shrine, which honours the country's war dead including several high-level officials executed for war crimes after World War II.

The two countries are locked in a long-running dispute over uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, and Abe has vocally criticised China for rejecting a July ruling by an international tribunal invalidating its extensive claims to the South China Sea.
Key facts about strokes as Israel's Peres critical

The haemorrhagic stroke suffered by former Israeli president Shimon Peres is one of the most serious forms of stroke and can be fatal.

Peres, 93, is the last of the state of Israel's founding fathers and has held nearly every major office in the country, including prime minister twice and president.

Doctors have described his condition as critical but stable.

Doctors have described the condition of former Israeli president Shimon Peres as critical but stable after his haemorrhagic stroke Jack Guez (AFP/File)

Here are some key facts on strokes:

- Main types of stroke

There are two main types of stroke -- one caused by blockages of vessels (ischaemic) and the other by bleeding (haemorrhagic).

The brain needs a constant supply of blood to work properly and blood clots, or blockages, cause 70 to 80 percent of all types of stroke.

When the blood supply is cut off, it causes the brain to become damaged or die. A bleeding stroke is rarer and more likely to be fatal.

- What is a haemorrhagic stroke?

More than 15 million people suffer cerebral haemorrhagic strokes in the world every year, according to the World Heart Foundation.

Six million die from them and five million people suffer long-term effects, including loss of mobility and speech, after having a stroke. There is also a high risk of suffering a repeat stroke.

In a cerebral hemorrhage, an artery inside the brain bursts, leaking blood into the brain tissue.

It can be caused by a head injury or by a weakened artery wall, which bulges out to form a blood-filled pouch -- an aneurism -- that then bursts.

Sometimes a blood vessel on the surface of the brain bursts and leaks into the space between the brain and the skull, producing an extremely dangerous condition known as a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

- What happens to the brain in a hemorrhagic stroke?

The loss of constant blood supply stops some brain cells working. Accumulated blood flooding into the brain tissue can damage the functioning of the brain.

- What are the outcomes?

The crucial factor in recovery is the amount of bleeding. Often, people die from a hemorrhagic stroke because of the pressure on their brains.

But those who pull through tend to recover better than those who suffer a clot-type stroke because the brain can regain some lost functions as the pressure is relieved.

A vessel blocked by a clot, however, kills off part of the brain permanently.
Mecca chief in Iran swipe over Islam divide

The governor of Saudi Arabia's Mecca region on Wednesday urged Muslim religious leaders to fight sectarianism, an indirect criticism of Shiite Iran.

Prince Khaled al-Faisal was speaking at a news conference to discuss the annual hajj pilgrimage, which ends on Thursday and has added to tensions between Riyadh and Tehran.

"I call on Muslim leaders, whether they are political leaders, ulemas (scholars), or intellectuals, to combat sectarianism," Faisal said.

Prince Khaled al-Faisal, governor of Mecca, attends the Jeddah Economic Forum in the Red Sea port city on February 26, 2008 Isaam Kanafani (AFP/File)

For the first time in nearly three decades, Iran's 64,000 pilgrims are not attending the hajj in Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia after the two regional rivals failed to agree on security and logistics.

"Combat this sectarian divide between Muslims. Islam is one and only one religion," Faisal said in Mina, a pilgrimage site on the edge of Mecca.

Saudi Arabia is home to Islam's holiest sites, which pilgrims visit during the hajj, and is the seat of Sunni Islam which predominates in the Muslim world.

The kingdom is founded on the teachings of 18th century Sunni preacher Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab, whose ideas have themselves been decried by critics as a driving force behind sectarianism and an inspiration to violent jihadists.

Iran is the world's major Shiite power, and the two nations are at odds over a number of regional issues including the wars in Syria and Yemen.

The rivals have no diplomatic relations and have been engaged in a slanging match over the hajj since last week.

"Islam is unique. There is no multiple Islam," said Faisal, president of the Central Hajj Committee.

He said this year's hajj occurred without incident despite "the lies and allegations... of those who wanted to place in doubt the capacity of the kingdom to serve the pilgrims."

Among its concerns over Iranian participation in this year's hajj, Riyadh said Tehran had demanded the right to organise demonstrations.

Tehran in turn accused Riyadh of "blocking the path leading to Allah".

Security was one of the contentious issues following last year's hajj stampede which, according to foreign officials, killed roughly 2,300 people.

Iran reported the largest number of victims, at 464.

Just days before the hajj began on Saturday Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei questioned Saudi Arabia's right to manage Islam's holiest sites.

He called the Saudi ruling family "puny Satans" who had politicised the pilgrimage. Khamenei also said Saudi authorities "murdered" the stampede victims.

Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh retaliated by telling a newspaper that Iranians "are not Muslims".

Reiterating a point made on Tuesday by King Salman, Faisal said Saudi Arabia does not interfere in Iran's internal affairs "but we don't permit the holy sites and the hajj to be used for political ends".
India offers $1 bn in fresh aid to Afghanistan

India offered Afghanistan a fresh $1 billion in economic assistance after their leaders met in New Delhi on Wednesday to strengthen already close ties between the neighbours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India's commitment to helping the war-torn country strengthen its education, health, agriculture and other sectors during talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

In a joint statement, India announced the $1 billion offer, but there was no mention of providing weapons to help Afghanistan fight militants, which it has previously asked for.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in New Delhi on September 14, 2016 Prakash Singh (AFP)

Modi and Ghani called in the statement for an end to sponsorship and support of militants.

They did not name Pakistan, but they have previously accused their neighbour of supporting Islamic extremists.

"The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives," Indian foreign secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said.

"They called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India," he told reporters.

The Afghan government has accused Pakistan of supporting the Taliban, while Delhi says Pakistan supports rebels crossing the border into Indian-controlled Kashmir -- claims that Islamabad denies.

Ghani is expected to give a speech to a think tank on "global terrorism" later Wednesday as part of his two-day visit to the capital.

India, the fifth largest bilateral donor in Afghanistan, has been a key supporter of Kabul's government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the Taliban was toppled in 2001.

Delhi's active engagement has led analysts to point to the threat of a "proxy war" in Afghanistan between India and its arch-rival Pakistan.

Pakistan -- the historic backer of the Taliban -- has long been accused of supporting the insurgents in Afghanistan.
Israel's Peres improves but remains critically ill after stroke

Former Israeli president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres showed some improvement but remained in critical condition Wednesday after he suffered a major stroke, his hospital said.

"He is still in a critical condition, stable, but we can see some improvement," Yitzhak Kreiss, director of the Sheba Medical Centre at Tel HaShomer in Ramat Gan, told reporters outside the hospital near Tel Aviv.

The 93-year-old was still sedated and breathing with a respirator, but doctors were seeking to reduce sedation to evaluate him and he was occasionally awake, Kreiss said.

Former Israeli president Shimon Peres delivers a speech in honour of the victims of the Paris attacks in Tel Aviv in November 2015 Jack Guez (AFP/File)

Peres suffered a stroke on Tuesday that included bleeding.

His personal doctor and son-in-law Rafi Walden said that "after we reduced the dosage of the sedation I am happy to say that he responded. He understood what was said to him."

Walden told journalists his neurological condition did not oblige him being sedated, but doctors were doing so "to make it easier for him."

"So he doesn't need to make an effort to breath, so that he doesn't become upset by what is happening around him and have a rise in his blood pressure," he said.
Inquest finds Thai forces killed four unarmed Muslims: lawyer

An inquest has ruled that security forces gunned down four unarmed Muslim men in Thailand's conflict-hit south, a lawyer said Wednesday, a rare finding that could pave the way for landmark prosecutions of state officials.

No member of the Thai security forces has ever been jailed for extrajudicial killings or torture in the restive 'deep south', despite frequent allegations of abuses across a region that has seen more than 6,500 people killed since 2004.

The majority of the dead are civilians, killed by the secretive rebels or in raids by Thai security forces.

A Thai soldier stands guard as Muslim schoolchildren participate in the opening parade of a festival in the Rangae district of Thailand's restive southern Narathiwat province on April 16, 2016 Madareee Tohlala (AFP/File)

Two villagers and two students were gunned down on 25 March last year in a raid on Ban To Chut village in Pattani province when security forces, acting on a tip-off, opened fire on a group of suspected militants.

Initially authorities said the men were armed rebels but an investigating panel set up after the killings revealed the four to be unarmed civilians.

Wednesday's inquest at Pattani's court found "the men died from shooting by military personnel and policemen during a raid," according Abdulha Awaerputae, a lawyer from the Muslim Attorney's Centre representing the families of the dead men.

The court declined to give AFP details of the ruling.

Weeks after the killings Thai police said seven security officers would be charged with murder over the incident. But more than a year later no charges have been brought.

Campaigners hope the ruling will finally see criminal charges brought in the latest case to inflame resentment from local Muslim Malays towards the Buddhist-majority Thai state.

"Sadly this is not an extraordinary case... we have handled similar cases before," said Pornpen Khongkachonkiet of Amnesty International Thailand.

"But in the end you never see any punishment for the officials."

- 'Nothing has changed' -

Muslims in the region feel "nothing has changed since Tak Bai" she added, referencing the deaths in 2004 of scores of Muslim protesters detained by authorities which remains a clarion call for rebellion to this day.

Rebels want autonomy for the culturally-distinct and Muslim majority southernmost provinces, which were colonised by Thailand more than a century ago.

But peace talks have floundered and the rebels may now be forcing the issue with widened violence.

Coordinated bombings in August in southern Thailand towns popular with tourists carried the hallmarks of the 'deep south' insurgents.

All the suspects named so far by police for those attacks hail from the region.

The bombings left four dead and sent a shudder through Thailand's key tourist industry.

Thai officials deny human rights abuses are systemic and say they do everything in their power to avoid harming civilians.

"When there has been a mistake, we cannot deny responsibility... but a court will decide whether authorities are guilty of rights violations," Colonel Pramote Prom-In, spokesman for the southern army, told AFP.
From war or wealth: The many faces of the hajj pilgrimage

There are those who come from countries at war, others who saved their entire lives, and some making the pilgrimage for the umpteenth time.

They are among more than 1.8 million Muslim faithful who have spent the past few days at sacred sites around Mecca, Islam's holiest spot, for the annual hajj which ends on Thursday.

During the pilgrimage they follow the same route. But they have taken different roads to get there.

Muslim pilgrims wave as they leave Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on the last day of the annual hajj pilgrimage on September 14, 2016 Ahmad Gharabli (AFP)

Here are some of their stories:

- A return to war -

In several days Abu Fadel al-Shaush will return to his home region of Rima in Yemen. There, he will again find war and the uncertainty that comes with travelling in a country where "you don't know if you will arrive safely."

Like him, 20,000 Yemenis performed hajj.

They escaped, for a while, from the country where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting rebels who still hold the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen.

Yemen's government accused the rebels of trying to stop Yemenis attending the hajj while the insurgents said Saudi Arabia used the pilgrimage for "political ends".

To get to Mecca, Shaush, 43, first had to travel east to Wadia, the only border crossing still open between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, which carries out regular air strikes in Yemen. Then he headed northwest to Mecca.

In all, it was a journey of thousands of kilometres (miles) by bus.

"If there was no vehicle I would have walked," said Shaush, who works for the justice ministry.

"A Yemeni will do whatever it takes to perform the hajj."

- 'All has changed' -

Talib ul-Haq first performed the hajj 40 years ago. At that time, aged 26, he was one of thousands of Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia.

Thanks to five years of labour in the oil-rich kingdom where Islam was born, he returned home to marry and raise six girls.

Now 66, he has come back with his wife and three youngest daughters to find that "absolutely everything has changed" in Mecca.

"The first time I came by car, and I could almost park right at the entrance of the holy sites," he said.

Private vehicle access is now restricted so the rivers of pilgrims can flow freely.

Haq spoke on one of the many pedestrian walkways connecting the different stages of the pilgrimage, a total distance of about 15 kilometres (nine miles).

This time, he arrived by plane from Karachi at a cost of more than $7,500.

Wearing a blue jalabiya, a type of long shirt, and a black cap on his shaved head, Haq said that, despite the cost, he has experienced a priceless happiness "at seeing in reality the holy site to which I have faced to pray since I was small."

- Multiple pilgrimages -

In poverty-stricken Senegal, West Africa, Soukaeena Ba has a full life, between work as a judicial counsellor and her activities with an association of female legal experts.

So, "to keep grounded", she comes regularly to Mecca. At 60, she has performed the hajj more than five times.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and capable Muslims must perform it at least once.

Many poor Muslims must wait years for the chance, leading some critics to complain about those who make multiple pilgrimages.

This year Ba came with friends from her legal association.

Like other times, "I question again many aspects of material life," said the elegant mother wearing a white veil through which gold earrings are visible.

She says the challenge now, after returning home, is to maintain "the humility that enters us in Mecca when we face the grandeur of God."

- To find oneself -

Karim Rafass, 33, grew up in the south of France and now lives in the Gulf emirate of Dubai where he works in manufacturing.

This year he joined his parents and brother, who came from France, in Saudi Arabia to make the pilgrimage together.

"Performing hajj does not depend on being young or old because the reason you come here is to find your inner self," he said, holding his mother's arm to help her along a street in the middle of a crowd of pilgrims.

Although in material terms Rafass said he "had no financial difficulties," the pilgrimage asks "an investment of time". To attend, he had to ask his boss for time off work.

It was worth it because the hajj "is an exercise of faith."

- Helping the pilgrims -

Abdullah al-Ghamdi is not exactly a pilgrim.

Every year this Saudi Arabian doctor takes holiday during the hajj and goes to Mecca, which is northwest of his home in Baha city.

For three years the young man, with a moustache and imposing eyeglasses, has supervised a dozen student doctors and nurses who volunteer for the Saudi Red Crescent Authority.

"It's very important for me to help the sick or elderly pilgrims. It's my way of serving the holy sites," said Ghamdi, wearing a fluorescent orange vest over his navy blue uniform.

Muslim pilgrims leave Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca at the end of the annual hajj pilgrimage on September 14, 2016 Ahmad Gharabli (AFP)
US gives $181 million in additional relief aid to Iraq

The United States on Wednesday announced it was providing $181 million (160 million euros) in additional humanitarian assistance to Iraq ahead of an operation to retake the jihadist hub of Mosul.

The announcement was made by US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken shortly after he arrived in Baghdad for meetings, including with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

"Today I am pleased to announce that the United States is providing more than $181 million in additional life-saving assistance to help meet critical humanitarian needs of those displaced by conflict, including those who will be affected as Mosul is liberated," he told reporters.

Iraqi workers haul sacks of flour donated by the United States in the Sadr City locality of Baghdad on September 11, 2003 Thomas Coex (AFP/File)

Blinken said the additional funding brought to around $1.1 billion the amount of humanitarian aid from the US to Iraq since 2014, when the Islamic State group took over parts of the country.

The United Nations has warned that an upcoming military operation on Mosul -- Iraq's second city and IS' last remaining major stronghold in the country -- could displace up to one million people.

"The new funding... will enable humanitarian workers to preposition emergency food supplies and basic relief items," Blinken said.

He said it would also provide for health care and education, as well as camp management, which was identified as a major flaw during the displacement that resulted from an operation to retake the city of Fallujah in June.

Blinken said Iraqi forces backed by the US-led coalition had retaken 50 percent of the territory IS held in Iraq two years ago and added that nearly a million displaced people had been able to return to their homes in liberated areas.

"Ultimately however, victory against Daesh (IS) on the battlefield is necessary but not sufficient to give citizens the confidence, the support and the services they need to return home," he said.

The aid community has said that aid appeals remain massively under-funded, leaving the country unprepared for what the UN has warned could be Iraq's biggest humanitarian crisis yet.

Abadi has promised Mosul would be retaken by the end of the year but the scope of the humanitarian needs and the difficulty of bringing all political forces together could make that deadline a hard one to meet.
What ever happened to Melania Trump?

At this stage in the US presidential race, the candidates' spouses should be everywhere, smiling themselves to exhaustion as they do their bit for the campaign.

But for the past two months Donald Trump's wife Melania has all but vanished.

The last big appearance of the 46-year-old former model born in Slovenia was at the Republican National Convention in July in Cleveland.

Melania Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention as her husband accepted the party nomination in July 2016 Timothy A. Clary (AFP)

She gave a major speech designed to put a more human face on her husband, but which flopped miserably as it emerged her address plagiarized remarks by Michelle Obama from 2008 at the Democratic National Convention.

The ghostwriter of the speech took the fall and Melania Trump all but disappeared from the US political scene, where she was a rare presence anyway.

Last week she appeared briefly in New York as Trump gave a speech on national security, and accompanied her husband Saturday at the funeral of Phyllis Schlafly, a prominent American conservative.

But people have started asking what has become of Trump's wife, with the hashtag #WhereisMelania surfacing on Twitter.

The night before the September 11 anniversary last weekend, Melania Trump responded that she has been spending time with her family.

Before the Republican convention she gave several interviews in which she ardently defended her husband, criticized for his brash style, comments seen as racist and sexist and his lack of knowledge on issues both foreign and domestic.

At that time she said she preferred to focus on the education of her 10 year old son with Trump, Barron, at their home in Trump Tower in New York.

- To Twitter for defense -

Since the convention Melania Trump has been protecting herself. Her Twitter feed -- once a reflection of her jet set lifestyle and posh parties she attended, dressed to the nines -- has become a way for her to defend herself.

At the end of July her website was yanked after a controversy over an architecture degree that it mentioned but which Mrs Trump did not earn.

"The website in question was created in 2012 and has been removed because it does not accurately reflects my current business and professional interests," she tweeted.

In early August, nude photos of Trump published by the New York Post triggered another mess.

They were supposedly taken in the US in 1995, but Trump always said she arrived in the country in 1996, so the shots raised questions about her immigration status at the time they were taken.

Trump, who has vowed to deport all immigrants who are in the US illegally, promised a press conference at which Melania, a US citizen since 2006, would provide an explanation.

Instead, a month later, Melania took to Twitter once again on Wednesday to respond to the controversy.

"I am pleased to enclose a letter from my immigration attorney which states that, with 100 percent certainty, I correctly went through the legal process when arriving in the USA," she tweeted.

In the attached letter, attorney Michael Wildes states: "Through an interview with Mrs Trump, we ascertained that the photo shoot in question did not occur until after she was admitted to the United States in H-1B visa status in October 1996."

In early September Melania Trump also sued two publications -- the Daily Mail online and the blog Tarpley -- for reporting she had worked as an escort in the 1990s. Trump sought $150 million in damages and interest.

At least two other websites removed similar stories, acknowledging they were based on rumors and apologizing to her.

In 1999, as Trump sought to become the presidential candidate of the Reform party, Mrs Trump told the New York Times she would be a very traditional first lady -- "like Betty Ford or Jackie Kennedy. I would support him".
Obama vows to lift Myanmar sanctions as Suu Kyi visits

President Barack Obama moved to restore trade benefits to Myanmar, saying broader sanctions would soon be scrapped as he hosted the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi at the White House Wednesday.

Welcoming her for the first time since her historic election victory last year, Obama announced a series of steps to coax the rapidly transforming southeast Asian country -- also known as Burma -- from decades of economic isolation.

"The United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma for quite some time," he said, adding that the move would come "soon."

US President Barack Obama met Aung San Suu Kyi during a 2014 visit to Myanmar Mandel Ngan (AFP)

"It is the right thing to do to ensure that the people of Burma see rewards for a new way of doing business."

In a letter to Congress, Obama also announced plans to reinstate preferential tariffs for Myanmar that were suspended more than two decades ago amid rights abuses by the ruling junta.

The White House is keen to help the country's economy and Suu Kyi's administration -- which is managing a difficult transition from military-run pariah to full-fledged democracy.

Although its constitution technically bars the 71-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate from heading Myanmar's government, she received a leader's welcome in Washington.

After talks with Obama, Suu Kyi took part in a coveted Oval Office grip-and-grin photo shoot.

Obama turned to the once-imprisoned former opposition leader, offering his "congratulations on the progress that has been made."

"It's a good news story in an era when so often we see countries going the opposite direction," he said, acknowledging that much work remains to be done.

Suu Kyi is officially foreign minister and self-appointed state counsellor -- a role akin to prime minister.

After spending much of the last few decades under arrest, she is now de facto leader of a skeletal government, an economy hollowed out by decades of kleptocratic dictatorship and a country riven with ethnic and religious violence.

The veteran campaigner must tackle all those problems while keeping an eye on generals who may have second thoughts about reform.

US officials, who acknowledge Suu Kyi is working under some very tough political constraints, dare not push the military or the public too far or too fast.

"She has to tackle problems one by one" said Ben Rhodes, a key Obama aide who has spearheaded the administration's Myanmar policy.

- Leverage and sanctions -

Obama did not say when he would rescind an executive order underpinning broader sanctions that declares Myanmar a "national emergency."

Although some curbs on ties to the military and some individuals will probably stay in place, scrapping the order would bring clarity to US companies considering business there.

Washington lifted a host of financial and trade embargoes on state-owned banks and businesses in May, but US firms have remained cautious.

Some policymakers worry lifting sanctions completely could weaken American leverage and may let the military off the hook.

There is still no civilian control of the military and officers are guaranteed a quarter of legislative seats.

Global Witness and other human rights groups have criticized Obama's move as "a major setback for efforts to clean up Myanmar's notoriously corrupt and abusive business environment."

"Lifting restrictions before the new government's reforms have borne fruit effectively invites US companies to do business with some of the worst figures from the country's past."

Suu Kyi has disappointed some of her more zealous Western supporters by following the junta's lead on some issues, especially refusing to recognize the Rohingya -- a persecuted Muslim minority group in the overwhelmingly Buddhist country.

Tens of thousands of stateless Rohingya have spent the past four years trapped in bleak displacement camps with limited access to health care and other basic services.
Diamonds are a millennial's best friend, say De Beers

Slower growth in China and economic turbulence in global markets has dented the diamond industry, but millennials are offering light at the end of tunnel, say De Beers.

In its new 'Diamond Insight Report', which looks at the state of the sector worldwide, the firm predicted volatility would be the "new normal" over the next 10 years.

The value of global diamond jewellery sales to consumers took a hit in 2015, down two percent at US$79 billion from US$81 billion in 2014, the report said.

In 2015, millennials spent $26 billion on diamond jewellery in the four biggest markets - the US, China, India and Japan Isaac Lawrence (AFP)

It attributed the drop to "unfavourable currency movements and economic slowdown in China and other emerging markets".

There were also added industry costs due to a larger proportion of diamonds coming from deeper mines.

But De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver said he was still optimistic for the medium to long-term, although there was "no question 2015 was a more difficult year".

Although consumption had slowed in mainland China -- the world's second-largest diamond market behind the United States -- Cleaver said buyers' interest was still there.

"We actually think demand in China has stood up reasonably well -- better than flat in 2015," he told AFP.

A corruption crackdown by President Xi Jinping has also put pressure on the luxury market in China and Cleaver said buyers were warier of conspicuous consumption.

However, the overall impact on the diamond sector had been "minimal" he said.

"The crackdown is not aimed at diamonds and certainly not aimed at gifts between men and women in particular," he told AFP.

But while the China diamond market remains key, Cleaver said it was unlikely to ever reach past heights of more-than 10 percent growth.

"Coming off the base it is now, I think it's unlikely you'll see growth of that scale again," he said.

The report identified millennials -- categorised as those born between 1981 and 2000 -- as a driver for future growth as they are like to reach their "most affluent life stage" in 10 years' time.

Researchers found that the generation still valued diamonds highly among their most desired gifts, but were likely to buy them later in life than previous generations.

In 2015, millennials spent $26 billion on diamond jewellery in the four biggest markets -- the US, China, India and Japan.

Cleaver said he was "pleasantly surprised" at the result, but added that retailers would have to adapt to more interactive strategies in order to maintain the age group's interest.

"Retailers will have to think about what millennials like, need and desire," he said.

"We know they're less interested in traditional things -- they're interested in experiences."
S.Sudan paper shut down as it headlines govt corruption: report

The South Sudan government has shut down the country's main English-language daily, which headlined news on a war profiteering report commissioned by actor George Clooney, the paper's editor told AFP on Wednesday.

Nation Mirror editor Simon Aurelious said officials from the National Security Service gave no clear reason for the closure, simply saying "the paper is indulging in activities incompatible with its status.

We were called today to the office of the National Security and after reaching there they showed us an order. The order is instructing us to close down, Aurelious said.

Actor George Clooney, human rights activist and co-founder of Sentry, listens during a news conference on September 12, 2016, in Washington, DC, to present the report War Crimes Shouldnt Pay: Stopping the looting and destruction in South Sudan Molly Riley (AFP/File)

The paper's headlines Wednesday and Tuesday focused on a report released in Washington this week about the alleged implication of President Salva Kiir, rebel chief Riek Machar and the countrys army chiefs in corruption during the nation's three-year civil war.

The report by watchdog group The Sentry said leaders of the world's newest country had profited from a conflict that has driven a quarter of a million people from their homes and left tens of thousands dead.

One of the Nation Mirror headlines read Kiir, Machar and top Generals implicated in Sentry Report while another said Machars source of weapons uncovered.

The government has denied the report as "completely rubbish".

- Not the first time -

Aurelious said security authorities two weeks ago summoned him and demanded the papers management produce the author of a critical piece on the government.

But the Nation Mirror refused to give the writer's name.

They told us that if this is the case we are going to notify you to close down, he said.

In February last year the paper was shut down by government security agents for nine months after publishing details on the activities of rebels affiliated to Machar.

Alfred Taban, a veteran South Sudanese journalist who is chairman of the country's Association for Media Development, AMDISS, said the latest decision "is shocking news.

We are yet to check with the Media Authority as to why they [National Security] are doing this, Taban said.

Taban spent 13 days in detention in July after writing an editorial sharply critical of Kiir and Machar.

The paper's closure comes days after the United Nations expressed concern over alleged threats by government officials against civil society activists in contact with a UN Security Council group that visited South Sudan to look at the possible deployment of a regional protection force.
15 fighters killed in southwest Yemen: military sources

At least 12 rebels and three pro-government fighters were killed in fierce battles in southwestern Yemen on Wednesday, military sources said.

Loyalist forces attacked rebel positions in Kirsh area in Lahj province, killing seven insurgents, said General Fadhl Hasan, who is leading pro-government troops in the area.

"We will continue our advance towards Taez (city) to break the siege" imposed for more than a year by the Huthi Shiite rebels on Yemen's third city, Hasan said.

Yemen's conflict has killed more than 6,600 people, most of them civilians, and displaced at least three million others, according to the United Nations Saleh Al-Obeidi (AFP/File)

In Taez province, five Huthis and their allies were killed when loyalists backed by coalition air strikes and artillery fought off a rebel assault in Kahbub area, a loyalist military leader said.

Three pro-government fighters were also killed in the fighting, Colonel Abdulghani al-Subaihi said, in a mountainous area overlooking the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea.

The area is guarded by forces from the Saudi-led coalition, which intervened in Yemen in March last year to support President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's government after the Iran-backed rebels seized the capital Sanaa.

AFP could not independently verify the tolls and the rebels rarely acknowledge their losses.

Meanwhile, coalition air strikes on Wednesday hit an intelligence building north of Sanaa, causing casualties, military sources said, without providing a toll.

Yemen's conflict has killed more than 6,600 people, most of them civilians, and displaced at least three million others, according to the United Nations.
World Trade Center seedlings go to France, San Bernardino, Orlando

Seedlings from the only tree to survive the World Trade Center collapse on September 11, 2001 will be given to two US communities and France, each the target of recent attacks.

San Bernardino, the California city where a couple gunned down 14 people last December and Orlando, Florida where a gunman killed 49 people at a gay nightclub earlier this year, will be offered "Survivor Tree" seedlings, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum said in a statement.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will officially accept a sapling in New York over the weekend on behalf of France, the consulate here announced Wednesday.

The only tree to survive the World Trade Center collapse, a Callery pear, was discovered in the rubble of the World Trade Center in October 2001, during operations to clear the site. It has since been nursed back to health and replanted at the 9/11 Memorial Stan Honda (AFP/File)

France has seen multiple recent assaults, from a rampage by IS gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris that killed 130 people in November to a grisly truck attack on a crowd in Nice in July that left 86 dead.

"After 9/11, the Survivor Tree became a symbol of our country's fortitude and resilience," 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels said in a statement released Monday.

"As the trees grow and thrive, we hope they will inspire the people of France, Orlando and San Bernardino as they continue to recover and heal," he said.

The survivor tree, a Callery pear, was discovered in the rubble of the World Trade Center in October 2001, during operations to clear the site. It has since been nursed back to health and replanted at the 9/11 Memorial.

Since 2013, the memorial has donated seedlings each year to three locations that have been struck by attacks, shootings or natural disasters.

Although most have been US cities, Madrid received a seedling to commemorate the 191 victims of a March 2004 attack by Islamist extremists who bombed packed commuter trains.
It's 'Dallas' in Gabon as country awaits key vote ruling

The head of Gabon's top court, which has the pivotal task of ruling if President Ali Bongo's contested re-election is valid, is a former beauty queen whose affair with the leader's father produced two children.

Marie-Madeleine Mborantsuo is in the limelight in this oil-rich Central African nation where Bongo's victory is being challenged by his former brother-in-law, veteran diplomat Jean Ping.

"Here it's Dallas," the American ambassador Cynthia Akuetteh said, according to French media reports, referring to a wildly popular US television soap opera revolving around a filthy rich and feuding Texan oil family.

Smoke and flames are pictured from the National Assembly building following the August 31 announcement that Bongo had been re-elected by fewer than 6,000 votes Marco Longari (AFP/File)

For over 20 years the glamorous 61-year-old has headed the nine-member Constitutional Court, dubbed the "Leaning Tower of Pisa" by the opposition for allegedly kowtowing to the Bongo regime.

But she is just one character in the tightly interlaced cast that makes up Gabon's political elite.

Ping held a succession of prestigious posts and was one of the longest-serving ministers of late president Omar Bongo, father of the current President Ali Bongo.

But upon Omar Bongo's death in 2009, Ping turned against Ali Bongo, who had stepped into the presidency.

The half-Chinese Paris-educated Ping had two children with Bongo's eldest daughter, but later wed an Ivorian.

Ping last week took his challenge of the result of the August 27 polls to Gabon's top court.

After riots broke out following the August 31 announcement that Bongo had been re-elected by fewer than 6,000 votes, he in turn claimed Ping had encouraged the violence.

Ping has asked for a recount in the ruling family's stronghold of Haut-Ogooue province, where Bongo won more than 95 percent of votes on a reported turnout of more than 99 percent.

Ping's supporters say that 17 people were killed at his party headquarters alone in a wave of post-electoral violence, but the interior ministry says the toll is three dead.

- 'Peace in her hands' -

The Bongo family has ruled the tiny nation with an iron fist since 1967.

Mborantsuo, a former beauty queen from the Bongo stronghold of Haut-Ogooue, caught Omar Bongo's attention and was named to the Supreme Court when she was aged only 28.

She had an affair with him and bore him two children.

According to the opposition and the Gabonese media, she has amassed a formidable real estate portfolio at home and abroad.

"Nobody want to be in Mborantsuo's shoes," said a diplomatic source. "She is under enormous pressure from both camps."

Three of the judges are named by the president, three by the Senate and three by the former assembly president Guy Nzouba Ndama, who since the start of this year became a Ping supporter.

France, Gabon's former colonial ruler, has called for a fair ruling with Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault underscoring the need "to examine the objections transparently and impartially."

Opposition supporters say they will not allow Mborantsuo to uphold Bongo's victory.

"We will not let her do it," one said. "The only option is that Ali quits."

Ping has already warned that a "false step" by the Constitutional Court would cause deep and long lasting instability in Gabon.

"Peace lies in the hands of Marie-Madeleine," the opposition Echos du Nord newspaper said.

Marie Madeleine Mborantsuo has headed the nine-member Constitutional Court for over 20 years Wils Yanick Maniengui (AFP/File)

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba arrives to cast his vote at a polling station during the presidential election, which he won by fewer than 6,000 votes Marco Longari (AFP/File)
Fresh Syrian fire hits Israeli-held Golan

Fire from Syria hit the Israeli-held zone of the Golan Heights on Wednesday, the military said, the latest in a string of incidents ratcheting up tension between the uneasy neighbours.

"Earlier today a projectile fired from Syria hit the northern Israeli Golan Heights," an army statement said.

"No injuries have been reported."

Israeli soldiers (R) and peacekeepers of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force monitor the border with Syria near the village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied sector of the Golan Heights on September 13, 2016 Jalaa Marey (AFP/File)

There was no immediate report of an Israeli response.

On Tuesday Israeli aircraft struck Syrian army positions after stray fire from Syria's war hit the Israeli-occupied zone.

Syria said it had shot down an Israeli warplane and a drone, a claim denied by Israel.

The uptick comes as a new Syrian ceasefire brokered by Russia and the United States came into force on Monday.

The truce does not apply to areas held by jihadists such as the Islamic State group.

The Israeli army holds the Syrian government accountable for any fire from its territory, regardless of its source.

There were similar events in July and previously.

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.
US confidence in media hits fresh low: Gallup

Americans' trust in the media has sunk to a new low, and a bitter presidential race may be to blame, a Gallup survey showed Wednesday.

The poll asking whether the media report the news "fully, accurately and fairly" found just 32 percent of Americans have a great deal or fair amount of trust, the lowest level in Gallup polling history and eight percentage points below last year.

Gallup began asking the question in 1972, and has polled Americans on a yearly basis since 1997.

People watch Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on a recorded television broadcast on February 8, 2016 in Manchester, New Hampshire Joe Raedle (Getty/AFP/File)

Trust and confidence in the media hit its highest point in 1976, at 72 percent following the investigative journalism coverage of the Vietnam and the Watergate scandal, according to the research group. But confidence has been below 50 percent since 2007.

"While it is clear Americans' trust in the media has been eroding over time, the election campaign may be the reason that it has fallen so sharply this year," Gallup said in its report.

"With many Republican leaders and conservative pundits saying (Democratic presidential nominee) Hillary Clinton has received overly positive media attention, while (Republican nominee) Donald Trump has been receiving unfair or negative attention, this may be the prime reason their relatively low trust in the media has evaporated even more."

Gallup said Trump's sharp criticism of the press may also have had an impact on public opinion.

Just 14 percent of Republicans said they trust the media, down sharply from 32 percent a year ago and the lowest level of confidence among Republicans in 20 years, according to Gallup.

Among Democrats, 51 percent expressed confidence in the media, down from 55 percent a year ago, while the number of independents trusting news organizations fell to 30 percent from 33 percent.

Trust was also low among younger adults: just 26 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 49 said they felt confidence in the media compared with 38 percent of those 50 and older.
US arms pact for Israel shows enduring ties trump recent tension

The United States and Israel put aside the antagonism between their leaders and reaffirmed their strategic bond on Wednesday, when Washington promised its ally an unprecedented $38 billion military aid package.

As Israel's national security advisor and a senior US diplomat signed the 10-year deal there was no sign of the distrust that has soured relations between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In recent weeks Washington has toughened its criticism of Israel's accelerated building of settlements on occupied land in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, warning that it could destroy hopes for peace with the Palestinians.

As Israel's national security advisor and a senior US diplomat signed the 10-year deal there was no sign of the distrust that has soured relations between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Saul Loeb (AFP/File)

And Israel has made no secret of its fierce opposition to Obama's signature diplomatic initiative, the outreach to Iran which last year led to a deal to restrain Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

- Greatest friend -

Beyond that, Netanyahu and Obama have often rubbed each other up the wrong way and, while the Israeli leader has been accused at home of putting the alliance at risk, the president's domestic foes accuse him of snubbing his ally.

But the US-Israeli alliance pre-dates both men and the new 10-year deal will cover the terms of the next president too. The White House insists that the relationship is unbreakable and at the core of US regional strategy.

"For as long as the state of Israel has existed, the United States has been Israel's greatest friend and partner, a fact underscored again today," Obama declared, in a statement released to mark the signing.

But he continued pointedly.

"It is because of this same commitment to Israel and its long-term security that we will also continue to press for a two-state solution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite the deeply troubling trends on the ground that undermine this goal," he said.

"As I have emphasized previously, the only way for Israel to endure and thrive as a Jewish and democratic state is through the realization of an independent and viable Palestine."

The deal covers the period from 2019 to 2028 and will see Israel receive $3.3 billion per year in foreign military financing -- up from $3.1 billion per year currently -- and $500,000 per year in funding for missile defense.

Even before this record package, Israel was already the biggest single recipient of US military aid from the State Department's foreign military financing budget, receiving itself more than half of the funds.

But the warm words at the ceremony and the historic nature of the sum could not fully paper over the tough negotiations that got the parties there -- and Israel did not get everything it wanted.

The deal will cover a decade in which Netanyahu's government fears that its old foe Iran -- released from international sanctions on its nuclear program -- will become even more aggressive in the region.

- Iron Dome -

Israeli reports have suggested that he sought up to $4.5 billion per year to maintain his army's quantitative and qualitative edge over its neighbors, and Netanyahu's friends in Washington were quick to complain.

And the huge headline figure of $38 billion came about by adding much of the funding that the United States already provides to support the "Iron Dome" missile defense system to the broader military financing package.

"We're almost the same as where we are right now," said Jonathan Schanzer, former US counter-terrorism analyst and vice-president of Washington think tank the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

And, while Israel will now be able to buy more of the latest F-35 fighter jets and CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor planes from American firms, it has lost a key source of support for its thriving defense industry.

According to the White House, under the arrangement Israel will lose its right, unique among US allies, to spend 26.3 percent of its US funding with its own arms manufacturers and will instead have to buy American technology.

Nevertheless, the alliance -- "iron-clad" in the words of US National Security Advisor Susan Rice -- remains, despite or perhaps even in part because of Obama's need to prove his feud with Netanyahu has no strategic consequence.

"It's a constant in the Obama administration: personal relations are terrible but everyone agrees the military relationship has never been stronger," Joseph Bahout of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace told AFP.

"That's the paradox. What we hear from Israeli officials is that they can't stand this administration but they've never been so spoiled, and Obama can insist that no one can accuse him of not loving Israel."
Clinton says 'great to be back' on trail as race tightens

Hillary Clinton returned to the White House campaign trail Thursday seeking to regain the momentum lost to Donald Trump, especially in the country's key battleground states, during her battle with pneumonia.

The former secretary of state, 68, signalled she was raring to go, delivering a speech to students at a university in North Carolina before heading to Washington to a celebration marking Hispanic Heritage Month.

But her Republican rival didn't lose a step, pummelling her economic record and that of President Barack Obama -- and releasing new medical records showing the 70-year-old billionaire real estate mogul to be in "excellent physical health."

In a "summary update" on Hillary Clinton's health, her personal physician wrote she was bouncing back after a case of "mild, non-contagious" pneumonia Brendan Smialowski (AFP)

The presidential hopefuls are going to pound the pavement in the 10 days to come before their first of three highly anticipated debates on September 26 in New York.

"It's great to be back on the campaign trail," Clinton told cheering supporters in Greensboro, North Carolina -- another key battleground state.

"With two months to go until election day, sitting at home is the last place I wanted to be," she added.

"The heat is on."

Clinton fell ill Sunday during a 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York where she was seen stumbling limp-legged into her vehicle, an episode that raised tough questions about her overall health and her campaign's transparency.

With the candidates' wellbeing suddenly at the forefront of the campaign, Clinton looked to head off further scrutiny by releasing new medical records Wednesday indicating that she was "fit to serve" as president.

The disclosure came as the media-savvy Trump, 70, teased new health data of his own during the taping of a nationally televised medical chat show, before publishing it Thursday in full.

The one-page letter from his long-time doctor lists various lab results, including for cholesterol, blood pressure and liver and thyroid function -- all deemed to be within the normal range.

While Trump is shown to be slightly overweight, his doctor Harold Bornstein declared the Republican nominee to be "in excellent physical health."

- 'Welfare check' -

Trump had made a point of refraining from harsh attacks on his convalescent rival -- but the candidates swiftly resumed their jousting with Clinton back in action.

In an address to the Economic Club of New York, Trump slammed the policies of Clinton and Obama as having doubled the national debt and promised his presidency would bring about "an American economic revival."

There would be "no limit" to American job growth if government slashed taxes, removed destructive regulations and unleashed the energy sector, he said, warning that the nation would tumble into "dwindling prosperity" and see more people grow dependent on handouts if Clinton were elected.

"The only thing she can ever offer is a welfare check," he said.

Clinton, meanwhile, attacked the brash billionaire, who has repeatedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his "alarming closeness with the Kremlin."

"Donald Trump has run a deplorable campaign," she told the Tom Joyner radio show.

In Greensboro, she denounced her opponent as dividing voters with his harsh rhetoric.

"Are we going to bring people together or pit Americans against each other and rip this country apart?" she asked.

- 'Human leech' -

Clinton surrogates came out in force too, with her former colleague in the Senate, Democratic Minority Leader Harry Reid, delivering a ruthless punch on the Senate floor as he addressed reports of Trump's unethical business dealings.

"Trump is a human leech who will bleed the country," Reid steamed.

Recent opinion polls show the Clinton-Trump gap narrowing with less than seven weeks before Election Day.

A CBS News/New York Times survey found Clinton had just a two-point edge (46 to 44 percent) over Trump in a two-way matchup among likely voters.

When third party candidates Gary Johnson and Jill Stein were included, the race was tied at 42 percent each.

A Quinnipiac University poll out Wednesday found Clinton edging Trump 41 percent to 39 percent when third party candidates were factored in.

Trump appears to have flipped the momentum in all-important battleground states as well. A recent Bloomberg poll puts him up by five points in Ohio, while a CNN survey now has Trump ahead of Clinton by three points in Florida.

Clinton and Trump alike will be hoping to score points with undecided voters through a show of greater transparency on their health.

As the Democrat recuperated at home in Chappaqua, New York this week, her campaign released a detailed update from her personal physician Lisa Bardack saying Clinton remains "healthy and fit to serve as president."

Not to be outdone, Team Trump finely orchestrated the release of his own test results on an appearance on the "The Dr Oz Show," taped Wednesday and aired Thursday.

After Trump dramatically pulled out his lab results from a suit pocket and showed them to Mehmet Oz -- the show's celebrity host who is also a professor of surgery -- the doctor peppered Trump with questions about whether he has had any cancers, "skin issues," stroke or head injuries.

Trump is seen saying "No" to all of them, with an earnest shake of the head.

"I have to be very boring for you, right?" he quipped.

Clinton appeared to lose her patience with the drama.

"Look at the show he put on with Dr. Oz today," she said in Greensboro.

"I'll never be the showman my opponent is -- and that's ok with me."

US presidential vote Philippe Mouche, Francois D'Astier (AFP)

While Donald Trump is shown to be overweight, with a body mass index of 29.5, his doctor Harold Bornstein declared the Republican nominee to be "in excellent physical health" Jeff Swensen (Getty/AFP/File)
Veiled British woman's attack not likely anti-Muslim: NY police

A weekend attack in which a man set fire to a veiled British woman's clothing in Manhattan was not likely an Islamophobic attack, police said Wednesday.

The incident took place late Saturday in front of a luxury boutique on 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The woman, a 35-year-old tourist, said she was walking when she suddenly felt her shirt sleeve on fire.

Police at first said they were investigating a possible hate crime, but backtracked Wednesday, saying she was not likely targeted because of her clothing.

A woman watches as coffins are taken from a hearse for a muslims mass prayer for Imam Maulama Akonjee and his assistant, Thara Uddin, 64, who died in a fatal shooting outside of the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid mosque on August 13, 2016 in Queens, NY Spencer Platt (Getty/AFP/File)

Two similar attacks were carried out against women in the same area Saturday night, police said. Neither woman was Muslim or wearing religious clothing.

Police said the investigation is continuing and no suspects have been arrested.

In August, an imam and his assistant were shot to death on the street near their mosque in the borough of Queens. An investigation into that incident has not yet established that it was an Islamophobic attack.
Dominican woman classified as man sues US prison

A Dominican woman wrongly classified as a man in a Miami prison and put in a cell with 40 male inmates is suing the authorities and seeking $750,000 in compensation.

The woman, Fior Pichardo de Veloz, a lawyer and mother of three children, was arrested in November 2013 on a charge related to drug trafficking.

She is suing the prison authorities on charges of violating her constitutional rights, negligence and violation of privacy after being harassed and threatened with rape in a 10-hour ordeal at the facility.

Fior Pichardo de Veloz was wrongly classified as a man in a Miami prison and put in a cell with 40 male inmates Justin Tallis (AFP/File)

Months later, the authorities dismissed the charges and she returned to the Dominican Republic, where she lives.

In her suit filed this week in a US federal court in Miami, a medical examination at the time of her arrest determined that Pichardo had "non-traditional male characteristics" that warranted further review.

Questioned by AFP, the lawyers for the 54-year-old Dominicana did not explain the nature of those characteristics.

Three male nurses of the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department examined Pichardo and determined she was a man, according to the document obtained Wednesday by AFP.

Afterward, three prison officials reclassified her as a man after initially identifying her as a woman, and ordered her transfer to a male cell.

"After a 'review' by a nurse employed by Miami-Dade County, it was then determined that Pichardo had male reproductive organs and she was sent to a male-only facility. This identification was outrageously incorrect," her lawyers wrote in the court document.

"Pichardo is quite feminine and lacks any characteristics of someone who even remotely resembles a man," they said.

Confined with 40 male inmates, she was subjected to bullying and rape threats. According to the document, a prison official said to her in Spanish as he was locking her up: "Lucky if you live to see tomorrow."

Pichardo was forced to undergo two examinations of her genitals, which were photographed.

Finally she was sent to a solitary cell, where she feared for her life when male guards ordered her to disrobe, leered at her and took pictures.

About 10 hours later, the prison authorities reexamined her case and admitted the gender error.

"Pichardo continues to suffer emotional distress, fear for her life, hopelessness, despair, mental anguish, fear for her safety, and fear of being raped," the document said.
UN demands South Sudan cooperate on regional force

The UN Security Council on Wednesday urged South Sudan's government to take immediate steps to allow a new regional force to deploy in Juba as it weighed imposing an arms embargo.

Following a closed-door meeting, New Zealand Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, who holds the council presidency, said it was time for "actions, not words" from President Salva Kiir's government.

The council voted last month to deploy the 4,000-strong regional protection force (RPF) in Juba, which will be under the command of the UN peacekeeping mission.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (L) takes US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power on a tour of the state house to show damage from fighting in July Charles Atiki Lomodong (AFP/File)

The new force will help provide security in the capital and at the airport, and help protect UN facilities after Juba was rocked by heavy fighting in July.

Council members "call on the government to abide by the commitments it made and to translate them into concrete steps immediately," Van Bohemen said following the meeting.

"They called on the government to finalize with the United Nations the modalities for the deployment," he told reporters.

After initially opposing the force, Kiir this month agreed to the deployment during talks with council ambassadors who traveled to Juba for meetings with the leadership.

UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said the joint communique agreed between the United Nations and the Juba government on the deployment of the force "had not been acted upon at all".

Ladsous said it was now up to the council to decide on the next steps.

In the resolution, the council threatened to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan if the government blocks the regional force or impedes the work of UN peacekeepers.

- Russia opposes arms embargo -

US Ambassador Samantha Power said Kiir's government must quickly show that it will follow up on its commitment or it will face an arms embargo.

"If the government of South Sudan does not allow the regional protection force to deploy or does not allow the UN to move in a way that it needs to move to protect civilians, the United States certainly will support an arms embargo," Power told reporters.

But Russian Deputy Ambassador Petr Iliichev said Moscow does not support a ban on arms sales to South Sudan, arguing that it would not help advance peace efforts.

"The government is going to stop the cooperation" with the United Nations if an arms embargo is imposed, Iliichev said.

"It will get them deeper into the trenches."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told the council in a report last week that the first advance teams of the new force could begin arriving in Juba by the end of this month.

Ban said he would report to the council in October on whether South Sudan's government is cooperating.

If he finds it is not cooperating, that would trigger a vote at the council on the proposed arms embargo.

New Zealand's ambassador said the council was ready to consider "the appropriate next steps" including a possible arms embargo.

South Sudan descended into war in December 2013 after Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

During the fighting in July, Machar, who had been persuaded to return to Juba to join a national unity government, fled the country and is now in Khartoum, having been replaced by Taban Deng Gai in Juba.

Aside from the tens of thousands of people killed in the conflict, the United Nations has reported shocking levels of brutality including gang rapes and the wholesale burning of villages.

South Sudan descended into war in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup Charles Atiki Lomodong (AFP/File)
DIVIDED AMERICA: Losing out to China, workers embrace Trump

HANNIBAL, Ohio (AP)  Crushed by Chinese competition and feeling betrayed by mainstream politicians, workers in the hills of eastern Ohio are embracing Donald Trump and his tough talk on trade.

For decades, they and others living across the Ohio River in West Virginia found work in coal mines and at a local aluminum plant  union jobs, with good pay and generous benefits.

But those jobs are going, if not gone.

This Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo shows a diesel tank at the former Ormet plant in Hannibal, Ohio. For decades, many workers in the area found work at the aluminum plant...union jobs, with good pay and generous benefits. But due to stiff price competition from China, the plant closed in 2014. Crushed by Chinese competition and feeling betrayed by mainstream politicians, workers in the area are embracing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his tough talk on trade. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

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EDITOR'S NOTE  This is part of Divided America, AP's ongoing exploration of the economic, social and political divisions in American society.

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Coal is being wiped out by stricter environmental rules and competition from cheap natural gas. The Ormet aluminum plant? It's out of business, doomed by China's domination of the global aluminum market.

In an angry election year, some of America's angriest voters live in places like Monroe County where local economies have been punished by price competition with China. Their frustration has fueled support for the Republican presidential nominee, with his belligerent rhetoric about the need to outsmart America's economic rivals, tear up unfair trade deals and re-establish America as the world's dominant player.

"This is Trump country," says John Saunders, an official with the United Steelworkers in nearby Martins Ferry, Ohio.

The disaster that's unfolded here isn't obvious at first glance, not in a region known as the Switzerland of Ohio for its forested, rolling hills. In tiny Hannibal (population: 411), stately two-story homes overlook lawns that roll toward the banks of the Ohio. Nearby Woodsfield, seat of Monroe County, Ohio, looks like Main Street USA, its downtown dominated by a red brick courthouse displaying one of the world's biggest clocks.

But the misery is real. Monroe County's unemployment rate is Ohio's highest at 10.2 percent. Families have moved out to find work. The number of children in the local school district is down 223, or nearly 10 percent, since 2013.

"You're going to have to travel to find a job," says Fran Poole, whose husband, Cecil, worked at the Ormet plant here for 37 years before being laid off when it closed.

Some laid-off workers chose to retire early. Others found work in the energy business, only to see those jobs melt away, too, as oil and gas prices fell. Some are doing odd jobs  cutting grass, hauling gravel.

Much of the damage to this region can be traced to China's decision to become self-sufficient in aluminum production. Aluminum is used in construction and auto manufacturing, aerospace and consumer-product packaging. The surge in its production reflected a broader Chinese strategy: pour money into manufacturing to add jobs and accelerate economic growth.

Fueled by government subsidies and cheap loans from state-owned banks, Chinese aluminum producers went into overdrive: In 2000, the United States had produced a world-beating 15 percent of all aluminum, China just 11 percent. By 2015, China had escalated its output nearly 1,200 percent  and held 55 percent of the world's share.

As Chinese aluminum flooded the world, prices collapsed. A pound of raw aluminum now fetches 74 cents  down from $1.25 five years ago. U.S. production has tumbled 56 percent since 2000, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. And America's share of world aluminum is below 3 percent.

Since 2011, U.S. aluminum companies have closed or idled nine of the 14 U.S. smelters, where aluminum oxide is turned into raw aluminum. Two surviving plants are running at half capacity or less. In Massena, New York; Columbia Falls, Montana; New Madrid, Missouri, plants have folded, idled production or laid off workers.

Hundreds of workers in New Madrid lost their jobs when Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. sought bankruptcy protection in February.

"If you take metal prices back to where they were before China started flooding the market, you're looking at somewhere between 90 cents and $1.10 a pound," says Cameron Redd, a laid-off Noranda employee. At those prices, he says, the Noranda plant still "would be hiring."

Relief hasn't come. At this month's G-20 summit, U.S. and Chinese officials agreed to work together to reduce overproduction of aluminum, but the Chinese have long balked at cutting aluminum output  and jobs.

"They don't want unemployment," says Michael Komesaroff of Urandaline Investments, and Australian consulting firm.

Longtime residents recall how vital the Ormet plant here was for the area's economy and for supporting middle-class lifestyles. Workers regularly vacationed and bought houses and boats and all-terrain vehicles to tear up the Ohio countryside.

"If you didn't go to college or the military, you went to the coal mines or Ormet," says Bill Long, a former Ormet laborer who is a supervisor at the county's Department of Job and Family Services.

The plant used to burn more electricity than all of Pittsburgh. For nearly six decades, barges plied the Ohio River and trains clacked alongside State Highway 7, bearing Ormet aluminum to customers across America.

The factory drew workers from the hills of West Virginia and eastern Ohio, paying them about $40,000 a year before overtime. Overtime was "sporadic," recalls Carl Davis, a former Ormet worker who is now a Monroe County commissioner. "But a few were known to gross around $100,000."

"Even though the work was hard back then, it was best job I had ever had, and the most money I'd ever had my hands on," says Francis Blackstone, a 70-year-old Ormet retiree. "And the benefits were just unheard of"  including free health care.

"We were all family," says Danny Isaly, an Ormet worker who became the plant's head of industrial relations. "Everybody had a relative here."

After the plant closed, Isaly received unemployment benefits until they ran out. Then he retired at age 59.

Niagara Worldwide bought the 1,600-acre complex at auction in 2014 after Ormet Corp. sought bankruptcy protection. Dan Gerovac is overseeing the plant's destruction for Niagara. He and his crew are clearing the site in hopes of selling it to another industrial company. They are breaking down equipment  including the pots where aluminum oxide was turned into aluminum at temperatures of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit  for sale as scrap metal.

"No aluminum will be made here anymore," Gerovac says.

Through most of the 2000s  aside from a sharp drop during the Great Recession  world aluminum prices had withstood the surge in supply from China. China's own economy was growing so fast its demand for aluminum was nearly insatiable. Then its economy decelerated after 2010, and aluminum prices plunged.

Desperate, Ormet and the Steelworkers union sought to renegotiate electricity prices from the local utility, AEP Ohio. In 2012 and 2013, they urged Gov. John Kasich to lean on the state utility commission to help. Kasich wouldn't intervene, leaving the decision to the commission.

The plant went out of business.

Aluminum prices were so low the plant might not have survived anyway. But Kasich's refusal to intervene helps explain why animosity for the governor runs high in these parts. In the March Republican presidential primary, Monroe County overwhelmingly backed Trump and rejected Kasich, who otherwise won his home state handily.

"He just shunned us," Danny Isaly says.

Trump is viewed as a champion to many here who say America's political leaders have stood by while competition from China and other countries has wrecked communities like Hannibal.

"He says what a lot of people would like to say," says Cecil Poole, who feels the national Democratic Party has abandoned blue-collar workers. Trump's pledge to "Make America Great Again" resonates with those who feel they've lost their place in the middle class.

In a way, some of the laid-off Ormet workers were fortunate for a time. When the plant closed two years ago, the region was enjoying an energy boom. Oil and gas companies were fracking in the Marcellus Shale formation, from upstate New York through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia. They needed drivers, electricians, welders.

Poole, 62, and out of work after nearly four decades at Ormet, got a commercial driver's license and found work hauling supplies for energy companies. He earned about what he made at Ormet, though he had to work twice as many hours for it. And Poole found the work exhausting. He traveled overnight and slept in his rig.

"It was tough on the old body," he says.

He retired in June.

The fracking boom, it turned out, didn't produce as many jobs as people here had hoped. The energy companies often brought in experienced oil-field workers. Then, energy prices started tumbling, and fracking work dried up.

Now, job openings are scarce, the pay and benefits no match for what Ormet offered.

"It's embarrassing what's out there," says Bill Long, who counsels the unemployed.

Peeking out from one jobseeker's file in his office is an application for a position at Dairy Queen. Long says some of the old Ormet workers seem in denial about their prospects. He recently ran into one.

"He said, 'I keep hoping the plant's going to fire back up,'" Long recalls. "I said, 'That's not going to happen, buddy.'"

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AP video: http://bit.ly/2ctieWO

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Follow Paul Wiseman on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PaulWisemanAP

In this Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo, a gear from an air compressor that provided plant air for the former Ormet plant lies on the ground at the site in Hannibal, Ohio. For decades, many workers in the area found work at the aluminum plant...union jobs, with good pay and generous benefits. But due to stiff price competition from China, the plant closed in 2014. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is viewed as a champion to many here who say Americas political leaders have stood by while competition from China and other countries has wrecked communities like Hannibal. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

This Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo shows the pot line that housed the reduction cells for the former Ormet plant, at the site in Hannibal, Ohio. For decades, many workers in the area found work at the aluminum plant...union jobs, with good pay and generous benefits. But due to stiff price competition from China, the plant closed in 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

This Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo shows the area that housed the dry scrubber for the former Ormet plant, at the site in Hannibal, Ohio. For decades, many workers in the area found work at the aluminum plant...union jobs, with good pay and generous benefits. But due to stiff price competition from China, the plant closed in 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

In this Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo, Bill Long, a former Ormet employee who is now a supervisor at the Monroe County Job and Family Services, works in his office in Woodsfield, Ohio. Due to stiff price competition from China, the Ormet plant closed in 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

In this Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo, Bill Long, a former Ormet employee who is now a supervisor at the Monroe County Job and Family Services, works in his office in Woodsfield, Ohio. Due to stiff price competition from China, the Ormet plant closed in 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

In this Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo, Carl Davis, left, a former Ormet employee who is now a Monroe County Commissioner, and former Ormet employee Cecil Poole, who's now retired, talk in the County Commissioner's office is Woodsfield, Ohio. For decades, many people in the area held union jobs with good pay and generous benefits while working at the Ormet aluminum plant. But due to stiff price competition from China, the plant closed in 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

In this Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo, the Ormet name still hangs on the wall in the lobby of the former plant, which is in the process of being demolished, in Hannibal, Ohio. Due to stiff price competition from China, the plant closed in 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

This Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo shows the area that housed the dry scrubber for the former Ormet plant, at the site in Hannibal, Ohio. For decades, many workers in the area found work at the aluminum plant...union jobs, with good pay and generous benefits. But due to stiff price competition from China, the plant closed in 2014. Crushed by Chinese competition and feeling betrayed by mainstream politicians, workers in the area are embracing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his tough talk on trade. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

In this Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo, a pile of rubble lies next to a dust collector for a carbon storage room of the former Ormet plant, at the site in Hannibal, Ohio. For decades, many workers in the area found work at the aluminum plant...union jobs, with good pay and generous benefits. But due to stiff price competition from China, the plant closed in 2014. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is viewed as a champion to many here who say Americas political leaders have stood by while competition from China and other countries has wrecked communities like Hannibal. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

This Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo shows a dust collector for a carbon storage room of the former Ormet plant, at the site in Hannibal, Ohio. For decades, many workers in the area found work at the aluminum plant...union jobs, with good pay and generous benefits. But due to stiff price competition from China, the plant closed in 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

This Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo shows one of the stacks from the furnace room of the former Ormet plant, at the site in Hannibal, Ohio. For decades, many workers in the area found work at the aluminum plant...union jobs, with good pay and generous benefits. But due to stiff price competition from China, the plant closed in 2014. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is viewed as a champion to many here who say Americas political leaders have stood by while competition from China and other countries has wrecked communities like Hannibal. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

This Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, photo shows the site of the former Ormet plant in Hannibal, Ohio. For decades, many workers in the area found work at the aluminum plant...union jobs, with good pay and generous benefits. But due to stiff price competition from China, the plant closed in 2014. Crushed by Chinese competition and feeling betrayed by mainstream politicians, workers in the area are embracing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his tough talk on trade. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
British man pleads guilty in Trump attack case in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP)  A British man pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. federal court to trying to grab a police officer's gun and open fire at a June campaign rally for presidential candidate Donald Trump in Las Vegas.

Standing before a judge in orange jail clothes with the word "detainee" across his back, Michael Steven Sandford acknowledged that he has been treated in the past for mental illness.

Court documents say Sandford previously told a federal agent that he drove from California to Las Vegas with a plan to kill Trump.

FILE - In this June 18, 2016, photo, police remove Michael Sandford as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at the Treasure Island hotel and casino in Las Vegas. The mother of Standford who is accused of attempting to shoot Donald Trump told British television he will plead guilty to lesser charges in a U.S. court. Lynne Sandford, the mother of Michael Sandford, told the station her son has signed a plea agreement in advance of a Nevada court appearance Tuesday, Sept. 13. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

"I plead guilty, your honor," Sandford told U.S. District Judge James Mahan when asked for his plea to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and disrupting an official function.

"I tried to take a gun from a policeman to shoot someone with, and I'm pleading guilty," he said.

Sandford didn't get the gun before he was arrested, and no shots were fired.

The judge said he was satisfied that Sandford was fit to enter the plea, even though the defendant said he had taken the anti-psychotic medication risperidone.

Sentencing was set for Dec. 13 and Sandford was ordered to remain in federal custody.

Under terms of his plea agreement, Sandford could face between 18 and 27 months in a U.S. prison for his two felony convictions. He will get credit for time served, accepting responsibility for the crime and avoiding trial, which had been set to start Oct. 3. He won't be able to appeal.

Sandford could have faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted of both charges at a trial, and up to 30 years on the three charges he initially faced.

One charge of being an illegal alien knowingly in possession of a firearm will be dropped, prosecutor Nicholas Dickinson said.

Sandford is "almost certain" to be deported and banned from returning to the U.S., according to the plea agreement in which he acknowledges he overstayed his tourist visa and was in the U.S. illegally for almost 10 months at the time of his arrest.

Sanford's pleas came after he met in custody last week with his mother, Lynne Sandford of Dorking, England, and a lawyer who arrived with her from London.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Brenda Weksler also was involved in the meetings in Las Vegas. She declined to comment, and said Lynne Sandford and family attorney Saimo Chahal returned to England before Tuesday's hearing.

Chahal said earlier that a psychiatrist she enlisted to review the case determined that Sandford was delusional at the time of the attempted attack. Sandford also suffers seizures, obsession-compulsion, anxiety and autism spectrum disorders, Chahal said.

"Michael was not in control at the time of the events and needs help," the attorney said in an email to The Associated Press before the hearing. "He is desperate to return to the U.K. to be near his family as he has no ties with the U.S.A."

Court documents say Sandford acknowledged telling the Las Vegas police officer that he wanted a Trump autograph and then grabbing for the officer's gun with both hands.

Sandford told a federal agent that he arrived in Las Vegas two days before the campaign rally, rented a 9mm pistol and fired 20 shots at a paper target at a Las Vegas gun range the day before Trump's appearance, according to court documents.

Sandford told the agent it was the first time he had ever fired a gun.

It wasn't clear if Trump recognized a threat before officers escorted Sandford out of the 1,500-seat theater at the Treasure Island hotel-casino. But the candidate, now the Republican presidential nominee, noticed the commotion.

"We love you police. Thank you. Thank you, officers," Trump said as Sandford was ushered away.

In a statement following Sandford's pleas, U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden said "attentiveness and quick action" by security officers prevented a shooting in the crowded auditorium.
Clinton spokesman says she'll rejoin campaign trail Thursday

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP)  Hillary Clinton will be back on the campaign trail Thursday, after spending several days at home recovering from pneumonia.

Campaign spokesman Nick Merrill says the Democratic nominee will resume normal campaign activities later this week. Clinton is scheduled to address the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute dinner in Washington on Thursday evening and appear on "The Tonight Show" Friday.

Clinton's doctor diagnosed her with pneumonia on Friday and recommended she take five days off to rest, Clinton told CNN. Her campaign didn't disclose the illness until Sunday, after video circulated on social media showing her stumbling and being supported by aides after abruptly leaving a 9/11 memorial service in New York City.

In this Sept. 11, 2016, photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, center, accompanied by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., left, Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., second from left at top, and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, center top, attends a ceremony at the Sept. 11 memorial, in New York. Clinton will be back on the campaign trail Thursday, after spending several days at home recovering from pneumonia. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

She headed to her daughter's house in Manhattan before going to her suburban New York home, where she was examined by her physician. The doctor later said in a statement that Clinton was "rehydrated and recovering nicely."

The illness has largely kept Clinton out of the public eye at a pivotal time during the fall election.

Merrill said the Democratic nominee spent Tuesday reading briefing material, calling aides and watching President Barack Obama campaign on her behalf in Philadelphia. Clinton had planned to campaign Wednesday in Las Vegas. Former President Bill Clinton will headline that event in her place.

The nearly eight-hour gap between when Clinton was first reported to have stumbled and when her campaign disclosed her pneumonia has revived questions about her penchant for secrecy.

Facing criticism for her lack of transparency, Clinton has promised to release additional medical records. She's also expressed regret for failing to follow her doctor's orders for several days of rest.

"I probably would have been better off if I'd just pulled down my schedule on Friday," Clinton said in a Monday interview on CNN, adding, "I just didn't think it was going to be that big a deal."

After months of questioning Clinton's stamina, GOP rival Donald Trump has delivered a measured response on the issue.
Jimmy Carter: Latest scan monitoring health "turned out OK"

ATLANTA (AP)  If he were pressed into service as a presidential debate moderator, Jimmy Carter said that he'd ask the candidates to speak about how they would encourage peace and human rights.

The former U.S. president spoke Tuesday night at an annual question-and-answer session for supporters of The Carter Center, the human rights nonprofit he and his wife founded in Atlanta. Rosalynn Carter accompanied her husband at the event.

Here's a look at the broad range of topics the pair covered:

Former President Jimmy Carter speaks as his wife former first lady Rosalynn looks on during "A Conversation with the Carters", Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016 at The Carter Center in Atlanta. If he were pressed into service as a presidential debate moderator, Jimmy Carter said that he'd ask the candidates to speak about how they would encourage peace and human rights. The former U.S. president spoke Tuesday night at an annual question-and-answer session for supporters of The Carter Center, the human rights nonprofit he and his wife founded in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Alex Sanz)

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Carter, who dedicated a portion of his 1977 inaugural address to human rights, said "it would be hard to imagine" either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump making a similar speech in January.

Carter joked that he'd try to avoid recent criticism lobbed at Matt Lauer following back-to-back interviews with the candidates during a televised national security forum. Carter said he'd like this fall's debate moderators to gather questions from average Americans. Carter said if he was in a moderator's role, he'd ask Clinton and Trump to talk about "overcoming the present dissensions and violence and abuse that's sometimes part of United States policy."

"I think it would be an embarrassing question to them because they haven't talked about that during the campaign," Carter said. "It's mostly been how we have to stay at war and how much we will discriminate against other people and things like that."

HEALTH

Jimmy Carter said an MRI of his brain on Tuesday morning "turned out to be OK" and he remains healthy.

Carter, 91, began receiving treatment for cancer in August of 2015. Doctors removed a portion of his liver and prescribed a round of radiation for tumors on his brain. In March, Carter announced that recent scans showed no signs of cancer and he no longer needed doses of an immune-boosting drug.

Carter said scars from the small tumors once detected on his brain are still visible but haven't changed in size.

Carter said he's looking forward to his 92nd birthday on Oct. 1 and will celebrate with Rosalynn in their hometown of Plains, Georgia. The couple has a home there.

SYRIA CEASE-FIRE

Carter said he's closely watching the cease-fire in Syria. The Carter Center has worked in Syria since 2013, holding workshops and other events in the country. As of Tuesday evening, the cease-fire brokered by the United States and Russia had held through a first day.

"That's good news for the present time," Carter said.

The center's programming in Syria also includes a mapping project using social media and other sources to chart shifting points of conflict in the country. The organization then shares that information with mediators and other humanitarian organizations. Carter said he and Rosalynn recently met with Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, and discussed that project.

"He started Facebook," Rosalynn Carter interjected as her husband spoke. "He started Facebook, yes," Jimmy Carter replied, promoting laughter from the crowd.
A 14-year-old female freshman who shot and wounded a fellow student at a West Texas high school before killing herself had planned to shoot her 14-year-old stepbrother before shooting herself, police have concluded.

But that plan was foiled when a 17-year-old junior encountered the armed freshman Thursday in the girls' restroom at Alpine High School, Chief Russell Scown of the Alpine Police Department said in a statement issued Tuesday.

Scown said the girl had brought a 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun, 18 bullets and an ammunition magazine from home, all concealed in her backpack.

Police in Alpine, Texas, have revealed the motive behind a school shooting at the local high school last Thursday. Above, students and parents meeting after the shooting

Police say the shooter intended to attack her 14-year-old step-brother, but that plan was foiled when a 17-year-old female student caught her. Above, families reuniting after the shooting

The female gunman then shot the 17-year-old student before committing suicide. The 17-year-old's injuries were non-life-threatening. The school pictured above

'Investigators have determined that she intended to shoot her 14-year-old stepbrother and then shoot herself while inside the school. Her plan was interrupted when a 17-year-old female, a junior student at the school, entered the restroom,' Scown stated. He did not say how investigators determined that the stepbrother was targeted.

The older girl saw the younger girl with the gun, which she raised and aimed at the junior. The 17-year-old ducked and began running as the other girl opened fire, wounding her in the lower body. Officials said later that day that the wound was not life-threatening.

Police have not released the identities of the shooter, her step-brother or the 17-year-old victim. An officer is pictured responding on the day of the shooting

The 14-year-old then shot herself fatally in the head, Scown stated.

Police have not identified the 14-year-old girl, her 17-year-old victim or her 14-year-old stepbrother.

Scown said there is no further threat to the 290 students at the school, nor to the faculty and staff.

Interviews of students and faculty led investigators to rule out bullying as a factor in the shooting. The statement did not say why the girl would target her stepbrother.

In another statement to the community, Scown praised the strength and courage of the girl wounded in the restroom encounter.

'The actions of this young lady, although unintentional, thwarted a much deeper tragedy,' he said.
Bayh calls for suspending congressional pay in stalemates

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  U.S. Senate candidate Evan Bayh said on Tuesday that he wants Congress to prohibit lawmakers from promoting themselves with taxpayer-funded mailings while also barring them from collecting a paycheck during a government shutdown or prolonged budget stalemate.

The Democratic former Indiana governor and U.S. Senator labeled them "common sense" proposals, but also used them to criticize his opponent, U.S. Rep. Todd Young.

"It is true that he is one of the top users of (taxpayer-funded) mail. It's also true that he voted to close the government," Bayh said in an interview with the Associated Press.

In this May 1, 2016 file photo, former Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh speaks in Indianapolis. U.S. Senate candidate Evan Bayh says members of Congress shouldnt get paid if they dont pass a budget or if government shuts down in partisan gridlock. The Democratic former Indiana governor and U.S. senator told the Associated Press on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, he will pursue those changes if elected in November. Bayh says they are common sense steps that can help Congress improve its dismal approval rating and regain voters trust. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

Bayh transformed the Indiana race when he came out of political retirement in July run for the Senate, and his contest with Young could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. Democrats need to make a net gain of four seats to take control if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency.

Until now, Bayh has tried to avoid direct mention of his opponent, relying instead on a well-financed series of negative ads targeting Young.

In contrast, Young has repeatedly launched personal attacks, going so far as to call Bayh "a fundamentally flawed person" during a recent news conference. On Monday, shortly before former President George W. Bush headlined a fundraiser on his behalf, Young said the race was tightening and declared that he has "momentum."

Bayh is hitting back and his campaign points to Young's use of the congressional mailings, while also questioning Young's pledge to forego a paycheck during the 2013 government shutdown.

At the time, Republicans in Congress refused to approve an increase in nation's borrowing authority unless major changes were made to President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. Democrats resisted and the government ground to a halt until Republicans caved.

During the shutdown dozens of lawmakers said they would forego a paycheck during the shutdown, even though the U.S. Constitution explicitly requires that they be paid. Many donated their paychecks to charity.

"You'd have to ask him whether he took his pay or not." Bayh said of Young.

A statement from Young's campaign did not address if he collected pay and his use of congressional mailing.

Young spokesman Jay Kenworthy said the congressman "appreciates Evan Bayh finally coming around to joining him on these issues," but took aim at Bayh's post-Senate work for companies that had legislation before Congress, adding that if Bayh "really wants to clean up Washington, he should start by helping to stem the influence of special interests."

Congressional records show that since Young took office in 2011 he has spent more than $270,000 on the taxpayer financed mailers, which are used to highlight lawmakers' work in Washington. Those records show Young also spent more than $200,000 paying consultants who specialize in the mailings.

That's more than the other members of the Indiana delegation have spent since 2010.
Police arrest 2 linked to suspect in officer's shooting

SHELBY, N.C. (AP)  Police in North Carolina have made two arrests in connection with the shooting death of a police officer, although the main suspect remains at large.

The Shelby Star reports (http://bit.ly/2cY1Pwk) Police Capt. Steve Seate said Tuesday that Deitria Morris was arrested as an accessory after the fact in the death of Officer Tim Brackeen.

Seate also said Ashley Michelle Hamrick faces charges of felony harboring an escapee. It's believed she was harboring Irving Lucien Fenner Jr. in relation to the arrest warrants Brackeen was trying to serve Fenner last Saturday.

Chief Jeff Ledford said Brackeen was looking for the 23-year-old Fenner to serve warrants on him. Ledford said Brackeen found Fenner at a home, where the two struggled before Brackeen was shot in the chest. Brackeen died Monday.

___
ACLU asks Supreme Court not to review restroom ruling

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  The ACLU of Virginia has filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court asking justices not to review a ruling that a transgender boy be allowed to use the boys bathroom at his high school.

The civil rights group said in a news release that it had filed the brief Tuesday. The ACLU had brought a case on behalf of 17-year-old Gavin Grimm against the Gloucester County School Board. The board had barred Grimm from using the restroom that matches his gender identity.
Manning: Ending hunger strike after Army approves treatment

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP)  A transgender soldier imprisoned in Kansas for leaking classified information to the WikiLeaks website will end a hunger strike after the Army agreed to allow her to receive medical treatment for her gender dysphoria, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Tuesday.

Chelsea Manning's medical treatment will begin with surgery that was recommended by her psychologist in April, the ACLU said. Manning began the hunger strike at Fort Leavenworth military prison on Friday, vowing to continue until she received better treatment.

"I am unendingly relieved that the military is finally doing the right thing. I applaud them for that," Manning said in a statement. "This is all that I wanted  for them to let me be me. But it is hard not to wonder why it has taken so long. ... In any case, I hope this sets a precedent for the thousands of trans people behind me hoping they will be given the treatment they need."

FILE - In this undated file photo provided by the U.S. Army Pfc. Chelsea Manning poses for a photo wearing a wig and lipstick. Manning, a transgender soldier imprisoned in Kansas for leaking classified information to the WikiLeaks website will end a hunger strike after the Army agreed to allow her to receive medical treatment for her gender dysphoria, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/U.S. Army, File)

Manning, who was arrested in 2010 as Bradley Manning, was convicted in 2013 in military court of leaking more than 700,000 secret military and State Department documents to WikiLeaks. Manning was an intelligence analyst in Iraq at the time. She is serving a 35-year sentence.

Army spokesman Wayne Hall didn't immediately respond Tuesday evening to a request for comment.

ACLU attorney Chase Strangio said Manning should "enjoy some peace" knowing the medical care was coming.

"Thankfully the government has recognized its constitutional obligation to provide Chelsea with the medical care that she needs and we hope that they will act without delay to ensure that her suffering does not needlessly continue."

Strangio said it's troubling that Manning still faces administrative charges related to a suicide attempt on July 5 at the military prison. She wants the Army to drop those charges and stop efforts to have Manning to cut her hair to male hair length military standards.
Lady Gaga cheers on Brandon Maxwell at NY Fashion Week

NEW YORK (AP)  It was a toss-up as to who was more excited about Brandon Maxwell's show: his buddy Lady Gaga or his mom.

Or maybe it was his grandmother.

All were on hand at the Russian Tea Room on Tuesday night as his models walked, sitting beneath huge chandeliers amid the red and gold decor while Maxwell, as he said later, "sat in the back in a corner by myself and just hoped it would go well."

Lady Gaga, second from right, poses for pictures before the Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

It's what he does, he said, calling himself "not a naturally confident person." But if anything can turn that around, it's the year he's had.

Maxwell dressed first lady Michelle Obama twice, putting her in a strapless ivory gown in August for the White House state dinner for the prime minister of Singapore, and in a sculptural dark teal just a few days ago for the October cover of InStyle magazine.

Both, he said in a post-show interview, felt "fantastic."

"I feel very grateful for that," he said.

It was quite a feat for a young designer like himself. The Texas native launched his company just last year after working as a stylist for Gaga, earning a prestigious award for emerging talent in June from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

He has dressed other celebrities as well and remains Gaga's fashion director. And his dad still runs his business.

For fashion week, Maxwell stuck close to his core aesthetic, with folded and piped bodices that curved and hugged, a cape-back jumpsuit, pleated trousers and deep V necks and halters in satin and other elegant fabrics. Some of his tops were cropped and tiny while other looks offered plenty of coverage.

There were blacks, whites and looks in a greenish taupe. While Maxwell considers his target customer young, like the models he hired  and whom he urged to stay loose and have fun during the show  there were looks that could work on older women as well. His 60-year-old mom, Pam Woolley, wore a black outfit with big bell cuffs that fit her perfectly.

Gaga also wore Maxwell  teeny tight black shorts with a matching crop top, showing off her long blonde high ponytail as she sipped Champagne in black-rimmed nerd glasses and later stood and clapped from the front row when Maxwell came out for his bow.

"I have such great friends and family," Maxwell said. When he decided to become a designer himself and build a business, "they really got on board and fully supported me."

Take his dad's help, for instance.

"When it comes to the business, I know that any choices he makes he's making as my dad," he said. "Sometimes in a world where you can't trust a lot of people, you know, especially as your life is changing, I'm really so blessed to have that."

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Designer Brandon Maxwell, left, and Lady Gaga appear at the Maxwell Spring/Summer 2017 collection at The Russian Tea Room on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in New York. (Photo by Christopher Smith/Invision/AP)

Lady Gaga arrives before the Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Brandon Maxwell greets the crowd after showing his Spring 2017 collection during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Lady Gaga arrives before the Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Southwest Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Chicago

CHICAGO (AP)  A Southwest Airline aircraft flying from Columbus, Ohio, to Denver has been forced to make an emergency landing at Chicago's Midway International Airport.

In a statement, a Southwest Airlines spokeswoman says the pilot declared an emergency Tuesday and the flight was diverted to "investigate potential smoke in the cockpit."

The statement said protocol was followed and emergency vehicles met the aircraft upon its arrival. There were no injuries. Southwest said 112 passengers and five crew members continued on to Denver on a different aircraft.
The Obama administration asked Congress on Tuesday for $2.6 billion to help Louisiana rebuild from disastrous floods that have ravaged the state.

The White House request is for rebuilding damaged homes and infrastructure, helping small businesses and funding community development projects.

It comes as Gov. John Bel Edwards returns to Washington to press the case for money to help Louisiana.

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People are pictured last month as they arrived to be evacuated by members of the Louisiana Army National Guard near Walker, Louisiana, after heavy rains inundated the region

Sgt. Brad Stone of the Louisiana Army National Guard is pictured last month as he gives safety instructions to people loaded on a dump truck after they were stranded by rising flood waters near Walker, Louisiana in August following the historic flooding

Tuesday evening's letter from White House budget chief Shaun Donovan asked Congress to 'provide additional funding to address Louisiana's unmet housing and infrastructure needs as soon as possible.'

On Monday, Edwards upped his aid request to $2.8 billion.

He has the backing of Louisiana's GOP-dominated congressional delegation.

It is likely too late for the administration request to be included in a stopgap spending measure under development that's required to prevent a government shutdown at month's end.

The Obama administration has asked Congress for $2.6 billion to help the state rebuild from the floods. Request comes as Gov. John Bel Edwards returns to Washington to press the case for money to help Louisiana (Obama and Edwards pictured last month)

Obama greets first responders as he tours a flood-affected area in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on August 23

Residents survey the flood water on Old Jefferson Highway at Bayou Manchac in Prairieville, Louisana. Last month's floods have displaced tens of thousands of people from their homes

But additional spending legislation that is expected to advance in December is more likely to include the money.

Last month's floods have displaced tens of thousands of people from their homes.

More than 140,000 individuals have registered for government help.

Donovan said 73,000 families are receiving temporary housing assistance at a cost of more than $600 million, paid for from existing Federal Emergency Management Agency funds.

Edwards is expected to meet with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., during his Washington visit.

Scenes from Louisiana foods last month pictured. More than 140,000 individuals have registered for government help
China vows to cut aluminum output, but producers plan growth

BEIJING (AP)  China's leaders are promising to rein in aluminum production that is flooding global markets and threatening jobs in the United States and Europe, but its producers have ambitious plans to expand.

The glut has cut costs for Western buyers of aluminum used to make lighter cars and aircraft. Prices have fallen so low, though, that U.S. and European smelters are closing, prompting demands for trade penalties.

An array of Chinese industries from aluminum, steel and coal to makers of solar panels and glass mushroomed over the past decade until supply vastly exceeded demand. The surplus has widened as China's economy cooled.

In this Aug. 22, 2016 photo, a woman walks with an umbrella past scavenged air ducts made from aluminum sheet metal in Beijing, China. Chinas leaders are promising to rein in aluminum production that is flooding global markets and threatening jobs in the United States and Europe, but its producers have ambitious plans to expand. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

The Communist leadership has been promising since 2009 to cut overcapacity and reduce reliance on energy-guzzling heavy industry. But they face resistance from local officials who are reluctant to lose jobs and tax revenue.

Plans issued in February call for shrinking the steel and coal industries at a loss of 1.8 million jobs. The Cabinet says it plans to close 45 million tons of steel production this year and has done about one-third of that so far.

Beijing agreed at the Group of 20 meeting of major economies this month to cooperate more closely on steel by forming a global forum to exchange information on the status of efforts to shrink its industry. But it avoided any binding commitments.

Beijing has yet to issue plans for other industries but affirmed its pledge to reduce excess capacity at an earlier G20 meeting in July.

Despite that, Chinese smelters that make more than half the world's aluminum are adding millions of tons of capacity, supported by what Western competitors complain are improper subsidies including low-cost power. Output in June hit a monthly record of 2.7 million tons, according to the Aluminum Institute in London.

"The industry overcapacity situation is more severe," said the newspaper National Business Daily this month.

Chinese producers dispute that.

"We believe that if there is an overcapacity in the aluminum industry, then it must be temporary," said Mo Xinda, a researcher for the aluminum branch of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association.

Aluminum gets less public attention than Chinese steel exports, on which Washington imposed anti-dumping tariffs in July. But pressure for official action is rising: The Aluminum Association, a U.S. industry group, appealed to regulators in April to investigate Chinese producers.

The United States has five aluminum smelters left, down from 14 a decade ago, according to the association. It says the number of American jobs in alumina refining and primary aluminum production has fallen to 5,000 from 12,000 in 2013.

Aluminum producers in Europe say its industry is being driven out of business by subsidized Chinese exports.

The global price of aluminum has fallen by 40 percent since 2011 and sits at about $1,600 per ton after dipping below $1,500 last year. That is far below the $2,200 level most Western smelters need to be financially viable, according to analyst Lloyd O'Carroll of CRU Group, a research firm.

Chinese output grew by 1,000 percent from 2.8 million metric tons in 2000 to 31.7 million metric tons last year, according to the International Aluminum Institute. At the same time, annual production outside China rose 19 percent to about 25 million metric tons.

Tianshan Aluminum Co. in Xinjiang in the northwest announced in June it is adding 1 million tons of production capacity. East Hope Group in Shanghai is adding 680,000 tons. China Resources Co., a national-level state company owned by the Cabinet, plans to build a 500,000-ton smelter in the northern city of Luliang in Shanxi province.

"This kind of growth is not warranted by conditions in the marketplace globally and certainly not in China," the president of the Aluminum Association, Heidi Brock, told a U.S. government hearing in April.

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew pressed Chinese officials for action on aluminum at an economic dialogue in June and again at the G20 meeting in July.

Chinese officials told Lew they have no plans to force the closure of aluminum capacity because they used up their "political capital" on coal and steel, according to a person who was briefed on the meeting and asked not to be identified further.

Shutdowns of coal and steel producers are costly: The government is promising to spend 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) to help miners and steelworkers find new jobs.

And while smelters in central and southern China are closing due to higher costs there, producers are opening in the north, where abundant coal supplies allow them to generate their own power.

That reliance on China's cheap but high-sulfur coal has prompted environmental warnings.

"China cannot meet its carbon reduction commitments without both eliminating energy subsidies and curtailing outdated, carbon-intensive production in the aluminum industry," said Brock.
Mercosur's founding states give Venezuela a Dec. 1 deadline

ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP)  The four original nations of South America's Mercosur trading bloc announced Tuesday that they are giving Venezuela until Dec. 1 to comply with its commitments when it joined in 2012 that it would comply with all the group's requirements.

Brazil's foreign minister tweeted that Venezuela would be suspended from the group if it failed to meet the deadline.

The ultimatum was contained in a statement from Mercosur founders Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay that was released by the Foreign Ministry of Paraguay, where the group has its headquarters.

The statement gave no details about the requirements that Venezuela had not met.

But Paraguayan Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga recently said that among the things Venezuela needed to do was protect human rights and enact a law guaranteeing free movement of citizens of the member nations. He also said Venezuela was not allowing opposition groups to protest freely.

On Twitter, Brazilian Foreign Minister Jose Serra said the group would suspend Venezuela as a member if the group's demand is not met. He also said that the four countries agreed that Venezuela would not take over the bloc's rotating presidency as scheduled and instead Mercosur will be presided over by a commission of one member each from the four founding states.
A Colombian general's journey to peace with rebels

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  For 40 years, army Gen. Javier Florez battled the guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. Now his mission is to make sure thousands of the rebels are safe as they disarm and return to civilian life under a historic peace deal.

It's an improbable journey that Florez says has forced him to alter his soldier's perspective as the country undergoes profound changes after more than five decades of conflict.

"There are situations as a soldier that you don't understand," Florez told The Associated Press in an interview Monday, describing his shift from one of the FARC's most feared military adversaries to one of its most trusted government confidants.

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2014, file photo, the new Colombian armed forces commander Gen. Juan Pablo Rodriguez, right, talks to newly appointed chief of staff Gen. Javier Florez, left, and army commander Gen. Jaime Lasprilla, center, after a press conference where Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon announced the firing of the former armed forces chief Gen. Leonardo Barrero in Bogota, Colombia. After battling the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia for 40 years, Gen. Florezs mission is now to ensure that thousands of the guerrillas safely disarm before returning to civilian life under a historic peace deal reached in 2016. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

The transformation began when President Juan Manuel Santos two years ago asked Florez to give up his position as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, the armed forces' No. 2 position. He wanted the general to negotiate face-to-face with the FARC on how 6,000 guerrilla fighters would turn over their weapons and reintegrate into civilian life.

The 59-year-old Florez said he sweated making his decision. At that point, peace negotiations were dragging into their third year and many in the U.S.-backed military questioned whether years of hard work driving the rebels to the edges of the jungles would be undone by a piece of paper.

Between three coffees and a cigarette, or maybe three cigarettes and a coffee, Florez jokes, he thought about the political vortex into which he was plunging his family.

"I thought they would call me a traitor, as in fact happened," he said, recalling the attacks on social media he suffered from retired officers and conservative opponents of Santos' peace effort. "I had to disarm my spirit, my soul and my heart and understand that Colombian society is very complex."

The sacrifice appears to have paid off. Last month, Santos and the FARC announced they had reached a deal to stop fighting. In the coming weeks, the accord will be signed at a ceremony and then voters are expected to ratify it in a nationwide referendum.

The cease-fire component negotiated by Florez sets out a detailed protocol by which the FARC will mobilize its troops to 28 rural areas across Colombia and over six months gradually turn over their weapons to a United Nations-led mission of international observers.

Key to the accord, Florez said, was guaranteeing the FARC will be treated with dignity and not as a surrendering force despite the widespread contempt many Colombians hold for the group over its past involvement in drug trafficking, kidnapping and bombing of civilian targets.

That was something he struggled with the night before his first meeting in Cuba with a rebel known as Carlos Antonio Lozada, a warlord Florez had personally hunted years before as head of the military's elite Omega forces.

He said two fellow generals who were on the government's negotiating team from the outset, former police chief Oscar Naranjo and former military chief Jorge Enrique Mora, gave him a last-minute pep talk that prepared him for what would become the toughest mission of his life.

"They calmed me down, making me understand that I wasn't just representing the armed forces but something bigger: the Colombian people," Florez recalled.

Over coffee breaks and leisurely walks at the convention center in Havana where talks took place, he began to understand that Lozada faced many of the same pressures from inside the FARC not to cede too much to the government. By the end, enough trust had been built up that Florez recently toured with Lozada a guerrilla camp where he would have been a trophy prisoner not long ago.

Under the deal, both rebels and soldiers who committed abuses in the line of duty will have to confess their crimes to special peace tribunals or face up to 20 years in prison. That grates on some conservative critics, who say putting professional soldiers before the same courts that will judge rebels who systematically subverted the rule of law is a humiliation.

But for Flores, military crimes such as the extrajudicial killings of potentially thousands of civilians represent only a small fraction of the conflict's horrors. He said it is only fitting that hundreds of soldiers already serving time or facing charges for such crimes receive the same benefits as FARC fighters.

"We're not going to abandon these people," he said of those soldiers, attributing their crimes to the psychological damage from years of bloody conflict. "If we're going to forgive the terrorists, why aren't we going to forgive those who acted badly?"

___

Joshua Goodman is on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjoshgoodman . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/joshua-goodman .
NY GOP lawmaker wins primary days after killing himself

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  Days after killing himself, a vocal advocate for gun rights and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has won a New York primary election.

Assemblyman Bill Nojay was facing a fraud trial in Cambodia and reportedly under FBI scrutiny when he went to his family's cemetery plot in Rochester and shot himself in front of an arriving police officer on Friday.

Now the defeat Tuesday of challenger Richard Milne coupled with a quirk in state election law means that local GOP leaders, who encouraged voters to choose Nojay despite his death, get to pick someone to take on Democrat Barbara Baer in November. Nojay's Republican-leaning district in the Legislature's lower chamber covers parts of suburban Rochester and the Finger Lakes region.

Nojay was facing a fraud trial in Cambodia and was reportedly under FBI scrutiny when he went to his family's cemetery plot in Rochester and shot himself in front of an arriving officer on Friday

"I really don't know what to say. It's such an unusual situation," Milne told The Associated Press as unofficial results showed him trailing by nearly 1,000 of the 4,500 votes cast.

Though he hopes the three county leaders put him on the ballot, Milne was critical of "robocalls" and other efforts by the "powers that be" to boost Nojay after his death.

"They really did some things in the past few days that were in poor taste in my opinion to sway the vote," he said.

While rare, posthumous elections happen, notably when Missouri Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan died in a plane crash but defeated the Republican incumbent and future U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft in a 2000 Senate race. That victory led to the appointment of Carnahan's widow, Jean Carnahan, to the Senate. Since 1962, four people who died close to Election Day have been elected to the House of Representatives.

Nojay, a 59-year-old Rochester native and father of three, was elected to the Assembly in 2012 and quickly emerged as a leading critic of stricter gun control laws that Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo pushed through the Legislature after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. He had graduate degrees in law and business from Columbia University and was a research fellow at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal, according to his official biography.

In addition to his work as a lawyer and lawmaker, Nojay hosted a regional conservative talk radio show and encouraged Trump when he previously flirted with running for governor of New York.

Authorities haven't said what might have been behind Nojay's suicide, but multiple Rochester media outlets have reported he was due to surrender to the FBI to face federal fraud charges on the afternoon he killed himself near his brother's grave. Federal prosecutors have declined to comment on that case.

Nojay and two other men were also facing trial in Cambodia on fraud charges, accused of bilking an investor of $1 million in a proposed rice exporting business. Nojay denied fraud was committed.

"All the people I've worked with have been honorable people, but again, some of them have done well, and some of them have stumbled. That's just the nature of small business work," Nojay told Rochester's WHAM radio the day before he died.

Milne, who is mayor of Honeoye Falls, said he ran a "clean and solid race" and was disappointed.

"I really believe we would have fared better with Mr. Nojay still alive," he said.
Jury selection begins in drifter's death penalty retrial

BOSTON (AP)  Jury selection has begun in the sentencing retrial for a man sentenced to death in the 2001 carjack killings of two Massachusetts men.

A jury gave Gary Sampson the death penalty in 2003, but that sentence was overturned eight years later by a judge who found that one of the jurors had lied repeatedly about her background.

Sampson pleaded guilty to carjacking and killing 69-year-old Philip McCloskey and 19-year-old Jonathan Rizzo during a weeklong crime rampage in July 2001. The new jury will be asked to decide if Sampson should receive the death penalty or life in prison.

Jury selection began Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Boston.
Oldest US lighthouse, Boston Light, celebrates 300 years

BOSTON (AP)  America's oldest lighthouse station is being honored as it turns 300 years old.

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Paul Zukunft called Boston Light a "landmark that will stand the test of time" at a waterfront Boston celebration Wednesday.

Democratic Mayor Martin Walsh says the beacon will "always remain a national treasure."

FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2016 file photo, Boston Light, America's oldest lighthouse, sits on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor. The nation's oldest lighthouse station is turning 300 years old with celebrations and a ceremonial re-lighting. Coast Guard Commandant Paul Zukunft and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh are among the dignitaries expected to attend a Wednesday morning, Sept. 14, 2016, celebration in downtown Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

Festivities included a large birthday cake replica of the lighthouse and performances by the Coast Guard band, honor guard and drill team.

Dignitaries then travelled 9 miles by boat to the light's home on Little Brewster Island.

At sunset, Boston Light will be briefly powered down and symbolically relit.

The 89-foot-tall lighthouse was built by the British in 1716, was destroyed during the American Revolution and was rebuilt by the U.S. in 1783.
Man wanted in officer's slaying captured arraigned

COVENTRY, R.I. (AP)  A wounded fugitive wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a police officer in North Carolina was captured by police in Rhode Island on Wednesday and was arraigned, state police said.

Authorities surrounded a Coventry apartment where Irving Fenner surrendered peacefully early Wednesday, state police said.

Fenner was taken to a hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound. State police Col. Steven O'Donnell said Fenner was wounded during a shootout Saturday with Shelby, North Carolina, police Officer Tim Brackeen, who had been trying to serve him with a warrant.

Brackeen died Monday. His funeral is scheduled for Friday afternoon at Shelby High School, Principal David Allen told The Shelby Star.

Fenner was released from the hospital and taken to state police headquarters, where he was arraigned Wednesday night on charges of murder and being a fugitive from justice. He appeared in hospital scrubs and a sling, and was ordered held without bail. Fenner has outstanding warrants for robbery and kidnapping out of North Carolina. He couldn't be reached for comment while in custody, and it was unclear whether he had a lawyer who could comment for him.

Fenner, of Grover, North Carolina, was picked up and driven Monday to Rhode Island, where he has many family members, police said.

The Rhode Island state police tactical team, federal agents and local police raided a home in South Providence on Tuesday night in hopes of finding Fenner, but he wasn't there.

Police did, however, arrest Fenner's half-sister on a charge of harboring a fugitive. She also was wanted on a warrant out of North Carolina on a charge of being an accessory after the fact. It was unclear if the warrant was related to Brackeen's killing.

Two occupants of the Coventry apartment where Fenner was found also were arrested and were charged with harboring a fugitive. One was Fenner's uncle, the other was his uncle's girlfriend.
Doctors: Israel's Peres showing improvement

JERUSALEM (AP)  Former Israeli President Shimon Peres' condition was showing slight improvements after he suffered a major stroke, with his physicians saying Wednesday that he had regained consciousness and squeezed his doctor's hand, while the nation rallied in prayer and support for the 93-year-old elder statesman and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Dr. Yitzhak Kreiss, director of the Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv, said Peres' condition remained serious Wednesday afternoon, 24 hours after the stroke. But he said Peres' neurological signs were improving. He said that Peres, who had been placed in and out of a medically induced coma, was regaining consciousness from time to time and reacting to stimulation. Peres remained on mild sedatives and a respirator, Kreiss said.

"He is slightly more aware," he told reporters. "We are trying to reduce some of the sedation in order to evaluate him, and that's a good sign."

Prof. Raphy Walden, former Israeli President Shimon Peres' doctor speaks with journalists outside the hospital ward where Peres is hospitalized, in Tel Aviv, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Peres suffered a "major stroke" on Tuesday and experienced heavy bleeding in the brain, hospital officials said, as doctors raced to stabilize the 93-year-old Nobel laureate. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Rafi Walden, Peres' son-in-law and personal physician, told the crowd that Peres had "responded well" when the dosage of medication was reduced.

"I am pleased to say that he understands what is being said to him, is responsive, and even warmly squeezed my hand. We are impressed by the way the state of his recognition has improved considerably in the last few hours," Walden said.

Earlier Wednesday, Walden said there appeared to be no imminent threat to his life anymore. The question was what kind of damage was sustained and what kind of recovery he could make, Walden said.

In a phone briefing with reporters, Walden said earlier that Peres suffered a stroke in the right side of the brain and was being ventilated and sedated. However, he gave an optimistic forecast, saying all Peres' physical parameters were stable and his blood tests were good.

Peres is the elder statesman of Israeli politics, one of the country's most admired symbols and the last surviving link to its founding fathers.

Over a seven-decade career, he's held virtually every senior political office, including three stints as prime minister and extended terms as foreign, defense and finance minister. He won the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in reaching an interim peace agreement with the Palestinians.

He had remained active since completing his seven-year term as president in 2014, refusing to bow into retirement.

His spokeswoman Ayelet Frisch said Tuesday was no exception, with Peres waking early to read the daily newspapers before delivering an hour-long lecture and then uploading a video to his Facebook account in which he encouraged the public to buy locally made products. In the video, he appears weary but is otherwise alert and coherent.

Peres is known to keep a healthy lifestyle and has long prided himself in his longevity and stamina. Earlier this year, Peres was twice hospitalized for heart problems but quickly discharged. His office said Peres received a pacemaker last week.

Long a divisive figure in Israeli politics, Peres finally became one of Israel's most popular public figures in his later years.

"In his people's eyes he ceased to be a politician. He became an historic figure, larger than politics, larger than everyday affairs, a figure in a league of his own," wrote Nahum Barnea, a columnist for the Israeli daily, Yediot Ahronot.

As word of his stroke spread, Peres was showered with well wishes from political friends and foes alike.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who defeated Peres in 1996 to become prime minister, personally called the hospital to enquire on Peres' condition and posted a Facebook message wishing him a speedy recovery.

In a visit late Wednesday to the hospital, Netanyahu said, "I think I speak for all the people of Israel and many who are outside of Israel. Tonight we feel a certain relief."

The chief rabbis of Israel have called on the public to pray for Peres' recovery. His son, Hemi Peres, said the family has been overwhelmed with the love and affection it has received from Israel and around the world. But he warned that it was far too soon to eulogize his tenacious father.

"We are still in a battle and it is the beginning of the battle," he told Israel's Army Radio.

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Follow Aron Heller on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aronhellerap

Israeli police officers stand at the entrance to the hospital where former Israeli President Shimon Peres is hospitalized, in Tel Aviv, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Peres suffered a "major stroke" on Tuesday and experienced heavy bleeding in the brain, hospital officials said, as doctors raced to stabilize the 93-year-old Nobel laureate. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Israeli police officers, stand at the entrance to the hospital where former Israeli President Shimon Peres is hospitalized, in Tel Aviv, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Peres suffered a "major stroke" on Tuesday and experienced heavy bleeding in the brain, hospital officials said, as doctors raced to stabilize the 93-year-old Nobel laureate. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

FILE - In this Tuesday, July 15, 2014, file photo, Israel's President Shimon Peres speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, at his residence in Jerusalem. Former Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, suffered a stroke and was rushed to a hospital, where he was sedated and placed on a respirator ahead of a brain scan. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty, File)
Lawyers questioned over Indiana's Syrian refugees order

CHICAGO (AP)  Attorneys defending Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's order to bar agencies from helping Syrian refugees resettle in his state faced unusually fierce questioning before a federal appeals court Wednesday, suggesting the panel might side with a lower court that found the order discriminatory.

A three-judge panel for the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago zeroed in on the intelligence and intent behind the Republican vice presidential candidate's order, which a federal judge said in February "clearly discriminates" against refugees from the war-torn nation. Judges suggested that Indiana could've had a stronger argument for entirely opting out of the refugee program  for which states disperse federal money to resettlement organizations  instead of excluding Syrians.

"If you're in, you play by the government's rules," Judge Frank Easterbrook said.

In this Friday, Sept. 2, 2016 photo, Syrian refugee Fatema, left, sits beside her sleeping 5-year-old son Ayham at the Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services in New Haven, Conn. The family was diverted to Connecticut last year after Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said they were not welcome in that state. In their new home state, they have been received warmly by many, including Connecticuts Democratic governor, but they say they also have faced difficulties with finding work and with discrimination. (AP Photo/Pat Eaton-Robb)

The oral arguments came the same day the White House announced that the refugee program will be expanded in the next year as concern continues about the refugee crisis stemming from Syria's civil war and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Following November's Paris attacks, Pence was among dozens of governors from mostly GOP states who attempted to block Syrian refugees, saying there were questions about the federal government's screening process. The suspects in the attack were primarily from France and Belgium; GOP leaders, including Pence, noted that a Syrian passport, now believed to be fake, was found near one of the suicide bombers.

Pence sought to withhold federal funds for groups, including Indianapolis-based Exodus Refugee Immigration, that help Syrian refugees with medical and social services and job training.

The governor had the authority "due to terrorism concerns," Indiana's attorney general said in a Wednesday statement. But the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, which is representing Exodus, said in previously filed legal briefs that the order violates the U.S. Constitution and the Civil Rights Act and discriminates because states in the federal program must assist without regard to nationality. The ACLU said arguments by Indiana state officials were "built on fear."

Courts have knocked down other states' efforts to block Syrian refugees, most recently in June, when a federal judge threw out the state of Texas' lawsuit because it had no authority over resettlements handled by the federal government.

Indiana Solicitor General Thomas Fisher repeatedly cited in court FBI directors' past comments about less information available on Syrian refugees compared to those from other countries.

The judges, in sharp exchanges at times, were skeptical.

When Fisher interrupted a judge, another on the bench issued a rebuke. Later, when Judge Richard Posner launched into queries about how Indiana had determined Syrians were more dangerous than other refugees, he appeared unsatisfied with Fisher's response.

"Honestly, you are so out of it," Posner said.

Questions directed at ACLU attorney Kenneth Falk, were less intense and largely focused on constitutional arguments.

It's unknown when the three-judge panel will issue a written ruling on whether to uphold or overturn the lower court's decision.

Since February, more than 100 refugees from Syria have resettled in Indiana, according to Exodus. And the Obama administration said Wednesday that the U.S. will strive to take in 30 percent more refugees  110,000  than allowed in the previous year, saying the program doesn't impose a national security threat.

___

Follow Sophia Tareen at http://twitter.com/sophiatareen .

___
US voices concern over Chinese money in Australian politics

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  The American ambassador to Australia has voiced U.S. concerns over China's impact on Australian politics, saying the United States wants the system reformed to remove the influence of Chinese political donations.

Ambassador John Berry said in an interview with The Australian newspaper that the United States is "surprised" by the amount of Chinese money and influence in Australian politics and wants Australia to resolve the foreign donation issue. The embassy confirmed in a statement that Berry had been accurately quoted in the interview, published Wednesday.

Last week, the opposition Labor Party called for foreign political donations to be banned after Labor Sen. Sam Dastyari stepped down from a senior role for asking a Chinese company to pay a 1,670 Australian dollar ($1,250) travel bill. While Dastyari broke no law, he acknowledged that having the Sydney-based company Top Education Institute pay a personal bill was wrong.

FILE - In this July 3, 2015 file photo, U.S. Ambassador to Australia John Berry is photographed on the USS Blue Ridge as she arrives in Sydney Harbour, Australia, before taking part in the Talisman Sabre Operation, a biennial joint Australia-United States military exercise. The U.S. Embassy in Australia says its ambassador has voiced U.S. concerns over China's influence on Australian politics and wants the system reformed to eliminate the influence of Chinese political donations. Berry said in an interview with The Australian newspaper that the United States is "surprised" by the amount of Chinese money and influence in Australian politics and wants Australia to resolve the foreign donation issue. The embassy confirmed in a statement Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, that Berry had been quoted accurately. (Tim Hunter/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pointed to a Chinese language news report that quoted Dastyari as saying, "The South China Sea is China's own affair."

Turnbull said that statement contradicted both the government and the opposition's foreign policy position that China should respect international law in territorial disputes. The prime minister accused Dastyari, who has been dubbed Shanghai Sam, of saying what Chinese donors paid him to say.

Dastyari said he might have misspoken during the Chinese interview, but said he supported his party's policy.

The issue is broader than Dastyari, with Top Education Institute donating more than AU$230,000 to both Labor and the ruling conservative Liberal Party.

Unlike the United States, which bans foreign donations, Australian law has never distinguished between donors from Australia and overseas.

Berry said the United States hopes that Australia will protect its "core responsibilities against undue influence from governments that don't share our values."

He said the U.S. objects to Beijing being able to fund political candidates in an Australian election campaign to advance Chinese interests.

"That, to us, is of concern," Berry said in the newspaper interview. "We cannot conceive of a case where a foreign donation from any government, friend or foe, would be considered legitimate in terms of that democracy."

"We have been surprised, quite frankly, at the extent of the involvement of the Chinese government in Australian politics," he added.

A Labor government introduced a bill to ban foreign donations to Parliament in 2010, but it never became law. The minor Greens party has proposed a similar bill in the current Parliament, but conservative government ministers have said there is no need for reform.

Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported last month that businesses with Chinese connections gave Australia's major political parties more than AU$5.5 million from 2013 to 2015, making them easily the largest source of foreign-linked donations.

Australia struggles to balance its relationships with the United States, its most important strategic partner, and China, its most important trade partner.
Oregon sheriff says occupiers warned of armed invasion

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  The occupiers who took over a national wildlife refuge warned an Oregon sheriff that his county would be "invaded" by armed citizens if he didn't protect his constituents from the federal government, the law officer testified Wednesday.

Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward said that before the 41-day standoff, group leader Ammon Bundy and another man urged him to protect two local ranchers who faced additional prison time for setting fires on federal lands. That protest grew into demands for the U.S. government to turn public range over to local control.

Bundy and six others are on trial in the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier this year. All are charged with conspiring to prevent federal employees from doing their jobs at the remote bird sanctuary. Five of them are also charged with possession of a firearm in a federal facility.

Protestors gather outside the federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. The trial of The Bundy brothers, Ammon and Ryan, and five others are on trial nine months after the armed occupation of a wildlife refuge in Oregon as government prosecutors begin opening statements today in Portland.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

Ward said Bundy and defendant Ryan Payne, who pleaded guilty in July, visited him on Nov. 5, nearly two months before occupiers seized the refuge.

The sheriff testified that Bundy was polite and "an easy guy to have a conversation with," but the pair warned of civil unrest unless he told the federal government that the ranchers would not go back to prison.

"I was told my responsibility was to prevent them from going to prison, and if I didn't do those things, they would bring hundreds of people to town to do my job for me," Ward said.

The father-and-son ranchers, Dwight and Steven Hammond, distanced themselves from the occupiers and reported to prison two days after the standoff began Jan. 2.

Ward said the sheriff's office soon was flooded with phone calls and emails from supporters.

An email from defendant Neil Wampler said the sheriff needed to protect residents from an abusive government or "see your county invaded by the most determined and organized  and armed  citizens alive in this country."

A second message from Wampler warned: "We ain't playin!"

The sheriff said he's no cheerleader for the federal government, but he examined the Hammond case and determined that he had no right to defy the U.S. court system.

The defendants say the takeover was a legitimate protest of federal land management. Bundy's attorney, Marcus Mumford, noted that the occupiers never aimed a gun at anyone.

Ward said it was "absolutely not a peaceful occupation," describing gunmen clearing rooms using military-style tactics.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys asked the sheriff about a cordial meeting he had with Bundy a few days into the occupation. In a clip of the meeting, Ward offered Bundy safe passage out of Oregon and praised him for getting out his message about government overreach.

"I didn't go there to pick a fight," Ward said. "I wanted them to go home."

Ward said he arranged the visit after determining at a town hall meeting that most residents wanted the occupiers to leave.

Under cross examination from Ryan Bundy, Ammon's brother and co-defendant who is acting as his own attorney, the sheriff acknowledged that the occupation received greater favorability as the weeks went on.

"To a degree, yes," Ward said.

The Bundys were arrested in a Jan. 26 traffic stop that included the fatal shooting of Robert "Lavoy" Finicum, an occupation spokesman. Four holdouts stayed at the refuge for another 16 days.

The trial is expected to last until November.

___

Follow Steven DuBois at twitter.com/pdxdub.

Sam Noonkester, and his wife Terry, from Myrtle Creek, Ore, join a group of people congregated at the Northeast corner of Chapman Square in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. The trial of Ammon Bundy and six other defendants in the "Oregon standoff" case is taking place at the federal courthouse nearby. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP)

FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2016, file photo, Harney County Sheriff David Ward arrives at a community meeting at the Harney County fairgrounds in Burns, Ore. Ward testified in federal court in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2016, against seven defendants who took part in the 41-day standoff at an Oregon national wildlife refuge earlier this year. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Protestors kneel in prayer outside the federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. The trial of The Bundy brothers, Ammon and Ryan, and five others are on trial nine months after the armed occupation of a wildlife refuge in Oregon as government prosecutors begin opening statements today in Portland.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

Protestors kneel in prayer outside the federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. The trial of The Bundy brothers, Ammon and Ryan, and five others are on trial nine months after the armed occupation of a wildlife refuge in Oregon as government prosecutors begin opening statements today in Portland.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2015, file photo, Harney County Sheriff David Ward, left, speaks as Judge Steven Grasty listens in Burns, Ore. Ward testified in federal court in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2016, against seven defendants who took part in the 41-day standoff at an Oregon national wildlife refuge earlier this year. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
MLB Capsules

BOSTON (AP)  J.J. Hardy, Nolan Reimold and Jonathan Schop homered and the Baltimore Orioles beat Boston 6-3 Tuesday night to pull within two games of the AL East-leading Red Sox.

The Orioles also tied Toronto for the wild-card lead.

Dylan Bundy (9-5) gave up three runs over 5 1/3 innings. Zach Britton pitched a scoreless ninth for his 42nd save.

Xander Bogaerts homered for Boston, which had won five of six.

Drew Pomeranz (10-12) gave up five runs and four hits in two-plus innings.

CARDINALS 4, CUBS 2

ST. LOUIS (AP)  Brandon Moss broke out of a lengthy slump with a tiebreaking home run and Aledmys Diaz connected in his return to the starting lineup, leading St. Louis over Chicago.

The Cardinals ensured that the runaway Cubs won't clinch the NL Central at Busch Stadium. Chicago's magic number is three, and the series in St. Louis wraps up Wednesday.

St. Louis remained a half-game behind the New York Mets for the second wild-card spot.

Moss began the day mired in a 1-for-41 skid. He hit a two-run homer in the sixth off Jason Hammel (14-9).

Alex Reyes (2-1) pitched 4 1-3 innings of scoreless relief. Kevin Siegrist got his second save.

MARINERS 8, ANGELS 0

ANAHEIM, California (AP)  Taijuan Walker pitched a three-hitter for his first career shutout as Seattle won its season-high seventh straight.

Walker (6-10) was perfect through 5 2/3 innings before Kaleb Cowart reached o throwing error by shortstop Ketel Marte. Kole Calhoun ended Walker's no-hit bid with a leadoff single in the seventh inning. Walker matched a career high with 11 strikeouts in his first complete game since July 31, 2015.

Nelson Cruz and Norichika Aoki hit home runs and Seth Smith hit a grand slam to close the scoring.

Angels rookie Alex Meyer (0-3) gave up four earned runs and five hits over four innings in his fourth major league appearance.

YANKEES 3, DODGERS 0

NEW YORK (AP)  Jacoby Ellsbury and Didi Gregorius came off the bench and hit back-to-back homers in the seventh inning, sending the Yankees over the NL West leaders.

Gary Sanchez added a leadoff home run in the eighth as New York stayed two games behind in the AL wild-card race.

Adam Warren (3-1) retired both batters he faced, and Dellin Betances got four outs for his 11th save.

Ross Stripling (4-7) gave up homers on consecutive pitches.

RANGERS 3, ASTROS 2

HOUSTON (AP)  Jurickson Profar hit a tiebreaking single and AL West-leading Texas rallied for two runs in the ninth inning.

The Rangers improved to 15-3 against Houston this year. The Astros are 4 1/2 games back in the wild-card chase.

Rougned Odor fanned with one out in the ninth but reached on a wild pitch. He later scored on Elvis Andrus' two-out triple against Ken Giles (2-4), and Profar singled.

Alex Claudio (4-1) pitched the eighth and Tanner Scheppers worked a perfect ninth for his first save.

RAYS 6, BLUE JAYS 2

TORONTO (AP)  Drew Smyly pitched 5 2/3 innings to remain unbeaten at Rogers Centre, Alexei Ramirez and Steven Souza Jr. hit home runs and Tampa Bay stopped Toronto.

The Blue Jays are tied with Baltimore for the AL wild-card spots. Toronto is 3-8 in September.

Ramirez hit a three-run homer off Marcus Stroman (9-8) in the fifth.

Smyly (7-11) is 4-0 at Toronto.

METS 4, NATIONALS 3, 10 INNINGS

WASHINGTON (AP)  T.J. Rivera hit his first major league home run, connecting for the Mets in the 10th off Washington closer Mark Melancon.

New York has won eight of 10 and is a half-game ahead of St. Louis for the second NL wild card.

Rivera drove in three runs. His shot off Melancon (2-2) helped snap the Nationals' four-game winning streak.

Jeurys Familia (3-3) got the win despite allowing two runs in the ninth for his fourth blown save. Jerry Blevins struck out Daniel Murphy for the final out to earn his first save.

TWINS 8, TIGERS 1

DETROIT (AP)  Jorge Polanco homered and drove in four runs and Brian Dozier added three more hits to his torrid second half for Minnesota.

The Tigers lost for the third time in 14 games against Minnesota, costing them precious ground in a crowded race for the second AL wild card.

Kyle Gibson (6-9) dominated, allowing one run and five hits in eight innings.

Matt Boyd (5-4) took the loss in his worst outing since June. He gave up seven runs, eight hits and a walk in 3 2/3 innings.

ATHLETICS 5, ROYALS 4

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AP)  Pinch hitter Yonder Alonso delivered a two-run double in the eighth inning to rally Oakland.

Defending World Series champion Kansas City dropped five games out of the wild-card race with only 18 games left.

Rookie Matthew Strahm (2-1) took the loss.

John Axford (6-4) pitched one inning. Ryan Madson closed for his 30th save in 36 tries.

WHITE SOX 8, INDIANS 1

CHICAGO (AP)  Todd Frazier and Carlos Sanchez each drove in two runs in a seven-run sixth inning and Chicago handed AL Central-leading Cleveland its second straight lopsided loss.

The Indians, who have allowed 19 runs in two games, maintained a six-game lead over Detroit.

Jose Quintana (12-10) held Cleveland to five hits over eight innings.

Trevor Bauer (11-7) took the loss.

MARLINS 7, BRAVES 5

ATLANTA (AP)  Ichiro Suzuki scored two runs and drove in another in the 900th multihit game of his career and Miami boosted its fading wild-card hopes.

Miami is five games out of a playoff spot.

Justin Nicolino (3-6) earned the win with two hitless innings. A.J. Ramos worked a perfect ninth for his 35th save.

Matt Wisler (6-12) got the loss.

Freddie Freeman hit his career-high 30th homer for Atlanta. Matt Kemp also homered.

PIRATES 5, PHILLIES 3

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Sean Rodriguez had a pinch-hit three-run homer in the ninth inning to lift Pittsburgh.

The Pirates remained six games behind the Mets for the second NL wild card.

Rodriguez hit for pitcher Felipe Rivero (1-5) with two on and one out and connected off Jeanmar Gomez (3-4).

Tony Watson struck out two in the ninth for his 12th save.

REDS 6, BREWERS 4

CINCINNATI (AP)  Joey Votto homered and drove in two runs, Dan Straily pitched a career-high eight innings and Cincinnati took advantage of some sloppy Milwaukee fielding for its fifth straight win.

Straily (12-8) pitched around solo home runs by Keon Broxton and Jonathan Villar to improve to 8-2 since the All-Star break.

Matt Garza (5-7) allowed five runs, only one earned, in five innings.

DIAMONDBACKS 11, ROCKIES 4

PHOENIX (AP)  Jean Segura homered twice and Brandon Drury added his second homer in two nights to lead Arizona.

Segura hit solo shots off starter Jorge De La Rosa (8-8) in the first and fourth innings, setting a career high with his 13th and 14th homers. Drury homered in the fifth to give the Diamondbacks a 7-4 lead, and Paul Goldschmidt had three hits, scored three runs and stole his 25th base in support of winning pitcher Robbie Ray (8-13).

The Rockies dropped to 7 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the second NL wild card.

Matt Koch gave up two hits and struck out four over four innings for his first save.

PADRES 6, GIANTS 4

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Ryan Schimpf hit a go-ahead three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning for the San Diego Padres as the Giants' bullpen gave up a lead and chance to gain ground on the division-leading Dodgers.

Hunter Strickland (3-3) started the ninth and allowed two runs, three singles and a bases-loaded walk to Wil Myers, then Steven Okert entered to try to get the final out. Schimpf clobbered the fourth offering and sent it into the center-field bleachers for his 19th homer.
As Suu Kyi visits, US announces lifting of Myanmar sanctions

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Barack Obama said Wednesday the U.S. is lifting economic sanctions and restoring trade benefits to former pariah state Myanmar as he met with Aung San Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner who is now the nation's de facto leader.

Obama hailed a "remarkable" transformation in the country also known as Burma, which spent five decades under oppressive military rule. Suu Kyi's party swept historic elections last November, and the visit by the 71-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, deeply respected in Washington, is a crowning occasion in the Obama administration's support for Myanmar's shift to democracy, which the administration views as a major foreign policy achievement.

The U.S. has eased broad economic sanctions since political reforms began five years ago and Obama has visited the country twice. But the U.S. has retained more targeted restrictions on military-owned companies and officials and associates of the former ruling junta. U.S. companies and banks have remained leery of involvement in one of Asia's last untapped markets.

Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi steps from her vehicle as she arrives at the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, for a meeting with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

"The United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma for quite some time," Obama said as he sat alongside Suu Kyi in the Oval Office. He said it was "the right thing to do" to ensure Myanmar benefits from its transition. Asked by a reporter when sanctions would be lifted, Obama said "soon."

Suu Kyi concurred it was time to remove all the sanctions that had hurt the economy. She urged Americans to come to the country and "to make profits."

Congressional aides said that Suu Kyi requested the removal of the national emergency with respect to Myanmar  the executive order authorizing sanctions that has been renewed annually by U.S. presidents for two decades.

The Treasury Department said that Obama's decision will be legally effective when he issues a new executive order to terminate the emergency. A U.S. official said that 111 Myanmar individuals and companies will be dropped from a Treasury blacklist and restrictions will be lifted on new investment with military and on the imports of rubies and jade. But penalties intended to block the drug trade and to bar military trade with North Korea would still apply, as would a visa ban barring some former and current members of the military from traveling to the U.S.

The official and aides spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce hailed the announcement as "historic." But human rights groups say there are powerful reasons for retaining sanctions. Military abuses continue in ethnic minority regions. Rohingya Muslims remain displaced by sectarian violence and denied citizenship. The military and its associates still have huge stakes in the economy.

"Obama and Suu Kyi just took important tools out of their collective tool kit for dealing with the Burmese military, and threw them into the garbage," said John Sifton, deputy Washington director for Human Rights Watch.

Transparency watchdog Global Witness says Myanmar's jade industry, based in a northern region plagued by civil conflict, is dominated by a military elite, U.S.-sanctioned drug lords and crony companies. It estimates the industry is worth nearly half of the nation's economic output.

Suu Kyi addressed problems in western Rakhine state, where more than 100,000 Rohingyas remain stuck in camps, separated from Buddhists who are the majority in Myanmar. She said everyone entitled to citizenship in Myanmar should get it.

"We are sincere in trying to bring together the different communities," Suu Kyi said.

The White House also notified Congress on Wednesday it would be reinstating in November trade benefits to Myanmar because of its progress on workers' rights. The benefits were suspended in 1989, a year after the bloody crackdown on democracy protesters by the military.

Suu Kyi last visited Washington in 2012 when she was still opposition leader. On that occasion, she was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal, the legislature's highest civilian honor, which she had been awarded in 2008 while under house arrest.

Now she is de facto leader of the country with the title of state counsellor although a junta-era constitution still enshrines the military's role in politics and bars her from the presidency.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest pushed back on the notion the U.S. was undercutting its leverage over Myanmar on human rights and constitutional reforms by lifting sanctions. He said greater U.S. engagement would promote its ability to promote change.

____

Associated Press writers Kathleen Hennessey and Josh Lederman contributed to this report.

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2014, file photo, U.S. President Barack Obama, right, walks out with Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi at her home before the start of their joint news conference in Yangon, Myanmar. Suu Kyis latest visit to Washington signals her transformation from long-imprisoned heroine of Myanmars democracy struggle to a national leader focused on economic growth. Obama will discuss rolling back more of the sanctions that were applied when the nation was under military rule, and Suu Kyi will be courting the American business community at a dinner where tables go for as much as $25,000. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi steps from her vehicle as she arrives at the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, for a meeting with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Rising star lawmaker took steep fall after sex allegations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee state Rep. Jeremy Durham was a vocal young conservative and a rising legislative star, unafraid to pick fights with fellow Republican legislators or the popular GOP governor. But his increasingly erratic behavior and mounting sexual harassment allegations finally caught up with him when the chamber voted 70-2 to expel him.

The vote Tuesday to oust Durham, who represented the Nashville suburb of Franklin, followed an attorney general's investigation outlining lurid allegations of improper sexual contact with at least 22 women during his four years in office.

After preliminary results of the investigation were released last spring, Durham was even exiled by the Republican House speaker to an office away from other lawmakers, staff and lobbyists.

Rep. Jeremy Durham of Franklin talks to reporters as he leaves the Capitol before a vote to expel him from the House of Representatives was taken during a special session Tuesday Sept. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Forty seven Republicans were joined by 23 Democrats Tuesday to vote to oust Durham from the Tennessee state Legislature. Durham faced allegations of sexual harassment detailed in a state attorney general's report. He denied most of them. (George Walker IV / The Tennessean via AP)

Durham, who has said he's a victim of a Republican establishment vendetta, spoke in the House well Tuesday in one final effort to avoid becoming to the first state lawmaker to be ousted in 36 years.

"What they've done is they've had someone spend five months collecting as many rumors as possible, and then put them into a fancy document," Durham said. "And now they want you all to violate the Constitution, refuse me any form of due process and bail them out when they're the ones who have messed this whole thing up."

In the face of vigorous questioning by Republicans and Democrats alike, he denied most of the allegations. Then he abruptly left the chamber in mid-debate, sparking an uproar among lawmakers who wanted to pose more questions. But when the expulsion resolution came to a vote, it easily cleared the required two-thirds threshold with bipartisan support.

Speaker Beth Harwell of Nashville expressed relief that the Durham matter had been concluded.

"The public saw today that we take it seriously," Harwell said. "We have severely punished one of our own."

The investigation report included allegations that Durham plied a 20-year-old college student with a cooler full of beer and had sex with her in his office in 2014.

Another woman interviewed was a lobbyist who nicknamed Durham "Pants Candy" after she said he rummaged in his pocket before suggestively offering her a dirty, unwrapped mint.

"Looking back, I think there was definitely some fault that I had," Durham said. "But it's not the salacious ones in the media. ... The ones that everybody is talking about are the most false ones in there."

Harwell effectively quarantined Durham last spring, moving his office across the street and barring him from entering the main legislative area other than for official business. The move came after state Attorney General Herbert Slatery said Durham could pose a risk to "unsuspecting women" at the Capitol complex.

Durham, an attorney, quickly sought to exert his influence after winning office four years ago. He successfully challenged a more experienced colleague to be elected House majority whip and sponsored a law barring the governor from expanding Medicaid without legislative approval.

But those successes began unraveling as he drew attention for other actions, beginning with reports that prosecutors had sought fraud charges against him for falsifying prescriptions. The grand jury in his home county declined to indict him.

Lawmakers also questioned why Durham had written a letter on House stationery to a federal judge urging leniency in the sentencing of a former pastor who pleaded guilty to child porn possession and statutory rape of a 16-year-old parishioner.

As the sexual harassment allegations mounted, Durham was forced to step down as majority whip and remove himself from the House Republican caucus. The release of the attorney general's report led to him to suspend his re-election campaign that he later lost by a wide margin. But Durham steadfastly refused calls for him to resign.

Within minutes of his ouster, Durham's name had been scrubbed from his legislative office, his office door was locked and his access to the Capitol complex was revoked.

House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, a Chattanooga Republican who has been one of Durham's most vocal critics, said he was happy to see him go.

"I hope he sets his life on a good course and he's got plenty of time to correct what he's done wrong," McCormick said. "I hope he does that, but I'm glad he's not going to do it here."

Rep. Jeremy Durham of Franklin talks to reporters as he leaves the Capitol before a vote to expel him from the House of Representatives was taken during a special session Tuesday Sept. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Forty seven Republicans were joined by 23 Democrats Tuesday to vote to oust Durham from the Tennessee state Legislature. Durham faced allegations of sexual harassment detailed in a state attorney general's report. He denied most of them. (George Walker IV / The Tennessean via AP)

Republican Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, addresses the House in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, from the well of the camber to urge his colleagues not to expel him from the Tennessee General Assembly. The move to expel Durham follows an attorney general's investigation that detailed allegations of improper sexual contact with at least 22 women over the course of his four years in office. House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, presides at rear. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)

Republican Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, addresses the House in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, from the well of the camber to urge his colleagues not to expel him from the Tennessee General Assembly. The move to expel Republican state Rep. Jeremy Durham of Franklin follows an attorney general's investigation that detailed allegations of improper sexual contact with at least 22 women over the course of his four years in office. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)

Republican Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, addresses the House in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, from the well of the camber to urge his colleagues not to expel him from the Tennessee General Assembly. The move to expel Durham follows an attorney general's investigation that detailed allegations of improper sexual contact with at least 22 women over the course of his four years in office. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
GOP gaining on Dems in voter registration in 3 battlegrounds

WASHINGTON (AP)  Republicans have gained ground on Democrats in registering voters in three battleground states and kept their razor-thin advantage in Iowa  encouraging news for Donald Trump eight weeks before Election Day.

Republicans added hundreds of thousands of voters to the rolls since 2012 in states including Florida and Arizona, and narrowed the gap in North Carolina, according to data compiled by The Associated Press. In Iowa, Republicans prevented Democrats from surpassing them, aided by a court ruling upholding a ban on voting by ex-felons, who often register as Democrats.

As Election Day approaches, voter registration drives are in full swing.

FILE - In this March 18, 2014 file photo, voters cast their ballots in the Illinois primary in Hinsdale, Ill. Republicans have gained ground on Democrats' strength in registering voters in three battleground states _ and kept their razor-thin advantage in Iowa, offering some hope for Donald Trump and raising the stakes over ballot access in the final weeks before Election Day. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)

Hillary Clinton's campaign is staging registration rallies and appealing in particular to non-whites and young people, who are more likely to vote early  if they vote at all. Trump is relying mostly on a base of white voters, urging supporters to be vigilant for voter fraud and "rigging."

"The Clinton campaign cannot come close to our output," said Sean Spicer, the Republican National Committee's chief strategist, in a campaign memorandum Monday.

The latest registration numbers aren't an assurance of new voters for Trump. Some changes reflect those who have died and been removed from the list, while others are inactive, not having voted in recent elections. In Florida, newly registered Hispanics are turning against the Republican nominee, stung by his anti-immigrant rhetoric. And Democrats historically have done well in signing up new voters in the final stretch.

But the figures, when available, offer important clues as to how each party stands.

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IOWA

Iowa is a bright spot for Trump among battleground states, with Republicans now holding an edge of 19,000 total registered voters over Democrats, 691,000 to 672,000. While independents are the most numerous at 755,000, much of the state's Republican establishment has rallied around Trump. A state court in June upheld a ban on voting for an estimated 20,000 ex-felons, many of them African-American.

The race is "about even" and "very close," said Gov. Terry Branstad in a recent AP interview. In the run-up to the state's early voting, which begins Sept. 29, the Trump campaign struggled initially in its ground game, leading Branstad to offer advice to the New York billionaire on how to get a leg up: TV advertising, appealing to the state's farmers.

Branstad's son, Eric, is running Trump's campaign in Iowa.

Some groups have been actively mobilizing, which is likely to benefit Democrats. About 20,000 college students since April have signed commitments to register and vote, according to NextGen Climate, a group seeking to combat climate change. Because Iowa offers same-day registration, those numbers won't be reflected until next month if they follow through.

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FLORIDA

Both campaigns have heavily targeted Florida, but Democrats have seen their advantage shrink to 258,000 active voters  down from 535,000 in 2012. Overall, Democrats declined to 4.69 million compared to a 4 percent rise for Republicans to 4.4 million, driven by Republican gains among white voters. Registered "no party" independents jumped 13 percent to 2.9 million.

The state imposed voter restrictions in 2011, including cuts to voter registration and early voting, that have since been softened.

But the picture remains murky.

The Republican advantage is primarily due to declines among previous Democratic voters  deaths, moves out of state and voters removed after being inactive for long periods, as well as switches to the Republican Party.

Democrats are registering more new voters than Republicans. Nearly half of all first-time voters registered since 2013 were non-white, many of them Hispanic.

Since January, of the 121,000 newly registered Hispanics, 42 percent are Democrats and 41 percent are "no party," compared to 16 percent for Republicans. It's a shift from the Jan. 1, 2013 to Aug. 1, 2016 period, when newly registered Hispanics were most likely to pick "no party." Before 2013, Hispanics had more frequently opted to register as Republican, with 39.5 percent of them Democrats, 30.5 percent "no party" and 28.4 percent Republicans.

"There's little question that the rise in Democratic registration of Hispanics in Florida is a reaction to the rise of Donald Trump," said Daniel Smith, a University of Florida professor who analyzes trends.

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NORTH CAROLINA

Democrats hold a clear registration advantage in North Carolina, but the gap has narrowed.

A Republican-controlled legislature in 2013 imposed a voter ID law and curtailed early voting and registration. But a federal appeals court in July invalidated the law as discriminatory against blacks, who are more likely to vote before Election Day.

Democrats hold a lead of about 645,000 voters. That's down from an advantage of 818,000 in 2012.

Despite a registration deficit, Republicans have been successful with voter turnout, currently holding the governorship and both Senate seats. Obama lost the state by 92,000 votes to Mitt Romney.

Election officials predict high overall turnout, spurring an appearance by Clinton in Charlotte last week.

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WEST

In the diversifying West, Democrats regained their edge in Colorado, but face challenges in Nevada and Arizona.

Boosted by rapid Latino growth, Colorado saw an increase in registered Democrats since 2012, compared to a 1.5 percent decline for Republicans. That allowed Colorado Democrats to surpass Republicans earlier this year for the first time in more than 20 years. For 2016, the state will conduct all-mail balloting, believed to slightly favor Democrats.

In Nevada, where Trump is competing hard, Democrats maintained their advantage, but Republicans have narrowed the gap.

And in Arizona, traditionally a Republican state, the picture was mixed. Republicans grew at a faster pace, but the biggest jump was among independents, to 1.4 million. Republicans hold a registration edge of about 159,000, although an influx of Hispanic voters and third-party interest have given Democrats hope.

The state has been receiving national attention with a recent hack of voter registration records.

The Homeland Security Department has suggested federal involvement to protect election integrity. But some conservatives oppose that, citing a risk of Democratic "rigging." For 2016, Arizona placed new limits on mail-in ballot collection, which Democrats are challenging in court as restrictive.

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AP writers Catherine Lucey in Charlotte, N.C., Scott Bauer in Des Moines, Iowa, and AP's Election Research and Quality Control Group contributed to this report.

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Democrats fear their Senate takeover chances dimming

WASHINGTON (AP)  Democrats are sounding increasingly concerned about their chances of retaking control of the Senate, as Republicans demonstrate a commanding fundraising advantage and Hillary Clinton's lead narrows in key battleground races.

Although most Democrats still express confidence that they will win back the Senate majority in November, they now appear to have fewer paths to victory as wins in Ohio and even Florida look increasingly remote.

And if they do win back control, it could end up being with the narrowest of margins, even a 50-50 Senate with a Vice President Tim Kaine casting tie-breaking votes for the Democrats, if Hillary Clinton becomes president.

FILE - In this May 9, 2016, file photo, Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia. Democrats are sounding increasingly concerned about their chances of retaking control of the Senate, as Republicans demonstrate a commanding fundraising advantage and Hillary Clintons lead narrows in key battleground races. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

A key factor is the Republican money edge, which is particularly pronounced this year because some major donors, most notably the billionaire Koch Brothers, have decided to stay out of the presidential race out of distaste for Donald Trump and are pouring money into Senate races instead. Ohio, Florida, Nevada and other races are awash with cash.

"It's worrisome," the No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, said of the GOP money advantage. Overall, Durbin offered "mixed reviews" of the Senate map: "Solid, quality candidates, good campaigns but a massive infusion of Republican money in the last few weeks, and we are working overtime to try to keep up with it."

Democrats frequently point with alarm to the massive $42 million haul in August disclosed by two connected fundraising committees run by allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. That money is now being funneled to New Hampshire, Nevada, Indiana and elsewhere.

Senate Democrats have been pressed to chip in more to make up the deficit. Last week, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, who heads the Senate Democratic fundraising arm, announced in a private meeting that Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York had transferred $2 million from his campaign accounts to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Yet Senate Democrats can't exactly cry poor  in key races such as New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, Democratic outside groups are actually outspending Republicans, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics shows.

Another concern is Clinton's sometimes weak performance as a candidate, particularly pronounced over the past days as her campaign contended with questions over its handling of her health.

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said the surprisingly close race was a concern for Senate prospects.

"In Pennsylvania for example, if Hillary does win by the 7 she's up in the latest poll it will be very hard for (incumbent Republican Pat) Toomey to win," Rendell said. "If Hillary wins by 2 or 3, it gives Toomey a chance."

Republicans now have a 54-46 majority in the Senate, so Democrats have to net at least four seats to take back the majority, or five if Donald Trump becomes president, because of the vice president's role as the Senate tie-breaker.

Democrats entered this election cycle with some expressing high hopes because of a favorable Senate map that has Republicans defending 24 seats and Democrats only 10. Republicans have vulnerable incumbents in blue or purple states including Illinois, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, while Democrats are defending only one at-risk seat, in Nevada, where Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is retiring.

Partisans on both sides are acutely aware that the map reverses itself in 2018 when Democrats will be playing defense on GOP-friendly terrain such as Missouri, North Dakota, Montana and West Virginia. That makes the task for Democrats all the more urgent this year since they will be at greater risk of losing seats two years from now.

While some predicted that Trump at the top of the ticket would pull down Republican incumbents from coast to coast, that hasn't happened in all cases. Instead, lawmakers including Rob Portman in Ohio, Marco Rubio in Florida and Toomey are running ahead of Trump in their states, and either beating their opponents or keeping it close.

"Voters are looking at the two candidates in their state, the presidential and the senatorial, and at this moment they're differentiating," said Tim Phillips, president of Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity, which is involved in key races.

Jim Manley, a Democratic consultant and former top Reid aide, suggested that he and others were growing less optimistic about a Senate flip. "I still think it's going to happen, because the Trump campaign is going to prove toxic to the Republican Party, but it may prove to be tougher than many Democrats were thinking a few months ago," Manley said.

Officials with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee disputed suggestions that the outlook has changed for the worse, noting that unlike some others, they never predicted they would sweep to victories across the country and end up with a comfortable majority.

While disagreeing that they are giving up on Florida and Ohio, where they have delayed spending, DSCC officials point to plans to spend in North Carolina and Missouri. It's cheaper in those states to pay for advertising, though Missouri is widely considered a long shot.

Tester said he would "of course" feel more confident if Clinton had a bigger lead, but added: "The truth is that Hillary's running a great race, I'm confident that she's going to win, but nothing's easy. I mean these are hotly contested races and we knew that 20 months ago, and that hasn't changed."

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Associated Press reporters Julie Bykowicz and Catherine Lucey contributed to this report.

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin (file picture) argued the new policy allows transgender troops 'to continue to serve without living a lie'

FILE  In this Sept. 29, 2014, file photo, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, promotes Republican voter turnout during a rally in Independence, Ohio. Democrats are sounding increasingly concerned about their chances of retaking control of the Senate, as Republicans demonstrate a commanding fundraising advantage and Hillary Clintons lead narrows in key battleground races. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)
EU executive: Bloc must do more in defense field

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union must do more in the defense field, starting with creation of an EU military headquarters and working toward a common military force, the head of the EU's executive arm said Wednesday, insisting the bloc's economic and cultural influence isn't enough to safeguard its place in today's uncertain world.

Jean-Claude Juncker, EU Commission president, said in a major speech that the 28-nation organization "should be stronger" militarily.

"Together we have to make sure that we protect our interests," Juncker told the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivers his State of the Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Juncker, the head of the European Union's executive said that the EU "still does not have enough Union" and that the bloc still needs more united action to move forward in the face of widespread opposition to more centralized powers for the bloc. (AP Photo/Jean Francois Badias)

The EU leader stressed that the bloc's actions should take place in concert with the U.S.-led NATO defense alliance, to which 22 EU member states also belong.

"More European defense in Europe doesn't mean less trans-Atlantic solidarity," Juncker said.

The decision in June by British voters to withdraw from the European Union would deprive the EU of its militarily most capable member. France and Germany, the bloc's two most influential member states, recently submitted a proposal for greater EU defense coordination, ranging from creation of a logistics hub for pooling military transport to an EU military headquarters.

Earlier this year, U.S. President Barack Obama called on Europeans to do more in meeting common security threats like the Islamic State extremist group.

"We need a strong Europe to bear its share of the burden, working with us on behalf of our collective security," Obama said in Hannover, Germany, in April.

Obama added: "I'll be honest, sometimes Europe has been complacent about its own defense."

In the face of a more bellicose Russia, violent Islamic extremism, cyberattacks and other modern challenges, NATO and EU officials say they now collaborate more closely than ever. But NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg cautioned earlier this month that "the thing we have to avoid is duplication."

The EU's Lisbon Treaty, which took effect in 2009, foresaw a mechanism for permanent defense cooperation inside the bloc, but squabbles among member states have prevented the topic from even being broached at meetings of EU leaders, said Marcin Terlikowski, a European security expert at the Polish Institute of International Affairs.

If Juncker's proposals are enacted, "it truly will be a quantum leap in EU defense cooperation," Terlikowski said. He said some early reality checks will come at the Sept. 26-27 meeting of EU defense ministers, and a summit of bloc leaders scheduled for December.

Juncker's proposals, made during his annual "State of the European Union" address, got a mixed reception at the European Parliament.

"We need a European Defense Union  for our internal and external security," said liberal leader Guy Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister. "The Americans want us to take more responsibility for our neighborhood. We need credible, hard power ourselves."

British Conservative lawmaker Syed Kamall in contrast accused Juncker of indulging in the kind of "supranationalism" that turned so many Britons against the bloc.

Juncker said greater defense cooperation also makes economic sense for EU member nations, since it would reduce as much as 100 billion euros' worth of wasteful duplication of spending yearly. By the end of 2016, he said, he will seek creation of a European defense fund to help spur military-related research and development.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivers his State of the Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Juncker, the head of the European Union's executive said that the EU "still does not have enough Union" and that the bloc still needs more united action to move forward in the face of widespread opposition to more centralized powers for the bloc. (AP Photo/Jean Francois Badias)
Tourism transforms long-hidden Buddhist valley in Himalayas

DEMUL VILLAGE, India (AP)  For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders.

Enduring the harsh year-round conditions of the high mountain desert, the people of Spiti Valley lived by a simple communal code  share the Earth's bounty, be hospitable to neighbors, and eschew greed and temptation at all turns.

That's all starting to change, for better or worse. Since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s, tourism and trade have boomed. And the marks of modernization, such as solar panels, asphalt roads and concrete buildings, have begun to appear around some of the villages that dot the remote landscape at altitudes above 4,000 meters (13,000 feet).

In this Aug. 17, 2016, photo, from left to right, Chhering Chodom, 60, Tashi Yangzom, 50, Lobsang Chhering, 27, and Dorje Tandup, 58, drink milk tea on the side of the road. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. Some villagers and travelers worry the influx of new funds will bring competition, greed and environmentally taxing change, such as flush toilets that might empty straight into the Spiti River, or a strain on the region's already limited water sources. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

"This year is busier than ever," said Ishita Khanna, co-founder of the eco-tourism agency Ecosphere. By Aug. 29, with at least a month left until the end of the tourism season, there had been 847 foreign visitors to the region in 2016, compared with 726 for all of last year, officials said.

They could not give a figure for how many Indians had traveled to the region in jeeps and buses across treacherous mountain roads, as Indian tourists do not need special permits. But additional district magistrate Jagan Thakur said that 70 percent of the tourists to the region were Indians.

Many of the valley's 13,000 or so residents  ethnically Tibetan yet long resident in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh  welcome the influx of tourists eager to explore the mountains or simply enjoy the pristine surroundings.

"In years when the climate and roads are good, they flock in together in high numbers," Thakur said. "Villagers will actually convert their houses into homestays."

In the hillside village of Demul, with only around 250 residents, people have devised a system whereby half of the residents move in with their neighbors while renting their earthen-hut homes to travelers during the summer, and then share the earnings. That income is helping many invest in better schooling for their kids.

"They have a great system in this village ... everybody takes turns," said British traveler Tom Welton. "They collectively bring all the money together and at the end of the year they distribute it equally to the whole village."

Tourism has become so important it now makes up at least half of most people's annual income, Khanna said. The rest of the people's wealth comes from traditional channels  herding sheep and goats, and growing crops like black beans, barley and, more recently, green peas.

For the crimson-robed Buddhist monks in the valley, the increase in visitors brings a chance to "teach Buddhism to others. More people should learn about it," said Lama Tenzin Rizzin, a resident of another hilltop village, Key, a half-hour drive from the valley's main town of Kaza.

Some villagers and travelers worry that the influx of new funds will bring competition, greed and environmentally taxing change  such as flush toilets that might empty straight into the Spiti River or put a strain on the region's already limited water sources.

"We cannot go beyond our limits. Mass tourism is not good for our culture," said Tenzin Thinley, 35, who runs a homestay in the valley village of Kibber and works as a tourist guide. "Hospitality is important in Spiti's culture, and we will not let it disappear."

While increasing trade with cities outside the valley has broadened the dinner table with lentils and grains that can't be grown in the valley, it has also brought an influx of junk food that the elders are struggling to keep away from the children.

"Too many tourists mean too much money," Thinley said. "I do not want to be greedy."

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Associated Press editorial assistant Chonchui Ngashangva in New Delhi contributed to this report.

In this Aug. 20, 2016, photo, a group of young monks brush their teeth at the Kongri monastery, Spiti Valley, India. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. Some villagers and travelers worry the influx of new funds will bring competition, greed and environmentally taxing change, such as flush toilets that might empty straight into the Spiti River, or a strain on the region's already limited water sources. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 17, 2016, photo, a worker stands next to a stove of liquid asphalt by a road under construction leading to Demul in Spiti Valley, India. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. Some villagers and travelers worry the influx of new funds will bring competition, greed and environmentally taxing change, such as flush toilets that might empty straight into the Spiti River, or a strain on the region's already limited water sources. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 17, 2016, photo, 60-year-old farmer Rinchen, gathers mountain plants that will serve as fodder for cattle in Demul, in the Spiti Valley, India. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. In this hillside village of Demul, with only some 250 residents, people have devised a system whereby half of the residents move in with their neighbors while renting their earthen-hut homes to travelers during the summer, and then share the earnings. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 15, 2016, photo, a jeep drives along the only road that leads to Spiti Valley, a remote Himalayan valley situated at 4000 meter above sea level, India. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change, for better or worse, since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 15, 2016, photo, a car drives along a mountain road that leads to Spiti Valley, a remote Himalayan valley situated at 4000 meter above sea level, India. It takes about ten hours to reach from Manali, a city in Himachal Pradesh. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change, for better or worse, since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 16, 2016, photo, an elderly woman sits in front of her house in the village of Kibber, in Spiti Valley, India. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. Some villagers and travelers worry the influx of new funds will bring competition, greed and environmentally taxing change, such as flush toilets that might empty straight into the Spiti River, or a strain on the region's already limited water sources. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 18, 2016, photo, Buddhist monks perform their daily rituals in the monastery of Komic in Spiti Valley, India. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. Some villagers and travelers worry the influx of new funds will bring competition, greed and environmentally taxing change, such as flush toilets that might empty straight into the Spiti River, or a strain on the region's already limited water sources. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 18, 2016, photo, the Key monastery is seen from a neighboring hilltop. Key is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the Spiti Valley, and home of more than 350 monks. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 20, 2016, photo, two girls play in front of newly constructed hotels in Kaza, headquarters of the Spiti Valley, India. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. Some villagers and travelers worry the influx of new funds will bring competition, greed and environmentally taxing change, such as flush toilets that might empty straight into the Spiti River, or a strain on the region's already limited water sources. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 16, 2016, photo, Buddhist lama Tenzin Rigzin studies religious texts in his room at the Key monastery, Spiti Valley, India. For centuries the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. For the crimson-robed Buddhist monks in the valley, the increase in visitors brings a chance to "teach Buddhism to others. More people should learn about it," Lama Tenzin Rizzin said in another hilltop village called Key, a half-hour drive from the valley's main town of Kaza. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 17, 2016, photo, solar panels are installed on the rooftop of a traditional house in the mountain village of Demul, Spiti Valley, India. Set up six years ago by an eco-tourism foundation, the panels provide 24/7 electricity to each household in the village. For centuries the Spiti Valley remained a hidden Buddhist enclave nestled in the Indian Himalayas and forbidden to outsiders. That all changed in the 1990s, as India began issuing permits for visits. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 16, 2016, photo, a woman ties a scarf around her head to protect herself from the wind in the village of Kibber, in Spiti Valley, India. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

In this Aug. 20, 2016 photo, elders play 'chollo', a game where they shout as they throw the dice to bring good luck, in the city of Kaza, Spiti Valley, India. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. Some villagers and travelers worry the influx of new funds will bring competition, greed and environmentally taxing change, such as flush toilets that might empty straight into the Spiti River, or a strain on the region's already limited water sources. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)

This Aug. 17, 2016, photo shows the mountain village of Demul, in Spiti Valley, India. For centuries, the sleepy valley nestled in the Indian Himalayas remained a hidden Buddhist enclave forbidden to outsiders. That's all now starting to change since India began allowing its own citizens as well as outsiders to visit the valley in the early 1990s. In this hillside village of Demul, with only some 250 residents, people have devised a system whereby half of the residents move in with their neighbors while renting their earthen-hut homes to travelers during the summer, and then share the earnings. (AP Photo/Thomas Cytrynowicz)
The Latest: Rescue ship recovers bodies of 5 dead migrants

BRUSSELS (AP)  The Latest on Europe's migration crisis (all times local):

7:40 p.m.

An Irish navy rescue ship operating in the Mediterranean says it recovered the bodies of five dead migrants, one of whom was pregnant.

FILE - In this Monday, Aug. 29, 2016 file photo, migrants crowd onto a wooden boat as they wait to be rescued by members of an ONG at the Mediterranean sea, about 13 miles north of Sabratha, Libya. When the cameras viewfinder is in night vision mode, a hidden world appears that is invisible to the naked eye in the darkness of night. Bathed in green, the view is even more dreamlike _ or nightmarish. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

The Irish navy said its ship, LE James Joyce, rescued 265 people from two dinghies 32 miles (52 kilometers) northwest of Tripoli on Wednesday.

The survivors were being transferred to an Italian navy vessel along with the bodies of the four women and one man who died during the crossing.

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7:05 p.m.

A Nigerian woman has given birth to a baby boy aboard a rescue ship during a migrant crossing from Libya.

Doctors said mother Faith and baby Newman Otas were doing fine Wednesday after the Aquarius rescue ship docked in Brindisi, on Italy's Adriatic coast.

The Aquarius, which is operated by SOS Mediterranee and Doctors Without Borders, had rescued about 140 migrants over the weekend. Faith, who had been in labor for three days, gave birth Monday aboard the Aquarius.

Sarah Giles, with Doctors Without Borders, said the birth was "a pretty normal birth just under really extraordinary circumstances." She said Newman had the "good timing" to be born on the Aquarius since the dinghy was overcrowded and full of skin-burning seawater and diesel.

She said: "The mother and baby are great. They came off the ship as a family  mother, father, three children  which is really nice. It's a good news story but unfortunately we have many children who don't get off with their families and who during their long journey have had parents die, or parents who had their children die."

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6:35 p.m.

Greek authorities will investigate whether a parents' association's strong objections to planned lessons for refugee children at a northern primary school constitute a breach of anti-racism laws.

A Thessaloniki prosecutor was also instructed Wednesday to look into allegations that officials made racist comments during a local council meeting on the issue.

The parents' association at a school in Oraiokastro, a suburb of Thessaloniki, has threatened to occupy the school in protest if the government tries to go ahead with the plan. A spokesman cited fears children from nearby refugee camps could transmit diseases such as tuberculosis to their own offspring.

Government officials strongly condemned the reactions.

About 60,000 refugees and other migrants are trapped in Greece. The government wants to integrate refugee and migrant children into the state education system.

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3:35 p.m.

The European Union has given final approval for the launch of a new border and coast guard, paving the way for it to start work next month.

The border guard will be built up from the EU's border management agency Frontex. The plan was launched as national coast guards were overwhelmed by the arrival last year of more than 1 million people seeking sanctuary or jobs.

Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak said Wednesday that the new agency will help Europe confront the challenges to its passport-free travel zone known as the Schengen area.

A pool of 1,500 border guards and technical equipment will be on standby to rapidly deploy to countries struggling with extraordinary migration flows.

Liaison officers would be stationed in states to monitor migrant movements.

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2 p.m.

Romanian border police say they have detained four Serbs suspected as acting as guides for two dozen Syrian migrants.

Police said Wednesday that heat-detecting equipment helped them spot the migrants and a guide in western Romania late Tuesday. The group was heading toward the border with Hungary.

Romania is a member of the European Union, but is not in the Schengen area, where there is passport-free travel.

Border police, working with organized crime prosecutors and local police, say they located a second guide allegedly connected to the group in the city of Timisoara. The other two were detained near the border crossing to which the migrants were thought to be heading.

Police are questioning the 24 migrants and the guides Wednesday in Timisoara.

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1:05 p.m.

A Serbian government minister says the Balkan country should consider applying "more drastic" measures, including border barriers, to reduce the number of migrants entering the country.

Labor minister Aleksandar Vulin said Wednesday that Serbia must avoid becoming "overcrowded" with stranded migrants who cannot move on toward the European Union.

Vulin says they are mostly so-called economic migrants, who fled their native countries in search of a better future in the EU, but stand little chance of being granted asylum in the bloc.

He says "it may be time to propose some more drastic measures which would substantially reduce the influx of migrants." He adds that "perhaps barriers, or at least setting up some obstacles, could be one of the solutions."

Nearly 5,000 migrants are currently in Serbia.

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12:30 p.m.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker insists Turkey must meet all conditions for its citizens to win visa-free travel in Europe, a key plank of the EU-Turkey migrant deal.

Juncker told EU lawmakers Wednesday that "visa liberalization will only happen if all of the necessary conditions are fulfilled by the Turkish side."

But he also called for patience, saying Turkey has tough issues to resolve to meet the conditions, which include redefining what constitutes a terrorist act to ensure that journalists and academics are not targeted.

Turkey has been struck by several suicide bombings and a thwarted military coup in July and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is refusing to soften his line.

Juncker says he hopes Ankara will fulfil the visa waiver requirements, but acknowledged it might not happen "necessarily in the set timetable."

The visa waiver was supposed to have been granted in July but was then delayed until October. EU and Turkish officials now say they expect it "in coming months."

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11:55 a.m.

European Commission president has appealed for reinforcements to be sent to Bulgaria's border to help manage migrant arrivals from Turkey.

Jean-Claude Juncker told EU lawmakers on Wednesday that he wants "to see at least 200 extra border guards and 50 extra vehicles deployed at the Bulgarian external borders as of October."

He also appealed to member countries to get the EU's new border and coast guard agency up and running as soon as possible.

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11:25 a.m.

Hungary's anti-migration prime minister says the future of the European Union will be decided at Bulgaria's border with Turkey, not in Brussels, and is urging the EU to provide more money to Bulgaria to help boost its border defense.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Bulgarian counterpart Boiko Borisov inspected a fence topped with razor wire in the Bulgarian border village of Lesovo on Wednesday, part of a route used by migrants trying to enter the EU.

Orban said that "Bulgaria's successful defense is in the common interest of all of us."

Borisov, who is seeking immediate assistance of 160 million euros ($180 million) from the EU to bolster Bulgaria's border security, said that "without joint efforts by all EU states, a lasting solution cannot be found."

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10:40 a.m.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says solidarity cannot be imposed on EU member countries amid vehement opposition in some states to his refugee quota scheme.

Juncker told EU lawmakers Wednesday that "solidarity must be voluntary, must come from the heart."

His Commission drew up an obligatory scheme to share 160,000 refugees in Greece and Italy and any other overwhelmed country among their EU partners over two years. Slovakia, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, and others have refused to take part. Hungary even launched a legal challenge.

One year on, fewer than 5,000 refugees have been moved.
Turkmenistan does away with age cap for president

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AP)  Lawmakers in the Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan on Wednesday adopted amendments to the country's constitution which pave the way for a life-long presidency for the incumbent leader.

Turkmenistan, an authoritarian former Soviet republic, has been ruled by 59-year old Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, a trained dentist, since 2006 when he succeeded the previous president, Saparmurat Niyazov, who had been granted a life-long presidency. Niyazov had a genuine personality cult with his book, Rukhnama, taught at school as the cornerstone of education.

Turkmenistan's parliament and Council of the Elders on Wednesday voted unanimously to extend the presidential term in office from five to seven years and do away with the 70-year age limit for the head of state.

FILE- In this Nov. 23, 2015 file image, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with his Turkmenistan counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov during their meeting at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, GECF, summit in Tehran, Iran. Lawmakers in the Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan have adopted Wednesday 14 September amendments to the country's constitution, paving the way for a life-long presidency for the incumbent leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov. (Sergei Chirikov/Pool photo via AP file)

Speaking at the annual session of the Council of the Elders which brings together community leaders, lawmakers and members of the government, Berdymukhamedov said the amendments were drafted "by all of our people, based on multiple requests from our citizens, political parties" as well as unnamed international experts.
Libyans hope to export from oil terminals seized by general

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP)  Libya's state oil company says it hopes to resume exports from three terminals seized this week by forces loyal to a powerful general based in the east.

Mustafa Sanalla, chairman of the National Oil Corporation, said in a statement late Tuesday that teams have begun assessing damage to the facilities in Ras Lanuf, al-Sidra and Zueitina, and plan to carry out immediate repairs if needed.

Forces loyal to Gen. Khalifa Hifter, who is allied with the internationally recognized parliament, seized the terminals on Sunday. The parliament does not recognize the recently formed, U.N.-backed government, in part because of differences over Hifter's future role.

FILE -- In this March 18, 2015 file photo, Gen. Khalifa Hifter, Libya's top army chief, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in al-Marj, Libya. The National Oil Corporation says it hopes to resume exports from Ras Lanuf, al-Sidra and Zueitina oil terminals seized on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, by forces loyal to Hifter, who is allied with the internationally recognized parliament. (AP Photo/Mohammed El-Sheikhy, File)

The militia that had previously controlled the facilities is allied with the U.N.-backed government, which is based in the capital, Tripoli, in western Libya.

The United States and other Western nations have called on Hifter's forces to withdraw from the terminals, saying the Tripoli government is the "sole steward" of Libya's natural resources.

The parliament backed the seizure of the terminals, with Speaker Agila Saleh saying Hifter's forces "liberated" the terminals from "occupiers" who had hindered exports.

The oil-rich North African country slid into chaos after the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed Moammar Gadhafi, and is split between rival authorities based in the east and west.

The conflict has crippled Libya's once vibrant oil sector, denying it an estimated $100 billion in revenues over the past three years. Libya exported 146 million barrels of oil in 2015, down from 531 million three years earlier, according to official figures.

Sanalla said the three terminals could handle up to 600,000 barrels per day within four weeks and 900,000 by year's end.
Alibaba fires 4 employees accused of stealing mooncakes

BEIJING (AP)  Four employees at Chinese internet giant Alibaba have lost their jobs after being accused of reprogramming an internal system to steal more than 100 boxes of mooncakes, a traditional delicacy shared during this week's Mid-Autumn Festival.

State media reported Wednesday that Alibaba had offered a discount to employees for buying the circular treats, given during the festival that begins Thursday.

They said the fired employees exploited loopholes in the software to obtain more than the allotted amount and pilfered a total of 124 boxes of cakes.

An employee stands on a stepladder as she stocks boxes of mooncakes at a supermarket in Beijing, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Four employees at Chinese internet giant Alibaba have lost their jobs after being accused of reprogramming an internal system to steal more than 100 boxes of mooncakes, a traditional delicacy shared during this week's Mid-Autumn Festival. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

An Alibaba statement said the firings were "unfortunate, but we wish them a better future." The employees were not identified.

Alibaba is the world's largest e-commerce platform. Its initial public offering in 2014 was the largest in the New York Stock Exchange's history.
Russia urges Syrian rebels to separate from 'terrorists'

BEIRUT (AP)  Russia said Wednesday that separating Syrian rebels from 'terrorists' is a "key task" to ensure that the Russia-U.S.-brokered cease-fire continues to hold in Syria, where a relative calm has prevailed since the truce went into effect two days ago.

Russian Lt. Gen. Victor Poznikhir said rebels had violated the truce 60 times since it came into force sunset Monday. For their part, opposition forces said they had recorded some 28 various violations by government troops on Tuesday.

The cease-fire deal was reached over the weekend after marathon negotiations between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Underscoring the complexity of the new arrangement, the deal was not made public in its entirety even as it came into effect.

In this Sept. 9, 2016, photo, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shakes hands at the conclusion of a news conference following their meeting to discuss the crisis in Syria, in Geneva, Switzerland. The deal crafted by the U.S. and Russia to halt the Syrian civil war and focus efforts on rooting out extremists in the country is rife with legal and liability questions that are fueling Pentagon skepticism about military cooperation between the two powers, senior U.S. officials said. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

By evening Wednesday, there were no reports of major violations of the agreement, which calls on all parties to hold their fire, allowing only for airstrikes against the extremist Islamic State group and al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria, known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.

One of Syria's most powerful factions, Jabhat Fatah al-Sham's battlefield alliance with other insurgent groups makes it difficult for the United States to target them without the danger of inflicting harm on other opposition groups.

Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday and they agreed that "as a whole, despite sporadic reports of violence, the arrangement is holding and violence is significantly lower," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters. The two diplomats also agreed to extend the current truce by another 48 hours, Toner said.

Earlier, Russia's Poznikhir had underlined Moscow's intention to extend the cease-fire by 48 hours. The Syrian government has already agreed to maintain the cease-fire until Sunday.

The agreement is also to allow for humanitarian aid to reach besieged areas, with the rebel-held part of the northern city of Aleppo as a priority.

However, some 20 trucks carrying U.N aid and destined for rebel-held eastern Aleppo remained in the customs area on the border with Turkey on Wednesday "because of lack of de facto assurances of safe passage by all parties," Jens Laerke, deputy spokesman for the U.N. office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told The Associated Press in an email.

The trucks are carrying mostly food items, and are destined for the estimated 250,000 residents of eastern Aleppo. Details of who is to distribute the aid were still being worked out.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said humanitarian aid to Syrians was being held up by a lack of security arrangements. He said he had been in touch with the Russian government, urging them to exercise influence on the Syrian government to let the trucks in, and with the Americans to get Syrian armed groups to cooperate.

Separately, Turkey sent a pair of trucks to the Syrian border town of Jarablus to deliver food and children's toys on the third day of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday. Turkish ground forces joined Syrian rebels to expel Islamic State militants from the town last month.

In besieged rebel-held Aleppo, Mohammed Khandakani, a 28-year old attorney, said calm was prevailing in an area that had seen some of the heaviest violence in the days leading up to the cease-fire. "The truce is holding. There is relative relief. It is an unexplainable feeling of safety," he said. "But the anticipation and concern for the future leaves a lump in my throat. We are still living in a prison."

Khandakani is a volunteer at a medical center in eastern Aleppo. Medical facilities in rebel-held areas have been frequent targets for government bombings.

In the lead-up to the cease-fire, 40 days of fighting in Aleppo killed nearly 700 civilians, including 160 children, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Syrian state media broadcast footage of the tourism and health ministers touring neighborhoods on the southern edge of Aleppo that were recently recaptured by the government from rebel groups. "Here is the line that separates civilization and backwardness, barbarity, the line between darkness and light," said tourism minister Bishr Riyad Yazigi, speaking in the Ramouseh area of the divided city.

Meanwhile, Syrian state media reported violations of the cease-fire in central Homs, saying that rebels fired mortar rounds Wednesday in a rural part of the province. A day earlier, the government said rebels had targeted the Castello road, the only remaining artery by which aid reaches the eastern, rebel section of Aleppo.

The chief of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said Wednesday there were no reported civilian casualties in the first 36 hours of the cease-fire.

"The violations are negligible. Most importantly, there were no Syrian civilian deaths," Rami Abdurrahman told the AP.

A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Kremlin is hopeful the truce deal "will create the necessary environment for political settlement."

"The cease-fire is quite fragile and the key task now is to wait until moderate opposition stands aside from terrorist groups. It's a key task without which further progress can hardly be possible," Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow.

Russia launched its military operation in Syria last year to support ally President Bashar Assad's forces.

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Munich ramps up Oktoberfest security after summer attacks

BERLIN (AP)  Munich authorities are ramping up security precautions for this year's Oktoberfest to reassure the millions of visitors expected to attend the event starting Saturday after Bavaria suffered three attacks in a week this summer.

Deputy Police Chief Werner Feiler told reporters Wednesday that the festival's approximately 30-hectare (75-acre) venue will be fenced to ensure all visitors go through security controls and the grounds will be monitored by multiple video cameras.

In addition, backpacks and large bags will be banned and additional officers will be on hand, Feiler said.

Employees prepare a sign at the main entrance of the 'Theresienwiese', the area of the Oktoberfest, in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Authorities are stepping up security for this year's Oktoberfest, which is expected to draw 6 million visitors in the Bavarian capital. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Though there is a "high abstract danger" of an attack at the 17-day festival, which is expected to draw 6 million visitors to the Bavarian capital, the deputy chief said authorities are unaware of any concrete security threats.

"Every visitor can feel secure at Oktoberfest," he said, adding that authorities would make the security measures as unobtrusive as possible so as not to impinge upon participants' fun.

Bavaria was shaken this summer by three attacks in a week. Two were carried out by asylum-seekers and claimed by the Islamic State group; several people were wounded, but only the attackers were killed.

In an unrelated incident, a teenager fatally shot nine people at a Munich mall before killing himself.

Bavaria's top security official, Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, told The Associated Press there remains today a "fundamentally high risk of terror attacks in Germany overall."

"We don't see any special risk for Oktoberfest, but it's clear such an internationally known festival would naturally be a possible attack target," Herrmann said.

The festival, which dates back to 1810, boasts 14 festival halls this year where visitors will be able to foist liter-sized steins of special Oktoberfest beer brewed by the six major Munich breweries.

During times of peak attendance, Munich police plan to have some 600 officers on hand, about 100 more than last year. Another 450 security guards will be checking bags and performing other tasks. The number of security cameras has been raised to 29 from 19.

Given the size of Oktoberfest  on some days as many 600,000 visitors turn up  the atmosphere is generally friendly and the number of disruptive incidents few.

In the only major attack, a far-right extremist set off a bomb killing 12 people and himself in 1980, wounding more than 200.

A vague al-Qaida threat of an attack on Oktoberfest in 2009 led to tightened security measures.

Last year, police reported responding to a total of 2,017 incidents, including fistfights and stolen wallets and purses. Some 20 sexual crimes were reported, including one attempted rape.

The volunteer group "Secure Festival Grounds for Girls and Women," which has been helping at Oktoberfest since 2003, estimates the actual number of sexual crimes to have been much higher.

The festival runs Sept. 17 through Oct. 3. Beer this year will cost 10.40 euros ($11.70) to 10.70 euros a liter (2.1 pints), slightly more than last year.

People make their way besides a fence at the 'Theresienwiese', the area of the Oktoberfest, in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Authorities are stepping up security for this year's Oktoberfest, which is expected to draw 6 million visitors in the Bavarian capital. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

A cyclist stops besides fences at the 'Theresienwiese', the area of the Oktoberfest, in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Authorities are stepping up security for this year's Oktoberfest, which is expected to draw 6 million visitors in the Bavarian capital. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

An employee unloads fences at the 'Theresienwiese', the area of the Oktoberfest, in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Authorities are stepping up security for this year's Oktoberfest, which is expected to draw 6 million visitors in the Bavarian capital. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

People make their way besides a fence at the 'Theresienwiese', the area of the Oktoberfest, in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Authorities are stepping up security for this year's Oktoberfest, which is expected to draw 6 million visitors in the Bavarian capital. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

FILE - In this Sept. 20-, 2015 file photo musicians drink beer in a tent after the traditional costume and riflemen's parade on the second day of the 182. Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. Munich authorities are ramping up security precautions for this years Oktoberfest to reassure the anticipated millions of visitors after a deadly shooting rampage at a city mall this summer and two attacks claimed by the Islamic State group left Germans on edge. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, file)

FILE - In this sept. 19, 2015 file photo people celebrate the opening of the 182. Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany. Munich authorities are ramping up security precautions for this years Oktoberfest to reassure the anticipated millions of visitors after a deadly shooting rampage at a city mall this summer and two attacks claimed by the Islamic State group left Germans on edge. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, file)
Actor in '60s sitcom 'F Troop' visits character's hometown

PASSAIC, N.J. (AP)  An actor in the 1960s sitcom "F Troop" has paid a visit to the New Jersey city made famous by his character  49 years after the show went off the air.

Larry Storch was welcomed Tuesday to Passaic, where he received proclamations honoring his portrayal of Cpl. Randolph Agarn. It was the first time the 93-year-old had been to the city that Agarn called home.

"I think because of you, Passaic is mentioned all over the world," Mayor Alex Blanco said before proclaiming Storch as an honorary Passaic resident.

Larry Storch, the actor in the 1960s sitcom "F Troop" is honored by the Passaic County freeholders in Wayne, N.J., on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. Mayor Alex Blanco told Storch that Passaic has been mentioned all over the world because of the program, which aired from 1965 to 1967. Storch said he picked Passaic for his character's hometown because "it sounded tough." (Marko Georgiev /The Record via AP)

He chose Passaic for his character's hometown in the show, which aired from 1965 to 1967, because "it sounded tough," The Record newspaper reported (http://bit.ly/2caYkTi). Storch grew up in New York and said he modeled Agarn's character after a tough-talking kid from Brooklyn. But he thought Passaic sounded tougher, and he ad-libbed the name when someone on the set asked him where he was from.

"I only saw the city from the inside of a car, but it seems like a nice place," Storch said.

The sitcom featured the antics of a U.S. Cavalry troop stationed at Fort Courage. Agarn was the sidekick of Sgt. Morgan O'Rourke, and both were endlessly scheming to make money.

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Information from: The Record (Woodland Park, N.J.), http://www.northjersey.com
Split Cyprus' rival leaders to meet UN chief on peace talks

ISTANBUL (AP)  The rival leaders of ethnically split Cyprus said Wednesday they would meet with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon later this month to take stock of ongoing reunification talks and ask him to step up his personal involvement in the months ahead.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, a Greek Cypriot, and the breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, said that much progress has been achieved in 16 months of talks, but key differences remain.

The Sept. 25 meeting with Ban will cover both what the two leaders have so far agreed, but also obstacles they still face in reaching a deal that would end the island's 42-year-old division.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, left, and breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, right, talk as a guard stands in front of a car after their meeting aimed at reunifying the ethnically divided island, at the disused Nicosia airport inside a United Nations controlled buffer zone on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. The rival leaders of ethnically split Cyprus say they will meet with the U.N. Chief later this month to take stock of ongoing reunification talks and ask him to step up his personal involvement in the months ahead. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

The leaders "will exchange views with (Ban) and will request him to intensify his personal engagement in the process in the months to come," the statement said following the end of an intensified, eight-meeting phase of talks held at the disused Nicosia airport inside a U.N.-controlled buffer zone.

Ban won't be assigned any role as arbitrator during the meeting, Anastasiades said, addressing concerns of a deal being tilted to favor one side over the other.

Ban told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York that "the United Nations is fully ready to support their initiative."

"I'm encouraged that the Cyprus talks ... continue to make very good progress with active participation and leadership and commitment of the two Cypriot leaders," he said. "And I'm also encouraged at their strong commitment that they will complete the process within the year."

Ban stressed that "this is a Cypriot-owned and Cypriot-led process."

"The United Nations is facilitating this one, and you can count on us and on me," he said.

Cyprus was split into a breakaway Turkish speaking north and an internationally recognized Greek speaking south in 1974 when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup aimed at union with Greece.

Both leaders repeated their commitment to accelerating the U.N. mediated talks with the aim of reaching a deal this year.

The two sides say they have significantly closed the gap on issues including how to share power in an envisioned federation, the economy and how to deal with property owners abandoned during the invasion. But even on those issues, "certain substantive divergences" still remain, the statement said.

On top of that, the two sides don't see eye to eye on post-settlement security arrangements. Turkish Cypriots want Turkey to retain military intervention rights which Greek Cypriots see as a non-starter.

"As ambitious as it may sound, an agreement is possible if there's mutual understanding for the concerns of both communities, and especially on sensitive matters concerning the Greek Cypriot side," Anastasiades said.

Akinci warned against allowing talks to drag on, saying the next few months must be carefully planned.

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Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, left, breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, right, talks as the UN Special Advisor of the Secretary-General Espen Barth Eide, right, looks on as they leave their talks aimed at reunifying the ethnically divided island, at the disused Nicosia airport inside a United Nations controlled buffer zone on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. The rival leaders of ethnically split Cyprus say they will meet with the U.N. Chief later this month to take stock of ongoing reunification talks and ask him to step up his personal involvement in the months ahead. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, left, breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, right, and UN Special Advisor of the Secretary-General Espen Barth Eide are seen during a statement after Their talks aimed at reunifying the ethnically divided island, at the disused Nicosia airport inside a United Nations controlled buffer zone on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. The rival leaders of ethnically split Cyprus say they will meet with the U.N. Chief later this month to take stock of ongoing reunification talks and ask him to step up his personal involvement in the months ahead. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades is seen during a statement to the press after a talks with breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and UN Special Advisor of the Secretary-General Espen Barth Eide, aimed at reunifying the ethnically divided island, at the disused Nicosia airport inside a United Nations controlled buffer zone on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. The rival leaders of ethnically split Cyprus say they will meet with the U.N. Chief later this month to take stock of ongoing reunification talks and ask him to step up his personal involvement in the months ahead. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, left, breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, right, and UN Special Advisor of the Secretary-General Espen Barth Eide leave their talks aimed at reunifying the ethnically divided island, at the disused Nicosia airport inside a United Nations controlled buffer zone on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. The rival leaders of ethnically split Cyprus say they will meet with the U.N. Chief later this month to take stock of ongoing reunification talks and ask him to step up his personal involvement in the months ahead. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, left, breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, right, and UN Special Advisor of the Secretary-General Espen Barth Eide, center rear, as a guard walks by as they leave their talks aimed at reunifying the ethnically divided island, at the disused Nicosia airport inside a United Nations controlled buffer zone on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. The rival leaders of ethnically split Cyprus say they will meet with the U.N. Chief later this month to take stock of ongoing reunification talks and ask him to step up his personal involvement in the months ahead. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Czech lawmakers pass divisive conflict of interest amendment

PRAGUE (AP)  Czech lawmakers approved legislation Wednesday that limits the business activities of future government ministers, angering a governing coalition party which says the law is targeting its leader  the country's finance minister and a favorite to become the next premier.

In a 135-39 vote in Parliament's lower chamber, coalition and opposition lawmakers agreed to ban ministers from owning media. The law also would bar companies where ministers have more than a 25-percent stake from receiving state subsidies, taking part in public tenders and accessing investment aid.

The legislation was an amendment to the country's conflict of interest law and was approved despite fierce resistance from the ANO (YES) movement led by Finance Minister Andrej Babis which voted against the law.

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 23, 2016 file image, Czech Republic's Finance Minister Andrej Babis gestures prior an extraordinary session of Parliament's lower house in Prague, Czech Republic. The Czech Parliament's lower chamber has approved legislation Wednesday Sept 2016, that limits the business activities of future government ministers. In a 135-39 vote on Wednesday, coalition and opposition lawmakers agreed to ban ministers from owning media.(AP Photo/Petr David Josek file)

ANO accused its government coalition partners, the Social Democrats and Christian Democrats, of directly attacking Babis, whose media empire includes two major newspapers and a popular radio station, and whose agriculture and chemical conglomerate Agrofert receives state and EU subsidies.

Babis' centrist movement came in a surprise second in the 2013 parliamentary elections with an-anti corruption message and is currently a favorite to win the ballot in 2017, paving the way for Babis, the country's most popular politician, to become the next prime minister.

Agrofert includes about 250 companies and employs almost 34,000 people.

"It is against the principles of rule of law to adopt laws which regulate activities of one single person," ANO lawmaker Jaroslav Faltynek said during a debate before the vote.

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka welcomed the lower chamber's endorsement of the legislation, which still needs Senate and presidential approval.

"The oligarchs will have to make a choice: to be in the government or get subsidies, public contracts and media ownership," Sobotka tweeted.

ANO is considering whether to take legal action, but isn't planning to leave the government.

"It's a law that prevents businessmen from participating in politics," said Babis, a billionaire sometimes dubbed the "Czech Berlusconi," a comparison to Silvio Berlusconi  the Italian media tycoon who until recent years dominated his nation's politics. "It's an absurd theater."
South Africa's Zuma faces accusations over chartered planes

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday countered opposition accusations that he is wasting millions of dollars on chartered jets at a time when the country's economy is struggling.

Zuma has had to use chartered aircraft because there are no reliable planes in the air force for official trips for him and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, his office said. It said it "agrees with the experts that the use of smaller aircraft for local travel and the general use of the SAAF fleet than hiring aircraft would be more cost-effective for government."

Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, South Africa's minister of defense and military veterans, has said in parliament that nearly $7 million has been allocated for the yearlong lease of a "VIP-configured jet" that is expected to be delivered to the air force on Nov. 1.

"There can be absolutely no justification for such extravagance while the South African economy is under extraordinary fiscal pressure and facing a potential ratings downgrade," the Democratic Alliance, the main opposition party, said in a statement.

In February, the South African air force sent a plane to pick up Zuma in Burundi after the presidential jet had technical problems. The government has said the jet will be replaced and that an aircraft will be leased in the meantime.

South Africa's ruling party has lost support partly because of voter dissatisfaction over corruption allegations against Zuma.

The president announced this week that he has paid the state more than $500,000 after being instructed to do so in a scandal over state-funded upgrades to his private home.

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EU to extend investment plan until 2022 to boost growth

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union is extending its investment plan for a further three years in order to boost growth and employment.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday that he's aiming to generate 630 billion euros ($707 billion) worth of public and private investment by 2022.

The initial aim of the Investment Plan for Europe, which was first announced last year, was to mobilize 315 billion euros over three years.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivers his State of the Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Juncker, the head of the European Union's executive said that the EU "still does not have enough Union" and that the bloc still needs more united action to move forward in the face of widespread opposition to more centralized powers for the bloc. (AP Photo/Jean Francois Badias)

The fund aims to reduce risks for private investors and encourage them to spend on strategic projects like broadband or energy.

Juncker told European lawmakers that the Commission wants to meet a first target of half a trillion euros by 2020.

He said the investment drive has already raised 116 billion euros and provided loans for 200,000 small firms and startups.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivers his State of the Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Juncker, the head of the European Union's executive said that the EU "still does not have enough Union" and that the bloc still needs more united action to move forward in the face of widespread opposition to more centralized powers for the bloc. (AP Photo/Jean Francois Badias)
Sweden: Date set for questioning of Assange in rape case

STOCKHOLM (AP)  Swedish prosecutors say an Ecuadorian official will interrogate WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on their behalf next month in the South American country's embassy in London.

Assange is accused of rape in an investigation stemming from his visit to Sweden in 2010. He denies the allegations and avoided extradition from Britain in 2012 by seeking asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.

Swedish prosecutors said Wednesday they have received notice from Ecuador that an Ecuadorian prosecutor will question Assange on Oct. 17. They said Swedish investigators will be allowed to be present and ask follow-up questions through the Ecuadorian prosecutor.

The interrogation has been delayed multiple times as the two countries discussed conditions and timing.
Fighting in Niger kills 5 soldiers, 30 Boko Haram militants

NIAMEY, Niger (AP)  Niger's defense ministry says at least five soldiers and 30 Boko Haram militants have been killed after an ambush by the Nigeria-based Islamic extremists led to fighting.

Col. Moustapha Michel Ledru said the attack on soldiers Monday near Toumour, about 65 kilometers (40 miles) northeast of the town of Diffa, also injured six soldiers.

He spoke Tuesday night on national television, saying the army captured two extremists along with a large quantity of arms and ammunition.

Ledru also said two soldiers were killed Sept. 8 when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device during a patrol near Barwa locality in the Diffa region.
In leaked emails, Powell calls Trump a 'national disgrace'

WASHINGTON (AP)  In a trove of newly leaked emails, former Secretary of State Colin Powell calls Donald Trump "a national disgrace" and suggests his own Republican Party is "crashing and burning."

Powell also laments Hillary Clinton's attempt to equate her use of private email at the State Department with his.

The emails, posted on the website DCLeaks.com and first reported by Buzzfeed News late Tuesday, offer insight into the unvarnished opinions of the respected retired Army general who was secretary of state under President George W. Bush. The messages run from March 2015 through last month.

In this photo taken Sept. 3, 2014, former Secretary of State Colin Powell speaks at the State Department in Washington. Powell, in newly leaked emails, criticized both major presidential candidates, calling Donald Trump a national disgrace and lamenting Hillary Clintons attempt to equate her email practices with his. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Powell, 79, did not respond Wednesday to a phone message or email seeking comment. He earlier told BuzzFeed that he does not deny the emails' authenticity.

In the emails, Powell said he stayed relatively quiet during the rise of Trump, the Republican presidential nominee. "To go on and call him an idiot just emboldens him," Powell said.

To a former aide he writes, "No need to debate it with you now, but Trump is a national disgrace and an international pariah."

He also criticized Trump for backing the false claim that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States.

"All his lies and nonsense just pile up," Powell wrote. "I just go back to the unforgivable one. Trying to destroy the President elected by the American people with his fictitious investigation into this source of birth. Absolutely disgraceful."

Trump, in a Twitter post late Wednesday, said, "I was never a fan of Colin Powell after his weak understanding of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq = disaster. We can do much better!"

Powell, a Republican, also suggests frustration with the state of the nation's politics.

"We all need to start voting for America and not our parties," Powell writes. "Trump is taking on water. He doesn't have a GOP philosophy or even a Conservative philosophy. We need a revolution and it will begin with the GOP crashing and burning up its current form."

DCLeaks.com has been alleged to be an outlet for hackers tied to the Russian intelligence groups. The website, which says it intends to expose the misuse of political power, has previously released emails from other Washington political figures.

The release of Powell's emails is the latest in a string of leaks that appear intended to influence the 2016 presidential election. The FBI is investigating how thousands of Democratic National Committee emails were hacked and released, an embarrassing breach that Clinton's campaign maintains was committed by Russia to benefit Trump.

Powell's leaked messages include his thoughts on Clinton's lingering email woes. He criticized Clinton aides for tying him into the controversy over the Democratic nominee's use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.

Powell has acknowledged using a private email account with both senior U.S. officials and for back-channel communications with foreign dignitaries. Clinton used a private email server located in the basement of her New York home.

Powell wrote that he had told Clinton's "minions repeatedly that they are making a mistake trying to drag me in, yet they still try." In another spot, he declared of Clinton that "Everything HRC touches she kind of screws up with hubris."

The messages contain comments that reflect that he, too, sought to use private email as a way to avoid creating documents retained by the government. Decrying "friggin record rules," Powell wrote that he "saw email more like a telephone than a cable machine."

Congressional Democrats have seized on the use of a private email addresses by Powell and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as a foil for Republican attacks on Clinton. By suggesting that he didn't view work conducted via private email as a permanent government record, Powell could offer those Democrats additional ammunition.

In May, Powell messaged with a former colleague as the State Department's inspector general prepared to release a report critical of both his and Clinton's use of private email to conduct government business.

"Wow, I didn't follow rules," Powell wrote. "I only revolutionized the information system in the entire State Department. ... I think I'll bash the Department tomorrow. Fifteen years later they come up with this. ... Thanks Hillary."

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Venezuela government, opponents resume talks amid stalemate

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)  Venezuela's opposition and the government have held backdoor negotiations as the two sides retrench in their positions for and against a referendum on cutting short President Nicolas Maduro's term.

Opposition leaders said Tuesday that the two private meetings with government officials took place in recent days. The Democratic Unity alliance issued a statement accusing Maduro of trying to "dynamite" the mediation effort after government representatives failed to show up for a third meeting without explanation.

It's unclear what was discussed, but the opposition said it's not yielding on its demand that a recall referendum be held this year and called for a march Friday.

Maduro also confirmed the talks.
James Patterson's new book has a killer title

NEW YORK (AP)  A new novel from James Patterson has a title that calls for a disclaimer and a spoiler alert: "The Murder of Stephen King."

"A work of fiction," readers are assured. "All incidents and dialogue, and all characters with the exception of Stephen and Tabitha King, are products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real."

And, yes, the story has a happy ending.

In this Aug. 30, 2016 file photo, author James Patterson poses for a portrait in New York to promote his latest book, "The Murder of Stephen King." Patterson's 150-page book, which comes out November 1, tells of an obsessed fan out to get King and of the detective trying to save him. The novel is part of his "BookShots" series of "pulse-pounding thrillers under $5 and 150 pages or less. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP)

But still, that title.

"I think it's a good title," Patterson told The Associated Press during a recent telephone interview. "It's exactly what the book is."

Not exactly  the murder is only attempted.

"I guess we could have put in 'attempted,'" he added.

Patterson's 150-page book, which comes out Nov. 1, tells of an obsessed fan out to get King and of the detective (who happens to be named Jamie Peterson) trying to save him. The novel is part of his "BookShots" series of "pulse-pounding thrillers under $5 and 150 pages or less." The prolific Patterson, who averages several best-sellers a year and openly works with co-authors, collaborated with Derek Nikitas on the King story.

Other fiction writers have imagined  or least suggested  the demise of a public figure. Hilary Mantel's short story "The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher: August 6th 1983" came out in 2014, after the former British Prime Minister had died. Rush Limbaugh and other conservatives were angered by Nicholson Baker's 2004 novel "Checkpoint," in which an opponent of the Iraq War considers killing then-President George W. Bush and a friend tries to dissuade him.

King, through an assistant, declined comment on Patterson's book, but confirmed he has received an advance copy.

In "The Murder of Stephen King," the villain's motive is explained at the start: "He'll write a tell-all book from his prison cell and be crowned the new King of Horror. All the readers will scream: The King is dead; long live the King!" Patterson says the novel is clearly a homage to the author, with praise for his work and for King. He notes that King has included crazed readers in his books, notably in "Misery," and that Patterson has encountered his own share of "buzzing pests" and "scary kooks."

Patterson says he doesn't know King, although he has heard he's a "neat guy." The book is entirely imagined, down to the King household, as seen by Detective Peterson.

"Classic images come to mind: killer clowns whispering from inside sewer drains, teenage vampires scraping their claws on your bedroom window, creepy twins in a hotel hallway, rabid dogs and undead cats and crazed prom queens drenched in pig's blood. I'm about to meet the guy whose head it all spilled out of," Patterson and Nikitas wrote.

"But Steve King's pushing seventy these days, clean-shaven with backswept gray hair. He sits at the kitchen table, so engrossed in a book that his nose is practically touching the pages. His long upper lip gives him a harmless, almost rabbitlike appearance."

While Patterson speaks warmly of King, King has not returned the compliments in the past. In a 2009 interview with USA Weekend, he said Patterson was "a terrible writer but he's very successful." Speaking to the AP, Patterson is dismissive of King's remarks, calling them "hyperbole," in the style of Donald Trump.

"I know I'm not a terrible writer," Patterson says. "That's a little over the top."

Patterson said those who know about his book have not objected to the title, and that some have even found it funny.

And what if King were to write a novel called "The Murder of James Patterson"?

"If Stephen King wrote it," he said, "I would definitely want to read it."

In this Aug. 30, 2016 file photo, author James Patterson poses for a portrait in New York to promote his latest book, "The Murder of Stephen King." Patterson's 150-page book, which comes out November 1, tells of an obsessed fan out to get King and of the detective trying to save him. The novel is part of his "BookShots" series of "pulse-pounding thrillers under $5 and 150 pages or less. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP)
US ambassador to Italy in firestorm over referendum remarks

ROME (AP)  The U.S. ambassador to Italy was at the center of a political firestorm Wednesday after warning that the defeat of an upcoming Italian referendum on constitutional changes would hurt Italy's chances of attracting American investment.

The vote has become a make-or-break judgment on the government of Premier Matteo Renzi, who has said the constitutional changes are needed to end Italy's chronic political instability. Renzi has staked his administration's survival on passage, which polls suggest is not at all certain.

Lawmakers backing a "no" vote sharply criticized Ambassador John Phillips' comments as U.S. interference in Italy's internal affairs. Some called for his removal.

US Ambassador in Italy John Phillips is seen during the groundbreaking ceremony of the US Pavilion Expo 2015 construction site of the upcoming World Exhibition Expo 2015, in Pero, Italy, Wednesday, July 16, 2014. Phillips was at the center of a political firestorm Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 after warning that the defeat of an upcoming Italian referendum on constitutional changes would hurt Italy's chances of attracting American investment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Even the Italian president, Sergio Mattarella, stepped into the fray Wednesday to insist on the sovereignty of Italian voters to decide the referendum's outcome.

Phillips made the remarks at a panel discussion at the Rome-based Center for American Studies on Tuesday. He told Italy's foreign minister and other assembled guests that political stability was crucial to securing American investment.

While saying the choice belonged to Italian voters, Phillips said the United States believed the proposed changes "offer real hope and real opportunity for stability of government going ahead.

"All I can say from the American perspective is if it fails, those American companies that are coming to Italy  and Italy ranks right now eighth in investment in EU where it should be third or even second  it will be a big step backward in terms of attracting more foreign investment."

The U.S. Embassy said the ambassador's comments were in line with U.S. support of Renzi's reforms.

The referendum remarks marked the second time Phillips has sparked controversy this year. He raised eyebrows in March by telling an Italian newspaper that Italy had committed up to 5,000 troops for an international force to help stabilize Libya.

At the time, the comments suggested that military intervention was near. The U.S. Embassy downplayed them and insisted that the figure had been floated previously by Italian officials.

Renzi's referendum, scheduled for later this year, would greatly reduce the power of the Senate, abolish the provinces and give the central government control of some policy areas that now lie with the regions.

Renzi has said he would resign if the referendum fails, further motivating opposition forces to rally against the measure try to take advantage of widespread popular anger at slow economic growth, corruption scandals and the government's performance.

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UK nurse who contracted Ebola cleared of misconduct charge

LONDON (AP)  A British nurse who contracted Ebola while working in Sierra Leone has been cleared of misconduct charges that stemmed from questions about her elevated temperature when she returned to Britain from West Africa.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council said Wednesday after a two-day hearing that three allegations against Pauline Cafferkey had not been proven.

The council had scheduled the hearing because of allegations that Cafferkey concealed her elevated temperature from health officials when she returned to London Heathrow Airport in December 2014 after a stint in West Africa treating Ebola victims.

Pauline Cafferkey, the nurse who survived Ebola, arrives to face a Nursing and Midwifery Council misconduct panel in Edinburgh, Scotland, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Disciplinary hearings have begun in the case of a British nurse who contracted Ebola while working in Sierra Leone. Pauline Cafferkey is accused of concealing her elevated temperature from health officials when she returned to Britain with the virus. The Nursing and Midwifery Council says she "allowed an incorrect temperature to be recorded" when she landed at London Heathrow Airport on Dec. 29, 2014. (David Cheskin/PA via AP)

The independent panel in Edinburgh found that she was in an "exhausted and increasingly unwell state" when she landed at the airport and dealt with health officials trying to screen passengers for possible Ebola infection.

"In your diminished medical state you were swept along by events," the panel said.

The questions are important because an elevated temperature can be an early sign of infection, and Ebola can be spread relatively easily.

Lawyer Joyce Cullen, representing Cafferkey, said the nurse had found the disciplinary process "stressful and upsetting."

She said Cafferkey is "delighted" she can now continue her nursing career in Scotland.

Cafferkey, 40, became critically ill with Ebola shortly after her return and recovered after treatment in an isolation unit. She could have lost her license to practice if the hearing had ruled she had acted improperly.
'Star Wars' films land at Turner networks in exclusive deal

NEW YORK (AP)  Turner networks TNT and TBS will be the exclusive basic-cable homes for all the "Star Wars" feature films, thanks to a multiyear deal with the films' studios.

The deal, announced Wednesday, includes the network premieres of last year's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and the upcoming "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," opening in theaters in December.

The agreement with Walt Disney Studios also includes five of the six original "Star Wars" films, as well as the network television premieres of three future installments. The 1977 first film, "Star Wars: A New Hope," completes the collection through a previous arrangement with 20th Century Fox.

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2015 photo, characters from the film pose for photographers upon arrival at the European premiere of the film 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens ' in London. Turner networks TNT and TBS will be the exclusive basic-cable homes for all the Star Wars feature films, thanks to a multiyear deal with the films studios. The deal, announced Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, includes the network premieres of last years Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, opening in theaters in December. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)

TNT is set to premiere "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in early 2018, followed in 2019 by this year's "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."

The "Star Wars" canon comes to Turner's airwaves beginning next Tuesday, when TNT kicks off six consecutive nights of the original six films.

Here's the lineup (all times Eastern):

 Tuesday, Sept. 20:

8 p.m. and 11 p.m.  "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"

 Wednesday, Sept. 21:

8 p.m. and 11:05 p.m.  "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones"

 Thursday, Sept. 22:

8 p.m. and 11:05 p.m.  "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith"

 Friday, Sept. 23:

8 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.  "Star Wars: A New Hope"

 Saturday, Sept. 24:

10:45 a.m.  "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"

1:45 p.m.  "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones"

4:55 p.m.  "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith"

8 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.  "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back"

 Sunday, Sept. 25:

5:15 a.m.  "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"

8:15 a.m.  "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones"

11:20 a.m.  "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith"

2:25 p.m.  "Star Wars: A New Hope"

5:10 p.m.  "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back"

8 p.m. and 11 p.m.  "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi"

2 a.m.  "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2015 file photo, characters from the file, including stormtroopers and Darth Vader pose for photographers upon arrival at the European premiere of the film 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens ' in London. Turner networks TNT and TBS will be the exclusive basic-cable homes for all the Star Wars feature films, thanks to a multiyear deal with the films studios. The deal, announced Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, includes the network premieres of last years Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, opening in theaters in December. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Romania: US ambassador in minority group flag controversy

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP)  The U.S. ambassador to Romania has caused a stir in the eastern European country by posing for a photo holding a flag of an ethnic Hungarian minority group.

The picture of Ambassador Hans G. Klemm holding the Szekler flag was posted on Facebook Tuesday by Antal Arpad, the mayor of the town of Sfantu Gheorghe, which Klemm visited. Arpad and two other men were also holding the flag in the undated photo.

The Szekler group is a vocal minority living in Transylvania, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918. Some Hungarians want it to be part of Hungary again and the Szeklers have been seeking more autonomy. There are about 1.2 million ethnic Hungarians living in Romania, most in Transylvania.

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2015 file photo, U.S. Ambassador Hans Klemm, center, attends a Holocaust memorial service in Bucharest, Romania. Klemm has caused a stir Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, in the eastern European country by posing for a photo holding a flag of the Szekler ethnic Hungarian group, a vocal minority living in Transylvania, which has been seeking more autonomy. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)

A comment next to the photo in Romanian and Hungarian said Szeklers are a suppressed minority because it is illegal to fly their flag on public buildings.

Romanian law allows public buildings to fly only the Romanian flag, the European Union flag or a flag representing the public institute where it is displayed.

The Romanian foreign ministry said Wednesday it had talked to U.S. diplomats about "the necessity to understand and take into consideration ... certain sensibilities."
US official says IS has lost half its territory in Iraq

BAGHDAD (AP)  Iraqi forces aided by the U.S.-led coalition have retaken half the territory the Islamic State group once held in the country, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday during a visit to Baghdad.

Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken also announced $181 million to address a humanitarian crisis that has festered in Iraq despite progress on the battlefield. More than 3.3 million Iraqis remain displaced from their homes due to violence, according to the United Nations.

Despite a series of major defeats in recent months, IS still controls Mosul, Iraq's second largest city. Iraq hopes to launch an operation to retake Mosul this year, which U.N. and U.S. officials say could displace another 1 million people.

In this image released by the U.S. State Department, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to reporters in Baghdad on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Blinken says Iraqi forces backed by the U.S.-led coalition have retaken half the territory the Islamic State group once held in the country. He also announced $181 million to address a humanitarian crisis that has festered in Iraq despite progress on the battlefield. (U.S. State Department via AP)

Blinken said the way authorities handle the potential displacement in Mosul will be an important "test case" for lasting political reconciliation in the country. Iraq remains deeply divided, with many in the Sunni minority viewing the Shiite-led government with suspicion and ethnic Kurds in the north pursuing greater autonomy.

"The painstaking work of reconciliation and governance... will ensure that Daesh, once defeated, stays defeated," Blinken said, using an Arabic acronym for IS.

The extremist group swept across northern and western Iraq in the summer of 2014, and at that time many Sunnis welcomed IS as an alternative to what they saw as the increasingly sectarian rule of then-Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
European Parliament: Polish policies are anti-democratic

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  The European Parliament slammed Polish government policies as anti-democratic for the second time this year Wednesday and urged reforms by the end of next month.

But members of Poland's conservative ruling party brushed off the parliament's resolution as non-binding. They said the European Union should focus instead on such issues as the migrant crisis and Brexit.

The parliament's vote in Strasbourg was the latest development in a standoff between Poland's ruling Law and Justice party, which is critical of many EU policies, and EU leaders and lawmakers who insist the Polish government should adhere to the rules and values of the 28-member bloc.

The vote was 510-160 with 29 abstentions. Polish opposition leader Grzegorz Schetyna said the lopsided tally reflects widespread criticism of the government among EU nations and the growing isolation of Poland's ruling party, which has controlled the government, the Polish parliament and the presidency since last year.

The resolution said that the continuing judicial paralysis that has resulted from government interference with Poland's major constitutional court and the government's blocking of some of the Constitutional Tribunal's verdicts "endanger democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law in Poland."

The European lawmakers urged Poland to solve the constitutional crisis within the three-month deadline set on July 27 by the European Commission. The commission has created procedures for monitoring Poland's respect for the EU's rule of law that could potentially lead to revoking of Poland's voting rights as a member state.

The European Parliament, which is the EU's legislative body, approved a similar resolution in April.
Another food service worker found to have Hepatitis A

HONOLULU (AP)  State health officials said another food service worker is among the more than 250 people who have tested positive for Hepatitis A.

The Hawaii Department of Health said Tuesday that the infected worker is an employee of Harbor Restaurant at Pier 38. The risk of contracting the disease at the business is low, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported (http://bit.ly/2cDU5z3).

The worker had been on the job as recently as Monday. Officials are warning those who ate at the restaurant from Aug. 26 to Sept. 12 to contact their health providers.

The outbreak has been linked to frozen scallops served raw by a popular sushi chain, Genki Sushi. U.S. Food and Drug Administration tests later found hepatitis A in the scallops, which were imported from the Philippines.

There were 252 confirmed Hepatitis A cases as of last week. The health department is expected to update the count Wednesday.

"Because of the long incubation period for hepatitis A, we are continuing to see new cases of this illness even after identifying and removing contaminated scallops from Hawaii restaurants, and individuals exposed in July and August may become ill as late as September or October," said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist.

Park stressed that the latest case does not mean there is a new outbreak or that the restaurant is a source of the ongoing outbreak.

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Mylan CEO to testify in hearing on EpiPen price increases

WASHINGTON (AP)  The head of the pharmaceutical company Mylan will face lawmakers' questions at a hearing next week on steep price increases for its life-saving EpiPen injector device.

Mylan CEO Heather Bresch and an official from the Food and Drug Administration will testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

The committee's leaders said in a statement that there is "justified outrage" from families and schools struggling to pay for the emergency allergy shots. The price has grown to $608 for a two-pack, an increase of more than 500 percent since 2007.

FILE - In this April 8, 2008 file photo, Heather Bresch, chief operating officer of Mylan Pharmacueticals, sits in her office in Canonsburg, Pa. Bresch will face lawmakers' questions at a hearing next week on steep price hikes for the company's life-saving EpiPen injector device. (AP Photo/Dale Sparks, File)

The chairman, GOP Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, and the top Democrat, Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, said they also will examine ways to encourage greater competition in the EpiPen market.

Several other committees are looking into the matter.

The leaders of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' investigations subcommittee said last week they have begun an inquiry into the company's pricing and competition practices. The Senate Aging Committee has requested briefings on the issue. The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has written several letters to Mylan demanding answers.
Finnish police arrest 2 asylum-seekers for alleged murder

HELSINKI (AP)  Finnish police say they have arrested two Iraqi asylum-seekers on suspicion of murder and robbery.

The district court in Kajaani ordered the two men held in custody, pending the outcome of an investigation into the suspected murder of a local man, whose body was found Sunday. The Wednesday hearing was held behind closed doors.

Police Chief Inspector Jarkko Maksniemi said the body of a man in his 50s was found by the side of the road in the village of Otanmaki, near Kajaani in central Finland. He told the AP that the two men, who were not named, were suspected of robbing and killing the victim as well as of another violent robbery during the early hours of Sunday. He declined further comment.
Records: Mom solicited men to sexually assault daughter, 10

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  The mother of a 10-year-old New Mexico girl who was found dead and dismembered told police she looked for men online and at work to sexually assault her daughter, according to search warrants in the case.

The documents showed Michelle Martens told police that she had set up encounters with at least three men before the girl was drugged, raped and killed last month.

The single mother told investigators she didn't set up the sexual assaults for the money but did it because she enjoyed watching, according to the warrants. It's unclear how long she had been arranging meetings before Victoria Martens' death or if police have identified any of those men.

FILE - In this Thursday Aug. 25, 2016 file photo, a couple hundred people attend a candlelight vigil for 10-year-old Victoria Martens at the apartment complex in Albuquerque, N.M., where the young girl lived and was killed. The mother of Victoria Martens told police she sought men online and at work to sexually assault her daughter before her death, according to warrants obtained by the Albuquerque Journal. Michelle Martens told police she had set up encounters with at least three men to sexual assault her daughter whose brutal death spark vigils and outcry across New Mexico. (Jim Thompson/The Albuquerque Journal via AP,File)

Police found the girl's dismembered body inside the apartment she shared with her mother on the day she was expected to celebrate her 10th birthday. The slaying ignited outcry and vigils.

Laura Bobbs, a local minister and spokeswoman for the family, cried when she learned about the details outlined in the search warrants.

"Jesus Christ. My poor baby, my poor baby," she exclaimed, referring to Victoria. "She never told us this was going on. I would ask her all the time, 'Are you OK?' She would tell me yes."

Bobbs reiterated Wednesday that there were no indications from Michelle Martens or the girl that anything was wrong.

"I would see this woman every day. There were no signs. How did she hide this from us?," she said. "This thing gets worse and worse and worse."

Michelle Martens, Fabian Gonzales and Jessica Kelley  a cousin of Gonzales'  have been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sex penetration of child under 13. Victoria was stabbed and strangled.

Martens' attorney, Mark Earnest, did not immediately return a telephone message from The Associated Press.

Martens, 35, told investigators that one of the men she solicited was a co-worker. Two others she met online, including Gonzales, 31. He was to be the last.

Martens told police she used the dating website Plenty of Fish to look for men to sexually assault Victoria.

Her statement to police is included in nearly a dozen search warrants to search a safe in Martens' apartment, her car, and electronic devices discovered during the investigation, including a camcorder they believed may have been used for sexual exploitation of children.

Investigators also sought DNA evidence from the suspects, as well as multiple electronic devices and a camcorder they believed may have been used for sexual exploitation of children.

The Albuquerque Journal was first to report on the warrants late Tuesday (https://goo.gl/bujnqP).

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Associated Press writer Mary Hudetz contributed to this report.
Nigeria's largest airline resumes after stranding thousands

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP)  Nigeria's biggest airline has resumed flights that stranded thousands of passengers across West Africa, saying it has resolved an insurance issue.

Nigeria's aviation industry is in crisis amid a recession and increased aviation fuel prices. It has lost its position as West Africa's airline hub, to neighboring Ghana.

Arik Air, which flies between 100 and 130 flights daily, canceled service Tuesday and Wednesday morning before resuming.

Arik spokesman Adebanji Ola blamed delayed paperwork renewing an insurance policy. He denied reports that the airline owes millions of dollars for aviation fuel.

Nigerians have suffered frequent flight delays and cancellations blamed on shortages of aviation fuel, which has doubled in price this year.
AP NewsBreak: George W. Bush paintings book coming in 2017

NEW YORK (AP)  The next book from former President George W. Bush will be more about pictures than words.

"Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors" will feature 66 oil paintings and a four-panel mural by Bush of military veterans and those in active service, the Crown Publishing Group told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The book is scheduled to come out Feb. 28, 2017, and will include an introduction by Bush and forewords by former first lady Laura Bush and by Gen. Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"This is a book about the men and women who have been tremendous national assets in the Armed Forces  and who continue to be vital to the future success of our country," Bush writes in the introduction. "The greatest honor of the presidency was looking them in the eye and saluting them as their Commander in Chief. And I intend to support and salute them for the rest of my life."

This book cover image released by Crown shows, "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chiefs Tribute to Americas Warriors," by President George W. Bush. The book will feature 66 paintings and a four-panel mural of military veterans and those in active service, the Crown Publishing Group, Wednesday, Sept 14, 2016. The book is scheduled to come out Feb. 28, 2017. (Crown via AP)

The book will be released in two editions: a $35 hardcover and a $250 "deluxe" volume, cloth-bound and signed by Bush.

According to Crown, "Portraits of Courage" also will have stories written by Bush in "his inimitable voice" about each of the subjects. "As the stories unfold  some of them inspiring, some of them heartbreaking  readers will encounter the faces and the hearts of those who answered the nation's call and learn from their bravery on the battlefield, their journeys to recovery, and the continued leadership and contributions they are making as civilians," the publisher's statement reads.

No financial numbers were disclosed. Bush was represented by Washington attorney Robert Barnett, who has also handled book deals for President Barack Obama and 2016 Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton. Bush's previous books include the best-sellers "Decision Points" and "41," about his father, former President George H.W. Bush.

Bush, who has become an avid painter since leaving the White House, is donating any net author proceeds to the George W. Bush Presidential Center and its Military Service Initiative, which helps post-Sept. 11 veterans and their families' transition to civilian life.

Bush was expected to mention the book in a speech Wednesday at the Fort Carson Military Community Transition Summit at Fort Carson, Colorado. The paintings from "Portraits of Courage" will be on exhibit in 2017 at the Bush Center, in Dallas, from March 2 through early October.
The Latest: Defense attorney says client was no gang leader

CHICAGO (AP)  The Latest in the largest street-gang trial in recent Chicago history (all times local):

1:45 p.m.

The attorney for an alleged gang leader on trial in Chicago says his client was a small-town drug pusher who police framed when he wouldn't cooperate.

This undated photo in a court filing provided by the United States Attorney's office in Chicago, shows Paris Poe's back tattoo that reads "The Earth Is Our Turf", and Hobo. Poe is one of six defendants on trial for racketeering and other charges are purported leaders of the widely feared Hobos, a South Side gang that federal prosecutors said murdered, maimed and tortured their way into control of some of Chicago's most lucrative drug markets. Their federal trial begins Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 with opening statements in Chicago. (United States Attorney's office in Chicago via AP)

Defense attorney Beau Brindley gave his opening statement Wednesday during the trial of six men who prosecutors allege were leaders of the Hobos gang. Prosecutors say the men murdered and tortured their way into controlling lucrative drug markets on Chicago's South Side.

Brindley says his client, Gregory Chester, struggled against all odds to survive in "a caldron." Brindley said Chester sold drugs to acquaintances but had nothing to do with running an organized criminal gang.

He said Chicago police were frustrated they couldn't get Chester to cooperate and so they fabricated evidence suggesting he was a Hobos leader.

He also said Chester was born with severe physical disabilities, adding: "This was not some super gang with a disabled man hobbling around at the helm."

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11:25 a.m.

The lead prosecutor in one of the largest street-gang trials in recent Chicago history is telling jurors that the six men on trial "were an all-star team of the worst of the worst."

Prosecutor Patrick Otlewski gave his opening statement Wednesday in the trial of six alleged leaders of the Hobos gang. Prosecutors say the men murdered, maimed and tortured their way into controlling lucrative drug markets on Chicago's South Side.

The men have pleaded not guilty to racketeering charges.

Investigators allege one of the men, Paris Poe, is a gang hit man who shot a government witness 25 times at close range while his horrified step-children screamed in the back of a car.

Otlewski warned jurors that they will be looking "into the eyes of murderers" every day of the trial.

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1 a.m.

Opening statements are slated for the biggest street-gang trial in recent Chicago history, offering a rare inside look at the kind of gangland activity that's helped fuel city gun violence.

Wednesday is the attorneys' first chance to address jurors about the charges in Chicago federal court.

Six purported leaders of the Hobos gang face racketeering charges. Prosecutors say they murdered, maimed and tortured their way into controlling lucrative drug markets on Chicago's South Side.

One defendant is alleged gang hit man Paris Poe. Prosecutors say he killed a government witness in 2013, shooting the man at close range while his horrified step-kids screamed in the back seat of a car.

All the defendants have pleaded not guilty. If convicted, they each face maximum life prison terms.

This undated photo provided by the Violent Crimes Task Force, Chicago Division, shows Paris Poe. Poe is one of six defendants on trial for racketeering and other charges are purported leaders of the widely feared Hobos, a South Side gang that federal prosecutors said murdered, maimed and tortured their way into control of some of Chicago's most lucrative drug markets. Their federal trial begins Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 with opening statements in Chicago. (Violent Crimes Task Force, Chicago Division via AP)

This undated wanted poster provided by the Violent Crimes Task Force, Chicago Division, shows photos of Paris Poe. Poe is one of six defendants on trial for racketeering and other charges are purported leaders of the widely feared Hobos, a South Side gang that federal prosecutors said murdered, maimed and tortured their way into control of some of Chicago's most lucrative drug markets. Their federal trial begins Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 with opening statements in Chicago. (Violent Crimes Task Force, Chicago Division via AP)
House panel approves bill prohibiting cash payments to Iran

WASHINGTON (AP)  In an election-year broadside, the Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee approved legislation Wednesday to prohibit the United States from making cash payments to Iran and require that Congress be notified before any future claims settlements with Tehran are conducted.

Passage of the bill on a 21-16 vote comes a week after the Obama administration acknowledged it paid Iran $1.7 billion in cash earlier this year to settle a decades-old arbitration claim between the two countries.

An initial $400 million delivery of euros, Swiss francs and other foreign currency was delivered on pallets on Jan. 17, the same day Tehran agreed to release four American prisoners. The remaining $1.3 billion was paid in cash installments made on Jan. 22 and Feb. 5, administration officials said last week in a closed-door briefing for congressional staff.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., right, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, during the committee's hearing on Iran. The committee approved legislation to prohibit the U.S. from making cash payments to Iran and requires that any future settlements with Tehran be conducted openly. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Republicans have decried the payments as ransom, a charge the Obama administration has rejected. Citing Iran's status as a leading state sponsor of terrorism, Republicans also have contended the money will be used to finance terrorism around the world.

The committee's chairman, Rep. Ed Royce of California, said President Barack Obama made it easier for Iran to funnel money to Hezbollah and other terrorist groups by delivering Tehran virtually untraceable cash.

"We are basically doing their money laundering for them, in a sense," Royce said.

Obama said last month at a Pentagon news conference that cash was delivered "because we couldn't send them a check and we couldn't wire the money. We don't have a banking relationship with Iran which is part of the pressure we applied on them."

But Royce said he recently learned that the administration used a bank wire to send Iran $8.6 million for 32 metric tons of heavy water. The deal, announced in April, was aimed at helping Iran meet the terms of last year's landmark deal in which Iran agreed to curb its atomic program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said Wednesday that GOP lawmakers never imagined a bill prohibiting cash payments to Iran would be necessary.

"This $1.7 billion payment to Iran sets a dangerous precedent that puts a price on the head of Americans traveling abroad," the Wisconsin Republican said.

Democrats who opposed the bill denied the $1.7 billion amounted to ransom and accused Republicans of trying to score political points.

Rep. Eliot Engel of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the money belonged to Iran "whether we like it or not." Engel said there will be future financial transactions with Iran and what's most important is that Congress be alerted before they happen.

The committee rejected a substitute bill offered by Engel that wouldn't restrict the form of payments but would mandate that Congress be notified at least five days before the transaction occurred.

The Obama administration has said the arbitration payment and prisoner release were separate, but recently acknowledged the cash was used as leverage until the Americans were allowed to leave Iran.

Christopher Backemeyer, deputy assistant secretary of state for Iranian affairs, told lawmakers last week he "can't speak for every dollar that goes in and out of Iran." But Backemeyer said it was his understanding that the money is being used to meet "critical economic needs" in Iran.

The money settles a dispute over a $400 million payment made in the 1970s by the U.S.-backed shah's government for military equipment. The equipment was never delivered because of the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the shah and ended diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Iran. The $1.3 billion covers what Iran and the U.S. agreed would be the interest on the $400 million over the decades.

To make the payment, the administration returned the $400 million balance from the Iranian account for the military purchases. The rest of the money came from an account administered by the Treasury Department for settling litigation claims. The Judgment Fund is taxpayer money 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.

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Follow Richard Lardner on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rplardner
The pluses and minuses of drugmakers' discount cards

WASHINGTON (AP)  Facing public furor for the price of its emergency allergy shot EpiPen, Mylan Pharmaceuticals quickly pointed to a familiar industry solution: copay discount cards.

Copay coupons or cards have become a ubiquitous part of the pharmaceutical business, offered through websites, mobile apps and doctor's offices. Patient advocates say they can bring down out-of-pocket expenses for patients who face high copays and deductibles. Mylan last month boosted its discount cards to cover $300 of insured patients' copay costs, up from $100.

But they also have a clear business purpose: steering people toward brand-name drugs when cheaper options are often available. Researchers say those higher costs ultimately drive up expenses for insurers, employers and the health system at large.

FILE - This Oct. 10, 2013, file photo, shows an EpiPen epinephrine auto-injector, a Mylan product, in Hendersonville, Texas. Facing public furor for the price of its emergency allergy shot EpiPen, Mylan Pharmaceuticals quickly pointed to a familiar industry solution: copay discount cards. Discount cards for EpiPen and other pricey drugs can help consumers lower their pharmacy costs. But don't call them a solution to skyrocketing drug prices, experts say. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)

A look at the pros and cons of copay discount cards:

PRO: LOWER OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS

As more employers move to cost-sharing health plans, their workers face higher expenses when filling prescriptions at the pharmacy. The average amount owed by a patient picking up a brand-name drug is $44, according to IMS Health, a health information company. Copay coupon usually offering reimbursement up to a certain level, such as $100.

Advocates say copay coupons are crucial for financially strapped people. Erin Singleton of the Patient Advocate Foundation says she directs patients to websites like needymeds.org and pparx.org, which compile coupon offers. To qualify, patients generally have to provide information about their insurance. But unlike some other patient assistance programs that offer free medicines or deep discounts, the coupons are not tied to income.

"Copay cards are beneficial because they're pretty seamless," Singleton said. "It is something that should be considered regardless of your income."

CON: HIGHER-PRICED DRUGS

While consumers pay less at the pharmacy, research suggests they are actually passing on higher costs to their insurance company. That's because manufacturers tend to offer the coupons on brand-name drugs that are competing against lower-priced drugs, often generics that sell for $4 or less at retailers like Wal-Mart.

When a generic is available, pharmacists often automatically switch patients to the cheaper option. But when a patient uses a coupon, it short circuits that process. The copay is lower, but the insurer ends up paying for the higher-priced drug.

"So those costs are going to come out in higher in premiums," said Wells Wilkinson, an attorney with Community Catalyst, a health care advocate group.

A 2013 study of almost 400 coupons found that nearly two-thirds were for brand-name medications that had cheaper alternatives, according to researchers at Harvard Medical School.

PRO: PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED

An estimated 1 in 5 prescriptions in the U.S. goes unfilled, in part due to financial hardship. Some research suggests patients with copay discounts are more likely to stay on their medication than those without them.

One 2014 study of patients taking high-priced specialty drugs for multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases found that nearly half of them used a copay coupon. In most cases, the discounts reduced their monthly expenses to less than $250, a threshold where patients are more likely to stay on their medication.

CON: SHORT-TERM SOLUTION

Coupon cards can improve access to drugs, but usually for a limited time. Most cards include language that they can only be reused 12 times or that they expire after 14 months. Across all brand-name prescriptions filled in the U.S., copay coupons are only used about 8 percent of the time, according to research published last year by IMS Health. Limiting their use: many mail order pharmacy programs do not accept the cards.

Additionally, the cards cannot be used at all by patients in federal health plans like Medicare, Medicaid or Veterans Affairs, which cover tens of millions of Americans. The cards run afoul of federal anti-kickback laws that prohibit companies from giving enrollees anything of value to purchase items paid for by the government.

When drugmakers like Mylan tout their discount cards as a remedy for rising drug prices, experts say it deflates public debate about medication costs that could lead to real reforms.
Attorney seeks to revive lawsuit against Mississippi flag

JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A Mississippi attorney is trying to revive his lawsuit challenging the Confederate battle emblem on the state flag.

Carlos Moore filed notice Wednesday that he will appeal a federal judge's decision that dismissed the suit.

Moore had argued the emblem is an unconstitutional vestige of slavery. While U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves wrote that the flag's history is inextricably tied to slavery, he ruled Thursday that Moore failed to show a "cognizable legal injury."

FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 file photo, a state flag of Mississippi is unfurled by Sons of Confederate Veterans and other groups on the grounds of the state Capitol in Jackson, Miss., in support of keeping the Confederate battle emblem on the state flag. Mississippi attorney Carlos Moore is trying to revive his lawsuit challenging the Confederate battle emblem on the state flag. Moore filed notice Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, that he will appeal a federal judges decision that dismissed the suit. The Mississippi flag has had the Confederate emblem since 1894, and voters chose to keep it in a 2001 referendum. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Reeves considered pretrial arguments, and Moore says he will ask the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to require Reeves to hold a full trial.
Davis Cup: Murray gives Britain lift vs Argentina in semis

With Andy Murray back, Britain should beat Argentina in Davis Cup this weekend for the first time since 1928 and make the final.

Murray has won the Olympic gold medal and made the Cincinnati final and U.S. Open quarterfinals in the past month, but he has enough left in the tank to play singles and doubles, if need be, Britain captain Leon Smith said.

Murray proved his mettle a year ago in the semifinal against Australia, when he won both of his singles and a five-set doubles.

"There's no doubt he will be tired. He's played so much over the summer," Smith said. "Looking back to last year's Aussie tie, when he was clearly hurting and fatigued, he went out and gave everything. I don't think that will change."

His fitness ought to be tested in the opening singles on Friday, when he's likely to face Juan Martin del Potro in a rematch of the Olympic final.

Del Potro was still finding his form when he played only doubles in the quarterfinal win over Italy in Italy in July, in his first tie in four years. He followed that with his Olympic run, including a win over Novak Djokovic, and a run to the U.S. Open last eight. He's match-fit again, and eager to repair a 6-2 losing record to Murray.

He's the lowest-ranked player in the Argentina squad, and captain Daniel Orsanic wasn't keen to reveal his lineup until the draw on Thursday. The favorite for the other singles spot must be Federico Delbonis, who won his two singles against Italy, and beat Murray in March at Indian Wells.

Argentina is playing a remarkable 11th semifinal in 15 years, but it faces the defending Davis Cup champions in Murray and his brother Jamie, the U.S. Open doubles champion, who will be backed by a raucous home crowd in Glasgow, Scotland.

If, as expected, Britain wins, then it will host the final in November only if Croatia beats France on another indoor hard court in Zadar.

Croatia's chances improved when Gael Monfils withdrew from the France team on Thursday because of a knee injury.

Last week, Monfils reached the U.S. Open semifinals.

France was already without Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, also injured, and was now being led by Lucas Pouille, who made his Davis Cup debut in July, and veteran Richard Gasquet.
German embassy, consular offices temporarily close in Turkey

BERLIN (AP)  Germany has temporarily closed its embassy, all other consular offices and a school in Turkey, reportedly due to fears of a possible attack.

Germany's Bild newspaper reported Wednesday that the move was taken as a precaution after the Foreign Ministry learned of rumored attacks on consular facilities in Turkey during the Eid al-Adha holiday week.
Son from elite family sent to prison in Haiti for kidnapping

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP)  A man from a wealthy Haitian family has been convicted of running a kidnapping ring that preyed on other members of the elite in this impoverished country.

Clifford Brandt, who briefly escaped during a mass jail uprising in 2014, was convicted of charges that included kidnapping and sentenced to 18 years of hard labor at a hearing Tuesday before an investigative judge in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Judge Jeudilien Fanfan Joseph also convicted two co-defendants, Ricot Pierre-Val, who sentenced to 18 years, and Carlo Bendel Saint-Fort, who got a 19-year sentence. He found two others not guilty and ordered their immediate release.

Brandt, 45, was first jailed in 2012 for allegedly kidnapping two adult children of another wealthy family and demanding a ransom of $2.5 million. A 2012 report from Haiti's National Human Rights Defense Network alleged that Brandt was the leader of a kidnapping gang that had at least 13 victims.
The Latest: 'Please hurry,' abducted woman says in 911 call

ASHLAND, Ohio (AP)  The Latest on an Ohio abduction case that led police to a kidnapping suspect and the remains of three people (all times local):

6:20 p.m.

A woman in Ohio whose 911 call led to the discovery of three bodies in two counties whispered to a dispatcher to "please hurry" and that she was scared.

Ashland Police Department and Ohio BCI execute a search warrant on a home on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Ashland, Ohio. Authorities say a woman reported being held captive, leading to the arrest of a kidnapping suspect, a murder confession and the discovery of three bodies. Two bodies were found Tuesday at a home in Ashland. The third was found in nearby Madison Township. (Tom E. Puskar/The Times Gazette via AP)

The woman said in the call released by authorities Wednesday that she had been tied up in the house in Ashland in Ohio but partly freed herself to make the call while the man was asleep.

The woman said her captor had a stun gun and she was afraid if she woke him that he would catch her. The dispatcher stayed on the line until police arrived.

Ashland police said two bodies were found in the house after officers arrived.

Authorities say the suspect in the abduction confessed to killing a woman at a house about 20 minutes away in June.

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5:55 p.m.

The son of a woman whose body was found in an Ohio house along with a second body says he last heard from her a week ago when she said she had a flat tire.

Kurtis Stanley said Wednesday he knew something was wrong when he hadn't heard from Stacey Stanley and reported her missing to police the next day, Sept. 9.

Police say the bodies of Stacey Stanley and another person were found Tuesday in Ashland after they responded to a woman's 911 call that she'd been abducted.

Suspect Shawn Grate remains jailed on an abduction charge and can't be reached for comment. The woman who called 911 was rescued.

Kurtis Stanley says his mother had health problems and was retired.

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4:40 p.m.

Records show an Ohio man arrested after the report of an abduction led to the discovery of three bodies has a long criminal record and served prison time for burglary.

Shawn Grate remained jailed Wednesday on an abduction charge as authorities identified one of the bodies and continued working to identify the other remains and collect evidence.

Records from several Ohio counties show arrests and charges against the 40-year-old going back to 1996, including abduction, theft, domestic violence, burglary, assault and drug abuse.

The state Department of Rehabilitation and Correction says Grate served time for burglary beginning in 1997.

It wasn't immediately clear whether Grate, who is homeless, has an attorney.

The Ashland County Prosecutor said a decision about any additional charges will come Thursday.

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1 p.m.

The Ohio fire marshal's investigators have returned to a home destroyed in a June blaze now that human remains have been found in nearby woods in connection with an abduction investigation.

Fire marshal spokeswoman Lindsey Burnworth says investigators were checking the property near Mansfield on Wednesday after decomposed remains were found behind it Tuesday.

A jailed kidnapping suspect had pointed police to those remains after they found two bodies at an Ashland home while investigating a reported abduction. The woman who had reported being held captive was found alive, along with the suspect.

Authorities say the suspect admitting he killed a woman at the Mansfield-area property in June, the same month it burned.

Burnworth says that investigation is open and a cause of the fire hasn't been determined.

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12:35 p.m.

Authorities have identified one of two bodies found at an Ohio house during an abduction investigation that led to the arrest of a kidnapping suspect who pointed police to a third set of human remains.

Ashland police said Wednesday that one of the bodies was that of Stacey Stanley, who'd been reported missing from Huron County. The police statement says the coroner hasn't determined her cause of death or identified the second body.

Police went to the site Tuesday to follow up on a woman's report that she was held captive. They found the woman, a 40-year-old male suspect and two bodies.

Stanley's sister had told the Mansfield News Journal the 43-year-old had been missing since Thursday and was last seen at an Ashland gas station when she got a flat tire.

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10:55 a.m.

Authorities say a woman reported being held captive, leading to the arrest of a kidnapping suspect, a murder confession and the discovery of three bodies in two Ohio counties.

The Mansfield News Journal says police went to an Ashland home after the woman called authorities Tuesday. They found the remains of two people at the supposedly vacant property.

The suspect, 40-year-old Shawn Grate, remained jailed Wednesday on an abduction charge. It wasn't immediately clear whether he has an attorney.

Richland County's prosecutor tells the News Journal that Grate admitted he had killed a woman in June at a different property near Mansfield. On Tuesday, investigators checked it and found a body in a wooded ravine behind that house, which was destroyed by fire.

Authorities are working to identify the remains.

This photo provided by Ashland County Sheriff Office shows Shawn M. Grate. Grate, was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Ashland, Ohio in connection to the investigation of a rescued abductee and the discovery of the remains of two people in the home where he was arrested. (Ashland County Sheriff Office /The Times Gazette via AP)

Ashland Police Department and Ohio BCI execute a search warrant on a home on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Ashland, Ohio. Authorities say a woman reported being held captive, leading to the arrest of a kidnapping suspect, a murder confession and the discovery of three bodies. Two bodies were found Tuesday at a home in Ashland. The third was found in nearby Madison Township. (Tom E. Puskar/The Times Gazette via AP)

Ashland Police Department and Ohio BCI execute a search warrant on a home on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Ashland, Ohio. Authorities say a woman reported being held captive, leading to the arrest of a kidnapping suspect, a murder confession and the discovery of three bodies. Two bodies were found Tuesday at a home in Ashland. The third was found in nearby Madison Township. (Tom E. Puskar/The Times Gazette via AP)

Ashland Police Department and Ohio BCI execute a search warrant on a home on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Ashland, Ohio. Authorities say a woman reported being held captive, leading to the arrest of a kidnapping suspect, a murder confession and the discovery of three bodies. Two bodies were found Tuesday at a home in Ashland. The third was found in nearby Madison Township. (Tom E. Puskar/The Times Gazette via AP)

Ashland Police Department and Ohio BCI execute a search warrant on a home on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Ashland, Ohio. Authorities say a woman reported being held captive, leading to the arrest of a kidnapping suspect, a murder confession and the discovery of three bodies. Two bodies were found Tuesday at a home in Ashland. The third was found in nearby Madison Township. (Tom E. Puskar/The Times Gazette via AP)
Senior official says UK exploring national internet filter

LONDON (AP)  The head of Britain's newly formed cybersecurity agency says authorities are exploring the creation of a national internet filter to block malicious software and rogue websites, a proposal that has raised eyebrows among internet freedom advocates.

Ciaran Martin, the chief executive of Britain's new National Cyber Security Center, told a conference in Washington that his agency was working on a flagship project which would block Britons from coming into contact with "known malware and bad addresses."

According to a text of his speech published Wednesday , Martin said the system would allow consumers to opt-out  meaning that privacy and choice were "hardwired into our program."

Those assurances didn't sit well with some activists.

Martin said rogue websites would be blocked using DNS filtering, a venerable if clumsy censorship technique which prevents internet users from reaching a targeted server when they click a link or type out a web address. But the technique is imprecise, occasionally blocking an entire website over a single rogue link. The London-based Open Rights Group worried that the Cyber Security Center's mother body, signals intelligence agency GCHQ, risked tampering with the integrity of the internet . The Financial Times newspaper described the project as a "Great British Firewall"  a reference to China's vast internet censorship system.

Joss Wright, of the Oxford Internet Institute, said that talk of a China-style firewall was overblown and that other forms of censorship  blocks on child pornography and copyright violators  were already around in any case.

"This is not the U.K. government turning into China or Iran and filtering the internet at its core," he said.

Still, Wright said there was always room for concern when a government agency began drawing up lists of sites to block.

"When you start building filter lists or censorship lists, things start getting censored," he said.

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Facebook chooses New Mexico for new data center over Utah

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  Facebook has chosen a village on the edge of New Mexico's largest metropolitan area as the location for its new data center, an announcement that spread quickly Wednesday as elected officials celebrated a hard-fought win that could have ripple effects for the state's struggling economy.

News of the social media giant's decision to build in Los Lunas, just south of Albuquerque, comes after a roller-coaster contest between New Mexico and Utah to attract the facility.

The courting of Facebook began more than a year ago with a meeting between Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and Facebook executives. During a visit to California, Martinez and her economic development team pitched the sparsely populated state as a good place to do business.

FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2013, file photo, Chuck Goolsbee, site director for Facebook's Prineville data centers, shows the computer servers that store users' photos and other data, at the Facebook site in Prineville, Ore. Facebook has chosen a village on the edge of New Mexico's largest metropolitan area as the location for its new data center, an announcement that spread quickly Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, as elected officials celebrated a hard-sought win that could have ripple effects for the state's struggling economy. News of the social media giant's decision to build in Los Lunas, just south of Albuquerque, comes after a roller-coaster contest between New Mexico and Utah to attract the facility. (AP Photo/The Bulletin, Andy Tullis, File)

New Mexico wasn't on the radar before that August 2015 meeting.

"With the improvements we've made over the past several years, New Mexico is finally competing again, and in this case, it's a big win for the people of our state and our economic future," the governor said.

While the project has enjoyed broad political support in New Mexico, local leaders in Utah pushed back against a tax-incentive plan they saw as too generous.

Utah supporters said the project would bring a high-tech cachet that could draw other companies to West Jordan, but critics said the cost was too high for land that could attract other development.

The village of Los Lunas, meanwhile, agreed to give up all property taxes for 30 years in exchange for annual payments from Facebook that start at $50,000 and top out at less than $500,000. The complex economic development agreement also involves tax breaks on billions of dollars in computer equipment over time.

In Utah, an initial $240 million tax-break plan publicly fell apart after several leaders said the lure was too rich. Despite talks being revived, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert later said the deal looked dormant, if not dead.

West Jordan Mayor Kim Rolfe said he's disappointed his city wasn't chosen and the tax-break package was unfairly maligned. The billion-dollar project would have been an economic boon, he said.

A critic of the Utah plan, Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, said the cost to taxpayers was too steep.

"We will walk away from a bad deal. We're not so desperate that we're willing to give everything away," he said.

The cost-benefit analysis is different for New Mexico, he said.

New Mexico officials have appeared eager to please Facebook after the state was hit hard by a downturn in the oil and natural gas sectors. Computer chip maker Intel, meanwhile, has been steadily unwinding a major manufacturing plant that was an early beneficiary of similar property tax breaks using industrial revenue bonds.

Los Lunas economic development director Ralph Mims dismissed criticisms of the package state and local officials created to woo Facebook to New Mexico.

"If you want to bring business in, you have to offer incentives," Mims said. "This is the biggest thing since Intel and you have to look at the economic development spillover. It's not just about the data center."

Data centers are key to the booming cloud-computing economy, but they typically bring few local jobs.

Officials hope Facebook construction will spill over into other parts of the economy, including three industrial-scale solar power plants that would be built to offset electricity consumed by the data center.

Los Lunas officials have said the center would be a $1.8 billion construction project creating 300 direct temporary jobs and just 50 permanent jobs.

Construction is expected to start next month, with the center coming online in late 2018.

___

Whitehurst reported from Salt Lake City, Utah.

FILE - This Nov. 14, 2014, file photo, shows a board with the Facebook logo inside the new Facebook data centers in Altoona, Iowa. Facebook has chosen a village on the edge of New Mexico's largest metropolitan area as the location for its new data center, an announcement that spread quickly Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, as elected officials celebrated a hard-sought win that could have ripple effects for the state's struggling economy. News of the social media giant's decision to build in Los Lunas, just south of Albuquerque, comes after a roller-coaster contest between New Mexico and Utah to attract the facility. (Charlie Litchfield/The Des Moines Register via AP, File)
Slow train coming: Spanish engineer strands passengers

MADRID (AP)  A Spanish bullet train stranded 109 passengers in a small town after the engineer said his shift had ended for the night and refused to go any further.

State rail company Renfe said in a statement Wednesday that the Santander to Madrid express train stopped at the station in Osorno less than halfway to the Spanish capital.

The rail company organized buses and taxis to take the passengers to their destinations after the train came to a halt at 9.15 p.m. (1915 GMT) Tuesday.

Renfe says railway rules limit the number of hours engineers may work each day for safety reasons.

The company apologized to passengers and opened an internal investigation.
Gannett laying off more than 100 at New Jersey news group

WOODLAND PARK, N.J. (AP)  Gannett is laying off more than 100 employees at a New Jersey media company it recently purchased.

A company executive said Wednesday the layoffs are needed to improve the financial sustainability of the North Jersey Media Group, which publishes The Record, NorthJersey.com and other newspapers.

The McLean, Virginia-based Gannett purchased the news organization in July.

Tom Donovan, northeast regional president of Gannett East Group, said layoff notices will go out to 426 of the company's employees this week. Among these, he said, more than 200 newsroom employees and about 60 in sales will remain with the company. Donovan declined to say how many people the company employs.

The layoff notices are required under state and federal law when a private company plans wide-scale layoffs.

Donovan said the changes are part of "an ambitious new reinvention" to make its newsroom and sales department more responsive to digital demands.

He said the company will invest in new equipment and "transform our strategy to better serve the sophisticated and increasingly digitally minded New Jersey audience and advertisers."

The company was previously owned by the Borg family since 1930 and is lauded in the state for its journalism, including its work fighting for access to public records.

Other than The Record, the company publishes the Herald News and a group of community newspapers.

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US official: Difficult to alter US elections through hacking

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Barack Obama's homeland security adviser said Wednesday that it would be very hard for someone to hack into America's voting systems in a way that could alter an election outcome.

Lisa Monaco, speaking at an event commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the Justice Department's national security division, said election systems by and large are not hooked up to the Internet and are diffusely operated by state and local governments.

"That makes it extremely disparate, extremely diffuse and, as a consequence, extremely difficult to have an effect across the board that would result in a change in results," Monaco said during a question-and-answer session.

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2015 file photo, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco speaks at the White House Summit on Cybersecurity and Consumer Protection in Stanford, Calif. Monaco said Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, that it would be very hard for someone to hack into America's voting systems in a way that could alter an election outcome. Monaco, speaking at an event commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the Justice Department's national security division, said election systems by and large are not hooked up to the Internet and are diffusely operated by state and local governments. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

The bigger worry, she said, involves efforts to sow "concern or confusion" about the resilience of the system.

To help counter that, the federal government is pushing out to states a set of tools, such as the ability to scan for vulnerabilities and quickly patch them, and best practices that they should apply  including encrypting their voter registration data, she said.

The comments come amid ongoing concern about the ability by hackers from Russia or other nations to breach voting systems. The FBI last month warned state elections officials to boost their election security in light of evidence that hackers targeted related data systems in at least two states, Illinois and Arizona.

"The efforts of malicious actors to intrude upon voter registration databases and other elements of our critical infrastructure, as well as our voting infrastructure" remain of concern, she said.

A Homeland Security Department official who is very involved in efforts to secure local elections but wasn't authorized to speak publicly said the department was not looking at designating election systems critical infrastructure now because of how little time there is until the elections. The official said the focus has been on providing information to states on technical assistance the department can provide to secure their systems as well as existing vulnerability reports it sends out.

A Presidential Policy Directive released in 2013 details 16 sectors that are considered critical infrastructure, including energy, financial services, healthcare, transportation, food and agriculture, and communications. The designation recommends the Homeland Security Department's secretary identify and prioritize critical infrastructure, considering physical as well as cyber threats.

The official said the department was looking at designating election systems as critical infrastructure in the future.

Monaco's remarks echoed those of FBI Director James Comey, who told an audience last week that "the vote counting in this country tends to be kind of clunky," which makes it harder for hackers to infiltrate.

Besides hacks of election systems, the federal government is continuing to investigate a hack of the Democratic National Committee and the subsequent posting of internal DNC emails on WikiLeaks.

The U.S. hasn't formally blamed Russia for the hack of DNC emails over the summer, but the party has, and the White House has pointed publicly to outside investigators who have determined Russia is to blame.

Those investigators have been less clear about whether Russia was also responsible for disseminating those emails through the website WikiLeaks. Determining Russia's involvement in the public disclosure of the emails is seen as a prerequisite to any sanctions the U.S. might levy on Russia in response to the hack.

Monaco on Wednesday replied "stay tuned" when asked whether the U.S. might respond.

The Obama administration in the last two and a half years has publicly accused Chinese hackers in breaches of American corporations, North Korea in a punishing hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Iranian hackers in digital breaches of banks and a small dam outside New York City.

Comey, appearing later at the same event, said not all tools that the government can respond with are visible to the public.

"Just because you can't see something doesn't mean your government's not doing something," he said.

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Associated Press writers Tami Abdollah and Josh Lederman contributed to this report.

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Cuba dissident: Fake site duped me into ending hunger strike

HAVANA (AP)  Guillermo "Coco" Farinas became one of Cuba's best-known dissidents by starving himself  launching two dozen hunger strikes demanding government concessions on human rights.

He started his 25th strike in late July with the demand that President Raul Castro halt what Farinas called the worsening repression of dissidents since Cuba and the United States declared detente in December 2014.

As the strike entered its second month, the dissident's backers claimed he was close to death. On Monday those worries evaporated. Farinas announced he was ending his protest because the European Parliament had just voted to link improved ties with Cuba and progress on human rights. Also on the table: naming Farinas a special parliamentary adviser on civil society on the island.

FILE - In this July 3, 2013 file photo, Cuban dissident Guillermo "Coco" Farinas raises his fist as he receives the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France. One of Cubas best-known dissidents, Farinas said he was fooled into ending a nearly two-month hunger strike Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, by a faked website that masqueraded as the blog of the European Parliament. The site reported that the European Parliament had voted to condition diplomatic ties with Cuba on improved human rights and possibly name Farinas a special adviser. None of it was true. (AP Photo/Christian Lutz, File)

The only problem: Not a word of it was true.

The "Farinas Amendment" was the creation of a faked website that masqueraded as the blog of the European Parliament for nearly a week, issuing reports widely distributed by anti-Castro Spanish-language media including the U.S. government-funded Marti news network.

"It's really weird," said Kristof Kleemann, the chief of staff for German member of parliament Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, whom the bogus site described as the sponsor of the "Farinas Amendment." ''Our people tell us that the website that published this article, that this website is a fake website."

Farinas charged that the site was a dirty trick by the Cuban government aimed at fooling him into ending a protest that was drawing too much attention. There's no public evidence of a tie to the Cuban government or, indeed, anyone else. Because it was hosted on WordPress, a widely used blogging platform, the page's individual registration is impossible for the public to trace.

"Creating this page was an act of espionage," Farinas said. "They were under pressure from the hunger strike and the possibility of my dying and they created a fake page so that I would stop."

Farinas and his camp frequently speak directly with European diplomats based in Havana but did not check Monday's report with them before declaring an end to the strike, according to Jorge Luis Artiles, a dissident from the central city of Santa Clara who has served as Farinas' spokesman during much of the protest. Artiles said Farinas' camp had learned of the report in a call from backers in Miami. He declined to provide further details.

The Cuban government did not respond to a request for comment, but it has long accused Farinas and fellow dissidents of being charlatans focused on winning support from anti-Castro exiles in South Florida. Hunger strikes have been the target of particular skepticism, with government backers accusing strikers of secretly eating and drinking away from the public eye.

"There's no precedent for Cuban authorities publishing false information of this type or imitating established institutions as we see in this case," said Iroel Sanchez, a Havana opinion columnist and blogger with close ties to the Cuban government. "Mr. Farinas himself has been a systematic source of false information about himself and his 'activism' for profit, inventing all sorts of myths."

Artiles said Farinas had been on a total "hunger and thirst" strike at home but was given intravenous nutrition and hydration after he was rushed unconscious to the hospital five times during his strike.

Farinas said the discovery that the report was fake would not cause him to restart his protest.

"In a hunger strike, once you start to drink water again, going back would be madness," he said.

Farinas' strike came at a critical time for Cuba's small, factionalized community of outspoken government opponents. Once a centerpiece of U.S. policy on Cuba, traditional dissidents have found themselves on the sidelines as the U.S. abandons its support for swift regime change in favor of gradual reform. On issues from economic ties to environmental cooperation, the Obama administration is talking directly, amicably and frequently with Castro's government.

The fake webpage has been taken down, but at least one archived copy remains available. The page was loaded with genuine articles taken from the Spanish-language section of the European Parliament site, giving a casual or inattentive reader the impression that the page was well-established. The content that is still visible was added on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6  suggesting the site may have been built in about 24 hours or less.

"It looks very professional, but then they make all sort of technical mistakes," Kleemann said. "They cite a certain report in that article and that report is actually a report from the trade committee in the parliament on Jordan."

The reports about the "Farinas Amendment" were shared on social media dozens of times directly from the fake Wordpress site. The first share appears to have been on Artiles' Facebook account.

The account appears to have been active throughout the strike, posting articles supporting Farinas and bitterly criticizing the Castro government.

Artiles told The Associated Press Tuesday evening that he had not been on Facebook for nearly two months. He said he only discovered in the last week that hackers had long been in control of his account, and he alleged that the government was responsible.

"They stole my page and it's a fraud because it's been 56 days since I've been online," he said. "They're publishing fake news."

___

Associated Press writer Raphael Satter in London contributed to this report.

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Michael Weissenstein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mweissenstein
Man charged with killing Army veteran heads to trial

BOSTON (AP)  A Massachusetts man charged with gunning down a former Army sniper who served in Iraq and Afghanistan is heading to trial.

Jury selection in the murder trial of Salem resident Peter Castillo is expected to wrap up Wednesday. Opening statements are expected Thursday.

Prosecutors say the 28-year-old Castillo shot veteran Stephen Perez in the back in the early morning hours of April 28, 2012, following an altercation between two groups of people in Boston's Theater District.

Authorities say Castillo fled to the Dominican Republic after the shooting. He was captured in January 2015.

Castillo is being held without bail after pleading not guilty. His attorney has not commented.
Police ID Boston University student hit, killed by train

BOSTON (AP)  Police have released the name of the Boston University student who was struck and killed by a commuter train near campus last week.

Transit police on Wednesday identified the student as 17-year-old Xianhu Chen, of China.

The university released a statement offering "thoughts and prayers" to the student's family, friends and classmates. The university said no additional information would be released.

Chen's body was found on the MBTA's Worcester/Framingham line at about 12:15 a.m. Sept. 7 near the Yawkey Way stop.

No foul play is suspected. Police have called the death a "tragic accident."
With an estimated 230,000 species living in the sea, the waters are packed full of diverse creatures.

But new research suggests that bigger sea species may be more at risk of dying off - something that's unheard of in the history of mass extinctions.

Scientists say that as sub-families of marine animal species grow larger, the likelihood of them becoming extinct increases by an even greater amount.

New research suggests that bigger sea species, such as the blue whale, may be more at risk of dying off - something that's unheard of in the history of mass extinctions

EXTINCTION RISK AND SIZE - Almost no species averaging one centimetre (0.4 inches) long are threatened - 23 per cent of those that are 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) long are threatened - 40 per cent of those that are one metre (39 inches) long are threatened - 86 per cent of those that are 10 metres (32.8 feet) long are vulnerable Advertisement

There have been five mass extinctions in so far - the latest being nearly 250 million years ago.

Scientists say we are now entering the sixth mass extinction caused by human-induced species losses.'

If this were to happen, scientists believe bigger sea creatures will die first.

The research comes from Stanford University, where researchers compared fossil records, looked at past mass extinctions and compared them to current threats.

Dr Jonathan Payne, a paleobiologist, and study leader, said that in past extinctions, smaller creatures were more prone to die off, or size didn't matter.

But while almost no species averaging one centimetre in length are threatened with extinction, 86 per cent of those that are 10 metres long are now vulnerable.

These are species that are not extinct yet, but are on the respected Red List of threatened and endangered species created by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Dr Payne said: 'The proportion of species that are threatened increases enormously as body size increases.'

For example, the blue whale - which is the largest living animal, and the largest to ever have existed - is on the IUCN endangered list and has lost as much as 90 per cent of its population in the last three generations.

On the other end of the spectrum is a grouping of fish, bioluminescent bristlemouths, that are about three inches (7.6cm) long.

For example, the blue whale - which is the largest living animal, and the largest to ever have existed - is on the IUCN endangered list and has lost as much as 90 per cent of its population in the last three generations

SHARK NUMBERS ARE INCREASING IN CALIFORNIA Shark sightings in California are now higher than they have been in decades. This is a result of El Nino, which has led to warm waters to the eastern Pacific, pushing sharks and other marine animals closer to shore rather than migrating. But, El Nino isn't the only thing to blame. Scientists say the rising number of shark sightings and incidents is also due to an increase in human activity in the world's oceans. Advertisement

They are the most abundant creatures with a backbone; the population is estimated to be in the trillions.

The researchers concentrated on oceans, where the fossil records are better over time.

Dr Payne said that the mass extinction 65 million years ago that killed off the dinosaurs didn't kill off bigger marine species at higher rates than smaller ones, unlike what's happening now.

Dr Boris Worm, a marine scientist at Dalhousie University in Canada, said that the study 'shows us how unusual this crisis of biodiversity we have right now.'

He added: 'We have had mass extinctions before. This one is totally different than what has happened before.'

But while almost no species averaging one centimetre in length are threatened with extinction, 86 per cent of those that are 10 metres long, such as the Great White Shark, are now vulnerable

While the researchers didn't try to explain the reason why larger animals are more threatened, they suggest that humans are to blame.

Dr Payne said that mostly through fishing and hunting, but also through environmental degradation, such as warmer and more acidic oceans, humans have made it tougher for the biggest marine animals to survive.

Catherine Novelli, the US undersecretary of state for environment, said a world oceans conference that starts on Thursday in Washington, will see the announcement of 'many more' areas where nations set aside large areas of the seas where animals are protected and fishing is prohibited.

Despite the worrying findings, the researchers say there is still hope, since these species haven't gone extinct yet. Dr Payne points to northern elephant seals which had a population below 100 in the early 1910s, but are now more than 100,000 strong

Despite the worrying findings, the researchers say there is still hope, since these species haven't gone extinct yet.

Dr Payne points to northern elephant seals which had a population below 100 in the early 1910s, but are now more than 100,000 strong.

But they are the exception.

Dr Worm added: 'It pains you to the core to know that these animals might be gone in a generation or two.
Move afoot to preserve Revolutionary War soldier's grave

HARLAN, Ky. (AP)  A federal agency is stepping in to prevent a Revolutionary War soldier's grave from sliding into the Cumberland River in eastern Kentucky.

Local news reports say the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will fix sinking ground at a hilltop cemetery in Loyall where Samuel Howard, his wife and infant son are buried.

The cemetery is near a 100-foot-deep channel cut by the Corps to divert Cumberland River water when flooding threatens. A cave-in earlier this year sheared away ground within inches of Howard's grave. Corps project manager Mike Wilson says engineers hope to remove the family's remains by year's end and return them after repairing the hillside.
US, Israel sign massive military aid deal; $38B, 10 years

WASHINGTON (AP)  The United States on Wednesday signed an unprecedented new security agreement with Israel that will give the Israeli military $38 billion over 10 years.

The deal, the largest such agreement the U.S. has ever had with any country, amounts to $3.8 billion a year beginning in budget year 2019, compared with $3.1 billion the U.S. gave Israel annually under the current 10-year deal that expires in 2018.

"This commitment to Israel's security has been unwavering and is based on a genuine and abiding concern for the welfare of the Israeli people and the future of the state of Israel," President Barack Obama said in a statement.

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2016 file-pool photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he opens the weekly cabinet meeting at his Jerusalem office. The U.S. will provide Israel's military with $38 billion during the next 10 years, officials said Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, the largest batch of military assistance the U.S. has ever pledged to another country. Netanyahus office confirmed in a brief statement that a deal had been reached, but offered no additional comment. (Gali Tibbon, Pool via AP, File)

After months of negotiations that took place after a particularly tense time in the relationship amid disputes over the Iran nuclear deal, the memorandum of understanding was signed at the State Department by Israel's national security adviser, Jacob Nagel, and Thomas Shannon, the third-highest ranking U.S. diplomat.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted those tensions but stressed that the agreement proves that "relations between Israel and the United States are strong, powerful."

"This doesn't mean there are not disagreements from time to time, but these are disagreements within the family," he said. "They do not impact the great friendship between Israel and the U.S., friendship that is evidenced in this agreement that will greatly help in forging Israel's power in the coming decade."

Obama's national security adviser Susan Rice, who witnessed the signing, called it a sign of Washington's "unshakable commitment" to the security of the Jewish state.

She said the agreements makes clear that the U.S. "will always be there for the state of Israel and its people today, tomorrow and for generations to come."

Nagel hailed the agreement as an indication of the "rock-solid alliance" between Israel and the United States.

"Israel has no better friend, no more reliable strategic ally, no more important partner than the United States of America," he said. "Everyone can see and feel the special relationship between our countries and our people."

Under the agreement, Israel's ability to spend part of the funds on Israeli military products will be phased out and eventually all of the money must be spent on American military industries. Israel's preference for spending some internally had been a major sticking point in the deal.

The total includes $33 billion in foreign military financing funds  which is money used to buy materiel and ammunition  as well as $5 billion in missile defense funding. Under the previous arrangement, Congress approved funds for Israel's "Iron Dome" missile defense system separately and on an annual basis.

The new agreement eliminates Israel's ability to spend a fraction of the funds on fuel for its military. In another apparent concession, Israel has agreed not to ask Congress to approve more funds than are included in the deal unless a new war breaks out, according to U.S. officials.

The agreement concludes many months of negotiations that involved a delicate calculation by Israel about whether to strike a deal with the outgoing U.S. president. In February, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly floated the prospect of waiting for Obama's successor in hopes of securing a better deal.

But the Obama administration was eager to lock in the agreement before leaving office to help bolster Obama's legacy and undercut the criticism that his administration was insufficiently supportive of Israel.

Obama's relationship with Netanyahu has been tense for years, and ties between the countries worsened significantly when the U.S. and world powers struck the nuclear deal with Iran. Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran to be an existential threat and disagreed sharply with Obama's contention that the deal actually made Israel safer by limiting Iran's nuclear program.

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Yemeni officials: drone kills 5 suspected al-Qaida fighters

SANAA, Yemen (AP)  Yemeni security officials say a suspected U.S. drone has struck a car traveling in the southern Bayda province, killing five suspected al-Qaida fighters.

They said the car targeted in the Wednesday attack appeared to be headed to the province of Marib.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

U.S. drone strikes have killed dozens of al-Qaida militants in Yemen as part of Washington's global war on terror.

Al-Qaida and the extremist Islamic State group have taken advantage of the chaos and lawlessness brought about by Yemen's ongoing civil war to expand their reach in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation.
2 weeks on job, Brazil's new president faces big challenges

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  In the two weeks since his predecessor's ouster, Brazilian President Michel Temer has rubbed elbows with world leaders in China, been vociferously booed at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games and signaled he will move forward with unpopular measures such as trimming pension benefits.

The 75-year-old career politician, whose low-key manner earned him the nickname "butler," is trying to build momentum for big changes in the wake of a bruising impeachment fight that culminated in his boss-turned-enemy, Dilma Rousseff, being booted from the presidency.

Temer's first weeks in office have gone more smoothly than the early days after he took over as interim leader in May, when Rousseff was suspended. Back then, three ministers abruptly resigned amid corruption allegations and the leaks of damaging wiretaps. Temer was also roundly criticized for appointing a Cabinet of all white men in a nation of 200 million where more than 50 percent identify as black or mixed-race. He has since named a woman to the post of solicitor general, a Cabinet-level appointment in Brazil.

Brazil's President Michel Temer attends during a ceremony, at the Planalto Presidential Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Temer has rubbed elbows with world leaders in China, been vociferously booed at important national events and signaled he will move forward with unpopular reforms, such as trimming pension benefits. Two weeks after taking over for ousted President Dilma Rousseff, Temer is working to solidify his presidency in the face of much opposition. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

"He learned from the mistakes he made when he first took power," said Sergio Praca, a political scientist at the Fundacao Getulio Vargas university in Rio de Janeiro. "Now he has a more clear vision of what he wants to do."

Temer's vision includes bold reforms throughout his term, which ends in 2018.

On Tuesday he announced privatizations of state operations from airports to sewage treatment, an overhaul that he said would attract foreign investment and help Latin America's largest economy out of recession.

Last weekend he came out against a pay raise for Supreme Court justices, saying it would lead to a "cascade effect" of other public workers wanting a bump. He also said he plans to submit pension-reform legislation before municipal elections in October, rejecting advice from stalwarts in his Brazilian Democratic Movement Party that he take the political temperature first.

"Temer is trying to get his game together," said David Fleischer, a political analyst in the capital, Brasilia. "His real challenge is to pass these painful reform measures. Many believe he needs to make his moves now."

Wondering what moves he will ultimately make has much of the country on edge. For example, he has said he won't cut popular programs such as the "Bolsa Familia," or "Family Allowance," which provides subsidies to poor Brazilians, but he has promised to curtail spending.

"Everybody is standing with one foot back, waiting to see what Temer is really going to do," said Jorge Silva, a 40-year-old paramedic in Rio.

Pulling off major reforms may prove a tall order.

Majorities in Congress coalesced around the push to oust Rousseff for illegally shifting funds between budgets, but so far there is little agreement on thorny issues like the pension overhaul. Currently many public-sector workers can retire in their 50s, with women able to call it quits up to five years before men. Temer officials have floated several trial balloons, such as raising the retirement age to 65 for both sexes, all of which have swiftly been shot down by opposition parties.

Temer is also facing widespread unpopularity among Brazilians.

Many believe the impeachment process against Rousseff was a sham. She and her supporters accuse Temer, who was her vice president before, of being one of the ringleaders of her ouster, an allegation that he denies.

Since Temer assumed the presidency Aug. 31, there have been near-daily small anti-government demonstrations across the nation, and one protest with tens of thousands in Sao Paulo.

Hours after being sworn in, Temer went to China for the G-20 economic summit, giving him a chance to hobnob with world leaders while getting out of the Brazilian spotlight.

Upon his return a week later, while inaugurating the Paralympic Games in Rio, he was so loudly jeered in Maracana Stadium that his voice was drowned out.

Temer's administration could also be impacted by a colossal investigation into a corruption scheme at state oil company Petrobras. The two-year probe has led to dozens of businesspeople and top politicians being jailed.

In a plea bargain, a former senator who had been a director of state-run oil company Transpetro said Temer had asked him to channel $400,000 in Petrobras kickbacks to the 2012 mayoral candidate for Sao Paulo from Temer's party. Temer denies wrongdoing, and by law he cannot be impeached for alleged crimes before he became president.

But others in his party, in both chambers of Congress and in his Cabinet, are also facing accusations related to the Petrobras probe. And this week's ouster of former Chamber of Deputies speaker Eduardo Cunha, a longtime ally, could hurt Temer.

"Cunha is a wild card," said Christopher Garman of the Eurasia Group. "We are in the middle of a massive corruption investigation. Some big fish could talk and bring people down."

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Peter Prengaman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/peterprengaman

Brazil's President Michel Temer speaks during a ceremony, at the Planalto Presidential Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Temer has rubbed elbows with world leaders in China, been vociferously booed at important national events and signaled he will move forward with unpopular reforms, such as trimming pension benefits. Two weeks after taking over for ousted President Dilma Rousseff, Temer is working to solidify his presidency in the face of much opposition. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazil's President Michel Temer speaks during a ceremony, at the Planalto Presidential Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Temer has rubbed elbows with world leaders in China, been vociferously booed at important national events and signaled he will move forward with unpopular reforms, such as trimming pension benefits. Two weeks after taking over for ousted President Dilma Rousseff, Temer is working to solidify his presidency in the face of much opposition. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

FILE - In this Sept. 4, 2016 file photo, demonstrators burn a poster of Brazil's President Michel Temer, during protests demanding Temer's removal and call for new elections, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Many Brazilians believe that the impeachment process against Dilma Rousseff Rousseff was a sham. Rousseff and her supporters accuse Temer, who was her vice president, of being one of the ringleaders of her ouster, accusations he denies. (AP Photo/Nelson Antoine, File)
On 09/10/2016 I attended the Tennessee Fallen Fighters Memorial Service at the state training academy just outside Bell Buckle Tennessee. This is done each year to remember the firemen that have lost their life while on duty. The names go back to 1876. each name is read and a bell sounds for each name. I was there to speak on behalf of the Dennis McCloud family.

It really makes me sad to see no one was there from the Chattanooga Fire Department. Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis had a large amount of firemen there. Also smaller departments and even volunteer departments had firemen there.

That brings me to my next point; why is Dennis McCloud's name not on the Chattanooga Fire Memorial wall? We just learned that his name is on the national memorial in DC. It has only been 36 years when he lost his life while on duty with the Chattanooga Fire Department. Why is it taking so long, Chattanooga?

I am a big supporter of our fire department. I think it is past time to make this right and place Dennis McCloud's name on the Chattanooga Memorial wall. This will show support for the Chattanooga Firemen that gave the ultimate price for their service...a life.

Greg Hill

* * *

I don't understand how the Public Safety Officers Benefit through the Department of Justice declared Dennis's death a line of duty death, the Tennessee Fallen Firefighters followed as well as the National Fallen Firefighter. The Chattanooga Fire Department has never done anything to honor him.

The past three years that I have gone to the Memorial not one person have I seen from Chattanooga and they had eight firefighters honored. What is wrong with Chattanooga?

I support firefighters 100 percent - they are a special breed of people to do what they do, but I do not understand how the city of Chattanooga does nothing to honor some of them.

Dennis loved the Chattanooga Fire Department but they have sure let him down. I have asked for the past 36 years why and I never get a response.

Chattanooga you may have forgotten, but I never will.

Goldia McCloud

Wife of Dennis W. McCloud
Some farmers worry Monsanto merger will drive up costs

ST. LOUIS (AP)  Bayer's buyout of St. Louis-based Monsanto has agricultural groups and farmers concerned that the merger will lead to higher prices for seed and crop protection products, though some experts are confident the deal will be good for farmers.

Monsanto produces seeds for fruits, vegetables and crops, such as corn, soybeans, and cotton, and is the world's largest seed supplier, including genetically modified seeds. The company also makes a variety of products to protect crops from pests, disease and weeds; its Roundup line is the world's best-selling weed killer.

Bayer makes several brands of crop protection chemicals used to kill weeds, insects and fungal diseases, including Liberty herbicides and Movento brand insecticides.

FILE - This Aug. 31, 2015, file photo, shows the Monsanto logo on display at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill. German drug and farm chemical company Bayer AG said it has signed a deal Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, to acquire seed and weed-killer company Monsanto for about $66 billion in cash. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

Different stakeholders have different takes on what Wednesday's buyout will mean:

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THE COMPANIES

Farmers will benefit from the combination of expertise that will emerge, officials from Monsanto and Bayer said, citing the possibilities of a combined research and development team that will be able to "accelerate innovation."

Hugh Grant, chairman and CEO of Monsanto, said the ag industry is entering an era with challenges "that demand new, sustainable solutions and technologies to enable growers to produce more with less," and the merger will help do that.

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ANALYSTS

Prices for seeds and crop protection will remain low because the farm economy simply won't allow for higher prices, according to Juli Niemann of Smith Moore in St. Louis said

"Everything is about cost right now because the farm industry is in the tank," Niemann said. "They (farmers) are getting very low prices for the huge amount of crop rolling in. Farmers aren't making any money and you don't start increasing the price of seeds when nobody is making any money."

Macquarie Securities in New York said the merger will create a structure that will help farmers optimize crop yields.

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FARM GROUPS

Some organizations that advocate for farmers worry reduced competition will force up prices on necessary products.

National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson said in a statement that the deal marks the fifth major agribusiness merger in the past year.

More than 250 members of the organization are in Washington this week to meet with members of Congress and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, raising concerns that such deals will result in higher costs of seed and fertilizer at a time when farmers are already struggling.

"We will continue to express concern that these mega-deals are being made to benefit the corporate boardrooms at the expense of family farmers, ranchers, consumers and rural economies," Johnson said.

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FARMERS

Blake Hurst, who farms 6,000 acres of corn and soybeans near the northwest Missouri town of Tarkio, wonders whether less competition will mean higher prices for seeds and herbicides.

"I think farmers are always concerned when mergers occur that there will be upward pressure on prices," said Hurst, who is also president of the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, which hasn't taken a stand on the merger. "I'm more worried about what it will mean for innovation in agriculture.
Prosecutors: Brazil's Silva 'commander' of graft scheme

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Brazilian investigators on Wednesday charged former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva with money laundering and corruption, calling him the "maximum commander" of the mammoth graft scandal roiling Latin America's largest nation.

While the charges against Silva were expected  police recommended them last month  the characterization of his role in the kickback scheme at state oil company Petrobras was stunning.

The so-called Car Wash investigation the last two years has led to the jailing of dozens of businessmen and top politicians. While Silva, president between 2003 and 2010, has long been implicated, before Wednesday prosecutors had never said that he was anything more than a beneficiary.

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2016 file photo, Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends the impeachment trial of suspended President Dilma Rousseff in Brasilia, Brazil. Federal investigators charged Lula with money laundering and corruption on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 in connection with a sprawling corruption investigation at state-run oil giant Petrobras. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File)

Silva was "the maximum commander of the corruption scheme identified as Car Wash" Deltan Dallagnol, head of the task force investigating, said during a televised news conference from the southern city of Curitiba.

"We are not judging here who (Silva) is or was as a person, but what he did or didn't do to the people," Dallagnol said.

Dallagnol put up diagrams that purported to show Silva's connection to various players in the kickback scheme going back more than a decade. He said prosecutors could show that Silva had met at key times with people involved in the scheme, such as Marcelo Odebrecht, the former president of the big Odebrecht construction company who has been jailed.

Dallagnol alleged that Silva, who left the presidency with very high approval ratings, used a network of illegal campaign financing and kickbacks for political support in Congress.

Silva's lawyer, Cristiano Zanin Martins, blasted Dallagnol, saying he had shown himself unfit for the job.

"His political behavior is incompatible with the role of a federal prosecutor," said Martins.

Despite a litany of accusations against Silva, there were only two actual charges: money laundering and corruption.

Silva, his wife and five others were accused of illegally benefiting from renovations at a beachfront apartment in the coastal city of Guaruja in Sao Paulo state. The improvements, valued at about $750,000, were made by construction company OAS, one of those involved in the kickback scheme emanating from Petrobras. Prosecutors also believe Silva benefited from OAS paying the rent of storage unit to house symbolic gifts that Silva received while president.

Silva acknowledges having visited the penthouse but says he never owned it.

Sergio Moro, the judge overseeing the probe, must now decide whether Silva will stand trial.

In a separate case related to Petrobras, Silva will go on trial on charges of obstruction of justice.

While his Workers' Party has lost much support amid corruption scandals in recent years, Silva continues to enjoy popularity nationwide and has signaled his intention to run for president in 2018.

The yawning gap between the verbal accusations Wednesday and what Silva was accused of raised many questions about the future of the investigation.

Silva, who denies wrongdoing, has long been trying to get the cases against him removed from the jurisdiction of Moro, who has become famous for locking up prominent figures the last two years.

Legal experts said that making such drastic statements could help prosecutors retrain the case in their jurisdiction and keep the investigation in the public eye.

However, such maneuvers also come with risks.

"The harsh wording shows that the evidence might not be that great," said Cezar Britto, former head of Brazilian Bar Association. "It looks as if the prosecutors are looking for the support of society instead of looking for more evidence."

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Mauricio Savarese on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MSavarese
With his wife sidelined, Bill Clinton steps in to fill void

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP)  When Hillary Clinton was sidelined this week with pneumonia, her campaign didn't rush to cancel a busy slate of events out West. The presidential candidate's husband simply stepped in to take her place.

Former President Bill Clinton hobnobbed with wealthy donors at a pair of Beverly Hills fundraisers, including a $100,000-per-couple dinner at the home of designer Diane Von Furstenberg. He snapped selfies with fans during a surprise stop at a trendy coffee shop in Los Angeles. And he rallied supporters in swing state Nevada.

"I'm glad to have a chance to stand in for Hillary today," he told voters in Las Vegas on Wednesday. "She did it for me for a long time. It's about time I showed up and did it for her."

Former President Bill Clinton pauses for a selfie with a supporter at a coffee shop while campaigning for his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Having a former president on standby is an unprecedented luxury for a White House candidate. It's also a reminder to voters that, when it comes to the Clintons, the couple is a package deal, for better or worse.

That's been less overt in the 2016 campaign than in some of the Clintons' previous political endeavors, when they actively pitched themselves as a "two for the price of one" proposition. Other than a prime-time speech at the Democratic convention, Bill Clinton's general election schedule has been purposely low-key, reflecting the Clinton campaign's desire to keep him from overshadowing his wife or creating unnecessary distractions.

But those concerns became secondary this week. Hillary Clinton tried to campaign through a bout of pneumonia, but she was sidelined by her doctor after getting dehydrated and dizzy while attending a 9/11 memorial in New York on Sunday.

Campaign aides quickly called Bill Clinton's chief of staff to see if he could step in for a few days. The timing wasn't ideal. His schedule was packed with interviews and other events in New York ahead of next week's last-ever meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative, a wing of the family's philanthropy.

But aides said he quickly agreed to clear his schedule and fly to California. He's been calling his wife multiple times a day to check on her health and report back on conversations with donors and other Democrats.

"She's married to the best surrogate in the world," said Jerry Crawford, an Iowa Democrat and longtime Clinton ally.

For all his political gifts, Bill Clinton has been an imperfect messenger on his wife's health this week. He volunteered in an interview that she's had episodes like this before and on Wednesday he said she had flu, not pneumonia. A spokesman said he misspoke and meant pneumonia, but such moments provide grist to conspiracy theorists who think Hillary Clinton is hiding health issues.

Hillary Clinton's aides have spent the general election warily waiting to see if Republican Donald Trump makes good on his promises to turn the former president's extramarital affairs into a campaign issue. Trump has steered clear of those issues in recent weeks, but she is still preparing for the possibility he could raise them in the upcoming presidential debates.

Republican Rick Tyler, who worked on Ted Cruz's 2016 presidential bid, said that if Trump does raise those issues, they will "fall on deaf ears."

"All those things have been litigated over and over again," Tyler said.

Hillary Clinton has an impressive stable of other surrogates on hand for the campaign's final stretch. President Barack Obama, whose favorability is on the rise in his final year in office, campaigned for her on Tuesday in Philadelphia. Vice President Joe Biden opened the week in North Carolina. Michelle Obama, the hugely popular first lady, will help rally voters in Virginia on Friday.

But it's Bill Clinton who is his wife's most dedicated supporter, and often her most complicated.

He speaks passionately about her advocacy for children and the underprivileged, and calls her "the best darn change-maker I've ever seen." He peppers his remarks with personal stories about their courtship in law school more than 40 years ago and their excitement over becoming grandparents. His campaign presence can often remind voters of the peace and prosperity that accompanied his eight years in office.

"Him and his family have been a big deal for our country," said Samuel Del Real, a 28-year-old who ran into the former president during his stop at a Los Angeles coffee shop Tuesday.

But voters also remember the scandals that plagued Clinton's tenure in the White House. While the former president has been more disciplined than during his wife's failed 2008 campaign, he still finds ways to create unwanted distractions, most notably when he met with Attorney General Loretta Lynch in the midst of the Justice Department's investigation into his wife's email practices. Lynch characterized the conversation as social, but acknowledged the meeting "cast a shadow" on the public's perception of the case.

The former president's possible role in a Hillary Clinton administration came under scrutiny this year when she suggested she would place her husband in charge of revitalizing the economy. Aides later had to stress there were no formal plans in place to do so.

Hillary Clinton planned to return to campaigning on Thursday in Greensboro, North Carolina. But Bill Clinton will be staying in the spotlight, at least for a few more days.

He'll spend next week in New York mingling with world leaders and celebrities at the annual CGI meetings. With the Clinton Foundation under election-year scrutiny, he's pledged that this year will mark the last CGI gathering, regardless of the outcome of the election.

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Lucey reported from Des Moines, Iowa. Associated Press writers Michelle Rindels in Las Vegas and Brian Melley in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC and Catherine Lucey at http://twitter.com/catherine_lucey

Former President Bill Clinton meets with supporters while campaigning for his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, in North Las Vegas, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Former President Bill Clinton speaks while campaigning for his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, in North Las Vegas, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Former President Bill Clinton sips coffee at a coffee shop while campaigning for his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Latest: Phoenix police: Officer released from hospital

PHOENIX (AP)  The Latest on an attack on Phoenix police officers (all times local):

5:10 p.m.

Phoenix police say the last of three officers injured when a car plowed into them outside a convenience store has been released from the hospital.

This undated booking photo provided by the Maricopa County Sheriff shows Marc LaQuon Payne. Payne was jailed without bond after authorities said he drove a car into two police officers outside a Phoenix gas station on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. He then scuffled with a third officer who managed to get out of the way. (Maricopa County Sheriff via AP)

Sgt. Jonathan Howard confirmed Wednesday afternoon that a rookie officer who suffered a concussion was at home recovering.

Another officer was previously released after sustaining a broken leg.

A third officer who managed to jump out of the way suffered minor injuries during a scuffle with the suspect, 44-year-old Marc LaQuon Payne.

Police say the trio was taking a break early Tuesday when a vehicle barreled into them.

A judge on Wednesday ordered Payne held without bond on charges of attempted first-degree murder and other crimes.

Police Chief Joseph Yahner says the attack was an intentional act.

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12:07 p.m.

Phoenix police say one Phoenix police officer remains hospitalized after he and two others were injured when a car plowed into them and during a subsequent scuffle with the car's driver.

Sgt. Jonathan Howard says all the officers injured in the Tuesday night incident are recovering. The one still hospitalized suffered a concussion when he was thrown and his head hit the car's windshield.

One of the officers released had a broken leg. The other officer who's been released suffered minor injuries during a scuffle while arresting a man identified as 44-year-old Marc LaQuon Payne.

A judge has ordered Payne held without bond. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder and other crimes.

Police Chief Joseph Yahner denounced the attack as a "violent, intentional act."

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9:20 a.m.

A 44-year-old man described as a transient is jailed without bond after authorities said he drove a car into two police officers outside a Phoenix gas station and then scuffled with a third officer who managed to get out of the way.

Marc LaQuon Payne is jailed on multiple counts, including suspicion of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage and resisting arrest.

Payne didn't have an attorney when he appeared before a judge late Tuesday night after being treated at a hospital.

Police Chief Joseph Yahner denounced the Tuesday morning attack as a "violent, intentional act."

One officer suffered injuries that included a broken leg. A second had bruises and a concussion.

A court document describes Payne as a transient without ties to the community.

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This story has been corrected to give the complete name of the police chief, Joseph Yahner.

Construction workers continue cleaning up in front of a QuickTrip store hours after a driver plowed into two police officers Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Phoenix. Police said Marc LaQuon Payne, 44, apparently drove his vehicle at the officers before hitting a patrol car and crashing into the front of the store around 2 a.m. Tuesday. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
UN extends Liberia peacekeeping mission

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. Security Council has extended its peacekeeping mission in Liberia for three more months.

The council voted unanimously on Wednesday to extend the mission while reaffirming its readiness to consider withdrawing pending a proposed review of the situation in mid-November.

In June, Liberia assumed responsibility for its security for the first time since civil war ended in the West African country 13 years ago, leaving behind a reduced U.N. force of about 1,200 troops in a supporting role.
2 dead, 3 wounded in shooting at Mexican prosecutor's office

MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexican authorities say a man has opened fire at a prosecutor's office in the western state of Jalisco, killing a woman and wounding three more. The assailant was also shot dead, by security guards.

Jalisco state Attorney General Eduardo Almaguer says the shooter was armed with two pistols during Wednesday's shooting. Three of the four victims including the woman who died were social workers, and the motive was not immediately known.

Almaguer said the 56-year-old shooter had worked around the prosecutor's office doing administrative paperwork and was well-known by most in the building.
At memorial for lawmaker, Biden speaks of his own grief

WASHINGTON (AP)  Speaking of his own experience after his son Beau's death, Vice President Joe Biden consoled the family of the late Rep. Mark Takai on Wednesday, telling them to "hang on to each other" to make it through the rough days.

Biden joined members of Congress and Takai's family at a memorial service in the U.S. Capitol to honor the Democratic lawmaker, who was serving his first term representing Hawaii in the House when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Takai died in July at age 49.

The vice president recalled meeting Takai earlier this year. He said that despite Takai's own grim diagnosis, the lawmaker offered Biden condolences about his son Beau, who died in May 2015 at age 46 after battling brain cancer.

Vice President Joe Biden speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, during a Celebration of Life ceremony for Hawaii Rep. Mark Takai. Takai died earlier this year after a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Biden called the congressman courageous and told his wife and two children to keep his memory close.

"The only thing I have observed is, deep in your broken heart the only way to get through it is to hang on to each other, hold each other," said Biden, whose words elicited an emotional response from many in attendance.

He told Takai's children that their dad will be with them for the rest of their lives.

"I promise you the day will come when Mark's memory brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye," Biden said. "I promise you."

At the service in Statuary Hall, ukulele players strummed "Aloha Oe," a Hawaiian song performed to bid farewell. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California and members of the Hawaiian congressional delegation also spoke.

Biden has occasionally talked about his grief after Beau's death. In September 2015, he teared up as he told talk show host Stephen Colbert that "sometimes it just overwhelms you."

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Follow Mary Clare Jalonick on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MCJalonick

Vice President Joe Biden, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., and others, attend a Celebration of Life ceremony for Hawaii Rep. Mark Takai, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. Takai died earlier this year after a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Vice President Joe Biden greets Sami Takai, wife of the late Hawaii Rep. Mark Takai, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, following a Celebration of Life ceremony for Rep. Mark Takai. Takai died earlier this year after a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Tough Phoenix sheriff may have new foe: George Soros

PHOENIX (AP)  Joe Arpaio, the self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in America who could face criminal charges for ignoring a judge's order to stop targeting Latinos in anti-immigration roundups, may now have a new foe as he seeks re-election  George Soros, the billionaire liberal hedge fund tycoon.

The Republican sheriff already was battered politically and support for him had been slipping when a group linked to Soros mounted an anti-Arpaio attack in an attempt to weaken his bid for a seventh straight term.

The group started sending fliers to Phoenix-area voters two weeks ago, and a mailing last week accuses Arpaio of separating a mother from her child because of an unpaid traffic ticket, botching hundreds of sex crimes investigations and scaring immigrants so much that that they don't report crime.

A group backed by the New York hedge fund billionaire George Soros, a longtime bankroller of liberal political causes, is mailing anti-Joe Arpaio fliers to Phoenix-area voters shown here, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Phoenix. Paul Penzone, a former Phoenix police sergeant running against Arpaio, is getting a boost from the unlikely Soros source. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arpaio denies the claims and is easily capable of striking back with a formidable $2.9 million still available for campaign spending ahead of the Nov. 8 vote, dwarfing the total $326,000 raised by his challenger, Democrat Paul Penzone, a former Phoenix police sergeant who lost to Arpaio by 6 percentage points in 2012.

But the entry of a Soros-linked group is a gift for Penzone, who acknowledges he'll never come close to matching Arpaio's campaign spending.

Over the last year, Soros contributed $3.9 million to Democrats in law enforcement political races in Chicago, St. Louis, Orlando, Houston, Albuquerque, Lowndes County in Mississippi and Caddo Parish in Louisiana, according to campaign finance records.

Of the seven district attorney candidates Soros-linked groups have backed, two have already been elected and four won primaries. Only one lost.

In New Mexico, Soros gave $107,000 to Raul Torrez, the winner of the Democrat primary in June for the county that encompasses Albuquerque  prompting Republican Simon Kubiak to drop out.

Kubiak said he guaranteed Torrez victory because he could not raise the money he would have needed to counterattack and because he feared a barrage of negative ads.

"I would have accepted it, too," Kubiak said of Soros' donation to Torrez.

Officials with the billionaire's Soros Fund Management referred comment on Soros' political donations to Michael Vachon, a top Soros adviser who serves as his personal spokesman. Vachon did not respond to emailed requests for comment.

The new anti-Arpaio group, Maricopa Strong, registered in Arizona on Aug. 29, the day before Arpaio won his Republican primary against three opponents. It is not required to file a report detailing who made donations and spending until Sept. 29.

But county records state Maricopa Strong's chairwoman is Whitney Tymas, a former public defense attorney in New York and Virginia prosecutor who serves as treasurer for the Soros-funded Safety & Justice national political committee and groups with similar names in Illinois, Florida, Texas and New Mexico.

Tymas did not respond to repeated phone and email messages seeking comment, and Maricopa Strong spokeswoman Tania Torres did not respond when asked by telephone and email if Soros had provided the group with funding.

The tenor of the ads shown for various local races and past positions by Soros-backed groups indicate he's focused on reducing perceived racial disparities within the criminal justice system. His super political action committee gave more than $14 million from 2015-16, including big sums to organizations trying to elect Hillary Clinton.

The anti-Arpaio flier accuses him of being "obsessed with immigrants at the expense of his job" and of making "immigrant communities scared to report crime for fear they will be harassed by the Sheriff's Office."

The 84-year-old Arpaio has denied he is anti-immigrant and that his unfinished business includes an overhaul of his office after his officers were found by a federal judge to have racially profiled Latinos in traffic patrols that made him a national figure in the immigration debate.

Arpaio was found in civil contempt for failing to stop the patrols after the judge ordered them halted in December 2011. Federal prosecutors are deciding whether to file a criminal contempt-of-court case against him punishable by up to six months of jail time if classified as a misdemeanor and an unspecified sentencing range if deemed a felony.

The list of local law and order campaigns Soros has bankrolled have targeted other incumbents criticized for decisions involving race. They include a $408,000 donation to a first-time candidate for prosecutor in Chicago who won the Democratic primary in March against an incumbent criticized for charging a white police officer a full year after the officer shot a black teenager dead.

In Florida, the incumbent prosecutor for the Orlando area known for prosecuting the Casey Anthony case attributed Soros' money to tipping voters against him during the last month of his campaign before the Aug. 30 primary.

Jeff Ashton said opponent Aramis Alaya gained momentum after a Soros-funded group started running a TV spot on alleged legal system racial disparities.

"She was done," Ashton said. "And then the huge amount of money started pouring in."

Funding by the new anti-Arpaio group could also impact the presidential race because Arpaio is a strident Donald Trump supporter. Democrats hope to rally Arizona's Latinos  a voting bloc including many who have long reviled the sheriff  to show up to vote for Clinton in November.

Chad Willems, the sheriff's campaign manager, said he suspected a well-funded anti-Arpaio group from outside Arizona would get involved in the campaign but doubted it would prevent Arpaio from winning.

"He is a known commodity here. The voters do still like him," Willems said.

Penzone said in an interview that he has had no contact with Maricopa Strong or Soros and doubted money funneled into the race would level the playing field because Arpaio has so much. He has spent $8.9 million on his campaign so far.

The development does show that some people outside Arizona want Arpaio out, Penzone said.

"With his name recognition and tenure in office and all that money, he is still falling short of expectations," Penzone said.

___

Follow Jacques Billeaud at twitter.com/jacquesbilleaud. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/jacques-billeaud.

In this Aug. 30, 2016, file photo, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio speaks to reporters on the night of his victory in the Republican primary as he seeks a seventh term in office amid a cloud of legal issues in Phoenix. In Arizona, a group linked to Soros is sending out mailers in opposition to Joe Arpaio, the longtime sheriff of metro Phoenix. Over the last year, Soros has contributed $3.9 million to Democrats in law enforcement political races in Chicago, St. Louis, Orlando, Houston, Albuquerque, Lowndes County in Mississippi and Caddo Parish in Louisiana, according to campaign finance records.(AP Photo/Jacques Billeaud, file)

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2015, file photo, George Soros, chairman of Soros Fund Management, talks during a television interview for CNN at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York. Soros, the New York hedge fund billionaire and longtime bankroller of liberal political causes, is expanding his sphere of influence by backing candidates in local law enforcement races in at least eight states. Over the last year, Soros has contributed $3.9 million to Democrats in law enforcement political races in Chicago, St. Louis, Orlando, Houston, Albuquerque, Lowndes County in Mississippi and Caddo Parish in Louisiana, according to campaign finance records. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)
Republican hold on Mormon voters slips with Trump as nominee

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  Mormons Manuel and Claire Saldana say they normally identify with Republican values and principles, but the Virginia couple is struggling to stay on board with the GOP after Donald Trump became the party's presidential nominee.

Trump's inability to connect with Mormon voters such as the Saldanas is likely the main reason the Republican hold on voters from the conservative faith has slipped significantly since 2012, according to a Pew Research Center survey released Tuesday.

It found that 48 percent of Mormon registered voters now describe themselves as Republican  down from 61 percent four years ago when Mitt Romney, a Mormon himself, was the party's presidential nominee.

A man walks past the Salt Lake Temple, a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at Temple Square, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, in Salt Lake City. The Pew Research Center survey found that just under half of Mormon registered voters, 48 percent, describe themselves as Republican this year. That's down from 61 percent four years ago when Mitt Romney was the party's presidential nominee. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The survey shows that most of the former Republicans now consider themselves independent.

It also indicated that 13 percent of Mormons surveyed are Democrats  down slightly from 14 percent four years ago.

Claire Saldana, a children's book illustrator and mother of four, said she definitely won't vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton but is still trying to get past her reservations about Trump.

"I felt he was someone who was crass and incapable of carrying on an intelligent and open-minded and kind relationship with other countries," said Saldana, who served a Mormon mission in Brazil and whose husband is from Peru. "I'm becoming more interested in him. I'm not sure he's really as crass as he comes off. He may actually be the best candidate."

A similar shift from Republican affiliation has occurred among the top 15 leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Currently, six are registered Republican while nine are unaffiliated voters, according to Utah public records obtained by The Associated Press. Church President Thomas S. Monson is a Republican.

Four years ago, 11 of the top 15 Mormon leaders were Republicans and four were unaffiliated, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Publicly, the church is careful to maintain political neutrality by refraining from backing one party or endorsing candidates. But Mormon leaders sometimes weigh in on what they consider crucial moral issues.

This year, the Utah-based church defended religious liberty after Trump suggested banning Muslims from entering the U.S. Mormons say the suggestion harkens to past efforts to persecute members of their own faith.

David Campbell, a political science professor at the University of Notre Dame who wrote a book on Mormons and politics, called the Pew findings remarkable since big fluctuations in party affiliations are rare.

The change found by Pew is the largest from one presidential election cycle to the next in the religion since the organization began tracking the data in 1994.

The Trump effect has accelerated a gradual trend away from the Republican party among Mormons that's been underway for two decades, Campbell said. It was briefly reversed in 2012 with Romney, a dream candidate for the religion.

"For those people who are kind of unsure if they're truly Republican, Trump is enough to definitely push them out, opposite to the way that Romney was able to pull them in," Campbell said.

Trump's famously brash temperament and colorful language, combined with concerns about his past, have alienated many Mormons.

Romney, who is among the most high-profile Mormons in America, has also been a persistent critic of Trump. He delivered a speech in Utah earlier this year ripping the candidate as a "phony" who is unfit for office.

Matthew Millburn, 35, a Republican party delegate in Utah, agrees with Romney. Millburn plans to cast his ballot for independent candidate Evan McMullin, a relatively unknown ex-CIA officer and Brigham Young University graduate who is on the ballot in Utah and a few other states.

"He doesn't share my values," Millburn said of Trump. "All he cares about is himself and power. He's a con-man just trying to deceive people into supporting him.

Crystal Young-Otterstrom, vice chair of the LDS Democrats of America, said more Republicans are open to hearing her pitch.

"Trump at the top of the ticket has helped form a wedge in this almost sacred connection between Republicanisms and Mormonism," Young-Otterstrom said. "It's really helping Mormon voters to see that maybe what they believe in, their values, really aren't Republican values."

___

Follow Brady McCombs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradymccombs

Crystal Young-Otterstrom, vice chair of the LDS Democrats of America, stands in front of the Salt Lake Temple, a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at Temple Square, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, in Salt Lake City. The Pew Research Center survey found that just under half of Mormon registered voters, 48 percent, describe themselves as Republican this year. That's down from 61 percent four years ago when Mitt Romney was the party's presidential nominee. (AP Photo/Brady McCombs)

FILE - This March 3, 2016, file photo, 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney weighs in on the Republican presidential race during a speech at the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City. The Pew Research Center survey found that just under half of Mormon registered voters, 48 percent, describe themselves as Republican this year. That's down from 61 percent four years ago when Romney was the party's presidential nominee. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
In long and bloody Syria war, this truce may be different

BEIRUT (AP)  Five years of failed efforts to quell the fighting in Syria have persuaded many observers that the war, inconclusive and catastrophic on a historic scale, may not be resolvable. A truce earlier this year took effect, soon started to fray, then vanished. But some things are different this week as a cease-fire brokered by the United States and Russia took effect.

The reasons for pessimism are clear.

Syrian President Bashar Assad is deeply entrenched in Damascus and seems willing to do whatever it takes to stay in power. He enjoys support not only among his fellow Alawites, followers of an offshoot of Shia Islam, but from Christians and other minority groups. Many fear his authoritarian rule less than a scenario in which security services collapse and the country falls into the hands of Islamist Sunnis.

FILE -- This Aug. 31, 2016 file photo, provided by the Syrian anti-government activist group Aleppo Media Center (AMC), shows Syrian boys dive into a hole filled with water that was caused by a missile attack in the rebel-held neighborhood of Sheikh Saeed in Aleppo province, Syria. Five years of failed efforts to quell the fighting in Syria have persuaded many observers that the war, inconclusive and catastrophic on a historic scale, may be unresolvable. But a closer look at the landscape allows a glimmer of hope that a turning point may have been reached with the truce that took effect Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. (Aleppo Media Center via AP)

Meanwhile, the factions fighting Assad are beset by competing agendas and visions for a future Syria. Gradually Sunni Islamists have overshadowed the original "moderates" of the Free Syria Army and its splinter groups. That lends some resonance to Assad's message that, in effect, he is the least bad option.

The United States has not been eager to wade into this quagmire. The Obama administration and its allies have lightly armed and trained some of the supposedly moderate rebel groups but have refused a more robust intervention and have not supported calls for a no-fly zone in the country's north. Vladimir Putin's Russia was able to step in, bolster Assad and carve out a leadership role.

Still, a deeper look at the landscape does reveal some movement that allows a glimmer of hope that a turning point may have been reached with the truce that took effect Monday.

RESTRAINING ASSAD'S MILITARY

In accepting the cease-fire, Assad vowed to recover all the land he lost in the war. But terms of the deal, revealed to The Associated Press by U.S. officials, appear to freeze in place many of the rebels' gains. During an initial period, all attacks are to stop except those targeting the Islamic State group, al-Qaida-linked militants and other jihadist groups, and peace talks are to follow.

Previous talks in Geneva collapsed in part because the Assad government never fully respected a cease-fire timed to facilitate negotiations. It claimed it was targeting al-Qaida-linked terrorists, but other rebel groups, as well as a marketplace, a school and a hospital, were also struck. Now that pretext is gone: If the current cease-fire holds for one week, the U.S. and Russia agreed to coordinate strikes against al-Qaida offshoots and the Islamic State group, and Assad is to limit military operations to IS territory only.

The next five days are crucial. Assad is still allowed to strike al-Qaida-linked fighters during this time. But if Assad refrains from targeting other rebel groups, and the U.S. and Russia exercise their firepower judiciously, the conditions on the ground could allow for talks that Russia's Foreign Ministry says could resume as early as next month.

ACCEPTING ASSAD?

Every previous peace effort has foundered over the insistence by the Syrian opposition, backed by much of the world, that Assad must go  and yet no party has been willing or able to do what it takes to remove him. There are signs, however, that the demand is looser now.

Turkey conceded last month that it would accept a role for Assad in a transition period. The U.S. has also quietly walked back its call for his immediate departure. None of the discourse around the current cease-fire addressed Assad's future  only a "peace process" to follow the cessation of hostilities. That may be a reason why some U.S. officials seem unhappy with the deal and have apparently balked at releasing its precise text.

One possible avenue might be to hold genuinely free, internationally supervised elections in which Assad would be able to run. The United Nations has said it wants elections to be held next year. A future with a democratically legitimate Assad may seem improbable, but optimists may see such a vote as a way to finesse an end to the conflict.

GREAT POWER COOPERATION

It is remarkable to observe how the Syria war has now made a partner out of Putin's Russia, only recently vilified for seizing Crimea from Ukraine and fomenting warfare in that country, among other affronts to the order of things preferred by the West.

The fear, until recently, had been of an inadvertent clash between global powers  and indeed Turkey last year flirted with trouble by shooting down a Russian warplane. Now the United States and Russia have agreed to set up a Joint Implementation Center to delineate territory and choose targets for coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State and al-Qaida-linked jihadists beginning next week, according to U.S. officials. That kind of Western-Russian cooperation has rarely been seen and could resonate even beyond the Syria conflict.

But al-Qaida's Syria affiliate is entwined with rebels the U.S. backs, raising concerns among Pentagon officials, who worry Moscow will target America's proxies. Will the ambiguities of the map drive the two powers apart?

RUNNING OUT OF GAS

Some wars seem like they could last forever  think Afghanistan today or the Thirty Years' War in Central Europe in the 17th Century. That tends to happen when no one is winning, as essentially is the case in Syria. But even then, the combatants tend to eventually run out of steam, or ammunition, or the patience of the world.

That happened 20 years ago in Bosnia, another conflict where tens of thousands were killed, masses of refugees fled to northern Europe, and the world community grew increasingly embarrassed at watching from the sidelines. Foreign intervention in the form of the U.S.-led Dayton Agreement froze the conflict in place and established an ethnic-based confederative structure in Bosnia  one that looked unwieldy but has somehow proven stable.

Could something similar be in store for Syria?

The sectarian hatreds stoked by Mideast wars and by Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia make some sort of confederative system attractive to some, who argue Syria's various sects and ethnic groups cannot be forced together after so much bloodshed.

And after more than 300,000 fatalities, the displacing of half the country's population, the ruination of major cities like Aleppo and Homs, world impatience is certainly there, especially with social media and the internet delivering images of the horror as never before.

Through that prism, the extraordinary U.S.-Russia collaboration can seem like something almost predictable  and whose time has come.

___

Dan Perry is the AP's Cairo-based Middle East editor leading text coverage in the region. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/perry_dan .

Philip Issa is a reporter based in AP's Beirut bureau, which oversees coverage of the war in Syria. Follow him on Twitter at http://ww.twitter.com/philiptissa

FILE -- In this Sept. 9, 2016, file photo, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shake hands at the conclusion of a news conference following their meeting to discuss the Syria crisis, in Geneva, Switzerland. Five years of failed efforts to quell the fighting in Syria have persuaded many observers that the war, inconclusive and catastrophic on a historic scale, may be unresolvable. But a closer look at the landscape allows a glimmer of hope that a turning point may have been reached with the truce that took effect Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP, File)

FILE -- This Thursday Sept. 1, 2016 file photo, provided by the Syria Press Center (SPC), an anti-government media group, shows civilians leaving the town of Suran, in Hama province, Syria. Five years of failed efforts to quell the fighting in Syria have persuaded many observers that the war, inconclusive and catastrophic on a historic scale, may be unresolvable. But a closer look at the landscape allows a glimmer of hope that a turning point may have been reached with the truce that took effect Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. (Syria Press Center via AP, File)

FILE -- In this June 18, 2016 file photo, Syrian President Bashar Assad shakes hands with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Damascus, Syria. Five years of failed efforts to quell the fighting in Syria have persuaded many observers that the war, inconclusive and catastrophic on a historic scale, may be unresolvable. But a closer look at the landscape allows a glimmer of hope that a turning point may have been reached with the truce that took effect Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. (Vadim Savitsky/ Russian Defense Ministry Press Service pool photo via AP, File)

FILE -- In this file photo provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, Russian Su-25 ground attack jet takes off at Hemeimeem Air Base in Syria. Five years of failed efforts to quell the fighting in Syria have persuaded many observers that the war, inconclusive and catastrophic on a historic scale, may be unresolvable. But a closer look at the landscape allows a glimmer of hope that a turning point may have been reached with the truce that took effect Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

FILE - This April 13, 2016 file photo, released on the official Facebook page of Syrian Presidency, shows Syrian President Bashar Assad casting his ballot in the parliamentary elections, as his wife Asma, left, stands next to him, in Damascus, Syria. Five years of failed efforts to quell the fighting in Syria have persuaded many observers that the war, inconclusive and catastrophic on a historic scale, may be unresolvable. But a closer look at the landscape allows a glimmer of hope that a turning point may have been reached with the truce that took effect Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. (Syrian Presidency via AP, file)

FILE - In this this file photo released on May 4, 2015, on a militant website, which has been verified and is consistent with other AP reporting, Islamic State militants pass by a convoy in Tel Abyad, northeast Syria. Five years of failed efforts to quell the fighting in Syria have persuaded many observers that the war, inconclusive and catastrophic on a historic scale, may be unresolvable. But a closer look at the landscape allows a glimmer of hope that a turning point may have been reached with the truce that took effect Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. (Militant website via AP, File)
Each month Belvoir Christian Academy students and staff take part in supporting various non-profits locally, nationally or internationally. Most recently, the students participated in a service project to raise funds for Trinity Hope, a mission dedicated to providing meals to Haitian children.

Over the past four years, the school has raised $3,700 from chapel offerings to contribute to the charity.

According to the organization's operations manager, Denise Gudlin, 26 cents provides one meal for a child in Haiti.


$4.2M payout after man with sore throat dies at clinic

HONOLULU (AP)  The widow and children of a man who went to a rural Hawaii health center with a sore throat in 2013 and ended up dead will receive a $4.2 million settlement from the federal government, the widow's lawyer and health center executives said Wednesday.

Antonio Marrero, 32, went to the emergency room of Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, where an emergency room doctor determined he had an abscess in his tonsils and arranged for him to see an ear, nose and throat specialist, lawyer Richard Fried said.

Then the doctor decided to further evaluate him under sedation, but Marrero lost consciousness and died, Fried said.

Rachel Marrero, far right, cries at a news conference in Honolulu on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 as her attorney Richard Fried, center, and Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephen Bradley look on. The health center is settling her malpractice lawsuit for $4.2 million after her husband went to the emergency room with a sore throat and ended up dead. (AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher)

Before sedating him, the doctor should have known Marrero weighed nearly 300 pounds, which would make it difficult to protect his airway, the lawsuit filed by Fried said. There was no anesthesiologist there, and the doctor gave Marrero too much of the sedative drug, Fried said.

At a news conference in Fried's office to announce the settlement, Marrero's wife, Rachel, recalled her shock when she was told that the father of her three young sons had died.

She told health center workers: "He just had a sore throat, what do you mean he passed?"

After the news conference, the health center's executives hugged her and offered condolences.

"Our providers work tirelessly to assure that the best quality of care is given to our patients, and we grieve that in this case things occurred the way they did and we have this unfortunate outcome," Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephen Bradley said.

The executives declined to disclose the emergency doctor's name, but the lawsuit named Dr. Robert Bonham, who didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment left with Executive Vice President Joyce O'Brien. A telephone message left Bonham was not immediately returned.

Marrero said she was hopeful that the health center, known locally as "the comp," will follow through with promised steps to make sure that a similar death never happens again.

"I don't hate or judge," Marrero said. "I just hope that the comp does make everything better for other families."

The federal government will pay the settlement because the center is a federally qualified community nonprofit health center that's insured by the Federal Tort Claims Act, said center President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Bettini. "In exchange, we take anyone regardless of ability to pay," he said.

Fried praised the settlement and said people living in west Oahu's Waianae community should feel comfortable receiving care there.

He noted that Bettini arranged for money to be set aside for the family's living expenses while they waited for the settlement, which was reached last year but required about a year of federal approvals.

Marrero said her maintenance mechanic husband stayed home with his sore throat for about a week, struggling to eat and suffering fevers. When his vacation time ran out, he went back to work, where his employers advised him to seek medical attention, she said.

"He went right after work, and he never came home," she said.

She called her husband a "gentle giant" who provided for his family.

"We had kids, got married, bought our house," she said. "It was a dream come true for me."

The structured settlement will pay a fixed monthly amount for the remainder of the lives of Marrero and her children, Fried said.

One of the first things she's doing with the money is rebuilding their home that burned down just a few days before Christmas in 2014, she said. "It won't ever bring my husband back," she said.

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Follow Jennifer Sinco Kelleher at http://www.twitter.com/JenHapa. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/jennifer-sinco-kelleher

Rachel Marrero, right, cries at a news conference in Honolulu on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 as her attorney Richard Fried looks on. The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center is settling her malpractice lawsuit for $4.2 million after her husband went to the emergency room with a sore throat and ended up dead. (AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher)

Keith Lee, center, a lawyer representing the Waianae Coast Health Center, holds hands with Rachel Marrero as her attorney Richard Fried looks on at a news conference in Honolulu, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. The federal government is settling her malpractice lawsuit for $4.2 million after her husband went to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center with a sore throat and ended up dead. (AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco)
Conservationists ask judge to curb red wolf removals

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  Conservationists asked a judge on Wednesday to limit how red wolves can be removed from private land in a case that could shape the course of the animals' dwindling population.

The groups argued that the federal government hasn't followed strict rules on when to allow landowners to kill wolves, and that even supposedly humane removals have contributed to deaths. Some landowners have complained that the wolves cause problems when they stray onto private land.

The arguments concern current red wolf rules, but the case could also affect new plans by the federal government to sharply reduce red wolf territory. Federal Judge Terrence Boyle said he'd rule later on the preliminary injunction request.

About 45 red wolves roam wild in eastern North Carolina, less than half the peak population since they were reintroduced three decades ago.

Southern Environmental Law Center lawyer Sierra Weaver argued that the removal methods they're challenging will be central to the new plan to reduce the wolves' territory.

"Our concern is that they have decided to end this population, but they have avoided judicial review," she said. "Taking animals off the landscape and putting them in zoos is not consistent with the Endangered Species Act."

The hearing came two days after federal officials announced plans to reduce the wolves' territory starting in 2017 to a federal wildlife refuge and adjacent land in Dare County, rather than the wolves' current five-county territory. The new plan is contingent on modifying current program rules after a public comment period.

Wednesday's hearing had been previously scheduled on conservationists' arguments that the federal government twice gave landowners permission to kill wolves without meeting strict legal requirements since 2014. One wolf was shot as a result.

Justice Department lawyers representing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service argued that the conservationists are misinterpreting regulations that give federal officials wide leeway to remove animals humanely or authorize lethal means. They say that any removals are done after thorough reviews of each case. It's generally illegal to kill the wolves without permission.

Government lawyer Lesley Lawrence-Hammer argued that the conservation groups can't win emergency intervention because they've failed to show how they're harmed when wolves are removed from private land.

"What harms do plaintiffs face here?" she asked. "Plaintiffs have no right to see, hear or enjoy wolves on private land."

Once common around the Southeast, the red wolf had been considered extinct in the wild as of 1980 because of factors including hunting and habitat loss. Releases of red wolves bred in captivity started in 1987.

While Boyle isn't deciding directly on the new federal plan for the wolves, he noted that federal officials have proposed confining the wild population to a peninsula that frequently floods.

"You're pushing the wolves back into the least viable and least attractive land in this area," the judge told the government's lawyers.

Boyle previously gave environmentalists a win in a separate case when he temporarily halted coyote hunting in the wolves' territory, and he later approved a permanent agreement in 2014 banning nighttime coyote hunting in the five-county area. Conservationists say red wolves can easily be mistaken for coyotes by hunters.

The federal government has also argued that the 200 or so red wolves living in captivity justify the wild wolves' classification as a "nonessential" population.

Lawrence-Hammer told the judge on Wednesday that nonessential populations face different rules than other endangered species.

Boyle retorted that no matter how the wolves are classified now, "When they're all gone they will be an 'extinct species.'"

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MPs maul 'opportunist' Cameron over Libya bombing campaign

Britain's military intervention in Libya was based on "erroneous assumptions" and an "incomplete understanding" of the rebellion against former dictator Col Muammar Gaddafi, a parliamentary inquiry has found.

In a scathing report, the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee heavily criticised David Cameron for turning a limited intervention intended to protect civilians into an "opportunist policy of regime change" based on inadequate intelligence.

It said the then prime minister's failure to develop a coherent strategy to support the country following the overthrow of Gaddafi had led to political and economic collapse, internecine warfare, humanitarian crisis and the rise of Islamic State (IS) in north Africa.

David Cameron's military intervention in Libya was based on "erroneous assumptions" and an "incomplete understanding" of the evidence, MPs said

Ministers and officials should have realised that the rebels included a "significant Islamist element", the committee said as it called for an independent review of the way decisions were taken by the National Security Council (NSC).

It warned the international community must now get behind the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) to prevent the country descending into all-out civil war.

Committee chairman Crispin Blunt said: "The UK's actions in Libya were part of an ill-conceived intervention, the results of which are still playing out today."

An international coalition led by Britain and France launched a campaign of air and missile strikes against Gaddafi's forces in March 2011 after the regime threatened to attack the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Mr Cameron argued the intervention was necessary to prevent a massacre of civilians but the committee said the available evidence showed that, despite his appalling human rights abuses over 40 years, Gaddafi had no record of large-scale attacks on Libyan civilians.

It said the Government "selectively took elements of Gaddafi's rhetoric at face value" while there was no evidence it had carried out a proper analysis of the nature of the revolt against him.

"The possibility that militant extremist groups would attempt to benefit from the rebellion should not have been the preserve of hindsight," it said.

"It may be that the UK Government was unable to analyse the nature of the rebellion in Libya due to incomplete intelligence and insufficient institutional insight and that it was caught up in events as they developed.

"UK strategy was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the evidence."

Once the immediate position of Benghazi was secure, the committee said there were political options - including through Tony Blair's contacts with Gaddafi - which might have delivered civilian protection and a change of regime at a lesser cost to both the UK and Libya, but these were not pursued.

"By the summer of 2011, the limited intervention to protect civilians had drifted into an opportunist policy of regime change. That policy was not underpinned by a strategy to support and shape post-Gaddafi Libya," the committee said.

"The result was political and economic collapse, inter-militia and inter-tribal warfare, humanitarian and migrant crises, widespread human rights violations, the spread of Gaddafi regime weapons across the region and the growth of Isil in North Africa.

"Through his decision-making in the National Security Council, former prime minister David Cameron was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy."

While the Government identified the need to secure the large stockpiles of weapons in the aftermath of the overthrow of Gaddafi, the committee said it was probable none of the countries involved was prepared to commit the necessary resources.

As the leaders of the coalition, it said Britain and France had a "particular responsibility" to support Libyan reconstruction but the failure to establish security of on the ground meant it was an "impossible task".

The committee said there should now be an independent review of the operation of the NSC - which was set-up by Mr Cameron - to see if it had succeeded in addressing the weaknesses in government decision-making identified in the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

A Foreign Office spokesman said the decision to intervene in Libya was an international one, called for by the Arab League and authorised by the UN Security Council.

"Muammar Gaddafi was unpredictable and he had the means and motivation to carry out his threats," the spokesman said.

"His actions could not be ignored and required decisive and collective international action. Throughout the campaign we stayed within the United Nations mandate to protect civilians.

"After four decades of Gaddafi misrule, Libya undoubtedly faces huge challenges. The UK will continue to play a leading role within the international community to support the internationally recognised Libyan Government of National Accord."

Lord Richards, chief of the defence staff at the time of the Libyan intervention, told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "Whether it was in our vital national interest to intervene, I think is a matter for debate. I always was doubtful, and one or two of my colleagues, John Sawers, also shared that doubt - the head of SIS.

"The issue isn't the military campaign, it's what we failed to do after that, and during, in terms of setting up for the peace.

"The issue is - was there a strong case for regime change?"

Lord Richards said there needed to be more "rigorous analysis" of such situations in the National Security Council.
Apple iOS 10 update causes issues for some iPhone and iPad users

The latest version of Apple's mobile operating system which powers the iPhone and iPad, iOS 10, has suffered issues during its launch.

Millions of users were quick to access the free update when it became available, however there have been mixed reports on social media, with some users reporting their smartphones and tablets crashing, with only a connection to a computer via USB fixing the issue, some have claimed.

Apple issued a statement confirming a "brief issue with the software update process affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability", but this had now been fixed.

Apple's iOS 10 has been launched.

The free upgrade includes a variety of new features, including an overhauled Messages app with more emojis and animations, a new notification system for the lock screen and virtual assistant Siri being able to integrate into more apps.

Users of the iPhone and iPad in the UK with a compatible device - iPhone 5 and newer, or iPad mini 2 and newer - are eligible for the update.

Having been first revealed at the tech giant's developer conference in June, iOS 10 also sees more artificial intelligence implanted into the software, with the Photos app now better able to identify and show you photos in your library based on time, location, people and even the items in them.

The iOS keyboard has been given a similar intelligence boost, Apple says, and is now able to better understand context as you type, including showing you a snapshot of your calendar as you discuss making plans with contacts.

The firm's Apple Music has also been redesigned as part of the update, having been criticised for being confusing when it launched last year.
Most teachers against grammar school policy, new survey suggests

Teachers and school leaders overwhelmingly oppose Theresa May's plans for a new wave of grammar schools, a survey has found.

Some eight out of 10 teachers and heads are against the selection proposals and also do not believe the tests taken at age 11 can measure academic potential, according to the research.

It also found 85% do not believe the selection process can be designed to stop other factors, such as parental engagement or income, playing a part.

Prime Minister Theresa May, who has insisted she will defy opposition to push through her plans for a new generation of selective grammar schools in the state system.

Most also said they believed there was no evidence to back up the Prime Minister's controversial policy.

The study was based on the responses of more than 2,500 teachers, school leaders and heads to a poll conducted by NAHT (National Association of Head Teachers), the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and charity Teach First.

Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT, said: "Increasing the number of grammar schools will lower standards and restrict opportunity. We cannot afford such an elitist policy in the 21st century - as many students as possible need a high quality academic education. This is a terrible distraction from the issues that matter most."

Mrs May pledged to make Britain ''the great meritocracy of the world'' as she announced plans to lift the long-standing ban on new grammars.

But the proposals are deeply divisive and face a rocky passage through Parliament.

Malcolm Trobe, interim General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "We don't need more selection in the education system. What schools desperately need is enough teachers and enough funding, both of which are in critically short supply.

"The government should focus on these issues rather than obsessing about an education policy plucked from the 1950s. Our job is to work together to ensure the education system supports all young people to achieve."

The survey was carried out for campaign organisation the Fair Education Alliance, which has launched a petition calling for the grammar ban to be kept in place.

Teach First founder Brett Wigdortz said: "We are united in our desire to improve social mobility, but it's clear we must use proven policies to achieve this. We know great comprehensive schools and academies are delivering a stretching and ambitious education. We must aim to replicate this for every child, not selecting only a few to be supported to succeed, whilst leaving the majority behind."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added his voice to calls to abandon the Government's grammar school plans.

The Labour politician disputed the claim that re-introducing selective education would raise standards in the capital's schools.

He said: "Selection leads to segregation and I believe that increasing the number of grammar schools will only make it harder to ensure that every child is able to fulfil their full potential, and it would guarantee that some children are left behind.

"Unlike the Government, I'm not prepared to give up on providing a place at an excellent school for every child in London.

"If Theresa May is really committed to increasing social mobility through education across the country, she should follow the example that London has set over the past two decades.
Briton pleads guilty over Donald Trump gun incident to avoid long jail term

A British man who tried to grab a police officer's gun at a Donald Trump rally and open fire has pleaded guilty in a bid to avoid a lengthy jail sentence.

Michael Sandford, of Dorking in Surrey, was due to stand trial over the incident at a Las Vegas casino where the Republican presidential hopeful was speaking on June 18.

The 20-year-old appeared in court in Nevada on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to charges of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and disrupting an official function. He had previously denied the charges.

Police remove Michael Sandford as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Las Vegas, in June (AP)

Sandford faced up to 20 years in jail had he been found guilty of the offences at a trial, although the plea bargain may see his sentence significantly shortened.

Under the terms of his plea agreement he could face between 18 and 27 months in prison before being deported.

Sandford is due to learn his fate at a sentencing hearing on December 13, and his family fear he may still face years in jail.

His mother, Lynne Sandford, spoke to the Press Association from the UK shortly after her son's guilty pleas were entered.

She said: "The upshot of it is that there is no certainty. Even though he has signed the plea agreement, which should be the best option, it won't necessarily happen that way.

"The judge at sentencing can either agree with what is in the plea bargain or he can totally overthrow that and impose a punishment of his own."

Mrs Sandford flew with a UK-based lawyer to her son in custody last week and persuaded him to sign the plea agreement, something she said he had been "pondering" over doing for some time.

Lawyers acting for Sandford said he suffers seizures, obsession-compulsion, anxiety and autism spectrum disorders and his mother said he was recently diagnosed as having had a psychotic episode at the time of the incident.

"He is now receiving medication for that and he is feeling the benefit of it," she added.

When Sandford appeared in court on Tuesday a judge said he was satisfied that he was fit to enter the plea.

Standing in orange jail clothes with the word "detainee" across his back, Sandford acknowledged that he has been treated in the past for mental illness.

Entering his pleas, he said: "I tried to take a gun from a policeman to shoot someone with, and I'm pleading guilty."

Mrs Sandford said her son told her he was "incredibly sorry and remorseful for everything," adding: "Everybody says this is not him - this is so opposite to what he is."

Last week's tearful reunion was the first time the mother-of-two had seen her son since he left for America more than a year ago.

"We were able to put our hands side-by-side through the mesh and I could at least feel the warmth of his hands through it. But to travel 5,500 miles and still not be able to give him a hug is incredibly difficult," she said.

Sandford's sister and grandmother also made the journey to visit him at the remand centre, with his mother saying the whole incident has been hard on the family.

"For my mum especially, she was not granted the face-to-face visitation through the mesh and she is in her late 70s and just wonders if she will see him in the flesh again," she said.

"He is the only male in the family left and he means a tremendous amount to us."

Mrs Sandford added: "Obviously it was extremely difficult to turn around and leave him and get on the plane - not knowing when we will see him again.

"When I left he just looked so sad, forlorn and dejected."

She revealed her son told her "coming to America was the worst thing he ever did", and said he is "desperate" to return home.

"He is not coping, he said to me: 'I don't know how to get through each day let alone longer than that."

Sandford told his mother that he was being kept in a cell so narrow he could reach across by stretching out his arms.

"It is just as long as the bed which he has one side and a toilet the other," she continued.

"There is no window - he gets 10 minutes of exercise outside each day which is in an outside cage, but due to the desert heat that is all he can manage anyway.

"There is nothing to do there - it is very stark and barren. He is not allowed any keepsakes other than letters and pictures that we send, but even those get cleared out once a week."

His mother said that even though things are still uncertain they are at least "one step closer" to getting him home.

:: The family are trying to raise funds to cover the cost of the legal fees. To make a donation visit https://www.crowdjustice.co.uk/case/michaelsandford/

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Mrs Sandford said her son had originally gone to the US because he had "met a girl".

She told presenters: "We tried to stop him going but everyone told us he is an adult and we can't stop him."

Describing the night she found out about her son's arrest, she said: "I was in bed when I got woken up by a call from the Foreign Office with the news no parent wants to hear." She then saw what had happened on television news.

"He (Michael) doesn't remember what happened, he said it's just a blur and he is so glad nobody got hurt.

"We know now that at the time he was suffering from a delusional psychotic episode and we are hoping the authorities will show some leniency under the circumstances."

Explaining that her son had never shown an interest in politics before the incident in Las Vegas, she added: "He is a kind, compassionate and caring person. It's so out of his normal character and I think people realise that."
Care workers take action over alleged breaches of minimum wage

A union is taking a legal case on behalf of home care workers, saying they are paid less than half the minimum wage.

Seventeen home care workers employed across the London Borough of Haringey, backed by their union Unison, are taking a number of care companies and the council to court claiming widespread non-payment of the minimum wage.

The group, all but one of whom are women, are employed on controversial zero-hours contracts and care for elderly and disabled residents across the borough.

Unison's Dave Prentis is backing the workers

The women visit people in their own homes and in some cases provide 24-hour live-in care.

The case against care companies who took over a contract from Sevacare, centres on unpaid time spent travelling between people's houses.

Unison said on a typical day the women might be working away from home for 14 hours, but could receive payment for only half of them, leaving them earning as little as 3.85 an hour.

Care workers who provide live-in care can earn even less, getting as little as 3.27 an hour, well under half the legal minimum, said Unison.

General secretary Dave Prentis said: "Without the dedication of these committed and caring women, and thousands of others like them across the UK, our care system would collapse.

"The Government, local councils and the care companies all know that social care is in a dire state, that there's not enough money to pay for the care that's needed, and with everyone living longer the situation is going to get worse.

"The blame for the social care crisis must be laid at the Government's door. Ministers must get tougher with enforcing the law so firms aren't able to cheat their staff.

"More money must be put into care so that councils are not forced to tender contracts at a price they know decent care cannot be delivered. No wonder 15-minute care visits are now the norm, and there's widespread payment of illegal wages.

"Those paying the price for the Government's penny-pinching approach are the homecare workers - struggling to make ends meet on pitiful wages - and the people they care for. Their often complex medical needs simply cannot be catered for within the short time allocated by the care companies. Meanwhile the companies are coining it in."

Unison said it was biggest the union has ever taken involving home care workers.

Sevacare, which no longer has a contract with Haringey, insisted it paid over the minimum wage and disputed that women had worked 24 hours a day.

Workers were paid for an average of 10 hours day, equivalent to an hourly rate of 7.85, said the company, adding that its rates were at least in line with the national minimum wage.

Alistair Burt, who was the care and support minister until July, told the BBC the case concerned him.

"The law is not clear. All care workers should be valued, should be paid at least the minimum wage."

A spokesman for Haringey Council said: "Haringey ended its relationship with Sevacare in April after previously raising serious concerns with the Care Quality Commission.

"We contractually require providers to obey minimum wage law, including remuneration for travel time, and regularly seek information from providers on how much they pay their staff.

"We also have a robust whistle-blowing process and will promptly investigate any claims that staff are not being paid enough to meet minimum wage and travel time. We will impose appropriate sanctions if wrongdoing is found.

"Our rates allow for providers to pay both the national minimum wage and the national living wage, and we will be writing to them all to remind them of their Care Act obligations, stating clearly that no breaches will be tolerated."

A Business Department spokesman said: "Everyone entitled to the minimum wage or living wage should receive it - that is the law.

"Although we can't comment on individual cases or ongoing investigations, social care has been identified as a sector where people are more at risk of being underpaid and HMRC prioritises compliance in this area.
Murder of Polish man in Essex condemned by European Commission president

The murder of a Polish man in Essex and the suspected rise in hate crime following the Brexit vote have been condemned by European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

Mr Juncker defended the free movement of European Union citizens - seen as a key factor in the vote to leave - as he denounced the killing of Arkadiusz Jozwik in Harlow last month.

Police are treating the attack as a possible hate crime and six teenagers, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested and released on bail.

Jean-Claude Juncker said the UK cannot expect "a la carte" access to the single market (AP Photo/Jean Francois Badias)

Poles have been victims in a series of incidents since the UK voted to leave the EU in June, including the assault of two Polish men within hours of a vigil following Mr Jozwik's death.

Last week a Polish man was attacked and beaten by a group of up to 20 teenagers in a suspected racially-aggravated assault in Leeds.

Amid the violence, Theresa May called the Polish prime minister Beata Szydlo to express her "deep regret" and to stress "hate crime has no place in UK society".

Now Mr Juncker has intervened.

At his state of the EU address to the European Parliament, Mr Juncker said: "We Europeans can never accept, never, Polish workers being harassed, beaten up or even murdered in the streets of Essex."

He added: "The free movement of workers is as much a common European value as our fight against discrimination and racism."

Meanwhile, Mr Juncker suggested that Britain cannot be a member of the European single market and regain full control over immigration from the continent.

He said the UK cannot expect "a la carte" access to the free trade zone once Brexit is delivered.

European leaders see the free movement of EU citizens as a condition of single market membership.

The issue has become central to the Brexit debate and has caused friction within the Government as ministers weigh up how to maintain the benefits of the trading bloc while regaining full control over immigration.

The Prime Minister slapped down Brexit Secretary David Davis for saying it was "very improbable" that the UK could be in the single market and also control its borders.

Mr Juncker warned Britain: "There can be no a la carte access to the single market."

He also called on the Government to trigger Article 50 - the formal process for leaving the EU - as soon as possible.

"We would be happy if the request for Brexit could happen as quickly as possible so that we could take the specific steps which need to happen," he said.

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage was branded a liar by MEPs after saying the EU had "declared war" on Britain by appointing federalist Guy Verhofstadt as the European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator.

The former Ukip leader suggested the appointment would lead to a continuation of the "dogma" that free movement is a condition of single market membership and therefore no trade deal with Britain.

This "isn't too bad" for the UK but would hurt German car companies and French wine makers, because they would face tariffs to export into the UK, Mr Farage said.

Responding to Mr Juncker's speech, he told the European Parliament: "If you were to think of this building as a temple, well Mr Verhofstadt is the high priest - a fanatic.

"In fact, there is only one real nationalist in the room and it's you (Mr Verhofstadt) - because you want flags, anthems, armies, you are an EU nationalist.

"I frankly think that this appointment amounts to pretty much a declaration of war on any sensible negotiating process.

"If you stick to the dogma of saying that for reciprocal tariff-free access with the single market we must maintain the free movement of people, then you will inevitably drive us towards no deal - no deal and trading on WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules."

Mr Farage added: "I would argue what we really need is to have a sensible, common sense approach and for this parliament to recognise it has made a mistake and to find somebody who actually likes the United Kingdom to lead these talks."

At Prime Minister's Questions, Mrs May continued her approach of not offering a "running commentary" on the Government's Brexit negotiating strategy.

After being pressed on whether the UK will retain so-called "passporting" rights for financial services to operate across the EU, which are part of the single market, the PM said: "This Government will be working to ensure the right deal for the United Kingdom in trade, in goods and services."

She also reiterated her commitment to ending free movement of EU citizens as it currently operates, insisting voters sent a "very clear message" to the Government in the referendum.

"They want to see control of movement of people from the European Union into the UK, and that's what we will deliver," Mrs May said.

Responding to Mr Juncker's comments, Mrs May's official spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister has herself already expressed concern about hate crime in this country. That's why the Government has set out an action plan.

"As we said last week, the Prime Minister has spoken to the Polish prime minister about some of the incidents we have seen.

"Of course, we need to let the police investigations take their course, but the Prime Minister is absolutely clear about the values that make this country great - We are a tolerant nation and we should continue to be one."

Later, Mr Farage criticised Mr Juncker for focusing on the killing of Mr Jozwik, arguing that all violence and murder should be condemned - including that perpetrated by criminal EU citizens in the UK.

He told BBC Radio 4's World At One: "He (Mr Juncker) did refer to that awful incident, but equally he could have referred to many other dreadful things being done all over Europe.

"Not to mention 14 recognised terrorist attacks in the space of this year.

"I don't actually think that it's ever very wise to pick any one incident against an individual and to use it for political ends."
Go-ahead for 18 billion nuclear plant at Hinkley could be close

Speculation is mounting that the Government is set to give the go ahead for the first new nuclear power station to be built in the UK for a generation, creating thousands of jobs.

A decision on the Hinkley Point C plant in Somerset could be made on Thursday, clearing the final hurdle in the delayed 18 billion project.

French energy giant EDF has already made its final investment decision on the scheme, but the Prime Minister stunned the industry by saying she wanted to review the details.

An artist's impression of Hinkley Point C power station.

An announcement has been expected since the start of the week, but could now be made just before the Commons recess ahead of the political party conference season.

During her recent visit to the G20 summit in China, Theresa May defended the delay, insisting it was down to "the way I operate" because she wanted a fresh look at the evidence.

The go ahead will spark a fresh row about the high cost of energy from Hinkley, with EDF being paid 92.50 per megawatt hour of electricity generated.

A Chinese firm has a third stake in the scheme and is hoping to build other new nuclear power stations in the UK at Bradwell in Essex and Sizewell in Suffolk.

Justin Bowden, national officer of the GMB union, said: "Giving the thumbs up to Hinkley is vital to fill the growing hole in the UK's energy supply needs.

"It will be a big relief for the 25,000 quality jobs which were put at risk by the latest delay, never mind the reputational damage inflicted on UK plc.

"The GMB has always had reservations about linking Bradwell and Sizewell with the contract for Hinkley. The Government should never have allowed the country to be held over a Chinese barrel."

Earlier on Wednesday, a source at Downing Street dismissed reports Mrs May had made a final decision on Hinkley as speculation.

ITV News reported she had intended to make an announcement on Monday but had to postpone.

According to ITV, the PM was set to call French president Francois Hollande on Monday afternoon and then announce that the project was back on track.

But Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark raised some last-minute concerns, forcing Mrs May to postpone the planned phone call and delay the announcement, according to the report.

Juliet Davenport, chief executive of independent renewable energy supplier Good Energy, said: "The decision to go ahead with Hinkley C is a bad move.

"It will take at least a decade to build and leave our grandchildren an inheritance of high energy costs, hazardous waste, security worries, and a plant that needs complex and costly decommissioning.

"No wonder only 36% of the British public support nuclear, compared to a whopping 76% for renewables.

"The same future generations that will blame us for Hinkley could instead thank us for a legacy of investment in renewables.

"The transition to renewables is inevitable and brimming with economic opportunity - the UK should embrace it."

Stop Hinkley campaigners will join Greenpeace to hand in a 300,000-name petition to 10 Downing Street on Thursday, calling on Theresa May to drop the "eye-wateringly expensive" Hinkley and invest in renewable power instead.

Stop Hinkley spokeswoman Sue Aubrey said: "There is no widespread support for new nuclear, particularly at Hinkley Point.

"Consumers can tell that the project may be unconstructable, requires vast subsidies and would generate electricity too expensive to use."

Greenpeace released a poll which it said showed public support for Hinkley was at an all-time low, with just a quarter of the 2,000 people surveyed saying they supported the project.

John Sauven, Greenpeace executive director said: "Support for Hinkley is at rock bottom.

"The public knows what the Government has yet to learn - investment in renewables should be prioritised over nuclear power.

"The Government shouldn't risk taxpayers' money on old-fashioned, flawed technology. It should be investing in the future.

"Advances in renewable energy like offshore wind, alongside battery storage, energy efficiency innovations and wires that carry electricity under the sea connecting us to other countries are the future for keeping the lights on.

"It is time the Government embraced these developments, rather than lock us into a contract that will leave future generations with more hazardous nuclear waste, higher bills and dependent on French and Chinese state-owned companies for our power."

The Prime Minister's official spokeswoman stressed that the deadline for a decision on Hinkley Point remained the end of September.

There had been speculation that any announcement would have to be made on Thursday this week, when the Commons rises for a recess lasting until October 10.

But the spokeswoman said: "We made very clear when we set out the timetable in July that it would be by the end of September. We did that knowing the parliamentary timetable."

Asked whether the decision has to be announced in the Commons, the spokeswoman said only that ministers will "keep Parliament updated on the decision moving forward".

She added: "There is no update on this. We have set out very clearly what is going on. We are committed to making a decision by the end of the month. That's the approach.

"We haven't taken the decision yet. The Prime Minister has not been in touch with the Chinese."

CND general secretary Kate Hudson said: "We urge Theresa May to put the interests of the country first when she makes the Hinkley decision.

"The basic facts have not changed: the nuclear power deal is hugely expensive - a 30 billion subsidy will be handed to the French state in addition to what consumers pay. It's dangerous: cancer clusters, nuclear accidents and disasters like Fukushima, and there is still no safe way to store nuclear waste.

"It amounts to burdening future generations with an environmental and social disaster that cannot be compensated for with the expensive electricity the plant will produce.
I hear people say "Roy Exum should be ashamed of his opinion". I say shame on any person who says he is not entitled to have an opinion.

Every person in the United States of America has that right. Men and women died to help us keep that right.

Whether you find his opinion not to your liking, he is entitled to have it.

I am not related to, nor have I ever met Mr. Exum, but I find his opinion worth my time to read. That is my opinion.

Julia Buckner




Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt quits upcoming tour after heart attack

Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt has pulled out of the band's upcoming tour following a heart attack.

Parfitt, 67, was taken ill after a show in Turkey on June 14 and the heart attack and associated complications have led to doctor's orders to rest for the remainder of the year.

He will no longer be able to take part in the Last Night of the Electrics tour of Europe and the UK, which is due to begin in Vienna, Austria, on October 12, the band's manager said.

Guitarist Rick Parfitt was taken ill after a show in Turkey on June 14

Simon Porter revealed the musician "died" for several minutes after the attack, which has led to "mild cognitive impairments".

Porter also said it was possible Parfitt would not perform with the band again.

In a statement, he said: "Although Rick is recovering well and is now able to lead a relatively normal day to day life, he is far from being fit enough to undertake the rigours of Quo's touring schedule.

"Perhaps now is the time to reveal that Rick actually 'died' for several minutes directly following his heart attack which resulted in mild cognitive impairments for which he continues to receive neuropsychological support.

"His medical team continue to be confident of a full recovery, but Rick's absolute priorities for the foreseeable future are for his health and well-being and to be able to see his eight-year-old twin children Tommy and Lily grow up.

"To this end, Rick may well have performed his last show with Quo, but no final decision will be made until next year.

"Regardless, it is his wish that the band continue to tour as planned and he will always be a part of Quo's numerous other off stage activities."

The tour will continue using guest musicians until the end of 2016, with Irish guitarist Richie Malone continuing to play with the group until the end of the European leg finishing in Paris on December 4.

Freddie Edwards, the son of the band's bass player John "Rhino" Edwards has also stepped in for Parfitt during the band's summer concerts.
Italy industry output recovers in July after two months of decline

ROME, Sept 13 (Reuters)- Italian industrial production recovered slightly more strongly than expected in July after falling in the previous two months, data showed on Tuesday.

Industrial output rose a seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent in July from the month before, national statistics institute ISTAT reported, beating the median forecast of a 0.2 percent rise in a Reuters poll of 22 analysts.

June's data was marginally revised up to show a 0.3 percent monthly drop, previously reported as -0.4 percent.

The data offers some relief for Italy's stuttering economy, which stagnated in the second quarter and continues to underperform its euro zone partners.

However, output was still down 0.5 percent in the three months to July compared to the February-to-April period, ISTAT said.

Industrial output shows a close correlation with gross domestic product (GDP) in the euro zone's third largest economy.

Italian GDP showed no growth in the second quarter, ISTAT reported this month, adding that the economy would probably remain weak in the near term.

The government of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi officially forecasts growth will accelerate this year to 1.2 percent, but ministers have warned recently that the projection will need to be revised down.

Most analysts expect growth of below 1 percent and even weaker expansion in 2017.

Industrial output fell by around a quarter between 2008 and 2014, and has recovered only a small part of that over the last year.

In July, output recovered across the board compared with June's level, with production of consumer goods, intermediate goods, investment goods and energy products all rebounding.

ISTAT reported that on a work-day adjusted year-on-year basis, output in July was down 0.3 percent, the third decline in a row following a 0.9 percent fall in June.

ISTAT gave the following details.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION JULY JUNE MAY

Mth/mth pct change (adjusted) 0.4 -0.3r -0.6

Yr/yr pct change (adjusted) -0.3 -0.9r -0.6

Yr/yr pct change (unadjusted) -6.3 -0.9r 5.7

NOTE: BASE 2010=100. (r) indicates revised figures.
Nets' IPO pricing values Danish payments business at up to $4.8 bln

By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen

COPENHAGEN, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Denmark-based card payment services company Nets set an indicative price range for its planned initial public offering (IPO) that values the business at up to $4.8 billion, nearly double the sum paid by two U.S. equity firms in 2014.

Scandinavia's largest payments processor said on Tuesday that it expects to price the offering at 130-160 Danish crowns per share when it lists on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange on Sept. 27, indicating a valuation of 26 billion to 32 billion Danish crowns ($3.92 billion to $4.83 billion).

Nets, issuer of the most used debit card in Denmark, Dankort, will offer between 40 percent and 60 percent of its total share capital. That includes up to 42.3 million new shares expected to raise proceeds of about 5.5 billion crowns.

The IPO, Europe's second biggest since Britain's June vote to leave the EU, comes only two years after its 17 billion crown acquisition by private equity firms Advent International and Bain Capital along with Danish pension fund ATP in March 2014.

"There is clearly a real appreciation of the transformation Nets has undergone in the past two years," Chief Executive Bo Nilsson said in a statement.

Since mid-2014 Nilsson has made seven acquisitions, sacked hundreds of staff and invested more than 800 million crowns on IT.

Advent and Bain were also behind British payments processor Worldpay Group's 4.8 billion pound ($6.34 billion). London listing last October.

The next challenge for Nets will to navigate an increasingly competitive online payments sector that includes card network rivals Visa and MasterCard as well as payment processing companies such as Worldpay and Wirecard and Danske Bank's Mobilepay service in the Nordics.

As more consumers ditch cash, European online payments businesses such as iZettle and SumUp face tougher competition in their domestic markets from North American rivals such as San Francisco-based Square.

Existing Nets shareholders will sell between 37.7 million and 70.6 million of their shares while managers at the company have been granted an overallotment option of up to 15.75 million shares, Nets said.

The offer period starts Sept. 13 and ends Sept. 26, but it could be closed as early as Sept 22, the company added.

Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley and Nordea have been appointed as joint global co-ordinators and joint bookrunners.

Nets this month reported a 13 percent rise in first-half earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation before special items (EBITDA) to 1.2 billion Danish crowns for the first six months of 2016 corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 33.4 percent.
Romania moves to protect some of Europe's last virgin forests

By Luiza Ilie

VIDRARU, Romania, Sept 13 (Reuters) - With new technology and a crackdown on logging, Romania is racing to save some of Europe's last virgin forests, home to wolves and brown bears.

To speed the process, the European Union state has invited environmental NGOs to join official administrators in mapping the threatened woodlands and adding them to a newly established national database to guarantee their protection by law. The database should go online within six months.

Some beech forests are candidates for UNESCO's world heritage list, which could enhance Romania's appeal as a destination for wilderness hikers and wildlife enthusiasts.

On a recent wet afternoon in the Fagaras mountains in central Romania, Greenpeace volunteers emerged from a deep forest. They shared snacks as they discussed a day spent charting trees in a virgin area of 140 hectares, some bearing scratch marks from large animals.

"Virgin forests were preserved on valley bottoms, rocky areas, near alpine terrain," said Valentin Salageanu, Greenpeace forest campaign coordinator for Central and Eastern Europe. "They are forests that were hard to reach, maybe that is why they were saved."

He estimated their area had halved in the decade since 2005, when a partial inventory indicated Romania could have 250,000 hectares of virgin forests left.

"Many of them were destroyed in the last 10 years ... partially as a result of both illegal and poorly executed legal logging," Salageanu said. Corruption is also a factor.

In response, the environment ministry has overhauled forest management, strengthened the role of guards and imposed steep fines for those who cut, ship or trade logs illegally.

It has launched a mobile app called Forest Inspector, enabling citizens to track timber trucks. For the first time, it has allotted funds to help small private owners protect their forests, a legal requirement that many can't afford.

Environment Minister Cristiana Pasca Palmer highlighted the role of an electronic tracking system that monitors logs at every stage, from sawing to factory gate.
To go forward, Europe must lift up its left-behind, ECB's Draghi says

FRANKFURT, Sept 13 (Reuters) - The quest for wealth and power is leaving parts of European society behind and the European project is at risk if the benefits of integration are not shared, the head of the European Central Bank said on Tuesday in a rare political address.

Calling for fairness, redistribution and moderation, Mario Draghi warned that the fragmentation of society could leave the single market unfinished -- potentially the "most dangerous option" that could lead to some reversal of integration, he said in Trento, Italy.

With the European Union's periphery from Greece to Spain reeling from nearly a decade of economic misery, some leaders have argued that Europe has lost its social ideals, focusing on rigid rules and number-crunching and giving populist fringe parties fertile ground to thrive.

"We must devote more attention to the redistributive aspects of integration," Draghi said. "I do not think there will be significant progress in terms of opening up markets and competition if Europe does not listen to the demands of those left behind by a society built on the pursuit of wealth and power."

"Recent discussions about tax fairness and a European unemployment insurance fund, about professional retraining funds and other projects with the same idealistic goals, all go in this direction," he added.

Reeling from Britain's shock decision to leave the bloc, itself blamed by many on voters' feelings of being left behind, European Union leaders will meet in Bratislava later this week, hoping to chart a new course and shed an image that Brussels has become insensitive to the struggles of many.

With many nations still unable to revive growth, the ECB has provided extraordinary stimulus in recent years, coming under fire from all sides, with some arguing that its policies disproportionately benefit the wealthy and others saying that it is rewarding years of economic mismanagement.

The central bank has done more than most other institutions to hold the 19-country euro area together through years of crises, however, exhausting much of its firepower and leaving it with little ammunition in case of renewed turmoil.

In a passionate defence of Europe, Draghi said integration was essential in areas like environmental protection, migration, security and defence, even if some policy areas need to be left with national jurisdictions.

But such integration should be linked to people's immediate concerns and should concern matters of European or global significance, Draghi added.

If the single market is left unfinished and fails to safeguard freedom and fairness, national borders will ultimately be restored, a danger to the open society, Draghi warned.
Hollande lauds defence cooperation as Airbus opens Romanian helicopter plant

BUCHAREST, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Airbus opened a new plant to produce the H215 helicopter in Romania on Tuesday, a 50 million-euro ($56 million) investment which French President Francois Hollande said fits into efforts to promote European defence cooperation.

Speaking at a ceremony with Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos in the factory in the town of Ghimbav, Hollande said: "We must cooperate this way to be able to give Europe the conditions to have its European defence policy."

"Jobs that will be created here are not detrimental to French or German workers. New jobs here will lead to the creation of new jobs in France and Germany," Hollande said, speaking through a Romanian interpreter.

Germany and France have outlined plans to deepen European military cooperation as Britain's exit from the European Union removes one of the biggest obstacles to stronger EU defence in tandem with NATO.

Berlin and Paris are laying out ways for the bloc to rapidly deploy forces, with security cooperation emerging as a unifying force for Europe after Britain's vote to leave.

The Ghimbav plant, 180 km (110 miles) north of Bucharest, will house H215 production from procurement to after-sales, including design office activities, and will provide jobs for more than 300 employees in the long term, the company said.

A member of the Super Puma/Cougar family, the H215 is a twin-engined helicopter known for its versatility and competitive operating costs, it added.

The factory will be capable of producing up to 15 aircraft per year when reaching full capacity in 2020. Its first Romanian-made H215 helicopter is expected to roll off the assembly line in 2017, Ciolos said.
Energy Transfer committed to building North Dakota pipeline-letter

By Catherine Ngai

NEW YORK, Sept 13 (Reuters) - The company building a pipeline to transport oil from North Dakota to the U.S. Gulf Coast said on Tuesday it remained committed to completing construction even after the U.S. Justice Department blocked the project while Native Americans and other protesters geared up for another day of demonstrations.

"We are committed to completing construction and safely operating the Dakota Access Pipeline within the confines of the law," Kelcy Warren, chairman and chief executive officer of Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners LP, said in the letter to employees, which was provided to media.

The U.S. Justice Department on Friday blocked construction along a 40-mile stretch in North Dakota, following the protests that have attracted numerous celebrities and politicians. The Obama administration decided to block construction on federal land shortly after a U.S. District Court judge rejected a request from Native Americans for a court order to block the project.

The 1,100-mile (1,770 km), $3.7 billion pipeline had been originally expected to start up later this year. But the Standing Rock Sioux, whose tribal lands are a half-mile south of the proposed route, have said the pipeline could pollute the tribe's drinking water and desecrate sacred burial and prayer sites.

Protests against the pipeline were planned for Tuesday from coast to coast. In more than 30 U.S. states, demonstrators planned to gather for what activists dubbed on social media as a national "Day of Action" against the pipeline. Many used the hashtag #NoDAPL to show their opposition.

In what was likely to be the most closely watched protest, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders was due to join a demonstration at 5 p.m. ET outside the White House in Washington.

Outside the United States, activists said on social media they planned to hold protests in countries including Britain, Spain, South Korea and New Zealand.

The pipeline is nearly 60 percent complete, the company's letter said; Energy Transfer has spent $1.6 billion so far on equipment, materials and the workforce. When fully connected to existing lines, the line would be the first to carry crude oil from the Bakken shale directly to the U.S. Gulf.

"We intend to meet with officials in Washington to understand their position and reiterate our commitment to bring the Dakota Access Pipeline into operation," Warren added.

Protesters have said the pipeline could leak oil into the Missouri and Cannon Ball rivers, on which the tribe relies for water.
Post-Brexit EU summit must offer voters security -Tusk

By Alastair Macdonald

STRASBOURG, Sept 13 (Reuters) - The European Union must be less "politically correct" and act firmly to protect citizens from fears of immigration, terrorism and economic globalisation if it is to survive after Brexit, a senior EU official told leaders on Tuesday.

In an invitation letter to a leaders meeting on Friday in Bratislava, summit chairman Donald Tusk said Britain's vote in June to quit the Union showed that eurosceptic populists could pull the rest of the EU apart too if governments failed to pull together and demonstrate its benefits on issues that mattered.

"People in Europe want to know if the political elites are capable of restoring control over events and processes which overwhelm, disorientate, and sometimes terrify them," European Council President Tusk said in the letter, seen by Reuters.

"Today many people, not only in the UK, think that being part of the European Union stands in the way of stability and security," he told the 27 heads of state and government who will attend. British Prime Minister Theresa May is not invited.

Tusk said the process of Brexit would not be central to the summit. May has yet to give formal notice of leaving as her government works out its demands and Tusk repeated that there would be "no negotiations without notification".

Instead, he highlighted three priorities to be achieved as soon as possible involving closer coordination among states: to convince voters that Europe's borders were under control and there would be no repeat of last year's migrant crisis; to combat violent militants; and to ensure that lives were not badly damaged by free trade and economic globalisation.

Those themes are likely also to be reflected in the annual State of the Union address by the EU's chief executive, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, when he speaks to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

BALANCE FREEDOM WITH SECURITY

In what sounded like a dig at Juncker and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who were outspoken last year in insisting Europe must take in refugees, Tusk, who has long adopted a tougher tone on border control, said European leaders had sometimes failed to reassure voters that migration could be controlled.

"All too often they heard politically correct statements that Europe cannot become a fortress, that it must remain open," the former Polish prime minister said. "We must demonstrate to our citizens that we are willing and able to protect them from a repeat of the chaos of 2015."

Migrant flows have been reduced sharply through a deal with Turkey to block routes, as well the closure of Greece's Balkan borders to asylum seekers. However, states remain at odds on how to share out the task of sheltering those who do arrive.

Alluding to Europe's history of totalitarianism, Tusk said basic freedoms were at risk if leaders did not convince voters, who were hearing "false arguments" from anti-EU nationalists, that the Union can work in their interests:

"They will start looking for alternatives. And they will find them. History has taught us that this can lead to a massive turn away from freedom," he wrote. "It is therefore crucial to restore the balance between the need for freedom and security."

Leaders are also likely to renew their resolve to work together against militants such as Islamic State following the attacks in Paris, Brussels, Nice and other European cities.
Croatia conservatives, reformists start talks on new government

ZAGREB, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Croatia's conservative HDZ party and its former junior coalition partner moved closer on Tuesday to forming a new cabinet after the HDZ won the most seats in a snap election at the weekend.

The HDZ won 61 seats in the 151-parliament, while the reformist centre-right Most ("Bridge") party came third with 13 seats. An alliance led by the HDZ's arch-rivals the Social Democrats took 54 seats.

"In the next several days our experts will carry on working on details... We want a long-term cooperation and stable four-year term in office," the HDZ leader Plenkovic said after the first round of post-election talks with Most. The next meeting will take place next Monday.

The HDZ and Most sat uneasily together in a previous cabinet that collapsed in June after just five months.. The HDZ has since changed its leader and Plenkovic has said he wants to begin a new phase of cooperation.

Most leader Bozo Petrov also voiced satisfaction after the first round of talks with new HDZ leadership saying it was a good start for rebuilding confidence.

An HDZ/Most coalition would need another small party or ethnic minority deputies on board to secure a parliamentary majority, and analysts say it could be stable provided Most accepts the limits of its influence as a junior partner.

Before the election, reformist Most put forward seven initial demands for supporting any cabinet.

These include changes to the financing of political parties, lower taxes for businesses, auditing of the central bank and an Adriatic economic zone -- a proposal that would likely require consultation with Croatia's European Union partners.

"We have understanding for some demands, but some require more detailed talks," Plenkovic said.

He said the HDZ was ready to talk to other potential partners, but that Most seems "a natural partner for forming a new cabinet".

Last year post-election coalition wrangling between the two biggest parties and Most lasted more than two months. Some analysts say that Most's current demands are not relevant to a key challenge awaiting the next cabinet - boosting Croatia's moderate economic recovery.
Hanjin crisis brings new headache to U.S. importers; trailer shortage looms

By Jim Christie, Lisa Richwine and Tom Hals

Sept 13 (Reuters) - The bankruptcy of Korea's Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd is causing ripple effects for importers bringing goods from Asian factories to U.S. malls by creating a shortage of trailers to move ocean-shipping containers on U.S. roads.

The world's seventh-largest container carrier has more than 500,000 containers, and many already are clogging up ports and truck yards, tying up trailers that cannot be used to handle other cargo. That is beginning to worry freight handlers at U.S. West Coast ports and is the first sign of knock-on effects from the failure of Hanjin.

The problem stems from Hanjin's shortage of cash, which has stranded $14 billion of cargo owned by companies such as HP Inc , Home Shopping Network and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. Much of the cargo is on more than 100 ships at sea because cargo handlers, tug operators and ports are refusing to work with Hanjin unless they get paid up front.

A lawyer for the shipper did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Terminal operators in the California ports of Long Beach and Oakland are not taking back empty containers. Many in the industry doubt Hanjin will pay storage costs, and a growing number of empty containers and the trailers they sit on are stranded.

"If it's not fixed in the next couple of weeks, I think you'll see a huge ripple effect across the industry," said Weston LaBar, executive director for the Harbor Trucking Association in Long Beach, California.

LaBar said there are thousands of Hanjin containers on trailers out of circulation, and the uncertainty surrounding Hanjin appears to be pushing truckers to lock in trailers from his organization's pool.

"We doubled in bookings this morning," LaBar said. "We have availability, but we're getting to the point where we may be leased out for our chassis."

Shipping executives said there is ample supply of shipping containers, but trailers are limited. The West Coast ports previously have experienced brief shortages even when the stream of trade is functioning normally.

The Hanjin collapse has exacerbated the problem.

At GSC Logistics Inc, Chief Executive Officer Scott Taylor said he is stuck with nearly 80 empty Hanjin containers on trailers, racking up charges for cargo owners, that his company processed recently and could not return to a terminal operator at the Port of Oakland.

"If it says Hanjin on the side, there's no place for it to go right now," said Taylor.

Grocery chain Kroger Co told Reuters it has 880 shipping containers tied up on Hanjin ships. The company's lawyer, Ron Leibman, on Friday told a U.S. judge who is overseeing Hanjin's U.S. bankruptcy case that Kroger does not expect to be able to return the containers once it receives its products, creating a headache and added costs for the company.

Empty containers were sitting on trailers, said Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy for the National Retail Federation. "This is causing problems with the terminal operators and truckers who need the equipment" to haul full containers, he said.

Karen Vellutini, a vice president at Devine Intermodal, a trucking company in West Sacramento that services the Port of Oakland, said she expects the availability of trailer chassis to become a problem as the holiday season nears and as more Hanjin ships arrive in ports and unload containers.

"We're not seeing it yet, but it's inevitable," Vellutini said. "This problem is going to compound."

DROP-OFF POINT FOR CONTAINERS CONSIDERED

In Southern California, shipping industry executives are discussing setting aside a staging area where truckers could drop off empty containers to free up trailers, said Mario Cordero, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, which regulates carriers, terminal operators and ports.

"They are trying to address what could be even a greater crisis as these numbers mount," Cordero said.

"If those chassis get all occupied, or a good percentage of them, where the containers are just sitting on them with nowhere to deliver, that disrupts the supply chain," Cordero said. "We are certainly reaching the level we are concerned."

The commission is monitoring prices to make sure fees for leasing trailers do not become excessive amid the Hanjin problems, Cordero said.

Vellutini of Devine Intermodal said cargo owners could resort to buying the containers they are holding to clear up any legal uncertainty around them and to return chassis.
State Senator Becky Duncan Massey (R-Knoxville) joined Governor Bill Haslam, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner David Purkey and other state officials on Monday to present the states Three Stars of Tennessee Award in honor of six Tennessee heroes who dedicated their lives for the safety and security of their fellow citizens.

The awards were presented posthumously to the families of Livingston Police Department Sergeant Sean L. Allred, Memphis Fire Services Lieutenant Rodney K. Eddins, Jackson County Sheriffs Department Zachary T. Larnerd, Memphis Police Department Officer Verdell Smith, Sr., Madison County Sheriffs Office Deputy Rosemary Vela and Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Ranger James Wallen, Jr.

The event, which is traditionally held on or near Sept. 11, took place in Conservation Hall at the Executive Residence in Nashville.

Senator Massey spearheaded legislation in 2014 to recognize law enforcement, firefighters and medical first responders who were either killed or suffered a career ending injury in the line of duty. This is the third presentation of the annual awards since passage of that act.

Every day in Tennessee brave men and women put on their uniforms and report for duty with the knowledge that they may pay the ultimate price for the job that they do, said Senator Massey. It is very appropriate that we honor the sacrifices made by Tennessee heroes like these who have demonstrated nobility through their selfless actions. No words seem adequate to express our gratitude and admiration for the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to selflessly serving others.
India woos new Nepali PM to claw back ground from China

By Sanjeev Miglani and Gopal Sharma

NEW DELHI/KATHMANDU, Sept 14 (Reuters) - India is likely to offer Nepal's new prime minister help building an east-west railway line and better access to its ports on his first visit this week, as it tries to regain ground lost recently to China.

Prachanda, a former Maoist rebel commander, has chosen New Delhi as his first foreign stop, seeking to rebalance ties that chilled under his pro-China predecessor. K.P. Oli had sealed trade deals that sought to reduce landlocked Nepal's economic dependence on India.

"Relations with India have become frosty for some time. I want to remove the bitterness," Prachanda told reporters on Tuesday evening in Kathmandu, adding India now "wants to help Nepal, which is in difficulties."

Nepal has yet to complete a political transition after a decade-long insurgency and weeks of deadly street protests that brought down the monarchy nearly a decade ago.

A new republican constitution is still a source of rancour for southern plains people who mounted a five-month border blockade that ended earlier this year.

The country's last government said the fuel and trade embargo had the tacit backing of India - a charge New Delhi has denied.

Prachanda said that, on his four-day trip starting on Thursday, the two sides would discuss the railway line stretching from Mechi in east Nepal to Mahakali in the west that India will help build.

An Indian railway official said the project that runs parallel to Nepal's 1,030 km (640-mile) east-west highway has been talked about in the past, but that the two countries are now discussing financial terms.

"The plan is to push forward immediately with this project. It's a big development project," said the official involved in preparations for the visit. The mountainous country has only one short rail line from Jaynagar on the Indian border to Janakpur.

Another possible project, Prachanda said, was a hydro-electric power plant that could be built with Indian grant aid.

VYING FOR INFLUENCE

Nepal is one of several South Asian countries where India and China are vying for influence. India has long considered the country of 28 million people as a natural ally based on their close historical ties and long open border.

But China has gained a foothold, rapidly building roads and hospitals while there was little progress on long-standing Indian proposals for hydro-electric plants and trade and transit corridors that became mired in political disputes.

It is part of a broader push by China into South Asia, including a $46 billion economic corridor across India's neighbour and rival Pakistan and investment in a port in Sri Lanka, where a Chinese nuclear submarine docked in recent years.

Under Oli's government, Nepal signed a deal to extend China's Tibet rail network to Kathmandu, created special economic zones for Chinese firms and sealed a long-term agreement for petroleum imports, alarming New Delhi.

In July, Oli stepped down after months of stalemate over the new charter, which experts said underlined the vulnerability of governments in Kathmandu that take a stridently anti-India line.

Prachanda may have chosen to come to Delhi first for that reason, they added.

"It is the politicians' understanding that without keeping India in good humour they cannot remain long in power," said Guna Raj Luitel, editor of the Nagarik daily.

RECALIBRATION

India is still Nepal's biggest trade partner, donor and supplier of essential goods, as well as the only source of fuel for the impoverished country that is struggling to recover from two earthquakes last year that killed 9,000 people.

"The previous government very definitely coordinated with China more explicitly than earlier governments. That was a response to the border situation and sent a message to New Delhi," said one Western diplomat, referring to the blockade on the border that ended in February.

Prachanda is making "a deliberate recalibration away from what the previous prime minister planned, which was a closer relationship with China", the diplomat added.

Nepali media said Chinese President Xi Jinping had put off a visit planned for October due to lack of progress on Nepal's part on the projects agreed between the two countries.

Nepal's foreign ministry denied any cancellation but gave no date for the visit.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying would not directly confirm that Xi's October visit to Nepal had been cancelled, but said instead that exact dates had not been set.

"The term 'cancelled visit' is not very accurate, because the two sides are maintaining communication on high-level bilateral exchanges through diplomatic channels," Hua told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday.

The Annapurna Post said Beijing was particularly unhappy about Nepal's tardy progress on its One Belt, One Road initiative, Xi's signature project to build out infrastructure and establish new trade routes across the region.
Ghana president outlines policy plans ahead of December election

By Matthew Mpoke Bigg

ACCRA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Ghanaian President John Mahama outlined on Tuesday the ruling party's plans for the next four years in a bid to establish policy credibility ahead of what is expected to be a tight general election in December.

The speech delivered before the launch of the National Democratic Congress' manifesto on Saturday contained few of the attacks on the opposition New Patriotic Party that might have been expected given the audience of party faithful.

Instead it spelled out in detail government plans to grow the economy, particularly the vital cocoa, oil and gold sectors, and deliver benefits to the population of about 26 million.

Mahama is bidding for a second and final four-year term in office and his speech contained proposals for industry, energy, infrastructure, health and education. It also outlined plans on topics ranging from prison reform to mental health care and even how to provide help for ageing and impoverished musicians.

"The manifesto highlights contain policies and programmes that will consolidate the achievements so far chalked up and, in addition, introduce new plans that will launch Ghana into a new era of accelerated growth and the transformation of the economy," he said.

The speech lasted nearly two hours and was punctuated by shouts of "Four more years!" from the audience.

Voters regularly turn the government out of power in Ghana, one of Africa's most stable democracies, and policy debate is considered a crucial electoral battleground.

For this election, both parties are under pressure to explain how they will fund their pledges given that the country is following a three-year International Monetary Fund programme designed to restore macro-economic stability. So far, neither party has provided detailed costs for its plans.

Mahama said gross domestic product growth would be more than 8 percent next year, up from a forecast 4.1 percent in 2016, and the budget deficit would fall to 4.9 percent of GDP this year from an initial projection of 5.3 percent.

The country is the world's second largest producer of cocoa behind its neighbour Ivory Coast and he said public-private partnerships would be introduced to raise production to more than 1 million tonnes a year from around 750,000 tonnes.

"The people of Ghana are not going to vote for you because they like your party symbol or your party colours. They are going to vote ... because you have offered what they see as a credible programme," Foreign Minister Hanna Tetteh told Reuters.
China sets up new logistics force as part of military reforms

BEIJING, Sept 14 (Reuters) - China's military has set up a new logistics support force as part of efforts to reform and modernise the world's largest armed forces, state media has reported.

President Xi Jinping's push to reform the military coincides with China becoming more assertive in its territorial disputes with Asian neighbours in the East and South China Seas.

China's navy is investing in submarines and aircraft carriers and its air force is developing stealth fighters.

In January, China created three new military units, including a missile force that controls its nuclear deterrent.

The new joint logistics force would better support military operations, the official Xinhua news agency said late on Tuesday.

The move "is a strategic decision by the Communist Party's Central Committee and Central Military Commission to comprehensively deepen national defence and military reform", Xinhua cited Xi as telling a ceremony in Beijing.

"It is of far-reaching significance to establishing a modern joint logistics support force with Chinese characteristics and building a world-leading military," he said.

Support centres for the new unit would be established in five Chinese cities, Xinhua said, including Shenyang in the northeast, close to the sensitive North Korean border.

Xi said the logistics body "is a main force in strategic battle support missions".

The new force should "deepen logistics preparedness for battle and better integrate the force into the joint operations system and carry out real battle training", he said.

Xi's reforms include establishing a joint operational command structure by 2020 and rejigging existing military regions, as well as cutting troop numbers by 300,000, a surprise announcement he made last year.

China has been moving rapidly to upgrade its military hardware, but integration of complex systems across a regionalised command structure has been a major challenge.

The move has proved controversial and Xi has run into opposition in the military, though, and the military's newspaper has published a series of commentaries warning of opposition to the reforms and concern about job losses.
N.Korea ramps up uranium enrichment, enough for six nuclear bombs a year-experts

By Jack Kim and James Pearson

SEOUL, Sept 14 (Reuters) - North Korea will have enough material for about 20 nuclear bombs by the end of this year, with ramped-up uranium enrichment facilities and an existing stockpile of plutonium, according to new assessments by weapons experts.

The North has evaded a decade of U.N. sanctions to develop the uranium enrichment process, enabling it to run an effectively self-sufficient nuclear programme that is capable of producing around six nuclear bombs a year, they said.

The true nuclear capability of the isolated and secretive state is impossible to verify. But after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test last week and, according to South Korea, was preparing for another, it appears to have no shortage of material to test with.

North Korea has an abundance of uranium reserves and has been working covertly for well over a decade on a project to enrich the material to weapons-grade level, the experts say.

That project, believed to have been expanded significantly, is likely the source of up to 150 kilograms (330 pounds) of highly enriched uranium a year, said Siegfried Hecker, a leading expert on the North's nuclear programme.

That quantity is enough for roughly six nuclear bombs, Hecker, who toured the North's main Yongbyon nuclear facility in 2010, wrote in a report on the 38 North website of Johns Hopkins University in Washington published on Monday.

Added to an estimated 32- to 54 kilogram plutonium stockpile, the North will have sufficient fissile material for about 20 bombs by the end of 2016, Hecker said.

North Korea said its latest test proved it was capable of mounting a nuclear warhead on a medium-range ballistic missile, but its claims to be able to miniaturise a nuclear device have never been independently verified.

Assessments of the North's plutonium stockpile are generally consistent and believed to be accurate because experts and governments can estimate plutonium production levels from telltale signs of reactor operation in satellite imagery.

South Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo this year estimated the North's plutonium stockpile at about 40 kilogrammes.

But Hecker, a former director of the U.S. Los Alamos National Laboratory, where nuclear weapons have been designed, has called North Korea's uranium enrichment programme "their new nuclear wildcard," because Western experts do not know how advanced it is.

PAKISTAN CONNECTION

Jeffrey Lewis of the California-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies said North Korea had an unconstrained source of fissile material, both plutonium from the Yongbyon reactor and highly-enriched uranium from at least one and probably two sites.

"The primary constraint on its programme is gone," Lewis said. Weapons-grade plutonium has to be extracted from spent fuel taken out of reactors and then reprocessed, and therefore would be limited in quantity. A uranium enrichment programme greatly boosts production of material for weapons.

The known history of the uranium enrichment project dates to 2003, when the North was confronted by the United States with evidence of a clandestine programme to build a facility to enrich uranium with the help of Pakistan.

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said in his memoirs that A.Q. Khan, the father of that country's nuclear programme, transferred two dozen centrifuges to the North and some technical expertise around 1999.

"It was also clear that the suspected Pakistani connection had taken place, as the centrifuge design resembled Pakistan's P-2 centrifuge," Hecker said in a report in May.

Hecker reported being shown around a two-story building in the Yongbyon complex in November 2010 that a North Korean engineer said contained 2,000 centrifuges and a control room Hecker called "astonishingly modern."

By 2009, the North had likely acquired the technology to be able to expand the uranium project indigenously, Joshua Pollack, editor of the U.S.-based Nonproliferation Review, has said.

North Korea has not explicitly admitted to operating the centrifuges to produce weapons-enriched uranium, instead claiming they were intended to generate fuel for a light water reactor it was going to build.

Despite sanctions, by now North Korea is probably largely self-sufficient in operating its nuclear programme, although it may still struggle to produce some material and items, Lewis said.

"While we saw this work in Iran, over time countries can adjust to sanctions," he said.
Mercosur lays down ultimatum for Venezuela to meet membership terms

By Alonso Soto

BRASILIA, Sept 13 (Reuters) - The founding members of Mercosur will give Venezuela until Dec. 1 to meet its membership requirements or be suspended from the trade bloc, Brazil said on Tuesday, in the latest twist in a row that has exposed ideological divisions.

The ultimatum will further isolate the socialist-led nation, which has been at the center of a fight over the rotating presidency of Mercosur, which has turned to the right after years dominated by leftist governments.

Brazil's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that decision was meant to "preserve and strengthen Mercosur."

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay also decided in a deal first reported by Reuters to share the presidency of the group in a temporary solution to the group's currently being without a head.

Venezuela's information ministry did not immediately responded to requests for comments.

All Mercosur members but Uruguay blocked Venezuela from assuming the rotating presidency in June, accusing the OPEC nation of failing to incorporate a joint economic accord and a commitment to protect human rights.

The bickering over leadership has stalled Mercosur's everyday operations and trade negotiations with other countries, ultimately forcing Uruguay to accept a tougher stance against Venezuela, a Brazilian official familiar with the matter said.

Facing food shortages and political turmoil, Venezuelan leftist President Nicolas Maduro has come under greater international pressure to cede to opposition calls for a recall vote on his leadership this year.

"Having that Mercosur membership is seen as important by the Venezuelan regime to show its population that it is integrated in the region," said Oliver Stuenkel, professor of international relations at Sao Paulo-based think tank FGV. "This will certainly add pressure, but is unlikely change things in Venezuela."

Brazilian diplomats have said that until late August Venezuela had met about 30 percent of the membership requirements, which entails adopting a series of rules to facilitate trade inside the group. Venezuela was initially admitted in the bloc in 2012 and given four years to meet all the requirements.

Brazil's new President Michel Temer, a center-right politician who replaced leftist Dilma Rousseff after she was impeached in August for breaking fiscal rules, has led the charge to undermine Venezuela in the bloc.

After Temer, who was Rousseff's vice-president, permanently assumed the presidency until the end of the term in late 2018, Venezuela froze ties and recalled its ambassador in Brasilia. The leftist governments of Ecuador and Bolivia, once close allies to Brasilia, also recalled their ambassadors.
China's graft watchdog uncovers irregularities at securities regulator

SHANGHAI, Sept 14 (Reuters) - China's graft watchdog unearthed a raft of problems at the country's securities regulator in recent years, including illegal share trading by officials' family members, prompting the head of the regulator to vow to eradicate corruption.

The revelations came at an internal meeting of leading Communist Party members in the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) amid a sweeping anti-corruption campaign launched more than three years ago by President Xi Jinping, according to a notice on the CSRC's website late on Tuesday.

Several senior CSRC officials were probed for suspected corruption during last summer's stock market crash, including former deputy head of the CSRC Yao Gang and assistant chairman Zhang Yujun.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the ruling Communist Party's corruption fighting body, said that in addition to illegal share trading by officials' relatives it had uncovered misuse of public funds, unauthorised travel abroad, private use of public vehicles and other violations, the statement said.

It did not indicate how many officials were involved or how widespread the problems were.

CSRC Chairman Liu Shiyu said the agency which oversees China's stock markets would bolster supervision of party members and eradicate corruption, it said.
Indonesia takes aim at sukuk shortage with 10-year plan

By Bernardo Vizcaino

Sept 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia is taking aim at one of the biggest weaknesses of the global Islamic finance industry - the lack of an ample, reliable supply of sharia-compliant bonds - with one of the most ambitious schemes to boost issuance so far.

Although sukuk are a common funding tool across the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with sovereign and quasi-sovereign issues representing around two-thirds of total sales, supply is irregular, in particular for U.S. dollar-denominated deals.

Year-to-date, global sukuk issuance in all currencies totals $39.5 billion, Thomson Reuters data shows, down from $47.5 billion in 2015 - a year when it was cut by a sudden decision by Malaysia's central bank to stop issuing short-term sukuk.

Shrinking issuance can put Islamic banks at a disadvantage, limiting instruments needed to manage their money profitably and meet liquidity requirements. The International Monetary Fund has urged governments to ensure regular issuance by incorporating sukuk into national debt management strategies.

Indonesia is doing just that with an industry masterplan, unveiled last month, that envisages sovereign sukuk issuance rising to around 50 percent of total debt issuance over the next 10 years from around 13 percent last year.

Sovereign sukuk issuance would increase by around 5 percent year-on-year, with government agencies encouraged to use sukuk to fund infrastructure, agriculture and educational projects.

Anita Yadav, head of fixed income research at Emirates NBD in Dubai, said Jakarta's target is ambitious but there would be a natural incentive among issuers to meet domestic banks' appetite for Basel III instruments.

"The growth in domestic market may be easy to achieve but the growth in the international market will likely be slower."

GULF

Global sukuk issuance is lacklustre despite a surge in sovereign debt in the Middle East, where governments are scrambling to cover budget damage inflicted by low oil prices.

Fresh supply may come in the next few months from Kuwait, which plans to raise up to 3 billion dinars ($10 billion) from international markets via bonds and sukuk.

Generally, however, governments have disappointed investors looking for more sukuk. In April, Abu Dhabi returned to the international market after a seven-year absence with a $5 billion conventional bond; Qatar raised $9 billion in May, the biggest bond offer ever seen in the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia, home to the world's largest Islamic banks, plans a debut sale of dollar bonds this year that could raise over $10 billion, but it is unclear whether sukuk would be included. In April, Riyadh raised $10 billion via an international bank loan.

Khalid Howladar, global head of Islamic finance at rating agency Moody's, said many Gulf governments were reluctant to fund deficits with sukuk because of less standardised and more complex structures, leading to higher issuance costs.

This conflicts with the mandate of government Treasuries to raise funding in a cheap and efficient way, he said.

Some foreign investors also prefer conventional bonds over sukuk for simplicity and familiarity of structures, said Yadav at Emirates NBD.

Indonesia hopes regular issuance can mitigate such concerns and provide benchmarks to encourage local firms to follow suit.

Unlike the Gulf, Indonesia is an established issuer of dollar-denominated sukuk; it raised $2.5 billion in February in a dual-tranche deal that was three times oversubscribed.

Jakarta is also expanding the investor base for its sukuk. Last week it sold 2.6 trillion rupiah ($197.2 million), more than targeted, using a new non-tradable savings sukuk aimed at retail investors.
Colorado's civil litigation over movie theater massacre ends

By Keith Coffman

DENVER, Sept 13 (Reuters) - The movie theater chain that owns a Colorado cinema where 12 people were killed in a 2012 shooting spree will not pursue $700,000 in legal costs the company incurred fighting an unsuccessful lawsuit, court records showed on Tuesday.

More than two dozen surviving victims and relatives of those killed sued Cinemark USA Inc in state court, accusing the company of lax security measures that made the theater chain partially responsible for the bloodshed.

In May, a jury found Cinemark was not liable for the July 20, 2012, rampage, agreeing with Cinemark lawyers who had argued that the mass shooting was an unforeseeable tragedy carried out by "a madman."

Gunman James Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to criminal charges stemming from the shooting.

He was convicted last year of murdering 12 people and wounding 70 others when he opened fire during a screening of the Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises" inside the Century 16 Theater multiplex in Aurora, Colorado.

Jurors spared Holmes the death penalty sought by prosecutors. He was sentenced to multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Under Colorado law, Cinemark was entitled to recover "litigation costs," which are separate from attorney's fees, since the chain prevailed in the civil lawsuit.

The company said in making the request it had spent nearly $700,000 for expert witnesses and on other costs associated with defending itself at trial.

However, Cinemark said in subsequent court filings it would drop its request if the victims agreed not to appeal against the jury's verdict. Both sides agreed on Tuesday, according to a stipulated agreement filed in Arapahoe District Court.

Cinemark said in the agreement that its "goal has always been to resolve this matter fully and completely without an award of costs of any kind to any party."

The "case can now be deemed completely over," lawyers for Texas-based Cinemark wrote. A judge must still sign off on the deal, but that is expected to be a formality.

If the agreement is approved, it would bring to a close all the state court claims against Cinemark over the shooting.
China's August power consumption rises on hot temperatures -NDRC

BEIJING, Sept 14 (Reuters) - China's power consumption in August rose 8.3 percent from a year ago because of increased cooling demand due to high temperatures, the country's economic planner said on Wednesday during a briefing.

China's power consumption reached 563.1 billion kilowatt hours (kwh) in August, said Zhao Chenxin, spokesman for the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

Average temperatures in August were the highest since 1961 and were a main factor in the percentage hike in power usage, said Zhao. He also noted that August 2015 power consumption grew by only 1.9 percent from the prior period, exaggerating the gain for this year.

Service industry and residential electricity consumption recorded the biggest rises as a result of the heat, at 15.5 percent and 19.9 percent respectively, Zhao said.

More specifically, power consumption from information transmission, IT service, and the software industry rose 15 percent, while financial and property service usage rose 12.3 percent in August.

For shops, hotels and restaurants, power consumption also enjoyed a 9.3 percent growth.

Power consumption totalled 3.89 trillion kwh in the first eight months of 2016, up 4.2 percent from the same period last year.

A surge in power consumption supports the view that better-than-expected manufacturing and construction activities gave the economy a boost in August, as the result of a government infrastructure spending spree and housing boom.

Secondary industry power consumption grew 2 percent in the January to August period, reversing a negative growth rate from the same period last year, the NDRC said.

China's manufacturing sector unexpectedly expanded in August, with the official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 50.4, the fastest pace in nearly two years.

Monthly imports in August also unexpectedly rose for the first time in nearly two years and industrial output increased at the fastest rate in fives years.

The rapid rise in August power consumption reversed the recent negative growth in thermal power production, with power generated from coal and natural gas rising 7.7 percent from a year ago in August, the NRDC's Zhao said.

Hydropower output climbed 5.8 percent while nuclear power production increased 20.1 percent during August.
China solar panel glut undermines EU-China accord

BRUSSELS/BEIJING, Sept 14 (Reuters) - A sharp increase in solar power production in China and a sharp fall in domestic demand have sparked a sudden surge of cut-price exports, undermining a China-EU agreement to limit damage to European producers.

China produced 27 gigawatts (GW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules in the first half of 2016, an increase of 37.8 percent and installed 20 GW of new solar power capacity in the same period, three times as much as the same period a year ago.

However, demand has since tailed off. Solar projects operational since July face a reduced price paid by grid operators for their power. The China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) has forecast total new capacity by the year-end will be 30 GW, implying just 10 GW in the second half.

EU ProSun, an association of EU solar producers, says the price of some panels had fallen to below 0.40 euros per watt, compared with a previous average European price of about 0.50 euros.

EU ProSun president, Milan Nitzschke, said that prices had come down by some 20 percent in the past month to below the cost of production.

"We fear a second wave of bankruptcies," he said.

The European Union and China were on the verge of a trade war in 2013 over EU allegations of dumping of solar panels into the bloc. The investigation was the largest in EU history, given the value of such exports was 21 billion euros ($23.6 billion) in 2011.

That trade war was averted by agreeing a lower amount of Chinese panels could be imported free of tariffs as long as they did not price them below a minimum initially set at 0.56 euros.

However, having signed up to the undertaking, an increasing number of Chinese firms have chosen to opt out considering it better to sell at even cheaper prices, even when faced with duties of between 27.3 and 64.9 percent.

JinkoSolar Holding Co became the latest to withdraw from the undertaking last week, saying the minimum price no longer reflected the market reality.

Maggie Ma, chief financial officer of Renesola, another company no longer part of the undertaking, forecast that the third quarter would be "sluggish" after China cut preferential tariffs.
Members of the Hamilton County Concurrent Grand Jury, in a final report, recommended that a fourth Criminal Court judge be added.

The panel, headed by Jimmy Anderson, said, "A fourth judge position could reduce the overall time it takes for cases to be processed which, in turn, could relieve overcrowding (jail and workehouse) in other parts of the system.

"We believe a fourth judge is justified by the county caseload and could allow more persons to be put in the Drug Court and Mental Health Court programs."

Current judges are Barry Steelman, Don Poole and Tom Greenholtz.

The panel also recommended reopening of vocational schools.

The report says: "We recommend reopening of trade and vocational schools in high school education to provide training and develop skills for productive workforce employment beyond minimum wage jobs that are not adequate to sustain an individual trying to live independently on his/her own.

"An overwhelming percentage of the cases we heard involved gangs and/or drugs in our community. In at least 40 to 50 percentage of the cases, the age of the defendant was below 35 years. We believe that work can be a deterrent to joining gangs or getting involved in mischief and/or illegal activity and, therefore, more opportunities for work programs and employment to become a productive member of society are needed."

The Concurrent Grand Jury said a juvenile caught in a crime using a gun for the second time should have his or her cases moved to adult court.



Click here to read the reports of the Concurrent Grand Jury and the Regular Grand Jury.




For some "Jungle" migrants, France isn't that bad after all

By Matthias Blamont

CALAIS, France, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Afghan national Sajjad had dreamt of a new life in Britain, but the teenager is among a growing number of migrants holed up in a squalid camp in Calais to decide that France might not be such a bad second choice.

The Shia Muslim who says he fled with his family from the Taliban last year, told Reuters that the perils of repeated attempts to smuggle his way across the English Channel had persuaded him to give up on the idea.

"My life is more important than England," said the 19-year-old, who is learning French at the camp's makeshift library. "It's become too dangerous, so we've ended up seeking asylum here."

Called "the Jungle", the camp and its inhabitants are at the centre of a political debate that has intensified since Britain's vote to the exit the European Union and before France's wide-open presidential election next April.

Fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East, an overwhelming majority of migrants have arrived in Calais in the belief they will have a better life in Britain than on the European mainland.

With unemployment roughly half the French rate of almost 10 percent, jobs are relatively plentiful in Britain and many hope friends and family already there will help them to start anew.

Thousands have therefore used the northern port city for making clandestine attempts to reach Britain, which lies only about 35 km (22 miles) across the water.

Often this involves trying to stow away on trucks taking the ferry to the English port of Dover, or cutting through security fences to clamber aboard trains using the Channel Tunnel.

Most of the attempts end in failure, and a number of migrants have died in the process.

To be sure, many of the 7,000-9,000 migrants in the camp nestled behind sand dunes still target the lights along Britain's southern coast visible at night.

But interviews with migrants, charities inside the camp and local officials reveal a shift in the ambition of others, due partly to the tough security measures blocking their path and a French initiative to persuade them.

"A few months back, when you asked people about whether they wanted to go to England or stay put in France, a majority would answer England. That's now changing," said Stephane Duval, who heads a state-run shelter built with shipping containers within the camp.

"FRANCE IS THE FUTURE"

The EU's failure to draw up a coherent response to the broader migration crisis has invigorated anti-immigration, euro-sceptic parties across the bloc including France's own far-right National Front.

With most opinion polls showing the National Front leader Marine Le Pen winning the first round of the presidential poll, though not a run-off, the deeply unpopular President Francois Hollande is under pressure to shut down the Calais camp.

Earlier this year his government sent in bulldozers to clear the camp's southern half. Now Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve promises to dismantle the rest, though no time-frame has been set.

Meanwhile, Britain is to finance a new security wall along a one-km stretch of the Calais port's approach road, a move that some critics say echoes U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's talk of a wall along the Mexican border.

At the same time, almost 150 reception centres have been built nationwide and teams of social workers deployed to the Jungle and other improvised camps including in the capital Paris to persuade migrants to file asylum requests.

Asked what message the social workers were taking to migrants in the Jungle, a spokesman for the Pas-de-Calais area said: "The border at Calais is closed. France can welcome you in reception centres. Go there, rest and reflect on what you want from life. And this could be a life in France."

An increasing number of migrants now recognised Calais was a dead-end, the spokesman said, with more than 5,000 opting to head to a reception centre in the past year. "Previously we had more places in reception centres than applicants. Now we have more requests than available places," he said.

Immigration has already become a hot election campaign issue. Portraying himself as tough on migrants in his quest for a return to the Elysee palace, former President Nicolas Sarkozy says Britain should open an asylum centre on its territory to deal with the Calais migrants.

Interior ministry data shows migrants filed 80,075 requests for asylum in France in 2015, up 24 percent on the year before. No breakdown on where those requests were made is provided, but charity workers in the camp said they too see the shift in ambitions.

Anne-Lise Coury, an aid worker with Medecins Sans Frontieres, said that for many migrants it was tough to accept Britain was beyond reach. "They are feeling increasingly frustrated. Many are considering other options, but we see increased levels of depression in the camp," she said.

Standing outside a run-down caravan, Sajjad said it was a meeting with a social worker that persuaded him to give up on his British dream. Four months ago he went to the local immigration office and filed his request for asylum.
Israeli statesman Peres, 93, "critical but stable" after stroke

By Luke Baker

JERUSALEM, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Former Israeli President Shimon Peres remains in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital following a massive stroke, his son-in-law and personal physician Rafi Valdan said on Wednesday, though the family is optimistic he will recover.

Valdan said it was too early to tell whether there may be lasting neurological damage following the stroke that afflicted the right side of Peres' brain on Tuesday, but the 93-year-old's broader health indicators were good.

"All the parameters are stable - blood pressure, heart rate, blood saturation," Valdan told reporters, adding that that gave him a "certain optimism".

"The chances of survival are pretty good. As for the degree of neurological recovery, nobody can say at this early stage."

Peres, Israel's leading statesman, who served as president and twice as prime minister and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994, has had minor health issues over the past year while maintaining a busy public schedule.

He held regular meetings on Tuesday and was in "perfect condition," Valdan said, before suffering headaches. He was taken for an examination at hospital and then suffered what Valdan described as a "massive stroke".

INDUCED COMA

Doctors have sedated him, putting him into a medically induced coma. They briefly revived him from that state overnight and Valdan said Peres was responsive, squeezing his hand and speaking some words. The doctors intend to lower his sedation later on Wednesday to test his responsiveness again.

Peres has been a part of almost every major development in Israel since the country's founding in 1948. In a career spanning nearly 70 years, he has served in a dozen cabinets and was twice a Labour prime minister.

However, even though he ran for office five times between 1977 and 1996, he never won a national election outright.

He shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Israel's former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for a 1993 interim peace deal, although that pact never hardened into a lasting treaty.

Rabin was assassinated in 1995 by a far-right Israeli who opposed the peace deal, and it was Peres who took over in office after Rabin's death. At the next election, despite polls showing him far ahead, Peres lost to rightist Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu by fewer than 30,000 votes.

Valdan, who is married to Peres' daughter, said he did not believe there was an imminent threat to Peres' life, but called it a difficult time for the family.
Spain arrests Moroccan man accused of promoting Islamist militancy

MADRID, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Spanish police arrested a Moroccan man on Wednesday accused of promoting Islamist militancy through social media, the Interior Ministry said.

The man detained in the northeastern town of Manresa had shown signs of increased radicalism after contact with an activist recently returned from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, the ministry said.

Spain has now detained 29 people with suspected links to Islamist militancy since the beginning of the year.
Turkmenistan removes legal barrier to leader's indefinite rule

ASHGABAT, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Turkmenistan amended its constitution on Wednesday in a way that will allow President Kerbanguly Berdymukhamedov to stay in power indefinitely, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, who ruled the gas-rich Central Asian nation until his death.

Amendments approved by the council of elders and the parliament - and immediately signed by Berdymukhamedov - remove the 70-year age limit for presidential candidates and extend the presidential term to seven years from five.

The age limit was the only legal barrier that would have eventually prevented the 59-year-old authoritarian ruler from running and winning one vote after another. Berdymukhamedov's current, second term ends in 2017.
Kazakhstan says awaiting answers from oil firms in Karachaganak dispute

ASTANA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan's government and energy companies developing the Karachaganak gas condensate field are still in talks about the Central Asian nation's financial claim against the consortium, Kazakhstan's deputy energy minister said on Wednesday.

"The ball is in their court, we have sent them some questions and are awaiting answers," Magzum Mirzagaliev told reporters, adding the negotiations were "constructive" and declining to disclose the exact sum of the claim.

"I have no timeline (for the dispute's resolution)," he said.

Russia's Lukoil said in April Kazakhstan had filed a $1.6 billion claim against the Karachaganak consortium led by BG Group and Eni.

The energy ministry, meanwhile, has said the dispute was about calculations of the parties' shares in the field's output.

Eni and BG, recently acquired by Royal Dutch Shell Plc , each own 29.25 percent of the Karachaganak project in northwest Kazakhstan, which they jointly operate. State-owned KazMunayGaz owns 10 percent, Chevron Corp 18 percent and Lukoil 13.5 percent.

Karachaganak produced 78.8 million barrels of liquid hydrocarbons in the first half of 2016, up 11.3 percent from the same period a year earlier.
Builder Galliford Try's sales, prices up after Brexit vote

By Costas Pitas

LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Galliford Try said on Wednesday sales rates and prices at its housing division had risen since Britain's vote the leave the European Union, adding to signs the housing sector is recovering from an immediate hit after the June 23 referendum.

In the aftermath of the result, some housebuilders saw around a third of their share price wiped off and numerous commercial funds were temporarily suspended as investors pulled out their money.

But in recent weeks, several builders have said sales have risen, and data has suggested prices are climbing again.

"Consumer confidence has simply been gradually returning following the referendum," CEO Peter Truscott told Reuters.

"As soon as you got that stability with a new government ... you could just see that consumer confidence generally was returning and people were starting to see that it was beginning to look and feel like business as usual," he said.

Britain's biggest housebuilder Barratt and smaller rival Redrow have both said sales have increased in recent weeks.

In August, British house price rises also increased more quickly than expected as a shortage in the market outweighed uncertainty over the Brexit vote and a recent tax increase, according to mortgage lender Nationwide.

But Galliford Try, which posted a slightly better-than-expected 18 percent rise in pretax profit to 135 million pounds ($178 million) for the year ended June, said it would maintain a cautious approach towards land purchases due to the economic uncertainty created by the vote.

In its construction division, the firm said there had been almost no downturn caused by the referendum, with around 90 percent of its work coming from public sector projects to build infrastructure such as schools, roads and hospitals, which were all continuing as planned.

However, some private commercial work had not started as planned in the aftermath of the vote.

"Gradually as confidence returned we've seen most of those projects now start. Some haven't but the vast majority actually have," Truscott said.

Shares in the firm were up 4.8 percent to 1,191 pence at 0720 GMT.
CEZ to re-start production at Temelin unit 2 by start of October

PRAGUE, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Czech power utility CEZ is aiming to re-start production at the second unit of its Temelin nuclear power plant by the start of October after halting it last week, the company said on Wednesday.

CEZ expects to reconnect the unit to the grid at the turn of September and October, a spokesman said in a statement.

The company took the unit offline a week ago to check the sealing on the turbine's shaft bearing, stopping output just a day after re-launching it following a 95-day fuel exchange outage.
Irrigation turns drought to cash for Cameroon's vegetable farmers

By Elias Ntungwe Ngalame

AKUM, Cameroon, Sept 14 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Farmers in this poverty-mired region of northwest Cameroon used to watch their vegetable patches dry up and die in drought periods, even though nearby rivers and streams offered a steady flow of water.

The problem? Getting the water to the fields was nearly impossible because the area's steep, rocky terrain made carrying it hugely difficult.

But now a channel irrigation system is allowing farmers to access water for their fields, helping them grow vegetables throughout the year and better manage worsening drought associated with climate change.

"We are really grateful to God for providing us the streams through which we are tapping water to grow our crops. Even in the absence of rain we are now sure of food on our tables and income to send our kids to school," said Akwi Rachel, a member of the Akum Vegetable Farmers Group, one organisation benefiting from the irrigation scheme.

The system uses a network of farmer-built canals that rely on gravity to bring stream water to fields in Cameroon's Akum and Santa districts.

The two districts sit in a semi-arid area of the country, but streams from the lush highlands flow through it, making irrigation a good option.

Before, "we could not grow our vegetables and other crops during the prolonged dry periods because of lack of water. We have been suffering even though we are blessed with nearby streams," said Jude Awantung, a farmer in Santa.

But now "we now have good yields even in the prolonged dry periods", she said.

MORE VEGETABLES, MORE INCOME

Farmers built the canals starting in 2013 with financial help from Cameroon's government, backed by a $25 million loan from the African Development Bank.

Some farmers also built small water storage tanks to capture water when plenty is available and save it for very dry periods.

The project is part of an effort to provide climate change adaptation assistance in drought-hit areas, said Benjamin Fobuzo, who is in charge of project execution for government rural development efforts in North West Cameroon.

The irrigation project has raised annual vegetable production in the two districts by about 37,000 tonnes since 2013, and boosted farmer income from an average of about $425 a year in 2013 to about $615 this year, according to Gregory Muluh Ngu, the head of government rural development programmes in the North West region.

"We are happy the irrigation programme is improving agricultural production and incomes," Muluh said.

The building, monitoring and maintenance of the irrigation system - including channels, water catchments and small dams in a few areas - is carried out by farmers.

The systems serve around 139,000 farmers and 84,600 agricultural laborers, who use it to grow vegetables such as tomato, cucumber, lettuce and okra, Muluh said.

With rain-fed agriculture becoming increasingly unreliable, farmers need help to keep up harvests, agricultural experts in the region say.

"Supporting irrigation has become crucial in drought-hit regions in the North West," said Godfrey Nutoto, the regional head of the Ministry of Agriculture in North West Cameroon.

He said that replicating the project in other areas of the country that also suffer from drought could "significantly boost food production in the country".

FEEDING MARKETS

With access to irrigation, farmers in Akum and Santa - many of them women - can produce five vegetable harvests a year, including during the dry season, when demand and prices are highest, Nutoto said. Many of the vegetables end up in markets throughout the country, he said.

More than half of the 1.95 million people in Cameroon's North West region live in poverty, and the region is home to 13 percent of the country's rural poor, according to government statistics.

The irrigation project has helped cut shortages of vegetables, particularly during the dry season, and helped boost the planting success of farmers during that period from less than 10 percent to over 90 percent, Nutoto said.

Growing maize and a range of vegetables is now an all-year-round business for farmers in the area, which means improved incomes and better living conditions, he said.

On average, small-scale farmers in the irrigated area cultivate tiny plots of about 200 square metres.

The irrigation development programme aims not only to help farmers but boost supplies of food in Cameroon's cities during the dry season.

"I now produce enough tomatoes for our local markets and to supply to bigger markets in Douala and Yaounde even in the dry season," said Awangtung, a farmer in Santa.

Pressure on food resources in Cameroon is climbing, especially in the drought-stricken Northern and East regions.

A July UNICEF report said Cameroon also faces food shortages in its northern regions because of an influx of refugees fleeing conflict with Islamist group Boko Haram.

More than 65,000 refugees from Nigeria and about 260,000 from the Central African Republic are now living in Cameroon's resource-short East and Adamawa regions, the report said.

This year, about 61,000 children under 5 in Cameroon are expected to suffer from life-threatening malnutrition as a result of this ongoing crisis, the report said.
ChemChina seals combination of Israel's Adama with Sanonda

By Twinnie Siu and Steven Scheer

HONG KONG/JERUSALEM, Sept 14 (Reuters) - ChemChina is selling Israeli crop protection company Adama Agricultural Solutions to a firm it controls for $2.8 billion, paving the way for completing a previously announced combination of the two businesses and listing it on the stock market.

China National Chemical Corp (ChemChina), as the state-owned firm is officially called, is selling Adama to Hubei Sanonda Co Ltd for about 18.6 billion yuan ($2.8 billion), Sanonda said.

Israel's Discount Investment Corp agreed to sell a 40 percent stake in Adama to ChemChina in July for $1.4 billion including debt, paving the way for the two businesses to combine. ChemChina already owned 60 percent of Adama before the July deal.

The deal, expected to be fully complete in the first half of 2017 and still subject to various approvals, values Adama at $5 billion including $1 billion in debt.

It comes as China, the world's largest agricultural consumer, is looking to secure food supply for its population.

The reverse merger allows Adama, which is 10 times Sandona's size, to be listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and gain a foothold in China, where foreign firm can have a difficult time.

Global companies have less than a 25 percent share of China's $5 billion agrochemical market, with Adama's share about 4 percent, Adama Chief Executive Chen Lichtenstein said.

"This is our opportunity in the Chinese market," he told Reuters. "Over time, we should grow organically to more in the line of a double-digit market share five, six years out."

That compares with 7 percent in Europe, 5 percent in Latin America and 4 percent in North America.

"We feel we can grow in China faster than growth in the rest of the world," Lichtenstein said, noting all regions were growing.

CONSOLIDATION

Although Adama is a generics firm its success largely stems from taking more than one off-patent ingredient and mixing two, three or four together and selling the mixture to farmers.

Agrochemicals companies have been consolidating, partly due to falling commodities prices hitting farm incomes.

ChemChina itself is finalising a $43 billion takeover of Syngenta AG, extending by almost two months a deadline for investors in the Swiss pesticides and seeds group to tender their shares.

Sanonda, based in China's central Hubei province, is issuing 1.82 billion new shares to ChemChina at a price of 10.20 yuan each to pay for Adama.

Sanonda also said it plans to raise up to 2.5 billion yuan in a private placement of 245.1 million shares at the same price to help fund Adama's production and expansion projects.

ChemChina was already the biggest shareholder of Sanonda with a 31 percent stake through subsidiary China National Agrochemical Corporation (CNAC) and will own 75 percent after the two share sales, Sanonda said.

Guotai Junan Securities acted as financial adviser to Sanonda.

"The listed company aims to boost synergy and enhance overall profitability through a merger with Adama," Sanonda said in the filing.

Shares of Sanonda, which trades on the Shenzhen stock exchange, have been halted since August 2015, when Adama and Sanonda first unveiled plans for a potential combination.

Lichtenstein said Adama was building formulation and packaging and research and development facilities in China with the aim of selling within China and the rest of the world.
'New turning point' for ties, China tells Philippines visitors

BEIJING, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Relations between China and the Philippines are at a turning point, a top Chinese diplomat has told a visiting Philippine delegation, adding that China hopes the Philippines can handle disputes "appropriately" and get relations back on track.

The remarks by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin come as two countries at odds over sovereignty in the South China Sea try to sound each other out, and set parameters for dialogue on an issue in which both have vowed not to give way.

The mid-level visit was the latest part of some carefully calibrated engagement after a July ruling by an arbitration panel in The Hague that overwhelmingly favoured the Philippines in its dispute with China over the South China Sea, invalidating China's claim to most of the waters.

China has declined to recognise the ruling while Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly said he wants peace with China, but will not make concessions on any part of the tribunal's conclusion.

Liu said their bilateral relations had "sunk to a low edge for reasons everyone knows", China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued late on Tuesday.

"At present, China-Philippine relations are at a new turning point," it quoted Liu saying, adding that China hoped the Philippines "can meet China halfway, appropriately handle disputes and push relations back onto the track of dialogue, consultation and friendly cooperation".

China's bid to improve relations with the Philippines comes amid uncertainty, and acrimony, over the normally tight relations between the Philippines and its main ally, the United States, as Duterte shows little sign of dialling down rhetoric fiercely critical of Washington.

That tension, following U.S. concern about a bloody Philippine campaign against drugs, has created some speculation that Duterte's resentment about what he sees as colonial-era American interference, plus the prospect of luring big-ticket Chinese investment, could nudge Manila closer to Beijing.

Duterte has, however, insisted he wants solid ties with both powers, and subservience to no country.

'NO ILLUSIONS'

U.S. President Barack Obama cancelled a meeting with Duterte at an Asian leaders' summit in Laos last week after a televised outburst by the Philippine leader.

Though that has caused jitters in Washington, Duterte's softer tone towards China was not a cause for concern, according to some U.S. officials.

Speaking in Laos, White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes suggested Philippine engagement with China suited the United States and would be seen as "a constructive development" if it resulted in peaceful problem-solving and followed international law.

China's influential Global Times tabloid noted last week that despite the acrimony between Obama and Duterte, China should "not hold too many illusions" about U.S.-Philippine relations.

Referring to Duterte, the newspaper said that long term, it "will not necessarily be easy to deal with the Philippines under his rule".

The 16-member Philippine delegation in China is comprised mostly of retired diplomats and is led by Rafael Alunan, a trusted associate of former President Fidel Ramos.
Thailand suspends rice auctions to limit supply before November harvest

BANGKOK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Thailand will temporarily stop holding state rice auctions to avoid oversupplying the market ahead of the annual crop harvest in November, the country's rice committee said on Wednesday.

Thailand is the world's second-biggest rice exporter after India and has stocks of about 8.4 million tonnes left over from a rice-buying scheme under the previous government that paid farmers well above market rates for their rice.

The current military government in Thailand has been trying to sell off stockpiles from the scheme through several state auctions since it took power in 2014.

Drought in rice producing countries, including Thailand, has cut supply to global markets and given the Thai government an opportunity to accelerate sales this year.

But Thailand plans to hold off state auctions to avoid oversupplying the market, said Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who also serves as head of the rice management committee.

"Rice sales will have to be suspended for now. We have to wait for a new harvest to arrive in November and see what's next," Prayuth told reporters after a rice committee meeting on Wednesday.

He did not say when auctions would resume.

Thailand expects to harvest 23.55 million tonnes of rice between October to December this year, said Wiboonrak Ruamrak, chief of the commerce ministry's department of internal trade.

The government wants the state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) and rice millers to buy some 10 million tonnes at market prices out of the 23.55 million tonnes, said Wiboonrak, in order to take it off the market for three to four to months.

The state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) will store 2 million tonnes while the government will help pay rice millers to store the remaining 8 million tonnes, she said.

Thailand's junta has sold more than 5 million tonnes of rice in a series of auctions since taking power in May 2014.

It plans to clear the stockpiles by the end of 2017.

Thailand has exported 6.57 million tonnes of rice so far in 2016, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday. It aims to export a total of 9.5 million tonnes of rice this year.
Clash with Boko Haram in Niger kills five soldiers, 30 militants

NIAMEY, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Thirty members of Boko Haram and five Nigerien soldiers have been killed in fighting in the southeastern Diffa region of Niger, the defense ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday.

The clash took place Monday near the village of Toumour, near Lake Chad and the Nigerian border, an area that has plagued by violence from the Islamist militant group and is under an extended state of emergency.

Boko Haram took the nearby town of Bosso in early June, in an attack that killed 32 soldiers and was the deadliest Boko Haram assault in Niger since April 2015. Since then, Chad has sent troops to help Niger wage a counterattack.

Fighting began on Monday morning when the army fell into an ambush, the statement said, adding that six soldiers were also injured and two militants were captured.

"The Boko Haram fighters were trying to prevent people from praying to mark the feast of sacrifice," said Laouan Boukar, a resident of Toumour, referring to the important Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha that was on Monday.

Boko Haram has been trying to establish an Islamic state adhering to strict Sharia law in northeastern Nigeria since 2009. About 2.1 million people have been displaced and thousands have been killed during the insurgency.
Greece says to stand up to IMF on demands for labour reform

By Renee Maltezou

ATHENS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Greece will tell its creditors it cannot comply with labour reforms demanded by the International Monetary Fund as a condition of its support for the country's third bailout, its labour minister told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday.

Greece's leftist government considers the IMF's demand as a ban on the right of workers to negotiate wages and conditions on a collective basis. A breakdown with the IMF on the issue could jeopardise its financing of the 86 billion euro ($96 billion) bailout and could undermine overall confidence in the deal.

Labour Minister George Katrougalos, speaking a few hours before talks with the heads of an EU-IMF mission over Greece's bailout progress, said Athens would fight to preserve collective bargaining and described the IMF as "an extreme player".

"We want to reinstate collective bargaining because it's the core of the European social model," Katrougalos said. Under previous bailouts, collective bargaining was weakened.

Both the EU and IMF say an inflexible labour force has helped to make Greece uncompetitive, contributing to its economic malaise, but sources close to the lenders say the IMF is especially opposed to any attempt by Athens to restore the old collective bargaining system.

Other issues that lenders have put on the negotiating table include relaxing laws on mass dismissals and allowing employers to shut down their businesses and lockout workers in the event of industrial action, he said.
Spanish police seize 15 tonnes of hashish off boat in Mediterranean

MADRID, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Spanish police seized nearly 15 tonnes of hashish from a boat off the southern coast in the largest drugs haul in the Mediterranean this year, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

Two people on board, from the Netherlands and Bulgaria, were arrested in the operation which began on Saturday night and culminated early on Sunday, the ministry said in a statement.

The seizure formed part of a pan-European initiative, Indalo, which responsible for monitoring illegal immigration flows and criminal activity along the Mediterranean coast from North Africa.

In August, Spanish and Italian police seized over three tonnes of hashish worth $2 million from a boat off the Italian coast and arrested 19 Polish members of an international drug smuggling ring.
UK regulator bans former Barclays executive over misconduct

LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - A former Barclays executive has been banned from holding senior positions in the UK financial services industry for misconduct, the Financial Services Authority (FCA) said on Wednesday.

Andrew Tinney, the former chief operating officer of Barclays' wealth and investment management division who left the bank in 2013, is contesting the FCA decision and has referred it to the Upper Tribunal, a body that hears challenges to FCA notices, for review.

The Barclays unit hit the headlines last November when the FCA fined the bank 72 million pounds ($95 million) for cutting corners when vetting wealthy clients, identified as Qatari by sources, to win a 1.9 billion pound "elephant" deal in 2011 and 2012.
Hong Kong regulator fines HSBC for regulatory breaches

HONG KONG, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's securities regulator said on Wednesday it fined and reprimanded HSBC for regulatory breaches and internal control failings related to its position in the futures and options contract market.

HSBC was fined HK$2.5 million ($322,294) for failing to put in place adequate internal controls to monitor its positions in Hong Kong Futures Exchange's futures and options contracts to ensure compliance with the prescribed limit, the regulator said.

The breaches happened from May 26 to Aug 1 in 2014, said the Securities and Futures Commission in an e-mailed statement.

The SFC probe found there was a "lack of adequate knowledge within HSBC" regarding the bank's position limits and its state of compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements, the statement said.

It, however, added HSBC had since taken steps to improve its internal controls on monitoring of position limits and cooperated with the Hong Kong regulator in resolving its concerns.

"HSBC apologises for the breaches identified and reported to the Securities and Futures Commission in 2014," the bank said in a statement.

"The Bank has cooperated fully with the SFC throughout this investigation and has taken actions to improve our internal controls regarding our compliance with the prescribed position limits in Hong Kong. No clients were impacted by these breaches," it said.

SFC has been aggressively clamping down on operational and control failures in banks' trading businesses over the past year.
Aid for Syria waits on Turkish border as warring sides bicker

By Osman Orsal and John Davison

CILVEGOZU, Turkey/BEIRUT, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Two convoys of aid for the Syrian city of Aleppo were waiting in no-man's land on Wednesday after crossing the Turkish border, held up by security fears and disagreements between combatants on the third day of a ceasefire.

The convoys, each of around 20 trucks carrying mostly food and flour, set off from the Turkish border town of Cilvegozu, 40 km (25 miles) west of Aleppo, on Tuesday but made it little further than the Turkish customs post on the Syrian border.

The delay was a sign of the difficulties facing the ceasefire, brokered by the United States and Russia on Friday with the aim of reviving talks on ending Syria's civil war.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war through contacts on the ground, said it had recorded no deaths during the first 48 hours of the ceasefire, which came into effect on Monday night, although six civilians had died in Syrian strikes on hardline Islamists excluded from the truce.

On Wednesday evening, the U.S. State Department said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov had agreed it was holding and to extend it by 48 hours, part of a step-by-step process envisaged by the deal.

Russia said it was preparing for the Syrian army and rebel fighters to begin a staged withdrawal from an Aleppo road expected to be used for aid deliveries on Thursday.

Zakaria Malahifji, of the Aleppo-based rebel group Fastaqim, told Reuters that rebel groups intend to comply with the plan to withdraw 500 metres from the Castello Road in order to make it a neutral space, but the government must also pull back.

The aid is badly needed. The United Nations estimates that well over half a million people are living under siege in Syria, whose five-year conflict has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than 11 million.

"LAST CHANCE"

On Wednesday, both Moscow and Washington spoke positively about the deal, with the Kremlin saying it raised hopes for a peaceful solution to the crisis and Kerry arguing it was a "last chance" to keep Syria together.

However, a prominent opposition politician, George Sabra, said the many violations which marked a previous truce had undermined confidence in this one and it was too early to talk about a resumption of peace talks that were abandoned in April.

Speaking to Reuters, he lamented a lack of mechanisms to enforce the ceasefire and accused the government and its allies of committing minor violations "to impede the other goals of the truce, such as delivering necessary aid to besieged areas".

The Syrian army has meanwhile accused rebels of numerous violations since the ceasefire took effect.

The Russian military, in comments carried by Interfax, said there had been 60 such violations, adding that most were the work of Ahrar al-Sham, a hardline Islamist rebel group which Moscow says has not accepted the ceasefire.

The international community's first goal is to get aid to Aleppo, the scene of Syria's fiercest fighting in recent months and divided into sectors held by the government and insurgents.

Aided by Russian air power and Shi'ite militias, the Syrian army this month renewed its siege on rebel-held eastern Aleppo, home to at least 250,000 people. Capturing the opposition-held area of Syria's biggest city would be a major boost for President Bashar al-Assad's war effort.

"READY TO GO"

"Things are taking longer than we'd hoped," David Swanson, spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told Reuters. He said 20 U.N. trucks were waiting at the border "ready to go".

Disagreements between the warring sides were blocking aid getting into opposition-held eastern Aleppo, Swanson added. "Some groups are looking to gain political mileage out of this, and this is something we need to put aside," he said.

A second U.N. official said that deliveries to Aleppo had to cross numerous checkpoints operated by both opposition and government forces, and it was still unclear whether the aid could get through safely.

But the opposition's Sabra blamed Damascus, saying the government's insistence on controlling aid was obstructing its delivery to Aleppo under the agreement.

The Syrian government has said it will reject any aid deliveries to the city not coordinated through itself and the United Nations, particularly from Turkey, which has backed the rebels fighting Assad.

The United Nations says it must get permission for most of its aid deliveries from Damascus. The United Nations has repeatedly criticised the Syrian government for restricting access, especially to besieged areas, and for removing vital items from convoys.

As a result, most supplies to opposition-held areas are delivered across rebel controlled border points, sidestepping government approval.

That allows them to bring in supplies despite the political constraints, but exposes them to greater danger and still does not address the suffering of those in inaccessible, heavily besieged areas which the United Nations aims to reach through the truce.

"I have been urging the Russian government to make sure that they exercise influence on the Syrian government and also the American side to make sure that Syrian armed groups they also fully cooperate," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

The ceasefire has drastically reduced fighting across the country between Syrian government forces and insurgents. But a similar truce in February gradually broke down and violence escalated sharply, particularly around Aleppo.

The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said on Tuesday the United Nations was still waiting for Damascus to issue letters authorising aid deliveries. A Turkish official said no further trucks were expected to cross the border on Wednesday until the situation became clearer.
France presses for Brexit talks before end 2016

PARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The French government on Wednesday exerted new pressure on Britain to resume negotiations over its exit from the European Union, two days ahead of a summit in Bratislava to discuss the EU's future after the Brexit vote.

"On Brexit, France wants talks to begin between now and the end of the year, or early next year," government spokesman Stephane Le Foll told a news briefing.

A British cabinet minister on Tuesday said the government would not trigger article 50, the formal step that will kick off negotiations on the terms of its exit from the EU, before its dedicated ministry was at full strength.
Philippine rehab centre drawing a future for drug addicts

MANILA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - A group in Manila are using art therapy to help addicts overcome drug addictions and show Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte that bloody retribution is not the only solution to drugs.

The Centre for Christian Recovery, a religious organisation which manages a small private rehabilitation facility west of Manila, has incorporated drawing into its daily sessions as a way for addicts to express their feelings.

"These drug dependents are not used to saying what they feel," said Davis Dakis, the programme director.

"They do not know how to express their emotions. So now, through art, they can express whatever they feel."

The art sessions at the centre, which caters for 40 addicts, comes amid a bloody campaign against drugs since Duterte took office in June.

More than 2,500 people have been killed in the war on drugs, with about 900 deaths a result of police operations, police say.

Owie, a drug user undergoing rehabilitation, said he was afraid of going back on the streets despite his attempts at reformation.

"I hope our president will take a different action. I don't want it to be like this. It's as if he wants to just kill all of us addicts," he said.
Austrian government split on opposition to EU-Canada trade deal

VIENNA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern's opposition to a free trade agreement between the European Union and Canada was countered by fervent praise for the deal from his deputy at a special parliamentary session on the issue on Wednesday.

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada, negotiations for which have finished, is seen as a litmus test for an EU-U.S. trade deal, known as TTIP, which is in limbo after three years of talks have yielded no accord.

The split in Austria's social democrat-conservative government mirrors Europe-wide debates about transatlantic free trade deals in which anti-globalisation groups see standards at risk while supporters hope for more jobs and export revenues.

Kern this month said CETA contained many of the same problems as TTIP.

Social Democrat Kern, leading a centrist coalition government in Austria where public opposition to both CETA and TTIP is widespread, reiterated his concerns that the deal would allow companies to sue governments, increase privatisation and lower labour and environmental standards.

Earlier this month Kern said the best way to remove these concerns would be renegotiations, which he has admitted would be difficult. He has vowed to bring as much power into the hands of national parliaments as possible.

But conservative vice Chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner told the parliamentary session that export-dependent Austria should vote in favour of the Canada accord.

He said the Canadian government had offered to draw up a 'Joint Declaration' to eliminate Austria's concerns.

"But it was also said - and I understand Canada in this respect ... - that there is a red line and the red line is to renegotiate," Mitterlehner said.

The European Commission hopes that the governments of the EU states can approve the trade deal before a planned EU-Canada summit at the end of October. The European Parliament would also need to vote to allow it to enter force provisionally next year.

But national, and some regional, parliaments would still need to ratify it.
Here is the latest jail booking report from Hamilton County:

AULTMAN, DONALD SARRELL

537 STAFFORD AVE NW CLEVELAND, 37312

Age at Arrest: 85 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

---

AUTRY, BRODERICK GAITHER

2512 OCOEE STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37406

Age at Arrest: 40 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

CONTEMPT OF COURT

CONTEMPT OF COURT

---

BARBEE, DAVID LEE

9823 BIRCHWOOD PIKE HARRISON, 37341

Age at Arrest: 31 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

---

BELL, GREGORY LEBRON

710 MOORE STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 53 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

---

BLACK, ROBERT ELVIN

1103 GREENSLAKE ROAD EASTRIDGE, 37412

Age at Arrest: 25 years old

Arresting Agency: East Ridge

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

---

BONDS, SHADARA NICOLE

713 DODSON AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37404

Age at Arrest: 27 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION

---

BRELLIS, ANDREW J

216 N SAINT MARKS CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

---

BROOME, CHRISTIAN DANIELLE

311 KELLYS FERRY RD CHATTANOOGA, 37419

Age at Arrest: 31 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

FUGITIVE FROM WALKER COUNTY, GEORGIA

---

BROWN, ABRAHAM WALTER

816 ROANOKE AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37405

Age at Arrest: 43 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC ASSAULT)

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DUI)

---

BROWN, CARROL MONROE

5200 USHER DR CHATTANOOGA, 37406

Age at Arrest: 40 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

HARASSMENT (DOMESTIC)

---

CRAWFORD, BARNABAS UNIQUE

2901 CURTIS STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37406

Age at Arrest: 45 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

CONTEMPT OF COURT ( NON SUPPORT )

---

DAVIS, JEREMY SCOTT

517 MOUNTAIN RIDGE RD RED BANK, 37405

Age at Arrest: 38 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

LIGHT LAW VIOLATION

---

DUNNIGAN, LYNDELL DECARR

26 W 21ST STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37408

Age at Arrest: 19 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

ASSAULT

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

---

ELLIOTT, BOBBY WAYNE

3180 S LEE HWY CHATTANOOGA, 37343

Age at Arrest: 32 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

---

FAIRCHILD, GRAHAM

26 MABRY PL CHATTANOOGA, 37415

Age at Arrest: 18 years old

Arresting Agency:

THEFT OVER 1000

---

GLASCO, CODY MICHAEL

2264 CASTLEGATE DR N APT 735 CASTLEROCK,

Age at Arrest: 25 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

VANDALISM UNDER $500

---

HAUGE, SARA JEAN

107 SAWYER ST APT #2 CHATTANOOGA, 37405

Age at Arrest: 29 years old

Arresting Agency: Collegedale

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

---

HOLMES, TERRANCE LAMAR

501 CUMBERLAND STREET HARRIMAN, 37748

Age at Arrest: 33 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

CONTEMPT OF COURT

---

HUDSON, BILLY SHANE

LLWATER ROAD CHATTANOOGA, 37415

Age at Arrest: 43 years old

Arresting Agency: Red Bank

THEFT OF PROPERTY

---

HUGHLEY, CRYSTAL FINECE

4816 TOMAHAWK TRAIL CHATTANOOGA, 37410

Age at Arrest: 32 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

ASSAULT

---

IGOU, MASON MICHAEL

4005 CLIO AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 36 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

---

JONES, JAMES DEWAYNE

2803 MORGAN AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 48 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSS OF COCAINE FOR RESALE

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (ATTEMPT RESALE OF COCAINE)

---

JORDAN, MELISSA ANN

727 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA,

Age at Arrest: 47 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (FORGERY)

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT OF PROPERTY)

---

MCCABE, DANIEL SPIKE

302 CRISMAN ST APT A CHATTANOOGA, 37415

Age at Arrest: 38 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENC

---

MCNABB, JARED ALLEN

4110 MASSENGALE LANE CHATTANOOGA, 37419

Age at Arrest: 34 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

DRIVING ON REVOKED LICENSE

---

MOFFETT, ANTHONY WAYNE

2841 NEW JERSEY AV CHATTANOOGA, 37406

Age at Arrest: 54 years old

Arresting Agency:

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

---

MOORE, JEFFERY LEE

214 JOHNSON LANE TULLAHOMA, 37388

Age at Arrest: 50 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

EVADING ARREST (FELONY)

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE

OPEN CONTAINER LAW

SEAT BELT LAW VIOLATION

---

MOORE, NANETTE

1664 GREENDALE WAY CHATTANOOGA, 37416

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

FAILURE TO APPEAR

---

NEFF, ASHLEY MARIE

730 GERMANTOWN CIRCLE APT.

312 EAST RIDGE, 37412Age at Arrest: 25 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCETHEFT OVER 1000---ORR, CALVIN TERREL1011 N. ORCHARD KNOB AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 35 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaCRIMINAL TRESPASSING---PEAKS, WILLIAM H5604 OLD MISSION CHATTANOOGA, 37411Age at Arrest: 50 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaDOMESTIC ASSAULT---PERKINS, ILAN CORDON963 BEASON DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37405Age at Arrest: 29 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyREGISTRATION, IMPROPER DISPLAY OF PLATESPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEFAILURE TO APPEAR---PERVEZ, SHAROON SHAFQAT7301 E BRAINERD RD APT F6 CHATTANOOGA, 374213825Age at Arrest: 24 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyVIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHE---POSTON, JOSHUA CHARLES251 MULLINS RD. TEN MILE, 37880Age at Arrest: 30 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaTHEFT OF PROPERTYTHEFT OF PROPERTY (UNDER $500)---REEVES, MARTIN ALLAN1535 DODDS AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 52 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaCRIMINAL IMPERSONATION---RICHARDS, JAQUELINE INA727 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37402Age at Arrest: 48 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaPUBLIC INTOXICATION---ROBERSON, DEIDRIC ALAN707 WOODVALE AVENUE CHATTANOOGA, 37411Age at Arrest: 36 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyVIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA)VIOLATION OF PROBATION (ATTEMPT POSS. OF COCAINE F---ROBERTSON, ROY CHARLES2920 REYNARD TRAIL SIGNAL MOUNTIAN, 37377Age at Arrest: 34 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaVIOLATION OF PROBATION (RESISTING ARREST)---SEHON, JOSEPH CODY8615 SMOKERISE LANE CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 23 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA---SHOUSE, TONYA LYNN257 OAK HILL EST RD DAYTON, 37321Age at Arrest: 29 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)---SMITH, WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER5420 TOWNHILLS LANE HIXSON, 37343Age at Arrest: 28 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaVIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHE---SNEED, ARTHUR FRED130 MICHAEL MINTON LANE DAYTON, 37321Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)---STOKES, KIRSTEN HARLEY3805 MEMPHIS DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37343Age at Arrest: 22 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaAGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOM)---STONE, BRIAN ALEX727 E 11 TH STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37402Age at Arrest: 45 years oldArresting Agency: UTCPUBLIC INTOXICATION---STOREY, KENDALL DAUNTAE1900 WHEELER AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37404Age at Arrest: 20 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaDOMESTIC ASSAULT---SWANSON, HEATH1950 COYOTE TRAIL OOLTEWAH, 37363Age at Arrest: 41 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEFAILURE TO APPEARDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEREGISTRATION, EXPIRED---VAUGHN, TYTIAUNA L6307 JOCELYN DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37416Age at Arrest: 19 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaTHEFT OF PROPERTYDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE---WALKER, RONNIE DEAN549 HAGGARD ROAD RINGGOLD, 30736Age at Arrest: 41 years oldArresting Agency: HAMILTON COUNTYPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE---WALLACE, SERENA G1421 CLOVERDALE CIRCLE APT 412 HIXSON, 37343Age at Arrest: 54 years oldArresting Agency: Red BankPUBLIC INTOXICATION---WEAVER, DEMARIO DELON700 ATLANTA AVE APT 602 DECATUR, 30030Age at Arrest: 24 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)---WEBB, BILLY HAROLD1 E 11TH ST APT 503 CHATTANOOGA, 37402Age at Arrest: 25 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyAGGRAVATED CRIMINAL TRESSPASSDOMESTIC ASSAULT---WHITE, ERIC LEBRON220 CARVER ST APT 25 CHATTANOOGA, 37415Age at Arrest: 41 years oldArresting Agency: Red BankFAILURE TO APPEAR---WILEY, ROBIN ANGELA8174 STATE ROUTE DUNLAP, 37341Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaVIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED S---WILSON, REBECCA LYNN17 PHILLIPS DRIVE FORT OGLETHORPE, 30742Age at Arrest: 27 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyDOMESTIC ASSAULTVANDALISM---WOMACK, CHRISTOPHER JAMES428 W 14TH ST CHICKAMAUGA, 307071610Age at Arrest: 42 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyVIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT OF PROPERTY)VIOLATION OF PROBATION (AGGRAVATED BURGLARY (OCCUP---WRIGHT, KATRYNA RASHAWN110 ROGER ROAD SCOTTBURG, 35768Age at Arrest: 40 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyVIOLATION OF PROBATION (FAILURE TO APPEAR)VIOLATION OF PROBATION (ASSAULT)FAILURE TO APPEAR---YOUNG, KAREM JAMAL332 WATER ST CHATTANOOGA, 37411Age at Arrest: 27 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaFAILURE TO APPEAR

Here are the mug shots:

AUTRY, BRODERICK GAITHER

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 09/22/1975

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

CONTEMPT OF COURT

CONTEMPT OF COURT BARBEE, DAVID LEE

Age at Arrest: 31

Date of Birth: 01/13/1985

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

BELL, GREGORY LEBRON

Age at Arrest: 53

Date of Birth: 07/11/1963

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

BONDS, SHADARA NICOLE

Age at Arrest: 27

Date of Birth: 08/15/1989

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION BROOME, CHRISTIAN DANIELLE

Age at Arrest: 31

Date of Birth: 05/23/1985

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE FROM WALKER COUNTY, GEORGIA BROWN, ABRAHAM WALTER

Age at Arrest: 43

Date of Birth: 03/10/1973

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC ASSAULT)

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DUI) BROWN, CARROL MONROE

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 04/12/1976

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

HARASSMENT (DOMESTIC) CRAWFORD, BARNABAS UNIQUE

Age at Arrest: 45

Date of Birth: 12/08/1970

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

CONTEMPT OF COURT ( NON SUPPORT ) DAVIS, JEREMY SCOTT

Age at Arrest: 38

Date of Birth: 05/29/1978

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

LIGHT LAW VIOLATION DUNNIGAN, LYNDELL DECARR

Age at Arrest: 19

Date of Birth: 12/13/1996

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

ASSAULT

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

ELLIOTT, BOBBY WAYNE

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 01/16/1984

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

FAIRCHILD, GRAHAM

Age at Arrest: 18

Date of Birth: 01/19/1998

Arresting Agency:



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

THEFT OVER 1000 GLASCO, CODY MICHAEL

Age at Arrest: 25

Date of Birth: 04/26/1991

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

VANDALISM UNDER $500 HAUGE, SARA JEAN

Age at Arrest: 29

Date of Birth: 10/21/1986

Arresting Agency: Collegedale



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

HOLMES, TERRANCE LAMAR

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 08/12/1983

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

CONTEMPT OF COURT HUGHLEY, CRYSTAL FINECE

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 08/12/1984

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

ASSAULT IGOU, MASON MICHAEL

Age at Arrest: 36

Date of Birth: 12/17/1979

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

DOMESTIC ASSAULT JONES, JAMES DEWAYNE

Age at Arrest: 48

Date of Birth: 12/11/1967

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSS OF COCAINE FOR RESALE

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (ATTEMPT RESALE OF COCAINE) MCCABE, DANIEL SPIKE

Age at Arrest: 38

Date of Birth: 01/12/1978

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENC MCNABB, JARED ALLEN

Age at Arrest: 34

Date of Birth: 01/21/1982

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED LICENSE

MOFFETT, ANTHONY WAYNE

Age at Arrest: 54

Date of Birth: 01/07/1962

Arresting Agency:



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

MOORE, JEFFERY LEE

Age at Arrest: 50

Date of Birth: 08/30/1966

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

EVADING ARREST (FELONY)

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE

OPEN CONTAINER LAW

SEAT BELT LAW VIOLATION NEFF, ASHLEY MARIE

Age at Arrest: 25

Date of Birth: 07/12/1991

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

THEFT OVER 1000 PEAKS, WILLIAM H

Age at Arrest: 50

Date of Birth: 08/03/1966

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT PERKINS, ILAN CORDON

Age at Arrest: 29

Date of Birth: 10/30/1986

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

REGISTRATION, IMPROPER DISPLAY OF PLATES

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

FAILURE TO APPEAR POSTON, JOSHUA CHARLES

Age at Arrest: 30

Date of Birth: 05/23/1986

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY

THEFT OF PROPERTY (UNDER $500) REEVES, MARTIN ALLAN

Age at Arrest: 52

Date of Birth: 01/28/1964

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION ROBERSON, DEIDRIC ALAN

Age at Arrest: 36

Date of Birth: 01/28/1980

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA)

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (ATTEMPT POSS. OF COCAINE F ROBERTSON, ROY CHARLES

Age at Arrest: 34

Date of Birth: 12/23/1981

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (RESISTING ARREST) SEHON, JOSEPH CODY

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 06/01/1993

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

SMITH, WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER

Age at Arrest: 28

Date of Birth: 04/09/1988

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHE SNEED, ARTHUR FRED

Age at Arrest: 39

Date of Birth: 01/09/1977

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

STOKES, KIRSTEN HARLEY

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 12/14/1993

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOM) STOREY, KENDALL DAUNTAE

Age at Arrest: 20

Date of Birth: 05/26/1996

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT SWANSON, HEATH

Age at Arrest: 41

Date of Birth: 10/03/1974

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

FAILURE TO APPEAR

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

REGISTRATION, EXPIRED VAUGHN, TYTIAUNA L

Age at Arrest: 19

Date of Birth: 04/03/1997

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE WALKER, RONNIE DEAN

Age at Arrest: 41

Date of Birth: 05/31/1975

Arresting Agency: HAMILTON COUNTY



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WEAVER, DEMARIO DELON

Age at Arrest: 24

Date of Birth: 11/19/1989

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

WHITE, ERIC LEBRON

Age at Arrest: 41

Date of Birth: 09/20/1974

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

FAILURE TO APPEAR WILEY, ROBIN ANGELA

Age at Arrest: 39

Date of Birth: 01/28/1977

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 09/13/2016

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED S
Cyprus leaders say committed to a peace deal this year

NICOSIA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - A United Nations envoy on Wednesday said "significant progress" had been made in peace talks to end Cyprus's long-running division, with the sides committed to a deal this year.

Tensions over the eastern Mediterranean island, split since a brief Athens-inspired coup in 1974 triggered a Turkish invasion, have at times brought NATO members Greece and Turkey to the brink of war.

Espen Barth Eide, the United Nations special representative to the Cyprus conflict, read a joint statement on behalf of Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades after talks aimed at reuniting the island.

"Cognizant of the remaining challenges, the two leaders are committed to continuing and intensifying their efforts ...in the coming months with the aim of reaching a comprehensive settlement within 2016," he said.

Differences on some issues still persisted, he said.

As well as a source of recurring tension between Athens and Ankara, the dispute is an impediment to Turkish aspirations of joining the European Union. It could also hamper development of large gas fields discovered in the eastern Mediterranean.

Eide said the two would meet UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Sept. 25 for further consultations.

Cyprus won independence from Britain in 1960, but power sharing between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot populations soon crumbled amid communal violence. The Athens-inspired Greek-Cypriot coup in 1974, aimed at union with Greece, triggered a Turkish invasion that has split the island into geograpically separated Greek and Turkish territories.

One of the chief difficulties of negotiations has been settlement of property questions resulting from the movement of Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations in the 1974 war.
French police arrest another teenager suspected of plotting attack

PARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - French police on Wednesday arrested a 15-year old suspected of planning an attack and using encrypted social media channels to communicate with a French Islamist militant believed to be in Syria or Iraq, sources said.

In an operation led by France's domestic intelligence agency, police swooped on the teenager in Paris' eastern 20th arrondissement.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve confirmed the operation. "We're working with extreme intensity to identify those we think are likely to carry out an attack," he told reporters, adding that Islamic State was recruiting "younger and younger individuals".

It is the second time a 15-year-old minor suspected of plotting to kill in the name of Islamic State has been arrested in five days. A source inside the prosecutor's office said both youngsters had used Telegram to communicate with Rachid Kassim, an Islamic State jihadist of French nationality.

Their arrests follow the detention of three women, including a 19-year-old, who had allegedly wanted to attack a Paris railway station using a car laden with gas cylinders.

France is reeling from a wave of militant attacks on its territory that have killed more than 230 people since January, 2015, and its intelligence services are struggling to dismantle a web of militant networks inside the country.

The attacks have varied in style and profile of killer: In November last year, a squad of suicide bombers and gunmen killed 130 people in a sophisticated and coordinated attack on multiple sites in Paris; In July, a Tunisian delivery man killed 86 people when he drove his truck through a crowd on Nice's seafront; and two militants knifed to death an elderly priest at his altar in a church in northern France.

"What sets France apart (from other European nations) is the wide-open profile of recruit: urban or rural, Muslim or convert, man or woman," said Arnaud Danjean, a European Parliament lawmaker who specialises in defense and security.
Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical on hunt for overseas deals

By Ben Hirschler

LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Takeda Pharmaceutical, Japan's largest drugmaker, is scouting for potential multibillion-dollar acquisitions in the United States and other overseas markets as it seeks to reduce its dependence on domestic sales, which are proving sluggish.

Chief Executive Christophe Weber told Reuters on Wednesday that he is now more open to deals after refocusing the company on three key therapeutic areas and launching an overhaul of its research activities.

"We are much more organised and ready to do something now than one year ago," he said in a telephone interview. "We are very active and we are looking at opportunities."

Weber, a French national who took over as the company's first foreign boss last year, is on a mission to make Takeda a truly global pharmaceuticals business, arguing that this requires greater investment and expansion outside Japan.

At the end of July he set out plans for a 75 billion-yen ($725 million) reorganisation of research and development by concentrating R&D efforts in the United States and Japan.

That revamp is part of a broader streamlining process designed to make the company a force to be reckoned with in its core therapy areas of cancer, gastrointestinal (GI) and central nervous system (CNS) medicine, plus vaccines.

Cancer treatment is a target for many large drugmakers, with high prices being paid for promising assets, such as Medivation , which was sold last month for $14 billion after Pfizer trumped an initial bid from Sanofi with a 55 percent higher offer.

"There is less competition in GI and CNS, but there is also less innovation. The oncology field is moving at a very fast pace," Weber said.

He said he would be happy to see Takeda's ratio of net debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rise to 2, or slightly more, but he declined to confirm a report in the Financial Times that the company had set aside $10 billion to $15 billion for acquisitions.

Takeda's current net debt to EBITDA ratio is less than 1.

"We want to remain investment grade," Weber said. "Investment grade could mean two times EBITDA, perhaps a little bit higher in the short term."

PIPELINE BUILDING

Takeda's last major deal was in 2011 when it paid nearly $14 billion for Swiss drug company Nycomed, which greatly expanded its presence in emerging markets.

Now, however, the focus of Weber and his new research head Andy Plump is on building up the pipeline of novel medicines so Takeda has market-leading new treatments to replace older ones facing patent expiry.

The company's top-selling blood cancer drug Velcade faces generic competition in 2017 and other key products will go off patent from 2020.

New drugs Entyvio, for ulcerative colitis, and Ninlaro, a follow-on to Velcade, have made a promising start but Weber is conscious he needs to do more to ensure growth and boost margins.

"We are now much more focusing on the reinforcement of our pipeline because this is where we need to do something, so that in five years, when we start to see more significant patent expiries, we will have a pipeline to replace that," he said.
UK, Argentina agree joint steps on Falklands in win for diplomacy

By Estelle Shirbon

LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Britain and Argentina have agreed to work together towards removing measures restricting the oil and gas, shipping and fishing industries around the disputed Falkland Islands, both countries said on Wednesday.

Argentina claims sovereignty over the British-run islands it calls Las Malvinas, and the issue has strained relations for decades, culminating in a war in 1982.

Tensions flared last year, but Britain has been keen to improve relations since pro-business Mauricio Macri took over from Cristina Fernandez as Argentina's president in December.

"In a positive spirit, both sides agreed to set up a dialogue to improve cooperation on South Atlantic issues of mutual interest," said a joint communique by both countries.

"In this context it was agreed to take the appropriate measures to remove all obstacles limiting the economic growth and sustainable development of the Falkland Islands, including in trade, fishing, shipping and hydrocarbons," it said.

The communique was agreed following a series of meetings in Buenos Aires between Macri, Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra and Alan Duncan, Britain's minister of state for Europe and the Americas.

Britain said the discussions that had taken place did not affect the sovereignty issue and Britain remained clear in its support of the islanders.

The Falklands are inhabited by about 3,000 people, the overwhelming majority of whom say they wish the islands to remain a British overseas territory.

"The UK and Argentina have a broad relationship that goes beyond our differences," Duncan said in a statement.

"It's clear to me that Argentina is open for business. The measures agreed today demonstrate we can make progress through dialogue."

The last bout of serious tension over the Falklands came in June last year, when an Argentine federal judge ordered the seizure of millions of dollars' worth of assets owned by drillers operating in the Falklands area.

This did not halt oil exploration, although efforts have been scaled down in recent times due to low oil prices on international markets.

The joint communique also said that both sides supported a project to use DNA to identify unknown Argentine soldiers who perished in the war and are buried on the islands. Discussions on that issue would continue in Geneva with input from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Greek utility PPC and China's CMEC to build coal-fired plant

ATHENS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday with Greece's leading utility Public Power Corp. (PPC) to build a coal-fired plant in northern Greece.

Under its "one belt, one road" strategy, China has been investing heavily in Greece in recent years, aiming to turn the country into a transhipment hub for its products into Europe.

Last month, China's shipping conglomerate COSCO wrapped up the purchase of a 51 percent stake in Greece's largest port Piraeus, while State Grid Corporation of China has been shortlisted for a 24 percent stake in Greece's power grid ADMIE.

PPC, which is 51 percent state-owned, said in August it would team up with CMEC and private investors to tap coal mines in the northern Greek region of Florina and build a second, more efficient coal-fired power plant.

It was the first such agreement PPC, which previously dominated in power production, has struck with a foreign company.

PPC controls about 60 percent of the wholesale electricity market and some 90 percent of the retail market. Under an international bailout signed last year, Athens must cut PPC's share in both markets to below 50 percent by 2020.

"The signing of the agreement is a good opportunity to boost our cooperation and taking into account the long-term interest of the two sides, we can deepen our partnership," CMEC Assistant President Fang Yanshui said at a signing ceremony.

CMEC is mainly engaged in international projects and has built a large number of thermal, hydroelectric and renewable energy units around the world.

PPC's Chairman Manolis Panagiotakis said PPC, CMEC and the private investors would set up a new firm which would build a 450 megawatt power plant at an estimated cost of 750 million euros.

Greek contractors Ellaktor and GEK-TERNA will also take part in the construction.

"We aspire to play a major role in our neighbourhood," Panagiotakis said. "Our partnership with companies of a calibre similar to CMEC's will be decisive."

He said the firm could be set up next year and construction, which could take four to five years, might start by 2018.
Bayer clinches Monsanto with improved $66 billion bid

By Greg Roumeliotis and Ludwig Burger

NEW YORK/FRANKFURT, Sept 14 (Reuters) - German drug and crop chemical maker Bayer clinched a $66 billion takeover of U.S. seeds company Monsanto on Wednesday, ending months of wrangling with a third sweetened offer that marks the largest all-cash deal on record.

The $128-a-share deal, up from Bayer's previous offer of $127.50 a share, has emerged as the signature deal in a consolidation race that has roiled the agribusiness sector in recent years, due to shifting weather patterns, intense competition in grain exports and a souring global farm economy.

"Bayer's competitors are merging, so not doing this deal would mean having a competitive disadvantage," said fund manager Markus Manns of Union Investment, one of Bayer's top 12 investors.

Grain prices are hovering near their lowest levels in years amid a global supply glut, and farm incomes have plunged.

But the proposed merger will likely face an intense and lengthy regulatory process in the United States, Canada, Brazil, the European Union and elsewhere. Hugh Grant, Monsanto's chief executive, said Wednesday the companies will need to file in about 30 jurisdictions for the merger.

Competition authorities are likely to scrutinize the tie-up closely, and some of Bayer's own shareholders have been highly critical of a takeover that they say risks overpaying and neglecting the company's pharmaceutical business.

If the deal closes, it will create a company commanding more than a quarter of the combined world market for seeds and pesticides in the fast-consolidating farm supplies industry.

What the newly-formed company would be named is unclear.

Grant said on Wednesday's media conference call that the future of the Monsanto brand has not yet been discussed, but the world's largest seed company is "flexible" about the name going forward.

The transaction includes a $2-billion break-up fee that Bayer will pay to Monsanto should it fail to get regulatory clearance. Bayer expects the deal to close by the end of 2017.

The details confirm what a source close to the matter told Reuters earlier.

Baader Helevea Equity Research analyst Jacob Thrane, with a "sell" rating on Bayer, said the German company was paying 16.1 times Monsanto's forecast core earnings for 2017, more than the 15.5 times ChemChina agreed to pay for Swiss crop chemicals firm Syngenta last year.

He also said there was uncertainty over what the combined company would look like as regulators might demand asset sales.

Bernstein Research analysts said on Tuesday they saw only a 50 percent chance of the deal winning regulatory clearance, although they cited a survey among investors that put the likelihood at 70 percent on average.

"We believe political push-back to this deal, ranging from farmer dissatisfaction with all their suppliers consolidating in the face of low farm net incomes to dissatisfaction with Monsanto leaving the United States, could provide significant delays and complications," they wrote in a research note.

Bayer said it was offering a 44-percent premium to Monsanto's share price on May 9, the day before it made its first written proposal.

It plans to raise $19 billion to help fund the deal by issuing convertible bonds and new shares to its existing shareholders, and said banks had also committed to providing $57 billion of bridge financing.

Bayer shares rose 0.3 percent to 93.55 euros. Monsanto's were up 0.6 percent at $106.76.

ONE-STOP SHOP

Bayer's move to combine its crop chemicals business, the world's second-largest after Syngenta AG, with Monsanto's industry-leading seeds business, is the latest in a series of major agrochemicals tie-ups.

The German company is aiming to create a one-stop shop for seeds, crop chemicals and computer-aided services to farmers.

That was also the idea behind Monsanto's swoop on Syngenta last year, which the Swiss company fended off, only to agree later to a takeover by China's state-owned ChemChina.

U.S. chemicals giants Dow Chemical and DuPont plan to merge and later spin off their respective seeds and crop chemicals operations into a major agribusiness.

And on Monday, Canadian fertilizer producers Potash Corp of Saskatchewan Inc and Agrium Inc agreed to combine to navigate a severe industry slump, but the new company's potential pricing power may attract tough regulatory scrutiny.

The Bayer-Monsanto deal will be the largest ever involving a German buyer, beating Daimler's tie-up with Chrysler in 1998, which valued the U.S. carmaker at more than $40 billion. It will also be the largest all-cash transaction on record, ahead of brewer InBev's $60.4 billion offer for Anheuser-Busch in 2008.

Bayer said it expected the deal to boost its core earnings per share in the first full year following completion, and by a double-digit percentage in the third year.

Bayer and Monsanto were in talks to sound out ways to combine their businesses as early as March, which culminated in Bayer's initial $122 per-share takeover proposal in May.

Antitrust experts have said regulators will likely demand the sale of some soybeans, cotton and canola seed assets.

Bayer said BofA Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse , Goldman Sachs, HSBC and JP Morgan had committed to providing the bridge financing.

BofA Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse are acting as lead financial advisers to Bayer, with Rothschild as an additional adviser. Bayer's legal advisers are Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Allen & Overy LLP.

Morgan Stanley and Ducera Partners are acting as financial advisers to Monsanto, with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz its legal adviser.
Persistence of instability in the oil market: Kemp

By John Kemp

LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Volatility has always been the defining characteristic of oil and other commodity markets, defying repeated attempts to stabilise prices.

Volatility is present at all timescales from seconds, minutes and hours to days, weeks, months and years ("Oil makes only one promise and that's volatility", Reuters, December 2015).

At the macro-scale, the oil market has been characterised since its inception in the 1860s by a series of booms and busts lasting for years at a time (http://tmsnrt.rs/2cqOZov).

Efforts to tame the boom-bust cycle through the control of prices and production have repeatedly broken down ("Crude volatility: the history and the future of boom-bust oil prices", McNally, due to be published in 2017).

Volatility appears to be an intrinsic quality of oil markets rather than an incidental problem to be solved through improved forecasting, management and coordination.

Traditional explanations for volatility focus on the low price-elasticity of supply and demand as well as long delays in investment and the backward-looking nature of price expectations.

But the concept of feedback loops borrowed from control engineering as well as the theory of complex systems can also help explain some of the endemic instability in the industry.

IN CONSTANT CRISIS

"There is always too much or too little oil," economist Paul Frankel complained seven decades ago ("Essentials of Petroleum", Frankel, 1946).

The industry has "an inherent tendency to extreme crises" because production and consumption are not "self-adjusting".

Frankel blamed the lack of smooth adjustment on the limited responsiveness of supply and demand to moderate changes in prices, at least in the short run.

The result is "a price structure that allows for ups and downs which fail to bring relief from dearth or glut", Frankel wrote.

The industry is subject to "continuous crises" in which "hectic prosperity is followed all too swiftly by complete collapse".

Frankel's words, published just after the end of World War Two, are a perfect description of the subsequent boom and bust in oil during the 1970s and early 1980s, and again between 2004 and 2016.

Frankel argued the only hope for stability lay in the role of the major international oil companies, singly or in combination, as well as governments, acting as "eveners", "organisers" and "adjusters".

Frankel was writing before the creation in 1960 of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, which was explicitly committed to stabilising the market.

OPEC's founding statute committed the organisation to stabilising international oil prices with a view to "eliminating harmful and unnecessary fluctuations".

But OPEC has been no more successful at ending the boom-bust cycle than previous stabilisation arrangements operated by the Texas Railroad Commission, the Seven Sisters, the Achnacarry Agreement and Standard Oil.

SOURCES OF INSTABILITY

Frankel blamed the boom-bust cycle on the low price-elasticity of supply and demand, which was in turn due to the fundamental characteristics of production and consumption.

The riskiness and uncertainty of oil exploration; high proportion of fixed costs in refining, transport and marketing; and lack of readily available substitutes for petroleum fuels and lubricants, all contributed to the unresponsiveness of production and consumption to moderate price changes.

Economists have also developed "cobweb theorems" which blame unstable prices on backward-looking price expectations coupled with delays in adjusting production ("Why oil prices are so unstable", Reuters, 2014).

Price expectations indeed appear to be strongly backward-looking in the oil industry. In the first few years of the 21st century, painful memories of the long period of low prices in the 1990s held back plans to expand production even as prices surged.

More recently, the production and investment plans of the major oil companies and U.S. shale drillers appear to have been based on the assumption the period of ultra-high prices experienced between 2011 and 2014 would be sustained forever.

When prices have been high for some time, it becomes an entrenched assumption that high prices will persist for the foreseeable future, and vice versa.

At the same time, changes in investment and production take a long while. It can take a decade or more to train an experienced driller or seismologist, and at least that long to bring many complex offshore oilfields into production.

FEEDBACK MECHANISMS

Oil markets are usually analysed with the language and concepts of economics but they also share many of the characteristics of complex systems ("Complexity: a guided tour", Mitchell, 2009).

Complex systems are "large networks of components with no central control and simple rules of operation that give rise to complex collective behaviour, sophisticated information processing and adaptation".

Complex systems often exhibit highly non-linear behaviour in which small changes in the initial conditions can generate large changes in outcomes.

Non-linearity makes the behaviour of complex systems chaotic and extremely hard to forecast over anything other than a short time horizon.

Thinking of the oil industry as a system helps explain other features. Borrowing from the language of control engineering and population biology, systems can be analysed in terms of feedback loops.

In a feedback loop, an initial change or shock to the system results in a change in system outputs which in turn influences the input conditions.

Negative feedback mechanisms tend to dampen the impact of the initial shock and are therefore stabilising and promote a rapid return to equilibrium.

But positive feedback mechanisms exaggerate and amplify the impact of the initial shock and are therefore destabilising and delay return to equilibrium.

The concept of feedback was popularised in the 1920s by communications engineers at the Bell Telephone Laboratory ("A history of control engineering 1800-1930", Bennett, 1979).

But feedback mechanisms have a long history in economics and were implicit in Adam Smith's invisible hand and David Hume's price-specie flow mechanism.

The oil industry is characterised by multiple feedback mechanisms on the supply and demand sides of the market (http://tmsnrt.rs/2cqQaUP).

Feedback mechanisms operate both when prices are high and rising (2004-2014) and when they are low and falling (2014-2016).

The various feedback mechanisms all operate at different timescales, in some cases with a long lag, so the balance between them varies over time.

In the aftermath of a shock, positive feedback mechanisms may dominate, delaying the process of adjustment, while negative feedback mechanisms are more powerful later, promoting convergence to a new equilibrium.

COMPLEX SYSTEMS

Thinking of the oil market as a system is also useful because systems can often be analysed as a set of separate sub-systems which interact with one another in complex ways.

In the case of oil, there is not really one "oil market" but a series of separate but closely related markets for crude, fuels, refining, oilfield services, engineering construction, drilling equipment, skilled labour, raw materials etc.

Each of these markets is subject to its own feedback mechanisms, operating at different speeds, the balance of which is constantly changing.

Rebalancing the "oil market" actually means rebalancing each of these markets, which is a complicated and lengthy process.

Economists and policymakers are enthralled by the concept of equilibrium but experience as well as the theory of complex systems suggests the oil industry has never actually been in equilibrium.

Oil markets are in a perpetual state of disequilibrium; at any given point they may be moving further away from equilibrium rather than towards it.

The industry has often been hit by a new shock while it is still adjusting and rebalancing from the last one.

The fact real oil prices have tended to fluctuate in a (very wide) band suggests equilibrating negative feedback mechanisms do dominate in the long run.
Liberty Global to offer Netflix to all customers

AMSTERDAM, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Liberty Global, the international telecommunications company controlled by American tycoon John Malone, said on Wednesday it has struck a deal to offer Netflix to all its customers directly via cable set-top boxes.

The deal follows the launch of Netflix by Liberty Global's UK subsidiary Virgin Media in 2013. Liberty Global has 29 million customers in 30 countries.

Chief Executive Mike Fries said that subscribers in the UK with access to Netflix "pay more, churn less and are happier."

No financial details were disclosed, but under the deal Liberty Global will receive a share of revenues from Netflix for customers that subscribe to the service via Liberty boxes. Existing Netflix customers will simply be able to log in via the set-top box.

The companies will keep billing systems separate "initially," Liberty's managing director of business development Bob Greene told reporters at an event in Amsterdam.

He said that the launch of the Netflix app on Liberty boxes will begin immediately in the Netherlands, and be completed in all areas where Liberty Global operates by the end of 2017.

Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings said in a statement that integrating his company's service into Liberty set-top boxes would allow customers to use one remote control.

Greene deflected questions about whether Formula One Racing will be distributed on Liberty Global properties after Liberty Media, also controlled by Malone, moved to take over the car racing sport last week.

"It very well could be", Greene said, but added that any licensing deal would have to be negotiated between the companies at arm's length.

Fries added that the deal "means nothing directly" for Liberty Global, but it was "nice to have (Formula One) in the family."

He said that neither the move by Liberty Media to buy Formula One nor the Netflix deal should be taken as evidence Liberty Global won't continue to acquire content itself.
Trump's fate may rest with former supporters of arch-critic Mitt Romney

By James Oliphant

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's presidential candidacy has triggered anguished soul searching among many college-educated and affluent Republicans who must decide whether to back him, sit out the election, or do the unthinkable: vote for his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

With less than two months to go before the Nov. 8 election, rural, white voters who lack a college degree have flocked to Trump. But his brash style and lack of experience in government are a much tougher sell among well-off Republicans who have long been a backbone of the party, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling and interviews with Republican-leaning white collar professionals.

Trump's hopes of capturing the White House may rest on whether he can win over enough of these voters in battleground states such as Ohio, Virginia and Colorado to offset Clinton's overwhelming advantages with minority voters, young people, urban voters and women.

"If you had told me two years ago that I would be voting for Hillary Clinton, I would have said, 'No freaking way,'" said Michael Sheehan, chief operating officer of a Columbus-based apparel firm.

Sheehan is now leaning toward Clinton, the Democratic nominee, because he worries Trump would damage U.S. relations abroad.

Reuters/Ipsos polling shows that Clinton is doing better among affluent and college-educated voters than President Barack Obama did four years ago, even among Republicans. It's a warning signal for Trump, who has been shunned by blacks, Latinos and millennial voters.

In 2012, nearly nine out of every 10 Republicans with a college degree and annual income over $100,000 supported then Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Now, about seven in 10 support Trump.

Romney won college-educated voters over Obama by 4 percentage points in 2012, but the Reuters/Ipsos tracking poll showed Clinton with a 48-28 percent advantage among those same voters last month.

The same gap is playing out in key swing states. In Ohio, Clinton has a 47-36 percent edge among the college educated, according to a Monmouth University poll in August.

"It's amazing how few Trump supporters I've run into," said James King, a partner in a prominent Columbus law firm who backed Romney in 2012 but who likely will vote for Clinton.

Marsha Blackburn, a congresswoman from Tennessee who is one of Trump's biggest supporters in Washington, said Trump's proposal this week for a child-care tax credit was an example of policies that can appeal to more affluent Republicans.

Trump still needs to "keep pushing his economic message, keep talking about national security, keep talking about these issues that are so important to moms, these working-family issues," she told Reuters.

ROMNEY REPUBLICANS

Ohio, with its 18 electoral votes, is crucial for Trump and he has campaigned intensively in the state. But in populous, largely suburban central Ohio, Trump has a tougher task than in the rural counties that surround it.

The local economy skews toward white-collar workers and professionals and does not depend on the manufacturing revival Trump has promised in his "Make America Great Again" message.

Romney, the scion of a wealthy family and former private equity fund manager, was a more natural fit with many Republicans in the area. He epitomized what sometimes has been called the "country club Republicans." They favor smaller government, less intrusive regulations and put less weight on conservative social values.

Trump, the real-estate magnate from Manhattan, would seem similar, but some Republican professionals in central Ohio can't get past his temperament and comments like the one suggesting illegal immigrants from Mexico are rapists and murderers. Romney himself has been a fierce critic of Trump.

"There's no way I could ever vote for that guy," said King, the law firm partner, adding that Trump's criticism of the family of a Muslim soldier, Humayun Khan, who was killed in action, soured him on Trump for good.

An NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll of registered voters last month showed Clinton ahead among white, college-educated voters in Colorado, where she held a 55-23 percent edge; in North Carolina, where she held a 47-40 percent advantage; and in Virginia, where she held a 43-37 percent edge.

Bradley Barbin, a white-collar criminal defense lawyer in Columbus, has decorated the walls of his office with Republican memorabilia stretching back a century. He faults Trump for stirring resentment and for encouraging violence at his rallies.

Trump has denied there is significant violence at his events and has blamed the media for exaggerating scuffles with protesters.

Barbin said he likely won't back Clinton. "Do I know exactly what I am going to do? No. But I do know that Trump's the bigger problem," he said.

Among affluent Republicans who do support Trump, several said that whatever reservations they may have about him as a candidate, it was more important to keep Clinton from the presidency.

"I think she's a bad person," said William Bay, a retired nephrologist who lives in Hilliard, a suburb of Columbus, who lauded Trump as an agent of change.

Trump's campaign has long contended there exists a swath of Trump voters who won't talk to the press or pollsters for fear of being demonized, but who will show up at the polls in November.

But it's also possible that some Republicans, once in the privacy of the voting booth, will go with Clinton because of their concerns about Trump. Barbin, the Columbus defense lawyer, said that's the takeaway from conversations with his peers.

"We all know," he said, "that there are certain people you just cannot give that kind of unfettered power to. You just can't."
Obama lifts economic sanctions from Ivory Coast, citing progress

WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday lifted economic sanctions that were placed on Ivory Coast more than 10 years ago during a civil war, citing a successful presidential election last year and progress on fighting illegal trafficking of natural resources.
The Signal Mountain Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at the Walden Town Hall, 1836 Taft Highway. The meeting will begin at 1:00 pm with refreshments followed by a business meeting and the program for the month.

For this month's program, John Wynn will speak on The Presidents.

Visitors are welcome at our meeting.

Please feel free to visit our website at:

http://www.smgsonline.org
"Let's go" - Lost generation of refugee children gear up for school in Greece

By Karolina Tagaris

CHIOS, Greece, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Nour ran out of the bleak refugee camp, her six-year-old shoulders weighed down by a brand-new school bag.

"Let's go! Let's go!" her classmates cheered, in English, and the children set off on foot to class on the Greek island of Chios, home since their families fled the Syrian war for Europe.

At the school, set up by volunteers, they will be taught how to hold a pencil, write their names and count to 10. The teenagers among them will begin making up for lost time.

Humanitarian organisations say nearly 40 percent of the 60,000 refugees and migrants trapped in Greece are children who have lost years of schooling or missed out entirely on education.

So far, their needs in Greece are met in part by volunteer-run initiatives, like the school on Chios, but the Greek government is hoping to change that starting this semester and plans to enroll thousands in schools across the country.

Formal classes - Greek, math, a foreign language - are expected to begin later this month. Authorities say about 22,000 are eligible. To begin with they will be taught separately from Greek students while they integrate.

"All these children in Greece are facing a very challenging situation," said Eric Durpaire, chief of field operations for UNICEF, the United Nations children's fund. "They are what we have called 'the lost generation.'"

On average, child refugees stranded in Greece have been out of school for one-and-a half years, International charity Save the Children said in a report.

Going to school was a priority for nearly all those interviewed in camps in Greece, but more than one in five had yet to even begin their education, mainly because of war an displacement, it said.

"It's a very simple, basic right," Durpaire told Reuters. "They have a right to education."

For the parents, sending their children to school is about more than education. Some say they children are so traumatized by years of war that they are too scared to leave the tiny bleak tents in the camps which they live.

During playtime at the school on Chios, six-year-old Janna looks out for her mother, sitting near by.

"I want my daughter to come here, to adapt, to develop a strong personality because she cries most of the time," her mother Ufaira said.

The family arrived in Greece from Syria 10 days ago, hoping to go to Britain.

"I want to find a home, to stay in one place, so that my daughter can continue studying," she said.

"NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL"

For the teachers, it won't be an easy task. Teaching refugee children "is not business as usual," UNICEF's Durpaire said.

Students who have been out of class for years see no reason to make an effort. Some parents feel sending them to school implies they will stay longer in Greece, which they had never planned, and learning Greek is not a priority.

On good days, children on Chios go to class happy and energised, on bad days unmotivated and deflated, teachers say.

"Sometimes I'm not sure what's happened in the camp, why they come in a bit tired. I don't know if they've had a difficult time," said Helen Brannigan, a primary school teacher from Britain volunteering on the island.

About 160 children attend the school twice a week. Set up by Nicholas Millet, 26, and Jacob Rohde, 28 after hearing stories of families fleeing Syria for the future of their children, the project is not meant to replace traditional schools, they said.

Is their project enough? "Absolutely not," they reply in unison. "In an ideal world these kids would be attending five days a week and they would be integrated, they would not be in the camps," Millet said.

That is not always easy. UNICEF says more European funding is needed to support Greek efforts as the welfare services have collapsed after years of crisis. Funding so far was directed less towards education and more towards housing.

Residents of one suburb in northern Greece have also fiercely protested this week the prospect of refugee children attending classrooms alongside Greek children

But the Education Ministry says it will not back down.
EU outsiders Swiss, Britain meet on trade ties

ZURICH, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Switzerland's president gave a British official tips on negotiating trade deals when they met in Berne on Wednesday to discuss bilateral ties following Britain's vote to quit the European Union.

Johann Schneider-Ammann, who is also Swiss economy minister, "gave an insight into Switzerland's experience of negotiating free trade agreements at bilateral and multilateral level with different trade partners", his ministry said after the meeting with Mark Price, the British minister of state for trade policy.

Switzerland is not an EU member but Swiss-EU commercial ties are governed by a series of bilateral accords that give Switzerland enhanced access to the EU common market in return for free movement of citizens, now at risk from Swiss efforts to curb immigration.

Britain faces years of such negotiations once it triggers its exit from the 28-member bloc as voters demanded.

At Wednesday's meeting, Schneider-Ammann and Price pledged to pursue a common goal of maintaining and strengthening ties between the partners.

"The bilateral dialogue should be intensified in the coming months," a statement said, adding a task force led by the Swiss foreign ministry would make suggestions in filling gaps left by the Brexit vote.

In 2015 the United Kingdom was Switzerland's third-largest trading partner with goods exports worth 13 billion Swiss francs ($13.33 billion) and imports of 31 billion.

Around 34,000 Swiss nationals live in the UK and 41,000 British nationals live in Switzerland.
U.S. offers humanitarian aid as Iraq prepares Mosul offensive

By Stephen Kalin

BAGHDAD, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The United States said on Wednesday it would give Iraq $181 million in humanitarian aid, anticipating a wave of displaced people when Iraqi forces launch a drive to recapture the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State.

The advance on Mosul, the biggest city held by the militant group also known as ISIL, could begin as soon as next month.

"We are now in a position where ISIL here in Iraq is increasingly on the run and on the ropes, and the urgent work ahead is to complete that effort. And Mosul, of course, is the big piece ahead of Iraq and ahead of us," Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Baghdad.

On a visit to discuss planning for the offensive with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other officials, he said the money would be used to pre-position emergency food and relief supplies.

The United Nations expects up to 1 million people could flee their homes in Mosul, the group's de facto Iraqi capital. Critics say preparations for the humanitarian and political fallout have not kept pace with military gains.

The additional aid brings U.S. humanitarian assistance to more than $1 billion since 2014, when a U.S.-led coalition started bombing Islamic State in Iraq and neighbouring Syria as well as providing training and advice to Iraq's security forces.

There is no clear plan yet for how Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, will be managed if and when it is recaptured, or how pro-government forces will be positioned to avoid aggravating ethnic and sectarian tensions in the diverse region.

Blinken said Islamic State has lost half the Iraqi territory it seized in 2014, when the army and police dropped their weapons and fled despite billions of dollars of aid from Washington since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

He said the Mosul offensive would not be easy, and the timing was up to the Iraqis. Iraqi commanders have indicated the operation could start by late October.
AU plans to send observers to Gabon election appeal

LIBREVILLE, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The African Union says it plans to send observers to help Gabon's Constitutional Court with a legal complaint lodged by opposition leader Jean Ping, who accuses President Ali Bongo of cheating to secure victory in an election last month.

The dispute has led to riots that killed at least six people and brought unwelcome international scrutiny for Bongo, whose family has ruled the central African OPEC member for nearly 50 years.

Ping, who officially lost by fewer than 6,000 votes, last week applied to the court to authorise a recount in the Haut-Ogooue province, Bongo's stronghold, where the president won 95 percent of the votes on a 99.9 percent turnout.

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union requested that its executive branch deploy observers from other French-speaking African countries "to assist the Constitutional Court of Gabon", it said in a statement late on Tuesday.

The European Union, which sent an official observation team to the election and has cited anomalies in the poll results from Haut-Ogooue province, will maintain observers in the country.

It was not clear what level of access observers would have to the internal deliberations of the court, which is due to decide on the recount by Sept. 23.

Ping says he has no faith in the judicial body because of its ties to the Bongo family. The head of the court, Marie-Madeleine Mborantsuo, was the long-time mistress of Ali Bongo's father Omar Bongo, who ruled for 41 years.

Ali Bongo's opponents complained to the court after he won his first term in 2009, and the court upheld his victory following a recount.

The government has stressed that the court is neutral and also accused Ping's supporters of irregularities in the polls.

Gabon's former colonial ruler France, which has a military base in the country and a large stake in the oil sector via major Total, has urged the court to examine the opposition's complaint transparently and impartially.
Venezuela fumes at Mercosur ultimatum as Latin America shifts right

CARACAS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Venezuela on Wednesday decried a decision that could see it suspended from the Mercosur trade bloc as the crisis-stricken leftist country grows increasingly isolated in South America.

Socialist-led Venezuela has been at the center of a fight over the rotating presidency of Mercosur and has lost its weight in the once staunchly leftist bloc.

The founding members of Mercosur will give Venezuela until Dec. 1 to meet its membership requirements or be suspended from the bloc, said the Foreign Ministry of Brazil, which like several other countries in the region has recently shifted to the right.

"Trying to destroy MERCOSUR via illegal ruses is a reflection of intolerant politics and the desperation of bureaucrats," Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said on Twitter.

All Mercosur members but Uruguay blocked Venezuela from assuming the rotating presidency in June, accusing the OPEC nation of failing to incorporate a joint economic accord and a commitment to protect human rights.

Brazil's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the ultimatum for Venezuela was meant to "preserve and strengthen Mercosur."
India pledges $1 bln in aid to Afghanistan before donor meeting

NEW DELHI, Sept 14 (Reuters) - India promised $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan during a visit to New Delhi on Wednesday by President Ashraf Ghani, making a downpayment on stabilisation and reform ahead of a major donor conference next month.

In a statement issued after meeting Ghani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged the financial help to back India's "abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan".

Both leaders expressed "grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives" - a veiled reference to common neighbour Pakistan, which denies sponsoring terrorism.

As the United States scales back its military presence in Afghanistan, efforts are being ramped up to rebuild the country after decades of conflict dating back to the Soviet invasion of 1979 and a prolonged Taliban insurgency.

"Forty years of violence would have broken any other country," Ghani said in a speech to India's Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, a government-funded think tank, declaring himself "delighted" with Modi's aid pledge.

The former World Bank official said that while armed conflict posed a great threat, it was also vital to build market institutions that could lift living standards in a nation where 70 percent of people live on less than $2 a day.
Sweden's far right eye 20-25 pct support, to seek government role

By Simon Johnson and Johan Sennero

STOCKHOLM, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The head of the far right Sweden Democrats said he aimed to win a quarter of voters at a 2018 election with a call for a total ban on new asylum seekers and saw signs mainstream parties may be seeking the party's backing in parliament.

Jimmie Akesson's party has gained support over the last decade, rising from a fringe group with neo-Nazi roots to win 13 percent in 2014's election and hold the balance of power in parliament. Polls now give it about 17 percent.

Its growth echoes that of populist parties in the Nordics, which either support or form a part of government in neighbours Norway and Denmark. But Sweden's political mainstream has so far shunned the Sweden Democrats due to their radical roots.

That may change, said Akesson, who has purged the party of its more militant elements and whom many credit with making the Sweden Democrats respectable in the eyes of thousands of voters worried about declining schools, doctor shortages and rising crime figures.

Last year's migrant crisis also boosted far right parties across Europe.

"It will be hard to shut us out. We could even be the biggest party after the election," Akesson said.

Akesson is part of a European backlash. An anti-Islam party leads polls in the Netherlands while the National Front's Marine Le Pen is strongly placed for presidential elections in April.

A foothold in government for the party would mark a watershed in a country where generous asylum policies have until last year commanded automatic support across the political spectrum.

Akesson said his party did not have to be a formal party of government, but wanted to put its stamp on key policy areas: immigration, law and order and the welfare state.

"I don't care so much about portfolios or (ministerial) posts," he said. "For me it is the core policy that matters."

SOFTER TONE?

Flanked in his office by a photo of the Swedish royal family and of rock band Kiss, Akesson said he expected the party to get 20-25 percent of the vote in 2018.

That would put it on an equal footing with the centre-left Social Democrats - the larger party in the current minority coalition - and the Moderates, the biggest centre-right group and part of the four-party Alliance opposition bloc.

"The main scenario for me is that we build a government together with the Moderates and the(centre right) Christian Democrats," Akesson said.

The 2015 migrant crisis which saw 160,000 people seek asylum in Sweden has hardened voters' attitudes.

Tough asylum rules introduced late last year by a hard-pressed minority centre-left coalition have cut applications to around 20,000 so far this year.

"We are still the party which has most credibility in immigration policy," Akesson said. "The other parties have confirmed our views. We were right and the voters see that."

Neither the centre right nor the centre left parties can form a majority government without the support of the Sweden Democrats. Their refusal so far to treat with the far right has led to some degree of parliamentary stalemate.

But Akesson sees signs that is changing. Earlier this month, the leader of the small, centre-right Liberal Party called for the Sweden Democrats to be allowed to take part in cross-party discussions led by the government.

The leader of the Christian Democrats - also part of the centre right Alliance - has softened her tone. Still, the Moderate Party, the biggest centre right party, has said cooperation is not on the cards.

"The signal we get from ... the centre-right parties is that they are ready in some form or another, to get our support in order to form a government," Akesson said.

Some political analysts say Akesson ambitions may bear fruit.

"The most likely scenario after the election is some sort of understanding between the Moderates and the Sweden Democrats with the Christian Democrats tagging along," said Nick Aylott, political science professor at Sodertorn University.

Cooperation would have a price.

Akesson said more asylum seekers should be turned around at Sweden's borders and there should be tougher rules for family reunions.

"Our vision is a goal of zero for asylum-based immigration," he said.
Obama lifts sanctions against Ivory Coast, citing progress

WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday lifted decade-old sanctions against Ivory Coast, the world's biggest cocoa producer, citing a successful presidential election last year and its progress in tackling illegal trafficking of arms and natural resources.

The sanctions were imposed in February 2006 under President George W. Bush against Ivory Coast political figures for blocking a 2003 peace process. The country had been split in two since a 2002 civil war launched by rebels against then President Laurent Gbagbo.

Wednesday's move follows the lifting a 12-year-old arms embargo and asset freezes and travel bans against six individuals by the UN Security Council in April, including against Gbagbo, who is on trial before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

"Cote d'Ivoire has taken important steps to strengthen its governing and economic institutions and reconcile the differences that led to war," White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

"Challenges remain as the country continues to tackle difficult land reform issues and works to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are felt throughout the Ivoirian population," he said.

Five years after the country's civil war that followed a 2010 presidential election, Ivory Coast has been reborn as one of Africa's economic stars and held up by many as a model of post-conflict reconstruction.

Deep-seated tensions between supporters of Gbagbo and President Alassane Ouattara, who won the war with French backing, continue to simmer, however.
Russia's sole liberal opposition MP fights for political survival

By Andrew Osborn

MOSCOW, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Days before an election expected to extend Kremlin dominance over Russia's parliament, the sole liberal opposition member, Dmitry Gudkov, is waging what he fears is a losing battle for political survival.

His re-election campaign ran out of money this week, he cannot get TV air time, his meetings are disrupted by people shouting him down, and a fake newspaper handed out to voters has cast him as a U.S. stooge involved in a shadowy Jewish-Ukrainian conspiracy to seize power.

Before the funding dried up, Gudkov thought he had an even chance of re-election to the 450-seat Duma, or lower house of parliament, on Sunday despite what he calls a dirty tricks campaign.

But after several promised big campaign contributions failed to materialise, 36-year-old Gudkov - who used to represent the Just Russia party before it expelled him in 2013 for helping to organise anti-Kremlin protests - is not so sure.

"Some donors are not picking up the phone, others have refused. Some have been got to, others have taken fright," he said on social media on Wednesday. "We'll have to wind up the campaign headquarters. There's no more money. I will continue to hold voters' meetings ... but this is unlikely to be enough for victory."

His struggle - that of a former establishment insider turned rebel - underlines how difficult it is for anyone outside what the Kremlin regards as the political mainstream to have their voice heard in a tightly-controlled system.

It also shows how the liberal opposition is struggling to compensate for a lack of access to money, state media, and tacit official support by trying to run grassroots campaigns.

Opinion polls suggest Sunday's election, the first to the Duma since a similar vote in 2011 led to street protests in Moscow over allegations of ballot rigging, is unlikely to alter parliament's current makeup radically.

Gudkov, whose father Gennady was expelled from parliament in 2012 after taking part in protests against President Vladimir Putin, has been holding five voter meetings a day in the northwest Moscow district he is contesting.

Always accompanied by two bodyguards after men he called provocateurs tried to draw him into fights at election meetings, he tells voters he wants a change in Russia's leadership and a return to genuine political debate, with less money spent on defence and more on health and education.

Gudkov accuses his rivals of being behind the dirty tricks but is careful not to name names, apparently concerned this would give them an excuse to tie him up in legal actions.

FIGHTING THE TIGER

In past elections, anti-Kremlin candidates have complained of coming under the kind of pressure that Gudkov says he is now experiencing.

A tall former journalist, Gudkov is running for re-election as a candidate of the Yabloko (Apple) party, a liberal opposition group which had some success in the 1990s. It had no seats in the outgoing Duma however, where Gudkov sat as an unaffiliated member.

Gudkov likens the Kremlin to a tiger. At a recent voter meeting outside a crumbling Moscow supermarket in the shadow of drab Soviet-era tower blocks, he told a small audience of pensioners he had to contest the elections despite the odds.

"People tell me these elections are not fair so why bother playing with this tiger," he said. "I say I'm not playing, it's not a game, it's about our lives. I would be delighted to participate in fair elections but they don't exist, so I'll take part in the elections we have."

A drunk woman with a black eye regularly tried to shout him down, screaming out her support for rival candidates, while others subjected him to hostile questioning about the source of his financing.

Gudkov has been crowd funding his campaign and estimates he has spent around $350,000 so far. That, he says, is at least 3 million roubles ($46,000) short of what was needed to finish his campaign properly. He has used social media to spread his message and, until the money ran out, had hundreds of young people handing out leaflets on his behalf.

Before the funding dried up on Wednesday, Gudkov told Reuters why his fortunes mattered. "Russian democrats need a success story," he said. "Young politicians in the regions who really want change don't know how to bring it about. We need a win to show them it's possible."

FAMILIAR FACES

As things stand, the ruling United Russia party, led by Putin loyalist Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, has a majority in the Duma and can easily pass any laws it wants.

The other three parties in parliament - the Communists, Just Russia and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia - are formally designated as opposition parties. But when it comes to major legislation United Russia can rely on their support.

Kremlin critics say they are all pro-Kremlin and exist only to create the illusion of a multi-party democracy in what is a de facto one-party state. The leaders of the three parties, two of whom have been familiar faces to voters for the last 20 years, reject that and say they represent a genuine opposition.

Held during an economic crisis which has eroded living standards, the vote is seen as a dry run for Putin's expected re-election campaign in 2018. Putin has said it's too early to say if he will seek another term.

Pro-Kremlin officials are casting the parliamentary election as the fairest contest of its kind in modern Russian history.

A new head of the central election commission has been appointed and regional and Kremlin officials have been fired in the run-up, creating the impression that the ruling elite is renewing itself.

The authorities have also resurrected an old voting system viewed as more equitable, which means that half of parliament will be decided by people voting for individuals with the other half drawn from party lists as usual.

Few doubt United Russia will win, though its margin of victory could be slimmer than in recent elections with some opinion polls showing apathy levels are high and its support lower in places. Some pollsters privately predict it will increase its support nonetheless.

Gudkov says low turnout will play into the Kremlin's hands because it can rely on state workers, whose livelihoods depend on its largesse, delivering a sizeable vote. The lower the turnout, the greater the proportional significance of this bloc.

WAITING GAME

Politically-related financial problems are something Gudkov says he and his family are used to. Gennady, his father, says he was forced to sell the family business - a sprawling private security firm which employed 4,000 people - for a small fraction of its real value in 2012 after coming under Kremlin pressure for his opposition activities.

The Kremlin denies it uses officialdom to pressure businessmen or politicians into selling assets to settle political scores. Gudkov junior demurs.

"It was revenge for our activities on the street," he says of the sale. "Since we supported people taking to the streets we have faced problems in business, in politics, and in parliament."

On Wednesday, Gudkov made what he said was a last gasp appeal for campaign donations.

But he says time is on his side. "I don't believe the current system has a future because we need to carry out economic reforms. But that's impossible without carrying out political reforms too and Putin doesn't want to share power.

"That means the system's days are numbered. Their time is coming to an end whereas we are younger. I hope we'll live to see change."
Lawyers replaced by robots? UK start-up aims to cut out "grunt work"

LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The entrepreneur behind British software company Autonomy has invested in a start-up called Luminance that uses artificial intelligence to read documents and speed up the legal process around deals, potentially cutting out some lawyers.

Mike Lynch, who founded technology investment fund Invoke Capital after leaving Autonomy, said on Wednesday he saw great potential in Luminance, which was set up by Cambridge University students and has worked with lawyers at Slaughter and May to develop software to analyse documents.

"You can see the excitement around things like driverless cars, so this being all about contracts doesn't sound quite as riveting, but I actually think it's going to have a very big impact" Lynch told Reuters.

"Lawyers will be able to do the things that matter rather than the grunt work, they can add better value by doing better analysis of what is found, rather than trying to plough through 50,000 documents."

Founded by a combination of lawyers, experts in deals and mathematicians, Luminance has created software that it says can read and understand hundreds of pages of documents every minute, with clients charged according to usage.

Lynch said Invoke had invested in the low millions and expects to invest more in the future.

Sally Wokes, a deals partner at Slaughter and May, said the process of conducting due diligence ahead of a transaction was becoming increasingly difficult due to the amount of documentation available about an organisation.

"Trying to trawl through all of that when you're doing a transaction in order to understand the issues has become pretty much an impossible task," she said.
The passing of Alexis Arquette is very sad. She was an activist and role model for the Transgender Community. Thanks to her, Laverne Cox, Sarah McBride and many other activists in the Transgender Community are making huge strides forward. We are here to stay and will not be bullied by people's religious beliefs, personal opinions, hateful comments and actions.





There is strength in numbers, as we join with family, friends and allies to celebrate our diversity.The passing of hateful laws, disguised as religious freedom, is about as low as a person can stoop.

Many of us are veterans. Before coming to realize our true selves, we were held in high regard and now we are being bullied and discriminated against. More and more scientific proof shows that we are born this way - it is not a choice. The only choice is living as our true selves.

Unto Thine Own Self Be True.

Darlene Rochelle


Franco-German duo to lead Commission's Brexit negotiations

By Robin Emmott

BRUSSELS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The European Commission named on Wednesday a senior German trade negotiator to join France's former EU finance commissioner at the head of the team negotiating Britain's departure from the European Union.

The appointment puts Paris and Berlin, the two most powerful remaining EU governments, at the heart of talks likely to hinge on trade and the future of the City of London, Britain's financial centre, although the officials are expected to act independently of their capitals and for the broader European interest.

The Commission said Sabine Weyand, the deputy director in its trade department, will join the task force head, Michel Barnier, who was appointed in July.

The force "will coordinate the Commission's work on all strategic, operational, legal and financial issues related to these negotiations," it said in a statement.

The Franco-German duo underscores how Paris and Berlin are eager to shape Britain's exit from the world's largest trade bloc once London, in all likelihood next year, formally activates its withdrawal.

Commission chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker warned on Wednesday London could not access the single market if it barred some EU citizens from working in Britain, while European Parliament Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt said the talks offered an occasion for progress rather than revenge.

Barnier, who drew up Brussels' response to the global financial crisis, said last week he wanted a good deal with Britain.

He has brushed aside concerns about the tense relationship he had with London over tougher rules sensitive to the City during his tenure as the Commission's financial regulation chief from 2010 to 2014.

In 2010, Britain's The Telegraph published an article asking if Barnier was "the most dangerous man in Europe".

Financial services account for around 10 percent of Britain's economy, a larger share than in other big economies, and some British officials are seeking a new relationship with the EU based on a far-reaching free trade deal including services.
Doping-Poland's Rio Games doping cheat to win 2012 weightlifting medal

By Brian Oliver

Sept 14 (Reuters) - A weightlifter who finished ninth in the London 2012 Olympics and was sent home from this year's Rio Games for doping is set to get a medal because a rival, who is already serving an eight-year ban has tested positive retrospectively.

Tomasz Zielinski of Poland finished 22kg behind the top three in London in the 94kg category but because six of the eight lifters ahead of him have been caught out in re-tests he moves up to the bronze medal position.

Zielinski and his brother Adrian, the 2012 champion at 85kg, were sent back to Poland in disgrace before competing in Rio when results of pre-Games tests were announced.

With the top four in the 94kg in London all having been caught in the re-tests, gold will go to the lifter who finished fifth, Iran's Saeid Mohammadpourkarkaragh.

Those in sixth and seventh places have also tested positive, so when the legal process is completed silver will go to eighth-placed Kim Min-Jae of South Korea and bronze to Zielinski, provided there are no more adverse findings.

Samples from the 2008 and 2012 Games were re-tested by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who could not discount the possibility of further positives.

The first two waves of reanalysis were carried out before and during the Rio Games and there are two more waves to come.

The amended result of the 94kg category from London 2012 will not be officially announced until the retesting and legal process is complete.

"The result management of the reanalysis of the samples of the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 and London 2012 is still underway and the IOC will continue to communicate on a case by case basis as soon as disciplinary procedures are completed," said an IOC spokesperson. "We do not have an exact timeline on when these results will be announced."

Zielinski moved up when the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced on Tuesday a 47th retrospective positive in their sport.

Anatoli Ciricu of Moldova, who was banned for eight years in 2015 after a second doping offence, was in line for the gold medal until the IWF's announcement. Ciricu, who turned 28 on Wednesday, was also banned for two years in 2007.

His positive means Moldova will join eight other nations in being banned from the sport.

The IWF, whose board meet in Beijing on the last weekend of September to discuss doping and sanctions, announced in June that any nation which had three or more positives in the IOC retests would be banned for a year.

"It does not have to be ratified, the bans are automatic," Lilla Rozgonyi, IWF head of media, told Reuters.

"As soon as a country has three cases closed by the IOC they will be banned. It could be tomorrow, it could take a month but it is automatic."
Tankers seized in Yemen port, risking deeper import crisis

By Ahmad Ghaddar, Ron Bousso and Dmitry Zhdannikov

LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Authorities in a port controlled by Yemen's Houthi movement have seized two oil tankers from international traders in a payment dispute, according to the ships' owners, an incident which could make it more difficult for the country to import vital supplies.

Ocean Tankers, the Singapore-based owner of the two 74,000 tonne ships, the Chao Hu and the Hong Ze Hu, confirmed that the vessels were being denied permission to leave the Red Sea port of Hodeida, Yemen's second-biggest port, which is controlled by the Houthi movement that also holds the capital Sanaa.

Importing goods into Yemen became a major challenge since civil war broke out in the country and a Saudi-led coalition imposed a maritime blockade in its fight against the Houthi group that drove President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi from Sanaa in 2014.

Hadi's government now controls the southern port of Aden, but Sanaa and the north are in the hands of the Houthis and military forces loyal to their ally, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Yemen is the poorest country on the Arabian peninsula and depends heavily on imports to feed its nearly 25 million people.

While Yemen has been able to import certain goods including fuel, trade has been increasingly hampered by dwindling cash reserves and limited access to foreign bank credit lines.

"The vessels themselves are not under arrest but have unfortunately been caught up in a commercial dispute between cargo interests. The dispute is nothing to do with Ocean Tankers or our ships and we hope the dispute can be settled quickly," an Ocean Tankers spokesman said.

Several trading sources close to the matter said the Yemeni authorities had barred the ships from leaving after failing to pay tens of millions of dollars for their cargoes of gasoline and gasoil.

The cargoes are owned by Swiss-based trading houses Gunvor and Litasco, the trading arm of Russian oil company Lukoil , and were imported via CruGas, a London-based trader and regular supplier for Yemen's main oil company.

A document seen by Reuters shows the Yemeni ministry of justice issued a Sept. 4 injunction instructing the shipping agent not to give the two ships departure permits.

In response to the seizing of the Hong Ze Hu, charterer Gunvor filed a lawsuit on Sept. 6 at the UK High Court against CruGas, claiming nearly $39 million for losses suffered, according to a court filing seen by Reuters.

Gunvor said CruGas owed it for demurrage -- a charge for failing to discharge the ship on time -- and pre-payment for the cargo of 30,000 to 35,000 tonnes.

Gunvor and Litasco declined to comment. CruGas could not be reached for comment. Officials of the Houthi-controlled government in Sanaa could not be reached during the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday.

Sources at the port of Hodeidah said CruGas and the Yemen Oil and Gas Company (YOGC) were in a payment dispute over the delivery of fuel.

According to Reuters ship tracking data, the two vessels have been anchored off the coast of Yemen for several months.

LEGAL MISMATCH

Sending oil products to a war zone is riddled with risks, from political factors preventing delivery to insolvency of the buyer and the risk of non-payment, Ben Heaney, head of political risk at French shipping insurance broker Aon France, told Reuters.

This incident could have far reaching implications on Yemen's ability to import fuel or other goods in the future due to insurance risks that will make voyages costlier or in some cases impossible, Louis Bollaert, Aon's head of trade credit, political risk and surety said.

"Any detention or frustration action in Yemen that affects the oil sector and is not resolved promptly will almost certainly lead to a total withdrawal of insurance and finance appetite to fund and cover these types of risks," Heaney said.

According to Bollaert, the supply contract is governed by English law, while the injunction was made under Yemeni law, creating a legal mismatch.

"It would be impossible for the tanker to manoeuvre in order to leave the port. Additionally, the safety of the crew is paramount, and attempting to defy local 'law' would certainly add unwelcome danger to the crew's safety, in an already unacceptable situation," Heaney said.
French police arrest another teenager suspected of plotting attack

PARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - French police on Wednesday arrested a teenager suspected of plotting to kill in the name of the Islamic State, sources said, bringing the number of 15-years-olds detained on such grounds to three in the last week.

The latest youth detained is believed to have been planning an imminent attack and using encrypted social media channels to communicate with a French Islamist militant believed to be in Syria or Iraq.

In an operation led by France's domestic intelligence agency, police arrested the teenager in eastern Paris.

"We're working with extreme intensity to identify those we think are likely to carry out an attack," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told reporters, adding that Islamic State was recruiting "younger and younger individuals".

One of the three youths was said to have been planning an imminent attack when he was arrested on Saturday. A source said on Wednesday that another 15-year-old had been arrested last week.

A source inside the prosecutor's office said the youngsters had used the Telegram encrypted messaging system to communicate with Rachid Kassim, an Islamic State jihadist of French nationality.

Their arrests follow the detention of three women, including a 19-year-old, who had allegedly wanted to attack a Paris railway station using a car laden with gas cylinders.

France is reeling from a wave of militant attacks that have killed more than 230 people since January 2015, and its intelligence services are struggling to dismantle a web of militant networks inside the country.

In November last year, a squad of suicide bombers and gunmen killed 130 people in a coordinated attack on multiple sites in Paris.

In July, a Tunisian delivery man killed 86 people when he drove his truck through a crowd on Nice's seafront. Later that month two militants knifed to death an elderly priest at his altar in a church in northern France.

"What sets France apart (from other European nations) is the wide-open profile of recruit: urban or rural, Muslim or convert, man or woman," said Arnaud Danjean, a European Parliament lawmaker who specialises in defence and security.

"Acts like the attempted attack with gas cylinders, the throat-slitting of a priest, or the guy who ploughs his truck through a crowd, that today is the face of this threat."
Brazil's Lula charged as 'top boss' of Petrobras graft scheme

By Sergio Spagnuolo

CURITIBA, Brazil, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Brazilian prosecutors charged ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday with being the "boss" of a vast corruption scheme at state oil company Petrobras, in a major blow to the leftist hero's hopes of a political comeback.

It was the first time that Lula, still Brazil's most popular politician despite corruption accusations against him and his Workers Party, was charged by federal prosecutors for involvement in the political kickbacks scheme at Petroleo Brasileiro, as the company is officially known.

Public Prosecutor Deltan Dallagnol told a news conference that Lula will be charged with corruption and money laundering for leading a kickback scheme that caused an estimated 42 billion reais ($12.6 billion) in losses to Petrobras shareholders and tax payers.

"He was the conductor of this criminal orchestra," Dallagnol said during a detailed presentation of the investigation. "The Petrobras graft scheme aimed at keeping the Workers Party in power by criminal means."

Lula's lawyers said prosecutors lacked evidence to back up their accusations which were part of political persecution to stop him running in the 2018 election.

"This Lula-centered farce was trumped up as an affront to the democratic state and intelligence of Brazilian citizens," one of Lula's lawyers, Cristiano Zanin, told reporters in Sao Paulo.

Dallagnol stopped short of saying investigators would seek an arrest order for Lula, who became a hero to many poor Brazilians during his 2003-2010 government.

The two-year-old Operation Carwash anti-corruption investigation, based in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba, has uncovered how political appointees named by Lula's Workers Party and its allies handed overpriced contracts to engineering firms in return for illicit party funding and bribes.

The scandal helped topple the Workers Party from power last month by crushing the popularity of Lula's chosen successor, Dilma Rousseff. She was impeached by Congress on unrelated charges of breaking budget rules, amid rising anger over her handling of Brazil's worst recession since the 1930s.

Dallagnol said that Lula, because of his control of the machinery of the Workers Party and the Brazilian government, was the central figure in the scheme.

Prosecutors allege that the charismatic former union leader had personally received some 3.7 million reais ($1.11 million) in bribes, including a luxury apartment on the coast of Sao Paulo from one of the engineering and construction firms at the center of the bribery scandal, OAS.

Lula has denied ownership of the three-floor condo in Guaruja.

Lula's case will go before crusading anti-corruption Judge Sergio Moro, who has jailed dozens of executives and others involved in the scheme.

Former first lady, Marisa Leticia Lula da Silva, has also been charged.

Lula has separately been indicted by a court in Brasilia for obstruction of justice in a case related to an attempt to persuade a defendant in the Petrobras scandal not to turn state's witness.

BLOW TO LULA MYTH

Lula, 70, has not ruled out running again for president in 2018, but a criminal conviction would bar him from being a candidate for the next eight years.

His fall, as well as that of the leftist party he founded in 1980, has been dramatic.

A one-time shoeshine boy and union leader who led massive strikes against Brazil's military dictatorship, contributing to its downfall, he was elected the nation's first working class president in 2002 after three failed campaigns.

Wildly popular with Brazil's poor, Lula's social policies helped yank millions out of poverty and into the middle class, and he left office in 2010 with an 83-percent approval rating and an economy that grew at a blistering 7.5 percent.

But two years ago, as the Petrobras probe became public, prosecutors began to slowly put Lula in their crosshairs.

Many prosecutors and investigators say they cannot imagine such a powerful figure was unaware of the institutionalized corruption and political kickbacks taking place at Petrobras and other state-run companies.

Marcos Troyjo, a former Brazilian diplomat and co-director of Columbia University's BRICLab in Rio de Janeiro, said he thinks Wednesday's charges are the first of many Lula will be facing in the coming months.

"That means the Workers Party, which may have thought it would move comfortably into the opposition after Dilma's impeachment, will confront extreme challenges," said Troyjo. "It's certainly the beginning of the end to Lula's presidential aspirations for 2018."

Recent polls have shown that despite the investigations targeting Lula and the Workers Party, he would be a favorite to win the next presidential election.

"But these charges are likely too big a blow to the political myth of Lula, to the candidate Lula and to the Workers Party as a whole for that to happen," Troyjo said. ($1 = 3.3408 Brazilian reais)
Brazil prosecutors say Lula was 'general' of vast Petrobras graft scheme

SAO PAULO, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Brazilian prosecutors on Wednesday denounced former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as the 'general' in command of a vast corruption scheme at state oil company Petrobras aimed at keeping his leftist Workers Party in power.
Italian TV station suspends ties with Di Canio over fascist tattoo

ROME, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Sky Italia television station has suspended its ties with former Lazio and West Ham striker Paolo Di Canio after he presented a show wearing a T-shirt that showed he had a tattoo celebrating former Fascist leader Benito Mussolini.

Di Canio had his own weekly programme on Sky Italia, a unit of Sky Plc, to discuss the English premier league, but sparked controversy on Sunday when he appeared with bare arms, with the word "Dux" inked large on his right forearm.

"Dux" refers to Italy's World War Two leader, Mussolini, who was known in Italy as Il Duce and was allied with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

"We committed an error and apologise to all those who were offended. After a long conversation (with Di Canio) we have decided to suspend (contacts)," said Jacques Raynaud, the vice president of Sky Italia's sport channels.

There was no immediate comment from Di Canio.

As a Lazio player in 2005, Di Canio celebrated a goal against rivals AS Roma with a straight-arm fascist-style salute to his club's fans. He later sought to distance himself from the extreme right when he faced criticism in 2013 after being appointed manager of Premier league club Sunderland.
Contestants chow down meatballs to raise funds for Italian quake victims

Sept 14 (Reuters) - A meatball eating contest at a restaurant on New York's Upper East Side saw patrons engorging themselves on the traditional food to raise money for victims of the earthquake that devastated parts of central Italy last month.

"I've been thinking for like two, three days, what can I do? What can I do to help ... the best way to raise money to give to those people in need ... 65,000 people displaced. They're homeless, simply, homeless," explained Nino Selimaj, owner of Nino's Restaurant. "So, I said let me try and maybe we'll raise some money."

Nino's will donate proceeds from the sale of meatball dishes to the relief fund for the duration of the Feast of San Gennaro from Sept. 15th through Sept. 25.
UK's Johnson reassures Ukraine of support after Brexit vote

By Matthias Williams

KIEV, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Britain continues to support keeping sanctions on Russia, its foreign minister Boris Johnson said during a visit to Ukraine on Wednesday, adding that London's position was unchanged by June's vote to leave the European Union.

On his first visit to Kiev since taking office, Johnson said it was primarily up to the Kremlin to make progress towards peace in eastern Ukraine, where fighting between Ukrainian troops and separatist rebels has killed more than 9,500 people.

He said he supported the efforts of the foreign ministers of Germany and France, who were also separately in Kiev for talks, to achieve a lasting ceasefire and a roadmap for peace under the so-called Minsk agreement.

There were fears in Kiev ahead of the June 23 EU referendum that a Brexit vote would weaken the EU's support for Ukraine and undermine its resolve to stand up to Russia. Some EU states want sanctions against Russia lifted.

In the run-up to the vote, Johnson, who championed leaving the EU, also publicly linked the Ukraine crisis to what he called the "EU's pretensions to running a defence policy".

"Whatever you want to say about the EU's handling of the issues, the crucial thing now is that we maintain sanctions," Johnson said on Wednesday, while fielding a question that referred to his earlier remarks.

"Brexit or not, it makes no difference to us," he said. "We continue to be a major player, as I've always said, in common foreign and security policy. It's inconceivable that the UK would not be involved in that kind of conversation about sanctions."

Johnson said that the Minsk process was progressing at a "snail's pace" but remained the only way of resolving the conflict in the Donbass region, which erupted after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

"Clearly it's up to the Russians primarily to make progress on the security side," he said, speaking to reporters alongside his Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Klimkin.

"But it's up to all sides I think in this conversation to make progress together."

Moscow denies accusations by Ukraine and NATO that it helps the separatists with troops and arms.

A ceasefire in Donbass was launched to coincide with the start of the school year on Sept. 1. It failed to stop all fighting but the German and French foreign ministers said on Wednesday an attempt to revive a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine from midnight could set the scene for agreement next week on further peace moves.
Bayer's Monsanto acquisition to face politically charged scrutiny

By Diane Bartz and Greg Roumeliotis

WASHINGTON D.C./NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - As the global agricultural sector races to consolidate, Bayer AG's $66 billion all-cash deal to acquire Monsanto Co will test growing political and consumer unease in the United States and abroad over the future of food production.

Bayer's pesticide-focused agricultural business has few overlaps with Monsanto's dominant seed franchise, according to the companies' executives. Still, marrying two of the world's top farm suppliers at a time when rivals are also merging is fueling concern over reduced competition in the $100 billion global market.

Monsanto and Bayer "have chosen to do a deal in the year of merging dangerously," said David Balto, a former policy director at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. "They are in for a tough time."

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has called a hearing next Tuesday to scrutinize the wave of consolidation. Farmers in Iowa, the Republican senator's home state, are worried that seed and chemical costs are rising while grain prices are near their lowest levels in years. Farm incomes have plunged.

Senator Bernie Sanders, who recently ended a run for the Democratic presidential nomination, called the deal "a threat to all Americans."

"These mergers boost the profits of huge corporations and leave Americans paying even higher prices," he said.

Senators Mike Lee and Amy Klobuchar, the two top antitrust lawmakers, also expressed concern. "The transaction has the potential to result in a significant loss of competition and reduced incentives and ability to innovate, thereby raising prices," said Lee, a Republican from Utah.

Monsanto agreed to sell itself to Bayer for $128 per share in cash, yet its shares hovered around $107 Wednesday, reflecting investor uncertainty about regulators. Bayer has agreed to pay Monsanto a $2 billion breakup fee if the deal is thwarted.

The German company aims to create a one-stop shop for seeds, crop chemicals and computer-aided services to farmers.

That was the idea behind Monsanto's swoop on Syngenta AG last year. The Swiss company fended off that offer only to agree later to a takeover by China's state-owned ChemChina.

U.S. chemicals giants Dow Chemical Co and DuPont plan to merge and spin off their seeds and crop chemicals operations into a major agribusiness.

If all these deals close, three companies would control nearly 70 percent of the world's pesticide market and 80 percent of the U.S. corn-seed market.

In addition, Canadian fertilizer producers Potash Corp of Saskatchewan Inc and Agrium Inc said on Monday they agreed to merge, sparking questions of whether regulators will sign off on the new company's potential pricing power.

INEVITABLE SCRUTINY

It has been a tough year for aggressive mega-deals. Antitrust authorities have challenged agreements ranging from oilfield services mergers to health insurance buyouts. Other regulators have cracked down on deals that aid tax avoidance or risk harming national security.

The Monsanto and Bayer deal, which would be the largest-ever all-cash acquisition, faces intense and lengthy regulatory processes in the United States, the European Union and elsewhere, experts said.

"This merger is not a slam dunk," said Diana Moss, president of the American Antitrust Institute.

Hugh Grant, Monsanto's chief executive officer, told reporters the companies will need to file in about 30 jurisdictions.

Monsanto and Bayer have had "initial contacts with regulatory agencies describing what this combination would be about," Bayer Chief Executive Officer Werner Baumann said on an investor call, and "received encouraging feedback."

The value of assets Bayer is willing to divest is to be revealed by next week, when details of the merger agreement become public, according to sources familiar with the deal.

Areas of potential overlap include some soybeans, canola and cotton seeds.

Bayer's share of the U.S. cotton seed market sits at 38.5 percent, while Monsanto is 31.2 percent, according to data compiled by the Konkurrenz Group.

"I would have to say this: I think there will be some concern from the growers because of the consolidation," said Craig Brown, a vice president of the National Cotton Council of America. Brown said the council had taken no formal position on the proposed deal.

TOUGH YEAR

U.S. antitrust enforcers will look at more than product overlaps, said Moss.

"People don't get the enormous impact that these deals can have on innovation markets. You need more innovators in there battling it out so that you actually do produce new technology for farmers," she said.

The deals would leave farmers facing a duopoly in seed (Bayer/Monsanto and Dow) and two big firms in chemicals (Syngenta and Bayer/Monsanto), she said.

In terms of the U.S. corn seeds and traits market, according to Morgan Stanley Research, a merged Dow and DuPont would have about a 41 percent market share, while a merged Monsanto-Bayer would have about 36 percent. In soybean seeds and traits, the group estimated a merged Dow/DuPont would have about 38 percent. Monsanto-Bayer would have 28 percent.

The U.S. political landscape after the November federal election also will influence these ag-related deals.

Maurice Stucke, formerly in the Justice Department now with the Konkurrenz Group, called it highly unlikely that Obama administration antitrust enforcers, who have knocked down a long list of big mergers in concentrated industries this year, would make the final decision on Bayer-Monsanto.

"Merger reviews of this complexity would take six to nine months," Stucke said. "This would be the first major test of the new administration."
10/28/2022

Chattanoogan.com is getting a design update effective Saturday. It will make our online newspaper for Chattanooga much more mobile friendly since the majority of our readers check us out on ... more
Exactly a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a red carpet welcome in Hanoi, it was the turn of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to be accorded the same reception - that too in China.

Modi's visit to Hanoi had made headlines as it was the first by an Indian PM in 15 years, and it also brought an announcement of a $ 500 million line of credit from India for defence purchases - a striking agreement amid recent tensions between Vietnam and China over the South China Sea.

Nguyen Xuan Phuc with PM Narendra Modi in Hanoi. [Reuters]

A week later, the Vietnamese leader was himself, on Monday and Tuesday, being given a red-carpet reception in Beijing. He is in China on a six-day visit, unusually long for two countries that have recently had not-so-smooth ties.

On Monday evening, Phuc and his counterpart Li Keqiang announced a string of agreements following hour-long talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, largely to boost their already deep trade relations.

More significantly, they also arrived at an understanding to put aside their differences on the South China Sea, at least for the time being.This means that for the near-term, at least, Hanoi is likely to pursue a different tack from the Philippines, which sought - and won - an arbitration ruling on its disputes with China.

This was also the message stressed by Xi Jinping to Phuc on Tuesday, who suggested going forward with joint exploration projects in the Gulf of Tonkin, where both sides have resolved their disputes with a maritime delimitation agreement signed in 2000.

Swing states

Phuc's visit underlines the balancing act that many countries in the region are attempting when it comes to engaging China.

On the one hand, they are reaching out to other regional powers like India to build leverage and bolster their defence capabilities to respond to the China threat.

Besides the $ 500 million line of credit, Vietnam also signed a deal with India for high-speed off-shore patrol boats - a very clear and direct example of seeking assistance to counter the threat posed by China's ever-expanding naval presence in the waters off Vietnam.

While this certainly presents strategic openings for India, expectations, however, will also need to be tempered. As much as some experts may like to imagine India building the kind of relationships in China's backyard that Beijing has with Pakistan, such an eventuality remains unlikely for several reasons.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc with President Xi Jinping in China. [Reuters]

Vietnam is perhaps the clearest case in point. As Phuc's visit indicated, despite its tensions with China, both countries also have a deep and complex relationship.

Speaking to India Today following Phuc's talks with the Chinese premier, Chinese vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin pointed out that both countries' bilateral trade had now crossed a remarkable $97 billion - to put it in perspective, India's two-way trade with China is around $70 billion.

Asked how concerned China was by Vietnam's move to seek closer defence and security ties with countries like India and even the United States which recently ended an arms embargo with Hanoi, Liu dismissed those worries. "In fact," he said, "we have not even been talking about these questions."

In Vietnam's case, while recent popular sentiment has turned against China on account of fears of its looming economic and military might, at the level of the governments there are long historical and institutional ties. After all, as Liu put it, they were bound together as "two socialist countries ruled by communists".
The office of several Cleveland attorneys was shot up early Wednesday morning.

The Police Department is investigating the incident at the office of Chancey, Kanavos, Love and Painter at 121 Broad St. SW.

No one was in the office at the time of the shooting.



Police do not have any suspects at this time.
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger and the Hamilton County Commission invite the public to join them at noon on Friday at the Courthouse for a brief Constitution Day celebration.

Constitution Day in a recognized national holiday commemorating the signing of the United States Constitution in September, 1787. Fridays celebration will highlight the significance of the worlds oldest constitution and the establishment of a system based on the rule of law.

While the Preamble identifies the purposes of our republican form of government, most citizens are most familiar with the phrase, WE THE PEOPLE, the first three words of the document.

The public is invited to join the county mayor and Commission, along with the co-sponsoring Chief John Ross Chapter, DAR members, on the south steps of the Courthouse. The celebration will include an opening statement from County Mayor Coppinger, citizen participation in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Americans Creed, a recognition of all veterans in attendance and a reaffirmation to foster civic virtue and an informed electorate.
Eight months ago, in his final State of the Union Address and subsequent weekly address, President Obama set a bold goalevery American student should have the opportunity to learn computer science. The Presidents case was simple. More than nine in 10 parents want CS taught at their childs school and yet, by some estimates, only a quarter of K-12 schools offer a CS course with programming included.

The need for such skills across industries continues to grow rapidly, with 51 percent of all science, technology, engineering, and math jobs projected to be in a CS-related field by 2018. Since the Presidents call to action, strong momentum for CS education has been growing at all levels of government and in the private sector.

To mark this progress, and celebrate new commitments in support of the Presidents initiative, the White House is hosting a summit on Computer Science for All Wednesday.

As part of the White Houses Computer Science Summit, Chattanooga-based Thinking Medias Learning Blade was featured as key component of two of the nationally announced commitments.

The Commitments are:

Thinking Media is committing to exposing up to 30,000 middle school students in 320 schools in Arkansas to CS careers through the governor of Arkansass initiative to deliver Learning Blade, a tool for increasing STEM career awareness, by December 2017. In addition, at a national level, TATA Consultancy Services will collaborate with Thinking Media and Learning Blade to introduce 10 CS careers and technologies in way that emphasizes social interaction and impact.

Tennessee STEM Innovation Network will create a virtual STEM education hub equipped with CS courses, CS and STEM career awareness through Learning Blade to reach rural and under-served students at over 150 schools by June 2017.

Recognizing the value of career awareness as a key component to advancing computer science job readiness for our nations students is rewarding for our company. We are honored to be included in this national effort, said Sheila Boyington, president and CEO for Thinking Media/Learning Blade.

In order to prepare young people for 21st century careers, students need to be able to relate to the innovative work that professionals actually do within companies. We believe that the CS missions are a pioneering effort to expand their outlook and we are glad to partner with Learning Blade to inspire tomorrow's leaders today, said Balaji Ganapathy, TCS.

Governor Asa Hutchinson said, The Learning Blades focus on STEM education will offer Arkansass students new and exciting opportunities to learn real-world computer science concepts. This program will help our young learners master the fundamentals required for an array of specialized and highly-competitive STEM careers. This effort, along with my computer science initiative, is putting Arkansass students in an even better position to land tech-driven jobs. As the computer coding movement in Arkansas continues to gain momentum, I look forward to even greater numbers of students taking on the skills needed for these challenging and rewarding fields.

Learning Blade challenges students to take on game-based projects that expose them to different aspects of science, technology, engineering, and math education  commonly referred to as STEM. Learning Blade is used in over 25 states including statewide in Tennessee and Arkansas and DC. The new Learning Blade Computer Science mission will be officially launched in Arkansas this fall.



For more information click here or contact Ms. Boyington at 309-3667.




The following companies are subsidiares of ABB: ABB (China) Investment Limited, ABB (China) Ltd., ABB (Hong Kong) Ltd., ABB (Namibia) (Pty) Ltd., ABB (P.J.S.C.), ABB (Private) Ltd., ABB (Pty) Ltd., ABB (Pvt) Ltd., ABB A/S, ABB AB, ABB AG, ABB AS, ABB AUTOMACAO LTDA, ABB AUTOMATION AND ELECTRIFICATION (VIETNAM)COMPANY LIMITED, ABB AUTOMATION HOLDINGS (THAILAND) CO. LTD., ABB Algeria SpA Asea Brown Boveri, ABB Algerie Produits SpA, ABB Asea Brown Boveri Ltd, ABB Asea Brown Boveri SRL, ABB Ausbildungszentrum Berlin gGmbH, ABB Australia Pty Limited, ABB Automation (Thailand) Co. Ltd., ABB B.V., ABB Bailey Beijing Engineering Co. Ltd., ABB Bailey Japan Limited, ABB Beijing Drive Systems Co. Ltd., ABB Beijing Switchgear Limited, ABB Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsges. mbH, ABB Bulgaria EOOD, ABB Business Services Sp. z o.o., ABB Cable Management Products Ltd, ABB Canada EL Holding GmbH, ABB Capital AG, ABB Capital B.V., ABB Centroamerica y El Caribe S.A., ABB Chargedot Shanghai New Energy Technology Co. Ltd, ABB Colombia Ltda, ABB Construction (ABACON) S.A.E., ABB E-MOBILITY INC., ABB E-MOBILITY PTE. LTD., ABB E-mobility AB, ABB E-mobility AG, ABB E-mobility AS, ABB E-mobility GmbH, ABB E-mobility Holding Ltd, ABB E-mobility QFZ LLC, ABB E-mobility S.p.A., ABB E-mobility SAS, ABB E-mobility SL, ABB E-mobility Technology Shenzhen Co. Ltd, ABB E-mobility UK Limited, ABB ELECTRICAL & AUTOMATION W.L.L, ABB ELECTRIFICATION HOLDINGS (THAILAND) CO. LTD., ABB ELETRIFICACAO LTDA, ABB Ecuador S.A., ABB Electrical Control Systems S. de R.L. de C.V., ABB Electrical Equipment (Xiamen) Co. Ltd., ABB Electrical Equipment Ltd., ABB Electrical Industries Co. Ltd., ABB Electrical Machines Ltd., ABB Electrical Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ABB Electrification (Thailand) Co. Ltd., ABB Electrification Canada ULC, ABB Electrification Norway AS, ABB Electrification Sweden AB, ABB Elektrik Sanayi A.S., ABB Engg. Technologies Co. (KSCC), ABB Engineering (Shanghai), ABB Engineering Trading and Service Ltd., ABB Equipo de Control Y Distribucion S. de R.L. de C.V., ABB Equity Limited, ABB FZ-LLC, ABB Finance (USA) Inc., ABB Finance B.V., ABB For Feeding Industries SAE, ABB France, ABB GLOBAL BUSINESS SERVICES AND CONTRACTINGINDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, ABB Global Industries and Services Private Limited, ABB Global Marketing FZ LLC, ABB Group Holdings Pty. Ltd., ABB Group Investment Management Pty. Ltd., ABB Guangdong Sihui Instrument Transformer Co. Ltd., ABB Hangzhou Winmation Automation Company Limited, ABB Holding AS, ABB Holdings (Pty) Ltd., ABB Holdings B.V., ABB Holdings Inc., ABB Holdings Limited, ABB Holdings Sdn. Bhd., ABB INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS (LODZ) S.A. W LIKWIDACJI, ABB Inc., ABB Inc., ABB India Limited, ABB Industrial Solutions (Australia) Pty Ltd, ABB Industrial Solutions (Belgium) BV, ABB Industrial Solutions (Bielsko-Biala) Sp. z o.o., ABB Industrial Solutions (Canada) Inc., ABB Industrial Solutions (Klodzko) Sp.z.o.o., ABB Industries (L.L.C.), ABB Industries FZ, ABB Information Systems Ltd., ABB Installation Products Caribe LLC, ABB Installation Products European Centre S.A., ABB Installation Products Inc, ABB Installation Products International LLC., ABB Installation Products Limited, ABB Installation Products Monterrey S. de R.L. de C.V., ABB Installacios Keszulekek Kft., ABB Investment Holding 2 GmbH, ABB Investments (Pty) Ltd, ABB Inzeniring d.o.o., ABB Jiangjin Turbo Systems Company Limited, ABB K.K., ABB Kaufel GmbH, ABB LAFRENZE PROPERTY (PROPERTY) LIMITED, ABB LLC, ABB LLP., ABB LV Installation Materials Co. Ltd. Beijing, ABB Limitada, ABB Limited, ABB Limited/Jordan LLC., ABB Lineage Power Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ABB Logistics Center Europe GmbH, ABB Ltd., ABB Maghreb Services S.A., ABB Malaysia Sdn Bhd., ABB Management Services Ltd., ABB Mexico S.A. de C.V., ABB Motors and Mechanical Inc, ABB N.V., ABB Norden Holding AB, ABB Operations Center Ltd., ABB Orange B.V., ABB Oryx Motors and Generators Service LLC, ABB Oy, ABB Panama Sales S.A., ABB Power & Automation (Private) Limited, ABB Power & Automation Limited, ABB Power Electronics (Germany) GmbH, ABB Power Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ABB Power Electronics (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., ABB Power Electronics Inc., ABB Pte. Ltd., ABB Reinsurance AG, ABB Robotics (Zhuhai) Ltd, ABB Robotics Machine Tending Limited, ABB Robotics Solutions NV, ABB S.A., ABB S.A. de CV, ABB S.p.A., ABB SARL, ABB SAS, ABB SIA, ABB Schweiz AG, ABB Shanghai Free Trade Zone Industrial Co. Ltd., ABB Shanghai Motors Co. Ltd., ABB South Africa (Pty) Ltd., ABB Sp. z o.o., ABB Stotz-Kontakt Gmb, ABB Striebel & John GmbH, ABB Susa Inc., ABB Technologies Ltd., ABB Technologies S.A., ABB Technology SA, ABB Tianjin Switchgear Co. Ltd., ABB Transmission & Distribution Limited LLC, ABB Treasury Center (USA) Inc., ABB Turbo Systems (Hong Kong) Limited, ABB Turbochargers S.A.E., ABB UAB, ABB Verwaltungs AG, ABB Wirtschaftsbetriebe GmbH, ABB Xiamen Corporation Management Service Co. Ltd., ABB Xiamen Low Voltage Equipment Co. Ltd., ABB Xiamen Smart Technology Co. Ltd., ABB Xiamen Switchgear Co. Ltd., ABB Xinhui Low Voltage Switchgear Co. Ltd., ABB d.o.o., ABB eMobility Digital Venture GmbH, ABB for Electrical Industries (ABB ARAB) S.A.E., ABB for Electrical Solutions and Technologies K.S.C.C., ABB s.r.o., ABB s.r.o., ABBNG Limited, APS Technology Group, ASEA BROWN BOVERI Portugal Unipessoal Lda, ASTI France SAS, ASTI Mobile Robotics, Asea Brown Boveri Electrica SGPS (Angola) Limitada, Asea Brown Boveri Industrial Technical & CommercialCompany of Imports  Exports S.A., Asea Brown Boveri Lanka (Private) Limited, Asea Brown Boveri Ltd., Asea Brown Boveri S.A., Asea Brown Boveri S.A. de C.V., Asea Brown Boveri S.A.E., Asti Mobile Robotics GmbH, Asti Mobile Robotics Group SL, Asti Mobile Robotics SAU, B & R Automazione Industriale S.r.l., B & R Industrial Automation Ltd., B + R Industrie-Elektronik GmbH, B&R Automatyka Przemyslowa Sp.z.o.o., B&R Automacao Industrial Ltda., B&R Holding GmbH, B&R Industrial Automation, B&R Industrial Automation (China) Co. Ltd., B&R Industrial Automation A/S, B&R Industrial Automation AB, B&R Industrial Automation Co. Ltd., B&R Industrial Automation Corp., B&R Industrial Automation GmbH, B&R Industrial Automation Iberica S.L.U., B&R Industrial Automation Inc., B&R Industrial Automation Pte. Ltd., B&R Industrial Automation Pvt. Ltd., B&R Industrie-Automation AG, B&R Industriele Automatisering B.V., B&R K.K., B+R Automation Industrielle SARL, B+R Industrial Automation OOO, B+R automatizace spol. s.r.o., BR Endustriyel Otomasyon Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Baldor Electric Company, Busch-Jaeger Elektro GmbH, Chargedot, Cherokee India Pvt. Ltd., Codian Robotics, Codian Robotics B.V., Codian Robotics of the Americas, Combustion Engineering Inc., Cylon Controls, Cylon Controls Limited, Cylon Energy Inc., DynaMotive Ltd., ELBI Elektrik, Edison Holding Corporation, Enervalis NV, Envitech Energy, Epyon, GE Industrial Solutions, Gomtec, Gresin Grupo Estudios Industriales, IMV Invertomatic Victron UK Limited, In-Charge Energy, Industrial C&S Hungary Kft., Industrial C&S of P.R. LLC, Industrial Connections & Solutions LLC, Industrial Connections of SA Pty. Ltd., Intrimmo BVBA, Jinan ABB SRI Rail Transit Equipment Technology Co. Ltd., Jordan Acquisition Group, KEYMILE - Business, Kaufel S.A., Kuhlman Electric Corp., Lineage Overseas LLC, Lineage Power (Argentina) S.R.L., Lineage Power (Luxembourg) S.A.R.L., Lineage Power China Co. Ltd., Lineage Power Holdings Inc., Lineage Power Matamoros S.A. de C.V., Lorentzen & Wettre, Los Gatos Research, Mincom, NUB3D S.L., Newave Energy Holding, Newron System, PT ABB Sakti Industri, Pinghu Zhuangbest Technology Development Co. Ltd., Power-One, Powercorp, Powertel India Pvt. Ltd., RGM - Rail vehicle power business, RMI Automation Co. Ltd., SVIA, SWISS TURBOCHARGERS SA DE CV, Saudi Industrial Solutions Ltd., Shanghai Zhuangbest Technology Development Co. Ltd., Shantou Winride Switchgear Co. Ltd., Sirius Holdings B.V., Smart Power Technology Co. Ltd., Spirit IT, Swissturbo (Shanghai) Investment Limited, SynerLeap powered by ABB AB, TURBO SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, TURBO SYSTEMS ITALY S.P.A., TURBO SYSTEMS RUS LLC, TURBO-SUPERIOR SYSTEMS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, TURBOCHARGING GREECE SINGLE MEMBER SA, Thomas & Betts, Thomas & Betts Saudi Arabia Limited Liability Co., Trasfor, Tropos Networks, Turbo Systems Argentina S.A., Turbo Systems Canada Inc, Turbo Systems Colombia SAS, Turbo Systems Dominican Republic SRL, Turbo Systems Finland Oy, Turbo Systems Germany GmbH, Turbo Systems Holding Ltd, Turbo Systems Iberia S.L., Turbo Systems Korea Ltd., Turbo Systems Myanmar Limited, Turbo Systems Pakistan (Private) Limited, Turbo Systems South East Asia Pte. Ltd., Turbo Systems Switzerland Ltd, Turbo Systems The Netherlands B.V., Turbo Systems Turkey Muhendislik Makine Sanayi Ve TicaretAnonim Sirketi, Turbo Systems US Inc., Turbo Systems United Co. Ltd., Turbo Systems Verwaltungs Ltd, Turbocharging Bangladesh Limited, Turbocharging Brasil Ltda., Turbocharging Systems Co. Ltd., Turbocharging Systems France SAS, Turbocharging UK Limited, Turbosystems Nigeria Limited LTD, Validus DC Systems, Vectek Electronics, Ventyx, Verdi Holding Corporation, W.J. Furse & Co. Ltd., Yangzhou SAC Switchgear Co. Ltd, and Zhejiang Chargedot New Energy Technology Co. Ltd..

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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.
While growing up back in Neolithic times (aka the 1940's), various friends would point out a slightly built, wiry little man, who drove a funny car. We would be waiting for the bus at the corner of Anderson and Belvoir Avenues in Brainerd, and, if lucky, we MIGHT get to see him in his odd car. He would be coming down from his modest home on North View Avenue, second street behind my house. At that time the only thing that distinguished him from us ordinary folk WAS the car.

As time progressed, we were told by adults that his car was an English-made "foreign" car. In those days "foreign" cars were extremely rare in our area and to glimpse one never failed to rouse excitement - much like the sight of an ancient Model T Ford causes today when unexpectedly seen on the street. So we came to watch for Mr. Caton's car for the momentary thrill it gave us, and on occasion we would see him chauffering his wife in the passenger seat.

Many years passed, and my old neighborhood was given up to the construction of Interstate Highway 24. My parents and I were forced to move, so we left Mr. and Mrs. Caton - and their wonderful car - behind. (The name is pronounced, KAY-ton, incidentally)

Another block of years passed, and during the late 1960's and early1970's I found myself doing full-color renderings for all the architects of the city. I was regularly calling on the Selmon T. Franklin firm of architects on North Market Street, and one day I was requested to follow one of his people back into a workroom area where quite an impressive number of draftsmen were kept busy. While inside the drafting room my eye noticed a familiar wiry little man whom I immediately recognized as our Mr. Caton! This was quite a big surprise, as I had NO IDEA that he was an architect. He worked until virtually his last day on earth, and I clipped his obituary when he died. That obituary, dated April 4th, 1973, will be the basis of what I write below...

Mr. Caton was one of those genteel, old-school Britishers who rarely ever made an audible sound. Always focused on the work in front of him, he could have been a good role model for the youth of any generation. Born in the south of England (Sussex, in 1889) in the coastal town of Hove, he studied at nearby Brighton College, and also Brighton School of Art. After serving with British forces in WW1 from 1914 to 1919, he migrated to Winnipeg, Canada at war's end. There he joined an architectural firm, but left soon for the R.H. Hunt firm of architects here in Chattanooga. THAT was one of the very most influential old-line architectural firms of our city and you will find examples of their work in John Wilson's various Chattanooga books. I was fascinated to chat one day with Rufus Holt, an elderly architect I did renderings for, who had first-hand knowledge of the R.H. Hunt Company. Holt showed me some astoundingly beautiful watercolor renderings on linen paper which were produced by someone at the Hunt firm. Our Mr. Caton could also have told many stories about the early days here, of course, but unfortunately I never got a conversation with Caton. (Those old watercolor renderings are still around, I would wager, and are of sufficient interest that they should be displayed in any Chattanooga History museum for the public to admire!)

William Caton was in town when TVA first came into being (during the Presidental terms of Franklin Delano Roosevelt). He spent a short time with TVA, before associating himself with a Mr. Street, and later with Rufus Holt (above) for a second time. He finally settled at the Selmon T. Franklin firm in 1964, where he remained until virtually the day he died in 1973.

During all these seemingly indecisive years he found time to leave us several buildings which are still landmarks of our city. These include the Chattanooga Bank Building, Medical Arts Building on McCallie Avenue (still in daily use by First Presbyterian Church), the former downtown post office, (now known as the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building), Brainerd Junior HS, (more recently called the 21st Century School for the Arts and Sciences), Howard School, Orchard Knob Junior HS, and Ridgeview Baptist Church. If not "THE" architect for all these buildings, he at least played a major role in the design and construction of each.

I had long been in search of some people and buildings to connect into some kind of interesting story about the rich architectural legacy we have here in Chattanooga. As John Wilson's new book of Chattanooga photos proves, beautiful brick structures were beginning to crop up out of the mud here very soon after the Civil War. These new buildings gave our city a very strong and "substantial" look which endures to this day. I am thinking specifically of the long sweeping curve of brick buildings on the east side of Market Street which lead southward toward the Choo Choo. There are plenty of other such places as well. The firm of Selmon T. Franklin (above) was most responsible in taking photos of almost every old building that was demolished in town. I know he photographed a lot of the fancy old Victorian homes along Oak Street just ahead of the wrecking ball, as the university spread ever-farther in all directions. We can tie Hunt, Holt, Caton, and Franklin together to create the abbreviated history of architecture in our city which I have laid out here. Some young and energetic person should definitely write a more comprehensive history of our dynamic architectural heritage than I have done. I have left out such men as Donald L. Wamp, Sr., Alan Derthick, and MANY another great talent, but who represent a much newer day. It was the old connectivity I sought, and - thanks to Mr. William Caton's obit - I was able to (barely) scratch the surface.

Mr. Caton's obituary says he returned to England in 1924 to marry Miss Elsie Mary Alcon, and that they had one daughter. I never knowingly saw the daughter, but remember Mrs. Caton riding proudly beside her husband...

How many of my grade-school memories have paid off somehow in later life! For it was thanks to that funny English car with the ungainly large wheels and the steering wheel on the wrong side (!) that led me to focus on Mr. Caton in the first place, and remember who he was. He connected the right stuff to make this little story possible.

(Chester Martin is a native Chattanoogan who is a talented painter as well as local historian. He and his wife, Pat, live in Brainerd. Mr. Martin can be reached at cymppm@comcast.net )
The following companies are subsidiares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft: ABFS I Incorporated, ABS MB Ltd., Alex. Brown Financial Services Incorporated, Alex. Brown Investments Incorporated, Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft mbH, Ambidexter GmbH i.L., Argent Incorporated, BHW - Gesellschaft fur Wohnungswirtschaft mbH, BHW Bausparkasse Aktiengesellschaft, BHW Holding GmbH, BT Globenet Nominees Limited, Bainpro Nominees Pty Ltd, Baldur Mortgages Limited, Bankers Trust Investments Limited, Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc., Berkshire Mortgage Finance, Betriebs-Center fur Banken AG, Better Financial Services GmbH, Better Payment Germany GmbH, Borfield Sociedad Anonima, Breaking Wave DB Limited, Cardales UK Limited, Cardea Real Estate S.r.l., Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Asset Management Company Limited, Cathay Capital Company (No 2) Limited, Cedar (Luxembourg) S.a. r.l., Chapel Funding, China Recovery Fund LLC, Consumo Srl in Liquidazione, D B Investments (GB) Limited, D&M Turnaround Partners Godo Kaisha, DB (Barbados) SRL, DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Asing) Sdn. Bhd., DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Tempatan) Sendirian Berhad, DB Alex. Brown Holdings Incorporated, DB Aotearoa Investments Limited, DB Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH, DB Boracay LLC, DB Capital Markets (Deutschland) GmbH, DB Cartera de lnmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Chestnut Holdings Limited, DB Corporate Advisory (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., DB Delaware Holdings (Europe) Limited, DB Direkt GmbH, DB Elara LLC, DB Energy Trading LLC, DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equity Limited, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology SRL, DB Group Services (UK) Limited, DB HR Solutions GmbH, DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB IROC Leasing Corp., DB Impact Investment Fund I. LP., DB Industrial Holdings Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, DB Industrial Holdings GmbH, DB Intermezzo LLC, DB International (Asia) Limited, DB International Investments Limited, DB International Trust (Singapore) Limited, DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Partners Limited, DB Investment Resources (US) Corporation, DB Investment Resources Holdings Corp., DB Investment Services GmbH, DB London (Investor Services) Nominees Limited, DB Management Support GmbH, DB Nominees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB Nominees (Jersey) Limited, DB Nominees (Singapore) Pte Ltd, DB Omega BTV S.C.S., DB Omega Holdings LLC, DB Omega Ltd., DB Omega S.C.S., DB Operaciones y Servicios lnteractivos Agrupacicm de lnteres Econemico, DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Holdings Limited, DB Print GmbH, DB Private Clients Corp., DB Private Wealth Mortgage Ltd., DB Re S.A., DB Service Centre Limited, DB Service Uruguay S.A., DB Services (Jersey) Limited, DB Services Americas. Inc., DB Servizi Amministrativi S.r.l., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Products Inc., DB Trustee Services Limited, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB UK Bank Limited, DB UK Holdings Limited, DB UK PCAM Holdings Limited, DB US Financial Markets Holding Corporation, DB USA Core Corporation, DB USA Corporation, DB Valoren S.a. r.l., DB Value S.a.r.l., DB VersicherungsManager GmbH, DB Vita SA., DB lmmobilienfonds 5 Wieland KG i.L., DB lo LP, DBAH Capital. LLC, DBCIBZ1, DBFIC Inc., DBNZ Overseas Investments (No.1) Limited, DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited, DBR Investments Co. Limited, DBRE Global Real Estate Management 18 Ltd., DBRMS4, DBRMSGP1, DBUK PCAM Limited, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ2 S.a. r.l., DBX Advisers LLC, DEBEKO lmmobilien GmbH & Co Grundbesitz OHG, DEE Deutsche Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, DEUKONA Versicherungs-Vermittlungs-GmbH, DEUTSCHE BANK AS., DI Deutsche lmmobilien Treuhandgesellschaft mbH, DISCA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DWS Alternatives France, DWS Alternatives Global Limited, DWS Alternatives GmbH, DWS Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, DWS Beteiligungs GmbH, DWS CH AG, DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Far Eastern Investments Limited, DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA, DWS Group Services UK Limited, DWS Grundbesitz GmbH, DWS International GmbH, DWS Investment GmbH, DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment S.A., DWS Investments Australia Limited, DWS Investments Hong Kong Limited, DWS Investments Japan Limited, DWS Investments Shanghai Limited, DWS Investments Singapore Limited, DWS Investments UK Limited, DWS Management GmbH, DWS Real Estate GmbH, DWS Service Company, DWS Shanghai Private Equity Fund Management Limited, DWS Trust Company, DWS USA Corporation, Deposit Solutions, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Capital Holdings New Zealand, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Foreign Investments New Zealand, Deutsche (New Munster) Holdings New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Access Investments Limited, Deutsche Aeolia Power Production Societe Anonyme, Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (UK) Limited, Deutsche Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd, Deutsche Asset Management (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Australia Limited, Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Limited, Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, Deutsche Bank (Suisse) SA, Deutsche Bank (Uruguay) Sociedad Anenima lnstitucien Financiera Externa, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Americas Holding Corp., Deutsche Bank Europe GmbH, Deutsche Bank Financial Company, Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., Deutsche Bank Mutui S.p.A., Deutsche Bank Mexico. S.A., Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Deutsche Bank Polska Spelka Akcyjna, Deutsche Bank Representative Office Nigeria Limited, Deutsche Bank S.A, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Limited, Deutsche Bank Societe per Azioni, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Corporation, Deutsche Bank. Sociedad Anenima Espanola, Deutsche CIB Centre Private Limited, Deutsche Capital Finance (2000) Limited, Deutsche Capital Hong Kong Limited, Deutsche Capital Markets Australia Limited, Deutsche Capital Partners China Limited, Deutsche Cayman Ltd., Deutsche Custody N.V., Deutsche Domus New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Equities India Private Limited, Deutsche Finance No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Foras New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur lmmobilien-Leasing mit beschrenkter Haftung, Deutsche Global Markets Limited, Deutsche Group Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Deutsche Group Services Pty Limited, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Deutsche Grundbesitz-Anlagegesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Holdings (BTI) Limited, Deutsche Holdings (Grand Duchy), Deutsche Holdings (Luxembourg) S.El r.l., Deutsche Holdings Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 3 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 4 Limited, Deutsche India Holdings Private Limited, Deutsche India Private Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services (Ireland) Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services Limited, Deutsche International Custodial Services Limited, Deutsche Investments (Netherlands) N.V., Deutsche Investments India Private Limited, Deutsche Investor Services Private Limited, Deutsche Knowledge Services Pte. Ltd., Deutsche Leasing New York Corp., Deutsche Mexico Holdings S.a. r.|., Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Limited, Deutsche Mortgage & Asset Receiving Corporation, Deutsche Nederland N.V., Deutsche New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Nominees Limited, Deutsche Oppenheim Family Office AG, Deutsche Overseas Issuance New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Postbank, Deutsche Postbank Finance Center Objekt GmbH, Deutsche Private Asset Management Limited, Deutsche Securities (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Securities (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities Asia Limited, Deutsche Securities Australia Limited, Deutsche Securities Inc., Deutsche Securities Israel Ltd., Deutsche Securities Korea Co., Deutsche Securities Mauritius Limited, Deutsche Securities SA. de C.V.. Casla de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, Deutsche Services (Cl) Limited, Deutsche Services Polska Sp. z o.o., Deutsche StiftungsTrust GmbH, Deutsche Strategic Investment Holdings Yugen Kaisha, Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, Deutsche Trustee Services (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Trustees Malaysia Berhad, Deutsche Wealth Management S.G.I.I.C. SA., Deutsche lmmobilien Leasing GmbH, Deutsches lnstitut fur Altersvorsorge GmbH, Durian (Luxembourg) S.a. r.l., EC EUROPA IMMOBILIEN FONDS NR. 3 GmbH & CO. KG i.l., Elizabethan Holdings Limited, Elizabethan Management Limited, European Value Added I (Alternate GP.) LLP, Fiduciaria Sant Andrea S.r.l., Finanzberatungsgesellschaft mbH der Deutschen Bank, Funfte SAB Treuhand und Verwaltung GmbH & Co. Suhl "Rimbachzentrum" KG, G Finance Holding Corp., German American Capital Corporation, Grundstucksgesellschaft Frankfurt Bockenheimer LandstraBe GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Miesbaden LuisenstraBe/Kirchgasse GbR, Hollandsche Bank-Unie, ISTRON Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs-GmbH, IVAF l Manager S.a.r.l., Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben I GbR, J R Nominees (Pty) Ltd, Joint Stock Company Deutsche Bank DBU, Jyogashima Godo Kaisha, KEBA Gesellschaft fur interne Services mbH, Kidson Pte Ltd, Konsul lnkasso GmbH, LA Water Holdings Limited, LAWL Pte. Ltd., Leasing Verwaltungsgesellschaft Waltersdorf mbH, Leonardo lll Initial GP Limited, MEF I Manager. S. a r.|., MIT Holdings Inc., Maher Terminals Holdings (Toronto) Limited, Morgan Grenfell & Company, MortgageIT, MortgagelT Inc., MortgagelT Securities Corp., OOO "Deutsche Bank TechCentIe", OOO "Deutsche Bank", OPB Verwaltungs- und Treuhand GmbH, OPB-Oktava GmbH, OPB-Quarta GmbH, OPPENHEIM Capital Advisory GmbH, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Manager GmbH, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, PADUS Grundstcks-VermietungsgeseIlschaft mbH, PB Factoring GmbH, PB Spezial-lnvestmentaktiengesellschatt mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, PCC Services GmbH der Deutschen Bank, PT Deutsche Sekuritas Indonesia, Pan Australian Nominees Pty Ltd, Plantation Bay. Inc., Postbank Akademie und Service GmbH, Postbank Beteiligungen GmbH, Postbank Direkt GmbH, Postbank Filialvertrieb AG, Postbank Finanzberatung AG, Postbank Leasing GmbH, Postbank lmmobilien GmbH, Quantiguous, R.B.M. Nominees Pty Ltd, RREEF, RREEF America LLC., RREEF China REIT Management Limited, RREEF European Value Added I (G.P.) Limited, RREEF Fund Holding Co., RREEF India Advisers Private Limited, RREEF Management LLC., RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., Route 28 Receivables. LLC, SAB Real Estate Verwaltungs GmbH, SAGITA Grundstucks-Vermielungsgesellschaft mbH, SAPIO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, Sal. Oppenheim, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Beteiligungs GmbH, Sharps SP l LLC, Stelvio lmmobiliare S.r.l., Suddeutsche Vermeigensvewvaitung Gesellschaft mit beschrenkter Haftung, TELO Beleiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Tempurrite Leasing Limited, Thai Asset Enforcement and Recovery Asset Management Company Limited, Treuinvest Service GmbH, Triplereason Umited, VOB-ZVD Processing GmbH, WEPLA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Wealthspur Investment Ltd., World Trading (Delaware) Inc., lmmobilienfonds BuroCenter Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben II GbR, lmmobilienfonds Wohn- und Gescheftshaus Koln-Blumenberg V GbR, and norisbank GmbH.

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Synchrony Financial, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer financial services company in the United States. It provides credit products, such as credit cards, commercial credit products, and consumer installment loans. The company also offers private label credit cards, dual cards, co-brand and general purpose credit cards, short- and long-term installment loans, and consumer banking products; and deposit products, including certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, money market accounts, and savings accounts to retail and commercial customers, as well as accepts deposits through third-party securities brokerage firms. In addition, it provides debt cancellation products to its credit card customers through online, mobile, and direct mail; healthcare payments and financing solutions under the CareCredit, Pets Best, and Walgreens brands; payments and financing solutions in the apparel, specialty retail, outdoor, music, and luxury industries; and point-of-sale consumer financing for audiology products and dental services. The company offers its credit products through programs established with a group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations, and healthcare service providers; and deposit products through various channels, such as digital and print. It serves digital, health and wellness, retail, home, auto, powersports, jewelry, pets, and other industries. Synchrony Financial was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
Kimco Realty Corp. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on open-air mall-style properties in the US and is among the largest mall REITs on the market. The firm has been in business since the post-war boom of the 1966 and trading on the public markets since 1991. The name is a blend of the founders names, Martin Kimmel and Milton Cooper, who merged their assets in order to form the larger company.

The stock was added to the S&P 500 in 2006 and has held its position ever since. Kimco is also know for being the first vertically integrated REIT meaning it is internally managed and advised, and provides its own asset and property management. The firm raised $120 million with its IPO and was worth $11.4 billion in October 2022.

As of October 2022, the company laid claim to more than 530 properties enclosing 92 million square feet of retail space. The properties are primarily located within grocery-anchored shopping centers and mixed-use assets in suburban areas. The tenant-focus is on a diverse blend of essential and/or necessity-based goods or services that drive multiple consumer trips per week and provide stable income.

Kimco Realty is headquartered in Jerico, N.Y., but does not limit its investments by geography. The companys properties are located in 1st-ring suburbs surrounding major metropolitan areas from coast to coast. One area of focus is high-barrier-to-entry coastal properties in population-dense vacation zones while another is the rapidly expanding Sun Belt.

The firm offers a variety of services and features apart from property rentals that include curbside pickup zones and many others that enhance the tenant and consumer experience. Other features include digital maintenance requests, Click Pay, and a Discount Program. Some of the markets served by Kimco Realty include New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami, and Atlanta.
The following companies are subsidiares of Pearson: AEL (S) PTE Limited, ATI Professional Development LLC, Addison Wesley Longman Inc., Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc., Aldwych Finance Limited, Americas Choice Inc., Atkey Finance Limited, Author Solutions, Axis Finance Inc., CAMSAWUSA Inc., CTI Education Group (Pty) Limited, Camsaw Inc., Casapsi Livraria e Editora Ltda, Centro Cultural Americano Franquias e Comercio Ltda., Century Consultants Ltd., Certiport, Certiport China Co Ltd, Certiport China Holding LLC, Certiport Inc., Cogmed Systems AB, Connections Academy of Arkansas LLC, Connections Academy of Florida LLC, Connections Academy of Iowa LLC, Connections Academy of Maine LLC, Connections Academy of Maryland LLC, Connections Academy of Minnesota LLC, Connections Academy of Missouri LLC, Connections Academy of Nevada LLC, Connections Academy of New Jersey LLC, Connections Academy of New Mexico LLC, Connections Academy of New York LLC, Connections Academy of Oregon LLC, Connections Academy of Pennsylvania LLC, Connections Academy of Tennessee LLC, Connections Academy of Texas LLC, Connections Education Inc., Connections Education LLC, Connections Education of Florida LLC, Dominie Press Inc., Dorian Finance Limited, Dorling Kindersley Australasia Pty Limited, EBNT Canada Holdings ULC, EBNT Holdings Limited, EBNT USA Holdings Inc., Edexcel Limited, Edexcel South Africa Pty Ltd, Education Development International plc, Education Resources (Cyprus) Limited, Educational Management Group Inc., Educational Publishers LLP, Embanet ULC, Embanet-Compass Knowledge Group Inc., EmbanetCompass, Embankment Finance Limited, English Language Learning and Instruction System Inc., Escape Studios Limited, FBH Inc., Falstaff Holdco Inc., Falstaff Inc., GED Domains LLC, GED Testing Service LLC, George (Shanghai) Commercial Information Consulting Co. Ltd, Global Education, Global George I Limited, Global George II Limited, GlobalEnglish, Globe Fearon Inc., Guangzhou Crescent Software Co. Ltd, Heinemann Education Botswana (Publishers) (Proprietary) Limited, Heinemann Publishers (Pty) Ltd, INTELLIPRO INC., Icodeon Limited, IndiaCan Education Private Limited, Integral 7 Inc., Integrated Analytics LLC, J M Solucoes Exportacao e Importacao Ltda, K12 Learning Services LLC, Kagiso Education Pty Ltd, Knowledge Analysis Technologies LLC, LCCI International Qualifications (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., LCCIEB Training Consultancy. Ltd, Learning Catalytics, LessonLab Inc., Lignum Oil Company, Linx Brasil Distribuidora Ltda., Longman (Malawi) Limited, Longman Australasia Pty Ltd, Longman Group(Overseas Holdings)Limited, Longman Indochina Acquisition L.L.C., Longman Kenya Limited, Longman Mocambique Ltda, Longman Romania S.R.L., Longman Swaziland (Pty) Limited, Longman Tanzania Limited, Longman Zambia Educational Publishers Pty Ltd, Longman Zambia Limited, Longman Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd, Longmaned Ecuador S.A., Major123 Limited, Maskew Miller Longman (Pty) Limited, MeasureUp LLC, Modern Curriculum Inc., Multi Holding, Multi Treinamento e Editora Ltda, NCS Information Technology Services (Beijing) Co Ltd, NCS Pearson Inc., NCS Pearson Pty Ltd, NCS Pearson Puerto Rico Inc., National Computer Systems Japan Co. Ltd, Ordinate Corporation, PN Holdings Inc., PT Efficient English Services, Pearson (Beijing) Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Pearson (Guizhou) Education Technology Co. Ltd., Pearson Affordable Learning Fund Limited, Pearson America LLC, Pearson Amsterdam B.V., Pearson Australia Finance Unlimited, Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd, Pearson Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Pearson Australia Pty Ltd, Pearson Benelux B.V., Pearson Books Limited, Pearson Brazil Finance Limited, Pearson Business Services Inc., Pearson Canada Assessment Inc., Pearson Canada Finance Unlimited, Pearson Canada Holdings Inc, Pearson Canada Inc., Pearson Central Europe Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Pearson College Limited, Pearson DBC Holdings Inc., Pearson Desarrollo y Capacitacion Profesional Chile Limitada, Pearson Deutschland GmbH, Pearson Digital Learning Puerto Rico Inc., Pearson Dollar Finance Two Limited, Pearson Dollar Finance plc, Pearson Educacion SA, Pearson Educacion de Chile Limitada, Pearson Educacion de Colombia S A S, Pearson Educacion de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pearson Educacion de Panama SA, Pearson Educacion de Peru S.A., Pearson Education (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Pearson Education Achievement Solutions (RF) (Pty) Limited, Pearson Education Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Education Asia Limited, Pearson Education Botswana (Proprietary) Limited, Pearson Education Hellas SA, Pearson Education Holdings Limited, Pearson Education Inc., Pearson Education Indochina Limited, Pearson Education Investments Limited, Pearson Education Korea Limited, Pearson Education Limited, Pearson Education Namibia (Pty) Limited, Pearson Education Publishing Limited, Pearson Education S.A., Pearson Education SA, Pearson Education South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Education South Asia Pte. Ltd., Pearson Education Taiwan Ltd, Pearson Education do Brasil S.A, Pearson Educational Measurement Canada Inc., Pearson Educational Publishers LLC, Pearson Egitim Cozumleri Tikaret Limited Sirketi, Pearson Falstaff (Holdings) Inc., Pearson Falstaff Holdco LLC, Pearson France, Pearson Funding Five plc, Pearson Funding Four plc, Pearson Funding Two Limited, Pearson Holdings Inc., Pearson Holdings Southern Africa (Pty) Limited, Pearson IOKI Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Pearson India Education Services Private Limited, Pearson India Support Services Private Limited, Pearson Institute of Higher Education, Pearson International Finance Limited, Pearson Investment Holdings Inc., Pearson Italia S.p.A, Pearson Japan KK, Pearson Lanka (Private) Limited, Pearson Learning China (HK) Limited, Pearson Lesotho (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Loan Finance No. 3 Limited, Pearson Loan Finance No. 4 Limited, Pearson Loan Finance No.2 Unlimited, Pearson Loan Finance Unlimited, Pearson Longman Uganda Limited, Pearson Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Pearson Management Services Limited, Pearson Management Services Philippines Inc., Pearson Maryland Inc., Pearson Netherlands B.V., Pearson Netherlands Holdings B.V., Pearson Nominees Limited, Pearson Online Tutoring LLC, Pearson Overseas Holdings Limited, Pearson PEM P.R. Inc., Pearson PRH Holdings Limited, Pearson Pension Nominees Limited, Pearson Pension Property Fund Limited, Pearson Pension Trustee Limited, Pearson Pension Trustee Services Limited, Pearson Professional Assessments Limited, Pearson Real Estate Holdings Inc., Pearson Real Estate Holdings Limited, Pearson Schweiz AG, Pearson Services Limited, Pearson Shared Services Limited, Pearson South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Strand Finance Limited, Pearson Sweden AB, Pearson VUE Philippines Inc., Pearson in Practice Holdings Limited, Pearson in Practice Skills Based Learning Limited, Pearson in Practice Technology Limited, Penguin Capital LLC, Phumelela Publishers (Pty) Ltd, ProctorCam Inc., Reading Property Holdings LLC, Rebus Planning Associates Inc., Reston Publishing Company Inc., Rycade Capital Corporation, Shanghai AWL Education Software Ltd, Silver Burdett Ginn Inc., Skylight Training and Publishing Inc., Smarthinking Inc., Sound Holdings Inc., Spear Insurance Company Limited, Stark Verlag GmbH, Sunnykey International Holdings Limited (BVI), TQ Catalis Limited, TQ Clapham Limited, TQ Education and Training Limited, TQ Global Limited, TQ Group Limited, TQ Holdings Limited, The Financial Times (I) Pvt Ltd, The Learning Edge International pty Ltd, The Waite Group Inc, Trio Parent Holdings LLC, US Learning Services LLC, USLS Holdings LLC, Virtual Nerd, Vue Testing Services Israel Ltd, Vue Testing Services Korea Limited, Wall Street Institute Kft., Williams Education GmbH, eCollege.com, and Editions Du Renouveau Pedagogique Inc..

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Navistar International Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells commercial trucks, diesel engines, school and commercial buses, and service parts for trucks and diesel engines worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Truck, Parts, Global Operations, and Financial Services. It manufactures and distributes Class 4 through 8 trucks and buses in the common carrier, private carrier, government, leasing, construction, energy/petroleum, and student and commercial transportation markets under the International and IC brands; and designs, engineers, and produces sheet metal components, including truck cabs and engines. The company also provides customers with proprietary products needed to support the International commercial truck, IC bus, and engine lines, as well as other product lines; and a selection of other standard truck, trailer, and engine aftermarket parts. In addition, it manufactures and distributes mid-range diesel engines, as well as provides customers with additional engine offerings in the agriculture, marine, genset, and light truck markets; sells engines to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) for various on-and-off-road applications; and offers contract manufacturing services under the MWM brand to OEMs for the assembly of their engines. Further, the company provides retail, wholesale, and lease financing of products of its trucks and parts, as well as financing for wholesale and retail accounts receivable. Additionally, it exports trucks, buses, and engines. The company markets its commercial products through an independent dealer network, as well as through retail outlets; and its reconditioned used trucks to owner-operators and fleet buyers through its network of used truck dealers. It operates approximately 1,052 outlets in the United States and Canada, and 89 outlets in Mexico. Navistar International Corporation was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Lisle, Illinois.
Ally Financial Inc., a digital financial-services company, provides various digital financial products and services to consumer, commercial, and corporate customers primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through four segments: Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, and Corporate Finance Operations. The Automotive Finance Operations segment offers automotive financing services, including providing retail installment sales contracts, loans and operating leases, term loans to dealers, financing dealer floorplans and other lines of credit to dealers, warehouse lines to automotive retailers, and fleet financing. It also provides financing services to companies and municipalities for the purchase or lease of vehicles, and vehicle-remarketing services. The Insurance Operations segment offers consumer finance protection and insurance products through the automotive dealer channel, and commercial insurance products directly to dealers. This segment provides vehicle service and maintenance contract, and guaranteed asset protection products; and underwrites commercial insurance coverages, which primarily insure dealers' vehicle inventory. The Mortgage Finance Operations segment manages consumer mortgage loan portfolio that includes bulk purchases of jumbo and low-to-moderate income mortgage loans originated by third parties, as well as direct-to-consumer mortgage offerings. The Corporate Finance Operations segment provides senior secured leveraged cash flow and asset-based loans to middle market companies; leveraged loans; and commercial real estate product to serve companies in the healthcare industry. The company also offers commercial banking products and services. In addition, it provides securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company was formerly known as GMAC Inc. and changed its name to Ally Financial Inc. in May 2010. Ally Financial Inc. was founded in 1919 and is based in Detroit, Michigan.
President Barack Obama returned to the presidential campaign trail after seven weeks off by attacking Donald Trump with what might be the harshest language to date.

Obama directed his words straight at Trump, a name he usually skates around with his policy speeches. He said the nominee for the Republicans was not fit to represent the U.S. abroad or be its commander in chief.

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The president said on Tuesday that the rival of Hillary Clinton has a vision for America that is pessimistic, dark and is against the values he says the U.S. represents.

Obama also reiterated what he spoke about at the conventions by affirming his belief Clinton is the only individual in the campaign that is poised to take on the role of being president. He added that he did not believe there was another male or female more qualified to serve the U.S. as president.

The remarks by Obama have come at just the right time for the nominee whose week started rocky after almost fainting Monday and keeping her health and whereabouts a mystery, while spending two straight days at home resting while battling pneumonia.

At the same time, Trump and his supporters are hitting out at Clinton over her remarks at a fundraiser a week ago where she said as many as 50% of Trumps supporters were in a basket she called deplorables and described them as homophobic, sexist, xenophobic, racist and Islamaphobic.

Earlier this week, during an event while in Baltimore Trump said Clintons remarks revealed her true thoughts.

He said she had shown that she looks down on the citizens of the U.S. as subjects she can rule over.

Obama admitted the campaign season has been frustrating for him in large part due to the way both Trump and Clinton have been treated by the media.

He griped about the criticism that Clinton had taken during the entire campaign stemming from the email server she used as secretary of state and a lack of transparency.

Obama also said that Trump has attempted to turn this campaign into what he called a reality show and does not realize the magnitude the position of President of the United States holds.

The GOP nominee was a big target for Obama, who added that Trump is not a plans type of guy, or a facts type of guy, and even brought into question Trumps business sense.
The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III Scots L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Aoba Life Insurance Company Ltd., Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI Ireland L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI US L.P., Dale/P Minerals Limited Partnership, Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Horizon GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sprint GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Harvest Asset Management LLC, Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd. Kabushiki Kaisha Kyouei Nenkin Home, LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., Lotus Reinsurance Company Ltd., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Montana Capital Partners, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund A LP, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund II - A LP, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Desert Falcon Farms Manager LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI River Bend Ranches LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PG Friendly Partners Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM AC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory Shanghai Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Australia Pty Ltd, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Feeder VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM Custom Harvest LLC, PGIM DC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC JV GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC Solutions LLC, PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM Holdings Limited, PGIM Hong Kong Ltd., PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM IRELAND LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments Ireland Limited, PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management Shanghai Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital Ireland Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM QUANTITATIVE SOLUTIONS LLC, PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Global Master Fund GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles II S de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Japan Ltd., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. CORE Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate UK Limited, PGIM Scots Limited, PGIM Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Shanghai Company Ltd., PGIM Singapore Pte. Ltd., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM Taronga Investor GP LLC, PGIM U.S. Agriculture Fund LP, PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Wadhwani LLP, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings UK Limited, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP SCOTS FEEDER LLP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF Debt Fund Manager LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica Business Consulting Shanghai Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Pramerica Insurance Agency China Company Ltd., Pramerica Luxembourg CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate Scots LP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I Scotland Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Netherlands GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Scots CP GP LLP, Preco III Scotland Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Inc., Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd. Prudential Gibraltar Agency Kabushiki Kaisha, Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Select Strategies LLC, Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Tax Services LLC, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. 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CarMax, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer of used vehicles in the United States. The company operates through two segments, CarMax Sales Operations and CarMax Auto Finance. It offers customers a range of makes and models of used vehicles, including domestic, imported, and luxury vehicles, as well as hybrid and electric vehicles; and extended protection plans to customers at the time of sale, as well as sells vehicles that are approximately 10 years old and has more than 100,000 miles through wholesale auctions. The company also provides reconditioning and vehicle repair services; and financing alternatives for retail customers across a range of credit spectrum through its CarMax Auto Finance and arrangements with various financial institutions. As of February 28, 2022, it operated approximately 230 used car stores. CarMax, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is based in Richmond, Virginia.
Going Somewhere? Here's How To Find Joy Along The Way And Discover The Life Deliziosa

By Sponsor in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 14, 2016 5:00AM



Here in Chicago, there are those who wanderand then, of course, there are those who wander the Italian way. Weve partnered with Sanpellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages to tell you a bit about how to live The Life Deliziosa with the Delightways appso no longer will your path through life be straight or narrow.

Consider the proverbial bounty of life: it could sound like an ephemeral thing that exists just beyond your graspor maybe not. First of all, here's a little pro bono advice: in Italy, they say that life isn't about where you're going, but rather, your best life surprises you in delightful moments along the way. (So whoever coined that phrase it's not about the destination, it's about the journey knew a thing or two about living well.)

Remember that semi-hidden mural you stumbled upon on your way to the train station? Or maybe it was all about that tucked-away perfume shop peddling scents that transported you worlds away. We guarantee those are the things you'd prefer to remember as you nod off to sleepnot the moment the ticket machine announced it wasn't accepting debit cards.





Inspired by these moments of joy, Sanpellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages has crafted The Life Deliziosa, a reminder to live life the Italian way, encouraging us to find delightful moments wherever, whenever. And their new app is bound to make wanderers of us all: Delightways invites you to discover thousands of beloved local spots like artworks, cafes, markets, and dive bars along a unique path, all curated to reveal your next inspired journey. On your way to the grocery store? Or maybe you'd rather pop into the office fifteen minutes later than usual? Why not take a path less traveled and find something new along the way. Just pop in your destination and voila! Your journey awaits.

Get ready to open your senses to life's most delicious moments. Learn more about the Life Deliziosa and download the Delightways app today.

This post is brought to you by Sanpellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages.
Police Charge Man With Murder After Devastating Fire Killed 4 In South Shore

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Sep 14, 2016 3:31PM



Regiland Hester, CPD handout

A Chicago man has been charged with murder and arson after a fire killed four people in South Shore last month.

Reginald Hester, 51, of the 8000 block of South Essex Avenue, was arrested Monday and charged with four felony counts of first degree murder and two counts of arson after police identified him as the person who set fire to an apartment building a block south of his home. The fire happened Aug. 23 at about 1:37 a.m.

Four people died in the South Shore blaze, including a 3-month-old. The child, Melanie Watson, died on her way to the hospital, and two other girls, Madison Watson, 4, and Shaniya Staples, 7, were found dead inside an apartment after first responders extinguished the fire, according to the Sun-Times. A 56-year-old Kirk Johnson was also found dead from thermal injuries and carbon monoxide toxicity. All were on the third floor of the building, but Johnson lived in a different apartment from the children. At the time, police labelled the fire as "suspicious" and investigated it for foul play. The Sun-Times has a harrowing account from several building residents of how they escaped the fire.

The fire at 8114 S. Essex Ave. gutted the building and displaced dozens of residents, according to the Fire Department:

Hester is due to be arraigned in central bond court at the Cook County criminal courthouse Wednesday afternoon.


The City Is Building Another River Bridge So Cyclists And Joggers Don't Die In Traffic

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Sep 14, 2016 6:55PM



Rendering via CDOT

The city is planning to build a new bridge over the river on the far North Side to help out cyclists and joggers who have to cross a busy street to use the popular North Shore Channel Trail.

The riverfront trail runs along the North Side of the city and into the North Shore suburbs along the northern branch of the Chicago River. But right now trail users must exit the trail and cross the street on busy Lincoln Avenue to continue using it. The bridge would create one uninterrupted route for the first time after construction begins in early 2018. The bridge is expected to cost $3.4 million from a mix of federal, city and private funds, as Chicago Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Claffey told Chicagoist.

"It will serve pedestrians and cyclists traveling the North Channel Trail and will reduce the need for pedestrians and cyclists to use the high volume U.S. 41 [a.k.a. Lincoln Avenue]," Claffey said in a statement.

The department presented the plans for the bridge in a meeting with community members Tuesday night, along with a map of the plan:



Map via CDOT.

The new bridge is one of many ideas the city has for transforming Chicago's riverfronts. Besides finishing up a new downtown riverwalk this year (and broke ground on the next phase of the Riverwalk), the city has announced plans for a massive new neighborhood development on the southern riverfront, and an extension of the North Side's riverfront trail. That project will create a path along the river from Belmont to Montrose avenues to eventually connect with the North Channel Trail.

That, along with plans to build a "Riverview Bridge" underneath Addison Street where it meets the river near California Avenue, would transform the way cyclists navigate the Northwest Side. As anyone who's tried to cross the river at Addison, Belmont, Montrose, or Irving Park Road by bicycle knows, it can be a harrowing experience to share a lane with speeding cars while trying not to die. Taken together, these changes could make those trips easier and more scenic for joggers and cyclists, especially at a time when the city's bike safety is under scrutiny after several cyclist traffic fatalities.

[H/T Tribune]
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Chinese actress Liu Wen is the eighth highest-paid model in the world, earning $7 million from endorsement deals, according to Forbes magazine.

Model Liu Wen attends the 2016 amfAR New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan, New York February 10, 2016. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

It ranked the models based on pretax estimates of their earnings from cosmetics, fragrances and other contracts. Management, agent and attorney fees were not deducted.

No 10: Miranda Kerr

Total earnings in 2016: $6 million

The recently married former Victoria's Secret angel earned $6 million in 2016. She also has her own skincare line, Kora Organics.

No 8 (tie): Candice Swanepoel

Total earnings in 2016: $7 million

The mother-to-be Victoria's Secret angel earned $7 million from her deals with fragrance producers.

No 8 (tie): Liu Wen

Total earnings in 2016: $7 million

As a pioneer for Chinese models on the international stage, the former Victoria's Secret angel owes her thanks to Estee Lauder among others.

No 7: Cara Delevigne

Total earnings for 2016: $8.5 million

The British model has 33 million Instagram followers, the second-most popular model on the platform.

No 5 (tie): Gigi Hadid

Total earnings for 2016: $9 million

Hadid has deals with Maybelline and Tommy Hilfiger, along with advertisements with BMW and Topshop.

No 5 (tie): Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Total earnings for 2016: $9 million

The model-actress gets a royalty from her lingerie, make-up and fragrance lines with Marks & Spencer.

No 3 (tie): Kendall Jenner

Total earnings for 2016: $10 million

Jenner is the model with the most followers on Instagram. Her giant fanbase on social media landed her deals with Estee Lauder, Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs. She also frequents high-end fashion shows.

No 3 (tie): Karlie Kloss

Total earnings for 2016: $10 million

After leaving Victoria's Secret in 2015, Kloss clocked campaigns with Express, L'Oreal, Swarovski and Chanel's Coco Noir.

No 2: Adriana Lima

Total earnings for 2016: $10.5 million

Lima is the longest-running angel with Victoria's Secret. And she is the face of Maybelline, Vogue Eyewear and IWC watches.

No 1: Gisele Bundchen

Total earnings for 2016: $30.5 million

The Brazilian supermodel has lucrative deals with Chanel, Carolina Herrera and Pantene. She also has her own line of lingerie and skincare products. Even though she has officially retired from the runway, Bundchen is still topping the list, earning almost three times of what the first runner-up did in 2016.
With Natural Bridge soon to become a state park, its nonprofit owner has reached an agreement with its lender that is expected to clear a cloud of financial uncertainty that hangs over the Rockbridge County landmark.

After borrowing $9.1 million from the Virginia Resources Authority to purchase the 215-foot tall limestone arch and surrounding 1,500 acres two years ago, the Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund began to struggle financially, missing payments on the loan.

At a meeting Tuesday in Richmond, the authoritys board approved a 10-year extension of the loan, which will significantly lower the annual payments, according to Shawn Crumlish, the authoritys director of financial services.

Board members previously voiced frustrations with the legacy funds default, suggesting they might foreclose on the property. But those concerns have been eased now that the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is slated to take over management of the park Sept. 24.

They manage other state parks and we feel that they will be able to bring the resources needed get Natural Bridge back on solid footing, Crumlish said.

The legacy fund will remain the propertys owner until the debt is paid off, at which point it will donate the land to the state. It will continue to own and operate the Natural Bridge Hotel and adjacent caverns, which will not become part of the new state park.

Had the resource authority not extended its 10-year loan, the legacy fund would have owed an annual payment of $919,050 on Oct. 1. Under the new terms, the amount due is $461,957. The loans current balance is $7.2 million.

Over the next three years, the annual debt service will be reduced to $323,000 while an operating reserve budget of $500,000 accumulates. After that, the annual payments will increase to $579,000 for the remaining 14 years of the loans life.

This restructuring of the loan is going to make the likelihood of success so much greater, said Clyde Cristman, director of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Under a new management plan, DCR will collect admissions and gift shop revenues, which the state agency will use to make payments on the debt owed by the legacy fund. If revenues do not meet the debt obligations, the legacy fund would have to pay the difference from its own resources.

The plan also calls for the legacy fund to come up with $500,000 over the next two years for a capital reserve fund to be used for any improvements to the property that might be needed.

Tom Clarke, a health care executive who formed the legacy fund with the goal of keeping Natural Bridge off the auction block and eventually donating it to the state for use as a park, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

After missing a payment in October, Clarkes organization later made good on the debt and paid an additional interest-only penalty of about $277,000 in April. That set the scene for the resources authority to consider a request by Clarke to extend the lifespan of the rest of the loan.

At a meeting Monday, the authoritys portfolio risk management committee recommended approval of the plan to the board of directors, which met the following day and voted unanimously to extend the loan, Crumlish said.

Before signing off on the deal, the resources authority was given a five-year plan to ensure the new state park will not encounter the same financial struggles as the property did under management by Clarkes organization.

Attendance is projected to increase 24 percent in the first year  from 125,313 in 2015 to 155,808 in 2017  and another 12 percent the following year. That is based in part on the state reducing the average ticket price from $15.86 to $6.80.

New management also plans to increase stock at the gift store, arrange for new signs to draw visitors off Interstate 81 to the park, and to market Natural Bridge as part of the state park system. The legacy fund was forced to cut advertising as it struggled to make ends meet.

And with $120,000 a year from the General Assembly, the Department of Conservation has hired a park manager and district ranger to run the park, which in addition to the Natural Bridge formation will include a gift store, hiking trials and a Monacan Indian village with historical interpreters.

Meanwhile, the adjacent Natural Bridge Hotel, which will operate independently from the park, remains entangled in financial problems that began after was purchased by the legacy fund.

Lionberger Construction of Roanoke has filed a lawsuit against the hotel and its nonprofit owner, saying it was never paid for about $1.1 million worth of renovation work it did on the three-story building. A June 24 court order states that the hotel admits it owes the money.

But no payments have been made, and the case is still pending because other parties, including a bank that loaned money to Clarkes organization, have yet to resolve their roles in the dispute.
LOVINGSTON  Several individuals have been sentenced for their involvement in two separate incidents  a shooting and, weeks later, a burglary  at the same Faber home.

Two men charged in connection with the January 2016 shooting were sentenced last week.

Chuck Dean Schooley, 24, of Schuyler, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in Nelson County Circuit Court on Sept. 7 to one count each of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm in an occupied building and attempting to shoot a person while committing a felony.

The following day in the same court, 25-year-old Charles Alfred Fitzgerald, of Albemarle County, was given an active jail sentence of nine months after pleading guilty to one count each of unlawful wounding, shooting in commission of a felony and shooting at an occupied vehicle.

The charges against Fitzgerald stem from a Jan. 29 incident at 110 Riverfield Farm Lane in Faber, said Jerry Gress, Nelsons acting commonwealths attorney.

Deputies responded to the residence and determined that an argument broke out that involved Schooley, Fitzgerald and Carlton Gregory Currier, of Schuyler.

Schooley pointed a shotgun at Currier, who responded in kind, according to Gress. Currier attempted to leave the scene shortly thereafter, and Fitzgerald fired a gun at Currier as he was leaving in a vehicle, said Gress.

Mr. Currier was hit behind the ear with one of the pellets from the shotgun, Gress said at Fitzgeralds hearing.

Schooley also was shot in the arm, but neither injury was serious, Gress said. Fitzgerald was prepared to testify against Schooley had the case gone to trial, Gress said.

Heather Goodwin, Fitzgeralds attorney, said the incident was a danger to several people at the residence and Fitzgerald acted to help alleviate the situation.

After fleeing the scene, Currier stole a vehicle in Nelson County, Gress said.

Currier was arrested in Fluvanna County, the Nelson County Sheriffs Office said earlier this year. He was charged with grand larceny for theft of a vehicle and was sentenced in March to three months of active jail time, court records show.

Gress did not prosecute charges of brandishing a firearm, assault and battery and giving a false report to law enforcement against Schooley. Charges of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, giving a false report to law enforcement and obstruction of justice without force against Fitzgerald also were dropped.

Judge Michael Garrett told Fitzgerald last week he has much suspended jail time hanging over him that could be invoked if he violates conditions of the plea agreement.

You did some foolish things, some dangerous things, Garrett said to Fitzgerald. You could have been killed and others could have been killed.

Gress said Schooley may face a probation violation charge in Maine, where he previously was convicted in a stabbing incident.

Weeks after the shooting, another group of individuals staged a break-in at the same Riverfield Farm Lane residence. A Charlottesville-area man was sentenced last week to a year and a half in jail for his role in the burglary.

Christopher Steven Jones pleaded guilty Sept. 8 in Nelson County Circuit Court to one count each of burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary.

Jones was among four masked assailants who entered the Faber home of Robert Hall Reauveau on Feb. 16, Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Sarah Childress said.

Reauveau and others in the home heard a boom! boom! and Reauveau was hit over the head with an object, Childress said. One of the assailants had a gun, she added.

After a scuffle broke out, the assailants fled, with Jones being the last one out, Childress said. Armed with a knife, Jones was injured in the fracas.

He sustained a significant stab wound to the back, Childress said.

Childress said Jones, who was in high school in the Charlottesville area when the break-in took place, nearly bled to death. He had no criminal history prior to the break-in, she said.

Jamel Melvin Banks, of Schuyler, and Alexandria Copper Shelton, of Arrington, also were arrested in connection with the break-in, Childress said. Authorities are still looking for two other assailants, including a driver, involved in the burglary, she said.

According to court records, Banks was sentenced last month to 12 years and seven months in prison for malicious wounding and breaking into a home while armed. Shelton was sentenced last month to three years in prison on one count of breaking into a home while armed.

Reauveau, the homeowner, suffered a gash to the head in the incident, according to Childress. He has not been charged in either incident, and prosecutors did not state in court if there is a connection between the cases.

In sentencing Jones, Garrett suspended 23 years and six months of jail time and ordered 20 years of good behavior.

Youre lucky youre not dead, the judge told Jones. Hopefully the point has been made.

Jones is ordered to report to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail next Friday to begin serving his sentence.
Two projects in the Charlottesville area have been selected by the state to receive grant money to go toward downtown revitalization and housing rehabilitation.

The town of Stanardsville in Greene County and Albemarle County have been awarded $966,790 and $855,000, respectively. The grants, announced earlier this month, are among 13 total award winners from across Virginia.

The $9.5 million in total Community Development Block Grant funding will go toward water and sewer infrastructure, housing rehabilitation and downtown revitalization projects across Virginia.

In Stanardsville, the towns nearly $1 million grant will be applied to facade improvements on a number of Main Streets commercial buildings and housing rehabilitation projects on Ford Avenue, according to a news release from the town.

It will also go toward the construction of a performance pavilion and town market structure on the west side of town.

Gary Lowe, mayor of Stanardsville, said in the release that the grant funding is great news for the town.

Together with the new sidewalk extensions were working on now, this will give a tremendous boost to our ongoing revitalization efforts, he said.

In Albemarle, the $855,000 will pay for housing rehabilitation in Alberene, a rural community in the southern region of the county. The Alberene Improvement Project, which is a joint effort between the county and the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program, is receiving the grant.

The funding will help about 30 families whose homes need critical repairs, such as fixing roofs, heating problems, failed wells and septic systems, unsafe structures, lack of insulation and more.

We are grateful to partner with the county to invest CDBG funds to keep homes safe, healthy and affordable for our Alberene neighbors, Jennifer Jacobs, AHIPs executive director, said in a news release.

The CDBG program is federally funded and has been administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development since 1982. The grants are awarded through a competitive process and tend to benefit low- and moderate-income communities.
LYNCHBURG  Though he served only a single term as a county supervisor, Clifford Ewell Wood was at the helm of local government at perhaps Nelsons most crucial event of the 20th century when Hurricane Camille came through in August 1969.

Of the more than 250 deaths caused by the storm, 124 were in Nelson alone, representatives of the Nelson County Historical Society said at a commemoration of the event last month.

Wood served as civil defense director in the aftermath of the tragedy, overseeing rescue and recovery efforts.

Im used to floods, Wood said in a 2006 interview with the Nelson County Times. You get out of the way and let it do its thing. But there was no warning [for Camille].

Wood, a farmer and native of Wingina, died Sept. 3. He was 89.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, earned a degree in animal husbandry from Virginia Tech in 1949, and a year later was recalled to service in Korea for a two-year stint, according to his obituary.

Managing his family farm for most his life, he operated a dairy for 32 years before selling the herd and becoming a real estate agent. Also active in the local farming community, he helped organize the Nelson County Farm Bureau in 1956 and taught vocational agriculture at Nelson County High School from 1960 to 1962.

Nelson County Attorney Phil Payne IV knew Wood his entire life and said his death is a terrible loss for a county fortunate to have received his service during the historic flood.

Cliff was the soldier, farmer, statesman, Payne said. Perhaps one of his key strengths was he was so low key.

When a supervisor in his district died suddenly, Wood ran as a write-in candidate in the fall of 1967. He joined fellow farmers Walter Hoffman, Hunter Mawyer and B.C. Small on the Nelson County Board of Supervisors.

We respected each other and never argued in public, he said in the 2006 interview.

After heavy rains destroyed parts of the county when Camille hit, he said in an interview he was able to get to Lovingston while other county officials were cut off. For a day or two, he didnt know if they were alive.

The role of the board chairman was to act as a civil defense director or emergency director, he said in the interview. Since Mawyer, who served as chairman, could not get to the county offices, Wood stepped into the role.

He said he, volunteers and state police set up a control center off U.S 29. Wood interacted with a state officer, helping to secure food for thousands affected by the major flooding event. In the interview, he recalled the grim task of ordering body bags for victims.

Wood put in long hours over the following days, spending the night at the sheriffs office and sleeping on floors and vans off the road. Though he knew no one personally who was killed in the flood, he said his two daughters lost friends from school.

He said in the 2006 interview that the misery he witnessed overseas while in the military helped him understand how to try and relieve suffering.

I never thought that the misery would fall here in a place this peaceful, Wood said.

Wood served on the board from 1968 to 1971. The boards current chairman, Allen Hale, recalled meeting him while covering Nelson as a reporter for The Daily Progress and described him as a major contributor to the county governments response during the destruction of Camille.

Hale also remembers Woods deep knowledge of the history of Nelson County.

Whenever I saw him, we could talk about [topics such as] history to architecture to people in the county, Hale said. He will certainly be missed.

In September 2005, after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Wood  alongside Payne, who at the time also served as Nelsons Commonwealths Attorney, and recently retired Nelson County Circuit Court Clerk Judy Smythers  established the Nelson County Katrina Fund in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The approximately $78,000 raised aided the Mennonite Disaster Service and was a way for Nelsonians familiar with tragedy to give back, Payne said. The Mennonites aided Nelson County in its restoration during Camille, Payne said.

We knew that money wouldnt be wasted, he said.

Payne said he recalled the Woods often having to leave social events early to get home because they were up before dawn to tend to the dairy operation. The hard work was more than reflected in Woods response during the local recovery effort during Camille.

Cliff, thank goodness, was one of the guys on the ground, he said of the efforts.

Wood, a past president of the Nelson County Farm Bureau, also was a member of the Nelson County Historical Society and a member of Mulberry Grove Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Louise M. Wood, daughters Jane W. Raup and Ellen W. Quade and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mulberry Grove Baptist Church in Buckingham with a luncheon following. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery in Lovingston.
Competition in China's internet market has turned into a fierce contest among ecosystems, market research firm International Data Corporation wrote (IDC) in a report released on Thursday.

IDC analyzed the strong growth of internet giants Alibaba and Tencent in the second quarter, saying the two "have formed complete and solid ecosystems, thus helping startups achieve rapid growth and enhance their own competitive advantages."

According to the IDC, Alibaba's ecosystem is based on its core business - ecommerce, while that of Tencent's centers on social networking and online gaming.

An internet ecosystem is a concept that has gained increasing popularity in the industry. As defined by economist Song Qinghui, an internet ecosystem is a brand new system evolved from the internet, enabling a comprehensive restructuring of value chains across industries.

Xue Yu, an analyst with IDC, endorsed the idea in a note, saying an internet ecosystem featured openness, innovation and win-win solutions and that there would be many more such systems across different industries in the future.

Currently, Baidu Inc, Xiaomi Corp and Le Holdings Co Ltd have all made headway in building their ecosystems.

Tencent and Alibaba's ecosystems are more developed in comparison with other companies Baidu and Xiaomi, who lag behind in user interactivity because their core businesses, namely search and mobile phones respectively, serve more as tools, Xue said.

Le Holdings' ecosystem is not built on a certain core business, but on a combination of platforms that seek to satisfy customers' various demand including TV, films, sports, among others, he noted.

Besides these companies, JD.com and Didi Chuxing also have the tendency to build their ecosystems based on their strengths, he said.

Let's take a look at the top five most influential internet ecosystems in China.

LeEco

Le Holdings Co Ltd unveils its Internet electric battery driverless concept car called LeSEE during a launch event in Beijing, capital of China, April 20, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
Pamela M. Sutton-Wallace, CEO of University of Virginia Medical Center, began her keynote speech at the Owens & Minor Healthcare Supplier Diversity Symposium on Tuesday by outlining the challenges health care providers face.

In health care, the pace is changing, she said during her speech at the Hilton Richmond Hotel in Short Pump.

Sutton-Wallace was at the event to add the provider perspective, she said. It marked the 11th year that the Mechanicsville-based health care logistics company has held the symposium, which is meant to provide minority- and women-owned health care supply businesses the chance to network with providers and help them succeed in the industry.

One of the ways to succeed, Sutton-Wallace said, is that they be aware of the challenges facing their customers, such as hospitals and health care systems, and understand where they fit in that dynamic to help the provider come out ahead in terms of revenue and outcomes.

The health care industry is experiencing rapid change, with payment models quickly shifting from the traditional, volume-based method to providing incentives based on patient outcomes. In other words, hospitals are no longer paid for the number of services they provide, but on how well they can treat patients.

Sutton-Wallace also explained that providers are dealing with political changes; new technology that can be disruptive to hospitals and health care systems; an increase in consumerism as patients more often demand to know the cost of their health care; and rising pharmaceutical prices.

UVa Medical Center spends $90 million a year on drugs, Sutton-Wallace said.

That trajectory is not sustainable, she added.

Twenty percent of the academic medical centers costs go toward pharmaceuticals and health care supplies, and both are areas where providers will look first when trying to reduce spending.

Minority- and women-owned businesses can offer a fresh perspective to providers in this changing climate, she explained, as they often have a view of problems that may be distinct and more innovative than those of the large companies that currently dominate the health care supply market.

Were going to need new ideas on how to change the American health care system, Sutton-Wallace said.

But there are numerous challenges facing even minority- and women-owned businesses. They are usually less established in a market that prefers more experienced contractors, and the risk is usually greater. A large company can handle a blow to its income over a year better than a smaller company, she said.

They also face issues with conscious and unconscious biases and their own emotions, which can sometimes get in the way as small-business owners have a tendency to become more emotionally attached to their businesses or products.

Sutton-Wallace has faced conscious and unconscious biases herself, she said. She has received numerous awards over the years, many of which are given based on the fact that she is a woman or African-American.

Ill be glad for the day when theres not female or black in front of the titles that I get, she said.

She said she loves diversity, but desires inclusion, when small businesses will not be seen as distinct because they are owned by a minority or a woman.

Until then, she said, those business owners should work to brush off the conscious and unconscious biases they face every day and prove to the providers that they can offer reliable ideas, work to help the hospital or health care system overcome their challenges, reduce costs, and keep up with a rapidly changing market.

Were a country thats paying higher health care expenses, but we dont have the outcomes to match that health care spending, relative to other countries, she said. Were going to have to change the way we do things.
WASHINGTON  Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Tuesday that prosecutors did have a case against former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell but that Justice Department officials thought they could not push for a second trial because of a Supreme Court ruling that vacated his convictions.

Lynch insisted, though, that the ruling would not deter future public corruption investigations.

It does not stop us from going forward in public corruption cases, she said.

Lynchs comments at The Washington Posts Criminal Justice Summit offered the most thorough reasoning for why the Justice Department decided not to re-try McDonnell, and what effect the case might have on other investigations involving allegedly corrupt public officials. The Supreme Court vacated McDonnells convictions earlier this year in a unanimous ruling that legal analysts have said significantly narrowed what is considered public corruption and might serve as a boon to others facing such allegations, including Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.

Although the justices left open the possibility that the former governor and his wife could be re-tried, Justice Department officials announced last week they would drop the case  apparently overruling their colleagues at the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of Virginia. Prosecutors there had led the investigation the first time and had recommended pushing ahead despite the Supreme Courts ruling.

Asked by Washington Post National Editor Scott Wilson about that decision, Lynch said: Our prosecutors not only thought they had a case, they did have a case. She cited the Supreme Court decision as the reason Justice Department higher-ups decided otherwise.

We obviously are always mindful of those directions, she said.

Lynch did offer thinly veiled criticism of McDonnells behavior, noting that the Supreme Courts opinion was on the narrow issue of whether or not the statutory requirements were met, but in no way condoned the behavior. That was clear from the opinion.

Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. wrote in the opinion that the case was distasteful, even if it wasnt illegal. McDonnell had been accused of accepting more than $175,000 in loans, gifts and luxury goods from Richmond businessman Jonnie R. Williams Sr. in exchange for using his office to help Williams advance his company and a product it was trying to sell.

Lynch also said that voters can sometimes play a role in ousting officials even if their behavior is not illegal.

Even if something does not meet the strict standards of the law, they can evaluate it in who they want in their public officials, she said.

McDonnell has long insisted he is innocent, although he has acknowledged that, given a second chance, he might do things differently. In a statement after prosecutors said they were not pursuing the case further, he said: I have become grateful for this experience of suffering, having used it to examine deeply all aspects of my life, and my role in the circumstances that led to this painful time for my beloved family and Commonwealth. I am thankful to God for teaching me new lessons about His grace, mercy, and providence.

Lynch, the headliner of The Posts Criminal Justice Summit, spoke for about 30 minutes on a broad range of topics, including tension between minority groups and police, prison reform and women in leadership roles. She notably declined to comment directly on what it would mean for Americans to elect their first female president and on whether she would consider staying on if Hillary Clinton were elected. She said she had not had conversations with Clintons transition team and added, Ive always found its best to focus on the job that you have, while you have it.

It sounds like youd stay, if asked, Wilson commented.

I dont think beyond that, Lynch said.
RICHMOND  The Virginia Retirement System has awarded almost $6 million in incentive pay to its internal investment team, despite a disappointing market performance in the last fiscal year that yielded a return well below the long-term goal for funding public employee pensions.

The VRS Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve the incentives, based on a pay plan that rewards investment professionals for exceeding benchmarks for performance relative to the market, regardless of whether it's down.

VRS earned a return on investment of 1.9 percent in the fiscal year that ended June 30, but exceeded its benchmark of 1.3 percent, based on the investment strategy adopted by the board.

The long-term goal for funding the $69.4 billion pension system is 7 percent a year, but Chief Investment Officer Ronald D. Schmitz said after the meeting that the system's internal investment team has generated an average of $289 million a year over the benchmark in the last decade and saved about $26 million in fees to outside investment managers on Wall Street.

"A $6 million bonus versus a $300 million gain seems like a pretty fair gain to me," Schmitz said.

However, the VRS investment performance in the past two years  it returned 4.7 percent on investments in the previous fiscal year  has raised concerns among state lawmakers that the 7-percent assumed return is no longer realistic. But a lower assumed return would increase the system's unfunded liabilities and raise contribution rates for government employers because investment income is critical to pension funding.

The timing of the investment awards also is awkward, as the state grapples with a projected $1.48 billion revenue shortfall that already has wiped out scheduled raises for state employees, college faculty and school teachers, and state-supported local employees, including sheriff's deputies.

"State agencies and institutions that charge tuition, sell lottery tickets, license businesses and manage employee pension plans are free to use those funds to give employee pay raises," said R. Ronald Jordan, executive director of the Virginia Governmental Employees Association, a statement in response to the VRS action.

"Employees of agencies paid out of general tax funds like corrections officers, public health nurses, mental health workers, forensic scientists and forest rangers continue to get nothing," Jordan said. "Yet all are supposed to be state employees.

"Treating employees unequally based on agency revenue source has resulted in tremendous pay disparity and a system of agency "haves" and 'have nots.' The idea of the common wealth in state government has been tossed out the window."

The incentives awarded this year to 45 members of the internal investment team are comparable to a year ago, when VRS awarded almost $5.7 million in bonuses to the investment staff.

VRS Chairman Robert L. Greene, president and CEO of the National Association of Investment Companies, said Tuesday he is "comfortable" with the excess returns generated by the investment staff, especially in comparison to the performance of high-priced external investment managers.

"This question isn't really whether we are overpaying our internal investment staff," Greene said after the meeting. "It's whether we get the bang for the buck we pay externally."

Last year, VRS paid more than $350 million in fees to external fund managers, while it pays its internal staff about $29 million a year to manage nearly 40 percent of the retirement investment portfolio.

House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, chairman of the Virginia Commission on Employee Retirement Security & Pension Reform, has promised the panel will examine the fees VRS pays outside investment managers.

Howell's principal ally on the commission, former VRS Trustee Edwin T. Burton II, has criticized the VRS board for an asset allocation strategy that he said is heavy on alternative investments that carry steep fees but haven't produced the returns of indexed stock funds, such as the S&P 500, which returned 3.99 percent on investments in the last fiscal year.

VRS officials say the asset allocation strategy is designed to offset risks by diversifying pension fund investments.

They also say that while the investment return has been below the 7 percent goal the last two years, it exceeded the target over three years at 7.2 percent and five years at 7.5 percent. The incentives are based on three- and five-year returns, both for the whole fund and specific asset classes, Schmitz said.
China's top legislator said Tuesday that the Liaoning electoral fraud challenged the bottom line of the Chinese political system, and that a zero-tolerance approach would be taken toward any offences in elections.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the 23rd meeting of the 12th NPC Standing Committee.

Zhang said the meeting provisionally convened according to relevant laws and had important content of great significance. At the meeting attendees approved a report nullifying the election of some national lawmakers by the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress.

Attendees decided that the election of 45 NPC deputies by the first session of the 12th Liaoning Provincial People's Congress was invalid.

The meeting also made a decision that a preparatory panel should be established for the 7th session of the 12th Liaoning Provincial People's Congress.

Zhang said the electoral bribery in Liaoning was the first of its kind to take place at provincial level since the People's Republic of China was founded, which seriously violated the Party's discipline, state laws and rules.

The case seriously violated organizational and electoral discipline and the electoral system of the people's congress system, Zhang added.

It challenged the people's congress system, the socialist democratic politics and the state laws and Party disciplines, said Zhang.

It also challenged the bottom line of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and the bottom line of the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s ruling status, according to Zhang.

Thoroughly investigating and dealing with the Liaoning electoral bribery in accordance with the law, shows a clear attitude and firm determination to comprehensively implement the rule of law and strengthen Party discipline by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as general secretary, Zhang said.

The move safeguarded the authority and dignity of the people's congress system and the socialist rule of law.

Zhang said the electoral fraud exposed weak law enforcement by the election-organizing institutions and responsible persons, as they turned a blind eye to foul play.

Some candidates used money to manipulate the election, engaging in blatant election fraud; some NPC deputies broke laws and received bribes from candidates as if that was an implicit rule, Zhang said.

He added that some NPC officials and staff, though legally aware, still acted as go-betweens for candidates to rig the election.

Zhang cautioned officials to stay vigilant and learn lessons from the case.

The NPC is the organ of state power, ensuring the Party's plans become wills of the state through legal procedures, candidates recommended by Party organizations become officials through legal procedures, and the Party exercise leadership through state organs, Zhang said.

He said NPC deputies should defend the rule of law and firmly oppose election rigging as well as other legal and disciplinary transgressions.

Democratically electing NPC deputies is the foundation of the country's NPC system, said Zhang.

From this year, the NPC at all levels will face a new round of elections, he said, demanding serious reflection on and lessons be drawn from the electoral fraud in Liaoning and an earlier one in Hengyang, Hunan province, Zhang said.

"The trading of power and money must be eliminated from electoral procedures, and socialist democracy under the rule of law must not be undermined in any form," the top legislator noted.

The Party's leadership over the NPC, especially the deputy election work, must be upheld and elections should be organized in accordance with the law, Zhang added.

Zhang also vowed that a "zero tolerance" approach would be implemented to crack down on the crimes of election rigging and malpractice.

"To ensure clean elections, we will show no mercy and will not forgive those who violate discipline and laws," Zhang said.
The Virginia State Police is investigating the unattended death of a 19-year-old student that occurred Tuesday on the Fredericksburg-area campus of Germanna Community College, located on Point Drive in Spotsylvania County.

Around 8:30 p.m., Germanna officials notified local law enforcement about an unresponsive male in a vehicle. A preliminary investigation by state police has determined that the teens death did not involve foul play and was an isolated incident.

According to a Germanna spokesman, other students reported seeing the student slumped behind the wheel of the vehicle and alerted campus police.

There is no danger to the campus or community, according to a news release from state police.

The body has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond for examination and autopsy. The investigation is ongoing.

The first-year student from out-of-state who was living with family in Stafford, according to a college spokesman.

According to Germanna spokesman Mike Zitz, the community college has a committee that reaches out to students who seem to be struggling.

He said the school also offers Kognito training to help students and staff with recognizing signs of emotional distress and assist with others to get help.

"Our counseling department works with students recognized as having problems and refers them to medical professionals then follows up with them short and long term," said Zitz.

The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board in Fredericksburg is helping Germanna with grief counseling.

"We have all experienced health problems, stress, personal and family crises, and/or fiscal challenges in our lives," said Germanna President David A. Sam. "I ask that faculty, staff, students and community members always be ready and willing to help those who face those challenges. We are heartbroken at this loss and send our deepest condolences to the family."
There is talk among Republicans, and some trepidation among Democrats, that Donald Trump could benefit from a silent vote. Although these voters arent captured by polls, the privacy of a voting booth or a mail-in ballot will allow them to vent their anger and resentments.

The theory holds that in some circles its not respectable to publicly support the inflammatory New York billionaire, but its easier in private.

This is a variation of the so-called Bradley effect: In several instances over recent decades, white candidates have outperformed polls when running against a black opponent. Something similar was at work in the U.K. referendum on exiting the European Union. To the surprise of financial markets and bettors, the leave camp won the June vote, which was interpreted as an expression of discontent with the elites.

Similarly, in the U.S. presidential election, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Trump supporter, claimed that the average citizen will not tell pollsters the truth.

A silent or secret Trump vote would be a big deal: Hillary Clinton is up by several points in the latest surveys, not a comfortable margin.

There are, however, reasons to question whether Trump will outperform the polls.

This wasnt the case in the primaries. The Republican nominee underperformed the final polls in about as many states as those where he outperformed.

In Iowa, Ann Selzer, the pollster for The Des Moines Register and Bloomberg Politics, lost her unblemished record when she showed Trump with a small lead. He narrowly lost to Ted Cruz. Sure, that all was within a margin of error and Iowas contest is a caucus, where turnout is low. And a week later, in New Hampshire, the final polls suggested Trump would win by about 15 points; he won by 20.

That trend was erratic. In one of his most important closing victories in Indiana, he finished well ahead of the final surveys. But in South Carolina and Michigan, though he won, he underperformed the last polls. In Wisconsin, the closing polls suggested Cruz would beat Trump by about seven points; the Texan won by 13.

The Bradley effect gets its name from the 1982 California governors race, when the Democratic nominee, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, who was black, was running ahead of his white Republican opponent. When Bradley ended up losing, there was speculation that some voters didnt want to admit to polltakers that they wouldnt support a black candidate.

Trump has aroused racial feelings more than any national candidate since George Wallace 40 years ago, but a lot has changed. In 1982, there had not been a black governor anywhere since Reconstruction, and, of course, a black man has won the last two presidential elections, carrying California twice by landslides.

The Brexit vote did shock the establishment because the final polls pointed to a victory for the remain camp. Yet only a few weeks earlier, most of the surveys showed a win for leave. In the interim, a pro-EU member of Parliament, Jo Cox, was assassinated. Some analysts speculate that the tragedy created a short-term backlash against the exit movement that dissipated by Election Day.

The U.S. presidential contest should be a change election, which ordinarily would work to the advantage of the Republican candidate in the last eight weeks. In 1980, Ronald Reagan surged at the end, demonstrating that he was up to the job. Its doubtful Trump has that capacity, so he needs a silent vote to offset his high negatives.

Even if this hidden strength adds a few points for Trump, the Democrats have a powerful offset. The Clinton campaign can rely on better data and analytics, as well as a better get-out-the-vote operation than President Barack Obama had in 2012. That may be worth at least two points.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (R) pose for a group photo with Peru's President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2nd L) and his wife in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 13, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will support Peru in hosting the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi told visiting Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski that China is ready to work with the Latin American country to make greater contributions to the Asia-Pacific and global economic growth through the APEC meeting.

The 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Peru's capital city Lima in November. Kuczynski said Peru is looking forward to hosting a successful meeting with China's support.

Peru warmly welcomes Xi to attend the meeting and make a state visit to the country, according to a joint statement issued following the talks between the two heads of state.

Kuczynski is paying his first foreign visit to China from Monday to Friday. The visit shows the Peruvian people's admiration toward China for its achievements in independent development, Kuczynski told Xi.

Kuczynski was sworn in on July 28 after winning Peru's presidential race in June.

Xi held a red carpet ceremony to welcome Kuczynski ahead of their formal talks.

During the talks, Xi called on both countries to continue high-level contact and expand exchanges between governments, political parties, legislatures and at local levels to consolidate the political foundation for their long-term friendship.

He urged the two sides to enhance pragmatic cooperation in trade, energy, mining, infrastructure and other fields, fully implement the bilateral free trade agreement, and push forward cooperation in industrial capacity, investment, agriculture, green industry and new energy.

Xi also stressed that the two countries should strengthen ties in culture, education, media and law enforcement.

As for global issues, the Chinese president hopes both sides will maintain coordination and collaboration in global economic governance, climate change, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in order to safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Xi pledged that China is willing to deepen cooperation in all directions with Peru as well as other Latin American nations.

For his part, Kuczynski said Peru is ready to strengthen ties with China in various areas, including cooperation on local economic governance and public infrastructure construction. ' According to the joint statement issued following the talks, China and Peru will continue to conduct a feasibility study on a railway project to link the Pacific to the Atlantic.

As for the South China Sea issue, Peru hopes disputes will be solved peacefully through dialogue and negotiation between parties directly concerned, said the joint statement.
Zhangjiajie Global Geopark is located in the mountainous area of the western region of Hunan Province, China, with a subtropical humid mansoon climate. The outstanding landscape is dominated with more than 3000 peaks and pillars of quartz sandstone, which are rare in the world for their large number, height and fairly pure composition. In the long Chinese history, it has been honored as "the most fantastic mountain under heaven" and "a living Chinese landscape painting." [China.org.cn/Photo by Wang Chuansheng]

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Piaggio-owned Italian motorcycle brand Aprilia launched the SR 150 scooter in India recently at an introductory price of Rs 65,000 (ex-showroom Pune). Dealerships in Pune, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kerala and Chennai have started deliveries of the scooter. In coming weeks, the company will start deliveries in other parts of the country as well. The SR 150 is the first Aprilia product to be manufactured in India and is also the most-affordable offering from the company in the Indian market.

Commenting on the commencement of Aprilia SR 150's deliveries, Stefano Pelle, managing director and CEO, Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited (PVPL), said, The commencement of deliveries of the Aprilia SR 150 is a milestone moment for all of us at Piaggio India. This is the first bike from the Aprilia stable that has been designed for the India market and is being manufactured locally. With the Aprilia SR 150, patrons can now experience the racing heritage of the brand on Indian roads. It has managed to create a new category of crossover bikes in India and is receiving a favorable response from the youth of India.

Available in matt black and white, the Aprilia SR 150 is characterised by an aggressive and sporty style. The Aprilia SR 150 looks like a crossover between a scooter and a sportbike, and is targeted at the discerning youth of India. The distinctive handlebars, the dual headlamp-incorporated front apron and, above all, the pronounced "beak" on the front wheel, characterise the front end.

Powered by a 155cc, air-cooled, 3-valve engine, the Aprilia SR 150 delivers 11.6PS of power at 7,000rpm and a peak torque of 11.5Nm at 5,500rpm. The large black 14" alloy wheels with five spokes show off decisive and sporty design drawn from Aprilia racing bikes. Moreover, the 220 mm front disc and 140 mm rear drum brakes provide excellent braking power and confidence in cooperation with the sticky 120/70 section rubber at both ends. The SR 150 is fun-to-ride like a motorcycle but provides the convenience of an automatic scooter as well.

Bookings for the Aprilia SR 150 are still going strong at Vespa and Motoplex dealerships across the country.

Source: BikeDekho.com
Hyundai has successfully migrated from its small car reputation to the reputation of an SUV manufacturer. In a segment dominated by the Mahindra and Toyota, Hyundai made its name with some aggressive-looking products that carried the Hyundais evolving design languages and bold hexagonal front-grille to make bold statements.

Now, the Hyundai has the Santa Fe positioned as a top of the line SUV. Below the Santa Fe, the Tucson will be positioned as a premium SUV. And currently, the Hyundai Creta beginning around Rs. 9.16 lakh (ex-showroom) is part of the Hyundais high volume segment among SUVs.

Even below the Hyundai Creta, the Korean carmaker wants to position a subcompact SUV in the year 2018. It will likely be positioned at the entry-level and will likely have its debut at the 2018 Auto Expo. So, this new subcompact SUV will make it as the 4th model in the Hyundais current portfolio.

Hyundai intends the SUV to rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra TUV 300 and the soon-to-be launched Tata Nexon. It also considers the space as quite huge that it believes not prudent to miss out on.

As the mass market takes a shift towards crossovers and entry-level subcompact SUVs moving from small cars, the Hyundai believes it needs to have a strong presence in the segment. Besides the SUV segment, Hyundai will also look forward to making a mark in the crossover segment with the i20 Active.

The new subcompact SUV will also borrow new design language concepts of the Hyundai from the upcoming Tucson and the upcoming i30 debuting in Europe. The SUV might also share its powertrain with the Creta, while it will be sold in both India as well as exported abroad.
New Delhi: Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications on Wednesday agreed to merge its wireless telecom business with smaller rival Aircel to create the country's 4th-biggest mobile phone operator with asset base of more than Rs 65,000 crore.

In the largest consolidation in the country's telecom sector, RCom and Aircel's majority owner, Malaysia's Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB), announced signing of definitive documents for the merger of their Indian wireless businesses.

RCom and Aircel will hold 50 per cent each in the new company. The board of the new company will have equal representation from the two sides.

"The RCom-Aircel combination will create a strong operator clearly ranked amongst India's top 4 telcos by customer base and revenues, also ranking amongst the top three operators by revenues in 12 important circles," both the firms said in a joint statement.

RCom is India's 4th-biggest telecom operator with almost 110 million customers, while Aircel ranks fifth with 84 million subscribers.

RCom had 9.8 per cent market share while Aircel had 8.5 pe cent share. Sistema, which RCom earlier merged with, had 0.7 per cent share.

Both the companies will transfer Rs 14,000 crore of debt each to the joint venture, taking the total debt of the new company to Rs 28,000 crore, excluding Rs 6,000 crore of spectrum payment liability.

The deal will help RCom pare its debt by Rs 20,000 crore (or 40 per cent of the total debt on its books).

"RCom will continue to own and operate its high growth businesses in the domestic and global enterprise space, Data Centres, optic fibre and related telecom infrastructure, besides owning valuable real estate," the statement said. MTS (Sistema) will continue to hold 10 per cent stake in RCom, with no presence on the board.

The merged entity, said the statement, will be one of India's largest private sector companies, with an asset base of over Rs 65,000 crore (USD 9.7 billion) and net worth of Rs 35,000 crore (USD 5.2 billion).

It will hold 19.3 per cent of total spectrum - highest in the sector. It will have a unique combination of spectrum in 800, 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz band, helping it offer 2G, 3G and 4G services nationwide.

The deal will also help Aircel's debt to go down by Rs 4,000 crore (USD 600 million) upon completion of the transaction in 2017.

The net present value (NPV) of capex and opex synergies is estimated at Rs 20,000 crore (USD 3 billion), the companies said.

The merged company will be managed by an independent professional team under the supervision of the Board.

"Together with our partners, MCB, we are delighted to have taken the lead in consolidation of the Indian telecom sector, first, with RCom's acquisition of the wireless business of SSTL (Sistema / MTS), and now, with the combination of our business with Aircel in a 50:50 joint venture with MCB," Reliance Group Chairman Anil D Ambani said.

He added that this combination is expected to create substantial long term value for shareholders of both RCom and MCB, given the benefits of the wide-ranging spectrum portfolio and significant revenue and cost synergies.

"Since acquiring Aircel in 2006, MCB has invested in excess of Rs 35,000 crore (USD 5.2 billion) into Aircel, making this one of the largest foreign investments into India, not only in the telecom industry but across all sectors," MCB said.

On consummation of the merger, RCom and MCB are committed to additional equity infusion into the merged company to further strengthen the balance sheet, fund future growth plans, and enhance financial flexibility, they said.

Both parties are already in talks with international investors in this regard, they added.

In January this year, RCom had announced the acquisition of Russian conglomerate Sistema's Indian telecom unit in an all-stock deal, creating an operator with 118 million subscribers.
Coal India (CIL) on September 13 reported 14.7 per cent fall in consolidated net profit at Rs 3,065.28 crore for the first quarter due to decline in sales.

New Delhi: Shares of Coal India fell nearly 3per cent today after the company reported 14.7 per cent decline in consolidated net profit for the quarter ended June 30.

After making a weak opening, the scrip further lost 2.72 per cent to Rs 321.70 on BSE. At NSE, shares of the company declined by 2.7 per cent to Rs 321.50.

Coal India (CIL) on September 13 reported 14.7 per cent fall in consolidated net profit at Rs 3,065.28 crore for the first quarter due to decline in sales.

CIL had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 3,596.93 crore in the year-ago period. Consolidated profit includes profit of jointly controlled entities and associates.

Net sales of the company during the quarter declined by 6.1 per cent to Rs 17,796.05 crore, the coal major said in a filing to BSE on September 13.

Total expenses of the PSU declined to Rs 14,834.20 crore in April-June this year, from Rs 15,320.81 crore in the corresponding quarter of previous fiscal.
The government is looking for Aadhaar-based smartphones which will be encrypted with a UIDAI key for secure connection with Aadhaar servers.

New Delhi: US-based mobile handset makers Apple and Google are expected to oppose the demand of the Indian government to encrypt smartphones with Aadhaar key.

The government is looking for Aadhaar-based smartphones which will be encrypted with a UIDAI key for secure connection with Aadhaar servers. The plan is to make smartphone one-stop solution for identity authentication for government services. This will stop the need for people to go to office to authenticate their identity to get government services as it will be done through smartphones.

Recently, the government had a meeting with executives from Apple Inc, Microsoft, Samsung Electronics Co and Alphabet Inc.s Google to discuss embedding Aadhaar encryption into their technology.

Ajay Bhushan Pandey, chief executive officer of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which administers Aadhaar, told a news agency that the industry representatives listened politely and were non-committal. But Mr Pandey claims to have told these executives: Go to your headquarters and work this out so that we can have Aadhaar-registered devices.

However, companies like Apple and Google may resist opening up their phones and operating systems to the Indian registration, encryption and security technology.

They may also object to allowing the government to install its authentication software on their gadgets for fear of security breaches and hacking attacks.

In the past, Apple has resisted the US governments demands to build a back door into its operating system so law enforcement can track the movements of terrorists and criminals.

We will have to wait and watch. But companies like Apple may have concerns over privacy and cyber security. There are also privacy concerns over the entire Aadhaar database itself. Historically we have seen how Apple has resisted attempts of FBI, Pavan Duggal, top cyber law expert and a Supreme Court advocate told this newspaper.

However, once an individual access Aadhaar using the governments encryption, Apple and Google would lose the ability to track users online, forfeiting the ability to mine that data to sell ads or other products and services.

Samsung is the only global device-maker currently making an Aadhaar-friendly device. Microsoft is working with the government to link Skype with the Aadhaar database so the video calling service can be used to make authenticated calls.
Mumbai: In a letter he posted on Twitter, Emraan Hashmi requested the audience to watch his upcoming film Raaz Reboot in the theatres after the news of the horror film leaking online started trending on social media.

The actor said that he was expecting to connect with fans on Twitter but was shocked to see people talk about the leak and hence chose to plead with the audience to watch it only in the theatres. Films like Udta Punjab and Great Grand Masti had recently leaked online before its release and Emraan referred to the rampant problem of piracy and emphasized that he didnt want to blame anyone.

The letter that Emraan shared on Twitter:

The fourth instalment of the franchise, also starring Kriti Kharbanda and Gaurav Arora, is directed by Vikram Bhatt and is gearing up for release this Friday.
Mumbai: Global icon Priyanka Chopra recently opened up about her tomboy-ish days and scarred legs. Speaking on the same in an interview with a magazine, the 34-year-old Desi girl said that she learnt to take care of herself and as a result, her legs now sell almost '12 or 15 products' in India.

"When I was a teenager, I was a tomboy. So I had scars, I was always falling on my knees. They were not the prettiest legs in the world, and then I taught myself how to take care of my body. Anybody can do it if I can. And today my legs sell like 12 or 15 products in my part of the world. Yeah they do," she said.

Further speaking about her growing up days, the 'Bajirao Mastani' actress said that with years, she has found 'how to be the best version' of herself. When PeeCee was further quizzed about her first audition, she said that popular American TV series 'Quantico' was her first one.

"I just think I've found how to be the best version of myself, and that took a lot of years. When I was a kid, especially at like 16, it blew my mind that I won Miss India because I was like the gawkiest teenager. I had no self-esteem. I got really bullied when I was in school in America [for three years], so that crushed my spirit a little bit more," Priyanka explained in the interview.

"This is going to some really bizarre, but my first audition was Quantico. I became Miss World [in 2000], so then when I was doing movies in India, I was initially cast because I was in this world. And then in my first movie I won lots of awards and so then I never really looked back. But then, of course, everyone auditions here. That was my first and only audition in my life," said the actress.

The star who graces the cover of a well-known Magazine, looks mesmerizing in a close up snap, donning a blue outfit, little make-up and sharp eyes. The magazine quotes her as one of the 'new royals who totally rule,' alongside international divas such as Elle Fanning, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jodie Foster, Halle Berry, and Irina Shayk and 16 others.
Mumbai: Sanjay Dutt visited West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the Nabanna state secretariat in Kolkata and thanked her for all the support she had lent when he was going through a difficult phase.

I came here to thank her. When I was in jail it was Mamata didi and Shatrughan Sinha who stood by me. She was also good friends with my father, Dutt told media persons after the interaction.

Banerjee had offered Dutt support and had said that he has already suffered a lot for the blunder, when his conviction in the 1993 bomb blasts was upheld by the Supreme Court in March 2013 and he was asked to serve the remainder of his five-year jail sentence.

Dutt also said that the last time he had visited the city was when he was shooting for the film Parineeta opposite Vidya Balan and Saif Ali Khan and was impressed with the changes in the city in the meanwhile. Banerjee also invited him for the Kolkata International Film Festival to be held in November this year and he has promised to attend.
Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan is currently shooting for Imtiaz Alis 'The Ring' opposite Anushka Sharma in Amsterdam and pictures from the shoot were all over the internet recently. Despite the shooting schedule, Shah Rukh had shared some endearing videos on social media accounts. First was the video with his son AbRam wearing Spider-Man masks, followed by a video teaching his Dutch friend a Hindi tongue twister and then videos thanking his fans when the number of his Twitter followers touched 21 million.

Now the 50-year-old actor has shared another short video, a funny take on his popular song Chaiyya Chaiyya from Mani Ratnams Dil Se.

Shah Rukh dances on top of a running train with Malaika Arora Khan in the original song. This time, however, there is no train, but he is definitely trying to imply some superpowers with his caption.
After blockbusters Pokiri and Dookudu, superstar Mahesh Babu once again plays the role of a cop in his upcoming flick. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss, the film is currently being shot in Chennai and will be released in Telugu and Tamil simultaneously.

The shoots will be done without any break since the director and the actor want to finish the schedule quickly and the director wants to take his time on the post-production of the film.

Now that his film Akira has released, Murugadoss is completely focussing on this one. Mahesh Babu is playing the role of an intelligence officer (IB specialist) in the film, says a source.

Rakul Preet Singh is playing the female lead in this film. N.V. Prasad and Tagore Madhu are producing this high-budget film which is in a way Mahesh Babus debut in Tamil as they are planning to release it in Tamil, with Maheshs dubbing his own voice over. The movie will be released in April.
Actor Ravi Varma is busy shooting for Hyderabad Slum Dogs, his debut as a director in Tollywood.

The story revolves around two slum dog boys and how they take inspiration from the legendary bird, the phoenix, that rises from the ashes, 500 years after burning itself. I am making the bird on computer graphics and will be showing its history in brief.

I believe in my story. Its not a regular song-dance kind of film, nor is it a documentary as there are commercial elements to the subject. It will give new ideas to many people, says Ravi Varma who actually got this idea after he saw Rajamoulis Eega.

He has shown a fly as a lead actor in his film. It has given new ideas to many filmmakers. I too was inspired by it, says Varma.

He added that there is a strong message in his film, the subject of which cannot be revealed but he is sure that it wont disappoint anyone.

About 80 per cent of the films shooting has been completed so far. The two lead actors for this movie are Vishwa and Kishore, while Rushali and Mounika are playing the female leads.
Women were often depicted as passive, men as predatory and there was little or no discussion of gay, bisexual or transgender sex. (Photo: Pixabay)

Many students say the sex and relationship education in their schools can be negative and heterosexist, and the way teachers approach the subject is ineffective, according to a review of international research.

What is surprising is the consistency of the findings across different countries and over the 25 years that the study spans, said lead author Pandora Pound of the School of Social and Community Medicine at the University of Bristol in the U.K.

The researchers reviewed 48 studies of students, young adults or adults age 25 and younger recalling their experiences of school-based sex and relationship education. They included studies conducted between 1990 and 2015 in the U.K., Ireland, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Iran, Brazil and Sweden.

In general, people recalled their schools as reluctant to acknowledge that sex is potentially embarrassing, instead treating it like any other subject. Young people said the lessons made them feel vulnerable, with young men afraid to appear inexperienced and young women risking sexual harassment if they participated.

Schools often did not accept that students were already sexually active, according to some students. Having their teachers deliver information about sex blurred boundaries in their relationships, they said, and some teachers seemed embarrassed or poorly trained.

Some young people criticized the overly scientific approach to sex, presenting sex as a problem to be solved rather than acknowledging pleasure and desire. Women were often depicted as passive, men as predatory and there was little or no discussion of gay, bisexual or transgender sex.

Many programs did not address the availability of community health services, what young people should do if they got pregnant, the pros and cons of different methods of contraception or the emotions that might accompany sexual relationships, according to the study results reported in BMJ Open.

There is evidence from other studies that sex education varies by school, but in this study student responses were generally consistent even in different countries, Pound told Reuters Health by email.

Young people's feedback indicates that when sex education is negative, heterosexist - or in any other way seems irrelevant to their experiences, or judgmental - they switch off, she said. If young people aren't engaged with their sex and relationship education then valuable opportunities for learning and discussion are lost.

Properly training and assigning sex educators would help address at least some of the gaps in sex education, she said. The content of (sex and relationship) programs needs to be improved, but in addition these programs need to be delivered by trained experts who enjoy and are confident about their work, and - crucially - are able to maintain clear boundaries with students, Pound said.
Remember the time when someone in Kerala unwittingly put up a poster of Morgan Freeman in a bid to pay tribute to late South African leader Nelson Mandela? It seems like it isnt the only time such hilarious blunders have been witnessed.

Different institutions have different ways of welcoming their students and so does the Sree Narayana Polytechnic College in Kottiyam, Kerala, which did something completely unexpected.

The institute went a step ahead from others to ensure that students would be excited about the year to follow, as the banners featured popular porn stars like Mia Khalifa and Sunny Leone in saris, greeting the students.

The Photoshop skills of those who created the banner made it to the internet and managed to create quite a buzz, as people cant stop talking about it on the social media.
NCRB data says that AP courts had over 1.7 lakh cases pending and Telangana courts 2.1 lakh cases by 2015-end. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: The criminal justice system in Telangana and AP has the lowest rate of convictions in South India. Burdened by a huge judicial backlog, the judiciary could convict only less than 38 per cent of those accused.

The Kerala judiciarys conviction rate is 82 per cent and Tamil Nadus 63 per cent, says National Crime Records Bureau data. Police says that most criminal cases collapse in court as witnesses turn hostile.

Due to backlogs trials drag for a long time and the statements of victims and witnesses start differing from those recorded in FIRs. Defence lawyers take advantage of this.

NCRB data says that AP courts had over 1.7 lakh cases pending and Telangana courts 2.1 lakh cases by 2015-end.

While legal experts blame cops for lousy investigation, senior cops say that its because of the large number of FIRs and shortage of hands. Cops also say that the incompetence of public prosecutors also contribute to low conviction rates.

The delays in trial due to adjournments and the inability of public prosecutors to present cases also weakens the case even if investigation is done properly.

Many PPs are appointed on political grounds and not on merit. Some lazy PPs do not file counters in court, said a senior TS police official.

Police also says that the backlog burden makes it difficult to probe cases efficiently. Every officer has to handle hundreds of cases. They also have to look after other duties.

Another major challenge police and public prosecutors face is witnesses turning hostile. Criminals bribe witnesses. Even if the case is presented with all evidence witnesses can wreck it, said a PP.

Experts say that backlogs can be reduced only by rejecting trivial cases and by increasing the number of judges.
Hyderabad: An IBM employee died in Madhapur on Tuesday due to a single pothole. Ch. Chanakya Reddys scooter skid while he was trying to avoid a pothole and he was ran over by a car, said police sources.

Chanakya Reddy, 24, a native of Kurnool, was working as a software engineer at the IBM campus in Raidurgam. He was living in a rented flat at KPHB. The accident took place on Tuesday afternoon, when he was riding his scooter to office.

When he reached Butta Convention Centre in Madhapur, his scooter skid as he was trying to avoid a pothole. He fell and a speeding taxi (AP09 TB 2793), ran over him.

He was rushed to a nearby private hospital where he succumbed to injuries. Investigating officer Venkat Reddy said that police had registered a case of accidental death against the driver of the cab.

He added that as Chanakya was wearing a helmet, he did not suffer any head injuries, but died due to internal injuries. Sources said that the other parts of the road was fine, but a single pothole in the middle of the road led to the incident.
The child Sadan was missing since 12 September, his father stated in a police complaint. (Photo: Representational Image)

Bulandshahr: A seven-year-old boy was abducted and later murdered allegedly by his uncle, police said on Wednesday.

The child Sadan was missing since 12 September, his father stated in a police complaint.

Tahir (30), had sent a hand written note to Sagir demanding ransom of Rs 3 lakhs for releasing the child, SSP Anis Ansari said.

During interrogation, the accused confessed that he took Sadan to a nearby brick kiln and gave him some sweets, they added.

When the child started crying he strangulated Sadan as he was afraid of being exposed, police said, adding the probe is on.
Senior officials revealed the police has so far booked 99 cases and has arrested 83 persons in connection with the Nayeem case. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested five more people from Mahbubnagar in connection with the Nayeem case. They were close aides of Nayeem involved in kidnap, murder and extortions. The SIT also detained a sub-registrar of Nalgonda in another case.

Senior officials revealed the police has so far booked 99 cases and has arrested 83 persons in connection with the Nayeem case. A total of 372 people have approached the police with complaints about the Nayeem gang.

The suspects arrested from Mahbubnagar are Vavilla Sanjeev Kumar, 34, and Gunduru Srinu, 43, from Veldanda mandal, Koppu Sandeep, 21, Revalli Chakali Krishna, 26, and Keshamolla Ramesh, 30, from Veldanda mandal, police said. They assisted Nayeem to commit murders and extort money from many people.

We have arrested 83 persons in 99 cases. The SIT has received 372 calls regarding crimes by the Nayeem gang. Most victims are from Bhongir area. The gangster has many associates and relatives in Bhongir, said a senior SIT official.

Cases are being registered as per complaints. All cases are under investigation and efforts are on to arrest the remaining associates of Nayeem, the officer added.
Delhi's seven MPs, 70 MLAs and 272 municipal councillors can do it together by hitting the streets and undertaking fogging exercises wherever possible, AAP said. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Amid the blame game over chikungunya deaths in the national capital, AAP on Wednesday called for "bridging gaps" between the Delhi government and the BJP-ruled civic bodies and underlined the need to "rise above politics" in tackling the health crisis.

Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra quoted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as having said "no matter what", the various agencies and political parties will have to work together to tackle chikungunya that has so far claimed at least 10 lives in Delhi this season.

This came a day after Kejriwal said Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be "questioned" over the issue as "all powers" regarding the city's governance "rest with them".

Striking a conciliatory note, Mishra said the "barriers" among the Delhi government, the Lt Governor, the civic bodies and the Centre should be "brought down" in favour of "one Delhi" as "passing the buck" would only trouble the residents of the national capital.

"We have to fight these diseases together, forgetting politics. No matter what, we will have to be united in eliminating these diseases and mosquitoes," Mishra quoted Kejriwal as having told him.

"Delhi's seven MPs, 70 MLAs and 272 municipal councillors can do it together by hitting the streets and undertaking fogging exercises wherever possible. In fact, the MPs should lead the programme and guide the MLAs and councillors," Mishra said. AAP's Delhi convener Dilip Pandey also made a similar appeal, saying everyone, including the elected representatives of BJP and AAP, should work together to combat chikungunya.
Patna: A major controversy erupted in Bihar on Wednesday after the surfacing of a photograph of an absconding accused in the murder of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan with RJD chief Lalu Prasad's son and Health minister Tej Pratap Yadav.

Yadav, however, dismissed the charge and feigned ignorance about the suspect, Mohammad Kaif. TV channels flashed photograph of Kaif with Yadav which went viral on social media.

On Tuesday, Kaif was seen in photographs and videos standing beside RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on September 10. Appearance of minister Tej Pratap in the same frame with Kaif drew severe criticism from BJP.

Kaif and Mohammad Javed, another absconding suspect in the murder of the scribe at Siwan in May, were shown in the same frame with Shahabuddin after his release attracting sharp criticism of the state government.

Following the surfacing of his photo with Kaif, the health minister told reporters that thousands of supporters and people meet him everyday and click photograph with him and it was not possible for him to know their background.

"How would I know who is a shooter from among 1,000 people who click photo with me?" Yadav said.

Yadav, who is elder son of RJD President Lalu Prasad, alleged that BJP was behind the controversy. "It is a conspiracy of opposition BJP. They bring some photograph from somewhere and make some false allegations."

His younger brother and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav jumped to his defence.

"Is it written on somebody's forehead what he is?" he said on the photograph of Kaif with Tej Pratap Yadav.

"Does Prime Minister Narendra Modi verify the background of everybody he shares dais in a function or meet?" he said in a counter-offensive against BJP.

Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Prem Kumar used the opportunity to attack the state government, saying this reflected the state giving shelter to criminals.

Meanwhile, Siwan Police said their were looking for Kaif and Mohammad Javed, who have been absconding in connection with the killing of the scribe of a Hindi vernacular on May 9 this year.

"We are conducting raids at their residences and other known whereabouts, but so far no success has been achieved," Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah told PTI.

Asked about photograph shown on Wednesday of Kaif with minister Tej Pratap Yadav, the SP said, "Such things does not come under our domain. Our focus is to search for the absconders in the murder of the journalist."
Lucknow: Opposition parties on Wednesday poked fun at the ruling Samajwadi Party in view of the fued in Mulayam Singh Yadav family, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav should have repaired the "cycle" (SP's election symbol) four-and-a-half years back as his actions now mean nothing.

Rahul, in the course of his 'kisan yatra', said, "Akhilesh should have removed the defects from the cycle four-and-a-half years back. Now with elections hardly six months away, what does all this mean?"

He was apparently referring to Akhilesh's action of sacking two ministers on graft charges and shunting out the chief secretary, known for his closeness to senior cabinet minister and uncle Shivpal Yadav.

Rahul was speaking during a roadshow in Mirzapur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, from where he resumed his Deoria-Delhi mahayatra after a two-day break.

His barb came against the backdrop of BJP's charge that the Congress Vice President was more vitriolic in his attack on the saffron party compared to Samajwadi Party and that there was a bonhomie between Rahul and Akhilesh  both describing each other as "achha ladka".

BJP state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "The Samajwadi Party has totally failed in checking law and order, prevailing 'goonda raj', corruption and land grabbing and so it has resorted to these tactics for diverting people's attention to build up the image of Mulayam's son and chief minister."

Questioning both Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav on various decisions taken by them, Maurya said it has now been proved that the tussle for power and personal gains within the government and Samajwadi Party have become anarchic in which bureaucracy is also being used as a tool without bothering for the interest of common people of the state.
As per the victim, the accused had been making false marriage promises since 2010. (Photo: Representational Image)

New Delhi: A Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD scholar was on Wednesday arrested for allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman on the pretext of marriage and was remanded in 14 days' judicial custody by a Delhi court.

The accused, identified as Ajay Singh, is pursuing PhD in European Studies in Jawaharlal Nehru University.

The complainant alleged that she has known Ajay since 2008. She met Ajay through one of her common friends when she was preparing for competitive exams.

Ajay and the woman had met at a friend's place in Nand Nagri in 2010 when they got into a relationship, she told police, claiming that he had later promised to marry her, but was dilly-dallying.

The accused recently broke up with the woman, police said.

She alleged that he used to call her to his room in Brahmaputra Hostel in JNU where he raped her many times.

The girl later realised that Ajay had been allegedly cheating on her, after which she approached the police.

A case was subsequently registered at Vasant Kunj (North) police station, leading to his arrest.
Baloch leader Mazdak Dilshad told villagers that they need assistance against the injustice taking place in Balochistan. (Photo: Twitter)

Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh: The Indian nationals having roots in Balochistan plan to stage a protest in front of the Pakistan Embassy in New Delhi against the atrocities on the people in that country.

The decision came after Baloch leader Mazdak Dilshad and his wife Nayla paid a visit to the Balochpura village in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district and asked them to support the Balochistan freedom movement.

"We had a word with the people, who came from Balochistan. They told us that they need assistance against the injustice taking place in Balochistan. We will try to support them as much as we can," said Irfan, a resident of Balochpura village.

The couple's visit to the village was not disclosed as they maintained distance from the media. However, reports suggest that they met the villagers and the people of Shehzad Roy Shodh Sansthan during their visit.
Patna: Facing flak over controversial RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin's release from jail, the Bihar government is preparing to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the bail granted to him by the Patna High Court.

"This has been an established process followed by Nitish Kumar government in the past 11 years that if the state is not satisfied with the bail of somebody, it goes in appeal in higher court," JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said.

"It has been done in the past and would be followed in the present case of Shahabuddin too," he said.

In such cases the concerned district administration makes a proposal if any condition of the bail has been violated and an appeal is moved for cancellation of bail, the spokesperson said.

With BJP questioning the delay in appeal for cancellation of bail of the former RJD MP, the JD(U) spokesperson said courts were closed on account of festival.

Meanwhile, Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah said the district police was scrutinising if any condition of the bail has been violated in the case of Shahabuddin.

"If any evidence comes to the surface indicating violation of condition of bail we will move for cancellation of bail in the case," the SP said.

Sah had on Tuesday said that police have taken cognisance of the photograph of the absconding suspects in the killing of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed, with Shahabuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on Saturday.

A notice would be sent to Shahabuddin in this connection and police would also question him on it, he said. Media reports said the chief minister recently held a long meeting with Advocate General Ram Balak Mahto and Additional Advocate General Lalit Kishore over the Shahabuddin release issue.

Shahabuddin was in jail for 11 years in connection with dozens of cases against him and was granted bail on September 7.
Most parties in Tamil Nadu have called for a bandh on September 16, and so have parties in Puducherry, despite normalcy returning to Bengaluru on Wednesday. (Photo: Shajil Kumar/ DC)

Chennai: Opposition parties, including DMK, on Wednesday extended their support to the September 16 Tamil Nadu bandh called by various traders and farmers bodies in the state over the Cauvery water sharing row.

"DMK has decided to support the bandh," party President M Karunanidhi said in a statement.

He urged his party workers to extend "full support" to the protest and participate in good numbers in the bandh, called to protest against the violence targeting Tamils in Karnataka and seek a long-term solution to the water sharing issue.

VCK, MDMK, PMK, CPI (M) and CPI have also expressed their support to the bandh.

VCK founder leader Thol Thirumavalavan said his party workers will participate in the rail blockade as part of the bandh and that he himself would lead a protest in Chennai.

President of the Coordination Committee of Tamil Nadu All Farmers Associations PR Pandian said while about 22 lakh shops will be closed on Friday, 11 lakh lorries will keep off the roads while farmers and members of political parties would ensure the proposed rail-blockade.

The Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramaippu (Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders' Association) is also taking part in the bandh.

The Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers' Association announced petrol bunks would remain shut from dawn to dusk on Friday.

About 4,600 fuel outlets will not function on September 16, according to the association Secretary Mohammed.

Meanwhile, protests on the Cauvery issue continued in different parts of the state.

BJP state President Tamizhisai Sounderrajan led a protest in Chennai where the agitating members raised slogans against the Karnataka government.

Groups such as Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NMK) held protests in Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Sivakasi and Tanjavur, among other places.
Local buses and the metro have resumed operations. Shops and street kiosks have also reopened. (Photo: Shajil Kumar/DC)

Bengaluru: Indian and foreign companies reopened offices on Wednesday and staff trickled back to work in Bengaluru, after violent protests on Monday over a Supreme Court order on sharing of Cauvery river water.

Software major Infosys as well as multinationals like Amazon.com were among major employers who had asked workers to stay home on Tuesday while police enforced a curfew in parts of the city.

"We are working today," said Sarah Gideon, spokeswoman for Infosys.

A spokeswoman for Amazon, the world's top online retailer, said its employees had returned to office and its delivery service was running as normal.

Protests in Bengaluru erupted after the Supreme Court, on Monday, ordered Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water from Cauvery river to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, reigniting a long-simmering dispute in the region about who gets to use the water.

Read: Cauvery protests: Curfew lifted, Bengaluru limps back to normalcy

At least two people were killed in clashes between protesters and police.

Curfew imposed in 16 locations in the city was removed on Wednesday, but security personnel are still out on the streets in large numbers to maintain peace.

"The city is back to normalcy," Deputy Commissioner of Police MGN Kumar said on Twitter.

Local buses and the metro have resumed operations. Shops and street kiosks have also reopened.

During the violence, demonstrators stopped vehicles with Tamil Nadu registrations, pulled passengers out and torched cars and buses while throwing police with stones, police and witnesses said.Businesses in Bengaluru, with an estimated population of around a crore, have faced four days of disruption this month from the water dispute and an unrelated trade union-organised strike on September 2.
A meeting of the Puducherry Traders Federation also condemned the violence in Karnataka and extended its support to the bandh. (Photo: Shajil

Puducherry: More than 30 Tamil fringe outfits in Puducherry on Wednesday announced a 12-hour bandh in the union territory on Friday, condemning the violence against Tamils in Karnataka in the wake of Cauvery water row.

A joint meeting of the outfits, including Tamizhar Desiya Iyyakkam, Makkal Vazhuvurimai Iyakkam and Tamizhaga Makkal Vazhuvurimai Katchi, decided to observe the bandh, Coordinator of the Joint Action Committee of the outfits, R Azhagiri, said in a release in Puducherry.

He demanded a special session of the union territory Assembly to adopt a resolution condemning Karnataka government for 'failure' to protect Tamils.

Read: Cauvery protests: Curfew lifted, Bengaluru limps back to normalcy

The outfits urged the transport operators, auto and cinema house owners, industrialists, educational institutions and others to extend cooperation for the bandh.

A meeting of the Puducherry Traders Federation also condemned the violence in Karnataka and extended its support to the bandh.

Federation President Sivasankaran in a release said all merchants, business centres and traders would close their business premises on September 16.

He also sought the Centre's intervention to ensure the safety of Tamils and demanded compensation for the loss of properties in the violence.
Bengaluru: Normalcy returned to violence-hit Bengaluru on Wednesday after a day of uneasy calm following large-scale violence over the raging Cauvery water sharing row with neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

"Curfew has been lifted from in 16 police station limits+ of Bengaluru city from 9am today," city police tweeted.

However, "ban order under section 144 of the CrPC on assembling of more than five persons at public places and populated areas continues till further order to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incident," police commissioner NS Megharikh was quoted as saying.

Some schools and colleges reopened today. Buses, taxis, autos and metro rail services also resumed. Thousands of people were seen commuting to offices in the city.

Transport vehicles were back in service and shops and establishments functioned normally, senior police officials said, adding, adequate measures have been taken to prevent occurrence of untoward incidents.

Though government has not declared holiday of schools and colleges, few private institutions remained shut today.

Uneasy calm prevailed in the city on Tuesday with sporadic incidents of protests after outbreak of violence on Monday following the Supreme Court order modifying its September 5 order asking Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

In its September five order, the apex court had directed the state to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water for 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers of the neighbouring state, which had triggered strong protests from farmers and pro-Kannada outfits with Karnataka observing a bandh against it on September 9. Two persons were killed following Monday's violence in the city.

One person had died in police firing while another succumbed to injuries he suffered while escaping police lathicharge when he jumped in panic from a three-storey building.

No major untoward incidents have been reported from other parts of the state as well. Sporadic protests were witnessed in Mandya, Mysuru, Chitradurga, Ramanagra and other parts yesterday.

Karnataka government had yesterday decided to obey the Supreme Court's modified order asking it to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till September 20 and warned that those indulging in violence during protests against release of water will be dealt with an "iron-hand".

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had stated that he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and request him to call a meeting of the Chief Ministers of both states to resolve the issue. He has also called for a meeting of Congress legislators from the city today to discuss about the situation and Monday's violent protests.

Industry body Assocham estimated a loss of around Rs 25,000 crore for the city and severely dented its industry friendly image.
Alleged gangster and RJD leader Shahbuddin, who was recently released on bail, was under the scanner of investigation agencies in the case. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Four months after the murder of bureau chief of a Hindi daily Rajdeo Ranjan in Siwan, CBI will be taking over the investigation in the case.

CBI sources said a team will soon leave for Siwan after a case is registered by it in the murder of Ranjan, the Siwan bureau chief of 'Hindustan'.

Alleged gangster and RJD leader Shahbuddin, who was recently released on bail, was under the scanner of investigation agencies in the case, they said.

Bihar had transferred the case to CBI. The agency is now all set to register an FIR under the charges of criminal conspiracy and murder, the sources said.

The state government had issued a notification requesting the CBI to take over the investigation of the murder case, a demand made by the kin of the journalist who was killed on May 13.

The case has again come into limelight as a photograph appeared of absconding suspects Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed with Shahbuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on Saturday last on bail granted by Patna High Court.

"In exercise of the powers conferred under section 6 of Delhi Police Establishment Act 1946 (Act 25 of 1946), the Governor of Bihar is pleased to accord his consent to exercise of powers and jurisdiction to the whole of Bihar to the members of Delhi Special Police Establishment to investigate/supervise and inquire into the Siwan Town P.S. Case No. 362/16, dated May 13, 2016 u/s 302/120 (B)/34 IPC and 27 Arms Act which is related to murder of reporter Rajdev Ranjan," the notification issued by Bihar home department had read.
Patients suspected to be suffering from dengue, chikungunya and viral fever, lying at a hospital. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Wednesday asked Delhi government and civic bodies to mount full efforts to tide over the growing incidences of dengue and chikungunya, appealing all to rise above political considerations to deal with vector-borne diseases which have claimed several lives this season.

Within hours of returning from United States in the afternoon, Jung, who also faced criticism for being away from the capital for ten days, held a high-level meeting to review the situation related to spread of vector-borne diseases.

Delhi Health Secretary Chandrakar Bharti, who was also on a 15-day leave, cut short his holidays and on Wednesday joined back to work owing to sudden spurt in such cases.

The Lt Governor on Wednesday took stock of the situation and got feedback from medical superintendents of major hospitals in Delhi and also about the steps taken by Health Department to tide over the current situation.

The Rogi Kalyan Samiti is working round the clock and is making ORS available in hospitals.

Jung directed the Health Department and MS of hospitals present, to ensure that hospitals, clinics and laboratories do not turn away any critical case of Chikungunya or Dengue.

He added that though the hospitals and staff are under tremendous pressure, they must rise to the occasion to meet the challenge.

He also directed the municipal agencies to mount full scale efforts to check mosquito breeding and follow a targeted approach, based on pockets of high incidence and to carry out planned fumigation in vulnerable areas.

Lt Governor directed all stakeholders - the health department and municipal bodies to generate more robust awareness about prevention and cure through advertisements, radio spots, circulation of pamphlets/posters, particularly in neighbourhoods, especially those which are more vulnerable. He urged them to use advertisements to spread awareness, informing people of the dos and don'ts.

In the wake of a sudden spurt in chikungunya and dengue cases, the Delhi government ordered municipal corporations to inspect all construction sites for breeding of mosquitoes within two days, and cancelled leaves of doctors and paramedical staff of its hospitals and dispensaries.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, who on Wednesday reviewed the steps taken for prevention of vector-borne diseases and preparedness for treating people affected by it, expressed disappointment over fogging drives carried out by the BJP-controlled civic bodies and directed them to do it effectively across the city.

"The government has asked all civic bodies in Delhi to check all construction sites and challan the owners of those sites causing breeding of mosquito.

"Besides, we have also cancelled leaves of all doctors and nurses working at Delhi government hospitals and dispensaries so that patients don't face any problem," Jain told reporters in Delhi.

He said that the government has ordered its hospitals not to refuse to admit any patient with suspected dengue and chikungunya. There is no dearth of beds in Delhi government hospital, he added.

"At Out Patient Departments (OPDs) of hospitals and dispensaries, about 2 lakh patients are being treated every day. The figure before the season of dengue and chikungunya was one lakh.

"At government hospitals, about 2,000 beds are lying vacant. The situation at our hospitals is better," the Health Minister said.

He said that the test for chikungunya are being done at government hospitals at free of cost.

The number of fatalities from the vector-borne disease rises to 10, as the national capital that is battling a severe viral onslaught.

As of Thursday, SGRH has 23 patients of chikungunya admitted in the hospital, two of them in intensive-care unit (ICU).

All five deaths have taken place at Apollo Hospital and most of the victims were aged 80 or above.

"We have had five deaths in the past three weeks of patients with chikungunya fever, most of whom were elderly.

80-year-old Mahendra Singh from Ghaziabad died of chikungunya complications yesterday afternoon," hospital authorities said.

"He was diagnosed positive for chikungunya through RT-PCR test. He died of multi-organ failure triggered by complications from the disease," they said.

Chikungunya is taking its toll in the national capital where the number of cases have climbed to over 1,000 this season and fever clinics are getting swamped with rush of patients.

"Most of them had associated co-morbid disease conditions and complications like chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, which affect the course of recovery," the hospital said.

Five deaths from chikungunya were reported till Tuesday in the city that is battling a viral onslaught of this disease after nearly 10 years. Four of these deaths took place at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH).

75-year-old Prakash Kalra of Mathura died last evening at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, where three other elderly persons succumbed to the vector-borne disease on Monday.

"He (Kalra) was brought to our hospital in a very aggressive stage of disease, having suffered kidney failure.

He was admitted yesterday in the ICU and his chikungunya RT-PCR test had come positive," SGRH authorities said.

A 22-year-old girl died of cardiac arrest triggered by chikungunya complications at Hindu Rao Hospital. Isha, from Kabir Nagar, had died on September 1, officials said.

65-year-old Ramendra Pandey, referred to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital from a Ghaziabad hospital, had died of chikungunya with sepsis on Monday.

"Uday Shanker (61) of Dwarka was admitted on September 11 and he died on September 12. And, Ashok Chauhan, 62, from Aligarh also died of chikungunya on Monday. He too was admitted in ICU on September 11 and his RT-PCR test came positive," SGRH authorities said.

Doctors say that chikungunya is not a life-threatening disease in general, but in rare cases leads to complications that prove fatal, especially in children and old persons.

Incidentally, one suspected chikungunya death has also been reported at AIIMS, but hospital authorities are yet to confirm it. According to reports, the "chikungunya death" at the AIIMS took place sometime in September.

According to a municipal report released on Tuesday, at least 1,057 cases of this vector-borne disease have been recorded till September 10.

Incidentally, mayors of North Delhi and South Delhi were conspicuous by their absence in the capital. North Delhi Mayor Sanjeev Nayyar is out of country while South Delhi Mayor Shyam Sharma is out of Delhi, a senior civic official said.

While hospitals in Delhi have reported at least nine deaths from dengue this year and 10 from chikungunya, including one this evening, the civic bodies have acknowledged only four deaths from dengue and fatalities from chikungunya are still unaccounted.

Simultaneously, Delhi government ordered a probe into the chikungunya deaths. Sources said the probe would seek to find the exact cause of death. Jain had also accused the Lt Governor of "paralysing" the health system in Delhi.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday tweeted in support of a British couple who had a baby through surrogacy in India but may be forced to leave their surrogate daughter Lily in a Mumbai orphanage because UK government is delaying in processing her British passport.

Should orphanage be the destiny of a surrogate baby? Swaraj tweeted on Tuesday night.

Chris and Michele Newman came to Mumbai four months ago on a medical visa that expires on October 7. The couple, in their 40s, had applied for Lilys British passport on June 3, but according to the British consulate it might not be ready by October 7.

"We can't believe that we could be forced to do the unthinkable and leave our baby in India!" the couple from England has written in a petition on change.org.

In her tweets, the minister questioned the British authorities and also took a jibe at the critiques of the governments new surrogacy bill, asking the advocates of commercial surrogacy to come up with a solution.

The UK Home Office has reportedly said that 3-month-old Lilys passport will be issued only after necessary checks to safeguard her interests.

"I did have to do something no father had to - I was pacing around at 3 am, looking at orphanages in the middle of Mumbai," BBC quoted Chris Newman as saying.

The Indian government banned commercial international surrogacy last November but as the surrogate mother was already pregnant, they were legally allowed to proceed.
Ahmedabad: At least 1,100 postcards with a small message and tagline 'Badbu (stink) Gujarat Ki' were sent to state tourism's brand ambassador and Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan on Tuesday by Dalits as part of a campaign to highlight "atrocities" against them in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The punchline of the campaign is a parody of the Tourism Department's famous television advertisement "Khushbu Gujarat Ki (scent of Gujarat)" featuring the megastar.

The campaign kicked off from Kalol town in Gandhinagar district.

'Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti' convener Jignesh Mevani claimed that hundreds of carcasses of cows are rotting in the state and Dalits want Bachchan to come and "enjoy the stench of Gujarat".

The unique protest was conceptualised by 'Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti' and 'Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch' against the backdrop of flogging of Dalits for allegedly skinning a dead cow.

At least 1,100 such postcards were sent to the residential address of Mr Bachchan in Mumbai, Mevani said.

"We have started this campaign from Kalol, where at least 1,100 Dalits sent one post card each to Bachchan. All the postcards bear a common printed message which urges him to visit Gujarat and sniff the stink coming out of cattle carcasses, as Dalits have stopped disposing them of as part of their protest against atrocities in Una," he said.

The flogging incident in July, allegedly perpetrated by self-proclaimed cow vigilantes, had sparked off a massive unrest in state.

"We have given up disposing the carcasses. Hundreds of cows are lying dead and stinking all over the state. Now that we have given up disposing dead cows, we are inviting Bachchan to come here, spend some time and enjoy the 'badbu' of Gujarat," Mevani said.

He said more such postcards will be sent to Mr Bachchan from various cities of the state.

Mevani claimed that a team of Dalit leaders would also visit Mumbai to hand over one such postcard in person to Bachchan.
New Delhi: Latching onto Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's remark that "achhe din has become a millstone around government's neck" remark, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday said the 'jumla' (catchphrase) "sold" to voters is now a "bone stuck" in the throat of ruling BJP.

"The mystery of the missing #AchheDin: A jumla sold to the voters, that is now a bone stuck in throats of the BJP," Yechury said on Twitter.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai yesterday, Gadkari had said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's famous slogan had originally been coined by his predecessor Manmohan Singh but has now become the "millstone" around the NDA government's neck.

"Achhe din maanane se hota hai (Good days depends on one's belief). It was at an NRI meet in Delhi that Manmohan Singh had said that 'Achhe din ayenge' (good days will come). "When asked when 'achhe din' will come, Singh had replied, 'in the future'. Modiji said the same thing somewhere and it has now become the millstone around our neck," the Union Transport Minister had said.
The separatists, who have been spearheading the agitation since July 9 in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, had given a call for a march to the UN office in Delhi on Tuesday to coincide with Eid-ul Azha. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said imposition of curfew on Eid-ul Azha on Tuesday was a "very unfortunate" decision which it was "compelled" to take to save the lives since the separatists had given a call for a march to the UN office.

Senior minister and government spokesman Naeem Akhtar said the step had to be taken to avoid a repeat of the year 2010 when protesters, after Eid prayers, had left a "trail of destruction" while participating in a march led by Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

"It is very unfortunate that we had to impose curfew. But it was in response to a particular situation created by those who had given a call for march to the UN office," he told PTI over phone, explaining the controversial decision.

"We were compelled to impose curfew. It doesn't do any good to the image of any government to take such a step but it is the responsibility of the government to ensure law and order," he added.

The separatists, who have been spearheading the agitation since July 9 in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, had given a call for a march to the UN office in Delhi on Tuesday to coincide with Eid-ul Azha. The government was determined to scuttle it.

"It was an act of compulsion in response to an ill- advised call for march to the UN office. It should have been avoided," said Akhtar, who holds the Education portfolio.

Underlining that it was a compelling situation, he noted that only two months back, Kashmir had celebrated Eid-ul Fitr (on July 7) in a splendid manner in peace. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, despite being a woman, went to Hazratbal shrine to offer 'namaz' on that day, he said.

"But now, there is a particular situation. We feel we have saved lives by imposing curfew as it is our primary responsibility, as the government, to save lives," he said.

"We have the example of 2010 when thousands of people participated in a march led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the protesters left a trail of destruction after Eid prayers," Akhtar said.

Taking on the separatists, Akhtar said their agitation was giving a bad name to ordinary Kashmiris and hurting the state, particularly financially and academically.

"The image of ordinary Kashmiris is maligned by the stretching of the agitation. It gives bad name to even those who believe in genuine resolution of the issue peacefully. They are branded in negative light, the minister said.

"The leadership, which is leading the agitation, needs to have a re-look at its strategy, its slogans and political roadmap. They should introspect and be ready for dialogue without any pre-conditions," he added.

The agitation, Akhtar said, will have "long-term impact" on economy and business, and Kashmir Valley as a whole. "We have already lost one academic session. We are destroying whatever good we had created," he said.
New Delhi: The Defence Ministry on Wednesday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate to investigate the bribe allegations in 2008 Embraer Aircraft deal, which was inked during the UPA regime.

Government sources said that since the allegations were of a serious nature, the CBI and the ED have been asked to probe.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had earlier this week said that, "If there is a criminal angle then the CBI will probe as the Ministry cannot".

"If only procedural issues are involved, then the Defence Ministry can do an internal investigation," he had said.

Earlier, the Defence Research and Development Organisation had sought explanation and details from Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer over alleged payment of kickbacks in the USD 208-million jet deal.

The deal was inked in 2008 between the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and India's defence research agency DRDO for three aircrafts equipped with indigenous radars for AEW&C (airborne early warning and control systems).

The company has been under investigation by the United States Justice Department since 2010 when a contract with the Dominican Republic raised the Americans' suspicions.

"Investigations that have been opened by the government of the United States to establish whether Embraer paid bribes in order to obtain contracts abroad have affected deals that the Brazilian company closed with Saudi Arabia and India," Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo had reported.

It is suspected that a leading Indian middleman based in UK was roped in for the deal.

Since then, the investigation has widened to examine business dealings with eight more countries.

Embraer is cooperating with the investigations and announced in July that it was expecting to reach a deal soon with American authorities, the paper said.

The company has put USD 200 million aside to pay any eventual fines that come about as a result of the process. The company has not released details regarding the state of the investigations, but three people who have been following the case have confirmed to Folha that the deals concluded in Saudi Arabia and India are being examined, the paper reported.

In both cases, suspicions were underlined in May this year when an employee with more than 30 years at the company reached a plea-bargain agreement in investigations being conducted by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office in Brazil.

Albert Phillip Close, Manager of Embraer's defence area, told Prosecutor Marcello Miller that he had heard a former sales director who worked in Europe admit to American investigators the payment of commissions to facilitate the sale of aircraft to the Saudis.

In November of 2010, the company announced the delivery of two Embraer 170 executive jets to the Saudi Arabian state-owned oil company Aramco. The amount of the deal was not announced at the time.
New Delhi: The Modi government has rejected the Election Commissions request for introduction of Totaliser voting machines, which would add an extra layer of security to the voting process.

According to a report in NDTV, Totaliser voting machines make it difficult to learn how an area voted by scrambling data from polling booths, but a ministerial team headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh nixed the move to introduce them.

The reason given for the rejection is that the machines will hamper polling booth management.

Before Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were introduced, ballot papers used to be jumbled up so that it was not possible for political parties to detect voting patterns, said the report.

This convenience is not afforded by EVMs. It is now easy to find out voting patterns in different areas. Some officials have claimed that this leads to politicians ignoring development of areas which did not vote for them.

The Election Commission has been wanting to introduce Totaliser machines for a decade now, but successive governments have rejected it, said the report.

The totaliser helps connect all EVMs through a cable so votes from a constituency are registered and counted together.

The Election Commission had earlier discussed introducing the Totaliser with all national parties and most accepted it. But with the governments refusal, the initiative is once more on the backburner.
Though many shops were closed due to the unrest some vendors defied their fears and carried out business DC

Bengaluru: Activists outsmarted the police, diverted their attention and carried out attacks with impunity, pushing the city to the brink on Monday. The epicentre of trouble was Mysuru Road, especially the traffic junction near the KSRTC satellite bus-stand.

When the police were alerted about activists running amok and targeting Tamil Nadu registration vehicles around noon, a big contingent of Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel was deployed near the Satellite Bus Stand. By then, 4-5 vehicles, including a car, had already been set on fire.

As the police and RAF personnel kept an eye on the swelling crowds of activists, a fringe group was getting ready to create trouble in other parts of the city. They set out on their motorbikes and hunted for Tamil Nadu vehicles in nearby areas, even as the larger group of activists kept the police engaged by blocking traffic on the highway and shouting slogans, sources from the area said.

The troublemakers scoured through New Timberyard Layout, Girinagar, Byatrayanapura, Hosakerehalli, Nayandahalli, Muneshwara Block and Rajarajeshwarinagar on their two-wheelers, zeroed in on the bus shed of the Salem-based KPN Travels in DSouza Layout, and set 56 buses on fire at one go.

The arsonists, aged between 15 and 35, collected petrol from their two-wheelers, poured it on waste clothes and set vehicles on fire. They rioted in teams and made sure that the roads were blocked to prevent fire tenders from reaching trouble areas on time. It also emerges that the miscreants had a better communication network than the cops and managed to torch nearly 80 vehicles right under the nose of the police.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, shakes hands with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani after signing of bilateral agreements in New Delhi. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday tore into Pakistan's stance of "good terrorists and bad terrorists" saying the approach is "extremely short-sighted" and warned that those who try to block increasing Indo-Afghan trade will be blocked themselves.

Mincing no words, Ghani said Pakistan is a country which celebrates "every single one of its defeats" as victories and every single one of its intelligence failures as a confirmation of conspiracy theory.

In his address at the IDSA here, the Afghan President also said countries that feel threatened by increasing Indo-Afghan cooperation, especially in the military side, "need to change their outlook and not blame others".

Noting that stability does not come through the barrel of the gun, he said, "We see that there is a distinction between good and bad terrorists. Good terrorists are the ones that attack your neighbours, bad terrorists are the ones who attack you. This type of approach is enormously shortsighted. The blowback phenomenon is going to be bad. Terrorism will bite, like a snake, who feeds it".

He stressed on the need for regional cooperation to fight terrorists and said one country's response is "totally insufficient".

Asked about Pakistan blocking road route to Afghanistan via the Wagah border, Ghani said both countries need to worry as their is air connectivity and efforts are on to increase that.

However, he said those who try to block two great nations, will be blocked themselves.

Told that they are reports that he had warned Pakistan that their export to central Asian countries through Afghanistan will be blocked, Ghani said he speaks sternly.

Ghani said that Afghanistan is land locked but thinks openly and "Pakistan has a coast but acts like a land locked nation".

He said that there is a war in Pakistan that the media doesn't speak about.

"There are 207,000 members of Pakistan Army just in Khyber Patunkhwa and of course in Balochistan. This violence needs coverage. This needs understanding.

"We need to understand why a force of 207,000, which after 1898 is the greatest force assembled, is required there. My humble suggestion is use of force alone is not going to do it. It requires regional common understanding," he said.

However, asked about his views on Balochistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, he said Afghanistan is a mature state and does not believe in interfering in internal affairs of another country.

Ghani also rejected Pakistani allegations that India's external intelligence agency RA&W operates in Afghanistan.

"We don't let our soil be used by anyone against another country," he said and questioned how many members of Haqqani network, who target Afghanistan, has Pakistan killed in comparison to the TTP leaders, who target Pakistan, that the Afghan military has killed.

He stressed on the need for creating jobs to eradicate the source of terror and pointed out that a large number of people in Pakistan are falling under poverty line every year.

He said weak market institutions are as bad as a weak state.

Ghani also spoke about the need to revitalise global institutions to fight terror and for faster exchange of information and coordination.
Nagpur: The proposed expressway between Nagpur and Mumbai will be a "game-changer" for Maharashtra and its Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be finalised by the month-end after which tenders will be floated in October, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The 710km high-speed road corridor, connecting two key cities of the State and costing Rs 46,000 crore, will pass through nearly a dozen districts, most of them spread over backward Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.

The Maharashtra Government will finalise its DPR by the end of this month and float tenders in October, he said.

"The project will usher in prosperity, boost agro- based industries, attract globally competitive manufacturing units in Vidarbha and Marathwada, create thousands of job opportunities directly and indirectly for youth and put Maharashtra ahead of other States by at least 20 years in terms of infrastructure and economic growth," he said.

This Rs 46,000-crore project will be a "game-changer" and also lead to a turnaround in the farm sector and make the dream of sustainable agriculture a reality, he said.

Fadnavis was talking to a group of regional editors at State Guest House 'Sahaydri' in Mumbai on Monday. He also made a power point presentation on the project on the occasion.

The expressway will start from Nagpur and pass through 30 talukas of Wardha, Amravati, Washim, Buldana, Jalna, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Thane districts.

It will have 22 nodes or prosperity hubs where truck terminus, commercial facilities, knowledge city, IT industries, and manufacturing units will come up, Fadnavis said.

Making a departure from conventional approach to acquire land from farmers, the BJP-led Government, for this project, has adopted a participative approach. It has opted for land pooling method by offering cash and developed land annuity- based returns to farmers, thus making them true partners in prosperity, he said.

The six-lane highway would require 9,000 hectares of land. "So far, the response from farmers, particularly those from dry-land areas, has been excellent," Fadnavis stated.

The land pooling model is being implemented by the Government in Andhra Pradesh for building a new riverfront capital city of Amaravati.

"The Maharashtra Government, in its GR issued on July 5, 2016, has spelt out the details (on land acquisition). There will be no project affected person," he said.

"We will pay farmers, who voluntarily give land for the project, an amount of Rs 20,000-40,000 per acre for a period of 10 years with assured increase on annuity basis. Moreover, farmers will get back around one-fourth of the area or a developed plot ad-measuring 10,800 sq ft. This is the first time Maharashtra Government will be pooling land for a project of this gigantic scale," Fadnavis said.
The petition has also sought implementation of electoral reforms proposed by Election Commission, Law Commission and National Commission. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: A plea seeking directions to the Centre and the Election Commission to debar convicts from contesting polls for life like they are prevented from entering the judiciary and the executive, on Wednesday led the Supreme Court to seek their responses.

A bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and P C Pant issued notices to the government and Election Commission on the plea which also seeks a direction to fix minimum educational qualification and a maximum age limit for persons to contest elections.

"Apart from terrorism and naxalism, the most serious problem our country is facing is extensive corruption and criminalisation of politics.

"In the Executive and Judiciary, when a person is convicted for any criminal offence, he/she is suspended automatically and debarred from his services for life.

However, this rule is applied differently in case of convicted person in a legislature," the petition, filed by advocate and Delhi BJP spokesperson Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, said.

"Even after conviction and undergoing sentence, a convicted person can form his own political party and is eligible to become the office bearer of any political party.

"In addition, a convicted person is eligible to contest the election and eligible to become Member of Legislature and even Minister after expiry of six year period from the date of conviction," it said.

The petition has also sought implementation of electoral reforms proposed by Election Commission, Law Commission and National Commission to review the working of the Constitution.

Upadhyay has also submitted that decriminalisation of the polity was impossible without debarring convicted persons from electoral politics for life, as done in the case of convicted persons being barred from the executive and judiciary.
Chennai: Asserting that scores of people were joining her party impressed by her government's welfare measures, AIADMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday welcomed nearly one lakh new entrants and exhorted them to work for its victory in coming civic polls.

Each and every person who worked for the people had a great future in public life, she said at a function in Chennai where a total of 91,308 persons from various parties, including DMK, DMDK, TMC, BJP and Congress, joined AIADMK.

"There is no party parallel to AIADMK in giving opportunities for dedicated workers at the appropriate time," she told the new entrants. The party would be a great political training ground for them, she added.

"Scores of people continue to join the AIADMK after seeing and benefiting from the welfare initiatives of the government," Jayalalithaa said.

Without naming Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, she said, "You would have read in newspapers that a state in north India has taken steps to launch canteens on the lines of Amma Unavagam."

She said such welfare initiatives of her government were being discussed all over the country and being emulated in other parts of the country as well as in other countries.

The low-cost Amma canteens offer one idli at Re 1, pongal and sambar-rice for Rs 5, curd rice for Rs 3, and chappati with dal for Rs 3.

In the past, representatives of several states, including Gujarat and countries like Egypt, had visited the canteens and evinced keen interest in launching similar schemes back home.

The six-time Chief Minister said she was keen on implementing a host of other welfare measures for the people and asked the new entrants to do exemplary work for the people and wished them a "bright future".

"While taking you all on board the party with love, I urge you to work for a great victory for the AIADMK in the upcoming local body elections," she said.

Local body elections in the state are due next month. Former Mayor of Tiruchirappalli, Sarubala R Tondaiman, who had recently quit the GK Vasan-led Tamil Maanila Congress, was among the prominent leaders who joined the AIADMK on Wednesday.

Party flags, festoons, flex banners welcomed Jayalalithaa to the venue of the function -- YMCA grounds  and traditional dance forms like 'Mayilattam' and 'Oyilattam' were performed to the accompaniment of 'chendamelam' and 'nadaswaram'.
Patna: Gangster-turned-politician and RJD leader Shahabuddin, who was released from the jail on Saturday, may face major legal hurdles as the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar is now planning to file a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge his bail.

According to sources, the state government was taking such measures after district administration sent a report to headquarters that witnesses were scared after his release from jail. JD(U) sources said that police headquarters acting on the report directed officials to take security measures to ensure that the law and order condition in Siwan remains under control.

Siwan Police has also launched a probe to find out whether bail norms were violated during or after his release from the jail. Speaking on the issue SP Siwan Saurav Sah said, We are investigating the matter and if we find any violation we will move for cancellation of his bail.

Meanwhile, the JD(U) released a statement on Wednesday stating that the state government was taking legal steps to challenge the bail of alleged gangster Shahabuddin.

Speaking on the issue, JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said, This is a normal procedure that if the state government is not satisfied with the bail of any person it goes into an appeal in higher court and this will be followed even in the case of Shahabuddin.

Shahabuddin, who was granted bail in connection with murder of eyewitness Rajiv Roshan, has more than 39 criminal cases against him. Rajiv Roshan was sole eyewitness in the murder of his two brothers Girish and Satish who were killed after they were given acid bath on August 16, 2004 in Siwan.
Bengaluru: Two days after violence over Cauvery row literally shut down the city for 48 hours, Bengaluru bounced back to normal with schools, colleges, industries and businesses and other commercial establishments buzzing with activity on Wednesday.

BMTC buses and the Metro resumed services while KSRTC restarted operations to Mysuru and Mandya after nearly 10 days of suspension. But services to Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu continued to be suspended because of the volatile situation.

The officials used cranes and wreckers to remove burnt skeletal remains of heavy vehicles on roads, clearing the way for traffic. A large number of security men continued to be deployed in sensitive areas, where violence erupted on Monday.

Though curfew was lifted around 9 am on Wednesday, Section 144 will continue to be in force till September 25. Home Minister G. Parameshwar visited violence-hit areas, including Hegganahalli on Wednesday.

Curfew lifted, but Sec 144 still on: City police

Curfew has been lifted in all 16 police station limits of Bengaluru from 9 am on Wednesday, tweeted City Police Commissioner N.S. Megharikh. The curfew was clamped on the night of September 12 after violence erupted and over 80 vehicles were torched out following reports of attacks on Kannadigas and their property in Tamil Nadu.

Though the curfew was lifted, officials said prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC will continue till September 25. Section 144 is extended until Thursday, said police sources. Peace has been restored. There is a peaceful atmosphere where people can come out of their homes, said Home Minister G. Parameshwar after visiting the violence-hit areas along with senior police officials.

On the proposed rail rokho agitation by Kannada activists, Mr Megharikh said, There is no question of rail roko as Section 144 is still in force. All forms of protests and large gatherings of people will be illegal." He said the police have not given permission for Kannada activists to stage the rail rokho.

While a total of around 80 cases have been registered, 370 persons have been arrested by the city police till Wednesday. While over 190 persons were arrested from North division, 40 were arrested from West, 41 from South, 25 from Central, and 9 and 12 from South East and North East divisions.

The highest number of 35 cases were registered in the West division. In all, 78 vehicles were torched and 44 were damaged. A police patrol vehicle and a police cheetah bike too had been set on fire during the violence. Two people died, while 57 people were injured in Mondays violence. Of them, 34 were police personnel and 23 civilians.
Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil in discussion with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a meeting of senior Congress leaders on the Cauvery water release issue in Bengaluru on Tuesday (Photo: DC)

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah plans to meet former judges and Chief Justices of the Karnataka High Court on Thursday to discuss the legal course of action the government should take on the Cauvery row, before leaving for Delhi to seek a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and plead the states case.

Also, afraid that things could take a turn for the worse again when the Cauvery Advisory Committee meets on September 19, he is likely to meet Kannada activists in the days leading up to it and appeal to them to remain peaceful and cooperate with the government in resolving the dispute, according to well informed sources.

With the governments image taking a battering owing to its handling of the Cauvery issue so far and the recent mayhem, he is going in for some damage control as well, they reveal.

Over the next few days he has scheduled meetings with chief executive officers of major IT and BT companies in the city to reassure them about the governments commitment to providing them a safe environment to operate in.

The Chief Minister is likely to assure them that the government will protect their business interests and take care of their physical security. He may also briefly explain the important issues related to the Cauvery crisis and stress the point that the state us fighting for its undeniable rights," said sources, adding that the meeting was intended to send a message to the business community that the government was taking pro-active steps to maintain law and order and to protect its interests in Bengaluru.
Hyderabad: The regularisation of lands falling under the Urban Land Ceiling Act in GHMC limits has been giving sleepless nights to property owners.

Those who had bought lands decades ago and had built houses on them are coming forward for regularisation. But officials are insisting on payment as per existing market rate and many are unable to come up with the money, within such a short span.

Several owners, who have failed to pay the regularisation amount within the deadline, are receiving notices stating their plots will be taken back. Owners are also asking the government why they are being told to pay regularisation amounts as per existing rates though they had purchased these plots decades ago.

Most of these owners are now retired and living on pensions. The government issued GO 92 two months ago for regularisation of ULC lands. Those who has applied for regularisation were asked to pay the amount by August 29.

Applicants were asked to pay 25 per cent of the existing market price if the plot size was up to 250 sq. yards, 50 per cent for plots between 250 and 500 sq. yards, 75 per cent if the plots were over 500 sq. yards.

In the slums, applicants were asked to pay 10 per cent of existing market price if the plot size was below 125 sq. yards. The existing market price in Hyderabad is over Rs 30,000 per sq. yard. So applicants need to pay over Rs 18 lakh even to regularise a 250 sq. yard plot.

I bought a 350-sq. yd plot in Ameerpet in 1992 by paying Rs 1,000 per sq. Now, I'm being asked to pay Rs 20,000 per sq. yard for regularisation. I need to shell out `35 lakh. How can I arrange such a huge amount within 2 months? We bought the plot in 1990s  officials must consider the market rate existing at that time for regularisation, said Mr B. Mohan Rao, a retired employee.

A Mr Ch. Aravind, who owns a plot in Rajendranagar, said: I got a notice of Rs 9 lakh and I live on my pension. How can I pay within a few days? Hundreds are facing a similar crisis. The government should consider slashing the basic market value and allow us to pay the amount in installments, at least, he said.

Officials to take over 71 acres

Revenue officials have initiated steps to take back 71 acre of ULC lands in GHMC limits after owners failed to utilise the regularisation scheme. Several of these plots are also stuck in legal disputes. The city has 2,272 acres of ULC land, out of which 1,600 acres have constructions. Another 71 acre is lying vacant.

Despite reminders over the past two months, owners have failed to apply for regularisation. Notices were issued to 150 owners across 16 mandals. The most notices were issued in Shaikpet mandal. Officials have identified 180 plots in this mandal but only 97 owners have applied for regularization. While 347 land parcels measuring 1.51 lakh sq. yard have been identified by officials for regularization, just about 420 applications have been received for regularisation. Most of the ULC lands are in Bandlaguda, Bahadurpura, Saidabad, Asifnagar, Khairatabad, Shaikpet and Golconda mandals.

City MLAs  across parties  are bringing pressure on the state government to withdraw the notices and extend the deadline. They are also demanding reduction in the basic market value of the plots as people from middle and lower income groups cannot afford to regularize plots by paying up to Rs 30,000 per sq. yard.
New Delhi: In a major shift, India is seriously considering making the transition from being just a development assistance provider to a security provider as well to Afghanistan, as the two countries lashed out at state-sponsored terror in a joint statement that did not name Pakistan but left no one in doubt that Islamabad was the culprit.

India has also decided to allocate $1 billion in development assistance to Afghanistan. Sources said that during talks between visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday in New Delhi, India agreed to consider the supply of some of the military gear on the Afghan wishlist.

The two countries signed three pacts  a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, an extradition treaty and an agreement on uses of outer space.

Kabul ready to buy Indian arms

Officially, however, India is silent on the matter, with the only indication being foreign secretary S. Jaishankars comment on Wednesday evening that one can join the dots on Indias willingness to consider further capacity-building and capability-building for Afghanistan and the resolve of both nations to strengthen defence cooperation.

India has so far supplied only four Russian-origin Mi-25 military helicopters to Afghanistan. Kabul is said to be interested in acquiring military equipment, including artillery, and Russian-origin ammunition and spares from India.

The two countries signed three pacts - a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, an extradition treaty and an agreement on the peaceful uses of outer space. With Pakistan refusing to so far allow the movement of 1.7 lakh tonnes of Indian wheat through its territory to Afghanistan, in spite of a request by New Delhi several months ago, India and Afghanistan discussed the transit issue in a major way at their talks.

More important, the joint statement stated: The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at the continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives.
T-Congress leaders N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and K. Jana Reddy greet President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Hyderabad: The TPCC on Wednesday sought President Pranab Mukherjees intervention to save farmers from forcible acquisition of their lands for Mallannasagar and other projects by the TS government and to ensure that they get fair compensation as per the Centres Land Acquisition Act, 2013.

Accusing the TS government of acquiring lakhs of acres for irrigation, industrial projects, thermal power projects etc besides mishandling and manipulating the acquisition process jacking up project costs and indulging in financial misappropriation, a T-Congress delegation led by TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy met the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum.

Leaders of the Opposition K. Jana Reddy and Mohd. Ali Shabbir, TPCC working president Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, TPCC former president Ponnala Lakshmaiah, MP Palvai Godvardhan Reddy, former Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha and others were part of the team.

The Congress submitted a three-point request to the President on behalf of affected farmers: The TPCC also wanted immediate lifting of Section 144 in the project affected villages and the false cases filed against the villagers withdrawn; and also restoration of spirit of democracy and freedom in the project affected villages.

We look forward for you to do justice to the farmers, land tenants, agriculture labour, artisans etc of Telangana and also curb the malpractices of the state government, the memorandum said.
An official in the state health department said the availability of facilities in all hospitals was being reviewed and lacunae were being addressed. (Representational image)

HYDERABAD: Scarcity of stretchers in the government hospital of Barkas was brought to the notice of health minister Dr Laxma Reddy after where a patient had to carry his mother suffering from paralysis to the first floor of the hospital on September 12.

Mr Abdul Majid, had carried his mother to the first floor as there was no stretcher. He said, There was no one to attend to the patients on the ground floor. As it was an emergency I carried my mother to the doctors room. She had suffered a sudden paralysis stroke in the morning.

An official in the state health department said the availability of facilities in all hospitals was being reviewed and lacunae were being addressed. Area hospitals have infrastructure issues and they are being attended to, he said.
Hyderabad: Union water resources minister Uma Bharti will hold the first Apex Council meeting with the Chief Ministers of TS and AP on September 21.

A communique to this effect has reached both states, confirmed TS special chief secretary (Irrigation) S.K. Joshi to DC on Wednesday.

AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had earlier wanted the meeting to be held on September 19 but his TS counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao had said that he could only attend the meeting on September 21 in view of the Assembly Session.

After talking to both the CMs, Ms Bharti convened the meeting on September 21.

The agenda for the proposed meeting will be about TS going ahead with construction of Palamuru-Ranga Reddy and Dindi projects using Krishna River waters to which the AP government and a few farmers of Krishna Delta are opposed.

The meeting is being held after the Supreme Court gave a direction to the Union water resources ministry to convene the Apex Council meeting to discuss and decide on the issue of TS overusing Krishna waters without obtaining necessary clearances and data from Central government agencies as well as not informing the downstream AP state and the Krishna River Management Board that was constituted specially for the purpose under the AP Reorganisation Act.

However, the TS government, represented by its irrigation minister T. Harish Rao met Ms Bharti a few days ago and requested her to include some more items for discussion in the Apex Council meeting including sharing of Godavari surplus flows and share in Godavari waters being diverted to Krishna Basin through the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation scheme taken up by the AP government.

He asked the Union minister to restrict AP from drawing excess waters to the tune of 40 tmc ft from Srisailam dam through the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator without the consent of the KRMB or the TS government.

It is, however, not clear whether the Apex Council meet will be confined to the directions of the Supreme Court or will include the objections raised by both AP and TS governments against each other in taking up various irrigation projects across Godavari and Krishna as well.
New Delhi: 105-year-old Kunwar Bai, who was felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for building toilet by selling off her goats, has been chosen as the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' mascot.

Prime Minister Modi will felicitate Kunwar Bai in the national capital to mark 'Swachhta Diwas' on September 17.

Kunwar Bai had sold-off her 8-10 goats to build two toilets at her home. Subsequently, she started showing other villagers the toilets at her home while informing them about its importance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in February touched her feet during a rally in Rajnandgaon.

The Prime Minister, who was in Chhattisgarh to launch the ambitious Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban (rural-urban) Mission, felicitated Kunwar Bai from Kotabharri village of Dhamtari and then touched her feet to seek blessings.
New Delhi: The Delhi government on Monday decided to relax its rules and grant admission in its school to Madhu, a Pakistani migrant girl, who has been struggling to secure admission due to lack of required documents. The decision comes after Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took note of the reports of Madhus struggle to secure admission and raised the issue with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

According to 16-year-old Madhu, she had come to India with her mother, siblings, her uncle and cousins two years ago after they fled religious persecution in Pakistans Punjab province. After making rounds of Delhi government, co-ed senior secondary school in Sanjay Colony where authorities refused to enrol her in ninth standard as she does not have the necessary documents required to complete the formalities. The migrant girl also wrote to Kejriwal seeking intervention.

Approving the request for her admission, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, due to peculiar circumstances, the girl is not in possession of any school leaving certificate or date of birth certificate. She wants to study and on humanitarian grounds it is my considered opinion that we need to walk extra mile to accommodate her.

To accommodate Madhus request, the government can consider relaxing whatever rules and regulations, if they come in way of her joining our school, Sisodia, who is also the education minister, said in an official order. Accordingly admission to Madhu may immediately be provided at any of our government schools located in Sanjay Colony, Bhati Mines, Fatehpur Beri, New Delhi. She would also be given necessary books and uniform and we may facilitate whatever is required for the girl to study in our school, the order further added.
Chennai: As protests over Cauvery water issue brought Bengaluru to a standstill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he was personally pained at the developments and pitched for finding solution by maintaining restraint and starting a dialogue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Terming the situation as distressful and arguing that violence cannot provide solution to any problem, Mr Modi said the dispute can only be solved within the legal ambit. In a democracy, solutions are found through restraint and mutual dialogue. This dispute can only be solved within the legal ambit. Breaking the law is not a viable alternative. The violence and arson seen in the last two days is only causing loss to the poor, and to our nations property, Mr Modi said in a statement.

Protests erupted in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Sunday over the Cauvery water issue. While Tamils in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka were targeted and a huge number of Tamil Nadu buses burnt in the state capital, some establishments and a few buses owned by Kannadigas were attacked and stoned in Tamil Nadu.

Whenever the country has faced adverse circumstances, the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, just like people across the country, have always handled the situation with sensitivity. I appeal to the people of the two States, to display sensitivity, and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities, the Prime Minister said.
The victim was said to have walked on into the Chennai Bypass road when he was run over by an unidentified vehicle on Monday night.

Chennai: A realtor, who is also the DMK's local unit organiser, was arrested after he reportedly hacked a 47-year-old man.

The victim was reportedly standing between the realtor and the two women he was passionate about. The victim was said to have walked on into the Chennai Bypass road when he was run over by an unidentified vehicle on Monday night.

The arrested man was identified as Selvam (48) of Kolathur and the deceased is construction worker Venkatesan, who was living with his wife Jothi (35), in Surya Nagar, Vellanoor near Red Hills.

The assailant Selvam was reportedly in a relationship with Venkatesan's wife and his niece and had been chided for his amoral activities by Venkatesan. But since Selvam was financially supporting the family, the women reportedly encouraged him and it is also believed the women may have suggested the elimination of Venkatesan.

Selvam, who had employed Venkatesan's nephew Raja, went to meet Venkatesan in the pretext of being willing to make amends for the past and took Venkatesan out for a binge session on Monday evening.

He and Venkatesan continued to drink till 11.30 pm on the service road of the Chennai Bypass. A wordy altercation broke out due to the complicated relationships, which culminated in Selvam hacking Venkatesan on his head.

A disoriented Venkatesan then strayed on to the main road when a lorry heading towards Tambaram ran over him and sped away. Selvam alerted the traffic cops claiming it was a road accident and Madhavaram Traffic investigation wing began their investigation.

When the cops were about to wrap up the issue as a hit-and-run, an onlooker tipped off the cops that it was Selvam who had hacked Venkatesan on his head before the road accident.

The cops subsequently alerted Puzhal police who took over the investigation. Selvam was subsequently arrested while his two women companions were being quizzed for their roles in the sordid affair.
Kumaran paddles across the Himalayan lake of Tsoltak near Chang la pass at an altitude of 16, 618 feet. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: A Chennai environmentalist, who uses paddling as a means to sensitise about conservation of water bodies, has donned another successful tag by paddling on a lake near the worlds third highest motorable pass last week.

The three-time Limca book recorder is now the first person in the world to have paddled on Tsoltak Lake, situated at an altitude of 16,618 feet.

M. Kumaran, a geologist and a paddler, had to battle acute mountain sickness to perform stand up paddling at a Himalayan lake, Tsoltak near Chang La pass.

He has thus surpassed a previous record attempt of paddling at Suraj Tal Lake, which is at the altitude of 16,000 feet. His plan to paddle at Pangong and Tsomoriri in Ladakh region faced many obstacles due to curfew in Srinagar.

We could not follow the initial plan of flying to Srinagar due to curfew there. We took a road trip from Delhi to Leh via Manali by crossing worlds three highest motorable passes, Kumaran said.

Even though we took proper breaks, we suffered mild to moderate acute mountain sickness, feeling headache and shortness of breath, he added.

The clear September weather and non-frozen waters of the crystal blue lake near Chang La pass facilitated Kumaran to paddle for 45 minutes.. It was risky as a fall in glacier water could result in hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature.

My previous paddling experiences on choppy sea waters at Chennai coast and on other water bodies helped me to paddle without a fall, he said. Paddling in Himalayan lakes is often met with many challenges  both climatological and religious.

Many high altitude lakes have a religious connection and do not allow human intervention. A few of the high altitude lakes are at Indo-China border, making it difficult to obtain permission, he said.
Ashok gave him a letter and asked him to give it to the housewife, whom he knew before she got married. When the boy took the letter to her home her husband and brother beat up the boy. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: A Class V student who was inspired by Bible stories and tried to help a private sector employee by becoming a messenger between a man and a woman whom he was trying to seduce, was caught by her husband and her brother and beaten.

Hayathnagar police registered a case of outraging the modesty of a woman against Ashok, who made the boy give a letter to the woman, and also against her brother Durgaprasad and husband Vijay for beating the boy.

Police said the boy, 10, was returning home after tuition. Ashok gave him a letter and asked him to give it to the housewife, whom he knew before she got married. When the boy took the letter to her home her husband and brother beat up the boy.

Police found from the boy that he was told at church that he will be blessed if he helped others. The boys father said that even when the boy pleaded innocence he was beaten.

"If locals had not seen my son they would have killed him," he said. Police arrested Ashok and are inquiring into the allegations against Durgaprasad and Vijay.
Chennai: Four months after death of a medical student following hair transplantation, the Madras high court has suggested the state government to enact appropriate legislation to effectively regulate new type clinics, including hair transplantation centre, beauty clinics, studios and spas.

Justice N. Kirubakaran, before whom a petition filed by ARHT Global Hair Services, Sterling Road, Nungambakkam, came up for hearing, passed the interim order. The petitioner had sought direction to authorities to remove the lock and seal.

The judge said that even after enacting The Tamil Nadu Private Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Act, 1997, successive governments had not framed rules for the past 19 years and hence the Act has not come into force so far.

The matter pertains to Dr. P.Santhosh Kumar, MBBS, CRRI, Madras Medical College, who underwent a hair transplant procedure in the centre on May 15.

The hair transplant centre is said to be engaged in hair transplant, hair restoration and various other services in allied areas with over 300 centres throughout the country.

Following the procedure, Santosh Kumar developed complications and died at CMC, Vellore on May 17. The hospital concluded that he died of toxic shock syndrome / septic shock / anaphylactic syndrome.

Vijay Narayanan, senior counsel for the petitioner, submitted that other than registering under the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishment Act and obtaining licence under Section 287 of the Chennai City Metropolitan Corporation Act, 1919, no other compliance was required under law.

He said the Tamil Nadu Legislature passed The Tamil Nadu Private Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Act, 1997 for regulation of the private clinical establishments in Tamil Nadu. As the rules were not framed by the State Government, the Act has not come into force till date. He said similarly, the Parliament passed The Clinical Establishments (Registration And Regulation) Act, 2010 for registration and regulation of clinical establishments in the country.

Only Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Sikkim and the Union territories passed resolutions adopting the central Act. Karnataka had enacted Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act (KPME), enabling registration of beauty clinics, spas, saloons in the State.

The judge said the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 elaborates procedures for certification and registration of the clinics and formation of Council for Clinical Establishments. As per Section 8 of the said Act, the State Governments were directed to constitute a State Council consisting of more than 10 members and levies penalties contemplated for violation of the said Act, including closing down of the said establishment.

Justice N. Kirubakaran said when existing laws are not capable of regulating them, State legislatures and Parliament have to take into consideration of the present day scenario and pass appropriate new legislations to cope up with the developments.

He said the old laws are incapable to meet the present day situation, like the problem which has been raised in the present case. The present case established the lack of follow up action by the State Legislature after enactment of The Tamil Nadu Private Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Act, 1997, by framing Rules to enforce. As a result, the Act has not come into force for the past 19 years.

Justice N. Kirubakaran posed 10 questions to secretaries, department of law and health and family welfare department to file their response before September 19.



Q When the Tamil Nadu Private Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Act 1997 passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 14.02.1997, why the successive state governments have not framed the Rules, so that the Act could come into force?



Q In the absence of any state Act and when Parliament passed a comprehensive Legislation - The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, why the successive state governments failed to adopt the Act?

Q When the present case itself made the Karnataka Government to enacted Karnakata Private Medical Establishment (KPME), why the state government had not enacted a similar Act?



Q When will the state Government come out with either a new comprehensive legislation or adopt the Central Act?



Q Whether the duty of Union Government ends with passing of The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 especially all the states except four states failed to adopt the Central Act ?

Q Is it not the duty of Central government to follow up the issue to see that state government adopt the Central Act, if not, to pass a new Act ?

Q Why not the Central Act develop a suitable mechanism/system in the public interest, to remind about the necessity to pass legislations by states regarding state subjects in case of necessity or if a new situation arises warranting new Act without infringing powers of the states ?



Q Why not Central and state governments form permanent high-level committees to take note of the happenings in the society regularly and suggest suitable enactment of new laws, if there are no laws to deal with new situations or to amend the existing laws to be more effective to deal with any lacunas in the act, without waiting for court directions was done in Vishakas case (Sexual harassments in work place)?

Q How many complaints have been received by the authorities alleging negligent act by clinics, beauty clinics and spas in the state?

Q What are all the steps taken by the state government on the complaints?
Screengrab of the soft toy being sold on Amazon.

Mumbai: Not everyone gets to meet the Prime Minister of a country, so US online giant Amazon is selling a Narendra Bhai Modi stuffed soft plush toy for his fans and supporters.

A company named Tickles has listed this soft toy on Amazon India that children could embrace for just Rs 999.

The description reads, Delight your little ones this year by presenting them with an adorable soft toy. This soft toy into their bedroom will give them endless hours of fun-filled playtime."

The makers of the toy claim that the product has been made with the finest materials and can make children develop love for wildlife.

"Instill a love for wildlife and introduce your children to the world of animals with this furry little plush toy. Features Non-toxic and soft fabric Soft and Cuddly filling Recommended Age Group - 3 - 6 Years Recommended For  Unisex, the description added.
Students of IIT-Bombay have complained to the authorities about attacks by monkeys, who enter the campus from the adjoining national park.(Photo: AP/Representational)

Mumbai: Students of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B), Powai, are coping with the 'monkey business' on the institute's 550-acre campus located next to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

"We have approached BMC and Forest authorities, after several students complained of the aggressive behaviour of monkeys," IIT-B spokesperson Falguni Benerjee-Naha said.

"Monkeys have always been a part of the IIT ecosystem. It is only of late that their aggressive behaviour has become a cause of concern," she said.

While the campus has the occasional leopards straying from the adjoining national park, monkeys are more frequent visitors.

Students have complained about attacks by monkeys on the lookout for food. There have been complaints about food and personal belongings of students stolen from hostel rooms and students being chased by troops of monkeys.

Students say maximum attacks happen in the morning when they leave their rooms for lectures. If they forget to properly lock their rooms, monkeys damage clothes and valuables, a student who wrote about the monkey menace in the IIT-B in-house magazine 'Insight' said.
Onam celebration being organised by Kiwis club at Nelliyodi colony, Kottiyur in Kannur. (Photo: DC)

Kannur: Until Tuesday, Onam was alien to the 25 tribal families at the Nelliyadi colony in Kottiyur grama panchayat in Kannur. On Tuesday, they experienced the joy and togetherness of Onam as a dozen members of Kiwis Club Thalassery tread the forest and reached to them to celebrate the harvest festival. They served Onam Sadya and distributed 'Onakkodi' besides engaging in different playful activities.

Kiwis has been celebrating Onam among the marginalised sections of the society for the past 15 years.

More than this programme, we are planning to roll out children-centric welfare programmes in the colony, said Mohammad Shoaib Parakkat, its core committee member.

Though the colony people were reluctant to mingle with the outsiders in the beginning, they slowly joined the team accompanied by music and dance.

They presented different songs about Onam, memories of Onam and various ancient games associated with the festival.

Tribals who spoke on the occasion were aggrieved at lack facilities including drinking water, proper shelter and transportation.

Thalassery municipality vice chairperson Najma Hashim inaugurated the event. Kottiyur grama panchayat president Indira Sreedharan, N.C. Chacko and Vijuth Kumar were present.
Chennai: A.G. Perarivalan (44), one of seven life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case lodged in Vellore prison, was on Tuesday attacked by another inmate, police said.

At around 6. 45 am, Perarivalan, who was in his cell when Rajesh Kanna (46) attacked him, suffered injuries on his hands and head. Doctors used six stitches to close his body wounds. It was totally unexpected. He came and spoke to me inside the cell. He went out and came back with rod and attacked me, Perarivalan told his mother later.

Perarivalans cell was kept open in the morning at a time when inmates are allowed to step out of their cells. After spending more than 25 years in jail, he had to suffer this now. All these years I have been pleading for parole. It was just not happening. I will take care of him if he is let out on parole, Perarivalans mother Arputhammal told this newspaper after paying a visit to her injured son.

It appears the attacker wanted to protest against the jail administration and he showed it on my son, she said. He had suffered injuries on his head, hand and legs. I want the government to intervene and help me to bring my son back home, Arputhammal added.

According to jail officials, Perarivalan is being treated at the prison hospital. He was attacked with an iron rod by Rajesh Kanna, a kidnap and murder accused who is undergoing life term for the last 13 years. The attacker was earlier lodged in Puzhal prison and was shifted to Vellore in 2012, jail sources said. Rajesh had used iron rod used to clear blocks in the drains in the jail premises, sources said.

Bagayam police station in Vellore district has registered a case against Rajesh under IPC section of 324 (causing hurt using dangerous weapon) and 506 2 (criminal intimidation and threat to cause death or grievous hurt).

Rajesh, a native of Madurai, was one of the convicts lodged in the high security block where Perarivalan is also incarcerated. Rajesh was recently shifted to another block and he believes Perarivalan was the reason behind it. However, jail officials maintained that an internal enquiry is on to know the background of the attack.

Former Prime Minister and Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi was killed by a LTTE suicide-bomber during a pre-election rally in Sriperumbudur near Chennai on May 21, 1991. Seven persons  Murugan, Santhan, Perarivalan, Nalini, Robert Payas, Jayakumar and Ravichandran - were convicted in the case. Murugans wife Nalinis death sentence was commuted to life in 2000 following a cabinet recommendation and appeal from Rajivs wife, Sonia Gandhi.

The Supreme Court had commuted the death sentence of Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan in February 2014 following delays in deciding on their mercy plea. Though the Tamil Nadu government had in March this year decided to remit the sentences of all the seven convicts, the matter soon went to the Supreme Court with the Central government questioning the States powers to grant remission.

Ramadoss, Vaiko seek Perarivalans release

Expressing shock over the attack on Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict Perarivalan by a co-prisoner inside the Vellore jail, PMK founder S. Ramadoss and MDMK leader Vaiko on Tuesday sought to release him on parole.

Ramadoss said there could not be any reason to attack Perarivalan as he is friendly with other prisoners and said there might a conspiracy behind the attack.

He also alleged negligence in treating Perarivalan who is ailing from many diseases and sought the release of all the seven prisoners convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Vaiko too apprehended a conspiracy and said the state government should conduct an enquiry to find the reasons for the incident.
Patna: Backing his decision to impose prohibition in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday advised people not to spoil their health and drink juice in a dark room to get the feeling of having liquor.

"Just for the sake of a peg or a two, why are you spoiling everything? Please do not do this, drink juice. Switch off the light and drink juice, you will feel as if you are drinking alcohol," Kumar said while addressing media persons.

"The happiness and satisfaction that I got from banning alcohol was something I never achieved before," he added.

He further said that drinking or not drinking alcohol is solely the decision of the individual.

Earlier during the year, Nitish Kumar's government enforced a total ban in the state from April 1.

The Bihar Excise (Amendment) Act that came into force on April 1, 2016, had restricted the manufacture, transport, sale and consumption of liquor in Bihar and with effective implementation, the state was declared dry on April 6.

Nitish Kumar's government enforced total prohibition in Bihar in April this year.

He even asked Prime Minister Modi to impose prohibition across India.

The penal provisions in the Act are stringent as there is a large fine as well as a large jail sentence for anyone caught violating the laws.

The establishment of check posts and barriers around the state has made it nearly impossible for those who wish to consume alcohol to source it.
Two persons died in Uttar Pradesh in a clash over a dead cat. (Photo: Pixabay/Representational)

Lucknow: Two persons were killed in a clash over a dead cat in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district this morning, police said.

Two villagers clashed in Hirakheda village under Sohramau police station area after a dead cat was thrown in front of the house of one of them, police said.

In the ensuing clash both of them  identified as Amrit Lal (34) and Sharda Prasad (33)  were killed, police said adding that a case has been registered and investigations are on.
Six in 10 Chippewa Falls households are struggling to afford basic necessities, including housing, transportation and food. In Stanley, nearly 7 out of 10 households are in the same situation.

Economic conditions are better in the town of Wheaton, where fewer than 1 in 5 households are finding it hard to survive. Thats among the best in the state.

Those figures are from an extensive study conducted of Wisconsins 72 counties by the United Way of Wisconsin and the 42 local United Ways in the state. The figures used in the study come from 2014.

The study, released Wednesday morning, rates housing affordability in Chippewa County as poor, and job opportunities and community resources as fair. In Dunn County, housing affordability, job opportunities and community resources are all rated by the study as fair, while in Eau Claire County job opportunities are rated fair and housing affordability and community resources are both rated poor.

For the city of Eau Claire with 27,180 households, 53 percent of its residents are below the ALICE threshold. La Crosse is at 54 percent.

The United Way in coming up with its figures used a method it calls ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The agency said it is intended to show the level of financial instability in the county.

These numbers are staggering: In total, 960,131 households in Wisconsin  fully 42 percent, and triple the number previously thought  are struggling to support themselves, the report said, adding later: Many jobs in Wisconsin do not pay enough to allow families to afford the most basic household budget.

The study gets its percentages by combining those under the U.S. poverty line, which is $11,800 for one person and $23,850 for a family of four, and those included in the ALICE model, which includes people above the poverty level but earning less than the basic cost of living for the county.

Combined, the number of poverty and ALICE households equals the total population struggling to afford basic needs, the agency said.

The study says 10 percent of Chippewa County residents are below the poverty line and another 32 percent are in the ALICE category. That leaves 58 percent of households faring better.

Larry Winter, director of the Chippewa County Department of Human Services, said areas pinpointed by the ALICE study needing help match where his agency is getting requests for help. Those areas include Chippewa Falls-Lafayette-Tilden and Lake Hallie, Lake Holcombe and Birch Creek, Cornell and Estella and Cadott-Boyd-Stanley.

Winter said a lot of times the focus is on those falling below the poverty line. But including the percentage of households falling in the ALICE category need to be looked at.

I think we have to pay attention to that 32 percent because part of that is in the middle class, he said.

That segment is not able to sufficiently meet basic needs.

Winter added: The question we have to ask ourselves as a community in Chippewa County is (how) this information collates to the current meth issue that we are dealing with? Because what you are talking about here are fundamental basic needs.

Survival budget

The United Way says in Chippewa County, the household survival budget for a single adult is $24,504 and for two adults, one infant and one preschooler the survival budget is $54,348.

Items included in that calculation are money put aside for housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, miscellaneous expenses and taxes. For example, housing for a single person in Chippewa County is $497 a month, while for the specified family it is $740.

The bare-minimum budget does not allow for any savings, leaving a household vulnerable to unexpected expenses, the agency said.

Jan Porath, executive director of the United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, said she was not surprised by the reports conclusions, partially because the agency had been doing its own research. For example, she said the 2010 Census found there were 2,121 children ages birth to age 5 living in households in Chippewa County at 200 percent or less of the federal poverty line.

She said the ALICE study will be another tool for the local agency in determining where to put money, such as for warm meals, medical care and involving parents. The latter includes a micro-grant program United Way and Chippewa Valley Technical College are offering that focuses on careers where there is a skills gap.

The end goal is to change the (poverty) cycle, she said.

Housing needs

The study says Chippewa County has 17,754 owner-occupied housing units, of which 22 percent pay more than 30 percent of their income for those units. That figure rises to 45 percent for renter-occupied units.

The study also measures what it calls an affordable housing gap, which list how many more rental units are needed for people in the ALICE category. In Chippewa County, 2,021 more units are need to fill that gap.

In 2014, Chippewa County had a population of 63,051 with 24,643 households. The median household income in the county was $51,428, below the state average of $52,622.

Winter said the countys aging resource center is seeing more retired people who worked all of their lives who dont have a lot of savings or a pension. Many were caught up in the recession of 2008 and 2009, he said.

Winter said from 2007-14 the percentage of married couples with children in Wisconsin fell by 5 percent. That will eventually mean fewer people paying taxes to help, among others, the older generation.
Thiruvananthapuram: By euologising Vamana and denigrating Mahabali in his Facebook post, BJP national president Amit Shah has humiliated Kerala and Malayali's national festival Onam,chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday.

The belief behind Onam is of equality and egalitarianism and it is a festival celebrated by all cutting caste, creed, religion and other barriers. The legend has it that during Mahabalis's rule there was no evil, cheating and wrong doings and the people lived in harmony. Malayalis see Mahabali as the symbol of equality and egalitarianism. By denigrating Mahabli and eulogising Vamana who had stomped Mahabali under the earth, the BJP president has buried the values of equality. The BJP president should immediately withdraw his statement and apologise to the people of Kerala .

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan

CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the Amit Shah's Vamana Jayanthi greetings clearly indicated the BJP's move to re-establish Brahmanical order in this country. "They want to push the country back to "chathur varna" system and impose Brahamanical hegemony. This is only the beginning of the RSS propaganda to change the narrative of Onam festival in the state.

V.M. Sudheeran

Pradesh Congress president V. M. Sudheeran has said in a statement here that BJP president Amit Shah has brought disgrace to Malayalis by distorting the significance of their traditional festival of Onam. He has tried to belittle its prominence and tried to create a rift among the people by imposing his agenda. Malayalis would reject this weird proposal, said Mr Sudheeran.

Kanam Rajendran

CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said Shah has only exposed the true colours of Sangh Parivar which wants to establish the Brahmincal supremacy in the country.

Though they try to pose as pro- backward and pro-dalit, the greetings on Vamana Jayanthi on the eve of Onam, has exposed their true face yet again. They believe in re-establishing the varna ashram system in the country.

Kummanam Rajashekharan

BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan said Amit Shah's Vamana Jayanti greetings is not against the Malayali belief. There are several temples in the name of Vamana and there are many celebrations as well. The national leadership of all organisations and parties do not wish Onam.

The state president has aleady greeted the people on the eve of Onam. Onam sends out the message of love, brotherhood, prosperity, equality and peace.

It is the responsibility of all Malayali's to ensure the festival's glory does not fade. We should take the pledge to counter the direct and indirect propaganda against Onam festival.

P. Jayarajan CPM Kannur district secretary P Jayarajan said Shah's Vamana Jayanthi greetings in place of Onam wishes, clearly reflected the RSS agenda to "Hinduise" a secular festival which is associated with harvest and celebrated by people cutting across caste, creed language and religion. He said the people of the state will see through the devious designs of the Hindutva of forces.
The Asean summits on September 6-7 followed by the India-Asean Summit and East Asia Summit on September 8 in Vientiane provided the platform for Indias high-profile role in the region.

The Asean summits on September 6-7 followed by the India-Asean Summit and East Asia Summit on September 8 in Vientiane provided the platform for Indias high-profile role in the region. While some reports gave the impression that Indian diplomacy had only one aim, to project Pakistan as the epicentre of terrorism, the reality is Indias focus was extensive. A careful study of documents point to further progress in our Act East policy.

Asean is often seen as a talk shop. Its two summits in Laos led to 57 documents, including the principal statement by the Chair that ran into 135 paragraphs. But the grouping has many solid achievements to its credit. It will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. It continues to register success, albeit gradually, in strengthening regional integration, both within its 10 member states and with a wide circle of dialogue partners, including China and India.

The backdrop to the latest summits was marked by some destabilising develop-ments in the South China Sea, largely due to Chinas behaviour and its rejection of the award by The Hagues Permanent Court of Arbitration. This complex issue has stretched Aseans unity to the limit. In July 2016, the foreign ministers of Asean and China crafted a common position on this issue, that was reiterated by the heads of state and Laos. This, however, didnt hide the fact that Asean leaders remain seriously concerned over recent developments, and some of them have concerns on the land reclamation by China in the area.

When later the South China Sea issue was discussed by the 18 member states of the East Asia Summit (including the US and Russia), its outcome did not vary much, thus signalling that Chinese diplomacy has scored over the American side. While US President Barack Obama is considered a popular figure, the US approach on South China Sea was ineffectual. Uncertainty from the US elections is also a relevant factor.

The East Asia Summit meeting disappointed those who saw in this institution the potential to become the regions apex body for regional coordination. It deliberated on six priority areas  energy, education, finance, global health, environment and disaster management  and Asean connectivity. It also expressed a shared position on the situation in the Korean Peninsula, terrorism and economic integration. But the overall impression was that without greater unity among Asean nations and stronger Asean-US rapport, the EAS may be unable to play a decisive role.

The latest India-Asean Summit took place in this context. Asean is central to Indias Act East policy, said Prime Minister Modi. Indias reiteration of support for the unity of Asean was duly reciprocated by Aseans appreciation for Indias Act East policy and its development programmes like Make in India. New Delhis calibrated position on the South China Sea issue is appreciated by Asean.

On India-Asean relations, there is ground for satisfaction. The two partners are also on the same page on countering terrorism, though Asean would prefer to avoid India-Pakistan tensions. On economic ties, ensuring progress has been a challenge. Trade is on the decline: it clocked $58.7 billion in 2015, against the $100 billion target set in 2012. Fortunately, the increase in investment is a cause of optimism. Finalisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, earlier expected to be done by end 2016, could be pushed further into the future. Leaders noted the complexities and reiterated the need for a balanced agreement. They instructed their ministers and officials to intensify negotiations for the swift conclusion of negotiations, but no deadline was stipulated.

A key aim for Indian diplomacy is to expand connectivity with Asean. Infrastructure connect-ivity has been the most problematic. Though Indias flagship projects  Trilateral Highway and Kaladan  may not be operational before 2020, there is a clamour from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam that India should keep them in mind. India has, therefore, suggested a joint taskforce on extension of the Highway to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Asean is viewed by New Delhi as a partner for development of the Northeast. Indias offer of $1 billion as a new line of credit for connectivity projects, announced last year, is still under discussion. Aseans response appears to be rather slow. In Vientiane, India also pledged an extra $50 million for the Asean-India Fund.

The overall assessment in East Asia is that geopolitics dominates the agenda. Having absorbed this reality fully, India is engaged in geopolitical competition, focusing to enhance synergy with Asean and partners like the US, Japan, South Korea and Australia. In addition, it continues to strive for stronger bilateral ties with several Asean nations like Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand. This must also include Indonesia. Indias efforts will succeed more if India Inc steps up to the plate and Asean governments and business leaders match their words with action.

The writer is distinguished fellow at Gateway House and a former ambassador to Myanmar
Open discord appears to have begun in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on the nature of one of its main enemies  the Bharatiya Janata Party  whether it is right-wing authoritarian or no ordinary bourgeois party as the fascistic Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh guides and dominates it. This means there are fewer certainties left to act as signposts to track the Hindutva brigade in its determined effort to colonise Indias society and polity.

The backstory to this is the revised version of the doctrine by former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, that the BJP is now a party that has the potential to impose an authoritarian state on the people, due to its linkages to the RSS. The argument is confusing, but the response it has got from Sitaram Yechury, the current CPI(M) general secretary, implies that the tweaking of the CPI(M)s party programme, documented and approved in 2000, is not an approved text. An interview in the partys Bengali daily Ganashakti quotes chapter and paragraph to conclude that halting the BJP-RSS juggernaut midway is the CPI(M)s primary task. This call to unite all democratic, secular and Left forces is based on the Narendra Modi governments performance, that is seen as the trailer in its first two and a half years.

If there are doubts surfacing within the CPI(M), and Mr Karat cant certainly be alone in rethinking what the BJPs nature is, then it is time to ask that if the RSS connection is unplugged or relaxed, will that make the BJP just one more bourgeois party? The question is moot as till now the common understanding is that the CPI(M) thinks: When the BJP is in power, the RSS gets access to the instruments of state power and state machinery. And there is enough to show that this is exactly what happens, combined with the politics of vigilantism that uses nationalism and gau raksha, love jihad and religious conversions to impose a certain type of order that uses violence and laws, including those on sedition, against dalit protesters in Gujarat.

As anxiety mounts over how the BJP is hollowing out democracy and turning the government into a more authoritarian machinery, the Prakash Karat interpretation is mystifying. He and others in his party know exactly how democracy can be stripped of substance: West Bengal is one place where this has been systematically done, both under the CPI(M)s rule and now under the Trinamul Congress. As a victim of the Congress at its authoritarian worst in 1975, during the Emergency, Mr Karat has personal experience of how empty and meaningless democracy can become when freedom is taken away.

The fault lines within the CPI(M) on identifying enemies and making friends underlies the new perception about the BJP. The Karat line  that the Congress and the BJP are equally untouchable  has been thrown down as a challenge to the bloc within the CPI(M) that doesnt find the Congress the worst danger or the greatest enemy. This division has been played out over and over in the party, most recently in the West Bengal Assembly elections. It began in 1996, when Jyoti Basu was offered the prime ministership by the Congress in a partnership against the BJP, which the then CPI(M) leadership declined. It then resurfaced in 2004 and again came up in 2016.

The CPI(M)s inability to decide on what it should do as the BJP gains strength and poses the greatest danger, and then stick to that decision, underlies the current tension between Mr Karat and Mr Yechury. If the BJP is thought to be the greatest danger, as it has fascist underpinnings and is authoritarian to boot, it does open up the space to the old debate over the character and consequently the partys relationship with the Congress. It also marks the difference between what can work in West Bengal, where the CPI(M) is battling against extraordinary circumstances, and what are the challenges in states like Kerala and Tripura. To safeguard its turf in Kerala, the CPI(M) must identify the Congress and the BJP as equally evil; for that, the character of the BJP needs to be revised and the danger downgraded. Any other way of seeing the enemy would open up the possibility of alliances that are configured to work against only the BJP. That would make the Congress a potential partner in a complicated network of allies with parties that have a dominant presence in their states.

By going public on the issue of the BJP, Mr Karat is clearly rallying support against the possibility of the Congress being part of any alliance, directly or indirectly, in the near future. With elections approaching in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, which will be crucial for the BJP, holding aloof from the Congress is probably the bigger concern for sections within the CPI(M) that are in sympathy with Mr Karat.

These rumblings within the CPI(M) dont greatly matter. The party has lost ground in many ways since its high point of 2004. Its status as a national party, recognised as such by the Election Commission, is also precarious. To be part of any alliance or front, the CPI(M) needs to add value to the proposition; the wrangling within the party over the BJP and by extension the Congress, and perhaps all bigger parties, makes it both unstable and unattractive politically. The programmes and positions by which it was known, and its erstwhile gold standard credentials, is now open to radical reinterpretation from within, signalling that the discipline of collective and reliable leadership has changed. In its currently reduced circumstances, the least that the CPI(M) can do is to stop brawling in public.

The writer is a senior journalist in Kolkata
If in a rush of diplomatic enthusiasm, Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif dedicated his countrys Independence Day to the freedom of Kashmir, it is little surprise that in his message on Tuesday on the occasion of Id-ul Zuha, he dedicated this years Id to the supreme sacrifices of Kashmiris. It is evident that Pakistans emphasis on seeking to internationalise Kashmir is unlikely to be short-lived. A key reason is Prime Minister Modis reference to the situation in Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in this years Independence Day address. This seems to have stirred all the demons together in the Pakistani establishment.

We should expect Islamabad will leave no stone unturned to get the Organisation of Islamic Conference to once again take up the Kashmir issue. While Prime Minister Sharif is not an anti-India hawk, his room for manoeuvre in his nations domestic politics has shrunk of late and he has personally lost out in the civilian-military dynamics after the revelations relating to members of his family in the recently disclosed Panama Papers.

This means the Pakistan PM has no option but to take the cue from his countrys Army Chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, who made it clear that the Kashmir question will receive disproportionate attention on the Pakistan side in the days to come. This also fits in with the agenda of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, the anti-India terrorist outfits nurtured by the ISI, which Mr Sharif dare not ignore.
The release on bail last Saturday of Mohammed Shahabuddin, feared Bihar criminal-cum-politician and a leader of Lalu Prasad Yadavs Rashtriya Janata Dal, has been rightly criticised. Many believe that the present state government, in which the RJD is an indispensable coalition partner, ensured that it dragged its feet over a murder trial against Shahabuddin to such a degree that the Patna high court had no choice in the end but to grant him bail.

If this is true, it is doubtful if chief minister Nitish Kumar, who the gangster sought to traduce on coming out of Bhagalpur jail by saying he was CM because of circumstances, had a hand in the trial going slow. It is more probable that Mr Yadav used his social and political clout to ensure that the trial hardly moved, leading the high court, which had rejected a bail plea in February, to eventually grant the plea.

Mr Shahabuddin was a four-time RJD MP before he was picked up from his New Delhi residence on another murder rap, and has been released on bail after serving 11 years of his sentence. His track record of serious crime, and the prospect that those who have spoken out against him will now fear for their lives, should have weighed with the high court, but did not. This is a comment on the judiciary. The law must never be so blind that judges have to operate in twilight.

But apart from questions over Mr Shahbuddins innocence or guilt, the stark political fact is that the Bihar government has suddenly come under inordinate strain. The man out on bail was inducted into the RJD national executive in April while he was behind bars. His value to Mr Yadav and the RJD is evident as he is said to be popular among minority sections in pockets of North Bihar.

Mr Shahabuddin is now cocking a snook at the chief minister and the RJD supremo is looking on indulgently. The RJD has a whip hand over the government as it has 80 Assembly seats against 72 of the JD(U), Nitish Kumars party. Even so, the CM should summon the nerve to call an urgent meeting of the Mahagathbandhan partners  RJD, JD(U) and Congress  and make it plain he would henceforth assert his prerogative as CM to make or dismiss ministers and recommendations made at Mr Shahabuddins behest for any position in the state will be disregarded.

The onus should be on Mr Lalu Yadav whether the Nitish government stays or goes. A secular government should not mean one that pampers people proven to be criminals. If the government flops on this type of politicking, secular Mahagathbandhan-style politics will receive a severe setback.
As the catalogue of a variegated dialogue opens up between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir once again, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressing that a permanent solution must be found within the four walls of the Indian Constitution, it is clear the Kashmir problem once again dominates our mindscape. With despair and idleness being dangerous companions, Mr Modi himself knows there is no fix-all boilerplate for J&K. With three geographical zones  Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh  forming the states contours, its 135-km-long and 32-km-wide Sunni-dominated Valley that is holding India hostage. The kernel of the Valleys problem is that toxic ideological radicalism has prospered due to the rising gap between growing expectations and fewer opportunities. The damage caused by the pellet gun has been seen as the brutal instrumentality of oppression virulently opposed by the populace. Somewhere in this volatile mix, they forgot that picking up stones and arms and waging war against the State wont be accepted by any sovereign authority.

The solution for J&K comes with an inbuilt complexity, for the rest of the state inhabited by other ethnicities  Hindus, Shias, Dogras, Sikhs, Ladakhis, Gujjars, Pahadis and Bakarwals  have no interest in independence or azadi. In such a scenario, should autonomy be given to the state where only around 33 per cent of people speak Kashmiri or to the Kashmir Valley? The solution has to be within the framework of Article 370 and the 1952 Delhi Agreement. Whatever needs to be done to alleviate woes has to be done for the entire state. There is no silver bullet or other panacea available. One size fits all is not the option. Various solutions, including a plebiscite, have been suggested in the past, but with two large parts of the original five  Northern Areas and Aksai Chin  no longer part of the original J&K state, that is completely unacceptable.

Pertinently, even when Kashmir was needlessly internationalised by India at the behest of Lord Mountbatten, the United Nations was obsessed with military men to solve the problem. When the ceasefire was instituted on January 1, 1949, after a prolonged war, the UN chose a Belgian, Gen. Maurice Delvoie, as military adviser for the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP). By February, UN Secretary-General Trygve Lie sent 36 military observers  17 from the US, six from Mexico, five from Belgium, four from Canada and four from Norway. In between there was Security Council president Gen. Andrew McNaughton, a Canadian, who dabbled in Kashmir affairs. The original choice for chief plebiscite administrator was Gen. Walter Bedell Smith who fell ill and was replaced by Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz. Incidentally, Gen. Smith was to later become director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

At one point, even Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was in the hunt for the mediators position, a position which was finally taken up by Senator Frank Graham. The US always subliminally had an interest in Kashmir. Robert Trumbull, writing as far back as October 28, 1947 in the New York Times, had said: There is sentiment in Ladakh for independence and that such fragmentation of Kashmir is what India wishes to avoid in this strategic state next door to the Soviet Union. The following day Trumbull wrote something even more damaging: Indian officials frankly believe that possession of Kashmir is vital to the security of India. Some high government sources interviewed today were thinking about the Soviet Union, which touches Kashmir at Gilgit, at the states northwest tip.

Geostrategically, Kash-mirs importance is not lost on anyone. While Ameri-can interest died down after the winding down of the issue at the UN, at the very height of the Cold War it surfaced in its most vile and obnoxious form (written noting by top Indian government official on file). With the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict already a page in history, a fresh American initiative was launched for the state. US state department troubleshooters were trying to orchestrate a new campaign to test the fertile waters of Kashmir. Known as the Puerto Rican Formula, the state department began to peddle it as the new elixir.

The US state departments pointman in New Delhi was Edwin J. Peachaus, second secretary in the US embassy, who sent feelers to top Indian officials between December 1965 and March 1966 about a Puerto Rico type of Commonwealth status for Kashmir to resolve the dispute. His contention was that if the US could maintain control over Puerto Rico, why shouldnt India follow the same example in Kashmir?

Ratcheting up the volume, around the same time, a Washington Daily News correspondent, Richard H. Boyce, filed a Srinagar-datelined story on June 9, 1966: ...And despite the Tashkent Agreement of last December to settle their differences peacefully, no real progress has been made towards Kashmir peace. Technically India was the aggressor last year. Although Pakistan troops crossed the ceasefire line, Indian troops crossed the international border into Pakistan. Indians think they dare not make any concessions on Kashmir for political reasons at home. The same motivation hardens Pakistans resolve not to give in. Both governments wrongly tell their voters they won last years war. Privately, high-level Indian officials confide that they discussed a Puerto Rico-type associate state status for Kashmir  not fully an Indian state, but with some degree of internal self-government though still belonging to India. The hard fact remains that India possesses more than two-thirds of Kashmir and is unwilling to talk to Pakistan about it. India figures neither the US nor Russia will force her to give some of Kashmir to Pakistan. Pakistan is not strong enough to take it by force. But Red Chinas help could make a difference. China would like Kashmir and it has already infiltrated some of it along the Northeast and Northwest edges. And pro-Peking Indian Communists and Chinese Communists have circulated in disputed areas for months. India resists an internationalisation of Kashmir fearing this would only let China gobble up all of it.

This viewpoint was found distasteful by a powerful section of the Indian government as Kashmir was and is an integral part of India. However, it is still interesting to recount the Puerto Rico story here. Over the years, it has retained its unique status as a commonwealth voluntarily associated with the United States. The US-Puerto Rico Commission of 1966 conferred upon the people of Puerto Rico equal dignity with equality of status and of national citizenship. The island lodged like a jewel  161 km-long and 56 km-wide  is wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Puerto Rico remained a Spanish colony till 1898, when it was ceded to the US after the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted American citizenship in 1917 and were given the right to elect the Puerto Rican Legislative Assembly. In 1947, the islanders were authorised to elect their own governor by popular vote. In 1952, the US Congress granted Puerto Ricans the right to their own constitution, elevating the island to the unique status of a self-governing free commonwealth associated with the US.

But despite the economic miracle, the question of identity remains. As long as Puerto Ricans live on the island, they cannot vote in US presidential and congressional elections. Concurrently, they have the advantage of being exempt from US federal taxes, but local taxes levied on them are higher. Four plebiscites have been held since the late 20th century to resolve the political status. The most recent, in 2012, showed a majority (54 per cent) in favour of a change in status, with full statehood the preferred option, but it was highly controversial as many ballots were left blank and the results criticised by many parties. Prime Minister Modi has a unique opportunity to leave his mark on history. Kashmir is in a fragile condition, and in need of careful handling.
London - About 90 percent of the world's goods are carried by sea, with more than 70 percent in shipping containers carrying everything from TVs to sportswear from Asia to the rest of the world. But the global imbalance in trade means most of these containers are empty on the return journey.

Design student Philippe Hohlfeld, from London's Royal College of Art (RCA), has devised a way to stop this empty space going to waste. Grow Frame is a collapsible hydroponic farm that could grow vegetables inside the empty containers during the weeks-long sea voyage.

"Grow Frame tackles the challenge that half of all containers going to China are empty. And that means, right now, 13 million containers annually are traveling around with just air. And when I heard about that I thought 'no, that's not a problem, that's an opportunity'," Hohlfeld told Reuters.

"Every container is 12 square meters of land, and they're basically free. And free real estate in the world is really hard to come by, and especially in the countries where they end up in China and Japan and south-east Asia, that land would be really expensive and is at a premium."

Each plant is grown in small individual plastic bags containing all the water and nutrients needed to feed the plant during the trip.

The mini farms would cultivate vegetables using battery-powered LED lights that can be adjusted to provide precisely the right spectrum of light for optimal growth. Hohlfeld said the energy efficient lights and the battery would hold enough power for the duration of the voyage; for example, for the approximately three weeks it takes for the vessel to travel from the UK to China.

To keep the climate inside each container as natural as possible, Hohlfeld said he's planning to grow mushrooms alongside leafy vegetables to help balance the mini ecosystem.

"I'm growing cabbages, spinach, lettuces and bean sprouts. All these plants create oxygen, as we know, and it's really good in nature because it balances with animals. But in the container it could be a problem; so I'm introducing mushrooms which turn the oxygen back into CO2 because they respire the same way that we do. And that way the whole system keeps itself in check," he said.

A key design consideration of Grow Frame was for it to collapse to a fraction of the size so as not to take up valuable space when the container was transporting goods.

"I thought about an autonomous process that works in an enclosed environment over three weeks and that brings a real benefit to China and that can be as collapsible as possible; so it can be as small as possible," Holhfeld said, adding that he now hopes to turn his proof-of-concept design into a working prototype that could be tested on the open seas.

Holhfeld is now looking for funding to help turn the concept into a reality. He estimates it would cost around 9,000 ($12,080 USD) to develop and manufacture the first frames, and a further 6,000 ($8,050 USD) to pay for a shipping trial. But the potential profitability of the reusable system would quickly recoup the initial costs, he said.

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SpaceX is aiming to resume flights in November following a launch pad fire that destroyed a Falcon 9 rocket.

SpaceX is aiming to resume flights in November following a launch pad fire that destroyed a Falcon 9 rocket and an Israeli communications satellite it was due to lift into orbit, the companys president said.

The space services company suspended Falcon 9 flights while it investigates why the rocket burst into flames on Sept 1 as it was being fuelled for a routine pre launch test at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Were anticipating  being down for about three months, getting back to flight in the November timeframe, Gwynne Shotwell, president of Elon Musks space company, said at a satellite industry conference in Paris. A video clip of Shotwells comments was posted on YouTube.

Shotwell did not elaborate on what repairs to the rocket, if any, would be needed for SpaceX to return to flight in November. The company also has not said how much damage the blast caused to the launch pad and ground support equipment. The accident destroyed the $200 million satellite owned by Israel's Space Communication.

SpaceX previously said a nearly-completed second launch site in Florida, located at NASAs Kennedy Space Center (KSC), would be finished in November. The pad was last used to launch NASAs space shuttles five years ago.

NASA on September 13 said it had no reservations about SpaceX flying at KSC. Were confident that SpaceX will understand and recover from what happened, Tom Engler, KSC deputy director of Center Planning and Development, told Reuters. From our perspective, (the accident) changed nothing as far as our planning and implementation activities are concerned. A source familiar with SpaceXs plans said the first flight from the KSC launch pad would be a Falcon 9 rocket, not the debut flight of Falcon Heavy, as previously scheduled.

The Falcon Heavy, a 27-engine version of the nine-engine Falcon 9, would most likely fly in the first quarter of 2017. The customer for SpaceXs return-to-flight mission has not yet been named.

Before the accident, the next satellite slated to fly aboard a Falcon 9 from Florida was owned by Luxembourg-based SES SA.

The company could not immediately be reached for comment.

SpaceXs west coast launch site, located at Vandenberg Air Force in California, also would be ready to support a launch in the November timeframe, the source said.

Before the accident, SpaceX had been targeting a September launch from California for Iridium Communications Inc.

SpaceX has a backlog of more than 70 missions, worth more than $10 billion. Before the Sept 1 accident, Falcon 9 rockets had flown 27 times successfully and failed once.

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Taken by photographer Nick Ut Cong Huynh for the Associated Press, the 1972 picture of a naked Vietnamese girl running from a napalm attack is considered one of the war's defining images. It was honoured with the Pulitzer Prize. (Photo: AP)

Facebook Inc will learn from a mistake it made by deleting a historic Vietnam War photo of a naked girl fleeing a napalm attack, the company's chief operating officer said.

The photograph was removed from several accounts on Friday, including that of Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, on the grounds it violated Facebook's restrictions on nudity. It was reinstated after Solberg accused Facebook of censorship and of editing history.

"These are difficult decisions and we don't always get it right," Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg wrote in a letter to the prime minister, obtained by Reuters on Monday under Norway's freedom of information rules.

"Even with clear standards, screening millions of posts on a case-by-case basis every week is challenging," Sandberg wrote.

"Nonetheless, we intend to do better. We are committed to listening to our community and evolving. Thank you for helping us get this right," she wrote. She said the letter was a sign of "how seriously we take this matter and how we are handling it".

The 1972 photograph, by Pulitzer Prize-winner Nick Ut of the Associated Press, shows screaming children running from a napalm attack. A naked nine-year-old girl, Phan Thi Kim Phuc, is at its center.

Sandberg wrote that "sometimes ... the global and historical importance of a photo like 'Terror of War' outweighs the importance of keeping nudity off Facebook."

Facebook bars nudity with some exemptions, such as photographs of nudes in art. It is unclear exactly how disputes over its "Community Standards" reach top management.

Solberg posted the photograph on her Facebook page after the company had deleted it from the sites of Norwegian authors and the newspaper Aftenposten, which mounted a front-page campaign on Friday urging Facebook to permit publication.

Solberg welcomed Facebook's about-turn. "It shows that it helps to use your voice to say 'we want a change'. I'm very pleased with that," she told NRK public broadcasting on Friday.

Sandberg suggested that Solberg's staff could meet two Facebook officials visiting Norway on Friday. "I hope to see you soon - and am always available if you have further concerns," she wrote.

Norway is a big investor in Facebook. Its $891 billion sovereign wealth fund, the world's biggest, had a stake of 0.52 percent in Facebook, worth $1.54 billion at the start of 2016.

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Google Android Nougat has only been rolled out to a few nexus devices and reportedly Android One devices (Representational image)

Soon after the official launch of Googles latest OS Android 7.0 Nougat, the company has also shared details about Android distribution data, revealing low adoption rates of Googles new operating systems.

Currently, the latest Android OS is available on a few Nexus devices and reportedly started rolling out on Android One devices, which is not even 0.1 per cent. Even the popular Marshmallow, which was launched last year in October, has been adopted by on 18.7 per cent of devices, according to a Google Play distribution data update.

Considering that Google launches its mobile OS updates each year, the adoption rate seems rather low. The 18.7 per cent rate of Marshmallow adoption is a result of a 3.5 per cent increase from August.

This clearly reveals that maintaining so many operating systems for several Android devices is not only tough but also results in low adoption rates. According to the new data received from Googles dashboards, there are still 0.1 per cent devices running on Android Froyo, which has not received an update over the past five years.

As the world moves towards newer operating systems and smart technologies, the need for such backdated architecture does not make sense. It just adds to the pile of old technology that exists for the sake of it.

Well, Google may want to keep supporting older smartphones but then it is also holding back other manufacturers from building advanced headsets.

As a result of so many fragmentations, smaller smartphone manufacturers often skip updating their smartphones to support Googles new operating systems, as it would require them to build updated smartphones. However, with the inflow of advanced technology, users need to own handsets which are compatible with the latest features available; older operating systems will never offer that.

Unbiased roll-out

Major Smartphone companies and Googles own Nexus brand gets the new operating system updates first, and other devices have to wait long periods for the latest update. For instance, the Marshmallow is only on 18.7 per cent devices and the nougat is already officially out.

Android 5.0 and 5.1 Lollipop is still present on 35 per cent of smartphones, which is not a good sign as most of these devices wont ever get the Nougat update. Some companies are still launching devices with Lollipop as a result of competency issues with new operating systems.

In such a scenario, Google should at least try to roll out their new OS to all compatible devices, rather than only giving the initial updates to some selective devices.

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The following editorial appeared in Fridays the Los Angeles Times.

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.

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 percent 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. Congress limitations on the ATF collecting gun sale information and compiling it into a usable form are not only wrongheaded, 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.
Marysville: An investigator "with a bit of free time" decided to send for testing DNA samples from a long-dormant cold case, which led authorities to arrest a pair of men linked to the 1973 shotgun slayings of two young girls, authorities said.

Police in Oklahoma and California arrested the two 65-year-old suspects on Tuesday morning for the murders of Valerie Janice Lane, 12, and Doris Karen Derryberry, 13.

The seventh grade classmates told their mothers they were going to a mall shopping near their homes about 40 miles north of Sacramento on November 12, 1973. Witnesses saw them in their neighbourhood that night, but neither girl returned home. Both suspects were living in Olivehurst at that time, investigators said.

Two boys were target shooting and found the girl's bodies about 20 hours later, according to news accounts at the time. Investigators say the girls were driven to a wooded area and shot at close range.

Authorities then and now said a large-scale investigation was immediately launched and some 60 people interviewed over a three-year period before the case went cold for a lack of solid leads and was shelved in 1976.

In March 2014, an investigator doing a routine look through cold cases decided to send semen samples found on Derryberry's body and preserved for 43 years to the state Department of Justice forensics lab for analysis. Seven months later, state DOJ technicians reported that the DNA in the semen matched the genetic profiles of cousins Larry Don Patterson and William Lloyd Harbour, who each committed serious enough crimes since 1973 to have their DNA samples collected and placed in law enforcement computer systems.

"Over time, anyone that's been assigned to our investigations unit for any length of time looks into some of the unsolved cases that we have," Yuba County Sheriff Steve Durfor said. "And this was one in particular that one of our investigators had a bit of free time and really looked very closely at this case and identified that we should send some things off and see what it might yield for us."

Durfor said both suspects served prison sentences. Patterson was arrested in 1976 for raping two women and again in 2006 for failing to register as a sex offender, Durfor said. Harbour had felony drug convictions, Durfor said.

Patterson was arrested Tuesday morning in Oklahoma. Harbour was arrested after a traffic stop two hours later near his home in Olivehurst, where the two victims also lived.

Durfor said the victims' families were told of the arrests Tuesday morning and have requested privacy.

The families "have endured decades of suffering and grief for not knowing who was responsible for the brutal murder of their loved ones," Durfor said.

"We're asking for the family to have time to process this news," said Stan Vantassle, Derryberry's nephew. "We would like to have time to come to grips with this."

Some of the family members are now elderly and "have waited for something for 43 years for an answer as to what happened to their kids," Yuba County District Attorney Patrick McGrath said.

"Olivehurst, 43 years ago, was a very small community - still small," McGrath said of the town of about 14,000 people. Harbour lives near one of the victim's families, and "inevitably there will be contact between various families and this is a situation we had to talk to them about. There will be a lot of frustration, there will be a lot of anger, a lot of things that we need to be concerned about."

The twin slayings four decades ago shocked the small community and the nation, he said.

"Back in 1973, this simply didn't happen," he said. "This was a big deal. Still is, obviously."

The girls' slayings made headlines around the nation at a time when such killings seemed rare, McGrath said. Both men will face murder charges, he said.

It took more time to reopen an investigation so old that several of the investigators and the pathologist who conducted the autopsy have since died, McGrath said. They then had to locate Patterson, who is being held as an unregistered sex offender while he awaits an extradition hearing from Oklahoma to California.

"We literally were looking in five different states," McGrath said.
London: The US economy could be $1 trillion smaller than otherwise expected in 2021 if Republican candidate Donald Trump wins the presidential election in November, economics research firm Oxford Economics said on Tuesday.

While the firm said Trump's policies - including more protectionist trade measures, tax cuts and mass deportation of illegal immigrants - may be watered down in negotiations with Congress, they could have "adverse" consequences.

"Should Mr. Trump prove more successful in achieving adoption of his policies, the consequences could be far-reaching - knocking 5 percent off the level of US GDP relative to baseline and undermining the anticipated recovery in global growth," it said.

Oxford Economics describes itself as an independent global advisory firm. It is headquartered in Oxford, England, but has offices around the world, including in Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the research. At a campaign event in Clive, Iowa, on Tuesday, however, Trump reasserted that he would grow the U.S. economy.

He vowed to revive the country's manufacturing sector by preventing US companies such as Apple Inc from making products overseas, renegotiating global trade accords and slashing federal taxes and regulations.

"We're going to provide opportunity, prosperity and security for all Americans," Trump said.

Under its baseline scenario, Oxford Economics expects US gross domestic product, the value of all goods and services produced in the economy, to grow at a fairly constant rate of around 2 percent from 2017, reaching $18.5 trillion in 2021.

But if Trump is elected and succeeds in implementing his policies, it predicts growth would slow significantly, falling near zero in 2019, and reducing overall GDP to $17.5 trillion.

Oxford Economics said its baseline scenario assumes Trump's Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton triumphs in the Nov. 8 vote and a split Congress emerges - between a Republican US House of Representatives and a Democratic US Senate - which results largely in a continuation of current policies.

Trump would face challenges winning the backing of Congress for all his policies, and some economists argue that looser tax policy could actually help boost economic growth.

The latest opinion polls show Clinton, the former secretary of state, ahead, but her lead has slipped in recent weeks.
Monica Mares and her son Caleb Peterson, who was adopted soon after his birth, fell in love after meeting for the first time in 2015. (Photo: YouTube Screenshot)

Santa Fe: A mother and son in the United States Clovis might have to spend up to 18 months in prison for being madly in love with each other. The duo will be facing trial later this year and go to jail if found guilty of incest.

According to a report in Daily Mail, Monica Mares, 36, and her son Caleb Peterson, 19, have decided to fight for their right to have a sexual relationship and are ready to put everything at risk just to be together.

They have also decided to spread awareness about Genetic Sexual Attraction (GSA)  incest between close relatives, such as siblings or half-siblings, a parent and offspring.

Mares said that even the jail term wouldnt come between the two and that she would move with him to another state that will accept them as a couple. She is also willing to choose Peterson over her other children.

He is the love of my life and I don't want to lose him. My kids love him, my whole family does. Nothing can come between us; not courts, or jail, nothing. I have to be with him. When I get out of prison I will move out of Clovis to a state that allows us to be together, Mares said.

Monica Mares, 36, and her son Caleb Peterson, 19. (Photo: YouTube Screenshot)

Incest is a crime across the US, but the laws and punishments differ in all the 50 states.

Mares and Peterson, who were living together since December last year, now live separately in Clovis, New Mexico, as a court earlier this year banned them from having any contact with each other.

Peterson was born when Mares was only 16 years old and was adopted by another couple. The two met for the first time in Christmas last year after Mares got in touch with Petersons adoptive father through Facebook.

It was almost love at first sight but first it was mother love. He gave me a mother hug. He came home in the truck and came to live with me and we were both happy as mother and son, Mares said.

However, they gradually fell in love with each and other, and started to live together in a mobile home as a couple. They kept their relationship hidden from others until police was called during a spat with their neighbours in February this year.

Police charged them with incest and took them in custody in April. They were released on bail after paying a surety bond and now have to face a trial in September.
Washington: The United States and Israel have reached final agreement on a record $38 billion package of US military aid and the new 10-year pact is expected to be signed as early as Wednesday, sources close to the matter told Reuters.

The deal will represent the biggest pledge of US military assistance made to any country but also involves major concessions granted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to officials on both sides and US congressional aides.

Those include Israel's agreement not to seek additional funds from Congress beyond what will be guaranteed annually in the new package, and to phase out a special arrangement that has allowed Israel to spend part of its US aid on its own defence industry instead of on American-made weapons, the officials said.

Israel's chief negotiator, Jacob Nagel, acting head of Netanyahu's national security council, arrived in Washington in preparation for a signing ceremony, according to one source familiar with the matter.

The White House also began briefing members of Congress on the deal.

Nearly 10 months of drawn-out aid negotiations have underscored continuing friction between President Barack Obama and Netanyahu over last year's US-led nuclear deal with Israel's arch-foe Iran, an accord the Israeli leader opposed. The United States and Israel have also been at odds over the Palestinians.

But the right-wing Israeli premier decided it would be best to forge a new arrangement with Obama, who leaves office in January, rather than hoping for better terms from the next US administration, according to officials on both sides.

A deal now allows him to avoid uncertainties surrounding the next president, whether Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump, and to give Israel's defence establishment the ability to plan ahead.

Obama's aides want a new deal before his presidency ends, seeing it as an important part of his legacy. Republican critics accuse him of not being attentive enough to Israel's security, which the White House strongly denies, and of taking too hard of a line with the Israeli leader.

Israel has long been a major recipient of US aid, mostly in the form of military assistance against a backdrop of an ebbing and flowing conflict with the Palestinians and Israel's neighbours, as well as threats from Iran.

The 10-year aid packages underpin Washington's congressionally mandated requirement to help maintain Israel's "qualitative military edge" in the region.

Missile Defence

The deal, known as a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, calls for $3.8 billion a year in aid, up from $3.1 billion annually under the current pact, which expires in 2018, officials say. Netanyahu had originally sought upwards of $4.5 billion a year.

The new package for the first time will incorporate money for Israeli missile defence - setting the amount at $500 million a year - which until now has been funded ad hoc by Congress. US lawmakers have in recent years given Israel up to $600 million in annual discretionary funds for this purpose.

Officials say Israel has agreed not to lobby Congress for additional missile defence funds during the life of the new MOU, a pledge expected to be made in a side letter or annex to the agreement. But the wording is likely to be flexible enough to allow exceptions in case of a war or other major crisis.

The new agreement is expected to be officially rolled out as early as Wednesday, according to congressional aides and a source close to the matter.

It will not be signed by Obama and Netanyahu, who have had a fraught relationship, but instead by two of their senior aides, in keeping with the way the two governments have formally sealed previous deals of this type.

Netanyahu gave ground on several major points. He conceded to a US demand for a gradual phasing-out, starting in 2020, of the 26.3 percent share of the aid money that Israel can spend on its own military industries rather than on American products. The provision originated in the 1980s to help Israel build up its defence industry, which is now a major global player.

Netanyahu also agreed to end Israel's use of 13 percent of the US money on military fuel purchases, officials said.

Obama and Netanyahu will both be in New York next week for the opening of the UN General Assembly, and officials have not ruled out the possibility of a meeting on the sidelines.

Negotiators working behind closed doors had all but completed the new package several weeks ago. But an announcement was quietly put on hold as objections were raised by a key pro-Israel lawmaker, Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham, who had called for a more generous and less restrictive aid package, sources familiar with the matter said.

It was unclear, however, whether the administration's differences with Graham had been resolved or it had decided to go ahead with the announcement anyway.

US congressional approval is needed each year for disbursement of the aid to Israel as part of the annual budget process. But little opposition is expected in Congress, where support for Israel's security is strong.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has labelled Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump a 'national disgrace' and 'an international pariah.' (Photo: AFP)

Washington: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has labelled Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump a "national disgrace" and "an international pariah" who is in the process of destroying himself, according to leaked e-mails.

BuzzFeed News, a popular news website, in a report said that Powell, who oversaw the State Department during the beginning of George W Bushs administration, said this in a personal email to journalist Emily Miller on June 17.

In addition to saying that Trump is a "national disgrace" and "an international pariah", Powell said the Republican nominee "is in the process of destroying himself, no need for Dems (Democrats) to attack him. (Speaker of the House) Paul Ryan is calibrating his position again."

In another email on August 21, retired Army general Powell blasted Trump for embarking on a "racist" movement that believes Barack Obama was not born in the United States.

"Yup, the whole birther movement was racist. Thats what the 99 percent believe. When Trump couldn't keep that up he said he also wanted to see if the certificate noted that he was a Muslim," Powell wrote, according to BuzzFeed.

"I have no further comment. Im not denying it," Powell told BuzzFeed.

In another email to CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria in December 2015, warned against giving him too much publicity.

"You guys are playing his game, you are his oxygen. He outraged us again today with his comments on Paris no-go for police districts.I will watch and pick the timing, not respond to the latest outrage," Powell wrote.

The messages, the existence of which was first reported by BuzzFeed and The Intercept, were posted to DCleaks, an organisation affiliated with other recent hacks of high-profile figures.

Peggy Cifrino, an aide to Powell, told CNN: "The emails are accurate. No further comment at this time."

The emails are notable for their candour about Trump. Powell has not endorsed Trump and has largely sidestepped questions about his thoughts on the controversial Republican nominee.
Jacob Barajas along with the child's mother and her boyfriend were charged for his murder. (Photo: AP)

Maryland: The uncle of a 9-year-old Maryland boy who was fatally beaten over a missing piece of birthday cake has pleaded guilty to first-degree child abuse.

Twenty-four-year-old Jacob Barajas entered the plea on Tuesday as jury selection was set to begin for his trial in Hagerstown. He faces up to 15 years at his sentencing, which hasn't been scheduled. The offense carries a maximum penalty of 25 years.

Prosecutors dropped other charges, including second-degree murder.

Barajas is among three people charged in the July 2015 death of Jack Garcia.

Robert Wilson, the mother's boyfriend, is serving a 30-year sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for beating Jack after Barajas had handcuffed him to a chair.

The mother, Oriana Garcia, is scheduled for trial in February on charges including second-degree murder.
US soldier Chelsea Manning, serving a 35-year prison term for passing classified files to WikiLeaks, ended her hunger strike on Tuesday after the Army said she would be allowed to receive gender transition surgery, the American Civil Liberties Union said.

The 28-year-old Army private, who was born male but revealed after being convicted of espionage that she identifies as a woman, announced the hunger strike on Friday.

Manning's treatment will begin with the surgery that was recommended by her psychologist in April, the ACLU, which represented Manning, said in a statement. Manning is held in Kansas.

No transgender inmate has ever before received gender affirming surgical treatment in prison, the ACLU said.

"I am unendingly relieved that the military is finally doing the right thing. I applaud them for that. This is all that I wanted  for them to let me be me," Manning said in a statement, though she went on to criticize the government for taking "so long."

A representative for the US Department of Defense could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday evening.

Manning in July tried to commit suicide over what her representatives said was the government's denial of appropriate treatment for her gender dysphoria, a condition in which a person feels their physical gender is the opposite of the one he or she identifies with.

The Army announced later that month that it would investigate Manning for misconduct in connection with the attempt to take her own life, a probe that could lead to indefinite solitary confinement, reclassification into maximum security or additional prison time.

According to Manning's representatives, doctors have recommended that as part of her treatment for gender dysphoria the soldier, who began hormone therapy in 2015, be allowed to follow "female hair grooming standards."
Three suspects managed to flee but officers believe they were able to nab four of the major traffickers.

Bangkok: Thai police shot dead a suspected meth trafficker and arrested 30 more during a raid on a party to reward drug dealers for hitting sales targets, police said Wednesday.

A gunfight erupted after several revellers tried to flee the late-night bash held at an upscale resort near Khao Yai, a popular national park northeast of Bangkok.

A 24-year-old man wanted for drug trafficking was killed and one police officer was injured during a streetside shootout, said Rawat Klinkesorn, the commander of Thailand's Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

"Based on police intelligence we discovered they were holding a thank you party at this resort so we launched a raid," he told AFP.

The party was organised by the gang leaders to "award those who hit sales targets," he added.

Three suspects managed to flee but officers believe they were able to nab four of the major traffickers.

Officers also seized ten firearms, including machine guns, plus cash and cheques amounting to $2.5 million, said Rawat.

"Police are now questioning all the suspects," he said.

Nearly all of those arrested tested positive for drugs, mostly the meth pills known as "yaba" or "crazy medicine".

The cheap drug is chiefly produced in isolated laboratories in the Golden Triangle, a lawless border region where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet.

The remote area has long been a drug trafficking hub, with surging methamphetamine smuggling now adding to the traditional illicit opium trade.

Thailand has harsh drug laws and after a decades-long "war" on narcotics its prisons are overflowing with offenders.

In an unexpected turnabout earlier this year, the kingdom's justice minister admitted Thailand had failed to stem the scourge and said he is pushing to see meth decriminalised.
The fires and subsequent smog occur annually to varying degrees in the archipelago's Sumatra island and the Indonesian part of Borneo during the dry season, and are started to quickly and cheaply clear land for palm oil and pulpwood plantations. (Photo: AFP)

Jakarta: Indonesia's top Islamic clerical body said on Wednesday it has issued a fatwa against intentionally starting forest fires in a bid to stop the blazes that cloak Southeast Asia in haze every year.

The religious edict by the Indonesian Ulema Council said it was "haram", or against Islamic law, for Muslims to start fires on purpose in forests or on plantation land.

"The Koran states that we are not allowed to harm the environment, and forest burning causes damage not only to the environment but also to people's health -- even neighbouring countries are complaining," Huzaemah Tahido Yanggo, head of the body's fatwa council, told AFP.

The fires and subsequent smog occur annually to varying degrees in the archipelago's Sumatra island and the Indonesian part of Borneo during the dry season, and are started to quickly and cheaply clear land for palm oil and pulpwood plantations.

The blazes last year were among the worst in memory and cloaked large parts of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in choking smog for weeks.

Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar welcomed the fatwa and said she hoped Islamic preachers would spread news of it to local communities: "The most important follow-up is communicating it to the public."

Fatwas have no legal force and are aimed at encouraging the devout in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country against taking a certain course of action.

But it remained unclear whether the latest edict, issued Tuesday, would have any practical effect in the sprawling archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and 255 million inhabitants.

The council has previously issued fatwas to protect the environment, including one against the illegal hunting and trade in endangered animals in the biodiverse country, which environmentalists said was the world's first.

The move by the clerics follows efforts by Jakarta to prevent a repeat of last year's haze disaster. Authorities plan to stop granting new land concessions for palm oil plantations, and have established a new agency to restore millions of hectares of carbon-rich peatlands susceptible to fires.

The blazes have not been as serious this year with Singapore so far suffering just one day of serious haze, although it is unclear whether that is due to official efforts or a late rainy season.
London: US intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden called on President Barack Obama to pardon him, saying in comments published Tuesday it had been morally "necessary" to shine a light on mass surveillance.

The former intelligence contractor has spent three years in exile in Russia after initiating the largest data leaks in US history, fuelling a firestorm over the issue of mass surveillance.

"If not for these disclosures, if not for these revelations, we would be worse off," he told Britain's Guardian newspaper in a video-link interview from Moscow on Monday.

"Yes, there are laws on the books that say one thing, but that is perhaps why the pardon power exists -- for the exceptions, for the things that may seem unlawful in letters on a page but when we look at them morally, when we look at them ethically, when we look at the results, it seems these were necessary things," he said.

The 33-year-old insisted he had widespread support, saying the "public by and large cares more about these issues far more than I anticipated."

Snowden, whose residency permit in Russia runs out next year, explained he was prepared to spend time in jail in the US, adding he was "willing to make a lot of sacrifices for my country".

US anti-establishment director Oliver Stone called for Obama to pardon Snowden while unveiling his espionage thriller biopic about the whistleblower at the Toronto film festival earlier this month.

Last year, the White House rejected a petition signed by over 150,000 urging a pardon for Snowden, saying he should be "judged by a jury of his peers".
The following editorial appeared in the Sept. 8 Des Moines Register.

Elections have consequences for children.

Children cannot vote. They do not contribute big bucks to political campaigns. They are not represented by high-profile lobbying organizations. There is no AARP for the under-18 crowd in this country.

Yet kids may have more at stake than adults in state and federal elections. They are not only among the future generations that will deal with everything from the national debt to the health of the environment. Their daily lives, right this minute, are affected by what elected officials do.

When lawmakers dont adequately fund education or human services, children suffer. When politicians starve or reform government safety net programs, children feel the impact.

Each year about 410,000 Iowans are lifted out of poverty by tax credits for low-income families and government programs to provide food, income and housing, according to a July report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Of those Iowans, 93,000 are children. Safety-net programs reduce the child poverty rate in this state from 18.1 percent to 5.2 percent.

When members of Congress complain about food stamps, they want Americans to envision a welfare queen mother who drives a Cadillac and sponges off the system. What should come to mind is an image of a child. Of the 390,000 Iowans each month who rely on food stamps, 180,000 of them are youth, according to CBPP.

Then theres Medicaid, the single largest health insurer of children in the country. About 300,000 Iowa youngsters rely on it and its companion, the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for coverage. Turning over management of the government program to for-profit insurers, as Gov. Terry Branstad recently did, is not only disruptive to poor, elderly constituents and health care providers who arent being paid. It is disruptive to kids.

In fact, Iowans should take note of a June report from Georgetown Universitys Center for Children and Families. It examined specifically how children have fared during the first two years of statewide Medicaid privatization in Florida, a move spearheaded by former Gov. Jeb Bush.

Two-thirds of Florida pediatricians reported an increase in patients reassigned to new health plans without their knowledge. Some of our patients keep getting switched to plans where they have to go all the way across the state for primary care, said one doctor. More than 80 percent said patients experienced difficulty accessing medications. Under private Medicaid management, only six in 10 infants are receiving the recommended number of well-child visits. The majority of adolescents are not receiving these visits at all. Only 27 percent of children covered by Floridas managed care programs received a preventative dental visit, compared with 48 percent of Medicaid- and CHIP-covered children nationwide.

The lesson: Elections have consequences for those too young to vote.

This countrys safety net programs separate impoverished children in the United States from impoverished children starving and dying from diseases in Third World countries. Those of us eligible to cast ballots must do so with an eye to protecting these government programs.
Wales: Emma Burt was 15 when she was first raped by the man she probably trusted the most  her own father. Now 19, Burt decided to go public with her story, without withholding her identity.

According to a report in DailyMail, Burts biological father, 40-year-old Christopher Edwards, drugged and raped her for a period of two years and has been sentenced to 12 years in jail on charges of sexual activity and for taking indecent pictures of his daughter.

Burt had gone to live with Edwards in 2012 after having an argument with her mother, with whom she had a strained relationship. He sexually assaulted the teenager within a month of her moving in. He went to rape her when she was sleeping and later also starting making her take a cocktail of drugs. "He used to jokingly call me his wife. I was practically a wife," she said.

Burt said that Edwards started making her take drugs so that he could control her easily. "In the first two months of his abusing me, he would never talk about how he raped me. He just would sort of wait until I was asleep or close to sleeping, then the drugs came into it from about three months onwards," she said.

Burt soon became heavily addicted to drugs and was too spaced out to understand what was happening to her most of the times. She said that the drugs also helped in easing the pain. "I had this way of coping with the drugs which was like another persona. The more drugs I took, the more I could ignore what was going on," she said.

Her life became a living hell and she could not live without cocaine and even tried to commit suicide in 2014.

One fateful day, Burt gathered the courage to put an end to the abuse and decided to tell a family member what was happening. With her version of the story, the police decided to launch an investigation in to the case and arrested Edwards.

Burt might have gotten justice, but her faith in men has been shattered forever. She said she can never trust a man again and whenever she sees a father innocently kiss a child, she wonders if there is more to it.

She hopes that her story will help other victims of sexual abuse to break their silence and get rapists punished. She is also clean and is no longer reliant on drugs.
A general view of the assembly, during the opening of the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: AP)

Geneva: In yet another sharp rebuff to the UNHCHR's reference to Jammu and Kashmir, India on Tuesday said it was concerned at "persisting ambiguities" in the UN body's governance and asserted that the violence in the state was "choreographed" from across the border.

Hitting out at Pakistan, India also emphasised that it has shared evidence of terrorists who came across the border with instructions to target the security forces by mingling with protesting crowds and using them as human shields.

"Terrorism, I would emphasise, is the most egregious violation of human rights," India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva, Ajit Kumar, said during the General Debate on the oral update by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) during the 33rd Session of Human Rights Council.

Read: J&K run by elected govt, PoK a hotbed of terror: India to UN rights chief

India also stated that the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir is its integral part while Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of its territory and the "two cannot and should not be equated".

"The neutrality of the phrase 'Indian-administered Kashmir' is, therefore, artificial. Furthermore, the state of Jammu and Kashmir has an elected democratic government that represents all sections of the people unlike the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir," the Indian envoy said.

India in its statement said, "We have noted the reference in the High Commissioner's statement to the situation in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir".

"The current violence in Jammu and Kashmir has been choreographed from across our border since the death of a known terrorist belonging to an internationally proscribed terrorist organisation in police action in July this year.

"We have shared evidence of terrorists who came across the border with instructions to target our security forces by mingling with protesting crowds and using human shields," he said.

"It will be in the fitness of things if Pakistan focuses its energies on improving human rights situation within Pakistan and PoK, the Indian ambassador to UN said.

India also attacked Pakistan for human rights abuses in Balochistan. "Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country, including in Balochistan, the statement said.

Responding to India at the UNHRC, the Pakistani ambassador did not mention PoK or Balochistan in his statement.

In sharply critical comments, India said it has been appreciative of the High Commissioner's efforts at improving efficiency and streamlining OHCHR's work, however, it remained "concerned at persisting ambiguities in OHCHR governance and administrative arrangements. High Commissioner's proposed Change Initiative requires more clarity."

Kumar also stressed that Jammu and Kashmir has started to move towards normalcy after sustained and system-wide efforts by both the central and the state governments, including the exercise of maximum restraint by the security forces, 7000 of whom have sustained injuries till date.

India's statement came in reaction to the remarks by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

In his opening statement at the meet, Hussein had said, "We had previously received reports, and still continue to do so, claiming the Indian authorities had used force excessively against the civilian population under its administration. We furthermore received conflicting narratives from the two sides as to the cause for the confrontations and the reported large numbers of people killed and wounded.

"I believe an independent, impartial and international mission is now needed crucially and that it should be given free and complete access to establish an objective assessment of the claims made by the two sides," Hussein said.

India also thanked the High Commissioner for his update on the situation of human rights and OHCHR activities since the last HRC Session.

"However, more would be gained if primacy were accorded to cooperation over confrontation with states concerned as the guiding principle in our collective effort," India said.

"India's robust democratic institutions and processes have sufficient tools for redressal of grievances and they are already engaged with this issue across the entire democratic political spectrum," it said.

India asserted that the protection and promotion of human rights on a sustained basis can be best achieved through constructive dialogue and cooperation.

"States are the primary bearers of responsibility in this regard; countries often have unique national circumstances, and it is important to invest trust in their efforts. India also reiterated its commitment to extend full cooperation to the High Commissioner and OHCHR for the meaningful and productive discharge of his mandate.
Vatican City: Pope Francis on Wednesday denounced killing in God's name as "satanic" as he held a mass to honour Jacques Hamel, the French priest whose throat was slit by jihadists in July.

"Killing in God's name is satanic," he said in his address which was attended by around 80 pilgrims from the northern French diocese of Rouen where the attack took place.

"He was a martyr," he said of Hamel, describing him as a "good, gentle man" who had been killed "like a criminal.

"How good it would be if all religious confessions declared that killing in the name of God was satanic."

The elderly priest was killed on July 26 while presiding over an early morning mass for a handful of parishioners in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

The pope's early service on Wednesday was held in the chapel at St Martha's, the boarding house where Francis stays and where a photo of the late priest was set upon the altar.

"Today the Church has more Christian martyrs than in the first centuries," he said in his sermon which was delivered in Italian but translated into French for the visitors.

Christians were currently suffering persecution through being "imprisoned, tortured and killed because they refuse to deny Jesus," he said.

"This cruelty which demands apostasy is, let us say it, satanic," he said. Apostasy is the renunciation of one's religious beliefs.

Earlier this month, Francis met with French President Francois Hollande over the attack, and on September 24, he will meet relatives of the 86 people killed in a jihadist truck attack in the Riviera resort of Nice on July 14.
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron was on Tuesday blamed for the rise of the Islamic State terror group in north Africa by a damning parliamentary inquiry. (Photo: AFP)

London: Former British Prime Minister David Cameron was on Tuesday blamed for the rise of the Islamic State terror group in north Africa by a damning parliamentary inquiry, which blamed his "opportunist policy" for the botched 2011 intervention in Libya.

The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee MPs criticised the intervention by Britain and France that led to the overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, when Cameron was Prime Minister.

"By the summer of 2011, the limited intervention to protect civilians had drifted into an opportunist policy of regime change. That policy was not underpinned by a strategy to support and shape post-Gaddafi Libya," the report says.

It accuses Cameron of backing regime change without a coherent strategy for the country after the removal of Gaddafi, The Times reports.

Britain and France led airstrikes on Libya after an uprising triggered by the Arab Spring. The threat of further violence by Gaddafi spurred Western powers to take action but since then thousands of people have been killed and unrest continues to this day.

The 49-page report adds: "The result was political and economic collapse, inter-militia and inter-tribal warfare, humanitarian and migrant crises, widespread human rights violations, the spread of Gaddafi regime weapons across the region and the growth of [ISIS] in north Africa.

"Through his decision-making...David Cameron was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy."

The criticism echoes remarks by US President Obama this year that Britain and France had not done enough to "follow up" after the conflict.

After Gaddafi was toppled, Libya descended into violence, with rival governments and the formation of hundreds of militias, while so-called Islamic State, also known as ISIL and Daesh, has gained a foothold.

Cameron has defended his handling of the situation, telling MPs in January that action was needed because Gaddafi "was bearing down on people in Benghazi and threatening to shoot his own people like rats".

But the foreign affairs committee said the government "failed to identify that the threat to civilians was overstated", adding that it "selectively took elements of Gaddafi's rhetoric at face value".

The committee said there should now be an independent review of the operation of the NSC, which is chaired by the prime minister, to see if it had succeeded in addressing the weaknesses in government decision-making identified in the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The UK Foreign Office defended the intervention in a statement: "Muammar Gaddafi was unpredictable and he had the means and motivation to carry out his threats. His actions could not be ignored and required decisive and collective international action. Throughout the campaign we stayed within the United Nations mandate to protect civilians."

The UK will continue to play a leading role within the international community to support the internationally recognised Libyan Government of National Accord.
Mecca: Saudi King Salman said Tuesday the kingdom rejected any attempt to play politics with the hajj, the annual pilgrimage which has added to tensions between Riyadh and Tehran.

For the first time in nearly three decades, Iran's 64,000 pilgrims are not attending the hajj in Saudi Arabia after the two regional rivals failed to agree on security and logistics.

Among its concerns, Riyadh said Tehran had demanded the right to organise demonstrations.

"The kingdom categorically rejects that the hajj serves any political purpose," Salman, 80, said in a brief address to international VIPs attending the pilgrimage.

Tehran had accused Riyadh of "blocking the path leading to Allah."

Among the contentious issues was security after last year's hajj stampede which, according to foreign officials, killed roughly 2,300 people.

Iran reported the largest number of victims, at 464.

Just days before this year's hajj, which began on Saturday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei questioned Saudi Arabia's right to manage Islam's holiest sites.

He called the Saudi ruling family "puny Satans" who had politicised the pilgrimage. Khamenei also said Saudi authorities "murdered" the stampede victims.

His claims led to mutual accusations throughout last week.

Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh retaliated by telling a newspaper that Iranians "are not Muslims".

The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Saudi Arabia is the most powerful member, accused Iran of "a desperate attempt to politicise" the hajj and said Khamenei's remarks were offensive.

More than 1.8 million faithful from around the world have been attending the annual pilgrimage which officially ends on Thursday.

"Serving the guests of God is an honour for us," Salman told the VIP delegates.

Saudi Arabia had said Iranians were still welcome at the hajj if they came from another country. The hajj ministry's spokesman said "a number" who held other passports were in attendance.

He was not more specific.

Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran have no diplomatic relations and are at odds over a number of regional issues including the wars in Syria and Yemen.
Millions of Syrians are in desperate need of assistance, especially in besieged and hard-to-reach areas with severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine.

Aleppo: Besieged Syrian civilians waited desperately for aid on Wednesday as relief convoys remained on hold despite a significant drop in violence under a ceasefire brokered by US and Russia.

The truce that began at sundown on Monday is part of the latest bid to end a five-year conflict that has killed more than 300,000 people. But there appeared to be no progress on another key element of the agreement: unhindered aid access throughout the country, particularly to areas like rebel-held east Aleppo.

Millions of Syrians are in desperate need of assistance, especially in besieged and hard-to-reach areas with severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine. UN aid trucks are waiting north of Aleppo but a Syrian security source said the regime had yet to withdraw its forces from the key Castello Road.
Colombo: Exiled Maldives opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed has said he is in talks with the former president, who repeatedly threw him in jail, to "legally topple" the current leader of the troubled honeymoon islands.

Nasheed became the first democratically elected president of the Maldives in 2008, but now lives in exile in London after he was jailed on terrorism charges that he says were politically motivated.

In the past he has accused Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the Maldives for 30 years and is still regarded as the power behind the throne, of being behind his downfall.

But on Tuesday he indicated he wanted to bury the hatchet with Gayoom, amid reports of a rift between the former strongman leader and his half-brother, current President Abdulla Yameen.

"How can you build a future if you always want to go back to live in the past," Nasheed told reporters in Colombo via a video link from London.

"Yameen's days are numbered. He has lost the support of the people and the international community. We can restore democracy in the Maldives."

Nasheed said he had forgiven Gayoom and was in talks with his faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) "for a new political alignment".

He did not disclose details, but said he had visited Colombo late last month to meet fellow dissidents and map out a strategy to "legally topple" Yameen.

He served repeated jail terms under Gayoom's autocratic leadership before winning the country's first democratic election in 2008.

There was no immediate comment from Gayoom, however, and diplomats in Colombo were cautious about the prospect of such an alliance.

"The opposition was expecting Gayoom to get a section of his party to withdraw support for Yameen late last month, but for some reason that did not happen," said one western diplomatic source in Colombo, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It is not easy for the opposition to organise any agitation inside the country because all their leaders are either in jail or in exile."

Unthinkable

An alliance between the 78-year-old Gayoom and Nasheed was unthinkable even a few months ago.

But an intensifying crackdown on political dissent in the atoll nation of 340,000 people has dented its popular image as an upmarket holiday paradise.

Almost all key opposition leaders and a number of ruling party dissidents have either been jailed or gone into exile since Yameen took office after winning a controversial run-off election against Nasheed in 2013.

In July, Gayoom's daughter Dunya Maumoon quit as foreign minister saying she did not agree with a plan to bring back the death penalty after nearly seven decades.

Nasheed was jailed for 13 years in 2015 but granted prison leave earlier this year for medical treatment in London, where he secured political asylum.

A UN panel has ruled that his imprisonment was illegal and ordered the regime to pay him compensation.

The United States has said democracy is under threat in the strategically located archipelago, which sits on key international shipping lanes.

Yameen's spokesman Ibrahim Hussain Shihab has said there are differences within the ruling party, but that these are not serious.

Asked on Tuesday whether Gayoom would help bring down his own half brother, Nasheed replied: "Half brothers hitting at each other is Maldives politics."
Every third or the fourth year, river Cauvery, the lifeline of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, embitters the harmonious relationship existing between the two southern states. The Cauvery river dispute is more than a century old but a lasting solution is eluding.





Out of the riparian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry, the first two are major players. When the river supplies are copious, there is obviously no dispute. It is only when the river supplies are low that the two states literally go to war. One can examine some basic facts about the river, its water potential, the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunals (CWDT) award and measures that could be taken to minimise or mitigate the distress in the bad years.



General: About 42% of the Cauvery basin area lies in Karnataka, 54% in TN and the rest 4% in Kerala and Puducherry. In a normal year, the contribution of Karnataka and TN to the river system is 53% and 30%, respectively. In an average year, the total flow in the river is 730 TMCft (Thousand Million Cubic Feet).The CWDT allocated in 2007 a quantity of 270 TMCft (37%) to Karnataka, 419 TMcft (54%) to TN and the remaining 66 TMCft (9%) to Kerala and Puducherry.



Karnataka felt aggrieved that though its contribution to the river flows was much higher than that of TN, its allocation was less than what it should get. The Tribunal also stipulated that Karnataka should release annually 192 TMCft to TN as per the monthly schedule drawn by it. It did not spell out clearly what should be the quantum of releases in bad years. There exist four major dams in Karnataka Krishna Raja Sagar, Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathi - with an aggregate gross storage capacity of 114.37 TMCft. Tamil Nadu has three big dams - Mettur, Bhavanisagar and Periyar - with an aggregate storage capacity of 136.54 TMCft.



Demand: The reservoirs on the Cauvery river and its tributaries are designed to meet the irrigation needs of all the four states, generate some hydro power and meet the drinking water requirements of Bengaluru, Mysuru and many other smaller towns and villages. The farmers in TN and Karnataka grow principally rice and sugar cane. These are water-intensive crops. The area between Mandya and Srirangapatna is a sugar belt. Lush green paddy fields on either side of the National Highway between Bengaluru and Mysuru greet the visitor. Tamil Nadu raises three rice crops in a year.



I suggest some measures which, if implemented, would ensure lowering of water demand and also making the riparian states less dependent on the river supplies.

(1) Crop Pattern: Both Karnataka and TN at present grow water-guzzling crops like sugar cane and rice. Sugar cane is a perennial crop, which requires 3,000 mm of water all through the year. Rice requires 1,200-1,500 mm of water. In drier years, it becomes extremely difficult to meet the huge demand of both the states. The solution that suggests itself is to curtail the demand by way of replacing high water-intensive crops by light crops. Millets, oilseeds, pulses, ragi etc should replace sugar cane and rice cultivation. Unfortunately, India has still not developed a reliable weather forecasting system.



If there were such a reliable system, the farmers would have a choice at the beginning of the sowing season itself to sow the particular type of crop depending upon the supply position. Till such time a reliable forecasting system is developed, it would be a gamble to grow water-intensive crops. The farmers should be educated about the wisdom in going in for light crops. The field workers of the agricultural department should do this. The TN government should dissuade its farmers from raising more than one rice crop.



(2) Water-saving measures: Many farmers are under the mistaken impression that more is better. Application of more water affects the yield, spoils health of the soil and also results in wastage of precious water. Water should be applied by drip/sprinkler irrigation. Irrigation water should be charged on volumetric basis. The water conveyance system, right up to the field level, should be lined to minimise transmission losses.



(3) Conjunctive use: The subsoil water levels in irrigated areas are always high. Bore/dug wells should be provided in the irrigated areas so that underground water supplements the canal supplies. This would lessen dependence on irrigation water, help prevent water logging and the consequent deterioration in the health of the soil.



(4) Drinking Water issues: Bengaluru, Mysuru and other small towns, having a total population of 13 million, depend on Cauvery water. The requirement in a full year is as much as 23 TMCft. There is what is called water illiteracy among the users. A campaign should be launched to educate the users to conserve water. A good amount of water is lost due to the leakages in the distribution system. The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board as also other municipalities should plug the leakages and replace the old and rusted pipelines.



Unauthorised pipe connections should be detected and penal action taken against the offenders. Rain water harvesting (RWH) should be made mandatory so that precious rainwater is not allowed to flow to the gutters. Determined efforts should be made to raise the depleting water table levels by recharging with RWH. Installation of sewage water treatment plants should be made mandatory. A number of lakes have vanished in the city, thanks to the real estate lobby. These lakes should be revived which will help ease the water problem to some extent.



A national policy to deal with inter-state river disputes should be drawn. The Centre should lay down broad principles for sharing water amongst the riparian states in years of distress.



(The writer is former Chief Engineer, and Irrigation and Command Area Development Commissioner, Govt of Gujarat)
Snapping selfies with your smartphone and sharing photos with friends can make you a happier person, according to a first-of-its-kind study.



By conducting exercises via smartphone photo technology and gauging users' psychological and emotional states, researchers at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) found that taking and sharing of certain types of images daily can positively affect people.



"Our research showed that practicing exercises that can promote happiness via smartphone picture taking and sharing can lead to increased positive feelings for those who engage in it," said lead author Yu Chen, postdoctoral scholar at UCI.



The goal of the study was to help researchers understand the effects of photo taking on well-being in three areas: self-perception, in which people manipulated positive facial expressions; self-efficacy, in which they did things to make themselves happy; and pro-social, in which people did things to make others happy.

Researchers designed and conducted a four-week study involving 41 college students.



The subjects - 28 female and 13 male - were instructed to continue their normal day-to-day activities (going to class, doing schoolwork, meeting with friends) while taking part in the research.



The scientists helped students load a survey app onto their phones to document their moods during the first "control" week of the study.



Participants used a different app to take photos and record their emotional states over the following three-week "intervention" phase.



Subjects reported their moods three times a day using the smartphone apps. They were also asked to provide details of any significant events that may have affected their emotions during the course of the day.



The project involved three types of photos to help the researchers determine how smiling, reflecting and giving to others might impact users' moods.



The first was a selfie, to be taken daily while smiling. The second was an image of something that made the photo taker happy. The third was a picture of something the photographer believed would bring happiness to another person (which was then sent to that person).



Participants were randomly assigned to take photos of one type.

Researchers collected nearly 2,900 mood measurements during the study and found that subjects in all three groups experienced increased positive moods.



Some participants in the selfie group reported becoming more confident and comfortable with their smiling photos over time.



The students taking photos of objects that made them happy became more reflective and appreciative. Those who took photos to make others happy became calmer and said that the connection to their friends and family helped relieve stress.

The study was published in the journal Psychology of Well-Being.
A 19-year-old girl was raped by a man who bought her for Rs 1 lakh from a woman in northeast Delhis Nand Nagri last week. Four people have been arrested, police said on Monday.

More arrests could follow.



The girl was sold off to some people by her Nand Nagri neighbour whom she called mausi. The mausi, Shahjahana, took Rs 20,000 for the transaction and rest was distributed among three other other people.



Shahjahana knew the girl since her childhood and was in good terms with her family, said police.



For the past few months Shahjahana was talking to the parents about finding a good husband and family for the girl, said a police officer.



The girls parents went to Jaipur last week and left her at Shahjahanas house. When they returned after three or four days, Shahjahana told them that the girl has been married off to someone in Gautam Budh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh.



The parents then filed a complaint of kidnapping. The girls mother is a housewife and the stepfather is a fruit vendor in Nand Nagri.



Two raids were conducted in Gautam Budh Nagar, and girl was recovered from Dadri, said police.



The girl said that on the day of Janmashtami, Shahjahana took her for walk. There was one more unknown person with them. They took her to Chaar Khambha in Nand Nagri where the other three men were present. The men were whispering something into Shahjahanas ear, and the girl was confused about what was happening, she told police.



She resisted but they all took her to Gautam Budh Nagar and got her married to a 30-year-old man. He took her to his house and raped her. When the girl opposed him, he said he had bought her for Rs 1 lakh.



The girl was medically examined and counselled by an NGO and her statement recorded before a magistrate.



The three men were booked under Section 376 for rape, Section 343 for wrongful confinement for three or more days and three other cases under the Indian Penal Code. Shahjahana has been booked under section 366 of the IPC for compelling a woman for marriage.
A tea-seller spent hours with the body of his dead wife on Monday night, taking it from one location to another till police came to his rescue.





His landlord didnt want the body to be brought home  and the Delhi government-run Dr Hedgewar Aarogya Sansthan wouldnt let him keep it there till he was able to make arrangements for the funeral.



Anju died due around 7 pm on Monday. According to one police official, the death was due to chikungunya, but it is yet to confirmed by the doctors .



A police vehicle spotted the private ambulance on which Chhote Lal was moving around with his wifes body and found a home to keep it till the time of the funeral.



The hospital had provided an ambulance to take the body to his home in nearby Kadkadi village.



But the landlord told him to take the body back to the hospital and paid for a private ambulance. Chhote Lal himself, if he had the choice, would not have brought the body home. He has two children, aged 5 and 6, and he did not want to upset them, said police.

He went back to Hedgewar hospital in the private ambulance, but the staff did not allow the body inside the premises. Chhote lal then took the ambulance his tea shop in front of the Crossroads Mall in Anand Vihar, close to the hospital, police said.



Police said they spotted the ambulance in front of the mall at around 12.30 am. He told them that he was looking for a place to keep the body until he can perform the last rites.



Police then took the body into their van and went to his Kadkadi village. A neighbour agreed to keep the body till the morning.



Chhote Lal could go home to his daughters after that and he performed the last rites on Tuesday morning, said police.



On Sunday, in a similar case, an 18-year-old, had to take a private ambulance to ferry his mothers body from the city to Dhanbad, Jharkhand  a 23-hour journey  after she died at Delhi State Cancer Institute around noon.



Mohammed Sameers father too was tea vendor but doesnt work now. He paid Rs 27, 000 for the ambulance trip.



The van owners were asking Rs 30,000 to 40,000 for carrying the body to Dhanbad.



However, ultimately the fare was settled at Rs 9 per km, said Sameer.



He said he had come to Delhi twice and both times it was for the free healthcare facilities which are considered to be good.



Social activist Ashok Aggarwal recently wrote to Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, suggesting free hearse service for people who cant afford private ambulances to take the bodies of their relatives to their native places.


The BJP on Tuesday demanded resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the dengue and chikungunya as the blame game over deaths due to the deadly fevers sparked a political blame game.





The party reminded Kejriwal of his partys idea of right to recall non-performing legislators and said time had come that Kejriwal should be recalled due to his inability to respond to the citys dengue and chikungunya crisis.



The Congress also joined the BJP in slamming the AAP government for shifting blame on other agencies for the crisis.



Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay blamed the Delhi government for carelessness alleging that Kejriwal and his three ministers were out of the city till a day ago.



It is a matter of grave concern that when Delhi is fighting against the outbreak of dengue and chikungunya, the Delhi Government is on leave. Some of them are busy in their own treatment while others in political campaigns, said Upadhyay.



There have been four deaths due to chikungunya this year. There have been 1,057 confirmed cases out of chikungunya 1,754 cases reported in the city, according to the civic agency records.



Upadhyay said instead of joining efforts to handle the crisis on account of vector-borne diseases, the Chief Minister is busy shifting the blame on the Prime Minister and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.



He referred to Kejriwals tweet in which claimed that he was left with no power.

Delhi BJP media incharge Praveen Shankar Kapoor put up a hoarding which said that after coming to power Kejriwal succeeded to mislead the people by spreading a web of words like Swaraj and Right to Recall etc.



Today the people of Delhi are saying alas they had the option of right to recall and they could have recalled Arvind Kejriwal, said Kapoor.



Former Delhi minister Arvinder Singh of Congress said: The previous Delhi government of the Congress never indulged in blame game over epidemics.



If Kejriwal is saying that he does not have power, why is continuing in the post? asked Singh.



Shifting blame



Taking on the ruling AAP government, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said while the capital was reeling under crisis on account of vector-borne diseases, the chief minister was busy shifting the blame on the Prime Minister and LT Governor over the deaths and was missing from Delhi.



He accused Kejriwal of continuing to enjoy all benefits as chief minister while completely ignoring the peoples questions on the chikungunya, dengue and malaria crisis in the capital, accusing him and his Ministers of instead campaigning in the country and travelling abroad on public money.



It is a very sorry state of affairs that Arvind Kejriwal who is the Chief Minister of Delhi refuses to answer pertinent question regarding the health of the capital of this country. Delhi is reeling under vector-borne diseases  chikungunya, dengue and malaria. Kejriwal government is missing in the city, he said.
More than 30 Tamil fringe outfits here today announced a 12-hour bandh in the union territory on Friday, condemning the violence against Tamils in Karnataka in the wake of Cauvery water row.





A joint meeting of the outfits, including Tamizhar Desiya Iyyakkam, Makkal Vazhuvurimai Iyakkam and Tamizhaga Makkal Vazhuvurimai Katchi, decided to observe the bandh, Coordinator of the Joint Action Committee of the outfits, R Azhagiri, said in a release here.



He demanded a special session of the union territory Assembly to adopt a resolution condemning Karnataka government for 'failure' to protect Tamils.



The outfits urged the transport operators, auto and cinema house owners, industrialists educational institutions and others to extend cooperation for the bandh.



A meeting of the Puducherry Traders Federation also condemned the violence in Karnataka and extended its support to the bandh.



Federation President Sivasankaran in a release said all merchants, business centres and traders would close their business premises on September 16.



He also sought the Centre's intervention to ensure the safety of Tamils and demanded compensation for the loss of properties in the violence.
Karnataka government today said it would try to convince the Supreme Court about "ground realities" and difficulties faced by people for water in the Cauvery basin when the matter related to release of the river water to Tamil Nadu comes up for next hearing on September 20.





"We will reiterate and request with folded hands before the Supreme Court that Karnataka is facing water problems in Cauvery basin, and water is left only for drinking purpose," state Water Resources Minister M B Patil said.

"Please understand the ground realities and, if need be, send an expert team. Let them assess," he told reporters here.



Patil also expressed hope that Cauvery Supervisory Commitee will not direct Karnataka to release further water when the matter comes up before it on September 19.



"We request to keep at this mark only (not exceeding 12,000 cusecs). If you ask us to release further water... we will be in a very (big) crisis," he said.



On September 5, the Supreme Court had directed release of 15,000 cusecs for 10 days. In its modified order on September 12, the court said 12,000 cusecs should be let out till September 20.



Patil said there was only 40 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water left in all the four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin.



About 28 TMC ft was needed for providing drinking water to cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya and villages in Cauvery basin up to June.



"We hardly have any water left. We require about 28 TMC. Our reservoirs have 40 TMC. Now already 33 TMC have been released and again, about 17 TMC are to be released," he said.



Despite the opposition's demand not to release water and facing hardships, the government has been abiding by the court's order and discharging the water with "a heavy heart."



To a question, he said, "I cannot predict any further rains in the catchment area, but if it rains the problem will be resolved and If doesn't it add to our crisis," he said.
India and Afghanistan today called for expediting a trilateral pact using Chabahar port in Iran to boost regional connectivity.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, during their talks here, stressed that expediting the pact would also augment connectivity among the three nations.



"Expeditious implementation of the trilateral agreement involving Afghanistan, India and Iran, signed in May 2016, using Chabahar will augment connectivity within and of the region," a joint statement said here.



The leaders appreciated the recent decision taken by the three countries to convene a joint forum involving important stakeholders, including from business and industry, it added.



"Both leaders welcomed intensification in the interaction involving India and Afghanistan with regional and other countries and international organisations to foster peace, stability and development in Afghanistan," the statement said.



A "milestone" pact on the strategic Chabahar Port in southern Iran, which will give India access to Afghanistan and Europe bypassing Pakistan, was inked by India and Iran in May this year after detailed discussions between Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.



Besides the bilateral pact to develop the Chabahar port for which India will invest USD 500 million, a trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridor was also signed by India, Afghanistan and Iran, which Prime Minister Modi has said could "alter the course of the history of the region".



The trilateral pact, linked to Chabahar port development, was signed later by India, Iran and Afghanistan in the presence of Modi, Rouhani and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.



The key agreement signed was a contract for development of Phase I of the Chabahar port on the southern coast of Iran by an Indian joint venture.



Chabahar port, located in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Persian Gulf nation's southern coast, lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India's western coast, bypassing Pakistan.



"The bilateral agreement to develop the Chabahar port and related infrastructure and availability of about USD 500 million from India for this purpose is an important milestone," Modi had said in joint media interaction with Rouhani.
The US is looking forward to more reform measures in the country, along with settlement of contractual disputes, according to US Ambassador to India Richard Verma.





We look forward to reforms in bankruptcy, establishment of commercial courts for settling contractual disputes. By 2030, India will lead the world in every category, Verma said.



There are no doubts about the pace, intensity and scope of Indo-US relations. Between August 29 and September 8, both the governments have engaged actively in dialogue, signing agreements in health, science and defence. To boost investor confidence, the government should bring more transparency to the regulatory process, Verma added.



Verma also shared his views on the role of innovation in achieving the target of $500 billion in bilateral trade. There are two things we need in this area. First the IP regime should be reformed. Next, India should create a business culture that rewards risk-taking by allowing people to fail fast and move on, Verma said.
The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Ltd (Campco) will enter into the procurement and marketing of black pepper in the near future, said president S R Satheeshchandra.





Briefing mediapersons on Wednesday, he said that Campco has conducted a study on the consumption of pepper in the North Indian markets. The infrastructure is being developed for the procurement of pepper. Also, 30 staff members of Campco will be sent for a training to assess the quality of pepper, in Kochi. Campco will also eye for exporting pepper with its value added produce like pepper powder, and pepper oil.



The Campco president said that Campco has achieved business transaction level of Rs 1,591 crore during 2015-16 and fetched a profit of Rs 19 crore. Campco has announced 10% dividend to its members. During the year, Campco has procured arecanut worth Rs 1,357.79 crore, cocoa worth Rs 78.86 crore and rubber worth Rs 14.03 crore. The cooperative has marketed chocolates worth Rs 56.43 crore and bulk chocolate products worth Rs 141.20 crore, said Satheeshchandra.



A technical expert committee, constituted by Campco to prepare guidelines for assessing the quality of arecanut, has submitted a report to the government. We are hopeful of the government approving the guidelines, which, in turn, would arrest the import of poor quality of arecanut to the country, he added.



The experts of Campco and CPCRI have prepared an analysis of the cost of production of arecanut. Accordingly, a representation has been submitted to the Centre to fix a minimum support of Rs 250 per kg of white arecanut and Rs 337 per kg of red arecanut. To work on value addition to arecanut, Campco will enter into an MoU with CFTRI, Mysuru, said the president.



To maintain quality, the Campco chocolate factory is being modernised as per the guidelines of FSSC 22000. All the transactions of Campco will be digitised shortly. With the three windmills installed by Campco at Hoovina Hadagali and Chikkodi in Belagavi, about 73% of the electricity requirement of the Campco factory is met.



The annual general meeting of Campco will be held in Mangaluru on September 17.




The 12-member team comprising family and friends of Manjunath Kulal, the tempo travellers driver who was thrashed black and blue by Tamilians at Rameshwaram, have retuned back safely.





The team was stranded in Rameshwaram and has reached the Udupi Railway Station through Madurai in the train on Wednesday.



Manjunath Kulal was assaulted when he had parked the vehicle near lodge in Rameshwarm and the vehicle was also damaged. He is on the way as he had to travel by road along with his vehicle. He is expected to reach Udupi in another two days. The family had started the journey from Aamsebailu in Kundapur on September 9.



Tough time

Manjunath Kulals father Sheena Kulal told mediapersons that they had tough time to find a shelter and food during their stay in Rameshwaram after the violence erupted following the Cauvery water issue.



The auto drivers were reluctant to pick them if they said they were Kannadigas. The lodges did not offer shelter and they had to struggle every day. Finally, one person who was a Tamilian, helped them by offering shelter. He also helped them to reach Madurai. From Madurai, the 12 persons boarded a train and reached Udupi, he added.



Treated weirdly

Mother Heeriyamma Kulal said it was a horrifying experience. She said she is worried about her son who is on his way back.



The people in Rameshwram treated them weird as they were Kannadigas. She said somehow we are able to return back home. I am just waiting for my son to come back. The Tamil Nadu police had promised to escort the vehicle till Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.


Konkani Kutam, Bahrain, will confer the 15th Konkani Kutam Award on Konkani writer Gracian Pius DSilva (Herolpius).





Addressing mediapersons on Tuesday, Konkani Kutam convener Richard Moras said that the award will be presented during a ceremony on September 23 in Bahrain. The award consists of a citation, memento and a cash prize of Rs 50,000.



The executive committee has selected Gracian Pius DSilva for his immense contribution for the cause of Konkani language and literature.



Coordinator Titus Noronha and committee members C G S Taccode and Manu Bahrain were present at the press meet.



About the awardee

Gratian Pius DSilva hails from Kudupu. He has secured a PG Diploma in Konkani. After graduation, he went to New Delhi, where he worked for the Indian Council of World Affairs. He passed the competitive exams of the Government of India and joined Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, where he worked for 37 years.



His first Konkani short story was published when he was 16 years old. He was written 197 short stories, 225 poems, 329 articles, 5 serial articles, 127 theen khille - nano serial articles. His short stories were also translated into Kannada and published in various periodicals. He has written articles and stories in Hindi and English. His eight novels and two collections of satirical stories were published in book form. He wrote and directed one drama and five mono act plays in Konkani and acted as the leading actor in one of them.



One of his novels Dhon Thembe Dhukhan (Two Drops of Tears) has won the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa, Award. He is the recipient of Mahan Vyakthi (2007) award by Konkani Sahitya Academy. Currently, he is leading a retired life at Paldane, Mangaluru.


Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday directed Congress legislators in Bengaluru to take necessary measures to prevent violence in the name of protests over the Cauvery issue.





Siddaramaiah, who held a meeting with the party legislators, asked the law-makers to hold peace meetings in their constituencies, if necessary, and ensure that people do not resort to violence. Efforts should also be made to educate people on measures taken by the government to protect the interest of the state on the Cauvery issue, he told the legislators.



The ruling Congress has decided to deal sternly with those who try to take law into their hands, in the wake of wide-spread arson and violence in Bengaluru and other parts of the state on the Cauvery issue. Senior Congress leaders on Tuesday had advised Siddaramaiah not to give an opportunity to the Centre to impose Presidents rule in the state citing the law and order problem.



Further, the Chief Minister told the legislators that Bengaluru is a cosmopolitan city. Bengaluru is a hub of Information and Technology development. Riots and violent protests should dent its image. The police have been directed to take all necessary measures to ensure law and order, he added.



Siddaramaiah also briefed the legislators on the circumstances that forced the government to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.



All the ministers from Bengaluru, including Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao and MLC Jayamala attended the meeting.


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The police have arrested seven persons in connection with the rioting and arson at the KPN Travels India Private Ltd (KPNTIPL) depot at DSouza Nagar, off Nayandanahalli, on September 12.





The police identified the suspects as Rakshith, 19, Satish, 27, Kiran, 27, Kempegowda, 28, Prakash, 46, Lokesh, 25 and Chandan, 19, residents of D Souza Nagar and the neighbouring Veerabhadranagar. They work in various industrial units in Peenya and Kengeri.



Based on a complaint by a KPNTIPL driver Venkatachalam, the police had registered a case under IPC Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 427 (mischief causing damage), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons) and 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage). He had stated in the complaint that unknown persons had torched 42 buses.



Venkatachalam had told the police that KPNTIPL management would assess the loss and inform us, the jurisdictional police inspector said.



It is estimated that the KPNTIPL has incurred losses of Rs 12 crore to Rs 14 crore. The cost of the buses damaged in the arson ranges between Rs 35 and Rs 38 lakh each, said a company representative.



KPNTIPL executive director K P N Rajesh told DH they had insured most of the buses through The New India Assurance Company Ltd. The insurance company officials visited the depot on Tuesday and inspected the spot.



Services halted

Meanwhile, KPNTIPL has decided to halt bus services between Benglauru and various destinations in Tamil Nadu till normalcy is restored in Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu.



We operates 80 buses from various destinations in Tamil Nadu to Bengaluru, while 80 buses originate from here to various destinations in Tamil Nadu every day. The situation in Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru doesnt allow us to start operations. Hence, we decided to halt the services till normalcy is restored, Rajesh said.



The company has refunded money to those who had made advance bookings online. Those who have booked tickets through agents will get the refund in two days, he said.

Rajesh said arsonists attacked drivers inside the depot.


Two persons were killed on the spot and three others sustained injuries after an autorickshaw overturned near Sangam in Kanakapura taluk.





The victims have been identified as Sadique Pasha, 12, and Naseema, 18.

The injured Haseena, 50, and her daughter Fouzia, 20 and Tausif, the autorickshaw driver, were rushed to a hospital in Bengaluru.



Except Tausif, all the four are residents of Kothipura in Ramanagaram and members of the same family, the police said.



Haseena hired Tausifs autorickshaw to go to Sangam. She wanted to stay with her family members and return on Thursday morning, the police said.



Tausif lost balance over the autorickshaw while negotiating a steep curve around

7 pm. All the five were thrown out of the autorickshaw.



The two were killed due to massive injuries, the police said.



Further investigation is on, the police stated.


The Mangaluru police have arrested a post-graduate student and cracked the case of a live cellphone with camera in a womens toilet at Mangalore University campus.





Police commissioner M Chandra Sekhar told reporters on Wednesday that the suspect, Santosh M (in pic), 22, is a second year MSc student of Marine Geology. A native of Sullia in the district, he stayed in the boys hostel on the campus. He has also confessed to the crime. According to the commissioner, the motive behind the act could be psychological. The cellphone he was using has also been seized to check for more footage.



It was his particular way of dressing that helped us zero in on him, after quizzing 82 suspects during the course of investigation. He usually left his shirts top button open showing his vest. It was the same masked man (dressed in his characteristic style) who was captured on the same cellphone camera, while placing the device in the toilet.



The commissioner said the meticulous groundwork of a posse of policemen led by Shivaprasad K attached to Konaje police station helped in cracking the case. The team gathered information, accessed closed circuit TV footage and matched the available details.



The commissioner said the case was cracked even before the forensic science laboratory (FSL) at Hyderabad released its report. The police worked with bare details like the cellphone and power bank seized from the toilet. Investigators had to rely on retrieving lost data from the cellphone. However, even as the report was being awaited, they were able to solve the case.



Santosh had bought the phone and power bank from different shops in a same commercial complex in the city just two weeks before the incident. He placed the mobile in the toilet on the day (August 24) a girl student noticed it. Soon after the incident came to light, the accused left the town and returned six days later.



Cops rewarded



The commissioner also handed over a reward of Rs 10,000 to the police team, with Rs 5,000 for Shivaprasad K for his efforts in tracing the accused.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said there should not be any delay after files for the appointment of judges have been cleared by the collegium.





Even as the central government refuted any logjam in judicial appointments, stating it is in the process of clearing the names, a bench presided over by Chief Justice T S Thakur asserted the appointments should not be stuck.



In his response to the courts observation on August 12 on two PILs on the shortage of judges and inordinate delay in their appointment, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi

submitted that the government was not indulging in any blame game and that the files were being cleared as soon as all the formalities were completed.



He handed over to the bench, also comprising Justice A M Khanwilkar, two sealed envelopes, detailing the status of files on recommendations sent by the collegium to the Law Ministry.



Requesting the bench to go through the documents very carefully, he said appointments have been cleared in the high courts of Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Madras.



I must tell the court that there is no logjam, it is happening. The only thing I would request my lordship to keep in mind is that it is like a race. You start on time and then only you will reach in time. However, high courts, by and large, are late in starting the process of filling up vacancies. The Allahabad High Court is one of them and some proposals are late by five-six years, Rohatgi contended.



The court said if the government has any problem with some of the recommendations, it should send them back to the collegium for a relook, but there should not be an inordinate delay in processing the files.



The bench said there are only eight judges as against an approved strength of 22 in the Chhattisgarh High Court.



The proposal regarding the Chhattisgarh High Court has been pending for nine months. It is working with only one-third of the total sanctioned strength. We sent three names, the bench pointed out, and fixed the next hearing for September 30.

Responding to the court's observation, Rohatgi said the files with regard to Chhattisgarh and Kerala have been cleared and one appointment in the Madras High Court has been okayed too.


Security has been beefed up in Mumbai and other places in Maharashtra on Thursday, the 11th and last day of Ganesh utsav, as idols of the elephant god are taken out for immersion.





The Navy and Coast Guard choppers would conduct aerial surveillance, while patrol boats would maintain vigil along the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Police, including plainclothesmen, will be deployed on the streets to ensure security on the immersion day.



Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, reviewed the security and traffic arrangements, besides the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation that holds maximum immersions.
Wife of slain journalist Rajdev Ranjan on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of probe and trial in the murder case to Delhi from Siwan in Bihar on the basis of media reports showing two absconding accused in the company of recently-released RJD leader Shahabuddin and Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav.





Asha Ranjan, wife of Rajdev Ranjan, contended that the proclaimed offenders, Mohd Kaif and Mohd Javed, were recently spotted with Shahabuddin and the state health minister in the presence of police personnel.



The petition, filed through advocate Kislay Panday, also sought direction for a CBI probe into the May 13 killing of the journalist. The CBI, however, on Wednesday took over the probe on recommendation from the Bihar government.



Notably, Chandrakeshwar Prasad of Siwan, whose three of four sons were reportedly murdered by the gangster- turned-politician, is also likely to file an appeal in the apex court challenging the Patna High Courts order granting bail to the former RJD MP.



He will be represented by Prashant Bhushan.



The scribe was shot dead on the evening of May 13 in Siwan town by some sharp-shooters at the instance of then jailed RJD leader, the plea stated.



It further contended that despite being named by the family of the journalist, the Siwan police did not name Shahabuddin as a key conspirator in the FIR.



Besides the Bihar government, the plea has made SiwanSuperintendent of Police, Shahabuddin and Tej Pratap, minister son of RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad, as parties.




Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee redefined political contradiction on Wednesday. She returned the land at Singur and at the same time offered land to Tata group to set up an automobile industry.





In her trademark style, Mamata justified the paradox, reiterating her old stand of never acquiring agricultural land for industry.



Mamata, who distributed land deeds and compensation cheques to farmers unwilling to part with their land in Hooghly district, offered a 900-plus acre land to Tata Motors even before the distribution process was over. Her government is willing to provide land at Goaltore in West Midnapore district to set up an auto factory, she said. Tata, BMW, or anybody else can set up a factory there, she added.



Mamata, who seemed to shed the anti-industry tag the Opposition parties have thrust upon her, told a large gathering at Singur on Wednesday that on Thursday her government will be signing a contract with the Tata group for setting up a training centre to make the states youth industry-ready. We want both agriculture and industry. Theres no conflict between the two. Well save our farmlands but also get industry to help our youth stand on their feet, she said.



The Trinamool supremo, who seemed to acknowledge that the closure of Tata facility at Singur has harmed her image, blamed the previous Left government for its wrong policies. Incidentally, in a recent investment-hunting trip to Munich in Germany, she met with top bosses of auto giant BMW and urged them to set up shop in the state. Mamata, however, stuck to her guns and said that her government would not forcibly acquire land for industry and would leave it to corporate houses to buy land at market rate. I can only provide land that belongs to the state. For this purpose, weve formed a land bank that has in its kitty substantial land. Singur land is not mine, so we cant give it. However, if locals feel they want to sell their land to set up industry, they are welcome to do that, she added.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has decided to categorize security guards as skilled workers and armed security guards and security supervisors as highly skilled.





This will entitle them to receive a minimum wage of Rs 15,000 per month and Rs 25,000 per month, respectively. The country has currently 50 lakh workers who are engaged in security service.



Minister of Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya disclosed it on Wednesday while addressing the annual Private Security Industry Conclave organised by the Ficci.



The minister also said that the Centre will not only bring enhanced wages to over 50 lakh security personnel currently engaged in the private security space, but will provide social security cover to over 2.5 crore of their family members.



The decision will also enable private security agencies to recruit, train and employ quality workforce for the sector, which has been an indispensable demand of all stakeholders alike  security agencies, corporations and the public, he said.



Rituraj Sinha, co-chair, Ficci Committee on Private Security Industry and owner of a big security agency, demanded an advisory to the state governments about the decision.

He is heading the largest security service company of the country. The company was established by his father, now a BJP MP from Bihar, R K Sinha.


The navys latest destroyer, to be named INS Mormugao on commissioning, will be launched on September 17, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday.





The Rs 7,000 crore warship, made under Project-15B, will have advanced stealth features and surface-to-air as well as cruise missiles, but is unlikely to have the crucial towed array sonar  an essential sensor to detect submarines  for now.



The INS Mormugao is likely to be inducted into service by 2020.



The first ship under P-15B INS Visakhapatnam would be commissioned in 2018.

In 2011, the government sanctioned the construction of four destroyers under Project-15B at a cost of Rs 29,700 crore, allowing the navy to enhance the indigenous component in these warships.



In the P-15B ships, the extent of indigenisation has gone up to 68% from P-15 (Delhi class) ships, where the indigenisation was about 42%, said Vice Admiral G S Pabby, controller, warship production and acquisition at the naval headquarters, here on Wednesday.



With a displacement of 6,670 tonnes and 149 metres long , the new destroyer will have a maximum speed of 30 knots and an endurance of 4,000 nautical miles.



The weapon package has been further upgraded from its predecessors.



Pabby said Israeli (Barak) surface-to-air missiles were successfully fired from a similar class of warships (Kolkata class). The missile systems, however, have not been integrated in these ships as there are some technical issues, which the navy and Mazgaon Dock Limited (MDL) are in the process of resolving.



MDL is also negotiating the cost of the missile system along with MF STAR radar. Two more similar ships are under construction at the MDL.


The Armed Forces have backed out of their protest against the central government with regard to implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission for the military.





Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, accompanied by navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Army adjutant general Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma, met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar here on Wednesday to discuss anomalies and the road ahead.



Since the army chief is not in the country, the land forces were represented by the AG

The defence minister is seized of all the issues and assured to resolve them at the earliest. The Services are satisfied with the response, Raha said in a statement.



The protest by the military ended five days after the army, air force and navy dispatched signals to all their formations, informing the troops and officers on why the Services had asked the government to put on hold the implementation of the new pay scale. The signals were sent in the latter half of last week. On Monday, Parrikar had a meeting with Raha, Lanba and other senior military officials and told them to implement the pay commissions recommendations as notified by the defence ministry on September 7. Any grievances, Parrikar said, could be addressed later.



Overruling the objections from the military, Parrikar told the officials they would have to first implement the governments decision. The forces were also told that all their demands could not be met, sources said.



The government set up a 22-member committee to look into various pay related anomalies arising out of the implementation of the pay commission's recommendations. One of the panel members is the defence ministrys financial adviser, who is aware of the contentious issues.



The central government accepted most of the recommendations of the pay commission, to be implemented from January 1, 2016. The services, however, had multiple concerns, including a worry that the recommendations would put them on par with the Central Armed Police Forces.


The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea seeking direction to the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government to stop the release of funds to separatist groups.





The court said the issues raised in the PIL, filed by a Delhi lawyer, was in the domain of the executive and were not to be managed judicially.



A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit also took exception to petitioner Manohar Lal Sharma describing certain leaders from the state as separatists and questioning the security being given to them by state agencies.



You are making tall claims that money is being given to X or Y group. It is the duty of the nation to maintain security and integrity. It is the role of the executive to provide security. If there is some threat perception to individuals, the government may provide security to them, other citizens may call such people separatists, the bench said.



Is it some kind of largesse? In issues like this, courts have a minimum role...for they belong to the area of security. What is best for the security of the country should be left to the executive, it added.



Sharma contended that the grant of funds to separatists for travel, accommodation, logistics and other purposes should be declared unconstitutional and illegal.



He also sought registration of a criminal case against officials responsible for providing money to such groups.


The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a response from the Centre and the Election Commission on a PIL seeking directions to debar convicts from contesting elections for life.





A bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Prafulla C Pant issued a notice to the Union government on the plea by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay for setting a special court to try accused lawmakers within a time frame.



The petitioner also sought a direction to fix minimum educational qualification and an age-limit to contest elections.



In the executive and the judiciary, when a person is convicted for any criminal offence, he/she is suspended automatically and debarred from his service for life. However, this rule is applied differently in case of a convicted person in a legislature, said the petitioner, who is also the Delhi BJP unit spokesperson.



Even after conviction and undergoing a sentence, a convicted person can form his own political party and is eligible to become the office bearer of any political party. In addition, a convicted person is eligible to contest the election and eligible to become member of the legislature and even minister after expiry of a six year period from the date of conviction, the plea stated.


The Ministry of Defence has asked the CBI to enquire into the allegations of kickbacks in a $210 million deal to buy three aircraft from Brazilian aviation major Embraer for the DRDO.





Sources said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been asked to make preliminary enquiries on the basis of media reports that cites ongoing investigations in Brazil and the US.



More information would be sought through diplomatic channels, said an official in the Ministry of Defence (MoD).



While the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sought a response from Embraer within 15 days, the CBI examination would be a parallel process. Sources said the government had the power to ask the CBI for a preliminary enquiry in the absence of a formal complaint.



The deal to purchase Embraer-145 jets was signed in 2008 by S Christopher, the then director of the Centre for Airborne Systems, Bengaluru. He is at present the director-general of the DRDO, which at the time of inking the deal was headed by M Natarajan.



On Monday, Christopher met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to appraise him about the contentious deal. Last week, the DRDO wrote to Embraer seeking details about the investigations and the allegations of bribery.



If there is a criminal angle, then the CBI will probe as the ministry cant. If only procedural issues are involved, then the MoD can do an internal investigation, Parrikar stated earlier this week.



The deal, signed during the UPA regime, came under a cloud following the US Justice departments investigation into several Embraer deals under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Brazils Federal Public Prosecutors Office, too, is probing the allegations.



The investigations began in 2010 when a $ 94 million Embraer deal with the Dominican Republic came under cloud. A Dominican minister and three others were arrested for accepting a bribe of $ 3.5 million.



Company executives told the investigator about corruption in the Indian deal for which a middleman was hired.



Since engaging a middleman in defence contracts is banned in India, the agent was hired in the UK.


With five more chikungunya deaths being reported on Wednesday, the disease has claimed 10 lives in the capital so far this season.





The five deaths took place over the past three weeks at the Apollo Hospital, but had not been made public  though the private hospital says it had informed the concerned authorities earlier.



Doctors are verifying whether an eleventh victim died of chikungunya at AIIMS on Tuesday. If confirmed, the toll will reach 11 so far this season. This 50-year-old victim was a resident of Muzaffarnagar. He was admitted to AIIMS on Tuesday.



AIIMS authorities have also been verifying the cause of death of a suspected phi kun gun patient which took place earlier this month.



In all, 1,057 cases of chikungunya have been reported in the city up to September 10, according to a weekly municipal report released on Monday.



Hours after his return from a trip abroad, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung took a review meeting on the crisis with citys Health Minister Satyendar Jain, municipal corporation officials and medical superintendents of government hospitals.



Apollo Hospital authorities said a 31-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman had died of chikungunya in August. Three persons, all of them over 80, died earlier this month.



The hospital said it reported these deaths to the Centres Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, but they have not figured so far in the data released every week by municipal corporations.



Of the five deaths reported earlier in the capital, four were at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and one at Hindu Rao Hospital.



According to National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, before these deaths, the last suspected chikungunya death was in Kerala in 2006. But later an investigation showed that chikungunya was not the cause.



Health Ministry reviews situation

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Wednesday sought a report on the chikungunya deaths from the Delhi government and instructed the officials to be alert to prevent any escalation of the ongoing public health crisis, reports DHNS from New Delhi.

We have sought a detailed report from the Delhi government (regarding chikungunya deaths) as to what has been the co-morbidity in these death cases and its details. There is no second opinion that death does not occur due to chikungunya. It does not become the cause of death. But still, we have sought a detailed report from Delhi government. Whatever help and support is needed will be given, Nadda told reporters here after a review meeting.
JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said that his party would support that party which would assure JD(S) the mayoral post in the BBMP council.





Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy reiterated that his party had been let down by the ruling Congress, especially when it came to taking decisions during the demolition drive in the city.



He said that the government had selectively razed down structures, not laying a finger on structures owned by influential persons. He wondered why the government had not cleared encroachments by actor Darshan, former minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa, and the Orion Mall.



Where are the Mayor and the BBMP Commissioner now? They selectively razed down 140 houses - why havent they continued the drive? Moreover, we (JDS) are partners in the BBMP council. The government did not bother to consult us when the decision to initiate the demolition drive was taken, he said.



He said his party was yet to take a decision on which party (the Congress or the BJP) to support in the upcoming Mayoral polls, as it was currently focused on the Cauvery issue.



He also added that it was ironic that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, by convening a meeting of the City MLAs on Wednesday, had made Mayoral polls top priority, instead of finding solutions to the Cauvery issue.



Will not yield to JD(S) tactics: CM

Sources in the Congress said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had told the party legislators that he will not yield to arm-twisting tactics by the JD(S) on continuing a tie-up between the two parties in the coming elections to the Bengaluru city mayor.

The Congress is for continuing the tie-up with the JD(S) in the BBMP council in the interest of Bengaluru. But the party will not agree if the JD(S) will come up with unreasonable demands. Agreement reached by the two parties last year should be continued. Or else, the Congress is ready to sit in the opposition benches (in the BBMP council), Siddaramaiah is learnt to have said.

The Congress had given away the post of deputy mayor and chairmen of two of the BBMP standing committees to the JD(S) last year. This year, the JD(S) has kept the Congress on tenterhooks by not revealing whether it would continue its support or not in the BBMP.
home US Climate change is a 'significant' threat to the U.S. military, says Washington think-tank

The effects of climate change endanger U.S. military operations and could increase the danger of international conflict, according to three new documents endorsed by retired top U.S. military officers and former national security officials.

"There are few easy answers, but one thing is clear: the current trajectory of climatic change presents a strategically-significant risk to U.S. national security, and inaction is not a viable option," said a statement published on Wednesday by the Center for Climate and Security, a Washington-based think tank.

It was signed by more than a dozen former senior military and national security officials, including retired General Anthony Zinni, former commander of the U.S. Central Command, and retired Admiral Samuel Locklear, head of the Pacific Command until last year.

They called on the next U.S. president to create a cabinet level position to deal with climate change and its impact on national security.

A separate report by a panel of retired military officials, also published on Wednesday by the Center for Climate and Security, said more frequent extreme weather is a threat to U.S. coastal military installations.

"The complex relationship between sea level rise, storm surge and global readiness and responsiveness must be explored down to the operational level, across the Services and Joint forces, and up to a strategic level as well," the report said.

Earlier this year, another report said faster sea level rises in the second half of this century could make tidal flooding a daily occurrence for some installations.

Francesco Femia, co-founder and president of the Center for Climate and Security, said the reports show bipartisan national security and military officials think the existing U.S. response to climate change "is not commensurate to the threat".

The fact that a large and bipartisan number of former officials signed the reports could increase pressure on future U.S. administrations to place greater emphasis and dedicate more resources to combat climate change.

Addressing climate change has not been a top priority in a 2016 campaign dominated by the U.S. economy, trade and foreign policy.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said that global warming is a concept "created by the and for the Chinese" to hurt U.S. business.

Democrat Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, has advocated shifting the country to 50 percent clean energy by 2030 and promised heavy regulation of fracking.
Millions of Americans read American Sniper, and millions more saw the movie. Most were mesmerized, deeply moved, and ultimately even more appreciative of what our military  and their families  endure on a daily basis. What they must do to keep us  and each other  safe. With the current controversy about the number of medals Chris earned, the time seemed right to ask the man who convinced Chris Kyle to tell his story, and who was a co-author of the book and an advisor on the movie set, Scott McEwen, to sit down and answer a few questions for us.

Meet Scott and ask him your own questions during a special screening of American Sniper at ArcLight Cinemas in La Jolla, Wednesday, June 29, at 6 p.m. (4425 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, 92122).

What led to you writing American Sniper with Chris Kyle? How did the project come about?

I met Chris while he was still active. We met through some mutual friends who were Navy SEALs, and spent a lot of time together when he was in town and not deployed. The project came about when I realized that his story was truly historical and convinced him to document it for history (write a book).

How much time did you spend with Chris? How well do you believe you knew him?

Chris and I spent hundreds of hours putting the story together. I got to know Chris and his family really well during this time, and became very aware of the struggles they were going through in trying to readjust after nearly 10 years at war.

What was your biggest take-away from writing this book?

I think that our nation needs to respect those that have made the decision to defend us in the military, and support them in the event they are in need of medical help on return (VA). These men and women have made a commitment to do a service for this country, and we should honor their sacrifice.

What do you hope others take away from reading the book and seeing the movie?

I hope people gain a better understanding of what our military men, women and families go through in deploying and being in harms way for extended periods of time. Not just the SEAL teams, but all military. The sacrifice is real, and many times life altering (if not ending.) People should know that this is going on, even though only 1 percent of our society actually serves.

How do you respond to the current charges that Chris exaggerated his contributions?

I find that the claims of discrepancy in Chris medal count are unfounded. The claims are essentially based upon an alleged comment by an unnamed Navy official who purportedly said that Chris earned fewer medals than were found in his official record  a document thats called the DD-214  and the assertion that Chris was only given three or four commendations that could be gleaned from certain other documents. But they didnt offer any backup to prove thats all there is. Meanwhile, they released the DD-214, the official government record, and that shows Chris being awarded at least two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars. Im not aware of a document that lessens the medals that were contained in the DD-214.

Do you think it matters how many medals Kyle actually received? Why?

I think it is important that you strive for as much accuracy as possible any time you are writing a true story about someones life and accomplishments. The men and women of our military take medals seriously as recognition of their accomplishments while serving this nation, and for that reason alone it matters-a lot. However, in the overall picture of Chris Kyles service (or any member of our military men and womens service) I do not think the medal count even begins to tell the story of the man or the woman. What matters about Chris Kyles story is that he strove to bring as many of his fellow service members back to this country alive as he could. Chris served with honor and distinction, and ultimately gave his life helping a fellow service member. That is his legacy, not the number of awards or medals he received.

You have written far more than American Sniper. What is next from Scott McEwen?

I have been very busy. Ive got my newest novel, Ghost Sniper, in a four-novel series called Sniper Elite, which releases this summer, July 12. Sony/Columbia are now in production on a movie based on the Sniper Elite series. Also, in September we release American Commander, a book on the life of Ryan Zinke, a current congressman from Montana, who was a SEAL for 23 years and was one of Chris commanders. It is really a book about American exceptionalism, devotion to this country, and what it takes to make and maintain the SEALs and the U.S. Military in general, the strongest force for good on the face of the planet. My favorite subjects.

Antoinette Kuritz and Jared Kuritz are the team behind both STRATEGIES Public Relations and the La Jolla Writers Conference (www.lajollawritersconference.com).
After 15 years in the works, USS Indianapolis: The Legacy is finally making its West Coast debut during the second annual GI Film Festival San Diego. The film was directed and produced by San Diegos Sara Vladic and Melanie Capacia Johnson.

This story should be shared with the world, Johnson said.

USS Indianapolis: The Legacy opens GI Film Festival San Diego Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. The Sept. 14-18 festival brings the stories of Americas military to life through film.

The film tells the fate of the Navys 5th Fleets flagship in WWII, including delivering an atomic bomb and the devastating torpedo attack that killed three-fourths of the crew.

The story is so great, Johnson said. Theres this plethora of information that nobodys really heard before.

Although the story has been told before, from Dan Kurzmans 1990 book, Fatal Voyage, to the 1991 made-for-TV movie, The Mission of the Shark, the film gives a much more detailed account, Johnson said. The documentary draws on interviews with more than 100 survivors, including exclusive first-person accounts, rare WWII footage and a collection of previously unpublished photographs. There are now only 23 survivors, ranging in age between 89 and 94, Johnson said.

Weve got something out there that we know the survivors are very happy about and very thankful for, Johnson said. Getting their stamp of approval and their families stamp of approval is a huge honor.

Johnson, who currently lives in Oceanside, grew up in Rancho Penasquitos, attended Mt. Carmel High School, and studied film at San Diego State University.

From news and documentary films to episodic and live events, she went on to work with MTV, VH1, Spike and other cable television networks. Johnson, who has also worked on a variety of independent feature films, is also the co-founder and managing partner of Tiny Horse, a Los Angeles-based company that creates custom teams for television shows, networks and brands.

Johnson partnered with Vladic on the film about eight years ago. Vladic, who has been working on the film for 15 years, had been drawn to the story of the USS Indianapolis since she was a young girl growing up in San Diego.

She has so much passion for the project, Johnson said. Im blessed to be a part of this journey with her.

The documentary was completed last year. A book will be released next year. Vladic and Johnson are also working on a miniseries.

There were these great men that did these great things and scarified a lot in order to provide us with the freedom that we have, Johnson said. We should not forget that.

USS Indianapolis: The Legacy premiered at the GI Film Festival in Washington, D.C. during Memorial Day weekend.

Although tickets to the opening night screening of the film during GI Film Festival San Diego have already sold out, tickets are still available for an encore screening at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18, at UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley at Hazard Center.

For more about GI Film Festival San Diego, visit gifilmfestivalsd.org.
Fans of the increasingly popular, long-running, hit AMC TV series The Walking Dead, and enthusiasts of the horror genre, will have something extra special to celebrate beginning this Fourth of July. That is the opening date for the brand new The Walking Dead walk through attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood.

For years Universal Studios Hollywood has worked collaboratively with AMCs The Walking Dead to create a signature Halloween Horror Nights maze. This new, permanent attraction goes well beyond that, and is about as close to walking onto the set of the TV series as you will be likely to experience in person. Universal Studios Hollywood has partnered with The Walking Deads senior creative team, including executive producer and director of the series, Greg Nicotero, and his special effects company KNB Efx, to create an authentic experience, year-round in the park.

According to Larry Kurzwell, President of Universal Studios Hollywood, Were taking its authenticity to the next level by collaborating with the shows award-winning production team to create a thrilling, living representation of the series that can only be experienced at Universal Studios Hollywood.

After six years of working on The Walking Dead, we have this great opportunity to take The Walking Dead out of the studio, off the soundstage and into this amazing and truly one-of-a-kind attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, said Greg Nicotero. Guests can now come face-to-face with live and animatronic Walkers that are indiscernible from the Walkers from the show. Its very exciting, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.

Since this is a year-round, permanent attraction, they were able to pull out all the stops and do this right, starting with an entirely new, custom-built structure. As you apprehensively walk along, probing deeper and deeper into the nightmarish, surreal spaces, you will experience the dilapidated, blood spattered Harrison Memorial Hospital and other scenes from the TV series, with highly recognizable props. Those props include Rick Grimes sheriff hat, Daryl Dixons crossbow, Michonnes Katana, Negans bat Lucille, Carl Grimes 112-ounce can of chocolate pudding, the hospital clock frozen at 1:45 (as it was in the pilot episode), moonshine cabin, Del Arno semi-trailer and Bicycle Girl.

Of course what brings this experience vividly to life are the Walkers  many of them. Nicoteros team and Universal Studios Hollywood have masterfully re-created frightening, realistic, decaying Walkers, employing the original molds from the TV series and specially created prosthetics  a living representation of the show. Adding to the chilling experience are authentic Walker makeup effects, sophisticated animatronic Walkers and costuming.

At the media preview, after we were introduced to members of the cast and the creative team, a teeming horde of 100 ravenous Walkers stormed our compound, clawing at the chain link fence that thankfully separated us from them. Thankfully the fence held, thus preventing a horrifying fate.

Of course afterwards our visit to Universal Studios Hollywood  which has (in the past five years) substantially altered over 75 percent of its familiar footprint to effectively characterize it as an entirely new theme park experience (with more yet to come!)  could not possibly have been allowed to end after the media preview of The Walking Dead attraction. This day that meant a return to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter; a performance of the thrilling WaterWorld water show (finally I got multiple properly exposed shots of the fiery climax to the show by setting the cameras to their manual setting and underexposing for the intense flames. Otherwise they would have been blown-out, overexposed blobs of white); a massive wall of water cascading over kids who were gleefully beating the summer-time Southern California heat in the Minions-themed Super Silly Fun Land water park; the world-famous studio tour (capturing a photo of the shark from Jaws, up-close and personal with frightened passengers on the tram); the fun and educational Special Effects live show; a meet & greet with Lisa and Homer Simpson; and much more.

Speaking of photography, a new AutoMatters & More website with additional original photography is under construction. It will eventually feature an archive containing all of the columns  443 to date and dating all the way back to 2002! To be kept updated on its progress, as well as to offer your suggestions what you would like to see included in that website, send an email to AutoMatters@gmail.com.

Copyright  2016 by Jan Wagner  AutoMatters & More #443
What is it about a 74-year-old balding politician that has young voters so excited?

A New York Times Iowa poll of Democratic voters entering the caucuses throughout the state showed that a staggering 84 percent of those 17 to 29 years old supported Senator Bernie Sanders, while Secretary Hillary Clinton garnered just 14 percent.

In the age 30-to-44 category, Sanders also beat her, winning 58 percent to Clintons 37 percent.

The tide turns with the 45-to-64-year-old crowd, who supported Clinton 58 percent to Sanders 35 percent. And those over 65 went for Clinton 69 percent, with only 26 percent for Sanders.

These numbers are consistent with later polls.

The enthusiasm young people have for Sanders was in abundance at a Sanders rally at Rancho Buena Vista High School in Vista May 22, where young people, some not old enough to vote, were ecstatic to see the senator from Vermont.

The beaming faces of the 40 or so RBV marching band members when Sanders stepped over to thank them after his speech, said it all. So did their fervent cheering from the sidelines throughout the rally.

The high school, with 3,300 students in grades 9-12, was well represented at the rally.

At the conclusion of the nearly hour-long speech, one young man standing at the fence began squealing, Here he comes! Here he comes! as the candidate turned toward the fence to greet adoring fans.

I thought my eardrums would burst when Sanders reached in to shake his hand. Oh my God, oh my God!! he screamed in all directions. I shook Bernie Sanders hand!!

What is going on here?

Democratic socialist

Some speculate that young voters have a more favorable view of socialism than older voters who remember the Cold War and have negative associations with socialist movements.

The students I spoke with at the Sanders rally didnt mention that specifically, but their concerns mirror the democratic socialists primary points: that the traditional two-party system has become corrupt, that government and politicians are controlled by wealthy contributors and lobbyists, and  perhaps as they see future prospects for successful careers and well-paying jobs dimming  that income inequality is growing to intolerable levels.

Whats more interesting is that these young people arent terribly concerned that Sanders chance of getting the nomination is slim.

His goal is to create a whole new generation of voters with different priorities, one young man told me, insisting that the Sanders movement is about more than just Bernie.

Sanders himself said as much in his speech, when he said his campaign is about transforming a nation.

Those of us old enough to remember Eugene McCarthy in 1968, and to a lesser extent John Anderson in 1980 and Ross Perot in 1992, lived through what seemed to portend revolutionary upheavals in the democratic process.

And yet, here we are today, many of us having replaced youthful idealism with complacency and cynicism.

Can the Sanders movement survive past the 2016 election?

When the loudest cheers at the Sanders high school rally came when he spoke about legalizing marijuana and guaranteeing free college, those who base their support for Sanders primarily on his stance on income inequality and corruption in politics worry.

Certainly decriminalizing marijuana and relief from burdensome college debt are galvanizing issues for young people. But its questionable if that can sustain a revolution for the longer term.

RBV students in the press bleachers who were credentialed as members of the schools yearbook, journalism and photography clubs, provided enlightening insight.

They were all excited to be there, naturally, agreeing with one another that Sanders represents a movement thats not going away and saying theres a lot of support for Sanders at their high school.

But what specifically appealed to them about Sanders?

He wants to legalize marijuana, said one girl not yet old enough to vote. And certainly the notion of free college tuition was attractive.

But digging deeper, I asked Skylar, an RBV 11th-grader, what was it about Sanders more generally that made her a supporter.

Hes not like every other candidate, she said, in a subtle criticism of establishment politics. Hillary has a record of being a liar, and Trump is a racist and misogynist.

But a 74-year-old man?

Despite his age, he still has goals and ambitions, she said thoughtfully, putting the kibosh on the notion that kids are shallow and only interested in pot and free college. He is showing that anyone can do anything despite their age.

Eerily, Sanders, as if hearing her words, told the crowd an hour later, Establishment always tells people their dreams and aspirations are impossible.

Not enough credit

There was genuine fervor and zeal from the young crowd at the prospect of a candidate who they believe is honest, speaks for them and has real concerns for their future.

Truth be told, theres also the appeal of being part of a revolution that blows up (figuratively) traditional establishment politics. Upending the status quo and rebellion against the machine is a surefire draw for kids looking for something to protest and a social justice cause to rally around.

Thats not to trivialize the Sanders phenomenon which has engaged millions of young people and brought them into the political process with palpable energy.

Actress and Sanders supporter Shailene Woodley, 24, connected with the young crowd in her introduction of Sanders at the rally, urging people to go to the polls on election day.

Our greatest defense against tyranny is our right to vote, Woodley said, reminding the crowd of thousands that conformity didnt win the Revolutionary War, womens right to vote or civil rights.

Sanders continued the theme. Democracy is not a spectator sport, he said, adding, Real change never takes place from the top down  always from the bottom up.

Comparing his campaign to Clintons, he said, The enthusiasm, energy and drive is with us.

But for how long?

Change may be possible if the youth demographic can sustain momentum beyond 2016 for the issues Sanders has highlighted throughout his campaign. But history is against them.

Nevertheless, the youthful excitement for Sanders and his platform is nothing short of astonishing, and their power, should they actually vote, should not be underestimated.

Regardless of ones political persuasion, its fair to say that anything  or anyone  who can attract the under-30 crowd into politics and get them enthused about their role in creating an American dream that works for them is exactly what this countrys principles of democracy were founded upon.

Perhaps the older generation and media dont give young people enough credit.

Lets see where this may lead.

Senior Education Writer Marsha Sutton can be reached at suttonmarsha@gmail.com.
No, Smarter Balanced is not a butter substitute. Its a ridiculous name for tests that assess student achievement on the new Common Core State Standards.

Not sure about balanced, but one can argue that kids may be getting smarter.

The Smarter Balanced test results from last spring were just released. These tests are part of the new California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress system (CAASPP).

Students in third through eighth grades, and in 11th grade, were first assessed in the spring of 2015 to establish a baseline for Common Core achievement. This past spring was the second time students took the tests.

The Smarter Balanced tests, all taken online, are designed to measure student understanding of the new standards, and are more rigorous than previous state assessments.

The tests are adaptive, meaning follow-up questions depend on whether the student answers the first question correctly. If so, the following question is harder; if not, it is easier.

The new tests require more reading, critical thinking, problem-solving techniques and written answers than earlier assessments.

Although the achievement gap remains stubbornly stuck in place, overall growth from 2015 to 2016 for most school districts throughout the state was reported.

The state has four categories for the assessments: standards not met, nearly met, met or exceeded.

The scores for local districts are in the chart at the end of this column.

To compare with the San Dieguito Union High School District, Poway and Carlsbad are included in the chart, although its not entirely a fair comparison for two reasons.

First, Carlsbad and Poway are both unified districts, meaning they serve students in grades kindergarten through 12th. San Dieguito only serves students in seventh through 12th grades.

Second, no comparison between districts can be judged fairly without taking into account the percentage of low-income, special education and English learner students.

As one of the wealthier districts in the county, with less diversity than many others, San Dieguito has an advantage in student achievement over other districts.

Nevertheless, because these are nearby districts, Ive included them in the table.

For high schools, the goal is to ensure that all 11th-graders are on track to be college ready.

According to EdSource, Most community colleges and the California State University system use the standard exceeded level to determine that students are ready for college and do not need to take remedial courses.

The standard met level indicates that students are conditionally ready for college, but must take an approved yearlong math and/or English course their senior year and pass with a C or better.

Statewide, 59 percent of 11th-graders met or exceeded targets in English, while only 33 percent did so in math.

San Dieguito, as well as Carlsbad and Poway, well surpassed state averages in both subjects.

SDUHSDs associate superintendent of instructional services, Mike Grove, said math scores tend to be lower because skills are being assessed in a very different way than before. He said the shift in instruction is more significant than for English courses.

On the other hand, Grove also said there was concern about the English portions of the tests because so much more reading and literacy comprehension was required.

He said overall he was pleased with the results, seeing incremental growth in most areas.

Grove said he and his staff are dissecting the results school by school and grade level by grade level, for seventh, eighth, and 11th grades.

For 11th grade, SDUHSD will be comparing San Dieguito high schools to other San Diego County high schools with similar demographics, like Scripps Ranch High, La Jolla High, and Coronado, as well as other high schools state-wide.

The California Dept. of Educations website  caaspp.cde.ca.gov  has results for all Calif. schools and school districts.

Look for presentations on the Smarter Balanced test results from all local school districts at school board meetings in the coming weeks.

Sr. Education Writer Marsha Sutton can be reached at suttonmarsha@gmail.com.
Two female students at Earl Warren Middle School reported seeing a substitute teacher viewing pornography on his computer during class on June 1.

However, the San Dieguito Union High School District disputes that it was pornography, and the police say even if it was, viewing it isnt a crime unless its child porn.

The mother of one of the girls stated that her daughter knows what she saw, and what she says she saw were pictures of topless women, which the mother said should be regarded as a possible sex crime.

My daughter never once wavered from her story of what she saw, and she was interviewed three times, said Michelle (last name withheld to protect the identity of the student).

When the incident was reported by Michelles daughter to the school administration, the school did not report it to the police, which Michelle said was a deliberate dereliction of duty.

Instead, EWMS principal Adam Camacho said he instructed his technology department to seize the computer and see what was on it. Camacho said no images were found

We werent able to substantiate [the claim], but you just never know, he said. We just followed our protocol and dismissed the substitute, out of an abundance of caution.

We communicated with the parents, he said, and made sure the kids were supported by our counseling staff and our assistant principal.

But Michelle disagreed with that, saying, Adam did not return phone calls for several days.

Further, Michelle said the assistant principal, Kaitlin Wood, and the school psychologist, Heather Lutz, both told her there were pictures on his computer that validated the students claims.

Torrie Norton, SDUHSDs Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, who was told of the incident by Camacho, said Wood and Lutz gave statements indicating there were no pictures.

I cant tell you what they said, but I can tell you what they didnt say, Norton said. They didnt say there were pictures on the computer.

She said the teacher, who has been with the district five to six years with no prior violations, was an at-will, day-to-day substitute who has no due process rights.

He was dismissed, Norton said, to err on the side of caution. And he was reported to the Calif. Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

So now its up to the CTC regarding what they do with his credential and what they do with him, Norton said.

Penal code

Michelle said it was inappropriate for school administrators to conduct their own investigation and decide for themselves whether what happened was a sex crime.

Citing Calif. Penal Code sections 11164-11174.3 that she says makes the school mandatory reporters, she said the school should have immediately called the police.

When I asked Camacho if it was reported to the police, he confirmed that it was.

In fact, they came the next day and we shared our investigation with them and thats where we left it, he said.

However, note the passive voice: It was reported.

Later in the interview, I rephrased my question and asked again if he had reported it to the police. This time he hesitated, finally stating, The police were notified by the family, admitting he did not call them.

Again, we werent able to substantiate anything, so we did what we needed to do and that was notify HR, he said, referring to Human Resources. Had we suspected anything or seen anything, that would have been probably our second call after HR.

When I asked if the school has an obligation to contact the police when a student reports something like that, he said, We do  [but] this was something we could see at our end with our technology. And it was not reported, he said, because the claim was not substantiated.

Norton said it was not necessary for Earl Warren to report the claim to the police and that Camacho took the correct action by conducting his own investigation first.

She also dismissed the students reports, saying, The girls arent sure what they saw at this point.

She said the girls believe they saw women with minimal clothes, but there are scantily clad women all over our community.

Michelle was furious at the implication that her daughter was confused about what she saw, when her story has been consistently told to a number of people. She said her daughter did the right thing to report the incident, knows what she saw, and has been traumatized by the event and the repeated interviews by authorities.

The family of the second girl did not want to be involved any further or identified, Michelle said.

Strong filters

Norton said the teacher, whose name she would not reveal, gave a statement that he was looking at friends on Facebook while the students watched a film. She said that was inappropriate to do in a classroom, so he was immediately released from employment.

Both Camacho and Norton said teachers are not permitted to bring their own computers to school and must use the schools computers.

Both also said its not possible for teachers to access inappropriate sites on the school computers because access is blocked.

We have really strong filters, Camacho said. Any time any teacher or student or substitute logs in, anything thats searched  all those hits get recorded.

He said its possible something like a banner ad may have flashed on the screen that the tech dept. would not be able to see. But Im confident that there were no sites he was surfing, Camacho said.

There was no way he was looking at pornography? No, no, no. Its super blocked, he said.

Norton agreed.

Everything is blocked on the school computer, she said. Even if you attempt to go to a website, it will say blocked. And theres no access.

Michelle said her daughters report states that he undid the settings to get at sites previously blocked. She said the math class was watching a movie, her daughter was bored, leaned back in her chair, and saw the pictures on his computer  and a second girl also reported seeing it.

It wasnt until one week after the incident, on June 8, that Michelle said a sheriffs detective took possession of the computer from the school and interviewed her daughter.

Pictures found

The sheriffs department initially said there were no pictures on the computer.

On June 14, Sheriffs Detective Sergeant Rich Eaton said they investigated the incident and no crime was committed.

Unless new evidence is presented, the case is closed, he said.

He said schools are obligated to report a crime, but from everything I know, this was handled appropriately, just maybe not to the liking of the parents.

Two days later, Michelle told me Juvenile Detective Frank Feliccia called to tell her they had found pictures on the teachers computer.

We have the computer, we have the pictures, he told me, Michelle said. She said Feliccia told her they cant prosecute the teacher, though, because theres no intent.

He said theyre really sorry but theres nothing they can do, she said.

Attempts to contact Frank Feliccia were unsuccessful.

Sgt. Eaton, in an interview June 20, confirmed that they did find pictures on the computer, but added, Looking at pictures on a computer is not a crime.

When I asked what kind of pictures were there, he said, Theres no reason to discuss something that were not working on.

When pressed, he said there were several pictures and the teacher was online surfing the Internet.

But whether they were in bikinis, whether they were nude, whether they were in bathing suits  theres no crime, he said. If there was child porn, wed be on it in a second.

Eaton said if the parents have a problem with this, they should focus on the school. Its a school issue, not a sheriffs department issue, he said.

Eaton could not say why the school administration claims they found no pictures.

We had nothing to do with the school other than we were called and went to investigate, he said. We found nothing and were gone.

Norton found it odd that the sheriffs department would contact the parent with an update on the case.

It seems really strange that they would call the parent and say this is what we found, she said, noting the school district was not contacted by the authorities with this new information.

Protecting students

If the teacher was not viewing child porn and if he didnt intend for it to be seen by anyone but him, there probably isnt a crime.

Even so, Michelle said shes appalled that the teacher will not be prosecuted and worries that he could be placed back in rotation as a substitute teacher for other districts.

I want to know that this man will never teach or be around children again, she said.

She has other concerns about the conduct by Earl Warren administrators.

As mandatory reporters they had a legal obligation under the California penal code to report this situation to the police which they never did, she said. I want to know that in the future this situation will be handled the way it is supposed to and not the way they want to handle it.

Michelle was particularly upset about the way her daughters report was minimized, questioned and even dismissed.

I think it is disgraceful that my daughter did the right thing in reporting this teacher and yet was made to feel that it wasnt a big deal, she said in an email. I think it is appalling for her to hear She doesnt know what she saw and was confused. Obviously not true as her story never changed and the pictures were found on the computer.

Her final comment: I want all kids to know they are safe and it is always the right thing to report situations like this, and that doing the right thing may not always be easy.

Senior Education Writer Marsha Sutton can be reached at suttonmarsha@gmail.com.
Its an early Wednesday afternoon in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Doug Gray, frontman for the legendary Marshall Tucker Band, just took a walk on the beach from his nearby home. This is what keeps me in shape, Gray explains. Going to the beach just makes you relax, and it helps when dealing with some of the stresses in life.

Come the night of Sept. 6, Gray will be a short walk from Solana Beach when the Marshall Tucker Band takes the stage at the Belly Up. Its a show thats part of their 45th anniversary tour dubbed Long Hard Ride, though dont let its strenuous name fool you. For Gray, hes relished his long career playing music. It honestly doesnt even feel like 45 years, hes quick to point out. This tour feels the same as the one 40 years ago and every tour since then.

Known for classic songs such as Heard It In A Love Song, Cant You See and Fire On The Mountain, the bands founding 45 years ago materialized because of equal parts luck and talent. Fresh off of returning from Vietnam, the last thing the various members of the Marshall Tucker Band wanted to do was work a day job.

We looked at each other and decided to work during the day, and rehearse at night, Gray said. Persistence to break into the music industry paid off when they were asked on a whim to open up for the Allman Brothers. The only problem is, Gray and his group of bandmates didnt have a name. We were more concerned about the music than our name at the time. They said, In an hour, think of what we could call you. Someone happened to be twirling around a keychain with the name Marshall Tucker, and that became our first big break.

The bands trip to San Diego has been one Gray is looking forward to, noting the bands fanbase in Southern California, who are loyal year after year. I have to tell you, the more intimate the venue the better I like it, says Gray, whos played his fair share of theaters, clubs and arenas. In the smaller ones, you actually get to see the people youre performing for. At a place like the Belly Up you get to shake everyones hand.

When it comes to the bands 45th year of touring, Gray points to the fact that they are a jam band  who regularly invites guest artists  as the reason why the allure of being on stage continues to be fresh. When somebody comes in to play with us it always makes it interesting, says Gray. Weve been known as a jam band, so we play the songs we play and then always incorporate the jam part of it.

For Gray, its the interaction from the audience that makes the shows worthwhile. Its all about the people youre playing for, he notes. If they scream out a song, if we remember how to play it well play it. We havent done what I call a structured set in at least 18 years.

Thats part of the reason why 45 years in, with their tour and latest album Live in the UK 1976, Gray and his bandmates show no sign of slowing down. Throughout the bands ups and downs since their early days, hes enjoyed being a part of show business. Says Gray of his career and the bands vast legacy, Its so easy to get out and sing a song and be an entertainer. As long as youre pleasing people, youve got it made.

The Marshall Tucker Band will play at the Belly Up Sept. 6 at 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.) For more information, visit www.bellyup.com or www.marshalltucker.com.
First, there were the eight pairs of womens shoes, chewed beyond recognition. And the disappearance of the uncooked dinner steaks, as well as the ripped-up sofa pillows. Then there were the escapes, the 70-pound lab-golden retriever mix either jumping over the fence or digging under it.

Monica Kiy of Carmel Valley had had enough. She admitted that Pancho, a Mexican street dog that her family adopted, enlivened her home. Everybody loves Pancho, she said. But she just couldnt deal with chasing him down the street in her high-heel shoes, trying not to be late for work.

He was house-broken, but he broke the house, said Monica.

He was a high-energy dog, said Richard Kiy, Monicas husband.

The Kiys began searching for a new home for Pancho, interviewing potential adoptive families until they found the Hamiltons of Alpine, who had children, a one-acre property and loved to go out on long runs.

It was a perfect match, said Richard. Hes happy as a clam.

A couple of weeks ago, the Kiys held a homecoming at their Carmel Valley house, for Pancho, the Hamiltons, a bunch of their neighbors, and British author and adventurer Tom Fremantle, the person who actually brought Pancho into their lives after walking 1,000 miles with the dog from Juarez, Mexico, to San Diego in early 2013.

The June 11 event was both a book-signing in honor of the young adult novel that Fremantle penned, called Panchos song, which was inspired by Fremantles walk, and a chance for the Kiys and their neighbors to spend some time with the irrepressible spirit that is Pancho.

Pancho is no slouch - he has his own Facebook page (Pancho the canine border ambassador), and now reportedly has a girlfriend at the Hamiltons home. And, of course, his likeness adorns the cover of Fremantles novel.

Hes really nobodys dog, said Monica Kiy. He belongs to everybody now. He has a story and everybody feels part of that story.

Fremantles 1,000-mile walk, accompanied by Pancho and volunteers from a Juarez-based nonprofit ambulance service, wasnt his first escapade. In the 1990s, after working for a while as a journalist, he decided to travel by bicycle and boat from his native England to Australia, peddling through Iran, Afghanistan and Syria along the way.

Later trips included a walk with a mule from Mexico to New York, and a canoe paddle along the River Niger in West Africa.

Panchos Song, which is available on Amazon.com, is Fremantles fifth book, and all proceeds will go to Juarez charities through the El Paso Community Foundation, which published the book.

Fremantle, 49, spent 53 days on his walk along the U.S.-Mexico border, covering 20 to 25 miles per day. Some of the trek took place on the U.S. side, and some on the Mexican side. Along the way he camped or stayed with families who welcomed him and his canine companion. Many people offered food, or even tequila, to sustain him along the way, Fremantle said.

The entire trip went smoothly except for one night, when he and the ambulance volunteers were sitting around a campfire, and a pickup truck roared up, containing drunken men waving military assault rifles. The men were curious about the Cruz Verde ambulance, but once they found out that Fremantle was trying to raise money for charity through his walk, they offered to help, and then drove off.

That was the one time when my heart did a bit of a jump, he said.

Fremantle also met a Mexican migrant coming across the border who asked for food and water, which were provided.

Fremantle met Richard Kiy, who was then CEO of a San Diego-based nonprofit, the International Community Foundation, through the El Paso Community Foundation. Richard helped with some of the logistics of Fremantles walk, and then his family adopted Pancho.

Richard Kiy also helped Fremantle edit his book, assisting him with translating British English into language more friendly to an American audience.

The book is about a British teenager named Hal, who comes to Mexico with his father, a documentary filmmaker, and then gets embroiled in a series of adventures along the border, and meets a drug lords daughter. Hal also, of course, takes up with a certain street dog. The book touches on serious subjects such as gangs and the border fence, through a lively story laced with humor, and a redemptive ending, Fremantle said.

Fremantle said he is convinced presidential candidate Donald Trump - who advocates building a wall along the length of the U.S.-Mexico border - would hate his book, which he counts as a marketing plus.

Sticking up a great bloody wall and asking Mexico to pay for it is not good for international relations, Fremantle said.

Richard Kiy agreed.

At a time when people are talking about building walls, Pancho and his story... are helping people see that we need to build more bridges, Kiy said.
One of San Diegos premiere galleries, Sparks Gallery, is featuring the artwork of internationally-known sculptor Maidy Morhous. The gallery will be featuring four sculptures by the artist in the upcoming show Physique which encompasses unique portrayals of the human form. Morhous artwork stands out with her larger than life bronze sculpture Expectationsin the wind portrayal of lifes lost dreams. The sculpture sets upon a marble base, twisting and rising as the form trails off into the wind.

Morhous is currently showing in several exhibits across the country including a solo exhibition at Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. She is also featured in the award-winning documentary film One, by Heartland Films Inc. Her recently commissioned sculpture Humanity is the subject of the documentary. Morhous work can be found in public and private collections in the United States, Japan, Europe and Canada. To view more of Maidy Morhous sculptures, visit www.MaidyMorhous.com.

Sparks Gallery is located in downtown San Diego at 530 6th Ave., The show will run Aug. 4  Nov. 6 with an opening reception for the artists Aug. 4 from 6-9 p.m. Reservations are required through the website: www.sparksgallery.com.
The Mi Air Purifier 2 will be the first Mi Ecosystem product to launch in India

Xiaomi is set to launch its first Mi Ecosystem in India, the Mi Air Purifier 2. The company has sent out media invites for an event on September 21. Xiaomis India Head, Manu Jain, also hinted at the launch by posting a tweet stating, every breath of fresh air is equally important! As per his tweet, the event will be streamed live.

The Mi Air Purifier 2 is already available in China, where it is priced at CNY 699, which is roughly Rs. 7,000. The company claims that the device offers a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 388 cubic meters per hour. The purifier also comes with an app for Android and iOS that lets users control the device with their smartphone. The Xiaomis Mi Ecosystem also consists of other products such as a smart rice cooker, but it is not known when the company plans to launch those products in India.

Late last month, Xiaomi unveiled a robotic vacuum cleaner called the Mi Robot Vacuum. The robot features a Laser Distance Sensor (LDS) that is developed in-house and is able to scan its surroundings in 360 degrees. It also uses a Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithm to map out a house and plan the best cleaning path.
The idea that, in the event some part of your phone breaks down, you can simply replace the part-or module, instead of replacing the entire unit might sound familiar. After all, we do that to some extent already. But what if the replacement wouldnt require professional assistance? What if you could get a module from the shop which you can just clip on, as you might attach a pair of contacts to your eyes? Thats the entire concept of a modular phone.

Apart from the convenience factor-and the economic savings it brings, what makes the modular phone sensible is the lesser e-waste it implies: Something that can be viewed as crucial in the context of the rising climate and environmental crisis the world faces right now.

A short look back

Though modular phones in their most refined state are still in the future, the core idea of swapping components has been around for a while.

For instance, parts such as hard drives, memory card and graphics card could be changed in a desktop computer-as anyone who has ever owned a computer knows. In the case of mobile devices, one of the earlier models with somewhat modular features was the Handspring Visor PDA-which offered the Springboard Expansion Slot, something that helped it function variably as a phone, GPS, a modem or a camera, albeit just one at a time. Then, theres the phone+screen core created by Modu, an Israeli startup. This could be added to different cases by which you could use the device as a camera or a keyboard. However, the company didnt take off as expected and later its patents were bought by Google.

The first modular smartphone concept to garner truly widespread attention was the Phonebloks. It was the brainchild of the Dutch designer, Dave Hakkens who posted a video that depicted his vision of a completely modular device in 2013. That video is perhaps more responsible for the global interest currently seen in modular phones than all the other related content put together. (So far, the video has been viewed more than 20 million times).

The current models

The past few years have seen companies in frenzied action to bring out modular smart phones to the market. But its only this year that unveilings have truly happened from major players. Many of these models dont pertain to the notion of complete modularity. But they offer significant flexibility in terms of making improvements.

Puzzlephone

Puzzlephone is perhaps the most modular of all the models currently available. It gives you the freedom to upgrade parts of it-adding faster processors as well as better batteries. For the ones who like their visuals in all enriched glory, better screens can also be added. As per the companys CEO, Alejandro Santacreu, this Android phone has a lifespan of about 10 years, a far leap from the two years or so enjoyed with your smartphone.

Fairphone 2

Critics are already beating down on the Fairphone 2 regarding its looks (and to be fair-no pun intended- it does look a couple of decades old for something thats supposed to be part of the future). However the Fairphone 2 isnt without merits- its acutely environment conscious, its components ethically sourced. Many of its hardware components can be replaced by the end user. If multiple vendors could pitch in to provide the replaceable parts of the phone, it could go down well with the mainstream users.

RePhone kit

Rephone kit from the Chinese tech company, Seeed Studio is what one might term as a sideways approach to the modular phone. In fact, the kit isnt a phone at all but comes with a small, economical screen and an open source OS. You can add cellular capabilities to applications without the inhibitive prices that would be the case with regular smartphones. Added bonus: it gives a template with which you can build the enclosure from multiple materials-including cardboard, leather or 3D printed hard case.

LG G5

Modular puritans- those who think that modular phones as envisioned in the early stages of ideation, the ones which you can practically take apart and replace with entirely new set of parts from top to bottom, are the only ones truly worth the name may find G5 way less than modular. But the phone does give its share of modularity-for instance, the hi-fi and camera could be replaced. The battery compartment is also removable. Yes, if the phone were to put that down in a resume, it wouldnt look all that impressive. But for the mainstream users, this could be a first taste of things to come.

Motorola Moto Z

Motorola, like any other company in the modular fray, wanted to expand the idea of what a phone does. Hence, the Moto Z. The mods in the system include a JBL SoundBoost speaker, Incipio OffGrid Power Pack and also Moto Insta-Share Projector. All the mods can be attached to the Moto Z using magnets. The mods connect comfortably enough though only one mod can be connected at a time. In case if you are interested to bag one of these, they go on sale on the 17th october at midnight.

The stumbling blocks

While the tech world-which is just about everyone living in the urban centers of the world-is excited at the idea of modular phones and the fact that major companies have come up with their initial variants, certain stumbling blocks stand in the way of modular phones and their widespread adoption by the mainstream users.

Some of the major ones are:



Lack of standardization

Standardization is the key for facilitating mass consumption. At the risk of sounding simplistic, its like coming to a consensus that sugar is best for coffee and not salt. Once you have that cleared, coffee consumption is bound to increase. Unfortunately for the modular phone industry, no common norm exists at this point of time. This makes the number of modules available with a product rather limited. On the bright side, even though standardization is an issue currently, its not at all insurmountable.

The awareness cost on the consumer

Modular phone obviously means you have to grapple with a whole lot of units on your phone. This sort of implies that you need to keep a tab on the upgrade options of individual modules, which could be overwhelming, to say the least. God only knows that keeping track of all the advancements in phone-as a singular unit is hard in itself. Whether the consumer would be willing to incur this psychological cost will be a key factor is deciding the future of modular phones.

The monetary cost

The thing that makes the world go round, also determines to a large extent the shape of things to come. As far as modular phones go, we can only guess at what the different companies will charge for the various modules, and such guesses wouldnt take us anywhere. While its a fact that the pricing has to be competitive, in the final analysis will it provide the consumer with enough reason to forsake the idea of getting a new phone for certain modules? That remains to be seen.

Engineering challenges

Since the modular phones havent yet found a wider user-base, its still only speculative how well it will function in the real world. Compatibility issues are going to be one major factor that manufacturers will have to tackle. What with the challenges we sometimes face with as simple a thing as installing an app in our smartphone, its logical to assume that when you are fitting an entire new unit in your phone, its bound to get tacky. Then, there are the fundamental issues like the phone dropping to the ground-we all do that too often, whether we want to or not. And when the phone in question is a collection of bundled parts that hits the floor with reasonable forcescary.

Cross-compatibility

So, you buy a new module for a phone. But whats to ensure that that particular piece will gel well with modules that you may add at a later date-and we dont mean just on the visual front. This is one question thats pricking behind the forehead of many a tech-enthusiast, bringing on an itch which we cannot wait to scratch at. But to do that, we will need the future to come along. Can. Hardly. Wait!

The size

Size does matter. Nowhere is it more applicable than in the case of modular phones. Miniaturizing the modules still seems a long way off. This means that the phones would be rather clumsy to carry, if its to have all functionalities you require.

A closer look at Google Ara

Google is the paparazzi-flanked celebrity equivalent in the tech world. Just about anything that the company does, or doesnt do, gets reported. The good news is that the tech-mammoth does come up with interesting stuff that makes for worthy reporting. One such thing was it's modular phone project  Google Ara.

To begin with, this will be the first phone that the company makes independently- previously, Google has given us such things as tablets and laptops though the company still persists in our mind for that search engine of theirs, dayum!

While the original plan with Ara was to modularize every component, from the screen to the camera, that is not what fate has dictated, it seems. At least, for the time being. The version of Ara thats coming out will have some of the major elements as part of the phones frame. In addition to the screen, these include basic speakers, RAM and the processor.

The makers point out that having the key components in-built will give more space for adding more modules. Given that things like the processor may not be the first which the average user will want to replace, this makes sense.

The change in vision from an infinitely upgradable endoskeleton to one which enables hardware to be swapped means that a lot of excitement revolves around the modules that you can add. And the success of the product will certainly depend on the quality of these extra modules that Google brings out.

The company is set to bring out modules with the aid of independent developers. The market for these modules will be owned by Google and the company will take a cut of the proceedings. But in their statements to the media, the company has said it wont be a big cut. It better not be, for turning away developers wouldnt be to the benefit of Google-to reinstate, the core excitement now is around the modules they offer.

The developers which Google has roped in include heavyweights like TDK, Panasonic, Wistron, E-Ink, Harman, Sony Pictures and Samsung. A few health companies are also in the fray. Of course, Google itself will create a few modules. Also, apparently, plenty of high-end fashion brands have also shown interest in developing modules for Ara.

What all this boils down to is that while Ara may not be a modular phone in the truest sense, for Google it surely tried to bring in a new hardware ecosystem and partner platform. Google, however decided to suspended the modular Project Ara smartphone project in September 2016. While speaking to VentureBeat, a Google spokesperson admitted that the phone would not be coming to market and the decision was made as Project ARA proved too ambitious and costly to make modular phones a reality. Earlier in May, the company had announced that an Ara phone could ship to developers during the fall.

What to make of it all?

While potential exists for the modular phone-at least in theory, its yet to be fully realized. Although many problems contribute to this, perhaps the most immediate one is that of size. If you keep on adding modules for each functionality, you will end up with something far clumsier than you would like to take out in the open, let alone flaunt.

When it comes to the modular models currently available, its more than evident that they are far from being truly modular-prototypes which approximate the idea at best, a simple leg up from swapping hardware which we practice now with the aid of a technician. But that in itself is not a bad idea, and involves significant amount of technical ingenuity. Even swapping camera modules and enhancing audio output is something that we couldnt imagine up until recently

But until the size factor is tackled once and for all, it seems the infinitely upgradeable modular phone will remain a wishful dream.

This article was first published in September 2016 issue of Digit magazine. To read Digit's articles first, subscribe here or download the Digit e-magazine app for Android and iOS. You could also buy Digit's previous issues here.
Samsung has also created a website where users can check whether their Galaxy Note 7 unit is faulty.

Samsung finally has a fix for the exploding Galaxy Note 7 issue. The company will roll out a software update that bars the Galaxy Note 7 from charging beyond 60 percent. Of course, Samsung still wants users to return their Galaxy Note 7 devices, but its issuing the software update for those who havent done so yet. Owners of the Galaxy Note 7 can also check whether their unit is faulty via this website.

The software update will basically shorten the Galaxy Note 7s battery life. Samsung is cutting 40% battery life in order to keep the battery from overheating, and catching fire. The update will reportedly start rolling out from September 20, for customers in South Korea.

The link to check whether your Note 7 is faulty, though, is not relevant to India, since no units had been sold here. The Galaxy Note 7 was on pre-orders when the battery issues were reported. Hence, Samsung issued its global recall before any of its devices had been sold in the country.

The Galaxy Note 7s battery issues have caused a lot of property and physical damage to people till now. According to a recent report, a 6-year-old boy was recently a victim to the device as well.
The Brexit vote does not mean the disintegration of the European Union, the EU Commission President insisted on Wednesday at the state of the union address, as he warned the UK would not have access to the single market.

Jean-Claude Juncker said Britain "could not have a la carte access" to the single market without the free movement of people.

He called on the UK to trigger Article 50, the clause of the Lisbon Treaty which starts a two year negotiation period to leave the EU, as quickly as possible.

As he put forward proposals for greater defence spending and doubling the EUs investment fund, he said Britain's decision to leave the trading block in the June referendum would not mean the beginning of the end of the EU.

"We don't want to destroy or undermine, we want to construct.

"Europe is not going down the path of nationalisation, it can never become that but there are splits out there and fragmentation exists where we need further effort from the Union.

"Many are wondering whether Brexit is the beginning of the disintegration process of the EU. Allow me to state, we respect and at the same time regret the UK's decision, but the EU as such is not at risk."

Brexit taskforce

In light of the Brexit result, the EU set up an Article 50 task force, led by chief negotiator and former French foreign minister, Michel Barnier, who Nick Clegg called no friend of the City of London, and Sabine Weyand, a German trade official.

The taskforce will prepare and conduct negotiations with the UK, taking into account of the framework for its future relationship with the European Union.

Britain is yet to trigger Article 50 and Prime Minister Theresa May said she would not activate it this year.

Jucker said: Together Michel and his team will live up to this challenge and help us to develop a new partnership with the United Kingdom after it will have left the European Union.

EU investment and 'youth wing'

Juncker condemned the recent attacks in the UK since the Brexit vote on immigrants and put forward several proposals for closer defence and foreign policy as well as doubling the EUs investment fund to reach $500bn by 2020 and forging new initiatives on digital access.

The Europe fund for strategic investment has raised 116bn so far and he wants a similar fund set up for Africa, to curb migration, of at least 44bn.

He also said he wanted to create a 'youth wing' of the EU, a volunteer European solidarity corps, in part to deal with refugee crisis.

"By 2020, I want to see 100,000 Europeans taking part,"

The UK has resisted the idea of an alleged EU army due its possible conflict with Nato, but Juncker maintained that "this should be in complement to Nato."

"More defence in Europe doesn't mean less transatlantic solidarity."

Internet reform

Juncker, the former prime minister of Luxembourg announced plans to reform EU telecommunication rules to create a "fully deployed 5G" internet access across the trading bloc by 2025, which will "create a further two million jobs.

We want to create a new legal framework that attracts and enables investments in connectivity.

He said he hoped to equip every European village and every city with free wireless internet access around the main centres of public life by 2020.

Juncker concluded the address: We need to do away with old spats which could lead to failure. We cannot survive without working together.

For the first time since the UK joined the trading block in 1973, EU leaders met in an informal summit in the Slovak capital, Bratislava on Friday.
CEO of Ford Mark Fields admitted that the United States car manufacturer may suffer disappointing results in 2017, as the company invests heavily in new technology such as autonomous driving.

However, Fields also predicted that 2018 would see a full recovery as Ford's cost-cutting programme put in place this year nears its conclusion.

In a statement prepared ahead of an analysts' meeting in Michigan, the company also mentioned that it expects "core business pre-adjusted tax profit" to rise every year between 2016 and 2018.

"The decline in 2017 is the result of increasing investments and costs for emerging opportunities," Ford said in a statement.

The carmaker has made repeated claims that it believes the car inustry has hit its peak, and will experience a downturn in the second half of the year.

Ford said it planned to obtain average cost efficiencies of $3bn per year over the three-year period, especially as it increases spending on price-related design costs, regulatory costs and costs associated with the drive towards electric and self-driving cars.

Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks said that in the long term Ford's outlook is still strong.

"We expect Ford's performance to be strong through 2018 - with our core business improving, allowing us to invest in the emerging opportunities that will ensure our future success," he said in a prepared statement.
The world's biggest passenger plane Airbus A380 will not have its lease extended with Singapore Airlines for its first plane beyond next October, the airline has confirmed.

The Singapore carrier has decided it will not continue the lease for the first of its five double-deck airplanes after next year. The company were the first airline to launch the A380, with the first flights of the massive plane taking off in 2007.

A spokesman for the carrier told the Wall Street Journal that the deal "expires in October next year and we have decided not to extend it. Decisions will be made on the four others later."

Various airlines are now using the A380, including the likes of Emirates and British Airways, which can fit around 525 passengers in its two-deck cabin.

Airbus would not comment on individual fleets, but says it is "confident" of the continued demand for the planes in the long-term.

"We are confident in the market for secondhand A380s, which can be leased or acquired at attractive rates. This will offer a great opportunity for new entrants with new business models to start operating the A380," a spokesman for Airbus said.
US bank Wells Fargo has lost its title as the largest banking institution in the world by market capitalisation, after billions of dollars were wiped off the company's value following its fake account fiasco.

The San Francisco-based bank was caught up in a scandal last week as it was found by regulators to have created accounts for unknowing customers in order to meet sales targets.

Somewhere close to $9bn has been struck off Wells' market capitalisation since the news of the scandal first came out.

Overnight, shares in Wells Fargo dropped a further 3.3%, taking its market cap to $236bn, falling below JPMorgan Chase for the first time since 2013.

The company said it will take measures to address the fallout from the scandal, after the dismissal of 5,300 employees and a hefty $185m fine.

Investors are unlikely to take the news well, with reports saying that Berkshire Hathaway boss Warren Buffett is set to lose to $2bn as one of the bank's biggest shareholders.

Critics have been weighing in to signal disapproval of the malpractice from Wells, with Treasury secretary Jack Lew the latest to condemn the bank.

"If they [regulators] werent there, this would still be going on," he told a conference on Tuesday. "This ought to be a moment where people stop and remember how dangerous the system can be if you dont have protections in place."
Michel Temer, the new president of Brazil, has announced plans to privatise parts of the country's ravaged economy in order to stimulate growth.

Former leader Dilma Rouseff was impeached by the country's lawmakers following a series of corruption scandals, and her successor has now brought in a raft of changes to bring in economic prosperity and employment.

The plans for the "Crescer" (Grow) programme include the selling off of state-owned assets such as four airports and two port terminals.

Temer said that private investment is the anticdote to address Brazil's sizeable budget deficit, as the country experiences its worst recession in four decades.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development, Brazil's economy is set to shrink by 4.3% this year.

The president said on Tuesday that "the State cannot do it all", as he makes ambitious promises to salvage the economy in his first weeks at the helm.

Temer's popularity is perhaps worse than that of Rousseff, as some labelled her impeachment as a coup. He has a difficult job on his hands to win over a population harshly divided by the corruption surrounding state-owned oil company Petrobras.
The UK is seeking closer trade links with Argentina and greater co-operation regarding shipping and the oil industry affecting the Falklands Islands.

Sir Alan Duncan, the foreign and commonwealth minister, who was the first sitting minister to visit the country since 2009, said The UK and Argentina are building a positive relationship based on areas where we so clearly agree  [and we] have a broad relationship that goes beyond our differences.

Both countries set out to tackle issues affecting the South Atlantic and the Falkland Islands, agreeing to working on removing measures around the oil and gas industry, shipping and fishing affecting the islands.

The countries planned greater co-operation through increasing trade links, uncovering new investment opportunities, strengthening cultural ties, tackling corruption and organised crime, and increasing links in science and technology.

During Duncan's two day trip to Argentina he met with President Mauricio Macri and attended the business and investment forum.

Significantly, they agreed to support a project to identify the remains of unknown Argentine soldiers buried in the Falkland Islands during the three-month war in 1982.

They also agreed that the Falkland Islands are free to set up flight connections with other countries in the region. A monthly stopover in Argentina will see a further arrangement similar to the one which already exists.

Duncan said: The South Atlantic dialogue will seek to build cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Of course this will not include the issue of sovereignty. The UK continues to strongly support the rights of the Falkland islanders and our position on sovereignty has not changed - there can be no dialogue on this unless the Falkland islanders so wish.

Its clear to me that Argentina is open for business. The measures agreed today demonstrate we can make progress through dialogue.

The UK also reaffirmed its support for Argentinas presidency of the G20 summit in 2018 and its aspiration for a closer relationship with the Organisation for Cooperation and Economic Development (OECD).
Colin Powell , Secretary of State under US president George Bush, called Donald Trump a "national disgrace" and an "international pariah" in a set of emails leaked online on Tuesday.

Reported by BuzzFeed News, the emails also show Powell accusing Republican presidential nominee Trump of embracing a racist movement after questioning Barack Obama's birth certificate.

The emails surfaced at leak website DCLeaks.com, and reveal emails Powell sent to former aides.

Powell is a prominent Republican, and the leaking of the emails will cause embarrassment for the GOP ahead of the upcoming election in which Trump hopes to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Among a host of revelations from the leak, Powell adds that Trump "appeals to the worst angels of the GOP nature and poor white folks". He also recommends not givng any public attention to the nominee as "to go on and call him an idiot just emboldens him".

Trump's odds on becoming the net US president have shortened this week as Clinton struggles with issues surrounding her health and an appparent cover-up of her pneumonia diagnosis by her camaign team

The New York tycoon's share of the polls has also increased this week, with certain polls showing him pegging back Clinton's previously strong leads in key states such as Florida and Ohio.
The British government is likely to trigger formal Brexit talks with the European Union in January 2017, the former leader of Ukip, Nigel Farage said on Wednesday.

I dont mind the government spending a few months getting its ducks in a row, getting ready, Farage told Bloomberg. I think what youll see, I hope what youll see is Article 50 triggered probably in January.

Prime Minister Theresa May said she would not trigger Article 50, the clause in the Lisbon Treaty that initiates a two-year negotiation period with the EU, this year.

However, she is facing calls from the pro-Brexit contingent of the Conservative party to trigger the clause in the new year, before elections are held in France and Germany in the spring and summer.

Farage was a prominent leave campaigner who was largely responsible for former Prime Minister David Cameron calling for a referendum on the country's membership of the trading block.

During his state of the union address on Wednesday, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the UK should trigger Article 50 as quickly as possible.

In light of the Brexit result from the June referendum, the EU set up an Article 50 task force, led by chief negotiator and former French foreign minister, Michel Barnier, who former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg called no friend of the City of London, and Sabine Weyand, a German trade official.

The taskforce will prepare and conduct negotiations with the UK, taking into account of the framework for its future relationship with the European Union.
German chemicals and drugs firm Bayer has agreed to buy US seed giant Monsanto for $128 per share in an all-cash transaction that will create a company worth $66bn.

The offer represents a premium of 44% to the closing price of Monsanto on 9 May, which was the last day before Bayer made its written proposal to the company.

Bayer said it plans to finance the deal  which is expected to close by the end of 2017  with a combination of debt and equity.

Bayers chief executive officer Werner Baumann said: We are pleased to announce the combination of our two great organisations. This represents a major step forward for our crop science business and reinforces Bayers leadership position as a global innovation driven Life Science company with leadership positions in its core segments, delivering substantial value to shareholders, our customers, employees and society at large.

Meanwhile, Monsantos CEO, Hugh Grant, said: Todays announcement is a testament to everything weve achieved and the value that we have created for our stakeholders at Monsanto. We believe that this combination with Bayer represents the most compelling value for our shareowners, with the most certainty through the all-cash consideration.

Bayer initially offered $122 per share back in May, but this was rejected by Monsanto for being financially inadequate.

The offer price was sweetened to $125 per share in July, and earlier this month the German firm said it was in advanced negotiations with Monsanto and that it would be prepared to pay $127.50 per share.

Goldman Sachs said that based on its analysis, the deal would be -1% and 1% accretive in the first year after close and 3% to 5% accretive in the second.

While our initial conversations with clients, after Bayers approach was first announced in May, suggested scepticism of the deal, investors have become more positive about the strategic fit and the resultant new entity, the bank said.

It rates Bayer at buy with a 12-month price target of 129, taking no view on the outcome of the proposed deal.

Our thesis is based on longer-term margin upside in pharma and consumer health, with low pipeline expectations. Key risks are lower than expected synergies from Bayers previous acquisitions and pipeline disappointments.

At 1558 BST, Bayer shares were up 1.7% to 94.88 while Monsanto was 0.7% higher at $106.91.
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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.
This following article is sponsored by Woolrich

All clothes tell stories. For Woolrich John Rich & Bros, the story is one of innovation, of tradition, of sophistication, of simplicity, of quality, and of style.

Americas oldest manufacturer of outdoor wear has been synonymous with superior production and state-of-the-art performance garments for nearly two centuries. Guided by founding principles rooted in heritage, exploration, and the eternal search for new methods and materials, Woolrich has built its identity by staying true to its history.

Today the company honours its utilitarian DNA while continuing to evolve, creating a contemporary brand that appeals to the diverse lifestyles of people from all corners of the globe.

Prologue

It started in a mill in Pennsylvania, where Woolrich continues to thrive in the same building and on the same plot of land where it has flourished for 186 years.

In the early 19th century, John Rich II left Liverpool in search of a new life. His travels took him from England to the USA, where he settled in Pennsylvania and worked as a wool carder on the outskirts of Philadelphia. When hed saved enough money to strike out on his own, Rich established a wool factory on the banks of a small brook called Plum Run and began distributing fabric.

The timing was right. The beginning of the 1900s saw countless labourers converge on Pennsylvania to build steam engines and lay railroad tracks. A strong demand for warm clothing followed, particularly clothing that was both comfortable and capable of withstanding all weather conditions. By 1845, Woolrich was so successful that Rich could expand the mill. He relocated to a company town that is now known officially as Woolrich, Pennsylvania.

Next Chapters

The Woolrich story, like any good tale, isnt without conflict. When wartime hit, the company took on a new role to support the efforts of the Armed Forces.

Woolrich produced woolen blankets and uniforms for the military, as it once had during the Civil War. In 1943 a so-called Emergency Line was created using reprocessed and reused wool to avoid shortages where the fabric was needed most.

The Woolrich mill is now the only American mill from the Civil War that is still running. The brand supplies major film studios and historical reenactment groups with the same quality wool uniforms and blankets that it produced during the period.

More recent decades brought major changes for Woolrich John Rich & Bros. An increasingly active population required technical gear and highly durable apparel  and so, once again, Woolrich found itself innovating to answer its customers needs.

The company used high-tech, man-made fabrics like Gore-Tex, Thinsulate, and Cordura to enhance the performance of wool. The fabrics retained the comfort, durability, and resistance of their predecessors, but evolved to serve a new generation of patrons. Therein lies the secret to the brands longevity: a harmony between heritage and progress.

Protagonists

Two pieces in particular have kept Woolrich at the forefront of outerwear.

Form has always followed function for the company. In its earliest days, Woolrich catered to Americas pioneers  from the lumberjacks and farmers who worked the land in the climates rawest conditions, to the workers who constructed the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Its first sartorial success story was a garment known as the railroad vest. Also called the Utility Vest, it remains one of Woolrichs most enduring designs.

1972 saw the introduction of the brands second star product. The Original Arctic Parka, made for workers on the Alaskan pipeline, was designed to handle the extreme weather conditions of the northernmost state. The garment became indispensable protection from Alaskas wind, rain, snow, and average temperatures of 30C below zero.

These days the Arctic Parka has expanded to all latitudes and undergone a number of changes to keep pace with shifting fashions. Alongside its unrivalled quality, its appeal lies in its subtle, yet accurate interpretation of contemporary taste. The parkas success was and still is instrumental in making Woolrich a go-to provider of durable outdoor clothing and sportswear.

To Be Continued

What does the future hold for Woolrich? The story is far from over.

Today Woolrich is a benchmark brand using a blend of innovative fabrics and ultimate quality classic wools. From the rural to the urban, from work to play, from every part of the planet, each item of Woolrich clothing celebrates both the story of the brand and the individual wearing it.

Woolrich John Rich & Bros recently launched Agenda, a hub that brings together the history of the brand from 1830 to the present day. The journey begins in the Woolrich archive, which holds almost two hundred years of iconic patterns and vintage ads. Future missives will tap those resources, as well as photography and some of Woolrichs signature garments, to reveal the essence of the brand in the modern-day.

Read Next

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Outdoor clothes with an historic past, an esteemed present, a long useful future, proclaimed a Woolrich catalog in 1920. Ninety-six years later, it still holds true.
Capt. Paula Moore received the Reserve Officers Association U.S. Air Force Reserve Junior Officer of the Year award, Sept. 12.

The award was presented on day two of the Annual ROA National Convention, at the Silver Legacy Resort, in Reno, Nevada.

Moore was recognized for her work as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee officer-in-charge of the 28th Contracting Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. As a Reservist, she oversees the 16-member team of military and civilian personnel responsible for providing contracting support to the Air Force Finance Center, the 28th Bomb Wing and its 27 B-1B Lancers, and the 89th Attack Squadron and its MQ-9 Reapers.

While Moore has served in the Ellsworth AFB contracting office as a civilian since 2011, she has only been an Airman for two years. Prior to crossing into the blue, she spent 14 years in the Army National Guard, first as an enlisted person, working as a wheeled vehicle mechanic, and then, after commissioning, as a contracting officer. When her Guard unit started to do away with contracting, Moore said she began investigating her options with the Air Force, where she was already a full-time civilian.

Following a deployment to Afghanistan in 2012, Moore, who is a single mother, decided to become an Air Force IMA because it offered her the most flexible way to serve.

The IMA program allowed me to stay in contracting, allowed me to be at home more, and it offered the best way to support the mission and my family, she said.

Steven Gustaf, the contracting services flight chief, said that when Moore joined his team as a civilian in 2011, she was already a highly qualified contracting officer, with a level two qualification. Now as an Air Force officer, she is a level three qualified contracting officer, the highest rating possible, and is an integral part of the leadership team as both an Airman and civilian.

Even though she had already received several awards for her civilian work, including quarterly awards and the Civilian Meritorious Service Medal, Gustaf said Moore was overdue for recognition as a military member of his team. Thats why he nominated her for the ROA award.

While she is primarily the focal point for any communications-related purchases, Gustaf said Moore is also a lead negotiator and is well-versed on every contract his office has. According to her award citation, Moore was instrumental in managing a $126 million portfolio, took 132 contract actions, awarded 45 contracts, negotiated a $3.8 million price reduction, and worked with the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority to operate a $40 million wastewater treatment facility supporting Ellsworth and the surrounding communities.

Shes really a super asset and we couldnt be happier with her, said Gustaf.

IMAs are assigned to active-component units and support both the peacetime and wartime missions. Their primary role is to provide backfill support for their units when needed but can also volunteer their service to support exercises, contingencies, deployments and other needs throughout the Air Force and Department of Defense.

The Reserve Officers Association is a membership association dedicated to providing a voice for Reserve Component Service Members and Non-Commissioned Officers (E-4 through E-9) of all the uniformed services. Chartered by Congress and founded in 1922, ROA advises and educates Congress, the President, and the American people on national security, with unique expertise on issues that affect the 1.2 million men and women now serving in Americas Reserve Components.
Turkey formally requests US to extradite Fethullah Gulen over coup bid

The Turkish justice ministry on Tuesday sent its first formal request for the US to extradite Pennsylvania-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, according to a Turkish news agency.

Turkish officials had earlier issued public verbal demands for the cleric's extradition, but this comes as the first time that formal paperwork was delivered to send the cleric to Turkey to face charges that he initiated the failed coup attempt in Turkey in July.

Vice president Joe Biden, while visiting Turkey in August, had sought to reassure Turkish leaders, saying that the US took the case "very seriously." He promised that more lawyers would be associated with the case than any he had ever seen.

"We are cooperating with Turkish authorities," Biden told reporters regarding the extradition request. "We have no, no, no interest whatsoever in protecting anyone who has done harm to an ally, none. But we need to meet the legal standard requirement under our law."

Gulen has been living as a recluse in the US, based at the Golden Generation Worship and Retreat Center, a compound located in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania.

Gulen, however, blamed Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the failed coup in the country and suggested it could have been ''staged'' by the government.

On 15 July, in Ankara and Istanbul, rogue soldiers bombed the parliament and sought to take control bridges in a bid to seize power. They were, however, foiled by pro-government supporters. The uprising left 270 people dead.

Turkey, which blamed Gulen's religious movement for the violent coup attempt, sacked tens of thousands of suspected Gulen supporters from jobs in the judiciary, armed services or media, and many were imprisoned.

The US said last month that it had received a formal extradition request for Gulen from Ankara, not related to the coup attempt, but to issues for which he was being sought by authorities in Ankara.
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Hyundai has added Android Auto to its suite of in-car infotainment technology which includes Apple CarPlay.

The smartphone mirroring tech will be available in all new i30, Elantra, Veloster, Tucson and Santa Fe models, while the Hyundai Accent, iMax and iLoad miss out.

Hyundai is offering a free Android Auto upgrade for any customers that have bought one of these vehicles recently and has Apple CarPlay compatibility. The software upgrade takes just 15 minutes and can be carried out at a Hyundai dealership.

The Android Auto system allows drivers and passengers to mirror their smartphones to access maps, send messages, make phone calls and access a range of apps via their touchscreen, which are especially important features for P-plate drivers in NSW that are no longer allowed to use their phone for any functions while driving including the use of maps.
The attached photograph, taken by my late brother Paul he when was on the journalistic staff of the Dundalk Democrat over forty five years ago, seems to me, all these years later, to be symbolic of bad times that have passed --- and yet, times that might come again along the Border with Northern Ireland!

It is a photograph of British Army engineers using a helicopotor to erect a barrier across a small country road between Louth and Armagh sometime in 1971. There had been attempts to close cross-Border roads prior to that year to stop raids across it by armed republicans but nothing like the effort that went into the campaign that followed Bloody Sunday in Derry. Locally the most significant event was the Battle of Dungooley in January 1971 which I referred to in my notes a couple of weeks ago as being the most intense engagement in the thirty years of the 'Northern Ireland Troubles'!

Up to that time there had been a limited spiking of some minor roads but then began the erecting of those steel barriers, the blowing of craters, building of check-points along some roads and the erection of check-point towers. The most hated of these was the Watch Tower which overlooked the Concession Road near Cullyhanna Village!

It must have cost a lot of time and effort, not to speak of the risk to life and limbs for both sides in the conflict, but all that it achieved in the end was the alienation of the local population and, as some have claimed, was 'a Recruiting Sergeant for those who wished to oppose the British occupation by violence.' Local people along the Louth Border went out of their way to fill holes in the roads, tear down barriers and even to temporarily repair bridges when British Army soldiers were not present. It seriously damaged the economy of the Dundalk area which never really fully recovered and did not receive any great support from their own Government during those bad times!

Many people in these parts must have thought that those times had gone for ever but the recent Brexit vote in the U.K. has raised the spectre of new Border controls in the not too distant future!

The politicians are talking about it not going to be the same again this time and are hoping that there can be some kind of agreement that might prevent it. Wiser people in this area, however, are not so sure and many feel that it is inevitable that there will be some kind of a physical Border in the not too distant future. We can only hope that nobody, either in the U.K or Europe, will suggest that we should have some kind of a Mexican Wall erected in these parts which the Irish people will be expected to pay for!

Where exactly is 'The Border'?

Although the subject has been discussed a lot over the past few months, probably, very few people living in Dundalk of the present day will know exactly where the 'Border' is located in relation to the town! The Border was created 95 years ago and, in the Dundalk in which I grew up, it was something of paramount importance. It dominated the town's economy and even its leisure and social life and most people knew exactly where it ran!

Then came European Community and finally the Good Friday Agreement which ended the hostilities--- or, at least, most of them and local people began to forget about its existence for nearly two decades. All that ended, however, with the Brexit vote by the majority of the people of the U.K. and suddenly everybody was asking 'what is going to happen next?' Some were even wondering 'where is this Border and how will it effect us in the future?'

The interesting thing is that the Northern Ireland State existed some 18 months before our own state was established but the actual Border was not defined for nearly another decade while the Boundary Commission was still deliberating! Even afterwards the actual Border was still being disputed in relation some physical features, such as where it ran down Carlingford Lough and even in relation to the exact spot where the main Dublin-Belfast Road crossed the Border because a stream that marked it in 1921 had changed its course. I can recall many disputes in local courts over the exact location of the land boundary in relation to revenue cases.

None of all that really mattered when Ireland the U.K. were both members of the E.U. but now things have changed again. Border disputes and inconveniences are bound to arise when Northern Ireland leaves the Union; whether anybody on either side of the Border likes it or not!
A stark warning has been issued to parents ahead of Junior Cert results night in Dundalk - a night all too often associated with under age drinking and "teenagers over doing it."

Alcohol should play no part in these celebrations" says Conor Cullen of said Conor Cullen, Head of Communications and Advocacy with Alcohol Action Ireland. "even though some children may feel that they have to drink to celebrate and others may come under pressure to do so, despite not wanting to."

"It is important, for parents, in particular, to remind teenagers that alcohol does not have to be part of their lives at a young age and to support them in making healthy decisions. Young people themselves should also respect the decision of their friends and peers who choose not to drink alcohol, said Mr Cullen.

Alcohol Action Ireland said that recent research on young people and alcohol in Ireland suggests there is a clear age of drinking initiation in Ireland and while alcohol consumption is not a feature in the lives of most children aged 14 or under, the picture changes dramatically when they reach 15.

Risky drinking behaviour is commonplace among Irish children who drink alcohol from the age of 15 onwards. Far from being a rite of passage, drinking alcohol may well serve to delay the development of vital coping, personal and social skills; project young people into risky situations and lay the ground-work for future physical and mental health difficulties, said Mr Cullen.

Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to alcohol-related harms and risks, as their bodies and brains are still developing, while the younger a child starts to drink alcohol the more likely it is they will develop problems with alcohol misuse in the future. Therefore, delaying the age of drinking initiation is important for a childs health in both the short and long-term. However, this is undoubtedly difficult to achieve this as children in Ireland grow up in an alcohol saturated environment, one in which harmful drinking patterns have been normalised and celebrated by the adults around them.

Alcohol is also now cheaper and more widely available than it has ever been, while children are also heavily exposed to, and influenced by, alcohol marketing, which is a constant presence in their lives. Alcohol marketing reassures them that alcohol is central to belonging, enjoying life, popularity, sporting prowess, and a seemingly endless list of desirable traits, but the serious risks to their health and wellbeing from alcohol at a young age are notably absent.

Alcohol Action Ireland said that parents can help to ensure their children stay safe when celebrating the Junior Certificate results by talk openly with them about what their plans are. Important points to cover include who they will be with, where they will be, what they will be doing, how do they plan on getting there and back, and at what times.

It is also important to let your child know they can call you without fear of recrimination if things go wrong or they feel unsafe or unwell at any point, as aresult of alcohol or for any other reason. They need to know that their safety is your number one priority and that they are to contact you immediately if they are in trouble, said Mr Cullen.

Alcohol Action Ireland also said there is a real and immediate obligation on alcohol retailers to ensure that they are not selling alcohol to people under the age of 18. Of course this obligation to ensure that alcohol is not being sold to minors applies at all times, but retailers should be particularly vigilant this week, said Mr Cullen.
While some domain names cost businesses as little as $19 to register for a two-year period, some are literally selling for tens of thousands of dollars in Australia. As a pure investment, domain names are possibly the greatest ROI opportunity that exists.

Whats the value in a domain name?

All domain names are not created equal. The more descriptive it is, the more valuable it is. If you were a business selling cakes, cakes.com.au would be the most descriptive domain you could have. The domain name industry call these premium generic domain names.

Another way to think of domains is as the online version of commercial real estate. In the offline world, the retail outlet with the best location will get the most foot traffic and makes the most sales.

George Pongas, director of product management, AusRegistry, a domain name registry service, says Your domain name is not just a technical device, it is primarily an off-line marketing recall device. When people see or hear your domain in an ad you want them to be able to remember the address and use it to navigate directly to your website at their convenience.

Premium generic domain names give you instant credibility. As consumers, we naturally assume that the company with the most relevant domain name is the biggest, the most established and by default, the best.

I rebranded my previous company from Beep to CarLoans.com.au and overnight, every metric we used to measure our business exploded. The domain name investment we made was paid back very quickly. Looking back, had I known what the domain name would do for our business, I would have done it a lot earlier. In my most recent venture, I paid $35,000 for the domain Lend.com.au, which is descriptive of the core business.

My advice to any new business, or an established business wanting to grow their online presence, is to invest in the best domain name you can.

Is there a competitive advantage in search results?

Im a firm believer that there is an advantage. When a search engine results page is returned, if a user clicks on the more descriptive domain more so than websites listed above it, it has the potential to leapfrog above them. I call this click authority.

Click authority will also give you a greater advantage in Pay Per Click advertising too.

Big business is starting to take notice.

Erhan Karabardak from Melbourne law firm Cooper Mills says .au domain names have grown exponentially over the past 5 years, this has been driven by the realisation that domain names are one of the most important keys to a successful online presence. We are regularly involved in representing parties acquiring and selling premium .au domain names, and have seen a significant increase in prices being paid over the last 5 years.

As youd expect, when companies are paying significant amounts of money, they usually require a non-disclosure agreement. Companies are buying domains to rebrand; launch new products; to further expand their online presence or as defensive plays.

Here are the 5 biggest reported dot com dot au sales in recent years:

CarLoan.com.au $200,000+ (bought by CarSales.com)

Cruises.com.au $110,000 (bought by OzCruising.com.au)

HomeLoan.com.au $100,000+ (bought by Aura Capital)

Poker.com.au $100,000 (bought by 888Poker)

BasketBall.com.au $90,000 (bought by the National Basketball League)

The most obvious signs of defensive domain name acquisition is iSelect (ASX:ISU). iSelect have several premium generic names related to the services they offer, for instance LifeInsurance.com.au, IncomeProtectionInsurance.com.au and HealthInsurance.com.au.

Of course, not all domains sell for these amounts; here are 5 other examples

VirtualReality.com.au  $6,999

Snowboards.com.au  $6,478

Tshirt.com.au  $3,088

Stockbroker.com.au  $12,555

Bourbon.com.au  $1,188

How to get started

You can register a domain name licence in Australia for as little as $19 for two years through any registrar. With 3 million dot au domain names registered its likely that the descriptive domain you are after has already been registered.

In this instance, you can use AusRegistrys WhoIs tool to identify the current registrant. Simply reach out to the registrant via email and ask if they would be interested in parting with it. A pro tip here is to reach out from a non-work email address. If the current registrant can work out who you are and why you want the domain name, youll more than likely be paying a lot more.

Keep in mind that your licence for the domain name is only valid for two years. Towards the end of your licence, you will be offered the opportunity to renew it. Failing to renew your licence will see it expire. Once it expires, it then becomes available for anyone in the public to register it again. Due to the value of domain names, the re-registration of these expired domains is big business. There are several web services that will try and re-register the name on your behalf the millisecond it becomes available, literally.

Most recently, someone forgot to pay the renewal licence for toys.com.au. It later sold to a private buyer via NetFleet for $90,585. Ouch.

In summary, I always recommend investing in the best domain name you can afford.

About the author
Not-for-profit health fund HCF has invested $1 million into aged care tech start-up Curo Technologies.

Founded by brothers Matt and Tim McDougall, the Melbourne-based company uses sensor technology to monitor the wellbeing of elderly residents in their own home or in an assisted living environment.

Activity data is collected, analysed and reported on mobile devices to care providers and family members in real-time, with the aim being to help elderly people live independently for longer.

The company has established operations in the US residential aged-care market and is running a number of pilots in Australia.

According to Sheena Jack, Chief Strategy Officer at HCF, the $1 million investment will help Curo bring its technology to the wider Australian market place. She said Curo is a great example of technological innovation in the wellbeing space, adding We are delighted to be investing in Curo, which we believe can make a real difference to the lives of Australians  we look forward to watching them grow.

Curo co-founder Tim McDougall said HCFs investment enables the start-up to continue supporting its growing client base both here in Australia and the US, whilst also ensuring it remains a functionally leading technology in the senior wellbeing space.

Curo was one of nine businesses to graduate from the 2016 HCF Catalyst programme. HCF Catalyst is a health technology accelerator and is an annual programme, offering Australian start-ups and growing companies the opportunity to develop and accelerate their businesses, and make a lasting impact in the healthcare industry. Applications for the next round of HCF Catalyst will open later this year.
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Find a great-value new home in affordable Warwickshire

Property-seekers looking for affordable living in Warwickshire are being urged to discover Taylor Wimpeys in-demand developments in the north of the county  Saint Leonards in Polesworth and Milby Hall at The Farm, in Nuneaton.

These wonderful developments each offer a superb selection of two, three and four-bedroom homes, surrounded by Warwickshires rural landscapes  while still having the convenience of local amenities and excellent transport links nearby.

With prices starting from just 197,995 at Milby Hall at The Farm, and 224,995 at Saint Leonards, either of these developments would make the perfect choice for those looking to combine great value with contemporary living.

Whats more, Taylor Wimpey offers a range of helpful home-buyer incentives to make moving even easier and more affordable  including Help to Buy, Part Exchange and easymover.

Anne Wallace, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey Midlands, says: Home-hunters looking for affordability need look no further than this peaceful, yet well-connected corner of Warwickshire where house prices compare very favourably to properties further south in the county.

By purchasing a new property at Milby Hall at The Farm or Saint Leonards, home-buyers will have the added benefit of moving into a low maintenance home without having to carry out costly renovation work  which can often come hand-in-hand with an older property  making these homes an ideal option for a range of buyers in a variety of circumstances.

I would however urge home-hunters to act quickly  as we have already experienced a huge amount of interest at both of these popular developments.

All homes at Milby Hall at The Farm and Saint Leonards are completed to a high standard specification and include energy efficient central heating, double glazing and a fitted kitchen with integrated oven, hob and hood.

Based on the south-eastern fringes of Polesworth village, Saint Leonards is nestled between an established residential area and open countryside, with a range of local shops and services, traditional pubs and places to eat nearby, and a choice of schools located within about a miles radius  all rated either outstanding or good by Ofsted.

Milby Hall at The Farm, meanwhile, is located in Weddington, a small parish in Nuneaton bounded on the west by the picturesque River Anker. The development benefits from many local amenities within easy reach, including shops, a supermarket, pubs and restaurants, while parents will appreciate the choice of primary and secondary schools nearby, plus the North Warwickshire and Hinckley College for further education.

Both developments lie within close proximity of the A5, providing excellent commuter links to the M69, M42 and M6 motorways and allow easy access towards Birmingham, Coventry, Milton Keynes, London and further afield. Milby Hall at The Farm is less than two miles from Nuneaton railway station for regular direct services to Leicester, Birmingham New Street and London Euston.

To find out more about these superb developments, prospective purchasers should visit the Sales Centres:

Milby Hall at The Farm

Weddington Road, Nuneaton, CV10 0TP

Open Thursday to Monday from 11am to 5pm



Saint Leonards

Grendon Road, Polesworth, Warwickshire, B78 1NS

Open Thursday to Monday from 11am to 5pm

Information on all Taylor Wimpey developments across the region is available by visiting the website at taylorwimpey.co.uk.
Buyers are on track to a shorter commute at Kings Park

With journey times into London soon to be slashed, it is little wonder that property prices along the new Elizabeth Line are soaring. Since the project was given the green light, properties within a 15-minute walk of Crossrail stations have outperformed prices in the surrounding areas by an average of 5%, and are expected to continue do so over the coming years. Situated adjacent to Harold Wood Station, on Crossrails eastern section, Countrysides Kings Park development in Essex is perfect for savvy commuters looking to capitalise on the new high-performance rail service and rising property values.

Kings Park is currently offering an exclusive collection of three and four-bedroom houses which combine unique contemporary architecture and sustainable design. Benefiting from a beautiful parkland setting, with tree-lined avenues and green open spaces, Kings Park offers an outstanding lifestyle in an excellent location.

Located within the Oyster Card Zone, Harold Wood Station already offers Kings Park residents excellent travel links, with trains into London Liverpool Street taking as little as 35 minutes. As of 2017, Harold Wood Station will be on Crossrails Elizabeth Line, which will decrease journey times into central London by up to 19 minutes. Other benefits of the new line will include increasing central London rail capacity by 10 per cent, as well as supporting regeneration and cutting journey times across the city, meaning now is the perfect time to invest.

Andrew Loveday, Sales Director at Countryside comments: Crossrail and the superb travel connections have been a major selling point at Kings Park, particularly due to its unique location with all properties being within a few minutes walk of Harold Wood train station. Kings Park has attracted a wide range of buyers including first time buyers priced out of Zones 1 to 3; to families and downsizers. Combined with great nearby parks, good local facilities and striking modern architecture, Kings Park is understandably a desirable place to live.

One of the house designs available at Kings Park is the Rosenberg, an impressive four-bedroom townhouse. Set over three floors, the spacious family home benefits from a large, open-plan kitchen/dining/family area on the ground floor, with modern fitted cabinets and high-quality integrated appliances. The first floor offers a large living room, guest bedroom, bathroom and the master bedroom, which boasts fitted wardrobes, a luxury en suite bathroom and a feature window. Two further double bedrooms and an additional bathroom can be found on the second floor.

Despite its picturesque setting, Kings Park is within easy walking distance of a great range of amenities including a Post Office, supermarket, travel agent, several hairdressers, a bakery and a restaurant. Meanwhile, nearby Brentwood is home to many bars and eateries, a selection of high street and independent shops and charming boutiques.

In addition to superb rail services, Kings Park is near to the A12, A127 and M25 for fast connections to London, Kent and further afield, whilst easy access to the M11 is convenient for travel through Essex and Hertfordshire to Cambridge.

Current prices start from 554,995 for a three-bedroom Arundel house design and 669,995 for a four-bedroom house. Countryside will be releasing their next phase of apartments in the autumn. For more information, visit kings-park.co.uk.
Donald Trump is making a quick swing through Flint today to do a photo-op and will undoubtedly blame the catastrophic poisoning of the citys drinking water with the powerful neurotoxin lead on Democrats. This, of course, is patently and provably absurd. The poisoning of Flint is the direct result of decisions made by a parade of Emergency Managers appointed by our Republican governor, Rick Snyder.

Trumps visit comes the same week as a three-judge federal court panel upheld the constitutionality Public Act 436, Michigans anti-democracy Emergency Manager law. The 6th District Court panel was weighing in on one element of a sweeping lawsuit filed in 2013 on behalf of a collection of Michigan residents and the AFSCME Council 25 union. Several other elements were dismissed by U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh in 2014. However, Judge Steeh did allow one part to go through: the claim that PA 436 has a disproportionate impact on African Americans in our state.

The ruling this week has a couple of interesting things to take note of. The first is their contention that the residents of cities with Emergency Managers are not disenfranchised even though they are not able to vote for the decision maker in the local government (the Emergency Manager.) According to the judges, previous case law [leads] to the conclusion that there is no fundamental right to have local officers exercising governmental functions selected by popular vote.

I find that to be a shocking statement.

Second, the judges state that PA 436 does NOT violate the Equal Protections Clause of the U.S. Constitution. They consider financial distress in a municipality a legitimate reason for state takeover and, though they concede that it may not be the perfect solution, they found it to be legal:

With regard to the plaintiffs claims under the Equal Protection Clause, PA 436 passes rational basis review. The financial conditions of plaintiffs localities are the reasons for the appointments of the emergency managers. An entity in a distressed financial state can cause harm to its citizenry and the state in general. Improving the financial situation of a distressed locality undoubtedly is a legitimate legislative purpose, and PA 436, while perhaps not the perfect remedy, is one that is rationally related to that purpose. The emergency managers powers may be vast, but so are the problems in financially distressed localities, and the elected officials of those localities are most often the ones whothrough the exercise of their powersled the localities into their difficult situations. A rational relationship to a legitimate governmental purpose is all that is required for a law to pass this low form of scrutiny.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs are weighing their options. They can request an en banc hearing of the entire 6th Circuit Court and the case may end up before the U.S. Supreme Court should they decide to pursue it further.

For all of those folks asking why isnt this illegal?, the decision this week is as close as well get to an answer, Im afraid. At the end of the day, cities and townships are creations of the State and the State has ultimate authority. Unless we change our state constitution to say otherwise or the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the lower courts decisions, Emergency Management in Michigan (and elsewhere) is here to stay.

But when you hear Republicans like Trump blaming the plight of Flint on Democrats who led these cities, remember that the greatest catastrophes in this beleaguered city happened during a time when the local leaders had literally no power whatsoever.
Alphabet think tank Jigsaw and startup Moonshot CVE last week demonstrated a new counterterrorism technology tool during a Brookings panel.

The groups have been collaborating on an international effort to steer social media users away from Islamic State terrorist propaganda. They have developed sophisticated algorithms to target potential ISIS sympathizers and recruits with counter narratives when they search for certain terms online or through social media.

During an eight-week pilot program, the groups presented targeted advertising and curated videos to more than 300,000 people who searched for specific terms that were known to be calling cards for ISIS propaganda. They laid out their results at the Brookings event.

The organizations hope to extend the effort to dissuade potential domestic extremists from violent hate groups and other radical influencers in the U.S.

Teen Recruits

Users as young as 13 have been going online with naive ideas about joining ISIS, noted Yasmin Green, head of research and development at Jigsaw. The program targeted those users, without passing judgment on their ideas, with videos that give a balanced and graphic picture of life under the terrorist group.

The start for us was really wanting to reach an audience that was already sympathetic to the Islamic State, Green said during the Brookings panel discussion.

The researchers not only conducted online targeted advertising research, but also followed it with actual field study, taking trips around the world to talk to some of the young people who had shown an interest in joining ISIS.

The program has shown some promise in sending potential sympathizers in another direction, but the impact of this kind of work is limited, observed Susan Hennessey, a Brookings fellow in national security and former National Security Agency attorney.

Its not clear how well the technology is targeting people who are really at risk, she told the E-Commerce Times, noting that the metrics on the kind of person who actually would join versus the kind of person who would remain an inactive sympathizer are not fully developed.

Recent court cases show that potential extremists are influenced by direct human relationships more than online recruitment or influence, in terms of converting them from interested spectators to actual terrorists, Hennessey said.

The Jigsaw program follows Obama administration efforts to get Silicon Valleys help in developing strategies to counter extremist activity on social media. The San Bernardino shooting last year was among the more high-profile domestic incidents reflecting ISIS ability to use the Internet to radicalize susceptible people.

The CVE Task Force at DHS is working to strengthen engagement between the federal government and the [private] sector to counter violent extremism online, said DHS spokesperson Neema Hakim.

The tech sector can help by addressing violent extremist content online that violates the terms of service, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Social Media Crackdown

Facebook, Twitter and other social media have taken their own steps to counter violent extremism online, either through enhanced enforcement of terms-of-service violations, or more proactive methods to steer users away from radical or violent material.

Twitter last month announced that it had suspended an additional 235,000 accounts for violating its terrorism-related policies. It announced the suspension of 125,000 accounts earlier this year.

Daily suspensions increased 80 percent from last year, Twitter said, with a spike in suspensions taking place right after terrorist incidents.

There is no magic algorithm for monitoring terrorist activity, the company noted, but it has been using proprietary spam-fighting tools in an effort to stay on top of it, and it has been sharing information with other social media platforms.

Twitter has been working with various organizations around the world, like True Islam in the U.S., Imams Online in the UK, and Parle-moi dIslam in France, spokesperson Nu Wexler told the E-Commerce Times, and Twitter representatives have attended summits convened by the French Interior Ministry and the Indonesian National Counterterrorism Agency.
Twitter last week announced it had suspended 235,000 accounts since February for promoting terrorism, bringing to 360,000 the total number of suspensions since mid-2015.

Daily suspensions have increased more than 80 percent since last year, spiking immediately after terrorist attacks. Twitters response time for suspending reported accounts, the length of time offending accounts are active on its platform, and the number of followers they draw all have decreased dramatically, the company said.

Twitter also has made progress in preventing those who have been suspended from getting back on its platform quickly.

Tools and Tactics

The number of teams reviewing reports around the clock has increased, and reviewers now have more tools and language capabilities.

Twitter uses technology such as proprietary spam-fighting tools to supplement reports from users. Over the past six months, those tools helped identify more than one third of the 235,000 accounts suspended.

Global efforts to silence #Daesh online are bearing fruit.#UnitedAgainstDaesh pic.twitter.com/InNXnYUmEj

   (@sawabcenter) July 13, 2016

Twitters global public policy team has expanded partnerships with organizations working to counter violent extremism online, including True Islam in the United States; Parle-moi dIslam in France; Imams Online in the UK; the Wahid Foundation in Indonesia; and the Sawab Center in the UAE.

Twitter executives have attended government-convened summits on countering violent extremism hosted by the French Interior Ministry and the Indonesian National Counterterrorism Agency.

A Fine Balance

Twitter has been largely reactive rather than proactive, and thats been hit and miss, but from [its] standpoint, thats probably the best they can do without being too draconian, said Chenxi Wang, chief strategy officer at Twistlock.

You could, perhaps, consider creating a statistical analysis model that will be predictive in nature, she told TechNewsWorld, but then you are venturing into territories that may violate privacy and freedom of speech.

Further, doing so is not in Twitters best interest, Wang suggested, as a social networks aim is for people to participate rather than be regulated.

Gauging Effectiveness

Its not easy to judge Twitters success in combating terrorism online.

How often does Twitter actually influence people who might be violent? wondered Michael Jude, a program manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan. How likely is it that truly crazy people will use Twitter as a means to incite violence? And how likely is it that Twitter will be able to apply objective standards to making a determination that something is likely to encourage terrorism?

The answers to the first two questions are uncertain, he told TechNewsWorld.

The last question raises highly problematic issues, Jude said. What if Twitters algorithms are set such that supporters of Trump or Hillary are deemed terroristic? Is that an application of censorship to spirited discourse?

There Oughta Be a Law

Meanwhile, pressure on the Obama administration to come up with a plan to fight terrorism online is growing.

The U.S. House of Representatives last year passed the bipartisan Bill H.R. 3654, the Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act of 2015, which calls on the president to provide a report on U.S. strategy to combat terrorists and terrorist organizations use of social media.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee earlier this year approved a Senate version of the bill, which has yet to be voted on in the full chamber.

Its probably a good idea for the president to have a plan, but it would need to conform to the Constitution, Jude remarked.

Policies havent yet caught up  . Its not out of the question that government policies may one day govern social media activities, Twistlocks Wang suggested. Exactly how and when remains to be seen.

Automatic Counterterrorism

YouTube and Facebook this summer began implementing automated systems to block or remove extremist content from their pages, according to reports.

The technology, developed to identify and remove videos protected by copyright, looks for hashes assigned to videos, matches them against content previously removed for being unacceptable, and then takes appropriate action.

That approach is problematic, however.

Such automatic blocking of content goes against the concepts of freedom of speech and the Internet, said Jim McGregor, a principal analyst at Tirias Research.

On the other hand, you have to consider the threat posed by these organizations, he told TechNewsWorld. Is giving them an open platform for promotion and communication any different than putting a gun in their hands?

The pros of automatic blocking terrorist content online are its fast and its consistent, observed Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

The cons are, automatic systems can be easy to figure out and circumvent, and you may end up casting too wide a net  like Reddit did with the Orlando shooting, he told TechNewsWorld.

Im all for free speech and freedom of the Internet, McGregor said, but organizations posting extremist content are responsible for crimes against humanity and pose a threat to millions of innocent people and should be stopped. However, you have to be selective on the content to find that fine line between combating extremism and censorship.

There is the danger of content being misidentified as extremist, and the people who uploaded it then being put on a watch list mistakenly. There have been widespread reports of errors in placing individuals on the United States governments no-fly list, for example, and the process of getting off that list is difficult.

I have one friend whos flagged just because of her married name, McGregor said. There needs to be a system in place to re-evaluate those decisions to make sure people arent wrongly accused.

Fighting Todays Battles

The automated blocking reportedly being implemented by YouTube and Facebook works only on content previously banned or blocked. It cant deal with freshly posted content that has not yet been hashtagged.

There might be a solution to that problem, however. The Counter Extremism Project, a private nonprofit organization, recently announced a hashing algorithm that would take a proactive approach to flagging extremist content on Internet and social media platforms.

Its algorithm works on images, videos and audio clips.

The CEP has proposed the establishment of a National Office for Reporting Extremism, which would house a comprehensive database of extremist content. Its tool would be able to flag matching content online immediately and flag it for removal by any company using the hashing algorithm.

Microsofts Contribution

Microsoft provided funding and technical support to Hany Farid, a professor at Dartmouth College, to support his work on the CEP algorithm.

Farid previously had helped develop PhotoDNA, a tool that scans and eliminates child pornography images online, which Microsoft distributed it freely.

Among other actions, Microsoft has amended its terms of use to specifically prohibit the posting of terrorist content on its hosted consumer services.

That includes any material that encourages violent action or endorses terrorist organizations included on the Consolidated United Nations Security Council Sanctions List.

Recommendations for Social Media Firms

The CEP has proposed five steps social media companies can take to combat extremism online:
President Obama on Monday urged de-escalation of a potential arms race involving cyberweapons. The presidents remarks followed his meeting with world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China.

The U.S. has more offensive and defensive capability than any other country on Earth, Obama noted.

Citing a new era of significant cyberwarfare capabilities, the president urged moving into a space where leaders begin to institute some norms to prevent global escalation from spinning out of control.

Were going to have enough problems in the cyberspace with non-state actors who are engaging in theft and using the Internet for all kinds of illicit practices, and protecting our critical infrastructure, and making sure our financial systems are sound, Obama said, and what we cannot do is have a situation where this becomes the Wild, Wild West, where countries that have significant cybercapacity start engaging in competition  unhealthy competition or conflict through these means when, I think wisely, weve put in place some norms when it comes to using other weapons.

Russia Tense

Tensions recently have been building in U.S. relations with Russia, which is suspected of involvement in a recent series of cyberattacks against the Democratic National Committee, the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, and agencies of the U.S. government.

Several of those attacks resulted in leaks to the Wikileaks, which published stolen information online. The Clinton campaign has suggested that Russia may be trying to undermine the presidential election, possibly to benefit Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Growing Evidence

New evidence implicating Russia in attempts to undermine the U.S. election has come to light, wrote Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in a letter to FBI Director James Comey, late last month.

FBI officials previously confirmed they were investigating cyberattacks of several party and government organizations.

The concerns about foreign entities influencing the U.S. presidential election grew with recent reports that hackers breached voting systems in Illinois and Arizona. Personal information of thousands of Illinois voters was compromised.

A known Russian hacker is suspected of using malware to compromise credentials of a county user in order to access the statewide voting registration system, Matt Roberts, a spokesperson for the Arizona Secretary of States office confirmed last week.

Officials at the Russian Embassy to the United States did not respond to new inquiries, but they previously dismissed allegations that the Kremlin had any link to cyberattacks on the DNC or U.S. government agencies.

An escalation in cyberwarfare is a far different dynamic than an actual arms race, because in a cyberscenario there is no way to really know the full capabilities of an adversary, cautioned Martin Libicki, an adjunct management scientist at RAND and distinguished visiting professor at the U.S. Naval Academy.

To some extent, countries keep their best stuff under wraps against the day when they might have to use it, he told TechNewsWorld. Conversely, the whole point of having a nuclear deterrent is to scare people  and people cannot be scared by what they dont know about.

In terms of the potential for Russia influencing the U.S. election, which is a growing fear, the threat is relatively limited, Libicki added, as different states have different methods of voting, and fully electronic voting is the exception rather than the rule.
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Monsanto has finally agreed to be purchased by Bayer AG in a historic $66 billion all-cash takeover. The agreement, which both corporations have confirmed, will form the largest seed and pesticide company in the world.

Today we reached an agreement w/ @MonsantoCo to create an industry leader #AdvancingTogether https://t.co/zFRZrCDvU7 pic.twitter.com/SIq6iwDPFn  Bayer AG (@Bayer) September 14, 2016

The German pharmaceuticals and chemicals giant had been courting the St. Louis-based seed maker for roughly four months, with the aspirin-maker sweetening the pot with

ever-growing sums of money. Bayer finally plans to pay $128 a share for Monsanto, up from its initial May offer of $122 a share.

Not only is this the largest foreign corporate takeover ever by a German firm, its the largest cash bid on record, as

Reuters reported. A successful merger would create the worlds largest agrichemical firm, which will control more than one-fourth of the combined global market for seeds and pesticides.

According to

Bloomberg, The deal gives Bayer more than 2,000 varieties of seeds for crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. Adding that portfolio to its own vegetable, rice, cotton and oilseed offerings give Bayer a virtually unassailable position at the head of the market.

The Monsanto-Bayer combination is yet another example of the rapidly consolidating agricultural industry, with only a handful of companies controlling the sector. Alongside slumping crop prices, DuPont Co. and Dow Chemical Co. have agreed to merge, as did China National Chemical Corp. and Syngenta AG.

https://twitter.com/MonsantoCo/statuses/776062815849353216

Bayer CEO Werner Baumann and Monsanto Chairman and CEO Hugh Grant, appeared in a joint announcement of the proposed combination on their Advancing Together website. In their statements, both chiefs echoed Big Ags oft-repeated sentiment that biotechnology helps increases crop yields in an environmentally friendly way and is one solution to feeding a growing global population.

We are fully committed to helping solve one of the biggest challenges of society, and that is how to feed a massively growing world population in an environmentally sustainable manner, Baumann said. What we do is good for consumers. We help produce efficient, safe, healthy and affordable food. It is also good for our growers because they have better choices to increase yields in a sustainable way.

Dave Murphy, the executive director of Food Democracy Now!, refutes this belief. Agricultural biotechnology has never been about feeding the world, but enriching the bottom line of toxic chemical corporations that have had a long history of producing chemicals that are deadly to human populations and the environment, he told EcoWatch.

Monsanto, the worlds largest producer of genetically modified (GMO) crops and maker of the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup, has faced mounting controversy and numerous lawsuits in recent years over the health and environmental impacts of its products.

Bayer has also been subject to criticism over its widely used insecticide, imidacloprid, which belongs to a controversial class of chemicals called neonicotinoids thats linked to widespread deaths of pollinators.

On todays landmark news, Murphy said: Now the most evil company in Europe has absorbed the most evil company in America. Monsanto and Bayers new corporate motto should be Killing bees and butterflies for fun and profit.'

10 States Report Crop Damage From Illegal Dicamba Use on Monsanto's GMO Seeds https://t.co/KcqhwWoSq3 @GMOTruth @GMWatch  EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) September 3, 2016

The Monsanto takeover is an interesting move for the German company. Although GMOs are widely grown in the U.S. and in other countries, the topic is fraught with contention in Europe. Many European Union countries have strict laws against GMOs due to public health and environmental concerns. Germany itself discourages the cultivation of GMO crops.

The

BBC reported that farming groups are concerned that the deal could lead to fewer choices and higher prices for farmers.

Bayers acquisition of Frankenstein crop producer Monsanto could be a horror story for both Bayer and its customers: the farmers, professor John Colley of Warwick Business School in England told the publication. The farmers will lose out as product ranges are rationalized and attempts are made to increase prices.

Several consumer advocates and environmental organizations have denounced the acquisition for similar reasons.

Today, Bayer announced it has agreed to buy Monsanto, another devastating merger thats bad for farmers, the environment and consumers, Wenonah Hauter, the executive director of Food & Water Watch, said. Consolidation in the agrochemical industry means that farmers get paid less for their crops, more pesticides are used and there are fewer options for consumers at the grocery store. Its past time for the Department of Justice to do its job and enforce anti-trust measures to support healthy competition in the ag industry.

With this deal Big Biotech gets bigger; it means monopoly power for Bayer-Monsanto, just like the previous mergers of Dow and DuPont and Syngenta and ChemChina, Ken Roseboro, the editor and publisher of The Organic & Non-GMO Report, told EcoWatch. These three companies will dominate the global seed and pesticide markets and will likely drive up costs for farmers. The Justice Department should stop these mergers because they are bad farmers, bad for agriculture, and bad for consumers.

Critics of the tie-up have noted that Monsantos poor image was a factor in its decision to be bought.

The merger of Bayer and Monsanto should make the connection between Big Pharma, Big Biotech and Big Food all the more apparent to consumers, Ronnie Cummins, the international director of the Organic Consumers Association, told EcoWatch. This may be a move to take pressure off the manufacturer of glyphosate, the most profitable pesticide in the world. But it really doesnt matter who manufactures or sells glyphosate, or any other dangerous chemical. The damage to human health and the environment remains the same, as does our commitment to getting these chemicals out of our food system.

Dr. Vandana Shiva, the executive director of the Navdanya Trust, recently wrote about the controversial histories of both companies.

MoBay supplied ingredients for Agent Orange in the Vietnam War. Around 20 million gallons of MoBay defoliants and herbicides were sprayed over South Vietnam. Children are still being born with birth defects, adults have chronic illnesses and cancers, due to their exposure to MoBays chemicals, she wrote. Monsanto and Bayers cross-licensed Agent Orange resistance has also been cross-developed for decades. Wars were fought, lives lost, nations carved into holy lands  with artificial boundaries that suit colonization and resource grabwhile Bayer and Monsanto sold chemicals as bombs and poisons and their brothers provided the loans to buy those bombs.

More recently, Bayer CropScience AG and Monsanto are believed to have entered into a long-term business relationship, Shiva continued. This gives Monsanto and Bayer free access to each others herbicide and paired herbicide resistance technology. Through cross-licensing agreements, mergers and acquisitions, the biotech industry has become the I.G. Farben of today, with Monsanto in the cockpit.

Monsanto and Bayer intend to file relevant materials with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Analysts are now turning their attention to the legality of the purchase and whether or not it could escape regulatory hurdles. Bayer, which expects to close the deal by the end of 2017, will pay Monsanto a break-up fee of $2 billion if the deal is not completed.

According to Reuters, Bernstein Research analysts believe that the merger has only a 50 percent chance of securing regulatory clearance. However, they cited a survey among investors that pushed the likelihood to roughly 70 percent.

We believe political pushback to this deal, ranging from farmer dissatisfaction with all their suppliers consolidating in the face of low farm net incomes to dissatisfaction with Monsanto leaving the United States, could provide significant delays and complications, they wrote in a research note.

Meanwhile, Monsantos tribunal at The Hague next month is still on deck. The Organic Consumers Association, IFOAM International Organics, Navdanya, Regeneration International and Millions Against Monsanto, joined by dozens of global food, farming and environmental justice groups are putting the transnational corporation on trial for crimes against nature and humanity and ecocide.

The proposed buyout of Monsanto by Bayer does nothing to alter or weaken the upcoming Monsanto Tribunal, which will take place Oct. 15-16 in The Hague, Cummins said. The buyout wont be completed by then. More important, the advisory opinions that will be issued by the five international judges will be applicable to all agribusiness companies, including Bayer.
Thousands of people across the country joined more than 200 rallies in nearly all 50 states to call on President Obama to stand with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in their fight to protect their water and sacred cultural sites from the Dakota Access Pipeline.

At a rally in front of the White House, Sen. Bernie Sanders joined Native American leaders and activists to show his solidarity with the growing movement.

It is vitally important that we show our solidarity with the Native American people of this country, said Sen. Sanders. We cannot allow our drinking water to be poisoned so a handful of fossil fuel companies can make more in profits. This pipeline must be stopped. I am calling on President Obama today to ensure that this pipeline gets a full environmental and cultural impact analysis.

There is a lot we can learn if we begin to listen to our Native American brothers and sisters. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/DukyGGz0t1  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) September 10, 2016

We are here to tell the President stop Dakota Access. This is a violation of human rights and indigenous rights, said Tara Houska with Honor the Earth, who addressed the crowd of thousands in DC. This pipeline cannot and should not happen. We are here to protect our drinking water and sacred sites for indigenous people.

Indigenous groups such as Honor the Earth and the Indigenous Environmental Network joined with national groups like the Sierra Club, CREDO Action and 350.org to organize Tuesdays national day of action. At rallies across the country, many local organizers connected their solidarity rallies to local fights against fossil fuel infrastructure.

#NoDAPL rally outside the White House. 350.org

Regardless of the decision that was made, we arent going anywhere until the pipeline is dead, said Kandi Mossett with the Indigenous Environmental Network. Were not here just to stop one section, we are here to stop the pipeline in its entirety. President Obama: the fossil fuel industry is dying. Help us invest in renewables and divest from fossil fuels. What will your legacy be? Stand with us for future generations or stand with the fossil fuel industry. Right now, politicians are bought out by the fossil fuel industry and our resistance here in North Dakota should be a wake up call. We wont stand for this any longer.

In recent weeks, a massive wave of inspiring grassroots opposition, led by Native Americans and joined by allies in North Dakota and Iowa, has been building in opposition to the pipeline, which would carry 450,000 barrels of dirty oil per day from North Dakota to Illinois, cutting through land and water sacred to the tribes.

Its the Standing Rock Siouxs principled and courageous efforts that galvanized the country and inspired these unity events, said Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune.

In response to this activismwith protests and civil disobedience in North Dakota temporarily halting construction in recent days and 51 protestors being arrested in Iowa so farthe Department of Justice, the Department of the Army and the Department of the Interior issued a joint statement Friday recognizing the critical issues being raised by the Tribe in their fight against the pipeline and temporarily halting construction until a thorough review of the project has taken place.

Whoa, check out Oakland's Standing Rock solidarity rally. They know how to do it in the Bay! #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/7Wz7WAq0H1  Bill McKibben (@billmckibben) September 14, 2016

Tuesdays events built on this momentum, with more than 200 events taking place in 40 states calling for a permanent halt to this project. Rallies were coordinated by national and local climate and environmental organizations and landowners rights groups, joining as allies in solidarity with tribes at the Sacred Stone camp.

Weve been here before, facing long odds against a pipeline everyone said would be built, said 350.org Executive Director May Boeve. Just as indigenous leaders, landowners, and the climate movement came together to stop Keystone XL, were now standing with the Standing Rock Sioux to stop Dakota Access.
Our nations management of wild horses has been a long-running debacle of poor execution layered over questionable intentions and flagging resolve. Those problems have been compounded by violence toward horses by ranchers and other private resource users. The latest incident involves an attack on a number of wild horses living on a ranch overseen by the philanthropist and wild horse advocate Madeleine Pickens.

A volunteer advisory board has recommended that the Bureau of Land Management consider euthanizing all 45,000 unadopted wild horses in holding facilities. Galen Clarke / The Humane Society of the United States

Since 1971, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has had the task of managing wild horses, who are now classed, for administrative purposes, into 179 Herd Management Areas in 10 western states. The bureaus primary strategy over the past 20 years has largely consisted of rounding up and removing the animals from our public lands, ostensibly in an effort to protect the range from overgrazing.

The original plan was to adopt out horses to private partieswhich has been fraught with its own set of problemsbut the removals have happened at a volume that not even a spirited adoption program can offset. This has resulted in approximately 45,000 wild horses and burros being maintained in government-financed holding facilities throughout the U.S.

Because the captive horse management has cannibalized so much of the funding, the BLM has scarce funds for protecting horses remaining on the range, including fertility control programs that offer the only real hope of humane population management.

Last week, in an attempt to solve this financial crisisa self-inflicted wound created by serial round-upsa volunteer body called the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board (the majority of whose members main focus is not and has never been, the humane treatment of wild horses) made a recommendation that the BLM consider euthanizing all unadopted horses in holding facilities. Thats a prescription for mass slaughter on an almost unimaginable scale and it would perhaps make the U.S. the biggest horse killing enterprise in the world.

While the advisory board has no legal authority to mandate action on the agencys part, the agency will consider this recommendation, a sort of Final Solution cooked up by public-lands ranchers and their allies.

In 2015, the Department of Interiors Office of the Inspector General released a long-awaited investigative report, which found that the BLM had sold thousands of wild horses to a livestock hauler named Tom Davis who subsequently sold these horses to kill buyers. Though they are not being sold directly by the agency, wild horses are still going to slaughter by a variety of circuitous pathways. Sources at the Sugarcreek, Ohio, livestock auction last week documented BLM freeze-branded horses, in very poor condition, being sold to kill buyers.

Our nations wild horses deserve better than this sort of mismanagement and abuse, and an attitude that they are throwaway objects. A sensible program must be grounded on controlling the population on the range through fertility control, obviating the need for dangerous round-ups that betray the national interest in protecting horses, and ending wasteful spending that ultimately solves no problems and just builds a massive captive wild horse program.

This headlong and heedless advisory committee recommendation should be summarily rejected. But its so outrageous and overreaching that it may be just the kick in the pants that Congress and the agency need to overhaul the entire broken and battered program.
A St. Louis jury has awarded three plaintiffs a total of $46.5 million in damages in a lawsuit alleging that Monsanto and three other companies were negligent in its handling of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, a highly toxic and carcinogenic group of chemicals.

This case, which went on trial April 28, involved only three of nearly 100 plaintiffs claiming that exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Photo credit: GMO Free USA

Yesterdays 10-2 verdict in St. Louis Circuit Court awarded $17.5 million in damages to the three plaintiffs and assessed an additional $29 million in punitive damages against Monsanto, Solutia, Pharmacia and Pfizer, the St. Louis Dispatch reported.

PCBs were used to insulate electronics decades ago. Before switching operations to agriculture, Monsanto was the sole manufacturer of the compound from 1935 until 1977. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned PCBs in 1979, due to its link to birth defects and cancer in laboratory animals. PCBs can also have adverse skin and liver effects in humans. PCBs linger in the environment for many decades.

The lawsuit claims that Monsanto continued to sell the compounds even after it learned about its dangers and falsely told the public they were safe. Indeed, internal documents have surfaced showing that Monsanto knew about the health risks of PCBs long before they were banned. A document, dated Sept. 20, 1955, stated: We know Aroclors [PCBs] are toxic but the actual limit has not been precisely defined.

The verdict is the first such victory in the city of St. Louis and a seemingly rare win overall. Monsanto has historically prevailed in similar lawsuits filed against the company over deaths and illnesses related to PCBs, as MintPress News noted.

This is the future, plaintiffs lawyer Steven Kherkher of Houston told EcoWatch.

The only reason why this victory is rare is because no one has had the money to fight Monsanto, explaining that his law firm, Williams Kherkher, and other law firms pooled their resources to get the case off the ground.

Its not going to be rare anymore, he said as his law firm has accumulated about 1,000 plaintiffs surrounding PCBs.

As more cases mount against the company, Kherkher said, every judge allows us to acquire more and more information from Monsanto and discover their documents. There is a lot more information out there that has yet to be mined.

Monsanto has issued a statement following the verdict, saying they are planning to appeal:

We have deep sympathy for the plaintiffs but we are disappointed by the jurys decision and plan to immediately appeal todays ruling. Previous juries in four straight similar trials rejected similar claims by attorneys that those plaintiffs contracted non-Hodgkin lymphoma as a result of eating food containing PCBs. The evidence simply does not support todays verdict, including the fact that scientists say more than 90 percent of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases have no known cause.

Kherkher represented three families from Oklahoma, Michigan and Alaska in the personal injury lawsuit saying PCBs caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The man from Oklahoma died at the age of 58 and had no health problems at all, Kherkher said. He wasnt a smoker or a drinker and he exercised, but his body was filled with Monsantos PCBs. He grew up in Michigan and Monsanto polluted the waters of Michigan and he suffered and died.

A lot people just dont know that Monsantos PCBs are in the orange juice you drank this morning and the pizza youll eat tonight. The air that youre breathing has PCBs in it, Kherkher said. Monsanto has discounted it, saying its only parts per billion or parts per trillion, but it adds up.

He also disputes Monsantos claim that most non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases have no known cause, citing a 2013 decision from the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifying PCBs as carcinogenic to humans. The agency found limited evidence from some studies suggesting that exposure is linked to increased risks of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and breast cancer.

Juror Nathan Nevius told the St. Louis Dispatch after the ruling, All of us could pretty much agree that Monsanto was negligent.

St. Louis jury orders Monsanto to pay $46.5 million in latest PCB lawsuit https://t.co/q2oJDJ9bcO pic.twitter.com/B7iafsDWQY  St. Louis Post-Dispatch (@stltoday) May 25, 2016

Another juror, Ashley Enochs said, I think it goes to show that large companies can put stuff out there thats harmful and they can do it for along time but that justice is going to be served whether its a year after the products are put out, or in this case, 80 years.

As far as the environmental footprint of PCBs, ThinkProgress explained that the sheer number of lawsuits that have surfaced across the country in the last three decades against Monsanto over the chemical proves how difficult it is to hold a polluter accountable.

Still, a growing number of West Coast cities have slammed lawsuits against the St. Louis-based corporation for cleanup costs of the compound. On May 19, the city of Long Beach in California became the eighth city to sue the biotech giant, joining Portland, Seattle, Spokane, Berkeley, San Diego, San Jose and Oakland. These cases are pending.

According to Courthouse News Service, Long Beach says in its federal lawsuit that Monsanto knew for decades that PCBs are widely contaminating all natural resources and living organisms including marine life, plants, animals, birds and humans.

The complaint further states: PCBs regularly leach, leak, off-gas, and escape their intended applications, causing runoff during naturally occurring storm and rain events, after being released into the environment. The runoff originates from multiple sources and industries and enters Long Beach Waters with stormwater and other runoff.

Long Beach says it has incurred substantial costs cleaning up the chemicals and is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for public nuisance and costs of suit.

Long Beach latest city to sue Monsanto over PCB contamination: https://t.co/jYFQ3oe0Vw  Sarah M. Gilman (@Sarah_Gilman) May 22, 2016

In response, Scott Partridge, Monsantos vice president of global strategy, said that the citys lawsuit was instigated by trial lawyers who have been aggressively shopping their services to local government officials, Courthouse News Service reported.

The speculative legal theories being advanced have no basis in the law, and should ultimately be rejected by the courts in California, he continued. The facts are clear: Theres no evidence that Monsanto discharged a single PCB molecule into the waters of Long Beach, as Monsanto never had a PCB manufacturing facility in Long Beach or anywhere else in California. Any PCBs that may exist were introduced by unidentified third parties or by the city itself.

Monsanto takes seriously its own environmental responsibilities. But in this case, there is no valid claim against Monsanto. If the city wants to deal with these PCBs, it should seek out those who allowed PCBs into the Long Beach water.

Monsanto company could gain further legal protection after Congressional Republicans snuck in the so-called Monsanto Rider in the Toxic Substances Control Act reauthorization bill that will give the chemical giant permanent immunity from liability for injuries caused by PCBs, the New York Times reported in February.

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Bayer will no longer sell glyphosate-containing products to U.S. home gardeners, the company announced on Thursday.

The move comes as the company currently faces around 30,000 legal claims from customers who believe use of these products  including the flagship Roundup  caused them to develop cancer, as AgWeb reported.

Bayers decision to end U.S. residential sale of Roundup is a historic victory for public health and the environment, Center for Food Safety executive director Andrew Kimbrell said in a statement. As agricultural, large-scale use of this toxic pesticide continues, our farmworkers remain at risk. Its time for EPA to act and ban glyphosate for all uses.

The antithesis of eco-friendly lawn care, Glyphosate is a controversial ingredient because it has been linked to the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as Cure noted. The World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer declared that it was probably carcinogenic to humans, in 2015. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under former President Donald Trump ruled that the chemical did not pose any risk to human health, the Biden Administration later admitted that the review was flawed and needed to be redone, as Common Dreams reported. Still, it refused to take it off the market in the meantime.

Bayers decision comes in response to the many lawsuits related to glyphosate that it inherited when it acquired Monsanto in 2018. Juries sided with the plaintiffs in three highly-watched trials before Bayer settled around 95,000 cases in 2020 to the tune of $10 billion. That settlement, which was one of the largest in U.S. history, allowed Bayer to continue to sell Roundup without any warnings. However, the company still faces further litigation, and said it decided to pull the product from residential use in order to prevent more. More than 90 percent of recent claims come from the residential home and garden market, AgWeb reported.

This move is being made exclusively to manage litigation risk and not because of any safety concerns, the company said when it announced its decision.

The products will be replaced with different active ingredients beginning in 2023, following reviews by the EPA and state regulatory bodies. January 2023 was the earliest the change could reasonably be implemented, Bayer Crop Science Division president Liam Condon told AgWeb.

This is from a regulatory and logistical point of view (of whats) possible, Condon said during a conference call with investors, as AgWeb reported.

For an expert review of companies that use environmentally friendly lawn care practices, be sure to check out our lawn care companies guide.
WASHINGTON  Nissan North America is recalling 120,329 vehicles, including the 2016-'17 Nissan Maxima sedan equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, because a brake fluid leak increases the risk of a fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2015-'17 Nissan Murano SUV equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control and the 2015-'16 Nissan Murano Hybrid SUV are included in the recall.

"The affected vehicles have antilock brake actuator pumps that may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal electrical circuit board," the NHTSA said in its recall summary. "A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board will result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire."

It added: "When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp may remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start-up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles and to not drive the vehicle."

No accidents, injuries or fatalities have been linked to the recall, Nissan spokesman Steve Yaeger told Edmunds. But there has been "some property damage related to the thermal incidents on the several vehicles outlined in the defect report," he added.

In a chronology filed with the NHTSA, Nissan said it was notified of an incident involving an "alleged thermal damage to a 2016 Nissan Maxima" on June 7, 2016.

From July 2016 to August 2016, Nissan said it "became aware of, inspected and confirmed several additional incidents of thermal damage to the subject vehicles."

The affected Maxima sedans were built from February 10, 2015, to August 19, 2016.

The affected Murano SUVs were built from August 22, 2014, to August 19, 2016.

The affected Murano Hybrid SUVs were built from August 22, 2014, to July 19, 2016.

Nissan dealers will inspect the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary. Nissan told the NHTSA it will notify all owners of potentially affected vehicles by early November. Owners can contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Edmunds says: Owners of these vehicles should follow the NHTSA's instructions and then schedule a service appointment with their dealer once they receive their official recall notice.
The Indian IT industry is estimated to have generated US$146 billion in 2015 contributing approximately 9.5% of Indias GDP, as per NASSCOM estimates. By 2025, this industry is expected to touch US $350 billion mark. The industry currently employs a workforce of about 10 million people with demand expected to increase manifold over the coming years. The governments focus on skill development and strong campaigns like Skill India, Digital India etc. are expected to fuel growth in the sector in the near future.



The need of the hour is for a more holistic education system to fit the new requirements of the industry. Collaboration between government, educational institutes and industry towards building a talented and skilled workforce, ready to meet the new demands of the industry is needed.

Even the best institutes work with programmes that address less than the current, let alone future needs. While the proposal of new IITs and the emergence of new technical/engineering colleges is encouraging, there is still a gap that needs to be worked upon. IT companies in India still face a skill gap  leading to a loss in revenue.

There is a need to include newer practical concepts of training, for example, starting on research work early on in the course. We need to take a look at the jobs of tomorrow  on a global scale  and study the radical developments in the IT space. Consequently, come up with new courses for social, mobile, analytics and cloud. Simultaneously, as domestic markets keep evolving, new product development and product management has to be taken up as well.

Institutes need to take more responsibility as well and join hands with the industry, getting projects, etc. from industry that could help in better practical knowledge. It can also lead to better and easier placement of aspirants through the increase in collaborated research of industry and academia. This will be of great help in bringing students up-to-date with industry requirements. There should be more companies tying up with institutes, be it IITs or private institutes, to give the students a chance to test and learn new, relevant skills with latest products and technologies.

Also, creating job ready manpower to get jobs is not enough. We must also create new entrepreneurs that can create more jobs. Integration of entrepreneurship courses in engineering institutes  as is done in IIT Hyderabad and IIT Patna  is absolutely needed for the holistic growth of the industry.

Challenges

 Rise in the value chain  Global companies are reaching out to countries like China, Philippines etc, which also provide low cost labour. This is adding further pressure on pricing for the Indian IT market. In this scenario, it is important that the Indian IT industry moves up the value chain to high end services like digital services and automation to take a leadership position.

 Current focus on exports  With Digital India, there is a good opportunity to now focus on the domestic market too.

Employment Opportunities

Some of the major IT firms have cut down on their rate of net hiring. In addition to this, since routine IT jobs are being automated, companies are shifting their focus to fewer people with higher skills. Thus, IT is shifting from being a large-scale job provider to fewer high skilled jobs.
Is a longer summer break a good thing for students?

Thats the question raised by a late-summer executive order from Marylands governor that schools across the state not begin classes until after Labor Day , starting in 2017-18. The move has some educators warning about the impact on summer learning loss by low-income students in particular, and a cascade of scheduling complications for local administrators.

The order by Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, will still require schools to provide 180 days of instruction but in a more compressed amount of time. The order also specifies that classes cant end any later than June 15.

Only three other statesMichigan, Minnesota, and Virginiahave laws on the books that school may not start before Labor Day, and all three offer exemptions, as will Maryland.

This policy at first glance looks like a longer summer. Who wants to argue with that? asked Steven Hershkowitz, the spokesman and policy-research specialist for the Maryland State Education Association. But when you start to actually look at the policy implications, this could potentially have a negative effect on education outcomes.

But Amelia Chasse, Hogans deputy communications director, said the governors order doesnt change the number of days students are in class, and studies show that school start date has no impact on academic performance.

She was referring to a study by a nonpartisan task force of teachers, administrators, school board members, PTA members, and legislators that was commissioned by the previous administration. It determined there was no quantifiable evidence that a post-Labor Day start is harmful to local school systems.

Chasse added that the governors order also will prevent the numerous, random and sporadic [teachers] union service days from negatively affecting children and families. This is about returning common sense to the school-calendar-scheduling process.

Pushing Back

The response to Hogans Aug. 31 announcement shows the topics sensitivity. It drew cheers from some in the business community for its potential to boost the tourism and recreation industry, but pushback from some state elected officials, local superintendents, and advocacy groups.

The National Summer Learning Association, a nonprofit that focuses on closing the achievement gap by increasing access to high-quality summer learning programs, issued a statement saying that Hogans mandate may be a boost to tourism dollars, but at the detriment to many students throughout the state.

Sarah Pitcock, the summer learning groups CEO, said the concern is that a longer summer break could cause the achievement gap to grow.

This decision really flies in the face of a lot of research that exists that tells us that we need to do the opposite, said Pitcock. We need to make sure that kids have more opportunities to learn during the summer. It could be the case that the governor plans to ensure that schools and libraries and rec centers are well-resourced and open also during that longer time in the summer, and he certainly has every opportunity to make that change as well.

If that is the governors plan, he hasnt announced it yet.

The effect of poverty on academic outcomes is a worry for the leaders of Baltimore city schools, where 85 percent of the students came from poor families in the 2015-16 school year.

Were very concerned about summer learning loss, and so, if anything, were trying to figure out ways to shorten the time between when school ends in the summer and when it begins again in the fall through enrichment activities for our kids, said Alison Perkins-Cohen, the districts chief of staff. Extending that period of time when theres not a lot of opportunities for inner-city students to have camps and activities and not a lot of employment opportunities, thats a challenge for us.

Administrators also have to consider making sure students have adequate time to prepare for end-of-year and Advanced Placement tests, which will still be administered at the same time even if the school year begins later.

Part of the opposition relates to the loss of local control and may stem from the stress of tinkering with a school calendar, which is always challenging.

Baltimore County schools Superintendent S. Dallas Dance said he wasnt surprised by Hogans mandate that school not start before Labor Day. After all, that idea had been bandied about in the state legislature for years.

But he was surprised that Hogans order included June 15 as the latest date that classes could end. State law already requires 180 days of instruction with 1,080 hours required in elementary and middle schools and 1,170 hours required at the high school level.

Dance maintained that doesnt leave a lot of wiggle room.

Depending on how bad a winter season might be, this could actually take us further into the summer, said Dance. School systems will be strapped to find those days within the school year, which means for us looking at days that are off for spring break, days that are off for religious holidays.

In order to comply with the new mandate, Dance said his district may ask for waivers to attend class on holidays such as Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Presidents Day.

When Hogan made his announcement on the boardwalk in the Atlantic resort community of Ocean City, he specifically mentioned Baltimore County.

August is the second-hottest month of the year here in Maryland, he said. A later start date will even prevent Baltimore County, which has unfortunately failed to air condition its schools, from losing so many days of school due to heat-related closures.

Local-Control Issue

Currently, the Baltimore County district has 37 schools and program sites without air conditioning. Dance said theres a plan to cut that down to 11 at the beginning of next school year, and over the next two years, to have all those schools outfitted with central air.

Still, he said last week, with the climate changing, whether its before or after Labor Day, you run the risk of classes being hot, said Dance. In fact, schools without air conditioning were closed at least two days last week.

While Hogan mentioned sweltering classrooms, his main focus during the announcement was the impact of the executive order on tourism around the state. He stressed the importance of family-vacation time for recreation and the need to support business interests in the state.

This isnt just a family issue, he said, adding that its also an economic ... issue.

Business Impact

The head of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce is a big supporter of the new mandate. Melanie Pursel, the chambers executive director, lobbied the state legislature for years to make a post-Labor Day school start the law and was overjoyed when Hogan filed his executive order.

As you probably have been told, local jurisdictions feel it should be their decision on how to accomplish their 180-day schedule, she wrote in an email. However, evidence and research suggest that this small change in the schedule would have a dramatic impact on the states economy, thereby increasing taxes that would ultimately benefit the states school system.

And the public seems to be on the governors side. A poll conducted last year by researchers at Goucher College found that 72 percent of Maryland residents favored a statewide mandate to begin school after Labor Day.

The waivers from the new requirementwhich would be granted by the state department of education to districts that can show compelling justification"may also offer a safety valve, as they have in other states.

In Virginia this school year, 84 out of 132 school divisions, which are similar to districts, have received waivers. While that accounts for more than 60 percent of Virginia school divisions, all but four of the waivers were granted for weather-related reasons. In Michigan, the number of waivers granted grew from nine in 2007 to 100 in 2015.

Administrators in both the Baltimore city and county schools already say waivers are something they would consider.
If Donald Trump were in school, many of his comments would earn him a trip to the principals office.

Thats according to many educators across the country, who say they are struggling with how to teach an election cycle that has inflamed racial and ethnic tensions, sparked name-calling between the Republican presidential nominee and Democratic standard-bearer Hillary Clinton, and drawn stark lines betweenand even withinthe parties.

Some teachers say they have found themselves trying to strike a balance with their own code of ethics as educators: They feel they have a responsibility to condemn some of Trumps controversial remarks, despite their wish to maintain objectivity in front of their students.

I try to be very neutral in classthats always been my philosophy, said Erik Anderson, a U.S. government teacher at Valley View Middle School in Edina, Minn. Probably for the first time, there have been some things said in the campaign that I cant just ignore. I have to say, This isnt right. I dont remember ever before being unable to play it right down the middle.

Trumps comments on immigration, in particular, have struck a nerve with Anderson and other teachers. The GOP candidate has called for large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants, the construction of a massive wall along the U.S.-Mexican border, and an outright ban on Muslim immigration.

Its not so much the policyits some of the words used, some of the hyperbole thats thrown out there, and the personal nature of things. I would have a hard time looking some of my kids in the eye if I didnt say anything, Anderson said.

In an unscientific survey conducted in April, Teaching Tolerance, an educational project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, found that 40 percent of 2,000 teachers who participated were hesitant to teach about the campaign at all. As the new school year gets underway, many teachers are still reluctant, said Maureen Costello, the director of Teaching Tolerance.

For the most part, the concern is not coming from administrators, she said. Rather, classroom teachers are wary of their own ability to navigate the tensions.

Protective Instincts

Of course, not all teachers are unsympathetic to Trump. There are several Teachers for Trump social-media groups, for example. But teachers from those groups did not respond to requests for comment for this article.

Sean Hiland, a high school social studies teacher in Atlanta who tweets and blogs under the handle Conservative Teacher, plans to vote for Trump. He said he tries not to broadcast his political beliefs to his students but, instead, encourages them to look past the rhetoric coming from both parties.

I dont let my kids take anything a politician says at face value, Hiland said. I dont want to breed cynics, but I dont want them to be naive voters either.

Indeed, having students analyze issues beyond the campaign rhetoric is one of many ways that teachers are approaching the 2016 election, said Meira Levinson, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education who has been holding professional-development sessions on the election with teachers.

Some teachers have decided to facilitate strictly issue-based discussions, she said. Others have tried to put the electionand Trumps rise in popularityin historical context.

Some teachers say they will teach about the election as in previous years but be more careful with setting the ground rules on acceptable classroom discourse. Still others are focusing on teaching their students how to analyze media reports and notice biases.

Justin Christensen, an Advanced Placement U.S. Government teacher at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, put it this way: In my classroom, were not here to say, I like this person, I like that person. Were here to be political scientists.

Still, Levinson said, many teachers are still wrestling and stuck. Grown men started to tear up as they talked about this. They said, Ive been thinking about this all summer long. What am I going to do? 

Such teachers, she said, are committed to ensuring that their classrooms are safe spaces for their students, particularly those of color or from marginalized communities. At the same time, theyre worried that parents might complain to the schools administration if they take a stance against a candidate in the classroom.

Educators say the divisive and inflammatory rhetoric in this campaign cycle has caused some studentsparticularly undocumented students, children of immigrants, and Muslim studentsto feel unsafe and concerned about their futures if Trump is elected. That has sparked teachers protective instincts.

It doesnt feel like I can say, There are two candidates and you should make up your own mind,  said Luke Carman, a math teacher at Albany Park Multicultural Academy in Chicago, which is almost 80 percent Hispanic. Its obvious, but I still feel like they should hear, No, Im not voting for Donald Trump. No, I dont support the rhetoric thats coming from his campaign, because I fundamentally love and care about you as human beings. 

At the same time, teachers are concerned about making sure students who support Trump feel protected to voice their views.

The challenge of this election is how do you respond in the moment to a kid who says something that violates your schools norms, or the norms of the classroom, without silencing the student or leading them to accuse you of endorsing the other candidate, said Jonathan Gold, a middle school history teacher in Providence, R.I.

Mock-Election Troubles

Kyle Redford, a 5th grade teacher at Marin Country Day School in Corte Madera, Calif., and an opinion blogger for Education Week Teacher, said she wants to make sure both her students from Republican families and students who might feel personally threatened by Trumps rhetoric feel supported. But if those two sides come into conflict, she said, she would feel comfortable stepping in to defend the latter group.

Weve already seen kids using Trumps language against each other. ... If Trump gets elected, your family has to go home. Its really hurtful, Redford said.

Costello noted her group, Teaching Tolerance, has created a Speak Up for Civility contract for educators, other school staff members, and parents to sign, asking them to refrain from name-calling and stereotyping to model good citizenship for students.

Teachers had requested a resource like this, she said. On the day of its release, about 1,000 copies were downloaded.

Teaching Election 2016 For teachers wrestling with how to best approach the election in the classroom, several groups are offering support, lesson ideas, and teaching materials. Letters to the Next President 2.0. Students can write letters to the next president about the issue that matters most to them, and the National Writing Project and PBS member station KQED will publish the letters through Election Day. Teaching Tolerance Election 2016 Resources. The Southern Poverty Law Centers educational branch has compiled resources for teachers on the election, including a civility contract, civic activities for students, and webinars for professional development. iCivics. The free provider of civics curriculum has a collection of election resources to teach students about the basics of democracyincluding an interactive digital game where students manage their own presidential campaign to win electoral votes and popular support. C-Span Classroom. This collection of election resources focuses on primary sources, including both historical and current video clips of various aspects of the election process, with related discussion questions, handouts, and activity ideas. Join the Debates. This project provides teachers and students free curricular materials to have collaborative discussions on issues that are prominent in the presidential campaign and debates.

The 2016 presidential campaign has also put a damper on one of the civic-minded traditions in U.S. schools: the mock election. This year, the exercise could lead to problems, some educators say, particularly if students are given the roles of impersonating the candidates and trying to win classmates votes.

I would not recommend it this year, because it encourages caricature and it just opens the door to the kind of language that doesnt belong in school, Costello said.

Kelly Wickham Hurst, a former educator and the founder of the advocacy group Being Black at School, started a Twitter hashtag, #blockthemock, to discourage educators from hosting mock elections, particularly for the sake of children of color.

To impersonate candidatesI think it would be very, very dangerous and damaging to children, she said. It would inflame some of the racial and ethnic tensions that kids are already hearing on the news.

Some schools are finding alternate ways to conduct mock elections. Hiland, the Atlanta teacher who supports Trump, said he will continue to host his schools mock election but will conduct it in a panel format, with a student moderator and two panels of students representing both Trump and Clinton. He did that in 2008 and said it resulted in a greater a focus on the issues, as opposed to the candidates personalities.

High-Stakes Teaching

Even the National Student/Parent Mock Election is discouraging the impersonation element.

Discretion is the better part of valor, said Gloria Kirshner, the co-founder and president of the program (of which Clinton has been a board member since 1987). Were never mentioning the candidates by name this year. Weve given teachers a great deal of thoughtful ideas for kids to think about, rather than the usual he said, she said. 

Despite the myriad of challenges of teaching the 2016 election, however, many teachers also see it as a unique opportunity.

I think Im going to have students who have never cared more about history class, Gold, the Rhode Island history teacher, said. Theyre going to want to understand all of this, and theyre going to want to talk to someone about this.

And the stakes are high, educators say. You cant go into autopilot this year, Redford said. Everything is so potentially explosive that it makes you feel unsafe getting near it, but its too important. Its our democracy; its our election. You cant pretend its not happening. Its not going away.
Our educational system isnt working well anymore for young people unless they are brilliant, rich, or, better still, both. It fails to provide meaningful career training for the two-thirds or more who wont ever get a college degree. And it costs those who do get degrees more than is reasonably affordable.

In the current presidential campaign, these problems have risen to the national stage. Politicians from both parties have championed college affordability. Hillary Clinton said at her nominating convention that a four-year degree should not be the only path to a good job. These positions are all to the good, but its time to consider a more comprehensive response: universal national service for everyone after high school.

If properly structured, this national service would teach participants vocational and occupational skills and provide them financial credits for a college education thereafter. It would strengthen our military, refresh the countrys infrastructure, and enhance social services for those most in need.

The notion of universal service for the countrys youths is not new. Over a hundred years ago, in his much-quoted essay The Moral Equivalent of War, the philosopher William James called for the conscription of the whole youthful population so that injustice would tend to be evened out and our young would get the childishness knocked out of them.

Franklin D. Roosevelts Civilian Conservation Corps was the closest our country has come to accepting this notion. The CCC was voluntary, but at one time arranged for close to 3 million corps members to work in its more than 4,000 camps. They planted something in excess of 3 billion trees and developed many hundreds of parks that remain in full use today. Later came John F. Kennedys Peace Corps. Like the CCC, it was less than universal. By the late 1960s, at its peak, the Peace Corps had around 15,000 volunteers. When President Bill Clinton established AmeriCorps in 1993, 49 governors offered their bipartisan support to the programs strengthening and reauthorization; today, there are 75,000 AmeriCorps service engagements every year.

But we have never had a truly universal national-service program. It is time we did.

My notion of universal national service would call for every young person between the ages of 17 and 22 to perform at least one year of service in an approved field. A second-year re-enlistment would be available on a voluntary basis. The work to which the young people could choose to be assigned would be in one of three areas:

Universal national service offers the only workable answer to the major issues in American education compatible with cultural realities."

1) Military: On the military side, where compensation would almost surely be highest and a two-year enlistment likely required, the need is obvious. The military is one of the most ethnically diverse organizations in the country. Measured by family income, however, the military is far less diverse. The national service program would make it far more so.

2) Infrastructure: Potentially useful work on the maintenance and creation of American infrastructure is not hard to identify. Many young hands could be used to build roads and bridges, assist in hazardous- and solid-waste disposal, assure safe drinking-water supplies, and even revitalize crumbling school facilities. They could also help green the economy for independence, efficiency, and sustainability. Strengthening infrastructure represents an investment in future economic prosperity; our parents and grandparents generations understood and acknowledged this better than we seem to.

3) Social Services: The opportunities are legion on the social-services side. Service-commitment jobs under the umbrellas of AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Learn and Serve America, the Peace Corps, Teach For America, and other initiatives are already doing much of what a universal program would encourage-and there is always more to be done.

The nexus between universal national service and education may not be obvious at first. However, universal national service offers the only workable answer to the major issues in American education compatible with cultural realities.

The right program would trade service for financing in the case of the college-bound contingent and provide the absent vocational training for those ending their academic training after high school. It would give a boon to the rest of us, in the form of useful military, infrastructure, and social-service enhancements. It would also enhance patriotism and our sense of inclusive common purpose.

Conscription in World War I and World War II, as many who experienced it later attested, helped meld a disparate population of immigrants, industrial workers, and farmers into the nation that became the envy of the world. Universal service would provide a healthy wake-up call for a divided nation and a lesson to both rich and poor in our fundamental sameness. False prejudices and narrow suspicion would surely be reduced if everyone spent some time laboring side by side with others of differing stripes and origins. Our nations pride, compassion, and national unity would all be increased. National service would be a transformational leap for education, for the kids, and for the country.
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.
The United Nations General Assembly will convene a high-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants on 19 September 2016.

Watch the conference

This is the first time the UN General Assembly has called for a summit at the Heads of State and Government level on large movements of refugees and migrants - a historic opportunity to come up with a blueprint for a better international response.

The European Investment Bank will take part in this event. EIB President Werner Hoyer will present the recent migration-related efforts of the EU Bank at a roundtable about International action and cooperation on refugees and migrants and issues related to displacement: the way ahead. The roundtable will be hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Queen Rania of Jordan.

This UN Summit is a watershed moment to strengthen governance of international migration and a unique opportunity for creating a more responsible, predictable system for responding to large movements of refugees and migrants.
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
Election meetings in five constituencies

With just over a week until the Island goes to the polls, there's another chance for the public to hear from election candidates today.

Five constituencies are holding requisition meetings tonight ahead of next Thursday's House of Keys General Election.

Douglas North, Ramsey, Middle and Arbory, Castletown & Malew all have meetings starting at 7.30pm.

Voters in Ayre & Michael can hear from their candidates at 7pm.

The meetings are taking place at Willaston Methodist Church, Ramsey Grammar's west building, Arbory Parish Hall, Marown Primary School and Andreas Parish Hall respectively.
JSE- and Luxembourg-listed MAS Real Estate, reports a strong results for the year to end-June 2016 marked by a 63% increase in rental income and a 34% increase.

MAS Real Estate (MSP) the Europe-focused commercial property investor developer and operator listed on the JSE and in Luxembourg has reported strong results for the year to end-June 2016 marked by a 63% increase in rental income and a 34% increase in final distribution to 4.5 euro cents per share.

We have made substantial progress during the financial year and the portfolio is coming of age with substantial developments delivered on time and on budget. We have now begun to roll out our updated strategy for the group which focuses on delivering a high quality and growing income distribution per share including through expansion into the Central and Eastern European (CEE) regions said CEO Lukas Nakos.

MASs updated strategy includes expanding its target markets to include the growing economies of Central and Eastern Europe through a joint venture with the developers and investors at Prime Kapital.

MAS intends to invest >sav<>f 2001<a>res<200m in the joint venture over the next four years as it rebalances its portfolio across Europe.

We are very excited about the joint venture with Prime Kapital. The team brings exceptional development investment and financing experience in CEE to the table. There are attractive opportunities in the region backed by a combination of relatively high initial acquisition yields substantial growth prospects and attractive debt terms that will deliver strong returns on equity said Nakos.

South African investors have bought into European property stocks such as MAS as they look to hedge against rand volatility and are attracted to euro-denominated returns. The CEE region is also attractive as it is growing off a low base with many Eastern European countries receiving listed real estate investment for the first time.

source: BDpro
Written by ACM





*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Just 1 Day before a "State of the Union" Public Debate at EU Parliament's full Plenary Session in Strasbourg, with one among the most Experienced Euro-Politicians, EU Commission's new President Jean-Claude Juncker, a long-time Prime former Prime Minister of Luxembourg as well as f. Chairman of "EuroGroup", and 2 Days before a Crucial, Exceptional EU 27 Heads of State/Government Summit in Bratislava on Europe's Present and Future after UK's BREXIT and various other Serious Recent Developments, the new President of the European Council, former Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, felt the Need to take the unusual Initiative to write and publish Today a both Dramatic-looking, but also "Realisticaly Optimist", as he says, official Letter to EU Leaders, practicaly Urging them to Timely Respond to the main current concerns of the European People, based on Solid Basics.



After Meeting with almost all 27 EU Member States' Leaders, President Tusk allowed himself "some Personal Reflexions", striving to make "an Honest Assessment", for "the Best possible Basis for Building our Future Together", as he wrote.



"We are ... at a particularly Historic Moment", after "the 1st ever decision of a Country to Leave the EU", (i.e. the UK, which had, however, done a Lot of Efforts in the Past in order to be Accepted inside the EU from the 1970ies), in a Wider Context of "Turbulent Times, Marked by Crises and Conflicts", just "a Few Months" before the EU turns 60 y.o., Tusk reminds from the outset.



In Fact, (Joining a recent "Eurofora"s Analysis, See : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/brexitparadox.html), he stresses that "the BREXIT Vote (by a Majority of the British People) was a Desperate Attempt to Answer Questons that Millions of Europeans Ask themselves Daily", and concerning "the very Essence of Politics" :



I.e. "about ... Security of the (EU) Citizens and their Territory, ... about the Protection of their Interests, Cultural Heritage, and Way of Life". So that, "We (EU) would Have to Face", "these Questions", at any case, "even if the UK had voted to remain".



Indeed, "People in Europe want to know if the Political Elites are capable of restoring Control over Events and processes which Overwhelm, Disorientate, and sometimes Terrify them", President Tusk warned, speaking also after a notoriously Exceptional "Hot" Summer, which included various Deadly Attacks against Innocent Civilian People by Extremist Islamistic Terrorists, in France, Germany, the UK, Austria, even Switzerland, etc., almost in Parallel with several Bands of Irregular Migrants, massively brought in by Turkish Smugglers, slyly Aggressing, including by Mobsters' Brutality, defenseless Young Girls, sometimes Aged only 14, and even Young Boys, almost Kids, (See various unprecedented Violent Incidents, particularly in Germany, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, the UK, etc).



- That's why, "quite Rightly", "People ... Expect their Leaders to Protect the space they live in and ensure their security. If the Belief that we have Abandoned this responsibility is Further strengthened, they Will start Looking for Alternatives. And they Will Find them", Tusk Warns, speaking shortly after various atypical Rightist a.o. Political Parties notoriously Started Recently to Mushroom accross several European Countries, not only in the UK, but also in France, Germany, Austria, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Croatia, Sweden, etc.



- "The Migration Crisis was the Tipping Point. Last year's (2015) Chaos on our Borders, ...every Day ...Hundreds of Thousands of people Moving across our continent withOut Any Control, created a feeling of Threat among many Europeans", who "had to Wait Too Long for action to bring the situation under Control, such as (1st) the Closure of the Western Balkan Route (since Mid-February 2016 ; Comp., f.ex. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/unpopulareuvisafreefor80millionsturksuseless.html + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/weltadoptseuroforaviewonuselesseuturkeymigrantsdealafternewthreat.html), and (2nd) the EU-Turkey Deal", (from the End of March-Beginning of April 2016).



- But, "Instead, ....they heard "Politically Correct Statements", f.ex. "that Europe canNot become a Fortress", that it "must remain Open", etc.. All this "Weakened Citizens' Trust in their Governments, ...and in the wider Establishment, already Undermined since the (2008-2009+) Financial Crisis". he observed.



-"We do Not have too much Time to spare" : "We Must Demonstrate to our Citizens that we are willing and able to Protect them from a repeat of the Chaos of 2015", Warned Tusk, while France, soon followed by Germany and several Other Key EU Countries, Starts already to Prepare Crucial Elections for 2017.



+ "It is equally important to Combat Terrorism Effectively", he stressed, after an Unprecedented Long Series of Various Deadly Terrorist Attacks by Islamistic Extremists during this Summer, in many EU Countries (and even in the US, Australia, etc) : "Someone must Give back to Europeans their sense of Security", he urged.



- "And ...we must do more to Fight Radicalisation", But, withOut Genuine Determination to Fight Terrorist threats, we will Fail to Stem radical and increasingly aAggressive behaviour", President Tusk Warned, reminding also "the Fact that ...it was (found) Not possible to Prevent a number of Attacks".



++ Moreover, "Our Citizens also Expect the EU to better Protect their Economic and Social interests", and "Stand By them in the Confrontation with Outside Competitors", President Tusk added. "Free trade and global competition lie in the interest of Europeans, But ...they Pose significant and often Unprecedented Challenges", he pointed out.



- Howewer, the above-mentioned Crucial Points "are Insufficient", withOut also "Other equally Important endeavours", "such as Economic and Social Development, Jobs and opportunities for the Young, the single Market, the Digital agenda and Investments", EU President Tusk added.



____________________________________





=> Therefore, "Bratislava (EU Summit) will have to be a Turning Point", he Urged : "Business as Usual is Not an option".



EU Leaders should "also provide a Road Map" :



>>> "Effective Control of our External Borders comes First", from that September 2016 Summit in Slovakia.



- At the forthcoming "October (2016) European Council Summit", "our (EU's) Relations with Russia will be Reviewed", (i.e. just after the September Elections in Moscow).



- "In December" 2016, we shall seek "to Strengthen Practical Cooperation in Defence".



- "Later (i.e. in 2017), we will ..come back to ...the Banking Union and the further development of the Economic and Monetary Union". (etc).



--------------------



- "The Future of Europe will Depend ....on how we Handle the Migration Crisis, Terrorism, and the fears associated with Globalisation", while also ensuring "Development", Tusk resumed.



In Wider terms, "it is ...Crucial to restore the Balance between the need for Freedom and Security, and between the need for Openness and Protection", he advised.



- "Rebuilding ...Trust, has become an Urgent Necessity", with "Rapid Action, and a .. European Strategy", by National Governments and EU Institutions, able "to Control the Sirtuation" and Protect EU Citizens from such "Threats", (See Above).



- "The main Instruments in this field remain at National level, but we (EU) can and must do More Together".



As long as "We will Not ... change the EU into a Single State", "it will be Crucial for the Member States to better Cooperate ...to bring our Forces Together in the Union". "The Keys .... lie in National Capitals. The (EU) Institutions should Support the priorities as Agreed among Member States", which have to "Change Attitude".



---------------------------------



>>> "There is No Fatalism ..., everything is still in Our Hands", and "our Countries' Potential" is "More than Enough", in order "to Believe in Europe and its Ability", Donald Tusk Firmly Stressed.



After a "Critical Diagnosis", "there is ample room for "Real - Optimism", as he said.



In fact, Tusk rejected any "Gatopardo"-like attitude, as the Italian Writer di Lampedusa had named those who Pretend to "Change Everything, if (they) want things to Stay as they are", in substance...



=> On the Contrary, "We (EU) Must ... Preserve what is Best", and "Take ..., in fact, Simple Decisions", he urged.



Even if they might be "Difficult", nevertheless, "What we Need is a Strong political Will and Imagination !", Tusk Concluded.



---------------------------------------



Meanwhile, Welcoming the preparations for the forthcoming EU Summit in Bratislava, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who currently Chairs EU Council, (Comp. Fico's Reply to "Eurofora" Question in a Press Conference at June 2016 EU Summit in Brussels : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/ficomigrationpolicymightpushbrexits.html), anounced that he would be Glad if it Succeeded to set up running "a Process", due to be Further Developed, later-on, also by Similar EU 27 Summits in Malta and Italy on "Spring 2017", when the EU is due to celebrate its "60th Anniversary", (eventualy followed by Estonia at the second half of Next Year).



As for the Slovak Foreign Minister, Miroslav Lajcak, (who is also a FrontRunner Candidate in the still on-going Electoral process for the New UNO Secretary General), "the EU is Not Only a Political Project", because "Culture is what Brings Europe Together", as he stressed on the occasion of the presentation of the Cultural Program of Slovakia's current EU Presidency, earlier this Summer.



Last, but not least, that Crucial, forthcoming Bratislava EU Summit, is scheduled to take place at a Hilltop Castle, which looks both Rock-Solid and Citizen-Friendly, while, after Lunchtime, the 27 EU Leaders are expected to visit a Danube River Museum, which currently Hosts an Exhibition of "European Paintings", including that of Spanish "Miro", Famous for "his Characteristic Language .. reduced to Basic Signs", such as, f.ex., "Pictograms, patterns drawings from PreHistoric Paintings, Childrens' Drawings, and Folk Art".



I.e. just what might Inspire that "Simple", but Important, "Best" Solid Basics' style, that EU Leaders are Today urged to practice for EU's Future, (Comp. Supra)...

(../..)



-------------------------------


The last day of summer 2016 was to be an important date for Uzbekistan, as it celebrated the 25th anniversary of its independence. Solemn official events, as well as festive concerts, were scheduled across the country. Instead of celebrating however, Uzbek officials and ordinary people were waiting for news about the health of president Islam Karimov who, according to an official statement, was admitted to hospital on 28 August.

As it turned out the end of summer became the end of the Karimovs era in Uzbekistan. Officially, he died on the night of the 2nd September and was buried in Samarkand the next day. Thousands of people came to say goodbye to their leader; the funeral procession through Tashkent and Samarkand was greeted with tears and flowers.

Karimov was the leader of Uzbekistan for more than 27 years. Interestingly, 27 years is the average age of citizens of the 32-million-strong republic. Thus the entirety of the first post-independence generation has been born and raised without knowing any other president. The Uzbek political establishment and wider society is now faced with a completely new challenge, as they begin the process of choosing a new leader.

In 2011 Karimov initiated a constitutional reform that turned out to be an important stage of preparation for the transit of power. According to Article 96 of the new Constitution, presidential elections have to be arranged not later than 3 months from the date of the death of the president or since an official recognition of his inability to lead the country. The speaker of the Senate (the upper house of parliament) should act as an acting head of the state for this period. Thus, the speaker of the Senate Nigmatilla T. Yuldashev should have become the interim head of the Republic until the time of the elections.

Due to the nature of the political system of Uzbekistan, the main struggle for power takes place behind the facade of procedure. It is impossible to imagine that the contenders for power would compete for the presidency through elections. The main methods of solution for such a dispute will be through informal negotiations and covert struggle. Due to the deficit of information, we are compelled to analyse the language of official documents and compare which of the contenders for power stood closest to Karimovs coffin during the funeral.

The most likely scenario for the short-term future of Uzbekistan would be the nomination and victory of a candidate agreed by all the main political groups, while a few nominal opponents would be his competitors in the presidential race. The list of potential successors of Karimov is not very long. His eldest daughter Gulnara Karimova was excluded from the presidential race long before it began. Her absence at her fathers funeral only confirmed this. The influential head of the National Security Service (SNB), Rustam Inoyatov is too old to run and has no political ambitions. For a long time he has been the second most powerful person in Uzbekistan, and being an eminence grise is a more usual and familiar role for him.

Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev and vice Prime Minister Rustam Asimov were seen as the most likely candidates for the post of the second president of Uzbekistan. Today, we can see that Mirziyoev has become the obvious leader in the fight. In the beginning, his leadership was largely symbolic. Thus, according to a decision of the Uzbek parliament, he was appointed as the head of the committee organizing the funeral. Later, during the private visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Samarkand, Mirziyoev accompanied him to the Karimovs grave. But afterwards, he and his team decided to act more resolutely. On 8 September, a joint session of the two chambers of parliament took place. The speaker of the Senate Yuldashev announced that he declined to take the position of the interim head of state, and the Prime Minister was appointed to the post instead. Yuidashevs decision seemed to have been made under pressure from Mirziyoyevs group. The Prime Minister and his circle decided to keep all processes in the republic under tight control during the election period.

At the same session parliament decided that early elections will take place on 4th December. Thus, Mirziyoyev, a native of the Jizzakh region, the head of the government since 2003, is the most probable candidate to become the second president of Uzbekistan.

In the first days without Karimov, Uzbekistan has demonstrated a sufficient degree of stability under political system he had created. However this does not exclude the possibility that problems will surface in the short or mid- term.

Most importantly, it is easy to envisage an aggravation of tensions between the leading political groups in the country. During his presidency, Islam Karimov tried to control the political struggles between various clans and balance their influence. The most likely future president, Mirziyoyev, represents the interests of one of the most powerful Samarkand clans. His coming to power jeopardises other groups, first of all the Tashkent clan headed by his competitor Rustam Azimov. Prior to the presidential elections we may see a government reshuffle in which the latter is dismissed. It is possible that the redistribution of influence in the Uzbek economy will follow, as the Samarkand clan will try to assume control over the most profitable sectors.

However, any aggravation of internal political tensions should not lead to any serious destabilisation of the republic. In the political struggle for the succession Mirziyoyev secured for himself the support of the law enforcement agencies, first of all the SNB. As the new president he will try to keep the existing political model with a rigid power-vertical and strong intelligence agencies. The strict line concerning the role of Islam in the republic will also be continued.

For the time being, we should not expect any serious changes in the foreign policy of Uzbekistan. For the new president, the main priority will be to get support and recognition from the key players, such as Russia, China and the US. Only after all internal political issues are resolved and his official status secured, corrections of Uzbek foreign policy priorities can possibly be addressed.

The opinions articulated above represent the views of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Leadership Network or any of its members. The ELNs aim is to encourage debates that will help develop Europes capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security challenges of our time.
Should be taken with about as much importance as a grain of salt. A group of Muslim countries comprise this commission and they have also criticized the US for Human Rights there. Now compared to what goes on in their countries under Sharia Laws, this is laughable.



Fred
Some friends have a piece of land approx 800 m that needs clearing of tall plants and brambles before starting a new build. They have been quoted 2000 which they think is excessive. Has I haven't a clue I wondered if anyone has any comments about that price.



Secondly, are there such places as machinery hire shops in PT where you can rent machines by the hour/day/week? Something like HSS back in the UK. My friends have tried Leroy and Bricomarche who were not able to help. We have turned up one or two possibilities on Yellow Pages but would appreciate any personal recommendations.



Thanks.
From: Allan Colman -- Law Firm Marketing Expert For Immediate Release: Dateline: Los Angeles , CA Wednesday, September 14, 2016

When meeting with business development professionals and their attorneys, we often ask have you ever watched the View? Whether the guest is a celebrity or politician or a fashion designer, the hosts of the program often become so vocal and passionate about a topic that no one listens to the guests  they merely talk over one another. A lot of lawyers and other sales professionals often fall into a similar trap. They spend too much time talking and not nearly enough time asking questions and listening to the needs of their prospects and clients An old adage says, THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS. I would take that notion even further and say that when it comes to sales, yes sales, business development and business generation, not asking the right question is about as unwise as one an get. More important than even asking the right questions is listening to the answers, which serve to clarify your clients expectations and offer an opportunity to expand an engagement. Samples of good questions to ask suspects, prospects and clients are in our last column. About Allan Colman



Business Development Executive, Speaker and Author Dr. Allan Colman understands the challenges facing both entrepreneurs and established businesses. He has advised organizations from 10 to 15,000 employees, customizing growth plans to fit size and industry.



In addition to his thriving consulting firm, Colman co-founded and served as Senior VP of DecisionQuest, working with his partners in growing the firm to 12 locations, selling the company, repurchasing it, increasing its value then selling it again. Before that, Colman served as president of the MCO Company and Litigation Sciences and has been the leader of a 5,600 employee public agency.



As CEO of the Closers Group, a business development advisory, Allan Colman has spent more than two decades helping law firms and professional service firms generate more revenue. He has brought in millions of dollars of new business and built business development structures that continue to perform. His clients call him their MENTOR/TORMENTOR.



Allan is known for his passion in developing pioneering strategies and for his ability to help clients generate business rapidly. He has spent many years listening to in-house counsel and business executives make decisions. Allan understands their reasoning for selecting outside professionals, and has also worked closely with law firms as they select their own advisers and consultants.



Allan holds Masters and Doctorate degrees from New York University. He is a pro bono mediator for the California Court of Appeals and the Los Angeles County Superior Court. His community activities have included Board positions with the Childrens Cancer Research Fund, Los Angeles Council of Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Foundation and California Medical Center Foundation. He was awarded the Masada Samurai Warrior in 2004 by Masada Homes honoring his pro-bono work.



He has served on the Board of Editors for Marketing the Law Firm and has a featured blog, The Red Zone, on the Law Journal Newsletters home page. Professional articles he has written and co-written have appeared in Bloomberg Law Management, National Law Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, Diversity & the Bar, Los Angeles Daily Journal, Strategies, Of Counsel, Minnesota Bench and Bar, and Law 360.



Allan has been a featured speaker at firm-wide events and practice area groups as diverse as Burt Hill (Architects and Engineers), PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Mississippi and Rhode Island Bar Associations, Legal Marketing Association, American Institute of CPAs, Federal Defense and Corporate Counsel, Minority Corporate Counsel Association, National Hispanic Bar Association, and companies such as DuPont, Employers Reinsurance Co., General Electric and Sears. His webinars on business development have been held by several professional associations.




Tuesday, September 13, 2016

[embedded content]

The ACLU of Colorado last week posted the above video of an Aurora, Colorado police encounter with two black citizens last February.

The sequence, drawn from one of the officers body camera, shows Darsean Kelley and another man being stopped by police after they had received a call about a man allegedly pointing a gun on a child, but with no description of the man. Kelley and his companion were standing on the sidewalk in the vicinity of the alleged incident. Police asked the men to sit down, which Kelley said was impossible to do because he had a groin injury. Officers then told both men to put their hands behind their heads and turn around. As his friend remained silent and apparently compliant, Kelley kept his hands raised and asked why he was being detained. Immediately after he said, I know my rights! one of the officers shot him in the back with a stun gun. He fell backwards into the street.

The police then arrested Kelley on a charge of disorderly conduct for failing to obey a lawful order. In his report, the officer wrote that he thought he might be reaching for a weapon. The ACLU of Colorado then filed a motion to dismiss the case arguing that Kelley was unlawfully detained and arrested without probable cause or reasonable suspicion.

Observations:

1. Kelley and the other man were unlawfully detained and arrested. Were they unlawfully stopped? No. The police could stop men in the vicinity of a complaint like the one they had received in order to investigate it. When people become belligerent or uncooperative during such legal stops, cops sometimes become suspicious, or decide to use their power to stick it to an individual who shows hostility when the officers feel they are just doing their jobs, or trying to. This is when such situations escalate.

Im sure the officers regarded the I cant sit down claim as suspicious and provocative. I would. Note that no harm befell the other man, who remained quiet and followed the officers instructions. This is the correct way to respond.

2. Im sure Kelley felt that he was being stopped for being black. I would if I were him. How are police officers today supposed to allay this suspicion at the outset of a legitimate stop? (Or maybe they WERE stopped for being black)

3. What is the policy for tasing? The typical hierarchy for the use of force in police departments used to be this:

Table 1: Use-of-Force Continuum Suspect resistance Officer use of force 1. No resistance 1. Officer presence 2. Verbal noncompliance 2. Verbal commands 3. Passive resistance 3. Hands-on tactics, chemical spray 4. Active resistance 4. Intermediate weapons: baton, Taser, strikes, nondeadly force 5. Aggressive resistance 5. Intermediate weapons, intensified techniques, nondeadly force 6. Deadly-force resistance 6. Deadly force (Adapted from the Orlando, Florida Police Departments Resistance and Response Continuum)





After the introduction of more powerful electronic control devices, many departments changed their use-of-force directives for handling suspects who were only passively resisting the lawful orders of the officer, and increased the required level of resistance by suspects to warrant use of stun guns or tasers from passive resistance to active, physical resistance.

Table 2: Levels of Resistance Defined

Passive Resistance The subject fails to obey verbal direction, preventing the officer from taking lawful action. Active Resistance The subjects actions are intended to facilitate an escape or prevent an arrest. The action is not likely to cause injury. Aggressive Resistance The subject has battered or is about to batter an officer, and the subjects action is likely to cause injury. Deadly-Force Resistance The subjects actions are likely to cause death or significant bodily harm to the officer or another person. Adapted from the Orlando, Florida, Police Departments Resistance and Response Continuum

I dont know what the Aurora police policy is, but certainly under the kinder, gentler, saner revised standards above, stunning Kelley was excessive. Police brutality is not an unfair description of what he experienced.

4. When Kelley reminded one of the officers that there were witnesses, the officer said, Its all on video, sweetheart. Think about that. The officer either was certain that his actions were justified, or felt that he would not receive any sanctions for even if they were not. Or, in the alternative, hes an idiot.

One way or the other, there is a training failure here.

5. It is troubling that even with this video, the officer still said that he fired the taser because he thought Kelley might have been going for a weapon. This is apparently the default the dog ate my homework excuseor perhaps the shot while trying to escape line from prison movies is more apt for police who know their use of force will be questioned. As a result, police who really did reasonable fear that they were in a life-threatening situation are assumed to be lying too.

6. Why is the ACLU intentionally escalating divisiveness and rhetoric with the snotty caption on the video, Knew his rights, got tased anyway? That tone is inappropriate, and impugns police generally by innuendo. Thats not professional, and its not helpful.

7. What are officers supposed to do when there is a report of a potentially dangerous man with a gun, and no description of him? This seems to me as exactly the kind of scenario that leads to the Ferguson effect, and passive policing. Why try to question anyone when the likelihood that any blacks stopped are going to be hostile and suspicious, and perhaps provoke an incident like this one? From the New York Times:

Murder rates rose significantly in 25 of the nations 100 largest cities last year, according to an analysis by The New York Times of new data compiled from individual police departments.

The findings confirm a trend that was tracked recently in a study published by the National Institute of Justice. The homicide increase in the nations large cities was real and nearly unprecedented, wrote the studys author, Richard Rosenfeld, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis who explored homicide data in 56 large American cities. The Times went to great lengths not to attribute the increase to passive policing, while conservative sources saw confirmation of the theory that the nationwide vilification of police and presumption of misconduct and racism. Colin Kaepernick, recall, is protesting the National Anthem in part because he thinks the fact that police involved in shootings should be suspended without pay before any findings of malice or wrongdoing. 8. Does this seven-months-old episode from one city in Colorado with a peculiar set of circumstances prove that the country, as that renowned social critic and justice system expert asserts, oppresses black people and people of color? No.

___________________________

Pointer: Fred

Source: Police Chief Magazine, Colorlines
Welcome to the News Release Wire Selection Control Panel.

Instant News Wire
Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Americans own a crippling amount of items that clutter our lives. How much stuff do we own, how has this number changed over time, and how does this impact us? This story from BecomingMinimalist.com is eye opening.

Joshua Becker wrote 21 Surprising Statistics That Reveal How Much Stuff We Actually Own. Here are just a few of those surprising statistics:

Most of us know we own too much stuff. We feel the weight and burden of our clutter. We tire of cleaning and managing and organizing. Our toy rooms are messy, our drawers dont close, and our closets are filled from top to bottom. The evidence of clutter is all around us.

Today, increasing data is being collected about our homes, our shopping habits, and our spending. The research is confirming our observation: we own too much stuff. And it is robbing us of life.

Here are 21 surprising statistics about our clutter that help us understand how big of a problem our accumulation has actually become.

1. There are 300,000 items in the average American home (LA Times).

2. The average size of the American home has nearly tripled in size over the past 50 years (NPR).

3. And still, 1 out of every 10 Americans rent offsite storagethe fastest growing segment of the commercial real estate industry over the past four decades. (New York Times Magazine).

4. While 25% of people with two-car garages dont have room to park cars inside them and 32% only have room for one vehicle. (U.S. Department of Energy).

5. The United States has upward of 50,000 storage facilities, more than five times the number of Starbucks. Currently, there is 7.3 square feet of self storage space for every man, woman and child in the nation. Thus, it is physically possible that every American could standall at the same timeunder the total canopy of self storage roofing (SSA).

6. British research found that the average 10-year-old owns 238 toys but plays with just 12 daily (The Telegraph).

7. 3.1% of the worlds children live in America, but they own 40% of the toys consumed globally (UCLA).

8. The average American woman owns 30 outfitsone for every day of the month. In 1930, that figure was nine (Forbes).

9. The average American family spends $1,700 on clothes annually (Forbes).

10. While the average American throws away 65 pounds of clothing per year (Huffington Post).

11. Nearly half of American households dont save any money (Business Insider).

12. But our homes have more television sets than people. And those television sets are turned on for more than a third of the dayeight hours, 14 minutes (USA Today).

13. Some reports indicate we consume twice as many material goods today as we did 50 years ago (The Story of Stuff).

Read the entire list here.

And heres another sobering statistic: Approximately 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every single day. They comprise a full 26% of the American population. They own a lot of stuff and control a lot of money.

Eventually, 100% of them will die, leaving their possessions, their financials, and their funeral plans in the hands of their spouse or kids  if they have them. Yet less than 30% of U.S. adults have done any end-of-life planning, and thats a problem.

How can this Silver Tsunami generation avoid leaving a disorganized mess? Get a copy of KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die. It is designed to help adults clear their clutter, firm up their financials and leave the world a better place.

The 128-page book, in paperback and eBook formats (to come), is a quick, easy read, with colorful photographs and bonus online information. Each of the 100 Bucket List items include links to helpful internet articles that expand on each point.

Theres also a handy 50-item Executors Checklist, guidance for the person who will take care of your after-death details, available as a free downloadable PDF here.

Order your author-signed copies of the paperback version of KICKING THE BUCKET LIST today for $15.95! Add to Cart

Its also available on Amazon, which named it the #1 New Release in Legal Self-Help! Order the book on Amazon.
Although PBS television host Pati Jinich rhapsodizes easily about regional enchiladas, chiles, black beans and white rice, shes also proud to say she loves Tex-Mex cuisine. Its not Mexican, she acknowledges, but she loves it anyway.

The host of Patis Mexican Table is on a serious roll. Her show has 13 million viewers and she just received the Imagen Award for Best National Informational Program.

Earlier this year, she received two Daytime Emmy nominations and two James Beard nominations. A few months ago, she released her second cookbook, Mexican Today: New and Rediscovered Recipes for Contemporary Kitchens ($30 Rux Martin/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).

And on top of that, the fifth season of her show started this month. This season, it focuses on the Yucatan peninsula.

Quite a journey for a native of Mexico City who began cooking because she was homesick in Dallas after moving there with her husband. Shes a policy analyst turned chef and continues to present special dinners at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C.

Shes coming to San Antonio to present a dinner Sept. 26 to benefit public television station KLRN.

In advance of her visit, the one-time Texan took a few minutes to talk about the state of Mexican cuisine in the U.S. and Mexico, and what she thought of a breakfast taco in San Antonio.

How are the foods you grew up on different from those you cook at home and for your family now?

The food that I eat at home now and what I make for my boys is very similar to what I grew up eating most days. Sopa de letras (alphabet soup), black bean soup, enfrijoladas (a bean-based tortilla dish), enchiladas, arroz con pollo (chicken and rice). We have black beans and white rice all the time. Our basics are very similar.

After being here so many years, I have learned to adapt the things I grew up with. I feel like I do that without sacrificing the soul of the dish or the ingredient, but making my life a little easier with different atajos (shortcuts). On any given night, my kids are eating the same thing their cousins are eating in Mexico.

They are very open to trying new things and exploring new things. On the one hand,  its home cooking for them. But on the other hand, Im always pushing the envelope and saying, OK, we have poblanos and we have them in poblano and potato tacos. What if I make a salad? I thrive on respecting the old, but exploring the new, with respect to the past.

Whats the state of Mexican cuisine in Mexico?

Mexican food north and south of the border has been evolving so wildly, so beautifully. Its very unbridled, everywhere. When I was growing up in Mexico, it was a different scene. It was a little more traditional.

There are a lot of chefs throughout the republic who are playing. I met a couple of chefs in Yucatan who are doing the molecular and the modern and the decomposing. Sometimes those experiments are dreadful and regrettable, but sometimes theyre wonderful, and theyre really pushing to expand Mexican cuisine in beautiful ways.

If you think about Mexican cuisine, it has always been evolving and expanding with the different influx of people, with Africans coming from Africa and the Caribbean and Asians and Lebanese. Its always been in motion, but it has been in the same place for a while. And now it got lit up.

At the same time, north of the border, when I moved to the U.S., there was an idea that the only true Mexican food was south of the border. That everything north of the border was Tex-Mex, not worthy of a Mexican palate, a bastardization of Mexican food, all of those things.

Tex-Mex food has been evolving wildly and incredibly, because more people are playing and more ingredients are accessible. I think Tex-Mex is a beautiful cuisine. Its its own animal. Its not Mexican food. I definitely didnt grow up with Tex-Mex food, but when I moved to Dallas, it was a shock, finding similar dishes, but created in a different way.

Youre one of the few native Mexicans who defend Tex-Mex. How did that happen?

After being here 18 years, the more I realize how much more I need to learn about Mexican cuisine and how much more I need to learn about the United States and its regional cuisines. Mexican and Americans think we know each other and we know our foods and our ways, but we really dont.

You can see it on both sides of the tortilla. Mexican hamburgers are incredible. A hamburger made with chorizo, spread with an avocado aioli  theres nothing bad about that. I have just grown in respect for both. There are many more bridges and many more similarities than we think we have. Just because the U.S. and Mexico are such close neighbors, were blind to recognize our similarities and our differences.

But meanwhile,  all these regional cuisines are expanding north and south of the border, which is are beautiful. You now find fajitas south of the border, and theyre pretty good. You also find Cal-Mex and New Mexico-Mex and healthy Mex and New York-Mex  and we should be open to all these possibilities, because it means more tasty dishes to try.

Whats the most common question you get from viewers?

I get a lot of requests. Its typically things I have never heard of, which I love, which means theyre from different regions in Mexico, and I have to research and explore. I get excited about testing and writing and researching something I dont know. Its a new adventure from me.

People also ask me a lot about Juju (youngest son, Julian, 10). I went on a book tour in 22 cities. Everywhere I went, Wheres Juju? Its just really incredible what TV does. I have always wanted to do a show in my kitchen. Im very transparent. If Im saying Im doing a show in my kitchen, it better be in my kitchen. And because we do it in my kitchen, my kids are here all the time, especially this season. It has become such an organic part. If it were up to Juju, he would be in every single episode.

Have you ever had a San Antonio-style breakfast taco?

I love them! I have had some amazing ones in the San Antonio airport, with the red salsa they give you in the plastic thing with the lid. It was with sausage. It was an insane breakfast taco. I love breakfast tacos. But with no sour cream.

etijerina@express-news.net

@etij
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A jury handed the lightest possible murder sentence to Frances Hall, agreeing with defense lawyers that she acted out of sudden passion when she knocked her husbands motorcycle off a highway while chasing his lover in another vehicle almost three years ago.

Hall, 53, was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison at the end of three-week trial marked by wildly conflicting testimony and capped by her crying, emotional denials Monday that she killed Bill Hall Jr., who she described as the love of her life.

The sentence will run concurrently with a two-year term for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for ramming her Cadillac Escalade into a Range Rover driven by Bonnie Contreras, who recently had asserted her primacy to the affections of Bill Hall and, prosecutors said, drove a furious Frances Hall to cause his death on South Loop 1604 on Oct. 10, 2013.

When state District Judge Jefferson Moore read the sentence, the gallery erupted in gasps of relief. Almost every seat was filled with relatives of both husband and wife, who had interacted with a marked civility during breaks in the three-week trial.

Hall could be eligible for parole in a year. The jury convicted her Thursday.

Im grateful she is getting a lesser sentence, said Justin Hall, the couples son, who with his sister, Dominique Nikki Hall, have been at the trial daily to support their mother. Shes our rock. She pulled everybody together. I dont feel that she should be going to prison.

Contreras also was in the courtroom to hear the sentence, escorted by armed investigators from the Bexar County District Attorney's Office. They whisked her out after it was read.

Contreras had testified that Bill Hall, 50, a trucking company owner, had paid for her housing, upkeep and perks in an affair that had lasted three years. Frances Hall, during the punishment phase of the trial, testified that she loved her husband and was unaware of the relationship until Contreras phoned her to tell her.

Weeks later, she saw her husband on his motorcyle and Contreras behind the wheel of the Hall couples Range Rover. Frances Hall was on her way home to Helotes to host a few family members after watching a niece's volleyball game at Southwest High School. Instead, she made a U-turn intending to follow and confront Contreras, so she could tell her to leave them alone.

Contreras had testified that Frances Hall chased her down the highway and hit the Range Rover up to 16 times as both women hit speeds of more than 70 mph. Contreras said when Bill Hall Jr. got between the women, Frances Hall hit the bike from behind.

She didnt stop at all, Contreras testified. She kept hitting me. I didnt know what to do.

Frances Hall told the jury Monday she never hit the Range Rover. Bill Hall ended up riding next to her on the shoulder, and she was forced to brake, felt her vehicle shake and saw her right rear window was broken but didnt realize at first that Bill Hall had tumbled to a fatal injury as she kept driving, she said.

Prosecution experts agreed the collision occured side-by-side and said the evidence pointed to the SUV hitting the motorcycle  while defense experts said the motorcyle hit the SUV.

The defense experts said there was no sign the Escalade hit the Range Rover. Prosecution experts said the physical evidence indicated the Range Rover had been struck twice.

Defense attorneys had implored the jurors to consider sudden passion as a mitigating factor as they decided Halls punishment, defined under Texas law as directly provoked by the individual killed or another acting with the person killed, at the time of the offense and not solely the result of former provocation.

By agreeing, the jury reduced the punishment range for murder to that of a second-degree felony, two to 20 years.

Defense attorney Adam Cortez argued that Frances Hall is a loving person driven to that moment on the highway by Contreras, who had tormented her. The snap decision to chase Contreras and the resulting collision, is something she did that you wouldn't expect from a woman who has no criminal history, Cortez said.

In her closing arguments, another defense attorney, Leigh Cutter, said Contreras had called Frances Hall to tell her about the affair because she was mad at Bill Hall for not giving her money for a manicure.

Frances caused the death of her husband in a state of passion, as a direct result of Contreras sending texts, making phone calls and showing up at a hotel when the Halls were trying to mend their marriage, Cutter said.

Prosecutor Scott Simpson told the jury that the clear desire of Frances Halls family not to see her punished carried an undercurrent of a belief that they are above the law, but he added, You shouldnt feel bad for doing what you think is right.

Another prosecutor, Stephanie Paulissen, pointed to Frances Halls own statement from the stand Monday: Nobody could have him because he was mine.

That's why she went after Bonnie, Paulissen told the jury. She went after her real target.

It took the jury about three hours to decide on punishment Tuesday.

ezavala@express-news.net

Twitter: @elizabeth2863
SALEM, Ohio  A couple years of low milk prices have some dairy farmers thinking back to 2009, when most farmers were losing money by the cow and facing the possibility of going out of business.

From October 2014 through April 2016, prices for milk fell by about 40 percent, with some improvement over the summer, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The difference  this time around  is that prices have not dipped quite as low  and feed costs are not as high. In 2009, the dairy farmers margin  or the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost, to produce 100 pounds of milk  reached a low of negative 15 cents in June of 2009.

By contrast, the current cycle hit a margin low of $4.14 in July 2015, and improved slightly by the end of 2015, to $6.46.

While better than 2009, those margins are still pressuring the dairy industry, and do not include costs like equipment, labor and the many other expenses of running a dairy farm.

Signs of hope

The Class III price for 100 pounds (cwt.) of milk in August was $16.91, a favorable increase of $1.67 over the previous month, and 64 cents higher than August 2015. Class II milk increased five cents in August 2016, to $15.21 per cwt.

But the prices are still lower than most farmers like  and need  especially smaller farms and those with higher production costs.

According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture chart that tracks production costs per size of herd, herds of 50-99 cows spend about $20.82 in total operating costs, to produce 100 pounds of milk. Farmers who milk 500-999 cows spend an average of $18.33 per 100 pounds.

A lot of smaller dairies are struggling, said Kenny Rufener, a dairy farmer from Congress Lake Farms in Portage County.

Rufeners family milks about 650 head of Holsteins  still not a large farm by many standards. He said theres not much that farmers like himself can do, other than bear the lows and hope that new demand comes along, bringing better prices.

Hanging on

Richard Owen, who milks about 70 head of Holsteins and Jerseys in Hadley, Pennsylvania, said smaller dairies are in more of a survival mode than anything else.

You just have to make cutbacks, or whatever you have to do, said Owen, who spoke to Farm and Dairy at the Portage County Fair.

Owen said he has at least one incentive with his Jerseys  they produce better components, like butterfat, which leads to better component pricing.

The way he sees it, dairymen have two main options: market milk more effectively or produce milk more efficiently.

Input costs

Lower grain prices have helped with that effort, but higher costs for equipment, land and rent remain a challenge.

Greg Conrad, a dairy farmer who milks Holsteins and Ayrshires in Pickaway County, said dairymen have come to expect the volatility, even though it isnt easy.

Its just one of those thing we live with from time to time, he said. If youve been in the dairy industry a long time, you know that these moments come about all too often.

Conrad, who serves on the Ohio Dairy Producers Association board, said the issue was compounded by a dry growing season for many Ohio farmers  which affected the corn and especially the hay cuttings that dairymen need.

Owen said he knows some livestock farmers who turned to crop farming during the last low-price cycle. But now that crop prices are low  that venture isnt paying out, either.

Its just a complicated issue, he said.

Deciding to sell

A few dairy farmers have turned to the auction block the past two months in Ohio and Pennsylvania  with some high-quality herd dispersals. But its difficult to say whether theres a real trend.

I think everybody is just kind of holding on, said Adam Fraley, an auctioneer with the Fraley Auction Co., in central Pennsylvania.

Fraley conducted a large dairy farm auction in late August, that involved more than 1,300 head of cattle. But he said hes still not seeing a trend  and hopes we dont get to that point.

Things are not great but theyre (farmers) kind of just plugging along, he said, adding that if conditions dont improve, then there could be more sales.

On the upside, he said cows that hes sold so far have commanded a strong price  with many on their way to herds in other states, including Iowa and Main.

Supply and demand

A combination of factors have led to the decline in prices, including increased domestic production, falling exports, and growing imports.

Exports of cheese fell by 114 million pounds (14 percent) from 2014 to 2015, according to the USDA Economic Research Service, and exports of dry whey were down by 106 million pounds (22 percent). During the same period, imports of butter rose by 17 million pounds (71 percent), and imports of cheese increased by 64 million pounds (23 percent.)

Taking action

The low milk prices triggered USDA action Aug. 23, when the agency announced it would purchase about 11 million pounds of cheese from private inventories, to assist foodbanks and pantries and reduce the surplus. The department also announced it would extend the margin protection program enrollment deadline, to Dec. 16, 2016.

Earlier in the month, on Aug. 4, USDA announced about $11.2 million in financial assistance to dairy producers enrolled in the margin protection program.

But the program will only pay so much, depending on a farmers level of enrollment, and actual margins.

According to some farmers, the program is not as helpful for larger dairies, and although it can benefit smaller farms  it depends on how much the farmer already paid into the program.

Looking ahead, the rest of the year should finish stronger than the beginning.

Penn State ag economist Jim Dunn, wrote in the Aug. 31 Dairy Digest that milk prices will generally trend higher over the remainder of this year. He estimates the Pennsylvania all-milk price for the rest of 2016 to average $2.80 per cwt. higher than the first six months of the year, but still 62 cents below the 2015 average.

He expects prices in the first half of 2017 to be similar to the second half of 2016.

Increasing demand

Scott Higgins, executive director of the Ohio Dairy Producers Association, said there are some good indicators heading into the holiday season, with butter and cheese sales, and also exports of dry milk powder.

Higgins, who also serves as president of American Dairy Association Mideast, said the dairy checkoff continues to look for new uses of milk, and corporate partnerships to advance milk products.

Even in this time of low prices, he said the success of the checkoff has helped create new demand, and maintain previous demand.

Higgins said hes heard from farmers from all ends of the spectrum  those who are still expanding and putting up new buildings, to those who are not breaking even.

Most of them are hunkered down and theyre going to find a way through it, he said. In all cases, I know this has been a difficult time.
SALEM, Ohio  Most crops got off to a decent start this year in Ohio and Pennsylvania. But the success of the crop from mid-season onward all depended on who got the rain  and who did not.

For most of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and especially upstate New York, rain was a spotty thing that came in time for some counties, while going around others, leaving behind an unusual and unfortunate path of drought across the three states.

On the upside, heavy rains came by mid- to late August. But for many crops, especially corn, the damage had already been done.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the official government source of measuring of drought, at least 20 Ohio counties and 10 Pennsylvania counties were still affected by moderate drought as of Sept. 8, and 54 percent of Ohio was considered abnormally dry, with 62 percent of Pennsylvania still abnormally dry.

The situation is even worse for Pennsylvania, where 6 percent of that state is in severe drought, the third level of severity on a five-level scale.

And in New York  the hardest hit in our area  some counties are still suffering extreme drought, the fourth of five severity levels.

Harvest is still in the beginning stages for most crops in the Farm and Dairy readership, but farmers are already seeing the affects in their yields.

Corn crop

Corn is still king across the nation, with more than a 10 million acre-advantage over soybeans. In Ohio, the quality of the corn crop was closely tied to counties that received rain at germination, and again at pollination.

Early-planted Ohio planted corn seemed to fare better, with more moisture available for germination, while corn planted in mid-May or later was more likely to suffer at germination. In western Pennsylvania, however, some later-planted corn did better than early plantings, because August rains came while the corn was still pollinating.

The drought hurt Ohio and some Pennsylvania farmers again by mid-summer, when corn was beginning to tassel and pollinate. Dry conditions combined with intense, 90-plus degree heat, and led to poor-quality pollination for some farmers, which led to reduced ear size and issues with cobs not filling.

Peter Thomison, Ohio State University corn specialist, said that in areas of prolonged drought, ears are absent or barren, or severely reduced in size, with scattered kernels, known as nubbins. Some ears produced kernels, but aborted the kernels nearest the tip, resulting in tip-back, and some ears produced zippers, or ears that have missing rows of kernels.

All of these factors point toward a reduced corn yield in drought-stricken counties. However, growers in counties that received ample rain are reporting good yields, similar or even better than last year.

On Aug. 1, the Ohio office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that Ohios average corn yield is forecast at 163 bushels per acre, 10 bushels above last year. In Pennsylvania, corn is forecast at 141 bushels per acre, a 6-bushel decrease from last year.

Soybeans

Early crop condition again depended on moisture. In Ohio, some beans struggled to emerge, because of a lack of rainfall after planting. The best beans were in counties and parts of counties that received ideal moisture for germination.

Late summer rains helped the bean crop, however, and counties that received those heavy rains have some good-looking bean fields. Double-crop beans, or those planted following wheat are either non-existent for many Ohio farmers, or struggling, depending again on how much moisture fell after wheat harvest.

Fields in some Ohio counties are facing yellowing, and early dry-down, while others are on track for a healthy crop. According to NASS, soybean yield is forecast at 52 bushels per acre, up 2 bushels from last year. Total production is forecast at 249 million bushels, up 5 percent from last year.

In Pennsylvania, soybeans are predicted at 46 bushels per acre, a 2-bushel increase over last year. However, about 40 percent of the Pennsylvania soybean crop is considered fair to very poor, with only 60 percent considered good to excellent.

Corn silage

The poor condition of corn in drought-stricken counties has caused producers to consider chopping it for silage, instead of grain. But researchers advise there are steps that need to be taken, to prevent spoilage and possible nitrate toxicity.

In drought conditions, nitrates can accumulate in the stalk of corn, with the lower portions having the highest concentration. Producers may need to test for nitrates, to determine the toxicity level. If levels are too high, they may be able to chop at a higher height (10-12 inches), to avoid the most toxic part of the plant.

Chopping higher will reduce yields, and should only be done if tests determine its necessary. Also, research shows that nitrate levels quickly reduce during the ensiling process  so if the silage is stored for long enough, levels could drop on their own. But experts warn that the compounds that leave silage during this process, known as nitrous oxide, are highly toxic to both humans and animals, and must be avoided.

Even with silage, yield losses are likely this year, with as much as an 18-46 percent loss, based on similar drought years.

Alfalfa and forages

Ohio will harvest 390,000 acres of alfalfa this year, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Yield is predicted at just 2.90 tons per acre, the same as last year, when yields were reduced because of consistent rainfall.

In 2014, Ohio hay yielded much higher, at 3.5 tons per acre. In Pennsylvania, producers plan to harvest 360,000 acres of alfalfa and alfalfa mixes, at a slightly better yield than last year, of 2.80 tons per acre, but down from the 2014 yield of 2.90 tons per acre.

John Grimes, a forage and hay specialist with OSU, said Ohios alfalfa crop has been about as variable as he can remember, generally drier conditions in the northern half, with some excess moisture further south. He said some farmers in southern Ohio had to delay cuttings, because of too much rain.

Meanwhile, some farmers in northern and northcentral Ohio delayed cuttings because of lack of rain, opting to go ahead and harvest, with the hope that rain would come and rejuvenate the next cutting.

Wheat

The 2016 wheat harvest was one of the few crops that did exceptionally well this year. In Ohio, the average winter wheat yield was about 77 bushels per acre, up 1 bushel from last year, and the national average was 54.9 bushels per acre, up more than 12 bushels over last year. Quality was generally good, with some reports of lower test weight, but very little disease issues.

Tree crops and grapes

Bill Dodd, president of the Ohio Fruit Growers Marketing Association, said apple and peach growers seemed to fare pretty well this year. Tree crops generally have deeper roots than field crops, and are naturally more drought-resistant. But equally important  the rains fell at the right time. Those heavy August and early September rains came at a time that helped the trees to continue their natural cycle of late-season fruit production.

At this point, weve had enough rain here recently that I think the crop is going to finish off pretty well, Dodd told Farm and Dairy.

Dodd operates his own orchard, Hillcrest Orchards, in Amherst. He said the heat and dry weather actually benefited some peach growers, because it helped make the peaches more sweet. Newly planted trees would have been more suspect to drought damage, but Dodd said most orchards irrigate younger trees to help get them established.

Still, Ohios overall apple production will likely be down, according to NASS. The Aug. 1 crop forecast put this years apple crop at 42 million pounds, down from 50.5 million last year. The grape forecast is 5,000 tons, an increase over 3,500 tons in 2015. The peach forecast is 2,500 tons, up from 1,200 tons last year.

(Information obtained from talking to various Ohio and Pennsylvania farmers and researchers, from the U.S. Drought Monitor, and Ohio State Universitys CORN Newsletter.)
ST. LOUIS  Bayer and Monsanto announced, in mid-September, that they signed a definitive merger agreement under which Bayer will acquire Monsanto for $128 per share in an all-cash transaction. Monsantos Board of Directors, Bayers Board of Management and Bayers Supervisory Board have unanimously approved the agreement. Based on Monsantos closing share price on May 9, the day before Bayers first written proposal to Monsanto, the offer represents a premium of 44 percent to that price.

Enhanced solutions for growers

The combined business will bring together Monsantos Seeds and Traits and Climate Corporation platform along with Bayers Crop Protection product line. The combination also brings together both companies R&D technology platforms, with an annual pro-forma R&D budget of approximately EUR 2.5 billion.

The combined business will provide customers with more solutions and an optimized product suite based on analytical agronomic insight supported by digital farming applications resulting in improved sourcing, higher yield, better environmental protection and sustainability. According to Liam Condon, member of the board of management of Bayer AG and head of the crop science division, the combination of companies and products will help with the challenge of feeding a growing population in a sustainable way.

Value creation

Pro forma sales of the combined agricultural business amounted to EUR 23 billion in calendar year 2015. The combined company will be well positioned to participate in the agricultural industry with significant long-term growth potential. Bayer expects the transaction to provide its shareholders with accretion to core EPS (earnings per share) in the first full year after closing and a double-digit percentage accretion in the third full year.

Bayer has confirmed sales and cost synergies assumptions in due diligence and expects annual EBITDA contributions from total synergies of approximately USD 1.5 billion after year three, plus additional synergies from integrated solutions in future years.

Financing and closing conditions

Bayer intends to finance the transaction with a combination of debt and equity. The equity component of approximately USD 19 billion is expected to be raised through an issuance of mandatory convertible bonds and through a rights issue with subscription rights. Bridge financing for USD 57 billion is committed by BofA Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and JP Morgan.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including Monsanto shareholder approval of the merger agreement and receipt of required regulatory approvals. Closing is expected by the end of 2017. In addition, Bayer has committed to a USD 2 billion reverse antitrust break fee.

Headquarters and employees

The combined agriculture business will have its global Seeds and Traits and North American commercial headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, its global Crop Protection and overall Crop Science headquarters in Monheim, Germany, and a presence in Durham, North Carolina, as well as many other locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. The Digital Farming activities for the combined business will be based in San Francisco, California.

Opposition

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson issued a statement condemning the merger shortly after its announcement. Consolidation of this magnitude cannot be the standard for agriculture, nor should we allow it to determine the landscape for our future, said Johnson. This would be the fifth major deal in agriculture in the last year, he said citing the Syngenta/ChemChina acquisition and proposed mergers between Dow/DuPont, Potash Corp./Agrium and John Deere/Precision Planting LLC.

Johnson said, NFU and its members express concerns that these megadeals are benefiting the corporate boardrooms and hurting the family farmers, consumers and economies.

Undecided

Both the National Corn Growers Association and the American Soybean Association released similar statements, stating they would further analyze the impacts this merger would have on corn and soybean farmers from input costs to research and development of products.

The American Farm Bureau Federation challenges the Department of Justice to review the overall business climate that has encouraged recent agriculture companies to merge rather than evaluating them in isolation, said Bob Young, chief economist for AFBF, in a statement on behalf of AFBF.

Young added, AFBFs farmer members are particularly interested in how these deals affect research and development funds.

Related: Chemical giants putting on quite the dance act
Midwest spinach production explained in detail

Learn how spinach performs in the Midwest and seasonal considerations in a new publication from ISU.
State of Nature 2016

Report looking into the state of nature in the United Kingdom
Over 7 million has been awarded to help create and develop around 140 new farming businesses across Scotland.

This funding, from the EU and the Scottish Government, will help support the next generation of farmers and increase opportunities for young people to establish a career in agriculture.

This latest award sees a further 35 new farm businesses from across Scotland sharing over 1.8 million to help create and develop new enterprises.

"Supporting next generation of farmers is a key priority to help build growth in our rural economy", said Rural Minister Fergus Ewing

Attracting a steady flow of young and new farmers forms part of activity to build growth in the rural economy, while helping to address the issue of the average age of farmers in Scotland continuing to increase.

The Young Farmers and New Entrants Start-up Schemes  part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme  aims to support the next generation of eligible farmers with start-up aid of 70,000 and 15,000 respectively.

The funding is linked to the delivery of a business plan with agriculture as its core activity such as the acquisition of land or livestock.

'Steady inflow of young and new entrants'

"Supporting the next generation of farmers and crofters is a key priority to help build growth in our rural economy and create thriving communities," said Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity Fergus Ewing.

"It is therefore crucial that there is a steady inflow of young and new entrants to farming, not only to promote competition and encourage productivity, but also ensure the sector remains sustainable over the long-term.

"With the average age of Scottish farmers currently sitting at 58, it is vital that we provide support for entrepreneurs in the critical early stages.

"That is why I am delighted to announce a further 1.8 million in grant funding to support a further 35 new farm enterprises.

"This brings the total support from the EU and Scottish Government to over 7 million, supporting the development and creation of around 140 new farms all over Scotland.

"Following the outcome of the EU referendum, I know that industry is particularly concerned about what the result means for the future of farming and for funding support.

Scottish Association of Young Farmers said they welcome the increased investment and "continued commitment" from the Scottish government to the young farmers start up scheme.

"This money will bring welcome support to fledgling businesses, utilising the talents of our young and dynamic farming newcomers.

"However, for this scheme to deliver true success additional funds must be secured for the duration of the SRDP scheme to allow future businesses to similarly benefit from opportunities as they arise."
Monsanto has accepted a takeover offer from Germany's Bayer at $128 a share, worth about $66 billion including debt, to take over the global seed market leader.

Monsanto's Board of Directors, Bayer's Board of Management and Bayer's Supervisory Board have unanimously approved the agreement.

The higher bid is an increase on the $127.50 a share Bayer proposed last week and is itself up from a July offer of $125 a share.

Based on Monsantos closing share price on May 9, 2016, the day before Bayers first written proposal to Monsanto, the offer represents a premium of 44 percent to that price.

Bayer intends to finance the transaction with a combination of debt and equity. The equity component of approximately $19 billion is expected to be raised through mandatory convertible bonds and a rights issue, it added.

"We are pleased to announce the combination of our two great organizations," said Werner Baumann, CEO of Bayer AG.

"This represents a major step forward for our Crop Science business and reinforces Bayers leadership position as a global innovation driven Life Science company with leadership positions in its core segments, delivering substantial value to shareholders, our customers, employees and society at large."

"Todays announcement is a testament to everything weve achieved and the value that we have created for our stakeholders at Monsanto.

"We believe that this combination with Bayer represents the most compelling value for our shareowners, with the most certainty through the all-cash consideration," said Hugh Grant, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monsanto.

'Lose-lose bid'

John Colley, of Warwick Business School, a Professor of Practice in the Strategy & International Business group who researches large takeovers said "Bayer's acquisition of 'Frankenstein' crop producer Monsanto could be a horror story for both Bayer and its customers: the farmers.

"Apart from Monsanto's shareholders, who have hit the jackpot, this looks like a lose-lose bid. Bayer have been forced into paying too much and face major integration and competition authority risks.

"By the time the competition authorities have finished with their demands Bayer may regret setting a German record.

Monsanto HQ

"The farmers will lose out as product ranges are rationalised and attempts are made to increase prices.

"Bayer may have won the bid now, but could regret the move at their leisure. Bayer CEO Werner Baumann may be cursing his luck. Bayer's shareholders may be cursing him.

"Bayer's hand was to some extent forced by recently agreed deals of ChemChina buying Swiss-based agrobusiness Syngenta for $44Bn cash rapidly followed by the all paper $130Bn merger of Dow Chemicals with Du Pont.

"Falling crop prices meant that demand and prices were declining for seeds and agricultural chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides.

"The industry is responding to adversity with a series of mergers which are expected to have three main benefits: cost reduction, less competition, and growth."

Enhanced solutions for growers

This transaction brings together two different, but highly complementary businesses.

The combined business will benefit from Monsantos leadership in Seeds & Traits and Climate Corporation platform along with Bayers broad Crop Protection product line across a comprehensive range of indications and crops in all key geographies.

As a result, growers will benefit from a broad set of solutions to meet their current and future needs, including enhanced solutions in seeds and traits, digital agriculture, and crop protection.

The combination also brings together both companies leading innovation capabilities and R&D technology platforms, with an annual pro-forma R&D budget of approximately EUR 2.5 billion.

"We are entering a new era in agriculture - one with significant challenges that demand new, sustainable solutions and technologies to enable growers to produce more with less," said Grant.

"This combination with Bayer will deliver just that - an innovation engine that pairs Bayers crop protection portfolio with our world-class seeds and traits and digital agriculture tools to help growers overcome the obstacles of tomorrow.

"Together Monsanto and Bayer will build on our proud tradition and respective track records of innovation in the agriculture industry, delivering a more comprehensive and broader set of solutions to growers."

Financing and closing conditions

Bayer intends to finance the transaction with a combination of debt and equity.

The equity component of approximately $19 billion is expected to be raised through an issuance of mandatory convertible bonds and through a rights issue with subscription rights.

Bridge financing for $57 billion is committed by BofA Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and JP Morgan.

Bayer has a proven track record of disciplined deleveraging after large acquisitions and believes that the strong cash flows of the combined business will contribute to improving its financial profile.

Bayer targets an investment grade credit rating post-closing and is committed to the single "A" credit rating category over the long-term.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including Monsanto shareholder approval of the merger agreement and receipt of required regulatory approvals.

Closing is expected by the end of 2017.

Integration 'will not be easy'

Professor Colley said Bayer will realise cost savings from the acquisition, 'but they have had to pay an enormous price' for Monsanto.

In effect the bid premium is likely to represent rather more than any benefits extracted from the combination.

"On top of that integration will not be easy.

"In addition to the major culture clash between very different approaches to business, Monsanto is large and complex, which is a known contributory factor to a likely poor outcome.

"Reputational concerns also become an issue for Bayer with the GM foods campaign. EU and US competition authorities will make significant demands in terms of requiring disposals and imposing trade restrictions."
Certis' straight flufenacet herbicides, Sunfire and System 50 have been granted an Extension Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) on Rye and Triticale, for the control of black-grass and annual meadow grass.

Already widely used in barley and wheat crops, and showing good control of black-grass and other significant grass weeds, this comes as a welcome addition for growers of Rye and Triticale as another tool in the crop protection armoury.

In 2015, approximately 17,000 hectares of Triticale and 14,000 hectares of Rye where grown in the UK, and were seeing these crops become a popular part of rotations more and more, explains Chris Charnock, Certis Arable Product Manager.

Triticale is a versatile crop with the ability to outclass wheat and barley yields in the right situation, and Rye is being grown as an effective break crop by many arable farmers, for use in the AD biogas market.

However, with them both being part of the same grass family as wheat and barley, Triticeae, they are susceptible to common grass weeds which have the potential risk of hitting yields and the bottom line, says Mr Charnock.

The EAMU approval states that for use of Sunfire or System 50 on Rye and Triticale crops, the maximum total dose per crop is 0.48L/Ha.

Applications must also be made before growth stage 23, and before 31 December in the year of planting.

As a straight flufenacet herbicide, Sunfire and System 50 offer the advantage of being a flexible option that can be applied with other products, with different modes of action.

This, combined with a fully integrated pest management strategy, utilising effective cultural grass weed control techniques, means Rye and Triticale growers can achieve the optimal control on-farm, while reducing the risk of herbicide resistance, says Mr Charnock.
The Farmers Union of Wales is urging all those who have an interest in farming matters in Wales to message their elected representatives through an online lobbying tool on the unions website.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said farmers can lobby their elected politicians via the online tool.

"All those who recognise the importance of a thriving rural economy can find their elected representatives by entering a postcode and then choosing who they want to email," Mr Roberts said.

"There is a pre-written campaign letter available for use, but it can be amended that if you so wish.

"The more we remind politicians about the importance of farming and its role in the rural economy, the more chance there is that our rural economy will survive and prosper."

The prepared campaign letter states that the individual wishes to highlight the importance of ensuring agriculture and the rural economy.

It explains the sector should be given 'sufficient prominence' during forthcoming discussions, negotiations and decisions following the referendum on EU membership held on June 23.

It further outlines that farm businesses, and family farms in particular, are an essential part of the economic, social, and cultural fabric of Wales.

Around two out of every five rural businesses are classed as being involved in the farming industry, while agriculture is estimated to support over 10 percent of Wales full time employees.

The letter further draws attention to the fact that around 60,000 people are employed on farm holdings in Wales, in addition to the thousands employed in businesses which are reliant on agriculture such as contractors, feed and machinery merchants, mechanics etc.

Wider contributions to our economy are also well documented, for example in terms of tourism, while agriculture has been acknowledged as the single most significant contributor to an estimated 1.9 billion worth of wildlife based activity in Wales per annum.
The UK farming industry has united to support Back British Farming Day today, as an autumn campaign dedicated to promoting Great British food gets underway.

Farmers have taken three iconic Massey Ferguson tractors and a host of British produce to London today  to showcase British food and to encourage MPs to Back British Farming.

MPs will wear their specially designed British wheat lapel badges to Prime Ministers Questions and sign the NFUs post-Brexit pledge.

The NFU is urging MPs to show support on Back British Farming Day by wearing the specially made badge

Rural affairs Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom and farming minister George Eustice have already confirmed their support and attendance.

The event is timed to coincide with the end of a historic NFU member consultation  where the NFU has been speaking to its members on the impact of Brexit and what a future domestic farming policy should look like.

Taking farming to the heart of the capital city (Photo: Longwool)

'Strategically and politically important'

NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said it is "essential" that post-Brexit agriculture is seen as "strategically and politically important" in all future trade negotiations.

"But beyond that, we need government to ensure it is committed to supporting the long-term future of an industry worth 108bn to the economy and one which is responsible for putting so much British food on our plates," Miss Batters said.

"Thats why we have arranged the event in Westminster and I would urge as many MPs as possible to sign our pledge.

"I am very pleased that Andrea Leadsom - with whom the NFU has already spoken to at length about the need for the development of a domestic agricultural policy  and George Eustice have said they will be attending."

'Bedrock of UK's economy'

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said British farming is a bedrock of the UK's economy, and "enjoys a global reputation for producing world class food."

"I want to see this vital industry go from strength to strength and supporting our farmers will form an important part of our exit from the EU," Miss Leadsom said.

The call comes just a week after Prime Minister Theresa May told the House of Commons that Government needed to recognise the very significant role that the food and farming industry plays in the United Kingdom and of course we will be looking to work with the sector.

On the day, the NFU is encouraging people to contact their local MPs on Twitter to see if they will #BackBritishFarming.

The Union is also encouraging MPs to show their support by wearing their British-made pin badges in Parliament.
The first stage of the NFUs post-Brexit member farming consultation comes to a close in England this Friday 16 September.

The consultation has been unprecedented in its scale, with thousands of farmers attending more than 50 meetings the length and breadth of the country.

All 50,000 NFU members have received a copy of the consultation document and a questionnaire, which theyve been asked to fill as part of a comprehensive survey, providing the opportunity for farmers and growers to make their voice heard in shaping a post-Brexit domestic agriculture policy for the UK.

A consultation with NFU Cymrus members will end on 23 September.

Following the close of the consultation, feedback from members will help NFU officeholders, supported by board chairmen, to create a vision for a future domestic farming policy.

NFU President Meurig Raymond said the degree of participation in the consultation showed the real strength of feeling among UK farmers that, post-Brexit, the industry needed to come together to create a domestic agricultural policy which recognised the importance of British food and farming and its contribution to the nation.

He said: "It is encouraging to see the interest among our members at this unique opportunity to help shape the future of our industry.

"It is important that post-Brexit the government acts to ensure that its trade, labour and domestic agriculture policies will support a profitable and productive future for the farming industry in the UK."

NFU officeholder responsibilities have been divided between the three NFU leaders. NFU President Meurig Raymond will focus on trade; NFU Deputy President Minette Batters will lead on labour; and NFU Vice President Guy Smith will lead on the domestic agriculture policy. They will be working and supported by policy board, members and staff.
Ceri Phillips from Llanrwst, Conwy, won a social media competition earlier this month with Porc.Wales as part of its Porximity campaign, which encourages people to buy Pork from Wales at local suppliers.

The prize was a hog roast which shell use for an event in aid of Welsh Friends of Nepal.

Porc.Wales Hog It! competition required participants to enter the location of an upcoming event theyre hosting on the new Porximity search function on the Porc.Wales website, and tweet their local Pork from Wales supplier tagging @Porc_Wales and using the hashtag #HogIt.

Ceri Phillips won the competition after tagging her local supplier Moch Cymreig Fedwen.

Miss Phillips, an Art Associate working on a regeneration project for Gwynedd Council, intends to use the hog roast at a charity event in aid of Welsh Friends of Nepal, a charity she and Ian Roberts from Llanrwst and set up after the Nepal earthquake in 2015.

A friend of Ceris, Rob Boyns from Ruthin, is competing in his fourth Ironman challenge this year raising money for Welsh Friends of Nepal.

To celebrate and congratulate Robs fourth Ironman (on September 18th) they plan to arrange an event with a mini triathlon competition, and the hog roast to feed the hungry guests.

Helping local produce and Welsh meat

On winning, Ceri Phillips said: "I'm delighted to win the competition, pork is my favourite meat, especially if reared in Wales!

"But most of all it's great to have these sorts of campaigns to help promote local produce and Welsh meat.

"It's so important to source local produce from local suppliers; you know exactly what journey that food has taken to get to your plate, and it supports the local economy and farmers.

"The quality of local produce in Wales is very high and that needs to be celebrated and promoted."

Melanie Cargill, from Hybu Cig Cymru, the levy body behind the Porc.Wales campaign, said: "Its great to see that our competition prize is being used for a very worthy cause!

"It sounds as though Ceris guests will be working up an appetite in the mini triathlon, so we do hope they enjoy the delights of eating Pork from Wales, reared in an outstanding environment."
In the run up to the EU farm ministers meeting the agricultural sector have called for legislation to be introduced at EU level to combat unfair practices in food chain.

The meeting, held in Bratislava next week, EU agri-cooperative Copa & Cogeca have called for legislation to be introduced at EU level to combat unfair trading practices in the food chain and to ensure a fair return for producers.

Copa & Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen said: Farmers incomes across Europe are constantly being "squeezed".

"We believe that unfair trading practices can only be curbed by a combination of voluntary codes backed by legislation"

"The price the farmer gets often does not even cover his production costs," Mr Pesonen said.

"We need a fair, transparent and functioning food supply chain, we believe it is good for farmers, for processors and retailers  and above all for consumers.

"It is the only way to ensure a sustainable farming sector," he said.

'Fair price and paid on time'

Mr Pesonen said the sector needs contracts between producers, processors and retailers that are enforced to ensure farmers are given a fair price for their produce and are paid on time.

"Voluntary agreements alone do not work," he said.

"We believe that unfair trading practices can only be curbed by a combination of voluntary codes backed by legislation and supported by a robust enforcement system so that operators are fined when they break EU law.

"An ombudsman would impose the fines when the codes of good practice are broken.

"Different initiatives are currently in place at national level but we need rules at EU level that can be enforced as large retailers are increasingly pan-European and regulation in one country will not prevent abuse across borders.

"Spain has recently introduced legislation that works well and its a good model for the EU to build on.

"The EU Commission knows theres a problem and needs to come up with a proposal," Mr Pesonen concluded.
South West food producers are 'under serious threat' from a trade deal negotiated between Canada and the EU, according to the Green Party.

Molly Scott Cato MEP said she has received many letters and emails from constituents about the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a 'lesser known cousin' of the highly publicised TTIP trade deal between the EU and US.

While TTIP is floundering due to French and German opposition and strong public opposition, critics say CETA would include many of the "damaging aspects" of TTIP and the deal is currently on the verge of being ratified, according to the Green Party.

The Canada-EU deal would involve substantial liberalisation of trade in agricultural products, the party said.

In Canada, 50% of food production comes from just 5% of farms and it is the third largest producer of GMOs in the world.

The country recently approved GMO salmon  a fish that matures at twice normal rate.

Tariff rates of 15% on salmon would be eliminated under CETA meaning more Canadian salmon flooding into the European market.

"The government needs to stand up for our small scale farmers post-Brexit," Miss Cato said

'Take us in the opposite direction'

Many of the worst fears we had about TTIP could become reality quite quickly if we adopt CETA," the MEP said.

"Food standards in Canada are much weaker than those in the EU and we could, for instance, see chlorinated chicken and foods drenched in pesticides, hormones and food dyes on the menu faster than we think."

Campaigners are also warning about the erosion of so-called Geographical Indications which ensure for example that Cornish pasties can only be called such if they are made in Cornwall and Dorset Blue Vinney named such if produced in Dorset.

Miss Cato said: France and Italy have negotiated 42 exemptions each to protect many of their unique products, including brie and parmesan cheese, but the UK appears not to be interested in offering such protection to our food producers.

"Under CETA, we could see cheap imported Cornish Pasties from Ontario and faux Dorset Blue from Quebec."

Small food producers 'must not be forced' to compete

Miss Cato is urging people to lobby MEPs to vote down CETA, despite the decision to leave the EU.

Miss Cato, who is Green Party spokesperson for EU relations, said: Some argued that leaving the EU would free us from having to sign up to damaging trade deals.

"While CETAs better known cousin TTIP does now look dead, the UK remains gung-ho for such deals.

Miss Cato concluded: "Our vital small scale food producers, many producing unique and high quality products, must not be forced to compete with inferior and intensively produced imports.

"The government needs to stand up for our small scale farmers post-Brexit and prioritise a transition away from intensive farming, towards an environmentally and ecologically sustainable agricultural industry.

"CETA will take us in exactly the opposite direction and risks a race to the bottom on food quality, environmental standards and animal welfare."
Warrenton, VA (20186)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High 62F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 43F. Winds light and variable.
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.
Kendall and Kylie Jenner have bagged a $27 million apartment for free during New York Fashion Week.

Kendall and Kylie Jenner

Model Kendall and her sister have managed to land themselves a beautiful apartment in the Tribeca neighbourhood of New York City, and they're not paying a penny of its $27 million price tag.

The four-storey property - which is owned by Andrew Azoulay - boasts a whopping nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms, and comes with almost 1,700 square feet of private outdoor space.

Andrew - who works for real estate agents Douglas Elliman - recently listed the apartment and allowed Kendall, 20, and 19-year-old Kylie to stay there for free.

The lavish apartment isn't without fault though, as the beautiful sisters recently found themselves stuck in the building's elevator after they held the doors open for too long.

Documenting their traumatic experience, Kylie posted on her Snapchat account: "So my nightmare just happened, we're stuck in an elevator."

"Starting to get scary... what is happening? I never thought this would actually happen."

They were eventually rescued from the elevator by the cities fire department, but it was later reported that the pair were being asked to foot the bill for the damage to the lift after it was claimed that they were at fault for the malfunction.

A source said: "They're getting hit with the bill. They were holding the elevator to the point that it went off track. There are just six units in the building with 'private keyed elevator' access and residents could hear the alarm beeping as they held it open. It's like, 'Welcome to New York,' and high-rise living!"

However, the property's developer Steven Schnall insisted that no-one had "ever suggested" that the girls should pay for the damages, and said he didn't believe they were to blame for the incident.

He said: "The elevator got stuck a couple of times. We made a service call and will surely get a bill -- but nobody ever suggested that Kylie or Kendall pay the bill."
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a movie that we have been talking about all year and will return audiences to J.K. Rowling's world of wizards and magic.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Yes, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is already one of the most anticipated films of the year and the early trailers are promising another exciting adventure.

The movie is based on the book of the same name by Rowling and the author herself has turned her hand to screenwriting for the first time; I cannot wait to see her make that leap into writing for film.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them marks the return of David Yates to the director's chair for his second feature of the year; he has already enjoyed success this summer with The Legend of Tarzan.

Yates is no stranger to the work of Rowling as he directed four Harry Potter films, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2.

Eddie Redmayne is one of the most exciting and in-demand actors and he is set to take on the central role of magician Newt Scamander. We have seen Redmayne deliver wonderful performances in The Theory of Everything and The Danish Girl in recent years and it is fab to see him make the leap into the blockbuster genre.

We have not seen Redmayne tackle too many blockbuster films during his career and this will certainly be one of the biggest movies he has starred in to date. This movie could very well be the start of another hugely successful franchise.

However, it is not all about Redmayne as the director has brought together a fantastic cast list with Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell, Zoe Kravitz, Ron Perlman, Jon Voight, Katherine Waterston, Samantha Morton, Carmen Ejogo, and Dan Fogler also on board.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures.

Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt's fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

This is one of the autumn movies that I am looking forward to the most and I cannot wait to see Redmayne lead this very impressive and talented cast.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is released 18th November.

by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Prince Harry is to join the royal family at Balmoral.

Prince Harry

The 31-year-old prince is expected to travel to his grandparents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's Scottish residence after returning from a six-week charity trip to Africa, according to HELLO! magazine.

Prince William and Duchess Catherine - who have three-year-old son Prince George, and 16-month-old daughter Princess Charlotte - are currently at Balmoral but are expected to return home later this week ahead of their visit of Canada later this month.

Catherine's parents Michael and Carole Middleton flew up to the Scottish residence last week and they have been driven around the estate by the 90-year-old monarch.

A source said at the time: "It's very unusual for in-laws to be welcomed so warmly into the royal family.

"This personal invitation shows how much regard Her Majesty has for the Duchess' family. I can't recall them staying at Balmoral before, so this is a real sign of affection."

Elizabeth was spotted at the wheel driving the couple around over the weekend, and she was also snapped in the driver's seat while Catherine was in the front passenger's seat.

William and Catherine arrived in Scotland last Thursday (08.09.16) with their children, and initially spent some time at Prince Charles' Birkhall home.
Prince William has put further plans together for the Royal Foundation Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying.

Prince William

The Duke of Cambridge - who launched the group in April - attended the foundation's second ever meeting today (14.09.16) to work on further steps to try to combat online bullying.

A post on the Kensington Palace Twitter account read: "This morning The Duke attended the 2nd meeting of The Royal Foundation Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying."

He previously has asked tech entrepreneur Brent Hoberman to chair the foundation, which aims to develop an industry-wide response to the online bullying of young people, and the pair are keen to work together to make the internet a safer place.

A spokesperson for William - who has three-year-old son Prince George and 16-month-old daughter Princess Charlotte with Duchess Catherine - said at the time: "This is an issue that the duke feels strongly about.

"He knows that social media and other technologies are creating significant positive opportunities for millions of young people.

"But as a parent, he knows that many people worry about how to protect their children from the new avenues for bullying that technology is creating.

"He hopes the taskforce can help the industry share the best practice that is emerging across the sector and put in place new standards so that the internet remains something young people and their parents can embrace with confidence."

The foundation will particularly focus on the online bullying of 12 to 14 year olds, and aims to try to combat the horrific internet-based abuse by bringing industry partners together.

Brent added: "This Taskforce will bring together the commitment, talent and expertise of the technology industry to tackle Cyberbullying and the terrible effect it has on children.

"The future of our children is inextricably linked with the Internet. It is our responsibility to ensure that they grow up confident and happy online so that they can make the most of the extraordinary potential it offers."
Queen Elizabeth has congratulated Georgina Hermitage on winning a gold medal at the Paralympics.

Queen Elizabeth

The monarch praised the 27-year-old parasport athlete through the Royal Family Twitter account - which keeps fans updating on the activities of the 90-year-old monarch and her relatives - after she triumphed in the 400m T37 race in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil yesterday (13.09.16).

A tweet on the official Royal Family Twitter account read: "Well done!! Amazing achievement in #Rio2016"

Georgina thanked the royals and others for their kind words and admitted she was focused on winning gold in her next event, the relay.

In a series of tweets, she wrote: "Have no words to describe how I feel right now. Thankyou everyone for all your kind tweets. Now to focus onto the next race. #Supercharge

"Thankyou so much to everyone for your tweets! This is what dreams are made of! #bringontherelay. (sic)"

The royals also congratulated Team GB's Sascha Kindred after he won gold in the 200m Individual Medley SM6 swimming.

The queen's Twitter retweeted his message which stated: "Thank you very much for all the kind messages it's really hard to keep up. Wow what a day yesterday was."

This comes after Prince Harry's pal Elizabeth Marks won a gold medal at the Paralympics.

The 25-year-old star followed on from her gold at this summer's Invictus Games by repeating the feat in the 100m breaststroke race at the spectacle in Rio, and set a new world record in the process.
For the six months ended June 30, 2016, total revenue at sourcing and logistics company Li & Fung dropped 6.4 per cent over the same period in the previous year to US $8,071 million. However, sustained efforts to improve operating efficiency and productivity through the use of technology resulted in operating cost declining 2.8 per cent year over year.The company said difficult trading conditions impacted core operating profit in the first half of 2016, which slipped 14.2 per cent from a year ago period to $156 million, while profit attributable to shareholders amounted to $72 million.

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, total revenue at sourcing and logistics company Li & Fung dropped 6.4 per cent over the same period in the previous year to US $8,071 million. However, sustained efforts to improve operating efficiency and productivity through the use of technology resulted in operating cost declining 2.8 per cent year over year.#

Profit attributable to shareholders adjusted to exclude the write-back of acquisition payable and other non-cash M&A related items stood at $92 million, down 16.5 per cent and basic earnings per share were 0.87 cents.2016 is one of the toughest trading periods we have ever seen. Retailers are extremely challenged right now, grappling with the impact of ecommerce, a pervasive promotional environment and high levels of inventory, CEO Spencer Fung said. This translated to a lower order volume for our business during the first six months of the year. (AR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Anger, raging fire and tautness among other rioting elements have taken over the streets of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as Cauvery river water issue is back with a vengeance to torment the two neighbouring states.

While usually the issue attracts comments from actors and actresses of both Tamil and Kannada film industries, this time around, not many Tamil actors have voiced their opinion, unlike Kannada actors, who have been condemning the decision of Supreme Court calling it "unfair".

Looks like Kannada actors' support towards their state's cause has irked veteran Tamil film-maker VC Guhanathan, who has lashed out at his Sandalwood contemporaries at the audio launch event of an upcoming Tamil film 'Kadigara Manithargal'.

"The film deals with people who do not have their own houses. Eelam Tamilians know the pain of not having their own land. Now, Karnataka is refusing to give Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Kannada artistes are joining in protests against giving water," he has said, according to a report from Deccan Chronicle.

Disappointed To See Raadhika Being Insulted In 'Dharma Durai': Sarathkumar

"As far as I am concerned, artistes are neutral and have no language barriers. In fact, the late Kannada Superstar Rajkumar was introduced in a Kannada movie 'Veda Kannappa' by Tamil producer AV Meyyappan sir," he has added.

Another film-maker Bhagyaraj has said Tamil actors have chosen to remain silent and that some of them are facing a dilemma.

"Though actors want to remain silent, they are dragged in by a few outfits. Tamil artistes are in a dilemma, and are forced to give back to Kannada film personalities. Imagine Rajinikanth's embarrassment," he has said.

Not just Rajinikanth, but many such actors have made it big in Kollywood after making their way into Tamil Nadu all the way from Karnataka. In fact, 'Kadigara Manithargal' has Kishore, who hails from Bangalore, playing an important role.

Another such actor Prakash Raj, who started off his acting career in Karnataka, has requested people to maintain peace while fighting for their rights.

"Let's seek justice ... But not with such inhuman violence. It's painful to see children terrified. PEACE pleassss," Prakash posted on his Twitter page along with a video, urging people to stop attacking their own brothers and sisters and behave like humans that we are.
As we had reported earlier, everyone's favourite Tanu aka Kratika Sengar will soon re-enter the show, Kasam through a 'plastic surgery' twist! Kratika has already begun shooting for the show. No wonder, she is excited to comeback on the show on popular demand.

She took to Instagram to thank her 'stubborn fans' for making this journey possible. She wrote, "So here I start my journey part two.. Very excited to get back on #kasam. All bcoz of u all n only for u all.. my #stubborn fans. Plz like always shower us wid ur love and support."

Check out the latest spoiler in the slides below.

Ganesh Chaturthi In the upcoming episodes, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations would be organized at the Bedi House on a grand scale. While the Ganpati Puja is going on, fire breaks down at the house. Tanuja Saves Rishi Rishi and Tanuja would get to know about the incident and rush to see what has happened, during which, Tanuja would save Rishi's life yet again and he faints soon after that. Tanuja Is Caught Although, she successfully manages to save him, she herself gets caught and is seriously injured during the mishap, which would cause burns on her face and is rushed to the hospital. Here Comes the Twist As per the latest spoiler, the doctor who attends Tanuja would find a picture of Tanu with her. Assuming to be her picture, doctor performs the plastic surgery and give her the face of Tanu. Time Leap With this, the show will take a leap of 3 months post which the track starts with Tanuja's plaster being removed after the surgery. Neha and Bani will see Tanu's face and would be speechless! Rishi And Tanuja Later, Tanuja would be shocked to see herself in the mirror. Ho w would Rishi, who fell in love with the same face react upon seeing Tanu's face in Tanuja? Will this mark a beginning of Rishi-Tanuja's love story? Shivani Bids Goodbye! The plastic surgey' twist marks Kratika's re-entry and Shivani's exit from the show. On her last day, the team bid farewell to her. She took to Instagram and wrote, "It was an amazing time working with such a fabulous team "kasam tere pyaar ke" miss each and every person on the set - thank you for so much love."

With her entry, Shivani Tomar has bid goodbye to the show after a short stint. Recently, in one of the interviews, she stated that she was aware about Kratika's comeback. Well, that's really surprising!

Actor Sharad Malhotra, has also expressed sadness over Shivani's sudden exit. He stated that he was indeed happy to welcome his good friend Kratika back on the show, but he feels Shivani didn't get time to prove her mettle as an actor and acquire many fans.

He told, "Shivani put in so much hard work. It is not her fault that the show has not recovered its lost ratings. TRPs play a bit too much of a role in a TV actor's life." Sharad, we agree with you on this!

In the last episode, Rishi gets to know that Tanuja is Sandy's none other than Sandy's daughter and is furious with her. He even tells her how much he loved Tanu and how the fate separated them. Upon hearing this, Tanuja becomes emotional.

Also read: OMG! 'Plastic Surgery' Twist To Mark Kratika Sengar's Re-entry In Kasam?

Stay glued to this space for more updates of the show.
Police Report

According to police sources, Rahul was having dinner and drinks with his friend. When the actress along with her producer friend entered the restaurant, Rahul approached the actress' friend and started beating him up!

The Actress' Quote...

The 21-year-old actress was quoted by the leading daily as saying, "Rahul seemed completely inebriated. Around 12.30 am, when we were entering the restaurant, Rahul saw us and suddenly became furious. He approached us and started arguing with my friend and later, hit him."

Rahul Physically Her!

She further said, "When I tried to stop Rahul, he physically abused me and used foul language. When I approached Rahul's woman friend, who was with him at the restaurant, she too misbehaved and said whatever Rahul did was right."

Rahul Said, "I Have Handled Many Women Like You."

The actress also said, "Later, Rahul said that I have handled many women like you. In Pratyusha's case, the police could not do anything to me. What can you do, you are nothing. At the time of the incident, Rahul was completely drunk. He could barely walk."

The Actress' Male Friend's Statement...

The actress' male friend felt Rahul is taking revenge from him. He said that Rahul had been to his Andheri West office with some project. Since he was busy with another project, Rahul was asked to wait.

Rahul's Revenge?

But, Rahul started smoking and he misbehaved with him. The duo also had several arguments before Rahul left the office. The producer feels that Rahul was taking revenge on him for disapproving his project!

FIR Registered Against Rahul

A police officer from Amboli police station was quoted by the leading daily as saying, "We have filed a cross case under Section 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. We will verify CCTV footage and take statements in the matter."

Rahul's Excuse...

Well, as we all know, Rahul will be having excuses for this as well. When another entertainment website approached him, he had something else to say.

Rahul's Version...

He was quoted by the website as saying, "I am shocked by this news. I don't even know these people. All I want to say is that it is just one side of the story. Last night, it was entirely a different situation altogether."

Rahul Continues....

He added, "According to the news report, I had attacked them. But this news is completely false. In fact, they had attacked my friend, Shaila Chadda. She has got deep injuries and was hospitalized also. These people came along with their group and attacked her. I was just present there and trying to help Shaila."

Help Yourself First Mr Rahul!

Help! Well, we must say, Rahul should learn to help himself before helping others. He already has a few FIRs filed against him, and the recent one just adds on to the list for helping his friend'!

CCTV Footage

He concluded, "Everything has been captured in CCTV and police officials have already seen the footage. I gave my version to the police officials and will submit the medical certificates soon."

Rahul's Friend Files Counter FIR

After the actress and her friend filed an FIR, Rahul's friend too, filed a counter FIR at the Amboli police station. Well, we just hope the truth comes out, and the guilty be punished!
MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - Apple Inc. (AAPL) faced technical glitch with iOS 10 downloads after some customers reported difficulties updating their iPhone operating system, which became available Tuesday. 'We experienced a brief issue with the software update process, affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability,' Apple said in a statement. 'The problem was quickly resolved and we apologize to those customers. Anyone who was affected should connect to iTunes to complete the update or contact AppleCare for help.' Many of the users reported to Apple's Twitter account that after downloading the iOS 10 update, the smartphones or iPads shut down to install the software. The problem seemed to mostly effect those downloading the update over the air. Apple Support has been reminding users to back up their phones before attempting to upgrade, and recommending they download the software over iTunes. Apple recommends users back up their devices with iCloud or by connecting it to a computer before installing the update. To upgrade go to Settings -> General -> Software Update on your iPhone or iPad. The new software iOS 10 is available to download via iTunes or over the air, and will ship with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus from September 16. The technical blunder came as South Korean competitor Samsung Electronics Co. is facing more serious issues with its Galaxy Note 7. The smartphone has in some cases been bursting into flames, triggering a global recall of the flagship product. In a preliminary report to South Korea's technology standards agency, Samsung attributed the failure to a battery manufacturing flaw. 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) -- 09/13/16 -- Euro Sun Mining Inc. (TSX: ESM) has strengthened its management team with the addition of Brad Humphrey as Vice President of Corporate Development, effective immediately. Mr. Humphrey has over 20 years of international mining experience, principally as a precious metals analyst focused on gold and silver companies across all stages of development through to senior producers.

Mr. Humphrey formerly worked for Morgan Stanley Research as an Executive Director and North American Precious Metals Analyst, where he was responsible for growing Morgan Stanley's North American Gold research coverage and building its global gold research platform. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley he was a Managing Director and Head of Mining Research at Raymond James as well as a mining analyst at CIBC World Markets and Merrill Lynch. Before beginning his equity research career, Mr. Humphrey held a broad range of industry positions from Corporate Development to contract underground miner. Mr. Humphrey holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Guelph.

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




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Sumner Redstone's National Amusements Inc plans to urge the boards of companies it controls- Viacom Inc. and CBS Corp. (CBS) - to explore a merger. It plans to send its message in a letter delivered before the market opens Thursday, according to reports citing people familiar with the matter. National Amusements is the controlling shareholder of both Viacom and CBS, which separated from each other 10 years ago. Mr. Redstone, who is 93 years old and in ill health, remains on the board of National Amusements, though he stepped down from his role as chairman of both CBS and Viacom earlier this year amid questions about his mental capacity. 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.
Geoswift, a leading provider of cross-border payment solutions between China and the rest of the world, announced today that its UK entity, Geoswift UK, has received authorisation as a Payment Institution from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to conduct a more efficient end to end cross-border collection and settlement services to and from China. Geoswift presently partners with major global banks, financial service providers, payment solutions providers and merchants. The FCA is the conduct regulator for 56,000 financial services firms in the UK.

Geoswift is the leading China cross-border collection and settlement service to have received FCA approval. In addition to providing business to business cross border collection and settlement services across the education, eCommerce and travel sectors, Geoswift UK using the approval will be able to deepen its direct relationship with partners across the tax return, banking, education and travel sectors. Geoswift remains committed to being a market leader in enhancing the accessibility, efficiency, transparency and security of cross-border transactions between UK and China.

Robert Miskin, Managing Director of Geoswift Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) said, "We are delighted to receive the FCA approval for our operations in the United Kingdom. In a market landscape that is vastly robust and continually evolving, it is important to ensure our operations are fully-regulated, transparent and secure to meet international standards and to provide assurance to our partners and merchants. The FCA regulatory approval will enable us to meet the growing demands of our global partners and clients who require accessibility to efficient fund flows and secure cross-border payments between the UK and China. We are also preparing to futureproof our European expansion plans in due course and embrace the growing demand for China, throughout Europe. We hold a positive outlook for the B2B cross-border potential between Europe and China in 2017 and look forward to establishing deeper partnerships with the FCA license."

Geoswift is headquartered in Hong Kong with operating offices in Shanghai, London, Vancouver, Seattle and San Francisco for strategic and regulatory functions.

About Geoswift

Geoswift is an innovative payment technology company connecting China and the rest of the world. The company comprises the world's leading payment technology experts that have a deep understanding of the industry, technology, and global and China monetary policy. Geoswift provides clients with customised one-stop cross-border payment solutions to and from China. Geoswift is relied upon by the world's leading e-commerce companies, most prestigious universities and the largest brands in the travel industry to grow their businesses.

Geoswift is an acquirer of UnionPay International in North America, and a long-term partner of many other leading financial institutions. It also maintains 19 currency exchange outlets throughout China. Geoswift is headquartered in Hong Kong with operating offices in Shanghai, London, Vancouver, Seattle and San Francisco for strategic and regulatory functions. For more information visit, please visit www.geoswift.com or send in your queries to info@geoswift.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170118005488/en/

Contacts:

Cognito

Prisita Menon Liz Asri

geoswift.asia@cognitomedia.com




-Test outperforms existing standard-of-care test-



-Doctors could use information to improve the treatment approach-

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Astute Medical, Inc., developer of biomarkers for better healthcare, today said that newly published findings show that the Company's NEPHROCHECK Test may help physicians identify risk of a serious complication in patients who have undergone transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI; also called TAVR, transcatheter aortic value replacement). The study, published in BMC Anesthesiology, demonstrates that two urinary biomarkers measured by the test, TIMP-2 and IGFBP-7, are highly sensitive and specific for the prediction of moderate to severe acute kidney injury (AKI) in TAVI.

Logo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150317/182230LOGO

It is believed that up to 57 percent of TAVI patients develop AKI, which can impair kidney function, lead to further complications1 and heighten risk of death.2 Patients suffering AKI may also endure longer hospital stays requiring intensive care.2

The study showed that when measured one day after TAVI, [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7] predicted eventual AKI stage 2 or 3, per KDIGO classification, with 100 percent sensitivity and 90 percent specificity. Test sensitivity is the ability of a test to correctly identify those with the disease, whereas test specificity is the ability of the test to correctly identify those without the disease.

In summarizing their findings authors said, "In our prospective observational trial of 40 patients undergoing transapical or transaortic TAVI the elevation of urinary [TIMP 2]*[IGFBP7] concentrations within 24h after surgery is associated with the onset of postoperative AKI within the next 72h. [TIMP 2]*[IGFBP7] urine concentrations show an excellent diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of severe AKI requiring renal replacement therapy. In contrast, neither serum creatinine concentrations (preoperative and postoperative) nor changes of GFR were able to predict the occurrence of AKI reliably. Our results clearly demonstrate that [TIMP 2]*[IGFBP7] can be used to identify patients at high risk for AKI."

Authors also noted that older biomarkers had disputable prognostic impact on predicting post-TAVI AKI, citing several recently published studies showing comparable readings of early-generation biomarkers for post-TAVI patients who developed AKI and for those with normal renal function.

Due to its lack of obvious signs and symptoms, AKI is a condition that is difficult to identify.3 Study authors stated that, "If recognized earlier, nephroprotective measures could be considered to reduce exposure to renal insults and potentially avoid the development of higher stage AKI."

"The era of precision medicine is upon us," said Paul McPherson, Astute's chief scientific officer. "As in previous studieshighlighting sepsis, surgical, renal and cardiovascular patient populations,4,5,6 the NEPHROCHECKTest showed strong performancefor AKI risk assessmentin the TAVI/TAVRpatientpopulation.

"We share the authors' belief that the combination of physician insight and new information from the NEPHROCHECK Test could lead to optimized post-op treatment strategies that may help alleviate the deadly and costly burden of AKI."

The NEPHROCHECK Test is a first-of-a-kind laboratory test to help determine if certain hospitalized patients are at risk of developing moderate to severe AKI in the 12 hours following test administration. Early knowledge that a patient is likely to develop AKI may prompt closer patient surveillance and help prevent permanent kidney damage or death.

Important Information About The NEPHROCHECK /sup>Test

The NEPHROCHECK Test System is intended to be used in conjunction with clinical evaluation in patients whocurrently have or have had within the past 24 hours acute cardiovascular and or respiratory compromise and are intensive care unit (ICU) patients as an aid in the risk assessment for moderate or severe AKI within 12 hours of patient assessment. The NEPHROCHECK Test System is intended to be used in patients 21 years of age or older.

For more information visit NEPHROCHECK.com.

About Astute Medical, Inc.

Astute Medical is dedicated to improving the diagnosis of high-risk medical conditions and diseases through the identification and validation of protein biomarkers that can serve as the basis for novel diagnostic tests.

The Company's focus is community- and hospital-acquired acute conditions that require rapid diagnosis and risk assessment. Astute Medical's current areas of interest include abdominal pain, acute coronary syndromes, cerebrovascular injury, kidney injury and sepsis.

Astute Medical is a founding corporate partner of 0by25, a human rights initiative aimed at eliminating preventable and treatable deaths from AKI worldwide by 2025.

Astute Medical's NEPHROCHECK Test received 510(k)-clearance through the FDA's de novo classification. The test is CE-marked and available in Europe.

For additional information, please visit AstuteMedical.com.

For information regarding trademarks and other intellectual property applicable to this product, please see AstuteMedical.com/about/intellectual-property. PN0600 Rev A 2016/09/12

1Dusse et al. Early prediction of acute kidney injury after transapical and transaortic aortic valve implantation with urinary G1 cell cycle arrest biomarkers. BMC Anesthesiology (2016) 16:76 DOI 10.1186/s12871-016-0244-8.

2Hobson C, Ozrazgat-Baslanti T, Kuxhausen A, et al. Cost and mortality associated with postoperative acute kidney injury. Ann Surg. 2014;00:1-8.

3Ronco C, Ricci Z. The concept of risk and the value of novel markers of acute kidney injury. Crit Care. 2013;17:117-118.

4Honore PM, Nguyen HB, Gong M et al. Urinary Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 7 for Risk Stratification of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Sepsis. Critical Care Medicine. Published Online June 28, 2016. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000001827.

5Gunnerson el al. TIMP2IGFBP7 Biomarker Panel Accurately Predicts Acute Kidney Injury In High Risk Surgical Patients. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016 Feb;80(2):243-9.

6Heung M, Ortega L, et al. Common chronic conditions do not affect performance of cell cycle arrest biomarkers for risk stratification of acute kidney injury. Nephrol Dial Transplant (2016) 0: 1-8 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfw241.
DUBLIN, IRELAND -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. ("Falcon" or the "Company" or the "Group") (TSX VENTURE: FO)(AIM: FOG)(ESM: FAC) provides the following technical and operational update.

Beetaloo W-1 well

Drilling operations have successfully concluded on the Beetaloo W-1 well. Results encountered are very encouraging, with the well drilled to a total depth ("TD") of 3,173 meters.

Preliminary evaluation of this vertical exploration well confirms:

-- The continuation of the regionally pervasive Middle Velkerri formation approximately 85 kilometers south of the Kalala S-1 and Amungee NW-1H wells; -- A gross interval of over 570 meters shale gas sequence with net pay exceeding 150 meters; -- Middle Velkerri shale falls in a highly prospective gas mature depth window; -- Excellent gas shows at two prospective shale sweet spots at the top and base of the Middle Velkerri formation, comparable to those encountered during the 2015 drilling programme; -- The Lower Kyalla formation, considered as a secondary shale target, provided excellent gas shows within a 150 meter thick liquid rich sequence.

Conventional coring in the Lower Kyalla formation along with sidewall cores and extensive wireline logging in the Middle Velkerri formation will enable a full-scale evaluation of prospectivity in the southern part of the Beetaloo basin. As planned, the well was cased to TD and suspended.

Rig 185 has been released and demobilised.

Hydraulic Stimulation of the Horizontal Amungee NW-1H Well

-- Hydraulic stimulation of the horizontal Amungee NW-1H well has been completed. -- 11 hydraulic stimulation stages were performed over a 1,000 meter horizontal section. -- The flow back of hydraulic stimulation fluids has commenced, and gas should start flowing back to surface in the next week or two.

Northern Territory Government Moratorium

Falcon notes the statement made by Chief Minister Michael Gunner, of the newly elected Government in relation to the introduction today of a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory, Australia. The Chief Minster states that:

"The moratorium on hydraulic fracturing of onshore unconventional reservoirs within the Northern Territory will remain in place until government has thoroughly considered the recommendations of the (independent scientific) inquiry."

The joint venture will work with the new Government to understand their moratorium policy and shall cooperate with them as required during their scientific inquiry.

Philip O'Quigley CEO of Falcon commented on the results:

"The results of Beetaloo W-1 to date and the successful hydraulic stimulation of Amungee NW-1H represent further positive steps for the exploration phase of the program. Encountering significant net pay in the Middle Velkerri formation, 85 kilometres from our 2015 drilling programme along with significant net pay in the Lower Kyalla formation is very encouraging.

Updates to the market shall be provided as the evaluation of Beetaloo W-1 is completed and a steady gas flow rate is established on Amungee NW-1H. We will also provide further information on the moratorium as it becomes available."

This announcement has been reviewed by Dr. Gabor Bada, Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd's Head of Technical Operations. Dr. Bada obtained his geology degree at the Eotvos L. University in Budapest, Hungary and his PhD at the Vrije Aniversiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He is a member of AAPG and EAGE.

About Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd is an international oil & gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of conventional and unconventional oil and gas assets, with the current portfolio focused in Australia, South Africa and Hungary. Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd is incorporated in British Columbia, Canada and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with a technical team based in Budapest, Hungary.

For further information on Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. please visit www.falconoilandgas.com.

About Origin Energy

Origin Energy (ASX: ORG) is the leading Australian integrated energy company with market leading positions in energy retailing (approximately 4.3 million customers), power generation (approximately 6,000 MW of capacity owned and contracted) and natural gas production (1,093 PJ of 2P reserves and annual production of 82 PJe). To match its leadership in the supply of green energy, Origin also aspires to be the number one renewables company in Australia.

Through Australia Pacific LNG, its incorporated joint venture with ConocoPhillips and Sinopec, Origin is developing Australia's biggest CSG to LNG project based on the country's largest 2P CSG reserves base.

www.originenergy.com.au

About Sasol

Sasol is an international integrated chemicals and energy company that leverages the talent and expertise of about 30,100 people working in 33 countries. Sasol develops and commercialise technologies, and build and operate world-scale facilities to produce a range of high-value product streams, including liquid fuels, chemicals and low-carbon electricity.

Sasol, through its subsidiary, Sasol Exploration and Production International ("E&PI") develops and manages the group's upstream interests in oil and gas exploration and production in Mozambique, South Africa, Australia, Canada and Gabon. It produces natural gas and condensate from Mozambique's Pande and Temane fields, shale gas from their share in the Farrell Creek and Cypress A assets in Canada, and oil in Gabon through their share in the offshore Etame Marin Permit. E&PI sells Mozambican gas under long-term contracts to Sasol Gas and external customers, condensate on short term contracts, while selling Canadian gas into the market at spot prices. Oil is sold to customers under annual contracts. For more information go to www.sasol.com.

Glossary of terms

A$ Australian dollar

CSG Coal seam gas

LNG Liquefied natural gas

LPG Liquefied petroleum gas

MW Megawatt

PJ(E) Petajoule (equivalent)

Km Kilometers

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.

Certain information in this press release may constitute forward-looking information. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Such information may include, but is not limited to comments made with respect to the type, number, schedule, stimulating, testing and objectives of the wells to be drilled in the Beetaloo basin Australia, expected contributions of the partners, the prospectivity of the Middle Velkerri & Kyalla shale plays and the prospect of the exploration programme being brought to commerciality. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. Falcon assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to Falcon. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in Falcon's filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

Contacts:

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.

+353 1 676 8702



Philip O'Quigley

CEO

+353 87 814 7042



Michael Gallagher

CFO

+353 1 676 9161



Davy (NOMAD & Broker)

John Frain / Anthony Farrell

+353 1 679 6363




Regulatory News:

Attendo (STO:ATT) is bringing together its care for older people in Scandinavia under a unified leadership. A simpler and clearer organisation improves Attendo's ability to offer high-quality care services, to grow in own operations and to develop the business.

Attendo's operations within care for older people in Scandinavia have until now had a leadership that has been shared between Ammy Wehlin and Margareta Nystrom. Ammy Wehlin will now become the sole Business Area Director for care for older people in Scandinavia. In connection with this, Margareta Nystrom will leave her role and Attendo.

"Margareta has been a key person in Attendo for 23 years. She has gone all the way from licensed nurse to Business Area Director and has played an important role in the development of Attendo. I would like to thank Margareta for her great contributions in developing Attendo and the care sector in Sweden, and I wish her all the best for the future", says Henrik Borelius, President and CEO.

Attendo AB (publ)

The information above is such that Attendo is obliged to make public pursuant to the Securities Markets Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act.

Attendo the leading care and healthcare company in the Nordics

Attendo is the leading private provider of publicly financed care and healthcare services in the Nordic region. The company was founded in 1985 and was first to provide outsourced care for older people in Sweden. In addition to care for older people, Attendo provides care for people with disabilities, individuals and families, and, in Finland, healthcare and dental care. Attendo has 19 000 employees and is locally anchored with over 500 operations in more than 200 municipalities in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. www.attendo.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/20160913006779/en/

Contacts:

Attendo

Andreas Koch

Communications and Investor Relations Director

Phone: +46 705 09 77 61

E-mail: andreas.koch@attendo.com

or

Stefan Svanstrom

Communications Director

Phone: +46 708 67 38 07

E-mail: stefan.svanstrom@attendo.com
London September 14, 2016 Itiviti, a world-leading technology provider for the capital markets industry, today announced that Banca Akros, the Milan-based investment and private banking arm of Banca Popolare di Milano Group, has selected an Itiviti FIX Infrastructure solution to improve efficiency, onboarding and operational service quality for its clients.

Using Itiviti's VeriFIX testing, MagniFIX monitoring, and MetriFIX measurement products, Banca Akros will build a simulated market test environment for accelerated trading system development, deployment and functional performance testing of the bank's trading architecture.

Features offered by the integrated Itiviti solution include automated FIX testing with simulation and replay of client data, real time monitoring and alerting of order flow enabling faster response times, and a consolidated view of message flow with instant visibility. This provides an enterprise-wide picture of performance with real-time and historical data on message flow displayed graphically, e.g. for message rates and roundtrip latency measures.

"As Banca Akros enters the next growth phase, we are pleased to work with Itiviti to leverage their superior monitoring, metrics capture, testing and emulation solutions for greater business insight and trading efficiencies," said Alessandro Caffarra, responsible for the trading technology systems across Banca Akros. "We also appreciate that Itiviti enables us to add a key new functional element to our technology stack, while staying with a trusted supplier and partner."

An Itiviti trading technology user and a client of the former Orc Group, Banca Akros now adds a FIX infrastructure solution to benefit from Itiviti's expanded offering for sell side clients.

"We are very pleased Banca Akros appreciate, and are able to benefit from, a wider array of Itiviti's market leading solutions" says Lee Griggs, President EMEA, Itiviti. "Powering system consolidation for our customers within capital markets, whilst simultaneously providing best of breed solutions across the full technology stack, is core to both our strategy and those of our partners."

Formed by the unification of Orc and CameronTec, Itiviti develops, markets, and supports industry standard technology products and solutions including Tbricks and Catalys. Catalys by Itiviti provides an integrated platform for operations, infrastructure and trading. It is the ultimate enabler: open-standard-based and centrally managed to truly harness unprecedented levels of performance, data interoperability, convergence and business insight.

About Banca Akros

Banca Akros, the investment and private banking arm of Banca Popolare di Milano Group, has been a point of reference for over 15 years for institutional, corporate and private investors in Italy. Banca Akros was established to fulfil the specific needs of the investment community that were not being met by the traditional retail banks. Private Banking and Investment banking are the two sectors Banca Akros specializes in; on which it was founded and is identified.

For further information, please visit: www.bancaakros.it

About Itiviti

Itiviti is a world-leading technology provider for the capital markets industry. Trading firms, banks, brokers and institutional clients rely on Itiviti technology, solutions and expertise for streamlining their daily operations, while gaining sustainable competitive edge in global markets.

With 13 offices and serving more than 400 customers worldwide, Itiviti was formed by uniting Orc Group, a leader in trading and electronic execution, and CameronTec Group, the global standard in financial messaging infrastructure and connectivity. From its foundation in 2016, Itiviti has a staff of 400 and an estimated annual revenue of SEK 700 million.

Itiviti is committed to continuous innovation to deliver trading infrastructure built for today's dynamic markets, offering highly adaptable platforms and solutions, enabling clients to stay ahead of competitive and regulatory challenges.

Itiviti is owned by Nordic Capital Fund VII.

www.itiviti.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160913006786/en/

Contacts:

For further information, please contact:

Lee Griggs, President EMEA,

Itiviti, Tel: +44 20 794 209 58

or

Amal Ahmed, Senior Marketing Manager EMEA,

Itiviti,

Tel: +44 20 794 209 56
EQS-News / 14/09/2016 / 09:16 CET/CESTEQS Group wins Grand ARC Award for BMW Group's Interactive Annual ReportEQS Group AG was honoured with the Grand ARC Award in the category "Interactive Annual Report International" by the 2016 ARC Awards International. The award honours EQS Groups's excellence in implementing the design of its Munich partner hw.design for the interactive annual report of the BMW Group.The ARC Awards are bestowed annually by the US-based MerComm Inc. in honour of excellence in annual reports. EQS was already honoured in mid-August for four reports in their respective industries: Hannover Reinsurance, BMW Group, HMS Group and China Telecom. The report for BMW Group received the special cross-industry "Grand ARC Award," prominently recognising its excellence in international, interactive report."We're very proud that our work on this technically challenging project was honoured with the highest distinction. A Grand ARC Award is very special recognition for the entire project team," says Christian Pfleger, COO of EQS Group.EQS Group has developed digital business and sustainability reports for companies both at home and across the globe for over 15 years, making it a pioneer in Digital Investor Relations. User friendliness and a winning presentation are always EQS's first priority when designing company reports. As such, the BMW Group's report, with its high-resolution photos and elaborately designed videos and numerous effects, represents the "technologies of the future.""We at BMW Group are very pleased to receive the Grand ARC Award in our anniversary year. Because BMW has the same high, exacting standards in our digital reporting as we have for our automobiles and services, EQS Group, with its cutting-edge solutions, is the right partner for implementing our interactive annual report. With its animated functionality and interaction, the digital report we've created together offers BMW readers real value," says Christian Finkenzeller of the BMW Group.Contact:Alexander Mrohs T: +49 (0)40 767 93 56-420 E: alexander.mrohs@eqs.comAbout EQS GroupThe EQS Group is a leading international technology provider for Digital Investor Relations. More than 8,000 companies worldwide trust EQS's products and services to securely, efficiently, and simultaneously fulfil complex national and international information obligations to the global investment community.The COCKPIT, a Software as a Service (Saas), digitally maps the work processes of IR managers, communicates with the company website and distributes company releases via one of the most important Financial Newswires. With further products like websites, IR tools and online company reports EQS Group is a digital single source provider.EQS Group was founded in Munich, Germany in 2000 and has developed from a start-up to an international group with offices in the world's key financial markets. The group furthermore holds the majority interest in ARIVA.DE AG and employs about 300 professionals.www.eqs.com-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key word(s): Miscellaneous14/09/2016 Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------501545 14/09/2016
Regulatory News:

Arkema (Paris:AKE) announces a project for the sale to INEOS of its 50% stake in Oxochimie, their oxo alcohols manufacturing joint venture, and the associated business.

Arkema produces oxo alcohols on the Lavera site (France) in a 50/50 manufacturing joint venture with INEOS. These products are used in part for the production of the Group's acrylic esters in Europe. They are also sold on the free market for annual sales of some 40 million euros.

As part of the program to divest 700 million sales, the Group announces the project to divest to INEOS its stake in Oxochimie, as well as the associated business. Furthermore, INEOS will continue to supply the Group's acrylic esters units.

The project, due to be finalized early 2017, is subject to an information and consultation process of social work councils and approval of the relevant antitrust authorities.

A designer of materials and innovative solutions, Arkema shapes materials and creates new uses that accelerate customer performance. Our balanced business portfolio spans high-performance materials, industrial specialties and coating solutions. Our globally recognized brands are ranked among the leaders in the markets we serve. Reporting annual sales of 7.7 billion in 2015, we employ approximately 19,000 people worldwide and operate in close to 50 countries. We are committed to active engagement with all our stakeholders. Our research centers in North America, France and Asia concentrate on advances in bio-based products, new energies, water management, electronic solutions, lightweight materials and design, home efficiency and insulation. www.arkema.com

Arkema

420, rue d'Estienne d'Orves F-92705 Colombes Cedex - France

Tel.: +33 1 49 00 80 80 Fax: +33 1 49 00 83 96

A French societe anonyme (limited company) with share capital of 754,701,730 Registered in Nanterre: RCS 445 074 685

arkema.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170126005625/en/

Contacts:

Arkema

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS

Sophie Fouillat, +33 1 49 00 86 37

sophie.fouillat@arkema.com

or

Francois Ruas, +33 1 49 00 72 07

francois.ruas@arkema.com

or

MEDIA CONTACTS

Veronique Obrecht, +33 1 49 00 88 41

veronique.obrecht@arkema.com
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 4.30 am ET Thursday, the Office for National Statistics publishes U.K. GDP data for the fourth quarter. The economy is forecast to expand 0.5 percent sequentially after rising 0.6 percent in the third quarter. The pound traded mixed against the other major currencies ahead of the data. While the pound held steady against the franc, it climbed against the rest of major counterparts. The pound was valued at 1.2667 against the greenback, 144.01 against the yen, 1.2634 against the franc and 0.8480 against the euro as of 4:25 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
LONDON, March 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Public concern over the future of British fisheries underpins new Oceana campaign, StopOverfishing

A poll carried out by YouGov for Oceana has revealed that 65% of the public are either "not confident" (46%) or "don't know" (19%) when asked if they think the UK government will be better at stopping overfishing in the UK post-Brexit, compared to the existing guidance from the EU. Overfishing, or fishing too much, is one of the most critical issues facing our oceans. The fate of UK fisheries was a key feature of the Brexit debate with leading Brexit campaigners Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage frequently citing it as an example of EU mismanagement, even though the UK has always played an active role in setting catch limits.

"Brexit is an opportunity for the UK to revitalise its fishing industry, stabilise threatened ecosystems and create thousands of new jobs but this will only happen if overfishing is stopped. The UK government must fulfil the promises of the Brexit campaign that vowed British fisheries can thrive without EU guidance. This will only happen if overfishing is stopped," explains Lasse Gustavsson, Executive Director, Oceana in Europe.

Interestingly, although 46% of respondents are not confident Brexit will be a positive influence on stopping overfishing, this figure rises to 60% in Scotland. The Scottish fishing industry contributes up to two thirds of the total fish caught in the UK and the country voted heavily to remain in the EU in last year's referendum.

The poll also revealed a shocking lack of public knowledge about overfishing in Europe. A recent report commissioned by Oceana revealed that 64% of European fish stocks are currently overfished. However when asked, 83% of Brits either underestimated (31%) or said they didn't know (52%) this figure.

Overfishing, or fishing too much, is reducing year after year the amount of fish available in the water and threatening marine ecosystems and fishers' livelihoods. If overfishing was stopped and fish resources were managed sustainably, European fisheries could increase catches by almost 60% more fish in less than 10 years or 5 million tonnes. For this reason, Oceana has created a campaign that aims to mobilize European citizens in the fight against overfishing: StopOverfishing.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 7,203 adults from Italy, UK, Germany, Spain and Denmark, of which, of which 2085 were from the UK. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3rd - 6th February 2017. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative on a country-by-country basis and are representative of all adults (aged 18+) in the Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

Learn more: StopOverfishing


For immediate release 20 September 2016 Serabi Gold Plc ('Serabi' or the 'Company') Corporate Presentation at the Precious Metals Summit - September 2016



Serabi Gold plc (AIM:SRB, TSX:SBI), the Brazilian focused gold mining and development company, recently presented at the Precious Metals Summit a conference bringing together junior mining and exploration companies with investors and other providers of development capital. A webcast of Serabi's presentation can be posted to the Company's website at www.serabigold.com and can also be viewed by using the following link - http://www.gowebcasting.com/7851.



Enquiries:



Serabi Gold plc



Michael Hodgson Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830



Chief Executive Mobile: +44 (0)7799 473621



Clive Line Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830



Finance Director Mobile: +44 (0)7710 151692



Email: contact@serabigold.com



Website: www.serabigold.com



Beaumont Cornish Limited Nominated Adviser



Roland Cornish Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396



Michael Cornish Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396



Peel Hunt LLP UK Broker



Matthew Armitt Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 9000



Ross Allister Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 9000



Blytheweigh Public Relations



Tim Blythe Tel: +44 (0)20 7138 3204



Camilla Horsfall Tel: +44 (0)20 7138 3224



Copies of this release are available from the Company's website at www.serabigold.com.



Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.



Qualified Persons Statement



The scientific and technical information contained within this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Michael Hodgson, CEO of the Company. Mr Hodgson is an Economic Geologist by training with over 25 years' experience in the mining industry. He holds a BSc (Hons) Geology, University of London, a MSc Mining Geology, University of Leicester and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and a Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council of UK, recognizing him as both a Qualified Person for the purposes of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and by the AIM Guidance Note on Mining and Oil & Gas Companies dated June 2009.



Forward Looking Statements



This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding the estimation of mineral resources, exploration results, potential mineralization, potential mineral resources and mineral reserves) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identifiable by the use of words such as 'anticipate', 'believe', 'plan', may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will', 'estimates', 'expect', 'intend', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'forecasts' and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, the price of gold or copper and other risks identified in the Company's most recent annual information form filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement.



ENDS



This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.



Source: Serabi Gold plc via GlobeNewswire



B4T0YL7R22



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Gold Standard Ventures Corp. (TSX VENTURE: GSV) (NYSE MKT: GSV) ("Gold Standard" or the "Company") today announced assay results from two holes, DS16-21 and DS16-04, at the recently discovered North Dark Star oxide gold deposit on its 100%-owned/controlled Railroad-Pinion Project in Nevada's Carlin Trend. Results from DS16-21 have increased the width of the deposit and, more importantly, have confirmed that higher-grade oxide mineralization projects up-dip to more shallow depths to the east of DS16-08.

The primary objective of this year's drill program at North Dark Star was to expand the high grade zone discovered in core hole DS15-13 (15.4m of 1.85 g Au/t and 97.0m of 1.61 g Au/t) at the end of last year's drill program (see January 21, 2016 news release). DS16-08, located 100m south of DS15-13, began to achieve this objective when it returned a 126.2 meter section grading 3.95 g Au/t including higher grade intervals of 44.0m of 4.70 g Au/t, 17.9m of 5.6 g Au/t and 7.9m of 10.7 g Au/t (see August 9, 2016 news release). Then, DS16-03B, located 120m south of DS16-08, intersected a 101.2 meter section grading 1.50 g Au/t including a higher grade interval of 32.3m of 2.87 g Au/t (see August 18, 2016 news release).

The most recent core hole, DS16-21, returned a fully oxidized 56.2 meter section grading 1.83 g Au/t, including higher grade intervals of 5.8m of 2.74 g Au/t and 9.8m of 3.78 g Au/t (Please click the following link to view plan and section maps: http://goldstandardv.com/lp/north-dark-star-sept-results-update/). All of the gold values within the 56.2 m intercept are above the cut-off grade of 0.14 g Au/t established by APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, Canada in its Dark Star NI43-101 resource estimate announced on March 3, 2015 (see news release).

Jonathan Awde, CEO and Director of Gold Standard commented: "The up-dip extension found in hole 21 is exactly what we need to build tonnage potential at North Dark Star. Proximity to surface for this high grade material should also have a very favorable impact on mine plans. Drilling continues with three rigs in the Dark Star Corridor, one rig at the new Sentinal Target north of Pinion, while a fifth rig is following up the exciting results we recently reported from our North Bullion high grade deposit."

Key North Dark Star Highlights

-- The intercept of 56.2m of 1.83 g Au/t in DS16-21 starts approximately 25 meters below the topographic surface. This intercept represents the shallow, up-dip continuation of the intercept of 126.2m of 3.95 g Au/t intersected in DS16-08 (see August 9, 2016 news release). DS16-21 was collared approximately 85 meters east of DS16-08 and drilled parallel to it at -45 degrees dipping to the east (refer to cross section link). -- Mineralization in DS16-21 occurs in decalcified, variably silicified, pervasively oxidized and collapse brecciated debris flow conglomerate. Limonite, hematite, barite and quartz veins are associated with the mineralization (click the following link for pictures of core: http://goldstandardv.com/lp/north-dark-star-sept-results-update/). This is the same part of the conglomerate section that hosts gold in core holes DS16-08, DS16-03B and DS15-13. -- Importantly, North Dark Star mineralization is now continuous over approximately 270m in a north-south direction and approximately 100m east-west. The deposit remains open in multiple directions. -- DS16-04, a reverse-circulation scout hole, was drilled to test for a continuation of the North Dark Star gold system 515m north of DS16-08, making it the most northerly hole completed thus far in the Dark Star Corridor. This hole intersected North Dark Star alteration in favorable stratigraphy, but did not report any significant gold values. These results are similar to early stage 2015 reverse-circulation drilling north of the Dark Star maiden resource, prior to making the discovery at North Dark Star. DS16-04 is a first-step in the vectoring process outboard from North Dark Star.

North Dark Star drill results are as follows:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drill Thickness Grade (g Hole Method Azimuth Incl. TD (m) Intercept (m) (m) Au/t) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- DS16-04 RC 090 -55 562.5 No intercepts greater than 0.14 g Au/t ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- DS16-21 Core 090 -45 453.7 16.6 - 20.4 3.8 0.23 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38.6 - 94.8 56.2 1.83 ---------------------------------------- Including 62.2 - 68.0 5.8 2.74 ---------------------------------------- Including 73.7 - 83.5 9.8 3.78 ---------------------------------------- 128.3 - 135.5 7.2 0.41 ---------------------------------------- 154.6 - 156.1 1.5 0.19 ---------------------------------------- 208.2 - 209.1 0.9 0.14 ---------------------------------------- 226.1 - 229.9 3.8 0.15 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(i) Gold intervals reported in this table were calculated using a 0.14 g Au/t cutoff. Weighted averaging has been used to calculate all reported intervals. True widths are estimated at 70-90% of drilled thicknesses.

Mac Jackson, Gold Standard's Vice President of Exploration stated, "The oxide intercept in DS16-21 is very important in adding vertical extent to the North Dark Star gold zone, bringing it up-dip, close to the surface. Good continuity along strike is indicated by the similar geometry we see between holes DS15-10, DS15-13 and DS16-02 on the cross section 100 meters to the north of DS16-21. The substantial thickness, continuity and shallow depth of the North Dark Star gold zone are very positive attributes of this expanding deposit."

Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, Quality Control and Quality Assurance:

All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Company's project geologists and the chain of custody from the project to the sample preparation facility was continuously monitored. A blank or certified reference material was inserted approximately every tenth sample. The North Dark Star samples were delivered to Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories preparation facility in Elko, NV. The samples are crushed, pulverized and sample pulps are shipped to Bureau Veritas certified laboratory in Sparks, NV or Vancouver, BC. Pulps are digested and analyzed for gold using fire assay fusion and an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish on a 30 gram split. Over limit gold assays were determined using a fire assay fusion with a gravimetric finish on a 30 gram split. All other elements were determined by ICP analysis. Data verification of the analytical results includes a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to insure accurate and verifiable results.

Drill hole deviation is measured by a gyroscopic down-hole survey that has been completed on all holes by International Directional Services of Elko, NV. Final collar locations are surveyed by differential GPS by Apex Surveying, LLC of Spring Creek, Nevada.

The scientific and technical content and interpretations contained in this news release have been reviewed, verified and approved by Steven R. Koehler, Gold Standard's Manager of Projects, BSc. Geology and CPG-10216, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

ABOUT GOLD STANDARD VENTURES - Gold Standard is an advanced stage gold exploration company focused on district scale discoveries on its Railroad-Pinion Gold Project, located within the prolific Carlin Trend. The 2014 Pinion and Dark Star gold deposit acquisitions offer Gold Standard a potential near-term development option and further consolidates the Company's premier land package on the Carlin Trend. The Pinion deposit now has an NI43-101 compliant resource estimate consisting of an Indicated Mineral Resource of 31.61 million tonnes grading 0.62 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au), totaling 630,300 ounces of gold and an Inferred Resource of 61.08 million tonnes grading 0.55 g/t Au, totaling 1,081,300 ounces of gold, using a cut-off grade of 0.14 g/t Au. The Dark Star deposit, 2.1 km to the east of Pinion, has a NI43-101 compliant resource estimate consisting of an Inferred Resource of 23.11 million tonnes grading 0.51 g/t Au, totaling 375,000 ounces of gold, using a cut-off grade of 0.14 g/t Au (announced March 3, 2015). The 2014 and 2015 definition and expansion of these two shallow, oxide deposits demonstrates their growth potential.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the NYSE MKT accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements about our proposed exploration programs are forward looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risk factors affecting the Company include, among others: the results from our exploration programs, global financial conditions and volatility of capital markets, uncertainty regarding the availability of additional capital, fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com) and with the SEC on EDGAR (available at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml). These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

CAUTIONARY NOTE FOR U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING RESERVE AND RESOURCE ESTIMATES

All resource estimates reported by the Company were calculated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification system. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for descriptions of mineral properties in SEC Industry Guide 7 under Regulation S-K of the U. S. Securities Act of 1933. In particular, under U. S. standards, mineral resources may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Accordingly, information in this press release containing descriptions of the Company's mineral properties may not be comparable to similar information made public by US public reporting companies.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Gold Standard,

Jonathan Awde, President and Director

Contacts:

Gold Standard Ventures Corp.

Jonathan Awde

President

604-669-5702

info@goldstandardv.com




VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - September 14, 2016) -Endeavour Silver Corp. (NYSE: EXK) (TSX: EDR) announces it has entered into a definitive agreement dated September 13, 2016 (the "Agreement") with Silver Standard Resources Inc. to acquire a 100% interest in Silver Standard's Parral properties, located in the historic silver mining district of Hidalgo de Parral in southern Chihuahua state, Mexico (view maps).

Terms of the Agreement

Pursuant to the Agreement, Endeavour will pay US$6 million in Endeavour common shares, being 1,198,083 common shares at US$5.008 per share, representing the 10-day average closing price of Endeavour's shares on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") prior to the date of the Agreement.

In addition, Endeavour has committed to spend US$2 million on exploration on two of the properties (the San Patricio and La Palmilla properties) over the two-year period following the closing of the transaction. Upon completing this exploration expenditure, Endeavour will have one year to deliver a National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") technical report, including a resource estimate, and issue an additional US$200,000 in common shares to Silver Standard for each one million ounces of silver delineated in measured and indicated resources on the San Patricio and La Palmilla properties, based on the 10-day average closing price of Endeavour's common shares on the NYSE prior to the earlier of delivery of the NI 43-101 report and the third anniversary of the initial closing date under the Agreement. Silver Standard will also retain a 1% net smelter returns royalty on production from the San Patricio and La Palmilla properties.

Completion of the transactions under the Agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including NYSE and Toronto Stock Exchange approvals.

Highlights of the Properties

Acquiring a 100% interest in three large properties: Veta Colorada, La Palmilla and San Patricio, totalling 3,432 hectares, subject to 1% NSR production royalties.

Ideally located within the historic Hidalgo de Parral silver district, where SGM, the Mexican Geological Survey, estimates historic production of approximately 250 million ounces (oz) of silver. Palmilla was famous for supplying silver to the federal mint of Mexico in the late 1800's.



Readily accessible by paved highway and well maintained gravel road only five kilometres (km) north of the city of Hidalgo Del Parral, with excellent infrastructure including grid power, water, labour, and services. Land access agreements are already in place for exploration.



Large veins traceable for over 8 km. Veta Colorada is up to 40 metres (m) thick, and includes a higher-grade footwall vein 1-10 m thick and a lower grade hanging wall breccia with stock-work up to 30 m thick.



Historic resources of 32.1 million oz silver contained in 4.0 million tonnes (t) grading 248.5 grams per tonne (gpt) in the Veta Colorada estimated by Industrial Minera Mexico, S.A. de C.V. ("IMMSA") who discovered three orebodies, Remedio-Argentina, El Verde and Sierra Plata and mined the latter two orebodies until 1990. Endeavour has not verified this historic resource estimate. See below for further details.



Virgin zone at Remedio-Argentina saw minimal historic mining and contains approximately 15 million oz silver within 1.55 million t grading 300 gpt silver and averaging over five m thick. Endeavour has not verified this historic resource estimate. See below for further details.



Strong potential to discover low-grade silver mineralization amenable to open pit mining, as shown by historic drilling and surface sampling at Palmilla. Drill hole LP-03 intersected 114 gpt silver over 56 m starting at surface. Endeavour has not verified the historic data and is not relying on them.



Excellent potential to discover new high-grade resources in under-explored areas along strike of Veta Colorada, San Patricio, Palmilla and numerous other veins on the properties. Drill hole SPD-03 at San Patricio intersected 638 gpt silver over one m.



Good metallurgy -- IMMSA obtained 85% silver recoveries by flotation and leaching of float tails. Limited metallurgical studies of the Veta Colorada ore indicate >90% recovery by cyanidation.



Positive synergies with Endeavour's existing Parral project, which contains indicated resources of 1.63 million t grading 49 gpt silver, 0.90 gpt gold, 2.87% lead and 2.86% zinc, plus inferred resources of 1.30 million t grading 63 gpt silver, 0.88 gpt gold, 2.55% lead and 2.28% zinc, based on a NI 43-101 Technical Report entitled "Audit of the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Parral Project dated December 15, 2010".



Near-term production possible by verifying the historic resources and gaining access to one of three nearby 500 tonne-per-day plants.

The Veta Colorada resource estimate was prepared by IMMSA in a report dated August 2004 entitled "Descripcion Geologica, Proyecto Veta Colorada Mpio. de Hgo. del Parral, Chih.". The resource estimate was established through surface drilling and underground sampling. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve. Endeavour is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve, has not verified the historical resource estimate and is not relying on it. Endeavour plans to "twin" certain high grade holes and drill in-fill holes in order to upgrade the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

Endeavour CEO, Bradford Cooke, commented "We are pleased to add another high-quality silver exploration property to our project pipeline. Parral should be an accretive acquisition pursuant to our five-year strategic plan to become a premier senior producer, with potential for exploration discoveries, district acquisitions, near-term production, and organic growth.

"Our exploration team will focus initially on verifying the historic resources, then turn its attention to the many exploration targets on the properties. At the same time, our operations group will evaluate opportunities for near-term production. We look forward to unfolding the full potential of our Parral properties and building a new mining operation in another historic silver district in Mexico."

Dale Mah, B.Sc., P.Geo., Endeavour's Vice President Corporate Development, is the Qualified Person who reviewed and approved this news release.

About Endeavour -- Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company with three high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. Since start-up in 2004, Endeavour has grown its mining operations organically to produce 11.4 million ounces of silver equivalents in 2015. Development of Endeavour's high-grade discovery on the Terronera property in Jalisco state, the permitted El Compas mine and plant in Zacatecas state, and the prospective Parral properties in Chihuahua state, should facilitate the Company's goal to become a premier senior producer in the silver mining sector.

The securities to be issued pursuant to the terms of the Agreement have not been and will not registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) or persons in the United States absent such registration or an available exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction, including the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the foregoing securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, such as statements that relate to the timing and completion of the proposed acquisition of the Parral property, anticipated future prospects of Parral, and other statements relating to the Parral property. Since forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and address future events, conditions and expectations, forward-looking statements by their nature inherently involve unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors well beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Actual events, results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Material factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in such forwarding-looking statements include risks related to the timing of, and ability to obtain, required regulatory approvals for the Parral acquisition, risks as to the future development of the Parral property, and general economic and regulatory changes. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that the proposed Parral acquisition will be completed on the terms and within the time disclosed herein or at all. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's views as of the date of this release. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual events and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/9/14/11G114078/Images/Parral_1-6286ee4ab137bba9a71c114d24812349.jpg

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For more information, please contact:

Meghan Brown

Director Investor Relations

Toll free: 1-877-685-9775

Tel: 604-640-4804

Fax: 604-685-9744

Email: mbrown@edrsilver.com

Website: www.edrsilver.com


PROVIDENCE, RI -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Patrick K. Sullivan, MD, a Board Certified plastic surgeon in Rhode Island, was invited by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) to design and moderate this year's modules on cosmetic surgery of the face and neck. "I am honored to help assist ASPS because the education of plastic surgeons on the very latest approaches and especially on how to achieve natural appearing results is so critical in the care of their patients," states Dr. Sullivan.

Dr. Sullivan has also been invited to be a presenter at the annual Plastic Surgery The Meeting in Los Angeles, California, September 23-27, 2016. With over 3,000 attendees from all over the world, Plastic Surgery The Meeting is the world's largest gathering of plastic surgeons and surgical medical professionals.

As moderator and as a speaker on this panel of experts, he plans to discuss the following:

Face and Neck Module - Part 1: Surgical and Non-Surgical Approaches to the Face and Neck: What's New, What Works, Complications and How to Avoid Complications

How to create a beautiful natural appearance: Facelifting combined with fat injections (includes resorbable suture-cone devices. The Silhouette InstaLift)

Video Session: Controversies with Facelifting: SMAS, Redraping, Incisions, the "Natural Look"

"I am looking forward to taking part of plastic surgery's most important event of the year. It is an excellent opportunity to share the exciting advances we have found, connect with brilliant minds, learn about ground-breaking new advances, and exchange information about the wonderful world of plastic surgery," states Dr. Sullivan.

About Patrick K. Sullivan, MD

Dr. Sullivan is division chief of cosmetic surgery at Brown University's School of Medicine in Providence, Rhode Island. He specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face, neck, eyelids, breasts, and body. He is double Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as by the American Board of Otolaryngology in Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Sullivan is available for interviews upon request.

For more information, visit drsullivan.com.

To view the original source of this press release, click here:

http://www.drsullivan.com/news-media/rhode-island-plastic-surgeon-asked-to-design-modules-on-cosmetic-face-and-neck-surgery-at-2016-asps-meeting

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TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- SPOT COFFEE (CANADA) LTD. (TSX VENTURE: SPP) ("SPoT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has received two additional franchise deposits for locations in the greater Buffalo area. The two franchises include a full SPoT cafe and a SPoT Express cafe. The Company is presently in the process of negotiating leases for these cafes. Furthermore, SPoT Kenmore, the Company's newest franchise cafe, which is located in the heart of Kenmore Village, is nearing completion and is on track to be open for its community in Q4 2016. SPoT's newest operating franchise cafe, SPoT Hamburg, which opened in Hamburg, New York, has been achieving excellent results.

The operations of SPoT's central kitchen, roasting facility, and its corporate, licensed and franchise cafes, continue to show significant strength. The Company reported record revenues of $2,932,664 for the quarter ending June 30th, 2016, a 26.5% increase from the same period in 2015, as well as positive cafe-level EBITDA of $452,967 (9.7% operating margins) for the same period.

Subsequent to the June 30th, 2016 financials, the Company has reduced its liabilities by over $780,000 from July to August, including a total of $400,000 principal reduction on the Company's secured promissory note, convertible debenture and long-term debt.

"The third quarter to date of 2016 has been transformational for SPoT Coffee, with a significant amount of long term debt reduced, new franchisees coming onboard, and continued strength in our core business," said Anton Ayoub, president of SPoT Coffee.

About SPoT Coffee

SPoT Coffee trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SPP. SPoT designs, builds, operates and franchises community oriented cafes and express cafes in New York State. SPoT's community cafes provide its customers with the highest quality service, signature made-to-order meals and award winning micro-roasted coffee. Each SPoT cafe is distinctively designed to suit its local neighbourhood, creating a warm and friendly gathering place for the community. SPoT's commercial business focuses on the sale of roasted coffee beans to food service and grocery chains, business offices and third party resellers such as universities and hospitals.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, the potential use of proceeds of the financing that is the subject of this release. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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 the release.

Contacts:

SPoT Coffee (Canada) Ltd.

Anton Ayoub

CEO & President

(416) 368-2220

aayoub@spotcoffee.com




SEATTLE, WA and PHOENIX, AZ -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Evergreen Pacific Partners (Evergreen), Washington State's largest private equity fund, announced today it has sold to Nautic Partners its majority stake in Phoenix-based Vantage Mobility, Inc. (VMI), a leader in the manufacture and distribution of wheelchair accessible vehicles.

"We're pleased with the impact our investment and operational engagement has had in the past two and a half years as the company has grown its national footprint, increased market-share, and importantly, continued to give the freedom of mobility to the physically challenged across America," said Tim Bernardez, a co-founder and managing partner at Evergreen Pacific Partners. "It has been pleasure to partner with a very strong management team to grow the business."

Evergreen Pacific Partners, which manages two private equity funds totaling $700 million, invests in traditional buyouts, management led buyouts, and growth equity investments involving traditional middle-market companies in the Western U.S. and Canada. Its investors include foundations, endowments, pension funds, and West Coast-based CEOs with experience in Evergreen's target industries.

About Evergreen Pacific Partners

Based in Seattle, Evergreen Pacific Partners currently manages two private equity funds totaling $700 million, with a focus on investing in traditional, middle-market companies in Western North America. Evergreen Pacific was co-founded by Timothy Bernardez, T. J. McGill, and Michael Nibarger. More information is available at www.eppcapital.com.

Media Contact

John Williams

Scoville PR

(206) 625-0075 x1

jwilliams@scovillepr.com




Zurich - F10, Switzerland's premiere Fintech Incubator and Accelerator offers two, six-month "Prototype to Product (P2)" programs per year which assist up to 20 selected, promising Startups to transition their prototype into a sellable product.

After a really successful Grand Opening of the P2 program's winter session on November 7th, which included such prominent guests as Member of the Swiss National Council Fathi Derder (FDP), F10 is now opening up applications for the next batch of Startups to join the next session in 2017!

Markus Graf, Head of F10, was deeply impressed at the level of the pitches that were presented by the fi rst batch and is looking forward to the new applications. As for what the current batch of Startups will produce in the next six months the members of the F10 Association, Julius Bar Bank and PwC Switzerland had this to ...

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Regulatory News:

Through its Japanese subsidiary BioGaia (STO:BIOGB) has signed two new exclusive distributor agreements for Japan with Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings Inc. One for sales of finished probiotic supplements with Lactobacillus reuteri and one for use of Lactobacillus reuteri as ingredient in food. Launches are planned to 2017.

The first agreement concerns the exclusive rights to sell probiotic supplements with BioGaia's patented strains of Lactobacillus reuteri at drugstores, supermarkets and similar outlets. Depending on the product category, products will be sold under Kabaya, Ohayo and/or BioGaia brands and the main target segment is adults. The other agreement is an exclusive license, giving Ohayo Dairy Products the rights to use strains of Lactobacillus reuteri in food, such as drinks and dairy products.

The agreements are long term and include exclusivity fees and minimum royalties over the term of the contracts, which will have a substantial effect on BioGaia's Japanese business. Due to confidentiality, the amounts of the fees and the royalties cannot be disclosed.

Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings Inc. is a privately-owned company with headquarters in Tokyo and consisting of a group of 13 companies with more than 3,000 employees. Kabaya Foods and Ohayo Dairy, Japan's 7th largest confectionary and dairy companies respectively, are both well-known brands with a strong presence in the confectionary and dairy markets.

"Through these two milestone agreements with Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings Inc. we have secured another trusted partner in the complex Japanese market. In addition to the marketing and sales of our supplements we look forward to the creation of innovative functional foods based on our Lactobacillus reuteri strains", says Axel Sjoblad, Managing Director, BioGaia.

Latest press releases from BioGaia

2016-11-30 BioGaia makes further investment in MetaboGen

2016-10-31 Disclosure notice in BioGaia

2016-10-25 BioGaia AB Interim management statement 1 January 30 September 2016

This information is information that BioGaia AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08.00 CET on 5 December 2016.

BioGaia is an innovative Swedish healthcare company that develops, markets and sells probiotic products with documented health benefits. The products are sold through local distribution partners in around 90 countries worldwide. The class B share of the Parent Company BioGaia AB is quoted on the Mid Cap list of Nasdaq OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm. biogaia.com

BioGaia AB Box 3242. SE-103 64 STOCKHOLM Street address: Kungsbroplan 3, Stockholm Telephone: +46 8 555 293 00, Corp. identity no. 556380-8723. biogaia.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/20161204005113/en/

Contacts:

BioGaia

Axel Sjoblad, Managing Director

+46 8 555 293 00

+46 705 35 93 51
ALBANY, New York, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The upsurge in the consumption of fuel derived from biomass, wood, and waste heat, is likely to boost the installation of combined heat and power (CHP) across the globe. Transparency Market Research forecasts the global CHP installation market to exhibit a CAGR of 4.38% between 2014 and 2024. The prospects for CHP installations have improved globally in response to the rising energy prices. This, combined with stringent regulations implemented to curb carbon emissions from conventional systems, is expected to aid the proliferation of CHP systems worldwide.

CHP systems run on both renewable and non-renewable fuels such as natural gas, coal, wood, biomass, oil, and waste heat. They can operate at an efficiency level as high as 77% to 90% as compared to the 46% efficiency level of conventional systems. However, the best economics of a CHP system is achieved in cold climates, when the energy rates are high, prices of natural gas fall, and there is a continuous demand for heat. Besides this, diverse functionalities offered by CHP systems also encourage their installation in both colder and hotter regions.

Browse Research Report with ToC: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/combined-heat-and-power.html

Strong Existing Network of CHPs to Boost their Installation Worldwide

Based on in-depth research, TMR has pegged the combined heat and power installations worldwide to reach US$812.80 bn by 2024. The global CHP installation market stood at US$524.89 bn in 2014. The market will further gain impetus from the strong existing CHP network. The increasing awareness about CHP systems, particularly in developing nations is likely to translate into increased sales for the global CHP installation market. These countries are exhibiting high aggregate demand for energy-efficient technologies, thus creating enough opportunities for the market to leverage from during the report's forecast period.

The presence of a large number of companies offering diverse products and services related to combined heat and power (CHP) installations is fueling competition in the global CHP installation market. A CHP system is manufactured using numerous components such as turbines, filters, generators, engines, valves, and compressors. Several companies are therefore present in the market, selling key components, providing after-sales services, and distributing equipment.

BDR Thermea Group B.V. held the largest share in the global CHP installation market in 2014, as per TMR analysis. Some of the most prominent enterprises operating in the market include 2G Energy AG, Siemens AG, Edina Ltd., Wartsila Corporation, ENER-G Holdings Plc (ENER-G), Clarke Energy Ltd., and others. The top eight companies hold 53% of the global combined heat and power installation market.

Get Latest Industry Research PDF for more Professional and Technical Industry Insights:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=966

The demand for CHP systems mainly arises for industrial applications, followed by commercial and residential applications. As the industrial segment accounts for the largest share in the market, it holds lesser scope for growth compared to the residential and commercial application segments. As per TMR, the U.S., Japan, and Germany are at the fore of adopting CHP systems for commercial and residential applications.

Strong Existing CHP Networks Facilitate CHP Installations Globally

CHP systems sales worldwide are riding on the strong existing CHP network. Furthermore, the increasing awareness regarding the benefits of CHP systems will boost their installations across emerging economies of Asia Pacific. Since the last few years, these countries have been exhibiting high demand for energy-efficient technologies. Developing countries therefore offer attractive opportunities for the vendors operating in the market.

TMR forecasts the value chain of the global CHP installation market to remain highly complicated during the forecast period from 2014 to 2024. "The implementation of stringent emission control norms worldwide has compelled leading enterprises to adopt forward integration. Such strategies could have an adverse impact on the market's growth trajectory," said a TMR analyst. "Combined with this, the high cost incurred on installing CHP systems is also inhibiting the large-scale proliferation of CHP installations," he added. Nevertheless, increasing scope in the residential and commercial sector is expected to boost the prospects for the market in the near future.

Large-scale CHPs to Lose Market Share to Micro & Small CHPs in the Forecast Period

By type, large-scale CHPs hold a dominant share of 85.69% in the global CHP installation market, followed by micro- and small scale CHPs in 2014. However, they are expected to lose a significant part of their market share to the latter in the near future. The rising usage of micro- and small-scale CHPs across residential and commercial sector will enable the segment to report the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. However, the increasing CHP installation in India and China will keep the demand for large-scale CHPs high in the forthcoming years.

Browse Research PR: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/combined-heat-and-power.htm

Easy Availability of Natural Gas Boosts Prospects for CHP Installations in Europe

Regionally, Europe emerged as the largest market for CHP installations in 2014. The region accounted for a share of 67.96% in the overall market in 2014. The easy availability of natural gas in Russia, has significantly contributed to the increased demand for CHP installations in Europe. Other countries in Europe exhibiting increasing demand for CHP installations include Germany, Poland, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands. Leading companies operating in the market are also looking to explore untapped opportunities in the Asia Pacific market.

Driven by the increased demand across emerging economies, the global combined heat and power installation market is poised to surge at 4.38% CAGR. TMR pegs the market's valuation at US$524.89 bn in 2014. By the end of 2024, the market is expected to reach US$812.80 bn.

This review is based on the findings of a TMR report, titled "Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Installation Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, and Forecast 2024."

Browse Regional Market Analysis: http://www.europlat.org/combined-heat-and-power-installation.htm

The report segments the global combined heat and power installation market at:

CHP Installation Market: By CHP Type

Large-scale CHP

Micro & Small-scale CHP

CHP Installation Market: By CHP Application

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

CHP Installation Market: By CHP Technology

Combined Cycle

Steam Turbine

Combustion/Gas Turbine

Reciprocation Engine

Others (Microturbine, Fuel Cell, and Waste Heat Recovery)

CHP Installation Market: By Fuel

Natural Gas

Coal

Biomass

Others (Wood, Waste Heat, and Oil)

CHP Installation Market: By Region

North America

U.S.

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Russia

Germany

France

U.K.

Italy

Spain

Netherlands

Poland

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Taiwan

Rest of Asia Pacific

Rest of World

Browse Other Research Reports:

Hybrid Power Systems Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hybrid-power-systems-market.html

District Heating and Cooling Market:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/district-heating-cooling-market.html

About TMR

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.

TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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United States

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-- Realizes a shared vision of integrated agricultural offerings, delivering enhanced solutions for growers and creates a leading innovation engine for the next generation of farming

-- USD 128 per share in all-cash transaction, represents 44 percent premium to Monsanto shareholders and an aggregate value of USD 66 billion

-- Significant value creation with expected annual synergies of approximately USD1.5billion after year three; plus additional synergies from integrated solutions in future years

-- Bayer shareholders expected to benefit from accretion to core EPS in the first full year after closing and double-digit percentage accretion in the third full year

-- Committed to retaining strong presence in the U.S. with the combined business' global Seeds & Traits and North American commercial headquarters in St. Louis

LEVERKUSEN, Germanyand ST. LOUIS, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Bayer and Monsanto today announced that they signed a definitive merger agreement under which Bayer will acquire Monsanto for USD 128 per share in an all-cash transaction. Monsanto's Board of Directors, Bayer's Board of Management and Bayer's Supervisory Board have unanimously approved the agreement. Based on Monsanto's closing share price on May 9, 2016, the day before Bayer's first written proposal to Monsanto, the offer represents a premium of 44 percent to that price.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407491

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Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407489

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"We are pleased to announce the combination of our two great organizations. This represents a major step forward for our Crop Science business and reinforces Bayer's leadership position as a global innovation driven Life Science company with leadership positions in its core segments, delivering substantial value to shareholders, our customers, employees and society at large," said Werner Baumann, CEO of Bayer AG.

"Today's announcement is a testament to everything we've achieved and the value that we have created for our stakeholders at Monsanto. We believe that this combination with Bayer represents the most compelling value for our shareowners, with the most certainty through the all-cash consideration," said Hugh Grant, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monsanto.

Enhanced Solutions for Growers

This transaction brings together two different, but highly complementary businesses. The combined business will benefit from Monsanto's leadership in Seeds & Traits and Climate Corporation platform along with Bayer's broad Crop Protection product line across a comprehensive range of indications and crops in all key geographies. As a result, growers will benefit from a broad set of solutions to meet their current and future needs, including enhanced solutions in seeds and traits, digital agriculture, and crop protection.

The combination also brings together both companies' leading innovation capabilities and R&D technology platforms, with an annual pro-forma R&D budget of approximately EUR 2.5 billion. Over the mid to long-term, the combined business will be able to accelerate innovation and provide customers with enhanced solutions and an optimized product suite based on analytical agronomic insight supported by Digital Farming applications. These are expected to result in significant and lasting benefits for farmers: from improved sourcing and increased convenience to higher yield, better environmental protection and sustainability.

"The agriculture industry is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges of our time: how to feed an additional 3 billion people in the world by 2050 in an environmentally sustainable way. It has been both companies' belief that this challenge requires a new approach that more systematically integrates expertise across Seeds, Traits and Crop Protection including Biologicals with a deep commitment to innovation and sustainable agriculture practices," said Liam Condon, member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and head of the Crop Science Division.

"We are entering a new era in agriculture - one with significant challenges that demand new, sustainable solutions and technologies to enable growers to produce more with less. This combination with Bayer will deliver just that - an innovation engine that pairs Bayer's crop protection portfolio with our world-class seeds and traits and digital agriculture tools to help growers overcome the obstacles of tomorrow. Together Monsanto and Bayer will build on our proud tradition and respective track records of innovation in the agriculture industry, delivering a more comprehensive and broader set of solutions to growers," said Grant.

Value Creation

Pro forma sales of the combined agricultural business amounted to EUR 23 billion in calendar year 2015. The combined company will be well positioned to participate in the agricultural industry with significant long-term growth potential. Beyond the attractive long term value creation potential of the combination, Bayer expects the transaction to provide its shareholders with accretion to core EPS (earnings per share) in the first full year after closing and a double-digit percentage accretion in the third full year. Bayer has confirmed sales and cost synergies assumptions in due diligence and expects annual EBITDA contributions from total synergies of approximately USD 1.5 billion after year three, plus additional synergies from integrated solutions in future years.

Financing and Closing Conditions

Bayer intends to finance the transaction with a combination of debt and equity. The equity component of approximately USD 19 billion is expected to be raised through an issuance of mandatory convertible bonds and through a rights issue with subscription rights. Bridge financing for USD 57 billion is committed by BofA Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and JP Morgan.

Bayer has a proven track record of disciplined deleveraging after large acquisitions and believes that the strong cash flows of the combined business will contribute to improving its financial profile. Bayer targets an investment grade credit rating post-closing and is committed to the single "A" credit rating category over the long-term.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including Monsanto shareholder approval of the merger agreement and receipt of required regulatory approvals. Closing is expected by the end of 2017. The companies will work diligently with regulators to ensure a successful closing. In addition, Bayer has committed to a USD2billion reverse antitrust break fee, reaffirming its confidence that it will obtain the necessary regulatory approvals.

Headquarters and Employees

The combined agriculture business will have its global Seeds & Traits and North American commercial headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, its global Crop Protection and overall Crop Science headquarters in Monheim, Germany, and an important presence in Durham, North Carolina, as well as many other locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. The Digital Farming activities for the combined business will be based in San Francisco, California.

"This combination is a great opportunity for employees, who will be at the forefront of innovation in our sector. This transaction also enhances Bayer's strong commitment to the U.S., building on our 150-year history with operations across 25 states employing more than 12,000 people in the country. I am convinced that Monsanto will flourish as part of one of the most respected and trusted companies in the world," said Baumann.

Bayer has extensive experience in successfully integrating acquisitions from a business, geographic and cultural perspective, and remains committed to its strong culture of innovation, sustainability and social responsibility.

Advisors to the Transaction

BofA Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse are acting as lead financial advisors and structuring banks to Bayer in addition to providing committed financing for the transaction; Rothschild has been retained as an additional financial advisor to Bayer. Bayer's legal advisors are Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (M&A) and Allen & Overy LLP (Financing).

Morgan Stanley & Co. and Ducera Partners are acting as financial advisors, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is acting as legal advisor to Monsanto.

Note:

Further information is available on the internet at: www.advancingtogether.com

- Statements of Werner Baumann and Hugh Grant as video and script (until approx. 2:30 p.m. CEST / 8:30 a.m. EDT)

- Slides for the Investor Conference Call (until approx. 2:00 p.m. CEST / 8:00 a.m. EDT)

- Live webcast of the Investor Conference Call (from approx. 2:00 p.m. CEST / 8:00 a.m. EDT)

- Slides for the Media Conference Call (until approx.3:30 p.m. CEST / 9:30 a.m. EDT)

- Speech and embedded slides for the Media Conference Call(from approx. 3:30 p.m. CEST / 9:30 a.m. EDT)

- Live webcast of the Media Conference Call (from approx. 3:30 p.m. CEST / 9:30 a.m. EDT)

Transcripts and audio recordings of all conference calls will be available afterwards.

Print-quality photos can be downloaded on the internet at:

www.news.bayer.com

TV and multimedia editors can download or order updated film footage about Bayer free of charge at: www.tv-footage.bayer.com

Contact :

Bayer:

Gunter Forneck,phone +49 214 30-50446

Email: guenter.forneck@bayer.com

Christian Hartel,phone +49 214 30-47686

Email: christian.hartel@bayer.com

Monsanto:

Lee Quarles,phone +1-314-694-2330

fo (2016-0203E)

Bayer: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2015, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of EUR 46.3 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.3 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto is committed to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. We produce seeds for fruits, vegetables and key crops - such as corn, soybeans, and cotton - that help farmers have better harvests while using water and other important resources more efficiently. We work to find sustainable solutions for soil health, help farmers use data to improve farming practices and conserve natural resources, and provide crop protection products to minimize damage from pests and disease. Through programs and partnerships, we collaborate with farmers, researchers, nonprofit organizations, universities and others to help tackle some of the world's biggest challenges. To learn more about Monsanto, our commitments and our more than 20,000 dedicated employees, please visit: discover.monsanto.com and monsanto.com. Follow our business on Twitter at twitter.com/MonsantoCo on the company blog, Beyond the Rows at monsantoblog.com or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this communication may constitute "forward-looking statements." Actual results could differ materially from those projected or forecast in the forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the following: the risk that Monsanto Company's ("Monsanto") stockholders do not approve the transaction; uncertainties as to the timing of the transaction; the possibility that the parties may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in the merger within the expected timeframes or at all and to successfully integrate Monsanto's operations into those of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft ("Bayer"); such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; revenues following the transaction may be lower than expected; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, clients or suppliers) may be greater than expected following the transaction; the retention of certain key employees at Monsanto; risks associated with the disruption of management's attention from ongoing business operations due to the transaction; the conditions to the completion of the transaction may not be satisfied, or the regulatory approvals required for the transaction may not be obtained on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; the parties' ability to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatments of the merger; the impact of indebtedness incurred by Bayer in connection with the transaction and the potential impact on the rating of indebtedness of Bayer; the effects of the business combination of Bayer and Monsanto, including the combined company's future financial condition, operating results, strategy and plans; other factors detailed in Monsanto's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 and Monsanto's other filings with the SEC, which are available at http://www.sec.gov and on Monsanto's website at www.monsanto.com; and other factors discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. Bayer and Monsanto assume no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication relates to the proposed merger transaction involving Monsanto and Bayer. In connection with the proposed merger, Monsanto and Bayer intend to file relevant materials with the SEC, including Monsanto's proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the "Proxy Statement"). This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, and is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or any other document that Monsanto may file with the SEC or send to its stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. STOCKHOLDERS OF MONSANTO ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING THE PROXY STATEMENT, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents (when available) free of charge at the SEC's web site, http://www.sec.gov, and Monsanto's website, www.monsanto.com, and Monsanto stockholders will receive information at an appropriate time on how to obtain transaction-related documents for free from Monsanto. In addition, the documents (when available) may be obtained free of charge by directing a request to Corporate Secretary, Monsanto Company, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63167, or by calling (314) 694-8148.

Participants in Solicitation

Monsanto, Bayer and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the holders of Monsanto common stock in respect of the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Monsanto is set forth in the proxy statement for Monsanto's 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on December 10, 2015, and in Monsanto's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on October 29, 2015. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Proxy Statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC in respect of the proposed transaction when they become available.




SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, will announce the newest Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) during an official ceremony at the University of Saskatchewan. The CERC program attracts some of the most talented and innovative researchers from around the world, and helps to further Canada's growing reputation as a leader in research, higher learning, and science and technology development.

There will be media availability and photo opportunities following the announcement. Minister Goodale will then tour the university's phytotron.

DATE: September 15, 2016 TIME: Announcement - 10:00 a.m. (Central) Tour of the Phytotron - 11:00 a.m. (Central) PLACE: Atrium, Agriculture Building 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8

Follow us on Twitter: @CERC_CERC @ScienceMin

Contacts:

Michael Adams

Communications Advisor

Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program

613-944-1758

Cell: 613-219-7523Veronique PerronPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Science343-291-2600Kathryn WardenDirector, Research Profile and ImpactUniversity of Saskatchewan306-966-2506
DENVER, CO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Ubiquitech Software Corp. (OTC PINK: UBQU), CEO James A. Ballas, and the management of (UBQU) and Hemplife Today want all shareholders, and the general public, to have an update and overview on the exciting achievements to date in 2016, and that additional press releases will be made in the month of September.

Important achievements in 2016 to date:

Name and symbol change: The Company has chosen a new name and symbol change that will better reflect the emerging Cannabis industry and position the company firmly as a leader in the CBD product space. This announcement was first made in January of this year and the official announcement will come over the next month.

Added active buyers: Exceeded goal of adding an additional 10,000 customers to active buyers list.

Added active subscribers: Exceeded goal of adding an additional 20,000 to subscribers list.

Added revenue platforms: Added and expanded on new revenue platforms; Referral and Affiliate programs.

Added content sites: Added additional "authority content sites" like PotGuide.com and ColoradoPotGuide.com, with more to be announced in the future.

Added new products: Added new products; Liquid Soluble Powder, GelCaps, Wax Crumble, THC free products.

Lowered retail pricing: Reduced product pricing three times in order to increase competitiveness and continue to make CannazALL CBD products the leading brand . Price reductions also due to increased production resulting in lowering of production costs.

Lowered advertising costs: Reduced advertising costs based on increase in Referrals and Affiliate programs leading to higher profit margins.

Increased Social Media: Including facebook, twitter, instagram, and blogs.

Increased Customer Support: Adding more specialists to assist with customer inquiries

Solidified all Trademarks and copyrights: Making HempLife Today and the CannazALL brand a more valuable and "acquirable" company.

Increased bottom line profit. More to be announced.

Reduced debt: More to be announced.

"While we are thrilled with what we have achieved so far in 2016, now that Labor Day weekend is behind us, we are poised to really start an additional growth curve that will take us through end of year, and in 2017 we expect to continue growing at an even greater rate," said James Ballas, CEO of parent company Ubiquitech (UBQU). "We employ a very talented team and we succeed not only because we are on the cutting edge of the explosive Hemp industry, but because we are also on the cutting edge of innovative marketing."

"Our company grows daily as the benefits of CBD from Hemp become more widely know, and virtually every time a news story or feature is presented in the media we see a spike in sales. This means that with less than 8% of the general public aware of CBD our company will only continue to grow as the public becomes more knowledgeable." - Tim Zorn, CEO HempLife Today

We love the free advertising!" adds James Ballas

The company is poised to experience more growth through 4th quarter and into 2017 and will continue to keep shareholders and the public aware of all exciting developments on a frequent basis, including the very important name and symbol change.

About Ubiquitech

Ubiquitech Software Corp., through its subsidiaries is a dynamic multi-media, multi-faceted corporation utilizing state-of-the-art global internet marketing, Direct Response (DRTV) Television, Radio, and traditional marketing, to drive traffic to the new and emerging multi-billion dollar industries like its subsidiary HempLifeToday.com

HempLifeToday focuses on the exciting and dynamic new thinking in the world today that recognizes the important health and life enriching enhancement that CBD Oil from the Hemp plant can bring. Through its network of quality USA growers HempLifeToday.com has developed multiple and proprietary CannazALL CBD oil products that include; It's popular CBD Tinctures, Oils, GelCaps, CBD Powder, Skin Salve, Wax Crumble, and e-liquid, all offered @ www.HempLifeToday.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects", "intends', "believes', and similar expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development and market acceptance of products and technologies, the ability to secure additional sources of finance, the ability to reduce operating expenses, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the OTC Markets Group. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statement due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward- looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3055554



Contact:

Investor Relations

E-mail: Investors@UbiquitechSoftware.com




VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - September 14, 2016) - Comstock Metals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: CSL) ("Comstock" or the "Company") and Select Sands Corp. (TSX VENTURE: SNS) ("Select Sands") are pleased to announce that they have completed the transaction pursuant to which Comstock acquired Select Sands' Preview SW gold project located in the La Ronge district of Saskatchewan and Select Sands' early-stage Old Cabin property in Ontario (together the "Assets"), each as previously disclosed in the press releases dated May 16, 2016 and August 11, 2016. Under the terms of the transaction Comstock acquired the Assets for 20 million common shares in the capital of Comstock and the assumption of certain liabilities associated with the Assets.

Preview SW Gold Project

The Preview SW gold project is located 40 km north of La Ronge, Saskatchewan and 80 km southwest of Silver Standard Resources Inc.'s Seabee gold mine. The Preview SW project database contains results from 162 core holes, totaling 26,250 m, drilled between 1985 and 2013. Of these, 136 were drilled on the main Preview SW deposit and form the basis for a NI 43-101 Resource Estimate 1 (see Select Sands' October 1, 2013 News Release) that included:

Indicated resources containing 158,300 ounces of gold (2.61 million tonnes grading 1.89 g/t Au) based on a 0.50 g/t Au cut-off grade.

Inferred resources containing 270,800 ounces of gold (5.70 million tonnes grading 1.48 g/t Au) based on a 0.50 g/t Au cut-off grade.

The main Preview SW deposit is comprised of several sub-parallel northeast-trending gold-bearing quartz-sulphide mineralized structural zones, 500 m in strike length and totalling 150 m in width. Preliminary metallurgical test work indicates total gold recovery in concentrates ranged from 90% to 93% (see Select Sands' June 3, 2013 News Release).

In addition, there are six additional known gold zones on the 853 ha property with only limited drilling. At the Preview North zone, located 2.6 km northeast of the Preview SW deposit, drill hole PR13-163 (see Select Sands' April 8, 2013 News Release) intersected:

17.98 g/t Au over 5.71 m starting at 10 m below surface;

5.96 g/t Au over 5.66 m starting at 19 m below surface; and,

1.88 g/t Au over 21.26 m starting at 29 m below surface

There has been insufficient drilling at the Preview North zone to determine the attitude of the reported mineralized intervals and, therefore, the above mineralized intersections may not represent true widths. No drilling has been carried out for over 600 m to the south of this hole.

The Company confirms that it will file a technical report on the Preview SW Gold Property within 180 days of its August 11, 2016 press release to support the above disclosed SW deposit mineral resource estimate. For more details about the project please visit: http://www.selectsandscorp.com/projects/sk-gold-project/.

Old Cabin Project

The 1,118 ha Old Cabin project is located 80 km northeast of Wawa, Ontario and 10 km east of Richmont Mines' Island Gold Mine, which is forecast to produce 62-67,000 oz of gold in 2016 2 . It should be noted that the mineralization hosted on the Richmont Property is not necessarily similar to the mineralization hosted on the Old Cabin Property. The property has had surface sampling and geological mapping carried out, resulting in the discovery of 13 discrete gold zones, all associated with shear zones and strong iron carbonate alteration. Highlights of results reported by Select Sands include a channel sample of 40.5 g/t Au over 1.68 m.

Given that Comstock and Select Sands have certain directors that serve as directors of both Comstock and Select Sands, each board appointed independent committees to review the proposed transaction. Furthermore each committee received independent fairness opinions confirming that the transaction is fair from a financial perspective to the shareholders of each of Comstock and Select Sands.

Further details regarding the Preview SW gold project can be found in Select Sands' press releases dated May 16, 2016 and March 17, 2016.

1 This resource estimate was conducted by GeoSim Services Inc. Ronald G. Simpson, P. Geo., of GeoSim, is the Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the resource estimates. Mineral resources have been classified using the definitions set out in CIM (2010). Mineral resources have an effective date of August 31, 2013. A copy of the report is available on Select Sands website at http://www.selectsandscorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/LaRonge43-101.pdf

2 see www.richmont-mines.com

About Comstock Metals Ltd.

Comstock Metals Ltd. is a mineral exploration company. Its flagship 16,335 hectare QV Property is located in the White Gold district of the Yukon Territory, approximately 70 kilometres south of Dawson City and 44 kilometres northeast of the Coffee project of Goldcorp Inc., which it recently acquired through an acquisition of Kaminak Gold Corporation through a court approved plan of arrangement in a deal valued at C$520 million at the time it was announced. To date, the Company has completed 3,400 metres of drilling in 17 drill holes which formed the basis for a maiden Inferred mineral resource totalling 4.4 million tonnes grading 1.65 g/t gold containing 230,000 ounces of gold at a 0.5 g/t gold cut-off (See Comstock July 8, 2014 News Release). The VG Deposit remains open in all directions and is proximal to other untested sub-parallel structures. The VG Zone has similar geology and style of mineralization to Kinross's Golden Saddle deposit, located 11 kilometres to the south. Additional promising targets exist on the QV Project, with potential for the discovery of significant intrusion related and/or orogenic gold mineralization. The infrastructure associated with the development of the Coffee project, including upgrading and completion of the mine access road, will benefit all projects in the district, including the QV Property.

Comstock also owns early stage uranium claims in the Patterson Lake area of Saskatchewan and has optioned out its Corona property in Mexico (see January 28, 2016 News Release).

David A. Terry, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and an Officer and Director of Comstock, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release.

About Select Sands Corp.

Select Sands' Sandtown property, located in northeast Arkansas, USA, is underlain by the Ordovician St. Peter sandstone formation, which is a major source of 'Ottawa White' Tier-1 frac sand/industrial sand selling into major US oil and gas basins as well as industrial and speciality end markets. The Sandtown property is located 3.1 miles from Highway 167 near a natural gas pipeline. The property has an active power line on the property and is located approximately 14.7 miles from the nearest rail system (see Select Sands December 4, 2014 News Release). Compared to competitive sand mines located in Wisconsin owned by the largest US frac sand producers, Sandtown has a competitive location advantage as it is approximately 650 rail miles closer to the Texas/Louisiana oil/gas plays as well as the Houston port and industrial hub.

As per the June 2015 Preliminary Economic Assessment report by Tetra Tech of Golden, Colorado, USA and Vancouver, BC, Canada, the Sandtown property has a pre-tax NPV valued at US $160 million and a post-tax NPV valued at US $92 million. The PEA was completed on a portion of the current silica sand mineral resources (see the Select Sands' June 10, 2015 news release). Select Sands would like to remind investors that mineral resources for the Sandtown Property are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability and there is no certainty that this PEA will be realized. Subsequent to the completion of the 2015 PEA, Select Sands announced an updated mineral resource estimate for the Sandtown property totaling 41.98 Million Tons of Indicated Silica Sand Resources (see the Select Sands February 10, 2016 news release).

Douglas Turnbull, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and a director of Select Sands, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure specifically related to the Select Sand's properties in this news release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking information and statements, which may include, but are not limited to, information and statements regarding or inferring the future business, operations, financial performance, prospects, and other plans, intentions, expectations, estimates, and beliefs of the Company. Such statements include statements regarding the targets and future exploration on the Company's properties. Information and statements which are not purely historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information and statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information and statements herein. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking information and statements herein are reasonable, in light of the use of assumptions and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in such information and statements, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance upon such forward-looking information and statements. Any forward-looking information and statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation and disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking information and statements herein or to update the reasons that actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in any forward looking information and statements herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, except as required by applicable 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.

For more information about Comstock Metals Ltd., please visit www.comstock-metals.com or contact:



David A Terry, Ph.D., P.Geo.

President, CEO and Director

COMSTOCK METALS LTD.

Phone: (604) 639-4533

Email: info@comstock-metals.com



For more information about Select Sands Corp., please visit www.selectsandscorp.com or contact:



Rasool Mohammad, B.Sc. (Mining)

President & CEO

Phone: (604) 639-4533



Investor Relations

Arlen Hansen

SNS@kincommunications.com

Phone: (604) 684-6730
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Advantage Lithium Corp. (the "Company" or "Advantage Lithium") (TSXV: AAL) has entered into letter of intent (the "LOI") to acquire 100% interest in the Stella Marys project, Salta Province, Argentina (the "Property"). The 1,472 ha property is located in the western sector of the Salinas Grandes salar within Argentina's "Lithium Triangle" of developing and producing projects, including the country's two lithium producers. Stella Marys lies immediately adjacent to Orocobre's Salar de Salinas Grandes lithium-potassium-boron brine project, which hosts a near-surface, low sulfate inferred resource estimate of 56.5 million cubic meters of brine grading 795 mg/l lithium (239,200 tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE)) and 9,547 mg/l potassium (1.03 million tonnes of potash equivalent) and 283 mg/l boron.

Orocobre's shallow inferred mineral resource is immediately adjacent to and potentially extends onto the Stella Marys property, where a previous operator is reported to have completed a comprehensive exploration program of mapping and sampling, geochemistry, some drilling with pump tests, and preliminary engineering. These and other technical reports will be confirmed as part of the Company's due diligence.

Project Highlights

-- 1,472 ha project immediately adjacent to a large, shallow depth, inferred resource -- Prior exploration work includes mapping, sampling, geochemistry, drilling with pump tests and preliminary engineering -- Salta province of Argentina is ranked by Fraser Institute (2015 survey) as one of the most favourable jurisdictions in Central and South America for exploration -- Near to excellent infrastructure corridor of road, rail, and power

The Lithium Triangle and Argentina's Salta Province

Argentina, Chile and Bolivia hold the world's largest lithium and comprise what's has become known as the "lithium triangle," - a desert region in the high Andes. In Argentina, this region hosts a number of developed and developing projects, including two producing lithium mines (Orocobre's Olaroz and FMC's Salar de Hombre Muerto), along with several properties with advanced technical studies to feasibility study level, and numerous earlier-stage lithium and potash exploration targets.

According to the Fraser Institute's 2015 survey, Salta province ranked as one of the most favourable jurisdictions for exploration in Central and South America in its Investment Attractiveness Index, due to mineral policy and best practices.

David Sidoo, President and Director, of Advantage Lithium, commented: "Acquiring a lithium brine project of this calibre in Argentina's Lithium Triangle is a tremendous step forward for the company and our progress points clearly to calibre of the management and technical team we have assembled. With a drill program soon to start at our Clayton NE project in Nevada, a recent agreement to acquire three exciting early-stage projects in Mexico and now, this more advanced project next to Orocobre's large and shallow resource at Salar de Salinas Grandes, we are closer to fulfilling our goal as a leading junior in the lithium space."

Details of the LOI

In order to acquire the Property, the Company must pay: (a) a non-refundable deposit of US$100,000 upon signing of the LOI (which has been paid); (b) a further US$250,000 and 300,000 common shares of the Company on the earlier of the date of TSXV acceptance and 90 days from date of the LOI; (c) a further US$250,000 and 300,000 common shares on the six month anniversary of TSXV acceptance; and (d) a further US$650,000 and 900,000 common shares on the first anniversary of TSXV acceptance.

The obligation of the Company to complete the acquisition (other than payment of the US$100,000 which is non-refundable) is subject to completion of due diligence by the Company. If, after completion of due diligence, the Company elects to proceed with the acquisition and fails to complete the payment obligations, the Property and any payments already made by the Company will revert to the vendor. The vendor is based in Argentina and is at arm's length to the Company. The parties intend to use commercially reasonable efforts to complete a definitive agreement within 90 days.

A finder's fee (the "Finder's Fee") equal to the maximum finder's fee permitted under the policies of the Exchange will be paid to Synergy Resource Capital (described below) for introducing the Project. The Finder's Fee will be paid in cash in tranches as the payments above are made to the Vendor.

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Ross McElroy, P.Geol., Technical Advisor to Advantage Lithium Corp., and the Designated Qualified Person for the company.

Further information about the company can be found at www.advantagelithium.com.

About Advantage Lithium Corp.

Advantage Lithium Corp. is a resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration and development of lithium properties and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Common Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AAL". The company is earning an interest from Nevada Sunrise Gold Corp., in a portfolio of five lithium brine projects in the Clayton and Lida Valley regions of Nevada, USA, together with certificated water rights in the Clayton Valley. In addition, the company has entered into an LOI agreement to earn interest from Radius Gold Inc. in four lithium brine projects in the states of Chihuahua and Coahuila, Northwest Mexico.

Cautionary Statement:

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward looking statements contained in this press release may include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Advantage Lithium which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company and Advantage Lithium disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.

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:

Advantage Lithium Corp.

David Sidoo

President

604.685.9316

604.683.1585 (FAX)

info@advantagelithium.com

www.advantagelithium.com




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Callinex Mines Inc. (the "Company" or "Callinex") (TSX VENTURE: CNX)(OTCQX: CLLXF) is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing Summer Drilling Campaign (the "Campaign") at its 100% owned Pine Bay Project (the "Project"), located near HudBay's 777 Mine and processing facilities in Flin Flon, MB. Two drill holes have been completed to date, including one hole to test a high-priority borehole electromagnetic target located immediately north of the previously known Sourdough Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide ("VMS") deposit and the deepening of hole 284-3-93 ("284-3-93 DPN") previously drilled by Placer Dome Inc. and located just northeast of Callinex's new Pine Bay East VMS discovery (See News Releases Dated March 7 and May 31, 2016). Drill core from both holes are in the process of being logged and will be cut and shipped to a laboratory for analytical results in short order.

Callinex has modified its plans for the Campaign to include the deepening of two other Placer Dome drill holes located up-dip from drill hole 284-3-93 DPN. A review of recent data, along with geological observations from hole 284-3-93 DPN, indicate that previous drilling may not have adequately tested the recently identified Lower VMS Horizon. It is now understood that the Lower VMS Horizon, which hosts the recent Pine Bay East discovery along strike to the south, is approximately 60 meters further to the northwest than previously interpreted by Placer Dome geologists and as a result was not properly drill tested. Placer Dome explored the Project from 1991 to 1993 with a mandate to discover a 30 million ton VMS deposit at depth.

Callinex plans to re-enter these drill holes, which were stopped in a favorable footwall alteration package containing significant base metal and sulphide mineralization. For instance, hole BP-1-92 intersected four separate narrow intervals that carried appreciable copper values ranging from 1.1% to 4.9%, while hole BP-3-92, located approximately 200m to the north of BP-1-92, intersected seven separate narrow intervals ranging from 1.0% to 3.9% copper. Subsequent lithogeochemical analyses of both holes by Placer Dome indicated a favorable alteration pattern consisting of magnesium and iron enrichment, typical of footwall VMS systems.

Callinex will also deepen the historic Inmet drill hole 95-02 to test the down-plunge depth potential of the Pine Bay East Zone and the Lower VMS Horizon in an area located approximately 350 to 550 meters further south of holes 284-3-93 DPN, BP-1-92 DPN and BP-3-92 DPN. Inmet attempted to test the horizon with hole 95-02 based on previous interpretations by Placer Dome; however, they did not reach the intended horizon.

These holes, along with the recently completed SDB-005 and 284-3-93 DPN drill holes are targeting sulphide and base metal rich mineralization located at the margins of the Baker Patton Felsic Complex ("BPFC"). The BPFC is one of the largest and most highly altered packages of felsic volcanic rocks within the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt. Nearly all deposits in the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt are hosted within felsic volcanic rocks, the largest accumulation of which are often directly associated with major alteration systems such as those found near the large Flin Flon and Lalor VMS deposits.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by James Pickell, P.Geo, a Consultant to the Callinex, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About The Pine Bay Project

The Pine Bay Project is located 16km east of HudBay's 777 Mine and processing facilities near Flin Flon, MB. The project area spans 6,000 sq. ha. and covers a significant portion of the Baker Patton Felsic Complex, one of the largest and most highly altered packages of felsic volcanic rocks within the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt. Historic exploration activities have outlined four mineral deposits, three of which are located within a mineral lease that has advanced permitting status and includes the right to conduct mining activities. The Pine Bay deposit, the largest of the four historic deposits, has a 212m vertical shaft with significant underground workings from previous exploration activities.

The project has two distinct areas with VMS mineralization, the northern Pine Bay area and the southern Sourdough area. These areas are each related to historic deposits and occur along an approximate 10km NE-SW VMS trend near the top of the Baker Patton Felsic Complex. The Sourdough area is immediately adjacent to HudBay's past-producing Centennial Mine. Callinex has recently intersected new VMS zones in both the Pine Bay and Sourdough areas.

During the 1990s, majors including Placer Dome Inc. and Inmet Mining Corporation conducted limited exploration programs in the Pine Bay area to define a large VMS deposit at depth. A review of historic work has confirmed that several proposed drill holes and targets outlined by Placer Dome that were never completed. The property position was recently consolidated for the first time combining several large claim blocks previously operated by companies including Placer Dome, Inmet, Newmont, HudBay and Cameco.

Previous to Callinex' modern geophysical and geological exploration programs, very limited work was conducted between 1996 and 2014. Callinex has digitally compiled more than 1,000 mostly shallow drill holes and has completed large airborne and ground geophysical surveys to identify and evaluate the most prospective drill targets.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pine Bay Historic Resources(1)(2)(3) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit Tons Cu Eq%(2) Cu % Zn % Au g/t Ag g/t ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pine Bay 1,113,200 2.76 2.76 N/A N/A N/A ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sourdough 291,150 2.98 1.46 1.71 1.03 29.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cabin 125,000 2.18 0.84 4.02 N/A N/A ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Baker Patton 95,000 3.66 0.80 5.28 0.83 56.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 1,624,350 2.81 2.26 0.92 0.24 8.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes: (1) Values have been converted from the imperial to metric system (2) Historical resource estimates include (a) a Cerro-Mining-Guggenheim Joint Venture report titled "Feasibility Study for 550 ton per day mine & mill", prepared by Wright Engineers Limited in 1971, reported a "geological ore reserve" 1,113,200 tons at 2.76% Cu at the Pine Bay deposit, (b) a Keys report in 1963 reported a historical resource estimate of 291,150 tons at 1.46% Cu at the Sourdough deposit, (c) a Pine Bay Mines report in 1976 reported a historical resource estimate of 125,000 tons at 0.84% Cu at the Cabin deposit and (d) a Macmillan report in 1968 reported a historical resource estimate of 95,000 tons at 0.80% Cu at the Baker Patton deposit. The historical "geological ore reserve" and resource estimates cited above is mentioned for historical purposes only and uses terminology not compliant with current reporting standards. The reliability of these historical estimates is unknown but considered relevant by the Company as it represents a significant target for future exploration work by the Company. The assumptions, parameters and methods used to calculate this historical resource estimate are not known to the Company. The qualified person has not made any attempt to re- classify the estimates accordingly to current NI 43-101 standards of disclosure or the CIM definitions. In order for these resources to be current, the Company will be required to conduct additional drilling on the Pine Bay Property. The Company is not treating this estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves as defined in NI 43-101. Although the Historical resource estimate was also designated as "ore" it cannot be compared to mineral reserves as it is not supported by at least a current pre-feasibility study. (3) Copper equivalent grades are based on metal prices of: copper US$3.00/lb, zinc $1.00/lb, gold US$1200 per oz, silver US$20 per oz. Metal recoveries of 100% are applied in the copper equivalent calculation. The copper equivalent calculation is as follows; Cu Eq = Cu grade + ((Zn grade%/100(i)2000 x Zn price) + (Au grade/32.15 x Au price) + (Ag grade/32.15 x Ag price)/Cu price/20).

About Callinex Mines Inc.

Callinex Mines Inc. is focused on discovering and developing zinc and copper rich mines within prolific Canadian VMS mining jurisdictions. The Company is actively exploring its Pine Bay Project, located in the Flin Flon mining district of Manitoba, which hosts significant historic VMS deposits that are within close proximity to a processing facility. The larger project portfolio hosts three significant zinc rich mineral resources including the Point Leamington, Nash Creek and Superjack Projects located in Eastern Canada.

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.

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future expenditures. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, among others, the ability to complete contemplated work programs and the timing and amount of expenditures. Callinex does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

Contacts:

Callinex Mines Inc.

Max Porterfield

President and Chief Executive Officer

(604) 605-0885

info@callinex.ca




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Redhawk Resources, Inc. ("Redhawk" or the "Company") (TSX: RDK)(FRANKFURT: QF7) is pleased to announce an option agreement on four copper/cobalt projects in Zambia. Redhawk has entered into an option agreement dated September 13, 2016 (the "Option Agreement") with Copperzone Resources Ltd. ("Copperzone"), a private Canadian company, on four licenses (the "Projects") held by Copperzone in Zambia.

The terms of the Option Agreement entitle Redhawk to earn a 55% interest in the Projects by making exploration expenditures of US$1,500,000 over a twelve month period and paying US$30,000 on the completion of satisfactory due diligence.

The Option Agreement remains subject to the completion of satisfactory due diligence in the 30 day period following execution of the Option Agreement and regulatory approval.

The licenses subject to the Option Agreement include 12131-HQ-LPL, 8684-HQ-LPL, 14522-HQ-LPL and 8371- SML. License 12131-HQ-LPL covers 493 km2 in northwest Zambia and was subject to a prior joint venture between Copperzone and BHP Billiton. The joint venture included airborne and ground geophysics and core drilling based on a cluster of gravity anomalies. Recent re-processing of geophysical datasets by Copperzone has increased the number of areas of interest. License 8684-HQ-LPL, known as "Luamata", covers 57 km2, is near Mwinilunga in northwest Zambia and is adjacent to a small scale copper/cobalt mine that was historically operated. Luamata was previously subject to a joint venture between Copperzone and Vale, where geophysical and geochemical surveys were carried out with a number of copper bearing areas that have not been drilled. License 14522-HQ-LOL covers 224 km2 near Kabwe and is close to the historical Kabwe mine that had been modelled after Broken Hill, Australia. Previous geochemical surveys by Copperzone on this license have yielded areas with copper values. License 8371-SML covers 4.99 km2 and is a small scale mine license called "Chimpatika" in northwest Luapula Province, Zambia, located along the Democratic Republic of Congo border, approximately 20 km south of the Kapulo copper mine. The Kapulo mine hosts three deposits of copper along a distinct contact zone. This contact zone is the source of the same copper mineralization at the Chimpatika pit that hosts both oxide and sulphide copper in what has been historically a small scale mine. The contact zone extends approximately 30 km to the south of the Chimpatika pit. Mapping completed by Copperzone indicates a thick oxide zone with visible copper.

Redhawk also announces a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") for up to 15,000,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.07 per Unit to raise total proceeds of $1,050,000. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant is exercisable into one additional Share for a period of two years at a price of $0.12 per Share. The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for the initial work program on the Projects and for general working capital. Finder's fees will be payable on the private placement, as permitted.

Stephen Barley, Executive Chairman, stated: "We are excited to have entered into the Option Agreement with Copperzone and launch our entry into the resource rich African mineral sector with a focus on African copper and cobalt. Zambia is internationally recognized as a major producer of copper and cobalt and in 1997 Zambia ranked as the world's seventh largest producer of copper, generating 3.3% of the western world's production, and the world's second highest producer of cobalt (19.7%) behind the leading producer, the DRC which sources its copper/cobalt ore from the strike-extension of Zambia's Copperbelt mineralization. Copperzone has been operating in Zambia since 2009 and has a strong and experienced African operating team to supplement the team that the Company has been building to assist expansion into Africa. Redhawk will continue its search for other opportunities in Africa in addition to our continued joint venture on our Copper Creek project. Investor and industry interest in African copper/cobalt has been steadily increasing and we intend to position Redhawk to benefit from this growth."

About Redhawk

Redhawk is a Canadian-based resource exploration and development company with a new focus on the advancement of copper/cobalt projects in Africa and as well as the continued advancement of the Copper Creek copper-molybdenum project in San Manuel, Arizona through a joint venture with Anglo American. The copper/cobalt project in Zambia which the Company has an interest in through the Option Agreement with Copperzone Resources Ltd. consists of approximately 779 km2 of prospective copper/cobalt property. The advanced Copper Creek Arizona property consists of approximately 75 km2 of contiguous patented and unpatented mining claims and state prospecting permits, located about 70 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona. The Company's efforts in Africa are independent of the joint venture with Anglo American.

About Copperzone

Copperzone is a private Canadian company with an experienced Southern Africa management and exploration team. Copperzone has been operating in Zambia since 2009 and controls over 4,000 km2 of prospective properties in Zambia's Northwest Province, Copper belt, and Luapula Province comprised of 20 separate licenses. Copperzone has joint ventures on 11 licenses with a major international mining company.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

J. Stephen Barley, Executive Chairman

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements relating the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements.

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 in this news release relate to, among other things: the Company preforming a satisfactory due diligence of the Projects within 30 days from the execution of the Option Agreement and the payment of US$30,000 to Copperzone on completion of due diligence by the Company; the Company making US$1,500,000 in exploration expenditures on the Projects; the Company earning a 55% interest in the Projects pursuant to the Option Agreement; the completion of the Private Placement; use of the proceeds of the Private Placement; anticipated entry in African mineral sector; and search for other opportunities in Africa. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management of the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and management of the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability of the Company to complete the conditions precedent to exercise the option under the Option Agreement; that due diligence conducted by the Company on the Projects may not be satisfactory; the Company having available cash to incur the exploration expenditures and make the cash payment to Copperzone; the ability of the Company to find suitable investors, receive regulatory approval for and complete the Private Placement; and management's discretion to re-allocate the proceeds of the Private Placement.

Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these matters. Except as required by law, Redhawk does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Contacts:

Redhawk Resources, Inc.

J. Stephen Barley

Executive Chairman

604-633-5088

info@redhawkresources.com

www.redhawkresources.com




BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Labor Department is due to release its report on export and import prices for August at 8:30 am ET Wednesday. Economists expect a 0.1 percent month-over-month decline each in export and import prices. Ahead of the data, the greenback showed mixed trading against its major rivals. While the greenback eased from early highs against the yen and the franc, it held steady against the euro. Against the pound, the greenback recovered from early lows. The greenback was worth 1.1222 against the euro, 1.3189 against the pound, 0.9754 against the franc and 102.83 against the yen as of 8:25 am ET. 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.
CHICAGO, IL -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Shawn M. Miller, CXO at Smync and author of The New Face of Your Brand: Social Brand Advocacy grows Business with Customer Community and Co-Created Marketing, announces that his first book has officially reached best-seller status in Amazon's Business categories of Advertising and Marketing. Released last week, the self-published book is also included on Amazon's "Hottest New Releases" list.

The book draws upon Miller's experience at Smync, delivering the equivalent of an intense professional training session on Social Brand Advocacy, the real state of Social Media Marketing today, and how to produce measurable ROI from Social. Readers will also learn to tie better Social metrics to their core business goals while co-creating rewarding customer communities.

"What others say about you is infinitely more powerful than anything you could say about yourself," said Miller. "With Social Word-of-Mouth Marketing, Brand Marketers can empower their greatest asset, their customers, to uniquely communicate their value to others."

The New Face of Your Brand: Social Brand Advocacy grows Business with Customer Community and Co-Created Marketing is currently available on Kindle or as a paperback on Amazon.com.

"The best brands turn their customers into volunteer marketers," said Jay Baer, President of Convince & Convert and author of Hug Your Haters. "Shawn Miller shows you precisely how to activate and amplify these raving fans. Recommended!"

Shawn M. Miller is an Entrepreneur, Investor and Advisor with over 20 years of international business experience specializing in marketing, customer service and training. As Chief Experience Officer at Smync, Shawn is leading development of User Experience on both the brand and the customer side of Smync hosted Social Brand Advocate Communities. Klout tracks Shawn among the Top 0.1% of Influencers on-line on the competitive topics of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Social Media. Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn, on Twitter @ShawnMMiller, or on Snapchat (theshawnmmiller).

For more information about Smync's Social Word-of-Mouth Marketing Platform, please visit http://smync.com/.

About Smync

Smync is The Social Word-of-Mouth Marketing Platform. Smync empowers brands and agencies of all sizes to identify, foster and amplify brand enthusiasts and ignite advocate communities. Smync is revolutionizing social media marketing by putting social media into human terms, helping brands build authentic, sustainable advocate movements that deliver Return on Advocacy. Smync is based in Chicago, Illinois at 1871, the hub of Chicago's Tech and Entrepreneur Community. For more information, please visit http://smync.com/ and follow @gosmync.

Media Contact:

Seth Menacker

TallGrass Public Relations

(201) 638-7561

Email Contact




Online program will confer first-ever cybersecurity oversight certificate to board membersWASHINGTON, 2016-09-14 15:00 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the critical issue of cyber-risk oversight at the top of every board's agenda, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Ridge Global, and the CERT Division of the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon Universitytoday announced the development of the first-ever NACD Cyber-Risk Oversight Program for corporate directors, which confers the CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight.The program brings together the professional-development capabilities of NACD, the standard setter for responsible board leadership; Ridge Global's experience supporting C-suite executives and board leaders; and the deep cyber-technical expertise of the world-renowned SEI CERT Division to deliver a cyber education and resource program that addresses the specific cyber-risk oversight responsibilities of board members and executives."While NACD's latest governance survey found that only 14 percent of respondents believe their boards have a high level of understanding of the risks associated with cybersecurity," said NACD's CEO Ken Daly, "our director members across the country have demonstrated a strong interest in enhancing their cyber-risk oversight capabilities."The NACD Cyber-Risk Oversight Program will include the CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight, along with multiple NACD resources on cyber-risk oversight such as NACD's Director's Handbook on Cyber-Risk Oversight, the first private-sector resource to be featured on the Department of Homeland Security's C3 Voluntary Program website."The SEI's CERT Division has long advocated that authority for enterprise security should be held at the governance level of organizations-in boards of directors and senior executives," said Robert F. Behler, deputy director and COO of the SEI. "The NACD Cyber-Risk Oversight Program will help senior leaders understand, achieve, and sustain an organization's position on cyber risk."The program will be delivered completely online, allowing busy corporate directors and executives to complete the certificate from any location and at their own pace. The robust, multi-module certificate program will improve corporate directors' understanding of cybersecurity risks, detail the respective responsibilities of the board and C-suite executives in cyber-risk oversight, and engage participants in a cyber-crisis simulation. The course will culminate in a comprehensive exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, participants will earn the CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight."Cyber threats have added another complex layer for corporate directors as they help to manage 21st century business risk," said Gov. Tom Ridge, the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and CEO of Ridge Global. "Ridge Global is pleased to partner with NACD and the SEI on this innovative program to help board members and executives strengthen their ability to work with both IT and enterprise leaders to more effectively evaluate and reduce digital risk."The NACD Cyber-Risk Oversight Program is expected to be available in late 2016.Visit www.NACDonline.org/CyberCertificate to request additional information about the NACD Cyber-Risk Oversight Program for corporate directors.About NACD The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) empowers more than 17,000 directors to lead with confidence in the boardroom. As the recognized authority on leading boardroom practices, NACD helps boards strengthen investor trust and public confidence by ensuring that today's directors are well-prepared for tomorrow's challenges. World-class boards join NACD to elevate performance, gain foresight, and instill confidence. Fostering collaboration among directors, investors, and governance stakeholders, NACD has been setting the standard for responsible board leadership for 40 years. To learn more about NACD, visit www.NACDonline.org. To become an NACD member, please contact Steve Kalan at Join@NACDonline.org or 202-572-2089. If you are already a member, contact your NACD Membership Advisor at MembershipAdvisor@NACDonline.org to ensure that you are receiving the best value from your membership.About Ridge Global Ridge Global is the risk management firm led by Tom Ridge, the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania. Ridge Global works with C-suite and board executives around the world to reduce enterprise cyber risk and to build more resilient organizations through innovative protection and response capabilities, cyber education and insurance solutions. Learn more at www.ridgeglobal.com.About the Software Engineering Institute The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and operated by Carnegie Mellon University. The SEI works with organizations to make measurable improvements in their software engineering capabilities by providing technical leadership to advance the practice of software engineering. For more information, visit the SEI website at www.sei.cmu.edu. The CERT Division of the SEI is the world's leading trusted authority dedicated to improving the security and resilience of computer systems and networks and a national asset in the field of cybersecurity. For more information, visit www.cert.org.Media Contacts NACD Henry Stoever 202-572-2102 hstoever@NACDonline.orgRidge Global Steve Aaron 717.554.8614 steve@SRAcommunications.comSoftware Engineering Institute Richard Lynch 412-268-4793 public-relations@sei.cmu.edu
Introducing Revolutionary new INKcrypt for Digital Inks, Dispersions, Special Effect Pigments for use with inkjet, offset, flexo and gravure.

Black Color Magnetic MICR Invisible Color Fluorescent Luminescent Thermochromic Photochromic Food Grade Textile More

Diversified NANO Solutions Corporation (DNSC), will be exhibiting Digital Inks and special effect solutions for inkjet print systems by Canon (NYSE: CAJ), Ricoh, Hewlett Packard (NYSE: HPQ), Epson, Xerox (NYSE: XRX), Konica Minolta, Screen, Kyocera, Brother, Pitney Bowes (NYSE: PBI) and more at Graph Expo 2016 September 25-28, at Orange County Convention Center North, Orlando, Florida, Booth #2838.

DNSC is proud to introduce revolutionary INKcrypt identity ink-trace technology, based on advanced biological encryption to provide counterfeit elimination, highly sophisticated protection of brands, supply chain integrity, and authentication of physical items, documents and printed content broadly. Businesses, institutions and users now have the ability to uniquely transfer a permanent biologically encrypted identity to documents, tickets, tags, labels, materials, branded products, IDs/badges, checks and virtually any printed output by using INKcrypt Ink with built-in biological identity tracers. Unlike conventional anti-counterfeiting and tracking methods, adoption of INKcrypt provides ultimate reliability and protection without requiring any changes to an existing print workflow. No additional print passes, non-standard procedures and/or verification steps! The unique biologically encrypted identity is transferred with the same ink which is used for printing the print job. On-the-spot authentication is performed with INKcrypt Qtouch, an instant test for positive INKcrypt Ink identification. INKcrypt is eco-friendly, harmless to human health (FDA compliant) and compatible with the entire portfolio of x-nano Digital Inks suitable for dot-on-demand inkjet systems, offset, flexo, gravure and hand-held writing instruments. In addition to instant physical INKcrypt Ink verification, the system is backed by an online validation platform to authenticate Qtouch test devices and matching INKcrypt Ink, anytime, anywhere! INKcrypt Ink and Qtouch test devices are available to validated subscribers worldwide.

Based in San Diego, California, with manufacturing facilities in the US and Europe, DNSC specializes in developing and manufacturing Digital Inks, nano materials and fluids for high-resolution, high-performance digital inkjet printing. DNSC provides unique ink development services, research and turnkey ink supply and fulfillment solutions reaching end users, resellers and printer manufacturers worldwide. DNSC has developed an extensive product line under the x-nano brand, providing a range of solutions including high-quality, low-cost value black color dye inks (V-Series), elite pigment inks (E-Series), special ultra-fast-dry-inks (S-Series), magnetic MICR inks (K-Series), invisible fluorescent color (RGB) inks, infrared-absorbing inks (I-Series), and special inks for food grade, textile and special effect applications (F-, T-, and X-Series). The company's Digital Inks target dot-on-demand inkjet applications based on thermal and piezo print heads using aqueous, oil, energy curable (UV/LED) and eco-solvent based inks.

DNSC offers a wide array of inkjet inks supporting direct mail, transactional, transpromo, books, catalogs/magazines, ticket, tags, labels and graphics printing applications. DNSC is uniquely positioned to help users create differentiated, high-value output through personalization using x-nano special effect inks such as magnetic (MICR), invisible fluorescent, spot color and security inks for thermal piezo digital inkjet platforms.

The company supports its ink offerings with accessories to facilitate and aid x-nano ink use and applications. These include specialty substrates, UV display lights, INKVERSE Infinite Ink Infuser a revolutionary and cost-effective way to adopt and deliver Digital Inks to existing and new inkjet systems via a continuous delivery ink supply system, and TransChrome an invisible color image generator software to transform CMYK into UV fluorescent RGB output, and more.

New to Graph Expo 2016, is DNSC X-Series, a new family of pigment powders and dispersions to serve as base components for custom development and production of ink, paint, paste, dispersion, gel, cream and powder. These special effect base materials photo-luminesce, fluoresce, absorb IR, and change color with light or heat. X-Series materials have highly customizable properties that allow for various exceptionally unique market applications associated with digital and non-digital printing applications. Also new are food grade and textile pigment powders, both available in a large variety of colors that are ideal for ink (digital, offset, flexo), paint, paste dispersions, gel and powder components ideal for custom food and textile market applications.

DNSC will be showcasing revolutionary INKcrypt identity ink-trace technology, its line of black color, magnetic, invisible, special effect, and security inks for the world's leading inkjet print systems in the desktop, commercial and industrial inkjet space. Here you can learn about X-Base Global, DNSC's new ink manufacturing license program for high-performance on-demand Digital Inks to enhance quality and shelf life, to save on inventory and product costs. Quick-start with X-Base dispersions and standard off-the-shelf DNSC X-Base cofactor solutions, or develop and use your own suitable ink solvent add-ins, to fast track your ink production.

Visit Team DNSC at Booth #2838 and discover DNSC "digital INKS unlimited!"

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914005375/en/

Contacts:

Diversified NANO Solutions Corporation

Robert von Bujtar

US: +1.858.924.1005

EU: +41.41 874 08 50

info@diversifiednano.com

www.diversifiednano.com
NEWTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/09/17 -- Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. (TSX: HSM)(TSX: HSM.S)(OTCQB: HSDT) ("Helius") is pleased to announce that the clinical results from its Multiple Sclerosis (MS)-Pilot Study, performed at the Montreal Neurological Institute, were published in the peer reviewed journal Multiple Sclerosis Journal: Experimental, Translational and Clinical, January-March 2017:p1-9. The publication, "Non-invasive tongue stimulation combined with intense cognitive and physical rehabilitation induces neuroplastic changes in patients with multiple sclerosis: a multimodal neuroimaging study," can be accessed online at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2055217317690561.

"We would like to thank Drs. Leonard, Ptito and their team at the Montreal Neurological Institute for their work on this important study and congratulate them on this peer reviewed publication," said Dr. Jonathan Sackier, Helius' Chief Medical Officer. "Understanding the additional, positive effects we are seeing with the investigational PoNS therapy compared to physiotherapy alone, is core to our clinical development. This publication should prove insightful to two key care givers, the physician and the therapist."

About PoNS Therapy

The Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) is an investigational non-invasive device designed to deliver neurostimulation through the tongue. PoNS Therapy combines the use of the device with physical therapy and is currently being evaluated in a multicenter clinical trial for the treatment of balance disorder for subjects with mild to moderate Traumatic Brain Injury.

About Helius Medical Technologies, Inc.

Helius Medical Technologies is a medical technology company focused on neurological wellness. Helius seeks to develop, license and acquire unique and non-invasive platform technologies that amplify the brain's ability to heal itself. Helius intends to file for FDA clearance for the PoNS device. For more information, please visit www.heliusmedical.com.

About the Montreal Neurological Institute

The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital - ("The Neuro") is a world-leading destination for brain research and advanced patient care. Since its founding in 1934 by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro has grown to be the largest specialized neuroscience research and clinical center in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. The seamless integration of research, patient care, and training of the world's top minds make The Neuro uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of nervous system disorders. The Montreal Neurological Institute is a McGill University research and teaching institute. The Montreal Neurological Hospital is part of the Neuroscience Mission of the McGill University Health Centre.

The Toronto Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Cautionary Disclaimer Statement:

Certain statements in this news release are not based on historical facts and constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements").

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding ongoing or planned clinical research, expected future development timelines, regulatory approvals, business initiatives and objectives and use of proceeds from financings or other business initiatives.

Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions.

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 failure of the Company to achieve its business objectives and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure materials, including the short form prospectus filed in connection with the Offering, its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulators and which can be obtained from either at www.sec.gov or www.sedar.com.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such statements except to the extent required by law.

Contacts:

Helius Medical Technologies

Corporate and Investor Contact:

Brian Bapty

604-652-3950

bbapty@heliusmedical.com



Media Contact:

Becky Kern

914-772-2310

media@heliusmedical.com




BROSSARD, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/21/16 -- DIAGNOS Inc. ("DIAGNOS" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE: ADK), a leader in the use of knowledge extraction and artificial intelligence ("IA") tools, announces today the grant of a purchase option to Majescor Resources ('Majescor') (TSX VENTURE: MJX) for 131 mining claims from its Kimberlite-Extension route 169 project.

The 131 claims total 6,875 hectares and comprise 37 kimberlite targets staked through our proprietary Computer Aided Resource Detection System "CARDS" methodology for screening out and prioritizing anomalies. Some of these targets are located directly beside the first Quebec's Diamond Mine (Renard Diamond project) and the 11 new kimberlites discoveries announced by Stornoway May 5, 2016 on their Adamantin project.

CARDS uses powerful pattern recognition algorithms to analyse digitally compiled exploration data and identifies areas (targets) with signatures similar to areas of kimberlites near the mine owned by the Stornoway Diamond Corporation ('Stornoway'). During the months of January 2016 through to March 2016, over 23,912 km2 were subject to evaluation by DIAGNOS in the Northern Quebec region between the 50th and the 55th parallels using a mosaic of two leveled and merged airborne magnetic-spectrometric surveys of the South LG4 and the High Eastmain areas, James Bay. Twelve known kimberlite pipes of the Renard and the Beaver Lake originated from the Sigeom database and from Stornoway where used as positive training data.

Two different models, such as the Kimberlite Similarity algorithm (KSM) and the Positive-Negative algorithm, at a 60m resolution were generated over the South LG4-High Eastmain modeling area. DIAGNOS generated and staked two groups of 9 and 28 Kimberlite Pipe Targets based on two levels of similarity at 95% and 90%.

Under the terms of the executed agreement, Majescor will pay CAD $50,000 in cash and issue 2.5 million common shares to Diagnos. The agreement provides for Majescor to spend a minimum of CAD $150,000 on exploration work on the targets sold by Diagnos in the first year following the signature of the agreement and will spend a total of CAD $300,000, including the first year of exploration work, on the targets sold by Diagnos during the second year following the signature of the agreement. The agreement also provides for a 2% GOR (Gross Overriding Royalty) payable to DIAGNOS in the event of commercial production of a diamond deposit. Majescor may redeem 1% of the GOR royalty at a price of CAD $1 million to be paid in shares or in cash, at Majescor's option.

"In Majescor, we found a partner with a lot of experience in the diamond sector. In addition, Majescor has a large soil geochemistry database covering large areas including the area of the new Stornoway diamond mine." declared Michel Fontaine, Vice-President, Mining division of DIAGNOS.

About DIAGNOS

Founded in 1998, DIAGNOS is a Canadian corporation (TSX VENTURE: ADK) that develops and commercializes technologies that combine contextual imaging and traditional data mining to improve decision-making processes. DIAGNOS' world-class products and services support clients in the healthcare (CARA) and natural resources (CARDS). DIAGNOS can count on a multidisciplinary team that includes professionals in geophysics, geology, Artificial Intelligence, mathematics, as well as remote sensing and image interpretation.

Forward-looking information

This document contains forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

DIAGNOS Inc.

Michel Fontaine, Vice-President, Mining Division

450 678-8882, ext. 222

Mfontaine@diagnos.ca

www.diagnos.ca




DALLAS, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- smanos, a wireless smart home and DIY security solutions provider, today announces the availability of two new home security systems, the S105 and X330. Both include features that ensure the systems stay armed in the event that Wi-Fi or power is not available.

"We are excited to add the S105 and X330 to our existing line of DIY home security solutions to further ensure homes are protected 24/7, 365 days a year," said Brian Stark, general manager of North America at smanos. "Homeowners need to have alternate options for security when internet connectivity isn't available or reliable and/or when power fails altogether."

The S105 is an on-site alarm system that can locally monitor up to 30 assorted sensors, such as door/window sensors, and only requires an electrical outlet for installation. The S105 comes with a smart hub featuring a built-in strobe light, one door/window sensor, a new Pet Friendly Motion Detector and two remote controls that can arm and disarm the system or sound an alarm. In the event of a power outage, the S105 also has a back-up battery that will continue to monitor the home for up to eight hours. Additionally, it does not rely on Wi-Fi or a cellular connection to function, meaning that those who are in remote locations or areas with spotty service can keep their system armed at all times. The S105 is available at an MSRP price of $99.99.

The X330 is a full DIY security system that comes with a pet-friendly motion detector, door and window sensor, two remote controls and the X330 Hub. The system communicates and is controlled through 3G WCDMA SIM card, instead of Wi-Fi, for connectivity. When an intruder is detected, the alarm siren sounds and the homeowner receives an SMS text message and phone call notification. Additionally, homeowners can set up the system to allow them to enter and exit freely, without triggering an alarm, but still keeping every other sensor armed for maximum security. The X330 is available at an MSRP of $249.99.

Both of these systems join smanos' award-winning lineup of DIY smart home security products, which boast streamlined designs and easy-to-use functionality. Homeowners are able to easily install and monitor their homes through smanos' DIY systems, making them the ideal solution for renters and homeowners alike. smanos' products are also free of any contracts or monthly fees with the exception of any cellular carrier fees that would be required to utilize the optional ability to send text notifications.

To learn more about smanos' entire suite of products, visit www.smanos.us.

About smanos

In the picturesque outskirts of Amsterdam (Hoofddorp) came about the inception of smart home technology brand smanos in 2013. Harnessing cutting-edge design concepts and engineering prowess, smanos delivers the ultimate user experience of wireless smart home and DIY security systems to households worldwide. Promising more than just a sense of security, smanos also ensures user-definable comfort and convenience, along with mobile accessibility and confirmation. In its pursuit for perfection in human-centric research and design, smanos continues to wow homeowners by putting the smarts of smart home and smart security directly in their hands. Dream big and live smart with smanos now!

PR Contact

Janice Gebhardt

Uproar PR for smanos

312-878-4575 ex. 244

Email Contact




WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Chatsworth Products' (CPI) popular eConnect power distribution units (PDUs) have been enhanced to include 60 C13 outlet configurations on select models, making it the industry's first intelligent PDUs equipped with highest outlet densities in a low-profile design.

"As the demand for IT resources continues to rise, more companies are deploying 48U and higher server cabinets to support more equipment within defined square footage. The release of 60 C13 Monitored eConnect PDUs allows data center operators to optimize their investment in the taller cabinets, while still benefiting from all the features of the intelligent eConnect platform," stated Ashish Moondra, CPI Sr. Product Manager of Power, Software & Electronics.

CPI's 60 C13 Monitored eConnect PDUs include three-phase models that support up to 17.2 kW of power within North American markets and 22 kW of power within international markets. Additionally, all eConnect PDUs now include a 1 gigabit Ethernet card, which enables users to connect at faster speeds and ensures compatibility of PDUs with newer network switches shipping today.

In addition to these new benefits, CPI's eConnect PDUs also include these key features:

Secure Array IP Consolidation - enables users to link up to 32 PDUs under a single IP address using standard Ethernet cables, reducing installation time and costs

Click Secure Technology - patent-pending technology features locking outlets that securely fasten equipment to the PDU without the need for proprietary power cords, safeguarding power and eliminating the cost of additional accessories.

High ambient temperature rating - rated to operate in temperatures as high as 149 degrees F (65 degrees C)

Preinstalled in CPI cabinets - available preinstalled in CPI cabinets, saving installation time

Select the best PDU for your application using CPI's eConnect PDU Product Selector. Compare up to four PDUs at once, then email or print the results. For complete product details and more free tools, visit CPI's eConnect PDU web page.

About Chatsworth Products

At Chatsworth Products (CPI), it is our mission to address today's critical IT infrastructure needs with products and services that protect your ever-growing investment in information and communication technology. We act as your business partner and are uniquely prepared to respond to your specific requirements with global availability and rapid product customization that will give you a competitive advantage. At CPI, our passion works for you. With over two decades of engineering innovative IT physical layer solutions for the Fortune 500 and multinational corporations, CPI can respond to your business requirements with unequaled application expertise, customer service and technical support, as well as a global network of industry-leading distributors. Headquartered in the United States, CPI operates from multiple sites worldwide, including offices in Mexico, Canada, China, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. CPI's manufacturing facilities are located in the United States, Asia and Europe.

CPI is listed with the General Services Administration (GSA) under Federal Supply Schedule IT 70. Products are also available through GSA Advantage and through Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), including GSA Connections and NITAAC-ECS III (www.chatsworth.com/gov).

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all information, CPI does not accept liability for any errors or omissions and reserves the right to change information and descriptions of listed services and products.

2016 Chatsworth Products, Inc. All rights reserved. Chatsworth Products, CPI, CPI Passive Cooling, eConnect, MegaFrame, Saf-T-Grip, Seismic Frame, SlimFrame, TeraFrame, GlobalFrame, CUBE-iT PLUS, Evolution, OnTrac, QuadraRack and Velocity are federally registered trademarks of Chatsworth Products. Simply Efficient, Secure Array, EuroFrame and Clik-Nut are trademarks of Chatsworth Products. All other trademarks belong to their respective companies.

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Media Contact

Shannon Erdley

Public Relations Specialist

Email Contact




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- TIMIA Capital Corp. ("TIMIA" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: TCA) is pleased to announce the establishment of operations in Ontario with Andrew Abouchar joining TIMIA Capital as Executive Vice President Underwriting.

Abouchar's role is to grow and expand TIMIA's revenue financing business in Ontario and across Canada from his base in Waterloo, Ontario an anchor to the TorontoWaterloo innovation corridor.

"I am thrilled to be joining the experienced investment team at TIMIA Capital as it builds out Canada's technology ecosystem through its innovative revenue finance model," says Abouchar.

"TIMIA's fresh approach to funding SaaS companies is not only a huge global market opportunity, but also provides unprecedented alignment of interest between entrepreneurs and investors."

Abouchar has 20-plus years of experience in Canada's venture capital and private equity industry. He is a cofounder and partner in Tech Capital Partners Inc ("Tech Capital"), a Waterloo-based venture capital management company known for raising one of the largest pools of early stage institutional venture capital in Canada, attracting investors such as Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System and the Business Development Bank of Canada. Tech Capital successes include early investments in global companies like Ecobee, Sandvine Corporation and Sidense Inc. Earlier in his career, Abouchar worked as an accountant at PwC.

"We are honoured to have a seasoned technology industry veteran like Andrew join our TIMIA Capital team," says TIMIA Capital CEO Mike Walkinshaw. "Andrew's experience, insight and knowledge of Canada's tech sector will be invaluable as we continue to expand our revenue finance business, providing the potential for market leading returns for investors and flexible growth capital for entrepreneurs."

About TIMIA Capital Corp.

TIMIA Capital Corp. is a specialty finance company that provides revenue financing to technology companies in exchange for a royalty stream on revenue. The alternative financing option compliments both debt and equity financing, while allowing entrepreneurs to retain control of their business. TIMIA's target market is the fast-growing growing business-to-business software-as-a-service (SaaS) segment. TIMIA is run by a seasoned investment team with a track record of originating and managing debt and equity investments, as well as monitoring, compliance and workouts.

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.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. The Company disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Contacts:

TIMIA Capital Corp.

Mike Walkinshaw

Chief Executive Officer

604 398 8839

info@timiacapital.com

www.timiacapital.com




DENVER, CO--(Marketwired - September 14, 2016) - BidNet has officially announced the launch an enhanced Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, including upgrades to the SourceSuite e-sourcing technology and exciting new e-sourcing modules. These new sourcing features include:

Vendor Pre-Qualification

Bid Evaluation

Contract Lifecycle Management

Vendor Performance Management

Workflow Approval

The updated purchasing group also provides a more streamlined platform for vendors to receive quotes, bids, and RFPs directly from participating agencies.

The Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System is utilized by 177 local government agencies throughout Colorado and Wyoming, including the City and County of Denver, the City of Fort Collins, Arapahoe County, Colorado Springs Utilities, and Jefferson County Public Schools. Since 2002, the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System has offered time-saving features to help buyers and purchasing professionals connect directly with interested vendors, thus streamlining the processes to publish, distribute, amend, track and award solicitations. It also offers a shared bid library and self-maintained vendor database, which aide in lowering the costs of goods, facilitate collaboration and increase outreach to local vendors. With the launch of the enhanced system, the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System has evolved into a complete sourcing solution for public purchasing professionals throughout Colorado and Wyoming.

The Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System is available at no cost to all counties, municipalities, school districts, nonprofits and special districts throughout the region looking to streamline sourcing efforts. Any public purchasing professionals in Colorado and Wyoming who are interested in learning more about the benefits of joining the updated Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System can schedule a personalized demonstration at www.BidNetDirect.com/buyer-demo

About BidNet's E-Sourcing Solution

BidNet's e-sourcing solution, SourceSuite, provides more than 1,100 local government agencies and over 9,000 departments with vendor management, document distribution, and audit control tools. With years of input from procurement professionals, BidNet has launched regional purchasing groups to address the specific bid and supplier management needs of local government agencies across the country. To learn more about the benefits to local government agencies, please visit www.BidNetDirect.com/buyers. Full feature and sourcing module information is available at www.SourceSuite.com.

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Media Inquiries:

Kim Cullen

Director of Marketing

518-689-7036

Kcullen@bidnet.com
ATHENS, Greece, September 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Intralot Finance Luxembourg S.A. (the "Offeror") announced today, that it is offering to purchase for cash (the "Tender Offer") any and all of its outstanding notes of its 325,000,000 9.750% senior notes due 2018 (the "Notes") from holders of the Notes (the "Holders") on the terms set out below. The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 20, 2016, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Offeror (the "Expiration Deadline").

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160406/352016LOGO )



The Tender Offer is being made on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the offer to purchase dated September 14, 2016 (the "Offer to Purchase") and the related Notice of Guaranteed Delivery prepared in connection with the Tender Offer, and is subject to the offer and distribution restrictions set out below. The Offeror reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive any and all conditions.

Capitalised terms used in this announcement but not otherwise defined have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase.

The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Notes.

Common Common code/ISIN for code/ISIN for Outstanding Description of Regulation S Rule 144A Principal Purchase the Notes Notes Notes Amount* Price EUR1,051.55 EUR325,000,000 per EUR1,000 9.750% Senior 094717663 / 094717736 / in principal Notes due 2018 XS0947176631 XS0947177365 EUR276,682,000 amount

*Excludes 48,318,000 in principal amount of Notes held by the Group, which will be cancelled by the Offeror prior to the Settlement Date.

Purpose and Background of the Tender Offer

The Tender Offer is being made as part of the Group's liquidity management and is aimed at optimizing its liquidity position and its cost of debt. Concurrently with the Tender Offer, Intralot Capital Luxembourg S.A. is offering senior notes due 2021 (the "New Notes") unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Intralot S.A. and certain of its subsidiaries, on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to it. The proceeds of the New Notes will be used, among other things, to purchase the Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer.

Details of the Tender Offer

The consummation of the Tender Offer is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including the Financing Condition, the Loan Commitment Condition and the General Conditions. These conditions are described in more detail in the Offer to Purchase under "Conditions of the Tender Offer." There can be no assurance that such conditions will be met or waived.

For Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Deadline and accepted for purchase, the purchase price per 1,000 principal amount of the Notes will be 1,051.55 (the "Purchase Price") In addition, Holders whose Notes are purchased pursuant to the Tender Offer will also receive a cash payment representing the accrued and unpaid interest on their purchased Notes from the last applicable interest payment date for such Notes to, but excluding the Settlement Date (as defined below).

As soon as practicable on or after the Expiration Deadline, the Offeror will announce whether the Financing Condition, the Loan Commitment Condition and the General Conditions have been satisfied and the results of the Tender Offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Tender Offer, the settlement of the Tender Offer will occur promptly after the Expiration Deadline (such settlement is expected to be September 23, 2016) (the "Settlement Date"). All payments will be made on the Settlement Date, unless the Offeror extends or earlier terminates the Tender Offer or redeems the Notes under the mandatory redemption provisions of the related indenture.

Notes purchased by the Offeror pursuant to the Tender Offer will be cancelled and will not be re-issued or re-sold.

Additionally, the Offeror has also issued a notice of conditional redemption and any Notes that remain outstanding following the settlement of the Tender Offer will be redeemed by the Offeror on the redemption date, expected to be October 14, 2016, pursuant to the notice of conditional redemption.

None of the Offeror, the Dealer Managers, the Tender Agent, the Notes trustee or any of their respective affiliates makes any recommendation, or has expressed an opinion, as to whether or not Holders should tender their Notes, or refrain from doing so, held by them pursuant to the Tender Offer. Each holder should make its own decision as to whether to tender its Notes and if so, the principal amount of the Notes to tender.

Any questions or requests for assistance or additional copies of the Offer to Purchase may be directed to the Tender Agent at the telephone number or the address listed below. Holders may also contact the Dealer Managers at their respective addresses or telephone numbers set forth below or such holder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Tender Offer.

The Dealer Managers are: J.P. Morgan Securities plc, 25 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5JP, United Kingdom, Attention: Liability Management, Telephone: +44 207 134 3438 E-mail: emea_lm@jpmorgan.com; and Societe Generale, 10 Bishops Square, London E1 6EG, United Kingdom, Attention: Liability Management, Telephone: +44 20 7676 7579, E-mail: liability.management@sgcib.com.

The Tender Agent is: Lucid Issuer Services Limited, Tankerton Works, 12 Argyle Walk, London WC1H 8HA, Telephone: +44 20 7704 0880, Email: intralot@lucid-is.com, Attn: Thomas Choquet/Arlind Bytyqi

Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available at the following web address: http://library.lucid-is.com/intralot

Disclaimer

This announcement is not an offer to purchase, a solicitation of an offer to purchase or a solicitation of consents with respect to any securities. This announcement does not describe all the material terms of the Tender Offer and no decision should be made by any holder on the basis of this announcement. The complete terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase. This announcement must be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase. The Offer to Purchase contains important information which should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Tender Offer. If any holder is in any doubt as to the contents of this announcement, or the Offer to Purchase, or the action it should take, it is recommended to seek its own financial and legal advice, including in respect of any tax consequences, immediately from its stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent financial, tax or legal adviser. Any individual or company whose Notes are held on its behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company or other nominee must contact such entity if it wishes to tender such Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer.

Offer and Distribution Restrictions

Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase constitutes an invitation to participate in the Tender Offer in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to or from whom, it is unlawful to make such invitation or for there to be such participation under applicable securities laws. The distribution of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this announcement or the Offer to Purchase come are required by each of the Offeror, the Dealer Managers and the Tender Agent to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions.

Italy

None of the Tender Offer, this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Commissione Nazionale per le SocietA e la Borsa (CONSOB) pursuant to Italian laws and regulations. The Tender Offer is being carried out in Italy as an exempted offer pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of February 24, 1998, as amended (the "Financial Services Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended. Holders or beneficial owners of the Notes that are located in Italy can tender Notes for purchase in the Tender Offer through authorised persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of October 29, 2007, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority.

Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-A -vis its clients in connection with the Notes or the Tender Offer.

United Kingdom

None of the communication of this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer are being made and such documents and/or materials have not been approved by an authorised person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Financial Promotion Order")) or persons who are within Article 43(2) of the Financial Promotion Order or any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order.

France

The Tender Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this announcement, the Offer to Purchase nor any other document or material relating to the Tender Offer has been or shall be distributed to the public in France and only (i) providers of investment services relating to portfolio management for the account of third parties (personnes fournissant le service d'investissement de gestion de portefeuille pour compte de tiers) and/or (ii) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), other than individuals, acting for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-1, L.411-2 and D.411-1 of the French Code monetaire et financier, are eligible to participate in the Tender Offer. Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase has been or will be submitted for clearance to or approved by the Autorite des Marches Financiers.

Greece

In relation to the Tender Offer:

(i)no public offer, as defined in L. 3401/2005, art. 10 of L. 876/1979, article 8a of Codified L. 2190/1920 and L. 3461/2006 (all, as amended and in force), shall take place; and

(ii)no advertisement, notice, statement or other action has been or shall be reviewed, approved or authorized by the Hellenic Capital Markets Commission under L. 3401/2005, art. 10 of L. 876/1979, article 8a of Codified L. 2190/1920 and L. 3461/2006 (all, as amended and in force),

in, from or otherwise involving the Hellenic Republic.

Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase has been approved by the Hellenic Capital Markets Commission.

Luxembourg

Under no circumstance shall the Tender Offer constitute an offer to buy or subscribe for securities in Luxembourg. Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase has been reviewed or approved by the Luxembourg Financial Sector Regulator (the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier).

ENQUIRIES

Intralot

Elias Athanasiou

Group IR Director

Tel: +30 210 61 56 000

E-mail: Athanasiou@intralot.com


Regulatory News:

The Management Board of Arctic Paper SA ("Company")(STO:ARP), supplementing the information published in the current report no. 23/2016 dated 14 September 2016, informs that the Supervisory Board of the Company, acting on the basis of art. 3 section 2 of the Bylaws of the Supervisory Board of Arctic Paper SA and in reference to the appointment of the new Members of the Supervisory Board during the Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting, on today's meeting decided to appoint the following persons:

Mr. Per Lundeen as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board; Mr. Roger Mattsson as the Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

This information is disclosed pursuant to the Nasdaq Stockholm's Rulebook for Issuers, Rule no. 3.3.9 and was submitted for publication on September 22, 2016 at 3 pm CET

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160922005713/en/

Contacts:

Arctic Paper

Per Lundeen

Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Arctic Paper

tel. +46 705 18 33 47
NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 --POLSINELLI, an Am Law 100 firm, announced today that it closed a multimillion dollar deal between global real estate and investment management firm Colony Capital and global net lease real estate investment trust Gramercy Property Trust.

Polsinelli represented Colony Capital Acquisitions in its sale of an industrial property in Littleton, Massachusetts to Gramercy Property Trust. The Littleton property is a newly constructed 448,470 square foot distribution center leased to a multi-brand retailer.

"The Littleton transaction is a great example of the persistent appetite for net-lease strategies where Colony's aim was to create a win-win scenario for all parties involved," said Georges Asmar, Global Head of Net Lease at Colony Capital Acquisitions. "This deal represents a case study for a high quality industrial property, which offers a great value add for the tenant's competitiveness and great yielding potential for the new owner."

The Polsinelli team included Brooks Clark, Shareholder; Sarah Armendariz, Associate; and Cora Blackwell, Real Estate Analyst.

About Polsinelli:

real challenges. real answers(SM)

Polsinelli is an Am Law 100 firm with more than 800 attorneys in 19 offices, serving corporations, institutions, and entrepreneurs nationally. Ranked in the top five percent of law firms for client service*, the firm has risen more than 50 spots over the past five years in the Am Law 100 annual law firm ranking. Polsinelli attorneys provide practical legal counsel infused with business insight, and focus on health care, financial services, real estate, intellectual property, mid-market corporate, and business litigation. Polsinelli attorneys have depth of experience in 100 service areas and 70 industries. The firm can be found online at www.polsinelli.com. Polsinelli PC. In California, Polsinelli LLP.

* 2016 BTI Client Service A-Team Report

For more information, contact:

Dan Flanigan

Polsinelli

Email Contact

816-360-4260



Adam Friedman

Adam Friedman Associates

Email Contact

917-675-6250




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- CKR Carbon Corporation. ("CKR" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: CKR)(FRANKFURT: CB8) is pleased to announce the signing of a binding Farm Out agreement (the Agreement) with Next Graphite Inc (Next) for the Aukam graphite project in Namibia. Under the terms of the Agreement CKR will earn a direct 63% interest in the License and the Project upon completion of (i) investing US$1.1 million in cash; or (ii) the completion of the plant and infrastructure set up; and (iii) government authorization to begin commercial operations. Completion of the plant and infrastructure setup may be less than US$1.1 million, in which case CKR will have earned its 63% interest prior to investing the full amount.

CKR has spent over US$400,000 to date on the project and has consequently earned a 23% interest in the project so far.

CKR must also make quarterly payments for a total of US$180,000 (US$85,000 paid to date) during the Farm-Out period which began on June 8, 2015 (on signing of the Joint Venture Agreement) and ends when CKR has earned its 63% ownership as outlined above.

Should the Farm-Out Period need to be extended beyond the time in which CKR has invested its US$1.1 million, Next will continue to be paid US$25,000 per Quarter (or pro-rata for a partial Quarter) until (i) the completion of the plant and Infrastructure set up; and (ii) government authorization to begin commercial operations. In addition, in the case where the Farm-Out period is extended, and the revenue stream from graphite sales is less than $100,000 per month, CKR will loan Next Graphite US$25,000 per quarter. Interest on the loan will be compounded monthly at a rate equal to one month term, London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus one percent.

CKR also has the option to buy an incremental 10% of Next's remaining interest in the License for a cash payment of US$180,000, subject to agreement by Next.

In the event any material is sold at any time, any realizable amount from net proceeds of sale of the material shall be distributed to the parties in the following proportions: 63% to CKR and 37% to Next (after consideration to CKR for its costs). CKR currently has a Letter of Intent to supply up to 5,000 metric tonnes of graphitic material grading between 40 and 50% Cg (carbon as graphite) over the course of the next year (see News Release dated March 16, 2016).

The technical content of this news release was approved by Roger Moss, Ph.D., P.Geo a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About the Aukam Project

The Aukam Graphite Project is located on 34,082.15 hectares in southern Namibia close to the port city of Luderitz. The property hosts three underground adits which were mined periodically between 1940 and 1974. Five dumps from the historical mining occur on the property and 73 composite samples taken from the lower three dumps were assayed and averaged 42% Cg. While these composite samples were selected from a much larger screened sample of the dumps, they are not considered representative of the mineralization on the property as a whole.

CKR recently completed a bulk sampling program at Aukam, and has a letter of intent to sell the graphitic material produced during the program. CKR is currently undertaking studies to support an application for a mining license. The company maintains high safety and environmental standards and has a comprehensive strategy of social engagement.

About CKR Carbon Corporation

CKR Carbon Corporation is focused on high quality, natural graphite suitable for use in lithium-ion batteries, graphite foil and other value-added high growth technology applications. We only select projects requiring low capital and a short time to market. The company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol CKR and has 33.2 million shares outstanding.

"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."

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com).

Contacts:

CKR Carbon Corporation

Roger Moss

CEO

+1 416-704-8291

rmoss@ckrcarbon.com

www.ckrcarbon.com



For graphite product enquiries:

Arno Brand

Boswell Projects

+1 416-561-4095

abrand@boswellprojects.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.
VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - One crew member died during a safety drill on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas. Four others have been injured as they fell from the lifeboat that was detached from the ship. At the time of the accident, the ship was docked in the French port of Marseille. According to reports cables of a lifeboat at the fifth deck suddenly broke and smashed in to a depth of 30 feet water. The dead crewman is reportedly from Philippines. Two of the crew suffer serious injuries. The ship operated by Royal Caribbean is the widest ever cruise ship with 66 meters width and 362 meter length. It can carry up to 6700 passengers and 2300 crew. The Harmony of the Seas left Rome on September 8 for an eight day cruise in the Mediterranean and arrived in Marseille on Wednesday morning 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.
AACHEN, Germany, December 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

At genomics-online.com, researchers can locate and purchase millions of genomics and transcriptomics research reagents like:

Primers and probes for DNA amplification, sequencing, & qPCR

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing vectors and primers

A wide selection of cloning and expression vectors

Restriction endonucleases, DNA & RNA polymerases and other enzymes

DNA & RNA isolation and extraction kits

genomics-online.com brings the simplicity, convenience, and value of the antibodies-online shopping experience to the world of genomics research reagents. For the past ten years, antibodies-online has served the research community by providing a complete, convenient, user friendly way to locate and purchase antibodies, recombinant proteins, assay kits and other critical proteomics research tools.

"We've watched research techniques advance, witnessed the rise of incredible new strategies like CRISPR/Cas9 based gene editing, and have seen a renewed interest in a "systems biology" style approach across every discipline in the life-science sphere," said Dr. Tim Hiddemann, Managing Director, antibodies-online. "As a company committed to furthering life-science research by serving life-scientists, we believe that now is the perfect time for us to throw our hat into the ring. Through a platform that's just as intuitive and easy-to-use as antibodies-online we offer access to the world's best selection of genomics research tools. "

Launching genomics-online was not a simple "Copy + Paste" exercise. Due to the unique characteristics of genomics reagents, genomics-online had to be custom-built. However, antibodies-online was able to leverage the existing technology platform, data processing capabilities and fulfillment infrastructure to provide the industry's best purchasing experience for genomics researchers. In the process antibodies-online further enhanced the architecture of their platform allowing the company to easily launch new verticals in the future.

Media Contacts

Patrik von Glasow

PR Manager, antibodies-online GmbH

Email:patrik.vonglasow@antibodies-online.com

+49-241-93672533


Intermedia surpasses $200 million revenue run-rate; Madison Dearborn to drive further growth and enhance profitability of the global leader in cloud services

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Intermedia.net, Inc. ("Intermedia"), a leading cloud business applications provider and the world's largest independent provider of cloud Microsoft Exchange email, announced today that it has been acquired by Madison Dearborn Partners ("MDP"), a leading private equity firm based in Chicago. As part of the transaction, Intermedia's shareholders, led by Oak Hill Capital Partners ("Oak Hill"), will sell their stake in the company to MDP and company management.

This marks a new chapter for Intermedia. The partnership with MDP will help accelerate Intermedia's rapid growth trajectory through increased investment in the company's channel partner programs, Worry-Free support experience, new and existing products, vertical industry solutions, and additional acquisitions.

"We are proud of the transformation and growth of the company. We now have an annualized revenue run-rate of over $200 million, 75,000 customers, 6,000 active partners and 700 employees around the globe," says Phil Koen, Executive Chairman of Intermedia.

Michael Gold, who will remain Intermedia's CEO, adds, "Over the past five years, we've more than tripled our revenues, EBITDA, users and product offerings. We've also experienced dramatic growth of our customer and partner base. Along the way, we've built a rock-solid management team to take the company forward, including recent CFO and SVP of Worldwide Sales appointments from Dropbox and Microsoft, respectively. We are well set for even bigger things to come in partnership with MDP."

Since its founding in 1995, Intermedia has been a pioneer in delivering secure, reliable, and highly-supported cloud business applications. In May 2011, Intermedia was acquired by Oak Hill in close partnership with Koen and Gold, with a vision for an "Office in the Cloud'" for businesses and the channel partners that serve them. Under their leadership, Intermedia transformed from a business email and web hosting company to a leading provider of over 30 integrated cloud applications, including:

Intermedia-developed proprietary technologies such as SecuriSync online backup and file sharing; HostPilot  control panel; Advanced Email Security (AES) and a wide range of other security products; and VoIP Scout' network testing tools;

such as SecuriSync online backup and file sharing; HostPilot control panel; Advanced Email Security (AES) and a wide range of other security products; and VoIP Scout' network testing tools; Acquired proprietary technologies , including Telanetix's AccessLine brand of voice and unified communication services, and SaaSID's dynamic identity and access management offering; and

, including Telanetix's AccessLine brand of voice and unified communication services, and SaaSID's dynamic identity and access management offering; and Other applications such as cloud Microsoft Exchange, Office 365 productivity applications, archiving, encryption and more.

"We are pleased to partner with Intermedia to build upon the company's momentum and demonstrated track record of growth in the increasingly critical field of cloud-based communications and productivity solutions," says Zaid Alsikafi, a Managing Director at MDP. "Intermedia is successfully capitalizing upon the global shift to the cloud, and possesses tremendous upside potential to capture further opportunities with its reach, scalability, customer support offerings and enhanced product functionality. We have a long-standing relationship with Mike and look forward to working with him and his management team and applying our expertise with fast-growing technology companies to help take the business to the next level."

"The Intermedia team has done an outstanding job of becoming a market leader in a competitive space," says David Scott, Partner at Oak Hill. "Under the leadership of Phil and Mike, the company has created tremendous value, transformed its strategy, and scaled the business. We are very pleased with the company's accomplishments and we look forward to watching Intermedia's promising next chapter unfold with MDP."

Koen elaborates, "First with Oak Hill, and now as we embark on this next chapter with MDP, Intermedia is well-positioned for further growth. With Oak Hill's support, we've built a core technology platform, while expanding the applications suite on top. We look forward to building upon this momentum with the benefit of the MDP team's expertise."

Gold adds, "I couldn't be more excited about the vision that Intermedia and MDP share. Recognizing that the channel influences 65-75% of IT spending1, we've built our business to meet the needs of the channel. Intermedia's cloud applications and management platform provide a number of key benefits for our partners, including a private label model, as well as operational, technical, marketing, and sales support. With MDP, I look forward to further strengthening our leadership position in the $20+ billion cloud business applications market."

The transaction is expected to close this calendar year, subject to customary regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Deutsche Bank and J.P. Morgan are serving as financial advisors to Intermedia. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, is acting as legal advisor to Intermedia, with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP serving as regulatory counsel to Intermedia. Evercore and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey are serving as financial advisors to MDP, with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, and TD Securities leading financing for the transaction. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal advisor to MDP, while Covington & Burling LLP is serving as regulatory counsel for MDP. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Intermedia

Intermedia is a one-stop shop for cloud business applications. Its Office in the Cloud' suite integrates the essential IT applications that companies need to do business, including email, voice, file backup and sharing, conferencing, instant messaging, identity and access management, mobility, security and archiving - all delivered by a single provider.

Think of Office in the Cloud as your "Business Cloud Platform." Intermedia's applications are integrated into its HostPilot control panel. There's just one login, one password, one bill and one source of support, which creates significant cross-service efficiencies for both users and IT administrators. Intermedia offers enterprise-grade security, a 99.999% uptime service level agreement and 24/7 phone support with typical hold times of less than 60 seconds.

Intermedia's over 700 employees serve over 1,000,000 users across over 75,000 businesses and 6,000 active partners, including VARs, MSPs, key distributors and telecoms. Its award-winning Partner Program lets partners sell under their own brand with control over billing, pricing and other elements of their customer relationships. Intermedia is the world's largest independent provider of Exchange email and a leading phone system provider. For more information, visit Intermedia.net.

About Madison Dearborn Partners

Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP), based in Chicago, is a leading private equity investment firm in the United States. Since MDP's formation in 1992, the firm has raised seven funds with aggregate capital of approximately $23 billion and has completed approximately 130 investments. Intermedia will become a portfolio company in MDP's seventh fund, which recently held a final close on $4.4 billion. MDP invests in businesses across a broad spectrum of industries, including telecom, media and technology services; financial and transaction services; business and government services; health care; basic industries; and consumer. Notable investments include Asurion, Cbeyond, Fieldglass, Intelsat, Liquid Web, MetroPCS, NextG Networks and QuickPlay Media. For more information, please visit http://www.mdcp.com.

About Oak Hill Capital Partners

Oak Hill is a private equity firm managing funds with more than $9.0 billion of initial capital commitments since inception from leading entrepreneurs, endowments, foundations, corporations, pension funds, and global financial institutions. Over the past 30 years, the professionals at Oak Hill and its predecessors have invested in 81 significant private equity transactions across broad segments of the U.S. and global economies. Oak Hill applies an industry-focused, theme-based approach to investing in the following sectors: Consumer, Retail & Distribution; Industrials; Media & Communications; and Services. Oak Hill works actively in partnership with management to implement strategic and operational initiatives to create franchise value. For more information, please visit www.oakhillcapital.com.

Contacts





Melanie Lombardi Gabe Taylor Intermedia LEWIS for Intermedia 650.285.5857 415.432.2400 PR@intermedia.net IntermediaUS@teamlewis.com



Chuck Dohrenwend or Kate Murray

Abernathy MacGregor for Madison Dearborn Partners

212.371.5999

cod@abmac.com

ksm@abmac.com



1 CompTIA 5th Annual State of the Channel, October 2015.
Revenue: 1,470 million, with 4% organic growth

Solid operating performance in France, Italy and Belgium

First positive impacts of German action plans

Syndicated loan renegotiated to 1.3 billion maturing in 2021

Target for 2016 EBITDA margin raised

Regulatory News:

Korian (Paris:KORI), theEuropean leader in Ageing Well, is reporting today on its results for the half year ended 30 June 2016.

Highlight of the consolidated H1 P&L

in m (IFRS data*) 1er semester 2016 2015 Change (%) Revenue (1) 1 470,4 1 264,0 16,3% EBITDAR 393,0 340,8 15,3% % of sales 26,7% 27,0% External rents -186,3 -169,1 10,2% EBITDA 206,7 171,7 20,4% % of sales 14,1% 13,6% EBIT 128,2 113,3 13,1% % of sales 8,7% 9,0%

(*) : limited audit procedures on 1st half had been conducted. The related report has not yet been issued

Operational performance is in line with targets for 2016

Revenue for the 1st half of 2016 was 1,470.4 million, which represents growth of over 16%. This figure mainly reflects the consolidation of Casa Reha on 1 January 2016. Organic growth over the period was 4.0%. International subsidiaries accounted for 47.1% of the Group's revenue. Excluding the 10,182 beds contributed by Casa Reha, the number of beds that Korian opened or acquired in the 1st half of the year grew by 1,044.

EBITDAR by main geographic market

in m (IFRS data, unaudited)) 1er semester Reported 2016 2015 growth France 214,0 203,5 5,1% % of sales 27,5% 26,9% International 179,0 137,3 30,4% % of sales 25,9% 27,1% Germany 112,7 75,1 50,0% % of sales 26,9% 30,4% Italy 35,9 36,1 -0,6% % of sales 23,0% 23,6% Belgium 30,4 26,1 16,7% % of sales 26,1% 24,6% Group Total 393,0 340,8 15,3% % of sales 26,7% 27,0%

The Group's EBITDAR (EBITDA before rental income) was 393.0 million, or an EBITDAR margin of 26.7%, which is 30 basis points lower than in H1 2015.

In France, EBITDAR grew 10.5 million to 214.0 million. Good control over expenses and the synergies obtained from the merger between Korian and Medica boosted the EBITDAR margin by 60 bp. A memorandum of understanding to sell recently acquired Centre Hospitalier des Courses, which was generating heavy losses, has been signed and should result in the sale of the facility in the second half of 2016.

In Germany, EBITDAR came in at 112.7 million. The EBITDAR margin dropped to 26.9% on the back of the operational difficulties observed since H2 2015. However, action plans undertaken, at the start of the year, to improve management of the German subsidiary are showing their first positive impacts.

Business in Italy was robust with costs well under control. The 60 bp decline in the EBITDAR margin is attributable to the impact of the start-up costs of a pilot facility in Brescia, which were anticipated.

Profitability in Belgium rose 150 bp, driven by recent openings which are gathering steam and effective management of the various acquisitions.

EBITDA was 206.7 million with an EBITDA margin that rose 50 bp to 14.1%. This figure includes approximately 9 million in one-time extraordinary income. If these extraordinary items are excluded the EBITDA margin is 13.5%.

The net profit attributable to Group owners was 32.3 million and includes:

the effects of the consolidation of Casa Reha and of the application of the IAS17 standard, which explains the bulk of the increase in depreciation and financial expenses;

non-current and non-recurring items arising from the project to sell the loss-making facility in France and additional provisions in Germany.

Net Debt position reflects consolidation of Casa Reha

Net debt rose 687 million during the period, to 2,332 million on 30 June 2016. Almost all of this increase is attributable to the acquisition of Casa Reha in early 2016. It reflects both the price paid for the acquisition and the application of the IAS 17 accounting standard to the Casa Reha operated real estate assets. As a result, tangible assets equal to the net value of eligible leases were capitalized and an equivalent real estate debt was recognized.

The restated debt ratio(2) at 30 June 2016 was 3.9 x EBITDA.

Refinancing leads to an increase in debt maturity

On 21 July 2016, Korian renegotiated its syndicated loan, which now totals 1.3 billion and matures in five years. The conditions of this are:

Two tranches: a term loan tranche of 650 million that has been fully drawn down, and a revolving tranche of 650 million that has not been tapped;

No change in the interest-rate margin;

More financial flexibility.

This loan, which was well oversubscribed, reflects the Group's ongoing effort to extend the maturity of its debt, which is now almost 6 years. The loan which was backed by the banks that form the syndicate's historic core and was supported by new banks in Europe reflects strong confidence in Korian's business model.

Lastly, in early June 2016, Korian launched a programme to issue up to 300 million in short-term negotiable securities. This programme has not yet been tapped.

2016 targets EBITDA margin target is raised

Korian confirms its expectation of substantial revenue growth in 2016, to almost 3 billion, driven by the integration of Casa Reha, the scheduled opening of over 2,500 beds and the pursuit of targeted acquisitions that will consolidate the Group's positions in its four business lines.

Korian is now expecting its EBITDA margin to increase from about 13.3% to close to 14%. This higher target reflects:

the recognition of non-recurring items in the first half of the year, which will add about 30 bp to the margin over the year;

a greater-than-expected impact of the IAS 17 standard on German acquisitions, which will boost the EBITDA margin for 2016 by about 40 bp.

Excluding non-recurring items, the 2016 EBITDA margin is expected to be around 13.7%.

(1) Revenues and other income

(2) Restated debt ratio (Net debt real estate debt) (EBITDA -6.5% real estate debt)

Korian will announce its 5-year strategic plan on Thursday 15 September,

before the market opens.

ABOUT KORIAN

Korian, Europe's leading Ageing Well specialist, founded in 2003, has the capacity to accommodate more than 71,500 residents and patients in Europe (France, Germany, Italy and Belgium) and employs around 45,000 staff members. The Group manages more than 710 facilities in four business lines: long-term care nursing homes, post-acute and rehabilitation care clinics, assisted living facilities and home-care services.

For more information, please visit the website: www.korian.com

Korian is listed on Euronext Paris Compartment A and is included in the following indices: SBF 120, CAC

Health Care, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid Small and MSCI Global Small Cap

Euronext ticker: KORI ISIN: FR0010386334 Reuters: KORI.PA Bloomberg: KORI.FP

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

In m H1 2016 H1 2015 Change Revenue 1 470,4 1 264,0 16,3% Staff costs -770,5 -642,4 19,9% Other purchases, external costs, other taxes -307,0 -280,7 9,4% EBITDAR 393,0 340,8 15,3% % of sales 26,7% 27,0% External rents -186,3 -169,1 10,2% EBITDA 206,7 171,7 20,4% % of sales 14,1% 13,6% Other operating expenses and income -13,7 -5,5 150,7% Depreciation and amortisation -78,5 -58,4 34,5% Operating income 114,5 107,8 6,1% % of sales 7,8% 8,5% Financial result -52,7 -28,5 84,5% Income tax -28,7 -28,9 -0,8% Net profit 33,1 50,4 -34,3% Minority interests -0,8 -1,3 NS Net profit Group share 32,3 49,1 -34,2% Current net profit Group share* 41,4 52,7 -21,5%

*: Current net profit Group share is defined as profit (loss) attributable to owners of the Group (other operating income and expenses profits and losses on acquisitions and disposals of consolidated entities) (1 standard corporate income tax of 34%), i.e. net profit (loss) attributable to owners of the Group restated for non-current items.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

In m 30.06.2016 31.12.2015 Non-current Assets 5 711,9 4 883,9 Intangible fixed assets 3 847,2 3 408,3 incl. Goodwill 2 132,1 1 707,3 incl. Other intangible fixed assets 1 715,1 1 701,0 Property, plant and equipment 1 611,7 1 295,6 Long-term financial assets 31,3 31,2 Deferred tax assets 221,7 148,9 Current Assets 578,5 881,0 Inventories 9,2 8,2 Trade receivables and related accounts 169,5 154,2 Other receivables and currents assets 244,0 199,5 Derivative financial assets 0,0 0,2 Cash and cash equivalents 155,8 518,8 Assets held for sales 1,9 0,1 Total Assets 6 292,3 5 765,0 Shareholder's Equity (group share) 1 899,4 1 922,7 Share capital 397,3 397,3 Premiums 927,2 927,2 Reserves consolidated results 574,9 598,2 Minority interests 12,0 11,2 Total shareholder's equity 1 911,5 1 933,9 Non-Current Liabilities 3 322,4 2 878,2 Provisions for pensions 60,4 49,6 Deferred taxes 751,9 690,8 Other provisions 129,1 69,3 Borrowings and financial debt 2 381,0 2 068,5 Current Liabilities 1 058,4 953,0 Provisions for less than one year 12,4 12,7 Trade payables and related accounts 228,7 228,1 Other payables and accruals 684,7 597,0 Borrowings less than one year and overdrafts 107,1 95,2 Derivatives financial liabilities 25,5 19,9 Liabilities held for sale 0,0 0,0 Total Liabilities 6 292,3 5 765,0 Net financial debt 2 332,3 1 644,9

CONSOLIDATED CHANGE IN NET DEBT

In m 30.06.2016 Cash flow before cost of net debt 155,7 Change in WCR -23,9 Net financial charges -37,9 Operating cash flow 93,9 Maintenance and growth Capex -92,0 Net financial investments -372,0 Dividend Net debt impact of changes in perimeter others -317,3 Change in Net Debt -687,4 Opening net debt 1 644,9 Closing Net Debt 2 332,3

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914005786/en/

Contacts:

Korian

INVESTOR CONTACT

Didier Laurens, Tel: +33 (0)1 55 37 53 55

Investor Relations Director

didier.laurens@korian.com

or

PRESS CONTACT

DGM Conseil

Sophie Bodin Tarick Dali

T +33 (0)1 40 70 95 93

s.bodin@dgm-conseil.fr / t.dali@dgm-conseil.fr


OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development; the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism; and the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, will attend the Waterloo Innovation Summit. Minister Bains will deliver the opening keynote address with a focus on Canada's Innovation Agenda, and ministers Chagger and Duncan will participate in a panel discussion on women in innovation.

Date: September 15, 2016

Keynote address - Minister Bains Time: 9:00 a.m. Location: Humanities Theatre Theatre Centre, Hagey Hall, Room 161 University of Waterloo 200 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario Panel discussion - ministers Chagger and Duncan Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre University of Waterloo 200 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario

Follow the ministers on social media. Twitter: @MinisterISED, @MinofSBT and @ScienceMin

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




CONSHOHOCKEN, PA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Nothing captures the essence of a place like its signature dishes, and for those traveling to the Philadelphia area, you can taste the best of them at the Residence Inn Philadelphia Conshohocken.

Between now and December 31, 2016, this extended-stay hotel is offering the Suite Stay with a Taste of Philly package, which features sweets and treats exclusive to the Conshohocken area and other Pennsylvania cities.

A tower of deliciousness awaits guests, who can bite into Melrose Diner Butter Cookies and Goldenberg's Peanut Chews. They can let the Asher's Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels melt in their mouths, and they can see first-hand why Tastykake is a local favorite, thanks to the assortment of included Tastykake treats.

After guests have satisfied their sweet tooth, they can head to the legendary Pudge's Steaks & Hoagies with their included gift card and splurge on cheesesteak sandwiches, burgers, subs and more.

When they're not indulging their palates, guests can indulge their other senses in their spacious accommodations. Featuring some of the most well-appointed hotel suites in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the Residence Inn encourages visitors to make themselves at home with fully equipped kitchens, pillow-top mattresses, flat-screen televisions and free, high-speed Wi-Fi.

Equally convenient is the hotel's location. Once guests have savored the culinary offerings of the area, they'll have the inspiration -- and the energy -- to explore. Whether they wish to entertain the kids at the Philadelphia Zoo, tour Villanova University or marvel at the history and nature in Valley Forge National Historical Park, the hotel's address places them near all the main attractions.

From family getaways to extended stays, the Taste of Philly package ensures your visit is one to savor. Book your tasty escape today!

About the Residence Inn Philadelphia Conshohocken

At the Residence Inn Philadelphia Conshohocken, guests can look forward to comfortable accommodations and a range of practical amenities that make every stay one to remember. Whether they're in town for a few days or a few weeks, visitors will enjoy a free daily breakfast buffet, a well-equipped fitness center with an indoor pool and hosted evening socials three times a week, as well as enviably spacious accommodations. The all-suite hotel boasts plush bedding, ergonomic workspace and free Wi-Fi in each of its guest rooms as well as dedicated areas for living, working and sleeping that easily accommodate groups, families, couples and business travelers. Plus the hotel's convenient location near attractions like Bryn Mawr College, the King of Prussia Mall and Philadelphia museums and historical sites makes it easy for visitors to see the highlights of one of the country's oldest and most dynamic cities.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3055982



CONTACT:

Residence Inn Philadelphia Conshohocken

191 Washington Street

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428

1-610-828-8800

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phlcn-residence-inn-philadelphia-conshohocken/




WOLFVILLE, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- 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 $15.98-million investment at Acadia University 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 Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and by the Honourable Kelly Regan, Nova Scotia Minister of Labour and Advanced Education.

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 funding will be used to renovate and upgrade Huggins Science Hall and Elliott Hall, two older buildings that are part of Acadia University's Science Complex. The upgrades will promote intensified research and commercialization activities at the Science Complex, while also improving the buildings' energy use and efficiency. The project will also see a small structure adjoining the buildings converted into an innovation pavilion, with space for laboratories and support services for industrial liaison, commercialization and co-op education.

Of the $15.98-million investment, $10.48 million will come from the Government of Canada and $5.5 million from the Province of Nova Scotia. Acadia University and private donors will contribute an additional $6.27 million for a total investment of $22.25 million.

In total, the Government of Canada, the provincial government, the institutions themselves and private donors are investing $130 million in universities and colleges throughout Nova Scotia. 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.

On July 4, 2016, the Government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic provinces launched the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which involves targeted actions to stimulate Atlantic Canada's economy, including supporting key infrastructure projects that contribute to long-term growth and position the region to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Today's announcement builds on this commitment.

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. Investments like this also support our Atlantic Growth Strategy, designed to stimulate the region's economy and address its challenges while building on Atlantic Canada's competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, growing innovation ecosystem and skilled workforce."

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"Investments like these in Atlantic Canada will support our world-class researchers and position Canada as a global leader in research excellence and innovation. Through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are providing Canada's students with the education and training they need to join a strong, healthy middle class."

- The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board

"Innovation, R&D and entrepreneurship are key to moving Nova Scotia forward. The Valley region has a long history and successful record when it comes to innovation. This project will give Acadia students access to modern, high-quality facilities that will prepare them for successful careers and help build the skilled workforce we need to support good jobs and economic growth today and tomorrow."

- The Honourable Kelly Regan, Nova Scotia Minister of Labour and Advanced Education

"This investment in Acadia by the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia addresses a critically important infrastructure need at Acadia. Renovating Huggins Science Hall and Elliott Hall will modernize laboratories that are more than 50 years old while also significantly reducing our environmental footprint. Acadia has experienced strong enrolment growth in the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, and the renovated facilities will serve over 2,000 students each year. The project also includes an innovation pavilion that will provide new space for students and faculty who are actively engaged in pure and applied research that is directly beneficial to Annapolis Valley business sectors such as agriculture, green energy and information technology. We are grateful for the commitments we've received from both governments, which will allow us to proceed immediately with a project that will strengthen one of the foundational elements of Acadia's academic programming and increase our capacity to support the Nova Scotia knowledge economy."

- Ray Ivany, President and Vice-Chancellor, Acadia University

Quick facts

-- The Government of Canada is providing $60.32 million for research infrastructure at institutions across Nova Scotia. Acadia University has been awarded $10.48 million for its project. -- 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. -- On July 4, 2016, the Government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic provinces unveiled the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a homegrown, prosperity-focused and evidence-based strategy to stimulate the region's economy and address both long-standing and emerging regional challenges. -- The Atlantic Growth Strategy is aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region by focusing joint federal-provincial efforts and resources on the following five areas of action: skilled workforce and immigration, innovation, clean growth and climate change, trade and investment, and infrastructure. -- As part of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, both levels of government will work together on key infrastructure projects.

Associated links

- Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund website

- Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund backgrounder

- Innovation Agenda backgrounder

- Atlantic Growth Strategy

Follow Minister Bains on social media.

Twitter: @MinisterISED

Follow the Atlantic Growth Strategy on Twitter: AtlanticGrowth

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




RIMOUSKI, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Puma Exploration (TSX VENTURE: PUM)(SSE: PUMA) has completed its summer drilling program at Turgeon VMS project in Northern New Brunswick. The program included five (5) holes for a total of 2,569 meters. Three holes were directed to verify the IP geophysical targets located 500 meters south-west of the Dragon lens in an underexplored area of the favourable horizon and the two (2) others were drilled to define the extent and the size of the dragon zone.

Dragon Zone

Hole FT16-03 extended the size of the Dragon lens with an intersection of a massive to semi-massive sulphide zone of 7 meters at 107.2 meters. This mineralized zone contains 1.4 meters with 1.6% Cu and 0.8% Zn and extended over 40 meters to the south, the size of the initial discovery of the Dragon zone in hole FT13-13 who intersected 1.01% Cu and 0.79% Zn over four (4) meters.

Hole FT16-03 intersected at 147 meters, 20.5 meters of chalcopyrite-pyrite stockwork zone within pervasive black chlorite alteration grading respectively 6.4% Cu et 1.6% Cu over 0.5 meters in individual samples. This copper zone is interpreted to be part a major Cu stockwork associated with the Massive sulphide lens intersected at the Dragon grading 10.05% Zn over 2.7 meters, 4.4% Zn over 4.0 meters, 4.6% Zn et 1.04% Cu over 3.2 meters and 1.01% Cu over 4.0 meters in the 2015 drilling program. Also, at the end of the hole, polymetallic sulphide veins similar to the Nigadoo Veins type were encountered and showing rich Ag-Pb-Zn veins with respectively 146 g/t Ag, 2.8% Pb and 1.4% Zn over 1.2 meters and 39 g/t Ag, 0.48% Pb and 1.3% Zn over 1.1 meters.

Hole FT16-05 intersected 15 meters of semi-massive to massive sulphide cutted by mafic dykes from 234 to 249 meters. This mineralisation zone is located 50 meters under the Dragon 2 zone and it is mainly composed of pyrite and chalcopyrite. Another sulphide zone was located from 318 meters to 336 meters which included a zone with 1.5% Zn over 1.7 meters. At the end of the hole FT16-05, a new 10 meters long copper stockwork zone within dark chlorite alteration has been encountered and grading 0.32% Cu over 10.0 meters. Once again, this copper stockwork is interpreted to be associated with a massive sulphide body within the VMS deposits.

IP geophysical Target

The holes FT16-01 and FT16-02 were located 200 meters south-west of the new Dragon and were directed to test a deep IP target and also to locate the favourable horizon in the extent of the Dragon zone within an underexplore area of the property. These holes intersected the bottom sequence of the Turgeon VMS system which is composed of an abundance of mafic dykes and intrusions in alternance with massive basalt. These holes deviated too much and didn't reach the deep target located from 400 to 500 meters deep.

FT16-02 and FT16-04 hit, in the first 50 meters, the upper sequence of the Turgeon VMS system which is composed of the very silicified basalt unit with its typical jasper alteration (Silicified Cap). Combined with the hole FT13-09, located 50 meters west, who intersected also the top of the key unit, suggests that the mineralized corridor is located westward with a similar displacement as seen at Powerline, Zinc Zone and Dragon along synvolcanic faults.

The next step is a borehole geophysical survey in the current holes to precisely locate the best geophysical signature and detailed mapping combined with trenching program in the underexplored area located south-west of Dragon Zone to define the fertile horizon.

"Despite the strong deviation in drilling, we have succeeded in finding more massive sulphides up-to ten (10) meters thick in the extension of the Dragon Zone and also the first evidence of a complete sequence containing the massive sulphides with its associated stockwork Cu zone. Additional work is required in the south extent of the mineralized corridor that seems to have moved westward. We are very excited in the potential of finding more VMS deposits within Turgeon project "notes Marcel Robillard, president of Puma Exploration.

Update on Red Brook Zn-Cu-Au Project

Red Brook was acquired from a local prospector following discovery of a high grade Zinc Massive Sulphide outcrop in contact with an important intrusion grading up to 13% Zn, 0.23% Cu and 2.5g/t Ag (Press release 19/01/2016). Puma's crew has prospected the entire claim area and stripped the initial discovery. From the original size of 5 meters by 15 meters, the excavated zone is now 50 meters by 50 meters and contains a large band of massive to semi-massive sulphides inside a calcareous horizon in contact with a Devonian porphyritic granodiorite. Sample results will be released shortly.

Update on the Little Stull Lake Transaction

Black Widow Resources (BWR-TSXV) has conducted his due diligence on the Little Stull Lake Gold project in Manitoba and has informed Puma that it is satisfactory to them. Final contract edition is ongoing and the signing should be done shortly.

Annual Meeting Results

Puma Exploration held its Annual General Meeting on September 8th, at his office in Rimouski. All proposals submitted have been endorsed by shareholders. These proposals included the appointment of Directors and Auditors. Shareholders holding a total of more than 29% of the capital stock of the Company have voted on these proposals. Directors are elected to the Board with an approval rate of 98% or more for each of the following candidates: Ms. Anne Slivitzky and Mr Marcel Robillard, Arness Cordick and Richard Thibault.

In addition, at its meeting of the Board of Directors following the AGM, Mr. Marcel Robillard was re-elected president and CEO and Mr Cordick remains Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Dominique Gagne was re-elected to the position of vice-president exploration, while Ms. Ginette G. Brisson was re-elected to the positions of CFO and Secretary. Anne Slivitzky, Richard Thibault, and Marcel Robillard will form the audit committee.

About Puma Exploration

Puma Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company with advanced precious and base metals projects in Canada. The Company's major assets are the Turgeon Zinc-Copper Project and the Nicholas-Denys Project in New Brunswick and their equity interest in BWR as related to the Little Stull Lake Gold Project in Manitoba. Puma is focusing its exploration efforts in New Brunswick, Canada.

You can visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

Learn more by clicking here: www.pumaexploration.com

The contents of this press release were prepared by Dominique Gagne, PGeo, a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101. The samples were analyzed at the ALS Chemex laboratory in Val d'Or using the atomic absorption and ICP methods. There is not enough drilling data presently available to determine the shape and true width of the mineralized zone. 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.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Puma Exploration Inc. to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma Exploration undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the quarterly and annual reports and in the documents submitted to the securities administration.

Contacts:

Puma Exploration Inc.

Marcel Robillard. President

(418) 724-0901

Toll free: (800) 321-8564

president@explorationpuma.com




Technavio analysts forecast the global floating production system (FPS) market to grow at a CAGR of close to 18% during the forecast period, according to their latest report.

FPS are offshore production facilities that are used for the production of hydrocarbons. The process involved separates oil, water, gas, sand, and so on, and distributes the yields to storage, disposal, or transportation facilities. FPS are an essential component required for offshore oil and gas developments. FPS are used for drilling and exploration activities in offshore oil and gas production at various water depths.

The research study covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the global floating production system marketfor 2016-2020. The report also presents a detailed study of the FPS and its types used in various applications such as floating production storage and offloading (FPSO), production semisubmersible, single point pointer reservoirs (SPAR), and tension leg platforms (TLP). A detailed geographical segmentation (the Americas, APAC, and EMEA) and future growth patterns of the market in each region are presented, as well.

The Americas led the global FPS market is 2015, with the US being the leading country. The region is expected to maintain its lead during the forecast period.

Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=52610

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Technavio analysts highlight the following three factors that are contributing to the growth of the global floating production system market:

Persistent oil and gas demand and production

Advantages of FPSO

Growing demand for energy

Ask an analyst: http://www.technavio.com/content/ask-analyst?report=52610

Ask Technavio's lead analysts a question about this market and they will have your answer within 24 hours.

Persistent oil and gas demand and production

Despite the ups and downs in the oil and gas industry, the global oil and gas demand has increased and remained unaffected.

Crude oil prices touched USD 51/bbl in June 2016, strengthened by continuing outages in Canada and Nigeria and a steady decline in the US oil production. The month of May marked the third straight month of average price rises in Brent and WTI futures. "The demand for new units of FPS is increasing with regards to the growing global oil demand. More than 220 FPS are in different stages of planning, of which the major share is held by FPSO," says Sayani Roy, a lead analyst at Technavio for oil and gas research.

Africa, Brazil, and Southeast Asia are the major regions where there are plans to build new units of FPS. The increase in the number of projects shows that there is a huge increase in deepwater drill equipment. More than 150 deepwater semis or drill ships have been ordered since 2003, removing the bottleneck that inhibited exploration and development in deepwaters.

Advantages of FPSO

FPSO vessels are predominantly effective in remote or deepwater locations because the incorporation of seabed pipelines in such locations incurs heavy costs. With FPSO vessels in place, there is no requirement to lay down long-distance pipelines from the oil well to the onshore terminal. They are economical in smaller oil fields and marginal fields that deplete in a few years and therefore installing a fixed platform solution is not profitable. When the field depletes, the FPSO unit can be moved to a new location, which is another advantage in this type of production system.

FPSO units can also operate in harsh environments because some of them can release their mooring turret and navigate to safety during emergency situations; the turret sinks beneath waves that can be reconnected later.

Growing demand for energy

Growing demand for energy due to economic development and industrialization has led to increased oil and gas exploration activities globally. Increasing offshore exploration and production, and rising number of offshore wells have raised the importance of FPS. The global oil and gas demand is rapidly increasing from various end-user segments. This, in turn, has encouraged various vendors and governments to invest in deep sea and ultra-deep sea drilling to enhance the global production of oil and gas. "Thus, as a result of an increase in demand for oil and gas around the globe, there is a large demand for FPS globally," says Sayani.

Browse Related Reports:

Global Smart Oilfield Market 2016-2020

Global Floating LNG Market 2015-2019

Global Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Market 2015-2019

Do you need a report on a market in a specific geographical cluster or country but can't find what you're looking for? Don't worry, Technavio also takes client requests. Please contact enquiry@technavio.com with your requirements and our analysts will be happy to create a customized report just for you.

About Technavio

Technaviois a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies.

Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914005023/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 630 333 9501

UK: +44 208 123 1770

www.technavio.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Ahead of this week's release of an Oliver Stone movie about Edward Snowden, the American Civil Liberties Union has called on President Barack Obama to pardon the NSA whistleblower. The ACLU is teaming up with Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to lobby Obama to pardon Snowden before he leaves office. In a blog post, ACLU executive director Anthony D. Romero said Snowden has been charged under a World War One-era law that makes any argument that his actions benefited the public inadmissible in court. 'It's indisputable that our democracy is better off thanks to Snowden, and it's precisely for cases like his that the pardon power exists,' Romero wrote. He added, 'President Obama should use this power for good instead of leaving an American whistleblower stranded in exile.' Romero said the Pardon Snowden campaign will work through the end of Obama's administration to make the case that Snowden's act of whistleblowing benefited the U.S. and enriched democratic debate worldwide. Snowden is currently living in Russia after leaking classified documents about top-secret surveillance programs to journalists in 2013. 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.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Ten Peaks Coffee Company Inc. ("Ten Peaks") (TSX: TPK) today declared a cash dividend of $0.0625 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. The dividend will be an 'eligible dividend' for Canadian income tax purposes, and will be paid on October 17, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 2016.

Company Profile

Ten Peaks is a publicly traded company that owns all of the interests of the Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company Inc. (SWDCC), a premium green coffee decaffeinator located in Burnaby, BC. It also owns and operates Seaforth Supply Chain Solutions Inc. (Seaforth), a green coffee handling and storage business located in Metro Vancouver.

About SWDCC

SWDCC employs the proprietary SWISS WATER Process to decaffeinate green coffee without the use of chemicals, leveraging science-based systems and controls to produce coffee that is 99.9% caffeine free. The SWISS WATER Process is a 100% chemical free water process for coffee decaffeination, as well as the world's only consumer-branded decaffeination process. It is certified organic by the Organic Crop Improvement Association.

SWISS WATER Process decaffeinated green coffees are sold to many of North America's leading specialty roaster retailers, specialty coffee importers and commercial coffee roasters. SWDCC also sells coffees internationally through regional distributors.

About Seaforth

Seaforth provides a complete range of green coffee handling and storage services, including devanning coffee received from origin; inspecting, weighing and sampling coffees; and storing, handling and preparing green coffee for outbound shipments. Seaforth's warehouse and handling operation is certified organic by Ecocert Canada.

Contacts:

Ten Peaks Coffee Company Inc.

Sherry Tryssenaar

Chief Financial Officer

604.444.8780

s.tryssenaar@tenpeakscoffee.ca

www.tenpeakscoffee.ca




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- Goldeye Explorations Limited (TSX VENTURE: GGY) ("Goldeye") reports that it has notified Sandy Lake Gold Inc. ("Sandy Lake Gold") that arbitration is required to address several issues in dispute regarding and arising from the Option Agreement between the parties. Despite Goldeye's efforts, a resolution without an arbitration process has not been achieved. Sandy Lake Gold has 20 days to respond to Goldeye's notice of arbitration after which arbitrators will be appointed.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Robin Luke Webster

President and Chief Executive Officer

About Goldeye Explorations Limited

Goldeye Explorations is a gold-focused junior exploration company engaged in the exploration and evaluation of mineral properties in Ontario, Canada. Goldeye's flagship Weebigee Project is located near Sandy Lake in Northwestern Ontario. The company has additional properties at Gold Rock near Dryden, and Shining Tree in Northeastern Ontario. On September 1, 2016, Goldeye and Treasury Metals Inc. ("Treasury") announced that they had reached a definitive arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement"), whereby Treasury will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Goldeye. Upon closing, Goldeye will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Treasury.

For additional information about Goldeye, please visit Goldeye's website at www.goldeye.ca.

About Weebigee

Weebigee is a gold and base metals project located near Sandy Lake in Northwestern Ontario. The Project is approximately 225 km north of Red Lake, one of the world's most prolific gold camps, and 200 km west of Goldcorp's world-class Musselwhite mine. The Project comprises a main block of 363 claim units (approx. 6000 ha.) held 100% by Goldeye subject to an option agreement with GPM Metals Inc. ("GPM") and an additional 1421 claim units (approx. 22,000 ha.) staked by GPM, in the highly prospective and underexplored Sandy Lake greenstone belt. Sandy Lake Gold recently announced that it had acquired all of GPM's rights regarding the project. Certain of the claims are subject to a 1% net smelter returns ("NSR") royalty. Weebigee lies within the traditional territory of Sandy Lake First Nation ("SLFN") with whom Goldeye signed a comprehensive Exploration Agreement in 2013.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "propose", "project", "outlook", "foresee" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook and include statements regarding the timing of the appointment of arbitrators and the closing of Goldeye's transaction with Treasury.

Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, management's expectations regarding availability of capital. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, operational risks in the completion of the Company's anticipated projects, delays or changes in plans with respect to the development of the Company's anticipated projects by the Company's third party relationships, risks affecting the Company's ability to execute projects, weather and other environmental risks and the inability to raise additional capital. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company's securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and 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 and/or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Robin Luke Webster

President and Chief Executive Officer

1.416.900.0918

info@goldeye.ca








Creation of large marine protected area follows successful demonstration of Project Eyes on the Seas monitoring technology

LONDON, Sept. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --The Pew Charitable Trusts joins the Pitcairn Island Council in praising Her Majesty's government for today's designation of 320,465 square miles (approximately 830,000 square kilometres) as a marine reserve in the remote waters surrounding the Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The announcement by the United Kingdom's Foreign & Commonwealth Office follows a one-year pilot surveillance program in these waters using Project Eyes on the Seas, a technology platform developed jointly by Pew and the U.K.-based Satellite Applications Catapult to monitor distant areas of ocean.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407843

Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/PEW-APPLAUDS-UK-DESIGNATION.mp4

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407844

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160914/407840

In March 2015, the British government announced its intention to create the reserve and to conduct the trial program. Today's designation marks the first time any government has combined creation of a remote, fully protected marine area with a comprehensive plan to use the most up-to-date available technology to enforce prohibitions on fishing and other activities.

"By protecting the vast array of marine life within these rich waters, the United Kingdom has solidified its position as a leader in ocean conservation," said Joshua S. Reichert, executive vice president at Pew who oversees strategy for the Global Ocean Legacy and Ending Illegal Fishing projects. "The Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve sets a new standard for enforcement of protected areas through innovations in satellite technology."

The monitoring trial, which included more than 10,000 hours of surveillance using Eyes on the Seas, found minimal fishing activity in the remote waters of the Pitcairn Islands' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and high compliance with current laws and regulations. With official designation of the marine reserve, all extractive activities, such as industrial fishing and mining, are now prohibited within the EEZ, except for subsistence fishing in a small area set aside for the Pitcairn community.

Her Majesty's government partnered with Pew and the Switzerland-based Bertarelli Foundation to conduct the trial from June 2015 through May 2016. The Bertarelli Foundation provided funding to test a Wave Glider SV3, a floating drone developed by U.S.-based Liquid Robotics, to gather information from the water's surface to be incorporated in the analysis. Eyes on the Seas merges satellite tracking and imagery data with other sources of information, such as fishing vessel databases, oceanographic data, and ships' ownership histories, to provide up-to-the-minute information that can alert officials to suspicious activity.

At roughly 3  times the size of the land area of the U.K., the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve protects some of the most intact marine ecosystems on the planet. The waters are home to 1,249 identified species, including at least two found nowhere else on Earth: a species of squirrelfish and the many-spined butterfly fish. The reserve also safeguards one of the world's only two remaining raised coral atolls-a ring-shaped coral reef as well as 40-Mile Reef, the deepest and most well-developed coral reef known.

In 2013, Pew's Global Ocean Legacy project joined the Pitcairn Island Council, the local elected body, and the National Geographic Society in submitting a proposal to the British government for creation of a marine reserve to protect these spectacular waters. Initial consideration started years earlier.

The Pitcairn Island Council praised the designation in a statement: "For over five years, the Pitcairn Island Council has worked closely with the local community and partners to evaluate and promote the benefits of preserving our pristine seas. We are proud that Her Majesty's government has legally designated over 800,000 square kilometres of our marine environment as a fully protected reserve. When you add in the use of cutting-edge technology to monitor our waters, both the island community and our visitors will continue to enjoy this beautiful ocean habitat for many years to come."

With its overseas territories, the U.K. serves as caretaker for 2.6 million square miles (more than 6 million square kilometres) of ocean, the fifth-largest marine area of any country. In recent years, the nation has become a leader in the global movement to safeguard critical ocean habitat-establishing the Chagos Marine Reserve in the British Indian Ocean Territory in 2010 and pledging protections for the waters of Ascension Island in the South Atlantic in January of this year.

The U.K., the United States, New Zealand, Palau, and Chile all have announced creation of large, fully protected marine reserves in the past 18 months, a period in which more ocean has been set aside for protection than any other in history.

Even with this progress, only about 3 percent of the ocean has been designated with strong protections. Recent science shows that at least 30 percent needs to be safeguarded in order to conserve biodiversity, support fisheries productivity, and ensure maximum economic, cultural and life-supporting benefits.

About The Pew Charitable Trusts

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Learn more at www.pewtrusts.org.

About Global Ocean Legacy

Global Ocean Legacy is a partnership established in 2006 to promote the creation of marine reserves in the world's oceans. Current partners include The Pew Charitable Trusts, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Lyda Hill Foundation, Oak Foundation, The Robertson Foundation, and The Tiffany & Co. Foundation. Learn more at www.globaloceanlegacy.org. Each of these positive developments has been driven by the Great British Oceans campaign, of which Pew is a member.

Media Contact: Laura Margison, +1 202.849.0272, lmargison@pewtrusts.org
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/14/16 -- AlarmForce Industries Inc. (TSX: AF) (AlarmForce or the Company) today provides this status update pursuant to the alternative information guidelines as set out in National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders. These guidelines contemplate that the Company will normally provide bi-weekly updates on its affairs until such time as the Company is current with its filing obligations under Canadian securities laws.

The Company hereby reports that the Company's examination of its revenue recognition policies for the periods starting fiscal Q4 2013 for revenue generated from customer contracts after a customer had requested cancellation of services is ongoing. As previously announced, where legislation governing consumer agreements prohibit charges made after cancellation notices, the Company's preliminary conclusion is that the cancelled subscription revenue should not have been recognized.

Further as previously announced, the Company continues to consider its cancellation and other practices relating to existing residential customer contracts in all jurisdictions. The results of that review, and the financial impact of any decisions that may be made as a result of the review have not yet been determined.

The Company intends to complete its review, determine whether any restatement of historical financial statements is necessary and file its financial statements for the third quarter of fiscal 2016 as soon as possible. The Company is not in a position at this time to determine (i) the likelihood that a restatement of historical financial statements will be required; or (ii) in the event that a restatement of historical financial statements is required, the expected date of filing of such restatements and the financial statements for the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The Company does not expect that it will be able to make such determination until its review of individual subscriber accounts is completed. Due to the scope and work involved in the review of individual subscriber accounts, the Company does not know when the review will be completed but expects that such review will not be completed prior to November 1, 2016.

About AlarmForce

AlarmForce provides security alarm monitoring, personal emergency response monitoring, video surveillance and related services to residential and commercial subscribers throughout Canada and the United States. More information about AlarmForce's products and services can be found at alarmforce.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements or information (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "intend", "plan", "potential", "continue" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained or referred to in this press release includes, but may not be limited to: the Company continuing to consider its cancellation and other practices relating to existing residential customer contracts in all jurisdictions; the Company undertaking a detailed examination of its revenue recognition policies for the periods starting fiscal Q4 2013; the Company's intention to complete its review, determine whether any restatement of historical financial statements is necessary and file its financial statements for the third quarter of fiscal 2016 as soon as possible; the Company's expectation that the review will not be completed prior to November 1, 2016.

The forward-looking statements in this press release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of AlarmForce about future events based on information currently available to AlarmForce. In connection with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, AlarmForce has made assumptions about, among other things: AlarmForce's business, the economy and AlarmForce's industry in general; no significant events occur outside of AlarmForce's normal course of business; that the Company ought not to have continued charging monitoring fees in some jurisdictions for the period following certain residential customers' subscription cancellations; the quantum of refunds to be made to customers; that the cancelled subscription revenue should not have been recognized; the scope and work necessary to assess any required restatement and for the reporting of its quarterly financial results.

Although AlarmForce believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, and the assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements included in this press release, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, liabilities and financial results in future periods to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the possibility that the final results of the review identify additional issues or different impacts not identified in the preliminary results of the review identified above; that the quantum of refunds to be made to customers is significantly different than preliminarily determined; that the consumer law, tax and any other possible consequences relating to the Company's past and current treatment of cancellations is significantly different than preliminarily determined; and the other factors described in AlarmForce's public filings (including its Annual Information Form) available at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, AlarmForce disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

Contacts:

News Media:

Hugh Mansfield

(416) 599-0024 ext 237

(212) 370-5045 ext 237

hugh@mansfieldinc.com



Nila Halycia

(416) 599-0024 ext 236

nila@mansfieldinc.com




Financial markets software company, IRESS, has entered a deal to acquire a South African company, which operates in a similar industry.IRESS is set to purchase INET BFA for $14 million. INET BFA is in the business of providing market data, analysis tools and financial data feeds. As part of this transaction, 118 new employees (which is almost all the staff of INET) will join IRESS.IRESS says this acquisition is intended to strengthen its presence in South Africa, allow a broader range of integrated solutions, and extend its trading and portfolio services.This deal is expected to complete by late-November 2016.IRESS reported a net profit of $32.7 million at 30 June 2016.
Lucid Software, a Salt Lake City, UT-based provider of cloud visual productivity applications, received a $36m funding round.

The round was led by Spectrum Equity, with participation from existing investors Kickstart Seed Fund and Grayhawk Capital. In conjunction with the investment, Ben Spero and Ethan Choi of Spectrum Equity join the Lucid Software board of directors.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its diagramming and design solutions and grow adoption within large enterprises.

Led by Karl Sun, co-founder and CEO, Lucid Software provides Lucidchart, which offers a collaborative platform for building complex diagrams to improve productivity and visual communication, and Lucidpress which enables brand-compliant layout and design for organizations of all sizes.

They are used by over 8 million users and hundreds of thousands of paying subscribers from more than 175 countries, including organizations such as Hubspot, Kohls, Pearson, Quantcast, Spotify, Uber, and Woolworths.

FinSMEs

14/09/2016
Optimove, a Tel Aviv, Israelbased customer marketing cloud, raised $20m in growth funding.

The round was led by Israel Growth Partners, a private equity investment firm that focuses on later stage investments. As part of the financing, Israel Growth Partners Moshe Lichtman will join Optimoves board of directors.

The company intends to use the funds to grow its R&D and grow sales and marketing organization, and to hire in the US market, especially for the companys recently opened New York office.

Led by Pini Yakuel, founder and CEO, Optimove provides a cloud used by over 200 customer-centric brands including 1-800-flowers.com, Zynga, eBags and others, to drive their entire customer marketing operation. Optimove combines customer modeling, predictive micro-segmentation and campaign automation technologies to enable marketers to deliver personalized customer marketing campaigns across multiple channels, maximize customer spend, engagement, retention and lifetime value. The companys Customer Marketing Cloud currently sends more than 4 billion targeted, personalized messages to over 900 million customers every year through email, Facebook, Google Ads, SMS, push notifications, and other channels.

It currently employs more than 100 employees in offices in New York, London and Tel Aviv.

FinSMEs

14/09/2016
Paris, France-based private equity firm Ardian raised 4 billion for its latest mid-cap fund, LBO Fund VI.

An additional 500m was raised for co-investment opportunities. Combined with Ardian Expansion Fund IV, which raised 1 billion in June, the private investment company now has a 5.5 billion platform for investing in small- to mid-cap companies.

Ardian Mid Cap Buyout, which has grown from 25 to 36 people (50% outside France) over the last three years, will invest Ardian LBO Fund VI in established European companies with an enterprise value of between 175m to 1.5bn.

85% of the fund will be invested in the core markets of France, Italy, Germany but also Benelux, Austria and Switzerland. In addition, following the expansion of the Ardian Mid Cap Buyout in the UK and Spain, the team will also look at opportunities in those markets.

Two investments have already been made through the new fund:

 Hypred, a European leader in the production and commercialization of professional hygiene solutions for the food and agriculture sectors based in France, and

 Dedalus, a global clinical health software provider based in Italy.

FinSMEs

14/09/2016
SaladStop!, a Singapore-based chain of salad bars, raised S$5m in funding.

Backers included private equity firms Hera Capital and DSG Consumer Partners.

The company intends to use the funds to grow its presence in Singapore, invest into new ventures and continue to develop its technological platforms.

Co-founded by Daniel and Adrien Desbaillets in 2009 and co-headed by daughter Katherine and son in-law Frantz Braha, SaladStop! provides a quick service concept offering salads, wraps, grain bowls and more, currently operating 15 outlets in Singapore and 8 in the Philippines, with Japan, Indonesia and Hong Kong slated to open by the end of the year.

Behind SaladStop!s concept is the movement Eat Wide Awake, stressing a conscious awareness of food consumption and building on a founding commitment to sourcing more responsibly by working with partners with a similar ethos.

FinSMEs

14/09/2016
Hyderabad: Budget airline AirAsia India Wednesday said it plans to have a fleet size of 20 by end-2018, thereby becoming eligible to operate on international routes.

The airline, which will soon add 8th aircraft to its fleet, is also offering lifetime free flights to Indian gold medallists, five years and three years of free flights to silver and bronze medallists at the Olympics and Paralympics in Brazil, AirAsia India Chief Executive Amar Abrol said.

"Our game plan, that has been approved by the AirAsia Board, is to get roughly, over the course of 2017 or 2018, 20 aircraft. We ourselves want to get 20 aircraft as soon as possible. That will allow us to fly international. By end of 2018, I think we will be there (having 20 aircraft)," Abrol said at a press conference here.

Without giving a figure, Abrol said the company will soon infuse "millions of dollars" to meet its expansion plans.

Abrol said the low-cost carrier will be operating its latest aircraft between Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kochi from October 8.

AirAsia India currently flies to 11 destinations with hubs in Bengaluru and New Delhi covering Chandigarh, Jaipur, Guwahati, Imphal, Goa, Pune, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Kochi in its destination network.

"As a continuation to the celebration of AirAsia's next chapter in India, the airline is pleased to announce a lifetime of free flights to the gold medallists, five years and three years of free flights to silver and bronze medallists at the Olympics and Paralympics.

"Indian athletes who won gold, silver and bronze medals will be able to fly to any of the 120-plus destinations within AirAsia and AirAsia X's extensive network in Asia, Australia and Africa," Abrol said.

Tata Sons holds 51 percent stake in the no-frills carrier, while the rest is with Malaysias AirAsia Bhd.

To celebrate the induction of its new aircraft and the introduction of a new route, AirAsia India is offering limited promotional seats for all-inclusive-fares from as low as Rs 2,999 from Hyderabad to Kochi and vice versa.

Guests can start booking their flights on the company's website from today, a press release said.
Bengaluru, the IT hub of India, has been in the news in the past few days for violence and mayhem unleashed by disgruntled elements over the Cauvery water issue. The city, where leading MNCs and home-grown Indian IT firms -- think Wipro, Infosys, have been honed contributes 32 percent revenues of the country's IT and Business Process Management. Brand Bengaluru has taken a knocking to its reputation by the vandalism in the state. Factories and companies were shut on account of the uncertain situation. The widespread damage due to the violent protests over the Cauvery dispute has caused Karnataka to suffer a whopping loss of Rs 22,000-25,000 crore besides denting the image of the state capital as India's Silicon Valley, industry chamber Assocham said on Tuesday.

TV Mohandas Pai, chairman of Manipal Global Education and a member of the board of directors of Infosys has been vocal about his thoughts and feelings on the city earning a new epithet of intolerance. He shares his thoughts with Firstpost on what the Cauvery water issue troubles mean to businesses in the city in the short and long-term.

Excerpts from the conversation:

Brand Bengaluru has been hurt by the Cauvery issue which has entered the third day today.

Yes, Brand Bengaluru has been hurt and hurt very badly. One reason being that what happens in Bengaluru is exaggerated across world. A large part of global outsourcing work takes place here. Hence, Bengaluru is very sensitive especially as business is concerned. If this were to happen in any other city in India, no one would care. The world cares about Bengaluru as it is the IT hub of India where global businesses have a stake.

Not just visitors from other states who come to Bengaluru for work or pleasure, but a large number of overseas visitors come here to conduct business. The present situation in Bengaluru has led to a scare to come here and do business. Riots happen in other parts of the world. Why, there were riots in some parts of London too, recently. But it did not lead to the city getting a bad name. Simply because the law and order situation was brought under control soon.

Brand Bengaluru has been hurt for a very important reason because the state government abdicated its responsibility when violence was unleashed by certain elements. This happened on Monday. On Tuesday, the Chief Minister Siddharamaih and the Home Minister were able to clamp down on the disgruntled elements that were causing much damage to life and property in the state. This only goes to show that the police was lax on Monday and abdicated its duty towards the State and its citizens.

This only goes to show that either the government was complacent and allowed the mischief makers to continue with what they did  that is what G Parameshwara, Home Minister said about the violence on the first day. Why was the police tolerant and allowed people to voice their anger about the Cauvery issue by destroying property?

What long-term setbacks do you see with regard to business and Bengaluru?

I dont think any of the existing businesses in the state will be shifted to another state. No one can be sure about the safety aspect of any city in India. However, incoming businesses in the city will do a rethink. They will be worried by what is happening in the city. No one wants to conduct or develop business in a perceived risk place. Changing that perception will be an arduous task. Multinational companies (MNCs) are more cautious than local businesses to come into an area which has witnessed violence like Bengaluru has in the last few days. Startups will also do a rethink before coming to Bengaluru and prefer to work from other cities. This situation will last for the next 2-3 months in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and both will think twice before going to the other state. But this fear wont last.

The loss to businesses in Bengaluru in the last few days because of the Cauvery issue has been immense. Who will compensate businesses? Will the Siddharamaih government compensate it? I think this situation of fear with regard to businesses will continue in the next two to three months.

Do you see an end to this issue?

It certainly can happen if there is political will in the chief ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. All that they need to do is sit, talk about issues and use data to resolve the issue. The mechanism has been set up and the Supreme Court has said it will only go by that. The data regarding the availability, consumption and use of the river water is available with the Water Commission.

The CM of Karnataka should act as a CM and not as a person heading a political party. He cannot play party politics as a CM of a state. He refused to meet the PM when he was called last time. But, I also think it is unfair to ask Karnataka to give a percentage of its drinking water  2 crore people are depended on it, to Tamil Nadu for irrigation. Does drinking water get second place with regard to irrigation? I believe the tribunal order is a grave injustice to Karnataka. What is this adherence to an irrational treaty signed a century ago?
Editor's Note: This letter was obtained from a senior officer in the armed forces and has been dispatched to the rank and file.

Guess after OROP, whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar enter office and see a buff envelope on their tables, they know it's from the Service chiefs and they think, oh no, not again, now what?

Now, a lot of stuff, and as the three chiefs band together and dispatch their four points of objection to the 7th Pay Commission under the signature of the Chairman of the Chief of Staff committee Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, the battle is joined once more.

To reject it outright is to throw a damp leather gauntlet in the face of the government and it's never been done before in such a defiant manner.

More worrying is the absence of wriggle room on either side.

Perhaps the attitude from the Services' point of view is best seen in the last point which will probably get the least attention and yet, stands testament to the way the faujis get the short straw. The disability pension for an Additional Secretary is Rs 70,000 and that of a three-star General only Rs 27,000. This disparity is laughable. The odds of a man or woman in uniform getting injured or losing a limb is several times more likely than that of the civilian counterpart. What would a Secretary have to do to be disabled? Fall out of his official car. At least make it the same.

While the spotlight stays fixed on that old wrangle over the salary and perks gap between the IAS and the police and bureaucrats in general as opposed to the armed forces, the indictment actually stems from the mindset where both government and bureaucrats see the armed forces as inferior to them and, therefore, to be kept in their place.

Even if one argues that point three demanding the non functional upgrade that is enjoyed by the civil services is an attempt to seek more money, this little pot of honey decided by the bureaucracy for the bureaucracy is a burr under the military saddle because it also underscores the same sense of superiority.

By that token, the military service pay (MSP) for Junior Commissioned Officers stays the same as that of a soldier and both the 6th and 7th pay commissions have failed to make a differentiation between the JCOs and the men they lead.

Troop morale is maintained by JCOs and they are the bridge between the officers and the soldiers and must be given that importance. The Sergeant Major syndrome is global and whether in military history or cartoons, the sarge is the man that both men and officers rely upon to keep the discipline and the mood upbeat.

Anyway you look at it, this is not a happy development and places a schism between the forces and their government at a time when Indias armed forces need public support for their deployment.

We live in perilous times and our men in uniform calling for parity cannot be seen as the shrill yelp of spoilt brats.

Those who take that stance never go beyond this bridge and ask why the police, for example, should get so much sweeter a career deal than the standing forces.

It would be in the fitness of things for both Modi and Parrikar to take this issue very seriously before it grows into an impasse that generates ill will.

What one fails to understand is why such a letter has not stayed confidential between a PM, a DM and three four star generals.

Before it being leaked, there should have been some negotiations, reducing the call for confrontation.

Now, pride, ego and obstinacy will gambol onto the stage and take over. Exit discretion chased by a bear.
As Bengaluru hobbled back to normalcy, an uneasy calm was still prevalent in Bengalurus IT city. According to reports, curfew was still on in a few parts of the city while the rest of Bengaluru was more or less normal. IANS, however, reported protests in Mandya and Mysuru in southern Karnataka on Tuesday.

Curfew, imposed late on Monday night, continued to remain in force in 16 police station limits of the city which were under prohibitory orders. Although the government has not declared a holiday for schools and colleges, few private institutions remained shut on Wednesday.

Mondays riot-like situation in Bengaluru had surprised everyone. Which started as a few stray and isolated incidents, snowballed into a massive rage with protesters rallying against the Supreme Courts directive in which the top court modified its earlier order and told the Karnataka government to release 12,000 cusecs of water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu on daily basis till 20 September.

Transport vehicles were back in service and shops and establishments functioned normally, senior police officials said, adding, adequate measures have been taken to prevent occurrence of untoward incidents.

Even as senior politicians and eminent personalities urged the people of Karnataka to maintain peace, the state, especially worst-hit Bengaluru, incurred a lot of losses and we are not just talking about business losses.

Public transport bore the brunt

The most damage was incurred by owners of public and private transport companies. The bus companies, which ply regularly between Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu, took the worst hit.

According to reports, 56 private buses were set on fire by protesters in Bengaluru. The first few images which flashed on TV on Monday were that of buses at the KPN depot at DSouza Nagar in Nayandahalli. At least, 50 crores, as Deccan Chronicle reported, went up in smoke when around 200 agitators stormed into the bus depot and hurled crude petrol bombs at the buses.

Speaking to The News Minute, owner KP Natarajan of KPN Travels, which happens to be one of the leading bus operators in South India, said: "I am a businessman. How will targeting my buses and business solve the Cauvery issue? We have nothing to do with it."

According to Natarajan, who is a businessman from Salem in Tamil Nadu, Cauvery 'skirmishes' have happened in the past but not in this manner.

KPN runs hundreds of buses that ply through Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry on a regular basis. Two SRS Travels buses were also reportedly set on fire by agitating protesters. TV 9 Kannada on Monday had reported that the vandals told the bus drivers to alight before setting fire to the buses.

According to this report in The Times of India, a total of 152 which belonged to KSRTC and BMTC were damaged by protesters causing a total loss of at least 20 crores to both the corporations. A protest led by garment factory workers on Hosur road and Tumkur road attacked at least 50 buses of KSRTC. At least seven KSRTC buses were set on fire by the protesters, 80 BMTC buses were stoned and 11 including two Volvo buses that were gutted by the vandals.

Loss of life

The violence claimed its second life on Tuesday. A 30-year old man, who had allegedly jumped in panic from a three-storey building while trying to escape police lathicharge in Bengaluru, succumbed to multiple injuries on Tuesday.

"Kumar, around 30 years old, has died. He was brought to our hospital at 9.30 on Monday night in a critical stage. He is said to have jumped from third floor of a building as he was trying to escape from a lathicharge yesterday," Dr Giridhar, managing director of Lakshmi Multi-Speciality Hospital, said.

One person was killed and another injured in police firing in the country's IT capital on Monday.

Image of Bengaluru sullied

Karnataka is estimated to have suffered a loss of around Rs 22,000-25,000 crore with the wide-spread agitation hitting transport services and businesses, Assocham said.

The industry body further said that violence in the state capital and other parts of Karnataka has "severely dented" the image of Bengaluru as the Silicon Valley of India, which is home to many of the Fortune 500 companies, making a fervent appeal for peace in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

"With widespread damage to vital urban infrastructure, interruption in the transport including, roads, rail and air and inability of the workforce to safely move to and from offices and factories, Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru city, is estimated to have suffered a loss between Rs 22,000-25,000 crore due to Cauvery dispute related violence," it said.

"The way the violent incidents had spread is demoralising the business and industrial community, particularly in the capital city of Karnataka. The image that India built around Bengaluru as its 'Silicon Valley' is being sullied," Assocham secretary-general DS Rawat said.

According to Assocham, widespread loss would accrue to IT and ITeS facilities due to poor attendance for the last few days and the inter-state tourism particularly involving pilgrims and domestic travellers has been affected. Cancellation of air tickets have also been reported to and from Bengaluru, it added.

Likewise, industrial production, movement of cargo and retail trade including malls, cinema halls and restaurants have been halted.

"All these losses would run between Rs 22,000 crore and Rs 25,000 crore, besides of course immense damage to the goodwill of the state as an attractive investment destination," the chamber said.

With inputs from agencies
Patna: Facing opposition flak, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government is likely to challenge the bail granted to former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin in the Supreme Court soon, officials said on Wednesday.

"The state government has decided to appeal against the Patna High Court bail to Shahabuddin in the apex court," an official said.

A ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader close to Nitish Kumar said the decision was taken in the wake of protests by opposition over the release of Shahabuddin.

He also dispelled talk of the government having been "soft on Shahabuddin, who was released from jail after 11 years.

"It is wrong and baseless to say that the state government was soft on Shahabuddin. His release is part of a judicial process, politics has nothing to do with it," he said.

Shahabuddin, who was released from on bail four days ago in connection with the murder of a witness in the killing of two brothers in Siwan, said on Tuesday that whatever action the Bihar government wants to take, including invoking the Crime Control Act (CCA) against him, he will live in his own style.

"Sarkar agar CCA lagana chahti hai to lagaye, lekin mai apne tarike se jeeta hun (If government wants to invoke CCA against me, it can but I will live as per my style)," Shahabuddin told the media while meeting his supporters.

The opposition BJP has demanded that CCA be slapped against the former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP.
New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Delhi government after chikungunya complications claimed six lives in the national capital and affected over 1,000 people in the city.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who held a meeting with officials concerned to review the dengue and chikungunya situation in the country including the national capital, also spoke to Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain and assured him of all support from the Centre.

"We have sought a detailed report from Delhi government (regarding chikungunya deaths) as to what has been the co-morbidity in these death cases and its details.

"There is no second opinion that death does not occur due to chikungunya and it does not become the cause of death. But still, we have sought a detailed report from the Delhi government. Whatever help and support is needed will be given," Nadda told reporters.

Chikungunya is taking its toll in Delhi and a few other cities across the country, with at least six deaths due to the vector-borne disease reported in the last two days in the national capital where the number of cases has crossed over 1,000.

"I spoke to Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain before the review meeting and asked him if he had some requirements. He said that all facilities are available with them and they are working as per the protocols.

"I have told him that if he has any requirement, he should tell us. He assured that there are adequate medicines, beds and testing facilities. I conveyed to him that whatever facilities is needed the Centre is ready to give. We will be working together. We want to address the issue by working in coordination," Nadda said.

According to National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), around 12,255 cases of chikungunya have been reported across the country till 31 August.

Karnataka alone has recorded 8,941, Maharashtra 839 and Andhra Pradesh 492. Nadda noted that there has been an "upsurge" of chikungunya cases in Delhi and a large number of fever cases have also been reported but asserted that there is no need to "panic" while stressing the need for taking symptomatic treatment.

Nadda said dengue has also been reported in West Bengal, Odisha, Kerela and Karnataka while some cases of malaria have also been reported in West Bengal.

He said the Centre has been sensitive about both the diseases since January and has been working in proper coordination with state governments.

While eleven advisories have been issued to the states regarding protocols and methodology to be followed to tackle the diseases, three video conferences have also been done.

"There has been no report or complaints of shortage of medicines, testing facilities or issues like doctors not following protocols from the entire country. Everything is in place.

"There is no need to panic. With regards to chikungunya, there is need to take symptomatic treatment. Apart from medicines prescribed by the doctor, one should consume more and more liquid," Nadda said.

He also appealed to the people of the country including Delhi to focus on hygiene and sanitation and take steps to stop the breeding of mosquitoes in the localities.

Doctors have said that chikungunya is not a life-threatening disease in general, but in rare cases leads to complications that prove fatal, especially in children and old persons.

Out of the 1,057 total cases of chikungunya, this season in Delhi, 497 cases were reported in the last week, amounting to a rise of nearly 90 percent from its count by the civic body on 3 September.

Out of the total cases this season till 10 September, 202 has been recorded in south Delhi, followed by 148 in north Delhi and 57 in east Delhi.
Chikungunya and dengue are taking the toll on Delhi and a few other cities across the country, with at least ten deaths due to the vector-borne disease reported in the last two days. While the number of chikungunya cases has risen to over 1,000, dengue cases have shot up to 1,158 in the national capital with nearly 390 of them being recorded in the first ten days of September.

Chikungunya 'outbreak' in the national capital

According to National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), around 12,255 cases of chikungunya have been reported across the country till 31 August. Karnataka alone has recorded 8,941 cases, Maharashtra 839 and Andhra Pradesh 492.

Meanwhile, a senior health ministry official said at this moment, there is an "outbreak" situation with regard to chikungunya.

BS Rana, chairman, board of management of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said the victims were elderly. "Uday Shanker (61) of Dwarka was admitted on 11 September and he died on 12 September. His RT-PCR test for chikungunya had come positive. He had come to our OPD and then admitted.

"Ashok Chauhan, 62, from Aligarh also died of chikungunya. He too was admitted in ICU on 11 September and his RT-PCR test came positive," hospital authorities said.

Doctors say chikungunya is not a life-threatening disease in general, but in rare cases leads to complications that prove fatal, especially in children and old persons. Incidentally, Isha of Kabir Nagar, died at Hindu Rao Hospital, one of the biggest municipal hospitals in Delhi, due to "complications triggered by chikungunya."

"She was admitted on 26 August at the hospital. Her chikungunya test had come positive. She died due to cardiac arrest triggered by complications from chikungunya," a senior doctor at the Hindu Rao Hospital said.

Incidentally, one suspected chikungunya death has also been reported at the Aiims, but hospital authorities are yet to confirm it. According to reports, the "chikungunya death" at the Aiims took place sometime in September.

At Aiims laboratories, 1,360 chikungunya blood test samples have tested positive till 11 September. Authorities at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said, "One more person suffering from chikungunya is in the ICU."

At present, there are 29 chikungunya patients admitted at the hospital, of which 20 were admitted in the last 10 days, they said. "At present four dengue patients are also admitted, two of them in the last 10 days. One of the patients is in ICU," a senior hospital official said.

In last 10 days, the hospital has tested 524 samples each for dengue and chikungunya, out of which five and 293 respectively have come positive in RT-PCR test, he said. Out of the 1,057 total cases of chikungunya this season in Delhi, 497 were reported in the last week, amounting to a rise of nearly 90 percent from its count by the civic body on 3 September.

Out of the total cases this season till 10 September, 202 has been recorded in south Delhi, followed by 148 in north Delhi and 57 in east Delhi, the report said. For SDMC, which reported the highest number of people diagnosed with chikungunya, its four-zone recorded cases as follows--West (56), Central (57), South (56) and Najafgarh (33).

As many as 540 cases of chikungunya have been recorded from areas outside the jurisdiction of the three municipal corporations in Delhi and 110 cases have been reported from outside of Delhi, the report said.

According to SDMC, 64 cases of chikungunya were reported last year. IMA President-Elect Dr K K Aggarwal cautioned about chikungunya virus (CHIKV) that can cause CHIKV-associated encephalitis.

"Children younger than 1 year and adults aged 65 years or older have the highest incidence of CHIKV-associated encephalitis," he said, while claiming such cases are occurring in Delhi.

The sudden spike in chikungunya cases in Delhi and several other parts of north India has come nearly 10 years after a big outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease across the country.

In 2006, over 13 lakh suspected chikungunya fever cases were reported across the country, according to NVBDCP.

Civic bodies have also issued challans to a number of establishments like MTNL office, Hindu Rao Hospital, and Delhi Jal Board, mosquito larvae were found breeding on their premises.

Dengue on the rise, cases mount to 1,158

Nine "suspected" dengue deaths have reportedly taken place at Aiims this month, even as the number of the cases of the vector-borne disease in Delhi has climbed to over 1,150.

At least nine deaths due to dengue have been reported this year in the national capital, though the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) which compiles the report on vector-borne diseases on behalf of all civic bodies in New Delhi, has put the death toll at four.

The premier hospital is getting several dengue patients on a daily basis in its fever clinics.

As many as 387 cases were reported this month, marking a rise of over 50 percent from the previous count, according to a municipal report released on Wednesday.

Over 770 cases were reported till 3 September this season. Out of the total number of cases, August alone has accounted for 652.

The last dengue fatality reported was of Iram Khan (25), a native of Meerut, who lived in Jamia Nagar in south Delhi, and succumbed to dengue on 31 August at Apollo Hospital.

The other three deaths reported by SDMC include Nazish (38), sister-in-law of Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan, who had died of dengue shock syndrome at Apollo Hospital on 12 August.

Muskan (12), a resident of Shaheen Bagh here, had died on 29 July, while Deepak (19), from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, succumbed to the disease on 27 July, both at Safdarjung Hospital.

Besides, five other fatalities have been reported by different hospitals in the city, which have not been acknowledged yet by the SDMC.

Two-and-a-half-year-old girl, Usra, had succumbed to dengue at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on September 1, while Noma (3) died at Apollo Hospital on 28 August.

Asad Iqbal (18), a native of Bihar, had succumbed to the deadly disease on 28 August at Apollo Hospital.

Safdarjung Hospital had recently reported another dengue death that took place late July. This year, dengue cases have been reported rather early.

The vector-borne disease had claimed its first victim on 21 July when a girl from Jafrabad in northeast Delhi died at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital.

SDMC Medical Health Officer P K Hazarika said, "September-October is the peak season for dengue and the cases are likely to rise faster now. People must take all precautions and prevent breeding of mosquitoes in and outside of their homes."

Last year, the city saw a staggering 15,867 dengue cases  the worst in 20 years  with the disease claiming 60 lives, as per municipal reports.

In 2015, August and September had seen 778 and 6,775 cases respectively while October had recorded a staggering 7,283 cases. Only six cases were reported in June, while 36 were registered in July.

In 1996, a severe outbreak of dengue had occurred in Delhi when about 10,252 cases and 423 deaths were reported.

According to the report, south Delhi has reported 255 dengue cases till 10 September, the highest among all the regions in the city.

This year cases have been reported early. A total of 91 cases were reported in July, six cases were recorded in May, while June witnessed 15 cases.

As many as 374 cases have been reported from areas falling outside the jurisdiction of the municipal corporation in the city.

While 89 cases were reported from Uttar Pradesh, 31 of those diagnosed with the disease came from Haryana and 234 from other states.

In NDMC area, breeding of mosquitoes was found in 43,565 houses, in SDMC area in 62,423 houses and 15,536 in EDMC area.

The number of prosecution launched in these areas were 3,612, 5,460 and 1,436 respectively.

375 positive dengue cases in Chandigarh

About 375 positive cases of dengue have been reported in health centres located in Chandigarh.

Out of these, 98 patients belong to the union territory.

One case of chikungunya has also been detected at Chandigarh. No death due to dengue has been reported till now.

The Malaria Wing of Health Department of Chandigarh Administration has beefed up field activities for Prevention and Control of Dengue.

Lt Jung 'paralysing' city's health system: Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain

Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Tuesday, while briefing the media, accused Lt Governor Najeeb Jung of "paralysing" the city's health system to deal with vector-borne diseases even as the Kejriwal government ordered a probe into the chikungunya deaths.

"We had made all the preparations to deal with any outbreak situation four-five months ago, but the Delhi government-appointed Health Secretary was suddenly transferred by the LG.

"And, the new Health Secretary appointed by Jung has been given a 15-day leave at a time when dengue and chikungunya are on the rise. Our health system has been paralysed," Jain said.

Slamming all three the BJP-led municipal corporations, the Delhi Health Minister said that civic bodies are responsible for fogging in Delhi to keep mosquitoes away and they have "failed" in their duty.

The Minister also blamed media for creating panic among the people about chikungunya and dengue, saying it is "media creation".

"Media has been given the contract (supari) to create panic. Medically, there is no death due to Chikungunya, but media is showing death due to this disease. I want to make it clear that Chikungunya is not fatal. There are 200 deaths in Delhi every day, but nobody asks about it," Jain said.

"There is no dearth of beds in government hospitals. There are a total of 40,000 beds in hospitals situated in Delhi and out of this, only 40 per cent of beds are with Delhi government.

"Our hospitals are not refusing to admit patients, but other Centre-run hospitals including AIIMS are not admitting them," he said.

According to the government, there are 262 fever clinics, 106 mohalla clinics and 26 Delhi government hospitals. Treatment and diagnosis of dengue and chikungunya are available free of cost in all Delhi government Health institutions.

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: China's latest statement about a two-step approach in connection with India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is nothing new, according to a source.

"China's two-step approach to India's NSG membership is nothing new as it is already happening," the source said.

After having blocked India's bid for membership in the NSG at its plenary in Seoul in June, China on Tuesday said that it was adopting a two-step approach on the issue.

China blocked India's bid on the ground that for a country to be part of the 48-member group, it has to be a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Following delegation-level talks on Tuesday, headed by Amandeep Singh Gill, Joint Secretary (Disarmament & International Security) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Director General Wang Qun of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Chinese embassy here issued a statement saying Beijing supported the notion of a two-step approach within the NSG to explore a non-discriminatory formula applicable to all non-NPT states.

"On the question of non-NPT states' participation in the NSG, given that it is an issue of major concern to India, China, for its part, shared with India the recent developments as it sees within the Group in relation to the question," the statement said.

"China also shared with India its principled positions and views on the above question," it stated.

"In the meantime, China listened to and had the inputs from India on this issue, and indicated that it will bring such views and inputs back to the Group for its consideration."

It said that China hoped these inputs would help facilitate the relevant discussions within the NSG.

According to the source, this, however, is nothing new as NSG Chairman Rafael Grossi of Argentina has been deputed to continue informal discussions with India on these lines.

"China believes that, compared to 2008, the equations have now changed," the source said.

"India has risen," the source stated, adding that the issue has become one of balancing powers.

In September 2008, the NSG gave a unique waiver to India exempting it from the group's rules governing nuclear trade

The waiver lifted an over three-decade-old world embargo on civilian nuclear trade with India that was imposed after the country conducted a nuclear test in 1974.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a PIL seeking to declare as "unconstitutional and illegal" the alleged release of government funds to Jammu and Kashmir-based separatists, saying the issue was within the exclusive domain of the Centre.

The court also castigated the lawyer, who had moved the PIL, for calling Hurriyat Conference leaders "separatists" saying it was a matter of perception.

"We are of the considered opinion that the grant of funds to the state of Jammu and Kashmir for the purposes of security or otherwise is within the exclusive domain of the Central Government. In a matter like this, we are of the considered opinion that a public interest litigation does not deserve to be entertained and, therefore, we are not inclined to interfere."

"That apart, needless to emphasise, it is not a judicially manageable proceeding and the Court should refrain from entering into the said area. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed," a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said.

The bench, also comprising Justice UU Lalit, expressed reservation on petitioner lawyer ML Sharma terming Hurriyat leaders as "separatists", and said "it's a matter of perception. Has the government declared them separatists? The conduct of a man may not be to the liking of others and they call him separatist, but you can't use that term in court".

The bench expressed further displeasure when Sharma said that "politicians are promoting terrorism."

"You cannot use such words in court. You cannot brand everyone like this unless someone is convicted. You can't just generalise everyone. This language cannot be used in court," the bench said while warning the advocate.

The PIL had claimed that more than Rs 300 crore was spent on the separatists on their stay at hotels, security and other expenses by the government, misusing the money.

Sharma claimed that the issue was a "big threat to the society" and only the judiciary could protect the country.

To this, the apex court said the judiciary cannot examine what funds are given to whom when it comes to managing the situation in a state like Jammu and Kashmir.

"Judiciary can only protect the constitutional provisions and values. Army and police are there to protect from any kind of threat. It should be left to the executive to decide what is best for the country," the bench said.

When the petitioner pointed to the security cover given to Hurriyat leaders at the exchequer's expense, the bench said any security cover given by a government to a citizen who faces threats, is completely within the domain of the executive.

"Everyone must understand. In issues like this, courts have a nominal role. Who shall be provided security and what security or not is the power of the executive. National security is the job of the Centre and the Army. They will do whatever is best for the country," the court said.

The bench reminded the advocate that the concept of PIL was not conceived for these purposes. It was done to deal with issues like environment, encroachment and with the passage of time, it also included issues like corruption.

Sharma had also sought a CBI inquiry into the alleged disbursement of government funds to the Hurriyat leaders.

"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 as parties, had alleged that an offence of corruption for misusing of public office and funds has been made out in the case.

It has also sought a direction to the MHA and the state government asking them not to "release/provide" any fund either from "the Consolidated Fund of India or state treasury" under any "head or object".
Chairman of Law Commission of India and former Supreme Court judge Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan said that to meet the current judicial demands, India needs more "working judges", and increasing the "strength of judges" is not a solution, reported The Hindu.

In an interview with the newspaper, he pointed out that people are more aware of their rights, and that the judicial system has to play an important role to uphold the faith of the public and for the "expansion of liberty."

Appointment of judges has been a long-pending issue. According to PTI, appointment of nearly 25 new judges to various high courts is likely to be cleared by this weekend. These appointments are based on the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium made in April-May.

A few days back, Chief Justice of India TS Thakur said that the number of judges should be increased to improve the judicial system, and for the progress of the country, reported The Indian Express. The report added that Thakur pointed out that there are only 18,000 judges to clear a backlog of over three crores cases in the country.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech, Justice Thakur had expressed his disappointment that the issue of appointment of judges did not find a mention in Modi's speech. He made an appeal to Modi and had said, "I want to tell the Prime Minister only one thing, you remove poverty, create employment, bring schemes etc but also think about justice for the countrymen."

According to government figures, most high courts in India are operating with almost half the sanctioned strength of judges and, in some cases, even one-third of the approved strength. The fresh appointments that are likely to be cleared soon are to be made to the Allahabad, Calcutta, Delhi, Rajasthan and the Bombay High Courts among others.

Asking Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to seek instructions from the Centre, a bench headed by Justice Thakur, who also heads the five-member apex court collegium, said, "We won't tolerate logjam in judges' appointment which is stifling its judicial work. We will fasten accountability."

The bench also referred to the data with regard to vacancies in various high courts including Kerala, Uttarakhand and Karnataka and said, "The vacancy in high courts has risen to 43 percent and there are four million cases pending in the high courts. The whole system is collapsing."

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: A JNU PhD scholar was on Wednesday arrested for allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman on the pretext of marriage and was remanded in 14 days' judicial custody by a Delhi court.

The accused, identified as Ajay Singh, is pursuing PhD in European Studies in Jawaharlal Nehru University. The complainant alleged that she has known Ajay since 2008. She met Ajay through one of her common friends when she was preparing for competitive exams.

Ajay and the woman had met at a friend's place in Nand Nagri in 2010 when they got into a relationship, she told police, claiming that he had later promised to marry her, but was dilly-dallying.

The accused recently broke up with the woman, police said. She alleged that he used to call her to his room in Brahmaputra Hostel in JNU where he raped her many times. The girl later realised that Ajay had been allegedly cheating on her, after which she approached the police.

A case was subsequently registered at Vasant Kunj (North) police station, leading to his arrest.
Thiruvananthapuram: Keralites on Wednesday celebrated Onam with traditional fervour and gaiety. The day also saw a political controversy with BJP President Amit Shah's Vamana Jayanth greetings on Onam eve evoking protest from political leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who demanded an apology from Shah for "misinterpreting" legend.

People in their best attire offered prayers at temples while the day was marked by feast and festivities, including cultural programmes organised by various institutions. Flower mats (Pookalam) were also laid in houses. Heavy rush was witnessed at temples, including at the famous hill shrine of Lord Ayappa at Sabarimala, Sree Krishna Temple at Guruvayur and Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

Onam is celebrated to honour demon King Mahabali, who according to legend ruled the state once, under whom the people were equal, prosperous and happy. People believe that it was on this particular day of 'Thiruvonam' in the Malayalam calender month of Chingam when Lord Mahavishnu took his fifth avatar as Vamana, appeared in the kingdom of King Mahabali and sent him to the netherworld.

According to legend, on Thiruvonam day the spirit of Mahabali visits the people of Kerala. Shah's greetings without referring to Onam, days after RSS in Kerala describing Onam celebrations as Vamana Jyanthi contrary to the legend that it is the homecoming of Mahabali, triggered a controversy with Vijayan taking objection to it.

For Keralites the day is dedicated to Mahabali. Accusing him of trying to "misinterpret the legend", Vijayan, reacting to Shah's Facebook posting, asked him to tender an apology to Keralites.

Vijayan said Keralites celebrate Onam without the barrier of caste or creed. Onam was a festival of equality and fraternity. "Misinterpreting festivals celebrated by all would only help to create divisions in the society", the CM added. Congress leaders VM Sudheeran and Ramesh Chennithala also criticised Shah and said people of state would reject the "version" of Shah.

Meanwhile, BJP President Kummanom Rajasekharan termed the controversy as "unnecessary". He said Shah had greeted the people of the country as in many places Vamana Jayanthi is celebrated. Even at the temple in Thrikkara in Kochi, Vamana jayanthi is celebrated, he said. Shah had also greeted people of Kerala separately on the occasion of Onam, he said.

Sudheeeran and Vijayan were "trying to reap political mileage by triggering unnecessary issues like this and it is very unfortunate that persons holding positions as Chief Minister and KPCC President were doing this", he said. An article published in the Onam special edition of RSS mouthpiece Kesari had questioned the traditional legends of the festival saying it is the celebration of birth of Vamana, incarnation of Lord Vishnu and not the homecoming of demon king Mahabali.

The article had argued that there was no reference in any mythological scriptures which supports the popular and widely circulated legend that 'Vamana', had sent Mahabali to the netherworld through deceit and the king visits the land annually to meet his subjects, as widely believed.
In 2014, the new year for the district courts of Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana started with a kind of pull your socks up order. The then Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana high court SK Kaul had asked all the district courts to expedite the disposal of long pending cases.

The high court asked all the district courts in the state to ensure that all cases which have been pending for more than ten years be decided till 31 March and all the cases which have been pending for the last five years be disposed of by 31 July.

The result was magical. The number of long pending cases was decided in no time.

The annual report of Punjab and Haryana high court 2014, states, A special drive was run to reduce the pendency of cases which are more than 20 years old & 15 years old as on 31.12.2013 (except stayed cases) by 31.3.2014 positively & all the pending cases which are more than 10 years old & 05 years old as on 31.12.2013 (except stayed cases) by 31.7.2014 positively, vide this Court's letter No. 45 spl. Gaz.II(9/10), dated 21.01.2014.

This was not for the first time that the courts had swept into action following a clear directive from the high court. Annual report of Punjab and Haryana high court, 2012, also makes similar revelations.

It states, There were 212 twenty year old civil and criminal cases pending in various courts in the States of Punjab, Haryana and UT, Chandigarh as on 31.08.2012. A special drive was launched to dispose off all such cases in a time bound manner. Resultantly, till 31.12.2012, there was substantial decrease of 66 cases and total pendency of such cases has been reduced to 146.

It adds that number of cases relating to heinous crime against women as on 31 October, 2012 stood at 1801. According to the report, instructions were issued to expedite the trial of such cases even by conducting day-to-day proceedings.

Quite magnificently, again, 367 cases were disposed of by 31 December, 2012. In certain cases, even trial court judges concluded trials within a short span of 3 to 7 days, the report states.

While the shortage of judicial officers has been touted as one the most important reasons for the huge pendency of cases, the fact that lower courts can decide serious matters like crime against women in a span of 3 to 7 days while working under 'directives', poses an important question.

Can the huge pendency be just because of lesser number of judges? If so, how does the sudden and swift disposal of long pending cases as in the case of Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana be explained.

On Tuesday, as reported by The Hindu, Law Commission of India Chairman and former Supreme Court judge Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan had said that the approved strength of judges are enough to end backlog, an assertion totally different from that of Chief Justice of India (CJI) TS Thakur, who has time and again highlighted the lack of required number of judges as important reasons for pendency.

As quoted by The Hindu, Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan remarked, Increasing the sanctioned strength of judges will not solve the problem. We need working judges. Liberty has become more important. Workload has increased because of an increase in awareness among the public and education. There has been an expansion of liberty and courts are bound by the publics faith in the judiciary.

Currently, there are 480 judges serving at various high courts in the country as against the sanctioned strength of 1079 judges. Also, the Supreme Court itself has three vacancies in the total sanctioned strength of 31 judges.

CJI has time and again called for expediting the appointments to higher judiciary because according to him, the delay in appointment is hampering the judicial process.

According to a report by Indiaspend, published in Firstpost in April, more than 20 million cases pending in the Indian districts courts; two-thirds are criminal cases and one in 10 have been pending for more than 10 years.

The Indian Express reported that according to statistics provided by the Supreme Courts E-Committee on pending cases in district courts there are more than 2.18 crore cases pending in district courts across the country. In 12 states more than 5 lakh cases are pending for disposal.

The report further stated that data, as of 30 April, highlights the glaring problem of the huge pendency across states and Union territories. Over 2.18 crore cases remain pending, of which more than 22.5 lakh cases have failed to be decided in the last 10 years  10.3 percent of the total pendency.

It also stated that , "Around 38.3 lakh cases are pending for more than five years but less than 10 years  17.5 percent of the total number of cases. Therefore, more than one-fourth of cases pending across district courts in the country are pending for at least five years. And 29.5 per cent of total cases, or 64.5 lakh cases, have been pending for more than two years."

Visiting any of the district courts in the country highlights some other problems that may lead to pendency, apart from just shortage of judges. Among them the most important one, which is also often ignored, are shortage of administrative staff in the courts, lack of infrastructure, inefficiency of investigating agencies in probing the cases, that includes providing evidence and witnesses and timely filing of the chargesheet.

While given the staggering numbers of pending cases, the problem cannot be overlooked but at the same time as pointed out by Justice Chauhan, reason for its persistence cannot be solely attributed to lesser number of judges. It will also be a logical fallacy to assume that appointment of more judges can alone provide overall solution to the problem.
It was the day the Delhi Metro extended itself all the way to Noida. I happened to be in Delhi and decided to soak in the excitement firsthand. Getting on at Mayur Vihar Phase I, I found a place next to a wizened old man who said he was coming from Noida and this was the very first train ride of his life.

He came to Delhi often enough, by bus, by cycle, at times even by car when he managed to hitch a ride from someone, but he had never ever been on a train before. His excitement was palpable.

He had never needed to take the train. His whole world is still in the vicinity of where he was born: in a village in Noida. He started off working on his fathers land which, in time, he inherited. Then Noida began to be developed. Our man sold off his inheritance  happily.

It was end of 2009; Singur had been making headlines for almost three years by then. But it was news to the man from Noida. He was amazed to learn that farmers there were refusing to sell their land even though the government had hiked the price, after some persuasion, to five times the going market rate and there was the prospect of a factory coming up that could provide jobs for many.

He himself had no regrets about selling his land. He had been able to marry off his two daughters with the money, had set up a kirana store for one son while the youngest son had found a job nearby. The train ride was the cherry on the icing and not unconnected to his small act of self-interest: flogging his farmlands which turned into urban spaces bringing in their wake the need for fast-paced means of modern transportation.

When the grand handover takes place in Singur on Wednesday, when the jubilant chief minister, rather their adored Didi, distributes to both the willing and the unwilling farmers the deeds to their landholdings and the cheques for the court-ordered compensation for the land on which the Tatas failed to build a peoples car, will they be the winners and my Noida friend the loser?

According to Mamata Banerjee, mati (land) of her ma-mati-manush slogan has won, so manush have won too. That is what the celebration in Singur is all about. But have they really?

After ten long years of ceaseless strife, a decade of bare, subsistence living, struggling to make ends meet, swinging daily between hope and despair, staring bleakly at an uncertain future, what exactly can these tillers of the soil, the backbone of the economy look forward to?

With its small holdings, limited infrastructure such as cold storage units, lack of a streamlined food processing industry, agriculture has been a mugs game in this state for quite some time. Hence the exodus of droves of men and women from the villages, young and old, to distant parts of the country as migrant labour and other lowly occupations.

Bengals farmers must be either very foolish or quite delusional to nevertheless cling to their land with such passion and determination, refusing to be lured away by promises of handsome returns. Even though things had started going south well before the Tatas came into the picture, with more and more members of their families forced to pick up skills and trades that have little to do with farming. They do not even have the horse sense that their brethren in Noida and elsewhere possess.

Evidently, their connect with their land hasnt changed much from when Rabindranath Tagore wrote so movingly in his short story Dui Bigha Jami (Two measures of land) around a century ago:

This land, so generously handed down to me through generations, is my mother Sir Can I ever sell this?

Nor has their fate.

Already, the first flush of victory has begun to give way to pangs of anxiety among the victorious farmers in Singur: what will they do with their concrete mixed, fly ash enveloped, overgrown, snake infested land? After ten years of life on dole the older generation is practically retired while the younger lot has neither the expertise nor the inclination to labour so hard for such meagre returns.

Ironically, the consensus that has begun to emerge amongst Singurs landholders who were ready to lay down their lives to prevent their land being taken away is: let there be industry. That is, sell off the land, start afresh. Something they could have done ten years ago but didnt.

And now their very agitation has made the task of industrialisation that much tougher. More, the fallout of the Singur judgment is threatening to unsettle land acquired elsewhere in the state for this purpose. For example, Raghunathpur in Purulia district, where around 3,000 farmers have launched an agitation to get back 6,300 acres acquired from them for an industrial park that is yet to come up.

Praneswar Ganguly, the secretary of the apolitical Natundihi Anchal Krishi Committee that is leading this movement, has said, We demand that our plots be returned, as the Supreme Court has ordered that the land acquired in Singur be handed back to its owners.

Already, an agitation in Alisha in Burdwan district, closer to Singur, has led to Mamata Banerjee promptly announcing the relocation of a proposed sweetmeats hub.

Densely populated, mostly verdant and fertile, land is at a premium in the entire state of West Bengal. Add to this a faltering economy and the desperate dependence on land for even hand to mouth existence is understandable.

No wonder it became, so easily, a deadly political weapon in the hands of a master politician like Mamata Banerjee. The question is, it may not have been that difficult to climb on to the tiger and whipping it into a frenzy. But will she be able to get off it that easily?

Farmers are a fickle lot, as unreliable as the changeable weather that determines their fortune year after year. Bengals farmers more so. Just ask the CPM. These very same cultivators were once their support base, only to vanish into thin air the moment the land question was not to their liking.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is the turn of BJP president Amit Shah, to suffer an embarrassment in Kerala.

Shah is being ridiculed on Twitter for extending Vaman Jayanti wishes to Malayalis on the eve of Onam. And the hashtag that is trending is #PoMoneShaji - a stark reminder of #PoMoneModi that trended just before the Kerala state elections after Modi compared Kerala to Somalia.

The hashtag is a take off from a hit one-liner by Malayalam super star Mohanalal, "nee po mone Dinesha", in the super hit movie 'Narasimham'. "Nee po mone Dinesha" means 'get lost Dinesha, my son'.

Shah's tweet wishing Vaman Jayanti is to be seen in the context of the RSS attempt to Vaishnavaise Onam, a harvest festival in Kerala that celebrates the return of Asura king Mahabali. Legend has it that Mahabali's rule was the golden age in Kerala, when everybody was equal and there was no falsehood or cheating. The Devas in the heaven got jealous and sought the help of Vishnu to thwart Bali. Vishnu in the avatar of Vaman, a dwarf, sought three feet of land from Mahabali. The generous king is said to have obliged while Vaman grew in size and in two steps measured heaven and earth. Mahabali offered his own head for the third measure. Vaman pushed Bali into the Patal, the netherworld, but not without giving him permission visit the state once yearly. His visit is celebrated as Onam in Kerala. However, the RSS is of the opinion that Onam was originally celebrated as Vaman Jayanti. In the Onam special issue of RSS mouthpiece Kesari Weekly, an article by Unnikrishnan Namboorthiri has claimed that Vamana didnt send Mahabali to hell. On the contrary, the ruler was honourably rehabilitated to a place which is more comfortable than heaven. (Translation by Scroll.) The overturning of the legend is an attempt at Brahmanising the Onam festival. It is only the Brahmins in the state who worship Vaman during Onam. A vast majority of Hindus in the state see Onam as a festival closely linked to the harvest. And for Dalits, Bali is a hero, a symbol of equality. However, the RSS's attempt to Brahmanise Onam seems to have fallen flat with Keralites mostly rejecting the idea lock, stock and barrel. It also has to be seen in the context of the BJP's attempt to gain a foot hold in the social and political space in Kerala and also the recent spate of Dalit uprising in Gujarat and elsewhere that has put the party in a tight spot. If anything, overturning the myth will only antagonise the Dalits in Kerala. Here are a few tweets rejecting Shah's wishes:

#pomoneshaji ,Our Dravidian King #Mahabali was black ,But had a heart of gold unlike the Aryan #vamana who was fair skinned & full of #jumla  Ajith Jacob (@AjithJPanicker) September 13, 2016

Your agenda will not work in my state.. Another trending getlost #PoMoneShaji  ABDULLAH S (@Abdullah868) September 13, 2016

#pomoneshaji your divide and rule policy won't work in Kerala. Actually it's not working anywhere... Aiyyo 2019!  Sangita Nambiar (@Sanginamby) September 13, 2016

Hey Sanghis, This is not Gujarath.. Your rice will not boil here.. Mind it.!!

THIS IS KERALA !!#PoMoneShaji   (@drishtadyumnan) September 13, 2016

Isnt there a RSS man who has the spine to correct @AmitShah as he insults #Onam and Malayali. Any one with self respect to say #PoMoneShaji  Raju P. Nair (@RajuPNair) September 13, 2016

Malayalis celebrating vamana jayanti would be like Chileans celebrating US independence day for destroying democracy in Chile. #PoMoneShaji  kiduva (@kiduva) September 13, 2016
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has for long been mocked by his political rivals and critics, rightly so it seems, by pegging him as a 'half or quarter of a chief minister'. Since 15 March, 2012, when he took oath of office as the youngest chief minister of the Hindi heartland state, he has lived with limitations of having to bear the influence and power of an all mighty father in Mulayam Singh Yadav, two overbearing uncles in Ram Gopal and Shivpal Yadav and a whimsical elder in Azam Khan.

But four months ahead of the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, where his own fate hangs in the balance, he took a bold call  enough was enough and henceforth, he would be his own man, show his mettle and build long-term credibility for himself as a leader. At least that's what he has indicated for now.

Mark Akhilesh's words spoken in times of extreme turmoil in the ruling Yadav clan and the highest echelons of his government: "Whereas the family is concerned, all abide by Netaji's (Mulayam Singh Yadav's) words. The decisions I have taken have been taken in consultation with Netaji, but at times I have taken some decisions on my own."

Though he did not elaborate on what decisions he had taken on his own, either without consulting his father or by disregarding his words, it was more than clear what he was referring to  the sacking of two ministers, Gayatri Prajapati and Rajkishore Singh, removal of Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal, and the stripping of uncle Shivpal Yadav from creamy portfolios in the PWD, irrigation and revenue, essentially demoting him to a lightweight ministry in social welfare.

Some time ago, he had gone against the wishes of his uncle and father to put a virtual veto on Samajwadi Party's merger with jailed don Mukhtar Ansari's party Quami Ekta Dal.

For once, he also let everyone know as to who is the boss in the Samajwadi government: "This is no family fight but what you see is a fight within government."

In a way Akhilesh is right, there wouldn't have been a family feud had it not been because of the power structure in the UP government. Basically the fight is over who controls the reigns in the government and whose words matter in governance or otherwise. After all, politics is about power and members of the Yadav clan know it better than anyone else. The fight within the extended Yadav family, therefore, is about remaining powerful, lest they be counted as powerless.

Interestingly, Akhilesh delivered his most punchy statement as UP chief minister during a brief but loaded media interaction with remarkable ease; his trademark smile and gentle exterior demeanour intact. He appeared to be symbolising the age-old English expression  'when going gets tough, the tough get going'. His actions in the last two days and the words delivered on Wednesday have manifold implications, not just for the internal hierarchical structure of the Samajwadi Party and its government, but also for the UP polity.

A Samajwadi Party leader, requesting anonymity, conceded to Firstpost that "this kind of open and public fight within the first family of the party, about 100 days ahead of elections, is indicative that the leadership is not bothered about the electoral outcome in Feb-March 2017. It looks like our party bosses have conceded defeat even before the actual heat and dust of electioneering is to begin.

"In their wisdom, they think that the internal command structure within the family has to resolved first, with whatever implications. Elections can be handled later, it will come and go every five years." He however, hoped that better sense would prevail among the top leaders in the next few days.

Lately, when Akhilesh started asserting his authority, it very obviously hit his father and uncles where it hurt the most

Akhilesh now understands that if he continues to give in to the whims and fancies of his father, uncles and the lot of elders in his party, his personal prospects as a leader would be doomed. He has ruled the state for over four years and took the risk of challenging their might ahead of the Assembly elections.

As it is, SP's prospects of being voted back into power are very slim. So, it was perhaps a now or never situation for him. He struck hard and is aware that even his worst critics don't not suspect his intentions or his approach to developmental politics, but that they target him for being incapable of handing his father, uncles and elders in the party.

Ahead of 2012 Assembly elections, he had reacted sharply to stall the entry of Western UP gangster DP Yadav into the party fray. The move had instantly put him into a different league than the rest of the Yadav clan. The campaign he ran along with his father had made him an established leader in his own right.

It's a different matter altogether that when Akhilesh was running a highly-successful campaign, mobilising support particularly from younger generations, the national media broadly ignored him and remained focused on Rahul Gandhi's roadshows instead.

Lately, when Akhilesh started asserting his authority, it very obviously hit his father and uncles where it hurt the most  of being overruled by the boy in the family. Mulayam thus reacted sharply by removing son Akhilesh from the post of UP state party chief and nominated brother Shivpal to the post instead.

That was his way of showing that, "Rishte me hum tumahre baap hain, naam...," But he and other family members didn't anticipate that, in the last five years, the boy Akhilesh had turned into a man and had learnt the art of politics, adding the tricks of political wrestling to his arsenal  which he showcased by stripping his uncle off the meaty portfolios.

During election time, particularly during candidate selection, words of the party president matter the most and this is where Shivpal has an advantage over Akhilesh.

A Samajwadi Party insider said that the open family war has put all concerned at the top in a very tricky situation.

First, if Mulayam Singh rules in favour of Shivpal and forces Akhilesh to return his portfolios, then it would make the chief minister look helpless  in office but not in power.

Second, the party at this stage cannot afford Shivpal's possible resignation from the government. It will have huge bearing as there could arise a government versus party situation.

Third, if Shivpal convinces Mulayam Singh to come to Lucknow to resolve the matter, the message sent out would be that the party president believes that injustice has been done to his brother.

Fourth, if Akhilesh comes to Delhi to talk to his father, then the message sent out would be that the differences between father and son have been such that the son had to travel such a long distance to Delhi, just to talk to his father. Besides, the media would see it as Akhilesh was responding to a summon by his father.

Akhilesh has indicated that he will not be going to Delhi to speak to his father. He would rather bide his time, waiting for his next move.
Lucknow: Opposition parties on Wednesday poked fun at the ruling Samajwadi Party in view of the fued in Mulayam Singh Yadav family, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav should have repaired the "cycle" (SP's election symbol) four-and-a-half years back as his actions now mean nothing.

Rahul, in the course of his kisan yatra, said, "Akhilesh should have removed the defects from the cycle four-and-a-half years back. Now with elections hardly six months away, what does all this mean?"

He was apparently referring to Akhilesh's action of sacking two ministers on graft charges and shunting out the chief secretary, known for his closeness to senior cabinet minister and uncle Shivpal Yadav. Rahul was speaking during a roadshow in Mirzapur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, from where he resumed his Deoria-Delhi mahayatra after a two-day break.

His barb came against the backdrop of BJP's charge that the Congress Vice-President was more vitriolic in his attack on the saffron party compared to Samajwadi Party and that there was a bonhomie between Rahul and Akhilesh  both describing each other as achha ladka.

BJP state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "The Samajwadi Party has totally failed in checking law and order, prevailing goonda raj, corruption and land grabbing and so it has resorted to these tactics for diverting people's attention to build up the image of Mulayam's son and chief minister."

Questioning both Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav on various decisions taken by them, Maurya said it has now been proved that the tussle for power and personal gains within the government and Samajwadi Party have become anarchic in which bureaucray is also being used as a tool without bothering for the interest of common people of the state.
On 6 September, 'with a heavy heart', Siddaramaiah agreed to release water to Tamil Nadu, on orders of the Supreme Court. It is with an equally heavy heart that his rivals in the Congress realise that his 'mismanagement' of the Cauvery crisis, won't help them unseat the chief minister.

It is no secret that letting hooligans take control of parts of state capital Bengaluru and incidents of assault on Tamils in other pockets of Karnataka, has not done Siddaramaiah's CV any good. Given that he presides over a faction-ridden Congress party and isn't exactly a Delhi durbar man, many within his own party saw this as a perfect opportunity to hand him a VRS. But then Siddaramaiah is a far better player of political chess than any of his colleagues.

The chief minister's mistake was that he let himself be convinced by his police top brass that "everything was under control". In keeping with the ghettoisation that has taken place in Bengaluru, like in many other cities, police protection was provided in areas like Malleswaram and Indira Nagar where Tamils are in sizeable number. Bengaluru is home to 35 lakh Tamil-speaking population. That would be enough, he was assured on Monday morning.

Brand Bengaluru suffered for taking a laidback thanedaar-like bandobast approach to the situation. This when the violence seemed to have been meticulously planned and concentrated in a limited zone to create maximum impact and attract eyeballs.

But compared to say, a year ago, Siddaramaiah has managed to neutralise the dissident camp within the party. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, who was a critic of the chief minister, was mollified with a ministry for his son Priyank Kharge in June. Former Union minister Janardhana Poojary who had accused Siddaramaiah of trying to make a Congress-mukt Karnataka, has no support base. Karnataka Congress president G Parameshwara who tried his best to be made deputy chief minister, had to contend with the home ministry.

In hindsight, making Parameshwara the home minister was a masterstroke. Now even though Siddaramaiah is in the firing line, law and order is essentially the home minister's domain. This will mean Parameswara cannot raise the banner of revolt against the chief minister, because he will have to answer far more serious questions.

In the last year that Parameshwara has been at the helm of affairs, the law and order machinery has been in the news only for the wrong reasons. From the suicide by the two DSPs to tension on the Karnataka-Goa border to the Cauvery crisis, the home minister has not come out of it smelling of roses. But in the typical tradition of the Congress, while the chief minister's stock is down in public perception, the home minister's Dalit credentials ensure he gets away.

But what is far more critical is whether Siddaramaiah is losing support among the electorate, with elections less than two years away.

Yes and No. With the demolitions in Bengaluru as part of the effort to clear storm water drains last month, his popularity nosedived in the state capital. And the mayhem on Monday won't help his cause either. "But in rural Karnataka, a reverse consolidation of backward classes is taking place who feel that just because Siddaramaiah does not belong to the Vokkaliga, Lingayat or Brahmin communities, he is targeted. They feel the upper class-dominated media is critical of him," says Sugata Raju, political analyst, adding, "So it works both ways because any effort to unseat him will lead to sympathy for him within his support base.''

Just as Bengaluru gets back to normal, a Karnataka rail roko has been announced for Thursday by Kannada Okkoota leader Vatal Nagaraj

What is interesting is that the BJP has chosen not to play politics over Cauvery, with party chief BS Yeddyurappa and others backing the Karnataka cause. That is partly due to the dilemma the Karnataka BJP finds itself in. Siddaramaiah let it be known that Jagdish Shettar as chief minister in 2012 too had released 10,000 cusecs of water everyday to Tamil Nadu for nine days. Now the BJP pot cannot call the Congress kettle black.

Within the party, the blow hot-blow cold relationship between Yeddyurappa and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Eshwarappa is not doing the BJP's hopes to present a united face ahead of 2018 polls any good. No one is quite sure if Eshwarappa's script is being dictated by someone else.

Then there is the age factor. Yeddyurappa is 73 years old and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unwritten rule is that no minister or chief minister should be older than 75. Observers point out that it will effectively mean that while the BJP will gain from the Lingayat consolidation that Yeddyurappa will bring to the EVM, he won't be made chief minister. This has made the Lingayat community suspicious that one of their own  in fact, their tallest political leader  will be used and dumped.

Karnataka is not out of the woods yet. Just as Bengaluru gets back to normal, a Karnataka rail roko has been announced for Thursday by Kannada Okkoota leader Vatal Nagaraj. Narayana Gowda, leader of another outfit, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike has said while no harm will come to the Tamil population in Bengaluru, he is in favour of a ban on all Tamil TV channels in the state and the prevention of Tamil Nadu vehicles from entering Karnataka.

With such non-state actors trying to indulge in parallel policing of Karnataka, it is time Siddaramaiah cracks the whip on all such fringe group elements holding the state to ransom. At the same time, he should engage in a dialogue with Tamil Nadu and the Centre to arrive at a mechanism to share water from the perennially-deficit Cauvery basin. He will be doing both Karnataka and his own political career a huge favour.
Police

Aug. 10

11:15 p.m. - In the 1100 block of Sixth Street, Kimberly C. Vasquez, 20, 573 12th Ave., jailed for distribution of controlled substance.

Aug. 12

8:07 p.m. - In the 800 block of East 23rd Street, Yoanis Cueto LaStre, 40, 2610 25th St., cited for unauthorized use of a financial transaction device.

Aug. 30

3:50 a.m. - In the 3600 block of 50th Avenue, Ronald D. Sterns, 54, Schuyler, cited for first degree trespassing, theft by unlawful taking.

Sept. 7

3:10 p.m. - At 23rd Street and Third Avenue, traffic accident. Vehicles driven by Peter G. Clark, 81, 217 30th St., and Sylvia Meda, 21, 1521 Fifth St.

Sept. 8

2:14 p.m. - In the 700 block of Eighth Street, Edgar A. Leon, 23, 858 33rd Ave. A1, cited for speeding 50 in 35 zone.

Sept. 9

7:41 a.m. - In the 2600 block of Pershing Road, Teresa Caballero, 32, 5200 Southeast 16th St., cited for no operator's license.

2:33 p.m. - At 23rd Street and 33rd Avenue, Maria C. Ynfantes, 57, 38 Carriage House Estates, cited for no operator's license.

5:45 p.m. - In the 3300 block of 23rd Street, Kimberley S. Knight, 44, Platte Center, jailed for third offense shoplifting.

7:58 p.m. - In the 1700 block of 20th Street, Alberto Legoretta-Gomez, 19, 2511 10th St., jailed for strangulation, domestic violence.

10:05 p.m. - In the 600 block of 23rd Street, Francisco Herrera-Lopez, 33, 233 Sixth St., cited for no operator's license.

Sept. 10

10 a.m. - At Sixth Street and 118th Avenue, Rosa E. Leon, 19, 4071 East 29th St., cited for failure to yield right of way, no operator's license.

Sept. 12

9:07 a.m. - In the 100 block of Lake Shore Drive, criminal mischief. Window broken, $100 damage.

6:06 p.m. - In the 2200 block of 26th Street, theft of bike.

Sept. 13

7:45 a.m. - In the 2600 block of Pershing Road, Kara J. Allbaugh, 38, 2103 26th St., cited for violation of stopped school bus.

7:45 a.m. - At 33rd Avenue and 15th Street, traffic accident. Vehicles driven by Tasha A. Johnson, 23, 2416 Ninth St., and Joseph M. Weverka, 37, 3520 13th St.

10:18 a.m. - In the 3300 block of 18th Street, theft of banner, $100 loss.

12:57 p.m. - At 24th Street and East Third Avenue, traffic accident. Vehicles driven by Virginia A. Whidden, 62, Saint Edward, and Adonis W. Lopez, 43, Schuyler.

3:13 p.m. - In the 4000 block of 13th Street, criminal mischief. Windows broken, $400 damage.

Sheriff

Aug. 25

3:55 p.m. - At Howard Boulevard and 38th Avenue, traffic accident. Vehicles driven by Stephanie R. Stevens, 38, 2015 Ninth St., and Leonard Louis Henry Luebker II, 62, 4614 Valley View Drive.

8:18 p.m. - At 295th Avenue and 197th Street, traffic accident. Vehicle driven by Todd A. Cattau, 47, Creston, struck parked vehicle owned by Rodney M. Cheloha, 29505 197th St.

Sept. 2

10:40 a.m. - In the 4500 block of 63rd Street, traffic accident. Vehicles driven by Paulo Quini Jr., 18, 832 Second St., and Danielle L. Colson, 28, 1259 46th Ave.

6:40 p.m. - On Highway 81 near 310th Street, traffic accident. Vehicle driven by Kemberly G. Herrera, 20, Madison.

Sept. 8

12:45 a.m. - On East 32nd Avenue near Highway 30, traffic accident. Vehicles driven by Jorge Luis Aguilar-Santoyo, 29, 106 Carriage House Estates, and Rene Garcia, 32, 2255 10th Ave.

Sept. 13

6:35 a.m. - On East 29th Avenue at the railroad tracks, Jason Pensick issued citation for careless driving.

Fire

Sept. 13

9:41 p.m. - In the 3800 block of 25th Street, medical.
Philadelphia: President Barack Obama made his 2016 solo campaign debut on Wednesday, hitting out at "unfair"

criticism of Hillary Clinton and touting his own record.

"It is good to be back on the campaign trail" Obama told a crowd in Philadelphia, as he made the case for Clinton and at least four more years of Democrat-led government.

"Even though I have run my last campaign, I am going to work as hard as I can this fall to elect Hillary Clinton," he said.

"This not just me going through the motions, I really, really, really want to elect Hillary Clinton."

Obama was appearing in a city that will be pivotal in deciding the presidential race in Pennsylvania, a virtual must-win state for Donald Trump.

Nick-named "Pennsyltucky" for its conservative hinterland, the state is often described as being "Philadelphia in the east, Pittsburgh in the west and Alabama in the middle."

The race there could come down to whether the Obama coalition, young, black and Hispanic voters, turn out to vote.

Obama's appearance comes as 68-year-old Clinton was sidelined from the campaign trail by a bout of pneumonia that has raised broader questions about her health.

Obama insisted that Clinton had "been subjected to more scrutiny and... more unfair criticism than anybody out here," while accusing the media of giving her opponent Donald Trump an easy ride.

"Our standards for what's normal have changed," Obama said.

"Donald Trump says stuff everyday that used to be considered as disqualifying for being president. And yet because he says it over and over and over again the press just gives up."

Obama, ran through a familiar list of achievements, from rescuing the economy to killing Osama bin Laden, and slammed today's Republicans as unworthy of leading the party of Abraham Lincoln or Ronald Reagan.

He mocked Trump's approval of Russia strongman Vladimir Putin.

"Can you imagine Ronald Reagan idolizing somebody like that?" Obama said. "He saw America as a shining city on a

hill, Donald Trump calls it a divided crime scene."
Aleppo: Besieged Syrian civilians waited desperately for aid as relief convoys remained on hold Wednesday despite a significant drop in violence almost 48 hours after a ceasefire took effect.

Russia, which brokered the truce with the United States, called for it to be extended for another two days, in a statement only hours before the initial ceasefire runs out at sundown.

The United Nations said 20 trucks loaded with a month's worth of food for 40,000 people were waiting at the Turkish border for delivery to Aleppo but were still unable to enter Syria.

The US-Russian deal is part of the latest bid to end fighting between President Bashar al-Assad's loyalists and a wide range of rebels, but excludes jihadist forces like the Islamic State (IS) group.

Staffan de Mistura, the UN's Syria envoy, on Tuesday hailed the truce for bringing about "a significant drop in violence" despite isolated violence.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, said it had recorded no deaths in the country since the truce took effect.

Russia said it had recorded 60 rebel violations, but senior military officer Viktor Poznikhir said Moscow was calling "for the extension of the cessation of hostilities on all Syrian territory for 48 hours".

There appeared to be no progress on another key element of the agreement: unhindered aid access throughout the country, particularly to areas like rebel-held east Aleppo.

Millions of Syrians are in desperate need of assistance, especially in besieged and hard-to-reach areas with severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine.

Aleppo, Syria's second city, is a particular focus after weeks of heavy fighting. The eastern neighbourhoods where some 250,000 people live have been under government siege for most of the past two months.

UN aid trucks are waiting north of Aleppo in Turkey, but a Syrian security source told AFP the regime had yet to withdraw its forces from the key Castello Road running to the Turkish border.

The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Turkey's Gaziantep said the 20 aid trucks were stuck on the border because of security concerns.

"The main issue at this point is ensuring all parties to the conflict are on the same page... This is a very complex environment and we need security guarantees," said OCHA spokesman David Swanson.

Swanson said it was unlikely the situation would be resolved within the coming hours.

"Based on what we're hearing from the ground, it's not likely to happen today."

Waiting for aid

Residents in Aleppo have welcomed the lull in the five-year conflict that has killed more than 300,000 in Syria, displaced more than half of the population and destroyed their city, a former economic powerhouse.

But they expressed frustration about the delay in promised aid.

"The truce is good, but it's not enough. We want food to come in," said Abu Jamil, a resident of the rebel-held east.

"The situation is still bad as the markets are empty," said the 55-year-old.

The deal calls for the truce to be renewed every 48 hours, and for Washington and Moscow to begin unprecedented joint targeting of jihadists like IS and former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front if the ceasefire lasts a week.

Only hours before the expiry of the first 48-hour period, Russia called for it to be extended.

Moscow "calls for the extension of the cessation of hostilities on all Syrian territory for 48 hours," senior Russian military officer Viktor Poznikhir said, quoted by news agencies.

The United Nations said 20 trucks loaded with a month's worth of food for 40,000 people were waiting at the Turkish border for delivery to Aleppo but were still unable to enter Syria.

Initially, the deal allows the Syrian air force to continue strikes in areas where IS and Fateh al-Sham, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, are present.

Once the joint Russian-US targeting begins, however, government warplanes "will no longer be able to fly in any areas of Syria where there is opposition or Al-Nusra Front presence," a senior US administration official said.

Russia said it had targeted jihadists in Palmyra on Tuesday, in the first such strikes during the truce.

'Very positive'

The Observatory reported minor violations by both sides, but no casualties.

"It is very positive," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman.

"If things continue on this path it will be a positive development in protecting Syrian civilians from killing, fighting and displacement."

But there remains deep scepticism about whether the truce will hold, with the opposition yet to officially sign on.

A crucial part of the deal calls on non-jihadist rebels to break ranks with Fateh al-Sham ahead of joint US-Russian operations against the group.

But many Islamist rebel groups cooperate closely with Fateh al-Sham, and the biggest of them  the powerful Ahrar al-Sham group  has criticised the terms of the Russian-US deal.

If the deal does hold, it could open the door to new peace talks to resolve the conflict, with Russia saying De Mistura could invite government and opposition representatives to new talks "at the very beginning of October".
Washington: A war of words over Donald Trump's "deplorables" is intensifying as Republicans and Democrats fight for political points over Hillary Clinton's claim that many of the New York billionaire's supporters are racist, sexist and homophobic.

Trump and his allies across the country insisted on Tuesday that the Democratic presidential nominee's comments reflect an out-of-touch elitist who looks down on working-class voters, akin to 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney's assertion that 47 percent of Americans would never vote for him because they were dependent on the government. Democrats  and even some Republicans  warned, however, that this debate could backfire on Trump, drawing new attention to white supremacists and hate groups attracted by his "America first" message.

Indeed, former KKK leader David Duke offered fresh praise for the way that Trump and running mate Mike Pence are handling the controversy. But not all Republicans were pleased.

"Let's remember that, weird as it may seem, a lot of voters are only just now tuning in, so they may not be aware of the fact that David Duke, various KKK organizations, the alt-right en masse, Vladimir Putin and other foreign authoritarian enemies of America  people who really are deplorable  are supporting Trump," said Liz Mair, a Washington-based Republican operative and a vocal Trump critic.

Speaking to donors in New York City on Friday, Clinton said half of Trump's supporters were in "a basket of deplorables," a crowd she described as racist, sexist, homophobic or xenophobic. Clinton later said she regretted applying that description to "half" of Trump's backers, but stuck by her assertion that the GOP nominee has given a platform to "hateful views and voices."

Trump and his team seized on the comments as his supporters across the country embraced a new rallying cry.

"While my opponent slanders you as deplorable and irredeemable, I call you hardworking American patriots," Trump declared at a Clive, Iowa, rally.

In the crowd, one Trump supporter held a sign that read: "I'm not 'deplorable.' I'm just a hard-working, tax-paying American and proud of it!" Another wore a homemade shirt that read, "I'm with deplorable."

"It sums up what she thinks of American voters: That we're dumb and stupid and can't make decisions for ourselves," said Charles House, 78, of Ankeny, Iowa. "She looks down on us."

The night before at a rally in North Carolina, one Trump supporter's violent outburst complicated his message.

As security escorted out several protesters, a man grabbed one protester around the neck, punched another in the face and slapped at another woman. The incident was captured by assembled television networks.

Indiana Gov. Pence, Trump's vice presidential running mate, refused anew Tuesday to say whether white supremacist Duke was "deplorable." Pence has disavowed Duke, but said he was "not in the name-calling business."

Duke, who is running for a US Senate seat from Louisiana, was pleased with that. "The whole idea that they were trying to make Pence call me names, basically, and he didn't bite on that was a real positive thing for all of us," Duke said on his daily podcast.

Michael Lawrence, Duke's campaign strategist, said Tuesday, "Donald Trump is championing issues that David Duke brought forward decades ago, and we continue to support the Trump campaign."

Democrats have welcomed a debate that shines new light on some of the elements cheering Trump's candidacy.

In November, Clinton will need a strong turnout among President Barack Obama's coalition of minorities, women and millennials. Her campaign argues that Trump will struggle to connect with such voters if he's viewed as fostering white supremacists.

"Bigotry is deplorable and I think she should stand by her guns," said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., a Clinton ally.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who chaired Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign, said the Democratic nominee's comments pale in comparison to Trump's.

"His attacks on women and Muslims and immigrants, I mean literally you'd run out of ink writing them all," McAuliffe said.

A pro-Clinton group, Priorities USA, began airing a new ad this week highlighting some of Trump's more provocative comments, including his aggressive references to protesters, such as, "I'd like to punch him in the face."

The GOP nominee and his campaign said Clinton's comment plays into the idea that she is a sheltered elitist, who sees herself as better than regular people and above the law.

Rob Gleason, the chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, said it made sense for Trump's campaign to take advantage of the issue, quickly cutting an ad and using it as a rallying cry.

"When somebody gifts you an issue, then you go ahead and run with it," he said. Still, he questioned whether it would have much impact. "I'm not so sure even if anyone understands that," he said.

Republican operative Ryan Williams, a former Romney aide, warned that the Trump approach carries risk.

"Trump would be wise to take advantage of it," Williams said of Clinton's comment, "but he cannot miss an opportunity to criticize people like David Duke who support his candidacy."

"They are deplorable," he added, "but the vast majority of Trump's supporters are not."
Washington: The United States will provide Israel's military with USD 38 billion during the next 10 years, officials said on Wednesday, the largest batch of military assistance the US has ever pledged to another country.

Following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the State Department said the two countries had reached a 10-year agreement, with a signing ceremony planned on Thursday.

The US and Israel haven't disclosed the exact sum, but officials familiar with the deal said it totals USD 3.8 billion a year, up from the USD 3.1 billion the US gave Israel annually under the previous 10-year deal.

Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, planned to attend the ceremony at the State Department, a senior Obama administration official said.

Israel's acting national security adviser, Jacob Nagel, arrived in Washington ahead of the announcement and was also expected to attend.

Israel's government had no immediate comment on the deal.

Under the agreement, Israel's ability to spend part of the funds on Israeli military products will be gradually phased out, eventually requiring all of the funds to be spend on American military industries.

Israel's preference for spending some of the funds internally had been a major sticking point in the deal.

The new agreement also eliminates Israel's ability to spend a fraction of the funds on fuel for its military.

In another apparent concession, Israel has agreed not to ask Congress to approve more funds than are included in the deal, said the officials, who weren't authorized to discuss the details publicly ahead of a formal announcement and requested anonymity.

The agreement concludes many months of negotiations that involved a delicate calculation by Jerusalem about whether to strike a deal with the outgoing US president.

In February, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly floated the prospect of waiting for Obama's successor in hopes of securing a better deal.

But the Obama administration has been eager to lock in the agreement before leaving office to help bolster Obama's legacy and undercut the criticism that his administration was insufficiently supportive of Israel.

Obama's relationship Netanyahu has been famously fraught for years, and ties between the countries worsened significantly when the US and world powers struck a deal with a nuclear deal with Iran.

Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran to be an existential threat and disagreed sharply with Obama's contention that the deal actually made Israel safer by limiting Iran's nuclear program.
The happenings in Kashmir in South Asia and the fragile peace on the other end of the Asian continent  the Korean peninsula  may not be interlinked, but the principal actors in destabilising the global peace in these two regions are all close allies: Pakistan, China and North Korea.

On 9 September, North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test on the occasion of its founding day, marking the countrys second nuclear test this year. The previous test was conducted on 6 January. As The Economic Times reported on Tuesday, the North Korean test has alarmed the Indian security establishment because it is suspected to be a plutonium-based device, something on which India had greater expertise than Pakistan, North Koreas closest partner in making nuclear weapons and missiles. Pakistans nuclear programme, otherwise, has been marked hitherto by the Highly-Enriched Uranium (HEU) route. Of course, China has played the historic role of the facilitator in developing this Pakistan-North Korea nexus.

This North Korea-China-Pakistan triangle has some interesting features that deserve to be highlighted. First, all the three countries are divided countries  India-Pakistan, China-Taiwan and North Korea-South Korea. And all these three countries are not yet reconciled to the partition. China wants to grab its so-called renegade province of Taiwan. North Korea demands the reunification of the Korean peninsula that must have communist rule. For Pakistan, the partition is an unfinished agenda without Kashmir. In fact, the state-sponsored jihadis in Pakistan go further in dreaming the Pakistani flag-flying at Delhis Red Fort.

The second common feature is that while the regimes in India, Taiwan and South Korea happen to be democratic and have always extended hands of friendships to their neigbours who got the mother country divided, their offers are, more often than not, being rebuffed in some form or the other. And coincidentally, all three  North Korea, China and Pakistan  are deeply authoritarian countries, firmly controlled by their respective militaries. On paper, Pakistan might have been a democratic country at times, but substantially it is a country where the military rules supreme. No wonder Pakistan is called an army with a country, not a country with an army. As regards North Korea and China, it does not need any elaboration that the Communist rule there is firmly entrenched not because of the popular approval but because of the ruling communist parties hold over their respective militaries.

The third common feature is that all these countries happen to possess nuclear weapons, deadly missiles, and other weapons of mass destructions (WMD). They not only possess them but have emphatically declared to use them, showing utter disdain to the concept of responsibility. This is particularly true in the case of Pakistan and North Korea, despite the fact that their economies remain extremely precarious. The process of development in the two countries remains extremely lopsided, with the military or military-related things consuming most the national wealth. In case of Pakistan, the countrys economy is totally dependent on foreign help and IMF loans, without which it will collapse in no time. In the case of North Korea, lesser said the better.

In order to tide over their economic crises, both Pakistan and North Korea seem to be on a suicidal path of blackmailing the world to listen to them and finance them, lest they use their weapons of mass destruction, that is, nuclear arms, technologies and missiles, in various forms, including selling them illegally to other states. Pakistan has an added strength for blackmailing  training terrorists and spreading terrorism all over the world. And in all this both North Korea and Pakistan have the protection of China. In short, all the three are threatening to be the sources of global proliferation of WMD and terrorism, hence global instability.

The fourth common feature, which, in a sense, is the corollary of the third one, is that there is a close nexus among all the three countries in their respective developments of the WMD. With the Chinese help, Pakistan and North Korea have been helping one another in their respective armaments since early 1970s. Now the situation has reached a point that it is an open secret that Pakistan is transferring nuclear weapons technology to North Korea. In return, North Korea is helping Pakistan by supplying missiles and related technologies. It all began in 1971 when Pakistan requested North Korea to provide artillery, multiple rocket launchers, ammunition and a variety of spare parts. This relationship took a big turn in the 1980s in the field of ballistic missile cooperation.

It was the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s that provided the best chance for Pakistan and North Korea to work together in the missile fields. Engineers and contractors form both the countries worked closely in Iran on developing that countrys missiles. They got attractive remunerations from Teheran, which wanted to catch up with Baghdad in the field of missiles. These contacts between the Pakistanis and North Koreans, aided by their political establishments, resulted in the subsequent establishment of nuclear and ballistic missile related cooperation that included North Korean selling of mining and drilling equipments for missiles to Pakistan, cooperative covert programmes to acquire nuclear and missile technologies from Germany and Pakistani provision of nuclear technology to North Korea. The notorious Pakistani nuclear engineer AQ Khan played a leading role in this process. This nexus was subsequently the route for proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies to Iran and Libya (under late Gaddafi).

In all this, China had a big role to play. China helped North Korea to develop its missile capacity. And China assisted Pakistan in building its nuclear prowess (weapons-grade uranium, uranium enrichment process and ultracentrifuge uranium enrichment plant at Kahuta). Subsequently, Pakistan and North Korea exchanged their respective expertise, which was basically acquired from China (AQ Khan deviated a bit by stealing technologies from the West).

It may be noted here that when all this was going on, it was not that the Western world, particularly the United States, did not know it. In their book, Deception: Pakistan, the United States and the Global Nuclear Weapons Conspiracy, Adrain Levy and Catherine Scott-Clark, award-winning investigative journalists, have provided details on how AQ Khan stole, with full American knowledge, nuclear material and technologies from the Western countries, including the US. Be it Ronald Reagan or George Bush (father) or Bill Clinton or George W Bush  every American president and his officials not only concealed but also helped Pakistan in making and improving the bomb.

...the nexus of Pakistan-China-North Korea endangers the security of India, South Korea, Japan and a galaxy of Southeast Asian nations in the broad Indo-Pacific region

In fact, the Reagan Administration ignored US intelligence reports in 1983 and 1984 that China provided Pakistan the design for a low-yield uranium device, akin to its fourth series of nuclear tests in 1964. President Reagan, instead, certified, as per the requirement to get the approval of the Congress for aid to Pakistan, that Islamabad did not have a nuclear weapon programme! He was successfully blackmailed by Pakistan that otherwise it would not only go ahead with its nuclear programme openly and not assist the war against the then Soviets in Afghanistan. This Pakistani blackmail continues even today for the American largesse. In the process, America has forgiven all the sins of Pakistan and AQ Khan, despite the fact, as pointed out by Levy and Clark, that a mountain of incredibly precise intelligence portrayed Pakistan as the epicentre of global instability: a host and patron for Islamist terrorism, ruled by a military clique that was raising capital and political influence by selling weapons of mass destruction.

Likewise, North Korea has mastered its nuclear and missile capabilities as a bargaining chip to secure political, security and economic incentives from the rest of the world, most notably the United States. Because nobody wants to take a chance of its misadventures against South Korea and Japan. Kim-Jong-un, like his late father Kim Jong-il, gets economic assistance for not developing nuclear weapons and missiles, but after getting the assistance he breaks the promise with more nuclear and missile tests. And then begins yet another round of international deliberations that result in even more aid and assistance to the communist nation. Korean scholar Young Wehan Kihi aptly describes the above scenario as an example of the Mouse that Roared. In this, the Lion, that is, the United States, plays out a beleaguered role, allowing the mouse, that is, North Korea, to make a clever strategic move.

But then, the overall systematic consolidation of the Pakistan-China-North Korea nexus signifies a bigger point. As we are witnessing how the Delhi-based dominant intelligentsia wants the Government of India to surrender to the secessionist and Islamic terrorists in the Kashmir valley, the so-called liberal-internationalists in the global stage are trying harder and harder to make more and more compromises with this nexus. They do not realise that if hard power fails, all these talks of human rights and noble speeches about the international community will be nothing but hot air. These soothsayers do not realise that the nexus of Pakistan-China-North Korea endangers the security of India, South Korea, Japan and a galaxy of Southeast Asian nations in the broad Indo-Pacific region.
A resident on the west side of Fullerton reported the big cat around 9:30 a.m. Sunday. A Nance County deputy sent to investigate found the mountain lion resting in the yard. The deputy reported that the animal began pacing the yard and went toward the resident and deputy. That's when the deputy attempt to fire his weapon and the resident fired a shot.
COLUMBUS  Andrew Gassman, Charli Preister, Sammy Nahorny and Jeff Cleary have a lot in common.

Theyre all from Columbus, have fought a life-threatening illness and taken part in Make-A-Wish.

In the past year, 93 terminally ill youths ages 2-17 have been granted wishes through Make-A-Wish Nebraska, with 38 of those kids living in Platte County.

Now a local event, Walk for Wishes, is helping raise money to give back to the nonprofit organization thats helped so many in this area.

And the fundraising idea all started with a 9-year-olds passion to help.

I was talking to my little boy (Moses) one day and he was telling me about some of his friends who are less fortunate health- and finance-wise and he asked me if there was anything we could do to help them, said Willie Dove, co-coordinator of the Walk for Wishes event scheduled for Oct. 1.

Doves mind went straight to Make-A-Wish, not only because Moses friend has made a wish before, but because the company he works for, Isagenix International, is a big supporter of the nonprofit.

Make-A-Wish Nebraska was established in 1983 and averages about 110 wishes a year, with no monetary limit set on a request. Some wishes have been as small as asking for a bucket of Legos while others have involved trips overseas.

Its a great opportunity to let them live out their childhood, said Lauren Piller, manager of events and community outreach with Make-A-Wish Nebraska. Theyre always at doctors visits having to act like an adult. This is a chance for them to be a kid, if just for a moment.

Gassman, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma in 2009, has fought against all odds and is now in remission at age 11. But before he was a cancer survivor, his family fought the unknown, turning to Make-A-Wish for a little relief from their hectic situation.

Katie Gassman, Andrew's mother, said when they went to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, about a year after his diagnosis they got to be a normal family of six again.

The same went for Preisters family, also choosing Disney World when she was 5. That's a popular request, according to Piller, with the location accounting for 40 percent of wishes across the nation.

Preister was only 7 months old when she was diagnosed with stage 3 neuroblastoma, but having the never-give-up attitude as her mother Brenda describes it, Preister is now 10 years old with a magical tale to tell of the day she got to meet her superheroes at Disney World alongside her little brother Harper.

It was such a fun and amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were able to do things as a family that we will likely never get to do again. More importantly, we spent an entire week not thinking about cancer, not even for one second, Brenda Preister said. We enjoyed each magical moment, where we were treated like royalty, and this opportunity filled our hearts with smiles and laughter that had at one time been stolen from us.

Nahorny, of Sammys Superheroes, who is still battling neuroblastoma, also chose Disney World a year after his 2012 diagnosis.

It was absolutely amazing and the kids will likely never have another experience like that again, his mother, Erin Nahorny, said.

Cleary, now 29, took a slightly different route years ago when he made his wish. Rather than traveling, he wanted something he could use.

He was born 14 weeks premature, suffering from a grade 4 intraventricular hemorrhage on his brain and bleeding in his lungs. He has cerebral palsy, is legally blind, mostly nonverbal and suffers from a seizure disorder.

Jeff is able to do more and appreciate life more than anyone would have ever predicted, his mother Helen Cleary said.

One of his favorite things to do is watch TV. But with his poor vision, his mother noticed he often leaned in close to the screen, straining to see.

Travel isnt fun for him nor is going to ball games or concerts. So we wanted to give him something he could really use, Helen explained.

They wanted to give him his own space. Make-A-Wish granted Jeffs wish for a custom-made workstation with a desk and TV stand set up perfect for him to read, listen to music and watch television.

It has been a true godsend, Helen said. Shortly after he got his wish, Jeff had surgery on his ankle to have it fused. If he hadnt had his workstation to come home to, it would have been a very stressful recovery.

Wishes like these are what Moses and his father are hoping to help grant more of in the Columbus area.

I wanted to do something thats worth something, Dove said. Even if its not a big turnout Oct. 1, Im just glad were getting the word out that there is a need.

The 2-mile Walk for Wishes will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 1 in Pawnee Park near Memorial Stadium. Freewill donations will be accepted at the event, which also includes a light lunch, bounce houses for children and silent auction.

For more information, call Dove at 402-217-3244 or Amber Stary at 402-910-2757.
Perhaps the most important thing about the Huawei P9 is its design and how compact it is. While there are several other smartphones too that come with compact bodies, most of them compromise on what is inside. The Huawei P9 on the other hand tells a different story.

The Huawei P9 has a 5.2 display which by itself should mean that you have a relatively compact smartphone. But Huawei have also tried to minimise the footprint even further with smaller bezels that give you a screen to body ratio of 72.9%.

The Huawei P9 has dimensions of 145 x 70.9 x 7 mm and weighs in at 144 grams which feels light thanks to the good weight distribution. As a result, the device is extremely easy to handle and you cant help but appreciate just how easy it is to use.

However, most smartphones that come in such compact sizes most often sacrifice on the feature set or specs. The P9 doesnt do any such thing. The display is a 5.2 1080p IPS panel with Corning Gorilla Glass that provides great quality and viewing angles.

Inside the device, you have a HiSilicon Kirin 955 octa-core processor that is comprised of 4 Cortex A53 cores at 1.8GHz and 4 Cortex A72 cores at 2.5GHz as well as 3GB of RAM. This guarantees a high performance for your daily tasks as well as complex applications. The phone performs smoothly without any lag and performs multi-tasking with ease as well. There is also a Mali-T880 MP4 GPU to assist you with high-end graphics for all your gaming needs. The processor is also extremely power efficient apart from being powerful.

There is 32GB of internal storage along with a microSD card slot that can be expanded by up to 256GB. In terms of connectivity, you get a USB Type-C port, NFC support, Bluetooth 4.2 as well as Dual Band WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

In terms of camera, you get a Dual Leica lens system at the back with two 12 Megapixel sensors with 1.25m pixel size, f2.2 aperture, 27mm focal length, dual-tone LED flash, OIS and Hybrid AF (Laser+PDAF). One sensor is RGB while the other is a Monochrome one. The monochrome sensor can capture upto 3 times the amount of light that the RGB sensor can. These two sensors work in unison thanks to the intelligent algorithm to improve the dynamic range as well as a better low light performance. You even have a high-resolution 8 Megapixel camera up front that takes 1080p videos.

The efficient processor along with the 3000 mAh battery gives you great battery life and the P9 posted an impressive one charge rating of 16 hours and 3 minutes in our battery test. If it does run out of charge, you can charge it quickly thanks to fast charging which can refill 44% of charge in just 30 minutes.

All these features and more are stuff that you would expect in a high-end flagship smartphone. However, it really is surprising and impressive just how Huawei have managed to fit it all into such a tiny form factor. Truly an engineering marvel!
Reliance Communications (RCOM) and Maxis Communications

Berhad (MCB), promoters of Aircel today announced that they have signing an agreement for the merger of their Indian wireless

businesses, in a largest-ever consolidation in the Indian telecom sector.

The RCOM-Aircel combination will create a strong operator clearly ranked amongst Indias top 4 telcos by customer base and revenues, also ranking amongst the top 3 operators by revenues in 12 important circles, said the company.

MergedCo will have the second-largest spectrum holding amongst all operators, aggregating 448 MHz across the 850, 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz bands, and will enjoy enhanced business continuity through extended validity of spectrum holdings till 2033-35. It will be one of Indias largest private sector companies, with an asset base of over Rs. 65,000 crore (US$ 9.7 billion) and net worth of Rs. 35,000 crore (US$ 5.2 billion).

RCOM and MCB will each hold a 50% stake in the merged entity (MergedCo), with equal representation on the Board of Directors and all Committees. The Company will be managed by an independent professional team under the supervision of the Board.

RCOMs overall debt will reduce by Rs 20,000 crore (USD 3 billion) or over 40% of its total debt, and Aircels debt will reduce by Rs. 4,000 crore (USD 600 million), upon completion of the transaction in 2017.

MergedCos subscribers will have access to nationwide 4G LTE services on the sub-1 GHz band, under RCOMs existing nation-wide spectrum sharing / ICR arrangements with Reliance Jio Infocomm. This will offer a robust platform of services across all customer segments in all 22 telecom circles. The transaction is subject to applicable approvals, including inter alia, shareholder and regulatory approvals, lenders consents, etc.

Commenting on the merger, Anil D. Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Group, said:

Together with our partners, MCB, we are delighted to have taken the lead in consolidation of the Indian telecom sector, first, with RCOMs acquisition of the wireless business of SSTL (Sistema / MTS), and now, with the combination of our business with Aircel Ltd. in a 50:50 Joint Venture with MCB. We expect this combination to create substantial long term value for shareholders of both, RCOM and MCB, given the benefits of the wide-ranging spectrum portfolio and significant revenue and cost synergies.

Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB), said:

This deal further reinforces MCBs commitment to India. Since acquiring Aircel in 2006, MCB has invested in excess of INR 35,000 crore (USD 5.2 billion) into Aircel, making this one of the largest foreign investments into India, not only in the telecom industry but across all sectors. The magnitude of this investment, and the further equity commitment in support of this deal, are underpinned by MCBs belief in the long term growth potential of both India and the Indian telecom sector.
The oil industry continues to struggle, with oil prices still down nearly 60% from 2014's peak. But don't throw the baby out with the bathwater -- there are a lot of great companies operating in the sector that remain worthy investments. With that in mind, we asked some of our top contributors to offer up timely ideas that investors should consider. If you're looking for an oil stock to buy right now, one of their picks might be exactly what your portfolio needs.

Making a big find

Dan Caplinger: During crude oil's plunge in 2015, most energy companies fell almost in lockstep, and that made many investors erroneously think that all energy companies are the same. But there are still winners and losers in the exploration and production game, and Apache (APA -0.63%) proved that recently when it made a huge discovery that should have long-term ramifications for the producer well into the future.

Apache said that its Alpine High acreage, located in a remote area in West Texas, had proven out to be what it understatedly termed "a significant new resource play." After having spent years buying up acreage in the area, performing extensive research into the geology and geophysical aspects of the land, and looking for ways to optimize the development of the tract, Apache said that it now estimates 3 billion barrels of oil in place on the tract, as well as 75 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Moreover, in addition to those finds in relatively deep rock formations, Apache believes that even more oil could be present in shallower layers.

Shares have already climbed on the news, but the economics point to a dramatic boom for Apache even without considering the potential impact of future oil price increases. By bucking the trend and investing in its own assets, Apache scored a major win and should see benefits for years to come.

Underestimating stable growth

Tyler Crowe: One company that continues to look like a solid investment in the oil and gas industry is Magellan Midstream Partners (MMP 0.47%). Magellan is unlike many other pipeline and logistic companies in this industry, because a vast majority of its network is dedicated to moving refined petroleum product rather than raw products such as crude oil and natural gas. Refined products such as gasoline and diesel typically have more consistent demand and are less subject to the ups and downs in volumes you might see with other products. To add to that advantage, the revenue Magellan receives from these pipelines comes mostly -- about 80% -- from fixed fees, so this ensures a pretty consistent cash flow quarter in and quarter out to pay its shareholders a handsome distribution.

One thing that investors seem to be discounting about Magellan's future is that it has a couple of major projects in the wings that will significantly improve results in the coming years. Today, it has more than $600 million in new projects that are slated to come on line by the end of 2016, and it has just started on its big project, a multiphase development of a marine storage and export terminal in the Houston ship channel that is expected to cost about $1 billion. These major projects are expected to lead to sizable distribution growth over the next couple of years, and that doesn't include the upside potential of an acquisition that Magellan has said it's exploring.

These things all suggest that there is quite a bit of growth for Magellan in the coming years, but the market hasn't exactly been kind to this stock over the past couple of years. So this may be the time to jump into Magellan, while its stock has a distribution yield of 4.6%.

High-quality company to buy on a dip

Jason Hall: As of this writing, Phillips 66 (PSX 0.62%) shares are down about 17% from their late 2015 peak. And not completely undeservedly so, since the company has seen its profits get squeezed in recent quarters, as falling crude oil prices put a pinch on the crack spread the company had been getting on its refined products.

But it's not a company in decline or in trouble, and just as with Magellan Midstream, Phillips 66 has a lot of growth potential ahead of it. The company has several major petrochemical, export, and oil and gas infrastructure projects on track to start contributing big profits in 2017 and beyond.

Furthermore, the recent decline in Phillips 66 shares has pushed its effective dividend yield over 3%, and management is committed to increasing the dividend along with earnings growth in years ahead. Add a strong share buyback program into the mix, and Phillips 66 is a high-quality oil stock, well worth buying at these prices and holding for the long term.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG 2.60%) stock had its best day since January last Wednesday thanks to hedge fund tycoon Bill Ackman.

Shares of the burrito roller gained about 6% after Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management Fund revealed that it had purchased nearly three million shares of Chipotle, or a 9.9% stake in the company, worth $1.2 billion.

In the SEC filing, Ackman said Chipotle has a "strong brand, differentiated offering, enormous growth opportunity, and visionary leadership." He also said the stock was an "undervalued and attractive investment." The well-known activist investor did not make his intentions clear, only saying that he wished to engage with management and the board on a range of topics, including the board composition, operations, cost structure, and other components of the business.

While it's not surprising that an activist investor has targeted Chipotle, considering the stock has lost nearly half its value following a raft of foodborne illness outbreaks last year, this situation doesn't fit the standard activist playbook, which tends to call for a management shake-up, returning capital to shareholders through buybacks or dividends, selling the company, or spinning off key segments.

It was a fast-growing company that got bodyslammed by a food safety and PR crisis. The series of outbreaks including salmonella, norovirus, and E. coli was bad, but the company's flat-footed and often tone-deaf response may have been worse.

If there's one area that Ackman should focus his efforts, it's Chipotle's marketing.

Founder and co-CEO Steve Ells isn't going anywhere, and it's unlikely that veteran execs like co-CEO Monty Moran or CFO Jack Hartung will depart either. Franchising restaurants or an outright sale would be untenable to the company as well, and management has already been aggressively repurchasing shares, while the stock is down. Refranchising restaurants has been popular with other fast food chains as a way of extracting value, but Chipotle's stores are 100% company-owned after experimenting with franchises (and disliking it).

No stranger to restaurants

Ackman has meddled in the fast food business before. He owned McDonald's for a period of time starting in 2005, long enough for the stake to double, and convinced Wendy's to spin off Tim Horton's in 2005 as well, pushing the stock to double before a recession-era collapse.

More recently, Ackman bet on Restaurant Brands International, the parent of Burger King and Tim Horton's, which has also outperformed the market since the two chains merged in 2014.

However, Ackman has also had some major failures in the broader retail world, investing in Borders before it imploded and pushing to install Ron Johnson atop J.C. Penney resulting in the worst year in recent retail history. Ackman's more recent bets on Herbalife and Valeant Pharmaceuticals have also been stinkers thus far.

What Ackman could do

While the conventional restaurant plays may not apply here, there are still some areas where Ackman could influence the company.

Chipotle's board has been called out for a lack of diversity and independence in the past. Shaking up its members or getting some fresh blood on the board could invoke a sense of urgency in Chipotle management to rethink strategies that aren't working.

The marketing message needs an overhaul. While Ackman is not a brand expert, and that's not generally an area that activists focus on, it's the No. 1 thing the company must recalibrate to get customers back in the door. Its Food with Integrity message no longer resonates following last year's scandal. Chipotle needs to show weary diners that it's safe to eat there and convince them to return.

And the company needs a coherent strategy with its seed concepts. It's about to launch a third concept, a burger restaurant called Tasty Made, but it has barely grown its other two brands: ShopHouse Kitchen and Pizzeria Locale. The Tasty Made addition makes it look like the company is losing focus on the central problem of sales declines at Chipotle. That may not be the case, but management needs to better explain its position, because a handful of restaurants under a different brand is not going to move the needle.

The bottom line for investors is that sales are slowly coming back and should continue to do so. Lapping the start of the crisis in November should also help the stock psychologically as comparable sales should return to growth at that point.

Ackman may not have much sway to nudge the company in a different direction, but he's right to recognize the value in the stock. Though it's taking longer than many hoped, Chipotle should bounce back over time.
During an interview with the FOX Business Networks Stuart Varney, Actor Jon Voight, currently starring in Showtimes Ray Donovan, explained what its like to be a conservative in Hollywood.

I have many friends in Hollywood, people know I come to work, I dont proselytize and there are by the way many, many conservatives in Hollywood, they just arent very vocal, he said.

Is that accurate? I mean we dont hear from them very often  I can name a couple, here and there Varney responded.

Well, they kind of keep their heads down a little bit, but there are a whole lot of them, said Voight.

The Oscar winner, known for his roles in Deliverance (1972) and The Champ (1979) also discussed why hes a Trump supporter.

He loves people and hes very, very considerate and his heart goes out to people Hes not making it up when he sits with somebody whos suffering something and you can see him feeling for them. This is not an act, he said.

In between acting Voight is campaigning for Trump.
Auto sales, running at a pace only slightly faster than a year ago, capped the summer months with a rough August. But luxury brands on the lower rungs of the ladder kept on climbing, thanks to Americas appetite for high-end SUVs.

While the likes of BMW and Lexus reported weaker U.S. sales last month, two American luxury brands, Cadillac and Lincoln, fared better. Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo also posted sales gains. In a downbeat month for auto sales, smaller luxury names continued to build momentum as they look to steal market share from the German and Japanese heavyweights.

Because of their lower volume, those brands can get a bigger move upwards. Thats certainly one big factor coming into play, said Eric Lyman, TrueCars (NASDAQ:TRUE) vice president of industry insights. Brands like Cadillac and Lincoln have created a winning formula with fresh products in a hot [SUV] segment, he added.

Lincoln, one of the fastest-growing brands in the U.S., saw its monthly SUV sales jump 12% year-over-year amid strong demand for the midsize MKX and compact MKC. The MKX was redesigned last year. Across the board, Lincoln sold 7% more vehicles than August 2015.

Ahead of its annual investor day Sept. 14, Ford (NYSE:F) noted that Lincolns global sales are up 77% since 2012. The brand expects to accelerate sales growth in the coming year, with its new flagship sedan, the Continental, arriving in the fall.

Lincolns American rival, General Motors (NYSE:GM) Cadillac, is undergoing a transformation of its own. Cadillac recently began selling its new flagship, the CT6, and the addition of the XT5 crossover has offered a big boost to the brands sales. Cadillac sold 4,929 XT5s in August, making it the best-selling model in Cadillacs lineup. Further revealing the popularity of luxury SUVs, Cadillacs outgoing XTS crossover still posted sales of 2,264 units, a 48% increase.

The CT6 had its best month since it launched earlier this year. GM shipped 1,242 of the large sedans.

Cadillacs new models are paying off, as August sales improved 3.9%. Combined sales for Chevrolet, Buick and GMC were down 5.8%.

The luxury market overall has moved away from the couches on wheels concept of building cushy, quiet cars. Cadillac, Lexus and others have shifted to sporty vehicles, yet Lincoln is holding firm.

Lincoln is saying, Timeout. There are people who dont treat their suburban neighborhood as the Nurburgring, Lyman said, referring to the famous German track. The problem is delivering that message to consumers. Its both an opportunity and a risk for them.

Jaguar has also gone the high-performance route, not to mention a new venture into the SUV market. The British car makers first-ever SUV, the F-Pace, made its debut in late spring. It quickly became a sales hit, moving to the top of Jaguars leaderboard in August.

The F-Pace, which starts at roughly $41,000, and the XE, a new compact sedan, helped Jaguar nearly triple its August sales. Jaguars total sales are up 73% year-to-date.

Land Rover, Jaguars sister brand, has benefited from the consumer shift toward SUVs amid fuel-efficiency and cheaper gas prices. Land Rover has booked a 14.6% gain in sales since the start of 2016. August sales rose 15.4% on the backs of the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery Sport.

Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Indias Tata Motors (NYSE:TTM), said combined sales hit the companys best August mark since 2003.

At Volvo, the rollout of the XC90 midsize SUV was a key driver of demand for the Swedish automakers vehicles. August sales surged 31.3%, and the XC90 is the top model among U.S. buyers. Volvo said the U.S. has been its fastest-growing key market this year.
Two more ships operated by financially troubled South Korean shipper, Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd <117930.KS>, have been put up for sale, two ship brokers with knowledge with the matter said on Wednesday.

Details of the container ships, Hanjin Mar and Hanjin Marine, were released on Wednesday, the ship brokers said, with offers for the vessels being sought by the end of this month.

The ships are worth between $18 million and $22 million, said the ship brokers, who asked not to be identified on the grounds that the deal is confidential.

The news comes as three bulk carriers, used for carrying commodities such as iron ore, coal and grain, have been sold to Singapore and Greek buyers for a total of almost $39 million, according to data from ship valuation firm VesselsValue.

(Reporting by Keith Wallis; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
The bankruptcy of Korea's Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd <117930.KS> is causing ripple effects for importers bringing goods from Asian factories to U.S. malls by creating a shortage of trailers to move ocean-shipping containers on U.S. roads. 117930.KS>

The world's seventh-largest container carrier has more than 500,000 containers, and many already are clogging up ports and truck yards, tying up trailers that cannot be used to handle other cargo. That is beginning to worry freight handlers at U.S. West Coast ports and is the first sign of knock-on effects from the failure of Hanjin.

The problem stems from Hanjin's shortage of cash, which has stranded $14 billion of cargo owned by companies such as HP Inc , Home Shopping Network and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd <005930.KS>. Much of the cargo is on more than 100 ships at sea because cargo handlers, tug operators and ports are refusing to work with Hanjin unless they get paid up front. 005930.KS>

A lawyer for the shipper did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Terminal operators in the California ports of Long Beach and Oakland are not taking back empty containers. Many in the industry doubt Hanjin will pay storage costs, and a growing number of empty containers and the trailers they sit on are stranded.

 "If it's not fixed in the next couple of weeks, I think you'll see a huge ripple effect across the industry," said Weston LaBar, executive director for the Harbor Trucking Association in Long Beach, California.

LaBar said there are thousands of Hanjin containers on trailers out of circulation, and the uncertainty surrounding Hanjin appears to be pushing truckers to lock in trailers from his organization's pool.

"We doubled in bookings this morning," LaBar said. "We have availability, but we're getting to the point where we may be leased out for our chassis."

Shipping executives said there is ample supply of shipping containers, but trailers are limited. The West Coast ports previously have experienced brief shortages even when the stream of trade is functioning normally.

The Hanjin collapse has exacerbated the problem.

At GSC Logistics Inc, Chief Executive Officer Scott Taylor said he is stuck with nearly 80 empty Hanjin containers on trailers, racking up charges for cargo owners, that his company processed recently and could not return to a terminal operator at the Port of Oakland.

 "If it says Hanjin on the side, there's no place for it to go right now," said Taylor.

Grocery chain Kroger Co told Reuters it has 880 shipping containers tied up on Hanjin ships. The company's lawyer, Ron Liebman, on Friday told a U.S. judge who is overseeing Hanjin's U.S. bankruptcy case that Kroger does not expect to be able to return the containers once it receives its products, creating a headache and added costs for the company.

Empty containers were sitting on trailers, said Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy for the National Retail Federation. "This is causing problems with the terminal operators and truckers who need the equipment" to haul full containers, he said.

Karen Vellutini, a vice president at Devine Intermodal, a trucking company in West Sacramento that services the Port of Oakland, said she expects the availability of trailer chassis to become a problem as the holiday season nears and as more Hanjin ships arrive in ports and unload containers.

 "We're not seeing it yet, but it's inevitable," Vellutini said. "This problem is going to compound."

DROP-OFF POINT FOR CONTAINERS CONSIDERED

In Southern California, shipping industry executives are discussing setting aside a staging area where truckers could drop off empty containers to free up trailers, said Mario Cordero, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, which regulates carriers, terminal operators and ports.

 "They are trying to address what could be even a greater crisis as these numbers mount," Cordero said.

"If those chassis get all occupied, or a good percentage of them, where the containers are just sitting on them with nowhere to deliver, that disrupts the supply chain," Cordero said. "We are certainly reaching the level we are concerned."

The commission is monitoring prices to make sure fees for leasing trailers do not become excessive amid the Hanjin problems, Cordero said.

Vellutini of Devine Intermodal said cargo owners could resort to buying the containers they are holding to clear up any legal uncertainty around them and to return chassis.

"People are waiting for the dust to settle to decide if they'll buy and get into the used container business."

(Writing by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware, additional reporting by Tom Hals, Nandita Bose, and Jessica Resnick-Ault; editing by Peter Henderson and Cynthia Osterman)
The state pressed on for more than a decade with civil fraud claims against a 91-year-old former chief executive of insurance company American International Group Inc. as a warning to other executives that wrongdoing won't go unpunished, a state attorney told a judge on Tuesday during a trial's opening statements.

Assistant Attorney General David Ellenhorn said former AIG boss Maurice R. Greenberg was "not your typical 91-year-old" as he explained the state's persistence in pursuing the case against him and the company's former chief financial officer.

Ellenhorn said he wanted to send a message to other top executives who may be much younger than Greenberg so they know "you cannot manipulate the books of a public company to give a false impression of your company."

Greenberg is accused of manipulating AIG's accounting records in 2000 and 2001 to hide hundreds of millions of dollars in losses from investors.

Ellenhorn called Greenberg, who sat with defense attorney David Boies, "spry, active, vigorous" and noted he'd traveled recently to China and was running his own investment advisory firm.

"He's all over the place," Ellenhorn said.

Boies told state Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Ramos, who will decide the case without a jury, that Ellenhorn had not identified any witnesses or evidence to support his claims.

"He relied exclusively on hearsay and speculation," Boies said. "This case is devoid of any admissible evidence that ties Mr. Greenberg to anything."

Former Attorney General Eliot Spitzer made Greenberg one of his targets in his 2005 crackdown on Wall Street executives he believed cheated investors. Spitzer, a Democrat, later was elected as governor and resigned in 2008 amid a prostitution scandal.

When Boies cited the "political nature of this case" and referenced "Mr. Spitzer's outbursts" of publicity about the case when he was attorney general, Ellenhorn objected. The judge let Boies proceed as Greenberg watched from the defense table.

"The evidence we have is directly contrary to what they must prove," Boies said.

The state is seeking an order banning Greenberg from working in the securities industry or as an executive for any public company. It also is seeking $53 million, including bonuses Greenberg received during the period he is alleged to have manipulated the company's finances to hide losses.

Boies, who represented Democrat Al Gore after the 2000 U.S. presidential election against Republican George W. Bush, noted that Greenberg was praised by New York-based AIG when he left the company.

AIG, one of the world's largest insurance companies, nearly collapsed in the fall of 2008 at the height of the financial crisis and received about $180 billion in bailout aid from the government.

The company paid a record $1.64 billion in February 2006 in a settlement of civil fraud charges with federal and New York state authorities, and it apologized for having deceived investors and regulators with misleading accounting practices stretching back two decades.
Ford Motor Co Chief Executive Mark Fields is looking for more deals to advance the automaker's expansion into ride services and autonomous vehicles, but will not rush to match big spending by auto industry rivals, he told Reuters.

Investors comparing the size of Ford's investments to what other automakers have announced are "looking at the wrong scoreboard," Fields said in an interview at Ford headquarters on Tuesday, ahead of the company's annual late-summer investor meeting.

"Don't confuse activity for progress," Fields said in response to questions about why Ford's future 'mobility' investments appear to lag those of competitors such as General Motors Co , Daimler AG and Toyota Motor Corp <7203.T>.

Mobility is the term auto companies and investors use to describe the next wave of personal transportation, which is still largely car-based but includes a wide range of services from ride sharing to automated driving and parking.

Fields and other top Ford executives are scheduled to meet on Wednesday with investors and analysts to address concerns that the automaker is heading into a cyclical downturn in the United States market, which generates the bulk of Ford's profit.

Fields is expected to highlight the prospects for Ford to jump-start growth over the next several years by developing new businesses using autonomous, or self-driving, vehicles and internet-enabled services such as shuttle vans that can be hailed using a smartphone app.

A Reuters analysis of automaker investments in future mobility startups estimates that Ford has spent less than $500 million in the sector over the past five years, while Toyota has spent more than $1.1 billion, GM more than $1.2 billion and Daimler more than $1.4 billion.

So far, the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker has announced a steady stream of relatively small deals. GM, in contrast, has highlighted bigger moves such as its $700 million acquisition of driving startup Cruise Automation and a $500 million investment in ride services company Lyft.

GM has outlined plans to use its alliance with Lyft to place electric and autonomous vehicles in ride services fleets, while expanding car sharing through its Maven brand.

FORD GOES SMALL

Ford has focused on smaller startups in such fields as laser sensors, mapping, artificial intelligence and data analytics. Last week, Ford said it had acquired Chariot, a San Francisco-based startup that provides a local on-demand shuttle service with dynamic routing capability.

Fields said the company has a "contingency fund" to finance future investments that fit into Ford's long-range mobility strategy, but wants to "make sure we are investing wisely" in a field where less than half the prospects offer real value.

Fields said Ford will leave all options open for partnerships and acquisitions to expand its services business.

"It will take time to scale some of these new businesses," he said. Until then, Fields said those ventures will be funded in part by Ford's core business, including its high-volume, high-margin pickup trucks.

Ford also will place "a high priority on stable and sustainable dividends," Fields said. Ford's current dividend yield is nearly 4.7 percent.

Ford shares are down 12 percent for the year to date,reflecting investors' concerns that vehicle sales in the United States are slowing down.

"Investors are so focused on when the next recession is coming and what happens to auto stocks in the recession, theyre not paying a huge amount of attention to whether GMs strategy of spending big to position itself for the next era of mobility or Fords strategy of going late with less of a checkbook is the right one," Barclays Capital analyst Brian Johnson said on Tuesday.

Ford jolted investors on July 28 when it released second-quarter results that fell short of Wall Street expectations, and Chief Financial Officer Robert Shanks said the growth is over in the U.S. market. Ford shares fell 8 percent, and have not fully recovered since.

GM shares are stuck in the doldrums too, down 9 percent for the year despite beating Wall Street profit expectations in the second quarter.

(Reporting by Paul Lienert; Editing by Joseph White and Bill Rigby)
On the surface, the timing of the United States' audacious challenge to China's price supports for its grain farmers looks odd.

Farmers in the world's second-biggest economy are currently harvesting their first corn crop in a decade that will not be priced by the government, after Beijing launched efforts to reform its corn policy earlier this year. Furthermore, domestic Chinese corn prices are languishing close to multi-year lows.

But the steady erosion of the U.S. role in the world grain export market, a ballooning global crop glut and the years-long premium that Chinese grains have held over global prices help to explain what compelled the politically influential U.S. farm sector to file its case with the World Trade Organization.

European and U.S. regulators have criticized China's farm policies for years but the country's leaders have prioritized the sector to ensure self-sufficiency in staple food crops and boost rural incomes to address widening inequalities with urban residents. To do that, Beijing has set goals to provide jobs across the farm belt, feed its growing urban population and reduce its dependence on imports.

The U.S. appears willing to risk ratcheting up tensions in an already-fraught trade relationship as its own farmers grapple with record grain inventories and near 10-year lows in grain prices.

The two countries, the world's biggest agricultural producers, are already enmeshed in ongoing bilateral trade deal discussions and a Chinese investigation into alleged dumping of animal feed grains by U.S. producers. These tensions are what analyst Rosa Wang at Shanghai JC Intelligence Co Ltd believe sparked the U.S. action.

"It's totally related to the trade relationship," said Wang.

A ruling in the dumping case against U.S. producers of distillers's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), an animal feed made as a byproduct of ethanol production, was expected earlier this week.

FALLING CLOUT

Part of the U.S. pain is explained by an historic shift in trade flows.

Between 2010 and 2015, the U.S. share of the burgeoning volumes of global exports of corn, wheat and rice shrank by a third as it was crowded out by rivals Brazil, Argentina and Russia, according to data compiled by Reuters.

Its portion of sales to China fell even faster, dropping by over 40 percent.

An even larger sticking point in the controversy centers on the difference in prices for grains between China and the United States that started to widen in early 2010.

The United States says the spread distorts world trade and gives Chinese farmers an unfair advantage over competitors.

Spot futures prices of wheat and rice in China averaged more than double their U.S. counterparts in August. Dalian corn prices were an average 1.7 times higher than Chicago corn prices.

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

Criticizing China's subsidies and forcing Beijing to overhaul its system may have unintended, painful consequences for U.S. farmers, analysts say.

They point to corn as an example.

Domestic Chinese corn shot to premiums over global prices after government help and that created huge opportunities for exporters to sell into China in recent years. In 2015, the country imported 4.7 million tonnes of corn as domestic prices averaged nearly 1,300 yuan ($195) per tonne more than the U.S. benchmark.

But, as China has dismantled its corn stockpiling and decade-old price support program this year, the spread in corn has dropped by roughly 30 percent to around 900 yuan per tonne.

And with that drop China's appetite for foreign corn has collapsed, falling 22 percent through July compared to the same period last year.

Ma Wenfeng, a senioranalystat Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultant Ltd,said on Wednesday that China's waning import appetite with the ending of the state support system was a bigger worry for the United States.

"It's because China doesn't support (it's corn farmers anymore)" that U.S. imports have dropped, he said.

(Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
Wells Fargo & Co scrapped its product sales goals for retail bankers on Tuesday and may take further disciplinary action against its employees in the wake of a fake account scandal that has already led to $190 million in fines and the firing of 5,300 employees.

Wells Fargo has been hit hard by allegations its staff opened more than 2 million bank accounts and credit cards for customers without their consent in a bid to meet internal sales goals.

Politicians are calling for an investigation, and Wells Fargo and regulators are expected to testify in the Senate next week.

One of the United States' largest and most respected financial institutions, Wells Fargo built itself into the most valuable U.S. bank after the financial crisis partly because it did not rely on risky trades or complex derivatives to turn a profit.

But the company's shares have lost around 7 percent of their value since last week, when U.S. regulators unveiled the fines against the bank , and it has ceded its position as the largest U.S. bank by market capitalization to rival JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Wells Fargo - which was long the envy of the banking industry for its ability to sell multiple products to the same customer - agreed to pay $185 million in fines and $5 million to customers last week after reaching a settlement with three regulators over the alleged sales abuses.

The phantom accounts meant that some customers were charged for insufficient funds, according to the regulators.

"We want to make certain our customers have full confidence that our retail bankers are always focused on the best interests of customers," Wells Fargo Chief Executive John Stumpf said in a statement on Tuesday, announcing the elimination of the product sales goals. The change will be effective beginning next year.

And the bank is still reexamining its practices in the face of the gathering public storm over the sales scandal, even after already having fired more than 2 percent of its staff for the improper selling, according to Chief Financial Officer John Shrewsberry.

The bank will "take a big wide fresh look at who knew what and when and what else might have been done," he said speaking at an industry conference.

Shrewsberry said the review would impact people "at all levels of the organization."

Carrie Tolstedt, the head of the bank's retail operations where the abuses are alleged to have occurred, stepped down in July. The controversy has led to calls for the bank to claw back bonuses paid to her.

Tolstedt received a pay raise in March, after getting more than $9 million in cash and stock last year. She left with more than 2.5 million in Wells Fargo shares, currently worth around $120 million.

A Wells Fargo spokeswoman said Tolstedt had "made a decision to retire at the end of this year." Tolstedt could not be reached for comment.

POLITICAL HEAT

The bank's practices have also drawn scrutiny from Washington, with staff members for the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees the banking industry, set to meet with representatives of the bank.

Stumpf, Cordray and Tom Curry, from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, will testify before the committee next week.

Torrie Matous, spokeswoman for the committee's chairman, Richard Shelby, a Republican from Alabama, said staff had "been arranging briefings and collecting information from both Wells Fargo and the regulators" to prepare for a Sept. 20 hearing.

Five Democrats on the committee, including Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, have pressed for an investigation.

The top Democrat on the banking committee, Ohios Senator Sherrod Brown, wants the panel to probe deeper than a single hearing, "so we can get answers on how this massive fraud happened, whats being done to make customers whole, and how to put safeguards in place to protect against its recurrence."

(Writing by Michael Erman; editing by Carmel Crimmins and Cynthia Osterman)
Chrissy Teigen is at it again.

The 30-year-old model and ever-present Twitter personality seemed to upset the masses on Monday after declaring that she wasn't offended by the word "oriental."

WATCH: EXCLUSIVE: John Legend on How Fatherhood Has Made Him Tougher and Encouraging Wife Chrissy Teigen to Pursue Acting

It all started when Teigen, who is half-Thai, tweeted about the "oriental dressing" option on her flight.

"I really really really really clearly am not a PC type of gal but I'm a little weirded out at the oriental dressing option on my flight," she wrote on Monday night.

"Like, if you're over 50 you can call me oriental to my face but this is a new menu and I'm not a rug," she posted moments later.

EXCLUSIVE: Brooklyn Decker Plans to Dress Her Baby in NFL Gear to Impress Chrissy Teigen's Daughter

Teigen then got herself into a little hot water when a user asked if the term "oriental" was offensive.

"Not offensive, really. Just weird. Old school. Just say Asian," she wrote, before adding that her "PC-ness is very lenient."

RELATED: Tummy Time! Chrissy Teigen Shares Adorable New Pics of Baby Luna

But Teigen's "oriental" debate didn't end there. The cook book author then clarified that while she's not personally offended by the term, she does recognize how outdated it is, saying that she excuses people who use it under "forgivable ignorance."

RELATED: John Legend Plays a 'Never Ending Song' For Baby Luna in Adorable Instagram Video

Teigen continued to reiterate her point, adding that she wouldn't get mad over someone not using the term "Asian American" -- which only seemed to further anger some of her followers, who argued that tolerating others' ignorance was another way of maintaining the status quo and perpetuating racism.

RELATED: Chrissy Teigen Jokes About Her Leg Stretch Marks on Snapchat: 'My Thighs Have Tributaries'

And, of course, the debate continued to spill into the next morning.

RELATED: Chrissy Teigen Stuns During Romantic Date Night With John Legend: See the Pics!

Meanwhile, baby Luna had not a care in the world, as Teigen showed off with an adorable video on Instagram.

But back to Teigen's Twitter controversy. This isn't the first time the new mom has made waves on the social media site. Just last month, she found herself fighting off users who misinterpreted her sarcastic tweet about Amber Heard.
What his mother first thought was a harmless headache landed 7-year-old Somolon Pyle in the hospital, where he fell into a coma and was subsequently diagnosed with a rare disease. Now, the Omaha, Nebraska, boy is awake and undergoing treatment as his family struggles to pay their medical bills, WOWT News reported.

Sheila Pyle, Solomons mother, told the news station that her sons illness came on quickly. One morning, Solomon said he had a headache, and the next day she took him to the emergency room at Omaha Childrens Hospital. Doctors observed his symptoms and diagnosed Solomon with viral meningitis.

However, when the boy stopped acting like himself, they second-guessed that diagnosis.

[Solomon] just started becoming really confused and forgetful," Sheila told the news station, "almost like I had a 7-year-old with Alzheimer's."

Solomon fell into a coma, and doctors ran more tests, according to WOWT News. They diagnosed him with autoimmune encephalitis, a condition wherein his body was producing a protein that was attacking his brain.

According to the National Institutes of Health, autoimmune encephalitis causes memory and cognition deficits, which are typically followed by lower levels of consciousness or a coma, as was the case for Solomon.

Five days after beginning treatment, Solomon awoke from his coma, and his pediatrician Dr. Sharon Stoolman is happy with his improvement 30 days into his hospital stay.

"We have not changed our goal or our hope that he will have a complete recovery, she told the news station.

Meanwhile, Solomons family is raising money on GoFundMe.com to help cover Solomons hospital bills, as well as Sheilas. WOWT News reported that she recently underwent surgery for thyroid cancer.

Sheila told the news station her wish is simple.

I just want my son back, she told WOWT News. I just want him back.
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A woman who avoided treatment for a growing abdominal tumor recently had the 68-pound mass removed and is recovering.

Central European News (CEN) reported that Stoja Popovic, from Bosnia and Herzegovnia, had refused to go to the doctor ever since she realized the protruding mass was unusual.

"At first I thought I was putting on weight, but very soon I realized there was something wrong. But I didn't feel pain ... so I just continued to live as usual, she told CEN.

But when she suffered a leg injury while working in the fields, paramedics took her to the hospital to get her treatment.

Doctors at the Bosnian University Clinical Centre in Sarajevo were less concerned with the unrelated leg injury but deemed the tumor life threatening. They removed the mass immediately, as it had consumed Popovics entire uterus and started spreading to other parts of her body. Surgeons also had to remove her uterus.

After the successful four-hour operation, Popovic spent a few days at the hospital then was discharged.

"I would have never gone to a doctor if I hadnt hurt my leg, she told local media, according to CEN.


One year ago this week, the Senate had its first, second, and third failed vote on the Iran deal. Well, sort of.

What Senate Democrats wont tell you is that they prevented the Senate from even voting on the Obama administrations Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the floor.

Instead, they blocked a procedural vote three times.

Despite having massive implications on U.S. national security, nuclear proliferation policy, and U.S. sanctions on Iransomething I believe should have been handled as a treaty to be ratified or rejected by the SenateCongress had no say on this deal.

One year after the deal, Iran is still the number one state sponsor of terrorism.

As weve learned, this deal was sold to the American people based on lies and manipulation.

Over the past year, Iran has received a lot: the recognition by the international community of the right to enrich nuclear material, billions of dollars in sanctions relief, access to frozen assets, new business interest, legitimacy on the world stage, and a $400 million cash payment for hostages from President Obama.

So what has America gotten out of this deal?

Last July, President Obama said he hoped his deal would, incentivize them [Iran] to behave differently in the region, to be less aggressive, less hostile, more cooperative."

Instead, Iran has become increasingly aggressive and cavalier in its support for terrorism and dangerous proxy groups and regimes, like Hezbollah and Syrias Bashar al Assad. The presidents failed deal emboldened Iran to become more blatantly aggressive in its support of terrorism and quest for regional hegemony. Sanctions relief and other payments enriched Iran to support their destructive ambitions.

One year after the deal, Iran is still the number one state sponsor of terrorism.

Iran has also continued its illicit ballistic missile launches. According to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, there have been seven illicit launches since the deal was signed.

Iran captured two American boats and 10 sailors in January, breaking international law. Since the Obama Administrations ransom payment, Iran arrested at least six more foreign visitors to Iran, including dual American-Iranian citizens. Whats worse, we still dont know the whereabouts of Robert Levinson, a retired FBI agent who disappeared in Iran in 2007.

Just last week, an Iranian vessel harassed the USS Firebolt in the Gulf. That followed a string of dangerous Iranian maneuvers near U.S. ships last month, which in some cases prompted American ships to fire guns or flares. According to defense officials, unsafe confrontations between American and Iranian warships in the Persian Gulf are up more than 50 percent in 2016.

Most recently, Iran continued its trend of saber-rattling by threatening to shoot down two Navy surveillance planes flying in international airspace over the Gulf.

Iran continues to export instability to the Middle East. Iran is propping up Assad with an estimated $6 billion per year and is arming the Houthis in Yemen. Four arms shipments from Iran to the Houthis have been intercepted by the U.S. since Obamas deal was signed, all of which violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Iran also remains a massive human rights abuser. According to the United Nations, Irans number of executions has increased drasticallyincluding executions of minors. To this day, Irans leaders and people chant death to America and death to Israel.

President Obama promised the most comprehensiveinspection and verification regime ever negotiated, but the basic requirements of the deal havent even been met. A new report shows that the nuclear deals enforcement body, the Joint Commission, granted Iran secret exemptions to evade some requirements and restrictions.

With each passing day, Iran becomes more immune to future efforts to limit its nuclear potential.

Components of Irans first Russian-made S-300 missile system  a long range defensive surface-to-air system that can be quickly converted into a limited offensive tool  were positioned not around their capital or a military base, but around the Fordow fuel enrichment plant. Fordow is an underground bunker which, until recently, was used for uranium enrichment. Iran is sending a clear message to the international community that it intends to keep its nuclear options open, regardless of the JCPOA.

We must recognize Iran for the rogue regime it is, not the reformed state that President Obama and Hillary Clinton wish it to be. Their dangerously naive brand of foreign policy emboldened Iran and made the world less safe.

However, with cowardly party moves blocking a vote on the Iran deal altogether, its no wonder President Obama continues to govern as if Congress doesnt exist.

It is this brand of crony politics that Americans are so fed up with. There are at least 17 bills that have been introduced just since January that would strengthen our stance on Iran, and Leader McConnell hasnt brought a single one to the floor for a vote.

The Senate should recommit itself to taking a vote--a real vote--on this vital issue of national security and constitutional order while we still have time this session.

Though Obama may veto what we pass and keep us going down a path that threatens our national security, Senate Republicans must be willing to show the American people there is a better vision for our foreign policy and lead by example.

If not, I hope the next Congress, and the next president, will approach U.S.-Iran policy with more courage and accountability to the American people.
The Obama administration is furious about Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahus recent objection to Palestinian plans for a state with no Jews. In a video posted on September 9, 2016, Netanyahu made the obvious comments that the Palestinian effort to purge all Jews from the West Bank amounts to ethnic-cleansing and ethnic cleansing for peace is absurd. The State Department responded by shooting the messenger, calling Netanyahus remarks inappropriate and unhelpful.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas makes no secret about Palestinian intentions. As he boasted to the interim Egyptian President while on a visit to Cairo in July 2013: In a final resolution, we would not see the presence of a single Israeli  civilian or soldier  on our lands.

The State Departments reaction to Netanyahu opens a window into the nature of modern antisemitism, as well as possible Obama plans to drive a permanent wedge between Israel and the United States via the Security Council before he leaves office.

Simultaneously with promoting a Jew-free state, Palestinians routinely accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing. A mere two days after the State Departments scolding of Netanyahu, on September 11, 2016, Abbas crowed that Israel is advancing settlement construction, ethnic cleansing, premeditated killings and violation of holy sites, turning it into an object of criticism across the entire world.

The ethnic-cleansing mantra is frequently accompanied by Palestinian charges of apartheid, racism, and Judaization. The common thread of such hate speech is that the facts are irrelevant. Nearly two million Arabs live in Israel with more freedoms than in any Arab state.

Moreover, the ethnic-cleansing libel is really not about settlements. It is made in order to shatter the legitimacy of a Jewish state, period  often by shamefully appropriating Jewish history. Here is Abbas at the UNs annual Palestinian Solidarity Day on November 29, 2012: The Palestinian people miraculously recovered from the ashes of Al-Nakba of 1948, which was intended to extinguish their being in one of the most dreadful campaigns of ethnic cleansing and dispossession in modern history. The same statement was repeated by Palestinian UN ambassador Riyadh Mansour as recently as May 15, 2016.

The State Departments response to years of Palestinian charges of ethnic cleansing against Israel has been silence. So when the Prime Minister of Israel took issue with Palestinian calls for an ethnically-cleansed Jew-free Palestine, why the sudden histrionics?

The answer is that the charge of ethnic cleansing directed against Palestinians is the quintessential inconvenient truth.

This truth threatens to interrupt what looks increasingly to be President Obamas post-election plot not to veto a Security Council resolution that would criminalize settlements.

Netanyahus candor challenges President Obamas line of thought, spelled out by U.S. Ambassador David Pressman at the General Assembly on November 24, 2015 as follows: terrorism, violence, settlements and demolitions are increasingly creating a one-state reality and imperiling the viability of a two-state solution.

Connecting terrorism and settlements in this way is as offensive as drawing a straight line between alleged American misdeeds and 9/11, or between Gitmo and San Bernardino.

No doubt the linkage is attractive in foreign policy circles. Speaking at an event about antisemitism, held on September 7, 2016, for instance, UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft of Denmark actually said: Some of my closest lifelong friends are Jewish before launching into a tirade on Israeli repression and illegal settlements coupled with claiming the Assembly was engaged in a tireless fight against any kind of hate and incitement.

During Lykketofts one-year tenure, which ended September 13, 2016, the General Assembly adopted 19 resolutions condemning Israel and 7 critical of human rights violations by all other 192 UN countries combined. Action on Syria totaled one resolution, despite upwards of 400,000 dead and counting. The UNs egregious discrimination and demonization of the Jewish state  directed at Israelis regardless of where they live  is the anti-Jewish kind of hate and incitement.

The State Department went on offense because they have no defense. Playing the settlements card and advocating for a Jew-free Palestine is not a move to promote peaceful co-existence. Its an intrinsic part of a 67-year old xenophobic attempt to wipe the only Jewish state off the map. Truth ought to be more helpful than lies.
Last week, Hillary Clinton broadened her personal attack campaign from its focus on Donald Trump to include the tens of millions of Americans who support him, claiming, You could put half of Trumps supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. [...] The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic  you name it.

The political press treated the remarks as a gaffe, and Hillary dutifully issued an apology, confessing that in her string of insults, there was one word she really shouldnt have said: half.

The media saw the remarks as a gaffe because our elites overwhelmingly agree with Hillary about the deplorables in the rest of America--and they believe that in politics, as the saying goes, a gaffe is when someone inadvertently tells the truth.

Hillarys remarks were clearly not a mistake, however. She made them at least twice, the second time after they had already received significant media attention.

The Democratic nominees slander of tens of millions of Americans was part of a deliberate strategy to shame and suppress her opponents supporters. That strategy relies on allies in the commanding heights of culture and the media to echo her charges and make it too painful for voters to support Trump in public.

The Democratic nominees slander of tens of millions of Americans was part of a deliberate strategy to shame and suppress her opponents supporters. That strategy relies on allies in the commanding heights of culture and the media to echo her charges and make it too painful for voters to support Trump in public.

Hillary might have been indelicately explicit in attacking those who disagree with her as racist and xenophobic, but she hardly invented the tactic. Her remarks Saturday reflected the attitude that most of the modern left has taken toward its opponents since long before the Trump campaign began.

Anyone who doesnt agree with the lefts prescriptions or who challenges its assumptions gets labeled a racist, a sexist, a homophobe, an Islamophobe, or in some cases, a science-denier.

The tactic is familiar to anyone who has spent time on college campuses in the past generation. But as in college debates, the reckless, ad-hominem attacks are not a sign of confidence about the argument, but of weakness and insecurity.

The reason we are seeing this kind of campaign is that the left has done such a terrible job at a practical level that they cant have a discussion about policies in the real world. They know that if we get into a debate about whats gone wrong, they will lose.

So instead of debating, they shout down opponents with ugly accusations.

Thats why when Donald Trump went to Detroit--a city where the schools are failing so badly that only 7 percent of eighth graders are proficient in reading--and he offered the community a chance at a better future, the left had to call him a racist. They couldnt debate the facts, because the city has been under their control since 1961 and the facts are appalling.

We see the same phenomenon with respect to Chicago. That city has instituted almost every policy the left could want. And this year on average, one person has been shot there every two hours. In fact, more Americans have been killed in Chicago since 2001 than have been killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.

Trump has pledged to restore safety to our cities, and one of his top advisors has actually done it: Mayor Giuliani cut the rate of violent crime by 56 percent in New York with effective policing. The left, for its part, has no solution to the Chicago crisis. So it calls Trump and his supporters racists.

On national security, Trump points out a bipartisan failure to secure the border, properly screen the people coming into the U.S., or develop a strategy to win the war with Islamic supremacism 15 years after 9/11. Hillary has no good answer for these failures, and she is deeply implicated in them--so she suggests that any criticism is a mark of Islamophobia.

What the left cant call racist or Islamophobic, they label something else. Clinton has lately been fanning fears of sexism and homophobia as though America has not changed in 50 years, and as though this is not the best time and the best place in history to be a woman or to be gay. (In Clintons case, the charges are especially galling considering the amount of money her family has taken from violently anti-women and anti-gay regimes.)

Finally, when ugly accusations fail (as eventually they do) they left must simply lie about reality. This is why the Obama administration made a conscious decision to lie to the American people when it said that if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. It is why the administration conspired to lie about the attack on our consulate in Benghazi. And it is why they lie to Americans knowingly about the threat of Islamic supremacism.

If they didnt lie, theyd lose.

Hillarys dishonesty, which is rampant and complete, arises from this basic necessity. The calculation is almost as cynical as labeling half of her fellow citizens deplorables-- and perhaps even more likely to backfire.
It is said that history turns on small hinges, and now maybe the presidential race does, too. For hinges dont get much smaller than the 20-second video of Hillary Clinton collapsing and being lifted into her security vehicle.

Without it, Americans would still be clueless about Clintons serious health issues. Because of it, she was forced to admit she has pneumonia.

Because they were scooped by the video, an army of journalists is now under pressure to report facts instead of covering them up. Most important, voters got fresh proof that Clintons first instinct is to lie, and then lie again.

Those are just some of the immediate aftershocks of that little video. If my hunch is correct, the fallout is just beginning and eventually will result in voters learning the whole truth of Clintons condition.

To continue reading Michael Goodwin's column in the New York Post, click here.
On Wednesday morning, a special United Nations High Level Panel on Access to Medicines released its findingsfindings that have been long-awaited by the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that drove its formation, and long-dreaded by the innovative pharmaceutical and biotech industries that once again find themselves in the crosshairs.

The alleged purpose of the High Level Panel was to find solutions to the problem of availability of medicines in poor and developing countries. And its true, of course, that those countries have somewhat less access to the most expensive, cutting-edge medicines than do wealthy countries, though the gap has been purposely exaggerated by activists. Its also true that the latest medicines are often prohibitively expensive, and not only in the developing world.

But poor countries also do not have the same access to hospitals, health care workers and infrastructure. Even clean water and basic sanitation are often issuesand this matters because many of the most expensive drugs require expert administration and specific handling and storage requirements such as refrigeration. Any reasonable UN panel designed to increase access to medicines in developing countries would have acknowledged those barriers.

But such an investigation also would have drawn attention to many inconvenient truths, including the failure of developing countries to resist corruption and develop their own basic institutions, high tariffs imposed on medicines by developing countries, diversion and resale of donated medicines, the myriad unsuccessful past campaigns to solve poverty through foreign aid, and the failure of the UNs own expensive development efforts.

Its much easier to scapegoat capitalism and property rights, and thats what the High Level Panel was designed to do. Its mandatethe culmination of years of campaigning by NGOsliterally assumes an inherent conflict between patents and access to medicines for public health. Fully fifty times in the final report IP rights are assumed incoherent with public health.

This indictment of patent protection reflects the inordinate influence radical NGOs have gained over UN institutions that in practice now function simply to convene and amplify developing world resentment. Anti-capitalist NGOs have become expert at using the presumed moral authority of the UN and its institutions as cover for their agenda, and the biopharma industry is simply an easy target for a campaign to strip it of the ownership and control of its own means of production.

The NGOs exaggerate the access problem in order to pursue their ideological agenda. Even the UNs own World Health Organization (WHO) admits that 95 percent of the drugs on its Essential Medicines List are off-patent. If the developing world is suffering from a lack of access to generic medicines, how can patents be the problem?

They arent. In fact, the intellectual property system, while not perfect, is the best system ever devised for incentivizing innovation, transferring knowledge to encourage further innovation, and distributing the fruits of that innovation. In the last decade or so, pharmaceutical and biotech companies have developed more than 500 new medicines to fight killers like heart disease, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and cancer, and hundreds more promising drugs are in development.

And the industry has shown a willingness to work with countries to improve access so long as their patents are respected, including contributing their IP to patent pools and other forms of public-private partnership, but that cuts across the anti-patent ideology of the NGOs.

Apart from the incentive created by patents, where would new innovative treatments come from? You cant give access to medicines that were never developed. The NGOs finally realized they had to respond to this critique, but because they insist on delinking the pharmaceutical industry from the means of its own production, they designed a new scheme called the Medical R&D Treaty, which would be set up by the UN and run by a committee of NGOs like themselves.

That committee would assess global taxes (yes!), direct research, set prices and otherwise run the international biopharma industryall while enhancing their own financial and political power. In the final UN High Level Panel report, this scheme is called a binding R&D Convention, designed to delink drug prices from R&D costs. Of course, delinking access to goods from the unseemly process of investment, creation, marketing and distribution sounds ominously familiar but is entirely consistent with the NGOs anti-capitalist philosophy.

Of course, the real solution to enhanced access to medicines is greater innovation and technology transfer through more, not less, economic growth, which is driven by free market capitalism and property rights.

As evidence, there actually has been a dramatic improvement in global poverty eradication and enhanced access to medicines in the last decade, but it was almost entirely due to Chinas market-oriented growth, not through UN or NGO-directed strategies. Similarly, the means toward improved access to medicines is more rapid economic growth, which will allow for the development of critical health infrastructure, more health purchasing power for consumers and governments, more investment in the diseases plaguing those countries, and greater access to medicines in the developing world.

The UN High Level Panel is a tragically missed opportunity. There are ways to increase access to medicines for developing countries, but if poor countries are going to make extravagant guarantees of access to all of the latest and greatest medicines, their only hope of keeping those promises is working with the biopharma industry as a partner, not destroying its incentives and assaulting the global trading system. The High Level Panel could have made a useful contribution along these lines, but its conveners took the easy way out.
Ivanka Trump told Fox News' Megyn Kelly Tuesday night that the U.S. must "catch up with the times" and offer guaranteed paid maternity leave.

"Cost of childcare is the single largest expense affecting American families ... even exceeding housing," Trump said on "The Kelly File." "The United States is the only country in the world that does not offer guaranteed maternity care."

Ivanka Trump spoke shortly after her father, Republican nominee Donald Trump, called for guaranteeing new mothers six weeks of paid maternity leave and suggested new incentives for employers to provide their workers with childcare.

Building on earlier proposals, Trump proposed allowing families with a stay-at-home parent to deduct the average cost of child care from their taxes, as well as costs associated with caring for elderly dependent relatives. The deduction would apply only to individuals earning $250,000 or less, or $500,000 or less if filing jointly.

"The tax codes were written at a time when American women werent part of the work force, so there have to be reforms," Ivanka Trump said Tuesday evening. "This is what the Trump presidency promises, new solutions, fresh solutions to existing problems."



The real estate mogul also called for the creation of "Dependent Care Savings Accounts" that would allow families to set aside money to look after children or elderly parents.

Trump's Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, has called for 12 weeks parental leave for both mothers and fathers paid for by taxes on the wealthy. In response, Ivanka Trump said that childcare was an issue "the Democrats talk about, but they don't own."



Donald Trump has credited Ivanka, the second of his three children with ex-wife Ivana, with pushing him to formulate a policy on the issue.

"She is the one who has been pushing for it so hard: 'Daddy, Daddy we have to do this,'" Trump said in Iowa earlier Tuesday. "She's very smart, and she's right."
California Gov. Jerry Brown is under fire from female lawmakers after he rejected legislation Tuesday that would waive sales tax on tampons and diapers, along with a host of other tax breaks that would have cost up to $300 million a year.

Lawmakers had sought to make California the latest state to scrap the tampon tax" on the basis that such products aren't luxury items, but necessities.

At least five other states and some countries have already enacted laws ending such taxes as part of an international movement to depict them as discriminatory.

"As I said last year, tax breaks are the same as new spending  they both cost the General Fund money. As such, they must be considered during budget deliberations so that all spending proposals are weighed against each other at the same time," Brown said in a news release accompanying his announcement.

The Los Angeles Daily News reported that the tampon tax bill got further in the process than one forbidding a higher price on goods that are the same, but marketed to women, such as razors and deodorant.

Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia blasted Brown for the decision on Twitter and accused him of mansplaining.

Today's lesson: my uterus should carry the burden of fiscal responsibility for the state. Thank goodness GovBrown is around to #mansplain it  Cristina Garcia (@AsmGarcia) September 14, 2016 @Calefati @JerryBrownGov please #mansplain why it's ok to balance the budget on women's backs? The unfair #tampontax continues  Cristina Garcia (@AsmGarcia) September 13, 2016

Today's lesson: my uterus should carry the burden of fiscal responsibility for the state, she tweeted after the veto.

Assemblywomen Lorena Gonzalez, who along with Garcia wrote the tampon and diaper laws, has proposed that the whole tax system needs a broad overhaul, and that tax breaks on diapers and tampons should be paid for by taxes on items such as candy, soda and chips, The Los Angeles Times reported.

However, voters would need to sign off on the proposal due to a ballot measure in 1992 that scrapped a snack tax that charged tax on candy and other snacks.

The Times reported on a number of exemptions that also could be closed to raise money. For instance, Christmas trees are taxed, but pear trees arent, newspapers are taxed, but magazines are not.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Motorists from 65 Florida cities and counties want their money back after paying red light camera tickets that a state appeals court deemed illegal two years ago.

Last week, a federal appeals court said not so fast.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, overseeing Florida, Georgia and Alabama, denied a ticket refund worth more than $200 million. But it also denied the local governments request to dismiss the class-action lawsuit, thereby allowing it to proceed.

A final decision wont happen anytime soon.

The case is under review at a lower federal court in Miami, where the aggrieved drivers sued for a refund more than a year ago. Lawyers for the cities and counties went to the 11th Circuit in Atlanta in an attempt to undermine their claim.

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A Bloomberg Politics poll released Wednesday shows Hillary Clinton losing her lead to Donald Trump in battleground Ohio, after a rough campaign stretch in which she faced criticism for demeaning Trump supporters as well as renewed speculation about her health.

The poll shows Trump, the Republican nominee, now leading 48-to-43 percent in a two-way Ohio race among likely voters.

The poll was taken from Friday to Sunday, during the rocky stretch that started with her saying half of Trump supporters were in a basket of deplorables. She then stumbled away from a 9/11 ceremony Sunday, with the campaign later releaving she has pneumonia -- which fueled speculation about the 68-year-old Clinton's health.

Pollster J. Ann Selzer, of Selzer & Co., which oversaw the survey, said in a statement the survey also suggests more Republicans than Democrats would (go to the polls) in an Ohio election held today.

The Clinton campaign responded to the new poll numbers by saying it always expected Ohio would be competitive. The campaign announced the opening of six new offices in Ohio, along with a handful of other so-called battleground states -- including Colorado, Florida, Virginia and North Carolina -- that could determine who wins the White House.

The Bloomberg poll results show a startling reversal since late-August, when Clinton led by as many as 5 percentage points, according to the RealClearPolitics.com poll average.
President Obama returned Tuesday to the campaign trail to help fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton through arguably the rockiest stretch of her White House campaign, brushing aside the controversies that have dogged her candidacy and assuring voters she's fit for office -- as she spends a second day off the trail on doctor's orders.

You want to debate who is more fit to be our president? Obama asked the crowd at a rally in Philadelphia. One candidate [has] traveled to more countries than any secretary of state ever has. ... And the other  isnt fit in any way, shape or form to represent this country.

Obama spoke two days after Clinton appeared ill at 9/11 memorial event in New York City, which was followed by her campaign revealing she has pneumonia.

Clinton will return to the campaign trail on Thursday, according to a spokesman.

Nick Merrill said Clinton spent Tuesday "catching up on reading briefings, making calls, and she watched President Obama's speech in Philadelphia on TV."

The incident Sunday, in which Clinton could be seen stumbling as she abruptly left the event, fueled questions from Republicans and others about the 68-year-old Clintons health. It also increased calls for her and Donald Trump, her 70-year-old Republican rival, to promptly release more medical records, which each has vowed to do.

But aside from the glancing reference to Clinton being "fit," Obama tried to refocus voters Tuesday on her qualifications and the risk he argues is posed by Trump's candidacy. He sought to portray Trumps campaign and vision for America as dark and pessimistic and where people turn against each other.

She treats everyone with respect, Obama said. She knows that love trumps hate. He also referred to her as a mother and grandmother who will do anything to help our children do better.

Obama also downplayed the controversy over the Clinton Foundation, saying it has saved countless lives. At the same time, Obama made no reference to another controversy that has hung over her campaign in recent days -- comments Friday that half of Trumps supporters belong in a "basket of deplorables.

Trump has hammered Clinton for the remarks and called on her to retract them.



Earlier Tuesday, Republican vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence argued Clintons comments were hurtful to Americans. And he again called on her to apologize and fully retract them.

Clinton has expressed regret for making the comments but implied only for saying half of the supporters are deplorables.

I think millions of Americans were shocked and saddened, Pence, the governor of Indiana, said on Capitol Hill after meeting with House Republicans. For Hillary Clinton to express such disdain for millions of Americans I think is one more reason that disqualified her to serve in the highest office of the land. So we'll call on her again to apologize and retract her comments.

Also on Tuesday, the Trump campaign released a statement about Obama's rally that in part stated: "Shouldn't you be at work?" And it suggested he prefers campaiging for Clinton over solving the "major problems facing the country."

While Obama never spoke directly about Clintons health or Trumps controversial remarks about women, Muslims and Mexican immigrants, he suggested several times in his roughly 20-minute speech that Clinton has in her political career -- including her tenure as secretary of state -- repeatedly demonstrated her stamina and that she would swiftly return to the campaign. He called her "steady" and "true."

She never quits, Obama said, also arguing that Clinton, as the countrys top diplomat, circled the globe countless times to try to work with other world leaders. Hillary Clinton is tough.
Top Obama administration officials reportedly are at odds over a newly announced agreement with Russia to curb the violence in Syria, with Defense Secretary Ash Carter voicing concerns about the plan announced by Secretary of State John Kerry.

The New York Times reported Wednesday on the friction. According to the article, Carter pushed back against the pact on a conference call with the White House last week, as Kerry grew frustrated.

President Obama approved the deal, but Pentagon officials still are not convinced.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Air Force general charged with running the air war against the Islamic State was asked if he trusts the Russians.

I'm not going to tell you I trust them. I think, from our side, [we] have to do some planning and they need to do the right thing. We'll see what happens from there," Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian said in a video conference at the Pentagon from his headquarters in Qatar.

When asked if the U.S. military was prepared to start working with Russians the day after a new cease-fire ends, Harrigian said, That's going to depend on what the plan ends up being.

Confusion remains over the terms and aims of the deal, as well as the interim cease-fire deal.

On Monday, Kerry initially said the United States and Russia could permit President Bashar Assad's government to launch new airstrikes against Al Qaeda-linked militants under the arrangement. The State Department quickly reversed itself.

Spokesman John Kirby said later there were no provisions under the nationwide truce for U.S.-Russian authorization of bombing missions by Assad's forces. "This is not something we could ever envision doing," he said.

Kerry's comments at a news conference were the closest any American official had come to suggesting indirect U.S. cooperation with Assad since the civil war started in 2011. President Obama called on Assad to leave power more than five years ago; the U.S. blames the Syrian leader for a war that has killed perhaps a half-million people.

Meanwhile, Russian and Syrian regime jets continue bombing opposition groups in Syria, albeit at reduced levels, two U.S. officials with knowledge of the recent intelligence in the region told Fox News.

This raises new questions about what level of violence will be accepted by the Obama administration in determining whether to go ahead with the proposed joint venture with Russia after a week-long ceasefire, which includes the sharing of intelligence at a joint intelligence center.

Under the truce that went into effect at sundown Monday, Assad's forces are no longer supposed to bomb Syria's opposition, Kerry said earlier.

On Tuesday, though, a senior administration official pointed merely to reduced violence  as opposed to a complete cessation  arguing the reduced violence could bring about military cooperation between the U.S. and Russia in Syria.

If the relative calm holds for seven days, the U.S. and Russia would then cooperate on how to jointly combat the Al Qaeda-linked group formerly called the Nusra Front and now known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.

Various militants backed by the U.S. and its Arab allies coordinate and even sometimes fight alongside Al Qaeda-linked militants. Many Syrian and Russian operations have struck what U.S. officials describe as "moderate" forces that are "marbled" with the militants.

The new cease-fire is supposed to end such ambiguities, and Washington has been urging rebel groups to break ranks with extremists.

Fox News Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A U.S. official and congressional aides say that President Barack Obama is set to lift U.S. economic sanctions on Burma.

Obama is meeting Wednesday with the country's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Congressional aides say Suu Kyi has requested the removal of the national emergency with respect to Burma -- the executive order authorizing sanctions that has been renewed annually by U.S. presidents for two decades.

The official says that by terminating the emergency, 111 Burmese individuals and companies will be dropped from a Treasury blacklist and restrictions will be lifted on new investment with the military and on the imports of rubies and jade.

The official and aides spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to discuss the matter ahead of a formal announcement.
Donald Trump received a very succinct message Wednesday during a speech in Flint, Michigan: focus on the water crisis, not Hillary Clinton.

Trump toured the Flint water plant earlier in the day before delivering brief remarks at the Bethel United Methodist Church.

After commenting on the 2014 water crisis that affected 100,000 people, as well as the announcement by Ford that it was moving part of its car manufacturing operations to Mexico, the Republican businessman switched gears and started attacking his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

The churchs pastor, the Rev. Faith Green Timmons, came on stage and abruptly told Trump, I invited you here to thank us for what weve done in Flint, not give a political speech.

Without missing a beat, Trump responded, OK. Thats good. Then Im going back to Flint, OK?

Trump finished his remarks and left the church.

Fox News' Christopher Snyder contributed to this report.
A Holocaust heroines last will and testament has been unearthed in church archives in Scotland, offering a glimpse into the incredible life of Jane Haining, who died in Auschwitz in 1944.

The handwritten will and previously unpublished photographs were recently found in a box in the Church of Scotland World Mission Councils archives in Edinburgh.

Haining, a Christian missionary who spoke fluent German and Hungarian, moved to Budapest from her native Scotland in 1932 to work as matron at a church-run school that provided safe haven to Jewish schoolgirls, many of whom were orphans. Advised to return home during World War II, she remained in Budapest to care for her young charges.

Even though under surveillance, Haining managed to keep the girls safe for four years, but was betrayed by the cooks son-in-law, whom she caught eating food intended for the girls. She was arrested by two Gestapo officers and accused of eight offenses, including working among Jews, weeping when seeing the girls attend class wearing yellow stars and visiting British prisoners of war. After her arrest, Haining was sent to Auschwitz, where she died with some of the girls from the Jewish Mission School. She was 47 years old.

Hainings will, which says to be opened in the event of my death, is dated July 1942 and details who is to receive her wireless, typewriter, fur coat and watches.

The photos, which show Haining and some of the girls in her care, cast new light on her tragic story. Around 70 new images were found in the archive, many of which show the girls and Scottish Mission staff on the shore of Hungarys Lake Balaton, where they spent their summer vacations.

The previously unseen documents and photographs have, for me, evoked fresh feelings of awe about this already tremendously moving, inspiring and important story, said Rev. Susan Brown, minister at Dornoch Cathedral in the Scottish Highlands and convener of the Europe Committee of the World Mission Council, in a statement.

To hear of Janes determination to continue to care for her girls, even when she knew it put her own life at risk, is truly humbling.

It is a wonderful document and tremendously exciting to have something that Jane Haining herself has written, added Rev. Ian Alexander, secretary of the Church of Scotland World Mission Council, in the statement. It gives a sense she was fully aware of the risks she was taking.

The circumstances surrounding Hainings death in the concentration camp are unclear  her death certificate says that she died of cachexia following intestinal catarrh.

A translation of Hainings last letter, dated July 15 1944  two days before she died, has also been unearthed. The letter, written in German, was sent to Margit Prem, the Hungarian head teacher who ran the Budapest school and is mainly concerned with the welfare of others food, and practical details of the school.

The archive, which also includes documents detailing efforts to secure her release from Auschwitz, will soon be handed over to the National Library of Scotland.

Described as a Christian martyr by the Church of Scotland, Haining was awarded a Hero of the Holocaust medal by the U.K. Government in 2010, and has been dubbed Scotlands Schindler. She has also been recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Israels Yad Vashem holocaust memorial.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
The U.S. government is coming under fire from animal rights activists amid concerns that almost 45,000 wild horses could be euthanized in an attempt to control their numbers.

Last week the Bureau of Land Managements National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board recommended that the Bureau euthanize or sell without limitation excess unadoptable horses and burros in the BLMs off-range corrals and pastures.

An unadoptable horse or burro is typically at least 5 years old, making them less attractive for purchase or adoption. The bureau has more than 44,000 horses and more than 1,000 burros in off-range pastures and corrals.

The recommendation prompted an angry response from The Humane Society of the United States. The decision of the BLM advisory board to recommend the destruction of the 45,000 wild horses currently in holding facilities is a complete abdication of responsibility for their care, said Humane Society Senior Vice President of Programs & Innovations Holly Hazard, in a statement.

Under the terms of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, the BLM manages, protects and controls wild horses and burros. The law authorizes the agency to move wild horses and burros off ranges to sustain the health of public lands. In addition to the off-range animals, the bureau estimates that more than 67,000 wild horses and burros are roaming on BLM-managed rangelands in 10 Western states.

With virtually no natural predators, wild horse and burro herd sizes can double about every four years, which means that thousands of the animals are removed from the range each year to control herd sizes and protect the land. The BLM has its own off-range holding corrals in states such as Nevada and California, as well as contracts with private ranches in locations such as Kansas and Oklahoma.

The Bureau has not yet made a formal response to the boards recommendation, although, in a statement, it said that it will continue to care and seek good homes for animals that have been removed from the range. What this means is that we will continue with our current policy, which is not to sell or send wild horses or burros to slaughter, it said.

A BLM spokesman told FoxNews.com that the animals are protected. These are public lands and the horses are a symbol of the history of the Old West, he said. Since 1971, the BLM has adopted out more than 235,000 wild horses and burros, according to the spokesman. We screen buyers and we screen adopters, he added.

The agency also noted that the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board is an independent panel comprised of members of the public.

The bureau spent $49 million caring for off-range animals during its fiscal year 2015, which accounted for two-thirds of its wild horse and burro budget.

However, the Humane Society has slammed the agencys efforts. Over the past 20 years, the BLM has maintained round-up and removal as a primary management strategy for wild horse and burro populations on Americas western rangelands  an effort which has led to a financially unsustainable Wild Horse and Burro Program, it said, in its statement. By focusing massive efforts on removing horses and burros from the range, without treating those horses remaining on the range with any form of fertility control to limit population growth, holding facilities throughout the United States have become overburdened.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
Two technology heavyweights lent their names to a campaign announced today in New York to ask President Barack Obama to pardon Edward Snowden.

Steve Wozniak, Apples co-founder, and Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, have listed their names in support of a presidential pardon for the whistleblower, joining the likes of George Soros, as well as actors like Daniel Radcliffe and Susan Sarandon. The full list of supporters names can be seen on a new website, PardonSnowden.org.

The campaign which calls on Obama to pardon Snowden while hes still in office is spearheaded by the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. Snowden himself appeared via video link from Russia, where he lives, at the press conference.

Anthony Romero, the national director of the ACLU, said that a presidential pardon of Snowden would be good for the United States; he acknowledged that Snowden did break the law but that there were mitigating circumstances that tilt the scales of justice away from punishment.

Edward Snowdens case presents one for President Obama to use the presidential power of pardon proudly and unequivocally, in recognition of one of the most important acts of whistleblowing in modern history, Romero said. By standing up for the privacy rights of his fellow citizens individuals who had no idea that the government had assumed such extraordinary and invasive powers in secret Edward Snowden should be thanked, and not punished.

Romero also spoke about what happened after Snowden leaked documents that revealed U.S. government surveillance programs.

Weve seen tech companies over the last several years enact significant encryption programs that protect the privacy rights of their customers, he added.

Snowden also emphasized the importance of computer security.

Id like to applaud the technologists, our scientists and leaders who, since the history of mass surveillance broke, have sought to resist this new and accelerating trend of overreach into our private lives, Snowden said, adding: Reliable uncompromised encryption is our only effective means for keeping our lights on and our roads open.

While Romero and others called for Snowden to be pardoned before Obama leaves office, during questions from the media, Snowden resisted directly asking to be pardoned himself.

I wouldnt presume to instruct or direct the president in any way, Snowden said, when asked what hed like President Obama to do. As Ive said before, this is not a question thats for me to answer.

Snowden concluded by emphasizing that he gave the documents he leaked to journalists, who made the editorial decision of what to publish, and reiterated that the decision of whether or not he is pardoned is not his to make.

I do not myself ask for pardon and I never will, he said.

Follow Rob Verger on Twitter: @robverger
If ever youve been thinking of Europe, fall is a great time to go. Not too cold, not too many people, not too many long lines.

Best of all, not too many dollars out of your wallet either because many part of Europe are cheap-- and cheap to get to.

How cheap is it to get to Europe?

Here are some sample prices found this week and late last week, for travel in November. And yes, these are round-trip fares:

--Boston to Shannon, from $472

--Chicago to Paris, from $449

--Dallas to Dublin, from $693

--Ft. Lauderdale to Berlin, from $593

--Los Angeles to London, from $485

--New York to Copenhagen, from $393

--New York to Rome, from $551

Why is Europe cheap?

Demand: As you might expect, demand melted away at the end of summer, but airlines still have to fill seats so they lower prices. If you have the flexibility to fly in fall, you're the winner.

New competition: You may not be familiar with airlines like Norwegian Air Shuttle, Airberlin, Wow Air (and others) but these international discount carriers have been making big inroads on transatlantic flights in recent years. Frills are few and far between and you may have to pay a fee for baggage and food but at these prices, many say its worth it.

Last year, Norwegian Air announced plans to start selling one-way fares to Europe for as little as $69. That ultra-low fare may be soon be a reality as early as March 2017, according to a recent Business Interview interview with Chief Executive Officer Bjrn Kjos. The airline is currently awaiting delivery of 100 Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplanes to begin offering the two-figure trans-Atlantic flights. The lighter planes feature upgraded avionics and more fuel-efficient engines which will help the airline greatly reduce fuel costs associated with longer flights.

Old competitors drop fares: Not all of the prices seen above are from new carriers; the $472 fare out of Boston is a United flight. Thats what happens when competition heats up-- everyone joins in the cost-cutting because no airline wants to wind up on page 10 of your fare search results.

What else do I need to know about flying to Europe?

Be sure your passport is valid for six months after your European jaunt because some countries wont let you in if its not. See other rules and useful information for every country on the U.S. State Departments Travel site.

Some additional ways to save:

--Shopping: Always compare prices on an airfare search site. No single airline always has the best price (or has it exclusively). If you dont compare, you may wind up paying too much.

--Watch for holiday premiums: Thanksgiving has little effect on European ticker prices since its a U.S. holiday, but fares do go up-- and sometimes sharply-- for travel over Christmas and New Years which are both big overseas.

--Bags: If you can, try to carry-on. It's not about the fees-- its a matter of convenience. If traveling by train or bus (or even taxi), toting a carry-on is easier than a full size suitcase. And its also easier hauling it into hotels, many of which tend to be smaller in Europe. If youre not sure how to pack everything you need in a carry-on, there are plenty of videos on the internet including this one called the sit & zip packing method.
A California man who nearly risked his life to pull off an illegal stunt, is thankful to two tourists who may have saved his life during a recent trip to a famous Hawaiian waterfall.

Shiloh Shahan visited Wailua Falls on the island of Kauai with a friend earlier this month. Shahan, who had been living and working on the island for a year, told The San Luis Obispo Tribune that he wanted to make his last few days in paradise memorable so he took a trip to the Falls.

I decided, I want to jump off of this,  Shahan said in a phone interview from Atascadero, Calif. He had a friend take a video of the feat. I was at a really pivotal point in my life. Everything was changing, and it felt like the right thing to do.

But the right thing to do was extremely dangerous. The area above the falls is fenced off and there are signs up warning people to stay out.

In a clip posted to YouTube Sept. 8, Shahan is seen taking a short running start before hurdling himself into the air and over the falls. He can be seen tumbling through the falls before hitting the water. Shahan says his neck snapped back and he blacked out when he hit the water. In the video two tourists can be seen swimming toward what appears to be a lifeless body.

His friend, David McGrath, screams Wake up! while filming.

I really want to give credit to them for my safety, Shahan said of the father-daughter team who pulled him to safety after his jump. Without them, I probably wouldnt have been able to survive.

Shahan told The Tribune that he suffered a concussion and tore some chest and back muscles as a result of the incident, but was able to leave the area without medical assistance.

I was still able to walk around. I was just stiff, he said.

Wailua Falls tower either 80 or 200 feet above the waterthere is some debate about how tall the falls really are. According to the State of Hawaii Data Book, the Falls are 200 feet high.

Though police were dispatched to the scene and many online have commented that he put other lives at risks by attempting to jump from the waterfall, Shahan says he never wanted his stunt to be seen by such a wide audience. Though he's back in California, Shahan could face a fine for his actions if the state decides to press charges.

The video now has over 100,000 views.

It was never my plan for the jump to go viral, he said. It just put it on YouTube because it wouldnt upload to Facebook, and I just wanted my friends and family to see it.

But, says the 21-year-old, he blames himself for getting knocked out.

Said Shahan, If I had jumped correctly, I probably would have been fine.
A transgender soldier imprisoned in Kansas for leaking classified information to the WikiLeaks website will end a hunger strike after the Army agreed to allow her to receive medical treatment for her gender dysphoria, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Tuesday.

Chelsea Manning's medical treatment will begin with surgery that was recommended by her psychologist in April, the ACLU said. Manning began the hunger strike at Fort Leavenworth military prison on Friday, vowing to continue until she received better treatment.

"I am unendingly relieved that the military is finally doing the right thing. I applaud them for that," Manning said in a statement. "This is all that I wanted  for them to let me be me. But it is hard not to wonder why it has taken so long. ... In any case, I hope this sets a precedent for the thousands of trans people behind me hoping they will be given the treatment they need."

Manning, who was arrested in 2010 as Bradley Manning, was convicted in 2013 in military court of leaking more than 700,000 secret military and State Department documents to WikiLeaks. Manning was an intelligence analyst in Iraq at the time. She is serving a 35-year sentence.

Army spokesman Wayne Hall didn't immediately respond Tuesday evening to a request for comment.

ACLU attorney Chase Strangio said Manning should "enjoy some peace" knowing the medical care was coming.

"Thankfully the government has recognized its constitutional obligation to provide Chelsea with the medical care that she needs and we hope that they will act without delay to ensure that her suffering does not needlessly continue."

Strangio said it's troubling that Manning still faces administrative charges related to a suicide attempt on July 5 at the military prison. She wants the Army to drop those charges and stop efforts to have Manning to cut her hair to male hair length military standards.

The ACLU filed a lawsuit in 2014 against the U.S. Department of Defense over its refusal to treat Manning's gender dysphoria.
With so much content flowing through an organization, from ad campaigns and branded marketing materials to digital media content and social media updates, its easy to see how a company could get a little lost while trying to maintain a consistent brand identity.

Multiple people creating many branded elements can make it difficult to keep things aligned. For both big corporations and small business, it can be easy to veer off course, sometimes without even realizing it.

The lack of consistency may not be noticeable at first, but failing to identify and stick to a consistent brand identity can eventually have a negative impact. The brand can become disjointed, unreliable and divided so much that it confuses customers, clients, employees, and even the executive team.

So, if you feel like youre starting lose the identify of your brand throughout your organization, use these steps to get back on course.

1. Understand why a consistent brand matters.

Its difficult to put any plan into action when you dont understand why you are doing it. So first, you need to understand why consistent branding matters. Also, train your team to know the same so they see the value in consistent brand positioning.

Related: What Emmy-Winner 'Breaking Bad' Teaches Us About Brand Management

Projects professionalism . A cohesive brand looks more professional than a competitor that is all over the place with their marketing and identity.

. A cohesive brand looks more professional than a competitor that is all over the place with their marketing and identity. Establishes authenticity . When you stay true to a core identity, it shows that the identity is a part of who you are, not just something you created for marketing or promotional purposes.

. When you stay true to a core identity, it shows that the identity is a part of who you are, not just something you created for marketing or promotional purposes. Provides clarity . A consistent position clears up any confusion that customers and clients may have about who your organization is and what you stand for.

. A consistent position clears up any confusion that customers and clients may have about who your organization is and what you stand for. Builds trust . Customers and clients are more likely to trust a business that presents a professional, authentic, and clear brand image.

. Customers and clients are more likely to trust a business that presents a professional, authentic, and clear brand image. Offers internal direction . Being clear about brand identity also helps employees and executive teams stay aligned with core values and positioning.

. Being clear about brand identity also helps employees and executive teams stay aligned with core values and positioning. Provides simplicity. When you have a defined brand image, its easier to make marketing and branding decisions because you have an existing outline to guide you.

A brand isnt just about the way a companys logo looks. It is about who they are and why they are in business, so be sure to document those values and guidelines.

2. Create a brand guide.

Once you understand the value of a consistent brand, you will see why a brand guide is an essential business document. Every business, both big and small, should have a complete brand guide with sections related to:

Brand mission

Value propositions and differentiators

Voice and tone

Logo usage

Iconography

Brand colors

Fonts and typography

Signage specs

Media formatting

Photography and graphic styles

As you build your handbook, look at examples of brand guides to get ideas for creating a document that establishes guidelines and helps keep your entire business on the same page.

Related: Managing Your Brand Is an Intangible Investment That Pays Off Big

3. Circulate the brand guide.

Branding seems like a topic that is reserved for the marketing and design departments, but it should be incorporated into a whole organization.

Because the brand guide explains not only how the company is presented, but also what the brand is founded on, it needs to be available to all departments including:

Sales teams: so they know how to present the brand values to customers and clients.

Product production: so they know how to design products and packaging to match the style of the brand.

Third-party consultants and freelancers: so they can quickly learn how to replicate the unique voice and tone of the brand.

Potential partners: so they can identify an organization's core values before forming a partnership.

A brand guide serves as a valuable resource for all layers of an organization and even some people outside of the origination.

4. Audit and update existing branded materials.

Once you establish clear and consistent brand guidelines, put them to work. Audit and update all of your existing branded materials to ensure that they match the new brand guide.

Related: Why Reputation Management Is Critical to Your Personal Brand

Update the obvious marketing resources such as:

Webpages

Social media profiles

Social media posts

Brochures

Business cards

Signage

Presentations slides

Videos

But, dont forget subtle elements of your business that also represent your brand such as store decor, on-hold messaging, packaging and labels, employee uniforms and overhead music.

Remember, your brand isnt just about placing your logo in the right place. Its about the entire customer experience. Your brand should be consistently represented at each customer-facing touchpoint within your organization.

5. Create a plan for the future.

Once you go through steps one through four, your work isnt over. Failing to follow through with this final step will take right back where you started -- slowly shifting away from your core brand identity.

Without a plan for committing to consistency in the future, you put yourself at risk for falling back into your old ways and losing your identity. So, set a plan for the future.

Schedule an annual update for your brand plan. Keeping a consistent brand is important, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt evolve over time. Schedule a time to review and update your brand strategy as your organization changes and grows

Schedule an annual update for your design elements. Styles and trends change so branded elements also need to evolve over time.

Schedule a bi-annual content audit. Check in to make sure that creative and design departments are sticking to the set guidelines.

Checking in and ensuring that you are aligned with your brand guide will provide clarity for customers, clients, employees, potential partners, and executive teams. So, dont put off these five simple steps.

Create and stick to a brand plan will help your organization stand out, build trust, and present a memorable experience for every person who connects with your organization.
An Arizona man once charged in four of metro Phoenix's freeway shootings last summer has filed a lawsuit saying that authorities falsely accused him in the attacks when they knew the evidence tying him to the crime wasn't solid.

Leslie Merritt Jr. filed a lawsuit Tuesday that accuses crime lab workers of assuring detectives that they were 100 percent certain that Merritt's handgun was used in the four shootings.

His lawyers say authorities pursued charges even though they knew his handgun was at a pawn shop at the time of the last of the four shootings.

The charges against Merritt were dismissed after another expert found the Department of Public Safety crime lab reached a faulty conclusion.

Merritt spent seven months in jail before his release in April.

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Follow Jacques Billeaud at twitter.com/jacquesbilleaud. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/jacques-billeaud.
An Ohio boy photographed by police while his grandmother and her boyfriend were passed out from a heroin overdose has been sent to live with relatives in South Carolina.

The photo of the unnamed boy in the back seat of an SUV went viral after it was posted on the East Liverpool, Ohio police department's Facebook page last week. Police said the image showed "the non-drug using public ... what we are now dealing with on a daily basis."

The boy's grandmother, 50-year-old Rhonda Pasek, was arrested Sept. 7 and pleaded not guilty to endangering children, public intoxication and a seatbelt violation. Her boyfriend, 47-year-old James Acord, pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while impaired and endangering children. He was sentenced to 360 days in jail.

Columbiana County Juvenile Court administrator Dane Walton told the Associated Press that the boys great uncle and great aunt petitioned the court for custody, which was granted Monday by a judge.



Walton said Pasek was granted custody of the boy six weeks ago. He said the judges report shows that at the time there was no evidence brought forward of any drug issues with Pasek.



Pasek's sister, who lives in Delaware, told NBC News that she has custody of the boy's younger brother because Pasek's son and his girlfriend couldn't take care of them.

The city of East Liverpool humiliated my family and humiliated that little boy," the sister, who asked not to be identified, told NBC. "They could have blurred his face and they didn't. And now they're taking him away from my sister. I'm not condoning what Rhonda done, but what they did to her and what they're doing to her grandson is too much."

Brian Allen, East Liverpool's director of public safety and services, defended posting the photo on Facebook.

"As a public official I cant blur public records and this photo is a public record, he said. Its all or nothing for us. Were a government agency posting it. Its not like we can willy-nilly do what we want.
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Police say a gunman shot three people outside a Cheyenne nursing home Wednesday morning before killing himself as police closed in on him.

Police spokesman Dan Long says one of the three people shot by the unidentified gunman is dead. There's no immediate word on the condition of the other two victims.

Long described the gunman as an elderly male and says he was a resident of the nursing home on Cheyenne's northeast side. The shootings happened shortly after 11 a.m.

Long says the gunman fled the scene, but he killed himself as officers approached him at a location nearby.

The investigation into the shooting is continuing. Long says it's not known yet whether the three shooting victims lived at the nursing home.
Rhode Island State Police arrested a man Wednesday who was wanted in the shooting death of North Carolina police officer Tim Brackeen.

According to WSOC-TV, SWAT team members took 23-year-old Irving Lucien Fenner into custody at around 2:35 a.m. at an apartment in Coventry, Rhode Island. Police said Fenner was taken to a hospital to treat a gunshot wound he suffered in the deadly incident with Brackeen.

Brackeen, a Shelby officer, was shot in the chest 12:20 a.m. on Saturday as he was searching for Fenner, who had failed to show up to an August court date for misdemeanor charges of carrying a concealed weapon and marijuana possession, according to the Charlotte Observer. Authorities have since charged Fenner with attempted murder in Brackeens shooting.

Brackeen died Monday.

The Shelby Star reported Tuesday that two arrests were made in connection with the officers shooting death. Shelby police Capt. Steve Seate said that Deitria Morris was arrested as an accessory after the fact.

Seate also said Ashley Michelle Hamrick faces charges of felony harboring an escapee and is believed she was harboring Fenner in relation to the arrest warrants Brackeen was trying to serve Fenner before he was shot and killed.

Brackeen, a 12-year department veteran, was wearing a bulletproof vest when he was shot, officials said. He had served as a K9 officer and was married with one daughter. Brackeen was named Officer of the Year in 2012.

"He is such a good guy and so thoughtful. He is everything you'd want in a police officer, Shelby Mayor Stan Anthony told The Shelby Star. It's so hard to see something like this happen to him."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A 77-year-old man living at a Wyoming senior citizen apartment complex shot three people at the facility Wednesday before turning the gun on himself, police said.

One victim was shot inside the Heritage Court Apartments in Cheyenne and two people were shot outside, said Dan Long, spokesman for the Cheyenne Police Department told the Associated Press.

Long did not identify the victims or provide information about the conditions of the victims who were wounded.

Authorities did not immediately disclose a motive for the rampage they said was carried out by Larry Rosenberg.

Rosenberg fled the complex after the shootings, which occurred shortly after 11 a.m. local time, and killed himself as officers approached him near the complex, according to Long. He said the Rosenberg had a handgun and a rifle.

Complex resident Mary Eastman, 80, said she knew Rosenberg and went to yard sales with him.

She said she saw him before the shooting, went out shopping and came back to find that the complex had turned into a crime scene.

Police comforted a distraught woman at the scene, and what appeared to be a covered body was visible within an area cordoned off by authorities.

Local schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution shortly after the shooting, The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A judge has sentenced three more Detroit principals to prison for taking bribes from a school contractor.

Clara Smith, who accepted $194,000, was given the longest punishment Wednesday  two years  while James Hearn got 10 months and Willye Pearsall was sentenced to 15 months behind bars.

Pearsall says, "It's not anybody's fault but mine."

The government says bogus invoices were submitted for paper and other supplies. In exchange, principals received gift cards, cash and checks from contractor Norman Shy. The scheme cost the Detroit district nearly $3 million.

Fourteen people were charged: a dozen former or current principals, an administrator and Shy. All but one principal has pleaded guilty. Shy was sentenced to five years in prison.
A West Virginia police officer was reportedly fired after not shooting an armed man during an incident in May.

Then-Weirton police officer Stephen Mader was involved in a heated exchange with Ronald D. Williams, 23, of Pittsburgh, who then brandished a gun and told Mader to shoot him, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Sunday. Williams was black.

Mader, a former Marine, told the paper he had used training from his time in the military and his situational training in the police academy to assess the situation.

I told him, Put down the gun, and hes like, Just shoot me. And I told him, Im not going to shoot you brother. Then he starts flicking his wrist to get me to react to it. I thought I was going to be able to talk to him and deescalate it. I knew it was a suicide-by-cop situation.

Out of nowhere, two other Weirton officers arrived at the scene. The paper reported that Williams walked toward them waving his gun and one of them shot Williams in the back of the head, killing him.

Williams gun was found to be unloaded.

A month-long investigation into the incident determined that the shooting was justified, but it wasnt the end for Mader.

Mader, who was speaking about the case for the first time with the Post-Gazette, said that when he tried to go back to work days after the shooting, he was ordered to see Police Chief Rob Alexander.

Mader met with Alexander and City Manager Travis Blosser and was told he was being placed on administrative leave and were going to do an investigation to see if you are going to be an officer here. You put two other officers in danger.

Right then I said to him: Look, I didnt shoot him because he said, Just shoot me, Mader said.

Nearly a month later, a Weirton officer had issued him a termination notice for failing to eliminate a threat. The notice included two other instances in which officials said Mader acted inappropriately.

The letter cited an incident in April where he and two other officers reported that the death of an elderly woman who appeared to have a stroke and fell in her home was suspicious and an incident in March where Mader allegedly swore at a woman when she asked him why her husband was being arrested for disorderly conduct over a parking ticket.

He was officially terminated on June 29.

He told the Post-Gazette he believes he was improperly fired and was never given a chance to clarify what happened in each of the three cases.

Firing me for it, its less of an eyebrow-raiser then to say the other officers are justified in what they did  which I think they were.

Mader said he realizes the interest this case could generate because of the controversy over shootings of black men by white officers, but insists that the other two officers  who are white  acted right because they werent saddled with the same information Mader had.

They did not have the information I did, he said. They dont know anything I heard. All they know is (Mr. Williams) is waving a gun at them. Its a shame it happened the way it did, but, I dont think they did anything wrong.

Mader, who served four years in the Marines, sought counsel to see what his options were in fighting his termination. They told him he was still technically a probationary employee in an at-will state and could be fired by the city for any reason.

He now plans to go to school to get his commercial license to drive trucks, but would consider a job in law enforcement if an opportunity arose.

Click for more from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The U.S. collaborated with Afghan warlords and crooked powerbrokers, lining their pockets with billions of taxpayer dollars and turning a blind eye to systemic corruption in the rebuilding effort that followed a grinding and costly war, a federal watchdog said Wednesday.

Speaking in conjunction with the release of a blistering new report, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko addressed the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about the astronomical amount of wartime waste expended by U.S. taxpayers.

Considering that more than 2,300 Americans have died in Afghanistan and that Congress has appropriated nearly $115 billion for Afghanistan reconstruction -- a number that does not include [the estimated $680 billion] spent on U.S. military operations there -- it would be an absolute dereliction of duty not to try to extract lessons from 15 years of struggle, he said.

The findings of his agencys report, First Lessons Learned

include examples of how the United States worked with abusive and corrupt warlords, militia members and other unsavory characters from the region. Such figures were allowed to gain power and positions of authority within the Afghan government, which in turn enabled them to reap millions in aid money pouring into the wartorn nation's fragile economy.



We need to understand why U.S. and Afghan anticorruption efforts have consistently fallen short of their objectives, Sopko said. We need to understand how U.S. policies and practices unintentionally aided and abetted corruption, while fostering the perception among Afghans that the international-assistance effort is itself corrupt.

Alarmingly, the report determined that U.S. aid on some occasions flowed directly into the hands of the insurgency that was fighting the American-backed government in Kabul.



The inspector general's report determined that policymakers in both nations allowed security and political considerations to trump anti-corruption efforts and safeguarding of U.S. aid funds.

The U.S. government was forced to choose between maintaining a hard line against corruption or retreating in the face of the realization that fighting corruption would either require even more political capital than anticipated, or be largely futile in the absence of Afghan political will," the report stated. "The U.S. government chose to do the latter.

Lubricated with a near-limitless supply of American dollars, corruption became entrenched in Afghanistan's courts, army and police, banking and other critical sectors, Sopko said.

The latest findings do not bode well for ongoing reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

The office of SIGAR was created by Congress to provide independent and objective oversight of the reconstruction efforts. Audits and investigations from Sopko and his office have uncovered a staggering amount of wasted funding, much of which has been reported by FoxNews.com.

In December 2015, it was reported that $150 million in U.S. tax dollars was spent to build hotel-like "villas" staffed with private security for government employees working in Afghanistan rather than having them live on U.S. military bases at a fraction of the cost. In that same report, it was uncovered that the DOD spent $43 million to build a gas station in Afghanistan that should have cost roughly $500,000.

Eleven months earlier, it was reported that another $500,000 in tax dollars was wasted on an Afghan police training center literally melted within four months of being built due to shoddy materials and construction.

"This project was an utter failure and embarrassment to the U.S. government and the American taxpayer still doesnt know why they paid for it, Sopko said in a statement to FoxNews.com at the time. As long as federal agencies fail to take oversight seriously, these sorts of projects and taxpayer dollars will continue to melt away."

Perhaps the most glaring example on wartime waste was in July of 2014 when SIGAR criticized the spending of $34 million to build Camp Leatherneck in the Washir District of Afghanistan, a 64,000-square-foot facility that was never used and sits empty to this day.

Finally, last December, a SIGAR audit discovered that $5.4 million was wasted in construction at Forward Operating Base Sharana on inoperable incinerators, leaving U.S. soldiers to burn waste and noxious materials in open pits, which led in an increase in illness among service members.
Germany has temporarily closed its embassy, all other consular offices and a school in Turkey, reportedly due to fears of a possible attack.

Germany's Bild newspaper reported Wednesday that the move was taken as a precaution after the Foreign Ministry learned of rumored attacks on consular facilities in Turkey during the Eid al-Adha holiday week.

The Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the Bild report, but confirmed that its embassy in Ankara and other consular offices were closed to the public during the holiday week of Sept. 12-16.
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India and Afghanistan have called for an end to all sponsorship, support and sanctuaries to militants, including those who have committed violence in the two countries.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani did not name Pakistan in their remarks Wednesday, though they have previously. The neighboring country has been accused of supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan and rebels in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

India offered fresh $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan for capacity building in areas such as education, health, agriculture, energy and infrastructure, said a joint statement by the two sides. They also signed an extradition treaty.

Kabul has cultivated closer ties with New Delhi in recent years as a balance to Pakistan.

Ghani arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a two-day visit.
KLM says it will temporarily suspend flights to and from Cairo in January, citing "economic reasons."

The Royal Dutch Airlines' statement, posted on its website Wednesday, says the devaluation of the Egyptian pound and restrictions imposed by the country's central bank on the transfer of foreign currency out of Egypt are behind the decision.

It says its Cairo-Amsterdam service will be suspended from Jan. 8.

KLM's decision is testimony to the shortage of foreign currency in Egypt, a problem partially caused by the decimation of the local tourism industry by years of turmoil and by a drop in remittances from Egyptian expatriates.

Egypt is widely expected to devalue or float its currency as part of an ambitious economic reform plan tentatively agreed last month with the International Monetary Fund.
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Pope Francis has called the French priest who was killed by Islamic State militants while celebrating Mass a martyr and urged all people of faith to denounce killing in the name of God as "satanic."

Francis celebrated a morning Mass on Wednesday in memory of the Rev. Jacques Hamel. Two extremists slit Hamel's throat in his church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, outside Rouen, on July 26. Police later killed them; the Islamic State group claimed responsibility.

Several members of Hemel's dioceses and his bishop attended the Mass in Francis' hotel chapel. In his homily, Francis lamented the persecution of Christians today for their faith.

Francis called Hamel a martyr and urged all believers to "have the courage to say the truth: killing in the name of God is satanic."
The U.N. Security Council has extended its peacekeeping mission in Liberia for three more months.

The council voted unanimously on Wednesday to extend the mission while reaffirming its readiness to consider withdrawing pending a proposed review of the situation in mid-November.

In June, Liberia assumed responsibility for its security for the first time since civil war ended in the West African country 13 years ago, leaving behind a reduced U.N. force of about 1,200 troops in a supporting role.

The peacekeeping force was deployed in 2003 to help stabilize Liberia after a four-year civil war. That conflict and a previous civil war are said to have killed more than 250,000.
New Family Business Aims to Ease the Stress of Senior Transitions

Caring Transitions, Americas largest resource for managing senior relocations as well as downsizing and estate liquidations, now serves Charlottesville, Ivy, Albemarle, Crozet, Madison, Fluvanna, Nelson, Zions Crossroads, Waynesboro, Greene and the surrounding communities.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (PRWEB) Septmeber 13, 2016 - When Charlotte Henderson was working in the real estate industry, she got a glimpse into the reality many seniors and families are facing  you need to downsize or relocate, but finding the time and resources can be challenging. Now she and her husband Michael are looking forward to providing a solution to that problem through their new business, Caring Transitions of Charlottesville.

Caring Transitions is Americas largest resource for managing senior relocations as well as downsizing and estate liquidations. In addition to organizing, packing, de-cluttering, moving and resettling, Caring Transitions can handle estate sales, liquidations, and preparing homes for market. Caring Transitions of Charlottesville serves Charlottesville, Ivy, Albemarle, Crozet, Madison, Fluvanna, Nelson, Zions Crossroads, Waynesboro, Greene and the surrounding communities.

Weve been in the business of helping people our entire lives and we knew, if we were going to open a business, it had to be something that had a direct positive impact on people in our region, Charlotte said. Caring Transitions of Charlottesville is a locally-owned and operated business, but, as a franchise, we also have the backing and support of a nationally-recognized corporate team.

Prior to opening Caring Transitions, Charlotte worked with local realtors as an interior architect, where she created online floor plans to help sell homes. Shes also an experienced caregiver, both professionally and as a stay-at-home parent. Michael, who will be Caring Transitions of Charlottesvilles head of client relations, owned his own professional relocation company for 27 years.

As our three children got older and started leaving the nest, I realized I was ready for my next journey. As I was working with realtors through my interior architecture business, I started to see that there really needed to be a service in this community aimed at helping seniors relocate. Once I saw that need and started to weigh the strengths and experience Michael and I could bring to that kind of business, launchingCaring Transitions of Charlottesville made perfect sense, Charlotte said.

We are from Charlottesville and Im looking forward to having a way to help people in my community get through whatever transition theyre facing while giving them to time to spend with their loved ones, she added.

Whether your situation is planned or unexpected, Caring Transitions services are perfect for seniors moving in with family or into a safer living situation as well as busy families and people clearing out the home of a loved one who has passed. All of Caring Transitions services are customizable, so clients only pay for the services they need  whether that means managing the entire move and estate-clearing or just getting someone resettled into their new place.

Henderson is a Certified Relocation and Transition Specialists, a designation bestowed by an independent organization that evaluates providers of senior relocation services. Caring Transitions of Charlottesville is bonded and insured and all employees are background-checked.

For additional information about Caring Transitions, call (434)234-9799, email CHenderson@CaringTransitions.com or visit http://www.CaringTransitionsofCharlottesville.com.

About Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions, founded in 2006, is the first national franchising concept specializing in senior relocation and transition services. With nearly 200 locations throughout the United States all owned and operated by Certified Relocation and Transition Specialists, Caring Transitions provides clients with supportive moves, auctions, rightsizing and transitions. This includes expert advice plus a well-executed transition plan beginning with the initial sorting of personal belongings through packing, shipping and selling of items to the final clearing and cleaning of the property. For more information, visit http://www.caringtransitions.com or visit us on Facebook.

SOURCE Caring Transitions

Contact:

Sean Mulcahey

Caring Transitions

+1 (513) 489-2026

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sweetFrog Adds Tasty Hershey Treats to Toppings Bar

Leading National Frozen Yogurt Franchise Unveils New Take 5 and Crushed Jolly Rancher Pieces

RICHMOND, VA - (Marketwired - September 14, 2016) - sweetFrog Enterprises, named by The Daily Meal as America's Best Frozen Yogurt, has recently introduced two Hershey favorites to its famous toppings bar - Take 5 and Crushed Jolly Rancher pieces.

Pat Galleher, sweetFrog Enterprises CEO, says these two flavors are perfect for the end of summer and early fall.

"Our customers are raving about the Take 5 and Crushed Jolly Rancher toppings," said Galleher. "We introduced Crushed Jolly Rancher first because the tangy topping proved to be an excellent addition to summer frozen yogurt flavors like cotton candy and strawberry lemonade. Now we're introducing Take 5 pieces closer to fall as they are an ideal fit with graham cracker and pumpkin -- some of our best-selling fall flavors. We are excited about these two topping offerings because we believe they truly highlight our willingness to innovate as a brand and deliver new, bold flavors for our loyal customers."

The Crushed Jolly Rancher topping, introduced earlier this summer, is a crunchy blend of all jolly rancher flavors, including original flavors such as grape, apple and watermelon. The Take 5 topping, introduced in late August, is a collection of bite-sized chunks of the candy bar comprised of pretzels, peanut butter, peanuts and caramel wrapped in milk chocolate.

According to sweetFrog Enterprises CMO, Matt Smith, sweetFrog generated considerable buzz and interest for both toppings by including them in their most recent fan-focused promotions.

"Each month, we ask our fans to help us name a brand new frozen yogurt swirl creation via a social media contest," said Smith. "In August, we highlighted a cotton candy/strawberry lemonade swirl topped with crushed jolly rancher and whipped cream. And this month, we're highlighting a graham cracker/pumpkin swirl topped with Take 5 pieces and whipped cream. Our fans have loved both of these creations and have submitted dozens of creative names to label what we hope become two fan favorite frozen yogurt swirls."

For more information about sweetFrog Frozen Yogurt, please visit www.sweetfrog.com.

About sweetFrog Frozen Yogurt

sweetFrog (http://www.sweetfrog.com) is the fastest growing premium, all natural, self-serve frozen yogurt restaurant company in the country. With a wide selection of premium frozen yogurt flavors and fresh topping choices, sweetFrog was named Best Frozen Yogurt in the USA by The Daily Meal in 2014 and 2016. sweetFrog has 340 stores including both company-owned, franchise and independently licensed locations either open or under contract in twenty-four states in the U.S, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom and Egypt. The company was founded in 2009 and is based in Richmond, Virginia. sweetFrog prides itself on providing a family-friendly environment where customers can enjoy soft-serve frozen yogurt, gelato and sorbets with the toppings of their choice. The company was founded on Christian principles and seeks to bring happiness and a positive attitude into the lives of the communities it calls home.

SOURCE sweetFrog Frozen Yogurt

Media Contacts:

Graham Chapman

919-291-4984

graham.chapman@sweetfrog.net

Matt Smith

804-835-6796

matt.smith@sweetfrog.net

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Insured Trading Software Released as Oliver Breitner Latest System for Trading Industry

Insured Trading Review evaluates the binary options software created by Oliver Breitner. The Insured Trading Software System has dual modes of operation: manual and automatic.

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Insured Trading Software was recently released as Oliver Breitner came up with the launch of his new trading software. Insured Trading aims at predicting the peak of the market conditions to yield best results and once the peak point is gone, it moves to next market.

Insured Trading Review released with the launch of Insured Trading software. The brainchild of Oliver Breitner, this new binary trading software targets the highest market condition to place trades for maximum success. The Insured Trading software is being told as capable of yielding some unbelievable numbers, and may be it really can, but that would depend on the magnitude of initial financial input made.

The company representatives said, "The particular algorithm for Insured Trading software determines in advance which assets and markets are going to rise and thus places trades in them accordingly" Further explaining about the way in which this software does the predictions, they said, "This prediction is made by reading the underlying market principles and constantly looking out for any change which could end up with a ripple effect"

The Insured Trading release has added one more auto trading software in the heap of them which are already present in the market. The company spokesperson explained as he said, "The accuracy level and the quality of people who are behind Our Insured Trading software is something which cannot be matched. With thorough beta testing, we came up with the accuracy percentile, which is not out of the world, but the consistency it follows makes it best."

Their remarks are well supported by the constant accuracy rates hovering between seventy and anything above that in percentages, which were recorded during the beta testing. It is worth noting that beta testing is generally done under real time based market scenarios and trends. And the Insured Trading System testing goes on for a longer duration of time to make sure that a small sample size is not chosen to judge the efficiency of any software.

While the makers are promoting it best as they could and beta testers giving it a thumb up, the real test would be when this Insured Trading gets out and starts getting used directly by mass users. With a huge number of non performing binary options trading software out there, the question on performance of every such software is obvious. But the encouraging results in beta testing and the quality of the team behind the new software makes its case stronger than others. Rest, only time can tell.

For more information, please visit http://thedailyharrison.com/reviews/insured-trading-software-insured-trading-scam-not

Contact Info:

Name: Oliver Breitner

Organization: Insured Trading



Source: http://marketersmedia.com/insured-trading-software-released-as-oliver-breitner-latest-system-for-trading-industry/132582

Release ID: 132582

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Pearly Whites Introduces Coconut and Charcoal Whitening Strips

Pearly Whites Australia has announced a new range of tooth whitening strips infused with Coconut and Charcoal.

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Pearly Whites Australia, a leading brand for in-home teeth whitening systems, has announced a new range infused with Coconut and Charcoal.

Pearly Whites Australia has combined the amazing natural whitening power of coconut oil and activated charcoal and infused it with their unique whitening formula to create the world's first coconut and charcoal teeth-whitening strips.

"These new products, infused with charcoal and coconut, are ideal for people with sensitive teeth," said Pearly Whites Australia Managing Director Jake Munday. "Activated charcoal absorbs and removes stains while also killing bacteria in the mouth. This ingredient is then combined with coconut oil, which is proven to remove bacteria and can help reduce inflammation in gums."

Activated charcoal is different from regular charcoal in that it is purified and especially made for use in medicine.

According to Chicago dentist Dr. Jessica Emery, activated charcoal has been shown to be attracted to a group of compounds known as tannins, common in teeth-staining items like wine and coffee. The use of activated charcoal as a medicinal agent dates back to 1550 BC, and it is commonly used in modern hospitals to treat poisonings, preventing their absorption by the body.

"It's not surprising that some people are sceptical about the idea of charcoal being an ingredient in a tooth whitening product - after all, it's completely black!" acknowledged Jake Munday. "However activated charcoal is a highly absorbent substance that is capable of helping to remove stains from teeth."

Pearly Whites Australia claim that, unlike other whitening strips on the market, their Coconut and Charcoal Whitening Strips cause little to no sensitivity. The company also confirms that they use only the highest quality ingredients, and the same formulations supplied to dentists.

The strips are available on their website in packs of 10. Click here to visit their product page.

About Pearly Whites Australia Pearly Whites Australia is a leading brand of teeth whitening products dedicated to creating a way for the everyday person to achieve a celebrity-style bright white smile in the comfort of their own homes. Pearly Whites Australia uses only superior dentist grade whitening formulations. Their teeth whitening products are now available in Australia, the United States and New Zealand. For more information about Pearly Whites, click here

For more information, please visit https://us.pearlywhitesaustralia.com

Contact Info:

Name: Jake Munday

Organization: Pearly Whites Australia

Address: Pearly Whites Australia, Geelong, Victoria, Australia



Release ID: 132610

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Lux Time Launch New Collection of Stunning YSL Bags With Introductory Sale

Lux Time offers people the best luxury handbags at unbelievable prices, and has just introduced a whole new collection of YSL bags for a fraction of the cost a high street boutique would charge.

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Handbags are an essential part of women's fashion, and provide an essential vessel for all the accoutrements that women like to keep with them. The handbag itself is therefore an extension of the outfit. This has allowed designers to create amazing looks, but at punishing costs. Lux Time is a website that wants to help people get the best looking designer bags without the punishing price tags by sourcing them from around the world. They have just launched a new range of YSL bags at special introductory prices.

The new collection of YSL bags (www.luxtime.su/ysl-bags) has something in every colour and style, all with their signature blazon. From small clutches to rucksacks, there is something for every need and occasion, and all at prices a fraction of their usual cost. These prices have been further reduced to introduce the range and get people excited to make their first purchases.

The bags (luxtime.su/ysl-bags) have been released just in time for the holiday gift buying season, making it the ideal time for men as well as women to visit the site and peruse the new ranges. The site is regularly updated by a committed team of customer service and product sourcing professionals, with new items added almost every week.

A spokesperson for Lux Time explained, "We are thrilled to introduce a new range of YSL bags to the mix, at the best prices available anywhere. These are some of the most beautiful bags we have seen in a long time from the designer. In many cases they have eschewed their signature stamped brown leather in order to create bags that coordinate with a broader range of looks and styles, as well as widening out their sizing and design. As a result, we are confident there is a beautiful YSL bag for everyone."

About Lux Time: Lux Time is an online store specializing in designer handbags of every type and style, from the world's biggest manufacturers. They source their product from around the world to get the very best prices possible, then sell at those prices in order to save their customers the most money possible on every purchase. The result is an authentic designer handbag at a fraction of the cost of a high street boutique.

For more information, please visit http://www.luxtime.su/ysl-bags

Contact Info:

Name: PRWhirlWind

Email: orders@prwhirlwind.com

Organization: PRWhirlWind



Source: http://marketersmedia.com/lux-time-launch-new-collection-of-stunning-ysl-bags-with-introductory-sale/132626

Release ID: 132626

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Clear Cloud Services Announces Launch Of Skype For Business Cloud PBX

The company is helping business owners take advantage of the cost savings that implementing Microsoft's newly-available solution can bring, reports https://www.clearcloudservices.co.uk.

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Tech giant Microsoft has recently announced that their Skype for Business Cloud PBX has now been generally made available in the UK after a successful run in the US. Clear Cloud Services, a premier provider of comprehensive IT systems support, managed services, and innovative solutions for UK businesses, is now helping business owners take advantage of all the benefits they can reap from using the service. Those who are interested in implementing Microsoft's newly-available service are encouraged to contact the team at Clear Cloud Services as soon as possible.

"Microsoft's Skype for Business Cloud PBX is a flexible solution that allows business owners to keep in touch with their colleagues and employees in a way that gives them so much more freedom," said Matthew Balf, a director at Clear Cloud Services. "Not only can they maintain their productivity in any place and at any time, but Skype for Business Cloud PBX allows them to take advantage of significant cost savings by replacing their legacy phone systems with a much less expensive digital solution."

With Skype for Business, phone calls are made over the company's existing internet connection. This solution can completely replace an onsite phone system, saving thousands of pounds. Business owners and their employees can take and make phone calls from any internet-enabled location, send secure, encrypted instant messages, and take part in videoconferencing wherever they may be.

Cloud PBX pricing starts at 6.30 per month with calling plans available from 7.48 per month. Domestic calling plans include 1,200 minutes per user to any UK landline or mobile. In addition, Office 365 E5 licenses will include Cloud PBX features in the UK.

As Matthew Balf continued, "Simply put, Skype for Business is a complete PBX phone system replacement that gives business owners the opportunity to take advantage of a fully-operational hosted PBX system without the expensive contracts that often come along with more traditional options. The fact that Microsoft has made this service widely available in the UK is a win all around for companies, and we look forward to being able to help them save money while gaining flexibility in their day-to-day operations."

About Clear Cloud Services:

Clear Cloud Services provides trusted IT and telephony solutions for businesses around the UK. With more than 15 years' experience, the company is trusted by leading businesses across the region to provide comprehensive IT systems support, managed services, and innovative solutions. Their comprehensive FREE IT consultations will help business owners to raise their performance using the latest technology.

For more information, please visit https://www.clearcloudservices.co.uk

Contact Info:

Name: Matthew Balf

Organization: Clear Cloud Services

Address: Bulloch House, 10 Rumford Pl, Liverpool L3 9DG

Phone: 0151 321 9980

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/clear-cloud-services-announces-launch-of-skype-for-business-cloud-pbx/132630

Release ID: 132630

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CEO Hanstrom Named Outstanding Woman of the Year, reports Colorado Medical Waste

Denver Business Journal recognizes women in the community who demonstrate excellent entrepreneurship skills, community leadership and more, announces ColoradoMedicalWaste.com

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Colorado Medical Waste proudly announces the owner and CEO Beverly Hanstrom has been named Denver Business Journal's 2016 Outstanding Women In Business Award winner in the small business category. The Medical Waste disposal company continues to make advances in the industry and feels this award demonstrates the community's recognition of their commitment to customers and the environment. The Denver Business Journal recognizes women in 13 categories, and nominees are judged on their professional accomplishments, their leadership in the community, innovation and entrepreneurship.

This is only one of many ways Colorado Medical Waste has been recognized. The company was recently featured in ColoradoBiz magazine. In addition, it was named a Colorado Companies to Watch winner just a few short months ago, and the latest award is one the company is especially proud of.

"We are thrilled to be honored in this manner and are proud of our work to move the medical waste industry into the 21st century. With our introduction of ozone processing to the state in March 2014, we are now able to turn medical waste into confetti in our Aurora facility. This reduces waste volume by 90 percent and no emissions are produced during the process," Hanstrom explains.

Medical waste comes in many forms, including blood soaked bandages, bodily organs removed from a patient, surgical gloves, surgical instruments which have been used and immunization needles. The Medical Waste Tracking Act, enacted in 1988, outlines specific rules for the disposal of these medical waste products. In addition, laws may be enacted by a state that supplement the federal law created by this act. Unfortunately, incineration, the traditional method of disposing of this waste, comes with its own hazards, often resulting in the release of pollutants into the air humans and animals take in.

The process used by Colorado Medical Waste eliminates the environmental contamination and public health effects observed with outdated energy and heat intensive systems and conserves natural resources. The only sustainable facility in Colorado, the company makes use of an industrial shredder, electricity and ozone gas which is created and reverts back to oxygen to reduce the health and medical waste carbon footprint. This shows the company's commitment to being on the forefront of environmental stewardship.

Medical waste isn't merely found in hospitals and clinics. Dental and doctor offices, blood banks, research facilities, medical labs, animal clinics and patients at home often create medical waste, along with others. The key is to make it easy to dispose of these items, regardless of how big or how small the load of waste product is. If the items are not handled properly, health care workers, patients, the general public and waste handlers may be exposed to toxic effects, infection and more.

Colorado Medical Waste accepts a range of products, including animal and laboratory waste. In addition, consumers find the company takes vitamins, over-the-counter medications and crime scene waste, along with other waste products. Barbers, hotels and the military call on the company for assistance in disposing of waste materials, and the company provides bio-hazard waste containers, liners, labels, signs and sharps containers for the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of these products.

"Whether you need help with consulting services, product sales, HIPAA compliance or a written waste management plan, call on us. We are here to serve you in any way we can when it comes to waste disposal. The all-inclusive pricing makes it easy to budget for these services, and service can be scaled as client needs change. Contact us today to learn more," Hanstrom recommends.

About Colorado Medical Waste Inc:

Founded in 1992, Colorado Medical Waste is a local, minority, woman owned small business and functions as an industry expert. Combining 24 years of experience in the field, cutting edge technologies, award winning service and sustainable processes, Colorado Medical Waste truly stands out in the industry. It remains known for offering value added service while providing the most environmental means of processing waste from the medical field. The recognition and awards bestowed on the company reflect their commitment to customers and the environment, and the business values remain strong and steadfast. Colorado Medical Waste serves as a pioneer and leader in the sustainable medical waste management industry.

For more information, please visit http://www.coloradomedicalwaste.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Beverly Hanstrom

Organization: Colorado Medical Waste Inc.

Address: 3131 Oakland St. Aurora, Colorado 80010-1508

Phone: (303) 794-5716

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/ceo-hanstrom-named-outstanding-woman-of-the-year-reports-colorado-medical-waste/132640

Release ID: 132640

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Health & Beauty Shankara Announces IAHV Foundation Charity Donation Campaign

Health and beauty company, Shankara, has announced that it is donating all profit on its new line to charity. Money going to the IAHV Foundation has helped to provide for schools, community development and disaster relief around the country.

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Shankara, the skin care and beauty company, has announced the launch of a product line on Amazon where 100% of the net profits will be donated to charity. The makers of socially responsible and and eco friendly products will be donating their profits to the non-profit International Association for Human Values to support humanitarian efforts around the world,

More information can be found on the Shankara website at: http://shankara.com.

The site explains that Shankara was developed to support the IAHV Foundation after a core group of people who became Shankara's founders were inspired by the work that the charity was able to do. The goal of IAHV is to ensure the incorporation of human values in all aspects of life, and it focuses its efforts on uplifting spirits through socio-economic development.

Now consumers can enjoy the convenience of purchasing Shankara products from Amazon, and in doing so purchase items safe in the knowledge that they are contributing to humanitarian efforts around the world.

The Shankara site explains that its products embody the alchemy of east and west, a concept that is mirrored in the company logo, which blends together a lotus and a rose. The logo is symbolic of nature, and the embodiment of love, beauty, wisdom and light.

One of the products available on Amazon is a pain relief oil, made from natural ingredients including essential oils and moisturizers. The product listing explains that it features a deeply penetrating formula that quickly absorbs into the skin.

Currently the funds donated by Shankara from profits on their beauty and skin care products include education campaigns that have run 425 schools benefiting more than 51,000 children in rural and tribal areas across India. In addition to this, community development products have been launched reaching 40,000 villages, and there are disaster relief and rehabilitation projects to provide immediate relief where it's needed.

These projects and many more can be contributed to when customers buy Shankara products on Amazon, where they're receiving glowing reviews. Full details can be found on the page listing at: https://amazon.com/Shankara-Muscle-Release-Oil-Management/dp/B016C4TK9O.

For more information, please visit http://www.shankara.com

Contact Info:

Name: Bhushan Deodhar

Email: bhushan@shankara.com

Organization: Shankara



Release ID: 132570

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Controlled Acoustics Corporation - Eliminating Noise Problems Since 1961 - Launches Redesigned Responsive Website - ControlledAcoustics.com

New York acoustics company makes their web presence user friendly with a new contemporary design.

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Controlled Acoustics has launched a redesign of their customer facing website, http://www.ControlledAcoustics.com. Along with a more contemporary design, changes have been made to the site-wide navigation to help users in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut find the information they need faster on all types of Smart devices.

Highlights of the new site include a true responsive website design with the ability to work with all types of smartphones, tablets and desktops. The new website also provides graphic information for most types of Product Categories, and a "Contact Us" form to inquire about any specific type of quotations you may need.

"With this new design, we wanted to meet the needs of desktop, tablet and mobile users who are ready to use our website and those who are still in the research phase and need more information with specs for the projects they are working on - even if they are out of the office in the field" said Armand Lerner, Partner at Controlled Acoustics. "We wanted our users to have the ability to access our information from anywhere no matter what type of device they were using."

Two new factors are "Push To Email" and "Push To Call" telephone numbers, that make it easy to contact us from anywhere for all users on smartphone devices.

Controlled Acoustics Corporation has been providing sound, vibration and noise control since 1961. We specialize in providing acoustical materials to eliminate noise code violations. We represent and distribute for leading manufacturers.

Our recommendations take into consideration cost, aesthetics, environmental (green/LEEDS), weight, thickness and available space in selecting materials. Acoustic materials can be surfaced with aluminum, fabric, quilt, steel, vinyl, or wood.

Controlled Acoustics Corporation provides technical assistance and consulting with respect to the product lines we handle.

Controlled Acoustics Corporation provides all types of acoustical materials and noise control materials including: Absorption Materials, Acoustical Enclosures, Acoustical Barriers, Acoustical Materials, Acoustic Pillows, Acoustic Wall and Ceiling Treatment, Acoustic Wood Panels, Absorption Panels, Damping Materials, Fabric Wrapped Panels, Metal Acoustic Panels, Outdoor Acoustic Barriers, Quilted Fiberglass Absorbers, Quilted Panels, Sound Barriers, Sound Barrier Acoustic Pillows, Sound Dampening Panels, Sound Curtains, Acoustic Curtains, Acoustic Ceiling Tiles and Sound Masking. Serving all NY, NJ and CT

To see the new site, visit http://www.ControlledAcoustics.com

For more information, please visit http://controlledacoustics.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Armand Lerner

Organization: Controlled Acoustics Corporation

Address: New Rochelle, NY 10805



Source: http://marketersmedia.com/controlled-acoustics-corporation-eliminating-noise-problems-since-1961-launches-redesigned-responsive-website-controlledacoustics-com/131473

Release ID: 131473

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Harrisburg PA Tow Truck Company Harrisburg Towing Launches Its Brand New Site

Harrisburg Towing releases teaser information on the upcoming launch of its new 24 hour towing and roadside assistance service. Further information can be found at www.harrisburgtowing.com.

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Harrisburg Towing today announced the official launch of its 24 hour towing and roadside assistance service website for the Harrisburg, York and Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania areas. Rumours are already starting to circulate among observers and die-hard fans within the Tow Truck Services world, as the 'Live' date of the 24 hour towing and roadside assistance. service draws near. Harrisburg Towing has also released three things fans, reviewers and critics can expect from inception time in 2016.

The first thing folks should expect is a big improvement in 24 hour emergency service and roadside assistance in the Harrisburg Pennsylvania area. Harrisburg Towing makes this happen by Buying the newest trucks and hiring the most well trained tow truck operators. This is to be expected from a business who places this much value on their customer's experience and their safety. Harrisburg Towing will also be offering Motorcycle towing, heavy and light vehicle towing as well as battery boosting and lockout services.

Not to mention, Harrisburg Towing will be celebrate the website launch event event by offering a discount to their first 10 customers . It is their hope that this will encourage people to take more interest in their business and they will be able to help make their community a safer and better place for commuters.

Finally, for die hard fans of the industry, they'll be interested to know what went into the creation of the 24 hour towing and roadside assistance. service. It has taken 2 months to put together, from start to finish, from the initial idea to fully implementing the service in the Harrisburg Pennsylvania area.

Brett Comeau, Outside Marketing Manager at Harrisburg Towing also wanted to add "Our customers safety and satisfaction is the most important result"

For further information about Harrisburg Towing or the new 24 hour towing and roadside assistance. service, it can all be discovered at www.harrisburgtowing.com

For more information, please visit http://www.harrisburgtowing.com

Contact Info:

Name: Brett Comeau

Organization: Harrisburg Towing

Phone: 7177468925

Release ID: 132526

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Clydesdale Bank has announced it will cut more than 100m of costs by 2019, with an end goal to combat the impact of Brexit on the firm.

The bank has promised the digitisation of customer journeys by boosting branch automation and self-service, as it closes 50 branches.

It has been open about its efforts to court young people, and the move to online banking and the digitisation of services supports this new target group.

Its main customer base is currently older, less well-off people, and the report states how Clydesdales goal is to woo a more affluent demographic, and to create a network with national reach.

Currently the banks heartland is in Scotland, with a slow trickle of influence further south. The report details the banks hope that improving mobile services should make their client base less localised.

With these changes in place, Clydesdale hopes to make returns on equity of 10 per cent or more, planning to hit the target in 2019.

The report, released yesterday, has announced that restructuring is already underway.
A number of large fintech deals meant August was busier than usual for mergers and acquisitions, playing down some of the post-Brexit fears.

It comes after M&A activity appeared to falter after Junes referendum vote , with only one deal of more than 100m announced in July compared with an average of between three and four a month.

Olly Laughton-Scott, founding partner of Imas, said activity in the fintech sector prevented August from being quiet.

He said: Despite being the traditional holiday month, August did not slow down activity in the fintech arena where the importance of technology continues to drive fundamental structural change in the financial services industry, influenced by a range of factors including regulation, changing consumer preference and the development of new services.

With advisers appointed for the potential 5.5bn flotation of Misys, the banking software group, and several private equity and venture capital funds investments in the sector this month, the strength of investors appetite for technology and technology-enabled services right across the spectrum from start-ups, such as Stash and Wealthify, to the very largest and established groups like Misys, was very apparent.

The technology theme also ran through many of the M&A transactions involving familiar names whose strategies are now evolving rapidly through the digital transformation of services.

Rakutens take-over of the IP assets of Bitnet Technologies is a case in point and Aegons acquisition of Cofunds possibly another.

In the financial advice sector, perhaps the largest deal of August Aegons 140m purchase of Cofunds, which included the Investor Portfolio Service platform as well as Cofundss retail and institutional business.

Meanwhile Old Mutual agreed to sell its Italian wealth arm, which manages 7bn (5.9bn) of investments, to Cinven-owned ERGO Italia for 278m (236m) and its wealth arm bought Beaumont Robinson, an IFA with more than 850 clients and around 250m in assets under advice.
The portfolio, he said, invests in companies that have had something weird happen to them. To put it more technically, the fund invests in companies that are undervalued, either because they are out of favour or little value is given to their recovery potential.

It also falls under the investment firms special situations category. This type of investment vehicle is difficult to define because what constitutes as an unconventional investment differs between managers.

Mr Agudo said: Every fund manager believes that every holding in their fund is special. I have certain biases. I have a value tendency, and I do not shy away from trouble. In fact, it is almost a must for a company to go through difficulties for it to be included in the fund. Is that a special situation? Maybe not for some people.

The strategy arguably rose to prominence under now-retired celebrity fund manager Anthony Bolton, who earned plaudits for delivering exceptional returns to investors in his more than 28 year tenure at the helm of Fidelitys flagship Special Situations fund.

Mr Agudo said: Has he been successful and is he someone to look up to? Yes. My dream is to look back in 20 years time and see that my investors have made tons of money towards their pension, their childs school fees  whatever it is.

Mr Agudo, a Spanish native, boasts impressive performance himself. According to FE Analytics data, the American Special Situations fund has returned around 166 per cent over the five-years ending 31 August 2016.

He said his approach to running money has remained constant, and is typified by low portfolio turnover. At the moment, the portfolio is heavily skewed to the technology sector.

He added: In the technology sector, you have a lot of companies that are quite resilient, have good balance sheets and massive cash flow conversions, but there could be some form of controversy surrounding the technology they provide in the future - and that is where the opportunities lie.

The top position of the portfolio containing 52 holdings is Oracle, which, along with Cisco and EMC, could be considered as boring investments in the technology sphere. Mr Agudo said.

Seldom does he invest in what he labels sexy conglomerates such as Apple, Alphabet or Amazon  although the fund includes a holding in Microsoft.

He said: If a company has done very well and everybody knows about it, it is difficult to get a substantial upside because its good performance would be reflected in its valuation. Some people are very good at finding compounders, but that is just not what I do.

In general, the companies I have invested in have gone through a tough time  either people have not liked the business model, there have been issues with management, or the company is cyclical but it is the wrong time of the cycle. The bet I make is that these problems are transient, not structural, and in four or five years they will be solved and the company will make significant money.
The concentrated nature of Martin Floods US equity vehicle and his resultant focus on stock-specific risk has led him to shut out financials and oil-related companies altogether.

The newly launched Lazard US Equity Concentrated fund holds up to 25 stocks, with the biggest risk to performance being an incorrect call, according to its manager.

Mr Flood said that he did not like to hold two companies with similar earning streams or that operated in a comparable sector.

From a concentration standpoint you have to think about stock-specific risk, and [that risk] being wrong, he said.

Sector-wise [financials and energy] are the two biggest holes. Financials are more of a structural issue; we havent owned a bank in seven years and I dont see us owning any in the near term going forward.

Energy is one that we could have exposure to but we havent at this time; weve found better opportunities, he added.

The $186m (140m) fund previously an institutional strategy but which opened to retail investors earlier this year  has had a low-key year, outperforming peers over three months but lagging across six.

Mr Flood attributed much of the positive performance to online vehicle auctioneer Copart. The companys stock has risen by about 40 per cent since the fund launched in February, due to improvements in the price of scrap metal and a strong US dollar.

The [car scrappage] industry has become dominated in the US by a few companies, with Copart being one of them and arguably with one of the best technology platforms to sell these cars, Mr Flood said.

Its a platform thats fairly capital-intensive to set up, but once its set up the business is much less so moving forward.

The biggest change since February has been a 5 per cent reduction in the funds allocation to shipping firm Norwegian Cruise Line.

The reduction was due to fears over terrorism in Europe dampening demand for cruise holidays, along with Caribbean issues over the outbreak of the mosquito-spread Zika virus, Mr Flood said.

The manager added to the funds position in pharmaceutical company Allergan after a failed takeover deal by the worlds largest research-based pharma firm, Pfizer, in April.

Allergans sale of its generics medicine business compounded the appeal to buy.

[Allergan] was an opportunity post the Pfizer announcement that they were not going to merge, Mr Flood said.

Also, after the sale of its generics business, weve now reclassified it as a compounder because that allows a lot of capital and a lot of freedom for the company.

[There are] a lot of good signs for the company. [People] know it well for Botox, but it also has a lot of other franchises and a good pipeline for the next several years, with a lot of optionality with the cash it receives from selling it generics business.
There are times when I wonder how well the UK investment industry serves the public.

I do not mean customer service, but the general behaviour, the messages put out and how these affect the decisions made by investors.

In the run-up to Brexit, investment companies put out one scare story after another, with some commentators predicting the financial Armageddon if the UK voted Out.

On the eve of the vote, one respected commentator told me the FTSE 100 would fall by 1,000 points if we voted out. We voted out and the index did plummet  briefly. On the eve of the vote one respected commentator told me the FTSE 100 would fall by 1,000 points if we voted out

There can be no disputing that the wall of negativity scared investors.

Investment Association statistics tell the story. Net retail sales were minus 3.5bn in June. Intriguingly, net institutional sales were 883m. A case of professionals mouths giving one message while their money told another?

July also saw net retail fund sales in negative territory of around 1bn.

More significantly, total net retail sales of equity funds over those two months were more than minus 5bn as spooked investors ran to fixed income.

As we now know, after the post-vote panic calmer heads prevailed.

The world did not end, and the stock market climbed and climbed. Those who sold missed out the best summer for several years.

Fidelity International analysed the stock market for a Sell in May, Buy Again St Legers Day piece. The figures from May to September serve just as well as an analysis of the consequences of Project Fear.

Those who stayed in the market would have seen returns of 9.41 per cent on the FTSE All Share  the best summer since 2009.

Those who listened to the doom and gloom and decided it was safer to get out of the market would have missed those returns  and many will have missed far more through selling out when the market was low.

Some will. no doubt. be sitting on this cash earning next to nothing and wondering whether or not to reinvest at todays higher levels.

So well done to those who went out of their way to predict financial meltdown and talk the UK down in the run-up to and immediately after the referendum!

While the economy and the stock market may not have gone the way you predicted, you certainly managed to undermine the household finances of a good number of investors.

_______________________________________________________________________

Lisas mission is to kill off pensions

The Lifetime Isa (Lisa) looks set to launch next April as confirmed by the Savings (Government Contributions) Bill published earlier this month.

I think most of us welcome sensible tax incentives to encourage savings, but there are concerns that Lisa may further muddy already murky waters.
Five companies which offered and provided an investment vehicle for partnerships in gold mining projects in South America have been wound up by the High Court.

The group of connected companies - Santo Montana LLP, Lorem Ipsum Trade Services Limited, Cedar Trade Services Limited, McKinley & Grant Ltd and Evolution Trade Services Limited - had been operating an unauthorised, fraudulent gold mine investment scheme, banking more than 330,000 from this between them.

The companies are connected by one individual who exercised control over them: Harvey Bennett.

Lorem Ipsum, Cedar, McKinley and Evolution all acted as sales agents for the gold mining scheme, in which partnership rights were sold in the investment vehicle Santo Montana LLP, which was said to hold rights to gold mining concessions in Peru.

The agents, none of whom were authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, cold called members of the public, whose names had been acquired from database leads, offering them the opportunity to invest in three existing gold mining concessions in South America.

In a statement the Insolvency Service said: The investigation found no evidence that any of the funds paid by the investors had been used to acquire or to finance Santo Montana LLPs investment in any gold mines or that Santo Montana LLP had any genuine interest in any gold mines, whether in Peru or otherwise.

In the absence of cooperation from any of the companies, the limited accounting records obtained appear to show the main beneficiaries of the fraudulent scheme being sales agents and Mr Bennett.

Prospective investors were enticed by offers of an initial dividend of 20 per cent to 50 per cent of their investments and further dividends every six months for a period of six years. No such returns were ever paid.

Prospective investors were told that they could expect, on a conservative basis, to receive returns of between 206 per cent and 457 per cent over their six year investment term.

The Insolvency Services investigation found prospective investors were informed that Santo Montana LLP had a joint venture stake in unspecified mines in South America, with at least one of those located in Peru, the joint venture partner being a company called Montana de Oro S.A.

Not only could the service not trace that company, but Santo Montana LLP failed to cooperate with the investigation, its registered office location having been vacated without notice and the last of its designated members having resigned by January 2016, leaving the investment vehicle essentially rudderless since that time.

With Santo Montana LLP having abandoned its Essex-based trading premises the companys investors have no means to contact any of the scheme companies, the Insolvency Service stated.

damian.fantato@ft.com
A website designed to help farmers keep beekeepers informed of their spraying intentions has been launched nationally.

Called BeeConnected, the scheme has been developed under the so-called Voluntary Initiative (VI) and follows a pilot scheme in Hertfordshire earlier this year.

See also: Study links neonicotinoids to decline in bee fertility

BeeConnected operates on a very simple process whereby farmers identify their fields and, in just a few clicks, are able to inform local beekeepers when they intend to spray an insecticide in particular fields, explained VI chairman Richard Butler.

Beekeepers plot the location of their hives, and will then receive a notification ahead of when a farmer within their locality is planning to undertake a spray event.

According to the organisers, the relationship between farmers and beekeepers is a vital one, with about 70 of the crops grown in the UK being dependent on, or benefiting from visits from bees.

Relationships

The countryside is a shared place, and beekeepers need farmers as much as farmers need beekeepers, said arable farmer Andrew Watts who was involved in the pilot study.

Anything that improves the communication, as BeeConnected does, is a good thing.

For example, bees are early risers, but theyre early to bed too. So when we spray our beans for bruchid beetle, we tend to spray late in the evening.

Hertfordshire beekeeper Mat Smith, who was also involved in the pilot, says the new website is a big improvement on the current Spray Liaison Officer system of communication.

It was very easy to set up, and the alerts came through in time for me to take action to protect my bees, he said.

The site was funded by the Crop Protection Association. Farmers and beekeepers can register by visiting the BeeConnected website.
German chemical and pharmaceutical giant Bayer has acquired US firm Monsanto for $66bn (50bn).

The agreement equates to US$128 (96.91) per share  a 2% increase on the previous offer. Monsanto, had previously rejected a world record, all-cash bid of $62bn (43bn) in May as inadequate. But the new offer represents a 44% increase on the May share price and shareholders unanimously approved the merger.

The deal creates the worlds biggest supplier of pesticides and seeds. The combined sales for the agricultural businesses amounted to 23bn (19.6bn) in 2015.

See also: Monsanto drops hostile bid for Syngenta

And the merger means the companies have access to a combined R&D budget of 2.5bn (2.12bn).

Bayer intends to finance the transaction with a combination of debt and equity.

The equity component of approximately US$19bn (14.5bn) is expected to be raised through an issue of mandatory convertible bonds and through a rights issue with subscription rights.

Bridge financing for US$57bn (43bn) has been committed by BofA Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and JP Morgan.

Headquarters

The combined agriculture business will have its global seeds & traits and North American commercial headquarters in St Louis, Missouri.

Its global crop protection and overall crop science headquarters will be located in Monheim, Germany.

If the proposed $130bn (97.2bn) Dow/DuPont and $44bn (32.2bn) ChemChina/Syngenta mega-mergers go ahead it means three companies could control 75% of the worlds agrochemicals.

Farmers have expressed concerns that such a concentration of ownership would lead to fewer product and seed choices and higher input prices.

However, a Bayer spokesperson said the merger would increase its product portfolio.

The combined business would benefit from a combined R&D pipeline that would deliver valuable and innovative solutions, the spokesperson said.

The planned combination with Monsanto is such an extraordinary opportunity to create a global leader in the agricultural industry.

Marraige made in hell

But green campaigners Friends of the Earth Europe described the Bayer-Monsanto takeover as a marriage made in hell.

Adrian Bebb, FoEs senior food and farming campaigner, said: Bayers buyout of Monsanto threatens to further lock in industrialised agriculture at the expense of nature, farmers and the wider public.

While public support for local and greener food continues to boom, this mega corporation will be doing its best to force damaging pesticides and GM seeds into our countryside.
The Scottish government has announced details of a loan scheme for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in a bid to ease the cashflow crisis engulfing farmers and crofters.

The loan scheme will seek to inject 300m into the rural economy, which the Scottish government says will safeguard jobs and local agricultural businesses.

Farmers and crofters will be able to apply for a nationally funded loan of 80% of their CAP Basic Payment and Greening 2016 entitlement, up to a maximum of 150,000 (128,000) and receive their loan payments within the first fortnight in November.

See also: Scotland extends BPS deadline by a month

Letters will be issued before the end of the month to the estimated 17,000 eligible farmers, inviting them to apply.

Everyone who applies by the deadline of 12 October will receive a loan of 80% of their entitlement within the first fortnight in November.

I am confident that we are putting the 2016 payments on a better footing, said Scottish rural affairs minister Fergus Ewing, announcing the scheme in a statement to Scottish Parliament on Tuesday (13 September).

Mr Ewing added: I am also reassured the arrangements we have put in place with our IT contractor mean that they should be able to deliver on the timescale they have committed to for payments.

But those arrangements are not risk free and frankly, these are not risks I am prepared to take, particularly with families and communities livelihoods.

IT failures

Mr Ewing said the Scottish government had learned lessons from the 2015 round of CAP payments, which have been dogged by payment delays blamed on the 178m IT payments delivery programme.

But opposition MPs said the loan scheme was yet another admission of the ongoing failure of the IT payments system and questions remained about its future.

Mike Rumbles, of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said the statement was a dreadful admission of the failure of the Scottish government.

Farmers should already be receiving full payment anyway if the new system was working properly, he said.

However NFU Scotland president Allan Bowie welcomed the announcement, saying it was a clear commitment to the rural economy.

He said: Knowing that up to 80% of your support package will be delivered in early November gives clarity and certainty to farm businesses. This announcement will have a positive impact on the whole rural economy.

But he added: The bitter legacy of the flawed 2015 payment run continues and the Cabinet Secretary again apologised for the problems, some of which still remain.

On behalf of our members, we will continue to keep pressure on the Scottish government until all outstanding payments for 2015 have been delivered.
Thirty-five young farmers and new entrants are to share in a 1.8m payout in the latest round of grant allocations under the Scottish governments programme of support for new businesses.

Funded jointly with the EU, there are two such schemes  Young Farmer Start-up Grants and New Entrant Start-up Grants, both of which provide funds for things like buying land, equipment and livestock, or investing in infrastructure.

See also: Scotlands rural development plan gets EU approval

The Young Farmer scheme is for farmers younger than 41 who are setting up as the head of a holding for the first time, with grants of about 58,000 available (depending on the exchange rate).

The New Entrant scheme is for those who have been involved in an agricultural business for less than a year, with grants of about 12,500 available.

In both cases, preference is given to applicants whose businesses are not succession cases.

Long-term sustainability

It is crucial that there is a steady flow of young and new entrants into farming  not only to promote competition and encourage productivity, but also to ensure the sector remains sustainable in the long term, said Scotlands rural secretary, Fergus Ewing.

With the average age of Scottish farmers currently sitting at 58, it is vital we provide support for entrepreneurs in the critical early stages.

This is the second round of funding for both schemes since the start of the Scottish Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020.

So far more than 7m has been awarded to help create and develop about 140 new farming businesses across Scotland.

Round three of the scheme is currently open, with a closing date of 31 October.

But with just 8m available in the current budget allocation, and with the schemes proving popular, the Scottish government is urgently looking for ways to provide additional funding.
Story Highlights 94% in Myanmar approve of new leader, Aung San Suu Kyi

83% are confident in the military

70% approve of U.S. leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Less than a year after Myanmar's landmark elections ended decades of military rule, residents are highly enthusiastic about their country's leadership. Myanmar's new civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is visiting the U.S. this week for the first time since her government took office, earns a 94% approval rating among the country's residents in 2016.

Ratings of Country's Leadership Positive in Myanmar Approve of Aung San Suu Kyi 94% Confident in the national government 92% Confident in the military 83% Confident in the judicial system 67% Gallup World Poll, 2016

In November 2015, Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, won the first freely held elections in Myanmar since 1990. The party won just under 80% of the seats available, giving them a majority in both houses. The country's constitution bans Suu Kyi from serving as president, but she acts as the de facto leader of the government.

In addition to their high level of approval of Suu Kyi, Myanmar residents now report relatively high levels of confidence in national institutions -- 67% are confident in their judicial system, and 92% are confident in their national government. More than eight in 10 residents (83%) have confidence in the military, which retains 25% of parliamentary seats automatically as part of the 2008 army-drafted constitution.

Approval of U.S. Leadership

When Suu Kyi visited the U.S. in 2012, most Myanmar residents had no opinion about U.S. leadership. In fact, until this year, the majority of Myanmar residents had no opinion of the leadership of the U.S. This at least partly reflects how the country was closed to the outside world for many decades under the previous military regime.

Before President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the country in 2012, as many as 67% of Myanmar residents didn't know whether they approved or disapproved of U.S. leadership. Since then, residents have formed a stronger opinion of U.S. leadership, and it's a highly positive one. In 2016, 70% of residents approved of U.S. leadership, higher than the approval rating of China (35%), Russia (38%) or Japan (52%).



Implications

While it will be difficult for Suu Kyi to maintain such high approval ratings in the long run, she wields significant influence in shaping the country for now. When Suu Kyi visits Washington, D.C., this week, she will consult with Obama on how much to ease economic sanctions, which were originally imposed to pressure Myanmar's military-run authoritarian government on political reform. The Obama administration will need to balance concerns about the military's role in politics while encouraging economic development and trade in the largely untapped and resource-rich Myanmar economy.

Myanmar residents would likely welcome the opportunity to do more business with a popular partner such as the U.S. Nearly eight in 10 Myanmar residents (79%) say that increased trade between Myanmar and other countries would help its workforce, and more than seven in 10 (71%) say that the greater availability of products and goods from other countries would be a good thing.

Survey Methods

Results are based on face-to-face interviews with 1,020 adults, aged 15 and older, conducted from May 12-29, 2016, in Myanmar. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is 3.6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

Learn more about how the Gallup World Poll works.
Stranger Things Season 2 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Is Eleven Alive? What About Barbara? Everthing You Need To Know About S2

"Stranger Things" season 2 is yet to announce its exact air date next year but as early as now, fans are hungry for details about next season. Cast and crew revealed who survived and died next season. More so, "Stranger Things" season 2 was also hinted to air before July 2017.

Eleven Is Alive

"Stranger Things" season 2 will have to answer some questions when it airs next year. For one, there's the big question whether or not Eleven is alive. There's also the nagging question of Dustin's teeth coming out next season. Mirror UK collected facts about "Stranger Things" season 2 revealed by cast and crew. For one, Eleven is alive.

David Harbour who portrays chief Hopper revealed that the Eggo waffles he left in a box at the end of season one were definitely for Eleven. "He (Hopper) may understand that Eleven exists in some form," he was quoted saying. "And so he's got this box out in the woods where he gives her food."

The adventure continues. Stranger Things 2 is coming 2017. pic.twitter.com/3H4WR3DGEj  Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) August 31, 2016

Hopper's Story

More so, fans can expect that Hopper is up to something in "Stranger Things" season 2. Fans watched him willingly go into a car with men from Hawkins National Laboratory. Harbour also revealed that fans will learn more about Hopper's backstory next season. It appears that her daughter's cancer is much more complex than what it seemed.

Papa Is Alive, Barbara Dead?

Aside from Eleven, Dr. Martin Brenner aka Papa is hinted to survive the attack of the Monster from Upside Down world. It appears that fans will see him again in "Stranger Things" season 2. To recall, he got attacked by the monster but it wasn't exactly shown that he died. However, Matt Duffer has confirmed that Barbara was definitely killed.

Check out Millie Bobbie Brown, Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin make waffles with Buzzfeed and reveal how their friendship formed on the set of the series. "Stranger Things" season 2 is rumored to air before July 2017.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Latest News & Update: Over 70 New Cases of Overheating Phones Reported

Despite the outrage caused by the new iPhone 7's jack-less body, it seems that Apple has won this round of new releases over Samsung. The Seoul-based company is hitting some major roadblocks following the massive recall they issued thanks to faulty Samsung Galaxy Note 7 batteries that have exploded.

According to The Verge, even more bad news have emerged following the massive recall, as over 70 Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones have been reported to have overheated due to its faulty batteries. Earlier this month, the company reported that there are at least 35 notifications from users claiming battery malfunctions on a global scale.

We recently reported that aviation authorities have already issued statements encouraging airplane passengers not to use or charge their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices while on board. They also encouraged passengers not to store their mobile phones inside luggage for safety reasons. Bottomline is that if you have a Samsung Galaxy Note 7, just don't take it with you on a plane.

Reuters reports that following the mishaps with the faulty Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices, the company is changing their main supplier of batteries to Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), which already supplies about 30% of batteries globally, especially in China. The larger percentage of batteries, including the faulty ones that are being reported, are supplied by Samsung's own SDI subsidiary.

Hopefully, with this move, things would look up for the company, as TIME reports that stock had already plummeted down 6.3%. In addition, it seems that the company is looking at a $5 billion loss due to the faulty Samsung Galaxy Note 7 batteries.

Do you have any experiences with the new Samsung Galaxy Note 7? To get in touch with Samsung to report a faulty device, visit the Samsung Support page here. Comment on the space below and check back for more updates on the new device.
MacBook Pro 2016 Release Date, News & Update: Apple Laptop Arriving in October? Major Upgrade in Mac Line Main Reason for Delay?

Apple fans are almost certain that the tech giant will introduce a major update to its MacBook Pro 2016. An upgrade is inevitable as Apple hasn't introduced any major update to its MacBook line since 2013.

Moreover, as fans eagerly wait for the company to announce the highly-anticipated device, rumors suggest that a MacBook Pro 2016 release might happen during the Apple event in October. MacBook fans were terribly disappointed at Apple's iPhone 7 event when nothing was mentioned about the MacBook Pro 2016 device. Numerous had indicated a MacBook reveal during the event.

After the September no-show, experts stated that the delay is because of Apple gearing up for a major upgrade to the MacBook Pro 2016, implementing incredible features to wow fans. Macworld believes that there is a high chance the laptop will be released in October.

Many believe that Apple will be bringing the Intel Kaby Lake processor to the MacBook Pro 2016. However, these high-performance processors may not hit shelves till late 2016. In that case the Apple MacBook Pro 2016 release date will be further shifted.

On the other hand, Apple CEO Tim Cook had teased earlier stating that updates to the Mac lineup would come soon, also adding that the company is totally committed in bringing the very best of features to the MacBook Pro 2016 laptop. According to iTech Post, the Apple MacBook Pro 2016 may replace the 3.5mm headphone jack with wireless headphones like that in the recently-launched iPhone 7. It may also feature the Touch ID that will allow users to log in using their fingerprint.

The Apple MacBook Pro 2016 is also expected to the standard key functions with an OLED touch screen panel. Reports suggest that the laptop will be thinner and lighter than previous models. AMD Polaris-based GPU is also a possibility.
'Harry Potter And The Cursed Child' News & Update: Daniel Radcliffe Compares Warner Bros Film To 'Star Wars' Prequels, Not Interested In Returning?

It's hard to imagine anybody else but Daniel Radcliffe playing Harry Potter. However, the role of the adult Boy Wizard has been successfully taken by the brilliant theater actor Jamie Parker in the stage play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child". But is it possible that Radcliffe will ever return as the Boy Who Lived in the planned film trilogy by Warner Bros.? The "Swiss Army Man" has just responded to the studio's intention and compared the new movie series to the disastrous "Star Wars" prequel "The Phantom Menace"!

Daniel Radcliffe Reacts To Warner Bros. Plans For The 'Harry Potter And The Cursed Child' Film Trilogy

Although most fans were excited about the idea of making three movies based on "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child", some were skeptical that the plan would work. It looks like Daniel Radcliffe might share the not-so-enthusiastic reaction to the Warner Bros. film trilogy. The actor stated that he feels like "some things are better left untouched."

"If we went back to Potter, theres a chance wed make what 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' was to the original 'Star Wars'," Radcliffe told The Hollywood Reporter. However, he also joked that "theres also the chance that wed make 'Phantom Menace'." Daniel Radcliffe added that he does not want to be a part of the "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" films if it will ruin things for the fans.

"I dont want to go back to anything like that and maybe sour what people have already loved," Radcliffe concluded. So does this mean that the "Victor Frankenstein" star is not interested in playing Harry again in the "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" film trilogy? The THR report did indicate that Daniel Radcliffe thinks Jamie Parker should appear as adult Harry in the movies as well. The actor also said that he is "happy enough and secure enough to let someone else play [Harry Potter]."

Do you think Daniel Radcliffe should reprise the title role in the Warner Bros. film trilogy based on "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"? Let us know in the comments.
'Supernatural' Season 12 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Mary Winchester Know The Men Of Letters Secret? Can Dean And Castiel Save Sam?

Mary Winchester is officially back, and it looks like the former housewife will be in hunting mode in "Supernatural" Season 12. But is it possible that Samantha Smith's Mama Winchester knows more about the Men of Letters than anyone on the CW series? And can she help Dean Winchester and Castiel save Sam from Lady Antonia Bevell?

'Supernatural' Season 12 Promo Teases Mary Winchester As A Hunter, Sam Winchester Being Tortured

Fans finally got a glimpse at what to expect in "Supernatural" Season 12 with an action-packed promo that showed a few glimpses at Mary Winchester. Although she was already seen packing an angel dagger in the first photos from the new season, the teaser shows Mary insisting that finding Sam is the most important thing. But is it possible that Mama Winchester knows something about the Men of Letters for her to be desperate to get her younger son back? Does she have a past with the mysterious order that has once been connected to her husband John Winchester?

Here's the deal: John Winchester is a Men of Letters legacy while Mary Winchester comes from a family of hunters. However, it is not confirmed whether John and Mary were aware of the Men of Letters. Nevertheless, it is possible that Mary may have known about the order and what they might do to Sam Winchester in "Supernatural" Season 12.

The "Supernatural" Season 12 promo also finds Dean Winchester reunited with Castiel, who was last seen being cast out of the Men of Letters bunker by Lady Antonia Bevell. But do they have what it takes to find Sam Winchester and save him from the order that intends to torture him? Or will they need Mary Winchester's help to locate the missing Sam?

"Supernatural" Season 12 will air on The CW on October 13. In the meantime, enjoy some funny outtakes starring Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, Mark Sheppard and Ruth Connell.
Health officials said the local coronavirus outlook remained stable this week, though they continued to warn against a potential winter surge.
This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department and Benton County Sheriff's Office. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise.

Benton County Sheriff's Office

MONDAY, SEPT. 5

METH: 2:23 a.m., Highway 20 and Kings Valley Highway, Philomath. Mitchell Lee Atkins, 54, of Vancouver, was arrested and charged with delivery of methamphetamine following a traffic stop. The deputy making the arrest reported that Atkins had a confirmed warrant and that during a search, the deputy discovered a methamphetamine pipe, $1,178, scales, baggies and about 2.7 ounces of methamphetamine. Atkins was booked into the Benton County Jail. Two passengers, Christian Matthew Dodgion, 49, of Vancouver, and Brandon Steven Green, 37, of Vancouver, also were cited and released on charges of possession of methamphetamine.
Corvallis police are investigating the death of a 50-year-old transient man whose body was discovered Saturday night near the BMX Track Park near downtown.

The man, whose name has been withheld pending notification of next of kin, was discovered at about 11 p.m. Saturday in a wooded area northeast of the track off of Southeast Chapman Place, said Lt. Dan Duncan of the Corvallis Police Department. The Oregon State Medical Examiners Office is conducting an autopsy on the cause of death.

Duncan said Tuesday that authorities have not ruled out foul play.

We are not sure if any criminality may be involved, Duncan said. Thats going to be something for the medical examiners office.

Duncan added that police had not determined how long the body had been in the wooded area before Saturday night.

That will be determined by the medical examiner, he said. We are investigating like its a suspicious death.

The man was not a native of Corvallis and was believed to have been in the city for a short time before his death, Duncan said.
The state finally ordered an independent investigation of the Department of Energy's troubled business energy tax credit program, and the report, released last week, confirms what most people suspected: The program is a mess.

How much of a mess? Read for yourself: The online version of this editorial features a PDF version of the report, conducted by Marsh Minick, a Portland-based financial crime consulting service.

But here are some of the highlights:

 The report said there were "concerns" with about $347 million in tax credits issued by the department; that works out to be about a third of the program. By the way, the business energy tax credit (BETC) program cost Oregon taxpayers roughly $1 billion, all part of the government's efforts to kick-start energy-saving projects to stimulate the economy and create jobs. As the audit dryly notes: "In these pursuits, speculation and estimations about the BETC revenue impacts on Oregon's State General Fund were drastically underestimated." By 3,511 percent.

 Speaking of underestimated, the current director of the Department of Energy, Michael Kaplan, suggested last week that the $347 million amount in the auditors' report likely was low.

 The auditors found no direct evidence of fraud in the program, but did find "circumstantial evidence of suspicious behavior" in 79 business energy credits. It referred those instances to the Department of Justice.

 The audit suggested that the Department of Energy was over its head almost from the beginning. The department, is "an energy agency, not a financial agency, and lacked functional roles reasonably needed to mitigate the BETC risks," the auditors wrote. And because state bureaucrats understood that the program was a priority for Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Gov. John Kitzhaber, it quickly took on the status of a political hot potato.

Although the numbers cited in the report may have caused some eyebrows to rise, surely no one who has been watching the program for the last few years could have been surprised by its overall findings. Yet it took six years of what The Oregonian newspaper called "rolling scandals" in the program until any state official ordered an independent investigation. (The current secretary of state, Jeanne Atkins, ordered the audit; Atkins was appointed to the position by Gov. Kate Brown when Brown became governor after Kitzhaber's resignation. Atkins is not running for election.)

Kaplan, the head of the Energy Department, said last week that one possible response to the audit would be to let the agency's current tax credits end when they reach their sunset dates.

Well, yes. But legislators are kicking around other ideas as well, including shutting down the Department of Energy completely.

Legislators and other state officials would be well-served to carefully review the audit, which makes it clear that the Department of Energy didn't have the expertise to handle such a complex program: The program staff, the audit found, "lacked formal training, employee turnover caused a loss of institutional knowledge, there had been cultural clashes between employees, the work volume and sometimes the complexity overwhelmed staffs' abilities, and there was missing quality and compliance oversight."

Other than that, it all ran just great.

We need to clean up this mess. And we need to take the lessons in the audit and make sure we learn from them. After all, we paid a cool billion for this education.
Babylon Berlin to be filmed in Bonn : Casting invitation for locals

Bonn So youve always wanted to be in the movies?Auditions will be held Sunday for a major film series being shot in Bonn and the region.

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Gangsters, train robbers and soldiers: More than 600 roles need to be filled for extras and actors with bit parts for the historical TV series Babylon Berlin. Filming will begin end of September in Bonn, Konigswinter, Zulpich and Duisburg. A three-hour casting will take place on Sunday, September 18 in Bistro Startblock at Sportpark Nord, Kolnstrae 250, 3 p.m.

The series Babylon Berlin is based on an international bestseller series from Volker Kutscher and takes place in the roaring 1920s. Detective Gereon Rath investigates in the milieu of drugs and politics, murder and art, emancipation and extremism. With a budget of 40 million euros, two seasons and 16 episodes are to be produced by X Filme Creative Pool in cooperation with ARD, Sky and Beta Film productions. It is expected to be one of the most lavish productions in decades.

Producers are searching for 600 people from the region who would fit in the roles they have to offer. Gregor Weber from the Eick Agency says, All men and women between the ages of 18 and 70 who are interested in taking a journey back to the 1920s are invited.

Because of the historical dimension, candidates should not have highlighted or obviously colored hair. Perfect are historical, natural-looking faces. Because we need hundreds of gangsters, soldiers, police, rail workers and squires, we especially need men - including physically fit men with German military training. They are also looking for men with an Eastern European look.

Women could take on roles as travelers or maid servants. For one special scene, we are looking for a group playing hunting horns, and a hunting party, said Weber. It is not necessary to register in advance for the casting. Photos will be taken and candidates asked to fill out an information sheet.
New Years Eve assaults : Cologne plans protected zone around Cathedral

Cologne Cologne police have reportedly submitted plans for a new security concept at the Cologne Cathedral, including a protection zone.

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Cologne Police Chief Jurgen Mathies has given Mayor Henriette Reker plans for a new security concept at the Cologne Cathedral following the New Years eve mass assaults last year. The Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger newspaper reported the development, citing plans for a Cathedral Protection Zone. In that zone, the lighting of fireworks would no longer be tolerated, along with excessive intake of alcohol, drug use, urinating in public, camping out, active begging and littering the area. Work would be done to prevent these acts in the future and they would be considered misdemeanors.

It was also suggested in the report that the Cathedral Protection Zone be extended to the Cologne Philharmonic and to the Rhine River, where a drug scene has firmly established itself. At the same time, police are working with the city on security plans for the next New Years Eve celebrations. They want to prevent the mass number of offenses experienced last year. A wide area around the Cologne Cathedral should be fenced off to protect against fireworks.

Mathies told the newspaper that the goal of his approach is for people in the vicinity of the cathedral to feel safe. Its about allowing the diversity of urban life but to act resolutely against troublemakers. Cologne Mayor Reker declined to comment on the plans.

Cathedral Provost Gerd Bachner said he was grateful and delighted that the city and police are addressing the basic problems. It is sorely needed. We have a great cathedral that attracts visitors from all over the world. But with the environment around it up until now, it really doesnt make us look good, Bachner told the Stadt-Anzeiger.
More drownings in NRW : Increased rescue calls at the Rhine

Bonn Despite warnings, swimmers have to be rescued from the Rhine again and again. Drowning fatalities have climbed by one third.

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Emergency services were called to the Rhine River in Bonn and Cologne to rescue five swimmers in three different incidents - and that was just on Tuesday. One incident occurred in Niederkassel when a man went into the river in the afternoon and disappeared shortly afterwards. A search for him had to be ended at 8 p.m. because of the approaching darkness. Another search was launched in Niederkassel in the evening for two persons but the search was ended when people said they had seen the two swimmers leave the river.

In Cologne, the Fire Department said they were also called on Tuesday to rescue two swimmers. They were able to rescue one but the other remained missing.

There has been a rising number of cases in the past week in which fire departments are called to the Rhine for emergency rescues in the water. According to the Deutsche-Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft (DLRG), a relief organization for life saving in Germany, more than 60 persons have drowned in North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) since the beginning of the year. This is one third more than in the previous year.
Raid in Muffendorf : Police search refugee shelter

Bonn Police conducted a raid at a refugee shelter in Muffendorf on Wednesday morning. A possible burglary ring is being investigated.

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A refugee shelter on Deutschherrenstrae in Muffendorf was the main target of a police raid this morning. Around 100 police officers showed up to search the accommodations in connection with burglary investigations. It was suspected that a theft ring had formed there.

At around 7 a.m., criminal investigators moved in and searched several rooms in the refugee housing. Parallel to that search, another search was being conducted in accommodations in the town of Wiehl. Altogether, around 150 police officers were at the two locations.

The raids resulted from intensive investigative work of a team specially appointed to combat home burglary crimes and theft from vehicles. Since the beginning of August, Detective Chief Superintendant Mark Patrick Luck led investigative efforts in close cooperation with Andreas Riedel of the City Prosecutors Office. The trail took them to seven persons of Albanian origin, ages 21 - 45 -years old. Initially, all of the men were living at the refugee shelter at Deutschherrenstrae but one of them had eventually moved to a hotel in Wiehl.

According to the latest information, the men are strongly suspected of having committed at least 19 crimes in Bonn, Bornheim, Niederkassel and Cologne. The suspects could have also been underway in the neighboring state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Luck indicated that authorities believe the suspects may also be responsible for other crimes and that police are working closely with prosecutors to continue the investigations.
There's something ancient in the land of the Valley of the Sun. It is not one entity or intelligence behind it, but many. In some parts of the world, buildings are haunted, but in Arizona...it's the land!

Some towns have issues at the core of them, perhaps a main street that is historic with lots of lingering ghosts or maybe they have mines outside of town that have a reputation for apparitions. But, in the case of the Greater Phoenix Area, weirdness surrounds it from the land to the sky.





One of the interesting things is that it seems the strongest settlements of ancient HoHoKam tribe coincide with the most active areas for oddities. Of course, it's hard to tell if that's just an incidental finding or something that correlates, but I've been doing a several-year study of the haunted locations in Mesa, Arizona, where canalways used by the HoHoKam today seem to be the seat of of much haunting activity.





What do we know of the HoHoKam tribe? They were oddly ahead of their time and went "missing" around 1100 AD. They had canals, ball courts, even an astronomical observatory (Casa Grande Ruins). Today, people in Mesa still uncover the pottery and remains of the culture in modern-day housing developments. Sounds like "Poltergeist," movie plot hmm?





The Lure of the Superstition Mountains









The Legend of the Superstitions Mountains is something those in the Valley of the Sun speak of in whispered tones, in which some even fear going near the magnificent mountains, and others ponder the fate of those who were ignorant enough to try to master the mountains and find the lost gold, but went missing.

There are 160,000 acres to be explored in the Superstition Mountains, but it is a brutal area with a combination of potential for serious ore and a history of many missing and dead folks associated with it.

It all began with an immigrant prospector from the late 1800s, Jacob Waltz, who reported he found a mine of unbelievable gold in the mountains. It has been assumed by his descriptions that it was the Superstitions. The mine has come to be known as the "Lost Dutchman" mine.

The legend becomes even more bloody when it is said that the Apache and Geronimo knew of the mine and when the Peralta family started mining it, they were massacred. Over time, some historians say that the Peralta Massacre was made up by the Apaches to put fear into those who tried to find the gold.

Over the century-plus time, many people have gone out into that desert location to try and find the mines and become lost, injured, killed, and simply missing for all time. Here's a sample story of one such incident ( LINK ).

When people speak of the range, it is with quiet reverence for a curse of a legend and those who try to thwart it.

History Channel had a series about some men looking for the treasure and it was one of the most interesting series, Legend of the Superstitions.







The Haunted Canalways of Mesa









As a paranormal investigator, I get a lot of inquiries about haunted locations, but over time I noted that the City of Mesa in the East Valley section of the Greater Phoenix Area was particularly highly reported with similar types of haunting features.

I went on to write a post about it on here and have since had many dozens of people contact me with more and more information and locations. I began to look at the pathways that these haunting features took and noted they cooresponded with ancient HoHoKam canalways....



Here are some examples of the complaints from residents -

"We would hear footsteps upstairs when no one was there. We heard people talking and walking up and down the stairs next door when that home was empty. Would get an uneasy heavy feeling in the home."





and



"I see figures in my house...voices downstairs when I'm upstairs...footsteps next door when no one lives there...and things come up missing and reappear in funny places like spoons under your pillow...hairspray on stairs ...."





Is it a coincidence that a major canalway system in Mesa was in place by the HoHoKam tribe a thousand years ago and today there is more haunting there than other parts of The Valley, or is there something lingering there? Perhaps something in the very ground?



Let's consider the powers that water has; moving water generates negative ions which give us feelings of good health and vigor, even euphoria. Particulates found in running water can create a highly conductive media. For more on water, check out this article ( LINK ). " Today, many scholars admit that water is an amazing substance capable of efficient gathering of information from all things as soon as it comes in contact with them!"





I was called to a house in Mesa once to investigate some haunting features that were classic for the area. I found in their vent systems near their floor, that they opened into dirt tunnels beneath the ground that when it rained, water rushed through. Imagine living atop of running water. This is a situation that could generate some activity by a natural means. How many homes and buildings are atop of plowed over ancient canalways? Lots!





I continue this research.





For more on my post about Mesa, here's the LINK









Anthem's Ongoing Ghostly Portal









Anthem is a newer development in the extreme Northwest Valley. Besides having that cul-de-sac feel of Ahwatukee community, being on the outskirts of town and rather circular in configuration, it was an attractive spot for those who wanted to be part-way to the North off I-17 where visitors go in the summer to cool off in Flagstaff, Prescott and Sedona, in the fall to see the colors, and in the winter to ski. Besides realizing it was a hard commute to their jobs, the residents also found something else...unwanted spirits.

The most often reported figure in the community is a supposed hitchhiking ghost. Even before the community was settled in, this stretch of the highway out of town was said to have a shadowy figure holding a lantern and trying to hitch a ride.

There are also reports of many warring Native American spirits who haunt the land, seen and heard in various locations. More and more reports come to me as an investigator, involving residents of this desert town.

What might be at work? What if it is possible that certain land stretches have a natural alchemy that allows one to see the spirit realm or interact with it more than other areas? This might explain why a region like the Greater Phoenix Area should have ghosts everywhere but are only really detected in certain areas. This is also the reason I have been studying the attributes of seriously haunted locations to find the special alchemy that makes one murder site haunted and another one not.

It may not be that one is not haunted, simply that the conditions in that area aren't right for us living people to perceive them.





Circlestone













Circlestone is an interesting ancient feature found atop of the Superstitions Mountains area in the East Valley.



Researchers speculate that the Sinagua tribe might have been the ones to erect this odd circular structure in a very remote area (6000 feet up). It was said to be built around 700 AD. The Sinagua were yet another Arizona tribe that went missing....

They believe it marks solstices and equinoxes. As the HoHoKam had an astronomical observatory in Casa Grande in the very southern most part of the Greater Phoenix Area, it would seem some very ancient tribes had knowledge that later tribes did not find all that concerning. It's yet another case of out of place/out of time knowledge that doesn't line up.

What is interesting about this that similar not perfect circles with odd shapes within are found around the world.

Middle East







South Africa







Nazca, Peru





Akraim, Russia







Stardust Ranch







"Stardust Ranch" is found in the Southwestern corner of the Greater Phoenix Area and not far from the Estrella Mountains (associated with much UFO activity).



The owners have offered some exceptionally intense encounters with aliens, battling them on the land, and harassment from the Greys. Even Zak and the gang at Ghost Adventures went to give it a look-see.



The area of Buckeye and down through the Estrellas to Gila Bend, Mobile, and Maricopa are all hot spots for UFO sightings regularly. It's not surprising there might have been some lights in the sky. But, aliens doing harm to the residents of one particular ranch? I'm not sure I understand that logic.



Still, where there's smoke... You might want to read more about a supposed tissue report on a dead alien grey ( Still, where there's smoke... You might want to read more about a supposed tissue report on a dead alien grey ( LINK ). Of course, those involved can't be contacted, so take it for what it's worth. I would be interested to know if the residents in Buckeye and Liberty in general see more UFOs than the rest of us in The Valley because I know I've seen a LOT of them since living in The Valley of the Sun.









Phoenix Lights

















On March 13, 1997, Poenix experienced something quite astonishing, an event that over the years would come to be called the "Phoenix Lights."



On that evening, I was living right behind South Mountain in a community called "Ahwatukee." I had gone out the night before to look toward South Mountain to see the Hale-Bopp Comet. Ironically, on the night of the incident, I did not go outside to look in that direction.



There were actually two incidents that occurred on that night. One was a series of about 7 lights over South Mountain (above) that had residents frowning and studying the lights, photographing them because they were an unusual formation in an odd location. At that same time period, folks from Nevada down to Tucson were reporting a strange chevron-shaped object in the sky of massive size, with lights, and a bottom that was said to "shimmer" like oil on a puddle as it silently headed from the north to the south, being viewed by witnesses in Nevada and Arizona. On March 13, 1997, Poenix experienced something quite astonishing, an event that over the years would come to be called the "Phoenix Lights."On that evening, I was living right behind South Mountain in a community called "Ahwatukee." I had gone out the night before to look toward South Mountain to see the Hale-Bopp Comet. Ironically, on the night of the incident, I did not go outside to look in that direction.There were actually two incidents that occurred on that night. One was a series of about 7 lights over South Mountain (above) that had residents frowning and studying the lights, photographing them because they were an unusual formation in an odd location. At that same time period, folks from Nevada down to Tucson were reporting a strange chevron-shaped object in the sky of massive size, with lights, and a bottom that was said to "shimmer" like oil on a puddle as it silently headed from the north to the south, being viewed by witnesses in Nevada and Arizona.



This location of South Mountain was smack dab in the center of the odd "circle of weirdness" around Phoenix Metro.

















November 1, 1997, I was headed to a Halloween party behind South Mountain in the foothills area. I had a friend in the passenger seat. We went up to the store to get supplies for the party and as we drove along the foothills drive heading west, we saw what I could only describe as "the same lights." We both were confused at first as they came west to east, heading toward us but closer to the mountain than we were. I pulled over so we could watch. We pulled down our windows thinking it was helicopters, but there was no sound as these lights came toward us. There were perhaps seven of them. We were trying so hard to explain it by something known that it wasn't until it passed us that we realized, we had encountered something we could not explain in a location that had these lights before. Then, we only wished we had cameras with us, but this was pre-cell phone days. The formation seemed to be less organized as the Phoenix Lights event. It looks very similar to this one photographed over the Estrellas (described in the next section of this post).

What happened in March 1997 in Phoenix? Two separate incidents rolled into one title "Phoenix Lights." Many have tried to debunk the lights over the mountain, but I am honestly more interested in the craft people witnessed. Why would such events be so bold at one time? My guess would be if the military had a hand in it, it was an ideal testing ground for how the public handles alien encounters. Why do this? Perhaps because something is imminent in the future and how to condition us for the process would be critical.













Estrellas





The Spanish meaning of "estrella" (es-tray-ya) is "star." The Estrella Mountains are a lovely range to the extreme southwest of The Valley. They are also the seat of many UFO sightings, so much so that most people consider them the mountains of the star people.













Strings of lights are often seen in the Estrellas area. Some witnesses report seeing them for over two hours - definitely not flares. With the particulates in Phoenix air, flares are very easy to see burning and flashing their smoke. They certainly do not remain in the air up to two hours.





I was once in Mobile, Arizona, not far from the Estrella range when I watched red-orange orbs in the air. I witnessed this for quite some time with a friend who was with me setting up a telescope in the dark desert. These red-orange orbs were most unusual, coming and going, dancing, leap frogging each other, and changing locations. It was a silent night, no planes around, but these odd lights raced up along the power lines near us, so much that I began to think about ducking down. Then they went out. Then, they showed up in another location seeming to chase each other. Each time the lights were on, it lasted several seconds and then the darkness for minutes in between before they showed up again. The entire episode lasted over a half hour.





In August 2008, me, my son, and my then-husband saw this one flying overhead at a steady path south to north over I-10 behind South Mountain in Ahwatukee. No sound. Looked triangular from below. It was high enough that it went into some low floating wispy clouds at one point and out the other side. Seemed like three orbs attached to each other. Nope, not balloons. This was on a very obviously orchestrated path.













Conclusion





What is so unique about the Greater Phoenix Area? Is it that there are 180 degrees of clear sky to see what is going on, Luke Air Force Base and the Barry Goldwater Range nearby, not to mention, Area 51 to the north? Or is the State of Arizona a better place to fly over in general because of the sparse population. Most of the state is not developed or allowed to be developed on, so the populations generally live in a few key areas. Could the military or possible even aliens find it a great spot to cruise around at night and be seen by smaller groups rather than huge urban centers?





Does the land in Arizona, between the high mineral and metal counts, mining, rough history, and ancient missing tribes an ideal location for lingering ghosts or perhaps a better conduit for the living to be attuned to the dead?





From 500 AD to about 1450 AD, the HoHoKam were in the Greater Phoenix Area in the locations spoken of here in this post. In fact, at South Mountain Park (Phoenix Lights) you can still see their glyphs.









In fact, one investigator took me to South Mountain Park to point out what he interprets as signs that aliens and UFOs visited the HoHoKam people from another dimension.





As you travel around The Valley, you look into the very distant mountains and peaks and realize that once a people crossed the land using those landmarks to help them find their way. The rocks also provided the gold, silver and copper that were highly valued, but it was not a place that was easy to conquer and tame. Even today, it appears quite daunting. Just encounter a duststorm (haboob) and you will know - only the hardly live here and perhaps linger after they die....









Land and air meet in a duststorm - what do they kick up?




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.
Lady Currently Being Held At A Psychiatric Hospital In Yaba Cries Out For Help

clarajancita at 14-09-2016 10:27 AM (6 years ago) (f)

A Facebook user Ify Otuya who is allegedly held at a psychiatric hospital in Yaba by 'Ambode's police' is crying out for help. She said she has been there for 4 weeks now, see the post she made weeks ago;



A Facebook user Ify Otuya who is allegedly held at a psychiatric hospital in Yaba by 'is crying out for help. She said she has been there for 4 weeks now, see the post she made weeks ago; Quote "Lmao. I'm currently being held at a psychiatric hospital in Yaba by ambode's police and Emeka Ossai (and other men in my family) against my will. Isn't Lagos fun???!!!! Lmao."

See the new post she made few minutes ago;

"Hey world!! For those looking for me, i was abducted to Nigerian army reference hospital ('a' ward, psychiatric ward) opposite WAEC, Yaba Lagos. I'm still being held here against my will, even after 4 weeks! If there's still a responsible press in this country, u now know where to find me. They're denying me access to my lawyer. Come and visit me friends - I wld love to talk to u. Anybody with access to my father Terry Otuya shld pls remind him about law and order - remind him I am being incarcerated here AGAINST My WILL! Thanks and lots of love, Ify."

Post Reply I am a metro reporter on Gistmania, I have been publishing news materials for over 5 years Posted: at 14-09-2016 10:27 AM (6 years ago) | Hero

diutopep at 14-09-2016 11:00 AM (6 years ago)

(f) Pls what exactly did you do that leads to all these?? Hope you are mentally OK! If not; how can someone whose brain is 100 percent intact should be kept in a psychiatric??? Posted: at 14-09-2016 11:00 AM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac Pls what exactly did you do that leads to all these?? Hope you are mentally OK! If not; how can someone whose brain is 100 percent intact should be kept in a psychiatric??? Reply

winace at 14-09-2016 11:18 AM (6 years ago)

(f) Ur family all can't be against u. Wat happen to u or wat did u do for them to conclude psychiatric hospital is d only solution??? Posted: at 14-09-2016 11:18 AM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero Ur family all can't be against u. Wat happen to u or wat did u do for them to conclude psychiatric hospital is d only solution??? Reply

gogoman at 14-09-2016 11:38 AM (6 years ago)

(m) MMMM AGAINST HER WILL AND HOW DID SHE GET ACCESS TO INTERNET Posted: at 14-09-2016 11:38 AM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero MMMM AGAINST HER WILL AND HOW DID SHE GET ACCESS TO INTERNET Reply

vicklove at 14-09-2016 12:09 PM (6 years ago)

(f) hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ino understand ooh

Posted: at 14-09-2016 12:09 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ino understand ooh Reply

Haso112 at 14-09-2016 12:13 PM (6 years ago)

(m) Quote from: gogoman on 14-09-2016 11:38 AM

MMMM AGAINST HER WILL AND HOW DID SHE GET ACCESS TO INTERNET

Abeg my broda ooo, help me ask again ooo, first question that came to my mind ni yen.. Maybe person lend am phone wey get internet sha.... I wonder wetin she do b4 dem shift am go YABA LEFT.. Posted: at 14-09-2016 12:13 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac Abeg my broda ooo, help me ask again ooo, first question that came to my mind ni yen.. Maybe person lend am phone wey get internet sha.... I wonder wetin she do b4 dem shift am go YABA LEFT.. Reply

kison at 14-09-2016 12:59 PM (6 years ago)

(m) GIVE HER HALOPERIDOL,,, SHE WILL BE OK.... ADD LITHIUM SALT TO IT AFTER 5 DAYS Posted: at 14-09-2016 12:59 PM (6 years ago) | Hero GIVE HER HALOPERIDOL,,, SHE WILL BE OK.... ADD LITHIUM SALT TO IT AFTER 5 DAYS Reply

teamac at 14-09-2016 01:24 PM (6 years ago)

(m) Craze person no go gree say him dey craze Posted: at 14-09-2016 01:24 PM (6 years ago) | Upcoming Craze person no go gree say him dey craze Reply

anitajoseph at 14-09-2016 01:28 PM (6 years ago)

(f) Just hold on am coming to save you

When you are totally well. Posted: at 14-09-2016 01:28 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac Just hold on am coming to save youWhen you are totally well. Reply

emytex74 at 14-09-2016 02:43 PM (6 years ago)

(m) Something must be wrong somewhere Posted: at 14-09-2016 02:43 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac Something must be wrong somewhere Reply

morgan1 at 14-09-2016 04:51 PM (6 years ago)

(m) Posted: at 14-09-2016 04:51 PM (6 years ago) | Hero Reply

sandler at 14-09-2016 07:22 PM (6 years ago)

(m) WASTED GENERATION Posted: at 14-09-2016 07:22 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac WASTED GENERATION Reply

AmazingMarie at 14-09-2016 07:59 PM (6 years ago)

(f) there is something more to this I can tell Posted: at 14-09-2016 07:59 PM (6 years ago) | Hero there is something more to this I can tell Reply

Markeve at 15-09-2016 12:54 AM (6 years ago)

(f) maybe ur behaviour make them to put u there girl try and be calm so that they treat u well. Posted: at 15-09-2016 12:54 AM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac maybe ur behaviour make them to put u there girl try and be calm so that they treat u well. Reply
Apple iPhone 8: Six Things to Know About the Upcoming iPhone 7 Successor News oi -Chakri Kudikala

Apple announced the much awaited iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus last week at an event in San Francisco. The company, later on, suggested that both the new smartphones will be heading over to India in the second week of October.

Also Read: Here are 5 Advantages and 5 Disadvantages of Reliance Jio 4G SIM Against its Rivals

And now, the focus will be shifted over to the next generation iPhones which are expected to arrive in 2017. As we all know that, Apple completely revamp the design of the iPhone 7 series, and it is widely expected that the iPhone 8 series will be a huge change in terms of design.

Now, it is too early on what to expect from the smartphones, however, there are several rumors already floating around the internet about the 2017 flagship. While some of them might feature in the final design and some of them won't. Here's a list of all the rumors regarding the Apple iPhone 8 arrived till date.

Ceramic Body Apple gave some design cues about the next iPhone by introducing the Ceramic variant of the Apple Watch 2. This shows the company interest towards using the Ceramic material to build their devices. Also, before the iPhone 7 launch, there were several rumors saying that the iPhone 8 will feature all-glass body, which might happen as well.

That said, as in the case with Apple Watch 2, Apple might release a Ceramic variant of the iPhone 8, which will steal your pockets. And, the regular iPhone 8 model with the rumored all-glass body. OLED Display Rumors already surfaced online about Apple using OLED panels on the 2017 iPhone. The Cupertino giant reportedly shipped OLED displays from Samsung to use them on their next generation iPhone. Wireless Charging This is one feature asked by many iPhone users all over the world. If Apple manufactures all-glass body iPhones, then there might be a possibility for the iPhones to feature wireless charging. Having said that, there are not many rumors on the same, but we might see some rumors in near future. A 4K Camera The Apple iPhone 7 Plus arrived with dual rear camera and Apple will be eying to include a 4K camera on the next generation iPhone with ProRess technology Apple A11 Processor The 2016 Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus arrived with an Apple A10 Fusion chip, which is significantly faster than the current generation A9 chip. And now, the 2017 iPhones will surely feature the next generation Apple chipset and that might be called as Apple A11 chipset. Good Bye Home Button Apple integrated a new tactic engine technology with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. There were some rumors suggesting Apple will remove the home button on the iPhone 8. Also, there were some patent leaks which apparently showed that Apple is developing a touch and display driver combined.

Best Mobiles in India
Airtel assures better interconnection, Jio welcomes move (Lead) News oi -GizBot Bureau

Bharti Airtel on Tuesday said following its talks with Reliance Industries, it will provide additional points of interconnection (POIs) to Jio telecom services -- a move that has been welcomed by the latter, while hoping other operators will follow suit.

"Airtel has been providing POIs to Jio, well ahead of the commencement of its commercial operations. With the latest augmentation, the total number of POIs will become three times the present number of POIs," a company statement said.

SEE ALSO: 3 Important Rumors and Facts Reliance Jio 4G Customers Need to Know

"Based on the current traffic pattern with all other operators, this capacity is sufficient to serve over 15 million customers, which is significantly higher than Jio's existing customer base."

Having agreed to release the POIs, Airtel said it would also need to take cognizance of the massive asymmetry in the volume of traffic between the two networks and ensure that the quality of service for Airtel customers is not affected.

SEE ALSO: Here are 5 Advantages and 5 Disadvantages of Reliance Jio 4G SIM Against its Rivals

Reliance Industries, while welcoming the move, said it has been writing regularly to Airtel and other incumbent operators regarding its requirement for interconnection capacity over the last few months, while also highlighting the adverse impact on the quality of Jio service.

"However, no action was taken for the last several weeks, resulting in non-compliance of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) regulation on the quality of service which mandates that POI congestion should not affect more than 1 call in every 200 calls made."

SEE ALSO: Top 15 Smartphones Compatible With Reliance Jio SIM Under Rs. 15,000

In past few weeks, over 75 calls have been failing out of every 100 call attempts -- and in last 10 days alone, over 22 crore calls have failed on the Airtel network, while 52 crore calls have failed cumulatively on the networks of three incumbents -- Airtel, Vodafone and Idea, the company said.

"Reliance Jio hopes that Airtel as well as other incumbent operators will enhance the POIs sufficiently to meet their license obligation of quality of service with immediate effect and maintain these parameters on an ongoing basis."

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Transparency Has Place in Intelligence World, DoD Official Says

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2016  Transparency and intelligence seem like mutually exclusive terms, but they are not, the undersecretary of defense for intelligence said here today.

Marcel Lettre told the Atlantic Council that citizens' expectation of transparency in intelligence has grown since 9/11, and that the key is finding the right balance for transparency.

"Over the last several years,  the intelligence community has been taking steps to be both more proactive and more transparent as we work to help the American public understand what we do and why it is important to our national security and the security of our friends and allies," he said.

Though it would be self-defeating and foolish for intelligence professionals to share everything they do, he said, some aspects of intelligence can be talked about, and it is the duty of leaders to do that.

Community Principles of Transparency

Manifestations of this new transparency include the creation of the Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency, Lettre said. "This team created and published Intelligence Community Principles of Transparency to guide the community in releasing more information about what it does," he added. The principles serve as guideposts for senior leaders "who only operated in the shadows," he said, and have helped with determining what activities and records can be released.

Changes in technologies have meant changes in policies, and the intelligence community is updating policies that were written when fax machines were the big new communication tools, the undersecretary said, adding that the new policy outlines "the fundamentals for protecting U.S. persons' information across military users."

Also, he noted in citing manifestations of transparency, the Defense Department has released documents related to the May 2011 raid that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Integration of Efforts

But these examples are not the only meaning for transparency in the intelligence world, Lettre said. The 17 organizations in the U.S. intelligence community have learned the lessons associated with being transparent with one another, he told the Atlantic Council audience. "More commonly," he said, "we have called this jointness or integration of our efforts."

He noted the integration of intelligence and military operations, including "unprecedented partnership between DoD's special operations and the CIA's workforce." The intelligence community also is working much more closely than in the past with State Department personnel as well and with allies around the world, he said.

Lettre told the council members that he has met with intelligence community personnel in more than 20 countries. "Without question, the biggest takeaway from all these visits is how central intelligence is to our day-to-day military operations," he said. "Now, more than at any time in our history, intelligence plays a critical role in informing our defense leaders to make sound decisions and in our military commanders' abilities to deter our adversaries, and should deterrence fail, to be able to defeat the enemy."

Enterprise Management

Another area of integration is in mission and enterprise management, Lettre said. "We now pursue integrated intelligence strategies and are moving toward mission-centric organization," he said. "More than ever before, intelligence community organizations jointly develop and acquire capabilities  satellites and other systems." DoD is working closely with the CIA to train new human intelligence officers, the undersecretary said.

"We are harnessing the power of open data layers as part of the modernization of the intelligence community's information technology architecture," Lettre said. "We are putting in place a new model for delivering IT as an enterprise, with each major organization in the community contributing to a key part of the architecture.

As this continues, he told the council, he sees new possibilities for collaboration and innovation.

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Senior Officials: DoD Supports Strong Encryption for Defense, Commercial Security

By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2016  The Defense Department supports strong encryption to protect military capabilities and commercial encryption technology that is critical to U.S. economic security, senior DoD officials said here today.

Marcell Lettre, undersecretary of defense for intelligence, and Navy Adm. Mike Rogers, commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing on encryption and cyber matters.

In his remarks to the panel, Lettre said the department seeks robust encryption standards and technology vital to protecting warfighting capabilities and insuring that key data systems stay secure and impenetrable to adversaries today and into the future.

"The department's support for the use of strong encryption goes well beyond its obvious military value," the undersecretary added.

Essential Encryption

For example, he said, commercial encryption technology is essential to U.S. economic security and competitiveness, and the department depends on commercial partners and contractors to help protect national security systems, research and development data related to weapon systems, classified and sensitive information about service members and department civilians, and personally identifiable information and health records.

The department also is concerned about adversaries, particularly terrorist actors, using technology innovation -- including ubiquitous encryption -- to do harm to Americans, Lettre said.

DoD cybersecurity challenges are compounded by the pace and scope of change in the threat environment and in associated technologies, he added, noting that adversaries constantly adopt new and widely available encryption capabilities.

"Terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, [or] ISIL, leverage such technology to recruit, plan and conduct operations," he said, and concern grows as some parts of the communication-technology industry move toward encryption systems that providers themselves sometimes can't unencrypt even when they receive lawful government requests to do so based on law enforcement or national security needs.

Seeking Solutions

"This presents a unique policy challenge," Lettre said, "one [requiring] that we carefully review how we manage the tradeoffs inherent in protecting our values, which include individual privacy as well as our support of U.S. companies' ability to innovate and compete in the global economy, and protecting our citizens from those who mean to do us grave harm."

The department is working now with other parts of the government and the private sector to seek solutions to these issues, he said, and DoD must strengthen its partnership with the private sector to find ways to protect its systems against cyberattacks.

DoD also must find innovative and broadly acceptable ways to address nefarious actors' adoption of new technologies, the undersecretary added, including encryption, while avoiding introducing unintentional weaknesses into its security systems or hurting U.S. global economic competitiveness.

"An ongoing dialogue with Congress  other departments and agencies and the private sector is absolutely critical as we work together to confront and overcome the security challenges associated with encryption," Lettre said.

Encryption is Fundamental

In his remarks to the committee, Rogers explained that when he uses the term encryption he is referring to a means of protecting data from access except by those who are authorized to have it.

"Encryption is usually done by combining random data with the data you want to protect. The random data is generated by a mathematical algorithm and uses some secret information, normally called a key, in the generation. Without the key," the admiral said, "you can't undo the encryption."

NSA supports the use of encryption, Rogers said, noting that encryption "is fundamental to the protection of everyone's data as it travels across the global network."

Through its information assurance mission, NSA sets the encryption standard for DoD, he added.

"We understand encryption. We rely on it ourselves and set the standards for others in the U.S. government to use it properly to protect national security systems. At the same time we acknowledge that encryption presents an ever-increasing challenge to the foreign intelligence mission of NSA," he said.

The easy availability of strong encryption by those who wish to harm U.S. citizens, the government and U.S. allies is a threat to national security, and the threat environment in cyberspace and in the physical world is constantly evolving, Rogers added, and NSA must keep pace to provide policymakers and warfighters the foreign intelligence they need to help keep the nation safe.

The tactics, techniques and procedures used by terrorists and other adversaries continue to evolve, Rogers said.

"Those who would seek to harm us, whether terrorists or criminals, use the same internet, the same mobile communication devices, the same software and applications and the same social media platforms that law-abiding citizens around the world use. The trend is clear. The adversaries continue to get better at protecting their communications, including through the use of strong encryption," he said.

Investing in Progress

"I want to take this opportunity to assure you and the American people that the NSA has not stood still in response to this changing threat environment," Rogers told the panel. "We are making investments in technologies and capabilities designed to help us address this challenge."

Last year NSA began a process to better position itself to face such challenges. It is premised on the idea that, as good as NSA is at foreign intelligence and its information assurance mission, the world will continue to change so the goals also must change to insure that the agency will be as effective tomorrow as it is today, the admiral said.

"The nation counts on NSA to achieve insights into what is happening in the world around us, which could be a concern to our nation's security, the safety and well being of our citizens and of our friends and allies," Rogers said.

"We have a challenge before us," he added. "We're watching sophisticated adversaries change their communication profiles in ways that enable them to hide information relating to their involvement in things such as criminal behavior, terrorist planning, militia cyber intrusions and even cyberattacks."

Today technology lets adversaries communicate in a way that makes it increasingly problematic for NSA and others to acquire the critical foreign intelligence needed to protect the nation, or for law enforcement individuals to defend the nation against criminal activity, the admiral said.

Encryption is foundational to the future, he added, so the challenge is to find the best way to ensure the protection of information, the privacy and civil liberties of citizens, and the production of foreign intelligence needed to assure the protection and safety of those citizens.

"All three are incredibly important to us as a nation," Rogers said.

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USS Decatur MEDEVAC Exemplifies Importance of US, ROK Partnership

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160913-13

Release Date: 9/13/2016 12:42:00 PM

By Commander, Destroyer Squadron 31 Public Affairs

WATERS EAST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) was assisted by the Republic of Korean navy (ROKN) in an emergency medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) to help a Sailor in need of medical attention Sept. 11.

At approximately 11 a.m., Decatur notified Commander, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 15 that a Sailor aboard required a MEDEVAC.

Decatur, over 100 miles from shore, did not have an embarked helicopter aboard, nor were they in close range to available U.S. air assets. Commander, Naval Forces Korea was then requested to assist in coordination with the ROKN.

Within hours of the initial report, the ROKN's 631 Squadron launched a UH-60 Black Hawk from Pohang to transport the Sailor. While Decatur made the best speed to close within helicopter range of the mainland, the medical team aboard Decatur provided continuous care for the Sailor.

As the UH-60 flew toward Decatur, a ROK Air Force HH-60 from 233 Squadron out of Chongju departed with a medical team to meet the Sailor on the island of Ullueng-do. The team then transported the Sailor to the mainland, where the Sailor is currently being treated by medical personnel at Ajou University Hospital.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with our Sailor as they receive the care they need," said Cmdr. Garrett Miller, commanding officer of Decatur. "The ROKN air crew did a fantastic job working with our team, and I would like to personally thank them for the outstanding support of Decatur and safely transporting our Sailor. The successful execution of this medical evacuation highlights the importance of our Navy's interoperability with our allies."

Decatur is a multi-mission ship with anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare surface combatants capabilities, designed to operate independently or with a surface action group or strike group.

Homeported in San Diego, Decatur is currently underway in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region as part of a U.S. 3rd Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) with guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Momsen (DDG 92), under the operations of CDS 31.

The U.S. Navy maintains a presence in the region to help preserve peace and security and to further partnerships with friends and allies. This forward presence contributes to freedom of navigation and lawful use of the sea, as well as furthers operational training and enables an exchange of culture, skills, and tactical knowledge.

Under the operational control of U.S. 3rd Fleet, the PAC SAG conducts routine patrols, maritime security operations, and theater cooperation activities to enhance regional security and stability.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. Third Fleet works constantly with U.S. 7th Fleet. The forces of both fleets complement one another across the spectrum of military operations in the Pacific.

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Navy Conducts First Live Fire NIFC-CA Test with F-35

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160913-15

Release Date: 9/13/2016 2:46:00 PM

From Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, New Mexico (NNS) -- The Navy hosted its first live fire demonstration to successfully test the integration of F-35 with existing Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) architecture Sept. 12.

During the test, an unmodified U.S. Marine Corps F-35B from the Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1, based in Edwards Air Force Base, acted as an elevated sensor to detect an over-the-horizon threat. The aircraft then sent data through its Multi-Function Advanced Data Link to a ground station connected to USS Desert Ship (LLS-1), a land-based launch facility designed to simulate a ship at sea. Using the latest Aegis Weapon System Baseline 9.C1 and a Standard Missile 6, the system successfully detected and engaged the target.

While the goal of this test was to prove the compatibility of these systems within existing NIFC-CA architecture, this future capability will extend the Navy's engagement range to detect, analyze and intercept targets in operational settings. Using any variant of the F-35 as a broad area sensor, the aircraft can significantly increase the Aegis capability to detect, track and engage.

"This test was a great opportunity to assess the Navy's ability to take unrelated technologies and successfully close the fire control loop as well as merge anti-surface and anti-air weapons into a single kill web that shares common sensors, links and weapons," said Anant Patel, major program manager for future combat systems in the Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS).

The test was a collaborative effort across the Navy and Marine Corps, White Sands Missile Range and industry partners leveraging a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B and the U.S. Navy's Aegis Weapon System to support the distributed lethality concept in the fleet.

"This test represents the start of our exploration into the interoperability of the F-35B with other naval assets," said Lt. Col. Richard Rusnok, VMX-1 F-35B det. officer in charge. "We believe the F-35B will drastically increase the situational awareness and lethality of the naval forces with which it will deploy in the very near future," he added.

Aegis Baseline 9 delivers a fully open architecture system on U.S. destroyers and is the basis for current and future Aegis Integrated Air and Missile Defense. Baseline 9 is being fielded on in-service destroyers, new construction destroyers and Aegis Ashore. The Aegis Common Source Library enabled derivatives are on the Coast Guard cutters, Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ships and will be included on the upcoming frigate ships.

The F-35 Lightning II is a next-generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, advanced mission systems, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and cutting-edge sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace various aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, and 11 international countries.

PEO IWS is an affiliated Program Executive Office of the Naval Sea Systems Command. IWS is responsible for spearheading surface ship and submarine combat technologies and systems, and for implementing Navy enterprise solutions across ship platforms.

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USS Ross Pulls into Toulon, France

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160913-17

Release Date: 9/13/2016 3:06:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Theron J. Godbold, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

TOULON, France (NNS) -- Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) pulled into Toulon, France for a scheduled port visit Sept. 13.

While in port, Ross plans on conducting a community relations project and hosting a tour of the ship.

Quote:

"Pulling into France is going to be an amazing experience for the entire crew who have been working hard over the past months. It will be a great opportunity for them to experience something new and give them a chance to release some stress." - Cmdr. Bryan Gallo, executive officer, USS Ross (DDG 71)

Quick Facts:

Toulon will be Ross' fifth port visit since getting underway in mid-July.

Ross is currently working with allies and regional partners to help, develop and improve maritime forces, maintain regional security and work toward mutual goals in order to advance security and stability in Europe.

Ross, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. The ship deployed from Naval Station Rota July 14.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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Indian forces kill two protesters in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Iran Press TV

Tue Sep 13, 2016 12:5PM

Two people have been killed in fresh clashes between Indian forces and pro-independence protesters in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Police on Tuesday used tear gas and shotgun pellets against the protesters in several areas including the city of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

A protester was killed by a tear gas canister in the northern area of Bandipora, while another demonstrator lost his life by pellets in Shopian in the south, police said. At least five dozen people were injured in fierce clashes in 10 different places across the disputed valley.

The protesters had defied a curfew imposed on the whole region during Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, which marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Most residents in Kashmir remained indoors for the Islamic ritual.

Indian authorities did not allow congregational Eid prayers in the main mosques and Eid grounds in the Muslim-majority region, but prayers were held by people in small neighborhood mosques.

Almost all businesses remained closed and traffic stayed off the streets across major towns of the valley. Authorities ordered restrictions on the movement of residents across the region. A large number of paramilitary troops and armed police in riot gear patrolled the deserted streets of many towns and villages across Kashmir.

Indian-controlled Kashmir has witnessed violence since early July, when Burhan Wani, a top figure in the pro-independence Hizb-ul-Mujahideen group, was killed in a shootout with Indian troops in Kokernag area. Nearly 80 people have lost their lives ever since.

Curfew, communication blackouts and a tightening crackdown have failed to halt the protests against the Indian rule in Kashmir in recent years.

Kashmir lies at the heart of a bitter territorial dispute since India and Pakistan became independent in 1947.

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EU Defense Union Will be 'Alternative to NATO, Prevent Mass Purchases From US'

Sputnik News

11:18 13.09.2016(updated 15:01 13.09.2016)

The recently-proposed EU defense union, borne of a Franco-German initiative, will seek to avoid duplicating NATO's functions; instead, it will aim to act as an alternative to the alliance, and prevent the mass purchase of US-made arms and equipment by EU member states, according to the Russian newspaper Izvestiya.

On Sunday, French and German media reported that French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen had filed a proposal to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to set up the bloc's collective defense, including a new military HQ and swifter deployment of overseas missions.

The six-page Franco-German paper says that "in the context of a deteriorating security environment  it is high time to reinforce our solidarity and European defense capabilities in order to more effectively protect the citizens and borders of Europe," as cited by French daily Le Figaro.

According to the submitted manual, the UK had in the past opposed steps toward the creation of an EU army or duplication of NATO structures.

The Franco-German paper now says that "taking into account the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU, we have to henceforth act as 27 [member states]".

Russian newspaper Izvestiya has asked the Subcommittee on Security and Defense of the European People's Party (EPP), the largest faction in the European parliament, to comment on the proposal.

"Brexit will not become the reason for disunity within the EU, contrariwise, we should all work together," a source in EPP's press service told the newspaper.

"The proposal of the French and German defense ministers is aimed at strengthening the cooperation within the block and at setting up the union not only as a strong political and economic body but also as a military one," he further added.

The document sets up an aim to make the European defense policy "more active and more useful" and to put forward a news basis for reconsideration of the whole of the European defense strategy.

One of the key points of the proposal is aimed at preventing the mass purchase of US-made arms and equipment by EU member states, the newspaper says.

Hence it proposes to expand the European production of tanker aircraft, satellite communication systems, cybersecurity equipment and to finally complete the construction of MALE-class medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), jointly designed by France, Italy and Germany.

The European Defense Agency (EDA), an EU offshoot in Brussels, will coordinate the above proposed initiatives.

The document also calls for a single EU budget for military research and for joint procurement of air-lift, satellite, cyber-defense assets and surveillance drones.

According to the French and German newspapers, among other proposals is that EU military missions, such as the Sophia anti-migrant smuggler operation or the Atalanta anti-pirate mission, should in future be commanded out of a joint military HQ instead of rotational command by EU states.

EU states should also create a new command center for coordinating medical assistance, a logistics center for sharing "strategic" assets, such as air-lift capacities, and should share satellite reconnaissance data.

Besides, the Eurocorps in Strasbourg, an existing military club between Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy and Poland, could in future help the EU Council to plan missions in order to speed up deployment.

EU "tactical groups", also known as "battle groups"  joint battalions created by small groups of EU states  should be made operationally ready.

It also says the EU should foster a European esprit de corps by creating a new military academy or by having European courses at national military schools.

EDA will seek to avoid duplicating NATO's functions, but rather to become an alternative to the alliance, trying to complement one another, a representative of EDA told Izvestiya.

It will be in constant dialogue with the alliance while offering support to the EU member states.

In a separate analysis on the proposed initiative, German newspaper Die Welt however noted that although the US will remain "conjectural world power" for a long time, it already "lacks power and willingness to defend the Europeans from their self-imposed weakness and geopolitical dependency."

 Sputnik

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UN humanitarian official "deeply disturbed" by unrelenting attacks on civilians in Yemen

13 September 2016  The top United Nations humanitarian official in Yemen has voiced apprehension over a series of deadly air strikes on a water well which killed and wounded dozens of people in the country's centre.

"I remain deeply disturbed by the unrelenting attacks on civilians and on civilian infrastructure throughout Yemen by all parties to the conflict, which are further destroying Yemen's social fabric and increasing humanitarian needs, particularly for medical attention at a time when the health sector is collapsing," the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, said in statement issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) yesterday.

According to reports, on Saturday, 10 September, 30 people were killed and 17 others wounded, including first responders and two children, as a result of several air strikes on a water well in the village of Beit Saadan in the Arhab District, in the north of Sana'a Governorate.

Yemen has been engulfed in violence for some years now. A confrontation between the country's Houthis (Ansar Allah) and the Government of Yemen in early 2014 led to a Houthi advance on the country's capital, Sana'a in 2014, and an ensuing conflict which has involved support from outside parties. The United Nations has been heavily involved in efforts to resolve the crisis, and repeatedly said that there is no military solution to the Yemeni crises and has called for a return to peaceful negotiations.

Until they recently went into a break, Kuwait had been hosting peace talks  facilitated by the UN envoy  with the Yemeni sides. The break went into effect in early August.

The conflict in Yemen, according to OCHA, has exacted a severe toll on civilians. More than a year and a half into the escalation of violence there, some 2.8 million people have been displaced and 13.6 million people are being targeted to receive humanitarian assistance. Nearly 100 humanitarian partners are participating in the humanitarian response across the country's 22 governorates.

The weekend attacks came after weeks of intensified air strikes and ground fighting across the country, including missile attacks from the direction of Yemen toward Saudi Arabia, Mr. McGoldrick noted in the statement.

"I call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, to recommit to the 10 April Cessation of Hostilities and to support the initiatives of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen," he added. "By doing so, they will help avoid further loss of life in Yemen and help position Yemen on a path towards peace."

While the primary responsibility for coordinating humanitarian assistance rests with national authorities, if international humanitarian assistance is required, then UN Humanitarian Coordinators can be responsible for leading and harmonizing the efforts of UN and non-UN humanitarian organizations with a view to ensuring that they are principled, timely, effective and efficient, and contribute to longer-term recovery.

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More has to be done to deliver on European commitments for asylum seekers - UN refugee agency

13 September 2016  Highlighting that the number of pledges to relocate asylum-seekers continues to be woefully low and its implementation slow and challenging, the United Nations refugee agency today called on European countries to do more to deliver significantly on the commitments they have made.

"Effective relocation is key to increasing solidarity and responsibility sharing in Europe, and ensuring the better management of movements," a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR), William Spindler, told a news briefing at the UN Office at Geneva today.

"This is particularly vital given the humanitarian situation in Greece, and the increasing number of people staying in Italy and applying for asylum," he added.

According to UNHCR, the number of people seeking refugee status in Europe has soared over recent years. This is due in large part to war in Syria and Iraq, as well as conflict and instability in countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea and elsewhere.

In their search for sanctuary, increasing numbers of refugees and migrants are crossing the Mediterranean, a perilous journey which has cost thousands their lives, according to UNHCR, which is pressing for concerted European action to prevent the loss of lives at sea, and works to ensure dignified reception standards, protection-sensitive asylum systems and durable solutions.

Last year, the European Union (EU) and UN Member States agreed on a two-year plan to relocate 160,000 asylum-seekers, mainly from Greece and Italy, to other European countries. However, until now only 4,776 asylum-seekers have been relocated from the two countries  less than three per cent of the original target, according to the UNCHR spokesperson.

Mr. Spindler pointed that first-time asylum applicants in Italy have increased by 53 per cent, to 72,470, this year compared to the same period in 2015, during which the total stood at 47,428, impacting the country's reception and asylum system capacity.

In Greece, some 12,290 relocation candidates and other asylum-seekers have been accommodated in temporary accommodation, but many more men, women and children who are eligible for relocation are living in sites with poor conditions and security, which are inadequate for the coming winter.

Given this situation, the UN official emphasized the need for countries to work in partnership with the Greek and Italian authorities, as well as with relevant agencies, to increase the personnel and infrastructure made available, and to speed up the registration and processing of cases.

Mr. Spindler also called on EU and UN Member States to revisit the eligibility criteria and lower the threshold for relocation candidates to include additional nationalities likely in need of protection.

Currently, only asylum-seekers of nationalities with an average recognition rate of 75 per cent or higher at the EU level are eligible for relocation. The UNHCR spokesperson said that, according to the latest available EU data, this threshold excludes, for example, Iraqis, who previously met the threshold, as their average recognition rate has fallen to 73 per cent.

Mr. Spindler also emphasized the need for parallel efforts for integrating those refugees not eligible for relocation.

"It is imperative," he said, "that our collective efforts begin to deliver significantly on the commitments made one year ago for the benefit of people in need of international protection."

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South Sudan Government Dismisses Clooney Corruption Report

By Michael Atit September 13, 2016

A spokesman for South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir, has dismissed the findings of a report that accuses Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar of amassing huge wealth while millions of South Sudanese go without food.

Spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny said Tuesday that the report, from a Washington-based advocacy group called The Sentry, is "rubbish" and "a lie." He said the report is meant to undermine Kiir and tarnish his image.

"The Sentry report is a political report because it contains a lot of nonsensical conclusions about the corruption in South Sudan, and it can only be used as a recipe for regime change for those who are running behind to change the regime," he told VOA in Juba.

The spokesman denied allegations in the report that Kiir and some of his generals, including army chief of staff Paul Malong, have used the nearly three-year-old conflict in South Sudan to make money.

Ateny also dismissed allegations that Kiir used state resources to provide a luxurious life for family members.

He says the president's legal advisers are examining the report.

"Most probably they will advise for legal challenge to the report," he said. "We will hire a legal firm in the United States of America to pursue this in the courts of law."

Years-long investigation

The report was based on a two-year investigation by a group founded by Hollywood star George Clooney and human rights activist John Prendergast. It says Kiir and Machar profited from contracts related to arms purchases, oil sales and shares of companies operating in South Sudan.

The report alleges that former vice president Machar  Kiir's rival in South Sudan's civil war  owns luxurious houses in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, and the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

James Gatdet, Machar's spokesman, says Machar neither owns a house in Nairobi nor Addis Ababa.

"He was accommodated by the authority of Ethiopia during the peace talks. So he did not own that house," Gatdet told VOA. "For the report to come out and implicate him about that particular house in Addis is not true because it is not his property, he doesn't own it, and he has not bought it. He was simply accommodated."

Gatdet admits that the former vice president was renting a luxury house in Nairobi.

"The family should not be expected to rent a house in a slum area in Nairobi," he said. "The family of a vice president should live in a  secure place."

Gatdet says Machar's family has moved out of the Nairobi house  whose picture appeared in the report  because Machar has no money to pay the rent.

The spokesman praised the release of the report, saying the findings can be used against individuals who have committed crimes against South Sudan.

"it is commendable because this can be used as future reference for cases like this once things have settled. And people who have committed such crimes  whether economic, war crimes  it can be thrown to justice," he said.

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Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Sept. 14, 2016  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 17 strikes in Syria:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike destroyed five ISIL supply routes.

-- Near Shadaddi, four strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed five vehicles and a vehicle bomb.

-- Near Raqqah, four strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, seven supply routes and an oil wellhead.

-- Near Dayz Ar Zawr, three strikes destroyed four ISIL oil tanker trucks, an oil tanker trailer, five vehicles and an oil wellhead.

-- Near Mara, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and three mortar systems and damaged another mortar system.

In addition, due to a delayed strike assessment two strikes near Dayz Ar Zawr that were conducted on Sept. 11 were not reported on the Sept. 12 strike release. The correct assessment reads:

-- Near Dayz Ar Zawr, two strikes destroyed four ISIL supply routes.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack and fighter aircraft conducted three strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government:

-- Near Mosul, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and destroyed a vehicle, two tunnel entrances and four assembly areas.

Task force officials define a strike as one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative, effect. Therefore, officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against buildings, vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making those targets harder or impossible for ISIL to use. Accordingly, officials said, they do not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

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UN rights chief says Duterte statements lack understanding of human rights

Iran Press TV

Wed Sep 14, 2016 4:53PM

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein has censured Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for his remarks against the international body.

Zeid at a speech in the Swiss city of Geneva accused President Duterte of lacking an understanding of UN rights institutions and international principles.

"The president of the Philippines' statements of scorn for international human rights law display a striking lack of understanding of our human rights institutions and the principles which keep societies safe," Zeid said.

The criticism came after President Duterte called UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon a "fool" and threatened that the Philippines could pull out of the organization in response to its condemnation of alleged extrajudicial killings in his anti-drug campaign.

Zeid also said Duterte's war on drug undermines justice.

The UN is critical of Duterte's anti-drug campaign, which has claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people.

Police say their forces have killed 1,506 people in anti-drug operations in only more than two months since Duterte took office. Another 1,715 were classified as "deaths under investigation," referring to suspected drug traffickers killed in suspicious circumstances.

The 71-year-old Philippine president has launched an unprecedented war on crime since taking office on June 30, warning the Philippines is in danger of becoming a "narco-state."

Last month, Duterte announced a "shoot-to-kill" order against drug dealers, saying, "This campaign (of) shoot-to-kill will remain until the last day of my term if I'm still alive by then."

On Wednesday, Philippine Ambassador to the UN Cecilia Rebong told the UN Human Rights Council that Duterte never empowered police to shoot to kill anyone, adding, "What he said was the police have the right to defend themselves when their lives are in danger."

Duterte's spokesman, Ernesto Abella, has also said that he did not tolerate extrajudicial killings but that "human rights cannot be used as an excuse to let the spread of drugs in the country run rampant."

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zeid urged the Philippines to invite a UN human rights expert to investigate the killings.

Reacting to the UN demand, Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Charles Jose, said UN rights experts had already "jumped to conclusions."

Last week, Duterte sparked another controversy after insulting US President Barack Obama.

Duterte has also recently called for the US to leave a southern Philippine military base, saying that his government sought to stop buying US military equipment.

"They have to go," Duterte said in a speech during an oath-taking ceremony for new officials on Monday, adding, "I do not want a rift with America, but they have to go. It will just get more tense."

Duterte further said the presence of US troops in the island of Mindanao could complicate Manila's operations against Abu Sayyaf militant group, which is linked to the Daesh Takfiri terrorists.

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5 soldiers, 30 Boko Haram militants killed in Niger fighting

Iran Press TV

Wed Sep 14, 2016 2:51PM

Nigeria-based Boko Haram Takfiri militants have attacked soldiers in neighboring Niger, with reports saying more than two dozen people have been killed in the fighting.

Niger's Defense Ministry said late Tuesday that the attack on its soldiers had been carried out a day earlier near the village of Toumour, about 65 kilometers northeast of the town of Diffa.

Nigerien armed forces spokesman Colonel Moustapha Michel Ledru said five soldiers had been killed and six others injured as a result of the fighting, which also saw at least 30 militants killed.

The official, who was delivering a statement on Niger's national television, said two Boko Haram militants had been arrested and the army confiscated a large quantity of arms and ammunition.

The clashes came less than a week after two Nigerien soldiers were declared dead after their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device during a patrol near Barwa locality in Diffa.

Niger has been one of the countries affected by more than seven years of Boko Haram militancy in Nigeria. The Takfiri terrorist group has routinely launched attacks across the border from Nigeria into Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Those countries have in return stepped up carrying out counter-offensives in the form of unilateral operations or contributing to a multi-national force against the militant group.

More than 20,000 people have been killed and many more displaced in northern Nigeria and neighboring countries since Boko Haram started its campaign in 2008. The group has pledged allegiance to Daesh, another Takfiri terrorist group mainly operating in Iraq and Syria.

Many blame corrupt officials in the Nigerian government and army for the continued militancy, as recent reports say Boko Haram is receiving some of its arms and ammunition from corrupt Nigerian officials.

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US drone attack leaves five people dead in SW Yemen

Iran Press TV

Wed Sep 14, 2016 2:19PM

The United States has conducted a fresh drone strike in the southwestern Yemeni province of Bayda, killing five people.

An unnamed tribal chief told AFP that the drone attack hit a car carrying the five, who are claimed to be suspected al-Qaeda militants, in a town situated in the province late on Wednesday.

Last week, the US military claimed in a statement that it had killed 13 alleged al-Qaeda militants in three separate strikes in Yemen between August 24 and September 4. It further noted that all the attacks were conducted in Yemen's southern Shabwah province.

The al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has taken advantage of the chaos and breakdown of security in Yemen to tighten its grip on the southern and southeastern parts of the Arab country.

The US carries out drone attacks in Yemen and several other countries. Washington claims its drones target al-Qaeda elements, but local sources say civilians have been the main victims of the attacks.

The drone strikes in Yemen have continued alongside the Saudi military aggression against the impoverished conflict-ridden country.

Saudi Arabia has been incessantly pounding Yemen since March 2015, with the UN putting the toll at about 10,000. The offensive was launched to crush the Houthi Ansarullah movement and its allies and reinstate the resigned president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a staunch Saudi ally.

The Houthis took state matters into their own hands after the resignation and escape of Hadi, which threw Yemen into a state of uncertainty and threatened a total security breakdown there.

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Turkmenistan's President Paves Way For Lifelong Rule

September 14, 2016

by RFE/RL

Turkmenistan's authoritarian leader has paved the way for potential lifelong rule, signing off on constitutional amendments that will allow him to run in future presidential elections regardless of his age.

The amendments, signed by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov after approval by the rubber-stamp parliament and the Council of Elders on September 14, scrap a rule that barred anyone over the age of 70 from presidential ballots in the tightly controlled Central Asian country.

They also extend future presidential terms to seven years from the current five.

Gas-rich Turkmenistan is one of the most isolated countries in the world and has never held an election that was deemed fair and democratic by monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Rights groups say dissent is not tolerated, government critics are routinely jailed or placed in psychiatric hospitals, and the country has no independent media.

The 70-year age ceiling was the only legal obstacle preventing Berdymukhammedov, 59, from running for office as long as he lives. The former Soviet republic's constitution places no limit on the number of terms he can serve.

A dentist by training and a former deputy prime minister, Berdymukhammedov was appointed president by Turkmenistan's security council in an opaque process following the death of eccentric autocrat Saparmurat Niyazov in December 2006. He is now serving his second term and is all but certain to win by a landslide if he runs, as expected, in the next presidential vote in 2017.

Berdymukhammedov, who led a commission that drafted the amendments, said after signing them that there will be "alternatives" in the election next year.

"Three political parties will participate in them -- the Democratic party, Agrarian party, and the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs," he said in a televised speech.

Turkmenistan is the second country in former Soviet Central Asia to amend its constitution this year to strengthen the president's grip on power and potentially extend his rule.

Tajikistan changed its constitution to allow President Emomali Rahmon -- who has been in power since 1992 -- to run for an unlimited number of terms.

Tajikistan also lowered the minimum age for presidential candidates from 35 to 30, a move that would enable Rahmon's 28-year-old son Rustam to run for president in a 2020 election.

Adoption of the amendments in Turkmenistan came after the autocrat who ruled neighboring Uzbekistan since before the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Islam Karimov, was declared dead by the government on September 2 following a stroke.

The president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbaev, has been in power since the Soviet era and there is no limit to the number of terms he can serve.

With reporting by Reuters, Interfax, AFP, and Turkmenistan.ru

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/turkmenistan- constitution-amended-presidential- powers/27987567.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Update: air strikes against Daesh

14 September 2016

British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh

Latest update

- Tuesday 6 September  Tornados destroyed a large group of Daesh vehicles near Qayyarah in northern Iraq.

- Thursday 8 September  Tornados struck a bomb factory, training facility, rocket launchers and two groups of terrorist fighters in northern Iraq.

- Friday 9 September  Typhoons destroyed a howitzer and its prime mover in western Iraq, while a Reaper silenced a mortar team near Qayyarah.

- Saturday 10 September  a Reaper destroyed mortar and rocket teams near Qayyarah.

- Sunday 11 September  Tornados bombed a Daesh strongpoint in eastern Syria, while a Reaper destroyed a further mortar team near Qayyarah.

Detail

Qayyarah remains the focus for significant Iraqi offensive operations, and Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to contribute to the supporting coalition air effort. On Tuesday 6 September, two Tornado GR4s used Paveway IV guided bombs and Brimstone missiles to attack a large dispersed group of mechanical excavators and heavy trucks being used by Daesh to construct defensive positions in the area; at least seven vehicles were destroyed outright. Tornados continued operations over northern Iraq on Thursday 8 September: intelligence had identified a bomb-making factory and associated terrorist training facility in neighbouring compounds to the west of Tall Afar. A pair of Tornados struck both targets accurately with Paveway IVs, then proceeded to provide close air support to local Iraqi forces, in the course of which they conducted a further successful Paveway attack against two rocket launchers. A second pair of Tornados meanwhile patrolled east of Mosul, where they used Paveway IVs against two groups of Daesh extremists who had been spotted by a coalition surveillance aircraft.

On Friday 9 September, Typhoon FGR4s were tasked to engage a howitzer which Daesh were attempting to bring into position some miles north of Ramadi. The artillery piece and its towing vehicle were well-concealed under trees, but the Typhoons were nevertheless able to score a direct hit with a Paveway IV. Near Qayyarah, a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft spotted a mortar team as they uncovered their weapon and began firing at Iraqi positions, but a Hellfire missile quickly removed the threat. Reaper operations over Qayyarah continued on both Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September. On Saturday, a Reaper used a Hellfire to destroy a vehicle-borne mortar team, then located a large group of twelve rocket launchers being readied for firing. A Hellfire from the Reaper killed the terrorist who was preparing the weapons for launch, and the Reaper was then able to guide a coalition jet to the scene, so that it could use its larger guided bombs to destroy the rocket launchers. The following day, another Reaper successfully used a Hellfire against a further terrorist mortar team near Qayyarah. In eastern Syria, Tornados provided support to the Syrian democratic forces by using a salvo of four Paveway IVs to demolish a large building in which Daesh fighters, including snipers, had fortified themselves.

Previous air strikes

Tuesday 2 August: With Iraqi ground forces continuing their offensive to clear Daesh from the area around Qayyarah, a Royal Air Force Reaper provided close air support. The Reaper observed terrorists attempting to salvage a heavy machine-gun from a truck that had been hit by a previous coalition strike and successfully engaged them with a Hellfire missile. A second group of extremists were also attacked with another Hellfire. UK aircraft then provided targeting support that allowed a coalition fast jet to destroy a mortar team. Over Syria, a pair of Typhoons were similarly supporting the Syrian democratic forces as they fought to secure Manbij. A number of buildings on the south-western edge of the town had been fortified by Daesh as a major defensive position. These were successfully struck by the Typhoons, using eight Paveway IV guided bombs, despite the proximity of the moderate Syrian forces.

Wednesday 3 August: Tornados destroyed a Daesh mortar position while patrolling the north and west of Mosul.

Thursday 4 August: Tornados were again active over northern Iraq and conducted a Paveway IV attack on a machine-gun position in the hills to the north-west of Tall Afar. Meanwhile, Typhoons destroyed two Daesh-held buildings in western Iraq, while assisting Iraqi forces in the Euphrates Valley.

Sunday 7 August: Daesh were observed to be attempting to extract oil from one of the eastern Syrian oilfields which had been successfully targeted by previous coalition air strikes earlier this year. Two Tornados attacked a convoy of tankers north of Abu Kamal. Four Paveway IVs and four Brimstone missiles accounted for a number of vehicles, denying the terrorists the oil revenue they desperately seek. In northern Iraq, a Reaper and Typhoons were again supporting the Iraqi operations around Qayyarah. The Reaper conducted Hellfire attacks on a mortar team that was firing on the Iraqis and on a set of rocket rails. It then helped other coalition aircraft to successfully target an improvised armoured vehicle. The Typhoons also used three Paveway IVs to destroy three Daesh-held buildings.

Monday 8 August: A Reaper flew overwatch for Iraqi ground forces operating near Qayyarah in northern Iraq on and used a Hellfire missile to destroy a terrorist vehicle as it was tracked at speed along an open road. To the east of Mosul, a light artillery piece had been identified, positioned within a building. This was successfully attacked by Typhoons with a Paveway IV guided bomb.

Tuesday 9 August: Typhoons were active over the same area, conducting attacks with Paveway IVs which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings and a vehicle some 20 miles south-east of Mosul. The same day, a Reaper was again assigned to support Iraqi operations near Qayyarah. Its crew observed a Daesh team setting up a mortar and attacked with a Hellfire. It then used a second missile to destroy a mechanical excavator which was being used to help plant improvised explosive devices and tear up the carriageway of the main highway, in an attempt to hamper the Iraqi advance.

Wednesday 10 August: A Reaper patrolled over Manbij, where Syrian democratic forces have cleared Daesh from much of the town. The Reaper intervened in close combat that developed just to the north of Manbij and successfully used Hellfires to clear two groups of extremists engaged in a fire fight with the Syrian moderates. Over Iraq, Typhoons bombed an armed truck concealed under trees some miles to the south-east of Hit. A number of secondary explosions followed as associated ammunition caught fire.

Saturday 13 August: A Royal Air Force Reaper remotely piloted aircraft provided overwatch to Iraqi ground forces clearing terrorist positions in the Qayyarah region of northern Iraq. A number of groups of Daesh fighters, armed with rocket-propelled grenades, were active in the area, but were tracked down by the Reaper's crew using the aircraft's very capable surveillance sensors. Three successful attacks were conducted using the Reaper's own Hellfire missiles, and the Reaper also made possible a further five attacks by coalition fast jets, which accounted for other groups of fighters, two vehicles and a mortar team.

Sunday 14 August: A second Reaper ensured that the Iraqi units continued to receive close support and this aircraft delivered two Hellfire attacks, again on Daesh rocket-propelled grenade teams.

Monday 15 August: Typhoon FGR4s, based at RAF Akrotiri and supported by a Voyager tanker, patrolled over western Iraq. Some miles north of Ramadi, they used a Paveway IV guided bomb against a terrorist mortar position.

Tuesday 16 August: Tornado GR4s and a Reaper conducted armed reconnaissance patrols over Syria; a coalition surveillance aircraft spotted a Daesh heavy artillery piece to the south of Manbij, and the Tornados were tasked to deal with it. The gun and an ammunition stockpile were concealed within a treeline at the edge of a road, but a pair of Paveway IVs struck their targets. The Reaper operated over south-eastern Syria, where it used a Hellfire to destroy an anti-aircraft gun mounted on a truck, around 40 miles north of Al Tanf.

Wednesday 17 August: A Reaper was again in action near Qayyarah, when it successfully engaged yet another group of Daesh terrorists armed with rocket-propelled grenades; a number of secondary explosions followed the impact of the Hellfire missile as the grenades caught fire. Typhoons also continued their patrols over western Iraq, along the Euphrates valley to the north-west of Ramadi, and here they used a Paveway IV to destroy an armed truck which the extremists had tried in vain to conceal under a large vehicle shelter.

Thursday 18 August: Tornados operating over northern Iraq. A coalition aircraft spotted a group of extremists hidden in a position beneath trees on the southern bank of the Great Zab River, and these were successfully attacked by the GR4s using a Paveway IV. The Tornados then conducted a further such attack on a Daesh machine-gun position, several miles to the south of Sinjar.

Friday 19 August: A Reaper and a pair of Tornados worked together near Qayyarah against a number of terrorist rocket and mortar teams. The Reaper observed a mortar firing from a compound at Iraqi forces, and responded with a successful Hellfire missile attack. The Reaper then provided support to the Tornados as they used a pair of Paveway IVs against a widely dispersed group of rocket-launchers. The Tornados also used a Brimstone missile to destroy a second mortar team, and another Paveway IV to strike an additional set of rocket rails.

Saturday 20 August: Another Reaper patrolled over Qayyarah, again hunting for a reported mortar team. The target was tracked down and successfully prosecuted using a Hellfire.

Sunday 21 August: a Typhoon flight bombed an armed truck a few miles to the north-west of Ramadi, on the northern bank of the Euphrates, while Tornados were active once more over northern Iraq; a Paveway IV attack struck a terrorist position to the south-west of Kirkuk, and a Brimstone missile was used to destroy a T-62 tank operated by Daesh to the north of Mosul.

Monday 22 August: Two Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s operated over northern Iraq. A group of Daesh extremists had been located, sheltering in a cave amongst hills on the southern bank of the Tigris, overlooking the river, some miles to the north-west of Mosul. The Typhoons used one Paveway IV guided bomb to attack the cave entrance, and a second to destroy the terrorists' vehicle, parked on a nearby track.

Wednesday 24 August: Iraqi security forces continue to mount offensive operations against Daesh near Qayyarah, and they were well supported by coalition aircraft, including an RAF Reaper and a pair of Tornado GR4s. The GR4s were primarily deployed in the reconnaissance role, but conducted two attacks with Brimstone missiles against terrorists engaged in combat with the Iraqi troops. The Reaper provided surveillance support to other coalition aircraft which delivered an air strike on a Daesh strongpoint, and carried out five attacks with its own weaponry: four Hellfire missiles accounted for two mortar teams and two groups of terrorists manoeuvring along narrow alleyways, and a GBU-12 laser guided bomb destroyed several rocket-launchers which another coalition surveillance aircraft had spotted set up outside the town.

Thursday 25 August: Typhoons, supported as is normal by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, patrolled the Euphrates valley west of Ramadi, where they used a Paveway IV to attack a Daesh-held building on the northern river-bank. Over Syria, a pair of Tornados used two Brimstone missiles to engage a number of terrorists spotted occupying positions under trees in farmland in the east of the country.

Saturday 27 August: A Reaper supported the Iraqi security forces advancing near Qayyarah. The aircraft spotted a heavy vehicle transporter being used by Daesh to move one of the mechanical excavators that are used to construct their fortified positions. Both the transporter and the excavator were destroyed by coalition fast jets, guided to the scene by the Reaper. The Reaper crew subsequently tracked an armed Daesh truck withdrawing from a nearby compound and attempted to conceal the vehicle in shed. A direct hit from a Hellfire missile destroyed the building and the truck inside.

Sunday 28 August: A Typhoon patrol over western Iraq used a pair of Paveway IV guided bombs to destroy a dispersed group of rocket-launching rails hidden amidst trees on the northern bank of the Euphrates.

Monday 29 August: Typhoons operating ten miles north of Mosul delivered a Paveway attack on a bunker and tunnel network. A number of secondary explosions ensued, most likely from stored ammunition.

Tuesday 30 August: Typhoons operating over the same area north of Mosul conducted successful attacks with Paveway IVs on a further three tunnels. An excavator preparing defences nearby was also destroyed.

Wednesday 31 August: A Typhoon patrol found its target 15 miles to the east of Mosul, where advancing Iraqi forces had identified a Daesh-held building. It was hit with a Paveway IV leading to number of secondary explosions.

Thursday 1 September: A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft operated over Raqqa in Syria, where its crew helped identify a large stockpile of explosive materials at an industrial site, awaiting the manufacture of improvised explosive devices and other home-made weaponry. An attack using Hellfire missiles destroyed much of the stockpile, and left the remainder on fire. Near Qayyarah, Tornados providing close air support to Iraqi ground forces conducted a successful Paveway IV attack against a weapons cache hidden in a line of trees.

Saturday 3 September: A Reaper kept close watch on a Daesh vehicle check-point in north-western Iraq, in the Tall Afar region, which was being used by the terrorists to harass local civilian traffic. The Reaper's crew waited patiently until there were no civilian vehicles in the area, then destroyed the check-point with a direct hit from a Hellfire.

Sunday 4 September: Typhoons patrolled over western Iraq and engaged a group of terrorists who had been spotted several miles north of Ramadi. Although they attempted to seek cover beneath some trees, the extremists were struck accurately by a Paveway IV.

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ON THE PHILIPPINES

Mr. Dooley in peace and in war

Finley Peter Dunne

"I know what I'd do if I was Mack," said Mr. Hennessy. "I'd hist a flag over th' Ph'lippeens, an' I'd take in th' whole lot iv thim."

"An' yet," said Mr. Dooley, "tis not more thin two months since ye larned whether they were islands or canned goods. Ye'er back yard is so small that ye'er cow can't turn r-round without buttin' th' wood- shed off th' premises, an' ye wudden't go out to th' stock yards without takin' out a policy on yer life. Suppose ye was standin' at th' corner iv State Sthreet an' Archey R-road, wud ye know what car to take to get to th' Ph'lippeens? If yer son Packy was to ask ye where th' Ph'lippeens is, cud ye give him anny good idea whether they was in Rooshia or jus' west iv th' thracks?"

"Mebbe I cudden't," said Mr. Hennessy, haughtily, " but I'm f r takin' thim in, annyhow."

"So might I be," said Mr. Dooley, "if I cud on'y get me mind on it. Wan iv the worst things about this here war is th' way it's makin' puzzles f'r our poor, tired heads. Whin I wint into it, I thought all I'd have to do was to set up here behind th' bar with a good tin-cint see-gar in me teeth, an' toss dinnymite bombs into th' hated city iv Havana. But look at me now. Th' war is still goin' on; an' ivry night, whin I'm countin' up the cash, I'm askin' mesilf will I annex Cubia or lave it to the Cubians? Will I take Porther Ricky or put it by?

An' what shud I do with the Ph'lippeens? Oh, what shud I do with thim? I can't annex thim because I don't know where they ar-re. I can't let go iv thim because some wan else'll take thim if I do. They are eight thousan' iv thim islands, with a popylation iv wan hundherd millyon naked savages; an' me bedroom's crowded now with me an' th' bed. How can I take thim in, an' how on earth am I goin' to cover th' nakedness iv thim savages with me wan shoot iv clothes? An' yet 'twud break me heart to think iv givin' people I niver see or heerd tell iv back to other people I don't know.

An', if I don't take thim, Schwartzmeister down th' sthreet, that has half me thrade already, will grab thim sure.

"It ain't that I'm afraid iv not doin' th' r-right thing in th' end, Hinnissy. Some mornin' I'll wake up an' know jus' what to do, an' that I'll do. But 'tis th' annoyance in th' mane time. I've been r-readin' about th' counthry. 'Tis over beyant ye'er left shoulder whin ye're facin' east. Jus' throw ye'er thumb back, an' ye have it as ac'rate as anny man in town. 'Tis farther thin Boohlgahrya an' not so far as Blewchoochoo. It's near Chiny, an' it's not so near; an', if a man was to bore a well through fr'm Goshen, Indianny, he might sthrike it, an' thin again he might not. It's a poverty-sthricken counthry, full iv goold an' precious stones, where th' people can pick dinner off th' threes an' ar-re starvin' because they have no step-ladders.

Th' inhabitants is mostly naygurs an' Chinnymen, peaceful, industhrus, an' law-abidin', but savage an' bloodthirsty in their methods. They wear no clothes except what they have on, an' each woman has five husbands an' each man has five wives. Th'r-rest goes into th' discard, th' same as here. Th' islands has been ownded be Spain since befure th' fire; an' she's threated thim so well they're now up in ar-rms again her, except a majority iv thim which is thurly loyal. Th' natives seldom fight, but whin they get mad at wan another they r-run-a-muck. Whin a man r-runs-a-muck, some-times they hang him an' sometimes they discharge him an' hire a new motorman.

Th' women ar-re beautiful, with languishin' black eyes, an' they smoke see-gars, but ar-re hurried an' incomplete in their dhress. I see a pitcher iv wan th' other day with nawthin' on her but a basket of cocoanuts an' a hoop-skirt. They're no prudes. We import juke, hemp, cigar wrappers, sugar, an' fairy tales fr'm th' Ph'lippeens, an' export six-inch shells an' th' like. Iv late th' Ph'lippeens has awaked to th' fact that they're behind th' times, an' has received much American amminition in their midst. They say th' Spanyards is all tore up about it.

"I larned all this fr'm th' papers, an' I know 'tis sthraight. An' yet, Hinnissy, I dinnaw what to do about th' Ph'lippeens. An' I'm all alone in th' wurruld. Ivrybody else has made up his mind. Ye ask anny con-ducthor on Ar-rchy R-road, an' he'll tell ye. Ye can find out fr'm the papers; an', if ye really want to know, all ye have to do is to ask a prom'nent citizen who can mow all th' lawn he owns with a safety razor. But I don't know."

"Hang on to thim," said Mr. Hennessy, stoutly. "What we've got we must hold."

"Well," said Mr. Dooley, "if I was Mack, I'd lave it to George. I'd say: 'George,' I'd say,'if ye're f'r hangin' on, hang on it is. If ye say, lave go, I dhrop thim.' 'Twas George won thim with th' shells, an' th' question's up to him."

"It looks to me," said Mr. Dooley, "as though me frind Mack'd got tired iv th' Sthrateejy Board, an' was goin' to lave th' war to th' men in black." "How's that?" asked Mr. Hennessy, who has at best but a clouded view of public affairs.

"Well," said Mr. Dooley, "while th' sthrateejans have been wearin' out their jeans on cracker - boxes in Wash'n'ton, they'se been goin' on th' mos' deadly conflict iver heerd tell iv between th' pow'rful preachin' navies iv th' two counthries. Manila is nawthin' at all to th' scenes iv carnage an' slaughter, as Hogan says, that's been brought about be these desthroyers. Th' Spanyards fired th' openin' gun whin th' bishop iv Cades, a pow'rful turreted monitor (ol' style), attackted us with both for'ard guns, an' sint a storm iv brimstone an' hell into us. But th' victhry was not fr long with th' hated Spanyard. He was answered be our whole fleet iv preachers.

Thin he was jined be th' bishop iv Barsaloona an' th' bishop iv Mahdrid an' th' bishop iv Havana, all battle-ships iv th' first class, followed be a fleet iv cruisers r-runnin' all th' way fr'm a full-ar-rmored vicar gin'ral to a protected parish priest. To meet thim, we sint th' bishop iv New York, th' bishop iv Philadelphia, th' bishop iv Baltimore, an' th' bishop iv Chicago, ac- companied be a flyin' squadhron iv Methodists, three Presbyteryan monitors, a fleet iv Baptist submarine desthroyers, an' a formidable array iv Universalist an' Unitaryan torpedo boats, with a Jew r-ram.

Manetime th' bishop iv Manila had fired a solid prayer, weighin' a ton, at San Francisco; an' a masked batthry iv Congregationalists replied, inflictin' severe damage. Our At- lantic fleet is now sarchin' f'r th' inimy, an' the bishop iv New York is blockadin' th' bishop iv Sandago de Cuba; an' they'se been an exchange iv prayers between th' bishop iv Baltimore an' th' bishop iv Ha- vana without much damage.

"Th' Lord knows how it'll come out. First wan side prays that th' wrath iv Hiven'll descind on th' other, an' thin th' other side returns th' compliment with in-threst. Th' Spanish bishop says we're a lot iv murdherin', irreligious thieves, an' ought to be swept fr'm th' face iv th' earth. We say his people ar-re th' same, an' manny iv thim. He wishes Hivin to sink our ships an' desthroy our men; an' we hope he'll injye th' same gr-reat blessin'. We have a shade th' best iv him, f'r his fleets ar-re all iv th' same class an' ol' style, an' we have some iv th' most modhern prayin' machines in the warruld; but he prays har-rd, an' 'tis no aisy wurruk to silence him."

"What d'ye think about it?" asked Mr. Hennessy.

"Well," said Mr. Dooley, "I dinnaw jus' what to think iv it. Me own idee is that war is not a matther iv prayers so much as a matther iv punchin'; an' th' on'y place a prayer book stops a bullet is in th' story books. 'Tis like what Father Kelly said. Three weeks ago las' Sundah he met Hogan; an' Hogan, wantin' to be smart, ast him if he'd offered up prayers f'r th' success iv th' cause. 'Faith, I did not,' says th' good man. 'I was in too much iv a hurry to get away.'

'What was th' matther?' ast Hogan. 'I had me uniform to brush up an' me soord to polish,' says Father Kelly. 'I am goin' with th' rig'mint to-morrah,' he says; an' he says, 'If ye hear iv me waitin' to pray,' he says, 'anny time they'se a call f'r me,' he says, 'to be in a fight,' he says, 'ye may conclude,' he says, ' that I've lost me mind, an' won't be back to me parish,' he says.

'Hogan,' he says, 'I'll go into th' battle with a prayer book in wan hand an' a soord in th' other,' he says; 'an,' if th' wurruk calls f'r two hands, 'tis not th' soord I'll dhrop,' he says.

'Don't ye believe in prayer?' says Hogan. 'I do,'says th'good man; 'but,' he says, 'a healthy person ought,' he says, 'to be ashamed,' he says, 'to ask f'r help in a fight,' he says." "That's th' way I look at it," said Mr. Hennessy. "When 'tis an aven thing in th' prayin', may th' best man win." "Ye're r-right, Hinnissy," said Mr. Doo- ley, warmly. "Ye're r-right. An' th' best man will win."
France Looks at Its Prisons as Ground Zero in Terror Battle

By Lisa Bryant September 13, 2016

Reports of new incidents trickle in steadily through the French media. Ten radical Islamists are quietly removed from the massive Fleury-Merogis prison over fears of an uprising. In another prison, homemade weapons are discovered in the cell of at least one suspected radical.

Then there was the stabbing of two prison guards earlier this month - an incident that prosecutors are investigating for terrorist motives.

French prisons have long been criticized as overcrowded incubators of Islamist militants; but, as the leftist government tries to grapple with terrorism both at home and abroad, its proposals for fighting radicalization within its penitentiary system are being criticized on multiple fronts.

Following the stabbings, Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas announced a series of new security measures being released this week, particularly in new specialized prison 'de-radicalization' units - an experiment being echoed elsewhere in Europe.

The units aim to "disengage" the prisoners from violence and "break their sense of self-isolation," Urvoas told the Le Journal du Dimanche weekly. "It's a moral duty, but also an imperative for national security."

'Real powder kegs'

Philippe Campagne, secretary general of SNP-FO, a national union representing prison guards, denounced the new security measures, along with the government's broader strategy of handling the radicalization.

"The idea of deradicalization is good, but what's happening in French prisons is not that," Campagne said in an interview, calling for the complete isolation of radical inmates and describing the 188 French prisons housing them as "real powder kegs."

Rights activists argue the opposite, saying efforts to isolate potential radicals may tip them to extremism.

For French authorities, the push to act is urgent after a spate of terror attacks and foiled attempts. Over the last week alone, authorities announced they had smashed an all-woman militant cell plotting two attacks, and arrested a teenage boy suspected of preparing imminent 'violent' action.

"Today the threat is at a maximum, and we are a target," Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Sunday, estimating about 15,000 people were being monitored for radicalism across France.

Concerns not new

Concerns about the spread of Islamist radicalism are not new in a penitentiary system where Muslims make up roughly 60 to 70 percent of the inmates.

Notable inmates include the January 2015 Paris attacks assailants Amedy Coulibaly and Cherif Kouachi, who met during their incarceration at Fleury-Merogis, Europe's largest prison located about 30 kilometers south of Paris. Salah Abdeslam, the sole surviving suspect in last November's attack, is also holed up there in isolated confinement.

Today, the government estimates nearly 1,400 French prisoners are radicalized, including some 325 jailed on terrorist charges - figures some rights activists question.

This year, authorities opened special "deradicalization" units within five prisons, each equipped with sociologists, psychologists and other specialists to turn around extremists.

The deradicalization experiment suffered a setback this month, when participant Bilal Taghi attacked two guards, stabbing one in the back and the throat. According to the Liberation newspaper, the 24-year-old then drew a heart on a wall with the blood of his victim, before starting to pray.

The new measures introduced this week aim to step up prison security and further limit any communication between radicalized and other inmates.

Critics say the measures are insufficient. Former center-right president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is running again for the office, wants to create special courts and detention facilities for radicals, while dismissing any notion of a "Guantanamo a la Francaise."

Pros and cons of isolation

Prison employee unions are also pushing for dedicated facilities for extremists - a notion rejected by the leftist government.

"We want a single national establishment created where radicalized prisoners are really isolated, where they're not crossing other prisoners," says Campagne of the FO prison syndicate.

"We see more and more people radicalizing in French prisons," he added, "and if we don't take stock of this and put the necessary measures in place, those numbers will explode in future months."

But the International Observatory of Prisons, a Paris-based group campaigning for prisoners' rights, is against isolating suspected radicals, and questions the government's figures of radicalized inmates.

"There's such variety in the profiles" ranging from a hardened Islamist to someone who merely consults jihadist websites, says Observatory member Camille Rosa, making a single treatment of them "the bad response."

Rather than isolating prisoners, she says, the better strategy would be to mix those at risk of becoming radicalized with the larger population "so they can see other backgrounds."

"It's absolutely essential that the rights of prisoners are respected," she added, "including those deemed terrorists or in danger of being radicalized."

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PLA Air Force to regularize training over First Island Chain

People's Daily Online

By Yuan Can (People's Daily Online) 15:34, September 13, 2016

Several People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force aircraft, including H-6K bombers, flew over Bashi Channel toward the Western Pacific Ocean for high-sea training on Sept. 12, a spokesperson of the PLA Air Force said.

H-6K bombers, Su-30 and J-11 fighters and early-warning and aerial refueling aircraft all participated in the military drill, which aimed to advance Air Force training so as to maintain national sovereignty and guarantee peaceful development, the spokesperson said.

"This is common practice for the air forces of sea-adjacent states, and a normal requirement for China's national defense and military-building," the spokesperson explained, adding that the move is also in accordance with international law and practice.

The PLA Air Force will be organizing regular exercises that fly past the "first island chain", or the first chain of major archipelagos from the eastern continental mainland coast.

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S. Korea, U.S. agree to seek further sanctions on DPRK over nuke test

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 18:16, September 13, 2016

Top nuclear envoys of South Korea and the United States agreed on Tuesday to seek the strongest possible sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its recent nuclear test.

Sung Kim, special representative for DPRK Policy of the U.S. Department of State, arrived in Seoul on Monday afternoon after holding talks with his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo.

The U.S. official met with his South Korean counterpart Kim Hong-kyun, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs at Seoul's foreign ministry, to discuss how to address the DPRK's fifth nuclear test that was conducted on Sept.9.

Kim said at a joint press conference that the two allies agreed to pursue the strongest possible sanctions and pressure on the DPRK by pressuring Pyongyang in an omni-directional way through UN Security Council measures, unilateral sanctions and international pressure.

Meanwhile, the U.S. official said Washington will make best efforts to take strong actions as rapidly as possible through the United Nations, noting that the U.S., South Korea and Japan will consider additional measures toward the DPRK separately.

He said that if Pyongyang is really ready to talk about denuclearization, it can be discussed through six-party talks, but the U.S. diplomat noted that the DPRK showed no interest in dialogue as it conducted unprecedented provocations.

The six-way talks, which involve DPRK, South Korea, the United States, China, Russia and Japan, have been halted since late2008.

The DPRK announced on Sept. 9 that it had successfully conducted an explosion test of nuclear warhead that can be mounted on ballistic missiles.

Seoul's military estimated the fifth test was the most powerful as it produced an explosive yield of 10 kilotons, stronger than 6 kilotons generated during the fourth nuclear detonation in January.

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Envoy: Chinese expert delegation visits Iran to re-design Arak Reactor

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sept 13, IRNA -- China's Ambassador to Tehran Pang Sen said that an expert delegation from China has visited Arak Reactor Site last week and considered issues of mutual interest with related Iranian officials.

He made the remarks in a press conference here at Chinese embassy on Tuesday.

Pang Sen said that China as one of two chairs of working group to rebuild Arak Reactor has always been in contact with related Iranian officials.

He also announced that new round of Syria Talks might probably be held next week and said that Syrian crisis settlement process has entered a key stage and the UN Special representative in Syria affairs De Mistura is to hold this round of talks in Geneva.

Referring to agreement between Russia and the US concerning ceasefire in Syria, Pang Sen said that China, as permanent member of the UN Security Council, positively is participating in settlement of Syrian crisis.

China believes political solution as the sole way to end Syria crisis, Pang Sen added, China supports talks between Syrian government and opponent under leadership of the UN.

The ambassador said that there is no good or bad terrorist and terrorism is common enemy of humanity.

He also announced that in near future, military delegation from Iran and China, delegation from Iran Interior Ministry and China Public Security Ministry as well as delegation from police forces of the two countries will be exchanged.

Iran and China have exchanged views on fighting terrorism, trans-country crimes as well as fight against drug trafficking and have reached wide range of agreements in these concerns, the ambassador said.

He added that trade exchange volume between the two countries in 2015 was 33.850 billion dollars and in the first five months of 2016 reached 14.100 billion dollars.

Concerning crude oil purchase from Iran, the ambassador said that China had imported 15 million tons of crude oil from Iran, which shows 2.5 percent increase in comparison with that last year.

Concerning Iran's membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Pang Sen said that Iran is among important countries of the region and China has always had a positive view on Iran's membership in SCO and support it.

1391**1420

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1st indigenous helicopter carrier joins IRGC naval forces

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Bushehr, Sept 13, IRNA -- The first home-made helicopter carrier joined the naval forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) during a ceremony here on Tuesday.

Deputy Commander of the IRGC Brigadier General Hossein Salami and the IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi were present at the ceremony held in this southern Iranian province.

The fast cruising vessel with a helipad is the first aluminum watercraft that has been designed and built in the country domestically, General Fadavi said in the ceremony.

The chopper carrier, named after Shahid Mohammad Nazeri, can cruise at a speed of 28 knots, the commander noted.

General Fadavi added that the watercraft is designed, built and equipped without any foreign dependency.

By using this long-range and fast cruising vessel, the IRGC naval forces will have more powerful presence in the free waters and oceans, General Fadavi stressed.

1483**1771

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US presence in Persian Gulf unwarranted: Iran official

Iran Press TV

Wed Sep 14, 2016 5:38PM

A senior Iranian official says the presence of American military forces in the Persian Gulf lacks any legal and international justification.

"The presence of American forces in the Persian Gulf lacks any legal and international justification and is against the will of regional nations," Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said on Wednesday.

He rejected claims about what Washington described as Iran's "provocations" in the Persian Gulf, dismissing US allegations as part of the White House's "media hue and cry."

The US claims about Iranian vessels getting too close to American warships in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's threats against US aircraft approaching the Iranian airspace are mere propaganda, Shamkhani noted.

On September 6, Pentagon spokesman, Captain Jeff Davis, said that an American patrol ship had changed its course after a speedboat from Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) came within 91 meters of the vessel near the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.

Davis claimed the Iranian vessel had sailed directly in front of the USS Firebolt, forcing the ship to change course. He said the incident began when seven Iranian ships "harassed" the Firebolt.

Meanwhile, a US defense official claimed that Iran had threatened to shoot down two US Navy aircraft over the weekend as they were flying over the Strait of Hormuz "near the Iranian airspace."

Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, the commander of the IRGC Navy, dismissed the US claims as untrue.

"Reports by American officials about the failure of the IRGC naval forces' vessels to keep their distance and their confrontation with  [American] vessels are sheer lies," the commander said on Tuesday.

On September 11, Deputy Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri, also rejected the claims that any US ship has been harassed by Iranian forces.

"Vessels belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran are fully aware of international laws and regulations and have always acted based on stipulated standards, so the [US] claims are not only fictitious, but stem from their fear of the might of the Islamic Republic of Iran's forces," Jazayeri said.

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Iranian Military Threatens To Shoot Down Two U.S. Planes Over Gulf

September 14, 2016

by RFE/RL

Tehran's military threatened to shoot down two U.S. Navy planes over the Strait of Hormuz in the latest tense encounter in the Persian Gulf.

Iranian air-defense stations warned the U.S. aircraft as they were flying in international airspace on September 10 that they were nearing Iranian airspace and "we will fire Iranian missiles" if they did not change course, U.S. 5th Fleet spokesman Commander Bill Urban said on September 13.

He said the Americans replied they were conducting routine operations in international airspace and the planes continued on their mission without further incident.

In another aggressive move, on September 13, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) unveiled a new high-speed vessel that it said was aimed at deterring the presence of U.S. warships in the Gulf.

During the inauguration ceremony, IRGC navy chief Admiral Ali Fadavi denounced the American presence in the Gulf, calling it "a cause of insecurity and lawlessness" and said "the speedboat will add to Iran's deterrence power and will have an effect on the calculations of the enemy, particularly America."

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the latest incidents add to more than 30 close encounters between U.S. warships and IRGC vessels in the Gulf so far this year and mark a "disturbing trend."

Toner noted that Iran has hawkish factions like the IRGC which compete for influence with more moderate leaders like President Hassan Rohani, who spearheaded last year's negotiations with world powers over a nuclear arms agreement.

"Iran, like many countries, has an internal political process that is defined by a lot of different dynamics," he said.

The Pentagon has denounced its various encounters with IRGC vessels this year as "unsafe" and "unprofessional," particularly ones that prompted Americans ship to fire warning shots and to swerve to avoid hitting Iranian vessels that got too close.

In January, the Iranian Navy briefly captured the crews of two U.S. patrol boats that had, through a series of blunders, strayed into Iranian territorial waters.

The 10 American sailors were released within 24 hours.

With reporting by AP and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/iranian- military-threatens-shoot-down-two-us-warplanes-over- persian-gulf/27985075.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iran Unveils New High-Speed Vessel Aimed At Deterring U.S. Ships In Gulf

September 14, 2016

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has unveiled a new high-speed vessel the force says is capable of carrying a helicopter and up to 100 people, Iranian media reported on September 13.

The report follows increasing incidents of more than 30 close encounters between American warships and IRGC vessels in the Persian Gulf this year.

The catamaran-style ship is 55 meters long and 14 meters wide, carries a light civilian helicopter, and can reportedly achieve speeds of 28 knots.

On its side was painted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's call for U.S. forces to "Go back to the Bay of Pigs," in an apparent reference to the U.S. CIA's failed invasion of Cuba in 1961.

During the inauguration ceremony, IRGC navy chief Admiral Ali Fadavi denounced the American presence in the Gulf, saying it "is a cause of insecurity and lawlessness."

"The speedboat will add to Iran's deterrence power and will have an effect on the calculations of the enemy, particularly America," he said.

Fadavi did not say whether the ship was equipped with weapons.

The ship was built in Bushehr by Khatam al Anbia, a huge construction firm overseen by the IRGC, he said.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-unveils- high-speed-vessel-catamaran-aimed-deterring-us- ships-persian-gulf/27985073.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Head of Libya's unity govt. seeks talks after seizure of oil ports

Iran Press TV

Wed Sep 14, 2016 1:14PM

The head of Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) has called for urgent talks in the wake of the seizure of four export terminals in the country's so-called oil crescent in the east by forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar.

Fayez al-Sarraj said on Wednesday that Libya was at a "turning point" after the seizure of the oil ports.

"I call on all sides to halt provocative actions and sit down urgently at the same table to discuss a mechanism that would enable us to get out of this crisis and put a stop to the conflict," Sarraj said, adding, "I am not prepared to rule one part of Libya nor to lead a war against another part."

The GNA is almost entirely dependent on oil revenues for its income.

Forces loyal to Haftar have captured the Mediterranean ports of Ras Lanuf, Sidr, Zueitina and Brega over the past two days.

Western countries denounced the assaults on the ports, warning that they will seek a UN Security Council resolution aimed at preventing the "illicit" exports of oil from Libya.

On September 12, Martin Kobler, the United Nations special representative and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), expressed "grave concern" over fighting around the oil ports.

"Attacks on the oil terminals further threaten the stability and lead to a greater division of the country," said Kobler, adding, "They further restrict the oil exports and add to people's suffering."

Kobler was to brief the UN Security Council on the crisis later on Wednesday.

Libya had two rival governments from mid-2014 up to December 2015, when militants overran the capital and forced the parliament to flee to the remote east.

The two governments reached a consensus on the formation of the GNA in December 2015, after months of UN-brokered talks in Tunisia and Morocco to restore order to the country. Libya, however, continues to be gripped by political strife and violence.

Since 2011, when long-time dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, was toppled from power after a NATO military intervention, Libya has been the scene of increasing violence. Gaddafi was killed and his ouster created a huge power vacuum in Libya, leading to chaos and emergence of numerous militant groups.

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Advocates for Rohingya Press Aung San Suu Kyi for Immediate Relief

By Catherine Maddux September 13, 2016

When Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi meets President Barack Obama at the White House this week, activists will be watching to see how the pro-democracy icon will address the plight of the country's ethnic Rohingya, whom human rights groups say are among the world's most persecuted minority groups.

Since ethnic and sectarian violence erupted in 2012, tens of thousands of Rohingya have been living in overcrowded camps in conditions that rights groups have condemned as deplorable. Mosques have been shuttered and marriages unrecognized by the government. The government restricts their movement, limiting the Rohingya's access to health care, education and job opportunities.

In fact, most Rohingya are not even considered citizens. The Myanmar government and many of its citizens see them as illegal immigrants, and even refuse to call them by their preferred name, "Rohingya."

Instead, Myanmar refers to them as "Bengalis," reflecting the view that they are from neighboring Bangladesh, even though many Rohingya have been living in Myanmar for generations. Aung San Suu Kyi herself has said that the Rohingya term is "divisive" and the government will refrain from using it.

Since 2012, thousands of Rohingya have fled abroad, risking dangerous trips to Indonesia or Malaysia. But an estimated 140,000 remain displaced in internal camps. Some rights groups have argued the treatment amounts to ethnic cleansing, or even genocide.

"The situation on the ground today is not good," said Wakar Uddin, a leading U.S.-based Rohingya advocate who met late last week with several U.S. administration officials to brief them  and sat down with VOA for an interview.

"People are dying. We have dire issues that need to be addressed," Uddin said. "One hundred forty thousand [people] in camps, lingering. They need to be returned."

Uddin is the founding chairman of the North America Rohingya Association and a professor of agricultural science at Pennsylvania State University.

Despite his deep concerns, he sees some hope with the creation of a commission headed by former U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan, which has the blessing of the Myanmar's quasi-military government. The commission is charged with probing the Rohingya conflict and filing a report within a year's time, a kind of road map toward a future solution.

"This Kofi Annan commission is highly capable," Uddin said. "They will be able to produce a balanced report: the truth. Whatever the truth is."

Trust is key, added Uddin. "They will be and they should be talking to the victims, who have gone through this hardship."

That said, he is calling for immediate action now to alleviate the humanitarian suffering. Uddin told VOA that he specifically pressed U.S. officials this week to remind Aung San Suu Kyi to take steps now. Other experts agree.

"The Annan commission has the ability to propose solutions that will assist the Rohingya and the Rakhine," said Ronan Lee, an Australian-based researcher. "The commission will not make its report until the second half of 2017, meaning human rights for the Rohingya need to be progressed before this."

Lee also pointed out that Myanmar's Buddhists also need immediate help.

"It's important to remember, too, that while the Rohingya Muslims have and continue to suffer dreadfully, Rakhine state's majority ethnicity, the Rakhine Buddhists, are often also living in appalling poverty," he said.

Uddin believes that, after speaking with U.S. officials, some of these more urgent, immediate humanitarian steps will be taken ahead of the Annan commission's report.

One delicate political issue confronting Myanmar's leadership, the Obama administration, and activists and Buddhists in Myanmar: Does the treatment of the Rohingya amount to genocide?

"You cannot paint with a broad brush. There are all kinds of voices in the community that use their own terminology," Uddin said. "I really do not want to dwell on these terms. We want to make every effort to not anger the other side."

Labeling the treatment of Rohingya as genocide could compel the 147 countries that have signed the 1948 Convention on the Punishment and Prevention of the Crime of Genocide treaty to intervene in the situation. That would mark an extreme step, but one that some activists say is necessary.

"This is the case where we, as the predominantly Buddhist society, has been misled and brainwashed in the way the Nazis brainwashed and turned the German citizens against Jews," said Maung Zarni, a human rights campaigner and co-author of the book "A Slow Burning Genocide of Myanmar."

Researcher Lee points to other researchers whom he said confirm Zarni's position.

"A well-researched report from the International State Crime Initiative at Queen Mary University of London was certain the Rohingya had been victims of state crimes and 'genocidal persecution,'" Lee said, while admitting his own research has not focused specifically on the question of genocide.

A separate legal study by researchers at Yale law school in 2015 that analyzed Rohingya testimonies, Myanmar government documents, and analyses by other aid groups argued that there is strong evidence of genocide. The group argued that while it was difficult to determine whether the treatment of Rohingya was intended to destroy them "in whole or in part," the available evidence strongly suggests that their treatment meets the legal definition of genocide.

And to whether or not Aung San Suu Kyi will act on the Rohingya issue, North America Rohingya Association's Uddin is hopeful.

"I believe Aung San Suu Kyi is a visionary," Uddin said. "She cares about our people. She recognizes that this Rohingya issue has risen to a global scale."

Ultimately, Uddin added, as one of the most revered and well-known political campaigners in the world, she recognizes that "she cannot ignore this."

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US Prepared to Lift Sanctions on Myanmar

By Cindy Saine September 14, 2016

President Barack Obama announced the U.S. is prepared to lift economic sanctions on Myanmar, following talks at the White House with the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"The United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma for quite some time," he said.

Earlier, Obama sent a letter to Congress saying the U.S. was moving to restore trade benefits to Myanmar that had been suspended more than two decades ago because of rights abuses in the country.

In an appearance at the White House with Obama, Aung San Suu Kyi called for an end to all sanctions that affect her country's economy, and said that while Myanmar has made progress in its transition to democracy, there is "so much that has to be done."

She acknowledged continuing tensions among Myanmar's 135 ethnic groups, and said her administration is focused on the situation in Rakhine state, saying "communal strife is not something we can ignore."

This was Aung San Suu Kyi's first visit to the U.S. as State Counselor and Foreign Minister  a position she assumed after her party's decisive win in last November's elections. The country's military era constitution bars her from holding the title of president because her late husband and children are foreign citizens.

Sanctions

Aung San Suu Kyi spent more than 20 years under house arrest in the country formerly known as Burma. Her meeting with Obama in the Oval Office is viewed as another clear indication that she is Myanmar's de facto civilian leader.

Since taking office in late March, she has not called for an end to all sanctions, which are seen as leverage to encourage the military to allow more democratic reforms.

At a conference on Myanmar in Washington Tuesday, Obama's deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said the White House wants to make sure that U.S. sanctions are not preventing economic investment that would help the people. "The view of the government matters a lot to us," Rhodes said.

At Tuesday's daily State Department briefing, State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner told reporters the lifting of sanctions is always in response to democratic progress.

Toner added: "We are not ready to pull back all the sanctions yet. Some of them will remain in place; we always retain the right to continue those as long as we feel they are useful." Toner said the U.S. is happy to welcome Aung San Suu Kyi, adding that much has changed over the past few years in Myanmar. He said human rights concerns remain, and the U.S. supports peace and steps towards a fuller and stronger democracy.

Country with many problems

Myanmar expert and Brookings Institution non-resident fellow Lex Rieffel told VOA: "I think it is absolutely the right thing to do to consult with Aung San Suu Kyi and make sure that we don't get out of ahead of her and don't get too far behind her. So this is a country that has so many problems. It is hard for Americans, I believe, to even imagine the number of problems, the difficulty, the complexity of the problems she faces as the leader of this country." Rieffel said those problems include a lack of infrastructure, such as a huge shortage of electrical power needed to operate businesses.

Over the past 20 years, the White House and Congress have maintained a long list of sanctions on Myanmar, including restrictions on jade and gemstones, and on businesses linked to the sales of arms and illegal drugs.

Obama eased some of the sanctions in 2013, and some major U.S. companies, including Coca Cola and General Motors, ventured into Myanmar's economy.

Rapprochement

Closer ties between Myanmar and the U.S. are viewed as one of Obama's foreign policy successes, and part of his pivot to Asia.

Lex Rieffel told VOA if Aung San Suu Kyi can succeed in leading the transition to democracy and helping Myanmar achieve peace after 60 years of civil war, it would be an inspiration to other countries around the world which have long and protracted conflicts.

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Analysis: Grozny Fatwa On 'True Believers' Triggers Major Controversy

September 14, 2016

by Liz Fuller

A fatwa issued by a conference of Islamic scholars convened in Grozny by Ramzan Kadyrov seems to give the Chechen leader license to take any action he likes to punish those whose religious views don't chime with his own.

(The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.)

Two weeks ago, acting Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov convened in Grozny a conference of Islamic scholars to discuss the alleged abuse of Islamic ideas to propagate "extremism" and to establish the criteria for determining who are the true followers of the Sunna (the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad).

Conference participants, who included Ahmed El- Tayeb, rector of Cairo's Al-Azhar Islamic University, adopted a fatwa stipulating that the sole true adherents of traditional Islam are those who abide by Kalam scholastic theology, belong to one of the four madhhabs (legal schools), and follow the path of moral self-perfection espoused by the great teachers, primarily the Sufi sheikhs. It identifies the Salafi strain of Sunni Islam professed in Saudi Arabia as a "dangerous and erroneous contemporary sect," along with the extremist group Islamic State, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and the Habashis.

Several prominent theologians have taken issue with that ruling, however. The International Association of Islamic Scholars reportedly criticized the conference as "a shameful attempt to sow dissent within the Muslim community." Saudi professor Mohamad bin Abdel Rahman al-'Arefe had to disavow a report that he had branded Kadyrov an unbeliever and called for his death.



The Grozny conference was pegged to the 65th anniversary of the birth of Kadyrov's father, Akhmad, a former Chechen mufti whose four-year tenure as Kremlin-installed ruler after the 1999-2000 Chechen war is widely billed in official Chechen historiography as marking the final defeat of "international terrorists" -- a reference to forces loyal to then-Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov -- fighting in the name of Islam to "dismember the Russian Federation" by upholding Chechnya's proclaimed independence.

Ramzan Kadyrov was not present at the opening session of the conference; instead he met late that evening (August 25) in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is not known whether Kadyrov attended subsequent sessions: the proceedings were conducted in Arabic, which he has never publicly demonstrated any fluency in.

Even before the formal end of the conference on August 27, disagreement was said to have arisen among the participants over the wording of the fatwa that reportedly led to the Russian delegation leaving prematurely. (One of its members subsequently declared that they had planned to leave early anyway due to unspecified other commitments.)

The Muslim Spiritual Boards of Daghestan and North Ossetia and Russia's Central Spiritual Board apparently did not send representatives to the conference. Nor did Russia's Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin. The fatwa was nonetheless designated obligatory for all Russian Muslims.

The conference participants also adopted two further documents. The first was an appeal to Putin to ban Salafism in Russia and to designate as "extremism" any criticism of "traditional Islam."

It also proposed expanding the council of experts subordinate to the federal Justice Ministry, to whom courts would be required to refer any questions over whether or not a specific religious text was "extremist."

A further proposal was that the fatwa be regarded as the considered opinion of "leading Russian experts" when evaluating the activity of Muslim organizations and the preaching of individual clerics. Assuming that Kadyrov is counting on a key role in selecting those "experts" the fatwa could be adduced as legal action against respected Ingush clerics Khamzat Chumakov and Issa Tsechoyev, whom Kadyrov has publicly branded Salafis and threatened to kill.

The second document was a resolution calling for the establishment of a Council for Islamic Education, and also a Council of Ulema (Muslim scholars), which would rule on who is and is not a true follower of Sunni Islam.

Hostile Tone

The hostile and categorical tone of the fatwa, in conjunction with the proposals cited above, were widely construed by both clerics and secular commentators as an outright bid by Kadyrov to divide Russia's Muslims into two categories: those who unquestioningly accept the importance he assigns to the teachings of the Sufi brotherhoods (and possibly also his own idiosyncratic and controversial version of what constitutes "traditional Islam" and those whose views are "erroneous."

What is more, as Saratov Oblast mufti Mukaddas Bibarsov points out, the question of who qualifies as a true follower of Sunni Islam was definitively resolved "centuries ago," and has not (until now) been disputed. Bibarsov added that the fatwa fails to take into account crucial differences between Russia's Muslim communities, specifically that Sufism is alien to the Muslims of Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, and the northwest Caucasus.

The fact remains, however, that the Grozny conference was held with the express support of the Russian president, who apparently sees no problem in implicitly empowering Kadyrov to rule on decisions central to the lives and well-being of millions of believers across Russia.

Addressing Chechen Interior Ministry personnel last week, Kadyrov described the Grozny conference as having the same effect on the "unbelievers" (meaning the Salafis) as a bomb exploding, given that "the most authoritative Islamic scholars proved in the course of this forum that there is no scientific basis to substantiate their pernicious ideas."

In other words, Kadyrov apparently believes he has been given carte blanche by respected clerics to take any action he likes to punish -- with impunity -- anyone who dares to question his own religious views.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/caucasus-report- grozny-fatwa-controversy/27987472.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Black Sea Fleet 'Has Everything' to Destroy Enemy Moving to Crimea

Sputnik News

13:21 14.09.2016

The Russian Black Sea Fleet is fully capable of defending the country's borders thanks to reconnaissance and modern weapons, the General Staff's head said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Russian Black Sea Fleet is capable of engaging a potential enemy while advancing from its bases, the Russian Defense Ministry's head of General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, said Wednesday.

"The Black Sea Fleet now has everything needed to do so: intelligence tools that detect targets at ranges up to 500 kilometers [310 miles] and weapons. The Bastion coastal missile complex alone extends 350 kilometers [217 miles] up to and including the Bosphorous," Gerasimov told reporters.

He added that the fleet's submarines armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, naval aviation, as well as strategic and tactical aircraft would prevent a potential enemy's landing troops "from reaching the Black Sea coast of Crimea wherever it comes from."

"The Black Sea Fleet should be able to  and it has demonstrated its ability to  independently engage a landing force while advancing, starting from the loading ports," Gerasimov stressed.

 Sputnik

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Syrian Army shoots down Zionists' fighter jet, drone

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Damascus, Sept 13, IRNA -- Syrian Army announced Tuesday that it has shot down a fighter bomber and a spy drone belonging to the Zionist regime in Quneitra in southwest of Syria.

In a statement, the Syrian Army said the fighter bombers of the Zionist regime's air force targeted one of the bases of the Syrian Army in the vicinity of Quneitra. The bombers' attacks were responded by the Syrian air defense.

The statement also announced that the Syrian Army has shot down the Zionists' spy drone in west of Sa'sa' located in southwest of Syrian capital of Damascus.

According to the Syrian Army report, the Zionist regime warplanes violated the Syrian airspace in line with supporting the terrorist groups in Syria and strengthening their spirits as they have repeatedly faced heavy defeats in the Quneitra vicinity.

1483**1771

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Syria truce mustn't allow terrorists to rearm: Iran

Iran Press TV

Tue Sep 13, 2016 12:17PM

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan has warned that supporters of terrorist groups in Syria may use the ceasefire agreement in the country to rearm the militants.

Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Tuesday, Dehqan added that the ceasefire in Syria, which was brokered by Russia and the United States and took effect late Monday, is a favorable development sought by everybody.

"However, what is concerning is that the supporters of terrorist groups will use this opportunity to rearm and reorganize terrorist groups so that they could carry out more brutal operations than before," the Iranian defense minister said.

He added that global efforts are required to maintain the ceasefire in order to dispatch humanitarian aid to civilians in besieged areas and pave the grounds for Syrians to find a political solution to the crisis in the country.

Dehqan further stated all countries must respect the legal and legitimate Syrian government because the crisis in the war-stricken country cannot be settled through military approaches.

The truce deal was announced on Friday following intensive talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry. The seven-day-long ceasefire took effect at sundown on Monday.

Hours after it took effect, a group of militant outfits, including the so-called Free Syrian Army and its affiliated groups, including Ahrar al-Sham and Jaish al-Islam, released a joint statement bashing the accord and calling it "unjust."

The government in Syria announced on Tuesday that militants hostile to Damascus have violated the ceasefire in the city of Aleppo.

Russia has been conducting an aerial campaign against militant positions in Syria since September 2015. The operations were launched on a request by Damascus, which has long had military accords with Moscow.

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US, Russia Look at Creating Joint Integration Center on Syria

By Carla Babb, Steve Herman September 13, 2016

A widespread calm appears to be holding in Syria as a cease-fire brokered by the U.S. and Russia continued into its second day.

The commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Lieutenant General Jeffrey Harrigian, told reporters at the Pentagon via teleconference Tuesday that the U.S. is now looking into the "possible establishment of a joint integration center with the Russians" to help with counter-Islamic State operations in Syria.

"The first step is the cessation of hostilities for seven days," Harrigian said. "This is something the Russians and the [Syrian] regime must do, and they must do it properly."

The general would not reveal details of where the potential center would be located, nor would he give specifics about what type of operational cooperation will occur, calling those details "premature."

He added that Russia's imprecise targeting methods and use of unguided, free-fall bombs are "clearly a concern of everybody involved," because the point of the cessation of violence and the potential coordination is to "protect civilians" in Syria.

The U.S. uses precision weapons, paired with surveillance, intelligence and intense training of its airmen to strike IS targets. That way, Harrigian said, the U.S. can ensure it is putting "the right weapon on the right target at the right time" to avoid civilian casualties.

Syria's 'last chance'

The halt in fighting went into effect after sundown Monday. Hours later, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry declared it "may be the last chance" to preserve the country fractured by five years of civil war.

The agreement was announced early Saturday in Geneva by Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. It is supported by a number of other nations, including Iran, which is a backer of the Syrian government, and Turkey, which wants the removal of President Bashar al-Assad from power in Damascus.

The cease-fire does not apply to the terror groups Islamic State or Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra until it broke from al-Qaida and changed its name.

While some key insurgent leaders have criticized the agreement and expressed skepticism that it can succeed, they appear to be accepting the cease-fire in hopes that it eventually can lead to political talks to remove the defiant president.

Some rebel groups in Syria are concerned about the targeting of Nusra, which they see as an ally in defending insurgent-held districts from a protracted Syrian government offensive in eastern Aleppo.

"The armed opposition in Syria now faces what is perhaps its biggest and most momentous decision since they chose to take up arms against the Assad regime in 2011," said Charles Lister, an analyst at the Middle East Institute and author of the book "The Syrian Jihad."

Lister adds that mainstream opposition forces "are extensively marbled or coupled" with Nusra forces on some of the frontlines, from Deraa in the south to Damascus and throughout the northwest of the country.

The years of conflict have left hundreds of thousands of people dead in Syria and created about 12 million refugees, one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

VOA's Jamie Dettmer contributed to this report.

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As Syrian Cease-fire Holds, Focus Turns to Aid

By Jamie Dettmer September 14, 2016

A Syrian cease-fire brokered by the U.S. and Russia appeared to be generally holding across the war-torn country but aid distribution to besieged towns and areas  a key part of the deal remains on hold with the Syrian government insisting any humanitarian assistance to the city of Aleppo must be coordinated with Damascus.

Aid agencies say they are waiting in other cases for guarantees of safe passage from not just President Bashar al-Assad's regime but also from other warring parties. Staffan de Mistura, U.N. special envoy for Syria, told reporters in Geneva, there has been a "significant drop in violence" and that the situation on the ground had "dramatically improved, with no airstrikes."

But he added that aid has not yet been delivered because the Syrian government hadn't sent a letter of authorization to the U.N., although he said he hoped aid conveys waiting on the Turkish-Syrian border would be able to commence deliveries some time later on Wednesday to the 250,000 civilians estimated to be in rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo.

Activists, skeptical of the chances of the cease-fire holding, noted to VOA that another cessation of hostilities brokered by Washington and Moscow earlier this year, which lasted for just weeks, also was undermined by the blocking of aid delivery.

"We need to enter an environment where we are not in mortal danger," Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the U.N.'s humanitarian office [OCHA] said. More than half-million Syrians are estimated by the U.N. to be living in besieged areas.

Small cease-fire violations reported

Since the truce came into effect at sunset on Monday, coinciding with the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, both the rebels and Assad regime and its supporters have accused each other of sporadic violations of the cease-fire  although there have been no reports of any civilian deaths. Russian military officials claim U.S.-backed rebel groups have violated the cease-fire since it went into effect nearly two dozen times on the Castello road, a key route into insurgent-held parts of Aleppo.

A pro-opposition monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said pro-regime forces shelled two villages in Aleppo province and a suburb of Damascus as well as conducting airstrikes in northern Hama province since Monday night.

Rebel factions remain highly skeptical of the U.S.-Russia brokered cease-fire. In a statement after the cessation of hostilities went into effect more than 20 armed rebel factions, including the Washington-backed Free Syrian Army, said they were "fully aware of the trap being set to make us sink in a quagmire of concessions or lead us to infighting that divides our ranks and disunites us."

Rebel groups have doubts about targets

Rebel groups are also critical of the proposed joint U.S.-Russia targeting of the former al-Qaida affiliate Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, arguing "this would weaken the military power of the revolution and strengthen the Assad regime and its allies."

The chances of the cease-fire holding in many ways rests with what happens to aid deliveries and whether the regime allows humanitarian assistance to be distributed without either blocking it or directing it where it wants the help to go for political purposes, say activists.

The politics of aid in war zones is always complex but it has become especially so with the Syrian conflict where all sides have used aid to further their war aims, although the Assad government is seen by aid agencies as the biggest culprit of all.

Last week, more than 70 NGOs said they would refrain from information sharing with the U.N. because they believe the Assad regime has been allowed to manipulate aid and has too much influence over the $4 billion relief effort. In a joint letter to the organization they said "manipulation of humanitarian relief efforts by the political interests of the Syrian government that deprives other Syrians in besieged areas from the services of those programs."

Little progress in reaching needy

Relief organizations complain that the U.N. has given contracts worth tens of millions of dollars to associates of the Assad regime, including some who are under U.S. and EU sanctions. According to an investigation by Britain's Guardian newspaper on Monday U.N.-sponsored aid convoys only reach "on average 33 percent of people to whom access was requested."

Twenty trucks carrying food and flour entered northern Syria from the Turkish border town of Cilvegozu on Monday, according to Reuters news agency. The aid convoy was not a U.N. one and it was unclear how far into the war-torn country it would be able to go.

The French medical charity Doctors without Borders said Tuesday that there are more than 150 medical facilities that are in urgent need of resupply. They urged all parties to allow the injured to be evacuated. But that is another issue that is likely in the coming days to prove controversial. The Syrian government wants medical evacuees from eastern Aleppo to be evacuated to areas it controls and not be sent to Turkey or to rebel-controlled areas.

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U.S. respects Taiwan's U.N. bid: MOFA

ROC Central News Agency

2016/09/13 14:01:39

Taipei, Sept. 13 (CNA) The United States has expressed understanding and respect for Taiwan's efforts to participate in international organizations, including the United Nations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday.

The government has maintained constant dialogue with Washington on issues regarding Taiwan's international participation, Christine Hsueh (), head of the MOFA's Department of North American Affairs, said at a regular news briefing.

On bids by some Taiwanese non-governmental organizations to promote membership for Taiwan in the United Nations, Hsueh said Washington fully understands that Taiwan is a democratic society and respects such voices among people in Taiwan.

Asked if Washington has voiced any opinions on Taiwan's plan to have its diplomatic allies write to the United Nations in support of its participation, she said the U.S. government appreciates the contributions and efforts by Taiwan's 23 million people to involve themselves in the international community.

The 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to open Sept. 13 in New York.

This year, Taiwan is planning to ask its diplomatic allies to speak up for its meaningful participation in U.N.-affiliated agencies during the general debate that will run from Sept. 20 to Sept. 26, according to the MOFA.

Taiwan will also request its diplomatic allies to extend a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to explain the pressing need to include Taiwan in U.N.-affiliated agencies, such as the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the ministry said.

According to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, the letter will be delivered to Ban after it is signed by the U.N. permanent representatives of Taiwan's diplomatic allies.

(By Tang Pei-chun, Huang Chao-ping and Y.F. Low)

ENDITEM/ke

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PKK leader 'calls for end to no-win war' with Turkey

Iran Press TV

Tue Sep 13, 2016 8:19AM

The imprisoned leader of a separatist Kurdish militant group in Turkey has reportedly invited the Turkish government back to the negotiating table.

Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), said the current conflict between his group and Ankara was a war that "nobody can win," according to his brother Mehmet, who was speaking on Monday after a recent meeting with him in prison, the Middle East Eye reported.

The PKK has been fighting for an autonomous Kurdish region in southeastern Turkey since 1984. A shaky peace mechanism, which had started out between the two sides back in 2013, collapsed last year.

It is estimated that the resumption of the hostilities killed nearly 2,000 people between July 2015 and July 2016.

"Yes, the Kurdish issue is a heavy issue. It's not a matter of 20 years, it goes back 150, 200 years. Thirty people die every day. If the state was sincere, there wouldn't be so many deaths. This country doesn't deserve this. Everybody with a conscience must consider this," Ocalan further said, according to his brother.

"The solution can't be one-sided; the largest party is the state. If the state points to that, this problem won't continue for too long, it will be resolved."

As quoted by his brother, the PKK leader also put the blame for the breakdown of the ceasefire on Ankara, saying, "First of all, it wasn't us who destroyed the process."

Ankara has been engaged in a large-scale anti-PKK campaign in its southern border region over the past few months. The Turkish military has also been pounding Kurdish militant positions in northern Iraq and Syria as well.

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Activists Say Crimeans Face Threats, Intimidation Ahead Of Russian Vote

September 13, 2016

by Christopher Miller

KYIV -- Rights groups say the Russian-imposed authorities in Crimea are using threats and intimidation to get out the vote in parliamentary elections that Ukraine has denounced as illegitimate because they are being held on territory seized by Moscow.

Russia is holding nationwide elections for the State Duma, its lower parliament house, on September 18. It is the first Duma vote since Russia took control of Crimea in 2014 after sending in troops and staging a referendum that Kyiv and most of the world say was illegal.

Public sector workers have reported being threatened with dismissal or wage cuts if they do not vote, Olha Skrypnyk, head of the Crimean Human Rights Group, told the Crimean News Agency. She said that heads of municipal departments on the Black Sea peninsula have called meetings to deliver the ultimatums to their subordinates.

Nariman Dzhelalov, deputy chairman of the Mejlis, the self-governing body of the Crimean Tatar people -- which the Russian authorities have branded an extremist organization and banned -- said he has been told of workers at private firms being threatened with layoffs should they decide to skip the vote.

One apparent case of pressure was made public by a Duma candidate in Crimea. On September 3, Oleksandr Talipov shared a photograph of an order sent by authorities in the Crimean city of Feodosia to municipal offices that said that attendance at a September 8 rally in support of the ruling United Russia party was mandatory, and that those unable to attend must write an explanatory note to their superiors.

Within Russia, the use of pressure to get vulnerable groups such as state workers, soldiers, and students to vote -- in some cases specifically for United Russia -- has been widely documented in elections since President Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000.

'Illegitimate' Elections

Many members of Crimea's Muslim Tatar minority boycotted the 2014 referendum that enabled Moscow to cast the annexation as the will of the people. Activists say Crimean Tatars and others who opposed the Russian takeover have faced reprisals including being jailed on trumped-up charges and also abduction, torture, and killing.

About 100,000 people have left the region for mainland Ukraine since the annexation, according to SOS Crimea, a Kyiv-based rights group.

Crimean Tatar leaders have called on all Crimeans to boycott the Russian elections, which they say are "illegitimate."

"Boycotting the September 18 elections is a peaceful, nonviolent form of resistance against the Russian invaders, available to and worthy of each honest person. Boycotting the September 18 elections is our support for political prisoners and their families," said Mejlis chairman Refat Chubarov, who has been barred from Crimea by Russian authorities. "No honest person should come to a polling station on September 18."

The elections have also ignited a war of words between Kyiv and Moscow, whose relations have been severely damaged by Russia's seizure of Crimea and its support for separatists in a conflict that has killed more than 9,500 people in eastern Ukraine since April 2014. Kyiv and NATO say Russia has sent large numbers of troops and weapons into the region during the war.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and the Foreign Ministry have urged the international community to condemn what they say will be an "illegitimate" vote, while the Kremlin said it does not care whether other countries recognize the polls or not.

"The Russian elections [in Crimea] will be null and void and illegal. They contravene international laws and the constitution of Ukraine," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maryana Betsa told RFE/RL. She said the ministry was working behind the scenes to get the international community to condemn the elections.

OSCE Observers

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said it has observers within Russia's internationally recognized borders to monitor the elections, but not in Crimea.

Asked whether the European Union would recognize the vote, foreign policy spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters she could only repeat that the "EU has condemned and does not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimeaby the Russian Federation, and that we are unwavering in our support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine."

She said the EU would base its assessment of the elections on reports from the OSCE observers, some of whom are EU diplomats.

Betsa accused Russia of using the elections to "trick" the international community into legitimizing the annexation of Crimea.

"We do think [holding elections in Crimea] will put under question the legitimacy of the State Duma in general."

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov brushed off Kyiv's criticism, saying that Russia does not care whether foreign governments recognize the elections because, in his words, "Crimea is a Russian territory now."

Russia also plans to open polling stations at its embassy in Kyiv and its consulates in Kharkiv and Lviv for Russians living in those places to vote. Around 150,000 Russian citizens were registered as living in Ukraine in 2014, according to official data, the Kyiv Post reported.

Kyiv said on September 10 that it would not allow those polling stations to open unless Russia canceled the elections in Crimea.

On Sept. 12, Peskov said that Moscow would not bend to that ultimatum "under any circumstances," and Ella Pamfilova, head of Russia's Central Electoral Commission, warned that Kyiv's move "could backfire on Ukraine in an unexpected way." She did not elaborate.

Betsa said that, in practice, it would be difficult to prevent voting at the Russian Embassy and consulates.

"There are not so many ways to influence this, legally speaking," Betsa said. "The territory of the embassy is part of the territory of that state."

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine- crimea-elections-activists-intimidation- russia/27984354.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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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.
Monique Dow has been in Danville for more than a month, and she was looking for work.

She needed to know about what can help me get a job and take care of her kids after being released from prison six weeks ago.

Her four children  ages, 6, 4, 3, and 2  are my everything. They are the only family that I have, said Dow, 34. Theyre all I have.

Dow and more than 40 people attended the inaugural Family Reunification Workshop on Tuesday evening at the Community Market on Craghead Street.

An ex-offender needs a support system to help them provide for their families, but sometimes they dont always know who or where to go to.

After a long period of separation, the transition from incarceration to parent and employee can be stressful but manageable, said Barry Mayo, case manager for Southwest C.A.R.E.S.

Mayo said the workshop was created because ex-offenders and their families need to get the information and resources to help with that transition.

The event provided free consultation from 10 local agencies like Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services, adult education, Virginia Workforce, Social Services, Division of Child Support  even Gods Storehouse to talk about the family nutrition component.

It gets the [ex-offenders] and their families on the same page, said Douglas H. Morrison, chief probation and parole officer for Danville and Pittsylvania County.

It puts the available resources in the community to who needs it the most, Morrison said of the event. Its helping people make decisions and become productive citizens of the commonwealth.

Southwest C.A.R.E.S. will continue its work for ex-offenders in October with a job and resources fair, also held at the Community Market.

If an ex-offender like Dow said she didnt have anyone supporting her, then were the support system for them, Mayo said.

On Dec. 21, 2001, Deon Hunt was where Monique Dow is: re-entering society after incarceration.

Hunt was fearful, frightful somewhat but definitely determined.

Hunt became a licensed barber and owns Styles II Profile at 2024 N. Main St. Hes been sober for 23 years, a homeowner, husband, father and grandfather.

He had his mother to support him when he was released. He credits God, his mother and Mayo for him being where he is.

Once I was introduced to [Mayo], doors started to open, Hunt said.

Hunt volunteered at the Family Reunification Workshop, serving food and putting together goodie bags for the attendees.

After dinner, Pastor Dwane Massenburg of Trinity Baptist Church spoke to the attendees about topics related to re-entry.

Massenburg, Green Rock Correctional Facilitys offender workforce development specialist, pointed to a couple with two children sitting in the front row and spoke on the importance of fathers and male authority figures in the home.

Family reunification is to make our families whole, he said. They are going to be whatever our families and community helps them to be.
The governors office announced more than $56 million in federal Victims of Crime Act funds will be awarded to the commonwealth.

The funds are essential to our efforts to maintain and expand support and resources for crime victims throughout the state, Governor Terry McAuliffe said in a news release.

The money is more than $6 million more than the states award last year, the news release stated.

The 1984 Victims of Crime Act created the Crime Victims Fund, which is one of the major sources of support for victim services each year in Virginia and throughout the United States.

The money comes from criminal fines and other sources, not taxpayers.

The major increases in VOCA funds last year and now this year are giving us an excellent opportunity to address long standing unmet needs and strengthen core services for crime victims across Virginia, Department of Criminal Justice Services Fran Ecker said in the news release.
Officials with Pittsylvania County Schools answered questions about the school districts power use program after parents voiced concerns over air conditioning usage at county schools.

Director of Maintenance and Facilities Michael Hutson said during a school board meeting Tuesday night that some parents were confused about air conditioning usage during peak power days.

We had several complaints from schools and a few from parents, Hutson said.

The school district is enrolled in several power reduction programs with both Dominion Power and Danville Utilities, Hutson said. On designated peak days, several schools turn down air conditioning at 2 p.m. to help meet peak usage demands.

The purpose of the program is the power companies struggle to reach peak loads, Hutson said. Those large power plants cant recover quickly enough to meet their peak demand.

Hutson said the schools have been participating in the programs for the last four years, and will get about $20,000 this year for participating.

The school board also voted to name four middle school parks after each of the schools mascots. Pittsylvania County Parks and Recreation Director Mark Moore told board members all playgrounds and shelters would be completed by the end of next week. Additionally, he was putting out bids for the walking tracks and preparing to find locations for park restrooms.

The school board also recognized Tunstall High School student Savannah Childers, who placed third in dairy handlers career development event at the Virginia State FFA Convention in June.
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MARTINSVILLE  Data released by the U.S. Travel Association reveals that all regions in Virginia posted an increase in tourism revenue last year. According to the U.S. Travel Association, tourism in Virginia generated $23 billion in travel spending.

Tourism also supported 223,000 jobs in the Commonwealth and $1.6 billion in state and local taxes. The increase is largely attributed to Virginias authentic, local travel experiences, diversity of tourism product, and the efforts of the destination marketing organizations and their leadership.

Tourism was again an important contributor to the local economy in 2015. Tourism revenue for Martinsville-Henry County (MHC) reached $67,842,867, a 2.6 percent total increase over 2014.

Martinsville City experienced a 3 percent increase in revenue which makes the city the 12th fastest growing tourism economy out of 137 Virginia communities studied. Henry County experienced a 2.4% increase and ranked 39 out of 137 on the list.

Local tourism-supported jobs for MHC totaled 757 while local tourism-related taxes were $1,457,131. These figures increased by 3 percent and 6 percent, respectively.

All data was received by the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) from U.S. Travel Association and is based on domestic visitor spending (travelers from within the United States) from trips taken 50 miles or more away from home.

According to Jennifer Doss, director of tourism with the Martinsville-Henry County EDC, Tourism revenue, jobs supported, and taxes generated have steadily increased for the past six years but this is the largest single-year jump in percentages that weve experienced in the past three years. She added, This data shows the direct impact of new tourism-related businesses, restaurants, and attractions on our community and is a good sign for the future of Martinsville-Henry County.

"Having a strong tourism industry is vital to job creation and economic growth in Virginia," said Governor McAuliffe. "Travelers are coming to Virginia from across the country and the globe to experience our world-class restaurants, wineries, craft breweries, music festivals, oyster farms, beaches, mountains, and more. Our rich history, scenic beauty, vibrant arts, and burgeoning culinary scene make Virginia a destination like none other. It's easy to see why travelers are eager to discover why Virginia is for Lovers."

"Tourism is one of Virginias top five industries, and is an instant revenue generator for the Commonwealth, said Todd Haymore, Secretary of Commerce and Trade. With $23 billion in tourism revenues, 2015 was another record-breaking year for the Virginia tourism industry, thanks to the hard-working professionals across the state that help to showcase Virginia as a premier travel destination.

The Virginia Tourism Corporation is the state agency responsible for marketing Virginia to visitors and promoting the Virginia is for Lovers brand. Virginia is for Lovers is the longest-running state tourism slogan in the country. Virginia is for Lovers stands for love, pure and simple, and promotes the state as the ideal destination for loved ones to completely connect on a great vacation. Virginia is for Lovers was named one of the top 10 tourism marketing campaigns of all time by Forbes and was inducted into the National Advertising Walk of Fame in 2009.

Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Go to www.virginia.org and start planning a trip or call 1-800-VISITVA to request a free, Virginia is for Lovers Travel Guide. Specific information for Martinsville-Henry County can be found at www.VisitMartinsville.com or by calling 1-888-722-3498.
VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - September 14, 2016) - Klondex Mines Ltd. (TSX: KDX) (NYSE: KLDX) ("Klondex" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource update for the Fire Creek Mine ("Fire Creek") and Midas Mine ("Midas"), both located in Northern Nevada.

Mineral Reserve and Resource Highlights:

Total Nevada Proven and Probable ("P&P") Mineral Reserve increased 5% from 444k AuEq oz to 468k AuEq oz contained within 689k tons, net of depletion

Fire Creek Measured and Indicated ("M&I") Mineral Resource increased 7% from 473k AuEq oz to 505k AuEq oz contained within 526k tons, net of depletion

Midas P&P Mineral Reserve has increased 41% from 123k AuEq oz to 174k AuEq oz contained within 449k tons, net of depletion

TABLE 1: Fire Creek Mineral Reserve

Category Tons (k) Au opt Au g/t Ag opt Ag g/t AuEq opt AuEq g/t Au koz Ag koz AuEq koz Proven 121 1.703 58.40 1.37 47.1 1.722 59.05 206 166 208 Probable 119 0.715 24.51 0.50 17.0 0.722 24.74 85 59 86 Total P&P 240 1.213 41.59 0.94 32.2 1.226 42.03 291 225 294

TABLE 2: Midas Mineral Reserve

Category Tons (k) Au opt Au g/t Ag opt Ag g/t AuEq opt AuEq g/t Au koz Ag koz AuEq koz Proven 141 0.261 8.95 9.18 314.8 0.388 13.31 37 1,295 55 Probable 307 0.335 11.47 3.84 131.6 0.388 13.29 103 1,180 119 Total P&P 449 0.311 10.68 5.52 189.2 0.388 13.30 140 2,475 174

TABLE 3: Fire Creek Mineral Resource

Category Tons (k) Au opt Au g/t Ag opt Ag g/t AuEq opt AuEq g/t Au koz Ag koz AuEq koz Measured 180 1.637 56.12 1.30 44.7 1.655 56.74 294 234 298 Indicated 346 0.591 20.27 0.51 17.5 0.598 20.50 205 176 207 Total M&I 526 0.948 32.52 0.78 26.8 0.959 32.89 499 411 505 Inferred 931 0.538 18.43 0.48 16.4 0.544 18.66 501 446 507

TABLE 4: Midas Mineral Resource

Category Tons (k) Au opt Au g/t Ag opt Ag g/t AuEq opt AuEq g/t Au koz Ag koz AuEq koz Measured 417 0.400 13.72 7.97 273.4 0.511 17.51 167 3,325 213 Indicated 697 0.362 12.41 4.73 162.1 0.428 14.66 252 3,295 298 Total M&I 1,114 0.376 12.90 5.94 203.7 0.459 15.73 419 6,620 511 Inferred 671 0.303 10.39 2.93 100.5 0.344 11.79 203 1,966 231

Notes to Tables: 1. Mineral Resource is inclusive of Mineral Reserve. 2. Fire Creek and Midas Mineral Reserves are calculated at a gold price of US$1,200 per ounce and a silver price of US$17.00 per ounce. 3. Fire Creek and Midas Mineral Resources are calculated at a gold price of US$1,400 per ounce and a silver price of US$19.83 per ounce. 4. Metallurgical recoveries for gold and silver are 94% and 92%, respectively, at all properties. 5. One ounce of gold is equivalent to 72.12 ounces of silver. 6. Mineral Resources include resource dilution to a minimum mining width of four feet or the vein width plus two feet, whichever is greater. 7. Cut off grades for the Mineral Resources at Fire Creek and Midas are 0.228 and 0.196 opt AuEq, respectively. 8. Cut off grades for the Mineral Reserves at Fire Creek and Midas are 0.343 and 0.305 opt AuEq, respectively. 9. The effective date for the Fire Creek and Midas Mineral Resource is June 30, 2016 and May 31, 2016, respectively. 10. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves have not yet demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. 11. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource category. 12. The Mineral Resources in this press release were estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council.

Paul Huet, President and CEO stated, "We are pleased to have once again increased our Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources in Nevada. Midas and Fire Creek continue to demonstrate that their exploration potential remains intact and we will continue to aggressively invest in these flagship assets."

The Fire Creek Mineral Resource is based on 1,043 drill holes totaling 210,995 m (692,241 ft) and includes data from 206 new drill holes totaling 33,921 m (111,288 ft), completed by Klondex since June 2015. In addition to the drilling, the Mineral Resource estimate also utilizes 4,321 channel samples provided from mining on the structures.

The Midas Mineral Resource is based on 4,366 drill holes totaling 887,670 m (2,912,303 ft) and includes data from 118 new drill holes totaling 19,334 m (63,431 ft), completed by Klondex since May 2015. In addition to the drilling, the Mineral Resource estimate also utilizes 20,751 channel samples provided from mining on the structures.

The updated Mineral Reserve for Fire Creek and Midas was prepared by Practical Mining, LLC.

Mineral Resource Assumptions

Classification of the Mineral Resource as Measured, Indicated or Inferred was undertaken based on the number of drill and channel sample composites used and the average distance from the block to the composites.

For a Measured Mineral Resource, a AuEq grade model block must have incorporated four composites within a distance of 40 feet. For Indicated Mineral Resource, a AuEq grade model block must have used three composites within 100 feet, and an Inferred Mineral Resource must have incorporated two composites within 300 feet.

Drill interval assays for the Nevada Operations were performed by ALS Chemex of Reno, Nevada (independent laboratory). Channel samples were performed by ALS Chemex of Reno, Nevada, Dave Francisco Labs of Fallon and the Klondex Midas in-house assay lab using fire assay with gravimetric finish as directed under the supervision of Klondex staff and check samples were sent to ALS Chemex and American Assay (AAL) of Reno, Nevada.

Drill samples cited in this news release for Fire Creek and Midas were obtained from drilling by independent contractor American Drilling Corp. of Spokane, Washington under the direction of Klondex staff. Logging, splitting, and sampling are conducted at the Fire Creek and Midas sites. Standards and blanks are inserted every 20 samples or at least one per hole. Duplicates are generated by the lab and re-assayed internally. QA/QC samples are tracked and if a result is outside of pre-determined limits the batch is re-assayed and the results replace the previous values.

Qualified Person

Scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Odell of Practical Mining LLC (Professional Mining Engineer in State of Nevada #13708; Registered Member SME #2402150), an "independent qualified person" within the meaning of NI 43-101.

About Klondex Mines Ltd. (www.klondexmines.com)

Klondex is a well-capitalized, junior-tier gold and silver mining company focused on exploration, development, and production in a safe, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective manner. The Company has 100% interests in two producing mineral properties: the Fire Creek Mine and the Midas Mine and ore processing facility, both of which are located in the state of Nevada, USA, as well as the True North Gold mine and ore processing facility in Manitoba, Canada, for which the Company has recently announced a positive production decision. The Company is also in the process of acquiring the Hollister Mine and Esmeralda processing facility, both of which are located in Nevada, USA.

Cautionary Note Regarding Technical Information and Forward-looking Information

This news release contains certain information that may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking information"), including but not limited to information about the accuracy of current interpretation of drill and other exploration results, the Company's intention and ability to complete additional drilling, the Company's intention and ability to monetize mineralized material, project development and related permitting, cash flows, budgeting and the financial condition of the Company. This forward-looking information entails various risks and uncertainties that are based on current expectations, and actual results may differ materially from those contained in such information. These uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, the strength of the global economy; the price of gold; operational, funding and liquidity risks; the degree to which mineral resource estimates are reflective of actual mineral resources; the degree to which factors which would make a mineral deposit commercially viable are present; the risks and hazards associated with underground operations; and the ability of Klondex to fund its substantial capital requirements and operations. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and United States available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively. Readers are urged to read these materials. Klondex assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by law.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding the Use of Mining Terms

This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. All Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates included or referred to in this news release have been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These standards differ significantly from the Mineral Reserve disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") set out in Industry Guide 7. Consequently, Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource information contained in this news release is not comparable to similar information that would generally be disclosed by U.S. companies in accordance with the rules of the SEC.

In particular, the SEC's Industry Guide 7 applies different standards in order to classify mineralization as a reserve. As a result, the definitions of Proven and Probable reserves used in NI 43-101 differ from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7. Under SEC standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a "final" or "Bankable" Feasibility Study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and all necessary permits and government approvals must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. Accordingly, Mineral Reserve estimates contained in this news release may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards.

The SEC's disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves" by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. U.S. investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their 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.
CHRISTOVAL  About 80 supporters of West Texas Rehabilitation Center gathered near a tin barn and in the shadow of an authentic 1910 chuck wagon on the Bob and Sandra Helmers ranch here Tuesday to kick off the Fall Roundup in the Concho Valley.

"The 25th annual cattle sale benefiting WTRC will start at 11 a.m. Sept. 22 at Producers Livestock Auction in San Angelo," Bob Helmers said. "We need both livestock and cash donations to successfully reach our part in raising funds which are converted into treatment services."

Helmers, who is co-chairman of Roundup for Rehab in the Concho Valley, said more than $2,300 has already been raised this year from the sale of sheep and goats at Producers. Also, the Sonora Sensation raised more than $23,800.

Last year's Roundup for Rehab raised $107,000 throughout the Concho Valley including the Producers sale and eight other events.

The 57th annual Roundup for Rehab will kick off in the Big Country Tuesday at Abilene Livestock Auction. Last year's Abilene sale brought in more than $94,000.

Founded in 1953, the WTRC facilities  in Abilene, San Angelo and Ozona  provide outpatient rehabilitation to more than 600 patients daily regardless of financial circumstances.

Besides the business at hand, guests at the Helmers ranch enjoyed a chicken-fried steak supper, donated by Sutton County Steakhouse, and Dutch oven peach cobbler served from Archie Jobe's chuck wagon. And like any gathering of ranchers, the conversation eventually focused on rainfall or the lack of it.

"If not for Broomweeds we would not have any green in the pastures at all," Helmers said. The Helmers ranch, located in Tom Green and Schleicher counties, has missed all the recent rain events. "Last spring we received rain every time a norther came down, but we have missed every thundershower in the summer and recently," he said.

At the Six Mile Ranch at Fort McKavett, Jimmie Powell said it's rained so often he has lost count of the amounts. However, his grandson, James Uhl, who lives at the ranch, said more than 25 inches of rainfall has benefited pastures this year.

Ronnie Mittel, who ranches in Schleicher and Sutton counties, has received adequate rainfall in multiple thundershowers to grow grass in time to provide livestock grazing well into winter.

Rusty Owens, who operates the Owens Ranch with his father, 84-year old Buck Owens at Barnhart, said pastures are green although rainfall has been spotted. Despite that, they have recorded 26 inches of rainfall since January.

Plenty of rain in August

Meanwhile, August was one of the wettest on record in Texas, said State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon in College Station.

"Two corners of the state with severe drought at the beginning of August, the South Plains in the Lubbock area and northeast Texas, both got enough rain to improve considerably if not eliminate drought completely," he said.

Nielsen-Gammon said the average rainfall for the state was more than 5 inches during August.

"Widespread rains in August put a damper on field work but have filled farm ponds and ended drought conditions in most of Texas," said Kevin Wagner, deputy director of engagement at the Texas Water Resources Institute.

Wagner said most major water-supply reservoirs around the state are full or holding good amounts of water after several inches of rain fell over a weeklong period in August.

"Generally, if an area is out of drought, we can assume that the farm pond levels are going to be in good shape," he said. "Producers in the South Plains and other arid areas of the state typically use groundwater as their predominant water source for livestock."

The stock tanks maybe full around the Concho Valley, but Ivie Reservoir remains at 23 percent capacity, Stephen Brown told me.

Brown, consultant for the Upper Colorado River Authority and retired San Angelo city manager, said although the rainfall has been significant this year, it will take much more runoff to pull reservoir water capacity, like Ivie, higher and satisfy future supply.

The Climatic Atlas of Texas produced by the Texas Department of Water Resources in 1983, compiled almost 30 years of weather-related data between 1950 and 1979 and remains the go-to reference for annual climate information.

The atlas showed the January monthly average evaporation for lakes was 2 inches in East Texas and 3.5 inches in far West Texas. Evaporation numbers around the state begin climbing in earnest in April  3.25 inches in East Texas and 7.5 inches in far West Texas  and peak at between 5.5-7.5 inches in East Texas and 10.75-11.75 inches in far West Texas during July and August.

Jerry Lackey is the agriculture editor emeritus. Contact him at jlackey@wcc.net.
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By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY

SAN FRANCISCO  A Wells Fargo executive who oversaw the unit that created 2 million unauthorized customer accounts is retiring from the company with a golden parachute worth $124.6 million, according to a news report.

Carrie Tolstedt was the head of Wells' Community Banking division. She announced her retirement in July at age 56 and was scheduled to retire at year's end, according to a release by the bank.

Last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau  working with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the city and county of Los Angeles  imposed a $185 million fine on Wells Fargo for defrauding customers to generate more revenue.

Much of that fraud took place in the retail banking and credit card divisions, which are included in the community banking division. The CFPB did not specifically mention Tolstedt in its filing and it is not known if she was aware of the practice.

Wells said it had fired over 5,300 employees over the past five years related to the unauthorized accounts.

Fortune first reported Monday that Tolstedt would leave the company with a large payout despite having been in charge of the division.

Wells Fargo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

When Tolstedt's departure was announced two months ago, Wells CEO John Stumpf called her "a standard-bearer of our culture, a champion for our customers, and a role model for responsible, principled and inclusive leadership."

In her statement at the time, Toldsted said "I have loved the opportunity to help others succeed financially, which is the very essence of why we do what we do each day at this great company."

Tolstedt's salary is $1.7 million. When she retires at the end of the year she will be eligible for $124.6 million in stock, options, and restricted Wells Fargo shares, some of which haven't vested yet, according to Fortune.
Smorrebrod is a butter-slicked open-faced sandwich from Denmark. This one piles on tomatoes, with hard-cooked eggs and watercress. Build the toppings one on top of the other or place the egg and tomato slices each on a half. In either case, watercress goes on top.

SHARE Pan de tomate, a Spanish preparation, has you rubbing fresh tomato vigorously over the toasted bread, leaving behind glorious pulp and juices. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune/TNS) The best summertime tomatoes have a ucscious interior with a taste that hovers from sweet to acidic to, most importantly, savory. The tomato sandwich might be the absolute best way to enjoy them. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune/TNS) Photos by Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune/TNS Southern tomato sandwich is the classic with just tomatoes and mayo stacked high on plain white bread.

When it comes to sandwiches, keep it simple

By Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Tribune

While we all have access to tomatoes in even the depths of winter, the words we use to describe them all sound like other names for disappointment  mealy, bland and sad. But describe an encounter with the best summertime tomatoes, and suddenly it sounds as if you're reliving some steamy affair  luscious, sumptuous and messy.

The best summertime tomatoes have a super juicy interior with a taste that hovers from sweet to acidic to, most importantly, savory. You probably think I'm joking, but tomatoes contain a high proportion of glutamic acid, which also lends Parmesan cheese and soy sauce their oddly meaty powers. Kind of amazing, no?

This partly explains the appeal of the summertime tomato sandwich. Even though you're feasting on fruit (tomatoes are, as you know, not a vegetable), something feels greedy and exciting about the whole affair.

As an American, I make sure to eat my fair share of BLT sandwiches; when done right, it is a nearly flawless creation. But it's not the only word on tomatoes and bread. There's a wide world of options out there, and making the slightest adjustment to the bread or the fat used completely changes the result. The only rule is to keep things simple.

Let's start with the obvious. We've all heard of bruschetta, right? At its simplest, the base recipe is nothing more than toasted or grilled slices of bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil and salt. If you're using great bread, this can be satisfying, if a tad boring. But add tomatoes to the mix and maybe some torn basil, and now you have one of the most ubiquitous appetizers on earth. The crunch of the bread contrasts with the soft chopped tomatoes, with the garlic heat coming at the end.

In northern Spain, they also serve a toasted bread and tomato dish called pan de tomate (or pa amb tomaquet in the Catalan language), but while the ingredients are extremely similar to bruschetta, the dish differs dramatically. Instead of neatly chopped tomatoes and a pop of bright green basil, cooks drag a halved tomato across the toasted bread, saturating the slice and leaving a trail of pulp and seeds in its wake. Compared to bruschetta, it's a messy, unkempt sight. But it's immensely satisfying, perhaps even more so than the Italian version, because of the mix of crunchy toasted bread and the soft tomato-soaked interior. So what if looks like you're eating a soggy old shoe?

If you prefer your sandwich more handsome, follow the example of Denmark's meticulously composed open-faced sandwiches, called smorrebrod. Though topping options are nearly limitless, they all start with a firm foundation of grilled or toasted rye bread spread with butter. One of the simplest is to pair sliced tomato with hard-cooked egg and watercress. You could stack all the ingredients on top of each other, but Nika Hazelton, in her book "Classic Scandinavian Cooking," suggests placing eggs on one side and tomatoes on the other, with watercress neatly positioned on top. Be as fiddly as you like.

The result certainly looks much neater, but if you're using plump summertime tomatoes, each bite is still adequately messy. The sliced egg adds a creaminess, while the tangle of watercress lends a pleasing peppery bite.

Not all tomato sandwiches need to be toasted. In the Southern United States, tomato sandwiches are usually built on untoasted pearly white bread. While the softness of the bread seems destined to buckle under the juicy tomato slices, a healthy coating of mayonnaise helps protect it. What kind of mayonnaise? According to Southern cookbook author Virginia Willis, store-bought brands are actually the traditional way, with the regional brand Duke's being mentioned often, though Hellman's works, too. I quite enjoyed the sandwich I made with Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise, though that will seem sacrilegious to some.

Regardless of which recipe you try, the tomato sandwich should be unreasonably messy, necessitating a nearby stack of napkins for backup. That part of the sandwich crosses all borders.

BRUSCHETTA

Makes 2 servings.

Ingredients

1 large tomato

- Salt and pepper

2 slices rustic bread, sliced 1/2-inch thick

1 clove garlic, peeled, sliced in half

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

10 fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped

Directions

1 Chop the tomato, discarding the core, and transfer to a bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well; set aside for 10 minutes.

2 Heat a broiler to high. Place bread slices on a baking sheet; transfer to the top rack of the oven underneath the broiler. Cook until bread is well toasted on top, about 2 minutes. Flip and toast bread on the other side, about 2 minutes. Remove and immediately rub one side of both slices with cut side of the garlic.

3 Spoon the chopped tomatoes over the garlic-rubbed side of both slices of bread. Drizzle each with olive oil; garnish with fresh basil.

Makes 2 servings.

Ingredients

2 slices of rustic bread, sliced 1-inch thick

1 clove garlic, peeled, sliced in half

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 large tomato, cut in half

- Salt and pepper

Directions

1 Heat a broiler to high. Place bread on a baking sheet; transfer to the top rack of the oven underneath the broiler. Cook until bread is well toasted on top, about 2 minutes. Flip and toast bread on the other side, about 2 minutes. Remove and immediately rub one side of both slices with cut side of the garlic.

2 Drizzle both slices with olive oil. Take a tomato half and firmly rub it on the top of one slice of bread, leaving some of the pulp and seeds behind, but not the skin. Repeat on other slice. Season with salt and pepper.

TOMATO AND EGG SMORREBROD

Makes 1 serving.

Ingredients

1 slice dense rye bread

1 tablespoon softened butter

1/2 large tomato, core removed, sliced

1 hard-cooked egg, shelled, sliced

- Salt and pepper

1/2 cup fresh watercress

Directions

1 Heat a broiler to high. Place bread on a baking sheet; transfer to the top rack of the oven underneath the broiler. Cook until bread is well toasted on top, about 2 minutes. Flip and toast bread on the other side, about 2 minutes. Spread one side with butter.

2 Place slices of tomatoes on half of the bread. Place egg slices on the other. (You can also build egg and tomato slices one on top of the other.) Season with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Top with watercress.

Source: Adapted from Classic Scandinavian Cooking by Nika Hazelton.

SOUTHERN TOMATO SANDWICH

Makes 1 serving.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 slices white bread

1 large tomato, core removed, sliced thickly

- Salt and pepper

Directions

1 Spread the mayonnaise on one side of both slices of bread. With one slice facing mayonnaise-side up, add a tomato slice and season with salt and pepper. Continue adding tomato slices and seasoning them until the whole tomato has been used. Top with slice of bread facing mayonnaise-side down. Slice sandwich down the middle and serve.
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By Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Kids may get more of a sting from flu vaccination this fall: Doctors are gearing up to give shots only, because U.S. health officials say the easy-to-use nasal spray version of the vaccine isn't working as well as a jab.

Needle-phobic adults still have some less painful options. But FluMist, with its squirt into each nostril, was the only ouch-free alternative for children, and has accounted for about a third of pediatric flu vaccinations in recent years.

The problem: Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found in the past few years, FluMist hasn't protected against certain influenza strains as well as regular flu shots. Baffled scientists can't explain why.

The CDC says FluMist should not be used in the U.S. this year. Tuesday, the American Academy of Pediatrics agreed and urged youngsters to roll up their sleeves for a shot.

"We're saying, 'Shoot, now we've got to do the poke again,"' said Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson of Seattle Children's Hospital and the AAP. But, "we know the flu vaccine is the best shot at prevention and protecting those who are vulnerable from serious and even life-threatening infections from influenza."

Swanson has tricks to help ease tears and anxiety, like numbing the skin or distraction techniques like telling the youngster to cough on the count of three, coinciding with the poke. Sometimes the youngest feel braver by going first to show up older siblings. Swanson makes her own vaccination a family affair, parents and kids getting the shot together.

But her top advice: Parents, don't lie and tell your kids the shot won't hurt. Instead, tell them "it might hurt a bit but it doesn't last long and you can do this."

The FluMist mystery isn't the only vaccine news. Seniors are getting a new option made with an immune booster in hopes of more protection. Here are some other things to know:

WHO NEEDS FLU VACCINE

The CDC urges a yearly vaccination for just about everyone starting at 6 months of age.

Flu is most dangerous for people over age 65, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions such as asthma or heart disease.

But it sometimes kills even the healthy and young. The CDC says on average flu kills about 24,000 Americans each year, including about 100 children.

If mom gets a flu shot during pregnancy, the vaccine also helps protect her baby during its first six months of life.

WHEN TO GET THE SHOT

Vaccinations are getting underway as shipments arrive at grocery stores, clinics and doctors' offices. Despite the FluMist problem, the CDC expects enough to meet the typical U.S. demand, between 157 million and 168 million shot doses.

Flu typically peaks in January or February but there's no way to predict when it will begin spreading, and it takes about two weeks for full protection to kick in.

WHAT'S NEW FOR SENIORS

People ages 65 and older are especially vulnerable to flu's dangerous complications because they tend to have more underlying health problems and standard flu shots don't work as well with their waning immune systems.
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By Bob Moos

Long-term care can be one of the biggest expenses of retirement. Yet few people plan for it.

If you're 65, you have just about a 50-50 chance of entering a nursing home at some point. The average cost of a private room now exceeds $75,000 per year, and the average length of stay is almost 2  years. That adds up to more than $185,000.

One reason people don't give much thought to the high cost of long-term care is that they figure they won't have to pay for it. If and when the time comes, they tell themselves, Medicare will pick up most of the tab, the same as it does for hospital stays and doctor visits.

But that's not the case. It can be a real eye-opener to discover that Medicare typically doesn't pay for long-term "custodial care"  the kind of personal care that helps you with such day-to-day tasks as getting in and out of bed, bathing, dressing and eating.

Medicare does cover some skilled nursing or rehabilitative care if a physician orders it after a hospital stay of at least three days. You pay nothing during the first 20 days of your care and then part of the cost for the next 80 days. After 100 days, you're responsible for all bills.

So, since Medicare won't cover long-term custodial care, what are the most common options?

Private long-term care insurance

Such policies were once seen as the most promising way to finance long-term care. But sharp premium increases in recent years have made the coverage more difficult to afford. Shopping for long-term care insurance requires planning ahead. If you wait until you need it, you may not get it, since people with disabilities may not qualify.

Life savings and other personal resources

Long-term care residents often cover their expenses out of their own pockets, tapping their savings and investments or perhaps even home equity. The high cost of such care, however, can quickly exhaust those personal resources. Many people go through their nest eggs much more quickly than they had anticipated.

Medicaid

Let's look at this option more closely, since it finances a large share of long-term care in this country. Although the program is usually seen as the state and federal safety net that provides health care coverage to the poor, it also pays for the long-term care of millions of older and disabled Americans after they have impoverished themselves.

Over the years, policymakers have debated whether the government should create a publicly financed program specifically to help pay for the nation's long-term care costs. In the absence of any emerging political consensus, Medicaid remains the public insurance program that most closely addresses that growing social and economic issue.

As anyone requiring long-term care learns, there are strings attached to Medicaid's assistance. You must meet stringent asset and income limits.

Though the eligibility rules vary from state to state, you generally can keep no more than a home, your personal belongings, a car and a small amount of savings  often no more than $2,000. Nor can you give away assets or sell them for less than market value to qualify for Medicaid.

The state will look at your financial records for the past five years to check for any improper transfers. If it finds one, your eligibility will be delayed.

Also, in many states, you can have only a meager income. Long-term care residents who have been approved for Medicaid coverage must contribute much of their income  such as from Social Security or a pension  toward the cost of their care, after deducting a small allowance for personal needs, the cost of health care insurance premiums and, for couples, an allowance for at-home spouses.

And finally, after you die, Medicaid has the right to seek reimbursement from your estate for what it has spent on your long-term care.

As you can see, there are no easy answers when it comes to covering the cost of long-term care. But learning now about your options will pay off if and when the day arrives that you can't look after yourself. To find out more, you may want to consult a financial adviser or retirement planner.

You also should consider visiting with a counselor from your state's Health Insurance Assistance Program. In Texas, the number is 1-800-252-9240.

By Bob Moos is the Southwest public affairs officer for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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By Marty Schladen, USA TODAY Network

AUSTIN  Lawmakers on Tuesday renewed a debate over whether to curtail a Texas program that allows veterans and their dependents to attend college tuition-free.

Expenses have grown rapidly since a 2009 change included veterans' children in the benefit. And with taxes from oil and gas revenue dwindling, state budget writers face a difficult job as they prepare for the 2017 Legislative session.

But advocates of the program say the state should not break a promise it made to its veterans.

"I don't know what you're going to do," former Texas state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, told a joint hearing of the House Defense and Veterans Affairs and Higher Education committees. "You have a lot of options ahead of you. But I do know it's hard to go back on a promise."

The issue puts the state's Republican leadership in a difficult position as lawmakers try to keep down spending while not offending Texas veterans.

"Speaker (Joe) Straus (R-San Antonio) is extremely concerned about veterans and making sure we do the right thing," said Defense and Veterans Affairs Chairwoman Susan Lewis King, R-Abilene.

There was an attempt to limit benefits under the program during last year's legislative session. But a group of lawmakers led by state Rep. Cesar Blanco, D-El Paso, beat it back during the symbolically important Memorial Day weekend.

Since then, however, the state's financial outlook has dimmed and college and universities are being asked to trim their requests for state funding by 4 percent.

The Texas Comptroller's office last month estimated that costs of the Hazlewood program will increase from $178 million in 2015 to $286 million in 2017.

By 2025, the number of students in the program is expected to peak at 62,000 from 39,000 in 2015. Most of that growth is not among veterans themselves, but their children, said Michael Cline, associate director of the Hobby Center for the Study of Texas at Rice University.

With the state covering only a fraction of the cost of the Hazlewood program, colleges and universities have had to make up for the increases themselves.

"It's unsustainable," said Brian McCall, chancellor of the Texas State University System.

He said the system has seen a 20 percent cut in state funding over the past six years and its educators are making less than the state average.

Meanwhile, enrollment and Hazlewood expenses are increasing, he said.

The comptroller's report ranked the top 15 Texas colleges and universities according to their 2015 Hazlewood expenses.

Texas A&M University at College Station topped the list, shouldering about $18 million in Hazlewood costs, the report said. The University of Texas at El Paso came in 10th, with just over $4 million in such costs.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi was 13th, paying $3.6 million in Hazlewood costs, the report said.

Much of those costs are ending up in other students' tuition bills, the comptroller's report said, estimating that the average Texas State University student paid $500 last year to help support the program.

"Instead of talking about institutions bearing the cost, students are bearing the cost and those costs are considerable," Raymund Paredes, commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, testified Tuesday.

Cline, of the Hobby Center, estimated that Hazlewood costs could be cut significantly through measures such as only granting the benefit to veterans who serve for six years or more.

But others said that the benefit in its current form is an important tool to recruit soldiers and to keep military installations in Texas.
By Staff report

Police have identified the two drivers killed in Tuesdays crash on U.S. 87 North.

The driver of the 2004 GMC Yukon was 42-year-old Stacy Ann Manitzas of San Angelo, according to a news release from the San Angelo Police Department.

Investigators determined Manitzas was driving southbound in the northbound lane at a high rate of speed when she collided head-on with a 2012 Ford F-150 driven by 61-year-old Bobby Jack Hoffman of Ballinger.

Both were pronounced dead on impact by Justice of the Peace Judge Eddie Howard. Next of have has been notified, the release states.

Investigators spoke with several witnesses who said they saw the Yukon speeding south in the northbound lane toward San Angelo from Grape Creek. One witness told police the Yukon intentionally veered toward him, but he was able to avoid a collision, veering right and crashing into a nearby guardrail, the release states. Another witness reported the Yukon intentionally swerved toward her vehicle and she drove off the highway to avoid it.

Officials with the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office told SAPD officers the Yukon was involved in several other minor crashes out in the county prior to the fatal crash, and numerous 911 calls were received reporting the Yukons erratic driving.

Tom Green County Jail records show Manitzas had twice been charged with driving while intoxicated, once in 1998 and again in 2013. The first case resulted in probation, and the second was dropped to a reckless driving charge. She pleaded no contest and spent several weeks in an alternative incarceration program after her probation was revoked.

No further details were released Wednesday.
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By Rashda Khan, Rashda.Khan@gosanangelo.com/@rashda_SAST

Property owners who live in north San Angelo may soon get some good news regarding their flood insurance premiums.

FEMA, the federal agency in charge of the National Flood Insurance Program, agreed to change the floodplain in the area based on more accurate and up-to-date data. Local officials  representing the county and the city  shared the decision at the Tom Green County Commissioners Court on Tuesday.

The proposed floodplain  much smaller than the current one  affects the Green Acres and Mesa Verde subdivisions and the Grape Creek Road area north of Cauley Lane and south of Farm-to-Market Road 2105.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Rick Bacon, whose jurisdiction includes the flood zone, estimated about 400 households would be affected.

For decades the county has insisted the existing map used inaccurate information and has tried to get the floodplain map revised. Jodie Weeks, who was the Precinct 3 commissioner between 1996 and 2004, started the process. Judge Steve Floyd, who was Precinct 3 commissioner from 2004-13, fought for it for about eight years.

"They (FEMA officials) told me that it takes a long time to revise floodplain maps," said Weeks, who attended the meeting Tuesday. "Well, we can certainly attest to that. I'm just glad to see it finally done."

Kenneth Dees, president of Irving-based Chalk Mountain LLC  a company that provides civil engineering services related to land planning and development, infrastructure, water resources and regulatory compliance  saw a Standard-Times article about the county's efforts and called up offer his services.

"When we looked at the base flood elevations and the elevations on the surface of the earth on Google Earth, they were the same. If the water and land are at the same elevation then the depth would be zero," he said. "A floodway is part of a river, and a river doesn't just terminate. That's when we knew there was something fishy that warranted our investigation."

The county hired Chalk Mountain in May 2014 for $150,000. The county agreed to pay half the money  $75,000  up front for Dees to collect all the required data. Part of the land area impacted is within city limits, so the city of San Angelo agreed to help pay with the balance contingent on Dees being successful with the application for revision.

Mayor Dwain Morrison, who also attended the announcement, was happy with the results. "I live in right out there," he said, adding that flood insurance almost cost him sale of a property once. "It won't affect me now, but it will affect my neighbors."

Insurance rates, set by FEMA, are based on property elevations and location on a floodplain.

"On average, flood insurance costs about a $1,000 a year in that area, but it can be more or less depending on the circumstances," said Shanna Lipsey with Lipsey-Currie Insurance Associates, an agency that has expertise on flood insurance in the San Angelo area.

The details do matter, Dees said.

"Even a 6-inch difference in elevation can make a difference," he said, crediting technological advances and everyone's perseverance for the project's success. "We have better data and a level of accuracy that allows us to see details that matter more clearly than 20 years ago."

As a result of the decision, the entire east fork of the existing floodplain would be eliminated.

The new data show the water doesn't really run down a certain path and accumulate. Instead, heavy rains are spread over a large area and the water is absorbed into the ground.

Floodways are no-build zones, so the revision would free up "several hundred acres of undeveloped land, quite a bit around FM 2105, for future development," Dees said.

It would also drop base elevation of properties in the area by about 1 foot. Officials expect all property owners would need to get new elevation certificates to determine more accurate insurance premiums.

The court voted unanimously to accept the proposed FEMA Letter of Map Revision, which sets in motion the process of gathering public input on the changes and leads to the revised map replacing the existing one.

The county will hold an informational meeting for area residents at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Lake View Bible Church, opposite the 1st Community Credit Union Spur Arena.

For more information, call Bacon at 325-234-4261.
SHARE Justin Gamez Ricky Ray Ortegon Zuniga

By Staff Report

Two men have been charged with capital murder of multiple persons in Monday nights double homicide near Central High School.

Justin Gamez, 27, and Ricky Ray Ortegon Zuniga, 25, were arrested Tuesday evening and booked into the Tom Green County Jail on the charge, which is punishable by death or life imprisonment.

Gamezs bond is $500,000 and Zunigas is $100,000.

The suspects identified a third person, 27-year-old Raymond Alvarado, who they said was involved in the shooting deaths of Jimmy Andrew Gonzales and Anthony Martinez, both 28, according to an arrest affidavit.

The San Angelo Police Department was dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of Rio Grande Street about 10:30 p.m. Monday for a report of a shooting victim.

A witness told investigators he saw three men enter the home before he heard fighting, and eventually heard gunshots, according to the affidavit. The witness said he took cover inside his home until the shooting stopped, then called police.

Officers found Gonzales and Martinez inside the home, both suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to the affidavit.

Both men were taken to Shannon Medical Center by ambulance and pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace Judge Eddie Howard. Preliminary autopsy reports have been returned to Howards office, but they had not been released Wednesday.

On Tuesday police took Zuniga into custody first and Gamez shortly after.

Zuniga and Gamez told investigators conflicting accounts of the shootings.

According to the affidavit, Zuniga said Gamez drove him and Alvarado to the residence and that Alvarado had been talking about stealing from Gonzales.

Zuniga told authorities he entered the home with Alvarado and a physical fight occurred.

He said he fought with Martinez and Alvarado struggled with Gonzalez before Alvarado pulled out a gun, according to the affidavit.

Zuniga said he heard Alvarado ask Gonzalez where his money was and then heard gunshots, according to the affidavit. He said the two ran out of the house and returned to the truck and Gamez drove them away.

Zuniga said Alvarado told them he had killed them all, according to the affidavit.

Gamez told authorities he drove his truck to the house, but that Zuniga and Alvarado were in another vehicle, according to the affidavit.

He said Zuniga and Alvarado went inside the home while he remained in his truck.

He said he heard arguing before the two men got into his truck, and he drove them away from the house, according to the affidavit.

Surveillance video taken from the area showed a truck parked near the residence, according to the affidavit. Police observed three men exiting the truck and walking in the direction of the residence.

A short while later, the three men returned and sped away in the truck, according to the affidavit.
Starting next year, schools in Maryland won't open their doors to students until after Labor Day, thanks to an executive order issued last month by Gov. Larry Hogan.Kids may have cheered the later start date, which extends summer break in many jurisdictions by a week or two. And the state says that a longer summer will boost the economy, adding another week for residents to hit Maryland's beach destinations. One 2013 report from the state's Board of Revenue Estimates said that an extra week of summer would add $74 million in economic activity, including an additional $7.7 million in state and local tax revenue.But many critics blasted Hogan's move.The state Senate president declared Hogans order legally questionable, and several local superintendents said it overrides the authority of local school districts. State Treasurer Nancy Kopp called Hogan's actions an "abuse of executive power" and "a misuse of authority." The state attorney general's office is expected to decide on the legality of the move but so far has not released official word.Maryland is hardly the only place that's thinking about pushing the first day of school until after the Labor Day holiday.Ohio, Rhode Island and the city of Los Angeles all are eyeing legislation this year that would mandate a post-Labor Day start date -- something Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia already do. The Delaware state Senate this year passed a bill pushing back the school year, but the measure died in the House.Critics say pushing back the first day of school will hurt student achievement: Kids already struggle with knowledge retention over summer break, and extending it by another week only exacerbates the issue, say opponents. According to the National Summer Learning Association, students can lose up to three months of math and reading skills over the summer. In Maryland, the state teachers union decried the governor's order, saying it would "worsen summer brain drain."And for parents who must rely on day care or camps or other form of private child care, an extra week of summer can be a pricey proposition.One less-talked-about issue is hunger. For children of low-income families who depend on school-provided breakfast and lunch, an extended summer break can mean one more week of food insecurity, of not knowing where theyll get their next meal.Currently, 22 million American schoolchildren rely on free or reduced-price lunch at school. Delaying the school year may put an already vulnerable population at an even higher risk of hunger and poor nutrition."Theres a pretty significant unintended consequence there," said Lucy Melcher, associate director for advocacy at No Kid Hungry, a national nonprofit focused on childhood hunger. For students who depend on school meals, she said, "Instead of having an extra week or two of summer, they are hungry."States see the impact of that at food banks.We see a marked increase [at the food banks] in the summer when kids arent getting those free or reduced lunches," said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks.Typically, families need to spend $300 more per month during the summer to feed kids when they arent getting school meals."The federal government does have a summer meals program, but it falls short of meeting the needs of schoolchildren across the country, hunger advocates say. The current summer meals program only reaches about 15 percent of kids who eat a free or reduced-price lunch, said Melcher.Congress could opt to add greater flexibility to the summer meals program in the Child Nutrition Act, which is up for reauthorization later this month. Advocates say changes to the legislation, such as allowing community groups to deliver summer meals rather than requiring children to consume them at designated locations, could help increase access.Meanwhile, educators, state officials and other advocates across the country will continue to debate the "best" time to start a new school year and whether the influx of additional tourism revenue outweighs other concerns.
Democratic candidates for federal office in Kentucky criticized Gov. Matt Bevin on Tuesday for suggesting last weekend that blood might someday need to be shed if Hillary Clinton wins the presidential election, going so far as to suggest impeachment.In his off-the-cuff speech Saturday at the Values Voters forum in Washington, D.C., Bevin referenced a famous quote by Thomas Jefferson as he spoke about whether the nation could survive a Clinton presidency."I do think it would be possible, but at what price? At what price? The roots of the tree of liberty are watered by what? The blood, of who? The tyrants to be sure, but who else? The patriots," Bevin said. "Whose blood will be shed? It may be that of those in this room. It might be that of our children and grandchildren. I have nine children. It breaks my heart to think that it might be their blood is needed to redeem something, to reclaim something that we, through our apathy and our indifference, have given away."Democrats pounced, saying Bevin's speech was a call to arms for conservatives.Jim Gray, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate against Republican incumbent Rand Paul, called on Bevin to apologize."Using religion as a tool of violence and frightening people has no place in politics," Gray said in a statement. "Frightened people do dangerous things, and encouraging fear and violence is absolutely wrong."Nancy Jo Kemper, the Democrat who faces U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Lexington, in Central Kentucky's 6th Congressional District, went a step further, calling for Bevin's impeachment by the Kentucky legislature.When asked to clarify his comments Monday, Bevin indicated that he was talking about military sacrifice against terrorists."We cannot be complacent about the determination of radical Islamic extremists to destroy our freedoms," Bevin said in a statement. "Nor can we allow apathy and indifference to allow our culture to crumble from within. We need strong leadership at every level of government to defend our Constitution and our republic. We must fight to preserve the exceptionalism and the promise of America, because America is worth it."
In a pair of court decisions that could help Donald Trump, Ohioans' voting rights were pared back Tuesday for the 2016 presidential election.The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review an appeals court panel's 2-1 ruling throwing out Golden Week, the period in which Ohioans could both register to vote and cast an early ballot.Several hours later a separate but equally divided panel of that same Cincinnati-based appellate court largely upheld restrictions enacted by the GOP-dominated legislature in 2014 and signed by Republican Gov. John Kasich.All that reshaped the Ohio electoral landscape to one less favorable to minority and Democratic voters -- and thus presumably more to Trump's liking."It is disappointing that partisan voting restrictions, which have been proven to disenfranchise minority voters, are being allowed to continue in Ohio," said state Rep. Alicia Reece, D-Cincinnati, president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus.Ohio Republican Chairman Matt Borges disputed that view, saying, "Despite misleading rhetoric from Democrats, all Ohioans have equal opportunities to vote under the law."Rick Hasen, a professor of law and political science at the University of California at Irvine, said, "I think that these rulings on the margins hurt Democrats, but I don't think that's the right way to look at these cases. I would ask: Do these laws significantly burden voters, and if they do, did the state offer good reasons for doing so? On that question, the results are a mixed bag."Hasen pointed out the deep division on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel Tuesday."No one paying attention will fail to notice that the majority opinion was written by two white, Republican-appointed judges, while the dissent was written by 94-year-old Damon Keith, an African American judge appointed by Jimmy Carter," the professor wrote on his election law blog."I expect that we will see a petition for review before the entire 6th Circuit in this case, which is a more likely path to reversal than before a 4-4 Supreme Court."On the Golden Week dispute, the separate appeals court panel also had split along party lines, with two judges picked by GOP presidents rejecting the week, and one chosen by a Democratic president favoring it.But the Supreme Court's one-sentence ruling Tuesday on that earlier decision contained no such partisan or racial overtones, since there was no dissent from any of the eight justices on the short-handed court to throwing out Ohio Democrats' appeal. The matterl had been filed with Justice Elana Kagan, who referred the matter to the full Supreme Court.Secretary of State Jon Husted said the high court made the right call."This issue has been dragged through multiple courtrooms over the course of several years and every time, it has been sent back with the same message: Ohio's laws are fair and constitutional," he said.In a statement released by liberal group ProgressOhio, Gabriel Sanchez, a principal at Latino Decisions and political science professor at the University of New Mexico, defended Golden Week."Political science research has consistently found that policies like the Golden Week that make access to voting easier for voters increases turnout particularly for lower resourced populations who tend to vote Democrat," Sanchez said. "The inability of voters to register and vote simultaneously will therefore have the potential to impact the outcome of the 2016 race in one of the key battleground states that could ultimately decide who will become our next president."After Golden Week was eliminated in February 2014 by GOP state lawmakers and Kasich, Democratic Party organizations of Ohio, Cuyahoga County and Montgomery County sued Husted and Attorney General Mike DeWine, both Republicans.In May, Judge Michael H. Watson of U.S. District Court in Columbus ruled the two and-a-half year old law violated both the U.S. Constitution and federal Voting Rights Act, primarily because it disproportionately affected African Americans. The appointee of President George W. Bush said the fact that Ohio's early voting period is more generous than most other states' is legally irrelevant.But the two majority members of the appellate panel said last month the elimination of Golden Week "results, at most, in a minimal disparate burden on some African Americans' right to vote."The bottom line of Tueday's appeals court ruling is that Ohioans' absentee votes should count even if they aren't quite accurate in filling out a form asking for their address and date of birth. Such a requirement for "technical precision" creates an "undue burden" on voters.But the majority of the panel rejected other challenges to voting laws by the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless and other groups.In an emotional dissent, Senior Judge Keith wrote, "Democracies die behind closed doors. By denying the most vulnerable the right to vote, the majority shuts minorities out of our political process."Rather than honor the men and women whose murdered lives opened the doors of our democracy and secured our right to vote, the majority has abandoned this court's standard of review in order to conceal the votes of the most defenseless behind the dangerous veneers of factual findings lacking support and legal standards lacking precedent."I am deeply saddened and distraught by the court's deliberate decision to reverse the progress of history."
State Sen. Colin Bonini brushed off a challenge from political newcomer Lacey Lafferty in the Republican primary for governor Tuesday, setting the stage to challenge Democrats' dominance of statewide offices in the November general election."I was out and about today and had a lot of support from folks all around the state," Bonini said. "I think people liked my message of change. All that support is gratifying."Lafferty said she wished Bonini well, though she declined to endorse him."I'm at peace with it," Lafferty said. "I tried my hardest, mentally, physically and financially."Lafferty loaned her own campaign more than $86,000. She had been campaigning for more than three years.
For the first time in 36 years and just the third time in Tennessee's 220-year history, members of the General Assembly on Tuesday ousted a lawmaker from their midst as unfit to serve.Representatives in the 99-member state House voted 70-2 to expel Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, from the chamber amid sexual harassment allegations against the 32-year-old former House majority whip and one-time rising GOP star.The expulsion motion came after an investigation earlier this year by Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery's office over Durham's contacts and interactions with female staffers, interns and lobbyists at the state Capitol."Today, the House made the right decision, because this truly was a victory for the taxpayers of our state, but most importantly for the victims," House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, later told reporters.Lawmakers used a rarely invoked clause in the Tennessee Constitution: Article II, Section 12. It provides that each House "may determine the rules of its proceedings," punish its members for "disorderly behavior" and with a two-thirds majority expel a member.Durham, an attorney first elected four years ago, sought to defend himself on the House floor. He tried to cast doubt on the entire procedure -- the attorney general's investigation, the allegations, the fact no formal complaint was ever filed against him and the fact all his accusers were anonymous.It's all rumor, hearsay, Durham charged, telling colleagues that "no matter how guilty you think I am, there are aspects of this situation that should bother you." He told colleagues that "I ask that you vote for due process."Two representatives, one a Republican and the other a Democrat and both attorneys, tore into Durham with a series of questions.Rep. William Lamberth, R-Cottontown, directly asked Durham if he had had sex with an intern in his office. Lamberth also asked Durham if he'd sent text messages to a female lobbyist about her attire and breasts, saying "I'm sure that helps get you votes" and more.House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Stewart of Nashville asked Durham if he would acknowledge any charge in the attorney general's report."I think there was something wrong with almost all of them, as far as factual," Durham said. "But there were some, where the gist, looking back, I think there was definitely some fault that I had, some ownership that I definitely needed to take. But it's not the ones that were the salacious ones in the media."Durham left before the vote was taken. Republicans, who have 73 members in the chamber, were at odds among themselves. Sixty-six members were needed for the two-thirds majority."Procedure is important, because it protects the accused," said Rep. Courtney Rogers, R-Goodlettesville, during the debate, noting that as an Air Force colonel she had dealt with such issues. "Our laws exist so that we have something in America that is precious: Every citizen, nameless and faceless, that ever stands accused has the protection."Rogers said she did not consider herself "loyal to Jeremy Durham." Still, she voted against the expulsion motion, as did Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, R-Lancaster.Rep. David Alexander, R-Winchester, was having none of that. During an earlier GOP Caucus meeting, he said Republicans needed to go back to the floor and "flush the commode" when it came to Durham.Alexander, according to GOP staffers, had been one of the first lawmakers to raise alarms among members after hearing reports and speaking with at least one of the women about Durham's alleged activities.Speaking later on the floor, Alexander noted that "this ain't Camelot up here, and this is not a court of law." And he recalled how the House in 1980 had expelled a lawmaker."I believe that the Constitution and the rules give us the authority and the right to do exactly what we have done in the past, and where we are right now," Alexander said. "It is our duty to vote on this. I for one have been appalled at some of the arrogance that I have seen displayed by this gentleman [Durham]."Rep. Bo Mitchell, D-Nashville, sought to get into other aspects of Attorney General Slatery's report, saying it suggested one or more lawmakers, one of them evidently a female, were "culpable" and sought to shield Durham's misbehavior.Harwell cut him off as out of order and the vote soon commenced.House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, later said the "end result is, I think the people of Tennessee expect us to do something when we have a member who misbehaves. We figured out a way to do it and got it done."As a result, a "super majority" of the House "agreed with what we needed to do, which is to expel a member," McCormick said. "It's not a happy day. It's a sad day. And I hope the young man [Durham] gets his life in order and does some good things."In addition to the 1980 expulsion of a House Republican after he was convicted of soliciting a bribe, the Tennessee House in 1866 expelled six representatives who refused to participate in a special session to ratify the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.Tuesday's vote came during a special session as well, with the main purpose of the call by Gov. Bill Haslam to address a legislative screwup on a DUI law that threatens to cost the state $60 million in federal road funds unless fixed before Oct. 1.Some of Durham's defenders sought to argue the House could not legally consider expelling Durham because it was not part of the limited call. But House leaders said the motion put forward by Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mt. Juliet, was procedural in nature and thus allowable.Forty-seven of the House's 73 Republicans voted to expel Durham, while 23 of the chamber's Democrats joined them.Four lawmakers "blue lighted" the resolution, indicating they were present but not voting. Those were Reps. David Byrd, R-Waynesboro; Jimmy Eldridge, R-Jackson; Andy Holt, R-Dresden; and Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis.Another 11 didn't vote at all. A number of them were Durham defenders at various points. They were Reps. Shelia Butt, R-Columbia; Tilman Goins, R-Morristown; Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough; Timothy Hill, R-Blountville; Mary Littleton, R-Dickson; John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge; Jerry Sexton, R-Bean Station; Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna; Micah Van Huss, R-Gray; and Rick Womick, R-Rockvale.Many, including Womick, had defended Durham. Rep. Matthew Hill sought to keep reporters out of the GOP Caucus meeting, but members refused to go along.Also not voting was Rep. Barbara Cooper, D-Memphis.Ten members were absent, among them Rep. Harry Brooks, R-Knoxville, who was having surgery.Others absent included Reps. Dale Carr, R-Sevierville; John DeBerry, D-Memphis; Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma; Jimmy Matlock, R-Lenoir City; Bob Ramsey, R-Maryville; Billy Spivey, R-Lewisburg; Brian Terry, R-Murfreesboro; Curry Todd, R-Collierville, and Mark White, R-Memphis.
The open data and open source movements seen in todays cities are often associated with massive troves of online data, cutting-edge predictive analytics algorithms, data-tracking sensors, and other forward-thinking solutions. Taken another way, they are viewed as a world of complex, highly technical people with complex, highly technical tools addressing complex, highly technical issues. Yet is this really always the case?Take a task as straightforward as releasing a report. Chicagos Executive Order No. 2011-7 dictates that the city must issue a long-term Annual Financial Analysis (AFA) report . The AFA report, prepared by the citys Office of Budget and Management (OBM), provides a framework for the citys annual budget as well as a guide for financial and operational decision-making.Alexandra Holt, Chicagos Budget Director, recently described the AFA report at the City Club of Chicago as a holistic picture of the citys finances, [which] projects the gap for the coming year, and it really is  for usthe start of the budget process.The report is thus an important one for both the city and its residents  as well as a complex one, filled with financial spreadsheets, charts, graphs, and maps, among other items. Its assemblage generally requires several months of intensive work by two to three OBM analysts, who cull and analyze content to generate revenue, expenditures, forecasts, and other report sections into a massive, printable PDF.Until recently, the only other known alternative for producing a final deliverable was to hire a vendor to assemble a lengthy, colorful, and potentially costly report. With open-source tools, though, this process can be considerably enhanced without additional costs. And for the first time, going the open-source route for the AFA report is exactly what OBM decided to do.With the citys AFA report entering its fifth year, Holt, the citys budget director, had plans to significantly shake up the process. In spring of 2016, OMB contacted Chicagos Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), the hub of Chicagos open source activity and expertise, for help with the AFA. Tom Schenk, DoITs chief data officer, quickly put together a plan built around Holts request: what if the city of Chicago built a wholly digital, interactive online version of the AFA report instead?Using a combination of HTML, file sharing site GitHub , and digital visualization software Tableau , Schenk and his team at DoIT were able work with OBM to assemble that entirely digital version, fully compatible with mobile phones and tablets and loaded with interactive graphs and charts. The process not only helped modernize the report, but brought the OBM team new insights on the reports content, and opened up a more collaborative, yet streamlined means for production.This new method was a real opportunity for us to examine our [AFA Report] process, and how we categorize its data, from soup to nuts, noted Eve Jennings, Deputy Budget Director of Data Analytics for OBM, who played a key role in the AFAs assemblage. It really laid out the groundwork for how we can do this kind of work in the future.Working together through GitHub, the process required a lot of back-and-forth communication between DoIT and OBM. Following OBMs sharing of original report content over the platform, interactions generally consisted of DoIT sharing website drafts with OBM, who would then make changes via the online platform.With GitHub, a large number of contributors were able to review, edit, and comment on the report in real time. And although many contributors had not used the platform before, they learned quickly even non-technical users, such as OBMs press and communications staff, found GitHub useful.Prior to this year, any changes and revisions required a much more laborious process of downloading and marking up PDF files that were managed by a small team of two to three people.We talk most about GitHub as a platform for replicating code, says Schenk, but its actually a great tool for projects like reports as well. And with a little training, anyone can use it.While this may not seem like a major development on the surface, something different is definitely apparent here: OBM, a department that didnt regularly use open-source tools beforehand, was able to quickly and relatively easily collaborate via a supposedly technical platform  and yield positive results. The final product , released on July 29, has been Chicagos most accessible and visual AFA report ever assembled.Chicagos AFA report is significant because it exemplifies an open-source solution being embraced by a department that isnt the citys IT or innovation office. The report also represents a break with slower, more potentially expensive, and more traditional norms for financial reporting in place of something thats not only cheaper, but easier for the public to access.Hopefully, other departments  in Chicago and elsewhere  will be taking note of OBMs positive experience.For other cities interested in this approach  know that its a team experience that blends the different skills and strengths of many people all into one project, notes Linda Hanacek, OBMs director of Information Systems and a key player in the creation of the report. Next year, with a new system in place, we think that the AFA Report process will be even better.
(TNS) -- The next time you try to visit a public school, dont leave the house without identification.Using a state grant, many Franklin County schools now require a government-issued photo ID at the door. The ID is scanned into a device that checks the person against a national sex-offenders database and prints out a sticker showing that the person passed the screening. Among the districts with systems in place or about to be employed are Columbus, Reynoldsburg, Bexley and New Albany-Plain Local.But Dublin City Schools stopped using its ID-scanning system because of problems, including that it was falsely flagging people as being potential sex offenders because they had names similar to those on a national database of convicts.On Tuesday, Columbus City Schools became the most recent district to add the technology, when the school board accepted a $155,500 grant from the Ohio School Facilities Commission to install  visitor management systems in 96 of its schools.We still want to have a warm and welcome environment, but this is just another security level that were putting on, said Christopher Ward, director of safety and security for the district.What it will actually do is track visitors who are coming to and from our school buildings. We will have a data footprint, if you will, of those who are coming and visiting our students and staff.Reynoldsburg City Schools has a similar system up and running this school year.Parent Megan Noel, 32, scanned her drivers license in the office at Herbert Mills Elementary, where she has two children enrolled, a first-grader and a preschooler. She appreciates the added security.I think its fine for safety precautions, Noel said. I havent had a problem with it.Only one parent out of several hundred who visit the Reynoldsburg elementary has complained that the new screening is an invasion of privacy, school secretary Jenny Russell said. Most parents understand that its about better protecting their children, she said.The system cost Reynoldsburg schools about $20,000, which it paid out of district funds, to install the equipment districtwide. It will pay another roughly $6,000 a year as an ongoing licensing fee to use the software, said Nicholas Keisel, director of safety and security for the district.In the future, the systems might scan identities against other types of offender databases. In Reynoldsburg, in addition to scanning against the sex-offenders list, we can enter our own private alerts, Keisel said. Examples for its use would be that an adult has a court order or is banned from district property for a specific reason.Its possible that a parent could be misidentified as an offender because a name or date of birth closely matches someone on the list.What will happen is that it will pop up on the screen if there is a close match, Keisel said.  So it will pop up the picture from the sex-offender registry, plus the information side-by-side with the visitor thats there, and it will ask the secretary: Is this a match? If the secretary determines its not a match, that persons ID wont trigger a match during subsequent visits.Dublin Schools spokesman Doug Baker said the district stopped using its system last school year.Our system searched a national database by name, not any other personally identifiable information. Therefore, if a parent or other school visitor shared the name of a sex offender in that database it would yield a false positive, Baker said.After an ID is scanned, most systems record that information on a database until it can be discarded under the districts state-required records-retention schedule. Records are typically maintained for several years.Ohios School Security Grant Program was created by the state legislature in 2013 to funnel money to school buildings for emergency communication systems and security-entrance systems.The program has been popular, said Rick Savors, spokesman for the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, which administers the grant. Nearly $10.1 million in grants were awarded as of April 2015, and the legislature has appropriated $17 million more for a second round of funding, expanding the program to private and charter schools.
SAN FRANCISCO  In a visit to Tech Crunch Disrupt on Tuesday, Sept. 13, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said that when it comes to IT, the Defense Department (DoD) hopes to accomplish three things: to rebuild trust with Silicon Valley, to invest in its cutting-edge solutions, and to harness the valleys copious amounts of talent for national security projects.At the event, Carter opened with an invitation to the industry to re-establish relationships that might have frayed in past years, and to secure new ones within the framework of defense initiatives, programs and public-private partnerships. Carter did not attempt to sidestep recent controversies around National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance and Apples refusal to build government backdoors into its encryption, and said that whatever happened next would require open communication on both sides."The only way to deal with that [industry mistrust] is to listen carefully and to dialog that and to try to solve problems together, he said.For his part, Carter said he has worked to build such bridges by reaching out to industry thought leaders like Jeff Bezos, and through instrumental programs such as the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx). The program, which is scheduled see more outposts pop up around the country, serves as a network of community R&D hubs to pioneer new military solutions. The successful work at the programs two locations  Palo Alto, Calif., and Boston  means coordination of additional outposts is expected to happen soon."That is the first of several tech hubs here and around the country," he said, "and its to create a presence here so people can get to know the problem sets that were working on and their importance, and give them a way to connect."Another example he mentioned is the launch of the DoD's Defense Digital Service that was modeled after the White Houses U.S. Digital Service (USDS). Like its sister organization, the service culls specialized talent from companies like Google and Microsoft for a year or two to think up new methodologies and tools for security. As a physicist with a bachelors degree from Harvard and a Ph.D. from Yale, Carter said he can personally relate. When he first began his career in government, he had no inclination to stay for so long  nor any expectation of the reward."But somebody gave me a chance, Carter said. They said, 'Hey Ash, just give it a try for one year, heres a really important problem and just give it a try.' And I did. And I got hooked because it brought together the two things that really jazz you up if youre a person, and particularly a technical person."These two things, he said, were a direct use of his knowledge and the opportunity to apply it in a place that mattered: defending our country and our people."For tech startups, he confirmed that this opening to engage was readily applicable to them as well. The DoD is scouting for startups with technologies that serve U.S. defense and intelligence needs. Like the CIA that launched the not-for-profit venture capital firm In-Q-Tel in 1998, the Defense Department is hunting for entrepreneurs that can offer ready solutions for big data, automation, bioengineering and encryption  a service where the government will invest heavily.The long-term goal is to create a pipeline for both companies and tech professionals to constantly engage in projects with government.While making this invitation to the tech community, however, he also had to acknowledge the major trust gaps that have been deepened by citizen surveillance.On the Justice Departments conflict with Apple to create backdoors, he said that he wouldnt pretend that the question was an easy one or that there was a quick solution. But he did say that it would likely require additional dialog, and that each case must be handled individually."I dont think theres one way," said Carter, "and I dont think its going to be a way thats invented by government."On the question of whether President Obama should pardon Edward Snowden before he leaves office, Carter said he would defer such a question to law enforcement, but added that he could not personally accept Snowdens release of such confidential government documents as a right course of action."That is something I cant condone ... Carter said. "This did tremendous harm to our security, it did tremendous harm to companies and their competitive situation in the world, and complicated our relations with foreign powers."Despite such issues, however, he re-emphasized that the path forward was all about meeting one another halfway."In order for us to work through this, were going to have to work together in partnership, said Carter. "I think that its incredibly important that the community that built, operates, innovates on the Internet, enjoys Internet freedom and values Internet freedom, works with the government."
After almost collapsing earlier this year, Sauber is now noticeably back on track.

That is the news of team driver Felipe Nasr, who had earlier appeared to almost lose patience with the Swiss outfit's financial troubles.

With his significant backing by Banco do Brasil, the Brazilian is still tentatively linked with a move elsewhere for 2017.

But Nasr, 24, also seems happier with Sauber in the wake of the buyout by an investment group.

"It's very positive to see that people are coming onto the team now," he said, following reports of new staff joining Sauber, including the experienced engineer Xevi Pujolar.

"They are coming on important areas for the development of the car," Nasr told UOL Esporte. "Straight away, they could already see the positives and negatives of our car and our procedures, which have a direct impact.

"For next year, the team is looking to strengthen with even more people, especially on the technical side, where we are somewhat limited," Nasr continued.

"There are several key people who will join the team at the end of the year."

He welcomed Pujolar in particular, whose most recent role was engineering the F1 sensation Max Verstappen.

"I liked his work," Nasr said. "He is seeing how we work at the moment but I like the way he processes the information. He is very thorough and so far I have only seen very good things."

He said Singapore this weekend will be a good assessment of recent car changes at Sauber.

"It is the first circuit at which we will use all of the aerodynamics of the new package, assessing how much it is still worth working on this car or whether it is better now to focus on next year," said Nasr.

(GMM)
Former F1 driver Robert Doornbos thinks his countryman Max Verstappen has a real chance of winning this weekend's Singapore grand prix.

Mercedes is still dominating in 2016, but a year ago the great German team mysteriously struggled under the city-state's glistening floodlights.

"We believe we now understand why," said team boss Toto Wolff, "but only performance on the racetrack can prove our conclusions right."

The Austrian also predicted Singapore will "suit the high downforce design philosophy" of the Red Bull team.

Not only that, Dr Helmut Marko has revealed that Red Bull is taking car upgrades to Singapore.

Former F1 driver Doornbos, who like Red Bull driver Verstappen is Dutch, said: "Singapore is a good circuit for Red Bull.

"You need a lot of aerodynamic and mechanical grip there and that's what that car is good for. Engine power is also much less important than in Monza.

"Renault is introducing an engine update in Singapore," Doornbos also told Ziggo Sport Totaal, "which means an extra 15 horse power for Max and hopefully a few tenths of time per lap.

"Max loves street circuits and even though he made some mistakes in Monaco, last year in Singapore he drove a crazy race with the famous 'No!' on the radio. Hopefully this year it will be a 'Yes!' on the podium," he said.

(GMM)
Bernie Ecclestone has hit out at European countries that don't spend more to safeguard their future on the F1 calendar.

The F1 supremo was asked by Top Gear which recently lost races he most regrets, and answered: "Two races we've lost which I'm genuinely upset about were India and Turkey."

However, the sport has also lost France, Monza's race was in doubt for months and the future of the German grand prix is in doubt.

"It's the same as in England," Ecclestone insisted. "Silverstone is not, I'd say, super-safe -- quite the opposite. These circuits don't need a lot of money to make them safe.

"It's disappointing to think that all these countries spend a lot of money trying to get the Olympics ... and nobody makes any money out of. Yet, for the small amount of money they could (spend on) a formula one race, they don't want to do it," he added.

Ecclestone admitted another concern is that competitive situation in F1, with Mercedes dominating and Toto Wolff having refused to supply an engine to Red Bull.

Told that his relationship with the Mercedes team boss is strained, the 85-year-old denied it, and also played down reports Wolff is shaping up to oust him.

"I'm very happy for him to try. Or anybody else," said Ecclestone.

F1 pundit Eddie Jordan also alleges that Wolff is still 'close' to Ferrari, amid speculation Mercedes earlier helped the great Italian team to catch up in 2016.

"I think they (Mercedes) wanted to see Ferrari be a little bit more competitive ... and Ferrari was happy to get the information it got. Because it got a lot of information from Mercedes," Ecclestone agreed.

The F1 chief executive also commented on global politics, admitting his support not only for controversial Russian president but also US presidential candidate Donald Trump.

"It would be good for the world if he (Trump) won," he said.

"Trump would want to cosy up to him (Putin) for sure, and he'd be right to do that," Ecclestone added. "Which would be good for the world."

And finally, he admitted that losing control of F1's commercial rights was among his biggest regrets.

"She (former wife Slavica) put it all in trust and the trust sold the shares. Would I turn the clock back if I could so I still owned the company completely? Probably yes.

"It probably wasn't a good decision, but it was the decision that had to be made. Was I happy that I made it? No," Ecclestone concluded.

(GMM)
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Since 2006, the number of people seeking concealed carry firearm licenses in Pennsylvania has nearly doubled. In 2015 alone Pennsylvania State Police processed nearly 1 million applications.

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania state Rep. Stephen Bloom, R-North Middleton Township, held an informational discussion to help teach residents about their rights and responsibilities as gun owners.

We get so many people in, Cumberland County Sheriff Ronny Anderson said to a crowd of nearly 200 people in attendance at the Carlisle Fire and Rescue building in Carlisle. There are some times after the school shootings we had a large influx of people coming in to get a license to conceal carry a firearm.

Anderson discussed the process of obtaining a conceal carry license.

All applications for Cumberland County residents must be delivered in person to Andersons office, he said. There is a $20 fee for the license that is good for five years and completion a background check through the Pennsylvania Instant Check System is required before the license can be issued.

Pennsylvania is an open carry state, meaning individuals who are lawfully allowed to possess a firearm may openly carry it in public.

However, a concealed carry license is required if a person wants to carry the firearm out of open view or carry a loaded handgun within reach of the operator of a vehicle.

Anderson said anyone without a concealed carry permit should unload their handgun and place it in a location, like a lock box in the trunk, before getting into a vehicle.

Use of force

Anderson was followed by Jaime Keating, first assistant district attorney in Cumberland County, who discussed general legal principles guiding justifiable use of force, the castle doctrine and Pennsylvanias stand your ground law.

Under the crimes code, section 505, youre allowed to use force when its justified, Keating said. So, essentially what the defense is, yes, I used force, but I was legally justified and theres a lawful reason why I did it.

Keating said the same principles that guide the justified use of non-lethal force guide the justified use of lethal force.

You cant pick a fight and say Im legally justified in using this force, he said. Youre the problem, not the solution.

Any use of force must be immediately necessary, protecting against unlawful force and proportional to threat as viewed by a reasonable person, Keating said.

For the use of deadly force, that threat must be of death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping or sexual assault, he said.

We can protect ourselves and you can protect our families, but we have to do it in a way that we are being responsible, Carlisle Police Sgt. Dave Miller.

Miller spoke on the need for responsible gun ownership, calling it embarrassing how many people are injured or killed in firearm accidents in the United States each year.

He explained this meant following some simple rules like treating all firearms as if they are loaded as well as properly storing firearms so they do not wind up in the wrong hands.

When we think about all the firearms represented in this room, thats a lot of fun, thats a lot of sport, its a lot of opportunities to spend time with family out in the woods or at the range ... but its also some danger, Miller said. So, we have to be cognizant of that.

Stolen firearms

Miller said Carlisle Police average about three to four calls a week from people who have had their firearms stolen.

Storage is a big deal to me, he said. If you do not store this in a safe place, somebody will take it and then I will end up looking down the barrel of it, me or my friends, as were out there trying to protect you and your families.

The evening ended with all three members of the panel fielding discussions from audience members ranging from where a firearm can be carried and traveling across state lines to when it is justifiable to use lethal force.

The panel was so knowledgeable, Bloom said. People asked good questions. I feel like people learned a lot and theyre walking out of here as safer gun owners, smarter gun owners and better able to be the law abiding citizens that the founders envisioned.

Many of the residents in attendance, like Bruce Apgar Sr., already had a concealed carry permit.

Apgar said he attended with a group of several others to broaden his education about the topic of firearm laws and safety.

More and more people should learn about our rights, he said. The infringement of our rights is whats at question here.

Like many of the attendees, Apgar was frustrated when the discussion turned to carrying firearms across state lines and the reciprocity of conceal carry licenses in surrounding states.

While many states like Ohio and West Virginia have a reciprocity agreement with Pennsylvania for concealed carry licenses, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and several others do not.

The Constitution puts it very bluntly, you cannot infringe on that right, yet we hear it all the time, Apgar said. You cant take it here. You cant take it there. I cant go to this state. I cant go to that state. Thats an infringement on my right.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has come out with a price tag on the federal funding needed to kick-start Pennsylvanias flagging water quality improvement efforts$20 million.

Specifically, an extra $20 million to the five south-central Pennsylvania counties  including Cumberlandthat generate the highest agricultural pollution loads.

CBF President Will Baker called for an immediate investment of $20 million from the federal government, specifically the US Department of Agriculture, during a press conference call last week.

If conservation dollars are targeted to these five counties, Pennsylvania can significantly close the pollution reduction gap that it faces, Baker said.

The CBFs call to concentrate financial resources is part of Pennsylvanias ongoing struggle to meet the goals set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, a plan that seeks to drastically cut the amount of waterway contaminants in the six states surrounding the bay.

This includes three contaminants  phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment  that are typically associated with farm runoff, and that can alter the chemistry of the Chesapeake, causing unwanted algae blooms, fish deaths and other environmental issues. The EPA blueprint, designed in 2010, calls for 60 percent of the reduction goal to be reached by 2017, and the rest by 2025.

The plan is not on track, however. Nitrogen levels should be cut by 40.7 million pounds per year by 2017, but current reductions are tracking at only 18.7 million pounds. Of the 22 million pound reduction shortfall, 16.3 million pounds are attributable to PA agriculture, the CBF found.

Pennsylvanias lack of progress caused the federal government to withhold nearly $3 million in additional funding last year until the state adopted a new structure for farm compliance  the so-called Chesapeake Reboot.

The ongoing issue, the CBF said, is not that farmers dont want to install pollution-reduction measures. Rather, the demand for such measures is higher than can be supported. Local state- and county-sponsored conservation districts lack the funding and manpower to provide the level of service needed.

Many of us have backlogs of farms who are voluntarily trying to get the work done, but funding is limited, said Chris Thompson, head of the Lancaster County Conservation District, who has worked closely with the CBF.

According to Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania state director for the CBF, York County has a three-year backlog of assistance requests from farmers. But York is 17th out of Pennsylvanias counties in aid from outside agencies to get this work done, even though the CBF estimates York is second in the state in the amount of contaminant reduction needed.

Currently, federal funding is not prioritized in a concentrated fashion, Campbell said.

The bottom line, the CBF believes, is that the bulk of the capital expenditure needed to get Pennsylvania back on track exists in Cumberland, York, Lancaster, Franklin and Adams. The Susquehanna River provides half of the water volume flowing into the Chesapeake, but the counties surrounding it do not get priority funding.

Such capital expenditure comes in various forms. Farmers may be required, after formulating a state-approved plan, to simply expand the tree line buffer between their fields and any passing streams. More complex measures, for instance, may include constructing new manure pits and processors. All of these are capital projects that will support construction jobs in the area, Campbell said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection estimated earlier this year that a state budget increase of at least $7.3 million per year was necessary to catch up with demand for mitigation efforts.

The CBFs request for a $20 million federal aid increase was derived from the 2012 federal farm bill, which saw a record $10 million in assistance to Pennsylvania for Chesapeake watershed improvements.

We looked at the expenditures in the farm bill, specifically in 2012 which was the highest year for funding coming into PA, said Beth McGee, the CBFs water quality director.

We realize you cant just dump a bunch of money in and expect it to get on the ground in a targeted manner, McGee said. We recognize it will take the counties time to ramp up their efforts and put that money into farmers projects.
Israel to get $38 billion in U.S. military aid over 10 years
All that remains of Lafferty & Company Inc. lumber yard at 1100 Hummel Avenue in Lemoyne is smoldering, blackened rubble after a fire devoured the structure Monday night and spread to neighboring buildings.

Firefighters from the West Shore Bureau of Fire were the first ones at the scene Monday night after the fire was reported just after 9:30 p.m. That crew was also the last to leave Tuesday afternoon as they continued to combat hotpots and ensure the area was secured until about 2 p.m. State police were still investigating the cause of the fire.

Right now we just left it to the business owners. Its going to smolder for a while, but if it starts catching on fire, were going to work on it, said Tim Mulhollan, one of the WSBFs chiefs. Its up to the property owner now to clean up.

Firefighters from about 30 departments in Cumberland County were dispatched to battle the three-alarm blaze Monday at the lumber yard as residents watched and other EMS personnel scrambled about the scene.

For hours, fire crews scrambled to attack the fire from all angles as they unsuccessfully tried to prevent it from spreading. Enough flames licked the neighboring structure at Vicious Cycles to set it ablaze as well. Both buildings were considered to be losses, according to firefighters at the scene Monday night.

Boom, boom, boom, was what Dana Giardina heard from her bedroom about 100 yards from the lumber yard as it went up in flames. It sounded like pretty much like a massive super-cell thunderstorm just came flying through here.

No employees on site

Chuck Felak, the owner of the lumber company, told abc27 that none of his employees were on site when the fire began. He said about $1 million worth of lumber was destroyed in the fire, and seven of the nine buildings were destroyed.

We dont know anything about the start of it, Felak told abc27. At this point, its speculation until we get in and see.

Because the materials inside the building fueled the fire, Mulhollan said it became a pretty large fire and caused firemen on the scene much difficulty. Felak also said fuel on the property may have contributed to the size of the fire. Smoke and flames could be seen from miles away.

Its basically floor-to-ceiling wood in there, so it went up pretty quick, he said. It was too far ahead of us by the time we got there, and it was moving too fast, so we did whats called a defensive attack, kind of hit it from the ladder trucks and the ground.

The flames also spread to neighboring business Vicious Cycles Inc., a motorcycle repair and service shop, where co-owner Scott Fisher said firefighters were able to save some of the motorcycles inside, but it appears the building is a total loss.

Heavy machinery was called in Tuesday to help move the rubble so firefighters could get to hot spots that could light up anew, but Mulhollan said for the most part, while the rubble and ash continued to smoke, the worst was believed to be over.
The Piedmont Blues Preservation Society (PBPS) announces the 2016 PBPS Blues Challenge talent contest Call for Entries.

The PBPS has held blues challenge talent contests annually drawing musicians from all over the Southeast and as far away as Barcelona, Spain.

First place winners of the Youth, Solo/Duo, and Band challenges advance to the 33rd Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis sponsored by The Blues Foundation.

The Band and Youth Challenge will be held Oct. 2 and the Solo/Duo challenge will be held on Oct. 16. Both blues challenges will be held at After Hours Tavern, 1614 N. Main St. in High Point.

Deadline for applications is Sept. 25 for the Youth and Band Challenge and Oct. 9 for the Solo/Duo Challenge.

For details and application to the PBPS Blues Challenges, visit http://piedmontblues.org/projects/blues-challenge/.

General admission to view the competition will be available at the door on the day of the events. Ticket prices are $10 for non-PBPS members, $8 for PBPS members.

PBPS sponsors the annual Blues Challenge and works with winners throughout the process to raise the money to support their travel to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge competition.
In some impeccable timing, the very day after the News & Record put an editorial-type article on the front page, with columnist Susan Ladd criticizing the governor (Sept. 2), there is a letter to the editor from Tom Griffin, claiming the newspaper is centrist, not far-left.

Perhaps Mr. Griffin wrote his letter before he saw the article about the governor, although even if he did, I doubt if hed let that change his thinking. He mentioned the fact there are conservative columnists in your paper, which is true.

So, going by those standards, he must feel Fox News is also centrist, since they have liberals such as Juan Williams, Kirsten Powers, Alan Combs, Leslie Marshall and many others as regular contributors.

I still remember a day a few weeks ago in which both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were in the state. You did an article about both, starting on the front page, and ending on another page in the front section. Then, on the same page the articles were continued on, you had another article by the same reporter, Susan Ladd, giving her own opinion.

This is not a centrist way to report, no matter what some might think.

Fred Pearlman

Greensboro
STAMFORD  Two divisions of Stamford-based Revolution Lighting Technologies have been chosen as program contractors in Eversources Small Business Energy Advantage Program.

Funded through the states Energize CT initiative, the program is supposed to help small businesses with a peak energy demand of less than 200 kilowatts per month save money and provide affordable energy efficiency solutions to those firms.

As program contractors, TNT Energy and Tri-State LED will together cover the entire state, supporting small businesses with LED lighting retrofit opportunities, according to Revolution officials. Tri-State LED will operate in the states southwestern region, consisting of Stamford, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport and Wilton. TNT Energys region will cover all other municipalities in the state.

We are pleased to be selected as an SBEA approved contractor, along with Tri-State LED, to continue working with Connecticuts small businesses, improving their energy efficiency to save money, Tim Blanchard, founder of TNT Energy, said in a statement. TNT Energy has extensive experience as a longtime contractor for Eversources Small Business Program within Massachusetts, and we look forward to continuing our success within Connecticut, participating in this latest energy efficiency program.

SBEA program contractors help small businesses reduce energy costs by identifying and implementing efficient energy plans, promoting education to encourage the replacement of existing equipment with more effective options and procuring financial incentives.

The program covers technologies including lighting, HVAC and motor systems, refrigeration controls and other measures to reduce electric and gas consumption. Access to zero-percent financing through Eversource will be available, according to Revolution officials.

We are excited to be awarded this new agreement with Eversources Small Business Energy Advantage Program, continuing to expand our participation in key state energy efficiency retrofit programs to drive future growth and incremental revenue, Robert LaPenta, CEO and Chairman of Revolution Lighting, said in a statement.

The Small Business Energy Advantage Program served some 1,800 businesses in 2015. Those firms saved an annual total of about $6.6 million and together reduced annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 21,500 tons.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott
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Data recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau 's Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) revealed where the highest rates of poverty are estimated to exist currently.

Among all states on the report, Connecticut fell in the middle of the pack with an estimated poverty rate of 12.8 percent, or about 460,000 residents.

Check out the slideshow above to find out which state have the highest and lowest poverty rate according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Supplemental Poverty Measure. To read the full report, click here.

The measure is released alongside the bureau's official poverty estimates. It measure averages over a three-year span (2013, 2014, 2015) to better compare rates between states. The bureau's measure also takes into account government programs designed to assist low-income families and individuals not included in the official poverty report.

By doing this, the report aims to serves as a better indicator of economic well-being and economic conditions.

In Connecticut, while the official poverty report lists the poverty rate at 9.1 percent, or about 344,000 resident, the SPM drove up the poverty rate.

"Higher SPM rates by state may occur for many reasons. Geographic adjustments for housing costs and/or different mixes of housing tenure or metropolitan status may result in higher SPM thresholds," the report stated. "Higher non-discretionary expenses, such as taxes or medical expenses, may also drive higher SPM rates."

The difference between the official estimates and the SPM also help look further into segments of the population living under the poverty line.

"The SPM allows us to examine the effect of taxes and non-cash transfers on the poor and on important groups within the poverty population," the report said.

Of note from the report, it's estimated that 45.7 million people fell below the poverty line in 2015, including 11.9 million children and 6.5 million adults aged 65 and older.
More court dates on the horizon. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

To the laundry list of lawsuits Chipotles faced in the past year (wage theft, insider trading, trademark infringement, pregnancy discrimination, sex discrimination  ), Americas most beleaguered burrito seller can now add claims of racial discrimination. A former employee has filed a complaint alleging she got fired after complaining that Latino workers were receiving preferential treatment. Sheqweshu Clarks suit accuses her manager, who was Hispanic, of doling out plum shifts to staff who shared her ethnicity, then sticking black employees with the less desirable night shifts. Clark claims she complained to another supervisor  a male who also happened to be Latino  and he dismissed her by saying, Black girls always have an attitude.

According to Clarks lawsuit, this all came following her return from maternity leave, which is also the turning point after which she says things at work really went downhill. Her suit notes shed been promoted several times since joining Chipotle in 2012, but was fired without any explanation just a few weeks after taking her problem to a district manager, who she claims at the time promised to monitor workers schedules.



In a statement, Chipotles spokesman Chris Arnold says, We only now received the suit and will evaluate its merits and determine a course of action, adding that Generally speaking, however, a lawsuit is nothing more that a series of allegations and does not constitute proof of any wrongdoing on our part.


Google has launched a new Preview Program for its Chromecast dongle that - as the name suggests - allows users to have early access to new Chromecast updates. To be clear, this is not a beta program - the company assures that Preview Program updates will be of the same quality as production version updates.

Here's how Google explains the new program:

The Chromecast Preview Program is a user opt-in channel that updates your Chromecast device with the latest version of Chromecasts firmware before it is made broadly available. This gives members of the program early access to features and improvements on their Chromecast. It's an exciting way to get a sneak peek at the latest and greatest updates - and tell us what you think!

All Chromecast versions - including Chromecast (1st gen), Chromecast, and Chromecast Audio - are eligible to join the program. For more information, head to the Source link below.

Source
HP Elite x3 is again available to pre-order from Microsoft in US and Canada

Days after going out of stock, the HP Elite x3 is once again available to pre-order from Microsoft in Canada as well as the US. Both US and Canadian Microsoft Store listings reveal a release date of September 26.

A quick look, however, at HP's official US website reveals that the device is available for purchase, but the listing - as of writing - says that only 3 units are left in stock. Both Microsoft and HP are selling the phone for $799 in the US, with the desk dock being included in the package.

Source 1 2 3
These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales.
The situation cannot afford Washington to sit on sidelines. They elected him and they need [sic] pressure him. He can't go unchecked, Laura Graham, then the Chief Operating Officer of the Clinton Foundation, wrote to Bill Clinton in early 2012 . Graham was referring to the increasingly erratic, and potentially dangerous, behavior of Haitian president Michel Martelly. When she said They elected him, she was referring to the U.S. government, which intervened through the OAS to change Haiti's first round election results, putting Martelly into the second round. The e-mail  one of many Graham sent to Bill Clintons deputy chief of staff on Feb. 26, 2012  was sent eventually to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her top aide, Cheryl Mills. The note is perhaps the clearest evidence to date that key officials, even within the Clinton camp, viewed the U.S. intervention in the 2010 Haitian election as decisive. The 2010 Haitian election was a mess. Held less than a year after a devastating earthquake, millions of people were displaced or otherwise disenfranchised and then-president Rene Preval was accused of fraud on behalf of his preferred candidate, Jude Celestin. A majority of candidates held an afternoon press conference on election day denouncing the process and calling for new elections. But Washington and its allies, who had funded the election, pushed forward, telling the press that everything was okay. Mirlande Manigat, a constitutional law professor and former first lady, and Celestin came in first and second respectively, according to preliminary results, putting them into a scheduled run-off. Martelly was in third, a few thousand votes behind. Protests engulfed the capital and other major cities, threatening the political stability that donors have long desired, but have failed to nurture. With billions in foreign aid on the table and Bill Clinton overseeing an international effort at building back better, there was a lot on the line: both money and credibility. With Martellys supporters leading large, and at times violent, protests, the U.S. turned up the heat by publicly questioning the results just hours after they were announced. Within 24 hours, top State Department officials were already discussing with Haitian private sector groups plans to force Celestin out of the race. [P]rivate sector have told RP [Rene Preval] that Celestin should withdraw  This is big, then U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Ken Merten wrote the next day. Merten wrote that he had personally contacted Martellys camp and told them that he needed to get on radio telling people to not pillage. Peaceful demo OK: pillage is not. Unfortunately, much of Mertens message, and those in response, have been redacted. Under Washingtons pressure, the Haitian government eventually requested that a mission from the Organization of American States (OAS) come to Haiti to analyze the results. The mission, despite not conducting a recount or any statistical test, recommended replacing Celestin in the runoff with Martelly. With the lowest turnout for a presidential election in the hemispheres recent history, and at least 12% of the votes simply missing, any decision on who should be in a second round would be based on faulty assumptions. (CEPR analyzed all the voter tally sheets at the time, conducting a statistical analysis of the vote, and later showed how the OAS recommendation could not be supported by any statistical evidence.) Nevertheless, pressure began to mount on the Haitian government to accept the OAS recommendations. Officials had their U.S. visas revoked and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice even went so far as to threaten to cut aid, even though the country was still recovering from the devastating earthquake earlier in the year. In late January 2011, two months after the elections, but before any decision had been made, Laura Graham wrote to top Hillary Clinton aide Cheryl Mills, warning that her boss, Bill Clinton [wjc] would be very upset if certain visas were pulled: "There are rumors abt ur second visa list and jmb [Prime Minister and co-chair of the Clinton-led reconstruction commission, Jean Max Bellerive] being on it. He's a conflicted guy and is being pressured on both sides and we believe trying to help. Wjc will be v unhappy if that's the case. Nor do I think u need remove his visa. Not sure what it gets u. Remove elizabeth's [Prevals wife] and prevals people. I'm also staying at his house fyi so exposure in general and this weekend in particular for wjc on this." In response, Mills questioned the message it sends for Graham to stay at Bellerives house, but Graham replied, indicating a certain coordination between the Clinton Foundation and the State Department in influencing Haitian politics: For the record, I discussed staying at his house w both u and wjc long ago and was told good strategic value and Ive [sic] stayed there every time. But being at Bellerives house, with a decision on the election coming any day, would send an inappropriate signal, Mills pointed out. Think of all the rumors you have heard? Mills asked, that we want to pressure Celestin out when that is Brazilian and UN position, she added as an example. There is no doubt that high-level Brazilian and UN officials were involved in the decision and efforts to exclude Celestin. Edmond Mulet, the head of the UN military mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), even privately suggested flying Preval out of the country on election day. But it was the U.S. that funded the OAS mission and that had been applying the most pressure on the Haitian government, and another e-mail from Graham to Mills a few days later confirms this. I think you need to consider a message and outreach strategy to ensure that different elements of haitian society (church leaders, business, etc) buy into the mms solution and are out their [sic] on radio messaging why its [sic] good. The mms solution here surely refers to Mirlande Manigat and Michel Martelly being placed in the second round over Celestin, the scenario State Department officials and Haitian private sector groups had been discussing since the day after results were announced. Seems to me IC [international community] needs a complimentary [sic] message-outreach strategy to support this solution, Graham added, noting that the U.S. government was being made out as a villain. A week earlier, a separate e-mail reveals, the Haitian government had proposed cancelling the elections, as many had been calling for, and running new ones, but the plan was rejected by the EU and U.S.. The international actors opted instead for the arbitrary removal of Celestin and moving forward with the MMs, two rightist political candidates who would support the Haiti is open for business slogan that emerged after the quake. The e-mail from Graham came just days before Hillary Clinton would fly to Haiti, in the middle of the crisis in Egypt, to force the governments hand. Mills forwarded Grahams message to Hillary Clinton, with a note, Lets discuss this on the plane, to which Hillary responded simply: Bill talked to me about this and is quite worried about what I do and say tomorrow. As we all are, Mills responded, passing along talking points for the following days Haiti trip. Ask him if he has any thoughts, Mills wrote, in reference to Bill Clinton. The next day Hillary Clinton traveled to Haiti and met with Preval. We tried to resist and did, until the visit of Hillary Clinton. That was when Preval understood he had no way out and accepted it, Bellerive told me in an interview last year. Martelly won in the second round, in which just over 20% of the electorate voted. But the hoped-for political stability wouldnt come so easy. After Martellys first two choices for prime minister failed to pass parliament, Garry Conille, who had previously served as Bill Clintons chief of staff when Clinton was UN Special Envoy to Haiti, became prime minister in September 2011. E-mails reveal that Graham had been vetting potential prime minister picks as early as June 2011 and had suggested Conille. E-mails show State Department staff helped to sway parliamentarians on Conille, who was expected to be the partner that the international community needed in the Haitian government to help oversee the massive reconstruction underway. But it didnt work out that way. After just five months on the job, Conille resigned on Feb. 24, 2012. Two days later, Laura Graham wrote to Bill Clintons deputy chief of staff, Jon Davidson. In the e-mail, written while she said she was with Conille, Graham expressed extreme frustration with Martelly and pointed the finger clearly at him for the resignation of Conille, who had begun investigating a number of high-profile reconstruction contracts involving Dominican firms. Graham also warned that the U.S. must step up and act to rein in Martelly, or risk the consequences, urging Bill Clinton to convince the U.S. government: "GC [Conille] believes that his resignation offers the IC [International Community] an opportunity to join in the chorus (media, business, civil society, parliament) of pressure on MM [Martelly]. He can no longer use GC as his obstacle. He has to act and show he's for democracy or there needs to be consequences. Waiting for this truck w[ith]o[ut] brakes to hit the bottom of the hill will be too late. You can be helpful in convincing USG and the IC." Graham continued, suggesting Bill Clinton go forward with his investor trip to Haiti, but also use the time to pressure Martelly. Graham was also concerned that the State Department was going too easy on their new friend Martelly, whom they had helped elect: "The U.S. has to push here and I believe some at state, definitely Merten [US Ambassador], are advising a wait and see attitude. The situation cannot afford Washington to sit on sidelines. They elected him and they need [sic] pressure him. He can't go unchecked. Same thing with UN. Mariano Fernandez [top UN military official at the time] needs to act more like mulet [UN official who helped oust Celestin] than the quiet peaceful guy he is." Graham, having been in close communication with Mills and other high-level State Department staff, as well as Bill Clinton, who, as the e-mails clearly indicate, was kept well informed, was certainly in a position to know just how influential the U.S. intervention in the 2010 election was. They elected him, is as clear as it gets, though given previous e-mails, perhaps it would have been more accurate to say We elected him. But its clear that forcing her colleague Conille to resign had pushed Graham. MM [Martelly] wants GC [Conille] to leave the country, she began another email later that same evening. Conilles life has and continues to be threatened by people associated with Martelly, Graham added, and that Martelly said himself he will do all it takes to take Conille down. Once again, Graham questioned Mertens stance regarding Martelly: "The U.S.  Cheryl [Mills] - promised him American backed security immediately but when he met with Merten yesterday Merten was not only in the mind frame of 'well MM is not such a bad guy and he's better than previous presidents' but he didn't discuss or offer any security. Every day, GC life and reputation are at risk. The U.S. and or the IC must go to MM and tell him that nothing is to happen to GC, not even a tree accidentally falling on him, or MM will face consequences." A few minutes later Graham writes again, warning of Martellys efforts to form armed militias throughout the country: "I now have seen the actual intel from MINUSTAH [UN military force] and the evidence of the armed militia training throughout the country including evidence that the palace is funding and supporting it. I'm meeting with Mariano Fernandez tomorrow but GC shared with me this intel last night and its obvious from the documents and the pictures what is going on here." The evidence is clear as day and they have already begun parading in the streets with guns and chanting in carrefour (less than 1 hour from PaP [Port-au-Prince]) and other areas of the country, Graham adds. Finally, an hour later, Graham sends the last e-mail after viewing Conilles preliminary audit, which details the amount of corruption and the arrogance in they [sic] way they did it. Graham continues: "It is the contracts that MM is saying he will come after GC with everything he's got to prevent the real details (presumably including his take) from coming out." The next day, Oscar Flores, a long-time Clinton aide, forwards all of the messages to Mills and Hillary Clinton. Pls print, Clinton responds. But despite Grahams concerns and the apparent evidence of corruption and armed militias, the U.S. continued to stand by the Martelly administration. His term ended in February 2016, and Grahams e-mail on Martellys lack of democratic credentials now reads especially prescient. After no elections were held during his first four years in office, Martelly began ruling by decree in January 2015. Presidential elections, held last fall, were so marred by fraud and irregularities that they were entirely scrapped (unlike the controversial elections in 2010), leaving Haiti without a democratically elected president. Once again, the U.S. argued for accepting the flawed elections and moving forward with a second round, this time between Martellys hand-picked successor and an old friend from 2010, Jude Celestin. But this time, the U.S. didnt get their way  entirely new elections are scheduled for this October. The original version of this article was published on the Haiti Relief and Reconstruction Watch blog of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).








Haiti - FLASH : 18 years of penal labour for Clifford Brandt





Tuesday, Judge Joseph Jeudilien Fanfan ended the trial (started on 17 August) of Clifford Brandt accused with several of his accomplices of kidnapping and forcible confinement against ransom, on October 16, 2012 of children of a haitian businessman : Nicolas (24) and Coralie (23) Moscoso https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-6982-haiti-justice-clifford-brandt-involved-in-an-abduction-case.html



Verdict for accused :

Clifford Brandt, accused of kidnapping and forcible confinement against ransom was sentenced to 15 years of penal labor for abduction and detention of people for ransom penalty to which is added 3 years for criminal conspiracy, a total sentence 18 years of penal labor;



Ricot Pierre-Val, was sentenced to 15 years of penal labor for kidnapping and detention of people in order to obtaining a ransom and 3 years of additional imprisonment for criminal conspiracy, a total sentence of 18 years penal labor;



Carlo Bendel Saint-Fort was sentenced to fifteen years of penal labor for kidnapping and detention of people in order to obtaining a ransom and four years of additional imprisonment for criminal conspiracy is a total sentence of 19 years penal labor;



Carline Richema, Sawadienne Jean and Evince Larrieux were declared not guilty of kidnapping facts, illegal restraint against ransom, complicity and criminal conspiracy and the judge Fanfan, has ordered their immediate release.



Reading of the judgment by Judge Joseph Jeudilien Fanfan :









Note that the sentenced benefit of the Law of 4 December 1893 on prolonged pretrial detention, called Lespinasse law, which deducted from their sentence time served in prison.



Lawyers of the defense have 5 days to appeal these sentences



Clifford Brandt reaction after judgment :









See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-18365-icihaiti-justice-the-case-of-clifford-brandt-does-not-move-forward.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18249-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18161-haiti-flash-clifford-brandt-10th-audience-trial-postponed-again.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18012-haiti-justice-resumption-of-trial-of-clifford-brandt.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17440-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17235-haiti-justice-is-clifford-brandt-will-be-judged-one-day.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-16706-haiti-justice-trial-clifford-brandt-postponed-for-a-week.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-16625-haiti-flash-trial-of-clifford-brandt-postponed-for-the-3rd-time.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-16615-icihaiti-flash-clifford-brandt-absent-trial-postponed-24-hours.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-16469-icihaiti-flash-trial-clifford-brandt-hearing-suspended-postponed-to-fifteen.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-16428-haiti-flash-d-2-before-the-trial-of-clifford-brandt.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-16350-haiti-justice-towards-a-trial-clifford-brandt.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15372-haiti-justice-trial-of-clifford-brandt-before-the-end-of-the-year.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-15105-icihaiti-justice-clifford-brandt-soon-judged.html



More on the case Clifford Brandt :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-14326-icihaiti-justice-clifford-brandt-the-investigation-continues.html



SL/ HaitiLibre


















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Published on 2016/09/14 | Source

Added episode 7 captures for the Korean drama "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" (2016)

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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

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Published on 2016/09/14 | Source

Rhythmic gymnasts Son Yeon-jae (right) and Margarita Mamun of Russia attend a press conference for the annual Rhythmic All Stars gala at a hotel in Seoul on Tuesday. The gala show will be staged on Friday and Saturday in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. /Newsis

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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.

05:30, 30 OCT 2022
Asked/Answered is a weekly feature for reader-submitted questions. Follow the blog online at www.cumberlink.com:

How much serious violent crime happens in Cumberland County?

The simplest answer is serious violent crime happens in the county, but it is rare with criminal homicide, aggravated assaults, rape and robbery accounting for only about 3 percent of all new cases started in the county last year, according to Cumberland County Insight. But it is difficult to fully quantify.

In 2015, there was only one charged case of criminal homicide and 62 cases of aggravated assault  which the state defines broadly as causing or attempting to cause serious bodily injury  that equates to 25 aggravated assaults per 100,000 residents, according to Cumberland County Insight.

The national aggravated assault rate in the United States was 232 per 100,000 residents in 2014, the latest full year of data available, according to the FBI.

Cumberland County Insight measures only the number of incidents that lead to charges.

Data from Pennsylvania State Police showed 74 incidents of aggravated assault were reported to police in Cumberland County.

Charges for simple assault are far more common in Cumberland County. There were more than 500 cases of simple assault filed in the county last year, according to Cumberland County Insight.

While many of those assaults result in minor injuries, the circumstances surrounding a simple assault can be quite dangerous.

Sexual assaults become even more difficult to quantify.

There were nine charged cases of rape and eight cases of rape of child in Cumberland County in 2015, according to Cumberland County Insight.

Pennsylvania State Police data identifies 61 incidents of rape reported to police in Cumberland County in 2015.

This is also likely quite a bit lower than the actual number of offenses.

The National Crime Victimization Survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics generally places rape and sexual assault as one of the most under-reported crime.

Only about 33 percent of rapes were reported to police in 2014, according to the NCVS, compared to nearly 60 percent of aggravated assaults.

Send us your questions

Need an answer? We can help.

The Sentinel wants to know what you have always wanted to know.

Whether its politics, crime, history or just something youve always been curious about, if you have questions, The Sentinel will look for the answer and provide it in our online blog and as a weekly feature in the Sentinel print edition.

Shoot us an email at frontdoor@cumberlink.com, call 240-7125 or stop by the office to submit your questions.

The best questions will be featured in weekly Asked/Answered columns online and in print.
Amid the excitement of the Australian HR Awards on Friday night, HC got a chance to talk with Peter Hartnett, head of people and culture at Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing, who picked up the coveted Australian HR Director of the Year award, sponsored by Davidson.



Im actually speechless, he said. The quality of the nominations was amazing and for me to come away with this, its unexpected, its a thrill, and a privilege. Really, I do accept it on behalf of my team. Without them, it just doesnt happen.



Hartnetts skills and experience in the HR space were first nurtured in his early career within the police force.



You learn heaps about people  in very tense situations where theres conflict. And I think in the police force, there are a lot of the older sergeants and officers who have some amazing skills and you learn a lot in terms of being able to calm situations and read situations really well.



Since then, he has grown his HR career, working first at Sydney Water and then moving to Sanitarium in 2009. He has helped the firm win multiple accolades including the Best Learning & Development Program at last Fridays awards.



When describing his personal approach to leadership, Hartnett said he was ultimately very collaborative. To make the most of his team and help them succeed, he let them make their own decisions and take the lead.



Its very much a team effort, he said, again bringing the conversation back to the contribution of his HR team members.



He credited his nomination and the outcomes that had been achieved to his teams dedication, their desire to make a difference and their willingness to try different things.



Finally, he expressed his passion for fostering a work environment where staff were allowed to flourish and grow, so they could feel valued and know they were making a difference.




The behaviour of those being accused of bullying must be management action

It must be reasonable for management to take that particular action

The action itself must be carried out in a reasonable manner

In this case, the FWC stated that the action doesnt need to be perfect or ideal; overall, it may still be reasonable, even if particular steps are not; and the action must be lawful and not irrational, absurd or ridiculous, Hassall said.



Furthermore, any unreasonableness must arise from the actual management action in question (rather than the employees perception of it) and there must be an element of adherence to established policies or procedures.



Instances of reasonable management action can therefore include undertaking performance management meetings and staff assessments, allocating work to an employee and controlling how it is carried out, responding to poor performance, providing constructive feedback, and taking necessary disciplinary action, he said.



For an example of action which could be considered unreasonable, Hassall pointed to the case of James Willis v Marie Gibson; Capital Radiology Pty Ltd T/A Capital Radiology; Peita Carroll [2015] FWC 3538.



The Commission found that an unannounced visit by two managers to a workplace for a spontaneous disciplinary meeting was unreasonable management action conducted in an unreasonable manner.



At the meeting, the employee was subjected to severe criticism by one manager, while an HR manager watched in apparent amusement. In the context, this was threatening because the employee had only recently started work and was on probation.



Hassall continued, saying that the following management actions were likely to be considered unreasonable by the FWC:

Standing over the shoulder of an employee for regular, extended periods of time to observe their work

Berating an employee or making threats to dismiss them in front of their work colleagues

Sending a workplace email to all staff disclosing the name and details of a poorly performing employee who has been subject to disciplinary action

Intentionally embarrassing or belittling a member of staff

A recent case, Cao [2016] FWC 5592, which was the seventh to be judged under the new anti-bullying jurisdiction, showed that the right actions can propel an employer through the Commission without harm even amidst a bullying claim.



Ms Cao alleged she had been bullied by her manager over the course of nearly three years. Deputy President Sams disagreed, concluding that the managers (and employers) conduct was not unreasonable, Hassall told HC.



The Commission found that the manager had acted in a fair and equitable manner, he said. Not only did they have appropriate internal policies for dealing with bullying allegations in place but they also conducted the investigation in a transparent fashion.



Importantly, Deputy President Sams noted the managers requests were not made to belittle, humiliate or otherwise cause hurt or distress to the employee, Hassall said.




By Emily Willis

Hurry and purchase your tickets for the Blowing Rock Music Festival, which is set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 17 at North Carolinas oldest attraction.

There are only 20 reserved tickets ($40) left, so act fast. General admission is $30 in advance or $40 the day of the festival.

VIP tickets and tent reservations have already sold out.

Local and regional artists will perform on two stages, playing traditional tunes and new twists on the styles of music for which the High Country is known. The day will conclude with a 7:30 p.m. jam session with The Harris Brothers, a real brother duo from Lenoir that grew up on the sounds of North Carolina music and together boast an infinite live repertoire thats adored by fans across the area.

The Harris Brothers have a very eclectic mix of music and they bring something for everyone, said festival coordinator Kristyl Harris.

Head out to The Blowing Rock to check out the beautiful views, enjoy the music and celebrate life in the High Country!

Weather permitting, a fireworks show will follow the music.

Call The Blowing Rock at 828-295-7183 or the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 800-295-7851 for tickets and more information.

Learn more at theblowingrock.com.

Gates will open at 10 a.m. and entertainers will begin at noon. Lawn chairs and coolers are welcomed.

The Blowing Rock Music Festival Lineup

The Rock Stage:

12:15-1 p.m. Charlie Carpenter

1:15-2 p.m. Carolina Ray & Cecil Palmer

2:15-3 p.m. The Harris Brothers

3:15-4 p.m. Mitch Clark and Masten Cloer

4:15-5 p.m. The Nautical Wheelers

The Main Stage:

12:30-1:15 p.m. The Neighbors

1:30-2:15 p.m. Buck Haggard Band

2:30-3:15 p.m. None of the Above

3-4:15 p.m. Wayne Henderson & Friends

4:30-5:15 p.m. Carolina Gator Gumbo

5:30-6:15 p.m. Shelby Rae Moore Band

6:30-7:15 p.m. Soul Benefactor

7:30 p.m. Jam Out with the Harris Brothers

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By Jessica Isaacs and Emily Willis

Enjoy some down-home country cooking and discover an endless array of home goods, toys, clothes for the whole family, books, videos, electronics, furniture, sporting equipment and so much more at Boone United Methodist Churchs 32nd annual Fall Bazaar on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16-17.

The sale will take place at the church, 471 New Market Blvd. in Boone, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 7:30-11 a.m. on Saturday. New this year, there will be a half-price sale in select departments starting at 3 p.m. on Friday.

This is one of our biggest church events, said bazaar co-chair Doris Thompson. People cant believe we pull it off, and we cant believe it, either.

Be sure to come hungry! For breakfast both days, purchase country ham or sausage biscuits ($2 each), plain biscuits ($1 each) and tea and coffee ($1 each). For lunch on Friday, get your hands on a plate of barbecue for $8 (childrens plates available, too). Proceeds from the barbecue will support Grace Academy.

A silent auction will offer up high-end items until 6 p.m. on Friday.

Saturdays event will also feature a $6 and $10 bag sale, where you can take home anything you can fit in the bag.

Spanish-English translators will be on-hand to assist shoppers on Saturday, too.

Thompson said the bazaar offers BUMC church members a chance to reconnect with friendly faces and make new friends within the congregation.

It raises money, but it also builds community. Businesses pay major bucks for people to come in and lead community building exercises, but theres no better way to get to know somebody than by folding stacks of clothes together side-by-side or doing mundane things to prepare for the sale where you can talk and have heavy duty conversations, said Thompson. Boone Methodist has three different worship services, as well as small groups and Sunday School, and the bazaar crosses over all of those groups, so you get to meet and greet with people you would never see in a month of Sundays.

Its also a great opportunity for the church to give back to the community.

Most importantly, it gives us a chance to donate to local nonprofits. Four agencies will be lifted up and will receive a check depending on the proceeds of the bazaar, but others will receive in-kind donations, Thompson said. For instance, the humane society will receive bedding. It may not be appropriate for you and I because it has a stain on it, but for a dog or cat coming out of surgery to lay on, its wonderful.

Other agencies receiving useful items from the bazaar include the Hospitality House, the Childrens Council, Habitat for Humanity, Hebron Colony, Hunger and Health Coalition, OASIS, Project on Aging, Red Bird Mission and the Watauga County Health Department.

We do our best to be a beacon of hope for the folks in Watauga County, said Thompson.

The church will also be distributing $25 gift cards for shopping at the bazaar that will be distributed to schools in Avery, Ashe and Watauga counties and agencies like Hunger and Health Coalition, OASIS and the Hospitality House, which will allow local families in need a chance to shop for items they can use at the bazaar.

Head out to Boone UMC this weekend to shop anything and everything at the Fall Bazaar. See you there!

For more information, call 828-264-6090 or visit www.booneumc.org.

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Every now and again secular progressives rip off their mask and tell conservatives what they really think of them. At an LGBT fundraiser last Friday in New York, Hillary Clinton one-upped President Obama, who said of conservatives during the 2008 presidential campaign: And its not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who arent like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations. That came to be known as the bitter clingers speech.

Hillary Clinton said: You can put half of Trump supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. She then said that some of these people were irredeemable. After strong pushback, presumably from some of the deplorables, Hillary Clinton partially walked back her remarks. She said she had been ...grossly generalistic and thats never a good idea. I regret saying half  that was wrong.

How many, then? One-quarter? One-third? Ten percent? And how does she arrive at such a figure?

This is the contempt in which it seems the left holds traditional Americans. Anything they say no to is to be labeled racist, sexist, misogynist, xenophobic and nativist. To the left, anyone who does not share modern ideas is to be condemned, even called unAmerican and deplorable.

Clintons remarks remind me of what Washington Post writer Michael Weisskopf wrote about evangelical Christians in the early 90s. Weisskopf said they were mostly poor, uneducated and easy to command. That produced a torrent of critical letters and phone calls to the newspaper, prompting Ombudsman Joanne Byrd to explain the reasoning behind Weisskopfs statement was that most journalists dont know any of these people.

The two comments prompted scores of evangelicals to send their resumes to the newspaper, showing degrees, even doctorates in various fields.

In a statement released by the Republican National Committee in response to Clintons remarks, Chairman Reince Priebus said, Insulting everyday Americans to a group of wealthy donors shows whose priorities Clinton really has in mind and exposes the hypocrisy of a candidate whose stated desire to unite the country is clearly all for show. Priebus went on to accuse Clinton of condescension and disrespect to her fellow citizens.

Half of them anyway.

Name-calling on both sides prevents us from hearing what solutions to Americas manifold domestic and foreign challenges the candidates propose. Perhaps the upcoming debates will help focus their and our minds.

Bad language in politics is nothing new. The 1800 presidential race between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who are now held in high regard as statesmen, was the beginning of what we now call negative campaigning.

In addition to the often scurrilous things they said about each other, Adams and Jefferson had surrogates who attempted to outdo them.

As Rick Ungar wrote in 2012 for Forbes magazine, the president of Yale University, a John Adams supporter, suggested that if Thomas Jefferson were to become president, We would see our wives and daughters the victims of legal prostitution.

A Connecticut newspaper, notes Ungar, warned that the election of Jefferson would create a nation where murder, robbery, rape, adultery and incest will openly be taught and practiced.

Not to be outdone, James Callender, an influential journalist of the time ... wrote that Adams was a rageful, lying, warmongering fellow; a repulsive pedant and gross hypocrite who behaved neither like a man nor like a woman but instead possessed a hideous hermaphroditical character.

Deplorable, but redeemed in the minds and hearts of their countrymen; Im doubtful the same will be said of the current presidential candidates 200 years from now.
(HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that a self-proclaimed stock trading whiz kid and his stock newsletter company in Los Angeles have agreed to pay nearly $1.5 million to settle charges that they defrauded subscribers through false statements and misrepresentations.

According to the SECs complaint, Manuel E. Jesus and his newsletter company Wealthpire Inc. used advertising materials and websites touting him as the untutored prodigy of stock investing under the alias Manny Backus. A self-purported math whiz who boasted a skyscraping IQ and training as a professional chess player, Backus claimed to be actively trading in the stock market with real money by age 19. The SECs complaint also states that Wealthpire materials claimed that Backus made millions of dollars before deciding to help other investors by starting an alert service that let traders copy his every trading move.

The SEC alleges that from at least January 2012 to September 2014, Backus was not trading in the same stocks recommended by his services as he claimed. He wasnt the one making all of the recommendations either. For instance, the SECs complaint alleges that Robert C. Joiner was paid by Wealthpire to make all of the stock picks for one alert service without any guidance from Backus on how to choose them. Joiner allegedly posed as Backus during chat room sessions by signing in using a password that Backus supplied, and Joiner told investors that he was buying and selling certain recommended stocks when no such transactions were actually taking place. Joiner also is named in the SECs complaint and agreed to settle the case.

The SECs complaint alleges a series of other misrepresentations to Wealthpire subscribers as well, including false claims about one particular stock alert service that purportedly made historic trading recommendations that yielded huge past returns higher than 1,400 percent.

Investors who subscribe to trading alert services are relying on the purported expertise and success of those making the stock recommendations, but Wealthpire and Backus instead circulated repeated lies and falsehoods, said Michele Wein Layne, Director of the SECs Los Angeles Regional Office.

The SEC has warned investors that investment newsletters can be used as tools for fraud, noting in an investor alert for example to beware false performance claims misrepresenting the track record of the newsletters investment recommendations and be suspicious if the newsletter does not disclose having received any compensation.

Backus and Wealthpire agreed to pay disgorgement of $1,135,145 plus interest of $112,902, and Backus also must pay a $235,000 penalty. Without admitting or denying the allegations, Backus, Wealthpire, and Joiner consented to the entry of a final judgment permanently enjoining each of them from future violations of the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws.
Artificial intelligence is simply able to plan the use and prioritisation of resources better than human beings, states Taneli Tikka, the head of Industrial Internet at Tieto.

Advancements in robotics could render middle managers and as many as one-fifth of nurses and practical nurses redundant in the near future, indicates a report published yesterday by the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (EVA) .

The proliferation of robotics, he estimates, will have fundamental repercussions particularly for knowledge-based organisations with a heavy middle-management.

Artificial intelligence and other smart applications are efficient in creating staff rotas, reporting and managing processes and other narrowly-defined activities. Assessing the performance of employees, monitoring absences and working time, giving routine instructions, budgeting for operations, and drafting corporate plans are similarly tasks that can be performed efficiently and reliably by smart technologies, writes Tikka.

Superior cost-efficiency, however, is not the only reason to replace middle managers with robots.

The autonomy and self-control of employees will increase as everyone will be able to organise their work tasks more efficiently. [Employees] will spend more time considering and making decisions on what to do and why, he predicts.

The managerial staff, in turn, will focus increasingly on defining the culture and values of the organisation.

The changes may in the long term translate to a shift from cascading expert organisations towards organisations consisting only of front-line employees, experts and upper management, estimates Tikka.

Advancements in robotics will also have a fundamental impact on the work environment and responsibilities of nurses and practical nurses, predict Cristina Andersson, a management consultant, and Mari Kangasniemi, an adjunct professor of nursing science at the University of Eastern Finland.

Automation and robotics could according to them be utilised to carry out at least one-fifth of the responsibilities of nurses and practical nurses in long-term elderly care facilities as soon as two to three years from now.

The technology that is available today is suitable for transporting patients and equipment, recording the vital signs of patients, and dispensing and distributing medications, they write. Robots have, for example, been shown to reduce medication errors and increase patient safety.

Andersson and Kangasniemi estimate that the introduction of robots to hospitals and other care facilities could, at best, allow nurses and practical nurses to devote a greater share of their working time to key responsibilities. Nurses and practical nurses, they highlight, currently spend fewer than three days of their five-day work-weeks on direct patient care.

The number could be raised to four days by utilising the available technology more efficiently, they believe.

The report also dispels concerns that automation will result in mass unemployment.

Technological advancements would result in mass unemployment if they destroyed more jobs than they created. Economic history indicates that technological advancements have created more jobs than they have destroyed, reminds Antti Kauhanen, a chief research scientist at the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy (ETLA).

The Organisation for Economic Development and Co-operation (OECD), he highlights, reported recently that no more than seven per cent of jobs in Finland are at a high risk of automation over the next two decades.

The percentage is low in comparison to most other member states of the OECD  with the exception of Estonia and South Korea  due to the relatively high degree of automation of manufacturing processes and highly-educated workforce in Finland, explains Kauhanen.

The number is not particularly high in light of the fact that an estimated 12 per cent of jobs in our business sector are destroyed every year, he adds.

Robots will lead to the re-distribution of work tasks  to a new distribution of labour between man and machine, he predicts. What is of social significance is that automation is expected to enhance the productivity of work, meaning that our new co-workers will ultimately foster prosperity.

Andersson and Kangasniemi similarly estimate that the demand for nurses and practical nurses is unlikely to decrease because future changes in the age structure of the population are expected to increase the demand for all health care professionals by 10 per cent and that for experts in elderly care services by almost 20 per cent by 2026.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Tobias Schwarz  AFP / Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
India takes US renewable energy dispute to WTO

Published: September 14, 2016

India has complained to the World Trade Organization (WTO) about support given to the renewable energy industry in United States.

The complaint alleges these 8 states in US have prop up their renewable sector with illegal subsidies and domestic content requirements, an obligation to buy local goods rather than imports. These 8 US states are Washington, Montana, California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan and Minnesota.

By filing the complaint, India has triggered a 60-day window for US to settle the dispute, after which India could ask the WTO to adjudicate.

Earlier in 2013, India had filed questions at the WTO about suspected subsidies in solar programmes in four US statesDelaware, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Connecticut. It also had raised questions about local content requirements in Michigan and Californias renewable energy programmes.

In May 2016, India lost a case at the WTO after the US complained about Indias national solar programme over illegal subsidies and domestic content requirements. India has appealed that ruling.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2016

Topics: India-US  Renewable energy  Solar Case  WTO

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Joint India-US army exercise Yudh Abhyas 2016 begins in Uttarakhand

Published: September 14, 2016

The joint military training exercise between India and United States dubbed as Yudh Abhyas 2016 has begun in Chaubattia in Uttarakhand.

It is the 12th edition of the joint military exercise hosted alternately by the two countries. The two week (from September 14 to 27) exercise will witness participation of about 225 personnel of Congo Brigade of the Indian Army and similar strength of the US Army.

Key Facts

Yudh Abhyas 2016 is one of the longest running joint military training and a major ongoing bilateral defence cooperation endeavours between India and the US

The purpose of the exercise is to stimulate a scenario where both nations were working together to counter insurgency and counter terrorism (CICT) in mountainous terrain under UN charter.

The curriculum of exercise has been progressively planned where the participants are initially made to get familiar with each others organisational structure, equipment, weapons and tactical drills.

Subsequently, the training advances to joint tactical exercises of both the armies will be coherently unleashed especially in the battle drills.

The training will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of both countries will jointly carry out an operation against terrorists in a fictitious but realistic setting.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2016

Topics: Defence  India-US  Indian Military Exercises  Military Exercises  National  Yudh Abhyas  Yudh Abhyas 2016

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National Lottery's Head of Sales, Niall Andrews congratulates the 3rd Infantry Battalion Syndicate from Kilkenny who picked up a cheque for 452,700

A trip to Dublin Zoo turned into a day to remember for Clive Parsons after he learned he'd scooped nearly 500,000 from the National Lottery.

The Kilkenny man (36) was part of an army syndicate who yesterday marched on Lotto HQ to collect 452,700 in winnings after they'd matched five numbers and the bonus in a draw in August.

"I was in such a state that I was worried I'd crash the car before we got home," he told the Herald. "I got an email from the Lotto that night saying we'd won but I figured it was a few quid so I didn't look at it.

Stationed

"It was only when I scanned my emails the next day that I saw we'd won the big one."

Hailing from Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork, Tipperary, Laois and Carlow, the men, aged 23-54, are stationed at Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny.

Each of the syndicate members will take home 22,635.

Private Daniel McGrath (30) explained how the money had arrived at the perfect moment for some of the men, two of which are getting married soon.

"My wife is actually due in December with our first child so the timing is beyond perfect.

"We actually just finished doing up the house when I got the new we'd won, so I've nothing to spend the money on.

"I guess it will all have to go towards spoiling the little one," the Cork man joked.

Donal, who has served overseas twice with the Defence Forces, said the close knit group of lads from Stephen's Barracks could not be more excited with the winnings.

"It will pay for a lot of wedding cake and champagne," said David Feehan (27), from south Kilkenny.

Private Feehan recently got engaged and said that his bride-to-be already had plans for the money.

"It will be a big help," he joked has he lifted up the 452,700 cheque. "Most of my share will be going towards the wedding."

Fellow Kilkenny man Robbie Flynn (27) addedd: "I've nothing in the pipeline yet but I'm sure I'll think of something."

The pair trained together when they first joined the Defence Forces almost ten years ago, and served with one another in Chad in late 2008.

"It was some experience but we did a lot of good there."
Fears are growing that the latest lethal drug to hit the streets - known as fentanyl or 'super heroin' - will drive up the death toll in the capital.

Even seasoned addicts are at grave risk from overdosing because of the strength of the drug, even in tiny quantities.

"There is serious concern about fentanyl among health professionals and groups of drug users," said Tony Duffin, director of the Ana Liffey Drugs Project.

"I am concerned there will be further deaths because it is so powerful. There is no safe dose.

A powerful pain killer, it is sold in Irish pharmacies on prescription under a wide variety of different brand names. It costs from 33 to 315 on prescription.

The HSE claim fentanyl can be up to 600 times more potent than Morphine and may be sold as 'designer' fentanyl or 'synthetic' heroin.

To date, five deaths are being investigated here where users are believed to have either smoked or injected the drug, the HSE have said.

Powder

"At this time, it seems most likely that fentanyls may be sold in powder form, possibly mixed with heroin or alternatively mixed with caffeine and paracetamol to mimic the effect of heroin," the HSE said.

"Therefore the drug can be snorted, swallowed or prepared for injection. By any route this drug is very dangerous.

"Fentanyl is extremely potent and even the smallest amount can cause overdose.

"It may also be absorbed through the skin.

"The effects of the drug may be indistinguishable from heroin meaning that at this time heroin users are most at risk to unwittingly consume this substance."

Mr Duffin said another drug, Pregabulin, has also been implicated in a number of drug overdose deaths in Dublin.

"It is being sold in tablet form and it is widely available on the streets of Dublin," he said.

"It has emerged in the last two years and has been present in a number of deaths where a cocktail of drugs have been used," he said.
Ministers who have stood back from the leadership issue are growing impatient with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and want him to quickly spell out his exit strategy.

Ministers seen as being particularly loyal to Mr Kenny now say he must depart by the summer at the latest to allow for an orderly transition. Others within the party want the issue finalised before the end of this year.

Mr Kenny has stunned some of his closest allies by claiming at the Fine Gael think-in in Newbridge, Co Kildare that he has no intention of leaving the job before the Government fulfils it full term.

In real terms that could mean up to three years as Fianna Fail, - who underpin the minority coalition - have promised support for three Budgets. Some of Mr Kenny's supporters suspect he took the decision in a bid to kill off speculation about his leadership well ahead of the Dail break next Christmas.

But the issue has backfired and now ministers seen as being allies of Mr Kenny believe he should step aside next year. "It's becoming too big of an issue now," one Cabinet source said.

Mr Kenny had a strong and defiant message for would-be rebels yesterday after several assertions that he was going nowhere.

"I've a mandate from the Oireachtas as Taoiseach and head of government in the most challenging times our country has seen for a long time," he told reporters at the think-in.

He said party politics could not take precedence over Brexit, the upcoming Budget, developing Dublin's north inner city, housing, health and education.

At the close of the two-day pre-Dail meeting there were renewed rumours that some rebel TDs might miss key votes in protest over Mr Kenny's refusal to step aside. But a number of TDs, seen as opposed to Mr Kenny remaining on as leader, said they would not partake in such a strategy which would only further destabilise the Government.

Earlier yesterday Mr Kenny's claim on "another two years" was promptly and strongly challenged by two maverick Fine Gael TDs, Brendan Griffin of Kerry and Jim Daly of Cork South West. The criticisms came little more than two hours after Mr Kenny signalled on national radio that he wanted to stay on for a longer period and "fulfil his mandate".
       : -       , '  ,     '
An ATV accident claimed the life of one and seriously injured another on Saturday evening.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, Sarah B. Light, 37, of Potosi, was driving a 2016 Polaris Razor ATV on a private road south of National Forest Service Road 2550 in Washington County when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the road and overturned.

Light was taken to Washington County Memorial Hospital by Washington County Ambulance and pronounced dead by Dr. Mullen at 8:15 p.m.

Traveling with Light was Myka R. Eckhoff, 42, of Potosi, who suffered serious injuries in the accident and was taken to Barnes Jewish Hospital via Air Evac.

In unrelated accident on Saturday, MSHP reports a single-car accident left the one local person seriously injured after losing control of the vehicle and striking a concrete culvert.

Around 10 a.m., Donny D Vogelpohl, 27, of Leadwood, was traveling northbound on Route HH just south of Route D in a 2000 Toyota Celica when he traveled off the right side of the and struck the culvert.

Vogelpohl was transported by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital St. Louis.

According to the report, he was wearing his safety belt at the time of the accident.

In a third accident on Saturday, two people suffered moderate injuries on Highway 8 at Railroad Road.

At 10:15 a.m., Michael R. Vance, 56, of Potosi, while driving east bound on Highway 8 in a 2003 Dodge Ram, slowed for traffic and was rear-ended by Charles E. Wamble, 44, of Cuba.

Wamble, was transported by Washington County Ambulance to Parkland Health Center in Farmington for moderate injuries. The passenger in Wambles 2005 Chevy Cavalier, Christina A. Wamble, suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Washington County Ambulance to St. Anthonys Medical Center.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to a multiple-vehicle accident on Highway 8 at Route P at 5:25 p.m on Monday evening.

According to the report, Kitrena L. Wibbenmeyer, 56, of Leadwood, was traveling southbound on Route P when she pulled into the path of Ronnie D. Vance, 40, of Potosi, who was driving a 2003 Dodge Caravan. Wibbenmeyer, who was driving a 2005 Toyota Tundra, struck the passenger side of Vances vehicle.

An occupant in Wibbenmeyers car, Ronald D. Cade, 58, of Leadwood, was not wearing a safety belt and suffered moderate injuries. He was transported to Parkland Health Center by St. Francois County Ambulance.
Mineral Area College Continuing Education will offer a variety of non-credit classes to the community this fall through its Continuing Education Department. The diverse offerings mean that community members can learn a mix of computer, recreational and professional skills.

Classes starting in September and October include Salsa, Slow Dance and Cha Cha Dancing, Creative Writing, Cake Decorating, Microsoft Word Level 1, Introduction to Computers, Jewelry Making & Beading 101, Crafternoons (Fabric Pumpkins, Faux Candy Corn and Apples), Microsoft Excel Level 1, Stress Management and Swing Dance.

Continuing education courses are not eligible for college credit, and they range in length from one night to six weeks. Most classes range from $35 to $60, depending on the number of times the course meets.

The complete schedule with course descriptions and dates can be found online at www.MineralArea.edu/CE, or in the Continuing Education Building located at MACs Park Hills campus next to the Highway Patrol Trooper Station.

For more information about the courses or to register, check out www.MineralArea.edu/CE, email ContinuingEd@MineralArea.edu or call the Continuing Education Department at 573-518-2342.
The Mineral Area College Foundation is teaming with Asymmetric Solutions, once again, to raise money for the Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy.

On Oct. 1, they will be hosting a 3-Stage Tactical Pistol Shooting Competition. The proceeds generated by the Shooting Competition will go directly to support the Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy.

The fundraisers primary goal is to enhance the Law Enforcement Academy, through the purchase of needed training materials. Kevin Thurman, director of Development for Mineral Area College, said, We are raising money so that it can be matched through the Missouri Department of Educations Enhancement Grant. The grant will match money that we raise by giving us up to $3 for every $1 that we raise.

This is the second annual fundraiser with Asymmetric Solutions. Last years funds were used to purchase a firearms training simulator. Rich Flotron, director of the Law Enforcement Academy, said, Last year we raised approximately $10,000 which after the match gave us about $40,000 for the simulator. In todays society, the community expects our police officers to be trained with the most up to date equipment. Through the assistance provided by the MAC Foundation and the Enhancement Grant, we are able to provide state of the art training to our recruits and our local officers.

Everyone is welcome to join the event and spectators are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. In addition to the shooting competition, there will also be a variety of vendor booths, concessions, and a raffle. The raffle has many great prizes including a year membership to Asymmetric Solutions valued at $4000, an AR-15 rifle, a custom milled Glock 22, a .22 rifle on an AR-15 platform, a .22lr revolver, a firearms training turning target and many, many more great prizes. Tickets will be sold the morning of the event and the winners will be drawn at the conclusion of the days activities.

The Contest will be held October 1st at Asymmetric Solutions facility, which is located at 431 Thomas Road, just south of Farmington. The recommended calibers for the contest are 9mm semi-automatic to .45, with a round count of 60 needed for the competition. Entry is $60 per contestant for the Civilian Division and $30 for the Professional Division, which includes active/retired law enforcement or military. The contest is open to anyone 21 years of age and older. Contestants will engage in a Range Brief at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 9 a.m. start time.

For more information and how to become a contestant, purchase raffle tickets, and to view the full set of rules, contact Giovanni Carollo at 573-518-2247 or email at gcarollo@mineralarea.edu.
A local military veteran who serves as the VFW's state POW/MIA chairman, is on a mission. He's trying to get across to Missourians the importance and meaning behind POW/MIA Recognition Day which takes place at 5 p.m. Friday at the Veterans Memorial in Bismarck.

"It's gotten to the point where even some VFW members only participate in it because it's something they have to do to earn their 'white hat,'" said Joseph Cerchi who, in addition to his state title, is a Bismarck resident and member of VFW Post 6947. "I don't think many people realize the human factor behind it.'"

According to Cerchi, the POW/MIA flag  one of which flies at the Bismarck Veterans Memorial  has only been in existence since the late 1970s.

"It was created to honor Vietnam soldiers who were missing in action (MIA), only now it honors all of them," he said. "Even the government is starting to turn its back. Some might have seen all the hoopla on Facebook talking about 83,000 MIAs. That's the wrong number because the government stops counting at World War II. They don't go back any further than that. You can pretty much safely double that number.

"The numbers have changed through the years because of recoveries, but at one time I had a list running all the way back to the Revolutionary War and the number was over 150,000 MIAs. Now, granted, some of those will never be identified. After a certain amount of time it's just impossible to do. What I'm really trying to do is  state by state  to make people aware of the effect on each one."

Cerchi said he has kept his list up-to-date of every Missourian whose gone missing in action since World War II.

"In Vietnam there are 35 of them" he said. "In the Cold War we still have four Missourians missing. In the Korean War there are 204. From World War II there are 2,082. So what kind of an impact does that have on us? I'm pretty sure that everybody in this state  whether they know it or not  knows somebody who has a relative that is an MIA. That's almost 3,000 families right there.

"I'm hoping that people will begin to understand that this isn't just something that they do for the hell of it. This is a real issue. These people raised their hand, put on a uniform and went off to fight for you and me  and they never came back.

"No one can tell their families why they never came back. I totally believe that it is not just the government's responsibility, but our responsibility as citizens of this nation, to do everything we can to bring closure to these families."

Asked how he hopes people will respond to his message, Cerchi said, "We just had the 9/11 observance here in Bismarck and we saw dozens and dozens and dozens of the community come out for it. This Friday will be POW/MIA Day. Last year I had to borrow people just to have enough people to put a ceremony together. I counted six members of the community that showed up. Awareness  that's what I'm trying to get across."

Cerchi believes the best way Missourians can help build awareness of the MIA issue is to start with their own state government.

"Pressure them to pressure the federal government to bring our brothers home, bring our sons home, bring our dads home," he said. "I once broached the idea to the governor of writing a letter to our elected representatives in Washington urging them to support anything and everything having to do with the issue. I was told you can't do that. For some funny reason we can't tell the people that we elected to represent us how to vote. I still can't comprehend how they're justifying that."
HICKORY  This year, National Grandparents Day was officially celebrated Sunday, but several schools across Catawba County stretched the celebration throughout this week, with every Papa and Nana invited to have lunch with their grandchildren.

For Mountain View Elementary Principal Dyanne Sherrill, the annual celebration brings up memories from her time as principal at Banoak Elementary seven years ago.

I had a grandparent come in and have lunch with their grandchild and we took pictures and about a month later the grandparent passed, Sherrill said. We had pictures of the grandchild and so of course, as a school, we sent the pictures to the family as a memory.

I didnt grow up with grandparents, so its near and dear to my heart that every opportunity we can allow kids to interact with grandparents I think is just a positive.

Shes been principal at Mountain View in the Catawba County Schools system for five years. And while she wasnt sure if the administration prior to her did something similar for grandparents, she was prepared to continue to take time to honor grandparents.

Sherrill is a firm believer in schools doing everything they can to reach out and include families in students lives.

It takes a whole partnership to raise a child, she said. Grandparents, theyre just special and I just really enjoy providing that opportunity, a special time for them to come in.

They are welcomed any time, but this is a day that we honor them. Kids have even made cards for the grandparents.

Mountain View has 793 students, a large number of whom had grandparents show up this week for lunch. During the fifth-sixth-graders Grandparents Day, nearly 100 stopped by the school.

First-grader Korbyn Duncan had both sets of his grandparents show up to share lunch Tuesday. One of his grandmothers, Gwen Sherman, said she was just as excited as her grandson to turn lunch into a mini-family reunion.

It gives us time to spend with him when we usually dont during the school year, Korbyns grandfather, Charlie McClelland, said. Its very important, plus you spend time with both sets of grandparents and that doesnt happen enough also.

Korbyn Duncans other grandmother, Teresa McClelland, works with children who have special needs and sees the positive impact family involvement makes every day on kids of all ages and backgrounds.

Its really important because this supports a childs emotional well-being and looking at the bigger picture, Teresa McClelland said. Its really an important thing for all these parents to come out and be part of their kids day.

Ellah Lytle, Sherrills daughter, had her grandmother, Raquel Lytle, show up for lunch as well.

Its special, Racquel Lytle said. Were grandparents and were acting as grandparents in our homes but when we come over to share with our grandkids, its just so much more special.

Plus theyre so excited. The child is so excited just to know you are coming.

The impetus for a National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, W.Va., grandparents-day.com says.

Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide, the website said.

President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day.

The Hickory Daily Record would like to see photos from any other Grandparents Day celebrations throughout Catawba County -- email them to jbailey@hickoryrecord.com and include first and last names of those pictured and locations (or schools) involved with the celebrations.
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Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is not new to balancing acts and tackling crises, given the fact that all the members of his extended political family have been close to him.

The fresh crisis is an extension to a long series of such instances. But this one seems to be trickier than ever and has come at a time when the UP assembly election is inching closer.

This time around, Mulayam has to maintain a balance between his brother Shivpal and son Akhilesh.

Read: Political dispute, not family fight, says Akhilesh after clipping uncles wings

Shivpal Singh Yadav is dear to Mulayam not only because of their blood relation but also for the role of a close associate that he has played for more than four decades  since the time Akhilesh was not even born.

The root of the problem goes back to 2009 when Mulayam removed Shivpal and appointed Akhilesh as the state unit president of the Samajwadi Party.

The rift widened after Akhilesh steered the party to a spectacular victory in 2012 assembly election after which Mulayam and his cousin Ramgopal Yadav propped up Akhilesh to the chief ministers chair.

Fresh trouble began when Shivpal tried to forge an alliance with the Quami Ekta Dal (QED) but Akhilesh nixed the merger plan.

QED is headed by former SP MP Afzal Ansari, who is the elder brother of mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari. Akhilesh was adamant on calling off the merger as he was not ready to tolerate criminal elements in the party.

Read: Stripped of 3 ministries, Shivpal says will talk to Mulayam, decide next step

Shivpal also prevailed over Mulayam to get his favourite bureaucrat Deepak Singhal appointed as UP chief secretary. However, Akhilesh sacked him on Tuesday and brought in Rahul Bhatnagar.

In a balancing act, Mulayam elevated Shivpal as the state president which further precipitated the situation.

The only silver lining is that Mulayam wields the power of having the last word. Every time a problem occurs, the warring members in the family say that Netajis command would be followed.

The big question is how Mulayam will defuse tension and restore order in the family that aspires for a second term?

Though BSP is bleeding, Mayawati is set to intensify attack on the SPs parivarvaad even if Mulayam manages order.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is already poaching into the BSP, is keeping a close eye on the developments. The Congress will also try to regain lost ground by trying to capitalise on the ongoing family feud.

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An overwhelming majority of her countrymen may be oblivious to her plight, but the drama playing out in Uttar Pradesh over a 14-year-old rape survivor now 32-weeks pregnant is definitely a national shame.

It has been a tragic spectacle so far: the girl and her poor father knocking on the doors of the judiciary and government offices seeking permission to abort the child they do not want, but being greeted with little or no sympathy.

Raped earlier this year, the girl desperately wants to get rid of the foetus. But the establishment would not let her have her way. A court first rejected her plea, citing laws that ban termination beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy. She appealed to a higher court which ordered her to approach the chief medical officer (CMO). A panel was formed which finally on Monday said a firm No.

It is supposedly all for her good, since abortion at an advanced stage could endanger her life. But yet, she was treated with disdain at every level. Time was of essence in this case, but court hearings took weeks. And when the decision finally rested with the CMO, he reportedly kept her waiting since he was busy with something else. All the while, her baby bump kept growing  to the point she could not be medically helped any longer.

But the legal wrangling over her pregnancy is besides the point. The moot point is none have cared to bother about what happens to her, now that legal doors have been firmly shut.

Perhaps, the apathy heaped on her had something to do with her being from Bharat and not India. In July, the story of a Mumbai rape survivor seeking to abort her 24-weeks pregnancy made front page news. No such luck for this girl though, as she is from a dusty small village 45kms from Bareilly tucked deep in the Hindi heartland.

Her unwanted motherhood is an unfolding nightmare. I dont want this child, she says. I cant put up with this shame, adds her father. But the establishment continues to turn a blind eye to their desperation.

Uttar Pradesh has a district probation officer tasked with looking after victims of rape, acid attacks and domestic violence. Asha Jyoti Kendras in the state are meant to help rehabilitate such women. The district magistrate is also empowered to intervene.

But no official has even bothered to visit the family till date. Both the mother and the child she is carrying are staring at a very uncertain future.

The saving grace could, however, be some good Samaritans. Moved by Hindustan Time reports, an elderly woman from Ghaziabad has offered monetary help. The widow of a deceased army officer has got in touch, saying she was ready to adopt the child. The hapless girl caught up in a hopeless situation deserves some hope.

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The recent unrest in Kashmir has raised the issue of Pakistans involvement in fanning the flames. Frustrated by its failure to snatch Kashmir by use of the military in 1965, and the loss of East Pakistan in 1971, Pakistan adopted the instrumentality of terrorism to annex Kashmir. It continues to regard Jammu & Kashmir as the core issue between the two countries and made good relations hostage to the resolution of the issue to its satisfaction.

India must also share its part of responsibility for allowing the problem to come to this pass, both internally and externally. It was Jawaharlal Nehrus personal decision to seek the peoples views and that too through a UN supervised vote, and finally taking the issue to the United Nations, and yet again offering to hold the plebiscite as part of a commitment that internationalised this issue.

Read | PoK and Kashmir cannot be compared: India to UNHCHR

The Indian leadership has failed in the last 70 years to resolve the basic issues that had ramifications both internal and external, judiciously and effectively. There were many opportunities, including the one at Simla, to clinch the issue in favour of India, but these were allowed to pass. Mere rhetoric did not and cannot solve the problem.

Of the three parts of the state, both Jammu and Ladakh want greater integration with India and the state cannot be allowed to be hijacked by a group of people in the Valley. While there is need to bring the people of the Valley into the mainstream, a firm attitude has to be adopted towards Pakistan. There can be no scope for any talks on Kashmirs future with Pakistan.

Read | Afghan President Ghani to meet PM Modi: Heres what they may talk about

Today, Pakistan has lost the sympathies of the international community for its role in promoting terrorism, not only in India but also elsewhere in the region. A series of recent statements by the Afghan president; first at the Nato summit in Warsaw in July and in Islamabad in August is the worst indictment of Pakistan for its role in promoting terror. President Ashraf Ghanis statement in Islamabad that Pakistan remains a breeding ground from where the mercenaries send us messages of war needs to be taken seriously.

Pakistan is mired in internal conflicts and has lost the right to speak for the people in other countries after the way it treated East Pakistan then, and treats Balochistan now.

Avtar Singh Bhasin is a retired diplomat

The views expressed are personal
Actor Tiger Shroff, who will soon start shooting for the sequel to Karan Johars hit film, Student of the Year (2012), says its a big responsibility to take the franchise forward.

I love the first movie and all three of them (actors Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra) in it. Its a tough act to follow and I hope I dont let anyone down, says the 26-year-old, who last starred in A Flying Jatt.

Read: Neither vacationing with anyone, nor do I have a girlfriend, says Tiger Shroff

Actor Tiger Shroff made his Bollywood debut alongside Kriti Sanon in Heropanti (2014).

The leading lady of KJos project has not been finalised. Names doing the rounds include Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singhs daughter Sara, Sridevi and Boney Kapoors daughter Jhanvi and Amitabh Bachchans granddaughter Navya Naveli. Tiger, too, says he has no clue about it.

Although Tiger is known for dance and action, the 26-year-old would like to try his hand at other genres too, but not anytime soon. My fans expect a lot of out of me. This (dance and action) is why they have accepted me. This fascinates them. That being said, Ill give all that I have in my next two films, a side to me that hasnt been tapped as yet. After that Ill experiment with other genres, he says.

Read: Tiger Shroff confirms sequel to A Flying Jatt?

Meanwhile, the actor talks about working in a biopic on king of pop Michael Jackson. Id like to play him... the time when he was at his peak. Id like to play him on-stage, off-stage and even recording in the studio. He was an all round entertainer. Every kid, in every country, knows about Michael Jackson. No one has reached that (kind of) fandom and stardom, says Tiger.

And we can only agree.

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Several actors have resorted to method acting over the years. On Sunday, Varun Dhawan decided to do the same.

For an emotional scene in his upcoming film, Badrinath Ki Dulhania, the Bollywood actor was supposed to act intoxicated. To do an authentic job of the scene, he decided to have a few pegs of whisky.

Varun and Alia in the first look of the film.

Varun had a few drinks, that too neat, to prepare for the scene. The idea worked, as the scene went off well. Even the director (Shashank Khaitan) praised his performance. Varun knew that he could not have managed such a natural performance without those drinks, says an insider.

Read: Why should I talk about my private life, says Varun Dhawan

In real life, Varun is an occasional drinker. He doesnt drink too often because he is a fitness freak. If theres a party or a special occasion, he may have one drink. But he knew that it was important for the scene, adds the insider.After shooting for the scene, Varun was still feeling the effect of the alcohol, and hence, he slept for an hour before shooting for the rest of the scenes scheduled for the day.

Read: Bollywood is a very insecure place, says Varun Dhawan

Interestingly, in 2014, too, when Varun was shooting for Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, he got drunk while performing an emotional scene.

When contacted, the Bollywood actor, who has been shooting for this film in Jaipur and Kota (in Rajasthan) and Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh), says, I had a few drinks as the scene required that kind of an effect. I was high for a while, but everything was okay.

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Imbolo Mbues rise to the top of the literary tree is a true fairytale of New York.

The 33-year-old Cameroonian writer, who was born in a house without running water or electricity, became the talk of the town when she got a million-dollar advance for her first novel, Behold the Dreamers, in 2014.

Two years later the book that Mbue wrote at the kitchen table of her tiny New York apartment  often while breastfeeding her babies  is getting the kind of reviews that authors dream of.

The New York Times called it a dissection of the American dream that is savage and compassionate in all the right places.

The critical reception on the other side of the Atlantic  where it was published simultaneously in French  has been equally warm, with Le Monde hailing the discovery of a formidable writer.

I started the book when my first child was a baby, Mbue said, and I rewrote it while nursing my second.

I perfected the art of holding them with one hand and writing with the other, she laughed.

People afterwards said, How wonderful for you! And I said, Oh, no it wasnt. Really, you dont understand!

Mbues tale of a migrant from her oceanside hometown of Limbe who lands a job as a chauffeur for a Lehman Brothers executive  just before the banks collapse triggered a global financial crisis  is a bittersweet tale of great expectations slowly shattered.

Folly of the 1%

Despite the latitude that the subject matter gave her to skewer the people who drove the world into recession, Mbues immigrant heroes take a surprisingly tender view of the follies of the privileged 1% of US society they serve.

This gives the book what the Washington Post called a kind of angelic annunciation of hope, which ultimately makes her story even more poignant.

Like her characters Junde Jonga and his wife Neni, Mbue arrived in America at 17 with little more than her wide-eyed innocence and doggedness to declare.

Still Mbue had reason to feel embittered by the crash. The crisis cost her the good job in market research she landed after working herself through a masters degree selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door.

With so many Americans also out of work, she found it hard to get work and started writing.

I wanted to be a college professor but my husband said only I could tell this story.

Its funny because he didnt actually read the book until months after it was sold. Then he asked, What is it about?

Instead of sending her manuscript to any old agent, Mbue went straight to Susan Golomb, who represents Jonathan Franzen, one of Americas most admired novelists.

Age of Trump

I spent three years pursuing her, she recalled. I stalked her basically. She finally read it and I rewrote it and then she rejected me again, before finally saying OK.

I dont give up easily, she said.

Despite her success, Mbue is under no illusion about the American Dream in the age of Donald Trump.

The odds are against you in America as an immigrant. I hope people realise this. Washing dishes or working in a cab, you get stuck and exhausted.

You dont come to America to fail, but you have to have a lot of weapons to succeed.

Ive done some tough jobs, Mbue added, but writing and raising children are the hardest things Ive ever done.

I am not the sort of person who would chose this path (as a writer). I have that immigrant mentality of wanting stability. I cannot just think of myself.

So despite her new-found fame, Mbue is not leaving her very small apartment. I am superstitious. I had so many good things happen there I dont want to move. I am all cramped in there with screaming children, but I think if I move maybe my mojo will go away.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more.
Looking for a short film by Imtiaz Ali, I stumbled upon a video of him reciting a poem. It was Faiz Ahmed Faizs Mere humdum mere dost. But the simple poetry reading soon transcended into a memorable experience when Ali stopped midway to point out the relevance of Faizs works, and how he brought in a new wave in romantic poetry, and then broke off to describe his love for Ernest Hemingway.

Watch Imtiaz Ali read Faiz Ahmad Faizs Mere Humdum Mere dost here:

Curious, and craving for more, I start browsing. And what followed was a treasure trove - Manoj Bajpai reading Ramdhari Singh Dinkar or Dhushyant Kumar, Vinay Pathak reading Bhagvaticharan Verma, Swara Bhaskar reading Avtar Singh Sandhu Paash, Saudrabh Shukla reading Bhawani Prasad Mishra, Manav Kaul reading Vinod Kumar Shukl and much more. Each opened a new door into the world of Hindi poetry and a small window into the very personal lives of these public figures.

Watch Manav Kaul read one of his own poems here:

Simply titled Hindi Kavita, this Youtube channel is single-handedly and quite successfully introducing the social media generation to the charm of Hindi poetry.

Learn poetry to flirt better! says Manish Gupta, the man who curates the channel. All these videos are shot inside my house with me and bhaijaan, my maid, manning the camera and lights. That provides the artistes an intimate space to open up. Sometimes we shoot, sometimes we just chat, and sometimes we share a drink and doze off.

Manish Guptas Hindi Kavita has a motley cast including (Clockwise from top left) Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Manoj Bajpai, Imtiaz Ali and Tom Alter (Manish Gupta)

However, mostly shot in shimmering black and white with random pops of colour, these sleek videos have nothing amateurish about them. Gupta, who has a group of friends from the industry helping him with the post-production, says, We made it a point to do videos that are sleek and stylish. The people you see in our videos look beautiful. It is not just some person reading a poem. Now, when someone new shows up, they know that they are in good hands.

Finding true love

Manish Gupta has lived a life of a vagabond until he found his one true love...Hindi Kavita (Vidya Subramanian)

Gupta, who holds an American passport, was not always this passionate about Hindi poetry. A university topper, he finished his MBA in tourism in 1992 and joined an advertising agency in Indore. A few years into it, he decided to move to Cincinnati in the US where, after spending the initial years as a house husband pursuing his passion for painting, he and his wife moved to New York.

I joined an IT company and life was great and monotonous. One day, on my way to office, I called my wife and told her that I am bored of this routine life. I dont want to run after any dream, I want to do something random instead. My wife jokingly suggested that I should then make a movie. I reached office, quit my job, and enrolled myself in New York Film Academy, says Gupta nonchalantly.

For his graduation submission he made a feature-length film called Indian Fish in American Waters and it opened to packed theatres in a NY Film Festival. And for his next, Karma, Confessions and Holi, starring Sushmita Sen, he got Robert De Neros daughter Drena De Niro as a producer. The film got stuck for various reasons and when it got released, it didnt do too well, says Gupta. He came back to India and directed a TV series called Roomies. And while in the US, he also ran a nightclub in Miami for a year.

My friend had bought two nightclubs for his girlfriends and wanted me to run one. So I did. But, of course, this was also a fling and he soon got bored. It was not until two years ago that he finally found his true love. Hindi Kavita. But he is a commitment phobe. I cant say this is it for me. But as of now, I am loving it, he says.

Watch Kausar Munir read her own version of Mein aur meri tanhai here:

The window-shopper

Gupta is a vagabond at heart, and he blames it on his childhood. I was born in a small town and my father was a professor. While growing up I had libraries of books at my disposal. I was not a very social person and spent most of my time reading. Each book gave me a different dream to pursue. So I went on a window-shopping spree with life. I wanted to direct one film, write one novel, travel around the world once, have one painting exhibition, and so on. I hated the word security. I still think it is a very negative word. Today, when I meet students I tell them to go and try everything. It is totally okay to not to know what you want.

Watch Vinay Pathak read Sita Ka Nidhan from Ram Varmas Ramayan here:

Getting high on poetry

It was during a casual drinking session that the idea of Hindi Kavita was born. We were discussing Hindi poetry and suddenly we all realised how much we love it. People started quoting lines, some read out entire poems, and I thought why dont we shoot this thing and put it up? says Gupta.

He started off with a group of friends  some were actors, and some technicians working in Bollywood. It was our love for poetry that got us together.

It was after he started the youtube channel that Gupta starting discovering and rediscovering Hindi poets. I have truly discovered in the past few years is (Gajanan Madhav) Muktibodh. But these days I am obsessed with (Avtar Singh Sandhu) Pash. he says.

Watch Manoj Bajpai read from Ramdhari Singh Dinkars Rashmirathi here:

Making Hindi cool

Gupta doesnt trust his own knowledge of Hindi poetry when it comes to curating the content for the site. I want to make Hindi cool. We have a panel consisting of senior poets and experts of Hindi poetry like Vishnu Khare, Ashok Vajpeyi, Naresh Saxena, among others, who guide us. We want a fair representation from every genre of classical and the contemporary. We have many new poets reading their own works, he says. We are not the Hindi literature department but their advertising division. We are here to create an interest in Hindi poetry. We look at a poet as a brand. After watching the video, people should feel the urge to discover the poet.

Regional gems

Gupta now aims to go beyond curating the youtube channel and make this into a movement. And he wants students to take this forward. Last month he gave a talk at the TEDx event at Banaras Hindu University on the how the glamorisation of English speech and writing has negatively impacted the aesthetic value of Hindi. Apart from championing Hindi poetry and the language in general, Gupta also has two more youtube channels, one dedicated to Urdu poetry and the other to Punjabi.

Sample Vibha Rani s Gaali singing here:

There are interesting works happening in regional languages across India. We need to get them translated and make them accessible to wider audience. I want to work with all Indian languages, he says. But as of now Gupta is trying to figure out how to finance the project. So far I have done it on my own, but this will require sponsors. But I am very discerning as I dont want people with any kind of religious of political agenda to get into this.

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No lights or camera but a lot of action. Thats how the Congress MLAs holding a sit-in on the floor of the Punjab assembly spent Monday night. With just a few months to go for state assembly elections, it brought the brought various Congress factions together in just one night. Some MLAs even said they finally got to spend some quality time together!

The more social media-savvy among them such as leader of opposition Charanjit Singh Channi, Youth Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Tarlochan Singh Soondh kept their followers and media updated on what they were doing inside the assembly with selfies on their Facebook pages. Warring even posted a picture of four of them brushing their teeth!

Four women MLAs -- Karan Brar, Aruna Chaudhary, Charanjit Bajwa and Harchand Kaur -- too were part of the protest.

Brar said as they braved the heat, hunger and darkness, she had a bright idea to make a video clip on her mobile phone and send it to news channel which telecast it live. I made the video of the four women MLAs looking stressed, sitting in pitch darkness, without air-conditioners and lights, with no woman staff and male staff running all around. It was only after it was telecast that the dim lights on the side walls were switched on, says Brar.

With some of the men opening their turbans and some sleeping in their shorts as it was too hot, all four of us went to the office of assembly secretary Shashi Lakhanpal Mishra and slept there. We left in the morning at 5.30 to freshen up. But out of us, only Aruna was able to get in again. By the time we returned, the security refused to let us in, she added.

In pics: Cong MLAs night out in Punjab assembly to corner govt

Pictures posted on Facebook by some of the MLAs showed a few Sikh MLAs resting on their turbans and looking into the camera for a selfie. But the most memorable pictures is a group photograph posted on Facebook where all the 22 MLAs camping inside the assembly are wearing aprons with posters pinned on them that read, Punjab da cancer, Badal sarkar (Badal government is Punjabs cancer).

Former leader of opposition Sunil Jakhar, who was asked by Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh to guide Channi and stand by him, during the Congress legislature party (CLP) meeting on September 1, kept his promise. While most senior leaders left on Monday evening on health grounds, Jakhar stayed put.

The idea of sit-in was floated by the youth brigade of Channi, Warring and Gurkirat Kotli. It is about showing solidarity with what the CLP decided. Since there were no lights and air-conditioners, I slept on the floor of the house at 9 pm. Some others took off the removable seats on benches to sleep. In pitch darkness and with nothing else to do, many MLAs were passing time by sharing anecdotes and gossip. In fact, for the first time, we spent some quality time bonding with each other, quipped Jakhar.

Channi tried to convince the media till late into the night that there was no food with the MLAs. Soon after that, sandwiches were sent from the residence of MLA Gurkirat Kotli and later Captain Amarinder Singh too sent food packets and juices. By 11 pm, more packed food was ordered.

The Punjab Congress chief who was being briefed by his loyalist MLAs on their condition inside, also kept up their morale by issuing statements outside.

Interestingly, Navtej Cheema, finally got to play his role as chief whip of the party as he ensured nearly 27 MLAs stayed back for the night stay. He said they had switched on some lights but the assembly staff kept taking the plugs offs. One of us could have been electrocuted as they kept taking the plugs off every time we plugged them in, he said.

On Tuesday evening, Mukhwinder Singh Cheema, deputy inspector general of police in charge of security of the assembly, told the MLAs that the police have to sanitise and clean the assembly for Wednesdays session.

But the Congress MLAs refused to budge. Twenty of them stayed through Tuesday night. The four women MLAs and three others who were feeling unwell had left.

We never expected to win the no-confidence motion. The idea was to debate all issues which was denied, said Brar. But the Congress is not complaining.

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It is eight years since communal violence swept the second poorest, deeply-forested district of Odisha, Kandhamal. We must not allow the erasure of this hate violence from public memory, because the suffering and displacement of the tribal and Dalit Christians targeted by the communal violence are unabated even today, and justice is systematically denied.

The violence in 2008 was produced by a long hate campaign by Hindutva activists dating back to the 1960s, with periodic attacks on Christian places of worship, priests and nuns. The number of persons killed in 2008 was less than 100, but the looting and arson of properties and shrines was extensive, as was sexual violence. Six hundred villages of Christian converts were attacked and 5,600 houses ransacked and set aflame. Approximately 54,000 people were rendered homeless, and 295 churches and chapels destroyed. Thirteen schools, colleges and institutions for the sick were burned.

Read | SC frowns upon acquittals in Kandhamal riots

I was part of a fact-finding tribunal led by Justice AP Shah that had heard terrifying testimonies of survivors. Kanaka Nayak recalled that when her husband refused to reconvert to Hinduism, a mob spat on him and started to sing and dance around him; they paraded him, and dragged him. They told him you sing your songs and let Jesus come and save you. And they started attacking and cut his body into three pieces. Many attacks were on women. An orphanage was destroyed. The body of the warden was burnt, the lower part of her body was burnt so as to destroy all evidence of alleged gang-rape. Women who suffered sexual violence in both massacres continue to live with the agony of memory and silences of shame. One victim told us, The attackers removed their mask before they raped me. Earlier, they would respect me.

The National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights observed at that time: The local government by and large not only stood by and silently watched, as the horrendous events were unfolding, but in several ways, according to the eye-witnesses, facilitated the gangs indulging destruction of human life and property.

Read | Modi has the mandate and time to engage in much needed course correction

It is estimated that approximately 2,000 Christians were forced to abandon their faith in the carnage. VHP leader Pravin Tagodia enjoyed free passage across the state as he instigated violence, declaring There is no place for Christians. If Christians dont become Hindus, they have to go. We dont care where they go. They must leave Orissa.

Our tribunal noted that thousands of Christians were chased and herded in groups into temples and forced to undergo reconversion ceremonies with their heads tonsured. They were made to drink cow-dung water as a mark of purification and some of them forced to burn bibles or damage churches to prove that they had forsaken the Christian faith. The reconverted Christians were forced to sign voluntary declarations stating that they were becoming Hindus voluntarily  a condition required by the anti-conversion law.

Read | Violence leaves north Kerala bloody as political equations change

People who were driven out of their villages were unable to return even long after the violence abated unless they agreed to reconversion (even though many were animists and were never of Hindu faith).

In the Centre for Equity Studies, we have studied several episodes of communal violence and found a common feature: The systematic and deliberate subversion of justice. Kandhamal adheres to this pattern. People reported that they were turned away and intimidated by the police when attempting to register complaints. They still succeeded in registering 3,300 complaints but only 820 first information reports (FIRs) were registered. Of these, 302 were closed claiming lack of evidence. Of the remaining taken to trial, only 247 have been disposed of so far.

Many witnesses were intimidated into not pursuing their cases, or rescinding on their evidence against the accused in court. Sometimes the VHP and Bajrang Dal activists were able to access FIRs, and they threatened (even abducted) witnesses, prompting some to change their statements in court. In some cases, the police aided the accused by registering false cases against the victim-survivors.

Read | Tricky to assume plurality will be a shield against terrorism

Still many bravely pursue legal justice against all odds. A nun who was gang-raped said: I still go to court as a witness because there are many who are afraid to go to court as witnesses. Someone has to do it.

I want to move on with my life but find it difficult to break away and the past always haunts me because I am tied down to these cases for so many years nowThe criminal system lingers and lingers and often justice is not served even after so much of hard work is put into these cases. I cannot go freely to Kandhamal. The perpetrators of these crimes are still out there.

Read | Why the Indian voter does not punish the rogue

But despite her courageous and protracted battle, the remaining 21 accused are yet to be brought to justice. On that day, my colleague Father (name withheld) and I were attacked by a mob of about 30. Nine men were charged with rape, however, only three were found guilty. The remaining six were acquitted.

Because of the profound failures of justice, there is no possibility for the wounds of the hate violence to heal. As activist and senior journalist John Dayal observes sadly of the lives of the survivors of the carnage: Fear is still a reality.

Harsh Mander is author, Looking Away: Inequality, Prejudice and Indifference in New India

The views expressed are personal

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BENGALURU: Karnataka grudgingly accepted on Tuesday the Supreme Courts order to share Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu even as ripples of violent protests in Bengaluru shut down top Indian and foreign companies in the state capital known as the countrys Silicon Valley.

This order is the most difficult to follow. But when we are functioning within the framework of the Constitutionas a constitutionally formed government it is difficult to violate or reject the Supreme Court order. It will be a violation of the Constitution, Karnataka chief minister S Siddaramaiah said at a press conference.

He insisted that injustice has been done to his state over the century-old dispute by the top court order that sparked mob attacks on Tamil-speaking people, businesses run by people from the neighbouring state and torching of vehicles registered in Tamil Nadu.

Companies such as Flipkart, Amazon and Infosys were said to have shut business for a day as employees could not reach office. Some others asked employees to work from home.

At least two people were killed, one of them succumbing to his injuries on Tuesday, in the violence forcing the government to clamp curfew and issue shoot-at-sight orders in the capital. Retaliatory violence also erupted in Tamil Nadu.

The latest flare-up occurred after the top court asked Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water to the neighbouring state till September 20. Karnataka, where farmers are facing water shortage due to a deficient monsoon, stores the rivers water at the reservoir on the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Srirangapatna near Mandya.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke on the issue, saying the violence was distressful and urged restraint in the city. continued on page 6

Situation that has emerged in Karnataka & Tamil Nadu, as a fallout of issue of distribution of waters of Cauvery River, is distressful (sic), Modi tweeted. This dispute can only be solved within the legal ambit. Breaking the law is not a viable alternative.

Though there was no major violence on Tuesday, the Centre asked television channels to avoid telecasting provocative and inflammatory news and programmes that could further ignite tensions.

The embattled chief minister said he has sought Modis intervention on the issue that has sparked largescale violence in capital Bengaluru where mobs targeted Tamil-speaking people, torched vehicles and attacked businesses.

Clearly, injustice has been meted out to Karnataka. Still, the people have to accept the court verdict and fight the issue legally, the chief minister said.

He said the state we will file a review petition on the order of the apex court which will hear another case on the issue on October 18.

The state government also said those indulging in violence will be dealt with iron-hands, he said and appealed to the people to maintain peace and tranquillity in the state and protect all citizens living here.

Around 15,000 police officers were deployed on the largely deserted streets of the countrys IT capital to enforce the curfew. The Centre also rushed 700 Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel to the city.

(With agency inputs)
PANCHKULA: The CBIs special magistrate, Haryana, has sent senior division civil judge Ravneet Garg to 14-day judicial custody in his wife Geetanjalis murder case.

Garg, who is posted at Kaithal, will be now be lodged in the Ambala jail.

28-year-old Geetanjali was found dead in a park at Police Lines in Gurgaon with multiple firearm injuries, on July 17, 2013. The licensed revolver of her husband, then chief judicial magistrate of Gurgaon, was found by her body.

The CBI, which is investigating the case, did not press for further remand on Tuesday and requested the court to send Garg to judicial custody.

CBI counsel LD Tiwari submitted: This learned court may kindly be pleased to remand Shri Ravneet Garg to judicial custody for a period of 14 days as investigations is at a crucial stage in the interest of justice.

Earlier, on September 8 the CBI sought a 14-day police remand but got only 5 days. He was arrested on the night of September 7 from Kaithal.

Ravneet Garg was taken to Delhi for custodial interrogation during his remand period. The CBI was looking for his revolvers cartridges used in killing Geetanjali.

Defence counsel SK Garg Narwana said: The CBI has failed to recover anything from our client. They interrogated him in Delhi with the same questions. Earlier also, the CBI had asked him same questions on 7-8 earlier occasions.

He maintained that Ravneet Garg was in a video conference at the time of Geetanjalis murder.

Geetanjali and Ravneet got married in 2007. She is survived by two daughters Aasma, now 7, and Adiva, 6.

Om Prakash Aggarwal, Geetanjalis father, raised two important points in the case. There was no blood on the crime spot. Why could the Gurgaon police not trace any bullet or shell from the crime spot in the first few days? Aggarwal asked.

The CBI submitted in its report that Ravneet Garg and his parents demanded and accepted huge dowry in cash, jewellery and a car at the time of his marriage with Geetanjali.

Thereafter, he continued to torture his wife for more dowry and obtained another car, a plot of land and money to meet day-to-day expenses from her parents. Garg and his parents also regularly cursed the deceased for not being able to give birth to a male child as she had given birth to two female children.
CHANDIGARH: Twenty-one Congress legislators refused to leave the Punjab assembly on Tuesday, more than 24 hours after they launched an unprecedented protest after losing a no-confidence motion against the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance government in the poll-bound state.

Even an appeal by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, who reached the House in the afternoon, failed as the MLAs decided to sweat it out for another night in the government-opposition face-off.

Though 27 legislators had started the agitation, some had left on Monday night and a few in the morning. They were not allowed to return after the assembly premises were sealed in the morning.

Batala MLA Ashwani Sekhri was shifted after he complained of uneasiness on Tuesday evening. By the end of the action-packed day, the Congress and the ruling SAD-BJP were chalking out counter-strategies for the last day of the session on Wednesday.

Sources said the treasury benches will move a breach of privilege motion against the Congress MLAs who squatted inside the House after it was adjourned. The Congress will insist on the Speaker resuming a discussion on the defeated no-confidence motion.

Though most MLAs said they were not able to take a bath and had no change of clothes, supporters of a few were seen carrying food and medicines inside.

For Ludhiana MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu, one of his supporters carried a dry-cleaned kurta pyjama. A supporter of MLA Sangat Singh Giljian carried an insulin kit and supporters of leader of opposition Charanjit Singh Channi came with food and drinking water.

The supply of food from outside continued as exotic fruits, water, cold drinks, juices, fast food were sent in at regular intervals. The assembly staff had deputed a person to act as the go-between.

They keep switching off our lights and air-conditioners. We had no food and water for long hours. But we are fighting for Punjab and will not let the government browbeat us, Channi said about Mondays nights ordeal.

As the night dragged on, assembly staff left the premises around 1am and television visuals showed legislators fanning themselves in the darkness and engaged in conversation with the dim light from mobile phones.

The chief ministers office sent out a press note with photographs of Badal, hands folded, requesting the MLAs to end the sit-in. Terming Badals visit a gimmick, Channi said: I told him that our protest will continue till the resumption of the no-trust vote debate.
NEW DELHI: Southwest Delhis Tajpur Pahadi  lined with cramped houses that have two-level basements filled with knee-deep stagnant water  is among the areas worst affected by dengue and chikungunya.

Residents say three people died in the past two months from suspected dengue. Several others are suffering from high fever, they say. The municipal corporation has not confirmed them as dengue deaths.

Tajpur Pahadi, on the fringes of Badarpur mine, has several active aquifers. When groundwater is released, it gets accumulated in the basements.

During monsoons there is excessive release of groundwater ... This floods the basements and triggers mosquito breeding, says resident Shaheen Khan.

Domestic breeding checkers (DBCs) and health inspectors visited Tajpur Pahadi on Tuesday to check the basements. Massive illegal construction in area is among the factors responsible for water-logging ... They dug up the ground mindlessly, despite knowing that it is a low lying area, said the area health inspector, requesting anonymity.

Tajpur Pahadi was one of the areas where the civic agency carried out awareness programme before the start of the breeding season. But there has been no effect.

These people say they do not have money to cement their basements. They have money to build two to three levels of basements, but when they are asked to close it they crib about poverty, he said.

However, residents accuse the corporations of not having desilted the area properly. The drains are overflowing into our houses and situation gets worse during rains. The corporation has not initiated desilting, despite our repeated requests, said Lalita Devi.
NEW DELHI: As the death toll of chikungunya climbed to five on Tuesday, Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain toured several government hospitals to access preparedness, hours after he landed in the city from Goa.

The health minister visited Aruna Asaf Ali, Dr Hedgewar Arogya Sanstha, Guru Teg Bahadur and Lal Bahadur Shastri hospitals among others.

He, however, denied that the five people died of chikungunya.

Chikungunya cannot kill anyone. There has never been a chikungunya death in the world. Can it be proven medically that the deaths were due to chikungunya, the Delhi health minister said.

The government assured that it is fully prepared to deal with dengue and chikungunya patients, from Delhi and the neighbouring states.

Many people come to Delhi for treatment and they usually reach here when they are critical. But, we are prepared  beds are available, patients are being treated, there is no problem at all, Jain said.

The government earmarked 1,000 beds in three hospitals  Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospital and Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital  only for fever patients.

They also allowed private hospitals and nursing homes to increase their bed strength by 10-20%.

For the additional beds for chikungunya or dengue, the hospital shall not be charged more than 50% of the lowest bed price of the hospital, a government release read.

The Delhi government is also running fever clinics in 262 dispensaries, 106 mohalla clinics and 26 Delhi government hospitals to provide primary care to fever patients.

The government had initially capped the prices of dengue tests in August, but on seeing a rise in the number of chikungunya cases, the price of the antigen test for chikungunya has been capped at `600 and the RT-PCR has been capped at `1,500.

A helpline number  011-22307145  has also been launched by the government to provide information on the two mosquito-borne diseases.

To prevent dehydration in patients and their kin, the government is providing ORS and water in the outpatient department of government hospitals.

Meanwhile, Union health minister JP Nadda will hold a review meeting with the states on Wednesday.

We have been monitoring the situation closely. The Union government has provided technical support and issued guidelines in time. We have coordinated with Delhi and I have assured them that we will try to look into any needs that they might have. We have said the same to the MCDs, said Nadda.
NEW DELHI: Three more people died of chikungunya in Delhi on Tuesday, taking the number of deaths due to the viral disease to five on a day the citys leaders seemed to have abandoned

their charge.

Only one minister  Kapil Mishra  was in town as Delhi battled one of its worst outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and ministers Gopal Rai and Imran Hussain are all away. Lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung is in the US and is expected in Delhi on Wednesday. By evening, health minister Satyendar Jain was back from Goa.

4 Deaths due to Chikangunia reported from one pvt hospital (Ganga Ram). No death in any Delhi govt hospital. Enquiry ordered, he tweeted. Jain also said medically, chikungunya can never be a cause of anyones death.

During the day, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said three men had died of chikungunya. A 22-year old girl who died in MCD-run Hindu Rao Hospital on September 1, too, tested positive for the viral disease that causes fever, debilitating joint pain but rarely kills. Ganga Ram had reported a death on Monday as well.

The government said there was no reason to panic and blamed the Centre and Jung for the health crisis. CM n min left wid no power now, even to buy a pen. LG n PM enjoy all powers wrt Del. LG abroad. Question them for Del, (sic) tweeted Kejriwal. He returned from Punjab on Monday night and left for Bengaluru in the morning.

Top health officials warn the situation is explosive.

It is an explosive outbreak as the numbers are so high this year, said Dr Neena Valecha, director, National Institute of Malaria Research. Unfortunately, we dont have a concrete plan to combat the situation, especially since we know prevention is the only way to check the spread of the disease.

Delhi has reported 1,057 chikungunya and 1,158 dengue cases this season though the municipal corporations are accused of under-reporting the cases that reflect their failure to control mosquito breeding.

Three of the citys 45 government hospitals have reported more chikunguya cases than the civic bodies.

Jain, too, blamed the BJP-ruled civic bodies, which cancelled leaves of health department workers, and said north and south Delhi mayors were not in town.

Two MCD (municipal corporation of Delhi) mayors are out of Delhi, ask them why? Their only work is to ensure cleanliness, Jain said.

His ministerial colleague Mishra continued the blame game, accusing Jung of hatching criminal conspiracy against residents by sending Delhi health secretary on a 15-day leave before leaving for the US.

The BJP demanded Kejriwals resignation. Sir, if you dont have the capacity to buy a pen, as you are suggesting, why dont you resign? party spokesperson Sambit Patra said, reacting to the CMs tweet.

Former chief minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit said it was the governments responsibility to take preemptive steps when this season arrives before people get sick.
NEW DELHI: A death row convict in the 2009 Jigisha Ghosh murder case has moved the Delhi High Court challenging his conviction and the sentence awarded to him by the trial court.

Amit Shukla, who along with accused Ravi Kapoor was handed the death penalty, has approached the high court saying that the trial court awarded him the capital punishment by wrongly holding that the case falls in the category of rarest of rare.

The trial court on July 14 held Kapoor, Shukla and Baljeet Malik guilty on various counts, including the murder of 28-year-old IT executive Jigisha seven years ago.

The court, while sentencing Kapoor and Shukla to death on August 22, said the girl was killed in a cold-blooded, inhuman and cruel manner and brutally mauled to death.

The third offender Baljeet Malik was given reprieve from the gallows for his good conduct in jail. Malik has already challenged his conviction and sentence of life imprisonment by the trial court.

While seeking setting aside of his conviction and order on sentence, Shukla said the trial court has committed an error by awarding death penalty simply on the basis of biased jail/probation report.

It has also not been noticed that for the similar offence one of the convicts has been sentenced for life imprisonment, the appeal, which would come up for hearing on September 15, said.

Meanwhile, the trial court, which has awarded death to two of the accused has sent the case file to the Delhi High Court for confirmation of the capital punishment.

It is mandatory for a trial court to refer a death penalty case to a high court for confirmation of sentence, within 30 days of the pronouncement of the verdict.

28-year-old Ghosh left her office in Noida but did not return home, though the office cab dropped her outside her apartment block. Ghosh was an operations manager with Hewitt Associate Pvt Ltd.

The three men robbed her of her gold jewellery, two mobile phones, and debit and credit cards. Her body was found near Surajkund in Haryana, 20km from her Vasant Vihar home.
NEW DELHI: How can I check for mosquito breeding, if residents dont allow me into their houses, ask the corporations domestic breeding checkers (DBC).

Inder Singh (41), a breeding checker, stands outside a bungalow in L-Block of south Delhis Lajpat Nagar. Despite repeated requests and, later, threats to allow him to check the house, he is turned away.

The bungalows caretaker throws myriad excuses at him.

In over 60% of the houses we visit, people dont let us in. We are turned away as if we are salesmen, says Singh.

He is a part of the 10-member DBC team that HT followed on Monday and Tuesday. They have to check 29,000 houses in Lajpat Nagars ward 155.

On the first day, only five out of 40 houses allowed the inspectors in. On the second day, though the residents allowed the inspectors to fog their place, they turned hostile when officials started looking around for mosquito breeding.

In all, 102 households were inspected. Challans were issued to the five that had mosquito larva breeding. Empty containers, air conditioning vents, refrigerator trays and Feng Shui plants were the most common breeding spots.

In every case, residents blamed the authorities for carelessness and even sabotage. A pregnant woman with two children screamed at the workers for planting the larva in her house to get money from her. The DBCs found over a dozen larvae in a bucket in her bathroom. They challaned her and the fine amount was to be decided by a magistrate.

Deafulters have to pay a maximum fine of `500. It has remained the same since the Delhi Municipal Act was formed in 1970. MCD officials say they have been trying to get it increased to Rs 2,000 since 2010.

Breeding checkers say women dont allow them to enter, fearing for their own safety. It is difficult to argue with them, says a checker. I do not want to go to check for breeding and instead get charged with a criminal offence, says Singh.

He says residents also beat up breeding checkers for challaning them. They threaten us and often name political connections. If mosquitoes breed and cause dengue or chikungunya, then these very people will blame us for not doing our job, he said.

In some gated communities in Dwarka, inspectors are not allowed to enter because they dont have permission.

The corporations issued identity cards for field workers. But that hasnt helped either. When our staff goes for inspection, they are stopped saying that the resident welfare associations have to permit them. Even when they show their ID cards they are not allowed, said a health inspector.

In Singapore, inspection teams have the power to break into a house, if locked or inaccessible, during peak season to check breeding. Here inspectors are not even allowed to check a house without the owners permission. It amounts to trespassing, said north corporation hospital administration director, Dr DK Seth.

The city requires at least 15,000 DBCs to inspect the houses every week. The current strength, however, is 3,500.
GREATER NOIDA: A year after the murder of a Muslim man over allegations of slaughtering a cow on Bakra Eid, the community celebrated the festival without any sacrifice. The residents offered prayers at a local mosque and shared sweets to mark Bakra Eid on Tuesday. Their Hindu neighbours wished them and the village remained peaceful under the watch of policemen.

On September 28 last year, three days after Bakra Eid, a mob of locals attacked Mohammad Ikhlaq and his son Danish over allegations of slaughtering a cow and storing the meat for consumption.

Ikhlaq had succumbed to his injuries while Danish had survived with a fractured skull. Eighteen locals, including three juveniles, were nabbed over charges of murder and assault.

After nearly a year of the incident, the village remains calm under the shadow of the lynching incident.Offering animal sacrifice is not a tradition in this village as people are not financially sound. We celebrated the festival with our Hindu neighbours. There is no rift between the two communities, said Ikram Khan, a local resident.

Head woman of Bisada, Kaushalya Devi, said, It is our responsibility to ensure peaceful celebration on Bakra Eid. We will not let our Muslim brothers feel scared or unsafe.

The families of the accused, who are lodged in jail, however, didnt participate in the celebration and refused to comment on the issue.

Our teams were on the vigil throughout the day to avoid any untoward incident, said Anurag Singh, deputy superintendent of police, Dadri.
NEW DELHI: Five chikungunya deaths have been reported in the Capital so far  all of them in September 2016, and four in the same hospital over 48 hours. All four were men between the ages of 61 and 75.

On Tuesday, the fifth death  that of a 22-year-old chikungunya patient due to cardiac arrest on September 1 at Hindu Rao Hospital  was confirmed.

No deaths due to chikungunya have ever been reported in Delhi. I was quite surprised in the morning. However, it has come to our notice that the four patients had co-morbid conditions (those that occur together), so we have to examine whether they died of chikungunya, said north MCD hospital administration director, Dr DK Seth.

The four patients who died at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital did so within a day of being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The four patients were referred to us in a critical condition when their organs had already started failing. All four had co-morbid conditions too  one had diabetes, two had kidney disease and the third had asthma, said head of the department of medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Dr SP Byotra.

North MCDs Dr Seth said the fifth patient developed an abnormal heart rhythm. She had a cardiac arrest within hours of being admitted to the hospital. She was moved to the ICU where she died on September 1, said Dr Seth.

Apart from fever, she had none of the characteristic symptoms  joint pain, headache and rash. The antigen report later came out to be positive for chikungunya.

The cardiac episode might have been triggered by electrolyte imbalance caused by chikungunya. But, we have to see whether she had any existing conditions, said Dr Seth.

Experts said people must not panic and rush to hospitals.

It is very rare to die of chikungunya. Only people who are really young or old, have a compromised immune system like an HIV or TB patient and are living with other conditions like diabetes or heart problems ever die of it, said Dr Seth.

Chikungunya is a viral disease spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain that can last for days to weeks but rarely kills. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.

According to the World Health Organisation, most patients recover fully. In some cases, joint pain may persist for several months. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications as well as gastrointestinal complaints have been reported.

Serious complications are not common, but in older people the disease can contribute to the cause of death.

Dengue and chikungunya are both self-limiting diseases and people can receive adequate care at home. People must not panic and flood the hospitals because this puts a burden on the system and the minuscule percentage of people who actually require hospitalisation end up suffering, said All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) director, Dr MC Mishra.

However, doctors recommend consulting a doctor if one has uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, kidney problems, etc. Rush the patient to a hospital if they develop blurry vision, have persistent vomiting, nausea and difficulty in breathing.

Delhi is reeling under an onslaught of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections, most of which begin with fever, headache and body pains, confining a person to bed for a week. Hospitals are overflowing with patients complaining of fever and joint pains.

Across India, 12,000 cases of chikungunya and 27,000 cases of dengue have been reported this year with Odisha, West Bengal and Kerala among the worst affected.

Dengue and chikungunya cases go up during and just after the rainy season that normal lasts from June to September because Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that spreads both infections, breeds in fresh rainwater.

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LUCKNOW: Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav stripped his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav of key portfolios on Tuesday in signs of growing fissures within Uttar Pradeshs ruling family, just months ahead of crucial assembly elections in the state. Akhileshs move came within hours of his father and Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh appointing Shivpal as the partys state president replacing his chief minister-son.

Earlier during the day, Akhilesh replaced the states top bureaucrat Deepak Singhal, known to be close to Shivpal. The churning in the party and bureaucracy set the grapevine on fire in the poll-bound state with unconfirmed reports suggesting that the sacked minister is mulling options of resigning from the government.

Shivpal has been given the relatively less important social welfare portfolio in place of the key PWD, irrigation, revenue and cooperative departments he held earlier. The CM kept PWD with him. Shivpals appointment as the state party chief was considered Mulayams way of striking a balance between his son and his brother ahead of the elections. The SP is expected to face a tough fight from the BJP and the resurgent BSP led by Mayawati.

The CM had earlier refused to merge a party floated by jailed gangster Mukhtar Ansari with the SP, a proposal floated by Shivpal. Mulayam had recently ticked off Akhilesh for allegedly humiliating Shivpal. On Monday, Akhilesh had removed two ministers facing corruption charges, seen as an image-refurbishing exercise by the SP government ahead of the polls.

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NEW DELHI: Delhi water minister Kapil Mishra on Tuesday accused Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung of hatching a criminal conspiracy against city residents. Mishra said Jung deliberately sent the Delhi health secretary on 15-day leave even as he (L-G) himself left on a personal trip abroad.

Addressing a press conference at his residence, Mishra defended the Delhi government, under fire over the spread of vector-borne diseases in the city, saying they had taken all necessary steps, including increasing the number of hospital beds.

This is a criminal conspiracy against the people of Delhi. First the health secretary was transferred despite (deputy CM) Manish Sisodias request not to do so. Then the person, who sat on the file of Chinese manjha ban for six days, was made the new health secretary. He refused to meet health minister after being appointed. And then the L-G deliberately sent him on a leave of 15 days before disappearing himself. Where did he go? Mishra asked.

Principal health secretary Chandraker Bharti is on leave till September 18, while the L-G is scheduled to return to the city on Wednesday.

Officials in the L-G secretariat, however, said the Delhi government was making an issue of the crisis which is solely in the domain of the government as health was a transferred subject.

As far as leave sanctioned to the health secretary goes, there is always a link officer if any senior officer goes on leave, a senior official said.

Earlier in the day, deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who left for Finland on Monday night, said functioning in Delhi government has been stalled as officials were busy following the L-Gs instructions of going through the files of the past 18 months and sending these to him.

For past two months Delhi government officers have only one work  scanning files of last 18 months and sending them to the L-G. Officers do not come to meetings called by ministers Sisodia tweeted.

If they believe L-G has all the powers in Delhi, then he should be held responsible, he added.fogging in Karawal Nagar.

Water minister Kapil Mishra took a fogging machine to his constituency Karawal Nagar on Tuesday, after accusing the MCDs of having failed check mosquito breeding.

No fogging was done to curb the disease causing mosquitoes in Delhi, Mishra said, adding that he was doing the job of BJP leaders who instead were sitting in TV studios.
NEW DELHI: A 38-year-old man spent five hours on the streets with the body of his wife  who had apparently died due to chikungunya  on Monday night after being denied permission by his landlord to enter his room. He was also turned away by the hospital that did not give any discharge papers.

The incident was reported from east Delhis Anand Vihar area.

Eyewitnesses said the man, Chotelal, kept shuttling his wifes body between Hegdewar Hospital, his home in Karkardooma village and his tea stall near Cross River shopping mall.

The man, sources said, didnt have enough money to preserve his wifes body in an air-conditioned ambulance or perform her last rites.

No one came to the aid of Chotelal, till a constable of the Anand Vihar police station spotted the ambulance that had carried the body and questioned its driver.

The constable informed his station house officer, who arranged a space at the village pradhans house to preserve the body for the night with ice.

On Tuesday afternoon, the man finally cremated his wifes body with the help of the police and the village pradhan Bhanwar Singh.

Police said Chotelals wife, 35-year-old Anju, died around 9pm on Monday at Hedgewar Hospital. Chotelal claimed that his wife died due to chikungunya.

The hospital authorities, however, did not provide him a doctors prescription note or the death certificate, he alleged.

Chotelal alleged that after his wifes death, the hospital staff asked him to take his wifes body home on his own. They did not give me any documents, he said.

Clueless about what to do next, Chotelal stood outside the emergency ward with Anjus body on a stretcher.

He was then approached by a private ambulance driver who agreed to ferry the body back for `200.

Around 11pm, Chotelal arrived outside his rented home with Anjus body and requested his landlord, Bablu, to help him carry the body to their third floor room.

Bablu not only refused to carry the body, he did not allow Chotelal into the building.

Bablu, however, gave Chotelal `2,000 and asked him to go to the hospital and come back with the papers required for the cremation.

I never stopped him (Chotelal) from carrying his wifes body to his room. I just told him to go back to the hospital and bring back proper paperwork for the cremation before entering the building, Bablu later claimed.

Chotelal then went back to the hospital in the ambulance but was refused entry by the guards. He then requested the driver to drop him back near his tea stall, where some of his friends lived.

It was there that the constable, Vikram, spotted the ambulance.

Contacted, Suchil Kumar, medical superintendent of Dr Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan, said he did not wish to comment on the matter.
Dressed in a branded suit and shiny shoes, his hair gelled, he looked like an affluent businessman. He would confidently walk in any five-star hotel, pretending to talk over the phone in fluent English, reach the valet counter and pick up any car key he found, as if it was his.

He would reach the driveway and drive away with the car. The guards at the valet counter never dared to stop him.

The man, Satendra Singh Shekhawat (35), an MBA in marketing, allegedly stole over 20 luxury cars including Audis, Mercedes and BMWs from different hotels using the same modus operandi. He finally landed in the polices net on Tuesday and the police recovered an Audi Q7 he stole from Hotel Holiday Inn from him.

Shekhawat had reportedly earlier been arrested thrice and had served punishment in jails of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan for stealing cars.

Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime, Ravindra Yadav said, With his arrest eight cases of motor vehicle theft have been worked out.

The matter came to the notice of crime branch on August 26, after one Arjun Garg complained that his car was stolen from the drive way of Holiday Inn, Aerocity. He said he had given the keys to the valet parking attendant but when he came out of the hotel after dinner, he was surprised to find the keys missing from the valet parking desk. When he asked around, he was told that someone had taken away his Audi Q7 car. On checking CCTV footage, one person was seen talking on the mobile phone near the valet parking desk and taking away the key of the car. On the complaint, a case was registered and teams formed to trace the man.

During investigation, it was found that there had been several cases of theft of high end luxurious cars using the same modus operandi in several metro cities including Gurgaon, Pune and Mumbai. The dedicated teams studied all cases and zeroed down on the prime suspect.

Read: Super Natwarlal: 77-year-old thief who cant stop stealing

On September 12, the police received a specific information that SatendraSatendra Singh Shekhawat would come near Hyaat Regency Hotel to steal cars. A trap was laid and an Audi car with Maharashtra registration number was intercepted. Singh was questioned and apprehended. During checking, the Audi Q7 was found to be stolen from Holiday Inn hotel.

Shekhawat was then interrogated at length. During questioning it was revealed that he was a known interstate criminal and had earlier been arrested by the police of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan in several cases of theft, robbery and assault. In February, 2016 he came out from Jodhpur jail and again started stealing high end vehicles, Yadav said.

He added, He stole vehicles in such a simple way that nobody could suspect him to be a thief. He would come very nicely dressed and approach the keys stand of a valet parking. For those managing the valet parking area,he would seem like an ordinary businessman talking on his mobile

phone. He would wait for an opportune moment and as soon he got one, he would just remove one key from the key stand and would drive off with his catch of high end cars.

During interrogation, he revealed that he disposed off the stolen vehicles to his trustworthy receivers who would in turn use these vehicles to transport narcotic substances from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to their desired destinations.

Read: Career of a conman: 30 years, 54 cities, thousands duped
The Delhi government will send physical education and yoga teachers for training to Ramdevs Patanjali Yogpeeth (Trust) in Uttarakhand.

The government has nominated teachers and said the training will help them master the technique of yoga. In 2015, the government sent teachers for value-based education to Chhattisgarh and then on a paid trip for a course on vipassana, a meditation programme.

The circular sent on September 12 said the training is being organised as students face problems such as stress, depression, lack of concentration and restlessness.

For the holistic development of a student, the healthy approach towards education and life can be developed right from younger ages yogic practices. These problems can be countered with yoga teaching. To give proper practice of yoga to the school students, the training of physical education teachers and yoga teachers may be an effective tool, said the circular.

This is a government-sponsored training but teachers will have to make their own travel arrangements.

The 10-day residential yoga training will be held from September 21 to 30. For lodging and food, the trust charges R 1000 per person. A total of 1237 teachers have been nominated by the directorate of education (DoE).

The education director said they were trying to defer the training by a week so that teachers get a longer time to prepare.

In a day or two, we will issue a circular and give teachers opportunity to apply to the physical education department if they have any problem in attending the training. Then case by case we will consider their request, said Saumya Gupta, director of education.

Some will be selected as master trainers, after going trough the theory and practical exam.

The Government School Teachers Association (GSTA) has criticised the move and said this will put the burden of yoga on the physical education teachers.

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With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led municipal corporation blaming each other following four more deaths due to complications arising from chikungunya, Delhi water minister Kapil Mishra urged all on Wednesday to work with a positive approach to fight the vector-borne diseases rather than indulging in politics over the same.

It is easy to point fingers. We should work together with a positive approach. I will approach everyone. Prevention is the key and we should work for it. We should work as one Delhi and stop politics, Mishra told the media.

The situation is serious and that is why I have written an open letter to everyone including the Congress, BJP, journalists and to my own party workers that now we have to stop this politics and work together on prevention. he added.

The Delhi government has ordered a probe into the chikungunya deaths reported in the national capital in the last two days.

Health minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday carried out inspections of five government hospitals and said there is no need to panic.

Jain said, medically, there is no death due to chikungunya, but media is showing deaths due to this disease.

He said, according to doctors, chikungunya is not a life-threatening disease in general, but in rare cases leads to complications that prove fatal, especially in children and old persons.
The death toll from chikungunya in New Delhi mounted to seven on Wednesday after two more people  both men  died of complications related to the disease at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.

One of the men died on Tuesday night and the second on Wednesday morning. Both patients were referred to Apollo in a critical condition and were being treated in the hospitals intensive care unit.

Chikungunya is a viral disease spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain that can last from days to weeks. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. It is rarely fatal.

Medically, there are no deaths due to chikungunya but media is showing deaths due to this disease. I want to make it clear that chikungunya is not fatal, Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said.

Insinuating that private hospitals were mishandling chikungunya cases, Jain has ordered an inquiry into the four deaths at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Read | As dengue and chikungunya sting Delhi, leaders go missing

4 Deaths due to Chikangunia reported from one pvt hospital (Ganga Ram). No death in any Delhi govt hospital. Enquiry ordered (sic), Jain also tweeted.

Chikungunya can cause complications in older people and those with existing conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension etc, leading to sepsis and multiorgan failure, Dr SP Byotra, head of the department of medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said.

Leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party are facing flak for abandoning Delhi during its biggest chikungunya outbreak.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is in Bengaluru for a throat surgery, shrugged off the charges saying Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung is also away.

Read | 40,000 in India affected by dengue and chikungunya

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It is a sign of either its inability or unwillingness to tackle the now deadly outbreak of chikungunya that the Delhi government is trying to politicise the whole issue in its efforts to pass the buck. It (the outbreak) has been created by you (media) by spreading panic, Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said even after the disease had claimed seven lives. The minister, after having been absent for quite a while, is now inspecting city hospitals to arrange treatment for dengue and chikungunya victims. This is clearly an instance of shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted. The municipal corporations have added their two bit worth by blaming the public for the spread of the disease, despite clear evidence that they did not even utilise the funds they had under the Swachh Bharat Mission, which they could have used for sanitation. Earlier Mr Jain has said that no one dies of chikungunya after returning from Goa, where he was campaigning for AAP. The politicisation of the issue is evident from a tweet by Mr Jain in which he laments the fact that the chief minister has no powers and all power vests in the lieutenant governor (LG).

Read: After slugfest AAPs Mishra urges BJP, L-G to join fight against chikungunya

The LG is also not in the Capital and neither is the chief minister. However, instead of trying to play the blame game, the Delhi government should have taken help from the Centre to put in place measures for treatment and prevention. Instead, it continued to nurse its sense of grievance at the Delhi high court decision giving primacy to the LG in matters of administering Delhi. In a crisis situation like the one which is upon Delhi at the moment, the ministers who are away should have been recalled and all of them should have contributed to efforts to contain the outbreak.

Read: Chikungunya: 1.2 lakh Delhi houses have mosquitoes breeding in their backyard

The blame for the fact that the health secretary is on leave has also been laid at the LGs doorstep. The Delhi government has now made assurances that it is fully prepared to deal with the situation. If so, we would like to know what its blueprint is. Planning should have begun well before the rains. But clearly, nothing of any significance was done. Now that people are suffering and dying, the government should not waste any time in this unproductive effort to shift the responsibility to everyone but itself. Fighting elections in other states is a legitimate exercise but not at the cost of the people who have elected AAP to office. If AAP wanted to prove its mettle, now was the time. But, it has cleared failed in this with catastrophic effect for the people of Delhi.
Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda arrives today in New Delhi, on his first foreign visit after taking office. The last year has been a difficult one for India-Nepal ties. New Delhi believed the Nepali leadership should have shown more wisdom in promulgating a more inclusive constitution. The Kathmandu establishment, led by Prachandas predecessor KP Oli, blamed Delhi for supporting the Madhesi unrest, and used the moment to invite a greater Chinese role in Nepali politics. And even though Mr Oli visited India, the differences and mistrust were too deep, and there was a toxic air in state-to-state relations.

Read | How Nepal PM Prachandas relationship with India turned with the tide

All of this has changed with Maoist leader Prachandas bold decision to break away from the so-called Left alliance with Mr Oli. With Prachanda committing to addressing the constitutional aspirations of Madhesis through an amendment, the political atmospherics in Kathmandu changed. This also vindicated New Delhis position. India had encouraged this process of power-realignment and Prachanda made it clear that he would revert to a more balanced foreign policy orientation, the subtext of which indicated recognising the importance of India in Nepal relations. For New Delhi, this visit is an opportunity to reset India-Nepal ties and bring back the enthusiasm and good cheer that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had unleashed during his first visit to Kathmandu in 2014. While there is a history of mistrust, New Delhi should recognise that Prachanda has taken a risk of being branded an Indian stooge by ultra nationalists, and defied China, which wanted him to continue with Mr Oli. India must reassure him of support, go the extra mile, and proceed with bilateral relations at the pace at which he is comfortable.

Read | Pranab Mukherjee to visit Nepal in November

There is a perception in Nepal that India does not deliver on big development projects  China manages to capitalise on this resentment. To be able to allay such apprehensions, it is important for New Delhi to focus on the implementation of visible, major projects which helps change the lives of Nepali people for the better. Indias interest lies in an inclusive, democratic and friendly Nepal. And for now, the Prachanda-led government is the best bet to realise that goal.
During his ongoing visit to India, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, talks about the universitys plans to work with Indian institutions, the new pilot visa scheme for Indian students, Brexit impact and more. Excerpts from an interview.

How do you see the move by the Indian government deciding to allow foreign universities to operate independently in India?

I understand that many of the proposals are still being discussed, but measures that allow India to meet the growing demand for higher education should certainly be welcome. Students anywhere in the world benefit greatly from a diverse and competitive higher education ecosystem. Diversity in the provision of higher education offers choices and helps to raise standards. Allowing overseas institutions to operate more freely in India will certainly create more opportunities for mobility, and for sharing of infrastructure and knowledge. We have noted with interest the recently announced regulations that will make it easier for Indian universities to initiate international collaborations. I hope they will empower Indian institutions to seek out new international collaborations in areas of strategic importance.

What are the major things that would attract foreign universities to India?

Different foreign universities will be attracted by different aspects of the Indian higher education environment. For Cambridge, India is already an excellent place for the establishment of fruitful research partnerships. One of the things that makes it so compelling for us is the talent in Indias top institutions, twinned with the governments commitment to supporting research, science and innovation. As India opens up to foreign providers of higher education, some thought has to go into setting up a regulatory framework that offers benefits to both the foreign institutions and the host country.

Read more: Simplified visa norms will help Indians: Cambridge

Would the University of Cambridge be keen on setting up a campus in India/operating independently or collaborating with Indian institutions to offer joint degrees?

We are a globally engaged university, with strong partnerships around the world, but it has been university policy not to open teaching campuses overseas. This would be incompatible with the collegiate, small group education model on which the University relies for the excellence of its education. Although we have no plans for overseas teaching campuses, we have long had dual or multi-site collaborations with our research partners, including, here in India, National Centre for Biological Sciences and Indian Institute of Science.

Joint degrees are not something we are contemplating at the moment, although working closely with strategic partners to offer dual degrees is something that we are already doing, and we would certainly be interested in discussing that with Indian institution.

What are the challenges for universities coming to India?

The major challenge is the same as in any collaboration between universities in different countries finding the compatibility between different educational systems, different regulatory frameworks. I cannot speak for other universities, but we see more opportunities than challenges in our engagement with India.

How do you see the academic and industry collaborations with India?

By working closely with industries we are putting our efforts into solving real-world problems discovering new materials, for instance, or developing better drugs, or improving crops. Our relationship with India is based on the same principles. Tata Steel has funded a Professorship in Metallurgy at Cambridge, for instance.

On September 12, 2016, we signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bharti Foundation for the establishment of a research programme for the improvement of corn crops in India. The research will be led in India by FieldFresh Foods in partnership with Punjab Agricultural University, working closely with Cambridges Department of Plant Sciences. This new collaboration not only helps us to address the key problem of global food security, but also enhances our relationships with Indian universities and industry.

What do you have to say about the UKs new immigration rules and visa policies? How do you think it will affect the student flow from India, particularly at Cambridge?

I have repeatedly made the case about the need to streamline visa processes for overseas students in order to attract international students to the UK. So I am delighted that Cambridge was one of the four institutions chosen by the UK government to pilot a new approach to the student visa system for masters students. Not only will the scheme make the visa application process easier, but it will also allow those masters students to stay in the UK for another six months after completing their degree to seek opportunities for work or further study. The number of applications by Indian students wishing to do a postgraduate degree at Cambridge has increased over the past few years. We hope this pilot will make that number increase even further.

Elaborate on the major steps in the universitys strategic engagement with India.

Im in India today because our engagement with this country is of the utmost importance to the university. Our strategy is underpinned by widening and deepening collaborations with Indias finest research institutions, and by constant interactions with the government agencies that support those collaborations. Our work with Indias Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is a very good example. We recently established five lectureships with the DBT, allowing five young scientists  four of whom are Indian  to divide their time between Cambridge and India to carry out research on subjects including plant science, medicine, genetics and engineering.

Only last week, a delegation of Indian women scientists spent time in Cambridge as part of a human resource exchange programme supported by the DBT. Under the Newton-Bhabha research fund, the DBT and Britains Medical Research Council (MRC) are funding a Joint Centre for Cancer Biology and Therapeutics. This is in addition to the existing partnership for research on antimicrobial resistant tuberculosis, also supported by the DBT and MRC, between Chennais National Institute for Tuberculosis Research and Cambridges Department of Medicine. The university has now incorporated a not-for-profit Section 8 subsidiary company in India, called Cambridge India Research Foundation, which will allow us to support collaborative work with Indian partners.

How will Brexit impact Indian students?

One thing to remember is that until the UKs formal exit from the EU (and we have no indication of when this will happen), we remain a full member of the EU, with all the rights and obligations. It is unlikely that Brexit, when it happens, will affect the cost of study for non-EU overseas students, including Indian students.

We have always welcomed applications from overseas as you can see by the make-up of our student body, which numbers people from almost every country of the world including India. As the new Tier 4 visas make it even simpler to apply for a masters course at university, we look forward to welcoming many more.

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The reservation in recruitment of teaching faculty at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) is back on the governments agenda. The human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar will likely take up the matter with the directors and chairman of the IIMs on September 20.

Sources told HT the ministry will discuss increasing the number of SC, ST and OBC faculty. The move comes when the ruling BJP is facing criticism for atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat and for its handling of suicide by Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad.

IIMs might find it difficult to dodge the issue as the minister will take it up in the meeting, sources said. All IIMs will submit report on their faculty position. A number of IIMs dont follow the reservation policy.

Related stories

IIMs oppose govt over quota in faculty, say it will hurt quality

IIM faculty: Keep it quota-free

The meeting is the first time all stakeholders will meet face-to-face. Scholarship and loans given to needy students, SC/ST will also be discussed.

Reservation in faculty positions has been a contentious issue for IIMs. In 2008, then HRD minister Arjun Singh 2008 directed centrally funded institutions including IITs and IIMs to implement quota in teaching positions.

There were huge protests against the move possibly affecting faculty quality. Despite having strong reservations, IITs toed the line by reserving posts of assistant professors. However, a number of Sc, ST positions are vacant in IITs, sources said. IIMs have been defiant.

Faced with protests, Singh brought the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation in Posts and Services) Bill, 2008, to exempt 47 higher educational institutions including IITs and IIMs, from the policy. The bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in December 2008 but lapsed after the 14th Lok Sabha was dissolved in 2009.

In 2013, then higher education secretary Ashok Thakur instructed IIMs to follow the reservation system as a parliamentary panel had pointed out they were not doing it. In April this year the then HRD minister Smriti Irani asked IIMs to clarify if they are following the reservation policy.

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According to new studies, electronic cigarettes could be helping people quit smoking for good and may be doing so without any side-effects.

A study done at University College London found that e-cigarettes may have helped about 18,000 people in England to give up smoking last year. There is no evidence of any serious side effects associated with their use for up to two years, said another report in Cochrane Review.

Researchers at UCL analysed the latest data on smoking and quitting in England -- including details on smokers who worked with the health-worker devised Stop Smoking Services to set a quit date. While they found no direct evidence that e-cigarettes prompted more people to make the decision to try and quit, the team did find that as more people used e-cigarettes, more people also successfully stopped smoking.

In a separate scientific analysis, researchers at the Cochrane Review found that the overall weight of evidence on e-cigarettes suggests they can help people stop smoking and have no serious side-effects.

E-cigarettes, which heat nicotine-laced liquid into vapour, have rapidly grown into a global market for vaping products that was estimated at around $7 billion in 2015.

Unlike nicotine chewing gum and patches, they mimic the experience of cigarette smoking because they are hand-held and generate a smoke-like vapour.

Tobacco smoking kills half of all those who indulge, plus at least another 600,000 non-smokers a year via second-hand smoke. This makes it the worlds biggest preventable killer, with a predicted death toll of a billion by the end of the century, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Many public health specialists think e-cigarettes, or vapes, which do not contain tobacco, are a lower-risk alternative to smoking, but some question their long-term safety. Experts estimate that around 2.8 million people in the UK use e-cigarettes and they have become the nations most popular smoking cessation aid.

England is sometimes singled out as being too positive in its attitude to e-cigarettes, said Robert West, a professor at UCLs Health Behaviour Research Centre who co-led the study and published it in the BMJ British Medical Journal. These data suggest that our relatively liberal regulation of e-cigarettes is probably justified.

In the second analysis, a review published by the Cochrane Library, researchers also found e-cigarettes may help people quit but said there is not yet enough evidence from the best type of studies -- randomised controlled trials -- to be sure.

Of the studies that looked at side effects and were reviewed by the Cochrane team, none found any serious concerns of using e-cigarettes for up to two years. Among non-serious side-effects, throat and mouth irritation were most common.
Fifty Shades of Grey is polarising. Being indifferent towards the series isnt easy, especially once youve seen it. You either love it or hate it. And now, after the first trailer for Fifty Shades Darker, the sequel to the worldwide blockbuster is out, the debate is only going to get louder.

If only to fuel that hot, hot fire, we decided to pit Dakota Johnson, who plays the willingly abused Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades movies, against some of the most iconic heroines of classic erotic thrillers.

Youll notice that if you were born in the 80s, you could probably make the case that it was the best time to be alive ever. That being said, the Fifty Shades series has rekindled the modern audiences romance with erotic thrillers - even if most of them, like Christian Grey, dont treat them too well.

But remember, this is not a ranking, just a list. So if you have any favourites, vote for them in poll down below.

Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct, 1992)

A violent, suspended police detective (Michael Douglas) investigates a brutal murder, in which a manipulative and seductive woman could be involved.

Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction, 1987)

A married mans (we meet again, Michael Douglas) one-night stand comes back to haunt him when that lover begins to stalk him and his family.

Maggie Gyllenhaal (Secretary, 2002)

A young woman, recently released from a mental hospital, gets a job as a secretary to a demanding lawyer, where their employer-employee relationship turns into a sexual, sadomasochistic one.

Kathleen Turner (Body Heat, 1981)

In the midst of a searing Florida heat wave, a woman convinces her lover, a small-town lawyer, to murder her rich husband.

Nicole Kidman (Eyes Wide Shut, 1999)

A New York City doctor, who is married to an art curator, pushes himself on a harrowing and dangerous night-long odyssey of sexual and moral discovery after his wife admits that she once almost cheated on him.

Melanie Griffith (Body Double, 1984)

A young actors obsession with spying on a beautiful woman (Twist! Shes played by Dakota Johnsons mother - Melanie Griffith!) who lives nearby leads to a baffling series of events with drastic consequences.

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Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Union will on Wednesday urge US President Barack Obama to pardon NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden on the back of a new film by Oliver Stone.

I think Oliver will do more for Snowden in two hours than his lawyers have been able to do in three years, Ben Wizner, Snowdens lawyer, was quoted as saying by Vice Motherboard, which said the two rights groups would make a joint appeal on Wednesday.

We are going to be doing both a mass signature campaign around the world and trying to get prominent individuals and organisations to join our call to President Obama to pardon Snowden before he leaves office, Wizner was quoted as saying.

Contacted by AFP, London-based Amnesty International did not confirm or deny the report.

Vice Motherboard said the signatures would be collected through the website www.pardonsnowden.org

Anti-establishment director Stone also called for a pardon at the Toronto film festival last week at a screening of his espionage thriller biopic, Snowden.

We hope that Mr. Obama has a stroke of lightning and he sees the way, Stone said.

Sarah Harrison, a WikiLeaks representative who helped Snowden flee Hong Kong and seek refuge in Russia, said she hoped the film would help rehabilitate him but thought an amnesty was unlikely.

That would be lovely if it came. I would be very surprised if it does, Harrison told AFP last week.

Snowdens residency permit in Russia runs out next year.

Then the question comes up again of where he can be safe. Obviously, hed love to go back home, said Harrison, director of the Courage Foundation which helps whistleblowers, including Snowden.

Alternatively, hed really like asylum in a number of other countries, some European countries. Maybe the situation will have changed in some of those, but sadly so far hes always been denied, said Harrison.

In this current environment in which its kind of an empire that the US is running, his chances are minimal, she said.

Harrison said whistleblower protections in the United States were too weak, but that public awareness is improving and thats always a first step.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley attend the premiere of Snowden at AMC Loews Lincoln Square. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

These sorts of actions should be protected in some way or at least be allowed a defence.

What will help Snowdens situation and potential other whistleblowers as well, is getting more public awareness of the retaliation thats used against people that do these sorts of things, Harrison said.

US authorities charged Snowden with espionage and theft of state secrets after he released thousands of classified National Security Agency documents to journalists Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras and Ewen MacAskill in 2013.

Considered a traitor by some and a hero by others, the 33-year-old fled to Hong Kong, where he hid among Sri Lankan refugees in cramped tenements, and was later given political asylum in Russia after the US revoked his passport.

He now leads a reclusive life there.

Snowden himself called on Obama to pardon him in comments published by Britains Guardian newspaper on Tuesday, arguing that it had been morally necessary to shine a light on mass surveillance.

If not for these disclosures, if not for these revelations, we would be worse off, he told the Guardian in a video-link interview from Moscow on Monday.

American whistleblower Edward Snowden is seen on a screen as he delivers a speech during the Roskilde Festival in Roskilde, Denmark.

Yes, there are laws on the books that say one thing, but that is perhaps why the pardon power exists -- for the exceptions, for the things that may seem unlawful in letters on a page but when we look at them morally, when we look at them ethically, when we look at the results, it seems these were necessary things, he said.

Snowden insisted he had widespread support, saying the public, by and large, cares more about these issues far more than I anticipated.

Last year, the White House rejected a petition signed by over 150,000 people urging a pardon for Snowden, saying he should be judged by a jury of his peers.

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Ritesh Batra is following up his The Lunchbox success with back-to-back, highly-anticipated international projects -- The Sense of an Ending and Our Souls at Night-- but for the director it is more about working with great actors than going Hollywood.

Batra has begun shooting for his second international film Our Souls at Night, which is backed by Netflix and features Hollywood veterans Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, in Colorado.

Based on Kent Harufs novel, the story revolves around two elderly Colorado neighbours, who seek companionship after the death of their respective spouses.

I dont think of it like that (going international). It is just that one thing leads to another. I never thought about it like I am doing stuff in Hollywood or somewhere else. You do it because you love your job and get a chance to work with these great actors, Batra told PTI in an interview.

The director did not have much time between the two projects as he got the offer for the movie while he was still shooting the adaptation of Julian Barnes Booker Prize-winning novel.

I was wrapping The Sense of an Ending in London when the producer reached out to me. I had a phone call with Robert. I love the book and the script and I really wanted to work with Robert and Jane. It just happened very quickly. I was very happy to jump onboard. It is an interesting time for me.

Batra recently completed work on The Sense of an Ending with Jim Broadbent and Charlotte Rampling.

Batra is happy to see Indian actors working in international projects but feels the industry should also welcome foreign talents.

Hopefully, it is a trend. But it would be great if we also welcomed people in our world. Foreign directors should come to India and make films for the Indian audience. This kind of exchange is important. We have such great actors. There is a strong tradition in the UK of foreign directors coming and making movies. I felt very welcome there and I am very comfortable making this movie in Colorado.

Both his films are book adaptations and star some of the biggest names in international cinema - be it Jim Broadbent, Charlotte Rampling and Michelle Dockery or Redford and Fonda.

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Afghanistan president Ashraf Ghani is no longer seen as the pro-Pakistan leader many thought him to be as he arrives in India on a two-day visit from Wednesday.

For New Delhi, this is a heart-warming change. But it takes more than Ghanis growing disillusionment with Pakistan to bring regional stability. The change in Ghanis pro-Pakistan posture has been gradual and he grew wiser with the experiences.

Ghani will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will host a lunch in his honour, among other engagements in the country.

Heres what the two leaders may talk about:

Counter-terror cooperation and concern over Pakistan

The two countries would easily agree on one concern this time around: Safe haven for terrorists in Pakistan.

The change in Ghanis pro-Pakistan posture has been gradual and he grew wiser with the experiences. India was not among the first countries he visited after assuming office. Ghani jetted into China, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan before he set foot in India.

Soon after taking office, Ghani took the unprecedented step of calling on Pakistan army chief Raheel Sharif in Rawalpindi. Pakistan accorded Ghani a reception which it reserves for a Chinese president or the king of Saudi Arabia. Prime minister Nawaz Sharif and military chiefs were on the red carpet to receive him and a 21 gun salute blasted off.

However, disillusionment set in soon enough with Afghanistan blaming Pakistan for not reigning in the terrorist outfits which Kabul thinks are under its control. For India, what happens in Afghanistan has direct national security implications. Two countries are looking at ways to deepen counter-terrorism ties. The extradition treaty which is set to be signed after the meeting between Ghani and PM Modi is a step in this direction.

Read | Ashraf Ghani asks Pakistan to act against Taliban

Defence ties

Afghanistan has been keen on stepping up the defence ties with India beyond the training of personnel. The Modi government has responded positively in firming up defence ties. Afghanistan has been demanding increased defence supplies, including lethal weapons from India, which for the first time gave four Mi-25 attack helicopters to the war-torn country. Measures to step up ties in this area is expected.

Connectivity

Ghani is not likely to get this one so easily: Trade route access to India via Pakistan. For Pakistan, that is like giving concession to India rather than anything else. With India and Pakistan locked in a war of rhetoric, this plan will not materialise anytime soon.

Islamabad brushed off Kabuls recent threat to block Pakistans trade access to the Central Asian states if it didnt allow Afghanistan to trade with India via the Wagah border. Ghani will be disappointed. In the meeting, the two leaders will talk about benefits that will accrue to Afghanistan and from direct access for Afghan goods and trucks to Indian territory including all Afghan commodities.

Read | Will close Paks transit route to Central Asia if not allowed to trade with India: Ghani

Peace talks with Taliban

The peace talks with Taliban remain a non-starter primarily because of the growing trust deficit between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In December last year, the US, Afghanistan and Pakistan were keen on restarting the peace process with Taliban. They seemed keen on making considerable progress in result-oriented peace process before April this year.

The high hopes Ghani had pinned on Pakistan started to wear thin. The terror attacks in Afghanistan were traced to Pakistan for its planning. With Mullah Omars death, Taliban ceased to be the coherent group they once projected they were.

However, there is no denying the fact that no Taliban integration is possible without Pakistans help.

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BJP veteran and Union minister Kalraj Mishra joined his colleague Nitin Gadkari, saying the catch-phrase acche din was indeed coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modis predecessor Manmohan Singh.

It is true that former prime minister Manmohan Singh had said that good days will come. To which our Prime Minister had said that when we come, good days will come, Mishra told reporters when his reaction was sought on Gadkaris comment.

However, seeking to dispel any negative perception, Mishra said people have faith in Modi and are confident that acche din will come. I am sure that Gadkari too meant the same, he added.

Addressing a function in Mumbai on Tuesday, Gadkari had said, Acche din maan-ne se hota hai (Good days depends on ones belief). It was at an NRI meet in Delhi that Manmohan Singh had said that Acche din ayenge (good days will come).

Gadkari had also said the slogan has become a millstone around our neck.

The slogan was extensively used by Modi, who was then BJPs prime ministerial candidate, during Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

Mishra said the NDA government is working to usher in acche din and that an era of negativity in country has come to an end giving way to positivity.

I can say with full faith that our government is taking ahead the process of ushering in acche din. This has brought in positivity and positive thought has stemmed from it, the micro, small and medium enterprise minister said.

He said the NDA government overcame negativity prevailing against the previous government, which was corrupt and could not provide security to country.

Our government overcame this negativity. There might be comments like this should be done or that should be done, but positivity hasnt shrunk...People in villages are saying Modiji Karenge (Modiji will do). They have faith, he said.

However, he dodged a query on when will the acche din come.
The death toll from chikungunya in Delhi rose to 10 on Wednesday after a private hospital reported five deaths, forcing the Union health ministry to call an emergency meeting and ask states to check mosquito breeding.

Health minister JP Nadda also sought a report on the health crisis that has gripped the Capital, which is battling one of its worst outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases.

The citys Apollo Hospital said five people had died of the viral disease in the last three weeks. One of the dead, a 31-year-old man, tested positive for both chikungunya and dengue, which are spread by the bite of the same mosquito  Aedes aegypti.

Four have died of dengue, which used to be the bigger worry. But this year, chikungunya has taken everyone by surprise. The viral disease causes fever, debilitating joint pain but rarely kills.

The deaths are being investigated by the government.

We are analysing the cause of deaths as in most cases it turns out associated illnesses triggered multi-organ failure, said an official from the national vector borne disease control programme.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, which has reported four deaths, also called for an investigation.

These are patients who came to us with classic chikungunya symptoms and tested positive for it. They died within a day or two of admission and the trigger was multi-organ failure. We cant say whether chikungunya was directly responsible for deaths or not, said Dr DS Rana, chairman, Ganga Ram. It requires research.

In healthy people chikunugunya can be managed at home but causes complications in people over 65 and those with poorly-controlled diabetes and heart disease, say doctors.

There was no need to panic, as hospitals were prepared to deal with any eventuality, Nadda said.

Politicians who have come under fire for passing on the blame and responsibility put up a united front on Wednesday.

LG Najeeb Jung asked parties to rise above politics and fight the menace unitedly.

Read | 40,000 in India affected by dengue and chikungunya

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A day after Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict AG Perarivalan was attacked with an iron rod inside the high security Vellore prison, DMK president Karunanidhi said on Wednesday that the incident showed even a prisoner in jail was not safe in the AIADMK regime.

He said the attack on Perarivlan was an example which showed the extent of deterioration of law and order, and how even a prisoner in jail is not safe in this (AIADMK) regime.

In a statement, he said, though Perarivalan was attacked by another prisoner, it leads to quesitons like how the assailant-prisoner got the iron rod and if inmates can get anything if they wanted.

Against the background of Tamil Nadu governments efforts to secure release of Rajiv case convicts, he blamed the state government for not appropriately handling the issue vis-a-vis legal requirements to get remission for the seven Rajiv case convicts.

He wondered why the state government should take recourse to Sec 435 of CrPc to give them remission when the Constitution has empowered the state to remit or commute sentences under Article 161.

Stating that the AIADMK government should own up responsibility for the attack, he said it must take steps for the release of Rajiv case convicts and provide medical treatment for Perarivalan.

Meanwhile, prison authorities in Vellore told PTI that Perarivalan was doing well and he continues to be lodged in the same high security (HS) block. Rajesh Khanna, the prisoner who assaulted him, is lodged in another HS block, they said.
The Bihar govt may soon file an appeal against RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddins bail in the Supreme Court.

This has been an established process followed by Nitish Kumar government in the past 11 years that if the state is not satisfied with the bail of somebody, it goes in appeal in higher court, JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said.

It has been done in the past and would be followed in the present case of Shahabuddin too, he said.

In such cases the concerned district administration makes a proposal if any condition of the bail has been violated and an appeal is moved for cancellation of bail, the spokesperson said.

With BJP questioning the delay in appeal for cancellation of bail of the former RJD MP, the JD(U) spokesperson said courts were closed on account of festival.

Meanwhile, Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah said the district police was scrutinising if any condition of the bail has been violated in the case of Shahabuddin.

If any evidence comes to the surface indicating violation of condition of bail we will move for cancellation of bail in the case, the SP said.

Sah had on Tuesday said that police have taken cognisance of the photograph of the absconding suspects in the killing of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed, with Shahabuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on Saturday.

A notice would be sent to Shahabuddin in this connection and police would also question him on it, he said.

Media reports said the chief minister recently held a long meeting with Advocate General Ram Balak Mahto and Additional Advocate General Lalit Kishore over the Shahabuddin release issue.

Shahabuddin was in jail for 11 years in connection with dozens of cases against him and was granted bail on September 7.
The Bihar government is preparing to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the bail granted to RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin by the Patna high court.

This has been an established process followed by Nitish Kumar government in the past 11 years that if the state is not satisfied with the bail of somebody, it goes in appeal in higher court, JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said.

It has been done in the past and would be followed in the present case of Shahabuddin too, he said.

In such cases the concerned district administration makes a proposal if any condition of the bail has been violated and an appeal is moved for cancellation of bail, the spokesperson said, adding that the courts were closed on account of festival.

The Nitish Kumar government has been facing flak over Shahabuddins release from jail with the BJP questioning the delay in appeal for cancellation of bail of the former RJD MP.

Meanwhile, Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah said the district police was scrutinising if any condition of the bail has been violated in the case of Shahabuddin.

If any evidence comes to the surface indicating violation of condition of bail we will move for cancellation of bail in the case, the SP said.

Sah had on Tuesday said that police have taken cognisance of the photograph of the absconding suspects in the killing of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed, with Shahabuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on Saturday.

A notice would be sent to Shahabuddin in this connection and police would also question him on it, he said.

Media reports said the chief minister recently held a long meeting with advocate general Ram Balak Mahto and additional advocate general Lalit Kishore over the Shahabuddin release issue.

Shahabuddin was in jail for 11 years in connection with dozens of cases against him and was granted bail on September 7.
Delhi airport authorities barred a prominent Kashmiri activist Wednesday from flying out of India despite holding a valid visa, a move his group described as an attempt to deny human rights in the violence-hit region.

Khurram Pervez, coordinator of the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), was on his way to Switzerland when immigration officials detained and blocked him from boarding his flight at Delhis Indira Gandhi International airport.

He was scheduled to attend a UN Human Rights Council session from September 14-24 in Geneva, where he was expected to brief officials on the ongoing situation in Kashmir -- an area that has been reeling from almost daily protests and violence.

Authorities told (Pervez) that due to orders from the Intelligence Bureau, he cannot travel to Geneva.

It appears that Khurram Parvez is not being allowed to travel because he has been highlighting violations of human rights, Parvez Imroz, president of JKCCS, said in a statement.

The Indian State seeks to isolate the people of... Kashmir at all costs, and disallowing human rights activists access to the UN is a part of this attempt to isolate and ensure impunity for violence and denial of human rights.

80 people have been killed in protest since July 8 when a militant leader was shot dead by security forces, making it one of the deadliest bouts of violence in decades.

India and Pakistan, which are both now nuclear powers, have twice gone to war over the territory and accuse each other of stoking violence.
Bengaluru began crawling back to normalcy on Wednesday with a few schools and colleges opening in some parts of the city and state road transport and city buses commencing operations amid an uneasy calm while curfew remained in force in 16 localities.

Karnataka had suffered violence after the Supreme Court ordered the state to release River Cauvery s water to Tamil Nadu.

Tech companies and multinational firms that downed their shutters in Indias IT capital on Tuesday have opened their offices and asked employees to return to work. But most schools declared a holiday on Wednesday as well , and so have a few colleges. Schools were directed to open on Wednesday but many said they would do so only if the police gave protection.

Government offices and banks are expected to function normally. Shops and business establishments have also opened after two days of closure.

Read | Cauvery cocktail: River dispute exposes Karnataka, Tamil Nadu fault lines

Traffic snarls made their appearance again, indicating that things were returning to normal, said an IT professional, Siddharth Dave at Electronic City located close to the Bengaluru-Hosur border.

Police and para military forces are maintaining strict vigil. Curfew and ban orders in 16 localities in the city that witnessed large scale violence and arson on Monday, will be in force till evening.

Para military personnel have staged flag marches in few areas to instil confidence among people and also to send a stern warning to miscreants. Police have rounded up close to 400 people in different parts of Bengaluru and across the state.

Read | Cauvery dispute: Flipkart, Infosys shut Bengaluru offices after violence

Karnatakas director general of police Om Prakash said situation was under control and the state was peaceful, barring couple of stray incidents.

People who indulged in violence have been identified and we will nab them, Prakash told television channels.

The incidents of rioting and arson across Karnataka has reportedly caused losses of nearly Rs 25,000 crore according to trade body ASSOCHAM.

The latest flare-up occurred after the Supreme Court modified its order on Monday asking Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till September 20. Karnataka, where farmers are facing water shortage due to a deficient monsoon, stores the rivers water at the reservoir on the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Srirangapatna near Mandya.

Karnataka is banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a lasting solution to the over century-old water sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu. Chief minister S Siddaramaiah has requested Modis intervention to find an amicable solution to the crisis that is affecting the farmers in delta region in the two states.

Read | Troubled waters over Cauvery but Karnataka, TN have history of sharing

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Four months after Bihar government recommended a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the murder of Hindustan journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, the agency has decided to take over the case. A decision to this effect was made on Wednesday.

CBI sources said a team will soon leave for Siwan. The agency is now set to register an FIR under the charges of criminal conspiracy and murder, the sources said.

Rajdeo, 42, was shot dead at a busy fruit market in Siwan town on May 13. Former Siwan RJD MP Mohd Sahahbuddin, who was recently released on bail, was under the scanner in the case, they said. The state government had recommended the CBI probe on May 16.

Ranjan worked for Hindustan -- a sister concern of Hindustan Times and one of Bihars largest circulating newspapers -- for 20 years.

The case has come into limelight again after a photograph appeared in the media showing murder suspects Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed with Shahbuddin after the RJD leaders release from jail.

Kaif said on Wednesday he was being falsely accused in the murder. He claimed he has impeccable credentials being a cricketer-cum-coach and has trained several first class cricketers.

Meanwhile, Ranjans wife Asha moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of probe from Siwan to Delhi. Asha had earlier cast her doubts on investigations by Bihar police.

She met Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday last and urged him for speedy investigation into the case by the CBI, as delay could lead to tampering of whatever evidence is left.

Asha had expressed her growing apprehension of threat to herself and her family. The matter is of serious concern for me. I am already living in fear. I fear for my children more, she had said. The home minister had assured her that the CBI will take up the case.

Asha, a contractual teacher in a government-run school in Siwan, said she feared for her family in the backdrop of the alleged shooter, Mohammad Kaif, being seen accompanying Shahabuddin at his release.

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The Supreme Court directed the Centre on Wednesday to end sterilisation camps within three years and strengthen the primary healthcare centre system, saying it is time that women and men are treated with respect and dignity and not as mere statistics in the sterilisation programme.

A bench headed by Justice MB Lokur delivered the verdict while dealing with a PIL which had brought to light the mismanagement of sterilisation camps that led to the death of several persons in recent years in many states.

The Union of India is directed to persuade the state governments to halt the system of holding sterilisation camps as has been done by at least four states across the country, the bench ordered, referring to the Centres assurance that it will to do away with the camps.

In its 51-page verdict, the SC held persons who are negligent in their duties must be held accountable. It is time that women and men are treated with respect and dignity and not as mere statistics in the sterilisation program, the bench said.

The ministry of health and family welfare was also asked to conduct an audit to ensure that funds given by the Centre have been utilised for the purpose for which they were released in 2013 and 2014.

Expressing unhappiness over the fact that the government had not yet finalised the National Health Policy, the court directed the Centre to take a decision on it before December 31, 2016.

In case the Union of India thinks it worthwhile to have a National Health Policy, it should take steps to announce it at the earliest and keep issues of gender equity in mind as well, it said.

While passing a slew of directions for active consideration on sterilisation issues, the court said it was pained to see the casual approach of some states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Kerala with regard to the allegations of mismanagement of sterilisation camps. It asked the chief justices of the four states to initiate proceedings to consider allegations with regard to the sterilisation camps there.

A copy of the verdict will also be placed before the Patna high court Chief Justice to ensure speedy completion of investigation and proceedings relating to the mishap on January 7, 2012 in one such camp in Kaparfora Government Middle School, Kursakanta, Araria district and the one in Chapra in Bihar.

The Union of India has overarching responsibility for the success of the campaign and it cannot shift the burden of implementation entirely on the State Governments and Union Territories on the ground that it is only a public health issue, the court said.
Compassion should be shown to stray dogs but these animals should not be allowed to become a menace to the society, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday.

A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and UU Lalit said it would hear in detail the aspect of revised module containing implementation frame work for controlling street dog population and other measures filed by Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), the lead petitioner in the case.

Compassion should be shown towards stray dogs but at the mean time, these animals cannot be allowed to become a menace to the society. A balance needs to be created for dealing with such situation, the bench said.

Senior advocate CA Sundaram along with advocate Anjali Sharma appearing for AWBI said the revised module contained procedures prescribed in the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for eradicating the threat of rabies and reducing man-dog conflict along with suggestions from various states and litigants.

The board suggested the bench that a central coordination committee, with representation from various union ministries should be set up for implementation of these measures.

Sundaram further said state level coordination committees in addition to the district level animal birth control monitoring committees, provided for in the Animal Birth Control Rules, should be established.

The board further said that better interaction between all stakeholders and better funding of the programme by the Centre and the States, was needed for the animal birth control programme to be implemented for optimal results.

Senior advocate Anand Grover appearing for Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organization (FIAPO), said Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules should be implemented in letter and spirit and states should be directed to file compliance report on what action is being taken to sterilise and vaccinate dogs.

The bench which was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by various NGOs and individual petitioners posted the matter for further hearing on October 4 and said it would also consider a petition challenging the constitutional validity of Animal Birth Control Rules.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday targeted the ruling Samajwadi Party whose first family is at war, saying chief minister Akhilesh Yadavs attempts to repair the cycle had come too late.

The Congress leader, who was addressing a farmer rally in the Madihan area of Mirzapur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, was referring to the chief minister stripping his senior minister and uncle Shivpal Yadav of several important portfolios.

Akhilesh tried to throw away one of the punctured tyres. But cycle will not move forward in the next six months, Gandhi said, referring to the Samjwadi Partys symbol of bicycle and the state election due early 2017.

Read | Political dispute, not family fight, says Akhilesh after clipping uncles wings

To revive the fortunes of the Congress, relegated to the margins in the countrys most populous state, Gandhi has set on a month-long 2,500-km kisan yatra.

He is holding khat sabhas to highlight the plight of farmers under the SP rule.

The last few weeks have been turbulent for the ruling party. In the last two days, Akhilesh has sacked two ministers and a senior government official, believed to be close to his uncle and father Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is the SP chief.

To strike a balance, Mulayam appointed Shivpal, his younger brother, as the Uttar Pradesh party chief, a position earlier held by Akhilesh.

During the BSP rule, it was said elephant consumes fund. You replaced elephant with bicycle. Samajwadi Party constructed roads on which neither a bicycle nor a motorcycle can move, the Congress leader said on Wednesday.

The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party is eyeing a comeback in the state but Gandhi tried to remind the gathering of the corruption charges that the party and its leader face.

Owing to bumpy roads, the bicycles tyres got punctured. It has been standing punctured for the last four years and didnt move forward even a bit, he said.

Accusing the rivals of following a divisive politics, the Congress leader said the BSP, SP and BJP governments pandered to certain castes or communities. Now, I appeal to you to help form sabki sarkar (an all-inclusive government) for development, Gandhi said, again demanding loan waiver, cheaper power and higher support price of crops for farmers.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday underwent a five-hour throat surgery at a private hospital here for a persistent cough, which troubled him for about 40 years.

The surgery corrected an anatomical abnormality of Kejriwals oral-pharyngeal and palatal area, which was causing small amounts of saliva to trickle into his air passages whenever his nose breathing was affected by allergy or other factors, said Narayana Health City in a statement.

Kejriwal, who arrived in the city from New Delhi on Tuesday for the long-pending surgery, was first diagnosed by the hospitals medical director Paul C Salins for his bouts of coughing.

Soon after recovery, Kejriwal spoke to his family members and had a few sips of water. He is expected to be fully functional in a couple of days although recovery of such a long-standing problem with its own functional accommodation will be gradual, the statement noted.

A diabetic, Kejriwal, 48, is likely to be in the hospital for about a week under medical observation.

The surgery involved correction of a septal spur by Suhel Hasan, head of Oto-Laryngology, and the palato-pharyngeal correction along with repositioning the tongue base relationship by reorganisation of the chin area by Salins.

Computer analytics confirmed that a restricted space for the movement of his tongue and an enlarged soft palate and uvula in relation to a slight increase in the volume of the tongue caused kinematic problems in function said Salins.

The aim of the correction was functional restoration rather than that of a disease.

In Delhi, a government official said that Kejriwal on Wednesday underwent a five-hour throat surgery and that doctors say all parameters are normal but gave no further details.
Several vernacular TV channels are in the dock over the large-scale violence that swept Indias IT capital over the Cauvery water dispute earlier this week, with critics alleging they fed mob hysteria for better TRPs.

One popular Kannada channel went to the extent of hailing arsonists as brave Kannada activists. Some others magnified the violence as justified acts of defiance against a court ruling that deprived Karnataka of its rightful share of Cauvery waters.

I am aghast, lamented Girish Nikam, a news anchor with Rajya Sabha TV. They have stopped doing journalism and have become agent provocateurs.

The tone of the TV anchors got shriller as violence escalated. They began to describe the physical assaults as beaten to pulp, mauled, hammered and thrashed. Some of them added fuel by claiming that Kannadigas attacked in Tamil Nadu were denied treatment in hospitals.

Read| Cauvery cocktail: River dispute exposes Karnataka, Tamil Nadu fault lines

Dr Niranjan Vanalli, professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Mysore, says many of the channels took an overtly simplistic and macho tone without realising the serious implications of their coverage. Why are media persons acting like they are the judiciary?

But sanity was in short supply at the peak of the violence and several TV anchors got carried away.

This happens every time Jayalalithaa comes to power. What have we done to her that she troubles our farmers so much? She has forgotten she was born in Karnataka and Mysore royals had provided shelter to her and her mother, one news anchor railed.

Media experts say the competitive jingoism on TV channels began after a Tamil engineering student was beaten up for allegedly mocking Kannadiga actors on social media. The footage was broadcast on loop and one channel claimed the attackers were justifiably enraged. Passions rose soon after and hours later, a Kannadiga-owned hotel was petrol-bombed in Chennai.

Read| Cauvery water row explained: Why Tamil Nadu, Karnataka fight over river usage?

(By arrangement with GRIST Media)
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the government alone cant be blamed for judicial vacancies as many posts have been lying vacant for over five years even as Chief Justice of India TS Thakur asked the Centre to show urgency in the matter.

The present dispensation cannot be held responsible for those (older ones) vacancies, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told a bench headed by Chief Justice Thakur.

The Attorney General  who submitted a sealed cover report to the court on the status of recommendations for appointments made so far by different high court collegiums -- insisted that there was no logjam in appointment and transfers of high courts judges.

Rohatgi said the high courts had themselves initiated the process for filling up the vacancies late. As per rules, it ought to have moved the files at least six months in advance before the actual vacancy arises. However, it hasnt been done, the AG pointed out.

There is no blame game. There is no logjam in the system. Its like a race, if you start in time, you will reach in time. The High Courts, by and large, were pretty much delayed in starting the race. The process to fill up five-yearsix-year-old vacancies has been started late, Rohatgi said.

The CJI said once the names had been cleared by the collegium, the Centre ought to show urgency by approving the names.

But finally the names are sent to us (by high court). We (collegiums) then send it to you (government). Thereafter, there should not be any delay. It should not get stuck, Justice Thakur told the AG.

The bench fixed September 30 for further hearing after Rohatgi sought two more weeks to update it.

The government and the judiciary have been at loggerheads with the CJI repeatedly pointing out that delay in judicial appointments was making it difficult for courts to function.

There are more than 450 vacancies in 24 high courts which have over four million pending cases. CJI Thakur  who broke down earlier this year while talking about the problem  had also expressed disappointment over Prime Minister Narendra Modi not mentioning the issue in his independence day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

On August 12, the SC had attacked the NDA government for delaying appointment of judges in HCs, saying it had virtually led to closure of courts. Justice Thakurs strong outburst had left the government in deep embarrassment as Rohatgi urged the court not to take up the issue on the judicial side. Judicial appointments are generally handled by the SC collegium on the administrative side.

The CJI made the remarks when a petition complaining about vacancies in the HCs came up for hearing. The bench had threatened to withdraw work from HC judges whose transfers have been recommended but the government has not issued a formal notification.

As promised, Rohatgi came back with the progress report. There is progress. Only issue seems to be Allahabad (high court). Chhattisgarh, it is done. Kerala it is done (appointments are being cleared), he said.

Though the bench appreciated Rohatgis stand, it reminded him that the Allahabad high court collegium had cleared the names more than nine months ago. The Centre had recently approved the names.

Even with regard to vacancies in other HCs, the CJI said once the names have been cleared by the collegium, the Centre ought to show urgency by approving the names.

But finally the names are sent to us (by high court). We (collegiums) then send it to you (government). Thereafter, there should not be any delay. It should not get stuck, Justice Thakur told the AG.

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For years, one needed to be a hacker to enter the dark web, a shadowy part of the internet so shrouded in secrecy that it was accessible only through special browsers and untraceable even by the worlds most sophisticated security agencies.

Not anymore. Once considered the sole domain of hackers, coders and black marketeers, the deep web can now be cracked by anyone within minutes. Thousands, even in India, are surfing the webs dark underbelly at any given time, shopping for drugs, guns, and prescription pills.

Posing as an eager buyer for a variety of products, including drugs such as heroin, prescription pills such as anti-anxiety medication Xanax and weapons such as guns, this correspondent went on to dark web marketplaces such as AlphaBay, UK Guns, and Drug Marketplace. These websites require invites that used to be difficult to come by. However, in 2016, these invite links are available on websites like PasteBin that can be found even through an elementary Google search.

On a site that looked like eBay, buyers rate sellers by trust level  speed of delivery, quantity and quality of products. Some of the shops that shipped to India had stellar reviews. A customer named COX50 said of one shop: Best H (heroin) Ive ever got off the net.

Read | In a first, drug trafficking reported in India through Darknet, Bitcoin

Secure in their online anonymity, sellers converse easily and openly with buyers. Thank you for thinking of us. Yes, we ship H to India, no limit on the buy. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions, one of the shops replied to a query. It wouldnt be their first time, they added.

According to Tor, a software maker whose browser is used to access the Darknet, more than 20,000 Indian use it daily. But, the company counts only direct connections to its servers.

People also set up virtual private networks (VPNs) cloaking their location. So, this number is indicative of the Darknets popularity in India, said Rahul Sasi, co-founder of Machine, an internet security company that monitors the dark web.

Heroin is sent in small packages in the safest way of shipping, the shop assured. It takes 5-10 days to ship to India. The seller revealed they use snail mail that one would not have to sign for.

This method would be nearly undetectable by customs officials, said additional commissioner of customs, Vinayak Azaad, who has been working in contraband control since 1994.

Azaad said sniffer dogs were of limited use. They only sniff for one thing at a time. At airports, it is explosives, weapons. Even when dogs are trained to find narcotics, he added, thousands of packages come every day. Searches are random. So, unless the police has prior information, it is very difficult to find the correct shipment.

The Indian youth is no stranger to the dark web either. It used to be 100% coders, but now 70% people are coders and 30% normal folks, said Sasi.

Last year I ordered some blotters (LSD) from it. The package came in a week  a CD with my drugs packed inside, a 23-year-old banker said.

But the Darknet has its brighter side, too.

During the Arab Spring  the Tunisian mass uprising that sparked similar revolutions in other countries  activists used Tor to anonymously pass on messages. Political dissidents and journalists across the world have also been using Darknet to cover digital tracks to escape persecution by oppressive regimes.

Earlier this year, Facebook told a technology news portal that a million of its users accessed the social media network through Tor.

Read | Over a million people using Facebook on dark web

Women use Tor to research family planning info while domestic violence survivors browse the web while staying anonymous and untracked by former or current abusers, a Tor spokesperson said.

However, it is difficult to control the dark web. In 2013, after a drug market called Silk Road was busted, many sites cropped up in its place, some even by the same name. The websites founder Ross Ulbricht is serving life sentence for murder in the US. Similarly, child pornography sites such as PedoEmpire continue to operate chatrooms and serve content despite its founder Mattew David Graham being jailed in Australia since March 2016.

Its about demand and supply. If you take away the moral angle, this is capitalism at its purest, said digital ethnographer Angad Chowdhry.

A Glock-17 semi-automatic pistol and ammunition could be purchased for $500, a gun seller on the dark web said. Glocks are legally priced at $590 with $100 per magazines. For prescription pill dealers, three out of four sellers list India as country of origin. Drugs such as Tramadol, which are legal in India but banned in the US and other countries are big moneymakers.

It is very difficult to book people (carrying prescription pills) under the Customs Act except for carrying commercial quantities. (but) there is no hard and fast rule for that (what constitutes a commercial quantity), Azad said.

Cybercrime is big business in India. According to a report filed by Delhi Police, cyber crimes cost India Rs 24,630 crore in 2013. Criminals have always been more savvy than law enforcement agencies and in this day of digitalisation, theres scope for improvement in technology given to police, said Azad. In the meantime, crooks have never had it so easy.

Read | The Darknet: A secret world of snuff porn, drugs and guns
A Jaguar aircraft of the Indian Air Force caught fire minutes before take off at Ambala air base on Tuesday evening.

Defence sources said a crash crew however, managed to rescue the pilot in time.

The aircraft was in the middle of the runway when the incident took place.

A Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered into the accident.

Jaguar aircraft catches fire during take-off in Ambala. Pilot makes quick exit. Court of Inquiry has been ordered pic.twitter.com/o2MknyRCko  ANI (@ANI_news) September 13, 2016

Today evening at Ambala airfield a Jaguar aircraft aborted take off while getting airborne for a routing night flying mission. The pilot carried out safe quick exit. The aircraft caught fire, said public relation officer wing commander Anupam Banerjee.

The Ambala air base, which is located along the Chandigarh-Delhi highway, houses fighter planes like Jaguars and MiG 21 (Bison). The air force station has high strategic value as it is close to the India-Pakistan border.

This is not the first time that an accident happened with a Jaguar aircraft at the Ambala air base. A bomb loaded on a Jaguar aircraft was offloaded after the plane developed a technical snag in 2013. The bomb exploded at the Air Force station and its splinters damaged windowpanes of many houses in Baldev Nagar, Dhulkote, Civil Lines and Cantonment area.
India raised the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the United Nations on Wednesday, accusing Pakistan of widespread human rights violations in the region as well as in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

During the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, India said the main reason behind disturbances in Kashmir is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism that stems from Islamabads territorial ambitions.

Pakistans dismal track record is well known and many countries have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration and dismantle the terrorism infrastructure, Ajit Kumar, Indias ambassador and permanent representative at the UN in Geneva, said.

Read: India can do a lot, Modi will be remembered: Balochistan leader in self-exile

Indias credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that is deeply committed to the welfare of its people are well established but Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country including Balochistan, he said.

Resource-rich Balochistan, which supplies much of the natural gas to textile industry in Pakistans Punjab, has been battling waves of insurgency by Baloch nationalists since 1948.

Pakistani forces have been accused of using excessive force in Balochistan and PoK. In his Independence Day speech this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the troubled regions, a move that struck a chord with Baloch nationalists.

The mention of the regions is in line with the governments recent decision to raise rights violations to hit back at Pakistan for allegedly stoking unrest in the Valley.

Read| India sends another letter to Pak, says talks only about terrorism, PoK

The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan which has provided active support since 1989 to separatist groups and terrorist elements including those operating from the territory under Pakistans control.

Pakistan has once again sought to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the garb of concern for human rights.

J-K is an integral part of India and will always remain so. We reject attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has been regularly exercised by the people of J-K, Kumar said.

In a no-holds-barred offensive, he said while advocating restraint to others, Pakistan has no hesitation in using air power against its own people.

Pakistan also continues to provide sanctuary to UN- designated terrorists. It was, therefore, no surprise that Pakistan failed to convince the international community to secure the membership of the Human Rights Council last year.

India strongly rejects Pakistans continued misuse of the Council to make tendentious references about internal matters pertaining to the Indian state of J-K, the ambassador said.

This stems from Pakistans territorial ambitions over Kashmir that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions. Pakistan continues to be in illegal occupation of a large part of territory in J-K, he said.

Hindu Sena member stage a protest to support Balochistan at Jantar-Mantar in New Delhi. (Ravi Choudhary/HT PHOTO)

Read| India slams UNHCR demand to visit Valley, says no comparison with PoK

Kashmir Valley has been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. His death sparked violent protests that killed 80 people and wounded 10,000 in the two-month-long protests.

Pakistani leaders have criticised India over the Kashmir unrest. The move drew angry reaction from India, which accused Islamabad of interfering in New Delhis internal affairs and backing terrorism.

Kumar said the high number of causalities sustained by Indian security forces is a reflection of the tremendous restraint they have displayed in difficult circumstances in the Valley.

He asserted that India has a robust institutional framework to ensure adherence to rule of law and respect for fundamental rights of the people in J-K, including independent judiciary, National Human Rights Commission, vibrant civil society and free and vocal media.

In contrast, the people of Pakistan as well as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have become victims of sectarian conflict, terrorism and extreme economic hardship due to Pakistans authoritarian and discriminatory policies in complete disregard of human rights, he added.

Emphasising that terrorism was the grossest violation of human rights and should be so acknowledged by any impartial observer.

The heart of the matter is that we are dealing with a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft.

The world watches with concern as the consequences of Pakistans actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbour. All of us stand prepared to help, if only the creators of this monster wake up to the dangers of what they have done to themselves, the Indian envoy added.

The institutions of governance in Pakistan have corroded to such an extent that it has become a hub for the global export of terror, he said.

Pakistan should focus its energies on improving human rights situation within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Kumar said.

It must also take action against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours who are roaming freely in Pakistan with impunity, so that terrorism emanating from Pakistan - the gravest risk for peace and stability of the region - could be addressed effectively, he added.

(With PTI inputs)

Read| Baloch activists protest against Pakistan outside UN
The body of a Kashmiri youth was found by residents on Wednesday, a day after the 22-yer-old went missing following an alleged raid by security forces at his village in Sopore on the day of Eid.

Residents claim that Mansoor Ahmed Lone, 22, died in the custody of security forces. Lone had gone missing on Tuesday when security forces allegedly raided his village. To prevent the Eid prayers, the security forces raided our locality on Tuesday after which he (Lone) went missing, a local said.

Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said imposition of curfew on Eid-ul Adha on Tuesday was a very unfortunate decision which it was compelled to take to save the lives since the separatists had given a call for a march to the UN office.

We were compelled to impose curfew. It doesnt do any good to the image of any government to take such a step but it is the responsibility of the government to ensure law and order, said PDP spokesperson Naeem Akhtar

Normal life in the Valley remained affected for the 68th day due to curfew and separatist sponsored strike since July 9, following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani.

(With agency inputs)

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A Kashmiri youth was detained on Wednesday by the Border Security Force (BSF) at the International Border in RS Pura sector of Jammu where he landed up while driving a car allegedly under the influence of drugs.

Nothing incriminating was recovered from him but he was handed over to police as his antecedents could not be verified immediately in view of the troubled situation in Kashmir, a BSF officer said.

We intercepted a car at Border Out Post (BoP) along International Border (IB) in RS Pura sector in Jammu district. A youth identified as Umar Ashraf Bhat (28) of Pattan, Baramulla, in Kashmir was detained, a senior BSF officer said here.

He told BSF that he was going to Pathankot and then to Delhi for attending to a job call. He was under the influence of drugs and reached to IB (instead of Pathankot), the officer said.

The officer said his antecedents could not be verified immediately in view of the troubled situation in Kashmir.

He was carrying some personal documents and Rs 38,000 cash. So we handed him over to police. Nothing incriminating was recovered from him, he said.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and sex workers should be part of an ethics committee that approves health research involving these communities to ensure informed consent and protect rights, Indias apex medical body has said.

The move is part of the Indian Council of Medical Researchs (ICMR) draft national guidelines for biomedical and health research and is the first time that a government body has included the marginalised sections in official policy.

The draft rules, which are open for public comments, include a separate section on dealing with sexual minorities because they are more vulnerable to stigma and discrimination than the general population.

Research on HIV, hepatitis B and other blood-borne diseases often requires participants to divulge their sexual orientation to get a fix on the possible source of infection, which can be through transfusions, sharing needles to inject drugs, unsafe syringes etc.

We had a very extensive discussion, including a separate subcommittee, to define vulnerable people and for the first time, guidelines on research include how to take informed consent from sexual minorities to safeguard their interests, said Dr Roli Mathur, senior scientist, ICMR, who is in-charge of drafting the updated guidelines.

The draft guidelines come a month after a proposed law got flak for banning unmarried and LGBT couples from having a surrogate baby. Homosexuality is criminalised in India under section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and a challenge to the British-era law is currently pending in the Supreme Court.

The need to include sexual minorities as a separate group was felt because of the unique challenges associated with research involving them, including the possibility of stigma, discrimination and exploitation. Protection of their dignity and quality health care should be well addressed in the research proposal, preferably in consultation with the community before the proposal is finalised, the draft guidelines say.

Mathur said a representative from the LGBT community can participate as a special invitee/ member in the meeting of the ethics committee that provides clearance for a research project. Each project will also set up a community advisory board to act as interface between the researcher(s) and the community.

In HIV positive persons, for example, any research may be misconstrued as research on anti- HIV treatment and make them willing to participate; so the full implications must be explained to them in simple terms, said Mathur. There could be inhibitions between groups within the community, so each group should be explained details of research separately.

Peer educators or champions among the community could be educated and sensitised first, and they would in turn explain the details to the potential participants from the community, to help them understand better.

While original time to accept suggestions was till September 15, ICMR has decided to extend the time limit by a month to accommodate more views.

We have national-level consultations planned to get more expert comments as it is a sensitive topic. These guidelines will give researchers an idea on how to deal with a topic. These guidelines, however, are not the law but are admissible in the court of law, if required, she said.

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A festive mood prevails in Singur where West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will on Wednesday return 9,117 land records to farmers and compensate 800 peasants from whom land had been taken against their will for the Tata Motors Nano project, redeeming a pledge she made years back.

Two weeks after the Supreme Court struck down the land acquisition made by the erstwhile Left Front government and ordered the land be returned to the cultivators, the state government will celebrate the Singur festival in the Hooghly district rural pocket, even as sceptics raise questions over the industrial prospects of the state after the recent turn of events.

The main function is being held at Sanapara - the same spot of the Durgapur Expressway where Banerjee had held a 16-day sit-in protest in 2008 demanding 400 acres out of the total 997.11 acres acquired for the project be returned to the unwilling farmers. The intense and often violent peasant movement had resulted in Tata Motors abandoning the Singur project and later bringing out the small car Nano from Sanand in Gujarat.

Banerjee, who had staked a lot during the movement, and even undertaken a 26-day hunger strike, rode on the anti-land acquisition stir in Singur and Nandigram (in East Midnapore district) to end the 34-year LF rule and become the states first woman chief minister.

Both during the agitation, and after coming to power in the state in May, 2011, Banerjee had promised to return the land to the farmers. In fact, the first decision of the Banerjee cabinet was to return 400 acres to the peasants.

As Banerjee returns for her tryst with Singur on a triumphant note, a huge 80 feet long and 60 feet wide stage has been erected on one side of the Durgapur Expressway.

Pulling out all stops to make the programme a success, the district administration has installed floodlights and CCTV cameras and deployed 5,000 civic volunteers and police personnel to ensure fool-proof security. Around a dozen giant screens have come up in Singur and adjacent areas so that people can watch the entire proceedings live.

On August 31, the Supreme Court had quashed the land acquisition for the small car factory and given 12 weeks time to return the land to farmers.

Banerjee on Monday said that out of 997.11 acres, the state would complete land survey and demarcation of plots for 620 acres by Tuesday.

Asked about the demolition of the factory shades and administrative offices of Tata Motors at the abandoned project site, Banerjee had said: We are following the verdict of the Supreme Court. We expect they will shift their materials. We will request them. If they dont or request us to shift the materials, the state government will set aside the same.

The state government has deployed its state apparatus in a massive way to complete the land survey expeditiously. Drones and GPS satellite mapping had been used for the purpose.

The opposition Left Front and the Congress have derided the debt-stressed state government for wasting money on the celebrations, at a time when it had failed to rope in big investments that could have brought the much-needed jobs to the state.
The government has 1,000 acre of unencumbered land in Goaltore in West Midnapore district and is agreeable to give it to anyone -- Tata Motors or BMW -- to build an automobile factory, chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced in Singur on Wednesday at a programme to kick off the process of returning land to the farmers.

We have 1,000 acre in Goaltore from our landbank. We can give it to any group Tata or BMW to set up an auto unit, said Banerjee, careful to avoid an exclusively pro-farmer label. We are giving a months time. Think about it, she said in a 45-minute speech during which she tried to strike a balancing act between agriculture and industry.

Ironically, Singur was the home to the first Nano factory that was aborted in October 2008 in the face of stiff resistance by Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress. Last week, the chief minister returned from a trip to Munich and BMW headquarters with a sales pitch.

We have a lot of land in Panagarh (Burdwan district), Kharagpur (West Midnapore) and Goaltore. There are other areas too, said the chief minister.

In Wednesdays programme the government distributed 806 cheques and land record documents to 9,117 people. We are able to keep out word. Let this be an example in the rest of the country, said the chief minister who promised to return the land before the expiry of 12-week deadline set by the court.

The Trinamool chief said without the Singur movement, the Nandigram agitation would not have taken place. This is the mother of all struggles, she remarked.

We are returning the land. Its their matter whether they till it, or sell it off, remarked the chief minister. She also said that the irrigation department is sinking tubewells in the land to facilitate cultivation.

Banerjee also announced that they government will give Rs 10,000 to each farmer to help them start agriculture work. A centre will also be set up to facilitate loans to the farmers to buy farming equipment, the maximum amount of which will be Rs 20 lakh.

Every year September 14 will be observed as Singur Divas, she announced. Every year, March 14, the day when 14 lives were lost in Nandigram due to police firing, the state will observe Farmer Rights Day, she announced.

The farmers lined up and took the papers from Banerjee one by one. All the senior ministers of the cabinet were present on the dais.

The chief minister also called 10-year old Payel to the stage, and pointed out that the girl was less than two years of age when the police took her away along with her mother for trying to resist the acquisition.

On August 31, a division bench of the Supreme Court struck down the acquisition of the 997.11 acres in Singur by the Budhadeb Bhattacharjee government and said that the land has to be returned to their original owners.

I will not forget a single instance when people tried to help us in the struggle. I am missing Mahasweta Devi who was a pillar of strength, said an emotional Banerjee.

We were constantly afraid that the police may appear any moment, she said.

Mukundaram Chakraborty, 75, who lost a few bighas, was the first to receive the compensation cheque and land record document from the chief minister.

The chief minister kicked off the exercise to return the land on a 4,000-sq feet giant stage on which many landlosers were present.

Entire Singur wore a festive mood with thousands turning up in their best attire. People danced to the beating of drums, bought pictures of the chief minister and burst into festivities on a stretch of NH2 that was blocked for the programme.

The chief minister went into a free wheeling session of recalling past experiences of her struggle against the entire state establishment. The UPA government at the Centre that had understanding with the Left did nothing to help me, she alleged.

I express my gratitude to former governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi, said the chief minister.

Hours after the SC verdict on August 31, chief minister Banerjee, for whom the order turned out to be the biggest vindication in her political career described the acquisition as a historic suicide by the Left Front.

It was not merely a blunder, but a historic suicide. We kept saying that the land acquisition was wrong and today the Supreme Court has upheld it, said the chief minister, whose success in routing the 34-year old Left government in Bengal is largely attributed to the anti-acquisition movement in Singur and that in Nandigram.

Banerjee was so determined to return the land to the farmers that regaining possession of the land was the first item on the agenda of the cabinet meeting on May 20, 2011, the day she assumed power.

We were beaten up by the police, heckled and harassed in every possible way, but we did not budge, said the chief minister.
Expressing grave concern at continued use of terrorism for achieving political objectives in the region, India and Afghanistan on Wednesday called for an end to all sponsorship and sanctuaries to terrorists, in what is seen as a message to Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani expressed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement.

Following delegation-level talks between the two sides at the Hyderabad House here, Modi said India would allocate a sum of USD one billion for Afghanistans capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

Both sides also signed three agreements - Extradition Treaty, cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives.

They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond, a joint statement said without naming Pakistan, a nation that both countries accuse of sponsoring terror.

Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, they called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India.

The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments.

Recalling that India-Afghanistan bilateral development cooperation has assisted Afghanistans own efforts for successful political, security and economic transitions, the two leaders noted with happiness the recent completion of major milestones such as Parliament Building and the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam.

Both leaders said they looked forward to the resumption of India-US-Afghanistan consultations in New York later this month.

The Prime Minister conveyed to the President that India would continue to engage with the international community to assist the Government of Afghanistan in all possible ways.
Activist Medha Patkar on Wednesday described the return of land to Singur farmers in West Bengal as a new lease of life while slamming the Narendra Modi-led government on the Sardar Sarovar Dam issue.

I have come from the Narmada Jal Satygraha (protest) where the Modi government is going to murder 244 villages and one town. We are constantly challenging the new form of communal violence that is directed at those who make their living from nature and hard work, it is a new form of communalism... whether it is at Narmada or at Singur, Patkar said.

The Narmada Jal Satyagraha in Madhya Pradesh will oppose increasing the water level of the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the resulting destruction of villages.

Patkar lauded the Leftists for joining the struggle for land rights.

It is a good thing that they have now joined in the struggle for rights over land, she said.

Batting for rights of the farming community, Patkar heaped praises on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for keeping her promise while criticising indiscriminate corporatisation that shackles the poor who eke out their living through years of toil.

No one is against development. Those who participated in the agitation were not against development. Even the people of Singur were not against development. They were against the Tatas, Patkar said here at the Singur festival.
On the eve of his maiden visit to India, Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda reiterated his governments commitment on amending the new Constitution and said on Wednesday that his trip to New Delhi was not linked to it.

There is no connection between my India visit and the matter relating to constitution amendment, Prachanda said while talking with the leaders of agitating Madhesi parties and ethic groups at the Prime Ministers Office on Wednesday.

Prachanda will travel to New Delhi on Thursday for a four-day visit, his first foreign visit after assuming power some six weeks ago.

Constitution amendment is our internal matter and we will resolve the issue within the country by holding political dialogue, he said.

My India visit is a diplomatic issue aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries, he said.

Gap between the government and the agitating United Madhesi Front on the issue of constitutional amendment has been narrowed down, he said, adding that both the sides should create an environment of trust for resolving the matter.

The government is serious about making the constitution acceptable to all sides, the Prime Minister said.

The Madhesi parties had led a six month-long agitation to protest against the seven-province federal model enshrined in the Constitution. At least 50 people were killed during the protests in south Nepal last year over the issue.

Prachanda has also briefed Parliament about his upcoming visit to India.

While addressing the House, he said that his visit to India would focus on strengthening the bilateral ties.

He said that he would urge the Indian government to help complete the construction of Postal Highway at the earliest.

The work of Postal Highway, also known as Hulaki Rajmarg, has been affected because of the delay in getting consent for selection of contractors from the Indian government nine sections. The project has been divided into 17 sections.

India had signed an agreement to give Rs 8 billion as grant to build 607km stretch of the 1792km road project.

The Prime Minister said he would also hold discussion with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi regarding implementation of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Development Project and assistance for post-quake reconstruction.

India last year promised to provide $1 billion financial assistance to Nepal for the reconstruction work after the devastating earthquakes.

Prachanda said he would raise the issues including construction of integrated check post at Birgunj and cross-border inundation.

He made it clear that he would sign no agreement with India against national interests. He said he would inspect Nathpa Jhakri Hydropower Project in Himachal Pradesh and also visit Patanjali Yogpeeth and its industrial/manufacturing units in Haridwar during his four-day entourage to India.

Prachanda had on Tuesday briefed Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari about his upcoming state visit to India.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Hindu Mahasabha did not see eye to eye on several issues, including their approach to Mahatma Gandhi and his way of thinking, and their relationship went downhill over a period of time, an ideologue of the RSS has said.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhis decision to fight a defamation case for his statement linking the RSS to the Mahatmas assassination has triggered a rush in the saffron organisation for unearthing documents that can prove its tumultuous ties with his assassin Nathuram Godse and the Hindu Mahasabha.

A letter by Godse to Hindu Mahasabha leader Veer Savarkar, blaming the RSS for wasting the energy of Hindu youth, is one of the documentary proof the Sangh is relying on to distance itself from the charge of being involved in the murder.

Godse and four others (members of Hindu Mahasabha) wrote to Savarkar in October 1932, complaining that the RSS was wasting the energy of the Hindu youth, Rakesh Sinha, a professor at Delhi University, said.

Sinha, who is also an honorary director of RSS think tank India Policy Foundation, said the schism deepened as members such as Godse and Savarkar disapproved of the Sanghs socialist, austere way of life, which was drawing them closer to Gandhi and for not supporting Mahasabhas political activities.

RSS decision to join the Civil Disobedience Movement started by Gandhi in 1930 made HMS furious. Dr KB Hedgewar, the founder of RSS, stepped down from the post of sarsanghchalak and led the Forest Satyagraha in Pusad. He, along with 300 RSS workers, was arrested and incarcerated for a year, Sinha said.

He quotes from HMS leader Dr BS Moonjes dairy, where he wrote that RSS workers were being carried away by Gandhian movement.

The RSS, the ideological fount of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, was banned four times, including in 1948 after Gandhis killing.

With the spotlight back on the RSS-HMS links, the Sangh cites several reasons  its refusal to back an agitation against the Nizam of Hyderabad or join the battalion raised by the British government ahead of the World War II, setting up a Hindu militia and Ram Sena  for cleaving its ties.

Unfortunately Marxist historians treated pre-Independent Hindutva movement as a monolith and wrongly assumed a hegemonic position of the HMS, Sinha said.

But historians rebuffed these claims.

Mridula Mukherjee, a former professor of modern Indian history at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said the RSS and the HMS were as close as the RSS and the BJP now or the RSS and the Jan Sangh earlier.

The Janata Party split because it asked the Jan Sangh members to quit membership of the RSS. Instead of doing that, they formed the BJP; that is the degree of closeness, Mukherjee said.

On the disagreement between the Sangh and HMS, she said a parallel could be drawn with the recent split in the RSS in Goa.

Even as the RSS vehemently denies that Godse was a Sangh member, his family has claimed otherwise.

Sinha, however, hints at a larger conspiracy saying before Godse carried out the assassination, attempts were made on Gandhis life earlier as well but there was no investigation or further arrests.

Gandhiji was raising questions at this prarthana sabha (prayer meeting) that were discomforting for some, particularly Nehrus (Jawaharlal Nehru) world view. The questions that need answers are who benefit the most from Gandhis assassination? he said.

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Amid a tussle in the Samajwadi Party, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav appeared to have stepped up preparations for 2017 assembly elections by announcing to implement the Samajwadi Kisan Evam Sarvhit Bima Yojana across Uttar Pradesh.

He made the announcement at a programme organised at his official residence in Lucknow on Wednesday. He said the state government will soon formally launch the scheme that will benefit farmers in the 18-70 years age group having a family income of less than Rs 75,000 a year.

Film actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been appointed the brand ambassador to popularise the scheme. It proposes to provide economic and social security to the farmers and weaker sections in the state.

Siddiqui said he was from a family of farmers and the new scheme will provide security to them.

Yadav said the scheme was the state governments unique initiative and would have broader coverage vis-a-vis the krishak durghatna bima yojana (farmers accident insurance scheme). It also provides for medical facilities to the families of those killed in an accident and financial assistance to the victims who become physically disabled.

Chief secretary Rahul Bhatnagar said the scheme will provide coverage to about 3 crore families of farmers. He said the chief ministers banking and insurance helpline with toll free number 1520 would be available to find any solution under the scheme.

Meanwhile, the chief minister has also decided to expand the Samajwadi Pension Scheme. He has asked senior officers of the state government to identify the poor families in urban and rural areas who had been deprived of the benefits of the scheme.
Senior Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav rejected on Wednesday talk of turmoil in his party and family after his nephew, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, took away three ministries from him.

It is the discretion of CM to give (or take) portfolios and remove officers and keep his advisors. I will follow netajis directions and will fulfill responsibilities given by him, he said when journalists asked him about speculation that he is going to resign.

Shivpal is scheduled to meet party chief and elder brother Mulayam , who is called netaji in his party.

I will talk to Netaji (Mulayam) before taking a decision Everything is okay within the party, Shivpal told reporters. I will go to Delhi and talk to him, he said after being asked about the conversation he had already had with the SP chief.

Akhileshs move came within hours of his father appointing Shivpal as the partys state president replacing his chief minister-son on Tuesday. Earlier during the day, Akhilesh replaced the states top bureaucrat Deepak Singhal, known to be close to Shivpal.

Its his right (to take the) decision as the chief minister, Shivpal said on Wednesday.

I have been given this responsibility (of being the UP chief of SP) to head the organisation; elections are drawing near, I will strengthen the party and make it battle-ready, he said.

The churning in the party and bureaucracy set the grapevine on fire in the poll-bound state with unconfirmed reports suggesting that the sacked minister is mulling options of resigning from the government.

Shivpal has been given the relatively less important social welfare portfolio in place of the key PWD, irrigation, revenue and cooperative departments he held earlier. The chief minister kept PWD with him.

Shivpals appointment as the state party chief was considered Mulayams way of striking a balance between his son and his brother ahead of the elections. The SP is expected to face a tough fight from the BJP and the resurgent Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati.

The chief minister had earlier refused to merge a party floated by jailed gangster Mukhtar Ansari with the SP, a proposal floated by Shivpal. Mulayam had recently ticked off Akhilesh for allegedly humiliating Shivpal.

On Monday, Akhilesh had removed two ministers facing corruption charges, seen as an image-refurbishing exercise by the SP government ahead of the elections.
The Supreme Court junked on Wednesday a public interest petition that sought to stop central funds and security provided to separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, saying such demands cannot be entertained by judiciary because they are within the exclusive domain of the executive.

A government is responsible to maintain unity of this country and can take whatever decisions it wants to take in the nations interest, a bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice UU Lalit told the petitioner, advocate ML Sharma, and snubbed him for insisting the court to use the word separatist in its order.

No, we will not use this word. Its your perception, the bench told him.

We are of the considered opinion that the grant of funds to the state of Jammu and Kashmir for the purpose of security or otherwise is within the exclusive domain of the central government. In a matter like this, we are of the considered opinion that a public interest litigation does not deserve to be entertained and, therefore, we are not inclined to interfere. It is not a judicially manageable proceeding and the court should refrain from entering the said arena, the bench ordered.

Sharma said the funds being given to the alleged separatists was not cleared by Parliament, which was in breach of the Constitution. But the SC rejected his submission.

Government may in its wisdom grant security to someone who has threat. Possible that citizen may not be to the liking of the other. Funding of a state is a nationally sensitive issues for they belong to arena of security of the nation, the bench said.

The PIL filed on September 8 said more than Rs 100 crore is spent -- for foreign travel, security and other expenses -- on separatists by the government. The separatists, it alleged, misused the money for anti-India activities.

They are terrorists. Their funding should be stopped, said Sharma in a passionate plea, only to get chastised.

Please dont call anybody by that name, unless the person is convicted. Judiciary cannot examine what funds are given to who, said the bench.

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Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tore into Pakistans stance of good terrorists and bad terrorists, saying on Wednesday the approach is extremely short-sighted and warned that those who try to block increasing Indo-Afghan trade will be blocked themselves.

Ghani said Pakistan is a country that celebrates every single one of its defeat as victory and every single one of its intelligence failure as a confirmation of conspiracy theory.

In his address at the IDSA here, the Afghan President also said countries that feel threatened by increasing Indo-Afghan cooperation, especially in the military side, need to change their outlook and not blame others.

Noting that stability does not come through the barrel of the gun, he said, We see that there is a distinction between good and bad terrorists. Good terrorists are the ones that attack your neighbours, bad terrorists are the ones who attack you. This type of approach is enormously short-sighted. The blowback phenomenon is going to be bad. Terrorism will bite, like a snake, who feeds it.

He stressed on the need for regional cooperation to fight terrorists and said one countrys response is totally insufficient.

Asked about Pakistan blocking road route to Afghanistan via the Wagah border, Ghani said both countries need to worry as their is air connectivity and efforts are on to increase that.

However, he said those who try to block two great nations, will be blocked themselves.

Told that there are reports that he had warned Pakistan that their export to central Asian countries through Afghanistan will be blocked, Ghani said he speaks sternly.
Saying that the Delhi Cattle Preservation Act that criminalises possession and consumption of beef in the city infringes the right to life and liberty of an individual, the Delhi high court on Wednesday sought a response from the government and the police to a PIL seeking to quash provisions of the act.

A division bench of chief justice G Rohini and justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal asked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to respond by December 8.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed on May 4 by an NGO working for development of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, saying the right to eat the food of ones choice is an integral part of the right to life and liberty.

The Constitution mandates the state not to make a law towards enforcement of a particular religious practice, the plea said.

The prohibition on possession and consumption of beef per se as under the Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act is in violation of the fundamental rights of the petitioners and other persons similarly situated as it infringes their personal liberty, it said.
Hemendra Chaturvedi

It took a 23-year-old womans complaint to the Prime Ministers office in August to ensure that power supply to Bidhiya (also called Madhuban), a remote village in Etah district, was restored after 11 years on Tuesday.

The villagers are delighted with the development and are thankful to Deepti Mishra who had lodged an online complaint with the PMO which set the ball rolling for the restoration of electricity supply to Bidhiya.

Deepti has done what we could not do in 11 years. She is a bright girl and had been that way even when she was a student at the village, said Ranveer Singh Chaudhary, a village elder who considers Deepti as his granddaughter.

Soon after electricity first reached the village in January 2005, the power line was damaged during a storm in June that year.

Initially, the villagers made efforts to lodge complaints, primarily at the block level and with the electricity department to get the power line repaired. But we had limited resources and so most of the villagers gave up after some time. However, Deepti continued to pursue the matter and finally got electricity restored at the village, said Chaudhary, adding that the villagers would now apply for valid electricity connections.

The electricity pole re-erected in Bidhiya village. (HT Photo)

Raj Kumar, executive engineer (rural), Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (DVVNL), confirmed that the damaged power line was repaired on Tuesday. The damage caused to the line has been rectified and three transformers have been placed in the village, he said.

However, the DVVNL is in a fix now, he added.

There are no registered consumers in the village and as such we can only supply power to those who have valid connections. Even the woman who made the complaint does not have a connection on record, stated Kumar.

Speaking to HT over phone, Deepti said, Why should the villagers have applied for electricity connections when the power line was damaged (so soon after the villages electrification) and no supply could be made to any of the houses? Now that the supply lines have been restored, the villagers will apply for connections.

Villagers in Bidhiya watch the electricity poles being erected. (HT photo)

Her father, Shiv Dass Mishra is a proud man. Mishra who has four other children, acknowledges Deeptis zeal and said that he was delighted that the village would finally light up.

Deepti studied in Bidhiya village from class 8 to 12. Later, she moved out for higher studies and completed a mass communication course from Noida.
Family members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose are all set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge him to form a high-powered team to access secret files from countries like UK and Russia.

Family members also want to be a part of the team and will shortly send a letter to the PM. They will also seek an appointment with Modi to discuss their proposal.

This section of the family are unmoved after the recent revelation of Japanese files that supported the view that the leader indeed died of the burns he sustained when the plane carrying crashed in August 1945.

Crucial files are with governments in Russia, England, Austria, Germany and Japan. We would request the Prime Minister to form a team to visit these countries and access the files. The Prime Minister has already written to these countries which are slow in their response, Chandra Bose, Netajis grandnephew, told HT.

Read: Japan confirmed Netajis death a month after Taipei crash

The high-powered team can have officers from the intelligence department, foreign affairs department, Prime Ministers Office and others. We would also like to be a part of the team. We will send our representatives. The team would also have to co-ordinate with Indian embassies. The process of declassification of files in India is on but we want all files related to Netaji to come out and solve the mystery of his disappearance, added Chandra Bose.

Chandra said that the Justice Mukherjee Commission visited Russia but was not allowed to see the secret KGB files. Justice Mukherjee came back and wrote to the then central government but there was no response.

However, the present government is trying hard to unravel the mystery behind Netajis disappearance. This is the right time we should go to Russia and find out the files ourselves, added Chandra.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee declassified 64 files on Netaji on September 14, 2015. These are kept at the Kolkata Police museum. (HT Photo)

The Mukherjee Commission was constituted in 1999 to inquire into the death of Netaji. After a seven-year inquiry, justice Manoj Mukherjee concluded that Subhas Bose did not die in the plane crash.

Similarly, Netajis kin want teams to be sent to England, Japan, Austria and even China. They are of the opinion that the files with secret services of these foreign countries are coded. These coded files should be retrieved, added Bose, who contested from Bhawanipore constituency as a BJP candidate in the 2016 assembly polls in Bengal.

Read: PM releases Netaji files; Mamata wants leader of nation title for Bose

The majority of the family members believe that Netaji did not die in a plane crash in Taipei in August 1945.

Family members believe that only files with Indian agencies will not be able to shed light of what they believe is Netajis disappearance.

In September 2015, Mamata Banerjee declassified 64 secret files on Netaji, which were in the custody of Bengal government. Family members of Netaji visited Prime Minister in Delhi on October last year, where Modi announced complete declassification of secret files of the national hero. The process started from January 23 this year.

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A Muslim man in Uttar Pradeshs capital Lucknow sacrificed a cake with a goat drawn on it to spread the message against the killing of animals on Eid-ul-Adha or Bakrid on Tuesday.

Syed Hasan Kauser, who deals in real estate, asked a bakery in Balaganj area to make a 25-kg cake in the shape of a goat for Bakrid.

The Muslim bakery owner was initially reluctant to take the order when Kauser, a member of RSS-backed outfit Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), told him that he wanted to offer the goat-shaped cake as a sacrifice to highlight the need to stop animal sacrifice on Bakrid.

The baker eventually agreed to make the cake after but with a rider that they will not make a goat-shaped cake but a normal one with a goat drawn on it.

They delivered a 5-kg normal cake with a picture of a goat on it. The cake was not what we had asked for but at least we made a beginning. They thought it was a sin but then is animal sacrifice justified? Raees Khan, MRMs convener who was present during the novel qurbaani, asked.

Kausers three sons, his relatives and other members were present during the novel cake-cutting ceremony at the MRM office.

The cake qurbaani, however, got thumbs down from clerics.

Maulana Abdul Khalid Sambli from Darul-Uloom Deoband described the goat-cake sacrifice move as najayaz or illegal. The sacrifice that took place in Lucknow on Tuesday is not valid in Islam, he said.

Unmindful of the criticism, the MRM plans to donate 100 animals on Bakrid to the needy from next year.

Islam teaches brotherhood and compassion. I fail to understand why people are opposing our bloodless sacrifice. Some cite religion as the reason but then by that logic one should offer ones most prized asset as qurbaani. That doesnt happen, a Muslim man, who witnessed the goat-cake qurbaani, said.

A couple of days back, few residents of Uttar Pradesh filed a petition in the Supreme Court questioning the sacrifice of animals on Bakrid despite the fact that the apex court had struck down a similar plea last year.

Muslims across the globe celebrate Eid-ul-Adha by slaughtering goats, sheep and other animals on the day to commemorate Prophet Abrahams willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail on Gods command.

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At the risk of being alienated by their vote-bank, political leaders belonging to the community are coming out in open to support the demands made during silent protests rallies by Marathas at various places in the state even as their parties have so far shied away from taking a stand.

On Wednesday, senior congress member and the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Rajya Sabha MP Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje supported the demands made by the Maratha community which include repealing of the Prevention of Atrocities Act. Both the leaders while justifying the mobilisation of the community at a massive scale said they would participate in the rally to be held at Ahmednagar on Friday.

I am a part of Maratha community and their demands are mine. I am going to participate in rallies in next the few days, said Sambhaji Raje, who was nominated to Rajya Sabha after BJP recommended his name for the post.

Besides Patil and Sambhaji Raje, Lok Sabha member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) from Satara Udayanraje Bhosale has also extended his support to the demands made by the Marathas by promising to participate in one such march at Satara on October 3. Bhosale, also a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji like Sambhaji Raje, challenged the party leadership saying the Atrocity Act should be scrapped.

Bhosales remarks were in contrast with NCP president Sharad Pawar who said there is no need to repeal the Act. The Atrocities Act should be scrapped as 90 % of the cases registered under the Act are bogus, Bhosale said. The NCP leader also reprimanded his party chief saying, Whatever you are today is only because of the community who can disown you if you ignore their plight.

Pawar, has, in the past flip-flopped on the issue with initially supporting the demand placed by the community members but later claiming that he never said the Atrocities Act should be repealed.



What is the Prevention of Atrocities Act?

Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 was enacted by the Parliament to prevent the atrocities against Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes.

Members from upper caste Maratha community have alleged that dalits in Maharashtra have misused the Act and filed false cases against their community members. The Kopardi rape incident in which a minor Maratha girl was allegedly raped by three Dalit youths, has acted as the trigger to demand the repealing of the Atrocities Act. Several dalit leaders including Ramdas Athavale have opposed scrapping of the Act.

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In response to a petition by a differently-abled government doctor, Alakhnanda Vaidya, on change.org, in which she sought a transfer to Pune, her hometown, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday tweeted that his government would do the needful immediately.

Vaidya is wheelchair-bound and a single mother.

In her petition, she said that an accident six years back had left her paralysed below the waist. She had applied for a government job last year, but was posted 100km away in Baramati. She requested the CM to intervene and get her posted in her hometown as government rules say that a physically challenged person is not to be posted 10kms further from home.

Fadnavis, in his tweet, said that the director of health services would get in touch with her and the transfer would be effected immediately. He also apologised for the inconvenience caused to her .

Fadnavis has been directly interacting with the citizens on social media, especially Twitter, often addressing complaints ranging from rash driving by government bus drivers to corruption charges against his officials.

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The family of a 23-year-old woman from Gorai have alleged that delayed emergency care and negligence by a municipal hospital resulted in the death of her foetus.

Pushpa Gupta, who had reached her full-term pregnancy, was brought to Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivli at 6.00 pm on September 11 after she started experiencing acute labour pain. She was admitted in the labour ward but for two hours nobody checked her., said her husband Dhiraj.

The doctors reportedly checked Pushpa at 8.30pm and decided to discharge her. They said she was due for a normal delivery and asked me to get her admitted next morning, Dhiraj added.

Pushpa was brought back to the hospital again at 4.30am on Monday when the pain was unbearable and she couldnt breathe. She was again admitted in the labour ward and the doctors checked her only during the routine checkup at 10.30am. Upon checking, the doctors said that couldnt find the pulse of the foetus, said a family member, who works in the hospital.

The doctors allegedly took two more hours to do an ultrasound test which showed that the foetus has succumbed to nuchal cord (strangulation caused due to umbilical cord). Pushpa delivered the dead baby normally at 4.30 pm.

While the medico legal norms set by home department, clearly state that every death at the hospital within 48 hours of admission should go through a forensic analysis, the hospital discharged the woman and handed over the body of the foetus . The hospital, ignoring the norms for forensic analysis, didnt even send the foetus for post mortem.

The family said that on September 5, when she was rushed to the hospital for acute pain and doctors had sent her back home, no ultrasound test was done to ensure the condition of the foetus.

Dr K Pimple, medical superintendent of the hospital, was unaware of the incident and said that the woman is still at the hospital under observation. There was no such delay on the part of the doctors and the woman is still admitted in the ward. The foetus succumbed due to medical complications, said Pimple.

Dr Rekha Davar, HOD gynaecology, Sir J J Hospital and Grant Medical College, said that in such cases, the doctors need to do an ultrasound test upon admission if they find any anomalies. She added that no medical complications arise if the dead foetus remains inside the womb and depending upon the condition of the mother, can wait for 24 hours if necessary.
Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on Wednesday expressed discontent over the rising number of malnutrition cases in many districts including Palghar, located around 87kms north of Mumbai.

He even directed various government departments to have better coordination between them and a comprehensive plan to tackle the menace by convergence of welfare schemes.

This is probably the first time when the Governor called for a special meeting on the issue in the backdrop of media reports on the rising number of malnutrition cases. Consequently, all the three concerned ministers  Pankaja Munde (women and child development minister ), Vishnu Savara (tribal welfare minister) and Dr Deepak Sawant (public health minister) declared a joint visit on September 21 to tribal dominated Mokhada tehsil in Palghar district, infamous for malnutrition cases.

The governor was not happy with the spurt in malnutrition cases and expressed his displeasure. He was disturbed with the lack of coordination among concerned departments and their failure to track pregnant women. This was after departments expressed difficulties in tracking pregnant women, apprising the governor that they migrate for a few months during pregnancy, said sources present at the meet.

The government must reach out to every single child suffering from malnutrition, the governor said while convening the meet. He then asked the ministers to make a comprehensive plan that would include long term and short term measures to tackle malnutrition.

Under Schedule 5 of the Indian Constitution, the governor can direct government related to affairs of tribal areas. He is answerable to the President for the same and thus the meeting was convened, sources at the Raj Bhavan said.

The women and child development minister told the governor that a meeting of all concerned ministers, secretaries, district collectors and CEOs of tribal districts will be convened on September 20 and all three ministers will pay a joint visit to Mokhada to assess the situation.

She also assured him of a comprehensive plan that would be placed after obtaining the chief ministers approval.

Box

Mokhada is struggling with acute child malnutrition as around 28 per cent children found severely underweight at recent health camps.

Nearly 342 male and 345 female children up to the age of six were examined at the camps by doctors.

Of them, 52 were found to be suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and 162 from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Besides, 189 children were diagnosed to be severely underweight, it is said.

It came to light after public health minister Dr Deepak Sawant visited the camps held at five villages in Mokhada.

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The vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Leszek Borysiewicz, visited Podar International School in Santacruz on Wednesday, as a part of his six-day visit to India. In an interaction with the school students, he spoke about studying in the United Kingdom and the changes they would face when they move from school to university.

This was the vice-chancellors tenth visit to India during his tenure where he was accompanied by the new pro-vice-chancellor (education) Graham Virgo and the pro-vice-chancellor for institutional and international relations, Eilis Ferran.

For over 150 years, Cambridge has enjoyed a particularly close relationship with India. By visiting India we are building on broad, deep and enduring links of friendship and academic partnership, said Borysiewicz.

According to the teachers who attended the programme, the highlight of the interaction was when students quizzed Borysiewicz on how Cambridges produce so many Nobel laureates. Borysiewicz was quite amused by this question. He said that the questions posed belied the students young years, said Vandana Lulla, director, Podar Group of Schools.

The students also asked him about his experience at Cambridge, from an immigrant to the United Kingdom to assimilating in its culture and how he strikes a balance between his work and hobbies, among others.

On Friday, the vice-chancellor will visit the National Centre for Biological Science Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (NCBS-in Stem) in Bangalore, followed by a visit to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), where he is supposed to deliver a lecture.
There could be more trouble ahead for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) notwithstanding its recent well-attended rally at Baghapurana.

Senior AAP leader HS Phoolkas absence during the farmers manifesto release function at Baghapurana near Moga on Sunday has raised many eyebrows with party insiders saying that the senior advocate is upset with the partys state of affairs and feels he is being taken for granted.

Read more | Arvind Kejriwals Baghapurana rally: Supporters brave heat, jostle for entry

Phoolka is reportedly pained at being ignored in the partys decision making process for crucial issues. He has been upset as some volunteers were not allowed to meet party convener Arvind Kejriwal at his temporary residence in Jhande village which incidentally falls in the same constituency (Dakha) from which Phoolka has already been allotted the ticket.

Sources say another reason why Phoolka did not attend the rally was that a complaint sent by 500 volunteers to the partys national disciplinary committee about three months ago had gone totally ignored.

Instead, people against whom the complaint was sent by volunteers have been given high positions in the party while the complainants have been sidelined.

Giving an example, AAP volunteer from Ludhiana Raj Fateh Singh said no action was taken against Vikram Mann despite his abusing senior party volunteers and against whom 500 other volunteers filed a complaint with signatures and proofs to the national disciplinary committee. Instead Maan has appointed In-charge of Dakha constituency.

Phoolka has taken a stand to uphold the respect of volunteers who were not allowed to meet Kejriwal as they were disgruntled, said Raj Fateh Singh.

Phoolka, who last night posted on his twitter account that he is very much with the party and there is no question of his leaving AAP, reportedly had a one-on-one meeting with Punjab affairs in-charge Sanjay Singh and senior leader Jarnail Singh at his residence after the rally ended on Sunday.

Phoolka is learned to have asked Sanjay Singh to not to take him for granted and that he is ready for any sacrifice and will not betray the people of Punjab.

Some of his aides even suggested Phoolka to choose between self-respect and the party.

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As a strategy, it was simple. And would have been effective too, but the social media failed it.

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha secretariat sealed the assembly complex on Tuesday morning, barring the entry of the media, among others, inside. The authorities had expected that the absence of the media would force the protesting Congress MLAs to come out of the building to interact with the press. The plan, say sources, was to have the central hall empty, even for a few minutes, and lock it immediately, taking it out of the MLAs occupation.

Must read | After Cong MLAs second night in House, Punjab assembly set for storm

But the protesting MLAs, led by Indian Youth Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, had the perfect solution to the media blackout. Warring, who has a large following of Congress youth across India on his Facebook and Twitter accounts, started posting pictures and live video updates of what the MLAs were doing inside. His selfie of brushing teeth which showed another three MLAs behind him went viral on the social media. He whatsapped pictures of MLAs donning white aprons with printed sheets highlighting their demands attached on the aprons. He updated his social media audience almost every two hours since 6am.

The 6pm video showed the MLAs shifting an unwell Ashwani Sekhri into an ambulance. Vidhan Sabha secretary Shashi Lakhanpal Mishra, in whose room Sekhri was made to sit while waiting for the ambulance, even quipped to Warring to leave the video and worry about the MLAs health.

Watch | Congress leaders raising slogans outside the Punjab assembly on Tuesday:

Did Warring do a Bhagwant?

Assembly secretariat sources say that by the evening when the videos came to the notice of senior officers they sent a message to Warring asking him to stop making the videos. How is this case different from what Aam Aadmi Partys Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann did in Parliament? Mann is facing a serious probe for making a video near the parliament and jeopardising the security of the house, pointed out a senior officer of the secretariat.

Warring, however, had incorporated his defence in his videos. I cannot take the mobile phone inside the central hall where we are sitting day and night. I am making the video outside the hall, in the corridor and lobby, he said.

Dont miss | In pics: Cong dharna inside Punjab assembly, with overnight stay

Others learn fast and try to catch up

Infected by the successful media updates that Warring was generating, senior Congress leader Sunil Jakhar also tried out what seemed to be his first video message. The CMs visit was a waste of time. He came empty handed. He did not offer any solution or talk about the issues that the Congress is agitating on, he said in the video message, released to the media through whatsapp. I am planning to issue a written statement also from here, said Jakhar later, over phone. The protesting MLAs had free access to the Congress office computers from where the leader of the opposition Charanjit Singh Channi also issued a statement to the media reacting to the chief ministers visit.

Assembly digs into MP case for solution

Looking for precedents to the situation that had developed in the assembly since last evening, assembly staff dug into old newspapers and files. Finally, a news report of March last year was found in which protesting Congress legislators had similarly occupied the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, staying put inside the hall for three days. They were protesting against governments failure to provide adequate relief to farmers for crop failure.

Punjab Congress legislators too seemed to know what had happened in MP. In MP too, while the MLAs protested inside, their state party chief held demonstrations outside, burning effigies of the CM.

The assembly staff added that it is not Congress which started the trend.

The MP House had been occupied for one night by BJP legislators also when they were in the opposition. We tried to find out how the stalemate ended from our counterparts in MP but since it is a holiday we could not get across to anyone, said a senior officer in the Vidhan Sabha secretariat.

Also read | Protest or publicity stunt? Congress MLAs night out in Punjab assembly

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Its kept in freezer for more than two years and six months now. It looks mummified and dark, says one of the doctors who got access to the body of Nurmahal dera head Ashutosh Maharaj on Tuesday.

The spiritual head of Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan (DJJS) is clinically dead since January 29, 2014. The dera claims its founder is in deep meditation. To file an expert report to the Punjab and Haryana high court on September 16, the team of more than 15 doctors was at the dera.

The team included the heads of the anatomy and physiology departments of Patialas Government Rajindra Medical College and Hospital. The dera management resisted it initially, citing religious sentiments and other issues. However, when we insisting on carrying out the high court orders, they allowed two senior doctors to examine the body, said a senior member of the team.

Rajindra Medical College principal BL Bhardwaj confirmed the development. Well share the details with the court alone, he said. Jalandhar assistant civil surgeon Dr Des Raj assisted the Patiala team. A member said on the condition of anonymity that the body was kept under controlled conditions and its skin had turned black. It has deteriorated like an ordinary mummified body.

When on December 1, 2014, a single bench of the high court had asked the state government to cremate the body in 15 days, the district administration team was not allowed near the chamber. A division bench had to stay the order.

Dalip Kumar Jha, who claims to be sect heads son, is seeking to perform Ashutoshs funeral. The governments counsel has stated, earlier, that allowing that could disrupt law and order.

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In a clash over the land occupied by a dera, seven people allegedly thrashed a man to death at Dain village near here on Monday evening.

The family of victim Bagga Singh (60) of Dain reported the murder on Tuesday, saying he died of sword wounds, though to police it seems to be a case of heart attack.

Kotwali station house officer (SHO) Ranjit Singh said that on the statement of the victims son, Manjeet Singh, police had charged villager Pritam Singh his son, Ranjeet Singh, and five other members of their family with attacking and killing Bagga at his house.

Manjeet Singh managed the affairs of a dera at the village, while Pritam, who claims to be the owner of the dera land, had moved court to get it vacated, say police. Both parties had many scuffles over the past months and a big fight on Monday. Police settled them down but on Tuesday, this murder allegation came up, said the SHO. Well make no arrest until we see the autopsy report.

The victims family blocked traffic outside the civil hospital for more than half an hour on Tuesday, demanding a case against the accused. They lifted the blocked after Kapurthala deputy superintendent of police (SADP) Daljit Singh came over to pacify them.
In a multi-crore scam in the sale of government properties in Nabha, the Punjab vigilance bureau has nailed as many as nine government officials, including a serving sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), tehsildar and executive officer in its report, prepared earlier this year. Besides, over a dozen of private parties were also named for alleged sale and purchase of government land.

The report, which is in possession of the HT, found that eight government properties  35 acres worth Rs 150 crore  were sold off fraudulently to private people between 2005 and 2012 in connivance with the revenue department officials posted at Nabha then.

Based on the vigilance report, a detailed inquiry has been underway under deputy commissioner of Patiala Ramvir Singh as reported by HT on September 8.

Sources said that more names could crop up as the current investigation has been scrutinising relevant records.

Many of those reported in the VB report have got promotion or transferred out of Nabha in due course. Two of those named have already retired.

For instance, Jagsir Singh, then a naib tehsildar and now posted as tehsildar in Pathankot, said that more than revenue officials, MC officials were responsible for this scam as sale deeds were executed based on the MCs tax-summary (TS-1) certificate, showing private parties as the occupier of the property.

No government official can knowingly transfer a government property. It is better if a proper mapping is done for all the government land in Nabha with revised consolidation of revenue records for the benefit of revenue officials, he said.

Paramjit Singh, who was earlier posted as tehsildar in Nabha, is currently posted as SDM, Ludhiana. When contacted, Singh claimed innocence saying that vigilance was satisfied with his reply during investigation.

Besides, three naib tehsildars, including Harinder Sharma (now posted in Longowal), Rijwinder Singh Dhanoa (now posted in Samana) and Manmohan Kumar (now posted in Sangrur), have also been named.

The report has found MC officials equally responsible and legal action has been recommended against then executive officer Ravdeep Singh, junior engineer Iqbal Mohammad and junior clerk Jatinder Singh

Two officials, executive officer Surjeet Singh and tehsildar Jaspal Kaur, named in the report, recently retired from the service.

Private parties

The bureau report said that the sale of government land was not possible without private parties. Besides three document writers including, Joginder Kaad, Mahesh Inder Sharma, and Pawan Kumar, the report has sought action against Om Parkash, Bishan Das, Nand Lal Ram Gupta, Pawan Kumar, Sham Lal, Tapinder Singh, Sohan Lal and many others. These all are residents of Nabha, the report mentioned.

No action taken

Sources said the bureau report was marked for a detailed inquiry for departmental action against those all involved in the scam and take back the possession of the government land after cancellation of the mutation.

However, criminal action has not started either against government officials or private parties involved in this scam.

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Punjab Congress chief captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday congratulated party legislators for making the Akali-BJP government run away from discussion and rush for the cover.

Read more | Congress MLA hurls shoe at treasury benches over Dalit barb

For the first time, the opposition has made the government walk out of the House, Amarinder said while, justifying the sit in by party legislators inside the House.

You (CM Parkash Singh Badal) may be able to run away from the Vidhan Sabha, but how long can you run away from the people. We are going to drag you to the peoples court, he said, while disclosing that from the Vidhan Sabha, the protests will now move out all over the state and the final battle will be fought by the ballot.

Amarinder lashed out at the CM for trying to shed crocodile tears by coming to meet the protesting Congress legislators and asking them to lift the dharna, when he should have intervened and facilitated the discussion on Monday only.

This is too little and too late and Badal is trying to shed crocodile tears in his characteristic manner, he said, adding had he really been sincere he, as the leader of the House, should not have allowed this situation to emerge at the first instance.

Cong MLAs sit-in: Dim lights, smart cameras and no dearth of action

The fight has just started and we will take it to the logical conclusion, Amarinder said.

The Congress workers have already launched an offensive against the government as protest demonstrations were held in every district and block, he said.
The two-night sit-in by Congress MLAs in the floor of the Punjab assembly ended with one of its MLAs, Tarlochan Singh Soondh, hurling a shoe at the treasury benches.

The shoe narrowly missed Punjab revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia on the left side, who then bent over to pick it up and show it to the House.

Punjab assembly LIVE: Shoe hurled at Punjab minister Bikram Majithia

Subsequently, the House plunged into utter chaos as both sides trained their guns at each other.

Sunil Jakhar, Chanranjit Singh Channi (in red turban) and Tarlochan Singh Soondh. (Keshav Singh/HT Photo)

Later, speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal adjourned the House sine die. It was the last day of the last session of this assembly before polls next year.

Dont miss | Cong MLAs sit-in: Dim lights, smart cameras and no dearth of action

Soondh, while speaking to the media at the press gallery, admitted to throwing the shoe, saying it was aimed at SAD MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha.

A teary-eyed Soondh told the media that Valtoha had said, taking his name, Ae saale ne chure, chamara da theka laya ae (has he taken responsibility of all chooras and chamars in Punjab). I could not tolerate this insult to my community and hurled a shoe at him, Soondh said.

Soondh was made the Speaker of the mock assembly by the Congress, which was held in the lobby of the assembly.

Leader of opposition Charanjit Singh Channi, at a press briefing, said 100 shoes will be hurled if anyone insults Dalits.
Around three months have passed, but the police have failed to arrest Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) local-leader Prem Singh, his wife and son-in-law for allegedly committing atrocities on a poor labourer family, despite National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) intervention into the matter.

The victim, Sewak Ram, of Panipat district in Haryana, had been working with farmer Prem Singh, who is a member of Zila Parishad and former Sarpanch of village Goindwal Sahib, for six years as a bonded labourer. During this time, the SAD leader had allegedly treated him as a slave. When Sewak got his leg injured in an accident, the farmer allegedly forced him to make his 15-year-old son, Darshan Singh, work in his place.

On June 24, Darshans hand got cut while shredding the cattle feed. The farmer asked the victim family to pay Rs 40,000 for Darshans treatment.

When they expressed their helplessness, he started to harass the family, alleged Debo, the wife of the victim, in an FIR.

The FIR was registered against the former Sarpanch and his kin, 15 days after the incident, under section 370 (buying or disposing of any person as a slave) and 374 (unlawful compulsory labour) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 16/17 of Bonded Labour Violation Act 1976 and 23/26 of Juvenile Justice case and Protection of Children Act of 2000. This was after NCSCs vice-chairman Raj Kumar Verka tightened noose around the cops.

The victim family said that they are being deprived of justice as the accused are moving freely and the police have not arrested them. The victims said the accused continue to pose threat to them and are pressurising them for compromise.

Describing the injustice against them, the family has sent a letter to all the officials concerned. The NCSCs vice chairman said that he will find out why the police are not arresting the accused.

If need arises, a probe will be conducted into the matter and we will ensure justice for the victim family, he added.

If the victim family faces any problem, they can directly contact us. We are making efforts to arrest the accused and will soon succeed to do so, said superintendent of police (headquarter) Narinder Singh Bedi.

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Datarpur mein aapka swagat hai reads a welcome message at the entrance of Datarpur village, located around 20 km from Dasuya in Hoshiarpur district. Asked about the places history, a group of youngsters pointing towards the route to the kings house say, Aap Raja ke ghr jaaiye, Raja Datarchand unke poorvaj they, wo bataenge sab (Visit the kings house, King Datarcharnd was his predecessor. He will tell you). Datarpur was a pre-colonial Indian hill state founded in 1550 by Raja Datarchand.

In its blossom, the state was known for its big business centres and flourishing lives. But the spring slowly faded into a state of around 10,000 individuals without any medical and education facilities and a lost business centre.

Once upon a time...

Datarpur was annexed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1818 and by the British in 1849.

The village was a hub of mighty soldiers that fought with unmatched valour during wars. During World War 1 (1914-1919), as many as 152 soldiers from one Goiwal village of Datarpur fought, out of which, seven laid down their lives.

The land which once produced soldiers has now poor farmers living on the edge with one or one-and-a-half hectare of land.

The land too is of no use due to increasing menace of wild animals in the area, said a local.

A business hub

However, the large business centre of the area, around 200 years old, still houses more than 500 shops.

The unending bazaar gives a clear impression of a place from where supplies were carried out for Himachal Pradesh and even Jammu and Kashmir. But due to development of other business routes and roads/dams, this area kept on lagging behind and could not sustain the indifference of the authorities. Now, the area looms in darkness with poverty-stricken traders.

The present view of the market that has around 500 shops and was once a business hub for the people of Datarpur in Hoshiarpur district. (HT Photo)

Kusum Sharma, sarpanch of the village said, Every household has only one thinkable source of income i.e. to have a shop. However, the sale is never good as other towns have developed more.

No medical facility

In the name of medical facility, Datarpur has one government Ayurvedic Dispensary. In case of an emergency, one has to rush to Jalandhar city, around 70-km from the village, as the only hospital at Talwara is not reliable.

One of the grocery shopkeepers while talking about the condition of the health facility said a doctor has joined recently. Even for common health problems, we have to go to faraway places and that adds a burden to our pockets and sometimes the travel also causes further deterioration of health, said a shopkeeper who did not wish to be named.

Job opportunities

For educating the countrys future, there are two primary government schools here and a senior secondary school apart from four private schools. But the schools dont see many students getting themselves enrolled. There are also no job opportunities for the students. One of the residents said that they constantly live in fear of their kids falling prey to bad company in the absence of a useful activity for them to do. He said that only few children move out of the state for better opportunities.

The present view of the market that has around 500 shops and was once a business hub for the people of Datarpur in Hoshiarpur district. (HT Photo)

Royal much?

As the HT team followed the path shown by the youngsters, it landed on an inclined 0.5-km road that led to 50-year-old Kanwar Deepak Singhs home, popular as the Rajas home, more than 150 years old.

Situated on a high level, the house gives a view of the surrounding villages. At the entrance, there lies a huge ancient earthen matka which is otherwise hard and rare to find. The Kunwar sits in a corner of a big room.

The successor of the kings, whose words were the law of the nation, now sits tight-lipped pertaining to a Maun Vrat that has been on for three months. Why? His close co-villager answers, He is a rajput by caste, descendent of a dynasty, but with time, the royalty has dwindled. The king now practices farming like the general people, that too without a tractor and other modern techniques.

Ironically, the king himself is an astrologer but apparently, cant do much to change his fate and that of the place once ruled by his forefathers.

At the back wall of the room where Kanwar sits, hangs a big and long piece of cloth that was used to cover palanquins at the time of marriage in the royal family, horns of barasingha and a shankh (shell). However, there are no precious jewels or golden stamps (mohars) to show his royal background.
Not allowed to raise voice inside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in the weeklong session gone by, the opposition Congress held a mock assembly in the lounge on Wednesday after the House was adjourned indefinitely.

Blaming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), part of the ruling alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), for all the ills afflicting Punjab, former state Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Sunil Jakhar said that had the BJP supported the no-confidence motion of the Congress on December 23, 2014, the state would have been free of Akalis.

In the mock assembly, Fatehgarh Sahib legislator Kuljit Singh Nagra played chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Nabha MLA Sadhu Singh Dharamsot acted as deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, and to motivate shoe-thrower Tarlochan Singh Soondh, he was made the speaker.

Soondh, without shoes, and other leaders in an interaction with the media at the Punjab assembly in Chandigarh on Wednesday. (Keshav Singh/HT Photo)

Taking his share of publicity, state CLP leader Charanjit Singh Channi kept rebuking Nagra the Badal Saab. Nagra also played along, rising with folded hands like the CM and saying in his tone that he has huge respect for Jakhar and his father, Balram Jakhar. Patiala MLA Preneet Kaur sat through the 90-minute session, enjoying every bit.

It was the second mock assembly by the Congress after the budget session of 2013. After 2014, Punjab passed through a dark phase. The Akalis got involved in pesticide scam, Guru Granth Sahib was desecrated, Behbal Kalan firing incident happened, a Dalit was lynched in Abohar, Namdhari sect matriarch Chand Kaur was killed, RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) state vice-president brigadier Jagdish Gagneja (retired) was shot at, Jakhar said, while addressing the mock assembly, adding that the BJP will face the consequences of supporting the Akalis.

Quoting from the Bhagvad Gita, Jakhar said the Akalis had no right to talk about Punjab, Punjabi, and Punjabiat, as they have squeezed the last ounce of blood from the state. Referring to BR Ambedkars old research in Columbia University, US, on how East India Company had robbed India, Jakhar said another Dalit child will rise from Punjab to find out how much the Badals looted it.

Hitting out at the deputy CM, Jakhar said Sukhbir ran the government like a CMD (chairman-cum-managing director), not a DCM (deputy CM), using power as tool to run his business.

On the alleged power scam, Jakhar said the state government had given away `7,000 crore to the new private electricity plants, while state-owned plants were idle.

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During the interrogation of gangster Goru Bachcha, it has emerged that two assistant commissioner of police (ACP) rank officers and three SHOs were hand-in-glove with him and used to provide every possible help to him. The officers were on his roll and used to get hefty amount from him every month, said sources.

He was also close to members of the ruling party and used his political links in postings of SHOs.

His connections with Student Organisation of India (SOI) leaders have already surfaced. Jeevan Sekha, district president of SOI, was booked and arrested for helping out and giving shelter to Goru Bachcha.

All cases registered against dreaded gangster Gaurav Sharma alias Goru Bachcha have been transferred to the Special Task Force (STF) of the Punjab police.

After bringing him on production warrants, the police have sent him to State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, for questioning.

Facing trial in 18 cases

He was arrested on August 18. Goru Bachcha is facing trial in 18 cases, including murder, attempt to murder and rape, murder of three-wheeler driver Vikrant Kumar on April 7 and attempt to murder on his friend turned foe Johny Lamba on June 23.

During his questioning, Goru Bachcha purportedly confessed to killing Vikrant Kumar following sudden provocation over parking of vehicles. He shot at Johny Lamba, who was once his close aide, for misbehaving with his mother and passing his information to the police.

Goru Bachcha said that Johny Lamba went to his home, along with another man, and misbehaved with his mother. He wanted to take revenge, so he pumped in 6 bullets in his body. However, Johny Lamba survived.

Accomplice held from Amritsar hospital

Akul Khatri, one of the accomplices of Goru Bachcha, has been arrested from Fortis Hospital, Amritsar, on Tuesday.

He was admitted to the hospital following bullet injuries suffered in gunfight with Gangster Davinder Bambiha alias Davinder Shooter in Tarn Taran on the intervening night of August 11 and 12.

After he was discharged from the hospital, police arrested him. He along with Goru Bachcha was wanted in shooting at Johny Lamba.

Bambiha wanted to be number 1

Goru Bachcha said to police that dreaded gangster Davinder Bambiha alias Davinder Shooter, who was killed in police encounter in Bathinda, on September 9, wanted to kill him and Jaggu Bhagwanpuri, another gangster of Majha area to get supremacy in Punjab. Bambiha had kidnapped Akul Khatri and challenged him and Dilbag Singh alias Lamma of Patti to come for his rescue in Tarn Taran. Dilbag Singh went there and they exchanged fire in which Dilbag Singh was killed and Akul Patti was injured and rushed to a hospital.He added that Bambiha had a stronghold in Malwa area, but he was ambitious to become number 1 gangster, so he was challenging Jaggu, who was active in Majha area.

Also read | Punjab gangster, Facebook villain Bambiha gunned down at Bathinda village

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Director Sumanth Radhakrishnans forthcoming Tamil philanthropical thriller Sadhuram 2 is a crowd-funded film and has been made from the contribution of fans of James Wans Saw franchise.

The film, which releases in cinemas on Friday, is inspired by American psychological thriller Saw.

It was really difficult to get the film made because nobody believed in it. Nobody in India could watch Saw on the big screen, so when some fans of the movie heard about my film; they came forward to support it, said Sumanth.

Nearly 30 people contributed to the making of the film.

While admitting that the film is based on Saw, Sumanth clarified its not a frame-to-frame rip-off.

We have given credit to the original. My music director Girish met someone from the team of Saw long back and authorisation was given to make the film. We havent made anything as gory as Saw, because frankly you cant, given our censorship rules, he said.

Even though weve followed the same template used in Saw, weve managed to tone down everything. People who loved Saw and films that fall in the same league will love ours too. Weve made an honest film, he added.

Watch the trailer of Sadhuram 2 here:

When asked why the film is being promoted as a philanthropical thriller, he explained, Its because it has social consciousness elements attached to it. It belongs to a completely new genre and were eager to know how audiences react to it.

The film stars Yog Japee, Kaushik, Riaz and Sanam Shetty.

We are releasing the film as Sadhuram 2 because it has an ambiguous beginning and ambiguous end, but it wont be confusing. Hence, we decided to go with this title, he said.

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US President Barack Obama made his 2016 solo debut in support of Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, hitting out at unfair criticism of the pneumonia-stricken Democratic presidential nominee.

After an extremely rough few days for Clinton, Obama used a fiery appearance before a crowd of 6,000 in Philadelphia to try to turn the tables on Donald Trump.

Obama insisted that Clinton had been subjected to more scrutiny and... more unfair criticism than anybody out here, while accusing the media of giving her Republican opponent a pass.

Our standards for whats normal have changed, Obama said.

Donald Trump says stuff everyday that used to be considered as disqualifying for being president. And yet because he says it over and over and over again the press just gives up.

Clinton has just suffered perhaps the worst week of her 15-month quest to become Americas first female president.

On Friday, she sparked a firestorm when she called half of Trumps supporters deplorables.

The 68-year-old was then sidelined from the campaign trail by a bout of pneumonia that has raised broader questions about her health.

She was forced to leave a 9/11 memorial event at the Pentagon on Sunday and was seen stumbling limp-legged into a secret service vehicle.

Despite leading in the polls, she remains deeply disliked by a swath of the electorate.

Brotherly love

Obama was appearing in a city that will be pivotal in deciding the presidential race in Pennsylvania -- a virtual must-win state for Trump on November 8.

Nick-named Pennsyltucky for its conservative hinterland, the state is often described as being Philadelphia in the east, Pittsburgh in the west and Alabama in the middle.

The race there could come down to whether the Obama coalition -- young, black and Hispanic voters -- turn out to vote.

This is a high-stakes election for the 44th president, who could see much of his legacy, from climate deals to health care, eroded by a Republican-run White House.

It is good to be back on the campaign trail Obama told the crowd.

This not just me going through the motions, I really, really, really want to elect Hillary Clinton.

Obama also alleged that Donald Trump sees Russian President Vladimir Putin as his role model saying this makes Republican presidential candidate not fit for the White House.

You know the pollsters call you up and say do you support the guy who, if you do not support him, he might throw you in jail, you say yes I love that guy. But think about the fact that is Donald Trumps role model, I mean I have to do business with Putin, I have to do business with Russia but that is part of foreign policy, Obama said.

But I do not go around saying that is my role model. Can you imagine Ronald Reagan idolising somebody like that? He saw America as a shining city on a hill; Donald Trump calls it a divided crime scene, Obama said.

Clinton is set to return to the fray later this week after some rest.

In the meantime, her husband Bill takes over for her in California, attending a fundraiser in Los Angeles while his wife rests at their home in Chappaqua, New York per her doctors orders.

He also will campaign for her Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Clintons stumble -- captured on amateur video -- gave Trump, 70, a new opening to question the former secretary of states fitness for the nations highest office as the race intensifies.

While my opponent slanders you as deplorable and irredeemable, I call you hardworking American patriots who love your country and want a better future for all of our people, Trump said in Iowa.

Catastrophic insult

Trumps running mate Mike Pence, the Indiana governor and a former congressman, met with House Republicans on Capitol Hill on Tuesday and said he and the nominee were grateful for the support from GOP lawmakers.

But he also turned to Clintons Friday remark that half of Trumps supporters were in a so-called basket of deplorables because they were racist, misogynistic and xenophobic.

This was a catastrophic insult to the American people, Pence told reporters as he again demanded Clinton retract those offensive statements and apologise.

Clinton has expressed regret for saying half but also said she would not back down from calling out racist rhetoric on the campaign trail.

Pence also rejected accusations that Trumps campaign was courting white supremacists including former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, who has endorsed Trump.

Donald Trump and I have denounced David Duke repeatedly, Pence said. We have said that we do not want his support, and we do not want the support of people who think like him.

The brash billionaires campaign has courted controversy from the start, and sporadic clashes have erupted at his rallies between supporters and anti-Trump protesters.

An altercation erupted Monday night at a Trump rally in Asheville, North Carolina, where video shows a Trump supporter, his fists raised, yelling at and pushing a protester before slapping his face.

(With inputs from PTI)
The thirst for good work and the urge to perform takes an actor far and wide. The same holds true for theatre and film actor-director Ramanjit Kaur, who says, I base myself wherever work lies. Be it Kolkata, Delhi or anywhere else.

A reputed artist, she began her acting career at the age of 15 under her guru, theatre director Padmashree Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry.

The actor-director was recently in the national capital to assist Chowdhry on a play titled Naked Voices that took place at National School of Drama (NSD) between September 8 and 11. It was a students production and I was there as an assistant director. It was based on short stories by Saadat Hasan Manto, she says.

Read: Toronto International Film Festival first global showcase for Indian VR film

The journey of creating a theatre production is an intense one, and she enjoys every bit of it. A play comes into existence by observing, questioning and creatingand then the magic of the floor takes over, she says.

A scene from Ramanjit Kaurs play Baawre Mann ke Sapne.

She is the recipient of three national awards, including one from Sangeet Natak Akademi, and two international awards from France and UK. She has acted in Deepa Mehtas Fire and Heaven on Earth.

And now, she is part of Mehtas film  Anatomy of Violence, which was premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on September 11. The film is a docu-drama based on the December 16 gang rape where they have recreated the lives of the six boys, the girl and their families.

Read: Deepa Mehtas film on December 16 Delhi gangrape to be screened in Toronto

We tried to gauge and show the psychology of the boyswhere did they come from, why they did what they did. This film is a product of a workshop Deepa and my guru, Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry have conducted, says Kaur. Since it was a workshop that was filmed, one actor has played multiple characters. Kaur herself has played a pregnant woman, the girls colleague and the girls mother in this film.

The cast and crew of Deepa Mehtas docu-drama Anatomy of Violence.

She has an all-womens theatre group in Kolkata, which she runs with homemakers. We brought our play, Baawre Mann ke Sapne, to Bharat Rang Mahostsav in NSD last year and hope to bring it back again next year. It is one of the most prestigious theatre festivals in India in which artists from all over the world take part, she says.

Talking about the response she gets in the city, Kaur says, Delhi audience gave us an overwhelming response last year and we got a standing ovation, which is very encouraging for an artist. The best thing about audiences here is that they appreciate good work wholeheartedly.

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A 15-year-old Saudi girl living in Germany has proposed designing a headscarf emoji as countries across Europe wrestle with the issue of the Muslim veil.

Rayouf Alhumedhi has sent a proposal to The Unicode Consortium, a non-profit corporation that reviews and develops new emojis.

The idea gained the backing of the co-founder of online discussion forum Reddit, Alexis Ohanian. If approved, her emoji will be available in 2017.

Rayouf Alhumedhi told the BBC it was during a group chat with her friends on social media that she had realised there was no emoji to represent her, a headscarf-wearing woman.

After reading an article on emoji design, she wrote an email about her idea to Unicode.

Intrigued, a member of a Unicode subcommittee replied, offering to help her draft a formal proposal.

In this day and age, representation is extremely important, she said of her reasons behind the project.

People want to be acknowledged... and recognised, especially in the tech world. This is massive. Emojis are everywhere.

There are so many Muslim women in this world who wear the headscarf. It might seem trivial... but its different when you see yourself on the keyboard around the world. Once you experience that, its really great.

To boost support for the initiative, Ohanian hosted a Reddit live online discussion on Tuesday where Reddit users could ask Rayouf Alhumedhi about the new idea.

Some wanted to see whether they could get involved while others questioned the need for the hijab, saying it was a tool to oppress women.

The drafting committee hopes to present a final version of the proposal to Unicode in November, the report said.

The proposal comes as countries across Europe wrestle with the issue of the Muslim veil -- in all its forms.

The debate takes in religious freedom, female equality, secular traditions and even fears of terrorism.

The veil issue is part of a wider debate about multiculturalism in Europe, as many politicians argue that there needs to be a greater effort to assimilate ethnic and religious minorities.
Rolling back US sanctions on Myanmar will top the agenda on Wednesday as President Barack Obama hosts democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi, with American firms desperate to tap millions of consumers once cut off by the former junta.

The Nobel laureate, who is Myanmars de facto leader, helped persuade the West to impose sanctions during her years under house arrest.

In a symbol of the democratic change sweeping her country, one of the poorest in Asia, she now holds the key to unlocking the nation to US businesses as a reward for its peaceful elections last year.

Well want to hear from her directly about how she is viewing our sanctions regime, said Obama aide Ben Rhodes.

But not everyone is happy. Some activists say sanctions must remain to keep the still-powerful military in line.

What are the sanctions?

US sanctions on Myanmar target more than 100 people and companies linked to the former junta. Americans are banned from any dealings with those on the blacklist, or with the companies they own; have to report new investments over $5 million, and cannot import rubies or jadeite from Myanmar.

The list includes military-owned conglomerates, such as Myanmar Economic Holdings, and firms linked to so-called cronies like Steven Laws Asia World Co, which built Yangons airport.

Sanctions also target companies trading with Myanmars resources, including gems, such as Myanmar Ruby Enterprise and Myanmar Imperial Jade.

What is the impact of the blacklist?

While some major brands including Colgate, Chevron and Coca-Cola have taken the plunge, most US companies say sanctions make it too expensive and dangerous to invest in Myanmar.

The military elite and their cronies still control much of the economy through a network of opaque holding companies.

Coca-Cola was left red-faced last year when Global Witness discovered its local partner was linked to a sanctioned military holding company, while a dealer for machinery giant Caterpillar had ties to jade companies controlled by a major drug lord.

Banks also fear extending credit in Myanmar will put them in the US regulators crosshairs after the record $8.9 billion fine meted out to BNP Paribas for breaking sanctions in 2014.

Most foreign banks do not bother to check if the parties they are remitting to are on the US sanctions list  they just automatically stop the transaction, said Andrew Tan, managing director of Yangon-based Consult Myanmar.

What could Obama do?

Washington began rolling back sanctions after a quasi-civilian government took power in 2011. In May, it further eased restrictions on state banks, mining and timber companies after Suu Kyis party became the first civilian government to take power in 50 years.

Obama, who has invested much political capital in Myanmars transition, could lift some of the sanctions, scrap them completely or try to replace them with tariffs.

Scrapping them would send a meaningful signal that one of Asias poorest countries is open for business, said former US Treasury sanctions official Peter Kucik, who now consults with Inle Advisory Group.

US senators upped the political stakes on Tuesday when they introduced legislation that would set benchmarks on sanctions relief, linking it to democratic reforms and ethnic reconciliation.

Either way, an arms embargo and trading restrictions on the murky jade mining sector are expected to stay in place.

So why not scrap them?

While the military allowed elections last year, it retains a quarter of seats in parliament. It also controls the civil service and key security ministries, and is locked in decades-long conflict with ethnic minorities in Myanmars borderlands.

Opponents say easing the sanctions will remove a key pressure point on the generals.

Sanctions provide an essential tool for reformers against the powerful elites which still threaten the countrys future, said Global Witness senior analyst Juman Kubba. They must not be eased until theyve served that purpose.

What are the other roadblocks?

Sanctions are just one of many challenges for businesses trying to operate in Myanmar.

After years of neglect, Myanmar lacks much of the basic infrastructure and the skilled workforce needed to attract foreign businesses.

As in Iran and Cuba, unpicking the impact of sanctions could also take many years.

Clearing the (sanctions) list tomorrow isnt going to lead to a sudden gold rush into Myanmar, said Anthony Nelson, from the US-ASEAN Business Council.
Brazilian prosecutors filed corruption charges on Wednesday against former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, his wife and six others in the sprawling Petrobras kickback scandal, dealing a big blow to the popular leaders chances of a comeback.

This was the first time Lula, still Brazils most popular politician despite corruption accusations against him and his Workers Party, was charged by federal prosecutors for involvement in the massive graft scheme at the state-run oil company.

Lulas case will go before crusading anti-corruption Judge Sergio Moro, who has jailed dozens of executives and others involved in the scheme.

Lula could face arrest for receiving a luxury apartment on the coast of Sao Paulo from one of the engineering and construction firms at the center of the bribery scandal. Lula has denied ownership of the three-floor condo in Guaruja.

Federal police urged prosecutors last month to bring charges against Lula and his wife, accusing them of receiving some 2.4 million reais ($747,896) in benefits from the builder OAS in relation to the apartment.

The charges announced by prosecutors in a statement were also leveled against Leo Pinheiro, former head of the OAS engineering firm accused of giving gifts to Lula in ex change for favors, and the head of Lulas foundation, Paulo Okamotto.

Lula, a charismatic former union leader who was a two-term president from 2003 to 2010, has separately been indicted by a court in Brasilia for obstruction of justice in a case related to an attempt to persuade a defendant in the Petrobras scandal not to turn states witness.

Lulas fall, and that of the leftist party he founded in 1980, has been dramatic.

Last month, his protege and successor as president, Dilma Rousseff, was removed from office in an impeachment trial.

Rousseffs fall was driven by Brazils worst recession since the 1930s and its biggest ever corruption scandal, which has implicated dozens of politicians from her ruling coalition, including several in the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party led by current President Michel Temer.

Blow to Lula myth

Lula, 70, has not ruled out running again for president in 2018, but a criminal conviction would bar him from being a candidate for the next eight years.

A one-time shoeshine boy and union leader who led massive strikes against Brazils military dictatorship, contributing to its downfall, he was elected the nations first working class president in 2002 after three failed campaigns.

Wildly popular with Brazils poor, Lulas social policies helped yank millions out of poverty and into the middle class, and he left office in 2010 with an 83-percent approval rating and an economy that grew at a blistering 7.5 percent.

But two years ago, as the Petrobras probe became public, prosecutors began to slowly put Lula in their crosshairs.

Many prosecutors and investigators say they cannot imagine such a powerful figure was unaware of the institutionalized corruption and political kickbacks taking place at Petrobras and other state-run companies.

Marcos Troyjo, a former Brazilian diplomat and co-director of Columbia Universitys BRICLab in Rio de Janeiro, said he thinks Wednesdays charges are the first of many Lula will be facing in the coming months.

That means the Workers Party, which may have thought it would move comfortably into the opposition after Dilmas impeachment, will confront extreme challenges, said Troyjo. Its certainly the beginning of the end to Lulas presidential aspirations for 2018.

Recent polls have shown that despite the investigations targeting Lula and the Workers Party, he would be a favorite to win the next presidential election - by far the Workers Partys best hope of regaining power.

But these charges are likely too big a blow to the political myth of Lula, to the candidate Lula and to the Workers Party as a whole for that to happen, Troyjo said.
A report by the Foreign Affairs Committee of British parliament on Wednesday came down heavily on former prime minister David Camerons government for intervening in Libya in 2011, and alleged the action was founded on erroneous assumptions.

The report severely criticises Britain and France for the intervention that led to the overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and accused Cameron of lacking a coherent strategy for the air campaign.

It said the intervention had not been "informed by accurate intelligence", and that it led to the rise of the so-called Islamic State in North Africa.

However, the Foreign Office said the action had been called for by the Arab League and authorised by the UN Security Council.

Crispin Blunt, the chair of the committee, said: This report determines that UK policy in Libya before and since the intervention of March 2011 was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the country and the situation.

He added, Other political options were available. Political engagement might have delivered civilian protection, regime change and reform at a lesser cost to the UK and Libya. The UK would have lost nothing by trying these instead of focusing exclusively on regime change by military means.

The committee said that Britain, having led the intervention with France, had a responsibility to support Libyan economic and political reconstruction.

But our lack of understanding of the institutional capacity of the country stymied Libyas progress in establishing security on the ground and absorbing financial and other resources from the international community, Blunt said.

In January, Cameron had defended his handling of the situation, telling MPs that action was needed because Gaddafi "was bearing down on people in Benghazi and threatening to shoot his own people like rats".

But the parliamentary panel said the government "failed to identify that the threat to civilians was overstated", adding it "selectively took elements of Gaddafi's rhetoric at face value".

The report will add to the woes of 49-year-old Cameron, who stood down as an MP this week. He resigned as prime minister in June after Britain voted in a referendum to exit the European Union.

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A man has been arrested in New York for plotting to rob a store around the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in which he planned to wear traditional Muslim attire and display a fake bomb, federal officials said.

Juneal Ali, 29, was arrested by police on Tuesday and charged in a complaint filed in Manhattan federal court with attempted robbery and conspiracy.

Ali is being held without bail, court records show. His lawyer could not immediately be reached on Wednesday for comment.

Prosecutors said Ali plotted to rob a store in the Bronx borough that offers money order and check-cashing services on the 15th anniversary of the attacks on New York and Washington.

The criminal complaint said Ali and an accomplice were to dress in Muslim attire, display a fake bomb, and force employees to give them cash.

While initially planned for Sunday, September 11, the robbery was postponed until Tuesday after the accomplice reported too many people were around, the complaint said.

But rather than go through with the robbery, the accomplice instead went to the police, the complaint said. Not knowing this, Ali drove to the accomplices home on Tuesday, where authorities were waiting, the complaint said.

A search of his car uncovered dark-coloured robes, an imitation pistol and road flares bundled with a voltage meter to look like an explosive device, the complaint said.

Ali admitted after his arrest to having made the fake bomb and procured the robes from his mother, but that he planned to tell his accomplice he wanted to back out of the robbery, the complaint said.
Former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres, the last of Israels founding fathers, showed improvement Wednesday but remained in critical condition after suffering a major stroke, his doctors said.

Concern mounted over the condition of the 93-year-old Peres, widely respected as an elder statesman both in Israel and abroad, after his stroke on Tuesday that included bleeding.

Concern mounted over the condition of 93-year-old Peres, widely respected as an elder statesman both in Israel and abroad, after his stroke on Tuesday that included bleeding.

He is still in a critical condition, stable, but we can see some improvement, Yitzhak Kreiss, director of the Sheba Medical Centre at Tel HaShomer in Ramat Gan, told reporters outside the hospital near Tel Aviv.

He was still sedated and breathing with a respirator, but doctors were seeking to reduce sedation to evaluate him and he was occasionally awake, Kreiss said.

Peres has held nearly every major office in the country, including prime minister twice and president, a mostly ceremonial post, from 2007 to 2014.

A former hawk turned dove, the highlight of his career came in 1994, when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Yitzhak Rabin and the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for his role in negotiating the Oslo accords with the Palestinians.

Peress personal physician and son-in-law, Rafi Walden, said the former presidents chances for survival were pretty good, with no immediate threat to his life.

He added that Peres was responsive during treatment.

When we lessened the sedation, he woke up -- not completely but definitely was responsive to our appeals to him, he told AFP.

He squeezed my hand and was definitely listening and understanding what was happening.

Doctors have decided not to operate for the time being.

Zeev Feldman, president of the Israeli Neurosurgical Association and involved in Peres treatment, told AFP the fact that he regained consciousness gives us some cautious optimism.

The processes can go wrong in the next 48-72 hours. Some situation may happen and that is why he is in intensive care, he said.

Difficult times

Peress son Chemi told journalists late Tuesday that we are going to have to take difficult decisions apparently later, but not yet.

Myself and my family members are going through difficult times, difficult hours, he said.

I know that my father did not care about anything as much as he cares about people, as much as he cares about Israel, the Jewish people, and the people in Israel, he said.

And I will take this opportunity on his behalf to send all of you his love.

Statements of concern flooded in from across the political spectrum and dozens of journalists gathered outside the hospital, Israels largest, awaiting word on his condition.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken with the director of the hospital to receive an update, a spokesperson said.

The prime minister conveyed the prayers of the entire nation for a quick recovery, his office said.

Netanyahu said on his Twitter account: Shimon, we all love you.

President Reuven Rivlin said in a statement he was following with concern the updates from the hospital, and pray together with the entire people for my friend Shimons recovery.

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog also wished the elder statesman a rapid recovery.

Nickolay Mladenov, UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said he was praying for Peres, calling him a patriarch of peace and progress.

Daily gymnastics

In January, Peres was hospitalised twice for heart trouble.

In the first instance, the hospital said he had suffered a mild cardiac event and underwent catheterisation to widen an artery.

He was rushed to hospital a second time days later with chest pains and an irregular heartbeat.

Peres has sought to maintain an active schedule despite his age, particularly through events related to his Peres Center for Peace.

When leaving hospital on January 19, Peres said he was keen to get back to work.

Im so happy to return to work, that was the whole purpose of this operation, he said.

In March, he met visiting US vice-president Joe Biden.

Peres once confided that the secret to his longevity was daily gymnastics, eating little and drinking one or two glasses of good wine.

Having earlier hawkishly rejected any compromise with hostile Arab states, he said he was converted after 1977, when Egyptian president Anwar Sadat made a historic visit to Jerusalem, leading to the first Arab-Israeli peace treaty.

Born in Poland in 1923, Peres emigrated to what was then British mandatory Palestine when he was 11.

He joined the Zionist struggle in the 1940s and while hitchhiking met David Ben-Gurion, who would become Israels first prime minister.

He became director general of the nascent defence ministry at just 29 years old.

Beyond his accomplishments in the public eye, Peres was also seen as a driving force in the development of Israels undeclared nuclear programme.
A Japanese official was flayed after he took a piggyback ride through a large puddle during a visit to a town devastated by a deadly storm, leading to comparisons to a similar faux pas by Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Shunsuke Mutai, the 60-year-old vice minister for reconstruction, was seen in TV footage riding on a younger colleagues back on September 1 while visiting Iwaizumi town, where more than 20 people were killed by Typhoon Lionrock. He was leading a government damage assessment team.

Ill be in trouble if this is caught on camera, Mutai was heard saying in footage aired by private broadcaster TBS after being put down. Clad in a blue work uniform and black shoes, he was apparently trying to avoid getting his feet wet. Most other officials wore long rubber boots.

The sight triggered sharp criticism on social media, and Mutai was accused of not taking his job seriously. Yoshihide Suga, Japans top government spokesman, described Mutais conduct as inappropriate and said he should have carried a pair of boots.

Reconstruction minister Masahiro Imamura, who is Mtais boss, apologised to local residents over the weekend. When I heard the story, I said what on earth was he doing, Imamura said.

Jun Matsumoto, state minister for disaster management, said on Tuesday that as Mutais supervisor he was sorry, and stressed his conduct was inappropriate as it lacked consideration for people and areas hit by the disaster.

Mutai, a member of parliament, too has said he deeply regrets his behaviour.

Last month, chief minister Chouhan was the butt of jokes after photos emerged on social media of him being carried by two policemen through ankle-deep muddy water while inspecting the flood-hit Panna area.

The policemen carried Chouhan in their arms across a flooded stream in Samtana village. Chouhan was seen in another widely shared photo walking barefoot in muddy water while his sneakers were carried by an official.

Unlike in Japan, there was no apology from any official of the Madhya Pradesh government.

(With inputs from agencies)
The European Union should set up a headquarters to coordinate efforts towards creating a common military force, European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said on Wednesday.

We dont have a permanent structure and without that, we are not able to work efficiently and so we must have a European HQ and...work towards a common military force, Juncker told the European Parliament in his annual State of the Union address.

The speech was dominated by Britains shock June vote to quit the European Union, depriving it of a major, nuclear-armed NATO military power but one which had also been hostile to any suggestion the bloc should have its own army.

Juncker stressed that post-Brexit, the EUs remaining 27 member states had to stick together and that included taking on increased responsibility for their defence. We can no longer depend on the power of individual member states and together we have to make sure we protect our interests, he told MEPs.

Twenty-two of the EUs 28 member states are also members of the US-led NATO alliance, headquartered in Brussels, but Juncker insisted the blocs military ambitions would not undercut this key relationship.

This should be complementary with NATO  more European defence does not mean less transatlantic solidarity, he said.

Juncker gave no further details although it is expected that any such EU military HQ would also be based in Brussels, home to all its major institutions.

As well as an increased military role, Juncker also said the EU will have to step up its diplomatic presence, suggesting the bloc should have a single foreign minister.

Current foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini was doing a remarkable job in promoting peace in Syria but backed up by the member states, she should now have a seat at the negotiating table, he said.
Exiled Maldives opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed has said he is in talks with the former president, who repeatedly threw him in jail, to legally topple the current leader of the troubled honeymoon islands.

Nasheed became the first democratically elected president of the Maldives in 2008, but now lives in exile in London after he was jailed on terrorism charges that he says were politically motivated.

In the past he has accused Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the Maldives for 30 years and is still regarded as the power behind the throne, of being behind his downfall.

But on Tuesday he indicated he wanted to bury the hatchet with Gayoom, amid reports of a rift between the former strongman leader and his half-brother, current President Abdulla Yameen.

How can you build a future if you always want to go back to live in the past, Nasheed told reporters in Colombo via a video link from London.

Yameens days are numbered. He has lost the support of the people and the international community. We can restore democracy in the Maldives.

Nasheed said he had forgiven Gayoom and was in talks with his faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) for a new political alignment. He did not disclose details, but said he had visited Colombo late last month to meet fellow dissidents and map out a strategy to legally topple Yameen.

He served repeated jail terms under Gayooms autocratic leadership before winning the countrys first democratic election in 2008.

There was no immediate comment from Gayoom, however, and diplomats in Colombo were cautious about the prospect of such an alliance.

The opposition was expecting Gayoom to get a section of his party to withdraw support for Yameen late last month, but for some reason that did not happen, said one western diplomatic source in Colombo, speaking on condition of anonymity.

It is not easy for the opposition to organise any agitation inside the country because all their leaders are either in jail or in exile.

An alliance between the 78-year-old Gayoom and Nasheed was unthinkable even a few months ago. But an intensifying crackdown on political dissent in the atoll nation of 340,000 people has dented its popular image as an upmarket holiday paradise.

Almost all key opposition leaders and a number of ruling party dissidents have either been jailed or gone into exile since Yameen took office after winning a controversial run-off election against Nasheed in 2013.

In July, Gayooms daughter Dunya Maumoon quit as foreign minister, saying she did not agree with a plan to bring back the death penalty after nearly seven decades.
China said on Wednesday it is yet to formalise a position on the accession of countries such as India and Pakistan, which are not signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Beijings reaction came a day after India and China held talks on New Delhis bid to join the elite club that controls trade in nuclear technology and know-how.

Chinas position is very clear, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a regular news conference on Wednesday.

China is yet to form a position on the accession of any specific non-NPT country. But we are willing to have discussions with NSG members on the accession of non-NPT countries.

Commenting on Tuesdays talks with India, Hua said countries were yet to agree on the accession of any specific member into the group.

She added, That is to say, we first need to reach (an) agreement that applies to all non-NPT countries, then we will talk about accession of a specific country.

Read| India, China have candid, substantive, pragmatic discussions on NSG

Referring to the one-on-one discussions on the NSG with India, Hua said China will hold the next round of bilateral consultations between the directors general of the disarmament departments.

In a statement issued after the NSG talks, China had pointed out that the issue of the participation of non-NPT states in the NSG raises new questions for the group under new circumstances, and the crux of the...question is how to address the gap between the existing policies and practices of the non-NPT states and the existing international non-proliferation rules and norms based on the NPT as the cornerstone.

India-China ties were hit after Beijing blocked New Delhis bid to join the NSG during a meeting in Seoul in June.

In a separate announcement at the news conference, Hua said State Councillor Yang Jiechi will take part in the BRICS National Security Advisors (NSAs) meeting to be held in New Delhi on Thursday.

Read| Indias NSG bid: Too much diplomacy, too little action

BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is playing a bigger role in international issues and we hope that BRICS countries can strengthen coordination and development and security issues and contribute to peace, prosperity and stability, she said.

The discussions will focus on anti-terrorism, energy security, cyber security, the situation in West Asia and other international and regional issues of common interest. The attendees will have in-depth discussions on these topics, she said.

The meeting is being held ahead of the BRICS leaders summit in Goa next month, which Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend. In the past, BRICS countries have had dialogue on political and security issues of common interests and established high mechanism for security affairs, Hua said.

Read| Why NSG membership matters to India: All you need to know
The South Sudan government has shut down the countrys main English-language daily, which headlined news on a war profiteering report commissioned by actor George Clooney, the papers editor told AFP on Wednesday.

Nation Mirror editor Simon Aurelious said officials from the National Security Service gave no clear reason for the closure, simply saying the paper is indulging in activities incompatible with its status.

We were called today to the office of the National Security and after reaching there they showed us an order. The order is instructing us to close down, Aurelious said.

The papers headlines Wednesday and Tuesday focused on a report released in Washington this week about the alleged implication of President Salva Kiir, rebel chief Riek Machar and the countrys army chiefs in corruption during the nations three-year civil war.

The report by watchdog group The Sentry said leaders of the worlds newest country had profited from a conflict that has driven a quarter of a million people from their homes and left tens of thousands dead.

One of the Nation Mirror headlines read Kiir, Machar and top Generals implicated in Sentry Report while another said Machars source of weapons uncovered.

The government has denied the report as completely rubbish.

Not the first time

Aurelious said security authorities two weeks ago summoned him and demanded the papers management produce the author of a critical piece on the government.

But the Nation Mirror refused to give the writers name.

They told us that if this is the case we are going to notify you to close down, he said.

In February last year the paper was shut down by government security agents for nine months after publishing details on the activities of rebels affiliated to Machar.

Alfred Taban, a veteran South Sudanese journalist who is chairman of the countrys Association for Media Development, AMDISS, said the latest decision is shocking news.

We are yet to check with the Media Authority as to why they [National Security] are doing this, Taban said.

Taban spent 13 days in detention in July after writing an editorial sharply critical of Kiir and Machar.

The papers closure comes days after the United Nations expressed concern over alleged threats by government officials against civil society activists in contact with a UN Security Council group that visited South Sudan to look at the possible deployment of a regional protection force.

The government rejected the idea.
Colin Powell, a former US secretary of state and a respected Republican, called Donald Trump a national disgrace and an international pariah in private emails to former colleagues and journalists written in the context of the ongoing White House race.

Powell also said in these mails  acquired by DCLeaks.com, which is believed to have links to Russian intelligence, and cited by several news websites  that the Benghazi inquiries against former secretary of state Hillary Clinton were a stupid witch hunt.

But the celebrated general did not spare Clinton either, and said her minions tried to drag him into the controversy over her use of a private email server. He resented it and said he resorted to a minor tantrum to end it.

There was no response from the Trump campaign to these observations that were private but devastating for the nominee, who continues to battle a persisting perception, argued by Democrats and conceded by many in his own party, that he is not fit for the office of president.

There was no response also from the campaign of Clinton, who is recovering from pneumonia at home in Chappaqua, New York. She plans to return to the campaign trail on Thursday with a rally in North Carolina.

Powell confirmed the content of the emails that dominated the 24x7 web and TV coverage of the White House race, overshadowing a childcare plan unveiled by Trump on Tuesday, but he did not add to them.

He doesnt need to, they are damaging enough. Powell was scarred by his role in the case made by the Bush administration to invade Iraq in 2003, of which he became the face for a presentation he made to the UN Security Council and which many allege was fabricated, but he remains a statesman-like figure.

Powell has not publicly taken sides yet, and like many senior officials of previous Republican administrations, such as his successor in the Bush administration Condoleezza Rice, he has chosen to keep his thoughts to himself, or within a circle of friends

But they are now out. He called Trump a national disgrace and an international pariah in an email to a former aide in June 2016, adding Trump is in the process of destroying himself, no need for (Democrats) to attack him.

In another email to the same former aide, Powell poured scorn on Trumps role in the birther movement  those who argue, without any evidence, that Barack Obama was not qualified to be president as he was not born on US soil.

Yup, the whole birther movement was racist, he wrote. Thats what the 99% believe. When Trump couldnt keep that up he said he also wanted to see if the certificate noted that he was a Muslim.

In an email sent in May  with racism in the subject line  Powell wrote as I said before the 2012 election, There is a level of intolerance in parts of the Republican Party.
Donald Trump on Wednesday handed over a one-page summary of his recent physical on a doctors television show  but the campaign wont reveal what was disclosed.

Trump, ever the showman, appeared on The Dr. Oz Show in what was billed by the campaign as a discussion about his general well-being and his familys medical history. But reversing what aides had said earlier Wednesday, Trump handed host Mehmet Oz one-page of results from a physical conducted last week by his longtime physician, Dr. Harold Bornstein.

The show does not air until Thursday and the campaign declined to immediately disclose the results. But a release from the show said that Dr. Oz took Mr. Trump though a full review of his systems including his nervous system, cardiovascular health, prostate health and family medical history.

Both Trump and his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, have been under increased pressure to release detailed medical records, especially after Clinton was diagnosed with pneumonia and was captured on video stumbling getting into a waiting van at a 9/11 memorial ceremony Sunday.

Bornstein had previously written a note declaring the 70-year-old Trump, if elected, would be the healthiest president in history. He later said he had written the letter in five minutes as a limousine sent by the candidate idled outside.

The campaigns of both Trump and Clinton, 68, have said that their candidates would be releasing detailed medical records in the coming days.

The appearance with Oz came hours before Trump was to visit Flint, Michigan to condemn the government failure which led to that citys water crisis. The citys mayor made clear she did not want him to come.

Its the Republican presidential nominees first visit to the poverty-stricken city since lead was detected in its water supply in April 2014. He is expected to visit a water plant and a church while denouncing the crisis that affected 100,000 people after the city left Detroits water supply and started using improperly treated Flint River water.

Trumps visit to Flint, like his one last month to flood-stricken Louisiana, is bound to produce images aimed at persuading Americans that the celebrity businessman can appear presidential. It also highlights his aims to compete in the industrial Midwest, thought polls have him down in Michigan, which last went Republican in 1988.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, a Democrat, condemned the visit, saying the campaign had not offered to help the city and his visit would be a distraction.

Flint is focused on fixing the problems caused by lead contamination of our drinking water, not photo ops, said Weaver, who supports Hillary Clinton, Trumps opponent. Clinton visited Flint in February.

Flint was under state control in 2014 and Michigans governor, Rick Snyder, a Republican, has come under scrutiny for his handling of the crisis. Trump has declared Flints water problems a horror show and said this is a situation that would have never happened if I were president.

The visit to Flint, where most residents are African-American, comes as Trump has increased his outreach to minorities. He has argued that Democratic policies have left inner cities impoverished and dangerous and has taken to asking voters of color What have you got to lose? in voting for him.

Critics say Trump paints an overly bleak picture of life in urban African-American communities, where crime has fallen and the life expectancy has risen in recent decades. Some black leaders have also suggested that Trumps outreach to minorities is mostly about proving to undecided white voters that hes not racist.

Weaver said she would be in Washington on Wednesday to lobby for federal aid. After months of Republican resistance, the Senate is moving ahead on a $10 billion water projects bill that includes $220 million in emergency funding for Flint and other communities beset by lead-contaminated water.

Clinton remained in her suburban New York home Wednesday as she continues to recover from pneumonia. She is expected to return to the campaign trail on Thursday. Next week, she plans to meet with foreign leaders next week at the UN General Assembly in New York, her campaign said Wednesday.
Britain and Argentina announced on Wednesday they have agreed to lift restrictions affecting the Falkland Islands, in a thawing of relations between the former wartime enemies.

The two countries released a statement after meetings in Buenos Aires between UK foreign office minister Alan Duncan and senior Argentine officials, including President Mauricio Macri and foreign minister Susana Malcorra.

They agreed to remove all obstacles limiting the economic growth and sustainable development of the islands, including restrictions on trade, fishing, shipping and the oil industry.

And they agreed to increase the number of flights between the Falklands and Argentina, adding one new stop a month in each direction.

Britain said it was the first positive statement on South Atlantic issues since 1999.

Argentina lost a 1982 war with Britain after Argentine troops seized the South Atlantic archipelago.

Argentina claims Britain has illegally occupied the islands since 1833. Britain disputes the claim and says Argentina is ignoring the wishes of the 3,000 residents, who wish to remain British.

The agreement follows last years election of Macri, who has signalled he wants a less confrontational approach to Britain than his predecessor, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Its clear to me that Argentina is open for business, Duncan said in a statement. The measures agreed today demonstrate we can make progress through dialogue.
A police force in the East Midlands region of England is using a sniffer dog, specially trained to track down traces of human semen, to help them in their hunt for rapists.

Derbyshire Constabulary are using the services of Billie the cocker spaniel, whose nose is trained to find DNA evidence used in sexual assault cases.

Hes already been used in numerous investigations and has found further evidence that has resulted in crime scene investigators identifying DNA profiles, Superintendent Dick Hargreaves of Derbyshire Constabulary told The Times.

We are always looking for innovative ways to improve our service and were hoping that Billies skills will lead to more convictions, he said.

The cocker spaniels nose is so sharp that he can detect as little as a millilitre of sperm, about a third of the average ejaculation, more than a year after it was deposited indoors.

He can even catch the faint whiff of eight-week-old semen outside if it is protected from the worst of the weather, a leaked police briefing reveals.

Since March this year, Billie has already carried out 13 live searches, according to a document drawn up by Derbyshire police.

Dogs are believed to have a sense of smell that is about 10,000 times more acute than that of humans.

Dogs trained by South Yorkshire police to find bloodstains have previously picked out deposits 14 years after the crime.

The typical dog has several hundred million olfactory receptors in its nose, compared to about six million in humans.

If you scaled up a dogs brain to the same size as a persons, the region that processes scents would be 40 times the size of humans.

Dog noses also channel air into separate airways for sniffing and breathing. PTI AK PMS
Two top US Senators on Monday said they supported Indias proposal to buy Guardian remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), or drones  calling New Delhi a close ally and urged the secretary of state John Kerry in a letter to process request with utmost urgency.

India officially made the request for 22 RPAS for its navy shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modis DC visit in June, when the US announced India a major defence partner. The drone is currently deployed with the US department of homeland security.

In a joint letter, senators Mark Warner, a Democrat, and John Cornyn, a Republican, said the Guardian system is the only RPAS that would fulfill Indias maritime security and maritime domain awareness (MDA  loosely, keeping an eye on Chinese maritime presence in the region) requirement.

Warner and Cornyn, who are co-chairs of the India caucus in the senate, went on to write that they are aware that the request of sale of sensitive technology such as Guardian is covered by a strong presumption of denial.

But, they added, we strongly feel that the export of this unarmed, surveillance-only platform, which would be used by a close ally in a manner that supports US national security interests, presents a convincing case to allow for overcoming that presumption.

The state department has to sign on for the project to go through.
The United States on Wednesday signed an unprecedented new security agreement with Israel that will give the Israeli military $38 billion over 10 years.

The deal, the largest such agreement the US has ever had with any country, amounts to $3.8 billion a year beginning in budget year 2019, compared with $3.1 billion the US gave Israel annually under the current 10-year deal that expires in 2018.

This commitment to Israels security has been unwavering and is based on a genuine and abiding concern for the welfare of the Israeli people and the future of the state of Israel, President Barack Obama said in a statement.

After months of negotiations that took place after a particularly tense time in the relationship amid disputes over the Iran nuclear deal, the memorandum of understanding was signed at the State Department by Israels national security adviser, Jacob Nagel, and Thomas Shannon, the third-highest ranking U.S. diplomat.

Obamas national security adviser Susan Rice, who witnessed the signing, called it a sign of Washingtons unshakable commitment to the security of the Jewish state.

She said the agreements makes clear that the US will always be there for the state of Israel and its people today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

Nagel hailed the agreement as an indication of the rock-solid alliance between Israel and the United States.

Israel has no better friend, no more reliable strategic ally, no more important partner than the United States of America, he said. Everyone can see and feel the special relationship between our countries and our people.

Under the agreement, Israels ability to spend part of the funds on Israeli military products will be phased out and eventually all of the money must be spent on American military industries. Israels preference for spending some internally had been a major sticking point in the deal.

It also includes, for the first time, money for missile defense programs. Under the previous arrangement, Congress approved funds for missile defense separately and on an annual basis.

The new agreement eliminates Israels ability to spend a fraction of the funds on fuel for its military. In another apparent concession, Israel has agreed not to ask Congress to approve more funds than are included in the deal unless a new war breaks out, said the officials, who werent authorized to discuss the details publicly ahead of a formal announcement and who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The agreement concludes many months of negotiations that involved a delicate calculation by Israel about whether to strike a deal with the outgoing US president. In February, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly floated the prospect of waiting for Obamas successor in hopes of securing a better deal.

But the Obama administration was eager to lock in the agreement before leaving office to help bolster Obamas legacy and undercut the criticism that his administration was insufficiently supportive of Israel.

Obamas relationship with Netanyahu has been tense for years, and ties between the countries worsened significantly when the US and world powers struck the nuclear deal with Iran. Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran to be an existential threat and disagreed sharply with Obamas contention that the deal actually made Israel safer by limiting Irans nuclear program.
The streets of Bangladeshs capital Dhaka turned red on Eid-ul-Adha, a Muslim festival of sacrifice, after the blood of thousands of sheep, goats and cows slaughtered as offering combined with flood water.

People in Dhaka shared pictures of the streets with blood-stained water on social media as a heavy spell of rains on Tuesday added to the problem in the city with poor drainage systems.

Residents were seen wading through ankle-high water awashed with blood and animal remains.

A bit of rain and Eid and the roads run red with blood. #Dhaka #Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/7WJRxAj8LN  Edward Rees (@ReesEdward) September 13, 2016

I felt I was walking through a post-apocalyptic neighbourhood, Atish Saha, a Dhaka-based artist, was quoted as saying by Guardian news service. To be honest, I was scared. It was an image of mass violence that shouldnt ever be experienced, he added.

On their part, authorities said they had marked hundreds of designated spots ahead of the festival to make it easier to clean away blood and animal carcases after the offerings were made.

But according to BBC Bengali, residents sacrificed 100,000 livestock this year, mainly on the streets or at underground garages in residential buildings.

Blood river: civic nightmare in Dhaka after rain water flows with Eid bloodhttps://t.co/9ug7My7eC5 pic.twitter.com/ulT1b2ohQk  NewsCrunch (@NewsCrunch1) September 14, 2016

It said residents complained that officials did not campaign well to make them aware of these spots. Others said they could not get there because of the rains.

The streets looked mostly clear of the bloody water and animal waste on Wednesday as the flooding receded.

Muslims across the globe celebrate Eid-ul-Adha by slaughtering goats, sheep and other animals on the day to commemorate Prophet Abrahams willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail on Gods command.
LONDON: David Camerons announcement on Monday to stand down as MP reminded many of Enoch Powells line that all political careers end in failure, but in New Delhi and Britain, he will be remembered as the prime minister who took relations with India to a new level.

Cameron is not yet 50 and has his reasons to quit, but now joins the bench of former prime ministers: John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown - each going their own ways after relinquishing office and politics.

There is always the lucrative US lecture circuit or taking on an international role, but Cameron hasnt made his plans known yet.

If Blair is remembered as the man who took Britain to war in Iraq, Camerons legacy will be of holding a referendum he did not really need to hold, and then failing to convince the British people to stay in the EU. It is called falling on your own political sword.

But from the Indian perspective, there were not a few regrets when he quit as prime minister in the wake of the June 23 Brexit vote. His enthusiasm for India and the Indian community was apparent from the time he was elected Conservative leader in 2005. From the perception that Conservative was the nasty party, Cameron wooed the Indian community, appearing at events such as large gatherings addressed by Morari Bapu, or visiting temples with tika on his forehead and gurdwaras with head covered.

Seeking to wean away traditionally Labour-supporting Indian voters, Cameron met with some success in the 2010 and 2015 elections. Soon after taking over as prime minister in 2010, he pushed for a new special relationship with India, and appointed Priti Patel as the Indian diaspora champion.

A focus on India was often mentioned by previous Labour governments, but it was Cameron who took relations to a new level, which included lifting in 2013 a decade-long boycott of Gujarat under Narendra Modi after the 2002 riots.

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BEIJING: Police are likely to seek the death sentence for five Indians arrested on charges of smuggling drugs into China, it was learnt on Tuesday.

The five were flying in to Kunming in south-west China from Kolkata, a two-hour flight, and were arrested in two separate cases in the last two weeks at the airport. They were carrying about 24 kg of hashish, extracted from the cannabis plant widely available in India, into China.

All five have denied knowledge about the drugs that they were found to be carrying hidden in packets of signature Indian snacks and new laptop bags.

Two were arrested on August 24 and the rest on September 6 at a time when security across airports in China were heightened for the G20 Summit in Hangzhou on September 4-5.

They were on their way to the city of Shenzhen, a business hub close to Hong Kong.

The five men, residents of Kidderpore in Kolkata, were identified as Sheikh Ahmad Ali (46), Akrar Khan (33), Feroz Khan (31), Sheikh Ismail (24) and Maqsud Alam (24).

As per law, Indian diplomats in China will be able to meet the five only after September 21 and till then the five will not be allowed to get in touch with their families.

The criminal law in China charts the punishment for drug-related offences in terms of possession but if the quantity seized indicates the intent to sell  or someone is caught selling  the sentences are much stricter.

But the quantity involved in this case makes the five suspects vulnerable to harsher punishment, she said.

Concerning this case, 25 kg is a huge quantity and could be life sentence or even death sentence for them. It is very serious, Wang said.

It is a very serious offense. According to the law, any deals related to the sales of marijuana over 1 kg could attract a punishment of a jail-term of 15 years, Shanghai-based lawyer, Wang Chune told HT.

Senior Beijing-based criminal lawyer Zhang Liwen, who handles drug-related cases, agreed.

The punishment is likely to be 15 years imprisonment, life sentences or death penalty  death sentence is possible, Zhang said.
NEW YORK: A Muslim woman in traditional Islamic attire was attacked and her blouse set on fire in New York on Saturday, a day before America marked the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The unidentified 36-year-old woman was walking past Fifth Avenue, which houses top luxury brands, at night when an unidentified person set her blouse on fire using a lighter. She saw (a suspect) pull a lighter away and walk away, the New York Daily News quoted a source as saying. The woman put out the flames on the sleeve of her blouse and was unhurt. The suspect, who reportedly did not say anything during the attack, remains at large.

The New York chapter of the civil rights group Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) condemned the attack, which is the latest in a series of assaults on Muslims in the state and nationwide in recent days and months.

The Council On American-Islamic Relations New York (CAIR-NY) chapter urged New Yorks mayor to add resources for the investigation of hate crimes.
WASHINGTON: Former and current US presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama join the campaign trail on Tuesday for Hillary Clinton, standing in for the Democratic White House hopeful while she recovers from pneumonia.

Clinton is set to return to the fray on Friday after several days of rest when she attends a Black Womens Agenda symposium Friday in Washington, with less than eight weeks to go before the election, the campaign announced.

With Republican rival Donald Trump in striking distance in national polls and some battleground states, Clinton has suffered perhaps the worst week of her 15-month quest to become Americas first female president.

In the meantime, her husband Bill takes over for her in California, attending a fund-raiser in Los Angeles while his wife rests at their home in Chappaqua, New York per her doctors orders.

He also will campaign for her on Wednesday in Las Vegas.

She gets a further boost when Obama hits the campaign trail for her in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Facing intensifying scrutiny about her health, the Democrat will also release more medical records, as her team acknowledged it stumbled when it failed to alert the press and public about Clintons condition in a timely way over the weekend.
Reiterating its long-time policy on Balochistan, the United States on Monday said it did not support independence for Pakistans restive southwestern province and refused to associate itself with Indias recent attempts to highlight human rights violations there.

The government  US government  respects the unity and territorial integrity of Pakistan and we do not support independence for Balochistan, state department spokesman John Kirby said in response to a question at the daily briefing.

To a direct question about US reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent remarks on the issue, Kirby noted his remarks and said, I think I just gave you our reaction to events there.

Modi has sought to draw the worlds attention in recent remarks to rights violations  which he described as atrocities  in Balochistan by Pakistans armed forces. But he has not called for the provinces independence, being demanded by groups there citing protracted neglect of the mineral-rich region by Islamabad and the massive use of force to put down protests and dissent.

Multiple rights agencies have reported the disappearance and death of people in Balochistan, with estimates put by noted Pakistan journalist Ahmed Rashid in 2014 at between hundreds and several thousand. International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons says upwards of 19,000 people are missing.

The US has itself cited rampant right violations in Baluchistan on multiple occasions in its reports on the state of human rights in Pakistan, but thats as far as it has gone.

Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at Wilson Center, a DC think tank, said the US response on Monday reflects long-time US policy when it comes to Balochistan, and that is to simply express support for Pakistans territorial integrity. This is a pretty immutable policy on the part of the US, and I doubt it will be changing at all anytime soon.

Also, an expert on Pakistan with another DC think tank, who did not want to be identified, said the US does not declare support for disintegration of any country. They have never even supported an independent Kurdistan so Balochistan is a bridge too far. The US also does not want to risk its relations with Pakistan.

Besides, the expert pointed out, Modi had only highlighted the plight of the Baloch people and spoken of human rights. Even he did not call for an independent Balochistan.

Modi first raised the issue publicly at an all-party meeting on Kashmir on August 13 when he spoke of atrocities committed by it (Pakistan) against people in Balochistan and PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) and said that Pakistan would have to answer to the world community for this.

He also brought up the issue in his Independence Day speech, thanking some special peopleof Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (who) had conveyed good wishes and gratitude to me (for his earlier remarks highlighting atrocities in Balochistan).

Taken together, the references were seen as signalling the start of an aggressive push by India to use Balochistan, to counter Pakistans continuing strategy to internationalise Kashmir.
On Sep. 2, Samsung released an official statement acknowledging the global incidents of exploding Galaxy Note 7 and informing customers of its global recall program in weeks time.

The South Korean tech giant also urged Note 7 owners to contact the Samsung support in their region as soon as possible. However, the online tool which Samsung promised to provide for easier checking is no longer available after its short release to the public.

With the continuous recall of Galaxy Note 7 happening worldwide, it is safe to say that Samsung is already feeling the adverse effects of the incident and it is hurting the company, big time.

According to Bloomberg, Samsung Electronics Company, in just over two days, has already lost $22 billion of market value while stock prices have already dropped by 11 percent (largest drop in two days since 2008).

It was earlier reported that Samsung is only estimating and expecting the Galaxy Note 7 Recall to affect the company by 5 percent decrease in its estimated income for 2016.

Numerically, $1.03 billion out of the $20.6 billion expected income. However, with the recent decline in stocks, recall, customer loss confidence in the product. With continuous banning from aviation authorities, Samsung should expect more adverse effect.

Right now, the only options for Note 7 owners are contacting Samsung support or sellers. Owners may be asked to provide the IMEI number of the Galaxy Note 7 on hand. To get this IMEI number, simply enter in the dialer *#06#, access Settings-About device-Status menu-IMEI tab or checking the Note 7's box.

The new stock of Galaxy Note 7 for new customers will be available in October.

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Researchers and scientists have just been offered a gift from Argentina, in the form of a meteorite that weighs 30 tons. A group of excavators unearthed the meteorite in an area called Campo del Cielo and it may just be the second largest meteorite that has ever been found.

"Although we knew what we were after and what our research is, what surprised us was the size and weight of it," said Mario Vesconi, president of Astronomical Association, in an interview with Telam. He explained that heavy extraction equipment was used to take the meteorite from the ground and to weigh it.

According to Fox News, despite the researchers' first impression on the giant meteorite, they did not expect it to go over 30 tons. Vesconi further explained that they will have to double check its weight for credibility and for the recalibration of their research.

The 30-ton meteorite unearthed in Argentina is only second to the unmovable Hoba West meteorite found in Nabia in 1920. It weighs over 60 tons and is now considered as a national monument.

Before making any conclusive reports on what was found in Argentina, scientists and researchers alike will have to perform tests to make sure that it is indeed a meteorite. Campo del Cielo, also known as Field of the Sky is the area in which scientists believe that a storm of meteorites fell over 4,000 years ago. Although the scientists' theory may well be proven to hold a percentage of the truth with this recent discovery, nothing can be presumed without evidence.

For many decades, scientists have scoured the Earth for meteorites in an attempt to study what is beyond the planet Earth. With the size of the meteorite found in Argentina, it can prove to be a data goldmine. It can offer answers to the questions of how old the solar system is or at the very least, what it is made of.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In an effort to find better understanding and protection of the world's largest coral reef system, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched a mission to study Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

According to NASA, scientists from its Coral Reef Airborne Laboratory (CORAL) and its Australian allies discussed the objectives and expectations of the mission.

"This new understanding of reef condition and function will allow scientists to better predict the future of this global ecosystem and provide policymakers with better information for decisions regarding resource management," said Eric Hochberg, CORAL's principal investigator.

The Great Barrier Reef rests in the Coral Sea in Queensland and it encompasses almost 3,000 reefs and 900 islands. It is rich in biodiversity as it is considered the largest structure composed and made by living organisms.

Annually, Australia's Great Barrier Reef yields billions because of the fishing industry and the tourism activity. Unfortunately, even this awe-inspiring ecosystem is not safe from the dangers of the ever-changing world. Even now, the Great Barrier Reef faces human and climate change impacts.

"The Great Barrier Reef is Australia's national treasure, so having a broader understanding of its condition and what's threatening it will help us better understand how we can protect it," said Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) research leader Tim Malthus.

The purpose of the mission is to create a better understanding of what is underneath the water. To date, there current in-water survey techniques that were launched for the same purpose. But because it is expensive and laborious and because it provides limited data, NASA will be utilizing airborne techniques to get a vast but clear picture of the Great Barrier Reef's current state.

CORAL will employ the Portable Remote Imaging Spectrometer (PRISM) from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to help scientists achieve the experience of getting a clear bird's eye view of the scene underwater without having to worry about bad resolution.

Combining this airborne mission to the in-water validation activities, CORAL hopes to achieve more in-depth and specific data.

CORAL is a three-year mission and scientists hope for nothing but success for the sake of one of the world's treasures.

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It was recently rumored that iOS 10 Pangu Jailbreak will come shortly after Apple's Sept. 13 launch of the full version of its latest iOS 10.

It can be remembered that the final form of Apple's operating system (OS) for iPhones and iPads was unveiled to the public at its Sept. 7 event along with the new iPhone 7 smartphone series and Apple Watch Series 2.

A few months prior to the event, Apple announced that iOS 10 is already in development and its first beta was eventually unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 2016.

From June to September, a Christian Times report hinted that a lot of mobile device hackers were able to study iOS 10 and tried creating a functional jailbreak tool, but all failed.

However, an International Business Times report revealed that Pangu might be able to develop a working iOS 10 jailbreak in October, shortly after the revelation of the full iOS version. Many tech experts were convinced that this is quite possible since the group has presented how they successfully jailbroken an iOS 10 beta-equipped iPhone.

It also shared that Pangu might have jailbroken the first iOS 10 beta last July and was demonstrated in the Mobile Security Conference in Shanghai, China. It led to speculations claiming that Pangu might have developed an operational jailbreak system for iOS 10's final version.

Such rumors further gained strength lately after Mac World reported that Pangu released the jailbreak tools for the iOS 9.3.3 and 9.3.4 versions that were immediately countered by Apple's release of iOS 9.3.5 update.

Finally, iDownload blog reported that a known Italian hacker Luca Todesco, was quite successful in jailbreaking the iOS 10's Beta 8 version a few days prior to the Sept. 7 event where the iOS 10 unveiled.

The hacker even named its own jailbreak tool as "valuX." However, it was not clear if the tool is still working after the iOS 10 full version's release.

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2017 is around the corner and it is officially time to stop giving lip service to being 'mobile friendly' and optimise. Not only does today's traveller expect your site to be mobile friendly, but not being easily discoverable or bookable on mobile will lose you money.

People start their research on mobile

According to Tnooz, about three quarters of American travellers will be exploring options for trips online by 2017, Google research determined that in the first quarter of 2016 around 40% of US travel site visits came from mobile devices, and 70% of travellers who own a smartphone have used it to do travel research.

The research stage of the travel buying journey that takes place on mobile is a perfect time to get your potential guests attention. Google research found that 72% of travellers that own smartphones look for the most relevant and useful information, not for a specific brand, and 67% of travellers are more inclined to book with whatever travel brand provides the most useful information.

Hotels especially should be taking advantage of the research phase, as 82% of travellers haven't chosen which hotel they will stay at when they first start planning their trips.

People book on mobile

In addition to doing research about their trips, an increasing number of travellers will go so far as to book on a mobile device as well. According to visual.ly, 65% of hotel reservations made on the same day as check-in were done on a smartphone, and Google research from 2014 estimated that back then 14% of leisure travellers and 28% of business travellers booked on a smartphone. Hotels.com says that as many as 42% of travellers world-wide have booked a hotel via their mobile devices.

People decide on mobile

Even among travellers that don't make their final bookings on a mobile device, the information that they find with their smartphones and tablets is instrumental in their booking decisions. While they are planning and booking trips, 94% of leisure travellers switch between their different devices, and 46% of travellers say that they make their booking decision while they are using a mobile device, and then switch to a desktop device to actually make the booking.

The online travel agents (OTAs) are already at it

According to a Phocuswrite study, more than 40% of money spent on OTA websites in the US in 2017 will come from mobile devices, and OTAs already claim almost two thirds of online bookings.

Google likes mobile

As of an update to their ranking algorithms in April 2015, Google now penalises sites that are not mobile friendly (and Google has even started a project encouraging developers to build accelerated mobile pages).

Smartphones facilitate spontaneous decisions

Hotels.com found that 50% of travellers say that their smartphones have led to them being more spontaneous on holiday, so by making sure your site is mobile friendly, you have the chance to attract guests to your establishment on the spur of the moment.

Additionally, 47% of travellers use their smartphones to find places to eat, things to do and interesting places to visit while they are at their destinations. Google also found that a third of smartphone users actually switched brands because one other than the one they were planning on using provided more useful information.

So, how do you go about making your website mobile friendly 

Consider mobile-first design

"Mobile-first" has become quite the buzzword in the website-building industry. Because of the increasing numbers of people using mobile devices to browse the web rather than desktop and laptop computers, many designers and developers have decided that building websites primarily for desktop viewing is counterintuitive.

Mobile-first design works on the principle that the site should be perfect on a mobile device, and when viewed on a desktop computer it can have a bit more space to spread itself out, and get some nifty features added on.

Be aware of the speed

Often mobile devices have slower connections than desktop computers and laptops, and their processing speed are slower. While you should always be conscious of your site's loading speed, you really need to make sure that the mobile version is very light. Google research found that more than half of all travellers will simply go to another site if yours doesn't load fast enough.

Thankfully, Google has some great tips on how to make sure your site is quick, and you can find out how your site performs in terms of speed on both desktop and mobile with their PageSpeed Insights tool.

Be aware of changing trends

The best practices for designing and building sites for use on mobile devices is evolving unbelievably fast. Make sure that whoever is in charge of your website constantly has their finger on the pulse. A dated website implies a dated hotel, even if that isn't the case.

Making booking on mobile easy

This should go without saying, but making it easy for your users to navigate your site, find the information they want and need, and book via their mobile devices is crucial to winning direct bookings.

Google discovered that 54  69 percent of travellers don't book via mobile devices because of usability issues (like buttons that are too small to tap on a touchscreen), only 23% of leisure travellers are sure that they are finding the same information on their mobile phones that they could on a desktop, 50% of travellers move to their desktop devices to double-check that they are finding the best hotel rate, and 45% of travellers will go to another site if it takes them too many steps to find the information they want.

Make sure that the most useful information, like your location, your prices and directions are easy to find via mobile devices, and assure visitors booking via their mobile devices that you are offering the best rates and that they can cancel their bookings if they change their minds.

Just do it

Having said all that, even a basic mobile website is better than none. Just make sure that your website works on mobile devices. It doesn't have to be the sleekest design in the world, but 80% of mobile users will leave if your site is not mobile optimised (according to Google).

GuestRevu helps hoteliers worldwide to listen to, learn and earn from their guests by enabling them to leverage the power of guest intelligence to build lasting loyalty and drive revenue. GuestRevu's mission is to give hoteliers tools they can use every day to develop a guest-centric culture in their hotels, enhance guest experience, optimise operations, and ultimately, to drive revenue using online surveys and reputation management. With their headquarters in the UK, GuestRevu is a TripAdvisor Platinum Review Collection Partner. For more information please visit www.guestrevu.com

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Foster takes over reins as vice president, global brand marketing for Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton and Curio  A Collection by Hilton brands

Hilton today announced the appointment of Stuart Foster as vice president, global brand marketing for the company's flagship brand, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, the fast-growing, global portfolio of more than 465 hotels and Curio  A Collection by Hilton, a collection of hand-picked upscale and luxury hotels designed for independent-minded travelers.

Foster spent the last four years leading global brand marketing for Hilton's luxury and lifestyle brands, and will now oversee an integrated team that focuses on marketing, communications, digital, social media and customer relationship management across all full service brands. During his most recent tenure, Foster established integrated marketing strategies to support Waldorf Astoria's experiential platforms including the Taste of Waldorf Astoria and Waldorf Astoria Driving Experiences. In addition, Foster innovated the role of a luxury hotel brand through Conrad's Stay Inspired platform which curates quintessential local experiences for travelers whose time is at a premium. He also developed launch strategy and consumer messaging for Hilton's lifestyle brand, Canopy by Hilton.

"Stuart's wealth of experience in global customer marketing, talent for identifying and articulating meaningful brand stories and thirst for innovation in the industry have been invaluable since the he joined Hilton," said Geraldine Calpin, chief marketing officer, Hilton. "He is taking on this role at a time when our portfolio is growing and evolving more rapidly than ever, and under his leadership our full service brands will elevate the exceptional experiences our guests have come to know and love."

Foster brings a unique global perspective to his role, drawing on more than 20 years of marketing experience spanning the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. He has an extensive background leading marketing work for some of the world's top brands including L'Oreal and Moet-Hennessy, where he provided leadership across multiple disciplines including global brand management, sales and business development.
Jermaine Wright (right) with his mother, Delores Wright, in Wilmington

after his release from prison.

Jermaine Wright, who spent more than 20 years on death row before a Delaware court overturned his 1991 conviction, walked out of prison a free man Monday after he pleaded no contest to 2nd-degree murder on the eve of his retrial.





Wright, 43, was sentenced to the maximum 20 years and released after Superior Court Judge Eric Davis ruled his more than 24 years of incarceration counted as time served.





He was sentenced to death in 1992 in the killing of 66-year-old Phillip Seifert, a clerk at a liquor store and bar outside Wilmington. At the time the Supreme Court overturned his sentence, he was the longest-serving death row inmate in Delaware.





"After 24 years incarcerated, I would just like to go home," Wright told the court Monday. He was expected to head to his mother's home for a barbecue celebration upon his release.





Wright's attorney, Herbert Mondros, stressed that Wright has maintained his innocence since he was first arrested at 18.





"As Mr. Wright made clear ... this no contest plea is not an admission of guilt," Mondros said in a statement. "It is simply a way for Wright to put an end to this unjust nightmare and get back to his family."





Wright's case has been the focus of the Delaware legal system for more than 2 decades. In the latest turn 6 weeks ago, Delaware's Supreme Court found the state's death penalty law unconstitutional, meaning Wright couldn't be sentenced to death in the retrial of his case.





Monday's plea brought an end to a lengthy back-and-forth between attorneys and Wright, and ended the possibility of another long trial.





Superior Court Judge John Parkins Jr. overturned Wright's conviction and death sentence in 2012 on the premise that Wright wasn't properly advised of his rights during the police interrogation - a nearly 13-hour event in which Wright provided a confession while he was high on heroin. He was freed from prison for nearly a year until prosecutors refiled charges in January.





"Justice was not served when Mr. Wright was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death, nor was justice served by keeping this young man in solitary confinement for over half his life for a crime he did not commit," Mondros said. "This case exemplifies all that is wrong with the death penalty. Indeed, the arbitrariness of its application is exemplified by the fact that a mere 2 months ago, the State actively sought Mr. Wright's execution. Today, he is a free man."





For Philip Seifert's son, Royce, the sentencing Monday marked the final example of a "broken" justice system. In a statement to the court, he explained that Wright had already been convicted by a jury and sentenced to death. A confession he gave to police, Seifert added, contained details only the killer would know.





"It has taken 9,374 days to get to this point," Seifert said, adding that his family had persevered over the years in the hope of seeing justice done.





"The final determination will have a hollow sound, for the murderer will go free and be returned to the streets of Wilmington," he said.





"Jermaine is not a hero or a celebrity. He is a confessed murderer," added Seifert, who told Wright that while he may go free, "you will never be free from the truth of what you did."





Seifert's father was shot 3 times - once in the neck and twice in the head - during a robbery of the former Hi-Way Inn on Governor Printz Boulevard on Jan. 14, 1991. The robber took $30 from the cash register.





There were no eyewitnesses and no physical evidence from the murder, but an anonymous tip led police to Wright. With no probable cause to charge him with the murder, they arrested him as a suspect in 2 unrelated crimes. It was during an interview at Wilmington Police headquarters that Wright confessed on camera to the Hi-Way Inn murder.





This confession video was key evidence in convicting Jermaine Wright of murder.





The state used the videotape to convince a jury to convict Wright in 1992. In the years since, Wright filed many appeals to avoid the death penalty. 2 years ago that he was released from prison when Parkins overturned his conviction.





In 2013, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed Parkins' ruling, saying his review of Wright's confession, the linchpin of the prosecution's case, was procedurally barred. The court also rejected Parkins' determination that there was an "actual innocence" exception allowing him to reconsider the issue.





A majority of justices also said Wright was not prejudiced by the withholding of evidence about the earlier robbery attempt because it would not have bolstered his alibi defense.





Following yet another appeal, however, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously last year that Wright was entitled to a new trial because prosecutors repeatedly withheld potentially exculpatory evidence suggesting that Seifert may have been killed by 2 men who tried to rob another liquor store in the vicinity a short time earlier.





Parkins, whom Royce Seifert described Monday as "a liberal judge with his own agenda," then ruled that Wright's confession could not be used at his retrial. Shortly after, the Supreme Court overturned that ruling and ordered that the case be assigned to a different judge. Wright was taken back into custody after nearly a year of freedom when prosecutors refiled charges against him in January.





"Criminal cases do not get better with age," prosecutor Steve Wood said Monday when asked about the plea bargain, adding that memories change and that some of the physical evidence in the case has gone missing. He declined to provide details.





"Given the state of the evidence and the passage of time, today's resolution was appropriate," Wood said.

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Source: delawlareonline.com, September 13, 2016
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The star of 90s returns to the stage this month

In her first live gig in what seems like forever, Samantha Mumba returns to the stage at The George next month.

The 90s star, who's been living in LA in recent times, is back on our shores for a comeback of sorts; she'll shortly be flexing her culinary muscle on TV3's version of Celebrity Masterchef.

The live comeback takes place on September 23 at midnight; tickets, available now, are 8.
Middle-class Americans and the poor in 2015 enjoyed their best year of economic improvement in decades, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday, a spike that broke a long streak of disappointment for American workers but did not fully repair the damage inflicted by the Great Recession.

Median household income, adjusted for inflation, stood at $56,500 in 2015, up from $53,700 in 2014. That 5.2 percent increase was the largest since the bureau started tracking the statistic in 1967.

Incomes increased across racial and ethnic groups as well as for both men and women. The gender pay gap narrowed to a record low, with women working full-time earning 80 cents for every dollar that men earn.

In addition, the poverty rate fell by 1.2 percentage points, the steepest decline since 1968. There were 43.1 million Americans in poverty for the year, 3.5 million fewer than in 2014. The share of Americans who lack health insurance continued a years-long decline, falling 1.3 percentage points, to 9.1 percent.

The data represents the clearest evidence to date that the nation's long, slow and topsy-turvy economic recovery has finally begun to deliver prosperity for wide swaths of workers. A combination of forces fueled the gains, including an improving job market, low inflation and rising wages - particularly for low-earning workers who may have benefited from state and local initiatives to boost minimum wages.

At the same time, the Census Bureau report underscored deepening fissures across the country, as some groups of Americans are left behind. All of the income gains effectively came in cities and suburbs, while none of them flowed to rural areas - continuing a trend of economic activity concentrating more and more in a few large metropolitan regions. Previous Census Bureau data has showed that in the years after the Great Recession, America's least-populated counties combined to lose more businesses than they gained.

On health care, states that expanded Medicaid, the health insurance program for the poor, under President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act continued to see a decline in their uninsured rate last year at a faster pace than those states that did not expand the program. In states that expanded Medicaid, allowing more low-income people to be eligible, the uninsured rate in 2015 was 7.2 percent. In states that did not expand, the rate was 12.3 percent.

The numbers from the government's annual report on income, poverty and health insurance complicate the economic narrative underpinning the 2016 presidential election. They were hailed by the Obama administration and by Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, but greeted with silence from Republican nominee Donald Trump, who frequently cites median-income stagnation as a sign of American decline.

"This exceeds the strong expectation that I already had," Jason Furman, chairman of Obama's Council of Economic Advisers, said in an interview. "The news here is the growth rates. I've read the last 21 reports, including this one. I have never seen one like this, in terms of everything you look at is what you'd want to see or better."

Some aren't satisfied

Some Republicans discounted the improved outlook, saying the overall numbers remain weaker than they should be. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, Texas, said that the number of people still living in poverty is "another disappointing confirmation that too many Americans are still struggling to provide for their families and reach their full potential."

Still, many conservative economists greeted the data with optimism. James Sherk, an economist with the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, called the median-income statistics "welcome growth that is long overdue."

One of Trump's economic advisers, Stephen Moore, cautioned in an interview that the 2015 increase could be a "blip" that fades in 2016, because the economy is growing slowly, and that the improvement still does not make up for more than a decade of income stagnation.

"It's a very good thing that we finally have some income growth for middle-class families," Moore said. "But the most depressing thing about where we stand in America - and I think this is why the Trump phenomenon has taken hold - is that the average American [household] is still poorer today than it was 15 years ago."

Indeed, despite the gains recorded in 2015, the median income was below the peak median income registered in 1999 - $57,909.

Clinton has argued that the economy is improving under Obama but that working families still need more help to get ahead. Her campaign said Tuesday that the Census Bureau numbers reinforce that view.

"These are really positive numbers by and large. They show real progress," said Jacob Leibenluft, a senior policy adviser to the Clinton campaign. "This is definitely at odds with the picture that Trump provides."

Liberal economists said it was encouraging that the gains started with the workers who earn the least. Income grew most for the lowest-earning workers and least for the highest-earning ones, though all income groups experienced improvement.

"We're finally in the moment when the middle class and some lower-income families are feeling the benefits of economic growth," said Neera Tanden, president of the liberal Center for American Progress think tank and a Clinton adviser.

Furman, of the White House, credited wage-boosting policy initiatives for some of that increase. "The fact that millions of workers have gotten a raise, as states have raised minimum wages, has definitely had an effect there," he said.

Pre-recession levels

All told, the gains brought median incomes nearly back to their levels before the recession, after adjusting for inflation. Census Bureau officials said that the 5.2 percent growth rate was not statistically distinguishable from five other previous increases in the data over a 50-year period, most recently the 3.7 percent jump from 1997 to 1998.

Several earlier measures had suggested that 2015 was strong for American workers.

Last week, the Agriculture Department released its annual data on hunger in the United States, showing that food insecurity declined substantially last year for the first time since the recession.
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John Stumpf, the longtime chief executive of Wells Fargo, defended the mega-bank Tuesday, saying the institution is working to stamp out bad behavior after revelations that thousands of employees secretly created accounts customers didn't ask for in order to meet sales goals.

Stumpf said Wells Fargo has already taken several steps to strengthening its compliance programs in the wake of the scandal, which resulted in $185 million in fines last week. The bank also dismissed 5,300 employees, including some managers, who were accused of creating sham accounts.

"On average 1 percent have not done the right thing, and we terminated them. I don't want them here if they don't represent the culture of the company," Stumpf said.

"We're not sitting idly by. We are investing in controls and training. ... We're making big investments, and my goal is perfection."

Stumpf began speaking out publicly for the first time since the controversy thrust the San Francisco-based bank into the spotlight. Wells Fargo has long cultivated a reputation for staying out of the regulatory headaches that have dogged some of its biggest competitors. That reputation is now at risk as lawmakers, regulators and even Wall Street analysts question how one of the country's largest banks could have allowed such behavior to fester for years.

According to regulators, thousands of Wells Fargo employees created up to 2 million accounts, for services such as credit cards, that customers may not have authorized. In some cases, the employees took money from an established account to create a new one. Customers were then sometimes hit with assorted fees for accounts they didn't know they had, the regulators charged.

The bank doesn't "want a dime that we have not earned. We have returned it, and we apologized," Stumpf said.

The activity peaked in 2013 and mostly occurred in the Southwest part of the country, John Shrewsberry, the company's chief financial officer, said at a conference Tuesday.

"It's tailed off since then," he said.

The employees were attempting to reach aggressive sales goals - and earn bonuses, regulators said. Wells Fargo said Tuesday that it would eliminate those sales goals by the end of the year.

The sales goals were part of Wells Fargo's aggressive push into "cross selling," persuading customers to sign up for multiple products. A customer with a checking account, for example, would be encouraged to consider a credit card or savings account. The industry has been under pressure amid historically low interest rates and tighter banking-industry regulations after the 2008 financial crisis, and "cross selling" can be a profit driver.

On Friday, the day after the settlement was announced, the bank told call center employees to forgo their usual cross-selling and to focus on answering as many calls as possible, in anticipation of customer concerns. The pause in offering additional products is temporary, a company representative said.

The Senate Banking Committee has scheduled a hearing for next week and Stumpf is expected to testify. Stumpf, who made $19 million last year, did not respond to questions about when he learned about the sham accounts. He said the board of directors would have to decide whether any executives should have to give back their bonuses.
No one can say Cuchura restaurant doesn't know how to throw a birthday party. On Thursday, Sept. 15 the Montrose Mexican restaurant will mark its fourth anniversary with a pop-up party featuring the staff of the famous Gran Cafe de la Parroquia in Veracruz, Mexico. This is the second visit by the Mexican cafe (known for its lechero, a milky coffee); in March the cafe served two brunches at Cuchara that attracted about 500 guests. Curchara is the only restaurant outside of la Parroquia's group that serves the coffee.

The party at Curchara, 214 Fairview, will begin at 5 p.m. and continue to midnight. The event will feature Veracruz folk dances, food, drinks and coffee. There is no cover charge to attend.
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Harris County Judge Ed Emmett called Tuesday for a summit of county and Houston city leaders, along with animal welfare organizations, to address the region's "outrageous" problem with stray animals.

While the details are still being developed, Emmett said one focus would be better collaboration between Harris County, which focuses primarily on unincorporated areas despite having a shelter located inside the city limits, and the city of Houston.

Last month, Harris County shelter employees drew criticism for apparently refusing to pick up and euthanize a German shepherd mix that lay dying from a gunshot wound across the street from the facility because it was not in the county's jurisdiction.

"I'm going to try and call everybody together, get everybody in one room and say 'What do we really need to be doing here' so we're more coordinated," Emmett said.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner "looks forward to hearing from Judge Emmett," said Janice Evans, a spokeswoman for Evans. She said the city and county have successfully worked together on road projects, including Precinct 1 Commissioner Gene Locke's plan to invest up to $45 million in city roads that fall within his precinct.

"It's probably worth exploring similar arrangements for other areas," Evans said.

Above capacity every day

The city and county shelters run at or above capacity almost every day. Over the last five years, the county shelter has averaged taking in some 25,000 animals annually from unincorporated areas, while the city shelter accepts another 25,000 to 27,000. Both generally only take in animals from their respective jurisdictions, though both also report making exceptions, especially when an animal is sick or injured.

On most occasions, people are asked to take an animal to the appropriate shelter. Sometimes they don't, choosing to dump animals near one shelter rather than drive the seven miles to get to the other.

Local volunteers believe one of those dumping grounds is Melrose Park, just across from the county shelter. At least four dogs have been found with gunshot wounds at the park this year - including the German shepherd mix - and two puppies were discovered with slashed throats.

Stray animals can be a public health threat because they can spread disease and can also attack and injure humans and animals.

A survey of Houston-area households conducted by the University of Texas School of Public Health found "stray dogs and cats" to be the most frequent neighborhood problem reported by residents surveyed, beating out crime, drinking water and dumping, among other problems.

Supports effort

Patricia Mercer, president of the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said she applauded Emmett's approach and hoped the city would accept the invitation.

"While I am not sure what the political roadblocks might be, I would love to see the City of Houston and Harris County prioritize their animal-control responsibilities together," Mercer said. "Everything should be on the table - merging services, contracting with each other, collaborations.

Melissa McMillan - head of a group called Melrose Park Neglected Dogs, whose members have patrolled the park and found the shot dogs there - said she would be encouraged by Emmett's summit if her group, which she said is "doing city workers' jobs and not getting paid," is invited to participate.

McMillan said neither county staff nor city officials have contacted her since the German shepherd mix was found. McMillan said her group found another dead dog dumped next to a dumpster at the park on Sunday, and that it lay there until Tuesday.

City officials have recently pledged increased attention to the neighborhood. BARC spokeswoman Ashtyn Rivet said that between July 25 and Wednesday, BARC had been to the park 34 times and collected five dogs.

Meanwhile the county is in the planning stages for a new shelter on the same property as the current county shelter, meaning that the problem will likely persist if it isn't successfully addressed.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle has asked the county budget office to explore other options for possible satellite shelters, a spokesman said.
WASHINGTON - The Obama administration on Tuesday announced a major new 10-year package of security assistance for Israel despite sharp disagreements between the two allies.

The agreement, a "memo of understanding," is to be signed Wednesday at the State Department, which called the deal "the single largest pledge of bilateral military assistance in U.S. history."

Officials said the package will increase U.S. aid from about$3.1 billion a year to as much as $3.7 billion a year.

The deal emerged in prolonged negotiations that followed a public rift between President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the nuclear deal with Iran, the Palestinian peace process and other issues.

Officials in both countries had said the deal was near completion for some time. However, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, had criticized the package and indicated that he believes Israel should receive more aid.

Until Tuesday, the White House was reluctant to announce the deal if there were a chance Graham would try to undercut it.

More Information Peres hospitalized after having stroke Shimon Peres, the Israeli former prime minister and president who shared a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to resolve the long-running conflict with the Palestinians, suffered a stroke and was hospitalized Tuesday, his office said. Peres, 93, was initially reported to be conscious, but doctors later sedated him and put him on a respirator to breathe. Scans were reported to show no improvement, the Israeli media described him as fighting for his life and his relatives suggested dire choices were near. Peres was among the leaders who helped found Israel in 1948 and steered it through a rocky beginning in a hostile region. He shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Rabin and Yasser Arafat, the leader of Palestine Liberation Organization, for the Oslo accords that were first signed in 1993. New York Times See More Collapse

Obama is eager to put the aid in place before he leaves office in January, however. Analysts said he wants his legacy to show a strong commitment to Israel's security independent of his clashes with Netanyahu.

Netanyahu plans to visit New York next week to attend the annual U.N. General Assembly. Officials have not said if he will meet with Obama.

Administration officials say U.S. security cooperation with Israel has reached record levels despite the disputes with Netanyahu's government.

The new aid package would be the largest ever to a single country. It will allow Israel to buy high-end U.S.-made military hardware to help it maintain a clear technological advantage over its foes.

Palestinians and other critics of Israel complained that the new aid package and its decadelong duration, from fiscal year 2019 to 2028, essentially rewards the Netanyahu government despite its expansion of much-criticized settlements in the West Bank and other points of contention.

"Israel will not be held accountable (for) anything," Basel Ghattas, an Arab member of Israel's Knesset, or parliament, said recently in Washington.

Israeli critics of the aid negotiations say Israel could have received a more generous aid package if Netanyahu had engaged in talks last year when Obama was trying to secure Israel's backing for a nuclear deal with Iran.

"The aid has important symbolic value. If the aid is seen as going down, or not going up significantly, it will be seen as a barometer of Israel's position in Washington," said Jonathan Rhynold, a professor of political science at Israel's Bar Ilan University and an author of a book on U.S.-Israeli ties.

After an initial deal to curb Iran's nuclear program was concluded in April 2015, Obama publicly appealed to Israel to start talks aimed at boosting security cooperation and expanding military aid.

Analysts said Netanyahu, who waged a campaign in Congress to block the Iran deal, delayed the aid talks to avoid the appearance of giving up his opposition in exchange for more assistance.
Saying "the law is the law," President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he would respect whatever the decision of Indonesian President Joko Widodo would be on the case of Filipina drug convict Mary Jane Veloso who is on death row in Indonesia.





"I just said, 'We will respect the judgment of your courts, period,'" Duterte said in a speech before the members of the 250th Philippine Airlift Wing at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.





"It would have been a bad taste in the mouth to be talking about having a strong posture on drugs and here you are begging for something ... I'm sorry, I have nothing to apologize [for] because the law is the law," he added.





The President issued the statement after Widodo was quoted by the Indonesian press as saying Duterte had given the green light for the execution of Veloso.





Duterte went to Jakarta last week for a working visit and met with Widodo, who is also leading a campaign against drugs in Indonesia.





In a report, the Jakarta Post, citing the Antara news agency, said: "President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo said on Monday that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had given the green light for the execution of Filipina death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso."





But Duterte insisted that he did not mention Veloso's case to Widodo when they talked about Indonesia's anti-drug campaign and death penalty law in Jakarta last Friday.





Duterte said on Tuesday his utterance of "go ahead" referred to his support for Indonesia's death penalty and not to Veloso's case specifically.





"I had a talk with Widodo. He has 4 million [drug addicts in Indonesia]. We talked about that. We said we will implement the laws. Then I said, 'Mr President, so as not to apologize or anything, It's good you have the death penalty here. At least you can bring the problem to the barest minimum,'" he said. The President added: "I said, 'Go ahead and implement the law. We never mentioned about Veloso.'"





Veloso, on death row in Indonesia for her drug trafficking charge in 2010, was supposed to be executed together with other foreigners in Indonesia last year, but was spared by Widodo after an appeal from then President Benigno Aquino 3rd.





Upon arriving from Jakarta early on Saturday, Duterte was mum on what he and Widodo discussed in relation to the Veloso case, saying he needed to talk to the Veloso family first.





Veloso's mother, Celia, told a radio interview on Tuesday she was confused with the turn of events, and was awaiting the government's advice on when she would be able to meet the President.





Celia said her daughter called her up after watching Widodo's interview with reporters. While Mary Jane was resigned to whatever would be her fate, she wanted help from the President, Celia said.





Clemency after court decision





In Malacanang, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Philippine government would seek clemency for Veloso once Indonesia's Supreme Court acts on her case.





Speaking to reporters, Abella said there was no need to appeal for Veloso's life as there was no scheduled execution.





"The execution of Mary Jane Veloso had already been indefinitely deferred. Indonesia had previously agreed to allow Ms. Veloso to testify to the accusation and the criminal prosecution of her illegal recruiters in the Philippines," Abella said in a news conference.





"When the Indonesian Supreme Court decides to act on the execution, that would be the time to present the compelling evidence of Veloso's innocence as a justification for a plea of clemency," he added.





Abella claimed foreign media misinterpreted Duterte's pronouncement that he would "accept whatever final decision they (Indonesian government) will have on Veloso."





Abella was quick to clarify that the Palace was not blaming Widodo's choice of words before journalists in Indonesia.





"We are not saying Jokowi misinterpreted him (Duterte). We are just giving you the context," Abella said.





Also on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said Duterte did not ask for clemency from Widodo during their bilateral meeting in Jakarta last week because it was "not the proper time."





Veloso, a single mother of 2 from Nueva Ecija, was sentenced to death in October 2010 after she was caught bringing in heroin at Yogyakarta's Adisucipto International Airport in April that year.





She has maintained her innocence, claiming she was duped into carrying the suitcase by her recruiter, who convinced her to go to Indonesia after losing a job in Malaysia.

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Source: Maila Times, September 13, 2016
AUSTIN - The textbook experts say is laden with errors, omits key history and characterizes Mexicans as lazy is "dead on arrival" at the State Board of Education, according to the board's vice chairman.

It is difficult to imagine anyone would read the book without finding red flags, said vice chair Thomas Ratliff, a Mount Pleasant Republican.

"I have not talked to all my colleagues because I can't violate the Open Meetings Act, but I've talked to a few and enough to know that book is dead on arrival. There is no way in the world that book gets passed by the State Board of Education," Ratliff told the Houston Chronicle Monday, the eve of a public hearing on the book.

About 200 people who traveled to Austin for a rally before a nearly five-hour hearing Tuesday called on the SBOE to reject the textbook titled "Mexican American Heritage."

Among them was Ofelia Faz-Garza, an educator and small business owner from Dallas and one of 108 people who signed up to testify before the board.

"I can't imagine that in 2016 I have to speak out against a book that tells my daughters who call themselves Xicanitas that their Tejano and Mexican grandparents and Xicano mother and father are a burden on our society, a textbook that tells them they don't have anything to add," she said.

Critics have lambasted the book for months, calling it offensive, hateful and insulting to Mexican Americans.

Ratliff agreed.

"Just the blatant racist comments that are in this book are in and of themselves factual errors, not to mention dozens of others. The wrong name is under a picture, the wrong dates. It's really laughable that they would consider this to be an academic work," Ratliff told the Chronicle.

A team of professors organized by SBOE member Ruben Cortez Jr., a Brownsville Democrat, reported 141 errors in the book.

Emilio Zamora, a professor from the University of Texas at Austin, called some of the errors in the book "beauties." The book refers to the Rio Grande River as the border for Texas in 1821, credits Sam Houston for giving a speech he never gave, and omits six Mexican Americans who won the Congressional Medal of Honor before 1945, among other errors, he told the board.

"It is very obvious the book does not consult the vast literature of Mexican American studies," he said.

The SBOE is not expected to vote on the book until November, but several members echoed Ratliff's predication that the board would reject the textbook published by Momentum Instruction, a company headed by Cynthia Dunbar, a former SBOE member. The book is the only Mexican-American history textbook submitted to the state agency for consideration.

"It seems to me like it would cause more trouble than it would be worth," said Patricia Hardy, a Republican who represents Fort Worth. "I don't think that there would be enough votes to support it on the board at this particular time. You'd have to show me something a lot different from what I've seen thus far as far as excerpts and so-forth out of the book."

'Supremely maligned'

Sue Melton-Malone, a retired educator and Republican board member from the Robinson area near Waco, said she needs to do more research, but added, "right now, I don't think it would even be feasible to even consider letting it out."

Republicans hold 10 of the board's 15 seats. All five Democrats on the board have indicated they would not support approval of the book. Eight votes would be needed to approve or reject the textbook.

Dunbar late Tuesday said the book was not meant to perpetuate cultural stereotypes but to highlight prejudice that existed at the time to avoid "white-washing" history. A committee composed by the Texas Education Agency to review the book found only one error and said it met all the necessary education standards, she said.

"We have simply been supremely maligned" Dunbar said, calling Ratliff's suggestion the book will not be approved before it has gone through the board's evaluation "very irresponsible."

According to the TEA, its committee primarily was concerned with compliance with education standards rather than historical content.

The SBOE previously has drawn national scrutiny, and sometimes ridicule, over its heated debates about what can and should be taught in Texas' public schools, including evolution, creationism and the promotion of Moses as a major influence on the U.S. Constitution.

'Disrepect for culture'

Hundreds of people, including lawmakers, professors, activists and two buses of Houston high school and college students gathered outside the TEA building in downtown Austin Tuesday to rally against the textbook they said should be rejected both on academic and moral grounds.

"If we permit materials like the ones in this textbook that express a clear and pointed bias, a disrespect for culture and community and - in essence, plan for that culture to be pushed out of the educational pipeline, out of growth, out of self-esteem, out of competence, out of society's advantages and opportunities - we are allowing a design to push Mexicans to the bottom of society and keep us there," said Carmen Tafolla, Texas' 2015 Texas poet laureate and a professor of bicultural and bilingual studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Wants stance before election

Schools that opt to offer a Mexican-American studies course have the freedom to choose books for the class and would not be required to use the book should it be approved by the SBOE. Even if the book is rejected, the publisher could market it to schools, said David Bradley, a Republican board member from Beaumont. He has criticized efforts to reject the book, but faulted Texas lawmakers' moves to weaken the power of the board, which he said would allow poorly written books to get into schools.

Tony Diaz, a writer, activist and radio host of Nuestra Palabra Radio Program on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston, said he sees the debate as an opportunity for Texas to show the rest of the country that people can work together in a multicultural world, but said he wants to know where all board members stand before the November elections.

"Members are speaking their hearts," he said. "I'd like to hear that from all of the members and then we can decide who we are going to vote for, because eight of them are up for election. It doesn't seem fair to not know this major decision right now."
Most babies come into this world in a hospital labor and delivery unit. Others arrive at home and some make their first appearance in a vehicle on the way to the hospital. Very few are born in intensive care units (ICUs) while their mother is in a coma after a sudden cardiac arrest.

But, thats how Bethany Jade Mueller came into the world on June 4, 2016, 15 weeks early and weighing only 2 pounds, 1 ounce.

It all started with a camping trip to Bennett Spring State Park. The family of four  Mike, Michelle, 11-year-old Elizabeth and 7-year-old Melanie  traveled a couple of hours from their home in Hermann, Missouri, and set up camp. Some friends met them the next day and everyone went to bed feeling fine.

At 1:03 a.m., Mike woke to a strange sound. Michelle was gasping, he remembered. Im usually such a sound sleeper, but it woke me. I knew immediately what was happening. A paramedic, Mike was prepared to respond. He called 911, yelled for help and began CPR. A nurse was camping nearby, and the two took turns performing CPR until first responders arrived.

Bethany Mueller on her birthday, weighing just 2 pounds, 1 ounce. She is pictured with her fathers hand.

He had an AED (automated external defibrillator) and I grabbed it from him, Mike said. I shocked her once and she started breathing again.

With his wife still unconscious, Mikes thoughts were racing during the ambulance ride to Mercy Hospital Lebanon. What had happened to Michelle, who was fine just hours before? Would the baby survive? Mike says he felt better as soon as he saw a familiar face. Dr. Alywin Kluttz also works occasionally at the Mercy-affiliated hospital in Hermann. It was so great to see him. Plus, we listened to the babys heartbeat and it sounded strong.

The ER staff stabilized Michelle and transferred her to Mercy Hospital Springfield, where staff in the Cardiac ICU began mild therapeutic hypothermia to protect Michelles brain. When I first checked on her, I knew how difficult it would be to take care of both mom and baby, said Dr. Laura Luehr, Mercy OB/Gyn. Whatever decision we made for one would directly affect the other.

Soon it was apparent the baby wasnt tolerating the hypothermia therapy. When we got to that point, we all knew delivering the baby was the right decision for both of them, said Dr. Luehr.

Not wanting to move Michelle, teams from labor and delivery as well as the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) came to the cardiac ICU. Everyone moved so quickly and efficiently, said Dr. Luehr. It was really a remarkable display of teamwork in the hospital. With doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists all working together, the baby was born and immediately whisked away to the NICU for her own special care.

All the doctors and nurses were so compassionate and you could tell their hearts are in what theyre doing, Mike said. The nurses also gave me the number to the Ronald McDonald House and they had a room ready that afternoon. Its located within the hospital, so Mike was just a few steps away from both Michelle and the baby.

While everyone was caring for the physical needs of the two patients, it was the attention to everyones emotional and spiritual needs that also impressed Mike. The child life specialists met with our older girls within a couple of hours to help explain what was happening, Mike said. The priest came and gave Michelle a blessing. I also wanted to have the baby baptized right away, but we needed a name, and Michelle and I hadnt even discussed one yet. The babys two sisters took over, combining their names of Elizabeth and Melanie to come up with the name Bethany.

About a day and half later, Michelle opened her eyes. Although she struggled with short-term memory loss at first, she was recovering well. Looking back now, she says, When Mike first went to school to be a paramedic, I actually complained. Our middle daughter was a baby, he was still working construction during the day and going to school at night and we were both exhausted. Now I know how lucky I am to have a paramedic for a husband.

What caused Michelles medical emergency in the first place is still a mystery. We dont know why she went into ventricular fibrillation, said Dr. Shang-Chiun Lee, Mercy cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. When the heart goes into ventricular fibrillation, the lower chambers of the heart cant pump any blood, leading to cardiac arrest. We cant be certain it wont happen again, so weve implanted a defibrillator in Michelles chest. It can detect abnormal heart rhythms and deliver shocks if its ever needed.

Meanwhile, Bethany faced challenges that are common to a baby born prematurely. Its things like respiratory distress syndrome, dependency on a ventilator, a risk of infections and bleeding within the skill, said Dr. Melinda Slack, medical director of Mercy Kids NICU. Given Bethanys initial plight, shes doing amazingly well. Its a miracle.

As Michelle puts it, multiple friends and family members have said what weve gone through has been hell, but God sent us to the right place.

Mike agreed. Everybody recognized that I was one guy trying to do it all alone  take care of two little girls while also being with my wife and new baby. So they gave other members of our family full access to both the NICU and the Ronald McDonald House. They let the girls visit their mom in the ICU. And the NICU nurses even made me a Fathers Day card with all my girls handprints. Father Alex knows us when he sees us in the hallway, and calls our two older girls his little angels. Weve had so much support from family and friends. We have a lot to be thankful for.

His own familys experience has made Mike an even firmer believer in CPR. Learn it, and practice it, he advised. You never know when youre going to need it. And AEDs should be available in more places, especially rural areas. Theyre such an awesome tool for early intervention.

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Nebraska: Gathering signatures against the death penalty repeal

For more than a year, politicians and organizations have lobbied voters for and against the death penalty in Nebraska. Capital punishment split Nebraska's Republican governor and its conservative state senate over cost and whether it is moral.





In 2015, Nebraska's senate - the state is unicameral, meaning there is only one legislative body - voted to repeal the death penalty. Some conservative legislators argued the death penalty wastes millions of dollars while others objected to the government killing its citizens. A recent study said Nebraska pays more than $14 million annually for the death penalty.





But Gov. Pete Ricketts disagreed. He argued the death penalty gives families justice and vetoed the senate's bill. Nebraskans for the Death Penalty says the state estimates there is "minimal" to "no" cost for capital punishment. But in May 2015, the Republican legislature overrode Ricketts veto.





The battle over whether Nebraskans who commit heinous crimes should be put to death will be settled on the ballot in November.





Conservatives vs. Conservatives





Americans are used to Democratic vs. Republican political debates. But raucous contests among Republicans are rarer. While 31 states have the death penalty, 19 states and the District of Columbia do not use capital punishment.





The quirk that makes Nebraska stand out is the state's conservative politics linked to an anti-death penalty stance. Bluer states typically oppose capital punishment, while red states support death for certain crimes. Nebraska's legislature is solidly Republican. The state has gone Republican in every presidential election since 1968. But a majority of the votes to repeal Nebraska's death penalty came from Republicans.





Nebraskans for the Death Penalty and Retain a Just Nebraska, a group opposed to the death penalty, say they both have polling showing a majority of Nebraskans support their position. In October 2015, 61 % of Americans said they favored the death penalty.





A win for anti-death penalty supporters in Nebraska would show conservative voters will buy-in to an argument the death penalty is immoral and too expensive.





November Decision





The lives of 10 inmates are in the hands of voters this fall in Nebraska. Those prisoners, previously on death row, were given lifetime prison sentences when the senate overruled Gov. Ricketts.





Nebraska has not executed anyone since 1997 and there have only been 3 executions in the state's history, according to a report commissioned by death penalty opponents. The report added that only 2 % of convicted murderers were sentenced to the death penalty.





For Nebraska voters, a vote this November to "repeal" would reinstate the death penalty in Nebraska because the senate-passed law still stands. A vote to "retain" would keep Nebraska death-penalty free.





Source: mic.com, September 13, 2016





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Every day we hear from company leaders that they are in desperate need of more strategic thinkers in their organizations.The increasingly uncertain, volatile and rapidly changing world they compete in requires a more agile mindset and adaptive skillset. Many industries face disruption by unfamiliar players using new technologies. Such fallen giants as Kodak, Blockbuster, Blackberry or Borders failed to adapt in time, while new emerging giants like Uber and Airbnb are adding more victims to the heap of failed businesses.Todays high pace of change means that strategic leadership is at a premium. Only those companies that can be nimble and pivot with the market shifts will succeed. To do this, they need leaders who can think outside the box and manage in a truly strategic way. So, as a leader, what does it take to sharpen your strategic edge? Is there some sort of formula? A familiar refrain is I cant put my finger on it, but I know it when I see it. At Decision Strategies International (DSI), we have been studying the essence of strategic thinkers for years, which weve summarized in our new book Winning The Long Game: How Strategic Leaders Shape The Future (by Steven Krupp and Paul J.H. Schoemaker). Even though strategic thinkers have various strengths, weve found there are five qualities that strategic thinkers share. While someof these may come more naturally to you than others, our view is that anyone can de...
In the past, globalization tended to mean Western companies exporting their people, products and ways of doing things to other parts of the world. However, the new environment that international companies are required to operate in can more accurately be described as multipolar. These days, if you are an American firm pitching for business in Africa, you may well also have credible local competitors, as well as companies from China and India vying for the business. In order to succeed as a leader in a multipolar world, certain assumptions need to be shed and new skills developed  not only by Western leaders but also by those from countries whose companies are stepping onto the world stage for perhaps the first time. The first point is that there is no such thing as a global company. Every significant international company operating on the global stage has a culture that is distinctly rooted in its place of origin. The senior leadership teams of such organisations are often literally a pale reflection of the geographies in which they operate. Although there is a little bit more diversity with the growth of emerging markets, many individuals from such markets who make it up the hierarchy tend to be socialised into the dominant host culture. Genuine diversity, inclusiveness and a capacity to build ways of working that take the best from a range of global cultures has eluded just about every multinational. Leaders need to shed the false assumption that they are genuin...
ersity is an important issue for HR professionals all over the world but it seems some Kiwi companies are falling behind after a recent study revealed 40 per cent of New Zealand employers have no set policy in place when it comes to recruitment.Clearly we still need to have conversations around diversity  after all not only are we yet to achieve real workplace diversity but a significant number of employers either dont have a diversity policy in place for recruitment, or dont know if they have one, says Jason Walker , managing director of Hays New Zealand.Conducted by the recruitment giant, the study revealed that just 37 per cent of Kiwi companies have a diversity policy in place for hiring new staff  of those, 39 per cent said they were either unsure or absolutely certain the system wasnt adhered to.A further 23 per cent of respondents admitted they were unsure if a policy even existed at all.Despite all the talk, genuine workplace diversity wont be achieved if organisations cant even take the matter seriously enough to put a policy in place then educate hiring managers about it and its practical application, said Walker.Michael Stevens is the man behind leading diversity accreditation Rainbow Tick  he told HRM that there would be repercussions for employers that failed to tackle the issue.If I had one message for employers that arent focusing on diversity and inclusion, it is that you are making a mistake, he warned.You need to understand that the world has changed and to get the best results for your company you need to embrace the widest possible range of people and opportunities that they bring into your organisation and youll do that by paying attention to the issues of diversity and inclusion.The Hays survey was also able to twist the HR knife a little further after it was revealed our Aussie neighbours are outperforming New Zealand companies.In Australia, 52 per cent of organisations have a diversity policy in place for hiring new staff and, of these, only 32 per cent dont know if it is adhered to or admit that it is generally not adhered to.Auckland-based Stevens said the recruitment process was one of the integral ways in which HR professionals could work to create a diverse and inclusive workplace.HR professionals can improve in this area by being aware of the obstacles that might be sitting within processes and within organisations to stop people from diverse backgrounds entering those organisations, he told HRM.
Former residents and environmental campaigners to launch a lawsuit against Pentagons plans to use the Marianas islands for bombing practice

E ven here, in a region bursting with natural beauty, it is hard to imagine a more idyllic scene than Green Beach on Pagan island. Azure waters roll ashore before disappearing into the volcanic sand on a perfectly shaped horseshoe beach; on the horizon, cliffs plunge into darker open water that stretches, unhindered, more than 1,600 miles to the north-east coast of the Philippines.

But in just a few years, Pagans tranquility could be shattered by the sound of heavy artillery, ending any hopes the displaced people of this 10-mile-long speck in the western Pacific have of returning to their ancestral home, more than three decades after a volcanic eruption forced all 300 residents to flee.

The exercises will not only make human settlement impossible; campaigners say it will lead to the destruction of ancient cultural relics and threaten wildlife, including indigenous endangered animals such as fruit bats and tree snails.

Aerial view of Mount Pagan and the surrounding areas that have been designated as impact areas by the military. Photograph: Dan Lin

Faced with the near-certain destruction of their homeland  part of the US Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas  dozens of former residents have joined forces with environmental campaigners to launch a lawsuit they hope will expose the folly of the Pentagons plans to transform Pagan and Tinian, an inhabited island 200 miles to the south, into simulated theatres of war.

Skeletal remains of a Japanese Zero on Pagan, one of the many remnants of the second world war located on the island. Photograph: Dan Lin

Gus Castro lived on Pagan between the ages of one and five, when he and hundreds of other residents were forced to flee after the catastrophic volcanic eruption of 1981.

He spent much of his life growing up on Saipan before returning to Pagan in 2000 to perform work as a local guide and camp manager for US military contractors that had been sent to build volcano sensors, a communications tower and other facilities. Other former residents lived alongside him on the island intermittently, supported by supplies approved by the mayor of the Northern Islands.

When Im living on Saipan, I eat unhealthy food, I drink alcohol and I smoke, says Castro, a youthful-looking man in his early 40s who this summer joined a photographer, other former residents and campaigners on a visit to Pagan. In all the years Ive spent on Pagan, Ive never been sick once.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gus Castro, who considers Pagan to be his home, leads an expedition around the island. Photograph: Dan Lin

But as soon as Castro, who has ethnic ties to both the indigenous Chamorro people and Caroline islanders, learned of the plans to use Pagan for large-scale target practice, he cut his ties with the US defence department. He left Pagan earlier this year and is living back on Saipan.



Pete Perez and his wife Emma Perez, of the pressure group Pagan Watch, were with Castro on his most recent visit to Pagan. Part-Chamorro themselves, they believe the US navys blueprint for the island is fomenting a cultural and environmental catastrophe.

Pete and Emma Perez say military activity on Pagan will destroy its unique culture. Photograph: Dan Lin

Instead of investing in tourism and infrastructure, US taxpayers are being asked to bankroll the destruction of an entire culture, says Pete. The northern islands are one of the few options that makes the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas viable for a sustainable tourism economy.

If the military takes over, we would lose all those economic possibilities, not to mention the land that future generations of Chamorros can occupy. The proposed activity on Pagan is about destroying culture, destroying land, and creating a 9,000-plus square mile military training ground. And all the while theyre asking the American people to pay for it.

Few US citizens are aware that Pagan and Tinian  parts of which will be commandeered for drills involving artillery, mortars and inert bombs, causing major disruption to the lives of its 3,000 residents  even exist.

In fact, the Chamorro people first settled here 1,300 years ago, and archaeologists have uncovered evidence of human habitation dating back more than two millennia. The islands indigenous people faced deportation during Spanish rule in the late 1600s, and then decades of occupation by Germany and Japan

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A Japanese second world war memorial on Pagan Photograph: Dan Lin

Now the US wants to turn their island into a military wasteland, says David Henkin, an attorney at Earthjustice , which is representing environmental and local community organisations.

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Their lawsuit, filed in federal court in Saipan in July, alleges that the US navy and defence department did not fulfill a legal requirement to explain publicly the potential effects on residents and the environment, and failed to explore potential alternative sites where the military could accomplish its mission with less harm to the environment.

The lawsuits aim is to force the US navy to be honest about what it needs to do, as distinguished from what it merely wants to do, Henkin told the Guardian. The navy needs to make its reasoning known to the American public. We live in a democracy, and if the navy wants to make Pagan uninhabitable and turn Tinian into a living hell for its residents, then it has to explain why before it starts moving thousands of marines to Guam.

Were not saying that the marines shouldnt fulfill their national security mission  its the why and where that were concerned about.

Pagans location is both a blessing and a curse. On Green Beach, known by local people as I Bandera, stands a stone memorial to fallen soldiers from a Japanese garrison that was based here while imperial Japan built its east Asian empire. Tinian, a Japanese base until it was captured by the US in 1944, played a central role in the Pacific conflict as the departure point for the US B-29 superfortresses that dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

I Bandera (AKA Green Beach), on the western coast of Pagan Island. Photograph: Dan Lin

Henkin believes that forcing the Pentagon into full disclosure about its plans and their impact will take the discussion on Pagans fate into the court of public opinion. When that happens, we are confident that the US public will oppose the move, he says.

People feel deep connections to Pagan, and to deprive them of the opportunity to return to this beautiful place is wrong. The thought that this tropical paradise will be destroyed by 2,000-pound bombs in ship-to-shore bombardments is unconscionable.

If and when the US military does invade Pagan, Castro has vowed to form a resistance movement  alone if necessary. If the military starts bombing, I will be here on the island, ready to protest and defend my homeland, he says.

Pagan is the only place on earth where I truly feel connected to the land. I dont care if I have to wait here for months on my own. Ill never give up. This is my home.
r the past few years, weve seen a monumental shift from age-old cubicles to shiny new shared office spaces  but have hasty employers, keen to encourage collaboration, made a grave mistake?A recent study  Distractions and workplace angst: Are shared workspaces all they're cracked up to be?  is going against the status quo, insisting theres a dark-side to ditching tradition.While previous studies suggest shared spaces facilitate social support, communication, collaboration and cooperation, the study found that co-worker friendships are actually of the lowest quality in hot-desking and open-plan arrangements.According to the research, shared workspaces are actually more likely to harbour an excess of employee social liabilities  such as distractions, uncooperativeness, distrust and negative relationships.Interestingly, perceptions of supervisor support were also more pessimistic in shared workplaces with the studys authors suggesting open-plan employees may receive too much monitoring or only informal supervision, whereas other arrangements require dedicated supervision meetings.It could also be that, as employees become more irritated, suspicious and withdrawn in a shared workplace, their relationships with their supervisors and colleagues deteriorate, they noted.Earlier this year, Meredith Connell  one of New Zealands largest law firms  became the first of its kind to embrace an open-plan office structure. Managing partner Steve Hazard said the company has considered the move carefully and put measures in place to counteract any adverse effects.Weve invested in our technology so all staff are fully networked and mobile which suits our lawyers who are often in court or out meeting with our clients where they do business, he told HRM.While staff work in a fully open plan environment, the floor has 29 collaboration rooms, a specially designed library, and five meeting rooms that are fully networked and have high levels of acoustic treatment, he continued.Hazard said the new structure would give employees more natural light and better views as well as the ability to collaborate and share experiences. He did, however, admit the approach wouldnt work for everyone.Open plan and shared space is absolutely suitable for a firm like Meredith Connell that has a strong team culture and a sense of collaboration, he said.Someone who has been hunched over a desk for a decade just to get a corner office may not think its suitable, he added. And for that kind of culture its probably not.
HALIFAX  Conservative MPs say its imperative their new leader speak French, but how bilingual that person must be or by what time fluency is required remains a source of disagreement among caucus members.

Calgary MP Michelle Rempel told reporters Tuesday it is important that the leader be fluently bilingual and be able to understand the nuances of the language at a colloquial level. I think that somebody stepping into the race right now has to be functionally fluent, she said.

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Quebec MP Gerard Deltell, a well-regarded and influential figure regionally, said speaking French is an absolute requirement, but its also very subjective. Being able to do a debate with [Prime Minister] Justin Trudeau will happen in three years, so a person has to be able to debate in three years, he said.

Now, French cant be learned in three years, so a person still needs to have a base. Today, what we are asking for is for a candidate to be able to express themselves in French in a press conference, answer a few questions in French.

Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch spent six week this summer in Quebec trying to learn French.

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I know shes getting a lot better, Deltell said. Shes making a big effort.

Leitch acknowledged that learning the language isnt coming easily. I hope my French will improve day after day, week after week, month after month, she said, struggling to speak Molieres language.

She isnt, however, the only candidate who needs a lot of help in that department.

"My grammar may not be good, but Im not writing a book."

Calgary MP and leadership hopeful Deepak Obhrai said: Je parle le francais un peu. Translation: I speak French a bit.

But is it good enough to debate? Obhrai abandoned all pretence that he could continue the interview in French, saying in English that he plans to continue learning.

My grammar may not be good, but Im not writing a book, he said.

Many would-be candidates  Saskatchewan MP Brad Trost, Ontario MP Erin OToole and Ontario MP Lisa Raitt  are also brushing up on their skills.

Trost said, in French, that he speaks a little bit. But its dangerous for me to spend a lot of time speaking the French language, he said, in a surprisingly comfortable accent. I hope my level of French will increase over the near year.

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Its Raitt, however, a higher profile candidate who is believed to have wide appeal, who is raising a lot of eyebrows within caucus because of her lacklustre French skills.

Quebec MP Pierre Paul-Hus laughed when asked about her language abilities. I dont think her French is very strong.

"If someone is considering leadership and is working on their French, there is literally years to work on it."

But Ontario MP Dean Allison, who likes Raitt, thinks she has a lot of time to work on her French.

Because I dont speak very good French, anyone who speaks any French, to me, is good. So Im probably not the judge, he told HuffPost. If someone is considering leadership and is working on their French, there is literally years to work on it.

Raitt acknowledged Tuesday that her French has to get better for her to be the person who runs to be prime minister.

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Im going to continue to work on that, she said. My goal is to be completely fluent  [but] I cant snap my fingers and make myself bilingual tomorrow.

But Alberta MP Chris Warkentin, who supports likely candidate Saskatchewan MP Andrew Scheer, said he believes its not good enough to pledge to learn French, that a leadership candidate has to be bilingual right out of the gate.

Being an MP is a demanding job; a cabinet minister has even longer hours; and a party leader has even more work, he said. After 10 years in Ottawa and despite language training, Warkentin said, he still cant speak French.

Maybe Im a slow learner, but with the rigours of the job, there is no guarantee that there would be time available for in-depth and full immersion in French, he said. What is necessary is to be fluently bilingual.

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Other unilingual MPs, such as Albertas Blaine Calkins and Manitobas James Bezan, agreed.

"It is important that the leader of any political party can speak to each and every Canadian in their official language."

The next leader needs to have all the qualities necessary to be the prime minister of Canada and we are an officially bilingual country so, Calkins said.

It is important that the leader of any political party can speak to each and every Canadian in their official language, Bezan said.

I want to make sure that the leader that we have at the end, if they are put through a national televised debate, that they can articulate the policies of the Conservative party very clearly to every Canadian in both official languages.

Ontario MPs and leadership candidates Tony Clement and Michael Chong both seemed to fit that bill. Chongs French has greatly improved since he announced his leadership bid in the spring. Ontario MP Erin OToole, who is also contemplating a run, is seen by many in caucus as sufficiently bilingual.

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The only native French speaker in the contest so far, Quebec MP Maxime Bernier, said Conservative members would soon realize who can speak French and who cannot.

The party is planning five leadership debates. One in English, one in French and three that will be bilingual  although the format hasnt been decided.

Some [candidates] are learning French. Will they learn it fast enough to debate in French? I dont know, he said. What pleases him, he added, is that all candidates agree on the need to speak French and communicate with Quebecers. I think thats very positive.

Like every other Quebec MP, Denis Lebel, the partys deputy leader, told HuffPost the next leader absolutely has to be bilingual. The partys militants will choose what the proper level of bilingualism is, he said, but the person will be bilingual.

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You've seen the Rockies. You've driven across the Prairies. You've enjoyed the city life of Toronto and Montreal. You want something different.

You want to explore St. John's.

Whether you're a local like Krista Legge  someone hoping to see her home through fresh eyes  or a visitor just off a flight, Newfoundland's capital has plenty for you discover. You just need to know where to look.

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Fortunately for Krista, "Like A Tourist" host Dan Rodo's done most of the leg work by uncovering some of the city's hidden gems.

Check out the full episode below to see if anything floats your boat.

Where to go: Cape Spear lighthouse site

Blackhead Rd., Blackhead, N.L.

Travellers looking for a picture-perfect photo-op will want to add the Cape Spear lighthouse site to their list. The area's got plenty of photo subjects, from the aforementioned lighthouses to the incredible cliffs and icebergs that dot the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. Not one for photos? Well, you should still pay a visit. If not for the view, then for the bragging rights that you've been to the most eastern point in North America.

What to eat: Cod Sounds culinary adventures

St. John's, N.L.

Food doesn't get any fresher than this. Aficionados of cuisine will want to consider food foraging with local culinary adventure groups for a meal that's as unique as St. John's itself. Dig for mussels and clams during low tide along with an education on edible plants, and then combine the two over a warm campfire for an experience that'll satisfy any (sea)food lover.

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What To Do: Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours

135 Harbour Dr., at Pier 6, St. John's, N.L.

Remember those distant icebergs at the Cape Spear lighthouse site? Well, you can leave your telephoto lens at the hotel and hop on a boat for a closer view. Two-hour narrated tours by locals will give you a thorough view of North Atlantic waters. Keep you eyes out for the puffins and maybe you'll even spot a pod of humpback whales.

Like A Tourist Takes On St. John's

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Breakfast at TIFF-anys ! Nothing like when the iconic @tiffanyandco loan you some rocks  #DeepwaterHorizonMovie #TIFF

A photo posted by Kate Hudson (@katehudson) on Sep 13, 2016 at 9:07pm PDT
HALIFAX  Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch is hoping her proposal to screen all prospective immigrants for "anti-Canadian values" is a moneymaker.

In a second fundraising email since she announced her policy, Leitch told her supporters two-thirds of Canadians agree with her. Eighty-seven percent of Conservatives polled support this "common-sense approach," Leitch said Tuesday, citing a recent poll by Forum Research.

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Kellie Leitch speaks in the House of Commons on Oct. 21, 2013. (Photo: Sean Kilpatrick/CP)

"While the elites and most media harshly criticized even the mention of the discussion, you knew better," she wrote.

Canadians should "not shy away" from their Canadian values, she told supporters and Conservative party members. "We should be proud to talk about these values," she said. "And I want to keep these types of important conversations going.

But in order to keep talking, she said, her campaign needs more money.

"This leadership contest has nine months to go, and we need resources to make that happen."

Leitch asked for a tax-receiptable donation or help with making phone calls, selling memberships or campaigning on social media.

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"Together we will stand up to those who don't want to discuss Canadian values and whose politically correct elitism remains tone deaf to the views of most Canadians."

"Together we will stand up to those who don't want to discuss Canadian values and whose politically correct elitism remains tone deaf to the views of most Canadians," she wrote. "With your support, we'll bring the voice of hardworking Canadians back to Parliament Hill."

Conservative Senator Nancy Ruth told The Huffington Post Canada that Canadian values are ever-moving.

"Nothing is ever stable in Canada, new generations, people from different countries bring different values all the time, it is one of the most wonderful gifts Canada has and to try to define it is ridiculous," she said.

What's more, the senator added, Leitch, as a former cabinet minister charged with the status of women portfolio, should be more concerned about poverty, day care and policies that impact women rather than this values business. "What on earth is she talking about, does she even know what Canadian values are?"

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Ruth suggested Leitch is being tactical and that her polling data is likely very clear. "There are probably those who would like that, you know it's 'not in my backyard' stuff, 'I only want people like me.' Well, that's not the way the world is, and it's ungenerous of Canada, it's bad for the economy, it's great that there has been a protest within the party about it. I think it's fabulous."

Kellie Leitch arrives at the Conservative summer caucus retreat in Halifax on Sept. 13, 2016. (Photo: Andrew Vaughan/CP)

As she headed into the party's caucus meetings in Halifax Wednesday morning, Leitch told reporters that while others have their opinions, she plans to keep talking about a "unified Canadian identity" and looks forward to the debates.

"I'm running for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada and I will be the leader in May of 2017," she told reporters looking straight into the television cameras as she marched into the meeting room.

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But after lunch, Leitch doubled down even further.

Yes, a number of people in her party and even some of her colleagues disagree with her, she said, but the leadership contest is the perfect time to speak about Canadian values.

'Shirtless-selfie-induced delirium of the Liberals'

"I recognize others don't want to have that conversation and that's fine but I will be having that conversation with Canadians."

Many of her caucus mates were likely to talk about tax cuts and which candidate had the biggest or most interesting one, but only talking about "money and wealth," she said, is what would really distance the party from Canadians.

"For the first time, literally, for the first time in decades  I almost hesitate to say it, but it really is, the shirtless-selfie-induced delirium of the Liberals, for the first time in decades, the Liberals have ceded the ground on who defends Canadian values," Leitch said.

Perhaps, realizing she had messed up her sound bite, Leitch repeated her "shirtless selfie delirium" comment twice more to make her point. The Liberals couldn't be trusted to defend Canadian values, she suggested. Only the Conservatives would be the ones to "go out and protect Canadian values," she said.

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Ambrose says it's up to members to judge

"For me, I'm a proud Canadian, I'm going to go out and talk to Canadians exactly about this issue they care about." There is no better time to do that, she added, than in the lead up to Canada's 150th birthday next year.

Interim party leader Rona Ambrose told reporters she would let the candidates debate and stay out of the race.

"Look leadership politics, all parties go through this, it is exciting, it is interesting to watch, there are a lot of candidates  there are still more candidates to come  but at the end of the day, there will be ideas discussed, and the membership will be the ones to judge," she said, throwing her hands in the air.

Leitch's proposal is already creating deep divisions.

Conservative leadership candidate Michael Chong suggested Tuesday that if Leitch were elected leader, the Tories would suffer the same fate as the Parti Quebecois. That party lost nearly a quarter of its support after it introduced a controversial "values charter" that was viewed by many as being anti-immigrant or anti-Muslim.

"It's perfectly fine and reasonable to have debates on immigration or security screening, but we need to select words and a context that is positive about immigration because, if not, we are playing a game that is dangerous game," Chong, an Ontario MP, said.

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Conservative MP Michael Chong speaks at a news conference in Ottawa on May 16, 2016. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/CP)

Conservative leadership candidate and Alberta MP Deepak Obhrai said he disagreed strongly with Leitch and his "big concern" is that by talking that way the Tories were "sending an anti-immigrant message  which we do not want to do." Immigration built Canada, he said, and the bigger threat to Canadians' security comes from homegrown terrorism, not from newcomers.

Ontario MP and leadership contender Tony Clement, however, seemed to side with Leitch. He told reporters he spoke with her and told her it was "good for you for raising these issues.

"I don't think there is anything wrong with that," he said.

A day earlier, Ambrose had appealed for party unity. Conservatives have "no intentions" of going back to the days of political discord, she had told her caucus.

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But with a leadership race nine months long that may prove to be difficult.

Conservatives pick a new leader on May 27, 2017.

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To Kate Hudson, Kurt Russell is "Pa." And she couldn't be more excited about having worked with him on their new movie, "Deepwater Horizon."

Russell has been with Hudson's mom, Goldie Hawn, for more than 30 years and she considers him her dad.

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#tbt OG Squad  A photo posted by Kate Hudson (@katehudson) on Aug 11, 2016 at 4:59pm PDT





Hudson and her brother, Oliver, were disowned by their biological father, Bill, last year. However, the brother and sister haven't been lacking in the dad department. Russell took that role in spades.

In an interview with ET about working with Russell, the actress said: "Growing up watching him work, he's such a pro and I think it was a great lesson for me when I was younger as to what kind of actress I wanted to be and the person on set I wanted to be. I just love everything he's done."

The love between Russell and Hudson is obvious.

Special time sharing this film with my Pa  #DeepwaterHorizon #TIFF A photo posted by Kate Hudson (@katehudson) on Sep 13, 2016 at 1:25pm PDT

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Russell and Hawn have definitely set the standard for blended families.

Oliver Hudson, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson and Wyatt Russell arrive at the Annual Goldie's Love In For Kids on May 6, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California.

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Paul Walker was the heart and soul of the "Fast and Furious" franchise, so when he passed away in 2013 many wondered how or why the series would continue on without him.

On Tuesday, his former co-star and franchise veteran Michelle Rodriguez set the record straight. "We got to keep it street for the world  it's a global affair now," Rodriguez told People magazine while promoting her new film "Re(Assignment)" at the 2016 Toronto Film Festival.

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The 38-year-old actress admitted Walker was the cast member who truly loved the genre and the fast car lifestyle, so his loss left a hole in the series and required everyone else to find a new reason to carry on.

Paul Walker and Vin Diesel attend the world premiere of 'Fast And Furious 6' at The Empire Leicester Square on May 7, 2013 in London, England.

"We're living in a world now where there aren't any franchises  outside of you know hero movies you know and sci-fi  that actually address the lack of multiculturalism at that scale," Rodriguez said of the now 15-year-old franchise.

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"You don't see a hundred and fifty million dollar budgeted film with a Latin person, a black person, a  you know  Asian person and if you know we're not just willing to do it for ourselves and we're not just willing to do it for the money then we need another reason and that's our reason."

Following the release of "Furious 7" in 2015, the "Fast and Furious" franchise was propelled into the top 15 most successful North American movie franchises list.

The next installment of the series, "Fast 8," is scheduled to be released on April 14, 2017.

Walker died when a Porsche he was riding in crashed on Nov. 30, 2013. He was 40 years old.

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PhotoAlto/Gabriel Sanchez via Getty Images Hand holding credit card

As rewards cards have become increasingly popular, it's not surprising that many rewards credit cards are named the best credit cards in Canada. Because of the number of credit cards there are in the market, it's very difficult to determine which one is right for you.

There's often a debate between choosing either a travel rewards credit card or a cash back credit card. There isn't a right answer. The best credit card is different for everyone because each person will have different needs, financial habits, and credit histories. Let's take a closer look at the two types of credit cards and see which one best complements your life.

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TRAVEL POINTS

If you're a frequent traveler with excellent credit and a high personal/household income, a travel rewards card is a great choice.

Here are some of the pros of a travel rewards credit card:

Welcome bonuses--Most premium travel rewards cards come with excellent welcome bonuses. You should expect to receive a welcome bonus valued at between $200 and $400. Often, you'll be able to score enough points for a free flight with the bonus.

Travel perks--Travel credit cards offer great perks ranging from extensive travel insurance to flight discounts to VIP airport lounge access to free hotel upgrades. So if these perks are important to you, a travel card is perfect because you'll receive all of these travel perks for free with your credit card.

But there are some drawbacks to consider:

High annual fees--The best and worthwhile travel rewards credit cards tend to have high annual fees ranging from $100 to $150. Most times the introductory offer will pay for the annual fee for the first year. But for the subsequent years of card membership, if you don't use your credit card enough, holding that credit card might cost you.

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Complicated travel programs--With certain travel programs like Aeroplan and Air Miles, using your points can be complicated. You have to deal with blackout dates, limited flight dates, taxes and fees, and expiring points. If you're looking for more flexible options, you should avoid programs like Aeroplan and Air Miles. However, there are many great travel credit cards out there like the BMO World Elite MasterCard, which offers great flexibility and make traveling with points simple and easy.

If you relate to Suzy Jetsetter, then we recommend the BMO World Elite MasterCard. With this card, you can jet-set all over world with a $300 signup bonus, travel perks like VIP airport lounge access and extensive travel insurance!

CASH BACK

If you want a simple and straightforward program, a cash-back credit card is best suited for you. Cash back credit cards are good for these reasons:

Simple, straightforward, and flexible--Cash-back credit cards are simple and easy to understand: You spend money and you receive a percentage of that money back. You can receive cash back in the form of a statement credit or deposited into a savings account. It's that easy. You don't have to worry about redeeming expiring points, blackout dates or limited flight options.

Great no-fee options--Unlike travel rewards credit cards, some of the best cash-back credit cards have no annual fee. Therefore, you don't have to worry about spending enough on your credit card to make it worth holding.

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But there are also drawbacks to consider:

Milestone redemptions--For some cash-back credit cards, you need to reach a milestone before you can receive your cash back. For example, when you reach 20,000 points you'll receive $20 cash back.

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In the year 2000, the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria seemed impossible to win. These preventable diseases were killing more than four million people a year. AIDS alone was killing more people than were wars and famine put together. But then things changed. Governments, NGOs and communities fought back and 16 years later, the results are worth celebrating.

According to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 45 per cent, malaria death rates are down by 60 per cent and tuberculosis mortality has diminished by 47 per cent. These are exciting achievements, but not nearly as exciting as the possibility of ending those diseases for good.

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Layla Mohamed fled conflict in Somalia's capital and now lives in a camp for internally displaced people, where she and World Vision are working to save her baby girl's life. Photo/World Vision

Today, we are facing the final frontier in the battle against these epidemics. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hosts the Global Fund Replenishment Conference in Montreal this weekend, gathering the likes of Ban Ki-moon and Bono, decision-makers will come together to pledge funds to put a permanent stop to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. And Canada is faced with the exciting possibility of being at the forefront of ending these illnesses within a generation.

It's easy to get swept up in the fanfare of celebrities and politicians coming together to make a difference, but the final hurdle to end these diseases isn't an easy one. More than half of child deaths happen in fragile or conflicted areas. Places like Afghanistan, Somalia and South Sudan are home to 60 per cent of the world's maternal deaths and 70 per cent of newborn deaths, yet Canada only dedicates 25 per cent of its official development budget to these places.

Taking on the toughest places

To "End It For Good," as the Global Fund's campaign puts it, Canada's development budget has to be more focused on fragile areas, otherwise they will remain a ground zero for mothers and children to be left behind.

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One of these forgotten mothers could have been Ilhan Abdirahman Abdilahi, who is receiving TB treatment at a World Vison-funded TB hospital in Somalia. Ten years ago no such hospital existed and if Ilhan needed certain types of TB treatment she would have to travel to Kenya. Twenty years of conflict in Somalia has left the health system broken and inaccessible to most of the population.

With instability comes insecurity, which makes it almost impossible for people to access health care in these countries.

"As a result, Somalia has the biggest burdens of drug-resistant TB in Africa and the fourth largest in the world," says Walter Mukhwana, World Vision's Deputy Chief of Party for the Global Fund's TB program. "Mass displacement in Somalia means that people live in overcrowded conditions which promotes the spread of TB, and when TB goes untreated it can result in drug resistance or untreatable strains of the bacteria."

If you consider that when Ilhan tested for TB she was seven times more likely to be infected with drug-resistant TB than a mother in neighbouring Kenya, you realize the dice are loaded against people in fragile contexts. Even when women like Ilhan are provided with TB medication, they are 20 times more likely to have their treatment interrupted in Somalia than in Kenya.

"Violence is erratic and it deters many residents from travelling to health facilities for care, which means they will miss their treatment," says World Vision's Mukhwana. "When people stop their treatment they end up developing resistance to their disease and that means the general drugs won't work."

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Finding unique solutions

With instability comes insecurity, which makes it almost impossible for people to access health care in these countries. Interventions that might work in Kenya, may not work in Somalia, which is why World Vision and the Global Fund have taken a specialized approach to this country.

Their decade-long partnership is flexible and accountable to each other and has been fundamental in strengthening Somalia's health system. Over ten years, World Vision placed significant emphasis on re-establishing the relationships between healthcare providers and local community members so they can be champions of health and build resistance to these diseases in their communities.

World Vision conducts health screenings in Magacley Village, Somalia, which is one of 10 extremely remote villages that would not usually have access to healthcare. Photo/World Vision

The results speak for themselves: Over 127,000 patients have been treated with an 88 per cent success rate. And while TB clinics have become more accessible, the strong relationship between communities and healthcare providers has even contributed to peaceful relations in communities that were once divided.

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We are closing in on the battle against AIDS, TB and malaria, but actually winning means focusing on those who are most vulnerable and fragile places, like Somalia. This is why World Vision is asking that Canada increase the percentage of its development budget allocated to these areas from 25 per cent to 35 per cent, enabling our country to be a humanitarian leader.

The next five years are crucial, they will determine whether we will pass these epidemics on to generations to come, or whether we'll be the generation that seizes the opportunity to end them for good. That opportunity begins with Canada today.

As Government of Canada plans for the 2017 budget, join World Vision in calling for an increase in aid to the world's most fragile places.

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Gary Johnson, 2016 Libertarian presidential nominee, listens to questions from audience members during a campaign event at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. Johnson said he was 'incredibly frustrated' with himself after failing to recognize the name of the Syrian city of Aleppo in a TV interview last week. (Photo: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"What is Aleppo?" said Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson when asked about the Syrian city's refugee crisis by Mike Barnicle on the MSNBC show Morning Joe.

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If there was ever any doubt about Mr. Johnson's suitability for the office of the president of the United States, that response sealed the deal. If a candidate is that unaware of one of the most basic foreign policy issues of the day, he shouldn't be running for dog catcher, much less president.

The biggest surprise is that so many were shocked to find that Gary Johnson was clued out on the issue of Syria. After all, he's not some third-party crackpot candidate; this man was a two-term governor of New Mexico.

Whether he realizes it or not, Johnson's regular pot ingestion is probably hampering not only his memory but also his learning ability.

But why should any of us have been surprised by this turn of events? Johnson is not only a marijuana retailer, he's also an avid recreational user of the drug.

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Thus, it's not surprising that Johnson didn't know what Aleppo is, particularly if he had recently ingested Cheeba Chews, a marijuana-infused taffy that is his favourite means of getting high. Frankly, it's impressive that he even made it to the interview and remained fairly coherent throughout.

Then again, his post-interview performance did little to firm up his position. After his gaffe, Johnson said: "I'm incredibly frustrated with myself; I have to get smarter and that's just part of the process."

Another part of the process is to get off the weed. Whether he realizes it or not, Johnson's regular pot ingestion is probably hampering not only his memory but also his learning ability.

That's not to say that Gary Johnson is totally out to lunch respecting this matter. In fact, he recently took the marijuana "high" road and said that if he did become president, he would give up dope .

Luckily for him, thanks to his recent performance, Johnson will not have to honour that promise as his chances of winning the presidency are now about the same as a stoner's chance of remembering his home phone number.

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Personally, I have mixed feelings about this most recent campaign development. Although I take issue with a number of Gary Johnson's positions, it was fun speculating as to how the White House would operate if, in fact, Mr. Johnson did not give up weed while in office, assuming it was at least decriminalized federally.

Imagine what a typical cabinet meeting would look like in a Johnson administration. In all likelihood, the meeting table would feature a hookah, a bong and some rolling papers and would be laden with all manner of munchies including potato chips, M&M's and Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

No doubt issues would have to be raised more than once and many would likely end up being tabled, perhaps several times. Who knows? Such repeated deliberation might actually result in more carefully considered decisions, assuming, of course, that the process ultimately led to actual decisions at all.

The downside of having a Stoner in Chief is when an urgent matter of national security arises such as, for example, a nuclear missile launched at Washington or New York. The last thing you want a leader asking at that point is "What's a nuclear missile?"

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ASSOCIATED PRESS The Google logo is seen at the company's headquarters Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Mountain View, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

If you're like most people, you'd have to use Google to understand terms like 'Dutch sandwich' or 'double Irish'.

They're not items at a hipster pub, but rather complex tax avoidance schemes employed by Google to avoid paying billions in taxes around the world.

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After Apple was ordered recently to pay Ireland 13 billion euros unpaid taxes, the public is beginning to understand the full extent of tax avoidance strategies used by these digital giants.

What happens, essentially, is that Google sets up a subsidiary in a place like Ireland, which has a very low tax rate already. But Google isn't interested in paying even that.

Then, they route all their profits from other countries to this subsidiary. Even though they have offices across Europe, for instance, those offices don't handle the money.

Most of the money leaves the country of origin, and ends up in Ireland. So does Ireland at least get those taxes? Don't count on it.

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Through a complicated bit of shuffling, the money is shifted to places through the Netherlands before returning to Ireland, and then generally ending up in offshore accounts in the Caribbean, impervious to other tax authorities. Google's tax haven of choice has been Bermuda, which features a 0% corporate income tax.

Hence the 'Double Irish' and 'Dutch Sandwich'.

In the past, Google's actual overseas tax rate has been as low as 2.4% -- across many countries where normal tax rates would be over 20%. Even Ireland charges a measly 12.5%.

Google has maintained that these arrangements are entirely legal.

Many countries have disagreed.

A quick Google search of "Google tax raid" shows that tax authorities have all raided Google's offices in Spain, Italy, and France - all in this year. Governments allege Google hid at least 1.9 billion euros in taxes.

In France alone, Google earned 1.7 billion euros in one year, but claimed to earn only 225 million euros -- and only paid 5 million euros in tax.

After a six-year investigation, even the UK determined that Google wasn't paying its fair share of taxes - effectively 3%, according to politicians there.

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Widespread public anger led to Google agreeing to pay 130 million pounds there. But many in the public said even that was too little.

In Australia, Google came to be investigated by the Australian Tax Office and a senate inquiry, which revealed they similarly hid nearly all of their profits from the government.

Why does this matter in Canada?

Right now, we simply don't know where the money goes that Canadians and businesses pay to Google. Google's annual reports don't break out their profits from their operations in Canada.

Is Canada collecting any tax from this digital behemoth?

Sales taxes aren't being charged on sales of online ads, as they are in places like the European Union and Australia.

Most likely, Google is also able to avoid paying corporate tax on much of the profit it accrues in Canada.

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But this doesn't just impact what governments can spend on services and infrastructure - even though those are hugely important.

It used to be that most advertising money went to things like newspapers, TV, and radio. Canadian journalists, musicians and actors and many other workers in the cultural industries depend on this advertising revenue for their jobs. Now, more than a third of all ad spending goes to online advertising which is dominated by multinational giants like Google and Facebook, which between them, capture 65% of all online advertising.

And the Canadian government has exempted them from having to pay any taxes or abide by Canadian content requirements on the dubious grounds that because they have no physical presence in Canada, even if it sells goods and services in the country, it is deemed not to be "carrying on business" for the purposes of tax collection.

The result is less revenue that governments need to provide public services such as health and education, job losses in Canadian newspapers and cultural industries and an undermining of Canadian culture.

What we need is a government that's not afraid to stand up to these digital multinationals, as the European Union has done with Apple.

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We need to see this government demand that these digital multinationals pay their fair share.

We've launched a Level the Playing Field campaign, and we hope you'll join us in standing up for tax justice.
By Loyce Maturu

Try for a moment to put yourself in the shoes of an adolescent. Adolescents aren't children and they aren't adults, either. It is a time of deep emotional and physical upheavals. Relationships are often the centre of your changing world. So imagine if you can how it must feel to be an adolescent living with HIV. I was one of them and I count myself lucky to be here to tell my story.

In May, I met Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to talk about how I was able to overcome the challenges of living with HIV and tuberculosis, and on September 16 to 17 I will be in Montreal to ask world leaders and decision-makers to come together and embrace young people living the diseases.

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In 2004, I started to get sick and was coughing a lot so I had to stop going to school. My mother and younger brother had died of a combination of AIDS and TB when I was 10, so my aunt took me to the clinic and got me tested. I found out that I was HIV positive and that I also had tuberculosis.

I cried and I really felt depressed. At that time, I was an adolescent, and I was trying to accept the fact that I was going to have HIV for the rest of my life, with all the stigma that surrounded the disease then in my native Zimbabwe.

When you have HIV or TB you need love, support and care.

I suffered emotional and physical abuse from one of my relatives. I thought it was the end of me, so I tried to kill myself. But I survived after I was taken to hospital by Africaid Zvandiri, a community-based support group that focuses on prevention, treatment, care and support for children, adolescents and young people with HIV. I received TB treatment thanks to the support of the Global Fund to Zimbabwe.

Africaid Zvandiri, the organization I am working with, gave me massive counselling so I started feeling better. I promised myself that I was going to live in this world to share my story growing up with HIV and help my peers build their confidence and fight stigma so they can realize their dreams and hopes of the future.

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I broke my silence to explain the challenges of young people living with HIV and TB. Being HIV positive and having to take tuberculosis medications is really a double burden, especially when you are young. But it's beyond being given treatment. When you have HIV or TB you need love, support and care.

I was very little when I lost my father due to a car accident so I don't remember the love of my father. Just being loved is enough to empower somebody. We have made a lot of progress but there is lots that can be done to help young people with HIV.

Today there are about 380,000 new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women a year. That means more than 7,000 young women and girls are getting infected with HIV every week.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, where I come from, young women and girls have much higher rates of HIV infection. If we want to lower the incidence of HIV among girls we need to apply measures to protect girls. We need to empower young girls so they make the right decisions when it comes to sexual and reproductive issues.

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The Global Fund has taken a really good stance in making sure that adolescents are a priority. Before, we were piled with the adults, but now there is a straightforward focus on adolescents and young people and, in particular, adolescent girls and young women, which is a really good thing.

We now have an opportunity to achieve something beautiful: the dream of ending these epidemics. The Global Fund is holding a replenishment in Montreal on September 16 to 17 to set funding for the next three years. To be hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the meeting will seek to raise US$13 billion for the Global Fund. In addition to saving millions of lives and averting hundreds of millions of new infections, that investment will lay the groundwork for potential economic gains of up to US$290 billion in the years ahead.

I am one of the millions who is alive today because of the Global Fund, and each one of us has a similar story. Like my friend Maximina Jokonya, who was also born with HIV and today is also a mentor to other girls. Maximina and I will be in Montreal to tell policymakers something on behalf of our peers: Please trust and believe in adolescents, not only as beneficiaries, but as agents of change so that we can end the epidemics.

Being HIV-positive doesn't mean that it's the end of the world. HIV is in the blood, and not in the brain to make you stop thinking. It is not in your heart to make you stop loving, either. You can do anything because HIV doesn't affect your brain nor your heart. You can go to school. You can be confident. You can laugh. You can fall in love. You can start a family. So it would be wise to listen to us. That's the most amazing thing I tell my peers.

Loyce Maturu is a Zimbabwean HIV and TB survivor and a Global Fund Advocates Network Speaker. You can follow Loyce on Twitter @MaturuLoyce

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This blog is part of the blog series: AIDS, TB and Malaria: It's High Time for Us to End It. For Good by the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD) in recognition of The Global Fund's Fifth Replenishment. The blog series runs from August 29 to October 3, 2016 and features a selection of blogs written by our member and partner organizations. Contributors share their broad range of perspectives and insight on the work of The Global Fund and the opportunity that this moment presents us one year following the inauguration of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog series are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of ICAD.

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Andy Sacks via Getty Images Before they are welded to assemble a mini-van body, workers inspect sheet metal components for flaws and distortions of shape.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, if ratified, would have a massive impact on many parts of Canadian society, from auto manufacturing, to farming, to the price of medications, to our digital rights, and many other areas.

That's why, ever since the deal was dumped on Canadians almost a year ago by the Harper government in the dying days of its mandate, Unifor and other unions and progressive groups have been demanding a full and independent review of the deal and its impact on Canadians.

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A full review would enable Canadians to weigh the merits and risks of the TPP, adding critical analysis to cross-country consultations. From there, elected representatives could make an informed decision on whether to ratify the TPP. Shortly after being elected, the Trudeau government promised such a review.

Instead, what has transpired so far falls short. Released last Friday by the Office of the Chief Economist, the report is too short and too shallow to be of any real use. To take such a massive and comprehensive trade deal, such as the TPP, and reduce it to a few pages on a website serves little purpose.

Where the study does look, there is little to like about the TPP.

With the expected huge impact the TPP will have on the future of the auto sector -- currently the focus of Unifor's contract talks with the Detroit Three -- as well as on Canada's health, environmental, social and industry policy the release of a report with so little information is particularly disheartening.

Too much is left out. There is no look at intellectual property rights and what the deal means for drug prices or the potential for setting up a much-needed Pharmacare program in this country. The impact on supply management, and what that means for dairy farmers, processors and the milk we drink is only partially addressed.

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There is no look at the high-tech sector, often touted as the future for our economy, or the impact of patent laws on that industry.

Most worrisome, the review doesn't look at the TPP's onerous Investor State Dispute Settlement system, which would allow corporations to sue government if its policies affect profits. That raises frightening questions about the implications for environmental, safety and health laws (to mention a few) that future governments might want to implement.

Where the study does look, there is little to like about the TPP.

Friday's report predicts anemic GDP growth of 0.127 per cent by the year 2040 due to the TPP. As small as that is, it's more than others have predicted. The pro free trade C.D. Howe Institute, for instance, predicted 0.02 per cent by 2018, while the World Bank predicted 0.08 per cent by 2035.

On auto, the review says there will be some drop in both production and investment dollars, but tries to minimize the impact by saying any increase in imports from Japan would be largely offset by a decline in imports from NAFTA countries as NAFTA preferences decline.

This is hardly a win for Canada. And it seems overly optimistic and not at all consistent with the analysis of others.

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The risks from the TPP are simply too high to justify the paltry gains that even an overly optimistic review can offer.

A study by John Holmes and Jeffrey Carey of Queen's University in July, for example, found that the TPP would put the Canadian automotive industry at risk, undermining the competitiveness of assembly and small and medium-sized auto parts plants.

For good reason, the auto parts manufacturers in this country worry that the TPP will hit their industry hard, thanks to lax rules of origin regulations and rapidly disappearing tariffs with Japan (much faster than for the U.S.).

Perhaps most concerning is that the study fails to address the question of how the TPP will affect Canadian jobs. That's because the study uses an economic modeling approach that has come under severe criticism for its unrealistic underlying assumptions -- which tend to boost the perceived GDP gains of any trade deal.

How unrealistic is the model? It assumes job losses, exchange rate fluctuations and technological advancements won't happen. In other words, the study doesn't seek to determine how TPP will affect jobs in Canada, because it assumes no one can be laid off.

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It is unsettling that any proper analysis of the TPP would choose to ignore the fundamental question of jobs.

The risks from the TPP are simply too high to justify the paltry gains that even an overly optimistic review can offer. This review should be treated as just one contribution to Ottawa's TPP consultations, continuing to the end of October.

It is one among tens of thousands of other informed opinions on this deal. Our elected representatives need to give each of them careful consideration. The stakes are too high to do otherwise.

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Bloomberg via Getty Images Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, speaks during an event hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, China, on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016. Trudeau said he doesn't believe human rights issues need to be traded off against economic interests. Photographer: Justin Chin/Bloomberg via Getty Images

City politicians, never shy about demanding more money from beleaguered taxpayers, are now trying to get a cut of future cannabis taxes.

In last year's Liberal election platform, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to legalize marijuana, touting a "new system of strict marijuana sales and distribution, with appropriate federal and provincial excise taxes applied."

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By leaving out the possibility of city taxes, Trudeau raised the hackles of spend-crazy mayors across the nation. Now the mayors are pushing back -- they want a piece of the green.

Later this month, at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) meeting in Victoria, city politicians will debate resolutions from the Duncan, Nelson and Prince George city councils calling on the federal and provincial governments to send a portion of marijuana taxes to local governments.

The motion will likely pass, as cities are always asking senior levels of government for more money. But Trudeau and the premiers should hold firm -- don't give cities any control over, or revenue from, cannabis legalization.

Cities don't get a cut of alcohol or cigarette taxes, so why should marijuana be treated differently? Besides, if the pro-legalization activists are correct, cities will come out ahead by cutting policing costs in their communities.

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Nelson's own motion notes that enforcement costs will be "significantly reduced," which means property taxpayers across the province should see savings in their local police contracts. This has been a cornerstone of the marijuana legalization argument for years: we spend too much money policing minor pot offences. Dump those efforts, save some bucks.

Or, as Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has said, "Widespread access to marijuana for our youth, grow-ops that provide funds for organized crime, and significant costs to taxpayers for enforcement are all compelling reasons to re-examine our failed approach to prohibition."

"Legalizing marijuana is perhaps the greatest tax policy experiment in Canada in the past 50 years. The end results are not entirely predictable. But it's not hard to predict that cities will keep looking for more tax dollars in every way they can."

In a 2012 letter to senior governments, Robertson, along with seven other BC mayors, including Burnaby's Derek Corrigan and North Vancouver City's Darrell Mussatto, plainly stated that marijuana should be legalized because "increasing law enforcement costs also significantly impact municipal budgets ... our public finances will benefit from an evidence-based, public health approach to marijuana."

The flip side must also be true. By legalizing marijuana, those law enforcement costs will decrease, and "significantly impact municipal budgets" in a positive way. Unless the mayors have been fibbing about the reasons why police costs keep going up.

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Of course, this enforcement will only be reduced if government at all levels resist the temptation to tax marijuana at too high a rate. Tax pot like cigarettes, and the entrenched black market will never disappear -- the difference in price will simply be too large for consumers to ignore. The high taxes on tobacco in Ontario have helped keep a contraband market afloat there -- costing Ontario taxpayers up to $1.1 billion per year in lost tax revenue.

This is another strike against giving cities a share of the revenue. The more governments with their hands in the marijuana tax till, the higher the tax rate will be. The higher those taxes, the more likely the black market continues.

If anything, the Trudeau government should lay down the law on cities, making it clear it won't stand for tricky local taxes, ridiculously expensive business licence schemes, or onerous red tape on cannabis businesses. Those added costs will only keep organized crime alive.

Legalizing marijuana is perhaps the greatest tax policy experiment in Canada in the past 50 years. The end results are not entirely predictable. But it's not hard to predict that cities will keep looking for more tax dollars in every way they can. Trudeau should just say no to their demands.
...I could swear I commented on this story on another thread about it yesterday.oh, well - it's as monumentally importantly as Hillary's near brush with death - I'm sure this one requires as many threads to cover it
It's not easy to raise a Jewish kid when he's half and you're only Jewish, especially when you live in downtown Toronto, far from the Hebrew-heavy neighbourhoods up north.

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Of course, it wasn't much easier to raise me despite the fact that my parents, and their parents, and their parents, probably all the way back to Moses, have been Jewish. But there weren't many others where I grew up in White Rock, B.C. In fact, there were so few that we celebrated Christmas so my sister and I wouldn't feel left out and my drama teacher dad even played Santa down at the local community centre. He told me he worked for the big guy.

And one of my strongest childhood memories is six-year-old me standing in the hall outside my grade one class each morning while everyone else recited the Lord's Prayer and Mrs. Yardley read a few Bible chapters. (I must have been listening through the door as I still know all the words.)

The challenge of maintaining a minority culture within Canada -- not allowing it to disappear -- is something this fourth-gen Canadian still feels, especially as I try and pass it on to my fifth-gen son.

I didn't know what being Jewish really was at the time, I just knew it made me different and kids don't like feeling different. So I largely kept it to myself.

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That's the weird part of being Jewish. It's like being an invisible minority. Some people hate your people so much that there's a specific terminology but you still have the "privilege" of being able to pass as plain white if you don't bring it up -- which also makes it too easy to abandon your heritage altogether.

Now, this blog is part of HuffPost Canada's ongoing Born and Raised series, though it's a bit of a departure as I'm not a second-gen Canadian. But the challenge of maintaining a minority culture within Canada -- not allowing it to disappear -- is something this fourth-gen Canadian still feels, especially as I try and pass it on to my fifth-gen son.

Three of my four grandparents were born in Canada -- with my zaida, the one my son is named after, arriving via steamship from Paris as a toddler, hence the French name.

They all came to Canada because they were fleeing Russian and Ukrainian pogroms that were burning down Jewish villages, or shtetls. This, it turns out, was fortuitous because it got them out of the way of the Nazis some decades later.

But they weren't Russian, Ukrainian or French. They were Jewish. Maintaining that culture in Montreal was easy for these immigrants because there was a large Jewish community there. Plus, failure to assimilate has been so ingrained that it's the primary reason why post-Diaspora Jews have faced so much animosity over the centuries, and still do.

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The last two times I blogged about my cultural background -- "Never Again: A Jewish Take On Anti-Syrian Refugee Sentiment" and "A Jewish Response To Trump Being Called Hitler" -- I wound up with neo-Nazis all up in my Twitter mentions.

The dude whose Twitter avatar was literally a cat with a Hitler mustache -- can't remember if he was the one who said I had a punchable face and threatened to stomp me, I did a lot of blocking that day -- got me curious enough to dig around.

What I found was a shocking number of anonymous anti-Semites and an early intro to the basket of deplorables now being exposed in articles like this one: Alt-Right Leaders: We Aren't Racist, We Just Hate Jews.

But while anti-Semitism may be currently enflamed thanks to Trump, and has obviously been worse, it's never gone away. It's also hatred not based on religion but on ethnicity. The Nuremberg Laws defined us as a person with two or three Jewish grandparents. Belief systems have never had anything to do with it.

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The understandable confusion comes from the fact that while, say, Irish Catholics and Arab Muslims use different names for ethnicity and religion, Jews use the same one for both.

This is why I'm Jewish despite not believing in God.

It is also why my seven-year-old son Emile is Jewish, even though technically he's not because I married a lapsed Catholic and old-timey Jewish law passes the bloodline matrilineally because they, too, viewed Jewishness as inherently genetic.

Our pixel-art Menorah.

I've occasionally faced overt anti-Semitism myself, though the Toronto Police hate crimes report reveals how big of a problem it still is, and why it's so important to not let our Jewishness fade away.

The three most targeted groups since 2006 have been the Jewish community, the Black community and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community. In 2015, the Jewish community, followed by the LGBTQ community and the Muslim community were the most victimized groups.

But when I was a kid I'd often hear incidental slurs, like when people said they got "Jewed out of money" or someone "Jewed them down" when they were bargaining. These weren't aimed at me because people didn't know I was Jewish, so I usually stayed quiet.

I never denied my ethnicity -- though we never went to temple, I did have a bar mitzvah, albeit it was down at Crescent Beach with a borrowed Torah -- but I never did much to maintain it. My parents halfheartedly put me in a Sunday Hebrew school, but my sister and I dropped out after a couple weeks because, well, everyone was speaking Hebrew.

Me visiting Tel Meggido.

As I grew older my ethnicity became more important as a part of who I am. When I was 20, I went to Israel, though I slept on a kitten-filled rooftop in the Arab Quarter when I was in Jerusalem. But I also travelled to Jericho, where my namesake made the walls come a-tumbling down, and Galilee, and even had a picnic at Armageddon. (The latter is a real place, by the way -- a militarily important hilltop known as Tel Meggido in Hebrew. It's surrounded by fields of Triffid-tall sunflowers as far as the eye can see.)

It wasn't a religious pilgrimage, but it was important for me to see where my people came from, especially as this came at the end of a year I spent studying in France where I'd train about on the weekends, visiting European cities with their "former" Jewish ghettos. (I stayed away from Germany on that trip, though I did visit Dachau some years later.)

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Then I became a parent, and also realized the importance of passing on the Jewish heritage that I had been so ambivalent about growing up, especially since he was half-and-half and the other side could maintain itself being part of the vast majority.

Thankfully my mother's cousin Barbara lives in Toronto, so even though most of my family is out west, I have relatives to spend Passover and Rosh Hashanna with. Hanukkah is a silly holiday -- it's only a big deal due to its proximity to Jesus' birthday -- so we do an O.C.-inspired Chrismukkah dinner at our place.

All the fixings of a proper Chrismukkah dinner.

Emile knows that he's Jewish, but it's an esoteric concept at his age. He loves eating gefilte fish and searching for the afikomen, hates how long Passover seders take and boasts to his buddies about getting two holidays instead of one in December. I used to do the same.

But because we're an invisible minority, it can easily disappear. Maintaining it requires effort. So my role as a father is to help him see the value in making Jewish history, culture and traditions a part of him -- he can decide on the religious part on his own -- so that he might one day pass it all on to his own child.

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Born And Raised is an ongoing series by The Huffington Post Canada that shares the experiences of second-generation Canadians. Part reflection, part storytelling, this series on the children of immigrants explores what it means to be born and raised in Canada. We want to hear your stories -- join the conversation on Twitter at #BornandRaised or send us an email at bornandraised@huffingtonpost.com.

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Iuliia_Zubkova via Getty Images Colorful silhouettes of people. Watercolor background with silhouette of women. Stylish silhouette.

By Nabenah Johnson

Canada at one time or another had many cities building the Canadian fashion industry. In a previous blog by Naira Fragoso da Costa, titled, "Canada Needs A Fashion Council To Save The Industry," we got an introduction into the Canadian fashion industry and why it is not flourishing.

One of the main issues that the Canadian fashion industry has is division. The industry lacks unifying support between all major fashion cities in Canada, such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa. All cities must come together and within each city to create unity and support within ourselves. The industry is in need of something that breaks the vicious cycle of division and unites us all.

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Fashion weeks showcasing seasonal collections used to be prominent in many Canadian cities. Slowly there has been a decline over the last few years as fashion weeks in major Canadian cities started to disappear. For those who don't know, IMG pulled the plug on Toronto Fashion Week and made its last Fall/Winter 2016 season back in March.

Although Vancouver still produces a fashion week, along with smaller markets in the cities Halifax and Edmonton, time will only tell how much longer they can last with the absence of Toronto.

As a fashion business major with experience in the industry in Toronto and New York, I believe Canadian fashion needs support in each city, along with unifying support to align all the cities in Canada that want to produce fashion weeks and generate a long standing, profitable business.

The senior-vice president/managing director of IMG Fashion Events & Properties, Catherine Bennett had discussed the end of IMG sponsorship for Toronto fashion week with the Canadian Press back in July. "Partnership and sponsorship plays a really important role in it, and I think in the market in Toronto we just weren't seeing the local support for the industry that we do see in some other markets."

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In America, as we know, they have a fashion council that unifies all designers. The CFDA (the Council of Fashion Designers of America) is a not- for-profit organization that develops emerging designers and supports established designers. The CFDA fashion awards recognize and acknowledge works of excellence within America and the designers apart of the CFDA. There is also a scholarship program in place to award students with merit-based scholarships, who apply to a four-year college program in fashion. Not to mention the countless amount of grants awarded to designers apart of the CFDA.

If a council was to be introduced in Canada, I believe it would benefit the industry immensely. The CFDA is a partnership between all designers across America and a sponsorship as well to powerhouse New York's fashion weeks. Having a council in Canada would unify the industry and sponsor fashion weeks for years to come. If a council was present to govern all things related to fashion weeks and designers, it would bring about local support, country-wide support and generate funding. It would connect all aspects of the Canadian industry from designers to manufacturing to other creatives.

Fashion is art and commerce with an estimated $887million dollar economic impact in just New York City alone. Imagine the benefits of a council that would govern the industry in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa? The possibilities would be endless.

Of course, this cannot happen overnight, it will take a lot of time and years to build a council. But we must start now with local support within each city and an overall positive supportive force between Canada. Coming together will not only benefit us in the long run but eventually show the other fashion cities that Canada too can compete with the rest of the world. All in all, if we don't support each other now, no one else will!

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A few months ago I was given the chance to reconnect with my roots, roots I was hardly holding on to. I was going to Africa for the first time since I was a child. I went with a humanitarian organization called Pious Projects of America to document the work they were doing in Mali and Ethiopia.

With barely any memories of my home country, Somalia, I travelled carrying the western stereotypes of my home continent. I couldn't envision more than poverty, illness and a slew of flies, images I was force fed that trampled over the distant memories I once had.

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Mali was our first stop, my misconceptions were instantly tackled, though we had to communicate through a translator there was this magic synergy, I felt like I seen these people before. We stayed some nights and left for Ethiopia. When we arrived in Ethiopia we travelled to the Somali Regional State (Soomaali Galbeed) in Ethiopia. This village had a large Somali community so this energy I felt was now paired with an ability to directly communicate with my own people.

Being in the motherland speaking my mother tongue was an experience that is truly unparalleled, a feeling of home I'll remember forever.

Moments after arriving in the village a woman in her 70s approached me and said, "What did you bring for us my son?" My heart, feeling light and willing in the moment just transformed, I was speechless. I was feeling such a mix of emotions and her question came so raw and revealing that I didn't know how to reply. She had said that her only hope of survival was dependent on her son to travel into the city to sell a goat that belonged to them. After a month two men came back holding a pair of sandals and told her that her son had died of starvation on his way there and that the sandals belonged to him. Someone who looks almost exactly like my grandmother was struggling to find food for the next day and it was something I could not grip.

Now my heart had to adapt, the pain of my people kept presenting itself. As I took a photo of a young girl who was smiling her mother approached her and said, "close your mouth, do you think that if people around the world see a photo of you smiling they will want to help us?" But among all that, there existed joy and laughter.

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The rocks, the sand, the wood, the clothes all carried a different value there. The minimalism of material gave them full smiles with beams brighter than any screen we have. They offered me the wealth of a new perspective, the duality of poverty and happiness.

Visiting that village in Ethiopia was powerful, I was reminded of my importance as a representative for my people. Being in the motherland speaking my mother tongue was an experience that is truly unparalleled, a feeling of home I'll remember forever.

So as my heart raced and held my breath and saved my tears, I captured the moments that led me to reevaluate my idea of happiness. If we let her, Africa can teach us happiness in its purest form.

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15 September is the United Nation's International Day of Democracy, and this year it has a particular focus on the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 16: "Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies". Three of the targets in goal 16 relate directly to improving democracy:

Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms

Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels

Three months since the UK voted to, in the words of Vote Leave, "take control", and two months since Theresa May pledged that "when we take the big calls we will think not of the powerful but you," we seem as far from achieving those UN targets as ever. Just last week, Theresa May's government formally opposed Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe's Lobbying (Transparency) Bill in the House of Lords, which aims to unpick the damage caused by David Cameron's sham UK lobbying register and replace it with a comprehensive register along the lines of those adopted by the EU, USA, Canada, Australia and more recently the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. Thankfully, the House of Lords disagreed and the bill has proceeded to the committee stage.

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The constituency boundary review, another dismal legacy of the Cameron government, is set to undermine our democratic institutions. By shifting the emphasis away from actual communities, ignoring the millions of people not currently on the electoral register and, most crucially, diminishing the size of the House of Commons at a time when the government seems hell-bent on growing the House of Lords with more cronies than ever, Parliament's ability to act as a check on government and represent the people has come under a renewed threat.

To be fair on Theresa May, she has had a lot on her plate since taking over as Prime Minister, and there is still time for her to respond meaningfully to the public mood. But if she is to do so, she will need to tackle the more reactionary elements within her own party, rather than indulging them as her predecessor did far too often.

Leaving our ongoing relationship with the EU to one side, this is what "taking back control" would mean to me:

A drastic reduction in the scope of patronage within our political system. This obviously means replacing the House of Lords with an elected second chamber, but it also means greater scrutiny over government appointments to non-departmental public bodies.

This obviously means replacing the House of Lords with an elected second chamber, but it also means greater scrutiny over government appointments to non-departmental public bodies. Far greater transparency over who is trying to influence government, and the "revolving door" between big business and government. This should apply to senior civil servants just as much as it does to ministers. A comprehensive lobbying register would be a crucial first step, but so would a regulatory body with teeth. For example, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments has not blocked a single former minister or civil servant from working in an area of business where they might have privileged access to government or privileged information. Thus, William Hague has been free to pursue a career advising businesses on who to lobby in government over Brexit - just over a year after leading the Brexit negotiations himself.

This should apply to senior civil servants just as much as it does to ministers. A comprehensive lobbying register would be a crucial first step, but so would a regulatory body with teeth. For example, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments has not blocked a single former minister or civil servant from working in an area of business where they might have privileged access to government or privileged information. Thus, William Hague has been free to pursue a career advising businesses on who to lobby in government over Brexit - just over a year after leading the Brexit negotiations himself. Stricter limits on how much individuals can donate to political campaigns, and how much those campaigns can spend . The EU referendum ended up being a playground for rich millionaires to indulge in their obsessions on both sides, with the rest of us outside looking in. This happens at every major election as well. Caps on donations and lower spending limits would help, but as the election expenses scandal has highlighted, we need a tighter regulatory framework as well to ensure that expenses return have some basis in reality.

. The EU referendum ended up being a playground for rich millionaires to indulge in their obsessions on both sides, with the rest of us outside looking in. This happens at every major election as well. Caps on donations and lower spending limits would help, but as the election expenses scandal has highlighted, we need a tighter regulatory framework as well to ensure that expenses return have some basis in reality. Take decision making out of Whitehall, and place it in the hands of communities and localities. We are one of the most centralised countries in the world, with the minutiae of public policy being micromanaged from a few office blocks in central London. David Cameron talked big on localism, in particular over city regions, but in reality, reforms have tended to go in the opposite direction and large swathes of the country have been simply ignored. Instead of these top-down reforms, it is crucial that local people are given a key role in shaping how their communities should be run.

We are one of the most centralised countries in the world, with the minutiae of public policy being micromanaged from a few office blocks in central London. David Cameron talked big on localism, in particular over city regions, but in reality, reforms have tended to go in the opposite direction and large swathes of the country have been simply ignored. Instead of these top-down reforms, it is crucial that local people are given a key role in shaping how their communities should be run. Limit and define government power in a written constitution. The Human Rights Act brought rights home and underpins the Northern Ireland peace deal and devolution settlement. Instead of this obsession with unpicking it, we should be going in the opposite direction and looking at cutting Whitehall's powers down to size. We need a much clearer separation of powers to reduce the government's scope to expand its reach without oversight.

The Human Rights Act brought rights home and underpins the Northern Ireland peace deal and devolution settlement. Instead of this obsession with unpicking it, we should be going in the opposite direction and looking at cutting Whitehall's powers down to size. We need a much clearer separation of powers to reduce the government's scope to expand its reach without oversight. And finally, the big one: proportional representation. It cannot be right that our government can command a majority in the House of Commons with just 37% of the vote, while the millions of Green and UKIP voters go almost unrepresented. In 2015, the system broke down in Scotland completely, with the SNP winning 95% of the seats on 50% of the vote. Our voting system has gone beyond doing a poor job at reflecting public will, and has become toxic.

But what do you think? At Unlock Democracy, we're trying to facilitate a national conversation about what taking back control post-Brexit should look like, and we welcome your views.
Eco-fashion has long lost its dusty image, but shopping in a sustainable, sophisticated and price-conscious way is still far from easy. These are my ten tips for your wardrobe.

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Photo by Johanna Ruebel for The Lissome, Model: Rosalie @IZAIO Management

The fashion industry has changed dramatically since the 1990's. Nowadays, most fashion companies produce in countries where the prices are the lowest and where workers' rights and environmental standards are the least protected. Fashion has never before been so cheap and so fast-paced. Each year, the leading fast fashion retailers bring 52 micro collections to the market. We buy four times as much clothing as in the 1980's, up to 80 billion new garments worldwide. This kind of consumption is bad for our planet. And it doesn't satisfy our real needs. Here are ten alternatives for various budgets and preferences:

1. Support your local heroes

We live in an era of monotonous shopping streets. By buying from independent, local and sustainable fashion labels you promote diversity instead of homogeneity, and your money supports small, local manufacturers rather than large, global corporations. Independent fashion labels produce their collections mostly in small batches (less waste) and have a personal relationship with their manufacturers. You can, therefore, ask the designers directly about where they have their clothes produced. Globally there are more and more exciting conscious fashion labels starting up, such as Base Range, Study NY, and Folkdays, that are featured in The Lissome's comprehensive brand directory, as well as online retailers distributing sustainable brands, such as The Acey (UK), Reve en Vert (UK), Kindred Black (USA) or Kinobi (Australia).

2. Purchase vintage

By buying secondhand, you extend the lifetime of clothing and reduce its negative environmental impact. Vintage boutiques, well-curated online marketplaces like Vestiaire Collective or platforms like Ebay or Etsy offer affordable access to unique and high-quality items. This way, you can explore new styles in an inexpensive and environmentally friendly manner.

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3. "Buy less, choose well, make it last"

This quote by Vivienne Westwood gets straight to the point: buy less, choose well and make it last. It initially might sound a bit like the 1950's, but it's actually pretty good advice on how to handle style and fashion in a way that is confident and not guided by trend dictates. This way, you can consciously develop a personal dress style, which corresponds to your own values. The idea is to choose items of clothing in which you feel good and which are produced in human and planet friendly ways. Tips for textile care and maintenance can be found at Clevercare and on the website of the Swedish fashion pioneers Filippa K.

4. #30wears

Sustainable fashion advocate Livia Firth launched the hashtag #30wears. She prompts us to ask ourselves before making any purchase whether we can commit to wearing the item of clothing for at least 30 times. If the answer is no, simply don't buy it.

5. Evaluate prices in terms of 'cost per wear'

It is often tempting to opt for quantity rather than for quality and to buy several inexpensive trade-offs rather than one expensive all-time favorite. But if you assess prices according to how frequently you wear an item, it shifts the costs. An expensive pair of shoes that you will end up wearing for several years might prove to be cheaper than an inexpensive summer dress that you wear only once.

6. Become a textile nerd

Cotton and polyester fibers dominate the fashion industry. Whilst the cultivation of cotton requires immense quantities of water and uses large amounts of pesticides, the production of polyester consumes large supplies of non-renewable resources. Organic cotton is the better choice, but there are other alternatives, such as lyocell, recycled polyester or new textile innovations like pineapple leather. In her book Design Journeys. Sustainable Fashion and Textiles, fashion expert Kate Fletcher advocates material diversity in order to replace agricultural monocultures by healthy biodiversity.

7. Lease, don't buy

A new generation of rental platforms such as Rentez-Vous and sharewear offer clothes for a lease. This way, you can bring variety to your wardrobe without having to buy new garments. It's great for one-time occasions such as family celebrations and it can prevent impulse purchases.

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8. Do it yourself

Learn to sew so that you are able to repair, alter or newly design your own clothes. Or become part of the DIY knitting movement: Knitting patterns are available online at we are knitters or Wool and the Gang.

9. Organise a clothes swap party

The rules are simple: Invite your friends over, tell them to bring along clothing that they no longer wear, but that is still in good condition, and start swapping. It's more affordable and way more entertaining than any kind of purchase!

10. Join the Fashion Revolution

On April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza garment factory, in which many of the global fashion corporations produce at low wages, collapsed in Bangladesh. In total, 1,134 workers were killed and over 2,500 were seriously injured. In order to protest against the violations in the fashion industry and to fight for positive changes, the British fashion activists Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro founded Fashion Revolution Week in remembrance, which has since been held annually from April 24th until 30th.

Fashion Revolution is now active in 92 countries. Worldwide tens of thousands of people get involved each year. You can become part of the revolution and, for example, send messages to fashion brands under the hashtag #whomademyclothes or organize your own public events on the topic.

This September The Huffington Post UK Style is focusing on all things sustainable, for the second year running. Our thirst for fast fashion is dramatically impacting the environment and the lives of thousands of workers in a negative way. Our aim is to raise awareness of this zeitgeist issue and champion brands and people working to make the fashion industry a more ethical place.

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Hawa is going back to school this week. Her uniform is clean and her hair neatly braided. The excitement of the new term is felt far and wide as laughter, giggles and singing fills the school campus, when classes break for recess. "I'm so happy to be back in school and to see my friends," she says with a big grin.

Just one year ago schools re-opened after being closed during the Ebola epidemic.

Since then, as Liberia's recovery process continues, the challenge of getting students and teachers back into the classroom have been great. The increased numbers of teenage mothers, Ebola-orphans and street-connected children are just some examples of young boys and girls who are struggling to get an education as a result of the epidemic. Liberia recently topped UNICEF's ranking of the 10 worst countries in the world for access to primary school, and it remains clear that many children will not be going back to school this week.

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Hawa who is 13 years old lost both of her parents to Ebola and is now living with her auntie and 4 siblings. She explains how her aunt struggles to provide for the family and that many times she and her siblings go without eating for a whole day. "It's hard to focus in class when I haven't eaten anything," she says. "My auntie often can't afford to pay for all the extra costs of me going to school such as buying notebooks and pencils."

Yet access to education is only part of the problem; quality of education also has a huge impact. According to SIH 360, just 63% of 15 -24 years old boys are literate and even more shocking, just 37% of girls. Perhaps most overwhelming is that in 2013, all 25,000 applicants for the University of Liberia failed the entrance exam demonstrating the failures of the Liberian education system.

Street Child's recent Liberian Consultation on Adolescent Girls Education (LCAGE) revealed that girls are particularly vulnerable in accessing and learning in school. Less than half of all girls interviewed in grade 4 could read and write and in fact grade 4 turned out to be the grade when most girls dropped out of school. This year Hawa is starting 4th grade and unfortunately the odds of her obtaining a quality education are not in her favor.

However, Hawa's school was recently selected as one of the 93 Partnership Schools for Liberia, which the Ministry of Education is running together with 8 partner organizations. Her school is now included in a network of 12 schools under FLAGSHIP ACADEMIES By Street Child. For Hawa, among other advantages, this means no extra fees, a provision of basic learning materials and more qualified teachers in the classroom every day.

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In pursuit of improved teaching and learning in Liberian schools, the partnership between the Government and Street Child of Liberia, a local NGO, is taking an innovative approach to tackling some of the challenges of the education system. More teachers per school are being recruited and trained to meet the needs of large classroom sizes, new ways of interpreting and utilizing the national curriculum are being introduced and more support and supervision for each school are some of the key changes being introduced.

Minister Werner, the Liberian Minister for Education added: "For the first time in many years we have been able to add new teachers to these schools."

During Ebola, Street Child of Liberia worked tirelessly alongside many other organizations and government branches to help educate people about the disease and to support vulnerable children who were impacted by the crisis. It also supported 2,200 people with the provision of relief packs and helped 1,500 Ebola-impacted children back to school once schools re-opened.

"There are many lessons to learn from the times of Ebola relating to the education system," says Ahmed Dukuly, Head of Academic Development at FLAGSHIP ACADEMIES By Street Child. "Partnership, innovative approaches and quick responses to immediate challenges, were central during the Ebola response and should be key in Liberia's recovery process and beyond. This applies to education as well!"

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"Additionally there is more need for research and evidence, which is what Partnership Schools for Liberia is all about." says Mr. Dukuly. Not only are partners such as Street Child using research and evidence-based approaches to plan their interventions, but the entire program is part of a vigorous external evaluation. The hope is that such evidence can support the program to grow and help further innovation within the education sector.

The model of FLAGSHIP ACADEMIES By Street Child is based on a low-cost, sustainable and creative approach to tackle educational challenges in both rural and urban settings alike. "If our mission is to provide better opportunities for Liberian children through education, we need to make sure that every dollar spent benefits the Liberian children both today and tomorrow. Innovative approaches do not have to be expensive, but rather it is about searching for local solutions and making sure things change now," says Country Director John Kerkula Benda.

The challenges for education in the year to come are many for Hawa and all the other Liberian primary school children. Yet the determination of the Ministry of Education and the joint efforts of the Partnership Schools for Liberia program in the post-Ebola context, form part of a new exciting chapter in educating Liberia's children today and tomorrow.

Furthermore, Street Child's recent 'Girls Speak Out appeal will help 20,000 children like Hawa in Sierra Leone and Liberia to access a quality education, thanks to UK Aid Match funding from the Department of International Development which doubled all donations to the appeal.

Felicia Dahlquist
What diplomatic support should a British citizen detained abroad reasonably expect to receive from the UK Government?

The circumstances of Hasnat Karim, a dual UK and Bangladeshi national currently held without charge in Bangladesh, highlights how for families of detainees the failure to provide diplomatic assistance is inexplicable. The rights of dual nationals to receive such support from one of their countries, when they are detained in the other, are codified by international convention. Why then have the British authorities claimed they cannot intervene in this case? Why are we so reluctant to defend the rights of UK nationals in this situation?

On 1st July Mr Karim, his wife and two children found themselves hostages during a terrorist siege at the Holey Artisan Bakery, an upmarket restaurant in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka. Whilst his family were released, Mr Karim remained a hostage until the siege was broken. He is now in police detention, held unlawfully without charge, in contravention of both Bangladesh and international law. Consular access has been refused, contact with his family denied, and he has been interrogated without access to legal counsel. Several local lawyers who might have acted for him have refused to do so, saying they have been 'advised' by members of the Bangladesh government to not support any suspect in this matter.

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As to why they still detain Mr Karim, Bangladesh remains frustratingly silent. The absence of any information and explanation has led the local media to speculate nonsensically that rather than a hostage he must be one of the hostage takers - conjecture made more intense after images and video emerged of Mr Karim speaking to and performing tasks for the terrorists during the siege.

All the available evidence makes clear the opposite was the case. Witness statements from other hostages - along with a forensic analysis of the images by a US security and intelligence agency - make clear any actions he undertook were through coercion by terrorists who might otherwise have murdered him and his family.

Given this evidence it is inexcusable and extraordinary that the Foreign Office has not done more to help. The stated policy relied upon is that we do not interfere in the legal system of other countries. This is a policy interpreted flexibly by the UK according to circumstances - and of course in this case the detained person is a UK national.

When David Cameron was Prime Minister, very publicly and personally he intervened in a case in the Maldives with a threat to impose sanctions on the government of that country if it did not reform its judicial system. He demanded the Maldives authorities release a person not even a British citizen but who, despite being convicted of a serious criminal offence, is someone known to Cameron. The individual was granted bail to travel to the UK for medical treatment where he has now received political asylum.

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More recently the British Government has intervened on behalf of a dual British and Iranian citizen and charity worker, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, currently detained and awaiting trial in Iran on yet unspecified charges of conspiracy against the Iranian State. Her case has been taken up by Prime Minister Theresa May, who has even spoken personally with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urging that Zaghari-Ratcliffe be released.

The family of Hasnat Karim does not believe that British Prime Ministers past or present will soon be making similar calls to Bangladesh. But they have a right to expect the FCO to voice publicly at the highest level that denial of consular access is unacceptable. They expect the FCO, armed with the weight of evidence, to demand his immediate release and return to the UK.
It was all going so....well...it was 'going' in any event. The post-Brexit political meltdown saw senior MPs going to the backbenches in their droves, including David Cameron who has now quit as an MP. The new PM's Machiavellian cabinet reshuffle seemed like a pretty good start, taking into account the rather large poisoned chalice on offer.

Before that, besides advising that Brexit means Brexit, the PM also stated that she would use her position as leader to fight 'burning injustice'. She explained (amongst other things), 'that means fighting against the burning injustice that if you're born poor you will die on average nine years earlier than others' and 'if you're at a state school you're less likely to reach the top professions than if you're educated privately. We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives'.

Young Enterprise and many other charities were heartened by the sentiments and the passion behind this statement. But we are now finding it very hard to see how the grammar school initiative squares with these sentiments.

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We are not alone. The previous Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan called the initiative 'weird', and Sir Michael Wilshaw, the Chief Inspector of Schools, called it 'tosh and nonsense'. Most importantly, in an urgent question in the Commons about the Government's plans for bringing back selective schools, Neil Carmichael, the Stroud MP, who is Chairman of the Education Select Committee, said there was 'no compelling evidence to suggest that grammar schools actually make that much difference to social mobility'.

In announcing and explaining the grammar school move, the PM said: 'Selection already exists in state schools. It's called selection by house price'. But two wrongs never make a right, do they?

All this proposed policy will do is reinforce the disadvantage that takes a strong, vicious hold on children from poorer homes. Social mobility will not be achieved by academic selection, rather it could reinforce social divides. The stop-gap sop of 'some places for poorer children' is not a responsible, credible and sustainable way of addressing this serious and widespread problem. Surely the way to engineer social mobility is not to segregate on academic ability, but to ensure that disadvantaged young people are given the opportunity during their education to develop the crucial soft skills that are the essential complement to academic training. They need the life skills which employers continue to cry out for; skills which help them perform well in interviews, get the right job and be successful in that job. Behaviours, attitudes and the appetite for learning have to start in primary school and even pre-school. Experts know that habit and life chances are formed between the age of 0 and 7.

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The PM wants Britain to be a meritocracy and is in favour of greater social mobility. But many are struggling to see how the grammar school initiative will do this. Research shows that any benefits to the privileged few who make it into grammar schools will be outweighed by the negative impact on those who don't make it. The Government's proposals in its Green Paper contain some laudable points such as how to identify and assist children from families who are 'just about managing' rather than focussing merely on the threshold of free school meals, but the heart of the paper is academic selection, with some accompanying unclear and inadequate proposals for how to raise standards in non-selective schools. It seems unlikely that the proposed measures will counter the impact of the them-and-us divide between selective and non-selective schools.

For starters, where there is a grammar school, those who do not attend are instantly, by default, branded 'non-academically gifted'. No matter how we play it, grammar schools create a two-tier system, and label many thousands of children a failure at age 11 (even if they do get the chance to enter the hallowed gates of a selective school aged 14 or 16). How will we tell comprehensive school students that just because you are not academically gifted, it doesn't mean you haven't got the potential to achieve incredible things?

In addition, as some are warning, reigniting the grammar school project could also reignite a severe case of sink-school, secondary-modern syndrome. It will be sink or swim for those 'poor' sink-school students, unless something is done to mitigate against the proposed brain drain.

To continue with the nautical analogy, if you remove ballast from a ship and the ship's loading is not redistributed, it will list and possibly capsize. Will we see the added ballast of technical and vocational teaching to counter the loss of academic 'talent' from non-selective schools? I sincerely hope so.

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As always, the devil will be in the detail and we are still a long way away from seeing that. But for starters, what is a 'tutor proof' test and will it work? A 2014 'tutor proof' 11+ test in Buckinghamshire proved that it didn't work at all, with an actual percentage increase in the number of pupils from independent prep schools going to grammar schools.

I also have a problem with the process - or rather lack of process - around this major, non-mandated policy shift. Why the rush and why the break with the established 20 year moratorium on the 163 existing grammar schools? This is a fundamental shift in education policy but it has been proposed barely two months into the new Government's term. Is there some new evidence to support it or is it politically driven?
Emily Thornberry, shadow foreign-secretary and shadow Brexit secretary accused sky news presenter Murnaghan of sexism on Sunday when challenged to name both the French foreign secretary and South Korean Prime Minister repeatedly. Thornberry accused Murnaghan of spending the interview time pub quizzing her rather than discussing the more 'serious' issues at hand such as Syria and North Korea.

By pulling the sexism card without providing an answer, Thornberry ruined her argument in an instance. Whilst there is absolute credibility to the argument that it is sexist to ask a female politician such questions if the same are not being asked to male politicians, she should have played this card as her trump card rather than her core argument. Thornberry as a senior labour politician holding two posts in the shadow cabinet should have snapped back with the answers and then demanded the conversation move to other topics. By refusing to answer she opened Pandora 's Box. Not only coming across as incompetent in her current positions but also incapable of handling the heat that politicians must expect from both journalists and the electorate.

Thornberry is not the only politician male or female, to have been put on the spot by an interviewer or by Murnaghan. In 2011, Murnaghan asked then shadow chancellor Alan Jonhson to quote the current rate of employer's national insurance contributions, something he could not do and is speculated to have resigned over that just ten days later. She is also not the only female politician to have been put on the spot. In January this year former education secretary Nicky Morgan refused to answer what seven times eight was whilst appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain when announcing a new maths test for 11 year olds. Thornberry had an opportunity to assert herself, question why her integrity was under scrutiny and challenge whether this was due to sexism but she failed miserably.

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Against the backdrop of the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11, and questions of the Presidential candidates' health, the most powerful nation on earth will elect a new leader in November. The incoming President's tasks will be numerous: how to shape the economy, healing discontent around trade deals, and how to get Americans back to work, not to mention the direction of US foreign policy amid radically diverse world views. But just as it became the defining issue in our own referendum in June, immigration remains the single issue most Americans identify as important to how they vote.

The Republican candidate, Donald Trump, launched his campaign in a blaze of migrant condemnation, accusing Mexico of sending drug-dealers and rapists into the United States. His rhetoric might have got a bit more sophisticated but he still keeps pushing his proposal to build an 'impenetrable physical, tall, powerful, beautiful, southern border wall' 2,000 miles along the Mexican border (longer than the distance from London to Moscow) paid for by the Mexicans themselves. Added to this, Trump also plans to remove 11million illegal migrants currently living in the US.

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As America's economy has become increasingly reliant on cheap manual labour, it is surely relevant that 65% of Americans believe that these 11million illegal immigrants should be allowed to become US citizens. It is estimated that illegal migrants make up 5% of the workforce and contributed more than $11.8billion in state and local taxes in 2012, even while they were living illegally in the country. At the same time, $18billion is spent every year in securing US borders. But how are these borders maintained, and what is being done to address these issues, which have become such a hot topic ahead of the Clinton/Trump face-off?

In May I went with the Extreme World team to the US/Mexican border to investigate the attitudes, views and motivations of the people involved in the issue, from those spending thousands of dollars and risking their lives to cross the border, to the smugglers and traffickers making millions from this massive business to the men and women who are paid to try and stop them.

When we got there we found that increased security around some of the main border towns has forced many migrants to take more physically dangerous routes through remote stretches of border in the desert where temperatures reach 50 degrees Celsius and the journey can take days of walking. Though overall numbers of migrants are down, more and more of them are women and children and many still die along the way.

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The business has become a lucrative side line for Mexican cartels formerly focused entirely on trafficking drugs who now make millions of dollars a year charging migrants a fee to be allowed to pass through the border areas they control. The atmosphere of fear and intimidation was palpable and everywhere we went we had to seek permission via intermediaries from the cartels. "They've been watching you since you were half an hour out of town," one people smuggler told me when I arranged a meeting at a local ice cream parlour, he explained to me how they have now had to become more ruthless than ever. Some are charging up to $1,000 per person, but fewer migrants than before are willing to brave the crossing. The infiltration of the drug cartels into the trafficking business has turned the migrants into nothing more than commodities as they dominate control over the roads leading up to the border, and must be paid off.

On top of that, although the increased security on the border is serving as a deterrent, we found that it has also resulted in trapping people inside the US who in the past might have come over for seasonal work and returned back to their home country to re-join their families. This has led, in turn, to a growing number of women and children making the perilous journey to follow their partners and fathers into the US.

A local priest, Padre Priscilliano, in the town of Altar, Mexico, made a terrifying claim to us that 80% of women trying to get to the US will be raped or sexually assaulted. One of the women attempting the journey was asked how she felt about these odds and the dangers she faced; her sad answer was that she believed that her safety now fell into the hands of God.

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Children too are now being used by cartels and traffickers as guides to show migrants across the border. Their youth allows traffickers to keep their workforce out of jail. An encounter with a boy of 12 drummed home the desperation of the situation: he did not appear shy or phased by his environment. Despite the obvious evidence to the contrary, he didn't seem to think there were many risks involved in the job at all. He also hadn't actually received payment from the traffickers for his services.

Heading back across the border to spend time with US border guards, we made an innocent mistake and drove our hire care down the wrong lane. US Immigration officials pounced. We were held in a cell for an hour and a half whilst they searched the car and kit. On the other side we caught up with a border patrol in action. We followed them as they played cat and mouse with groups of migrants hiding in the desert trying to outrun them. Some they caught, others slipped through the net. They found one young lad in the advanced stages of dehydration. He'd been abandoned by his people smuggler when he ran out of food and water. He was only too pleased to be met by a special patrol officer who treated him out there in the desert and almost certainly saved his life.

In recent years Mexico's rates of gang violence and organised crime has sharply increased and the government faces an ever-growing battle against staggering income inequality and poverty. Thousands risk their lives every year to fight for a chance of a new life for themselves or to provide for their families still living on the poverty line. How can a country that promotes itself as the land of the free suggest building a barrier to deny others the right for freedom from a life of fear?
The Boeing company [NYSE: BA] unveiled today the new jet trainer aircraft it has developed with Saab AB [Stockholm: SAABB]. The companies plan to offer the plane for the U.S. Air Forces future trainer aircraft; the tender will open this year, and the T-X contractor downselect phase is scheduled for 2017. Boeing T-X is an all-new advanced pilot training system designed specifically for the U.S. Air Force training mission.

The aircraft developed by Boeing and Saab uses a single General Electric GE404 engine, twin tails, stadium seating and an advanced cockpit with embedded training. It is designed to look, feel and perform like fighter aircraft. The twin-tail design offers improved stability and is visually similar to current and future fighters, to enhance training.

According to Boeing, the twin tails provide improved control and inherent speed break functionality, furthermore, it is and safer during air refueling.Stadium seating allows for ideal instructor positioning and visibility for flight instruction, from teaching basic traffic pattern operations to advanced visual air combat training. The seating arrangement is compliant with JPATS 1-7 to accommodate a wider range of individuals to train and instruct. Reconfigurable large area displays are used in the cockpit allow students and instructors a maximum range of training options.

The companies built two production-level trainers that will be used for flight testing and to demonstrate the new aircrafts performance, as well as the affordability, and maintainability advantages of their approach.

The new platform represents an all-new aircraft designed specifically for the U.S. Air Force training mission. It takes advantage of the latest manufacturing technologies, tools, and techniques. According to Boeing statement, it is an advanced aircraft designed to evolve as technologies, missions and training need change. The design is claimed to be more affordable and flexible than older, existing aircraft. The companies employed much of the experienced learned through recent fighter programs such as Gripen and Super Hornet. Another aspect reducing life cycle cost is improved maintenance. The Boeing T-X design focuses on accessibility, with fewer and more common fasteners, and readiness of critical items like engine and seats. It is also designed around common U.S. Air Force ground equipment and uses established suppliers to reduce supply chain complexity.

Our T-X is real, ready and the right choice for training pilots for generations to come, said Boeing Defense, Space & Security President, and CEO Leanne Caret.

The US Air Forces T-X program includes new trainer aircraft, ground-based training, and support  designed together from the ground up. The U.S. Air Force Advanced Pilot Training System competition, commonly known as T-X, is designed to replace the T-38 trainer in use today. It will help train fighter and bomber pilots for generations to come.
Last week, the UK held a Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial meeting in London. Defence Ministers and senior figures from over 70 governments and international organisations came together to discuss a new vision to improve UN peacekeeping. This vision is supported by three key pillars. First, better planning for missions, from before deployment to eventual drawdown; secondly, more pledges of personnel and equipment by a wider range of countries; and thirdly, enhanced performance through better training and leadership. We also heard from UN Special Envoy Angelina Jolie Pitt who called on peacekeepers to engage more with women and for the UN to hold those responsible for sexual exploitation and abuse to account.

I am delighted that the Ministerial meeting recognised that women can - and do - play a very important role in every part of peacekeeping. We want them to do even more and not just because it is the right thing to do. Evidence also shows that countries are more likely to avoid a return to conflict if women are meaningfully involved in conflict resolution and peace processes.

Including women is also key to operational effectiveness. We want UN peacekeeping to be of the very highest standard. Having more women available to serve means we will be able to draw on a deeper and wider pool of talent. Deploying more women means the missions will be able to engage better with women in the local community. This should enable better information sharing and give the mission a better understanding of local issues. The presence of female peacekeepers will also make it more likely that women and girls will report incidences of sexual violence or exploitation and abuse.

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At the Ministerial meeting I was delighted to present the inaugural UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year award to Major Aichatou Ousmane Issaka from Niger. She was recognised for her work in prioritising women's issues in peacekeeping in Mali, through training her fellow staff officers, developing projects to help the local community and making patrols more accessible to local women and children. She personified why the participation of women is critical to a mission's success.

That's why the new shared vision for peacekeeping sees women integrated into each of its three pillars. I am delighted that the participants at the Ministerial meeting supported this vision. They agreed that women must participate fully in planning. They called on the UN Secretary-General to double the number of women in UN military and police contingents by 2020 and to prioritise the appointment of more women in to senior leadership positions. They called on all governments to increase the number of women police officers, correction officers, mediators and gender advisers. Finally, they urged governments to make sure that their military training is gender-sensitive and that their troops and police know how to prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict and how to guard against sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers.

I am proud that we were able to make the participation of women a central component of last week's Ministerial. The UK has been promoting the greater inclusion of women in UN peace and security matters for the last 16 years - ever since the adoption of the first UN Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security, UNSCR 1325. I am also proud that the UK is leading by example on this issue. Last year, our National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review set the target that 15% of recruits to the Armed Forces will be women by 2020. Women will also be able to serve in close combat roles following a change in policy being phased in over the next 3 years, beginning in November. All UK peacekeeping troops will receive training on Women, Peace and Security issues and we are revising all relevant doctrine to reflect these principles. We have established a cadre of gender advisers, three of whom are always ready to deploy. And we continue to provide training on these issues to other militaries, including training on preventing sexual violence to over 10,000 African peacekeeping personnel, over 5,800 Peshmerga troops in Iraq and 3,500 members of the Malian Army.

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Santiago Sanchez had just finished a year as International Chairman of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), a global community of more than 24,000 CEOs from 130 countries, when we spoke by phone for this interview. I did not know it would be his last.

Late August, Sanchez passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 47 years old.

Those close to him described him as someone whose greatest desire was to be a "classic servant," and in his position at YPO, he simply wanted do the work of a good chairman. Scott Mordell, CEO of YPO, said that, "As a leader and person, Santiago was one to serve others. He would often say, 'No matter how much I give I always seem to get more back.'"

Sanchez had been on both sides of mentorship long before joining YPO, an organization that offers CEOs and other top company leaders access to educational resources through business alliances and specialized networks designed to support business development, mentorship and leadership.

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True to his legacy as a mentor, Sanchez shared thoughts on the power of role models, how to build a future for the millennial generation, concerns about his native Mexico, globalization, and the expansion of companies operating in competitive global landscapes. He believed in leaders who were tested by fire, often pivoting before they got it right and created a thriving company. He also noted there was great power in finding a trusted advisor who could share wisdom, and said that it is often the critical difference between those who survive and those who fail.

As the international chair of an organization with thousands of members, in your view, what are the biggest worries for these young presidents and CEOs?

The current crop of leaders are worried about how to scale and build their businesses in an uncertain world and how to engage with society and with their employees in a productive way. The real question is also how to engage with youth, especially the millennial generation. During our meeting a few months ago in Dubai, there was a key takeaway, which was about the importance of listening to what millenials are saying and to engage them in a meaningful way, and not to guess what they are saying.

The current crop of CEOs are also worried about larger macroeconomic issues, such as climate change, migration, the flow of people across borders, and political instability driven by bad legislation, or by the ambitions by some countries to establish hegemonic power around the world. These are all things that cut off business development opportunities, and cause instability.

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Do you have these types of concerns about the situation in your native country of Mexico?

The political transition in Mexico is incomplete because we established a government, but have not tackled some root problems, such as corruption and lack of leadership accountability. It hurts our ability to harness the true potential of our citizens. When our people do not have opportunity, we lose human resources that could create wealth in the country.

Are the issues facing CEOs different if they are from other parts of the world?

You would be surprised at how we are all facing the same thing. We have members from 130 countries, yet there are more similarities than differences. The humanity of our challenges is truly humbling. The challenges of a CEO in Dar-es-Salaam or Nairobi are the same as a CEO in New York or London, because they are all running companies, which bring similar problems.

How does a leader trying to implement an unpopular idea gain the full commitment of their team?

In my experience, unpopular ideas usually do not have a basic concept and it is unclear what the objective of the idea is. What is the leader trying to achieve? An idea should have dialogue around it. The way to make an idea work is to be clear on its objectives and to listen to the objections of those who oppose it. Communication may make it easy to dispel misunderstandings. Open communication can transform an idea for the better.

What does it take for a CEO or entrepreneur to build a great enterprise?

It takes a team to build a great enterprise -- as well as a great idea. This idea must stem from a vision; that is where the enterprise starts to come to life. For a leader it is critical to turn ideas into collective visions, especially because there will be many challenges after the launch.

How does one keep an entrepreneurial mindset when the enterprise grows larger and more complex?

First, do not take things for granted. Keep developing new projects and challenges as you try to find the right individual to lead each project. For example, our company has a broad portfolio of projects, and we work to enhance our portfolio every three to seven years. We work to create new projects to expand our market, and we try to bring new solutions to meet the needs of our customers.

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How does one make crucial life, professional, and business decisions to stay at the top?

A leader's goal is to lead by example, as well as to acknowledge and understand that not all answers should come from inside the company. It is key to allow for leadership and other learning opportunities to come from outside. Not all innovation will come from internal sources. Look for ideas from outside the industry.

Who is your role model?

I have met many people over the years, but I would say I learned a lot from my mother's work ethic and my father's risk taking. Beyond that, I have always searched for people that I could look up to, in the political or business arena.

I have this need for inspiration, and people who do extraordinary things always inspire me. They may do little, extraordinary things I can look up to and try to emulate. Instead of doing one big thing, perhaps the goal is to do many small things that become a portfolio of innovation. I feel organizations can do the same by being inspired not to go for one project, but to work on many smaller projects, so more people are empowered as leaders.

Any last thoughts on leadership you would care to share?
I've been thinking about friendships and how they may appear to others. Aside from our 'besties' we all have casual relationships that border on the fringe of acquaintances and sometimes grow into more.

You meet someone at work and have an interesting conversation, maybe then you decide to meet for lunch. Over time you arrange a dinner date with your spouses. Maybe you all hit it off and the friendship grows richer, or maybe you simply continue to have occasional dinner dates.

My husband got transferred annually for much of our marriage and distance can make friendships tricky. Still, we have managed to keep many close friends, although it's not the same as arranging an impromptu get together.

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Every transfer meant a promotion and a raise. Mind you, we were not among the elite movers and shakers but, comfortable.

Now, imagine if you were a middle-class kid who became a fundraiser for a political party when you were in college, or a community organizer and worked your way up through law school. Imagine the people you would meet.

Over time your friendships would evolve on a much bigger scale. Your social group becomes otherworldly. Your true 'besties' may stay the same but your social calendar would become much fuller.

You run in circles with world leaders, movers, and shakers, and you try to keep up. Unlike someone born into wealth who never had an ordinary lifestyle, you might find being in the 'big leagues' a bit overwhelming.

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I'm sure there's much superficiality to it but, you feel a need to keep up and blend in. I know I would be uncomfortable in that situation but, I would also be fascinated with the potential in front of you in terms of the good you might be able to do at that level.

This is how I imagine things evolved for the Obama's and the Clinton's. There were no silver spoons in those mouths. The same is true of the Carter's.

We don't know what the Obama's have in mind when they leave the White House. The Carter's made Habitat for Humanity well known and helped it grow into a Worldwide phenomenon. I'm proud to say my husband is very involved in Habitat for Humanity.

The Clinton's started a charitable, non-profit, foundation to help those less fortunate in the world after Bill's presidency. The foundation has an A rating. I, for one, see no reason they should be expected to shut it down even when Hillary wins the election.

They've accepted money from foreign leaders who may very well be friends of theirs. After all, they aren't running in the same circles they were before they got into politics, let alone the White House. And, that's fine with me.

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As I've already pointed out. If we're lucky we all grow and expand our friendships and acquaintances. With that often comes larger incomes, even great wealth. I don't feel that makes you less trustworthy unless your best friends are Roger Ailes, Sean Hannity, and Putin.

If Goldman Sachs offered me a million dollars for a speech I would say, "Thank you very much!" Maybe they think that buys them favors and access but, unless that's in the contract for the speech it does not. If their agreement with Hillary was in writing and stated that, we would have seen it by now but we haven't so, I believe it's time to stop demonizing her for doing what so many before her have done and many of us wish we could do.

I found this post of HIllary's on Humans of New York really interesting, not only in a political sense but, as a female who grew up in her generation. We broke a lot of barriers and yet, we're still accused of being shrill or unladylike when we speak truth to power.

Many other countries have had female leaders and yet, here we are woefully behind even some third world countries. Why? I believe it is the Father Knows Best Syndrome. Or, more crudely put, Old White Men Syndrome.

Many of the men, and it is mostly, white men, who are supporting the Republican nominee for president aren't necessarily old but, they come from a socio-economic environment that still wants the little woman barefoot and pregnant.

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If you haven't read it yet, I recommend, Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance. It explains much about the supporters of the Republican nominee. I grew up in that realm and the book resonates with me. I haven't finished it yet because it brings back memories I've tried to forget. Once you work your way out of that life you simply don't want to look back. That's why my memoir is taking so long, but that's another story.

There are people with great wealth who never had to work for it. I believe those are often the frivolous ones who don't understand hard work or struggle. The Republican nominee is a perfect example. He has a 'foundation' that is private and non-operating, although they did make a sizable donation to the Attorney General of Florida.

And still, there is pressure on the Clinton's to shut theirs down when she wins the election. Perhaps it is for the best because they will never stop dogging her over it if they don't.
Remember the Eldarats, the U.S. citizens tortured and jailed in the United Arab Emirates for nearly two years while the Obama administration sat on is hands, not wanting to make a fuss or upset its military ally?



Well, meet Aya Hijazi, another U.S. citizen jailed by a repressive Middle Eastern regime while Washington closes its eyes and wishes the problem would somehow resolve itself.



Hijazi was arrested in May 2014 along with her husband and four others working at an NGO for street kids in Cairo, and were caught in President Sisi's widespread crackdown on Egypt's civil society.



Hijazi is a humanitarian educated at George Mason University in Virginia, but she's now in Egypt's notorious Qanater prison, accused of sexually abusing the children she had rescued-- fabricated accusations aimed at intimidating those who work for Egypt's nonprofit organizations. And, in the paranoid world of the Egyptian government, the fact that she's American automatically puts her under suspicion.



After her arrest experts at local Egyptian rights groups examined the sexual abuse accusations and agreed they are false. Her next court date is set for November 19.



The State Department has failed to raised a public ruckus about the case, failed to order U.S. Ambassador Beecroft to visit her in prison or even attend her court hearings, failed to suggest that her arrest, framing, and continued imprisonment might be cause to review Washington's annual $1.3bn aid package to Egypt.



Hijazi's family are in Washington this week to meet with congressional offices, to tell them about her case and urge them to push the State Department to meet its responsibilities.



""The family really wants Aya back home and free. Aya has suffered a lot along with her entire family," her brother Basel Hijazi told me. "I hope the State Department can take more action, especially more publicly to try and help her."



Hijazi's case, like the Eldarats before it, is being handled very poorly by a U.S. government unwilling to upset a dictator ally. Reluctant to raise human rights issues with Egypt, the Obama administration is failing Hijazi and will need to be pushed to play its part in resolving her case.



In May this year the Robert F Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights filed a petition on her case with the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention detailing how she had been mistreated during her interrogation. Sadly, she's one of many targeted since President Sisi came to power in a 2013 coup--local activists put the number of political prisoners arrested since then at around 60,000. No criticism of the government, even peaceful dissent, is tolerated.



Despite the long-term intense crackdown, the violent repression against any perceived political opposition or human rights activism, the muzzling of the press, and corruption of the judiciary, the United States hasn't stopped supplying a huge annual military aid package and continues to fund the authorities who are targeting Hijazi.



Leading human rights defenders, like Hijazi, are either in prison, facing charges or forced into exile.



The U.S. media is starting to expose the State Department's failings. In a July piece for The Washington Post, Jackson Diehl described the Obama Administration's treatment of Hijazi as "shameful." Additionally, NPR released a piece last year reporting on the unfounded accusations.



It took many months of intense campaigning by the Eldarat family, the U.S. media, Human Rights First, and other NGOs to shame Obama administration officials into finally taking action to help free the father and son detained in the Emirates. Let's hope they've learned their lesson and act immediately for Hijazi.
In the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale "The Emperor's New Clothes" the thieves who come to sell the Emperor a bunch of lies about a new set of clothes that is nonexistent in real life are stopped by the whisperings of a boy to his mother. During the procession where the Emperor is really naked, everyone goes along with the crowd, so to speak, agreeing to see something--the Emperor's magnificent robes--that in fact was not there.

The boy, or the lad, had a really nice mother. I mean that she was interested in his perceptions and took them into account. The crowd, as it turned out, was collectively open to having it pointed out that there was a lie in place. And while the story shows the power of social and political correctness to the point that it can become groupthink and group lying, it also shows a rather optimistic willingness to side with the truth, should it appear and become available.

Progressives in today's political climate, and even people who consider themselves conservative and sane both, are crying in fear and trembling and desperation about how to convince the public that even though Hillary Clinton may have done some lying in her day, Donald Trump is the real liar. His advertising of his university had so many holes in it and so many damaged parties who have given witness to that point. He has chosen as his political friend and comrade Vladimir Putin of Russia, whose choice is very much power over truth. But in situations where image is in the getting away with things, is lying in and of itself any big deal? Is it not rather the deal of getting caught that is cause for shame rather than the lying about things--well, just about anything?

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I can't find out anything about the current whereabouts of Joseph Darby, the soldier who blew the whistle about US military personnel committing torture in Abu Grahib. He found a surface acceptance by the Government who could only act grateful for his having the honesty and decency, not only to care about tormenting and brutalizing and torturing and murdering Iraqi prisoners, but to care so much also about America. He thought, he said, that America had to be better than that, and he--once he had been given photographs and CDs--had no real choice but to share them. His last known details seem to include the fact that he and his wife were under protective military custody. Why, you might ask. Well, many of us remember the less than appreciative response Officer Darby received. The VA in his hometown derided him for his betrayal of his fellow soldiers, as did many of his townspeople, who went so far as to threaten his life.

Was he a patriot, someone to be honored so we could heal the miserable facts of policies that implemented and encouraged some of the most sadistic details any of you will ever read about, or was he the scum of the earth, the worst of the worst? Was he a snitch? And in fact, is being a snitch worse than being a criminal, and much worse than being a liar?

I'm posing this dilemma to you, out loud so to speak. I'm not sure that we are living in a climate where more facts matter. It's not that sometimes less is more, but rather that if you are already yelling at someone who is deaf it may be time to think about your tactics. If the boy--the sort of whistle blower--in "The Emperor's New Clothes" was either banished or beaten for his outspoken sharing (he saw something so he said something) he might have run for his life never to be heard of again.

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Is it perhaps time to get psychological about the Trump phenomenon? And by this I mean looking under the trappings of the accusations to the marvel that Donald Trump may appeal to the sexiness (God help me here) of the person who gets away free and clear. This means our honesty about Hillary Clinton not looking, these days as if she is getting away with or from a thing, while her opponent, well does not show quite the same anguish.

Do we need a dose of some good movies where we cheered for the truth? "A Few Good Men" could start it off, with "Spartacus" as a close second. We might begin to face the truth that we can all be oppositional, loving the badass who sticks his/her tongue out at authority. And as long as we see being a whistleblower as being a wimp instead of the genuine hero Darby has been, we will have little regard for honesty. Sure, we can say out loud that Hillary Clinton isn't honest, but isn't it really that she doesn't do lying in the conniving and coy and cutesy way of Mr. Trump?

I like to write about the shadow as described by Carl Jung. Not because I love the topic in and of itself but because it seems central for our times. The shadow houses the parts of ourselves we deny, only to do great harm when not reckoned with and acknowledged. If we love the badass but admit to only loving the good, we will cooperate in the fraud of this Presidential Election. But in addition we will also be missing a chance to douse ourselves in bouts of truth telling that can be mighty powerful, and provide a real catharsis, which might at least be a beginning of the enjoyment that is a real possibility here.

Let me begin, then. I think it's stupid and a waste to talk more about whether Hillary is honest. Nobody is honest these days in politics. It's really a question of style. We like the slyness of Donald Trump or use some excuse to find him entertaining. She doesn't fascinate us and we can't forgive her.
In the past few years, the International Organization for Migration has facilitated the voluntary return of thousands of migrants from Libya back to their countries of origin. Many of these migrants, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa, were en-route to Europe but ended up in Libyan detention centres. Following the outbreak of civil war in February 2011, IOM repatriated over 200,000 migrants fleeing the violence in Libya, in what was one of the largest and complex evacuation and repatriation operations in recent years.

Lamine* is a migrant from Senegal who tried to make it to Europe. This is his harrowing story as told to IOM's Cecilia Mann.

Europe. Ever since I can remember I've seen films about it, listened to songs glorifying it and heard tales from friends and family members who had made it to this proverbial Promised Land. I have dreamt of building a life there, providing for my family, building a home, and living a life of comfort and success everyone I know aspires to.

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My name is Lamine, I am 24 years old and come from Tambacounda, the largest town in eastern Senegal in the largest region of the country that goes by the same name. 'Tambacounda' means 'Tamba's home'.

Sitting here now, in Dakar's Leopold-Sedar-Senghor airport, after a 14 month journey to reach adiana (paradise in Wolof), this notion of home is all that I have on my mind. Upon finishing school, I completed an apprenticeship in masonry and quickly found work. By February 2015, I had managed to save nearly 800,000 CFA (approximately 1,400 USD) and was finally ready to pursue my goal: Europe.

Full of hope, I slung my small bag over my shoulder, kissed my mother good bye, promising to continue sending financial support and to keep in touch, and, together with five childhood friends, headed off into the unknown - to Mali. Getting to Mali was easy and the trip went smoothly, which filled us with optimism. The rules were simple: there are 20 police check points to cross on the way to Burkina Faso, each one costs 5,000 CFA (approximately 9 USD). If you refuse to pay, you're searched, all of your belongings and money are confiscated, and if you're lucky you're sent back, if you're not, you're jailed or worse. We followed the rules and crossed into Burkina Faso after only a few days' travel.

In Burkina Faso, the authorities caught us. We were thrown into a ramshackle detention center with hundreds of other migrants. There was no food, no water, and the heat and odours were excruciating. On my second day of detention, a Gambian man I got acquainted with was beaten to death.

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I knew I had to escape, fearing that otherwise the same fate awaited me. That night, the stars were on my side. Strong winds and heavy rain pounded the center and at four o'clock in the morning, along with 10 others, I crawled through a window and ran. Running turned to walking, and walking to hobbling as the sun rose and the grueling heat set in. Having long lost our shoes, we walked the 130 kilometers through Burkina Faso to cross into Niger barefoot, on our way to Niamey. Two of the younger and weaker members of our group became delirious from foot infections and dehydration and we had to carry them. Crossing the border cost 130,000 CFA (approximately 225 USD) but was rendered complicated by the language barrier we faced, not only amongst our group, but with the Nigerien authorities.

By the time I arrived in Niger, I had nearly run out of money, and had been separated from the friends I had initially set out with. I contacted my mother to let her know I was safe and that I would send money shortly. Her anecdotes of an uncle's success in Italy encouraged me and I set about finding work. During my three-month stay in Niamey, I worked grueling hours as a mason for 4,000-5,000 CFA a day, if I was paid. I found a somewhat covered garage that I took refuge in at night, if someone else hadn't gotten there first. Finally I managed to save 150,000 CFA (approximately 260 USD) and I set off to Algeria, where I knew I'd have to work for some time as well before making my way to Libya.

Crossing into Algeria is no easy feat. The desert is extremely well secured, so at two o'clock in the morning we got into a crowded bus that carried us to 5 kilometers from the border and from there we had to cross by foot. We were divided into two groups. Mine crossed first, successfully. The second group was not so lucky. They were caught by the border police, robbed, beaten and left in the middle of the desert to fend for themselves.

One of my fellow travelers had been suffering from a severe foot infection for some time, and upon our arrival in Algeria it became clear that he could not go on. Here, I encountered a first act of kindness in months, a Nigerien man of Tuareg ethnicity agreed to take him back to Niger.

It was here that I first heard of the possibility of contacting the embassy in Niger and of returning home through IOM. This however, was not my plan. I had come so far. Just one more step lay between me and utopia. Little did I know Algeria would be the worst part of my journey. The extreme racism made even buying water at the local shop a challenge. Armed children of 10 or 11 years of age would rob me and other 'babays' (black blood) like me daily.

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Work was hardly ever paid, and even when were paid, it would be stolen from us within minutes. I managed to find a construction site to work at, and the boss, a kind man I thought at the time, said he'd hold my pay, with the exception of an occasional small meal allowance, until the end of my stay to protect it. After two months I was ready to cross into Libya. However, when I went to collect my earnings, my boss said he didn't pay blacks and threatened to call the authorities if I didn't leave immediately.

I managed to find another site to work on for a weekly pay and in a month's time I had enough to leave this country in which blacks have no shelter, are denied food and live in the absence of any semblance of human decency.

To get from the Algerian town of Debdeb to Gadamis in Libya, we had to hire a guide for the seven hour mid-night trek. Again we were separated into two groups of 50. My group arrived at eight o'clock in the morning and left almost immediately for Tripoli. The group behind us arrived at ten, but was apprehended and several were killed by border police.

Thinking back now, Algeria wasn't actually the worst. Tripoli was.

The insecurity was overwhelming. People would deliberately hit us with their cars because we were black. We would be searched anytime we were in public. Not having anything of value on oneself was worse than being robbed as it ensured a hefty beating at best. A few days in, I was captured and locked in a toilet stall for fifteen days by Nigerien, Ghanaian and Libyan traffickers. Sometimes I'd receive some water and a biscuit.

After two weeks I was moved to a 6 story detention center with hundreds of others like me. One evening, as we were attempting to get some semblance of sleep, Libyan police officers attacked us. Seven of my friends were killed before my eyes, and that was only on my floor. A man who had become a companion during our imprisonment was badly wounded and the authorities refused to provide medical attention. Some friends and I precariously sewed the oozing wound shut and put together what meager funds we had remaining to buy him passage back to Nigeria where he could be returned to his home-town in Guinea-Bissau.

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It was in this moment that I decided, I had lost too much. I had seen too much. I called home for news of my friends who I had set out with. Three had been killed in Libya and the remaining two had drowned on the way to Italy.

I was going home.

All in all, I spent 25 days in Tripoli without work. But we blacks help each other. I was able to scrape enough together to cross back into Algeria. I heard that the Malian embassy in Algiers facilitated cash transfers, so I went back to work to send some money home to my family.

One evening, when I was close to having saved enough to continue my return trip, the police found me in the makeshift shelter I was sleeping in. They searched me and asked me where I had gotten the cash I was hiding. I gave them the name of my boss, who denied my employment and called me a thief. The police took everything and locked me up.

Soon after, I was released and I went back to work. A month later, I took the 60,000 CFA I had managed to save and headed back to Niger. My luck had clearly shifted through the course of the journey. Here again the border police took everything. I was left, alone, with nothing. I felt I had no other options left. By God's grace, I witnessed my second act of kindness, here on this desolate border. A Nigerien police officer took pity on me and he told me again what I had heard months before, that IOM in Niger could help me get home. He called a motor taxi to take me to the office and paid the fare.

Now, 22 days later, I am sitting in the waiting room at Leopold-Sedar-Senghor airport, back in Dakar. I'm home but I don't know exactly what I am going to do. I don't have much choice. Perhaps I will go back to being a mason.

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I don't know if Europe is really a paradise or not. But I know that if reaching that paradise means losing what I lost, suffering what I suffered, seeing what I saw, enduring what I endured, then I would much rather be home in "Tamba's home."

* Name changed to protect his identity.
Some suggest the GMO labeling law debate could spur a forced transparency revolution. I couldn't agree more that farmers and food makers need to be aggressive in opening their doors and letting consumers see how food is produced, but in reality, a transparency revolution is already underway. Critics who fail to acknowledge self-driven progress among food producers do a disservice equal to that of food producers who fail to embrace the need for transparency.

There are a broad range of voluntary transparency initiatives underway with more in development. For example, Hershey's commitment to increased transparency and move to simpler ingredients goes back to 2015. The company's website now provides an A-to-Z glossary of all its ingredients with easy-to-understand descriptions.

Leading food, beverage and consumer products companies last December unveiled SmartLabel to empower consumers to access a myriad of information with a simple bar code scan or click of a website. The technology puts nutritional information, ingredients, allergens, third-party verifications, social compliance programs, usage instructions, advisories and safe handling instructions at consumers' finger tips in a standardized format.

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At California's JS West and Companies, a leading egg producer, there are cameras in the barns that allow website visitors to see what the hens are doing 24 hours a day. Visitors to the site are welcome to leave comments about what they see.

New Jersey-based Catelli Brothers has installed a 12-camera system at its veal plant that monitors the facility in real time. A third-party generates a daily report on animal treatment.

At Indiana's Fair Oaks Farms, the doors are open for thousands of visitors every year to look through glass walls to see how real dairies produce milk and how pigs are born and cared for. The founders of the company say they have nothing to hide and want the public to see how their animals are treated.

These are just a few examples of how food companies and livestock producers have committed to providing as much information as possible to consumers, who are today far removed from the farm and food production. At the same time, the public is bombarded with information from a multitude of sources, much of it conflicting. It's no surprise that new technology is met with skepticism, making it much more important that food producers are transparent.

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Research by The Center for Food Integrity proves that increased transparency is a powerful tool to earn consumer trust. People today expect transparency and want to see how food is produced. Consumers want the ability to engage and get questions answered promptly and in easy-to-understand language. They want to see how food is produced, who's producing it, what's in it and how it impacts their health. A growing number of farms and food companies are engaged in the transparency revolution and pulling back the curtain, which I applaud.
Creative business people reviewing proofs in sunny office

Creativity is the wellspring that most success comes from. Of course, it takes much more than creativity to be successful in any endeavor, but creativity seems like the trait that is most difficult to come by. No matter how much money a business or organization throws at a problem, it cannot be solved without some form of creativity.

While creativity is often considered the domain of artists, everyone can utilize more creativity in his or her professional life. Achieving something that is truly fulfilling will come with difficulties and challenges. The only way around these challenges is to face them with the help of creativity.

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The question then becomes how we incorporate more creativity into our lives and how we create the space for the "muse" to flow through us. Here are a few habits from the most creative people I know.

1. Deep work - It seems more often than not, creative people keep odd hours. Whether it is in the form of staying up into the wee hours of the night or waking up early in the morning, having a period to work diligently without distraction is key. In his seminal publication "Deep Work", author Cal Newport discusses how people can get more from their time.

Deep work, as he calls it, is time to focus on work that is completely free from distractions. This might mean freeing oneself from the distraction of answering emails etc. or it might mean creating a space to work free from internal distractions (putting the phone on airplane mode). However this "deep work" is created, it is one of the key characteristics that seems to bind many of the highest performers in creativity.

2. Play - Mark Twain was one of the most prolific writers of all time and is largely considered one of the American bests. Twain famously said "When we talk about the great workers of the world, we really mean the great players of the world." To him, creating new things that were meaningful could only come from play.

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Even though some people use the phrase "work hard, play hard", most are using it incorrectly. You don't need to drink alcohol and use illicit drugs in order to be able to work diligently and produce creative works. Rather, Twain (and many others) believe play is the way we create. This could be in the form of playing with a frisbee, playing fight (jiu-jitsu anyone?), or any other type of play you can think of. Play is the mammal's way of learning. It's therefore the main ingredient in creative success.

3. Consistency - Doing the same thing over and over again might seem boring and the opposite of creativity, but according to many great creatives this is the key. Steven Pressfield wrote "The War of Art" and famously described going to battle against "resistance" every single day. This consistency in the face of his work has allowed him to come a long way.

It isn't only Pressfield who uses consistency on a daily basis. Chris Stoy, a personal injury lawyer, has made a career around focusing on his cases early in the morning before any distractions. This is how his firm successfully won a $27 million jury verdict for age discrimination. Without his consistent practice, he says: "I'd never be able to come up with creative angles on the cases. There have been numerous "aha!" moments in my career and they all seem to show up at the same point in the day so long as I'm consistent."

4. Patience - The other three habits that creative people exhibit can be incredibly draining if you don't have the right mindset. Consider waking up early or staying up late to do deep work, practicing your craft consistently with discipline and determination, only to find little or no success. This is where some people quit, but if they were to continue, it would be to their advantage.
Rodrigo Duterte has only been in office a few months in the Philippines but is giving Donald Trump a run for his money as the most bombastic and outrageous political figure on the global media stage. Just as a large percentage of Americans love Trump's weekly offensive and absurd statements, a "huge" percentage of Filipinos love it when Duterte verbally sticks it to Obama, the UN, and even the Pope. Duterte inevitably ends up taking it all back of course (after the damage is done), but it sure feels good in the interim. Duterte's popularity in the Philippines is an astonishing 91%. Filipinos must feel like it is they who are 'sticking it' to global powers, oligarchs, and the drug lords. Who wouldn't want that feeling? Bravo.

The same is very much true in the U.S., where a significant percentage of the electorate are willing to forgive (or perhaps reward?) Trump for his plethora of outrages against 'the system', Washington, career politicians, illegal immigrants, foreign countries, and the rest of 'them'. A lot of Americans also want to feel like they are taking their country and streets back, and they don't give a hoot who they offend or what anyone else thinks of us or anything else. Hooray! Doesn't it feel just great?!

Sure. There is a flip side to feeling so good, however. Last week the Philippine Stock Exchange reached its lowest point since July, the result of uncertainty around the country's path under the Duterte presidency. Local and foreign investors are pulling their money out of the country at a brisk pace. Part of the reason is the National State of Lawlessness that was declared by Duterte following this month's bomb blast in his native Davao in the south, which, to be fair, is not an uncommon event. Bombs have been exploding in the restive south for many years and no nationwide state of emergency has been called. Duterte clearly saw this as an opportunity to tighten the screws even further, impose what is the equivalent of martial law, and bring back the ghost of Ferdinand Marcos - after being in power only two months. Hip hip...hooray?

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Duterte is also now at the beginning of a process of potentially fundamentally altering the country's post-war foreign policy - away from the U.S. and toward China, with which the Philippines has longstanding territorial disputes over the Scarborough Shoal and Mischief Reef (both in Philippine territorial waters) and sovereignty over the Spratly Islands. Ironically, this foul-mouthed bastion of nationalistic fervor and flag waving plans to remove U.S. troops from the country's south, where they have been assisting the Philippine military for many years in combating a Muslim insurgency. Duterte blames the U.S. troops for inflaming tension with the Muslim population and has said the country will never have peace as long as they are there.

So, let me get this straight. China breaches the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone and takes control of its sovereign territory, and rather than ramp up the country's diplomatic fight against China on the back of its recent huge legal win over China in the South China Sea dispute at The Hague, he instead is looking to embrace China, call the U.S. president and ambassador nasty names, and kick U.S. troops out of the country, in an attempt to whip up nationalism? That's right. He is also (incredibly) apparently considering stopping joint patrols with the U.S. in the South China Sea, and purchasing future arms from China and Russia.

This bizarre scene -- which is precisely contrary to common sense and decades of diplomatic history - has potentially significant implications for Asia's international relations, and beyond. Duterte is at once appealing to brazen nationalistic impulses among the Philippine people while at the same time endangering its security and status. In the process, he is drinking China's kool aid and walking straight into a trap, for China is masterful at re-setting new lines of acceptability in international affairs and redefining what is 'reality', according to its own unique view of the world. Can Duterte honestly believe that the Philippines will end up better off by essentially throwing away its victory at The Hague, declaring defeat, and 'settling' for the easy way out with China? Do the Philippine people realize what is happening right before their eyes? Is this what they thought they were going to get when they elected Duterte to the presidency?

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The same may also be said about the possible election of Donald Trump as President in the U.S. Trump's threat to potentially upset the post-war order in Europe by withdrawing troops and monetary support for those European nations who do not in the future carry their fair share of costs to maintain the NATO alliance threatens to erode U.S. security, as well as that of Europe. Trump's supporters must also just love how that feels, sticking it to the smug, self-righteous, entitled Europeans. Like Trump, they are in the process of reducing international relations to a business transaction, with costs and benefits measured in dollars and cents, rather than in terms of security, stability, and order. If Trump and his supporters have their way, the U.S. will become ultra-isolationist, and the entire world will be seen as nothing more than competitors on the global economic stage.

Before the U.S. electorate takes America and the world down that dangerous path, they should consider just what the world would look like if they did. Europeans could come to resent the America it today reveres. Russia's political and economic sphere of influence may well grow in the process, with some European nations preferring the company of Russia to the U.S. With all of Trump's anti-Russian and Chinese rhetoric, a Cold War-esque alliance between the two nations would in all likelihood blossom -- well beyond where it stands today. And Chinese and Russian influence throughout the world would likely expand by leaps and bounds, with country after country believing that America had lost its way - and that an American electorate that could have voted in a demagogue like Trump would surely not be worth allying themselves with.

Duterte is already doing his part to ensure that Chinese influence expands throughout Asia at an accelerated pace, in the mistaken belief that running into China's arms must be preferable than a continued alliance with an America that remains unafraid to object to the human rights abuses he has unleashed in the Philippines and the highly offensive statements he has made against President Obama and Ambassador Goldberg. Duterte likes China precisely because Beijing will not object to these same issues, so that he can stroke his own ego in the process, just as Trump does. What a dangerous path these men with huge egos are taking their people, their region, and the world, so that they may continue to whip their supporters into a self-destructive frenzy.
Whatever drives Isabelle Huppert to portray women disposed to dire humiliation might be known by her and perhaps her psychotherapist (if she has one), but there are times when the many of us who admire her for her immense talent have to wonder whether it's necessary for us to continue witnessing her very public compulsion.

I sat in total wonderment in my Brooklyn Academy of Music seat (at the Harvey) throughout her latest in-person foray into intense degradation. It carries on through the three-hour-plus Krzysztof Warlikowski-directed Phaedra(s), while Huppert portrays, as the title indicates, various Phaedra figures. They're accumulated "after" Sarah Kane (her play Phaedra's Love), Wajdi Mouawad and J. M. Coetzee. The Coetzee contribution is taken from Louise Costello, his 2003 novel. And the sources drawn on are, of course, the Phaedras imagined by, to name a few, Euripides, Seneca and Racine.

As the hours ticked away on designer Malgorzata Szczesniak's large white box--into which a smaller but still large second box sometimes edges in and out--I watched Huppert grapple inconclusively with cuckolded husband Theseus and lust after not one of Theseus's sons but two Hippolytes (Gael Kamilindi, Andrzej Chyra). She fellates one and stabs the other to death in skewed post-coital passion. She commits suicide by hanging from a faucet and prepares to commit suicide a second time by using her hosiery as a noose attached to a shower head.

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I won't say that Huppert--wearing wigs and various sexy outfits Szczesniak provided (great shoes and big-rimmed sunglasses, too)--exposes herself to utter shame in every conceivable way. But as these Phaedras, she's certainly given over to sufficient disgraces to suit Huppert's role-selecting yet again. (In a few weeks she shows up at this year's New York Film Festival in Paul Verhoeven's Elle, where, as a Parisienne called Michele, she's raped but in this outing is empowered to seek revenge.)

Repeatedly as Phaedra(s) unfolds, we spectators watch her scrub her crotch to out, out the damned bloody spot that collected on her chemise after one unfortunate incident. We see her crawl around the stage over and again. She endures physical and metal assaults with blank-eyed stoicism and throws herself at the two Hippolytes, with only Hippolyte 1 gladly agreeing to intercourse. The other, Hippolyte 2, is a young man who goes along with a sexual encounter because he's bored--and bored for an awfully long while. It would seem that this stretch is Warlikowski's take on Racine's Phaedra, but don't hold me to it.

With earlier sections labeled "Beaute," "Cruaute," "Innocence," "Realite" and maybe a few more projected titles I may have missed, the Phaedra(s) creators are obviously out to make a trenchant statement, or statements. about women. They want to demonstrate how women handle love and desire and the compromised position in which they must operate in a man's world.

More than that, they're implying by a title in the plural that Phaedra stands in some way for Everywoman. In a lengthy late segment, Huppert arrives as Louise Costello. She's interviewed before an audience (the Harvey audience, as it happens). In a dark suit with hair-pulled back and chatty as all-get-out, she goes on about Eros and Psyche, about awkward love-making between the gods and mortals (Leda being penetrated by a swan, for instance) and about desire. She yammers to the point where anyone listening could begin to see the similarity between Phaedra and Blanche DuBois--yup, they're sisters under the skin. Whether women (or men, for that matter) buy the suggestion that women are always hapless victims is something else entirely.

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Phaedra(s) doesn't begin with the first of Huppert's Phaedras but with two alternate Phaedras. Norah Krief keens an Arabic lament into a mic, as Gregoire Leaute attacks a guitar. Rosalba Torres Guerrero, a dark, statuesque beauty on shiny platforms and sporting little else, dances. They're both on hand to set the mood for Every-Phaedra's inner torment. In the second act, Guerrero has an extended solo during which, to drive home her unflagging anguish, she rotates her head ever faster until it looks as if it's going to spin off and crash against a wall. Someone (Warlikowski?) has to regard this seemingly endless turn as meaningful.

There's much more that can be said about Phaedra(s), such as extended descriptions of the several scenes in which the Greek myth is mooted in one way or another. Mention should probably be made of Hippolyte's sibling, Strophe (Agata Buzek), who runs up against her own Phaedra-like devastations. But why, if sitting impatiently through the production is ultimately unedifying, burden others with anything more about the action?

A question does come to mind about an enterprise that has evidently made top European grades and, for one stop, has played Paris's venerated Odeon-Theatre de l'Europe. It may not be a new question, but nevertheless: Does Phaedra(s)--which possibly many others rate a bold, an unflinching look at women's ageless and unchanging plight--suggest that there is a sizable difference between and among cultural mindsets? Just asking, not insisting. Is it possible that one country's salve is another country's stewed prunes?
This morning, the House Science Committee is holding an unusual hearing, at which the committee's chairman, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), apparently aims to justify subpoenas he already has issued to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, and eight organizations and foundations concerned with the issue of whether Exxon deceived on the public on the issue of climate change.

Smith seeks communications between and among the attorneys general and the groups. Every entity that got a subpoena has refused to comply; Healey and Schneiderman each issued an emphatic response, as did each organization. Ranking member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and other Democrats on the committee have sharply criticized the subpoenas, as have numerous others, including:

Here are some key points about what's happening at today's hearing. (Disclosure: I'm a consultant to some of the organizations that have received subpoenas from Rep. Smith.)

1. The subpoenas to the attorney generals of New York and Massachusetts are not grounded in any legitimate legislative purpose -- and they violate the Constitution's protections for states' rights.

At least five state attorneys general are investigating ExxonMobil, looking at claims that Exxon defrauded its shareholders and customers by supporting efforts to deny the risks of climate change from fossil fuels, when the company already had extensive research showing that the risks were real. These are clearly valid investigations; as Yale School Dean Robert Post has argued, the First Amendment does not protect fraudulent statements.

Chairman Smith's subpoenas violate state sovereignty by interfering with these attorney general investigations. The 10th Amendment says, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution...are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." The states have broad police powers to protect their residents.

Chairman Smith has not cited any provision of the Constitution or other federal law that gives him the power to interfere in a state's investigation of a corporation for fraud. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently required a congressional committee to have a "valid legislative purpose" in order to investigate a matter.

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Chairman Smith says the committee has a role in ensuring that the attorneys general are not pressuring the "private sector...to make research funding decisions based in part on a desire to avoid burdensome state investigations and political or ideological coercion." He also claims the committee could legislate to seek to "correct" any "imbalance in scientific inquiry" resulting from the fraud investigations.

Massachusetts Attorney General Healey responded that the committee's legislative authority is "limited to scientific findings made or funded by federal government agencies, not by corporations, such as Exxon." The committee is not authorized to act as America's "science police."

State officials need the authority to enforce fraud and consumer-protection laws, without congressional committees acting to hinder such work.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who was previously the attorney general of Rhode Island, recently wrote regarding this controversy, "The constitutional principle of federalism requires 'proper respect' to states' constitutional functions, and what more proper and inherent state function is there than investigation and prosecution of violations of state law?"

2. The subpoenas to the organizations and foundations are not grounded in any legitimate legislative purpose -- and they threaten free speech.

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For a congressional committee to demand documents from advocacy and research organizations, as well as charitable foundations, simply because they have spoken out on an issue of concern, is a threat to free speech and our democracy. The subpoenas represent a dangerous new direction that threatens to suppress the speech not only of environmental groups, but also civil rights groups, reproductive choice groups, conservative advocacy groups, and others.

New York University law Professor Burt Neuborne called Chairman Smith's subpoenas "just another retaliatory gimmick aimed at making it too expensive and time consuming to criticize a powerful entity with deep pockets capable of enmeshing the critics in legal quicksand." These subpoenas are the legislative equivalent of SLAPP suits filed by corporations with the aim of stifling and deterring public debate by critics.

3. Two of the three witnesses that Chairman Smith has called for today's hearing -- Professor Ronald Rotunda and Elizabeth Price Foley -- have extensive financial ties to the fossil fuel industry and to think tanks that deny the dangers of climate change.

The fact that the Chairman is staking his argument about the validity of the subpoenas on the testimony of witnesses with such obvious bias suggests how improper this whole effort is.

4. The purpose of this effort by Chairman Smith seems to be to try to intimidate critics of, and to score political points for, fossil fuel companies.

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It's worth noting that Chairman Smith and other members of the committee have taken extensive campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry.

5. We are in the final weeks of this Congress and there is so much important work that the House Science Committee could be doing instead.

The American people expect Congress to address serious challenges our country faces. Instead, Chairman Smith wasting precious time, explaining the rationale for subpoenas that the Chairman already has sent. Worse, he is using his committee as a dangerous threat to our democratic system.

As ranking member Johnson wrote in a June 23 letter to the chair:

I have served on the Committee on Science for more than two decades, and during that time this Committee has accomplished great things. We've overseen the completion of the International Space Station and the sequencing of the human genome, and we've undertaken serious investigations, ranging from the Space Shuttle Challenger accident to the environmental crimes at the Rocky Flats nuclear site. However, lately the Committee on Science has seemed more like a Committee on Harassment. The Committee's prolific, aimless, and jurisdictionally questionable oversight activities have grown increasingly mean-spirited and meaningless. They frequently appear to be designed primarily to generate press releases. However, none of these recent investigations has rushed head long into a serious Constitutional crisis like we are about to face. We are moving into dangerous and uncharted territory. ...the Democratic Members of the Committee also take this oath seriously. We will not sit idly by while the powers of the Committee are used to trample on the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. I implore you to cease your current actions before they do lasting institutional damage to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Congress as a whole.

UPDATE 09-14-16 1:40 pm:

Despite all the effort put into today's hearing by Chairman Smith, the session only underscored the unprecedented, disputed, and controversial nature of these subpoenas.

The three law professor witnesses selected by Chairman Smith, plus the witness chosen by Ranking Member Johnson, law professor Charles Tiefer, sparred with committee members regarding the legality of the subpoenas.

Eleven Democrats on the Committee attended the hearing, and all of them spoke out forcefully against the subpoenas.

Some highlights are captured in my Twitter feed -- perhaps the most powerful being Rep. Don Beyer's (D-VA) playing of a video clip in which House Oversight Committee chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) tells CNN's Wolf Blitzer that his committee, which clearly has wider investigative authority than the House Science Committee, lacks jurisdiction to investigate the illegal $2500 campaign contribution from Donald Trump's charitable foundation to Florida attorney general Pam Bondi and the subsequent decision by Bondi's office not to investigate Trump University. "I don't see the federal jurisdiction in this case, it does look to me to be a state issue, it's regarding an attorney general in Florida," Chaffetz told Blitzer.

But another point that stood out came in testimony from Professor Jonathan Turley, the only of the three GOP-called witnesses who is not linked to fossil fuel money. While Turley, disagreeing with Professor Tiefer and others noted above, said that Chairman Smith had the legal right to subpoena the state attorneys general, he expressed serious concern about extending such subpoenas to the groups and foundations.

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Indeed, in his written testimony submitted to the committee, Turley writes, "The Committee has also subpoenaed public interest groups like Greenpeace, which I believe raise different and more problematic applications of congressional authority." He continues:

I am most concerned about the congressional subpoenas targeting environmental groups like Greenpeace. Critics have charged that the state attorneys general investigation are part of a coordinated effort with some groups to target political opponents and to harass dissenting experts in the field. Yet, targeting public interest groups has an obvious chilling effect on free speech and association. As a prudential matter, Congress should avoid the investigation of public interest organizations in their advocacy efforts. Once again, however, I have been called upon to address the constitutional barriers, if any, to subjecting public interest organizations to congressional subpoenas. There is no such threshold protection that would attach to a public interest organization as opposed to any other organization. Indeed, few members would want such a bar when Congress routinely seeks information from the not-for-profit industry and advocacy groups on a variety of issues. Public interest organizations like Planned Parenthood and church-based groups receive federal and state funding. They also can be an active component in violating federal laws or in denying basic rights to citizens. Additionally, we have seen an explosion of different types of corporate structures created to shield political donations and carry out political agendas. Regardless of whether a target is a for-profit or a not-for-profit corporation, there is no threshold constitutional barrier to compelled testimony or production of information. There may be heightened first speech or associational interests involved in such demands, but those are highly case-specific (and evidence-specific) controversies.... The ubiquitous character of not-for-profit corporations makes any threshold barrier impracticable. There is a plethora of such groups set up by advocates from industry, academics, and public interest areas. Some could easily be viewed as part of a conspiracy or underlying effort to violate federal laws, as was the case with certain tobacco industry groups. Indeed, tobacco groups were subject to subpoenas to uncover the identities and activities of their sponsors and contributors.... In this sense, the actions of these groups and prosecutors raise the same costs in investigating climate change critics. Because many of these groups also have political interests, an alliance with some attorneys general raises equally serious concerns over (to use a paraphrase of Clausewitz) the use of prosecution as politics by another means. Yet, such demands come at a high cost for the political system. The scope of the demand on public interest groups could raise specific concerns over the chilling effect on free speech and association. To be sure, there are cases where allegations necessitate the demand for communications made by not-for-profit corporations. It is for that reason that I would encourage both the attorneys general and Congress to minimize the investigation of academics and public interest groups in this controversy.
It's the countdown to the 2016 presidential election and emotions are running high. Since Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, the Democrats have come to believe that their party will govern in perpetuity. To achieve this, the media manipulates the "news" in order to obfuscate Hillary Clinton's mistakes on Benghazi, her mishandling of top-secret classified government documents, and her questionable ties with donors associated with the Clinton Foundation while serving as Secretary of State. Hillary's behavior draws associations with the "pay for play" practices that caused former Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, to end up in jail. Nevertheless, she remains the Democratic candidate for president.

How does Hillary Clinton deflect criticism away from her poor judgment and lack of leadership to tarnish Donald Trump? The answer was evident at a recent fundraiser when she characterized half of all Trump supporters as "racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic" and "you name it."

Hillary contends that Donald attracts the most hate-filled, venal, group of Americans, a category she lumps together with the "alt-right" movement she associates with David Duke and "other white supremacists." Indeed, earlier in the election cycle, Democratic strategists tried to link Trump's campaign with that of Vichy France. It bombed. Most Americans have little familiarity with European history, let alone an understanding of the collaborationist ties of the French government with Hitler in World War II.

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But why such spurious associations? The goal is to make the case, absent all evidence, that the Trump campaign is tied to some of the most heinous, most evil, most despicable political movements of the 20th century.

The irony of these false accusations should be evident. Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president, has, over the years, supported both parties, donating significant sums of money to Democrats and Republicans. He's been an advocate for many programs that transcend the political divide between left and right as his child and elder care proposal demonstrates.

Nevertheless, Progressives and the news outlets--with Fox News as the notable exception--have tried to brand him as the most racist and vile populist since Father Coughlin, whose radio broadcasts in the United States during the 1930s had a decidedly anti-Semitic and pro-Fascist tenor that demonstrated his support for Hitler and Mussolini.

The Progressive avowal to win by means fair or foul has led the media to shift from political impartiality to impassioned advocacy of the Democratic Party. As a result, the forum and presidential debates overwhelmingly favor Hillary Clinton. When, occasionally, this strategy fails, Progressives are incensed.

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At NBC's "Commander-In-Chief Forum" last week, Matt Lauer neglected to challenge Donald Trump's statement that he had opposed the Iraq war. Progressives were outraged. They had counted on Lauer to undermine Trump's support. However, Lauer demonstrated that he was no Candy Crowley. Crowley, as some of us recall, had inserted her biased partisan perspective into the debate between Romney and Obama to side with Obama, thereby ensuring that he would be perceived as the "winner" in the second and, as it turned out, most influential presidential debate of 2012, ultimately ensuring his reelection. The implication should be clear: A moderator's job today--according to Progressives--is, or should be, to sabotage the Republican candidate for president. No wonder Trump has said, "I think the system is being rigged."

This Progressive outlook is deeply troubling. It suggests that much of our press, many of our Democrats, and potentially a growing number of Americans no longer embrace the concept of a democratically elected government in which candidates for president are impartially questioned by reporters in the interest of delivering the "truth" to voters.

Why? Many Democrats believe that their party should be eternally victorious. They don't want to acknowledge that under Progressive governance these past eight years the economy has faltered and wages of Americans have significantly declined, thereby threatening Hillary's dream of becoming president.

Instead of focusing on how to rebuild America, how to create wealth, and how to empower people to achieve their dreams, the Clinton campaign slogan--the most recent of several used thus far--is "Stronger Together." However, some Democrats, Independents, and the rest of us with longer memories and disquieting thoughts about the declining standard of living can't help being reminded of how her husband, Bill Clinton, in 1992 defeated then sitting president, George H. W. Bush, with a far more memorable slogan: "It's the economy, stupid."

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Contrast Hillary's approach with Donald's. His campaign slogan "Make America Great Again" revives the words of Ronald Reagan and with it the memory of how in 1980 he defeated Democratic President Jimmy Carter, whose weak governance and lackluster economy persuaded voters to vote Republican. For Trump, economic opportunity is the engine of prosperity. It fosters growth. It improves wages. It allows Americans--all colors and all creeds from across the social spectrum--to, once again, have the opportunity by means of hard work and ingenuity to achieve the American Dream. Best of all, rebuilding America is the most effective means by which our post-industrial nation can compete in a globally competitive economy. Finally, without economic growth Entitlement Programs are in peril. For their funding relies upon the entrepreneurial engine of prosperity that provides the financial means to support our social programs.

Come November 8th, instead of all those invectives levied at Trump by Progressives, let's ask ourselves one question, nearly identical to that posed by Ronald Reagan to the American people in 1980: "Are you better off now than you were eight years ago?"
At this year's Pitti Fragranze, the yearly fragrance affair organized by Pitti Immagine inside the Stazione Leopolda in Florence, I wanted to deepen my love affair with perfume. No better way to do it, I thought, than by interviewing world-renowned olfactory artist, and what is known in the business as a "nose", Luca Maffei.

Don't let Maffei's young age, he's hardly thirty years old, and good looks fool you. He's already a powerhouse when it comes to designing fragrances. Maffei comes from a family "in the business" as he likes to say, and trained in Grasse -- the promised land of scents in the fragrance world -- with Francoise Marin. After an internship in the south of France, he returned to his native Italy and since 2011 he's been making waves in the perfume world. Along with his father Marco Maffei as well as Maurizio Cerizza, one of the most important contemporary Italian noses, Luca is now part of the team at AFM Atelier Fragranze Milano.

Winner of multiple awards, and creator of at least half a dozen best-selling scents, Maffei was at Pitti Fragranze this year with a few different perfumes, including 'Gelsomini di Capri' by Carthusia and 'Taersia' by Gabriella Chieffo Profumi. He's also responsible for creating the signature scent for Alitalia, Italy's national airline, though the fragrance hasn't been unveiled at Pitti Fragranze.

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Personal favorites include his 'Cologne Intense' for legendary French fragrance house Houbigant Paris. In his groundbreaking reinvention of the Eau de Cologne, Maffei pairs the typical Italian citrus notes with Neroli from Morocco and lavender with pink pepper and Indian jasmin. But then, for the final punch, he throws in darker, spicy notes of patchouly and oakmoss, with a deep touch of amber. The result is a sultry perfume that feel as fresh as it is sexy. It's the perfect date night scent worn with a little black dress, or by a man with jeans, a white shirt and a jacket.

Another winner is a fragrance of love called 'Secrets du Paradis Rouge' which Maffei created for French brand Jul et Mad. This latest masterpiece was unveiled during Pitti Fragranze and is the fifth chapter in the story of the brand's founders, a couple who decided to tell their love story through scent. But more on this magical perfume in the interview below.

So, why write about fragrances, since I'm mostly a film and culture writer, you may wonder? Well because I believe that the world is limitless and putting a wall up of any sort around us and our work, only creates unhappiness and limits our ability to dream. And, there is an undeniably evocative power in perfume. We all want to appear at our best, so this accessory is important as something that is representative of us, helps us to express ourselves at our most basic. Whether we admit it or not, and save a few who claim to be allergic to the stuff, the search for that exclusive perfume, a rich fragrance that immediately shows off the luxury of its raw material, is an important part of that never-ending quest for us to appear our best selves.

What I wanted to ask Maffei were the most basic questions, those that anyone who doesn't really know the eighth art, the olfactory art, would want to ask. I dared, and the answers now make me cherish the fragrances I own, and those I covet, even more.

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What inspires a person to create a new perfume?

Luca Maffei: This is a beautiful question. Everything is inspiration. The passion that people have who work in this art, is the passion to communicate through the olfactory sense. The nose is like a translator, an interpreter, so we rarely create for ourselves, rather we make our capacity available to those who wish to create perfume and communicate something. It can be the wish to communicate an image, a feeling, a film, a memory or a landscape.

How is a new perfume created? What starts the process?

Maffei: It starts from an idea. And that idea can be associated to a memory, a moment, a trip, a recollection that lights up this desire to transform it.

At which point does the name of a fragrance come into play?

Maffei: I believe that often the name comes beforehand. It is the starting point, because there must be a continuity between the perfume and its name, the message it wishes to send out.

Obviously you can't name a perfume containing incense, something like "A Day at the Beach"!

Maffei: Obviously not! But then these are decisions made by the brand's creative director. We are briefed on a concept that the owner of the brand has decided to realize. That's why I was telling you that we are a bit like translators... I can take, for example, 'Secrets du Paradis Rouge' by Jul et Mad, a French brand who tell their love story through perfume and this is their fifth chapter. It's dedicated to their honeymoon in Morocco, in a riad, which has become their secret hideaway. Hence the name, the "secrets of the red paradise", Marrakesh is the red city, and inside the riad was filled with orange blossoms and all this brought us to the creation of the fragrance. These are all the messages, all the imagery that Jul and Mad wanted the fragrance to be filled with. So a nose then takes all this information and transforms it.

How long does it take to create a perfume like this?

Maffei: There isn't a standard rule. After all, a perfume is the combination of 50 or 60 or even 80 different components. So we must allow the right amount of time to find the perfect formula.

Does it ever happen, as it does to filmmakers, that once a perfume is finished there are some things that you would have liked to have said through it, and maybe some you didn't want to express?

Maffei: It can happen. The will to experiment never ends. So at times it can happen that you think, well maybe I could have done this in a different way. But then I think I'll do it next!

For you, what is the ideal perfume?

Maffei: All -- there isn't a single one...

Do you really love all notes?

Maffei: No, of course, everyone has favorites. I love woods, I love spices, and I love to use woods and spices together because they create contrast. A perfumer has at his disposal around five to six thousand different materials and to use them all would be impossible. So naturally the palette that we use narrows down to about two hundred raw materials which are the ones that are most liked, most attract us. Often we talk about the olfactory signature of a nose because there are combinations and raw materials that guarantee a good outcome and are liked, stimulate the creator and so he ends up using them almost always or starts from them to create through perfume.

When you are with fellow noses, perfumers, and you all smell something, what do you say?

Maffei: Those who see us from the outside, when we talk -- a fragrance designer or a perfumer, a dealer -- must think we are crazy. First of all, we smell everything and when we detect a scent, and someone asks, "is it good?" before saying yes or no, we start to say, "ah yeah, here there is some Hedione, there is Galaxolide, some orange blossom..." We talk through associations of raw materials and notes. And some have really unrepeatable names.

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"I don't think there is anything to be gained by any Senator to vote against continuation of this act. And I am fairly confident it will be reenacted in perpetuity unless -- unless a court can say it does not comport with the Constitution." This was the late SCOTUS judge Antonin Scalia's sharply and very pointed rejoinder during oral arguments before the high court back in February, 2013 on why the Voting Rights Act should be drastically watered down, gutted, or outright eliminated. Scalia got part of what he wanted when he and the other court conservatives by a 5 to 4 vote stripped away the pre-clearance provision of the Act that required states to submit any changes in their voting procedures to the Justice Department for approval. The pre-clearance provision was there as a backstop that the feds could use to stop states from concocting all manner of schemes and dodges to dilute and suppress minority votes.

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There's little doubt that if Scalia had been on the bench when the North Carolina voter ID law hit the court, the vote would likely have been 5 to 4 to uphold the North Carolina law. Scalia would not only have been the fifth vote but given his hard line quip that voting rights is a "racial entitlement" he would have been an eager fifth vote to keep the law on the books. The law put up all kinds of new restrictive requirements on the types of ID that could or couldn't be used to prove voter eligibility. It was the most sweeping, rigid, and blatant effort to dump blacks and minorities from the polls. A lower court had struck down the law. Scalia's absence got a 4 -4 tie vote which meant that the lower court decision stood.

The significance of Scalia's absence paid a dividend in two ways. The first is that by striking down the North Carolina voter suppression scheme, it will have a huge ripple effect in making it easier to topple laws in more than a dozen other GOP legislative controlled states that have erected varying types of voter suppression schemes. The other is the 4-4 tie vote divide between the court's liberals and moderates and the conservatives will insure that other conservative schemes to gut, erode, or eliminate abortion rights, tighter gun control legislation, affirmative action, health care, education, and campaign reform legal challenges won't get past first base with the court.

The Citizens United case that opened the floodgate on unlimited corporate bankrolling of campaigns was one case that might have been decided differently without Scalia's vote to uphold it. The case that upheld the constitutionality of botched lethal injections in executions also might have been decided differently without Scalia's vote to uphold the state's right on the type of injections. The cases on contraception, prayer at city council meetings, and class action sex discrimination lawsuits against corporations also might have been decided differently without Scalia's vote to water down contraception, uphold prayers, and toss sex discrimination lawsuits. Scalia's reliable vote against any and everything that even remotely involved civil rights, civil liberties, voting rights protections, the death penalty and against any limits or restrictions on corporations was such a given that it could almost be mailed in.

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Scalia's impact on the high court went far beyond just votes on court cases. In his more than three decades on the bench, he maintained a hawk-like watch to make sure that strict constructionism would hold sway in court decisions. He was, in fact, considered a demigod among ultra-conservatives, pro-lifers and evangelicals. Scalia more often than not got his way because he was willing to cajole, hector, and even bully his way through during oral arguments in cases. He was an intimidating presence who could not be ignored.

He was even more effective in getting his way because of the vast change in the way Supreme Court justices view their role on the court, namely as neutral and objective arbiters of the law. In decades' past, many Democratic and Republican-appointed justices scrapped party loyalties and based their legal decisions solely on the merit of the law, constitutional principles and the public good. Scalia, and Clarence Thomas though, were judicial horses of a different color. They were unabashed in their vow to uphold conservative tenets in all court cases and vote their ideology rather than the law.

That's why then GOP presidential candidate George Bush on the presidential campaign trail in 2000, when asked if elected what kind of judge he'd look for and nominate. He didn't hesitate. He pledged to appoint "strict constructionists" to the court and specifically named Thomas, Scalia and William Rehnquist as the judges that perfectly fit that description. By then the three had already carved out a hard line niche as three of the most reflexive, knee-jerk, reactionary jurists to grace the court in decades.

Scalia made a mighty effort to shape and remake law and public policy in his narrow, retrograde image of what law and public policy in America should be. The Scalia dividend is that with his absence from the court that thankfully will change.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He is the author of Let's Stop Denying Made in America Terrorism, (Amazon Kindle) He is an associate editor of New America Media. He is a weekly co-host of the Al Sharpton Show on Radio One. He is the host of the weekly Hutchinson Report on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles and the Pacifica Network.
When a story about a great work of art hits the front page of a major newspaper, it usually means some kind of trouble: Fraud. Theft. Vandalism. But when two weeks ago the Los Angeles Times published an article with a reproduction of "Adam" and "Eve" by German Renaissance painter Lucas Cranach the Elder -- the news was good, at least for the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena.

Norton Simon purchased these paintings in 1971 from descendants of the Russian aristocratic family, who claimed that after the 1917 Revolution, the Soviet authorities confiscated their family collection. In 1931, in desperate need of money, the Soviets sold "Adam" and "Eve" at an auction in Berlin, where it was acquired by the Dutch Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker.

Then, at the beginning of World War II, when the Nazis invaded Holland, Goudstikker fled the country. His vast collection was sold under enormous pressure to Hermann Goering -- and for only a fraction of its actual price. After the war, part of this collection was recovered by Allied forces and returned to the Dutch government. However, no one claimed ownership of the Cranach diptych until 1966, when descendants of the Russian aristocratic family were allowed to acquire these paintings that were subsequently sold to Norton Simon. But that wasn't the end of the story. The descendants of Jacques Goudstikker initiated a lengthy legal battle claiming that they are the lawful owners of Cranach's "Adam" and "Eve". Three weeks ago, the U.S. District Court ruled that the Norton Simon Museum is indeed the rightful owner of the paintings. So next time you go to this museum, pay homage to this great masterpiece, for one never knows how the next chapter in its history might turn out.

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Last Sunday's issue of the NY Times featured a generously illustrated, double-spread article by Joseph Giovannini: "From Paris to Moscow and Back". It told the fascinating story of an outstanding private collection of French art assembled more than one hundred years ago in Moscow by Sergei Shchukin. A successful merchant, he began collecting in the late 1890s and as a result of his numerous trips to Paris, acquired close to 300 iconic works by Monet, Picasso, Matisse, and Gauguin, to name just a few.





In 1908, he opened his Moscow palace to the public -- the first ever museum in Russia devoted to contemporary art. After the 1917 Revolution, his museum, with its vast collection, was taken over by the Soviet government and now, one hundred years later, visitors to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and Pushkin Museum in Moscow can salivate over the Sergei Shchukin collection divided between these two museums.

Lucky Parisians! This coming October, they will enjoy a large exhibition at the Louis Vuitton Foundation with a display of more than 130 paintings from Shchukin's collection. Unfortunately for us in the United States, the chance of hosting such an exhibition here is close to zero because of a legal dispute with Russia. This dispute is in response to a decision by a federal judge to fine Russia $44 Million for refusing to return a collection of Jewish books and documents to the Hasidic Chabad-Lubavitch group based in Brooklyn. You may want to check out the link to the NYT article on the subject on the KCRW website for today's Art Talk.

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But who knows, hopefully one day, when this dispute is over we, Angelenos, might enjoy a travelling exhibition celebrating the amazing collection of French art assembled by Ivan Morozov -- another Russian collector who lived in Moscow and whose collection rivaled the one assembled by Shchukin.

To learn about Edward's Fine Art of Art Collecting Classes, please visit his website. You can also read The New York Times article about his classes here, or an Artillery Magazine article about Edward and his classes here.

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This past weekend proved to be particularly busy for Los Angeles art lovers, with numerous museum and gallery openings all over the city marking the beginning of the autumn season. Just to list all of these exhibitions would take up all of the time that I have for this program. So let me zero in on one particular exhibition at USC Fisher Museum of Art celebrating the gift of several hundred artworks from the collection of Dr. Eugene Rogolsky.

Appropriately titled A Generosity of Spirit, the exhibition emphasizes the wide range of his interests and passion for painting, sculpture, drawing, and photography. According to the curator, Tim Wride, "It is a collection that is populated by works done by artists who were patients [of Dr. Rogolsky], patients who were friends, and friends who became legends."

The works of well-known Los Angeles artist Carlos Almaraz (1941-1989) are represented particularly in-depth in this collection. Dr. Rogolsky first got to know the artist as a patient, but then the two became friends and Dr. Rogolsky ultimately became his patron. "His holdings of Almaraz's work span the breadth of the artist's career -- from graduate school to his death [from AIDS] at the age of 48." It's worth noting that a major retrospective of Carlos Almaraz's work is scheduled to open at LACMA next year.

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Selma Holo, director of the USC Fisher Museum of Art, describes Dr. Rogolsky -- whom she met 25 years ago -- as "the world's nicest man". A few years ago, he approached her about the possibility of giving his entire collection to the museum "along with the means to exhibit and conserve it".

This exhibition displays only a small part of Dr. Rogolsky's entire donation to USC consisting of 700 artworks. His donation will no doubt bring additional attention to the important role that the Fisher Museum of Art plays in the cultural life of our City of Angels.

So, now let's cross the city to UCLA. This past May, UCLA's School of the Arts & Architecture received a generous donation from Margo Leavin, a famous gallerist and a university alumna. The university has declined to confirm the exact amount, but "sources familiar with the project peg her gift at $20 million". For 42 years, Margo Leavin Gallery in West Hollywood was a major player in Los Angeles' art scene. Now her generous gift will help replace UCLA's crumbling Graduate Art Studios in Culver City. The new 75,000 square-foot building will be designed by Johnston Marklee & Associates, the prominent L.A. architectural firm responsible for another high-profile cultural project under construction: the Menil Drawing Institute in Houston.





I would describe Margo Leavin's gift as not only generous, but very intelligent and timely. Earlier this year, UCLA's fine arts program was ranked No. 2 in the nation -- second only to Yale. We should thank both Dr. Rogolsky and Margo Leavin for their love of art and their significant contributions to our city's cultural life.

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To learn about Edward's Fine Art of Art Collecting Classes, please visit his website. You can also read The New York Times article about his classes here, or an Artillery Magazine article about Edward and his classes here.

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We must do more to ensure that vaccination programmes reach refugee and migrant children, writes Dr Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organization and Vice-Chair of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.





A child is vaccinated against polio in Syria

Photo credit: WHO

It is hard to imagine a more effective method than vaccination for keeping children healthy. Not only do vaccines save lives in huge numbers, they are also cost-effective, relatively easy to deliver and, in most cases, provide lifelong protection.

These health benefits spin off into economic and social development. Healthy children are more likely to do better at school and become healthy productive adults, who contribute by working, investing and saving throughout their lives.

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But vaccination does require high levels of coverage, as the more kids who receive their shots the lower the chances that killer diseases such as diphtheria, measles and meningitis will spread throughout the population. This goes to the heart of the problem for refugees or migrants.

Children caught up in humanitarian emergencies are much more likely to miss their routine shots than those living in stable settings. Missing these vaccinations makes any child much more likely to catch an infectious disease, such as a respiratory disorder or diarrhoea.

The risk of such diseases spreading is known to increase when large groups of people are on the move, live in overcrowded places or miss out on routine vaccinations. Research by the World Health Organization (WHO) into the vaccination needs of people in acute humanitarian emergencies identified many risks from vaccine-preventable diseases - frequently made worse by lack of food, clean water and proper sanitation.

With a record 65.3 million forcibly displaced persons worldwide, the struggle to maintain adequate levels of vaccination among children on the move is a challenge in many parts of the world. For example, children account for a third of the 50 000 refugees, asylum seekers and migrants currently living in Greece. The most vulnerable are the young children who have yet to receive any vaccinations because health care in their home countries has been interrupted by civil unrest and war. Last year in Iraq, more than 340 000 children did not receive their third dose of oral polio vaccine through routine services due to the crisis affecting the country.

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Action to keep refugee and migrant children healthy



So how do we protect these children? As country representatives from around the world gather in New York at the upcoming UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants, we need to ensure that health - and immunization - is given the prominence it deserves. After all, good health is not only a human right, it also underpins children's ability to learn and to be resilient in times of uncertainty.

It is vital for host countries to extend their routine immunization programmes to refugees and migrants, irrespective of their legal status. Such measures would protect not only the people on the move but also the communities in host countries, where immunity gaps still exist. To support efforts in the wake of the European refugee and migrant crisis, WHO, UNHCR and UNICEF have provided European countries with guidance outlining general principles on the vaccination of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants in the European Region. Certain countries, such as Greece and Italy, are leading the way.

WHO is continuing to work with UNICEF, Medecins sans Frontieres and other partners to deliver vaccinations to everyone who needs them. In Greece, two vaccination campaigns for the refugee and migrant population were conducted in early May 2016 with the support of WHO, in accordance with Greece's national immunization schedule. The two campaigns covered approximately 6000 people in Idomeni, and approximately 20 000 in the rest of the country. In Iraq, WHO is supporting the Ministry of Heath, in close coordination with UNICEF, to increase immunization coverage among all children, with a special focus on refugees and internally displaced persons.

As an international community, we must also invest more and find smarter ways of financing stocks of vaccines to use during emergencies and outbreaks. As a Vice-Chair of the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, I am proud of Gavi's work towards a new Fragility and Immunization policy, which commits to "reaching the un-reached with life-saving vaccines". This strategy funds vaccine stockpiles for use during outbreaks, and includes purchasing the first-generation Ebola vaccine.

At next week's UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants, countries should recommit to safeguarding the health of children in humanitarian emergencies - a task identified as a priority in the new Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health. In any setting, funding the supply and delivery of vaccines is a proven way to save lives. And with millions of children on the move, the stakes could not be higher.

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Public figures and political organizations are wringing their hands: Do we publicly throw our weight behind a fear-mongering demagogue or do we suck it up and endorse a "career politician" who can't seem to earn voters' trust?

But what if "endorsement" is a political red herring? "Endorsing" suggests approval, but for a lot of us that option is closed. But, hey, we still have to choose--we must choose because democracy itself is at stake today.

By this we mean that Big Money has come to dominate our political system and voting rights are under attack. As democracy itself is in jeopardy, in this election here's what we strive for: to act strategically--weighing the long-term consequences of the choices available today.

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We start with the following assumption: that none of the huge challenges our nation faces--from deepening economic inequality to racial injustice to climate change--can be met without core democracy reforms, including restoring the Voting Rights Act and public financing of elections.

We also assume that these foundational reforms can't happen without a broad, deep citizens' movement pushing, pushing, pushing the future president. Isn't this what Bernie Sanders tried hard to get us to understand from the beginning of his campaign? He stressed the importance of continuing the fight the day after Election Day.

History lessons often help in a crisis, so what can we learn?

Consider Franklin D. Roosevelt, whom professor Peter Dreier describes as "cautious, even conservative" before being pushed to act. FDR famously declared to a group of activists in the 1930s "You have convinced me, now go out and make me do it." And so they did, introducing decades of advancement for all classes, especially the poorest.

Or, consider the Lyndon B. Johnson era. Before his presidency, Johnson had voted against every single piece of civil rights legislation over his two decades in Congress, notes Ari Berman in Give Us the Ballot. Yet, he pushed through the most important Civil Rights legislation since Reconstruction and then the War on Poverty, helping to cut the poverty rate in half in just over a decade.

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Johnson understood that only citizen pressure could give him the muscle to act against Southern opposition: So he said to Martin Luther King, "Ok you go out there, Dr. King, and keep doing what you are doing, and make it possible for me to do the right thing," Bill Moyers recounts.

It was only after King, John Lewis, and company marched in Selma and met brutal repression, creating a political crisis, that LBJ was able to act.

Lesson? Previous voting records aren't always indicators of a president's policy positions. Much depends on what we citizens do. This insight focuses the mind on building a powerful citizens' movement.

And when it's not there, what happens? After President Obama's election, the activism his campaign sparked fell apart, as we failed to build a powerful citizens' movement pressing the president and Congress to pass foundational democracy reforms.

So, a key strategic question for us: Which candidate today is likely to respond to pressure representing majority opinion on strengthening democracy? After all, 85 percent of Americans want fundamental changes in the way we fund our elections.

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Some claim that Clinton and Trump are equally as (un)likely to correct our deep "democratic deficit." We strongly disagree.

Clinton and the Democratic Party's platform declare support for virtually every major democracy reform now pursued by dozens of national citizen organizations. (See the Field Guide to Money-Out-of Politics) Reforms include voting rights, removing barriers to voting, public-and-small-donor financing of campaigns, and ending political gerrymandering, as well as beginning the process of a constitutional amendment to establish that only real people (not corporations) have constitutional rights.

Trump, on the other hand, has expressed no concrete plan or even desire for campaign finance or voting rights reform. Instead he's implicitly suggested intimidating voters on Election Day.

Of course, legislation isn't the only thing we have to think about to be strategic.

The president has the power of appointment with huge consequences.

Most obvious is the Supreme Court vacancy. Obama's nominee, Justice Merrick Garland, will likely not be confirmed by the end of this year. So either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton will shape the ideological composition of the Court for years to come. Vital issues from money in politics to voting rights to environmental regulation all hang in the balance.

And then there are cabinet appointments. Often under-the radar administrative positions often dictate significant policy shifts.

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Think of Ronald Reagan's cabinet appointments, and, for example, his choice of Anne Burford to head the Environmental Protection Agency. There, she actively diminished the EPA's power, cutting its budget by over one-fifth and rolling back environmental protections. Given the extreme ideological position of the GOP on climate change, it's not paranoid to expect a similar tactic if Trump is elected.

Or, imagine what New Jersey Governor Chris Christie would do as Attorney General?

Back in April, we both gained a deep sense of the power of united citizens as we marched with Democracy Spring from Philly to D.C. and participated in its historic sit-in for money-out-of-politics, voting reform, and a constitutional amendment. After deep discussion, Democracy Spring took a bold step by advocating that its members strategically vote for Clinton. This is not an endorsement, Democracy Spring makes clear, but part of a strategic plan.

At a moment of national crisis, each of us has to make us a choice, asking which candidate's presidency could give us the best shot at achieving real democracy?

As with Democracy Spring, we, too, see only one strategic choice. With Clinton, there is at least hope for building a "movement of movements"--a true Democracy Movement to "make her do it"--that is, to give her the shove and the necessary muscle to follow through on her promises. As Bernie has reminded us, as FDR and LBJ have shown us, the real fight for democracy will begin the day after the election.

Being strategic involves one's own vote, and beyond: It means being able to look oneself in the mirror the morning after the election and ask: Did I do enough to create the possibility for foundational reform? Until November, therefore, we will be doing all we can to register voters, persuade the disengaged to vote, and help get people to the polls on Election Day.

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My wife Lisa and I were driving to the beach the other day and I had the radio on NPR. After listening to some of the campaign rhetoric for a few minutes, she said, "If this is the caliber of what it takes to be President, then I think I could do it."

As I reflected on other candidates compared to her qualifications I concluded that she should at least be considered for President of the United States.

Lisa is to the Right of Ronald Reagan

First, Lisa is not a Socialist, and so shouldn't be immediately excluded. Certainly not like that Ronald Reagan was when he was in the Screen Actors Guild, and president of the union for the Hollywood Elite. Through a collective bargaining strike Reagan did negotiate money away from the large corporations and have it shared with the people who produced the product. One day we might be able to delete this stain from our Capitalist heritage, but for now we will just have to ignore it. My point here is that Lisa is more than a little bit to the Right of Ronald Reagan and so that should stand as decent conservative credentials.

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At the same time Lisa knows about balance. You can't just have a full free for all in the financial markets and let everyone fight each other for their own. Her friend has arthritis since childhood. Her friend's husband's injuries as a vet also creates challenges. Without the disability insurance and VA benefits they would be in dire straits. Sometimes we take a hit and get knocked down. We need each other as a community in this country to help each other up instead of get trampled. Government services are a way to do that, they just need to be done well and efficiently. It is about balance.

Lisa has a Good Brain

Second, Lisa has a really good brain. Certainly having a good brain is not enough or the only requirement. Also important is to have the good sense not to have a need to tell people about it. If Lisa ever did boast about her good brain, she outgrew this need when she was five years old.

Unfortunately, Lisa doesn't have large hands. This seems to be of importance out there on the campaign trail, although the reason for this has been lost on me, and her. In this category she is at a disadvantage. At 5 foot 7 inches, her hands are nicely proportional, and serve her just fine. Probably the nicest thing about her hands is that, combined with her very good brain, she doesn't feel so insecure that there is a need to defend the size of them. More importantly, the fact that she finds these issues absurd is evidence to her having a good brain. However, this good common sense may make her overqualified for some media commentator positions.

Lisa has Traditional Midwest Values

You may want to know about her business background. Some people think this is somehow important, even though President is a public service position. She's done pretty well for herself given that she grew up poor in rural Indiana. Lisa ignored her high school career counselor's recommendation to be a secretary or a nurse as the only options. Aside from studying fashion and design, one of her accomplishments was growing out of a prejudiced mindset that the world put on women.

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Lacking a million dollar gift from dad, Lisa worked through school, paying her own way, and advancing in retail positions. Later she became a buyer for a large department store chain and was in charge of getting merchandise into the store that would sell. She seemed to know how to sell things and make money because she kept getting promoted. She didn't sell any steaks, but it seems other candidates didn't either.

Because of her success, Lisa didn't get any bankruptcy experience. Some candidates have had their companies file 4 or 6 times depending on how you count them.

Some people might have figured out to personally profit as they got their company into debt, and then legally walk away leaving bond and stock holders with the collapse. That's why when they are asked about their bankruptcies they never talk about it as a failure. They often mention that they did quite well. They fail to mention the impact of losses to investors and stock holders. Lisa hasn't figured that out, but then again, she wouldn't want to learn how to do that to other people. I think it also speaks to her character. Character may not be taught in business school, but she learned it anyways.

Lisa Doesn't Fear Change. Instead she Changes Fear

Lisa would also be the candidate for change. While on buying trips to New York she began to become a nervous flyer. Fear doesn't sit well with Lisa. Her motto about fear is, "Get it before it gets you." With her willingness to attack fear, and always willing to learn from others, Lisa decided to get some flying lessons. She figured that if she knew more about what was going on she wouldn't get nervous. At 30 years old, a personal growth task turned into a passion. Today she's the chief pilot and manages a private jet for a private owner.

I think the ability to make life and death decisions at 500 miles an hour should count as something. Practicing engine loss on take offs in the simulator also carries over to other areas. Lisa is not likely to get thrown into tilt if someone makes a negative tweet.

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Government Provides Solutions As Well

While used to getting things done at 500 miles an hour, Lisa hates red tape. Skillful with a scissors from her fashions studies, I have no doubt that Lisa would be cutting a lot of red tape. Lisa is a fan of less government, when possible. Again always, about balance with her. I know Lisa doesn't like those FAA exams and check rides they make her take. They are stressful. However, she sure does like the feeling of getting on any commercial flight knowing that the pilots in the cockpit (a pretty sexist term she will tell you) had to do the same level of training to fly her.

Lisa might also be impatient with the county inspector that comes out to count the number of nails in a sheet of roofing plywood to make sure it is installed correctly. At the same time she is grateful that when she goes to buy a house, the inspector made sure that roof was installed correctly, and won't fly off in a big wind the first winter after she buys it. Lisa knows that what you pay for with your taxes costs you something, but that you also get something for that money, like roads, fire protection, defense, and help when you might need it in a disaster. So that idea about getting rid of all the red tape might be going too far. She will want to cut the wasteful stuff she can find with a skillful scissors, but she will want to keep the stuff that helps people stay safe and prosper. Not enough financial oversight and regulation leads to collapse of big banks. Just like not enough of the right rebar steel in the concrete and your foundation will crumble. It's good to have some kind of government agency somewhere looking after things like that. If you can't see that there are benefits to what your government can do with money then you may need an eye test.

How to Give Everyone a Fair and Safe Opportunity.

I don't think you will find Lisa saying that the solution to sexual harassment is just for women to go get another job. When you are 20, putting yourself through school working at a retail store that isn't always an option. When the manager presses a woman up against the shelves of the stockroom and tries to get personal benefits when he isn't providing any real benefits to her you don't have a lot of negotiating leverage. With $20 to make it to the end of the week for food and bus fare you can't afford to just quit. Even the option to go tell someone in the HR department doesn't work if there isn't an HR department because there are only 12 employees. Lisa understands the importance of having a legal system on your side when the unfairness of corporate or personal power is being abused. Government regulations are supposed to help with that balance and fairness.

Lisa is fair. These days, if another pilot engages in some good sexual humor in the workplace Lisa is going to laugh, although not so much on the outside, her dry wit doesn't have room for that, but on the inside she will laugh and appreciate it. Then in a there will likely be razor fast reply and innuendo three layers deep tossed back his way. I think this quality of humor is missing with some candidates. It's too dark with sarcasm and criticism out there and I'd like to see her clever wit instead.

And if the sexual joking goes too far, if it goes into inappropriate with someone Lisa works with, she will talk with them in a reasonable way. Lisa is fair like that. If that doesn't work, then like a good boss that she is, she will fire him. That's not an option she had when she was 20 and the power of a boss wasn't checked and balanced with the law. Of course if you are the head of a news corporation you don't have to be fair and balanced in this regard either.

The American Success Story isn't measured by Success

Lisa also has some good real estate skills. She's making money in that business too. This has left her without that valuable bankruptcy experience mentioned earlier. She didn't have a dad hand her a check for a million dollars when she graduated school and say, "Go start your business." This seems to be the way most wealthy people get wealthy. They get it handed to them from their family. I think it is hard to judge someone's good business judgment if they had it handed to them. I trust Lisa's judgment because she built it herself. I think she would have a lot more if her family handed her $400 million at some point, but we shouldn't be electing someone based on how much their parents had accumulated and handed over as a head start. I think character and work ethic are more important in these areas.

I think that a person that starts from nothing and builds it into something is also more of the American story, and dream that people identify with. Most of us don't start out with a lot, and we have to work for it. In that way we value having a home, food on the table, and our family and friends as support all the more for it. It's that kind of value system that makes us strong as a culture, as a country, and as an economic force that will help more than anything that is dressed up with gold plating.

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Lisa also supports small business. On those real estate properties we have to occasionally hire a plumber, or electrician, or a contractor. She always makes sure they get paid. Yes, she could make more money if she reneged on the contract or made the contractor go to court to get what they earned. I think the lack of any lawsuits against her is an indication that she is a good and fair person to work for and with. Small businesses have always gotten a fair deal, not a corrupt one, and I think that is a good track record to have. This is something to look into when you consider your candidate. We have to do more than pursue our own dreams, we should help others achieve theirs, or at least not make it harder. I don't know that all the other candidates can say this.

Pro Choice or Pro Life? Women don't get to Cut Men

Then there is that one question that some people always want to know about a major candidate: "Are you pro-choice or pro-life?" Lisa is going to support a person's right to choose. A woman should have a right about what she does with her body. "Women don't get to vote on whether grown men get circumcised. If men are willing to let women vote on what doctors should surgically to men's bodies, then we can have a discussion. Until then men should stay out of women's bodies unless they are invited. When the government takes such a personal freedom away, or even makes it difficult, we are on the wrong path."

Lisa is clear on this. Not like some of those candidates that seem to contradict themselves month to month.

I Respect Her More than some of the Other Candidates

I like her clarity. I respect her. I think she makes a lot more sense, and has more real life experience to draw on then some of the candidates out there. If you grow up in the household of a multimillionaire you don't know what real life is like for people. You can't grasp their challenges and day to day concerns when you never had any of your own.

Lisa is also a really nice person. If you are running for office, and you have lost most of your friends in the party by the time of the election, then something is intrinsically wrong. I think that is important because if we are going to really get along as one country, then we all need to practice being nice to each other, especially the people we don't agree with, and she is a great example for that. You can be firm, have boundaries, and still be respectful and kind. These are some of the reasons why I believe my wife Lisa should be considered for President.
Donald Trump made a move that will either go down as sheer genius or utter idiocy. Trump's problem is that he is continually behind Hillary Clinton in the polls by about five points. He is also substantially behind her in the electoral college. This has been roughly the situation since the Democratic Convention, although there has been a small move toward Trump in the national polls, but almost none in the electoral college. He has a substantial base of voters, about 40 percent, and he must move about 6 to 7 percent to win the popular vote and eke out the electoral.

That should not be impossible. But Trump has little room to grow. The number who say they have negative views of him are most of the rest of the electorate. Clinton is also disliked intensely, but her negative numbers, while substantial, are less than his. If this were election day, he would lose. He has to find a strategy that would allow him to roll back his negatives somewhat and win over a few of those who are voting for Clinton only because she isn't Trump.

His problem is that what he did in order to win the Republican nomination was what created these negative feelings. To make inroads there, he had to do two things. First, he had to alleviate the sentiment that he was unable to serve as president because of profound character flaws. Second, he opened his campaign by attacking Mexican illegal immigrants and Muslims, as well as free trade and the U.S. alliance system. He wound up in a position where he either reduced the negatives or gave up the election. Clinton reportedly already started choosing her Cabinet.

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Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto threw Trump a lifeline, which was extraordinary, given the things Trump said about Mexico. Pena Nieto invited Trump and Clinton to meet with him in Mexico. Now, for Clinton this didn't mean much. She hasn't got a Mexico problem. For Trump it offered a possibility to go into hostile territory, demonstrating self-control and shifting stance a bit. If he failed, he was in no worse condition than before - losing. If he succeeded in winning over voters he could change the race.

As I said, Clinton didn't play in this game, so the question is why Pena Nieto offered Trump this chance. Pena Nieto can't run again, his own favorability ratings are in the 20 percent range, and he knew inviting Trump would create a collective rage attack in Mexico. Given that his own numbers can only rise, and he is barred from running for re-election, the answer might actually be statesmanship. If Clinton wins, Mexico's relations with the United States stay the same. If Trump wins, relations can turn disastrous. Mexico needs the U.S. far more than the U.S. needs Mexico. By reaching out to Trump, he might be able to soften Trump's positions and create a personal relationship, based on the assumption that Trump isn't actually committed to the things he says. This would infuriate Clinton, but Pena Nieto calculated that it didn't matter, as she was locked into her position on Mexico.

Trump jumped at the chance. First, he got to stand side by side with the president of Mexico and show that he could speak coherently. This was a double win. Second, it gave him a chance to refine - or moderate, depending on your point of view - his position.

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The most important thing he did was to say that he wants to renegotiate NAFTA based on current conditions, which is the position the Mexican government adopted recently. He also tied the U.S. immigration problem to the Mexican immigration problem. The Mexicans have a serious problem with illegal immigrants from Central America. Trump said that the problem of illegal immigrants is a Mexican as well as an American problem. He took the opportunity to praise the contribution of legal Mexican immigrants in the United States. Trump also linked stopping the flow of drugs to the United States with stopping the flow of guns from the United States to Mexico. Private ownership of weapons is tightly controlled in Mexico, and Mexico has charged that its violence is due to the flow of illegal arms there.

Trump also started raising a new claim: countries in the Western Hemisphere need to face China together, because China's unfair competition is hurting all countries in the hemisphere equally. He stuck to his plan to build the wall between the U.S. and Mexico, but put off the question of who would pay for it.
BEND  Oregon State University formally opened the first new four-year university campus in the state in more than 50 years at a Tuesday ceremony at its OSU-Cascades campus in Bend.

And the speakers at celebration noted the historic significance of the occasion.

"This has been a long time coming for Central Oregon," said Gov. Kate Brown. "Many people over several decades have had a part in setting this plan in motion."

OSU President Ed Ray said the new campus would serve the largest population area in the state that did not previously have a four-year university, adding that the university estimates its economic impact in Central Oregon will reach $118 million a year in 2025.

"The enduring impact of OSU-Cascades will be felt in its teaching, research, and community engagement, in student internships and experiential learning and community and business partnerships," Ray said.

State Rep. Knute Buehler, R-Bend, said the campus would create opportunity and improve quality of life in Central Oregon.

"(History) will record that this day represents a moment in time when Bend completed the somewhat difficult transition from a natural-resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy," he said.

Amy Tykeson, for whose family the newly opened Tykeson Hall is named, noted that members of her family are University of Oregon fans. But she said they donated to OSU-Cascades because it will be good for Central Oregon, where their business was located for 50 years.

"OSU-Cascades will change lives, enrich our citizenry with arts, culture and learning, provide talented workers for our growing companies and new businesses," she said. "In short, a four-year university is an essential building block for a healthy community. ... It had been our missing ingredient."

Room for research

OSU-Cascades was established in 2001 through a partnership with the Central Oregon Community College, where it used classroom space. The ceremony recognized the opening of the first academic building on the OSU campus in downtown Bend; the university will open a new dormitory and a combined dining hall and academic building in the winter of 2017.

Sierra Smith, a senior in biology at the Cascades campus who enrolled there from Eugene, showed off one of her projects in a lab in the newly opened Tykeson Hall during the reception following the speeches. It was her first time in the building.

Smith said she liked the building because it would allow all the science departments individual space for their own projects; they had to compete with each other for space when they were on the community college campus.

This new space will allow for more independent research, which is going to be great, she said.

Smith added that she chose to attend OSU-Cascades because it gave her a small-school experience. The new building will still allow her to have that, but it also will give her peers the chance to study a wider array of programs.

Im just really excited to get back to the school year and see what the new building will allow us to do, she said.

Christine Coffin, director of communications and outreach for OSU-Cascades, said enrollment last fall was 1,160, and this fall officials expect about 1,200. But by 2025 the hope is to have 3,000 to 5,000 students on the campus.

She said Cascades officials already have seen an increase in the number of students taking tours.

Now that we have an actual physical campus, we have an easy and very vibrant story to tell to prospective students and their parents, she said.

Ann Peterson, a biology instructor with OSU-Cascades, said students will have a sense of ownership over the new campus.

Its the start of a really expansive opportunity for us to grow a university for Central Oregon and a research program, she said.

She added that the new building gives instructors the opportunity to teach in labs that are very modern and safe.

Pat Ball, a senior instructor in science and math, said he has been with the campus for a decade, and hes encountered many people through the years who didnt realize there was a four-year program through OSU in Bend.

Being able to move into our own space allows us to form our own identity, he said.

Steve Clark, the university's vice president for university relations and marketing, said the university has purchased an additional 46 acres of property, formerly a pumice mine, adjacent to the new 10-acre campus, and it is considering buying a 76-acre former landfill adjacent to the campus. He said the university is now in the visioning process for next steps after the current buildings are complete.

So far, the building projects that will be completed this fall have cost a cumulative $67 million.

Molly Svendsen, a senior in biology at OSU-Cascades and the president of its student body, the Associated Students of Cascades Campus, said the student body donated $500,000 to Tykeson Hall. Students also got input into how parts of the hall were designed and focused on open areas in which students could interact.

Its exciting to be a part of (the campus), its at such a formative stage, she said.

And what does she think people will say about the opening of the campus in 20 years?

I hope they say its the start of something great, she said.
There could be an issue of academic freedom involved if such warnings were required of all instructors. Perhaps an instructor feels that the shock of an unexpected encounter in a text with troubling material is part of the pedagogical effect she is trying to achieve. That's debatable; there are all sorts of things we are professionally enjoined from engaging in even in the service of pedagogy. (Instructors should not call students "iid", for example.) So there could be arguments both ways: that shock and trauma are sometimes elements of educational catharsis, or that deliberately exposing a class to shocking material without warning as a teaching strategy violates professional norms. The Dean's letter, however, seeks to shut that debate down ahead of time. While I'm not quite sure what "we do not support" means, if I were an untenured instructor I'm pretty sure I'd take that as--wait for it--a warning. As a student I would certainly take the message as an invitation to cause trouble to any instructor foolish enough to provide trigger warnings in defiance of the considered judgment of the Dean of Students. Given that trigger warnings are themselves and example of academic speech, this looks like nothing less than an attempt to chill the speech of instructors. Political correctness is no more acceptable if it prevents trigger warnings than it would be if it required them at all times.



The second proposition is about not disinviting speakers because of their ideas. That one is clearly correct. It is absolutely true that being exposed to potentially shocking ideas in an appropriate setting is a critical element of higher education. More than that, in the U.S. universities have a long tradition of serving as locations in which voices deemed too unsettling for mass exposure can nonetheless be heard: communist voices, socialist voices, atheist voices, and of course conservative or fascist voices. Equally obviously, there is no rule that universities must decide that the mere fact of being outrageous is sufficient grounds for an invitation, but the letter clearly refers to "disinviting". In this the Dean is on safe and secure ground.



And that brings us to safe spaces. The Dean proposes that the free expression that is of the essence of the university experience requires that there be no "spaces...where one can retreat." This is startlingly wrongheaded either as a statement about freedom of expression and about the nature of the academic enterprise.



Freedom of expression requires that I tolerate the expression of all ideas--traditional or radical, shocking or offensive--in public discourse. But there is no theory of free expression or the First Amendment of which I am aware that has ever suggested that I am required to tolerate such expression in my living room. Or my bedroom. Or behind the locked door of my bathroom. In First Amendment law this is known as "forum" doctrine: the rules for a public square are different from the rules inside a private residence. From a First Amendment perspective, for example, the students at Yale's Silliman Hall who insisted that a student residence is different from a classroom were exactly right. The residential master in that situation was applying a standard of forced exposure that is appropriate in a public setting to the place where the students lived--in effect, their living rooms. Public spaces are noisy, and you just have to deal with that: if you don't like what you see, "avert your eyes."



But this is specifically a theory about public spaces and government suppression, not about the right of private individuals to the "peaceable enjoyment" of their own homes. A key aspect of the idea of "privacy" is that there exists a place to escape from the noise. A retreat, if you like. In short, there is no theory of free expression of which I am aware that suggests that there should be no way to escape unwelcome messages in private. Yet that is precisely the proposition the Dean's letter calls into question with his assertion that there should be no place "where one can retreat."



It's not just a residence that is supposed to be "safe". The idea that freedom of expression does not extend to private spaces is why protestors are not allowed to invade corporate boardrooms, Macy's never had to allow Gimbel's to set up advertisements in their lobby, and the Klan is not entitled to interrupt the local synagogues prayer services. This is as basic as it gets: discourse in private spaces discourse is not public. The creation of private "safe" spaces does not infringe on public discourse, it merely provides a place to retreat. Even in public spaces expression can be limited in ways that are essential to the purpose of an institution. In either situation the role of the government is to protect private individuals against other private individuals. It's pretty much what we mean by words like "law" and "private" and "property". There is no parallel--none whatsoever--for compelling a population to tolerate offensive, threatening, degrading or upsetting expression everywhere and at all times.
Some of the most vulnerable countries in the world just sent a clear message that they want leaders to agree to a strong agreement to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) this year under the Montreal Protocol. World leaders have a chance to minimize the damages to those countries if they act decisively next month and agree to significant cuts in the use of these super-potent, heat-trapping chemicals.

At the recent meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum, many island nations put their support behind an ambitious deal at the Montreal Protocol negotiations in October. Capable of avoiding warming of up to 0.5C by 2100, an agreement on HFCs is critical to upholding the Paris Agreement's ambition of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C. As the Pacific Islands Forum communique states

"Leaders stressed that the amendment should include an early freeze date for HFC production and consumption followed by a rapid phase down of HFCs."

Proposals vary widely for the timing of the HFC phase down schedule. Countries are already converging on a phasedown schedule for developed countries, likely to start in 2019. The timing for the phasedown schedule of developing countries is under serious debate, with widely diverging proposals. The Africa Group, Pacific Island countries, leading Latin American and Caribbean countries, the U.S., European Union, Japan, and other developed countries have the most ambitious proposal, with a freeze on HFC use for developing countries to begin in 2021. Other Latin American and Asian countries have indicated their willingness to freeze in 2025, while China and Pakistan are proposing 2025--2026 as their preferred freeze years. The Chinese recently committed to help achieve an "an early freeze date and ambitious phase down schedule," so there might be flexibility in this initial proposal. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States suggested 2028, and Iran 2029. India, seeking to continue HFC growth for another 15 years, is proposing a freeze in 2031. The 10-year gap between leading and lagging proposals makes a major environmental difference: waiting for the developing countries to freeze in 2031, would allow at least 15 billion extra CO tons of HFC use - close to half the entire world's CO output for an entire year.

A strong HFC phase down schedule matters a lot to the most vulnerable. The Pacific Island leaders welcomed the Dubai Pathway for reaching an amendment on HFCs this year, and pushed for an agreement to be reached at the Kigali meeting this October. Without a strong global commitment to reaching a deal in Kigali, the very existences of these island nations is threatened. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Marshall Islands John Silk emphasized:

"Today's communique is a clarion call to action that even with the Paris Agreement, there remains a lot of work to do to guarantee there will still be 16 seats at the Pacific Islands Forum in a hundred years from now."

Members of the Pacific Islands Forum account for less than 2 percent of global emissions, with many island stands accounting for less than 0.01 percent of global emissions. But these states have already suffered devastating storms and cyclones of increasing severity and flooding. When leaders debate the exact freeze date, we should keep in mind the consequences for these most vulnerable nations that had such a small role in creating the problems we face.

Over 100 countries currently support an early freeze on the use and production of HFCs. Next month, when parties gather in Kigali, the key task will be for other world leaders to seize the moment and agree to a strong freeze date and phasedown schedule. The most vulnerable need an agreement, but as the Pacific Island leaders pointed out, they don't just need any agreement - they need an ambitious one.

The stage has been set - now can we get a deal that the climate, and the Pacific Islands, deserve?

---

(The Forty-Seventh Pacific Islands Forum was attended by Heads of State and Government and Deputies from Australia, the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Republic of Fiji, Niue, the Republic of Palau, and Kiribati. Additional attendees included French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Tokelau as Associate Members, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Timor-Leste, and Wallis and Futuna.)
Jesse Bragg, Media Director for Corporate Accountability International, at an ExxonKnew campaign press conference at the Capitol today



As the campaign to hold ExxonMobil accountable for hiding what they knew about climate change gains momentum, Exxon's defenders have fallen back on a bizarre strategy to try and protect the company: claiming that environmental groups and attorneys general are colluding to "silence" scientists and "chill" scientific inquiry.

"These investigations have had a chilling effect," said Texas Republican Representative Lamar Smith, the Chair of the House Science Committee, who hosted a hearing on the Exxon issue this afternoon in Washington. Other Republicans on the committee echoed him. "If government was put in charge of science, we'd still think the Earth was flat," said one member. "Scientists are being bullied," thundered another.

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This Republican committee's eagerness to defend science was rather ironic considering the committee's own track record. The committee is perhaps best known not for its support for science (Republicans consistently vote to defund federal science agencies), but for subpoenaing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for, wait for it, conducting climate science. "The hypocrisy from the majority members defending scientific freedom given their previous actions towards NOAA+Tom Karl is breathtaking," tweeted Gavin Schmidt, himself a scientist and director of the NASA Goddard Space Institute at Columbia Institute.

The hypocrisy from the majority members defending scientific freedom given their previous actions towards NOAA+Tom Karl is breathtaking  Gavin Schmidt (@ClimateOfGavin) September 14, 2016

The only science that took place at the committee hearing this afternoon came courtesy of Democratic Representative Bill Foster, the only Member of Congress with a PhD in science, who lamented Chairman Smith's abuse of his position to subpoena various officials and organizations. "At some point I'd like to return to science on this committee," said Foster. He then proceeded to grill one of the Republican's "expert" witnesses, Professor Ronald Rotunda, about some outlandish statements Rotunda had made about how the melting of the entire Greenland ice sheet wouldn't cause sea levels to rise. "This hearing is an example of just another rearguard action by a group of people who deny climate change," concluded Foster, shaking his head.

The claim that the groups behind the #ExxonKnew campaign are silencing or chilling scientific inquiry is especially strange because of our shared focus on, well, science. 350.org is named after the safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, 350 parts per million -- that's about as scientifically wonky as it gets. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), another group supposedly having a chilling effect, is, as the name suggests, largely made of scientists. UCS released a letter earlier this week with over 2,000 scientists weighing in on their behalf to say it was the committee, not environmental groups, that was chilling scientific inquiry. Greenpeace, another subpoenaed group, is best known for its bold campaigns and actions, but it too has a deep track record of supporting scientific inquiry, often transporting scientists up to the Arctic or other remote areas to conduct research.

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350.org Executive Director May Boeve

Our complaint with Exxon has never had anything to do with the science they did or are doing. In fact, we'd like to see them do more climate science. Environmentalists have long urged the fossil fuel industry to do a more thorough study of the impact of their business on the planet. We fully support any scientific research into climate change, renewable energy, or zero carbon fuels. Many have made this case to Exxon directly. At the company's annual shareholder meeting this year, advocates continued to lobby for the company to do a full climate assessment of its business and appoint a climate expert to its board. Exxon shot down both proposals. We also applaud the scientists at ExxonMobil, who as early as the 1970s discovered that their product causes global warming.

Our problem isn't with the science, our problem is with the coverup. When Exxon executives heard from their scientists about climate change, instead of warning the public, or urging Congress to fund more research into solutions to the crisis, Exxon spent millions on a vast misinformation campaign. They donated millions more to climate denying politicians, including many of the Republicans at the commitee hearing today (Rep. Smith, the Chairman, has received over $24,000 from Exxon over his career, for example). Instead of supporting science, Exxon funded front groups who published false studies about global warming, lambasted scientists on television, and went after the reputations and careers of individual scientists. Watch the documentary Merchants of Doubt and you'll see PR hacks like Marc Morano, a former Republican politico aid, laugh gleefully about his own personal track record of intimidating scientists. As he says in the preview below, "I'm not a scientist...but I play one on TV occasionally. Ok, hell, more than occasionally."

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If Representative Smith is so worried about the chilling of scientific inquiry in this country, he should be subpoenaing the executives over at ExxonMobil to see what role they had in their company's own scientific coverup. He could even go a step further and subpoena the records of his own committee--we'd like to know, for example, what conversations his staff have had with Exxon or any industry front groups. As Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said at a press conference before the hearing this afternoon, the public deserves to know "how far the hand of the fossil fuel industry is into the glove of this committee."



Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

Today's hearing was designed to distract the public from the real issue at hand: whether Exxon lied about their knowledge that their product caused climate change. Instead, it just reaffirmed why this case is so important. As 350.org's Executive Director May Boeve said at this morning's press conference, "This hearing is Exhibit A in the case study of Big Oil's stranglehold on Congress."
In a Facebook post last week, Colorado Republican Party Vice Chair Derrick Wilburn inadvertently sums up what Republicans have to do on social issues, if they expect to be a serious political force in Colorado in the future.

"You have to work even to understand this," wrote Wilburn in a comment on a photo of a transgender man breastfeeding his baby.

But Wilburn needs to work harder and more quickly to create an America that welcomes transgender family members, co-workers, friends, all people.

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"I sincerely wonder, is this the future you desire for America?" asks Wilburn in the second part of his Facebook comment on the transgender man and his baby.

Asked to answer his own question, Wilburn told me he's trying to sort out these issues.

"It wasn't posted to be intentionally provocative," he said. "It was posted as a legitimate question. Republicans can't stick their heads in the sand and pretend these issues don't exist."
So far, 2016 has been a very busy year for the HIV/AIDS community. In early June, we gathered in New York for the United Nations High Level Meeting on ending the epidemic. This meeting was closely followed by the AIDS 2016 conference, notable for returning to Durban, South Africa. We last convened in Durban at the turn of the millennium -- the dawning of the Millennium Development Goals -- when an urgent call to halt the spread of AIDS was issued.

Today, we have updated goals to reach and a new timeline in which to reach them. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target 2030 as the deadline for ending AIDS as a public health threat.

If we thought 2016 was busy, the next several years are about to get much busier for our community.

Our goal, though, is within reach--closer than ever, in fact. Consider that, in 2000, fewer than 700,000 people received antiretroviral medicines; today, 15 million people have access to this life saving treatment and HIV infections have declined 35 percent. This represents enormous progress. Yet we can't stop here. We have critical milestones to meet within a short window of opportunity. Without a sense of urgency and robust resources, we risk not only missing the 2030 deadline, but also backsliding and even the possibility of resurgence.

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Of significant concern is that funding for HIV and AIDS is flat lining. In some cases, it is even decreasing. According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation/UNAIDS report, donor government funding to support HIV efforts in low- and middle-income countries fell for the first time in five years, from US$8.6 billion in 2014 to US$7.5 billion in 2015. This is a worrisome trend to say the least; achieving the SDG goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat is not feasible without adequate funding.

But the response to HIV does not only fall to governments--we all shoulder that responsibility. In fact, one of the most unique aspects of the fight against HIV and AIDS is the collaboration of many diverse stakeholders who have come together to contribute intelligence, skill, compassion and, of course, resources.

In addition to donor governments, private sector dollars have greatly contributed to progress in HIV and AIDS. Though private sector funding comprises only two percent of global resources, it is absolutely essential. Resources for advocacy, arguably the biggest lever to help mobilize the fight against HIV and AIDS, is largely tied to unrestricted funding. Often the only source of unrestricted funding is that which is allocated by the private sector.

Over the past few decades, philanthropic resources have grown dramatically, becoming an integral component to the global HIV and AIDS response. What began with only five private foundation grants and $216,000 in 1983 has increased, most recently, to $618 million per year. Ending the epidemic will require further collaboration between the philanthropic and public sectors to drive robust, coordinated funding and to reach the populations most at risk.

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For the past 14 years, Funders Concerned About AIDS has been tracking the field of HIV-related philanthropy, in particular, through our signature report, Philanthropic Support to Address HIV/AIDS. The most recent report showed that global private funding for HIV increased by eight percent (US$46 million) between 2013 and 2014, even as the donor government funding decreased.

For the first time, in 2014 FCAA captured data on more than 6,000 grants awarded by 228 foundations in 10 countries in order to identify gaps, trends, and opportunities in HIV-related philanthropy. The findings show that, just as with donor governments, there are gaps in private philanthropic funding that must be addressed:

Ending AIDS in children and adolescents is a critical milestone on the path to defeating it altogether. However, our analysis shows there is gap between the needs of children and adolescents and the available resources.

Despite widespread recognition among policymakers, scientists and implementers that an effective HIV response is rooted in human rights-based approaches and interventions, overall funding for these is remarkably low. Inadequate resources, combined with harmful legislation, results in many marginalized groups being directly and indirectly excluded from life-saving health services.

A myriad of social and economic disparities, as well as stigma and discrimination for being transgender, greatly heightens risk behavior for transgender women. In addition to a shortage of specific programs, transgender communities often face significant barriers to HIV prevention services, including violence, poverty, unstable housing, substance abuse and mental health issues. Philanthropic resources for HIV and AIDS-affected transgender communities increased by US3 million in 2014. However, this represents only one percent (US9 million) of overall philanthropic funding for the epidemic.

Achieving the end of AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is not only a matter of mobilizing the necessary resources. Funding must be aligned and targeted. It must be allocated for: evidence-based interventions in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection; for advocacy, research, and the exploration of new methods to hasten the end of AIDS; and to address social inequities, health disparities, and human rights abuses that fuel the spread the epidemic.

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With adequate resources, directed to where they are needed most we will reach our goal. By the year 2030, the world will be free of the threat of AIDS.
As the Syrian refugee crisis continues to worsen, the United Nations warns of another massive crisis in the Middle East. The battle against ISIS is moving towards the city of Mosul, which is ISIS's stronghold in Iraq. While retaking the hugely populated city will not be easy, the potential mass exodus of millions of people creates complex problems for Iraq, the U.S., and the region at large.

Mosul is Iraq's second largest city, with over 1 million people inside and under ISIS control. Nearly 84,000 people have already fled the area as the Iraqi government and militia advance on the city, with much more expected. With the full assault on the city expected in November, the United Nations is warning that caring for those fleeing the city will cost hundreds of millions of dollars. This new flow of refugees comes on top of the millions of refugees that have already displaced. To properly manage the wave of people that could flee Mosul, and to weed out extremists in the mix, it is critical to relocate as many vetted refugees as quickly as possible.

The logical step for processing refugees from Mosul--including processes to determine if any are ISIS terrorists--is to place them in the camps already handling this process. However, refugee camps in the region are already full beyond capacity. While the United Nations is looking to build more camps, getting funding and finding suitable land is proving difficult.

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With the battle over Mosul expected to generate up to 1.3 million new refugees, already strained refugee services in the region will also be unable to cope. The inability to find safety and shelter in Iraq may force refugees to flee to other countries. For the surrounding countries who are already managing millions of refugees, this massive new displacement may be difficult to cope with. The numbers alone will make it hard for Middle Eastern countries to provide care for and to vet these refugees in real time. Refugees may then try to flee onwards to Europe.

We can take action before the battle for Mosul begins, however. If refugees can be resettled outside of the camps and strained neighboring countries, there is a higher chance that displacement from Mosul will be manageable.

While the United States cannot take all of the refugees needed to manage this crisis, every little bit helps. The United States has a very strong vetting process, but has struggled to reach its resettlement goals. Part of the problem is public perception, both about the costs of refugee resettlement and the vetting process.

Concerning security, the American refugee vetting process is long, intensive, and involves multiple agencies. Once here, there are policies that would help the United States increase the number of refugees it takes without increasing the burden on the taxpayer. Canada, as well as other Western countries, have had success with privately-funded refugee resettlement. The United States should follow this example.

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Certainly, the international community at large must contribute significantly to avert a humanitarian crisis, but the United States can lead the effort by stepping up its individual support. Resettlement numbers in the United States are severely lacking. While Europe has taken in over 1 million refugees since the start of 2015, and the countries around Syria and Iraq--Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt--have taken millions more, the United States has taken a little over 5,000 this fiscal year. Given that the the United States has a good record of assimilating refugees, and unlike Europe and Middle Eastern countries can screen refugees before they arrive, is all the more reason to increase settlement numbers.

The coming humanitarian crisis will be difficult to manage, regardless of how many refugees the United States takes. However, every refugee added to already bursting camps strains those camps' ability to help them, bends services and infrastructure towards the breaking point, and risks extremists slipping past security. Every refugee resettled elsewhere eases those problems, and gives slightly more hope that Iraq and Syria may eventually recover. We know this crisis is coming. Other countries will need to help as well, but the United States must do its part.
PENSACOLA, FL - SEPTEMBER 09: Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during his rally at the Pensacola Bay Center on September 9, 2016 in Pensacola, Florida. Polls show that Trump and Clinton are tied in Florida. (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images)

Last night's speech by Donald Trump was a desperate bid to attract the powerful mom vote. Despite his attempt to recreate reality and position himself as a champion of working families and women -- including the outrageously false claim that Hillary Clinton "has no child care plan" (Secretary Clinton has had a comprehensive plan since June 2015) -- moms will not be fooled.

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Moms certainly won't forget that it's only when the race is close, and the polls show that paid family leave and childcare are what brings women voters out, that Trump decided to reposition and parrot popular talking points that don't accurately reflect how he has conducted himself or his businesses throughout his career. Mr. Trump's repositioned in similar ways in the past, so his current repositioning shouldn't be a shock given that, for example, a recent poll conducted by Lake Research for the National Partnership for Women & Families found that four in five 2016 voters want elected leaders to advance paid family leave.

To be clear: Child care and paid family leave are critically important policy areas that must be taken seriously. That's what makes Trump's flippant treatment of these policy areas all the more egregious.

Women, families and businesses are facing a true emergency -- and the need is urgent. Women are now half of the labor force for the first time in history and more than 80 percent of women become moms. Three-quarters of moms are now in our labor force, and more than half of moms are now primary breadwinners.

The wages of moms fuel our economy. Yet lack of adequate paid family leave and affordable child care are part of the reason women and mothers experience wage gaps, which, in turn, lower their consumer spending and hurts the economy. New Census numbers out this week show that women still earn only 80 cents to a man's dollar, moms earn only 73 cents to a dad's dollar, and women of color experience even greater wage hits.

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Solutions are necessary. Unfortunately, Mr. Trump's proposal for only six weeks of paid maternity leave falls far short. To start, he provides no new funding to run the program, it's limited to only new birth mothers, which could reinforce the wage gap since dads are caregivers too. Moreover, Mr. Trump is proposing to raid an already underfunded unemployment insurance system with the intent of using funds from "fraud" to cover the program. Simply put, the math doesn't work on Mr. Trump's proposal.

By comparison, Hillary Clinton's widely applauded and more comprehensive paid family leave plan covers twelve weeks for all workers in our nation, including dads, and allows coverage for a person's own serious medical issue, that of a spouse, or aging parent. Secretary Clinton's plan also has a viable funding stream.

Mr. Trump's other policy plan on the table, child care, is also untenable. In fact, Trump's proposal for child care would force families, whose budgets are already breaking from the high cost of care, to pay costs upfront. This means that Mr. Trump's plan does nothing to make child care affordable. You cannot deduct something you cannot pay for to begin with. Millions of working families -- families for whom the investment in childcare would bring the most critical returns to our economy -- would be left out in the cold.

By way of comparison, Secretary Clinton's comprehensive child care plan, released several months ago, has a specific focus on opening doors to allow middle- and low-income children to thrive by capping child care expenses for families by a percentage of their income through tax credits and subsidized child care; as well as boosting pay for child care workers and other improvements in quality of care.

Studies show that high quality child care policies like the one proposed by Secretary Clinton -- which involves strengthening the quality of early education and care, affordability, and access -- brings an 8:1 return on investment because of fewer later grade repetitions, less future involvement in the criminal justice system, and reduced later need for government support. Mr. Trump's regressive child care proposal doesn't even meet the standard of increasing access and improving quality to bring the return on investment we all need for our children and economy to thrive.

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With a large percentage of families struggling to make ends meet, we need solutions that boost working families and our economy; solutions that put an end to maternal status being a greater predictor of wage inequality than gender; solutions like paid family and medical leave, high quality affordable child care, fair pay, earned paid sick days, and more. We do NOT need misguided and regressive plans that continue to leave working families behind as Mr. Trump has proposed.

Last night the nation watched as Donald Trump attempted to serve up an empty child care policy proposal that largely helps the wealthy, moved forward a maternity leave policy that could reinforce the wage gap and would be paid for by phantom funds, misrepresented Hillary Clinton's long years of work and policy advancement in these areas, and expected us to buy his smoke and mirrors.
Two young muslim women talking outdoors

One of my core beliefs centers on choice. Women around the world must reserve the right to choose how they dress. It seems like an obvious statement for 2016. Yet the fact of the matter is that more and more this remains a challenge when extremist ideologies both religious and secular continue to come back to the notion that women's bodies and dress is something that should be controlled.

As a result, I have joined forces with Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom and altMuslimah to launch the campaign #OurChoiceNotYours.

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I invite you to join as well.

Last month, a Muslim woman enjoying the beach in France was forced by armed police to remove her shirt.

As women of faith struggling for freedom, this incident is deeply disturbing. It embodies a sad reality of rising fear, hate, and discrimination towards Muslims who are living their lives in peace. We believe in freedom of choice for all, especially the choice to express religious and cultural identity. Laws targeting one religious or ethnic group are a dangerous step rooted in irrational hate, ignorance, and inequality. No authority should keep us out of the public sphere in the name of security.



Women shouldn't have to choose between liberty and safety -- we should have both unconditionally.



This is part of an escalating pattern marginalizing Muslim women, regardless of the fact that thousands of Muslim women have been killed in terrorist attacks and almost none have perpetrated them. If we were there on the beach, would we have intervened? Or would we have watched silently, scared of what might happen?

Women shouldn't have to choose between liberty and safety -- we should have both unconditionally.

Hateful and violent incidents towards Muslims are happening every day across the United States and Europe, but are often ignored by mainstream media. Peaceful Muslim women are harassed, isolated, attacked, and killed doing the most normal tasks in their daily routine. Just take a look at the recent incidents that have had a profound impact on women as they simply:

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Not on our watch!

We are group of determined Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and secular women who refuse to accept this terrifying status quo. Our new solidarity campaign, #OurChoiceNotYours, stands for women's freedom of choice across the world. Over the next weeks and months, we will be mobilizing diverse women to change the conversation and increase freedom of expression.

What exactly is the #OurChoiceNotYours Campaign?

1.Peaceful Solidarity Demonstrations

We will organize diverse women in peaceful demonstrations of solidarity in public spaces. We will travel to the beaches of France to directly challenge the bigotry of the burkini ban. This social action will be replicated in cities across the world in collaboration with social and professional networks to support women of faith having the choice to dress how they choose.

2.Advocacy

We will circulate campaigns, petitions, and letters that build our voices against the isolation and mistreatment of Muslim women or women of any faith. We will write op eds and engage media around strengthening civil rights, public safety for all, and changing legislation. Together, we have power to change our laws to practice the freedom that we preach.

3.Education

We will not let history repeat itself by staying silent. We will educate about core values and traditions of Islam. We will educate on statistics and trends of violence committed against Muslims (a daily occurrence). We connect communities to increase comfort and familiarity with different faiths and cultures. We will remember that it wasn't long ago when Jews in Germany over the hot summer were prohibited from going to the beach, then came the park, then school, then owning businesses and we all know the rest of what happened. We will come together to tell the world what happens when hate, distrust, and violence targets one group.

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4.Sharing our Stories

We will not be silent. We are speaking out and sharing our stories! There are numerous untold stories of women being harassed and targeted for who they are, what they look like, and we want to hear them. Share yours and become part of the campaign!

E-mail us or post under the hashtag #OurChoiceNotYours.

A special digital episode of #CrossReLines hosted by Manal Omar will profile several of our women leaders about their experiences and what inspires them to act.

We will act with our mouth, arms and feet. No matter what nation we are living in and what we believe, women should be free to make their own decisions. Laws like the burkini ban exist across the world in all societies, but violence and hate does not start or end with legislation.

Oppression is normalized by how we treat each other. It is hateful to some of us, but impacts all of us. When one of us is hurt, we are all hurt. That is why we are coming together in unity as women of faith to declare our commitment to freedom of choice.

Again, we encourage you to share your story by e-mailing us or by posting your experience with the #OurChoiceNotYours campaign.
In this space, yours truly has recently endorsed Gov. Gary Johnson based upon both the merits of the Libertarian Party positions and serious concerns about the character and temperament of the major party candidates. Gov. Johnson has advanced In the polls, but it is not clear if or when he will formally attain the 15% poll standing called for by the Presidential Debate Commission to participate in the debates.

Based upon recent events, it is clear that he is now a very viable candidate and must be allowed to state his case to the American people. Specifically, I am referring to Secy. Clinton insulting half of Mr. Trump's supporters by calling them "deplorables" and then encountering potentially significant health problems.

It is one thing to strongly disagree with supporters of the other candidate on the merits of the issues. That is what a campaign is about. It is quite another to insult their character, and doing so begs the questions of Secy. Clinton's judgment when dealing with other leaders. The Wall Street Journal's lead editorial of September 12, 2016 aptly summarized the remarks: "So she thinks half of Mr. Trump's voters are loathsome bigots and the other half are losers and dupes who deserve Democratic pity."

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One can reasonably believe that this comment will siphon support from Secy. Clinton at least in part to Gov. Johnson, bringing him to or near the 15% threshold. Quite simply, this miscue makes both Gov. Johnson and Mr. Trump substantially more electable. Gov. Johnson is no longer - if he ever was - a fringe candidate.

Of equal importance is that while no one wishes ill to the Secretary regarding her health, the revelations regarding her illnesses to date call into question in the most literal sense her fitness to serve as President. The revelations permit voters to question whether this is a passing episode or something more fundamental. It is senseless for myself and/or readers to be armchair doctors. However, we need to acknowledge the potential seriousness of the situation.

Among other things, this means giving voters a full presentation of their option by including Gov. Johnson in the debates. It is at least plausible that a vote for Secy. Clinton this November is in fact a vote for Sen. Kaine, her vice presidential selection. If this what voters want, that is the nature of democracy, but at least allow them to fully evaluate alternatives to him besides Mr. Trump.

In my view, Sen. Kaine is nowhere close to be being prepared for the office and has not been vetted in these terms. His experience with public policy matters is only slightly more broad than that of Mr. Trump, is comparable to that of the woefully unprepared Sen. Obama in 2008, and no one has focused on how whatever positions he has taken in his limited time in the public eye would work in a much different arena. Hopefully, the media will now evaluate him in this regard.

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What gets lost amidst all the outrageous things Donald Trump says is his record of criminal activity and alleged criminal activity. It is as if the media and public assume that Trump cannot be both an outrageous buffoon and a criminal. Here is a summary of the most notable allegations against Donald Trump, conveniently all in one place.

-Trump and his father were sued by the federal government for housing discrimination in the 1970's for refusing to rent to blacks after an uncover investigation. They lost, signed a consent decree, and were forced to desegregate their properties, which they later violated.

-He is being charged with fraud in connection with Trump University. Eric Schneiderman, the Attorney General of New York, who is prosecuting Trump, told CNN, "If you look at the facts of this case, this shows someone who was absolutely shameless in his willingness to lie to people, to say whatever it took to induce them into his phony seminars. Telling people who are in hard economic times -- we're talking about 2008, 2009 -- people desperate to hold onto their homes, to make some money, convincing them that he will teach them his entrepreneurial secrets."

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- Trump Tower was built using undocumented Polish laborers to demolish the building that previously stood on the site. At trial, the workers testified they worked without basic safety equipment like hardhats and gloves and they were supposed to earn $5 an hour from Trump's low-bid contractor. But court documents show that for weeks, they were paid nothing. An NBC News story in which numerous witnesses were interviewed showed that Trump knew about the undocumented, unpaid workers. Yet under oath, Trump testified that he knew nothing, thus adding perjury allegations to the labor law violations.

-Trump is alleged to have violated immigration laws in hiring foreign models for Trump Model Management. These models worked illegally, and he failed to pay them fairly. Two of the former Trump models said Trump's agency encouraged them to deceive customs officials about why they were visiting the United States and told them to lie on customs forms about where they intended to live. "It's like modern-day slavery," one model told Mother Jones. Senator Barbara Boxer has called for the Department of Homeland Security to investigate Trump for human trafficking in relation to Trump Model Management.

- Trump's charitable foundation appears to have repeatedly broken IRS rules, according to the Washington Post. In five cases, the Trump Foundation told the IRS that it had given a gift to a charity whose leaders told The Post that they had never received it. In two other cases, companies listed as donors to the Trump Foundation told The Post that those listings were incorrect.

-His charitable foundation violated tax laws by giving a $25,000 political contribution to a campaign group connected to Florida's attorney general, Pam Bondi, in 2013. As a registered nonprofit, the Trump Foundation was not allowed to make political donations. He paid a $2,500 fine.

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-Trump is accused of bribing the Attorney General of Florida, Pam Bondi to drop her investigation of Trump University. She successfully solicited a donation from him before the fraud case, and afterward, he held a fundraiser for her at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.

-In 2007 and in 2012, Trump and his wife bought two gifts for themselves at charity events for his foundation, totaling $32,000, breaking IRS rules. One gift was a $20,000 painting of himself.

-A deposition describes him raping his first wife Ivana, pulling out fistfuls of her hair in a fit of rage, stripping off her clothes, then penetrating her forcefully without her consent, after which she hid in a locked room and cried all night, as revealed in the 1993 book Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald J. Trump, and described in a Daily Beast article. The divorce was granted on grounds of Donald's "cruel and inhuman treatment" of Ivana.

-He is currently being charged with child rape in a case for which there is an eyewitness and credible information to support the claim. The woman filing suit in April 2016 claims that as a 13-year-old in 1994, she was enticed to attend parties with the promise of money and modeling jobs at the home of Jeffrey Epstein, a Level 3 registered sex offender (the most dangerous kind), after Epstein was convicted of misconduct with another underage girl.

The woman alleges Trump initiated sexual contact with her on four separate occasions, with the fourth being a "savage sexual attack" in which he tied her to a bed and forcibly raped her while she pleaded with him to stop. He threatened that she and her family would be "physically harmed if not killed" if she ever revealed what was done. The eyewitness, Epstein's party planner wrote, "I am coming forward to swear to the truthfulness of the physical and sexual abuse that I personally witnessed of minor females at the hands of Mr. Trump and Mr. Epstein . . . I swear to these facts under the penalty for perjury even though I fully understand that the life of myself and my family is now in grave danger." Trump told a reporter a few years ago: "I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side . . ."

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LEBANON  State Rep. Sherrie Sprenger said Tuesday morning that Measure 97, a proposed 2.5 percent tax on gross sales by C corporation businesses doing more than $25 million per year, scares me to death in terms of what it means for the small communities in my district.

Sprenger, who represents House District 17-Scio, said that although there arent many large businesses in her district, their costs of doing business will increase for products or services they need to keep their doors open.

She said the majority of businesses in Detroit, Gates, Idanha, Lebanon, Mill City, Scio, Stayton, Sublimity, Sweet Home and Waterloo, are small, family-run operations that operate on slim profit margins.

The states Legislative Review Office has estimated the measure would cost the average Oregonian about $600 more as large companies increase their prices to compensate for the tax.

And Sprenger emphasized, this is a tax on gross sales, not company profits, so even if a company has sales of more than $25 million but is losing money, it would have to pay the 2.5 percent. The Legislative Review Office estimates the tax would generate about $3 billion per year in revenue for the state.

Tuesdays forum at the Edward C. Allworth Veterans Home was part of City Hall Week, sponsored by the League of Oregon Cities. More than two dozen people including members of city councils and staff from area cities, participated in the event that included discussions about Legislative issues such as property tax reform, restoring recreational immunity, transportation funding and PERS reform.

Sprenger said Measure 97 would give tax advantages to out-of-state C Corporations, since they would be exempt from the tax.

It would also likely add to tax stacking as a product is sold from one company to another, each time getting taxed if those companies had sales of more than $25 million, she said. It will also affect lower income households more than higher income households.

Sprenger encouraged people to become informed and especially cautioned that although proponents of Measure 97 say funds will be used to support education there is no guarantee this will be the case. As it stands, funds from the tax will go into the General Fund and could be dispersed however elected officials want.

The latest research suggests passage of Measure 97 would increase public sector employment by 17,700 jobs over six years, but lead to a loss of more than 38,000 jobs in the private sector over the same time period.

Smaller business will be hurt because they will have to pay more for utilities, insurance and other services, Sprenger said. If you believe in growing government, well, then, youre probably all in for Measure 97, but I dont believe in it. I see a lot of waste in government.

Sprenger said she believes Oregonians passed Ballot Measure 5 in November 1990  that limited total tax loads to $15 for schools and local governments  because they were saying enough. Quit spending money.

Linn County Commissioner John Lindsey said, This is insanity. Some corporations operate on a profit level of 3 percent or less. This will be a great jobs enhancement program for the states of Washington and California.

Sprenger agreed, adding that we cant make everything roses and fun. It wont be rosy and fun if we lose businesses and jobs because of this measure.

Increased costs and job losses could dampen Lebanons impressive economic growth in recent years.

We are in such a good place economically, not perfect but were moving in the right direction, Lebanon mayor Paul Aziz said. I would hate to lose that momentum.

A group called Our Oregon  which is supported by teacher and public sector unions  is backing Measure 97 and says less than 1 percent of companies doing business in Oregon would be affected by passing of the measure.

Our Oregon says the states projections are skewed because the Legislative Review Office used computer modeling to determine outcomes.

Our Oregon has also funded its own studies and says its research indicates national retail chain stores will not increase costs to consumers.
If you've always been curious about The Book of Mormon, sometimes called The Mormon Bible (though Mormons call it Another Testament of Christ), but never had time to read it, this article is for you! The Book of Mormon was published in 1830 by Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, who claimed it was a translation from golden plates which he found hidden in the Hill Cumorah (in upper New York state), where he was directed to them by an angel. The book contains the story of a family of Jews (Father Lehi, sons Nephi, Laman, Lemuel) who leave Jerusalem before the Babylonian captivity and travel to America by way of a large ship, and wait for the promised appearance of Jesus Christ to their descendants.

The first part of The Book of Mormon is about the revelation Lehi receives in a dream to leave Jerusalem, and also about his vision of the "Tree of Life," which includes darkness and people in a wide and spacious building mocking the righteous people who are trying to make their way to the tree. Nephi, Lehi's third son, believes in his father's vision and the command to leave Jerusalem. He records the history of his brother's complaints and about their quest to return to Jerusalem according to God's commands, to get the records of their people from Laban, whom Nephi eventually has to kill (using a sword to cut off his head) because it is "better for one man to die than a whole nation to dwindle in unbelief." Nephi is chosen to receive revelation to build a ship which takes the family to America, where they then separate into warring two factions (Nephites and Lamanites).

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An oft quoted scripture, Nephi 3:7:

And it came to pass that I, Nephi said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.



The second part of The Book of Mormon is about the wars between the Nephites and Lamanites and about the missionary efforts to the Lamanites many generations later. A favorite story in this section is about Ammon, who goes to King Lamoni and offers to become his servant. He tends the flocks and cuts off the arms of a group of bandits who try to steal them. Impressed with his courage and strength, King Lamoni offers to marry Ammon to one of his daughters and give him part of the kingdom, which Ammon refuses because he only wants to teach about the coming of Jesus Christ. Eventually, King Lamoni is converted and so are many of the Lamanites, including a group who put down their arms and refuse to kill ever again, even when they are slaughtered by other Lamanites for this betrayal of their heritage. The Nephites take them in and protect them, and in the next generation, their sons become great warriors at a young age and help the Nephites in turn.

An oft quoted scripture, Alma 56: 47-48:

Yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

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The third part of The Book of Mormon is about Jesus Christ's visit to this group in the Americas. The prophet Samuel the Lamanite warns the people that Christ will come on a specific date and is nearly killed for his troubles. When the year of the prophecy comes, the people who believe in it face execution, but are saved when the signs come true (a day and a night and a day without darkness). Thirty years later, after signs of Christ's death and numerous earthquakes and other destructions that level wicked cities, Christ Himself appears to the gathered righteous and delivers to them many of the same words (especially the Sermon on the Mount) that He delivered to His followers in Jerusalem. He also tells them that they are some of the "other sheep which are not of this fold," and hints that there may be others He will go to visit and preach to.

An oft quoted scripture, 4 Nephi 1: 2-3

The people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.

The fourth part of The Book of Mormon is about what happens after Christ's appearance in America. As has been true for much of the history of this people, while they are humble and willing to share their wealth with each other equally, they are blessed by God with material prosperity, but as soon as they reject the gospel of Christ and become greedy and jealous, gangs of thieves (called Gadianton robbers) take control of their government and cause wars, and ultimately all of the Nephites are destroyed and the prophet Mormon (for whom the book is named) dies and his son Moroni is the last living Nephite, hunted by the Lamanites until he hides the golden plates in the hill Cumorah for Joseph Smith to find them centuries later.

An oft quoted scripture, Mormon 8:16-17:

And blessed be he that shall bring this thing (the Book of Mormon) to light; for it shall be brought out of darkness unto light, according to the word of God; yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God. And if there be faults they be the faults of a man.

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(There is also a section of The Book of Mormon about another group of people who come to the Americas right after the time of the Tower of Babel, who become wicked and eventually destroy themselves so completely that only one man remains to tell about their history.)
United Nations Headquarters

In the weeks leading up to last year's United Nations General Assembly, world leaders and activists were united in their optimism about launching a new set of global goals that would set a bold direction to 2030. One year on how are we doing? In short, not well enough. These inspirational goals require us all to stretch, but far too many are hunkered down in business as usual.

While celebrating the successes of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), we knew that we could do better. MDG achievements were impressive, but generally limited to those groups who were easier to reach. MDG progress was based in averages and masked inequalities. Less privileged groups did not see the same improvements, excluded from progress by their gender, ethnicity, caste, and place of birth, among other factors. Countries in conflict also saw few improvements. According to the World Bank in 2011, "No low-income fragile or conflict-affected country has yet achieved a single MDG."

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Recognizing the need for bolder action, the UN orchestrated one of the most participatory projects in its history to define 17 ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) designed to move everyone, both in developing and developed countries alike, toward a better future by 2030. Embedded in this new framework was the transformational commitment that "no one would be left behind."

One year on, overall progress toward the 17 goals in support of reaching everyone is already off track. Research from the Overseas Development Institute suggests that only three of the goals, including ending extreme poverty, are on a path to success with some additional effort, while nine goals, including many affecting children such as reducing maternal mortality, ending hunger, ending child marriage and boosting secondary school completion, are progressing much too slowly and require a major step change. Five goals, including reducing income inequality, are moving in the wrong direction. The Inter-Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators has yet to approve a set of global indicators to measure progress on the SDGs, and the promise to disaggregate data by gender, age and ethnic group - so critical to the goals' transformational impact -- does not appear very high on countries' priority lists.

After their strong launch a year ago, world leaders have missed opportunities to throw SDG implementation into high gear. The World Humanitarian Summit, the High Level Political Forum (HLPF), the Financing for Development Forum, and the recent G20 Summit were big opportunities for pushing the SDG agenda forward, yet failed so far to trigger concrete action accelerating progress. As one UN representative said during the HLPF in July, "Leave no one behind isn't something that will happen by everyone just repeating that phrase again and again at the UN." The SDGs need to be taken more seriously if the world is to be successful in delivering on these goals.

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While most countries have been slow to begin implementing the goals, there is good news: some have confronted the challenge and begun to design plans for achieving success. Twenty-two countries agreed to participate in national reviews at the High Level Political Forum in July. Colombia and Sierra Leone are examples of countries that have already worked to orient national institutions toward meeting the SDG goals. In addition, both countries have made monitoring and improving data a priority. These examples underscore the fact that with political will and determined effort, progress is achievable.

Meanwhile, Germany has worked to position itself as a leader in the process of achieving the SDGs. Not only did the German government note its need to address goals that were relevant to the country's highly developed context, but it has also taken steps to address the goals in its distribution of international aid and by wielding its influence in the European Union.

In recognition of the fact that inclusivity is at the heart of the SDGs and indispensable to achieving them, such as ending preventable child deaths or ensuring all children learn, Save the Children launched in April the Every Last Child Campaign. This campaign shines a spotlight on groups of children excluded from progress to date because of who they are or where they were born. In every country where we are present, Save the Children is working to galvanize the necessary political will, resources and innovative programs and policies that will accelerate progress and bring "leave no one behind" to life. Our campaign recognizes that the SDGs will not be achieved without ending both poverty, but also discrimination against excluded groups of children. We set out three categories of initiatives - fair finance, equal treatment and accountability - which could turbocharge SDG implementation by overcoming barriers of exclusion.

The SDGs could be transformational but with 14 years still to go, they have yet to generate sufficient urgency. There are opportunities on the horizon to bring forward the magnitude of those goals so leaders feel the weight of their responsibilities to act now to fulfill them. We see the September 19 high level meeting at the United Nations on refugees and migration and President Obama's September 20 summit on refugees as two such moments to tackle an unprecedented crisis of forcible displacement involving 65 million people, half of whom are children. This crisis has to be resolved if SDG implementation is to get on track. We have called on leaders to commit to provide access to quality education for all 3.6 million refugee children out of school in the near future, in keeping with the SDGs. Making these calls are in the context of defining and agreeing to national interim "stepping stone" targets, such as child survival or learning, will generate urgency by showing the trajectory required in 2020 that is necessary to reach the 2030 goal.

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The Media seems to have a penchant for exploiting news of relatively questionable value, highlighting it in an attempt to make it equivalent to stuff that really matters.

Hillary Clinton had pneumonia last week and didn't immediately report it, and this somehow, according to the mainstream press, is damaging her campaign. They've added fuel to the notion she is untrustworthy, due to the ad nausea reportage of her private email server and a few emails that may or may not have been clearly marked confidential, none of which produced national security calamities, as well as the supposed exploitation of her connection with the much-praised Clinton Foundation.

It wasn't just Fox News, an organization that should be disallowed from having "News" in its corporate title, but moderates to liberals such as Anderson Cooper on CNN and Chris Matthews on MSNBC, who have reproached her and expressed disappointment that Hillary just cannot be honest and transparent. A front page article on Tuesday in the Los Angeles Times, which is supporting Hillary, argues as much. One wonders if it's all legitimate or simply a bid to gain ratings and sell newspapers?

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Let's get real. Yes, it would've been better if her diagnosis was revealed last Friday when she appeared a bit under the weather during her now much talked about discussion about the "basket of intolerables" in the Trump campaign. Her voice was subdued, but she carried on in the same manner people go to work with a bad cold. Pneumonia in the civilized world is eminently treatable, and one would imagine she felt well enough on Sunday not to disappoint those who expected her for the memorial of the havoc that took place in her first year as a New York Senator.

Sure, the images of her stumbling didn't look great, but, considering the rubbish spewed by Trump (who, to this date, hasn't revealed more than the barest information about his medical history) that she was in serious physical and mental shape, is there any wonder why Hillary might not want to let a not too serious ailment be magnified by the liar that is Trump or by his misleading surrogates?

But more to the point. How does not being forthcoming about a condition not detrimental to her service as president compare to the lies and omissions by Trump and his campaign? Besides his scant medical report (hers was akin to Mitt Romney's and Barack Obama's), he has failed to reveal his tax returns. She has released IRS documents going back decades, but his campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said on Tuesday she doubted he would do it, saying "This is like badgering." Badgering. To conform to a tradition presidential candidates have subscribed to for the past four decades, but it isn't badgering to continue to go after Hillary and her emails, to which any lawyer would object saying "Asked and answered."

How much more news will come forth about her email server? Isn't it the same story over and over again? She has admitted it was a mistake, though the idea of using a personal email account by others has been verified by Colin Powell, and NOTHING in all that time, with all the investigations, has uncovered any evidence anything significant happened because of her server or the email account.

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Not the FBI investigation, which cleared her of criminal charges and indicated only a few emails had any sort of confidential markings on them (and they were absent the bold, capitalized title-head kind). Even as FBI Director James Comey censured Hillary for being careless, and he did so strongly, there was no trace at all her server was hacked, nor that anything occurred to hurt our nation.

Yet, continuing nonsensical criticism continues as each new group of emails is disseminated, as if there's a new story that supports the notion she endangered our country. Indeed, the controversy has intensified, mostly by the Trump forces and their media surrogates over what might have happened, as if "might" is equivalent to "did."



The Clinton Foundation is another piece of the puzzle even less suspicious, as there's been no quid pro quo substantiation that her connection to the Foundation provided any meaningful service to a donor, other than the typical entree that takes place when one has connections in the political world. No one has been proven to get government contracts due to such a donation. No documentation has been uncovered that the Clintons somehow siphoned donations to their "secret" Cayman bank account.

Yet these lies or "what-ifs" continue from the Trump campaign and the media often covers it. Sometimes reporters will challenge the Trump surrogates, like the almost robotic Paris Dennard, an African-American Trump supporter who typifies the unpleasant analogy of a Harriet Beecher Stowe character during oft-appearances on CNN. No matter when horrible things about Trump which cannot be denied come forth from other panelists like Van Jones or Mondale campaign manager Bob Beckel. To all of it, Dennard diverts the conversation to Hillary.

Reminded that Trump was one of the most prominent "birthers," referring to the idea President Obama wasn't born in this country, Dennard with a stone, almost prissy face, insists Hillary made the charges first in her 2008 campaign. When it's pointed out there's no such evidence, that at most someone in the campaign might have done so, Dennard is unmoved. The fact that Hillary never went on record about such a thing, whereas Trump did so in 2011, many times beyond and continues to refuse to admit he is wrong to this day means nothing to folks like Dennard, "commentators" such as Kayleigh McEnany, former New York lieutenant-governor Betsy McCaughey or KABC Talk Show Host John Phillips, who deflect myriad other Trump misstatements.

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McEnany continued the lie last night on CNN that Hillary said (about the "deplorables") they weren't American. She never said that, but it's par for the course for these Stepford Trump supporters, who not only dissemble continuously regarding Trump's hidden tax returns et al, but also spout things not true.

Bob Beckel and Van Jones acknowledged Hillary might have mishandled her comments, leading Beckel to remind Dennard that they are capable of admitting when she has done something a bit indelicate and asked Dennard if he could do likewise about Trump. Dennard, programmed to remain silent, was saved by Don Lemon's immediate break to a commercial.

There is so much calumny in Trump's record, his lies about being against the Iraq War when there's broadcast evidence to the contrary. While Hillary regretted her support, Trump won't even confess what in fact was true. He falsifies our economic statistics, about our standing in the world community and "suggests" other fibs using his oft-stated "Many people have said" preface that somehow shields him from making the lie itself.

Plus, he pooh-poohs his lawsuits and settlements regarding racial discrimination in his housing units, his failure to pay those who have worked on his properties, government action against the Trump Foundation and the presumed scam of his so-called Trump University, leading to one of his most heinous bigoted statements, calling for the removal of a judge involved in the case due to the American-born man's Mexican heritage.

Most people know the list of his slurs and falsehoods that are only occasionally thrown back at his face, yet the media somehow equates Hillary's failure to report her pneumonia as further proof that we shouldn't trust her.

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I don't think it's specifically done to elect Trump, but I am certain it is to make sure the race stays competitive until November 8.
There was some surprise when Donald Trump's running mate Mike Pence refused to call David Duke "deplorable" on CNN, viewed as a gaffe he would soon correct. Pence instead doubled down yesterday in a press conference on Capitol Hill, continuing his line that he wouldn't engage in "name-calling," even about a former KKK grand wizard.

Even Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, on CNN, said the Indiana governor should've called Duke deplorable, though she made an embarrassing, telling mistake and substituted Donald Trump's name for David Duke: "He should -- sure. So that -- so that he doesn't get headlines saying Mike Pence will not say Donald Trump is deplorable."

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Dana Milbank at The Washington Post, in a column today headlined, "The Trumpifciation of Mike Pence," notes not only Pence's refusal to call Duke deplorable, but several other positions -- such as Trump's romancing of Russia's authoritarian and certainly bigoted leader Vladimir Putin -- about which Pence now agrees with Trump:



I've always thought him an honorable and amiable man, and I accept his friends' assessment that he took the job in hopes of changing Trump. Instead, it seems that Trump has changed him.

But in fact, Mike Pence hasn't changed one bit. He's always been a bigot, backing positions and ideas that displayed animus for classes of people. It may sometimes have been different groups than those Trump is most vocal about right now, but that doesn't change the definition of bigotry.

In 1996, Pence wrote a column (dug up by Ari Rabin-Havt) for the Indiana Policy Review, the magazine of a think tank (by the same name) Pence once ran. In it, Pence lamented the Republican Party's '96 convention and its softer approach, by comparison, toward minorities. Pence pined for the days of the infamous '92 "culture war" convention, where virulent homophobe and nativist Pat Buchanan delivered a fire and brimstone jeremiad in prime time that sent a jolt through the electorate and, some believe, helped sink George H.W. Bush's re-election that year.

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Pence lamented that the '96 convention supposedly spotlighted "an endless line of pro-choice women, AIDS activists and proponents of affirmative action" -- not-so-subtle code for feminists, gays and blacks -- which was textbook hyperbole, since there was hardly an "endless line" of such people. Mary Fischer, for example, a Republican woman with AIDS, was the first and only AIDS activist to speak that year at the Republican National Convention. But that was clearly one too many for Pence.

Pence also complained in the column about what he called the "systemic exclusion from prime time of social conservatives," noting that "whether the elites in the media or the GOP like it or not, traditional pro-family conservatives make up the bedrock of the modern Republican electoral success."

In 2000, as a member of Congress, Pence proposed cutting off funds for HIV prevention, and instead diverting the money to "ex-gay" therapy programs. This, he said, would ensure that "federal dollars were no longer being given to organizations that celebrate and encourage the types of behaviors that facilitate the spreading of the HIV virus." Instead, "resources should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior."

He also said, "Congress should oppose any effort to recognize homosexuals as a 'discreet and insular minority' entitled to the protection of anti-discrimination laws similar to those extended to women and ethnic minorities."

In 2006, Pence said in a speech that marriage equality would lead to "societal collapse," and called homosexuality "a choice." Stopping gays from marrying wasn't biased, he said, but was rather about compelling "God's idea."

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These are just a few among a long list of positions and actions Pence has taken against LGBT people, minorities and women. Most remembered in recent times has been Pence's signing of an extreme anti-LGBT "religious liberty" bill in Indiana last year, which was met with an intense backlash from business leaders across Indiana and around the country. It became a high-profile story and Pence made a fool of himself, standing his ground on the law on national television, though unable to defend against its bigotry.

Faced with boycotts by companies threatening to move out of Indiana, Pence and GOPers in the legislature were forced to soften the law somewhat. Since being named Trump's running mate, Pence has tried to put that episode behind him. And the Trump campaign has, outrageously, tried to cast the mild-mannered governor as the campaign's face of gentility -- and, compared to Trump, it's hard for anyone not to come off that way.
Although I have a few pictures of my handsome grandfather, I do not remember him, as he died when I was a baby. Frank Llorens was born in Alicante, Spain and immigrated to United States, via Argentina, as a young man. He married my maternal grandmother, Antoinetta Cozza, an immigrant from Italy. My mom's macaroni and gravy and her Spanish rice dishes are a testament to her Italian/Spanish upbringing. I was extremely proud and felt extra special to have a grandfather from Spain, giving me a unique Hispanic heritage, as most of my Italian friends' grandparents from Italy had arranged marriages. A recent opportunity to work on an educational breast health campaign with and for the Latina/Hispanic community found me and I reconnected to my Hispanic roots.

Several months ago, I read preliminary results of a study led by Principal Investigator, Yale epidemiologist Beth Jones, Ph.D. which was featured at a poster session in 2015 at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Conference, about the disparities of breast cancer screening and knowledge of the impact of dense breast tissue in the Latina/Hispanic Community. Soon after, I met with Beth to discuss a project, spurred from her study, to provide culturally appropriate educational resources about breast health and dense breast tissue in Spanish, along with video featuring Hispanic/Latina women. The E.M.P.O.W.E.R.E.D. (Early Matters: Providing Opportunities With Educational Resources for Early Detection) campaign was born.

Breast health resources in Spanish, including a compelling video, are now available to educate women about the importance of their breast health. With a grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation, the nonprofit organization Are You Dense Inc., which I launched after I was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer within weeks of my 11th normal mammogram, led the EMPOWERED campaign.

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Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Hispanic/Latina women as they are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer compared to the white non-hispanic population. Having a breast cancer that was found at an advanced stage because my dense breast tissue masked my cancer for years by mammography, it is critically important for women to be equipped with the same information their doctors have for shared breast screening decision making to reduce advance disease and in turn, reduce mortality.

In collaboration with Madre Latina, Inc., a nonprofit organization with a mission to equip women with educational resources, the EMPOWERED video features a breast cancer survivor, latina leaders and a physician. My contribution, in English, has captions in Spanish. In addition to the video, an educational brochure, Como esta su densidad? (Are You Dense?) is available on the website.
I am something of an outsider to the Brexit question, but I feel its ramifications acutely. I am an outsider in that I am a US citizen, born in Philadelphia, living in New York City. But my father was born in Ireland and because Ireland grants citizenship to children and grandchildren of those born there: I am also a citizen of Ireland and because Ireland is part of the European Union, I am also a European citizen.

I am a writer in English, but I have co-translated works by major European writers: the poems of Pier Paolo Pasolini; the letters, in two volumes, of Jean-Paul Sartre (edited by Simone de Beauvoir); and the first complete modern edition of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. These three were writers with big funerals, who grappled with the meaning of the world. I have also translated the legendary long-lost Heroines by the French Jewish lesbian surrealist photographer Claude Cahun who lived on the Isle of Jersey.

My family names are Scots, German, Irish, English, and French, so I embody the tensions that exist in Europe this year.

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After World War II ended, with Europe in rubble, the people of that continent had worked toward a united Europe that could not war against itself.

In 1975, the United Kingdom voted to remain in the Common Market, and the European Community. So, the former adversaries in two world wars, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and others, would become part of a union as a bulwark against a Third World War.

Why Brexit? Well, as so much else, we might say, it began in large part in 1968. That year, in the US, the gap between the earnings of the average head of a business and the salary of the average worker in that business was 40 to 1. After the assassination of Robert Kennedy and during the presidencies of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and the Bushes, the gap grew to 400 to 1. On the BBC recently, Columbia University economist and Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz uses figures likely for the developed world, 300 to 1: "CEOs today get pay that's roughly 300 times that of ordinary workers---it used to be 20 or 30 times. No increase in productivity justifies this change in relative compensation."

In our century, the ratio resolved into 1 percent wealthiest versus the rest of us, the 99 percent. In the EU, two nations embody the two sides: Greece the 99 percent, Germany the 1 percent.

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Through the 1980s, of Margaret Thatcher and Reagan, the EU increasingly favored the rich and powerful. The British working class fell through the cracks. Austeritarianism took over. Only with the Obama administration did austeritarianism ease up in the US. But it held on in Europe.



Up to 2009, Wall Street was the center of world financial capital, but when the Obama administration cracked down on some abuses by Wall Street, the world capital of finance moved to David Cameron's London. With the Brexit vote, world finance is looking for a new capital.

What is wrong with the EU? I will make a more detailed list with the help of Huffington Post readers. Think of food: what happens in Brussels, the EU capital, ends up on EU plates: it is a bureaucracy with good regulations such as anti-GMO; and bad: it considers unsanitary and bans ancient-method cave-aged cheeses.

My identity as a writer in English is intertwined with the England of the language of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Blake, Keats, Shelley, Byron, Wordsworth, Shaw, Pinter, and Iris Murdoch, not to forget the cinema language of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. I now have a language, literature, and artistic identity crisis because of Brexit.

How much will London shrink post-Brexit? A museum, a former world capital, with the arts and sciences starved.

I am trying here to write my way out of the Brexit funk. And as an American I am also a Mr. Fixit.

The UK government can decide when (if ever) to invoke Article 50, the EU exit procedure.

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Why should Britain not have a second referendum? Brexit lost in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It lost in London. It won in the depressed Rust Belt of England. Fixit.

During the campaign leading to the vote, the Brexit camp lied that the UK was losing 350 million pounds a week to the EU. Keep that 350 million to give to the National Health Service, they said. Now, everyone knows they lied, that the 350 million pounds were coming back to the UK in benefits, goods, and services, but the lie was big enough to convince 52 % to vote LEAVE. Many who voted LEAVE did so as a protest to their immediate dire straits, thinking that REMAIN would win. Fixit.

An education campaign on what Brexit would entail, the costs and disadvantages to the UK, over a period of many months, a real debate, nationally and internationally, would surely turn the tide toward REMAIN in a second referendum. Fixit.

The Parliament has to ratify the break. It can choose to reject. It would be almost infinitely easier to reverse Brexit than to extricate the UK from the EU. Fixit.

The EU reacted with harsh bitterness to the Brexit vote. "Get out now!" they said, reflecting ancient national hostilities. They reacted that way to prevent copycat countries leaving.

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If the UK postponed leaving, as it intends, it would have leverage with the EU in presenting ways that the EU could be improved for all members, and if such improvements were made, then the Parliament could reject Brexit, and the PM would call for a new Remain/Leave referendum.

I just reread Iris Murdoch's final novel, her 26th, Jackson's Dilemma, written shortly before she entered her final years of Alzheimer's. In early life, into her 60s, she was a Marxist and a Catholic. During the years when Margaret Thatcher was prime minister (1979-1990), she became a Thatcherite. Once Alzheimer's set in, the great philosopher-novelist, who had carried on the tradition of Voltaire, Rousseau, Sartre, and Aldous Huxley, became glued to the tube watching the Teletubbies.

England was cracking up. John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron succeeded Thatcher, and none reversed her privatizations of the common wealth, instead further undoing the postwar welfare state of Clement Attlee, which had made for a more equal, healthier, better-educated society. The 1% triumphed. The bottom rungs kept losing nearly everything. And they were the ones who gave the victory to Brexit.

Through the mutual benefits of the Common Market, the European Union, the European Community, the hope was that a Third World War would be avoided because the major European powers---France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, etc.---would form a more perfect union. What are the real causes of war?


Democrats badly want Rep. Tammy Duckworth to win the Illinois Senate seat; leadership PACs of her hoped-to-be future colleagues in the Senate have provided $345,000, making them her fourth most generous donors. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

By: Jack Noland

One-term Sen. Mark Kirk's success or failure in his heated struggle to retain his seat will help determine whether Republicans or Democrats control the Senate come January.

No surprise, then, that the race's fundraising totals have soared. The most recent fundraising reports show that Kirk, a Republican, and his opponent, Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth, each had raised more than $10 million as of midyear, the combined $21.4 million making theirs the fifth-most expensive Senate contest. But the four races with more cash - Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio, in order - are presidential swing states, while Illinois is not.

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Because Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, is likely to carry the state at the presidential level, this could be the easiest Senate pickup available to Democrats in 2016; RealClearPolitics ranked the seat "[leaning] Democratic," while FiveThirtyEight in June gave Democrats a 77 percent chance of winning the race. More dramatically, by mid-August, Kirk was down seven points in the polls. That, and the race's national profile, help explain why 64 percent of Duckworth's large contributions (those over $200) have come from out-of-state donors. More than $1 million has come from contributors in the New York and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas alone.

Lawyers and law firms top Duckworth's list of donor industries at nearly $826,000, followed by organizations focused on women's issues; EMILY'S List, the D.C.-based pro-abortion rights group, has given $251,587. In a show of how badly the Democrats want to win this seat, leadership PACs of Duckworth's hoped-to-be future Senate colleagues have provided $345,000, making them her fourth most generous interest group.

Despite the flood of money to Duckworth's campaign, Kirk had raised $1.2 million more than Duckworth by the end of June, reaching a total of $11.3 million so far. The real discrepancy between the two candidates, however, has been in expenditures: Kirk had spent $3.5 million more than his opponent when the candidates last filed with the FEC -- much of which has gone for TV ads. Kirk's single largest vendor was Mentzer Media Services, a conservative television ad-buying firm that had received five payments worth a total of $1.4 million.

While Duckworth had spent significantly less than Kirk, she led the Republican comfortably in cash-on-hand as the race entered the summer, with $2.4 million more left in her coffers.

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Wall Street has led all industries backing Kirk; employees and PACs of securities & investment interests shelled out more than $1 million for him. Third on his list were pro-Israel interests, at $469,000, while funds from leadership PACs of his Senate GOP colleagues rang in not far behind. (Retired people gave him his second-largest chunk of money and ranked No. 3 for Duckworth, which is not uncommon.) Drilling down further, Kirk's top five donors included two financial services firms, a pro-Israel group, an energy provider and an international commercial law firm.

PAC contributions tell a similar story, with business emphatically backing Kirk. The incumbent Republican has received $2.1 million from business PACs, though conservative ideological PACs have kicked in $578,820, putting them ahead of their liberal counterparts, who have given Duckworth $501,892. Duckworth, predictably, has Kirk beat in labor PAC contributions - $327,510 to $47,500.

The Democrat has enjoyed far higher contribution levels from small-dollar donors, too. Forty-five percent of Duckworth's donors have given the campaign more than $200, but she's received almost $3 million from contributors giving less than that. Large contributions make up a smaller share of Kirk's haul this year than they did in 2010, when they comprised 73 percent, but he has still received just 7 percent of his funds from small donors.

Six years ago, Kirk was fighting a dual battle, running in concurrent elections in November 2010 to serve out the final months of Barack Obama's Senate term and win a full, six-year term. He raised $14.3 million to take both races.

Outside spending in the 2016 face-off has, thus far, disproportionately benefited Kirk. More than $1.6 million has been spent to back the incumbent or oppose Duckworth, while comparable outlays to help Duckworth come to less than half that, $713,901 to date.

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Kirk finds himself in a bind, seeking re-election in a blue state for the Senate seat once occupied by the current Democratic president, while Donald Trump, a man with abysmally low favorability ratings, runs under the Republican banner for the presidency.

"Assuming Clinton wins the state by 5 or 10 percent, which is likely, because this is her home state, it is likely that Duckworth will win," said Dick Simpson, professor of political science at University of Illinois at Chicago and a former Chicago alderman, in an interview with the OpenSecrets Blog. "Kirk has stumbled several times, which has made it difficult for him to gain ground."

Kirk in June became the first member of Congress to rescind his endorsement of Trump, appearing to try to separate himself from the controversial nominee. Down in the polls and facing Duckworth's multi-million-dollar lead in cash-on-hand, Kirk's ploy appears not to be enough. At a minimum, he'd likely have to beat Duckworth's third-quarter fundraising by a big margin to have any hope of catching up.

Whether he's doing that or not will be clear in about a month, when fundraising reports covering July 1-Sept. 30 are due at the Federal Election Commission.


Roger Marshall became only the second challenger to beat an incumbent in a Kansas House election since 1964, defeating Rep. Tim Huelskamp in the Republican primary. (Travis Morisse/The Hutchinson News via AP)

By: Soo Rin Kim

Compared to the astronomical numbers being charted in the presidential election, spending by outside groups in congressional face-offs might seem like a trickle. But House elections have also seen a jump in outside spending in the last few years, from about $29 million by this point in the 2012 election cycle to $43 million at the same point in 2014.

2016 has brought an uncharacteristic dip, though: House races have only seen $40 million spent by outside groups -- so far.

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That doesn't mean the number won't shoot up. In 2014, outside groups poured about $294 million into House elections in just the last two months before Election Day.

Kansas' 1 Congressional District is on top, so far, with super PACs and politically active nonprofits laying out about $2.7 million so far. That's more than 10 times what outside groups spent there in 2014. In fact, super PACs and politically active nonprofits have outspent candidate committees by more than $1 million in the district.

"Usually, the most expensive races are the most competitive races," Campaign Legal Center Associate Counsel Brendan Fischer said, and Kansas is a case in point, featuring a fierce rivalry between incumbent GOP Rep. Tim Huelskamp and a newcomer backed by the establishment wing of the party, Roger Marshall.

Marshall, who benefited from $1.9 million spent by traditional conservative groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, defeated Huelskamp -- viewed by party leaders as a troublemaker -- in the Aug. 2 primary. Marshall became only the second challenger to beat an incumbent in a Kansas House election since 1964.

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Another hot spot this cycle: Ohio's 8 Congressional District, site of a similarly intense Republican primary competition: Fifteen GOP candidates vied for the right to run in a June 7 special election called to fill the seat of former Rep. John Boehner (R). About $2.5 million in super PAC and 501(c) spending -- led by Club for Growth Action, which invested more than $1 million to bolster primary victor Warren Davidson -- was drawn to the district, more than three times the amount spent there in 2014. (Davidson prevailed in the special election as well, and is favored to win in November.)

Club for Growth has spent more in the Ohio 8th than in any other House race this election cycle so far.

But the Kansas and Ohio districts won't be seeing much more in the way of outside spending. They're both considered safe Republican seats, so the groups' attention is shifting to competitive general election races, if it hasn't already.

Take, for instance, Maine's 2nd District, rated as a major battleground this year. Neither Republican incumbent Rep. Bruce Poliquin nor Democrat Emily Cain had primary opposition after another Democratic candidate dropped out in February. Outside groups spent only $177,177 in the primaries -- but they have paid out about $1.2 million targeting the general election in the last couple months.

While Poliquin has raised $1 million more than Cain through his campaign committee, Cain has benefited from more than 80 percent of the outside spending so far, helping to equalize the competition.

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Similarly, in another hot race in Nebraska, Republican nominee Don Bacon has benefited from more than half the $1 million outside groups have spent since the primaries while Democratic incumbent Rep. Brad Ashford has raised more than twice as much as he has.
I don't need to convince anybody to the benefits of healthy eating, especially in adolescence. Well, maybe except for... our children who are naturally driven to high-sugar drinks and large amounts of junk food. They just don't want to bother thinking about it. But we need to eat healthy in Gdansk, too. This is why our local government take the issue very seriously and want to do its best to promote healthy way of life.

In Gdansk, last year, we launched an ambitious pro-health program "We eat healthy in Gdansk" and this time we want to train those responsible for nutrition in educational institutions. In the first pilot year, twenty five schools and kindergartens took part in the program in which we educated one hundred people.

Photo: D. PaszlinskiThe matter gains urgency in light of some alarming new facts: experts report that the health of Polish children is deteriorating rapidly.

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Unfortunately, Poland ranks first in Europe in terms of growth in the number of overweight children and obesity, diabetes and hypertension. In the last 20 years, the number of overweight children increased three times and our teenagers are among the most obese youth of the world. As many as 18.3 percent 11 and 12-year-olds are overweight and 3.4 percent are obese. We need to act quickly.80 percent of children with obesity age will become obese adults. What's worse, obese people are at big risk of cardiovascular disease.

As our year-old pilot program "We eat healthy in Gdansk." comes to a close this month, we commit to extending it for three additional years, funding, educating and monitoring special cadre of nutritionists in 140 institutions.

Healthy meals for Gdansk schools and kindergartens, changing eating habits of students and young adults, reducing unnecessary weight and training nutritionists and cooks. And, last but not least - developing the first in Poland application that allows parents to track children's meals in educational institutions. These are the first effects of the program.

"We eat healthy in Gdansk" started in 2015; the pilot program was attended by 25 schools and kindergartens. Ultimately, within three years it will cover all educational institutions in Gdansk, where food is served - a total of 140 kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools?

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Better meals at schoolsIt was initiated by parents dissatisfied with meals in Gdansk educational and child care institutions. As a mayor, I met with them, listened to them, and then we joined forces and created a wonderful project, the center of which is a child. The main objective of the program is to improve the nutrition of children and youth in educational institutions in Gdansk. It involved schools, kindergartens, nurseries, and a group of health professionals and nutritionists. I met with school catering workers, cooks and nutritionists and told them how important they have become. Over the years they were on the margins of schools and kindergartens.

Today the person responsible for nutrition in school or kindergarten is like as an officer on the battlefield. Previously on the periphery, now he/she is the centre.

Buying food, planning menus for institutions, shaping our eating habits and our life styles. This is extremely important. We provided our staff with training, education and know-how to become better at what they do.

Now our children eat healthier and feel better. We work together.Under the "We eat healthy in Gdansk" program, by 2018 we will train all Gdansk cooks, kitchen aids, and nutritionists - a total of 700 people. Our goal - healthier but also attractive nutrition of children and young people and improvement of communication about the nutrition of children in kindergartens and schools between educational institutions and parents or guardians.

In our beautiful Hevelianum centre last week 20 schools, kindergartens and child care facilities participating in the program received certificates, and even two special awards.

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A kindergarten awarded with money for upgrading kitchen equipment. Photo: D. Paszlinski
Authored by Molly Merson for Psyched in San Francisco. Molly is a relational, psychodynamic psychotherapist in private practice in Berkeley, CA. Molly works with adults and adolescents of all genders in approaching uncomfortable feelings, working through stuck patterns and creating room for joy and desire.

While I'm pleased to read NPR's ongoing investigation into mental health access, therapists like myself face a lot more when considering taking insurance, including mental health stigma, private practice costs, assumptions about "helpers," and client/patient privacy and confidentiality.

Mental health stigma is alive and well, and plays a part in the insurance conversation. When patients use insurance, they reveal the fact that they are in therapy, as well as a mandatory diagnostic code, to a third party. The problem is, therapy doesn't lend itself well to third party scrutiny. Therapy is often like a dream, where strange thoughts and uncanny relationships between images and sensation arise. It's a language that doesn't really hold itself up to conscious, logical assessment. Maybe you don't actually want to kill your father and have sex with your mother (thanks, Oedipus), but your unconscious doesn't know that. Therapy works because it helps you deeply get to know yourself and process your feelings in a safe environment. Worrying about your insurance company requesting your records and declaring your therapy "not medically necessary" could pose a challenge to that safety.

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In the fine print of your insurance policy, you might discover that your insurance company has the right to audit your diagnosis, treatment plan, and progress notes to prevent fraud and determine whether the treatment is medically necessary. But having a non-clinician look into the deepest secrets of my patients feels like an unethical breach of patient confidentiality, and makes me uneasy. I'm not sure I trust the auditor more than I trust myself and my clinical consultants to understand and care for my patients' needs.

Additionally, since many people come to therapy to better their lives and relationships, it can be difficult to find a medical reason for the treatment. Yes, intervening when someone is suicidal is medically necessary, but what about everything leading up to and following the crisis? Some therapists are willing to juggle the risk to confidentiality with the need to make mental health care financially accessible.

But there are two people in a therapeutic relationship (three, if you count managed care, or if you're a relational psychoanalyst). Therapy must also be financially viable to the therapist. The truth is, someone has to pay us. Our profession is not a hobby. Up to six years of graduate school and 3,000 hours of mostly unpaid training is expensive. In private practice, therapists pay for office space, electricity, and furniture. We provide our own health insurance, disability, and retirement plans. Vacation and sick days don't exist. There's transportation, record keeping software, an accountant, business license, continuing education, personal therapy, and consultants to help with complex cases. And taxes, including the special "self-employment tax" that small business owners have to pay on top of regular taxes (usually about 15%).

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It adds up.

If I see on average 14 clients per week (many therapists, myself included, stay under 20 clients to provide competent care), I charge $100 for each hour (just for round numbers' sake, not my actual fee), and all those hours are paid, I'll make $70,000 a year with two weeks vacation. Factoring in overhead, estimated at about $30,000 by Zynnyme, then self-employment tax and income tax, that comes to about $23,000 in take-home pay. That's 50% of median income for the SF Bay Area and qualifies me for reduced income housing (rent or mortgage being anywhere from $2,000-$6,000 per month in the Bay Area).

Finances are a huge consideration for therapists wanting to take insurance. I wish I could share the contracted rate I was offered the last time I inquired, but I can't. I'm not allowed to talk about what insurance companies actually pay, and therapists cannot unionize to advocate for better rates from insurance companies. That would violate the Sherman Act and the Cartwright Act. In fact, therapists are not even allowed to talk to each other about their fees. That could be interpreted as conspiring to monopolize. However, I can share that some rates I've been offered are less than half my fee, and not nearly enough to live on. In addition, insurance companies don't pay for missed sessions, so the hypothetical income calculations above could end up being even lower.

I know a few therapists who take insurance. They have to overbook their practices in order to meet their bottom line. They report feeling burnt out, tired, overextended, still don't have enough for retirement or emergency savings, and struggle to take vacations.

The helping professions, indeed.

But here's the thing: Many of us want to take insurance. We went into this profession to help everyone who needs it, not just those with financial means. I am hopeful for change with Hillary Clinton's new bill attempting to expand Medicare and Medicaid. But since MFTs are barred from accepting Medicare, this proposed bill may still be paying lip service to a deeper problem.

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I think about the patients I see who can't afford much (if anything) out of pocket, who are wrapped up in so much childhood trauma that they could benefit from multiple sessions per week. One-third of my practice is sliding scale or pro-bono, and the rate I charge factors for that. But I wish I could work with anyone whose need fits my skills, regardless of their financial means. I wish I could accept insurance without feeling like I was compromising the integrity of my practice, or feeling resentful about rates so low that I couldn't pay back my debts or take care of myself and my family.
Former Lower House President Eduardo Cunha delivers a speech during session of the Chamber of Deputies that decides the revocation of his term, in Brasilia on September 12, 2016. / AFP / EVARISTO SA (Photo credit should read EVARISTO SA/AFP/Getty Images)

Brazil may have lost a congressman, but it looks like it has just gained a new writer.

During a press conference held right after he was removed from office, former Congressman Eduardo Cunha announced his plans for writing a book on Dilma Rousseff's impeachment.

In the book, he said, he would reveal details of the conversations he had with several politicians on the subject. In response to a question about whether or not he had recorded these conversations, Cunha said: "I have a good memory."

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In the same interview, Cunha claimed he was removed from office because the Globo Television Network and the Workers' Party had teamed up against him. If he chooses to address this issue in his book, we're set to read a comedy.

The future of the former congressman is still uncertain -- and that's why we need to watch out for the next chapters of this soap-opera.

Despite evidence that proves otherwise, Cunha insisted that he has no secret accounts in Switzerland.

Cunha -- who is known for his lies -- will no doubt give publishers, literary critics, and booksellers a hard time. After all, how would you classify his upcoming work? Autobiography, fiction or satire? We will find out in a few months, if he actually carries out this project. It could, after all, turn out to be another one of his lies.

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The only thing we know for sure right now is that nothing is certain. The future of the former congressman is still uncertain -- and that's why we need to watch out for the next chapters of this soap-opera.

Since he no longer has access to privileged jurisdiction, the lawsuits filed against Cunha in the Supreme Federal Court will be transferred to a court of first instance, which may end up benefiting the former congressman.

These lawsuits may also end up in the hands of the ruthless judge Sergio Moro, who has become the face of Operation Car Wash.

So far, Moro has been merciless with figures connected to the Workers' Party. Now, the judge will have the opportunity to be implacable with at least one defendant connected with another party.

But there is a risk of these lawsuits falling in the hands of a judge from the state of Rio de Janeiro, where Cunha's party (PMDB) has a huge influence. If that happens, Cunha's cases may be indefinitely postponed. This would be one of the worst-case scenarios.

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(I leave it to the reader's imagination to figure out what the worst case scenario would be -- both for Cunha and the ongoing investigations. It's better to keep things vague, so that we don't attract bad luck.)

If Eduardo Cunha gets no help, it is likely that he would get arrested in the coming months. In that case, he would have plenty of time and peace of mind to dedicate to that book he's planning to write.
I'm on vacation right now, and as a serious podcast nerd I am most certainly spending a lot of time catching up on my favorite podcasts. There's a lot to love about the medium, but one of the best things is the platform it gives to people who are sadly underrepresented in traditional media. Here are five of my favorite podcasts helmed by women of color that I highly recommend.

Work wives Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams host this hilarious and charming comedy showcase. The two of them riff on stage together about relationships, career, feminism, race and more, and have the rapport of longtime friends. The rest of the show features stand-up and storytelling sets from an array of fantastic comics. The show is on summer hiatus right now, so this is a perfect time to catch up from episode 1.

Phoebe Robinson makes the list again with her new podcast where she interviews everyone but white dudes. Check out fantastic interviews with Janice Mock, Hari Kondabolu, Ilana Glazer and more.

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A new addition to the Slate magazine family of podcasts, Represent features writer Aisha Harris tackling representation in culture. She starts off discussing current culture with a guest and sharing weekly highlights and lowlights in representation, and follows that with insightful interviews with people like filmmakers Meera Menon and Robert Townsend.

Iranian-American comic, author and filmmaker Negin Farsad assembles a rotating panel of funny people to discuss the news of the day and provide much-needed comic relief during this election season.
People hang a sign near a burial ground sacred site that was disturbed by bulldozers building the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), near the encampment where hundreds of people have gathered to join the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's protest of the oil pipeline that is slated to cross the Missouri River nearby, September 4, 2016 near Cannon Ball, North Dakota.Protestors were attacked by dogs and sprayed with an eye and respiratory irritant yesterday when they arrived at the site to protest after learning of the bulldozing work. / AFP / Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

Metropolitan Community Churches know what it means to have our sacred sites defaced with spray-painted slurs. We know what it means to have our ministers murdered. We know what it means to be turned away from funeral homes because of who we are. We know what it feels like to have all we hold sacred desecrated.

So we have some idea what the Sioux nation in Standing Rock Dakota and all the First Nations people gathered in the Dakotas are facing as they resist the desecration of their graves and sacred lands.

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When graffiti taggers deface gravestones with their mark -- or symbols of hate like swastikas, outcries and headlines condemn the scurrilous act. But in the Dakotas, Native American gravesites were bulldozed recently in a shocking act of grave desecration. The bulldozers cut a swath through historic grounds to destroy evidence of the graves and to stake corporate claim to the land as a preemptory act of violence instead of waiting for a pending court decision. The company brought in vicious dogs that bit peaceful protestors. Despite dogs and pepper spray, the resisters continued to stand in the way until the bulldozers finally stopped. I thought, as a nation, we were done with using dogs to control and punish protestors, but this is not the case.

Tribal Chairman, David Archambault II said, "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."

The pipeline company, Energy Transfers Partners (ETP), blatantly ignored the recommendations of multiple official departments: the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Each of these groups recommended more study before moving ahead with the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).

Because burial grounds do not resemble European-style headstones, companies like ETP consider the burial sites to be open prairie. Just as when Europeans arrived in the Americas and decided there was nothing there since settlements did not look European, to this day, Native peoples are invisible and inconsequential to business interests. Racism's strategy of invisibility is alive and well today.

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When the court decision came down, shockingly, it went against the Native American claims of burial grounds and allowed the bulldozing to continue. In virtually the same moment, I learned that the Obama administration had stopped the construction of the pipeline through Native lands in the Dakotas. I can only imagine that President Obama and I shared similar feelings of horror as we watched dogs viciously attack Native Americans as they stood to protect the land and water against oil defilement. It may well be another legacy of the Obama Administration that this plea for justice from Native Americans was not ignored.

As the Global Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches, I join religious leaders from Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, UCC, and others who have spoken out to support the stand of Native Americans. We know that both the government and the churches have a long history of exploitation, betrayal, broken treaties and wars. We have learned enough to know that when Native Americans are treated as trespassers on their own land, something is deeply wrong. We must act now. When the land is gone and the water is gone, there will be nothing left to save. For all Americans, the future of our children depends on a rapid shift to sustainable energy sources.

In the Dakotas, construction is paused, but we call on the U.S. government to stop construction on all pipelines. Oil is poisoning our waters and land. For Native Americans, this is just one more expression of genocide. Even the American Petroleum Institute projects spills of 40,000 barrels of petroleum products this year. Right now, almost 15 billion barrels of oil traverse the pipelines. Global warming and the poisoning of our land and water give us no option but to end the burning. This is a crime against humanity and a crime against nature. Those who are most vulnerable, the poor, those with little power or voice, will be the ones most impacted.
After a divisive primary challenge, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has taken to the campaign hustings urging voters to mark their election ballot for his former foe, Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Sanders tells voters Clinton is "the superior candidate" and that her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, is a "Pathological liar."

Sanders is following the precedent of most candidates who lose their party's Presidential nomination. It is commonplace for them to urge their supporters to support the party's nominee.

However, if the nominee is elected, there is history of the vanquished primary rival becoming a thorn in his/her side.

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Sanders became a tribune of the progressive left. With the formidable support of over 13 million Democratic primary voters, Sanders has the electoral bone fides to lead the charge against Clinton should she pivot to the center once in office. He could become her biggest critic should she pursue an interventionist foreign policy, support trade deals opposed by labor and environmental groups, or become an ally of the large financial institutions which helped to fund her campaign.

There is a history of defeated primary foes becoming critics of the President who beat them. In 1892, former President Grover Cleveland mustered the Democratic Presidential nomination by defeating a former ally, U.S. Senator David B. Hill (D-NY). In another political lifetime, Hill had been a ticketmate with Cleveland. Cleveland was Governor and Hill was Lieutenant Governor of New York. With Cleveland's blessing, Hill was elected to succeed him.

However, the two developed irreconcilable differences, with Hill supporting bi-mettallism, where both gold and silver would be certified as legal tender, and economic nationalism, favoring a higher protective tariff. Contrariwise, Cleveland advocated hard money, supported the Gold Standard, and a lower protective tariff.

After losing the nomination, Hill got in line and endorsed his political friend turned foe. However, once Cleveland was elected, Senator Hill led the charge in blocking two of Cleveland's nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Four years later, the Republicans selected former Ohio Governor William McKinley for President. McKinley got his political revenge by defeating Thomas Bracket Reed of Maine for the nomination. When McKinley was in the House, Reed had upended him for the post of U.S. House Speaker. While Reed supported McKinley in the General Election, he became indignant at the President for his support of the Spanish American War. Reed, a non-interventionist on foreign policy, gave up his gavel in protest, resigning from the Speakership and his House seat in the middle of his term.

In another example, New York Governor Al Smith was once an ally of Franklin D. Roosevelt. In fact, in 1924, when the Republicans nominated Roosevelt's cousin, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., to challenge Smith, Franklin was foursquare for Smith. That year, Roosevelt also nominated Smith for President at the Democratic National Convention, bestowing upon him the moniker: "The Happy Warrior."

However the ambitions of both men collided in 1932 as Roosevelt vanquished Smith for the nomination. Being a good soldier, Smith campaigned for Roosevelt in the General Election, singing his praises in the critically important state of Massachusetts. Smith, a Catholic, was wildly popular with the state's proliferating Catholic voting block.

However, Smith became a critic of Roosevelt. He came to see Roosevelt's "New Deal" as too pervasive. Smith lambasted Roosevelt for pitting "class against class." Smith even actively campaigned for Roosevelt's Republican opponents in 1936, and again in 1940, Alf Landon and Wendell Willkie, respectively.

More recently, in 1976, the Democrats nominated former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter, who was elected as an outsider to the Washington establishment and who branded himself as "untainted" by politics. On the heels of the Watergate imbroglio, voters were looking for someone from outside of the Beltway establishment. Thus Carter defeated the early frontrunner and structural candidate, U.S. Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson (D-WA.), who was first elected to the U.S. Congress in 1940.

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Jackson however was a party man through and through. Accordingly, he hit the campaign trail hard for Carter.

Yet once Carter was elected, Jackson was a frequent critic of his foreign policy. Jackson, who favored a hard line on Russia, was a cheerleader for the opposition to the Second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty negotiated by Carter and the Russians. Jackson led the effort against Carter's nomination of Paul Warnke as Arms Control Negotiator. Furthermore, in 1980, he endorsed Carter's primary opponent, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA.)

However, that praise was supplanted with condemnation when Clinton became President. Tsongas, a deficit hawk, believed that Clinton was spending too much money rather than promoting fiscal austerity. Tsongas told the New York Times that Clinton was a "direct threat to my children's generation" and that Clinton's "biggest problem is a lack of moral authority." In 1994, Tsongas even floated the idea of forming a third party which would nominate General Colin Powell to challenge Clinton for re-election.

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Another rival of Clinton was U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey (D-NE). During the primary sweepstakes, Kerrey, a Medal of Honor winner, questioned why Clinton did not serve in Vietnam, opining: "There is an apparent unwillingness to accept responsibility for a decision that was apparently based on conscience . . . I quibble with a decision that was premeditatively designed to further a political career, even then." Kerrey also suggested Clinton "should not be the nominee of the party because he will not be able to win."

Still, Kerrey put that behind him and campaigned for Clinton in the General Election. He was even a contender to become Clinton's runningmate.

However, after Clinton became President, Kerrey called Clinton an usually good liar." Kerrey said of Clinton: "There's a tendency at times to play the victim-card a bit too much . . . It doesn't trouble me; I get angry with it.'' Kerrey and his Republican colleague John Danforth of Missouri promulgated a report calling for entitlement reform. However, Clinton rejected it. Kerrey even considered challenging Clinton for re-election, ultimately deciding against it.

Alternatively, some rivals have become allies of the President who defeated them. For example, in 1952 there was a bitter internecine feud between General Dwight D. Eisenhower and U.S. Senator Robert A. Taft (R-OH) for the GOP nomination. Eisenhower eked out a victory. However, that rivalry was set aside, as Taft, now the Senate Majority Leader, shepherded through Eisenhower's legislative agenda his first year in office. The two former rivals even became social friends. However, Taft died just over half way into Eisenhower's first year in office.

Similarly, in 1988, Vice President George H.W. Bush and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-KS) were embroiled in a political battle royale. At one point, the two candidates were on the air at the same time. Brokaw asked Bush if he had anything to say to Dole. Bush responded: "No, just wish him well and [we'll] meet again in the South." Brokaw then asked Dole if he had anything to say to Bush. Dole was inflamed by an advertisement the Bush campaign was running accusing him of "straddling on taxes." Dole responded: "Yeah, tell him to stop lying about my record."

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However, Dole became Bush's chief defender in the Senate and was instrumental in supporting Bush on foreign and domestic affairs.

In the present election, Bernie Sanders has gone from political obscurity to a cult figure in progressive circles. Should Hillary be elected President, Sanders will likely be a constant presence, urging her to pursue a progressive agenda. In fact, Sanders could become her chief antagonist should she govern as a centrist. He could also be her chief exponent should she act as a progressive Democrat.
Jack Gross began working for his employer, FBL Financial Group, Inc., in 1971. By 2001, he'd risen to the position of a claims administration director. Yet in 2003, when he was 54 years old, Gross was reassigned to another job, one he considered a demotion. Many of his former job responsibilities were transferred to a newly created position that was given to a younger employee.

Gross sued, claiming age discrimination, a motive prohibited by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA") Applying the standard established in Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, a Title VII, gender discrimination case, and extended by the courts to the ADEA and other civil rights laws, a federal court instructed a jury that, if Jack Gross had proved, by a preponderance of the evidence, that his reassignment was a demotion and that age was a motivating factor in that decision, he should prevail.

The court's directive is known in the trade as a "mixed motive" instruction. According to the standard established in Price Waterhouse, if illegal discrimination is a motive for an adverse action, the complainant - an employee, in the Gross case -- is entitled to compensation, even if other motives may also have played a role in the defendant's actions. Price Waterhouse also provides that, once a plaintiff proves that a defendant had a prohibited motive for an adverse action, the burden of proof shifts to the defendant, who has to prove that he or she would have acted in the same manner, even without that bad intention.

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The jury found for Jack Gross. The Court of Appeals sent the case back to the lower court to resolve a technical question about evidence (more on that later). Ultimately, the case reached the Supreme Court: and that is where the real trouble began.

In June 2009, in a 5-4 decision, delivered by Justice Thomas, the Court held that there was no mixed motive standard available in age discrimination cases. In other words, unless a complaining party could show that "but for" age discrimination, an adverse action would not have been taken, the complaining party could not prevail. Moreover, the majority said, the burden of proof fell entirely on the complainant. Even if discrimination had played a role in an adverse action - even if Jack Gross had indeed been demoted, and the demotion had occurred in part because of age discrimination -- if Gross could not prove that, were it not for his age, the demotion would not have occurred, Gross could not win. In fact, Jack Gross lost.

Jack Gross was not the only loser in Gross. All ADEA complainants were affected by that decision. In a dissent joined by Justices Souter and Ginsberg -- Justice Stevens wrote a separate dissent- Justice Stephen Breyer pointed out the problem. Proving that, "but for" the bad motive, a prohibited action would have been occurred anyway, required that the complaining party speculate as to what might have gone on in the defendant's mind, had circumstances been other than what they were. Because the complainant likely knew less than the defendant about what the defendant was thinking, or might have thought, had the situation been different, the new standard placed the defendant in a strong position to defeat a claim. The plaintiff's position, of course, was weakened - while many employees may be skilled, loyal and ethical, few are mind-readers.

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The effect of the Gross decision has been devastating. Employers can easily create negative records to justify termination, thus providing so-called evidence that, even if partly motivated by illegal discrimination, an adverse decision would have been made anyway. So-called restructurings can be engineered to justify the termination of workers who might otherwise have been protected under federal civil rights laws. Yet the bad news for employees was not yet over: a 2013 Supreme Court decision, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center v. Nassar, extended the devastating Gross rule to virtually all civil rights retaliation claims.

Retaliation claims offer workers key protections against discriminatory conduct, thereby facilitating enforcement of the civil rights laws. Whether the applicable statute is the ADEA, Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title VII"), Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") or Rehabilitation Act, prior to the Nassar decision, federal courts had applied the Price Waterhouse mixed motive standard in cases in which an employee had alleged retaliation. If an employee could show that he or she had engaged in an activity protected under a civil rights law, and had been retaliated against for doing so, the employee could obtain compensation - regardless of whether the employer may have had additional motives for an adverse action.

Nassar changed that rule. Naiel Nassar, a doctor of Middle Eastern descent, claimed that he'd experienced retaliation by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center after complaining of religion and ethnic discrimination. (Such discrimination, Dr. Nassar said, included comments by his superiors such as "Middle Easterners are lazy.") Allegedly because of the discriminatory treatment, Dr. Nasser resigned from his position as a University faculty member, agreeing instead to take another job, as a staff physician at the University hospital. When that offer was withdrawn on a technicality - merely a pretext, Dr. Nasser claimed -- Dr. Nasser sued for constructive discharge and retaliation.

When the case reached the Supreme Court as University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center v. Nassar, the Court once again considered, and rejected, the mixed motive standard; this time, not merely for all age discrimination actions, but for all retaliation claims under Title VII, the ADA, and other civil rights law. Not only could mixed motive verdicts not be obtained in all ADEA cases, but the mixed motive standard was abolished for virtually all retaliation claims, regardless of the statute under which such claims were brought. Everyone, in short - not merely older workers, had to become a mind reader.

Taken together, Gross and Nassar hobble litigants seeking redress for discrimination. Indeed, Gross may have been instrumental in enabling what to many appears to be the mass warehousing - a/k/a, forced retirement -- of the baby-boomer generation. As recently reported in the New York Times, even when they find jobs, older workers - as young as those in their fifties -- often cannot find positions commensurate with their skills and experience. (ww.nytimes.com/2016/08/18/upshot/as-more-older-people-seek-work-they-are-put-into-old-person-jobs.html.) Such workers are, in effect, being demoted by workplace practices. Removing the mixed motive standard from all ADEA case, and from retaliation cases under virtually all civil rights laws, greatly increases the ability of unscrupulous employers to game the system. The result for middle-class Americans has been more lay-offs, more outsourcing, an increase in part-time rather than full-time employment, real wage stagnation, and a general, pervasive anxiety about their future security.

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That is why Gross and Nassar must be overruled by Congress.

In fact, overruling Gross- and, in recent attempts, both Gross and Nassar -- is exactly what Congress has been trying unsuccessfully to accomplish, unsuccessfully, for over five years. The first effort, a bi-partisan bill introduced in the Senate in 2011 called the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, or POWADA, would have overruled the Gross standard, restoring the mixed motive to ADEA cases. That bill died in committee, as did similar bills, also called the POWADA, that were subsequently proposed.



In October 2015, Mark Kirk, the junior Republican Senator from Illinois, reintroduced the POWADA (S-2080) this time with provisions that would overrule both Gross and Nassar. That bill was also referred to committee - to Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee -- where, apparently, it still sits, idling.

Most recently, in June 2016, Representative Robert Scott, a Democrat representing the 3rd Congressional District of Virginia, introduced the POWADA - HR-5574 - in the House of Representatives. What has happened? You guessed it: the bill was referred to a congressional committee. Govtrack.us, an independently-owned web site that tracks proposed legislation, gives the POWADA a mere 3% chance of getting past the House committee, and a paltry 2% chance of becoming law.

The POWADA would put the "POW" - i.e., the punch- back into the ADEA, Title VII, ADA, and other laws weakened by Gross and Nassar. It would allow a mixed motive standard to be applied in ADEA cases, and also permit the complainant to state a claim based on indirect evidence -- the technical issue raised by the Court of Appeals in Gross, and not yet resolved by the Supreme Court. The POWADA would apply the same standards of proof to other employment discrimination and retaliation claims, including those filed under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and similar laws concerning federal employees -- thus overruling Nassar.

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Many organizations, including the AARP, have spoken out in support of the POWADA. The proposed legislation has had bi-partisan support - remarkable in today's polarized Congress. Yet the POWADA remains in committee where, without public pressure, it most surely will, once again, die a quiet death.

This is an election year. Many candidates are holding town meetings; the leading presidential candidates are being pressed by the media, on a wide range of issues. All of us, regardless of age, are affected by age discrimination and other unfair practices. We should to call and write to our congressional representative and senators, as well as the presidential candidates, and ask that they support the POWADA.


Sebastian Nicholls diving above a coral reef near Aqaba, Jordan. The Kingdom protects 7 km of its 27 km of marine coastline in the Aqaba Marine Park.

Millions of people saw Rio de Janeiro for the first time last month while watching the summer Olympics. Daily, they saw beautiful shots of the city--the glistening beaches and blue sea reflecting Brazil's crimson sunsets. Buildings dot the city's slopes, but a dense layer of vegetation lingers over the hills. Bright-billed toucans turn the dark quiet of the rainforest into a cacophony at daybreak. I lived there for two years, and Rio's natural beauty filled me with awe.

I felt the same sense of wonder when I saw a coral reef for the first time in the Islas del Rosario near Cartagena, Colombia. I didn't know then that the coral was dying--that overfishing, climate change, acidification, and pollution are rapidly choking the life out of tropical seas. Those same man-made problems also threaten kelp forests, mangroves and other magnificent ocean ecosystems that have existed for millennia.

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Our ocean is not just beautiful, but also essential for life. It provides half the oxygen we breathe, regulates climate, and feeds millions. The next generation's future depends on it.

Beyond the stunning shots of whitecaps and shimmering carioca sunsets, the sea is in deep trouble--and the symptoms are visible at the surface. Driving out of the airport, views of Guanabara Bay revealed floating trash and thick layers of black mud where the pollution was worst. Thousands of dolphins used to live in Guanabara Bay , and it was a breeding ground for whales. Now, only 34 dolphins remain and the population is rapidly declining.

Yet Rio's story, like young idealistic eyes, also glimmers with hope. The Tijuca forest at the heart of the city is now among the largest urban forests in the world, but in the 19th century, the area had been cleared for coffee farming. In 1861, Dom Pedro II, Brazil's emperor, expressed concerns about deforestation and native plants were reintroduced. Now, it's a vibrant rainforest in a concrete jungle.

Youth, like Dom Pedro, can combine hopeful eyes with a vision, and create a better future for all. When I learned about the degenerating health of our ocean, I didn't know what I could do but despair. Yet we can reclaim the ocean, just as Dom Pedro revived the Tijuca forest, so that it can provide for generations to come.



Policy has started shifting towards improved stewardship, states are discussing protection of the High Seas , and nations are creating new and larger marine reserves every year . The Our Ocean Summit, a meeting of the world's ocean ministers convened by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, provides a venue for announcing ever-greater commitments on ocean stewardship. Most importantly, leaders--including environmentalist actor Adrian Genier, who will speak at the summit--are recognizing that youth should take ownership of our ocean and our future. Millennials are eager to make a difference, and the rest of the ocean conservation movement is beginning to take note.

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My friend Daniela Fernandez founded the Sustainable Oceans Alliance, (SOA) in 2014. She had attended a UN meeting about ocean sustainability and returned to Georgetown University with a vision for mobilizing the next generation of ocean advocates. I heard her idea and I was in.

With guidance from an advisory board that believes in SOA and a team of hardworking students, we built a movement from scratch. Our plans came to life in less than a year: SOA's inaugural summit brought together some of the most influential figures in marine conservation, including Under Secretary of State Cathy Novelli, National Geographic Explorer Sylvia Earle, Director of Oceans at The Nature Conservancy Maria Damanaki, and National Geographic CEO Gary Knell.

This year, the Sustainable Oceans Alliance has partnered with the State Department and Walsh School of Foreign Service and counts on their support to further our vision of empowering youth globally. Secretary Kerry's dedication to youth engagement and our shared desire to create impact will come to fruition September 15th and 16th at the Our Ocean, One Future Student Leadership Summit.

At the summit, young participants will have the opportunity to become protagonists in the fight to save our ocean. From committing to coral restoration, to introducing marine environmental science into school curricula , action pledges submitted by summit participants can effect change on a large scale. In aggregate, these actions will improve ocean health.

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Philippe Cousteau wrote recently that youth are the hope for our ocean. We need to show Millennials that the horizon of possibilities is as vast as their vision is bold.

The Sustainable Oceans Alliance, which started as a small group of committed students, has launched petitions that were delivered to the White House and the UN. They helped expand the Pacific Remote Islands National Monument and establish a Sustainable Development Goal on oceans. In Barbados, a four-person team took the initiative to create a new Marine Protected Area. One of the team members is only 19.

Empowering more young voices can guarantee the protection of our ocean, and ensure that the wealth of resources and ecosystem services it provides continue to inspire and sustain generations to come. We can restore the ocean so that its beauty on the surface is matched by abundance below. To paraphrase the great conservation advocate Margaret Meade, we should never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens--regardless of their age--have the power to change the world.
By Eric Boodman

He was watching TV in bed when he got the call. It was the transplant team at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. They had a kidney for him, from a donor who had just overdosed in a New York deli. Did he want it?

Brian wasn't in great shape. His failing kidney made him exhausted, he had no appetite, he would soon need dialysis, and he'd been diagnosed with hepatitis C, probably contracted decades before, when he was addicted to heroin and cocaine. But that didn't mean he was ready to take just any old organ. "I'm not about to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire," he told STAT. "I won't take one from someone who was shooting dope or selling sex."

This dilemma has become surprisingly common for transplant patients, as the nation's opioid epidemic yields a tragic surge in organ donors. And surgeons themselves face a quandary: How much of the overdose victim's story should they reveal to desperate transplant candidates?

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Brian's doctors believed disclosing how the donor died was just part of getting the patient's informed consent. Yet other surgeons feel that this is a breach of the donor's privacy, and that it may not be doing the patient any favors: The stigma surrounding drug addiction can lead someone to turn down an organ that could have saved his or her life.

With little guidance about exactly what constitutes informed consent, surgeons walk this fine line every day.

The numbers have been staggering, especially in those areas hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, said Alexandra Glazier, president of the New England Organ Bank. This year about 21 percent of the organ donors in the region died of a drug overdose, she said, compared with 4 percent in 2010.

That trend has been true across the country, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, or UNOS, which runs the nation's transplant system.

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Under normal circumstances, a doctor would not consult the patient before accepting an offered organ. Once an algorithm has determined that an organ could be a good match for a recipient, that person's surgeon has an hour to make sure it is indeed a good fit. If it's not, the organ goes to the next patient on the list.

But in special cases, the surgeon needs the patient's informed consent before accepting the organ. It could be that the kidney or lung comes from an older donor, and so may not last very long. Or the donor could be defined by the Public Health Service as being at an "increased risk" of carrying an infectious disease such as hepatitis C or HIV.

Donors who injected drugs, as well as those who had been incarcerated, had sex for drugs or money, or had recently been on dialysis, are among the large group of people classified as being at higher than average risk for one or more of these viruses.

Initially, a patient has to consent to even be considered for one of these organs. If they do, and one becomes available, then a more specific conversation is in order -- and that's where things become tricky.

Often, a patient's willingness to accept an organ changes drastically depending on what he or she knows about the donor.



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How risky are high-risk donors?

At 26, Brian was getting high off heroin and cocaine "as often and as long as possible."

"As long as there was some money available, all day if I could," he said in an interview, on condition that his last name not be published.

He started out sniffing drugs, but ended up injecting them, so he'd get a bigger bang for his buck. He shared needles when he needed to.

Two years later, he'd kicked the habit. Now at 54, he still lives in Baltimore and is still sober. And he's adamant that he doesn't want a kidney that has been through the same things he has.

"He was shooting drugs and sharing needles," he said of a potential donor. "Just because they tested it for HIV and it came out negative doesn't mean it's not in the incubation period."

He's right. Donors' blood gets tested for common viruses, and although the testing has gotten better over the years, it's still not perfect. Laboratory machines can detect tiny bits of viral genetic code in the blood, but if the donor caught an infection in the last week before death, there may not be enough RNA or DNA to be picked up.

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That's why transplant centers are required to get special informed consent for donors at risk of infection -- even if the chances of disease transmission are slim.

"It's for transparency reasons, making sure that patients are aware of the organs they're receiving," explained Dr. David Klassen, chief medical officer at UNOS. "They are labeled high risk, but if you really look at the data, the risk in these donors is really quite small."

UNOS can put a transplant center on probation for not following Public Health Service rules on seeking informed consent, but what to tell patients to meet these directives is left to the discretion of the surgeon and the hospital.

Part of the debate among surgeons has to do with how much risk each "at risk" behavior actually presents.

Dr. Carlos Marroquin, chief of transplant surgery at the University of Vermont Health Network, tells patients whether a donor was an injection drug user, a gay man, or someone who spent time in prison, but he doesn't equate these different experiences with different levels of risk.

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"You don't want to give someone a false sense of security," he said. "Your grandmother, who you think has perfect blood, could still end up being hep C- or HIV-positive, or hep B-positive. You don't know what they've done."

Dr. Emily Blumberg, a transplant specialist at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, however, does the exact opposite.

For her, someone who died because of an injection drug overdose is more likely to have an infection that the test won't pick up than someone who briefly spent time in prison. She breaks that down for the patient, saying that one particular donor was engaged in the highest of high-risk behaviors, while another was on the lower-risk end of the spectrum.

She won't reveal anything that could potentially make the donor identifiable, though, and that means not telling the patient how the donor died.

"Every center interprets this a little differently in terms of protecting their recipients and the donor's personal information," Blumberg said. Her own practice has been reinforced by her experience. "I've had patients who have spent a lot of time trying to identify donors," she said. "They may be online looking at obituaries. People are pretty savvy with the internet."

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At Massachusetts General Hospital, transplant surgeon Dr. Nahel Elias feels that details from the donor's life are none of the recipient's business. He doesn't say whether the donor used IV drugs, spent time in jail, had sex for money or drugs, or was a gay man, "just like I make no difference if the donor is male or female, black or white," he said. "I tell them, 'You have to understand the risk is very low, but obviously there is no such thing as a risk-free organ.'"



'I would've taken a monkey's liver'

Some surgeons have yet another reason for not revealing that a donor died of a drug overdose: The

can bias patients' decisions.

While accepting an organ from a donor who was an IV drug user may seem very risky, those donors actually tend to be younger -- and often healthier -- than many others, and so may cause fewer health problems for the recipient.

They often haven't had high blood pressure, and don't have much fat built up on their livers. Meanwhile, the diseases they could potentially transmit are becoming less worrisome: New drugs have made hepatitis C easier to treat, and HIV, if not curable, can be managed with medication.

Dr. Charles Rosen, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., feels required to explain why a donor is at an increased risk of transmitting diseases, but doesn't feel particularly worried about it.

"It's not a very major issue for me," he said. "There are far greater risks that we take: If the liver is fatty, if the liver had prior damage from trauma, if the liver is from an older donor ..."

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Some doctors have noticed that patients say no to the organs of IV drug users anyway.

"We get into a problem of the emotional distaste of many of our patients," said Dr. Jonathan Bromberg of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Still, he feels it's important for his patients to have as much information as possible, and so he does reveal how a donor died.

Many patients -- especially those waiting for hearts, lungs, and livers -- are too sick to say no to an organ that could potentially save their lives.

In 2012 and 2013, when Sue Needle was on the transplant waiting list, her liver failure seemed to affect every single part of her body. Her abdomen became filled with fluid, and her doctors had to drain off 8 to 9 liters a week. Her legs were so swollen she couldn't walk. Because her liver couldn't filter toxins out of her blood, her brain began to go haywire, making her confused. Her ovaries began to bleed.

She agreed to a transplant from a donor who had been found unresponsive -- after the organ had been rejected by two other people. "I was so sick I would've taken a monkey's liver," said the 58-year-old, who lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

Dr. Sander Florman, director of the transplant institute at Mount Sinai Health System in New York, said it's quite possible that patients will decide to reject an organ because of stigma, but it doesn't worry him. After all, there were about 120,000 Americans waiting for transplants in late July.

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Yosemite National Park has been touted by many to be among the most beautiful places in the world. In the world. That is a very tall measure! With such a claim it's impossible not to ponder: 'how beautiful can it really be?' Driving into the valley we were eager for it to show itself, to reveal its unmatchable beauty, and it did--boom--just like that after exiting the Wawona Tunnel and perched upon Tunnel View there it was: the most beautiful place in the world.

It just might be. It's right up there, that's for sure. It would certainly be a challenge to determine a place more lovely than Yosemite is when judging it by the sum of its parts. Individually, they are melodies; together, they are a symphony. Case in point: the breathtaking vision as seen from Tunnel View...



Perfection at Tunnel View. Photo credit: Jonathan Irish

...humor me for a moment and try not to look at the scene in the picture above as a whole view, but instead have a look at each component of it. The frothy clouds that make way for blue sky but still hang on the horizon; depth of field that delight painters and photographers. The dramatic multi-hued granite rock formations infer how very hard (geologically speaking) those surfaces are, surfaces that when weathered by erosion split into expansive vertical cracks; an ideal place to build technical climbing routes that people come from all over the world take on. Blankets of trees laying on top of the rocks and covering the valley--pine, oak, cedar, fir--all serve a different purpose to the whole of the ecosystem and wildlife habitats that live there, while simultaneously enfolding the humans that wander between them (but which in this view we cannot see.) The shape of the valley that cradles the world living on top of it--it's almost as if you are looking into a snow globe. And punctuating the entire scene is that waterfall, Bridalveil Falls, cascading perfectly down while breathing life into the whole of the scene. This place couldn't have been dreamed up or drawn better--it is an overwhelming state of raw beauty.

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With such visual enormity, Yosemite can be a daunting park to explore. Where do you start? From where can you take it all in? It certainly doesn't happen all in one place... In that spirit, we briefly outlined below most of the places we visited while there in May, including two others that we missed but would have visited had we been able to. It was by exploring these 16 places that we were able to take in Yosemite in a way that mesmerized us both to no end.

1. Tunnel View (pictured above) -- This is without a doubt the most iconic viewpoint in the park. Ansel Adams captured it endlessly producing some of his most recognizable photographs while in turn popularizing the location. It was picturesque long before Adams ever laid eyes on it and it has been magically captured by many photographers since. Perched at the western entrance to the valley, just as you pass through the Wawona Tunnel, you will see it in all its glory. At any time of day there is some size of a crowd at the overlook waiting to get their view or shot of El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Dome, spires of cliffs framing the evergreen meadow, and Bridalveil Falls --the 317-foot cascading waterfall that flows year round and streams down to the valley floor. No scene could ever be composed more perfectly proving yet again, that Mother Nature is the world's greatest artist.

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2. Half Dome -- This granite rock formation is among the most recognizable of its kind with one side boasting the sheerest cliff in North America (93% grade) and the other, sloping down in a perfect curve. Geologists once thought that the formation was a true dome that was split in half -- leaving one standing while the other dissipated from erosion. Today it is more widely believed that the second half never actually existed. Either way, it is spectacular to view and to photograph from such locations as Tunnel View (bottom-up view) and Glacier Point (face-to-face view as shown below.) To hikers, this climb that was once declared an impossible fete for humans to conquer is now regarded to be one of the great hiking challenges of its kind. Learn more about this harrowing cable climb on the official National Park Service site for Half Dome hiking at Yosemite (and known your ability level before taking it on!)

3. Glacier Point -- This is the best place in the park to experience the Yosemite high-country while observing panoramic views of Half Dome, various distant waterfalls, and the whole of the valley floor -- in other words, the best of Yosemite within one gaze. Glacier Pass Road takes you there by car, but do watch for closures that could cause you to reroute your plans, especially during shoulder season when ice renders the pass impassable. We faced this situation and lapped up the rare opportunity to experience an unusually desolate Glacier Point by hiking to it on the Four Mile Trail (see next section.) The viewpoint is equally remarkable when open to all. With two sizable lookouts, there is plenty of view-space to go around and with many others to view it with, you can dice up your photos by incorporating people after you get the shot that you first thought you came for.



Half Dome as seen from Glacier Point. Photo credit: Jonathan Irish

4. Four Mile Trail -- Appropriately named, this 4-mile+ trail is a steep hike ascending 3,200 hundred feet. That's a lot of gain. It is commonly traveled as an out-and-back hike; as a one-way hike with a shuttle ride back from the top or bottom; or adjoined with the rightfully popular Panorama Trail that starts at Glacier Point leading back down to the valley floor (that was our route.) What was so awesome about Four Mile Trail is the unique views you are able to see as you reach different levels of elevation. The terrain follows a well-beaten path (it was built in 1872) with lush flowers and vegetation on either side the whole way up. This is a tough, rewarding, and gorgeous way to and from the lookout at Glacier Point.

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5. Panorama Trail -- This is one of the most popular hikes in all of Yosemite -- so popular that it was hiked by POTUS, FLOTUS, and their daughters during the First Family's visit to Yosemite in June. Starting at Glacier Point you will meander around the perimeter of the valley walls crossing a rugged but well-beaten trail from the high-country all the way to the basin while taking in panoramic views of the Yosemite Valley the entire way. Walking along a portion of the John Muir Trail, (stretching all the way to Sequoia and Kings Canyon,) you will see distant views of Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls until you find yourself among them. This 8.5-mile (one way) hike is often done on its own with auto transportation at the trails end. We paired it with the Four Mile Trail which together turned out to be pretty much one of the best and most rewarding day hikes either of us has ever experienced.

6. El Capitan -- Who knew that a 3,000-foot boulder could cause so much heartbreak and joy? El Capitan is an enormous granite monolith sitting on the north side of the Yosemite Valley. It stands statuesque above the valley floor for onlookers to ogle from Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, and El Capitan Meadow; and as a place for experienced climbers to summit. It was 'El Cap' (as it is known to locals and climbers) that inspired the sport of rock climbing in its modern form during the mid-20th century. We felt that El Cap and the climbing culture at Yosemite deserved a separate write-up, so we did a small outpost on that near the bottom of this page. As for viewing El Capitan solely for its geological beauty, enjoy and don't forget your binoculars--tiny humans riding an enormous exposed cliff is always worth a look.



A climber on The Nose of El Cap. Photo credit: Jonathan Irish

7. Vernal Falls -- It was at Vernal Falls that we had the chance to see rock climbers repelling from the top down more than 300 feet to the valley floor. We also caught a quick rainbow, you know, for good measure. Viewing areas at the top of the falls are split into two on either side of the falls and are joined by a bridge crossing over the thrashing water. If you want right-up-in-there waterfall viewing, this is your jam. If you fear exposure, not so much.

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8. Yosemite Falls -- As the tallest waterfall in North America, and the 6th tallest in the world, this is naturally one of Yosemite's most popular attractions. The close proximity from the Yosemite Village to the 1-mile loop trail at Lower Falls makes it even more so. Everybody loves a momentous waterfall that is easy to explore! Upper Falls is not as easy to get to, you will need to forge a strenuous 7-mile roundtrip hike with a 2,700-foot elevation gain to get there ... it sure is beautiful when you do. Yosemite Falls has another claim to fame -- it is one of the few locations on Earth from where you can view a rare moonbow (see the last bullet in this section for more on that.)

9. Bridalveil Falls -- Yosemite is well-known as a home to troves of waterfalls. Bridalveil is one of the most prominent, and is one of the first that many see when entering the park from the Tunnel View on State Route 41. To get up close, drive to the Bridalveil parking lot and walk the short, slightly steep trail to the base of the falls (and bring a waterproof bag and lens cloth for your camera! It gets wet standing beneath the misty falls.) Unlike Yosemite Falls which flows only from November through July, Bridalveil flows all year long. One of its most noted characteristics is that it has a swaying mist that rises from the front of it making it dazzle when viewed from afar.

10. Valley View -- It was the 145-mile Merced River that carved the Yosemite Valley giving us the picturesque riches that we get to enjoy today. For awesome views and photos of the granite monoliths reflected in the river, head to the Valley View pull-off just before you exit the park. Even if you plan to explore the area for days, stop when you see that the water is calm. The stillness provides great opportunities for reflection photos and we found that this photo op was somewhat fleeting -- when we wanted the shot, the breeze chopped up the mirrored view. When it was still, it was perfection.



Dwarfed beneath the size and beauty of Yosemite Falls. Photo credit: Jonathan Irish



11. Mist Trail -- This 3-mile hike is perhaps the most popular in Yosemite. Mist Trail climbs 1,000-1,900 feet (depending on your turnaround point) to lookouts peering onto Vernal Falls and Half Dome, and descents that walk you through sprays of rogue mountain water, hence the naming Mist Falls. Walking through this at the end of our 13-mile+ Four Mile Trail/Panorama Trail hike was ideal timing -- the cool down was epic and so were the photos!



Stefanie Payne catches the light at Mist Fills. Photo credit: Jonathan Irish

12. Mariposa Grove -- This ancient sequoia grove is found in the southernmost point of Yosemite in the Wawona area of the park. After a visit to this area with John Muir, President Teddy Roosevelt remarked that being there was like "lying in a great solemn cathedral, far vaster and more beautiful than any built by the hands of man." It is also home to two of the 30 largest trees on Earth (the number one and two largest trees are located in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.) The iconic Mariposa Grove is closed until spring of 2017 for a restoration project that when completed will enhance visitor viewing while protecting the delicate sequoia habitats for decades (maybe centuries) to come.

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13. Mirror Lake -- At stop #17 on the free Yosemite Shuttle you can hop off and set out on a short hike leading to a loop trail around a still lake that holds a beautiful reflection of Half Dome. The lake is a little small to encapsulate the full reflection of Half Dome, and the mosquitos in this area are viscous, life-sucking monsters, but the view is insane in a good way. We found Mirror Lake to be a cool area that is still within reach of the populous areas of the valley but on the outskirts enough that it feels much more wild. And with such a strong reflection in the lake and much to reflect upon it, it is a great place to capture abstract photographs.

14. Hetch Hetchy Valley -- Located on the northwestern edge of Yosemite National Park, this area was once described by John Muir to be 'one of nature's rarest and most precious mountain temples.' Today, it is a reservoir that helps to feed the city of San Francisco with their water supply. As a present-day national park destination, this is what we found: perfect spring meadows filled with a rich concentration of wildflowers; old and new growth forests; birds, insects and other wildlife, and an enchanting valley floor ... socked by the man-made reservoir that is fed by the Toulumne River. You get a very strange feeling standing on the overpass that crosses the reservoir that the whole scene is quite unnatural. A visit to Hetch Hetchy is a must for anyone who wants to develop a more intimate understanding of Yosemite, John Muir, and American politics as they relate to the National Park Service. It is also a wonderful place to explore.



Hetch Hetchy Valley in 2016. Photo credit: Jonathan Irish

15. Horsetail Fall -- Each year during mid-to-late February, Horsetail Falls is illuminated by the sun in a way that makes it look as though the waterfall is on fire. The waterfall flows only from December to April, and the "Firefall" occurs only at sunset just once or twice a year. According to the National Park Service, the best place to witness this one-of-a-kind sight is from the El Capitan picnic area. And so it goes....we missed it due to seasonality, but it is on the lifelong photography must-get shot list for sure.

16. Yosemite Moonbow -- Just a couple of times each year, you can catch a rare glimpse of a "moonbow" arcing over Yosemite Falls. The stars (and Mars and Jupiter) aligned in our favor this year and we found ourselves at Yosemite during the right time of year to see and photograph it.



The Yosemite Moonbow as seen in 2016. Photo credit: Jonathan Irish

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From Peter the Great and Catherine the Great to Alexander I and Nicholas II, the Romanovs held onto power with the help of a system of patronage that featured elaborate gifts for military leaders, courtiers, and heads of state. "Gifts and Prayers: The Romanovs and Their Subjects" at the Georgia Museum of Art explores the world that came to a dramatic and violent end a century ago with the Russian Revolution (September 3 to December 31, 2016).

"Gifts and Prayers" brings together nearly 200 objects, part of an extended loan from a promised gift to the museum. Assembled during the Cold War by an Atlanta collector, the collection includes portrait paintings and medallions, colorful pages from coronation albums, and military medals and chivalric orders.

"Gifts to the tsars and from the tsars made of precious materials with symbols of the empire were an important part of maintaining the fabric of Russian society," says curator Asen Kirin, professor of art history at the University of Georgia's Lamar Dodd School of Art. "In the drastically stratified society of the Romanov Empire, the rituals of gift-exchanging affirmed the sense of belonging together."

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Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign with saints, detail, 1875, Tempera on a wooden panel on extended loan to the Georgia Museum of Art from a private collection.

Many of the gifts are engraved with inscriptions in the form of prayers. Drawing on Byzantine tradition, the Romanovs were invested with spiritual authority, responsible for the salvation of their subjects. Russians showed their loyalty to the tsars by praying on their behalf.

Gold, silver and jewels featured prominently in this tradition. After Waterloo, Catherine the Great's beloved grandson Alexander I gave away dozens of silver snuff boxes featuring a battle scene and himself donning a laurel wreath -- a direct copy of a box starring his rival, Napoleon Bonaparte. There are other striking examples -- from a small silver box shaped like the imperial crown that stored silk beauty marks to a spectacular solid silver wreath of silver laurel leaves, berries, and ribbons.



Pin with an enamel miniature portrait of Peter the Great, ca. 1872, Gold, precious stones, pearls, miniature enamel painting.

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Peter the Great, who introduced western practices to Russia, appears throughout the show as his successors were clearly hoping that some of his glory would rub off. On the twentieth anniversary of her father's death, Empress Elizabeth commissioned a copy of a famous portrait from her court painter, Pietro Antonio Rotari. Alexander I had himself portrayed in profile facing his illustrious predecessor. For Peter the Great's two hundredth birthday in 1872, Alexander II commissioned a bejeweled pin with an enamel portrait miniature of the tsar.



Ivan Bedniakov (silversmith, active Saint Petersburg 1825-1848), Silver trophy (standing cup), 1856.

Among the show's highlights is an intricately designed silver trophy presented to the commander of an imperial naval unit that defended Sevastopol during the Crimean War. Topped with a two-headed eagle, symbol of the Russian empire, the trophy is decorated with grapes, acanthus leaves, and an inscription from the citizens of Arkhangelsk (After Russia's defeat, its Black Sea fleet was required to disarm and move to the Baltic and North Atlantic). By exposing the weaknesses of the Romanovs and making clear the need for reforms and modernization, the 1856 defeat proved a turning point. The accession of the young, liberal-minded Alexander II was seen as the start of a new era.

In The Decembrists, Leo Tolstoy expressed the sense of optimism at the time: "...all the Russians, as one man, found themselves in indescribable enthusiasm,--a state of things which has been witnessed twice in Russia during the nineteenth century--the first time when in 1812 we thrashed Napoleon I, and the second time when in 1856 Napoleon III thrashed us--great and never-to-be-forgotten epoch of the regeneration of the Russian people. Like that Frenchman, who said that no one had ever lived at all who had not lived during the great French Revolution, so I also do not hesitate to say that anyone who was not living in Russia in the year 1856 does not know what life is."



Presentation cigar box with a coronation scene and coats of arms of provinces, 1856, Rosewood, plain and gilded bronze, brass, enamel miniature painting on copper.

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With the 1861 Emancipation Reform, Alexander II finally abolished serfdom, freeing some 23 million Russians. Ironically, two decades later, the reforming tsar was assassinated. His son Alexander III reacted by reversing his father's reforms and ruling Russia in ultra-conservative fashion. Before his accession, Alexander III had commanded St. Petersburg's guards units and led a detachment in the Russo-Turkish War. For his service, Alexander III received the Cross of St. George.

Like other European monarchs, the Romanovs reinforced their power through prestigious orders of chivalry. It was Peter the Great who established the Order of Saint Andrew in 1698 after witnessing award ceremonies for England's Order of the Garter and Austria's Order of the Golden Fleece. There's a full set of regalia on view from the Order of Saint Andrew, considered the apostle who converted Eastern Europe to Christianity. Four ceremonial swords feature insignia of Orders including a diamond-encrusted sword awarded by Alexander I and a curving silver and niello sword from the Caucasus.



Helmet (full dress) of Her Majesty's Horse Guards, late 19th century, Brass, silver, silver gilt, gilt white metal, enamel en plein, enamel over guilloche, silk, leather, cotton fabric on the chinstrap.

In the late 19th century, a member of her Majesty's Horse Guards wore the show's impressive brass and silver full dress helmet, topped with the imperial double-headed eagle and decorated with the star of the Order of Andrew the First-Called. The silver and enamel star is adorned with the "X-shaped" cross of Andrew's martyrdom and the order's motto: "For Faith and Loyalty." A cavalry guard regiment, the chevalier guard regiment had its beginning in a unit founded by Catherine the Great in 1764.

Some five dozen colorful badges and smaller jettons, including several by Faberge, are also on view. Produced by some of the most prominent jewelers in Europe, the gold and silver insignia and orders are embellished with enamel work that includes miniature icons of the orders' patron saints. "The insignia of the orders of chivalry are arguably some of the most symbolically charged works of decorative arts," says Kirin. "The precious materials, the miniature icons, and the expert craftsmanship--all add both monetary and symbolic value to the objects."

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Most of the objects in "Gifts and Prayers" had not been previously documented, a fact which led to detective work by Kirin. One of the mysteries centered on the small Portrait of a Youth. An x-ray machine at UGA's College of Veterinary Medicine and multispectral imaging helped authenticate the signature of Aleksei Venetsianov, one of Russia's most significant early 19th-century artists. "This is only the first step in a long-term process of research that will result in the publication of the entire set of 1,226 objects," says Kirin. "Even at this initial step we plan to unwrap the many layers of meaning they convey."
We write about retiring overseas. It's what we know. And we admit we've not lived in the U.S. for 15 years now ... Still, we do know something about the retirement concerns of our friends and fellow baby boomers that are still working in the U.S. today.

In just a couple of words: They're worried.



Plaza Grande in Merida, Mexico

This concern and apprehension about the future is illustrated big time in the annual retirement survey released recently by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (TCRS).

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A non-profit, private foundation dedicated to educating the public on emerging trends and retirement security in the U.S., the TCRS has been conducting this survey for 17 years now -- since 1998. It's one of the longest-running and largest national surveys of its kind.

A good mix of workers -- pretty evenly divided between Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomer workers, took the survey. A much smaller group of workers -- those born prior to 1946 -- also participated.

Not too surprisingly, the TCRS concludes that American workers "are challenged by what has become a wobbly three-legged stool comprising Social Security, employer-sponsored retirement benefits, and personal savings."

That's analytical speak that essentially means that millions of Americans aren't prepared for retirement. When it comes to our generation ... specifically to baby boomers hoping to retire soon...the wobbly stool is indeed precarious.



Medellin Skyline, Colombia

Here's What Baby Boomer Workers in the TCRS Survey Say about Retirement:

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 They're planning to work until an older age than previous generations -- 66 percent plan to or are already working past age 65, or do not plan to retire at all. Many expect to continue working in retirement, at least on a part-time basis, because of income or health benefits.



Most baby boomers (87 percent) expect Social Security will be a source of their retirement income and one in three (34 percent) expects it to be their primary source of income. Only 33 percent expect income from a traditional pension plan.

The current median household savings in all retirement accounts among baby boomer workers is $147,000. (Many baby boomers were already mid-career when 401(k) plans were first introduced and they've not had a full 40-year time horizon to save in one.)

So what's the Solution, According to the TCRS Experts?



Working longer and fully retiring at an older age is one solution. But that's only if you can stay employed in the first place. The trend among employers today is to hire young people who will work for lower salaries. And of course, you have to stay on top of the technology required for some jobs. And you have to stay healthy....

The TCRS analysts offer seven recommendations to help American workers prepare for retirement. These include saving money, asking for retirement benefits as part of your compensation plan, seeking out tax credits, and taking proactive steps to ensure your long-term employment. All of these, of course, are easier said than done.

But here's the recommendation offered that makes the most sense to us: "Develop a retirement strategy. Factor in living expenses, healthcare needs, government benefits and long-term care. Envision future retirement and have a backup plan in case retirement comes early due to an unforeseen circumstance."

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In our world, in fact, your "backup plan" should be your blueprint to early retirement. Unless you really love what you do, why work any longer than you have to?

Let's Do It Together, Right Here ... Let's Develop a Retirement Strategy That Works for You...



Your retirement living expenses: In the TCRS data, 76 percent of baby boomers surveyed say "affordable cost of living" is a very important criterion for choosing where to live in retirement. As we've already mentioned, 87 percent of baby boomers surveyed say they expect their Social Security benefits to fund their retirements.

The average monthly U.S. Social Security benefit being paid out in 2016 is reported at $1,341. You may get more; you may get less, depending on your work history. And let's say you have, as the TCRS survey indicates the average baby boomer does, savings of $147,000.

Can you comfortably and affordably live on that amount in the U.S.? Statistics say the annual cost of living in the U.S. for a single adult with no children is $28,474. We'd guess that would be some mighty frugal living ... and that amount is equal to about $2,400 a month. That Social Security benefit of $1,341 isn't going to cut it ... your standard of living will be at a bare minimum and you'll quickly dip into and deplete your savings.

But here's the thing ... you can live well on $1,341 a month in many locations overseas. In Ecuador ... Nicaragua ... Colombia ... Peru ... Southeast Asia ... On that amount, you can pay for your rent, your healthcare, eat better than you ever imagined... You really can live well on a Social Security budget.

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If you're part of a couple -- and you have a monthly income of $2,000 or so -- you can live very well indeed when you retire overseas. You'll even have enough money to travel now and then...

In our book, The International Living Guide to Retiring Overseas on a Budget, we list dozens of locations where you can retire--easily and affordably--on $25,000 a year or less. (Our monthly expenses in Ecuador where we live now are less than $1,500 a month...we know it can be done.)

By the way, on a $2,000-a-month budget overseas, a couple receiving the average 2016 Social Security income can live without drawing down their savings. Instead, you can count on it being there if you need it.

What about healthcare? In the last survey conducted by the World Health Organization on the quality of healthcare around the world, the U.S. ranked #37. That means there are 36 countries with healthcare systems of better quality than the U.S.

In many of these countries, you'll find affordable healthcare options, as well. In Ecuador, for instance, a couple can join the IESS government healthcare plan for just about $80 a month. There are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and this amount covers doctor's visits, surgeries and treatments, prescriptions, and more.

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Costa Rica has a similar program with its CAJA system. So do Colombia, Mexico, and most other popular overseas retirement destinations...

Or opt for a private health insurance plan that will cover you at the country's best medical facilities and hospitals. You'll likely pay one-fourth of the cost of a similar policy in the U.S. (By the way, in many overseas retirement destinations, you'll find great options for long-term care, and at a fraction of what it might cost you in the States.)

And of course, there are far more reasons to consider an overseas retirement. Fun. Adventure. Exposure to a very different culture. These are all great reasons to consider retiring overseas. And many of the destinations that you might consider may actually be closer to family and friends than where you live now. A flight to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, or Panama, for example, can take less time than flying from New York to Los Angeles.

So what do you think? Are you ready to at least consider retirement overseas as your Plan B ... or maybe even your Plan A? As the expert sociologists at the TCRS recommend, it's wise to have a strategy. You may find you can even retire earlier than you ever expected. At the very least, it surely makes sense to get started on your research now.

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7 Factors To Consider: Moving Overseas See Gallery

Earlier on Huff/Post50:
Discussions about climate change and the effects it will have on public health and the global burden of disease have been long in the making. These consequences are now starting to come to fore.

Several examples have recently played out. For example, in Russia, an anthrax outbreak in the remote region of Siberia meant that nomadic communities and thousands of reindeer were affected. The outbreak was due to the bodies of infected people buried in 1941 defrosting and releasing anthrax spores into the water system as the permafrost defrosts with global warming.

Closer to home, prisoners are starving in Malawian jails and suffering from acute severe malnutrition as a result of food shortages due to erratic climate conditions from both droughts and floods. Malawi has since declared a state of national disaster.

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These unanticipated public health consequences of unsustainable development reminds the world that the issues are not in the distant future, but instead face us now.

Climate change exerts its influence on public health through three main mechanisms.

First, the effects of extreme weather events such as heat, storms, floods or fire that directly cause loss of life or illness.

Second, there are indirect effects of climate change on natural systems. This leads to, for example, changes in disease vectors such as mosquitoes that spread malaria, availability of fresh water, crop survival, or the concentration of pollen in the air.

Third, the effects on economic and social systems as people migrate or conflict over scarce resources.

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These effects can be moderated by the presence of early warning systems and effective disaster and emergency medical services.

More affluent communities with more resources will be better able to adapt and withstand these effects. Having strong primary healthcare systems will also increase the resilience of communities.

But in sub-Saharan Africa many communities do not have these protective mechanisms in place, and will be particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

Disease and environmental health

The World Health Organisation has recently published a new report on the burden of disease due to modifiable environmental risks. The report estimates that 23% of all deaths globally can be attributed to environmental risks. This percentage rises to 26% in children.

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These environmental risks include:

air, water and soil pollution;

ultraviolet radiation;

the built environment;

the occupational environment;

agricultural methods; and

climate and ecosystem changes.

Children, the elderly, and those living in low- and middle-income countries are most at risk.

The diseases that make the greatest environmentally attributable contribution to the global burden of disease are stroke, ischaemic heart disease, diarrhoea, lower respiratory tract infection, cancers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. And over the last ten years the contribution of non-communicable diseases has significantly increased.

An example in South Africa is from Mpumalanga's Highveld, which has 12 coal fired power stations. The collective air pollution from these power stations has been reported as being responsible for just over half of the deaths from respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease in the area.

Living differently

Sustainable development has been defined as:

... development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals recognise that improving the wellbeing and health of people requires an approach that protects the planet from degradation. This is required because there are ecological limits to development that is based on ever-increasing consumption.

But the climate crisis is just one of the manifestations of the world's collective inability to live sustainably.

There is also a loss of ecosystems and the biodiversity. This compromises the natural services they render to humanity: food, fresh water, clean air, building materials and even new medicines.

Economic inequality is increasing. It is reported that 62 people now own as much wealth as 50% of the planet's population.

At the same time, we have seen unprecedented population growth and increasing urbanisation that is characterised by the growth of slums or informal settlements.

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The 21st-century challenge

Humanity's biggest challenge in the 21st century may be its ability to find a way of living sustainably and to tackle the crises of both planetary and public health. This will require action on a global scale by world leaders and by a change in collective consciousness.

There are some encouraging signs. Brazil has joined China and the US in ratifying the Paris agreement on tackling climate change. China and the US are responsible for 38% of global emissions.

World religious leaders have also joined forces to promote a change of consciousness as part of a "season of creation".

It can be summed up in the video message from Pope Francis, who says the relationship between poverty and the fragility of the planet requires another way of managing the economy and measuring progress, conceiving a new way of life.

Bob Mash, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Stellenbosch University
What does it take to get us to act on our instincts as humanitarians? Our hope for the future relies on our collective ability to mitigate the impact of war and conflict, climate change and cultural differences. Wave after wave of refugees and displaced people flowing from these challenges indicate that global efforts to do so are failing. Today, according to UNHCR estimates, there are 65.3 million forcibly displaced people in the world, though experts suspect the actual number is closer to 120 million. Displacement now ranks as one of the biggest humanitarian crises of all time and all signs point to it becoming a permanent and ever-expanding problem.

Like many others in North America, I had no personal connection to the conflict in Syria or the plight of refugees stemming from it. In September 2105 at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in China, I met Gabo Arora, the Creative Director of the United Nations. This chance encounter helped me gain greater understanding of the scale and urgency of the refugee crisis. The virtual reality technology he employed to do this helped to awaken the humanitarian impulses within me.

Gabo is on a mission to change the way the United Nations gets people to pay attention to their issues. Historically, the UN has written reports then enlisted celebrities like Angelina Jolie and George Clooney to attract the media and humanize their work. Gabo is on a mission to expand on these efforts by engaging people on social media. Viral media campaigns and YouTube celebrities have now become an effective part of the UN's approach. Before getting involved in humanitarian work, Gabo studied film at NYU. Given his interest in both film and technology, someone introduced him to Chris Milk, one of the pioneers of virtual reality. A month later in the fall of 2014, Gabo was on a plane to Jordan with a VR camera and a crew of one in tow. At the Zaatari refugee camp he shot Clouds Over Sidra, a brilliant 8-minute documentary that tells the story of life inside the camp through the eyes of a 12-year-old girl named Sidra.

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Experiencing Clouds Over Sidra in virtual reality was so immersive I felt like I had teleported into the camp. In the post-screening discussion, it became clear that everyone in the room was feeling newfound empathy for refugees. My work as the CEO of Artscape focuses on leveraging the power of art and culture as a catalyst for the change, growth and transformation of place. I quickly realized that Gabo was a kindred spirit, someone who was using art and technology for social change.

I was unsure about how to turn the empathy I was feeling into action until a second encounter with Gabo - again facilitated by the World Economic Forum at this year's Annual Meeting in Davos. It was there we hatched the idea for a collaboration to combine the VR experience with a community engagement process and a call-to-action that aims to build empathy for refugees and support for resettlement efforts. We will be launching The Sidra Project at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. In the months that follow, facilitators will take the project into board rooms, classrooms, public venues and private residences with hundreds of screenings for gatherings of 15 to 60 people. If it works, we'll explore ways to take this initiative across Canada and around the world.

Never before has Artscape been involved in a project where partners have come together so quickly and enthusiastically. In short order, a few hundred thousand dollars was raised and 25 partners have joined the effort. Among them are leaders in Canadian resettlement efforts who have helped develop a menu of ways that people can volunteer, donate and sponsor refugees to come to Canada or help them find jobs and housing once they are here. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible to translate empathy into action.

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The optimist in me makes me believe that humanitarian impulses are much stronger within most of us than our responses to global issues suggest. Time will tell whether The Sidra Project is an effective strategy in building empathy for refugees and support for their resettlement. If early interest in this experiment is any indication, we may be onto something that could make us all feel and act more like citizens of the world.

Find out more about The Sidra Project at www.TheSidraProject.ca and follow the project on Twitter @TheSidraProject #Sidra360
For the longest time, Asian cuisine and cocktails seemed to be mutually exclusive animals. Your choices were limited -- sake, plum wine, "Polynesian" tiki cocktails, and my favorite, free glasses of box wine, a staple among the greasier Chinese places trying to nab the just-over-21 crowd. But Asian cuisine, be it hole-in-the-wall or high end, simply didn't have the indigenous cocktails to go with it. Danielle Chang, the founder and grand poobah of the Luckyrice Festival, the Asia-centric culinary extravaganza, wasn't the first to promote cocktails with an Asian influence when she launched the first "Moon Festival Cocktail Feast" in 2010. But she definitely helped the scene evolve to where it is today, when it seems like cocktails with an Asian twist are everywhere. Hell, now there's even a bar dedicated to making cocktails utilizing baijiu -- the notoriously challenging sorghum-based spirit that's ubiquitous in China but almost unknown here.

Six years on, Chang sees the role of the Cocktail Feast, which takes place this Friday (Sept. 16) at the Bowery Hotel, as helping to nurture the burgeoning movement. "Asian flavors have progressively made their way into our cocktail world," she says. "Chefs are masterminding their cocktail programs by getting out of the kitchen and behind the bars. Cocktails are no longer just a precursor to dinner, or an after-dinner drink, but part of the culinary experience itself." She helped bring East and West together in a big way by collaborating with Bombay on Bombay Sapphire East, a gin with Vietnamese black peppercorn and Thai lemongrass in the botanical mix. Launched in 2012, it makes a nifty martini or gin-and-tonic to go with meals, as well as serving as inspiration for more creative cocktails.

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Where it's at for the last word in Asian-inspired cocktails: the Bowery Hotel, home of the Luckyrice Moon Festival Cocktail Feast.



Bars and restaurants participating include Maharlika, Grand Army Bar, tiki palace Mother Of Pearl, and Macao Trading Co., an offshoot of the legendary Employees Only and one of the forerunners of the Asian-influenced cocktail scene in New York. Uros Miljkovic, a bartender at Macao, created two of the Cocktail Feast's signature drinks. The Bashful Maiden features Bombay Sapphire East; Uros says it "was created for those who sit in the middle of the drinking spectrum. Customers who are not willing to take the leap with an extremely complex cocktail, yet want something more than a simple 2-ingredient mixed drink. We wanted to create a go-to cocktail for both men and women, that has complexity, yet is really easy to drink." [See recipe below]

The Mata-Hari, his other creation, employs D'usse cognac and fresh pomegranate juice. "Dushan [Zaric] and Jay [Kosmas, partners at Macao and Employees Only] wanted to make a cocktail with fresh pomegranate and a new chai-infused sweet vermouth they were excited about. The base spirit was vodka at first, but it flattened out all the wonderful flavors. They decided to substitute cognac for vodka and ... It became one of the finest cocktails I have ever tried. Stunning to the eye, seductive on the nose and orgasmic to the taste." That alone sounds like a good reason to show up -- I mean, who wants to pass up a good taste orgasm?

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Orson Salicetti, the owner of Lumos, the aforementioned baijiu bar, will also be a featured mixologist. Baijiu is still a niche spirit in the States, to be sure. But in New York, at least, where a bar has an Asian-themed cocktail menu, as often as not at least one will contain baijiu. Chang says, "The first time I got drunk was from baijiu.... I'm fascinated by how much attention baijiu has received in the US over the past couple of years. It has such a distinctive flavor, so I suppose that's why it's frequently mixed in a cocktail rather than poured straight up, as the Chinese traditionally consume it."

Baijiu is just one of the spirits that Chang hopes will be popping up more frequently in American bars. "There are so many spirits that are currently not readily available in the US," she says. "Sake and shochu used to be rare, just like baijiu is in its infancy today. I hope to see other spirits -- like sweet shaoxing wine, perfectly paired with Shanghainese cuisine and typically served warmed, as well as other traditional Asian spirits -- readily available on our tables." Personally, I'm hoping for a few under-the-radar Asian spirits to make their bow along with the usual suspects this year. But having been around the Cocktail Feast track a few times, I can tell you that classic, reinvented or new, you're going to imbibe some mighty fine drinkage. [Tickets for the 7th Annual Luckyrice Moon Festival Cocktail Feast are available here, as are tickets for the first-ever Los Angeles Cocktail Feast on Sept. 23. And for the record, I have no skin in the Luckyrice game, financial or otherwise, I'm just a fan.]

And hey, make one of the Cocktail Feast's signature cocktails at home! Here's the recipe for Uros Miljkovic's Bashful Maiden:
Let's be honest, in the era of blogging and social media everyone with a smartphone is a freelance journalist. From Twitter feeds to Facebook timelines, we're submerged in an online sea of news. Being inundated by a constant wave of new information leaves readers susceptible to misleading content or desperately searching for credible substance. In the past, we relied on traditional media to deliver first-class journalism to our television or doorstep. That relationship has since been strained. Beyond the impact of the internet, the quality of reporting has become subpar to say the least.

For example, a few days ago The Washington Post published an article entitled "Gallup: Life got better for pretty much everyone under Obama." That statement is disingenuous, if not a boldfaced lie. The article goes on to support its assertion claiming that a recent Gallup report revealed in 2008 fewer than half of Americans (48.9%) said their life was good enough to be considered "thriving," compared to 55.4% of Americans in 2016. It's these types of contrived articles, by major news outlets, that make Americans lose all faith in the mainstream media. I'm a proud two-time Obama supporter but my God, if you can't produce a higher thriving percentage today than in 2008--when the nation plunged into a deep recession--how awful would the Obama presidency had to have been?

As much as Black America would like to stand in solidarity with President Obama, it's imperative that we keep him honest. Let's honor his legacy not eulogize it with hyperbole. Let's not reduce him to a fascist dictator no greater than Adolf Hitler, who's too unstable to handle honest constructive criticism. The reality is that President Obama inherited a country entering into one of the worst economic crisis in recent history. He along with his surrogates use every public opportunity given to point out that fact--as they should. However, one cannot use the same crisis to self-handicap as well as self-promote--there's no having your cake and eating it too. If you argue that the headwinds of a country recovering from a recession prevented you from making greater strides as president, you cannot turn around and take credit for a higher thriving percentage today compared to the same recession. It's disingenuous. However, President Obama didn't make the claim, The Washington Post did.

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Anyone who actually opened the article would certainly look at it with a side eye. But for the passive reader, who scrolls and only pays attention to headlines, somewhere tucked away in his memory bank will reside the fraudulent belief that "life got better for pretty much everyone under Obama." He may even be inclined to use this anecdotal evidence in a debate to defend his beloved president. But he would be wrong. Life didn't get better for everyone--especially Black Americans.



Ironically, the indicators of growth and mobility (e.g., percent below the poverty line [1] [2], percent who own homes [3], real median household income [4] [5]) suggest that the ills of Black America have worsened instead of improved under the administration of our first Black president--with the exception of unemployment. While the unemployment rate has dropped precipitously [6], food stamp participation has exploded [7]. In aggregate, these statistics suggest that while more Black Americans are back to work, the wages earned leaves many families living below the poverty line.

Despite his broader successes, President Obama has failed to improve the material conditions of Black Americans during his tenure. Any suggestions to the contrary is inaccurate. Obviously, beyond the recession, deliberate obstruction from Republicans limited his ability to affect change. However, in these instances (e.g., Obamacare, gun control), President Obama made it clear to the public that Congress had his hands tied, but that he would fight relentlessly to the bitter end. Win or lose, that's the type of fight I was hoping for out of the first Black president for the Black community.

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Our nation's management of wild horses has been a long-running debacle of poor execution layered over questionable intentions and flagging resolve. Those problems have been compounded by violence toward horses by ranchers and other private resource users. The latest incident involves an attack on a number of wild horses living on a ranch overseen by the philanthropist and wild horse advocate Madeleine Pickens.

Since 1971, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has had the task of managing wild horses, who are now classed, for administrative purposes, into 179 Herd Management Areas in 10 western states. The bureau's primary strategy over the past 20 years has largely consisted of rounding up and removing the animals from our public lands, ostensibly in an effort to protect the range from overgrazing. The original plan was to adopt out horses to private parties - which has been fraught with its own set of problems - but the removals have happened at a volume that not even a spirited adoption program can offset. This has resulted in approximately 45,000 wild horses and burros being maintained in government-financed holding facilities throughout the United States.

Because the captive horse management has cannibalized so much of the funding, the BLM has scarce funds for protecting horses remaining on the range, including fertility control programs that offer the only real hope of humane population management.

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Last week, in an attempt to solve this financial crisis -- a self-inflicted wound created by serial round-ups -- a volunteer body called the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board (the majority of whose members' main focus is not, and has never been, the humane treatment of wild horses) made a recommendation that the BLM consider euthanizing all unadopted horses in holding facilities. That's a prescription for mass slaughter on an almost unimaginable scale and it would perhaps make the United States the biggest horse killing enterprise in the world. While the Advisory Board has no legal authority to mandate action on the agency's part, the agency will consider this recommendation, a sort of "Final Solution" cooked up by public-lands ranchers and their allies.

In 2015, the Department of Interior's Office of the Inspector General released a long-awaited investigative report, which found that the BLM had sold thousands of wild horses to a livestock hauler named Tom Davis who subsequently sold these horses to kill buyers. Though they are not being sold directly by the agency, wild horses are still going to slaughter by a variety of circuitous pathways. Sources at the Sugarcreek, Ohio, livestock auction last week documented BLM freeze-branded horses, in very poor condition, being sold to kill buyers.

Our nation's wild horses deserve better than this sort of mismanagement and abuse, and an attitude that they are throwaway objects. A sensible program must be grounded on controlling the population on the range through fertility control, obviating the need for dangerous round-ups that betray the national interest in protecting horses, and ending wasteful spending that ultimately solves no problems and just builds a massive captive wild horse program.

This headlong and heedless advisory committee recommendation should be summarily rejected. But it's so outrageous and overreaching that it may be just the kick in the pants that Congress and the agency need to overhaul the entire broken and battered program.

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By Mike Spille



Lambertville, New Jersey & Bridge to New Hope, Pennsylvania

In August, 2014, a consortium of 6 companies including utility giants Houston-based Spectra Energies, UGI Energy Services, Atlanta-based AGL Resources, Long Island-based Public Service Enterprise Group, South Jersey Industries (SJI Midstream), and New Jersey Resources Pipeline Company, operating as the PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC, announced their plans to build a 36-inch, three-foot diameter pipeline to transport fracked gas from the Marcellus Shale region in Pennsylvania into New Jersey.

On its 108 mile journey to a connector station just outside Princeton, the PennEast pipeline would tunnel beneath the Delaware River, cross open space, pass through organic farms, a township solar field, historic districts, tax-payer preserved open space, wetlands, and pristine C-1 streams.

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For almost two years, people have been asking, "Where the heck is Lambertville?"

In August, Lambertville awoke when they learned that the pipeline not only threatened to cut through the reservoir's water pipe, but also that PennEast would be blasting within feet of the reservoir itself, threatening to cut off the town's water supply.

They've swiftly joined their neighbors to fight a pipeline project that senators, congressmen and women, and experts have deemed dangerous and unneeded.

But, the question remains. Is it too late for Lambertville?

A River Town Pulls Into its Shell

Lambertville, settled in 1705, is one of the oldest communities in New Jersey and perches along the banks of Delaware River an hour north of Philadelphia. The town has been described by the thousands of tourists who visit every year as "timeless, charming, an old-style River Town." One popular eatery on Bridge Street, Sneddon's Luncheonette, only opens for breakfast and dinner. Neighbors have been gathering there for generations to shoot the breeze. Another more upscale establishment, The Full Moon Cafe, serves dinner - but, as you might guess from its name - only once a month, during the full moon.

Antique stores abound on the main drag. At end of Bridge Street, couples pose for pictures against a backdrop of tree-covered hills, bordering the wide river, or hike and bike along the historic Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park, which parallels the river from Washington's Crossing all the way to Frenchtown 29 miles to the north.



While most of Hunterdon County, of which Lambertville is a part, is staunchly Republican, Lambertville has remained Democratic. The first gay marriage in New Jersey was officiated by Mayor David DelVeccio in 2013, and Lambertville sponsors one of the biggest annual Gay Pride celebrations in the area. The city was also one of the few Hunterdon County towns to vote for Obama in the 2008 and 2012 elections.

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Many people expected Lambertville to lead the charge against a pipeline that would certainly disrupt the much-needed tourist trade.

But, Lambertville never really got involved in the fight. There was an initial strong surge against the PennEast Pipeline, led by the New Jersey Sierra Club, but that surge disappeared as quickly as it rose.

"I live here in Lambertville and know many of the residents personally," says NJ Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel. "With its strong activist core, Lambertville became a very good place to start our fight against the proposed pipeline. We have around 150 Sierra Club members in Lambertville alone."

On October 21, 2014, at the urging of the Sierra Club and others, the City of Lambertville passed a resolution opposing the PennEast Pipeline consortium and forwarded that resolution to the federal government.

"After that initial surge, the town lost interest," says Tittel. "Most of the people in Lambertville saw the pipeline going west of us and the pipeline drifted out of the city's consciousness."

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Communities Surrounding Lambertville Organize

Residents in the Hunterdon and Mercer County, home of Princeton University, have become educated in the Marcellus Shale, how gas is fracked, and how pipeline systems work, not only locally, but nationally. They've sent thousands of comments of opposition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in charge of the PennEast permitting process. They've hired experts, written letters to the Editors, spoken in press conferences and at events. They've attended federal scoping meetings, taken time off from work to educate themselves and their neighbors. The opposition from those towns and their officials is as vigorous as it was two years ago and by all standards astounding in its tenacity.

Some people believed that Lambertville remained silent because the proposed pipeline route was located several miles away from them; and, therefore, had become someone else's problem.

That notion was tested in January, 2015, when the PennEast Pipeline company changed its route putting the pipeline just 1,000 feet outside of the city limits. And, most notably, the new route was very close to the Swan Creek Reservoir, which provides drinking water for the majority of Lambertville residents. Surely now Lambertville would get involved.

Although, neighboring towns, activists and organizations tried to alert Lambertville to the threat, emails and phone calls went unreturned. People came back shaking their heads, asking themselves why there simply was no interest or concern about something to crucial to the city's financial wellbeing.

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In September 2015, PennEast filed officially with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). On July 22nd, 2016, FERC responded with a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that looked favorably on the project. The DEIS concluded that construction and operation of the pipeline would have minimal impact to the environment. As part of the review process of the DEIS, the public and municipalities in the region were given 53 days to comment with the period ending on September 12.

The sudden issuance of the DEIS, its questionable conclusions, and its short comment period during the height of the summer holiday, shocked the region and spurred opponents into action.

The Personal Becomes the Political and a Grassroots Coalition Forms

The Environmental Impact Statement shocked Lambertville officials, too, and nearly two years later, the city woke up from its long slumber.

The New Jersey Sierra Club once again rallied Lambertville residents. As the deadline for the FERC comment period loomed closer and the city realized that it was in trouble, two Lambertville residents emerged as the core of a new resistance in the city. Sue Bergent and Alicia Milosz took up the challenge and formed the Lambertville Coalition Against the PennEast Pipeline.

"The important thing I learned was that the pipeline had been rerouted just outside of Lambertville, and that it threatened our water supply," says Bergent. "More importantly, it wasn't too late to organize. Other towns had formed Citizens Against the Pipeline groups. And so could we."

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Bergent went on to form the local Coalition with a small core including Milosz, and their first order of business was to get City Council involved. To achieve their goal, they canvassed the city for supporters, and delivered a letter to the City Council asking for a hearing on the issue.

Their lobbying efforts succeeded, and on August 1st, 2016, at a packed meeting, the Mayor and the Lambertville Council formed a committee empowering it to investigate the PennEast Pipeline's threat to the city's water supply and the company that managed it, Suez. Further, the Council vowed to formally oppose the project by intervening on the federal docket: Our residents and businesses depend on drinking water emanating from a reservoir, maintained by SUEZ Water...The removal of the trees incurred in this project would add volumes of water to an already hard-to-manage run-off problem, causing flash flooding and potentially damaging the dam at SUEZ Water, washing out roadways...and damaging the historic infrastructure of the City of Lambertville.

From there, the truth about the proposed pipeline grew stranger and more frightening.

A Town's Water Supply is Threatened

In late August, the committee met with representatives of the company in charge of the town's water supply, SUEZ, Steven B. Wondrack, Director of Production Operations; Emad Sidhorn, Director of NJ Operations; and two other SUEZ representatives.

Mr. Sidhorn brought out a map showing the SUEZ facilities and proposed pipeline route. The map included a rough approximation of the proposed PennEast construction showing the location of the Swan Creek Reservoir holding the town's water and the dam that contains it, the location of the city's water treatment plant, and the pipe buried four feet below ground that transfers water from the reservoir to the water treatment plant.

"PennEast reassured us that they would bury the pipeline very deep, at least 20 feet below ground," said Mr. Sidhorn. In addition, PennEast assured Sidhorn, "that there would be no blasting, and there could be no harm to the dam or anything else on the facilities."

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But, when pipeline committee showed Sidhorn the current construction map for the site, taken from PennEast's own application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Sidhorn and his fellow representatives took in a breath. The new map showed that the pipeline would cut through the SUEZ water transfer pipe, severing the primary drinking water supply to Lambertville.



Map of PennEast Proposed Pipeline Construction Cutting across the Town's Water Supply

"We were never been presented with formal construction plans like these from the company," said Mr. Sidhorn.

In fact, the map in Sidhorn's possession was 18 months out of date and showed a different route.

Blasting near a "High Hazard" Dam



When the committee showed Sidhorn a PennEast communication indicating that the entire SUEZ site was designated as a probable blasting site, Sidhorn noted that it was not what PennEast told SUEZ personnel. In fact, PennEast would have to use high explosives to blast away the bedrock to make room for the pipe. This blasting would take place less than a hundred yards from the dam that helps form the SUEZ reservoir.

More shocking, SUEZ was listed in the FERC application as providing water drawn from the reservoir to PennEast so that PennEast could test the pipeline's integrity.

"We have had no such discussions with PennEast on supplying them water from the reservoir or anywhere else," said a shocked Wondrack, emphasizing that the SUEZ reservoir and water treatment plant constitutes critical infrastructure for Lambertville. "We can't imagine why no one has contacted us about new developments in the project," he and Sidhorn said.

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SUEZ, in fact, had not heard from the PennEast consortium or anyone else since their single meeting in February 2015. Mr. Sidhorn closed by explaining that the reservoir dam was designated "by the State [of New Jersey) as a High Hazard Dam," which is defined as a dam whose failure would lead to probable loss of life of human beings and/or cause extensive property damage. They had serious concerns about construction destroying their water transfer pipe to the treatment facility, and blasting less than a hundred yards from the High Hazard Dam.

The Cost of Ignorance

When asked about the Lambertville City Council's action since the August 1st meeting, while Bergent said, "I'm happy with the council's actions, so far, and encouraged that they continue to partner with other towns to fight the pipeline," she's also concerned that there is no mention of SUEZ, or the reservoir anywhere in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Environmental Impact Statement and that the township took action too late with only two weeks left to comment to the government.

"You will potentially break our dam which would flood our entire town," Lambertville resident Kathy-Lynn Eriksson complained to FERC. "Lambertville has an incredible history... and building a pipeline through it will destroy part of America's history as well as contaminate our drinking water, and possibly flood the town.."

"When towns don't get involved in proposals like the PennEast Pipeline, they lost control of the future of their communities," says the Sierra Club's Jeff Tittel. "And not just the primary effects, but secondary effects that can follow, such as more pipelines, more infrastructure along the same route."

On the very last day of the federal review period, on September 12th, SUEZ filed a Motion to Intervene against PennEast's pipeline.

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In the motion, SUEZ Water New Jersey Inc. ("SWNJ") states:

"The PennEast Pipeline as proposed, will cross SWNJ's property in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, directly transecting and/or coming into close proximity with the critical infrastructure that SWNJ relies upon to provide essential water services to its customers. Due to the location of the proposed pipeline, SWNJ moves that it be granted leave to intervene in the above referenced proceeding.

SWNJ is a water purveyor and property owner in the location of a portion of the proposed PennEast pipeline. SWNJ's Lambertville Water Treatment Facility provides water to approximately 4,000 residents and businesses in the City of Lambertville and Town of West Amwell, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. SWNJ relies upon the critical infrastructure associated with the Lambertville Water Treatment Facility - namely the Swan Creek Reservoir (the "Reservoir"), the Raw Water Intake Pipe from the Reservoir (the "Intake Pipe"), and the Lambertville Dam (the "Dam") - to provide such essential water service to the area. The PennEast proposed pipeline project will directly transect the Intake Pipe and be located approximately 350 feet away from the Dam. SWNJ is concerned about the safety of its critical infrastructure given the close proximity of the proposed pipeline to the Dam and the fact that the pipeline, as proposed, will transect the Intake Pipe. SWNJ is also concerned about the effects the installation of the proposed pipeline may have on the natural state of the property surrounding the Reservoir."

Along the way both City Officials and SUEZ representatives have claimed variations on the theme, "No one told us" and "we didn't know." Many wonder if they caught up with their ignorance in time.

With the comment period officially closed, it remains to be seen what the cost of that ignorance might be.

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Originally published on Youthradio.org, the premier source for youth generated news throughout the globe.

By: Grace Vaughan Brekke

As start-ups and big companies like Uber move into downtown Oakland, the tech industry continues to struggle with workforce diversity. This summer, Google released its latest diversity report, revealing that its workforce is 2% Black, 3% Hispanic, and 31% women. Facebook has a similar race and gender breakdown. Their employees are 2% Black, 4% Hispanic, and 33% women.

The Kapor Center for Social Impact is pushing for Oakland's expanding tech industry to reflect the city's diversity. The Kapor Center purchased a billboard on Broadway and 22nd Street that reads, "As Oakland becomes more tech, let's ensure tech becomes more Oakland."

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The billboard features the face of Haile Shavers, a computer science major at UC Berkeley. Shavers is an alum of SMASH (Summer Math and Science Honors Academy), an educational program for low-income teens of color to take STEM courses. At the opening for the Kapor Center's Oakland headquarters, Shavers spoke to Youth Radio's Grace Vaughan Brekke about getting her start in coding. What follows are excerpts from their conversation.

***

Grace: What do you hope to do with your computer science skills?

Haile Shavers: That's kind of a big question. I used to want to be a software engineer, but then I found out that's not really a path I want to take. I like the more social side. I like talking to people about code. I like being collaborative with other people on my team, which is what I do now at NBC. [Haile spent the summer as an Operations & Technical Services Intern at NBC Universal Media.] And even though we write code for a portion of our job, a lot of it is talking.

Grace: What's it like to be a young woman in the computer science field?

Haile: It's interesting. It's a bit lonely. There's not a lot of women at Berkeley studying computer science, and that number goes down for women of color, black women. There's like three of us and we're all best friends.

And even though it's lonely, that actually makes me work harder. I feel like us being in the computer science major is going to open up doors for younger women of color to go in.

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Grace: Was there anything that ever made you consider quitting?

Haile: Umm... yes. I don't want to say everyday, but there are moments, I would say, especially last semester, about like every two weeks, where it was like mmm, do I really want to do this? ... I do. Gotta push, I can't stop. Like if I did stop, what else am I gonna do? That's kinda my pep talk to myself.

Grace: What were the perceptions of coders among your peers and your community as you grew up in Oakland?

Haile: I definitely didn't know what coding was, what computer science was.

We had a computer in our house, and I had the privilege of going to like this camp for young girls. We did a workshop, and it was like, "Take apart the computer." And I did. "Put it back together." It was cool.

Grace: What was that program called?

Haile: That program was called Expanding Your Horizons. The one workshop I do remember was a computer hardware workshop where we took apart this like big computer, and then put it back together, turned it back on, and it worked.

So immediately, I went home, took apart our computer and my mom was like "Okay, you're breaking our computer! What's happening? What are you doing?"

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And I was like, "I know what I'm doing. I got this. It's okay."

She said, "Um...okay just be careful. Please don't electrocute yourself."

I was like "Ma, I got this. I know what I'm doing."

Grace: What would you say to young women trying to figure out what they should study in college?

Haile: I'd say study what you think is fun. Because, honestly, in the end for me, as much as I may complain or be stressed, there's a part of me that has a lot of fun. If what you want to study is STEM, then find that piece of fun that's going to keep you going.

Grace: Why is diversity in this field important?

Haile: I think it's important--personally just for me--so I can feel comfortable in these spaces. I think being comfortable in tech spaces, STEM spaces, any space you're in--is the number one key. In order for me to do well, I want to feel comfortable, I want to feel like I can contribute my ideas and they'll be listened to. It's okay for me to be the only one, but I want to know that there's support.
Soon you'll be able to change the world while you sleep. Or at least that's A-list celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart's big idea. The Purpose Hotel is a venture started by the photographer and philanthropist to intimately connect travelers to the world's deepest needs through art; and transform the travel industry while doing it. His second Kickstarter campaign just launched and Cowart remains undaunted in turning his vision into reality.

Perhaps as compelling as The Purpose Hotel itself is Cowart's deep belief that success is incomplete without the authentic service to a greater purpose in the world.

Fifteen years ago Cowart went from amateur photographer to snapping the portraits of A-list celebrities like Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, and Heidi Klum (to name only a few) in just a couple months. His success came fast.

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For Cowart it was a dream come true. Photography was and is his true passion. But in the midst of all the success and fame something was missing.

"I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness," Cowart told me when we connected last month. "I had technically 'made it' ... but I couldn't help but feel that wasn't really my goal. I realized that I shouldn't aim for greatness and stop there. I always say, greatness should serve a greater purpose, and that's become my mantra."

Cowart's mantra compels him to use his own success and gift to meet the world's deepest hunger. In 2010, he traveled to Haiti after the devastating earthquake to help people heal by inviting them to write prayers and thoughts on found rubble - an art project that helped secure $10 billion in relief for the reeling country. In 2011, Cowart traveled to Rwanda where he photographed victims of genocide standing side-by-side with the killers of their families. The goal? To show the power of true forgiveness.

"I don't have to look for needs; they're all around," says Cowart. "Fortunately, I've had the opportunity to work for some amazing nonprofits that have immersed me in some really painful, uncomfortable situations - like when we traveled with Exile International to work with former child soldiers in Uganda. We worked together to tell their stories. We interviewed them, I took portraits of them and had them draw the "pains of their past" and "dreams of their future."

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Now Cowart wants to connect you and fellow travelers with stories from around the world.

What is "The Purpose Hotel?"

The Purpose Hotel aims to connect a guest's stay to causes around the world.

"Imagine not just a hotel, but a global hotel chain, where every time you book a room a child gets sponsored, the internet fee fights human trafficking, and every product (soap, shampoo, linens, furniture, curated art, specialty products) is purchased from partners who are making a difference," Cowart writes on his Kickstarter page.

Through photography, music, and other artforms, Cowart plans to reimagine and transform the hotel experience into a "...a creative, interactive experience that ignites the imagination, promotes play and fosters community."

Why "The Purpose Hotel"?

Cowart sees the divisiveness in the world as a sign that it's time to do something that can unite.

"It feels like the right time - with all the dissension and division on social media, I truly believe The Purpose Hotel can be the thing that unites us," says Cowart. "We can disagree on politics, but we can't argue that every person deserves access to clean water, jobs, education and a brighter future."

The travel industry offers one of the world's most expansive platforms to spread his mantra that it is our collective responsibility to serve a greater purpose.

"I've seen it all in terms of hotels in my 15-year career, and I walk away from all of them, especially the 5-stars and 6-stars, thinking, yes that was nice, comfortable, even cool, but ultimately thinking, man, the travel industry is the largest industry in the world. Why is it not helping the world more than it is? There's such a lack of meaning and vision behind it all. I believe you can be for-profit and help others. We've seen others do it - and some of our partners are for-profit, not just nonprofits," explained Cowart.

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"This is not about a hotel, this is truly about people. We hope to provide jobs all over the world - locally, domestically and internationally. We just want this to be a place where people are valued at every level."

"Greatness Should Serve a Greater Purpose"

Above all, Cowart wants this project to serve as a centering reminder for organizations and individuals alike: We exist to serve a greater purpose. Success and greatness just heightens our responsibility to do something, to help someone.

"In our Kickstarter campaign for the hotel, we used a quote by Frederick Buechner that says, 'Purpose is where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet,'" Cowart says. "Help-Portrait is a nonprofit I founded a few years back that asks photographers to look down to what they have in their hands - a camera - and asking how they can give back to those around them in need."

"It's that simple. What do you love to do, and how can you use that to help someone else?"


By Sheila Kogan, Contributing Writer, September 14, 2016

Edwin, The Story of Edwin Booth attempts to examine Edwin's family influences as a kind of memory play. Booth seemed destined to be an actor, being raised in a family of Shakespearean actors; his two brothers and father were celebrated across the United States in the mid-1800s. They competed for the limelight, but the most notorious was youngest brother John Wilkes Booth, who is best known for the awful act of assassinating President Abraham Lincoln.

The musical is set on January 3, 1866 -- just before Edwin is to appear in a production of Hamlet. Along with the normal concerns of performance, Edwin has to deal with the public opinion of his brother's horrific deed and its effect on the family name and reputation.

There is much to admire in this production, particularly the wonderful performers who recite Shakespeare eloquently, sing beautifully, and act convincingly. It is a pleasure to hear their voices in speech or song. The cast includes the handsome Dana Watkins as Edwin; Paul DeBoy as Edwin's father, Junius; Adam Bashian as Junius, Jr. (called June); Todd Lawson as Johnny (John Wilkes Booth); Deanne Lorette as Edwin's mother, Mary Ann; Patricia Noonan as Mollie, Edwin's wife; and Ben Mayne as Rob. Although all are talented, I felt especially carried away by the clarity of Deanne Lorette's voice and the sweet ease of Patricia Noonan's singing.

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The costumes in richly textured fabrics are designed by David Zyla. Appropriate fashions of the time (like hoop skirts in striped taffeta) and beautifully crafted stage outfits (like Hamlet's velvet suit) add a level of luxury to the otherwise spare visual production. The tasteful set, designed by Chad McArver, is a stage-like, raised wooden platform against a curtain backdrop, with two chairs suggesting Shakespearean thrones. Otherwise, just a few chairs and occasional pieces of furniture indicate the various locations, like dressing rooms. Director Christopher Scott uses the space well, having the actors move for dramatic effect or just creating activity that keeps the stage from being static. Since no choreographer is mentioned, I assume that Scott devised the simple, pleasant, dancelike movements for some of the musical numbers.

Edwin is called a musical, and there are several fine songs composed by Marianna Rosett with lyrics by Eric Swanson. The orchestra of only three members (piano, Evan Alparone; bass, Dara Bloom; and violin/viola, Ljova Zhurbin) provides pleasurable backup. I particularly liked the musical moments when Junius, the father, mentors the young Edwin, singing in a tango rhythm, and the rousing harmony of the men's voices when the brothers perform together in Julius Caesar.

But there is a lot of dialogue for a musical, and much of it, unfortunately, seems to go nowhere dramatically. (Although there is an amount of information that made me want to read a history of the Booth family.) It would seem appropriate for a family of Shakespearean actors to recite bits of Shakespeare, and they do often, which is sometimes amusing or comments on the action -- but whole scenes are played out. By themselves, the scenes are effective and may make sense, but they also dilute the drama of Edwin Booth -- whatever drama there is. I found the entire first act to be slow and lacking any emotional resonance. I couldn't connect to any dramatic thread or to any character. The second act seemed a little more coherent and more emotionally satisfying.

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The braiding of the past and present has been used touchingly in dramas, but here it's often just confusing. I wasn't always sure of the timing of various scenes. While it may be clever to have Edwin's father play the ghost of Hamlet's father, in many scenes I wasn't sure if Junius was alive in the present or was supposed to be a ghost in Edwin's mind. It also took me a while to understand that Mollie had actually been Edwin's wife. The creators of the show seemed to have gotten tangled up in their attempt to be non-linear but historically accurate at the same time. In any case, I felt entangled, working too hard to figure out the point of many scenes.

As I said previously, there is much to admire in this musical, but it feels more like a first draft or a workshop. The program mentions that this is a "first run," as well as a limited run. I hope this means there will be more work done on the play. There is so much interesting material which still needs to be fashioned into more of a drama with multi-layered characters, and less of a series of historic anecdotes. I think there's a worthwhile musical in there somewhere, and if there is a revised production one day, I suggest mounting it with the same cast.

_________________________

Edwin, The Story of Edwin Booth; First preview September 4, opened on September 8, closes on September 18, 2016 at the Theatre at Saint Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NY. Book and lyrics by Eric Swanson; music by Marianna Rosett; directed by Christopher Scott; scenic and lighting design by Chad McArver; costume design by David Zyla; musical director: Evan Alparone; orchestrations: Ljova Zhurbin; production stage manager: Maxine Glorsky. Presented by Great Circle Productions, Inc. Cast: Dana Watkins, Adam Bashian, Paul DeBoy, Todd Lawson, Deanne Lorette, Ben Mayne, Patricia Noonan.

Cover: Dana Watkins as Edwin Booth; photo: Jeremy Daniel

_________________________

Sheila Kogan is a Contributing Writer for ZEALnyc and writes frequently on theater, dance and other cultural events.

For more theater-related features read:
Buhler stopped the run but often got beat deep as Ark City wins 32-13

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A Guide To The DoJs Ruling On 100% Licensing

The recent and decidedly unpopular ruling by the Department of Justice regarding 100% licensing has left many in the industry confused as to what the ruling actually means for the music business. The following chart contains a summary of the ruling, helping to clarify the decision's overall impact.

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Guest Post by Steve Winogradsky and Chris Castle on Music Technology Policy

The recent ruling by the U.S. Department of Justice in United States v. Broadcast Music, Inc. and United States v. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has left many songwriters, publishers, motion picture and television producers and, yes, even lawyers scratching their heads to understand the import of the ruling. Not to mention Texas Governor Greg Abbott who has written to Attorney General Loretta Lynch asking her to reconsider the DOJ ruling.

The authors have summarized the ruling in the chart that follows. The thing speaks for itself.

As you will see, the left hand column lists the various roles of a music creator (starting with Songwriter) or music user. The rows describe some of the potential combinations of co-writers who will run afoul of the DOJs ruling. The chart is followed by a list of descriptions of what rule will apply to your situation.

If you find yourself in the left hand column, scan across the rows to see if you fit in any of the co-writer positions. Then look for which note applies to you in the list of notes below the chart.

For example, if you are an ASCAP songwriter who has co-written with a BMI songwriter (1st box in column and 6th row across), Note E applies to you.

This chart is based on the authors interpretations of the DOJs statement and is not dispositive or based on a court ruling as there has been none as of this writing. Obviously, this is not meant as legal advice and you should not rely on it. This is a complex area that has gotten even more complex, and you should consult with your own lawyers.

For further background, listen to the MTP podcast with Steve Winogradsky, David Lowery and Chris Castle and read Steves book Music Publishingthe Complete Guide. And essential reading on the issue is that evergreen resource for legal research on takings and other government behavior in the digital age, The Trial, by Franz Kafka.





100% ASCAP or 100% BMI (single writer or all co-writers belong to the same PRO) 100% SESAC and/or GMR (single writer or all co-writers belong to one of these PROs) 100% Foreign PRO/ASCAP Collects in US 100% Foreign PRO/BMI Collects in US Co-write ASCAP & BMI Co-write ASCAP or BMI with Other U.S. PRO Co-write foreign writers, where 1 is represented in the U.S. by either ASCAP or BMI and the 2nd is represented by a different PRO Songwriter Note A, below Note B, below Note A, below Note A, below Note E, below Note E, below Note E, below Publisher Note A, below Note B, below Note A, below Note A, below Note F, below Note F, below Note F, below TV Producer Note C, below Note B, below. Note C, below Note C, below Note G, below Note G, below Note G, below Film Producer Note C, below Note D, below Note C, below Note C, below Note G, below Note G, below Note G, below Webcaster Note A, below Note B, below Note A, below Note A, below Note G, below Note G, below Note G, below TV Broadcaster Note A, below Note B, below Note A, below Note A, below Note H, below Note H, below Note H, below Radio broadcaster (terrestrial or satellite) Note A, below Note B, below Note A, below Note A, below Note I, below Note I, below Note I, below Interactive Streaming (Subpart B&C) Note A, below Note B, below Note A, below Note A, below Note J, below Note J, below Note J, below

Notes

A. All songs may be licensed under either ASCAP or BMIs blanket licenses

B. All songs may be licensed under both SESAC and GMRs blanket licenses

C. Obtain synchronization licenses from each party for their respective shares, as is current custom and practice. All songs may be licensed under either ASCAP or BMIs blanket licenses

D. Obtain synchronization licenses from each party for their respective shares, as is current custom and practice. All songs may be licensed under both SESAC and GMRs blanket licenses

E. Songs may not be licensed under a blanket license from ASCAP or BMI unless the co-writers agree to have only one PRO administer a particular song, which may require restructuring their co-writer agreement and PROs setting up a structure for paying non-member writers. Depending on their songwriter/publisher agreements, writers could issue direct licenses to users upon request and collect performance royalties directly

F. Songs may not be licensed under a blanket license unless the co-publishers agree to have only one PRO administer a particular song, which may require restructuring their co-publishing agreement and PROs setting up a structure for paying non-member writers & publishers. Publishers could issue direct licenses to users upon request (which might include the writers share) and collect performance royalties directly

G. Obtain synchronization licenses from each party, as is current custom and practice. Songs may not be licensed under a blanket license unless the co-publishers agree to have only one PRO administer a particular song, which may require restructuring their co-publishing agreement. TV, film or webcaster producer could request directly performance licenses and pay parties directly. If no direct licenses are available and songs are not covered under the blanket license, producer may not include songs in their productions.

H. Songs may not be licensed under a blanket license unless the co-publishers agree to have only one PRO administer a particular song, which may require restructuring their co-publishing agreement. Broadcaster can either require TV & film producers to obtain direct licenses or broadcaster can obtain them directly from publishers (which would include the writers share of royalties. If no direct licenses are available and songs are not covered under the blanket license, producer may not include songs in their productions.

I. Songs may not be licensed under a blanket license unless the co-publishers agree to have only one PRO administer a particular song, which may require restructuring their co-publishing agreement. Broadcaster can obtain direct licenses from publishers (which would include the writers share of royalties). If no direct licenses are available and songs are not covered under the blanket license, broadcaster may not include these songs in their broadcasts.

J. Songs may not be licensed under a blanket license unless the co-publishers agree to have only one PRO administer a particular song, which may require restructuring their co-publishing agreement. Streaming service can obtain direct licenses from publishers (which would include the writers share of royalties). If no direct licenses are available and songs are not covered under the blanket license, broadcaster may not include these songs in their streaming service.

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The rising price of health insurance is driving the latest (and arguably strangest) trend: an insurance policy for health insurance.Gap plans, used to cover out-of-pocket expenses, are increasingly becoming popular with health insurance customers and businesses looking into group plans. The policies can be used to cover even the heftiest deductibles.So popular are these policies that some health insurers are encouraging their clients to secure gap plans to go with their health plans."People see the prices of individual insurance and they say, 'Boy, a $6,000 deductible seems really high. I don't want something that gives me that much risk,'  Missouri Association of Health Underwriters president and insurance broker Ryan Hillenbrand told NPR. "That's why [the gap insurance] market is heating up a little bit more."Many health insurance plans are seeing premium rate hikes, pushing customers to choose cheaper options with higher deductibles. According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, over 90% purchasing insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) chose plans with an average deductible of $3,000 or more in 2016.One of the most popular plans under the ACA could experience premium increases by 10% on average across the country next year, reported NPR. Those who do not qualify for subsidies will be feeling the weight of such changes, Hillenbrand said, but gap plans could give them a way to settle for more flexible options.While most customers (roughly 8 out of 10, according to NPR) will have subsidies to help them pay for the premium increases, businesses will not have the same luxury for their group health plan expenses."The cost of health insurance is going up and businesses have been forced to deal with that by raising their deductibles or increasing out-of-pocket costs for their employees," commented insurance broker Alex Forrest in South Carolina. "That stinks."Forrest pointed out that with gap plans, companies can offer health benefits that keep out-of-pocket expenses for employees down while saving businesses from having to pay for pricier plans with lower deductibles.The gap plan trend does not have everyone convinced, however. Mathematica Policy Research health economist Deborah Chollet argued that the ACAs insurance reforms were created "basically to drive these kinds of creative insurance arrangements out of the market."Chollet added that since gap plans are not major medical insurance, they are not regulated by the ACA and can avoid complying with consumer protections."[The companies that offer gap plans] can ask you about your health status, they can deny you coverage, they can do all of the kinds of things that the Affordable Care Act prohibits," Chollet explained.
A lawyer for New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said yesterday during trial that former AIG CEO Maurice Greenberg and ex-CFO Howard I. Smith were the principal architects of two fraudulent transactions created to inflate AIGs finances.Senior Trial Counsel David Ellenhorns opening statements during the trial yesterday similarly asserted that Greenberg and Smith planned the improper deals with General Reinsurance Corp. Inc. and offshore AIG subsidiary Capco Reinsurance Company Ltdboth worth a combined total of $700 million.The public deserves to know, and well establish during this case that the CEO and CFO and senior officials who cause their corporations to commit major public frauds will be held accountable, Ellenhorn said in his remarks.It has been over a decade since the civil fraud case was brought against the two former AIG executives by then-NY AG Eliot Spitzer. The case has gone through at least seven pretrial appeals, concluding with the New York Court of Appeals' June ruling that the state can pursue disgorgement worth more than a $53 million total from the two. The ruling also banned the two from the securities industry and from serving as officers or directors of public companies.David Boies of Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP, Greenbergs attorney, told New York Supreme Court Judge Charles Ramos that not a single witness called to testify will admit, nor will a single document produced at trial reveal, that his client designed the transactions or knew of any alleged improprieties.This case is devoid of any admissible evidence that ties Mr. Greenberg to anything that was improper with either of these transactions, Boies argued.Boies later told reporters after the trial proceeding that the case would have ended over three years ago had the Attorney Generals office not changed their claims and sought disgorgement and the current injunctive relief. He further added that the defense was forced to seek appellate relief when the government failed to hand over key documents.I think this has gone on for a long time, I think probably both sides contributed to that delay, Id never say our appeals did not contribute to that delay to some extent, but to try to pretend that this is something that has been orchestrated on the defendant side, or that were totally responsible for it, is totally false, Boies asserted.Vincent A. Sama of Kaye Scholer LLP, Smiths lead attorney, is set to make his opening remarks this morning.
More than 15,000 to 20,000 people are kidnapped every year all across the globe- but these days, theyre probably not who you think they are.While top-level executives and wealthy individuals are still a prime target for kidnapping and ransom-related crime, a shift in tactics to what travel security experts call express kidnapping  in which non-executive employees, solo travelers and individuals are kidnapped frequently and traded for lower amounts of money  has widened the net of potential victims.It has also made kidnap and ransom insurance a more pressing coverage concern for independent agents working with casual business and personal travelers.Kidnappers are now taking five to 10 people in a week and asking for $5,000 to $10,000 rather than $2 million. Its more quantity versus quality  theyre operating like a business, David Boggs, sales manager with travel insurance firm Seven Corners, told Insurance Business America. Were seeing inquiries now across the board  from individuals, business people who travel and even a few in the missionary market.Boggs, an industry veteran who has worked in the kidnapping and ransom space for 13 years, says many insurance agents are not yet aware of the huge opportunity that exists in the market. When commercial or personal lines consumers are traveling internationally, or even along international borders, agents can suggest a standalone kidnap and ransom policy along with travel medical or accident and health.Roughly four to six companies, including Seven Corners, sell these policies. Most provide coverage for ransom, security exchange fees and legal costs associated with kidnapping. Many require submission and underwriting, though Seven Corners provides guaranteed-issue policies for travel to most countries.Such insurance should particularly be considered when the client is traveling in kidnapping hotspots, including the Arizona-Mexico border, Africa and Central America.Crisis management policies, which provide trained services during political threat, natural disasters or violent crime, are also a good idea, Boggs said.These are situations agents need to be aware of and clients need to be aware of when traveling internationally, he said. When we travel, we open ourselves up to greater risk because we let our guard down, but the truth is that at any moment, something can occur.Its best to help our clients be protected because if something does happen, who will they call?
Front, left to right: Jollene Mahon, RN; Haley Kenyon, LNA; and Rebecca Filson, RN, MSN. Standing, left to right:, Chief Nursing Officer Carol Conroy, DNP; Christopher Darby, RN; Drew Totten, RN, BSN; Janis Yannotti, RN; and Bentley Munsell, ED Technician. Those not pictured include: Svetlana Alicea, CST; Deborah Dearstyne, RN, BSN; Kori DeLuca, RT, RN, BSN; Scott Giordano, RN; Robyn Grover, RN; Ashley Lincoln, BS; Laurie Pudvar, RN; and Nicole Siclari, RN.

Fifteen SVMC Nurses Receive Continuing Education Scholarships

BENNINGTON, Vt.  Fifteen nurses at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center received funds from the SVHC Foundation in support of their continuing education efforts.



The funds were provided to the Foundation by the Helen Dixon Kunzelmann Nurse Scholar Program, grants, and donations for nursing education.



The nurses awarded scholarships represent many hospital departments, including Education and Professional Development, Emergency Department, Information Systems, Intensive Care, Perioperative, Medical Surgical Nursing and Ambulatory Nursing. They are attending a variety of institutions including Vermont Tech and Southern Vermont College, as well as distance learning sites.


A Ghana ThinkTank Mobile unit, courtesy Ghana ThinkTank. The organization is teaming up with the Williams College Museum of Art. PreviousNext

WCMA, Ghana ThinkTank Turn the Tables to Confront Climate Change

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Williams College Museum of Art is working with the international art collective Ghana ThinkTank to bring climate change solutions from Indonesia and Morocco  two countries already grappling with the devastating affects of climate change  to Williams College.



This year-long project flips the power dynamics of climate change discourse, seeking to disrupt and reframe narratives about the impact of climate change, and brings into high relief the nature of the community's perceptions of this critical issue.



The collaboration applies an innovative process that the collective has developed through projects across the globe. Ghana ThinkTank collects problems in communities throughout the United States and Europe and sends them to citizen think tanks they've created in "developing" countries like Ghana, Cuba, and El Salvador.



The think tanks  which include a group of bike mechanics in Ghana, staff members of a rural radio station in El Salvador and Sudanese refugees seeking asylum in Israel, among others  propose solutions that are then implemented in the "first world." The range of interventions and exchanges that emerge from this innovative process reveals blind spots and challenges cultural assumptions.



"What excites me most about the project is its potential to incite new and productively uncomfortable thinking at all levels by going against the grain of predominant discourse around climate change," says Sonnet Coggins, the project's curator and associate director of academic and public engagement.



The project will produce a responsive and dynamic installation in the museum's galleries to open in January 2017, but begins and develops entirely outside of WCMA's walls. An "action team" of Williams students will operate a mobile unit on campus and beyond to gather video footage of community members' responses to a single question: How does Climate Change affect YOU? The artists will then send this footage to two think tanks in Morocco and Indonesia. Each will confer to propose a set of solutions to be implemented in Williamstown and the surrounding region. Christopher Robbins, one of Ghana ThinkTank's founders, notes that Morocco and Indonesia are already battling the effects of climate change in the areas where the think tank members reside.




iciHaiti - Politic : Ganthier, deprived of State Civil Officer for more than one year





More than 56,000 residents of the border commune of Ganthier, (West of Haiti) are deprived of Civil Status Officer since June 2015. Nobody in the commune can register a birth or obtaining marriage certificate, death , act of birth certificate or any other Civil-state documents necessary to establish the identity of a citizen and this, since June 21, 2015, date of death of the former officer of Civil Status, Chrisnold Felix.



Ganthier residents are outraged face the irresponsibility of the Haitian authorities, which they are slow to make the appointment of a new officer. Jean Viloner Victor, deputy mayor of the commune said to have already made approached with the authorities concerned to provide the commune a new officer.



At the Ministry of Justice, unconvincing explanations are given, explaining that the delay is caused by the slow progress in the vote of the Finance Bill by parliamentarians. In addition, the Ministry not able to confirm a date for the appointment of a new Civil Status officer for the municipality of Ganthier.



TB/ iciHaiti


















We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector
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
Along the Flower Bulbs

The Fellowship | September 14, 2016 Along the Flower Bulbs

Hein and Antonia Zeestraten



Lives:

Hein  July 5, 1885  June 23, 1965

Antonia  May 24, 1896  February 5, 1963

Why you should know them: Hein and Antonia Zeestraten were a Dutch couple who grew and sold tulip bulbs. As World War II began, the Zeestratens nine children (ages 10 to 27) lived and home and helped with the family business. The Zeestratens were a Christian family who were against not just the German occupation of their homeland, but the Nazis treatment of the Netherlands Jews, as well.

So when Heins bookkeeper asked if the family would shelter two young Jewish men, David and Louis Benima, the couple quickly agreed, despite the danger it posed to them and their family. While the Jewish brothers were only supposed to stay with the family for a night, their next hiding place fell through.

Oh well, then they will stay here, was the response.

Regardless of the risks of sheltering Jews from the Nazis, as well as the difficulty of keeping such a secret in a home that already housed eleven people, the Zeestratens Christian duty to protect these two persecuted Jews was most important.

The family rearranged their living situation, moving all of their daughters into one room and their two guests into another. No one outside of the house knew of the Benima brothers presence. A system of alarm bells was rigged up, which alerted everyone when someone came to the door. A special hiding place next to the hearth was also created, where the Jewish brothers silently hid when needed. The rest of the brothers family was caught and deported to concentration camps. But the Zeestratens loved and cared for David and Louis as if they were part of their own family, and the two brothers reciprocated, helping the children with their homework and doing puzzles with them, as well as doing household chores.

During the harsh winter of 1944 and 1945, the Zeestratens not only continued to shelter the Benima brothers, but also planted vegetables along their flower bulbs in order to feed the hungry.

David and Louis Benima stayed with Hein and Antonia Zeestraten for 992 days, and kept in close contact with the family after they had been liberated and the war was over.

Because of their selfless actions, Hein and Antonia were posthumously named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem in 2007.
CDFA Through History Your Choice of Starting Points

Sacramento, California - The California Department of Food and Agriculture (then simply the Dept. of Ag) began in 1919 when various Ag regulatory programs were pulled together under one umbrella. However, there are several other starting points of note  in 1878, 1880, 1899 and 1913. In fact, the agency has already celebrated a 100th anniversary, back in 1980.

An early Ag regulatory effort came in 1878, when the State Legislature passed a law to prohibit the labeling of oleomargarine as butter, but made no provision for enforcement.

Two years later, in 1880the development embraced for the first 100th anniversarythe Legislature appointed a seven-member State Board of Viticulture to protect grapevines from phylloxera root rot.

In 1899, California began its long relationship with invasive fruit flies by pioneering an effort to keep the Mexican fruit fly out of the United States. CDFAs Division of Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services still battles that pest as well as many others as it carries out its mission to protect Californias food supply and the environment.

Also in 1899, the office of the California State Veterinarian was established by the Legislature to protect the health of all domestic animals of the state from all contagious and infectious diseases, so far as practical. It gave birth to what is now CDFAs Animal Health Branch.

In 1913, the Legislature created the Office of the State Superintendent of Weights and Measures. The offices early responsibilities included inspections of railroad track scales and weights and measures used in state hospitals and prisons. The office joined the Department of Agriculture in 1921 as the Division of Weights and Measures and took on duties like mattress inspection and bread standardization. CDFAs Division of Measurement Standards continues with the core functions of that work today, making sure that measurements used in commerce are fair and accurate.

From that multi-faceted beginning CDFA has progressed to a thoroughly modern agency organized into six divisions. The Department operates at more than 100 locations throughout the state. These divisions provide valuable services to producers, merchants and the public. Many of CDFAs programs are conducted in partnership with local county offices of the agricultural commissioners and sealers.

CDFA strives to support a tradition of innovation and agricultural diversity by working with private industry, academia and public sector agencies. These partnerships allow the department to adapt public policy to a rapidly changing industry  California agriculture.
Deputy Secretary Higginbottom to Lead Official U.S. Government Delegation to the Global Fund's Fifth Replenishment Conference

Washington, DC - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom will lead the official U.S. government delegation to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malarias Fifth Replenishment Conference, which will be held September 16-17 in Montreal, Canada.

Hosted by the Government of Canada, the conference will bring together donors, multilateral institutions, civil society representatives, and other partners to mobilize financial resources targeted toward ending the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

The United States is the first and largest donor to the Global Fund. On August 31, 2016, the United States committed up to $4.3 billion through 2019 to the Global Funds Fifth Replenishment, subject to Congressional appropriations. The U.S. will match one dollar for every two dollars in pledges made by other donors through September 30, 2017, up to this amount, supporting the Global Funds replenishment goal of $13 billion for the three-year period from 2017-2019.

Joining Deputy Secretary Higginbottom on the official U.S. government delegation will be: Ambassador Deborah L. Birx, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy; Ambassador Jimmy Kolker, Assistant Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services; and Sonali Korde, Director of Global Health and Development, National Security Council.
Seventh P5 Conference in Washington, DC

Washington, DC - The five Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) nuclear-weapon states, or P5, will meet in Washington, DC on September 14 -15 to review progress on disarmament and nonproliferation in the context of their NPT obligations. Representatives from the P5 will continue discussions on issues related to all three pillars of the NPT disarmament, non-proliferation, and peaceful uses, including confidence-building, transparency, and verification experiences.

On the afternoon of September 15, representatives from the P5 will also participate in a public event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Navy Conducts First Live Fire NIFC-CA Test with F-35

White Sands, New Mexico - The Navy hosted its first live fire demonstration to successfully test the integration of F-35 with existing Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) architecture.

During the test, an unmodified U.S. Marine Corps F-35B from the Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1, based in Edwards Air Force Base, acted as an elevated sensor to detect an over-the-horizon threat. The aircraft then sent data through its Multi-Function Advanced Data Link to a ground station connected to USS Desert Ship (LLS-1), a land-based launch facility designed to simulate a ship at sea. Using the latest Aegis Weapon System Baseline 9.C1 and a Standard Missile 6, the system successfully detected and engaged the target.



While the goal of this test was to prove the compatibility of these systems within existing NIFC-CA architecture, this future capability will extend the Navy's engagement range to detect, analyze and intercept targets in operational settings. Using any variant of the F-35 as a broad area sensor, the aircraft can significantly increase the Aegis capability to detect, track and engage.



"This test was a great opportunity to assess the Navy's ability to take unrelated technologies and successfully close the fire control loop as well as merge anti-surface and anti-air weapons into a single kill web that shares common sensors, links and weapons," said Anant Patel, major program manager for future combat systems in the Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS).



The test was a collaborative effort across the Navy and Marine Corps, White Sands Missile Range and industry partners leveraging a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B and the U.S. Navy's Aegis Weapon System to support the distributed lethality concept in the fleet.



"This test represents the start of our exploration into the interoperability of the F-35B with other naval assets," said Lt. Col. Richard Rusnok, VMX-1 F-35B det. officer in charge. "We believe the F-35B will drastically increase the situational awareness and lethality of the naval forces with which it will deploy in the very near future," he added.



Aegis Baseline 9 delivers a fully open architecture system on U.S. destroyers and is the basis for current and future Aegis Integrated Air and Missile Defense. Baseline 9 is being fielded on in-service destroyers, new construction destroyers and Aegis Ashore. The Aegis Common Source Library enabled derivatives are on the Coast Guard cutters, Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ships and will be included on the upcoming frigate ships.



The F-35 Lightning II is a next-generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, advanced mission systems, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and cutting-edge sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace various aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, and 11 international countries.



PEO IWS is an affiliated Program Executive Office of the Naval Sea Systems Command. IWS is responsible for spearheading surface ship and submarine combat technologies and systems, and for implementing Navy enterprise solutions across ship platforms.
Deputy Secretary Blinken Travel to Iraq

Washington, DC - Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Iraq today to discuss key political, economic, humanitarian, and security issues with government officials, including the long-term partnership with Iraq under the Strategic Framework Agreement. The Deputy Secretary is accompanied by Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, and Joseph Pennington, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs.

In Baghdad, Deputy Secretary Blinken will meet with Prime Minister Abadi and other national and provincial Iraqi officials on September 14, to discuss a range of issues, including collective efforts to defeat Daesh and planning for the Mosul offensive. He will also meet with senior U.S. military officials to discuss Coalition efforts and ongoing support for all elements of the Iraqi Security Forces under the command and control of the Iraqi government.

Deputy Secretary Blinken will then visit the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) on September 15, where he will meet with IKR President Barzani and other senior regional government officials to continue discussions on efforts to degrade and defeat Daesh and support for the Peshmerga as well as the response to the urgent humanitarian and IDP crises in Iraq.
Pakistan Fans are Rooting for India's Win Against South Africa in T20 World Cup With Memes
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Wifredo Lam, the subject of the latest monographic exhibition at Tate Modern, is billed as the most important Cuban painter of the early 20th Century.

Lams history was one of nomadic movement propelled by events of the early 20th century. His father was a Chinese emigrant who settled in Cuba; his mother was Congolese African and Spanish; his godmother a Yoruba princess.

Lam was celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic, his work being in many prestigious museum collections. Born in 1902, Lam spent his formative artistic years studying in Spain before the death of his wife and child from tuberculosis became the catalyst to join up to the Republican cause in the Spanish Civil War. Forced eventually to flee Spain in 1938 he landed in Paris where he met Pablo Picasso and Andre Breton. Lam returned to Cuba in 1941 but left again in 1952 to spend his last few decades between Paris and Albissola in Italy. His ancestry continued to be an issue: he was denied citizenship from the US because his father was Chinese. He died in 1982, a refugee from his own country.

Two early self-portraits reveal much of Lams influences and heritage. Self Portrait II (1938) is heavily influenced by Matisse with its sumptuous palette and decorative back-drop, whilst Self Portrait III (1938) obscures the artist behind an African mask.

Lam spent much of the 1940s in Cuba and the paintings from this period are perhaps the strongest works. In his native land he produces works in a vocabulary most distinctly his own. There is still the shadow of Picasso, with the strangely disembodied bodies and quasi-caricature line. But there is a singular imagery, a mixture of voodoo and Surrealism amidst a vegetal setting that elevates them.

Retrospective exhibitions can be a strain. I recall an argument with the late great critic David Sylvester on what would be the optimum number of exhibits and we agreed on perhaps a rather arbitrary 65. But this exhibition with its mixture of paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics and documentary photography weighs in at more than 200 objects.

Is it worth persevering or is Lam yet another artist who has the technical ability to cannibalise the best of international artists without adding much himself to the personal discourse? There is originality in works such as Anamu (1942), where Lam daringly allowed seemingly unfinished blank canvas to set off the luminous central objects. Passages of rapid brush strokes and surreal detached lips and a fruity dangling breast convinces me that this visit is not a waste of time nor mental space. It seems a shame that this exhibition will travel only in Europe. Perhaps it is time to remind the Americans that there is knowledge to be had beyond the fences they are trying to build.

Until 8 January 2017, Tate.org.uk
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Marvels upcoming film Doctor Strange has been somewhat shrouded in controversy, many fans upset over the Ancient Ones casting.

In the original comic books, the character is a male Tibetan Monk with magical powers, yet in the film is played by Tilda Swinton.

The actor has previously spoken about the casting, dismissing whitewashing claims and calling the film diverse in all sorts of ways.

Director Scott Derrickson has snow spoken candidly about the casting choice, saying he was aware of the issue and took steps to address it with Marvel.

Speaking to Los Angeles Daily News, he revealed that Swintons casting subverted the stereotype of old Asian guru, yet he was "also very conscious that in doing that I was erasing a significant potential Asian role."

33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Show all 34 1 /34 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 1. Captain America: Civil War Release date: 6 May 2016. Iron Man and Captain America are set to face off in this superhero blockbuster that will feature nearly all the Avengers but wont be an Avengers film. It will also mark the first time Spider-Man will feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Sony having made a deal with Marvel Studios. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 2. X-Men: Apocalypse Release date: 27 May 2016. Following the success of Days of Future Past, Apocalypse will follow the young X-Men team as the battle against Oscar Isaacs titular villain as he gathers his four horsemen; Magneto (Fassbender), Angel (Hardy), Storm (Shipp), and Psylocke (Munn). Expect carnage and no Wolverine. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 3. Suicide Squad Release date: 5 August 2016. The first supervillain film, Suicide Squad is also based in the DCEU (DC Extended Universe, where Batman and Superman live) and will introduce the world to Margot Robbies Harley Quinn and Jared Letos Joker. One of the more exciting upcoming DC films thats for sure. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 4. Doctor Strange Release date: 4 November 2016. Benedict Cumberbatch will debut in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Captain America and Iron Man live) as the Sorcerer Supreme. The film already has an incredible cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachael McAdams and Tilda Swinton. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 5. Untitled Lego Batman film Release date: 20 February 2017. Kicking off 2017 is the Lego version of Batman, who will lead his own spin-off, having already featured in the amazing Lego Movie. Will Arnett voices the titular character, while Zach Garfianakis - from the Hangover - will voice The Joker. But will he better than Leto? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 6. Untitled Wolverine film Release date: 3 March 2017. Having not starred in X-Men: Apocalypse, Wolverine will return to the big screen in a solo film which was recently made R-Rated following the success of Deadpool. It is expected to be Hugh Jackmans last outing as the titular character. Fox 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 7. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Release date: 5 May 2017. Chris Pratt and the crew are returning to space in the sequel to the surprisingly successful Guardians of the Galaxy. According to director James Gunn, the film will not feature Thanos, even though he will to play a major role in phase MCU Phase 3. Cast includes newcomers Kurt Russell and Pom Klementieff, as well as, rumour has it, Sylvester Stallone. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 8. Wonder Woman Release date: 23 June 2017. Gal Gadot is returning to the DCEU in her very own film, marking the first female-led superhero film on this list. Chris Pine is on board to play Wonder Womans love interest. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 9. Untitled Spider-Man reboot Release date: 7 July 2017. Yes, it is another Spider-Man reboot, having previously been redone with Andrew Garfield as the lead. However, this time it is part of the MCU, with Tom Holland as the titular character, and a heavily rumoured cameo by Iron Man could be in the pipeline. We can dream. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 10. Untitled Fox film Release date: 6 October 2017. In a strange announcement, Fox decided to withhold the release of Gambit until a future, as-yet unannounced date, which could be here, or this could be a completely separate project. Many suspect Deadpool 2 could nicely fit here, Fox capitalising on the success of the first film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 11. Thor: Ragnarok Release date: 3 November 2017. Chris Hemsworth will be returning as the Norse God in his third solo MCU film. Flight of the Conchords Taika Waititi is on board to direct, and promises a fun adventure that will likely lead into Marvels next project, Infinity War. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 12. Justice League Part One Release date: 17 November 2017. Hot on the heals of Thor comes Justice League Part One, the first DCEU team-up flick which will see Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg work together to fight bad guys. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 13: Untitled Fox film Release date: 12 January 2018. Kicking off 2018 will likely be the second Deadpool film, but then again, this could very well be another X-Men team-up. Theres also talk of an X-Force film, with Deadpool and other mutants teaming up to fight evil. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 14. Black Panther Release date: 16 February 2018. The first non-white male-led superhero film in the MCU comes in the form of Black Panther, with Chadwick Boseman reprising the titular role, having also starred as the Panther in Civil War. Creeds Ryan Coogler is on to direct what could be a very exciting film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 15. The Flash Release date: 16 March 2018. The Flash will be the first DCEU film since Justice League, and sees Ezra Miller take the lead. Phil Lord and Chris Miller were supposed to pen the film before Disney snapped them up for the Han Solo-film, leaving Seth Grahame-Smith to take charge. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 16. Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 Release date: 4 May 2018. And so, we finally get to the point of all these Infinity Stones! Thanos will be the big bad, with the Avengers needing to team up to defeat their biggest foe yet. It has previously been described as the end of the Avengers as we know it. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 17. Ant-Man and The Wasp Release date: 6 July 2018. Peyton Reed will be back to direct this surprise sequel to one of the better received MCU films. While the name is ridiculous, at least Marvel are finally having a leading female superhero. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 18. Untitled Fox film Release date: 13 July 2018. Again, not much word on this one except it is thought to be X-Men spin-off New Mutants, something Josh Boone has been hit up to write. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 19. Animated Spider-Man Film Release date: 20 July 2018. Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Amy Pascal - the team behind the live-action Spider-Man films - are producing this unrelated animated adaptation of the hero. Because you can never have too much Spider-Man, right? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 20. Aquaman Release date: 27 July 2018. Another Justice League spin-off, Jason Momoa plays the leading man. Furious 7s James Wan is on to direct, but little else is known about the film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 21. Captain Marvel Release date: 8 March 2019. Weve hit 2019, and the first confirmed superhero film will be the first proper female-led MCU film. No-one is confirmed to be in the titular role of Carol Danvers just yet. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 22. Shazam Release date: 5 April 2019. Dwayne Johnson stars as the villain in this DCEU film which will be somewhat separate to the other DC films. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 23. Avengers: Infinity War Part 2. Release date: 3 May 2019. The conclusion to the long drawn MCU saga. Expect a big finish with at least a few planets being destroyed. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 24. Justice League Part Two Release date: 14 June 2019. Soon after the Infinity War story reaches its conclusion, so will the Justice Leagues. Not much is known, except Darkseid will likely be the villain for at least one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 25. Inhumans Release date: 12 July 2019. The concept of Inhumans (or Marvels mutants) has already been introduced in TV, through Marvels Agents of Shield, yet the film is expected to introduce the Royal Family who have yet to be seen in the show. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 26. Cyborg Release date: 3 April 2020. Having debuted in Justice League Part One three years previously, Cyborg will finally be making his own outing, with Ray Fisher as the titular character. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 27. Untitled MCU film Release date: 1 May 2020. The first of three untitled Marvel films. There are a couple of contenders, the first is a likely sequel to Spider-Man with Sony, or a third Guardians of the Galaxy film, thus finishing the trilogy. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 28. Green Lantern Corps. Release date: 19 June 2020. Before you start to worry, this has nothing to do with the Ryan Reynolds-starring flick that hit cinemas a little while ago. Instead, this will be another DCEU film that will likely spin-off from Justice League after the Green Lantern Corps cameo in one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 29. Untitled MCU film Release date: 10 July 2020. As well as Spider-Man or Guardians of the Galaxy sequels, a Doctor Strange or Black Panther one could fit in nicely here. Or perhaps Black Widow may finally get the solo-film she deserves. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 30. Untitled MCU film Release date: 6 November 2020. Some speculators also think a Blade film could fit in here, marking over 20 years since the first Blade. But many believe the character may be better suited to a Netflix series, as with Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Theres also talk of a Runaways film reaching cinemas at some stage. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 31. Untitled Ben Affleck Batman film Release date: TBA. Now were onto the TBA release dates, the first of which is a Batman solo film, written and directed by Ben Affleck. When this is due, no one is quite sure but expect it sooner rather than later if Batman v Superman is a success. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 32. Suicide Squad 2 Release date: TBA (rumoured 2017). A sequel to Suicide Squad is expected to come in 2017 according to recent reports, but nothing has been confirmed. If the first is successful, it should come as no surprise for Warner Bros to rearrange their schedule to fit in this surefire hit. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33. Venom Release date: TBA. This is an odd one, as it has been confirmed Sony are wanting to release a Venom film completely unrelated to the upcoming Spider-Man reboot. Venom, as you may know, is a Spider-Man villain, intrinsically linked to Spider-Man, so it seems odd they would release a film unrelated to the rebooted project and not linked to the MCU. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Anything else? Well, now you mention it, theres also that sequel to Fantastic Four that has seemingly been dropped by Fox. Plus, theres the Gambit film which has been put on hold (but will likely fill an untitled Fox slot so we havent added it extra). Then again, it could be shoehorned in somehow Marvel

Instead, the character Wong, played by The Martian's Benedict Wong, was made one of the main characters, his comic book origin being completely changed.

Derrickson told the publication: I was going to leave Wong out of the movie at first; he was an Asian sidekick manservant, what was I supposed to do with that?

But once the decision was made to cast Tilda, we brought Wong back because, unlike the Ancient One, he could be completely subverted as a character and reworked into something that didnt fall into any of the stereotypes of the comics."

The director added that a having a diverse cast was a very conscious decision. One Swinton, he said: Were bringing a middle-aged woman whos not 28 years old in leather pants into the Marvel Universe in a major role.

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Meanwhile, Marvel has brought forward Doctor Stranges release date in the UK, changing from 28 October to 25 October.

Doctor Strange, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, also features the likes of Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo, Michael Stuhlbarg as Nicodemus West, and Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecililius. New footage of Mikkelsens villain debuted in the films first TV spot early last month
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If you want proof Kanye West has powers you could never comprehend, then video captured at his most recent gig may just be it.

The rapper's taken to performing on a levitating stage as part of his Saint Pablo Tour, yet someone had the bright idea of trying to climb the thing during his most recent stop in Atlanta, Georgia. Grabbing hold of the bottom bar of the platform, the intrepid fan then attempted to hoist himself up and climb over the top of the platform to where Kanye was standing.

Except Kanye put a swift end to that. With one expert wave of his hand, the fan suddenly dropped down back into the crowd; in a moment that essentially played out like a low-key Avengers, with the entire audience momentarily believing that Yeezus might actually be the real thing.

Of course, no one missed the irony this all happened right in the midst of Kanye's performance of "Power"; the track with lyrics such as, "No one man should have all that power/ The clocks tickin' I just count the hours/ Stop trippin' I'm tripping off the power".

The moment was caught by 19-year-old college student Chase Brown, who told NBC; "Everyone just kind of turned and looked at each other like, 'did that really just happen?' But the show continued and not much was said about it. The overall show was great, Kanye put on a great show."



While Kanye has been busy touring, the video for his latest single "Fade" finally dropped on YouTube after its initial exclusive stream on Tidal. He's also promised fans he's working on a collaborative album with Drake, after a mysterious billboard featuring their respective music labels' logos appeared in downtown LA.
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One of Britains leading climate change sceptics  former Chancellor Nigel Lawson  has admitted that humans are causing global warming.

Speaking to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee, Lord Lawson said he did not question for a moment that carbon dioxide was a greenhouse gas.

And he accepted there was huge agreement among scientists that it was having some effect on the atmosphere.

But the former Conservative Cabinet minister argued it would be crazy for the UK to try to stop burning the fossil fuels that produce carbon dioxide, claiming countries like China were simply carrying on doing so.

Lord Lawson founded the Global Warming Policy Foundation in 2009 to oppose attempts to reduce the rise in temperatures and has emerged as one of Britains leading sceptics.

But, unlike many deniers in the US, he made clear he accepted much of the basic science.

I dont question for a moment that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and that other things being equal this will lead to a warming of the atmosphere, he told the Lords committee.

It is true that scientists differ greatly on how big the effect is, but I think theres a huge agreement there is some effect.

 Renewable energy is making waves in Europe

Recommended Read more Alaskan island community votes to relocate under global warming threat

However Lord Lawson argued Britain should stop trying to decarbonise the economy, claiming this would make little difference to the total global emissions and put the UK at an economic disadvantage to other parts of the world.

We account for less than two per cent of global carbon emissions and so its crazy for us  we cannot do anything on our own, he said.

He named China and India as two countries which he said had made clear they planned to continue using fossil fuels on a significant scale.

A report published earlier this year on investment in renewable energy generation found that China topped the international league table for renewables  not including large-scale hydro power  followed by the US, Japan, the UK and India.

It concluded that the developing world was now spending more than the developed world on renewables for the first time partly because the energy was the most environmentally sound but also the cheapest option.

Climate change protests around the world Show all 25 1 /25 Climate change protests around the world Climate change protests around the world People rally to promote climate protection in Rome, Italy Climate change protests around the world Hundreds of demonstrators gather in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world People hold hands to form a human chain during a gathering called by ecologist organisations in Marseille, southern France, to protest against global warming a day ahead of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP21) held in Paris Climate change protests around the world Demonstrators clash with French riot police during protests on Place de la Republique, ahead of the COP21 World Climate Change Conference 2015 in Paris, France Climate change protests around the world Demonstrators clash with French riot police during a protest on Place de la Republique ahead of the COP21 World Climate Change Conference 2015 in Paris, France Climate change protests around the world A group of people perform during a rally to promote climate protection in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Climate change protests around the world A protester sits next to his sign that reads 'Monsanto the Devil Incorporated ' as he joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world Environmentalists dance during a protest near the Place de la Republique after the cancellation of a planned climate march following shootings in the French capital, ahead of the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21), in Paris, France Reuters Climate change protests around the world People protest next to characters dressed as wild animals during a march against climate change near the Monument to the Revolution, in Mexico City AP Climate change protests around the world Protesters carries a banner while they take part in a protest about climate change at New York City Hall steps in lower Manhattan, New York Reuters Climate change protests around the world People take part in a protest about climate change around New York City Hall at lower Manhattan, New York Reuters Climate change protests around the world People rally to promote climate protection in Piazza Castello, Turin, Italy Climate change protests around the world A woman holds a globe during a protest for the global climate day in Lugano, Switzerland Climate change protests around the world Yemenis hold banners as they participate in the Global March for Climate in the old city of Sanaia, Yemen Climate change protests around the world Protesters dressed as Santa Claus take part in a protest about climate change at New York City Hall steps in lower Manhattan, New York Reuters Climate change protests around the world People gather at the Legislative Palace in Montevideo, during the Global Climate March to demand action on climate change telling world leaders on the eve of a crunch UN summit that there is "no planet B". From Sydney to London, humid Rio to chilly New York, at least 683,000 hit the streets in 2,300 events across 175 countries at the weekend, co-organiser and campaign group Avaaz said, calling it the largest number of people to protest over climate change all at once Getty Images Climate change protests around the world Climate change protests around the world Demonstrators participate in the Global March for Climate in Athens, Greece Climate change protests around the world A man wearing a Bernie Sanders mask leads hundreds of demonstrators who marched near City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world Patricia Hauser joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California Climate change protests around the world A woman holds a poster of a sick Earth as she joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world Hundreds of demonstrators march around City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world A demonstrator holds cut-out of US Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as she joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world George Patten holds a sign that reads 'No Fracking Ever!' as he joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA Climate change protests around the world Gabrielle Sosa wears 'Rising Sea Levels' sign as she joined hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California EPA

John Sauven, Greenpeace UK's executive director, said Lord Lawsons comments demonstrated quite a U-turn from someone who once called the scientific consensus on climate change mumbo jumbo and extolled the virtues of pumping more carbon into the atmosphere.

With the impacts of climate change now playing out before our eyes, merchants of doubt like Lord Lawson are finding their dodgy wares ever harder to sell, he said.

Wheeling out the old argument that the UK shouldnt go it alone on climate wont be much help either. By ratifying the Paris climate deal, the US and China have debunked that myth too.

Lord Lawson should now summon the courage to carry the argument through to its logical conclusion  that we need to act quickly to cut our dependence on fossil fuels and embrace clean energy.

Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, suggested Lord Lawson was behind the times.

In the last few years theres been a massive turnaround in the seriousness with which major nations are treating climate change, stimulated both by growing evidence of impacts and the fast-changing economics of energy, he said.

Major economies are all reforming their energy systems, headed by China where the government has blocked new coal-fired plants in most provinces and is instead speeding ahead with wind, solar and nuclear investment.

One result of this turnaround is that for the last two years, the global economy has grown but emissions have not  and the other is the Paris Agreement, made last December, under which every country will constrain its carbon emissions.

The world is changing fast  and not everyone has caught up.
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The UK is now one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world with more than one in seven species facing extinction and more than half in decline, according to the State of Nature 2016 report.

Britains farmers are given most of the blame by the report, which was produced by more than 50 different organisations including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the National Trust, the Marine Conservation Society and the Natural History Museum.

It found modern agricultural techniques had had a major impact on wildlife over the last four decades  and it had been overwhelmingly negative.

While climate change has had some negative consequences, the loss of species in the north was off-set in a sense by the arrival of species expanding their range into the UK from the south, the report said.

But it warned as the temperature continues to rise, the effects may not continue to be positive.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) dismissed the reports suggestion that the intensification of agriculture was killing off Britains wildlife, saying this had not been a factor for 25 years.

The union insisted farmers had embraced the conservation agenda, replanting hedgerows, sowing wildflowers on the borders of their fields and using less fertiliser and pesticides than ever.

However, broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who wrote the foreword to the report, said there was a pressing need to take action to help Britains wildlife.

The natural world is in serious trouble and it needs our help as never before, he said.

The future of nature is under threat and we must work together; Governments, conservationists, businesses and individuals, to help it.

Millions of people in the UK care very passionately about nature and the environment and I believe that we can work together to turn around the fortunes of wildlife.

Species at risk of extinction include one of the icons of the British countryside: the kingfisher. Other animals in decline include the water vole, curlew, hedgehog, turtle dove and willow tit.

The State of Nature report painted a bleak picture.

Between 1970 and 2013, 56 per cent of species declined, with 40 per cent showing strong or moderate declines, it said.

Of the nearly 8,000 species assessed using modern Red List criteria, 15 per cent are threatened with extinction from Great Britain.

A new measure that assesses how intact a countrys biodiversity is, suggests that the UK has lost significantly more nature over the long-term than the global average. The index suggests that we are among the most nature-depleted countries in the world.

Animals in decline Show all 8 1 /8 Animals in decline Animals in decline Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) Where: Orkney Islands. What: Between 2001-2006, numbers in Orkney declined by 40 per cent. Why: epidemics of the phocine distemper virus are thought to have caused major declines, but the killing of seals in the Moray Firth to protect salmon farms may have an impact. Alamy Animals in decline African lion (Panthera leo) Where: Ghana. What: In Ghanas Mole National Park, lion numbers have declined by more than 90 per cent in 40 years. Why: local conflicts are thought to have contributed to the slaughter of lions and are a worrying example of the status of the animal in Western and Central Africa. Animals in decline Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Where: Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Costa Rica. What: Numbers are down in both the Atlantic and Pacific. It declined by 95 per cent between 1989-2002 in Costa Rica. Why: mainly due to them being caught as bycatch, but theyve also been affected by local developments. Alamy Animals in decline Wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) Where: South Atlantic. What: A rapid decline. One population, from Bird Island, South Georgia, declined by 50 per cent between 1972-2010, according to the British Antarctic Survey. Why: being caught in various commercial longline fisheries. Alamy Animals in decline Saiga Antelope (Saiga tatarica) Where: Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. What: fall in populations has been dramatic. In the early 1990s numbers were over a million, but are now estimated to be around 50,000. Why: the break up of the former USSR led to uncontrolled hunting. Increased rural poverty means the species is hunted for its meat Animals in decline Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) Where: found worldwide in tropical, subtropical and temperate seas. Why: at risk from overfishing and as a target in recreational fishing. A significant number of swordfish are also caught by illegal driftnet fisheries in the Mediterranean Animals in decline Argali Sheep (Ovis mammon) Where: Central and Southern Asian mountains,usually at 3,000-5,000 metres altitude. Why: domesticated herds of sheep competing for grazing grounds. Over-hunting and poaching. Animals in decline Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) Where: the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to South Africa and to the Tuamoto Islands (Polynesia), north to the Ryukyu Islands (south-west Japan), and south to New Caledonia. Why: Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing and trading of the species

The report listed 10 different ways the natural world had been affected from 1970 to 2012, such as climate change, urbanisation, habitat creation, changes to forest cover and management, and the drainage of wetland areas.

Intensive agriculture had by far the largest negative effect on wildlife, accounting for nearly 25 per cent of the total.

The intensification of agriculture has had the biggest impact on wildlife, and this has been overwhelmingly negative, the report said.

Over the period of our study, farming has changed dramatically, with new technologies boosting yields, often at the expense of nature.

The report said 52 per cent of farmland species had declined and 48 per cent had increased. But a measure of how abundant farmland species were showed there had been a 20 per cent decline.

In particular, farmland birds have reduced by 54 per cent since 1970 and butterflies have declined by 41 per cent since 1976.

But there was some good news  bats living in farmland areas have increased by 23 per cent since 1999.

About 75 per cent of the UKs land is used for agriculture, although the report concentrated on enclosed farmland, which makes up about 40 per cent.

Our review of the factors driving changes to the UKs wildlife found that the intensive management of agricultural land had by far the largest negative impact on nature, across all habitats and species, the report said.

In one sense, it is no surprise that changes to our farmed environment have had more impact than any other, simply because the habitat covers so much of the UK.

However, we know that government farming policies led to dramatic changes in farming practices, almost doubling wheat and milk yields since the 1970s, whilst simultaneously having wide-reaching consequences for wildlife.

This increase in agricultural productivity has been achieved through changes such as a switch from spring to autumn sowing of crops; the production of silage, rather than hay, in our pastoral farmland; and the increased use of chemicals over the long term.

While the use of fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides had increased, according to the report, many marginal habitats, such as hedgerows and farm ponds, have been lost.

However Guy Smith, the NFUs vice-president, said the days of simply trying to maximise food produce  an official policy after World War II  were gone.

Since the early 1990s, in terms of inputs and in terms of numbers of livestock and area of crops grown, British agriculture has not intensified  in fact it's the reverse, he said.

Therefore it makes little sense to attribute cause and effect to 'the intensification of agriculture' in the UK in the last quarter of a century when there hasn't been any.

Other causes acknowledged in the report, such as urbanisation, climate change or increasing predator pressure need greater attention.

Farming in the present day is a living, breathing and dynamic industry; it produces food, delivers for the economy and takes responsibility for the iconic British countryside. British farmers have embraced the conservation agenda.

He pointed to the rise in some farmland bird populations, but admitted some were struggling, saying farmers are keen to work to reverse these trends.

Mr Smith said there was general agreement that the world needed to produce more food as the population grows.

This increased demand for food will have to be met using finite agricultural land, while our climate continues to change, which will inevitably place further constraints on production in many parts of the world, he said.

He said the NFU believed there needed to be what he called a sustainable intensification of agriculture to ensure domestic and global food security.

The CLA, which represents country landowners and businesses in England and Wales, called for farmers and conservationists to work together.

Its deputy president, Tim Breitmeyer, said: The report makes sobering reading and paints a clear picture of significant decline over 40 years.

It reminds us how much there is to do to reintroduce habitats and species into our natural environment and protect them.

Glyn Davies, director of global programmes at conservation group WWF-UK, said Britains wildlife were under unprecedented pressure from human activity.

Nature can recover with the right incentives to help restore species, reduce habitat loss, prevent pollution and develop green energy and infrastructure, he said.

These can be incorporated into the Governments promised 25-year plan for nature, which should be strong enough to put the health of our rivers, seas, forests and farmland at the heart of policymaking across Whitehall.
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Lower calorie baked jam doughnuts

The ultimate treat, jam doughnuts are vastly improved when made at home and eaten, still slightly warm, with the jam oozing out of the middle. Follow this easybaking recipe, and you could always experiment with different flavour jams and fillings once youve mastered the basic sugary buns.

1 tsp dried yeast

225ml of milk, warm

250g of caster sugar

450g of strong bread flour, white

1 large egg

2tsp vanilla essence

25g of butter, thinly sliced

tsp salt

1000ml of vegetable oil, for frying

360g of strawberry jam, for filling

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To activate the yeast, combine with slightly warm milk and 50g of the sugar and bring to 38C (body temperature). Leave in a warm place until it begins to foam. Mix the flour, salt, egg and vanilla in a food mixer with a dough hook attachment. Once the yeast mixture has begun to foam, pour into the flour mix and continue to mix until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes to strengthen the dough.

Place the dough in a large plastic container. Spread the thinly sliced butter over the top. Cover the container with a damp tea towel and leave somewhere warm to prove  until doubled in size. Knock back the dough and ensure the butter is evenly mixed in. Separate into doughnut-shaped balls, approximately 20g each, and knead again until smooth and round.

Line a baking tray with baking paper. Spread the uncooked doughnuts out on the tray, leaving plenty of room for them to prove. Cover loosely with greased cling film and leave somewhere warm to prove again. Heat a deep fat fryer to 190C. Once the balls have doubled in size, carefully place them, one by one, into the fryer. Once the underside is golden brown, use a slotted spoon to gently turn over. Continue to fry until evenly coloured.

Remove the doughnuts from the oil, shake off any excess. Roll the doughnuts in caster sugar until evenly coated. Leave to cool on a wire rack. Once cool, make an incision in the side of each doughnut and pipe in a small amount of strawberry jam and serve

Toad in the hole

Indulge in this old favourite once again, by following this simple yet superb toad in the hole recipe. Serve with your favourite side dishes and indulge in classic comfort food.

12 sausages, pricked with a fork

225g of plain flour

3 eggs

275ml of milk

25g of duck fat

1 pinch of nutmeg, freshly grated

1 pinch of sugar

1 pinch of black pepper

1 pinch of salt

Food and drink news Show all 35 1 /35 Food and drink news Food and drink news Healthy living makes us more inclined to binge, research suggests Gluten-free breads, dairy-free milks and other plant-based products have been some of the most favoured foods in British supermarkets this year. However, while were busy filling our shopping trolleys with gluten-free goodness, were also jamming it with junk food and alcohol, new research suggests Getty/iStock Food and drink news Growing list of Vegan celebs Making the switch to veganism is a major lifestyle choice, one that many claim can improve energy levels, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and clear up any skin issues. Beyonce, Natalie Portman and Jessica Chastain are among the growing list of Hollywood stars who have eschewed animal products from their diets in recent years. Theres also been an increasing number of professional athletes who have gone vegan, such as boxing champions Mike Tyson and David Haye, thus debunking the myth that following a plant-based diet will leave you feeling weak and malnourished. AFP/Getty/NARAS/iHeartMedia Food and drink news McDonald's has announced the launch of a new vegan burger on its menu in Germany This will mark the first time the German franchise of the fast food chain has offered a vegan burger to its customers. The Big Vegan TS burger consists of a patty made from soy and wheat. It is served in a classic sesame seed bun, and contains salad, tomato, pickles and red onion. McDonald's Germany Food and drink news Drinking too many protein shakes could lead to an increased risk of obesity and a reduced lifespan, a new study has claimed Researchers from the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre carried out an investigation to determine the impact excessive consumption of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) has on the body. BCAA supplements are often consumed in the form of powder, which is then added to water to make a shake. Published in journal Nature Metabolism, the study found that while BCAAs help to build muscle, they can also negatively impact an individual's temperament, cause weight gain and lead to a shortened lifespan Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Britain consumes more chocolate than any other country Most people love chocolate but it turns out no one does more than the Brits  with the average Brit found to have consumed 8.4 kg of chocolate in 2017, according to new data. Chocolate consumption around the world is on the rise, according to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD), which found that in the past year alone, Easter chocolate production has risen by 23 per cent Food and drink news 'Easter eggs should be banned for children under four' Dr Becky Spelman, chief psychologist at Harley Streets Private Therapy Clinic, is calling for Easter eggs to be banned for consumption for children under the age of four, claiming that giving them the opportunity to binge on chocolate so young will give them an unhealthy relationship with food later on. "This is a nightmare situation for parents of this generation as they have no idea how to teach their children to delay their response to cravings, she said, explaining that too many young kids binge on these chocolates because their parents dont know how to stop them. "Once a child starts overeating behaviour at a young age its very hard to turn things around for them in terms of food and their eating habits moving forward, leading to obesity from at very young age," she added PA Food and drink news Pineapple overtakes avocado as the UK's fastest-selling fruit According to Tesco, pineapple has overtaken avocado as the UKs fastest-selling fruit, with sales increasing by 15 per cent in 2017. In comparison, avocado sales rose by just under 10 per cent last year. The popular supermarket says the surge in popularity comes as shoppers buying the versatile fruit are beginning to use it as a main ingredient in everything from curries and barbecues, to juices and cocktails Getty Food and drink news Marks & Spencers launches stoneless avocados Rather than the result of genetic modification, the avocados are formed by an unpollinated avocado blossom. The fruit develops without a seed which in turns stops the growth, creating a small, seedless fruit. Whats more, the skin is actually edible, unlike a regular avocado. The flesh is much like that of a normal avocado - smooth and creamy, pale in colour and rich in flavour M&S Food and drink news Office teabags contain 17 times more germs than a toilet seat, reveals study The average bacterial reading of an office teabag was 3,785, in comparison to only 220 for a toilet seat. Other pieces of kitchen equipment also stacked up highly in their findings, with the bacterial readings averaging at 2,483 on kettle handles, 1,746 on the rim of a used mug and 1,592 on a fridge door handle Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news New study shows drinking more coffee leads to a longer life There is good news and a final hope for coffee addicts and lovers. You will now be able to drink coffee for longer as new study shows its can lead to a prolonged life. Scientists showed that those who drank between two and four cups of coffee a day had 18% lower risk of death compared to non-coffee drinkers. PA Food and drink news Coke Zero is replaced with Coke Zero Sugar Coca-Cola is pulling the plug on its Coke Zero. The much loved drink will be replaced with a new improved taste. The move, backed with a 10 million campaign, is said to come from Coca-Cola supporting people to reduce their sugar intake. Coca-Cola want people make this move while not sacrificing sugary taste of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola Food and drink news Starbucks introduce new avocado spread The avocado craze has grown from hipster brunch restaurants to Starbucks. Starbucks have introduced their new avocado spread earlier this year and it has the internet in debate. Some argue that it not a spread but guacamole while others question if there is any avocado in there at all. When buying the new spread you can also buy an optional toasted bagel. It is a must try for all avocado connoisseurs. Starbucks Food and drink news New Mars chocolate bar The iconic British chocolate bar is about to get its partner in crime. The new bar, named Goodness Knows, will replace the gooey caramel goodness of the mars bar with oats. It is said to be more like a Florentine biscuit with a thin dark chocolate bottom. While being moderately healthy Mars says that is has good intentions. One pack has 154 calories and will sell for about 90p. Mars Food and drink news Wine prices could increase because of Brexit Wine lovers across the UK might soon have to shell out close to a quarter more for their favourite tipple after Brexit, as a weaker pound and sluggish economy takes its toll, a new study shows Rex Food and drink news Chocolate may be good for the heart A new study, published in the British Medical Journal: Heart, found that moderate chocolate intake can be positively associated with lessening the risk of the heart arrhythmia condition Atrial Fibrillation Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Brits throw away 1.4 million bananas each year British families are throwing away 1.4 million bananas that are perfectly good to eat every day at cost of 80m a year, new figures have shown PA/Armin Weigel Food and drink news Rosemary sales spike over exam time There has been a surge a surge in sales of the herb rosemary after a recent study found it helps improve memory. According to high street health food chain Holland & Barrett, sales of the herb have increased by 187 per cent compared to the same time last year Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Gluten-free diets 'not recommended' for people without coeliac disease Avoiding wheat, barley and rye in the belief that a gluten-free diet brings health benefits may do more harm than good, according to a team of US nutrition and medicine experts Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Starbucks launches two new coffee-based drinks Starbucks is launching two new coffee-based drinks in the UK, as it strives to tap into consumers growing appetite for healthy beverages. The Cold Brew Vanilla sweet cream and the Cappuccino Freddo, will both be available in stores throughout the UK from the start of May Twitter/@SbuxCountyHall Food and drink news Cadburys Dairy Milk Tiffin is making a permanent comeback after 80 years The Cadbury Dairy Milk Tiffin, first produced in 1937, is making a permanent comeback to the UK. The raisin and biscuit-filled chocolate bar is being launched after a successful trial last summer saw 3 million chocolate treats  at the cost of 1.49 for each 95g bar- purchased by nostalgic customers Cadburys Food and drink news Pizza restaurant makes worlds cheesiest 'Scottie's Pizza Parlor' in Portland Oregon has created the worlds cheesiest pizza using a total of 101 different cheese varieties. Facebook/Scottie's Pizza Parlor Food and drink news A pizza joint in Portland Oregon has created the worlds cheesiest pizza using a total of 101 different cheese varieties. Why not eating before a workout could be better for your health A study published in the American Journal of Physiology by researchers at the University of Bath found you might be likely to burn more fat if you have not eaten first Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news New York restaurant named best in the world A New York restaurant where an average meal for two will cost $700 has been named the best in the world. Eleven Madison Park won the accolade for the first time after debuting on the list at number 50 in 2010. The restaurant was praised for a fun sense of fine-dining, blurring the line between the kitchen and the dining room Getty Images Food and drink news Why you crave bad food when youre tired Researchers at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago recently presented their results of a study looking into the effects of sleep deprivation upon high-calorific food consumption. 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New data from nationwide food-delivery service Deliveroo reveals there was a surge in Brits ordering desserts in February compared to the first month of 2017 Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news US congress debates definition of milk alternatives A new bill has been created that seeks to ban dairy alternatives from using the term milk. Titled the DAIRY PRIDE Act, the name is a tenuous acronym for defending against imitations and replacements of yogurt, milk, and cheese to promote regular intake of dairy every day. It argues that the dairy industry is struggling as a result of all the dairy-free alternatives on the market and the public are being duped too Getty Images Food and drink news Cadburys launches two new chocolate bars UK confectionary giant Cadbury has launched two new chocolate bars, hoping to lure those with a sweet tooth and perhaps help combat some of the challenges it faces from rising commodity prices and a post-Brexit slump in the value of the pound.The companys new products will be peanut butter and mint flavoured. They will be available in most major super markets as 120g bars, priced at 1.49, according to the company Cadburys Food and drink news You can now get a job as a professional chocolate eater The company responsible for some of your favourite chocolate brands  think Cadbury, Milks, Prince and Oreo  have officially announced an opening to join their team as a professional chocolate taster. The successful candidate will help them to test, perfect and launch new products all over the world. Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news MSG additive used in Chinese food is actually good for you, scientist claims For years, weve been told MSG (the sodium salt of glutamic acid) - often associated with cheap Chinese takeaways - is awful for our health and to be avoided at all costs. But one scientist argues it should be used as a supersalt and encourages adding it to food. Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Lettuce prices are rising Not only are lettuces becoming an increasingly rare commodity in supermarkets, but prices for the leafy vegetables seem to be rising too. According to the weekly report from the Governments Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, a pair of Little Gem lettuces had an average market price of 0.86 in the week that ended on Friday, up from an average of 0.56 in the previous week  thats an almost 54 per cent increase. Getty Images Food and drink news Do-It-Yourself restaurant To encourage more people to cook and eat together, IKEA has launched The Dining Club in Shoreditch  a fully immersive Do-It-Yourself restaurant . Members of the public can book to host a brunch, lunch or dinner party for up to 20 friends and family. Supported by their very own sous chef and maitre de, the host and their guests will orchestrate an intimate dining experience where cooking together is celebrated and eating together is inspirational Mikael Buck / IKEA Food and drink news Ping Pong menu with a twist Gatwick Airport has teamed up with London dim sum restaurant Ping Pong to create a limited edition menu with a distinctly British twist; including a Full English Bao and Beef Wellington Puff, to celebrate the launch of the airports new route to Hong Kong Food and drink news Zizzi unveil the Maamgharita Unique pizza art has been created by Zizzi in celebration of the Queens 90th birthday. The pizza features the queen in an iconic pose illustrated with fresh and tasty Italian ingredients on a backdrop of the Union Jack Food and drink news Blue potatoes make a comeback Blue potatoes, once a staple part of British potato crops, are back on the menu thanks to a Cambridge scientist turned-organic farmer and Farmdrop, an online marketplace that lets people buy direct from local farms. Cambridge PhD graduate-turned farmer, Adrian Izzard has used traditional growing techniques at Wild Country Organics to produce the colourful spuds, packed with healthy cell-protecting anthocyanin, which had previously disappeared from UK plates when post-war farmers were pushed towards higher-yielding varieties

Make the batter well in advance. Sieve the flour, salt, pepper, sugar and grated nutmeg into a bow. Make a well in the centre and break in the three eggs. Use a hand-held whisk to slowly incorporate the eggs and then  while continuing to whisk  slowly add in the milk until the batter has the consistency of double cream. Whisk thoroughly to ensure there are no lumps of flour in the mixture. Place in the fridge for a least 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 200C/gas mark 6. Place a roasting tin in the oven until scorching hot. Add the duck fat and the sausages to the hot tin and return to the oven. Shake at regular intervals until the sausages are coloured all over and the fat is hot. Remove the batter from the fridge and give it a quick whisk. Once the sausages are evenly coloured, remove the tray from the oven and immediately pour the batter over the hot sausages  the batter should start to sizzle.

Return to the oven immediately and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the batter is well risen and golden. Serve immediately with your chosen accompaniments.

Yorkshire pudding

This classic Yorkshire pudding recipe makes a fantastically crispy Yorkshire for your Sunday roast. Dont forget to get the oil or dripping smoking hot before cooking  this is the key to any good Yorkshire pudding.

80g of plain flour

1 egg

80ml of milk

60ml of water

2tbsp of vegetable oil, or beef dripping

1 pinch of salt

1 pinch of pepper

Preheat the oven to 220C/gas mark 8. Sift the flour into a mixing bowl and use a wooden spoon to make a well in the centre. Break the egg into the well and mix with the flour. Add the milk, water, salt and pepper, whisk until you have a smooth batter, then set aside. Add the vegetable oil or dripping to a 28 x 18cm roasting tray. Place into the oven until the fat gets smoking hot, for around 10 minutes. Carefully remove the tray from the oven, pour in the batter and return to the oven until crispy and puffed up around the edges  this should take approximately 30-40 minutes. Serve immediately.

These recipes originally appeared on The Great British Chefs. For more recipes visit greatbritishchefs.com
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Samsung is to stop its recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones from charging all the way to try and stop them from blowing up.

The company last week announced that it would be conducting a global recall on the smartphone. That came after reports that the phone seemed sometimes to overheat while it was charging and then explode  which has reportedly led to cars bursting into flames and phones combusting in peoples hands.

But Samsung is now worried that not everybody is aware or willing to take part in the global recall. As such, it is sending out a new update to try and make the batteries slightly more safe.

Exploded Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - in pictures Show all 7 1 /7 Exploded Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - in pictures Exploded Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - in pictures Here are some pictures of exploded phones that are circulating online Exploded Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - in pictures Exploded Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - in pictures Exploded Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - in pictures Exploded Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - in pictures Exploded Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - in pictures Exploded Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - in pictures

That will stop the phones from charging any further than 60 per cent. Once the update is pushed out to users it will allow them to charge up to 60 per cent and then stop  an attempt to stop the overheating.

The front page of the Seoul Shinmun, a South Korean newspaper, featured an advert from Samsung alerting them to the software update.

"It is a measure to put consumer safety first but we apologize for causing inconvenience," the advertisement said. It told users that the update would be coming on 20 September.

Recommended Read more Samsung urges Note 7 users to switch off phones and turn them in

Its unclear when the update will be pushed out to phones in other countries apart from South Korea. Its also not clear how exactly it will be pushed out  whether people will be aware that their phones have been updated or whether they will have any choice in the matter.

Samsung plans to begin issuing new Note 7s with batteries it says will not be prone to overheating starting Sept. 19 in South Korea. It recalled 2.5 million of the devices just two weeks after their launch after dozens of cases in which batteries exploded or caught fire. Samsung says the problem stems from a manufacturing glitch in the batteries.

Samsung is the world's largest smartphone maker, and analysts said the recall may leave a larger impact on its brand than earlier estimated. Aviation regulators and airlines have deemed the Note 7 a flight hazard and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is considering an official product recall.

The company has urged consumers to immediately turn off the phones and get them replaced with the new Note 7.

But implementing such a large-scale recall is a challenge. Consumers have to visit Samsung service centers or retailers twice  once to get a replacement phone  not a Galaxy Note 7  and have a safety check of their existing Note 7, and a second time to get a new Note 7. South Koreans are traveling for one of the two biggest national holidays of the year starting Wednesday, which complicates the recall plan.

Samsung offered free pizza as an apology to workers at mobile carrier shops who have been handling the unprecedented recall. Some will work during the holidays this week as Samsung plans to keep its service centers open.

Lee In-tae, an employee at a SK Telecom shop in central Seoul, said two pizzas were delivered to the shop during lunchtime on Tuesday with a letter from Samsung that included an apology for causing inconvenience with the recall. South Korean media said Samsung gave free pizzas to all employees at local handset shops and mobile carriers.

"We ate the pizza among a few of us," Lee said by phone. He and his co-workers have been handling complaints from Note 7 consumers. "We have to do all the recalls here, do all the work and listen to all the bad things. But it feels like (Samsung) is trying to make up for it with that," he said, referring to the pizza.

Samsung did not answer emails and calls seeking comment on Tuesday. Offices were closed in South Korea on Wednesday for the holiday.

The software update appears to be a last-ditch effort to contain the crisis.

Samsung "has to contain the battery explosions but people are not returning the phones," said Peter Yu, an analyst at BNP Paribas. "It is taking a desperate measure."

Keeping the battery level low could reduce the risk of overheating, but would be equivalent to getting a downgrade of a top-of-the-line phone, said Kim Young Woo, an analyst at SK Securities. The Galaxy Note series are among the most expensive handsets made by Samsung.

"It means that the phone has not been optimized before the release," Kim said.

Canada issued a recall notice on Monday.

The company did not say how many more battery fires in the Note 7 have been reported since Sept. 1, when 35 cases were confirmed. In announcing its recall, the Canadian government said one case was confirmed in Canada while Samsung received more than 70 reported cases in the United States alone.

Additional reporting by agencies
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A 15 per cent drop in new rental properties being listed across more than 90 UK towns and cities in August has prompted fears that a lack of supply will see rental costs rise as landlords continue to waver over investing in buy-to-let as the effect of stamp duty and other tax changes kick in.

While the UK rental market typically sees a slowdown in available property over the summer, this year a rollercoaster market has seen sharp rises in the number of homes available in July make way for drops of almost 40 per cent in some parts of the UK last month.

Almost nine out of 10 major towns and cities in the UK saw falls in the number of new buy-to-let properties being advertised in August, compared with the previous month, particularly in the north east, according to a study of homes available online this summer.

In most areas, there was a significant fall in new rental properties advertised. Hartlepool in the north east saw rental listings down 36.5 per cent, and a further 11 towns and cities experienced a shortage of new buy-to-lets being listed. Canterbury saw a -30.4 per cent, Wakefield -28.5 per cent, Loughborough -28.3 per cent, Colchester -26.5 per cent and Cardiff -25.9 per cent. Among the major English cities, London and Birmingham saw new rental property listings down by more than 16 per cent, while the drop in Manchester was more than 18 per cent.

Dan Gandesha, chief executive of crowdfunding platform Property Partner, which conductd the study, said: Traditional landlords have had it hard of late. Alongside the stamp duty surcharge, banks have imposed tougher lending criteria, and cuts to mortgage interest tax relief will begin to take effect next year. Profits have been hit and this could force many landlords to sell up. If September fails to pick up and theres a shortage of available rental properties, rents could be pushed up. Hopefully for tenants, this wont be the case.

Longer term, the pressing issue is to get Britain building more homes across all tenure types. Demand for rental homes has been increasing over the past decade, as more people move away from home ownership and become long-term renters. These tenants are quite rightly demanding a higher quality of service delivered by professional landlords.
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Bayer has clinched its takeover of controversial frankenstein foods company Monsanto for $66bn (50bn) in a deal that creates the worlds biggest maker of seeds and pesticides.

The takeover, finalised today, is the largest ever by a German company and the biggest acquisition in the world this year, but some analysts have already labelled the deal a horror story.

The fee is more than a fifth higher than Monsantos closing price on Tuesday, and a full 45 per cent above the level its shares were trading at before Bayer showed an interest.

Bayer may also have to deal with a backlash over the deal. As a pioneer of genetically modified organisms, Monsanto has become a lightning rod for protest against the technology, which some environmental groups say is inadequately tested and potentially dangerous.

John Colley, a Professor at Warwick Business School who researches large takeovers said: Apart from Monsantos shareholders, who have hit the jackpot, this looks like a lose-lose bid.

Reputational concerns become an issue for Bayer with the GM foods campaign. EU and US competition authorities will make significant demands in terms of requiring disposals and imposing trade restrictions.

A rash of mergers in the global agricultural business means that it is now dominated by a few giant players, stoking concern that the deal could be rejected by competition authorities, or that the combined company may be forced to sell off parts of its business so it is not overly dominant.

The consolidation also leaves few buyers for any assets Bayer-Monsanto might need to sell to satisfy regulators.

Werner Baumann, Bayer chief executive, hailed the deal which he said marks a major step forward for its agriculture and crop science business, which includes genetically modified crops.

Genetic engineering

Monsanto has attracted criticism from environmental campaigners around the world for promoting the commercialisation of genetically modified organisms, known colloquially as frankenfoods.

In May, thousands of protesters across more than 40 countries took to the streets to express anger and concern at Monsanto and its central role in the increased use of pesticides and GMOs in world farming.

GMO varieties of corn and soybeans now account for more than 90 per cent of corn and soybean crops in the US, with Monsanto the dominant player.

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Monsantos Roundup herbicide, which is classified as probably carcinogenic to humans has attracted much of the criticism. The herbicide kills most crops, apart from those Monsanto has genetically modified to be resistant to the chemical.

The company has patented the Roundup-resistant seeds, effectively giving it a monopoly  a move that critics say makes farmers overly reliant on Monsanto.

Last month Greenpeace revealed that the US firm had filed patents attempting to assert worldwide control over the breeding of certain pigs and their offspring.
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Darren Topp, the former boss of collapsed retailer BHS, has been appointed as chief executive of fashion chain LK Bennett.

BHS collapsed in April, putting 11,000 out of work and 22,000 pensions at risk. Its demise has left its two pension schemes with a 571m black hole.

Mr Topp, former chief operating officer at BHS, endured a difficult time at the company as he attempted to keep the business afloat, following its sale by Sir Philip Green to the Dominic Chappell-led consortium Retail Acquisitions for 1 over a year ago.

Recommended Read more BHS former boss says Dominic Chappell threatened to kill him

In June, Mr Topp told MPs how Mr Chappell threatened to kill him when he found out about a 1.5m payment Mr Chappell made from BHS to an unaffiliated company called BHS Sweden in April.

At LK Bennett, Mr Topp will replace Robert Bensoussan, who took over on an interim basis in 2014. He will remain at LK Bennett as a non-executive director.

Mr Topp will be joined by Michael Hitchcock, former BHS financial consultant, who will take up the role of LK Bennetts chief financial officer.

LK Bennett is a favourite with the Duchess of Cambridge, as well as the actresses Anna Paquin and Reese Witherspoon.

LK Bennett said Mr Topp has more than 30 years of retail experience at a senior level including Marks & Spencer and BHS.

Darren and Michael have an exceptionally strong retail background and will be instrumental in driving the business through its next stage of development, Patrick Woodall, LK Bennett chairman said.

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Mr Topp said he was delighted to join the company. LK Bennett is a fantastic business and we look forward to building on and continuing, he said.

LK Bennett has 114 shops in the UK and Ireland as well as stores in the US and Middle East.

The last remaining BHS stores closed in August, ending 88 years of British retail history.
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Donald Trump is engaged in another lawsuit to keep the details of his divorce from Ivana Trump out of the public eye.

The New York real estate mogul turned presidential candidate divorced his first wife and the mother of his three eldest children in 1990, and 26 years later publications including the New York Times have requested to view the papers.

The request comes as Mr Trump is also being called upon to release his tax returns, evidence of his donations of millions of dollars to charity and his full medical report.

The publications seeking the divorce papers argued that they needed more evidence as to how Mr Trump treated his ex-wife following her accusation that he raped her in 1989.

Mr Trump denied the claim and Ms Trump later retracted the allegation, saying she had not meant rape in the criminal sense.

Their divorce was granted on the ground of cruel and inhuman treatment and they reached an undisclosed settlement.

Further transparency on the candidate is also in the public interest, argue the New York Times and the Gannett newspaper, following his controversial and "sexist" comments about women, with whom he is ranking low in the polls.

State law mandates that divorce records only should be made public under special circumstances.

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

Ms Trumps lawyer, Ira Garr, argued that the candidate's ex-wife was a private citizen and had already been made to suffer enormous public humiliation and embarrassment having her personal affairs exploited before the public in one of the most publicised divorces in history.

Marc Kasowitz, Mr Trumps lawyer, accused the media of engaging upon a fishing expedition, as reported by New York Daily News.

He said the media is concocting three reasons to get the papers: the public interest, the passage of time and prior public statements about their marriage and divorce.

Allowing newspapers to rummage through the sealed documents would, he said, override the public interest.

In court papers filed on behalf of the news organisations seeking the divorce records release, lawyer David McCraw said that the public has a right to know more about the candidates marital fidelity as it reflects their character and fitness for office.

He noted that Mr Trump attacked Bill Clintons lack of fidelity to his wife, Hillary Clinton, and that voters should not have to rely on a patchwork of disclosed, partially sealed documents and public statements [].

The divorce battle and the ensuing settlement was also chronicled the 1993 book, Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald J. Trump.

The outcome of the case will be decided within a few weeks by Justice Frank Nervo at the matrimonial division of the Manhattan Supreme Court.


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Facebook has apologised to the Norwegian Prime Minister for removing an iconic photograph of a naked girl running from a napalm attack during the Vietnam War.

The photograph had been deleted from a number of accounts, including that of Prime Minister Erna Solberg, because it supposedly violated Facebooks restrictions on nudity.

The social networking sites chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg apologised for the mishap in a letter to Ms Solberg.

Napalm victim in iconic photo receives medical treatment - in pictures Show all 5 1 /5 Napalm victim in iconic photo receives medical treatment - in pictures Napalm victim in iconic photo receives medical treatment - in pictures Napalm victim in iconic photo receives medical treatment - in pictures Napalm victim in iconic photo receives medical treatment - in pictures Dr. Jill Waibel examines Kim Phuc before the first of several laser treatments to reduce pain and the appearance of burn scars in her back and left arm in Miami. Phuc was injured by a napalm bomb in Vietnam 40 years ago. AP Photo/Nick Ut Napalm victim in iconic photo receives medical treatment - in pictures In this Sept. 26, 2015, photo, Dr. Jill Waibel, left, applies a laser to the back of Kim Phuc to reduce the pain and appearance of her burn scars in Miami. Phuc was burned in the back and left arm by a napalm bomb in Vietnam 40 years ago. The procedure creates microscopic holes in the skin, which allows topical, collagen-building medicines to be absorbed deep through the layers of tissue. AP Photo/Nick Ut Napalm victim in iconic photo receives medical treatment - in pictures In this Sept. 25, 2015 photo, Kim Phuc shows burn scars on her back and left arm at a hotel in Miami. The scars were caused by a napalm attack when she was 9 years old in Trang Bang, Vietnam. While she spent years doing painful exercises to preserve her range of motion, her left arm still doesn't extend as far as her right arm, and her desire to learn how to play the piano has been thwarted by stiffness in her left hand. Tasks as simple as carrying her purse on her left side are too difficult. AP Photo/Nick Ut

The picture was reinstated after Ms Solberg accused Facebook of censorship.

The global and historical importance of a photo like Terror of War outweighs the importance of keeping nudity off Facebook, Ms Sandberg said in a letter obtained by Reuters through a freedom of information request.

These are difficult decisions and we dont always get it right, Ms Sandberg wrote.

"Nonetheless, we intend to do better. We are committed to listening to our community and evolving. Thank you for helping us get this right.

Terror of War, which was captured by Associated Press photographer Nick Ut in 1972, won a Pulitzer Prize.

Facebook reversed its decision to ban the photograph due to its status as an iconic image of historical importance.

Ms Solberg posted the photograph after Facebook deleted it from the site of Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.

The newspaper consequently received an email from the website stating: Any photographs of people displaying fully nude genitalia or buttocks, or fully nude female breasts, will be removed."

After the pictures removal, the Norwegian Prime Minister posted the image again with the nine-year-old girl, Phan Thi Kim Phuc, blocked out by a black censorship box.

In a jibe at Facebooks decision, she also uploaded blocked-out pictures of Martin Luther King and the Tiananmen Square Tank Man protestor.

Norway is a big investor in Facebook, and its sovereign wealth fund has a 0.52% stake in the company.

As a gesture of goodwill, Ms Sandberg suggested Ms Solbergs staff meet two Facebook officials who are visiting Norway.
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Jean-Claude Juncker decided to dismiss speculation over his drinking once and for all this week as he sat over a meal with a French journalist.

The head of the European Commission, who says he is sad about inaccurate speculation over his lifestyle, reportedly drank not one, but four glasses of champagne over lunch while he was at it.

The former Prime Minister of Luxembourg, 61, has been dogged by questions about his relationship with alcohol in recent years. In 2014, a Brussels official claimed concerns about his lifestyle and alcohol consumption had been raised by a number of EU diplomats. Eyebrows were raised once again when a jovial Mr Juncker was filmed greeting leaders at the May 2015 EU summit with jocular slaps on the face.

Mr Juncker has strongly denied allegations of heavy drinking in the past. He reiterated this in an interview with the French newspaper Liberation, where he explained the only issue he does have is with fatigue because of the 14 hour days he now works.

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The image quickly became the talking point of Australias National Rugby League Final and provoked a strong reaction on social media, with many praising Thurston for giving his child a toy that promotes inclusiveness and diversity Getty Images People news in pictures 3 October 2015 Pope Francis gives a thumbs-up as he greets people at the end of an audience to the participants of a meeting organized by the "Food Bank" at the Paul VI audience hall in Vatican Getty Images People news in pictures 2 October 2015 Britain's Finance Minister George Osborne (L) throws an American football as he meets with former American football players Dan Marino (2nd R) and Curtis Martin (not pictured) at 11 Downing Street in London, ahead of the New York Jets playing against the Miami Dolphins at London's Wembley Stadium on 4 October Getty Images People news in pictures 1 October 2015 An honor guard opens the door as Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall to attend a meeting with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia People news in pictures 30 September 2015 Former Mrs America Lisa Christie, who alleges misconduct by Bill Cosby, holds up photos of her younger self during a news conference at the law office of attorney Gloria Allred in Los Angeles People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Matt Damon has defended himself against claims that he instructed gay actors to remain in the closet. He had said I think youre a better actor the less people know about you and sexuality is a huge part of that. Whether youre straight or gay, people shouldnt know anything about your sexuality but an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show said, I was just trying to say actors are more effective when theyre a mystery. Right? Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Marion Cotillard has said that there is no place for feminism in Hollywood. Speaking to Porter magazine, she saidFilm-making is not about gender/ You cannot ask a president in a festival like Cannes to have, like, five movies directed by women and five by men. For me it doesnt create equality, it creates separation. I mean, I dont qualify myself as a feminist." Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Paul Walkers daughter, Meadow, is suing Porsche over her fathers death in a lawsuit that claims he was trapped in the burning car because of design flaws and the seat belt. 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Stewart had presented the US satirical news show since 1999 and was described by Noah during the show as a 'Political father' 2015 Getty Images People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Sir Elton John may have received a phone call from the real Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin's spokesman announced he had made contact weeks after the singer was duped by pranksters pretending to be the Russian President. Getty People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was mistakenly declared as the artist who produced the Mona Lisa by Fox News anchor Shepard Smith. It was in fact Leonardo da Vinci. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 A new biography claims Donald Trump expected to be dead by 40 and never marry. The Guardian says the a new book also claims that in 1980, Mr Trump manufactured a fake vice-president of his real estate conglomerate, whom he called John Baron. 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According to a translation obtained by the Independent, Mr Juncker assuaged concerns put to him by the paper.

During our recent lunch, he glugged four glasses of champagne accompanied by a simple salad. But do you think I would still be in this job if I was on the brandy at breakfast? he asks. You can forgive a politician for anything, except alcoholism.

"He added: 'It really makes me sad and it has even led my wife to question if I lie to her, as I do not drink when I'm home.'
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Jonah Hill is reported to have cancelled all French media arrangements after an exceedingly awkward interview saw him ridiculed by a comedian on live television.

Appearing on French nightly talk show Le Grand Journal on Friday, the 32-year-old actor appeared visibly dismayed after Ornella Fleury said she wanted to lure him into a sexual fantasy with his high-profile friends and then exclude him.

According to French news outlet BFMTV, their tense exchange prompted Hill to cancel the rest of his interviews while in France.

"Its when I saw you get sodomised by a three-meter-tall demon in This Is the End that I told myself, 'Now thats the man of my dreams!'" Fleury told The Wolf of Wall Street actor.

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The Chancellor argued that reducing the payments to people in low paid jobs would give them economic security by reducing the Governments spending deficit Getty Images People news in pictures 4 October 2015 Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston takes a moment in the centre of the field with his daughter Frankie Thurston, holding dark-skinned doll, after winning the 2015 NRL Grand Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. 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He had said I think youre a better actor the less people know about you and sexuality is a huge part of that. Whether youre straight or gay, people shouldnt know anything about your sexuality but an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show said, I was just trying to say actors are more effective when theyre a mystery. Right? Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Marion Cotillard has said that there is no place for feminism in Hollywood. Speaking to Porter magazine, she saidFilm-making is not about gender/ You cannot ask a president in a festival like Cannes to have, like, five movies directed by women and five by men. For me it doesnt create equality, it creates separation. I mean, I dont qualify myself as a feminist." Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Paul Walkers daughter, Meadow, is suing Porsche over her fathers death in a lawsuit that claims he was trapped in the burning car because of design flaws and the seat belt. 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Stewart had presented the US satirical news show since 1999 and was described by Noah during the show as a 'Political father' 2015 Getty Images People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Sir Elton John may have received a phone call from the real Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin's spokesman announced he had made contact weeks after the singer was duped by pranksters pretending to be the Russian President. Getty People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was mistakenly declared as the artist who produced the Mona Lisa by Fox News anchor Shepard Smith. It was in fact Leonardo da Vinci. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 A new biography claims Donald Trump expected to be dead by 40 and never marry. The Guardian says the a new book also claims that in 1980, Mr Trump manufactured a fake vice-president of his real estate conglomerate, whom he called John Baron. 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And you? I hear you get sodomised pretty often, Hill responded.

Anyway, thats why I have a sexual fantasy with you, Jonah, Fleury continued, prompting the audience to laugh. All I said is sexual fantasy and you guys laugh. Guess I dont need to finish the joke!

But things took a different turn after Fleury dropped her no-holds-barred punchline.

My sexual fantasy would be that wed meet up in a hotel room at night. We would chat, youd make me laugh; youd make me laugh a lot! And then all of a sudden, youd bring your friends [Leonardo] DiCaprio and Brad Pitt  And then youd go away! she concluded.

After giving her an unimpressed thumbs up, Hill retorted: Im glad I came to this show to get ridiculed by a local weather girl - it's nice.

Recommended Read more Jonah Hill snorted so much fake cocaine he had to be hospitalised

Fleury has since apologised for the controversy in a self-deprecating video which explained she felt overfamiliar with the actor because of watching him in so many films.

In fact Jonah, I really had the impression that I knew you, so last Friday I thought I was just messing around with a friend, but the reality is that we are not friends, she said.

No, the reality is that you two have two Oscar nominations, and I have two videos on my YouTube account. You have made films with Scorese and Tarantino and me, I have made an advert for Spontex [a company which makes cleaning products].

Hill was in France to promote War Dogs for the international junket at the Deauville Festival.

Update: After initial reports in French press that Hill had cancelled his engagements with French press, he went on to do a press conference at the Deauville film festival.
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It would be fair to say Guy Verhofstadt is the last person the Leave camp could have hoped to be appointed as lead Brexit negotiator of the European Parliament. The former Prime Minister of Belgium is a staunch advocate of the EU and has frequently made his anti-Brexit views known.

Most recently, the straight-talking Flemish Belgian politician found himself in the limelight for his much-publicised description of David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage as rats fleeing a sinking ship following their resignations after Britain voted to leave the EU.

Throughout his time in the European Parliament, the 63-year-old EU veteran has found himself in dispute with Nigel Farage. The former UKIP leader recently dubbed Mr Verhofstadt a fanatic and said the EU had declared war on Britain by his appointing him as chief Brexit negotiator.

Brexit reactions  in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit reactions  in pictures Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In campaign look at their phones after hearing results in the EU referendum at London's Royal Festival Hall AP Brexit reactions  in pictures Leave supporters cheer results at a Leave.eu party after polling stations closed in the Referendum on the European Union in London Reuters Brexit reactions  in pictures Mr Cameron announces his resignation to supporters Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Donald Tusk proposes that the 27 remaining EU member states start a wider reflection on the future of our union Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Ukip leader Nigel Farage greets his supporters on College Green in Westminster, after Britain voted to leave the European Union PA Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In Campaign react as referendum results are announced today Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Boris Johnson leaves his home today to discover a crowd of waiting journalists and police officers Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Leave EU supporters celebrate as they watch the British EU Referendum results being televised at Millbank Tower in London Rex Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In Campaign react as results of the EU referendum are announced at the Royal Festival Hall Reuters Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In campaign react after hearing results in the EU referendum at London's Royal Festival Hall PA

But who is the man who became an MEP after heading three governments over almost a decade selected to help lead Britain out of the EU?

He rapidly shot through the party ranks

Born in 1953 in the Belgian city of Dendermonde, he became involved in student politics while studying law at the University of Ghent, becoming the president of the Liberal Flemish Student's union.

He quickly rose through the political ranks to become the President of his party in 1982 at the age of just 29.

He was known as baby Thatcher

In 1985 he became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Budget under Prime Minister Wilfried Martens and was christened Baby Thatcher because of his laissez-faire, free market views.

Nevertheless, his political views quickly changed as he moved away from the neoliberal politics he previously held dearly, and towards the centre-ground. This became particularly clear during his first term as Prime Minister.

Serving as the Belgian Prime Minster between 1999 and 2008, he was the first liberal Prime Minister in Belgium since 1884, defeating the Socialists and Christian Democrats.

Since 2009 he has served as a Member of the European Parliament where he is the leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.

He is expected to make it difficult for Britain to leave the EU

An avid tweeter, Mr Verhofstadt has posted frankly and forthrightly about the fact he is not keen to allow Britain access to the single market without accepting the free movement of EU citizens.

If UK wants access to #SingleMarket, it must also accept the free movement of citizens. Our four freedoms are inseparable, he wrote on Tuesday morning.

He does not appear to get along with Mr Farage

Mr Farage is less than happy about Mr Verhofstadt's appointment as Brexit negotiator.

"On behalf of the European Parliament, we've got Guy Verhofstadt. He's the man who is going to be negotiating Brexit," he said in Strasbourg in France on Wednesday.

If you were to think of this building [the EU Parliament] as a temple, well, Mr Verhofstadt is the high priest. A fanatic. In fact, there is only really one nationalist in this room and it's you [Verhofstadt] because you want flags, anthems, armies... you are an EU nationalist.

In a similar vein, Mr Verhofstadt has been less than effusive about Mr Farage on past occasions. In June, he accused him of lying about migration, Turkey and the NHS in a heated European Parliament debate. He said: Finally we will be getting rid of the biggest waste in the EU budget  that we have paid for 17 years of your salary.

He is reported to be blacklisted from entering Russia

In May 2015, media reported Mr Verhofstadt had been included in a Russian blacklist of European Union politicians barred from entering Russia. His spokesman Jeroen Reijnen told AFP he was on the list.

Mr Verhofstadt is banned from entry to Russia. He is on a blacklist with around 80 people, Reijnen claimed, saying the ban came after Verhofstadt called for an independent international probe into the murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.
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A British tourist who caused a security scare at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Las Vegas in June by trying to grab a gun from a police officer has pleaded guilty to charges of illegal weapon possession and disorderly conduct.

Michael Steven Sandford, 20, admitted as part of his plea deal with prosecutors that he had approached a policeman at the event, saying he wanted an autograph from the presidential candidate, then tried to pull the officers gun from his holster with both hands, according to court papers.

Sandford, who had by then overstayed his tourist visa by about 10 months, was immediately arrested and removed from the rally.

He also acknowledged having visited a Las Vegas gun range the day before the 18 June incident at the Treasure Island casino-hotel, to take shooting lessons with a rented Glock handgun, firing 20 rounds at a paper target, court papers showed.

No mention was made in the plea agreement about whether Sandford intended to harm Trump, then the presumptive Republican nominee in the US presidential race.

In the initial 20 June criminal complaint stemming from the incident, prosecutors said Sandford had told a US Secret Service agent he had driven to Las Vegas from California with the aim of shooting Trump.

Michael Sandford is removed by police from a Trump rally on 18 June (AP)

On 29 June, Sandford was charged with felony counts of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and disrupting government business, but he was not accused of plotting to kill Trump.

At Tuesdays hearing in federal court in Las Vegas, Sandford pleaded guilty to those two charges, each of which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the US Attorneys Office said in a statement.

Sentencing is scheduled for 13 December and he is expected to receive about two years in prison.

Brenda Weksler, one of Sandfords federal public defenders, declined to comment.

Reuters
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A man has been arrested following an allegedly racially-motivated attack on a pregnant woman which caused her to lose her baby.

CCTV footage emerged which appeared to show a man verbally abusing a 34-year-old woman while shopping at a Co-op store in Bletchley, near Milton Keynes.

The unnamed woman ignored the man but was then followed to her car where the suspect kicked her repeatedly causing her to fall to the ground, at around 9.40pm on 6 August.

She was later rushed to hospital after sustaining kicks to the abdomen, but doctors were unable to save her baby.

A 40-year-old man was also hit on the head with a bag of ice and a bottle after he tried to help the woman.

Thames Valley Police confirmed a 37-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of racially aggravated assault and is currently being held in custody.

Speaking during an appeal for information in connection with the attack, PC Richard Armitage said: "This racially aggravated assault had absolutely devastating consequences for the victim, who lost her baby as a result of the attack.

 Fear and Loathing in Great Britain

"Our thoughts are with her and her family at this incredibly difficult and sad time."

Both victims have now been released from hospital.

It comes as the National Police Chiefs' Council confirmed a sustained increase in the recorded number of hate crimes following the vote to leave the European Union on 23 June.

The rise in post-Brexit hate crime reports peaked at nearly 60 per cent higher than the same point in 2015 in July and was still 14 per cent higher on the same point in 2015 during August.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton, the council's lead on hate crime, said they treated hate crime as a "priority" and urged victims to come forward as "nobody should suffer in silence".

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

It came after a Polish man was murdered in a suspected racially-motivated hate crime at a pub in Harlow, Essex on 28 August.

The Polish Ambassador to the UK, Arkady Rzegocki, visited the town in the days following the death of Arkadiusz Jozwik and called it a "very important tragedy". He said his staff had dealt with "15 or 16 such situations" since the vote in June.
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Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey will still be allowed to practise in the UK after being accused of hiding her symptoms.

The decision by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Edinburgh followed a probe into the circumstances of her return to the UK, after which she continued to suffer with the virus.

An independent panel at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in Edinburgh found that the three charges against Ms Cafferkey weren't proven and so her fitness to practise was "not impaired".

In pictures: Ebola virus Show all 62 1 /62 In pictures: Ebola virus In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A health worker from Sierra Leone's Red Cross Society Burial Team 7 carries the corpse of a child in Freetown In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A health workers from the Sierra Leone's Red Cross Society Burial Team 7 is sprayed with desinfectant after removing a corpse from a house in Freetown In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Health workers from Sierra Leone's Red Cross Society Burial Team 7 prepare to remove a body from a house in Freetown AFP In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Health workers from the Sierra Leone's Red Cross Society Burial Team 7 place a body in a grave at King Tom cemetary in Freetown In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Mustapha Rogers of the Red Cross talks as health workers from the Sierra Leone's Red Cross Society Burial Team 7 remove a corpse from a house in Freetown In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A citizen from Mali arrives at a hospital in Murcia city, south-eastern Spain. The protocol for a possible case of Ebola has been activated as the man, who arrived from Mali to Jumilla town in Murcia province five days ago, presents clinical symptoms of high fever and vomiting EPA In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Kenyan medical workers show how to handle an infected Ebola patient on a portable negative pressure bed at the Kenyatta national hospital in Nairobi Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A health worker sprays disinfectant onto a college in Monrovia, Liberia AP In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A burial team in protective gear bury the body of a woman suspected to have died from Ebola virus in Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Healthcare workers in protective gear work at an Ebola treatment center in the west of Freetown, Sierra Leone AP Photo/Michael Duff In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A healthcare worker in protective gear is sprayed with disinfectant after working in an Ebola treatment center in the west of Freetown, Sierra Leone In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A member of the NGO U Fondation leaves a house after visiting quarantined family members suffering from the Ebola virus in Monrovia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus An Ebola sign placed infront of a home in West Point slum area of Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A Liberian man carries his sick brother suspected of having Ebola after being delayed admission to the Island Clinic Ebola Treatment Unit due to a lack of beds at the clinic on the outskirts of Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Health workers remove the body a woman who died from the Ebola virus in the Aberdeen district of Freetown, Sierra Leone In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A health worker fixes another health worker's protective suit in the Aberdeen district of Freetown, Sierra Leone In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Health workers spray themselves with chlorine disinfectants after removing the body a woman who died of Ebola virus in the Aberdeen district of Freetown, Sierra Leone In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A woman crawls towards the body of her sister as Ebola burial team members take her sister Mekie Nagbe (28) for cremation in Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Sophia Doe sits with her grandchildren Beauty Mandi, 9 months (L) and Arthuneh Qunoh, 9, (R), while watching the arrival an Ebola burial team to take away the body of her daughter Mekie Nagbe, 28, for cremation in Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Varney Jonson (46) grieves as an Ebola burial team takes away the body of his wife Nama Fambule for cremation in Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Family members grieve as Ebola burial team members prepare to remove the body of Nama Fambule for cremation in Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A Liberian burial squad carry the body of an Ebola victim in Marshall, Margini county, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus An Ebola burial team dresses in protective clothing before collecting the body of a woman (54) from her home in the New Kru Town suburb of Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus An Ebola burial team carries the body of a woman (54) through the New Kru Town suburb of Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus An Ebola burial team dresses in protective clothing before collecting the body of a woman (54) from her home in the New Kru Town suburb of Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Health workers in protective gear carry the body of a woman suspected to have died from Ebola virus, from a house in New Kru Town at the outskirt of Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Volunteers in protective suit bury the body of a person who died from Ebola in Waterloo, some 30 kilometers southeast of Freetown FLORIAN PLAUCHEUR/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Nowa Paye (9) is taken to an ambulance after showing signs of the Ebola infection in the village of Freeman Reserve, about 30 miles north of Monrovia, Liberia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Medical staff members burn clothes belonging to patients suffering from Ebola, at the French medical NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Monrovia PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A medical staff member wearing a protective suit walks past the crematorium where victims of Ebola are burned in Monrovia In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A Liberian burial team wearing protective clothing loads the body of a 60-year-old Ebola victim after retrieving him from his home Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Sick women rest while hoping to enter the new Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Ebola treatment center near Monrovia, Liberia Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Hanah Siafa walks in the rain with her children Josephine, 10, and Elija, six, while waiting to enter the new Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Ebola treatment center in Monrovia, Liberia Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus UNICEF health workers walk through the streets, going house to house to speak about Ebola prevention in New Kru Town, Liberia. The virus has killed more than 1,000 people in four African countries Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Local residents watch as public health advocates stage an Ebola awareness and prevention event in Monrovia, Liberia Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Public health advocates stage an Ebola awareness and prevention event in Monrovia, Liberia. The Liberian government and international groups are trying to convince residents of the danger and are urging people to wash their hands to help prevent the spread of the epidemic Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Hanah Siafa lies with her children Josephine, 10, and Elija, six, while hoping to enter the new Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Ebola treatment center Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A health worker examines patients for Ebola inside a screening tent, at the Kenema Government Hospital AP In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A health worker cleans his hands with chlorinated water before entering an Ebola screening tent at the Kenema Government Hospital, about 86 miles from Sierra Leones capital Freetown AP In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Aid workers and doctors transfer Miguel Pajares, a Spanish priest who was infected with the Ebola virus while working in Liberia, from a plane to an ambulance as he leaves the Torrejon de Ardoz military airbase, near Madrid, Spain AP Photo/Spanish Defense Ministry In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A Liberian money exchanger washes hands between customers as a precaution to prevent infection with the deadly Ebola virus while conducting business in downtown Monrovia, Liberia EPA In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A Liberian health worker sprays disinfectant on a drivers boots to stop the spread of the deadly Ebola virus at the Christian charity Samaritan Purse head offices in Monrovia, Liberia. Over 660 people have died of Ebola in West Africa in 2014 making it the world's deadliest outbreak to date according to statistics from the World Health Organisation EPA In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A Liberian taxi driver wears protective gloves as a precaution to prevent infection with the deadly Ebola virus whilst driving in downtown Monrovia, Liberia. Many Liberians have taken to wearing gloves and washing hands after every interaction in an attempt to curb the spread of the deadly virus EPA In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A Liberian money exchanger wears protective gloves as a precaution to prevent infection with the deadly Ebola virus while transacting business with customers in downtown Monrovia, Liberia EPA In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A woman from Liberia takes food to a sick relative in the Ebola isolation unit at the ELWA Hospital where US doctor Kent Bradley is being quarantined having contracted the Ebola virus. Over 660 people have died of Ebola in West Africa in 2014 making it the world's deadliest outbreak to date according to statistics from the World Health Organisation EPA In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus The disease has now spread to Liberia and, for the first time, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, killing at least 672 people in 1,201 cases, according to the World Health Organisations latest figures AP In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Health specialists prepare for work in an isolation ward for patients at the Medecins Sans Frontieres facility in southern Guinea AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A Liberian street vendor wears protective gloves as a precaution to prevent infection with the deadly Ebola virus while transacting business with customers in downtown Monrovia, Liberia EPA In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A nurse from Liberia sprays preventives to disinfect the waiting area for visitors at the ELWA Hospital where a US doctor Kent Bradley is being quarantined in the hospitals isolation unit having contracted the Ebola virus, Monrovia, Liberia EPA In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Staff of the 'Doctors without Borders' ('Medecin sans frontieres') medical aid organisation carry the body of a person killed by the virus In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A Liberia man (right) talks to a nurse (left) about the health of his relative who is in the isolation unit of the ELWA Hospital where a US doctor Kent Bradley is being quarantined having contracted the Ebola virus, Monrovia, Liberia EPA In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A nurse from Liberia walks to spray preventives to disinfect the waiting area for visitors at the ELWA Hospital where a US doctor Kent Bradley is being quarantined in the hospitals isolation unit having contracted the Ebola virus EPA In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Staff of the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse put on protective gear in the ELWA hospital in the Liberian capital Monrovia AFP In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Lagos State Health Commissioner Jide Idris, speaks, during a news conference in Lagos, Nigeria. No one knows for sure just how many people Patrick Sawyer came into contact with the day he boarded a flight in Liberia, had a stopover in Ghana, changed planes in Togo, and then arrived in Nigeria, where authorities say he died days later from Ebola AP Photo/Sunday Alamba In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Staff of the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse put on protective gear in the ELWA hospital in the Liberian capital Monrovia. An American doctor battling West Africa's Ebola epidemic has himself fallen sick with the disease in Liberia, Samaritan's Purse said AP In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Protective gear including boots, gloves, masks and suits, drying after being used in a treatment room in the ELWA hospital in the Liberian capital Monrovia AFP In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A Liberian man holding a Civet being sold on a roadside as bush meat in Lofa County. Bush meat is one of the major carriers of the Ebola virus. The Liberian government and International partners have warned people to not eat it. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that a total of 888 Ebola cases including 539 deaths have been recorded in West Africa since February AFP In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus People unload protection and healthcare material at Conakry's airport, to help fight the spread of the Ebola virus and treat people who have been already infected AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Body of evidence: health workers transport a casket of a nun whose death resulted from an Ebola infection in Zaire in 1995 Getty In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Peter Piot in Yambuku, northern Congo (then Zaire), in 1976, where he was part of the original team to discover the Ebola virus J Breman In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus A member of Doctors Without Borders helps to unload protection and healthcare materials in Guinea Getty In pictures: Ebola virus Ebola virus Doctors in protective gear work inside the Medecins Sans Frontieres isolation ward as Guinea faced the worst ever outbreak of the Ebola virus Getty Images

The Scottish medical worker was infected with Ebola while she was working as a nurse in Sierra Leone in 2014.

She returned to the UK soon after and was still infected by the disease. She was treated in the UK and her problems continued for months after.

The NMC had argued that Ms Cafferkey allowed an incorrect temperature to be recorded while she was being screened at Heathrow Airport on her return. She then left the screening without having recorded her true temperature and so hid the extent of her disease, it argued.

But the panel found that the nurse hadn't looked to mislead Public Health England.

Ms Cafferkey, from Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, was among a group of doctors and nurses returning to Heathrow on December 28 2014 after a six-week deployment to the west African country.

In agreed evidence put before the panel, it was said screening staff from Public Health England (PHE) at the airport "were not properly prepared to receive so many travellers from at-risk countries", and this resulted in the area being described as "busy, disorganised and even chaotic".

The hearing was told that a doctor took Ms Cafferkey's temperature and found it to be up to 38.3C (100F). A high temperature can be an early sign of an infection.

"Dr one says that registrant A (someone else in the group) stated at this point that she would record the temperature as 37.2 degrees on Ms Cafferkey's screening form and then they would 'get out of here and sort it out'," the evidence states.

The facts show Ms Cafferkey stated she cannot remember who said it or who entered the lower temperature on her form.

She admitted taking paracetamol after she realised she had an elevated temperature.

The nurse was eventually cleared for onward travel, arrived in Glasgow late in the evening and awoke feeling "very unwell" the following day, December 29 2014.

She was diagnosed with Ebola - with one of the highest viral loads ever recorded - and spent almost a month being treated in an isolation unit at London's Royal Free Hospital.

Medics said the early symptoms would have impaired her judgement and an allegation she had acted dishonestly at Heathrow were dropped on Tuesday.

In submissions on Tuesday, the NMC said Ms Cafferkey "potentially put the public at risk" through her actions and that her conduct had "undermined" public trust and confidence in the nursing profession.

Anu Thompson, representing the NMC, did not dispute Ms Cafferkey had been acting for the public good in providing humanitarian assistance in Sierra Leone.

Mrs Thompson said there were significant mitigating circumstances in Ms Cafferkey's case but told the panel: "The fact that she was suffering from the early onset of the virus cannot absolve her of all responsibility for her conduct, nor can it remove her understanding or knowledge of the disease."

Describing the potential risk as "significant", she asked the panel to make a finding the nurse's fitness to practise is impaired "to protect the public and protect the public interest".

The nurse's legal team pointed to her "previously unblemished record" and insisted the legal threshold for a finding of misconduct against her has not been met.

Joyce Cullen told the panel that, in going to Sierra Leone, Ms Cafferkey had strengthened the reputation of the profession.

Ms Cullen pointed to the fact that, at the time of the screening, Ms Cafferkey was exhausted after completing a 22-hour journey to London.

She was "very likely to be substantially impaired" as a result of exhaustion and the early effects of the Ebola virus, the panel was told.

Ms Cafferkey went on to have two further admissions to hospital - one with a relapse of the Ebola virus and the other with chronic meningitis.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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A Northern Irish couple was told to take foetal remains from England to Northern Ireland in a picnic cooler bag after travelling for an abortion, it has been reported.

The couple travelled to England from Northern Ireland to terminate a pregnancy, which is a criminal offence under Northern Irish law. Paediatric pathologist Dr Caroline Gannon told BBC NI she gave the advice to the couple. The pregnancy had been diagnosed as having a fatal foetal abnormality and so the couple required a post mortem examination in Northern Ireland, in order to establish why this had occured.

As abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland, they had to travel to an abortion clinic in England and then return with the remains to Northern Ireland so a post mortem could subsequently be undertaken.

Dr Gannon says she has since resigned in protest at the laws, saying she feels her position is untenable.The father of the woman who travelled for the abortion told BBC Talkback her pregnancy had been diagnosed as having a fatal foetal abnormality. He said he and his wife went to the clinic in England along with the couple to support his daughter and her partner and help bring back the remains so that a port mortem examination could be carried out in Belfast. He said: We were to bring it back to save them having to do that. It was a traumatic day and night. We got the foetus and put it in the cool bag and started driving at 2am in the morning up the motorway.

He said: It is a horrendous and a terrible shame that Northern Ireland in this day and age has to look people in the eye around the world and say this is the way we deal with things.

Unlike the rest of the UK, the 1967 abortion act does not apply to Northern Ireland, where it remains a criminal offence to have a termination. Many people leave Northern Ireland and travel to England in order to have the procedures. In November of last year, Belfast High Court found the abortion ban to be a breach of human rights law.

In February of this year the Northern Irish Assembly debated whether to relax the laws to permit terminations in cases of rape or incest, or if the foetus was so severely disabled it could not survive outside the womb. However, they voted to keep the ban.

In April a 21-year-old Northern Irish woman was put on trial and found guilty of having an abortion when she was 19-years-old. The court heard that she had a crisis pregnancy and tried to save up enough money to travel to England for an abortion but could not afford to do so. She then ordered abortion pills online and performed an abortion on herself at home. Her flatmates found foetal remains and blood stained clothes in a bin and reported her to police, after which she was arrested.

Northern Ireland Attorney General John Larkin has vowed to appeal last years High Court ruling that the ban breaching international human rights law. Mr Larkin is vocally anti-abortion and has previously described terminations as akin to shooting a live baby in the head. Dr Gannon said his attempts to intervene in the ruling influenced her decision to resign. She told BBC NI: I think he was the tipping point. The workload we had was manageable, but then when these rulings came out- that was the tipping point for me, professionally, I just felt I was acting unethically by taking part in this system where parents are denied a voice in what happened to their baby.

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

Although healthcare is a devolved issued, human rights legislation is not. Westminster has been urged to pass legislation in the House of Commons overturning the ban, however it has gained little support among the main parties.

It is believed that around a thousand Northern Irish women travel to England every year to access terminations. It is feared a growing number may be buying pills illegally online to perform terminations on themselves at home in Northern Ireland.

A spokesperson for the Northern Irish Attorney General told The Independent: "While there is no barrier under our law to a post-mortem examination of the remains of babies who are aborted in England and Wales, a Northern Ireland Coroner has no jurisdiction to conduct an inquest where death occurs outside Northern Ireland and a Northern Ireland Coroner cannot, therefore, order a post mortem investigation in respect of any death occurring outside Northern Ireland. That territorial limitation on jurisdiction applies to any death, whether of a still-born child or of an adult travelling abroad."
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The former Chancellor Ken Clarke has said he will continue to fight Brexit, insisting the EU referendum is "not binding".

The long-standing Conservative MP said Europhilic politicians should vote and speak in the parliament according to their judgment of the "national interest and the interest of their constituents".

In an email obtained by the Guardian, he wrote to a resident in his Rushcliffe constituency: "More significantly, none of the Brexiteers at the moment have any clear idea of what they want to do next by way of actual change to our economy, trade, migration and other arrangements with the EU."

 Ken Clarke caught on camera ridiculing Tory leadership candidates

He added: "A flood of legislation and regulations will probably have to be put before parliament over the next few years, implementing changes."

Mr Clarke said the referendum was not a direct instruction to an MP as to how to vote, stating he would make every effort "to contribute to mitigating the disaster that this decision on 23 June might otherwise cause".

Stymieing his call for fellow pro-EU MPs to vote against triggering Article 50, the government has said it will not put the decision to an explicit vote in the House.

A spokesperson for the Department for Exiting the European Union said: The Government's position is very clear. This is a prerogative power, and therefore one that should be exercised by the Government.

Parliament voted by a majority of six to one to give the British people the decision on our membership of the EU in a referendum.
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Hacked emails appear to show Jack Straw expressing his relief that the shock vote for Brexit diverted attention from a damning report into the Iraq War.

Alleged exchanges two days before the release of Sir John Chilcots long-awaited verdict on Britains intervention include emails between the former Foreign Secretary and ex-US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

I have an idea whats in it, says an email marked confidential in Mr Straws name.

The only silver lining of the Brexit vote is that it will reduce medium term attention on Chilcot  though it will not stop the day of publication being uncomfortable.

 Legal Basis for Military Action "Far From Satisfactory" - Chilcot

The email included a draft statement also sent to General Powells successor, Condoleezza Rice, and deputy Richard Armitage.

In a publicly-released statement, Mr Straw said the consequences of the decision to invade Iraq would live with me for the rest of my life and offered his sympathies to the family and friends of those killed.

Difficult decisions were made in good faith, based on the evidence available at the time  and only after strenuous efforts had been made by me and many others, across the international community, to pursue a diplomatic resolution and avoid military conflict, he added.

The messages, released by the DC Leaks group to publications including The Intercept, BuzzFeed and the Daily Caller, appeared to show Mr Straw calling the release of the Iraq Inquiry report on 6 July unpleasant despite almost all the focus being on Tony Blair.

A reply in General Powells name said the investigation didnt amount to anything in the US.

Protesters dressed as Tony Blair hold a demonstration as they wait for the release of the Chilcot Inquiry (EPA)

It was unclear how the emails, which have not been verified, had been obtained.

DC Leaks describes itself as a new level project aimed to analyse and publish a large amount of emails from top-ranking officials and their influence agents all over the world but has been linked with a Russian-backed hacker.

The group has previously released hacked material regarding Hillary and Bill Clinton, and former Nato General Philip Breedlove.

The Independent has attempted to contact Mr Straw and General Powell for comment.

They were both in office when the UK voted to support Americas invasion of Iraq in 2003, ostensibly to prevent the manufacture and use of weapons of mass destruction.

The Chilcot report did not draw conclusions on the legality of the actions but provided a damning indictment of the lead-up to the conflict and UKs response to warnings over the chaos and terror that would sweep Iraq after the removal of Saddam Hussein.

In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Relatives and friends of the military personnel who died in Iraq, leave the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre PA In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Dawn Holmes, the mother of L Cpl Sarah Holmes who died in Iraq, is consoled by solicitor Matthew Jury as she leaves the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre PA In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report A family member holding a photograph of Stephen Robert Wright (R), outside the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, after the publication of the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq War PA In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Families of soldiers killed in the Iraq conflict stand together outside the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre after the outcome of the Chilcot report Getty Images In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Relatives of military personnel killed during the Iraq War talk at a news conference after listening to Sir John Chilcot present The Iraq Inquiry Report at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster Getty In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Relatives of military personnel killed during the Iraq War react after listening to Sir John Chilcot presenting The Iraq Inquiry Report at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London AP In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Relatives and friends of military personnel killed during the Iraq War attend a news conference after listening to Sir John Chilcot present The Iraq Inquiry Report at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster Getty Images In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Family of those who died in Iraq speak to the media as they leave the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London PA In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Relatives and friends of military personnel killed during the Iraq War attend a news conference after Sir John Chilcot presented The Iraq Inquiry Report at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster Getty Images In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Victoria Jones (L), a relative of a British soldier killed in Iraq, holds a copy of The Report of the Iraq Inquiry, by John Chilcot, at the Queen Elizabeth II centre in London Reuters

It said Saddam posed no imminent threat at the time of the invasion and the war was unleashed when diplomatic efforts had not been exhausted, on the basis of flawed intelligence that was not subject to sufficient challenge or oversight.

The probe found the military intervention ended six years later a very long way from success, with the humiliating spectacle of UK troops in Basra making deals with local militia who had been attacking them.

Families of British soldiers killed in the Iraq War called for criminal prosecutions over Government and military failings, while Mr Blairs critics said the former Prime Minister should be referred to the International Criminal Court.

Evidence revealed that when reading a 2002 intelligence paper on the WMD threat from countries including Iraq, Iran, Libya and North Korea, Mr Straw called it good, but should not Iraq be the first and also have more text? adding: The paper has to show why this is an exceptional threat from Iraq. It does not quite do this yet.

The Iraq Inquiry report said Mr Straw later decided that a paper on Iraq should be issued without mentioning other countries of concern but was advised that the evidence would not convince public opinion that there was an imminent threat from Iraq. Publication was postponed and the operation began on a dossier which will convince public opinion that military action was necessary.

The process culminated in the creation of the nicknamed dodgy dossier used as the justification for Britains intervention in Iraq.
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David Cameron choose to accept a near 20,000 taxpayer-funded golden goodbye payment when he left Downing Street in June.

The former Prime Minister, who stepped down as an MP on Monday, took the tax-free ministerial severance payment when he resigned following the vote to leave the European Union on 23 June.

In addition to the payout, which is voluntary under the rules governing money given to departing politicians, Mr Cameron will also be entitled to 115,000 a year to run his own private office, the Daily Mail reported.

This Public Duties Cost Allowance covers the cost of offices and secretarial staff to pay for the special position in public life that former prime ministers hold.

Mr Camerons staff were reportedly calling around commercial real estate agents in central London on Tuesday to find a suitable property to house the new office which will run any political or charitable works he chooses to engage in now he has left public office.

But the former leader is said to be more interested in working on his memoirs - which are expected to be sold for a seven figure sum.

But a Cabinet Office source told The Independent Mr Cameron had accepted the money, thought to be 17,125, in lieu of his entitlement to the full prime minister pension he is entitled to.

David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 David Cameron's premiership - in pictures David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Queen Elizabeth II greeting David Cameron at Buckingham Palace for an audience to invite him to be the next Prime Minister on 11 May 2010 PA David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha wave from the steps of Number 10 Downing Street on 11 May 2010 Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures On 12 May 2010 Prime Minister David Cameron said in a press conference with Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who was then deputy PM, they plan to "take Britain in a historic new direction" and Conservative-led coalition government would be united and provide "strong and stable" leadership Rex David Cameron's premiership - in pictures A decade ago, David Cameron visited the Arctic to witness the effects of climate change. However since coming to power in 2010, his government has gradually dropped down a succession of green policies David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David cameron told the then New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Queen had purred down the line after he told her Scotland had voted against independence in September 2014. He was forced to apologise for breaking constitutional convention Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron greeted soldiers working on flood relief in York city centre after the river Ouse burst its banks, in northern England in December 2015 REUTERS David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Claims that David Cameron performed an obscene act with a dead pig and smoked cannabis during his studies at Oxford University spread around the world in September 2015. The extraordinary allegations were made in an unauthorised biography of the Prime Minister written by Lord Ashcroft David Hartley/REX Shutterstock David Cameron's premiership - in pictures In 2016, Mr Cameron was caught up in a worldwide scandal dubbed the Panama papers Reuters David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha with seven week old Regan as they meet her parents, first time home buyers Robert Arron and Kelly Jeffers at the Heritage Brook housing development in Chorley, Lancashire. David Cameron has joked that he wants "another baby" and said that he feels a "bit broody" every time he sees a newborn on the campaign trail David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David Cameron was criticised for branding refugees in the Calais jungle camp as a bunch of migrants in January 2016 after thousands of refugees died in their attempt to cross the Mediterranean in 2015 Sky News David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron speaks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during an EU summit meeting on 17 March 2016 at the European Union council in Brussels. Cameron was in Brussels to renegotiate deal of UK membership with other European leaders. The deal, sealed after hours of haggling at a marathon summit, paved the way for a referendum on whether Britain will stay in the EU AFP/Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures President Barack Obama shakes hands with British Prime Minister David Cameron at a meeting at 10 Downing Street in London on 22 April 2016. The President and his wife visited 10 Downing Street where he joined press conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron and made his case for the UK to remain inside the European Union Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures After David returned from Brussels claiming victory in his renegotiation with European leaders, Boris Johnson announced that he will not support the Remain campaign. The prime minister said publicly he was "disappointed but Boris remains a friend" PA David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David Cameron makes a joint appearance with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan as they launch the Britain Stronger in Europe guarantee card at Roehampton University on 20 May 2016 in London. The 'guarantee card' lists five pledges should Britain remain in the EU, including the protection of workers' rights, full access to the single market and stability for Britain David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron speaks outside 10 Downing Street on 24 June 2016. Cameron announced his resignation after Britain voted to leave the European Union after a bitterly divisive referendum campaign AP

Under official rules, prime ministers and Speakers of the House of Commons are generally not entitled to the payment as they have preferential pension arrangements.

A friend of Mr Cameron defended his decision to take the payment by telling the Mail: He is not a money-grubbing man. He passed a law which stopped him getting a huge pension from the day he left office.

But the former PM was accused of croynism after it was revealed his resignation honours lists was full of the names of his supporters and prominent party donors.

Mr Cameron was accused of using the list for personal gain with Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson saying it was one of the worst examples of the old boys network.

He said: That Mr Cameron proposes to reward his friends network on such a huge scale will not only bring the honours system into disrepute, it will undermine the reputation of Theresa May.

It's cronyism, pure and simple and proof the Tories will always put their own interests before those of the country.

The Independent has contacted Mr Cameron's office for comment.
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Theresa May is preparing to give a green-light to the Hinkley nuclear power project as early as tomorrow, according to Whitehall sources.

The Prime Minister has been under pressure to reach a conclusion on the 18 billion French-led and Chinese-funded scheme which was put on hold soon after she arrived in Downing Street.

The Independent understands that civil servants are working under the assumption that the decision will be announced imminently. But while the project looks likely to be approved in some form, it is unclear exactly what the terms of the contract will be.

Under terms due to be signed by the previous administration, the Chinese would contribute some 6 billion towards building two reactors at Hinkley Point in a scheme led by French firm EDF, but it could then in turn have led to a further Chinese-designed power station at Bradwell in Essex.

It has already emerged that security around the scheme is one issue officials have been reviewing, and that at least one senior member of Mrs Mays team has serious reservations about Chinese involvement in British nuclear power.

Asked today whether the Chinese-designed Bradwell initiative would also feature in any pending announcement, a spokesperson for Mrs May said: "The contract that we are looking at, that is where the Government needs to confirm its approach, relates specifically to Hinkley."

There have also been claims that the price promised to EDF for Hinkleys electricity at 92.50 per MWh, more than double the wholesale price, was too expensive.

The two new reactors that would be built at Hinkley are also of unproven design, with the two being constructing elsewhere beset by budget overruns and delays.

The delay in finalising the agreement had threatened to overshadow Mrs Mays first major international summit, the G20, earlier this month.
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Nearly half of working families have having to cut back on essential food and clothing to pay the mounting costs of the housing crisis, new research suggests.

Rising house prices and rents caused by a shortage of affordable homes mean the average household now spends 29 per cent of its monthly income on housing costs. Those locked out of the housing market who privately rent fare even worse, spending 43 per cent of their salaries.

Now joint research by housing charity Shelter and pollsters YouGov found that the equivalent of 3.7 million families say they have cut back on buying essential food or clothing to pay their mortgage or rent.

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A total of 44 per cent of households surveyed said they had had cut back on those items. Around one in 5  19 per cent  said they had had to cut back on buying childrens clothing, while around one in 10  9 per cent  said they had skipped meals.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said the charity spoke to parents every day who live in constant fear that a cut in hours could tip them into homelessness.

These figures are an acute reminder of the tough choices that working families are having to make to keep a roof over their childrens heads, he said.

Any one of us could hit a bump along lifes road, but with housing now taking up the lions share of peoples pay-packets, any drop in income can all too quickly leave families at risk of losing their home.

With millions of working families struggling and a period of economic uncertainty ahead, now is the time for the new government to both protect and improve our welfare safety net so that it can be there to support families who fall on hard times.

Theresa May has acknowledged that Britain has a homes deficit and that more need to be built. She has yet to unveil any policies to tackle the housing crisis, however.

The Government says it has doubled its housing budget from 4bn to 8bn. House building by the state is however far down on peak levels. In 1969-70, local councils built 175,550 houses; in 2015-16 they began work on just 1,480.

A Government spokesman said: Building the homes this country needs is an absolute priority for the government and weve set out the most ambitious housing programme in a generation, including doubling the affordable housing budget to 8bn for 400,000 more homes.

There are more people in work than ever before, millions have had a pay rise through the national living wage, and we continue to spend around 90bn a year on working age benefits  including around 25bn in Housing Benefit - to ensure a strong safety net for the most vulnerable.
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Theresa May has suggested she only reached No 10 because she was lucky enough to attend a grammar school, as the ongoing row sparked Labour anger in the Commons during Prime Ministers Questions.

The Prime Minister defended her controversial policy by claiming a selective education also lay behind Jeremy Corbyns rise to Opposition leader.

But Mr Corbyn  with a united party behind him, for almost the first time  enjoyed his best Commons clash with Ms May, as he savaged the plans for dividing children at the age of 11.

When challenged, Ms May was unable to name an education expert who backs more grammar schools and her own  divided  backbenchers were subdued.

Mr Corbyn said: Every child  every child  should have the best possible education they can have.

We dont need, and never should, divide children at the age of 11  a life-changing decision when the majority end up losing out.

Pointing out the poorer GCSE results in all-selective Kent, he asked: Why does the Prime Minister want to expand a system that can only let children down?

Mr Corbyn also quoted David Camerons opposition to grammar schools and his belief they could only ever offer a decent education to a select few.

The comments came after the Prime Minister personalised the row, accusing Mr Corbyn of trying to pull up the ladder after taking advantage of a good education himself.

Ms May said: He went to a grammar school, I went to a grammar school  its what got us where we are today.

She added: It is members of the Labour Party who will take the advantages of a good education for themselves and pull up the ladder behind them for other people.

Mr Corbyn hit back, saying: Its not about pulling up ladders, its about providing a ladder for every child.

Ms Mays claim may anger some Tory backbenchers who, this week, voiced opposition by pointing to their own comprehensive education  and to the cost of failing the 11-plus exam.

It was also quickly pointed out that Holton Park Girls Grammar School, in Oxfordshire  which Ms May joined at the age of 13  became Wheatley Park Comprehensive School while she was there.

Mr Corbyn went to a selective boys grammar school in Shropshire, but split from his second wife because she was determined to send their son to a selective school.

Ms May accused the Labour leader of being stuck in the 1950s  reflecting her claim that her new generation of grammars will be more inclusive, admitting more poor pupils.

And she criticised his belief in equality of outcome, adding: He believes in levelling down  we believe in levelling up.

Ms May is faced with possible defeat on her first flagship policy, after more than a dozen Tory backbenchers criticised grammars, some warning of the stigma for pupils denied places.

Later, her spokesman was unable to provide evidence to back up the return of grammars  despite Ms Mays insistence that she only makes big decisions after carefully weighing up the facts.
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The Prime Minister has hit out at safe spaces at universities, arguing that they stifle freedom of speech  and could damage economic development.

Theresa May said the areas, which indicate zero-tolerance against hate speech or harassment of marginalised groups such as LGBT people or ethnic minorities, were quite extraordinary.

She was asked about the spaces at Prime Ministers Questions, the high-point of Britains political week where the PM takes questions from Members of Parliament.

Victoria Atkins, the MP Louth and Horncastle in Lincolnshire, said safe spaces stifle lively debate and asked the PM to condemn them.

Freedom of speech is a fundamental British value which is undermined by so-called safe spaces in our universities where a sense of ridiculous entitlement by a minority of students means that their wish not to be offended shuts down debate, the MP said.

As students around the country return to their places of learning at the start of this academic year does the Prime Minister agree with me that university is precisely the place for lively debate and the fear of being offended must not trump freedom of speech?

Ms May replied that she completely agreed with Ms Atkins and suggested such areas could prevent the development of Britain society and economy.

I absolutely agree with my honorable friend. We want our universities not just to be places of learning but places where there is open debate which is challenged and people can get involved in that, the Prime Minister replied.

I think everybody is finding this concept of safe spaces quite extraordinary, frankly. We want to see that innovation of thought taking place in our universities.

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

Thats how we develop as a country, as a society, and as an economy, and I absolutely agree with my honourable friend.

A spokesperson for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said after the exchange that it was up to universities to decide their own policies but that Mr Corbyn had been outspoken on speaking out against abuse in public debate.

Safe spaces have become a totemic political issue in the United States, where they have become associated with the separate approach of no-platforming of objectionable people who want to speak at universities.

Defenders of no-platforming say speakers can often find places to speak elsewhere. Defences of safe spaces say their critics tend to misunderstand what they are and conflate them with other issues.

President Obama in September last year said of no-platforming that if someone disagreed a student they should should have an argument with them.

But you shouldnt silence them by saying, You cant come because Im too sensitive to hear what you have to say. Thats not, thats not the way we learn either, he said.

In the UK speakers such as radical feminist Germaine Greer have been uninvited from speaking at university campuses after concerns of inflammatory rhetoric against transgender people.

In November last year Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said attempted bans were part of a worrying trend.

What we are beginning to witness on campuses is a more coordinated attempt by special interest groups to ensure that invited speakers with whom they disagree are shouted down and prevented from speaking, she said.
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The Government has refused to give MPs a vote on whether to keep selling arms to Saudi Arabia  despite senators in the United States moving to consider a ban.

The American upper house is expected to vote on the measure after a bi-partisan push in the Senate by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

The Saudi autocracy has been accused of committing war crimes during its military operation against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, where it has bombs schools, hospitals, and wedding parties, according to eyewitnesses.

Britain has however sold 3.3 billion worth of arms to the country since the bombardment began between April 2015 and March 2016. Ministers have repeatedly rejected calls for a pause in the weapons sales, arguing that the Saudi Arbians alone are best place to assess whether they have committed warcrimes.

Now action on the other side of the Atlanic is putting ministers the UKs Department for International Trade under pressure to give MPs a vote on the issue  pressure they have so far resisted.

A leaked draft report from the Committee on Arms Export Control recommended an end to the sales last week. If the report is finalised the MPs on that committee would add their names to recommendations by the House of Commons International Development Committee who have also urged and end of the weapons sales.

Green party leader Caroline Lucas is among those who believes British MPs should be given a say on the issue.

Senator Rand Paul is part of a cross-party attempt to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia from the United States (Getty)

Britains continued arming of Saudi Arabia is a stain on our reputation on the world stage. While they continue to breach international law in Yemen, we are aiding and abetting their wrongdoing by supplying them with military equipment. MPs should be given a chance to debate and vote on our continued arms sales to this brutal regime, she told The Independent.

The arms export industry should be brought out of the shadows and subject to proper democratic scrutiny  then MPs will have the chance to clean up our record by stopping further sales to repressive regimes.

Caroline Lucas, the Green Party's co-leader, wants a vote in the UK (Getty Images)

In the US senate, two Republicans  Rand Paul and Mike Lee  have teamed up with two Democrats  Chris Murphy and Al Franken  to propose a resolution to block a billion dollar sales of Abrams battle tanks to Saudi Arabia.

The Obama Administration has recently offered over a billion dollars in weaponry to Saudi Arabia, and I think its in Americas best interest to call a timeout on this sale, Mr Franken said.

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

Mr Paul said: 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.

64 members of the US House of Representative have also signed a letter to President Obama asking him to reconsider the sale.

The US Arms Export Control Act of 1976 allows Senators to force a vote on any arm arms sale signed off by the US President providing certain conditions have been met. No corresponding provision for a binding vote exists in UK legislation but ministers can call one if they choose.

A British Government spokesperson would not commit to a vote in the House of Commons when asked.

The Government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. Each licence application is assessed careful against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, she said.

We will not grant a licence unless these criteria are met. The Government is satisfied that extant licences are compliant with these criteria.
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The general who headed the British military as it led David Camerons ill-fated Libyan intervention has said he was seen as unhelpful when he raised doubts about it.

Former chief of the defence staff Lord David Richards said once it became clear that the Prime Minister was set on his course, he got on and did what I was told.

Lord Richards said that the UKs National Security Council structure that pushed the intervention forward was flawed and lacked rigorous analysis.

Recommended Read more MPs blame Cameron for Libya collapse and rise of Isis in region

It comes as a damning report by MPs condemned the 2011 military campaign for lacking both accurate intelligence and a coherent strategy for the aftermath of removing the dictator.

Lord Richards said the campaign, which preceded the overthrow of Colonel Gaddafi, was a military success but that he was always doubtful about what would happen after.

Asked whether he raised those doubts at the NSC, he told the BBC: I did.

I was seen to be unhelpful, but in a way that was my job  to make sure that my political masters had thought through all the implications.

He added that he then got on and did what I was told after the Prime Minister and Cabinet were sure of the legal case for the intervention.

The general, who sits in the House of Lords as a crossbencher, said the NSC system is a little bit too neat in the way it operates.

He went on: I suspect, and quite naturally, the Prime Minister will come into the committee having made his mind up broadly what should happen and then we tweak at the edges.

I think probably we need a more rigorous analysis in committee in order to make sure that initial analysis is right, I dont myself think that probably happened.

The Foreign Affairs Select Committee report published today concluded that: Through his decision-making in the National Security Council, former Prime Minister David Cameron was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy.

The disastrous results were political and economic collapse, tribal warfare, the refugee crisis, widespread human rights abuses and the rise of Isis in North Africa, fuelled by weapons abandoned by the Gaddafi regime.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: The decision to intervene was an international one, called for by the Arab League and authorised by the United Nations Security Council. Muammar Gaddafi was unpredictable, and he had the means and motivation to carry out his threats. His actions could not be ignored, and required decisive and collective international action. Throughout the campaign we stayed within the United Nations mandate to protect civilians."
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Britain must play a greater role in preventing migrants drowning in the Mediterranean because of the part it played in destabilising Libya, MPs have said.

The cross-party group of politicians claimed the UK bears particular responsibility for the migration crisis that the Libya intervention sparked and called on ministers to reassess their claim that rescuing people from sea creates a pull factor for more to come.

The demands were included in a damning report on the 2011 Libya campaign, which concluded that it lacked both accurate intelligence and a coherent strategy for the aftermath of removing Colonel Gaddafi.

It comes as the number of migrants who have died crossing the sea to southern Europe this year has topped 3,200 and is expected to rise in coming weeks.

The report from the Foreign Affairs Committee said: Given its role in the conflict and subsequent destabilisation in Libya, the UK has a particular responsibility in relation to migrants and refugees, an issue which has been exacerbated by the collapse of the Libyan state.

Two years ago Foreign Office ministers announced that the government did not support planned search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean.

The reason given was that they could create an unintended pull factor, encouraging more migrants to attempt the dangerous sea crossing and thereby leading to more tragic and unnecessary deaths.

Refugee boat sinkings rise in Mediterranean Sea

The new report said that the Foreign Office should now set out and re-examine evidence that led it to make the claim about rescue operations being a pull factor.

It then called for the UK to give greater support to Italian and wider European efforts to secure agreements with migrants' countries of origin to accept the repatriation of people who have travelled over.

So far in 2016 the UN reports that 292,428 people have arrived in Europe by sea from north Africa, with 3,205 dead or missing.

More broadly, the MPs' report concluded that: Through his decision-making in the National Security Council, former Prime Minister David Cameron was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy.

The disastrous results were political and economic collapse, tribal warfare, the refugee crisis, widespread human rights abuses and the rise of Islamic State (IS) in North Africa, fuelled by weapons abandoned by the Gaddafi regime.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: We have allocated 10million this year to help the new Government to restore stability, rebuild the economy, defeat Daesh [Isis] and tackle the criminal gangs that threaten the security of Libyans and exploit illegal migrants. HMS Enterprise and HMS Diamond are both currently deployed to support the EU naval operation to tackle illegal migration, people smuggling and arms trafficking.
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The Government has rejected a plan to bring in a so-called universal basic income, arguing that the policy would be too expensive and not effective.

Some politicians and campaigners have called for the introduction of a flat-rate universal benefit paid to everyone whether they were in work or not. They argue that it would incentivise work, simplify the welfare system and reduce in-work poverty, among a varity of advantages.

A wide variety of related proposals have been put forward, with some proponents saying existing all benefits should be rolled into a UBI while others have suggested it should be paid on top of existing payments.

But in a parliamentary debate on Wednesday afternoon Conservative minister at the Department for Work and Pensions Damian Hinds said the proposal was not workable.

Even the most modest of universal basic income systems would necessitate higher taxes. At the same time it would cause a significant decrease in the motivation to work amongst citizens with unforeseen consequences for the national economy, he told the Westminster Hall debate on the issue.

While at first glance a UBI might appear desirable, any practical implementation will invariably be unaffordable. Because it doesnt take into account individual needs properly, it will markedly increase inequality.

Mr Hinds defended the Governments current beleaguered welfare programme, telling the assembled MPs: Universal Credit is the right system for the United Kingdom.

This is a responsible government that implemented a system that encourages work, supports the most vulnerable and is affordable.

DWP minister Damian Hinds rejected the proposal (House of Commons)

The debate was called in Parliament by Scottish National Party MP for Inverclyde, Ronnie Cowan. The SNP is examining the prospect of a basic income as a potential social security system in an independent Scotland.

Mr Cowan likened the proposal to a major national project such the Apollo programme.

The money is there  it's just a question of which box you put it into, he said.

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

Green party leader Caroline Lucas, who has long advocated a basic income, said the existing social security system was no longer fit for purpose and almost seems designed to humiliate those who need help the most.

She said the policy could be a viable alternative and that more research should be done into it.

Labours shadow chancellor John McDonnell has previously said a basic income should be looked at and that Labours 2020 manifesto would likely include experiments on the proposal.

Debbie Abrahams, the partys work and pensions secretary, was present at the debate on Wednesday, said she was open minded about the policy.

I want to see the evidence, I think it is very early days yet. In particular we know the social security system isn't delivering for people in work in low incomes, she said.

Experiments on basic income are being conducted around the world, including in Finland and the Dutch city of Utrecht.

In Britain, the RSA think-tank has proposed an ambitious basic income system to replace the welfare system. The Fabian Society has meanwhile proposed a basic income-like payment to complement existing benefits.

A poll reported by the Independent in May found that two thirds of the British public look favourably on the idea of a universal basic income. Previous polling has shown a more mixed picture, however.
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The United States will strive to take in 110,000 refugees from around the world in the coming year, according to a senior Obama administration official, in what would be an almost 30 per cent increase from the 85,000 allowed in during the previous year.

The rise reflects continuing concern about the refugee crisis stemming from Syria's civil war and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet it is still far short of what advocacy groups say is needed to address an unprecedented crisis that saw some one million people pour into Europe alone last year.

The official, who wasnt authorised to discuss the numbers before an official announcement, spoke on condition of anonymity.

Recommended Read more Republicans use spending bill deadline to try limiting refugee numbers

Secretary of State John Kerry had previously suggested that the US target would climb to 100,000 in the coming year, but that the figure was a floor, not a ceiling. He briefed lawmakers on the revised figure on Tuesday.

The 110,000 goal covers a 12-month period that starts next month. In the 12 months ending on September 30, the US goal was 85,000, and in the three years before that, the target was 70,000 per year.

The White House has tried to emphasise that the refugee programme is safe and doesnt pose a major threat to national security. That concern was heightened last year after terrorist attacks in European cities  including some connected to people who had spent time in Syria.

Officials said that potential refugees would continue to be subject to a more rigorous screening process than any other foreigners granted entrance to the US

 Aylan Kurdi Anniversary: EU states failing in their obligations to refugees

The announcement comes two weeks after the US announced it had met President Barack Obamas goal of admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees despite early scepticism about reaching its goal. Millions of Syrians have been displaced by a civil war that has killed roughly half a million people.

Republican governors have pushed back vehemently and tried to refuse to let them into their states, leading to a clash with the administration, which has maintained that states can't legally bar refugees who otherwise meet the criteria.

The administration did not release a breakdown of how many refugees would be accepted from specific countries in the coming year.

The US has tried to encourage other countries, too, to increase their contribution to alleviating the refugee crisis. The official said increasing the US target this year reflected that strategy and Mr Obama's belief that all nations need to do more to help the neediest.

As part of that effort, Mr Obama plans to host a summit on refugee issues with world leaders next week during the United Nations General Assembly gathering in New York.

The UN refugee agency chief, Filippo Grandi, said on Tuesday that Europe needed to boost its efforts to take in people from places such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. In an Associated Press interview, he called it one of the great challenges of the future.

There's a time now to have this rational discussion, he said.
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At least 116 countries, including the US, allow children under 18-years-old to get married, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center.

The analysis includes data on 198 countries and territories from the US State Department and United Nations. In 153 nations, the age of 18 marks adulthood and is a necessary requirement for folks to wed. However, many countries have exceptions to the rule.

Iraq, Jamaica, and Uruguay all permit children to get married with their parents' consent. And in 38, there are different age minimums for men and women.

Meanwhile, in the US, there are several states that set no minimum age for minors to wed if the female is pregnant. And every state allows children under 18 to marry if they meet specific requirements.

In July, Virginia recently replaced a law that allowed 13-year-old girls or younger to get married if they were pregnant and had parental consent. The Department of Health estimates that 4,500 children were married in the state between 2004 and 2013.

Jeanne Smoot, a lawyer at the Tahirih Justice Center, told The Guardian that the exceptions dont exist to help children but to remove accountability from adults. She added that a young teenagers pregnancy should not have been looked at as grounds to grant a marriage license but evidence that shes at risk.
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Prosecutors in Brazil have filed charges against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife, as the vast corruption scandal surrounding the state oil company Petrobras further engulfs the politics of the troubled South American nation.

Lula may face arrest over his alleged ownership of a luxury, three-floor penthouse apartment in the coastal resort of Guaruja, built by a construction firm with deep connections to the Petrobras bribery scandal, Reuters reported.

The founder of the left-wing Workers Party, Lula served two terms as president from 2003 to 2010 and remains Brazils most popular politician. He never declared ownership of the property and still denies it was ever his, insisting the case is politically motivated. Six other people have also been charged alongside Lula and his wife.

The ever-widening corruption scandal, which coincided with Brazils deepest recession in generations, has already claimed Lulas chosen successor Dilma Rousseff, who was removed from the presidency in an impeachment trial last month.

Lula has also been indicted for obstruction of justice in a separate, related case after allegedly trying to buy the silence of a former Petrobras director who was set to testify. His case is set to go before Judge Sergio Moro, the anti-corruption crusader who has overseen the Petrobras inquiry, known as Operation Car Wash, since 2014.
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A 20-year-old British man accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump at a June rally in Las Vegas has pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of being an alien in possession of a firearm and disrupting an official function.

Michael Sandford, from Dorking in Surrey, was expected to stand trial in October and faced up to 20 years in a US prison, but after signing a plea deal with prosecutors he is likely to be jailed for no more than 27 months. A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date.

Following his arrest during a Trump rally at the Treasure Island casino on 18 June, Mr Sandford told police he had driven from California to kill the Republican presidential candidate. He had tried to grab a policemans gun to attack Mr Trump, but he did not get hold of the weapon and no shots were fired in the incident.

On Tuesday Sandford appeared at the US District Court in Las Vegas, where he told the judge: I tried to take a gun from a policeman to shoot someone and I'm pleading guilty.

His mother, Lynne Sandford, has said her son suffers from autism and depression and that he would not have understood the consequences of his actions. Ms Sandford told ITV News this week that she had pressed her son to sign the plea agreement. I was very relieved that he signed it, she said. It was a bit of a battle because he is quite headstrong.

The family now hopes Sandford will be repatriated to the UK for his sentence, so that he can receive treatment close to home. His lawyer Saimo Chahal said a psychiatrist had determined that Sandford was delusional at the time of the incident.

Michael was not in control at the time of the events and needs help, Ms Chahal told the Associated Press. He is desperate to return to the UK to be near his family as he has no ties with the USA."
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Chronic heroin addicts in Canada will now be able to receive the drug on prescription. Pharmaceutical grade heroin, known as diacetylmorphine, will be available to patients who have not responded to traditional treatment methods.

Health Canada has reversed the laws of the former Conservative government, which banned the practice in 2013.

Recommended Read more Police share picture of heroin addicts in car with their child

The move is expected to widen the operations of special clinics that practice heroin-assisted treatment.

Like in many countries, opium addiction is a key health concern in Canada and lawmakers hope the move will prevent deaths from overdoses and help addicts better control their lives.

Heroin purchased illegally can be of unknown strength and cut with other substances, while using needles to inject carries the risk of spreading blood-borne diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis.

Im happy to see this, it shows a more healthy approach to addiction, Terry Lake, health minister for British Columbia, told local radio. This, obviously, is reserved for people that have tried other forms of addiction treatment but have not been successful. And I think we need every single tool to fight this terrible problem that we have with addictions.

World's 10 deadliest street drugs Show all 10 1 /10 World's 10 deadliest street drugs World's 10 deadliest street drugs Whoonga Whoonga is a combination of antiretroviral drugs, used to treat HIV, and various cutting agents such as detergents and poisons. The drug is widely available in South Africa due to South Africas high rate of HIV sufferers, and is believed to be popular due to how cheap it is when compared to prescribed antiretrovirals. The drug is highly addictive and can cause major health issues such as internal bleeding, stomach ulcers and ultimately death Getty World's 10 deadliest street drugs Scopolamine Scopolamine is a derivative from the nightshade plant found in the Northern Indian region of South America (Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela). It is generally found in a refined powder form, but can also be found as a tea. The drug is more often used by criminals due its high toxicity level (one gram is believed to be able to kill up to 20 people) making it a strong poison. However, it is also believed that the drug is blown into the faces of unexpecting victims, later causing them to lose all sense of self-control and becoming incapable of forming memories during the time they are under the influence of the drug. This tactic has reportedly been used by gangs in Colombia where there have been reports of people using scopolamine as way to convince victims to rob their own homes World's 10 deadliest street drugs Heroin Founded in 1874 by C. R. Alder Wright, heroin is one of the worlds oldest drugs. Originally it was prescribed as a strong painkiller used to treat chronic pain and physical trauma. However in 1971 it was made illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Since then it has become one of the most destructive substances in the world, tearing apart communities and destroying families. The side effects of heroin include inflammation of the gums, cold sweats, a weak immune system, muscular weakness and insomnia. It can also damage blood vessels which can later cause gangrene if left untreated World's 10 deadliest street drugs Crack cocaine Crack cocaine first came about in the 1980s when cocaine became a widespread commodity within the drug trafficking world. Originally cocaine would have attracted a high price tag due to its rarity and difficulty to produce, but once it became more widespread the price dropped significantly. This resulted in drug dealers forming their cocaine into rock like shapes by using baking soda as a way of distilling the powder down into rock form. People were doing this because it allowed for them to sell cocaine at a lower quantity and to a higher number of people. The side effects of crack cocaine include liver, kidney and lung damage, as well as permanent damage to blood vessels, which can often lead to heart attacks, strokes, and ultimately death World's 10 deadliest street drugs Crystal meth Not just famous because of a certain Walter H White, but also because it is one of the most destructive drugs in the world. First developed in 1887, it became widely used during the Second World War when both sides would give it to their troops to keep them awake. It is also believed that the Japanese gave it to their Kamikaze pilots before their suicide missions. After the war crystal meth was prescribed as a diet aid and remained legal until the 1970s. Since then it has fallen into the hands of Mexican gangs and has become a worldwide phenomenon, spreading throughout Europe and Asia. The effects of crystal meth are devastating. In the short-term users will become sleep depraved and anxious, and in the long-term it will cause their flesh to sink, as well as brain damage and damage of the blood vessels World's 10 deadliest street drugs AH-7921 AH-7921 is a synthetic opioid that was previously available to legally purchase online from vendors until it became a Class A in January 2015. The drug is believed to have 80% of the potency of morphine, and became known as the legal heroin. While there has only been one death related to AH-7921 in the UK, it is believed to be highly dangerous and capable of causing respiratory arrest and gangrene World's 10 deadliest street drugs Flakka Flakka is a stimulant with a similar chemical make-up to the amphetamine-like drug found in bath salts. While the drug was originally marketed as a legal high alternative to ecstasy, the effects are significantly different. The user will feel an elevated heart rate, enhanced emotions, and, if enough is digested, strong hallucinations. The drug can cause permanent psychological damage due to it affecting the mood regulating neurons that keep the minds serotonin and dopamine in check, as well as possibly causing heart failure World's 10 deadliest street drugs Bath salts Bath salts are a synthetic crystalline drug that is prevalent in the US. While they may sound harmless, they certainly arent the sort of salts you drop into a warm bath when having a relaxing night in, they are most similar to mephedrone, and have recently been featured throughout social media due to the zombification of its. The name comes from the fact that the drug was originally sold online, and widely disguised as bath salts. The side effects include unusual psychiatric behaviour, psychosis, panic attacks and violent behaviour, as well as the possibility of a heart attack and an elevated body temperature World's 10 deadliest street drugs Purple Drank One of the more unusual drugs around at the moment, purple drank was popularised in 90s hip hop culture, with the likes of Jay Z and Big Moe all mentioning it in their songs. It is a concoction of soda water, sweets and cold medicine, and is drunk due to cold medicines high codeine content, which gives the user a woozy feeling. However it can also cause respiratory issues and heart failure World's 10 deadliest street drugs Krokodil Krokodil is Russias secret addiction. It is believed that over one million Russians are addicted to the drug. Users of krokodil are attracted to the drug due to its low price; it is sold at 20 a gram while heroin is sold for 60. However, krokodil is considered more dangerous than heroin because it is often homemade, with ingredients including painkillers, iodine, lighter fluid and industrial cleaning agents. This chemical make-up makes the drug highly dangerous and likely to cause gangrene, and eventually rotting of the flesh

Mr Lake continued: It indicates a willingness on behalf of the federal government to look at addictions as a health-based kind of an issue rather than a criminal-based issue. And that they are not limiting the range of treatment options that are available. Because there isnt one size that fits all in these situations.

Under a special court order, the Crosstown Clinic in Vancouver already provides prescription heroin to addicts. Lead doctor, Scott MacDonald, welcomed the governments decision and told the Washington Post: Our goal is to get people into care.

Crosstown patients are those who have already tried and failed at methadone and detox treatments numerous times. While they must visit three times daily, the patients are of better health and less likely to commit crime than addicts who inject unsupervised.

The Conservative Party in Canada remains opposed to prescription heroin. "Our policy is to take heroin out of the hands of addicts and not put it in their arms," said the partys health spokesman, Colin Carrie.

Proposals supporting similar practices were passed by the British Medical Association in June in order to combat the most harmful effects of taking heroin illegally. Doctors claimed it would help prevent overdoses and HIV transmissions and reduce crime.

The UK saw a record number of drug-related deaths in 2015, despite fewer people taking illegal substances. It is thought that many of the deaths were of ageing, long-term heroin addicts.
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Army Private Chelsea Manning will receive gender reassignment surgery while in prison, her lawyer told BuzzFeed News on Tuesday.

Manning is serving a 35-year prison sentence for violating the Espionage Act after leaking national security secrets to WikiLeaks.

I am unendingly relieved that the military is finally doing the right thing. I applaud them for that. This is all that I wanted  for them to let me be me, Ms Manning said in a statement her lawyers provided to BuzzFeed.

In any case," she said, "I hope this sets a precedent for the thousands of trans people behind me hoping they will be given the treatment they need.

Ms Manning is serving her sentence at the Army facility at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Shes eligible for parole in six years.

Between 1,300 and 7,000 transgender troops are enlisted in the active-duty force, according to a RAND Corp study. Researchers estimate that between 30 and 140 wish to seek hormone treatment and 25 to 130 would undergo surgery. The projected price tag would cost between $2 million and $8 million per year.
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A former mayor who dedicated his life to Jesus repeatedly sexually assaulted a four-year-old girl and blamed her for being a willing participant.

Richard Keenan, who served as mayor of Hubbard, Ohio, between 2010 and 2011, has been indicted with eight counts of rape and 12 counts of attempted rape and gross sexual imposition.

He pleaded not guilty last month, but prosecutors said he had admitted the assault to his wife, a pastor, a social worker and his brother and sister-in-law, as reported by the Youngstown Vindicator.

The period of assault, he reportedly admitted, spanned a three-year period, starting when the girl was four years old.

The child told his wife about the abuse and she confronted Keenan.

I did it, he said, according to court documents.

Keenan reportedly checked himself into a psychiatric facility as he felt suicidal. He told a social worker that he had started assaulting the child in September 2013 but that she had "initiated" the abuse, calling her a willing participant.

Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Show all 19 1 /19 Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Afghanistan Recommendation: I urge the Government of Afghanistan to adopt legislative reforms to ensure that sexual violence offences are not conflated with adultery or morality crimes and to establish infrastructure for the delivery of protection, health and le gal services to survivors. I call on the Ministry of the Interior to accelerate efforts to integrate women into the Afghan National Police, thereby enhancing its outreach and its capacity to address sexual and gender-based violence Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Central African Republic Recommendation: I urge the authorities of the Central African Republic to ensure that efforts to restore security and the rule of law take into account the prevention of sexual violence and that monitoring of the ceasefire and peace agreement explicitly reflects this consideration, in line with the joint communique of the Government and the United Nations on the prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence signed in December 2012. I further encourage the authorities to make the rapid response unit to combat sexual violence operational and to establish a special criminal court Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Colombia Recommendation: I commend the Government of Colombia for the progress made to date and its collaboration with the United Nations, including through the visit of my Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict in March 2015. I encourage the authorities to implement Law 1719 and continue to prosecute cases of sexual violence committed during the conflict to ensure that survivors receive justice and receive reparations. Conflict-related sexual violence should continue to be addressed in the Havana peace talks, as well as in the resulting accords and transitional justice mechanisms. Particular attention should be paid to groups that face additional barriers to justice such as ethnic minorities, women in rural areas, children, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals and women abused within the ranks of armed groups. I encourage the Government to scale up its protection measures and share its good practices with other conflict-affected countries Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Congo Recommendation: I urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure full implementation of the armed forces action plan against sexual violence, to systematically bring perpetrators to justice and to deliver reparations to victims, including payment of outstanding compensation awards. I call on donors and the United Nations system to support the Government in its efforts and to pay increased attention to neglected areas, including unregulated mining regions Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Iraq Recommendation: I commend the Government of Iraq for its national action plan for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and urge its swift implementation, including by training its security forces to ensur e respect for womens rights. Programmes to support the social reintegration of women and girls released from captivity by ISIL are urgently needed, as is community-based medical and psychological care. The capacity of the United Nations system should be enhanced through the deployment of Womens Protection Advisers or equivalent specialists Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Libya Recommendation: I urge the national authorities in Libya to implement Decree No. 119 and Resolution 904 of 2014 to ensure redress for all victims, including those affected by the current conflict, through the establishment of multisectoral services and the adoption of legislation to categorically prohibit sexual violence Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Mali Recommendation: I urge the Government of Mali, with support from United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, to develop a comprehensive national strategy to combat sexual and gender-based violence and to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers so that services can reach remote areas. I further call on all parties to ensure that conflict-related sexual violence is addressed in the inter-Malian dialogue and that perpetrators of sexual violence do not benefit from amnesty or early release Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Myanmar Recommendation: I urge the Government of Myanmar to continue with its reform agenda and, in the process, take practical and timely actions to protect and support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and to ensure that security personnel accused of such crimes are prosecuted. Sexual violence should be an element in all ceasefire and peace negotiations, excluded from the scope of amnesty provisions and addressed in transitional justice processes. It is critical that women be able to participate consistently in and influence these processes Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Somalia Recommendation: I reiterate my call to the Federal Government of Somalia to implement the commitments made under the joint communique of 7 May 2013 and its national action plan to combat sexual violence in conflict, including specific plans for the army and the police. I encourage the adoption of a sexual offences bill as a matter of priority Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life South Sudan Recommendation: I urge the parties to the conflict in South Sudan to adopt action plans to implement the commitments made under their respective communiques. I call upon the Government of South Sudan to address the negative impact of customary law on womens rights and to reflect international human rights standards in national law. I also encourage the African Union to make public and act upon the report of its Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Sudan (Darfur) Recommendation: I call upon the Government of the Sudan to grant the United Nations and its humanitarian partners unfettered access for monitoring and the provision of assistance to people in need in Darfur. Given that there has been grave concern over sexual violence in Darfur for more than a decade, I encourage the Government to engage with my Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict to develop a framework of cooperation to address the issue comprehensively Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Syria Recommendation: I acknowledge the Governments invitation to my Special Representative to visit the Syrian Arab Republic and call upon the authorities, in the context of such a visit, to agree on specific measures to prevent sexual violence, including by members of the security forces. I condemn the use of sexual violence by ISIL and all other parties listed in the annex to the present report and call on them to cease such violations immediately and allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Yemen Recommendation: I urge the authorities in Yemen to undertake legislative reform as a basis for addressing impunity for sexual violence, ensuring the provision of services for survivors and aligning the minimum legal age of marriage with international standards. I further call on the authorities to engage with local community and faithbased leaders to address sexual and gender-based violence and discriminatory social norms Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Bosnia and Herzegovina Recommendation: I urge the relevant authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to harmonize legislation and policies so that the rights of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence to reparations are consistently recognized and to allocate a specific budget for this purpose. I further call upon the authorities to protect and support survivors participating in judicial proceedings through, inter alia, referrals to free legal aid, psychosocial and health services, as well as economic empowerment programmes Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Ivory Coast Recommendation: I urge the Government of Cote dIvoire to ensure the effective implementation of its national strategy to combat gender-based violence and the action plan for FRCI, and call on the international community to support these efforts. It is critical to accelerate disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and strengthen law enforcement to ensure that ex-combatants who have been reintegrated into the transport sector do not pose a risk to women and girls who are reliant on those services. The Government and the international community must provide monitoring and awareness-raising to mitigate the possibility of a recurrence of sexual violence in the context of the presidential elections to be held in October 2015 Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Liberia Recommendation: I call on the Government of Liberia to continue its critical efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence including through the United Nations-Government of Liberia Joint Programme, and in the context of recovery from the Ebola virus epidemic Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Nepal Recommendation: I encourage the Government to ensure that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are recognized under the law as conflict victims, which will enable them to access services, judicial remedies and reparations. I further call on all parties involved in the transitional justice process to ensure that the rights and needs o f survivors of sexual violence are addressed in institutional reforms and that these crimes are excluded from amnesties and statutes of limitations Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Sri Lanka Recommendation: I call upon the newly elected Government of Sri Lanka to investigate allegations of sexual violence, including against national armed and security forces, and to provide multisectoral services for survivors, including reparations and economic empowerment programmes for women at risk, including war widows and female heads of household Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Nigeria Recommendation: I encourage the Government to implement its national action plan on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) to ensure that womens protection concerns are mainstreamed throughout its security operations. I also call upon the authorities to guarantee security in and around internally displaced persons camps and to extend medical and psychosocial services to high-risk areas

Spouses may testify if they wish under Ohio law, while the pastor will not be forced to testify about any admisions Keenan made to him.

In 2010, Keenan, who also worked for the city council in the 1990s and was a probation officer, told the same publication that he had dedicated [his] life to Jesus.

The former mayor will stand trial in April and has been released on $75,000 bail with the order to not have any contact with minors.

He faces life imprisonment.
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A woman has pleaded guilty to raping twin brothers, one of whom was her daughters 15-year-old boyfriend.

Heather Salines from Massachusetts was sentenced to four years in prison and three years probation after she was convicted of child rape and enticement, as well as dissemination of obscene matter to a minor, indecent assault and battery.

Salines has been prohibited from having unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16.

She will be required to register as a sex offender and wear a GPS ankle monitor after prison.

The Boston Herald reported that district attorney Jonathan Blodgett said she was beyond despicable.

She was arrested in March 2014 when her daughters then boyfriend was caught showing nude pictures of Salines to classmates.

Upon questioning, Salines admitted they had engaged in a sexual relationship after he confessed his personal troubles to her.

She said she spiralled out of control and that the boy did not act like a 15-year-old.

The victims twin brother also accused Salines of rape in June 2015.

The second brother wrote in an impact statement that he suffered depression and had suicidal thoughts.

"Relationships with people in my life were ruined and many thought I was in the wrong and treated me like the situation was my fault and I was disgusting," he wrote.

"I spent a lot of nights crying and thought I was worthless.

"There were times I convinced myself I shouldnt be in this world and thought about killing myself. I felt like a train was going through my chest."

Salines lawyer, William Korman, said his client expressed remorse and felt terrible about the pain she had caused.
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President Barack Obama announced the US was lifting economic sanctions and restoring trade benefits to former pariah state Burma as he met Aung San Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner who is now the nation's de facto leader.

Mr Obama hailed a remarkable transformation in the country also known as Myanmar, which spent five decades under oppressive military rule. Ms Suu Kyi's party swept historic elections last November, and the visit by the 71-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, deeply respected in Washington, is a crowning occasion in the Obama administration's support for Myanmar's shift to democracy, which the administration views as a major foreign policy achievement.

The US has eased broad economic sanctions since political reforms began five years ago but has retained more targeted restrictions on military-owned companies and dozens of officials and associates of the former ruling junta. US companies and banks have remained leery of involvement in one of Asia's last untapped markets.

The United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma for quite some time, Mr Obama said as he sat alongside Ms Suu Kyi in the Oval Office. He said it was the right thing to do to ensure the country benefits from its transition. Asked by a reporter when sanctions would be lifted, he added soon.

Ms Suu Kyi concurred it was time to remove all the sanctions that she said had hurt the country economically as it was now in a position to open up to investment. She said she wants Americans to come to the country and to make profits.

Myanmar parliament creates new powerful position for Suu Kyi

Congressional aides said that Suu Kyi requested the removal of the national emergency with respect to Myanmar  the executive order authorising sanctions that has been renewed annually by American presidents for two decades. She did so at a breakfast meeting earlier Wednesday with Vice President Joe Biden and congressional leaders.

An American official said that by terminating the emergency, 111 Myanmar individuals and companies will be dropped from a Treasury blacklist and restrictions will be lifted on new investment with the military and on the imports of rubies and jade.

The official and aides spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.

The change in policy will not remove all economic sanctions. Penalties intended to block the drug trade and to bar military trade with North Korea would still apply, as would a visa ban barring some former and current members of the military from traveling to the US.

Nor does the move does not normalise relations with Myanmar's military. The US does not intend to provide weapons, military equipment or other support for the military, the official said.

Human rights groups say there are powerful reasons for retaining sanctions. Military abuses continue in ethnic minority regions. Rohingya Muslims remain displaced by sectarian violence and denied citizenship.

Ms Suu Kyi said that Myanmar had reached a point that it had not expected to reach, but acknowledged, There's so much that has to be done in our country.

She said top priority was national reconciliation. She also addressed the situation in western Rakhine state, where more than 100,000 Rohingyas remain stuck in camps, separated from Buddhists, who are the majority in Myanmar. She said everyone entitled to citizenship in Myanmar should get it.

We are sincere in trying to bring together the different communities, she said.
Part of the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway project in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Ba Do

The Vietnamese Prime Minister is putting pressure on the Chinese contractor to get the job done.

Vietnam has signed a framework agreement to borrow $250.62 million from China to partly offset the additional capital needed for the delayed Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway project in Hanoi.

The deal was inked on Monday during Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's first visit to China, which began on September 10 and is expected to wrap up on September 15.

Following the signing, Phuc met with Ma Jiangqian, General Director of China Railway Sixth Group Co. Ltd, the main contractor for the railway project, in Beijing on Tuesday.

The premier asked the contractor to quickly address existing problems to ensure the project's progress.

Construction kicked off in October 2011 and had been originally scheduled for completion in 2013, but several hurdles, including a lack of cooperation from the Chinese contractor, have stalled the project for years.

Phuc said the slow pace of construction has had a negative impact on traffic in Hanoi, and triggered public dissatisfaction. Given the fact that a number of accidents have happened on the project, the Vietnamese premier told the Chinese company to ensure safety on site.

In November 2011, rolls of steel fell from a construction site, killing one person and injuring two others, prompting Vietnams Transport Ministry to suspend construction for a safety review.

In response, Ma submitted proposals to help push the project's progress and pledged to complete the basic construction work by the end of this year. He also said the company will strive to begin trial runs in July 2017 and begin commercial operations in September next year.

Vietnam signed a framework agreement to secure official development assistance (ODA) from China for the railway project in 2008.

The project was originally estimated to cost $552 million, $419 million of which would come from Chinese ODA. But in early 2014, the project developer, the Vietnam Railway Authority, proposed adjusting the total investment to $868 million due to delays and spiraling costs.

Related news:

> Vietnam rehashes plan for ambitious high-speed railway
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A team of Russian weather experts claim that their station on an ice-covered Arctic isle is "besieged" by polar bears, according to a report by Russian news agency TASS.

The five researchers charged with staffing the outpost on Troynoy Island say that there are about 10 adult polar bears as well as cubs circling their base. A female polar bear spends nights perched outside the station's windows, making it dangerous for the scientists to exit. They have reportedly run out of flares and have lost at least one of their dogs to the arctic beasts.

The presence of the polar bears has made carrying out meteorological observations difficult, reports TASS. Russian law outlaws killing polar bears, a globally-listed endangered species, so scientists in the Arctic are mostly equipped with flares and guns with rubber bullets.

Vassiliy Shevchenko, the head of the organization that maintains the weather stations, said a ship with provisions is making its way to Troynoy Island to bring aid -- including dogs and more flare guns -- to the beleaguered scientists. But it will arrive a month from now.

"Instructions were given to the Mikhail Somov expedition vessel that will reach the station in about a month," Shevchenko is quoted as saying, "to deliver dogs, as one of the station's canines was killed by a bear, and also flares and other pyrotechnical devices needed to scare the animals away."

A similar episode took place just a year ago. Five hungry polar bears circled a Russian weather station on Vaygach island in Russia's far north, preventing its staff from taking sea readings.

"They sleep near the houses. Two of them walk together. They are aggressive. Recently they fought together near our house," one scientist was quoted saying by the Siberian Times.

The scientist described the terror involved in carrying out her daily work: "So we go, your head rotating 360 degrees. Yesterday we came out and a bear was near the house. Three times our engineer fired a small flare pistol, and the bear was not even scared. We managed to scare it off with a flare, but not far."

It's not unusual for polar bears to approach human outposts in the Arctic, where waste is often difficult to dispose of and attracts carnivorous predators. The phenomenon has intensified, though, due to climate change.

Melting sea ice and shifting patterns in the populations of the polar bears' marine prey stoke the desperation of bears, which are being forced to travel farther for food.

Shevchenko told TASS that he expects the bears to leave his scientists alone come the end of October, when the near-shore waters off the island freeze. But until then, the "siege" is expected to continue.

Washington Post
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It all started with a mysterious photograph.

In 2011, Mary Gainer was a historic preservationist for NASA, and she stumbled on a 1943 picture of a thousand people standing in a huge building. Gainer figured that the black men posing in the front were probably machinists, and the rest of the group was mostly white men in suits and ties.

But scattered here and there was something unexpected: Women, some white and some black, in conspicuous knee-length skirts and pompadour hairdos.

Gainer, who worked at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., tasked her new intern, Sarah McLennan, to get to the bottom of it. There were too many to be the few secretaries employed then, so who were they, she wanted to know?

This photo  unearthed by NASA historic preservationist Mary Gainer in 2011  was taken at the NACA Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory (no

Unbeknownst to Gainer, another person was on a similar hunt -- only Margot Lee Shetterly was a step ahead. Shetterly's father was a scientist who worked at Langley, so growing up in the 1970s and '80s, she was aware of the history of black women at NASA.

"There are these women and I knew them, and my dad worked with them and they went to our church and their kids were in my school," she said recently over the phone from her home in Charlottesville. "It was my husband who was like, 'What is this story? How come I've never heard about it?' "

This was a special story, she suddenly realized: black women living in Jim Crow-era Virginia hired by NASA to do math and research that would launch men into space.

Shetterly started poking around and linked up with Gainer, whose intern was compiling oral histories from former employees and their families. Shetterly's book about those math whizzes, "Hidden Figures," came out last week. In January, a movie version will hit multiplexes with a cast that includes Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae.

And just like that, a piece of history that was nearly lost could become common knowledge.

Shetterly and her neighbors all knew the stories of these women. "Growing up in Hampton, the face of science was brown like mine," Shetterly writes in her book.

But at the very place where these prodigies were employed, the history was fading.

Everyone knows what a computer looks like: the hard drive, the monitor, the keyboard, the mouse. But in the middle of the last century at Langley (which was until 1958 part of NASA's precursor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), it looked different. Women who used pencils and paper to calculate data from wind tunnel tests, among other research, were called computers. The first of their kind were hired in 1935, and their ranks swelled during the labor shortage of World War II. In other fields, as men trickled back from overseas, women returned to more traditional roles at home, but not at Langley. The female computers became invaluable as the needs for aircraft advancements gave way to a different kind of battle: beating Russia to the moon.

The women who had these jobs may not have felt remarkable. They were just happy to have work that paid better than the alternatives -- teaching and nursing. The jobs were classified as "subprofessional," even though they entailed specialized math skills.

Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) and NASA mission specialist Karl Zielinski (Olek Krupa) in "Hidden Figures." (Hopper Stone/SMPSP/Twentieth Century Fox)

One such woman was Katherine G. Johnson. At 98, she still lives in Hampton, and has emerged as the most high-profile of the computers. In the last year, she's won the Presidential Medal of Freedom, saw a building named after her and had a bench dedicated in her honor. On her birthday, in late August, #HappyBirthdayKatherineJohnson started trending on Twitter. In a few months, Henson, an Oscar nominee, will play her onscreen.

Like a lot of the other computers, Johnson studied math in college. She was also one of three graduate students to desegregate West Virginia University in 1940, but marriage and a family derailed her plans for an advanced degree. At NASA, she worked on the life-or-death task of determining launch timing. Her calculations helped propel Alan Shepard into space and guided him successfully back to Earth; they landed Neil Armstrong on the moon and brought him home.

She never talked about work much, her daughter Joylette Hylick said recently.

"To come home and start talking about complex equations wouldn't go over with teenagers," Hylick explained. Plus, "we had activities -- church, sports, music lessons, the whole nine, so it was quite a full life. She was not a stay-at-home but she also was not a workaholic in the sense that everything revolved around that."

When asked about her accomplishments, Johnson, a prodigy who graduated high school at 14, tends to deflect in every interview. Shetterly says Johnson told her again and again, "I was just doing my job." (Johnson was unavailable to comment for this story.)

It wasn't until well into adulthood that Hylick realized the importance of her mother's job.

After all, she was a trailblazer amid rampant discrimination. The earliest group of black women who worked at NACA were segregated from another computing pool of white women, and they had to use different bathrooms. At lunch in the cafeteria, they were relegated to a table with a white cardboard sign that read "colored computers." One woman, Miriam Mann, snatched the sign off the table and hid it in her purse, depositing it at home. At first, replacements would materialize, but when Mann kept taking them, they eventually stopped appearing. It was the first of many victories.

Now seems like the right time for this history to reemerge. "There's been a movement in the last couple of decades to diversify the history of computing," said McLennan, the former intern, who is now a visiting assistant professor at Virginia State University. "The earliest histories of that kind of thing were about innovators or big companies, but it didn't necessarily look at the social aspect."

The film's producer, Donna Gigliotti, credits the current interest in encouraging women to pursue science and math for helping get the movie made so quickly. It's rare for a producer to option a book based on only a 55-page proposal, but that's what Gigliotti did.

"Really, you can feel it in the zeitgeist," Gigliotti said, and the rapturous response to the trailer confirms that.

Whatever the reason, Shetterly is happy that people will know not just about the John Glenns of the world, she said, but the whole team that helped him get where he was going.

"We want the big stories, of course, of the great men, but there's as much drama and interest and lessons to be learned in actions that people like us take on a daily basis," she said. "History happens as soon as I pick up my coffee cup -- it happened 30 seconds ago. It's history."

Washington Post
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Colin Powell, who served in the earliest years of the George W Bush administration as US Secretary of State, has been caught calling this years Republican nominee, Donald Trump, a national disgrace and an international pariah.

The intemperate outbursts about his own partys choice for White House candidate this year are contained in hacked private email musings. They reveal that the former army general is also not a huge of fan of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee.

Recommended Read more Donald Trump edges past Hillary Clinton in swing state of Ohio

Last year, as Ms Clinton was already trying to stave off the scandal about her use of a private email server while she had the post of Secretary of State, he observed: Everything HRC touches she kind of screws up with hubris.

But it is Mr Trump who comes off the worst in passages of the hacked emails that were first published on DCLeaks.com, a website set up to help hackers publicise their findings that is said to have links to Russian intelligence groups.

Mr Powell, who is African-American, expresses his disbelief, for instance, over Mr Trumps attempts to suggest that black voters will soon rush into his arms. For him to say yesterday that within four years he would have 95 per cent of blacks voting for him is schizo fantasy, he wrote.

He similarly excoriates him for his attempts several years ago to question the place of birth of President Barack Obama as being simply racist.

Yup, the whole birther movement was racist, Mr Powell wrote. When Trump couldn't keep that up he said he also wanted to see if the certificate noted that he was a Muslim. In that instance, he was engaging with a journalist, Emily Miller, who was once one of his aides. It was in the same email that he called Mr Trump a pariah.

He added in the same exchange that Mr Trump appeals to the worst angels of the GOP nature and poor white folks. The surfacing of the emails was first reported by Buzzfeed News.

Mr Powell confirmed to NBC News on Wednesday that the leaked emails had indeed been written by him and suggested that because his email security had clearly been compromised there was reason to believe more of his conversations would surface.

In an email to Fareed Zakaria, a CNN anchor, late last year, Mr Powell also complained about breathless coverage of Mr Trump. You guys are playing his game, you are his oxygen, he laments. He outraged us again today with his comments on Paris no-go for police districts.

He also said that he himself had tried to avoid paying public attention to Mr Trump because it would only give him more oxygen. To go on and call him an idiot just emboldens him, he said.

Much of his disdain for Ms Clinton seems to stem from her mishandling of the private server affair and in particular attempts that she and her staffers made to say she was actually following an example he had set when he was Secretary of State. Mr Powell has indeed acknowledged that he did not use a government email system for some private communications.

Last month, he wrote that Ms Clinton, could have killed this two years ago by merely telling everyone honestly what she had done and not tie me into it. I told her staff three times not to try that gambit. In an email reported by NBC, Mr Powell wrote that he had told Ms Clintons minions repeatedly that they are making a mistake trying to drag me in, yet they still try. In another missive he compains that Clinton's mafia keep coming after me.

At the same time, however, some of what he writes reveals that he chose to use a commercial email system for some of his non-sensitive emails while he was Secretary of State because he was impatient with red tape at the State Department  or what he called the friggin record rules.
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Donald Trump's address to a black church in Flint, Michigan, was cut short by the church's pastor when he launched into a tirade about Hillary Clinton. The incident came amid criticism from Mayor Karen Weaver that the visit is more than a "photo op" as the city continues to deal with its water contamination crisis.

During a speech at the historically-black Bethel United Methodist Church, Mr Trump began to tear into Hillary Clinton in his usual stump speech after a brief tour of the Flint water plant at the centre of the lead contamination controversy.

"Hillary failed on the economy. Just like she's failed on foreign police," he said. "Everything she touched didn't work out. Nothing. Now Hillary Clinton"

"Mr Trump I invited you here to thank us for what we've done in Flint, not give a political speech," Rev Faith Green-Timmons interjected.Mayor Weaver rebuked the visit earlier in the day, suggesting it was nothing more than a stunt. She said he never contacted her about the visit and the campaign never offered any help.

The trip comes amid Mr Trumps ongoing effort to court the black vote  often criticised as a bid to appeal to moderate white conservatives  but Ms Weaver sounded a sceptical about the candidates intentions of visiting Flint, a predominantly low-income, black community.

Flint is focused on fixing the problems caused by lead contamination of our drinking water, not photo ops, she said, adding that water plant employees cannot afford the disruption of a last-minute visit.

Ms Weaver said she would not be in Flint during Mr Trumps visit as she was in currently in Washington, DC, urging Congress to allocate funding to help fix the water crisis, the Detroit Free Press reported.

State Representative Sheldon Neeley criticised the visit, calling it an opportunity to exploit the Flint community at-large.

 USA 'Has Your Back' - Obama to People of Flint

Ill be very interested to see if indeed hes going to say anything about the Republican mess that caused the human health crisis in Flint, he added. If not, hes being disingenuous by even visiting my town.

Several dozens of protesters assembled outside of the plant to rebuke the campaign, echoing Ms Weaver's accusations that Mr Trump was only on a public relations trip.

In pictures: Flint water crisis Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Flint water crisis In pictures: Flint water crisis Anthony Fordham picks up bottled water from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to deliver to a school after elevated lead levels were found in the city's water in Flint Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Michigan National Guard Staff Sergeant William Phillips (L) assists a Flint resident with bottled water at a fire station in Flint Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Flint residents Arthur Woodson, left, and Tony Palladino Jr. protest the arrival of Flint native and filmmaker Michael Moore as Moore accuses Gov.Rick Snyder of poisoning Flint water during a rally outside of city hall in Flint AP In pictures: Flint water crisis Flint residents pick up bottled water and water filters at a fire station in Flint. Michigan National Guard members were set to arrive in Flint to join door-to-door efforts to distribute bottled water and other supplies to residents coping with the city's crisis over lead-contaminated drinking water Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard Flint prepare to give Flint residents bottled water at a fire station in Flint Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis Justin Roberson (L), age 6, of Flint, Michigan and Mychal Adams, age 1, of Flint wait on a stack of bottled water at a rally where the Rev. Jesse Jackson was speaking about about the water crises at the Heavenly Host Baptist Church in Flint Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis A man sits next to a stack of bottled water at the Heavenly Host Baptist Church in Flint 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis The top of a water tower is seen at the Flint Water Plant. President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in Michigan and ordered federal aid to be used to help state and local response efforts to an area affected by contaminated water Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Rosie Wright, center, rallies with the crowd over Flint's water crisis in Ann Arbor, Michigan AP In pictures: Flint water crisis Rick Catherman participates in a rally around Flint's water crisis in Ann Arbor, Michigan AP

I'm here to call on Donald Trump to stop using the Flint water crisis as a prop for his campaign. Not once since the beginning of his campaign has Trump addressed the crisis, despite ample opportunity, Desiree Duell, a Flint mother and activist with the group Flint Rising, told the Free Press.

She continued: We have been denied clean, safe water for more than two years and we want Donald Trump to know that we need a real solution to this crisis, not empty rhetoric or more of the same 'run government like a business' mentality that led to this crisis in the first place.

The Flint water crisis began in April 2014 after a state-appointed emergency manager diverted the citys water supply to draw from the Detroit Water and Sewerage System to the Flint River. The new water supplier did not properly treat the water from the new source, which was much more corrosive than the previous supply. This led to the deterioration of the pipes which contaminated the water supply with lead.

Some 8,000 children were among the many Flint residents who suffered from lead poisoning.

Nine people have been charged since the January 2015 admission that the water had been contaminated. Gov Rick Snyder is named in a lawsuit against the businesses involved in the water supply switch.
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Hillary Clinton is ready to make her first public appearance after taking three days off the campaign trail to recover from pneumonia.

Her daughter Chelsea, husband Bill, and even President Barack Obama have been campaigning for the Democratic nominee in her absence. She spent her Tuesday resting at her home in Chappaqua, New York, watching the sitting president deliver a stump speech on her behalf.

"Thanks very much for your continued patience today as [Ms Clinton] remains home, her campaign wrote in an email to reporters. She has spent the day catching up on reading briefings, making calls, and she watched President Obama's speech in Philadelphia on TV. We will resume campaign travel on Thursday, more details to come.

 Clinton faints as she leaves 9-11 memorial

Ms Clinton fell ill on Sunday while attending a 9/11 memorial in New York City, causing her to leave the ceremony early. Her campaign later told the media that she was diagnosed with pneumonia and she was forced to cancel three campaign stops while she recovered.

On Monday, she told CNN that she was feeling much better and admitted that she had underestimated her sickness.

I was supposed to rest five daysthat's what they told me on Fridayand I didn't follow that very wise advice, Clinton told CNN's Anderson Cooper over the phone.

In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 11/09/2016: Hillary Clinton waves to the press as she leaves her daughter's apartment building after resting in New York. Clinton departed from a remembrance ceremony on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks after feeling "overheated," but was later doing "much better," her campaign said AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 25/08/2016: Hillary Clinton speaks at a campaign event in Reno, Nevada AFP In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 27/07/2016: US President Barack Obama and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton embrace on stage during Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 11/07/2016: 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 In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 26/06/2016: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, former Secretary of State and Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Al Sharpton and New York mayor Bill de Blasio march during the New York City Pride March in New York City Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 7/06/2016: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton gestures as she greets supporters at a presidential primary election night rally in New York AP In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 26/05/2016: A supporter of democratic presidential candidate former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holds up a shirt during a campaign event in San Francisco, California Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 26/04/2016: Hillary Clinton embraces her husband, former President Bill Clinton, at a primary night campaign event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Early results indicated Clinton would win Pennsylvania's presidential primary Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 8/03/2016: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders during of the CNN Democratic Presidential candidates' debate, at the Whiting Auditorium in Flint, Michigan EPA In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 3/03/2016: Singer Katy Perry raises arms with U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the end of the Hillary Victory Fund "I'm With Her" benefit concert at Radio City Music Hall in the Manhattan borough of New York City REUTERS In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 28/02/2016: Hillary Clinton delivered a victory speech in Columbia AP In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 16/02/2016: Hillary Clinton speaks at a rally at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada AP In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 9/02/2016 (L-R) Priyadharshini Shanthakumar, Hattie Hughes and Claudia Blair with Hillary Clinton campaigning in Derry, New Hampshire Hattie Hughes In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 30/01/2016: Hillary Clinton is introduced by her daughter Chelsea while the two campaigned together at a 'Get Out The Vote" caucus' event at the Carrollton Inn in Carroll, Iowa Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 14/12/2015: Hillary Clinton speaks during the National Immigrant Integration Conference in New York City. During the speech Clinton announced her immigration proposals if elected president Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 9/11/2015: Hillary Clinton speaks on stage during a rally after filing paperwork for the New Hampshire primary at the State House in Concord, New Hampshire. Each candidate must file paperwork to be on the New Hampshire primary ballot, which will be held on 9 February 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 22/10/2015: Hillary Clinton avoided major damage to her presidential campaign during a nearly 11-hour congressional hearing dominated by Republican criticism of her response to the Benghazi attacks AFP In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 9/09/2015: Hillary Clinton takes part in a discussion after speaking about the Iran nuclear deal at the Brookings Institution in Washington. Clinton expressed firm support for the nuclear accord with Iran, calling it flawed but still strong. Clinton added that the agreement must be strictly enforced and said that if elected president next year, she would not hesitate to use military force if Iran fails to live up to its word and tries to develop a bomb AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 8/09/2015: Hillary Clinton does the "Nae Nae" dance move with DJ Stephen "Twitch" Boss (L) and television host Ellen DeGeneres (R) during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres show" in New York In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 26/08/2015: Hillary Clinton greets guests during a campaign event at Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery in Baldwin, Iowa. A recent poll has Clinton leading all other Democratic contenders in Iowa by about 30 percentage points Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 13/07/2015: Hillary Clinton poses for a selfie with a student outside the New School after speaking to outline economic vision in New York. Clinton promised to raise incomes of hardworking Americans and rein in excesses on Wall Street in the first major economic policy address of her 2016 campaign AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 15/06/2015: Hillary Clinton speaks during a forum on early childhood education at the YMCA of Strafford County in Rochester, New Hampshire. Clinton held a formal launch event in New York City, and is hitting the first in the nation primary state for the third time since announcing her candidacy in April Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 22/05/2015: Hillary Clinton tours the Smuttynose Brewery in Hampton, New Hampshire Getty Images In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 23/04/15: Hillary Clinton addresses the Women in the World Conference in New York City Getty In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 22/04/15: Hillary Clinton waves to college students as she leaves after speaking during the Hillary Rodham Clinton Award for Advancing Women in Peace and Security at Georgetown University in Washington AFP/Getty In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 21/04/15: Hillary Clinton meets with audience members after speaking with students and faculty of New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, New Hampshire. The conversation revolved around higher education, manufacturing and women in the work force Getty In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 13/04/15: Loaded the van & set off for IA. Met a great family when we stopped this afternoon. Many more to come. A picture of one family Hillary Clinton met on her road trip, which she tweeted In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 12/04/15: The building that will house Hillary Clinton's campaign headquarters, on the corner of Pierrepont and Clinton Streets in historic Brooklyn Heights, NY Corbis In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 12/04/15: Some expect Hillary Clintons campaign to cost more than Barack Obamas $1bn in 2012 EPA In pictures: Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid Clinton campaign 12/04/15: Hillary Clinton formally declares in a video that she will seek the Democratic Partys presidential nomination for 2016, and says she wants to bring the benefits of the economic recovery to all Americans AP

"So I just want to get this over and done with and get back on the trail as soon as possible," she added.

She will make her first stop in Greensboro, North Carolina on Thursday and is scheduled to speak at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institutes Annual Awards Gala in Washington DC. As of Wednesday morning, theres no word where Ms Clinton will stop in Greensboro.

A recent Univision poll of Latino voters in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Nevada shows Ms Clinton leading her Republican rival Donald Trump by 24 percentage points in the battleground states.
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New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has said his office is investigating the Donald J Trump Foundation, to make sure its complying with the laws governing charities in New York.

Mr Schneiderman, a Democrat and supporter of Hillary Clinton, told CNN on Tuesday that he had opened the probe into the Republican presidential nominees charitable foundation in his capacity as regulator of non-profits in New York state, adding: We have been concerned that the Trump Foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view.

Recommended Read more Trump campaign resists offering evidence of charitable giving

The New York Attorney Generals office is already managing a $40m fraud lawsuit against Trump University. Mr Trump has previously accused Mr Schneiderman of trying to extort him over the allegations from former students against his controversial business school.

The new investigation is reportedly tackling several issues surrounding the property moguls charity, such as the $25,000 campaign donation it made to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, after her office said it was considering joining the New York legal action against Trump University. Charities are banned from making political donations under US tax law.

Soon after receiving the donation from the Trump Foundation in 2013, Ms Bondis office declined to participate in the lawsuit. The Associated Press has reported that Ms Bondi personally solicited the contribution from Mr Trump, but her office also insists the timing was coincidental, and that Ms Bondi was then unaware that her office had received consumer complaints regarding Trump University.

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'.

Mr Trump was recently fined $2,500 by the IRS for making the political donation through his charity, which his campaign has claimed was a simple clerical error. Ms Bondi spoke in support of the Republican nominee at the GOP Convention in Cleveland in July.

Also on Tuesday, 16 Democrats from the House Judiciary Committee signed a letter to US Attorney General Loretta Lynch, urging her to investigate the circumstances of Mr Trumps campaign contribution to Ms Bondi to determine whether it violated federal bribery laws. These payments may have influenced Mrs. Bondi's official decision not to participate in litigation against Mr. Trump, the letter reads.

In a statement, Mr Trumps spokeswoman Hope Hicks insisted the Democrats claims were totally ridiculous and false, describing the letter as a politically motivated attempt to distract from all of Hillary Clinton's issues.

Mr Schneidermans investigation will also look into other spending by the Trump Foundation, such as its $20,000 payment for a six-foot portrait of Mr Trump, which President Barack Obama singled out for scorn in a speech on Tuesday. Like campaign donations, such purchases are also forbidden for charities under IRS rules.

In his extensive reporting on the Trump Foundation and its activities, the Washington Posts David Fahrenthold has called into question many of Mr Trumps claims about his generosity, finding, for example, that the GOP nominee himself has not personally donated to the Foundation since 2008.
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The streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh ran red on Tuesday as flood water mixed with the blood of sacrificed animals.

Flooding is common in the Bangladeshi capital, which suffers from underdeveloped drainage infrastructure.

However, heavy rains came at the same time as the festival of Eid al-Adha.

Recommended Read more British man arrested by Bangladeshi authorities after Isis attack

Thousands of livestock animals are killed for the event every year and their meat is usually eaten or given to the poor.

This year, sacrifices were supposed to be done in locations designated by the city authorities but many residents are reported to have ignored the rules and carried them out in their own properties or neighbourhoods.

Some people said the authorities had not done enough to promote the sacrificial sites.

Pictures of the vivid red water, which affected mainly the Shantinagar area of the city, were shared widely on social media.

In pictures: Eid celebrations Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Eid celebrations In pictures: Eid celebrations eid-8.jpg Reuters In pictures: Eid celebrations pakistani-muslim.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Eid celebrations jalalabad.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Eid celebrations eid-6.jpg Reuters In pictures: Eid celebrations eid-5.jpg Reuters In pictures: Eid celebrations eid-10.jpg Reuters In pictures: Eid celebrations eid-7.jpg Reuters In pictures: Eid celebrations eid-3.jpg Reuters In pictures: Eid celebrations eid-2.jpg Reuters In pictures: Eid celebrations eid-9.jpg Reuters

Waste from the animals, such as offal, was also discarded and mixed with the water.

It made me speechless, local artist, Atish Saha, told the Guardian.

I felt I was walking through a post-apocalyptic neighbourhood. To be honest, I was scared. It was an image of mass violence that shouldnt ever be experienced.

However, other residents said the flooding only lasted several hours and the waters have now receded.

Eid al-Adha is the second most important festival for Muslims after Eid al-Fitr. It marks the willingness of Ibrahim  known to Christians as Abraham  to sacrifice his son for God.

Animals are sacrificed in many Muslim countries for the event. In Pakistan in 2010, it was estimated 7.5 million animals were killed for the event, at a cost of $3 billion, Asian Correspondent reported.
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A Chinese zoo has not named its new baby gorilla 'Harambe McHarambeface' despite reports that swept the internet that the name had won an online naming poll.

According to the story, which first appeared on the recently launched Boston Leader news website, pranksters had reportedly hijacked Jinhua Zoo's online poll making sure Harambe McHarambeface won with 93 per cent of the vote.

The name 'Harambe McHarambeface' is a hybrid of Harambe, the gorilla who was shot dead at Cincinnati zoo earlier this year, and Boaty McBoatface, the winning entry in an online poll to name a new British polar research vessel.

 Petition over gorilla death

After the story went viral, Chinese media responded by stating neither Jinhua Zoo's website or social media accounts do not mention gorillas, let alone an online competition to name a newborn.

While the Boston Leader website asserts on its homepage that it has been "bring you Boston's best news since 1932", the website's domain was only reportedly launched on 9 September.

The website appears to have a paywall preventing readers from accessing all of its content unless they pay a $9.99 a month.

However if you attempt to subscribe to the previously unheard of news site, an error message comes up stating: "We are currently experiencing issues processing new subscriptions due to a high volume of applications.

"Please check back later."

Earlier this month, Philadelphia Zoo announced it was running a public vote to name its new baby gorilla.

However, following thousands on Twitter calling for it to be named Harambe, the zoo decided to not included it on the list of names people could choose from.
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Australian senator Pauline Hanson has called for a ban on immigration and told migrants to go back where you came from.

Ms Hanson said Australia was swamped by Muslims and that the burqa should be outlawed.

In her maiden speech to the Australian Senate, Ms Hanson said: "We are in danger of being swamped by Muslims who bear a culture and ideology that is incompatible with our own.

She echoed a speech she made 20 years earlier to the House of Representatives, when she said: "I believe we are in danger of being swamped by Asians."

Ms Hanson, the co-founder of a right-wing and anti-immigrant party called One Nation, lost her seat in 1998, but has since made a comeback.

In the July elections she regained office along with a group of 11 senators. The unit has influence in the upper house where Prime Minister Malcolm Turnball's conservatives are in the minority.

Addressing the Senate, she said: If you are not prepared to become Australian and give this country your undivided loyalty, obey our laws, respect our culture and way of life, then I suggest you go back where you came from.

She said she would be willing to take immigrants who did not fully assimilate to the airport and "wave you goodbye".

During the speech Green politicians walked out of the chamber in objection to her remarks.

She said "aggressive multiculturalism" had caused crime to escalate, meaning Australians were afraid to walk alone in their neighbourhoods at night.

I call for stopping further Muslim immigration and banning the burqa as they have done in many countries around the world. No more mosques and schools should be built and those that already exist should be monitored in regard to what they are teaching until the present crisis is over, she said

I want Australian land and houses and companies to remain locally owned. I believe I speak for the majority of Australians.

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

Senator Nick Xenophon told Sky News Ms Hanson's villification of Muslims was "heartbreaking".

"This is not what Australia's all about. We're an open and inclusive country and Pauline Hanson is wrong when she says Islam and democracy aren't compatible," he said.

"Just north to our border is the world's biggest Muslim country, Indonesia, which happens to be one of the most robust democracies in the world."

Around 2.2 per cent of Australias population of 24 million are Muslim, or 476,000 people.

Ms Hanson also called for a crackdown on welfare spending during her speech, particularly for mothers who have more than one child.

Australia has recently seen a surge in support for small populatist parties, such as One Nation. The shift reflects growing discontent with mainstream political parties  like that seen across Europe and the US. Donald Trump infamously vowed to ban all Muslims from entering the US.

In the opening of her speech to the Senate, Ms Hanson said: To all my peers in this place and those from the past, I have two words for you, Im back, but not alone.
Retailers in Vietnam are willing to pay students to be first in line.

Demand among tech-geeks is soaring since Apple's release of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus last week, and unhinged Apple fans in Vietnam are no exception.

Many are determined to be the first to buy the new device. However, Apple doesn't have a direct retail presence in the country, so the eager fans have to go the extra mile to get their hands on a new phone.

Vietnamese dealers and resellers have quickly spotted a lucrative business opportunity here and are willing to pay line-sitters who may have to camp outside outlets in Singapore for a couple of days leading up to the iPhone's launch there this Friday.

Some Vietnamese living in Singapore have posted ads on Facebook asking for VND2 million ($90) to camp out overnight to be the first in line for the new phone.

It seems long to wait in line for 24 hours. But you will stay occupied playing card games, shooting the breeze with your fellows and even shopping in the mall, a Facebook account named Son Le said in an advertising status.

Any time that Apple launches a new product, there is an influx of such requests posted in the online technology community, and this time Apples true aficionados in Vietnam are still impatient to get those phones.

We will handle paying the bills. All you have to do is to be the first in line. And more importantly, you can get paid much higher for an iPhone 7 Plus in the new color Jet Black, Thang, a reseller in Hanoi, told VnExpress.

Quang, a dealer in Ho Chi Minh City, said the interest in line-sitters has been growing in the weeks leading up to the launch this weekend. He said due to the whopping demand, people will ask to be paid much more than than they were last time and securing a spot in the line is important, so Quang decided to fly his staff to Singapore.

This time we will probably have to wait in line for a couple days, said Quang. The business is also quite risky. The price could slump heavily by a few million dong. There is a chance we could make a loss on this, he said.

A group of Vietnamese camp outside a reseller store in Singapore during an iPhone launch in 2015. File photo

As many have witnessed during the last couple of iPhone launches, a growing number of resellers in Vietnam have been hiring line-sitters in Singapore to sell the phones on the domestic market.

A retailer in Hanoi, after careful consideration, chose to turn to Vietnamese students in Singapore who want to make some cash to cover their tuition fees.

It costs much more to fly from here to Singapore, said a Hanoi-based re-seller, adding that it is about $100 cheaper to take a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore than it is from Hanoi.

We have no choice but pay people who are currently living on the island to queue up and send just one person from here over with the money, he explained, adding that he has five Vietnamese students working for him.

In addition to camping out for the new iPhone, there are other opportunities to earn some money for anyone who is about to travel from Singapore to Vietnam next week. They can make a quick buck of about $25 for a phone just by taking it back with them on board.

Shops in Hanoi are charging consumers double the price quoted by Apple for an iPhone 7 Plus 256 GB, with a promise that buyers will be the first Vietnamese to get their hands on a new iPhone.

Related news:

>Pokemon Go player has smartphone snatched in Saigon

>Vietnamese province bans police from Pokemon Go amid security fears

>Vietnam wants Pokemon out of religious, historic sites
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An Austrian cardinal, thought by many to be a front runner for the next papacy, has claimed "many Muslims" are trying to conquer Christian Europe.

Speaking at the festival of the Holy Name of Mary, Archbishop of Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schonborn called for God to show mercy on Europe and its people who "are in danger of forfeiting our Christian heritage".

The festival was introduced 333 years ago to celebrate the Western victory over Ottoman forces at the Battle of Vienna on 1683.

According to the Vienna Archdiocese's website, Cardinal Schonborn said: "Will there be an Islamic conquest of Europe? Many Muslims want that and say: Europe is at the end."

The 71-year-old cleric has been seen as a leading candidate during previous Papal conclaves, but has been perceived as too young to be Pope.

In addition to the Austrian Catholic Church, the victory of Christians over Islamic forces at the famous battle is also celebrated by the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO).

 Austria election highlights anti-immigrant mood

The FPO held an event at the capital's Palais Ferstl where its leader, Heinz-Christian Strache, said the "Western world" has to be defended from invaders.

Regarding the possibility of Turkey joining the the European Union, Austria's government has repeatedly stressed "membership negotiations are currently no more than fiction".
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The European Union should have its own military headquarters and Brexit talks should begin as soon as possible, the President of the European Commission has said, adding that the European Union is facing a battle for survival against nationalism in Europe.

Delivering a State of the Union speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, which sought to ease tensions and rally support for the EU, Jean-Claude Juncker warned the bloc is facing an existential crisis.

The speech has been heavily anticipated as the EU struggles with multiple crises, from the influx of refugees over the past year, multiple terror attacks and Britains shock June referendum to leave the EU.

Mr Junker called for a joint command headquarters for EU military missions and greater defence cooperation, reviving long-running efforts to reduce reliance on the United States.

He said no single EU government had a military large enough to deal with security challenges facing Europe, from Islamic militants to a more hostile Russia and echo a plan put forward this week by France and Germany.

We must have a European headquarters and so we should work towards a common military force, Mr Juncker told the European Parliament, although officials stressed this did not amount to an EU army.

This should be to complement NATO, he said, also outlining proposals for a common defence fund.

EU integration cannot be left to the interests of individual member states alone, said Mr Juncker insisting that too often national interests are brought to the fore and the EU still does not have enough Union.

A year ago I stated that the state of the European Union leaves much to be desired... It still applies, Mr Juncker began. The scope in which we cooperate together is far too small.

We want to construct. We want a better Europe. Europe is not going down the path of nationalisation, it can never become that type of national area, but there splits out there and often fragmentation exists where we need further effort from the union, and that is leaving room for galloping populism.

We cant accept that because populism doesnt solve problems. Populism creates problems, and we have to be aware of that and protect ourselves against it.

Directly referring to Brexit, Mr Juncker sought to quell fears that the EU was in turmoil.

Many are wondering whether Brexit is the beginning of the disintegration process of the EU, he said.

Allow me to state, we respect and at the same time regret the UKs decision, but the EU as such is not at risk.

Mr Juncker also repeated previous assertions made by several EU leaders that Britain could not have a la carte access to the benefits of the EU after Brexit, and that the UK should trigger Article 50 as quickly as possible.

In a further reference to the UK, Mr Juncker condemned recent incidents of hate crime in the country, which have surged in the wake of Brexit.

Europe can never accept Polish workers being harassed, beaten up or even murdered in the streets of Essex, he said, referring to the recent attack on a Polish man in Harlow and receiving applause from the chamber.

 Donald Tusk asks Theresa May to start Brexit process 'as soon as possible'

He was setting out the Commissions plans for the first time since the UK voted to exit the EU.

Mr Juncker also touched on the refugee crisis in Europe, saying he aims to create a European solidarity corps to respond to emergency situations like the refugee crisis.

By 2020, I want to see 100,000 Europeans taking part, he said.

He added that accepting refugees must be voluntary, it must come from the heart, it cannot be imposed, in what has been perceived as an allowance to countries like Hungary, which is due to hold a referendum to reject refugee quotas in October.

In a series of cutting remarks towards Apple, which is embroiled in a bitter row with the EU after it called on the tech company to pay 11bn taxed to Ireland, Mr Junker said: "A fair playing field ... means consumers protected from abuse by powerful companies  no matter how big or small, must pay its taxes when it makes its profits.

I promised you I would fight tax evasion and many of you did not believe me ... but this Commission is fighting tax evasion.

We have to get to work. The next 12 months are the crucial time to deliver a better Europe.

Mr Juncker was expected to announce a major extension to the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), as well as a new fund to foster the private sector in Africa as way of curbing emigration to Europe, along with initiatives to promote the expansion of high-speed Internet and a single market in digital services, EU officials said.

He was also expected to argue for the benefits of the Union as a mechanism for maintaining peace and evening out economic hardships, stressing a positive agenda to try and reconnect with voters disillusioned by years of austerity and fearful of terrorist violence and mass immigration.

But the Juncker address was expected to offer few clues to the negotiations with London that the EU insists cannot start until Prime Minister Theresa May formally sets starts a two-year countdown to British departure. A summit of the 27 EU leaders in Bratislava on Friday is also unlikely to shed much light on the Brexit issue.

Additional reporting by other agencies
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Video has emerged of a Dutch MP wearing a Palestinian flag pin refusing to shake hands with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Tunahan Kuzu, a former Labour MP who founded the multi-ethnic, pro-immigration party Denk (Think) in 2014, made the gesture before Mr Netanyahu attended a meeting in The Hague with the Dutch parliamentary affairs committee while on a two-day visit to the Netherlands.

Footage of the incident shows Mr Kuzu withdraw his right hand from the Israeli leader as he extends his, telling him: I refuse to shake hands with you.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Mr Kuzu said his gesture was intended as a protest over the abuses committed against Palestinian civilians living under Israeli military rule in the occupied territories.

Mr Kuzu added that following the incident on 7 September, he confronted Mr Netanyahu away from the cameras with pictures purporting to show Palestinians being abused in Gaza and the West Bank, including one of a 12-year-old boy placed in headlock by an Israeli soldier, The Intercept reports.

He allegedly asked the Prime Minister if the pictures promoted democracy, technology, and security in the region  words Mr Netanyahu had previously used to describe Israel.

Following the rebuff, Mr Netanyahu said in a video message: "Today, we saw another clear example  of those who want peace and those who dont", seemingly referring to Mr Kuzu.

On Tuesday, the US said it will provide Israel's military with $38 billion during the next 10 years - the largest batch of military assistance the US has ever pledged to another country.

The deal follows months of negotiations amid increasingly strained relations between Mr Netanyahu and the Obama administration.

Ties between the countries worsened significantly when the US and world powers struck a nuclear deal with Iran, who Israel considers to be an existential threat.

While last week, Mr Netanyahu drew sharp criticism from the US after he released a video message saying the Palestinians wanted to form a state devoid of a Jewish population and termed it "ethnic cleansing".

In the message, Mr Netanyahu said in reference to the removal of Israeli settlements in the West Bank: "The Palestinian leadership actually demands a Palestinian state with one pre-condition: No Jews. There's a phrase for that: It's called ethnic cleansing. And this demand is outrageous."

The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Show all 10 1 /10 The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Medics evacuate a wounded man from the scene of an attack in Jerusalem. A Palestinian rammed a vehicle into a bus stop then got out and started stabbing people before he was shot dead AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Israeli ZAKA emergency response members carry the body of an Israeli at the scene of a shooting attack in Jerusalem. A pair of Palestinian men boarded a bus in Jerusalem and began shooting and stabbing passengers, while another assailant rammed a car into a bus station before stabbing bystanders, in near-simultaneous attacks that escalated a month long wave of violence AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Getty Images The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians throw molotov cocktail during clashes with Israeli troops near Ramallah, West Bank. Recent days have seen a series of stabbing attacks in Israel and the West Bank that have wounded several Israelis AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Women cry during the funeral of Palestinian teenager Ahmad Sharaka, 13, who was shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes at a checkpoint near Ramallah, at the family house in the Palestinian West Bank refugee camp of Jalazoun, Ramallah AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A wounded Palestinian boy and his father hold hands at a hospital after their house was brought down by an Israeli air strike in Gaza Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians look on after a protester is shot by Israelis soldiers during clashes at the Howara checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus EPA The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A lawyer wearing his official robes kicks a tear gas canister back toward Israeli soldiers during a demonstration by scores of Palestinian lawyers called for by the Palestinian Bar Association in solidarity with protesters at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, near Ramallah, West Bank AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Undercover Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian in Ramallah Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinian youth burn tyres during clashes with Israeli soldiers close to the Jewish settlement of Bet El, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, after Israel barred Palestinians from Jerusalem's Old City as tensions mounted following attacks that killed two Israelis and wounded a child

Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has stated that a future Palestinian state would not permit a single Israeli settler to live within its borders.

In response to the clip, US State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau described the Israeli leader's words as "inappropriate and unhelpful".

Thousands of people staged a protest in The Hague in response to Mr Netanyahus visit, with many of the demonstrators carrying mug shots of Mr Netanyahu reading Bring Bibi Netanyahu to International Criminal Court and Free Palestine, boycott Israel, PressTV reports.

Broadcaster NOS said Mr Kuzu had been a replacement at the meeting for Rik Grashoff, an MP from left-wing green party GroenLinks that opposes the role of Israel in the Middle East, who did not attend the event on principle, Dutch News reports.

During the visit Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a speech that his government was calling for an immediate end to the creation of Jewish only settlements in territory seized by Israel and that the country would not prevent citizens from taking part in Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions movements against firms that aid Israels occupation.

Prior to Mr Netanyahu'ss visit, the former Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt described Mr Netanyahu as a war criminal who should be tried in the International Criminal Court.

Most countries view Israeli West Bank settlements as illegal and an obstacle to peace. Israel rejects this, saying Jews have been living in the territory for thousands of years.

The Palestinians hope to establish an independent state in the occupied West Bank, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war, along with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Jean-Claude Junckers State of the Union speech has been branded "insipid and faulty" and compared to a funeral for the European Union by prominent eurosceptic politician Marine Le Pen.

Ms Le Pen, leader of the right wing Front National party, also promised a referendum in France on EU membership if elected as French President in 2017.

In a wide-ranging speech, Mr Juncker admitted the EU is facing an existential crisis in the face of rising nationalism and populism. He expressed respect and regret at the UKs vote to leave the union.

He also spoke about inequality and social justice, trade, migration and borders, security and defence and Syria.

But Ms Le Pen branded the speech insipid and faulty" and said this is like a funeral for the European Union.

She continued: "You havent been paying attention to the ambition of people in the European Union to re-establish and retake their sovereignty and their independence."

Ms Le Pen added that the British vote to leave the EU proved withdrawal was possible without harmful ramifications.

Brexit has really broken a taboo, it has showed that one can leave the EU and come out better, Ms Le Pen said.

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

The catastrophic visions were just a lie. The UK is doing quite well, the shock that you wanted to see has now turned into trust, everybody thought there was going to be apocalypse falling on the UK but that didnt happen.

Ms Le Pens comments were welcomed by some in the chamber, including many Ukip MEPs. However, not all representatives looked upon it favourably. Labour MEP for Yorkshire and Humber, Richard Corbett, described the applause as a very unpleasant sight.

During his speech, Mr Juncker admitted that the EU doesnt have enough unionThere are splits out there and often fragmentation existsThat is leaving scope for galloping populism.

He also used the suspected racist murder of a Polish national in Harlow, Essex, as an example of what can happen if Europe becomes divided.

We Europeans can never accept Polish workers being beaten up, harassed or even murdered in the streets of Essex, Mr Juncker said.

Ms Le Pen did not mention the murder and other attacks against Polish people in Harlow.
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An Italian woman who was subjected to online abuse after explicit images and a video of her were widely shared across the country has killed herself.

Footage of 31-year-old Tiziana Cantone, from Naples, performing a sex act on a man was uploaded to the internet in spring 2015.

She had sent six different videos to five friends whom she trusted, according to La Repubblica  but as soon as the next day, the clips began to be shared online, appearing on porn sites and social media.

Jeering comments, edited screenshots and cruel video parodies, many of which used her full name, turned her intimate act into a viral internet meme.

The online ridicule was often centered on one short, throwaway phrase of Ms Cantone's, captured in the original footage: "You're making a video? Nice one."

A number of rumours posted online about her were reported by the media, such as claims she was trying to become a professional porn star.

Tormented by the mimicry, she moved house and changed her name. This month, she won a legal case forcing Facebook to take down the abusive posts.

But following at least two previous suicide attempts, her family said Ms Cantone had taken her own life while staying at her mother's home.

In court, Ms Cantone's mother Maria Teresa Giglio, 58, said her daughter was "unable to untangle herself from the events", reported La Repubblica.

"She had always been a healthy, normal girl," said Ms Giglio.

"Recently, she had been very unhappy. She suffered from everything she saw and heard, and in particular from the lawsuit, because she believed justice had not been done."

Public prosecutor Francesco Greco has opened an investigation into her death, which may establish the degree to which the impact of the video's publication had affected her.

Mr Greco said the investigation into possible charges of instigating suicide is being co-ordinated with another based on a defamation complaint the woman brought against four individuals last October.

The complaint remained open at the time of the woman's death on Tuesday.

Her friend, Teresa Petrosino, told Corriere della Sera that Ms Cantone was distraught by the events.

She said: I wonder how anyone can be so fierce, how to rage against a girl who has not done anything wrong.

I think that they should be ashamed of all those who have filled the web of insults and meanwhile secretly watched the images.

Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Show all 10 1 /10 Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Brazilian women march in Sao Paulo during a protest following the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl There have been calls for protests to end to what campaigners call Brazil's 'culture of rape' after the attack Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl An online campaign has been set up in response to the crime, using the hashtag #EstuproNuncaMais, meaning 'rape never again' Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl The 16-year-old victim was attacked in a poor neighbourhood in the west of the city on 21 May 2016 Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Two of the attackers posted pictures and video on Twitter of the assault, which has shocked the country Rex Features Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Brazilian women protest in front of the Candelaria Church in Rio de Janeiro AFP/Getty Images Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Seven men have been charged in connection with the attack AFP/Getty Images Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Women's underwear and photos from Brazilian photographer Marcio Freitas displayed on Copacabana beach during a protest by non-governmental organization Rio de Paz (Rio of Peace) against rape and violence against women REUTERS Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Women's underwear smeared with paint is seen during a protest against rape and violence against women in Brasilia, Brazil REUTERS Feminist protests demand end to violence against women in Brazil after gang rape of teenage girl Demonstrators attend a protest against rape and violence against women in Brasilia, Brazil REUTERS

Ms Cantone successfully had the video removed from search engines in 2015 but it continued to reappear around the web in various different guises.

She received a stream of insults and abuse on her social media accounts every time the video resurfaced.

Anyone wishing to seek information and/or support can call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90 or visit www.samaritans.org.
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A shoe discovered in a professor's office has been found to be more than 6,000 years old.

The wooden shoe was first found in the melting snow of a glacier in the Italian Dolomite mountains by cartographer Simone Bartolini in 2003.

He displayed it in his office at the Military Geographic Institute in Florence as a memento, thinking it once belonged to a 19th century farmer.

Its real age was only revealed after he mentioned it to an archaeologist colleague, the Local reports.

Carbon-dating by two different labs has found the shoe dates back between 3800-3700 BC.

According to the test results, the shoe is 600 years older than Otzi the ice age man, who was found 7km away in 1991.

It is made of a 1.5m length of birch wood, bent and lashed into an oval shape.

The mummy of an iceman named Otzi, discovered on 1991 in the Italian Schnal Valley glacier, is displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Bolzano on February 28, 2011 during an official presentation of the reconstrution (Andrea Solero/AFP/Getty Images)

Catrin Marzoli, the director of the South Tyrol office of archaeological monuments, told Suedtirol News: "It is the oldest snowshoe in the world.

"The glacier has given us an exceptional testimony.

"It indicates that as early as the late Neolithic period people with proper equipment were present on the alpine watershed at an altitude of over three thousand metres."
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An Isis manufacturing facility that posed a significant chemical [weapons] threat has been destroyed in Iraq.

Footage of air strikes on Monday showed 12 aircraft from the US-led coalition bombarding a large industrial site in Mosul.

Huge explosions could be seen hitting multiple buildings and storage units, leaving them in flames with large plumes of smoke rising into the air.

The US Air Force released footage of air strikes on the Isis chemical weapons facility (US Air Forces)

Isis released a propaganda statement claiming American fighter jets had destroyed the only pharmaceutical company in northern Mosul but defence officials said jihadists had converted the factory to manufacture chemical weapons.

Lieutenant General Jeffrey Harrigian, from US Air Forces Central Command said the facility posed a significant chemical threat to innocent Iraqis.

Intelligence had indicated that Daesh [Isis] converted a pharmaceutical plant complex into a chemical weapons productions capability, he added, saying 50 individual targets were hit.

This represents just another example of Daesh blatant disregard for international law and norms.

The enemy is using innocent civilians as shields against our values and respect for human life.

United Nations investigators have confirmed Isis use of mustard gas in both Syria and Iraq and the group has also been accused of using chlorine gas.

Both chemical weapons are toxic and can kill their victims, frequently causing breathing difficulties, blisters and internal injuries.

In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Smoke rises after airstrikes by US-led coalition planes as Iraqi security forces advance against Islamic State extremists in Fallujah, June 15, 2016 AP In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Iraqi security forces advance during heavy fighting against Isis militants in Fallujah, Iraq, on 14 June AP In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Shia militia say that moving resources from Fallujah towards the area near Mosul was a 'betrayal' of the battle for the city GETTY In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Hospital sources said 18 bodies were recovered from the river over the weekend AP In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Up to 60,000 civilians were feared trapped in Fallujah at the start of the Iraqi operation AP In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Shia fighters hold an Isis flag in an operation east of Fallujah  the terror group has lost ground in both Syria and Iraq AFP/Getty In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Shia fighters hold their weapons as they gather near Falluja, Iraq, June 4, 2016. Reuters In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Pro-government forces bid to take back ground from Isis in Fallujah MOADH AL-DULAIMI/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Smoke billows on the horizon as Iraqi military forces prepare for an offensive to retake the city AP In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah A member of the Iraqi security forces fires artillery during clashes with Isis militants near Fallujah, Iraq, 29 May, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Iraqi government forces fire a rocket near al-Sejar village, north-east of Fallujah, on May 26, 2016, as they take part in a major assault to retake the city from the Islamic State group AFP/Getty In pictures: Iraq battles to drive Isis out of Fallujah Shia fighters and Iraqi security forces advance towards Fallujah Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters

Speaking from the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Lt Gen Harrigian said the US Air Force would continue efforts to dismantle Daesh and accelerate ground operations to drive Isis out of Mosul and Raqqa.

We will continue to shape the battle space, going after their revenue streams, killing their leaders and creating organisational dysfunction, he added.

We will seek to use the weight of air power to remove Daeshs legitimacy, shatter their vision and enable taking back the territory and resources they have stolen.

Recommended Read more UN blames Syrian government and Isis for using chemical weapons

Mosul is Isis de-facto capital in Iraq and its only city stronghold remaining in the country after militants were driven out of Fallujah and Tikrit.

The Iraqi security forces, supported by Shia militias and the international coalition, have been advancing on the city for months in preparation for an all-out assault.

Air strikes have recently targeted Isis bomb-making facilities and oil tankers in preparation for the operation, which the UN has warned could trigger a massive humanitarian crisis.

British air strikes have recently been focused on the town of Qayyarah  40 miles from Mosul  which was re-taken by Iraqi forces last month after two years under Isis control.

In the past week, RAF fighter jets and drones have targeted Isis vehicles, a bomb factory, training facility, artillery and rocket and mortar teams in the region.
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Israel and Facebook will begin working together to tackle posts on the social media platform that incite violence, a senior Israeli cabinet minister has said.

A spate of high-profile new attacks on Israelis in the past 12 months have been incited by inflammatory posts on Facebook, the government argues, which is why legislation to compel the company to delete posts that encourage violent behaviour is on the books.

Representatives from Facebook met with government ministers last week, including interior minister Gilad Erdan and justice minister Ayelet Shaked, who have repeatedly called on the company to do more to monitor and control content.

At least 150 Palestinians have been arrested in recent months for incitement through social media, the Palestine Information Center says. There is currently no legal precedent in Israel for charging people with an offence related to online posts, whereas similar situations would be dealt with under hate speech laws in the UK and other countries.

Palestinian lawyer Mahmoud Hassan, who works for Jerusalem-based legal advice organisation Addameer, told The Independent in May that in many cases people had been arrested for innocuous posts or criticising the Israeli state, rather than inciting violence.

Erdans office said that they had agreed with Facebook representatives to create teams to figure out how best to monitor and remove inflammatory content.

It is unclear whether the proposed legislation will be shelved considering the agreement reached on Monday. Digital rights groups have said that the proposed legislation is likely to be unenforceable.

The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Show all 10 1 /10 The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Medics evacuate a wounded man from the scene of an attack in Jerusalem. A Palestinian rammed a vehicle into a bus stop then got out and started stabbing people before he was shot dead AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Israeli ZAKA emergency response members carry the body of an Israeli at the scene of a shooting attack in Jerusalem. A pair of Palestinian men boarded a bus in Jerusalem and began shooting and stabbing passengers, while another assailant rammed a car into a bus station before stabbing bystanders, in near-simultaneous attacks that escalated a month long wave of violence AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Getty Images The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians throw molotov cocktail during clashes with Israeli troops near Ramallah, West Bank. Recent days have seen a series of stabbing attacks in Israel and the West Bank that have wounded several Israelis AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Women cry during the funeral of Palestinian teenager Ahmad Sharaka, 13, who was shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes at a checkpoint near Ramallah, at the family house in the Palestinian West Bank refugee camp of Jalazoun, Ramallah AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A wounded Palestinian boy and his father hold hands at a hospital after their house was brought down by an Israeli air strike in Gaza Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians look on after a protester is shot by Israelis soldiers during clashes at the Howara checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus EPA The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A lawyer wearing his official robes kicks a tear gas canister back toward Israeli soldiers during a demonstration by scores of Palestinian lawyers called for by the Palestinian Bar Association in solidarity with protesters at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, near Ramallah, West Bank AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Undercover Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian in Ramallah Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinian youth burn tyres during clashes with Israeli soldiers close to the Jewish settlement of Bet El, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, after Israel barred Palestinians from Jerusalem's Old City as tensions mounted following attacks that killed two Israelis and wounded a child

In a statement, Facebook said online extremism can only be tackled with a strong partnership between policymakers, civil society, academia and companies, and this is true in Israel and around the world, calling the meeting constructive.

We know that the amount of inciting online is even greater so we have to continue and increase our efforts, and we will, Shaked said at a security conference. An inciting page is a perpetual growth engine for terror if it is not removed.

The Palestinians dismiss the Israeli allegations that the violence is caused by incitement. They say it is the result of nearly 50 years of Israeli military occupation and a lack of hope for gaining independence.
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The US and Israel have agreed on a record $38bn (29bn) military aid package.

The deal, which represents the largest military assistance pledge the US has made to any country, will enshrine funding for Israels defence but has also involved major concessions by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

These include an Israeli commitment not to seek additional funds from Congress and to gradually phase out, starting in 2020, the 26.3 per cent share of aid money that the country spends on developing its own defence industry in favour of American-made weapons.

The deal, known as a memorandum of understanding (MOU), calls for $3.8bn a year in aid, up from $3.1bn under the current pact, which expires in 2018. Mr Netanyahu had reportedly originally sought more than $4.5bn a year.

Israels chief negotiator, Jacob Nagel, arrived in Washington in preparation for the signing ceremony today, and the White House also began briefing members of Congress on the deal.

The negotiation has been played out during a fraught 10 months which was underscored by continued friction between the two allies over the US nuclear deal with Iran last year.

Last year, NSA surveillance appeared to show Mr Netanyahu attempting to lobby potentially sympathetic senators and congressmen to block the ratification of the deal which saw Iran agreeing to suspend its nuclear enrichment programme in exchange for the lifting of some economic sanctions.

Israel's 'summer of discontent' over prices puts pressure on Netanyahu Show all 3 1 /3 Israel's 'summer of discontent' over prices puts pressure on Netanyahu Israel's 'summer of discontent' over prices puts pressure on Netanyahu 630737.bin GETTY IMAGES Israel's 'summer of discontent' over prices puts pressure on Netanyahu 630738.bin EPA Israel's 'summer of discontent' over prices puts pressure on Netanyahu 630739.bin GETTY IMAGES

Israel has also clashed with the Obama administration over its attitude to its treatment of the Palestinian cause.

Last week, Washington voiced its concerns over Israel building 284 new houses on the West Bank and criticised a Facebook message by Mr Netanyahu where he claimed Palestinians wanted to carry out ethnic cleansing against Jews.

US State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau called the comments inappropriate and unhelpful and said the settlement policy raised real questions about Israels long-term intentions in the West Bank.

Mr Obamas aides reportedly wanted to agree a new deal before the end of his presidency in January as they see it as an important part of his legacy.

Republican critics have accused him of not being attentive enough to Israels security, which the White House strongly denies, and of taking too hard of a line with the Israeli leader.

Israel, which is considered the closest ally of the US in the Middle East, has long been a major recipient of US aid, mostly in the form of military assistance against a backdrop of an ebbing and flowing conflict with the Palestinians and its neighbours, as well as threats from Iran.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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The number of people driven from their homes by war and persecution has now surpassed the UKs population to equal the 21st largest country in the world.

More than 65.3 million people are currently refugees or are displaced in their own countries according to the United Nations  the highest figure since records began before the Second World War.

Humanitarian organisations warn that those forced to flee face an uncertain future with difficulties in education, employment, health and security.

(Save the Children (Save the Children)

A report by Save the Children found that if the worlds displaced people formed a country, it would have the fastest-growing population and one of the youngest, with half of refugees under 18.

But it would be among the worst nations for access to education, seeing children killed by preventable illnesses including pneumonia and malaria, as well as alarming rates of child marriage.

A refugee nation, which would have a population ranking 21st globally between Thailand and the UK, would have the 54th largest economy in the world if its citizens could gain employment equalling their skills, the charity found.

Imagining all displaced people as citizens of one country recognises their value as equal members of a global society and draws attention to the massive scale of the issues they face, said Tanya Steele, interim CEO of Save the Children.

The number of families forced to flee their homes in search of safety continues to reach record highs  its time to move out of emergency mode and engage in serious discussions about how to help displaced families integrate and begin to rebuild their futures.

(Save the Children (Save the Children)

The research was released on Wednesday as world leaders prepared to gather for the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

A UN Summit on Refugees and Migrants on Monday will be followed by a separate summit on the issue hosted by Barack Obama the following day.

Theresa May has been urged to rethink Britains stance by 200 religious leaders, while a Parliamentary report found the Government has a particular responsibility to resettle refugees because of the UKs intervention in Libya.

It comes amid a fragile ceasefire between the regime and opposition in Syria, while battles rage against Isis in Iraq and conflicts continue in Afghanistan, Yemen, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and many other countries.

According to official figures compiled by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), refugees and internally displaced people account for one in every 113 people on Earth.

A total 65.3 million people were displaced at the end of 2015, compared to 59.5 million the year before  and the record figure is expected to grow.

The other Alan Kurdis: Refugee children who survived the journey Show all 8 1 /8 The other Alan Kurdis: Refugee children who survived the journey The other Alan Kurdis: Refugee children who survived the journey Basheer Basheer, a 3-year-old Syrian boy, lying on his father leg, lives with his family in a rent-free house as part of NRC's shelter programme in the village of Bair-Ras, in Irbid governorate, northern Jordan. Photo 11 October 2015 NRC/Hussein Amri The other Alan Kurdis: Refugee children who survived the journey Hisham Mustafa has fled from Aleppo, and is currently at Idomeni in Greece. Here he is playing with his nephew Hisham, 3 NRC/Tiril Skarstein The other Alan Kurdis: Refugee children who survived the journey Ahmaydi Bouchra Little Ahmaydi, 3, and her family of eight fled from fighting in Mali to the Goudebo camp in Burkina Faso in 2013. Neither of her two older sisters went to school in Mali. The whole family lives in a tent that is approx. 7m x 6m. The family bed is stored outside to make space inside the shelter during day time. In the evenings, they carry the bed back in. NRC/Ingrid Prestetun The other Alan Kurdis: Refugee children who survived the journey Farah Farah, 4, lives with her family in Irbid in a rent-free apartment. She stays home with her mother as her four sisters and three brothers leave for the day to their various schools. Photo 11t October 2015 NRC/Hussein Amri The other Alan Kurdis: Refugee children who survived the journey Batane Yacouba Batane Yacouba, 4, lives with his two older sisters and his mother in the Goudebo camp in Burkina Faso. A Tuareg family, they were forced to flee Mali fearing for their lives. Their father is dead NRC/Ingrid Prestetun The other Alan Kurdis: Refugee children who survived the journey Hassan Syrian boy Redor, 12, plays with Hassan, 3, after arriving at the port in Chios, Greece NRC/Tiril Skarstein The other Alan Kurdis: Refugee children who survived the journey Fatin Fatin, 4, and her family fled Syria to Irbid, northern Jordan. Her father has issued a birth certificate for her, in order for her to have access to health centres. NRC/Hussein Amri The other Alan Kurdis: Refugee children who survived the journey Born a refugee Alice Digama (24) sits on the tent floor with her two-week-old baby. Her son is one of many children born a refugee. Alice was heavily pregnant when she escaped South Sudan and crossed the border into Uganda, after her husband left her for another wife NRC/Sofi Lundin

The total includes refugees, asylum seekers and people forced to flee their homes to other parts of their own country.

The primary cause is a rising number of wars and insurgencies, the UNHCR said, while long-term solutions are not being found, leaving millions in limbo.

While international attention has focused on the crisis in Europe, the vast majority of the worlds refugees live in low and middle income countries, with most coming from Syria (4.9 million), Afghanistan (2.7 million) and Somalia (1.1 million).

More than 3,200 migrants have died so far this year in sea crossings attempting to reach safety in Italy and Greece, despite attempts to shut smuggling routes over the Aegean Sea with the EU-Turkey deal.

The highest number of internally displaced people live in Colombia (6.9 million), Syria (6.6 million) and Iraq (4.4 million).
Experts have repeatedly warned that extreme weather conditions are becoming much harder to predict.

Floods tearing through in a forest in the central province of Nghe An have left at least two people dead and several others missing.

The victims, in a group of more than 10 people from the nearby province of Thanh Hoa, went to the area a few days ago and stayed there to pick bamboo shoots.

The deadly floods, triggered by heavy rains on Tuesday and Wednesday, buried their huts and separated the group. Several of them were swept away, an official from Thanh Hoa said.

Rescue workers recovered two bodies at the site at around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The search for the others is under way.

On Tuesday, two people were killed at the Song Bung 2 hydropower project in the central province of Quang Nam, after flash floods caused a dam tunnel to burst. Several others are still unaccounted for.

The central region saw very heavy rainfall on Monday when a tropical depression formed in the South China Sea, known as the East Sea in Vietnam, intensified into a typhoon.

Vietnam is hit by an average of eight to 10 tropical storms between July and October every year, which often lead to many casualties and extensive property damage.

A total of 90 people were killed by natural disasters in the country between January and August, according to the General Statistics Office. Storms, floods and landslides also injured 223 people and damaged 1,600 houses nationwide.

Experts have repeatedly warned that extreme weather conditions are becoming much harder to predict.

Related news:

> Vietnam Airlines flights disrupted by Super Typhoon Meranti

> 2 missing, dozens unaccounted for as Vietnam hydropower tunnel breaks
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For David Cameron, the boundary change came early and cost him more than the Oxfordshire seat he has opted to vacate. The borderline between a languid farewell tour as a feted Prime Minister and having to slink away as the most abysmal failure in Downing Street history was drawn in the summer.

With a guiding nudge from 52 per cent of the voting public, he crossed it on 23 June. For him, everything that preceded the EU referendum has been reduced to irrelevant rubble by the earthquake he unleashed, and nothing that could follow it will be more than an afterthought.

Who could seriously care less whether he chose to stay in the Commons as a spectral presence, flitting about the backbenches like Eleanor Rigbys ghost at her own funeral; or if he preferred, as he apparently does, to seek to tread the US lecture circuit gold-rush trail like his role model Tony Blair?

You could, if you had the gumption, synthesise a little outrage about the vulgar haste of Camerons departure, recalling that he promised to stay as an MP, just as he promised to remain Prime Minister if the referendum was lost. You could question the rationale that he doesnt want to be a distraction to Theresa May on matters which they disagree about, like grammar schools. There may be a shred of truth in that, though there is probably more in reports that feels enormous umbrage about Mays ruthless dismantling of what he once hoped would be known as his legacy.

Yet what would be the point when rage is too precious a commodity to be squandered? Criticising him for that, or for rewarding his mates and donors with honours, feels embarrassingly silly. You might as well be driven to apoplexy by the news that Rose West owes 1,379.45 on an unreturned book she withdrew from a Gloucester library in 1984, or that Bashar al-Assad was fined a fiver for dropping litter in Regents Street while he was an ophthalmology student in London.

David Cameron surely understands what his legacy is, and why all else means nothing.

David Cameron's biggest controversies Show all 8 1 /8 David Cameron's biggest controversies David Cameron's biggest controversies Pig-gate A book released by Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft alleged that an MP and Oxford contemporary of David Cameron had allegedly seen a photograph of Mr Cameron performing a sex act on a pig while at university. Downing Street did not comment on the allegations and the peer said they could have been a case of mistaken identity David Hartley/REX Shutterstock David Cameron's biggest controversies Swarm of migrants In July 2015 David Cameron referred to refugees coming into Europe from the Middle East and North Africa as a swarm. He was criticised for using the language, which critics said was dehumanising Getty David Cameron's biggest controversies Child tax credits In April 2015 David Cameron was asked whether hed cut child tax credits. No, I dont want to do that, he said, saying that he rejected reports that he would. Shortly after the election the Government unveiled cuts to child tax credits EPA David Cameron's biggest controversies Cycling to work As leader of the opposition David Cameron was regularly photographed cycling to work. In early 2006 he was photographed cycling but with a driver in a car carrying his belongings. It was suggested at the time the cycling was just for show and that having two vehicles on the road instead of one was wasteful Rex David Cameron's biggest controversies Andy Coulson David Cameron employed former News of the World editor Andy Coulson as government communications director from 2010. After stepping down from the post due to coverage of the phone hacking affairs, Mr Coulson was later found guilty of conspiracy to intercept voicemails. He served a short prison sentence AFP David Cameron's biggest controversies His personal windmill Early in his leadership of the Conservative David Cameron made an effort to change the partys image by making eco-friendly gesures. As one of these gestures, the future PM put a wind turbine on his house. However, the turbine later had to be removed after neighbours condemned it as an eyesore and the councils planning committee said it had been put in the wrong place Getty David Cameron's biggest controversies Funeral selfie David Cameron was pictured posing for a selfie with Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Barack Obama at Nelson Mandelas funeral. Some in the press criticised the prime minister for showing in an inappropriately low level of respect for the gravity of the occasion AFP/Getty Images David Cameron's biggest controversies Eating a hotdog with a knife and fork The Prime Minister was pictured eating a hotdog with a knife and fork in the run up to the 2015 general election. He was accused of being posh. I had a very privileged upbringing... I've never tried to hide that, he said Reuters

While it is true that he echoed Blair in many ways (recklessness born of arrogance, mistaking politics for a game, and so on), in one way Cameron is nothing like Blair. He is not delusional. Arguably the sanest PM for decades, Cameron never appeared the type to hog a press conference podium for two hours while explaining why, after seven years of exhaustive investigation, a report into his conduct is misguided.

Cameron knows what he did. He gambled his countrys future for immediate political benefit. It worked in the short term. The promise of an EU referendum  the one promise he almost amusingly brags about keeping as if that somehow exonerates him  may have dissuaded enough Tory malcontents from voting Ukip to win the election.

A year later, it proved the most worthless victory a British politician ever won. In fact his only shot at securing a secondary legacy is etymological. One day, maybe Cameronian will drive Pyrrhic from the OED.

Apparently he means to spend the coming months writing his multimillion-pound memoirs. When these are published next year, politinerds will feast on his reflections on tensions within the Coalition, the relationship with Boris, legalising same-sex marriage, the folly in Libya, and many other facets of his six years in power. Ordinarily, these would all be intriguing subjects. But what Cameron did to Britain by needlessly calling the referendum, and then shamefully mismanaging the Remain campaign, shrivels them into a withered little ball of meh.

In other circumstances, there might be something tragic about the precipitous downfall of a comparatively decent man. With Gordon Brown, there was an element of tragedy in how a capacity for greatness was subverted by the craving for power he couldnt control.

But Cameron had no such capacity. He had charm and elegance, and a way of radiating quiet authority when required. These political skills he used to project a vague One Nation beneficence while leaving it to his enforcer, George Osborne, to punish the poor and disabled for the sins of the bankers.

What he actually believed himself remained a mystery almost to the end, until he resolved the conundrum by pledging to hold the referendum for no imaginable cause other than to neutralise Ukip and win an election. The one thing he believed in was keeping his job.

 David Cameron steps down as MP

Perhaps he regrets that now, and has enough self-awareness to confess to a cataclysmic misjudgement. It will be to discover this, and this alone, that Ill be in Waterstones flipping through the index the day his memoir is published.

But it doesnt really matter whether he owns up or borrows from Blair to trot out a painfully bemusing self-justification. Nor will it be worth lacerating him if he spends the years ahead following from the Master by filling his boots as a consultant (walking contacts book) to merchant banks, treating mineral-rich African nations to his thoughts on governance, or becoming suspiciously close to Jerry Hall.

Kicking a man when hes down is one thing, and Im all for that. Kicking a decomposing political corpse is a waste of shoe leather.
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The report of the Foreign Affairs Committee of MPs on Libya (the conclusions are here) seems to be another classic example of the wisdom of hindsight. Some of its observations are wise enough, and echo the findings of the Chilcot report on Iraq. Once again, the British Government seems to have failed to anticipate the consequences of military intervention in a Muslim country.

But the intervention in Libya was different from that in Iraq. It was a response to the immediate threat to civilians in Benghazi from Colonel Gaddafi, the Libyan ruler. The committee criticises David Camerons Government, saying: It could not verify the actual threat to civilians posed by the Gaddafi regime; it selectively took elements of Muammar Gaddafis rhetoric at face value.

Recommended Read more How I watched David Cameron lead a country into anarchy

This seems a reckless judgement. Gaddafi spoke of ridding Benghazi of rats and cockroaches and said: There will be no mercy  We will come house by house, room by room; we will find you in your closets.

Are the MPs really saying that Natos response should have been, We dont believe you?

Surely the committee should have recognised the echoes of Rwanda and Srebrenica and praised Cameron, and Nicolas Sarkozy, for erring on side of trying to avert a massacre? How can they possibly say that Cameron should have waited to see if Gaddafi meant what he said or had the means to turn his words into action because in the long run the consequences of intervention might be worse?

This finding undermines the credibility of the rest of the report. Which is a pity, because most of its other recommendations seem sensible. It might have been better to have paused, after air strikes removed Gaddafis ability to attack Benghazi, to have tried harder  even using Tony Blairs connections with the Gaddafi family, as the MPs suggest  to have brokered a political settlement.

 Decision to intervene in Libya in 2011 was based on a 'blood-curdling assessment'

The committee rightly observes that an intervention with a limited humanitarian objective slid into an operation to support the ousting of Gaddafi. But it might not have been possible to have prevented that mission creep.

Even so, the report makes the mistake that is typical of hindsightism: that of assuming that there is an institutional fix for bad decisions. Cameron was proud of setting up the National Security Council (NSC) in 2010 as a response to the supposedly informal decision-making of Blairs government on Iraq. He had fallen for the myth of sofa government which, as Jonathan Powell, Blairs chief of staff, said, was to confuse a decision with which people disagreed with an item of furniture.

Now the Foreign Affairs Committee finds that the NSC didnt work in the way it should have done  that is, that it came to conclusions with which the committee, with the benefit of hindsight, disagrees. The Government must commission an independent review of the operation of the NSC, the report says. Another inquiry? Give us a break.

Beyond the basics of consultation and record-keeping, which all British governments observe, bad decisions cannot be designed out of politics by procedure. The lesson that politicians and officials should learn, from Libya, Iraq and other quagmires, is that they need to be pessimistic about the worst that could happen.

Not that Sir Alan Duncan, who was then an international development minister, needed to learn that. When he was presented with some post-conflict plans by his department, he told the committee: I recall writing on the Advice to Ministers: Fanciful rot.
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Four and a half years ago, on the 19th of March, 2011, Mohamed Nabbous was killed by a sniper while covering the latest updates of the Libyan revolution against Muammar Gaddafi. Nabbous, at just 28 years old, represented the ambitions of so many young Libyans; he founded the Libya Alhurra TV Channel, which all Libyans at home and abroad were glued to during those early days of the uprising, myself included. Hours after his death, French and British aeroplanes entered Libyan airspace to enforce a no-fly zone, as was authorised by the United Nations Security Council.

Today, David Cameron was attacked over what many headlines referred to as the collapse of Libya as a country. In particular, media outlets and MPs suggested that Cameron should never have allowed Britain to carry out air strikes. As a Libyan I couldnt disagree more with this, and Ill tell you why.

Recommended Read more How I watched David Cameron lead a country into anarchy

The Libyan revolution kicked off very rapidly. It started in Benghazi, and all of a sudden, pockets all over the country started uprising in non-violent protest. We were all surprised: uprisings in Libya were uncommon, and in the past the Gaddafi regime had responded to them with an iron fist. But this time, people were buoyed by the support of their Tunisian and Egyptian neighbours, and social media was an invaluable weapon.

Gaddafi, of course, ordered his forces to quash the uprising  and what Nabbous was reporting on the day that he died was the advancement of Gaddafis arsenal into the second capital city. If they hadnt been stopped by the coalition air strikes, God only knows what would have happened  the torture and death of a million people is my best guess, taken from experience.

My hometown Zawiya, some 40km to the west of Tripoli, was one of the first cities to follow in the footsteps of the East and revolt. Gaddafi wouldnt have this. It was the first and only major city that his troops regained control of, as it was close to his stronghold in Tripoli. What happened there was ugly; the firsthand accounts I heard daily from my family were terrifying. My grandmother witnessed Gaddafis troops enter Zawiya from her house on the eastern edge of the city by the motorway. She told me that you could not see where the line of military tanks started or ended.

The battle for Zawiya was gruesome  not only did they kill a lot of people, but they even dug up the graves of people who had died in the main square and been buried by their families, and threw the bodies into pits in unknown locations. When some of Gaddafis troops were captured, it turned out that most of them werent even Libyans themselves: they were hired mercenaries from other African countries. Gaddafi couldnt find enough Libyans to fight for him, but he had enough money to buy vast armies of these mercenaries from surrounding areas.

In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Isis fighters parade through in Sirte in 2015 In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Islamic State (IS) group jihadists on the outskirts of Libya's western city of Sirte AFP/Getty In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte A photo of a billboard in Sirte, Libya, listing seven rules for women's clothing, saying they must be loose-fitting and undecorated HRW/social media In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Isis militants process down a street in the coastal city of Sirte in Libya this week; the group has heralded Libya as its strategic gateway to attack Europe AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte An Isis lecture on Sharia at the Ouagadougou complex in Sirte, Libya, in 2016. HRW/social media In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte A sign reading "The city of Sirte, under the shadow of Sharia" as smoke rises in the background while forces aligned with Libya's new unity government advance on the eastern and southern outskirts of the Islamic State stronghold of Sirte on 9 June. Reuters In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Fighters loyal to Libya's GNA prepare to launch attacks against Isis as they continue their resistance on the outskirts of the western city of Sirte Getty In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed unity government are seen during clashes with jihadists of the Islamic State (IS) on the western outskirts of Sirte on June 2, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed unity government fire during clashes with Isis around 14 miles west of Sirte on June 2, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Libya

The fact that our dictator had access to these kinds of funds made the playing field spectacularly uneven. If he had been allowed to continue his reign of terror with an unending supply of troops from throughout the continent, theres no doubt that he would have retaken every city in Libya the same way. The people of Zawiya were yearning for an intervention to happen earlier like it did in Benghazi. Months of suffering were endured in Zawiya before it was liberated again. The air strikes were welcome, and they should have come sooner.

To many western people, this doesnt make a lot of sense. Comparisons with Iraq, for example, always seem to be used, and the terms imperialism and neo-colonialism thrown around (mainly by white British people attempting to advocate on my behalf). But every situation is different, and Muammar Gaddafi was a genocidal maniac. Public executions and disappearings were common under his dictatorship; executions were even broadcast during childrens TV programmes. The secret police in Libya were so terrifying that nobody dared speak a word against Gaddafi in public, and their reach extended into the UK. Even when I moved to London, I only criticised Gaddafis reign in private, with a select group of friends who were under strict instructions to never repeat anything Id said in public.

In hindsight, of course Cameron could have done things differently. The real issue is that there was no plan in place for what was to happen after Gaddafi was deposed. No boots on the ground was the deal, which was probably the wrong decision  although who can blame the Libyan people for brokering that deal after centuries of suffering under colonialism before Gaddafis rule?

 Decision to intervene in Libya in 2011 was based on a 'blood-curdling assessment'

A UN army of peacekeepers should have been dispatched to Libya after the war to collect weapons at the very least, as so much weaponry from Gaddafis supplies became available to militias and vigilante groups in the aftermath of the air strikes. This abundance of armoury is the root cause of the problems Libya suffers from today, including the fact that it has become an enclave for Isis.

The situation worsens the longer we leave it, and its time for the UN to step up: a peacekeeping mission can still be done. It will be difficult, but it will make a positive difference in Libya and, ultimately, for the world. As for David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy, Libyans will always feel indebted to them and their countries.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny offered to meet opposition leaders on Thursday to identify areas of public concern around the deal

The Government is to order an inquiry into the controversial 1.5 billion euro sale of Northern Ireland property assets by bad bank Nama.

The Project Eagle deal with US investment fund Cerberus in 2014 has been dogged by scandal for more than a year, including 8.2 million euro linked to it being found in an Isle of Man bank account.

The Government confirmed the Public Accounts Committee would first examine a Comptroller and Auditor General report into the affair before a formal inquiry is launched.

"The Government's objective is to ensure that all matters of public concern are addressed in a speedy and effective manner," a spokesman said.

Project Eagle involved loans linked to more than 800 properties in Northern Ireland being sold in one lot to the New York investment firm which boasts former US vice president Dan Quayle in its ranks.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny offered to meet opposition leaders on Thursday to identify areas of public concern around the deal that need to be investigated and how that should be carried out.

There have been calls for a cross-border inquiry due to the limitations of parliaments in Dublin and Belfast and their inability to compel witnesses from other jurisdictions.

Project Eagle has been examined on previous occasions at the Public Accounts Committee in Dublin.

Investigations have also been launched into the deal by the UK's National Crime Agency, the US Department of Justice's Securities and Exchange Commission as well as a parliamentary inquiry in Stormont.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams described the offer of an inquiry as welcome but belated.

"Sinn Fein has consistently called for an inquiry into the sale of Project Eagle and at each turn the government and Fianna Fail have bizarrely sought to frustrate and delay it," he said.

Mr Adams called for governments and statutory agencies in the north and south to give maximum co-operation to the inquiry.

Nama is the so-called bad bank set up in 2010 to take loans linked to property investments off bailed-out Irish banks at a discount.

It is on course to make a more than 1.75 billion euro profit on its deals by 2020 but has faced repeated questions over its handling of Project Eagle after Cerberus offered 1.241 billion - just 11 million above the reserve price set days before final bids were entered.

Mr Adams alleged earlier this year under parliamentary privilege that a member of Nama's Northern Ireland advisory board offered to disclose information on the value of the portfolio to one bidder, US investment house Pimco, and demanded a 15 million fee.

Nama chairman Frank Daly has insisted the Eagle deal was not corrupt and that taxpayers got value for money.

Project Eagle was valued by Nama at 27p in the pound, with some assets worth as little as 5p in the pound.

The Comptroller and Auditor General found Nama has losses of 162 million on deals linked to Northern Ireland properties, the vast majority from Project Eagle.

Its audit found the deal was worth 1.137 billion - with Nama having paid about 2 billion for the loans.

The C&AG said there is no indication that Nama had considered a bulk sale of its Northern Ireland assets until US law firm Brown Rudnick wrote on behalf of US investment fund Pimco in June 2013 offering an exclusive deal.

It found that two of Nama's valuations of its Northern Ireland loans in late 2013 and early 2014 underestimated their value.

The C&AG report also noted that Pimco withdrew from the bidding war in March 2014 after it told Nama about a "proposed success fee arrangement" involving Brown Rudnick, a Belfast law firm called Tughans, and a former member of Nama's Northern Ireland Advisory Committee.

The 7 million subsequently discovered in the Isle of Man was in an account controlled by a former managing partner of Tughans, Ian Coulter, who resigned after it was unearthed.

Tughans, which acted as a subcontractor for Cerberus's US lawyers, Brown Rudnick, insisted it was not aware of the transfer and all parties involved in the 2014 transaction have denied wrongdoing.

The C&AG found Nama dropped its reserve price in late March 2014 to 1.23 billion and on April 1 that year Cerberus offered 1,241 million and the only other bidder, Fortress, offered 1.075 billion.

In Northern Ireland, Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster called for maximum transparency over the deal and argued that the National Crime Agency (NCA) probe should take precedence north of the border.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness backed calls for a cross-border investigation.

"I think there is an unstoppable argument in the south for a very intensive investigation and of course many of us are arguing that is a much more effective investigation if it's done on an all-island basis," he said.
There is deep anger by motorists over a 70% rise in premiums in the last three years

A state body which rules on insurance claims for car accidents has said its awards fluctuate by as little as 1-2% a year.

Amid deep anger by motorists over a 70% rise in premiums in the last three years and 38% spike in the last year, the Injuries Board told a parliamentary watchdog that the levels of pay-outs it orders are relatively stable.

The Oireachtas Committee on Finance was told the agency processed about a fifth of the 33,500 claims it was notified of last year.

Conor O'Brien, chief executive of the Injuries Board, said it has no evidence to back up the insurance companies' demand for higher premiums from customers.

"There's nothing in our data that supports that level of increase," he told the inquiry.

The committee also heard from the Society of Actuaries in Ireland which warned that Central Bank statistics showed insurance companies were losing 20 to 30 euro on every 100 euro premium for car insurance.

Chairman Gary Dunne said: "There's evidence to suggest that Irish motor insurers were losing money, substantial amounts of money, from 2013-15."

The actuaries said statistics showed car insurance prices fell 27% between 2003 and the start of 2010.

The parliamentary committee also heard that insurance companies traditionally generated income through the premiums they charge customers and then using some of that money to make investments.

It was told that cash generated by the companies through their investments fell by 100 million euro between 2012 and 2014.

Pearse Doherty, Sinn Fein finance spokesman, said the spike in premiums was not all down to Ireland having average whiplash claims of 15,000 euro, legal fees or fraud.

"There's been a lot of focus about the expensive necks of the Irish people, the fraud and all of the rest and very little on the actual fact that the insurance companies themselves are seeing a dramatic drop on investment income which is one of the reasons why premiums are going up," he said.

Mr Dunne said: "It's fair to say it is a component. It absolutely is."

The hearings on motor insurance are continuing amid the opening of an inquiry by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission into suspected breaches of competition law on insurance cost increases.

Insurers have been asked to give statements on the signalling of upcoming hikes in premium.

Meanwhile, the Injuries Board said a new Book of Quantum - the manual used as a guide to pay-outs f or injuries depending on their severity - will be published when the new law term begins next month.

The figures in the book will be reviewed every three years in the future.

Mr O'Brien said: "It's not a silver bullet for the current issue with insurance premiums but if it is used consistently it will certainly help."
After a wonderful summer of grass growth, which was above 65kg/dm/day since early May, the rain has returned with a vengeance on the west coast over the last week.

Ground conditions are under pressure with gaps and roadways getting messy. Meanwhile, some parts of the east are still experiencing a drought. Ireland is only a small country and yet the variation in rainfall is massive from east to west.

For many farmers near the west coast too much rainfall causes huge problems grazing.

We have now extended rotation length to 30 days and the cows are going into covers of around 2100kg/dm/ha.

Farm cover is now up to 906kg/dm/ha or 270 kg per cow so at our present stocking rate of 3.35 cows/ha it gives us a demand of 52kg/dm per hectare every day.

Growth is currently averaging 65kg/day but we are noticing a slowdown in growth due to the continuous rain and the forecast is for temperatures to be around 16 degrees for the next week.

We will stay building farm cover until we hit our target of 1100kg/dm/ha at the end of September. To help achieve this we will blanket spread the milking platform with 25 units of urea before the closing date of September 15th.

We will also consider feeding high quality bales towards the end of the month if growth drops below 60kg/dm/day. The cows are producing 18.5 litres @4.77 fat and 3.90 protein or 1.6kg milk solids daily. We are feeding 1.5kg of a 14pc ration and the time has come to take preventative action for grass tetany.

We have booked the scanner for next Thursday and a lot of our decisions going forward will be based on the results.

We will dry some light first calvers immediately and the bulk of the first calvers will be dried off by October 15. These cows will move to one of the out farms where they will graze after grass with no competition from the older cows.

During this period of rest they will put on condition and grow into mature cows. We will also use the scanning results to identify empty or late April calving cows for culling.

This year because of the low milk price we may decide to dry them off and give them a month on an out farm to warm up for sale to a feedlot.

All of these actions will reduce demand for grass on the milking platform and allow us to stretch the available grass for the milking cows.

I do not intend to apply for the EU milk reduction scheme even though I was notified today by text that the forms are available. I believe that it will be a more profitable option to convert the autumn grass into high solids milk and hopefully look forward to a milk price increase.

Last week we had a very enjoyable visit to University College Dublin for our youngest son Enda's graduation from Dairy Business.

This was a wonderful day where around 300 students were conferred with their degrees in agriculture the culmination of 17 or 18 years of fulltime education since their first day at school.

There was a great buzz about the place and the energy of youth was there to be seen and experienced. No doubt many of those graduates will help to shape agriculture till 2050 when it is predicted there will be 9 billion people on the planet to be fed and watered. We wish them well in their chosen careers.

Also awarded an Honorary Degree was a man at the other end of a massively successful career as a plant breeder, Harry Kehoe. Harry headed up the potato breeding programme for over 40 years and among the 35 varieties he bred the was the popular variety "Rooster" which supplies 60pc of the Irish market.

However Cara was the most successful variety and 40 years after its release it is still universally grown.

Given that the humble "Spud" is the fourth most important food crop in the world behind wheat, rice and maize Harry is leaving a lasting legacy.

I want to congratulate Kevin Moran on winning the FBD/Macra na Feirme young farmer of the year award. This humble young man really is blazing a trail having already won the ag college student of the year followed by a Nuffield Scholarship.

Kevin is the youngest of 11 children and exudes honesty and integrity. A member of the West Awake discussion group, he has not set out to reinvent the wheel on spring calving milk production but he has certainly created a template that will assist a lot of people as they look to enter dairying as a career. I attended an open day on his farm this year and found it very educational and very much look forward to a return visit in the future.

Henry and Patricia Walsh farm in Oranmore, Co Galway, along with their son, Enda, and neighbour and out-farm owner John Moran.
Both day and night temperatures are currently high for this time of year. The associated inclement weather has resulted in excellent grass growth rates. However, grass dry matters are falling as low as 11-13pc.

Many farmers are complaining that cows are not happy with current grazing conditions. Faecal passage rates are too high. This can be explained by a combination of the following factors:

Grass dry matters are too low to meet the requirements of cows producing over 18 litres of milk. These cows are currently loosing body condition instead of the normal gain of BCS in preparation for the dry transition period;

The second factor is associated with poor management of stomach worms, rumen fluke and liver fluke. A preventative health management plan needs to be put in place on your farm to minimise the impact of these health ailments. If the BCS of your cows is below target you need to address the reasons for this.

Your first and second lactation cows will be at greater risk of poor BCS. Lameness can also be a major problem where there are poor road surfaces servicing the grazing platform or the herd is forced to walk in excess of 1km to parts of milking platform.

This stage of lactation should offer you an opportunity to optimise the price of milk received from high solids. However this cannot be at the expense of cows loosing BCS. Consider the judicious supplementation with concentrates to establish the required BCS at drying off.

Many farms are currently using the end of season pregnancy scanning event to vaccinate cows against salmonella. Cows identified as not pregnant are not being vaccinated which helps to reduce costs.

The current proposal to offer farmers 14c to reduce milk production on the initial three-month period October-December is exercising the minds of many farmers.

Many farmers will not be able to avail of this opportunity as cows were dried off early in the reference year because of the risk of superlevy fines. Therefore the base here will not be conducive to avail of this opportunity. Dairy farmers who have expanded cow numbers are also faced with the same predicament because they will have to dry off excessive cow numbers at this stage of the lactation which will not suit them.

On several farms visited this week farmers want to identify cows not in calf, cows which will calve in late April through May 2017, cows with high cell counts, repeated lameness problems and old cows carrying Friesian bull calves with poor market value.

This group of cows will be the primary target group for farmers aiming to sign up for the milk reduction scheme.

From a management perspective, cows with a low BCS and cows with poor feet should also be considered. In addition, those cows identified as carrying twins should be included in this group.

Farmers become alarmed at this time of year when they encounter cows which have aborted or a pregnancy scan reveals a mummified foetus or a foetus which has died after three months of gestation.

The primary cause of abortion beyond three months of gestation is Neospora. The intermediate host for this disease is dogs or foxes which defecate and contaminate feed fed to cows. Management protocols of this disease should include the following:

* Identify cows which are carriers of the disease. Breed these cows to beef sires so that replacement stocks will not enter the herd as carriers of the disease.

* Ensure you have the proper biosecurity programme in place to discard of afterbirths post calving which are the vital link in the continued spread of the disease. Neospora positive cows which are in the oldest cohort of the herd could be included in a group of cows for culling from the herd as part of the milk reduction scheme.

Dr Dan Ryan is a bovine reproductive physiologist and can be contacted at www. reprodoc.ie
Pressure is piling on dairy processors to deliver a significant lift in August milk prices following a dramatic recovery in global dairy markets.

Falling European output and increased demand from Chinese buyers has seen a sharp turnaround in dairy fortunes over the last fortnight.

While traders had predicted a lift in dairy prices in early 2017, the speed of the recovery has taken many by surprise.

Dairy analyst Kevin Bellamy from Rabobank predicted that the current bounce would not hit the heights of 2014 but he said the recovery was gathering pace.

He said supplies of dairy stocks on world markets had been hit by a combination of low European production as a result of poor weather and prices, a sharp fall in Chinese milk production due to a very warm summer, and floods in Argentina which had curtailed milk output.

However, Mr Bellamy cautioned that demand remained weak in the Middle East, North Africa and West Africa.

He said there was also potential for a significant growth in New Zealand supplies in the short-term, and in US output.

Global index

Market indicators have strengthened significantly, with Ornua's PPI index up 5pc to 85.8 (24.3c/l), while the latest Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction recorded a 7.7pc jump - its third lift in a row.

Responding to the improved markets, both the IFA and ICMSA are pushing for a major lift in milk price for August.

The ICMSA pointed out that last time the GDT was at current levels was in April 2012 when Irish processors paid 28-31c/l to suppliers.

He added that Dutch dairy quotations were returning 34.9c/l for the butter/SMP mix before processing costs were deducted and VAT added, while the equivalent WMP price was 32.5c/l.

French dairy processor Lactalis had agreed to pay an average of 27.5c/l for 2016."This effectively means that they will pay 29c/l for the remainder of the year," Mr Quain said.

The IFA calculated that the GDT butter and SMP price was equivalent to 32.6 c/l gross, or 27c/l to 28c/l net of processing costs.

The increasing volatility of milk prices is a key part of ICOS's pre-budget submission.

They are proposing that farmers be allowed defer up to 5pc of their income for up to five years through their processor.
Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in a file picture. : Photo by AFP

The trip would be in response to many invitations from Vietnamese government.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are planning to make their first visit to Vietnam next spring.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference that the trip would come in response to invitations from the Vietnamese government, Kyodo News reported.

Friendly relations between our countries are steadily progressing, but we have so far been yet to organize a visit, Suga said, as cited in the report.

The 83-year-old Akihito is Japans 125th emperor in his line. He succeeded his father in 1989. His wife is 82.

In August, the long reigning emperor indicated intention to step down and his plan has received strong support from the Japanese public.

The most recent visit from a Japanese leader was the one by President Shinzo Abe in 2013.

Japan is one of Vietnam's top donors and development partners. It has provided a combined US$27.6 billion worth of official development assistance since 1992.

Related news

>Vietnam's PM to pay China first visit

>Vietnamese defense minister departs on first official China visit
A second era of genetic engineering is underway in the US, with new gene 'editing' technology opening up a world of possibility at low cost to plant breeders.

Several companies are already commercialising both plants and animals that are the result of the new CRISPR technology. The polled gene is being activated to eliminate dehorning in common cattle and dairy breeds, while companies such as Intrexon are pioneering plants that will flower on demand and apples that don't turn brown when cut.

"We're not introducing genes from any other species," explained Intrexon's Jack Bobo.

"Instead we are recombining genes that already exist within an apple to switch off the gene that triggers the polyphenoloxidase (PPO) that makes the apple go brown. PPO exists in nature to break down the flesh of an apple so that the seeds inside can germinate. So preventing the browning is harmless, but by doing so we drastically reduce the waste from apples and make them more suitable to be included in kids lunchboxes as cut slices," he explained.

The former USDA food policy adviser was speaking at the ASA conference in Kilkenny on Friday.

While Intrexon's 'arctic' apple is expected to be widely available throughout the US in the next year, it is unclear whether EU legislation will allow this type of genetically modified organism (GMO) to be made available in Europe.

"It is a shame because this technology really has the potential to redemocratise the whole process of plant breeding. Up to now, it was so expensive to bring a sucessful seed to market that the opportunity was limited to just six big global biotech companies.

"But any university can carry out this type of breeding, which effectively short-circuits the hunt for the prefect mutation within a species that often took breeders decades and pure chance to achieve. While traditional GMOs might have cost 100m to breed, and therefore had to be limited to a handful of crops that would generate a return, this technology allows new varieties to be bred for maybe 100,000. That means it can be applied to niche crops that are important in a small region."

It is unclear as to whether CRISPR comes under the remit of EU legislation designed specifically to govern GMOs.

The vast majority of GMO crops are banned from being cultivated in the EU, although the region is heavily dependent on GM grains such as soya and maize imported from North and South America.

Protein sprays

Intrexon is also working on developing a range of protein sprays that could be used for anything from killing insects to controlling when a plant decides to flower.

"We can design a plant that will not flower or go to seed until a farmer sprays the crop with a RNA protein 'switch'. This could be useful in a whole range of situations from cut flowers to vegetable production to pastures where farmers are trying to maximise the digestibility of the fodder," said Mr Bobo.

Another spray will contain a protein that is lethal to insects but harmless to both the environment and humans.

"There's lots of different RNA proteins that could combine with an insect's DNA that would disable them in some way.

"We would ensure that it is harmless to humans by scanning the human genome to ensure that it cannot interact with any human gene.

"Because this spray would be made out of protein instead of chemicals, it would breakdown in a few hours, and be much more targetted so that you are only affecting one insect at a particular time," he said.

Mr Bobo said that his company was also developing a series of RNA-treatments that could be used in human medicine that could be used to treat cancers, with a similar capacity to be switched on and off.

New approach will tap into potential of plants and animals own genomes
THE typical US dairy herd is now at 900 cows as expansion continues in the sector across the Continent.

Delegates at the ASA's annual conference heard that cow numbers continue to increase which, combined with increasing production per cow, is set to drive milk output to another record high over the coming 12 months.

While the USDA predicts that milk prices will increase slightly over the coming months, a more significant forecast is that dairy exports are expected to jump by a massive 44pc over the next 10 years.

With current exports equivalent to Ireland's entire milk output, this represents a significant development for one of the world's biggest milk producers.

"Looking at the linear progression of milk output per cow, it is set to rise from an average of 11,000kg to over 12,000kg over the next 10 years," said USDA chief economist, Dr Robert Johansson.

It mirrors the relentless increase in mean herd size that has increased tenfold in the last 20 years.

"Consolidation of herds is continuing with 'cow islands' developing around the country where there is more land and less regulatory restrictions.

"This has resulted in a general drift of cows into midwestern states away from urbanising areas," said Dr Johansson.

Continued growth in milk output is likely to be partially driven by grain prices that are also predicted to remain low over the coming years by the USDA.

"Record yields of wheat are set to create an unprecedented carry-over of stocks, preventing prices increasing much over 121/t over the coming 12 months," said the economist.
You're the youngest of 11, with five older brothers, and the family farm well spoken for. Think you've no chance of getting started in farming? Think again.

That appears to be the motto of a young Mayo farmer who has just added another prestigious agriculture award to his already burgeoning resume.

Kevin Moran was crowned the 2016 Macra FBD Young Farmer of the Year, after battling his way through several rounds of gruelling interviews that whittled 33 of the country's finest emerging farming talent down to just one.

"This is my All Ireland medal" he told his fellow competitors, family and friends as he accepted the award. "I've worked my whole life to get to this."

While the 23-year-old may not have been working full-time that long, he has made every one of his four short years to date, count.

In 2013 he was awarded Teagasc's student of the year title, but the young Claremorris man was already in the process of taking his first steps to go out farming on his own.

Moran is quick to acknowledge that none of his farming endeavours would have been possible without the support of his wider family, especially his uncle Joe who was prepared to lease the 19-year-old his 36ha dairy farm.

The farm, which is 40km from Moran's home in neighbouring Galway, had been let out for a few years, and needed investment.

However, a bigger challenge was getting access to finance, with Kevin having nine loan applications turned down before he finally succeeded in getting the finance to buy cows.

In the end, it didn't really matter what Kevin had in his loan application - from the banks' point of view, he wasn't bankable because he owned no land.

That's when uncle Joe stepped up again with collateral to guarantee loans of close to 250,000 on the new 105 cow herd. It was this firsthand experience of the blinkered approach of Irish banks to collateral that spurred Moran on to apply for a 10,000 Nuffield scholarship - to look at alternative financing arrangements around the world.

While the glitter of awards and figures like a 15pc annual return on investment make Moran look invincible, he is the first to admit that he also made plenty of mistakes along the way.

"I didn't invest in high enough genetic merit cows initially, and that affected things like fertility," he says.

But his focus on measuring and benchmarking himself against the best - he's a member no less than three discussion groups - is paying off.

Already the key performance indicators in his business are approaching optimal levels, with his six-week pregnancy rate increasing from 50pc in 2013 to 83pc now, and grass utilisation increasing by 50pc to 12tDM/ha last year.

"I probably also took on too much, but I suppose that I was lucky in that even during the worst week in the spring when the weather and everything was going against me, I was able to stay focused on what it would be like when it turned... and it did," he adds.

The ability to think outside the box is also evident in the details of Moran's set-up near Tuam. To maintain some work-life balance, he lives 14 miles away on the outskirts of Galway where he shares a house with other young professionals.

Kevin isn't hung up about needing machinery either, nevermind shiney new editions.

"My old Case tractor broke down 10 months ago, and I still haven't bothered to get it fixed!" he laughed, knowing the prospect would horrify many farmers.

With maturity beyond his years, ambition, and an appetite for risk, it's understandable that Moran is already milking 220 cows, continues to grow his farm area, and has just bought his first 8ha of land.

"I didn't really want to invest in land, but that's the collateral for the next loan application," he grins.

Tillage winner works 900ac

Just like the eventual winner, Stephen Robb who won the tillage section, is also 23.

Despite undertaking a masters in agricultural innovation based out of Oakpark Carlow, the Donegal man still makes the four hour drive home to Newtowncunningham every weekend. Its crazy at the moment, but in the long run [the study] will benefit both me and the farm, he claims.

The 900ac home farm of cereals and potatoes has been hammered by constant rainfall this autumn, with only two unbroken days for harvesting so far.

However, Robb remains convinced that growing crops in more marginal regions still makes sense.

Theres still a margin in it, and we just have to look for niches like rolling, treating or storing grain, or growing other niche cereal crops, he says.

Mattie John Kelly (24), is another man determined to build a full-time career in farming. He is already well on his way to his target of 600 ewes on owned and rented land in south Roscommon, with 550 due to lamb next spring.

I started out with 210 ewes, and was able to grow by increasing the stocking rate to 10 ewes per hectare. So the sheep are generating a lot more profit than the 20 sucklers at the moment, he says.

Macra is the common thread in all the finalists, with the likes of Kelly travelling all over Europe with Macra in official and unofficial roles.

Michael Kenny (22), is another young man who has seen his farming career transformed by the opportunity to go to ag college.

The best thing I ever did was go away to college. It gave me a different mindset, and I see everything differently now, he says, highlighting his ability to double stocking rates when he switched to paddock grazing systems.
The ruling from the European Commission on Apple may provide a new opportunity to reform the United States tax system, US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has said.

In an article published in the 'Wall Street Journal', Mr Lew said America's corporate tax system was "broken".

It comes as a Belgian MEP said Ireland has a "close to zero chance" of winning its appeal against the Apple ruling.

Philippe Lamberts also told RTE that the ruling is not being used as a way of attacking the 12.5pc corporation tax rate. Ireland made global headlines earlier this week after the European Commission ruled that Apple owed up to 13bn in back taxes to the State in a ruling handed down by Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

The ruling by the Brussels competition watchdog - described by Finance Minister Michael Noonan as bizarre and outrageous - found that Ireland gave Apple a sweetheart deal which ultimately allowed the iPhone maker to pay as little as 0.005pc tax on its European, and some international, profits.

Mr Lew has previously had strong words for the European Commission's state aid probes against US companies, warning they risk undermining international tax.

But in his article, he pointed out that the US Treasury agrees with the Commission that there is a "serious problem with tax avoidance". And his focus was in pointing out the need for reform of the US system.

"American corporations alone are avoiding paying US taxes by holding more than $2 trillion in deferred overseas income," Mr Lew said.

"In recent years we have made considerable progress toward combating corporate tax avoidance by working with our international partners through what is known as the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project, agreed to by the Group of 20 and the 35 member Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

"But the fundamental problem remains: America's broken business tax system. The Apple decision, and the bipartisan reaction to it, may present a new opportunity to make reform a reality. That opportunity should not be lost."

Mr Lew said the United States' current tax code is "riddled with loopholes that allow corporations to artificially lower their tax bills by shifting income from higher tax countries to low or no tax jurisdictions.

"The combination of the relatively high US corporate rate, our complicated system for taxing multinational businesses, and our aging infrastructure has encouraged and facilitated the erosion of our tax base and made America a less attractive place to do business."

Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who handed down the ruling, said last week that Ireland is a good place to do business and should not be a location for tax avoidance. But she said tax rulings had been offered to companies that existed solely on paper, with no employees, premises or activities.
Just over two years after he was appointed to the role, IFG chief executive Paul McNamara has suddenly stepped down with immediate effect.

He has been replaced by IFG's group finance director John Cotter, who held the interim chief executive role prior to Mr McNamara's appointment in 2014.

Mr Cotter had been named interim chief executive of the financial services firm after the previous chief executive, Mark Bourke, left to join AIB as its chief financial officer.

IFG has two main divisions - James Hay Partnership and Saunderson House. Both are based in the UK, and James Hay is the biggest division. It has over 20bn (23.4bn) of client assets under administration. It provides financial investment services. Saunderson House is a specialist wealth manager.

It has not been revealed why Mr McNamara left IFG and the company provided no details as to his future plans.

Mr McNamara had been lured to IFG from Barclays, where he was managing director of its investments and insurance unit. He had previously held senior roles at Standard Life, HBOS (now Lloyds), AXA, McKinsey and Bank of Ireland.

IFG confirmed yesterday that McNamara had left the company.

"The board would like to express its appreciation to Mr McNamara for his leadership of the group over the past two years," the company said in a statement.

Chairman John Gallagher said that Mr Cotter would lead IFG "through the next phase of development and execution of the group's strategy".

Mr McNamara's sudden departure came as a surprise to observers, given that there had been no hint of a departure just two weeks ago when the company issued its first-half results.

The company reported that its operating profit for the period had risen to 4m from 2.2m in the first half of 2015, while revenue climbed 16pc to 40m.

But shares in the company fell as it delivered a cautious update.

"In James Hay, the macro environment, including turbulent markets, Brexit, and continued uncertainty over possible changes affecting pensions in the UK budget, led to an overall softening in the market," it said.

"In the absence of client book acquisitions, new business flow overall has reduced compared to the first half of 2015, in part as we continue to focus our distribution strategy on fewer higher quality adviser relationships."
The States most powerful financial watchdog says NAMAs response to initial reports of alleged wrong doing surrounding the sale of its Northern Ireland portfolio came up short  with the agency not even contacting the businessman at the centre of the events to find out what was happening.

The report from the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) into the controversial Project Eagle sale has questioned Namas reaction to the emerge of allegations that businessman and Nama advisor Frank Cushnahan was involved in an arrangement to share fees with law firms Brown Rudnick and Tughans (or the managing partner of Tughans) if a sale went ahead.

The case has sparked investigations in the UK and in the US, where prospective buyers were based.

The allegation warranted more action by NAMA when the matter came to light, such as seeking advice from a sister unit within the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) responsible for providing compliance support to the agency, or even writing to Mr Cushnahan to seek confirmation or an explanation.

Namas financial advisor Lazard was not briefed on the disclosures, or asked for its assessment of the potential implications, the C&AG said .

NAMA appears to have taken a narrow approach, focusing on what were its legal obligations, rather than on what were the options for action that should be considered, the C&AG said.

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The long awaited report also questioned the valuations placed on loans to be sold by Nama.

NAMA released a statement in which it categorically rejected key conclusions of the C&AG report.

It claimed that the reports key finding was based on an incorrect assumption about the discount rate used to value Northern Ireland loans.

It incorrectly assumes NAMA should apply the same discount rate to poor quality Northern Ireland loans as it did to much higher quality assets in Dublin and London, said the statement.

It also claimed that the report was carried out by C&AG staff with no market experience of loan sales.

And it said that if the evidence of market experts the discount rate was accepted, then the price actually achieved on the Project Eagle sale was the best achievable in the market.

The Board remains of the strong view that the sale of the Project Eagle portfolio for STG1.322bn was the best achievable outcome, it said.

And it pointed out that the C&AG report made no findings of irregularities in the sales process.

NAMA chairman Frank Daly added: NAMA has the utmost professional respect for the C&AG and his staff. The C&AG has performed a very important role in scrutinising our decisions and auditing our accounts over the past seven years but regrettably, the key conclusions in this report are without the relevant loan sale expertise and as such we have no option but regretfully to reject them categorically
A massive storm is expected to make landfall in Taiwan and China today with winds gusting at near 300kph.

Super Typoon Meranti is looming large to the south of Taiwan, about 300km east of the Phillipines.

A large part of Taiwan and southeast China are forecast to experience heavy rain amounts, with flooding and mudslides both major concerns.

As of 1 a.m. on September 14, Meranti was expected to head west-northwest at speeds of 20kph, entering the northeastern South China Sea (known as the East Sea in Vietnam).

Then it will move northwest at the same speed towards Guangdong Province in China with maximum sustained wind speeds of 150kph. Its circulation will cause strong gusts of wind in the northeast of the South China Sea.

According to international meteorologists, with sustained winds of 297kph, it's gone on record as this year's strongest storm, and was able to keep up that intensity for nearly 24 hours.

Authorities in Vietnam's central and northern provinces, from Ha Tinh to Quang Ninh, are taking measures to limit the possible damage by ordering vessels to move from the path of the storm, and rescue forces have been put on standby.

It will be the countrys fifth storm of the year, and central Vietnam has already experienced heavy rains this week after a tropical depression formed in the South China Sea and intensified into a typhoon on Monday.

Vietnam is hit by an average of eight to 10 tropical storms between July and October every year, which often cause heavy material and human losses.

Super Typhoon Meranti follows July's Typhoon Nepartak that caused at least three deaths in Taiwan and cut power to over half a million people. Despite weakening to a tropical storm as it hit mainland China, Nepartak and its heavy rainfall of up to 254mm killed more than 80 people.

Related news:

> Hanoi houses remain submerged in wake of typhoon

> Downpours to lash central Vietnam as another typhoon looms large

> Typhoon Dianmu casualties up to 7

> Typhoon turns roads into rivers in northern Vietnam
despite a desperate housing crisis, planning applications rose by just 1pc in the three months to the end of June.

The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that development in Ireland is gathering pace, although the rate of progress remains substantially below the levels required to meet the housing crisis.

The combined CSO figures for houses and apartments show that there was planning permission granted for 3,141 dwellings in the second quarter of this year. That represents an overall rise of just 1pc compared to the 2015 figure.

The Government's Housing Action Plan 'Rebuilding Ireland' has a target to deliver 25,000 new homes every year by 2020.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney said he did not expect the number of units granted permission to "increase overnight", but that actions set out in the housing plan would boost supply.

"I never expected overnight to have a dramatic increase in numbers," he said.

"I think the numbers will increase, and increase dramatically. We're inching forward but it's nothing to write home about."

Planning permission for apartments rose by 69pc in the second quarter compared to the same period in 2015, with 801 new developments approved.

John Shanahan, a member of the Irish Planning Institute, said it was no surprise to see a rise in the number of proposed apartments across the country, adding that the issue of student accommodation was belatedly being addressed. "We are seeing developments being initiated which will address the shortage in student housing," he said.

"There will be a number of purpose-built developments coming into the market in the coming months, so that would explain a part of the rise in apartment approvals."

He added that the number of older people selling the family home to downsize into smaller dwellings was pushing up demand for apartments. Mr Shanahan said that the Government should be more innovative in its approach to addressing the housing shortage.

"For too long, politicians in this country have looked to the UK for guidance when addressing housing issues.

"The reality is there are a number of models and mechanisms that can be adopted, both within the EU and further afield that could help the situation. Ireland needs to looks beyond the pale," he said.

The number of permissions granted for single houses declined by 11pc, however, and Mr Shanahan believes that excessive financial requirements on borrowers were precluding them from entering the market.

"The problem is an indication of a flawed financial process towards single homeowners," he claimed.

"There have been a number of financial misadventures in the housing market since the initial crash in 2008. One of the main ones has been the Central Bank's insistence on getting a down payment of 20pc on new mortgages, which has challenged purchasers at exactly the wrong time. A wiser step would have been to have the 20pc as a guideline and perhaps introduce a more thoughtful appraisal of lending applications from credit institutions.

"A private mortgage insurance market would also have helped to lower the threshold for buyers and could have improved the demand situation." The CSO figures show permission was granted for 78 new commercial buildings and 510 new agriculture buildings, up from 196 in the same period of 2015.
Gerry Cross, director of Policy & Risk at the Central Bank of Ireland

Customers of Irish banks, insurers and financial intermediaries are at risk from cyber attack, the Central Bank has warned.

Firms are being warned to increase resilience to IT failures and cyber security incidents.

New guidelines introduced yesterday apply to all businesses regulated by the Central Bank, regardless of size.

Old systems, under-investment and the use of outsourcing will all be scrutinised. "There are a lot of weaknesses and a lot of failings out there," according to Gerry Cross, director of Policy & Risk at the Central Bank of Ireland.

Businesses need to be prepared for situations, including the high likelihood of cyber attacks, it said.

"It's not a question of 'if' but 'when' firms will be hit, but we are just not seeing that reality in how firms are prepared," Mr Cross warned.

He said the new rules are the first time a single set of guidelines has applied across all regulated firms and that the rules are being introduced to raise standards.

"There is no sector already meeting this standard. They (the guidelines) are demanding," he said. The new guidelines are not binding in their own right but will form part of the overall supervision of regulated firms, Mr Cross said.

The new rules cover four main areas: governance by boards and senior management, risk management, cyber security and outsourcing.

In terms of governance, the Central Bank said it expects senior executives to be engaged with the issue.

"The thinking to a certain degree is 'we have an IT department and they are doing this'. So we are very keen to see real ownership by boards and senior managers."

The Regulator is not taking a position against outsourcing, but has concerns about the practice. "What we want to see is that firms are not outsourcing responsibility or thinking they can outsource responsibility. Control of the situation must remain with regulated firms."

A particular issue in Ireland is underinvestment in the wake of the crash.

In many cases Irish firms are operating IT systems that feature out dated technology assets in some cases no longer supported by the manufacturers.

"It is fair to say there is a post-crash hangover aspect," Gerry Cross said.
There are just seven things you need to know about the report by the taxpayers watchdog, the Comptroller & Auditor General, on the National Assets Management Agency. John Downing guides you through the maze of acronyms and jargon.

1.

Dont be phased by the alphabet soup. NAMA is the National Asset Management Agency, a body set in 2008 by the late Finance Minister Brian Lenihan to manage the Irish banks massive bad loans and the grossly over-valued property portfolios acquired by borrowers for exorbitant sums. NAMAs job was to get the loans and properties as cheaply as possible and sell them for as much as they could get to cut taxpayer losses. The Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) is the taxpayers watchdog who looks into how public money is spent and whether citizens get value.

2.

At issue is the gigantic book of loans on properties in Northern Ireland called Project Eagle. These properties had an original face value of 5.7bn and were eventually sold off in 2014 to the US vulture fund, Cerebus Capital Management. The Government has always argued that NAMAs work, selling off indebted properties, means it had to be very secretive. This probe by the C&AG is very extensive, probably the biggest outsider look-in on NAMAs workings. Some 40,000 documents were trawled from NAMA files.

3.

A huge question raised by the C&AG is why NAMA sold the Northern Ireland portfolio in one single block. Previously, it tended to split things up and sell them off over time. This was a big bang, which the C&AG says, cost Irish taxpayers hundreds of millions. NAMA looked at splitting things up, according to property type or individual debtors.

4.

NAMA say they opted for a one-off sale because of legal complexities dealing in another legal jurisdiction and deteriorating relations with debtors. NAMA also hugely contests the C&AG finding that it lost taxpayers hundreds of millions. They contest the calculations used to back the C&AG arguments. This is complex stuff based around valuation methodologies and other formulae.

5.

The C&AG deals with questions around the bidding process itself which NAMA insists was always competitive. Three of the firms expressing interest pulled out. One firm said they were pulling out because another US consortium, PIMCO, got unfair advantage. PIMCO had been the first firm to approach NAMA proposing a big block buy. The firm was later excluded from the process.

6.

The C&AG are concerned about potential conflicts of interest. A member of the NAMAs Northern Ireland Board, Frank Cushnahan, was advising seven of the debtors who had 50pc of the loans involved. He also at one stage advised PIMCO. There are big questions around this.

7.

We dont know what form the government inquiry will take. But we do know it will be tip-toeing through a minefield. There is the cross-border element with much of the action happening in British legal jurisdiction. There are a number of other inquiries also going on. It will take a lot of work, time and expense to get a result.
The new Director General of RTE, Dee Forbes, has said that the national broadcaster needs to be "clearer" about what the brand represents in her first interview since taking the job.

Ms Forbes was speaking at Mediacon, a television and technology summit held in Dublin city centre.

Ms Forbes spoke of the need for RTE to become adaptable in the current media environment, which she stressed was shifting all the time.

"The business is changing around us and we need to change with it," she said.

The effect of Brexit on the company's revenues was also addressed, with Ms Forbes acknowledging that current conditions were challenging owing to a retrenchment from UK firms and RTE's exposure to exchange rate fluctuations.

Ms Forbes stated that one of her primary goals as Director General was to "Futureproof" the national broadcaster to make sure it remains viable while also fulfilling its obligations as a publicly funded entity.

She added that more needs to be done to ensure that licence fee avoidance is stopped.

"Ireland has one of the highest rates of licence fee avoidance rates in Europe. It is at 16pc, so I think there really is some low hanging fruit there on that front"

Ms Forbes hinted that as an organisation, RTE may have to review current practices in Donnybrook: "We need to ask ourselves: Is this possible for the future, and if not, what do we need to do differently?"

The prospect of collaboration with other Irish media outlets was also raised, and she said that she remained open to speaking to any organisation keen to work with RTE. However, she said she believed that RTE should be " the creative beacon" of Irish output.

RTE needs to engage more with local communities she said, adding that the broadcaster's team of local correspondents around the country should be used to better reflect the concerns of local communities.

"We need to listen more and engage more."
Figures show 38pc of the mortgages held by vulture funds are two years or more in arrears (Stock picture)

Huge numbers of people who have a mortgage with a vulture fund are in arrears.

New figures from the Central Bank show that almost four out of 10 of those whose home loan is owned by a vulture fund are two years or more behind on their mortgage repayments.

Nearly 46,000 residential mortgages are owned by what the Central Bank calls non-bank entities. Most of these are held by regulated credit firms. But 30pc are owned by what the Central Bank refers to as "unregulated loan owners", or vulture funds.

The figures show 38pc of the mortgages held by vulture funds are two years or more in arrears.

This means that around 5,200 mortgages owned by vulture funds are more than two years in arrears, putting these people at high risk of losing their homes. This comes with 19pc of mortgage accounts that in arrears of two years or more at retail credit firms.

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A retail credit firm is allowed to issue loans, but unlike a bank it is not allowed to take deposits.

Overall, the numbers behind on their payments continues to fall. But one in nine mortgages are in arrears across all banks and other lenders.

This works out at 82,000 mortgage accounts that were in some form of arrears at the end of June this year, the Central Bank said. This was down almost 4,000 compared with the first three months of the year.

It was the 12th quarter in row the overall number of mortgages in arrears fell. The figures also show 120, 614 residential mortgage accounts were restructured at the end of June.

David Hall of the Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation said that at the rate that banks are dealing with problem mortgages it will take more than a decade sort them out.
Samsung has scrambled to contain the fallout after 35 cases emerged of the Note 7 overheating or combusting, with 17 of those reported in its home market

Samsung Electronics blamed a minor battery manufacturing flaw for prompting a global recall of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones and is seeking more time to investigate the cause behind its deepest crisis in years.

The Korean company outlined the preliminary findings in a report to the country's technology standards agency that hasn't previously been released. Initial conclusions indicate an error in production that placed pressure on plates contained within battery cells. That in turn brought negative and positive poles into contact, triggering excessive heat. Samsung stressed that it needed to carry out a more thorough analysis to determine "the exact cause" of battery damage.

While executives have referred publicly to manufacturing slip-ups, Samsung's report went into more detail about the potential flaws in battery design. The company has scrambled to contain the fallout after 35 cases emerged of the Note 7 overheating or combusting, with 17 of those reported in its home market. It decided on a complete recall of its plus-sized marquee smartphone even though it meant ceding its headstart over Apple's latest iPhone.

In its report to the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards, the company emphasised it was pulling out all the stops.

"Even before we have the final result of the investigation, we plan to establish and carry out the best ways to take care of our customers," the company said in its September 2 report to the agency, a regulatory body that sets policies as part of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. "We are currently investigating the battery issue in co-operation with battery manufacturers." (Bloomberg)
A lock of hair and a fragment of the cassock of Father John OBrien, killed in the Korean War, are up for auction in Dublin.

The two appear together in a carved ivory box and are valued at 200-300 as part of Whytes Eclectic Collecter auction this Saturday. There is already one online bid on the item for 150.

Fr OBrien, from Donamon, Co Roscommon, was a Columban missionary to South Korea who, along with six others, was killed by North Korean forces during the invasion in 1950.

There was some speculation in 2014 that Fr OBrien would be beatified along with the other Irish priests killed in the war, but there was no beatification.

It is not known how the relics were preserved and brought out of Korea; they were acquired by Whytes from a collector who obtained them from a family member of Fr OBriens around 20 years ago.
A photo taken in 2002 shows Caitriona Lucas and her colleagues rescuing a dog from a cliff at Rehy West, Loop Head, Co Clare. Photo: Press 22

Heroic coast guard volunteer Caitriona Lucas was the first rescuer to sign up to the mission which cost her her life.

It was the third day of intensive searching in the area for missing teacher David McMahon, who was last seen on Friday along the famous Kilkee cliff walk in Co Clare.

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On Sunday night details of the operation were posted on the internal system for Doolin members to respond to.

Mother-of-two Caitriona (41)had signed up to attend even before the text alert was sent to members advising them to check the internal system. Officer in Charge of Doolin Coast Guard, Mattie Shannon, said it was "typical" of the mother of two to be first in line.

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Yesterday, Caitriona's husband Bernard Lucas, who is also a member of the Doolin Coast Guard, called by the station to collect her car.

According to Mr Shannon, Bernard spoke to her former colleagues and told them Caitriona had "died doing what she loved" and that helping others was "what she lived for".

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Caitriona is survived by her two children, Emma (17) and Ben (20). Emma is due to sit her Leaving Cert this year, while oldest child Ben works in Shannon Airport.

Three separate investigations are under way into the circumstances of Caitriona's death. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the Irish Coast Guard, and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCBI) will all examine Monday's rescue mission. It is expected that drone footage of the incident will be examined as part of the investigations.

The footage will be made available this morning to investigators. On Monday, Caitriona was returning from the search in a Rigid Inflatable Rib (RIB) alongside Kilkee Coast Guard volunteers James Lucey and Jenny Carway when their boat capsized in difficult conditions. The crew alerted their colleagues that they were returning to shore at around midday and put out a mayday call soon after.

Ms Carway was the first to be rescued when she was washed out of the alcove and picked up by another boat.

Caitriona was recovered from the water by coast guard helicopter Rescue 115 shortly after 2pm. She was attended to by paramedics at the scene before being airlifted to University Hospital Limerick. She was unresponsive when she was taken from the water.

Meanwhile, members of Doolin Coast Guard were dispatched to the scene to help rescue Mr Lucey, alongside staff from Kilrush Fire Service.

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The Kilkee man managed to stay on a ledge in a cave in the alcove, where he remained for almost two hours. "Three of us abseiled down the cliff face ... eventually we were throwing a rope in to support James just to give him support and let him know we were there," Mr Shannon said.

A rescue rope was fed through that rope which would have allowed rescuers to try and manoeuvre Mr Lucey out of the water if he was swept into the sea again. "Eventually the tide was going out ... another climber was able to get onto the shore and he ran into James and then the helicopter came and lowered the winchman," Mr Shannon said.

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Witnesses said the helmets of those involved in the incident could be seen in the water minutes into the incident. Both Mr Lucey and Ms Carway suffered only minor injuries in the incident.

Ms Carway, who was released from hospital on Tuesday, visited Caitriona's colleagues and her family. A source said she was "devastated" by the incident.

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Meanwhile, Mr Lucey is recovering at home with his family.

Caitriona will be laid to rest tomorrow following a requiem Mass in her local church in Liscannor. The Tricolour at all Irish Coast Guard stations and several other coastal rescue centres was flown at half mast yesterday in a show of respect for Caitriona.
The case arose from an alleged incident at a family party (Stock photo)

The prosecution of an alleged 15-year-old rapist slipped through the cracks due to delays, mismanagement and bureaucracy.

The case arose from an alleged incident at a family party.

The teen was the son of a family friend and well-known to the eight-year-old girl.

It was alleged that on the night of July 5, 2006, the teen took the young girl into a bathroom, locked the door, raped her vaginally and attempted to, or did, rape her anally. The child told her mother and a garda investigation was initiated.

On July 7, the accused made a statement containing admissions about the girl and about another girl.

The case was assigned to a male garda.

Forensic evidence was collected, including DNA evidence which showed the youth's semen on the young girl's clothes.

Reports from Crumlin Children's Hospital, where the girl was treated after the attack, were compiled and a file was also sent to the National Juvenile Office.

The alleged teen perpetrator was also referred by a social worker to an organisation that deals specifically with adolescents who have sexually abused.

Reports carried out by social workers found that he demonstrated "a cold, callous attitude" towards sexual offending. Concerns were also expressed about the fact that, according to his own admissions, there had been other incidents of sexual abuse on his part in the past.

However, the garda assigned to the case was subsequently transferred to a different county on November 27, 2008. A replacement garda was not assigned to "complete the file" until September 25, 2011 - almost three years after the transfer of the original investigating officer.

The DPP eventually directed the prosecution of the accused on two charges of rape and attempted rape of the child, and in October he was sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court. On January 24, 2014, a judicial review by the High Court ruled that the charges should be dropped.
A livestock dealer with his sheep for sale in the Syrian capital Damascus on the second day of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday. Photo: Getty

A top international farm animal charity has condemned the death of 120 Irish lambs who died from heat stress on a flight to Singapore.

The animals were part of a shipment of 1,704 Irish lambs being sent to the Asian city to be slaughtered at the Eid al-Adha Muslim celebration.

However, when the plane landed at Changi Airport on Sunday morning officials from Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority discovered that more than 100 lambs had died.

Philip Lymbery, CEO of Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), a leading farm animal welfare charity, said: "It is appalling that Irish animals are still being sent on such long journeys to countries with animal welfare standards which fall far short of what is acceptable."
Alan Bradley, who was jailed for conspiring to steal from a security van transporting almost 1m cash, will apply to the High Court for bail next week while he awaits the outcome of a legal challenge against his continued imprisonment.

Bradley (42), of Churchfields, Kentstown, Co Meath, with his brother Wayne, pleaded guilty in the Circuit Criminal Court to conspiring to steal cash from Chubb Ireland in November 2007 at Tesco, Celbridge, Co Kildare.

Micheal P OHiggins SC, counsel for Bradley, told Mr Justice Anthony Barr in the High Court yesterday that the Minister for Justice had twice refused Bradley remission he claims he has earned on his sentence.

Mr OHiggins, who appeared with barrister Karl Monahan, said that on the basis of a one-third remission, his client should have been released from Portlaoise Prison towards the end of June last.

Bradleys solicitor Niamh Kelly, of Michael Staines and Co, told the court in an affidavit that if granted one-quarter remission her client would be entitled to his freedom this coming December.

Mr OHiggins said Mr Bradley was seeking a judicial review of the ministers refusal to the granting of remission and would be asking the court for an order quashing that refusal.

He would also be applying for bail for Mr Bradley.

Judge Barr said he was satisfied Mr Bradley had an arguable case and would put the matter in for an early hearing, as there was a real risk he could be in prison when he ought not to be.

Mr OHiggins said Mr Bradley had been sentenced in April 2012 to nine years, dating from February 14, 2012, with the final two years suspended.

This had subsequently been reduced on appeal to eight years, with 18 months suspended.

He said Mr Bradley had applied to the minister for enhanced remission but had twice been refused.

Mr Bradley had engaged in crime awareness, anger management and peace education programmes to help facilitate an early release.

In his second application to the minister, which had been turned down, he had pointed out that he now had the skill set to start his own business on release in personal training and event management.
A man allegedly performed a sex act on a busy Belfast city centre street as porn was shown on a portable DVD player, the High Court heard.

Martin Coll is accused of masturbating in front of two shocked women in broad daylight close to the five-star Merchant Hotel.

The 54-year-old defendant denies a charge of indecent exposure over the incident on September 5.

Coll, originally from Derry but with an address at Victoria Street in Belfast, was refused bail.

He was arrested after police were called to the scene at Waring Street in the middle of the afternoon.

Conor Maguire, prosecuting, said two women had been viewing a tourist information sign when their attention was drawn to a man dressed in black.

One of the pair saw movement and believed he was waving at them, the court heard.

But on closer inspection she realised he had exposed himself and was masturbating, according to Mr Maguire.

The barrister continued: "She described herself as shocked and repulsed by the man's actions."

Mrs Justice Keegan was told the incident took place in a popular and busy part of Belfast, close to bars and restaurants.

On being asked by the second woman why he was performing a "disgusting" act, the man allegedly replied: "I didn't know I couldn't."

It was revealed that police also seized a portable DVD player as they detained Coll.

Mr Maguire added: "It was noted to be turned on and playing pornographic images."

Opposing bail, he claimed there was a risk of further offences and a need to protect the public.

Police were also said to be concerned for Coll's own safety amid claims others may have taken action against him if he had not been arrested.

Defence counsel Sean Doherty described his client as a homeless man, estranged from his family and with complex mental health needs.

The court also heard Coll suffered a serious head injury when he was younger. Mr Doherty confirmed: "He indicates to me that he wants to contest the charge."

Denying bail, however, Mrs Justice Keegan held there was a high risk of re-offending.

She indicated that a further application could be mounted if suitable supervision is obtained.
Among the 60,247 students getting their results today are six who received 12As (Stock picture)

More than 60,000 students are celebrating the beginning of the end of the Junior Certificate.

The release of outcomes for the 2016 exam marks the last year that students will receive the results in the current form.

Among the 60,247 students getting their results today are six who received 12As.

The traditional certificate will be replaced next year with the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA), offering a blend of exam grades and other learning achievements that are assessed in school.

English is the first subject in which pupils are doing school-based assessments, although ongoing non-co-operation by the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) means that about half of current third years have not done them. If the dispute is not resolved, students in ASTI schools stand to lose marks in English next year.

As he congratulated the class of 2016, Education Minister Richard Bruton again called on the ASTI to engage in talks with a view to resolving the dispute over junior cycle reform.

Mr Bruton said this year's results were "generally in keeping with previous years".

Some 55pc of maths candidates took the higher level paper, reflecting the lure of the CAO 25 bonus points awarded at Leaving Cert for students who achieve a minimum grade D at higher level.

In order to study at higher level in senior cycle, students are advised to lay the foundations in junior cycle. This has seen a spectacular rise in the number of those taking "honours" in the Junior Cert, from 45pc in 2011 to 55pc last year and this year.

The release of the results sparks worries about under-age drinking, and Mr Bruton urged students to enjoy their celebrations with their families and friends sensibly and responsibly.

National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) director Clive Byrne said these were "exciting times for our education system in Ireland. With reform of curriculum and the introduction of diverse subjects such as politics and society, our students are being readily equipped for their journey beyond secondary school".

Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) president Joanne Irwin said, for a variety of educational, social and economic reasons, it was critical that all students continued with their education after the Junior Cert.

Ms Irwin called for a full restoration of guidance counselling provision to schools to enable all students to make informed subject choices for the Leaving Cert.
It was only last April, a couple of months before my Leaving Cert, that I began to seriously consider taking a year out. There were a lot of reasons behind my doing so. Firstly, I wanted to see where I could direct my own learning before letting university do that for me. In the words of Mark Twain, "I've never let my schooling interfere with my education."

So far, I have booked a TEFL course that will give me a basic certificate in teaching English as a foreign language. I have my eye on a ski instructor course in mid-January and I managed to become a volunteer with the Irish Second Level Students' Union (ISSU), the national umbrella body for second level student councils.

Volunteering at ISSU has given me the opportunity to meet some amazing young people who are hugely involved in student affairs and politics. They have shown me the inner workings of running a non-profit organisation. They have taught me basic IT skills such as composing/sharing google documents between the various members of the national executive. They demonstrated how to use social media as a means to promote membership of ISSU, to launch campaigns and to set up inter-county working groups.

Lastly, they have shown me the level of preparation needed to run events such as Zeminar (where they will have a designated area this year), regional elections and school visits. Furthermore, I managed to get a job working in retail, which has taught me so much about customer service, communication and sales. In fact, this leads me on to my second reason for taking a gap year.

Obtaining work experience is becoming paramount in the modern day. The job I have has taught me so much in a short space of time. I've learned how to do beginning/end of day paperwork, correctly process contracts and the basic things such as stock counting and managing deliveries.

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Personally, I have more self-discipline, am more punctual and have much more confidence in dealing with strangers. I am quite sure that had I gone straight into third level, I would not be as capable to work in a high-pressure environment as I am now.

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Landing a proper full-time job now will stand to me after completing my degree as it shows that I have ability outside of academia and school. Besides, employers look for individuals who have done things differently and have proven that they can survive in the working world.

Many employers now focus on a potential employee's extra curricular activity such as volunteering, work experience, training, society and club involvement. They realise that an individual with a wide range of skills and experiences will be capable and willing.

Also, the money earned from this job is going towards my travel fund, an essential part of any gap year student's agenda! I would love to see far away places with my own eyes and expose myself to different cultures and people. The plan is to volunteer in South America, supporting English teaching programmes, and to visit Southeast Asia.

I also wanted to grow up a bit and mature before heading to college. I feel that getting a university degree requires determination, focus and a good work ethic. According to Jean Fan in her Ted Talk, and countless third level admissions officers, students who have taken a year out often return to education with more confidence and a clear mind.

Lastly, and most importantly, a year out gives you the opportunity to support yourself financially when you return to education. Saving money and learning how to budget lessens the burden to take out loans and/or request financial support from loved ones in the future.

Peter Benson is a work experience student with the ISSU, an Official Student Partner for Zeminar, the Education, Empowerment & Well-Being event for Generation Z taking place in RDS, Dublin from October 11-13. See zeminar.ie
Teachers can draw their inspiration, and power for change, in the most unexpected places.

Two years ago this week, Ann Horgan was out and about in Cork, enjoying Culture Night. While watching a performance outside City Hall , she got thinking about whether the City Fathers would support an arts in education idea running around her head.

The primary school teacher, who teaches fourth class in Scoil Oilibheir, Ballyvolane, on the northside of Cork city, is strongly of the view that a talent for art in a child is too often viewed through the narrow confines of whether, for instance, they can draw a perfect flower.

"Children often have a different creative side, but they don't get recognition and don't get encouraged. They often get filtered out, but, actually, they are artists," she says.

Ann herself has a particular passion for architecture. "It is a hidden art and I had it in my head that I wanted to bring architecture into my class."

Back in the classroom after Culture Night, Ann discovered that none of her pupils had gone to any of the events. She also learned that none of them really understood architecture or knew what an architect was. "They thought an architect was a builder," she says.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained: she approached Cork City Council and landed a grant under the auspices of its Artist in Residence scheme.

"I knew I had to bring an architect into the school and I found my architect" - Sean O Muiri, MRIAI, of Cork architects, the Fuinneamh Workshop.

Sean came into the classroom that year and worked with pupils in designing a school.

She applied for funding again for 2015/16, but didn't get enough to cover Sean's time. Undeterred, she cast a wider net for sponsorship and the retail giants, Dunnes Stores, came on board and so too did the Royal Institute of Architects Ireland (RIAI).

"I had a very tight budget, but enough for an architect to come into the class for two hours a week," says Ann.

They decided to design a library - and more: "mediatheque - a library for the future for Cork". As well as books, mediatheque was to have facilities for community activities such as dance and sport.

Apart from Sean's workshops, where pupils learned about architecture and developed observation and design skills, the project pushed out other boundaries. Field trips included a visit to the city library and an interview with librarian, Catherine Creedon, and an outing to the Crawford Art Gallery, for some sketching. They read about the history of libraries and checked out examples of good libraries all over the world.

According to Ann, pupils learned loads along the way, including "about differences between public spaces and private spaces".

They drew up a plan for mediatheque and the class divided into groups, each responsible for a different floor.

It was after that, according to Ann, that the "magic happened".

Even at fourth class, she says that "socially, some children were already deciding that school wasn't for them, but they started to see it in a different way.

"They were working independently, they were researching architects, they were finding out what works and what doesn't. They identified a problem and came up with a solution. The fear came out of them."

She brought in articles from architecture magazines and that became their English reading; their vocabulary expanded; they learned about diagonal lines, and shapes.

"They all got drawing journals and were taught how to observe. They interviewed and involved their parents; one father made furniture for one of the floors.

"It took over the curriculum, I never expected that," she says.

The benefits went well beyond developing creative thinking skills and putting maths into practice, to building confidence.

While each team had an appointed leader, other natural leaders emerged, and their teacher was delighted to witness groups taking responsibility for the project as a whole.

"They began to take criticism in a very healthy manner; I thought that was an amazing step forward.

"The children found each other's strengths. Because they were broken into groups, everyone's opinion was valued."

The students built a 1:50 model of their library in foam board, and presented their project at an event in the school hall Ann Cuffe Fitzgerald, a director of the RIAI. It wasn't just a visual display, each child addressed the audience about their contribution.

The mediatheque project coincided with some real-life building work at the school, in the form of an extension, to which Mrs Horgan's class brought their new-found expertise and critical eyes to bear.

"When we moved into the new building, one pupil said to me 'Mrs Horgan, that wall should be 100cm taller and then it would really cover the toilet door'."

The proud teacher adds: "The effect is far reaching. They realise that the space in which they work and play really affects them."

The Scoil Oilibheir project will be showcased at FEILTE, the Teaching Council's festival of education in learning and teaching excellence, which provides a platform for teachers to share their stories of innovation with each other and the public. It takes place in the RDS on Saturday October 1.

Culture Night 2016 is this Friday, September 16

'Working with kids at primary level, you see an enthusiasm and energy'

Architect Sean O Muiri lectures in University College Cork (UCC) and does Transition Year modules in a local second-level school, but the Scoil Oilibheir mediatheque project was his first experience working with primary pupils.

Away from any pressure on students about performance and exams, he says "working with kids at primary level, you see an enthusiasm and energy".

His work with the Scoi Oilibheir pupils included visits to landmark buildings in Cork city, from the historic English Market and Shandon Bells to the modern, Firkin Crane performance centre.

"The kids got to observe buildings, and think about why things, such as windows, were where they were," he says.

The architect visited his young students on a weekly basis, in the first term of the 2015-16 school year. His workshops also introduced the pupils to size and scale, and among their tasks was to make scaled down, millimetre-accurate tables and chairs for their mediatheque, replicating their classroom furniture.

"Basically, they were learning how to use measuring tapes," he says.

The 29 pupils also explored concepts such as colour and light, and how they affect a room.
More than one in four children are in contact with a stranger online, according to a new report.

The contact is made either through acceptance of social media requests or by getting involved in multi-player online games, according to a survey by the charity, CyberSafeIreland.

Whilst many connections are harmless, there are cases where the contact with strangers is of significant concern, particularly for the five per cent of children who are in contact with a stranger on a daily basis, said CyberSafeIreland chief executive Alex Cooney.

The majority of children we speak to are under the age of 13 and, despite age restrictions on apps and games, most of them are extremely active online.

It is concerning how many children are making contact with strangers on the Internet and the volume of time that some young children are spending online each day is not healthy, said Ms Cooney

Unfortunately for all its positive aspects, the internet presents increasing opportunities for sexual predators to meet and groom children online,  she said.

The findings are based on a survey of about 240 third, fourth, fifth and sixth class children in more than 40 primary schools in Dublin and Wicklow.

They found that almost one in five (19 per cent) of the children spend in excess of four hours online a day.

While children are spending increasing amounts of time online. CyberSafeIreland also report that two in three  64pc  of teachers do not feel equipped to teach internet safety.

Other findings include

* Snapchat and Instagram were the most popular instant messaging and social media apps along with YouTube

* At least one child in 82 per cent of the workshops CybersafeIreland provided was playing adult rated games.

The charity prioritises reaching children from schools in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme, which comprised 68 per cent of schools visited.

Ms Cooney said that while teachers valued the type of external expertise that a charity like CyberSafeIreland provides, online safety education needed to be addressed on an on-going basis and not just during Safer Internet Day or once-off events.

She said the Government needed to give greater priority to teaching internet safety to children.
The Russian government has designated yet another non-governmental organization as a so-called foreign agent. The United States is deeply troubled by the action taken against the Levada Center, an internationally respected public opinion and polling organization. The decision by Russian authorities came two weeks before nationwide parliamentary elections and days after a poll showed sliding support for the governing party, United Russia.

Polling, said U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner, is an important tool in any country that seeks to live by democratic standards of openness, accountability in government, and freedom of scientific inquiry. These are principles Russia should seek to promote, we believe, and not silence.

Under the 2015 Law on Undesirable Foreign Organizations, groups can be banned from operating on Russian soil if they are seen to pose a threat to the state's constitutional order, national defense, or security.

The Russian government has designated now 141 organizations as so-called foreign agents. Authorities have targeted nongovernmental and business associations working to protect the environment, fight the spread of HIV, and promote transparency, good governance, and freedom of expression.

At the end of August, Russian authorities banned the U.S.-based International Republican Institute, or IRI, and the Media Development Investment Fund, or MDIF, from operating in Russia.

Throughout the world the IRI and MDIF promote openness, accountability in government, and media freedom, principles Russia should seek to promote, not to suppress. In a press release the IRI said, This move really says more about [Russian President] Vladimir Putin than it does about IRI. It's further proof that he fears democracy and allowing his people to have an opportunity to shape their own future."

Other banned U.S. non-governmental organizations include the IRI's sister organization the National Democratic Institute and their funder, the National Endowment for Democracy.

These organizations, said Deputy Spokesperson Toner, are essential for Russians to achieve transparent and accountable government, equal treatment under the law, and the ability to exercise their rights without fear of retribution.
Some second-level school children are getting more than 100 extra hours of maths tuition than others, a new study reveals.

The amount of time teenage students spend in maths classes varies hugely depending on the school they attend and the class they are in.

Some students receive as much as 26pc less maths tuition than others over the course of their time in post-primary school.

The "substantial inequity" in the maths instruction time between schools, and even between classes in the same school, is highlighted in a new report.

Researchers found that teenagers are timetabled for maths classes for an average of 106 hours for first years, up to 128 hours for 'honours' students in sixth year.

But some first years are timetabled for only 67 hours a year for maths, rising as high as 167 hours a year in other schools.

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Over the three years of Junior Cycle, there are schools in which students receive 401 hours' maths tuition, while for others it is a low of 242 hours.

At senior cycle, time for maths varies from 100 hours to 161 hours a year between schools - which means a cumulative difference of 122 hours over the two years.

The differences result in substantial variations when a student studies maths from first year to sixth year in different schools.

While some receive a total of 659 hours maths tuition over a five-year period, at the other end of the spectrum it is 26pc less, at 487 hours.

"A small increase in time allocation can have a positive effect on student achievement," said report co-author Dr Niamh O'Meara of EPI-Stem, the National Centre for Science, Teaching, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Education.

The study, the first in time allocation for maths in Irish second-level schools, was co- authored by Dr Mark Prendergast, associate professor at the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin. It is published in the latest issue of 'Irish Educational Studies'.

On average, Irish post- primary schools devote the same amount of school time to maths tuition as other countries.

But the report authors are worried about wide variations which leave some pupils getting a lot less attention in the subject.

"Second-level students in Ireland, regardless of the school, are studying the same syllabi and prepared for the same State examinations, and there is no argument to support the variation in instruction time evident in the results of the study," they state.

The report authors are also concerned about the number of hours of timetabled maths classes that don't actually take place because of interruptions, such as the mock exams.

Read More: Analysis: There has to be concerns when Irish teens ranked as 'average' in such a vital subject

Overall, between, 6pc-9pc of timetabled junior cycle maths class don't happen, while at senior cycle it is 5pc-8pc. The higher drop-offs come in third year and sixth year, when the "mocks" take place.

Second-level schools are free to decide how to allocate time for different subjects, although the Department of Education recommends, 3.3 hours a week, about 111 hours a year, for maths.

Commenting on the tendency for lower time allocations for younger students, the authors say less exposure to maths over a number of years could mean that they enter senior cycle without ever having time to explore new concepts and develop a sound understanding of the subject.

Despite concerns about the variations between schools, and timetabled classes that don't happen, the authors do acknowledge that throwing more time at the subject is not always the answer - but it is important how that time is used.
The saga of fugitive solicitor Michael Lynn is one step closer to conclusion, as Brazil's Supreme Court confirmed his extradition could proceed.

The court first ruled the former solicitor should be extradited in December 2014. But a series of delaying tactics by Lynn's lawyers drew out the legal process.

The decision comes nine years after he first fled from justice and three years since he was arrested in his beach hideout near the city of Recife.

Last night, the judges rejected for a second time an attempt by Lynn's lawyers to "request clarification" of the original ruling. This time, Lynn's lawyers argued that the fact a lawyer had left his legal team during proceedings meant his defence was harmed. But all five Supreme Court justices rejected that, saying he had other lawyers also working on the case.

In a previous request for clarification in February, Lynn's lawyers focused on a supposed translation error of the Irish government's arrest warrant for Lynn.

Now, if there are no more delays, Brazil's Justice Ministry will inform the Irish authorities that Lynn will be extradited and the logistics will be negotiated via the county's Federal Police.

Lynn faces 33 charges at the High Court relating to an alleged 80m mortgage fraud, although some will be dropped as part of the extradition deal.

The more serious charges, of theft, were crucial to his extradition and will remain.

Lynn first failed to attend a hearing at the High Court in Dublin in 2007. At the time he fled, he had debts of 80m and his company was said to have 148 properties, 154 bank accounts and assets worth more than 50m. He arrived in Brazil in 2012 and lived in a villa near a beach while teaching English, joining a country club and dabbling in the property market.

Brazilian federal police, arrested him at a shopping centre near his home in August 2013.

While there is no extradition treaty between the two countries, a bilateral agreement was struck meaning Lynn can be extradited, even though he and his wife Brid Murphy have permanent residency after she had a child born in Brazil. She has stayed in Recife and later gave birth to their second child.
The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) left hundreds of leaflets on Dublin Buses reporting on the drivers' side of the story ahead of the second 48-hour strike.

The leaflets, distributed on buses on Wednesday morning, contained a mock conversation about the dispute between a Dublin Bus driver and his neighbour 'Joe Soap'.

The conversation, entitled NBRU News, contained a number of criticisms of Minister for Transport Shane Ross.

The dialogue read:

J.S. What has he [Shane Ross] done?

B.D. The NBRU sent him a comprehensive document on the 10th June, outlining exactly what would happen at Dublin Bus if workers issues were not satisfactorily addressed.

J.S. What has the Minister done since he was sent the document?

B.D. Well, hes been to France for the Euros (hes also Minister for Sport), hes been to Rio for the Olympics where among other official duties he had a chat with Pat Hickey.

J.S. Anything else of note?

B.D. Well, he was on the Late Late Show where he described his transport brief as being a doddle.

The leaflets also outline the grounds for the dispute and how bus drivers want to receive pay parity with Luas drivers, who earlier this year received pay rises of up to 18.3pc.

Shane Ross isnt the only character discussed in the conversation, with the National Transport Authority also coming under scrutiny.

J.S. Okay, surely they can help with this dispute?

B.D. You would have thought so, but alas, nothing from them, well nothing positive at least.

J.S. Thats a bit vague, can you explain?

B.D. The only role the NTA Have played so far in this dispute is one of negativity, in fact at the end of 2015 they took 2m from Dublin Bus because they, Dublin Bus were allegedly making too much profit. Which is a bit like agreeing to pay a builder 1000 to build a wall only to pay him 900 after hes finished.

References are also made to the fact bus drivers have not received a pay rise in eight years and how 1.6 billion has been spent on Luas infrastructure.

General Secretary for the NBRU Dermot OLeary explained the idea behind the leaflets to Independent.ie:

One of the drivers decided he is dealing with commuters on a regular basis, so he wanted to tell the story as if it was a conversation with one of his passengers.

The lads themselves feel there are a lot of people involved in this behind the scenes who arent playing their part, such as the National Transport Authority. They wanted to bring that to people's attention. The drivers feel that while their story is being told, its not being told properly.

Dublin Bus workers went on strike for two days last week in a dispute over pay and will do so again this Thursday and Friday, with further stoppages on 23 and 24 September.

The company released a statement confirming services will stop at 9pm tonight "to ensure the safe and secure return of buses to each depot prior to the commencement of industrial action by all employees at midnight that night".
Around the coast of Ireland hundreds of hard-working volunteers make huge personal sacrifice, putting themselves at risk to volunteer with the coast guard.

The Irish Coast Guard Units are crewed by 950 male and female volunteers and are dotted around the coast in strategic locations.

The busiest stations can deal with more than 100 call-outs per year.

So far this year, Doolin Coast Guard, where Caitriona Lucas was based, has dealt with 56 emergency situations.

Most of those who join tend to stay in the so-called "fourth emergency service" for life.

Generations of families tend to get involved, Officer in Charge (OIC) of Cork's Crosshaven station Vincent Farr (48) said last night.

Others join because they have skills picked up in their own profession that can be put to good use in the coast guard.

Some rescuers in Co Clare last night described the service as something of a drug.

It is high octane and adrenaline filled but the driving reason for most is to give something back to the community.

"It is a drug, that feeling of helping someone," Mr Farr told the Irish Independent last night.

"We deal with very vulnerable people, especially when it comes to the family and if you are involved in a search and rescue anything you can bring back to the family means a lot.

"It's always hard and obviously it would be better to bring back only people who have been rescued."

Those who have been saved by Mr Farr and his team in his 18 years of service with the coast guard have often come back to say thanks at a later time.

"Sometimes they come in with their kids and you think that because those people have been rescued by the team those children have their mam and dad back and that's thanks to the actions of people who put themselves at risk to save others," he said.

The father of one said that every member of the coast guard also has to shoulder the burden of the concerns of their loved ones who fear for them every time the pager goes off.

However, despite the high cost that it exacts, Mr Farr said he believed that most members of the coastguard family would continue their involvement.
A radio presenter has carried out a social experiment to see if students nowadays are under more pressure.

Emma Nolan joined 60,000 students in celebrating their Junior Cert results today.

The Beat 102-103 presenter sat this years Junior Cert English, Irish and Maths exams and received her results live on radio this morning.

Her honours English degree from the University of Limerick stood to her as she got 82pc; just 3pc off the much coveted A grade.

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Emma admitted she was most nervous about getting the results of her Ordinary Level Maths paper because she felt it was her weakest, but she managed to scrape a pass with a D in the subject.

She also secured a B in Irish, a subject which she loved studying in school.

The bubbly presenter will be celebrating with Waterford students this weekend as Beat 102-103 is hosting a massive results party this Friday night at Waves nightclub in Dungarvan and Emma herself will be spinning the tunes.

Im so relieved to have passed all three subjects and very much looking forward to the celebrations on Friday night and thanks to everyone for the support; it was a really nerve racking experience but fun too, she said.

Okay, that's it! Officially my last time in that uniform  pic.twitter.com/YpUYk0RSWK  Emma Nolan (@EmmaNolan13) September 14, 2016

Beat Boss Gabrielle Cummins read out the results to Emma live on air and was over the moon. I feel like a proud Mammy, she beamed.

Blackwater Secondary School in Lismore, Co Waterford provided one on one tutorials to Ms Nolan over the course of seven weeks.

Beat even had students come live on air to offer her exam tips.

It appears sitting the Junior Cert the second time around was just as stressful as the first, with Emma saying she was actually quite nervous going back to school!
The remains of Caitriona Lucas are brought to the church in Liscannor, County Clare by her colleagues in Doolin search and rescue Pic: Mark Condren

Thousands of mourners have turned out to pay their respects to the family of heroic volunteer coast guard, Caitriona Lucas.

Ms Lucas is the first Irish Coastguard volunteer to lose her life in the course of her duties.

The 41 year old experienced coxswain lost her life on Monday, after the rescue boat overturned off the coast of Kilkee, Co Clare.

All evening long, mourners have been filing into the parish Church in Liscannor, the small village near the Cliffs of Moher, where she had lived with her family.

Amongst them are volunteers from coast guard units all around the country, sympathising with Caitrionas husband, Bernard  also a coast guard volunteer at Doolin  as well as the couples two children, Ben and Emma.

One of the first groups to pay their respects was a group from the unit at Achill, Co Mayo.

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There were also volunteers from the unit at Kilkee, Co Clare  which often works with the Doolin coast guards, where Caitriona Lucas had been based, as well as volunteers from Kilrush and many others.

Mattie Shannon, Officer in Charge (OIC) with Doolin Coast Guard said he was overwhelmed by the great outpouring of sympathy from around the country.

All coast guard services work in tandem and they have come together at this time to mourn a member of the family, he said.

Caitrionas death had been a big loss, he said.

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She was such a fantastic person, he said, adding that they could take solace from the fact that she had loved doing what she did.

Amongst the crowds, many had expressed gratitude for the work of the coast guards, Mr Shannon said, revealing that he had just met a woman whose husband was a fisherman the Doolin unit had rescued six or seven years ago.

Mr Shannon said the Doolin unit was one of the busiest in the country because with the beauty comes the danger.

The increasing popularity of the west coast means that the risk increases, he warned. The Doolin unit had received 57 calls so far this year  their busiest period to date.

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Emotional, he said that the coast guard volunteers are proposing to meet back in a months time to reflect on Ms Lucas life and to just take time to be together.

The funeral will take place in the morning at Liscannor church in Clare.
Armed Gardai conduct a search of property and a car in Dublin's South Inner city Picture: Gerry Mooney

Moment Irish man is arrested in Spain over the murder of Gary Hutch. Picture: Garda Press Office

A major Irish criminal has been arrested in Spain over the murder of Gary Hutch as part of a series of raids in Dublin and Marbella targeting the Kinahan crime gang.

Over 60 officers, from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, accompanied by staff from the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), have searched at least six locations in Dublin.

In a unique move gardai were accompanied on the searches by officers from Spain's Guardia Civil.

Meanwhile, police in Spain raided a gym linked to the Kinahan crime cartel at dawn today as part of a major cross-border operation.

Civil Guard officers forced entry to the MGM Gym, founded by Matthew Macklin in Puerto Banus near Marbella as scores of gardai began searches at several locations in Dublin accompanied by Spanish officers.

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Detectives used bolt cutters to force their way into the gym suspected of being closely linked to the Kinahan family which is involved in a deadly feud with the rival Hutch family - just after 7am local time before taking away cash and computers.

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Investigators were spotted loading several boxes into unmarked vans parked on the pavement outside the gym.

They also used sniffer dogs believed to have been trained to hunt out cash and drugs.

Also in Spain today, a major Irish criminal was arrested in relation to the murder of Gary Hutch last September - the first gun murder which sparked the deadly Dublin gang feud.

The man, who is 34 and from the south inner city, is being questioned by Spanish detectives today about the murder.

In Dublin, officers, investigating the Kinahan crime cartel, pounced at approximately 6.30am. A spokesperson said it was an intelligence-led operation relating to serious organised crime in the Dublin Region.

The properties raided in Dublin include three in Dublin 8, and one each in Clondalkin, Lucan and South County Dublin.

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At one address, plain clothes Gardai could be seen entering and exiting a house this morning, while another methodically and thoroughly searched a white Dublin registered car parked outside.

At a press conference in Dublin on Wednesday afternoon Detective Superintendent Tony Howard, of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, confirmed that 23,000 in cash and false identification papers were seized in a search on one Dublin property.

Computers, phones and documents were seized during the searches. No arrests have been made but gardai say they are confident of charges in the future.

Weve seized computers, phones, 23,000 in cash, false identification papers and financial documentation in relation to banks outside this jurisdiction, said Det Supt Howard.

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I believe we will have arrests in the future. Today was about gathering evidence and disrupting and dismantling these organised crime groups. It was about gathering evidence so we can go to the DPP to seek a charge of possibly directing organised crime but certainly facilitating organised crime in these jurisdictions. I do know a significant amount of evidence has been retrieved in Spain.

He said the investigation was heavily focused on money laundering and officers investigating the gang have seized around 1m in cash in recent weeks.

A number of gardai were present with members of the Guardia civil. They carried out a number of searches in Spain and one person has been arrested in relation to the murder of Gary Hutch in Spain in 2015.

Det Supt Howard said gardai have helped Spanish police identify suspects as part of the Gary Hutch investigation.

In terms of sharing information around the murder of Gary Hutch we can help them interpret documentation and vice versa. We have several members there on the ground assisting and interpreting documents for the Guardia Civil and identifying suspects. It is ultimately about identifying suspects to bring before the courts either here or in Spain.

He said the Dublin man arrested in Spain over Gary Hutchs murder will appear before magistrates in Spain who will decide whether he is prosecuted.

He added that several members of Guardia Civil were in Dublin.

Det Supt Howard added: The main focus of the operation was to target organised crime here in Dublin but we are very grateful to our colleagues in the Guardia Civil who we have spoken to on a number of occasions over the past few weeks.

These operations take a lot of planning and coordination. That has been going on behind the scenes away from the cameras for the last few weeks and it certainly has borne some fruitful rewards this morning.

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He said gardai have also been liaising with officers in other European countries including Spain, Germany and the Netherlands and will also work with authorities outside the European Union.

In Spain, simultaneous raids were carried out at a number of other locations on the Costa del Sol.

In a statement, released online by the Guardia Civil, police said the Operation was called "Geraneo".

They said that agents connected to this investigation arrested a man, identified by his initials J. Q., in connection with the murder investigation.

Police in Spain, supported by gardai, raided four properties including the MGM gym which was founded by Matthew Macklin.

The gym was empty when the police turned up in more than half a dozen unmarked cars and Guardia Civil vans. A caretaker arrived to find the door had been opened and scores of officers inside.

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Clients arriving later in the morning were turned away and told the gym would not be opening for business until tomorrow/Thursday.

The operation lasted around four hours till just after 11am.

There was no sign of Daniel Kinahan, who is reported to have taken over control of the familys business empire from dad Christy.

Police remained at the premises after taking away property from inside but made no immediate official comment on the large-scale operation.

Several police and Guardia Civil vehicles were spotted at the scene, including a van used by Guardia Civil forensics experts.

Former Irish, British and European Middleweight Champion Matthew Macklin, a pal of the Kinahans who is not involved in crime, founded the MGM Gym.

A source said: The officers said they were looking for two men who used to use the gym but no-one believes them. They took everything, computers, paperwork, the lot.

Justice Minister Francis Fitzgerald said this morning she "welcomed" the cooperation between gardai and Spanish authorities.

I really want to welcome the excellent cooperation between the Gardai and Spanish authorities," she said.

"I met the Spanish Minister for Justice some weeks ago. Gardai have an unrelenting, a very serious and ongoing persistent focus on interrupting the criminal activities and this cycle of revenge and retaliation that we see with these gangs. I welcome their ongoing work progress.

Spanish detectives are investigating the murder of 34-year-old Dublin man Gary Hutch, who was shot dead in September 2015 at the apartment complex where he lived near Marbella.

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His was the first murder in an ongoing feud between the Hutch and the Kinahan gangs.

A second man, innocent Trevor O'Neill, was also shot while on holiday Spain last month. He was murdered in a case of mistaken identity.
Eighteen months ago, a conflict between Yemens elected Sunni government and the Houthi opposition, allied with elements loyal to the countrys former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, escalated into a civil war. Subsequently, at the request of the elected Yemeni government, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia launched military air strikes against the Houthi rebels.

And, as is usual in armed conflict, it is the civilian population that suffers the most. Since the conflict broke out in March of last year, some 6500 people have been killed, about half of them civilians. At the same time, more than 3.1 million Yemenis have been displaced and more than 80 percent of the countryor 21 million peopleare in need of humanitarian assistance.

The numbers dont begin to capture the true depth of the tragedy, but they are nevertheless staggering, said Secretary of State John Kerry at a recent press conference. Food shortages have driven prices up 60 percent since last March, and they have brought the country to the brink of famine.

The Yemeni people need help and they need it now. But unfortunately, donations are slow in coming, said Secretary of State Kerry. To date, the international response to this crisis has fallen short of filling the gap between the supplies that are available and those that are required.

To help fill that gap, the United States, already the largest donor of aid to Yemen, will contribute another $189 million in urgently needed humanitarian assistance. The new funding will go toward additional food and nutrition assistance, emergency health care, hygiene kits and psychosocial support. It will also help improve access to drinking water and sanitation.Some of the money will also go toward providing food and shelter for Yemeni refugees in the Horn of Africa.

We strongly urge other countries in and outside the region to expand their contributions as well, said Secretary of State Kerry. Every party has an obligation to allow the unfettered flow of humanitarian assistance to Yemenis in all parts of the country. That is necessary to save lives, and it is also mandated under international law, and it is the right thing to do.
Ryanair chief Michael OLeary has said Ireland should threaten to leave the EU over the Apple Tax ruling.

In a typically frank interview the airline boss claimed that the European Commission was bullying Ireland over the Apple tax ruling.

Last week the Irish government won a Dail vote, by 93 votes to 36, to appeal the commissions ruling, which found Ireland granted illegal state aid Apple and should recover 13 billion in back taxes from the tech giant.

But, speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Mr OLeary said that this doesnt go far enough.

This is a case of the European Commission bullying Ireland. Ireland should respond with a far more robust response than appealing the decision.

They should go and at every Commission meeting, every ministerial meeting hit the table and say we are not tolerating this and if this isnt withdrawn we will consider leaving the Europen Union.

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Mr OLeary compared the Apple ruling to the case of Russian oligarchs living in London who he alleges are paying no tax to the British government.

The airline boss also launched a scathing attack on Junior Minister John Halligan accusing him of pork barrel politics over the Waterford Hospital issue.

The Minister of State for Training and Skills threatened to resign over cardiac services for the hospital but later rolled back.

When asked about his thoughts on the new politics practiced by the fledgling government, Mr OLeary responded: There is no such thing as new politics, it is same old same old politics all the time. The behaviour of the likes of some of the Independents has been typically old pork barrel politics. Some guy wants something for Waterford Hospital.

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Thats not what youre there for. And if you are going to resign every time you dont get what you want or throw your toys out of the pram then just go.

Asked his thoughts on the Dublin bus dispute which has already seen two days of strike action Mr OLeary called for the entire service to be privatised.

He criticised management at Dublin Bus for not facing the strike head on. He also praised Transport Minister Shane Ross for not getting involved in the dispute.

People keep calling for the Minister to intervene. Its not his job to intervene. I think he should continue to stay out of it. What Im missing is where is Dublin Bus management? I havent heard from one of them.

He explained that his solution for the strike was to allow private bus operators run the service in the city.

If its a red rag to a bull then fine. But the bulls need to understand that if you guys want to go on strike and hold the public to ransom, which is what they are doing, then there are alternatives and the alternatives would be let the private operators use the bus lanes on the days that these guys want to go on strike.

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Despite being so outspoken on politics Mr OLeary said he would never venture into the political amphitheatre.

I think I would be unelectable in politics, I wouldnt last 30 seconds because Id be telling the Unions what I think of them and that doesnt get you elected in this country.
Incredible footage of the latest thought-provoking work by artist Joe Caslin has been released. And we are suitably blown away.

The teaser video - shot by web design firm Emagine - highlights the project which was created in collaboration with the A Lust for Life group.

Entitled Ar scath a cheile a mhaireann na daoine, which translates as we live protected under each others shadow, the piece aims to raise awareness around mental health issues.

The giant mural covers the front of the abandoned Ard Ri Hotel in Waterford - and also makes the opening of a new Pieta House centre in the city.

"Here's a teaser vid we shot for Joe Caslin, Waterford Walls, Pieta House, Preventing Suicide and Self Harm and the A Lust For Life campaign over the weekend," reads the Emagine post.

"Proud and excited to be involved in such a well executed project for both the city of Waterford and mental health awareness in Ireland."

The Roscommon artist has been regularly involved in projects that evoke discussion around sensitive topics.

His mural installed in Dublin city centre as part of the Marriage Referendum 'Yes' campaign made the front page of the International New York Times.

The Claddagh Embrace mural depicted two men in an emotional embrace.
Prof OShea said delaying the introduction of the tax is a grave mistake, particularly in the drive to reduce obesity in children (Stock picture)

The Government decision to delay introduction of the sugar tax until 2018 is a failure to tackle the obesity epidemic which is linked to 4,000 deaths annually, doctors have warned.

Obesity expert Prof Donal O'Shea was responding to indications by Finance Minister Michael Noonan that the tax will not come in here until it is introduced in the UK.

Prof O'Shea, along with other doctors in the Royal College of Physicians, said delaying the introduction of the tax was a "grave mistake", particularly in the drive to reduce obesity in children.

"On behalf of the 4,000 people who will die next year directly as a result of our obesity epidemic, I would ask the Government to urgently revisit the deferral. Postponing it is weak leadership."
A poem detailing the everyday bravery and altruism of the Irish Coast Guard has taken on an added poignancy in light of the tragic death of Caitriona Lucas off the coast of Co Clare.

The poem, titled 'Doolin Coast Guard - An Appreciation', was written several years ago by Doolin native Eugene Garrihy. It was shared by many people on social media yesterday.

In the short poem, Mr Garrihy speaks about the challenges and hardships those involved in search and rescue missions face while the rest of the country "lay on our slumber perch".

Mr Garrihy thanks members of the coast guard and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for their dedication and as they scour the ocean "and climb the cliffs where no one goes".

He also prays for their safe return.
A group of doctors and medical professionals in the South East say they utterly reject the findings of an independent review into the provision of cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford.

The doctors have today strongly criticised the review by Dr Niall Herity, which recommended against the provision of a second cath lab for the hospital.

The struggle for adequate resourcing for the South East cardiac service has been four years in the fighting, said Dr Patrick Owens Consultant Cardiologist and clinical lead for cardiology at University Hospital Waterford.

This report was the last in a long line of hindrances and procrastinations we have encountered in this struggle, and, as a result, we accepted the process of independent review only under duress. The report conclusions were deeply dismaying, but made all the more so since its eventual publication last Thursday has allowed its flawed nature to be identified, he added.

The review itself has been at the centre of major political upheaval surrounding Independent minister and Waterford TD John Halligan.

Mr Halligan has threatened to resign and bring down the Government if a second cath lab is not delivered.

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Tensions have heightened between Mr Halligan and Fine Gael following an interview he gave to the Sunday Independent last week.

During the interview, Mr Halligan accused Fine Gael of a "stitch-up" and three Fine Gael ministers of "dirty politics".

He told the newspaper: "I will bring all hell down on top of them if they don't deliver this."

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The Training and Skills Minister challenged Taoiseach Enda Kenny to sack him, but also threatened to "walk away" if a second cath lab was not provided.

"I am angry with Fine Gael in total. I am really angry. I am angry with the people I negotiated with - Michael Noonan, Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar."

But he also said: "I am steadfast in my refusal to be intimidated by Fine Gael. I will not back down."

He added: "I don't want to bring down the Government. But if it takes that, I will have to."

The junior minister said: "I am not going to be f***ed over by anybody. I don't care if it is the man on the street or some guy threatening me. And you can print that.

"Somebody said to me during the week: 'Sometimes you have got to bite down and suck up.'

After the interview was published, Mr Halligan texted Finance Minister Michael Noonan to claim his views were misrepresented. He also told other ministers in government that he was taken out of context.

Mr Halligan did not respond to several requests for comment.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is due to meet Mr Halligan today to discuss the issue. Fine Gael sources say he is fully standing by his Health Minister Simon Harriss decision to back the Herity review.

But the Waterford doctors have called for Mr Harris to meet them over its findings.

The population calculation in the Herity report is inaccurate, Dr Owens said.

From this figure, all the subsequent recommendations come. These recommendations hugely disadvantage the South East population, limiting still further their access to care, both by withdrawing the prospect of acute heart attack emergency care, and by profoundly under-resourcing the South East Cardiac Interventional Service in University Hospital Waterford.
Ministers have sought more than 3bn in new spending measures ahead of the Budget, more than three times the available 'fiscal space' for next year.

Cabinet ministers are to be told to pare back their expectations given that the so-called fiscal space for Budget 2017 has been put at around 1bn, with as much of a third of this to be used for tax cuts.

Fine Gael have committed to at least a 2:1 split between expenditure and tax cuts under its confidence and supply agreement with Fianna Fail.

Amid stiff competition between Departments for funding areas like housing, health and education, the combined 'wish-lists' of ministers has come in at in excess of 3bn.

A government spokesman said: Weve been consistently communicating for the last week or two that there is a very finite amount of resources available to the government.

"The flexibility in spending isnt what people would like it to be."

The spokesman pointed out that Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that the Budget will have to be "Brexit proofed" to take into account the economic impact of Britain beginning the process of leaving the European Union.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe is to meet his Cabinet colleagues over the coming weeks to discuss individual Departments' spending needs.

Last week Mr Kenny delivered a speech to the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce outlining how he has asked Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Mr Donohoe to ensure that the Budget is "Brexit-proofed".

He said: "In the weeks ahead there will be intense political and parliamentary debate about the best use of the limited resources."

Mr Kenny added: "Not all good suggestions will be affordable in the next 12 months but with continued economic recovery we will, in turn, be able to continue to deliver for hard pressed families."
U.S. President Barack Obama strongly condemned North Koreas recent nuclear test and missile launches. North Korea's September 9 nuclear test is a grave threat to regional security and to international peace and stability. North Korea stands out as the only country to have tested nuclear weapons this century.

This most recent test, North Korea's second this year, follows an unprecedented campaign of ballistic missile launches, which North Korea claims are intended to serve as delivery vehicles for nuclear weapons targeting the United States and our allies, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.

Furthermore, the U.S. does not, and never will, accept North Korea as a nuclear state. Far from achieving its stated national security and economic development goals, North Korea's provocative and destabilizing actions have instead served to isolate and impoverish its people through its relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities. This nuclear test, a flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions, makes clear North Korea's disregard for international norms and standards for behavior and demonstrates it has no interest in being a responsible member of the international community.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said, We remain committed to defending the American people and honoring our security commitments to our allies in the region. We are prepared to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure our alliances continue to defend against this growing threat to international peace and security.

The United States remains steadfast in our defense commitments to our allies in the region, using all the capabilities at our disposal, including our extended deterrence commitments.

The DPRK's repeated and willful violations of its obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions, its belligerent and erratic threats, and web of illicit activities around the world indicate it has no interest in participating in global affairs as a responsible member of the international community. This shows that North Korea would not be a credible negotiating partner.

Secretary Kerry said the U.S. remains open to credible and authentic talks aimed at full and verifiable denuclearization of the DPRK and North Korea can only achieve the security and development it seeks by living up to its international obligations and commitments.
Ministers who have stood back from the leadership issue are growing impatient with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and want him to quickly spell out his exit strategy.

Ministers seen as being particularly loyal to Mr Kenny now say he must depart by the summer at the latest so as to allow for an orderly transition. Others within the party want the issue finalised before the end of this year.

Mr Kenny has stunned some of his closest allies by claiming at the Fine Gael think-in in Newbridge that he has no intention of leaving the job before the Government fulfils it full term.

In real terms that could mean up to three years as Fianna Fail, who underpin the minority, coalition have promised support for three Budgets.

Some of Mr Kenny's supporters suspect he took the decision in a bid to kill off speculation about his leadership well ahead of the Dail break next Christmas. But the issue has backfired and now ministers seen as being allies of Mr Kenny believe he should step aside next year. "It's becoming too big of an issue now," one Cabinet source said.

Mr Kenny had a strong and defiant message for would-be rebels yesterday after several assertions that he was going nowhere. "I've a mandate from the Oireachtas as Taoiseach and head of government in the most challenging times our country has seen for a long time," he told reporters in Newbridge.

He said party politics could not take precedence over Brexit, the upcoming Budget; developing Dublin's north inner city; housing, health and education.

At the close of the two-day pre-Dail meeting there were renewed rumours that some rebel TDs might miss key votes in protest over Mr Kenny's refusal to step aside. But a number of TDs, seen as opposed to Mr Kenny remaining on as leader said they would not partake in such a strategy which would only further destabilise the Government.

Mr Kenny's claim on "another two years" was promptly and strongly challenged by two maverick Fine Gael TDs. The criticisms came little more than two hours after Mr Kenny signalled on national radio that he wanted to stay on for a longer period and "fulfil his mandate."

Two TDs, Brendan Griffin of Kerry and Jim Daly of Cork South West, said the party had to discuss the leadership issue soon. A third TD, Pat Deering, said it should be broached at the Christmas recess.

Mr Griffin said his views on the need for leadership change were shared by others in the party. "I certainly feel that, for the country's sake and for the party's sake, we need to confront this issue now," the Kerry TD said.

Read More: Analysis: Taoiseach has just a short grace period to make hard decisions

He said Fine Gael had 50pc more TDs a year ago and also lost over 100 councillors in the 2014 local elections. "If that's not a wake-up call for a party in any scenario, what is?" he asked.

The Cork South West TD, Jim Daly, stressed at length that Mr Kenny was a good Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader. He said the leadership issue only arose because Mr Kenny himself said he would not lead them in the next election, and current instability meant that could be any time between the Budget on October 11, and the following Budget in autumn 2017.

Meanwhile, Mr Kenny is due to have showdown talks with junior minister John Halligan today. Mr Halligan told colleagues he has no intention of quitting government.

He has also revealed he feels under pressure from senior doctors in Waterford University Hospital to stand by his stance that a new cath lab is required.
Enda Kenny can point out that it would be wrong to presume that Fianna Fail would underpin a minority coalition under a new Fine Gael leader Picture: Damien Eagers

Enda Kenny's "long goodbye" just might not be so long after all. But it could well be acrimonious if he sticks to his signalled assertion that he wants to stay something like two to three more years.

History teaches us that he could be very hard to shift, even if the heavers got on the case. The events of June 2010, when he beat off a team of his own lieutenants, remains fresh in Fine Gael stalwarts' minds.

He was close to the action in other political conflicts over his 40-plus years at Leinster House. And this time his key allies would have it that he is even better fixed when you do the brutal arithmetic.

Twenty seven out of 50 Fine Gael TDs have jobs as either senior or junior ministers. Like the "honest Kerrymen" of yore, once bought they should stay bought.

Well, that could prove to be a dangerous assumption. All of those 27 must again find their career path in a post-Kenny world; some can with confidence feel they would make the cut on another government leader's team; and some of them are cited as capable of taking Mr Kenny's job.

Granted, Mr Kenny does have a more potent weapon to help him stay on if he really wishes. He can point out that it would be wrong to presume that Fianna Fail would underpin a minority coalition under a new Fine Gael leader.

Many within Micheal Martin's party could reasonably ask why they should facilitate a smooth change of leader in their arch-rivals' house. Why should Fianna Fail really help Fine Gael rightly get their legs under the table at Government Buildings?

With that scenario, Mr Kenny could concentrate Fine Gael TDs' and Senators' minds by asking them if they were keen on a snap election.

So far there are only five rebels ready to put their heads over the parapet: Brendan Griffin of Kerry; Jim Daly of Cork South West; Pat Deering of Carlow-Kilkenny; Michael D'Arcy of Wexford; and Fergus O'Dowd of Louth.

Mr Kenny's supporters dismiss them as "disappointed in the promotion stakes." But that may not be a durable device for avoiding a simple reality: the quintet are saying what many are thinking.

Some of those thoughts are occurring inside the cabinet room. Though all the Government team insist they remain loyal to Mr Kenny and his right to frame his own exit plans in due course.

There was an interesting moment yesterday when Housing Minister, Simon Coveney, a potential contender to succeed Mr Kenny, replying to questions, stressed that the Taoiseach was entitled to pick his own timetable for departure. But then Mr Coveney also said it was difficult to see how things would be three years from now, given the current political climate.

In private conversations, other key party figures, including some ministers, were frankly saying that there must be a limit to Mr Kenny's "long goodbye."

One source suggested that this one cannot go much beyond next Christmas.

"An election this year is unlikely. But an election next year cannot be so easily ruled out. That means we have to have a leader ready for the campaign," one source said.

Rumours that some rebels might take to being absent for important votes seemed less likely. That carry-on means expulsion and/or local party ostracisation. But the rumour's existence tells its own tale.
Enda Kenny argued that Irish Water made huge improvements to the water quality in many parts of the country (Stock photo)

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has rounded on Fianna Fail for once again calling for the outright abolition of water charges.

Under the so-called "Confidence and Supply" arrangement underpinning the minority Coalition charges are suspended for nine months as an expert Commission set up to examine their future starts its work.

But Fianna Fail, in their submission to the Commission, said it wants the charges abolished and the provision of water funded from general taxes.

Their party leader, Micheal Martin, denied that this amounted to U-turn.

Water charges first came into being as part of the 2010 bailout deal with the EU-ECB IMF Troika agreed by Fianna Fail Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

The Taoiseach was very critical of the stance taken in the Fianna Fail submission.

"Fianna Fail have returned to irresponsible public activity in the water area and I'm not sure what Fianna Fail are at here," he told RTE radio.

Mr Kenny said he very strongly believed Ireland needed one single body overseeing the nation's water provision. He argued that Irish Water made huge improvements to the water quality in many parts of the country.

He said water conservation was essential and it was right for people to pay a fair and affordable contribution towards provision of an important scarce resource.

But speaking at Fine Gael's pre-Dail meeting in Newbridge, Housing Minister Simon Coveney took a more conciliatory stance.

"You wouldn't expect Fianna Fail to be proposing a new form of water charges in a submission to the expert commission," the Minister responsible for water charges said.

Mr Coveney said it was Fianna Fail's right to outline a political position.
Dublin Bus unions will debate the possibility of an all-out strike at a meeting tomorrow after workers down tools for a second disruptive strike.

Unions will discuss further 24- or 48-hour stoppages, a mixture of both, as well as the nuclear option of an indefinite strike as 400,000 passengers are left without services.

They say further strikes, due to take place tomorrow and Friday, now seem "inevitable". Buses will again be taken off the roads from 9pm tonight, Dublin Bus confirmed.

The general secretary of the NBRU, Dermot O'Leary, accused Transport Minister Shane Ross of "sitting on his hands". He said there had been no contact from his office since industrial action in pursuit of a 15pc pay rise over three years began.

"Such a state of affairs is simply not good enough," he said.

"This dispute will only be resolved around the negotiating table. Of all the options that may be available, sitting on one's hands is surely not one of them."

Siptu organiser John Murphy condemned the department's "silence" and said the minister's "intransigence" had strengthened workers' resolve to escalate the dispute.

There was no response from Minister Ross's office yesterday.

The Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court are sceptical about intervening as they believe it would offer little prospect of success.

Passengers with annual and monthly tickets on Leap cards can claim a refund for each day lost, but only once the dispute is resolved.
Get started: Karl Henry says you are never too old to jump on the fitness bandwagon

Last Wednesday saw the very first 'Celebrity Operation Transformation' on RTE2. Five brave famous souls took on the challenge to change their lives. And above anything, what we saw last week is that the celebrities are just like everyone else, with real struggles and a desire for change.

By taking the tools on board, making the changes and applying themselves, the results were significant to say the least. But when watching the show and reading the coverage that has been in the newspapers over the last few weeks, it struck me just how important a role 'OT' has in improving the health of the country.

It has become a movement of health, a juggernaut that mobilises the nation, gets people looking at what they eat and how they move.

A television show has become a crucial component of addressing the health of the nation. That got me thinking, what have people actually taken from the show and what can they take in future? Here's what I came up with:

1. Getting healthy and losing weight takes effort: If nothing else, the show proves that to lose weight it takes hard work, effort and time. It is no quick fix but instead promotes cooking meals and exercising, both in cardiovascular and resistance forms.

2. Ireland has an appetite for health: The viewing figures show that as a nation, we want to get healthier. We want to know how and we want to be led. Making health accessible and packaging it well means people follow. I think it's a lesson to any government health body in how to sell well-being - make it exciting, simple, free and relevant and they will come!

3. The importance of a goal: Without a specific goal, it's extremely hard to get healthy and change your habits. A goal is probably one of the most crucial components, and on the show we use several, from weight and other body health markers. To be honest, it doesn't matter what your goal is, once it's strong enough to get you through the motivational lulls that always come with change.

4. Not everyone loves the lycra: Here's the thing - tight gym gear has a crucial function that there is no other way to achieve. It shows the public the body shape of each leader. By seeing this body shape, the public can choose which leader looks like them and also they can see exactly what is changing each week as the results happen. It's a powerful visual indicator of change, no more and no less.

5. Ireland really doesn't cook enough: This year on the celebrity version we have seen the struggle each leader is having with cooking, something that Ireland as a whole isn't doing enough of and something many don't know how to do. It's a basic life skill that needs to be reintroduced. There is such a huge difference between food you prepare yourself and food you buy that's prepared.

6. The power of community: Walking, running, weighing, working out, it's all better in numbers, and I love that people all around Ireland take part, getting healthy together and changing lives. When middle-aged men in a pub in rural Ireland start their own weigh-in club, you know that the show is making a difference in local communities.

7. Weight loss isn't an exact science: Every year the show is filmed a few days behind, so we don't know what is going to happen from one week to the next. Weight loss isn't always predictible, we set targets that we feel each leader can achieve, but sometimes it doesn't happen like that. As a panel, we apply our expertise and show the public just what they need to if they are having a problem like the leader is.

8. We drink too much: As a nation, we have a skewed relationship with alcohol, which isn't good for our health or waistlines, as it's liquid calories that people forget about. The answer is not an all or nothing approach, but one of balance.

9. Measure your waistline: We know that high waistlines place you at a high risk of several conditions; take a tape measure, place it round your waist and meet at the bellybutton.

10. You're never too old: Not only are the leaders different ages, but the camera footage from the communities around Ireland show people of every single age group getting involved and it's such an important message. Never, ever let age hold you back.
The search for Fiesta has uncovered a model almost forty years old

Ford's countrywide search for the oldest Fiesta on our roads has uncovered a 38-year-old model that is still on the go.

It seems the search has attracted a massive response from all over. Yet it must have come as a real delight to the company to discover that one of the cars dates back to 1978.

That's 38 years of motoring for the little hatch - a big achievement for any car.

The Fiesta is 40 years in Ireland this year. That's why they are searching for the oldest and planning big "Fiesta festivities". Already a large number of owners are preparing for the celebration, which will be held in the Maynooth, Co Kildare area on Friday September 30.

A source has been told that as many as 40 cars will join in a special Fiesta convoy.

Expect that there will be a nice blend of quite old and newer cars on show.

And then there is the icing on the cake . . . I am reliably informed that Ben Collins (pictured), who was 'Stig' on 'Top Gear' for many years, is due over to drive the latest and powerful Fiesta ST200 (a whopping 200bhp).

Around 180,000 Fiestas have been bought in Ireland since it first came on stream: more than 17 million have been bought globally.

It's still not too late to participate in the 40-year birthday party if you have an old Fiesta; contact your local dealer.
With the Volkswagen Group fighting and facing legal and regulatory battles here and elsewhere, a new tranche of research from WhatCar? may serve as a little bit of good news for both the company and current owners.

It found that the resale values of cars from Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and SEAT have been largely unaffected by the emissions scandal - at least in the UK.

There is no hard evidence one way or the other here.

Almost a year ago (September 16, 2015), the company admitted it had used a defeat device to change emissions test results for many years.

Now, Whatcar.com's depreciation database report shows Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda models retain above-average value after three years and/or 57,000km.

And a survey conducted by Whatcar.com found that three-in-five motorists (59pc) are equally likely to buy Volkswagen brands as they were before the scandal.

The latest findings come as legal proceedings against the company resume here on Friday in the case involving Eithne Higgins of Croghan, Boyle, Co Roscommon, who is seeking compensation after the carmaker admitted cheating on emissions tests.

It is understood to be the first of its kind in asking the carmaker to reveal the original expert opinion and technical evidence it availed of to develop a fix for the affected engines.
Hundreds of thousands of passengers are facing travel chaos due to a new wave of French ATC union strikes.

The strikes are forcing Ryanair to cancel 22 flights on Wednesday, September 14 and 72 flights on Thursday, September 15, it has confirmed.

Aer Lingus has also cancelled 10 flights on Thursday:

E1592 - Dublin to Madrid

EI593 - Madrid to Dublin

EI510 - Dublin to Perpignan

EI511 - Perpignon to Dublin

EI748 - Dublin to Bilbao

EI749 - Bilbao to Dublin

EI526 - Dublin to Paris

EI527 - Paris to Dublin

EI876 - Cork to Lanzarote

EI877 - Lanzarote to Cork

Among Ryanair's cancelled services are Dublin/Murcia (FR7094 & FR7095) on Wednesday - the full list of affected flights is available here.

The strikes are the 14th to be called by French ATC unions this year as a result of long-running disputes with the government over staffing and pay.

Both airlines have apologised to disrupted customers, who will be contacted by email and SMS text message and advised of their options.

Passengers whose flights are cancelled can avail of a full refund, rebooking onto the next available flight, or rebooking onto an alternative route.

Read More

Dealing with the fallout from the latest in over 50 French ATC strikes since 2009, Ryanair has again called on the European Commission to take action.

It, and other European airlines, are calling on the EC to require ATC unions to engage in binding arbitration instead of strikes and to allow Europes other ATCs to operate overflights while unions strike, among other measures.

Ryanair is seeking one million signatures for a petition at keepeuropesskiesopen.com, which it plans to present to the EC.

It's reprehensible that Europes consumers repeatedly have their holiday and travel plans disrupted or cancelled by the selfish actions of ATC unions, who use strikes as a first weapon rather than a last resort," said Robin Kiely, the airline's Head of Communications.

"This French ATC strike will impact hundreds of thousands of European consumers and throw their travel plans into chaos once more."

Customers are advised to check their flight status before travel.

Read more:
The wait comes to an end today for just over 60,000 students as they collect their Junior Certificate results - a momentous day. However, from next year, junior cycle students will start collecting a very different set of results, because the junior cycle is changing.

The Junior Certificate is being replaced by a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement, or the JCPA. The JCPA will recognise a much wider set of student achievements. No longer will everything hinge on how a student performs in a written exam paper in June. Not that there is anything fundamentally wrong with final examinations. Indeed, they have their place and will continue to be an important feature of the new junior cycle. However, when exams become a major focus of what happens in classrooms this can have a negative effect on the teaching and learning. There is both national and international research that shows this to be the case. One of the aims of the new junior cycle is to shift the focus from the examination process to the actual learning that our students should be experiencing.

The current reform of the junior cycle is not a case of 'throwing the baby out with the bath water'. On the contrary, many of the really good aspects of the old system are being maintained. All of the different subjects that schools currently offer, for example, will remain in place, innovative teaching methods practised in classrooms will not change, while the State Examinations Commission (SEC) will continue to administer external exams. The new junior cycle simply takes all of these good aspects, builds on them and leaves us with a modern and progressive system of education for our young people.

The first subject to be introduced as part of the new junior cycle was English. This subject was introduced in September 2014. New Science and Business Studies subjects have just been introduced for first-year students, while next year will see a different group of revised subjects being introduced. By 2019, all 21 subjects will have been introduced.

Each new subject will be assessed in a new way. Students will undertake two classroom-based assessments, or CBAs - one in second year and one in third year. The CBAs provide for the development of skills that are difficult to assess in a pen and paper examination, for example, teamwork and verbal communication skills. The CBAs will be assessed by a student's own teacher, who is best placed to assess these type of skills because they can observe and support their development and growth first-hand.

Students will also receive quality feedback on their work, not just a 'good' or 'well done' comment, but more helpful feedback that will provide them with real pointers on how to improve their learning.

Students will also complete a written Assessment Task towards the end of their third year. This task will ask them to reflect on the learning experiences they had while undertaking their second CBA and will be worth 10pc of the overall mark for the relevant subject. At the end of third year, students will sit the familiar final SEC exam in June.

It's often said that if the examination doesn't change, then nothing else will. Well, the examination, or the way students are assessed at this level, is definitely changing. No longer will junior cycle students be expected to sit in exam halls and write solidly for up to five hours at a time. The maximum length of final written examinations under the new system will be two hours.

Also, the old predictability chestnut associated with some examinations is being removed; perhaps forcing all of us in the school system to rethink how we teach and how students learn.

The new junior cycle will give every student a chance to shine. The introduction of a new common-level assessment system will prevent students from being pigeon-holed early in their second-level schooling into either foundation, ordinary or higher-level streams. Indeed, when I did the junior cycle (or the Intermediate Certificate as it was called then) there was no level distinctions in subjects - this was postponed until our Leaving Certificate to no adverse effects.

Further, the new junior cycle will place a focus on a new area of learning called wellbeing. This move alone brings into focus the importance of mental health and wellbeing.

Schools will place greater emphasis on important key skills such as working with others, communicating and managing information, and thinking, and will have greater flexibility in offering students a more diverse curriculum. Short courses in a range of areas may be introduced, including coding, performing arts and philosophy, and these can appear, up to a maximum of four, on a student's JCPA.

Indeed, student engagement and/or achievement in a whole range of other learning experiences outside of the formal timetabled curriculum may be referenced in a student's JCPA, including areas such as debating and sports. In this way, all of our students' achievements will be recognised, rewarded and reported on.

Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) is a schools' support service and our role is to support schools in implementing the new junior cycle. This is not going to happen overnight and we have some road to travel. My experience to date of working with teachers who have engaged with us has been very positive. We're all in agreement that change is required and we're all working together to achieve one common goal - to ensure that our students experience the best education possible.

Padraig Kirk is director of Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT), a Department of Education and Skills schools' support service
The very real scenario where Hillary Clinton's health issues (Irish Independent, September 13) force her to drop out of the US presidential race forces us to confront the appalling vista of a Donald Trump triumph this November.

For, make no mistake, if Clinton was forced to quit, it would give Trump an almost unstoppable momentum that even the most serious Democratic replacement would find difficult to countenance. This is reinforced by the attempted softening of Trump's xenophobic rhetoric over the last number of weeks where his campaign team has been engaged in a persuasive and determined effort to delineate the outrageous Islamophobia, homophobia and casual patronising anti-Semitism from Trump's aggressive and personalised public discourse.

Despite Trump's faux concern for Clinton's health yesterday, despite his recent obfuscation on 'the wall' between America and Mexico and immigration, he remains committed to fostering an American ethos of isolation which abandons the principle of solidarity with western counterparts. In this endeavour, Trump has tapped into the undercurrent of American racism, which has infected every strata of society despite having an African-American president. These individuals are, for the most part, disillusioned and disenfranchised malcontents who until very recently had little or no direct connection with the wonderful aspirations of the American Constitution.

This cohort is easily manipulated. They are oftentimes unemployed, undereducated and alienated from society, and Trump has exploited this disaffection to maximum effect. Trump's sole political talent is an ability to inflame the resentment of this cohort, and, if Clinton is forced to abandon the presidential race, the truly appalling vista of President Trump should concern even the most disinterested of observers.

Dr Kevin McCarthy

Kinsale, Co Cork

Citizens' Assembly in the Dail?

The scheduling of a Citizens' Assembly in October to consider and propose amendments to the Constitution has met with minimal questioning.

What is the need for this body not elected by the people, but rather selected by a marketing agency? Does not the elected Dail Eireann have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, which, if passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, are subject to a popular referendum?

Suspicion arises that the Department of the Taoiseach is reluctant to be the original proposer (or opponent) of a controversial amendment. Rather it will present itself and the Government as simply acting in accord with the suggestions of the Citizens' Assembly. Weak-kneed Dail members could then fall in line.

If a proposed amendment has the endorsement of the prevailing media establishment, and the financial support of external (primarily American) sponsors, then, like the most recent amendment, it will be certain to pass.

If market research-selected Citizens' Assemblies are to become the prevailing thing, why not use them to select the members of Dail Eireann. It would be much less expensive than elections.

John P McCarthy

Prof Emeritus of History,

Fordham University, New York

How Enda got his groove back

Fantastic news! Enda Kenny has found his mojo! Mother of Joseph, that's great!

He dug deep into his compassionate soul. And the great Apple Spirit helped him regain it. So Mojo translates into More Joy for mankind. Don't you just love a happy Enda-ing?

Anthony Woods

Ennis, Co Clare

O'Doherty right on abortion

I am delighted to see Ian O'Doherty knock the idea on the head that 'it is only religious people who are against abortion'.

While I am a committed Catholic, my main reason for opposing abortion is based on the right to life being the most basic human right of all. I am against the death penalty and certainly against killing the most vulnerable and helpless of all, the baby in the womb.

Those who support abortion seek to ignore the fact that abortion actually does involve killing a baby. They trot out the nonsense that 'it is not a baby, only a clump of cells,' when science proves that life begins at conception.

I thought we had had enough of cover-ups but, seemingly, not when it involves abortion and 'a woman's right to choose', forgetting that what is involved is a child, not a choice.

As a woman, I find it insulting when it is suggested that I want abortion available as a right. I do not and I value the fact that we have the Eighth Amendment in our Constitution giving equal protection to both mother and baby. What is wrong with that?

Mary Stewart

Donegal

Election promises not kept

Once again the elected Government of this State fails to live up to its election promises concerning the usc. When will our people wake up to the lies of the conservative parties of this State?

Rob Fletcher

Reading, Berkshire

Navy doing the country proud

Allow me to extend my heartfelt thanks to the noble crew of the LE James Joyce, who I understand have rescued a further five hundred migrants.

Regardless of one's views on the migrant crisis, one cannot deny the bravery of the men and women of the Irish Navy, and indeed every other naval force participating in the rescue efforts, for plucking these terrified people out of the Mediterranean and saving their lives. Lives, lest we forget, that include thousands of children and babies.

Well done to all. You're doing your country proud.

Sean Slattery

Newport, Co Tipperary

Media and the Hawe murder

I must compliment Suzanne Breen for her article (Irish Independent, September 8). She expressed my thoughts from the time the news broke. Alan Hawe was praised on radio and TV and in the newspapers long before there was a mention of Clodagh, or before we saw her photograph. Were we to believe his actions in the house as he murdered his wife did not cause a sound in the house or through the other rooms as his children waited for him?

E S Miller

Birr, Co Offaly

Give Sean O'Rourke a Ferrari

I was shocked when I saw the list of RTE's highest paid stars and noticed that Sean O'Rourke is fourth on the list. This is simply ridiculous. 'Today With Sean O'Rourke' is the best thing on RTE and the only reason I pay my TV licence fee.

I can't believe that Ryan Tubridy is paid more. I think RTE should pay Sean O'Rourke more and give him a Ferrari.

Brian O'Toole

Carlow
Under its Rewards for Justice Program, the U.S. State Department is offering up to $3 million for information leading to the location, arrest and or conviction of a key ISIL operative - Gulmurod Khalimov.

Khalimov was born in Tajikstan in 1975 and is a former Tajik special operations colonel, police commander and military sniper. He was once the commander of a police special operations unit in the Ministry of Interior of Tajikistan.

He is now a member of ISIL, or Daesh, as it is called in Arabic, and an ISIL recruiter. In May 2015, he announced in a 10-minute propaganda video that he fights for the terrorist group, and he has called publicly for violent acts against the United States, Russia and Tajikistan.

The United States designated Khalimov a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in September 2015. He was also sanctioned by the United Nations as a terrorist in February 2016. He is wanted by the Government of Tajikistan. In June 2015, Interpol issued a Red Notice for Khalimov alerting member nations that he is a wanted person and should be apprehended for extradition to Tajikistan.

Since its inception in 1984, the Rewards for Justice Program has paid in excess of $125 million to more than 80 people who provided actionable information that helped bring terrorists to justice or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide.

If you have information on Gulmurod Khalimov, contact the Rewards for Justice office via the website at rewardsforjustice.net; email at info@rewardsforjustice.net; phone at 1-800-877-3927; or mail at Rewards for Justice, Washington, D.C. 20520-0303, USA.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Actress Kate Hudson has praised the "important" role her stepfather Kurt Russell has played in her life - and revealed she now recognises the actor's traits in herself.

Hudson, 37, and Russell, 65, appear in a film together for the first time in the disaster movie Deepwater Horizon, which tells the story of the 2010 oil-rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico that led to the worst oil spill in US history.

The pair walked the red carpet at the movie's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, along with their co-star Mark Wahlberg who plays oil rig foreman Mike Williams.

Asked how important Russell had been to her career, Hudson told the Press Association: "I think it's more, how important has he been in my life?

"He raised me. I am who I am because of him and my mum, of course.

"There are certain parts of me, especially as you get older, you look and you go, that's just my dad, so he's incredibly important."

Hudson said she would love to work on a future film with Russell and her mother, actress Goldie Hawn, but admitted it was an unlikely prospect.

"There's nobody I'd rather work with," she said. "We're very compatible our family. We like each other a lot.

"Even when we can't stand each other we still would rather be in the same room as each other than anybody else.

"I'd love to work with them. I'd love to work with my mum. I'd love to work with my brothers.

"But I highly doubt it's going to be all of us in a movie. But I have a feeling we're going to do a lot of things separately together."

Deepwater Horizon is released in UK cinemas on September 29.
Rupert Murdoch (L) and his ex-wife Wendi Deng arriving on the red carpet during the opening ceremony of the Shanghai International Film Festival in 2011

Australian born media magnate Rupert Murdoch (L) and his new bride, former US model Jerry Hall pose for a photograph outside St Bride's church on Fleet Street in central London on March 5, 2016, after attending a ceremony of celebration of their marriage

Rupert Murdoch and Wendi Deng arrive at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Rupert Murdochs longest-serving editor-in-chief has claimed the News Corp boss was upset by the alleged closeness between his ex-wife Wendi Deng and the former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In his memoir Making Headlines, Chris Mitchell, the former editor of the Australian, has claimed Mr Murdochs domestic staff reported this "closeness" to him.

He said Mr Murdoch, 85, was clearly lonely and struggling to sleep after separating from Ms Deng, 47, according to The Guardian. Mr Murdoch filed for divorce in November 2013 after 14 years of marriage. They have two children together and Mr Blair is godfather to one of their daughters.

In his memoir, Mr Mitchell writes: It was clear that my boss had been devastated by the closeness he found between his wife and his former friend. I never asked what that was, but it is clear that his Australian family, alerted by domestic staff, rang the bell on whatever was going on when Rupert was out of town.

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Mr Blair, 63, has always strenuously denied having an affair with Ms Deng and there is nothing to suggest that he did.

He was a notable absentee from the guest list when Mr Murdoch married Jerry Hall in March this year.

Mr Mitchell said Mr Murdoch is now happy and settled after marrying the former supermodel.

In March 2014, the Conde Nast publication Vanity Fair claimed to have uncovered an undated note allegedly written by Ms Deng in which she expressed admiration for Mr Blair.

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Oh, s**t, oh, s**t. Whatever why Im so so missing Tony. Because he is so so charming and his clothes are so good, the note reportedly read. Murdoch and Deng issued a joint statement in response in which they said they had made the decision not to engage in public allegations or respond to negative claims.

In December 2014, Mr Blair reacted angrily when he was asked about the issue during an interview with The Economist.

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He is reported to have banged his coffee cup so hard that it made everyone in the room jump before going on to insist that the nature of his closeness with Ms Deng was not something I will ever talk about. I havent and I wont.

Mr Mitchell, who became the editor of the Australian in 1992 and retired in 2015, described Mr Murdoch as a loving patriarch and husband and criticised the caricature he claimed left-wing media has developed of him.

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Ms Deng, Mr Blair and Mr Murdoch did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

( Independent News Service)
Sam Robertson seen here in an old episode with Bradley Walsh.

Weatherfield will soon be crowded with Barlows as Ken's son Daniel and grandson Adam return to Coronation Street.

Viewers were already braced for the return of Ken's troubled son Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) in October, but the house at No. 1 is to be full again.

After nine years away from the show, Sam Robertson will reprise his role as Adam Barlow.

Adam, the son of Ken (William Roache)'s late daughter Susan and Mike Baldwin, has been living in Canada since 2007.

Robertson, who has also starred in E4's Beaver Falls, said: "I'm delighted to be back, Coronation Street was my first job as an actor and is a special place for me.

"As a young actor it was a little overwhelming so I'm looking forward to coming back and stamping my mark on the character, I feel there's unfinished business with Adam."

Also joining him will be Fresh Meat and Emmerdale actor Rob Mallard, who has been cast as Daniel Osbourne.

Daniel, Ken's son by Denise Osbourne, has not been seen since 2007 when he was played by Dominic Holmes.

Mallard said: "It feels great to be starting work on Coronation Street and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone.

"I grew up watching Coronation Street, so the chance to be in it, especially playing a part like Daniel, is very exciting."

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Adam and Daniel will make their first appearances in November.

Producer Kate Oates said: " I am delighted to have Sam back, his time away from Weatherfield has hardened Adam and although he is a Barlow, the Baldwin genes are evident from the moment he arrives.

"Daniel is a different Barlow altogether, more sensitive and bookish, he is clearly a chip off the old block, but there is more to Ken's youngest son than meets the eye. Rob is a talented young actor who is perfect for the role."

Having different generations under one roof at No. 1 should lead to plenty of drama, she predicted.

"The Barlows have been at the centre of Coronation Street since it started in 1960 and I felt it was time to remind ourselves of the dynasty that Ken has built up over the past 50 years," Oates explained.

"I am excited about the dynamics of having the different generations living together and exploring the drama that will bring."
The Wedding of Mairead Farrell to Louis Ronan at St Michael Church Ballyclerihan, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Mairead Ronan at the RTE new season launch at Grand Canal Dock. Picture: Cathal Burke / VIPIRELAND.COM

Congratulations are in order for Mairead Ronan who has given birth to a baby girl.

Today FM presenter and close pal Ian Dempsey took to social media today to share the exciting news and congratulate the radio producer on her new arrival.

On Twitter he wrote, Producers Gonna Produce. Congratulations @cocomairead, Louis and big brother Dara- baby Eliza Ronan has entered our world. #ELIZA.

Eliza is Maireads first child with husband Louis Ronan who she wed in a ceremony in Tipperary last year.

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Produce Congratulations @cocomairead Louis and big brother Dara - baby Eliza Ronan has entered our world #ELIZA  Ian Dempsey (@IanDempsey) September 14, 2016

The Dublin woman is already mum to 9-year-old Dara from a previous relationship

The mum-of-two recently told Independent.ie she was having a very easy pregnancy.

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Its been a very easy pregnancy. Ive had a great time. No morning sickness, no issues, she said..

She also spoke of son Daras excitement on becoming a big brother.

He is very excited. He is helping me out. Well get two weeks together before he heads back to school and then he will be gone for a chunk of the day so itll be a nice and easy time, he said.
The Alala crow uses twigs held in its beak to winkle out insects and grubs from vegetation and dead wood

A Hawaiian crow on the edge of extinction has joined the elite group of birds known to use tools.

Understanding the Alala crow's newly discovered talent could aid attempts to save the critically endangered bird, which only survives in captivity, scientists say.

Later this year, captive-reared Alala will be released in Hawaii in an attempt to re-establish a wild population.

Experts believe the bird's dexterous ability to winkle out insects and grubs from vegetation and dead wood using twigs held in its beak is natural behaviour, not something learned in captivity.

Only a handful of bird species are known to use tools, most notably New Caledonian crows.

Others include the woodpecker finch from the Galapagos islands, Egyptian vultures, and parrots.

British and US scientists tested 104 of the 109 surviving Alala crows and found that 78% of them spontaneously used stick tools to probe for food.

Lead researcher Dr Christian Rutz, from the University of St Andrews, said: " Current evidence strongly suggests that tool use is part of the species' natural behavioural repertoire, rather than being a quirk that arose in captivity.

"Using tools comes naturally to Alala. These birds had no specific training prior to our study, yet most of them were incredibly skilled at handling stick tools, and even swiftly extracted bait from demanding tasks.

"In many regards, the Alala is very similar to the New Caledonian crow, which my team has been studying for over 10 years."

The "corvid" crow family, which includes ravens, contains more than 40 species around the world, many living in remote locations and poorly studied, Dr Rutz added.

"This raises the intriguing possibility that there are some undiscovered tool users out there," he said.

The new findings are published in the journal Nature.

A population crash in the late 20th century wiped out the last Alalas in the wild.

In a last ditch effort to preserve the species, a small number of wild birds were brought into captivity and a breeding programme launched.

US co-author Bryce Masuda, from San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, a leading member of the team trying to save the Alala, said: " We had occasionally seen birds using stick tools at our two breeding facilities, but hadn't thought much of it ."

Douglas Myers, president and chief executive of San Diego Zoo Global, the non-profit organisation that operates San Diego Zoo, said: " The discovery that Alala naturally use tools is of great significance, especially at this critical stage of our recovery efforts, as it provides completely unexpected insights into the species' ecological needs.

"After more than 20 years of hard work, we are finally ready to release birds. I am confident we will manage to bring this iconic Hawaiian bird species back from the brink of extinction."
Two US B-1 bombers flew over South Korea yesterday in a show of force and solidarity with its ally after North Korea's nuclear test last week, while a US envoy called for a swift and strong response to Pyongyang from the United Nations.

Speaking in the South Korean capital, Sung Kim, the US envoy on North Korea, added that the United States remained open to meaningful dialogue with Pyongyang on ending its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

"Our intention is to secure the strongest possible (UN Security Council) resolution that includes new sanctions as quickly as possible," Kim told a news briefing after meeting his South Korean counterpart.

He said the US would work with China, North Korea's major diplomatic ally, to close loopholes in existing resolutions, which were tightened with Beijing's backing in March.

"China has been very clear that they understand the need for a new UN security council resolution in response to the latest North Korean nuclear test," Kim said.

However, China and Russia, which strongly oppose a recent decision by the US and South Korea to deploy an advanced anti-missile system in the South to counter the North's missile threat, have shown reluctance to back further sanctions.

"Both sides think that North Korea's nuclear test is not beneficial to peace and stability on the Korean peninsula," China's official 'People's Daily' newspaper said on yesterday following a high-level China-Russia security meeting in Beijing.

"At present, we must work hard to prevent the situation on the peninsula continuing to escalate, and put the issue of the nuclearisation of the peninsula back on the track of dialogue and consultation," it said.

The pair of US supersonic B-1B Lancer strategic bombers took off from their base in Guam and flew with two Japan Air Self Defence Force aircraft before a "hand-off" to South Korean fighters, according to the US military.

The B-1Bs were then escorted by South Korean and US fighter jets in a low-altitude flight over Osan Air Base, which is 77km from the Demilitarised Zone border with the North and about 40km from the South's capital Seoul. "These flights demonstrate the solidarity between South Korea, the United States, and Japan to defend against North Korea's provocative and destabilising actions," said Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the US Pacific Command.

North Korea's official KCNA news agency said public anger was "exploding like a volcano" over Washington's dispatch of bombers to South Korea. "Any sanction, provocation and pressure cannot ruin our status as a nuclear state and evil political and military provocations will only result in a flood of reckless nuclear attacks that will bring a final destruction," KCNA said.

China urged restraint among all parties. "If there is a vicious cycle of tensions continuing to rise and mutual provocations, this is not in anyone's interests," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
The head of the EU wants more military integration for the bloc

The chief of the European Union's executive arm says the bloc's economic and cultural influence is not enough to safeguard its place in today's uncertain world.

Jean-Claude Juncker added that the community must do more in the defence field - starting with creation of an EU military headquarters and working toward a common military force.

The EU Commission president said in a major speech that the 28-nation organisation "should be stronger" militarily.

He said the EU's actions should take place in a spirit of solidarity with the US-led Nato defence alliance.

"Together we have to make sure that we protect our interests," Mr Juncker told the European Parliament.

He said greater EU defence cooperation also makes economic sense for the bloc's member states, since it would reduce wasteful duplication of effort by individual nations.

AP

More European defence in Europe doesn't mean less trans-Atlantic solidarity," Mr Juncker said.

The vote in June by the UK to withdraw from the European Union would deprive the EU of its militarily most capable member.

France and Germany, the bloc's two most influential member states, recently submitted a proposal for greater EU defence coordination, ranging from creation of a logistics hub for pooling military transport to an EU military headquarters.

Earlier this year, US President Barack Obama called on Europeans to do more in meeting common security threats like the Islamic State extremist group.

"We need a strong Europe to bear its share of the burden, working with us on behalf of our collective security," Mr Obama said in Hannover, Germany, in April.

He added: "I'll be honest, sometimes Europe has been complacent about its own defence."

Mr Juncker said greater defence cooperation also makes economic sense for EU member nations, since it would reduce as much as 100 billion euro worth of wasteful duplication of spending yearly.

He said that by the end of 2016, he also will seek creation of a European defence fund to help spur military-related research and development.

AP
A man suspected of being an Islamic State (IS) militant arrives at the Federal Supreme Court in Karlsruhe, southern Germany. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Three Isil suspects arrested in Germany yesterday had a "link" to the Paris jihadist attackers, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said, adding that they may have been a "sleeper cell".

The three men, aged 17 to 26, apparently used the same migrant trafficking network to travel from Syria into Europe and had fake Syrian passports that were made in the "same workshop" as those of the Isil attackers in the French capital, he said.

"Concrete missions or orders have not so far been found in the course of investigations carried out," the prosecutors said after the trio was arrested by special forces with support from 200 federal and local police.

Authorities also searched the flats of the three suspects but had no further details on what they might have found.

"Based on the information that the Federal Crime Office has so far been able to obtain, the three are strongly suspected of coming to Germany in November 2015 on orders from Islamic State," the federal prosecutors' office said.

It said a suspect identified as Mahir Al-H. became a member of Isil in September 2015 and received weapons and explosives training in Raqqa, the militant group's de facto capital in Syria. In October, he and the two other suspects, Mohamed A. and Ibrahim M., signed up with an Isil official responsible for operations and attacks outside Isil territory and travelled to Europe, the prosecutors said.

Isil allegedly provided them with passports, more than 1,000 in cash and cell phones with a special communications programme. The suspects travelled through Turkey and Greece before arriving in Germany in mid-November 2015, at the height of the migrant crisis.

Federal prosecutors said police special forces arrested the three in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein on suspicion of being sent by Isil "either to carry out a mission that they had been informed about or to wait for further instructions" for an attack.

Around a million migrants arrived in Germany last year, and concern about their presence has grown after a series of violent attacks, three of which were carried out by asylum seekers.

Those attacks in July put the country on edge and led to pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel to introduce an upper limit of 200,000 refugees per year, as her Bavarian allies, the Christian Social Union, are demanding. She refuses any cap.

Mr de Maiziere said the three men arrived in late 2015, probably with the help of the same network that funnelled Isil militants into Paris to carry out shootings and bombings that killed 130 people on November 13 last year.

"Everything points to the fact that the same smuggler organisation behind the Paris attacks also brought the three men to Germany who were arrested," de Maiziere told a news conference. "Indications are that their travel documents all came from the same workshop in that region."

ARD television said they were held after raids at refugee housing in towns north of Hamburg. German authorities searched the flats of the three suspects but did not reveal what they might have found.

De Maiziere noted that two of the Paris attackers last year had registered as refugees. "That suggests that IS was determined to send these kinds of people to blend in with refugees in order to cause uncertainty in Europe and Germany."

He added: "The French connection ... is what makes this case so special. We have to find out if these are individual links or if there is a larger network. It shows IS is not only targeting France or Germany or Italy or Belgium or Britain - but the entire West."
Former President Bill Clinton pauses for a selfie with a supporter at a coffee shop while campaigning for his wife, Hillary, in Los Angeles (AP)

Hillary Clinton will return to the presidential campaign trail after recovering from pneumonia (AP)

Hillary Clinton is "recovering well" from pneumonia and remains "fit to serve as president of the United States", her doctor said in a letter released on Wednesday by her campaign.

The health details made public by the Democratic presidential nominee included a description of the pneumonia diagnosis Mrs Clinton received last week Friday.

Her illness became public after she left Sunday's 9/11 memorial service early and was seen on video staggering while getting into a van.

The health episode fuelled long-simmering conservative conspiracy theories about Mrs Clinton's health and provided a fresh line of attack for rival Donald Trump, who has frequently questioned whether Mrs Clinton has the stamina to serve as commander in chief.

Facing criticism about a lack of transparency when it comes to her health, Mrs Clinton's campaign promised to disclose more detailed information about her health this week.

The letter released on Wednesday by the campaign stated that Mrs Clinton underwent a chest scan that revealed she had "mild, non-contagious bacterial pneumonia", according to Mrs Clinton's doctor, Dr Lisa Bardack, chair of internal medicine at CareMount Medical in Mount Kisco, New York. She was treated with a 10-day course of Levaquin, an antibiotic used to treat infections.

Dr Bardack said Mrs Clinton is up to date on all vaccines, including two given to help prevent pneumonia - Prevnar and Pneumovax. The letter did not state when she received those vaccines.

"She is recovering well with antibiotics and rest," wrote Dr Bardack, who also authored a letter about Mrs Clinton's health released in July 2015. "She continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as president of the United States."

Mrs Clinton, 68, has blood pressure of 100 over 70. Her total cholesterol was 189; her LDL or "bad" cholesterol was 103, and her HDL or "good" cholesterol was 56 - all within healthy levels and not signalling the need for any medications. She has also had a normal mammogram and breast ultrasound, according to the letter.

She takes thyroid and allergy medicines and the blood thinner Coumadin, prescribed as a preventative after she suffered a blood clot resulting from a 2012 concussion.

The blood clot, which was in a vein in the space between the brain and the skull behind the right ear, led Mrs Clinton to spend a few days in New York-Presbyterian Hospital and take a month-long absence from the State Department for treatment.

Mrs Clinton has spent the past three days out of the public eye, recuperating at her suburban New York home. She will return to the campaign trail on Thursday, with a rally in North Carolina and a speech before a Hispanic group in Washington.

"I just talked to her - she's feeling great and I think she'll be back out there tomorrow," former President Bill Clinton said Wednesday, when he stepped in for his wife at a previous scheduled campaign event in Las Vegas.

"It's a crazy time we live in, you know, when people think there's something unusual about getting the flu."

Mr Trump, too, has said he plans to release the details of a recent physical this week. On Wednesday, he handed over a one-page summary of that exam, conducted by his long-time physician, Dr Harold Bornstein, to Dr Mehmet Oz while taping an episode of Oz's show.

Ever the showman, Mr Trump's appearance on The Dr Oz Show was billed by the campaign as a discussion about his general well-being and his family's medical history.

The show does not air until Thursday and the campaign declined to immediately disclose the results. But a release from the show said "Dr Oz took Mr Trump though a full review of his systems", including his nervous system, cardiovascular health, prostate health and family medical history.

Dr Bornstein had previously written a note declaring the 70-year-old Mr Trump, if elected, would be the healthiest president in history. He later said he had written the letter in five minutes as a limousine sent by the candidate idled outside.

AP
A Syrian boy rides a horse as Syrian children play in the street in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo as they celebrate the Eid al-Adha holiday on the first day of a fragile ceasefire. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

A Syrian activist group that tracks the country's civil war said more than 300,000 people have been killed so far in the conflict.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said yesterday the dead include 59,000 government troops and more than 86,000 civilians.

The rest include rebels, foreign fighters, Hezbollah militants, defectors from the Syrian army and others. The Observatory says its records show that since the crisis began in March 2011, and until a truce went into effect on Monday evening, 301,781 people have been killed in Syria.

The group says the real death toll could be 70,000 higher since many insurgent groups do not announce their deaths and because there are other deaths that are not documented.

The latest death toll figure from the UN, which stopped tracking casualties in 2015, had said that 250,000 have been killed in Syria.

The cessation of hostilities in Syria that came into effect at sunset on Monday was holding well into its first day, reports suggest.

Residents in the embattled northern city of Aleppo reported calm.

UN officials said they were waiting to deliver aid to besieged areas but need better guarantees of peace.

The Syrian government says it will not allow aid, particularly "from the Turkish regime", to be delivered to Aleppo without prior co-ordination with it and the UN. Some 250,000 civilians are estimated to be trapped in rebel-held eastern Aleppo due to a siege by government forces.
The uncle of a nine-year-old Maryland boy who was beaten to death over a missing piece of birthday cake has pleaded guilty to first-degree child abuse.

Jacob Barajas (24) faces up to 15 years at his sentencing, which has not been scheduled. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years.

Prosecutors dropped other charges, including second-degree murder. Barajas is among three people charged in the July 2015 death of Jack Garcia.

Robert Wilson, the mother's boyfriend, is serving a 30-year sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for beating Jack after Barajas had handcuffed him to a chair.

The mother, Oriana Garcia, is scheduled for trial in February.
Hillary Clinton leaves her daughters home in New York after feeling unwell at the 9/11 memorial at the weekend

Democrat Hillary Clinton said she could resume presidential campaigning in a couple of days after a bout of pneumonia that she initially had not believed was "that big a deal".

Clinton's health scare after she almost collapsed at an event on Sunday, causing her to cancel some campaign trips, revived concerns about a tendency toward secrecy that has dogged her campaign, and underscored perennial worries about the medical fitness of candidates for one of the world's most demanding jobs.

"Well, it will be in the next couple of days. ... I just want to get this over and done with and get back on the trail as soon as possible," she said in an interview on CNN on Monday night, adding she had ignored doctor's orders to rest.

"I just didn't think it was going to be that big a deal."

Her campaign acknowledged it may have been too slow disclosing her pneumonia diagnosis after she nearly fainted at a New York memorial ceremony for the September 11, 2001, attacks.

She was diagnosed with the lung infection on Friday.

"I think that in retrospect, we could have handled it better in terms of providing more information more quickly," Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon told MSNBC earlier in the day.

The health problem was the latest blow for the Democratic presidential nominee at a time when Republican rival Donald Trump has erased most of her lead in national opinion polls and is competitive again in many battleground states where the November 8 election is likely to be decided.

Clinton (68) said she had dealt with similar episodes of dizziness before. "You know, it is something that has occurred a few times over the course of my life. I'm aware of it and usually can avoid it," she told CNN.

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Asked if she passed out during the incident on Sunday, she said: "No, I didn't. I felt dizzy and I did lose my balance for a minute. Once I got in, once I could sit down, once I could cool off, once I had some water, I immediately started feeling better."

Her campaign said her husband, former President Bill Clinton, would campaign on her behalf while she rests.

Both Clinton and Trump (70) said they intended to release more of their medical details in the coming days, as their campaigns gear up for the November election.

Questions about the incident reinforced the perception of Clinton as secretive, a view fueled by the controversy surrounding her use of a private email server while serving as President Barack Obama's secretary of state from 2009 to 2013.

A federal investigation of that issue said she was "extremely careless" in her handling of classified emails, but did not recommend criminal charges.

Mr Trump said on Monday that health was a campaign issue but he did not attack Clinton over her physical condition. "I just hope she gets well and gets back on the trail," he said in an interview with Fox News.

He focused his criticism on comments by Clinton last week in which she dismissed half of his supporters as a "basket of deplorables" of racist, homophobic people. Clinton said she regretted the remark.

Mr Trump has compared the comment with a much-criticized remark by 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney that 47pc of the electorate was dependent on the government.

"I was deeply shocked and alarmed to hear my opponent attack, slander, smear, demean these wonderful, amazing people who are supporting our campaign by the millions," Trump told a conference of National Guard members in Baltimore.

Mr Trump has himself aroused controversy with com ments in which he called some Mexican immigrants criminals and rapists, questioned whether a US-born judge could be fair because of his Mexican heritage and criticised the Muslim parents of an American soldier who died in combat in Iraq.

Trump had suggested for weeks that Clinton lacked the energy needed to be president. He has raised questions about her stamina, reprising a tactic from the Republican primary campaign when he derided rival Jeb Bush as a "low-energy" candidate.

Democrats said her attendance at events despite her pneumonia diagnosis proved her toughness.

Trump's campaign has issued a short letter from his doctor saying he was in excellent health with "extraordinary" strength and stamina. But the letter did not mention what medicine Trump might be taking or other details typically included in such disclosures.

In July 2015, Clinton released a two-page letter outlining her medical condition that sought to reassure Americans about her health after she fell and suffered a concussion at home in 2012 near the end of her tenure as secretary of state.
Hillary Clinton leaves her daughters home in New York after feeling unwell at the 9/11 memorial at the weekend

With one leading Republican describing Hillary Clinton as "Tricky Dicky in a pantsuit", the timing of her stumble in New York City could hardly have been worse.

In a matter of minutes, serious questions were raised about not only her health but her honesty.

For weeks, conservative conspiracy theorists have been peddling what appeared to be wild stories about the state of Mrs Clinton's health.

The combination of evasiveness and drip feeding of information from Team Clinton, before finally admitting she has been suffering from pneumonia, has given these tales more credibility than they probably deserve.

When even the liberal 'Washington Post' says that Mrs Clinton's health is an issue, then her team has what they call in the trade "presentational problems".

It has played into the narrative which Donald Trump has been pushing for weeks.

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Having seen off 'Little Marco' and 'Lying Ted' in the Republican primaries, he is now going for 'Crooked Hillary'.

By agreeing, albeit belatedly, to publish his full medical records, Mr Trump has made a pitch for the moral high ground.

American presidential campaigns are painted in the broadest ofbrushstrokes and for better or worse, 'Crooked Hillary' is a clever soundbite.

There is even a 'Defeat Crooked Hillary' super-PAC, though to avoid falling foul of the Federal Election Committee its official title will be 'Make America Number One'.

Donald Trump has swiped something from the Democrat playbook of the 1960s when the target was 'Tricky Dicky' - Richard Nixon.

Voters in the 1960s did not trust Richard Nixon and, to put it mildly, even before the Ground Zero stumble, they appeared less than convinced by Mrs Clinton's credibility.

In fact, Nixon had been known as Tricky Dicky for some time, earning the nickname during a bruising red-baiting campaign against Helen Douglas for the Senate in 1950.

It dogged him throughout his career; there was the whiff of scandal over his fund raising in the 1950s.

Infamous

When it looked as if he might have to resign from the Eisenhower ticket, Nixon made the famous - some might say infamous - Checkers speech in which he proclaimed his innocence.

Pleading poverty, he admitted that his children had been given a dog called Checkers which they loved and the family pet was going to stay.

By the time he reached the presidency, it would be fair to say that Nixon's reputation had not improved.

The whiff of scandal has also dogged Hillary Clinton for a long time, going back to the days of Whitewater, a failed property scheme in the 1970s.

The charge sheet is pretty extensive, at least as far as the right-wing media is concerned.

With Judicial Watch, a generously funded conservative group, pursuing a relentless campaign against her, it would be reasonable to assume there will be more to come over the next couple of months.

Views will differ on the significance of the email controversy, Benghazi and the latest disclosures about the Clinton Foundation and allegations that contributors received special access while she was Secretary of State.

At the very least, it will provide Donald Trump a vast amount of ammunition.

In this 'Alice through the Looking Glass' election, Team Clinton would do well to look at how the Nixon campaign handled the credibility problem in 1968.

Nixon did have one strong selling point - experience. The strategy in '68 was to stress that the presidency was not the sort of position which you learned on the job.

This was a theme that was hammered home in the avalanche of advertising during the '68 campaign.

America had been sucked into the Vietnam war from which there appeared to be no escape. Nixon, the message went, was the man who could extricate the US from the mess with honour.

The simple message was that in dangerous times the presidency was a job for an experienced veteran and, for all his faults, few were more experienced than Nixon.

The good news for Team Clinton is that there is a primer out there and available for a paltry $16.

It is an account of the 1968 campaign, written by Joe McGinniss, complete with a raft of internal memos.

If Robby Mook, Clinton's campaign manager, has not read it, he should get hold of a copy pretty quickly. ( Daily Telegraph London)
Michael Sandford pictured at a Donald Trump rally in June - he has pleaded not guilty to attempting to grab a police officer's gun in a bid to kill the US presidential candidate

A British man who tried to grab a police officer's gun at a Donald Trump rally and open fire has pleaded guilty in a bid to avoid a lengthy jail sentence.

Michael Sandford, of Dorking in Surrey, was due to stand trial over the incident at a Las Vegas casino where the Republican presidential hopeful was speaking on June 18.

Expand Close Michael Sandford is accused of trying to grab a policeman's gun in an attempt to kill Donald Trump, pictured / Facebook

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The 20-year-old appeared in court in Nevada on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to charges of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and disrupting an official function. He had previously denied the charges.

Sandford faced up to 20 years in jail had he been found guilty of the offences at a trial, although the plea bargain may see his sentence significantly shortened.

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Under the terms of his plea agreement he could face between 18 and 27 months in prison before being deported.

Sandford is due to learn his fate at a sentencing hearing on December 13, and his family fear he may still face years in jail.

His mother, Lynne Sandford, spoke to the Press Association from the UK shortly after her son's guilty pleas were entered.

She said: "The upshot of it is that there is no certainty. Even though he has signed the plea agreement, which should be the best option, it won't necessarily happen that way.

"The judge at sentencing can either agree with what is in the plea bargain or he can totally overthrow that and impose a punishment of his own."

Mrs Sandford flew with a UK-based lawyer to her son in custody last week and persuaded him to sign the plea agreement, something she said he had been "pondering" over doing for some time.

Lawyers acting for Sandford said he suffers seizures, obsession-compulsion, anxiety and autism spectrum disorders and his mother said he was recently diagnosed as having had a psychotic episode at the time of the incident.

"He is now receiving medication for that and he is feeling the benefit of it," she added.

When Sandford appeared in court on Tuesday a judge said he was satisfied that he was fit to enter the plea.

Standing in orange jail clothes with the word "detainee" across his back, Sandford acknowledged that he has been treated in the past for mental illness.

Entering his pleas, he said: "I tried to take a gun from a policeman to shoot someone with, and I'm pleading guilty."

Mrs Sandford said her son told her he was "incredibly sorry and remorseful for everything," adding: "Everybody says this is not him - this is so opposite to what he is."

Last week's tearful reunion was the first time the mother-of-two had seen her son since he left for America more than a year ago.

"We were able to put our hands side-by-side through the mesh and I could at least feel the warmth of his hands through it. But to travel 5,500 miles and still not be able to give him a hug is incredibly difficult," she said.

Sandford's sister and grandmother also made the journey to visit him at the remand centre, with his mother saying the whole incident has been hard on the family.

"For my mum especially, she was not granted the face-to-face visitation through the mesh and she is in her late 70s and just wonders if she will see him in the flesh again," she said.

"He is the only male in the family left and he means a tremendous amount to us."

Mrs Sandford added: "Obviously it was extremely difficult to turn around and leave him and get on the plane - not knowing when we will see him again.

"When I left he just looked so sad, forlorn and dejected."

She revealed her son told her "coming to America was the worst thing he ever did", and said he is "desperate" to return home.

"He is not coping, he said to me: 'I don't know how to get through each day let alone longer than that."

Sandford told his mother that he was being kept in a cell so narrow he could reach across by stretching out his arms.

"It is just as long as the bed which he has one side and a toilet the other," she continued.

"There is no window - he gets 10 minutes of exercise outside each day which is in an outside cage, but due to the desert heat that is all he can manage anyway.

"There is nothing to do there - it is very stark and barren. He is not allowed any keepsakes other than letters and pictures that we send, but even those get cleared out once a week."

His mother said that even though things are still uncertain they are at least "one step closer" to getting him home.
US soldier Chelsea Manning, serving a 35-year prison term for passing classified files to WikiLeaks, ended her hunger strike on Tuesday after the Army said she would be allowed to receive gender transition surgery, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said.

The 28-year-old Army private, who was born male but revealed after being convicted of espionage that she identifies as a woman, announced the hunger strike on Friday.

Manning's treatment will begin with the surgery that was recommended by her psychologist in April, the ACLU, which represented Manning, said in a statement. Manning is held in Kansas.

No transgender inmate has ever before received gender affirming surgical treatment in prison, the ACLU said.

"I am unendingly relieved that the military is finally doing the right thing. I applaud them for that. This is all that I wanted - for them to let me be me," Manning said in a statement, though she went on to criticize the government for taking "so long."

A spokesman for the defense department said it would not comment on the matter in order to protect patient confidentiality.

Manning in July tried to commit suicide over what her representatives said was the government's denial of appropriate treatment for her gender dysphoria, a condition in which a person feels their physical gender is the opposite of the one he or she identifies with.

The Army announced later that month that it would investigate Manning for misconduct in connection with the attempt to take her own life, a probe that could lead to indefinite solitary confinement, reclassification into maximum security or additional prison time.

According to Manning's representatives, doctors have recommended that as part of her treatment for gender dysphoria the soldier, who began hormone therapy in 2015, be allowed to follow "female hair grooming standards."

ACLU staff attorney Chase Strangio said in Tuesday's statement that the government plans to still enforce the male hair standards.

Manning, a former intelligence analyst in Iraq, was sentenced in 2013 to 35 years in prison after a military court conviction of providing more than 700,000 documents, videos, diplomatic cables and battlefield accounts to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks. The case ranked as the biggest breach of classified materials in U.S. history.

Among the files Manning leaked in 2010 was a gunsight video of a U.S. Apache helicopter firing on suspected Iraqi insurgents in 2007, an attack that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff.
Russia says the Syrian ceasefire appears to be holding

Separating Syrian rebels from "terrorists" is a "key task" to ensure that the ceasefire continues to hold in Syria, where a relative calm has prevailed since the truce went into effect two days ago.

The ceasefire deal was reached over the weekend after marathon negotiations between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Underscoring the complexity of the new arrangement, the deal was not made public in its entirety even as it came into effect at sunset on Monday.

By midday Wednesday, there were no reports of major violations of the agreement, which calls on all parties to hold their fire, allowing only for airstrikes against the extremist Islamic State group and al Qaida's affiliate in Syria, known currently as Jabah Fatah al-Sham.

One of Syria's most powerful factions, Jabhat Fatah al-Sham's battlefield alliance with other insurgent groups makes it difficult for the United States to target them without the danger of inflicting harm to other opposition groups.

The agreement is also to allow for humanitarian aid to reach besieged areas, with the rebel-held part of the northern city of Aleppo as a priority.

However, some 20 trucks carrying UN aid and destined for rebel-held eastern Aleppo remain in the customs area on the border with Turkey "because of lack of de facto assurances of safe passage by all parties", Jens Laerke, deputy spokesperson for the UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

The trucks are carrying mostly food items, and are destined for the residents of eastern Aleppo, estimated at 250,000. Details of who is to distribute the aid are also still being worked out.

Meanwhile, Syrian state media reported violations of the ceasefire in central Homs, saying that rebels fired mortar rounds on Wednesday in a rural part of the province.

A day earlier, the government said rebels had targeted the Castello road, the only remaining artery by which aid reaches the eastern, rebel section of Aleppo.

For their part, opposition forces said they had recorded some 28 various violations by government troops on Tuesday.

The chief of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there were no reported civilian casualties in the first 36 hours of the ceasefire.

"The violations are negligible. Most importantly, there were no Syrian civilian deaths," Rami Abdurrahman said.

A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Kremlin is hopeful the truce deal "will create the necessary environment for political settlement".

"The ceasefire is quite fragile and the key task now is to wait until moderate opposition stands aside from terrorist groups. It's a key task without which further progress can hardly be possible," Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow.

Russia launched its military operation in Syria last year to support ally President Bashar Assad's forces.

AP

Later, a pair of trucks from Turkey delivered food and children's toys to the northern Syrian town of Jarablus.

The aid arrived on Wednesday, the third day of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday. It includes around 25 tons of flour, rice and pasta.

The aid shipment, organised by the youth wing of Turkey's ruling AKP party, became possible after Turkey-backed Syrian rebels ousted Islamic State group fighters from the town last month.

Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency says the Turkish Red Crescent on Tuesday distributed meat from animals sacrificed for Eid al-Adha to 4,500 households in Jarablus.

AP
A herd of elephants swim and drink water in the Kruger National Park in South Africa. (AP)

Rangers in South Africa's biggest wildlife park are killing about 350 hippos and buffaloes in an attempt to relieve the impact of a severe drought.

The national parks service says the numbers of hippos and buffaloes in Kruger National Park, about 7,500 and 47,000 respectively, are at their highest level ever.

Meat from the animals is being supplied to poor communities on the park's perimeter.

Parks service spokesman Ike Phaahla said the two species consume large amounts of vegetation and that many of the animals are expected to die anyway because of the drought.

The southern Africa drought has been called the worst in 35 years.

A drought in the early 1990s reduced Kruger's buffalo population by more than half to about 14,000, but the population rebounded.

AP

Rangers are targeting hippos in "small natural pools where they have concentrated in unnatural high densities, defecate in the water, making it unusable to other animals," Mr Phaahla said.

Parks officials have described drought as a natural way of regulating wildlife populations. Earlier this year, they said they did not plan any major intervention to try to save wild species in Kruger park, but the drought's impact intensified.

Hippos are in particular trouble because they cannot feed as widely as other animals, returning to water by day after grazing by night.

South Africa's parks service stopped killing elephants to reduce overpopulation in 1994, partly because of public opposition.

Around 1900, hunting had cleared out elephants in the area that became Kruger park. Today, there are an estimated 20,000 elephants there.

Poachers killed 36 elephants this year in the park, raising concerns that the Africa-wide slaughter of elephants for their ivory is finally affecting South Africa.

Poachers have already killed large numbers of rhinos in the park, which borders Zimbabwe and Mozambique and is almost the size of Israel.

Generations ago, an estimated 15,000 people lived in the area that was officially proclaimed as Kruger park in 1926. Some communities were removed from the wildlife reserve under white minority rule at that time.

"These people were pure hunter-gatherers and we greatly underestimate their role in shaping this ecosystem," Mr Phaahla said.

"We have removed this important driver from the Kruger ecosystem and we are researching ways to simulate the return of their role again and the removals or offtakes (of some animals) aim to do just that."

AP
Contents

Navigating Indias Unique Profit Repatriation Regulations

Selecting a Repatriation Strategy in India

Repatriating Funds from Different Offices in India

Special Feature: Personal Remittance in India

As Indias Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government pushes reforms and encourages foreign direct investment (FDI) to boost the economy, more and more foreign enterprises are looking to set-up shop in the country through offices and manufacturing facilities. This makes it imperative for foreign companies to know how they will repatriate their funds from India. The process to do so can be daunting for both foreign businesses and expatriates living in the country alike.

While there are fewer restrictions on remitting profits than on remitting personal income, there are still several procedures that are contingent on an entitys investment model. It is in companies best interest to keep up to date with the latest regulations and procedures of remitting funds from India in order to ensure that funds are distributed abroad in a seamless manner.

In this issue of India Briefing Magazine, we look at issues related to repatriating funds from India. We highlight the unique regulations for sending funds back from India, examine the various strategies companies can make use of while repatriating, and look at remittance procedures for different types of Indian entities. Finally, we give some tips on how expats can remit their Indian money to their home countries.

With its growing number of tax and accounting specialists, Dezan Shira & Associates India can help clients set up operations and repatriate their funds. We hope that this issue of India Briefing will give readers a better understanding of Indias unique repatriation processes while considering the country as a business destination.

About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email india@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight.

An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2016 Doing Business in India 2016 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in India. As such, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Indian market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to stay up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes.

Using Indias Free Trade & Double Tax Agreements

In this issue of India Briefing magazine, we take a look at the bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that India currently has in place and highlight the deals that are still in negotiation. We analyze the countrys double tax agreements, and conclude by discussing how foreign businesses can establish a presence in Singapore to access both the Indian and ASEAN markets.

Passage to India: Selling to Indias Consumer Market In this issue of India Briefing magazine, we outline the fundamentals of Indias import policies and procedures, as well as provide an introduction to engaging in direct and indirect export, acquiring an Indian company, selling to the government and establishing a local presence in the form of a liaison office, branch office, or wholly owned subsidiary. We conclude by taking a closer look at the strategic potential of joint ventures and the advantages they can provide companies at all stages of market entry and expansion.
CARSON CITY  September is National Preparedness Month, and state agencies are reminding Nevada residents the importance of planning and preparing for any emergency.

This week promotes Preparing Through Service.

These organizations are the Nevada Department of Public Safetys Division of Emergency Management, Nevada National Guard, the Division of Public and Behavioral Healths Public Health Preparedness Program and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

NVNG urges Nevadans to understand the importance of community preparedness by working with emergency focused organizations and neighbors to develop a plan, said a statement from the division of emergency management.

It is important to plan in advance as families may not be together when a disaster strikes. Questions such as how you will get to a safe place; how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations must be asked.

Planning ahead of time will help household members take the right steps during an emergencywhich could mean the difference between life and death, said the division.

Make a Plan

When making a plan, the following suggestions are made:

Involve all members of the household.

Complete a contact card for each family member to always keep in a wallet, purse, briefcase or backpack.

Discuss potential emergencies and how to respond to each emergency, such as power outages.

Check with your childrens day care or school. Facilities designed for children should include identification planning as part of their emergency plans.

Teach family members how to use text messaging. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.

Subscribe to alert services. Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closures and local emergencies.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency app can be downloaded for disaster resources, weather alerts and safety.

Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room, and practice using the routes.

Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.

Teach children how and when to call 911, police and fire and how to make long distance phone calls.

Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster. It may be easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area.

Pick two meeting places: in case of fire, a place near the home; and if returning home is not an option, a place outside of the neighborhood.

Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches.

Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.

Make a disaster supply kit. Identify the essential items you and your family will need to survive for a minimum of three to five days.

Remind household members where the emergency kit is stored.

To access an emergency plan template, visit www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.
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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

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Get a float in the annual Native American Day Parade

By Native Sun News Today Staff

The Native American Day Parade will be held in Rapid City on Saturday, Oct. 8. The lineup will start at 8:00 a.m. at 1st Street and Main Street and the parade will start at 9:00 a.m.

Float prizes will be $500 for Grand Prize, $300 and $200. Contest categories include Most traditional, Most Spirit, Most Humor, Most Colorful, and Rez Car. Lunch will be provided after the parade at 11 a.m.

To get more information, call Bruce Long Fox at 605-341-3339 or Chas. Jewett at 605-431-3594.

The parade was initiated in 2015 to honor every Native American Tribe in South Dakota. It is an opportune time for the Indian children from all of the schools in the State to get their schools to sponsor a float and also for all of the 9 tribes in the State to build and display a float that will tell the history of their Tribe.

There is still time and so the Rural America Initiatives, Rapid City Community Conversations, Mniluzahan Okolakicyapi Ambassadors, Rapid City Regional Hospital, Black Hills Powwow and the Native Sun News encourages all Native American tribes, schools and Oyate to help us celebrate Native American Day.

Native American Day was made a legal holiday in South Dakota after Gov. George Mickelson and Tim Giago, an Oglala Lakota, decided it was time to honor those Lakota who died at Wounded Knee in 1890.

Giago made the challenge to the Governor and they got the State Legislators to pass the initiative. This year marks the 26th year of its inception.

Read the rest of the story on the Native Sun News Today website: Get a float in the annual Native American Day Parade

Copyright permission Native Sun News

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ELKO  The Elko County School District has brought social workers back into the schools this year even though the district is still struggling to fill the remaining positions.

Last spring, the state awarded the district grant funding to bring seven social workers into schools. Elko County brought the program back for the 2016-17 school year but found the compensation per social worker had been drastically reduced from the 2015-16 year.

School District Superintendent Jeff Zander said they were able to subsidize the salaries of the social workers so they could receive a higher compensation.

We had a choice to not apply for the grant and not participate in the program or, we could subsidize those positions and pay those people the same rate as last year, he said. We couldnt hire anybody at the rates the grant itself was going to pay.

Zander added that he sees the program as highly valuable and commended the social workers for their ability to work with school administrators to serve the students in each school.

The program was considered successful in its pilot year. One of the main goals of the program was to insure students were not being bullied in school and Elko County had no reported incidents of bullying last school year. The district has also not reported an incident of bullying since the 2012-13 school year.

One of the social workers who stayed despite concerns over wages was Lisa Wilkinson. Wilkinson is working at Flag View Intermediate School this year, she previously worked in West Wendover.

We were just glad the program had been picked up again, she said about herself and fellow social workers. Then we got hit with the salary thing and we were like Whoa, I cant do that.

Wilkinson has been in the Elko area for 15 years and didnt want to move to continue her social work in another area. Before moving to Elko, Wilkinson had grown up in rural Montana and said the passing of her mother helped her realize the importance of being there for young students who may not have anyone else to talk to.

When my mom passed away there was nobody for me to talk to and I said to myself I want to do rural social work, she said. Thats what I love and thats what I do.

The school district used some of its financial flexibility to make up for the drop in wages allocated by last years version of the grant. When the district makes its final adjustments to the budget before the end of the calendar year it will be augmented to reflect the additional funding spent on social workers.

We have money in contingency in the general fund. When we augment the budget in December, well be transferring that contingency money to afford those subsidized social workers, he said. The total amount of subsidies will be in the neighborhood of $80,000.

With four of the 11 social worker positions filled by the district the compensation would come out to about $20,000 per social worker to bring their total salary back to where it was last year at $37,000.

The amount of unfilled positions is also something the program is attempting to address. The grant mandates the district hire 11 positions and if Elko County is unable to fill all of its vacancies, it will have to return a portion of the funding to the state.

Larry Robb, who coordinates the social worker program and has been interviewing social worker candidates, is still unsure if he will be able to fill the seven vacancies because of the relatively low pay.

Ive had them withdraw their application and their interest, he said. Last year we had it up and running and we were kind of getting in the groove of things. Then, all of a sudden, we were notified of the pay differences. That added an extra challenge for us.

Robb will also be dealing with the challenge of replacing the three social workers who the district has already lost. Charyl Santi, Michelle Gates and Kristie Tacadina all left their positions due to salary concerns.

Robb will continue to interview candidates to fill as many positions as he can but a relatively low salary combined with the lack of mental health professionals in the area have him feeling pessimistic about the possibility of hiring seven social workers.

Honestly, Im not confident well be able to do it with the salary expectations, he said. Were going to do our very best to recruit but for a lot of people (the salary) is a deal-breaker.

Though the program is struggling to recruit mental health professionals this year, there may be reason for optimism with next years grant funding. Robb said he suspects Elko County isnt the only school district with this pRobblem and is hoping the state will provide more compensation next year without the school district having to subsidize their salaries.

What its going to take is enough districts, essentially, sending back the money or being unable to fill the positions and fully meet the needs of the students, he said. Then, I think the state will have to regroup a little bit.

Elko County School District Grant Writer Holli Kiechler said with new programs like this one, the state legislature will make adjustments from year to year and that an increase in funding is possible for the next school year.

I would imagine, with the social worker grant, especially since it changed from its first year to its second that itll have some modifications, she said. With any new program they learn from last year and adapt the program each year so itll change a little each year.
We all knew that the June 2016 votes would have a drastic change, come what may. After #Brexit swiftly decided the UK must leave the European Union, a shaking stream of backlash flooded the UK.

Not much has changed since then, except the PMs, and the process for Irish passport applications. However, theres a new addition to the list-

Brits will soon need visas to travel within Europe, especially to countries like Italy and Germany.

wonderfulengineering

With the arrival of #Brexit, EU passport privileges ended, and with it the flexibility of travelling across Europe with just one passport.

Following the attacks of France, Belgium, and Turkey, the regulations have become more stringent and taxing, thus, imposing strong visa processes on Brits too.

independent

This decision is bound to change a lot of things for a lot of people across the U.K. Introducing such norms will largely affect the travel of Britishers and those who go overseas to work or study, but such regulations are necessary in light of safekeeping. Since the U.K. is now a third country, just like the others, such mandates will be applied.
Despite being so secretive, North Korea loves to be in the news all the time. The country and its leader cant keep itself from doing the strangest things on the planet. From banning jeans to sarcasm, North Korea has done it all.

The infamous North Koreas famous Ryanggang Hotel in Pyongyang made it to the news recently, as a lot of visitors on TripAdvisor described the nitty-gritties of a good hotel, and Ryanggan was nowhere close to it.

One of the hotels brokers stated that its a first-class hotel with all luxurious amenities.

Things like spacious rooms, heated floors, and an array of facilities including a bar, restaurants, a clothing shop, gift shop and book shop made it to the list.

Quite contrary to what was written. Upon visiting the place, visitors went through a completely unconventional experience.

TripAdvisor

Websites, along with travel brokers, ensured that there will be arrangements for sauna, a karaoke room, movie theatre, ping pong tables and several other recreational activities.

TripAdvisor

However, what they got was cold water, rock-hard beds, power cuts, concrete and on-going construction work.

Some said that "Western Prisons" are more welcoming.

"Dismal, poorly lit, rock hard beds, miserable food, and intermittent hot water - and these are the good points," wrote another from Cape Town.

One of the visitors was humiliated for eating too many eggs at the breakfast table.

TripAdvisor

In 1987, work began in Pyongyang on the 105-storey, pyramid-shaped Ryugyong Hotel. Had it been completed on schedule, by June 1989, it would have been the world's tallest hotel.

However, 29 years later, the hotel remains incomplete.
Us humans, as a race, have always been striving to go beyond what we believe as possible. And it was this willingness to explore the unknown that gave birth to XPrize. Aspiring to be a facilitator of exponential change and a catalyst that benefits humanity, XPrize believes in combining innovation with something that's always got the human race to bring about breakthroughs and solutions - competition.

It's in the DNA of humanity itself. We always work harder and do better when there's an incentive involved, no matter how audacious the target might seem. Which gave birth to the Google Lunar XPrize (GLXP), a competition that challenges innovators and entrepreneurs to develop low-cost methods of robotic space (lunar) exploration. This will be the first non-government experiment to fly to the moon since 1976. More importantly, an Indian company (the only one) is in the top 3 - Team Indus!

Rover and Lander/ Team Indus

The challenge for Team Indus is getting their spacecraft ready to be sent to the moon in 2017. For the organisers believe that the Moon is not only our nearest neighbour in space, it is also our gateway to the rest of the universe. Private missions to the moon, they believe, would open possibilities for discovery in the fields of science, technology, resource detection and utilisation, and eventually, human habitation.

Team Indus

The GLXP started nine years back in 2007 with 30 teams participating from around the world. Even though 14 teams have dropped off through the course of time for various reasons, it is a matter of great pride that our Indian contingent is going strong, running all cylinders as they prepare to take off in 2017. The competition will be judged in three categories - Landing, Mobility and Imaging. Costing a cool $6 million, the aim of the project, very simply is:

Build a rover

Send it to the moon

Have it travel 500 meters on the moon

Send high-quality pictures

Of course, the teams all have to do this in-house, with less than 10% government space agency assistance, and by the end of December 2017. The first team to do it wins the $30 million prize.

Team Indus

Team Indus is managed by Axiom Research Labs Private Limited, an aerospace startup, headquartered in Bengaluru. They got selected for two of the three possible Milestone Prizes - the Landing Prize and the Imaging Prize. Through this, Team Indus hopes to show the world the creativity and the capability that Indian entrepreneurs possess. It also hopes that the mission helps to catch the interest of young minds, promotes high scientific education and leads to the development of homegrown technologies. Something ISRO has done so well till now.

The landing milestone prize demonstrates the hardware and software capability to support a soft-landing on the very challenging lunar surface. The landing is one of the toughest parts of the whole competition and Team Indus, along with two others, were the only ones to do it successfully.

But beyond just the GLXP, Team Indus is hosting a competition of their own that you could take part in. They recently launched Lab2Moon, an attempt to get the brightest young minds to think out of the box and create a project that would be sent to the Moon on their spacecraft when it launches in 2017. Open to youngsters between the age of 14 and 25, the project could be about anything from investigating the growth of seeds from Earth to examining new possibilities in renewable energy, and everything in between.

On a macro level, competitions like the Google Lunar XPRIZE not only encourage young minds to take interest in space, but also reduce costs and barriers to entry. Which means private industries can work together with government bodies leading to faster advancements in space explorations.

The Indiatimes team wishes Team Indus all the luck as they make their way to the finals.
After three days, Army and Police today declared that an encounter in Mini Secretariat in Poonch was over with the killing of four terrorists.

Personnel of Army and Police stormed the under-construction complex this evening and eliminated the last of the four terrorists, a police officer said. "The encounter has ended, said Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone Danish Rana.

BCCL

The encounter began on Sunday when the terrorists fired at a police party killing one cop. The terrorists then took shelter in a house, where an elderly couple lived, and the under-construction Mini Secretariat. Security forces had safely evacuated the couple.

One militant was killed on Sunday, two were killed yesterday and the remaining one was eliminated today, a police officer said. Earlier, the police had said that three terrorists had been killed on Sunday and one yesterday.

BCCL

DGP Rajendera Kumar had said, "There might be a group of 4 to 6 involved in this incident.. We have recovered bodies of two militants. Two more militants have been killed. We feel one or two militants are still alive."

Explaining the confusion, DIG Johny Williams said there was a perception that three militants had been killed on Sunday. "But one militant had survived and was firing. He was gunned down today," he said.

Asked whether the slain militants were Pakistanis, SSP J S Johar said it was a matter of investigation. He said four AK rifles and a large quantity of ammunition was recovered from them.

BCCL

The terrorists had taken position inside the building which has two floors and several rooms and the terrorists were taking benefit of it by firing from different areas, an army officer said. He said mortars had to be used to eliminate the holed up militants.

BCCL

Two security personnel were injured last evening when they launched an assault on the building to eliminate the holed up terrorists. The DGP had said militants had come with full preparation to disturb peace in the border district as there is calm and communal harmony in the area.
Bharti Airtel, India's largest phone operator, agreed to provide additional points of interconnection to 4G entrant Reliance Jio Infocomm following bilateral talks, indicating that a slugfest between telecom companies over this contentious issue is thawing.

AP

The total number of interconnect points to be given to Jio would "become three times the current level," Bharti Airtel said. This would be sufficient to serve over 15 million customers and is significantly higher than Jio's existing customer base, it said.

Industry experts estimate Jio's current user base at about 5 million, although the Mukesh Ambani controlled telco hasn't confirmed the figure. The number of points of interconnection (PoIs) now provided by Airtel to Jio is more than 2,000, people aware of the matter said. However, sources said that Jio is likely to demand 6,500-7,000 additional PoIs from the three incumbents on "an immediate basis," in line with its subscriber base/voice traffic growth estimates.

techindia

Jio didn't comment on the matter on Tuesday. Airtel's decision comes after Idea Cellular said Monday it would release an additional 196 PoIs for Jio. The top three operators - Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea - had balked at giving additional PoIs to Jio, which launched services on September 5, saying the new entrant's offer of free calls would overwhelm their networks.

Sources added that Airtel and other incumbents are suffering losses on each call made to their network from Jio while abiding with the regulator-set interconnect, or call termination, charge of 14 paise per minute.

They have asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to reconsider the rate, given the imbalance in the flow of calls. India's No. 1 mobile carrier, which had more than 255 million mobile subscribers at the end of June, said since it had agreed to release additional PoIs to Jio, "it would also need to take cognisance of the massive asymmetry in the volume of traffic between the two networks and ensure quality of service for Airtel customers isn't impacted."

techindia

Bharti Airtel said it expects the telecom regulator to look into the issue of asymmetric traffic on an urgent basis and ensure that massive volumes of free calls terminating on Airtel's network do not adversely impact its network. Airtel told ET that it had invited Jio for a discussion to understand its additional requirements and would be happy to provide more Po-Is.

Sources said Airtel's invitation to Jio had gone out last Saturday, following which Jio's regulatory team came to the top carrier's office for a day-long meeting Tuesday. The issue of PoIs had led to a war of letters between the incumbents, represented by the Cellular Operators Association of India, on the one side, and Jio on the other. Jio accused its rivals of sabotaging its plans by not releasing adequate PoIs, which led to massive call drops on the new entrant's network during pre-launch.

COAI responded by saying it had provided more than enough PoIs, leading to a stalemate and forcing Trai to intervene through a meeting held last Friday. Both sides appeared conciliatory after the meeting.

techindia

While saying Monday that it would release 196 additional POIs, Idea Cellular said it was incurring increasing costs due to asymmetry of traffic of 14.5 times between Idea and Jio. It added that the real cost of termination is significantly higher than the current interconnect settlement charge and that this induced traffic asymmetry, unless controlled, could exacerbate losses.

It also called for Trai's intervention in the matter. It added that calls of 2.97 million Jio subscribers were terminated on its network last month. Last year, the regulator lowered the termination charge to 14 paise a minute from 20 paise, a move that was challenged in court by the top three GSM carriers - Airtel, Vodafone and Idea.

In its latest discussion paper on interconnect usage charges, the regulator suggested lowering or even scrapping call termination charges, a proposal that was decried by the incumbent operators, which accused the Trai of bias.
India has shot down a request from the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner for unconditional access to Kashmir.

Its sharp rebuke came on the grounds that in seeking access to Jammu and Kashmir in tandem with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), it had sought to equate a democratically governed state with an un-democratically ruled borough that was a global terror hub.

BCCL

The statement by UN Human Rights High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein had come earlier in the day as part of a human rights update delivered to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"As regards the suggestion for a visit of a mission to both sides of the Line of Control, we would underline that there is no comparison between the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The former has a democratically elected Government, while the latter has seen a Pakistani diplomat arbitrarily appointed as its head," read the response from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

BCCL

"The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is part of a pluralistic and secular democracy, where freedoms are guaranteed by an independent judiciary, an active media and a vibrant civil society. In contrast, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is administered by a 'deep state' and has become a hub for the global export of terror," the MEA statement added.

Also Read: Pak Army Chief Asks For A UN Resolution On Kashmir, Which Means Removal Of Troops From POK

"We hope that the connection between terrorism and violation of human rights would be recognised and deliberated upon in Geneva," it concluded. The statement also noted that an all-party delegation had deemed that there were enough democratic channels available to address grievances in Kashmir without resorting to terrorism and violence.

BCCL

Al-Hussein had expresses concern over the rising number of countries that are denying access to teams from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCRHR).

BCCL

He said his office had requested the governments of both India and Pakistan for unconditional access to Jammu and Kashmir and PoK, and that he continues to receive reports of the use excessive force against civilians.

"I received last Friday a letter from the Government of Pakistan formally inviting an OHCHR team to the Pakistani side of the line of control, but in tandem with a mission to the Indian side. I have yet to receive a formal letter from the Government of India. I therefore request here and publicly, from the two Governments, access that is unconditional to both sides of the line of control," he said.

BCCL

al-Hussein said the team would attempt to investing the conflicting narratives on the causes for the unrest in Kashmir.

al-Hussein's remarks come in face of lobbying by Pakistan. The lobbying was part of Islamabad's efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue and equate Jammu and Kashmir with PoK. Apart from lobbying the five permanent members of the United Nations (US, UK, France, Russia and China) and the European Union to press for a plebiscite in Kashmir, Pakistan continues to openly express support for terrorists by declaring them martyrs.

BCCL

Islamabad's call for a plebiscite comes in disregard of the fact that such a vote has not taken place because it has refused to meet the very first condition of a 1948 UN Security Council resolution - the complete withdrawal of all Pakistani troops and citizens from the parts of Kashmir it occupies.
In order to recompense for a dispute that has been on the roll for over 10 years now, Mamata Banerjee will compensate 800 farmers after the Supreme Court cancelled the Singur land acquisition.

The Tata group was allotted a thousand acres of land by the state government (Kolkata) in 2006. However, violent protest in Trinamool pushed the plans.

The decision was taken in the Kolkata High Court and was upheld for a trial, eventually bringing it to the Supreme Court.

"The top court then ordered the West Bengal government to hand the land back to the farmers within next 12 weeks."

atimes

The farmers were deprived and needy for almost 10 years, with absolutely no source of income since their lands were taken. Thus they need not ditch the compensation that they will receive today.

"It is fine that now they are distributing the cheques. Why they delayed this for six months? Who suffered because of all this? It's the Bengal people. Therefore, I do not understand for how long this drama would continue," said Pradip Bhattacharya, former state Congress president.

The stipulated time as to when and how this land will be given back to farmers is still not declared and is still in talks. Now that the settlement has reached the farmers, hopefully, the land will be given back soon.
The Pakistan Marine Security Agency (PMSA) abducted 36 fishermen with their six boats near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

BCCL

Bharat Modi, president of Porbandar Fishermen Association, said all the six boats were registered in Porbandar. Modi said they were trying to ascertain the native towns of the abducted fishermen.

This is the second time since the fishing season began on August 16 that Pakistan Marines have arrested Gujarat fishermen. Earlier, six fishermen in one boat were abducted on September 8.

sbthk

Those fishermen were from Mangrol town of Junagadh district.

Since January, 2016, at least 255 fishermen from various coastal towns of Gujarat, mostly Saurashtra, have been taken away from PMSA for allegedly fishing in their territorial waters.
Taking cognizance of complaint lodged by mass communication aspirant, the Prime Minister's Office intervention has now raised a new light of hope among the residents of remote village of UP, who have not witness any power supply for last 11 years.

Reuters/Represenatational image

Nearly 140 kms away from Agra, peaceful hamlet Bhidaiya urf Madhuvan in Jaithara block of Etah district, has suddenly become overcrowded by electric engineers and labours, who are working 24x7 to lay high tension wire in the village so as to reinstate the power supply, which was snapped off in the year 2005.

This overnight rush to provide electricity in the village by district administration are the results of an effort of local girl, who spent her entire childhood and teenage in dark without power and finally decided to resolve the electricity problem.

Meet Deepti Mishra, 23-year-old girl, who is currently doing internship in national hindi paper in Noida.

Reuters

Deepti whose father Shivdas Mishra is farmer, was shocked when he received a call from district administration, informing him that in next one week, there will be electricity in their village -thanks to his daughter.

Deepti said, "My father informed me that complaint lodge to PMO has worked. Administration has assured to electrify our village." "On March 1, 2016, during my final year exams, I filed an online complaint to PMO office and informed them about the ordeals we villagers were facing since independence. In January 2005 when I was in class VIII, for the first time we saw electricity in our homes supplied by DVVNL. But soon, this supply was hampered when heavy stormy winds broke down the high tension wires. Villagers' complaint several times about the problem, but no one paid any heed. In 2014 I even wrote letters to chief minister office and district magistrate office but no action was taken."

BCCL/ Represenatational image

"Now after PMO intervention, the local administration has finally started laying down the cable and have promised to start the power supply in less than week," she said.

Executive engineer of Etah, Rajkumar said, "We have taken loan from bank to quickly erect the pillars and high tension wires so as to reinstate the power supply. From Tuesday morning, the power supply will be started."

As per letter from DVVNL to Deepti, fund of Rs 8,81,377 has been sorted from Lucknow head office, so as to start lay down the cables and erect poles.
Another shocking incident has come to light where two women were misbehaved with, in Kolkata, by an Uber driver.

One of the two ladies decided to share her horrifying experience on Facebook, inviting people to share her message wide and far.

Her post reads,

"This is to bring to your notice the abusive behavior of an Uber driver my friend, Debolina and I booked.

"We requested for an UBER Pool at around 8.15 PM standing right in front of the Fab India at Hindustan Park. He arrived after a few minutes and we made it clear to him that our destination would be Acropolis Mall in Kasba. We also asked him to drop Debolina a stop or two before Acropolis-he agreed and did drop her there.

Sreyoshi Guha Thakurta

"I was supposed to get down at Acropolis and I politely asked him to cross the road and park the car so that it is easier for me to get down. Take note, I did NOT ask him to drop me home, that is a 3 minute walk from the main road.

"To this he reacted very badly saying, 'Jeta amar location dekhabe ami sekhanei drop korbo. Apni ekhanei neme jaan.' (I will only drop you as per the location I am seeing. You need to get down here itself.)

"I clarified that I wanted him to cross the road and NOT drop me home.

"This time the driver, Dilip, burst out saying, 'Apnar ja chera'r chire nin. Apnake ekhanei namte hobe.' (*Cuss words loosely translating to Go fuck yourself* You need to get down here itself.)

"This really angered me so I told him that I am going to compliant against him and I am not going to rate him properly. To this he said something angrily which I do not recall by words, but it boiled down to do something with the fact that he does not care amount my complaint or the rating.

"Without further arguments I paid him in cash and got off and in a fit of anger I slammed the door shut.

Sreyoshi Guha Thakurta

"But this was not the end of everything.

"He called up my friend Debolina saying, 'Khanki magi, tor baaper dorja ta orokom kore bondho korish. Tor bari toh dekhe nilam, lok diye uthiye nebo.' (You whore! Go shut the door like that elsewhere. Now that I know where you stay I will make sure I have men pick you up.)

"This is the first time I am facing such an issue with Uber and to be honest, it is kind of surprising. Uber too, is not much keen on looking into this matter immediately. But what angers me the most that he had the balls to call up after I paid him and left and say such horrible things to a customer.

Sreyoshi Guha Thakurta

"This kind of an abusive behavior must be reported and I feel, people should know about this. This only shows how callously Uber is handling complaints regarding such serious issues concerning customer service. And as for the driver, hes definitely going to face the music when we lodge a Police complaint tomorrow.

"Try and tag Uber if you share this status.

"I'm unable to tag them due to some reasons unknown."

Whether it's Uber or Ola, these incidents are seriously spiraling out of hand. Collective effort can put an end to such incidents but ownership has to, at all costs, arise from the companies' end.
Be careful with whom you pick a fight. They might fight back with some heavy artillery.

For years Harry Reid has been obsessively ranting and mewling about the wealthy Koch brothers, Charles and David, for deigning to spend their own money to express their free speech rights. He has pejoratively mentioned the brothers from the well of the Senate more than 130 times.

He even has a page on his official Senate website devoted to lambasting the brothers Koch. According to the 17 talking points on the page, the Kochs want to pollute the air, foul the water, dismantle Social Security, Medicare, ObamaCare, minimum wage laws and public education.

Though the Koch brothers this election season are largely staying out of presidential politics, they are pouring money into Nevada in an effort to help a Republican capture Reids Senate seat, now that he is retiring. They have already spent $6 million backing Republican Rep. Joe Heck and attacking former state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, Reids hand-picked Democrat successor, according to ThinkProgess, a liberal website.

Freedom Partners Action Fund, a super PAC that is part of the Koch brothers network, currently is spending more than $600,000 on a television ad accusing Cortez Masto of outsourcing legal work to a D.C. law firm that later contributed to her election campaign, calling her a special interest politician.

According to the latest polls, Heck and Cortez Masto are tied, even though Democrats outnumber Republicans in Nevada by more than 70,000 registered voters.

A story in the Las Vegas newspaper recently reported that the Kochs Americans For Prosperity is working on a so-called ground game to challenge Reids vaunted army of union volunteers who bus casino workers to the polls with pre-selected sample ballots.

The Kochs are putting their money where their mouths are.

Reid seems to think that money alone will persuade people, but there also has to be believable content in the message. Reid has pounded the Kochs so often he sounds like a broken record. His criticism seems downright hypocritical when the Senate minority leader can call a press conference at the drop of a hat and get coverage from a vast majority of the broadcast and print media  without spending a dime.

It looks like a proxy war is now breaking out, with the Koch brothers independent support of Hecks senatorial campaign becoming the target of a nearly million-dollar television ad campaign by a group called the League of Conservation Voters.

The ad makes a non sequitur attempt to somehow link the fact the Koch brothers got filthy rich in the oil business  while most of us just got filthy in the grease orchard, but thats a story for another day  to an alleged antipathy on Hecks part for renewable energy.

The ad claims Hecks alleged favoritism toward oil risks Nevada wind and solar energy jobs, even though less than 1 percent of electricity in this country is produced with oil.

As for jobs, it is the League of Conservation Voters that is attacking jobs. According to its own website, it pushes for a tougher Endangered Species Act, which kills jobs, opposes drilling anywhere, which kills jobs, and wants to shut down any activity that contributes to carbon production, which kills jobs.

Heck sent out a press release countering the claims in the ad.

While Dr. Heck has been a strong supporter of solar jobs in Nevada, including legislation to streamline renewable energy development across the state, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is a DC-based partisan special interest that wants to put Nevadans out of work by stopping responsible mining, ranching, agriculture and recreation, Heck spokesperson Brian Baluta said. And, as Attorney General, Catherine Cortez Masto showed herself to be no friend of solar when she introduced a bill to exempt the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) from the open meeting law, allowing the PUC to raise rates behind closed doors. This bogus attack has nothing to do with clean energy and everything to do with installing Chuck Schumer as the next Senate Majority Leader.

In fact, Heck has backed tax credits for wind and solar, which, frankly, drive up the cost of power and kills jobs. So, hes no purist.

On the Leagues scorecard Hecks voting record agreed with its stances only 8 percent of the time, compared to Reids 81 percent. Theres a contrast Heck should be proud of.

Its going to get ugly, folks.
Not so far away from us lies a city of challenges, a land that fights for water, freedom, sanitation, hygiene and a lot more on a daily basis. Thousands of people die in Dhaka every year due to water-borne diseases and the vicious cycle continues.

But that isnt all of it. The Megacity also struggles from the pressure of swelling population, with some 400,000 new residents arriving each year from rural areas in search of a better lifestyle.

The city thus stands vulnerable to many difficulties  skyrocketing real estate prices, exponentially growing slum areas, poor housing quality, proper sanitation, traffic jams, air pollution, broken roads, inadequate clean water, electrical blackouts, and terrible governance, to name a few.

River of blood runs wild in Dhaka, Bangladesh after the celebratory sacrifice of animals this Eid meets some rain. pic.twitter.com/2hklcJQisc  Gautam Trivedi (@Gotham3) September 14, 2016

Relevant to the aforementioned, Dhaka recently witnessed one of the most horrific sights, and it was literally a bloodbath.

On the occasion of Eid-al-Adha on Tuesday, rainfall and animal sacrifices around the city created a dreadful scene of blood streaming across the city streets.

Due to the poor drainage system and extreme case of waterlogging, roads in many parts of the city were submerged in blood.

And even though the sight of streaming blood disturbed a lot of people, the traditional practice of animal sacrifice continued, adding to the existing havoc.

Civic bodies and corporations were blamed the most throughout the course of Eid-Ad-Adha because of the poor management and sluggish pace of cleanup. Many pointed out that the incident is a testament to the faulty management of the drainage system.

Prior to the event, two areas in Dhaka were allotted 496 and 504 spots each to perform the ritual. However, regardless of the allotment, many were seen performing the rituals on the streets and wherever convenient. Thus, within no time, numerous streets were covered in blood.

Upon asking a lot of people, some had put the blame on the management for their failure at planning well in advance for the festivals. Others said that the allotted spots were too far from their homes, thus, they chose a place of their choice.

Areas like Malibagh, Baily Road, Shantinagar, Bijoynagar, Paltan, Motijheel, Jatrabari, Bakshi Bazar and Kathalbagan saw people slaughtering animals right in front of their homes.

Blood river: civic nightmare in Dhaka after rain water flows with Eid bloodhttps://t.co/9ug7My7eC5 pic.twitter.com/25vtnrapEd  NewsCrunch (@NewsCrunch1) September 13, 2016





"Waterlogging has been a problem from a long time and we're looking for ways to fight that", said an official.

Image credits: Edward Rees
Greeces culture ministry on Wednesday afternoon engaged in damage control in the wake of several same-day press reports charging that the ministrys leadership was attempting to insert a provision in a draft bill related to the major Helleniko real estate development project that adds more bureaucratic hurdles.
The Kingmaker Club By Stephen Kinzer September 14, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Boston Globe " - Violently intervening in the affairs of other countries has brought the United States much grief over the last century. We are hardly the only ones who do it. The club of interventionist nations has a shifting membership. During the current round of Middle East conflict, two new countries have joined: Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Both have succumbed to the imperial temptation. Both are paying a high price. They are learning a lesson that Americans struggle to accept: Interventions have unexpected consequences and often end up weakening rather than strengthening the countries that carry them out. Turkeys long intervention in Syria has failed to bring about its intended result, the fall of President Bashar Assad. Instead it has intensified the Syrian conflict, fed a regional refugee crisis, set off terrorist backlash, and deeply strained relations between Turkey and its NATO allies. As this blunder has unfolded, Saudi Arabia has also been waging war outside its territory. Its bombing of neighboring Yemen was supposed to be a way of asserting regional hegemony, but it has aroused indignant condemnation. The bombing campaign has placed Saudi Arabia under new scrutiny, including more intense focus on its role in promoting global terror, which the Saudi royal family has managed to keep half-hidden for years. Turkey and Saudi Arabia intervened in foreign conflicts hoping to establish themselves as regional kingmakers. Both miscalculated. They overestimated their ability to secure quick victory and failed to weigh the strategic costs of failure or stalemate. If the Turks and Saudis had studied the history of American interventions, they would have been more prudent. We know the sorrows of empire. From Iran to Cuba to Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq, the legacy of our interventions continues to haunt us. Ambitious powers, however, continue to ignore the stark lesson that American history teaches. Turkey and Saudi Arabia are the latest to repeat our mistake. It is the same mistake that has undermined many nations and empires. They overestimated their ability to shape events in foreign lands. Now they are paying for their delusional overreach. When protests in Syria turned violent in 2011, Turkey might have supported the Assad government or adopted a hands-off policy. Instead it wholeheartedly embraced the rebel cause. Turkey shipped weapons to militant groups, helped foreign fighters travel to battle fronts, and allowed wounded jihadists to be treated at clinics in border towns. Turkish leaders calculated that this semi-clandestine operation would quickly topple Assads government. Instead the war dragged on for years. Turkeys intervention in Syria failed. Worse, it brought the war into parts of southern Turkey. Syrians began killing each other on the streets of Turkish towns. Turkey has finally begun accepting the reality that partnership with jihadist groups does not pay off. Under intense pressure from Washington, it is turning on its former friends, even sending its regular army into northern Syria to fight them. Turkey is also fighting Kurdish nationalists. Its shifting, multifront war has outraged both Kurdish and Islamist militants. They are taking revenge by launching terror attacks inside Turkey. Intervention in Syria was supposed to pacify the region and increase Turkeys strategic power. It has done the opposite. Saudi Arabia has also broken violently beyond its borders. It has taken sides in Yemens civil war. Saudi planes are regularly hitting targets inside Yemen. Many civilians are reported to have been killed. Revulsion at this carnage has cast a new and unwelcome light on Saudi Arabia. Partly as a result of the Yemen campaign, Saudi-bashing has become fashionable in Washington and other places where people have long chosen to ignore Saudi excesses. Last week, more than 60 members of Congress signed a letter seeking to block the Obama administrations plan to sell Saudi Arabia $1.15 billion worth of weaponry  a brazen challenge that would have been unthinkable until recently. Saudi Arabias intervention in Yemen, like Turkeys in Syria, failed to achieve either a military or political objective. These forays into regional war marked dizzying reversals for Turkey and Saudi Arabia. During the 20th and early 21st centuries, both countries slowly consolidated their strategic power by following modest foreign policies. The founder of modern Turkey, Kemal Ataturk, took pains to assure neighbors that his new country had no desire to reconstitute the Ottoman Empire, and he bequeathed to Turkey a strongly non-interventionist foreign policy. Saudi Arabia has been equally conservative, ruled by a monarchy determined to avoid conflict at all costs. Generations of Turkish and Saudi leaders believed that stability in the Middle East served their strategic interest. Their approach to regional politics epitomized Lord Salisburys 19th-century dictum, Whatever happens will be for the worse, and therefore it is in our interest that as little should happen as possible. After patiently guarding regional stability for nearly a century, Turkey and Saudi Arabia suddenly changed course. New leaders in both countries, brimming with overconfidence, developed outsized appetites and unrealistic ambitions. They plunged into conflicts beyond their own borders. These interventions have not gone well. Two more countries have now learned that ill-conceived foreign wars can sap national power. Americans could tell our Turkish and Saudi friends, Now you know. Welcome to the club. Stephen Kinzer is a senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University. Follow him on Twitter @stephenkinzer.
Israel Wins in November





It doesn't matter who is elected



By Philip Giraldi

September 14, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Unz Review " - There is considerable chatter about who will win in some of the hotly contested congressional races around the country, but one thing is certain: whoever triumphs will soon be receiving a nice all expenses paid luxury trip to Israel to learn all about Benjamin Netanyahus views regarding what more Washington can do to support him and his government. The educational seminars are organized by the Israel Lobby, more specifically by a tax exempt entity referred to as the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), which is a part of the hardline American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Participation in the journey by all freshman congressman is not mandatory but is advisable if one wants to stay on the right side of the Lobby. In August 2015 the class of 2014 only had three abstentions out of 53 new congressmen when it traveled to Israel along partisan lines with a Democratic group followed shortly thereafter by a GOP contingent.

These orientation trips are in addition to the frequent taxpayer funded visits made by congressmen to update themselves on Israels expanding list of needs. One such recent excursion involved Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who enthused that in a region consumed by terrorism and oppression, Israel stands out as a shining beacon of hope and freedom. Congressman David Rouzer, also from North Carolina, observed that Any attack on Israel of any kind is an attack on the American people. It was an honor for us to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

My own congressman, Barbara Comstock, a Republican representing the 10th District of Virginia, made the freshman trip last year. Comstock is a supremely ambitious lawmaker who has proven herself to be a dedicated GOP apparatchik. Recently she supported the presidential candidacy of Senator Marco Rubio, the ultimate Republican establishment candidate, who has appropriately been described as an empty suit when it comes to any understanding of the serious issues confronting the American people.

Comstock has been involved in a number of unsavory enterprises as she climbed the GOP ladder. She once headed the defense fund for Scooter Libby, the White House aide who was eventually convicted of perjury and other crimes after outing deep cover CIA Officer Valerie Plame, a felony offense. Outing Plame not only destroyed the womans career, it also set back CIA efforts to find and neutralize nuclear proliferators, which is what Valerie was working on.

I do not want to appear to be picking on Comstock but she and I have had a bit of a go around on her Israel trip and regarding her statements upon returning to Virginia, which I would like to share. And I must note that she is far from unique. She in reality differs but little from the numerous other congressmen on the make who are short on principles and compassion and long on their commitment to remain on the good side of Israel. And it is completely bipartisan. If Comstock is replaced by Democratic congressional candidate LuAnn Bennett this November I am sure Bennett will make the AIPAC sponsored trip in 2017 and will grovel just as embarrassingly on the Israel-Palestine issue. After all, that is what politicians do.

Comstock commented on her travel experience in a local newspaper, the Loudoun Times-Mirror, saying that she had met with Israeli government leaders who unanimously opposed the then impending nuclear deal with Iran. She agreed, coming to the conclusion that Iran is very much a threat, not just to Israel and the entire region, but to the United States. She repeated the Israeli view that the agreement would make it likely that Iran would develop a nuclear weapon in 12 or 13 years. She also opposed weakening sanctions as an inducement for Iran to drop its program, observing that I think if anything we should increase the sanctions.

Exercising my First Amendment rights, I then wrote a letter to the newspaper:

So Congresswoman Barbara Comstock has traveled to Israel on a trip paid for by the Israel Lobby. While there Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns her about the Iranians being a threat to America (and, of course, Israel) so she believes him rather than her own president and returns to regurgitate the propaganda she has been fed. It never occurs to Ms. Comstock that Netanyahu might be feeding her and the other congressmen a lot of rubbish. Neither Israels own generals nor the American ones at the Pentagon actually consider Iran to be a serious threat, no matter what it tries to do. Neither the CIA nor the Mossad believe that Iran has ever sought to build a nuclear weapon.

Perhaps she should do her homework on this one. The Iran deal significantly reduces that countrys capability to produce a nuclear weapon and its research labs will be subject to intrusive inspection. Sure no deal is perfect, but there are plenty of safeguards built in and if Iran fails to keep its end of the bargain sanctions will be re-imposed. It is an agreement that is good for all parties involved, including for Israel.

Ms. Comstock might also want to revisit her oath of office which pledges her to defend the Constitution of the United States, not to become an accomplice in what a foreign nation wants us to do. Our First President George Washington wisely urged Americans to maintain friendly relations with everyone, to avoid a passionate attachment to another nation which just might be creating the illusion of a common interest  where no common interest exists.

The newspaper would not print my letter, so I wrote directly to the congresswoman beginning with The media is reporting that you have traveled to Israel on a trip paid for by the Israel Lobby and then adding the points I had made in the newspaper letter.

Comstock responded, and I am quoting verbatim her first three paragraphs:

The Obama Administration vowed this deal would dismantle Irans nuclear weapons program; provide anytime, anywhere inspections; and cut back Irans ballistic missile program. In March of this year, I and 367 of my colleagues signed a bipartisan letter to the president outlining what must be accomplished in the negotiations in order for Congress to support the deal, and that letter stated that the final accord must provide Iran with no pathway to a bomb. None of the administrations promises were kept and none of their goals were met. Therefore, this agreement is fatally flawed and I oppose this deal.

The Obama Administration has committed to providing Iran sanctions relief from the U.S. in return for temporary, inadequate constraints on Irans nuclear program. It will permit Iran to launch an industrial-scale nuclear program after a little more than 10 years; to continue to block international inspectors from its secret nuclear facilities; to hide past work on its nuclear weapons program; and will allow Iran to essentially emerge from the deal as a legitimate player on the global scene with its past record of violence, oppression, and terrorism wiped clean.

Rewarding the Iranian Regime with billions of dollars in sanctions relief and swiftly lifting the arms embargo provides Irana country that exports terrorismwith the means to spread violence around the region. Iran is the worlds largest state sponsor of terrorism, and this deal only emboldens the Ayatollah and the Mullahs to continue spreading instability throughout the world.

The response is, of course, pretty much a canned argument incorporating facts that may have been in part drafted by AIPAC and which is completely in line with Israel Lobby and Israeli government thinking. It includes several errors, most particularly on the efficacy of the inspections routine, is confused about the source of the money due to Tehran, and considerably overstates Irans role as a state sponsor of terrorism. It also errs in crediting Iran with spreading instability around the world. That honor belongs to the United States, ably assisted by Israel.

More to the point, the response ignores the thrust of my letter, which criticizes American legislators going off on paid trips to foreign countries and then coming back home to confuse those governments interests with those of the United States. Making a trip where you are propagandized by one side and never speaking to representatives of those who are being belittled is a poor way to come up with a policy. Iran and the Palestinians do have legitimate points of view, believe it or not, and one has to wonder how many Arabs or even dissident Israelis Comstock spoke to when she was in Israel.

Contrary to Comstocks response, even if Tehrans government might not be very nice it does not in any way threaten the United States and is in fact directly fighting groups like ISIS. We should be working with Iran where we share interests, not against it. The nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 countries has been a success, with the inspection routine working, according to UN inspectors. If there is a fundamental problem in the Middle East it is not Iran but rather the unseemly relationship between the U.S. and Israel, which has unbalanced the region and gravely damaged genuine American interests in an important part of the world.

To appreciate the true impact of the AIEF funded trips to Israel multiply Comstock by fifty and repeat every year to make sure that everyone in congress has been subjected to the propaganda. I would bet that all Comstocks 49 colleagues who also made the sponsored trip last year came back full of good things to say about Netanyahu and his government. One does not expect congressmen to do very much in return for their generous salaries and perks but there is something seriously wrong when they go around the world and uncritically accept what they are hearing from foreign liars and scoundrels who want the United States to do the heavy lifting after they generate regional crises that are beyond their capability to control. Unfortunately, whoever is elected, the pilgrimages to worship at the feet of Benjamin Netanyahu will continue, bringing to mind Patrick Buchanans apt description of a shameless and corrupted congress as Israeli occupied territory. Indeed.
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 purely 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 Wiesel.

Unfortunately, blogger 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 un-scandal 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.
Let Us Rid the World of Wahhabism By Mohammad Javad Zarif September 14, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " NYT " - Tehran  Public relations firms with no qualms about taking tainted petrodollars are experiencing a bonanza. Their latest project has been to persuade us that the Nusra Front, Al Qaedas affiliate in Syria, is no more. As a Nusra spokesman told CNN, the rebranded rebel group, supposedly separated from its parent terrorist organization, has become moderate. Thus is fanaticism from the Dark Ages sold as a bright vision for the 21st century. The problem for the P.R. firms wealthy, often Saudi, clients, who have lavishly funded Nusra, is that the evidence of their ruinous policies cant be photoshopped out of existence. If anyone had any doubt, the recent video images of other moderates beheading a 12-year-old boy were a horrifying reality check. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, militant Wahhabism has undergone a series of face-lifts, but underneath, the ideology remains the same  whether its the Taliban, the various incarnations of Al Qaeda or the so-called Islamic State, which is neither Islamic nor a state. But the millions of people faced with the Nusra Fronts tyranny are not buying the fiction of this disaffiliation. Past experience of such attempts at whitewashing points to the real aim: to enable the covert flow of petrodollars to extremist groups in Syria to become overt, and even to lure Western governments into supporting these moderates. The fact that Nusra still dominates the rebel alliance in Aleppo flouts the public relations message. Saudi Arabia s effort to persuade its Western patrons to back its shortsighted tactics is based on the false premise that plunging the Arab world into further chaos will somehow damage Iran. The fanciful notions that regional instability will help to contain Iran, and that supposed rivalries between Sunni and Shiite Muslims are fueling conflicts, are contradicted by the reality that the worst bloodshed in the region is caused by Wahhabists fighting fellow Arabs and murdering fellow Sunnis. While these extremists, with the backing of their wealthy sponsors, have targeted Christians, Jews, Yazidis, Shiites and other heretics, it is their fellow Sunni Arabs who have been most beleaguered by this exported doctrine of hate. Indeed, it is not the supposed ancient sectarian conflict between Sunnis and Shiites but the contest between Wahhabism and mainstream Islam that will have the most profound consequences for the region and beyond. While the 2003 American-led invasion of Iraq set in motion the fighting we see today, the key driver of violence has been this extremist ideology promoted by Saudi Arabia  even if it was invisible to Western eyes until the tragedy of 9/11. The princes in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, have been desperate to revive the regional status quo of the days of Saddam Husseins rule in Iraq, when a surrogate repressive despot, eliciting wealth and material support from fellow Arabs and a gullible West, countered the so-called Iranian threat. There is only one problem: Mr. Hussein is long dead, and the clock cannot be turned back. The sooner Saudi Arabias rulers come to terms with this, the better for all. The new realities in our region can accommodate even Riyadh, should the Saudis choose to change their ways. What would change mean? Over the past three decades, Riyadh has spent tens of billions of dollars exporting Wahhabism through thousands of mosques and madrasas across the world. From Asia to Africa, from Europe to the Americas, this theological perversion has wrought havoc. As one former extremist in Kosovo told The Times, The Saudis completely changed Islam here with their money. Though it has attracted only a minute proportion of Muslims, Wahhabism has been devastating in its impact. Virtually every terrorist group abusing the name of Islam  from Al Qaeda and its offshoots in Syria to Boko Haram in Nigeria  has been inspired by this death cult. So far, the Saudis have succeeded in inducing their allies to go along with their folly, whether in Syria or Yemen, by playing the Iran card. That will surely change, as the realization grows that Riyadhs persistent sponsorship of extremism repudiates its claim to be a force for stability. The world cannot afford to sit by and witness Wahhabists targeting not only Christians, Jews and Shiites but also Sunnis. With a large section of the Middle East in turmoil, there is a grave danger that the few remaining pockets of stability will be undermined by this clash of Wahhabism and mainstream Sunni Islam. There needs to be coordinated action at the United Nations to cut off the funding for ideologies of hate and extremism, and a willingness from the international community to investigate the channels that supply the cash and the arms. In 2013, Irans president, Hassan Rouhani, proposed an initiative called World Against Violent Extremism, or WAVE. The United Nations should build on that framework to foster greater dialogue between religions and sects to counter this dangerous medieval fanaticism. The attacks in Nice, Paris and Brussels should convince the West that the toxic threat of Wahhabism cannot be ignored. After a year of almost weekly tragic news, the international community needs to do more than express outrage, sorrow and condolences; concrete action against extremism is needed. Though much of the violence committed in the name of Islam can be traced to Wahhabism, I by no means suggest that Saudi Arabia cannot be part of the solution. Quite the reverse: We invite Saudi rulers to put aside the rhetoric of blame and fear, and join hands with the rest of the community of nations to eliminate the scourge of terrorism and violence that threatens us all.
False Flag Terror Has Succeeded For Millennia, To Compel War



By WashingtonsBlog

Painting by Anthony Freda

Presidents, Prime Ministers, Congressmen, Generals, Spooks, Soldiers and Police ADMIT to False Flag Terror

September 14, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " WashingtonsBlog " - In the following instances, officials in the government which carried out the attack (or seriously proposed an attack) admit to it, either orally, in writing, or through photographs or videos:

(1) In 1697, native American conspirators admitted in court that Iroquois leaders convinced a Piscataway tribesman to murder an Englishwoman in Virginia for the purpose of igniting a war between the English and the Piscataway  thus weakening both parties  and allowing the Iroquois to seize Piscataway lands.

(2) Japanese troops set off a small explosion on a train track in 1931, and falsely blamed it on China in order to justify an invasion of Manchuria. This is known as the Mukden Incident or the Manchurian Incident. The Tokyo International Military Tribunal found: Several of the participators in the plan, including Hashimoto [a high-ranking Japanese army officer], have on various occasions admitted their part in the plot and have stated that the object of the Incident was to afford an excuse for the occupation of Manchuria by the Kwantung Army . And see this, this and this.

(3) A major with the Nazi SS admitted at the Nuremberg trials that  under orders from the chief of the Gestapo  he and some other Nazi operatives faked attacks on their own people and resources which they blamed on the Poles, to justify the invasion of Poland.



(4) The minutes of the high command of the Italian government  subsequently approved by Mussolini himself  admitted that violence on the Greek-Albanian border was carried out by Italians and falsely blamed on the Greeks, as an excuse for Italys 1940 invasion of Greece.

(5) Nazi general Franz Halder also testified at the Nuremberg trials that Nazi leader Hermann Goering admitted to setting fire to the German parliament building in 1933, and then falsely blaming the communists for the arson.



(6) Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev admitted in writing that the Soviet Unions Red Army shelled the Russian village of Mainila in 1939  while blaming the attack on Finland  as a basis for launching the Winter War against Finland. Russian president Boris Yeltsin agreed that Russia had been the aggressor in the Winter War.

(7) The Russian Parliament, current Russian president Putin and former Soviet leader Gorbachev all admit that Soviet leader Joseph Stalin ordered his secret police to execute 22,000 Polish army officers and civilians in 1940, and then falsely blamed it on the Nazis.

(8) The British government admits that  between 1946 and 1948  it bombed 5 ships carrying Jews attempting to flee the Holocaust to seek safety in Palestine, set up a fake group called Defenders of Arab Palestine, and then had the psuedo-group falsely claim responsibility for the bombings (and see this, this and this).

(9) Israel admits that in 1954, an Israeli terrorist cell operating in Egypt planted bombs in several buildings, including U.S. diplomatic facilities, then left behind evidence implicating the Arabs as the culprits (one of the bombs detonated prematurely, allowing the Egyptians to identify the bombers, and several of the Israelis later confessed) (and see this and this).

The U.S. Army does not believe this is an isolated incident. For example, the U.S. Armys School of Advanced Military Studies said of Mossad (Israels intelligence service):

Ruthless and cunning. Has capability to target U.S. forces and make it look like a Palestinian/Arab act.

(10) The CIA admits that it hired Iranians in the 1950s to pose as Communists and stage bombings in Iran in order to turn the country against its democratically-elected prime minister.

(11) The Turkish Prime Minister admitted that the Turkish government carried out the 1955 bombing on a Turkish consulate in Greece  also damaging the nearby birthplace of the founder of modern Turkey  and blamed it on Greece, for the purpose of inciting and justifying anti-Greek violence.

(12) The British Prime Minister admitted to his defense secretary that he and American president Dwight Eisenhower approved a plan in 1957 to carry out attacks in Syria and blame it on the Syrian government as a way to effect regime change.

(13) The former Italian Prime Minister, an Italian judge, and the former head of Italian counterintelligence admit that NATO, with the help of the Pentagon and CIA, carried out terror bombings in Italy and other European countries in the 1950s through the 1980s and blamed the communists, in order to rally peoples support for their governments in Europe in their fight against communism.

As one participant in this formerly-secret program stated: You had to attack civilians, people, women, children, innocent people, unknown people far removed from any political game. The reason was quite simple. They were supposed to force these people, the Italian public, to turn to the state to ask for greater security  so that a state of emergency could be declared, so people would willingly trade part of their freedom for the security (and see this) (Italy and other European countries subject to the terror campaign had joined NATO before the bombings occurred). And watch this BBC special. They also allegedly carried out terror attacks in France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK, and other countries.

The CIA also stressed to the head of the Italian program that Italy needed to use the program to control internal uprisings.

False flag attacks carried out pursuant to this program include  by way of example only:

The murder of the Turkish Prime Minister (1960)

The Piazza Fontana massacre in Italy (1969)

The Peteano bombing in Italy (1972)

The bombing of the Bologna railway station in Italy (1980)

(14) In 1960, American Senator George Smathers suggested that the U.S. launch a false attack made on Guantanamo Bay which would give us the excuse of actually fomenting a fight which would then give us the excuse to go in and [overthrow Castro].

(15) Official State Department documents show that, in 1961, the head of the Joint Chiefs and other high-level officials discussed blowing up a consulate in the Dominican Republic in order to justify an invasion of that country. The plans were not carried out, but they were all discussed as serious proposals.

(16) As admitted by the U.S. government, recently declassified documents show that in 1962, the American Joint Chiefs of Staff signed off on a plan to blow up AMERICAN airplanes (using an elaborate plan involving the switching of airplanes), and also to commit terrorist acts on American soil, and then to blame it on the Cubans in order to justify an invasion of Cuba. See the following ABC news report; the official documents; and watch this interview with the former Washington Investigative Producer for ABCs World News Tonight with Peter Jennings.

(17) In 1963, the U.S. Department of Defense wrote a paper promoting attacks on nations within the Organization of American States  such as Trinidad-Tobago or Jamaica  and then falsely blaming them on Cuba.

(18) The U.S. Department of Defense also suggested covertly paying a person in the Castro government to attack the United States: The only area remaining for consideration then would be to bribe one of Castros subordinate commanders to initiate an attack on Guantanamo.

(19) A U.S. Congressional committee admitted that  as part of its Cointelpro campaign  the FBI had used many provocateurs in the 1950s through 1970s to carry out violent acts and falsely blame them on political activists.

(20) A top Turkish general admitted that Turkish forces burned down a mosque on Cyprus in the 1970s and blamed it on their enemy. He explained: In Special War, certain acts of sabotage are staged and blamed on the enemy to increase public resistance. We did this on Cyprus; we even burnt down a mosque. In response to the surprised correspondents incredulous look the general said, I am giving an example.

(21) A declassified 1973 CIA document reveals a program to train foreign police and troops on how to make booby traps, pretending that they were training them on how to investigate terrorist acts:

The Agency maintains liaison in varying degrees with foreign police/security organizations through its field stations . [CIA provides training sessions as follows:] a. Providing trainees with basic knowledge in the uses of commercial and military demolitions and incendiaries as they may be applied in terrorism and industrial sabotage operations. b. Introducing the trainees to commercially available materials and home laboratory techniques, likely to he used in the manufacture of explosives and incendiaries by terrorists or saboteurs. c. Familiarizing the trainees with the concept of target analysis and operational planning that a saboteur or terrorist must employ. d. Introducing the trainees to booby trapping devices and techniques giving practical experience with both manufactured and improvised devices through actual fabrication. *** The program provides the trainees with ample opportunity to develop basic familiarity and use proficiently through handling, preparing and applying the various explosive charges, incendiary agents, terrorist devices and sabotage techniques.

(22) The German government admitted (and see this) that, in 1978, the German secret service detonated a bomb in the outer wall of a prison and planted escape tools on a prisoner  a member of the Red Army Faction  which the secret service wished to frame the bombing on.

(23) A Mossad agent admits that, in 1984, Mossad planted a radio transmitter in Gaddaffis compound in Tripoli, Libya which broadcast fake terrorist transmissions recorded by Mossad, in order to frame Gaddaffi as a terrorist supporter. Ronald Reagan bombed Libya immediately thereafter.

(24) The South African Truth and Reconciliation Council found that, in 1989, the Civil Cooperation Bureau (a covert branch of the South African Defense Force) approached an explosives expert and asked him to participate in an operation aimed at discrediting the ANC [the African National Congress] by bombing the police vehicle of the investigating officer into the murder incident, thus framing the ANC for the bombing.

(25) An Algerian diplomat and several officers in the Algerian army admit that, in the 1990s, the Algerian army frequently massacred Algerian civilians and then blamed Islamic militants for the killings (and see this video; and Agence France-Presse, 9/27/2002, French Court Dismisses Algerian Defamation Suit Against Author).

(26) In 1993, a bomb in Northern Ireland killed 9 civilians. Official documents from the Royal Ulster Constabulary (i.e. the British government) show that the mastermind of the bombing was a British agent, and that the bombing was designed to inflame sectarian tensions. And see this and this.

(27) The United States Armys 1994 publication Special Forces Foreign Internal Defense Tactics Techniques and Procedures for Special Forces  updated in 2004  recommends employing terrorists and using false flag operations to destabilize leftist regimes in Latin America. False flag terrorist attacks were carried out in Latin America and other regions as part of the CIAs Dirty Wars. And see this.

(28) Similarly, a CIA psychological operations manual prepared by a CIA contractor for the Nicaraguan Contra rebels noted the value of assassinating someone on your own side to create a martyr for the cause. The manual was authenticated by the U.S. government. The manual received so much publicity from Associated Press, Washington Post and other news coverage that  during the 1984 presidential debate  President Reagan was confronted with the following question on national television:

At this moment, we are confronted with the extraordinary story of a CIA guerrilla manual for the anti-Sandinista contras whom we are backing, which advocates not only assassinations of Sandinistas but the hiring of criminals to assassinate the guerrillas we are supporting in order to create martyrs.

(29) A Rwandan government inquiry admitted that the 1994 shootdown and murder of the Rwandan president, who was from the Hutu tribe  a murder blamed by the Hutus on the rival Tutsi tribe, and which led to the massacre of more than 800,000 Tutsis by Hutus  was committed by Hutu soldiers and falsely blamed on the Tutis.

(30) An Indonesian government fact-finding team investigated violent riots which occurred in 1998, and determined that elements of the military had been involved in the riots, some of which were deliberately provoked.

(31) Senior Russian Senior military and intelligence officers admit that the KGB blew up Russian apartment buildings in 1999 and falsely blamed it on Chechens, in order to justify an invasion of Chechnya (and see this report and this discussion).

(32) As reported by the New York Times, BBC and Associated Press, Macedonian officials admit that in 2001, the government murdered 7 innocent immigrants in cold blood and pretended that they were Al Qaeda soldiers attempting to assassinate Macedonian police, in order to join the war on terror. luring foreign migrants into the country, executing them in a staged gun battle, and then claiming they were a unit backed by Al Qaeda intent on attacking Western embassies. Macedonian authorities had lured the immigrants into the country, and then  after killing them  posed the victims with planted evidence  bags of uniforms and semiautomatic weapons at their side  to show Western diplomats.

(33) At the July 2001 G8 Summit in Genoa, Italy, black-clad thugs were videotaped getting out of police cars, and were seen by an Italian MP carrying iron bars inside the police station. Subsequently, senior police officials in Genoa subsequently admitted that police planted two Molotov cocktails and faked the stabbing of a police officer at the G8 Summit, in order to justify a violent crackdown against protesters.

(34) The U.S. falsely blamed Iraq for playing a role in the 9/11 attacks  as shown by a memo from the defense secretary  as one of the main justifications for launching the Iraq war.

Even after the 9/11 Commission admitted that there was no connection, Dick Cheney said that the evidence is overwhelming that al Qaeda had a relationship with Saddam Husseins regime, that Cheney probably had information unavailable to the Commission, and that the media was not doing their homework in reporting such ties. Top U.S. government officials now admit that the Iraq war was really launched for oil  not 9/11 or weapons of mass destruction.

Despite previous lone wolf claims, many U.S. government officials now say that 9/11 was state-sponsored terror; but Iraq was not the state which backed the hijackers. (Many U.S. officials have alleged that 9/11 was a false flag operation by rogue elements of the U.S. government; but such a claim is beyond the scope of this discussion. The key point is that the U.S. falsely blamed it on Iraq, when it knew Iraq had nothing to do with it.).



(Additionally, the same judge who has shielded the Saudis for any liability for funding 9/11 has awarded a default judgment against Iran for $10.5 billion for carrying out 9/11  even though no one seriously believes that Iran had any part in 9/11.)

(35) Although the FBI now admits that the 2001 anthrax attacks were carried out by one or more U.S. government scientists, a senior FBI official says that the FBI was actually told to blame the Anthrax attacks on Al Qaeda by White House officials (remember what the anthrax letters looked like). Government officials also confirm that the white House tried to link the anthrax to Iraq as a justification for regime change in that country. And see this.

(36) According to the Washington Post, Indonesian police admit that the Indonesian military killed American teachers in Papua in 2002 and blamed the murders on a Papuan separatist group in order to get that group listed as a terrorist organization.

(37) The well-respected former Indonesian president also admits that the government probably had a role in the Bali bombings.

(38) Police outside of a 2003 European Union summit in Greece were filmed planting Molotov cocktails on a peaceful protester.

(39) Former Department of Justice lawyer John Yoo suggested in 2005 that the US should go on the offensive against al-Qaeda, having our intelligence agencies create a false terrorist organization. It could have its own websites, recruitment centers, training camps, and fundraising operations. It could launch fake terrorist operations and claim credit for real terrorist strikes, helping to sow confusion within al-Qaedas ranks, causing operatives to doubt others identities and to question the validity of communications.

(40) Similarly, in 2005, Professor John Arquilla of the Naval Postgraduate School  a renowned US defense analyst credited with developing the concept of netwar  called for western intelligence services to create new pseudo gang terrorist groups, as a way of undermining real terror networks. According to Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Seymour Hersh, Arquillas pseudo-gang strategy was, Hersh reported, already being implemented by the Pentagon:

Under Rumsfelds new approach, I was told, US military operatives would be permitted to pose abroad as corrupt foreign businessmen seeking to buy contraband items that could be used in nuclear-weapons systems. In some cases, according to the Pentagon advisers, local citizens could be recruited and asked to join up with guerrillas or terrorists

The new rules will enable the Special Forces community to set up what it calls action teams in the target countries overseas which can be used to find and eliminate terrorist organizations. Do you remember the right-wing execution squads in El Salvador? the former high-level intelligence official asked me, referring to the military-led gangs that committed atrocities in the early nineteen-eighties. We founded them and we financed them, he said. The objective now is to recruit locals in any area we want. And we arent going to tell Congress about it. A former military officer, who has knowledge of the Pentagons commando capabilities, said, Were going to be riding with the bad boys.

(41) United Press International reported in June 2005:

U.S. intelligence officers are reporting that some of the insurgents in Iraq are using recent-model Beretta 92 pistols, but the pistols seem to have had their serial numbers erased. The numbers do not appear to have been physically removed; the pistols seem to have come off a production line without any serial numbers. Analysts suggest the lack of serial numbers indicates that the weapons were intended for intelligence operations or terrorist cells with substantial government backing. Analysts speculate that these guns are probably from either Mossad or the CIA. Analysts speculate that agent provocateurs may be using the untraceable weapons even as U.S. authorities use insurgent attacks against civilians as evidence of the illegitimacy of the resistance.

(42) In 2005, British soldiers dressed as Arabs were caught by Iraqi police after a shootout against the police. The soldiers apparently possessed explosives, and were accused of attempting to set off bombs. While none of the soldiers admitted that they were carrying out attacks, British soldiers and a column of British tanks stormed the jail they were held in, broke down a wall of the jail, and busted them out. The extreme measures used to free the soldiers  rather than have them face questions and potentially stand trial  could be considered an admission.

(43) Undercover Israeli soldiers admitted in 2005 to throwing stones at other Israeli soldiers so they could blame it on Palestinians, as an excuse to crack down on peaceful protests by the Palestinians.

(44) Quebec police admitted that, in 2007, thugs carrying rocks to a peaceful protest were actually undercover Quebec police officers (and see this).

(45) A 2008 US Army special operations field manual recommends that the U.S. military use surrogate non-state groups such as paramilitary forces, individuals, businesses, foreign political organizations, resistant or insurgent organizations, expatriates, transnational terrorism adversaries, disillusioned transnational terrorism members, black marketers, and other social or political undesirables. The manual specifically acknowledged that U.S. special operations can involve both counterterrorism and Terrorism (as well as transnational criminal activities, including narco-trafficking, illicit arms-dealing, and illegal financial transactions.)

(46) The former Italian Prime Minister, President, and head of Secret Services (Francesco Cossiga) advised the 2008 minister in charge of the police, on how to deal with protests from teachers and students:

He should do what I did when I was Minister of the Interior  infiltrate the movement with agents provocateurs inclined to do anything . And after that, with the strength of the gained population consent,  beat them for blood and beat for blood also those teachers that incite them. Especially the teachers. Not the elderly, of course, but the girl teachers yes.

(47) At the G20 protests in London in 2009, a British member of parliament saw plain clothes police officers attempting to incite the crowd to violence.

(48) Egyptian politicians admitted (and see this) that government employees looted priceless museum artifacts 2011 to try to discredit the protesters.

(49) In 2011, a Colombian colonel admitted that he and his soldiers had lured 57 innocent civilians and killed them  after dressing many of them in uniforms  as part of a scheme to claim that Columbia was eradicating left-wing terrorists. And see this.

(50) Rioters who discredited the peaceful protests against the swearing in of the Mexican president in 2012 admitted that they were paid 300 pesos each to destroy everything in their path. According to Wikipedia, photos also show the vandals waiting in groups behind police lines prior to the violence.

(51) A Colombian army colonel has admitted that his unit murdered 57 civilians, then dressed them in uniforms and claimed they were rebels killed in combat.

(52) On November 20, 2014, Mexican agent provocateurs were transported by army vehicles to participate in the 2014 Iguala mass kidnapping protests, as was shown by videos and pictures distributed via social networks.

(53) The highly-respected writer for the Telegraph Ambrose Evans-Pritchard says that the head of Saudi intelligence  Prince Bandar  recently admitted that the Saudi government controls Chechen terrorists.

(54) Two members of the Turkish parliament, high-level American sources and others admitted that the Turkish government  a NATO country  carried out the chemical weapons attacks in Syria and falsely blamed them on the Syrian government; and high-ranking Turkish government admitted on tape plans to carry out attacks and blame it on the Syrian government.

(55) The Ukrainian security chief admits that the sniper attacks which started the Ukrainian coup were carried out in order to frame others. Ukrainian officials admit that the Ukrainian snipers fired on both sides, to create maximum chaos.

(56) Burmese government officials admitted that Burma (renamed Myanmar) used false flag attacks against Muslim and Buddhist groups within the country to stir up hatred between the two groups, to prevent democracy from spreading.

(57) Israeli police were again filmed in 2015 dressing up as Arabs and throwing stones, then turning over Palestinian protesters to Israeli soldiers.

(58) Britains spy agency has admitted (and see this) that it carries out digital false flag attacks on targets, framing people by writing offensive or unlawful material  and blaming it on the target.

(59) U.S. soldiers have admitted that if they kill innocent Iraqis and Afghanis, they then drop automatic weapons near their body so they can pretend they were militants

(60) Similarly, police frame innocent people for crimes they didnt commit. The practice is so well-known that the New York Times noted in 1981:

In police jargon, a throwdown is a weapon planted on a victim.

Newsweek reported in 1999:

Perez, himself a former [Los Angeles Police Department] cop, was caught stealing eight pounds of cocaine from police evidence lockers. After pleading guilty in September, he bargained for a lighter sentence by telling an appalling story of attempted murder and a throwdownpolice slang for a weapon planted by cops to make a shooting legally justifiable. Perez said he and his partner, Officer Nino Durden, shot an unarmed 18th Street Gang member named Javier Ovando, then planted a semiautomatic rifle on the unconscious suspect and claimed that Ovando had tried to shoot them during a stakeout.

Wikipedia notes:

As part of his plea bargain, Perez implicated scores of officers from the Rampart Divisions anti-gang unit, describing routinely beating gang members, planting evidence on suspects, falsifying reports and covering up unprovoked shootings.

(As a side note  and while not technically false flag attacks  police have been busted framing innocent people in many other ways, as well.)

(61) A former U.S. intelligence officer recently alleged:

Most terrorists are false flag terrorists or are created by our own security services.

(62) The head and special agent in charge of the FBIs Los Angeles office said that most terror attacks are committed by the CIA and FBI as false flags. Similarly, the director of the National Security Agency under Ronald Reagan  Lt. General William Odom said:

By any measure the US has long used terrorism. In 78-79 the Senate was trying to pass a law against international terrorism  in every version they produced, the lawyers said the US would be in violation.

(audio here).

(63) The Director of Analytics at the interagency Global Engagement Center housed at the U.S. Department of State, also an adjunct professor at George Mason University, where he teaches the graduate course National Security Challenges in the Department of Information Sciences and Technology, a former branch chief in the CIAs Counterterrorism Center, and an intelligence advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security (J.D. Maddox) notes:

Provocation is one of the most basic, but confounding, aspects of warfare. Despite its sometimes obvious use, it has succeeded consistently against audiences around the world, for millennia, to compel war. A well-constructed provocation narrative mutes even the most vocal opposition. *** The culmination of a strategic provocation operation invariably reflects a narrative of victimhood: we are the

victims of the enemys unforgivable atrocities. *** In the case of strategic provocation the deaths of an aggressors own personnel are a core tactic of the provocation. *** The persistent use of strategic provocation over centuries  and its apparent importance to war planners  begs the question of its likely use by the US and other states in the near term.

(64) Leaders throughout history have acknowledged the benefits of of false flags to justify their political agenda:

Terrorism is the best political weapon for nothing drives people harder than a fear of sudden death.

 Adolph Hitler Why of course the people dont want war  But after all it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship  Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

 Hermann Goering, Nazi leader. The easiest way to gain control of a population is to carry out acts of terror. [The public] will clamor for such laws if their personal security is threatened.

 Josef Stalin

Postscript: The media plays along as well. For example, in 2012, NBC News chief foreign correspondent, Richard Engel, was kidnapped in Syria. NBC News said that Engel and his reporting team had been abducted by forces affiliated with the Syrian government. He reported that they only escaped when some anti-Syrian government rebels killed some of the pro-government kidnappers.

However, NBC subsequently admitted that this was false. It turns out that they were really kidnapped by people associated with the U.S. backed rebels fighting the Syrian government  who wore the clothes of, faked the accent of, scrawled the slogans of, and otherwise falsely impersonated the mannerisms of people associated with the Syrian government. In reality, the group that kidnapped Engel and his crew were affiliated with the U.S.-supported Free Syrian Army, and NBC should have known that it was blaming the wrong party. See the New York Times and the Nations reporting.

Of course, sometimes atrocities or warmongering are falsely blamed on the enemy as a justification for war  when no such event ever occurred. This is sort of like false flag terror  without the terror.

For example:

The NSA admits that it lied about what really happened in the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964  manipulating data to make it look like North Vietnamese boats fired on a U.S. ship so as to create a false justification for the Vietnam war

One of the central lies used to justify the 1991 Gulf War against Iraq after Iraq invaded Kuwait was the false statement by a young Kuwaiti girl that Iraqis murdered Kuwaiti babies in hospitals. Her statement was arranged by a Congressman who knew that she was actually the daughter of the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the U.S.  who was desperately trying to lobby the U.S. to enter the war  but the Congressman hid that fact from the public and from Congress

Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Ron Suskind reported that the White House ordered the CIA to forge and backdate a document falsely linking Iraq with Muslim terrorists and 9/11  and that the CIA complied with those instructions and in fact created the forgery, which was then used to justify war against Iraq. And see this and this

Time magazine points out that the claim by President Bush that Iraq was attempting to buy yellow cake Uranium from Niger:

had been checked out  and debunked  by U.S. intelligence a year before the President repeated it.

Everyone knew that Iraq didnt have weapons of mass destruction. More

The entire torture program was geared towards obtaining false confessions linking Iraq and 9/11

CIA agents and documents admit that the agency gave Iran plans for building nuclear weapons  so it could frame Iran for trying to build the bomb
Cameron Ultimately Responsible for Libya Collapse and Rise of Isis: Commons Report



The scathing verdict comes just one day after Mr Camerons sudden announcement that he will leave Westminster immediately



By Rob Merrick Deputy Political Editor



September 14, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Independent " - The bloody collapse of Libya  which triggered a refugee crisis and aided the rise of Isis  is blamed today on David Camerons blunders when he intervened to overthrow Colonel Gaddafi.



A damning report by MPs condemns the 2011 military campaign for lacking both accurate intelligence and a coherent strategy for the aftermath of removing the dictator.



The disastrous results were political and economic collapse, tribal warfare, the refugee crisis, widespread human rights abuses and the rise of Islamic State (IS) in North Africa, fuelled by weapons abandoned by the Gaddafi regime.

The Foreign Affairs Select Committee concludes: Through his decision-making in the National Security Council, former prime minister David Cameron was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy. The scathing verdict comes just one day after Mr Camerons sudden announcement that he will leave Westminster immediately, breaking an earlier pledge to stay on as a backbencher. In the report, MPs say: * They saw no evidence that the UK Government carried out a proper analysis of the nature of the rebellion in Libya. * There was no defined strategic objective  which meant a limited intervention to protect civilians drifted into a policy of regime change by military means. * There was no attempt to pause military action when Benghazi was secured and seek a deal to protect civilians and reform Libya, with the UK instead focused exclusively on military intervention. * Mr Cameron should have used Tony Blairs contacts and influence to try to secure Gaddafis exit and a negotiated solution. * Many Libyans had taken part in the Iraq insurgency and fought with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, which meant the rise of militant extremist groups should not have been the preserve of hindsight. * There was insufficient action taken to secure weapons abandoned by the Gaddafi regime, which contributed to the turmoil and increased terrorism across the region. * Mr Cameron should have been required to issue a formal ministerial direction to intervene, noting the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lord Richards, dissociated himself from that decision in evidence to the inquiry. * France led the campaign, noting: UK policy followed decision-taking in France. Just six months after sending in the RAF and the Navy, in alliance with France  after the regime threatened to attack the rebel-held city of Benghazi  a triumphant Mr Cameron was mobbed by cheering Libyans on a visit with French president Nicolas Sarkozy The two leaders pledged support for the future, proclaiming: Your friends in Britain and France will stand with you as you build your country and build your democracy for the future. But the promise proved empty as Libya collapsed into a power vacuum, allowing Isis to seize control of part of the country and people-smugglers to send migrants towards Europe in rickety boats. Barack Obama has called Libya the worst mistake of his presidency, apparently criticising Mr Cameron personally for the UKs role in allowing the country to become a s*** show. Crispin Blunt, the Committees Conservative chairman, said: The UK's actions in Libya were part of an ill-conceived intervention, the results of which are still playing out today. Other political options were available. Political engagement might have delivered civilian protection, regime change and reform at a lesser cost to the UK and Libya. The international community must now get behind the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord to prevent the country descending into all-out civil war, Mr Blunt added. Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: The decision to intervene was an international one, called for by the Arab League and authorised by the United Nations Security Council. Muammar Gaddafi was unpredictable, and he had the means and motivation to carry out his threats. His actions could not be ignored, and required decisive and collective international action. Throughout the campaign we stayed within the United Nations mandate to protect civilians. After four decades of Gaddafi misrule, Libya undoubtedly faces huge challenges. The UK will continue to play a leading role within the international community to support the internationally recognised Libyan Government of National Accord. We have allocated 10million this year to help the new Government to restore stability, rebuild the economy, defeat Daesh [Isis] and tackle the criminal gangs that threaten the security of Libyans and exploit illegal migrants. HMS Enterprise and HMS Diamond are both currently deployed to support the EU naval operation to tackle illegal migration, people smuggling and arms trafficking.
What Does the Rise of China Mean for the Rest of the World?



Interview with China Rising author Jeff Brown



By Kim Petersen September 14, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - Punto Press, a small press dedicated to progressive titles, has published China Rising: Capitalist Roads, Socialist Destinations by Jeff J. Brown. The book is an effort to educate fellow Westerners about the realities of China and demolish the multiple layers of western disinformation and propaganda that demonize this nation with a 5000-year history. Brown has gravitas to write such a book. First, he is fluent in Mandarin (as well as learning Portuguese, Arabic, and French). Second, he has lived 13 years in China, currently in Shenzhen. He has also traveled to most of its regions. This served as a foundation for a political travelog Brown wrote, 44 Days Backpacking in China: The Middle Kingdom in the 21st Century, with the United States, Europe and the Fate of the World in Its Looking Glass. In addition to his years of having lived in China, Brown's having grown up in Oklahoma and having graduated from Oklahoma State University has provided him an ringside seat from which to compare and analyze the imperialist war-making United States and the anti-imperialist rise of China, now in concert with Russia, described in rich, colloquial detail (e.g., Brown refers to the Chinese government as Baba Beijing; a colloquialism that I'd translate to as Big Daddy Beijing) in China Rising. I carried out an email interview with Jeff Brown to illuminate western media fabrications about China and to examine US political and military machinations against the next preeminent economic power, a socialist nation whose rise can be viewed as an ominous signal portending capitalism's demise, or at least its competitive equal. ***** Kim Petersen : First since you have years of experience in China. Whopper question to begin, yes, but as a lead-in could you sum up the major change(s) youve seen and what this bodes for the future of China and the world. Jeff J. Brown : So, Kim, here is your whopper answer. China has never stopped adapting to what it needs to move forward, going back to liberation in 1949. During what I call the Mao Era (1949-1978), many reforms and measures were routinely implemented to move the people forward and improve their lives, although this is often ignored or denied in the West. During the Deng Era (1978-2012), this similar notion of continual improvement for the people changed gears and capitalist methods were integrated into Chinas economy to accumulate the wealth that the Communist Party of China (CPC) feels the country needs, to realize the Marxist transition from socialism to rich communism. Now we are in the Xi Era (2012-present) and the government, whom I affectionately call Baba Beijing, is taking steps to keep the Chinese constitutions goal of achieving a communist society and economy. With such lofty goals as these, it is not surprising that China and its 1.4 billion citizens are in a constant state of evolution. We lived here 1990-1997 and came back in 2010, after a five-year hiatus in France and nine years in the US. It was a jaw dropping and awe inspiring experience to see what had happened in just 14 years. Not just the infrastructure and overall development of the country, but the parallel growth and sophistication of the people was and continues to be, for me, the greatest fascination. The Chinese are an incredibly resilient and adaptable people, which is a key reason that they possess the longest, continuously existing civilization in human history. Since 1949, China has brought one billion citizens out of poverty and created the largest and fastest growing middle class in the world, now over 300 million and adding 10,000 citizens to this category, every day. In purchasing power parities (PPP), China surpassed the US, to become the worlds #1 economy in 2014 and in PPP terms, will be 50% bigger than Americas in only a year from now. In classic exchange rate terms, China will leap frog the US before 2020. Chinas President Xi Jinping calls this the new normal. But in reality, its the same old same old. Until 1872, when a colonized and plundered China finally fell from grace as the worlds biggest economy, in the face of a rapacious, drug dealing, imperial United States and Western Europe, the Middle Kingdom was always the biggest country with the biggest economy, going back 5,000 years. How big? In 250 BC, the mighty Roman Empire had 4,000,000 subjects, while at the same time, the Chinese nation had 35,000,000, almost nine times as many. Thanks to an anomalous, 500-year change of fortunes between the colonial, expansionist West and China, starting in the 15th century, until now, the European races can be forgiven if they think being masters of the worlds 85% dark skinned peoples and their natural resources has always been their divine right. But now, with Chinas freedom and independence from Western tyranny, starting in 1949, they are going to have to wrap their heads around getting back to Chinas old normal, of being humanitys leader. As long as the CPC stays in power, and I think they will for 100 or more years, China will continue to claim economic supremacy on Planet Earth. This is welcomed by the vast majority of humanity, since they are the ones who have been pillaged, raped and massacred by the West, for thousands of years, starting with Alexander the Great, in the 4th century BC. But China as the worlds big dragon is also very positive for citizens of Eurangloland. Western wealth, all its monuments, museums, skyscrapers and broad boulevards, was and is being stolen from underdeveloped countries. It is all built on the blood and bones of at least a billion souls, who have been and are continuing to be slaughtered and exterminated by Eurangloland and Israel. Our standard of living is thanks to ongoing racism, colonialism, imperialism and war across the planet. Not at all true for China. The Chinese have never been hegemonic, colonial, nor imperial. For thousands of years, the Chinese expanded their nation out to their natural borders. They had many opportunities and were centuries ahead in the technology department, to be an Asian Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Andrew Jackson or King Leopold II. However, its just not in their cultural and political DNA to dominate and exploit other peoples  regardless of all the Western propaganda to the contrary. You dont have to be a rocket scientist to see that the Wests global empire of colonialism is starting to collapse. World War I and II were the clarion calls of decline and the hundreds of other wars and the violation, if not destruction of most of the planets countries and their governments, since then and ongoing, are the harbingers of doom. KP : Next the question of the Chinese political-economic system. The Peoples Republic of China is nominally Communist. There was no question of this while Chairman Mao Zedong set about modernizing the country. Leftist professor emeritus James Petras argues, however, that China has strayed from socialism and that a second revolution is under way in China that seeks to moralize capitalism. He cites Deng Xiaoping as stating to be rich is glorious. This is incorrect, and there is no record of Deng ever having said such. So the introduction to Petras thesis is off to an inauspicious start. Petras in a later article writes, Chinas capitalist development was based on a triple alliance of national, foreign and state capitalists, all of whom depended on the widespread, massive corruption of state-party officials. This was in 2015 when the tenure of current Chairman Xi Jinping was underway. One of his key planks is ridding the Chinese Communist Party of corruption. He sees the survival of the CCP as dependent on this. [See, e.g., Xi Jinping, The Governance of China (2014): location 352.] Xi has made clear that China is Marxist-Leninist in orientation but that it is in the earliest stages of socialism. Given that corruption has long existed and is not fully eradicated (if such is even possible), and given the growing number of Chinese billionaires, and given the high GINI coeffient what is your take on socialism with Chinese characteristics? JB : There is a well-known stable of commercially successful China experts, who have not had the same experiences as I have had over 13 years here, and continue to do so. They see a China that they imagine, or onto which they project their mythical Western ideals. These notions are cultivated among fifth columnist locals, chambers of commerce types, sinophobic, communism-hating expats and red baiting people back home. On the other side of the spectrum, it is being in a bubble of like-minded educators and intelligentsia, who reject Chinas adoption of capitalist tools to create the wealth that Marxism needs to evolve towards rich communism. When they travel here, they move around in their five-star hotel bubbles and they get their information and ideas from this same colonial/imperial milieu, on the one hand, or communist idealists on the other. I should know, since I used to be a member of the first group, until returning to China in 2010. So, I can empathize. Coming back to China in 2010 was the beginning of a transformative journey, in the arc of my existence in this life. Ninety-nine percent of Westerners cannot accept the fact that today, China is a communist country, economy and people. Until I researched and wrote 44 Days Backpacking in China: The Middle Kingdom in the 21st Century, with the United States, Europe and the Fate of the World in Its Looking Glass and then China Rising: Capitalist Roads, Socialist Destinations, I was among this huge majority. The experiences and knowledge I gained in China, since 2010, allowed me to deprogram the Western avalanche of Pavlovian propaganda about the evils of communism and socialism. What I learned is that not much has changed since the beginning of Chinese civilization. China was communist long before Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels made it a household term. With the human weakness of projecting ones self-inflated sense of superiority over Others (racism), Baba Beijings adoption of market style tools to create wealth for it citizens is conflated as aping capitalists. Every leader since Mao Zedong, up to Xi Jinping has been consistently clear about this. In accordance with Marxist theory, We have to be rich before we can transition into pure, wealthy communism. We are not going to give up our hard fought socialist society to do so. Thus, we will use certain aspects of capitalism to get rich enough, so eventually, we can live in communist harmony. This is the definition of socialism with Chinese characteristics . How many China experts have read Chinas national constitution? Its latest version was guided by the Wests favorite free marketeer, Deng Xiaoping, in 1982. It is a defiant, principled, anti-capitalist, anti-colonial and anti-imperial manifesto, full of implied contempt for Eurangloland and everything it stands for. The flag of the Peoples Republic of China has five gold stars on a red background. The solid red stands for communism stretching across the entire nation. The big gold star represents the CPC. The four smaller gold stars in the CPCs orbit stand for the working class, the agrarian class, the small business class and the big business class. During the Mao Era, workers and farmers were favored over the two entrepreneurial classes. After Mao, Deng and all subsequent leaders have promoted the last two classes back into Chinas economy, along with heavy support for urban workers and rural folk, to create the wealth needed for rich communism. Last year, China dramatically streamlined the business license process and millions were issued. The CPC loves its citizens entrepreneurial spirit, with the employment and economic activity it generates for the masses. On the ground here, every square centimeter of China is publicly owned. No one can own real estate, only private property. Every bank, insurance company, airline, railway, subway system, port, airport and all (toll) roads and highways belong to the people. All media, phone companies, water, gas, electricity and nuclear utilities are people-owned. Baba Beijing dominates over 100 key sectors of the economy, including chemicals, maritime shipping, agricultural commodities, precious metals, auto and truck manufacturing, steel, mining, construction, aerospace and avionics. The list goes on and on. Public real estate and massive state participation in key industries are what Marxists call controlling the means of production. Yes, some of these state-owned enterprises have been put on the stock market. But read the fine print. The maximum level of private stock ownership is only 30% and consolidated control of those shares is prevented. While there are tens of thousands of village and county level SOEs that could be more efficient, from a Western capitalists standpoint, they are a bedrock of social and economic stability for the hundreds of millions of citizens who live outside the major metropolitan centers. Baba Beijing is no fool. They are staying on the books, with tweaks, reforms and consolidation, so that Chinese society stays harmonious and overall, prosperous for the masses, or the little guys. But the bigger the SOEs get, the more profitable and well run they become. Few Westerners know that China has the worlds largest bank (ICBC) and three more in the Top Ten; two of the five biggest petroleum concerns, the largest railway corporation and some of the worlds biggest airlines, steel, mining, auto manufacturers and on and on. In 2015, the ten largest people-owned Chinese businesses made a whopping +$200 billion combined after tax profits. These communist corporations are loaded with cash and they are on a buying spree around the world, ironically turning private, Western companies into publicly owned red businesses. Some of the deals are sector changing. ChemChina is in the final stages of buying the worlds second biggest agriculture concern, Syngenta (after #1 Monsanto). As you stated correctly, Kim, President Xi Jinping is making sure that Baba Beijing and the 1.4 billion citizens of this country live up to the spirit and vision of Chinas very inspiring national constitution, as well as the constitution of the Communist Party of China. This, in spite of the adoption of capitalist tools to expand the wealth of the country. He is the Western empires worst nightmare and just what the doctor ordered, after a generation of sociocultural westernization. As far as Mr. Petras fatuous claim of widespread, massive corruption of state-party officials, if this were true to the depth that he suggests, then how did Chinas economy grow almost 7% per annum, 1949-1978 and nearly 10% per year, since then? If true, how has Baba Beijing lifted a billion people out of poverty, created the largest and fastest growing middle class on the planet, not to mention recently, a new billionaire every week? If so, then why is Baba Beijing, for the last 15 years and continues to do so, garnering +80% public satisfaction levels, in polls conducted by Western companies like Gallup and Pew? Hands down, it is the worlds most popular government among the worlds citizens. The relentless foghorn in the Western media about Chinas massive corruption is a classic propaganda strategy to deflect attention away from the fetid, venal swamps of personal, moral and financial turpitude that is oozing out of almost every corporation and political institution in Washington, New York, London, Paris, Brussels and, and, and... Of course there is corruption here, as there is everywhere that sedentary civilization has existed for the last 8,000 years. In China, hundreds of thousands of government and business folk are being punished, from fines, to loss of jobs, to hard prison time and for the most felonious, executions. You dont want to be a corporate or political crook in China. Better to pillage and rape society in Eurangloland, where at the worst, you only have to pay a modest fine and not even apologize, while waving at all the suckers and chumps from your private jet or yacht. As far as attacking poverty, it went out of fashion in the West with the Reagan/Thatcher neoliberal revolution, which rapidly spread over much of the world, except in communist countries, like China, Cuba, North Korea and Eritrea, and later in Latin Americas ALBA group (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our Americas). Every time President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang come back from a successful overseas diplomatic trip, both will invariably get on national TV, showing them visiting less developed areas of China and touting the socialist moral responsibility to redistribute the peoples wealth to bring the most unfortunate of the economy to an adequate level of respectability and productivity. There are no other leaders in the G-20 who are even talking about eliminating poverty. And its not just PR. Baba Beijing has earmarked 400 billion (about $65 billion) to make it happen, before 2020. I have talked to a number of Chinese government officials and often the first thing they bring up is income inequality and the GINI index. They tell me that throughout the annals of history, no government can last long, if the wealth of a nation is not fairly shared by all. When Chinas GINI index hit 0.45 in 2012 (it was about 0.15 during the Mao Era), Baba Beijing was apoplectic and immediately began significant changes, with more progressive taxes, social benefits (rolling out universal health care and guaranteed retirement income) and people oriented infrastructure (rest homes, community centers, clinics, hospitals, low income housing). It has now fallen to about 0.42 and the goal is to make sure it goes below 0.40 and stays there. If going measures do not get there, Chinas formidable billionaire class can expect a big chunk to be taken out of the backsides. Xi Jinping even mentioned the GINI index in his keynote address for the G-20 summit September 4-5, warning that the current global level of 0.70 and climbing, bodes ill for the human race. Like poverty elimination, no other G-20 leaders ever mention the perils of a high GINI index, except Baba Beijing. KP : One capitalist pitfall China has mostly avoided is neoliberalism. State-Owned-Enterprises remain a cornerstone of the Chinese economy ( we must unswervingly consolidate and develop the public economy, persist in the leading role of public ownership, giving full play to the leading role of the state-owned economy, and incessantly increase its vitality, leveraging power and impact: See Xi, loc 1274.). As you point out, big Chinese banks are mainly state-owned (China Rising, p 199.); hence, there was no bail-out of private banks and shareholders in China. When seen in comparison to foreclosures against homeowners and the bail-out of private institutions in the USA, what does this say to you? JB : Westerners hear what they want to hear, when Baba Beijing talks about structural reforms and supply side economics. They are deluded that it means privatizing real estate and selling off all the SOEs to Goldman Sachs at fire sale prices. As long as the CPC is in power, this will never happen. Reforms and policy will stay within the communist framework. Period. Every CEO, the boards of directors, VPs, department and division managers in Chinas SOEs are fire breathing members of the CPC and if they hope to keep their jobs, they have to run a tight ship, while remaining loyal to the national and Party constitutions. The vast majority have spent decades coming up through the ranks, starting at village, then county, provincial, regional and finally national level business management. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the vast majority of Chinas upper level politicians came up the same way, but on the government side, not business. Sorry Wall Street, but Chinas managers are far and away superior, since their first goal is to help Baba Beijing maintain social stability and popular harmony. Profit is expected, but comes second. Western businesses dont have those kinds of weighty socioeconomic responsibilities. Lets be honest: their only goal is maximum profit and to hell with the human condition. Thats why Chinas banks are used to carrying more bad debt than in the West. Throwing someone on the street for being late in their mortgage payments is a desperate move. Struggling small and medium sized businesses arent sold at bank auction just because they hit a rough patch. Chinas people-owned banks work with their clients to avoid, as long as possible, the social disruption of a foreclosed family home or small business. It happens all the time, but only as a last resort. KP : A few weeks back, a Dane expressed her surprise to me at the number of homeless she encountered in Vancouver. My response was that capitalist Canada isnt China where poverty elimination is a national goal for 2020. Down south, 47 million Americans find themselves mired below the poverty line. Why is poverty elimination not a national goal or program in the USA? And why isnt the elimination of poverty in China greeted by banner headlines in the West  a rhetorical question given what we know about corporate media. JB : There are no slums in China. There is a huge, 300 million floating population that moves from city to city for low level jobs, as construction, restaurant and sanitation workers. They lead a hard life on the road, living in temporary quarters, doing manual labor and not being settled. I have seen thousands of the them and talked to a few. They are gainfully employed, not starving, nor are they undernourished, like so many millions now in Eurangloland. There are a handful of beggars, mostly handicapped, but given the population of Chinas cities, they are a zillionth of a percent. And then there are those now well-known 72 million Chinese who live in extreme poverty and who are targeted by Baba Beijing to be lifted out of their current fate by 2020. Westerners dont like to hear it, but once one pierces the veil and looks objectively at reality back home and in China, the answer is obvious: China does not have the many social and economic cancers and terrible inequality like the West, because it is communist. Or, if its easier for your readers to swallow, they can call it socialism with Chinese characteristics. This country is working furiously to eliminate poverty in the next four years because it is communist. KP : From the western corporate-state media we often hear about the denial of Tibetan self-determination along with condemnations of China for human-rights abuses. Indeed, all nations must be censured for human-rights violations. However, do Canada, Australia, Aotearoa, and the USA have any moral high ground from which to denounce China on human rights when these western countries exist through the genocide and sustained dispossession of their Original Peoples? JB : China has many centuries of relations and governance with Tibet. Richard Nixon came to China in 1972, to recognize the Peoples Republic. Part of the agreement signed with Mao Zedong was that Tibet and Xinjiang are inalienable parts of the Peoples Republic. This isnt like Israelis, whose presence in Palestine was negligible-to-none for a thousand years, and then they invaded and stole Arab and Christian lands, via genocide and terrorism, under the collaborative, colonial eyes of Uncle Sam and Britain. China and Tibet have a common and often married history, going back a millennium or more. Texas, Corsica and Newfoundland, were nominally independent for brief periods in history, but came back to the national fold. The same is true of Tibet, Xinjiang and will be for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. Western moral ground? This is a racist, rapacious, raping, plundering, pillaging, genocidal, war and slave mongering, environment destroying, expansionist, colonial, imperial and deeply criminal civilization. It has and continues to gleefully slaughter at least 1,000,000,000 human brothers and sisters since 1492, all in the name of God and luxurious lucre. One billion is conservative. Dharampal, the great Indian intellectual, carefully studied historical and census records in what used to be colonial India. He calculated that the British caused the premature death of at least 1.5 billion people in the Indian subcontinent alone. The worldwide figure is probably twice that. But even a billion murdered outshines by several magnitudes all of the premature deaths caused by Russia, China, the Americas, Asia and Africa combined. Try to find these truths in any Western text- or reference books. The pathological silence of censorship is deafening, alongside its unctuous mythology. Jeff Brown can be reached at China Rising, jeff@brownlanglois.com, Facebook, Twitter Kim Petersen is a former co-editor of Dissident Voice.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven day ultimatum to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), to prosecute Dame Patience Jonathan over $15million unexplained wealth frozen in four companies accounts.

SERAP urged the AGF to take the step of prosecuting the former First Lady within seven days or risk legal proceedings to compel him to discharge his constitutional duty.

According to the group, the AGF must use his good offices as a defender of public interest, and exercise his powers under Section 174(1) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), to urgently institute and undertake criminal proceedings against Mrs. Jonathan the source of funds in the frozen bank accounts, which she claimed belongs to her.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had while investigating Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited; Globus Integrated Service Limited and Seagate Property Development and Investment Limited, placed a Post No Debit order on the companies bank accounts domiciled with Skye Bank.

But Mrs. Jonathan, who is the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, wrote to claim the funds frozen in the accounts and slammed a N200million damages suit of Skye Bank.

The former First Lady said the funds were to offset her medical bills and other expenses.

In a letter dated September 13, 2016 and signed by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, SERAP argued that, Mrs. Jonathan is a politically exposed person under anticorruption standards. She is also covered under the definition of public officials contained in the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party. Under article 2 of the convention, public officials include Mrs Jonathan or any other family members of the former President Goodluck Jonathan who exercised official duties while he was president.

The letter reads in part: Under article 20 of the convention, this government has an obligation to prosecute intentional illicit enrichment, that is, a significant increase in the assets of a public official that he or she cannot reasonably explain in relation to his or her lawful income.

The fact that the $15m found in the four accounts belong to Mrs. Jonathan raises serious suspicion or at the very least a prima-facie case of unexplained wealth/illicit enrichment, and imposes an obligation on Mrs. Jonathan to explain and justify the source(s) of the $15m.

In the event that she is not able to justify, explain or put forth evidence demonstrating the legitimate origin of the $15m, SERAP urges you to take immediate steps to forfeit the asset under appropriate legal proceedings, and to institute criminal prosecution for unexplained wealth in the matter.

Similarly, section 44 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act criminalises unexplained or illicit wealth and allows criminal penalties and forfeiture if in the course of an investigation there are reasonable grounds to believe that a corruption offence has been committed, that is, the failure to explain the origin of the $15m given present or past emoluments, and other relevant circumstances.

SERAP pointed out that Mrs. Jonathan has admitted that the four accounts belong to her and that she is the sole signatory to these accounts. The four accounts in which Mrs. Jonathans $15m was lodged are said to belong to the following companies: Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Globus Integrated Service Limited. Mrs. Jonathan was given a platinum card and exclusive access to the accounts.

According to reports, a houseboy, a driver and other domestic workers of a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamowei Dudafa, were named as directors.

Pursuing prosecution in this case, SERAP argued, would help to provide adequate reparation, which may take the form of restitution, compensation, satisfaction or guarantees of non-repetition to victims of corruption who continue to be denied their right to an effective remedy.

It would also send a clear message that cases of unexplained wealth or illicit enrichment involving politically exposed persons would not go unpunished, SERAP said.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts to permanently resolve traffic congestion in the Apapa axis due to activities at the Port, would soon yield the desired results.

The governor, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja when he received the management team of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) led by its Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman on a courtesy visit, said he was highly desirous of giving the Apapa axis a facelift.

While expressing confidence in the ability of the new NPA management to make positive difference, Ambode said he was extremely delighted that the authority was being led at this time of economic crisis by a thoroughbred professional, who he noted, is equally grounded in the political terrain.

Governor Ambode stressed that Lagos, being the commercial nerve centre and a city surrounded by water, deserved more than one port.

He, therefore, declared his administrations readiness to partner with and support the NPA to succeed in whatever form needed.

We have had issues about movement of cargo and every other vehicular movement that relates to traffic congestion in the Apapa axis and I think with the new management in charge of NPA, a whole lot of things will be resolved so quickly and I am very glad that this is the way we have decided to go and we will support everything to make Apapa a place that we will all be delighted to speak about, he said.

The governor also commended the NPA for investing in the Lekki Deep Sea Port project, saying that there was no doubt about the fact that such partnership would go a long way in driving more investment into Lagos.

Earlier, Usman said she was at the Lagos House with her team to expand the existing relationship between the NPA and the Lagos State Government for the benefit of the people.

Speaking with reporters at the Lagos House, she said the major area of partnership principally centered on decongestion of Apapa gridlock as soon as possible and the success of the Lekki Deep Sea Port project, among others.

We discussed various areas of cooperation and one of the priorities was the decongestion of the Apapa area. We have looked at the priority activities that we need to do to decongest the area and we would proceed with that in the next few weeks.

There are several partnerships that exist and we intend to forge ahead with them. We have the Lekki Deep Sea Port development which both Lagos State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria through the NPA have shareholdings. We believe that it is a project which we need to take forward within the shortest period. We have reaffirmed our partnership and commitment to drive the project and we want to do that within the shortest period, Usman said.
Some human rights activists in Bayelsa State have accused the police of deliberately slowing down investigation into the killing of a 17-year-old boy, Innocent Kokorifa.

Innocent, first out of five children of Mr. Daniel Kokorifa, an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps, was shot dead by the police Anti-Vice/Anti-Kidnapping team along Airforce Road in Yenagoa on August 18, 2016.

The deceased was said to be running an errand for his mother, Pere Kokorifa, when he was killed by the police about 11am on the day.

But the state police command claimed that the victim died during a gun battle between a three-man armed robbery gang and a police team.

The police also said that the suspects, on sighting the police, fired at the team. It added that the policemen returned the fire and one of the suspects sustained a bullet injury, while the other two suspects escaped.

The father of the victim had said his friend led the team that killed his son.

He also alleged that the fingerprint of his late son was taken by the police without his prior knowledge or that of any member of his family.

An activist and prime mover of #JusticeForInnocent campaign, Mr. Aluzu Augustine, said the handling of the investigation was far from being satisfactory.

Aluzu, in a statement on Monday, called on the Nigeria Police Force to unravel the cause of Innocents death.

He said the murder of Innocent had gained global attention, hence the Force should come out clean with its investigation as the human rights community would not hesitate to take legal action against it.

Aluzu reiterated his resolve to follow the case to a logical conclusion, saying he was not satisfied with the way the police were going about the matter.

He also alleged that the men of the Anti-Vice team, who allegedly perpetrated the act that led to the death of Innocent, had been thwarting efforts to get justice for the bereaved family, adding that such spoke volume of their involvement in the matter.

He insisted that no forensic evidence should be gathered without the knowledge of the deceased family, saying any attempt to do so would be resisted.

Also, a former Secretary, Civil Liberties Organisation, Bayelsa State chapter, Mr. Alagoa Morris, said the organisation was watching the entire process keenly.

He expressed the readiness of the CLO to take on the police on the matter if the police authorities tried to sweep the crime under the carpet.

Morris, who is also the state Coordinator, Environmental Right Action, said, The police have said those involved have been identified and that orderly room trial was ongoing. What we expect now is prosecution.

We are not against ballistic and forensic tests, but the process is what we will monitor. There is nothing wrong in the police carrying out full investigation because it is a case against the state and the suspects.

The investigation should be holistic, involving witnesses within the vicinity where the incident occurred. Also, the statement of the parents should be juxtaposed with that of the police, especially the team that killed Innocent Kokorifa.

Dont forget, unless justice is done on matters like this, it can lead some members of the society to seek revenge by any means possible.

The Coordinator, Operation Rescue, Princess Elizabeth Egbe, challenged the police to hasten up investigation and present the culprits for prosecution.

She said, I sympathise with the police in the state in the sense that there is no forensic testing equipment in Bayelsa. If they have to carry out such tests or analysis, they take them outside Bayelsa.

I, therefore, call on the government and the police authorities to provide such equipment in the state. There are a lot of cases that have been handled in the state in which the police destroyed the evidence either knowingly or ignorantly or because of non-availability of such equipment in the state.

It was gathered that the police intended to do a ballistic test on the gun (pistol) allegedly recovered from the scene of Innocents killing.

The police had earlier claimed that they found a pistol abandoned by two fleeing suspects, said to be accomplices of Innocent on the teenager was killed.

It was further learnt that police investigators intended to take the gun to Lagos for testing to know when last the gun was fired.

Efforts to speak with the spokesman of Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, proved abortive as calls to mobile phone indicated it was not reachable.

Source: Punch
A former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has either lost his memory or was not well-informed when he told Nigerians that he inherited nothing from the Peoples Democratic Party administrations of Olusegun Obasanjo, late Umaru Musa YarAdua and Goodluck Jonathan.

The president had while speaking to reporters after observing the Eid prayers to mark Eid-el-Kabir in Daura, Katsina State on Monday, said that his administration inherited nothing from the past PDP governments but assured Nigerians of better days ahead.

I want Nigerians to realize that what this government inherited after 16 years of the PDP government was no savings, no infrastructure, no power, no rail, no road and no security.

Reacting to the comment attributed to President Buhari, the former minister told Vanguard yesterday that the present administration had in the last one year and three months, brought nothing but chaos, destruction, division, fear, deaths and shame to Nigeria compared to the PDP governments he was ridiculing.

He said, It is obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari has either lost his memory or he has been badly misinformed.

If you look at the state of the country in 1999 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo took over and compare it to what it was in 2007 when he left office, you will find out that there was not just development but also a miraculous transformation in every sector; that is what Obasanjo managed to achieve and I am very proud to be part of that government and part of those legacies.

After Obasanjo left, Umaru Yar Adua took over and then came former President Goodluck Jonathan. As far as I am concerned, Jonathan built on Obasanjos legacies and foundation and he took us to yet another level.

If you compare Nigeria in 2015 by the time Jonathan left to 1999 before Obasanjo came in, you will have to thank the PDP for lifting this nation up and taking us from strength to strength.

By the time Jonathan left in 2015, we had the largest economy on the African Continent and the fastest growing economy in the world, among other things.

In one year and three months, all of that have been destroyed by President Buhari and his APC, we are now back in the dark ages. Every sector in the country has been destroyed and everyone is complaining.

President Buhari has brought nothing, but ethnic cleansing, recession, abuse of power, persecution, genocide, chaos, destruction, division, fear, deaths and shame to Nigeria and they have no other way of running the country, but to intimidate the citizens and threaten them. That is his own legacy.

It should also be noted that a large number of people that supported Buhari in his quest to become the president, last year, were all originally from the PDP, whether the PDP governors, who decamped or PDP ministers who decamped or PDP legislators who decamped, 70 percent of people that helped to put Buhari in power used to be PDP including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former speakers Aminu Tambuwal, Aminu Masari; Umar Ghali Naaba; former minister of the Federal Capital Territory and governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El- Rufai; Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Segun Oni; Danjuma Goje; Aliyu Wammakko; Rabiu Kwankwaso; Murtala Nyako; George Akume; Senate Leader, Ali; former PDP national chairmen, Barnabas Gemade; Audu Ogbeh, among others.

When he insults PDP legacy and said that nothing was ever done by PDP in 16 years, he is insulting those 70 per cent that put him in power starting with Obasanjo and I think that this is most unfair and very ungrateful of him.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has pleaded with the people of the state to trust him with their votes in the September 28 rescheduled election in the state.

He said the upcoming governorship election in the state would be the beginning of an economic revolution with more wealth creation capacities and better opportunities for all Edo people than ever experienced before.

Obaseki, who made this known during an interactive session with 2000 support groups in Benin City, the state capital, noted that Governor Adams Oshiomhole laid a solid foundation on which he and his running mate, Honourable Philip Shaibu, would build on.

The APC flag bearer promised that his administration would be a people-oriented government with open and efficient channels of communication to allow every Edo citizen make an input into how the state is run through their critical feedback.

He said: For me, September 28 will be the beginning of a real economic revolution in Edo State. When the comrade Governor assumed office almost 8 years ago the circumstances were very different: we have to fight hard to free the state from the stranglehold of the PDP cabal who had held us down in perpetual under-development for 16 years.

In spite of their fierce resistance because they were used to sharing our money, we still were able to rebuild schools for our children, and we opened up many communities across the state through the massive road construction projects that we undertook. Nobody thought it was possible but we did it; we proved to our people that with good and determined leadership Edo State can work again.

Commenting further, Obaseki said: Today, Edo State is in a better place than we met it almost eight years ago. Yes, there are many challenges facing us  mostly as a result of the global economic recession  but we believe that with the solid foundation that the Comrade Governor has laid in infrastructure development, we now have a unique opportunity to bring about an economic revolution in the state by broadening of our revenue stream through strategic investment in non-oil sectors of the economy.

As an investment banker of over 30 years standing, I have helped create wealth and jobs for many organisations. And with the experience I have garnered in the last 8 years of working with the Comrade Governor, I believe that I have all it takes to be the driver of Edos economic revolution. I, therefore, ask you to trust me with this all-important task by voting massively for the APC come September 28, and I promise you that  by the special grace of God  I will make Edo State greater and more prosperous than we have ever experienced.

I want to assure you that the way we have campaigned  with the people and issues affecting them at the core  is the way we will run our government. We will have functional call centers for citizen feedback on problems within their communities, and we will do everything in our power to address them. So even if you may not always see the governor one-on-one to talk to him, you can be rest assured that we will have a system where you can bring your issues and complaints to us, and we will respond to them, Obaseki said.
According to court documents, a retired fertility doctor in Indianapolis, USA, is facing charges after lying to authorities about using his own sperm to inseminate patients without their knowledge.

Donald L Cline, 77, appeared at Marion Superior Court on Monday and is facing two felony counts of obstruction of justice after he allegedly told investigators that he never used his own sperm on patients.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Mr Cline told six adults that he had donated his own sperm nearly 50 times since the 1970s. Donations were made with live sperm in the 70s and 80s rather than frozen samples, making the case against Mr Cline somewhat unclear.

Sean Tipton, a spokesman for The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, said that the association did not have any guidelines regarding doctors using their own sperm during the time period.

Mr Cline previously told his patients that the sperm was from medical residents or students, but they didnt believe his story.

One of the adults who believe they are Mr Clines children took a saliva-based DNA test and found that she was related to at least eight other people in the private companys database. Two others learned their mothers were patients of Mr Cline and found that they were related to 70 of his relatives.

I can emphatically say that at no time did I ever use my own sample for insemination, Mr Cline wrote in his legal response to the siblings complaints. He also accused them of slander and libel.

Mr Cline pleaded not guilty at Mondays hearing and is expected back in court on October 17.
Authorities say a couple wanted in connection with murder cases in Arizona and Nevada has been found dead in a desert area southeast of Kingman. Mohave County Sheriffs detectives say the bodies of 26-year-old Hunter McGuire and his girlfriend, 32-year-old Samantha Branek, were found lying next to each other Friday with gunshot wounds to the head. Lake Havasu City police say it appears McGuire shot himself, but its unclear if Braneks wound was self-inflicted. The county medical examiners office will determine an official cause of death. Authorities say the couple was being sought in connection with a double homicide in Kingman on June 28. They say McGuire also was considered a suspect in the fatal shooting of a woman Monday in Las Vegas.
Flood again wreaked havoc on Ogun, Osun and Ondo states on Tuesday as no fewer than nine persons escaped death, while houses were submerged by flood.

An occupant of a vehicle was also reportedly swept away.

In Ogun State, no fewer than seven nursing mothers and their newborn babies escaped death as flood ravaged the maternity ward of Christ Apostolic Church, Isale Ake, Abeokuta.

A torrential rain which started on Monday resulted in flood which forced its way into the ward and sent the nursing mothers scampering for safety.

An eyewitness told our correspondent the flood rose to the bed level.

The matron of the maternity home, Mrs Abigael Asiwaju, said the life-threatening incident occurred while the nursing mothers were sleeping.

She saisd We were inside the ward and it was raining outside. Before we know it, there was a flood surge, which took over the ward.

We had to move mothers and babies as the situation was becoming life threatening.

The matron attributed the cause of the flood to the uncompleted state government road along Isale-Ake, which had no channel for flood, adding that the rainwater forced its way into the hospital.

She said, This has not happened in the last 20 years that I have been working in this maternity home. The cause is the uncompleted government road.

The flood also pulled down the church fence and also sacked worshippers in the church.

The Secretary of the church, Abiodun Sogbade, also blamed the incident on the uncompleted road.

Over 100 residents of Filade community in the town were also sacked from their homes after flood ravaged the community.

The community head, who identified himself simply as Baale Oguntoyinbo, appealed to the government to come to their aid.

In Osogbo, Osun State, the Tuesday downpour brought sorrow to some residents just as a car occupant was reportedly swept away by the flood which accompanied the rain.

Our correspondent gathered that the car, which was approaching a section of the Oke Onitea Road, was dragged into a canal and one of the occupants was reportedly swept away before rescuers moved in to rescue the rest.

The driver of the car and another occupant was said to have been rescued from the car.

Flood was also said to have destroyed some property in the Kajola area along Ibokun Road. Residents of Testing Ground were also reportedly thrown into confusion as the rainwater destroyed property worth several millions of naira in the area.

In Akure, Ondo State, many residential buildings and shops were submerged by flood which occurred as a result of heavy rainfall on Monday in Ondo town, Ondo State.

Some areas in the town, including Itanla junction, Valentino, New Nigeria, Saka Famuditi, Funmbi-Fagun, Lipakala and Oke-Odunwo Street, among others, were affected.

Hundreds of residents of the town were said to have been rendered homeless. Vehicles and motorcycles were also reportedly swept away by the flood. However, no life was lost in the incident.

When our correspondent visited the town on Tuesday, some household items  electronics, cooking utensils, books and chairs  were seen inside rainwater.

One of the victims, Mrs. Caroline Adeboye, who lives at the Itanla area, lamented that she lost property worth thousands of naira.

Adeboye appealed to the state government and the National Emergency Management Agency to assist her.

Another victim, Mr. Olagoke Abayomi, who lives at Funbi-Fagun, appealed to the National Emergency Management Authority, as well as non-governmental organisations to assist him and other people that lost their valuables to the flood.

Source: Punch
Fulani herdsmen have continued to graze their cattle in Abuja in defiance of an order by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Muhammed Bello, directing them to stop the practice in the FCT.

Checks on Tuesday by our correspondent indicated that the herdsmen still grazed their cattle on every available green lawn, and grass along the roads and sometimes grinding traffic to a halt.

Bello had on September 3, 2016 directed the Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the FCT Task Force Team on Environment to, as a matter of urgency, get rid of herdsmen still grazing their cattle in the FCT.

He described cattle grazing in the city as bizarre and ordered the AEPB to take steps to stop it forthwith.

But weeks after the directive, nothing seems to have been done as the herdsmen still carry on with their activities without let or hindrance.

Our correspondent observed a herd of cattle grazing at the Gwarimpa Estate, along the Abuja-Zuba Expressway on Tuesday.

Three young boys were also seen grazing a herd of cattle by Setraco Gate, Gwarimpa, while another herd of cattle grazed on an open field along the Airport Bypass, Jabi.

The herders had also been observed driving their cows along the Central Business District and obstructing traffic at will.

But the Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Mrs. Olutoyin Olanipekun, said her agency had confiscated seven cows and 23 sheep for grazing in the city, adding that the owners were fined by the mobile court before the animals were released.

Olanipekun explained that she had held a meeting with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in June during which the herdsmen pledged to stop grazing their livestock in the city.

The association said we should give them time to educate their members, but since then, we have not heard from them and all efforts to reach them has not been successful, but we have been seeing herdsmen grazing their livestock and we have been confiscating the animals and charging their owners to court, she stated.

The AEPB director said her agency had a monitoring team patrolling the FCT to apprehend violators of the order against open grazing of animals.

She added, One of the challenges we are facing is that the herders are nomadic and are very mobile. When we get a signal that they are at a particular location, by the time our men would come with the truck to evacuate the animals, the herders would have moved to another location and tracing them is sometimes difficult.

She, however, insisted that her agency would continue to confiscate animals found grazing in public places, warning herders to set up ranches or risk prosecution.

Source: Punch
Governorship candidate of Accord Party in the 2015 general elections in Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has said that the parcel of land beside his Bodija, Ibadan residence has never been claimed by him as been speculated by some people in government.

The state government had recently placed a post on the land warning trespassers to beware that it belongs to Oyo state government.

The move raised curiosity and suspicion among members of the public in the state.

Clarifying the situation yesterday in Ibadan, Senator Ladoja, who is a former governor of the state, said that when the warning sign post was erected by the state government, himself and other discerning members of the public, were taken aback by the move.

He argued that there was never a time when he contended the ownership of the parcel of land in question, saying that he only makes use of the land to plant farm products.

On the controversial land were cassava plants and few vegetables planted by the former Governor.

Also sharing space with Mr. Ladoja on the land, is a mentally unstable man, who is said to have lived in a make-shift abode constructed with nylon and waste papers, for more than 15 years.

The former governor noted that he has been farming on the plot of land for the past 20 years to grow vegetables and other crops for consumption.

What I think is that some people in the government had gone to the governor to spread the rumour that me Ladoja has claimed the plot of land which is very untrue. So, suddenly, I was surprised to see this warning sign post that this land belongs to Oyo state government. In the first place, I have said this land belong to me. It is not my land. I only use the land which has been lying fallow for decades for farming.

And that is why I have never planted anything that will take a very long time to harvest on the land because I know that any time the owner may come and said look I need my land. So, if that happens I will just remove the things I plant. What will I do with a plot of land, look from here to the other those buildings are mine.

It is just unfortunate that some people in government may believe that Ladoja want to claim the land, for what? he queried.

Senator Ladoja is said to owe large expanse of farmlands in five states of the country.
The Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, has called on former Commissioner for Environment in the state, Chief Sola Ebiseni, to stop what it said was his misguided utterances against the party.

Ebiseni was reported as faulting the factional primary held in Ibadan, Oyo State and the one held in Akure, Ondo State.

Ebiseni participated in the Ali Modu Sheriff factions primary in Ibadan, where he was defeated by businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim.

The Publicity Secretary of the Makarfi faction of the PDP in Ondo State, Banji Okunomo, noted that it was wrong for Ebiseni to have described the partys primary as illegal and undemocratic.

Okunomo argued that the mainstream of the PDP in Ondo State held its primary on August 22 in Akure, which produced Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as its standard bearer.

He noted that the primary was democratic and followed all the legal procedures as stipulated in the partys constitution.

He further noted that an attestation to the legality and constitutionality of the PDP primary held in Akure was the manner in which the other aspirant with which Jegede contested, Saka Lawal, accepted the result of the election and congratulated the winner.

Okunomo, therefore, cautioned Ebiseni against over-ambition, which, he claimed, is making the former commissioner to approbate and reprobate at the same time.

He noted that Ebisenis position is a confirmation of the initial stand of the party that the Sheriff faction and its dealings were illegal.

Okunomo maintained that Ebisenis action portrayed him as a desperate person, who is driven only by his personal gains.

He said if Ebiseni had emerged as the product of the primary that was organised in Ibadan, he would not have come out to describe the process as illegal.

When Ebiseni was serving as a commissioner for two consecutive terms under the present administration and when he served as the governors nominee at the 2014 National Conference, nothing was wrong with Governor Segun Mimiko. But the war started when he failed to secure the governors endorsement.

Now, Ebiseni has the courage to describe the governor as an autocrat when all he ever wanted was the governor to pick him as the anointed candidate of the party, Okunomo said.
A Surulere Magistrates Court sitting in Lagos presided by Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ipaye Nwachukwu arraigned a 19-year-old man, that goes by the name Jeliili Afolabi, accused of raping a 16-year old girl on Friday.

In her statement, Sgt. Anthonia Osanyade, the prosecuting officer, told the court that Mr Afolabi, committed the offense at Konga Meji Ibeshe beach, Lagos, at about 7.30 p.m. on Aug.17. She added that the suspect invited his victim to a quiet part of the beach and forcefully had sex with her.

The offense she said contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. 

In her ruling, Magistrate Nwachukwu, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum. She ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood-relation to the accused, and that both sureties should provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government. 

She therefore, adjourned the case to Nov.1 for mention.
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra on Tuesday asked for the assistance of the international community in addressing the alleged marginalisation of the people of the South-East which it called the Biafra territory.

The secessionist group stated this during a peaceful march by members of the Anioma zone to mark the 17th anniversary of the group in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The Anioma Zonal Coordinator of MASSOB, Mr. Emeka Okafor, said nothing would stop the group from achieving its set goal of a Biafra Republic.

Okafor, while hailing members of the group for the turn out despite heavy security presence in the state capital, described the celebration of the anniversary of MASSOB as a task that must be done irrespective of what the Nigerian government felt.

He also dismissed claims that some members of the groups were engaged in armed robberies and other criminal acts, adding that it would remain a non-violent secessionist group.

Okafor added, They (policemen) were around but we were changing position because I know that they were ready to kill anybody, they are always against the law. We did the celebration with wisdom and I thank our leader, Ralph Uwazuriuke, for his leadership style.

Source: Punch
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested a man with parcels of methamphetamine (an addictive stimulant) valued at N31 million at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. In a statement on Wednesday, the agency said the suspect was arrested during outward screening of passengers on a South African Airline flight to Johannesburg.

The parcels of drug tested positive as methamphetamine and weighed 3.435 kg with a street value of N31 million. The drug was detected during a routine check on a passenger on South African Airline flight to South Africa. Two bags belonging to a man (names withheld) a 45-year-old, were found to contain parcels of methamphetamine. Inside the bags were food items, ingredients and clothes, but underneath were a thin parcel of narcotics carefully concealed.

He was immediately arrested; investigation is ongoing, the agency said. NDLEA said the suspect, who resides in South Africa, claimed that the bags were given to him by a friend. Meanwhile, the NDLEA Chairman, Mr Muhammad Abdallah, has warned members of the public to beware of new tricks employed by drug trafficking cartels. Drug traffickers recruit mules by enticing them with money. They are very clever in concealing drugs, the agency now detects drugs in bags, electronics, foodstuff and clothes among others. We strongly advise that all passengers should endeavour to pack their bags themselves and avoid taking bags for others. Ignorance is no excuse in drug trafficking. The suspect will be charged with unlawful exportation of narcotics, Abdallah said.

Source: Vanguard
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Yahaya Yunusa Suleiman, has said that members of the partys Board of Trustees (BoT) can only be removed at a convention of the party.

He was reacting to the statement credited to the National Vice Chairman of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the PDP, Dr. Cairo Ojougbo, calling on Senator Walid Jibrin to vacate his seat as BoT chairman.

Dr. Ojougbo, who spoke on behalf of Sheriff, said the faction would be ready for truce only when the BoT chairman and Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, stepped aside.

Suleiman, however, called on Jibrin to remain steadfast and committed in resolving the crisis bedeviling the party at the national level.

The party chieftain pointed out that Part 9 Section 32 sub section 1-11 of the PDP Constitution recognizes the BoT as the conscience of the party, and ensures enforcement of highest standard of morality.

Suleiman said that though internal dispute among party members was synonymous with politics, there was the need to handle such issues with utmost care.

We have observed that instead of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and his group to be working towards resolving their differences with the party, they seem to be extending and creating new ones, he said.

Therefore, we in the FCT PDP, join other PDP state chapters to condemn any attack on the BOT chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin.
The families of the victims of pipeline explosion at the Agips oil field in Azuzuama community in Bayelsa State have accused the company of neglect.

They accused the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, operators of the oil field of being insensitive to their plights.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a pipeline explosion in the Southern Ijaw Local Government community on July 9, 2015 left 14 people dead.

A regulatory official of Bayelsa Ministry of Environment and National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency was among the dead victims.

According to NAN, officials of NAOC, representatives of the host community and the Bayelsa Ministry of Environment were investigating the cause of an oil spill in the area when the blast occurred.

The Director-General of the NOSDRA, Dr Peter Idabor, had bemoaned the poor safety procedures at Agips oilfields, which resulted to the death of its staff and an official of the ministry.

It is a painful experience to us in NOSDRA, we have informed the families of the affected staff, who hailed from Enugu state.

We are talking with the Bayelsa State government that also lost a staff from its Ministry of Environment.

This incident shows the kind of risks and hazards that our officers are constantly exposed to in the discharge of our mandate at oilfields amidst daunting challenges and limitations, Idabor said.

Some of the family members of the victims of the blast said they were still feeling the pains of the loss.

They blamed Agip of neglecting the dependants of the victims.

Mr Clinton Italia, a relative of one of the victims told NAN on Wednesday that all that the family got was a N800, 000 burial assistance and N7.4m interim palliative.

Italia said, Life has been difficult and painful for the families of the victims at Azuzuama.

Apart from the burial assistance and the sum of N7.4m, nothing has been done to the oilfield to forestall future accidents.

The dependants of the deceased feel abandoned as Agip is yet to pay the main compensation.

We have waited for the compensation and other promises they made to no avail and we are looking at ways of taking up the case with them.

Source: Punch
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  The armed occupiers who seized a remote bird sanctuary in Oregons high desert early this year were divided into squads and drilled in hand-to-hand combat, a federal prosecutor said Tuesday as the trial began for seven people accused in the standoff.

The 41-day occupation drew national attention to the decades-old fight between the federal government and Western states over land policy. The government made no immediate attempt to retake the site and largely left the group alone for weeks until the last few holdouts abandoned the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

During his opening statement, prosecutor Geoffrey Barrow dismissed claims by group leader Ammon Bundy and others that the takeover was a legitimate protest of federal land management. Bundy and his brother Ryan, whos also on trial, are part of a Nevada ranching family embroiled in a long-running dispute over land use.

Everyone in this great nation has a right to his or her beliefs. We are not prosecuting the defendants because we dont like what they think or said, Barrow told jurors. We are prosecuting them because of what they did.

The seven on trial are charged with conspiring to impede Interior Department employees from doing their jobs through intimidation or threats. Five also are charged with possession of a firearm in a federal facility.

Barrow said he will detail how the occupiers were trained and drilled. He also said one of the people who took part in the standoff that began Jan. 2 will testify against his former allies.

Defense attorneys planned to present their opening statements later Tuesday.

A handful of protesters showed up outside the federal courthouse in downtown Portland. They waved an upside-down American flag and were joined by a horse named Lady Liberty. They planned to march around the courthouse during the trials lunch break.

The standoff began as a protest against the imprisonment of two Oregon ranchers convicted of setting fires and quickly grew into demands for the U.S. government to turn public lands over to locals. The issue traces back to the 1970s and the Sagebrush Rebellion, a move by Western states such as Nevada to win more control of vast federal land holdings.

At the refuge near Burns, Oregon, protesters mostly came and went as they pleased. They changed the signs to Harney County Resource Center and said they would give the land to local officials to administer. The group held frequent news conferences and said they were doing maintenance and other work as they moved heavy equipment around.

The occupation roiled the surrounding area, with some locals supporting the movement and others denouncing the occupiers as unwanted outsiders.

Counterprotesters, including environmentalists, also traveled to eastern Oregon and urged the federal government to administer public lands for the widest possible uses, for everyone from ranchers to bird watchers.

The nearby Burns Paiute Tribe also criticized the standoff, noting that the refuge contains prehistoric archaeological sites and that tribal members considered it part of their ancestral land.

Oregon officials, including Gov. Kate Brown, grew frustrated at how long it took federal authorities to move against the group. At one point, Brown sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and FBI Director James Comey that urged them to end the occupation as safely and as quickly as possible.

The Bundys were arrested in a Jan. 26 traffic stop that included the fatal shooting by police of Robert LaVoy Finicum, an occupation spokesman. Four holdouts stayed at the refuge for another 16 days.

The defendants say they used their First Amendment rights to engage in a peaceful protest and mention that the only shots fired were those fired by police at Finicum.

The government will tell jurors that the protesters established armed patrols, deterring federal employees from going to work.

A total of 26 people were charged with conspiracy. Eleven have pleaded guilty, including several from the Bundys inner circle. Charges were dropped against one. Seven defendants sought and received a delay in their trial, now scheduled for February.

Ryan Bundy and Shawna Cox, the only woman among the seven defendants, are acting as their own lawyers and are expected to deliver their own opening statements.

The trial is expected to last until November.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, has urged the Federal Government to seek the advice of economic experts in tackling the current economic crisis in the country.

He gave the advice on Wednesday during the traditional Sallah Durbar (Hawan Nasarawa) at the Government House, Kano.

The emir posited that consulting the experts would help in enunciating proper solution to the crisis and reduce the hardship people were currently facing in the country.

Alhaji Sanusi II, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, also urged wealthy Nigerians to support the less-privileged in the society in order to alleviate their sufferings.

He added that Nigerians, irrespective of religious beliefs and political inclinations, should continue to pray for economic growth and development of the country.

He also urged the people of Kano to remain law-abiding and be their brothers keeper irrespective of religion or ethnic background.

The emir appealed to the state government to help the people to acquire skills that would make them self-reliant.

In his remarks, acting governor of the state, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, said that paying salary of workers was not a privilege but an obligation, which the state had continued to meet.

He pointed out that the economic crunch had made it difficult for no fewer than 28 states out of the 36 in the country to pay workers salary.

Mr. Abubakar said the state government was spending N62 million weekly for the feeding of boarding school students across the state.

He called on the people to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country.

(NAN)
With the dust raised by the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State yet to settle, a group, Women for Positive Change, has pleaded for reconciliation among the aggrieved parties.

The APC governorship primaries, which held on September 3, 2016 was won by former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Chief Olurotimi Akeredolu.

However, four of the 24 aspirants that contested in the primaries, have challenged the process by submitting separate petitions to the Helen Bendega-led APC Appeal Panel Committee, which is almost rounding up its report.

Among those who submitted their petitions to the panel and calling for the cancellation of the primaries over alleged irregularities are Chief Olusola Oke, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Segun Abraham and Akinwale Akingbade.

With the governorship elections coming up on November 26 and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gearing up to retain the governorship seat of Ondo, the women urged aggrieved APC aspirants not to allow acrimony deprive the party the opportunity to win the election.

The women urged the contestants to put their house in order to guarantee victory for the APC.

A statement, which was signed in Akure, the state capital by its coordinator and former Commissioner for Community Development, Mrs. Yetunde Adeyanju and secretary, Mrs. Morinsola Olanipekun, noted that peace fosters unity that will guarantee the drive to work for the victory.

The statement reads: Let us sheath our swords and support Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) in the interest of the citizenry, who have been groaning under the maladministration of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

We are convinced that Akeredolus emergence is a step towards emancipation of Ondo State women from poverty, which has characterized the present administration.

The women group also pointed out that it would be regrettable if the APC stakeholders allow the PDPs government to remain in office beyond February 2017.
Few hours after Boko Haram released a video threatening to kidnap President Muhammadu Buhari, four members of the sect riding a motorbike have been killed by soldiers in a shootout at a village in Gaidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

According to witnesses, the insurgents were spotted by soldiers on patrol near Jororo village at about 3 p.m on Wednesday.

A local government official and resident of Gaidam, Abdullahi Aminu, said one of the insurgents was caught while trying to escape.

They were all heavily armed with AK47 rifles and wore ammunition belts.

All of them were on Kasea motorcycles. We dont know their targeted destination, but thank God it was thwarted, Aminu told PREMIUM TIMES on phone.

At the time of publishing this report, the Nigerian Army was yet to confirm the report, but a soldier in the state, confirmed the incident.

You know it is not my job to address the press on matters like this, but what you have is correct, he said. Those criminals have been evasive for some time but thank God that we have been able to nab them finally.
A new ceasefire in Syria brought a full day with no combat deaths in the war between forces loyal to President Bashar Al-Assad and his opponents, and efforts to deliver aid to besieged areas got underway, a monitoring body said today.

24 hours after the truce took effect, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura declared the situation had improved dramatically, saying UN aid access should be possible soon including to eastern Aleppo  the opposition-held half of the city which is under blockade.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had not received reports of combatants or civilians killed by fighting in any areas covered by the truce.

The ceasefire, brokered by the United States and Russia, is supported by countries that back Al-Assad and his opponents and marks the second attempt this year to halt a war that has frustrated all peace efforts since fighting began more than five years ago.

The international communitys first goal is to deliver aid to civilians in Aleppo, Syrias biggest city before the war, which has been divided for years and where the opposition area is under siege.

In Geneva, Switzerland, de Mistura said there had been allegations of sporadic and geographically isolated incidents.

But he told reporters: There is no doubt a significant drop in violence. While stressing that only 24 hours of relative calm had yet passed, he said: Sources on the ground, which do matter, including inside Aleppo city, said the situation has dramatically improved with no airstrikes.

While UN convoys have yet to enter Syria, de Mistura said that if the truce sticks, (aid) access should be taking place very, very soon, and that the people of Syria could look forward to no bombs and more trucks.

But he said the UN was still waiting for Damascus to issue letters authorising the deliveries. We are eagerly hoping and expecting the government to issue them very soon.

The observatory estimates the death toll since the start of the conflict at around 430,000, in line with UN estimates. About 11 million people have been made homeless in the worlds worst refugee crisis.
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to fix Nigerias ailing economy instead of constantly blaming past leaders.

Kukah made the call at the Catholic Bishops Conference Dinner Night held at the International Event Centre, (DOME) in Akure, Ondo State capital.

According to the cleric, the previous administration did a lot of good things, not just bad, for which it is constantly harangued by the Buhari administration.

He added: And I think the business of government is not our business; our business is if the previous government did bad, that is why we voted a new government.

We did not vote a government to complain about yesterday. If we wanted yesterday, the new government would not be there. It is really about taking responsibility.

No matter how much you praise or abuse Jonathan, he is not the President of Nigeria. I think that people must understand that you take power to solve problems not to agonize.

As the head of a family, no matter how bad things are: no food in the house; you as a father cannot enter the house crying.

It is the question of developing the mechanism, else you cant solve the problem.

Even my best friends in APC now realize that nobody can sing the song about Jonathan being responsible for the problems we are in.

We are not asking you to change the whole world, but Jonathan created problems: we are now riding a train between Abuja and Kaduna now; the train was not there before.

Things that Jonathan did that can help Nigeria, let us continue with them.

The bad things that Jonathan did and those who deserve to go to prison should go to prison.

But sending people to prison will only be useful if it puts bread on the table of people.
At a time when the configuration management market was dominated by Puppet and Chef, an open source project called Ansible emerged with a simpler approach to automating IT environments. An agentless system that was easy to learn, Ansible quickly earned a name for itself. Before long, the developers behind the project formed a company to offer commercial support. That company -- first known as AnsibleWorks, then Ansible -- was acquired by open source leader Red Hat in October 2015.

Originally built as an execution engine, Ansible began by allowing Linux and Unix admins to remotely run arbitrary commands on one or more machines, but it has since evolved into a complete solution for automating and managing your entire IT infrastructure. With version 2.0, Ansible added more than 200 modules to improve and expand support for Amazon Web Services, CloudStack, OpenStack, VMware, Windows, and network infrastructure, among other targets. Version 2.1 improves Docker support, adds a bunch of modules for Microsoft Azure, and removes the beta label from Windows support.

[ The InfoWorld review: Chef 12 fires up devops. | Cut to the key news in technology trends and IT breakthroughs with the InfoWorld Daily newsletter, our summary of the top tech happenings. ]

Ansible 2.x also benefits from a major rewrite of the code that parses playbooks. Perhaps the most important new and useful feature here is task blocks, which lets you group related tasks and bring exception handling (think try-catch-finally) to playbooks with ease. But other improvements, such as dynamic include statements (think loops through inventory variables) and better error-checking, help increase the power and flexibility of Ansible playbooks, while preserving their simplicity and ease of use.

Ansible architecture

Instead of an agent that runs on your systems, Ansible pushes modules (scripts) to the remote systems and executes them. By default, modules are pushed to Linux machines via Secure Shell (SSH) and to Windows machines via Windows Remote Management (WinRM). Systems are configured with playbooks, which are simple YAML files, and each playbook contains one or more tasks (calls to a module) that will set the system to its desired state. Playbooks are written to be idempotent , which means they can be run repeatedly and will modify the system only when a change needs to be applied. Playbooks are applied to systems based on inventory; the inventory list can be stored in a simple text file or pulled from a dynamic source like a database or a web service.

Now that we've covered playbooks, let's take a quick look at a sample inventory file:
Last year, hybrid cloud was a priority for many enterprises, although with a certain amount of confusion about what it involved. This year, those ambitious plans are showing up as an approach to hybrid cloud that relies on platform as a service (PaaS) to take full advantage of cloud models.

The enterprise view of hybrid cloud is becoming clearer and more sophisticated than simply using cloud alongside existing on-premises IT, says Adam Warby CEO of managed services provider Avanade (a Microsoft/Accenture joint venture). The way Ive seen it evolve is that people have been getting more focused on hybrid IT than on hybrid cloud, and thats relevant because most people are having to deal with managing legacy and existing applications while trying to reinvent what they're doing as a business . What we're seeing now are different workloads that really do need the ability to work seamlessly between on-premises and in-public cloud.

As an example, Warby points to the way you can run SAP workloads, including Business Suite and SAP HANA, on Azure and integrate services like Fieldglass, SuccessFactors and Concur with Office 365. SAP was a key workload for Avanade client Rio Tinto, who are moving their entire IT as a service into the cloud, Warby says. Its important we have that kind of flexibility. I think pubic cloud will be the dominant workload over time, but the ability to do close to the processor, high volume transactions close to the data is still going to be important.
I'm seeing posts all over the web from folks trying to install the latest Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) cumulative update. KB 3189866 is supposed to bring Win10 AU to build 14393.187, but reports say the installer gets stuck at 45 percent, 48 percent, 95 percent, and various other points along the way.

The problem's widespread, and Microsoft has known about it since shortly after the patch dropped. Since it's a cumulative update, there's no easy solution.

[ The essentials for Windows 10 installation: Download the Windows 10 Installation Superguide today. | Stay up on key Microsoft technologies with the Windows Report newsletter. ]

Microsoft will certainly figure out what's blocking the patch, but in order to fix it the company will have to release a new cumulative update. Unless it can find a magic way to modify a released cumulative update, the only solution is a new cumulative update that absolves the sins of the original. That's one of the big problems with these massive, one-way "as a service" patches. It's also a totally predictable problem, as I've been saying for almost two years.

If you're faced with this issue, be of good cheer: There's an easy solution. Some suggest that you crank up Internet Explorer and download the patch from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Bogdan Poppa at Softpedia has links for the 32- and 64-bit versions of Win10, but they require Internet Explorer and the installation of an ActiveX control.

Fortunately, there's a trick for getting to the Microsoft Update Catalog without using IE and without installing a 1990s-era ActiveX program. Make sure you're running Windows 10 Anniversary Update, version 1607 (type winver in the Cortana Search box). You can then use any browser to click on this link.

If you have an RSS recognition add-on in Firefox or Chrome -- for example "RSS Subscription extension (by Google)" for Chrome -- you will immediately see links for downloading KB 3189866. They are:

Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB3189866) -- this is the 64-bit version of the patch

Cumulative Update for Windows Server 2016 for x64-based Systems (KB3189866) -- the version for Server 2016

Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 (KB3189866) -- which is the 32-bit version

If you don't have an RSS recognition add-on, you see raw RSS text, which is pretty easy to decipher. Look for those three entries.

Click on the link to go into the Microsoft Update Catalog, click Download Now, click on the MSU file you want to download, choose to use the Standalone Update Installer, and click OK.

KB 3189866 will install itself; you reboot and carry on.
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%)
A resident of Oviedo feeding a wild boar on Thursday. PACO PAREDES

Its not the first thing you might expect to see while strolling in a Spanish city, but wild boars are becoming an increasingly common sight on the streets of Oviedo, the capital of Spains northern Asturias region.

In recent years, the animals have made a habit of plundering crops and ransacking orchards on the citys fringes, taking refuge in the thick undergrowth that has sprouted up around abandoned farmsteads and in local woodlands where hunting is prohibited.

Were going to have to pay 2,300 just for the most recent damage they did to some pastureland

Carlos Cuervo, head of hunting society

They have caused dozens of traffic accidents and the regional rural development department says Asturias spends 500,000 a year repairing damage caused by the hooved animals.

Now, the wild boars are coming down from the hills and into town in search of food. Local police in Oviedo have registered more than 20 incursions by the animals into the citys residential areas in 2016.

Not everyone is unhappy about the presence of the animal though, with some locals even feeding them.

What are you supposed to do with leftover food? Throw it away? I prefer to give it to the little pigs, one resident says.

An electric fence to keep boars out of a club in Oviedo. P. PAREDES

Before long a huddle of residents has gathered in support of the swine, describing the visitors as good-natured and defenseless. To prove the point, one member of the group calls to the pigs, who wander over with all the calm of animals accustomed to contact with humans.

These animals are the great survivors, explains John J. Mayer of the Savannah River National Laboratory in the United States, who has been studying the species for more than four decades. With an adequate supply of food, water, shade and cover under which to escape, they can live almost anywhere, says this expert in zoology.

This is the case in Oviedo, where the boars have learned to live  as Mao Zedong said of the Red Army  like a fish in water, even posing for videos and photos or taking food from peoples hands and letting their bellies be stroked like dogs.

But Carlos Nores, a doctor of biology at Oviedo University, warns that these are wild animals which can react in a highly aggressive manner when they feel threatened or when protecting their young.

Carlos Cuervo, who runs the society that manages the hunting zone closest to Oviedo, says they will come up short this year when it comes to their budget for repairing damage by wild boars.

Bear killed in nature reserve EFE Asturias is something of an environmental battleground, with hunters and environmentalists facing off over the fate of wild animals. On Saturday, a brown bear weighing 105 kilograms was found dead in the regions Muniellos Nature Reserve. Investigators determined it had been shot. The environmental group FAPAS said the death of the bear was connected with wild boar hunts which began recently in the Somiedo Natural Park in Asturias. The group said the hunting of wild boars in the area signified a critical risk for efforts to protect the brown bear. The species of brown bear that lives in northern Spain is classified as an endangered animal in danger of extinction.

Were going to have to pay 2,300 just for the most recent damage they did to some pastureland, he says.

The road that divides this hunting zone just north of the city from those woodlands where hunting is prohibited is littered with abandoned farms whose fruit trees provide rich pickings for the animals. On these properties, the pigs lay in wait before ambushing unsuspecting drivers and carrying out raids on crops.

Adding to the problem is Asturias dramatic population decline. Fully 86 municipalities in the region cant even boast a single resident while 300 others have a population of fewer than 10, according to Spains national statistics agency, the INE.

This stark situation has paved the way for a rise in wild boar numbers, according to Nores, who explains that the animals breed like rodents.

Hunters say they have killed 217 wild boars in five months in the Monte Naranco area near Oviedo, but their numbers keeps rising.

Ricardo Fernandez, the Socialist councilor for public safety in the city, has proposed sterilization as a possible solution to the problem, but admits there are drawbacks to that idea. New options like contraceptives and poisons that target pigs are being developed but wont be available for widespread use in the short term, he says.

Back on the streets of Oviedo, one resident who, in a bid to protect the boars, refuses to give his name or even that of his suburb, gestures to the animals and says: Look how sweet they are.

The animals trot up to him, lift their snouts and eat out of his hand. They know that as long as they move like fish in water they are safe, even behind enemy lines, as Mao Zedong taught.

English version by George Mills.
Beth Krause, owner of Best Self Storage in Howell, Mich., has reserved a unit at the facility to serve as the Livingston County, Mich., outlet for Foster Closet of Michigan, a nonprofit organization that provides free clothing and personal items to foster families in need. Krause and business partner Laurie Shaw opened the shop last week. "Sometimes needs are not always able to be met by the state of Michigan and that is where Foster Closet steps in," Krause told the source.

Krause got the idea to start the local branch after she participated in a local sock and underwear drive, and saw firsthand how much need there was for items. "We did this drive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and it truly opened our eyes to how many basic things some families need, especially foster families," she said. "Meeting these needs allows foster parents to use their funds saved to help their children adapt to their new home."

Families can visit the Foster Closet of Michigan self-storage unit at 902 Victory Drive on Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. Regular hours may increase if there is sufficient demand, Krause said. Families can also visit by appointment. Shoppers may be required to show paperwork proving they are foster parents, the source reported.

Foster Closet of Michigan launched four years ago in four counties and has since expanded to 17 branches.

Future plans for the Livingston County branch include special events that will benefit foster children. The charity is also accepting donations from businesses, community members and other organizations. In particular need are personal-hygiene products, Krause said.

Founded in 1986, Best Self Storage is a family-owned business operating five self-storage facilities in Michigan.
Three self-storage facilities in Bellevue, Wash., have had 63 units broken into in the past six weeks, according to local police. Detectives are investigating incidents at Bellevue You-Store-It at 12863 Northup Way and two Public Storage locationsone at 12385 Northup Way and the other at 13640 Bel Red Road. Items taken from storage units include credit cards, jewelry, personal documents and weapons, the source reported.

In several instances, thieves have cut through perimeter fencing to gain access to storage properties, according to police. Detectives are reviewing security footage, though the burglars have largely evaded video cameras, Officer Seth Tyler told the source.

"We are treating this as a trend, a crime trend," Tyler said. "People make the assumption that a storage unit is safe, that it is secure. Nothing is 100 percent secure. You just have to realize that storage units can be broken into just as someone's home can be broken into."

Steve Canova, a tenant at the Public Storage Northup facility, had his wifes wedding ring and other jewelry taken as well as 30 years of photo negatives. "[We] felt violated because this was the place we picked that we believed was secure, and we thought our stuff would be safe at," Canova told the source. "We believed that the steel doors and the locks we were given would secure our property, and that's why we made the decision to put stuff there."

You-Store-It has increased its patrols of the property, an unidentified employee told the source.

"It's buyer beware when you are looking at different storage facilities, Tyler said. We would recommend that you inquire on surveillance systems, access control, if they have onsite security guards. This is definitely a pattern that's concerning to us. We're committed to get these folks identified and into custody."

Based in Glendale, Calif., Public Storage is a real estate investment trust with interests in 2,310 self-storage facilities comprising approximately 151 million net rentable square feet in 38 states. Operating under the Shurgard brand name, the company also has 218 facilities in seven European countries, with approximately 12 million net rentable square feet.
U.K. self-storage operator Storage King is seeking five charities to support during its annual Christmas Toy Appeal. The charities must register with the storage operator by Sept. 30. They must also provide information about the types and number of gifts theyd like to receive, and wholl receive the donated items should they be selected.

The chosen organizations will be invited to a holiday event held at the companys Shrewsbury, England, store, where each charity will be presented with the donations. The event will also offer an opportunity for community members to meet with charity representatives.

Storage King will accept toy donations at its facilities in Dudley, Nottingham, Shrewsbury, Warrington and West Bromwich, England. Last years toy appeal received a tremendous response, with the Nottingham and West Midlands, England, branches receiving more than 350 toys each, according to the source. The supported charities in 2015 included Hope House, Princess Royal Hospital and The Harry Johnson Trust.

Christmas is a time of happiness and joy, when people are surrounded by their family and friends, said Sarah Hopkins, managing director of Storage King. For some, this is not always the case, so its important we take the time to help those less fortunate than ourselves at a time of year when being around loved ones is very important. We hope the Christmas appeal will put a smile on a few faces.

Storage King operates 24 facilities across the United Kingdom.
@targanl CLARENVILLE (September 13, 2016)  A day filled with blue skies welcomed over 50 competitors on the Burin peninsula for the second day of competition in the annual tarmac rally.

The competition kicked off in a timely manner with todays rally beginning in Boat Harbour with perfect weather and driving conditions.

The 2016 Lamborghini Huracan of Sugan Krisnarajah and Jacky Yang had a mechanical issue on the second stage of the day, where he swapped out his vehicle for his 2007 Ferrari F430. The fan favorite is expected to return to the stage tomorrow in the Huracan, which has been repaired. Coming out of Harbour Mille on Stage Four, a 1989 Porsche 911 C4 driven by Robert Patterson and Don McNeil went off the road which resulted in some minor cosmetic damage. After a brief assessment, the team was able to rejoin the competition for the following stage in Grand le Pierre. Peter Guagenti, driver of a 2002 BMW M3, had an engine failure before leaving Terrenceville, subsequently, not allowing him to complete this last stage of todays competition.

The town of Terrenceville, the newest addition to the Targa list of communities, welcomed the event with open arms. Huge crowds gathered for a barbeque at the towns volunteer fire station while lining the roads in the community to watch the two stages held within the town limits.

Sugan also generously donated funds to the fire department so that it could purchase a new piece of equipment for the towns fire hall.

In the Classic division, after two days of competition, there is still a four way tie for first place between Jack Rogers, Iain Dobson, Bert Howerton, and Newfoundlander Richard Atkinson. In Modern division, John Hume Jr. has moved into first place, with Newfoundlander Billy Anderson a very close second. In Open division, its still a three-way tie between defending Open champion Jean Luc Bergeron, Andrew Comrie-Picard, and Mike Davenport. And in the Grand Touring division, John Hume Sr. has taken firm hold of first place.

The halfway point of Targas 15th annual tarmac rally is tomorrow, where stages in Lethbridge, Brooklyn, Lockston, Trouty, Trinity, Port Rexton, Champneys East, and English Harbour are on the schedule.

Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 2016 competition will start in St. Johns on September 12th and conclude back in the capital on September 16th. The rally will cover more than 1,600 kilometers of challenging roads in the central and eastern portions of Newfoundland. It includes over 440 kilometers of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages.

Contact:

Media: Robyn Quinn 709-727-8536 robyn@targanl.com

Competitors: Darren Sheppard 1-877-332-2413 registrar@targanewfoundland.com

Websites: targanfld.com  www.facebook.com/targanl  www.twitter.com/targanl  www.instagram.com/targa_nl

From: Darren Sheppard/ General Manager

Enjoy Targa: Watch from a Safe and Secure Place

Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited

303 Thorburn Road, Suite 2-D, St. Johns, Newfoundland & Labrador,

Canada. A1B 4R1

Tel: 709-722-2413 Tel: 877-332-2413 Fax: 709-753-7646

[targanfld.com]targanfld.com

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Authorities say no injuries were reported when a fast-moving fire damaged about a dozen units at a Bernards, N.J., condominium complex. Authorities say it started in a rear unit and isnt considered suspicious.

The fire at the Society Hill at Bernards II complex was reported around 2 p.m. Monday. Firefighters from Bernards and several nearby towns battled the blaze for about 45 minutes before it was contained. It broke out in a building that contains 20 units overall.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Authorities say most residents will likely be able to return to their units by Monday night, but others could be displaced for an unknown amount of time.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New Jersey
A federal safety agency has proposed more than $411,000 in penalties against the operator of a south-central Nebraska grain elevator where a worker was killed.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a news release that Cooperative Producers Inc. was being cited for three egregious willful and three serious violations following the agencys investigation. OSHA says 41-year-old Jason Weston died March 16 at the CPI elevator in Prosser after his lifeline tangled in an unguarded, rotating auger.

President Allan Zumpfe said the co-op disagreed with OSHAs categorizing some violations as willful but said the co-op will work with OSHA to resolve those points.

OSHA has placed the co-op in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which focuses on employers that the agency says commits willful, repeat or failure-to-abate violations.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Workers' Compensation Nebraska
Its a day of reckoning  or the moment of truth  for former American International Group Inc. head Maurice Hank Greenberg.

More than 11 years after he was sued by former New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, Greenberg went on trial Tuesday to fight claims that he and former Chief Financial Officer Howard Smith rigged the books with two sham transactions at AIG to hide the insurers true financial condition.

Assistant Attorney General David Ellenhorn noted it took less time to fight World War II than to get Greenberg into court. But his day of reckoning has arrived, Ellenhorn said in his opening statement in a courtroom packed with about 50 people, some of whom didnt have a place to sit.

Actually, its the moment of truth, countered Greenbergs lawyer, David Boies, in his opening statement. The attorney general doesnt have a single witness or document that will prove that his client orchestrated the transactions, Boies said.

Spitzer sued AIG, Greenberg and Smith in May 2005. Greenberg and Smith had resigned earlier that year amid an accounting scandal, and New York-based AIG then restated its earnings, lowering them by $3.4 billion and agreeing to pay $1.64 billion to settle the claims without admitting or denying wrongdoing. Spitzer went on to become governor before resigning in 2008 amid a prostitution scandal.

Greenberg and Smith continued to fight to have the suit thrown out over the next decade, while Spitzers successors as the states top prosecutor  first Andrew Cuomo before he was elected governor and now Eric Schneiderman  kept pushing for a trial.

In June, the states top court in Albany again denied Greenbergs bid to have the suit dismissed, finally clearing the way for a non-jury trial before New York State Supreme Court Justice Charles Ramos.

This case is not about Eliot Spitzer, Ellenhorn said. Its not about Andrew Cuomo or Eric Schneiderman. Its about Greenberg and Smith, and the frauds that they perpetuated.

Greenbergs argument that the case should have been abandoned a long time ago is simply unacceptable and would send the wrong message, Ellenhorn said. For the government to succumb to that kind of approach would send a terrible message to the business community and the public at large.

Personal Vendetta

To this day, the 91-year-old Greenberg maintains Spitzer had a personal vendetta and sued after Greenberg accused him of prosecutorial overreach.

This case simply is devoid of any admissible evidence that ties Mr. Greenberg to anything that is improper in these two transactions, Boies said.

The outcome of the trial should help clarify the reach of the Martin Act, an almost century-old state law that gives New York prosecutors broad powers to probe white-collar crime. The proceedings are expected to last through January.

The state is no longer seeking damages to compensate investors after Greenberg and other AIG executives agreed in 2009 to pay $115 million to settle shareholders lawsuits and $15 million to resolve a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission suit without admitting wrongdoing.

The attorney generals office now wants to bar Greenberg and Smith from serving as officers or directors of public companies and force them to give up more than $50 million that they received in bonuses.

The lawsuit stems from two reinsurance transactions: a deal with Berkshire Hathaway Inc.s General Reinsurance Corp. used to reverse a decline in loss reserves at AIG, and an agreement with CAPCO Reinsurance Co. Four former Gen Re executives and one from AIG were convicted of accounting fraud in 2008 but won reversals in 2011. Federal prosecutors agreed to drop the charges in 2012 under deferred-prosecution agreements after the former executives admitted aspects of the Gen Re deal were fraudulent.

The case is State of New York v. Greenberg, 401720-2005, New York state Supreme Court (Manhattan).

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits New York Reinsurance
The Oklahoma Supreme Court handed a major setback to proponents of workers compensation alternatives on Sept. 13, ruling that the states Opt Out Act is unconstitutional.

The high courts 7-2 ruling came in Vasquez v. Dillards, which was appealed to the state Supreme Court after the Oklahoma Workers Compensation Commission came to the same conclusion about the law in its ruling on the case in February.

In taking on the case the Court addressed a single issue: whether the Oklahoma Employee Injury Benefit Act, or Opt Out Act, is an unconstitutional special law.

Justice Watt, in the Courts highly anticipated written decision, said the OWCC previously found the Opt Out Act: 1) constituted an unconstitutional special law; 2) denied equal protection to Oklahomas injured workers; and 3) denied injured workers the constitutionally protected right of access to courts.

And the high court agreed, finding that the core provision of the Act creates impermissible, unequal disparate treatment of a select group of injured workers.

The Opt Out Act was passed by the legislature in 2013 as part of a workers compensation reform package that also established the Oklahoma Workers Compensation Commission to replace the former Oklahoma Workers Compensation Court.

The Opt Out Act allowed qualified employers to opt out of the Oklahoma workers compensation system by establishing an Employee Benefit Plan (Plan) under the provisions of federal law, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

The Court declined to consider what opt out proponents say are the facts of the case  whether or not the injury that prompted a claim filed by Dillards Inc. employee Jonnie Yvonne Vasquez was a work injury or a pre-existing condition.

Vasquez had claimed she injured her shoulder and neck while lifting shoe boxes at her workplace. She received benefits while her claim was being investigated, but Dillards ultimately denied her claim on the grounds that Vasquez injury was pre-existing and not an injury defined by Dillards benefit plan.

The Supreme Court decision ignored the important fact that the Oklahoma Workers Compensation System did not find any wrongful denial of benefits to the claimant in the case now before the Court, and ignored the key fact that this illustrates the ongoing attempts to get workers compensation to pay medical expenses for illnesses and injuries that happen away from work, stated A.J. Donelson, public and government affairs officer for the Association for Responsible Alternatives to Workers Compensation (ARAWC).

ARAWC helped to craft the legislation that created the Oklahoma Option and is working with other states on similar legislative measures.

Both ARAWC and Dallas-based PartnerSource, which designs, implements and provides support for workers comp nonsubscription programs, maintain that the Option has succeeded in both lowering workers compensation rates and delivering high level medical outcomes for injured workers.

The courts decision focuses on Oklahomas unique constitution. PartnerSource and the many other supporters of an innovative and competitive alternative to workers compensation vow to continue our important work in Oklahoma and other states. We believe its critical to provide better care and benefits for injured workers, decrease the number of disputed claims, and significantly decrease insurance premiums and claim costs for all employers, said Partner Source President Bill Minick.

Opponents of the Act have said the legislation handed too much control to employers to craft their ERISA-based plans to the companies advantage, and not the employees benefit.

The American Insurance Association (AIA), along with the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the plaintiff in the case. The associations believe the Opt Out Act fails to uniformly protect all employees and inappropriately shifts the responsibility for occupational injuries to the injured workers.

In a statement issued by PCI, Joe Woods, vice president for state government relations, said the Courts decision is a major step for protecting workers in the state.

The Act, Woods said, allowed some employers to shift much of their responsibility for occupational injuries to injured workers and their families, government programs, charities, and ultimately taxpayers. The Opt-Out plans put all power in the hands of the employer, with no independent review of the employers decision.

Similarly, the AIA released a statement attributed to Fred C. Bosse, AIA Southwest Region vice president, who said the AIA agrees with the Courts finding that Oklahomas Employee Injury Benefit Act creates two classes of injured workers: those with full and uniform protections under the states program and those subject to employers decisions to provide their own benefit plans, without mandatory protections and with little or no state oversight.

The workers comp reforms enacted in 2013 have been successful in reducing costs in Oklahomas workers compensation system. Workers comp loss costs have gone down every year since the reforms were put into place. Though opt-out proponents tout the benefits of the Option in helping to reduce costs to employers, not all of the successes can be attributed to opt out alone.

The comprehensive workers compensation reforms enacted in 2013 have accomplished much in Oklahoma, said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. We have replaced an outdated adversarial court system with the Workers Compensation Commission, increased the competitiveness of our workers compensation insurance markets, and developed an innovative solution to workplace injuries. Since these changes were made, we have seen the costs associated with workplace injuries fall substantially year after year in filings provided annually to my department.

Doak added that while the Court has ruled the Oklahoma Option to be unconstitutional, the state remains committed to ensuring that our workers compensation system provides the best outcomes for our citizens at a cost our employers can bear.

PartnerSources Minick, previously told Insurance Journal that groups opposing workers comp alternatives ignore data that illustrate the positive outcomes opt-out plans have achieved for both employees and employers.

Changing the status quo in workers compensation is difficult. Theres a lot of resistance to the ideas of greater employer and employee, and medical provider accountability, and competition, Minick said.

The Supreme Court recognized that other cases attacking the constitutionality of the Opt Out Act have been stayed pending its decision in Vasquez. It said the current decision applies not only to Vasquez but to all other similar cases being challenged before the OWCC, those in the appellate pipeline, and prospectively to all future cases.

ProPublica, in its own article about the case, Oklahomas Top Court: Companies Cant Set Own Rules for Injured Workers, co-published with NPR, wrote that Justices Gurich and Colbert noted in a concurring written opinion that while most Oklahoma workers have 30 days to report an injury and can request a hearing before a judge, Dillards employees had to report injuries by the end of the workday and could only appeal in writing to a committee made up of people picked by the company.

Justices Taylor and Winchester dissented.

The Court remanded the Vasquez case back to the OWCC to consider whether benefits should be provided to the claimant.

With the Oklahoma high courts ruling, Texas remains the only state to allow companies to opt out, or nonsubscribe to the the workers compensation system. Texas differs significantly from Oklahoma in that Texas companies that nonsubscribe are vulnerable to lawsuits brought by injured employees, whether or not the companies have their own benefit plan. About one-third of Texas businesses nonsubscribe, according to the Texas Department of Insurance.

Related:

Topics Legislation Texas Workers' Compensation Oklahoma
Former Valencia mayor Rita Barbera is under scrutiny over illegal funding. Juan Carlos Cardenas (EFE)

The Popular Partys (PP) ability to wage a successful campaign ahead of regional elections to be held on September 25 in Galicia and the Basque Country is being hampered by the numerous corruption investigations affecting the Spanish conservative group.

Rajoy ignored these and other controversies as he campaigned on his home turf of Galicia on Tuesday

The latest blow came on Tuesday morning, when the Supreme Court moved against Rita Barbera, the former longtime mayor of Valencia, in connection with an investigation into illegal financing and money laundering.

That same day, the caretaker government was forced to defend its earlier decision to nominate a PP official involved in the Panama Papers affair to an executive position at the World Bank. The public outcry forced acting PM Mariano Rajoy to withdraw the nomination of a former industry minister, Jose Manuel Soria.

Tweeting selfies

But Rajoy ignored these and other controversies as he campaigned on his home turf of Galicia on Tuesday. Asked by reporters about the new twist in the Barbera case, the acting PM declined to comment, and instead spent most of the morning tweeting photographs of himself with supporters in Ourense.

Rajoy greeted supporters in Avion, Ourense on Tuesday. Brais Lorenzo (EFE)

Rajoy was in the northwestern region to drum up support for regional premier Alberto Nunez Feijoo, who is up for re-election. Feijoo, who has already served two terms in office, is widely expected to win by a large margin on September 25.

The outlook is different in the Basque Country, where polls predict that victory will go to the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV). The best the PP can hope for in this region is that the moderate nationalists will turn to them if they need allies in the regional parliament.

At the national level, the string of scandals is making it difficult for Rajoy to find allies to form a government and take Spain out of a nine-month deadlock that includes two general elections. Few opposition leaders are willing to associate themselves with the PP or with Rajoy, whom they depict as the symbol of a deeply corrupt party.

Will Barbera go?

High-ranking PP officials admitted that they wish Barbera, the former Valencian mayor, would give up her senatorial seat. In the Valencia region, a PP stronghold for two decades, voters gave power to a coalition of socialist and regional parties in May 2015, after growing citizen weariness with the PPs constant corruption cases.

Once she is named an official suspect in the investigation, it will be very difficult for Barbera to hang on to her senatorial position, said party sources. Senators, like congressmembers, enjoy immunity from the lower courts.

The only group to have reached a preliminary deal with the PP, the emerging reform party Ciudadanos, forced Rajoy to sign an anti-corruption document pledging to remove any official under court investigation for corruption from public office.

A recent voter survey for EL PAIS found that if third elections are finally held in Spain, turnout will fall to historical lows. This benefits the PP, which would perform even better than it did on December 20 and June 26.

English version by Susana Urra.
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak wants to alleviate concerns about six-month moratoriums on purchasing earthquake insurance. The concerns were raised after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Pawnee on Sept. 3.

A moratorium is a temporary suspension on issuing new earthquake insurance policies.

While touring earthquake damage in Pawnee, several residents said they didnt think they could purchase earthquake coverage for six months, said Doak. Thats just not true. We reached out to the industry and couldnt find one with a moratorium longer than 60 days right now. In fact, several companies are already selling new earthquake insurance policies. Staying in touch with your agent is the best way to get the most current information. Dont rely on rumors.

Many insurers enact moratoriums after strong earthquakes in order to clearly separate one earthquake event from another. Coverage cannot be purchased for damage that has already occurred or is occurring.

While the exact guidelines range from insurer to insurer, many companies trigger moratoriums after earthquakes with a magnitude of at least 5.0 for new policies within 100 miles of the epicenter.

Typically, a small magnitude quake in the same area during the moratorium would not trigger an additional waiting period.

Related:

Topics Catastrophe Oklahoma Earthquake
A jury has awarded a South Carolina woman more than $4.6 million after she was stuck by a hypodermic needle picked up in a Target parking lot.

The Independent-Mail of Anderson reported Carla Denise Garrisons award would be one of the largest in Anderson County history if it stands.

Court documents say the Anderson woman was in the retailers parking lot in May 2014 when her daughter picked up a hypodermic needle. Garrison swatted it out of her hand and was stuck in her own palm.

Garrison was bedridden because of medication prescribed because of the potential risk of HIV.

The paper reports Garrisons attorney had offered Target a deal of $12,000. The company offered $750 in response.

Target spokeswoman Erika Winkels said the company is considering an appeal.

Topics South Carolina
An insurance agent from Jackson, Miss., is the latest person indicted in a corruption case tied to the former head of the Mississippi prison system.

Guy E. Butch Evans, 61, appeared Aug. 24 in U.S. District Court in Jackson and pleaded not guilty to one count of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

An indictment says that from 2012 to 2014, Evans, owner of Insurance Premium Services, gave kickbacks to Christopher Epps, who was then the state corrections commissioner, in exchange for exclusive access to sell insurance to Department of Corrections employees.

Epps awaits sentencing in the wide-reaching corruption case.

Magistrate Judge Keith Ball released Evans on $10,000 bond and scheduled an Oct. 3 trial before U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate. The trial date is likely to change because Evans attorney, James Tucker, has a scheduling conflict.

From January 2013 through May 2014, Evans received about $4,300 a month from selling insurance to employees of the prison system, and he paid Epps $1,400 to $1,700 a month in cash, according to the indictment.

The indictment against Evans was sealed after a grand jury handed it down July 13, and Ball unsealed it Aug 22.

Ten people have been charged in bribery schemes related to Epps and a consultant, Cecil McCrory, and federal prosecutors have said more indictments could be handed down.

Epps and McCrory pleaded guilty in February 2015. Epps faces up to 23 years in prison for money laundering and filing false tax returns related to $1.47 million in bribes that prosecutors say he took. Hes also forfeiting $1.7 million in assets. McCrorys sentence for money laundering conspiracy could be up to 20 years in prison. Hes also forfeiting $1.7 million in assets. Their sentencing has been delayed.

Epps worked for 32 years at the Department of Corrections and was its longest-serving commissioner, with a dozen years in the position. He stepped down a day before indictments against him were made public in November 2014.

McCrory is a former state lawmaker who owned or consulted for companies that received prison contracts.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Agencies Mississippi
CompWest Insurance has launched workers compensation insurance for artisan contractors in California and Utah.

The program targets artisan construction operations with annual premiums between $25,000 and $250,000 in California and $15,000 to $150,000 in Utah.

CompWest provides workers compensation insurance in California and select Western states, targeting customers in healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, retail, wholesale services, hospitality and artisan construction. It focuses on underwriting, specialized loss control and integrated claims management services.

According to Al Gileczek, president of CompWest, the company has seen a strong demand in the artisan contractor market.

CompWest is a division of AF Group. All policies are underwritten by a licensed insurer subsidiary of AF Group, a holding company conducting business through its brands: Accident Fund, United Heartland, CompWest and Third Coast Underwriters.

Topics California Workers' Compensation Contractors
(Bloomberg) -- New York state is proposing new rules requiring banks and insurance companies to establish cybersecurity programs and designate an internal cybersecurity officer, in what Gov. Andrew Cuomo described as a "first-in-the-nation" move to codify cyber safety policies.

The new regulations, proposed by New Yorks Department of Financial Services, will apply only to banks and other financial services companies licensed by the Empire State and not to nationally chartered institutions. But as the first regulator to issue guidelines involving cybersecurity, the DFS could set an example for other regulators at the state and federal level. The proposed regulation is subject to a 45-day notice and public comment period before final adoption.

The proposed rules come after some of the worlds biggest banks -- including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and HSBC Group -- have reported significant cyber intrusions and U.S. corporations in general have been frequent targets of hacking.

Large banks and insurance companies have built their own cybersecurity programs in recent years, often at expenses of hundreds of millions of dollars. The biggest impact of the new regulations is likely to be on small banks and insurers, which may now need to bring their cyber programs up to at least a minimum standard.

In announcing the proposals, Cuomo said the regulations would "guarantee the financial services industry upholds its obligation to protect consumers and ensure that its systems are sufficiently constructed to prevent cyber-attacks to the fullest extent possible."

DFS Superintendent Maria Vullo said: "Regulated entities will be held accountable and must annually certify compliance with this regulation by assessing their specific risk profiles and designing programs that vigorously address those risks."
Even six years after the Panama Papers leaked a confidential list of offshore accounts held by the global elite, tax morality is still very much on the table.
Un ottobre da sogno per Antonio Conte: lex ct della Nazionale italiana, attualmente alla guida del Chelsea, nelle ultime quattro gare di Premier League ha collezionato solo successi, conditi da 11 reti segnate e addirittura nessuna incassata. Numeri da record che non sono certo passati inosservati alla Federazione inglese, la quale ha conferito al tecnico leccese lambito premio di Manager del mese.

Unavventura oltremanica iniziata in sordina, quella di Conte, pur a fronte di tre vittorie nelle prime tre gare di campionato. A far vacillare, anche se solo per un momento, le certezze del patron del club londinese, Roman Abramovich, i risultati conseguiti tra la 4a e la 6a giornata, coincisi con un pareggio sul campo dello Swansea City e, soprattutto, con le due pesanti sconfitte subite dal Liverpool, sul terreno casalingo di Stamford Bridge, e dallArsenal. In particolare, la debacle interna coi Reds, aveva irritato non poco il numero uno russo, poiche occorsa proprio nel giorno della sua 250esima partita da presidente della societa.

Come detto, solo un momento. Dopo lincontro dellEmirates, il tecnico salentino cambia modulo, adottando un piu equilibrato 3-4-3 e inserendo elementi di corsa come lo spagnolo Pedro. Una svolta totale perche, di li in poi, il Chelsea inanellera solo e soltanto vittorie: 2 gol allHull City e al Southampton in trasferta, 3 ai campioni dInghilterra del Leicester e 4 allo United in casa, con un meraviglioso numero zero nella casella delle reti subite. Un fantastico poker, ottenuto tra l1 e il 29 ottobre. Un cambio di marcia sbalorditivo, confermato dal 5 a 0 rifilato ai toffees dellEverton nel primo match di novembre, e una scalata che, man mano, ha portato i blues al secondo posto in classifica, a soli 2 punti dal Liverpool capolista.

E allora, non poteva mancare il riconoscimento di migliore allenatore del mese, ottenuto surclassando tecnici del calibro di Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) e Mark Hughes (Southampton). Tanta, ovviamente, la soddisfazione: E un grande onore e voglio condividerlo con i giocatori e con la societa  ha dichiarato Conte sul sito ufficiale della Premier League -. E la prima volta che lavoro in un altro Paese, con una cultura diversa, e portare la propria filosofia non e facile, ma ora sono contento di questa scelta.

A completare la festa, la premiazione del fantasista belga, Eden Hazard, come miglior giocatore di ottobre. Due risultati importanti per il club, ottimo incentivo per la rincorsa al trono dei campioni, occupato dal Leicester di Ranieri. Il prossimo appuntamento per l11 di Conte sara al Riverside Stadium, tana del Middlesborough neopromosso. Il tempo di festeggiare e gia finito.
Diana Quer's family.

The Spanish Civil Guard, which is looking into the disappearance of Diana Quer, says it has ended a search of the area around the small community of A Pobra do Caraminal in Galicia, where the 18-year-old went missing on August 22, and is now focusing on her mother, who on Tuesday was subjected to what sources close to the force describe as a very tough interrogation due to the contradictions in her statements.

Investigators have been trying to establish whether Diana Quer may have gotten into a vehicle on the night of her disappearance after attending the village fiestas.

Police are analyzing CCTV footage from more than 40 cameras on nearby roads and in the village where Quer went missing

Quer was originally thought to have disappeared along the path leading back to the familys holiday home in a residential estate located in the outskirts of A Pobra do Caraminal, some 55 kilometers southwest of the cathedral city of Santiago de Compostela.

Analysis of her cellphones positioning signals points to her having returned to the house sometime around 3am.

This possibility ties in with other clues found inside the home, where investigators located the clothes that she wore to the fiestas. This suggests that she may have walked in, changed, and left again for unknown reasons. Some witnesses have testified to seeing the teen back at the fiestas around 4am.

Missing Spanish teenager Diana Quer.

Investigators want to know how it is possible the missing girls mother, Diana Lopez-Pinel, didnt hear her daughter return home an hour after calling her mother, or why she told police her daughter was wearing red shorts and a t-shirt when the clothes were lying on her bed, suggesting she had changed her clothes before leaving the house for the last time.

Police officers also questioned Lopez-Pinel for several hours as to why she did not tell the police about her troubled relationship with her two daughters. Diana Quers father, who is separated from Lopez-Pinel, told media earlier this month that a court had taken custody of the couples youngest daughter, Valeria, away from the mother. Lopez-Pinel also failed to tell police that she and the younger daughter had both visited a health center days before Dianas disappearance, where they were both treated for anxiety.

Juan Carlos Quer has made public statements to the effect that the courts decision comes very late, suggesting that his daughters phoned him for help on several occasions. He has also appeared on television shows, asking Diana to call home to let everyone know whether she is OK. Whatever problems you may have, we can solve them; there are many people here who love you and support you, he said.

Lopez-Pinels lawyer, Pedro de Bernardo, told EL PAIS on Tuesday he had not yet spoken to his client about her version of events leading up to Diana Quers daughter. Lopez-Pinel is also due to give testimony to judges overseeing the investigation in the nearby town of Ribeira on Friday, one of whom ordered custody of the younger daughter, Valeria, to be transferred to her ex-husband.

Police say that they are also continuing to question friends and acquaintances of Diana Quer. They have also been analyzing CCTV footage from more than 40 cameras on nearby roads and in the village itself.

Anybody who was driving in the area that night will be contacted by us sooner or later: our priority is to locate everybody who met Diana that night and in find out in which car she was traveling after going home to change her clothes, said a Civil Guard spokesperson.

The search has now extended beyond Spain. An international alert is out in Poland, Greece, Portugal, France, Switzerland and Belgium, the missing persons association SOS Desaparecidos told the news agency Europa Press.

For the moment, the police say that all hypotheses are open, but sources close to the investigation say they believe Diana Quer remains in the area close to where she went missing.

English version by Nick Lyne.
Various data points continue confirming the growth trajectory of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that do not follow cap-weighted indexes, also known as smart beta. The fifth annual global institutional smart beta survey from index provider FTSE Russell suggests that substantial percentages of global asset owners are already embracing fundamentally weighted strategies or are considering doing so.

"In 2018, 91% of asset owners globally have a smart beta investment allocation, have evaluated or are planning to evaluate smart beta in the next 18 months," said FTSE Russell.

At the end of the first quarter, there were fewer than 1,300 smart beta exchange-traded products (ETPs) listed around the world, less than half the number of cap-weighted products. However, smart beta ETPs had over $641 billion in combined assets under management and have experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.6% over the past five years compared with 20.9% for cap-weighted funds, according to ETFGI data.

While more than half of asset owners in the U.K. and the U.S., the world's largest ETF market, remain unsure of the best smart beta approach, the FTSE Russell survey shows a 16% increase in smart beta use and consideration over the past five years. Within the smart beta arena, multi-factor funds are expected to be a significant source of growth. Multi-factor ETFs combine exposure to several investment factors, such as growth, low volatility and value. (For more, see: Multi-Factor ETFs Come of Age.)

"Among global asset owners surveyed in 2018, multi-factor combination smart beta strategies were used by 49%, a notable rise from 20% when first measured in 2015," said FTSE Russell. "Among global asset owners surveyed in 2018, multi-factor combination smart beta strategies were used by 49%, a notable rise from 20% when first measured in 2015." Some of the most popular multi-factor ETFs include the JPMorgan Diversified Return International Equity ETF (JPIN), Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Large-Cap ETF (GSLC) and the FlexShares Quality Dividend ETF (QDF).

The FTSE Russell survey also highlights growing interest in environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies, an area widely expected to be a new growth frontier for smart beta funds.

"Though a relatively new entry into FTSE Russell's annual survey, smart beta indexes measuring environmental, social & governance (ESG) factors are clearly on the rise," said FTSE Russell. "Nearly 40% of asset owners surveyed anticipate applying ESG considerations to a smart beta strategy in the next 18 months. And, notably, asset owners are looking to ESG index-based strategies for performance reasons and not just asset allocation or societal good. In 2018, 44% of asset owners surveyed were considering ESG for performance reasons, a 13% increase from 2017 when ESG smart beta index awareness and usage was first measured." Just eight U.S.-listed ESG ETFs have over $100 million in assets under management. (See also: ESG ETFs Look to Catch Traditional Rivals.)
Further education after college has become a prerequisite for career advancement in many investment fields. For those considering a career in the investment field, the great debate has been whether to obtain a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or The CFA Institute's Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Both have their advantages, but considering the expense of the former and the difficulty of attaining the latter, choosing between the two makes for a rather difficult decision.

Key Takeaways Traditionally, someone pursuing a career in the investment field would have to choose between enrolling in an MBA program or a CFA program.

Some graduate institutions have begun to include a CFA track for their business students.

An MBA provides business skills while a CFA program teaches high-level, specialized asset-management responsibilities.

To attract students, graduate institutions have begun to teach a large portion of the CFA program within the graduate business curriculum. Some schools have gone so far as to create a CFA track within their MBA course of study, allowing students to obtain an MBA and a CFA at the same time. For those considering attaining both a graduate degree and the CFA certification, completing one of these programs is the most efficient way to get the best of both worlds.

An MBA provides a holistic view of finance and investing, whereas a CFA program dives deeper into the specifics of investing such as asset management.

Understanding MBA and CFA Credentials

Before the CFA credential emerged, many investment companies would pay to send some of their best and brightest to business schools. These students would return with improved general business skills but not necessarily the skills required for high-level, specialized asset-management responsibilities such as portfolio management. Such specialized skills were obtained on the job as professionals worked their way up through the ranks.

In general, the skills obtained in business school were better suited for employees in more general disciplines, such as marketing or general management. The CFA program was devised to provide charter holders with specialized skills, such as investment analysis, portfolio strategy, and asset allocation. One way to explain the differences in the programs is to say that the MBA program is a mile wide and a foot deep, while the CFA program is a foot wide and a mile deep.

MBA vs CFA

The advantage of an MBA is that the knowledge obtained in the program is valuable in other industries outside the investment world. The great disadvantage is cost - both the direct cost of the program and the loss of income that results from a two-year hiatus for those considering going back to school full-time.

The advantages of the CFA program are the ability to acquire specific investment-related skills at a relatively low cost. However, although the CFA program is based on self-study, it is arduous, requiring a commitment of four years and 1,000 study hours (on average) to complete. Because of the commitments in both time and money, few go on to acquire both the graduate degree and the certification.

Special Considerations for the CFA Track

For many willing to make the commitment and meet the other prerequisites necessary to obtain a graduate business degree and the CFA, most will begin the CFA program as soon as they have graduated. These graduates hope to use some of the knowledge gained in their finance courses to give them an advantage over other CFA candidates. However, until recently, most graduate business programs did not organize their finance curricula for this purpose because the advantage for graduates was minimal. This is changing as business schools begin to incorporate CFA course work into their class offerings.

According to the CFA Institute, in April of 2006, the CFA Institute began a partnering program with graduate institutions worldwide, as of June 2021 678 are involved, to provide some level (at least 70%) of CFA course work as part of the MBA curriculum. The CFA Institute audits the course offerings of these partner institutions to ensure they live up to their promises. To attract students, graduate institutions have begun to teach a large portion of the CFA program within their graduate business curricula.

The curriculum offered by these program partner schools ranges from specialized finance courses that facilitate the CFA exams to a specific CFA track, which includes courses that teach the exam material. The CFA track is often designed so that students will take Level I of the CFA exam directly after graduation.

Boston University's Master of Science in Investment Management program was the first CFA Program Partner in the United States, but the final class of the program graduated in 2013. In comparison, the Johnson School at Cornell University seems to be organized with the CFA as one of the end goals of its graduate degree. Johnson School provides CFA Institute study materials, scholarships to waive the registration portion of the CFA exam enrollment fee, and professional development events held in conjunction with CFA Institute member societies.

Fast Fact Many business schools are incorporating CFA course work into their class offerings so that students can fulfill the majority of the CFA commitment within their graduate school course work.

The Bottom Line

Due to the program partnerships between business schools and the CFA Institute, there is now an efficient means for investment professionals to obtain both a graduate business degree and a CFA. Whereas it used to be adequate to obtain one or the other, this trend and the number of new investment professionals acquiring both graduate degrees and the CFA may ultimately require professionals to obtain both. Where the commitment was once two years of graduate school and four years of self-study, now candidates that choose a partnering institution can perform the majority of the CFA commitment within their graduate school course work. Although it will still require an immense amount of commitment and discipline, an increasing number of institutions allow investment professionals to gain both breadth and depth of knowledge for all the investment management disciplines.
Hypercat, one of the powers behind Londons Smart City initiatives, is going Walkabout with an alliance of IoT industry players, corporations and the Australian government, with the launch of Hypercat Australia as a technology standard to support the development of smart cities in that country.

At its heart, Hypercat is a UK-developed alliance and standard that enables free communication from any connected IoT sensor or device being used to monitor an environment. This broad collaboration aims to establish Hypercat as a global standard. It was launched by the Hon Angus Taylor MP, Australian Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation, and Nick McInnes, British Consul General and Director General for Trade and Investment, at a special roundtable breakfast hosted by KPMG in Sydney.

The Commonwealth is exploring relationships with different jurisdictions to build smart cities that improve our lives. Hypercat Australia is one such partnership which will allow a platform to facilitate cutting edge technology solutions to be applied to urban problems, said Taylor. This will be the focus of our recently announced Smart Cities and Suburbs Program. I congratulate Hypercat on recognizing the benefits for industry in sharing data  which can be measured not only in collaborative formal partnerships, but in strong economic rewards.

Hypercat Australia is being established as an independent, not-for-profit organization and will be administered by the Knowledge Economy Institute led by Dr Mike Briers AO, Australias first Industry Professor of IoT at the University of Technology Sydney.

The goal of Hypercat is to accelerate the global explosion of the Internet of Things  by enabling connected devices and data to work together to improve how cities work, and how people live, said Justin Anderson, founder and director, Hypercat Alliance. In just a few years, Hypercat has already been applied to multi-million dollar smart city projects including London and Bristol, attracted more than 1,000 industry members such as KPMG, Cisco, BT, Symantec, Flexeye and WSP, and gained support in 47 countries. Were excited that Australia is coming on board as our first international alliance  and hope to use this as a launch pad for global expansion.

Australian based companies and organizations can register their interest to join the local chapter at www.hypercat.io

Edited by Alicia Young
Osorno train station, where an Alvia driver walked away on Tuesday night.

Spanish authorities are investigating why a train driver left 109 passengers stranded on Tuesday night halfway between Santander and Madrid.

The Alvia train made a stop at Osorno station, in Palencia province, and the driver simply walked away alleging that he had already exceeded his regular working hours, Civil Guard sources told EL PAIS.

A train driver, just like a bus driver or a pilot, cannot exceed the maximum amount of hours allowed. He was observing the law

Union spokesman

Renfe, Spains rail service operator, has launched an investigation into the case, which it termed unusual. The train drivers union said the move had nothing to do with labor demands, and that the employee acted to ensure safety.

A train driver, just like a bus driver or a pilot, cannot exceed the maximum amount of hours allowed. He was observing the law, said a union representative.

Renfe has apologized to the 109 passengers who spent two hours at Osorno station in the middle of the night. The train left Santander at 7pm and was scheduled to arrive in Madrid at 11.37pm. But at 9.15pm, the driver stopped the engine and walked away.

We apologize for the delay and for any inconvenience this may have caused, and remind passengers that they are entitled to a full refund, a company representative told EL PAIS.

The train driver was at the helm of an Alvia train. Nacho Gomez

A spokesman for the Civil Guard, which took the driver in for questioning, said that the latter stated that his working day was over and that there was no replacement.

A loudspeaker announcement initially told passengers that the unscheduled delay was caused by technical problems, but travelers were later told that it was due to the drivers absence.

They told us that the driver decided to stop because his working day had ended and he didnt want to risk an accident for putting in too many hours, a passenger told the local newspaper Diario Montanes.

Union sources said that the driver was unlikely to be fined, as all he did was follow the law that says train drivers cannot be on the job for more than five-and-a-half hours. He had also alerted the management center to the fact that he would be needing a replacement, but nobody showed up.

A train derailed in Galicia on Friday of last week, killing four people and injuring dozens. The preliminary investigation suggests that the driver was going too fast around a bend. On July 24, 2013, a high-speed train crashed near Santiago de Compostela, causing 79 deaths in what became Spains worst rail crash in 40 years.

English version by Susana Urra.
Siri is finally more open. Not open to all, but more open. You can now use Siri to interact with some special category of apps. You can do things like call an Uber or call your boss on Skype. Check out all the third party apps that work with Siri in iOS 10.

Read: If youre curious about how the Siri apps work in the background, check out our explainer post here.

Ride-Hailing

Uber : Just ask Siri, Get me an Uber to x and youll see a preview in the Siri UI. Youll be able to track the car as it comes to you. Youll also get an option to call the driver. Everything without ever opening the app.

: Just ask Siri, Get me an Uber to x and youll see a preview in the Siri UI. Youll be able to track the car as it comes to you. Youll also get an option to call the driver. Everything without ever opening the app. Lyft : Same way, you ca say Get me a Lyft to x and the same thing will happen there.

: Same way, you ca say Get me a Lyft to x and the same thing will happen there. Didi: If youre in China, you can use Didi to hail a cab, using your local language.

Money Transfer

Forgot the send the money for pizza last night to John? No worries, just ask Siri.

Square Cash : Say Send John $10 for last nights pizza using Square Cash. Youll be able to authenticate using Touch ID.

: Say Send John $10 for last nights pizza using Square Cash. Youll be able to authenticate using Touch ID. Monaco: If you use Manoco app for money transfer, you can now use Siri for it.

Messaging

WhatsApp : Lots of cool stuff here. You can send a message to someone on WhatsApp by saying Send a Message to John using WhatsApp, ill be 10 minutes late. You can also do different variations of the same sentence.

: Lots of cool stuff here. You can send a message to someone on WhatsApp by saying Send a Message to John using WhatsApp, ill be 10 minutes late. You can also do different variations of the same sentence. LinkedIn: You can send messages to your LinkedIn contacts using Siri as well.

Photo Search

Pinterest : Searching for Pinterest just became a lot easier. Just say Show me inspirational photos from Pinterest and youre on your way. A view will pop up, showing all the pins that match your search.

: Searching for Pinterest just became a lot easier. Just say Show me inspirational photos from Pinterest and youre on your way. A view will pop up, showing all the pins that match your search. Looklive: Youll be able to search what celebrities were wearing at events using Siri with the Looklive app installed.

VoIP

WhatsApp : You can just say to Siri, Call Alex on WhatsApp and Siri will start the call.

: You can just say to Siri, Call Alex on WhatsApp and Siri will start the call. Skype: Same for Skype.

Workout

Im really looking forward to this feature. Just saying something like Start my run using Strava is just so much easier than going into the app and starting the run manually.

Strava: Just say Start a bike ride with Strava to start tracking.

More App Will Be Added Soon

iOS 10 was just released and these are day zero apps. More apps that support Siri should keep rolling out.
Lawyers for a teenage boy who is in solitary confinement at Oberstown youth detention centre claim he is being denied his constitutional and human rights.

The 17-year-old was separated from the other detainees following an incident during industrial action at the Dublin facility.

On August 29, a fire broke out at the centre. Earlier in the day, a number of young offenders made their way onto the roof during a strike by workers.

General picture of the unidentified individuals during August 29 incident at Oberstown.

The boy at the centre of today's court action was put into solitary confinement shortly afterwards.

Sean Gillane, who is representing the 17-year-old, claims he was denied reading and writing materials, had no access to his family and was served his food through a hatch during what was effectively a 24-hour lockdown.

During a consultation with his solicitor, the court heard the boy was dressed only in blue shorts and socks.

Mr Justice Anthony Barr was told he was not subjected to any sort of disciplinary process and was being treated worse than an adult prisoner would be treated.

Mr Gillane claims his constitutional rights were breached as well as his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

He is also seeking damages and was given permission to pursue his reliefs through a judicial review.

The case will return to the court tomorrow.
An investigation is ongoing after a woman was allegedly kidnapped in north Dublin this morning.

Gardai in north Dublin are investigating the incident which is thought to be a possible kidnapping and car hijacking.
An Ecuadorian official will interrogate WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on behalf of Swedish prosecutors next month in the South American countrys embassy in London.

Mr Assange is accused of rape in an investigation stemming from his visit to Sweden in 2010.
The development forms the next stage in the Dublin-listed companys positioning of Episalvan as a world leading treatment for the rare skin disorder epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a hereditary condition that can be debilitating for sufferers but which currently has no available treatment.

The drug was initially set to be used as a treatment for partial-thickness wounds caused by a variety of things such as burns, skin grafts, and dermatological procedures  a use not, necessarily, off the table.
Central Bank figures published yesterday showed t mortgage arrears of any duration on the main home fell to 82,092 at the end of June, down from 98,155 cases a year earlier.

The number of accounts in arrears for over 90 days  the first significant period when banks start recognising arrears  amounted to 7.8% of all outstanding home loan accounts, down from 9.3% in June 2015.

The Central Bank said home loan arrears of more than 90 days have now fallen for 11 quarters in a row.

Mortgage arrears reached a peak in September 2013 when almost 13% of all accounts were in arrears for over 90 days.

The country faced one of the worlds worst property crashes, with prices falling as much as 60% from their 2007 peak.

With unemployment peaking at over 15% in early 2013, many people struggled to service monthly payments on their homes.

The arrears of over 90 days accounts for over 11.5bn in outstanding home loan amounts.

ECB figures continue to show the high-level of all non-performing loans, including mortgage and SME loans, on the accounts of Irish and other eurozone banks.

Irish banks for over three years have been set targets to reduce the level of mortgage arrears and have agreed on ways of dealing with borrowers.

Bank have offered so-called forbearance or restructuring deals, including interest-only loans, a reduction or temporary deferral of payments, and extending the term of the mortgage.

Other deals have included capitalising both arrears and interest payments onto the amount owed on the mortgage, as well as offering split mortgages.

The figures show a huge number of mortgage accounts, at 120,614, have been restructured so far.

The Central Bank said almost 88% of all restructured mortgages were meeting their new terms. However, 78% of restructured cases involving capitalisation of arrears and 95% of split mortgage deals were meeting the terms of the new arrangements.

Arrears capitalisations and split mortgage deals account for over half of all the types of restructured mortgages.

Paul Joyce, senior policy adviser at the FLAC  the organisation that manages the Free Legal Advice Centres  said that write-downs of the mortgage capital were conspicuous by their absence from the long list of types of restructured mortgages.

The whole system by and large is designed for banks from having to write down the value of the outstanding mortgage, Mr Joyce said.

Mortgage arrears and mortgage debt remain a huge problem, he said, highlighting the number of accounts at 34,980 which are in arrears for over two years.

It has been presented the arrears problem has been put to bed by restructuring. It has not, Mr Joyce said.

Eugene McErlean, a banking expert who has advised the Independent Alliance TDs on mortgage arrears, also said the number of accounts in arrears of over two years showed the scale of the problem.

Mr McErlean said he wants banks to be set more realistic targets and would welcome more legal support for distressed borrowers.
IFA president Joe Healy said Turkey needed to import up to 400,000 head of live cattle annually. In 2015, Turkey imported 380,000 head of cattle, the bulk from South America and up to 120,000 from France.

A strong live trade is essential to maximising competition and to put a solid floor under weanlings this back end, said Mr Healy.

IFA pushed hard to get the market open and has been working with exporters and the Department of Agriculture to facilitate this trade. We are hopeful that this shipment will be followed by many future shipments.

Meanwhile, ICSA beef vice chairman Edmond Phelan said the export of heavy bulls over 550kg to Turkey will help counteract factory efforts to drive down beef prices. He said heavier bulls were now a focus for Turkey.

At prices of up to 2.20/kg liveweight, this trade will mean factory prices for bulls are not competitive and farmers should look very carefully at their options in terms of feeding these kind of cattle, said Mr Phelan.

While a lot of talk has been about the lighter weanlings, this is potentially a much more beneficial development in terms of getting cattle out of the country and getting some real competition into the beef trade in the immediate future.

The ICSA has also said efforts to open beef markets in China, US, and elsewhere, while useful in the long term, are not delivering benefits to farmers.

We want to see more support for the live trade from the minister because this is the only show in town to deliver badly needed relief to hard-pressed cattle farmers, said Mr Phelan.

Im calling on the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and his department to make sure this boat is passed immediately to help stop the blatant opportunism by the meat industry to use the recent inclement weather to savagely reduce prices.
Notably, ICOS is proposing the introduction of an income stability tool, a co-op structured agri-taxation measure that would allow a farmer to voluntarily defer up to 5% of his income during a year, to be drawn down anytime within five years.

This would allow a farmer to draw upon additional revenue when needed most, said ICOS president Martin Keane.
The oil surplus is set to last longer than previously predicted, as demand growth slumps and output proves resilient, the agency said.

The IEA said the supply overhang will persist longer than previously expected, said Gene McGillian, a senior analyst and broker at Tradition Energy in Connecticut.

Also, there are expectations that US inventories will post a big build as all the imports that were delayed arrive.

Oil has fluctuated since rallying in August amid speculation the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and Russia would agree on measures to stabilise the market at a meeting later this month.

All solutions are possible, Algerias energy minister said last week when asked whether producers could raise output within the framework of a freeze. Rising Opec production has offset the effect of declining supplies elsewhere, maintaining the oversupply, the IEA said.

Rock-bottom shipping rates mean oil traders are redrawing global routes https://t.co/aknZUafeCc pic.twitter.com/neM8yLnCY1  Bloomberg (@business) September 13, 2016

Yesterday, Brent for November settlement slipped $1, or 2.1%, to $47.32 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange.

Global oil consumption growth sagged to a two-year low in the third quarter as demand faltered in China and India, while record output from Opecs Gulf members is compounding the glut, the agency said in the monthly report.

This was a marked shift in outlook by the IEA, said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity-markets strategy at BNP Paribas in London.

Opecs long game got a little longer, implying the need for oil prices to remain lower for longer to spur the necessary adjustments in supply for the re-balancing of the market.

Opec flipped its forecasts for rivals supplies in 2017, predicting a rise in output from outside the group instead of a decline, according to a monthly report earlier this week.

Production from outside the group will rise 200,000 barrels a day next year, against 150,000 a day expected a month ago.
The court first ruled the former solicitor should be extradited in December 2014. However, a series of delaying tactics by Mr Lynns lawyers drew out the legal process, even as their client remained in a dirty and overcrowded jail he said was making him ill.

The decision comes nine years after he fled from justice and three years since he was arrested in his beach hideout near Recife.
Both my folks ended their days in there [in a hospice] and it was such a gift to have your parents, or your loved ones, depart this life in a way that could not have been more beautiful, he said.

The actor explained that the level of care his parents received, made him see the better side of humanity.

Their spirits were looked after, their morale was looked after, there was so much humanity in it that you come out of that awful experience, you have to say goodbye at some point, and I came out feeling nothing could have been done more.

You come out feeling that human beings can be the most magnificent life forms in a way, its not always easy to remember that, said the actor.

Youre hearing all the horror that we can get up to and then you go out to a place like St Francis in Raheny or out to Blanchardstown or any of the places all across the country and youve people volunteering to help other people who are in dire distress.

Its the most beautiful thing. It was a total eye-opener for me, he said.

The actor joked that his mother was spoiled to death.

My mother said shed never been creamed so much (even) as a baby, thats my favourite quotation of all time. She went in and they absolutely spoiled her, they literally spoiled her to death, he said.

The actor was speaking on the Pat Kenny Show yesterday morning ahead of Irelands Biggest Coffee Morning tomorrow, which is in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation.

The former schoolteacher said that he never takes his acting success for granted.

It began to get a bit like washing dishes, after 10 years, a particular group of kids that I was very close to moved on and I had to start on all these new faces and it was a bit like: Oh Ive to wash the dishes again. And I never wanted to think like that as a teacher. I knew I had to reinvent myself a little bit, he said.
Fianna Fail TD and Dail public accounts committee chair Sean Fleming made the suggestion last night, saying the move could help uncover the exact details behind the multi-billion euro deal.

While keeping the prospect of a State inquiry in the Republic alive if it is warranted, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said during his partys pre-Dail think-in that a cross-border investigation could not happen as the legal advice is you are two sovereign jurisdictions with great difficulties.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission says statements that predicted price rises may have actually escalated prices. Witness summonses and information requests were issued yesterday to major motor insurance companies and groups representing insurers and brokers.

Among those summoned is representative body Insurance Ireland, whose chief executive, Kevin Thompson, acknowledged this time last year that increases were possible given the continuing trends as shown by CSO figures at the time.

Others made similar comments around that time and since. Commission chairwoman Isolde Goggin warned late last year that such open signalling of upcoming increases could amount to cartel behaviour.

Explaining the decision to start a formal investigation, Ms Goggin said: Markets work best where businesses vigorously and independently compete against each other for customers.

Statements signalling future pricing predictions or intentions may result in a degree of unspoken co-ordination, which may breach competition law. Statements by senior industry players have raised serious suspicion as to whether there is a link between these messages and subsequent price increases.

Insurance Ireland said it would co-operate with the investigation but said it had done nothing wrong.

Insurance Ireland is fully satisfied it has no issue in relation to competitive practice and is confident that this will be confirmed through this process, it said.

Kevin Thompson is one of a number of industry representatives due before the Oireachtas Finance Committee tomorrow for the latest in a series of meetings on the growing problem of soaring premiums.

Also due to appear is Ciaran Phelan of the Irish Brokers Association, whose organisation published a survey last year reporting widespread expectations in its membership that motor insurance premiums would rise significantly this year.

Commission officials have also been asked to appear.
The council is to prepare a submission under the local infrastructural fund, administered by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, for grant aid to build the western relief road in Carrigaline.

Council chief executive Tim Lucey agreed to the move after councillors in the Bandon/Kinsale municipal district highlighted it.

Cllr Aidan Lombard said it was vital that the application be progressed without delay because the new road was badly needed.

The land is zoned for the road. Carrigaline would develop very quickly if it was built, said Cllr Lombard.

We need to make sure we do whatever we can to get funding for this road. Traffic is a major problem in the town, said Cllr Eoghan Jeffers.

The Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Seamus McGrath, who lives in Carrigaline, described the western relief road as a critical piece of infrastructure.

This road has been planned since 2007 and the land acquisition for it is complete. The council is appointing consultants to do a detailed design of it, he added.

Council chief executive Tim Lucey said he would look at every avenue to get funding for the relief road.

He said he thinks it would fit the funding criteria, because it was mainly designed to create infrastructure to open up sites designated for new housing.

Theres a challenge to ensure it can be a natural fit, he said.

Mr Lucey said he would report back to councillors on the progress made before October 14.
Council chief executive Tim Lucey said it was unfortunate that higher fees had been set at national level as therefore he had no choice under legislation but to implement the charges.

However, he said the council would examine a scheme to be supportive of such businesses and would work on finding a solution to this with the councils tourism special purposes committee.

He made his comments after a number of councillors complained about the new taxes, most notably councillor Cathal Rasmussen, who said they would cripple some businesses in Cobh. Mr Rasmussen said the former town council charged annually 50 per premises which put out tables and chairs, and 10 for an advertising board.

However, the new charges are set at 125 per table and 635 for advertising boards.

The increases are huge and causing much concern to many business people in all areas. How can a bureaucrat in Dublin decide that all businesses are equal irrespective of location, space outside the premises, and the number of tourists visiting the area?

He said it was already hard enough for businesses to survive.

Business people are rightly worried about this new cost plan and I feel that we as a council have a responsibility to support them, not to hinder them, he said.

It will cause huge issues for businesses, and will force many to stop putting tables out, which will have a huge knock-on effect on their trade, as part of the attraction in tourism towns is to sit out with a drink or a meal.

Cllr Claire Cullinane, who also lives in Cobh, said it was vital that the local authority was seen to support the businesses which are paying substantial rates.

Cllr Kieran McCarthy said Cobh was totally reliant on tourism, having lost most of its heavy industry in recent years.

Youghal-based councillor, Aaron OSullivan, said businesses in small towns should be encouraged to put tables and chairs outside.

Were trying to promote our county as a food county and this doesnt help, said Cllr Gillian Coughlan, while Cllr Michael Hegarty said the charges were excessive considering there were only a couple of months in the year people could sit outside.
Caoimhin McGeever, otherwise known as Kevin McGeever, was alleged in the High Court to have failed to provide a truthful and accurate statement of means in response to efforts by businessman James Byrne to recover a judgment of 1.18m obtained against him.

Mr McGeever, who, the court was told, swindled Mr Byrne out of his money, has opposed the application.

Mr Byrne obtained judgment against Mr McGeever and his company over a failed deal regarding the purchase of several apartments in Dubai which had been sold to Mr Byrne by Mr McGeevers company, KMM Intel Properties.

As part of Mr Byrnes attempts to recover the monies, Mr McGeever, with an address at Clontarf, Dublin 3, had earlier been cross-examined before the master of the High Court about his affairs as set out in his sworn statement.

It is claimed Mr McGeever did not set out his property interests in the statement as he is required to do. These included an alleged interest in the mansion called Nirvana in Craughwell, Co Galway.

Mr McGeever claims Nirvana is owned by a Belize-registered company called Universal Assets Ltd and is held in trust for his two daughters Shanelle and Renee. It is also alleged Mr McGeever perjured himself in his sworn statement.

Mr Byrne claims that his efforts to recover the monies have been impaired by Mr McGeevers alleged failure to provide a full and frank statement of affairs.

An application seeking Mr McGeevers committal to prison came before Mr Justice Donald Binchy in July, when the judge adjourned the proceedings so certain steps could be taken on Mr McGeevers behalf.

The matter was in for a review before Mr Justice Anthony Barr yesterday. Gary McCarthy, counsel for Mr Byrne, told Mr Justice Barr that his client had been swindled out of his life savings by Mr McGeever.

Mr McCarthy said that Mr McGeever could not be trusted and that he had done nothing since the matter was before Judge Binchy.

Information and documentation concerning the deed of trust in relation to Nirvana had been sought but had not been provided.

Counsel said that Mr McGeever pleaded guilty before Galway Circuit Court last April and had received a two-year suspended sentence for wasting garda time.

He had claimed he was kidnapped by creditors who held him for eight months before he turned up on a roadside and was picked up by a passing motorist.

Seamus O Tuathail, counsel for Mr McGeever, objected to the use of the word swindled. He said their case was that it was an investment that had gone wrong. Certain steps had been taken on Mr McGeevers behalf including attempts to secure the information concerning Nirvana.

Mr O Tuathail said steps were also being taken in respect of the will of Siobhan OCallaghan, the late partner of Mr McGeever. She died in 2013, leaving him three properties in Dublin. That will was the subject of other proceedings before the High Court, the court heard.

Mr Justice Barr adjourned the matter to a date in early October before Mr Justice Binchy. The judge accepted certain steps had been carried out on Mr McGeevers behalf and directed a further sworn statement updating the court should be provided next month.
Valerie OSullivan made her comment about those who have failed to engage with the citys Choice Based Letting (CBL) system during a wide-ranging debate on housing issues at Mondays meeting of Cork City Council.

Earlier this year, figures released by City Hall showed that only 42% of people on the housing list had engaged with the CBL system, which allows tenants to search online and apply for tenancy in specific council homes, when they become available.

But Ms OSullivans comments about the estimated 2,700 people on the housing list who have failed to engage with CBL drew criticism from SF Cllr Chris OLeary and AAA Cllr Fiona Ryan.

Mr OLeary described it as an over-the-top statement and called on Ms OSullivan to withdraw it.

A furious Ms Ryan branded it an outrageous comment which buys into an anti social welfare bias which ignores the fact that many people may not be able to engage with an online system for technical or literacy reasons.

She said she dealt with a constituent on the social housing list recently who had significant literacy issues, and who was afraid and embarrassed to engage with City Hall on housing issues.

But Ms OSullivan told councillors that two people who were placed by the city council in emergency accommodation recently, turned down offers of houses because they said they had booked holidays abroad.

She said there were around 9,000 people on the housing list last year, and following an extensive review of need, the figure has dropped to just over 5,400. She said the council has written to people on the list on at least three separate occasions since CBL went live last year, inviting them to use the system.

Officials have made those on the list aware of the range of help and supports which City Hall will provide to help them engage with the system, she said.

They can be assured of our full support and assistance, she said.

Ms OSullivan also said internet access is freely available in the citys network of public libraries, that CBL is loaded onto those computers, and that council staff have have been trained to help anyone with literacy issues navigate their way through the process.

Earlier this year, councillors were told that the CBL system was designed in consultation with advocacy groups, and vetted for accessibility to lessen any likelihood of a digital divide being a barrier to using it.
Haulage operators are leaving Ireland in droves, opting for more competitive EU member states.

That was the message delivered yesterday to an Oireachtas joint committee on finance, public expenditure, and reform by Verona Murphy, the president of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA).

Over the past year, insurance premiums have increased across the board by 50%-100% and, in many cases, even higher, she said, adding that a motor insurance policy for a truck costs 5,000. In comparison, it costs 3,000 in the UK and as low as 2,000 in Poland and Romania.

The IRHA said that, as a result, many haulage operators are left with no choice but to open transport offices in EU member states, resulting in a loss of 250,000 per vehicle to the exchequer.

Irish haulage operators also face competition from the North as drivers do not have to pay the HGV levy and can also claim diesel rebates in the south.

The IRHA said haulage companies cannot continue to operate with such high costs, meaning the potential for significant job losses.

It is asking the Government to allow road haulage operators to source their own insurance in neighbouring member states, and encourage new entrants to the insurance market here.

There is no competition in the market. The insurance industry is very lax in fighting claims and puts more effort into increasing premiums rather than fighting claims, said Ms Murphy.

The IRHA is also calling on the Government to allow haulage operators access insurance on the European single market.

The collective road haulage industry must be permitted to access the European single market to insure the fleet. There should be no difference in insuring trucks on continental territory no matter where they are based as long as they are on an EU registration plate, said Ms Murphy.

Meanwhile, the Freight Transport Association Ireland believes rising motor insurance costs could be reduced by tackling false and exaggerated personal injury claims.

General manager Neil McDonnell said: We believe its time to stop the national compensation culture that drives this excessive insurance cost and we feel it is absolutely necessary to address the ridiculous compensation payouts on the basis that they are victimless  they are not.

Paul Redmond, of the Car Rental Council of Ireland, said settlements of personal injuries claims have become a large cost associated with the rental car industry. He said international car rental companies identified Ireland as having the highest risk liability costs.

The group is calling for reforms of the injuries board procedures, to decrease the amount of cases being referred to the courts.
Judge Grainne ONeill heard an application by IT professional Jaafar Al-Husabi who is from Bahrain but now a UK national living in London. He said he was tortured in a Bahrain detention centre and he has amassed evidence which he claims proves his countrys attorney general knew it was going on.

He swore information and produced documents in a bid to convince the judge to issue a summons compelling the Bahraini attorney general Ali Bin Fadhul Al Buainain to appear before Dublin District Court.

Ali Bin Fadhul Al Buainain, who has been Bahrains attorney general since 2005, is in Dublin attending the International Association of Prosecutors conference which ends tomorrow. He is also the vice president, the court heard.

The complainants barrister Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, instructed by solicitor Michael Finucane, said there was enough material to establish Bahrains chief prosecutor knew the torture of detainees was being carried out with impunity.

Mr Al-Husabi applied to the court to issue the summons under sections 2 and 3 of the Criminal Justice (UN Convention Against Torture) Act 2000 and Section 7 of the Criminal Law Act 1997.

Mr Al-Husabi who is an activist involved in demonstrations against the Bahraini government, swore information in court. He confirmed he returned to Bahrain in 2010. He alleged between August 16 that year and February 23, 2011, the Bahraini attorney general authorised the extension of his detention during a period when he was tortured by members of the Bahraini National Security Authorities. This included administration of electric shocks, physical beatings and sleep deprivation.

He alleged the attorney general authorised the extension of his detention at a facility known as The Fort and was aware torture was routine at the facility.

The court heard that on August 20, 2010 a number of UN rapporteurs sent an urgent appeal to the Bahrain government expressing concerns for the physical and psychological integrity of the complainant and other persons who were held incommunicado on charges of alleged participation in a terrorist network.

Judge ONeill heard in September and October 2010 the Bahraini attorney general issued public statements in which he stated that certain individuals including Mr Al-Husabi had not been tortured.

In 2011, the Bahraini government established the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry to probe allegations of torture.

The court heard the inquiry found torture was systemic and was carried out with impunity.

Mr Al-Husabi alleged that as attorney general and public prosecutor of Bahrain, Ali Bin Fadhul Al Buainain was responsible for overseeing The Fort detention facility.

The judge was furnished with a medical report stating Mr Al-Husabis injuries were consistent with his claims he had been tortured.

Denying the request, Judge ONeill said she was not satisfied there was a sufficient nexus between the proposed accused and the offences complained of by Mr Al-Husabi.
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Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

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Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments

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Some 52,500 of this years students took Irish exams, with 20,220 receiving marks for the optional oral test. This 38.5% uptake of the oral exam is an increase from 32% a year ago, and fewer than 400 students in 2007.

The number of schools where the oral option is being offered rose from fewer than 160 in 2012 to 309 last year and has now reached 357, just under half of the countrys 720 second-level schools.

The surge has been linked to pressure in preparing students for the Leaving Certificate oral, for which marks increased from 25% to 40% of total in the subject from 2012.

Because the State Examinations Commission (SEC) does not pay examiners for Junior Certificate orals as it does for Leaving Certificate languages, unions have been concerned about the integrity of the process.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (Asti) recently introduced a directive that members must not assess or prepare any students for these optional exams. They have been told that adhoc arrangements in which schools ask teachers to mark their own students or those of their colleagues, or bring in other teachers to conduct Junior Certificate oral tests, are unacceptable.

The ban applies to other languages also, with school-level oral test marks notified to the SEC and combined with written exam scores to calculate final grades.

SEC data provided to the Irish Examiner shows that 5,401 students will receive a grade in Junior Certificate French that includes oral marks, or 17% of those examined in the subject. The corresponding figures for Spanish, German, and Italian are 2,959 (33%), 1,638 (13%), and 194 (42%), respectively.

Exam results data also reveals that the proportion of students taking higher-level maths has steadied off at just over 55%. This is more or less the same as last year, when increases peaked after rising from 48% in 2012, due to a combination of syllabus reform and knowledge of the bonus college-entry points for those passing higher-level Leaving Certificate maths.

Among those 32,830 students taking the honours papers, performance continues to improve. The numbers with honours (A, B, or C) grades exceeds 76%.

With numbers failing higher-level maths at Leaving Certificate being a recent focus of attention, corresponding figures among this years Junior Certificate students are more encouraging.

After climbing from 3.3% in 2013 to over 4% on each of the last two years, the proportion of honours candidates who got an E, F, or NG (no Grade) slips back to 3.6%. This still means nearly 1,200 were unable to pass the exam and might have been better advised to opt for ordinary level instead.

At that level, numbers failing have risen from 4.6% to 6.1% since 2014. However, an influential factor may be the combination of more students who might previously have taken ordinary level now choosing higher level, and fewer now taking the foundation level maths option for weaker students.
Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show that, despite such fears, the government approved the drafting of legislation to allow ministerial cars to be considered the equivalent of taxis for the use of bus lanes. It was approved at a cabinet meeting on May 3, 2011.

The proposed change was a result of a decision by the Fine Gael-Labour coalition, two months earlier, to restrict the availability of state vehicles to ministers in order to achieve annual savings of 4m. It decided that, in future, all ministers, excluding the taoiseach, tanaiste, and minister for justice, would use their own vehicles under terms that applied to existing ministers of state.

Under longstanding arrangements, state cars had been available to all members of the government, as well as the government chief whip and any minister of state sitting at Cabinet, as well as the President, the Ceann Comhairle, the chief justice, the attorney general, the DPP, and former presidents and taoisigh.

The fleet of state cars, which was maintained and operated by An Garda Siochana, had cost 7.5m to run in 2010, at an annual average of 280,000 for each office-holder.

Since 1982, ministers of state use their own vehicles for official business and are paid for any official journey. They are also entitled to hire two civilian drivers, whose salaries are paid for by the State. The average cost of annual transport expenses for ministers of state in 2010 was 120,200.

Mr Varadkar alerted the government in May 2011 that the changes meant ministers using their own cars no longer had exemptions from parking and traffic regulations, including the use of bus lanes.

Should the government decide that the continued use of bus lanes by ministers using non-Garda drivers or vehicles continues to be important in the exercise of their functions, it would be open to the minister to amend the road traffic regulations governing the use of bus lanes, Mr Varadkar informed his ministerial colleagues.

However, it should be noted that there may be adverse public comment in relation to what might be seen as the granting of explicit preferential treatment to ministers.

He said other groups, including car clubs, and hackney and limousine companies, had been campaigning for some time to gain access to bus lanes. This has been resisted consistently by the Department of Transport, on the basis that extending the exemption to cover vehicles other than emergency and public-service vehicles would be difficult to enforce, and would diminish the purpose of the bus lanes, he said.

The authorities have resisted calls, during the current strikes by Dublin Bus staff, to open bus lanes to all vehicles, to ease traffic. Mr Varadkar, now the minister for social protection, said last week that it was easy to change the rules to widen the use of bus lanes.
Some of the alleged incidents occurred 48 years ago.

Sgt Annamarie Guiney arrested Patrick Bassett at the courthouse on Washington St, Cork City, yesterday morning and brought him before Cork District Court.

Sgt Guiney charged Mr Bassett, who has an address at The Farmhouse, Sarsfield Court, Glanmire, with 12 counts of indecent assault.

The sergeant cautioned the accused that he did not have to say anything but that anything he might say would be taken down in writing and given in evidence.

Mr Bassett made no reply to any of the charges.

Insp Mary King said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that this case should be dealt with by indictment.

The inspector applied for an adjournment of the case to allow time for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

Solicitor Joseph Cuddigan was appointed to represent Mr Bassett on free legal aid. He said there was no application for the defendant to be released on bail.

Judge Con OLeary remanded Mr Bassett in custody for one week.

It is alleged that the 12 indecent assaults were committed between 1968 and 1970 when the complainant was aged between 10 and 12.

It is anticipated that when the book of evidence is completed and served on the accused, the case will be sent forward for trial by judge and jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
James Brokenshire pledged his support for efforts to end all forms of paramilitary activity with the new monitoring panel to assess the scale of the problem and monitor efforts to stamp it out.

The Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), jointly formed by the UK and Irish governments, will provide external scrutiny on efforts to deal with paramilitarism. It was one of the measures agreed in last years Fresh Start Agreement between the two governments and Stormonts leaders.

Mr Brokenshire and Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan signed a treaty to establish the IRC yesterday afternoon.

There was never any justification for paramilitary groups, there is none today and there will not be in the future, the Northern Secretary of State said.

The IRC provides for an independent review of progress towards disbanding paramilitary groups which continue to blight our society.

For generations, paramilitary activity wrecked lives in Northern Ireland, and for many people the repercussions continue.

The IRCs annual reports will be published by the UK and Irish governments, which are also entitled under the terms of the treaty to jointly request further reports as required.

The Commission may make recommendations to the Northern Ireland Executive to inform future Programme for Government priorities and commitments.

The IRC will have four members, including persons of international standing.

The UK and Irish Governments will nominate one member each; the Northern Ireland Executive two members.

Mr Flanagan said: This is another landmark day for Northern Ireland as we will be signing, on behalf of our respective governments, the international agreement to establish the Independent Reporting Commission.

This is an important step in implementing the Fresh Start Agreement provisions to eliminate paramilitarism and tackle organised crime.

He said he would hold talks with Mr Brokenshire on the still stalled efforts to establish new mechanisms to deal with the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, it is vital that the Irish and British Governments continue to work together in a spirit of partnership to deliver on the full promise of that agreement and subsequent agreements, he said.
The winter plan published last week said that two options are being considered by the HSE to alleviate over-crowding at South Tipperary General Hospital: A modular build extension to the existing hospital and fitting out space in an area currently under construction.

The HSEs examination of patient hotel-type service will proceed in parallel, the initiative states.

However, no money has been allocated for the proposal in this years funding, with 700,000 allocated for 2017.

Senior consultant at STGH Dr Paud ORegan said he and the hospital were bitterly disappointed with the plan.

There were hopes that a 40-bed patient hotel could be in place by late October, but it is now widely accepted it will not happen this year and the HSE has yet to deal with cost-benefit analysis, procurement issues, and planning/construction issues, as it says itself in the winter initiative.

We were confident that it would be announced in the winter initiative and had been assured by the minister of that, said Dr ORegan.

The hospital hasnt lost hope that the patient hotel will happen, he said, but it will not be in time for this winter.

We feel that the hospital will not be able to cope with the winter influx of patients, in view of the fact that we have run at 150% medical bed occupancy during the summer and, when the winter surge comes, we will not be able to cope.

He blamed the HSE for not making a decision on the proposal. Everybody agrees its needed but its the HSE that is holding it up. New ideas to them are like holy water to a vampire. The consultant added: Were facing into a disaster.

Independent TD Mattie McGrath yesterday accused fellow Independent TD for Tipperary Michael Lowry of irresponsibly raising expectations regarding the assignment of a patient hotel to Clonmel, following reports in August of a deal to deliver the project at STGH.

Mr Lowry, in a statement this week, said he spoke to Health Minister Simon Harris last Friday about the winter initiative.

The minister reminded me that this is the first time that a HSE officialised document has formally referenced and included a patient hotel for Clonmel, he said.

He stated the initiative was still in the progression stage and the Health Service Executive were committed to progressing the unit in parallel with the upcoming winter initiative. It was originally intended to fast track this project but it is now accepted that because of the nature and scale of this modular unit planning will have to be sought and the unit subject to national procurement policy.

The Minister has informed me that he was concerned in that context, that we are going to miss the winter bulge activity in the hospital.

The constituencys other Independent TD, Seamus Healy, yesterday warned of people power returning to the streets of Clonmel if extra beds arent delivered at STGH, in reference to a protest march in 2010 over the future of the hospital.
Tadhg ODalaigh, aged 72, of Woodview, Mount Merrion Avenue, Blackrock, Dublin, made no reply when he was accused of the offence.

Detective Garda Kevin McCarthy formally arrested ODalaigh at the courthouse on Washington Street, Cork, yesterday. Detective Garda McCarthy said he cautioned the accused.
Cabinet is expected to sign off on the security measures in light of ongoing terrorism concerns after the Paris and Brussels IS attacks and a belief our defences need to be improved ahead of Brexit-related common travel area talks with Britain.

Under plans initially brought before cabinet on June 14, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald will seek approval from Government colleagues for Ireland to accept new security software from the US designed to check who is coming into this country.

The technology  which was provided due to our visa waiver agreement with the US  will allow Irish officials to check names, dates of birth, and specific travel identification for people travelling from non-EU nations against US, British, and Interpol watch lists.

Officials familiar with the measure were keen to stress last night that no information about ordinary passengers whose presence does not raise concerns will be passed onto the US, British, or other international security personnel, with the records destroyed within 24 hours under strict EU rules.

However, while Irish authorities will also retain control of the information in cases where the watch list checks result in red flags over particular individuals, international authorities will be informed in such circumstances of an individuals location for security reasons.

The decision to accept the US watch list software was agreed in principle by Cabinet on June 14 in order to allow Irish officials to integrate systems in this country to the technology.

However, despite it being the subject of strict data protection rules in Ireland and the EUs Communications of Passenger Data regulation 2011  which insists files must be deleted after three years if an individual is no longer considered a concern  the move is likely to be criticised .

In April, similar but separate passenger name records legislation allowing airlines to store and share information with national security personnel was controversially passed by the EU parliament, despite criticism it was an attack on individual liberties from some Irish MEPs.

The move is one of the key matters due to be discussed by cabinet today, outside of the 700-page Comptroller and Auditor Generals report into Nama.
The warning, being issued today by the Simon Communities in Ireland, revealed about one-in-three people are worried about the shortage and availability of affordable homes, to buy or rent.

Also, one-in-three people are anxious about high rental costs and being able to feed their families and heat their homes.

With high numbers sleeping rough and homelessness affecting health, Simon Communities Cut the Red Tape campaign focuses on system failures.

They warn red tape is pushing people into housing insecurity, homelessness and preventing people from leaving behind the fear of homelessness.

National spokesperson for Simon Communities, Niamh Randall, warned: We are seeing the impact of rising rents and reduced housing supply and people are being pushed over the edge into homelessness.

Figures clearly demonstrate how vulnerable people feel about their own housing issues and how concerned they are about the housing and homelessness crisis that has gripped the country.

This must be the number one priority for the Government and Budget 2017. There are now over 6,500 people who are trapped in emergency accommodation because there are no homes for them.

Meanwhile, more outreach workers are needed to help Cork Citys homeless after the number of people placed in emergency accommodation surged to over 400 during the summer.

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy led calls for at least two more staff to back-up the councils sole homeless outreach worker as winter approaches.

Kieran McCarthy

His call comes as new figures show the council placed 345 people in emergency accommodation in May, rising to 412 in June and July. The figure includes 25 families and 69 children  three times more than the same period last year.

This is a worrying sign. On the one hand, it shows that there is an emergency bed for anyone that needs it but this is not a long-term solution.

These people are often the most vulnerable, and the system needs to be set up to help them in the immediate to short-term, he said.

He praised the current outreach worker for her incredible work but said more are needed given the rise in demand.

Meanwhile, Helping Hands Homeless Action Group Ltd has been launched to help the citys homeless.

The group will offer services including a street run, legal and financial advice along with counselling services, and lobbying for improved homeless services.

The group, which hopes to secure charitable status, based at 10 Georges Quay, is planning its first street run on September 30 from Daunt Square.

The group can be contacted on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram under the name Helping Hands Homeless Action Group Cork.
The grades have been compiled by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) over the summer as examiners marked papers involving 26 subjects.

With results that are largely in line with those of past years, more than 600,000 individual grades are being issued to the 29,672 female and 30,575 male Junior Certificate candidates.

More than one third achieved at least one A in a higher level subject or in civic, social and political education (CSPE) which is examined at just one standard or common level.

The 22,589 who did so is up from 21,743 with a similar achievement a year ago, and the 2,906 with at least six As is an increase of 146 since 2015.

For six top students this morning, there are 12 higher-level or common-level As, meaning extra cause for celebration for them, their families, and their teachers.

While overall student numbers are up on last year, fewer back-to-education candidates took the Junior Certificate exams in June, less than two thirds of those taking the exam in 2010.

SEC data shows 722 people getting results today are re-entrants to education, having taken exams through education schemes such as the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and Back to Education Initiative.

But while Junior Certificate student numbers taking their exams at second-level schools have risen by 1.3% over last year, the back-to-education numbers are down by 1.2%.

They dropped from 756 last year and by more than 150 in just two years. In 2010, 1,135 re-entrants to education received Junior Certificate results and the numbers have fallen in each subsequent year.

For those who do not receive their results from a school today, students can access their grades online on the SEC website, www.examinations.ie, from 4pm.

Teachers Union of Ireland president Joanne Irwin said mature students who returned to education to take the exams deserve special congratulations.

Students should be proud of reaching this milestone, and teachers also deserve credit for delivering a quality education service in an era when key programmes and supports have been cut, she said.

She said it is critical that students continue their education and alternative options such as Leaving Certificate Applied and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme continue to be promoted, and enhanced where possible.

Ms Irwin said students thinking about which senior cycle subjects to choose should consider areas that engage their interest most, but it is regrettable that guidance counselling provision has been stripped back considerably since 2012.

The removal of a ringfenced level of guidance for all schools means many counsellors are spending more time teaching curricular subjects and that students have less access to them for advice on subjects and careers.

The service must be fully restored as a matter of urgency to enable all students to make as informed a choice as possible, said Ms Irwin.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan said on Monday that he would introduce a sugar tax in 2018, in line with similar plans in Britain.

There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce a new tax on sugar-sweetened drinks and the RCPI wants the Government to introduce the tax in next months budget.

The chairman of the RCPI policy group on obesity, Prof Donal OShea, said obesity was Irelands greatest public health problem and required urgent action.

Waiting another year to introduce such an important, evidence-based measure to prevent obesity, particularly in children, is a grave mistake, said Prof OShea.

The RCPI wants a 20% tax on sugar sweetened drinks, with the proceeds ring-fenced for promoting healthier living.

On behalf of the families of the 4,000 people who will die next year directly as a result of our obesity epidemic, I would ask that the Government urgently revisit this deferral, said Prof OShea.

He said there was a broad political consensus and a majority of public opinion that a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks was worth pursuing.

The view of the medical community is unanimous. There is no sense whatsoever in postponing it. It is weak leadership and a victory for powerful industry lobbying yet again, he said.

Only strong decisions by government backed by legislation will change the environment and enable personal change.

Its already too late for many, but that is no reason for continued lethargy in tackling the countrys number one public health problem.

The World Health Organization has warned that Ireland is well on track to becoming the fattest country in Europe by 2030.

We know that children as young as two years of age are presenting to weight clinics and are seriously overweight and we know that one in four children in Ireland is overweight or obese, said Prof OShea.

This chronic disease is the greatest public health problem facing Irish society and require urgent action.

In its pre-budget submission, the RCPI is also urging the Government to move ahead with adopting the Public Health Alcohol Bill that includes evidence-based measures that will save lives and reduce pressure on struggling health services.

The RCPI president and chair of its policy group on alcohol, Prof Frank Murray, said the Government could introduce measures that could save lives and address the nations harmful relationship with alcohol.

Alcohol costs the exchequer 3.7bn a year while the cost borne by so many Irish men, women, and children as a result of our heavy consumption of alcohol is catastrophic. I would urge all politicians to support this bill which has been long-fingered for long enough, said Prof Murray.
Volunteer doctor and Karabakh war veteran needs help (video)

Freedom fighter Hamlet Yesayan, a volunteer doctor who participated in the Artsakh war, cannot afford to pay AMD 700 000 for his surgery. He needs financial assistance. Hamlet Yesayan, 63, has recently been diagnosed with cancer and needs urgent operation at the ARTMED medical rehabilitation centre in Yerevan. The surgery costs AMD 1.200.000. The hospital has provided a 500 000-dram discount for him, but the family cannot pay the remaining 700 000. The retired director and doctor has no money to pay for the surgery The family turns to everyone who can help the doctor who helped numerous people during the earthquake and the Artsakh war. The freedom fighter has renounced all his titles and lived with the consciousness that participation in the war for his homeland was not a title but commitment. Today, Hamlet Yesayan needs everybody's support. If his 25-year-old son, Narek, were alive, he would not ask anyone for help. Narek was killed one and a half year ago. All those wishing to help Hamlet Yesayan can transfer money to the accounts opened in VTB Bank in the name of Hamlets wife, Anush Martirosyan 163568001032 (Armenian Dram) 163568001065 (Russian Ruble) 163568001040 (US dollar) SWIFT:ARMJAM22 Alternatively, you can contact Anush Martirosyan, calling at +37494 50 40 81
THE sometimes forgotten courageous women who stood up to fascism and Nazism during World War II are the subject of the premiere of a play, The Woman is Present: Womens Stories of WWII, at the Samuel Beckett Theatre, Trinity College.

Presented by Dublin-based Smashing Times Theatre Company, which promotes peace and social justice through the arts, the play consists of monologues which are re-imagined moments from the lives of women, caught up in the war, including Mary Elmes, a Cork woman who saved Jewish children from the gas chambers.

Elmes, who died in 2002, was from a family that had a pharmacy business in Winthrop Street in Cork city. She studied at Trinity College Dublin and at the London School of Economics before becoming involved in rescue missions.

Mary Elmes

She was this incredible woman, like an Irish Oscar Schindler, saving the lives of Jewish children in France, says Smashing Times writer and director Mary Moynihan.

Having helped Spaniards fleeing from Franco, Elmes became involved with the Quakers in a campaign to save as many children as possible from the gas chambers.

When the Vichy Government was set up, they started to intern Jews in the same camps where the Spanish refugees were. There was a former army camp, Rivesaltes, in the south of France which was a main holding centre for Jews from where they were sent to the concentration camps in Germany and Poland. Mary tried to find ways to get the children out of Rivesaltes. She was in a position where she had to negotiate with parents to take their children (to freedom) with the parents knowing theyd never see them again. Its not known how many people Mary saved but it was a lot. She never looked for recognition for her work.

. @Smashing_Times show celebrates Mary Elmes as the first Irish person honoured as Righteous Among Nations for saving Jewish children.  Inside Culture (@CultureRTE) September 12, 2016

The play also includes the re- imagined life of Ettie Steinberg, the only Irish-reared Jewish woman to be murdered in the Holocaust. Written by Deirdre Kinahan, Ode to Ettie Steinberg imagines Steinberg on her journey home to Dublin.

In the monologue, she is trying to find her way home and is looking for her son. On the journey, she recalls moments from her life. Then she goes back to where she was born and what her life was like.

Moynihan says that the Irish Jewish Museum was an invaluable source for the play. In its archive is a poignant postcard. It is believed that Steinberg addressed the postcard to her family in Dublin and threw it from the moving cattle car in which she and her family were being deported to Auschwitz. Miraculously, a passer-by found it and sent it to her family in Dublin days after Steinberg, her husband, and their son were murdered. The postcard was coded in Hebrew terms, understood by her family. It indicates that Steinberg knew the fate that awaited her.

The set design for the play uses video images. Were not using original footage. Were using created movement images.

The play, which also features European womens involvement in World War II, is not harrowing, says Moynihan. On one level, it is. The stories are tragic, heart-breaking and moving. But what comes across is the incredible spirit of the women. In all the stories, you see their bravery and their love of life. The majority of the women featured all performed acts to help others. They were brave and powerful. None of them accepted the oppression that was imposed on them. They fought back in their own way. There are some lovely moments in the play, like when Ettie is talking about what it was like growing up in Dublin and the happiness she had with her family.

Ettie Steinberg

Moynihan says its important we dont forget the atrocities of World War II. If womens stories are hidden, it means we are not hearing the full story of what went on. In discovering these stories, weve been finding threads and similarities to what is happening today. The arts are an incredible way of being able to tell these stories.

Inspiring women who stood up to terror of war

Mary Elmes (1908-2002) was born in Cork as Marie Elisabeth Jean Elmes. Her family had a chemist shop, J Waters and Sons, on Winthrop Street. She was educated at Rochelle School and Trinity College Dublin and went on to study at the London School of Economics. She was the first Irish person honoured as Righteous Among Nations for her work in saving Jewish children from the Nazi gas chambers. The honour was bestowed in 2015 by Yad Vashmen, Israels memorial to Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Ettie Steinberg (1914-42), the only Irish-reared Jewish woman to be murdered in the Holocaust, was brought up at 28 Raymond Terrace, off the South Circular Road, Dublin. It is believed she was born in the former Czechoslovakia. She and her husband, Vogtjeck Gluck, moved to Belgium to be near his familys goldsmith business. Because of the rise of Nazism, they fled and it was in Paris that their son, Leon, was born. They were murdered in Auschwitz on September 4, 1942.

Martha Hillers from Germany wrote her autobiography, Eine Frau in Berlin (A Woman in Berlin) under the name Anonyma (Anonymous). It detailed her experiences of the last days of World War II as she and over one million other women were raped and abused. Immediately after the war, she couldnt get her book published and when it did come out, she was vilified for tackling a taboo subject.

Neus Catala Palleja from Spain was a member of the United Socialist Party of Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War. She was an active collaborator with the French Resistance during World War II and is the only living Spanish survivor of Ravensbruck, one of the largest concentration camps set up by the Nazis especially for women. Palleja turned 100 last year.

The Woman is Present: Womens Stories of WW II is at the Samuel Beckett Theatre from September 14-16. There will be a post show discussion with Deirdre Kinahan on Thursday and Friday. www.smashingtimes.ie.
From Friday some 200 people will converge on a quiet island paradise off the coast of West Cork - in effect doubling its population.

Lying just two kilometres off Castletownbere, Bere Island is ruggedly beautiful destination. Overlooked by the towering Caha Mountain range of the Beara Peninsula its a popular destination for hikers and birdwatchers.

Against this dramatic backdrop a 65-year-old former banker, UN official and freelance journalist, now a Benedictine monk and one of the worlds leading experts on mindfulness and meditation, will provide visitors with the chance to reflect, contemplate and, essentially, refresh their senses.

From Friday September 16th next to Sunday September 18th, the Bere Island Music and Silence Festival programme combines musical concerts and workshops with optional periods of silent meditation, providing an opportunity for members of the public and musicians to share their experiences, learn how to meditate, and discover how meditation can enhance their creative lives.

For Fr Laurence Freeman OSB, who will lead the meditation, its a welcome return to his familys roots  his mother was a native Bere Islander and hes been coming here on a regular basis since 1989.

He first visited the island at the age of 12 in the early 1960s, and, he recalls now, for a young London schoolboy, life on Bere as it was then was a bit of a shock:

It was a simple life; it didnt have all the mod cons. I think the lack of indoor plumbing was the biggest shock - that and being in a rural environment.

It woke me up to a broader experience of life and community and I came to love it. He never actually intended to become a monk at all  after school he worked first as a merchant banker, then with the UN and later even tried his hand as a freelance journalist.

In his mid-twenties, however, John Main, a Benedictine monk with roots in Kerry, whom he had known at school, offered him a chance to learn meditation.

I had met him as a boy in school and had stayed in touch with him over the years, recalls Fr Freeman, who says Main introduced him to meditation during his first year at university. It didnt take at the time.

Oh, I wasnt very disciplined and I found it hard to practise on my own, he confesses.

However, a few years later, when Main set up a special Meditation Centre on the grounds of his Benedictine Monastery in London in the mid-70s, Laurence Freeman, now a young journalist aged about 28, was wildly intrigued: The original idea was to bring in a group of young lay people who would spend six months sharing in the life of the monastery and learning to meditate under his guidance. I was fascinated because from a young age I think I always had a hunger for God and a longing for a deeper spiritual life, yet I lacked the means and the discipline of pursuing that. This seemed to be an opportunity.

I felt meditation was the deeper spirituality that had under pinned everything that the church is about. It was a tough six months, he recalls:

It was hard, it was very focused, very disciplined, he says, adding that the group was surprised by the number of people who suddenly started turning up, knocking on the door of the centre, wanting to learn how to meditate.

These were very ordinary people with young families, who were working. John Main decided to start teaching meditation on a much larger scale.

It really took off  people came from all over London and later all over the world to see him. His six months over, Laurence left the Meditation Centre to return to his fledgling career as a journalist but, he found, the attraction of the newspaper world had melted away.

Eventually he decided to return to the monastery  but this time, to join it.

As soon as I had decided that I felt a great peace come over me, he recalls, adding that he initially worked with John Main, teaching meditation in London. In 1977 they travelled to Montreal in Canada, where they founded a monastery dedicated to Christian meditation.

Laurence was ordained in 1980, and two years later John Main died of cancer. He was only 56. For Laurence, the loss of his old friend and mentor, was devastating.

Eventually he began to travel, teaching meditation all over the world.

The Christian Meditation community began to form as a monastery without walls.

Laurence became Director of The World Community for Christian Meditation, an ecumenical community supported by the Catholic Church, the Benedictine order and other Christian denominations .

Then in 1989, he needed to write. He also needed to go on retreat:

I wanted to go someplace that was quiet, fairly isolated, and make a long silent retreat. Sure where else would he go, but Bere Island?

I rented a house with electricity and a cold water tap and no plumbing for 5 a week. I stayed for two months, got to know the community and fell deeply in love - with the island and its beauty and its people. After that he kept coming to make silent retreats.

Then in the late 1990s the World Community for Christian Meditation acquired a house on the island. They started a meditation group on the island  one of what was by then a network of 300 Christian Meditation around Ireland.

We introduced meditation to children in the island school and they loved it. In fact he still meditates with the children of the school.

He enjoys attending the Music and Silence festival  this is the third to be held on the island.

Theres a fluctuating group of people who come. The numbers have been increasing over the years. Theres a very wide range of music and in fact, music and meditation are woven into the week, so its really about having something for everyone.

Hes passionate about helping people recover the experience of the spiritual in the hectic modern world  and the Bere Island festival is, he believes, a perfect way to do it:

Music opens that door for many, he explains, and meditation is the way in that changes how we see the world.

To find out more about the festival and retreat, see http://westcorkislands.com/event/music-and-silence-festival-2016/ and http://westcorkislands.com/event/health-meditation-retreat/.
For 80 years the polar medals belonging to Antarctic explorer Tom Crean lay at the back of an old wardrobe at the family home of his granddaughter in Kenmare, Co Kerry. For Aileen Crean OBrien, 55, the items were very important family possessions but for anyone interested in exploration they were of huge national significance.

The medals were awarded for Creans exploits including his part in the heroic rescue of the crew of the James Caird lifeboat which put to sea when the ship the Endeavour became jammed in pack ice on the Antarctic shelf on Ernest Shackleton expedition of 1916. The navigation of that small boat across towering seas to South Georgia 1,500km distant through icy winds is regarded as the greatest-ever feat of navigation. Creans subsequent crossing of the unmapped mountains of South Georgia with Shackleton and Frank Worsley to seek help for their shipmates is regarded as one of the greatest feats of mountaineering ever.

The treasured medals were brought back into the limelight with the interest and subsequent publication of Michael Smiths An Unsung Hero in 2000 detailing the exploits of the man from Annascaul, Co Kerry. And then the germ of an idea took hold with Aileen  to honour her grandfather in some manner.

Tom Crean

Fast forward 16 years and she is about to depart for the southern hemisphere to recreate her grandfathers epic journey across South Georgia. She will brave the same towering seas and cross the same inhospitable mountains. She is guided by Shackletons motto by endurance we conquer. By the sounds of it, she will need every ounce of that.

Tom was an inspiration to us when we were growing up. My grandmother Nell lived with us for 20 years and all his stuff and memorabilia was in the house. I became very curious about this man who went to the southern hemisphere three times and what drove him, she says.

As the centenary approached I said its now or never. I made the decision I have to go. She set about putting her team together.

First, her partner Bill Sheppard. Second, her two sons to continue the family tradition, Cian 27, and Morgan 24. Then two very experienced mountain leaders Stephen Venables and Crag Jones.

Aileen Crean OBrien training for the Centenary Crean expedition in Kerry

After the idea took hold, the Irish group undertook some intensive training in the McGillycuddys Reeks with adventure specialist Nathan Kingerlee from Killarney. The group then based themselves in Zakopane, Poland in January and February for further training in the Tatras Mountains in randonne ski touring (uphill and downhill), crevasse rescue and avalanche prevention and rescue.

The lads were already skiiers but Bill had to lean to ski from the get-go, says Aileen.

On September 21 they will fly to Madrid, Santiago, Chile and then onto the Falkland Islands. There they will meet skipper of the Pelagic boat Skip Novak, who will sail the party in his 50ft boat to South Georgia. Novak was an important contact supplied by fellow Kerry person Mike Barry, who was the first Irish person to reach the South Pole.

There they rendezvous with Venables and Jones, who will have just completed another trek in South Georgia, and take a breather. Once acclimatised they will ski across the Shackleton Traverse  going across Crean Glacier and around Crean Lake along the way. They will finish the expedition at the old whaling station at Grytiken before sailing back up to the Falkland Islands to catch flights home to Ireland in October. Grytiken was the whaling station where Crean, Worsley and Shackleton, weak from hunger, stumbled out of the frozen mountains to be met by the astonished Norwegian whaling party. Nobody had ever crossed those mountains before.

Aileen Crean OBrien training for the Centenary Crean expedition in Kerry

It took Creans group 36 hours but Aileen and her team are allowing four days for the crossing. The entire trip will take 35 days. They will spend 14 days encamped on South Georgia practising ski touring, observing the magnificent wildlife and most importantly, visiting the grave of Shackleton. Then its back aboard the Pelagic and recrossing the southern Ocean to the Falklands and the flights home.

Its going to be a long journey from Tom Creans Fish and Wine restaurant in Kenmare to the southern hemisphere and back but Aileens grandfather, in spirit, will be with her every step of the way.

To follow in his footsteps and do that crossing and to get an idea of what he went through and what he saw and for my sons to experience that with me, maybe it will bring out a sense of adventure and let them realise that anything is possible in life, you just have to set your mind to it, she says.

Aidan Dooley will perform his one-man show based on the life of Tom Crean in the Kenmare Bay hotel on September 18 as a fundraiser for the expedition.

www.gogetfunding.com/tom-crean-family-expedition
The Echo has just launched in the UK and Germany, bringing the Alexa virtual assistant to millions of new homes. Here's an idea of what it can do.

It's a super cheesy ad but you get the idea, and the ecosystem for the apps it can access and the 'skills' the Echo can acquire continues to grow. It's a smart assistant who is constantly listening (which isn't creepy, honest!) and capable of playing music, changing your lights and - yes - ordering stuff from Amazon.

Amazon also just announced their new Echo Dot which is a smaller version of the Echo that combines the same features. The biggest difference is that the speakers are a lot smaller, so you might not get room filling sound from services like Spotify.

The Echo costs 150 (175) while the dot goes for a mere 50 (60). It sounds like a great deal, especially the Dot, but naturally it's not quite that simple.

For one, you can't order either device directly to Ireland at the moment, though services like Parcel Motel should get you by that awkwardness. The other potential issue is that it isn't officially supported in Ireland, though some Irish folks on Boards.ie seem to have been getting on fine with many of its functions.

Just make sure it's not a pretty paperweight before you buy!

The Echo launches on the 28th of September, with the Dot following on October 20th.
ZDNet reports that its sources are saying that Microsoft has scrapped the team that was tasked with getting the Band to run Windows 10. These same sources say that Microsoft doesnt intend to release a new Band this year.

Microsoft responded to this report by saying, "We continue to invest and innovate in the Microsoft Health platform, which is open to all hardware and apps partners across Windows, iOS, and Android devices.
Communities across North Clare have been left devastated following the loss of a local hero and dedicated volunteer.

Originally from the scenic Corkscrew Hill area in the Burren, Co Clare, Caitriona Lucas was a 10-year veteran of the Irish Coast Guard and the first member of the service to die in the line of duty.

The mother of two worked with Clare County Councils library service for 16 years and, although mostly based in Ennistymon, worked out of other branches on occasions.

Caitrionas husband Bernard is also a member of the Irish Coast Guard based at Doolin.

Caitriona and Bernard were childhood sweethearts and have been together since they were young teenagers. The couple have two children, Ben and Emma.

A keen dog lover, Caitriona was also a member of the Search and Rescue Dogs Association (Sarda Ireland) and was involved in mountain rescue.

In 2013, she organised a major event in Doolin where mountain rescue teams from across Ireland and the UK gathered. The Mountain Rescue Ireland event was hosted by Sarda Ireland.

Caitriona and Bernard regularly visited primary and secondary schools to provide water safety advice to students.

They loved going to the schools and were excellent at it. They jumped at every opportunity to educate young people in particular about water safety and the work of the Coast Guard, one colleague said.

Earlier this year, Caitriona and Bernard travelled to Iceland with colleagues from across Ireland on a self-financed expedition. While there, they met with colleagues in the Icelandic coastguard.

Coast Guard volunteers and officers at Caitrionas home base in Doolin went about their work yesterday despite being numbed by the tragedy. Volunteers visited the station during the day comforting each other and talking about their loss.

Officer In Charge with Doolin Coast Guard, Mattie Shannon, paid tribute to his colleague.

Caitriona was a great member of the Coast Guard service and achieved the highest level in all aspects of the job she worked so hard for, said Mr Shannon.

She was fast-thinking in changing situations, dedicated, and was an amazing colleague.

She was involved in saving many lives and spent 700 hours a year taking part in Coast Guard activities. Outside of that she organised other events. Caitriona was advanced search and rescue coxswain and only recently achieved highest level in her climbing exams.

Jimmy Dunne signs a book of condolence in memory of Caitriona Lucas, who died while on a rescue mission with the Coast Guard.

Caitriona was the units equipment officer, responsible for logging the stations search and rescue equipment and ensuring it was in working order, and had the job of requesting new equipment if it was required.

One member said the unit, and Caitriona in particular, were regularly commended for recording-keeping, efficiency, and diligence.

Doolin Coast Guard personnel are also highly trained in cliff rescue and have occasionally been called to scale the face of the Cliffs of Moher.

In recent weeks, Caitriona was part of the team that recovered a body from the Aill Na Searrach, part of the Moher range.

In 2012, Caitriona and two colleagues abseiled down a 100ft cliff at Rehy West near Carrigaholt to rescue a young dog that had become trapped on a ledge.

One colleague said: You never expect this to happen to one of your own. Weve all been doing this a long time and we know the dangers. At least I thought I knew the dangers but this has really brought it home to me. None of us can believe it.

I hardly slept last night and Im sure most of us didnt but I cant imagine what Bernard and the children are going through. We all need to rally around them now.

Caitriona was also responsible for the units social media activity and updated Doolin Coast Guard website and Facebook after incidents and other events.

Another colleague said: She was highly dedicated and driven. She was the best at everything and put everything into all that she did. We hear how none of us is indispensable but we have no idea what we are going to do without Caitriona. She was inspirational.

2,657 incidents
Thats how Michael ORegan, a legendary figure in the Irish Coast Guard service who retired last year after a distinguished 50-year career as a volunteer, described the impact of Caitriona Lucass death during a search operation.

My heart is still in the Coast Guard. When I heard about this tragedy, it hit the same as if it was a family member, and thats how it will be felt in the service, he said.

He was one of the countrys longest-serving Coast Guard volunteers when he stepped down as head of the Goleen unit in West Cork last year.

A hugely respected figure, not just in the Irish Coast Guard but among Irelands emergency services, he saw more than his fair share of heartbreak and tragedy over his half-century of voluntary service, being involved in more than 1,000 call-outs, saving over 50 lives and recovering countless bodies.

He said the first death this week of an Irish Coast Guard volunteer in the line of duty will hit the service, both full-time and volunteer, and the communities around Doolin and Kilkee in particular, very, very, hard.

Coastal communities are very tight-knit, said Mr ORegan. The sea is our biggest graveyard and these communities are brought up knowing tragedy. Maybe thats what fosters their sense of service.

The Coast Guard service is like a family within that family of coastal communities  its like one big family. And this is the first tragedy of its kind to hit the Coast Guard.

These volunteers endanger their lives every time they go out. This woman had given her time to serve, she left her family to go out searching for a missing person, and this happened. Its just heartbreaking. It breaks my heart to see.

Caitriona Lucas, who lost her life during a rescue mission in Kilkee when the lifeboat capsized.

Mr ORegan, whose grandfather was in the Coast Guard, recalls going out as a child with his father on coastal training sessions, and being fascinated with the service.

He signed up at the age of 15 and rose through the ranks to become an area officer of the Goleen unit, which patrols one of the most treacherous stretches of coastlines in the country where Atlantic storms lash steep cliffs and rugged headlands and coves along the Mizen peninsula.

He said Coast Guard volunteers are always aware of the dangers involved when the alarm is raised. But he said that, thanks to a high standard of training and a deep commitment to serve and help, those dangers are put to the back of their minds when their pagers go off.

This was clearly evident on Monday evening when, even as details continued to filter in of Ms Lucass death off the west coast, a Coast Guard operation got under way in West Cork.

The alarm was raised at around 9.45pm when a report came in that three children were stranded on Hungry Hill.

The children, aged eight, 10 and 14, had become separated from their parents and ended up cragfast on a ledge near the Mares Tail waterfall on the eastern side of Hungry Hill.

Members of Castletownbere Coast Guard responded and the Waterford-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 provided illumination as the team made their way to the casualties.

The team set up a climbing rig above the children and, assisted by a rescue climber, they were brought to a safer location one by one where they were provided warm clothing and foil blankets.

Members of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team also responded and helped escort the family  believed to be German tourists  off the mountain. The family was checked by the Castletownbere ambulance personnel and did not require medical treatment, and the operation was stood down at 4.15am.

Mr ORegan said Coast Guard volunteers are ready to respond to incidents at any time of the day or night.

For about 40 years, I slept with my pager and phone by the bed, he said. When the alarm went off, you never thought. You just jumped out of bed, and went. You just did your job. And thats the same for every Coast Guard volunteer.

It takes a special kind of person to volunteer. Weve had people who came and went. Some didnt stick with it and would have drifted away. It takes a special breed to stay with it. You have to be dedicated.

People, he said, like the late Joe Notter who, at the age of 83, was still training with Goleen Coast Guard unit two weeks before his death. Two of Joes sons, a nephew and a grandson, followed him into the service.

Mr ORegan said: There is always a danger. Every time you go out, you think of and are always aware of the danger. But you have to put that to the back of your mind.

You dont go out if things are too dangerous or if there is a risk to life. But there is always an element of danger. And freak accidents can happen. You have to balance that risk. But you cant be fearful, otherwise youd never get anywhere.

Despite the inherent risks of the work they do, Mr ORegan said the thousands of men and women around the country who volunteer for Coast Guard duty do so out of a desire to serve and to help families in times of difficulty, immense grief, and tragedy.

When you start a search, you cant give up, he said.

You feel you have to find that missing person one way or the other, to give closure, and some relief to their family. You just keep at it and at it. Ive been on searches for up to 30 days without a break, and you never think of giving up.

He recalls meeting the families of people missing at sea who would look to Coast Guard volunteers for help.

Youd meet these family members every morning during a search and, then in some cases, up to 10 times during the day, giving them updates and information, said Mr ORegan.

They were looking to you for help  Ive seen it in their eyes  theyre depending on you to find their loved ones.

You are the only person who can find their loved ones, and they trust you to do it. And that makes you determined to bring them closure.

You couldnt walk away from that. And its the same with every Coast Guard team member around the country. They want to help the families.

Mr ORegan said Coast Guard volunteers do their work thanks to incredible family support  in his own case, his wife, Anne, was often the person who took that first phone call for help and who, in the days before mobile phones, made the first calls to the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Valentia or other emergency services, and who acted as the link point during a search and rescue operation.

But he said the volunteer spirit is at the core of what the Coast Guard units do.

If youd ask any of them in the morning would they like to get paid for it, theyd laugh at you, he said.

They just want to help, and the satisfaction that comes from the recovery of a body, and the sense of relief that brings to a grieving family  you just couldnt put words on it.
ENDA ABU. The man has his mojo back. More pertinently he has snipers and successors back in their box. For many the box is ministerial office, which affords all the comfort and some of the latitude given to free-range poultry. Better stay there then. Any next outing is likely to be a roasting, and reincarnation as political carrion. A solid middle ground within the Fine Gael parliamentary party has a vested interest in stabilising the status quo, which for now is Enda. Remaining snipers, as Brendan Griffin found out, are too few and isolated. Potential successors in a depleted parliamentary party, within a precarious Government, dare not move precipitously for fear of bringing the Government down. They cannot move rashly either, without fear of leaving the potential support required, for the leadership they seek.

That is only to speak of Fine Gael, Endas last line of defence. Supporters of the status quo consist of virtually every member of the Dail, for now. Many, including Sinn Fein, the Anti Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit, and assorted oppositional independents deny it. But they protest too much. At least, they protest with the certainty of having a safety net that their protests will not bring the House down  for now.

The curtilage of the unlikely edifice Enda has built from the debris of the once grandest government in the history of the State, or at least the one with the largest majority, is Fianna Fail. Renewed, larger, and intent on government at the next election, it wants to play for time and it must. Its next move, if it gets it right, will be the general election, with a return to power and Micheal Martin in the taoiseachs office. Were this to happen, it would be the comeback of them all.

Taoiseach @EndaKennyTD speaking at the Fine Gael Think In. "Many important presentations, incl. on housing." pic.twitter.com/GEzWY9PI24  Fine Gael (@FineGael) September 13, 2016

But for now, that is putative, if tantalising. With 24% of the vote and 44 seats, six of which are in Dublin, it made dramatic strides last February. However, those six seats in Dublin are both a significant gain and a shallow foundation. They must be stabilised, solidified, and built upon. This takes time and a simultaneous widening of the base. That is why the party has washed its hands, Pilate-like, of a water charge. Yes, if you read the fine print, it is a matter of policy for now, not of principle forever. There may be a time when Irish water, having acquired the restorative qualities of Oil of Olay, may be charged for, but not yet, or anytime soon.

Posturing against a water charge is about solidifying its six seats in a left-leaning Dublin. How diminishing the taxbase brings anything left in the longer run is another matter. It is the lesson too for Fianna Fail of losing out on a Dail seat by 35 votes in Dublin South Central. Water charges did in for Sinn Fein in the famous Dublin South West by-election. The resultant dynamic, and growth of a more radical left, has permanently hampered it since. Fianna Fail is determined not to be left stranded by public outrage. Their plan is to keep abreast of it, reassure middle Ireland by taking pro-business stances on issues such as Apple, and wait. The combination of needing time and innate caution will prompt Martin to wait until this Government is brought to the vet, out of mercy, before putting it out of its misery.

There is a further dynamic supporting the status quo that is Enda: The Independents in Government. Attention to John Halligan, a perennial and potentially self- imploding notice box, belies the consistency and solidity of all other Independents in Government in one critical respect  their enjoyment of office. Issues aside, their lack of management to date and the conspicuous lack of a modus operandi within Government to deal with them, one single issue does unite them, and that is a determination to run this Government for the longest term possible. In turn, this bolsters Enda. Those same Independents have no strategic interest in a change of leadership in Fine Gael, which might precipitate an election or hasten one.

Some look back now on the demise in office of Brian Cowen, Bertie Ahern, Albert Reynolds, Charlie Haughey, and Jack Lynch and see an end in failure recurring politically.

But that is telling the story backwards and fails to understand the difficulty of taking out a taoiseach. Most attempts ended in failure. The office is a bulwark and that bulwark is Endas now, in unique and complex circumstances that will likely further assist him.

.@EndaKennyTD speaking at the annual FG Think In: "Gov't is focusing on issues that will improve people's lives." pic.twitter.com/4Tvn25a4XZ  Fine Gael (@FineGael) September 12, 2016

Just as Fianna Fail has fastened on water charges, the other side of that coin is currency for Fine Gael, if the party seizes it. I dont mean actually reintroducing water charges, of course. That is impossible politics in this Dail. What a campaigning Fine Gael could do, to speak effectively to those who walked away from it but might return, is trumpet the principle of a user-pay charge, without suffering the political cost of reintroducing it. The party, however, has proven inept at campaigning.

It won a majority in 2011, the size of which was due almost to its opponents unpopularity. It lost most of that newly found support in 2016, in circumstances where, even if losses were inevitable, the scale was avoidable. Harrumphing now about how louche Fianna Fail is on water charges is less effective because the party itself abandoned the principles on which it governed for four years, in the run-up to the election.

A supplementary estimate of 1.7bn before the budget, to permanently increase the spending base accordingly, puts all the palaver about Apple in the hapenny place. The main thrust of an ineptly articulated Fine Gael electoral offering, to return USC by the wheelbarrow full to taxpayers, is as of this week now off the cards.

So the party took an electoral hit for a combination of wanting economic credibility and political empathy. Now those Dail sets are gone and the money promised to save them is off the table. But that was then, this is now.

Fine Gael could speak persuasively to between one third and half of the population in a conversation based on people paying their way. Water charges are symbolic of that agenda.

So too would delivering investment in third-level based on a combination of fees and loans, as would auto-enrolment in pension schemes for all workers, starting with the largest employers.

Enda has artfully seized on circumstances to sustain his leadership. He believes Brexit is mission- critical for the country and he is right. But the political reward at home, for work done in Brussels is paltry; especially salvaging a least worst outcome.

The challenge for Fine Gael, one it never seizes in Government, is sustaining a wider conversation with the electorate. It may yet be a case of apres moi, le deluge after Enda.
Burma Arakan State Parliament Debates Proposal Against Kofi Annan-led Commission

The Arakan State parliament in session on Wednesday. / Marayu / Facebook

The Arakan State parliament is debating on Wednesday and Thursday this week a proposal from the Arakan National Party (ANP) to withhold recognition from the new Arakan State Advisory Commission chaired by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan.

Lawmakers from the ANP told The Irrawaddy that the proposal was likely to succeed, because the ANP are the largest party in the Arakan State parliament and can rely on the military representatives and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) to gain a majority vote.

The Arakan State Advisory Commission was appointed by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi last month, and consists of nine members: three international, including Kofi Annan, and six from Burma, including two Buddhist Arakanese, two Muslims, and two government representatives. It is mandated to provide a report within a year, with recommendations on resolving the Buddhist-Muslim conflict, and on meeting humanitarian and development needs.

The legal and practical implications of a vote in the state parliament to withhold recognition are unclear. Under the nominally devolved structures outlined in the 2008 Constitution, powers granted to regional governments and parliaments are limited or vaguely defined.

However, ANP members claim that such a resolution would make it difficult for the advisory commission to gain the cooperation of actors on the ground in Arakan State, and cause the commissions recommendations to be rejected by local stakeholders, frustrating implementation.

The ANP represents the interests of the Arakanese Buddhist majority in the state, and takes a hard line against the granting of citizenship rights to the Rohingya Muslim minority.

Earlier this month, an urgent proposal put forward by the ANP in the Lower House of the Union Parliament, calling for international members of the new advisory commission to be replaced with Burmese expertsarguing that the involvement of international figures amounted to an infringement of Burmas sovereigntywas defeated by votes from the ruling National League for Democracy, although it won the support of military and USDP members.

The ANPs U Kyaw Zwa Oo, who represents the state capital Sittwe, submitted the proposal to the Arakan State parliament on Monday. The parliament approved it for debate the same week.

Lawmakers from the ANP said the central government had failed to consult with locals of Arakan State before forming the advisory commission.

We will not recognize this commission, said U Kyaw Lwin of the ANP.

U Pe Than, an ANP lawmaker in the Lower House, claimed to The Irrawaddy that, although the state government remains under the control of the Union government, the state parliament is independent of the Union parliament, according to the constitutionso its decisions can determine how projects are implemented on the ground.

The Union parliament could not pressure the state parliament to recognize, or work with, the Kofi Annan-led advisory commission, he said.

The state parliament represents locals, not the government. The government has to implement decisions reached by the state parliament. It will have problems in the future if it does not do so, he claimed.

U Pe Than said the state parliament had the power to refuse cooperation with the advisory commission, and recognition of its recommendations. The commission will have problems working on the ground if there is no cooperation with the state parliament, he said.

The commission would be powerless in such a situation, he went on, and receive the opposition of locals, who would then pressure the state government to sideline it.

Several hundred local residents emerged to protest the arrival of Kofi Annan and his fellow commission members in Sittwe last week, at the instigation of the ANP.

Buddhist-Muslim conflict broke out in Arakan State in 2012, recurring in 2013 and displacing up to 140,000 people, overwhelmingly Muslim Rohingya, most of whom remain confined to squalid camps with limited access to public services. This has prompted sustained criticism from foreign governments, the United Nations and the international human rights community.
Burma Ethnic Civil Society Groups Want US Sanctions on Burmas Military to Continue

Ethnic Kachin residents of a camp for internally displaced people near the Kachin State capital Myitkyina in July 2015. / Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters

RANGOON  Ethnic civil society groups have urged the US government to keep targeted sanctions on the military and its related entities until it complies with democratic norms and respects human rights.

The US-based civic group Kachin Alliance expressed concern that the administration of US President Barack Obama might further ease or lift remaining sanctions against Burma during State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyis visit this week.

In an open letter dated Monday, the organization said it strongly believes that removing the remaining targeted sanctions on the military, along with its related entities and cronies listed on the Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) roster, and deepening engagement with the Burma Army, would be gravely premature.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in Washington DC on Tuesday evening local time and will meet President Obama and other US officials on Wednesday. The lifting of targeted US sanctions is thought to be high on the agenda.

The countrys first democratically elected, civilian-led government in over fifty years took power in March this year after the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory in the 2015 general election. The government initiated the 21st Century Panglong peace conference last month as the first step toward national reconciliation and political dialogue between the government, the military and ethnic armed groups.

Despite ongoing peace talks, begun in 2011 under the previous government, conflict between the Burma Army and the countrys ethnic armed groups continues. The resumed war between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army, now in its sixth year, has led to the displacement of 120,000 people, now living in 167 camps across Kachin and northern Shan states, the group said.

Kachin Alliance highlighted a number of atrocities committed by Burma Army soldiers that have not been brought to justice. They mentioned the case of Sumlut Roi Ja, a 28-year-old Kachin mother of one who was abducted by soldiers in Oct. 2011, and Gum Seng Awng, a 19-year-old student who was shot dead by two soldiers in June this year.

We would like to urge the United States to keep the sanctions intact until there is compelling evidence that the Tatmadaw [Burma Army] complies with international standards of human rights, adheres to democratic norms, reaches agreeable terms with armed ethnic organizations, and is overseen by the elected civilian government, said the letter.

The military still holds significant power in Burmas parliament, keeping one quarter of the seats, and controls the ministries of home affairs, defense, and border affairs, as granted by the military-drafted 2008 constitution.

Kachin Alliance also called for sanctions on persons featured on the SDN list to remain in place until they demonstrate a clear intention to relinquish their large land holdings and mining concessions in ethnic areas, unjustly acquired through land-grabs and cronyism.

Lway Cherry of the Taang Womens Organization (TWO) also told The Irrawaddy that it is not yet time to ease sanctions on the military and its related enterprises because armed clashes, human right violations, and sexual violence against women in conflict areas continues.

TWO is drawn from the Taang ethnic minority, also known as the Palaung, who are concentrated in northern Shan State. In recent months this area has seen fighting between the Taang National Liberation Army, the Burma Army, and a Shan ethnic armed group, the Shan State Army-South. The conflict has displaced several thousand people and all three armies have been accused of rights violations including abducting, torturing and murdering civilians.

The US should keep the sanctions until there is a genuine federal system providing equal rights to ethnic minorities. she said.
I decided to withdraw from the race myself - former candidate

Two candidates were running for the position of Mayor of the enlarged Goris community. Head of Vorotan community Suren Ohanjanyan, who entered into competition with incumbent Mayor Vachagan Adunts, withdrew from the race several days later. Ohanjanyan says he made the decision himself. Many say that I was forced to withdraw my candidacy but I decided that I am not ready to take up the post yet, he told us on the phone. The former candidate says Adunts has work to finish and has given many promises, which he has not managed to keep. Suren Ohanjanyan has been heading Vorotan community since 2007. Though I have worked as head of a community, Vorotan is a small community and cannot be compared with Goris, especially now when the powers of the new mayor will be enlarged as a result of the consolidation of communities, he said adding that he will support Vachagan Adunts in the elections. On September 18, residents of Goris will go to the polls to vote for a new mayor. After the vote, it will be known whether they want Vachagan Adunts to head their community with ten other villages or not. Asked whether residents might boycott the elections, Mr. Ohanjanyan said, No, people will participate in the elections but I cannot say how they will vote.
Burma KNU Tells Burma Army to Cease Hostilities in Karen State

Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) troops pictured at a frontline base in Papun District, Karen State. / Saw Yan Naing / The Irrawaddy

CHIANG MAI, Thailand  The largest ethnic Karen armed organization, the Karen National Union (KNU), has called on the Burma Army and a Tatmadaw-backed militia, the Border Guard Force (BGF), to cease ongoing military activity in Karen State, saying it could affect the peace process.

The KNU statement, released on Tuesday, comes after more than 3,000 Karen villagers fled their homes last weekend due to clashes between a splinter group of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and joint forces of Burma Army and the BGF in the Mae Tha Waw and Myaing Gyi Ngu areas of Hlaingbwe Township.

The KNU raised concerns that ongoing conflict could increase mistrust of the Burma Army among the Karen public and disrupt the countrys peace process.

There has been a lot of misery and disruption of stability and peace, the statement read. For that reason, we protest military activity by the Burma Army and the BGF forces in an area which is adjacent to the KNU-administered Hpa-an and Papun districts.

The KNU said that it has given priority to the peace process and has been working with the government and the Burma Army, but as the military activity was initiated by the Burma Army and the BGF in nearby KNU-controlled territoriesduring the ongoing peace processsuch acts could in turn affect trust building between the Burma Army and the KNU.

The KNU is the political wing of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and one of eight non-state ethnic armed organizations that signed last years National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the former government.

Saw Thaw Thee Bwe, joint secretary of the KNU, told The Irrawaddy: The current conflict in KNU territories could grow. If there is a misunderstanding, fighting could intensify and spread to other areas. We want concerned parties to stop the fighting as it is causing suffering to civilians.

Since the BGF depends on the Burma Army, we especially want to urge the government army to stop military activity in order to maintain stability and peace. We need trust from the people, said Saw Thaw Thee Bwe.

He also said that two days before releasing the statement, the KNU informed the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC), chaired by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi as well as government military officials, of its concerns, but has so far received no response.

He said that the KNU do not want the conflict to escalate and that leaders are committed to the peace process, but if military activity spreads into our territories, we cant promise anything.

There are KNLA bases near the conflict-torn Mae Tha Waw area including KNLA Brigade 7 troops and the new headquarters of the KNU Lay Wah, also known as Law Khee Lar, to the south. KNLA Brigade 5 troops are stationed to the north in Papun District where the Moei River meets the Salween River.

Several armed groups, including our own troops, occupy the area. Problems could easily escalate if more groups become involved, said Saw Thaw Thee Bwe.

Fighting in the area of Mae Tha Waw came after the DKBA splinter group announced in late August after the death of the groups leader, Maj. Na Ma Kyar, that they would escalate frontline battles if the Burma Army and the BGF kept harassing their troops.

Two officers in the Na Ma Kyar splinter faction, Maj. Saw San Aung and Lt. Kyaw Thet, are on the same Burma Army wanted list as the deceased Maj. Na Ma Kyar, from whom the group takes its name.

Asked whether he thought the Burma Army had hidden motives behind their current offensives, Saw Tha Thee Bwe said that the situation could be contained as long as they only target DKBA leaders on Burma Armys arrest warrant list. Saw Tha Thee Bwe said that things will become complicated if the Burma Army is interested in more than just targeting the DKBA leaders.

There are Burma Army, its ally BGF, the DKBA splinter group, and KNLA troops in Mae Tha Waw region which is adjacent to KNU controlled territories in Hpa-an and Papun District, Karen State.

Those civilians who have fled conflict in the Mae Tha Waw have sought refuge in Myaing Gyi Ngu village in Hlaingbwe Township. Several dozen have also fled to villages across the Thai border in Tha Song Yang District.
Burma Tourism Ministry Warns Guesthouses Against Hosting Foreign Travelers

A road leading to the hotel zone in Bagan. / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYIDAW  The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has warned that it would take legal action against guesthouses that host foreign travelers without proper licenses.

A hotels and tourism law bans guesthouses that operate with municipal permits from accommodating foreign travelers, according to U Myint Htwe, a director within the ministry.

The ministry has issued a law that bans unlicensed guesthouses and guesthouses licensed by departments other than the hotels and tourism ministry from catering to foreign travelers, said U Myint Htwe.

Hotels must apply for licenses from the ministry, but guesthouses do not need to seek ministry approval and can apply for permits from concerned township development committees or departments.

The ministry issued instructions earlier this month to municipal guesthouses stating that they should only use Burmese language signs so that tourists would not understand and would not attempt to stay overnight.

Municipal guesthouse owners that violate the law can be punished with up to three years imprisonment, a fine of 50,000 kyats (US$40), or a combination of the two.

The ministry stated that the instructions were made to provide convenience to foreign travelers.

Foreign travelers are often very tired and want to rest when they arrive. We explain to them that we arent allowed to host them but they dont want to listen. And others just want to save money and our rooms are in good enough condition for them, said a guesthouse owner in Pyay Township of Pegu Division who asked to remain anonymous.

According to sources at the hotels and tourism ministry, there are 1,371 licensed hotels in Burma with more than 53,000 rooms.

The Burmese government predicts 5.5 million tourist arrivals this year, with 2.4 million having arrived by the end of August, according to the ministryalthough the majority of these are said to be day visitors crossing land borders, who are not normally counted according to international tourism standards, and all visitorsincluding business travelersare counted as tourists.
Burma US Senates Burma Act Balances Economic and Political Development

US Senator John McCain speaks to reporters during a visit to Burma in January 2012. / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  The United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations announced legislation on Wednesday to support Burmas economic growth while addressing the countrys human rights issues and need for constitutional reform and national reconciliation.

The Burma Strategy Act of 2016 covers economic assistance, military cooperation, US investment, reforming Burmas extractive industries, and US sanctions, according to a statement released by the US Senate.

Senior US senators Ben Cardin, ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, and John McCain, chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, launched the Act of 2016. Both senators will meet with Burmas State Counselor and Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during her visit to Washington DC this week.

Senator Cardin said the legislation looks to build on Burmas progress while being clear-eyed about lingering concerns regarding human rights, the plight of the Rohingya, the role of the military in Burmese society and politics, ethnic and national reconciliation, broad-based economic development, and the constitutional reform necessary to facilitate and complete Burmas transition, according to the statement.

The legislation sets out guidelines and benchmarks for relieving sanctions based on the US Secretary of States assessment of progress on key criteria including democracy, good governance, ethnic reconciliation, legal reforms and the treatment of military-owned enterprises.

The Act authorizes economic assistance to civil society organizations and humanitarian projects and calls on international financial institutions to encourage transparency and accountability in Burma.

It announces the creation of a Burma-American Development Fund to fuel private sector investment in companies that reach international standards for labor, the environment, transparency, corruption, and human rights.

The Act also authorizes limited military to military cooperation, particularly in regards to Burmas peace process. A Gemstone Strategy Report will support efforts by the National League of Democracy-led government to bring good governance to the mining industry, the statement says.

This legislation seeks to usher in a new era of relations between our two countries that will support continued progress towards democracy, human rights and peace for the Burmese people, Senator McCain said. I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen our ties during Aung San Suu Kyis historic visit to Washington this week.
Burma White House: US Sanctions on Burma Must Not Prevent Investment

US President Barack Obama greets Burmas State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during the Asean-US Summit in Vientiane, Laos, September 8, 2016. / Reuters

WASHINGTON DC, United States  US President Barack Obama will consult with Burmas State Counselor and Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during her visit on Wednesday on whether to further ease US sanctions to help investment and the democratic transition in Burma, the White House has said.

The US eased some sanctions against Burma earlier this year to support political reform but maintained most of its economic restrictions with an eye toward penalizing those it views as hampering the democratically elected government.

We want to make sure our sanctions are not preventing the type of economic development and investment that would help the people of Burma, White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes told a conference on Tuesday ahead of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis visit to Washington DC.

We want to get her thinking on what we can do that is most effective in promoting the democratic transition and promoting greater economic growth, he said.

Rhodes listed several areas of concern in Burma that needed to be addressed, including constitutional reform, the treatment of the Muslim minority and military interference in politics.

Waiting for all of those problems to be resolved could mean the sanctions would not be lifted for another decade, he said.

Rhodes noted US officials often are told that the sanctions had a chilling effect on investment and they have been a frustration and a concern for US businesses worried that they might inadvertently trade with a blacklisted person or entity.

Rhodes said decisions on lifting sanctions would seek to balance the need to show that more work needs to be done while also giving credit to Burmas democratic progress.

Rhodes stressed that certain restrictions would remain, including on engagements with the military, given its outsize role in politics.

Some of the remaining sanctions are the result of executive order, meaning that they can be undone by the president, while others were brought about by congressional legislation and can be removed only by such action.

Senior US senators planned on Tuesday to introduce legislation to preserve a focus on human rights issues in Burma, amid expectations that the Obama administration will further ease or lift sanctions

According to a summary seen by Reuters, the legislation sets benchmarks and guidelines on sanctions relief, by calling on the US Secretary of State to assess and make recommendations regarding modifying or lifting sanctions, with a focus on issues such as democracy and ethnic reconciliation.

The legislation authorizes economic assistance to support civil society organizations and provide humanitarian assistance. It also creates a Burma-America Development Fund to provide incentives for private sector investment in the country.

It also authorizes limited military-to-military engagement between the United States and Burma and calls for a report on the countrys gemstone industry.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, meets Obama at the White House on Wednesday in what is likely to be their last meeting of his presidency.

She is barred from holding Burmas presidency by a junta-drafted constitution but holds several government posts including state counselor and foreign minister.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi helped persuade the West to impose sanctions during her years as an opposition leader under house arrest. Now she is seeking to balance illustrating the economic rewards of a democratic transition while keeping pressure on her countrys still powerful generals for more reform.
Business Burmas Business Community Pushes for Lifting of US Sanctions

U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Max Myanmar Group of Companies, speaks to Reuters during an interview in Rangoon on March 8, 2012. While he remains on a US sanctions list, there is speculation that he could be removed. / Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters

RANGOON  Members within the Burmese business community anticipate a decision on the future of US economic sanctions on Burma during State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyis official visit to the country this week.

Former general U Shwe Mannwhose son Toe Naing Mann owns several businesses in the financial, agricultural, and communications sectorsshared his own thoughts on the sanctions on Tuesday, expressing his hope that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will convince the US to lift remaining economic restrictions on the country during her trip to Washington DC.

I would like Daw Aung San Suu Kyi come back from UK, USA, and UN trips carrying gold and diamond pots for the country and the people, U Shwe Mann wrote on his Facebook page, a reference to a well-known Burmese saying that parents wish to see the son carrying home a pot of gold.

The State Counselor arrived in the US on Wednesday and American authorities have said that matters related to economic sanctions, economic growth during Burmas transition period, internal peace and ongoing tension in Arakan State will be on the agenda for discussion.

U Khin Shwe, chairman of the Zaykabar Group of Companies, has been on the sanctions list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) for more than a decade. He told The Irrawaddy that he hopes Daw Aung San Suu Kyis trip to the US will result in the lifting of sanctions so that he has the option of working with American investors.

As long as sanctions are active, we cannot work well. Even other countries are also hesitant to invest here, he said.

The consequence is if sanctions remain, there will be no new job opportunities and no new investment, so people will suffer it and it could bring us backward. The US will have to take responsibility for this, he said.

U Khin Shwe said US officials have asked him several questions to determine whether he should be removed from the SDN list.

Ive been asked by them about land grabbingwhether Im still involved or not. I told them Im no longer involved in it, but nothing has changed, he said.

Even if the SDN list were amended, military-backed businesses would continue to face economic restrictions.

U Thein Tun, chairman of the Tun Foundation and Myanmar Bankers Association, said that some military-backed businesses and arm dealers in particular expect to remain on the sanctions list.

The US government needs to consider that many businessmen remaining on the sanctions list are doing work internationally, and the countrys recent economy is not good. It should consider the situation seriously, he said.

The Irrawaddy spoke with the chairman of the Max Myanmar Group of Companies U Zaw Zawalso on the SDN liston Wednesday amid speculation that sanctions against him could be removed. He said it was too early to comment.

In the lead-up to Daw Aung San Suu Kyis trip to the US, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a statement on Sept. 9 recommending that the US not ease economic sanctions against Burma.

White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes told a conference on Tuesday ahead of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis visit to Washington DC that we want to make sure our sanctions are not preventing the type of economic development and investment that would help people in Burma, Reuters reported.

We want to get her thinking on what we can do that is most effective in promoting the democratic transition and promoting greater economic growth, Rhodes said.

Rhodes also described several areas of concern in Burma, including constitutional reform, the treatment of the Muslim minority and military interference in politics.
Wednesday, September 14th, 2016 (11:48 am) - Score 1,193

The European Internet Services Providers Association, which represents ISPs from across the UK and EU, has warned that the European Commissions new Digital Single Market proposals include regressive measures that could make ISPs more responsible for the activity of their users.

At present the EUs Safe Harbour provisions exist to remove Internet access and content providers, in certain circumstances, from liability for the illegal activity of their customers. This is necessary because its often unrealistic to expect that a commercial ISP can completely control what their users say, do or post online, particularly as access providers can only control content on their own servers and not the wider Internet.

Similarly it would be very difficult to run any kind of interactive news or social network if the entire website or company suddenly took on liability for what an individual user posted, which could also threaten free speech. Commercial companies also make for terrible law enforcement agencies and may adopt judgements in order to protect their business rather than the user or free speech.

The complex issues were aptly demonstrated this week by Facebooks initial and much derided decision to ban the historic picture of a naked child caught up in Vietnam war (here). Suffice to say that Internet content providers can easily find themselves caught between a legal rock and a hard place, which wont be helped by a decision that could force them to accept even more liability.

EuroISPA Statement In todays copyright modernisation proposal, the Commission has rocked the legal foundations of Europes digital economy  namely the intermediary liability safe harbours of the E-Commerce Directive  and has put a chill on information society innovation  by paving the way for the introduction of news article snippet taxes across Europe. We note with concern that the EC is seeking: * to force hosting sites to monitor user-uploads for similarity to works where media companies claim copyright, and empower those companies to prevent the upload from working;

* to give media companies a new power to control the distribution of news articles for 20 years. Meanwhile, photographers are left at risk of being sued for copyright infringement by architects when they take a photo with a building in the background; the Commission has passed up the opportunity to introduce a so-called panorama exception to fix this problem. Taken together, these issues point to a legislative proposal which contains little progressive measures for digital citizens and providers of innovative online services. EuroISPA has consistently advocated for a copyright framework that supports consumer rights and promotes the development of innovative, crowd-based online services  the kind of reforms that could open up a true Digital Single Market. Unfortunately, the European Commission today rejected the opportunity to make Europe a regulatory leader in this regard.

As usual the EC has presented its new proposals (here) in a more positive light and you have to read between the lines to find the more regressive elements (here).
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When Apple held an event on the first week of September, it disclosed all the exciting features of the new iPhone devices. The iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus both come with some groundbreaking changes that fans have not seen Apple make.

For starters, the headphone jack has been completely removed. Also, the devices have been officially designed to be waterproof. However, there are other details about the new iPhones that might have deserved more focus than were originally given.

iPhone 7 Battery Details

According to a GSMArena post, a TENAA listing showed that the new iPhones have indeed increased in battery size. This confirms rumors from months ago saying that the iPhone 7 devices will come with bigger batteries.

The iPhone 7 comes with a 1960 mAh battery, which is amazingly the same figure as what was rumored before. Its predecessor only had a 1715 mAh battery, which means that Apple actually managed to increase the battery size of the new iPhone by 14 percent.

The iPhone 7 Plus also has an increased battery size. According to the post, the larger Apple variant comes with 2900 mAh battery. This is about 150 mAh over the battery size of the iPhone 6S Plus. This may not be as big of an improvement as people might expect, but it's not as bad either.

A 2900 mAh battery is actually a very big step for Apple, especially when compared it to previous iPhones. Furthermore, it is also a good sign that the company is competing with the battery size of most mid-range to high-end Android phones, where a 3000 mAh battery seems to be a minimum standard.

Needless to say, a device's battery size doesn't always indicate its battery life. Chipset performance and display may both affect a phone's battery life. Furthermore, now that the iPhone 7 devices have already been disclosed, it won't take a lot of time until a battery life test will be performed by external sources. Apple actually has battery life claims as well, but fans are usually more excited to see whether Apple's claims would match its followers' battery tests or not.

iPhone 7 Antutu Results

According to the same source, the iPhone 7's Antutu score is quite impressive. The phone managed to score about a third more than what the iPhone 6S got when it first arrived. According to the Antutu benchmark, the OnePlus 3 is the best Android phone performance-wise.

However, the iPhone 7 markedly beats the OnePlus 3 according to recent results. The newly released Apple flagship boasts A10 Fusion chips and a quad-core processor, which can easily beat Android phones' Snapdragon SoC chip in many ways.
Verizon has announced on Monday, Sept. 12, its acquisition of Sensity Systems. The acquisition is part of Verizon's plan of building a diverse Internet of Things (IoT) portfolio that includes sensors used on city streets and on farms.

Verizon Buys Sensity

The wireless carrier Verizon has announced its acquisition of Sensity Systems on its company's website. The amount of the transaction has remained undisclosed at the moment.

According to Computerworld, Sensity is a company based in Sunnyvale, Calif., that is specialized on using energy-efficient LED lighting to build an IoT platform on city streetlights. This smart IoT platform can include the use of sensors placed on a streetlight pole for monitoring city services such as public safety and parking, as well as monitoring weather.

Sensity's Accomplishments

Sensity began a project last year in collaboration with Cisco in Kansas City, Mo. They plan to install LED streetlights that can be fine tuned in order to offer precise ambient light conditions. According to estimations, this system can save Kansas City around $4 million a year.

Sensity has raised around $75 million with various investors, including VCs like Trinity, Almaz, and Mohr Davidow and strategic investors like General Electric and Cisco Systems. The company has already a number of important customers, such as the City of Chicago and 42 smart city installations located worldwide, as well as the Westfield chain of shopping malls.

Verizon's Plans For Sensity Systems

According to TechCrunch, Verizon's acquisition of Sensity Systems can help the carrier's wider Internet of Things "smart city" business. Verizon's ThingSpace will integrate Sensity's technology and business. Tech market analysts expect that the deal will close in Q4 2016.

Verizon just made another pair of acquisitions this year, to build out IoT solutions for vehicles. The carrier bought Telogis in June and Fleetmatics in August.

"Sensity is a leading provider of IoT solutions for smart communities with a strong ecosystem of partners, and this transaction will accelerate the deployment of large-scale implementations that will drive the digital transformation of cities, universities and venues,"

Mike Lanman, senior vice president, Enterprise Products and IoT at Verizon, said in a statement that Sensity Systems has a strong ecosystem of partners. This transaction is expected to accelerate Verizon's deployment of large-scale IoT projects.
South Korean tech giant Samsung released its latest monster phone model, the Galaxy Note 7, on Aug. 19, which was less than a month before the grand launch of Apple's iPhone 7. The battle between the two mobile tech leaders though already seems to reach its conclusion as the Note 7 is facing its doomsday with its numerous defects.

The sale of Samsung's latest flagship is now on hold as it was found to be prone to bursting into fire. Days after it was officially released on global markets, Samsung Galaxy Note 7's sale was halted and is now hurting the company's name and fame as everyone seems to be shifting to Apple because of the dangerous defects of the said smartphone.

A shocking story came out just a week after Samsung made a recall of the Galaxy Note 7, wherein a 6-year-old boy from New York was rushed to the hospital after hurting himself from an exploding unit of the model. According to reports, the young boy was just going through a couple of videos with his smartphone when it suddenly exploded.

Linda Lewis, the boy's grandmother, claimed that the explosion led to their house alarms getting activated, New York Post reports. With burns to his body, her 6-year-old grandson was taken to Downstate Medical Center for immediate treatment. Lewis' family already reached Samsung about the incident, but has remained silent about the details of their conversation.

Prior to this disturbing incident, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission gave the public a warning on how dangerous the observed defect of the Galaxy Note 7 Lithium-Ion batteries could be. The agency has advised owners to stop using the device. Samsung admitted receiving complaints about the battery malfunctions of the Note 7 and ordered a global suspension of the phone sales and recall of units that were already sold.

But while these defects are resounding in the news, there is a way for owners to find out if their unit is safe or not. According to GSM Arena, there are units produced that are unlikely to explode. One only needs to check out the big blue "S" and a small black box near the handset color indication on the bar code label of the handset's box. The "S" label is said to be an indication that the device is "Safe" and does not contain the faulty battery that prompted the recent sales recall.
In time for the 20th death anniversary of the iconic rapper Tupac Shakur on Tuesday, Sept. 13, the second trailer for his biopic "All Eyez On Me" was released. The movie starring Demetrius Shipp Jr. is scheduled for release on Nov. 11.

Directed by Benny Boom under Morgan Creek Production, the film is closely based on the life of the rapper from his journey to becoming one of the greatest rap performers until his untimely death after a drive-by shooting.

Official Release Of 'All Eyez on Me' Initial Trailer

Earlier in June, the first trailer for the film was released in time for the West Coast-based rapper's 45th birthday. The initial teaser featured shots of an FBI raid and the famous courthouse interview that Shakur made in 1994.

The film is set to cover the most important details in the legendary rapper's life from how he survived the hip hop rivalry between the east and the west coast to his incarceration and involvement in political activism. The trailer also features Shakur's stage performances.

Tupac Biopic Pre-production

Despite the initial scuffles in production, "All Eyez On Me" finally pushed through.

There were earlier reports that the targeted release date for the film was September 2016, aiming to make it in time for the rapper's 20th death anniversary. However, the people behind the production had to face song copyright issues that the release date had to be pushed back. Instead, the company decided to release another trailer to hype Tupac biopic's November release.

Movie Casting

Based on IMDB, notable movie stars who would be in the portrayal of Tupac's life include Jamal Woolard who will play the American rapper, The Notorious B.I.G., and "The Walking Dead" cast members Danai Gurira and Lauren Cohan who would play the roles of Afeni Shakur and Leila Steinberg, respectively.
Disneys Live  Action Mulan film is official and the staged petition against whitewashing is flooded with 90,000 signatures and counting.

When the remake of the famous animated classic was announced last year, it stirred controversies causing fans to express their concerns about casting preferences.

According to Variety, Former Sony Pictures executive Doug Belgrad will co-finance 6 Sony movies that include the reboot of Mulan as a live  action movie. The project intends to shoot in China with a Chinese associate and a mostly Chinese cast members.

The live-action "Mulan" movie is based on an aged Chinese legend about a historical figure Hua Mulan who presumed her fathers role in the army. She is titled as one of the highly skilled warriors China has produced.

Metro noted that petition organizer Natalie Molnar highlighted that casting white Caucasian actors and actresses in roles originally meant to be characters of colour exhibited a direct and harmful impact on both the film and its viewers.

Whitewashing implies that people of colour cannot be heroes (although they may at times be villains or supporting characters), leaving it far more difficult for countless children around the world to see themselves in the stories they love and think that they too can make a difference.

It perpetuates a standard of beauty and goodness wherein whites are considered the ideal and norm despite that not only are Americans diverse, but the entire world is, Molnar elaborated.

It is just right to uphold multi -cultural sensitivity when applying the live version of the film. The cast and crew have to be highly considerate of the diversity that we have on a global scale.

Matt Damons new film The Great Wall was also blamed of whitewashing the history of Chinese.

Film makers indeed should draw the lines in choosing the actors that will play pivotal roles as they may affect the standards of the movie industry especially the legacy and customs of various nations.
For most smartphone manufacturers, the real battle is in the lower-end and mid-range markets. While the high-end smartphones are usually showcased, the bulk of sales really happen in the lower and mid-range segments. Samsung has two smartphones in the mid-range segment in the form of the Galaxy J7 Prime and Galaxy C7, handsets that would satisfy most consumers.

When it comes to specs, the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime and Galaxy C7 come with few differences. The Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime uses Samsung's own Exynos 7870 processor while the Samsung Galaxy C7 uses the Snapdragon 625. For the display screens, the Galaxy J7 Prime uses an IPS LCD screen while the Galaxy C7 is a Super AMOLED phone.

For internal storage, the Galaxy J7 Prime comes with 32 GB storage and 3 GB RAM. The Galaxy C7 can either have 32 GB or 64 GB of storage and 4 GB of RAM, as shown by GSM Arena's specs comparisons of the two smartphones. The Galaxy C7 is also slightly larger with its 5.7-inch display against the Galaxy J7 Prime, which only has a 5.5-inches panel.

The Galaxy J7 Prime has a 13 MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. The Galaxy C7 has a 16 MP rear camera and an 8 MP front camera. Perhaps what people would note most is the price difference. The Galaxy J7 Prime is sold at $282 while the Galaxy C7 is at $397, according to University Herald.

Both smartphones have microSD support and can be expanded up to 256GB. Both also have Android Marshmallow 6.01 as their OS. In terms of performance based on specs, the Samsung Galaxy C7 has the edge with its much higher specs, though it does come at a higher price. Many might find the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime to be a bit more affordable, even though its specs might be a little low.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime gives value for money without sacrificing too much on specs. Most will find that for its price specs, it is a very good smartphone. For those who wouldn't mind slightly lower specs, the Galaxy J7 Prime would be good. For those who would want more but would not want to spend high-end prices, the Galaxy C7 offers specs that can rival many high-end smartphones.

Both smartphones give the mid-range market devices that deliver and yet do not cost too much. Both smartphones can be good alternatives to higher-end models.

iTechPost reports that the HTC Vive will be coming out at this year's Tokyo Game Show.
Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang has introduced the Tesla P4 and Tesla P40 new GPUs at the GPU Technology Conference currently underway in Beijing.

According to TechMeme, Nvidia Corp. has unveiled two new graphics processing unit (GPU) chips that cater to deep learning, a fast-growing branch of artificial intelligence (AI). Details about the new Nvidia GPUs are presented in a press release published on company's website. The chips are based on Nvidia's deep learning AI platform based on Pascal architecture.

According to SiliconAngle, Nvidia had first entered officially the deep learning market in April when the company announced its 15-billion transistor Tesla P100 chip catering to deep learning applications. The Nvidia Tesla P100, P4 and P40 provide the only end-to-end deep learning platform for the data center. These advanced GPUs are helping to unlock the power of AI for a wide range of industries, according to Ian Buck, general manager of accelerated computing at Nvidia.

The Tesla P4 and P40 are designed specifically for inferencing, while the Tesla P100 focuses on training tasks. The newly launched P4 and P40 GPU's are able to recognize images, speech, or text using trained deep neural networks, in response to queries from devices and users. The new GPUs are four times faster than the GPU chips unveiled a year ago and have a response rate that is 45 times faster compared to CPUs, according to Nvidia.

The Tesla P4's comes with a low-power design, starting at 50 watts. Compared to CPUs, the low-power design of P4 makes the GPU 40 times more efficient in conducting inferencing in production workloads. The Tesla P40 offers maximum performance with 47 tera-operations per second (TOPS) of inference performance. Only eight Tesla P40 accelerators can replace 140 CPU servers, according to Nvidia.

According to Forbes, the two new GPUs unveiled by Nvidia come to support the company's efforts to grow its share in the artificial intelligence market. Already, Nvidia's GPUs have become the standard for training deep learning AI algorithms. Now Nvidia is focusing on the so-called "inference" part of deep learning.
SpaceX might have suffered a setback when its Falcon 9 rocket exploded, but recent reports state that the space firm is ready to resume its program. Flights would resume by November, as its President has said in a conference in Paris.

Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell said that flights would resume sometime November. It was her first public appearance since the accident last September 1, which destroyed the Falcon 9 along with an Israeli telecommunications satellite which Facebook was planning to use in order to improve internet connection in Africa, Bloomberg noted.

At the Paris conference, Shotwell also said that Space Exploration Technologies Corp. would take another look at the rocket, though she did not elaborate as to what would be done. The cause of the rocket explosion is still being determined, and a full-scale investigation is underway.

Though the Falcon 9 rocket was destroyed last September 1, a source close to SpaceX's plans said that the first flight on November would be a Falcon 9 rocket, according to Reuters. It would not be the Falcon Heavy rocket, which was scheduled earlier before the explosion occurred.

The Falcon Heavy would be the largest rocket that the SpaceX program would launch, having 27 engines to the Falcon 9's nine engines. The Falcon Heavy would likely see a launch early 2017 instead.

SpaceX will be using the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in November, though it also maintains a launch site on the West Coast in Vandenberg Air Force base. The West Coast site could also support a launch this November if needed.

SpaceX has hoped to use the West Coast site for a launch this September for Iridium Communications Inc. Pending the investigation's results, all launches have been postponed. SpaceX as of now is said to have a backlog of around 70 missions. Before the accident, it has flown the Falcon 9 27 times with only one failure.

The Falcon 9 explosion has been reported by iTechPost in a previous report.
Vahan Babayan says he has not been offered ministerial portfolio (video)

Vahan Babayan, Chairman of the newly formed Reformists political party, says the government led by former Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan managed to maintain the pace needed to ensure stability in the country. However, the pace was not satisfactory to achieve tangible results and develop the country. The lawmaker says the resignation of Hovik Abrahamyan and the appointment of his successor, Karen Karapetyan, should be analyzed in terms of the countrys development. It is too early to speak about desires. Some want Armenia to resemble Singapore, but no government will be able to realize the wishes and imagination of its people in 6-7 months. We should not deceive ourselves, Mr. Babayan said. He stresses that in order to ensure development we should first form a good team of managers, who will be able to register success in a short period of time thanks to their hard work. The new government should try something like Blitzkrieg, take drastic steps and find quick solutions. I think it is wrong to give early assessments for I do not know whether the cabinet will do it or not, the lawmaker said. In reply to A1+s observation that according to press reports he is likely to receive a ministerial portfolio in the new government, Mr. Babayan said he had not received such an offer. Once I receive the offer, I shall think about it, he said. The lawmaker added that he had proposed changes in social, economic, environmental, energy sectors and was ready to cooperate with the new government.
Now that the iOS has already been released, there are people having jailbreaking concerns, this is after the latest jailbreak tool from Pangu was rendered useless by the next iOS update. Luckily, popular iOS hacker Luca Todesco has recently tested jailbreaking the iOS 10 for everyone to see. Todesco once got the internet's limelight for jailbreaking iOS 9.3.4 after the update patched the previous jailbreak.

iOS 9.3.3 Jailbreak Rendered Useless

One of the reasons why a lot of iOS users have been waiting for iOS 10 is because the previous iOS update had a major impact on jailbroken devices. According to sources, people with jailbroken iOS 9.3.3 devices who have updated to the next iOS version, now have useless jailbreaks.

The said patch update by Apple targeted the security of iOS devices. According to the sources, the company is protecting the devices from a spyware that was accessing the devices' messages, emails, locations, calls, and even contacts. This spyware was first caught in August when a suspicious link was sent to Ahmed Mansoor, a human rights activists who did not take any chances and sent the link immediately to Lookout smartphone security firm.

iOS 10 Jailbreak

In a recently released YouTube video, Todesco showed that an iOS 10 jailbreak is possible. This is despite the existence of Apple's KPP or kernel patch protection that severely challenged the jailbreaks of recent versions of iOS.

The said jailbreak demo of Todesco was performed on what looks like an iPad Pro 9.7 device. The video description also says that the demo is for a 64bit-only jailbreak. Furthermore, the jailbreak demonstration might have used a home screen app that is assumed to be an app with jailbreak code that was developed by the hacker himself.

While the said demo was shown to public, the jailbreak tool itself probably won't be released by Todesco. This is why jailbreak fans are looking forward to Pangu's iOS 10 jailbreak tool. IBTimes reported that the Chinese hacking team is working hard on it for fans to enjoy by October.
After the having several explosion and combustion cases all around the globe, Samsung did a recall to their Galaxy Note 7 and aired a software update for a temporary fix.

Samsung's software solution is designed to keep users who have not yet returned or swapped their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 after the Samsung's voluntary product recall safe from harm. This software update, upon installation in the device, will cap the battery's recharge capacity at 60 percent only which will hopefully prevent the phone from overheating. In most cases where the Note 7 burst into flames, the battery has been charging and possibly close to reaching 100 percent capacity.

As far as investigations are concerned, the terminal and cathode of the battery would sometimes touch in the devices, flaring up in flames and causing physical injuries and property damages to users. The software update is considered to be a quick, temporary, yet effective fix to prevent future problems.

Samsung will release the update on September 20 in South Korea and the company is in full cooperation South Korean newspapers for the entire dissemination of the information about the software update. It is unknown yet when the U.S. and other parts of the world will receive the update, but the tech giant is still coordinating with the American government for the said recall, following a note from the Consumer Product Safety Commission which urged users not to use the Galaxy Note 7 for now.

The Galaxy Note 7 launch has pretty much been a disaster for Samsung, with dozens of reports about phones exploding and injuring users. Paradoxically, it is still one of Samsung's most well-reviewed devices.

A battery limit isn't the most high-tech fix, and it's undefined if that is adequate solution to actually avoid explosion issues totally but Samsung can't afford to be steadfast by continuous stories of its flagship phones hurting users.
One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Japan's Sakurajima, is due for a major eruption in the next 25 years or so, scientists have found.

Located in southern Kyushu, the volcano has last erupted in 1914, killing 58 people in the nearby city of Kagoshima. Today, the coastal city is home to more than 600,000 people.

A team of researchers developed new techniques in mapping the natural plumbing system of the volcano. This method aims to assess magma build up underneath the volcano, signaling another big eruption in the near future.

"What we have discovered is not just how the magma flows into the reservoir, but just how great the reservoir is becoming," said lead investigator, Dr. James Hickey from the Camborne School of Mines at the University of Exeter. He authored the study while he was at the University of Bristol along with scientists from the Sakurajima Volcano Research Centre in Japan.

The researchers found that the 1914 eruption has a magma volume of about 1.5 km cubed in volume. They estimate that it will take about 130 years for the volcano to store the same amount for another huge eruption. This means that it may take only about 25 years from now.

Apparently, the rate at which the volcano releases magma during small eruptions can't compensate the rate at which magma accumulates. In fact, about 14 million cubic meters of magma accumulate every year.

"A thorough understanding of the rate and volume of magma supply and accumulation, and their thermomechanical controls is essential for continued monitoring and eruption forecasting at Sakurajima volcano, and volcanoes worldwide," Dr. Joachim Gottsmann, co-investigator from the University of Bristol said.

Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the European Commission VUELCO project and the University of Bristol International Strategic Fund helped fund this project. The study could help scientists predict estimated times at which volcanoes may erupt through the use of new and pioneering methods.

The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
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Political analyst: New constitution opens up new opportunities for PM (video)

Armenia is becoming a parliamentary republic, and we did not simply change the countrys PM, political analyst Levon Shirinyan said commenting on Karen Karapetyans appointment as Armenias Prime Minister. It is equivalent to a chancellors post and is based on the German model, he said. The political analyst thinks that the crisis, which started in Armenia and Artsakh in April, as well as the armed rebellion organized by the Sasna Dzrer group forced the Kremlin to conduct balanced negotiations. He says Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan masters the technology of politics and no one will tell him to leave his post one day. If I were him, I would quickly consolidate power in my hand. After the formation of the new cabinet, I would assume the functions of a chancellor and no one would be able to disturb or bother me, Mr. Shrinyan said. The political analyst does not want Karen Karapetyan to be remembered as an ordinary premier. The new prime minister can work with old and new persons. He could compromise on certain issues because he needs to think about our economy and the poor situation of the country. I think there must be a gentleman's agreement. He added. Levon Shirinyan says the new constitution opens up new opportunities for the new PM if the latter really wants to have his contribution to the history of his nation.
What is a Jew? Israeli museum attempts an answer

JERUSALEMI was on a short visit to Israel and spent time with a friend with whom I have been engaged in a 30-year argument. Elli...

When anti-Semitism rears its head, we must be ready to fight it

Anti-Semitism is a force that is persistent as well as pernicious. When it occurs, it must be fought both by being confronted in real time...
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Wake Forest University kept its position among the top 30 national universities in the U.S. News and World Reports annual Best College rankings.

WFU was ranked 27th, tied with Tufts University and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, according to the magazines rankings released Tuesday.

WFUs ranking for 2017 was unchanged from last year, and it marks the 21st consecutive year that the magazine ranked the school in the top 30 in its national universities category, the university said.

We are pleased at this recognition of the exceptional education Wake Forest provides, WFU President Nathan Hatch said. We have an outstanding faculty of teacher-scholars committed to engaging their students, not as passive learners in the classroom, but as active, problem-solving thinkers.

Wake Forest also was ranked fifth on the magazines Strong Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching list, 28th on its Best Values list, and 36th among national universities on the High School Counselors Top Picks list. The universitys undergraduate School of Business was ranked 38th.

Among the top national universities, the magazine ranked Princeton University first. Harvard University was ranked second, and the University of Chicago and Yale University were tied for third. Duke University was ranked eighth, tied with the University of Pennsylvania. UNC Chapel Hill was ranked 30th.

N.C. State University was tied at 92nd with Florida State University, the University of Vermont and the University of Colorado at Boulder. UNC Charlotte was ranked 202nd, East Carolina University was ranked 210th and UNC Greensboro was ranked 220th.

Appalachian State University was ranked third in the public Southern regional university category and ninth overall in the Southern regional university. Among public universities, UNC Chapel Hill was No. 5 for the 16th consecutive year.

ASU Chancellor Sheri Everts said she was pleased that the magazine recognized Appalachian State.

Since its inception, Appalachian has had one vision  putting students first by providing access to a transformational education, Everts said. This recognition speaks to our longstanding commitment to quality in teaching, research and service, as well as to the stellar faculty and staff who prepare our students to lead purposeful lives as engaged citizens.

Winston-Salem State University was tied for 32nd among the magazines top Historically Black Colleges and Universities; tied for 37th in the public Southern regional university category; tied for 91st in the overall Southern regional university category, and tied for 446th for its business programs.

Being recognized in rankings is always a feel-good moment for us, WSSU Chancellor Elwood Robinson said. We appreciate when others can see what we know about our university  that we provide our students a high-quality education that prepares them for whatever comes next in life.

High Point University was the top Southern regional college for the fifth consecutive year. Greensboro College was 51st among Southern regional colleges. Elon University was top regional Southern university.

Salem College was ranked 122nd among national liberal arts colleges. Guilford College was 146th in that category.

While we know that colleges rise and fall in rankings depending on the study and methodology, Salem is consistently ranked one of the best womens colleges in the nation, said Katherine Knapp Watts, Salem Colleges vice president.
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

The London pan-Arab daily al-Quds al-`Arabi reports that the truce that began Monday night held during its first twenty-four hours, in the areas designated for a cease-fire by Russia and the United States. The boom of artillery fire faded away at nightfall on Monday. It coincided with the beginning of the Muslim holy day, Eid al-Adha. The Syrian Observatory also confirmed that the main battlefields in Aleppo, Damascus and Idlib had fallen quiet.

Secretary of State John Kerry cautioned that this cease-fire might be Syrias last chance to remain together as a single country.

(Juan says that you cant really tell about these things. The Lebanese fought for 15 years, then made peace. All 15 years people were saying it would split up into cantons, but it didnt. Then South Sudan fought a separatist insurgency for years and finally did secede, breaking up Sudan; but that didnt bring peace to South Sudan, where the factions no longer even have Khartoum to mediate between them. This fixation on breaking up countries is hard for me to understand).

One of the big changes the truce brought is an end to the intensive bombing of rebel-held areas by the Syrian Air Force. In the village of Talbisa on the outskirts of the city of Homs, rebel fighter Hassan Abu Nuh told AFP that the bombing had been keeping them up all night every night, but last night they were able to sleep.

Many Syrians in the countryside are skeptical that the truce will hold past the three days of the Eid.

The next step foreseen, if it becomes safe enough, is for humanitarian aid to begin being delivered to populations that had been under siege or whose supply routes had been cut by the fighting.

There was little sign of political compromise, however, which is a bad sign for the future. Regime strongman Bashar al-Assad gave a creepy speech in which he pledged to recover control of the entire country (and since he runs secret police that specialize in torturing political prisoners, he does mean control). Al-Assad also said that Turkey was not welcome to bring in humanitarian aid into Syrian territory unless Ankara cleared the shipments with Damascus first. Fat chance.

On the other hand, the remnants of the Free Syrian Army rebels (mostly Muslim Brotherhood) issued a communique outlining their discontents with the truce agreement, though they did not reject it. If the ceasefire holds in disputed areas for 48 hours, it will be renewed for another 48, and so on in hopes that it will become long-lasting.

The Freemen of Syria, a major hard line Salafi Jihadi group, did reject the ceasefire, as, of course, the Fateh al-Sham (formerly the Nusra Front) or Army of Syrian Conquest (whose leader is pledged to al-Qaeda).

On Monday, Russia asked the US and its air coalition to begin bombing Fateh al-Sham positions, on the grounds that they are terrorists.

The ceasefire does not cover either Fateh al-Sham or Daesh (ISIS, ISIL).

The US hit a Daesh facility on Monday that it believes has been used to produce chemical weapons.

-

Related video:

AFP: Syria ceasefire takes effect in Aleppo, scepticism persists
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by Deirdre Fulton, staff writer | (Commondreams.org) |  

I think when people look at the calculations of benefit, it is clear that in the wake of 2013 the laws of our nation changed, Snowden tells the Guardian

In a new interview with the Guardian, whistleblower Edward Snowden explains why U.S. President Barack Obama should pardon him for leaking documents that revealed the governments mass surveillance operations.

Snowden, currently in exile in Russia, faces at least 30 years in jail for allegedly violating the Espionage Act with his 2013 disclosures. But in a video interview from Moscow, the 33-year-old National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower said Obama should take into consideration that people had benefited from his actions.

Yes, there are laws on the books that say one thing, but that is perhaps why the pardon power existsfor the exceptions, for the things that may seem unlawful in letters on a page but when we look at them morally, when we look at them ethically, when we look at the results, it seems these were necessary things, these were vital things, he said.

I think when people look at the calculations of benefit, it is clear that in the wake of 2013 the laws of our nation changed, Snowden continued. The Congress, the courts, and the president all changed their policies as a result of these disclosures. At the same time there has never been any public evidence that any individual came to harm as a result.

If not for these disclosures, if not for these revelations, he declared, we would be worse off.

Snowdens statements come just before the release this week of Oliver Stones biopic, Snowden, which his supporters hope will help make a sympathetic case for the whistleblower. And, as Common Dreams reported Monday, civil liberties groups are launching a formal campaign Wednesday calling on Obama to pardon Snowden.

In June, Snowden legal advisor and ACLU attorney Ben Wizner told New York magazine:

Were going to make a very strong case between now and the end of this administration that this is one of those rare cases for which the pardon power exists. Its not for when somebody didnt break the law. Its for when they did and there are extraordinary reasons for not enforcing the law against the person.

But the effort seems unlikely to succeed. In 2015, the White House responded to a petition seeking pardon for Snowden by calling for the former NSA contractor to come home to the United States, and be judged by a jury of his peers.

The Guardian notes that if Obama declines to pardon Snowden, his chances under either Clinton or Trump would seem to be even slimmer.

Indeed, Snowden himselfwhile also decrying the war on whistleblowers perpetrated by the Obama administrationdescribed the 2016 presidential race as unprecedented in terms of the sort of authoritarian policies that are being put forward.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License

Via Commondreams.org



Related video added by Juan Cole:

New York Daily News: Edward Snowden Asks For Presidential Pardon
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Maan News Agency |  

BETHLEHEM (Maan)  Two right-wing Israeli ministers reportedly met with top Facebook executives on Monday in an effort to minimize online anti-Semitic incitement, according to Israeli news website Ynet.

The site reported that Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, members of right-wing Israeli parties Jewish Home and Likud respectively, met with Facebooks vice president of public policy, Joel Kaplan, head of global policy management, Monika Bickert, and the head of policy and communications in Israel, Jordana Cutler  who was the chief of staff at the Israeli embassy in the United States prior to working with Facebook.

Among the specific terminology Shaked and Erdan were reportedly looking to have removed and censored were intifada, Nazis, stabbings, shahid,  the Arabic word for martyr, often used colloquially to designate anyone whose death has a political and or social significance  and death to Jews, which they claimed all led to incitement against the state of Israel.

Shaked and Erdan also allegedly included the phrase death to Arabs  a slogan often heard in protests and mobs of extremist Israelis  saying that it too, led to incitement in general.

In an earlier report, Ynet quoted Shaked who spoke on Sunday at a counter terrorism conference in northern Israel, as saying that in recent months, Facebook had complied with 95 percent of Israeli government removal requests, while YouTube had complied with 80 percent.

This is an impressive statistic, but we understand that the quantity of incitement on the web is much greater, and we need to continue and increase our efforts, and this we will do, Shaked said.

In recent months, Israel has detained scores of Palestinians for social media activity, alleging that a wave of unrest that first swept the occupied Palestinian territory last October was encouraged largely by incitement. The violence has left 222 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and settlers, as well as some 32 Israelis killed by Palestinians.

Palestinians have instead pointed chiefly to the frustration and despair brought on by Israels decades-long military occupation of the Palestinian territory and the absence of a political horizon.

Israel has responded to the perceived threat of social media incitement by blaming Facebook for not doing more to censor posts promoting terrorism against Israelis.

Following a series of deadly incidents, Erdan reportedly said that Facebook chairman and cofounder Mark Zuckerberg had blood on his hands for not adequately cooperating with Israel to remove content.

In July, an Israeli lawyer filed a $1 billion lawsuit against Facebook Inc., claiming that the social media platform allowed members of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas to plan and carry out attacks against Americans and Israelis.

Commenting on the suit against them, Facebook referenced its community standards, and highlighted its report tool, which allows and encourages Facebook users to flag content that they deem as encouraging violence, direct threats, terrorism or hate speech.

Facebook also cited its track record regarding incitement, referencing a case in March when the company took down a page promoting a Palestinian uprising against Israel because it made direct calls for violence, in violation of company policies.

Shaked and Erdan have also proposed a bill that would compel social media providers like Facebook, Google, YouTube, and Twitter to remove criminal content which constitutes a danger to personal, public, or state security.

In response to incitement claims against Palestinians, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Secretary-General Saeb Erekat condemned the current Israeli government for its failure to entrench a culture of peace and coexistence within Israeli society in a statement last week.

Erekat flipped the script, holding Israel responsible for incitement, saying official Israeli discourse entrenches hatred, racism, and discriminatory attitudes against Palestinians. The discourse is only further entrenched by the institutional protection that is given to those who commit or incite violence against Palestinians.

Shaked herself has used Facebook in the past to advocate for the killing of the mothers of slain Palestinians, referring to them snakes. They should follow their sons. Nothing would be more just. They should go as should the physical houses in which they raised the snakes. Otherwise more little snakes are raised, she wrote on the social media platform in the summer of 2014, just one day before a group of Israeli settlers attacked, beat, and burned alive Muhammad Abu Khdeir, a Palestinian teenager from occupied East Jerusalem.

via Maan News Agency
VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - September 14, 2016) - Endeavour Silver Corp. (NYSE: EXK) (TSX: EDR) announces it has entered into a definitive agreement dated September 13, 2016 (the "Agreement") with Silver Standard Resources Inc. to acquire a 100% interest in Silver Standard's Parral properties, located in the historic silver mining district of Hidalgo de Parral in southern Chihuahua state, Mexico (view maps).

Terms of the Agreement

Pursuant to the Agreement, Endeavour will pay US$6 million in Endeavour common shares, being 1,198,083 common shares at US$5.008 per share, representing the 10-day average closing price of Endeavour's shares on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") prior to the date of the Agreement.

In addition, Endeavour has committed to spend US$2 million on exploration on two of the properties (the San Patricio and La Palmilla properties) over the two-year period following the closing of the transaction. Upon completing this exploration expenditure, Endeavour will have one year to deliver a National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") technical report, including a resource estimate, and issue an additional US$200,000 in common shares to Silver Standard for each one million ounces of silver delineated in measured and indicated resources on the San Patricio and La Palmilla properties, based on the 10-day average closing price of Endeavour's common shares on the NYSE prior to the earlier of delivery of the NI 43-101 report and the third anniversary of the initial closing date under the Agreement. Silver Standard will also retain a 1% net smelter returns royalty on production from the San Patricio and La Palmilla properties.

Completion of the transactions under the Agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including NYSE and Toronto Stock Exchange approvals.

Highlights of the Properties

Acquiring a 100% interest in three large properties: Veta Colorada, La Palmilla and San Patricio, totalling 3,432 hectares, subject to 1% NSR production royalties.

Ideally located within the historic Hidalgo de Parral silver district, where SGM, the Mexican Geological Survey, estimates historic production of approximately 250 million ounces (oz) of silver. Palmilla was famous for supplying silver to the federal mint of Mexico in the late 1800's.

Readily accessible by paved highway and well maintained gravel road only five kilometres (km) north of the city of Hidalgo Del Parral, with excellent infrastructure including grid power, water, labour, and services. Land access agreements are already in place for exploration.

Large veins traceable for over 8 km. Veta Colorada is up to 40 metres (m) thick, and includes a higher-grade footwall vein 1-10 m thick and a lower grade hanging wall breccia with stock-work up to 30 m thick.

Historic resources of 32.1 million oz silver contained in 4.0 million tonnes (t) grading 248.5 grams per tonne (gpt) in the Veta Colorada estimated by Industrial Minera Mexico, S.A. de C.V. ("IMMSA") who discovered three orebodies, Remedio-Argentina, El Verde and Sierra Plata and mined the latter two orebodies until 1990. Endeavour has not verified this historic resource estimate. See below for further details.

Virgin zone at Remedio-Argentina saw minimal historic mining and contains approximately 15 million oz silver within 1.55 million t grading 300 gpt silver and averaging over five m thick. Endeavour has not verified this historic resource estimate. See below for further details.

Strong potential to discover low-grade silver mineralization amenable to open pit mining, as shown by historic drilling and surface sampling at Palmilla. Drill hole LP-03 intersected 114 gpt silver over 56 m starting at surface. Endeavour has not verified the historic data and is not relying on them.

Excellent potential to discover new high-grade resources in under-explored areas along strike of Veta Colorada, San Patricio, Palmilla and numerous other veins on the properties. Drill hole SPD-03 at San Patricio intersected 638 gpt silver over one m.

Good metallurgy -- IMMSA obtained 85% silver recoveries by flotation and leaching of float tails. Limited metallurgical studies of the Veta Colorada ore indicate >90% recovery by cyanidation.

Positive synergies with Endeavour's existing Parral project, which contains indicated resources of 1.63 million t grading 49 gpt silver, 0.90 gpt gold, 2.87% lead and 2.86% zinc, plus inferred resources of 1.30 million t grading 63 gpt silver, 0.88 gpt gold, 2.55% lead and 2.28% zinc, based on a NI 43-101 Technical Report entitled "Audit of the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Parral Project dated December 15, 2010".

Near-term production possible by verifying the historic resources and gaining access to one of three nearby 500 tonne-per-day plants.

The Veta Colorada resource estimate was prepared by IMMSA in a report dated August 2004 entitled "Descripcion Geologica, Proyecto Veta Colorada Mpio. de Hgo. del Parral, Chih.". The resource estimate was established through surface drilling and underground sampling. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve. Endeavour is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve, has not verified the historical resource estimate and is not relying on it. Endeavour plans to "twin" certain high grade holes and drill in-fill holes in order to upgrade the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

Endeavour CEO, Bradford Cooke, commented "We are pleased to add another high-quality silver exploration property to our project pipeline. Parral should be an accretive acquisition pursuant to our five-year strategic plan to become a premier senior producer, with potential for exploration discoveries, district acquisitions, near-term production, and organic growth.

"Our exploration team will focus initially on verifying the historic resources, then turn its attention to the many exploration targets on the properties. At the same time, our operations group will evaluate opportunities for near-term production. We look forward to unfolding the full potential of our Parral properties and building a new mining operation in another historic silver district in Mexico."

Dale Mah, B.Sc., P.Geo., Endeavour's Vice President Corporate Development, is the Qualified Person who reviewed and approved this news release.

About Endeavour -- Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company with three high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. Since start-up in 2004, Endeavour has grown its mining operations organically to produce 11.4 million ounces of silver equivalents in 2015. Development of Endeavour's high-grade discovery on the Terronera property in Jalisco state, the permitted El Compas mine and plant in Zacatecas state, and the prospective Parral properties in Chihuahua state, should facilitate the Company's goal to become a premier senior producer in the silver mining sector.

The securities to be issued pursuant to the terms of the Agreement have not been and will not registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) or persons in the United States absent such registration or an available exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction, including the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the foregoing securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, such as statements that relate to the timing and completion of the proposed acquisition of the Parral property, anticipated future prospects of Parral, and other statements relating to the Parral property. Since forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and address future events, conditions and expectations, forward-looking statements by their nature inherently involve unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors well beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Actual events, results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Material factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in such forwarding-looking statements include risks related to the timing of, and ability to obtain, required regulatory approvals for the Parral acquisition, risks as to the future development of the Parral property, and general economic and regulatory changes. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that the proposed Parral acquisition will be completed on the terms and within the time disclosed herein or at all. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's views as of the date of this release. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual events and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
South Sudan officials have said the country will take legal action against the US-based advocacy group, The Sentry [website], after a report [materials] published by the group accused the nations leaders of profiting from countrys violent three-year conflict. The report, made public earlier this week, alleges that President Salva Kiir, former vice president Riek Machar [BBC profiles] and other top officials have engaged in potentially illegal business dealings facilitated by a web of international lawyers, bankers, arms dealers and oil companies-all while their nations people are forced from their homes. Representatives for the government have acknowledged the corruption taking place in South Sudan, but maintain that the report contains falsities based off of insufficient proof [Al Jazeera report]. The two-year probe of South Sudan is the first investigative report published by The Sentry.

This year alone, human rights concerns have been widespread concerning South Sudan. Earlier this month the worlds youngest nation consented [JURIST report] to the addition of another 4,000 UN peacekeeping troops to the existing force of 14,000 soldiers, under intense pressure from the UN, US and the rest of the international community. Last month UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein said that South Sudan government) security forces have killed and raped citizens [JURIST report] and looted and destroyed public and private property. In July Chaloka Beyani, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), condemned recent attacks on IDPs and civilians [JURIST report] in South Sudan. In June UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed shock [JURIST report] at the increasing number of children recruited and killed in armed conflicts in several countries, including South Sudan. In May Amnesty International reported [JURIST report] that dozens of detainees in South Sudan are being held in inhumane conditions.
[JURIST] The US Supreme Court [official website] on Tuesday refused to reinstate [order, PDF] Ohios Golden Week voting procedure, which allowed people to register and vote in the same week. Golden Week was the first five days of a 35-day early-in-person (EIP) voting system, prior to the end of registration before an election, and was popular with minority voters. Democrats petitioned the Court [JURIST report] to reinstate the period, stating that it had played an exceptional, historic role in promoting voter registration in the past two Presidential elections, especially in minority communities. In opposition, the state noted that it remains easier to vote in Ohio than in many jurisdictions. The court issued only a one-sentence order and did not explain its ruling.

Earlier this month the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld cuts to early voting in Ohio as well as the elimination of the Golden Week [JURIST report]. The states EIP voting system was a response to the 2004 election [SCOTUSblog report], in which some parts of the state experienced polling-line waits of up to 12 hours on the day of elections. A federal judge ruled in May that the reduction in the EIP voting practice was unconstitutional [JURIST report] and in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, but the Sixth Circuit reversed.
[JURIST] Thailands military government announced on Monday that it will prosecute cases concerning national security and royal insult in civilian courts. Dissidents have been tried in military courts since the military seized power in 2014. Junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha [BBC profile] signed an order saying that these cases will be tried in civilian courts [Reuters report] because of an improving situation and cooperation from the public for the past two years. The cases currently in process will remain in military court. However, Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] Asia Director Brad Adams says this decision is just sleight of hand [HRW report] leading up to Thailands Universal Periodic Review before the UN Human Rights Council later this month.

Thailand has been home to significant human rights concerns for years, some of which stem from the nations court system. In particular, human rights groups worldwide have expressed growing concern over violations in Thailand since the military junta came to power in May 2014. Last week the Thailand Supreme Court affirmed [JURIST report] a 20-year prison sentence given to protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul in 2012. Last month, Thailand passed [JURIST report] a new constitution by referendum vote. The constitution was drafted by a military-appointed counsel and is feared to be another step in entrenching military control of the nation. Thai military officials in July charged [JURIST report] three human rights defenders with criminal defamation and violations of the Computer Crimes Act because of a report they published detailing acts of torture in Thailand. In April Human Rights Watch urged [JURIST report] Thailand to stop harassing and charging human right lawyers for defending victims of the governments abuses, and to revoke military police powers. In March the Pheu Thai Party filed a complaint [JURIST report] with the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights over the detention of one of its key figures, Watana Muangsook, accusing the government of serious human rights violations.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein [official profile] addressed [text] the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council [website] Tuesday and condemned the trend of countries attempting to refuse human rights scrutiny under the UN. Many countries try to evade investigation by labeling the attention as interference in the affairs of sovereign nations. Zeid observed that often times the reports issued by his office are misused or refuted as being misleading. The high commissioner urged the council to continue to work together and maintain its credibility. He stressed human rights advocacy and endurance as the foundation of society created out of the sharpest and most profound necessity. The high commissioner praised nations which cooperate with the council, naming the Republic of Congo. He then denounced several nations who wither refuse to work with the UN, or refuse to acknowledge the UN and allow access.

In September 2016 alone the UN has been busy monitoring potential human rights abuses. Last week UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria urged parties in the Syrian conflict to return to the negotiation table [JURIST report] after a report highlighted an increase of violence suffered by civilians. Earlier this month a spokesperson from OHCHR expressed concern regarding the intimidation of opposition politicians and peaceful protesters [JURIST report] in Cambodia. Also this month UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein unleashed a scathing criticism of Western demagogues, [JURIST report] accusing them of spreading populist xenophobia and racism. In early September UN rights experts called for the creation of inclusive education programming to include those living with disabilities as a central and crucial step in order to create peaceful and inclusive societies [JURIST report].
Philadelphia, PA, USA, 09/13/2016 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to have a fatal accident per mile driven than those in passenger vehicles and while motorcycle fatalities were down by 2% nationwide in Pennsylvania they rose slightly. Philadelphia car accident lawyer Rand Spear in a podcast available on YouTube says increasing popularity of motorcycles plus inexperienced riders may be creating the trend.

Fatalities for car occupants have declined 30% since 1997 while the fatality rate for motorcycles has increased 122%. Auto accident attorney Spear says there are many factors that may explain the difference. I think theres greater popularity for motorcycles among, lets say weekend warriors, who are riding these very fast bikes known as pocket rockets. They are less experienced riders who are riding too fast. About 34% of the deaths were from speeding.

Other problems include a lack of a universal helmet law. There really should be a federal law in my opinion but, unfortunately, theres not. Only 19 states have these laws, Spear says. In 2015 in Pennsylvania there were 179 motorcycle fatalities, 48% or 86 of these riders were not wearing helmets. Of the 332 bikers that were not killed in the crashes, 217 were wearing a helmet, almost two-thirds of the riders. New Jersey requires helmets when riding a motorcycle. Pennsylvania only requires helmets for motorcyclists 21 and younger.

You need to wear a helmet. It makes too much common sense to wear a helmet but you know some people are going to continue riding motorcycles without them. Its very unfortunate. The statistics speak for themselves and its just crazy to be driving around in this day and age without a helmet, Spear says.

Spear says he rides a motorcycle and has some suggestions for other riders. Be very careful of cars turning left in front of bikes. They make up 42% of all crashes; almost half of the crashes are from cars making a left-hand turn in front of the bike. Keep an eye on the wheels of the car. You cant always tell just by looking at the car what their intentions are so if you can look at the wheels so you can anticipate turns like that.

Never ever ride between an active traffic lane and parked cars, not just because of the dangers of doors opening, but because pedestrians step out between cars. For that and a million other reasons you just dont want to be there, thats a very dangerous area.

Spear says most accidents involving vehicles and motorcycles are the fault of the vehicle drivers. Sixty percent of car crashes with motorcycles are the fault of motorists. Its the motorists who have to pay attention. Look twice before you turn. Always be aware of bikers and their proximity to your car. Give them more room than if you would if it was a car near you. Stay away from the motorcycles. They stop faster and they have more reasons to stop quickly. Fully signal your turn and lane changes and check your blind spots.

If you or a family member are injured in a motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, contact Philadelphia car accident lawyer Rand Spear today at 888-373-4LAW or through his website for a free consultation. You can discuss what happened, how the law may apply and your best options for obtaining compensation for your injuries.

source: http://randspear.com/2016/09/12/bikers-seek-fun-find-trouble-says-philadelphia-car-accident-lawyer-rand-spear/

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Boca Raton, FL, USA, 09/14/2016 /SubmitPressRelease123/

There are hundreds of car accidents in Florida every day. They often result in serious injuries or deaths of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Boca Raton car accident attorney Joe Osborne represents those injured in vehicle accidents caused by the negligence of others. He talks about how a lawsuit resulting from an accident should be handled in a podcast available on YouTube.

Osborne says some of the most important steps occur at the start of the process. Its absolutely critical that an investigation is done properly and its done early, he says. That can involve a number of different factors,

How the accident is caused. While that may be clear in some situations at other times its not, so accident experts can be hired. They can reconstruct accidents and make determinations about who was the real party at fault.

Victims need to be treated by hospitals or doctors. The initial evaluation may be done in an emergency room but later specialists take over the care of accident victims.

That care and treatment can involve a number of things: physical therapy, occupational therapy, MRIs, CT-scans and surgery.

Osborne works very closely with the physicians to make sure that he has a good understanding of the injuries. These physicians may testify in the case. He makes sure they are prepared to help his clients in court.

Osborne says car accident victims may be reluctant to file a lawsuit or even talk to a car accident lawyer because they fear they wont be able to afford it. Florida has a contingency fee system meaning that as a lawyer I only get paid a fee if I make a recovery in your case. The benefit to the client is that if Im willing to take on that case then I also advance the cost of the case so what I mentioned, hiring the expert, getting medical records, meeting your doctor, we will front those costs so that you have the opportunity to bring the case without having to pay car accident attorneys fees.

Osborne says the contingency system allows people who dont have the resources to hire a car accident lawyer to get legal representation. It levels the legal playing field and allows accident victims to hire the best car accident lawyers to prosecute their case.

What could a person obtain in a personal injury case? Two types of damages, economic and non-economic.

If youre in a car accident thats caused by somebody elses negligence then typically youre going to have repair bills for your vehicle. From a property standpoint, we make sure that you are made whole if your car is declared a total loss; we will get the other the other drivers insurance company to pay the replacement cost for the vehicle. If youve lost wages because you cant work because of your injury or incurred medical bills that you have to pay for, these are all economic damages.

Non-economic damages are compensation for pain and suffering that you have endured due to your injuries, medical treatment, and recovery. We make sure that all of your pain and suffering damages both in the past and in the future are part of the case, Osborne says.

He says depending on the complexity of the case, the extent of the injuries and if the insurance company is denying their policyholder is liable for the accident a car accident lawsuit may generally take from three months to two years to resolve. Osborne says his office can get a case to trial in 18 to 24 months in South Florida.

He says insurance companies try to draw out the process and pay as little as possible. Our insurance companies fight vigorously in these kinds of cases. They are incredible. Theyre very quick to collect your premium when you buy insurance but when it comes time to pay out money and theyre contractually obligated to pay for somebodys medical bills or pain and suffering if one of their insureds hurts somebody, they become very, very stingy with the money.

The insurance companies will do everything they can to save every dollar in their pocket and not pay it to you, which is exactly why you need help from someone whos experienced in this area of law who deals with these insurance carriers all the time. Its important to remember that insurance companies in these situations arent your friend, Osborne says.

If you or a family member have any questions about car accident law or have been injured in an auto accident in the South Florida area, contact Boca Raton car accident attorney Joe Osborne at (561) 800-4011 or fill out this online contact form. You can discuss your case, how the law may apply and your best legal options to protect your rights and obtain compensation for your injuries.

Press Contact:

Personal injury lawyer Joseph Osborne

561-800-4011

source: http://www.oa-lawfirm.com/car-crash-cases-handled-boca-raton-car-accident-attorney-joe-osborne/

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Yuba County District Attorney Patrick McGrath, discusses the arrests made related to the 1973 killings of two California girls, at a news conference, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Marysville, Calif. Larry Don Patterson, 65, of Oklahoma, and William Lloyd Harbour, 65, of Olivehurst, Calif., were taken into custody, Tuesday, as suspects in the slayings of Valerie Janice Lane, 12, and Doris Karen Derryberry, 13, in Yuba County. At left, is Yuba County Sheriff Steven Durfor. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Dear KFBers, we have got loads of interesting stories in tonights MajorHeadlinesYouMissedToday featureenjoy!



FG gives update on current power generation



The Nigeria Electricity System Operator (SO) on Tuesday said that the power producers at 06.00 hours generated 3,277 Mega Watts (MW).

Its power performance for Monday production shows that the peak generation for the day under consideration was 3,886.50MW, while lowest power generation was 3,009MW.

Total energy it sent out to the 11 distribution companies on Monday was 3,402MW.

Similarly, the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) had said that the SO at the beginning of the week supplied 3,422MW to the 11 DisCos.

NESI said that: Average power sent out was 3422MWh/hour (up by 158MWh/h). The reported gas constraint was 3144MW.

The reported line constraint was 482MW according to TCN. The reported high frequency constraint is 121 MW.

The water management constraint was 0MW. The power sector lost the estimated equivalent of N1, 799, 000, 000 on September 11 2016 due to constraints.



Two killed in Ogun fatal accident along Sagamu-Abeokuta road

Two persons were killed and nine others seriously injured in an auto crash that occurred at the notorious Onipepeye stretch of the Sagamu-Abeokuta Road on Tuesday.

The accident, which involved a Toyota Picnic car marked KSF 957BB and NISSAN Serena car with the inscription 250 GHA, occurred at about 11:35am.

The Sector Commander, Ogun State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Adetunji Adegoke, who confirmed the accident, said two persons were killed and nine others injured in the accident.

He added that six other people were rescued alive from the fatal crash.

JSS 2 student commits suicide after boyfriend abandoned her for another girl A Junior Secondary School (JSS) II student of Gyegeh Memorial College Logo1 , Makurdi, Benue state, Jessica Beer, has committed suicide. Beer reportedly drank a substance believed to be poison and was rushed to a clinic in Akpehe, before doctors confirmed her dead on arrival. Nation reports that the girl committed suicide because her boyfriend by name Labi, a pork meat seller at Wurukum Market in Makurdi impregnated, abandoned her and then impregnated another girl. Several efforts to reach the Benue State PPRO, Moses Yamu could not yield any result as his phone was switched off at the time of this report. Nigerian soldiers cant swim; they are scared to death  Niger Delta Avengers mocks Operation Crocodile Smile The Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, has accused personnel of the Nigerian Army, involved in the Operation Crocodile Smile in parts of the Niger Delta region of harassing old men, women and innocent youths under the guise of hunting for militants. NDA in series of picture tweets by its spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo on its twitter handle @AgbiniboND said, The High Command of the Niger Delta Avengers present to you the soldiers of the Operation Crocodile Smile. They are scared to death because they cant swim, so they drown all the time. Federal Government is just killing innocent Nigeria Soldiers. In another picture tweet showing four armed soldiers with a paddler in a wooden boat, the group said: With the millions put into the Operation crocodile smile exercise, see the dead boats given to them to fight militants. The only thing the soldiers are good at is harassment of old men, women and innocent youths of the Niger Delta. We didnt issue FG strike notice  UNIABUJA ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter, has denied issuing strike notice to the Federal Government.

In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by its chairman, Ben Ugheoke, he said the union did not grant any interview or issue a statement on pending strike contrary to reports circulating on the social media.

My attention has been drawn to a publication online and on social media captioned- ASUU: union to begin strike October 2nd. The story is said to have been authored originally by Press Team of University of Abuja.

The general public and ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) should know and note that no one came, either as journalist or any Press Team to interview me. I hereby denounce such a publication as the work of mischief makers, targeted at misleading the unsuspecting public about the trajectory of the struggles of ASUU.

He urged members of the public and stakeholders to disregard the report as it did not originate from him. UNILAG disowns text messages offering admission11112016/09/13/unilag-disowns-text-messages-offering-admission/#>





The management of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, has warned candidates seeking placement in the institution to shun any admission notification that comes through a text message.

Some persons are cashing in on desperation of candidates for the 2016/2017 academic session, who are yet to know their fate months after the release of the Universities Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB. Reacting, UNILAG in a statement on Monday said: It has come to the notice of the university authorities that a text message is being sent to prospective students by unknown persons notifying them that they have been given admission into the University of Lagos.

This is a scam. The message did not emanate from the University of Lagos. Members of the public are advised to ignore this message as the University of Lagos does not send text messages to admitted candidates and it does not require anyone to call any number. The University website is the only authentic source of information on admissions.



Resident doctors may begin nationwide strike September 30

The National Association of Resident Doctors has asked the federal and state governments to resolve all outstanding issues in the health sector before September 30 or face an industrial action by its members.
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Doctor, why cant my mother breathe? he asked, eyes full of concern as he watched his mothers chest heave like someone who has spent too long underwater.

I turned up her oxygen as we discussed the possibilities we were testing for: infection, a reaction to chemotherapy, blood clots. Her breathing eased as we spoke, and in turn, I saw some of her sons anxiety dissipate. As our conversation came to a close, he paused before asking, Where are you from?

I smiled and responded, I was born and raised in Texas, but my parents came from Iran. I turned to my patient, Where are you from?

For the first time, her lips curled into a smile.

I came from Latvia.

Over the next few minutes, she told me about the city where she grew up and how she came to the United States to escape Soviet rule. I shared with her how similarly, my own parents had left Iran to escape religious persecution.

I went to see my next patient  a retired Army veteran who was battling an infection. His wife doted on him while telling me, He wont tell you that his back is killing him, but Ill tell you.

He laughed, I was in the military; this isnt pain!

I know youre tough, but its OK to tell us if youre having pain. I dont want you to suffer, I told him before going to find his nurse to make sure he was written for pain medication.

As I walked into the next room, I saw my patients eyes fixed onto the television. CNN was playing a clip of a politician spewing anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Mr. P, how are you? I asked.

He pursed his lips, I thought if I watched this, it would help my blood pressure go up.

He was hospitalized for heart failure, and his blood pressures had been too low. When I first met Mr. P in the emergency room, he had told me the story of how he had left his native Pakistan as a young man to pursue higher education in the United States. During those first few hours of knowing one another, while I worried about how long his heart would last, he was beaming as he told me about his successes as a business owner and how his children were now engineers and physicians. Now, he was listening to someone on television talking about the dangers of allowing Middle Eastern immigrants into the United States.

After I finished my morning rounds, what I had heard on the television still lingered with me. It isnt uncommon for my patients to be watching the news. Yet, these days, I felt like the snippets I would hear were all about us vs. them.

The hospital where I work is a microcosm of Americas melting pot. And here, there is no we or them. Pain and suffering are human experiences that dont care about your country of origin, your citizenship, religion, or the color of your skin. Medicine attempts to ease that pain and suffering, but many times, the greatest salve is another universal force: love. As I watch families and friends at my patients bedside, Im constantly awed by the ability of love to motivate and comfort.

In truth, love is what brought me to medicine. My immigrant parents taught me that service to others was the highest form of love, and in medicine, I saw a way to practice those values. And with my fellow physicians, I see that this dedication to service is universal. First generation immigrants and the children of immigrants coming from a range of countries  from East Asia to the Middle East to Latin America work side by side next to those whose families have been in the United States for generations. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Bahais, and atheists are colleagues waging a war against disease.

In the hospital, I see that what they say on the television just isnt true. Regardless of our citizenship, religion, skin color, were not different: We all feel pain and loss, we all want the best for those we love and are willing to make sacrifices for them, we all struggle to achieve our dreams. So how can we think of each other as different? The fundamental essence of what makes us human is the same. In the hospital, despite our different backgrounds, we work together to bring healing to our patients; similarly, our country should and can come together to heal itself.

These are my personal views and are not intended to reflect the opinion or perceptions of any employer or facility.

Roxana Daneshjou is a medicine intern.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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Some docs consistently say no thanks to formal leadership roles. They prefer not to run for a board position, become department chief, or step into an executive role because their passion and focus is patient care. This primary interest in the core work shows up in other professions, too. My brother, a mechanical engineer (Id say brilliant mechanical engineer, but he might read this), eschewed management positions his whole career. He was in demand as a guy who could diagnose and fix malfunctioning turbines in huge power plants around the globe. He loved it. That was perfect for him.

I admire many physicians with a similar mindset; those passionate clinicians who want nothing more than to care for patients, using exquisite respect and competence in the process.

However.

This does not suggest that:

someone other than a physician ought to be at the helm of the department, the board, or the system

physicians in general dont want to lead, shouldnt lead, or arent prepared to lead

Above all, this in no way suggests that physicians inherently lack leadership capabilities. Oh, contraire. More on that in a sec.

A blogger on KevinMD was moved by artwork depicting a physician during a house call sitting at the bedside of a sick child. She said, The business of medicine has overshadowed the nature of care and left those with the calling in their hearts confused and disenchanted.

Yes. The almost endless frustrations of how health care is organized, reimbursed, delivered, and documented has certainly disillusioned swaths of physicians. And sadly, medical training offers a dysfunctional launch to physician careers.

So yes, theres a big pit of despair.

Courageous leadership is needed to pull patients, communities, medical trainees, physicians, and healthcare systems out of this muck.

It was the following sentiment by the take back the bedside blogger that veered off the rails:

Physicians should not fight politicians or economists or insurance companies. Physicians should carry on business as usual having and sharing moments of intimacy to remind society what they truly seek in a doctor.

I couldnt disagree more.

Physicians can demonstrate excellent skills in a variety of arenas probably due to selection for smarts, drive, people skills, and resilience. In my work with medical groups, advocacy organizations and healthcare systems I am wowed by the comprehensive command physicians have of operations, strategic quality leadership, IT, PR, finance, government relations, public policy, HR, and legal issues. The idea that physician terrain starts and stops at the bedside does not serve our profession or our patients. Care and caring are criticalbut they are table stakes. We mustnt sit in a well-circumscribed perch at the bedside and defer leadership or simply trust the expertise of administrators, lawyers, accountants, or MBAs.

When a patient requests a doctor at the bedside it is not solely because of an assumption of empathy  though thats important  its because of an assumption of expertise and power. Patients trust that the doctor will use her knowledge and leadership in order to make sure the patients needs are served.

Whats my point? Physicians must lead.

Abdicating leadership allows people who do not share the core values of our profession to take over:

Wait.

What about that oft-repeated fact that doctors are lousy leaders? Most of us are numb to the descriptions of physicians as top-down narcissistic lone wolves who act like autocratic dictators (punctuated with a herding cats reference and a conclusion about leaving leadership to the experts).

Ive never bought it. When I led the strategic HR department of a 500+ physician group physician as leader was the headline for our physician selection efforts. Selecting for leadership behaviors (and challenging victimized or tyrannical behavior) proved to be the best way to serve patients, honor the high-performing nurses and team members, and improve outcomes. Physicians as a group possess an impressive reservoir of leadership talent. Id partially ascribe this to the academic equivalent of Navy Seal training followed by the need during residency to influence teams when authority is murky, and accountability is high.

I mentioned that Ive been wowed by the leadership skill and knowledge of physicians I know. Beyond my anecdotal experience is there any evidence that would support that notion?

A 2011 study analyzed the performance of hospitals in the U.S. based on whether they were led by physician CEOs or by non-physician managers:

Six percent (6%) of the 6,500 hospitals in the U.S. had physician CEOs. Of the highest performing hospitals (based on US News and World Reports Top Hospitals in Cancer, Cardiac and GI disorders) 41% were led by physician CEOs. The study showed that quality scores were 25% higher in physician-led institutions. In addition, USNWR identified an elite subset of the 21 highest ranking institutions. Of these 21 hospitals on the USNWR Honor Roll the majority (76%) had physician CEOs.

The researcher responsibly points out that this dramatic link between physician leadership and organizational performance does not define a cause-and-effect relationship. But it certainly corroborates my experience that physicians are more than capable of wrapping their heads around this leadership thing. And if we want to climb out of the fix were in, physician leadership is a good bet.

Patty Fahy is an internal medicine physician and founder, Fahy Consulting. She can be reached on Twitter @pattyfahyMD.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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Cafe where everything is upside down



A new cafe in Germany has become a social media star thanks to the fact that everything is upside down. The Toppels' roadside cafe in Wertheim opened earlier this year and it was an instant hit with tourists, who were unable to get their heads around the baffling layout. Meanwhile, inside the decor is even more confusing.

Read More...


Kilkenny company Moth to a Flame was one of the first companies to use peer-to-peer lending platform Linked Finance, and it ended up paying off handsomely  raising 8,000 to enhance its Bennettsbridge workshop.

Linked Finance is Irelands leading peer-to-peer (P2P) lending company, has said it is committed to helping Kilkenny SMEs access finance by connecting them with interested lenders on their online lending platform.

Over the past three years, Linked Finance has raised over 11 million in funding for over 420 businesses all over Ireland, enabling them to meet their business objectives. In its next phase of growth, Linked Finance is targeting to lend over 350m to SMEs across the country, by the end of 2019. Linked Finance has already helped several Kilkenny businesses to successfully raise funding on their platform, including Moth to a Flame, who were one of the first users of the platform.

From a standing start in 1999, Larry Kinsella built Moth to a Flame into one of the most pre-eminent craft candle-making companies in Ireland. Moth to a Flame has exhibited at global trade shows and has featured in international showings of contemporary Irish craft. Moth to a Flame make all of their own moulds in house, giving them a distinct competitor advantage. Larry Kinsella is a founding member of MADE in Kilkenny, a group established to foster excellence in crafts in this county.

We operate from our workshop and showrooms in Bennetsbridge in County Kilkenny, says Mr Kinsella.

Locating the company in this part of Kilkenny, in an area known for high-quality Irish craft, was an important contributing factor to our companys success. Kilkenny has many extremely talented and successful SMEs producing high-quality products and we feel lucky to work among them.

We feel equally fortunate that Linked Finance is so committed to helping SMEs to flourish and thrive by connecting them with interested lenders. The funding we raised through Linked Finance has enabled us to expand and improve our business significantly. Its amazing that such a simple process can provide such great results.

Linked Finance connects local businesses who need loans with a vibrant online lending community. Real people make attractive returns while supporting businesses and jobs in their local economy. Irish businesses get the funds they need to grow and local lenders get a better return on their money.

Moth to a Flame is exactly the type of Irish SME that lenders on Linked Finance are looking to get behind, says Niall Dorrian, CEO of Linked Finance.

Ambitious, indigenous businesses that create jobs and have a real positive impact on their local communities. The drive shown by SMEs across the country is critical to the success of the Irish economy.

Linked Finance is committed to helping these businesses by giving them access to hassle-free finance, so they can continue growing and keep contributing to their local economies.

Linked Finance is actively looking for businesses in Kilkenny who have been trading for a couple of years and who need access to finance to take things to the next level.
Do you have a budding Michael O Leary, Norah Casey or Lord Alan Sugar in your house?

Would you like your child to have the chance to participate in a unique programme which brings their existing curriculum and the world of business together in a fun environment?

5th and 6th class primary students in schools throughout Kilkenny County are being given the chance to become involved in an award winning programme which will see them mentored by business people from their own communities willing to share their experience with them.

Local entrepreneur Michael Hoyne of Merlyn Showering is to provide the 12 week programme free to schools and students throughout Kilkenny wishing to participate.

Michael said the standard of projects and the skills of the students involved last year exceeded all his expectations; This is our second year as county partner for the Junior Entrepreneur Programme. These 11 and 12 year old business people are just as enthusiastic and capable as more seasoned business people and Id be very confident for Kilkennys future under their watch.

Aideen Sheehan from Piltown National School was one of the teachers participating in last years Programme  The children are learning life skills and managing to put them into practice. It will be something they will carry on through life. I have found that children who were quiet to begin with manage to become more confident.

The Junior Entrepreneur Programme brings entrepreneurship into primary schools and helps students develop existing skills such as literacy and numeracy but also new skills such as problem solving, technology, communication, team building, confidence and creative thinking.

Schools have just two weeks to sign up though and can do so by contacting May Stokes at Merlyn Showering by emailing may.stokes@merlyn.ie or logging on to www.juniorentrepreneur.ie.

The Junior Entrepreneur Programme was founded by Jerry Kennelly of Tweak.com and developed with Mary Immaculate College Limerick. It aims to sow the seeds of entrepreneurship in the community, and provides young people with the skills, support and abilities they will need for the future.

To date over 26,000 primary school students throughout Ireland have taken part in the programme building up a strong alumni of future business leaders.

For further details on this years Junior Entrepreneur Programme in Kilkenny or to speak with sponsor Michael Hoyne, contact May Stokes on may.stokes@merlyn.ie or 085 1146727

Further information on www.juniorentrepreneur.ie
Few events have captured the imagination and public interest to the extent of that gererated by the ongoing excavations at Saint Marys Church and grounds, just off High Street in the heart of Kilkenny City.

Kilkenny Archaeological Society is delighted that noted Kilkenny based, professional archaeologist and principal of Kilkenny Archaeology Ltd, Mr Coilin O Driscoll is providing an illustrated lecture entitled Update on Saint Marys church excavations in Springhill Court Hotel, Waterford Road on Wednesday September 21 at 8pm.

Coilin and his team have been involved in this extensive, exciting and some might even say surprising series of discoveries since they began the exacting task of stripping back the centuries of accumulated history over the last number of months if not years. Certainly Saint Marys Church has a great deal of secrets to unfold both within the church building itself and the ancient burial grounds with which it is surrounded. And new items are being uncovered almost on a weekly basis.

Saint Marys church began as an oratory, according to Bishop Rothe, in order that the good people of the southern part of the city might attend to their religious duties without the need to make the longer journey to Saint Canices Cathedral, then on the northern fringes of the town. We do know that Saint Marys was a parish church as early as the beginning of the 13th century. The earliest charter containing a specific mention to the church is that of Bishop Hugh De Rouse (1202-1218).

It is not just the great age of the church that gives it such interest, rather it is the varied history of the building  serving as a parish church for both Catholic and Protestant at differing times during the turbulent 17th century. In addition the extensive monuments it contains to Kilkennys leading families of the day are also of interest both for their historic significances but equally due to the splendour of their execution - clearly signifying the high status - indeed wealth - of such families.

Due to later changes of use in St Marys many of these splendid monuments have only now being uncovered after being buried in protecting sand for some centuries. The most recent artefact uncovered is an early 20th century rifle which appears to have been hidden, perhaps during the War of Independence or even later during the grim years of Irelands civil war. In truth almost a millennium of secrets awaits our attention during Mr O Driscolls lecture on Wednesday 21st next. What is sure to be a fascinating evening begins at 8.00pm in Spring Hill hotel. The evening will conclude with questions followed by a welcome cup of tea/coffee. Admission is 5.00 and as always non members of Kilkenny Archaeological Society are most welcome.

Please note the venue, Springhill Court Hotel which is a departure from our usual lecture location occasioned because of the wide-spread interest this still breaking story has engendered among our members and the public in general.
Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability Issues Finian McGrath was in Kilkenny yesterday (Tuesday) where he gave a commitment on the future of the St Patrick's Centre.

The centre, on the Kells Road, provides residential care and development opportunities for children and adults with an intellectual disability. It was taken over by the HSE last summer and HIQA made a number of criticisms about it in a report earlier this year.

Local TD Bobby Aylward has been campaigning on the issue and the lack of respite services in this constituency. On f0ot of concerns about the future of the facilty, he asked the minister to visit and speak to local people.

Minister McGrath told the Kilkenny People that plans were being put in place to suit the needs of service users.

I'm meeting parents and service providers, and the whole idea is to see what's it really like on the ground, he said.

And then it's up to me to go back and bang the table and get some investment for these services. Because the reality is that these services have been neglected for over 10 years.

Minister McGrath said he had been concerned by some of the issues raised in the HIQA report.

We can address the issues but we have to have standards  and I'm focused on the rights of the person with the disability. So what I'm saying to HIQA is, 'you go in there and set the standard, and we'll get the money to invest and bring them up to standard'.

The minister said there were also plans to bring some services out into the community, out of institutions and into smaller settings with supports. When asked if people in Kilkenny should have any concerns about the future of St Patrick's, he said 'no  absolutely none', but that there would be 'radical and progressive changes'.

Local TD Bobby Aylward said he was delighted that Minister McGrath had agreed to come down and see first-hand the situation at St Patrick's. He expressed his confidence in the plans in place for the years ahead.

I am happy with what I've heard today, he said, following meetings with staff and service users.

Mr Aylward said that he had had some concerns following the issues in the HIQA report and rumours going around, but that Minister McGrath had comitted to funding, and already some houses had been purchased

It seems like they have a plan, and this plan has to be implemented, he said.

The minister has committeed to making funding available. So I am very happy today in what I heard  that this plan can be carried out in the next five years.
Some may say now is the time to get out of the market. This summer, the market hit an all-time high and continues to rise. It seems as though the Brexit never even happened; however, it was as recent as June 2016 that it cost the market a 5% one-day loss. Many would say that the market is over inflated, Wall Street has been on a vacation and a turbulent election will influence a correction in the market.

So what should investors do? To answer this question, put yourself in one of the following categories:

1. Long-Term Investor: This is someone who is investing their money for five or more years and has a tolerance for market fluctuation.

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2. Cash Investor: This investor has cash sitting in the bank and doesn't know whether to put their money into the market or wait.

3. Retirement on the Horizon: This investor has fewer than five years until they need to use their funds for income.

The Market Is Too High

Those who are worried about a market correction should keep in mind that over the last 30 years Standard & Poor's 500-stock index has only been negative in five out of 30 years. That means the market has been positive 83% of the time. This is a glaring fact that investors find surprising. Most of us are emotional investors and dramatize the loss because it hurts more than the gains. The S&P 500 has gained more than 17% annually over the last 6.5 years, so it comes as no surprise that investors might want to think about getting out now.

As a long-term investor, you owe it to yourself to take the emotion out of the process. Don't guess your way in and out of the market. For example, I had a client in 2012 tell me that they felt the market was flying too high and wanted to take the gains and go to cash. At that point, they had recovered all their loss from the 2008 financial crisis. They were long-term investors, and I recommended they stay the course. Since that point, they gained an additional 54%. I could have easily agreed with them that going to cash made sense because they were above the pre-financial crisis balance. But I knew, because they were long-term investors, they would benefit over time by staying invested.

As a cash investor, it is best to put your money to work for you over a period of time. This is called dollar-cost averaging, which spaces out the same investment purchase over several months. This results in buying your investments at the average price over the period decided upon. Below is an example of how dollar-cost averaging can benefit an investor.

In this example, if the client invested the full $4,000 on January 1st, they would have bought all the shares at the highest price. By using dollar-cost averaging, you have reduced the risk of purchasing all funds at the possible highest price.

If retirement is on the horizon, and you are within five years of using your funds, consider this a good time to possibly move to a more conservative allocation. Due to this short time horizon, you have very little time left to make changes to your allocation. Because the market has done so well recently, you may want to consider this an opportunity to move a portion of your assets from equity to fixed income.

Does the Election Make a Difference to Investors?

This election is different from any other. But the fact is all elections are different from any other. Many people believe each election will affect the economy and even change the course of history. In a day and age in which media is abundant and influential, certain stories are bound to effect the stock market for some periods of time. Still, the approach that is outlined above stays sound whether the market is too high, the election changes everything or some other headline shakes the economy. To give you some extra confidence, here are some statistics on market performance from 1945 through 2015, according to Russell Investments:

In the 36 years that we had a Republican president, the S&P 500 returned 10.0%;

during the 35 years in which a Democrat served as president, the S&P 500 gained 15.2%;

and in 17 presidential election years, the index returned 9.9%.

Final Thoughts for Year-End Investing

Long-term investors and cash investors need to stay the course, focus on longer-term averages and realize it is difficult or impossible to time shorter-term impacts. Make a plan and stick to it. Also, consider rebalancing your accounts. Investors that are close to retirement may want to consider a move to a more balanced portfolio. All investors need to keep their risk tolerance and timeframes in check and understand that markets will correct, but the odds are in your favor when you stay invested.

Robert Auclair is an independent registered investment adviser in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He combines his financial-knowledge base with a unique ability to match clients' emotions and goals to their balance sheets. He grew up with two teachers as parents and believes that clients need to understand to succeed.
With one quarter left to go in 2022, this year is shaping up to be a lot different than most investors had expected. And that means, as investors look to retool their portfolios with the best stocks for the rest of 2022 and beyond, they'll have to take a somewhat different tack than they did at the start of the year.

The optimism following strong returns in 2020 and 2021 has given way to bear market angst. And, following the most recent downturn, the Dow joined the S&P 500 and Nasdaq in bear-market territory.

As for the reasons? "Pick one!" says John Del Vecchio, co-manager of the $150 million AdvisorShares Ranger Equity Bear ETF ( HDGE (opens in new tab)), an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) specializing in short selling. "When we entered the year, stocks were expensive. We had a new generation of traders in the game who have never seen a bear market and thus had no understanding of the risk they were taking. We had new tech companies with shaky business models supported by cheap money. And we had inflation bubbling up, guaranteeing that the Federal Reserve would have to tighten monetary policy. Given those conditions, a bear market was inevitable."

But as we look to the last quarter of the year, have those conditions changed? And might there be some value in the wreckage?

"We're seeing incredible opportunity here," says Sonia Joao, chief operating officer of Robertson Wealth Management. "Some of our favorite growth names , particularly in technology, are trading at prices we never expected to see again. And some of our favorite income plays are sporting their highest yields in years."

There is no guarantee that prices recover tomorrow or even this year. And Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has made it abundantly clear that he intends to keep raising rates "until the job is done." But it is exactly at the moment that things look the most bleak that the best opportunities tend to present themselves.

Today, let's take a look at some of those opportunities in 15 of the best stocks to buy for the remainder of 2022. Some of these will be familiar household names, but others will likely be new to you. But all, for one reason or another, are well positioned to benefit from a recovery in the last quarter of the year and into 2023.
SYDNEY, Sept 14 (Reuters) - A planned 30-year bond issue bythe Australian government is expected to be well received, fundmanagers and dealers say, even as foreign investor appetite forthe triple A-rated sovereign debt has recently waned.

Robert Nicholl, chief executive officer of governmentfunding agency the Australian Office of Financial Management(AOFM), confirmed plans this week to sell its first 30-yearbenchmark bond in the week of Oct. 10.

Reuters first reported the expected bond issue in August. "I think the AOFM would be happy with a A$1 billion issue,"said David Choi, a portfolio manager at Aberdeen AssetManagement which has around A$10 billion of funds undermanagement.

Choi, whose company manages around A$1.5 billion ofAustralian sovereign debt including long-dated bonds, welcomedthe news to lengthen the yield curve.

"We will definitely consider buying it. It depends on theprice," he said.

Australia, one of only a dozen countries rated triple-A byS&P and Moody's, has A$435 billion ($325 billion) of bonds onissue. Around 60 percent of that debt is in the hands ofinternational holders, but that is down from a peak of around 80percent in mid-2012.

Choi said the decline in the share of foreign holdings wouldbe of some concern to the AOFM ahead of the sale.

The reduction in the premium offered by 10-year AustralianCommonwealth Government Bonds (ACGBs) over U.S.Treasuries to just 44 basis points, from 85 basispoints earlier this year, could also undermine appetite.

Still, with two-year Australian debt payingaround 1.6 percent, it is relatively high yielding compared withnear-zero returns in most of the rich world and negative ratesof Germany and Japan.

"Direct feedback from our Japanese clients indicates the newoffer will have significant interest in that maturity," saidAndrew Ticehurst, rates strategist at Nomura in Sydney.

Japan is among the top holders of Australian debt.

"Australia's long end offers a good combination ofattractive yield plus high credit ratings," he said.

Dealers expect the AOFM to appoint a group of joint leadmanagers later this month.

($1 = 1.3390 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Cecile Lefort; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
SHANGHAI, Sept 14 (Reuters) - China's Ministry of Financeauctioned 60 billion yuan ($8.98 billion) of three-monthdeposits at an average yield of 2.75 percent on Wednesday,traders said.

That was lower than the yield on the ministry's previousthree-month deposit auction which came in at 2.80 percent.

The sale, like previous auctions, is part of the ministry'scash management programme. Banks bid for the right to take thedeposits.

($1 = 6.6782 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by the Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Michael Perry)
SHANGHAI, Sept 14 (Reuters) - China's central bank is preparing the groundwork for a proposed link bewteen the Shanghai and London stock exchanges that will allow investors onone bourse to invest in the other, the Securities Times reportedWednesday.

The newspaper said that officials from the Chinesegovernment and the City of London met in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss financial cooperation, green finance, and other topics.

If the work on the stock connect scheme runs into specific difficulties, the People's Bank of China and other regulators will act together to push forward, Ma Jun, chief economist atthe PBOC's research bureau, was reported as saying.

Feasibility studies for a potential Shanghai-London stockconnect have been under discussion for some time, but progress has been slow in the face of challenges including the Chinesestock crash in 2015 and more recently, Britain's unexpected decision to leave the European Union.

(Reporting By Nathaniel Taplin; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
HANOI, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchangerates in the official market and indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi at 0132GMT.

Sept 14 Sept 13 USD/VND mid-point 21,965 21,954

USD/VND interbank 22,278/22,307 22,302/22,303 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 35.94/36.22 36.10/36.37

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; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri)
HONG KONG, Sept 14 (IFR) - State Bank of India has given yield guidance of mid 5% area for a benchmark offering of US dollar Additional Tier 1 notes - the first offshore AT1 issuefrom India.

The perpetual non-call 5 notes are expected to be ratedB1/B+ (Moody's/S&P).

They will be written down temporarily if SBI's common equityTier 1 ratio drops below 5.5% up until March 31 2019, and below6.125% after that. The notes will be written down permanently if the Reserve Bank of India deems that the bank would become unviable without the write down or an injection of public funds.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, HSBC, JP Morgan,National Bank of Abu Dhabi, SBI Capital Markets and Standard Chartered are joint book runners for the Reg S only deal, which will price as early as today.

(Reporting by Frances Yoon)
TAIPEI, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Taiwan's overnight interbankrate opened higher at 0.180 percent on Wednesday from itsprevious session open of 0.179 percent.

The overnight interbank rate is closely watched by marketparticipants because it is guided by the central bank and seenas a signal of its monetary policy bias.

The overnight interbank rate has been guided to between0.173 percent and 0.180 percent, from 0.20 percent since thecentral bank cut policy rates in late June.

The central bank has said monetary policy is accommodative.It has cut policy rates four times in a row at quarterly policymeetings since September last year to bolster the weak economy.

(Reporting by Emily Chan; Writing by Faith Hung; Editing bySherry Jacob-Phillips)
* Rice prices in Vietnam and Thai both widen

* Indian prices ease to $370-$380/T

* Slow sales amid low demand

By Ho Binh Minh, Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Rajendra Jadhav

HO CHI MINH CITY, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Rice prices in theworld's top three rice exporters remained largely unchanged thisweek with Thai and Vietnam prices widening amid slow sales whileIndian prices edged down on low demand, traders said onWednesday.

Vietnam's rice sales have not picked up and prices werealmost stable this week even after the country won a tender tosupply 150,000 tonnes to the Philippines, traders said. Even the news on private traders planning to import ricefrom Vietnam or Thailand has not moved the market, they added. "Philippine (private) traders will buy rice at verycompetitive prices so they must choose carefully," a trader inHo Chi Minh City said.

The grain to be imported by February 28, 2017 is subject toa 35 percent tariff.

Indicative quotations of Vietnam's 25-percent broken rice <RI-VNBKN25-P1>, often sold to the Philippines, stood at$330-$332 a tonne, FOB basis, narrowing from $330-$335 lastWednesday. The prices last week were the lowest in nearly sevenmonths. The -percent broken rice widened to $340-$350 a tonne, FOBbasis, from $340-$345 a week ago due to the scarcity of brokenrice, traders said.

Situation was not better in Thai with quiet market due to nofresh demand, traders in Bangkok said.

Thai benchmark 5-percent broken rice widenedto $370-$376 a tonne, free-on-board (FOB) basis, from $375-$376last week, traders said. Thailand expects to harvest 23.55 million tonnes of ricebetween October to December this year, the country's ricecommittee said on Wednesday. As a result, Thailand will temporarily stop holding staterice auctions to avoid oversupply in the market ahead of theannual crop harvest, the government said. No definite date wasgiven as to when the auctions would resume.

Thailand's state-owned Bank for Agriculture and AgriculturalCooperatives (BAAC) and rice millers will also buy some 10million tonnes at market prices out of the 23.55 million tonnesin order to take it off the market for three to four months.

"These measures will help stop market prices from dropping,"a trader based in Bangkok said.

Meanwhile, in India, the world's biggest rice exporter,five-percent broken parboiled rice prices eased by $2 per tonnethis week to $370 to $380 per tonne due to sluggish demand asbuyers were purchasing more from Thailand and Vietnam.

"Demand is very weak. Buyers are switching to Thailand,which is offering rice at competitive price," said M.Adishankar, executive director at Sri Lalitha, a leading riceexporter based in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

As on September 9, Indian farmers have cultivated rice on 38million hectares, slightly higher than 37 million hectaresduring the same period a year ago.

"Prices are also coming under pressure due to an expectedrise in the production. Since weather is favourable, traders areexpecting a bumper crop," said another exporter based inKakinada in Andhra Pradesh.

India mainly exports non-basmati rice to African countriesand premier basmati rice to Middle East.

The country's non basmati rice exports in April to June, thefirst three months of its fiscal year, rose 2.3 percent from ayear ago to 1.74 million tonnes.

India is planning to buy 33 million tonnes of summer-sownrice from farmers in the 2016/17 season for its food welfareprogrammes and meet emergency needs. (Reporting by Ho Binh Minh in HO CHI MINH CITY and PatpichaTanakasempipat in BANGKOK and Rajendra Jadhav in MUMBAI; Writingby My Pham; Editing by Vyas Mohan)
* TSX ends up 17.36 points, or 0.12 percent, at 14,366.46

* Eight of the TSX's 10 main groups rise; energy, financials slip

By Alastair Sharp and Fergal Smith

TORONTO, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index made a small gain on Wednesday as losses for energy stocks on a renewed fall in oil prices offset gains for base metal miners and consumer stocks.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index ended up 17.36 points, or 0.12 percent, at 14,366.46.

Eight of the index's 10 main groups rose, with the energy group retreating 0.7 percent. Oil fell about 3 percent for a second straight session amid concerns that rebalancing the global oil market will take longer than originally envisaged. The financial sector also moved slightly lower, as investors took a cautious view on global economic prospects as central banks struggle to stimulate growth, triggering a rise in bond yields and sparking a bout of risk-off trading.

"We now seem to be getting to a phase where some risk factors are weighing on investors' minds," said Elvis Picardo, a strategist at Global Securities, citing a recent jump in bond yields, the November U.S. presidential election and the Federal reserve's on-again, off-again U.S. rate-hike signals.

"I think the correction has more room to run," he added. "All in all I think the scenario doesn't look especially rosy for the TSX."

Teck Resources Ltd jumped 7.1 percent to C$22.77. CIBC raised its price target on the diversified miner's stock to C$28 from C$23.

Shares in convenience store operator Alimentation Couche Tard Inc gained 1.7 percent to C$64.06.

The materials group, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, added 0.5 percent, while the smaller consumer staples group rose 0.9 percent and consumer discretionary names gained 0.3 percent.

The most influential weights included Cenovus Energy Inc , which fell 1.9 percent to C$17.77, and Encana Corp , which lost 1.7 percent to C$12.43.

The U.S. economy looks set to accelerate over the rest of the year, a senior Bank of Canada official said on Wednesday, a potentially encouraging sign for Canada just a week after the central bank warned of risks to domestic growth. International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Tuesday praised Canada's three-pronged approach of taking monetary, fiscal and structural action to avert the risk of recession as an example to which others could aspire. (Editing by Lisa Von Ahn and James Dalgleish)
* Polish 10-year bond yield touches 8-week highs

* Regional yields track euro zone, Poland the mostvulnerable

* Stocks, currencies are marginally firmer

By Sandor Peto and Marcin Goettig

BUDAPEST/WARSAW, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Central Europeanlong-term government bond yields rose on Wednesday, led byPoland, tracking euro zone yields driven up by doubts overfurther European Central Bank (ECB) monetary easing.

Euro zone yields were near their highest levels sinceBritish voters decided in June to quit the European Union, afterECB Executive Board member Sabine Lautenschlaeger said onTuesday the bank should hold off on new stimulus measures. Monetary stimulus in the euro zone has also helped assets inthe EU's eastern members, which have relatively fast economicgrowth and high debt yields.

The impact of the euro zone yield rise was mostly limited togovernment bonds in the region, and mainly long-term papers.

The region's main equities indices and currencies weremildly firmer at 0857 GMT. But Poland's 10-year government bondyield touched its highest level since July 20. Trading at 2.937percent, it was 10 basis points up from Tuesday's lows.

Hungary's corresponding yield rose 4 basis points fromTuesday's fixing.

The Polish spread over the corresponding German Bund widenedby 2 basis points to 2.89 percentage points. The yield curvesteepened, with the yield on 2-year Polish bonds rising by only4 basis points to 1.69 percent.

"If this tendency is continued, one cannot exclude a test ofthe 3.00 percent level in the 10-year sector by the end of theweek," Bank Pekao said in a note.

A Budapest-based fixed income trader said the latest rise in world yields was fuelled by worries that the monetary stimulusby central banks in recent years had been inefficient.

Hungarian bonds, mainly at the short end and in the middleof the yield curve, are supported by expectations that thecentral bank will announce after its meeting on Sept. 20 a cutin the amount of funds that commercial banks can keep in thecentral bank's 3-month deposits.

"Poland is different, negative news that causes worriescomes out from Warsaw every week," the trader said, adding thatthe latest bad news was the dismissal of a minister.

Polish treasury minister Dawid Jackiewicz will bedismissed, the newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper said, citingunnamed sources.

CEE SNAP AT 1057

MARKETS SHOT CET

CURRENCIES

Late Prev Dail Chan

st ious y ge

bid clos chan in

e ge 2016 Czech <EURCZK 27.0 27.0 +0. -0.0 crown => 230 265 01% 9% Hungary <EURHUF 309. 309. +0. 1.56 forint => 8000 9350 04% % Polish <EURPLN 4.34 4.34 +0. -2.0 zloty => 60 78 04% 2% Romanian <EURRON 4.44 4.44 -0.0 1.60 leu => 80 70 2% % Croatian <EURHRK 7.49 7.48 -0.0 1.95 kuna => 30 95 5% % Serbian <EURRSD 123. 123. +0. -1.2 dinar => 0100 1500 11% 5% Note: calcula prev clos 1800 daily ted ious e at CET change from

STOC

KS

Late Prev Dail Chan

st ious y ge

clos chan in

e ge 2016 Prague 870. 868. +0. -8.9

90 29 30% 3% Budapest 2782 2782 -0.0 +16

4.80 8.01 1% .32% Warsaw <.WIG20 1732 1727 +0. -6.8

> .51 .69 28% 1% Buchares 6946 6939 +0. -0.8 t .49 .27 10% 3% Ljubljan <.SBITO 732. 735. -0.3 +5. a P> 86 64 8% 27% Zagreb <.CRBEX 1867 1869 -0.0 +10

> .61 .19 8% .53% Belgrade <.BELEX 629. 631. -0.2 -2.2

15> 67 25 5% 4% Sofia <.SOFIX 473. 474. -0.2 +2.

> 22 59 9% 67%

BOND

S

Yiel Yiel Spre Dail

d d ad y

(bid chan vs chan

) ge Bund ge

in Czech spre Republic ad 2-year <CZ2YT= -0.6 -0.1 -004 -16b

RR> 69 65 bps ps 5-year <CZ5YT= -0.2 -0.0 +01 +0b

RR> 93 02 8bps ps

<CZ10YT 0.27 0.00 +02 +1b 10-year =RR> 2 4 3bps ps Poland 2-year <PL2YT= 1.79 0.00 +24 +1b

RR> 7 2bps ps 5-year <PL5YT= 2.33 0.00 +28 +1b

RR> 5 8 1bps ps

<PL10YT 2.93 0.01 +28 +2b 10-year =RR> 7 7 9bps ps

FORWARD RATE AGREEMENT

3x6 6x9 9x12 3M

inte

rban

k Czech <CZKFRA 0.28 0.25 0.22 0 Rep ><PRIBO

R=> Hungary <HUFFRA 0.7 0.71 0.73 0

><BUBOR

=> Poland <PLNFRA 1.70 1.67 1.67 1.71

><WIBOR 5 5

=> Note: are for FRA ask quotes prices ***************************************** ********************* (Reporting by Sandor Peto; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
IMF board approves $1 billion loan disbursement to Ukraine



WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said its board approved a long-awaited loan disbursement of about $1 billion to Ukraine after a review of the country's bailout program. The IMF said the board approved waivers for Ukraine's non-observance of performance criteria related to net international reserves, external payments arrears and new exchange restrictions.

(Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Alan Crosby)

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
LISBON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Portugal sold 750 million euros($842 million) of bonds at an auction on Wednesday, at thebottom end of its indicated offer range, with yields risingsharply from previous similar sales on jitters about Portugal'sanemic growth, budget plans and credit ratings.

State debt agency IGCP sold 500 million euros of October2023 bonds and just 250 million of April 2037 bonds in theauction, cutting off a lot of demand for the longer maturity tokeep a lid on yields.

The IGCP had offered to sell between 750 million and 1billion euros total of the two maturities. In the past auctionsit usually exceeded the upper range of the offer.

The longer maturity was placed at a yield of 4.04 percent,up sharply from 3.23 percent at an auction of the same bond inOctober last year.

Seven-year bonds were issued at a yield of 2.817 percent, upfrom 2.355 percent for similar-dated bonds last sold in July2016.

Demand in the auction outstripped the amount placed by 2.63 times for the 2037 bonds and by 1.68 times for the 2023 bonds.

($1 = 0.8906 euros)

(Reporting By Andrei Khalip, editing by Axel Bugge)
HANOI, Sept 14 (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 14 Sept 13 USD/VND mid-point 21,965 21,954 USD/VND interbank 22,270/22,335 22,302/22,303 USD/VND unofficial 22,300/22,310 22,290/22,305 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 35.96/36.24 36.10/36.37

Interbank offered rates Overnight 0.4-1.0 0.4-1.0

1 week 0.5-1.1 0.5-1.1

1 month 1.7-2.4 1.7-2.4

3 months 3.3-4.2 3.3-4.2

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)
Vietnam posts $573 mln trade surplus in August - customs



HANOI, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Vietnam reported a trade surplusof $573 million in August, above the $200 million surplus thegovernment had estimated for last month. August exports rose 8 percent from the previous month to$16.1 billion, while imports increased 8.2 percent from July to$15.5 billion, the Finance Ministry-run Vietnam Customs said onits website on Wednesday. Vietnam exported $113.21 billion worth of goods during theJanuary-August period and imported $110.34 billion, leaving asurplus of $2.87 billion for the eight-month period, the reportsaid. In 2015, Vietnam posted its first annual trade deficit infour years, at $3.5 billion. (Reporting by My Pham; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

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
Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) is pregnant, and she doesn't know if Mark Darcy (Colin Firth, left) or Jack (Patrick Dempsey) is the father.

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By Lindsey Bahr, Associated Press

Renee Zellweger is charming as ever in "Bridget Jones's Baby," a lively return to form for the unlikely trilogy about an ordinary woman and her professional and romantic woes. It turns out a little break is just what this series needed to find its footing after the manic missteps of "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," which fell into some of the all too common traps of sequels looking to up the stakes (hello, Thailand prison sequence).

That's likely due to the fact that Sharon Maguire, who directed the practically perfect "Bridget Jones's Diary," is back (Beeban Kidron directed the second), working from a script from author Helen Fielding, Emma Thompson (very funny as an unamused doctor), and Dan Mazer.

Let's get over the silly fact that this movie essentially had to press reboot on the happy ending of the second, when Bridget said at the end how even at 33 she was able to find love and happiness with one Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Cut to 12 years later (between movies), Bridget is in her 40s and Mark Darcy has gone off and married someone else.

But this is an evolved Bridget.

Sure, she might be eating desert alone in that same old London flat on that same old couch listening to the same old Celine Dion song, but it's not tragic. It just is. Her friends all flaked on her and so she has a night by herself. The sense is "whatever" not "woe is me."

Indeed, her life looks pretty good. She's now a high-profile TV news producer who seems happy at work  gone are the fireman's pole humiliations of on-camera life. She's also fitter (and quite happy about it) and gotten a fancier wardrobe befitting of her success.

When her younger friend and co-worker Miranda (a terrific Sarah Solemani) invites her to a weekend getaway, Bridget arrives to the airport looking like a Nancy Meyers leading lady in cream and white. Of course, she doesn't realize they're going to an outdoor music festival. So, she falls in some mud but she also gets the attention of Jack (Patrick Dempsey). He's a single, not-sleazy relationship guru who is immediately smitten with Bridget.

She has a good time with Jack and goes on her way. A few weeks later, she finds herself having an unexpectedly romantic night with a now-separated Darcy. She walks away from that, too, and continues on with life until she gets the news that she's pregnant. It could be either Darcy's or Jack's.

Both men hop to the challenge, trying to out-partner one another at every turn. Is this a fantasy, or is this just men being kind to the woman who is possibly carrying their child? Does it really matter?

Much of the original cast is back and wonderful (Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Sally Phillips and Shirley Henderson), save for a sorely missed Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant). You'll find out what happened to him.

There is still a madcap, slapstick jitteriness to dear Bridget, but calmness has emerged too  that of a woman who has finally grown into her own skin. She is messy in that way that women in other rom coms say they are but never actually are. And she is certainly not the other single gal of her time, Carrie Bradshaw, who seemed to become less and less relatable as the years went by.

Though the premise of "Bridget Jones's Baby" makes it all seem like it's all about the guy again, it's never felt so much like Bridget's story. The man is just gravy. This movie, for all its comedic ridiculousness and wild circumstance of the paternity crisis, is a jubilant celebration of women.

If we're lucky, we'll get to check in with her again in another few years.
Stuff reports:

Parliament is defending its computer security that is screening and blocking MPs emails if they contain words like sensitive or classified. An urgent investigation has being called for by Labours Chris Hipkins after an email he was trying to send to a Fairfax journalist was blocked on Monday night. In an email exchange between Hipkins and Parliamentary Service, which provides administrative and support services to MPs, Labours chief whip was told his email was blocked because it had trigger words in it. Parliamentary Service told Hipkins the email he tried to forward was picked up by the secure system because he sent it to a domain that does not use SEEMail  in this case, Fairfax. SEEMail is the agency used by Parliamentary Service for MPs and staff emails. SEEMail is an all of government secure messaging system that we subscribe to. SEEMail classified messages can only be sent to-from approved government departments and agencies, Parliamentary Service wrote. Parliamentary Service went on to confirm they had blocked the email because the attachment he was trying to send contained the words SEEMail and sensitive. Hipkins says this is a clear breach of parliamentary privilege.

On the substance of the issue I have to agree with Hipkins. The Parliamentary Service is not a government agency. It is a parliamentary agency. No security system should interfere with outgoing e-mails from MPs.

Thats outrageous, they have no right to be screening the emails being sent by Members of Parliament. It shouldnt matter where I got the information from, theyve got no right to monitor my emails in the first place.

They are not screening or monitoring in an active sense. It is an automated filter, just as you might also have to prevent malware or spam. However one based on keywords is inappropriate.

I know that National is now cosying up to (Fiji Prime Minister) Frank Bainimarama, but that doesnt mean they can adopt his dictatorial, anti-democratic methods here in New Zealand, he said.

This is where Hipkins gets hysterical. It is nothing to do with the Government, and he knows it. He is in fact a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission that oversees the Parliamentary Service. He has a very valid issue, but spoils it with his desire to paint John Key as a dictator. Labour still think the same failed tactics of the last ten years will work.

Parliamentary Service says the SEEMail system which scans MPs emails was introduced prior to 2007.  Claire Trevett (@CTrevettNZH) September 13, 2016

Oh dear. If correct this means that Chris Hipkins is saying Helen Clark adopted Frank Bainimaramas dictatorial, anti-democratic methods!!

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Bill Shorten has warned young gay Australians could commit suicide over the plebiscite, as a new split emerges within the Coalition about whether to publicly fund the Yes and No cases.

The fate of the plebiscite is in Labors hands but the Opposition Leader has ramped up pressure on the government to drop it, introducing a private members bill to the House of Representatives that calls on the parliament to vote on legalising same-sex marriage.

The idea of young people, perhaps yet to come out, seeing the legitimacy of their identity debated on the national stage, that is not an ideal which we should inflict on any citizen when we have a better path, Mr Shorten said as he introduced his bill.

Let me be as blunt as possible: a No campaign would be an emotional torment for gay teenagers and if one child commits suicide over the plebiscite, then that is one too many. Mr Speaker, achieving marriage equality should be an occasion for joy, a unifying moment of celebration.
There are seven candidates seeking three positions. All seven have kindly completed the Kiwiblog candidates survey. The candidates are:

What is the maximum average annual rates increase, if any, you would vote for over the next three years?

Diane Calvert  A modest increase of 2-3% if there is added value. We are just not seeing this added value and we are seeing core services and projects underway slipping in the meantime. The Council will be more effective long term if it addresses the causes of the rate increases rather than just focus on the level of rate increases (which is always a populist eye-catching election topic) I am more concerned with a likely 5-10% already being lost to start with through poor governance & leadership; and projects that dont have the support of the community. If we dealt with this, rate increases would be minimised without the loss of services or planned projects

 A modest increase of 2-3% if there is added value. We are just not seeing this added value and we are seeing core services and projects underway slipping in the meantime. The Council will be more effective long term if it addresses the causes of the rate increases rather than just focus on the level of rate increases (which is always a populist eye-catching election topic) I am more concerned with a likely 5-10% already being lost to start with through poor governance & leadership; and projects that dont have the support of the community. If we dealt with this, rate increases would be minimised without the loss of services or planned projects Ray Chung  Zero

 Zero Paul Douglas  5%

 5% Andy Foster  3% and will work to reduce that if elected Mayor

 3% and will work to reduce that if elected Mayor Thomas Morgan  7% Its either progress or further decline

 7% Its either progress or further decline Matthew Plummer  Frozen at inflation, but ideally cut by 10%

 Frozen at inflation, but ideally cut by 10% Simon Woolf  4.5%. There are cost efficiencies which could be made, and especially how council and officers manage time. We also need to be more savvy in the way Council uses technology, and being more agile in capturing great opportunities for Wellington. If we can increase our rating base, grow our economy, and take care with how we spend, we should be able to keep rates increases at a reasonable level.

DPF comment  Plummer and Chung are the candidates promising the lowest rates increases followed by Foster and Calvert. Woolf, Douglas and Morgan could all vote for large increases.

Do you support the proposed runway extension for Wellington Airport?

Diane Calvert  No

 No Ray Chung  No

 No Paul Douglas  Yes

 Yes Andy Foster  no answer (see answer on funding)

 no answer (see answer on funding) Thomas Morgan  Yes

 Yes Matthew Plummer  No

 No Simon Woolf  no answer (see answer on funding)

DPF comment  Calvert, Chung and Plummer are all against the runway extension while Douglas and Morgan are in favour. Foster and Woolf say it depends on the business case.

What is the maximum contribution ($ or %) from WCC toward the runway extension you would vote for?

Diane Calvert  Question is irrelevant as there is no viable business case

 Question is irrelevant as there is no viable business case Ray Chung  34%

 34% Paul Douglas  Need more info + public consultation, before could decide

 Need more info + public consultation, before could decide Andy Foster  $90 million  key though is it has to stack up  a lot of major hurdles to cross before I can say yes or no (Econ benefit, airline commitment, funding, consideration of alternatives, investment vehicle)

 $90 million  key though is it has to stack up  a lot of major hurdles to cross before I can say yes or no (Econ benefit, airline commitment, funding, consideration of alternatives, investment vehicle) Thomas Morgan  25%- would actually have to be on balance after full advice.

 25%- would actually have to be on balance after full advice. Matthew Plummer  34%  in line with our ownership of the airport.

 34%  in line with our ownership of the airport. Simon Woolf  The above is not as yet a yes no answer. We do not have a solid business case. There has not been a successful Resource Consent/ Environment Court decision, and there is not interest from an airline to fly long haul. We need the appropriate, and robust information, before any decisions are made as to if we invest, and what we would invest,in respect of a runway extension.

DPF comment  Morgan, Chung and Plummer all pledge no contribution beyond the current shareholding. Calvert is against any contribution. Douglas, Foster and Woolf are non committal.

Can you give an example of current WCC spending that you would vote against in future?

Diane Calvert  Airport runway extension and Frank Kitts park redevelopment

 Airport runway extension and Frank Kitts park redevelopment Ray Chung  Id look at all major prjects as well as items like the traffic lights for Able Smith/Cuba Streets where Give Way signs are a better solution

 Id look at all major prjects as well as items like the traffic lights for Able Smith/Cuba Streets where Give Way signs are a better solution Paul Douglas  Unnecessary concreting/asphalting of kerb&channel&adjacent associated works

 Unnecessary concreting/asphalting of kerb&channel&adjacent associated works Andy Foster  Reduce cost of Basin Reserve lights from $9m to $2m, Defer $65m concert venue until we can afford it

 Reduce cost of Basin Reserve lights from $9m to $2m, Defer $65m concert venue until we can afford it Thomas Morgan  The poor state of the roading network.

 The poor state of the roading network. Matthew Plummer  The Frank Kitts Park / Chinese Garden  Ive found zero support for it after knocking on thousands of doors for my election campaign. WCCs media operations also need to be trimmed substantially (a bigger comms team than the Greater London Authority!). Im doubtful about why WCC is backing the film museum  surely Peter Jackson could organise private investment to make it happen? Also Stop funding the Wellington Phoenix

 The Frank Kitts Park / Chinese Garden  Ive found zero support for it after knocking on thousands of doors for my election campaign. WCCs media operations also need to be trimmed substantially (a bigger comms team than the Greater London Authority!). Im doubtful about why WCC is backing the film museum  surely Peter Jackson could organise private investment to make it happen? Also Stop funding the Wellington Phoenix Simon Woolf  The Frank Kitts Park Redevelopment, however not The Chinese Garden, which should be on the waterfront, but should be located further south on Frank Kitts Park. The Chinese Garden needs to remain on the waterfront due to pledges made by successive Mayors and Councils, over a 20 year period!

Do you support four laning (through additional tunnels) the Mt Vic and Terrace tunnels at an estimated cost of $250 million?

Diane Calvert  I support an improved SH1 under or around the CBD whatever that quality solution turns out to be from the Get Welly moving programme

 I support an improved SH1 under or around the CBD whatever that quality solution turns out to be from the Get Welly moving programme Ray Chung  Yes

 Yes Paul Douglas  Yes, I support an extra Road&Light rail tunnel if public consultation & a business plan supports that

 Yes, I support an extra Road&Light rail tunnel if public consultation & a business plan supports that Andy Foster  Mt Vic likely yes, Terrace probably no (all that motorway congestion then transferred to city streets). These will be properly analysed and modelled through the Lets Get Wellington moving process currently well underway. Decisions by the end of 2017 on a multi modal package including urban design projects.

 Mt Vic likely yes, Terrace probably no (all that motorway congestion then transferred to city streets). These will be properly analysed and modelled through the Lets Get Wellington moving process currently well underway. Decisions by the end of 2017 on a multi modal package including urban design projects. Thomas Morgan  Yes, As part of an integrated transport network. Advancing water based transport should be intensively investigated.

 Yes, As part of an integrated transport network. Advancing water based transport should be intensively investigated. Matthew Plummer  Yes (and itll be a lot more than $250m). We need to get the right solution for Te Aro  another Karo Drive would be a disaster.

 Yes (and itll be a lot more than $250m). We need to get the right solution for Te Aro  another Karo Drive would be a disaster. Simon Woolf  Yes, and in particular a second tunnel should have been constructed years ago!

DPF comment: Chung, Douglas, Morgan, Plummer and Woolf support both tunnels being four laned. Foster for Mt Vic only. Calvert non committal.

Do you support a change to the structure of local government in the Wellington Region, and if so to what?

Diane Calvert  Yes. We have too many councils and not enough connectedness.I would like to see less councils (but not one super city) and more use of community boards

 Yes. We have too many councils and not enough connectedness.I would like to see less councils (but not one super city) and more use of community boards Ray Chung  Depends on the proposals. Im against amalgamation with Porirua and the Wairarapa

 Depends on the proposals. Im against amalgamation with Porirua and the Wairarapa Paul Douglas  Yes, I support a merger of Kapiti, Porirua, Upper Hutt, & Lower Hutt Councils, but exclude the Wairarapa area Councils. Subject to proper & adequate public consultation, I would also support a separate process & merger of the GWRC with any current or new WCC Local Authority

 Yes, I support a merger of Kapiti, Porirua, Upper Hutt, & Lower Hutt Councils, but exclude the Wairarapa area Councils. Subject to proper & adequate public consultation, I would also support a separate process & merger of the GWRC with any current or new WCC Local Authority Andy Foster  Support Wairarapa merger. Seek opportunities for more shared services esp in transport and waste management

 Support Wairarapa merger. Seek opportunities for more shared services esp in transport and waste management Thomas Morgan  Yes, merging any sister city councils such as those of Upper and Lower Hutt.

 Yes, merging any sister city councils such as those of Upper and Lower Hutt. Matthew Plummer  Single member wards for WCC  which will reduce the cost (in time and money) to stand for election, and hopefully see more community accountability and encourage a larger number of credible candidates to run.. Abolish the Regional Council.

 Single member wards for WCC  which will reduce the cost (in time and money) to stand for election, and hopefully see more community accountability and encourage a larger number of credible candidates to run.. Abolish the Regional Council. Simon Woolf  We do need to think more regionally. In that respect we need to share resources where we can to create cost efficiency. We also need to collaborate more with our regional neighbours, and not be competing with them if we can avoid it. Each of our regional cities have strengths and we should be working together to maximise those strengths for the benefit of the region

Do you support the current closing times for CBD bars of 4am. If not, what time would you prefer?

Diane Calvert  Yes

 Yes Ray Chung  Yes

 Yes Paul Douglas  Yes, but 2-3am may be better for the health of everyone. The main problem I see is for Emergency Depts, and early shoppers/workers being harrassed by loitering drunks.

 Yes, but 2-3am may be better for the health of everyone. The main problem I see is for Emergency Depts, and early shoppers/workers being harrassed by loitering drunks. Andy Foster  4am is the national default time (in law). That works for me

 4am is the national default time (in law). That works for me Thomas Morgan  11pm  when everyone should be tucked up in bed loving the one they are with.

 11pm  when everyone should be tucked up in bed loving the one they are with. Matthew Plummer  Yes. The Police need to focus on tackling the few bad apple bar operators, not lobbying for a draconian licensing regime.

 Yes. The Police need to focus on tackling the few bad apple bar operators, not lobbying for a draconian licensing regime. Simon Woolf  This is a hugely complex set of issues. We wish to encourage vibrancy and vitality in our entertainment and hospitality sector, while reducing harm and keeping our community safe. I do not necessarily see most CBD Bars as being the biggest problem. We actually need to address the off license pre loading issues, and personal accountability problems first. We need to work with The Police, The Hospitality Industry, and Central Government to provide a suite of measures, which will reduce harm and criminal activity, while retaining a vibrant safe environment in our entertainment zone.

DPF comment: Calvert, Chung, Foster and Plummer clearly support retaining 4 am. Woolf is non committal. Douglas and Morgan want earlier.

Do you think WCC should make it a condition for any business tendering for a contract with WCC to pay their staff at least $20 an hour?

Diane Calvert  I support the Council paying a living wage and to effectively negotiate with its suppliers to do the same. This means that the Council must be prepared to negotiate contracts at a rate that supports businesses to achieve a realistic profit.

 I support the Council paying a living wage and to effectively negotiate with its suppliers to do the same. This means that the Council must be prepared to negotiate contracts at a rate that supports businesses to achieve a realistic profit. Ray Chung  No

 No Paul Douglas  Yes, thats a good way to deal with it, for any future contracts.

 Yes, thats a good way to deal with it, for any future contracts. Andy Foster  No  that means ratepayers having to deliberately pay more than they have to. Logically if that was the case we shouldnt buy anything made overseas where people arent paid even close to that amount.

 No  that means ratepayers having to deliberately pay more than they have to. Logically if that was the case we shouldnt buy anything made overseas where people arent paid even close to that amount. Thomas Morgan  No. There are other parties and methods for achieving this if it is the market rate for the work in question.

 No. There are other parties and methods for achieving this if it is the market rate for the work in question. Matthew Plummer  No

 No Simon Woolf  It should not be councils policy to dictate pay rates of other businesses.

DPF comment: Chung, Foster, Morgan, Plummer and Woolf are against forcing contractors to pay the living wage. Calvert and Douglas in favour.

Should fluoridation of the Wellington city water supply continue?

Diane Calvert  Absolutely

 Absolutely Ray Chung  Yes

 Yes Paul Douglas  Definately not, because Ive seen evidence its harmful, especially to developing babies&kids brains, & adolescents. Ive done a lot of my own research into this. Fluoridation calcifies soft tissue&bone. see article on internet The Dangers of Fluoride by Michael Schachter. Fluoridation at~1ppm makes bones&soft tissue harder & changes their density. It contributes to weakening immune systems & osteosarcomas, especially in adolescent males. Ive seen 3 of Paul Connetts public talks. I believe there is evidence its harming the fragile mechanisms in our ears. Each drink adds 0.85ppm to our dosage total in Wellington.

 Definately not, because Ive seen evidence its harmful, especially to developing babies&kids brains, & adolescents. Ive done a lot of my own research into this. Fluoridation calcifies soft tissue&bone. see article on internet The Dangers of Fluoride by Michael Schachter. Fluoridation at~1ppm makes bones&soft tissue harder & changes their density. It contributes to weakening immune systems & osteosarcomas, especially in adolescent males. Ive seen 3 of Paul Connetts public talks. I believe there is evidence its harming the fragile mechanisms in our ears. Each drink adds 0.85ppm to our dosage total in Wellington. Andy Foster  Yes  one of the decisions I was very pleased to see Government listen to Local Government pleas to give the decision making to the Health Boards

 Yes  one of the decisions I was very pleased to see Government listen to Local Government pleas to give the decision making to the Health Boards Thomas Morgan  Yes, for as long as Wellington as got one. Advised that supply is at risk and other sources than the Hutt River need to be discovered immediately.

 Yes, for as long as Wellington as got one. Advised that supply is at risk and other sources than the Hutt River need to be discovered immediately. Matthew Plummer  Not a WCC competency. Personally Im in favour.

 Not a WCC competency. Personally Im in favour. Simon Woolf  Yes, until proven otherwise. The issue is should be a central government public health issue.

DPF comment: All candidates except Douglas in favour of fluoridation.

If Council had an additional 10% revenue, or $40 million, what would be your priority spending areas?

Diane Calvert  I would spread it across five key areas 1. Funding  negative rate increase for 2017/18 2. Social-more support for emergency housing 3.Core services- speed up intro of LED street lighting 4.Ecomomic- Get the Town Hall back into operation faster to start generating income 5. Community  Secure Karori Campus for the community

 I would spread it across five key areas 1. Funding  negative rate increase for 2017/18 2. Social-more support for emergency housing 3.Core services- speed up intro of LED street lighting 4.Ecomomic- Get the Town Hall back into operation faster to start generating income 5. Community  Secure Karori Campus for the community Ray Chung  Ive been canvassing in the Onslow-Western ward adn many residents complain that the council arent paying enough attention to their core business of keeping drains cleared and cutting gorse and broome from being overgrown so Id ensure these are well-funded

 Ive been canvassing in the Onslow-Western ward adn many residents complain that the council arent paying enough attention to their core business of keeping drains cleared and cutting gorse and broome from being overgrown so Id ensure these are well-funded Paul Douglas  Affordable Housing for the vulnerable, & those whove experienced mental health problems, including help for our current shelter for the homeless. Better, proper & adequate water testing, treatment, & supply.

 Affordable Housing for the vulnerable, & those whove experienced mental health problems, including help for our current shelter for the homeless. Better, proper & adequate water testing, treatment, & supply. Andy Foster  Half on urban design, resilience, transport, small amount on natural environment  and leave the other half in the ratepayers pockets

 Half on urban design, resilience, transport, small amount on natural environment  and leave the other half in the ratepayers pockets Thomas Morgan  Emergency resourcing and or water sources research and investigation.

 Emergency resourcing and or water sources research and investigation. Matthew Plummer  $40m would be the equivalent to a 25% rates cut  for a year! Given that Im in favour of freezing rates Id use the $40m to pay off our debt  its around 8% of our overall debt. Where is this magic money tree, by the way?

 $40m would be the equivalent to a 25% rates cut  for a year! Given that Im in favour of freezing rates Id use the $40m to pay off our debt  its around 8% of our overall debt. Where is this magic money tree, by the way? Simon Woolf  $20 Million would go into transport improvements. Working with NZTA to provide a more resilient Petone to Queens Wharf State Highway 2. It would also incorporate a cycling and walking options, plus involve having our Hutt rail services not placed by the sea. A major proportion of the costs should be borne by Central Government, and would ensure entering and exiting Wellington will be more resilient in respect of earthquakes or storm related events. The remaining $20 million would be split between the five wards, and would fund a variety of projects including town centre refurbishments, and CBD/Suburban infrastructure needs.

Vegemite or Marmite?

Diane Calvert  Fix & Fogg peanut butter

 Fix & Fogg peanut butter Ray Chung  Marmite

 Marmite Paul Douglas  Raspberry Jam

 Raspberry Jam Andy Foster  Vegemite

 Vegemite Thomas Morgan  Honey!

 Honey! Matthew Plummer  Marmite

 Marmite Simon Woolf  Marmite of course. Buy NZ, and it tastes better too!

The table above is a simple scoring system of responses against my own personal views of low rates, no subsidy for the runway, four lanes on SH1, 4 am closing, no living wage requirement and pro-fluoridation.

The scores on policy are not the only factor in deciding how I will vote. Ability to work with others, communicate, work hard etc all factor in also.

But on policy grounds Plummer and Chung score the highest. Next are Calvert, Foster, Morgan and Woolf. Douglas is well back.

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SHARE Leann Dickson, left, musical theater teacher at Bearden High School, rehearses student actors in "Les Miserables," recently on the school stage. Photo by Rebecca D. Williams. Leann Dickson

By Rebecca Williams, Special to the News Sentinel

On a recent afternoon at Bearden High School, musical theater teacher Leann Dickson spent all of fifth period, about 75 minutes, rehearsing just 90 seconds of "Les Miserables," over and over. The class plans to present it in November.

"Y'all need to be in the upright wing, please. We're going to rehearse 14 measures of music, over and over, until you have bad dreams!" she said to the dozen students on stage.

"This is just one page of material," Dickson whispered to a visitor.

"Les Miserables" is set in 19th century France and is completely sung like an opera. While Bearden is doing the student version of the musical, the cast of 38 and crew of 35 will, nevertheless, spend 12 weeks getting ready. The main characters have been working on their parts all summer.

"She does not take it as a joke in any fashion. This is a very professional program, if you're in the class, she takes ownership for sure," said Pierce Overholt, a senior who plays one of the French revolutionaries.

The proof is on opening night. Bearden musicals typically sell out, with parents having to stand in line for hours to get good seats. "We don't have a (final exam), we have an audience! It's live people paying real money to see you," said Dickson.

Dickson has been teaching 30 years, first in Birmingham, then Atlanta, Hawaii and San Francisco before coming to Bearden 20 years ago.

She has been named Teacher of the Year at Bearden twice. In addition to Musical Theater, she teaches Advanced Theater Arts II, and Stage Technology class. She directs local WordPlayers shows as well.

"Mrs. Dickson is an exceptional educator because she truly cares about every student," said John Bartlett, Bearden High School principal. "Her ability to establish high expectations, provide precise and superior feedback, and to establish a vision for her program set her apart. She is the musical theater program at Bearden High School."

When Dickson arrived at Bearden, musicals were only practiced after school. In 1997, however, she convinced the administration to add an advanced, competitive musical theater course during the school day, co-taught with the choir program.

"We serve the masses in our drama classes, but if you're going to do mainstage programs of a high quality, just like in sports, there has to be some competition," said Dickson.

Both Musical Theater and Stage Technology classes are competitive at Bearden. Last spring, 85 students auditioned for 38 slots in Musical Theater, while about 70 applied for 35 spots in the Stage Technology class, from which Dickson chooses the stage managers, sound, lighting and set design crews.

"On opening night, I just sit in the audience," said Dickson. "They do it all. Believe me, I am only successful because of the people around me, talented students, supportive parents and administration."

A number of Dickson's former students work as professional actors, stage directors, animators, costume designers and more.

"We always have an alumni night, and they sit here in the middle section," said Dickson, gesturing to the house seats. "Last year, a young lady who has done four world tours of 'Chicago' and lives in L.A., showed up on alumni night. The alumni send so much love and support. It's just really cool, I'm very blessed. I'm lucky that when I wake up in the morning, I like what I do, 30 years later."

Dickson grew up taking dance and voice lessons and was in plays starting at the age of 8. She majored in musical theater performance at the University of Montevallo, in Alabama.

After college, she was in between gigs in Birmingham, when her former high school drama teacher called her, looking for someone to direct a high school musical.

"And so a teaching job fell in my lap," said Dickson, who later returned to college to get her license. "I will never be the drama teacher that woman was. She was very inspirational and wonderful to work under as a student. She took me under her wing to learn to teach.

"I'd say the hardest part of teaching is the massive amount of details in directing a musical," said Dickson. "My (stage technology) class is like teaching four classes in one day: lights, sound, sets, costumes."

Her favorite part of teaching?

"Oh, the kids. They teach me," she said.

"The study of drama helps us understand our fellow man more deeply," said Dickson. "And doesn't the world need that? You're learning how to walk in someone else's shoes. We are storytellers, and I think it's important to understand our story, one another's story, and our part of a bigger story.

"The line in 'Les Mis' that just slays me is, 'To love another person is to see the face of God.' And that line is held out, and Jean Valjean dies. And under that you hear, 'Do you hear the people sing / Lost in the valley of the night / It is the music of a people / Who are climbing to the light.'

"That's rich text!" said Dickson. "Rich text for any culture, any religion. We are all climbing to the light."

'LES MISERABLES'

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 10-12; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13

Where: Bearden High School

Tickets: www.knoxschools.org/beardenhs
Tupac Shakur. (Photo: Ken Nahoum, Edge Film)

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By USA TODAY NETWORK

If Tupac Shakur ever wondered this of fans, the answer is unequivocally yes  so much so that fans have held on to conspiracy theories surrounding the enigmatic rapper 20 years after his still-unsolved murder. On the anniversary of the Don Killuminati artist's death, we look back on a few of the enduring theories.

1. Shakur faked his own death.

This is perhaps the most pervasive theory that emerged after the rapper died days after he was targeted in a drive-by shooting on the Las Vegas strip. Conspiracy theorists have rationalized it by pointing to Shakur's respect for political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli, whose treatise The Art of War (not to be confused with Sun Tzu's The Art of War) has been misconstrued as advocating for faking ones death in order to manipulate an enemy. Machiavelli actually wrote: "Sometimes it has been of great moment while the fight is going on, to disseminate words that pronounce the enemies' captain to be dead, or to have been conquered by another part of the army. Many times this has given victory to him who used it."

But believing that Machiavelli espoused faking one's death, fans reasoned that Shakur's adoption of the stage name, Makaveli, and the inclusion of the phrase "Exit 2Pac, Enter Makaveli" in the album sleeve for The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory  an album which also depicted Shakur as Jesus Christ  were all deliberate clues left behind by the artist. Theorists have also picked apart a video interview with Shakur's mother Afeni  the only individual besides hospital personnel to see the artist after he was admitted  who said, "in the end, he chose to leave quietly."

2. He's hiding in Cuba.

Some speculate that Shakur was weary of the bloodshed that accompanied rap beef and longed for an escape, holing up in Cuba with his aunt, Assata Shakur. Assata was a staunch figure within the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army who sought political asylum in Cuba in the early 80s after escaping from a New Jersey prison following a hotly-contested murder conviction.

3. He's being harbored by the government as a witness.

Of course, the CIA has long refuted this.

Alternatively, there are those who believe that Shakur did die on Sept. 13, 1996 and that

4. Suge Knight  and his then-attorney David Kenner  called for his death.

"Tupac Shakur was becoming a very outstanding actor. And it came to Suge Knights attention that Tupac was going to leave Death Row Records  and the evidence shows you just dont leave Death Row Records and get away with it," said LAPD Detective Russell Poole, who worked closely with author Randall Sullivan on LAbyrinth, a damning look into the LAPD's involvement with the Death Row Records label head and pattern of police brutality and cover-ups, all of which were chronicled in reports on the LAPD Rampart Scandal.

LAbyrinth also revealed that Shakur fired Kenner shortly before his death, and was looking to launch his own label, a move which would have barred Knight from the profits of Shakur's work.

Knight was in the car with Shakur on the night of shooting but, as Sullivan argues, "if you look at the police report, the shooter's car pulled up and shot at an angle that could really only hit Tupac. No shot really came close to hitting Suge."

Then, there's this theory...

5. Biggie Smalls was the mastermind behind the shooting.

Their feud was one of the most storied in hip-hop history  and, in an anonymously-sourced Los Angeles Timesinvestigative piece, former Times reporter Chuck Philips wrote that the Notorious B.I.G. offered the Crips $1 million to kill Shakur. However, after a 2008 Times story by Philips was retracted due to the inclusion of falsified FBI reports, this notion was widely dismissed as well.
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By Tyler Whetstone, tyler.whetstone@knoxnews.com

A parking dispute at Tuesday night's Knoxville City Council meeting could serve as a preview to an upcoming tussle with residents over parking throughout the city.

After a lengthy discussion, the city sided 7-1 with Abridged Beer Company owner Jesse Bowers, who had requested a zoning alteration dropping the number of required parking places from 43 to none at the micropub he plans to open at 100 Lockett Road in a mostly residential part of Bearden. The alteration had been approved unanimously by the city Board of Zoning Appeals but drew opposition from some neighbors.

"I live 115 feet, 2 inches from the property," said Gene Herrill, who has lived on Lockett Road for 45 years and doesn't want pub patrons walking up and down his street. "Now, how would you all like to have a bar 115 feet, 2 inches from your house?"

Instead of onsite parking, Bowers reached an agreement with nearby Erin Presbyterian Church to use the church's parking lot daily when the congregation isn't using it, although the restaurant would be open Wednesday and Sunday nights.

"We are happy with the City Council's decision," Bowers said. "We are a small, family-owned business seeking to create a fun, safe and family-friendly environment that everyone can enjoy. We want to be the best neighbors we can possibly be and become an endearing part of the Bearden community and Knoxville's business landscape."

Some council members cited an upcoming city ordinance amendment that, if approved, will likely eliminate the required number of spaces for commercial property across the city.

Councilman Marshall Stair said the city's current code requires too much parking and that the city should promote shared parking.

"So what happens when you require that much parking is that it becomes a sea of asphalt, and if you're trying to promote walkability and things that I'm interested in and where I think the city needs to go, you want to have more shared parking," Stair said. "You want to have as little parking (spaces) as possible."

Several neighbors spoke up against the decision, led by Lockett Road resident Maha Ayesh, who said the bar, which would occupy a spot previously the site of a garage, and its patrons would be a dangerous addition to the neighborhood. She said she appreciates the city's stance on sharing spaces, but thinks there were better options than what the council decided.

"There is (a difference) between an old garage that hasn't been used in two years and a micropub that will need parking spaces and will be open late at night," she said after the meeting. "That's a drastic change from what's been in our neighborhood."

In other business, the council:

Approved roughly $1.6 million in additional grant money for the South Knoxville Waterfront Roadway Improvements Project. The grant required a $410,672 match from the city. The new total cost for the project comes to about $7.5 million.

Approved the application of a $5,000 grant to U.S. Lacrosse for an inner-city girls lacrosse team. The grant required no matching city funds.

Approved a resolution allowing Mayor Madeline Rogero the ability to execute a contract with IPR Southeast LLC for a stormwater pipe rehab. The project was set not to exceed $116,060.
SHARE A collection of memorabilia marking the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis is one of the nearly 40,000 artifacts in the collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington. The placard in the upper left-hand corner was carried by sanitation workers during a memorial march in Memphis on April 8, 1968. (Michael Collins / USA TODAY NETWORK)

By Michael Collins of the Knoxville News Sentinel

WASHINGTON  A simple gold crucifix and a white collar worn by the Bishop G.E. Patterson of Church of God in Christ in Memphis sit behind a glass case on the fourth floor of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Just around the corner, a short video clip of Patterson delivering one of his sermons plays on a continuous loop.

"That's pretty powerful," Deidre Malone of Memphis said Wednesday as she looked over the exhibit honoring the man she worked for and admired. "He was well-loved, well thought-of, not just in Memphis, but really around the world."

One floor below, another exhibit celebrates the life and career of another Tennessee trailblazer.

A fedora, trench coat and Coronet electric typewriter belonging to Nashville Banner reporter Robert Churchwell, known as "the Jackie Robinson of journalism," are on display, along with copies of his articles and personal recollections of the hardships he faced as one of the first black journalists to work for a white-owned newspaper in the South.

"I wrote a story every morning  but it never got in the paper," reads one Churchwell quotation, referring to the difficulty he had getting stories published about student-led sit-ins and mass protests that rocked Nashville in 1960.

The museum won't open until Sept. 24, but reporters got a sneak peek Wednesday during a special preview for them and other guests.

The exhibits honoring Patterson and Churchwell are among the more than 3,000 artifacts that will be on display when the 400,000-square-foot museum opens on the National Mall near the Washington Monument.

The museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, traces the history of African-Americans from slavery to the civil rights movement to the historic election of President Barack Obama. Its 11 inaugural exhibits include a slave cabin, a cell from Louisiana's Angola prison, the original casket of Emmett Till  the 14-year-old killed in Mississippi in 1955 for reportedly whistling at a white woman  a 40-ton Jim Crow railroad car and Chuck Berry's red Cadillac.

Many of the objects on display have ties to Tennessee.

A wooden chair used by the deacons of Spruce Street Baptist Church in Nashville is there. So are a printing plate and a Sunday school program printed by R.H. Boyd's National Baptist Publishing Board in Nashville.

"Honor King: End Racism" reads a placard that's part of an exhibit on the death of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The poster was carried by Memphis sanitation workers during a memorial march for King on April 8, 1968, just four days after he was gunned down at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.

A 45-rpm single of the song "B-A-B-Y," recorded by Carla Thomas in 1966 on the Memphis-based Stax label, hangs on the wall in a section celebrating the musical contributions of African-Americans. A black-and-white photo of Aretha Franklin, eyes closed tightly, mouth open wide in song, shows the legendary Queen of Soul performing during a Southern Christian Leadership Conference convention in Memphis in July 1968.

All told, nearly five-dozen objects from Tennessee are among the museum's 40,000-item collection. Less than 10 percent of the collection will be part of the inaugural exhibit, so many of the Tennessee items remain in storage but could eventually be put on display as other items are rotated into the exhibit.

The crucifix and collar belonging to Bishop Patterson are part of a larger exhibit on cultural expressions, including the language and oral traditions of African-Americans.

"Who is a better example of preaching traditions than G.E. Patterson?" said Anne Hyppolite, the exhibit's curator.

Patterson's widow, Louise, donated the items to the museum after his death. The museum is developing a center for religion, so some of Patterson's memorabilia that is not currently on display could eventually end up there, Hyppolite said.

Patterson's artifacts are important in helping the museum tell his story, Hyppolite said.

"It really brings it home to have a cross  a crucifix that he actually wore every Sunday, when he did his sermon," she said. "It's a personal aspect of the man himself, and it's an implement of his trade."

Malone, a public relations executive whose firm worked with Patterson, said his widow, Louise, is delighted by his inclusion in the museum. Louise Patterson will attend the formal ribbon-cutting on Sept. 24, when guests of honor will include President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

Rhonda Parks of Memphis, who worked for Patterson for 32 years, said it's fitting that the bishop's crucifix is on display.

"That cross means just what he stood for  the cross of Jesus Christ," she said. "Not rubies and diamonds, but what Jesus did on the cross to request and receive salvation. That was his thing."

Other Tennessee items in the museum's collection include a sign from a segregated public bus in Nashville, a 1902 marriage certificate belonging to a couple in Centerville, an advertisement for a slave market in Memphis and a clock used by Citizen's Savings and Trust Co. in Nashville.

Dozens of vintage, black-and-white photos depict everyone from a mourning Coretta Scott King to a beaming young woman receiving her voter registration card in Fayette County. The young woman holds the card up in the air for everyone to see, a smile stretched across her face.
SHARE Terry Frank, Anderson County mayor.

By Lynda Edwards, lynda.edwards@knoxnews.com

More than a month after an urgent memo warned all current and former Anderson County employees that their personal information might have been stolen in a system-wide breach of the courthouse server, the county mayor says investigators have provided her with no answers about exactly what information hackers have or how the security breach happened.

And the vice president of the family-owned Knoxville company, Computer Systems Plus, that maintained the courthouse server for 14 years says the lead investigator has never interviewed him.

County Law Director Jay Yeager sent the memo Aug. 8 to 1,800 Anderson County employees, retired employees, elected officials, school system workers, school board members, veterans service members and county contractors.

The memo warned that their "Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, payroll information, bank accounts, routing numbers, veterans service office benefit documents and possible employee credit union account information" might be compromised.

Yeager's assistant said he was out of the office for surgery Wednesday and could not be reached.

The lead investigator, Anderson County Sheriff's Office Detective Don Scuglia, could not be reached for comment.

The company that maintained the server says it hasn't been contacted by authorities.

"Our contract expired on June 30, but I called Detective Scuglia and offered to meet with him and discuss the firewalls and details of how the server is designed, but he said he didn't need to meet with me," Computer Systems Plus field services vice president Rob Glass said.

When Chief Deputy Mark Lucas was asked whether federal or state agencies were aiding the investigation, he said yes, but would not specify which agencies were assisting. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said it was not involved in the case. The FBI's Knoxville office did not respond to a request for comment.

"They haven't shared any information with me about what they've found," Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said.

She said she was concerned that hackers could have obtained courthouse workers' security badge electronic signatures. The badges' data would allow access to confidential records rooms and to the storage area that holds voting machines to be used in this fall's elections. The data was collected on the county human resources department's server that Yeager's memo says might have been hacked.

"Unfortunately, I must inform you of a potential system-wide breach of our main courthouse server," the memo reads. "The extent, type and amount of data compromised has not yet been fully determined. "

Frank expressed some concerns about whether confidential information about court cases was another potential target. But Glass said judicial system records and human resources records were kept on separate servers. Hacking into the server wouldn't give someone access to a separate server in the same courthouse, he said.

"A few years ago, several Anderson County government agencies each wanted their own server they paid for from their own budgets, so I suppose their could be some overlap with the same data on different servers," Glass said. "But honestly, I still haven't seen any evidence that there was a breach of any server. It's a strange situation."

No charges are imminent in the case, Anderson County District Attorney General David Clark said.

"I am unaware of any complaints, charges or reports related to a security breach," Clark said.
Former NFL WR Chad Johnson in Knoxville for daughter's official visit to UT
Charles Dickens wrote "A Tale of Two Cities." Let me tell you "A Tale of Two States." Our state government receives a lot of criticism, but I've been observing a neighboring state lately. It's interesting to compare.

Tennessee has a state and local sales tax rate of just over 9 percent. The state has no general income tax and is in the process of phasing out the Hall income tax on dividends. The Republican Legislature has abolished the gift tax, the inheritance tax and reduced the sales tax on food twice. The state had a budget surplus last year of close to $1 billion. The budget surplus for this fiscal year is projected to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Alabama has a state and local sales tax rate of over 9 percent. It's 10 percent in Huntsville and Birmingham. It also has a state income tax. Alabama borrowed $437 million in 2012 to cover years of budget deficits. The state raised taxes last year by $180 million to cover a budget deficit, and faces another budget deficit this year projected to be about $200 million.

Tennessee passed a lottery bill that earmarked all the money for education, virtually all of it for student scholarships. Alabama has had a special session in recent weeks desperately trying to get a lottery on the ballot in November. Only 10 percent of the lottery revenue would go to education; the rest would be used to shore up yet another budget deficit.

Alabama has a windfall from the BP oil spill that amounts to $2.3 billion. Part of it to be paid over 18 years, part of it over 15 years. The $56 million a year payments won't cover the estimated $200 million budget deficit. So what is the solution? It appears that the state will borrow the money from the structured settlement and cover short-term deficits, effectively discounting the future revenue. If that sounds like a J.G. Wentworth television commercial, you are right.

Schadenfreude aside, I just want to make the point that Tennessee state government has been governed responsibly. The governorship of Tennessee has gone back and forth between Republicans and Democrats since the 1970s. The Democrats had charge of the Legislature for decades and the Republicans have controlled it of late. Throughout the years the state has had the lowest state debt, fully-funded pensions, balanced budgets without borrowing money and (as noted above) taxes have been cut. While Alabama has a $200 million deficit, Tennessee increased funding for education by $200 million last session, while cutting taxes.

You think Tennessee state Reps. Jeremy Durham and Joe Armstrong are scandals? In Alabama the House speaker has been indicted, the governor is under investigation and a Supreme Court justice faces ethics charges.

The dirty little secret about Alabama is that the people don't trust the government. Large portions of the state's taxes have been earmarked for specific purposes, like education, in order to win approval.

The next time you read some egghead's analysis of our tax structure or our regressive taxes, please keep some of these facts in mind. I have yet to hear an explanation as to how adding an income tax onto a 9 percent sales tax prevents our tax rates from being regressive.
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The Republican-controlled Tennessee Legislature thought itself on high moral ground when it passed a law lowering the percentage of alcohol needed to be in a driver's blood to be legally drunk. After all, they were probably saving the lives of their constituents.

Unfortunately, the governor had to call for a special session when the federal government said the law violates the federal standard for drunk driving. The law, which should have been vetted before it was passed, put Tennessee in danger of losing $60 million in federal roads money. The law was repealed on Wednesday.

Well, the righteous Tennessee legislators got their panties in a wad. Here they were, trying to keep people healthy, and that darned federal government was going to take away their free money.

I had to laugh to keep from crying.

The Republican-controlled Tennessee Legislature has refused to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act for the past six years. Why? Because they hate President Barack Obama and his government handouts. Yet they are falling all over themselves kissing the federal government's behind for $60 million.

These same Republican legislators have thrown away $3,328,000,000, according to a study by The Commonwealth Fund. That's right. The Republicans have thrown away $3.3 billion in federal dollars that could have done so much good. They allowed 280,000 poor Tennesseans to suffer because of their so-called conservative, "Christian" principles. So that's what Jesus would do, huh?

Instead, the Legislature's no-star health insurance panel has come up with some cockamamie idea to try their plan out on 36 rabid dogs or some such nonsense, while real people go without health insurance.

David J. Cazalet Jr., Knoxville
7th Fleet promotes peace, security in Indo-Asia-Pacific region

By Lisa Ferdinando, DOD

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 at 10:17 a.m.







The destroyer USS Preble approaches the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard for replenishment at sea, June 21, 2015. Bonhomme Richard is the lead ship of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group and was on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor A. Elberg





YOKOSUKA, Japan  Forward-deployed to support security and stability in the vast Indo-Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. 7th Fleet is involved in a wide array of activities in this critically important part of the world, a Navy official said.



With the U.S. rebalance to the region, the 7th Fleet has a robust maritime posture that includes advanced assets -- 50 to 70 ships and 140 aircraft -- and some 20,000 sailors, said Navy Capt. Ron Oswald, theater security cooperation officer for the 7th Fleet.



The U.S. focus extends far beyond just what makes the national headlines, such as maritime territorial disputes and North Korean missile launches, he pointed out.



"The number of things that we're doing in any one day is just voluminous," said Oswald, who spoke in a Sept. 7 interview at the 7th Fleet headquarters here, on the sidelines of a visit by Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.



The activities, as outlined by Oswald, include bilateral and multilateral exercises to train for search and rescue, demining and humanitarian and disaster response, to name a few, as well as operations supporting open shipping lanes and fighting terrorism, trafficking and illegal fishing.





Partners in Peace, Security



The 7th Fleets area of operations includes 36 countries and covers 48 million square miles -- from the International Date Line to the India-Pakistan border, and from the Kuril Islands in the north to the Antarctic in the south, Oswald said.



Strong partnerships and cooperation are key in reinforcing the stability and prosperity the United States has promoted in the region for the past seven decades, he said. Collaborating with partners in the region, he added, builds capacity and capability for the bigger issues that arise.



"By constantly exercising and operating with our allies, partners and friends, we build that peace and security that we're looking for," he said.



At the fleet level, the United States has enjoyed long and stable relationships with the countries, regardless of what is happening at the political level in those nations, Oswald said.





Regional Challenges



The United States does not take a position on territorial disputes within the South China Sea, Oswald said, and ensures it is able to sail, fly and operate anywhere international law allows. "When it comes to territorial disputes, what we advocate is that if nations have conflicting territorial disputes, they resolve those peacefully," Oswald said. He noted a recent decision by The Hague that rejected Chinese claims of a large area in the South China Sea. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea. The Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia also have claims in the area.



On the issue of North Korea, Oswald said Pyongyang's ballistic missile launches "seem counterproductive to the peace and security" of the region.



"We have a very high confidence in our ability to counter any ballistic missile launch from North Korea," Oswald said, highlighting the U.S. Navy's advanced capabilities with its Aegis missile destroyers. In addition, the United States has strong partnerships with Japan and South Korea, and conducts regular exercises with those countries, further strengthening the commitment for peace and security in the region, he said.



"We work together to interoperate on addressing missile defense," he said.





Whole-of-Government Effort



The U.S. rebalance to the Pacific includes diplomatic and economic efforts, said Navy Cmdr. Bill Clinton, a 7th Fleet public affairs officer.



"It's not just the military, and everybody likes to focus on that out here, but it's more than that," he said. "It is truly a whole-of-government interagency effort out here."



Clinton reiterated the many positive things the United States is doing to maintain peace and security in the region. "Sure there are some issues, but we're working through those," he said, adding that the focus is to keep moving in a positive direction and stay within international norms. Published September 14, 2016
U.S. humanitarian aid for Iraq reaches over $1 billion

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 at 11:23 a.m.





WASHINGTON  The United States is providing more than $181 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the Iraqi people to address critical humanitarian needs, including those expected to occur with Iraqs planned military offensive to liberate Mosul from Daesh occupation.



The new funding was announced today by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. This brings U.S. humanitarian assistance for Iraqis to nearly $1.1 billion since FY 2014. The humanitarian assistance supports the operations of the United Nations, other international organizations, and non-governmental organizations to help respond to one of the fastest-growing displacement crises in the world.



The United Nations anticipates the upcoming offensive could result in the displacement of more than one million people from Mosul and surrounding areas, exacerbating an already dire crisis that has left an estimated 10 million people  nearly a third of the countrys population  in need of humanitarian assistance and more than 3.3 million Iraqis displaced inside their own country as a consequence of Daeshs brutality. With this additional funding to international and non-governmental humanitarian organizations, the U.S. government reaffirms its commitment to support Iraq and provide assistance to displaced and conflict-affected Iraqis.



The new funding enables the prepositioning of emergency food assistance and basic relief items to displaced Iraqis in preparation for the Mosul campaign. It also supports the procurement and distribution of emergency relief and shelter supplies, and it will provide basic health care, including maternal and child health care services, as well as education, camp coordination and camp management services, psychosocial support, gender-based violence prevention and mitigation programs, among other services. This money funds essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services that will provide displaced Iraqis with safe drinking water, clean latrines, and shower facilities. It will also enable partners to strengthen humanitarian coordination efforts through support to the International Organization for Migrations Displacement Tracking Matrix.



In addition to the funding to support Mosul preparedness, U.S. funding will support UNHCR and other agencies efforts to provide assistance to the estimated 230,000 Iraqi refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey, including shelter, cash assistance, protection, and other forms of assistance. It will also support ongoing operations in Iraq to provide for the humanitarian needs of those already displaced by the conflict with Daesh, including livelihoods support and social cohesion efforts, education, cash assistance, and protection monitoring services.



Next week the world will come together at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and will further focus on Iraq and other global humanitarian crises including at a summit on refugees hosted by the President of the United States. The U.S. encourages other donors to follow our recent announcements with their own commitments to provide timely additional assistance for Iraqis, including for the forthcoming needs for Mosul, as well as for other global crises.





Source: State Department

Published September 14, 2016
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon



By Choi Sung-jin

With the presidential election about 15 months away, there are seven potential nominees each in conservative ruling and liberal opposition camps.

In the conservative camp, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is at the top of the pack, as shown in almost every survey. The highest international official Korea has produced is enjoying a comfortable lead in popularity over his competitors, thanks in large part to overwhelming support from a faction composed of followers of President Park Geun-hye.

Ban's approval rate stands at 27 percent, as surveyed and released by Gallup Korea last Friday, compared with ex-Seoul mayor Oh Se-hoon's 5 percent and the 3 percent of Kim Moo-sung, former leader of the governing Saenuri Party.

That has sent the other six "hidden dragons," as presidential hopefuls are called here, scurrying to attract the attention of voters -- mainly through putting forward issues affecting their everyday life.

One of the hottest issues is whether Korea should maintain the conscription system or shift to a voluntary military system.





Governor of Gyeonggi Province Nam Kyung-pil



Nam Kyung-pil, governor of Gyeonggi Province, took the initiative last month by calling for the nation to shift to the volunteer system. Yoo Seong-min, a Saenuri lawmaker who raised a stir by revolting against President Park in Park's political hometown of Daegu, immediately hit back, arguing that under the volunteer system, only children of poor parents will join the army.

"The volunteer system runs counter to social justice," Yoo said. Other "hidden dragons" also criticized it as "election populism."

Governor Nam hit back. "The assertions that a volunteer system is not just are arrogant," he said. "If we introduce a volunteer system, it would help spread noblesse obliges' by making social leaders attempt to show examples. The new military system is the shortcut for Korea to move toward a fair society."





Saenuri lawmaker Yoo Seong-min



Yoo, a one-time maverick, has come under fire on issues of public welfare and tax increases.

"Some thoughtless politicians are maintaining that a tax increase is the best way of narrowing economic inequity," said Kim, the ex-chairman of the conservative governing party, at a seminar held by his own faction. "A tax increase has failed in every European country and proved a pseudo remedy.'"

Kim did not name a specific aspirant for the top job but there was little doubt his attacks targeted Yoo, who has called for a median level of welfare and tax burdens, which can't help but lead to tax increases.

Oh also showed prudence in expanding public welfare, saying, "Universal welfare should start with the most vulnerable classes within the extent of financially affordable levels and spread to the middle class."

Oh was ousted from the mayoralty of the capital city several years ago after losing a referendum he proposed over whether the government should provide free lunches for all students regardless of their parents' wealth. The conservative politician is still against universal welfare, even at the very elementary level like school meals.

These right-wing politicians are also split on the national security issue.

A former floor leader, reflecting the hawkish atmosphere in the wake of North Korea's fifth and latest nuclear test last Friday, called on Korea to arm itself with nuclear weapons. "We need to work out all means of deterrence available, including nuclear armament, to protect peace and defend ourselves," he said.

Most other competitors, however, showed a negative response, saying Korea's moves toward independent nuclear armament would lead to sanctions by the international community, making it hard for this small, open economy to survive.

Given the political spectrum of the liberal opposition politicians is also as wide as their conservative counterparts, it will take some time before voters sort out who are real or bogus contenders to be the national leader, political watchers here said Wednesday.
An appeals court on Tuesday convicted a U.S. citizen accused of murdering a South Korean college student in 1997, delivering a 20-year prison term that is the severest penalty possible for the defendant who was then an adolescent.

Upholding a lower court's decision, the Seoul High Court found Arthur Patterson guilty of stabbing Cho Joong-pil, who was then a college student, multiple times at a Burger King in the popular foreigner district of Itaewon in central Seoul 19 years ago.

"The defendant lived 19 years of life that the victim was deprived of but still did not show any attitude of seeking pardon from the victim or the bereaved family," the court said.

The 36-year-old defendant has been denying the charges and pointed to the Korean-American named Edward Lee, who he was with at the site of the homicide, as the culprit.

Though Lee was acknowledged as an accomplice, he cannot be punished due to the prohibition against double jeopardy.

A local court found Lee guilty of murder and sentenced him to life in prison in 1998, but he was acquitted by the Supreme Court the following year on a lack of evidence.

At the time, the half-Korean Patterson was in Seoul as the dependent of a civilian worker with the U.S. military. He fled the country in 1999.

His departure was possible because law enforcement authorities failed to extend his foreign travel ban.

Patterson was indicted for murder in December 2011 and was extradited to South Korea in September 2015. (Yonhap)
North Korean ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-nam is set to arrive in China Tuesday on his way to Venezuela to attend a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, a diplomatic source said.

Kim is expected to depart from Pyongyang and make a stopover at the Chinese capital before heading to the South American country for the gathering of nonaligned nations that will run from Tuesday through Sunday, according to the source.

The move comes as North Korea conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test to date on Friday, eight months after its fourth nuclear test. (Yonhap)
A mother-of-two from Massachusetts has pleaded guilty to raping two twin brothers, including her daughters 15-year-old boyfriend.

Heather Salines, 40, was sentenced to four years in prison and three years probation Monday after she entered guilty pleas to two counts of child rape, two counts of child enticement, two counts of dissemination of obscene matter to a minor and one count of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14.

As part of the punishment phase, the Saugus woman was prohibited from having unsupervised contact with children under 16, and upon her release from prison she will be required to register as a sex offender and wear a GPS ankle monitor.



During the hearing in Essex Superior Court in Salem, District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett called Salines actions towards the two victims beyond despicable and condemned her for taking advantage of her position as a trusted adult and betraying that trust in a most vile way, reported the Boston Herald.

Salines was arrested in March 2014 when officials at Belmonte Middle School in Saugus discovered that her daughters then-15-year-old boyfriend had been showing nude pictures of the woman to classmates.

The boy told police he had previously had sex with Salines and they had exchanged naked photos.

She was later questioned by authorities and admitted that they had sexual encounters on a number of occasions.

Salines has a son and daughter, and she was married at the time of the incidents. She and her husband have since divorced.

Salines said she had met the boy two months before they became intimate, and he had told her about the personal turmoil he went through after he lost his mother at a young age.

When I looked at him, he did not act like a 15-year-old he acted like a grown man, she said, telling police things spiraled out of control and she lost herself.

They first had sex in a car in the parking lot of a Saugus-area park on March 17. Two days later, Salines said the teen booked a room at the local DoubleTree hotel, because there was always the threat that her daughter could walk in on them when they were at the house.

Salines was getting ready to accept a plea deal in June 2015 when the victims twin brother came forward also accusing her of rape.

According to court papers, Salines raped the second boy at her home in February 2014, about a month before the initial alleged incident. Prosecutors said Salines sent the boy explicit pictures of herself.

A month later, officials say Salines moved on to the teens brother, who had just turned 15, and began sending him nude photos, a selfie with his name written on her body.

The two had oral sex and intercourse on two separate occasions, including once at the DoubleTree hotel, where the victim and Salines took a selfie while lying in bed together, according to a report in the Eagle Tribune.

Wicked Local reported that Salines attorney, William Korman, said after the hearing that his client feels terrible about the pain she has caused everyone, especially her own family, and described the plea deal as the best possible solution for all involved.

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When architect Charles Kaminski moved to La Jolla in 1975, he was introduced to the local gay community from his apartment in the El Pueblo Ribera complex. (The gay community) was then a handful of people, at least in my circle, he said. The 69-year-old, who was then in his 20s, knew people from an older generation (ages 60-70) who fit the gay stereotypes; they were hairstylists, decorators  but they were from the generation that just kept quiet.

Kaminski, who is a board member with Lambda Archives  a non-profit preserving and teaching the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) people in San Diego  is participating in San Diegos citywide LGBTQ Historic Context Statement, an effort to evaluate historical resources important to this community.

The San Diego City Council received $30,000 in state funding for the project, to be matched with $20,000 of city resources, including staff time to oversee development of the Historical Context Statement. For the draft, the city contracted with GPA Consulting (Los Angeles), which prepared a 105-page document highlighting themes relevant for the LGBTQ community. This was presented for public comment at two workshops, Aug. 25 and Aug. 27 at the Balboa Park Club ballroom.

City public information officer Arian Collins elaborated, In addition to identifying the themes important to the LGBTQ community, the draft also discusses the associated property types and the designation criteria under which they are likely to be eligible (for historical designation).

The draft identified four LGBTQ resources located in La Jolla  Blacks Beach; a restaurant called Skippers Twin Palms, located at 6737 La Jolla Blvd. and demolished in 1973; La Jolla Playhouse; and UC San Diego. To determine the assets researchers used gay publications and guides, said Kaminski.

Nobody really talked about being homosexual at that time, so anybody who went (to Skippers Twin Palms) was probably very discrete, and didnt want to be singled out. Most of the bars in the 1960s and the 70s were unmarked. It was really through word-of-mouth and through guides that people knew where to go, so they could feel comfortable.

Kaminski said he didnt know of Skippers Twin Palms, since it was demolished before he moved here, but he pointed out other establishments in La Jolla that were frequented by the LGBTQ community. For example, he told La Jolla Light of King Richard (613 Pearl St., see photo), The Hungry Horse in Bird Rock (6544 La Jolla Blvd.), Gustav Anders (La Jolla Shores), the Unicorn Theatre (7456 La Jolla Blvd.) and adjacent Mithras Bookstore and a gentlemans bathhouse on La Jolla Boulevard.

He also passed along this information to CPA Consulting, hoping it will help unveil the LGBTQ history in La Jolla. Theres rumors, theres heresay, there are some known facts, but nothing stands out as protests or civil disobedience, just kind of how gays and lesbians lived in those days, in the shadows.

La Jolla Historical Society Preservation Committee chair Diane Kane, who attended the Historic Context workshops, brought up a property at 1944 Little St. She said the current owners, Taylor Miller and Paul Mears, approached her a year ago seeking help to get their residence designated historical. They claimed the property was previously owned by Bob Faust, reportedly a famous gay interior designer from Los Angeles, who established his permanent residence in La Jolla.

On the topic, Miller wrote in an e-mail, We have spoken to many of Bob Fausts old friends, who fondly remember him and his parties clearly. He was one of the original 1988 members of Gamma Mu, a non-profit founded in 1967 to help the LBGTQ communities.

Kane visited the house and reported it was worthy of a review for historical designation. When I learned of the LGBTQ Historic Context Statement, I thought that this property would fit  the time period, the people and the style were right. She described the homes style as Colonial Revival, with mirrors on the ceilings, very slick modern interiors, reflective adornments, and leather or fur for rugs.

City staff will seek input on the themes identified in the Context, as well as the properties identified thus far and any additional properties. Input from the public at these (past) workshops will be reviewed by city staff and incorporated into the document as appropriate, Collins explained. A follow-up workshop to present the revised draft will likely occur in mid-to-late September. A final document will be produced by mid-to-late fall.

However, in their criticism of the project, Kane and Kaminski agreed that there was a lack of public outreach. The idea is to get all the neighbors in the city to remember, but that really didnt happen, said Kaminski.

La Jolla residents interested in sharing facts or citing properties in La Jolla related to the LGBTQ historical context, can contact city senior planner Kelley Stanco at (619) 236-6545 or kstanco@sandiego.gov
It looks like The Girl from Ipanema went walking ... The first mural installed through the Murals of La Jolla Program in 2010, Girl from Ipanema by Kim MacConnel, was replaced this week with Heather Gwen Martins new work Landing.

One of the largest in the Murals program, installation of the piece took more than a week at 7724 Girard Ave. Starting with removal of the former piece and prep and priming, Landing will be unveiled this week.

Since Kims mural was painted directly on its site, unlike most of the other murals, which are made using billboard technology, the Murals of La Jolla Art advisory committee decided to identify another painter for this commission, said Murals of La Jolla curator Lynda Forsha. The committee, which is made up of the heads of the visual arts institutions in La Jolla, thought Heather Gwen Martin was the ideal artist for this commission. She has a strong connection to San Diego, living here when she attended UCSD, and is, without question, one of the most inventive painters working today. There was great confidence that she would come up with something stunning and dynamic to follow in Kims good footsteps.

Forsha added, In a sense, we have commissioned a very large painting and it will be on view for some time, so it was important to choose an artist who was up to the task of maybe making the largest artwork theyve ever made. In addition to all of the challenges involved in making a great painting  there is the additional challenge of understanding a scale that most artists might not be familiar with.

Standing three stories tall, this is the largest piece artist Martin has ever done. Im very interested in energy and balance and the idea of movement, as though something is in motion and then captured as a moment in time, she said of her work for La Jollas public art program. Using bright colors and wispy paint stokes, she said she hopes people will bring their own experiences and where they are in that moment in time to view the piece with an open mind.

This piece has an awareness of (itself), and the shape of the canvas is really interesting in that it allows strokes to join at the corners and move around. You can see the two major sides and, for example, places where the dark green and lime green meet, like a pushing point to the other side. It wants to stop, but it doesnt. Some of my paintings dont end where the frame ends, they look like they could go on forever but have to end somewhere, she said.

Commenting on different vantage points from which someone could view the piece  whether it be from afar or up close, looking up or straight on, at the most prominent sides or one its more narrow edges  Martin said she hopes people will also bring their own perspective to see its different angles. Having never created a mural, I found the process fantastic and overwhelming.

When approached to create something for the Murals of La Jolla program, Martin said she was happy to accept the task. I lived in San Diego for a time, so Im familiar with the Murals of La Jolla program and am pleased to be included. I know some of the other participating artists personally and others by reputation, and its a great group to be a part of, she said.

Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, but sharing her time between the Great White North and San Diego, Martin said she always had an interest in making things, but it wasnt until her late teens that she committed to her artistic passion. I thought for a long time that I would go into medicine or science, but when I was 17, a friend died and I realized you only get one go-around at life, and decided to pursue what I love, which is art, she said.

With a show in Los Angeles that was recently extended, the artist said she would be in La Jolla to see the unveiling. I visit La Jolla often, so I wanted to be there for the installation process, she said. Plus it will be awesome to come back, happen by the site and show it off.
Society has mechanisms in place for those who want to adopt a child, and for children who need a parent. But what about those who would like to have a grandparent-grandchild connection?

UC San Diego and retirement community Casa de Manana have joined forces to connect individuals of different generations. Senior student Karyn Speidel championed the initiative that began in April. Im an older student and I was taking an aging class with a lot of transfer older students, and we started to realize that we didnt know or feel connected with the senior population, so we thought of creating a program that fostered a multi-directional support mechanism, she explained. Speidel, who graduated in June, got a job that was created for her: UCSDs Intergenerational Administrative Analyst.

The program, called Intergenerational Collaboration Initiative, had about 20 participants last year, equally distributed between seniors and students. It consists of two branches  weekly walks that depart from Casa de Manana and monthly roundtable discussions. Speidel said the roundtable discussions are her favorite. We talk about the students aspirations and what their cultural experiences are, and the older people share the values they grew up with, she said. They work together to create innovative ways to approach complex problems in the world.

For Casa de Manana life enrichment director Kelly Hillegeist, both branches of the project are equally important, and there is a place for everyone in it. We have a resident who very much enjoys the walking group, but not the roundtable discussions. She loves being outdoors, she loves having someone right beside her, just giving her full attention. Its interesting to get perspectives from both of these groups of participants who are doing this on a 100 percent voluntary basis. They come out here every week for the walking group, completely by choice.

Resident Irma Cannon said she most enjoys the contact with younger generations. I find out that the generational perspectives are so different; they go into areas I never anticipated, she said, adding that the program is not only diverse in ages but also in cultural origins. Among our group there are people who grew up in Peru or Lebanon, and among the students theres one from Hong Kong, one from the Middle East, a couple people who come from a Mexican background, a Brazilian  its wonderful.

But the conversations among different generations are not easy, Cannon pointed out. During the first session we had, a number of the students talked very directly about how they did not want families, anyone to get in the way of what they wanted to accomplish, and that included relationships and partnerships. The older folks recognized that its ones responsibility to society to help move things forward for others, and that piece seemed to be absent (in the younger generation). We suggested our next conversation be about the individuals role in society, but the students decided they didnt want to have that conversation.

For Cannon there are also challenges when giving advice to the younger generations. All the anxiety that students are experiencing in the early stages of their lives  we know they are going to be OK, because weve been through all that, and you know you land on your feet. So I think sometimes its challenging to hold back and not say, Oh youre going to be OK, because they need to have their own experiences and we want to give them the space they need to find out who they are in their own journeys.

When asked what the younger students get out of the interactions, Hillegeist and Cannon said they often wondered the same thing, so La Jolla Light contacted 22-year-old student Genesis Hill, who participated in the first semester of the program, to get her input. She described the experience as a mentoring one. Older generations are wiser than all of us. In the discussion and the walks, we have conversations, we tell our life stories, and I get to share mine, and people genuinely are curious about your life choices.  (I enjoy) learning from each person there, the older and younger generations coming together, trying to learn from each other what are the best decisions in life.

Hill said she will continue to participate in the intergenerational walks and roundtables next year.

After the summer break, walks and roundtables will resume in October, mostly limited to Casa de Manana residents and UCSD students and faculty. Those interested in participating can contact Karyn Speidel at kespeidel@ucsd.edu or Kelly Hillegeist at khillegeist@frontporch.net or visit sustain.ucsd.edu/initiatives/ici.html
To get the ball rolling, now six weeks after marine biologist Doyle Hanan turned in his report on the sea lion population at The Cove to the City of San Diego, the La Jolla Parks & Beaches (LJP&B) advisory group voted to send a letter to the Mayor and the Park & Rec Department to prompt action on the deterrence methods recommended in the study. The motion passed (11-2-0) at the Aug. 22 meeting.

Specifically, the letter will request that a contractor or entity be authorized to use section 109(h) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-approved deterrence methods mentioned in the Hanan Report. LJP&B member Debbie Beacham, part of the sub-committee appointed to follow up on the sea lion situation said, We want to get sea lion busters.

As trustee Melinda Merryweather explained, All we want to ask the Mayor is to take the recommendation thats in the study he paid for, and let us use that first step.

Beacham recommended that the method used involves spraying the animals with water. We would like to explore the low-voltage fencing option with more detail, but I dont think that that needs to be in this recommendation, she said.

In response, trustee Zachariah Spitzer reminded LJP&B members that Doyle Hanan also says in his report that this should not be considered a long-term answer to managing the California sea lions, as the animals tend to get aggressive the more frequently these techniques are used.

LJP&B president Dan Allen said he was informed by city staff that gates and latches are coming, and once they are installed on each beach staircase, they will prevent the sea lions from getting to the lifeguard tower and the street. Its probably just in the design process, so it could take a long time, Allen advised.

Trustees Spitzer and Jane Reldan moved for an amendment to the letter restricting the deterrence location to Zone Three (the beach), but the motion failed and the petition includes deterrence areas in Zones Three, Four, Five and Six (the beach and the upper cliff shelf areas).

The final text of the letter will read, We strongly support you taking action ... on immediate measures to protect the health and safety of citizens considering the sea lions in the La Jolla Cove. We recommend you take action by designating a 109(h) entity or contractor to utilize the option in the Doyle Hanan report of NOAA-approved deterrence methods in the areas that are considered high use by humans, the beach and upper shelf areas  and then have an option to install gates and latches at the base of every stair. We understand thats a work in progress.

In other LJP&B news:



Challenged Athletes benefit: The board approved the 23rd annual Challenged Athletes Foundation fundraiser, set for Oct. 21 at The Cove. Executive director Virginia Tinley said, We have been able to help 13,000 physically challenged people in all 50 states and 32 different countries. The fundraising we do here every October at Scripps Park remains one of our premiere events, and its budgeted to raise more than a million dollars. Trustees encouraged Tinley to support the sea lion deterrence method proposal and lobby the Mayor to find a solution to the problem. She said, Maybe we can meet for coffee and go over what that entails.



Meet the intern: German landscaping intern Christian Weidner was introduced to the board. He is finishing his Masters degree in technical landscaping and said he was thrilled to work in La Jolla. I got this opportunity to come here for a project around The Cove and adjacent beaches, and I tried to figure out which plants we can best use for the place.



Brown Act rules: During a presentation by Park & Rec Department district manager Marilyn Stern, LJP&B members were reminded of their duties as trustees. All meetings have to be open and public, and deliberations must be taken openly, and all persons are permitted to participate and attend the meetings, she said. The trustees said they are working toward raising the number of members required for a quorum.

 LJP&B next meets 4:30 Monday, Sept. 26 at the Rec Center, 615 Prospect St. lajollaparksandbeaches.org
 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

As of September 2016, CJ Charles Jewelers in La Jolla is an official retailer for the Swiss watch brand, Patek Philippe, which is renowned for innovation, quality and heritage.

Established in Geneva in 1839, Patek Phillipe is the last independently family-owned watch manufacturer. Over four generations, the Stern family continues to uphold the legacy and tradition of the original founders. If you are wearing a Patek Philippe, then you are wearing a timeless masterpiece that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Said Vahid Moradi, president and CEO of CJ Charles Jewelers, Patek Philippe has been a personal and business pursuit of mine for nearly 25 years. Where do I begin? Is it the legacy of Patek, their mastery of movement making, or what they represent to watch collectors worldwide?

I have to start by saying its even more than all of the above. A Patek Philippe client understands the true DNA of watchmaking and feels privileged owning it. They understand that the Patek Philippe in their collection will be cherished not only by themselves, but by their children, and their grandchildren. In 1998, a year after my son was born, I started collecting my first Patek Philippe: a Patek Calatrava followed by a Patek Annual Calendar. My personal passion then was the driving force to our current partnership with Patek Philippe.

Now I am finally able to represent and present the brand to our incredibly loyal collectors and clients in Southern California.

Across the world, vintage Patek Philippe timepieces are highly sought after. They have received record-breaking bids at various auctions due to their high level of craftsmanship and history. This year, a Patek Philippe World Time reference 2523/1 (from 1954) sold for $2,513.222 at the Hong Kong Watch Sale.

The society of the Patek Philippe enthusiasts will now have their own destination to acquire their next Patek Philippe for their collection. Call CJ Charles Jewelers or stop in the store to learn more.

CJ Charles Jewelers is at 1135 Prospect St. in La Jolla. (858) 454-5390. cjcharles.com

The Business Spotlight features commercial enterprises that support the La Jolla Light.
 KNOW YOUR LIFEGUARD:

When I went to meet permanent lifeguard Dana Nelsen at La Jolla Shores for the last interview of our Know Your Lifeguards series, one of her colleagues told me, Oh, are you interviewing the best lifeguard in all of San Diego? Its hard to verify if the statement is true, but she very well could be.

This 27-year-old, born and raised in University City, said she learned how to swim in The Cove. She swam the La Jolla Rough Water Swim for the first time at age 5, and did it for 20 consecutive years until 2014. I won when I was 8, that was a lot of fun, she said.

At age 10, Nelsen started her lifeguard career with the Junior Lifeguards, at age 16, she became an intern and at age 18 interviewed for a seasonal position, securing the job on her first attempt. This is my third year as a permanent, she explained. I did seven summers as a seasonal, I interviewed twice and after my second interview, I was promoted.

2016 was her first year assigned to La Jolla, and she will be going back to the central coast district (Pacific Beach to Mission Beach) in the next rotation. Nelsen is a versatile lifeguard who wants to be strong in all areas of the service. I think Im going to continue bouncing around just so I can get a good grasp on all the districts and gain experience, she said.

She defines lifeguarding as the best job in the world, and her hope for the future is to stay in the service and share her knowledge and experience with up-and-coming guards.

What are the foundations for a good lifeguard?

A good lifeguard is able to swim well and run, and be cognizant of their surroundings. They have situational awareness, take preventative actions and spread ocean knowledge and beach safety to the public because on the beaches of San Diego we get a lot of tourism, which is great, but a lot of people come not knowing anything about the ocean. We try to educate people so they dont get into trouble. If they do get into trouble, maybe theyll be able to help themselves out a little bit.

You learned how to swim at The Cove. How do you see it now, after 20 years?

I worked there this winter and it made me sad because its not how it used to be. Its still a beautiful place, but its not as relaxing as it used to be. More people go there now to see the sea lions, and thats not what The Cove is about. Its about relaxing at the beach, snorkeling, seeing the underwater park and the environment. Hopefully, it can change, but lifeguards are adapting to it, we have to.

What do you like most about being a lifeguard?

I really like how dynamic it is and not knowing what Im going to get each day. I like the lifestyle job that it is, I work with some of my best friends. We have the best time and then everyone knows how to put their game face on when a critical situation happens. Theres not a day when I dont want to come here, and I think that I speak for everyone on that. Everyone is really humble about it. We come out here and we do what we have to do, and we dont ask for praise. Its just what we love to do.

Tell me about your background.

Ive always been around the water. In high school, I started playing water polo, and went to college on a water polo scholarship at UC Davis. Then I graduated. I worked during the summer (as a lifeguard) and was promoted (to a permanent position).

Your partner is also a permanent lifeguard. What is it like to share that bond?

It can be really good, but also really frustrating because we dont always want to talk about work at home. Ive talked to guys who have spouses that are not lifeguards, and they say its hard for them to talk to them about the job because its hard to understand what goes on if you arent immediately involved in it, especially with the jargon that we use. It doesnt really translate to some people if they dont hear the radio transmissions all day.

Whats it like to be a female lifeguard?

We hit some roadblocks in some places just because we arent as respected as some of the guys. I think thats kind of a cultural thing that needs to be changed in every work profession. But workwise, with all the guys I work with, they are very respectful. We work just as hard as they do, and we have done everything that theyve done to get the same job ... but sometimes, with the public, we are not as respected, especially if we are going for a rescue. If its a guy, we dont always get the best feedback, and were just here to do our job. Unfortunately, not everyone sees it that way. It shouldnt be about gender when it comes to a rescue situation.

What are the challenges of lifeguarding at the Shores?

Trying to keep your cool with the public. We do the best we can, we dont ask for recognition. Its hard when we are making rescues all day and we are really busy, and we get a lot of complaints about trivial things in the parking lot, or the bathroom lock that wont work. There arent very many of us so sometimes we cant get to everything. Its really nice to get positive feedback from the public, on those days, especially, when youre trying to do everything and someone tells you good job, thanks for doing this. 

Whats your favorite beach in La Jolla?

WindanSea. Its really peaceful when theres not a lot of people there. Its one of the most picturesque places in La Jolla. Its a staple in La Jolla with The Shack being there and it has a lot of history.

ON THE WEB: You can find La Jolla Lights five-part lifeguard series online with profiles on lifeguards Daniel Orloff, David DuPont, Kelsie Gleason and Rodger Eales, in addition to Dana Nelsen. Ssearch for Know Your Lifeguards at lajollalight.com or visit bit.ly/knowyourlifeguards
After two hearings and more than six months of review, the City of San Diego Code Enforcement division has ruled the artistic installation at 6706 Avenida Manana facing Nautilus Street is an unpermitted structure. The piece in question is a 10-foot-tall hut-like installation, which artist and La Jolla resident Nasser Pirasteh has, from the onset, argued is a sculpture. Pirasteh has 60 calendar days to move or completely remove the piece and pay administrative costs of $1,143.57 and $5,000 in civil penalties.

Having received notice of the decision over the Labor Day weekend, the artist was not ready to announce his next move. Although he said he was saddened by the decision, Pirasteh was not entirely surprised  and is likely not going to appeal.

The city threw everything but the kitchen sink at us during the Code Enforcement hearings, he said, referencing administrative reviews in June and July. I felt like no matter what we said, no matter what evidence we offered, they werent going to change their position.

As such, he said he feels an appeal would be moot. Who should I appeal to? No one at the city is listening to us. If we have another hearing, there will be another judge and the city will continue to protect their own. I cant fight this forever. We dont have the money or power to fight them and keep this going. This is not justice to me, but what can I do?

In March, Pirasteh received notice that an unpermitted accessory structure had been observed in his front yard, and needed to be removed. At that time, he was notified civil penalties may be assessed at a daily rate not to exceed $2,500 per day, not to exceed a total maximum of $250,000. At issue was the construction of a structure in the front yard setback of the property for which Pirasteh had not filed building permits. The artist told La Jolla Light that because he felt he was erecting a sculpture, he did not need building permits.

On June 17, City of San Diego administrative hearing officer James Queenan held a hearing to give Code Enforcement officers the opportunity to present evidence that the installation was an unpermitted accessory structure, and also to listen to testimony from the artist and his supporters arguing the piece is a sculpture. Pirasteh has approximately 90 other uncontested (albeit smaller) sculptures in his yard.

One month later, on July 21, Pirasteh requested a second hearing to present evidence he felt would permit him to keep the installation where it is: a footnote in the San Diego Municipal Code that could reduce the setback of Pirastehs yard. If the footnote had applied, the piece would no longer be in violation. However, the city deemed the footnote irrelevant, so they did not investigate the possibility of applicability before the hearing.

That last hearing was tough because there was only one thing to review, and the city didnt even bother, Pirasteh said. It showed us no matter what we said, they werent going to consider it.

Following the decision, Pirasteh said he did not yet know if he was going to move the piece to another area of the property or demolish it altogether.
The 10th annual Midway American Patriot Award Gala was hosted aboard the USS Midway Museum, Sept. 1, 2016 in downtown San Diego. The Midway American Patriot Award honors extraordinary individuals who exemplify the finest of American ideals, recognizing individual acts as well as cumulative lifetime achievement. This years honorees were Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole. Event proceeds benefit the No Child Left Ashore scholarship fund, which benefit tens of thousands of students annually from under-served San Diego County schools to study science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) aboard Midway. midway.org

 Click on VIEW GALLERY to see photos from the event.
The price of LITRO gas cylinders would be further reduced in the first week of November in accordance with the

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The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary

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President Tran Dai Quang and Rudy Demotte, Minister-President of Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles (Photo: VNA)



Rudy Demotte is on an official visit to Vietnam to attend activities marking the 20th founding anniversary of the Wallonie-Bruxelles delegation to Vietnam.

President Quang expressed his delight at the sound development of relations between Vietnam and the federal, regional and community governments in Belgium.

He appreciated Wallonie-Bruxelles for providing non-refundable aid for cooperation projects in Vietnam in such fields as tertiary education, vocational training, health research, and environmental protection, contributing to local poverty reduction, manpower quality improvement and socio-economic development.

He asked businesses from the region to be more active in seeking investment and business opportunities in Vietnam, especially in biotechnology, renewable energy, mechanics, and logistics. The two sides should also facilitate locality-to-locality cooperation.

For his part, Rudy Demotte said since its delegation was established in Vietnam, Wallonie-Bruxelles has carried out a number projects supporting local socio-economic development. Many projects have brought about general benefits for the public like those in health care and medical waste treatment.

The region also wants to boost cooperation with the Southeast Asian country in high technology and heritage preservation, he added.

On this occasion, President Quang and his guest discussed ways to reinforce bilateral connections within the framework of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

The host said his country treasures ties with the OIF and its members and wants closer coordination with Wallonie-Bruxelles to implement projects within the OIF framework.

He added that he will lead a Vietnamese delegation to the 16th Francophonie Summit, slated for this November in Madagascar.

Meanwhile, Demotte spoke highly of Vietnams activeness in the OIF and affirmed that the country is an important partner of Wallonie-Bruxelles in Asia.

He also announced that he will lead a delegation of the French-speaking region to the upcoming summit.

Vietnam is the only Asian country to host a delegation from the French Community of Belgium (Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles)./.
PRESS RELEASE

Frances Hollande: U.S. Response to 9/11 Expanded, Not Eliminated, Terrorist Threat

Sept. 12, 2016 (EIRNS)On the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, French President Francois Hollande asserted that the Bush Administrations response to that eventthe invasion of Iraqled to the expansion of the terrorist threat, rather than its eradication. France has suffered the consequences of the U.S. action.

Frances Agence France Presse news service reported that Hollande wrote on his Facebook page that,

"[T]he response that the American administration gave to these attacks... far from eradicating the threat, expanded it over a wider area; namely, to Iraq. And even though France, through [ex-president] Jacques Chirac, rightly refused to join the intervention [in Iraq], which it condemned, it has nonetheless been a victim of the consequences of the chaos it caused."

Several other French analysts quoted by AFP had the same message: that Bushs "shock and awe" campaign led to the expansion of the Islamic State, jihadis, etc.

Also speaking yesterday, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned that the country is under a continuous terrorist threat, adding that as many as 15,000 people are in the process of being radicalized, and 1,350 are under direct investigation, The Independent reported. "Every day, attacks are foiled ... [including] as we speak," he stated. Interviewed on Europe 1 radio yesterday, Valls said that the terror threat "is at a maximum, and we are a target... There will be new attacks; there will be innocent victims," adding that two attacks were foiled in the past two weeks, and that every day, "[I]ntelligence services and police, thwart attacks, dismantle networks, track terrorists." Currently, there are 700 French jihadists and residents fighting in Iraq and Syria, he said, including 275 women and "dozens of children."
PRESS RELEASE

Duterte Cancels Joint U.S.-Philippine Naval Patrols in South China Sea, and Turns to Russia, China for Military Arms

Sept. 13, 2016 (EIRNS)Philippines President Duterte continues his clear-headed dismantling of Obamas military impositions on his country, implemented under the willing tool President Aquino. Following Dutertes declaration on Monday that all remaining U.S. Special Forces in Mindanao must leave (the United States has not yet received such an official order), he has now announced the cancellation of Obamas deal with Aquino to carry out provocative joint naval patrols of "contested waters" in the South China Sea.

"We will not join any expedition or patrolling the sea. I will not allow it, because I do not want my country to be in involved in a hostile act,"

Duterte said in a speech during the 48th anniversary of the 250th Philippine Airlift Wing at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, as reported in the Philippines Inquirer.

"I just want to patrol our territorial waters," he said. "We do not go into a patrol or join any other army from now, because I do not want trouble," Duterte said.

"I do not want to ride gung-ho style there with China or with America. I just want to patrol our territorial waters. Territory is limited to the 12-mile limit. That is ours."

Bloomberg reported that Duterte, in a televised speech today before military officers in Manila, said that two unidentified countries had agreed to give the Philippines a 25-year soft loan to buy military equipment. But he also announced that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and technical people in the armed forces would visit China and Russia "and see whats best."

Reiterating his insistence that the Philippines would not engage in military provocations with the U.S. against China, he said the Philippines needs propeller-driven planes that it can use against insurgents and to fight terrorists in Mindanao. He said he wanted to buy arms
PRESS RELEASE

Can Minsk II Be Revived Before War Erupts?

Sept. 13, 2016 (EIRNS)A series of dramatic developments over the past 24 hours suggests that a combined Russian-European diplomatic effort could finally move the Ukraine peace talks forward.

The Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday afternoon that Alexander Zakharchenko, the commander of the Donetsk forces, went on Russian television to announce a unilateral cease-fire beginning at midnight on Wednesday. Zakharchenko called on the Ukraine government to join the cease-fire. The day before the Zakharchenko announcement, Ukraine President Poroshenko told the media that a parliamentary vote on the constitutional changes granting autonomy to eastern Ukraine was imminent. On Monday, Poroshenko participated in a phone discussion with German, French, and Russian officials, and today, German Foreign Minister Steinmeieer and French Foreign Minister Ayrault arrived in Kiev for consultations with Poroshenko. On Wednesday, Poroshenko will meet with the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Poland, and Britain. In the past 24 hours, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and French President Hollande have both issued prominent public statements, declaring that the Minsk II process is the only option for settling the Ukraine crisis, and must be implemented now.

Washington sources have emphasized that, while the Kerry-Lavrov talks have focused on Syria, the two have constantly discussed ways to revive Minsk II, and, at one point several months ago, it appeared that a breakthrough was near.
Matthew Weiner, the creator of Mad Men, the stylish television series that introduced America to handsome, hard-drinking advertising executive Don Draper and his friends (and enemies), will release his debut novel next year.

Little, Brown and Co. announced that it will publish Weiners Heather, the Totality in the fall of 2017. Its the first book from the producer and screenwriter also known for his work on The Sopranos.

The publisher describes Weiners novel as a dark fable set in contemporary Manhattan ... about three people from two worlds who are on a collision course in pursuit of a beautiful child.

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Weiner, a Baltimore native who lives in Los Angeles, became famous as the creator of Mad Men, which won 16 Emmy awards and had 116 nominations during its run from July 2007 to May 2015.

Mad Men stood out for its portrayal of midcentury America, with furnishings, hairstyles and fashions of the 1960s. In later seasons, the books that were read by its characters were seen as keys to their frames of mind. For Joan Harris, it was Lady Chatterleys Lover by D.H. Lawrence; Pete Campbell, The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon; Betty Draper, The Group by Mary McCarthy; Don Drapers list included John le Carres The Spy Who Came In From the Cold, Meditations in an Emergency by Frank OHara, The Inferno by Dante and, of course, some Philip Roth  Portnoys Complaint. (Heres a PDF that lists them)

Weiner is an avid reader; in 2014 he told the New York Times that Gabriel Garcia Marquez is his favorite author and that he admires the work of Michel Houellebecq.

As someone to whom literature has always been essential, the only thing better than the experience of writing Heather, the Totality is having it published by Little, Brown and Company, Weiner said in a news release from the publisher. I cant imagine a more exciting way to begin this part of my writing life.

Weiner started writing for television not long after earning a masters degree from the University of Southern California. His early credits include the sitcoms Andy Richter Controls the Universe and Becker. He later joined the writing staff of the mob drama The Sopranos and in 2007, went on to create Mad Men.

Theres still a year before Weiners book hits shelves. Until then, you can rewatch Mad Men or read some midcentury classics while sipping your Canadian Club.
Ford Motor Co. is shifting all of its North American small-car production to Mexico, Chief Executive Mark Fields said Wednesday.

Over the next two to three years, we will have migrated all of our small-car production to Mexico and out of the United States, Fields said.

Ford currently makes its Fiesta subcompact in Mexico, but its Focus and C-Max small cars are made in suburban Detroit. Making them in Mexico would boost company profits because of low wages there.

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The company is building a $1.6-billion assembly plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. It plans to make small cars there starting in 2018.

Fords Michigan Assembly Plant, which currently makes the small cars, will be getting new products under a contract signed last year with the United Auto Workers union. They probably will be larger, more profitable vehicles such as the Ford Ranger pickup.

The industry has known for decades that domestic manufacturers struggle to make a profit on small cars. Shifting assembly to Mexico can reduce costs to a point.

Ford is looking at other ways to cut costs too. For example, Field said the current Ford Focus can be ordered in 300 configurations of options and colors. Ford wants to reduce that to 30, which would make production simpler and less expensive.

Mark Fields in 2015 (Ajit Solanki / Associated Press)

Americans, however, prefer larger vehicles, especially pickups and higher-riding SUVs and crossover vehicles, for their personal use.

The future of smaller cars in the U.S. may depend on the ability to electrify their powertrains and introduce them to ride-sharing fleets in which they can generate revenue from fares paid by multiple riders.

Along those lines, Fields and other Ford executives outlined a $4.5-billion investment plan playing out over the next four years. It would include new models in segments such as commercial vehicles, trucks, SUVs and performance vehicles.

The automaker also reiterated its commitment to developing an autonomous vehicle by 2021. It believes that autonomous vehicles could account for up to 20% of vehicle sales by 2030.

The days announcements in Dearborn, Mich., were part of Fords corporate-strategy presentation to more than 100 analysts and investors. It comes as the U.S. auto industrys six-year recovery is cooling and Britains exit from the European Union is presenting a new challenge to Fords rebound in Europe.

Ford shares have fallen nearly 14% so far this year. They sank 1.9% on Wednesday to $12.14.

Fields spent the first half of his 45-minute presentation assuring analysts that Fords core business remains strong, especially in its most profitable segments such as full-size pickup trucks, commercial vans and its resurgent Lincoln luxury brand.

But he also said the company must respond to a global shift away from personal vehicle ownership to one in which personal ownership will be challenged by on-demand shared mobility.

This is very different thinking for us, Fields said. For most of our history, we have thought about the thing and how many of the things we have sold.

In exploring how a traditional manufacturer can profit in a market in which the vehicle becomes a service platform, Fields said the first question he and fellow executives had to define is: Whats our point of view on autonomy?

We see huge social, economic and environmental benefits. Were focused on usage where miles traveled are as important as the number of units sold, he said. Autonomous vehicles will account for 1 of every 10 miles traveled by 2025, and will grow from 5% of all vehicles sold in U.S. in 2025 to 20% in 2030.

Gardner writes for the Detroit Free Press. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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2:10 p.m.: This article was updated with Ford shares closing price.

This article was originally published at 11:35 a.m.
The Justice Department is investigating Wells Fargo & Co.s improper sales tactics, according to a person familiar with the probe.

Federal prosecutors in San Francisco and New York are in the early stages of an investigation that could lead to criminal or civil charges, the person said Wednesday.

Last week, the San Francisco bank agreed to pay $185 million to settle investigations by Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer and federal regulators.

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The bank declined to comment on the Justice Department investigation.

The sales tactics, first uncovered by the Los Angeles Times in 2013, involved thousands of bank employees opening as many as 2 million accounts that customers did not authorize in order to meet aggressive sales goals.

Investigations by the city attorneys office and federal banking regulators described some of the steps employees took to open the savings, checking and credit card accounts as fraudulent and illegal.

Top executives have blamed low-level employees for the problem and said there were no incentives to take improper actions. The bank also said it discovered the problem itself and has fired 5,300 workers for improper sales practices since 2011.

The people who were talking about here werent the high performers, Chief Financial Officer John Shrewsberry said at a financial services conference Tuesday. It was really more at the lower end of the performance scale, where people apparently were making bad choices to hang on in their job.

But many of the workers that The Times interviewed were highly successful employees.

Bart Naylor, financial policy advocate for Public Citizen, a public interest group, said he welcomed news of a Justice Department investigation and that some higher-level employees needed to be held accountable.

Its about time, he said. To date, the message has been that if you want to make money, including making it illegally, Wall Street is the place to go.

The Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing on the banks sales tactics Tuesday.

Wells Fargo Chief Executive John Stumpf will testify along with the heads of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the two regulators that joined Feuers office in announcing the settlements last week.

The bank will pay the CFPB $100 million, the largest fine ever imposed by the agency.

Feuers office began investigating Wells Fargo after The Times story was published and sued the bank last year.

The suit alleged that Wells Fargo victimized their customers by using pernicious and often illegal sales tactics, including tactics that were unrealistic and drove bankers to engage in fraudulent activity.

The lawsuit led to investigations by federal regulators, who found that bank employees illegally transferred money from legitimate accounts into unauthorized ones, created personal identification numbers for debit cards that customers did not request and created fake email addresses to secretly sign up customers for online banking.

Wells Fargo did not admit any wrongdoing in the settlements, which closed those investigations.

The Justice Department probe opens a new chapter in the controversy and could lead to additional penalties.

The investigation was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, which said prosecutors are subpoenaing documents and the probe is focused on whether senior management was responsible for any illegal activity,

Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew on Tuesday said Wells Fargos bad behavior was unacceptable. Speaking generally about improper activities by financial firms, Lew said it was up to prosecutors to decide whether to file criminal charges in such cases.

He pushed back against criticism of Obama administration officials for not being more aggressive against big banks for actions that helped trigger the 2008 financial crisis as well as other abuses.

We have made it clear we dont believe anybody is too big to jail, Lew said at a New York City conference.

Shares of Wells Fargo closed down 1% Wednesday to $46.52. Shares have fallen 6.5% since the close of trading Sept. 7, the day before the settlement was announced.

By comparison the Standard & Poors 500 index lost 2.5% over the same period.

jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com | del.wilber@latimes.com

Follow @JimPuzzanghera and @DelWilber on Twitter.

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4:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

3:13 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Bart Naylor and additional details.

This article was first published at 2:10 p.m
Now about to start his sixth season at the head of the Seattle Symphony, Ludovic Morlot has been compiling a distinctly adventurous profile on the orchestras record label, emphasizing 20th and 21st century French and American music.

The biggest project so far has been a beautifully played three-CD box set of the orchestral music of Henri Dutilleux, released last month for the late composers centenary. Not to mention a lot of Ives, some Varese and Elliott Carter, and, for the Cantaloupe label, a John Luther Adams soundscape.

That all might be a little too adventurous for the populist agenda of the Hollywood Bowl  even for what has been a more-inventive-than-usual season. Yet Morlot was still able to steer Tuesday nights program with the Los Angeles Philharmonic toward his French specialties. And not always predictable ones.

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Morlot started out with a selection from his all-Faure CD, Masques et Bergamasques, a piece that is hardly ever played live anywhere, let alone at the Bowl. You may wonder why, for this is a delightful, elegant, melodious, neoclassical suite drawn from a longer one-act theater piece that was patched together in 1919 from scraps of earlier Faure works. Maybe the reason is just laziness, or fear of being out of fashion, on the part of conductors and impresarios. In any case, the L.A. Phil dispatched the suite with style and finesse.

The single-movement Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 followed, featuring fellow Frenchman Gautier Capucon as the soloist. On this chilly night, though, Capucon and the sound system were not in top form; the cellos tone had an unpleasant cutting edge, balanced too loudly over the orchestra, and Capucons interpretation seemed rather blunt, even a bit frantic. Staying within the French theme of the evening, the encore, Massenets Meditation from Thais, fared considerably better as Capucon ably caressed and sustained the line.

Gautier Capucon, soloist on Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 on Tuesday at the Bowl. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times )

Though the evening got colder as it went along, the opening movement of Ravels Rapsodie Espagnole still sounded suitably sun-drenched, and Morlot established the right thrust of the swaying rhythms in the subsequent movements, the delicate colors emerging clearly through the loudspeakers. The final movement, Feria, exploded splendidly, with no preciousness in the central section. It was a distinguished performance all around.

Morlot also did a fine job with Ravels La Valse to close the evening. There wasnt much in the way of nebulous dread in the opening measures, as Morlot emphasized French clarity instead of sonic fog. The fast waltz rhythm was clearly spelled out from the beginning and maintained throughout the piece, the beat kept firm and clear, with Morlot allowing himself only brief indulgences of rubato and a manically cranked-up tempo in the final seconds. I imagine that a complete recorded Ravel cycle by Morlot in Seattle would be quite competitive.

Follow The Times arts team @culturemonster.
Betting big on the staying power of the Star Wars film franchise, Turner television networks have claimed the rights to run the iconic film franchise on cable channels TNT and TBS.

The multiyear deals, announced Wednesday, steer 11 Star Wars movies, including last years blockbuster, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, this Decembers Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and three additional upcoming films onto the Turner channels.

Turner, a division of media giant Time Warner Inc., has been laser-focused on making its channels more valuable to consumers and pay-TV distributors by developing new original dramas and comedies. The network group hopes to remain relevant amid dramatic shifts in viewer behavior. However, the licensing deal for 10 Star Wars films with Walt Disney Co., and a separate arrangement with 20th Century Fox, underscores how cable channels such as TNT and TBS continue to depend heavily on Hollywood blockbusters to bolster their viewership.

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Turner said TNT and TBS will be the exclusive home to the various installments of the franchise among ad-supported TV networks. Its agreement with Disney covers 10 of the movies, including five of the six original Star Wars installments. Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion.

The company separately secured the rights to the first installment, Star Wars: A New Hope from 20th Century Fox, which long ago cemented a deal with George Lucas that gave Fox a suite of rights to the original 1977 film in perpetuity.

The Star Wars movies and characters are beloved across generations, captivating audiences and breaking box-office records around the globe for nearly four decades, said Deborah K. Bradley, Turners executive vice president of networks optimization.

TNT plans to televise six consecutive nights of the initial installments beginning Sept. 20. The movies also will be shown on Turner channels in December to help promote the Dec. 16 release of Rogue One.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

meg.james@latimes.com

@MegJamesLAT

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Disneys big-budget adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time seems to be in the business of breaking barriers. In casting her lead actress, director Ava DuVernay has done the Hollywood equivalent of folding space and time: Shes interpreted the Meg Murry character from Madeleine LEngles classic 1963 novel as a modern-day young lady of color.

Storm Reid (12 Years a Slave) will play Meg in Disneys upcoming big-screen treatment of the widely read, award-winning book for young people, the director announced Monday evening, playing a role that went to a young white actress in the only previous adaptation of Wrinkle, a 2003 ABC TV movie. Reid joins a diverse cast that will also feature Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling.

This announcement is just the latest instance of Wrinkle pushing the envelope: The $100-million budget DuVernay is working with is the most a female director of color has ever had at her disposal.

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On an important level its par for the Wrinkle in Time course. The Newbery Medal-winning book has been defying convention from the very start. According to its late author, thats why the story  which turned 50 in 2013, six years after its authors death  was almost never published.

It was supposedly too hard for children.  A Wrinkle in Time had a female protagonist in a science fiction book, and that wasnt done, LEngle wrote in a special message posted on the Random House website. And it dealt with evil and things that you dont find, or didnt at that time, in childrens books.

But times may be changing. In the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London, a black woman is playing J.K. Rowling creation Hermione Granger  that after some fans grumbled in 2012 when Jennifer Lawrence was cast as the movie version of Katniss Everdeen, a girl first described by The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins as having dark hair, olive skin and gray eyes.

Storm is a tremendously talented young actress who embodies the hopes, dreams and spirit of a character much loved by audiences worldwide for generations, DuVernay said in a Tuesday statement from Disney Studios confirming the casting.

Thrilled to confirm that Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon + Mindy Kaling have joined WRINKLE along with Storm Reid! pic.twitter.com/HE5G9BzaSb  Ava DuVernay (@ava) September 14, 2016

I cant wait to work with Storm as we chronicle Megs epic quest, alongside Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling as Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Who. Tesser well! DuVernay said.

There are still roles left to be cast, of course: DuVernay is reportedly looking to make Megs family a mixed-race one, another change from the original text. Fitting, given that the tension at the heart of every time-travel story is how change affects both yesterday and tomorrow.

Follow Christie DZurilla on Twitter @theCDZ.

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After an early-career spate of dramas in his native language, the French-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve has spent the past few years subverting seemingly every film genre he can get his hands on.

There was his spin on the child-abduction thriller (Prisoners). The new take on the Jekyll-and-Hyde trope (Enemy). A fresh look at the drug-cartel action flick (last years Sicario).

Villeneuve has most recently been seeking out a new world. Or, more accurately, a new universe.

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The directors Arrival, out from Paramount in November after its Toronto International Film Festival premiere Monday, finds him tackling the global alien-invasion thriller, but in the cerebral and intimate way fans have come to expect from what might be called Villeneuvalia.

FULL COVERAGE: Toronto Film Festival 

Its not about choosing a specific genre; thats not how I go about deciding what movies to make, the director said, with a kind of verbal shrug when asked why he was ripping through established categories like a 2019-era Spinner.

Then, as if reconsidering the role that factor might play, he added, But nothing is more fun than breaking the rules.

Arrival welcomes those rules, indulges them and then casually leaves them behind. Written by Eric Heisserer from a short story by decorated sci-fi author Ted Chiang, the movie sets up a premise weve had close encounters with many times before: Beings from outer space landed on Earth and quickly prompt chaos with their unknown motives.

Into the picture comes Louise (Amy Adams), a skilled linguist dealing with the death of her daughter. Shes called by the U.S. government to Montana, one of the dozen sites around the world where the galactic creatures have docked. (Well, sort-of-docked  they remain in their craft, just above the ground.) Joining her is a theoretical physicist named Ian (Jeremy Renner), the two forming a kind of scientific yin-and-yang that will try to communicate with the aliens amid the larger military mobilization.

The aliens, it turns out, do speak  or at least communicate  with the help of a symbolic language. And thats where the film takes a detour from usual the genre stops. It infuses quiet moments of Louise and Ian trying to decode the aliens hidden meanings into the larger global panic prompted by such ambiguities  a beautiful dance that Louise gets to do between time and space, as Adams put it at a news conference here.

Though some of the more esoteric details will mainly reward fans of high-level linguistics, the questions resonate on a broader level too. What would we actually say to aliens if we could? And if they just sort of hovered, literally and figuratively, would we react with fear or hope?

Arrival is also interested in more personal arcs, particularly Louises, for whom an ability to communicate has done little to help her connect with her fractured self.

Thematically, its about what unites us and what divides us.... Like religion, language does that more than almost anything else.  Jeremy Renner, on Arrival

When we started we knew it was a profound, poetic story, Villeneuve said by phone from Hungary, where hes shooting the Blade Runner sequel. It was a challenge to bring that to the screen because it was a science fiction movie were not so used to seeing  the science fiction film that says something about reality.

The balance between sci-fi ambition and human feeling wasnt easy, he said. Its a very delicate movie  you have to make sure the intellectual aspects do not block the emotional ones.

That more than anything may be the theme of Villeneuves current career phase  the notion of raising political and psychological issues in an oblique and genre-packaged way. Arrival is really about societal response to fear, much the way Prisoners was essentially about the CIA-torture debate. Arrival also contains a premise given a more direct timeliness by the recent discovery of an unknown galactic signal, even if said signal was soon not what it seemed.

Renner said he was similarly moved by big ideas in making the film. Thematically, its about what unites us and what divides us, he said during a break at the festival. Like religion, language does that more than almost anything else. Thats what makes Denis who he is: Hes asking these questions in this really entertaining story.

Since its premiere here Monday, Arrival has engendered comparisons to Christopher Nolan works  the movie conjures obvious reference points like Interstellar and Insomnia as well some less-expected ones. The film has also provoked discussion about its ending, which manages the tricky outcome of narrative satisfaction and feverish inquiry.

If Arrival will elicit an intense fan debate about its enigmas, the film is also a marketing puzzle for the studio. Arrival has an eminently sellable alien-invasion conceit, but its slower and more philosophical moments could confound a certain portion of the mainstream audience. In the days of Contact and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind this would, of course, not be an issue; in the days of Transformers and The Avengers, it might.

Villeneuve said he believed his film could attract a wide audience, though he did call it an experiment for a major studio.

Then again, as a director whos next putting the man-vs.-machine subgenre in his sightlines, hes always been happy to fiddle.

I know that some people are excited and some are angry, he said of the Blade Runner sequel. Its like working off a novel. You try to keep the essence, you try to keep the poetry alive, which is what Im trying to do with Ridley [Scott]. But its also obvious to everyone that Im a very different filmmaker.

He continued by offering a general philosophy, a lens through which one can view the career choices that took him to Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival and those films yet to come.

I guess I like [the] notion of risk. That drives my activity. Its always been my spark, and its maybe led me to create a little dangerously.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

On Twitter: @ZeitchikLAT
Addressing at the ceremony, Peoples Artist, chairman of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association Le Tien Tho said that the ceremony was an opportunity to assess achievements and shortcomings in order to have more high-quality artistic works; honour the stage arts and encourage artists to have more significant activities.

Groups and individual honoured at the ceremony (Photo by Hoang Minh)

In 2016, the Association held diverse activities such as coordinating with relevant agencies to organize international circus festival 2016, a competition on professional folklore and tuong stage in Da Nang, a competition on cheo singing in Ninh Binh, a competition on national professional young director in Can Tho, and the second capital stage festival. The association also created conditions for authors to make field trips in Truong Sa, called for the establishment of fund for the preservation and promotion of Vietnam stage arts, and organized camps to create stage scripts.

On this occasion, it presented certificates of merit to groups and individuals for their contribution to the sector; glorified elderly peoples artists and outstanding artists, artists who won Ho Chi Minh and State Awards on literature and arts; and gave gifts to several artists who faced financial difficulties./.
Amoeba Music in Hollywood has stood as a beacon for resilience in an industry disrupted by digital downloads and streaming music services. Since 2001, the store, a social-gathering place for live music as much as it is a retail outlet, has become the rare independent space to seemingly thrive at a time when record shops are an endangered species.

This week, though, the store had to take to social media to assure fans that the multi-level mecca to independent retail would not be the latest casualty of a struggling industry  at least not now.

Were going to remain in our building for the duration of our lease  which is several years  and Amoeba and the building owner are open to us potentially staying longer, the indie retail giant posted Monday evening on Twitter.

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Independent music retail has proved to be a volatile business over the years.

Echo Parks beloved Origami Vinyl, which shuttered its doors earlier this year, relied heavily on sales of new vinyl. But it struggled to turn a profit as the once-vintage format became mainstream again. Once the providence of indie outlets, LPs can now be had at the local Whole Foods, not to mention Amazon and Urban Outfitters.

It was a labor of love, but it wasnt sustainable, Origami owner Neil Schield told The Times in March, adding that new records have only a 30% to 35% markup.

And yet for many, record stores remain an irresistible lure. L.A.s booming downtown neighborhood, for instance, recently saw the arrival of Pop Obscure, an outlet specializing in used product. Though we live in an age of streaming, music retail is a highly prized neighborhood staple, even as customer preferences shift online.

Amoebas statement that it was staying put was in response to the local site LAist, which speculated that the store would soon get the wrecking ball to make way for a large residential tower.

Cliff Goldstein, a managing partner at GPI, which owns the 50,000-square-foot retail store at 6400 Sunset Blvd., said any plans for the property were speculative and premature.

You may have read an article today about us... pic.twitter.com/18l9zRPGMn  Amoeba Music (@amoebamusic) September 13, 2016

Amoeba owned the property. They decided to sell the property. We purchased it, he said, noting that the deal was consummated about a year ago.

We intend to make an application to redevelop the property. At the same time, were talking to Amoeba and have a great relationship with them. Were talking to them about a longer-term commitment to remain. Were open to those discussions, and were having those preliminary discussions with them.

Top executives at Amoeba, reached via phone and email, declined to comment beyond what was posted on Twitter, stressing only their commitment to staying in Hollywood and confirming that they did indeed sell the building. Goldstein would not comment directly on the terms of the lease, only to say that its a number of years.

Still, he added, We dont have a long-term lease with Amoeba.

Signing one, however, is not yet off the table.

Maybe we will end up with a long-term lease with Amoeba, he said. That would change what we would intend to do. They have a number of years left on their lease, and we are having discussions with them.

Goldstein said its not contradictory for the company to both pursue a long-term lease with Amoeba as well as look at redevelopment possibilities for the space. He noted that the company had had many renderings completed for what could be done with the location, but that it had not yet filed any applications to redevelop the spot.

We have to plan a number of years in advance and allow ourselves some options, he said, based upon what happens to our tenant and the market.

For its part, Amoeba posted on Twitter that it intends to make Hollywood a long-term home regardless of the future of its current location.

We are committed to staying in Hollywood, the company wrote, and we appreciate all your concern and support.

Todd.Martens@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter: @toddmartens

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UPDATES:

1:10 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 5:20 p.m. Sept. 13, 2016.
While guests were wearing slides and stilettos at an intimate, late-summer sit-down dinner at Soho Houses new Little Beach House in Malibu, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the 29-year-old supermodel/actress/burgeoning fashion standout and fiancee of action film star Jason Statham, did not look out of place while shod in a pair of knee-high, wintry, black suede boots despite the fact that it was a warm 75 degrees and the sky blue over Malibu.

Footwear brand Ugg had the Sept. 8 dinner to celebrate Huntington-Whiteleys recent appointment as global brand ambassador for the shearling-lined footwear popularized by Oprah Winfrey and others.

Ugg, which is owned by Goleta-based Deckers Brands, was created in 1978 by Australian surfer-transplant to Southern California Brian Smith and his business partner, Doug Jensen. Love them or hate them, the brands boots became iconic and a celebrity favorite, slipped on by Sienna Miller, Kate Hudson and Kate Moss.

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"[Those women] were my style icons, said Huntington-Whiteley, who was 16 when the Ugg brand was rising to footwear prominence. I just knew I had to have a pair.

Uggs association with Huntington-Whiteley  shes also a Victorias Secret model, the creator of a lingerie and makeup collection available through British retail giant Marks & Spencer and the face of Paige Denim  is especially fortuitous given that she has harbored an enduring and genuine fondness for the brand since she got that first pair 13 years ago.

Theres always some Uggs in the back of my car for a spontaneous road trip, she said. I put my feet into a pair first thing in the morning. I have a travel pair, a pair in London, some at my parents house. Im never without them.

She saved her money for her first pair of Uggs, counted the days until the boots arrived and then wore them constantly while out and about near her family home in Devon, England, and on regular weekend jaunts around the English countryside. (The current Uggs collection ranges in price from $80 for childrens sizes to $450 for the classic adult boot.)

Since then, Ive always had a pair, Huntington-Whiteley said. Theyre so special to me. Theyve been a staple in my wardrobe. They represent the off-duty time in my life, the softer side of me.

She said she wears them with everything  short dresses, cut-off shorts and bikinis  adding that her favorite way is to rock them with bare legs and no socks.

I know it sounds weird, but they really are great like that  cool, sloppy, chilled-out, said Huntington-Whiteley, who shot the spring/summer 2017 Uggs campaign at the home of uber-designer Kelly Wearstler the same day as the dinner party.

For 2017, Ugg is stepping in a different direction by offering its first footwear without the shearling, enticing potential customers who still think of the brand as one designed for heavy winter use.

The new warmer-weather-oriented shoe collection will be made of perforated suede and leather, also include slides as an option, and be floppy, more bohemian, a great pair to have in L.A., Huntington-Whiteley said.

During the dinner, Huntington-Whiteley, wearing a sparkly short black dress designed by Rachel Zoe, played the part of effervescent and gracious host, gliding up and down the long, flower-bedecked tables, chatting amiably with guests, who included Zoe, Kate Bosworth and Sara Foster.

The brand ambassador said she was poised to take the global part of her job quite seriously, preparing to head to Tokyo and Shanghai soon for meet-and-greet events there.

And of course, she likely wouldnt go without packing her Uggs.

I think of how enormous the brand is  how truly global it is, Huntington-Whiteley said. Everybody has some connection with it in some way.

image@latimes.com
The city is blue.

The county is blue.

The state is blue.

So I was curious.

Who and what would you find if you walked into Donald Trumps campaign headquarters in Long Beach, a racially diverse city and longtime Democratic Party stronghold?

If you believe polls or put any stock in political demographics, the Rams have a better chance of winning the Super Bowl than Trump has of winning California. But I read that his Long Beach office had opened for business last weekend, and I was up for an adventure on Monday.

The Trump office is in the heart of Cambodia Town on the 2300 block of East Anaheim Street, in a building that also houses the Phnom Pich Pharmacy and Khmer Arts Cultural Center. When you walk through the lobby and into the interior courtyard, youre struck by wall-to-wall photos of people, places and things in Cambodia, as if this were a shrine to Cambodia.

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And to Trump.

Make America Great Again! said a giant red, white and blue sign in the lobby.

Isnt it already pretty great, if you can visit the Queen Mary, eat at Phnom Penh Noodle Shack and step into Trumps Long Beach lair in half a day?

The problem was that I didnt see many Trump supporters.

Dont worry, a gentleman named Gary Fultheim told me. Theyd be in later.

I asked if he happened to know how a Cambodian business center came to be headquarters for a guy who has alienated a number of minority groups in the last year or so?

I asked the right guy.

Fultheim is a part-owner of the building, a frequent traveler to Asia for both business (as a garment importer) and pleasure  and a big Trump supporter.

I should not have missed the grand opening of the campaign office, Fultheim said.

We had more than 350 people here Saturday, which I was pleasantly surprised by, he told me. They came from Murrieta, Temecula, Encino, West Hollywood and Woodland Hills. We had Hispanics and African Americans here, the gay community was here  everybody. And there werent any problems at all and the wonderful Khmer Arts Cultural Center put on a dance performance that was spectacular.

Id have paid to see that.

So why does Fultheim like Trump?

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Fultheim, who is Jewish, said he thinks Trump will do a better job of protecting Israel from Iran than the Democrats have and will. Fultheim doesnt always like Trumps choice of words on immigration, but he likes his policy. He thinks Trump would ease regulations on corporations and lift the tax burdens off of the small businessman.

Fultheim, who has done his share of international business, made an elegant argument for the benefits of free trade, which generates jobs for everyone from the forklift driver who scissors the goods off the cargo containers, to the truck drivers, to the retailers and so on.

But wait a minute, I said. Didnt Trump say hed raise the roof on tariffs, and doesnt that mean jobs could be lost, prices could soar, and tariffs might be imposed on American goods shipped overseas?

Fultheim thought briefly and said:

I dont know what Trump wants to do, OK?

But itll work out fine, he assured me, because Trump has been a champ in business and the American population should bet on a winner.

As we chatted, Trumps L.A. County regional chair, Rachel Gunther, arrived to open the campaign office.

I walked in with her and saw Trump signs on one wall in the form of a cross, next to a sign that said BUILD that WALL!!

Gunther, who said shes of Filipino descent, told me she liked Trump even before he was a candidate. Scrawled on blackboards were names of volunteers from the African American, Hispanic and Asian communities  people shell tap to man the phones or knock on doors in coming weeks.

A lot of people have written us off, Gunther said, but she thinks Trump is going to win California.

Two men walked in together to offer their help. One was African American, the other Mexican American. Next in the door were a couple of millennials, Filipino brothers in their 20s, and one of them said Trump makes sense but the media twist everything he says. Only after that did two middle-aged white people join the party.

It was as if the whole thing had been staged, in Cambodia Town, no less, to belie the notion that Trumps appeal is largely limited to older white males.

The volunteers were all well-spoken in their support of Trump on social, domestic and policy issues, or their disdain for and lack of trust in Clinton, though to be honest I disagreed on this and that.

The African American, Austin Jones, said social programs going back to LBJs Great Society created communities of dependency.

Well, maybe, but didnt racism, housing discrimination and job discrimination have something to do with the creation of two Americas?

The Mexican American, who told me not to use his name, said there are too many illegals here  and they dirty the place up and they take jobs and do things they shouldnt.

At one point, he turned to me and said he wasnt clear on who I was. When I clarified that I was with the L.A. Times, he stood up and left, saying on his way out that the only thing the Times is any good for is to wrap fish in it.

Mainstream media cant be trusted, several others agreed, because of a leftist lean. I asked what constitutes mainstream media. Arent AM radio talk shows, Fox News, Wall Street Journal editorials, and countless newspapers that lean to the right in their conservative states all part of mainstream media?

I didnt get much of a response. But CNN is definitely liberal, everyone agreed.

See the most-read stories this hour 

Really? If you watch any daily wrapup of election highlights and low lights, arent there always an equal number of commentators from each side of the aisle?

Apparently no one has watched CNN enough to know.

The white male, Mike Paulus, told me that as a Christian, it was only recently that he came around to Trump. For the longest time, he didnt care for Trumps negativity and language.

I wanted to strangle him, he said.

So what changed?

Paulus said he forgave the candidate after a prominent evangelical minister said he believed Trump had received Christ.

Imagine Trumps stroke of luck, that his conversion happened so close to election day.

Maybe the next miracle is that the red candidate takes a blue city in a blue state, and theres dancing in the streets of Cambodia Town.

Get more of Steve Lopezs work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez

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A 19-year-old woman prosecutors say was the victim of sex crimes committed by Bay Area police officers will plead no contest to battery charges in Florida and face no additional jail time, possibly freeing her to return to California, where she is expected to be a key witness in the prosecution of at least seven East Bay law enforcement officials.

The woman, a Richmond resident, will plead no contest to simple battery Wednesday, defense attorney Richard Kibbey said. Under the terms of a plea deal with Florida prosecutors, she will face no additional jail time, Kibbey said.

The teen was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery Aug. 29 after she bit a security guard during a violent clash at the rehabilitation facility in Stuart, Fla., according to an arrest report. In Florida, aggravated battery carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison.

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The Times generally withholds the identity of sex crimes victims. The woman is expected to hold a news conference in Florida around 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Alameda County Dist. Atty. Nancy E. OMalley said last week that she had delayed the filing of criminal charges against seven police officers in the ever-widening scandal because the teenager had been moved out of California for drug treatment. OMalley has offered to pay for her return to the Bay Area, saying her presence is necessary to proceed with a prosecution.

Kibbey, who is only representing the woman in the Florida criminal case, declined to comment on whether she would return to California after Wednesdays court proceedings.

Calls and emails to a spokeswoman for the district attorneys office and the Bay Area attorneys representing the woman were not immediately returned Tuesday evening.

The woman, a self-described sex worker, made national headlines in June when she claimed in a television news interview to have had sex with more than a dozen Oakland police officers. She said some of the sexual encounters happened when she was too young to consent, and she accused officers of trading information about planned prostitution raids for sex acts.

The scandal soon widened, and accusations were also made against several other East Bay law enforcement agencies, including the Richmond and Livermore police departments and the Contra Costa County and Alameda County sheriffs departments.

Four Oakland police officers have been fired and seven others suspended since the scandal erupted. Police Chief Sean Whent also stepped down amid the controversy.

On Friday, OMalley announced her intent to charge five current and former Oakland police officers with a wide array of criminal charges in connection with the womans claims. A Livermore police officer and a Contra Costa County sheriffs deputy, both of whom have since resigned from law enforcement, will also face criminal charges, OMalley said.

The woman was sent to Florida for drug treatment in the summer using funds from the states victims compensation fund. That move was facilitated by a victims advocate employed by the Contra Costa County district attorneys office who works at the headquarters of the Richmond Police Department, an agency the woman had made allegations against, Contra Costa County prosecutors said.

OMalley said her office was not consulted about the transfer, and both the district attorney and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf have criticized the move.

Richmond Police have declined to comment on the womans move to Florida, but Police Chief Allwyn Brown addressed the controversy this week in a report summarizing the departments internal investigation into her claims. In the report made public Monday, Brown said the decision to have the victim seek treatment in Florida was ultimately made in consultation with her family, not the police agency.

Representations that we sent this teenage witness away or had her removed to Florida distort reality, Brown wrote in the report.

Several Richmond Police officers face discipline and termination as a result of the womans allegations, according to the report, though Brown declined to offer specifics, citing state privacy laws regarding police discipline.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.

UPDATES:

10:35 a.m.: This article was updated with the scheduling of a news conference in Florida by the alleged victim in the Bay Area police sex crimes case.

This article was originally published on Sept. 13 at 9:40 p.m.
Armando Olea represents the future of the University of California.

The incoming UCLA freshman is a top-flight student, earning a 4.2 GPA at his San Diego high school. Hes the son of Mexican immigrants and the first in his family to attend college.

And hes one of nearly 8,000 more Californians who committed to a University of California campus this fall  a 16% increase over last year  representing the most diverse class ever. All told, 38% of the new California freshman and transfer students were underrepresented minorities  Latinos, African Americans, Pacific Islanders and American Indians, according to UC data posted this week.

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Their numbers are projected to swell even more in the next two decades as the states population surges by nearly 10 million to 47.2 million by 2040. The state projects an increase of 200,000 college-age Californians, and nearly half of them will be Latinos, whose high school graduation rates continue to rise.

How those demographic trends will affect the nations premier public research university was discussed Thursday by the UC Board of Regents, who met this week at UCLA. Under a sweeping board overhaul approved in July, regents met in committees Wednesday and reconvened as a full board Thursday for presentations on the states demographic trends and briefings on UCLA, UC Irvine and UC Riverside.

The changing demographics of the state of California...will significantly impact the future enrollment growth and diversity at UC, UC President Janet Napolitano told regents.

Although the discussion was preliminary, Napolitano said that grappling with the trends today was critical because future UC students should have access to the same opportunities and outcomes that students today possess.

The new data underscore the demographic shift already underway.

UC Riverside nearly doubled the number of Latino freshmen who committed to attend this fall over last year and led all campuses in new California freshman and transfer students, adding 1,300.

UCLA made strides in boosting the number of African American students, posting the highest share among all campuses  6.9% of the 7,658 California freshman and transfer students who accepted an admission offer. Underrepresented minorities made up 35.6% of California freshman and transfer students at UCLA and 24.6% at UC Berkeley.

Overall, 43.6% of freshmen who were offered UC admission accepted.

The final enrollment numbers are likely to fluctuate slightly, since some students who register and pay a deposit may ultimately decide to withdraw their acceptance.

Napolitano told the regents that UC was well on track to surpass what she called an aggressive and audacious goal to increase the number of California students by 5,000 this year  and another 5,000 over the next two years  as pledged in a budget deal with Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature.

But James Chalfant, UC Academic Senate chairman, said that out-of-state and international students provided invaluable dollars  $800 million in supplemental tuition last year  along with talents that enrich the educational experiences of California students.

Our commitment to access and affordability is unparalleled, but it is hollow without our third goal: quality, he told the regents. If we reduce nonresident tuition revenues without an alternative revenue source in mind, just what kind of university will we be providing access to?

How UCLA is boosting campus diversity, despite the ban on affirmative action 

Indeed, officials from UCLA, UC Irvine and UC Riverside all said Thursday that financial uncertainties presented some of their biggest challenges. Six years of tuition freezes, political pressures to limit out-of-state and international students in favor of more Californians, pressing building repairs, labor demands and a far smaller share of state dollars than before have pressed officials to look for new sources of dollars.

UC Riverside presented plans for a new $300-million fundraising campaign but officials noted that their alumni are relatively young and low-income. UCLA, meanwhile, gave an update on its five-year plan to raise $4.2 billion by the universitys centennial anniversary in 2019. So far, the campus has raised $2.7 billion in cash and pledges.

The UC campuses now raise about $2 billion annually from more than 300,000 donors.

Meanwhile, UCs debt has doubled to $17.2 billion since the 2008 recession.

On Wednesday, regents also discussed progress in seeking ways to lower the cost of an undergraduate education and accommodate more students. They include a three-year degree option with reduced requirements for upper-division courses, more online offerings for the most popular courses and incentives to take summer classes.

Campuses are aiming to enroll 5% of students in the three-year degree tracks by next summer.

Academic committee members also discussed improving access to UC for transfer students. A new program maps out specific coursework for 21 majors to help community college students make a smooth transition to a UC campus. California resident transfer students committing to UC this fall increased to a record high of nearly 17,000 students.

Several regents raised questions about how to enhance access from all of the states 113 community colleges  not just campuses with high transfer rates, such as Santa Monica and Pasadena.

Eloy Ortiz Oakley, a regent and the chancellor of California Community Colleges, suggested forming a committee with UC and community college officials to work on the issue, saying a similar move with Cal State University had proven successful.

An outspoken advocate of diversity, Oakley also said the new data on student commitments to UC were promising.

We are just beginning to scratch the surface on putting a focus on diversifying our campuses, he said in an interview. Theres a lot of work we need to do still, but were at least moving in the right direction and having the right conversations.

Olea, the new freshman who moved into his dorm this week, said UCLA has shown the way in supporting Latino students like himself. The school invited Olea to attend a freshman summer session to help him adjust to the rigorous standards, and he took advantage of peer mentoring and other academic support.

He wants to earn a doctorate in international development studies, and said such programs will help him get there.

They introduced me to the college environment and eased the transition so that Ill be ready in the fall, he said. Thats the beauty of UC.

teresa.watanabe@latimes.com

Twitter: @teresawatanabe

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UPDATES:

Sept. 15, 7 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

6:05 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 3:00 a.m, Sept. 13.
After the jail cells and city streets, life under one of Sharon Greens roofs comes as a relief.

On a wall in one of the three large houses that Green runs for homeless felons in this city, a motivational poster reassures the ex-inmates living there, You can be a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time. Pinned nearby are a slew of job applications to local fast-food restaurants and big-box stores, some of which are labeled as felony friendly.

Beyond Greens doors, however, Hesperia is much less welcoming.

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The citys elected officials have been waging an aggressive campaign to shut down Greens houses, which provide beds, meals and other help to low-level offenders who have nowhere to go when they are released from jail under the states justice reform measures.

The effort against Green is part of a broader push to purge the city of outsiders who Hesperia officials claim are overrunning the city and causing a crime wave. The citys mayor has compared the move to exterminating cockroaches. We better improve our demographics! Russ Blewett, another councilman, proclaimed at a council meeting.

To back up its talk, the council adopted a law that requires landlords to swiftly evict any tenant whom police merely suspect of criminal activity. The city has also unearthed a restrictive local ordinance it long ignored for its fight with Green that makes group homes all but impossible to operate.

Hesperia is far from the only city in California to crack down on group homes serving the mentally ill, addicts, criminals or others. But the high desert town 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles has gone well beyond the usual opposition. Its aggressive stance has sparked a legal battle in federal court over whether Hesperias actions amount to unconstitutional discrimination.

The case underscores the challenges bedeviling Californias ongoing attempt to dramatically reduce its prison population. The success of the states strategy, which diverts low-level offenders from state prison and into county-run programs, rests heavily on having transitional homes like Greens helping ex-inmates reintegrate into society.

Its easy to understand the concerns of people living next door to these types of houses, but we need to find some tolerance, said Craig Lawson, a land-use consultant who assists developers providing housing for the homeless. And if that means living next to a house with people who are trying to get their lives back on track, we have to say, OK, this is part of the solution.

State law protects transitional homes like Greens, requiring cities to treat them as regular residential properties and forbidding any special regulations or restrictions. City officials in Hesperia, however, insist they simply are defending local, law-abiding residents from bearing the brunt of the fallout from misguided justice reforms they say threaten public safety.

The criminals have all the rights, said Hesperias mayor, Bill Holland. Were trying to do what we can to minimize the impact on our community. Were trying to take a stand, trying to do what we can to protect the good people.

The fight is taking place as Hesperia experiences sweeping demographic changes.

One of a handful of communities in the Victor Valley, a wind-swept desert landscape across the Cajon Pass from San Bernardino, Hesperia has grown rapidly since 2000, its population increasing 50% to about 92,000 residents. The makeup of the place has changed dramatically in that time, shifting from a city where whites accounted for more than 60% of the population to one in which Hispanics are now the majority, census figures show.

Residents on average earn less than the states median income, and the percentage of people living in poverty has climbed significantly over the past decade to more than 20%, according to census numbers.

Green, a pastor who runs a nonprofit organization, first rented a house in Hesperia for the homeless in 2012. She encountered no problems with the city, which in fact provided funds to her nonprofit for a few years.

She went on to partner with the San Bernardino County Probation Department, which needed Greens group and other nonprofits to provide beds for homeless inmates being released under the states so-called prison realignment plan. Under the plan, lower-level offenders who did not commit violent or sex-related crimes are jailed in county facilities instead of state prisons and, after release, are supervised by county probation officers. State officials have funneled hundreds of millions of dollars to counties to help them handle the influx.

A client of Azalea Springs transitional home takes a cigarette break in the backyard in Hesperia, Calif. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times )

Greens operation was the type of program that state officials imagined when realignment became law in 2011 as California sought a way to reduce its teeming prison population. But her problems began in January 2015, when she rented a second property in Hesperia  a drab house and guesthouse on a dusty, residential road where desert winds whip American flags stuck in chain-link fences.

Green put 13 men, all of them on county probation, at the address. They spent their days looking for work and attending job training classes or addiction counseling. At least one staff member was in the house at all hours, according to Green.

Frequent visits to the house by probation officers drew neighbors attention. Although they were routine checks, rumors and accusations spread along the road.

Thirty years Ive lived in peacenot having to fear if someone was going to attack or hurt me, Annette Spiller, a next-door neighbor, told Hesperia City Council members at a meeting weeks after the home opened. Eighteen days ago, a dark cloud settled over my community, and now I feel like I cant even go out of my own home.

Spiller asserted, inaccurately, that the men living next to her were violent felons. Her comments were followed by those of the neighborhood watch captain, who suggested the men were pedophiles targeting children on the street. Several others added to the chorus of complaints.

The council rallied behind the angry residents, and city code enforcers suddenly began issuing citations at the house. Calling the neighbors heroes at a meeting, Blewett warned that crime had surged throughout Hesperia. It was, he said, a result of the state of California releasing all these deadbeats into our community.

In the eyes of Blewett and other councilmen, Greens program was a symptom of a larger problem brought on by prison realignment and Proposition 47, a 2014 law that reduced certain drug possession and theft crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

The councils doomsday concerns about a crime wave and flood of criminals into the city are not supported by the county sheriffs crime statistics. While thefts rose by 15% between 2014 and 2015, burglaries in Hesperia dropped by 30%. Overall serious crime fell by 3%.

Green said any claim that her program endangers residents is unfounded. Since starting work with the county Probation Department in 2013, she has housed 361 people on probation. Of those, about a third have been kicked out of the program and rehoused elsewhere by probation officials, largely for failing to adhere to the programs strict rules. Green says 86% of the others have successfully left the program with jobs and their own place to live, while less than 5% have committed new crimes and been re-incarcerated.

Amid the neighbors and councils growing outcry, Green chose to close the house that had generated so much anger. The city soon turned its attention to the other house, which Green had operated without incident for years. Code enforcers began showing up there to cite the house for violations.

The City Council also introduced its tough rental ordinance. The measure requires landlords to start eviction proceedings within 10 days of being notified by police that a tenant is suspected of criminal activity in or around the rental property. The law does not require the tenant to be arrested before the mandatory eviction proceedings are triggered.

Holland, the mayor, said at a council meeting last September that the rental ordinance would help the city rid itself of an unwanted element the same way you would call an exterminator to kill roaches. Same difference.

The people that aggravate us arent from here, said Councilman Eric Schmidt at the same meeting. Theyre from somewhere else, and they come here to hide, they come here for our affordable housing.  We all know there is a significant number of them that come here with their tainted histories.

Laura Davison, 26, is the type of person the council members say they dont want living among them. Davison, who has lived in Greens house for women since May, was convicted of forgery in March and released on three years probation.

Davisons days are spent using the bus pass provided by the program to check in with the managers at a car wash and others at restaurants, asking for work. She used to live in Los Angeles but says she plans to make a new life in Hesperia, where rents are cheaper.

Were all trying to get back to normalcy, she said. Why cant we live where everyone else lives, if were doing the right thing?

The citys rental ordinance took effect in January. By then, Green had opened two additional homes in the city, bringing her total to three. In all, the houses can accommodate about 40 men and women, who can stay for up to a year.

Within weeks of the law going into effect, a deputy from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, which polices Hesperia, notified the owner of one of Greens houses that criminal activity was taking place at the property. He followed up with another letter two weeks later.

In response to questions from The Times, the Sheriffs Department acknowledged that the first letter was not spurred by any actual criminal activity, but because probation officers and deputies were making frequent visits to the house to check on the former inmates. The second letter, the department said, was sent after a man living in the house was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Green disputes that the man committed any crimes at the house, but the rental law gives tenants no way to challenge a deputys findings.

The owner of the house served Green with eviction papers in May. Weeks later, the owners of the other two houses Green rented did the same, saying in court records that they no longer could afford to remain in the citys crosshairs. Along with using the rental ordinance, city code enforcers had leveled tens of thousands of dollars in fines on the homeowners for violating the citys strict group-home law, among other things.

In July, U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte issued a preliminary injunction in a federal lawsuit brought by Green against the city. The injunction puts the evictions on hold and bars the city from enforcing its group-home and rental ordinances against Greens landlords until a jury can decide whether they are legal.

Birotte concluded there were serious questions whether the ordinances violated the constitutional rights of people on probation and renters in Hesperia. He recently issued a stern rebuke to the city and reiterated the terms of his injunction after Hesperia officials continued to pressure the homeowners to pay their fines and proceed with the evictions.

Green said she largely sees the transitional housing she provides in practical terms: If the people she serves, most of whom have abused drugs and alcohol, were sent back onto the streets after being released from custody, its almost a given they would return to lives of crime.

They may not be living in a home on your block, she said, but let times hit hard enough and they could find their way to your door saying, I need some food. 

joel.rubin@latimes.com

For more news on federal courts in Southern California, follow me on Twitter: @joelrubin

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Speaking in a theater packed with cheering students, Mayor Eric Garcetti reiterated his promise Wednesday to make one year of community college free for eligible high school graduates, beginning next year.

Inside the doors of Los Angeles City Colleges El Camino Theater, a band played while staff distributed promotional T-shirts to high school and community college students in the audience. Onstage, elected officials congratulated each other on the launch of the plan, L.A. College Promise, and on drawing the attention of their high-profile guest: Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden and a longtime educator. The program held enormous potential, everyone agreed.

But five months after the mayor dropped a mention of the free-tuition proposal into his annual State of the City speech, Garcetti had few details to offer. Without saying how the city would cover the cost of free tuition at L.A.s nine community colleges or what the eligibility requirements might be, the mayor heaped on more promises.

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This is more than just tuition, he said. This is about books and transportation and discounts on our buses and our rail lines. This is about making sure theres counseling and support.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti introduces the L.A. College Promise proposal as Jill Biden, right, looks on at Los Angeles City College. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times )

Garcettis announcement, though short on specifics, resembles President Obamas proposal in his 2015 State of the Union address to offer two free years of community college to all U.S. students. It represents the mayors most direct attempt yet to shape public education in the city, while allowing him to maintain a safe distance from L.A. Unified, a system of 642,000 students over which he has no authority. Garcetti has been criticized for not being as involved in public education as his predecessor.

In its first year, the program is expected to cost $3 million. According to the mayors office, Garcetti has raised $1.75 million, with the remainder to come from the L.A. Community College District.

Exactly how many of L.A.s public school students could benefit from the mayors proposal remains unclear.

In 2015, the public school system graduated about 30,000 students. Although district officials were not able to provide the most recent number of graduates for the class of 2016, they have boasted a graduation rate of 75%, a record in the citys modern history.

L.A. Unified Supt. Michelle King said that of the class of 2015, 37% went on to attend local community colleges.

We will expand that percentage, King said at the mayors rally. No longer will our students have to worry about the financial burdens of what to do about college; they can focus on their education. They will have a seat in a community college in L.A.

Students at L.A. charter schools also will be able to participate in the program, district officials said.

anna.phillips@latimes.com

Twitter: @annamphillips

UPDATES:

7:55 p.m.: This article has been updated with details on the proposals cost.

This article was first published at 2:05 p.m.
The teenage woman whose allegations of sexual abuse at the hands of several police officers rocked the Bay Area law enforcement community will return to California to testify against them, her attorney said Wednesday.

Jasmine Abuslin, 19, of Richmond, was freed from the Martin County Jail in Florida on Wednesday morning after accepting a plea deal to settle allegations that she bit a security guard during a violent clash at a drug rehabilitation facility last month.

Pamela Price, an Oakland civil rights attorney who is representing Abuslin, said Abuslin now plans to return home, where she will serve as the key witness in the prosecution of at least seven current and former East Bay law enforcement officers.

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Were going home as soon as we can, Price said at a news conference in Stuart, Fla.

She was originally arrested on a charge of felony aggravated battery, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison, but Florida prosecutors downgraded the charge to simple battery, a misdemeanor, earlier this week.

Richard Kibbey, the defense attorney representing Abuslin in Florida, said the plea deal stipulated that Abuslin would serve no more jail time and plead no contest to the misdemeanor charge.

Abuslin, who has previously used the pseudonym Celeste Guap, asserted during a television news interview earlier this year that she had had sex with at least a dozen Oakland police officers, and that some of the encounters occurred while she was underage. She also accused officers of leaking information to her about planned prostitution raids in exchange for sex.

The scandal soon widened to include accusations against members of four other East Bay law enforcement agencies.

The Times normally does not identify victims of sex crimes unless they come forward publicly. Abuslin appeared alongside her attorneys at Wednesdays news conference.

Jasmine is free, said Charles Bonner, another Bay Area attorney representing the woman. Celese Guap, as youve heard of, exists no more.

Abuslin did not speak during the news conference, but her return to California is a key step in the potential prosecution of several officers linked to the scandal. Last week, Alameda County Dist. Atty. Nancy E. OMalley announced that she would file charges against five current and former members of the Oakland Police Department, a Livermore police officer and a Contra Costa County sheriffs deputy. She said she was forced to delay the formal filing of charges, however, because Abuslin had been moved out of state.

Calls to the Alameda County district attorneys office for comment were not immediately returned.

Abuslins move by Contra Costa County authorities to a drug rehabilitation facility in Florida has come under heavy criticism from OMalley, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Abuslins attorneys. Price said her client does not have a drug problem, and accused the Richmond Police Department of engaging in witness tampering.

The Richmond Police Department, and in particular, the leadership of that department, engaged in communication with a local agency here and brought her here under false pretenses, Price said. We have many lovely facilities in the Bay Area [and] throughout California, and the kind of treatment that this woman needs is not a drug rehab program. She is traumatized.

Abuslins move to Florida was arranged last month by a victims advocate employed by the Contra Costa County district attorneys office, according to Contra Costa County Chief Assistant Dist. Atty. Doug McMaster. McMaster said the advocate worked out of Richmond police headquarters, an agency whose officers Abuslin has made claims against.

McMaster and Richmond Police Chief Allwyn Brown have both denied claims that Abuslin was moved to delay her testimony. A spokeswoman for the state victims compensation fund, which paid for the move, said she was barred by state law from discussing the case.

Price and other Oakland officials have called on California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris to open an independent investigation into both the scandal and the decision to move Abuslin to Florida. Kristin Ford, a spokeswoman for Harris, did not rule out the possibility of a separate probe in a statement issued Wednesday.

The allegations of police misconduct are extremely disturbing and an alarming breach of trust placed in law enforcement by the communities we are sworn to serve, Ford said in an e-mailed statement. Our office will continue to engage with local law enforcement on this case and will leave all options on the table for our potential involvement.

Charges to be filed against the officers include acts of prostitution, lewd conduct and failure to report the abuse of a minor. Two men  Oakland Police Officer Giovani LoVerde and former Contra Costa County Sheriffs Deputy Ricardo Perez  will also be charged with felony oral copulation with a minor, OMalley said.

Price said Abuslin has been a victim of sex trafficking since she was 12, and said her client had sexual encounters with members of seven different Bay Area law enforcement agencies.

The fact that she is alive today is a miracle, Price said.

Four Oakland police officers have been fired and seven others were suspended in the wake of the scandal. Oakland Police Chief Sean Whent also resigned the same weekend the woman gave her televised interview.

An investigator with the Alameda County district attorneys office was also fired, and Richmond police said earlier this week that several officers will be fired or disciplined as a result of the scandal. Abuslin also alleged she had had sexual encounters with Alameda County sheriffs deputies, but an investigator told The Times earlier this year that an internal review did not uncover evidence of any crimes or violations of department rules.

OMalley said her offices investigation also uncovered sexual contact between officers and the woman that took place in Contra Costa, San Francisco and San Joaquin counties, though she has no jurisdiction to prosecute there. A San Joaquin County district attorneys spokesman said his office has opened an investigation of Abuslins claims.

Upon her return to California, Abuslin plans to seek psychological treatment and hopes to begin taking classes that will enable her to pursue a career as a veterinarian, her attorney said.

Shes going to create a life that every young woman should have, Price said. Jasmine is going to get a second chance.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.

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UPDATES:

5:40 p.m.: This story was updated with information about the plea deal and a comment from the California attorney generals office.

This story was first published at 2:30 p.m.
As if visiting the dentist wasnt scary enough, Orange County health officials are alerting parents to an outbreak of oral infections that appear linked to a childrens dental office in Anaheim.

At least one case of a Mycobacterial abscessus infection has been confirmed in a patient who visited the Childrens Dental Group, in the 2100 block of East Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim, according to the OC Health Care Agency. The infection was detected after the child underwent a pulpotomy procedure to remove or treat an infected tooth, health officials said.

The healthcare agency received multiple reports last week of children who had developed infections after undergoing the same procedure at the office. Eight children showed signs of slowly progressive oral cellulitis with dental abscesses and/or respiratory infections, officials said.

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Seven of those children were hospitalized partly because this issue has been identified and these kids were recognized to be at risk, said the agencys spokeswoman, Jessica Good. Although the agency has confirmed one M. abscessus infection, the other cases remain under investigation. Preliminary test results could be available next week.

M. abscessus is found in dust, water and soil and known to contaminate medical devices. The commonly occurring bacteria can cause dental abscess and other skin and soft tissue infections. The infection can also infect bones and is treated with prolonged antibiotic use.

In this case, the children began showing symptoms 15 to 85 days after the initial procedure.

The facility and agency are trying to contact the parents of about 500 children who received pulpotomy procedures from May 3 to Aug. 2. The facility stopped performing the procedures Sept. 6.

Due to the length of incubation period and the recent discontinuation of the clinics pulpotomy practice, additional cases may be identified, the healthcare agency said.

The California Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Dental Board of California are working with the healthcare agency to investigate the infections.

The Childrens Dental Group said it follows industry standards for care and uses modern equipment and instruments.

To protect the health and safety of our patients, upon seeing this we began a review and testing of our systems, equipment, water, and other elements in the office, the dental group said in a statement.

Facility operators have asked all patients who received the baby root canals during that period to visit their office for an exam and X-rays.

Our thoughts, as well as our actions, are devoted to the health of our patients as we work through this situation, the group said.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

For breaking news in California, follow VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.
A veteran California Highway Patrol officer is on administrative leave after being arrested this week on suspicion of transmitting child pornography.

Placer County sheriffs detectives arrested Patrick Francis Cooney Jr., around 4 p.m. Monday. An ongoing investigation revealed that Cooney, 54, allegedly sent child pornography that depicts sexual acts involving persons under 18, officials said.

Authorities searched his Auburn residence and seized his electronic devices.

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CHP is aware of the arrest of one of its officers by the Placer County Sheriff Department for alleged behavior that occurred while the employee was off duty, Chief Janice Mulanix of the CHP Valley Division in Sacramento said in a statement. I want to assure the public that we take any allegation of misconduct by our employees, whether on or off duty, very seriously.

Cooneys peace officer powers have been revoked, Mulanix said.

The CHP is conducting its own investigation into the allegations, the agency said, as well as cooperating with the investigating agencies.

The CHP is a proud and professional organization, Mulanix said. I want to emphasize to the public that the alleged conduct of this employee does not reflect the values, hard work, dedication and professionalism of the CHP and its more than 11,000 employees.

Cooney has been with the agency for about 26 years. He began his career in the Ventura office, transferred to the North Sacramento office and then transferred once more to the Auburn office where hes been stationed since.

For more California news, follow @brittny_mejia
Ambassador Tran Thi Ha Phuong addresses the ceremony

During the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Tran Thi Ha Phuong reviewed the great achievements Vietnamese people have gained over the past 71 years, stressing that Vietnam always heightened peace, national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and showing her pride that Vietnam had passed every challenge of the country.

According to Ambassador Phuong, political stability and open economic policies have attracted foreign investors. For the international community, Vietnam has become a good friend, a trusted partner and an active member, making contribution to maintaining peace, stability and development in the world.

Vietnam calls on all countries to respect and obey principles agreed on by international relations and international laws, by which Vietnam believes that peace, stability, trust, promotion for development and friendship among countries will be ensured, she added.

Confirming that the Vietnamese Government and people attach great importance to reinforcing solidarity and friendship with the Greek Government and people, she went on to say that she hoped the relations between the two countries would further develop in the future, creating favorableconditions for expanding political, cultural, economic, commercial and tourism relations.

On this occasion, a wide range of Greek individuals and organizations, as well as overseas Vietnamese in Greece, sent letters and flowers of congratulation to the Embassy./.
A father was shot and killed late Tuesday after he opened the front door of his Woodland Hills home expecting a pizza delivery, officials said.

Hovik Krboyan, 37, was at home in the 4900 block of Medina Drive with his wife and young daughter at 11:50 p.m. when he answered the front door, authorities said.

A Los Angeles police detective told KTLA-TV they think Krboyan opened the door because he had ordered a pizza. Instead, he was met by unidentified assailants.

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Thats when he was shot and killed outside his home, police said. He was shot multiple times, according to Ed Winter, spokesman of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

His wife and daughter were not harmed.

Detectives interviewed neighbors who reported hearing gunshots.

Police think the man knew the assailants. The pizza delivery arrived minutes after the shooting, KTLA-TV reported.

We arent sure yet whats behind this mans shooting, but cases like this often stem from business or domestic disputes, LAPD Capt. Paul Vernon said in a statement.

Anyone with details about the shooting is urged to call Det. John Doerbecker at LAPDs Valley Bureau Homicide Unit at (818) 374-1943.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

For breaking news in California, follow VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.

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UPDATES:

9:10 a.m.: This article was updated with the victims identity.

This article was originally published at 7:10 a.m.
A correctional officer at a federal prison in Victorville has been charged with assaulting a prisoner and then falsifying records to cover up the attack, authorities said.

Cynthia Flores, 34, was indicted by a grand jury and is expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon on four counts of deprivation of rights under the color of law, assault with a dangerous weapon to commit bodily harm, falsifying records and making false statements and concealing records within federal jurisdiction. She faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted, according to the U.S. attorneys office.

According to the indictment, on June 2, 2013, Flores was doing the evening count to ensure all inmates were present at the Victorville Federal Corrections Complex when she initiated a physical confrontation with an inmate and pushed her against a wall.

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After that, the inmates hands were restrained behind her back, and she was held chest down against the ground. It was then that Flores kicked the prisoner in the head, according to the indictment.

Following the incident, Flores allegedly filed a written report and video recount of the incident that accused the inmate of physically assaulting her but omitted any mention of her using force on the woman.

Flores caused another correctional officer to falsify reports to match hers, the indictment alleges.

The case was investigated by the Department of Justices Office of the Inspector General.

joseph.serna@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.
The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department acknowledged force was used to restrain a carjacking suspect who lost consciousness and died Tuesday inside a McDonalds restaurant in East San Gabriel.

The man was identified as 38-year-old Timothy Shannon McMillan, who was a transient, according to Ed Winter, spokesman of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. McMillans cause of death has not been determined, and an autopsy is pending.

Deputies confronted McMillan after a violent carjacking in the 8700 block of Garvey Avenue in Rosemead. In that incident, McMillan approached a parking enforcement officer as she was writing a ticket at 5:25 a.m., yelled at her and punched her in the head, the Sheriffs Department said.

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When the 53-year-old parking officer fell to the ground, the man entered her car and drove off. The owner of the parked vehicle saw the attack and notified police.

About 20 minutes later, McMillan drove to a McDonalds parking lot in the 6900 block of Rosemead Boulevard.

There, he entered the restaurant and screamed at employees, the Sheriffs Department said.

Deputies received a disturbance call and went to the restaurant, where they found the man.

According to the Sheriffs Department, McMillan lunged at deputies.

The suspects action resulted in a use of force by the deputies in an attempt to restrain the suspect, the Sheriffs Department said. The suspect was handcuffed, and to prevent him from further kicking, his legs were secured.

At some point during the confrontation, McMillan became unresponsive.

Shortly after, firefighters arrived at the restaurant and attempted live-saving measures. They were unable to revive the man, and he was pronounced dead.

Four deputies involved in the incident suffered scratches and cuts. The parking officer who was attacked was taken to a hospital and treated for minor head injuries, the Sheriffs Department said.

The Medical Examiner-Coroner as well as the sheriffs Homicide and Internal Affairs bureaus are investigating the deputies tactics.

Every aspect of the force is ultimately evaluated by the Sheriffs Executive Force Review Committee, which decides whether or not there are any policy, tactical, supervisory or training violations or concerns, the department said.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

For breaking news in California, follow VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.
Moving to crack down on scam artists, Los Angeles County supervisors voted Tuesday to require immigration consultants working in unincorporated areas of the county to be licensed.

The consultants, sometimes referred to as notarios, are not attorneys. But some offer legal services and charge high rates.

Because notary publics in Latin America are roughly equivalent to lawyers, immigrants often do not realize that in the United States they are only authorized to witness signatures and authenticate documents, said Supervisor Hilda Solis, who proposed the enforcement program along with Supervisor Sheila Kuehl.

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Ive spoken with numerous families who have been for years paying dollar after dollar without making any progress on their immigration matters, Solis said. When these families finally understand that they have been defrauded, it is often too late for them to make a report about it.

That was the case for Nancy Landa Hernandez, who was born in Mexico and brought to the United States illegally at age 9 by her mother. She graduated with honors from Cal State Northridge before she was deported in 2009.

Hernandez, who spoke to the Board of Supervisors by video from Mexico, said her parents had gone to an immigration consultant who filed applications for asylum and other benefits for which her family was not eligible. Ultimately, Hernandez, her parents and brother were deported.

Con artists should not be able to prey on immigrant families like mine, she said. Those who commit fraud and practice law without a license should not be able to remain in business for decades while people like myself pay the consequences.

Daniel Huang, chairman of the immigration section of the Los Angeles County Bar Assn., told the supervisors that fraudulent operations also have sprung up targeting Asian immigrant communities.

In the San Gabriel Valley, were now seeing legal services being offered through birthing centers, educational consultants, travel agencies and even dubious political and religious organizations, he said.

On a unanimous vote, the supervisors authorized the drafting of an ordinance that would set up a licensing program for consultants operating in unincorporated county areas such as East Los Angeles that are not governed by cities. Among other things, the regulations would set maximum rates that could be charged for non-legal form preparation services and penalties for violations.

abby.sewell@latimes.com

Twitter: @sewella
Los Angeles newest police commissioner called for a deep analysis Tuesday of how the LAPD handles complaints alleging racial profiling, an issue that has long stirred frustration among some residents and members of the police oversight panel.

The directive from Cynthia McClain-Hill, backed by a unanimous vote from the rest of the Police Commission, came after a quarterly report from LAPD brass that again found that the department had not upheld any allegations of biased policing  police parlance for racial profiling.

Questioning whether the departments data captures the full extent of inappropriate or biased encounters, McClain-Hill instructed the LAPD to put together a report looking at how many biased policing allegations other major departments receive and uphold.

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She also called for more information about how the LAPD tries to identify bias in potential recruits, what incoming officers learn about bias during their time in the academy and how supervisors are trained to guard against it.

The LAPD will present the information at the Police Commissions Nov. 1 meeting, where, in an unusual move, biased policing will be the only item on the boards agenda. McClain-Hill asked to hold that meeting outside of the LAPDs downtown headquarters  the commissions usual gathering spot  to better accommodate residents who want to attend.

McClain-Hill emphasized that she did not believe most LAPD officers are inherently biased or show up to work for any reason other than to do the very best job they can protecting this city. The goal, she said, was to have a robust discussion on the topic.

Theres a lot of energy, a lot of frustration and a lot of, I think, genuine pain and concern being brought forward around a matter that we absolutely dont have our arms around, she said. There really and truly has to be a way that we can move through this into a place where both the community and the department are comfortable with where we are.

Like police departments across the country, the LAPD has long wrestled with how to effectively address allegations of biased policing by officers. Such accusations are difficult to prove, as they hinge on what an officer is thinking when he or she stops someone. But the perception of racial profiling has frayed relationships between police and communities across the country, including Los Angeles.

The LAPD usually receives a few hundred such complaints each year, largely from African Americans. None have been upheld, a statistic one LAPD commander called the elephant in the room at Tuesdays meeting.

That number has become more glaring in recent years as residents and police commissioners continue to voice their concerns.

I dont think anybody believes that there are actually no incidents of biased policing, Matt Johnson, the Police Commissions president, said last winter. The problem is we dont have an effective way of really adjudicating the issue.

LAPD brass have stressed that they take the allegations seriously, noting that the department tried to fire an officer a few years ago after investigators determined he stopped Latino drivers based on their ethnicity. However, a disciplinary panel found that officer not guilty of the biased policing allegations and fired him on a different charge.

On Tuesday, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said that the accusations of biased policing stemmed from a small, small fraction of the millions of contacts between officers and residents each year. He said he believed the LAPD had a strong internal system to identify and investigate those allegations.

But, he said, it was still important to talk with officers about bias and policing.

We all have biases  its not whether you have them or not, its whether you act on them, he said. They cannot affect your job performance. They cannot affect why you enforce the law or how you enforce the law.

kate.mather@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter: @katemather

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In a crime that shocked a California Delta community, a man and woman were charged with hate crimes Tuesday in connection with launching Molotov cocktails into the home of a black family in Antioch and spray-painting the residence with a swastika and racial slurs, police said.

Roy Charles Sorvari, 27, of Antioch and Christyne Gail McDaniel, 25, of Brentwood face charges of arson and conspiracy to commit murder, mayhem, torture and assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Antioch Police Department. Sorvari and McDaniel were also charged with hate crime enhancements. They have each been ordered held on more than $1 million bail.

The attack sent shockwaves in the city of Antioch, Police Chief Allan Cantando said at a news conference Tuesday.

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Cantando said the pair were motivated by a dispute between one of McDaniels relatives and a resident of the home. Details about the dispute were not released.

That was the only reason this resident was targeted, and it was not a random incident, he said.

The attack occurred shortly after 3 a.m. on Sept. 7, when up to three Molotov cocktails where thrown at the home in the 5100 block of McCormick Court, starting a fire and blocking some exits.

Flames spread to the homes roof and nearby bushes, police said.

A large swastika and racial slur were scrawled in blue spray paint on the front of the home.

Three adults and four children were able to escape the home without injury, KPIX-TV reported. Home surveillance cameras recorded the attack and video evidence was turned over to police.

Homeowner Roshon Williams told KTVU-TV that she didnt know Sorvari and McDaniel and had never met them before.

On the day after the attack, Antioch Mayor Wade Harper and members of the NAACP East County chapter condemned the attack.

We will come together as a community, Harper said in a statement. We will not be in fear. We will not be victimized.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

For breaking news in California, follow VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.

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There was little fanfare when Hillary Clinton released her mental health plan late last month.

The Democratic presidential hopeful didnt visit a clinic. She didnt surround herself with patients for a photo-op.

But for voters interested in how Clinton would tackle an issue that has frustrated policymakers for decades, she offered a 13-page, 27-point blueprint, with 25 footnotes.

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I dont think thats going to put her over the top in any state, quipped Linda Rosenberg, president of the National Council for Behavioral Health, one of the nations leading proponents for mental health reform. She could have probably just promised a White House conference.

Election 2016 | Live coverage on Trail Guide | Sign up for the newsletter | The race to 270

Clintons mental health plan exemplifies her unusual attention to the intricacies of policy-making, which is also reflected in detailed proposals for issues as diverse as autism and climate change, infrastructure and voting rights.

More striking, the mental health blueprint highlights one of the starkest contrasts of the campaign: Rarely have two presidential nominees approached public policy more differently than Clinton and Donald Trump.

Not only has Trump offered no plan to tackle mental healthcare, hes presented the barest of outlines for most of his governing agenda, even as he now accuses Clinton of running a policy-free campaign, as he claimed at recent rally in Iowa.

Trumps vague tax, healthcare and national security proposals have baffled experts on both sides of the political aisle who have struggled to make sense of what Trump is offering.

Even Trumps immigration policy, perhaps the signature issue of his campaign, has proved difficult to decipher.

In the same week that Clinton released her mental health plan, the Republican nominee delivered a much-anticipated immigration address, only to leave his allies working for days to clarify whether Trump would round up all immigrants in the country illegally or focus deportations on those who had broken other laws.

Such a contrast between presidential nominees attention to detail is highly unusual, said historian Robert Dallek.

But, he noted, it may reflect Clintons long history of working on public policy, as well as Trumps thin political resume.

Trump has this game that he will make America great again, Dallek said, quoting Trumps campaign slogan. But he has no experience in government. What is he going to do?

Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller did not respond to multiple requests for additional information about Trumps policy agenda and his specific plans for addressing mental illness, which affects an estimated 40 million Americans annually.

Senior officials at leading national advocacy groups including the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America and the National Council said they had never heard from anyone at the Trump campaign.

Wed welcome the call, said Angela Kimball, national director of advocacy and public policy at the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Our policy is that we will talk to anyone on these issues.

By contrast, the Clinton campaign has been working with advocacy groups, congressional offices, health experts and others since the end of last year to develop a mental health agenda.

Campaign officials said they talked to more than 50 stakeholders over the last 10 months. And several advocacy groups surveyed by The Times said they were solicited for suggestions and asked to provide feedback on drafts, in some cases on multiple occasions.

Aides said Clinton herself had been heavily engaged in this process, directing staff to follow up on specific issues or ideas she hears on the campaign trail and marking up memos with suggestions for other subjects to explore or new experts to contact.

Altogether, roughly a dozen staffers in her Brooklyn, N.Y., headquarters focus exclusively on policy issues, according to the campaign.

The attention to policy is reflected in Clintons blueprint, said Mental Health America President Paul Gionfriddo.

This is comprehensive  and moves away from that dark place focused on public safety where mental health policy was stuck for so long, he said. This looks at the whole picture of peoples health.

Gionfriddo and other advocates praised the plans focus on early intervention to help people before their illnesses becomes debilitating, including initiatives to help pediatricians work with young children and to support school- and college-based programs.

Clintons plan specifically calls out five model programs already being implemented that, the plan notes, could be expanded around the country.

The campaign blueprint also includes provisions to expand community health centers to serve mentally ill patients and to boost funding for housing and employment programs to serve people suffering from mental illness.

These are crucial, said Jennifer Mathis, director of policy and legal advocacy at the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.

Someone clearly got the message that the focus needs to be on community services, not on more hospitalizations, she said.

The Clinton plan would dedicate additional resources to train law enforcement officials in dealing with mental illness and would strengthen enforcement of current laws designed to ensure that health insurers do not discriminate against consumers with mental illness.

Equally important, many advocates say, the plan avoids inflammatory language and references to guns and violence that many say has increased the stigma of mental illness.

It feels like we have come a long way, Gionfriddo said.

Trumps campaign website mentions mental illness only briefly, calling in one section for more funding for veterans healthcare and noting in another section on gun rights: Our mental health system is broken. It needs to be fixed.

Why does this matter to law-abiding gun owners? that section concludes. Because they get blamed by anti-gun politicians, gun control groups and the media for the acts of deranged madmen.

It remains unclear whether Clintons more detailed approach will have much effect, especially in a year when emotion seems to be driving much of the electorate.

And history suggests policy-heavy campaigns dont always win, said Princeton University political scientist Julian Zelizer. Democrat Hubert Humphrey lost to Republican Richard Nixon in 1968, and in 2000, Democrat Al Gore lost to George W. Bush. Both winners offered a more visceral message to voters.

Clinton nevertheless is pushing ahead with her agenda, continuing to add policy papers to a portfolio of issues that now tops three dozen on her campaign website.

Earlier this month, the campaign released Stronger Together, a 256-page book detailing Clintons governing agenda.

We have this old-fashioned idea that if were asking you to support us for president, we ought to tell you what were going to do, Clinton told a crowd at a recent rally in North Carolina. Not just bluster. Not just empty words. Not just demagogic rhetoric. Real plans.

Trump last week finally offered some detail on his pledge to expand family leave, and the campaign has made new proposals to expand school choice. Trump has promised more information about his tax plans soon.

Heading into the first debate Sept. 26, which will probably highlight contrasts between how the nominees present their agendas, other Trump policies remain largely a mystery.

When pressed earlier this month during a candidate forum for details about how he would fulfill his pledge to defeat Islamic State, Trump again deferred.

I dont want to broadcast to the enemy exactly what my plan is, he said.

Twitter: @noamlevey, @mikememoli

Democratic and Republican voters are further apart than theyve been in a generation. Heres why

Health episode raises new doubts and brings up old concerns about Clinton. Thats why its so damaging

She once compared Donald Trump to a street dog. Now its her job to sell him to Latino voters

UPDATES:

Sept. 20, 1:35 p.m. This post has been updated throughout.

This article was originally posted Sept. 14 at 3 a.m.
Native American protests of an oil pipeline under construction in North Dakota began this spring with a handful of people praying in a makeshift camp on a nearby Indian reservation.

Months later, after legal wrangling, celebrity endorsements and, most importantly, the arrival of thousands more Native Americans to join the opposition, the issue has exploded into one of the most contentious and high-profile environmental battles in the nation. It involves climate change, tribal rights, the energy economy and jobs. It also wades into delicate issues of how Native Americans have been treated by the federal government for years.

What is the Dakota Access pipeline?

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The pipeline would carry more than 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily from the Bakken and Three Forks production regions of North Dakota. The pipeline, 30 inches in diameter, would travel 1,172 miles, passing through South Dakota and Iowa before connecting with an existing pipeline in Patoka, Ill. Its developer, Energy Transfer Partners, based in Texas, says its total cost is $3.7 billion.

Who is opposed to the pipeline?

Environmental and tribal groups who want the United States to transition to renewable energy instead of building more infrastructure to support fossil fuels. Many of the groups also fought the Keystone XL pipeline, which the Obama administration rejected in November.

In Iowa, property owners fighting the taking of land for the pipeline by eminent domain have protested. More than a dozen demonstrators were arrested in Iowa over the weekend.

But by far the biggest and highest-profile protests have been waged by thousands of Native Americans from across the country who have gathered north of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota. The pipeline would travel under a dammed section of the Missouri River, called Lake Oahe, that borders the reservation.

Why are Native American groups opposed?

Native American groups say the most immediate reason they are opposed is that a leak from the pipeline could damage the Standing Rock Siouxs water supply, and that its construction in general would damage sacred sites and ancestral lands  including places flooded decades ago when the Oahe Dam was built. But there is more to this protest than the issues facing the Standing Rock Sioux.

Though the protest began quietly and focused on a specific issue, it came to represent a broad grievance: that for too long the concerns of Native Americans have been given little attention as the nation has approved major energy projects in or near areas where tribes live or consider sacred.

As Dave Archambault, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux, told The Times last month: Every time theres a project of this magnitude, so the nation can benefit, theres a cost. That cost is borne by tribal nations.

Nearly 300 tribal groups have expressed support for the protest, as have celebrities including Susan Sarandon, Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The protest follows successful efforts by tribal groups to help stop other fossil-fuel projects. The Indigenous Environmental Network is among several groups that led protests that drew attention to the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have transported crude from Canadas oil sands into the United States.

This spring, the Army Corps of Engineers rejected a proposed coal export facility in Washington state after the Lummi Nation, a small tribe whose reservation is near the site, argued that it would threaten fishing rights promised in its 1855 treaty with the federal government.

What is the current status of the pipeline?

Energy Transfer Partners says construction of the Dakota Access pipeline across the four states is 60% complete. But after a dizzying set of developments late Friday, construction of the section in North Dakota met a major setback.

That afternoon, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled against a request by the Standing Rock Sioux to stop construction. The judge, James E. Boasberg, said the tribe had been given ample opportunity to express its views during the permitting process and that it had not shown it would be sufficiently harmed by the pipeline.

Yet minutes later, in an unusual move, the Obama administration announced that it was asking Energy Transfer Partners to halt construction in areas near Lake Oahe controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers while the corps reviewed its permitting decisions in those areas.

This case has highlighted the need for a serious discussion on whether there should be nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes views on these types of infrastructure projects, the Justice Department, the Interior Department and the Army said in a statement.

The administration said it would invite tribes to formal, government-to-government consultations this fall to discuss what the federal government should do to better ensure meaningful tribal input into infrastructure-related reviews and decisions and the protections of tribal lands, resources and treaty rights, and whether new legislation should be proposed to improve the process.

For Native American groups, it was a victory not in court but in the court of public opinion. That said, the case continues, with the Standing Rock Sioux and the neighboring Cheyenne River Sioux, represented by Earthjustice, filing an appeal of Boasbergs decision Monday.

What do pipeline supporters say?

On Friday, the Midwest Alliance for Infrastructure Now, a group formed to promote the pipeline, praised the Boasberg decision before quickly condemning the administrations order. The group said the move could set a horrific precedent and that no sane American company would dare expend years of effort and billions of dollars weaving through an onerous regulatory process receiving all necessary permits and agreements, only to be faced with additional regulatory impediments and be shut down halfway through completion of its project.

Kelcy Warren, the chairman and chief executive of Energy Transfer Partners, said in a memo to staff members on Tuesday that misinformation had colored debate over the pipeline, and company leaders intended to meet with officials in Washington to understand their position and reiterate our commitment to bring the Dakota Access pipeline into operation.

He said, as the company has many times, that the pipeline will help ensure the domestic energy supply and stable jobs. He also said the pipeline was safer than transporting crude by rail or truck  methods environmental groups are also fighting.

Warren said the company respected Native American culture and history and hoped to strengthen our relationship with tribal groups as we move forward with this project. On Tuesday, the company removed construction equipment from near the protest site that it said had been damaged by protesters.
A 32-year-old Florida man has been arrested and is facing a charge of arson with a hate crime enhancement in connection with a fire that heavily damaged the mosque that Orlando, Fla., nightclub gunman Omar Mateen occasionally attended, authorities announced Wednesday.

Joseph Michael Schreiber was arrested without incident Wednesday afternoon and was being interrogated by officials investigating the fire set late Sunday that extensively damaged the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce, said Maj. David Thompson of the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office.

Schreiber was taken into custody on a street in Fort Pierce by authorities acting on tips from members of the community and aided by surveillance video taken from the mosque and elsewhere, Thompson said at a news conference. Thompson said the arson charge, coupled with a hate crime enhancement under Florida law, could bring up to 30 years in prison in event of a conviction.

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The fire was set late Sunday on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The blaze also coincided with the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha.

Thompson said a search warrant was executed at Schreibers home, where investigators reported finding evidence linked to the arson, as well as anti-Islamic social media posts.

Schreiber was previously sentenced twice to state prison for theft, serving his first stretch from March 2008 to July 2009 and his second from June 2010 to August 2014, Florida Department of Corrections records show he .

It wasnt immediately clear if Schreiber had an attorney.

No one was injured in the fire, which burned a 10-by-10-foot hole in the roof at the back of the mosques main building and blackened its eaves with soot.

Mateen was killed by police after opening fire at the Pulse nightclub June 12 in a rampage that left 49 victims dead and 53 wounded. He professed allegiance to Islamic State. His father is among roughly 100 people who attend the mosque.

A weekend surveillance video from the mosque showed a man on a motorcycle approaching the building with a bottle of liquid and some papers, then leaving when there was a flash and shaking his hand as though he may have burned it, Thompson said. The first 911 calls were made about 45 minutes later after the fire had spread to the attic. It took about 4 1/2 hours for firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

No one had claimed responsibility for the attack, authorities said.

The FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined the investigation into the fire. Sheriffs officials had released the video and asked for the publics help in identifying the arsonist.

The fire was part of an escalating series of threats and violence perpetuated against the mosque and its members, said Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, a Florida spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. He said the mosque began receiving threatening phone calls shortly after the Pulse massacre. And in July, he said, a member was punched in the face as he arrived for morning prayers.

Sundays fire has left the mosques members saddened and scared, said assistant imam Hamaad Rahman.

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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping (Source: VNA)



PM Phuc made the confirmation at his meeting with Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping in Beijing on September 13th during his official visit to China.

He stated that Vietnam and China are embarking on an important phase of the renewal and open-door process so ensuring a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment for national construction and development are their common interests.

Fostering the time-honored friendship and developing the relations in a stable, healthy and sustainable manner is crucial for respective countries national construction and development and beneficial to peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large, he added, mentioning to the responsibility of generations of Party and State leaders in the work.

The Vietnamese leader also proposed several major orientations to further tighten the relations between the two Parties and countries, stressing the extreme importance to strengthening political trust and boosting results-oriented cooperation.

He asked both sides to soundly manage disputes at sea, comply with agreements and common perceptions of their high-level leaders, effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and soon sign a Code of Conduct in the East Sea, in order to help stabilise the situation and contribute to peace, cooperation and development in the region.

Regarding economic and trade ties, PM Phuc confirmed that Vietnam treasures its mutually beneficial cooperation with China and welcomes Chinese investors in fields meeting respective development requirements.

He requested the two countries ministries and agencies to settle difficulties to develop the bilateral economic and trade relations effectively and sustainably.

For his part, Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi said PM Phucs visit is significant for the consolidation and enhancement of the friendly neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

He expressed his belief that Vietnam will gain greater achievements in the process of reform and nation building.

The Party, Government and people of China always attach importance to developing relations with Vietnam, he affirmed, adding that China stands ready to work together with the country to grasp the development trend of the bilateral ties, maintain visits and high-level meetings, and step up pragmatic cooperation across fields as well as people-to-people exchanges.

At the same time, China will join hands with Vietnam to manage their differences and satisfactorily solve disputes, thus deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in a stable and sustainable fashion, he said.

China also sticks importance to boosting mutually beneficial collaboration with Vietnam, he said, suggesting the two sides carry forward the role played by the China-Vietnam Steering Committee on Bilateral Cooperation in coordinating and forging the affiliation.

It is necessary for the two sides to ramp up their connectivity in the development strategy within the frameworks of the One Belt, One Road and Two Corridors, One Economic Belt.

They should beef up collaboration in production and tourism, soon build joint border economic zones and hasten the implementation of key cooperation project, he proposed.

The host promised that China will encourage businesses having high capacity and using high technology to invest in Vietnam, and will actively partner with the country in addressing problems hindering bilateral economic and trade ties.

As part of his official visit to China, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with Wang Jiarui, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference on the same day.

He called on the Chinese official to make more contributions to consolidating and enhancing the time-honored friendship between social organisations and people of the two countries, helping push forward the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

The same day, he had a meeting with the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in China and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Beijing./.
In Ohio, Trump tees off on Fords move to Mexico, says hed tax it for making cars outside U.S.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump signs autographs during a rally at the Canton Memorial Civic Center in Ohio. (Mandel Ngan / AFP/Getty Images)

For Donald Trump, the timing could hardly have been better for Fords announcement Wednesday that it was moving all of its small-car production to Mexico: He was on a campaign swing through Rust Belt towns ravaged by manufacturings decline.

After a quick visit to Flint, Mich., a former General Motors town renowned for its urban decay and toxic drinking water, Trump arrived in northern Ohio with an I-told-you-so take on trade and immigration.

It used to be cars were made in Flint, and you couldnt drink the water in Mexico, Trump told several thousand cheering supporters in this heavy-manufacturing town south of Cleveland. Now, the cars are made in Mexico, and you cant drink the water in Flint.

With Hillary Clinton still recovering from pneumonia, Trump offered new variations on his long-standing charge that his Democratic opponent lacks the strength and stamina to lead the nation.

After bragging about defeating 16 career politicians in the GOP primaries, Trump said: Now we have one left. And in all fairness, shes lying in bed, getting better, and we want her better, we want her back on the trail, right?

Lock her up! was one of the many hostile catcalls that ensued.

After telling the crowd how hard he works and basking in cheers of Trump! Trump! Trump! he told the rowdy audience: I dont know, folks. You think Hillary would be able to stand up here for an hour?

Trump also questioned President Obamas work habits and suggested he was misusing taxpayer money by campaigning for Clinton in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Why isnt he working instead of campaigning for crooked Hillary? Whos paying for that big plane that comes in?

Trump went on to blame Democrats for poverty, joblessness and failing schools in the inner cities, then vowed to wall off Mexico to stop those drugs from pouring in.

And who is going to pay for the wall? Trump asked. Mexico! the overwhelmingly white crowd shouted back.

Trump accused Clinton of secretly supporting the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal that she backed as secretary of State but now opposes.

These deals we make, folks, its almost like we want to take it away from our country and let other countries make fortunes, he said. And you know what? All they do is laugh at us, disrespect us.

Turning to tensions between the U.S. and Iran in the Persian Gulf, Trump suggested American servicemen were itching to turn their weapons on Iranian counterparts who circle

Navy ships in their little boats.

Our great men are sitting there watching and saying, Boy, would I like to give it to them, he said.

As for Ford, Trump imagined what it would be like, after an announcement like todays, to call the companys chief executive from the White House.

If you think youre going to make cars and youre  going to sell them through our border like were stupid people  not going to happen that way, he said.

After a loud interruption of applause, he concluded, Were going to charge you a 35% tax on every car thats made outside the United States.
Trump continues new trend -- not attacking Clinton for being sick

.@realDonaldTrump: "I just hope [@HillaryClinton] gets better & she can get back out. I just have no view" #Hannity pic.twitter.com/vez4pR2wzE  Fox News (@FoxNews) September 14, 2016

Donald Trump has a message for Hillary Clinton: Get well soon.

For a candidate who has castigated his rivals as low energy (see Jeb Bush) and questioned their military service (see John McCain), Trump in recent days has eschewed attacking Clintons health problems as she recovers from pneumonia.

I just dont want to get involved with it. I just hope shes going to be fine and shell continue onward, he said Tuesday night during an interview on Fox News Hannity.

In recent days, Trump has been pressed with questions about Clintons pneumonia diagnosis, which was disclosed after she publicly fell ill Sunday, and hes offered the same subdued response.

Trump, seeking to make inroads with suburban women voters who polls have shown continue to strongly support the Democratic nominee, has focused instead on another target: Clintons comments labeling half of his supporters as a basket of deplorables. Clinton has said she regrets saying that half of his supporters fall into that category.

Trump also continued to insist hes not participating in any formal debate preparation.

He did, however, note that hell bring respect to the debate later this month  at least at the outset.

I will treat her with great respect, Trump said of Clinton. Unless she treats me in a certain manner, in which case that will be the end of that. I am not looking to go in and treat her with disrespect.
Much has changed in Myanmar since 1997 when President Bill Clinton, invoking emergency powers, put in place the first of many sweeping economic sanctions against a military government he accused of large-scale repression and called a threat to the security and foreign policy of the United States.

Today, that once hermetic Southeast Asian country is a fledgling democracy, the military having relinquished much of its power  although only partly and tentatively. The transition has been peaceful and the government that has emerged is making changes and opening the country up to the world. Its de facto head is Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy party won the first elections but who is is barred by the constitution from serving as president.

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The Obama administration has done much to reward Myanmar, also known as Burma, for its transformation. The White House restored full diplomatic relations in 2012 and rolled back many of the sanctions. Most significantly, U.S. companies may now do business with companies in Myanmar, with some exceptions. Suu Kyi, in her official role as state counselor, will meet with Obama in Washington on Wednesday and later in the week with Congressional leaders.

One of the chief issues at Suu Kyis meetings will be whether the remaining American sanctions should be lifted. They should not. Myanmar remains a complicated and delicate work in progress.

Of course, the U.S. hopes to pull Myanmar fully into its own trading orbit, at a time when competition with China is intensifying. But the military continues to hold too much power in Myanmar. It is permitted to appoint 25% of Parliament, to control three key ministerial posts and to dissolve the Parliament in an emergency. Most of the remaining sanctions target the military. Sanctions bar U.S. companies from involvement with military-controlled businesses and ban the importing of jade and gemstones (which are generally sold by military-run companies or their cronies). Additionally, U.S. companies may not do business with certain designated individuals in Myanmar involved in human rights abuses, drug trafficking or dealings with North Korea.

Allowing U.S. companies to do business with military-owned conglomerates in Myanmar is not the way to grow that countrys economy. Nor should the U.S. drop a requirement that U.S. companies in Myanmar file reports on their anti-corruption efforts and the steps they have taken to ensure workers rights.

And as Secretary of State John Kerry said in May, lifting remaining sanctions should rely on a substantial revamping of the countrys constitution.

Suu Kyi herself has yet to take steps to alleviate the persecution of Myanmars Rohingya Muslims, many of whom are confined to squalid displaced-persons camps and all of whom have been deprived of a rightful path to citizenship.

The U.S. has already rewarded Myanmar for its significant progress. But further reforms are necessary before the U.S. offers more rewards.

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Vietnamese Ambassador Hoang Anh Tuan made careful recommendations

to fishermen Indonesia repatriated in 2015 (Photo: VNA)



This is the first time the two countries are implementing repatriation of fishermen at sea.

Earlier, the Vietnam fishermen arrested for accidentally fishing in Indonesias territorial waters, were repatriated by air at Sokarno Hatta and Jakarta International Airports.

According to Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti, repatriation at sea will help the Vietnamese fishermen go home faster and contribute to reducing overload pressure in places of detention for foreign fishermen.

The Indonesian sends three ships, ORCA 1, ORCA 2 and ORCA 4, to Natuna Sea area to conduct the repatriation.

It is expected that after four to five days, ships carrying fishermen will arrive in Vietnam.

Indonesia said that there are over 310 Vietnamese fishermen detained in the country's islands./.
In the decade I lived and worked in Afghanistan, from 2002 through 2011, I listened almost daily to peoples frustration at their governments corrupt and demeaning behavior, and U.S. officials refusal to curb it.

The Afghan government is your face, Nurallah told me. Hes a former police officer who worked in the cooperative I founded in Kandahar. If its pretty or ugly, its your face.



For the record: This article originally misstated Jason Brezlers lawyers name. He is Michael Bowe, not Mark Bowe.

In 2010, around when Nurallah made that comment, a U.S. Marine major named Jason Brezler was dealing with a corrupt Afghan National Police commander called Sarwar Jan in neighboring Helmand Province. Brezler perfectly grasped Nurallahs point. The abuse of power so prevalent among Afghan officials  which appeared to locals to be perpetrated with U.S. connivance  was a danger to his mission to defeat the Taliban.

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A 2009 assessment of the war emphasized that Afghans crisis in confidence in their government threatened U.S. objectives.

Brezler got Sarwar Jan removed from power, or at least sent away from his privileged position on the U.S. base. Three years later, however, he heard Sarwar Jan was back in the Marine fold. Brezler, by then a Brooklyn firefighter and a reservist, dispatched a warning the moment he found out. It went unheeded. Seventeen days later, a boy Sarwar Jan had been using for sex shot four Marines, killing three.

Brezler should be honored by the Marine Corps for his foresight. Instead the Corps plans to discharge him because the file he emailed to substantiate his concerns, and had saved on his computer, was classified. A hearing is scheduled in U.S. District Court for Oct. 14.

Brezler, who immediately reported his violation of classification rules, has argued that he was trying to save lives. His lawyer, Michael Bowe, plans to draw a comparison to the treatment of Hillary Clinton, who also kept sensitive information on a private server.

I hope Brezler prevails. And not just in court. His way of thinking must be adopted as the U.S. considers how to partner with foreign forces in its continuing fight against extremists, including Islamic State.

The police in many cases was a destabilizing force, Brezler told NPR recently. They were driving more folks into the arms of the Taliban. Capt. Dan Quinn  a special operations officer disciplined for punching out a similarly abusive Afghan police commander  put it this way to the New York Times: We were putting people into power who would do things that were worse than the Taliban did. It is little wonder the Taliban kept (and still keeps) gaining recruits. Or, in the case of Sarwar Jan, that a humiliated and physically violated teenager lashed out, turning a Kalashnikov on Marines who seemed to be protecting and enabling his tormentor.

Brezler was deployed during a brief period of maximum U.S. recognition that good governance was crucial to bringing peace to Afghanistan. A 2009 assessment of the war emphasized that Afghans crisis in confidence in their government threatened U.S. objectives, and that fostering responsive and accountable government should be on a par with, and integral to, delivering security. Among other measures, U.S. and U.K. officials supported two major anti-corruption investigations.

But those efforts were halfhearted and short-lived. By 2011, Afghan government corruption was no longer a serious U.S. priority. The dominant attitude reasserted itself among U.S. officials that corruption was just part of Afghan culture, and should be left alone  even when it extended to the grotesquely complicated combination of abuse and favoritism that characterized the practice in which adult, usually powerful, men keep prepubescent boys as servants and for sex. The New York Times has documented the difficulty some officers encountered trying to challenge the laissez-faire approach.

The presumption about culture that underlies that approach is false. As Brezler told NPR, residents were absolutely elated when Sarwar Jan was sent away from the base in 2010. We could probably have had a parade the next day through the bazaar, he remembered. That same year, the commander of a provincial reconstruction team on the other side of the country enjoyed a similarly enthusiastic response  and a reduction in Taliban control in his province  when he stopped channeling development money to a corrupt governor. I never heard an Afghan dismiss corruption as if nobody minded.

Just because a behavior is common, in other words, doesnt mean its accepted. (Would it be fair to deduce from the Catholic Churchs problems that the faithful are by nature pedophiliac?)

Arguably, Brezler should have chosen a different way to detail his concerns about Sarwar Jan. But it was the failure to act on his information that threatened U.S. national security, not his transmission of it. With the combination of insight and initiative he demonstrated, Brezler should be training Marines, not being drummed out of the Corps. His reflex was one that, if replicated, would have led to very different outcomes in our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Brezlers insight remains crucial to the U.S. fight against violent extremism. Who we empower in that fight and how our local allies treat the population may determine its outcome. That the Marine Corps insists on punishing Brezler demonstrates that its leadership has not yet learned the lesson.

Sarah Chayes is a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Her latest book is Thieves of State: Why Corruption Threatens Global Security.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook

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John F. Kerrys new cease-fire in Syria, launched this week after negotiations with Russia, is an admirable effort to bring a measure of peace to a shattered land. But its almost certainly doomed to fail  despite the diligence and even passion the secretary of State has devoted to it.

Too many forces, from Bashar Assads government to Al Qaedas Syrian offshoot, dont really want the cease-fire to last. And its not clear that anyone can stop them from blowing it up  least of all the Obama administration, which has sworn off military intervention on the ground.

Heres how the deal, negotiated by Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, is meant to work:

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The Syrian government and Syrias moderate rebels  the ones supported by the United States  are supposed to stop shooting at each other. (So far, theyve mostly complied.)

The two great powers involved, the United States and Russia, both want a truce  but their basic goals are still far apart.

The extremists of Islamic State and Al Qaeda arent included; nobody expected them to cooperate. (The Al Qaeda branch in Syria, formerly called Al Nusra Front, has rebranded itself as the Front for the Conquest of Syria, but its the same outfit.)

If the truce holds for seven days, the United States and Russia will set up a joint center to coordinate their air forces in attacks against Islamic State and the Front for the Conquest of Syria.

At that point, the Syrian air force, which has dropped thousands of primitive barrel bombs on its own citizens, will be required to stop attacking rebel-held zones. Routes will be opened to allow humanitarian aid convoys to bring food and medicine to areas the government has besieged.

And then, if all goes well, the government and the rebels will start negotiations to end the war for good.

That would be a remarkable diplomatic achievement  especially in view of the limited leverage the United States has applied so far.

Heres why its unlikely to work:

The two great powers involved, the United States and Russia, both want a truce  but their basic goals are still far apart.

Kerry wants to push all sides into negotiations to set up a new Syrian government that would ease Assad out of power.

The Russians, who sent troops and planes to Syria last year to bolster Assad, mainly want to stabilize the government.

Assad not only wants to keep power, but he also wants to use the cease-fire to improve his military and diplomatic positions. Thats what he did, with help from the Russians, during a brief cease-fire earlier this year.

Opposition leaders hope the truce will end the governments siege of the rebel stronghold in Aleppo, Syrias largest city, but they fear that the broader effect will be to weaken their forces and strengthen the government.

Finally, Islamic State and the Front for the Conquest of Syria have already rejected the truce and can be counted on to try to foil it  in part to avoid becoming the only remaining targets for airstrikes.

There are practical problems, too, beginning with this: How is the truce going to be enforced?

For a cease-fire to work, you need a monitoring group on the ground  and there isnt one, Robert S. Ford, a former U.S. ambassador to Syria, told me.

If the Assad government violates the agreement, what then?

Without a Plan B, there is no useful or else, warned Frederic C. Hof of the Atlantic Councils Hariri Center on the Middle East. (As Plan B, he recommended U.S. strikes against the Syrian air force, an option President Obama has turned down.) And theres a longer-term risk, Hof added: If the U.S. and Russia succeed in defeating the Front for the Conquest of Syria, whats to stop the Assad government from restarting its war against the smaller, weaker opposition?

Finally, theres still no clear path to success in the peace negotiations Kerry wants to start  even if the government and the rebels show up.

Saying that were going to get everyone to the negotiating table isnt really a strategy, Ford said. Its going to take a lot longer, and the opposition is going to need a lot more support.

Kerry deserves credit for the work hes done to get this cease-fire started. Even a brief truce is better than none. I lived in Beirut during the early years of Lebanons civil war; days with cease-fires, even shaky ones, were generally safer than those without.

If the truce holds and humanitarian aid flows, Obama might even avoid the fate of leaving office with his Syria policy a symbol of unbroken failure.

But it doesnt look likely. This peace plan depends too heavily on two scarce commodities: the wisdom of Syrias armed factions and the goodwill of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Theres an old rule in the Middle East: Its hard to go broke if you bet on pessimism.

doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com

Twitter: @DoyleMcManus

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook

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Its weird to hear a politician own up to a gaffe.

At a rally in Manhattan on Saturday, Gary Johnson began his speech with 16 startling words: I want to start out with an apology to all of you, the Libertarian Party presidential nominee told a crowd of 500 or so supporters. This whole Aleppo gaffe....

Wait, what? Politicians arent supposed to apologize  unless its one of those sorry-not-sorry deals that precede yet another rant about why the opposing candidate is a dangerous cretin.

Johnson, though, cant shut his yap about saying Whats Aleppo? Thursday on MSNBC when asked about the war-ravaged Syrian city. He apologized in a statement, told The View he had no excuse, and when I saw him at an event in Philadelphia on Monday, he said to me, Well, at least you know how to find Aleppo on a map!

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What would the world look like if politicians werent always applying lipstick to their rhetorical pigs?

The other presidential candidates seem congenitally incapable of such self-deprecating honesty.

It was one year ago this month that eventual GOP nominee Donald Trump was given a long set of Mideast stumpers from radio host Hugh Hewitt. Instead of confessing his ignorance in real time  an ignorance, I hasten to add, that I and the majority of Americans surely share  Trump tried to bluff his way through the interview, eventually mangling Kurds with Quds and generally coming off as unimpressive.

Trump handled his stumble by calling the conservative Hewitt a third-rate radio announcer with very low ratings and questioning his fitness to moderate debates. Self-reflection isnt exactly the real estate developers bag.

Even when Trump gave his ballyhooed apology speech a month ago in Charlotte, N.C., he left out the specifics. He didnt apologize for, say, alleging that Judge Gonzalo Curiel has an absolute conflict of interest in presiding over a Trump University case because of his Mexican heritage  a dual-loyalty slur that harkens back to some of the worst collective-guilt accusations in American history. No, the GOP nominee went general.

Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you dont choose the right words or you say the wrong thing, he said. I have done that. And believe it or not, I regret it.

That would have been easier to believe if Trump had cited even one example. Or if he hadnt quickly added, with hilarious inaccuracy, that the one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth.

Trumps no-apologies approach, and his demonization of whole swaths of U.S. residents, render ridiculous his complaint Monday that Hillary Clinton has not apologized to those she slandered in her infamous basketful of deplorables comments on Friday. Its perfectly valid, though, to argue that her response was less than heartfelt.

Last night I was grossly generalistic, and thats never a good idea, Clinton wrote. I regret saying half  that was wrong. But lets be clear, whats really deplorable is that Donald Trump.

Whereas Trump bulldozes through criticisms with bluster, Clinton evades scrutiny of her misdeeds by maintaining the contradictory fictions that she accepts full responsibility and also has already answered all of the relevant questions honestly, thank you very much.

Clinton claimed last month that FBI Director James B. Comey said my answers were truthful about her private email server, even though Comey on multiple occasions has laid out in excruciating detail the half-dozen claims Clinton made about the emails that were not, as a matter of fact, true.

And when pressed on the emails issue during last weeks veterans forum, Clinton managed to go in just a few short paragraphs from I make no excuses for it. It was something that should not have been done, to I did exactly what I should have done. Sure, some combination of those words is probably accurate.

What would the world look like if politicians werent always applying lipstick to their rhetorical pigs, and maybe even not lying or making grossly pejorative characterizations in the first place? Im not sure our lungs are adapted to breathe air that clean. But I do know that Id rather have a candidate quickly cop to a brain fart or tall tale than continue blundering along from one lie to the next.

When you tell the truth, that means that you acknowledge mistakes, Johnson said Saturday. Mistakes are part of everyday life. But its how you deal with mistakes that ultimately determines success.

Matt Welch is editor at large of Reason, a magazine published by the libertarian Reason Foundation, and a contributing writer to Opinion.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook
Sorry ladies and new parents, but California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed bills that would exempt diapers and tampons from sales tax. Those bills were among seven bills that got the gubernatorial ax because they gave tax breaks that Brown said would have collectively sucked about $300 million out of the states budget.

Im not going to be popular with my female friends or family for saying this (especially my sisters who have four boys in diapers among them), but it was the right thing to do.

There is a certain logic to the states sales tax convention and these two proposals dont fit into it. We tax all products except those essential for survival. That includes food, prescription medication and medical devices, power, water, shelter. (Clothing is not exempt, perhaps because we could survive fine without it if we never left the house and had sufficient food, water, power and heart medication.)

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The argument used by proponents is that diapers are necessary for babies, and tampons and other feminine products are necessary for women, and its not fair to tax them. Necessary is relative, though.

Not to be too graphic here, but women survived for millennia without Huggies on hand to cover their babies bums or disposable pads and tampons for their monthly periods. They made do with washable cloths for both purposes for most of human history. Also  and this might be uncomfortable for male readers, so be warned  women who use birth control pills can skip menses altogether.

Also not fair to whom? I can afford to pay the 62 cents sales tax on a $6.99 box of Tampax without much pain. Having an extra $7.44 in my pocket a year wont make much impact in my life.

And is it fair to give tax breaks to the rich? Kim Kardashian probably wouldnt even notice if she got a sales break tax on Saint Wests Pampers. But all those breaks add up. In the case of tampons and diapers, that would be $56 million a year less revenue to the state budget.

And if diapers are exempt, why not toilet paper? Everyone uses that. And should soap be next? Or toothpaste? Or sponges or light bulbs or anything from Home Depot? How about automobiles and air conditioning in certain parts of the state? Once you start going down this particular road, it just gets easier and easier to add to the necessary list.

One colleague of mine, who shall remain nameless for obvious reasons, suggested to me that it would make more sense to tax disposable products such as diapers and sanitary pads at a higher rate because of their contribution to the waste stream. Now thats a thought, but one I cant see the Legislature willing to suggest.

mariel.garza@latimes.com

Twitter: @marielgarzaLAT
To the editor: My husband and I have lived on Bunker Hill for several years. At least five times a week we find ourselves walking up the stairs between a once-used park and the so-called city landmark Angels Flight.

These have been in disrepair and neglect since our arrival. (Angels Flight gone to ... heck, Sept. 10)

This is what thousands of tourists see as they make their way from the superb Grand Central Market up to or down from the museums on Grand, concerts at Disney Hall or California Plaza or opera and theater at the Music Center.

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I cannot believe elected officials have been unaware of this disgrace.

Ronni Bedell, Los Angeles

::

To the editor: Regarding the deplorable condition of the once-proud Angels Flight now compounded by its recent graffiti attack, am I missing something? Isnt this a Los Angeles icon? This historic monument deserves be restored to operation for Angelenos and tourists to once again enjoy.

David B. Housh, Glendora

::

To the editor: The foundation and the community are very disappointed that someone would choose to denigrate a city landmark, your article said.

The people of Los Angeles are very disappointed that the government of this city  which I am sure wastes enough taxpayer money every day that would pay for needed repairs, safety systems and maintenance  cant figure out a way to get Angels Flight back on the rails and operating safely.

John Hazlet, Pasadena

::

To the editor: My family and I happened to be on that same stairway recently after visiting the Grand Central Market. I was sickened by the stench, not to mention the trash on the stairs. And the graffiti was the ghastly cherry on top. Ugh.

I felt ashamed that visitors, domestic and international, have to see the state of this local landmark.

Carl Addicott, Altadena

::

To the editor: In many European countries, spectacular funiculars take riders high into the mountains.

How exasperating that our supposedly world-class city cant operate or even protect a funicular capable of taking riders a couple of hundred feet for a cup of latte. Time to change the name to Angels Blight.

Paul Bergman, Pasadena

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
Democrat Douglas Applegate, a retired U.S. Marine colonel challenging Rep. Darrell Issas reelection bid, was accused of harassing and threatening his ex-wife during their divorce proceedings and child custody battle more than 10 years ago, court records show.

An Orange County Superior Court judge granted Applegates former wife, Priscilla Greco, two temporary restraining orders against him in 2002 and 2004.

Court records show Greco testified that while she and Applegate were separated, he once looked through her window while she was getting dressed. She also accused him of stalking and verbally abusing her.

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The Issa campaign quickly pounced on the incident, first reported by Politico on Tuesday, releasing a statement highlighting what it called the disturbing details of the allegations.

Applegate, a San Clemente attorney who on Monday was endorsed by California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris, issued a statement Tuesday accusing the Issa campaign of a desperate and politically motivated attack.

I love my family and couldnt be more proud of the children Ive raised with Priscilla. This kind of dirty personal attack is exactly whats wrong with politics and voters deserve better, Applegate said. As someone who has worked with victims of domestic violence, Im appalled that Congressman Issa would sink so low but unfortunately Im not surprised.

The Applegate campaign also released a statement from Greco, who said she supports her former husbands bid for Congress and will be voting for him in November. When contacted by The Times, Greco said she had no further comment.

Im disappointed that someone is making disrespectful and uninformed personal attacks against our family, she said in the statement. Doug and I are parents first, and we raised two amazing children together.

The Applegate campaign also released a video of his two children, 20-year-old son Loren and 17-year-old daughter Renee, who defended their father and said he was a great dad whos always been there for us.

Applegates campaign manager, Robert Dempsey, said the allegations against the candidate came during a contentious divorce and that the court never found him responsible for any wrongdoing.

When the temporary restraining orders were issued, Applegate complied with a court order and turned over his two handguns to authorities. The firearms were later returned, Dempsey said.

Court records show that Applegate was also arrested for driving under the influence in 1999. He received a sentence of five years probation, and the charges were dismissed in 2005.

Issa, an eight-term Republican congressman from Vista, also had brushes with the law when he was a young man. He has been charged twice with car theft, although both cases were later dismissed. He was charged twice with carrying a concealed weapon.

On Jan. 16, 1973, Issa pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of possession of an unregistered gun. A magistrate fined him $100, put him on probation and ordered him to pay $107 in court costs. At the time, Issa was a student at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Mich.

By days end, the California Democratic Party and National Republican Congressional Committee joined the fray, issuing dueling statements about the allegations and Issas political record.

Issa outspent Applegate by more than $700,000 in the June primary, but Applegate still nabbed 45.5% of the vote in the 49th Congressional District race, while Issa finished with 50.8%.

Last week, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced it would provide support for Applegates general election campaign.

Willon reported from Sacramento and Carcamo reported from the city of Orange.

phil.willon@latimes.com; cindy.carcamo@latimes.com

Twitter: @philwillon, @theCindyCarcamo

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Nearly two-thirds of California voters support a gun-control initiative on the November ballot, about the same percentage of people who say they dont have a firearm in their home, according to a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll conducted by SurveyMonkey.

The initiative is supported by 64% of the 1,879 registered voters who responded to the survey, while 28% said they would vote no and 8% had no answer.

Proposition 63 by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom would, among other things, require background checks for those who buy ammunition, prohibit possession of large-capacity ammo magazines, and establish procedures for taking guns from felons and others not authorized to have them.

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The ballot measure comes just months after the Legislature and the governor added to what are already some of the toughest gun laws in the nation. The issue is facing heightened debate after a series of mass shootings in San Bernardino, Orlando, Fla., and elsewhere.

All of the shootings and the violence as a whole has affected it, said Doug Herman, a Democratic political consultant.

Gun enthusiasts view AR-15 semiautomatic assault rifle upper receiver parts and kits, which are legal in California, at the Crossroads of the West Gun Show in Del Mar, Calif. last year. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Support for the measure is close to the percentage of people who dont have guns. The survey found that 66% of California voters responding said no one in their household owns a gun.

Proposition 63 enjoys support across all age groups, but with the strongest (70%) among 18 to 24 year olds and the weakest support (56%) among 45 to 54 year olds. The measure is supported by all ethnic groups, but gets the largest percentage of support (72%) from Hispanic voters. The measure is backed by 70% of women and 56% of men.

Karen Crowl, 69, said more can be done to reduce gun violence. The retired school psychologist and independent voter lives near the Goleta post office where a former employee shot and killed five people before turning the gun on herself in 2006.

Im voting for it, she said of Proposition 63. I think the fewer guns around the less gun violence there will be, especially because so much of it is impulsive.

Mike Quinn, a 63-year-old Redding resident, said he is voting against Proposition 63 because he feels it will affect law-abiding citizens, not criminals.

The whole thing about gun control is completely against my way of thinking, Quinn said. Im looking at the cities that have the most gun control, Chicago being one of them, where you have 500 dead this year already.

Quinn, a Republican who owns a radio station, said enforcement of existing laws should be improved.

The criminals have guns, he said. Who are we trying to stop here?

Leo Wilkinson, 69, noted that homicides in his small home town of Hayward this year have caused people to worry about their safety. The registered Democrat supports Proposition 63.

Im definitely not in favor of high-capacity ammunition magazines, he said. They are only used to kill people. There is no hunting use for high-capacity magazines.

The initiative has divided voters along party lines. It is supported by 85% of Democrats, but 51% of Republicans said they would vote against it.

California has a deserved reputation as a deep-blue state, and while these leanings tend to show up to some degree on economic issues, they are much more notable on matters like this, said Dan Schnur, director of the poll and of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC.

Without a compelling argument in the other direction, most Californians are inclined to support even more stringent restrictions on gun ownership, he added.

Newsom, the former mayor of San Francisco, is running for governor in 2018, and political pundits say his gun-control initiative will help pave the way for the candidacy by raising his image. He and former Facebook President Sean Parker are among the top contributors to the initiative campaign, which has so far raised more than $4 million.

Opponents, including the National Rifle Assn., have launched multiple campaigns against the measure that have so far raised about $425,000.

Newsom announced the initiative in October, just two weeks after a shooting at an Oregon community college in which a student killed nine people.

Some of the initiatives provisions, including the background checks for ammunition purchasers, were part of the bill package signed into law this summer by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Updates from Sacramento 

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com

Follow @mcgreevy99 on Twitter

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Barbara Sykes, who served the Burbank community through her work with a variety of local charities, died Thursday. She was 55.

Some community leaders and friends said they were stunned by the news.

Nobody  nobody  expected her to pass away right now, said Janet Diel, a longtime friend of Sykes and president of the Burbank Coordinating Council, one of the organizations with which she had been heavily involved.

NEWSLETTER: Stay up to date with whats going on in the 818 >>

The mother of three and grandmother of two, the Toluca Lake native had been battling cancer for the past year, said her husband, former Burbank Mayor Dave Golonski.

To look at her, you never would have guessed, he said, adding that neither pain nor the illness kept her from spending time with her son John or her grandchildren.

Sykes and Golonski have long hosted events in their Magnolia Park home to raise money for local causes and others in need, such as orphans in Mexico. City Councilman Will Rogers, a friend, said whenever hed visit, theyd be in the process of finishing up one fundraiser and planning the next, with gifts and donations piled up in one room and children playing in another.

A founding board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and the Greater East Valley, Sykes was also a longtime volunteer with the Family Service Agency of Burbank and served as one of the key organizers of the Burbank Coordinating Councils holiday basket program.

She was absolutely passionate about any charitable effort that had to do with kids, Rogers said, adding that she also raised funds for the Condor Squadron, founded by her father, which flies military trainer planes in formation over parades, veterans events and memorial ceremonies throughout the region. Rogers said they will likely soon do a missing man flyover in her honor.

Sykes loved to help others and was instrumental in helping provide gifts to needy families each holiday season, Diel said, adding that Sykes was gangbusters all the way and didnt let her illness slow her down during the most recent basket program drive.

She seemed to have boundless energy, and was so damn tough, Rogers said, that even those who knew she was ill had a sense that if anyone could  or deserved to  beat it, she could.

Shanna Warren, chief executive of the Boys & Girls Club, said Sykes had been a fearless champion of the club, supporting many efforts over the last 21 years, such as the opening of a satellite school site at Roosevelt Elementary in 2003. She said the entire club will mourn her loss.

There have been years when I dont know what the club or I would have done without her, Warren said. She has helped to save thousands of childrens lives over the years.

Warren added that Sykes was and is an angel to us.

Diel said she was one of the most amazing forces in the community, and her friendship, energy and drive will be missed.

All I can say is that the community has a hole in it now, she said Thursday, fighting back tears. Later, she added: Im just sorry for Burbank.

--

Chad Garland, chad.garland@latimes.com

Twitter: @chadgarland
A Costa Mesa man was sentenced Monday to four years in prison for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, authorities said.

Jesus Guadalupe Silva-Manriquez, 20, pleaded guilty to causing a crash that killed a Tennessee man and injured his son on Feb. 4, 2015.

Silva-Manriquez also pleaded guilty to running a red light and speeding, according to Orange County Superior Court records.

Silva-Manriquez was found to be under the influence of marijuana when he was driving, said Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker.

Im happy that the defendant took responsibility for his actions, because he gravely affected this family, Walker said. He was on a destructive path with his driving.

Alberto Lopez, 32, of Clarksville, Tenn., was driving his 2010 Toyota Yaris down Fairview Road in Costa Mesa with his 14-year-old son in the front seat when a 2009 Nissan Titan truck driven by Silva-Manriquez hit him.

Lopez was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, where he was declared dead from chest trauma and other injuries, according to police. Lopezs son suffered serious injuries, including a bruised lung.

Silva-Manriquez and a female passenger, also from Costa Mesa, were taken to local hospitals for treatment of neck and shoulder pain, according to police.
After realizing she identified as being female, the person who was born Anthony Escobar became Athena Escobar.

But in school, Escobar had to keep using her legal first name.

It was hard to identify myself as something Im not, said Escobar, 21, who came out as transgender in high school. She has not undergone gender reassignment surgery or hormone therapy, though she plans to.

But Escobar, a Whittier resident who is taking prerequisites at Golden West College in Huntington Beach for an art history degree, will no longer have to use a name she doesnt identify with  at least not at school.

Students in the Coast Community College District can now declare a preferred name.

The idea, while not new, came to the Costa Mesa-based district through Sacha Moore, an English professor at Golden West College. Moore said some of her students would come up to her before class to introduce themselves and their gender identity.

I thought, Oh my gosh. Every time this student walks into a new classroom with a new teacher theyve got to have this conversation, said Moore, who recently took on the new role of district coordinator of equity, inclusion and compliance.

Over the past couple of years, universities and community colleges have implemented policies allowing students to use a preferred name.

The Coast Community College District, which includes Orange Coast, Golden West and Coastline colleges, launched the new standard with the current fall semester.

Your name is your identity. Your name says who you are, said Dannie Cesena, transgender services coordinator at the LGBT Center Orange County in Santa Ana.

Cesena, who was born female but identifies as a man and went through gender reassignment, said some people refuse to use the name chosen by a transgender person.

That name gives you all the confidence in the world, and referring to [transgender] people by their birth name takes away that confidence ... that self-esteem, Cesena said.

That can be detrimental in a school setting, he said.

I hear stories every week about teachers who take away that power, said Cesena, who runs a weekly support group for transgender youths in Orange County. That student is not going to be able to concentrate or focus in class. Their anxiety is going to rise to the point where theyre going to end up flunking.

Using a preferred name isnt exclusive to transgender students, under the new standard. Those who prefer to use a nickname may make the change via their college account.

Escobar chose the name Athena after the Greek goddess of wisdom and war  someone she could look up to and draw strength from.

I needed someone who was more of a warrior type, because I do fight a war every time I go out, Escobar said.

The preferred-name standard is really an issue of respect and a feeling of safety, Moore said.

Some people fear their transgender identity will be revealed by using their birth name, Moore said.

Hate crimes against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, or LGBTQ, rose in 2015, according to a study by the Orange County Human Relations Commission. Four of the 11 reported hate crimes targeted transgender people, the study said.

The preferred-name standard is just the start of creating a more inclusive environment at Coast community colleges, said Moore, who started her new position in July.

The district says it has no information on the number of transgender students attending its colleges.

But it intends to expand services and equity-minded principles through the new office of equity, inclusion and compliance, Moore said.

Ideas in the works include informational events at the colleges and reviewing hiring practices and recruitment strategies to attract a more diverse hiring pool. Priorities and implementation will be set by a districtwide governance committee.

The new principles could be accompanied by new rules or policies that would have to be approved by the district board of trustees. Moore said, for example, that shes looking at giving students more options when it comes to pronouns.

The preferred-name standard comes at a time when schools are grappling with several issues affecting transgender students.

In May, President Obama instructed public schools to allow transgender students to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity. The decision brought an uproar from critics, continuing an ongoing national debate.

*

What does transgender mean?

Transgender is an umbrella term that refers to people who identify with or express a gender identity different from their sex at birth. They often feel theyve been born into the wrong body.

When a transgender person begins to assess who he or she is, the person may first identify as gay or lesbian. According to sources interviewed for this article, it wasnt until they were exposed to someone who was transgender that they realized they identified more with the opposite sex.

Words used to refer to gender issues are sometimes used incorrectly. Here are some commonly confused terms, as defined by GLAAD and Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

"Transsexual is an older term that refers to a transgender person who seeks to live as a member of the opposite sex, especially by undergoing surgery and hormone therapy to obtain the necessary physical appearance.

"Sexual orientation refers to a persons sexual preference or identity as heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Transgender people may identify as any of those.

"Transvestite, or cross-dresser, refers to a person who likes to dress like a person of the opposite sex. Such a person is not necessarily transgender or of any particular sexual orientation.

*

Putting a name to rest

Some people in the transgender community refer to their birth name as their dead name  a name they have put behind them and will rarely share.

Athena Escobar said she plans to legally change her first name from Anthony. But the legal process can be time-consuming and expensive.

Each municipal agency that issues identity documents has separate systems for keeping that information. There is no central database.

In California, a court order is needed for a name change, which involves several forms and a court fee of $435. In some cases, the court will waive the fee for people who have trouble paying.

Thats in addition to the steps required to change ones name and/or gender on identification documents such as a drivers license, through the Department of Motor Vehicles; Social Security card (Social Security Administration); birth certificate (California Department of Vital Records) and passport (U.S. State Department).

The Oakland-based Transgender Law Center details steps for changing ones name and gender identity in its ID Please: A Guide to Changing California & Federal Identity Documents to Match Your Gender Identity. For more information, visit transgenderlawcenter.org


Children at the Mid-Autumn Festival in Pisek (Photo: VNA)

"Together with the nation's traditional Lunar New Year Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a great activity so that all branches of the association have prepared plans for a few months and took the initiative to organize celebrations.The purpose of the Executive Board of the Overseas Vietnamese Association is that through games, art programs, gift presentations and rewards, it will teach Overseas Vietnamese children, born and raised in the Czech Republic, of their origins, and encourage them to try harder in their studies," said Hoang Dinh Thang, Chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic.

Actively involved with Overseas Vietnamese Branches in organizing the Mid-Autumn Festival are local Vietnamese womens clubs, Buddhist associations, veterans associations, youth and student associations.

In small residential clusters which have not established Overseas Vietnamese Branches, women's clubs, fellow-countrymen branches or inter-family groups will organize Mid-Autumn Festival for their children. In fact, for many years, most Vietnamese children in the Czech Republic have enjoyed Mid-Autumn Festival.

In spite of different scale and financial conditions, Mid-Autumn Festivals of Overseas Vietnamese Branches across the Czech Republic aim to be fun, meaningful and to avoid waste.

The Overseas Vietnamese Branch in Pisek and the neighbouring area was one of earliest localities organizing Mid-Autumn Festival this year in the Czech Republic.

According to Mr. Dinh Xuan Vinh, Deputy Head of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic, although newly established for just a year and being a branch without large number of members and strong finances, it and Pisek womens club have made great efforts to organize a successful Mid-Autumn Festival for their children.

Mid-Autumn Festival in Pisek included various activities such as tug of war, rope jumping, bag jumping, lion dance and art performance.

We try our best to organize the Mid-Autumn Festival for the children. so that children who dont have chance to visit the homeland any time can know how Mid-Autumn Festival is in Vietnam, and create conditions for their parents and grandparents to look back on memories of their childhood, and have a strong attachment to each other while living far from the nation, Ms. Le Thi Hang, Head of the Vietnamese Women's Club in Pisek said in an interview with the correspondent of Vietnam News Agency./.
Financial trouble has loomed over Fountain Valley for almost a decade, but the city is hoping that voters support a 1% sales tax increase to help balance the budget.

The City Council on Tuesday endorsed the ballot measure by a 4-1 vote. Councilman Mark McCurdy dissented.

The council had voted July 19 to put the tax-increase measure, known as Measure HH, on the Nov. 8 ballot.

About $11.5 million would be raised per year during a 20-year time frame if the measure is passed, said Maggie Le, assistant to the city manager. Funds would be allocated toward essential city services and helping to maintain low-response times for police and fire, she said.

While residents have expressed concern over the citys economic future, those attending the council meeting seemed split over whether the ballot measure was the best solution.

Patrick Tucker, a council candidate, called the sales tax increase excessive and critiqued the citys past attempts at generating revenue, including adding a hotel bed tax in 2014.

Ive heard time and time again from the dais [that] the state keeps taking our money. Isnt this the same? Tucker said.

Meanwhile, Matt Taylor, chairman of the Yes on HH Group, expressed appreciation that the city included voters by conducting surveys on what city services were most important to them.

"[Enough cuts have been made] at this point, and we need to look to revenue enhancement, Taylor said.

I think its really clear there is no other revenue enhancement that will satisfy the problems we have, he added, referring to the 1% taxing option.

Within the last few years, the city has cut down on operation costs by reducing 36 city staff positions, contracting out for services and eliminating all but the most urgent repairs on public buildings. The citys 2016-2017 budget also includes cuts.

During a previous council meeting, finance director David Cain presented what he called a comprehensive 20-year financial sustainability draft plan featuring multiple ways of continuing to cut city costs while increasing revenue.

Eliminating Fire Station 2 and removing recreational senior programs were among the proposals, but Cain said increasing the sales tax was the most viable option for Fountain Valley, since the city will need to take $1.7 million from its general reserve fund to help balance the 2016-2017 budget.

Grant awarded to Police Department

The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded a $111,000 grant to the Fountain Valley Police Department based on the citys high number of fatal and injury collisions for its population during 2013, according to a staff report.

The money will help implement four bicycle safety programs at elementary schools, purchase equipment used during DUI checkpoints and help cover training for staff.

Traffic data collected by city staff from 2013 to 2015 indicates that the top three collision factors in the city were driving at unsafe speeds, improper turning and failure to yield.
Ten Years Ago

Faith communities in the Foothills announced they would sponsor a candlelight vigil on Sept. 21, 2006 in La Canadas Memorial Park. Area residents were invited to take a candle to the park and join in prayer, reflection and a petition for global peace during the event, held to mark International Day of Peace.

Twenty Years Ago

A 1,000-pound Southern California Edison vault cover at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Oakwood Avenue blasted about six feet into the air on a Monday afternoon in September 1996, with that blast followed shortly thereafter by two others at the same location, rattling nerves and causing power outages. One woman said shed been sitting on a bus bench near the site of the explosion, when suddenly both benches on the sidewalk there were flying in opposite directions, and she was knocked to the ground. The cause was determined to have been an overheated switch in the transformer vault.

Thirty Years Ago

Several hundred guests gathered at the Flintridge Riding Club for a reception in honor of Jimmy Williams, celebrating his 30 years of service there as a trainer and riding instructor. Then 69, Williams let it be known he was not retiring, but was instead looking ahead to another 30 years at the club. Five of his students up to that point in his career had gone on to earn places on the U.S. Equestrian Team in the Olympics.

Forty Years Ago

A new, 3,200-square-foot multipurpose building at La Canada United Methodist Church was consecrated during a special service led by its then pastor, the Rev. William Kintner. Members of the congregation, in order to save funds, did much of the construction work themselves.

Fifty Years Ago

Work was about to begin on a $69,000 project that would widen Oakwood Avenue, between Lynnhaven Lane and Foothill Boulevard. The thoroughfare would go from two to four lanes and paved sidewalks would be installed on both sides of the street.

Sixty Years Ago

After directing activities at the La Canada Youth House (today called the Community Center) for a year on a part-time basis, Ed Bozonier signed a three-year contract to become the institutions first full-time director.

Compiled from the Valley Sun Archives by Carol Cormaci.
Experience the culture and customs of South Korea on a private nine-day tour offered by Artisans of Leisure.

The itinerary, which can be customized, begins and ends in the capital city of Seoul and can include a tour of the Changdeokgung Palace complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site; an excursion to the border with North Korea at Panmunjom or the demilitarized zone; or a visit to high-end boutiques and restaurants in Gangnam.

Other highlights can include visits to Busan, South Koreas second-largest city known for its beaches, mountains and temples; Gyeongju, with the countrys largest collection of tombs, temples and pagodas; and Jeju Island, a popular vacation destination with interesting geological features.

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Dates: Daily departures available

Price: $10,305 per person, double occupancy. Includes accommodations, breakfast daily, in-country transportation and personal guides and drivers. International airfare not included.

Info: Artisans of Leisure, (800) 214-8144

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I had high expectations when I arrived at Universal Studios Hollywood for an exclusive preview of a new Halloween Horror Nights haunted maze based on what I and many consider to be the scariest movie of all time: The Exorcist.

Like many Horror Nights fans, Ive been waiting and hoping for a decade that Universal would bring the 1973 supernatural horror film to life in a haunted maze. To my amazement, the Exorcist maze exceeded my expectations.

It was an unseasonably cool and breezy fall-like day when I met Horror Night creative director John Murdy on the Universal Studio backlot on Tuesday afternoon for a walk-through tour of the Exorcist maze.

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Its been a long quest, Murdy said. Ive been wanting to do this for a long time.

Halloween Horror Nights creative director John Murdy inside the American Horror Story haunted maze at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times )

Murdy has been trying to land the rights to build a maze based on the classic horror movie ever since the 2006 reboot of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Any time our fans would ask, Whats the movie you want to do more than any other horror movie? Murdy said. I would always say, The Exorcist.

Based on a 1971 book, which itself was based on a 1949 exorcism, the film tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who becomes demonically possessed after playing with a Ouija board.

I wanted to do this because no movie scares me more than The Exorcist, Murdy said.

Thats saying a lot coming from a man who bathes in blood and gore each year as he prepares for the six-week-long Horror Nights season.

Since 2006, Murdy has brought to life many of the best-known horror films as haunted mazes: A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, Saw, The Thing, The Wolfman, Evil Dead, Alien vs. Predator and An American Werewolf in London. But never The Exorcist. Until now.

Im afraid to watch the movie, Murdy said. It really bothers me.

But while Murdy always dreamed of building an Exorcist maze, he had no idea how to pull it off. The film violates two of his three criteria for a good Horror Nights maze. While The Exorcist has high audience awareness, the film doesnt have many interesting environments you would want to see or readily identifiable characters that can be easily replicated with live actors.

When you boil it all down, The Exorcist in its essence, is a movie that primarily takes place in one bedroom with a 12-year-old girl that never gets out of bed, Murdy said. Its the scariest movie ever made, but its scary in a theatrical sense.

Which is fine if youre staging a play, Murdy said, but not very useful if youre trying to scare hordes of visitors passing through a Horror Nights maze expecting to be terrified out of their wits.

Thats when Murdy remembered the so-called banned movie trailer for The Exorcist, which consisted of little more than flashing subliminal black-and-white photographic negative images of the possessed girl and the demon set to creepy music.

I dont know how, I dont know why, but this is our maze, Murdy said of the movie trailer. Somehow we have to do this. I want people to feel like theyre getting possessed.

Spoiler alert: What follows is a detailed scene-by-scene preview of The Exorcist haunted maze and the technical aspects that helped bring the Horror Nights attraction to life.

Throughout the maze, visitors continually meet the three main characters: Regan MacNeil, the demonically possessed 12-year-old girl; Father Damien Karras, a troubled priest and psychologist; and Father Lankester Merrin, an elderly priest who performs the exorcism. Pazuzu, the demon possessing Regan, tracks us throughout the maze.

Sandwiched in the middle of the maze are several identical bedroom scenes where Regans possession and exorcism take place. To pump up the scare factor, the theatrical scenes are broken up with blackout hallways where visitors encounter subliminal visions of Regan, Pazuzu and even the priests.

The entrance to The Exorcist maze, located behind the Revenge of the Mummy indoor roller coaster on the theme parks lower lot, recreates the iconic movie poster with Father Merrin standing with a briefcase before a Washington, D.C.-area brick townhouse. The films Tubular Bells theme song plays amid the fog as a bright light shines from Regans upstairs bedroom window.

Just inside the foyer, visions of the demon Pazuzu flash on the walls in a subliminal effect that will repeat throughout the maze. On an antique secretary desk, a planchette seemingly moves by itself on a Ouija board. A behind-the-scenes performer controls the Ouija board with magnets, Murdy said.

And then bam. There it is. The films most memorable scene. The terrifying spider walk. Regan walks down the staircase upside down on her hands and feet. Via an audio track, visitors hear Regans mother say: Im telling you, that thing upstairs isnt my daughter.

The spider walk scene, which never appeared in the original movie, was restored for the remastered version of the film, released in 2000.

In the movie, it was wire work with a stunt performer going down the stairs, Murdy said. Back in the pre-computer animation days, they just couldnt get the wires out of the shot. So thats why they didnt use it in the movie.

Murdy said some Horror Nights performers can do the spider walk, but not up and down a staircase over and over again for an entire night.

Theres no way you could do this with a performer, Murdy said.

During Horror Nights, a hidden performer controls the mechanical spider walk effect from behind the staircase, Murdy said.

Between scenes, visitors travel along blacked-out hallways populated by demonic visions, puppeted figures and live scareactors with the ability to trigger audio and lighting effects.

We loaded up these dark transitions, Murdy said. Its bam, bam, bam, bam, bam. Otherwise it would be just like watching a theatrical version of The Exorcist.

In the first bedroom scene, Father Karras confronts the demon as the room goes crazy. Doors fly open, windows slam closed, chairs move, pictures spin and cabinets shake. A demonic Regan lies on the bed as the mattress tilts wildy.

Theres a team youll never see on set behind the scenes doing all this stuff, Murdy said. Theyre practical, old-school movie effects. Which is what we do. We just do them live.

The live actors in the maze will wear silicone masks so the familiar characters look alike from scene to scene, Murdy said. The masks, developed for The Walking Dead year-round maze, allow scareactors with dialogue to realistically move their mouths.

The bedroom scenes repeat  each time with Regan becoming more demonic than before. Her head spins and she spews green vomit. She levitates above the bed as the walls crack. The possessed girl flicks her serpent tongue and Pazuzu magically appears in the room. All interspersed with blackout hallways filled with in-your-face scares.

Reprising Tubular Bells, the maze ends in classic Horror Nights fashion with a final scare, a final-final scare and a final-final-final scare.

The Exorcist maze somehow managed to exceed my high expectations  even with the lights on and without any actors or audio effects. After a decadelong wait, Murdy and the Horror Nights crew delivered every scene I was hoping to see from The Exorcist. I cant wait to come back when Horror Nights starts and see the finished production.

Halloween Horror Nights 2016 begins Friday and runs on select nights through Nov. 5. Ticket prices range from $59 to $89.

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The number of Salafi Muslims in Germany, adherents of an ultra-conservative school of thought within Sunni Islam, has been growing rapidly and is boosting the ranks of jihadist recruits, the countrys intelligence chief said Wednesday.

Hans-Georg Maassen, president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, said that there are 9,200 Salafis in Germany, up from 8,900 in June and about 5,500 three years ago. His remarks came a day after three young Syrian militants posing as refugees were arrested on suspicion of planning terror attacks.

Salafis, who the German government says want to overturn democracy and install a system based on Islamic law, make up only a small proportion of Germanys total Muslim population of more than 4 million. But, security officials say, they join jihadist groups at a much higher rate than others.

The unchecked growth in the number of Salafis is expanding the pool of recruits for jihadists, Maassen said.

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Almost all of the German nationals who have travelled to Syria to fight for Islamic State became radicalized by Salafis, who target low-income Muslim youths in German cities, experts say.

Young Muslim men who are drifting are the main targets for Salafis, said Thomas Muecke, co-founder of the nonprofit group Violence Prevention Network. Those who preach hate are especially effective in attracting and holding on to these lost young men.

He also said that agents were facing challenges monitoring potential terrorists who are using various methods of communication such as WhatsApp, Facebook and other networks that sometimes make it harder for authorities to track.

Muecke said authorities believe terrorist groups are trying to attract new recruits from among the refugees who have arrived in Germany in the last year.

It is increasingly difficult for the German intelligence agency to differentiate between those who identify intellectually with Salafism and those who espouse using violence to realize a radical version of Islam.

The warning from Maassen, the countrys top domestic spy came just a day after the German government said three Syrians were arrested in a raid by 200 police officers north of Hamburg.

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said they were Islamic State members who entered Germany along with some 1 million refugees in November, aided by the same network that brought militants into France to carry out deadly attacks last year.

Germany and governments across Europe are on high alert after a string of terrorist attacks in France, Belgium and Germany. Refugees carried out two attacks in Germany in July claimed by Islamic State.

Tuesdays arrests in a collection of small towns just north of Hamburg, the city where Mohamed Atta lived as a student while quietly plotting the 9/11 attacks, was a shock for Germany. Many are worried that there are more dormant terrorists among the refugee population. Sixty-one percent of Germans believe the influx of refugees has increased the chance of terrorist attacks in the country, according to a poll conducted in July by the Pew Research Center.

Maassen also said the German intelligence agency was increasingly worried about the growing number of lone wolves behind the most recent attacks.

Were concerned about this new breed of attackers who seem to be acting on their own, he said. Its a real challenge for us to detect such small sleeper cells.

Salafis have been in the news in Germany in the past when theyve clashed with police at protests. In 2012, Salafis attacked police protecting a demonstration in front of a Saudi Arabian school in Bonn. Twenty-nine officers were wounded, two of them were stabbed, and more than 100 people were arrested.
Earlier this month, tens of millions of Indian workers staged a one-day general strike that unions billed as the biggest work stoppage in human history.

By the unions count, 180 million workers stayed home to demand a slew of changes to labor laws, including establishing a $270 monthly minimum wage for unskilled laborers and ensuring social security for every worker.

The 24-hour strike cost the Indian economy up to $2.7 billion, by one estimate, and affected electricity, mining, telecommunications, banking and insurance operations in several states.

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It was the latest salvo in an escalating battle between Indias leading public-sector trade unions and Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, which they accuse of pursuing a pro-business agenda while ignoring workers rights.

You had millions of workers on strike.... To portray their demands as somehow greedy strikes me as an extraordinarily immoral attitude.  Vijay Prashad, history professor at Trinity College

Members of different trade unions hold placards and shouts slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bangalore, India. (JAGADEESH NV / EPA )

The unions represent several million workers in a country of 1.3 billion people. But the changes they are seeking would have the greatest effect on those who toil in Indias vast informal economy, which by some measures includes 90% of the workforce.

These housekeepers, deliverymen, sidewalk vendors, pushcart drivers, bricklayers and others account for roughly half of what has become the worlds fastest-growing major economy. Yet they lack health benefits, pensions and basic labor protections, including the ability to organize.

And because there is no enforcement of minimum wage laws at the informal level, these workers struggle the most when prices rise. In Mumbai, Indias financial hub, domestic servants sometimes leave jobs for raises of as little as $15 a month.

Although these workers arent represented by any union, their struggles have been adopted by public-sector unions seeking to expand their political base and raise pressure on the government. Many informal workers joined the Sept. 2 strike, which labor experts say showed growing frustration among the masses.

The strike is significant in that it clearly articulated the unfulfilled grievances and the demands of the working class, which have not been given any kind of a patient and concerted hearing by the government, said K.R. Shyam Sundar, a professor of human resources management at the Xavier School of Management in Jamshedpur, India.

City buses sit idle at a depot during a nationwide strike called by 10 major trade unions over wages and economic reforms, in Secunderabad, India, the twin city of Hyderabad, on Sept. 2, 2016. (Noah Seelam / AFP/Getty Images )

The battle over labor laws is shaping up as a crucial test of Modis efforts to turn the nation into an economic juggernaut.

Despite impressive growth statistics, India has struggled to create jobs for the estimated 600,000 people who enter the workforce every month.

To boost manufacturing and attract foreign companies, Modi, who took office in 2014, has promised to streamline a burdensome regulatory framework and give employers more flexibility. Under the slogan of Make in India, the government has proposed laws that would make it easier for companies to lay off employees, avoid paying severance and extend working hours.

Read more: What its like to live in the worlds fastest growing major economy 

The government argues that by lifting some restrictions on companies, it will spur job growth and ultimately bring more workers into the formal sector.

Yet labor advocates say workers need more protections, not fewer. Even government officials acknowledge that Indias existing regulations  a tangle of dozens of laws, some dating to independence in 1947  are routinely flouted.

Despite a reputation of having strong labor protections, India lags significantly behind similarly positioned nations economically in terms of enforcement, said Antara Haldar, a professor at the University of Cambridge.

I am optimistic about the strike bringing the labor issue into the foreground in a way we havent seen since this government came to power.

In an attempt to avert the strike, Indias finance minister offered to raise the minimum wage for unskilled government workers to $180 a month. But that fell far short of what the unions were seeking in a 12-point charter of demands they issued last year, and it was lower than what the state government in New Delhi, the capital, sets for unskilled workers.

Critics called the governments offer insensitive.

You had millions of workers on strike, and many of the millions are living in conditions of deprivation, said Vijay Prashad, a professor of South Asian history at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.

To portray their demands as somehow greedy strikes me as an extraordinarily immoral attitude. If you dont accept the 12-point demands, what is your approach? The government hasnt articulated that at all.

Though the strike was called historic, it disappeared from the headlines just as quickly as the 16 previous general strikes held in India since 1991. Indian news networks, many of which are backed by powerful corporations, gave it scant coverage. Services in the biggest cities, Mumbai and New Delhi, were barely affected.

Vishwas Utagi, vice president of the All India Bank Employees Assn., a trade union that participated in the strike, said he longed for a leader like Sen. Bernie Sanders, who brought income inequality and workers rights into the national conversation in the United States in his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Here in India only the trade unions are talking about these issues, Utagi said.

Prashad, the professor, said the size of the strike argued otherwise.

India doesnt need a Bernie Sanders, Prashad said. It just had 180 million of them on the street.

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia

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Two decades ago, a team of U.S. and Mexican researchers descended on Dalton, Ga., to study the growing number of Mexican immigrants who had come to work in the citys carpet mills.

Victor Zuniga, a sociologist at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, was interested in what the demographic shift meant for local schools, so he sat down with a teacher who told him something he couldnt get out of his head.



For the record: A previous version of this article said Victor Zuniga is affiliated with the University of Monterrey. He is with the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education.

The problem with Latino students, she said, is they disappear.

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Zuniga returned to Mexico intent on finding out what had happened to those kids, many of whom had left the U.S. after family members were deported.

What he discovered was troubling: Many students struggled to integrate into Mexican schools because they couldnt read or write in Spanish. Others werent in school at all because they lacked the necessary accreditations. In all, nearly a third had either been held back a grade or had missed a year or more of school.

They suffer so much humiliation, Zuniga said. They are invisible.

This week, Zuniga joined more than 100 academics, advocates and lawmakers from both sides of the border in Mexico City for a symposium on the issue organized by UCLA. The conference was called: The Students We Share.

On the grounds of a 19th century mansion owned by the university on the citys verdant south side, researchers presented a series of staggering statistics to an audience that included a White House education advisor, Mexicos deputy secretary of education and a group of elected officials from the California Legislature.

Nearly half a million children who are U.S. citizens are enrolled in Mexican schools, according to the Mexican government. And there are at least another half a million Mexican-born young people who spent part of their life in the U.S. who have now returned home, according to estimates.

Most of the students educated in the U.S. and now living in Mexico are clustered in the northern border states, including Chihuahua and Baja California, said Monica Jacobo, a researcher at the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics. About half of elementary school-age children born in the U.S. arrive in Mexico without the necessary identity documents to enroll in school, she found, and many end up missing class or even entire grades while their parents scramble to obtain the paperwork.

Mexico is failing us, said Maggie Loredo, a 26-year-old translator who lives in the central Mexican state of San Luis Potosi.

Loredo was born in Mexico but moved to Georgia with her parents illegally at age 3. By the time she was 18, she realized she couldnt get a drivers license, apply for college scholarships or legally work in the U.S., and decided to return to a country she barely knew.

Loredo didnt apply for Mexicos public universities because she couldnt pass the entrance exams, which require written Spanish and a knowledge of Mexican history. The private school she sought to attend wouldnt accept her U.S. high school transcripts.

We often feel like foreigners, she said. We need programs that will help us adapt in our country. We need resource centers for deportees and returnees at universities. Why not support us with scholarships and leadership programs?

These kids were talking about have enormous potential, but were losing them, said Patricia Gandara, the UCLA education professor who helped organize the conference. We want to reframe these kids as bilingual, bicultural assets as opposed to problems.

The responsibility lies with the U.S. government, as well as with Mexico, Gandara said.

Many of these [students] are U.S. citizens, and a lot of them will come back, she said. We cant just wash our hands of them while theyre in Mexico.

The focus of the conference was not only to bring to light the challenges of return migration, but also to devise solutions.

Most agreed that increasing bilingual education on both sides of the border is a good way to start. Students in Mexico who attended school in Texas, where bilingual education is common, adapted better than those who attended school in Arizona, where voters passed a ballot measure limiting the use of Spanish in the classroom, said Rocio Inclan, director of the office of civil and human rights at the National Education Assn.

Mexican officials also spoke of the need to increase the amount of English spoken at Mexican schools. In an interview, Javier Trevino, Mexicos deputy secretary of education, said he would like to see young returnees be trained as teachers, to help shore up the sparse ranks of Mexican teachers who speak English.

They have the right to education, and we have the duty to provide it, Trevino said.

Many at the conference called on Mexico to do more to ease the burden on returning or U.S.-born students. Although the Mexican government recently changed requirements that once forced students to have all U.S. identity documents and diplomas Apostilled, a lengthy and cumbersome certification process, many schools continue to refuse to accept transcripts and other documents from U.S. schools, meaning some students end up having to repeat grades.

Thanks to increased border security, an increase in deportations and fallout from the Great Recession, more Mexican immigrants have returned to Mexico than have migrated to the U.S. in recent years.

From 2009 to 2014, 1 million Mexicans and their families left the U.S. for Mexico, according to a Pew Research Center. During the same period, an estimated 870,000 Mexican nationals left Mexico for the U.S.

One in 4 ninth-graders in Mexico had a parent who migrated to the U.S. at some point, according to a study presented by Brian Jensen, an assistant professor at Brigham Young University.

What happens to those who return is an area of study that has long been overshadowed by research into immigrant life in the United States.

But the issue isnt going away anytime soon, said Jill Anderson, an independent researcher and activist who co-wrote a book of stories of return migration called Los Otros Dreamers, or The Other Dreamers.

Because theyre children, this is like a 20-year public policy issue, she said.

kate.linthicum@latimes.com

Twitter: @katelinthicum

To read the article in Spanish, click here.
As a cease-fire in Syria entered its third day, authorities said Wednesday that the government was to begin withdrawing forces from a strategic road in the besieged rebel-held area of Aleppo, a move that would open the way for U.N. relief shipments.

Syrian forces, with Russian air support, closed the road in July, thereby completing the encirclement of rebel districts with a population of as many as 300,000.

A withdrawal south of Castello Road was to begin Thursday morning, according to Russian state news agency TASS. Rebel forces reportedly were to retreat simultaneously to positions north of the road.

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But it remained unclear whether residents of the city would accept the sacks of flour and food baskets the United Nations hopes to deliver. For the last three days, officials have said residents want freedom, not food.

The people inside Aleppo dont want that aid, Brita Haji Hasan, head of Aleppo City Local Council, said in an interview. Whats human about putting me in a cage and giving food to me?

If Syrian government forces withdraw from the road, he said, the aid could be accepted provided other conditions were met. Those include putting the road under full civilian administration, having the U.N. monitor compliance and opening it to normal commerce and civilian traffic.

The conditions may be unattainable, for they are tantamount to lifting the siege.

U.N. officials are hoping that the withdrawal of Syrian forces from the road will be enough to generate the momentum needed to start the flow of aid and, in time, open other forms of commerce with the city.

This is a band-aid, Jens Laerke, spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said in a phone interview from Geneva. We need a complete lifting of sieges, in Aleppo and everywhere. For now, however, the siege remains. There will be no free movement.

If the cease-fire holds for a full seven days and if food and medical supplies begin flowing to Aleppo and other government-besieged cities and towns, the U.S. and Russia have agreed to set up a joint coordination center to exchange intelligence as both countries stage airstrikes against Islamic State extremists in Syria. The move is highly controversial in Washington, where the major security agencies have all expressed reservations about collaboration with Russia.

The cease-fire began at sundown Monday, to coincide with the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha and has largely held, with no reports of civilian deaths in the first 48 hours. Russia and moderate rebel forces exchanged charges of violations, but they have been relatively minor in nature compared to the onslaught that preceded them.

Meanwhile, Pentagon lawyers and strategists were hammering out details about how American and Russian military forces will go about jointly targeting terrorist groups in Syria should the cease-fire agreement hold.

Weve got a ways to go to see whether it will be implemented, but if it is, it will mean that the suffering of the Syrian people is eased, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Wednesday while traveling in Austin, Texas. It will mean that Russia gets on the right side of things in Syria, not on the wrong side and thats good news.

The first step calls for Carter to sign a national security waiver along with Secretary of State John F. Kerry. The government order would set aside conditions by Congress that prohibit military-to-military conversations between Russia and the United States.

The freeze in talks began after Russias annexation of Crimea more than two years ago and its continued involvement in the Ukrainian civil war.

The U.S. military is expected to reserve information on Islamic State extremists so it can continue targeting them from the air in northern and eastern Syria. But the Pentagon will share targeting information related to the Front for the Conquest of Syria, formerly known as Al Nusra Front, which the U.S. considers Al Qaedas branch in northwestern Syria.

The U.S. hope is that by sharing targeting information on the front, it will sharpen Russias focus on the militants rather than the U.S-backed rebel forces opposing the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Russia has said that U.S. allies work alongside the Al Qaeda-linked militants and are therefore indistinguishable amid the mosaic of militias on the ground in Syria.

The Pentagon has yet to figure how it will share sensitive intelligence and targeting information with Moscow.

There is a trust deficit, said Gen. Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Central Command, which oversees all military operations in the Middle East, during an event in Washington. Its not clear what their objectives are.

Military lawyers are determining what the legal liability is for the U.S. if, after the collaboration begins, Russia continues to use unguided, or dumb, bombs to indiscriminately hit civilian targets on the so-called no-strike list that include schools, hospitals and other critical Syrian infrastructure.

Pentagon officials are also concerned about having to expand the number of drone flights in Syria, or redirect them from Islamic State-held areas, to help meet the new demands for increased surveillance over spots where the Al Qaeda-linked militants are operating and are often intertwined with rebels supported by the U.S.

As the terms of reference are finalized, we will take the guidance, review it and build an operational plan that executes the mission precisely while minimizing risk to the coalition team and civilians on the ground, said Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of air forces for U.S. Central Command, in a teleconference with reporters at the Pentagon Tuesday.

Special correspondent Gutman reported from Istanbul and Times staff writer Hennigan from Washington.
The government will create a commission tasked with making changes to Peru's pension system, Finance Minister Alfredo Thorne says at the Andean Finance and Investment Forum in Lima
The same-sex marriage proposal was submitted by the president of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, back in May but the after effects are now being felt more than ever.

This past weekend Mexico saw an uproar from protesters against same-sex marriage. Over a million protesters across 122 cities -- 275,000 marchers in Guadalajara, 100,000 in Queretaro and nearly 100,00 in other cities-- came together with signs depicting "natural" families and to express their dissatisfaction with the proposal.

According to Life Site News, the proposal that protesters are fighting against will allow for same-sex adoptions, schools to promote homosexuality and much more. The proposal, which is already in affect, is said to be the reason behind the biggest clash between the Mexican government and the Catholic Church. But with such a big move comes supporters as well.

The day after protesters took to the streets of Mexico, supporters of same-sex marriage took to those same streets to defend their rights. Anti-gay attacks have been taking place in Mexico for years and most recently, up to 26 anti-gay murders have taken place this year. 44 reported in 2015 and 72 reported in 2014. Though the numbers are less, it doesn't make it any better.

KRISTV.com | Continuous News Coverage | Corpus Christi As the protests continue to happen, more and more fear that the issue can become larger than what it already is. It has already been announced that The National Front for the Family-- the coalition that organized the protests-- have began to organize a mass march for September 24th in Mexico City.

Many have spoken up on the topic and different opinions have come into play:

"Legally, the question is basically settled," says Lester Feder, who covers LGBT issues for Buzzfeed told PRI.Org. "But there's an implementation problem and that is what has brought this to a broader conflict."

"In our country, there can't be those who have certain rights in some states and others who do not," Mr. Pena Nieto said at a ceremony for the National Day of the Fight Against Homophobia according to the NY Times.

"We are changing the concept that marriage is only to propagate the species," said Humberto Castillejos, the president's legal counsel, according to the NY Times. "It cannot only be to procreate children."

"Marriage is between a man and woman for the purpose of procreation," said Ariadna Leon, 39, a Catholic and mother of two from Ampliacion Guaycura in eastern Tijuana, according to the LA Times. "We are asking for the respect of the nucleus of society, which is the family."

Mexico even received actions from children. A 12-year-old boy displayed his support for same-sex marriages by attempting to block thousands of anti-gay protesters in Celaya, Guanajuato:

Wow! This photo! 12-Year-Old Mexican Boy Attempts to Block Thousands of Anti-Gay Protesters: https://t.co/qmHip9lA03 pic.twitter.com/uH93PYEONC  Zack Ford (@ZackFord) September 12, 2016

The photo spoke nothing but volumes. But a photo can only do but so much during these tough times. So where do the people of Mexico go from here? If protests continue to happen then the division will continue to stay. Is there a way that Mexico can come together during these tough times? Only time will tell but as Mexican Independence Day is quickly approaching, it would only make sense that those in support of same-sex marriage can enjoy their independence in the country they live in and love.
Fans are getting ready for an all new season 8 of Modern Family on Wednesday Sept. 21 where the families are finally back home from summer vacation. Watch how this year unrolls with the Pritchetts and Dunphys.

Modern Family Season 8 Spoilers

In Modern Family Season 8, Haley Dunphy (Sarah Hyland) will start a new career as an entrepreneur, a big step from getting kicked out of college last season. Will she take her fashion blog to the next level?

Alex Dunphy (Ariel Winter) is still struggling at Caltech. Will she get a new boyfriend soon? It would be nice to see her pair up with one of the cool guys.

Gloria Delgado-Pritchett (Sofia Vergara) will see some success in her new hot sauce business. Will she become a successful business woman, forming a power struggle between her and Jay Pritchett (Ed ONeill)? You know he likes to be the boss of everyone!

Meanwhile, Lily Tucker-Pritchett (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) will go through her struggles of becoming a teenager. Will Mitchell Pritchett (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cameron Tucker (Eric Stonestreet) deal with boys and bratty teenage girl drama?

There will also be guest star appearances from Martin Short and Nathan Fillion, according to an E! News sneak-peak. Will Kevin Hart ever join the show again as Phil Dunphys (Ty Burrell) black friend?

Modern Family Stars

Sofia Vergara

Vergara is making big bucks as the hot young wife in Modern Family, racking in a total of $44 million. The Colombian actress is the highest paid talent on TV. This is the fifth year that Vergara topped the Forbes Worlds Highest-Paid TV Actresses list.

Julie Bowen

Bowen, who plays Claire Dunphy in Modern Family, recently signed on with ICM Partners like her co-stars Burrell and Ferguson. This comes at a time when the hit series may be entering its final season.

Bowen has won two Emmy Awards and six nominations for her role in Modern Family and is No. 10 on Forbes list.

Rico Rodriguez

Manny Delgado in Modern Family, is Rico Rodriguez in real life, and the child stars family helps him to remember that.

They really kept a solid ground underneath me and they kept me down to Earth. When [Im] acting, Im putting on a character, but when Im home Im Rico, Rodriguez tells ABC News. Rico that still has to take out the trash, do my chores around the house and then do schooling.

Modern Family returns to ABC Wednesday Sept. 21. Stay tuned.
Sebastian Vettel says I have excellent memories from the Singapore Grand Prix, as the Ferrari star is the most successful driver at Marina Bay Circuit with four wins out of the first eight editions of Formula One's night race.

Vettel tasted victory in 2011, 2012, and 2013 for Red Bull and added a fourth personal success with Ferrari last year.

The German was a dominant force all weekend 12 months ago, leading from pole all the way to the chequered flag.

I have excellent memories from previous years in Singapore, Vettel said. I was able to win there [several] times in the past

Its quite tricky a Grand Prix. It happens at night and its quite different from what you see around the track to make up your reference points. The track is very rough, bumpy, long, with long-lasting laps. So, you need to stay focused for a long time.

Vettel echoes the sentiments expressed by his fellow drivers about the Marina Bay experience, as he highlights the physical challenge but also the uniqueness of the event.

Its usually quite hot and humid. So its a hard work inside the car, but I think its something we all enjoy. We try to stay in the European time, which is quite funny because we stay up very late and wake up in the middle of the day. So, its a bit special for all the drivers and all the teams to operate.

Vettel's 2015 Singapore Grand Prix victory was the third in his debut season at Ferrari, but the Scuderia has yet to return to winning ways since then.

Chris Medland's 2016 Singapore Grand Prix preview

TECHNICAL: Under the skin of the Red Bull RB12

2017 F1 driver line-ups so far

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
The 5-year-old boy killed in an early-morning crash Wednesday on Interstate 78 in Lower Saucon Township was the son of the front-seat passenger, Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said.

Ravon Robinson, of Newark, died of injuries suffered when he was ejected from a 2011 Nissan Versa in a crash about 12:56 a.m. on I-78 East. Lysek pronounced Ravon dead at the scene and ruled the death accidental.

Pennsylvania State Police at Belfast are investigating the crash at mile-marker 70.6, between the Hellertown and Route 33 interchanges, and said open containers of alcohol were found inside the car.

The boy's mother, 31-year-old Stefany Stephens, also of Newark, and a 2-year-old girl from Newark riding in the back seat with Ravon were also ejected and were taken by ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, authorities said.

Newark resident Nadine Walton, 54, is identified as the driver. She suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital, as well, according to police.

Charges were pending the ongoing investigation, police said.

Walton was driving east in the left lane when, for an unknown reason, she drove out of the travel lane to the left, police said; trying to correct her trajectory, she swerved back across both lanes and struck a guardrail to the right of the highway.

A 2014 Kia Forte, driven in the left lane by David B. Getz Jr., 26, of Easton, then hit the car, as did a 1996 Dodge Caravan driven by Michael Gura, 49, of Warren, New Jersey, police said. Both of them were injured and taken by ambulance to area hospitals, Trooper Robert Eck said in a news release.

The adults in the Nissan were wearing seat belts and the children were in safety seats, state police said. Getz and Gura were belted, as well, and neither of them faces any citations, police said.

Authorities reopened the eastbound highway at Hellertown about 11:40 a.m.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
The driver in a fiery crash in May that killed three passengers in Bethlehem Township is jailed on vehicular homicide charges.

Terrell Barclay, 27, of Orange, New Jersey, surrendered to authorities on the charges Wednesday afternoon. Using a walker to enter the courtroom and with burn wounds on his face, Barclay appeared before District Judge Patricia Broscius for a preliminary arraignment.

Besides the burns, Barclay wore a glove on his left hand, a neck brace and white gauze bandages covering the top of his head. A woman drove him to court.

When the judge asked Barclay if he had an attorney, he replied, "I was trying to get one, but everything happened so fast."

The judge told Barclay to fill out an application for a public defender. As the judge read off the charges, Barclay replied with answers of "yes," "Yes, ma'am" and "no."

Barclay also is facing two counts of drunken driving, DUI (highest rate of alcohol) possession of marijuana, possession of a firearm, accidents involving death without a proper license and other vehicle and traffic violations.

Broscius set bail at $250,000 and ordered Barclay to Northampton County Prison.

Police say Barclay was the driver at 1:22 a.m. May 6 in a fiery crash that killed three passengers. He allegedly struck three parked cars while speeding in the 1800 block of Willow Park Road.

Killed were Amanda Martin, 26, of New Ringgold, Schuylkill County, Pa.; Ashlee Mosher, 29, of Easton; and Joshua Edwards, 28, of Easton.

Police said they didn't know the three were in the car until after the township fire department put out the intense flames sparked by the crash. Court records indicate one of the struck vehicles also had burst into flames.

Barclay emerged from the wreckage of the rented sedan on fire and was seen by witnesses running across the street. When officers arrived, Barclay was rolling around on the ground and under the front end of a Chevrolet pickup truck "yelling and screaming," authorities said.

Barclay was "extremely uncooperative" and "combative" as officers tried to help remove his clothes, police said, noting he kept attempting to get up and leave. Officers later found a bag of marijuana in his clothing, according to police.

A Freemansburg police officer reported seeing the sedan speeding toward Willow Park Road and traveling erratically on Freemansburg Avenue. The borough officer activated emergency lights, but didn't catch up with the vehicle until he arrived at the crash scene, court records said.

Barclay was later placed into a medically-induced coma at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township before being moved on July 27 to the Easton Health & Rehabilitation Center, according to township police Inspector Tony Stevens.

Barclay was charged on Sept. 9 and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Blood testing put Barclay's blood-alcohol content 90 minutes after the crash at 0.19; penalties begin for most drivers at a BAC of 0.08. He allegedly also had THC, the intoxicant in marijuana, in his system.

Barclay was driving while his New Jersey and Pennsylvania licenses were both suspended, police said. A .40-caliber Taurus Millennium handgun found in the road where Barclay had emerged from the burning car was stolen from Plainfield Township, police said.

A representative from Northampton County Pretrial Services told the judge Barclay has a lengthy history of failing to show up to court, as well as a rap sheet.

Barclay has an open bench warrant out of Lehigh County and violated parole following previous charges of DUI and possession of a controlled substance, records show.

In Essex County, New Jersey, he was charged in 2006 with robbery; in 2007 for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver; in 2008 for burglary; and in 2009 possession of a controlled substance. He also has six warrants for traffic violations.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Bones found by timber workers along South Mountain in Bethlehem aren't human remains, according to the coroner.

An analysis determined the bones belonged to an animal, consistent with a whitetail deer, Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said.

Authorities were called to the 1000 block of Williams Street about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday after workers for a private contractor came upon the bones while clearing brush and wood.

Police and the coroner's office descended on the area to collect evidence.

Lysek said the workers stopped the job after a log kicked up bones that they were unable to identify. They immediately notified authorities.

"It was the right thing to do," he said.

An examination within a few hours of the discovery determined the bones were animal, Lysek said.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
A Bethlehem man and a Monroe County man are accused of stealing auto parts from a repair shop in Freemansburg.

Freemansburg police were flagged down at 11:20 p.m. Tuesday by a borough fire official claiming there was a suspicious vehicle at 610 Motors, 112 Washington St.

Police found John Dasilva, no age provided, of the 700 block of Ramblewood Lane in Bethlehem, and John Rudolph Hugel, no age provided, of Tobyhanna, in the lot looking at a vintage vehicle.

Hugel allegedly said Dasilva liked the vehicle and the pair was "just looking at the car." Police saw the vehicle the men arrived in had two tires and an axle in the trunk.

The men told police they got the tires and axle from an Allentown shop that sells auto parts. Police then called the owner of the repair shop and the owner said no one had permission to be on the property.

The shop's video surveillance camera showed Hugel and Dasilva allegedly stealing the tires and axle from a pile of used parts. Hugel allegedly admitted to the crime in a written statement.

Hugel and Dasilva each are charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property. Hugel is on probation in Monroe County.

Both were arraigned Tuesday before District Judge James Narlesky, who set bail at $15,000 for Hugel and 10 percent of $15,000 for Dasilva.

In lieu of bail, Hugel and Dasilva were taken to Northampton County Prison. The judge ordered they have no contact with the victim and stay away from 610 Motors.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
It's been a part of Easton for the last 20 years, but this year's Riverside Festival of the Arts promises to be more hands-on, more diverse and more fun.

Organizer Colleen Heller Alrefai has incorporated food contests for local businesses, live singing and dancing performances, hands-on crafts for children and a juried art gallery.

"If you don't want to have fun, don't come," she said.

It's a great opportunity for the arts community to show out-of-towners what Easton's all about.

"We have people coming from areas who have never seen Easton," she said.

The free festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Sunday at Scott and Riverside parks. You can park at the Northampton County Government Center lots and take a free trolley to the festival.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

2:15 p.m. Sunday, Cupcake Wars: Buttercup Bake Shoppe in Phililpsburg, Wicked Sweet of Bethlehem and the Hellertown bakery will compete. They need to build displays and dress according to the theme "Food As Art."

3 p.m. Sunday, Cuisine Challenge: Third and Ferry Fish Market, Stoke Coal Fire Pizza and Bar, Pearly Baker's Alehouse and Two Rivers Brewing Co. will compete. As in cupcake wars, the chefs must dress according to the "Food As Art" theme.

1:30 p.m. Saturday, Freddy Awards Brigade: High school theater students honored in the State Theatre Freddy Awards will perform for 45 minutes.

Check out the full schedule at the Riverside Festival website.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
At one point, an Allentown man accused of soliciting a 13-year-old for sex texted the child that she should be careful meeting people online because they can be dangerous.

For 31-year-old Michael Andrews, the "girl" he was talking to was an undercover agent, and Andrews is now in jail.

Andrews, of the 2100 block of South Lumber Street, was apprehended Friday as he tried to meet who he thought was the teen girl in Upper Macungie Township, prosecutors said.

Andrews was charged Tuesday with unlawful contact with a minor, attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, attempted aggravated indecent assault and criminal use of a communication facility. He was sent to Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Andrews allegedly posted an ad on Craigslist with the title "looking to give a girl oral - m4w (Whitehall)."

A special agent with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office responded on Aug. 26 as a 13-year-old girl named Marisa. The "girl" immediately disclosed her age to Andrews, according to transcripts of the conversations between him and the agent.

Andrews initially told the girl she was too young, "gotta be at least 18" and "You should be careful meeting ppl online can be dangerous dear."

After the girl stated she was using a Google voice account and her parents wouldn't see the texts, Andrews reportedly wrote, "We will jus be friends for now" and later emailed a picture of his face.

By Aug. 30, Andrews was texting the girl graphic descriptions of what he would "teach" her, records show.

The two exchanged multiple text messages into Thursday night, and Andrews was apprehended Friday as he walked to the predetermined meeting place he set up with the "girl."

Andrews reportedly told investigators that for the past year he has looked for women through Craigslist, including posting the ad the agent found.

Andrews said he initially didn't want to talk to "Marisa" due to her age, but continued talking with her even though he knew she was 13, prosecutors said.

"Andrews stated if he had met the child, he would have had sex with the child," court records state.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Rep Scott Garrett

U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett

(Express-Times file photo)

By the Star-Ledger Editorial Board



U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett, the Republican who represents parts of Warren County, has developed a curious habit of taking bows for his failures in judgment, which is an opponent's dream come true.

His campaign has formed a nine-member veterans group that debuted by listing Garrett's achievements on a press release, the last one being, "On behalf of the first responders suffering from medical conditions related to the September 11th terrorist attacks, Scott Garrett is a proud co-sponsor of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act."

Not so much. Roughly 75,000 people -- 5,000 from New Jersey -- are getting the health care and family comfort they deserve, but Garrett didn't exactly approve of it.

The Act expired in 2015, and Garrett was one of the few to vote against extending it, calling it "bloated" legislation. He and Rep. Leonard Lance, also a Republican who represents parts of Warren County, were the only members of the New Jersey delegation to side against the rescue workers and their families.

In the first fight for this bill in 2010, Garrett voted against it twice, before caving to political pressure and voting yes on the final version. But why did he vote twice against it even then? Why was he the only New Jersey member of Congress who failed to see the need for this, after we knew that tens of thousands of our neighbors inhaled asbestos, benzene, and mercury and more than a thousand other toxins?

So right on cue, Garrett opponent Josh Gottheimer rolled out an ad Thursday that featured the father of the late James Zadroga -- the NYPD homicide detective from New Jersey -- who accuses Garrett for "turning his back on 9/11 responders."

Fair game. Votes should have consequences, and Garrett has cast too many bad ones.

In fact, it's curious that this new veterans group overlooked Garrett's vote against a veterans' healthcare fund in 2008 that passed by a 370-58 landslide.

But it's worse to give Garrett credit for something he didn't do -- an insult to surviving parents like Joe Zadroga, the former North Arlington, N.J., police chief, and the 960 enrollees from the congressman's district.

And Garrett didn't correct the record - probably out of habit.

During the 2014 campaign, when Hurricane Sandy was still an open wound, he sent around a mailer that included photos of him wearing a work shirt and boots, with the claim that he was "leading the effort in Washington to ensure the federal funds we needed were available quickly."

Again, he is lying.

After Sandy struck, Garrett was the only member of the delegation who refused to sign a letter imploring then-Speaker John Boehner to act promptly to provide federal funds, and he initially balked at supporting the aid package.

But that's Garrett: He even voted against Katrina relief.

Ultimately, he made the Sandy vote that mattered, but then he jumped back in line with the Tea Party to demand cost offsets.

Two tragedies, two examples of dereliction of duty.

As another 9/11 anniversary passes, it remains a developing story in the field of health and a test of our government's ability to demonstrate that it prioritizes humanity. And one of our elected leaders seems to fail that test far too often.
The passenger in a traffic stop allegedly flicked ashes at a Hackettstown police officer from a lit cigarette.

Police stopped the vehicle at 1:24 a.m. Wednesday along Route 24. While one officer was speaking with the driver, another officer went to the front passenger-side to speak with Carlos Martinez, 20, of the Budd Lake section of Mount Olive Township.

Martinez flicked ashes from a lit cigarette out the window, and they landed on the officer, according to police.

Martinez had a $1,000 warrant out of Washington Township, Morris County. He was issued a citation for littering and was turned over to Washington Township, Morris County police.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
The signs are ominous that health managment and the Department of Health are set to ignore proposals drawn up by Laois doctors that would retain emergency and other services at Portlaoise hospital.

Neither the Department of Health nor the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group would make a direct comment on the detailed proposals set out last week by hospital consultants and GPs in Laois.

The doctors argued that the services must be retained in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, not just for Laois patients, but also for people from other counties who attend Portlaoise and other hospitals already under pressure.

The doctors said in their plan that maternity, paediatrics and other services will be lost if a draft plan drawn up by the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group is implemented.

The Leinster Express contacted both the Department and the Dublin Midland Hospital Group for comment.

The Department confirmed that it had recevied the report from the Laois doctors but was awaiting a response from the relevant section.

We also asked for an interview from the DMHG chief executive, Dr Susan O'Reilly. Dr O'Reilly is responsible for drawing up plans for Portlaoise.

She was unavailable for interview. A statement issued on her behalf made no refererance to proposals drawn up by the Laois doctors.

Instead it set out the long standing postion on the hospital. It said it has recently submitted a draft plan comprising the design phase of a new model of clinical services provision for the Hospital Group to the Health Service Executive and to the Department of Health.

Further work is ongoing by the DMHG to finalise this document prior to any final decision on the future design of service provision at Portlaoise Hospital.

The draft plan is a long term vision and long term plan for Portlaoise Hospital and takes account of the need to develop services at Portlaoise Hospital, the interdependencies of clinical services and the risks of low volume services in the context of developing the model of service provision for the delivery of safe, sustainable hospital care for the entire Hospital Group.

It is important to stress that the development of this draft plan is following a mandate from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) to develop an Action Plan to address their concerns in relation to patient safety and risk at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. Similarly, the HSE Performance Diagnostics Report from 2014 highlighted similar concerns, as did the Chief Medical Officers Report to the Minister on Perinatal Deaths at Portlaoise Hospital, said the statement.

It said the draft plan was developed in collaboration with the National Clinical Leads (Consultants) who are responsible for the National Clinical Programmes in Acute Medicine, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Transportation Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Neonatology, Anaesthesia and Critical Care, as well as the National Ambulance Service and the National Acute Hospital Division Clinical Advisor and Deputy Director.

The DMHG said its draft plan has the full support of all HSE National Clinical Leads and it was endorsed by the HSE Leadership Team.

It also reconfirmed that work on a detailed implementation plan will include engagement with staff, clinicians, local GPs, primary and social care services, patients, public and elected representatives.

The Hospital Group is committed to ensuring that any changes, once approved, will be carried out in a planned and consultative manner and provide for high-quality, sustainable care at the hospital, in partnership with the HSE, Primary Care Division and Community Health Area as a priority.
There is a great excuse to dust off the best china and invite some friends around this Thursday September 15, for Laois Hospices annual big coffee morning.

The event is one of hundreds nationwide on the day, for Irelands Biggest Coffee Morning, sponsored by Bewleys, with each 2 per coffee going to local hospice services.

Laois has been hugely supportive of the hopice fundraiser in the past, with events big and small, held in parish centres, businesses and private homes across the county.

Chairman of Laois Hospice Seamus ODonoghue, hope this year will be as well supported as ever.

Its very popular, in Portlaoise the Parish Centre will host a big morning, with many others in the main towns, but the whole county has been very supportive. Some places make their own cakes and buns to enhance the day, and a lot of people do it in their own homes. People can also arrange it on a different day, whenever it suits best, Mr ODonoghue said.

In the light of recent revelations about other charity directors on big salaries, he is anxious to.assure the Laois public that every cent raised for Laois Hospice goes directly to the care and support of people who are in the end stage of cancer.

Our committee and all people associated with it work on a voluntary capacity and do not take any remuneration or expenses, nor do the people who hold collections for us, Mr ODonoghue said.

Laois Hospice fills in the gap left by HSE budget shortfalls he said.

Because of our good housekeeping and the support we are given, we are able to fill that shortfall, but we are very careful how we spend the money the public has raised, he said.

Laois Hospice part pays for Laois palliative care team, and covers the costs of anything people need in their home, like special mattresses, or night nurse care.

In the past it has also funded the cost of hospice beds in hospitals around Laois.

For the past 18 months Laois Hospice has been running a programme in the Cuisle Centre for people at end stages of cancer.

It covers a range of therapies, as well as transport to and from the Portlaoise based centre.

We exist to offer comfort and dignity to people who are at end stage cancer. Whatever peoples needs, we will never be found wanting, he said.

Among the current cases being funded by Laois Hospice is a husband who has been a carer for his wife who has dementia, and now himself is at end stage cancer.

Until the state comes in to assist them, Laois Hospice is covering their costs, Mr ODonoghue said.

He is grateful for the county wide support of Laois Hospice, since it was founded in 1989.

I am very grateful to all the volunteers who have helped us, and anyone who ever hosted a coffee morning, he said.

To host a coffee morning or evening this Thursday, contact Seamus ODonoghue at 086 8709311 for a supply of fresh ground Bewleys coffee.

See laoishospice.ie
Laois TD Sean Fleming is set to play a key role in the investigation of NAMA's ivolvment in the so-called Project Eagle sale of properties in Northern Ireland which a pubic spending watcdog has found led to the loss of 162million.

The Fianna Fail TD is chairman of the high-powered Dail Public Accounts Committee.

It will host a series of meetings beginning on 29th September to examine the Comptroller and Auditor Generals report on the National Asset Management Agencys sale of Project Eagle. The report, which was published this week by the Minister for Finance, found that there were shortcomings in the sale process.

The report found the agency incurred a loss of 162 million to the state.

Dep Fleming, said the sale of NAMAs Northern loanbook or 'Project Eagle' has been a source of considerable controversy. He said it is important that the C&AG report is now in the public domain.

Its findings show that there was a significant deviation from NAMA's normal marketing and sales process in relation to the Northern loanbook.

In this case, NAMA appear to have imposed considerable restrictions of time and access to complete property documentation that combined to reduce the number of interested buyers and buyer competition. The end result means that from this sale there was a huge loss to the taxpayer that the C&AG puts in the region of 162 million sterling. NAMA may dispute this but if so, they should provide more convincing evidence to the Committee.

"In addition, the report point to conflicts of interest in relation to members of NAMA's Northern Ireland Advisory Committee. I think that NAMA have serious questions to answer on how they managed these when they came to light.

"The Public Accounts Committee is looking forward to examining the report in greater detail and will begin with a meeting with NAMA representatives on 29th September and the Minister of Finance, Michael Noonan on 6th October in relation to it.

These meetings will provide Committee Members with an opportunity to discuss all the findings of the report. Following our hearings, the Committee intends to publish its own report with recommendations.
A seasoned Kildare aid worker has spoken about how he was moved to tears when he saw a little girl playing with a clay doll in one of the poorest countries in the world.

Malawian girl Cynthia Sikaenela, 5, doesnt have any manufactured toys but makes her own out of clay and small sticks.

Concern board member Michael Kenny, 59, from Maynooth, who was a Concern volunteer in Rwanda in 1994, was visiting Cynthias village in the southeast African country recently when he saw her playing with one of her clay dolls.

The experienced aid worker said: The way she was carrying it and looking at it reminded me of my own granddaughter caring for her doll, and wrapping it in a blanket like a tender fragile baby.

So I asked the girl, with her mothers permission, to show me her doll. She laid back the baby blanket, which was no more than a rag, and with pride showed it to me. It turned out to be nothing more than some clay held together with sticks.

I marvelled at it while inside I was so sad that this was all she had. Her eyes were full of delight as I, a stranger, admired her doll. I was so grateful that my grandchild was born in Ireland; a developed country, and so sad that this little girl was not.

Cynthia Sikaenela, 5, and her doll

A child is a child no matter where they are in the world and we would be aghast to think that a child does not have a toy and, in countries like Malawi, they are forced to make them out of waste and any material they can find.

Toys give stimulation; the colours and texture. These children dont have any of that.

Michael Kenny, an agriculturalist, who lectures in Maynooth University, and who is also a former town councillor for Trim, Co. Meath, said Malawi needs our help.

He said: The Malawian people are gentle, welcoming, and very resilient.

They are living in a land damaged by frightening levels of deforestation and drought caused by El Nino and climate change  which means their harvests have all but failed.

The problem got so bad that in March this year, the Malawian government declared a state of national disaster and the crisis is getting worse with 6.5 million forecast to be in need of aid next year.

According to Concern, many households in Malwai are already critically short of food because they have harvested nothing and assets are depleted.

Concern Worldwide's Country Director in Malawi, Caoimhe de Barra, said: The country is experiencing a humanitarian disaster of massive proportions.

You can donate to Concern by calling 1850 410 510 or to find out more details on www.concern.net.
Back in the day, the run-up to Conference used to include Tim Farron grabbing some headlines with his pre-conference interview. Remember the cockroaches one? Im not entirely sure that the Clegg press office was wildly chuffed with that one.

Thers a certain irony this week, as the run-up to Conference is punctuated with numerous forays by Nick Clegg in the media as he publicises his book, published tomorrow. Hes doing the interview equivalent of a photobomb.

Yesterday, he clearly had a very good lunch with the press gallery. He said a lot of very pertinent things on Brexit including a prediction that Liam Fox will resign in a huff. Perhaps it might have been wiser to laugh off questions about whether he would fight his Sheffield Hallam constituency again with something like: Lib Dems are doing really well in Sheffield at the moment. Did you see that by-election we won from fourth last week?

While he stated that he didnt much like nationalism and wanted the UK to stay together, his remarks that a future referendum on Scottish independence would be difficult to fight given the strength of the Remain vote perhaps misunderstand the situation in Scotland. A poll just yesterday showed that little had changed in the two years since the Referendum and two weeks ago, half of Scots polled opposed a second referendum. And before anyone suggests that there is a contradiction between opposing an independence referendum and wanting a referendum on the Brexit deal, there isnt.

In 2014, the SNP, to their credit, produced a blueprint for independence that was so detailed it even said that the time would remain the same. It was 600 pages home, the size of two housebricks and is no doubt being used as a door stop in thousands of Scottish homes. We knew what we were getting if we voted Yes. Contrast that with the fact that the Leave campaign didnt have a clue about where we were going and what Brexit would look like. Its only right to ask the British people their opinion on the final deal once we know what it is.

Tim Farron, though, has been getting out there and talking to the press ahead of Brighton too. In an exclusive Standard interview today, he talks of the need to park Lib Dem tanks on the Tory lawn to oppose the awful things that they are doing. He appeals to Labour moderate types to join us:

I dont want to park my tanks on Labours lawn, he said. I want to park my tanks on the Tory lawn, which is where Labours tanks ought to be. Mr Farron even hinted that Labour defectors would be allowed to stand in the next election under Lib-Dem colours, aiming to tempt those facing deselection. Wed want those people to be very much part of our future, he said.

Except there are things like candidate approval and selection processes to go through that he cant control, but well let that one pass for the moment.

He expects to win the argument on a second referendum:

Voters and business leaders, he argues, will increasingly feel that leaving the EU is a calamitous situation that our children will pay for. He added: I imagine Theresa May would bow to that kind of pressure.

He wasnt impressed with Mays performance during the referendum:

Scathingly, he said her fence-sitting in the EU campaign made even the low-profile Mr Corbyn look like an absolute trouper. He added: If you are a leader, you stake out a position and you fight for it. You dont just see which way the wind is going.

He touched on the possibility of a by-election in the Richmond Park seat held by Zac Goldsmith if he resigns over Heathrow expansion. While it might become a referendum on that, Lib Dems, who have always opposed it, would have an advantage:

Confirming his opposition to a third runway, he said that if Zac Goldsmith resigns his Richmond Park seat in protest at a go-ahead, the vote would turn into a referendum on Heathrow. Mr Goldsmith, he said, would be punished in any by-election for backing Brexit.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
On April 3 2016, just under 12 million documents were leaked from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca containing financial details on over 200,000 offshore companies. While the bulk of our nations media coverage was of David Camerons family investment fund  Blairmore Holdings  and the former Prime Minister of Icelands resignation, most news outlets underplayed the real significance of the investigation: the details of shell companies used to profit from criminal activity and how the lack of transparency in opaque jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands, Seychelles or Bahamas provides cover for organisations involved in people trafficking, narcotics, selling arms to despotic regimes and terrorism.

On Saturday, Tower Hamlets Liberal Democrats are moving a motion demanding that the UK calls time on the lack of progress in our overseas territories and sets a deadline for the implementation of centralised registers which make the beneficial ownership of companies available both to relevant authorities and to the public.

The UK has a strong record in this area: Vince Cable drove forward the development of legislation for Companies House to implement a register of Persons of Significant Control during the coalition and the register is now starting to be filled with statements of beneficial ownership. It is due for completion in June 2017.w

For me this is one of the most significant achievements of Liberal Democrats in government  and one that we sadly rarely talk about. The UK was the first country in the world to commit to implementing a register of beneficial ownership, with Denmark and Norway following closely behind, and Australia also announcing their intent to do so earlier this year.

David Cameron and Eric Pickles commendably maintained the anti-corruption trajectory into the current government, hosting a global Anti-Corruption Summit earlier this year. We were also pleased to read in the last week that consultations on extending corporate criminal liability for fraud and money laundering would continue  after being in some doubt  and that the proposed sell off of the Land Registry has been dropped for the time being.

Also particularly significant is the consultation on requiring public disclosure of details of the corporate control of overseas companies bidding for public contracts or purchasing land or property in the UK. The use of intransparent corporate structures to purchase high-value property or bid for public contracts is a very high risk indicator for bribery or money-laundering activity so we strongly support progress in this area.

Holding the rich and powerful to account, however, is not a line that we can expect the Conservative Party to pursue if left unchecked. More worryingly, the threat of an exit of the European Single Market could see British business chasing less reputable investments and a government trying to cut red tape in order to make up for lost business.

The time is now for Liberal Democrats to hold the Tories feet to the fire on pushing through the reforms needed to tackle global corruption and white-collar crime, and to set ambitious next steps to ensure that our continued economic development is built on legitimate business, transparent government and a coherent and functional judicial framework. Too few members in the party (and of the public) appreciate the significance of the progress we made in this area during our time in government, but in opposition we should continue to carry the torch and ensure that Theresa May doesnt start to quietly drop any measures already underway.

If you want to see the party push to ensure that the UK continues to lead on transparency and anti-corruption efforts, please support our motion on Saturday.

Policy motion F10: Tackling Corruption and Corporate Crime is in the Agenda on Saturday 17 September at 14.40.

* Ed Long is the chair of the Association of Lib Dem Engineers and Scientists and a local member of Tower Hamlets Lib Dems
Sunday morning at Brighton will see one of the most important debates at conference. It probably wont be terribly controversial (though one never knows ), but it is party members chance to say what they think  not about specific policies the party should adopt, but about what the party stands for: its basic philosophy.

This is the final stage in the Federal Policy Committees Agenda 2020 process, which has featured many times before in the pages of Lib Dem Voice. Over the past year we have published two consultation papers, organised two consultative sessions at federal conferences, commissioned a set of essays and organised an essay competition within the party (all available at http://www.libdems.org.uk/agenda2020).

The outcome of all this is the policy paper The Opportunity to Succeed, the Power to Change. Its first purpose is to explain the basic underlying beliefs of the party and what, in broad terms, is the point of us. So the first main chapter sets out the case for the Liberal Democrats  the essence of what we are trying to do and why it matters. Weve phrased this round two objectives: giving people the opportunity to succeed, and enabling them to take the power to grasp those opportunities. Too many people in todays Britain lack the opportunity to live their lives as they want, and too many people feel powerless in the face of change.

This basic approach is underpinned by the last chapter, which describes the Liberal Democrats underlying philosophy  our core beliefs and values  in more detail. Readers of the previous Agenda 2020 consultation papers will be familiar with this, as weve reprinted it from them, modified to reflect the responses we received during the consultation process.

The rest of the paper then describes the agenda for policy development which the FPC will follow in the next few years, in the run-up to the 2020 general election: finding Britains place in the world, in the wake of the EU referendum; modernising the economy; enlarging liberty; building a fair and cohesive society; and promoting communities. Each chapter identifies a number of topics where our existing policy is out of date or no longer fit for purpose and where the FPC will be submitting policy papers to conference to debate.

They dont cover every possible policy area  there is a limit to how many policy papers we can produce and conference can debate!  but of course party policy is not solely our preserve. We want to see party spokespeople, local parties and ordinary party members develop new ideas, discuss them within the party and submit them to conference for debate.

I hope people will take the chance to read the paper; particularly for those new to the party, it offers a concise description of what the party theyve joined is all about. And I hope those of you in Brighton will take the chance to speak in the debate on the paper (it starts at 9.45am on Sunday). Itll be a bit different from other debates during the week, because it wont be about particular policy proposals. Itll be about what is in some ways more important: what ties our policy proposals together into a coherent whole.

* Duncan Brack is the Editor of the Journal of Liberal History and former Vice Chair of the Federal Policy Committee.
WHEN those girls left home, nobody ever thought that it was their last goodbye.

Mayor Kieran OHanlon spoke sorrowfully of the three Limerick women who died in a fire whilst on holiday, at a recent memorial service, saying that its important to remember the tragedy.

The service took place in City Hall for the women, whose lives were tragically cut short more than 40 years ago in Greece.

Theresa OShaughnessy, 39, Mary Allen, 40, and Josephine Deenihan, 40, died in 1972 when there was a fire at a restaurant on the island of Rhodes.

The womens families attended the service to remember the three friends, who were on holiday together when they were killed in the blaze, which took 33 lives in total.

For the first time in 44 years, the tragedy will be recognised by Greece with the unveiling of a plaque later this month.

Mayor Kieran OHanlon, who attended the service and will travel to Rhodes for the unveiling, said: I am honoured as Mayor to be able to remember these people on behalf of the people of Limerick.

Padraig Power is Theresas nephew, and the driving force behind gaining recognition for the tragedy.

We pursued it because there was no record of the event ever happening, he said.

We felt that the girls deserved some place in history and were very thankful to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in Athens, who have lobbied on behalf of the family for the last three years to have the girls recognised so that they wont be forgotten.

Mr Power described the pain that the womens families have endured since their deaths, saying that the plaque in Greece will provide some closure.

I hope it will heal some of the wounds for the families, because its been very sensitive, he said.

We had to open up a lot of old wounds with our research in order to have the Greek authorities erect this memorial.

I hope the memorial will help to alleviate some of the pain and suffering of the last 44 years, he added.
THE LIMERICK man and Olympic Council of Ireland official who was caught up in the controversial Olympic ticketing scandal is currently on his way home to Ireland.

Dermot Henihan, OCI honorary general secretary, boarded a plane at 11.15pm on Tuesday, leaving Rio de Janeiro to a destination, which he did not disclose to the Limerick Leader.

When he was contacted on Tuesday night, he said: "I am just getting on my first flight. I haven't got all the details of how I get home yet. I am just leaving Rio now. I am just actually getting on the plane now."

Mr Henihan received his passport from the police on Monday after waiting 21 days since being interviewed by federal authorities, following the arrest of former OCI president Pat Hickey, who was recently charged in relation to the 'ticket touting' affair.

Mr Henihan, who is closely associated with St Michael's Rowing Club in the city centre, told the Leader on Tuesday afternoon that he was "rather pleased" to be returning home after the three-week ordeal.

Mr Henihan agreed to be interviewed by police on Sunday, August 24, and was excluded from the ongoing investigations on the following Tuesday. He was told that he was free to return home.

Following the retrieval of his passport, the Limerick Leader asked the Federal Police of Brazil why it took so long for Mr Henihan to get his passport returned. It has yet to issue a response.
THE EMERGENCY department at University Hospital Limerick is experiencing one of its worst levels of overcrowding in almost two years this Wednesday.

According to figures published by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, there were 52 patients being treated on A&E trolleys, and on additional ward trolleys, beds or chairs, as of this Wednesday morning.

Earlier this week, as a response to consistently high levels of overcrowding over the past week, UL Hospitals Group issued a statement regarding the extremly busy department.

"University Hospital Limerick has been experiencing a high volume of patients attending the hospital over a number of days. This is leading to significant delays accessing beds through the Emergency Department, resulting in excessive wait times for patients.

"The public are reminded to keep the Emergency Department for emergencies only and to contact their GP or GP Out of Hours services in the first instance. Injury Units are open in Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday and 8am to 6pm at St. John's Hospital. Injury Units treat a range of minor injuries including sprains, strains, broken bones, minor burns and dislocations and a GP referral is not required," the spokesperson stated.

University Hospital Limerick had the highest rate of overcrowding in the month of August, with more than 600 patients treated on trolleys. This matched winter levels of overcrowding at UHL.

A new A&E in Dooradoyle, three times the size of its current one, is due to open in six months.
WHILE many towns and cities across the world have taken steps to ban Stag and Hen parties, the new Failte Ireland chairman says Limerick should actively pursue this market.

Michael Cawley says Limerick could in effect become Stag City, and go after this sector.

Speaking at the University of Limerick, where the tourism body held a board meeting this week, Mr Cawley also said there is a lesson to be learnt from cities like Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England, which is famous with husbands and brides to be celebrating their final days of freedom.

I am not familiar with the detail of what Limerick has to offer. But I do know there are some damn good pubs there. There is good hospitality, and some excellent attractions during the day for these types of visitors. Then there is obviously rugby, he said.

Newcastle has done really well from stag parties and hen parties, and there is a lesson to be learnt there, he said, Im sure Limerick can benefit from this market. Building events around this that can being people in is key.

Mr Cawleys call was welcomed by Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Kieran OHanlon.

He said: The vast majority of stag and hen parties are great fun. People come along and enjoy themselves. There is good business to be had for shops, restaurants and pubs. You will get the odd situation where people misbehave. But I certainly think it would be worthwhile, as we have Shannon nearby. It would be good promotion for Limerick if it was properly managed.

Helen ODonnell of the Limerick City Business Association admitted she would prefeer other markets.

But business is business. And if you have people staying hotels certainly at down-times of the year, we would welcome it. Obviously I do not want us to become the stag and hen capital. But if thats how Failte Ireland seeing us growing our business, Id have no major objection, she said.

Dr James Ring of the Limerick Chamber has welcomed the proposals, but said the city needs a good youth hostel to cater for this market first.

Last orders have already been called on stag and hen parties in tourist hotspots across Ireland, with many bars carrying a notice discouraging these revellers.
MINISTER Michael Noonan is expected to return to his desk early next week after reportedly completing a course of antibiotics for cellulitis.

Mr Noonan did not attend a Cabinet meeting in Dublin this Wednesday with a government spokesperson telling RTE news that he played a full part in the meeting over the phone.

Cellulitus is a painful skin condition that causes the affected area to swell and turn red. It is understood the condition is not connected to Mr Noonans previous cancer diagnosis.

According to some reports this Wednesday, there had been speculation ahead of the cabinet meeting that the Limerick city TD may have suffered an insect bite while in Bratislava for a meeting of Finance Ministers last week.

However, a spokesman for Mr Noonan said this was not the case.

Mr Noonan, who won the third seat in the Limerick city consituency in Februarys general election, is due to preside over Budget 2017  his sixth  in less than a months time on October 11, next.
Sep 13, 2016, 11 PM

The 2014 Celebrity Chefs set of five forever stamps includes one honoring Joyce Chen.

By Michael Baadke

Joyce Chen is one of five Celebrity Chefs recognized on five United States stamps issued Sept. 26, 2014 (Scott 4924).

Born Sept. 14, 1917, in Beijing, China, she came to the United States in 1949 with her husband, son and daughter. A second son was born in Cambridge, Mass., where the family settled.

Described by her younger son Stephen as a pioneer in promoting healthy Chinese cooking, Joyce Chen used the cooking skills she developed in China to open four restaurants in Cambridge.

Through cookbooks, a trailblazing television show, and her landmark restaurants in the Boston area, Joyce Chen became one of Americas greatest popularizers of Chinese food, the U.S. Postal Service wrote when the Celebrity Chefs stamps were issued. She is also credited with introducing the flat-bottom wok to American kitchens.

The 1967 television series Joyce Chen Cooks was broadcast by public television nationwide and contributed to the expanding interest in Chinese food. Chen died in 1998.
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Boryspil International Airport (Kyiv) plans to attract a large operator to implement an investment project of a large logistics center.

According to the press service of the airport, it is planned to allocate a significant territory in the second flight zone for building a center for processing aviation cargo.

"Creating a high-tech cargo hub of the European level is one of the tasks of the incumbent management of the state-owned enterprise," the report says.

At present the volume of cargo handling at Boryspil is insignificant - about 80 tonnes per day. Part of profit from freight handling does not exceed 2% of income from other activities. One of the main factors affecting this trend is the low solvency of Ukraine's population.

One of the options as an investor is considered Airport Kyiv Cargo, which carries out freight transportation by road.
Ukraine has sent a request for consultations with Russia to the WTO concerning transit of Ukrainian goods through Russian territory, Russia's Economic Development Ministry said in a statement.

The request for consultations is the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process and if the consultations do not produce a settlement within 60 days, creation of an arbitration panel can be initiated.

"The consultations, which will continue over the course of 60 days, are an obligatory prejudicial dispute-settlement stage. If in the course of this time the sides do not find a mutually acceptable solution, the side that initiated the consultations has the right to demand formation of an arbitration panel. The Economic Development Ministry jointly with the interested government bodies will attentively study the Ukrainian request and the arguments contained in it," the ministry said.
11:30 14.09.2016 Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference 'Corruption in Courts: How to Expose and Fight It?'

1 min read

On Wednesday, September 14, at 11.30, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference 'Corruption in Courts: How to Expose and Fight It?' The participants will include analyst at Transparency International Ukraine Dmytro Yakymchuk; Director for judicial issues at Transparency International Ukraine, chief editor of the "First Instance" website dedicated to questionable court rulings Fedir Oryschuk; and Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine Yaroslav Yurchyshyn (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration requires press accreditation. More information by phone (050) 352 9618, tymchenko@ti-ukraine.org (Communications Department Head at Transparency International Ukraine Olha Tymchenko).
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has stressed the importance of extending the anti-Russian sanctions, the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) will soon hold a meeting on the issue.

At a NSDC session in Kyiv on Tuesday, Poroshenko said it has been agreed with the government that, "the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council will hold a special meeting to discuss the sanctions against certain legal and physical persons of the Russian Federation," the Ukrainian president's press office said.

"This is done in strict coordination with our partners from the European Union, the United States and partners in the international coalition to support Ukraine," the Ukrainian president said.
The critically endangered Hawaiian crow can use sticks to deftly fish for food that is out of reach, according to a new study. The discovery means there are now two known tool-using species of crows.

"The Hawaiian crows are incredibly good at using tools," said lead study author Christian Rutz, a biologist at the University of St Andrews in the United Kingdom. "What we see is similar to the really skilled tool handling in New Caledonian crows."

Until now, New Caledonian crows had been the only corvid (a group that includes crows, ravens and rooks) species known to use tools. These birds have become famous for their expert ability to fashion hooks from sticks to snag larvae and insects from crevices in logs or branches. [Creative Creatures: 10 Animals That Use Tools]

Rutz had studied the New Caledonian crow for more than a decade. In one paper, published in the journal Nature (opens in new tab) in 2012, he and his colleagues showed how the birds have physical characteristics that enable their tool control: straight bills and very large eyes with a large field of binocular vision.

Rutz told Live Science he wanted to look for other birds that shared these features, thinking those traits could be preadaptations for tool use. That led him to the Hawaiian crow, also called the alala (pronounced AH-la-la).

The one problem was that the birds had been declared extinct in the wild by 2004. (Just 131 are alive today.) So Rutz got in touch with San Diego Zoo Global, a nonprofit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo and was breeding the 'alala in captivity in Hawaii. People at the captive breeding facility told him they had sometimes seen the birds use sticks but didn't think much of it.

"I immediately booked my flight to Hawaii," Rutz said.

Tool testing

Even in his first pilot experiments, Rutz said it was clear that the birds could very dexterously handle tools. They would swiftly pick up a stick, discard it if it was not good enough or trim off the edges, and use it for foraging.

"It was mind-blowing to see these birds that hadn't had any specific training start doing these extraction tasks I gave them," Rutz said.

He and his colleagues conducted experiments at two breeding facilities with a total of 104 birds. They gave the crows puzzles where bait was tucked into crevices in a log, so it would be in sight but out of reach. The researchers found that 78 percent of all the birds and 93 percent of the sexually mature birdsspontaneously used sticks to fish for the food.

The team also gave the same puzzles to Hawaiian crows that had been raised away from the tool-using adults. Even without any adult example to follow or training from humans, the birds started picking up sticks and learning to use tools by trial and error, which suggests there is a genetic component to the species' special ability.

There are no reported sightings of these birds using tools before they went extinct from the wild. And while scientists have recently discovered 700-year-old stone tools crafted by monkeys, there's not really any opportunity to do bird archaeology in this case; the 'alala tools are made from plants and are thus perishable.

The researchers will likely have to wait until groups of the captive-raised birds are released into the wild to confirm that the species uses tools under natural conditions.

New member of the tool-using club

Considered a mark of high intelligence, tool use was once thought to be a defining feature of humans, but that notion has been dismantled as the list of tool-inventing animals gets longer.

Egyptian vultures use rocks as anvils to open ostrich eggs. Woodpecker finches of the Galapagos use twigs to get grubs from trees. Orangutans make whistles out of leaves. Capuchin monkeys in Brazil use stone tools to crack open cashew nuts. And chimpanzees use twigs to fish for termites  a behavior that primatologist Jane Goodall first described in 1964.

"With two tool-using corvids, the well-known Galapagos finches and one vulture in the list of tool-using birds, we can now make comparisons with avian and primate tool using," Goodall said in a statement about the new study. "Each of these discoveries shows how much there is still to learn about animal behavior, and it makes me rethink about the evolution of tool use in our own earliest ancestors."

Rutz said that having two corvid species that naturally make tools is exciting because it may shed light on why this ability evolved.

New Caledonian crows and Hawaiian crows likely learned to use tools independently. (The species' habitats are separated by a large swath of the Pacific Ocean, and their last common ancestor lived around 11 million years ago.) But both bird species evolved on remote tropical islands, which have quite an unusual set of ecological conditions, such as reduced competition for prey and lower predation risks, Rutz noted. Without the constant need to be on the hunt for food or scanning the sky for predators, birds can focus more on experimenting with objects, he said.

The new findings were reported online today (Sept. 14) in the journal Nature (opens in new tab).

Original article on Live Science.
An adult female polar bear and her two cubs travel across the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean north of the Alaska coast.

Five meteorologists surrounded by polar bears at a research station on a remote island in high-Arctic Russia have been rescued, according to the Guardian. A Russian research vessel happened to be close by and has arrived on scene, supplying dogs and flares that have since scared the polar bears away from the research facility.

The scientists had been trapped in their facility by a pack of polar bears that had staked out the area.

According to the Russian news agency TASS, approximately ten adult bears, along with some cubs, were stalking the grounds around the Izvestia CEC weather station, on the Troynoy island in the Kara Sea, about 93 miles (150 kilometers) off the coast of Siberia.

RELATED: Are Polar Bears Saving Themselves?

The researchers were trapped at the site for two weeks, NBC News reported. Their only defense against the enormous creatures was the used of flares to frighten the large, potentially deadly, animals. But their flare supply had run out, and the researchers were forced indoors.

It was originally thought that help might not reach the scientists for another month, when a scheduled supply boat would arrive.

TASS reported the bears were so close that some of them were sleeping under the windows of the research facility.

"The bears live in the Arctic, you know. We can't ban them from hanging around," the station's supervisor told NBC.

TASS noted that polar bear hunting has been banned in Russia for more than 50 years, due to the animal's worldwide endangered status. Russia's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Sergey Donskoy, ordered that every measure possible be adopted to protect both the bears and the scientists.

RELATED: Hungry Polar Bears Decimating Seabird Colonies

The scientists had halted all outdoor observations. They were stocked for work in year-long shifts, according to NBC, and were not in any immediate peril.

"Things like this have happened before on the Troynoy island because bears inhabit the area and people work there," Vassiliy Shevchenko, the head of the Sevgidromet State Monitoring Network, which owns the weather station, told TASS. "At the end of October, or in the beginning of November the near-shore waters will freeze and the bears will leave the island in search for food," Shevchenko said.

Original article on Discovery News.
The oldest indigo-dyed fabric ever found has been discovered in Peru, pushing back the use of this blue coloring to at least 6,200 years ago.

Previously, the oldest sample of blue-dyed fabric dated to around 4,400 years ago in Egypt, with the oldest written references to blue dye going back to around 5,000 years ago in the Middle East. The discovery in Peru, however, shines a spotlight on the Americas, which are less-discussed in terms of firsts, said study researcher Jeffrey Splitstoser, an archaeologist and textile expert at The George Washington University.

"The people of the Americas were making scientific and technological contributions as early and in this case even earlier than people were in other parts of the world," Splitstoser told Live Science. "We always leave them out. I think this finding just shows that that's a mistake." [Gallery: See Images of the Oldest Indigo]

Bundles of blue

The dyed fabric pieces are small scraps made of woven cotton. They were excavated by archaeologists Tom Dillehay and Duccio Bonavia between 2007 and 2008 from a prehistoric site called Huaca Prieta, which is north of the city of Trujillo in coastal Peru. Huaca Prieta was a prehistoric dwelling that was covered by a mound and turned into a temple, Splitstoser said. The temple was made of a sort of concrete mixed from ash, shells and sand; over the years, many layers of this material had been applied to the structure as local people renovated and rebuilt the temple. The fabric scraps were found in bundles lining the ramp that led up to the top of the temple, embedded in the concrete-like layers. They all date to between 4,000 and 6,200 years ago.

"They were literally sealed under these new layers of building, but because the building material had so much ash in it, it leached into the textiles, making them a very dirty, sooty color," Splitstoser said.

The blue color didn't appear until conservationists washed the textiles. Almost all blue dye in nature comes from the compound indigoid, Splitstoser said, which can be made by many plants. But the first tests on the fabric yielded no sign of indigoid. Splitstoser was stumped.

He persevered, finding another chemist  Jan Wouters of University College London  with more sensitive equipment. Wouters, using a sensitive technique called high-performance liquid chromatography, was able to tease out the chemical makeup of the dye to discover that it was, in fact, indigo. He tested eight tiny samples of the blue cotton and confirmed indigo in five of them.

"That's when we realized then that we had the world's oldest indigo, by far," Splitstoser said.

Ritual fabrics

The fabric pieces were all cut or torn before they were deposited on the temple ramp, which probably represented a ritual "killing," by peoples who viewed objects as living, Splitstoser said.

"We see that all over the Andes. They not only ritually killed textiles, but they ritually killed ceramics. Anything that was buried was broken," he said. [Photos: Journey Into the Tropial Andes]

Some of the fabrics showed signs of being wetted and then squeezed out, possibly as part of the ritual, Splitstoser said. The fabrics weren't just blue  they were woven in patterns made of blue-dyed yarn, natural off-white cotton and bright-white thread made from milkweed, a very rare textile in South America, Splitstoser said. The yarn had also been dipped in red and yellow ochre, an iron pigment often used in rock art. Unlike the indigo, the ochre would have run when wetted.

"If you were to pour water on those and then squeeze it, you'd get colored water pouring out of the textiles, which might have been part of the show," Splitstoser said. No one knows what these rituals might have represented to the people who invented them; the era in which the textiles were made was one of a drying climate, Splitstoser said, so perhaps the rituals had to do with rain or water.

The discovery of indigo dye more than 6,000 years ago couldn't have been mere happenstance. Indigo dye is quite complicated to make, Splistoser said. Many dyes are made from flowers and require simply boiling the blossoms in water to extract the color, he said.

"Indigo does not work that way," he said. "If you put the leaves  and it's leaves, not flowers  in water, nothing will happen."

Instead, the leaves have to be fermented. Then, the fermented mixture must be aerated so that a solid compound falls out of the mixture to the bottom of the tub. This mixture can be taken, dried and stored. To reconstitute it requires an alkaline substance, often urine, which makes white indigo, a water-soluble compound. Yarn dipped in white indigo will turn yellow, green and finally blue, "like magic," Splitstoser said.

"This was probably a technology that was invented by women," he said, as women were typically in charge of weaving and dying in Andean cultures. A few of the later fabric scraps were of fine quality and more complex decoration, he said, but most of the scraps were likely simple squares or rectangles made by locals, who also wove fishing nets and fabric bags.

"They weren't primitive," Splitstoser said.

The researchers reported their findings today (Sept. 14) in the journal Science Advances.

Original article on Live Science.
Russian occupation forces conducted 56 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in the past 24 hours, while the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue abiding by the Minsk peace agreements, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

Thirty-seven violations of the truce were observed in the Donetsk sector, the press center said, adding that Donbas militants fired grenade launchers, machine-guns and small arms on Ukrainian army positions in the villages of Novoselivka Druha, Verkhniotoretske, Zaitzeve, Novhorodske, and Luhanske, and the town of Avdiyivka.

In addition, the militants fired 120mm and 82mm mortars on Luhanske, Zaitseve, the village of Pisky (closed to the demolished Donetsk airport), Butovka mine and the town of Svitlodarsk in the Donetsk sector, the report said.

Fourteen instances of the violation of the truce were recorded in the Mariupol sector, it said.

"The Russian occupation forces resorted to armed provocations and used an infantry fighting vehicle and grenade launchers to shell the village of Shyrokyne (near the Ukrainian-controlled strategic port city of Mariupol). The villages of Pavlopil, Novotroyitske, Shyrokyne and Starohnativka came under fire from grenade launchers and small arms. Further, at about 23:00 local time, the occupiers opened fire from a 120mm mortar on the villages of Lebedynske and Berdianske. The town of Maryinka was under sniper fire," the ATO HQ said.

Five attacks on Ukrainian army positions were conducted in the Luhansk sector. Grenade launchers, machine-guns and small arms were used near the villages of Novozvanivka and Novo-Oleksandrivka, it said. Novozvanivka was also attacked with the use of an infantry fighting vehicle. Enemy snipers were also working there.
The Library of Congress has recently placed online the diaries, notebooks and address books of John J. Pershing, commander-in-chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I, and the diaries of George S. Patton, a tank commander in World War I and a U.S. Army general in World War II.

These items join thousands of original materials from the World War I era that the Library of Congress has digitized and made accessible for use, ahead of the centennial of Americas entry into the Great War in April 2017.

Pershings digitized diaries, notebooks and address books describe his command of the American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I and his postwar service as army chief of staff until 1925. Pattons diaries, 1910-1945, illustrate his activities during the Mexican Punitive Expedition, World War I and World War II.

The online materials of both men are part of larger collections held by the Library of Congress that are available for research and can be viewed on-site in the Librarys Manuscript Division Reading Room.

The entire collection of Pershing papers spans the years 1882-1971, with the bulk of the material concentrated in the period 1904-1948. It consists of correspondence, diaries, notebooks, speeches, statements, writings, orders, maps, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, picture albums, posters, photographs, printed matter and memorabilia.

The entire collection of Pattons papers spans the years 1807-1979, with the bulk of the papers concentrated from 1904-1945. The collection documents Pattons military career, including his attendance at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 1904-1909; his service on the Mexican border as a member of John J. Pershings Mexican Punitive Expedition, 1916-1917; his service as an aide-de-camp to Pershing and later as a tank commander in World War I, 1917-1919; and his military career from 1938-1945. The majority of the papers chronicle Pattons World War II service.

Other World War I-era original-source materials that the Library has digitized include posters; sheet music; military battles and campaign maps; and newspapers, including The Stars and Stripes. These items can be searched for and viewed on the Librarys website at loc.gov.

On April 4, 2017, the Library of Congress will open a major exhibition, Echoes of the Great War: American Experiences of World War I, to commemorate the centennial of the United States entry into the Great War. The exhibition will examine the upheaval of world war, as Americans experienced itdomestically and overseas. It will close in January 2019. Initially, the exhibition will feature 200 items, but during its 18-month run, numerous other artifacts will be rotated into the display.

An exhibition showing how American artists galvanized public interest in World War I is currently on display at the Library of Congress. World War I: American Artists View the Great War is on view through Aug. 19, 2017 in the Graphic Arts Galleries on the ground floor of the Librarys Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C. The exhibition is free and open to the public Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. An online version can be viewed at loc.gov/exhibits/american-artists-view-the-great-war/.

With the most comprehensive collection of multi-format World War I holdings in the nation, the Library is a unique resource for primary-source materials, education plans, public programs and on-site visitor experiences about The Great War, including exhibits, symposia and book talks.

The Library of Congress is the worlds largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United Statesand extensive materials from around the worldboth on site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov, and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
Poroshenko to be questioned as witness in Euromaidan cases soon

Investigators from the Main Investigative Department of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office will soon summon Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for questioning in connection with the investigation into the crimes against Euromaidan activists in 2014, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said on Ukrainian television's Channel 24 on Tuesday evening.

"Yes, it [the questioning] was rescheduled. I think it will happen in the very near future," Lutsenko said, responding to a question as to when the president will be questioned as a witness in connection with the investigation into crimes against Euromaidan.

Lutsenko did not specify when precisely the questioning will take place.

"I will not announce the date," he said.

According to earlier reports, Poroshenko, former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, incumbent Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Turchynov, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy, and Zakarpattia Governor Hennadiy Moskal were summoned for questioning at the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office as witnesses in connection with investigations into crimes committed against Euromaidan activists in January-February 2014.
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Major concerns over the future of the Aisling Childrens Arts Festival have been expressed this week by the organisations chairperson Claire Macko.

Speaking to the Leader on Monday, Ms Macko said the voluntary organisation was very disappointed not to secure funding from the Arts Council of Ireland for this years event, which is scheduled to begin in just a few weeks' time.

Over 5,000 in the festivals budget was cut as a direct result of the Councils decision not to award funding to the project last June.

The committee appealed the decision and just last week its members were informed that the decision not to fund the local festival was being upheld by the Arts Council.

It is extremely disappointing that this has happened, added Ms Macko, before pointing out that no Longford festivals received funding from the Arts Council this year.

It is particularly frustrating when you see the Galway Festival being awarded 195,000 - up 5,000 on last year.

Ms Macko also told the Leader that the Arts Council indicated that it was not happy with the committees application for funding, saying it lacked clarity.

We are running the festival on a shoestring and next year we were hoping to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Aisling Arts Festival, she continued.

If we dont get funding next year from the Arts Council the festival will be in jeopardy, there is no doubt about that.

Meanwhile plans are in place for this years event which takes place in October.

The popular event, which aims to provide an annual multi-disciplinary week-long arts festival totally dedicated to children, also focuses on nurturing and developing the artistic expression and appreciation of young people in Co Longford and the surrounding areas. They encourage this by introducing children to a wide range of art disciplines such as drama, music, dance and the visual arts through the medium of workshops and performances.

We have a great line-up this year and everyone is looking forward to putting our shoulder to the wheel and getting on with it, smiled Ms Macko.

We have something to suit all ages and it will be a fantastic week for this county.

Local Fine Gael TD, Peter Burke said the councils failure to provide the festival with funding was unacceptable.

The Arts Council should be held to account as to its reason for withdrawing funding for the Aisling Childrens Festival in Longford, he added.

I would feel that the application is not the problem and that questions need to be asked and answered about the decisions being made by the Arts Council.
1,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs thanks to the Attic House this Saturday, September 17 at the Mall, Longford.

Eleven young members of the Foroige Attic House Teen Project are undertaking an overseas leadership programme to Africa, and to help raise the necessary funds, they will be hosting a variety of fundraising intiatives, of which the ducky derby is one example.

We're having a family fun day, it's very impromptu, very informal, explained Foroige Regional Youth Officer, Jim Maher. Organised by the youths who are undertaking the trip, the event looks set to be a memorable one.

Kicking off at 2pm, there will be fun and activities aplenty for all ages and interests. Jim revealed that their own version of Pokemon Go will hopefully provide a fun scavenger hunt for kids- weather permitting - while teenagers and parents will also get the opportunity to learn more about the Attic.

The duck derby itself will see hundreds of rubber ducks race down the Camlin, with each duck corresponding to a ticket sold over the past few weeks. The duck that comes in first place will earn its owner 500, while second and third prize winners will go home with 300 and 200, respectively.

Ducks can still be purchased for 5 apiece in the run up to the event. Attic members will be selling them door-to-door, and locals are also invited to call into the Attic House on the Ballinalee Road. Ducks will also be on sale on the day of the derby, right up until the race.

Longfordians can also look forward to a 70s disco night at the Rugby Club as part of this fundraising drive, which will take place at a date yet to be confirmed in October.

Once funds are raised the group will travel to Cape Town and on to Gordons Bay for seven days and nights where they will engage with the Zola Township in South Africa and support the development of the education centre in the township.

This is a once in a life time opportunity for the young people of the Attic House and one that will remain with them throughout their lives.

If you have any queries about Foroige, The Attic House Teen project or establishing a Foroige club in your area please contact Foroiges Regional Youth Officer at james.maher@foroige.ie or call (086) 9672920.
More than 600 students across Co Longford have come in for wholesome praise this morning upon the release of this years Junior Cert results.

Approximately 653 students who sat the State examination in June are waking up to the news that this years results are on a par and in some places ahead of its 2015 equivalent.

Across the board, more than one third achieved at least one A in a higher level subject or in civic, social and political education (CSPE) which is examined at just one standard or common level.

For secondary schools closer to home, they were achievements teachers and parents were keen to endorse this morning.

We are very happy, said an evidently delighted Principal of Moyne Community School, Des Cullen.

He said although the vast majority of results would be handed out to students over lunch, all the early indications were positive.

I am still looking through the results as we speak but one interesting trend tht has emerged is that every one of our 110 students who sat maths at higher, ordinary and foundation level passed.

At the opposite end of the county, Josephine Donohue, Principal of Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon, was equally thrilled.

She said the schools highest achiever was a boy who had scored 11 As and one B, results that were closely matched by a girl student who notched nine As and three Bs.

In general, we have had a very good set of results and we, as a school, are very proud of all the students.

You have to remember this is their first big exam and for that reason they (students), their parents and teachers should feel very proud because it is a big milestone.

Giving her reaction to the increasing tendency for students to opt for higher level across the three main core subjects of English, Irish and Maths, Ms Donhoue said there was nothing unusual in that regard.

We would always aim to try and encourage as many students as possible to take higher level as it gives them a bettwe foundation even if they go on to do ordinary level at Leaving Cert, she said.

The Ballymahon based principal was also anxious to reserve a special mention for pupils who may not have received the plaudits and adulation directed to its highest achievers.

Students who obtained Cs and Ds, they can feel very proud of themselves too as it would have taken those students a lot of work and effort to secure the grades they did get, she said.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko on Friday, September 16, will open the plenary sessions of the 13th annual meeting of the Yalta European Strategy "The World, Europe and Ukraine: Storms of Changes," his introductory speech will be followed by the debate of speakers and participants in the forum with the Ukrainian head of state.

According to the YES press service, the 13th YES annual meeting will be held in Kyiv on September 15-17. Plenary sessions will be held in the Mystetsky Arsenal national cultural museum complex. The forum will be attended by more than 350 leading politicians, diplomats, businessmen, public figures and experts from 20 countries.

The first day of the plenary sessions will be devoted to the key geopolitical, economic and social challenges Europe, Ukraine and the world face. The discussion will include the current situation in the EU, prospects and challenges Turkey is facing, the consequences of the U.S. presidential elections in 2016 for the world politics and international relations, as well as the global challenge of social inequality, the problem of terrorism and radicalism. The international support of Ukraine amidst Russian aggression, the economic crisis and reforms will be also discussed during the first day of the forum.
Music, Movies & Entertainment, School & Education, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events

By Long Island News & PR Published: September 14 2016

Antisocial is the story of high school students in Romania who create a secret group on social media.

Selden, NY - September 12, 2016 - A Suffolk County Community College Theater Arts study abroad program named one of four outstanding proposals by SUNY earlier this year, and awarded a SUNY Chancellors Grant for Innovative Study Abroad Programs will kick off the fall semester by welcoming a Romanian theater group to the colleges Ammerman Campus later this month.



The performance on September 27 at Suffolks Shea Theatre on the Selden Campus is produced by Radu Stanca National Theatre of Sibiu, Romania and Lucian Blaga University and will feature a performance of Antisocial. Antisocial is the story of high school students in Romania who create a secret group on social media. The teachers find out, infiltrate and take action; with the support of some of the students.



Next spring, Suffolk County Community College Theater Arts students will collaborate with students from Lucian Blaga University utilizing the SUNY Collaborative Online International Learning Model that employs a variety a technological tools (social media, Skype) in a team taught class. The students will travel to Romania next summer to perform with their Romanian counterparts at the Sibiu International Theatre Festival. The Sibiu International Theatre Festival has grown in importance and prestige since its founding in the early 1990s and attracts participants from more than 70 countries, has hundreds of scheduled events and in years past has attracted more than a half million spectators during its 10-day run. Attendees include performing arts groups, filmmakers and critics.



This is a remarkable opportunity for our students to not only participate in study abroad, but to collaborate and perform with their contemporaries starting from their laptops to such a prestigious international festival, said Suffolk County Community College Director of Theatre Arts and Academic Chair Charles Wittreich, Jr.



Mark your calendar:



Antisocial

September 27, 6:30 p.m.

Suffolk County Community College

Ammerman Campus

Shea Theater, Islip Arts Building

533 College Rd

Selden
Family & Parenting, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: September 14 2016

This summer marked The Fresh Air Funds 140th summer of serving children from New York Citys low-income communities.

Fresh Air child Melissa (left), of Brooklyn, has been visiting Kayla Ringler (right) and her family since 2009.

Long Island, NY - September 13, 2016 - This summer marked The Fresh Air Funds 140th summer of serving children from New York Citys low-income communities.

Fatima Shama, Executive Director of The Fresh Air Fund:

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to our extraordinary Fresh Air volunteers, hosts and supporters in Suffolk County for their dedication and commitment.

Fresh Air host families open their hearts and homes, and share the everyday joys of summertime with their Fresh Air friends. I am inspired by the commitment of our local volunteer leaders, many of whom are also hosts. They volunteer to interview prospective host families, help recruit new families, and plan special activities. I would also like to thank the individuals and local businesses who so generously give their time and resources to make The Fresh Air Funds Friendly Towns Program throughout Suffolk County a great success each year.

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities. Each year, nearly 7,000 children enjoy outdoor summer adventures through visits with volunteer host families along the East Coast and Southern Canada and at The Funds five overnight camps in Fishkill, NY. Fresh Air children also participate in year-round leadership and educational programs.

Please contact Yvonne Patterson-Quirk at 631-495-4139 or visit www.freshair.org to learn more about hosting a child through The Fresh Air Fund.
School & Education, Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases

By Allison Gayne Published: September 14 2016

TFCUniversity offers free Marketing Roundtables with local experts on Tuesday, September 20 at TFCU's Hauppauge headquarters.

Pictured is Erica Brown, Integrated Media Supervisor with Austin & Williams, who is among five local marketing industry experts to participate in TFCU's September 20 TFCUniversity Business Clinic Marketing Roundtable.

Hauppauge, NY - September 14, 2016 - Long Island is home to thousands of small and medium size businesses. Many of these business owners and managers struggle to keep up-to-date with and understand how to successfully market and grow their businesses. To assist businesses and entrepreneurial minded Long Islanders, Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU), one of the countrys largest credit unions, presents TFCUniversity Business Clinic Marketing Roundtables.

This free comprehensive business marketing and educational program features five roundtables led by industry experts in marketing strategies for success. The program will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 from 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at TFCU Headquarters at 102 Motor Parkway, Lower Level Meeting Rooms 1 and 2, Hauppauge, New York.

TFCUniversity September 20 event agenda is as follows:

7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.  Continental Breakfast and Networking

8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.  Welcome from Robert G. Allen, President and CEO, TFCU

8:30 a.m. to 9:30/9:45 a.m.  Roundtable Discussions

Understanding marketing strategies and trends is critical for business growth and success. This special TFCUniversity Business Clinic will give attendees the opportunity to interact and learn directly from local marketing experts. We encourage Long Island business owners, executives, managers and entrepreneurs to attend this event, ask questions and uncover new ways to achieve business success, said Robert Allen, TFCU President/CEO.

Roundtable leaders participants are:

Direct Marketing  Gregory P. Demetriou, President and CEO of Lorraine Gregory Communications

Brand Enhancement  Lisa Chalker, Founder, Family Affair Distributing

Web and Digital Marketing  Henry Bramwell, President, Visionary

Social Media  Beth Granger, CEO, Beth Granger Consulting

Integrated Media Planning  Erica Brown, Integrated Media Supervisor, Austin & Williams

Roundtable leaders will each moderate five 12-min. discussions with small groups. Participants will have the opportunity to meet each of the experts and ask questions. The 60 minute program is designed to give attendees new ideas and learn about strategies that they can implement to attract more business. The five roundtable topics include:

What are the key elements of an effective direct marketing campaign?

Five tips to enhance your brands image.

The Dos and Donts of Website Design

What social media platform is right for me?

How to develop a media strategy that works.

To registration for the TFCUniversity Marketing Roundtables visit www.tfcu4u.org (seating is limited). Please call (631) 698-7000 x3024 with any questions.

Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU), one of the countrys largest credit unions, is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution. TFCU was founded on Long Island in 1952 and now has over $5 billion in total assets, serves more than 260,000 members and has 25 full-service branches throughout Long Island including: Amityville, Bay Shore, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Central Islip, Commack, East Northport, Farmingville, Hauppauge, Holbrook, Huntington, Manorville, Merrick, Nesconset, North Babylon, North Massapequa, Oakdale, Patchogue, Port Jefferson Station, Riverhead, Rocky Point, Selden, Shirley, Smithtown, South Setauket, and Wading River. Members also have access to services at more than 5,000 shared service centers located across the country. TFCU offers financial services to all people and businesses located in Nassau and Suffolk counties. More information is available about TFCU by visiting www.teachersfcu.org or by calling (631) 698-7000.
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
Cabinet endorses signing of agreement with China on 50 ambulances for Ukraine's Health Ministry

Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has endorsed the signing of an agreement with the government of China on handing over 50 ambulance vehicles to Ukraine's Health Ministry.

A respective decision was taken by the government at its meeting on Wednesday, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.

"The Economic Development and Trade Minister has been authorized to sign [the agreement]," First Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Development and Trade Minister Stepan Kubiv announced at the meeting.

Under the agreement, Ukraine will be able to receive 50 specially equipped ambulance vehicles worth $3.7 million from China, he said.
One Ukrainian soldier was killed and another one was wounded in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) zone in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in the past day, speaker for Ukraine's Defense Ministry for ATO issues Andriy Lysenko said.

"In the past 24 hours, one of our soldiers was killed in fighting, another one was wounded," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.

In his words, "it happened in the village of Zaitseve, which came under shelling from Giatsint B howitzers [The Giatsint-B is a Soviet/Russian towed 152 mm field gun].

Lysenko said that despite statements by leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic on plans to cease fire from September 15, fighting in the ATO zone has only escalated, as the enemy actively uses heavy weapons that are banned by the Minks agreements, namely large-caliber mortars and artillery systems.

Five attacks were registered in the Luhansk sector: militants used light weapons and an infantry fighting vehicle in Popasna district.

Fighting spread almost along the entire contact line in the Donetsk sector. Illegal armed formations used heavy weapons along the entire front line. The hottest spot was the village of Luhanske, where the enemy launched two heavy mortar attacks, having lobbed 200 shells of various calibers into ATO positions. The industrial zone of the town of Avdiyivka saw five-hour-long shelling. After 18:00 local time on Tuesday, September 13, militants started firing Ukrainian troops stationed in the village of Zaitseve, using guns, howitzers and mortars.

In total, 37 barrages were reported in that sector in the past day, 19 of them were mounted with the use of heavy weapons.

The tensest situation in the Mariupol sector was the town of Maryinka, which came under sniper fire. The enemy used mortars to shell the villages of Berdianske and Lebedynske. There were 14 attacks in that sector in the past day.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has instructed the Foreign Ministry to file an international lawsuit against Russia for violating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"The president instructed the Foreign Ministry to launch arbitration proceedings against Russia for the violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea," the presidential press secretary, Svyatoslav Tsegolko, wrote on his Twitter account on Wednesday.

As reported, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said on TV that Ukraine will file a large-scale comprehensive suit against Russia in an international court this week, and this claim concerns the violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, has said.

"The first big lawsuit will be lodged as early as this week. It concerns the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It is in fact comprehensive, as it contains such fundamental issues as the use of maritime space, infringements on environmental safety, and also cultural heritage facilities. It is a large-scale claim," he told the Svoboda Slova (Freedom of Speech) program on ICTV on Monday evening.

Any claim initiated within the framework of such conventions provides for three stages: the rights, restitution of these rights and compensation, he said. "For sure, we will ask for compensation," he said.
Akhtar Mohammad Khalil [center], the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistans commander for North Waziristan.

The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP) highlighted its operations in North Waziristan, and featured its new commander for the Pakistani tribal agency recently. The TTP counters the Pakistani militarys claims that Operation Zarb-e-Azb has succeeded in defeating jihadists of all stripes in North Waziristan.

Akhtar Mohammad Khalil, the TTPs emir for North Waziristan, appeared in a video released today that purports to show Taliban fighters operating openly in the contested tribal agency. The video was released on Umar Media, the official propaganda outlet of the TTP.

The first four minutes of the video show TTP fighters firing mortars, rockets, recoilless rifles, and machine guns at Pakistan troops in remote mountainous areas. Additionally, three captured Pakistani security personnel are put on display. While the date and location of the video cannot be independently confirmed, it appears to have been recorded in the spring or early summer.

The last two thirds of the video is devoted to an Eid speech given by Khalil, who is seated on the ground and flanked by two of his commanders. Additionally, two masked and heavily armed fighters are standing behind Khalil as he speaks.

Khalil was appointed to lead TTP forces in North Waziristan last Spring. On May 16, 2016, the group released an official statement on Umar Media noting that Khalil pledged allegiance to TTP emir Mullah Fazlullah, and said that the TTP accepted his oath and appointed him to serve as the commander of its forces in the restive tribal agency.

As emir for North Waziristan, Khalil is tasked with opposing Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the Pakistani military offensive in the tribal agency of North Waziristan which began in June 2014. The Pakistani military has said for the past year that Operation Zarb-e-Azb is in its last phase and that jihadist groups of all stripes have been defeated there. On Sept. 1 Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa, the militarys top spokesman, claimed that 3,500 terrorists were killed during the fighting, and all but declared the operation over.

Given the rough terrain of North Waziristan, it was a challenging task to carry out the operation in area, yet the armed forces were successful in clearing out all terrorist hideouts, caves and tunnels, Bajwa said, according to The Express Tribune.

Additionally, he claimed that the Shawal Valley, a haven for a wide range of terrorist groups, including the TTP, al Qaeda, and independent Pakistani Taliban organizations such as the Hafiz Gul Bahadar Group and the Haqqani Network, has been turned into Switzerland.

Bajwa and the Pakistani military have claimed that under Zarb-e-Azb, it has targeted all jihadist groups in North Waziristan, including the Haqqani Network and the Hafiz Gul Bahadar Group. However, the Pakistani military has blatantly ignored the Haqqanis and Bahadars group, which are considered good Taliban as they are supported by the military and intelligence services. During Zarb-e-Azb, the military has only targeted the TTP, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and al Qaeda, or bad Taliban, as these groups advocate overthrowing the Pakistani government.

The good Taliban are the life blood of the bad Taliban. They provide shelter, safe haven, logistics, manpower, finances, and other key enablers that allow the networks to survive a military offensive such as Zarb-e-Azb. Groups like the TTP melt away while a rearguard harasses Pakistani forces, and establishes or reinforces operations in other areas of Pakistan.

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.
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the international community to apply all possible legal and political pressure on Russia for the release of Ukrainian political prisoners and hostages kept in Russian territory and "occupied land of Ukraine," the ministry's press service said in a statement.

The ministry also calls on Russia to end the violation of human rights and freedoms.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses categorical protest against illegal actions by Russia that humiliate the human dignity of citizens of Ukraine who are illegally kept both in Russia and in occupied areas of Ukraine," the statement said.

The ministry recalls that "the Russian government and its occupying forces" are still keeping at least 29 Ukrainian citizens in custody, dozens of Ukrainian citizens are being persecuted in Crimean territory, 16 people have been designated as missing and 115 Ukrainians are held hostage by illegal armed groups in temporarily uncontrolled areas in Ukraine.

"It [Russia] grossly violates all possible international legal norms in the field of human rights, in particular, the Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment," the statement said. This situation is interpreted as "the return of the Russian Federation to political repression and Stalinist-era rigged trials."

"Ukraine sees that only joint and persistent efforts by world leaders and democratic society where human rights and human dignity are the highest priority, can help overcome the current arbitrariness of the Russian authorities," the ministry stressed.
Ukrainian military Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has arrested UAH 480 million worth of property of a suspect  former first deputy chairman of the State Fiscal Service and head of the tax police of Ukraine Andriy Holovach  and members of his family.

"The total approximate cost of property arrested by military PGO is almost UAH 480 million, including UAH 468 million worth of real estate and UAH 10 million worth of movable property," the press service of Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office reported on Wednesday.

The investigation is being conducted into facts of unlawful refunding of over UAH 3 billion worth of VAT to companies under control of former officials of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's times, ex-prime minister Mykola Azarov and Tax and Income Minister Oleksandr Klymenko (Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - legalizing (laundering) proceeds from crime).

PGO said that the property that was legalized by the suspect was seized.
Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) is activating its investigation into illegal rulings by justices of Ukraine's Constitutional Court leading to changes in the Constitution in 2010 and will finish investigating the multitude of charges against disgraced former President Viktor Yanukovych," PGO head Yuriy Lutsenko has said.

"We are activating the investigation of this matter, because it is necessary to finish before moving on the big case against Yanukovych," Lutsenko said on Tuesday during an interview on Channel 24 TV.

Lutsenko said that the case against Yanukovych is comprised of several elements.

"Yanukovych usurped power by pressuring the Constitutional Court and used power in order to control the country's economy, which he plundered. He then, through trusted associates, including citizens of the Russian Federation, degraded the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He next signed the so-called Kharkiv accords, which provided for increased Russian troop levels in Sevastopol, after which he accepted an unprofitable loan (from Russia) and refused to sign the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, which brought people out on the streets in protest.

The PGO head said that this is an enormous case, tantamount to state treason, and that Yanukovych himself and his associates should be tried for these crimes, either in court or in abstentia.

Lutsenko said judges cannot be brought to justice because they are not liable criminally for the verdicts they delivered.

"But this is very important. There are several judges who have acknowledged they were pressured by Yanukovych to approve the decision to change the Constitution. Yes, some have gone back on their testimony and this remains a problem," he said.

As earlier reported, the PGO is investigating whether Yanukovych and members of the Constitutional Court committed treason, as well as the heads of law-enforcement agencies, in its combined case against the former president.

As of September 12, Ukraine's Justice Ministry had not received a reply to its second request to the Justice Minister of the Russian Federation to interrogate Yanukovych.
The great Gold Rush Music Festival returns to the township of Waihi, with the first nuggets of gold dropping for the highly anticipated return of the 2023 festival.
Also on the blog in the past week were:

Managing IP webinars coming up soon

US patent litigation update: filing falls in August

Guest post: Improving patent analysis with big data

Slowly, a post-Brexit picture will emerge

Weve also posted the following articles in the past week (log in via subscription or free trial):

Lee defends USPTO against accusations of examiners billing unworked hours

Federal Circuit rules software patents valid in McRO v Bandai Namco

Euromoney Legal Media Group Asia Women in Business Law Awards 2016: Shortlist announced

European Patent Reform Forums in Munich and Paris  the highlights

How to avoid the FTC not liking your next campaign

PTAB 4 Years In: Hedge funds and reverse patent trolls

PTAB 4 Years In: Dont Estop Me Now

Revealed: Filing trends at the UK IPO post-Brexit

GS Media decision gives ammunition to copyright owners

General Court upholds Lundbeck pay-for-delay fine

PTAB filing falls in August but higher than 2016 average

EPO President Battistelli on appeals reforms

IP Stars 2017 research now underway

Bad PTAB news for VirnetX, Teva

VirnetXs stock price fell almost 14% last Friday after the Patent Trial and Appeal Board invalidated four of its patents, reports Bloomberg.

Two of the inter partes review petitions were filed by Apple and two by Mangrove Partners.

Bloomberg quoted VirnetX CEO Kendell Larsen as saying: If youre trying this, and trying to put this out to the shorts and hurt VirnetX stock, this is what you do. The Federal Circuit is going to make the final determination.

The final written decisions came out less than two weeks before a trial with Apple in the Eastern District of Texas begins. At the end of July, Judge Robert Schroeder issued a new order in the VirnetX's pending litigation in two cases against Apple, vacating a previous order consolidating the two cases and ordering the parties to retry them as separate cases. Jury selection is scheduled for September 26.

Pharmaceutical company Teva also received bad news from the PTAB. The Board invalidated three patents covering methods for administering multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone, according to Marshall Gersteins PTABWatch blog.

Mylan filed IPRs challenging the claims of each of the Teva patents as anticipated by or obvious over certain prior art.

While Teva will likely appeal these IPR decisions, Mylan still has a chance at striking down a fourth related patent in a pending district court action, thus paving the way for generic entry into the Copaxone market, noted Marshall Gerstein.

No shelter from summer Alice storm

Source: BilskiBlog Source: BilskiBlog

The trends of invalidation rates since the Supreme Courts Alice decision two years ago have continued and become more entrenched in July and August, according to BilskiBlog. Robert Sachs, Fenwick & West partner, refers to this as AliceStorm.

June, July and August had an increase in Section 101 decisions from April and May, the majority of which were motions to dismiss and judgments on the pleadings. The rates of invalidity holdings continue to be steady, with 70% overall and 66.3% in district courts.

Sachs has recently started tracking ITC proceedings as well.

As I've argued, the Supreme Court did not intend AliceStorm and specifically did not intend the impact on software patents. Yet the onslaught continues, said Sachs.

Patent practitioners will hope that yesterdays McRO v Bandai Namco decision, only the fourth time the Federal Circuit has ruled a software patent valid on 101 grounds since Alice, is a signal of better times to come.

Software patent litigation plummets

Software patent lawsuits have declined by 36% since 2013, according to a blog post from Patexia.

Source: Patexia Source: Patexia

We looked at different types of software patents based on U.S. patent classification codes and discovered the decline was not equal across all software classification codes, noted Patexia CEO Pedram Sameni.

The top two classes, 705 and 707, had declined 40% and 50% from 2013 to 2015, respectively. Patents in class 705 are generally referred to as business method patents.

Alice prosecution rejections hit the floor

In further software patent news, Knobbe Martens released an analysis of how the USPTO guidelines released in response to Alice have affected patent prosecution.

Our analysis of recent data, however, may indicate that the steep drop off in patent issuances due to Alice has at least hit its floor and started an upward trend, said the law firm.

Knobbe examined the data for patents in various art units of tech centre 3600 that issued between January 1 2013 and May 6 2016 and that had overcome a rejection under Section 101.

The law firm concluded: Although there has been both a sharp increase in patent eligibility rejections and a sharp decrease in issued patents for software and business method-related inventions since Alice, patent applicants are still having some success in obtaining patents in these technology areas. Further, since the 2015 Guidelines, the average number of patents issuing per month in these technology areas that have successfully overcome a 101 Rejection has increased.

A blockchain technology patent war?

The IP CloseUp blog ran an interesting post asking whether blockchain technology will fuel a new patent war or prevent one.

Blockchain is a shared database of transactions and other information, which is open to all and controlled by no one. It also can function as an autonomous semi-private network.

Bruce Berman on the IP CloseUp blog said that competition is building for patents that go beyond bitcoin and cover inventions that support a distributed public ledger. The race among a variety of disparate players is not likely to be a repeat of the smartphone wars, but it does have the potential to create an IP licensing windfall for early movers, he said.

Berman added: The promise of blockchain to streamline important, voluminous tasks is uniquely important to IP holders. It could provide an opportunity to copyright and other IP dependent businesses and individuals (patent holders, too) to track and receive incremental payments that in the past were difficult to comprehend; blockchain could serve to minimise disputes in ways that the courts and PTAB have not.

He added there is a strong feeling that the distributed public ledger technology could be a catalyst for new ways of doing business, and that IP rights will play a role.
Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy during a visit to Strasbourg, France, has met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, Johannes Hahn, and discussed with him the further cooperation between the Verkhovna Rada and the European Parliament, including the provision of a visa-free regime for Ukrainians.

Hahn assured Parubiy that he will continue to make every effort for Ukraine to get the visa-free regime as soon as possible, the press service of the Verkhovna Rada reported on Wednesday. The settlement of this matter is on the homestretch, he said.

The European commissioner also raised a number of issues of further cooperation, and said he is watching the progress of reforms in Ukraine, in particular, in the energy sector. According to him, the adoption of the bill on the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission in the second reading is of particular interest.
Ukrainian Health Ministry, government and lawmakers have unblocked supply of cancer drugs bought by Britain's Crown Agents that had been detained at Boryspil airport for 92 days, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said at a briefing on Wednesday.

"We have managed to unblock the supply. In three or four days the drugs will start arriving to medical institutions," he said.

Acting Health Minister Ulana Suprun said that at present, the drugs are passing customs clearance. She said that the problem was misunderstanding between Crown Agents and Ukrainian distributor Lyudmila Pharm who is the owner of the drugs.

"We held a government meeting held for seven hours on Tuesday," she said.

Suprun said that Health Ministry would be more careful about the organization of supplies, drafting of contracts and transfer of drugs.

Parliametnary healthcare committee head Olha Bohomolets said that Prosecutor General's Office and SBU are to conduct an investigation and find those who are guilty in delays of supplies of drugs. She said that Crown Agents' mistake was that the international organization bought drugs from the Ukrainian distributor, but not directly from the manufacturer.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski at a meeting in Kyiv have discussed the prospects of development of economic relations between the two countries and the upcoming signing of an agreement on cooperation in the defense sector.

"There is no alternative to a strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland," the president's press service quoted Poroshenko as saying.

Meanwhile, he emphasized the need to develop economic relations between Ukraine and Poland, in particular in the energy sector.

The two officials noted the importance of signing as soon as possible the bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, as well as the continuation of cooperation through the Ukrainian-Polish-Lithuanian brigade.

Particular attention was paid to the preparation of Poroshenko's official visit to Poland in December 2016.
Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov and Foreign Minister of Poland Witold Waszczykowski have discussed the involvement of experts from Poland and other NATO countries to support the reform of the security sector and defense of Ukraine.

During the meeting the two officials discussed the current situation in Ukraine and the security situation in Europe, as well as the issues of Ukraine's security and defense sector reform, according to the statement on the official website of the NSDC.

According to Turchynov, Russia is trying to block the Minsk process. In addition to military provocations in the east, military bases have been strengthened near the border with Ukraine, while the number of military aircraft on the ground near the borders of Ukraine has been also increasing.

Turchynov and Waszczykowski stressed that Poland and Ukraine have a common position on the need to extend the sanctions against the aggressor state and to complete the liberation of all occupied territories.

In turn, the Polish foreign minister talked about the problems faced by the EU due to Brexit, and stressed the need to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine, both within the EU and at the level of the Visegrad Group country, stressing that "Poland has supported and will support Ukraine on its path to Europe. "
A Common Sense Regulatory Framework for Digital Currency

John Dunham writes: The phrase, horror vacui, or nature abhors a vacuum, was attributed to Aristotle, who suggested that nature contains no vacuums because the denser surrounding material would immediately fill any void. This physical postulate is often applied to the idea of government regulation. If something is not regulated (or in many cases highly regulated) then it is indisputable that some government will step into the void. In the case of digital currency and/or cryptocurrency, the concept of horror vacui is in full swing as governments from the European Union to the United States to China are all proposing broad regulations on the development and operation of digital currency markets. This is on top of local court rulings, such as that made by a Miami-Dade Florida circuit court judge who ruled that Bitcoin was not a currency.

With all of this activity, it is important that policy makers dont simply fill the vacuum with poorly thought out regulations, but rather that they take the time and effort to ensure that a common sense, pro-consumer regulatory framework for the digital currency industry is established. In establishing such a framework, it is first important to understand exactly what a digital currency is and what it is not.

What exactly is a Digital Currency?

There are many forms of digital currency competing in todays marketplace, and all of them are descendants of earlier mediums of exchange. Since the beginning of civilization people have looked for common stores of value that they could use to help complete trading transactions. Simply put, it is difficult to trade a goat for a loaf of bread since the amount of time and effort to produce a goat is much greater than that to produce bread. By establishing a common and easily exchangeable measure of value (say gold, salt or wampum shells), societies can encourage trade between individuals, thereby increasing specialization and economic growth.

Digital currencies are just a modern equivalent of an ounce of gold or a peck of salt. Since World War I, and particularly following the Second World War, the U.S. Dollar became a median of exchange accepted across different societies and countries. Dollars were easy to store, to transfer, and, for a very long time, maintained their value. But making payments in dollars comes with a multitude of transaction costs, including conversion fees (to a local currency), storage costs, transportation costs (or wiring fees). These costs are one important impediment to trade particularly for those in many of the poorest countries. The development of blockchain technology can change this.

The blockchain is basically a distributed database. Think of a giant, global spreadsheet that runs on millions and millions of computers. Its distributed and open, so anyone, even participants in a closed network, can see whats going on in, such as ownership changes. Additionally the blockchain allows people to know their customers and avoid becoming involved with prohibited individuals or illicit behavior. Its truly peer to peer; it doesnt require powerful intermediaries to authenticate or to settle transactions. And it uses state-of-the-art cryptography. These blockchains are the technology that has helped create a market of competing digital currencies and open up the possibility for them to become an inexpensive and technically-secure method for accounting for financial transactions.

Blockchains allow for a digital currency to replace physical mediums of exchange like gold, salt, or US dollars. But while digital currencies are in a strict sense a medium of exchange, they are not a form of currency. This is the distinction that the court in Miami recognized, and is the most important element that policy makers need to understand in developing new regulatory structures.

Why are Digital Currencies Not Money?

While money (or traditional currency) is also a medium of exchange it differs from digital currencies in two important aspects. First, money is issued by nation states, and the legal authority of the state provides it with certain characteristics that no digital currency can embody. The most important of these is that governments can require that their currency be accepted for all payments. Look at the front of any Federal Reserve Note (or US dollar) and it reads This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private. In other words, all stores, governments, post offices, and employees in the United States are compelled to accept Federal Reserve Notes as a form of payment. A store could also accept gold if it wished, or apples, or really big rocks, but it is not required to. The same is true for digital currency. A store can accept one or many of the competing forms of digital currency but it is not required to. Nor is the Federal Government going to accept a Bitcoin as payment for income taxes.

The other aspect of money that differs from digital currencies is that the monetary base (or the amount of currency in circulation) is up to the whim of the issuing government, and governments can use a range of different economic policies to either deflate or shore up those currencies. These include raising or lowering taxes, changing the regulatory structure and reducing spending. The base for digital currencies is also limited. It is however, not arbitrarily set by government fiat, but by some form of cooperative structure or market. This allows the value of a digital currency to float freely based on supply and demand. Whether one mines their digital currency by answering complicated coding questions or participates in a closed network where digital currency is purchased, the market will only work if everyone involved has information on: 1) The amount of digital currency mined, purchased or otherwise issued over a period of time, and 2) The level of acceptance as a median of exchange in retail or other formats.

What Would Be Appropriate Regulatory Requirements for Digital Currencies?

Since digital currencies constitute a medium of exchange that works as a marketplace rather than one created simply by government fiat, there is a burden of transparency on the industry. This makes the discussion of corporate disclosure important. Digital medians of exchange are instruments for settlement and the blockchain technology is an excellent underpinning to this application. However, any digital currency, like any marketplace, is only as good as the management of the company sponsoring it. Therefore, ethical management and transparency are critical to the performance of any form of digital currency. So too are meaningful, well-informed regulations. Those countries that understand these concepts and adopt common sense regulations will see a tremendous benefit, as digital currency markets cannot work in a vacuum, but will tend to work best under a meaningful regulatory framework.

Without a meaningful regulatory framework, consumers will continue to view the industry as confusing and riddled with misinformation. Their knowledge of how digital currencies can benefit them will be warped by competitive infighting and allegations from the major competitors, some of the which are trying to define themselves as forms of money, drawing in regulators and creating even more confusion.

To foster and encourage blockchain technology advancement and the application to medians of exchange and settlement, a common sense regulatory framework needs to be established. This framework needs to be based in solid economic theory, and facts, not on emotion and opinion.

As they work to establish such a framework, regulators should focus on the differences between a currency and a medium of exchange, and since digital currencies are no different than any other recognized medium of exchange, the regulatory structure should likely be no different than that applied to similar products line credit cards, travelers checks, gift cards and money orders.

What differentiates digital currencies is that they contain within themselves a free floating price component. This is like having a travelers check that can be traded or exchanged in a market and whose value will fluctuate depending on supply and demand. Therefore, digital currency is a financial instrument which not only settles a payment, but can serve as an investment whose value can change over time. Digital currency can also be used electronically with very small transaction costs (which is something very unique to the global payments industry). Additionally, digital currency or cryptocurrency can be sent peer to peer like email in either an open or closed loop system, and finally, transactions are publically recorded on a blockchain ledger utilizing blockchain technology. As stated earlier, the blockchain technology provides transparency and allows sellers to know their customer and avoid becoming involved with or prohibited individuals or in illicit behavior.

Globally, many forms of regulatory regimes exist for mediums of exchange such as credit cards, travelers checks, etc. Utilizing the regulatory framework that exists for those payment systems would be the best place to start the regulatory dialogue, as it is the best opportunity to foster innovation in this space and provide consumers with all the benefits this space can provide them. An appropriate and smart regulatory framework should be consumer oriented and not allow government over-regulation to stifle or kill the industry, or create a market designed for one large first mover to take over the industry and become a monopoly player.

Government should look to existing regulations as a roadmap for how to establish rules for digital currencies. These are:

Travelers checks (which are used to settles a payment but are not like a credit card which has debt limits and is a form of a loan);

Equities (which have a market based free-floating price component);

Wire Transfers (which are electronically transmitted);

Email (which operates on a decentralized peer- to- peer network);

The Internet (which operates a publicly- stored record of addresses and transactions  through the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers or ICANN)

Additionally, any new regulatory framework should include reporting and disclosure requirements that are similar to that required by publicly traded companies. This is because the other distinguishing feature of digital currency is that the value of the instrument or median of exchange can fluctuate much like a corporate equity or stock certificate. The ability for a digital currencys value to fluctuate comes from the fact that they are traded through a wide variety of exchanges or amongst private individuals. A great deal of dialogue must be spent on exchange integrity and insurance disclosures. In fact, nearly all of the recent issues surrounding digital currencies have come from problems with the exchanges.

The whole world of blockchain technology and digital currencies was not originally set up with a sophisticated governing structure like the internet, or bank transactions, or a highway system. In the case of the internet for example, there is the Internet Engineering Task Force, which creates standards for the Net; the Internet Governance Forum, which creates policies for governments; the W3C Consortium, which creates standards for the Web; the Internet Society; thats an advocacy group. Theres the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), an operational network that delivers and manages the nomenclature for domain names.



In conclusion, clarity, transparency and consistency are needed to ensure that people worldwide receive the full benefit this emerging market of digital currency. Tremendous value can be unlocked globally through this simple and efficient medium of exchange. To get to this, regulators need to open a comprehensive dialogue on reasonable regulation, and that discussion needs to begin with a thorough understanding about what the product is and which criteria best describe it.

Until a globally accepted term for the industry is established, it will be referred to as either digital currency or cryptocurrency. Bitcoin Not Money, Miami Judge Rules in Dismissing Laundering Charges, The Miami Herald, July 25, 2016, online at: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article91682102.html For example, in the United States, travelers checks are generally self-regulated by the issuer such as American Express, however banks (and American Express is considered a bank for these purposes) is required to verify the identity of persons purchasing monetary instruments above $3,000 and to maintain records of such sales. (Federal Finance Institutions Examination Council, Bank Secrecy Act Anti Money Laundering Examination Manual, on-line at: www.ffiec.gov) This makes the point that purchaser verification and record retention should be mandated and the blockchain technology does this automatically.

By John Dunham

Managing Partner

John Dunham and Associates

John Dunham is the President of John Dunham & Associates, an economic consulting firm based in New York City. John specializes in the economics public policy issues and controversial products and has conducted literally hundreds of studies on the effects of excise taxes and regulations. He is a regular commentator on U.S. economic conditions.

Copyright  2015 John Dunham - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




The Most Political Fed in History

Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari wants us to believe that the Fed is not a political entity.

Kashkari is either ignoring reality or simply providing cover for the single most political Fed in history. This is not a Left vs. Right issue, this is an establishment vs. legitimate reform issue.

Consider 2012. Supposed Republican Ben Bernanke launched QE 3 as a clear gift to the Obama administrations re-election bid. The data didnt warrant another QE program in any way. Moreover, the Fed was already engaged in Operation Twist at the time.

Unemployment had declined steadily since the 2009 recession ended.

GDP growth rate had bumped higher from the 2011 dip.

Again, there was no real justifiable reason for the Fed to launch another QE program, let alone an open ended one. This was a clear gift from a Fed Chairman to a sitting President regardless of political party affiliation.

Today the politicization is even more obvious. We have Fed Governors openly contributing to Presidential candidates campaigns. And Janet Yellen met privately with President Obama in April 2016.

The official reason for this was to discuss the economy and income inequality but anyone with a functioning brain knows Obama was giving Yellen her marching orders to prop the markets up until the November election.

Why would two issues that have been in place since 2009 suddenly warrant the first private one on one meeting in 18 months a mere eight months before Obama leaves office?

Again, the Obama Yellen meeting in April was very likely to put an election year fix in place in the markets. I and others have commented that since that meeting someone has very clearly been stepping in to defend the markets any time they take a nose-dive.

Every time this occurs the buying is both urgent and indiscriminate= the hallmarks of manipulation. REAL buyers do NOT panic buy billions of dollars worth of futures in a 1-minute span.

Again, the Fed is indeed a political entity. And this particular Fed is the single most political Fed in history. This is not about Left vs. Right, this is about maintaining the current political/financial power structure in the US at all costs.

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Phoenix Capital Research

http://www.phoenixcapitalmarketing.com

Graham also writes Private Wealth Advisory, a monthly investment advisory focusing on the most lucrative investment opportunities the financial markets have to offer. Graham understands the big picture from both a macro-economic and capital in/outflow perspective. He translates his understanding into finding trends and undervalued investment opportunities months before the markets catch on: the Private Wealth Advisory portfolio has outperformed the S&P 500 three of the last five years, including a 7% return in 2008 vs. a 37% loss for the S&P 500.

Previously, Graham worked as a Senior Financial Analyst covering global markets for several investment firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. Hes lived and performed research in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.

 2016 Copyright Graham Summers - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

Graham Summers Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




The agreement on separation of forces in three pilot zones in Donbas should be signed next week, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said.

"Returning to security issues, I would like to say that an important milestone, which may simultaneously give us consolidation of these achievements and a certain hope for that aforementioned top-level summit, will take place next week. It is signing and beginning of implementation of the agreement on separation of forces in three pilot zones," he said at a joint press conference with the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Germany in Kyiv on Wednesday.

He said that he will not mention all specific details of the agreement, but noted: "We expect and hope that all sides will make all possible efforts resulting in the implementation of the security elements."
MARTINSVILLE  City planning officials aim to ask the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for more time to finish the Northside neighborhood revitalization project.

The project got under way in February 2015. Under a contract with the DHCD, it is supposed to be completed by Jan. 22.

However, Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director Wayne Knox told Martinsville City Council on Tuesday that weve put them on notice that were eventually going to come and ask them for more time.

He indicated that two years just isnt enough, considering the amount of work involved and the several attempts it took to get money to do the project.

Martinsville received a $943,904 Community Development Block Grant to make improvements along Franklin, Dillard and Ruffin streets and Warren Court as well as to 44 residential structures along them.

Basically, a block grant is an allocation of federal funds that is administered by the state.

The city is contributing $233,000 of its own money toward the revitalization, which will bring the total project cost to $1,167,904.

The dilapidated neighborhood is near Lester Home Center and the Village of Martinsville (formerly Liberty Fair Mall).

Plans are to rehabilitate seven owner-occupied homes and substantially rehab three others. Substantial rehabilitation means we demolish and rebuild the house, Knox said.

The city also plans to acquire, rehab and sell two vacant homes to people who will occupy them; demolish one vacant home and acquire and demolish three other houses with the intent to sell the property to people wanting to live there, a document shows.

So far, Knox told the council, two owner-occupied homes have been rehabbed. One owner-occupied home has been substantially rehabbed, and another is under contract to be rehabbed. Two vacant homes have been acquired, and two others are under contract, for substantial reconstruction to make them available for sale or lease-purchase.

One vacant structure has been demolished, Knox said.

Storm drains, drain pipes and manholes have been installed along Franklin Street, and crews are preparing to install curbs and gutters, he said.

The city plans to begin resurfacing and reconstructing Franklin and Dillard streets next spring. Knox mentioned problems involved in installing asphalt in cold weather. He also said contractors have told him that the city likely will be able to get a better price on asphalt in the spring.

In the meantime, the portion of Franklin Street between Dillard and Liberty streets will continue being closed to through traffic, he said.

Along with removing dilapidated structures, the city wants to remove all junk, debris, weeds and inoperative vehicles from the neighborhood, Knox said.

Ultimately, were trying to bring about progress in improving Martinsvilles appearance, he said.

More coverage of Tuesdays council meeting will appear in the Martinsville Bulletin on Thursday.

Mickey Powell reports for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at mickey.powell@martinsvillebulletin.com.
KYIV. Sept 14 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Transparency International Ukraine has supported the need for a full launch of the register of electronic declaration and the establishment of an anti-corruption court as a mechanism of bringing corrupt officials to justice.

"Unfortunately, self-indulgence is very widely spread, our judicial system is affected by it," Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine Yaroslav Yurchyshyn said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday.

According to him, judges cannot explain the origin of their cars and real estate.

"With the invigoration of the NABU's activities and the launch of an e-declaration system judges start to hide more. They register their property to grandparents and friends," the expert said.

In this context, he said there is critical need for a holistic launch of the electronic declaration system.

"Due to technical problems the system is not fully operating. I hope all the technical defects will be removed," he said.

He added there is no need to amend the legislation in this regard.

According to Yurchyshyn, another important element in the fight against corruption is setting up an anti-corruption court.
Carlos Uriona performs in the last scene from The Latin American Spectacle in Jamaica Plain's Mozart Park. Double Edge Theatre's Springfield Spectacle will be presented Sept. 23 and 24 beginning at the Carriage House in Forest Park; the audience will travel from scene to scene through the park.

SPRINGFIELD It's going to be a spectacle.

Springfield City Mosaic will present free performances of Double Edge Theatre's Springfield Spectacle Sept. 23 and 24 beginning at the Carriage House in Forest Park; the audience will travel from scene to scene through the park.

Based on Double Edge's "Once a Blue Moon - Cada Luna Azul," this large-scale outdoor performance features the Double Edge Ensemble and Argentine guest musicians Manuel Uriona (Bersuit Vergarabat) and Micaela Farias Gomez (Santadiabla) and will showcase youth performers from Springfield Conservatory of the Arts Public School and students and teachers from Springfield's Community Music School.

"I believe that supporting events like The Springfield Spectacle and activating Forest Park with live theater will enhance our city's cultural identity and brand and drive economic development in our city," said Evan C. Plotkin, president and founder of City Mosaic.

Carlos Uriona is the main character, the narrator. He tells the story of memory and time, which includes a love story and the remembering of what was lost. "It also has important connotations on the recent history in Argentina -- dictatorship, missing people, corporate corruption, displacement of populations, many issues which society is dealing with today around the world," he said.

This performance project is part of a multi-year initiative that Double Edge has created in collaboration with Springfield schools and organizations. "Local youth bring their energy, their questions, their doubts, their joy. It is an injection of faith and power to the work," Uriona said.

In 2015, Double Edge offered free performances of The Grand Parade to 1,000 Springfield students accompanied with in an arts-driven classroom curriculum led by the ensemble.

"We are committed to brining our Spectacles to urban environments as we want to share the results of our 20-year research with our community in rural Ashfield," explained Stacy Klein, artistic director. "Furthermore, we want to work with the largest urban center near us. Springfield is a rich, diverse and forward moving place with a lot of possibilities. When we did The Grand Parade in Springfield it was a great experience, and we want more and deeper contact with the community."

She added: "We want everyone to grow up singing, dancing and performing and try to instill this in our projects."

IF YOU GO

Event:

Double Edge Theatre's The Springfield Spectacle

When:

Sept. 23 and 24, 7 p.m.

Where:

Carriage House in Forest Park, Springfield

Admission:

Free

For more information:

Call Double Edge at 413-628-0277

City Mosaic seeks to support, promote and be an active member of the visual arts community in Springfield, including arranging exhibits, sponsoring programs, planning events, offering classes and lectures and collaborating with artists, galleries, educational institutions, museums and businesses, using arts to improve the city landscape, educate, entertain and enhance lives.

Double Edge Theatre's mission is to create a "living culture'" by developing the highest quality of original theatre performance based on the long-term imaginative work of its ensemble of artists and their interaction with the communities in which the work takes place and by cultivating a permanent center of performance, training, research and cultural exchange at The Farm in Ashfield.

"Live theater of this caliber is rarely seen outside of major cities, like New York City or Boston," Plotkin said. "The cast and production -- not to mention the dancing and music -- reminds me of a cross between 'Cirque de Soleil' and 'West Side Story.' Live theater like The Springfield Spectacle will enrich the lives of all who attend. We are hopeful that this will be the first of many summer theater projects in the city."

Double Edge Theatre's The Springfield Spectacle will take place Sept. 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. at Forest Park in Springfield.

"The site at Forest Park is just beautiful and makes the magic of this performance of magic realism come bursting forth," Klein said.

The events are free and open to the public.

For more information, call Double Edge at 413-628-0277.
Joshua Salaam

Joshua Salaam of the D.C.-based Native Deen will be one of the performers at New England Muslim Fest.

(Antar H / Native Deen)

The first ever New England Muslim Festival is coming to Malden, a community just north of Boston, on Sunday, Sept. 25.

The day will celebrate diversity within the Muslim community and showcase cultural traditions from Morocco, Turkey, Palestine, Pakistan, Somalia and more, said director Mohammad Shadid.

The main stage will feature music and dance, from folk songs to rap and hip-hop. The Souk, or marketplace, will boast a wide array of arts, henna, Arabic calligraphy, clothing, and international foods. Plenty of kids' activities are scheduled. All events are free and open to the public.

"The City of Malden is proud of its diversity, and we are excited about the upcoming Muslim festival," said Mayor Gary Christenson. "We're looking forward to this family event, and in sharing the rich Muslim culture, customs, traditions, and my favorite -- food!"

According to Shahid, divisive rhetoric, terrorist attacks in Europe, and instability in the Middle East have distorted the image of American Muslims, particularly those who live in New England.

"Terrorists do not represent the faith of the millions of Muslims worldwide," he said. "All are welcome at the festival, and traditional Muslim hospitality will greet our guests on that day."

The festival is accessible by public transportation, and there is ample free parking on the street and at a nearby garage at 170 Centre St.

If you go:

What: New England Muslim Festival

Where: Malden City Hall Plaza, 200 Pleasant St.

When: Sunday, Sept. 25, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
File photo: Zhou Yahui

Zhou Yahui, chairman of the online gaming company Kunlun, has agreed to a divorce settlement with his wife Li Qiong, the company announced on Tuesday. The RMB 7.5 billion (US $1.1 billion) divorce agreement stands as the Chinese A-share markets most expensive divorce ever.

Li Qiong will receive 29,800 shares of Beijing Kunlun Tech from her soon-to-be ex-husband. With the share price of Kunlun ending up as RMB 25.33 apiece Tuesday, Li Qiong walks away with around RMB7.5 billion worth of shares, or 26.4361% of the company. Zhou Yahuis 386 million shares represent 34.5% of the company. He is reported to still retain control of the company.

Reports on divorce of entrepreneurs have been common in recent years. One comparable to Zhous case would be Gary Wang, former CEO of the video service firm Tudou.com. Wang went through a historically expensive divorce in 2011. Mr. Wang ended up having to fork over US$7 million in the final settlement. Because of the short time between the news and Tudous IPO, some believe the divorce precipitated the companys eventual buyout by Youku.

The statement released by Beijing Kunlun Tech said the divorce would not influence normal business operations and announced a recent acquisition of Teminator 2s intellectual property rights for future game development.
San Francisco-based Wells Fargo, one of the largest providers of financial services in the U.S., shook the trust of its customers last September 8 with revelations that could impact institutions across the industry. The company said that its subsidiary Wells Fargo Bank had agreed to $185 million in settlements with regulators over admissions that since 2011, employees of the bank had created and operated fictitious customer accounts without the parent firms knowledge. That practice allowed employees to meet sales targets and earn bonuses. The New York Times said regulators estimate about two million such accounts  1.5 million bank accounts and 565,000 credit-card applications.

Full Story: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/how-the-wells-fargo-scandal-will-reverberate/
While the group was founded by business owners and well known figures in the technology community, http://www.OpenSourceMT welcomes everyone who values an inclusive and vibrant economy.

"I currently am involved in the startup community and businesses all across Montana and can say with conviction that there has never been a better time to be an entrepreneur in Montana. I look to the state to support and protect the core things that are what make Montana great place to live and work: public education, environment/access, diversity and infrastructure."

Martin Kidston

Full Story: http://www.missoulacurrent.com/opinion/2016/09/tech-entrepreneurs-launch-political-committee-supporting-bullocks-reelection-bid/
Vous etes a la recherche dun emploi ou dune formation remuneree dans le secteur de lhotellerie ?

Cest pour vous que le groupe Constance Hotels,Resorts & Golf organise un  job fair  a Flacq Cur de Ville les 11 et 12 aout 2022!

Plusieurs postes a plein temps et a temps partiel sont a pourvoir dans les 3 hotels du groupe a Maurice. Lors de ce  job fair , le public aura egalement loccasion de decouvrir les differentes formations offertes a la Constance Academy. Ces formations remunerees a hauteur de Rs 8,000 par la HRDC permettent un apprentissage theorique et pratique.

Pour Sonia Gordon Gentil, Talent Acquisition Manager au sein du groupe hotelier, ce  job fair  represente une opportunite pour tous ceux qui souhaitent travailler dans le secteur touristique.

 Aujourdhui, dit-elle, avec la reprise du secteur dans lequel nous evoluons, Constance est a la recherche de talents dans le F&B, la Cuisine, le Housekeeping et le Front Office entre autres. Cest une chance pour tous ceux qui veulent rejoindre lhotellerie ou encore pour ceux travailler dans un secteur dynamique. Les perspectives devolution de carrieres sont rapides. Les entretiens auront lieu sur place de 10 a 18 heures 

Notez-donc ce rendez-vous, avec le Groupe Constance, les 11 et 12 aout prochains a Flacq Cur de Ville de 10h a 18h !

Partager et informez vous aussi......

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Mindray campus in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province

It is now apparent that African governments and health systems must do more to prepare for extreme health crises. The enormous amount of developmental aid pouring into Africa in recent years combined with dramatic health care gaps is focusing more attention on quality and sustainable improvements to health systems.

To assist in addressing this, Mindray Medical International Limited has intensified advanced medical technologies in Africa by supplying modern medical equipment and training health workers in medical technologies.

Mindray is a large medical equipment manufacturer, developing, manufacturing, and marketing a variety of medical devices, equipment and accessories for both human and veterinary use.

From its main manufacturing and engineering base in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province in south China, Mindray supplies through its worldwide distribution network a broad range of products across three primary business segments, namely patient monitoring and life support, in-vitro diagnostic, and medical imaging systems.

During our visit to the company headquarters in Shenzhen on September 9, 2016, we, 28 African journalists, were told that the company started extending its services to Africa 16 years ago, with the penetration of 51 countries.

Making PowerPoint presentations, officials of the company said Minday has installed more than 80 thousand healthcare products in Africa, with four service centers and three training centers while another service center is being processed. The four service centers are located in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt and the Moroccos center is being processed.

Mindrays vision is part of Chinas increasing friendship with Africa, the officials said, adding that quality health must be part of the cooperation.

African journalists visiting Mindray headquarters (Shenzhen/Sept. 9, 2016)

Besides, Mindray is in partnerships with many African medical universities, health institutions and other companies. In Liberia, Mindray is partnering with J. Singh Medical Laboratory in Monrovia to advance the modern medical technologies.

Jackie Singh of the J. Singh Medical Laboratory in Liberia, is among six Africans currently undergoing training at Mindray in Shenzhen.

In an interview, Singh commended Mindray for partnering with his company to introduce such an innovative medical venture which he said will address medical challenges facing his country.

He urged Liberian government and healthcare institutions to embrace new technologies to improve the country's health delivery system. Singh said the adoption of new technologies offer healthcare institutions the potential to address challenges related to rising costs, uneven quality and inadequate access.

Meeting Jackie Singh at Mindray (Shenzhen/Sept. 9, 2016)

GOL [government of Liberia] should standardize all medical centers with these products. I believe when we embrace Mindrays vision of medical technologies and training, our health system will be strengthened and there will no too much medical evacuation. he said.

Singh said his company was established in 2009 and has been in partnership with Mindray, rendering medical laboratory services and equipment supplies in Liberia.

Liberias Jackie Singh and other Africans in training on Mindray campus

Eugen Wilson, an African staff at Mindray, has disclosed plans by the company to increase its presence in Liberia. In collaboration with the J. Singh Medical Laboratory, Wilson said they intend to extend the program to other organizations including the Ministry of Health in Liberia.

We are thinking to carry out sensitization in Liberia starting the end of this year. Also we are thinking of inviting some Liberian engineers for training in our products, Wilson, a Togolese, said.

According to Wilson, it is an opportunity for him to be employed at Mindray because he will assist in increasing the companys investment volume in Africa.

Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, Mindray possesses a sound R&D, marketing and service network with 41 subsidiaries and branch offices in 31 countries in North and Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific, as well as 32 branch offices in China.To date, Mindray has around 8200 employees around the world.

Fredrick P. W. Gaye is the News Editor of In Profile Daily Newspaper in Liberia and a fellow at the China Africa Press Center (CAPC). He can be reached by: [email protected]
A total of 28 countries spreading from Asia to Oceania were assigned low sovereign ratings in a recent report released by China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (SINOSURE), which warns Chinese companies about risks associated with overseas investment.

In the annual report, which rates 190 sovereign states across the globe, SINOSURE identified the 28 countries that came in at the bottom of the list. This year was the first time the report included sovereignty ratings. Similar to other sovereignty ratings systems, the SINOSURE report rated countries from AAA (best) to C (worst). The 28 countries rated CC or C included Asian countries like Afghanistan, North Korea, the Maldives and Mongolia, as well as African countries such as Burundi, Chad, Ghana and Sudan. Countries in America and Oceania like Cuba, Dominica, Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu were also on the list.

The SINOSURE report pointed out that Chinese companies would face increasingly complicated risks in overseas investment, as geopolitical conflicts and terrorism present unavoidable threats. An uncertain world economy and weak economic and trade growth also pose a challenge.

Political risk has become a major consideration for Chinese enterprises looking to invest overseas  especially non-traditional risks and government default, said Huang Zhiqiang, vice president of SINOSURE, at a press conference on Sept. 12.

Of course, risk wasnt elevated in all countries. The latest version of the report lowered the risk rating of 15 countries, including Iran, Argentina, Iceland and Norway. This is likely because Iran has improved its ties with Western countries, and some European countries are emerging from debt crises.

Meanwhile, 13 countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar, Denmark and Peru, saw their risk ratings rise under the influence of low international oil prices and natural disasters.

SINOSURE is a State-funded, policy-oriented insurance company, established to promote foreign trade and economic cooperation in China. It began operations on Dec. 18, 2001.

At the end of August, SINOSURE was insuring $2.7 trillion, with an indemnity totaling $8.91 billion. SINOSURE currently ranks at the top in the International Union of Credit & Investment Insurers on overall business scale, according to SINOSURE Chairman Wang Yi.
Australian senator Nick Xenophon recently slammed the country's decision to outsource production of its military uniforms to China, calling it a "shame." Defence Minister Marise Payne responded on Sept. 12, pointing out that if the uniforms were produced locally, their cost would be three times higher.

Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) confirmed to the media on Sept. 11 that the company outsourced its $9 million non-combat uniforms contract to a Chinese manufacturer, causing the domestic controversy.

ABC reported that Xenophon publicly voiced his strong opposition, arguing that the Australian Department of Defence had ignored the economic value of buying local.

"If something is a little more expensive on the surface here in Australia, but it means we're going to get all sorts of flow on benefits in terms of jobs ... economic activity and tax and other benefits, then it's a no-brainer," he said.

The Department of Defence awarded the uniform contract to ADA on April 30, 2015. ADA then arranged open overseas bidding, finally signing a subcontract with a Chinese manufacturer. The contract is for two years.

The uniforms being made in China are noncombat clothing, mainly used for formal occasions like attending events and parade. The Department of Defence holds the view that Chinese-made clothing offers the best value for the money, given its cheap price tag and decent quality.

However, the department's response hasn't satisfied Xenophon. He said he would ask for a detailed explanation of the decision from Payne herself.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) messed with the wrong girl.

Emblazoned on T-shirts for a huge fundraising event being held this Friday, McDowell Early College students are rallying around one of their own.

McDowell Early College (MEC) sophomore Sarah Painter was diagnosed with adolescent MS over the summer, and her classmates at MEC are providing support to her as she fights this disease by hosting a fundraiser on Friday.

Spearheaded by fellow sophomores Kaylee Edwards and Maggie Effler, students are hosting an impressive list of fundraising opportunities this Friday on the McDowell Technical Community College (MTCC) campus.

This summer, after learning of [Painters] diagnosis, I was talking to my mom on the way to ball practice, and we realized that we have to do something, said Edwards. My mom helped me come up with a few different ideas, and then I messaged [Effler] on Facebook, and told her I needed her to help me make this happen.

Two days later, we talked to [MEC principal] Lisa Robinson, and then- bam!- this [fundraising plan] happened, said Effler.

Compiling their list of several different ideas, the students quickly planned a day-long, multi-layered fundraising campaign named Celebrate Sarah Day, with a two-pronged purpose of providing community education about MS, as well as generating monetary support for Painter as she travels to Philadelphia for treatment later this fall.

Fridays events that are open to the general public include a yard sale from 8-11 a.m. in the front parking lot of MTCC.

There will also be barbecue plates from Countryside sold for $8 each, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch, and from 5-6:30 p.m. for supper. Meal deliveries will be made for orders of five or more. Orders must be placed in advance by Thursday at 5 p.m. to guarantee delivery service by calling 659-0415.

Finally, there will be a Glow Run 5K on the MTCC campus, with registration beginning at 7 p.m. Registration is $25 for adults, and $15 for students, all of which come with a MS messed with the wrong girl T-shirt. Pre-registration is available in the office of MEC or by calling 659-0411.

Edwards and Effler do not intend on stopping their efforts to support Painter after Friday, Sarah has said before that she is more than her diagnosis, but I want to make sure that she believes it, moving forward.
A new tour plans to showcase some of the finest artistic talent in western North Carolina. And artists and crafters in Old Fort and western McDowell will be among those featured in this inaugural tour.

The free tour is called WNC Open Studios and it will take place from Saturday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 16.

Like countless long-time residents, Bradly Schwartz knows the Western North Carolina mountains will soon be buzzing with people from around the country in search of peak fall colors, reads a news release. The retired architect-turned-painter returned from a vacation inspired by viewing Devon Open Studios, Western England's largest art event.

With the encouragement of the coordinator for Devon Open Studios, Schwartz came back to western North Carolina and created a similar event for here. Free and open to the public, the tour features 30 studios in Transylvania, Polk, Buncombe and western McDowell counties. The very smartphone-friendly Website can direct visitors from one studio to another in real time, according to the news release.

Most open studio events take place over a weekend, Schwartz says, which can mean brief studio visits and less personal contact with an artist, particularly here in WNC where so many of the artists and craftsmen live and work off the beaten path.

My vision, with WNC Open Studios, is to encourage visitors to connect with our artists and craftsmen in a more leisurely exploration of their inner creativity. Our artists love to share, not only their work, but the passion and experiences that have shaped them. A personal studio experience is an integral part of truly understanding and appreciating their art and craft.

Schwartz said he believes the diverse selection of artists, who work in mediums such as ceramics, mosaics, furniture, glass, metal, textile, photography and various other visual arts, will have a wide appeal.

Several of our artists here in the Old Fort area are all life-long practitioners and have their work found in corporate and private collections, and in galleries across the country, such as Anne Bevan's paintings, Lorelle Bacons scratchboard pieces and Turtle Island Pottery's ceramic art, said Schwartz.

A group of artists and craftsmen at the Arrowhead Gallery and Studios in Old Fort and Marilyn Owens, painter round out our artists in the Old Fort area.

Photos of all the artists' work, their bios and personal links are posted on the Website. The downloadable event guide also has a short statement about each artist's creative direction.

The tour runs for 16 days from Oct. 1 through Oct. 16. Check the event Website www.wncopenstudios.com for more information and the days the artists will be in their studios.
Customers select imported goods carried by Zhengzhou-Europe International Block Train in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Aug. 18, 2016. Zhengzhou is one of the Chinese cities having direct cargo trains to Europe. Starting from Zhengzhou, a logistics center and transport hub in Henan, the 10,214-kilometer Zhengzhou-Europe international shuttle train crosses the border at the Alataw Pass in Xinjiang before passing through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and Poland on its way to Germany's Hamburg. The Zhengzhou-Europe express railway service, which opened in July, 2013, has brought more imported goods, such as IT products, clothes, food and automobile parts to Chinese and European customers. The ancient Silk Road linked China and Europe, and people along the road traded not only commodities but exchanged their cultures and civilizations. Today, cargo trains were a logical development, opening a new channel for the transfer of goods to and from China's central and western regions to compete with the traditional maritime route from the east coast. (Xinhua/Zhu Xiang)
Home to the world-famous stone Buddha from China's Tang Dynasty (618907 A.D.), Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area in Southwestern Chinas Sichuan province is a veritable cradle of Buddhism in China. But a walk through the area has more to offer than just the ancient history of Buddhism; touring the area reveals diverse religious cultures and offers a special sightseeing experience.

Hiking past dense trees, which are often shrouded in a cool mist, climbing the many stairs to the peak of Lingyun Mountain can be an unexpectedly refreshing experience. On top of the mountain is the first Buddhist element on the tour: Lingbao Tower. Lingbao Tower has hosted the daily meditation of monks since the Tang Dynasty. First built in the Tang Dynasty and having undergone a major refurbishment in 1554 A.D., the 29-meter-tall structure still stores partial Buddhist scripts as well as the remains of Hai Tong, a renowned monk who led the construction of the Giant Buddha in 713 A.D.

Only 180 kilometers away from the scenic area is Qingchengshan Mountain, the birthplace of Taoism. Having coalesced into a formal religious organization during the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), Taoism concerns itself with how to maintain human behavior in accordance with the alternating cycles of nature. In the Ming Dynasty (13681644), an official named An You worked in the shrine, studying and interpreting the I Ching, a Taoist text. An You led his disciples to carve inscriptions, including some of the eight trigrams used in Taoist cosmology. The I Ching is a divination system that originated around 1150 B.C. It contributes to the Taoist doctrine of managing yin and yang, which describes how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary and interconnected.

The tour then continues on to the main attraction, Lingyun Temple, where its possible to view the 71-meter-tall Giant Buddha. The Depositary of Buddhist Texts, located in the temple, is a very impressive structure infused with elements of Islamic style. It was first build in the Tang Dynasty, but was later reconstructed during the time of the Republic of China (1912-1949). In that era, when Islam was no longer repressed by the Qing Empire (16441911), it became a trend for various Islamic elements to be integrated into religious buildings. However, alongside the Islamic details are Buddhist statues and carved frescos, which together make for a solemn environment where Buddhist believers can be seen kneeling in front of the altar to worship the Buddha.

Daxiong Palace is home to three bronze statues from the Ming Dynasty (13681683). The statues represent the three lives of a Buddha: the Previous Life, This Life and the Next Life. Since the concept of transmigration of the soul is central to Buddhist thought, the doctrine urges believers to be grateful for their parents, their offspring and their own lives.

Of course, the 71-meter-tall Buddha, built during the Tang Dynasty, is the star attraction. The colossal statue depicts a seated Maitreya Buddha with its hands resting on its knees. It is carved from a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi Rivers in the southern part of Sichuan province. The stone sculpture faces Mount Emei, with the rivers flowing below its feet. It is the largest stone Buddha in the world, and is by far the tallest pre-modern statue. The Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

Construction on the Buddha was led by a Chinese monk named Hai Tong, who was said to have spent 10 years collecting resources to get the project started. He hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that plagued shipping vessels traveling down the river. When funding for the project was threatened, he is said to have gouged out his own eyes to demonstrate his piety and sincerity. After his death, however, construction stalled due to insufficient funding. About 70 years later, a local official decided to sponsor the project, and the construction was finally completed by Hai Tong's disciples.

The large-scale construction resulted in the removal of a significant quantity of stone from the cliff face, which was then deposited in the river. As a result, the currents were indeed altered by the statue, making the water safe for passing ships.

Several drainage passages are hidden in the Buddha's hair, collar and chest, and holes in the back of its ears and chest protect the Buddha from serious erosion and weathering. The statue has been lovingly maintained throughout its 1,200-year history. It receives an average of about 20,000 tourists every day, and up to 40,000 in the busy summer season.
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.
North Korea launched its fifth nuclear test on Sept. 9, in defiance of international guidelines. The test not only violated the international nuclear non-proliferation system, it also threatened regional peace and stability. All parties involved are now forced to deal with the issue in a way that avoids further escalation of tensions.

Nevertheless, Washington once again has put the blame on China, brushing aside the complexity and severity of this issue.

"It's China's responsibility, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter claimed at a press conference, adding that China shares responsibility for this development and is duty-bound to reverse it. However, the U.S. has no right to pass the buck and put the blame on other countries, especially when the essence of this issue is a conflict between the U.S. and North Korea.

As the largest neighboring country of the Korean Peninsula, China has committed itself to realizing the denuclearization of the peninsula, safeguarding peace and stability, and resolving roadblocks through dialogues and consultations. How to accomplish these things? By clinging to the big picture of regional security.

China has so far been a team player on this issue, implementing every one of the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council. After North Koreas latest nuclear violation, China made a series of proactive diplomatic moves. China will also continue participating in UN Security Council discussions so as to contribute to the final resolution of the issue. Thus, the ongoing assignation of blame to China by the U.S. calls into question whether the U.S. really even wants to find a solution.

After North Korea's fourth nuclear test at the beginning of 2016, the U.S. did its utmost to promote the deployment of a Terminal High Area Altitude Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea. Such a push only escalates tensions on the peninsula and undermines the strategic security interests of the region. Undoubtedly, the U.S. knows that THAAD is not a cure-all solution to the nuclear issue; the countrys insistence on THAAD comes across mostly as an excuse to further its own interests.

In recent years, the U.S. has developed a habit of causing trouble in the international community, and the North Korea nuclear issue is only one example of this behavior.

On the Ukrainian issue, the U.S. refused to honestly assess its own wrongdoing, simply labeling Russia a troublemaker and passing the blame ahead. Besides, the U.S. used the South China Sea issue to protect its hegemony in Asia and contain China, which has been the countrys goal ever since floating the policy of Asia-Pacific Rebalance. On one hand, the U.S. calls itself a guardian of rules, but on the other hand keeps instigating conflicts and pointing fingers at China.

All in all, the U.S. has not only violated fundamental morals, but also made it harder to resolve a number of important issues. What the U.S. should keep in mind about North Korea is that speculation on the nuclear issue is risky, and neglecting the big picture will only aggravate tensions.

Given the current state of the Korean Peninsula, all parties must examine the big picture and take prudent actions to avoid further escalation. The U.S., too, should seriously consider practical solutions and shoulder its due responsibility.

This article is edited and translated from 
by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, September 13, 2016

The most important recent change in search advertising is the personalization and enhanced targeting that search engines give advertisers, according to Brian Valentini, group director at DigitasLBi. advertisement advertisement He says that while search was always intent based via targeting keywords, now advertisers have more control over which audiences to buy, how to target them, what to pay for them, and how to message them. Using first-party cookies, advertisers can segment their search buy based on what they know about their audience, such as purchase history, order preferences, and order frequency. The result is that advertisers can be smarter, more strategic, and more efficient with their search buy. Consumers get a more targeted, seamless experience on their purchase journey. This also requires advertisers to have well-maintained CRM lists to fully take advantage of targeting options. Valentini says most Web sites also offer this type of targeting. But what makes the targeting through search engines unique is that agencies and brands can take a highly qualified, captivated audience because they are searching for keywords, and overlay these targeting segments to either message them different and/or buy them differently by adjusting the cost-per-click bids, Valentini says. So I asked Valentini whether advertisers really know their audiences' existing and potential customers.

He saidthe story is changing. It used to be that Brands had a target -- a mixture of some demo- and psychographics along with some behaviors made up a target. While that might be true for traditional advertising, data and analytics is often telling Brands that a different target is visiting their Web site and shopping with them. So while I think that brands know their core, that group is most likely getting smaller, but the overall audience is growing larger as the landscape fragments. By mining and honing in on Big Data and analytics, advertisers can get a much better grasp for who is actually their online target audience and who is most likely to buy, advocate for, and share them online.

Search Blog: What are the smart ones doing to get to know them better?

Brian Valentini: Leveraging multiple data points and resources and analytics to get a better understanding for who this audience is. But this cant be done in a silo. Brands and advertisers need support and buy-in from multiple parts of their organizations and from senior levels in order to get dedicated resources.

SB: When did audience segments become available to search advertisers and how are they being used?

BV: It's slowly been rolling out over the past two years, with Google leading the charge. Google first came out with RLSA  Remarketing Lists for Search Ads, the ability to do search remarketing based on specific actions and pages viewed on Web sites. They then upped the ante with Customer Match, the ability to do search remarketing based on first-party email lists and data on customers. Microsoft Bing has RLSA, but not equivalent to Google's.

Advertisers are using both tactics as a way to enhance their search buy. For example, if I know that someone searching has previously purchased from me in the past and they are searching with non-brand keywords, I'm typically willing to pay more for that customer and increase the bid. Or if someone has recently been to my product detail pages and they are still searching, I might update the ad copy for that product to get them to add a rating or review, or entice them to make a purchase from me rather than another retailer.

On the flip side, its also about suppression -- if I know that a customer has purchased from me before and left a very bad review about their buying experience, I might choose to negate that searcher from seeing my ads. The idea is that if theyre not going to purchase from me, so I shouldnt try to attract that traffic.

SB: How should advertisers take advantage of having more control of their search buys? Does it mean rethinking strategies?

BV: Yes, it means rethinking strategies. As advertisers have more control they should deploy unique strategies for each segment. This will lead to a better experience for searchers, but also a more efficient buy and spend of resources for the advertiser. Advertisers should take advantage by leveraging as many CRM segments as possible. Often the best success when advertisers segments by frequency, order size, recency, order specifics, and conversion rate. The more granular an advertiser can slice their segments, the more positive return theyll see and be able to measure.

SB: Are advertisers paying more attention to accurate CRM lists, and what are they doing to achieve this? What's the importance?

BV: I think so. By working with their tech team and resources theyre mining as many data points as possible so they can have maximum control over their lists, and go deep with their targeting strategies. The importance is that as much data as they have, as many unique ways to target -- that gives more control over their audience and their investments.

SB: When you wake at 2 a.m. and cannot get back to sleep, what type of customer experience or advertising strategy are you thinking about as it relates to search, fragmentation, data and IoT?

BV: Innovative ways to message advertisers, how to scale, test, and iterate. With all the new technology available to search advertisers, such as remarketing, scripts, bid strategies, and more. Its paramount now, more than ever, that were always serving the right message at the right time, at the right cost

SB: What is the future of search advertising? How do you see your role as agency rep for your brand clients evolving?

BV: Keywordless bidding. As Search Engines evolve Shopping Campaigns and create new Campaign types such as Dynamic Search Ads theyre going to give advertisers the option to map their products and landing pages into keywordless bidding. This will allow advertisers the ability to quickly scale their campaigns, but will also allow for the return of search investment to be tied to the channel, vs specific segments of Keywords -- brand vs non-brand, for example.

In the agency we see our role evolving in two main ways -- speed to market. As the digital media landscape continues to fracture and continues to evolve targeting options, we have to be nimbler, quicker, and more on target with our recommendations to help our clients activate as quickly as possible. I also see us going deeper with our publisher relationships so that were better equipped to not only answer questions and optimize, but also to go deeper with our partnerships to deliver service and ROI for our Brands.

SB: What is the best piece of career advice you ever received?

BV: Stay above the line. This means to assume and act on positive intent; lead; dont live at the effect of others; and dont absorb negative energy. The idea is to maintain and build on positive energy vs focusing on negative things that are often out of our control.
Fed Scoop, Tuesday, September 13, 2016 8:09 AM

The CFO of Leoni AG, one of the world's largest manufacturers of electrical cables, was duped out of almost $40million of company funds after he fell for a spam email. The email was targeted specifically at the executive and looked as though he was to make a payment to a supplier. CEO scams are hurting more and more companies globally.

Read the whole story at Fed Scoop 
by Chase Martin , September 13, 2016

When it comes to wearables, college students are interested in tracking fitness and social integration of their tracking goals.

The college market also might differ from the general population when it comes to attitudes toward wearables.

Compared to the general population, which places brand name in the top three drivers for purchasing a wearable, college students dont list brand name as a factor within the top five drivers for purchase, according to a new study.

The study by Phoenix Marketing International comprises a survey of more than 1,000 students enrolled at more than 500 colleges and universities across the U.S.

Accuracy, battery life and price are the top three factors that college students are interested in, according to the study.

When it comes to features in fitness trackers specifically, half of students said they use the devices to compete or share fitness tracking results with friends. This could be an area for brands to focus their efforts, according to John Schiela, president of Phoenix Converged Technology and Media.

There is a great potential opportunity for an innovative firm to develop a college or university challenge, in which users of their device compete with other universities for virtual and real prizes, Schiela told the IoT Daily.

The challenge in implementing such a socially-driven feature set for the college market would be maintaining importance over other new product enhancements, according to Schiela.

Fitbit may be best positioned to exploit a messaging and advertising campaign around the staying connected and social media services, he told the Daily.

Their platform currently works well with both the family and group social challenges and could most likely be easily adapted to the college level ones.

Fitbit currently offers Challenges in its app that let consumers battle each other based on their fitness metrics. However, the brand also recently added new features that appear to push the brands offerings in a more personalized, non-competitive direction.

The study found that 32% of students currently own a smartwatch or fitness tracker and 16% said they plan to purchase one within the next three months.
by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, September 13, 2016

The rise of technology platforms with massive followings has offered publishers the tantalizing possibility of reaching millions of readers. But as more publishers are discovering, these partnerships with Facebook, Google and Apple may turn out to be devils bargains.



The bigger partners effectively control access to both their audiences and advertising options.

The latest pushback comes from Apple, which last month quietly began redirecting traffic from the popular news section of its Spotlight search screen to content hosted natively within the Apple News app, rather than on the publishers own sites, according to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news.

Among the more obvious ramifications, that means fewer visitors for publishers to monetize directly.

The Apple News app offers many of the same incentives for publishing partners to participate  theres that huge potential audience. But as the WSJ points out, the monetization terms are necessarily less generous, with Apple taking a 30% cut of all ad sales for articles viewed within Apple News.

Publishers also yield more control over the format and length of ads sold, potentially further reducing their ability to monetize traffic, as well as accepting limits on the types of personal data they can collect about users within the Apple News app.

On a related note, some publishers interviewed by WSJ complain that Apple only allows outside measurement of traffic in Apple News via online panels, rather than individual tracking, raising the possibility that publishers audiences are being undercounted.

As noted, the other big tech platforms have also been tweaking the way their users can access publishers content, occasionally to the detriment of the latter.

Earlier this summer, Facebook announced that it was reducing the amount of publisher content users see in their news feeds, with a new system prioritizing personal content over news and information; however it also offered a new feature allowing users to send each other links to Instant Articles in its popular Messenger function.
by Sara Guaglione , September 13, 2016

Meredith Corp. and frozen food company Bellisio Foods today released EatingWell frozen entrees, Merediths brand licensing groups first expansion into the retail consumable food category.

Merediths recent licensing deals  which includes a deal between Shape magazine and Apparel Bridge for the new Shape Active collection of womens active wear sold at Dicks Sporting Goods, Kohls and Equinox gyms  is a way for the company to expand its brand recognition into new businesses.

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The frozen entrees were crafted with input from EatingWell editors and will adhere to the magazines guidelines for healthy eating.

The entrees feature ingredients selected specifically for those seeking great-tasting, better-for-you meal options, per Meredith.

The EatingWell line of frozen entrees includes eight meals, such as Cherry Port Pork, Indian Inspired Chicken, Vermont Cheddar Mac & Cheese and Korean Inspired Beef.

The meals have whole grains, one cup of vegetables, 13 or more grams of protein, meat raised without antibiotics. Each meal is free of artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, MSG and hydrogenated oils.

The entrees have a new kind of Fresh-Seal packaging, a plastic sealed cut-away in the carton that gives consumers a clear view of the enclosed meal. It also reportedly helps maintain freshness, reduce freezer burn and improve shelf life.

"We have great faith in the growth potential of the EatingWell brand to expand from its strong media footprint into food products and beyond," stated Elise Contarsy, VP of Meredith Brand Licensing.

The deal may eventually expand into multi-serve meals, appetizers, sides, snacks, breakfast foods, dessert and bread.

EatingWell frozen entrees are now available in about 5,000 retail stores nationwide.

The magazines foray into food is not unlike The New York Times' new Meal Kit service, which offers pre-packaged meal kits starting at $27 per meal. NYT Cooking fans can subscribe to the service online and choose from a variety of options, including subscriptions for multiple meals or a la carte selections, which are delivered to consumers' doors within 48 hours of purchase.


by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, September 13, 2016

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has accused four well-known companies -- Viacom, Mattel, Hasbro and Jumpstart -- of violating a federal law by allowing their sites' young visitors to be tracked by outside companies.

The companies agreed to pay $835,000 collectively, and to adopt procedures aimed at prohibiting tracking on their sites.

"The investigation revealed that website operators have not done enough to ensure that their childrens websites are free of improper third party tracking technologies," the Attorney General's office said Tuesday in a statement.

The probe is ongoing -- meaning that other online companies, including ones that power online data collection, could also face enforcement actions in New York. Schneiderman's office took the unusual step of releasing only a summary of the charges and settlements, but not the actual agreements, in order to avoid compromising the continuing investigation, according to a spokesperson.

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Viacom, Mattel, Jumpstart and Hasbro allegedly allowed third-party tracking companies to collect data about visitors to sites aimed at children younger than 13. The settlements call for Viacom to pay $500,00, Mattel to pay $250,000 and Jumpstart to pay $85,000. Hasbro, which participated in a "safe harbor" program approved by the Federal Trade Commission, wasn't fined.

In 2012, the FTC updated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by prohibiting Web companies from using behavioral targeting techniques on sites and apps directed to young children. The agency specifically prohibited online companies from collecting the type of data used by ad networks to create behavioral profiles -- including persistent cookies and mobile device identifiers -- from children younger than 13, without their parents' permission. That change took effect in July of 2013.

Viacom allegedly violated COPPA by allowing third-party trackers on Nick.com and NickJr.com, according to Schneiderman. Similar allegations against Viacom surfaced several years ago, when lawyers for a group of children sued Viacom and Google for allegedly violating various privacy laws. A federal judge dismissed the allegations against both companies, but in June the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals revived claims that Viacom violated New Jersey privacy standards. Viacom said at the time that it expects to ultimately prevail in that matter.

A Viacom spokesperson said today that the agreement with Schneiderman "resolves an investigation of an earlier generation of Nickelodeon websites."

Viacom takes very seriously its longstanding commitment to protecting childrens privacy, and we work hard in todays fast-changing digital landscape to insure our COPPA compliance," the spokesperson says.

Mattel allegedly "deployed a tracking technology supplied by a third party data broker across its Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, Monster High, Ever After High, and Thomas & Friends websites."

That technology "introduced many other third party tracking technologies in a process known as 'piggy backing,'" the Attorney General's office stated. "Many of these third parties engage in the type of tracking, profiling, and targeted advertising prohibited by COPPA."

Mattel also allegedly uploaded videos to YouTube. Playing the videos allegedly "enabled Google tracking technologies, which were used to serve behavioral advertisements," according to Schneiderman's statement.

JumpStart, which acquired Neopets from Viacom two years ago, allegedly "failed to configure the advertising platform used to serve ads on the Neopets website in a manner that would comply with COPPA."

Hasbro allegedly collected data about visitors to Nerf.com in order to retarget them in the future, when they visited other sites.

Privacy advocate Jeff Chester, who was instrumental in passing COPPA, suggests that today's enforcement actions only scratch the surface. "The Attorney General is blowing the whistle on what the industry knows -- that it's been thumbing its nose at COPPA."

He adds that the cases "should be a wake-up call" to other companies that are involved in tracking children online.
by Richard Whitman , Columnist, September 13, 2016

When an ad agency loses a client, it's not usually cause for celebration or the genesis of inspiration that leads to the creation of a full-on farewell video but that's exactly what Maine and Maryland-based agency, Rinck did when it lost the Gorton's Seafood account after handling it for ten years.



For over nine years, Rinck handled the Gortons website, social media, public relations, promotions and digital media and prides itself on an average agency-client relationship of three years. Of note, the agency, now in its sixteenth year, still does business with its very first client.



In June, when the client team would have otherwise been in Gloucester, Massachusetts, at a Gortons planning meeting, nearly every member of Rincks staff of 38 gathered inside the Bates Mill  a supplier of blankets to the Union Army during the Civil War  in Lewiston, Maine, and filmed their own rendition of Well Meet Again with live instruments. The song, with music and lyrics composed and written by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles, was made famous by Vera Lynn in 1939 and was covered by Johnny Cash in 2002 for his final album American IV: The Man Comes Around.



Of the performance, Rinck President Laura Davis said, We wanted to honor a relationship and collaboration that we had for nearly a decade, and the friendships that came along with it, with not just the client, but agency partners, vendors, and others. The split was due to agency consolidation and completely amicable. I wanted to use the opportunity to set an example on how to end a business relationship well and leave the door wide open.



The three-minute music video features Neal Jandreau, Rincks Director of Digital Content and Strategy, on lead vocals and guitar. Outside his agency role, Jandreau is a professional musician who plays in the

acoustic duo, Stealing North. Davis and Director of Dynamic Integration Kristy Phinney were featured in the video with spoken word solos, and Public Relations Director Katie Greenlaw led a female a cappella verse. Rinck CEO Peter Rinck played violin and Production Artist Melissa Simmons played ukulele to accompany Jandreau.



What have you done following the loss of a client?

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by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, September 13, 2016



In a big to bolster its data and analytics capabilities Omnicoms BBDO New York has appointed MEC veteran Sharona Sankar-King to the newly created role of EVP, Head of Marketing Science, effective Sept. 12.

In this new role, Sankar-King will work closely with Tina Allan, EVP, Director of Data Solutions, along with sibling agency Annalect and BBDOs modeling group The Worth, and others to hone the shops data and analytics offering.

Sankar-King was most recently Managing Partner, North America Practice Lead of Digital & Advanced Analytics, at MEC, part of WPPs GroupM.

We believe that creativity can be an economic multiplier for our clients, said John Osborn, CEO, BBDO New York. Data can help inform this creativity by helping us to uncover those behavioral insights that can drive behavior change. In Sharona, we have an industry leader steeped in experience integrating data, analytics, media and measurement with the people part of the equation. She will help us get to those insights more quickly, better anticipate our audiences response and make the stories increasingly personalized and predictive.

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Sankar-King brings more than 20 years of experience to her new role, including working with clients and products in telecommunications, retail, travel, financial services, healthcare, pharma, automotive, packaged goods, eCommerce, energy, and technology.

Prior to MEC, Sankar-King served as VP, Strategy and Analytics, at Rapp Collins Worldwide and Group Director of Digital Analytics at Experian.
by Philip Rosenstein , Staff Writer, September 14, 2016

Get out the vote campaigns will be central to the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. Both parties are focusing on rallying their own staunch voters, but a number of nonpartisan initiatives targeting those undecideds are making waves nationwide.

Red, White & Blog previously wrote about Viber and Peanuts, which have each made a foray into the political scene by engendering interest in and knowledge of this years candidates.

AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts), the global professional association for design, on Presidents Day, launched its own Get Out the Vote campaign. It mobilized the design community to support civic engagement and motivate the American population to turn out on November 8.

One particular PSA that emerged from the AIGA initiative featuring actor Edward James Olmos, Este Ano, Tu Voto Es Cosa Seria, has reached more than an incredible 46 million people and around 89% of the Latino population. The spot has run daily on Spanish-speaking networks, including Azteca.

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AIGA and partners, the League of Women Voters and Mi Familia Vota, among others, are joining forces with Los Angeles, Miami and other large cities to expand the scope of the campaign.

This PSA has gone viral, Julie Anixter, executive director of AIGA told Red, White & Blog. It has run on numerous Spanish-speaking channels and on radio stations, reaching tens of millions of potential and future voters.

The PSA was inspired by a poster submitted to the AIGA as part of its Get Out the Vote campaign.

Anyone can create a nonpartisan poster focused on civic and voter engagement and submit it for possible display at various locations across Americas cities.

"We want to promote the importance of design in voter engagement, while also motivating people of all political inclinations to flex their civic muscles, added Anixter. The Olmos PSA will continue to be pushed out to other media as we get closer to November 8. Our goal is to energize as many voters as possible through the end of voter registration.
WASHINGTON - Questions have been raised over the health of US Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton after she suddenly fell ill on Sunday, which could become a stumbling block for the 68-year-old candidate in her presidential bid.

US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton climbs into her van outside her daughter Chelsea's home in New York, New York, United States September 11, 2016, after Clinton left ceremonies commemorating the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks feeling "overheated." [Photo/Xinhua]

Clinton nearly collapsed Sunday due to alleged pneumonia after attending the Sept. 11 ceremony in New York. While her aides said she would be back on the campaign trail in a couple of days, the incident is the latest in a string of health concerns about Clinton.

Some analysts said perceptions of Clinton's poor health may be exploited by her Republican rival Donald Trump, 70.

"There certainly are going to be more questions about Clinton's health in light of the recent incident," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.

Clinton will need to provide more information about her health and reassure voters that she is up to the job, including answering questions and releasing relevant medical records, West said.

She also can use this episode to demand more health information from Trump, who has not released his medical records either, he said.

Clinton is one of the oldest candidates to run for the White House since former President Ronald Reagan. But while Reagan's age was a factor, he used humor to deflect public concern and kept up a vigorous schedule to reassure voters.

Dan Mahaffee, an analyst with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, told Xinhua that Trump has been relatively tame in his response to Clinton's mishap on Sunday, and has largely let media coverage of the event speak for itself.

"He has carefully avoided what could be seen as gloating over Clinton's misfortune, yet allows the media narrative to vindicate some of the questions that he and his surrogates have raised about Clinton's health," Mahaffee said.

For Clinton, as the latest episode has raised concerns among the broader US public about her health, it'll be important for her to recuperate rapidly and come out strongly in the upcoming presidential debates. The first debate is slated to be held on Sept. 26.

Given Trump's age, paucity of medical records, and what appears to be a predilection towards fast food, there are legitimate concerns from medical experts about both candidates' health, Mahaffee said.

As a candidate, Clinton needs to tackle this issue with full transparency and directly address the issue, Mahaffee said.

"The perception that something is being hidden is worse than acknowledging that Clinton has fallen ill due to the recent tempo of the campaign or other factors," he said, referring to Sunday's incident, when Clinton's team appeared to try to sugar coat the issue.

While the team initially said she was overheating, the temperature Sunday was mild. And there was a 90-minute period in which there was not a word from the team on Clinton's health.

"While there is no crime per se with Clinton's health, one can apply the political rule that the cover up is worse than the crime. It only empowers conspiracy theorists and feeds the narrative of the Clintons being overly secretive," Mahaffee said.

Some analysts said both candidates can take a lesson from the 1980 presidential election, when Reagan, 69, was the oldest person to ever seek the presidency.

Reagan approached the medical issue with complete transparency during his campaign, allowing his doctors to release a wide range of medical records.

Additionally, he used lots of imagery of him being outdoors and working on his ranch to portray an image of health and strength, Mahaffee noted.
by Larissa Faw , September 14, 2016





Eight young advertising creatives have the chance to win a 30-day paid internship at a top ad agency. Theyll find out during Advertising Week in New York, which starts Sept. 26.

The Big Ad Gig is entering its eighth year where prospective talent submit entries to be judged by a panel of notable industry executives. (A call for entries video from CP+Bs Chuck Porter can be seen here.

This year, the 2016 Big Ad Gig judges panel includes: Lynn Power, CEO, JWT NY, Collen DeCourcy, Global co-executive creative director, Partner, Wieden + Kennedy, Corinna Falusi, chief creative officer, Ogilvy New York, Keith Cartwright, ECD, Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners, Matt Jarvis, partner/chief strategy office 72andSunny, Ralph Watson, chief creative officer for CP+B Boulder, Jaime Robinson, co-founder/chief creative officer Joan, Will McGuiness, partner, executive creative director, Venablesbell, and Heidi Arthur, SVP for Campaigns, The Advertising Council.

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Social media is playing a heightened role this year. Many of the past winners found out about The Big Ad Gig through social channels, specifically Twitter. Thus, the program is going where the prospects are by giving them the chance to apply the minute they see the brief by simply replying to a tweet.

The briefs will come from the judges in form of short 15- second videos. Each one will be different and the requests will range from writing a tagline to directing a six-second spot on Vine. Candidates are required to submit a solution and portfolio all within a tweet.

The competition will culminate with a live event on September 29th during Advertising Week, at The New York Times Building hosted by Stuart Elliott, former New York Times Advertising Columnist.

At the end of the event, five finalists will be awarded 30day paid art director or copywriter positions at one of the participating agencies. One winning campaign will be produced and run on various advertising platforms including mobile, gaming and online.

The program has proven to be successful. Some 45 of the past 48 Big Ad Gig finalists are working full time at leading agencies nationwide.
by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, September 14, 2016

The Federal Communications Commission's proposed broadband privacy rules are unnecessary and would exceed statutory authority," a coalition of major ad industry groups said Wednesday in a letter to lawmakers.

The letter, signed by groups including the Direct Marketing Association, Interactive Advertising Bureau, Association of National Advertisers and American Association of Advertising Agencies, comes one day before all five members of the FCC are slated to testify at a Senate Commerce Committee oversight hearing.

The proposed rules -- which would limit broadband providers' ability to use online behavioral advertising techniques -- "would create unnecessary and inconsistent privacy regulations that would undercut the vibrant online ecosystem," the groups write.

They add: "Congress can and should exercise its oversight authority to protect consumers and the economy from this outcome."

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The potential rules, unveiled earlier this year by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, would require carriers to obtain consumers' consent before drawing on their Web-surfing data for behavioral targeting.

By contrast, ad networks, online publishers and other online advertising companies typically operate on an opt-out basis. That is, the companies notify consumers about online tracking and allow them to decline to receive behaviorally targeted ads -- unless the ads are based on "sensitive" data. (It's worth noting that the definition of "sensitive" appears to be unsettled. The self-regulatory groups Network Advertising Initiative and Digital Advertising Alliance define "sensitive" health information differently; Facebook and Google also have their own definitions of the concept, according to privacy expert and former Federal Trade Commissioner adviser Paul Ohm.)

The DMA and other ad groups say that broadband providers should follow the same standards as ad networks, Web publishers and others involved with online advertising.

"Enforceable, voluntary self-regulatory codes remain best suited to promote consumer privacy protections while allowing these legitimate data practices to flourish," the organizations write in a letter to Sens. John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Bill Nelson (D-Florida).

Wheeler (and privacy advocates) counter that broadband carriers aren't comparable to companies like Google, Facebook and Netflix. "We can choose not to visit a Web site or not to sign up for a social network, or we can choose to drop one and switch to another in milliseconds. But broadband service is different," Wheeler stated earlier this year. "Once we subscribe to an ISP -- for our home or for our smartphone -- most of us have little flexibility to change our mind or avoid that network rapidly."

The DMA and other organizations also tell lawmakers that the proposed rules are unnecessary, given the FTC's role in policing privacy. The groups say that existing self-regulatory standards, backed by FTC enforcement, "are the appropriate tool to govern the dynamic and interrelated online content and advertising ecosystem."

In the past, the FTC has brought enforcement actions against ad networks, analytics companies and other businesses that misrepresent their practices to consumers.

But the FTC doesn't have the same power to sue Internet service providers. Just two weeks ago a federal appellate court ruled that the FTC couldn't proceed with a lawsuit against AT&T for allegedly misrepresenting its "unlimited" data plan. The judges in that case ruled that the FTC lacks authority to prosecute AT&T, given that the company is a common carrier.

Consumer advocates argue that ruling gives the FCC even more reason to move forward with its privacy proposal. "The 9th Circuit stated that ... the FTC cannot enforce against companies with the status of common carrier, like AT&T Mobility," more than three dozen

advocacy groups, including the ACLU, Electronic Frontier Foundation and Public Knowledge, recently said in a letter to the FCC. "Thus, the FTC does not provide a backstop for baseline privacy protections, reinforcing the need for strong FCC-imposed privacy rules now."
Dslreports, Wednesday, September 14, 2016 3:54 PM

New York City may sue Verizon for failing to live up to its promises to make its FiOS service available throughout the city. As of last October, Verizon hadn't responded to installation requests from 38,551 addresses, the city said in a letter to the company.

Read the whole story at Dslreports 
Microcephaly is a rare disorder that stunts brain development in utero, resulting in an abnormally small head. The Zika virus is one environmental cause of this devastating condition, but genetic defects can cause microcephaly, too. A new Duke University study examining three genetic causes of microcephaly in mice suggests one common mechanism through which the disorder could arise.

The study offers a new window into early, critical stages of brain development, and may improve understanding of the diverse causes of microcephaly and other neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism.

"We're excited about this study because, by stepping back and looking at the basic mechanistic routes to microcephaly, we hope to understand how Zika infection causes microcephaly," said the study's senior investigator Debra Silver, an assistant professor of molecular genetics and microbiology at the Duke University School of Medicine.

In the new study, Hanqian Mao, a graduate student in Silver's lab, created three mouse models of microcephaly by cutting the levels of each of three genes - Magoh, Rbm8a and Eif4a3 - by half during a critical time in brain development. All three types of mice developed a smaller cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for memory and thought.

Then, Mao screened for any changes in mRNA and protein levels that could also contribute to the underdeveloped brains. One change that stood out involved a protein called p53, which accumulated in each of the mutant brains. The group hypothesized that too much p53 could cause developing cells to die.

To test the involvement of p53 in microcephaly, Duke postdoctoral fellow John McMahon suppressed it in each of the three types of mice. By blocking p53 at a crucial point in development, the team was able to trigger the brains to partially or fully recover to normal size, suggesting that p53 or its signaling partners might be considered as new therapeutic targets for microcephaly.

"What we don't know yet is exactly how our microcephaly-causing genes are regulating p53 and other changes in the brain, and that's going to be the next big question," Silver said.

The genes Magoh, Rbm8a and Eif4a3 are related to one another in that they bind together on specific spots on RNA and affect its processing to become protein. Although the triad is expressed in every cell of the body, it is more abundant in brain tissue.

"Our results suggest that the molecular complex is a master regulator of cortical development, because it's regulating critical genes in stem cells, which must divide and then start making neurons," said Silver, who is also a member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences.

"If you have problems at this early stage, you don't get enough stem cells. And then the stem cells themselves can't go on to make neurons. That's where you get microcephaly," Silver added.

Importantly, disruptions in the genes Rbm8a and Eif43 have already been linked to human cases of intellectual disability, and Rbm8a has been associated with microcephaly and autism in people.

"That's another reason that identifying the downstream molecules of these genes is really important," Silver said, adding that her team has some of the only mouse models in which it is possible explore those questions.

Next the group is interested in exploring whether microcephaly caused by Zika shares mechanisms with genetic cases of the disorder. They are now conducting preliminary studies in a developing Zika mouse model. "We're well set up in the lab to ask how the Zika virus can shape brain development relevant to microcephaly," Silver said.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01NS083897), the Ruth K. Broad Foundation, a Holland-Trice Scholars Award, a Whitehead Scholar Award and the Duke Translational Research Institute.

Article: Haploinsufficiency for Core Exon Junction Complex Components Disrupts Embryonic Neurogenesis and Causes p53-Mediated Microcephaly, Hanqian Mao, John J. McMahon, Yi-Hsuan Tsai, Zefeng Wang and Debra L. Silver, PLOS Genetics, doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006282, published 12 September 2016.
It's no secret that the adolescent years can be challenging: young teens have a heightened sensitivity to perceived injustice and react against authority. And their newfound social conscience and desire for autonomy can motivate many of their decisions - even food choices.

A new study, "Harnessing Adolescent Values to Motivate Healthier Eating," by Christopher J. Bryan of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and David Yeager of the University of Texas, finds that by appealing to widely-held adolescent values, it's possible to reduce unhealthy eating habits and motivate better food choices among adolescents.

The paper was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Our goal here was to portray healthy eating as a way to take a stand against injustice - to stand up for vulnerable people who lack the ability to protect themselves."

To capture the motivating power of these values, researchers worked with groups of eighth graders to reshape their perception of healthy eating as an act of independence that serves the purpose of social justice.

"We took a two-pronged approach to this," Bryan says. "First, our healthy eating message was framed as an expose of manipulative food industry marketing practices that influence and deceive adolescents and others into eating larger quantities of unhealthy foods."

The researchers also described journalistic accounts of such industry practices as engineering processed foods to maximize addictiveness and to encourage overconsumption, as well as using deceptive labeling to make unhealthy products appear healthy.

Additionally, researchers outlined manipulative industry practices like disproportionately targeting poor people and very young children with advertisements for the unhealthiest products.

"We framed healthy eating as a way to 'stick it to the man' - we cast the executives behind food marketing as controlling adult authority figures and framed the avoidance of junk food as a way to rebel against their control."

And it worked.

The test subjects chose fewer junk food options as snacks and preferred water over sugary sodas. The teens made the choices outside the context of the nutrition talk, when they were unaware their choices were being tracked.

The treatment resulted in a 7 percentage point increase in the rate at which teens chose to forgo sugary drinks in favor of water. It also led to an 11 percentage point increase in the rate at which they opted to forgo at least one unhealthy snack (chips or cookies) in favor of something healthy (fruit, carrots, or nuts).

"It is exciting to consider what the size of these effects would look like if extrapolated to average daily consumption," Bryan says.

For example, if sustained over time, a 7 percent reduction in adolescents' consumption of carbohydrates would correspond to one pound of body fat lost (or not gained) roughly every 6 weeks for boys and every 8 weeks for girls.

Policy analysts argue that preventing obesity is both more effective and less expensive than treating people who are already obese. The potential for this new "value harnessing" approach could lead to lasting change.

"This approach provides an immediate, symbolic benefit for resisting temptation: feeling like a high-status and respect-worthy person right now because one is acting in accordance with important values shared with one's peers," Bryan says.

Additionally, an intervention based on this work could use tactics - such a school-wide campaigns with student-designed posters and online videos - that could create a lasting and self-reinforcing social movement.

Article: Harnessing adolescent values to motivate healthier eating, Christopher J. Bryan, David S. Yeager, Cintia P. Hinojosa, Aimee Chabot, Holly Bergen, Mari Kawamura, and Fred Steubing, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1604586113, published online 12 September 2016.
A novel strategy to screen pregnant women for malaria with rapid diagnostic tests and treat the test-positive women with effective antimalarials does not lower the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared with treating all pregnant women with the malaria preventive sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) in sub-Saharan Africa, according to an open label randomized trial published in PLOS Medicine by Feiko ter Kuile, of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and colleagues.

During pregnancy, undetected infection with malaria parasites can lead to maternal anemia, low birthweight, and fetal loss. In areas where malaria is endemic, the World Health Organization recommends treating pregnant women with SP, but in some areas, more than 90 percent of Plasmodium parasites are resistant to SP. In the new study, the researchers compared this standard of care to a screening approach where pregnant women are tested approximately monthly for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests and treated with a different drug, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) only if they test positive for the parasite.

The study, which randomly assigned 1873 HIV-negative pregnant women at three sites in Malawi to receive either strategy, found that the risks of adverse birth outcomes, at 29.9 and 28.8 percent, was similar in the two groups. However, the prevalence of malaria at delivery was higher in the rapid screening and DP group, at 48.7 percent, compared to 40.8 percent in the SP group (relative risk=1.19 [95% confidence interval 1.07-1.33], p=0.007), meaning an additional 8 out of every 100 pregnancies would be affected by malaria using this approach compared to broad prevention using SP. Moreover, the rate of fetal loss was 2.6 percent, double the rate of 1.3 percent seen among women who took intermittent doses of SP (relative risk=2.06 [1.01-4.21], p=0.046). The current results, however, may not hold true in all areas because risk of malaria transmission varies according to location, as does parasite resistance to drugs. In addition, the study design did not investigate the outcomes of using monthly DP for prevention without coupling it to screening.

"These results suggest that [intermittent screening and treatment with DP] may not be a suitable alternative strategy to replace [intermittent preventive therapy with SP] in settings similar to ours and may even predispose to unfavorable pregnancy outcomes in these settings," the authors say.

Article: Scheduled Intermittent Screening with Rapid Diagnostic Tests and Treatment with Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine versus Intermittent Preventive Therapy with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine for Malaria in Pregnancy in Malawi: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial, Madanitsa M, Kalilani L, Mwapasa V, van Eijk AM, Khairallah C, Ali D, et al., PLOS Medicine, doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002124, published 13 September 2016.
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The third was a picture of something the person thought would cause happiness to another person (which was then shared with that person).

Participants were randomly selected to click photos of any one of the above three types.

Common sources of stress in a college students life include the loneliness of being away from home, family and friends. Additionally, financial difficulties, demands of college work and feelings of isolation could further add to the stress and may negatively impact their health and academic performance.The purpose of the study, Chen said, was to help scientists understand the positive effects of photo taking on general well-being and mood of people in three distinct areas namelyIn as, Chen and her colleagues designed and conducted various exercises to gauge the effects of photo taking and sharing. The students, 28 female and 13 male, were instructed to carry on their routine day-to-day activities such as attending class, doing their schoolwork, and meeting with friends, while taking part in the study.Before the study, each student was invited to the Computer lab for an informal interview and to fill out a general questionnaire and consent form. The scientists then helped the students to load a survey app onto their phones that would record their moods during theof the study.Participating students used a different App to take pictures and recorded their emotional states over theThe students reported their moods thrice a day using the smartphone apps. In evening surveys, they were asked to share details of happenings during the course of the day that could have significantly impacted their emotions.The trial involvedResearchers gathered data from nearly 2,900 mood measurements during the study and found that. Some participants in the selfie group reported that they becamewith their smiling photos over time. The students taking photos of objects that made them happy becameAnd those who took photos to make others happy became calmer and said that the connection to their friends and familyAmidst the widespread notion that smartphones have a negative impact on its users as well as those around them, this study attempts to demonstrate that smartphones may indeed have a positive role to play in persons using it."The good news is that despite their susceptibility to strain, most college students constantly carry around a mobile device, which can be used for stress relief," Chen said. "Added to that are many applications and social media tools that make it easy to produce and send images.""You see a lot of reports in the media about the negative impacts of technology use, and we look very carefully at these issues here at UCI," said senior author Gloria Mark, a professor of informatics. "But there have been expanded efforts over the past decade to study what's become known as 'positive computing,' and I think this study shows that sometimes our gadgets can offer benefits to users."To conclude with a note of caution, it may be well to remember that anything in excess is harmful, and usage of smartphones too must be limited to the extent that its benefits outweigh the health risks and other ill-effects caused. Technology used in moderation can be certainly beneficial.Source: Medindia
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Health officials were only able to determine the individual helped provide care to an elderly male family contact, reportedly the person's father, who contracted the Zika virus abroad.This other patient, who subsequently passed away, was infected with an unusually high amount of virus, approximately 100,000 times higher than an average infection.As part of the investigation, US health officials tested more than 200 people for the Zika virus, including family contacts of both cases, health care workers who cared for the deceased patient and members of the general public who lived near both of the cases, and they have not revealed any additional cases.The officials also trapped and tested mosquitoes around the homes of both cases, and no mosquitoes known to carry the virus were found during the investigation.It "remains unclear" how the "unique" case was infected, according to a report released on Tuesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).But the report noted that the person reported hugging and kissing the deceased patient, suggesting the possibility that the infection might be caused by contact with body fluids."Although it is not certain that these types of close contact were the source of transmission, family contacts should be aware that blood and body fluids of severely ill patients might be infectious," the officials said in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report."This investigation will remain active, and we will continue working to learn more about Zika virus and how it may be spread," Dagmar Vitek, medical director from the Salt Lake county Health Department, said."People should continue to take the appropriate steps to prevent Zika virus infection -- especially pregnant women, and health care workers who are caring for severely ill patients with the disease," Vitek said.Source: IANS
Hemolytic anemia is a disorder where the body destroys red blood cells (RBCs), which are removed from the system before their normal life span of 120 days is over. Destruction of red blood cells is termed as hemolysis.

This condition results in anemia when the formation of red blood cells by the bone marrow cannot match the pace of their destruction.

Depending on the cause, hemolytic anemia can be classified into two main types - intrinsic and extrinsic

1. Intrinsic Hemolytic Anemia

Intrinsic hemolytic anemia is also often referred to as inherited hemolytic anemia. This occurs due to a defect in the red blood cells which leads to their destruction. Sickle cell anemia, hereditary spherocytosis, anemia due to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, hereditary elliptocytosis (ovalocytosis), and thalassemia are some conditions that lead to this type of anemia. The red blood cells in these anemias dont last as long as normal red blood cells. Since they have a defect, they are taken by the spleen and destroyed early, resulting in anemia.

2. Extrinsic Hemolytic Anemia

In this type of hemolytic anemia, normal red blood cells are produced by the bone marrow but during their course in the blood, they are trapped by the spleen and destroyed.

Some of the possible causes of extrinsic hemolytic anemia are:

Autoimmune disorders such as lupus, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (characterized by abnormal immune system function), rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Infections with microorganisms like hepatitis virus, Escherichia coli , typhoid fever, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae , or streptococcus.

, typhoid fever, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), , or streptococcus. Intake of medications like penicillin, anti-malarial medications, sulfa medications, or acetaminophen

Overactive or enlarged spleen

Certain tumors and blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma hemolytic anemia

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Some patients with hemolytic anemia may not have symptoms for years while in others, it can produce acute symptoms. The most common symptoms of this condition are:

Paleness of the skin or yellowish skin

Fever

Abdominal pain

Confusion

Light-headedness

Weakness or inability to perform regular tasks or physical activity

Increased heart rate also known as tachycardia. The doctor may detect the presence of a heart murmur on examination

Dark colored urine due to jaundice

Enlargement of spleen and liver

Hemolytic anemia is diagnosed based on the history from the patient or the family, physical examination, and blood and bone marrow tests.

Blood tests: The following blood tests may be necessary for the diagnosis of hemolytic anemia:

The following blood tests may be necessary for the diagnosis of hemolytic anemia: Complete blood count: A complete blood count will indicate a reduced number of red blood cells



Hemoglobin level: The hemoglobin level is low in hemolytic anemia



Reticulocyte count: The number of immature red blood cells called reticulocytes in the blood is higher than normal. This indicates an attempt of the bone marrow to make up for the reduced number of red blood cells in the circulation



Peripheral smear: An abnormal shape of red blood cells may be noted in some of the genetic disorders affecting red blood cells



Bilirubin level: The breakdown of red blood cells causes an increase in the bilirubin level in the blood, which is responsible for the yellowish discoloration of the skin



Lactate dehydrogenase level: The level of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase in the blood is also increased



Haptoglobin level: The hemoglobin that is released from the red blood cells binds to a protein called haptoglobin in the blood, and is excreted through the urine. The level of haptoglobin in the blood is therefore low



Coombs test: Coombs test is used to detect the presence of antibodies that destroy the red blood cells



Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels: The level of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the blood is reduced in patient with this deficiency

In this procedure, a small amount of bone marrow is taken from the hip bone and analyzed to see the number, size, maturity and absence/presence of abnormal/normal red blood cells

Treatment of hemolytic anemia depends on various patient factors, which include:

Age

Medical history

Severity of the condition

Cause of the disease

Tolerance to medications

Treatment includes:

Blood transfusion in case of severe anemia. Exchange transfusion may be done, where blood is transfused to the patient and an equal amount of blood is removed to prevent fluid overload

Corticosteroid medications or other drugs that reduce immunity (immunosuppressive drugs) to reduce hemolysis due to autoimmune disease

or other drugs that reduce immunity (immunosuppressive drugs) to reduce hemolysis due to autoimmune disease The antibodies from the blood may be removed through a process called plasmapheresis

Hydroxyurea is used in the treatment of sickle cell disease

is used in the treatment of sickle cell disease Surgical removal (splenectomy) of an enlarged or diseased spleen may be done if necessary

Some ways to prevent episodes of hemolytic anemia include the following:
On August 28, the Russian daily Kommersant published an analysis by Gleb Cherkasov and Sophia Samokhina, titled, "Fight Over the President", arguing that all participants in the 2016 Duma elections are seeking the same result - geting noticed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Following are excerpts from the Kommersant article:



(Source: Rt.com)

Criticizing The Government, But Not Putin

"Before the start of its election campaign, United Russia [UR] traditionally identified itself as 'Putin's party', reinforcing its usual offer to the voters with [a reminder] that the president was its founder. However, this year UR has many competitors in this field.

"'We will get to the Duma and help Putin,' shouts a candidate of a party that has... no chance of getting into the Duma. 'Putin is Russia's conceptual linchpin... He must disperse the liberal economic bloc of the government,' chimes in a representative of a party with equally non-existent chances. All the parties in this election campaign try to demonstrate how close they are to the president in the hope that Vladimir Putin's high rating will attract voters to them.

"First of all, it is a necessity for 'smaller' parties... For example, the leader of the Party of Growth, Boris Titov, started criticizing the government immediately after the party's formation. [However,] when asked about his attitude to the president's policies, the politician answered: 'When you come to the president, he issues many orders accompanied by extremely tough resolutions, which then go unimplemented. I don't think it is possible in politics, I don't think it is possible in military affairs. But when it comes to economic issues [which are officially the prime minister's and not Putin's responsibility]- this is exactly what happens'...

"The situation with parties [already in] parliament is a bit more complicated... Consolidation of parliamentary parties around the president on the basis of post-Crimean consensus is, inter alia, an attempt to show Putin that there are enough of those who support the integration of Crimea in the current Duma line-up. It is not accidental that right after the end of the previous Duma, [Communist party First Secretary] Gennady Zyuganov said during Putin's meeting with the leaders of parties: "If we come to an agreement here, at this table, we will make it [at the elections - "Vlast[1] ]."

"Therefore, the LDPR [Liberal Democratic Party of Russia], for instance, tries not to criticize the president, and all the problems in the country are blamed on the government. [The LDPR leader] Vladimir Zhirinovsky stated frequently that the president is in charge of foreign policy and 'there are no grounds for criticism here.' But this party stays true to itself during the campaign - you can often see the party's name on its billboards but not the candidate's portrait. And when it comes to slogans, they are traditional - 'we are for the poor, we are for the Russians,' and also something about fighting corruption and fee-for-service medicine.

"The Ccommunists were more eager than others to adopt from the president the rhetoric of 'the fifth column' that is driving the waves of 'Russophobia and Anti-Sovietism'. At [his party's] pre-election convention, Mr Zyuganov did not criticize Vladimir Putin; on the contrary, he noted that the president had instructed them to conduct the elections fairly, even though 'local administrators' would resist that.

"It is easy to compensate for the absence of criticism in Putin's direction by tougher rhetoric against those who work for him. That is why Aleksey Ryleev, a candidate from the Rodina [Motherland] party, easily calls government members 'liberal fascists'; Vladimir Ryzhkov, a candidate from Yabloko, says that 'poverty in Siberia is the result of deliberate activity of the federal authorities'; and [State Duma deputy] Oleg Nilov [from Just Russia] proclaims that 'our government has driven the country into an economic impasse, and now the discontent has become widespread'.

"Pre-election appeals to Putin, in an attempt to secure his real or virtual support - these are familiar features of a campaign. First similar attempts started in early 2000s. It would be odd to suppose that in 2016, at the time when the Crimean consensus is still in place, there could be even one absolutely or conditionally loyal political party that wouldn't try to proclaim its closeness to the president. The main peculiarity of the 2016 campaign, however, is not only any absence of criticism towards the president, and not only attempts to show that all parties are on his side, but the fact that Putin is being fought over, he is being appealed to. Practically from every party entry of the voting card one can hear an appeal to the president: 'Please notice us, dear head of state, please adopt our program for implementation, employ our finest representatives in positions of responsibility'.

"Vladimir Putin himself, willingly or unwillingly, initiated the pre-election fight for his attention. "

Whatever Putin Chooses To Do... He Is Not Likely To Lose Any Supporters

"In its last 2015 issue, Vlast wrote that 'until the 2008 reform (which extended the constitutional term of office for the president and the State Duma) the gap between the parliamentary and the presidential elections was six months (in 1996) to three and a half months (in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012). The most important personnel decisions (often not directly connected to the procedure of elections to the lower house of parliament) were made during this period... Elections to the State Duma and presidential elections almost immediately after that were used to determine the country's policy and to solve high-priority personnel and structural issues... Sometimes people were selected to conform to the policy, sometimes policy was shaped by those who held key positions'. Since the terms of office shifted, there was no fresh start in 2015, and, consequently, in the absence of staff- and substance-related decisions the tension in [the halls of] power only intensified.

"In mid-2016, Vladimir Putin took decisive action on the personnel front. On July 28, he replaced three out of nine plenipotentiary envoys, governors in four regions, and the heads of two federal agencies, including such an important establishment as the customs office.

"On August 12, the president discharged the presidential chief of staff Sergey Ivanov and appointed Anton Vaino in his place. It is expected that other personnel and organizational decisions will be made after the end of the Duma election campaign. Which makes sense: each new presidential chief of staff has the right to shape the structure and recruit employees.

"On August 19, the minister of education Dmitry Livanov lost his job. Numerous Vlast interviewees think that this is not the end of governmental staff changes. If you look at all the talk about reshuffles in the White House[2] , it will be difficult to find a minister or a vice premier minister who has not been mentioned.

"Personnel decisions are not only measured in quantitative but in qualitative indicators.

"In 2015-2016, Vladimir Putin began saying goodbye to the team that had accompanied him to the Kremlin and the White House. For the last six months, such people as Sergey Ivanov, [Federal Narcotic Service head] Viktor Ivanov, [railway boss] Vladimir Yakunin, [Federal Protection Service head] Yevgeny Murov, [Federal Customs Service head] Andrey Belyaninov, [Federal Migration Service head] Konstantin Romodanovsky have left their jobs - people, whose absence from the president's team would have been unimaginable that only a short time ago. At least three more members of the president's team that have been with him since 1999 are at risk of losing their posts as well. The influence of those who seem to be firmly in place is also less obvious: our sources say that the appointment of the new minister of education went over the head of the presidential aide in this field, Andrey Fursenko.

"Even though it is too early to speak about a complete change of the old team, the trend is fully obvious. Clearly, Vladimir Putin does not rotate his team members in order to fill the vacancies with people from outside. But this focus on rejuvenation creates new vacancies by way of accomplished fact, even though they may be third or fourth-tier vacancies.

"This is where the election campaign may prove to be quite helpful in filling vacancies, even if the election result is not always the determining factor. In 2003, the Rodina bloc scored an enormous success, but it was the representatives of [the liberal] Yabloko Igor Artemyev (Federal Antimonopoly Service) and Vladimir Lukin (human rights ombudsman) that got posts. In 2007-2008, posts were given to the leaders of the Rodina bloc - Dmitry Rogozin, Sergey Glazyev and Sergey Baburin - who were prevented from running for the State Duma. Selecting new staff is more than just filling in a personnel chart. It also defines the new political course. And on this issue, nothing has been clear since spring 2016. The starting gun was a practically declared competition for the program of action for the next presidential term. [The former finance minister] Aleksei Kudrin, who became head of the Center for Strategic Research in spring, participates in it. His plans are far-reaching: 'I think that both the elite - especially the business elite - and the working class will soon feel that the institutions of the judicial system, state administration, education and health work inefficiently. I am certain that we are on the verge of new changes.'

"At the same time, Boris Titov and the Stolypin Club[3] are preparing their proposals as well. Among the developers of this program is the president's advisor, Sergey Glazyev. Obviously, their proposals will be radically different from what Aleksei Kudrin and his colleagues are preparing. It is quite possible that the list of proposals on what the Russian authorities should be doing between 2018 and 2024 will not be limited to these two projects. [Communist leader] Gennady Zyuganov has already declared the possibility of forming a "government of national confidence", and this idea has not been rejected out of hand.

"Strictly speaking, there is still uncertainty and absence of final decisions practically in every field, except those connected to Crimea. 'The agenda is such that during these elections nobody has to be convinced that Crimea is ours and that Putin is our president. Today, people are interested in the state of their fridges, the drop in their income, they are worried about their own and their children's future,' says [Pensioners Party leader Evgeny] Artyukh.

"The choice in the Kremlin has not yet been made, and this by itself revitalizes the programs market. This means that every party still retains a window of opportunities, however small, for promoting its own proposals. Especially since every political group can still find something close to its heart in Putin's words and deeds. When the governor of Volgograd [the former Stalingrad], Andrey Bocharov, agrees that the local airport may be named after Stalin, and this produces no reaction on the part of the federal center, this is one kind of signal. But the president did not refuse to condemn Stalin's repressions either, and did not give public support to the creeping rehabilitation - that's another signal. Although, whatever Putin chooses to do, at this stage he is not likely to lose any supporters."

Endnotes:
The March 22, 2016 triple suicide bombing targeting Brussels Airport and the Maalbeek metro station, which killed 32 and wounded over 300, was later claimed by ISIS. On July 17, ISIS published what it claimed was the will of one of the suicide bombers, Khalid El Bakraoui (also known by his nickname Walid Al-Beljiki), though there are indications that El Bakraoui may not have authored the text himself, or that it may have been heavily edited by ISIS media so that it would be appropriate for propaganda purposes. (See MEMRI JTTM report ISIS Releases Will Of Brussels Suicide Bomber Khalid El Bakraoui, July 16, 2016) In the will, El Bakraoui calls upon Muslim in the West to join ISIS and to carry out operations in its name. He accuses the "Crusader West" of massacring Muslims, for example in Palestine and Iraq, and states that terror attacks, including the killing of civilians, women and children, are justified in light of the asymmetric nature of the war between the Crusaders and Muslims. He goes on to denounce the West, its values, beliefs and habits, such as the theory of evolution, pornography, prostitution, and same-sex marriage.



The aftermath of the Maalbeek metro attack, with portrait of El Bakraoui (Image: official ISIS media outlet Al-Furat)

The will sparked a debate between two Arab columnists. Egyptian writer and journalist Suleiman Al-Jawda wrote that El Bakraoui's will was important because of its explanation of why terrorists carry out suicide bombings, and said that decision-makers in the West should seriously address the reasons it gives, so as to prevent the recurrence of similar attacks. Al-Jawda's article was harshly criticized by Dr. 'Abd Al-Hamid Al-Ansari, a Qatari writer and intellectual and former dean of the Shari'a and Islamic Studies faculty at the University of Qatar. Rejecting Al-Jawda's explanations, Al-Ansari wrote that "the discourse justifying terrorist attacks and tying them to the issue of Palestine and to Western atrocities is a false discourse." He added that politicizing terror activity is aimed at attracting more young people, ensuring the continuity of terror and making it harder to deal with, and that a person does not blow himself up to fight injustice, but out of religious zealotry.



Banner advertising ISIS release of El Bakraoui's will (Image: official ISIS media outlet Al-Furat)

The following are excerpts from both articles:

Egyptian Writer: The Will Explains Why A Suicide Bomber Blows Himself Up, Provides Opportunity To Prevent Future Attacks

Egyptian writer and journalist Suleiman Al-Jawda wrote in the London-based Saudi daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat on August 16, 2016:

"If this will has been missed by the decision-makers in the Western capitals, as is everything else, then there is no chance that the danger of terrorism afflicting the Western world around us, country by country, will pass anytime soon. The author of this will is Khalid El Bakraoui, who blew himself up in the terrorist attacks that struck Belgium in March 2016. He is clearly a member of the terrorist organization ISIS; otherwise ISIS would not have published his will via a [media] outlet described as affiliated with it.

"The most important thing about this will is that it answers the question that we continuously ask ourselves after every terror attack whose perpetrators die at the scene - whether by blowing themselves up or in a hail of police bullets. After every such incident we ask ourselves... why those who perpetrated this or that attack decided to kill innocents who just happened to be at the site [of the attack], and why they eventually killed themselves as well.



Suleiman Al-Jawda (Image: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London)

"Why?! During every such incident, we yearn for the police to catch one of the perpetrators alive and ask: Why?! When a terrorist dies by blowing himself up or from police gunfire, our hope shifts to the possibility that he left behind a document revealing what motivated him to carry out the attack. I do not remember ever having found something definite on this issue, in any previous incident, that reassured us or slaked our thirst [to understand]! But El Bakraoui's will may do so...

"The importance of El Bakraoui's will lies in that it does not discuss property he left behind, for instance, or what each of his heirs receives... If that were the case, we would not deal with it or care about it at all... Its importance lies in its revelation of what pushed him to blow himself up in the capital city of Brussels... and his call to all those who champion his misguided ideas to repeat his actions against innocent people!

" El Bakraoui says in his will that the massacres carried out by the West in Palestine and Iraq gave him the idea to attack those he killed in Belgium, as it is part of the West... We stand, therefore, before a criminal who explicitly states what led him to perpetrate his crime. But at the same time, we should ask ourselves whether this young man would have carried out the same crime against innocent people if he saw that the residents of Iraq or Palestine were suffering less than they are now!

"Decision-makers in Western capitals... are invited to ask themselves if someone like El Bakraoui would have decided to blow himself up in Brussels had he and his ideological ilk been certain that the West was not the reason for the Iraqis' suffering and the Palestinians' agony, and that the West, as such, had devoted efforts to ease the suffering they currently experience!

"The decision-makers have the grave responsibility of considering the reasons for terrorism by examining this will before considering the symptoms [of terrorism] and dealing with its outward manifestations. They are seriously invited to request [a copy of] the text of this will, to read it carefully, and to analyze its elements; [if they do so,] they may ultimately arrive at a cure that would prevent others from following in El Bakraoui's footsteps. As [decision-makers], they also have the massive responsibility of informing the relevant elements in their capital cities that there is a people in Palestine with a just cause, and that the men of conscience in those capitals should help it so that it will have a state on its land - and of [informing them that] Iraq is in the situation it is in at present only because Bush Jr. chose to invade its territory with no justification. The best proof of this is the recent Chilcot report that condemned [British prime minister] Tony Blair for following Bush Jr.!

Therefore, the West, which is represented by Bush Jr., who unleashed the sectarian demon in Iraq, should at the very least devote the efforts needed to exorcise this same demon!

"If the decision-makers act according to this logic, then they will, first and foremost, fulfill their duty; second, they will leave no pretext or justification for violence by El Bakraoui and his ilk; third, they will create the possibility that the danger of terrorism worldwide, and particularly in the West, will pass." [1]

Qatari Intellectual: A Suicide Bomber Blows Himself Up For Religious Beliefs, Not To Fight Injustice

On the liberal website Elaph.com on August 22, 2016, Qatari writer Dr. 'Abd Al-Hamid Al-Ansari harshly criticized Suleiman Al-Jawda and rejected his arguments regarding the importance of El Bakraoui's will and the West's need to address it seriously. According to Al-Ansari, no one blows himself up to fight injustice, but rather "for the sake of a religious belief that lionizes his crime under the guise of jihad and a martyr's death for the sake of Islam." He wrote:

"The essence of the will of Khalid El Bakraoui, who blew himself up in the Brussels Metro station in March 2016, is that he carried out his attack as revenge against the Crusader West that joined forces to collectively exterminate Muslims in Palestine, Iraq, and China, and as an expression of his hatred of the moral values of the infidel West, which [he said] exploits women in prostitution, pornographic films, and commercial advertisements. He threatened merciless vengeance against the West and called on all Muslims [to join] the armed struggle.



Dr. 'Abd Al-Hamid Al-Ansari (Image" Elaph.com)

"The will was reported on by various media outlets, and a prominent media figure like Suleiman Al-Jawda was misled by it and penned an article [about it] titled 'A Will That Is Not Fleeting,' [in which he argued that] this was the first time that a suicide bomber left a will revealing the cause for his actions, and answers the question we have long asked ourselves after every terrorist attack - why do they blow themselves up? [He added that] El Bakraoui's will answers our question and maybe even quenches our thirst [for this knowledge]!

"Does the distinguished writer really believe this nonsense? Does he truly believe these phony excuses, and that El Bakraoui carried out his criminal act to defend Muslims and as a response to Western aggression against them?!

"If he does, then he is deluding himself on many accounts:

"1. Discourse justifying terrorist attacks and tying them to the issue of Palestine and to Western atrocities is a false discourse as old as the terrorist groups in Egypt, Algeria, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, and Morocco in the 1970s, who killed Muslims while claiming to defend their honor! Thus, the Houthis chant curses against the Jews and 'death to America and Israel,' while killing innocent Yemenis every day! And Hizbullah kills Syrians daily while claiming to resist Israel and America!

"2. All the declared plans of all of the terrorist organizations in the region include demands related to Palestine - but in 50 years, none of these organizations has carried out a single terrorist attack against Israel!

"3. El Bakraoui's will is not the first of its kind. It was preceded by other terrorist wills, notably that of Anas Al-Kandari, who carried out the attack in Faylaka, Kuwait in 2003,[2] which was titled 'To Our Leader Osama Bin Laden, We Will Not Resign Or Break Our Oath.' This will contained the same nonsense as El Bakraoui's will, and stated: 'Your country, oh America, has gone too far with [its] tyranny and arrogance. It killed 13,000 in Somalia, one million children in Iraq, and thousands of Muslims in Sudan and Indonesia, and occupies the land of the two holy shrines [Saudi Arabia]. It is the Christians who are supplying the weapons to the Jews who kill the Palestinians!' What a false will! If [Al-Kandari] or El Bakraoui were truthful, then they would have blown themselves up in Israel, and not among innocent peaceful people who are unconnected to the international political struggles in the region.

"4. Oh how they lie! They blow up worshipers who kneel and bow during the holy month [of Ramadan]; Boko Haram kills thousands and abducts hundreds of young girls; ISIS kills Muslims and enslaves Yazidi women; the Taliban kills Afghans and wipes out a generation of lawyers in Quetta [Pakistan], along with their parents and relatives.[3] Then they shamelessly call for jihad to combat Western injustices against Muslims!

"5. The international battles of interests and the injustices that stem from them are not exclusive to the Muslims. There are many conflicts and injustices around the world, and many peoples in Africa, Asia, and South America suffer the injustice of global powers fighting each other - yet they do not produce terrorists who kill innocent people at train stations or restaurants or marketplaces or public ceremonies and then pretend [to have done so in order] to avenge the usurped honor of their nation!

"6. Terrorist activity existed before all the domestic or foreign injustice [that terrorists claim motivate their actions]. It is rooted in the ancient Kharijites[4] and [earlier] terrorist groups in the modern era - except that in the past, the effects of terrorism were limited, while today it has spread and become more vicious under the influence of the media.

"7. The writer [Suleiman Al-Jawda] who saw terrorism as a response to political injustice was mistaken. His is a serious methodical error in diagnosing [the situation]. Terrorism is an ideology with its own philosophical structure, independent terminology, and viewpoint, and it is based on deep hatred for the other, to the point of [willingness] to die for the faith, and with no connection to or backing from political and social elements.

"8. Politicizing terrorist activity by defining it as a reaction to Western injustice gives it an aura of praiseworthy heroism that attracts more and more young people, ensures its continuity, and makes it harder to deal with.

"And finally, nobody blows himself up to combat injustice, but rather for the sake of a religious belief that lionizes his crime under the guise of jihad and a martyr's death for the sake of Islam." [5]

Endnotes:
(Xinhua) 11:35, September 14, 2016

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who has been staying at home since swooning at a 9/11 memorial ceremony due to pneumonia, will return to campaign trail on Thursday, her Campaign twittered Tuesday.

The former secretary of state is set to speak at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute gala in Washington D.C. on Thursday and due in several battleground states next week, said her campaign, which has promised to release Clinton's medical records later this week.

Donald Trump, her Republican rival, also promised to offer up more information about his health later this week, following quarrels between the two campaigns over which candidate is more secret about their health and wealth.

A damaging video of Clinton's faint at Ground Zero on Sunday, has turned the issue of health transparency onto the central stage in their White Housebids.

Clinton was diagnosed pneumonia two days before she fainted on Sunday but her campaign had kept it quiet until the video was put online.

However, earlier on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid blasted the media for having blown Clinton's pneumonia out of proportion.

"You've all been unfair to Hillary ... Look at Donald Trump at his medical records, which are nonexistent," he told reporters at a news conference.

Also on Tuesday, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine suggested that Clinton's decision to keep campaigning despite suffering from pneumonia was influenced by the historic nature of her bid to become the country's first woman president.

The United Statesis "uniquely bad at electing women to office," the Virginia senator told a crowd at the University of Michigan, citing it a factor affecting her race against the New York billionaire.

Only 19 percent of the U.S. Congress is female, though it is the highest percentage in the country's history, Kaine noted.

The September race is observed unexpectedly rough for Clinton as her wounds were rubbed salt into continuously, including a gaffe about Republican "deplorables." A series of national poll results show that her lead over Trump has been narrowed since Labor Day.
A Chinese Air Force Su-30 fighter is refueled during a routine combat simulation drill over the West Pacific Sept. 12, 2016. The Chinese Air Force on Monday sent multiple aircraft models, including H-6K bombers, Su-30 fighters, and air tankers, for the drill. The fleet conducted reconnaissance and early warning, sea surface cruising, inflight refueling, and achieved all the drill's targets. (Xinhua/Xiao Jianjun)
Around 23 Zika cases have been reported on the Chinese mainland. [Photo: Xinhua]

Central China's Henan Province announced its first Zika case on Tuesday, with the patient described to be in stable condition, according to local health authorities.

It is the 23rd Zika case reported on the Chinese mainland, said an official with the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of Henan.

The patient, a 28-year-old man, arrived at the airport of Zhengzhou, capital of Henan, last Thursday morning. The infrared radiation thermometer at the airport detected his temperature to be 37.6 degrees Celsius.

The man told doctors that he had been suffering from a fever, headaches and a sore throat for four days, and he had a rash on his body.

Before returning to China, he had worked for two months in Guatemala. He went to the United States last Tuesday and flew back via Seoul.

The passenger denied being bitten by a mosquito over the past two weeks. He also ruled out the possibility of other transmission channels such as sex, blood transfusions or contact with Zika-infected people.

He was confirmed to have Zika after his urine and saliva tested positive on Monday.

He has been quarantined, and local authorities didn't find Zika symptoms in other passengers on the same flight.

Zika virus is acquired through bites from infected Aedes aegypti mosquitos. Common symptoms include fever, skin rash and joint pains. It can also cause microcephaly, brain malformations and other birth defects if a pregnant woman is infected.

According to the China Central Television, at least 30 Chinese nationals were confirmed to be infected with Zika in Singapore.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias is meeting today, Wednesday 14 September at 14:00, at the Foreign Ministry, with Dimitris Syllouris, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus.
Ladies and Gentlemen,



I would like to warmly thank you for attending todays ceremony on the occasion of inaugurating the Pavilion of MFAs G.S.G.A. at the 81st Thessaloniki International Fair.



The presence of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad at this year's fair is another landmark in its 32 years of continuous contribution to the Greek Diaspora, contribution we are expanding further.



The starting point for further enhancing and deepening ties and connections between the motherland and Greeks abroad can be no other but our shared path with the Hellenism of Cyprus.



Today, it is an honour and our pleasure to be hosting in Thessaloniki Fotis Fotiou, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs & Overseas Cypriots of the Republic of Cyprus, whom I have been working closely together with for months on a bilateral level.



Our shared objective is to develop and synchronise our pace with regard to the Diaspora, to help activate Greeks everywhere along with fostering their two-way relationship with the centre of the nation. To that end, I have already been to Cyprus twice so as to conclude all necessary steps for a cooperation agreement to be co-signed at the end of this year, for joint actions by the Greek and the Cypriot diaspora.



We are hopeful this synergy of ours will be further enriched at the level of our trilateral cooperation arrangements with other countries. Our plans include having a trilateral cooperation agreement on Diaspora affairs between Greece, Cyprus and Israel aspiring to exchange know-how on communication networks linking the motherland with citizens abroad.



Greeks abroad are, after all, a strategic partner for our government in consolidating equitable and balanced growth, which is why we are working towards having the Council for Greeks Abroad (SAE) restart, establishing its HQ in Thessaloniki, wishing to capitalize on such our unique human capital for the benefit of our country.



Moreover, we are investing in showcasing and promoting the values of Greek culture and language by establishing an International Greek Language Day. As you are aware, the Parliament recently adopted the relevant new institutional framework for Greek education abroad, thus modernizing and updating Greek studies to bring them in line with current educational standards and needs.



Throughout this activity of ours, our Cypriot siblings have been our partners and supporters. It is with them we shall next be developing a series of common actions, with Thessaloniki at the core, and with the cooperation of the Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus in our city.



Ladies and Gentlemen,



Let me extend my thanks to G.S.G.A. staff for their overall efforts to keep relations between the motherland and the Diaspora substantial and alive.



Thank you.
Today marks the 17th anniversary of the untimely death of Giannos Kranidiotis.

Throughout his diplomatic and political career Giannos Kranidiotis served the interests of Hellenism selflessly and consistently while being decisively instrumental in the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union.

As negotiations are ongoing for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, we are once again honoring the memory and diplomatic legacy of Giannos Kranidiotis and pursue efforts so that his vision to have the island reunite and Turkish troops leave materialize.

The solution to the Cyprus problem cannot but take into account the given facts created by the participation of Cyprus in the EU, which Giannos worked tirelessly and effectively for.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

Trend:

Armenias armed forces have 16 times violated the ceasefire on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops over the past 24 hours, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry Sept. 14.

The Armenian armed forces stationed in Vazashen village of the Ijevan district, Chinari village of the Berd district and on the nameless heights of the Krasnoselsk district opened fire at the Azerbaijani positions located on the nameless heights of the Gazakh district, Kokhanebi village of the Tovuz district and the nameless heights of the Gadabay district.

Positions of the Azerbaijani army also underwent fire from the Armenian positions located near Shikhlar village of Azerbaijani Aghdam district, Kuropatkino village of the Khojavand district, Qarakhanbayli village of the Fizuli district, Mehdili village of the Jabrayil district and the nameless heights of the Khojavand district.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

By Elmira Tariverdiyeva  Trend:

If a person has a lot of money, he or she can buy many things, including the right to commit a crime, even at an international level.

Apparently, an owner of one of Russia's largest industrial and construction national holdings is guided by such a principle.

Tashir Group of Companies, owned by Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, is now reportedly amid negotiations to purchase the electric network of Azerbaijans occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region, the Zhamanak (Time) newspaper reported, citing its own sources.

The deal, if completed, will thus make the company the manager of the electric networks in Armenia and the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, according to the newspaper.

Tashir Group of Companies previously acquired "Electric Networks of Armenia" in 2015 following the protests related to the electricity tariffs hike.

However, now, President of the Tashir Group of Companies Samvel Karapetyan has decided to violate all international laws and acquire power grids in the territory occupied by Armenia.

In other words, the Armenian businessman, who made his fortune by selling enamel wash basins, has decided to buy the electrical transmission networks belonging to Azerbaijan from thieves and occupants. It is clear that Karapetyan would not have made his fortune if he had obeyed the law.

However, it is possible to make many people to turn a blind eye to the violations of the law by knowing the individuals who should be brought around and the organizations which should be provided with another charitable tranche.

Karapetyan is well-known for investing in the charity and this is appreciated by the countrys authorities.

Moreover, Karapetyan regularly gets lucrative contracts from the state agencies as well.

So, the companies, having relations with Samvel Karapetyans Tashir group, received the state contracts worth more than $800 million in 2015, The Moscow Post reported.

By the way, the companies affiliated with Tashir group received most of state contracts from Gazprom company in 2015, in one word  the king of the state order.

Karapetyan intends to illegally purchase the electrical transmission networks of the Azerbaijani region and this is not his first crime.

He prefers to keep abreast of Armenian oligarchic policy. It is an interesting fact that one of the partners of Samvel Karapetyan is Karen Karapetyan who is expected to head the Armenian government soon.

Karapetyan spares no expense to support the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Yerevan.

Recently, after Yerevans fiasco during the counterattack of Azerbaijani armed forces on the line of contact between Armenian and Azerbaijani armies, Karapetyan decided to give encouragement to the separatists and war criminals.

Tashir Charity Foundation led by him allocated $500,000 to the de facto regime in Nagorno-Karabakh and $2,000 to the families of each killed serviceman in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

It is not big money for the life of young people who died for foreign lands and for the ambitions of their masters, however, the gesture itself is unambiguous.

Naturally, helping separatists, criminals and occupiers is a private business and one cant raise an objection if this money is transferred by a charity foundation and as a donation.

But Russian companys official purchasing electricity networks on Azerbaijans internationally recognized territory is an international crime for which even a company named by Forbes as King of public procurement, should be held responsible.

---

Elmira Tariverdiyeva is the head of Trend Agency's Russian News Service
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

Trend:

The OSCE monitoring held on the line of contact between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops has passed without incidents, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said Sept. 14.

The monitoring was held Sept. 14 under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative on the line of contact near Alkhanly village of Azerbaijans Fizuli district.

On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring was held by Jiri Aberle, Peter Svedberg, and Simon Tiller  the field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative.

On the Azerbaijani territories occupied and controlled by Armenian armed forces, the monitoring was held by Andrzej Kasprzyk, personal representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office, and field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative Ghenadii Petrica and Hristo Hristov.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.14

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands to Azerbaijan, Onno Kervers.

Ambassador Onno Kervers reviewed a guard of honor. Kervers presented his credentials to President Aliyev.

President Aliyev then had a conversation with the ambassador.

Hailing bilateral relations between the two countries, the president noted that Azerbaijan is keen on further expanding these ties.

Recalling his meeting with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte during international events, President Aliyev underlined the importance of the visits of Dutch ministers and other senior officials accompanied by large delegations to Azerbaijan in terms of boosting cooperation between the two countries.

The president said a number of Dutch companies are successfully operating in Azerbaijan, and praised the significant projects which they implemented.

The president hailed the contribution of the Netherlands as an important member of the European Union to Europe-related issues. President Aliyev hailed positive prospects for the development of both Azerbaijan-Netherlands and Azerbaijan-European Union relations. He expressed confidence that these relations will further develop. The president expressed hope that Onno Kervers will contribute to the development of these ties and cooperation between the two countries.

Ambassador Kervers extended the best wishes of the King of the Netherlands His Majesty Willem-Alexander to Azerbaijan and its people. He described the relations between the two countries, which were established in a relatively short period of time, as dynamically developing.

The ambassador noted that he was deeply impressed by the beauty of Baku. Saying Dutch companies are actively operating in a variety of fields in Azerbaijan, Kervers hailed good opportunities for the expansion of ties in the fields of energy, information and communication technologies and agriculture.

President Aliyev thanked for the wishes of the King of the Netherlands, and asked the ambassador to extend his greetings to His Majesty Willem-Alexander.
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 Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism (MICAT)
BAD AXE  A late motion to cap the number of wind turbines in Huron County was tabled at Tuesdays Huron County Board of Commissioners meeting.

The cap number would be 550 under the resolution added to the agenda by Commissioner Clark Elftman.

This cap would not affect those whose overlays have been approved, states the resolution.

The board voted 6-1 to table the issue for up to 90 days, pending information about how many turbines are currently in the county, how many are being constructed, and how many have been approved.

County Building and Zoning Director Jeff Smith was out of the office Tuesday, and therefore unable provide the numbers to the board.

The intent of the resolution was for it to be countywide, Elftman said, and officials discussed the repercussions of that on self-zoned townships.

You could make an argument that you could just have an umbrella ordinance for the county, and then any time the township had its own ordinance, that would preempt the countys zoning ordinance as long as that township zoning ordinance was in effect, County Corporate Counsel Steve Allen said.

It directs our county planning commission to consider the number of turbines in the county, Commissioner David G. Peruski said but not necessarily have jurisdiction over the townships that zone themselves.

The policy could be amended in the future to allow more turbines, Allen said.

If we do nothing and we just leave our ordinance the way it is to regulate, ultimately, theres a saturation point just based on the setbacks. ... So we should know what the saturation point is for the non-county zoning communities, we should know what the saturation point is for the county,

He added that issues such as flicker and infrasound from turbines could be further examined, along with what happens when the projects are decommissioned.

Allen called the resolution a talking point that would get the process of capping turbines started.

Commissioner Rich Swartzendruber said he was let down by the idea of the resolution.

Im personally disappointed that we spent hours of time, along with commissioner Peruski and others, trying to improve and develop the wind ordinance that this county has.

The wind ordinance had been approved by a 6-1 vote.

And now it seems to be proposed to ignore that ordinance  which involved tens of thousands of dollars spent to get it right, to protect the health, safety and welfare of people, and to also provide property rights for those who wish to have turbines, Swartzendruber said.

Wruble questioned why Elftman made the move to cap wind turbines.

This  came out of left field, and kind of threw me for a loop, Wruble said.

Elftman said he first made the suggestion three years ago that turbines should be capped at 500.

Commissioner John A. Nugent said he was shocked as well.

I admire you for your political courage, he told Elftman. You certainly do stand by what you say.

Wruble said he agreed with the motion, but could not vote on it until he had more information.

Theres certain areas of our county where we host wind turbines, and theres other areas that are trying to host wind turbines that they shouldnt be in, he said.

Elftman was the only commissioner that voted against tabling the issue. Wruble made the motion to do so.

The resolution notes that the cap is permitted under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.
Headline changed, details added (first version posted on 12:18)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.14

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands to Azerbaijan, Onno Kervers.

Ambassador Onno Kervers reviewed a guard of honor. Kervers presented his credentials to President Aliyev.

President Aliyev then had a conversation with the ambassador.

Hailing bilateral relations between the two countries, the president noted that Azerbaijan is keen on further expanding these ties.

Recalling his meeting with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte during international events, President Aliyev underlined the importance of the visits of Dutch ministers and other senior officials accompanied by large delegations to Azerbaijan in terms of boosting cooperation between the two countries.

The president said a number of Dutch companies are successfully operating in Azerbaijan, and praised the significant projects which they implemented.

The president hailed the contribution of the Netherlands as an important member of the European Union to Europe-related issues. President Aliyev hailed positive prospects for the development of both Azerbaijan-Netherlands and Azerbaijan-European Union relations. He expressed confidence that these relations will further develop. The president expressed hope that Onno Kervers will contribute to the development of these ties and cooperation between the two countries.

Ambassador Kervers extended the best wishes of the King of the Netherlands His Majesty Willem-Alexander to Azerbaijan and its people. He described the relations between the two countries, which were established in a relatively short period of time, as dynamically developing.

The ambassador noted that he was deeply impressed by the beauty of Baku. Saying Dutch companies are actively operating in a variety of fields in Azerbaijan, Kervers hailed good opportunities for the expansion of ties in the fields of energy, information and communication technologies and agriculture.

President Aliyev thanked for the wishes of the King of the Netherlands, and asked the ambassador to extend his greetings to His Majesty Willem-Alexander.
Adecoagro S.A. operates as an agro-industrial company in South America. It engages in farming crops and other agricultural products, dairy operations, and land transformation activities, as well as sugar, ethanol, and energy production activities. The company is involved in the planting, harvesting, and sale of grains and oilseeds, as well as wheat, corn, soybeans, peanuts, cotton, sunflowers, and others; provision of grain warehousing/conditioning, handling, and drying services to third parties; and purchase and sale of crops produced by third parties. It also plants, harvests, processes, and markets rice; and produces and sells raw milk, UHT, cheese, powder milk, and others. In addition, the company engages in the cultivating, processing, and transforming of sugarcane into ethanol and sugar; and the sale of electricity cogenerated at its sugar and ethanol mills to the grid. Further, it is involved in the identification and acquisition of underdeveloped and undermanaged farmland, and the realization of value through the strategic disposition of assets. As of December 31, 2021, the company owned a total of 219,850 hectares of land, including 18 farms in Argentina, 8 farms in Brazil, and 1 farm in Uruguay, as well as a total of 241 megawatts of installed cogeneration capacity. Adecoagro S.A. was founded in 2002 and is based in Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. is a mortgage-focused REIT externally managed by Invesco Advisors Ltd. Invesco Advisors LTD is a subsidiary of Invesco which is a leading wealth manager and investment company for individuals, high net-worth clients, institutions, public entities, corporations, and governments. The firm created Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc to focus its decades of experience in the mortgage markets to generate a steady stream of cash for its investors.

The company was incorporated in 2008 in order to acquire, finance, and manage a portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and mortgages. Invesco believes that achieving the full potential of the mortgage market requires a blend of discipline, structure, and creativity because of long-term structural changes in the way real estate transactions and ownership are handled. The units of Invesco Mortgage Capital tend to yield high-double-digits and have paid more than $26 per unit on a split-adjusted basis since the dividend was initiated.

The objective is to provide risk-adjusted returns through dividends and capital appreciation using the combined strengths of three key Invesco groups; the in-house real estate team, the Worldwide Fixed Income team, and subsidiary WL Ross & Co. Invesco Mortgage Capital is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. As of Q3 2022, Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc held $4.9 billion in assets, $4.7 billion of which were listed as agency RMBS.

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. elected to be taxed as a REIT and so distributes at least 90% of its income to shareholders each year. The fund seeks to generate a high level of income while maintaining a stable portfolio and book value within a dynamic market. The investment strategy is opportunistic and not limited to a single type of mortgage security and so provides greater diversification than most other REITs as well.

Invesco invests in a blend of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) that are and are not guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or federally chartered corporation. The fund also invests in credit risk transfer securities, residential and commercial mortgage loans, and assorted real estate-related financing. Among the opportunities, the fund is pursuing are commercial real estate loan origination, securitizing residential mortgages, and risk-sharing arrangements with federal housing authorities.
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.
MasTec, Inc., an infrastructure construction company, provides engineering, building, installation, maintenance, and upgrade services for communications, energy, utility, and other infrastructure primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through Communications, Clean Energy and Infrastructure, Oil and Gas, Power Delivery, and Other segments. The company builds underground and overhead distribution systems, including trenches, conduits, cell towers, cable, and power lines, which provide wireless and wireline/fiber communications; clean energy infrastructure comprising renewable energy; natural gas, product transport; electrical and gas transmission, and distribution systems; heavy industrial plants; compressor and pump stations, and treatment plants; water and sewer infrastructure, including water pipelines; and other civil construction infrastructure. It also installs electrical and other gas distribution and transmission systems, power generation facilities, buried and aerial fiber optic and other cables, as well as home automation and energy management solutions. In addition, the company offers maintenance and upgrade support services comprising maintenance of customers' distribution facilities, networks, and infrastructure, including communications, power generation, pipeline, electrical distribution and transmission, and heavy civil infrastructure; service restoration for natural disasters and accidents; and routine replacements and upgrades to overhauls. Its customers include public and private energy providers, pipeline operators, wireless and wireline/fiber service providers, broadband operators, install-to-the-home service providers, and government entities. MasTec, Inc. was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

Trend:

The US President Barack Obama has congratulated Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, Michelle and I would like to extend our greetings to Muslims worldwide and our congratulations to those pilgrims who have just performed the Hajj, thereby completing a central tenet of their faith, said Obama in his congratulatory letter.

The Hajj is a powerful demonstration of the ability of millions of people from different cultures and countries to come together in prayer, reflection, and devotion, he added.

In addition to being a time of celebration, Eid al-Adha is a time for charity, when Muslims honor Ibrahims readiness to sacrifice his son by performing their own acts of service, said the US president. I am inspired and humbled by the millions of Muslims in America and around the world who take this moment to provide humanitarian assistance to those less fortunate.

In a time when millions are struggling to find new homes and communities after losing their own to conflict and natural disaster, we are continually reminded of our moral obligation to serve those in need, said Obama. Service, sacrifice, and peacebuilding lie among the shared roots and values of people of all faiths.

On behalf of the American people, we would like to wish a blessed and joyful Eid to Muslim communities around the world, he said.

Eid Mubarak and Hajj Mabrour, added Obama.
NASDAQ is an acronym for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations. The NASDAQ stock exchange is owned by Nasdaq, Inc. and serves as an international electronic marketplace where investors can buy and sell securities. It is the second largest stock exchange in the world.

The NASDAQ exchange lists stocks from virtually every sector of the economy. Although they are heavily weighted in technology, you will also see them as a leader in fields such as healthcare and biotech, energy and industrials and financial services.

And the NASDAQ is also an index which is referred to as the NASDAQ Composite. When you hear that the NASDAQ was up or down, they are referring to the index.

This index measures over 3,000 stocks listed on the NASDAQ exchange and includes the worlds leading tech stocks including the FAANG stocks. The index is a mathematical average of the stocks that are listed. The NASDAQ index cant be traded. However, investors can purchase an index fund that is similar to a mutual fund or an ETF and is made up of the stocks in the index.

The purpose of this article is to provide a brief history of the NASDAQ, explain how its different from the NYSE and the Dow Jones Index, and why the NASDAQ is important to investors.

What Were the Origins of the NASDAQ?

The NASDAQ started trading on February 8, 1971. It was created as an alternative to the NYSE so as to give new, emerging companies a way into the stock market. Since the NYSE is made up of primarily blue-chip companies with a large market capitalization, many financially sound companies with modest assets had to look for alternate means to raise capital.

At first, the NASDAQ only provided quotations and matched buyers and sellers with dealers. As it started trading, it became a source for speculative, over-the-counter (OTC) stocks to raise capital. However, when it became the first U.S. stock market to conduct online trading, it soon became the go-to exchange for technology stocks that saw it as a more modern way to list their stocks. In a way, it reflected the innovation that those companies represented.

What Are the Listing Requirements for the NASDAQ?

For starters, the NASDAQ is a company. So every company that wishes to be listed on the NASDAQ has to pay an initial listing fee. This fee can be between $50,000 and $75,000. In addition, there is an annual fee to remain as a member. This fee can be as lows as $42,000 or as high as $155,000 depending on the companys size.

But being part of an exchange is not just a matter of paying dues. To be listed, a company must meet a set of requirements. These include but are not limited to:

Quantitative financial requirements (earnings, market cap, and assets)

Corporate governance standards that give clear guidance about issues like shareholder rights and annual meetings

Once a stock is listed, they must continue to meet regulatory requirements by making financial information about the company and the stock available to the public. And, the companies listed on the NASDAQ must meet SEC requirements, including the filing of financial reports. All of this is done to provide transparency to investors. For this reason, as the NASDAQ has grown up it is no longer the domain of speculative over-the-counter stocks.

How is the NASDAQ Different from the NYSE?

Initially, the primary difference between the NYSE and NASDAQ was in the way trades were conducted. The NYSE is an auction market. As the word auction implies, trades occur between buyers who offer a bid price for a stock and sellers who have an ask price. The highest bidding price is matched with the lowest asking price. The NASDAQ, by contrast, started as a dealers market where these dealers served as middlemen between buyers and sellers.

With the advent of trading technology, the difference in methodology between the two exchanges is more subtle. The NASDAQ now automatically matches buyers and sellers similar to an auction system. And the NYSE relies heavily on computers to facilitate their trades. One of the differences remains the presence of human brokers who still man the trading floor of the NYSE.

Another subtle difference comes with how the exchanges ensure liquidity and security. On the NYSE, each security has a Designated Market Maker (DMM) who serves as an auctioneer of sorts. Unlike the NYSE, each security on the NASDAQ has multiple Market Makers to help ensure liquidity. Apple, for example, has 54 registered Market Makers.

Yet another difference can be found in the size and profile of the companies listed with each exchange. As of June 2022, the NYSE includes approximately 2,400 companies with a market capitalization of over $28.2 trillion. The NASDAQ has over 3,300 listings with a total market capitalization of $11 trillion dollars. Why is this significant? The NYSE has been around since 1792 making it the oldest stock exchange and for almost 200 years the only game in town. As a result, it is home to many of what are seen as the blue-chip companies. The NASDAQ, by comparison, generally consists of stocks that are more volatile and growth oriented. In recent years, it is for housing the FAANG stocks (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google/Alphabet).

How is the NASDAQ Different from the Dow?

Both the Dow and the NASDAQ are predictive indicators of the market direction. In the case of the Dow, the stocks can be listed on the NYSE or the NASDAQ exchanges.

The Dow Jones (also known as The Dow) is an index of what are considered the 30 biggest companies in terms of scale and firm returns. When stock reports are given you usually hear reference to The Dow was up X number of points or The Dow was down X number of points. This is referring to the average of these 30 stocks. It is considered to be a broad view of the market in general. You may also hear the phrase advancers versus decliners. This refers to how many stocks in the Dow 30 made gains for the day (advancers) and how many had losses (decliners).

The companies in the Dow 30 make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). Some investors may buy an index fund which contains only the securities that make up the Dow 30.

The NASDAQ is also an index, but it is also an exchange that is made up of over 3,400 individual securities. Many of these securities are in the technology sector. Some of these securities may be part of the Dow 30, but the index as a whole is separate from the Dow. Like the Dow, many investors choose to invest in index funds that are tailored to stocks in the NASDAQ. The USAA NASDAQ 100 Index Fund (USNQX) is one such fund. This fund includes the 100 biggest stocks (non-financial) that are listed on the NASDAQ exchange.

What Does the NASDAQ Say About Investor Sentiment?

The NASDAQ offers growth investors a cue to how much risk the market is willing to absorb at a given moment. For example, when you hear that the Dow is up (which usually means the NYSE is up), it typically signals a time of where investors may be less inclined to take risks. But when the NASDAQ is up and the Dow is down or trailing, it usually signifies that investors are more confident about the overall economy and are willing to assume more risk.

And as we stated earlier, the NASDAQ still plays a critical role in how many young companies go public. There were 34 initial public offerings (IPOs) posted on the NYSE in 2016. This was just three percent of the total volume of IPOs worldwide. By contrast, in that same year, the NASDAQ held 77 IPOs which was seven percent of global IPOs, more than double that of the NYSE.

Some Final Thoughts on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange

The arrival of the NASDAQ stock exchange in the 1970s created a choice for investors that meant more than just choosing Coke or Pepsi. By offering a lower cost of entry and welcoming start-ups with a focus on innovation, the NASDAQ gave these companies a stock exchange that looked like them.

Today, the NASDAQ is the largest electronic stock market with over 3,000 companies listed. And ironically, the five largest companies in terms of market cap are listed on the NASDAQ. However, although this stock exchange has grown up a bit, it still retains its rebellious cache. With its focus on technology stocks, many of the worlds most nimble and innovative companies look to get listed on the NASDAQ as a way to raise capital. It is almost synonymous with technology and serves as a predictor of the broader markets appetite for risk.
My review of Gemini Moon was seen yesterday--today we all get a glimpse of how this story originated. Thank you Maria Grazia Swan for so graciously allowing us to know the background-it is interesting!And now for the Guest Post by Maria Grazia Swan, author of Gemini MoonIt was a cold, foggy spring morning up in the Cuyamaca Mountains, East of San Diego, and I sat and listened intensely to Jan Burkes workshop on how to make our fiction feel more real. All this happened at one of the Bare Bones Conference, organized by the San Diego chapter of Sisters in Crime, and, yes, it was a long time ago, and the location was a vacant summer camp for girls just outside Julian. We slept on bunk beds and ate macaroni and cheese and entertained ourselves with games we played sitting around tables by a large roaring fireplace. Now you understand the "Bare Bones" name, right? One of the highlights of those games was one night when I was partnered with J.A. Jancethe woman is a riot! But back to writing.Jans suggestion was to build your fictional story around bits of truth. Im not going to bore you with details, however, that workshop left such an impression on me that I have been applying that principle to all my works of fiction, and I will explain how I was able to blend truth and fiction for all of my Lella Yorks mysteries, starting with the first chapter of Gemini MoonIts late evening and she is strolling on Ponte Vecchio (Florence, Italy) where she meets a strange astrologer Ok, my name is not Lella York, however, the late night stroll on Ponte Vecchio and the bizarre encounter with the astrologer? All true. And actually the Hotel Lungarno is also a real place and, yes, for years it was my favorite hotel to stay, and yes, I watched thecook trying to reel in a fish As for the astrologer, the red velvet table cover, and the candle in "Gemini Moon?" True. Was the man a real astrologer or not? I cant tell for sure, but he was from Spain, and I have the feeling he was an art student trying to make extra money. Of course Im not sure. Here is what really happened: I accidentally gave him the wrong birthdatesubsequently the whole chart was messed up, we ended up arguing, but we parted on good terms. And he did keep my money. But the little incident got me thinkingwhat if? And there you have it, my first chapter, inspired by a real encounter.About the Author: (from Amazon)I love to hear from my readers. mgsweb1@gmail.com thank youNational Bestselling author Maria Grazia Swan was born in Italy, but this rolling stone has definitely gathered no moss. She lived in Belgium, France, Germany, in beautiful Orange County, California where she raised her family, and is currently at home in Phoenix, Arizona--but stay tuned for weekly updates of Where in the World is Maria Grazia Swan?As a young girl, her vivid imagination predestined her to be a writer. She won her first literary award at the age of fourteen while living in Belgium. As a young woman Maria returned to Italy to design for--ooh-la-la--haute couture. Once in the U.S. and after years of concentrating on family, she tackled real estate. These days her time is devoted to her deepest passions: writing and helping people find happiness.Maria loves travel, opera, good books, hiking, and intelligent movies (if she can find one, that is). When asked about her idea of a perfect evening, she favors stimulating conversation, Northern Italian food and perfectly chilled Prosecco--but then, who doesn't?Maria has written short stories for anthologies, articles for high profile magazines and numerous blogs tackling love and life.Website: http://www.mariagraziaswan.comContact Maria: mgsweb1@gmail.com-or- touch base with her on Facebook.
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.
Twelve U.S. warplanes, including a B-52 Stratofortress bomber and A-10 Thunderbolts, carried out a massive airstrike Monday on a suspected chemical weapons production complex in the ISIS-held stronghold of Mosul, Iraq, the commander of U.S. Central Command air forces said Tuesday.

The sprawling complex in the Mosul area had been a pharmaceutical factory and was suspected of having been taken over by ISIS to produce "chlorine or mustard gas -- we don't know for sure at this point," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, the commander of U.S. Air Forces for U.S. Central Command in southwest Asia.

In a video briefing to the Pentagon, Harrigian said the airstrike included F-15s, A-10s, F-18s, F-16s and a B-52. Twelve aircraft in all targeted "50 points of interest" in the complex.

He said that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria had "converted a pharmaceutical plant complex into a chemical weapons production facility that also served" as a headquarters building for ISIS commanders in the area.

Despite the intensity of the airstrike, it was not the largest carried out recently in the Mosul area, according to CentCom. In late August, 17 warplanes, including B-52s and Belgian F-16s, combined in a massive airstrike on a factory for Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices, CentCom said.

As the anti-ISIS campaign presses on Mosul and Raqqa, the self-proclaimed ISIS capital in northeastern Syria, the U.S. has become increasingly concerned that ISIS will resort to chemical weapons.

In August last year, U.S. Central Command reported that about 70 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters allied with the U.S. were incapacitated from what was believed to be a mustard gas attack in northern Iraq. Air Force Col. Pat Ryder, a CentCom spokesman at the time, said it was well known that ISIS was seeking to acquire chemical weapons and "they clearly have demonstrated that they are a barbaric and inhumane enemy."

Last month, the United Nations-affiliated Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons found that Syria's air force had used chlorine gas at least twice since 2013. The organization also found that ISIS was suspected of a mustard gas attack. ISIS was "the only entity with the ability, capability, motive and the means to use sulfur mustard" gas in the Aleppo area of Syria on Aug. 21, 2015, the group said.

At the time, National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition had placed "a high priority on targeting" ISIS chemical weapons capabilities, CNN reported.

"We will continue to remove leaders from the battlefield with knowledge of these weapons and will target any related materials and attempts to manufacture such chemicals going forward," Price said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

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Department of Defense Education Activity public schools soon will require all students worldwide to get an annual flu vaccine as part of an updated vaccination policy, officials said.

"The annual seasonal influenza vaccine has been added to the list of required immunizations for students attending DoDEA schools," school officials said in an announcement included in a newsletter emailed this week to parents of children at Fort Campbell, Kentucky's high school.

"The requirement goes into effect starting this school year (Fall 2016) and will be a required vaccine for all students for every school year," they said.

The announcement, published in a Sept. 7 memo posted to Health.mil, was intended to be rolled out through a coordinated announcement at on-base schools. However, a organizational snafu within the activity resulted in an early release of details, officials said, creating confusion for parents in some locations.

"DoDEA is coordinating a change to immunization requirements for students that would include an annual seasonal influenza vaccine," said Cindy Gibson, a spokesperson for DoDEA. "The documents that facilitate this change were put into internal school communications channels ahead of schedule. DoDEA is working to get the information into the appropriate channels."

According to the policy, children must have the vaccine by Dec. 1.

Students in Europe-based defense schools have needed the vaccine since 2010 after a change from U.S. European Command required the shot for all employees. The vaccine has never before been required at stateside schools or those in the Pacific.

Officials said they made the change in an effort to reduce flu incidents in schools and on bases.

"The annual influenza vaccine is the best defense against influenza," Gibson said. "Improved health and safety reduces absenteeism; a reduction in absenteeism improves student academic achievement."

Families can get more information on how to get a vaccine for their children by talking to a school nurse or visiting their local military treatment facility. Officials with the Defense Health Agency said they do not anticipate any flu vaccine shortages at on-base clinics this year.

Parents can receive a vaccine waiver from the activity for religious or medical reasons. The waiver must be signed and submitted to the school at the beginning of the year or before the vaccine required-by date, Gibson said. In the case of an outbreak, children who are not vaccinated against the disease in question may be ordered to stay home, the waiver states.

-- Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com.
Opening ceremony of Baku Summer Oil School was held at Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS).

Thus, the project of BHOS to host summer school was accepted in order to be financed in the frames of Go East, German Academic Exchange Service. The head of the project is Aytan Shadlinskaya, specialist of BHOS quality assurance department.

Opening the ceremony, BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov welcomed guests and briefed on the history and activities of the higher school. Touching upon achievements of BHOS, rector also talked about the projects being realized there. He said he was pleased that BHOS was engaged with the project in question and participation of six students representing the leading universities of Germany in it. Elmar Gasimov wished project participants every success.

Office Manager of the Information Center of German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in Baku Stefanie Dufaux who attended the meeting congratulated the participants and said that it was the second time that the project in question was being realized on the part of BHOS. She said that owing to involvement in the project German students also had chance to familiarize with BHOS, one of the leading higher schools of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan. Stefanie Dufaux said that Azerbaijan is distinguished with its hospitality. The head of the project Aytan Shadlinskaya briefed on the mentioned project and introduced the participants. Then BHOS four year students Fidan Salimzade and Leyla Pishyari made presentation specially prepared for the opening of Baku Summer Oil School.

It should be pointed out that six students representing leading German Universities and three Azerbaijani students will join Baku Summer Oil School organized by BHOS in the frames of Go East program of German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The project will be held between September 14 and September 24, 2016 at BHOS. In the frames of the project BHOS professors will conduct lectures for the said students on following topics: Energy Policy of Azerbaijan, Global Oil Policy, Innovations Applied in Petroleum Well Drilling, Renewable Energy Sources. Along with expanding academic knowledge, students will travel to Sheki to closely familiarize with Azerbaijan. They will also have the opportunity to visit Gobustan National Historical and Art Museum, Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, Azerbaijan National Art Museum and Heydar Aliyev mosque. With the purpose of familiarization with the oil history of Azerbaijan, the students will visit Sangachal oil terminal, mud volcanoes, historical oil wells, oil museum etc. Students who successfully complete the program will be awarded certificates on the part of BHOS.
Two lawmakers say they are reassured the Marine Corps is working to enact policies to root out hazing after a recruit's tragic suicide brought public attention to a pattern of mistreatment and abuse by drill instructors within his battalion.

Reps. Debbie Dingell, a Democrat from Michigan, and Darrell Issa, a Republican from California, traveled to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, over the weekend to meet with the depot's commander, Brig. Gen. Austin Renforth, about the findings of three command investigations into the death of 20-year-old Muslim recruit Raheel Siddiqui and other allegations of hazing.

Renforth, an infantry officer, took command of the base in June, after three senior leaders had been fired and 15 drill instructors sidelined in connection with the hazing probes.

In a joint announcement Wednesday, Dingell and Issa expressed horror at the findings of the investigation, but optimism that the Corps was moving in the right direction.

"This weekend's visit was an opportunity to see firsthand the changes that are being implemented to achieve this goal. After meeting with General Renforth and talking with other key members of leadership, drill instructors, and recruits, it is clear that the Marine Corps is treating this issue with the seriousness it deserves," Dingell said in a statement.

"General Renforth has assured me this is personal to him and he is committed to working towards real change to help prevent a tragedy like this from happening in the future," she added.

Dingell, who has the Siddiqui family in her district and has pressed the Marine Corps for information since his March 18 death, said the immediate changes the service had implemented -- including automatically suspending staff who are being investigated for hazing and increasing officer oversight of drill instructors -- provided evidence of Renforth's dedication to eradicate the problems.

"This is just a first step and continued monitoring in the weeks and months ahead will be necessary to ensure these policies have their intended effect," she said.

Issa, whose district includes the Marine Corps' West Coast recruit depot in San Diego, called the findings surrounding Siddiqui's death "nothing short of heartbreaking."

"Beyond training procedures and safeguards, we must do more to prevent active-duty personnel suicide overall," he said in a statement. "Statistics released earlier this year show the number of service members committing suicide remains unacceptably high while reserve suicide rates have increased."

I remain committed to assisting our Marines and all of our services in working to provide all the support they need," he added.

The results of the three command investigations, reviewed by Military.com on Sept. 8, revealed that the drill instructor whose abuse and harassment of Siddiqui provided "impetus" for the recruit's death had been previously investigated for hazing another Muslim recruit by throwing him in a clothes dryer and calling him a "terrorist."

The probes revealed a culture of hazing within 3rd Recruit Training Battalion that stretched back at least as far as 2015 and was only curtailed after a recruit's family wrote a letter to President Barack Obama in April, a month after Siddiqui's death.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Lawyers for a former Naval Academy instructor who faces court-martial in January on charges of lying about a sexual affair with two midshipmen are accusing prosecuting attorneys of misconduct, alleging they violated ethics rules by denying a key witness the right to counsel.

At issue is a grant of immunity for another former Naval Academy instructor. Prosecutors say Maj. Michael Pretus and the defendant, Maj. Mark Thompson, participated in a 2011 threesome with a female student while Thompson was an instructor and Pretus was a guest at the academy, there to lecture about his combat experiences.

During a 2013 court-martial in which Thompson was accused of indecent conduct and sexual assault, Pretus vouched for Thompson as a witness for the defense. Pretus was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service at the time on suspicion of perjury but refused to answer questions, and the matter was ultimately dropped.

But when a Washington Post story published earlier this year revealed new evidence that Thompson had lied to an administrative board of inquiry about having a sexual relationship with midshipmen, investigators approached Pretus with an offer: Testify for the prosecution against Thompson and enjoy protection from prosecution for his own role in the illicit behavior.

Thompson is set to face court-martial in January on charges of making false official statements to a board of inquiry that voted to keep him in the Marine Corps after his first trial; and of conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman for allegedly lying to the Washington Post reporter, John Woodrow Cox, about the nature of his relationship with the two midshipmen.

In a motions hearing Sept. 13 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, defense attorney Navy Lt. Clay Bridges said the three attorneys for the prosecution engaged in misconduct by not allowing Pretus to confer with an attorney before signing the immunity offer, made by Vice Adm. Walter E. "Ted" Carter, superintendent of the Naval Academy.

At the time of the offer, Pretus made a lengthy statement in which he described his friendship with Thompson, the sexual encounter with a midshipman, and phone calls between the two on another night, in which he alleges Thompson revealed his intent to have sex with two drunken midshipmen then at his house.

"The actions of the trial team have resulted in a different testimony," Bridges said in Wednesday's motions hearing. "And we will never be able to get the testimony back."

It's not clear how Pretus' testimony might have been different if he had been allowed to confer with an attorney, as he requested. Military.com left a phone message for Pretus requesting comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Bridges also called into question the circumstances by which Pretus and Thompson allegedly committed similar offenses, but with very different outcomes.

"Why has he never had any negative action, that we have seen, taken against him?" he asked. "What's lost is the due process Maj. Thompson had."

Bridges requested the military judge, Lt. Col. Christopher Greer, dismiss the charges or put forth a lesser remedy for the "chilling" effect of Pretus' testimony, allegedly obtained inappropriately. Greer has yet to rule on the motion; he said there is no deadline to render his decision.

The lead attorney for the prosecution, Marine Maj. Babu Kaza, maintained there was no prosecutorial misconduct or violation of rights, and added that nothing done by the prosecution had affected the issues at the heart of the case.

"The defense spends a lot of time talking about issues essentially irrelevant to this court," he said. "It never asserts the statement is false."

Bridges said Wednesday that the defense was also considering the possibility of alleging unlawful command influence, a claim that Carter used his position of authority to influence perception within the Marine Corps of Thompson and his case ahead of his trial.

On Monday, The Washington Post reported that the academy has taken steps to strengthen its instructor vetting process in the wake of publicity surrounding the alleged misconduct of Thompson and Pretus.

"It's a very unique privilege to come teach at the U.S. Naval Academy... We want to make sure we're getting what's been advertised," Carter told the paper.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck.
The White House confirmed Tuesday that President Obama plans to veto newly passed legislation allowing the families of 9/11 victims to sue the government of Saudi Arabia  laying the groundwork for a showdown with Congress. The bipartisan bill gained final approval Friday in the House. The White House now has the legislation, and spokesman Eric Schultz said aboard Air Force One that Obama intends to veto. He said the legislation is contrary to how the U.S. has conducted business on the international stage for decades. The administration for months has argued the legislation could harm the country's relationship with Saudi Arabia -- and cautioned that if the door is opened for U.S. citizens to take the Saudis to court, then a foreign country could in turn sue the United States. But the legislation has widespread support in Congress, and Republican lawmakers ripped Obama for his continued opposition on Tuesday. Rep. Louis Gohmert, R-Texas, said the threatened veto shows where the president's "loyalties" lie. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he hopes Obama rethinks the veto threat. A presidential veto could set up a vote to override in the run-up to the presidential election. Votes from two-thirds of the members in the House and Senate would be needed to override. The bill itself would give victims' families the right to sue in U.S. court for any role that elements of the Saudi government may have played in the 2001 attacks that killed thousands of Americans in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. The House vote was held ahead of the 15th anniversary of the terror attacks. Following Friday's vote, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., one of the authors of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, said he was "pleased" the House had "taken this huge step forward towards justice" and said he hoped the Obama administration would not veto the bill. "There are always diplomatic considerations that get in the way of justice, but if a court proves the Saudis were complicit in 9/11, they should be held accountable," Schumer said in a written statement. "If they've done nothing wrong, they have nothing to worry about." Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally, has voiced strong objections to the legislation. Friday's House vote comes two months after Congress released 28 declassified pages from a congressional report into 9/11 that reignited speculation over links at least a few of the attackers had to Saudis, including government officials. The allegations were never substantiated by later U.S. investigations into the terrorist attacks. --The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Three U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State targets in the past week may have killed civilians in northeastern Syria during "shaping operations" in preparation for an offensive against Raqqa, U.S. Central Command said.

In two of the incidents, a vehicle that may have been carrying civilians drove into the target area as the bomb or missile was being released, the said in a statement Tuesday night.

Since the U.S. air campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, began in August 2014, the American military has acknowledged that at least 55 civilians have been killed in strikes in Syria and Iraq.

The report on the latest possible civilian casualties from U.S. airstrikes came as Russia and the U.S. sought to maintain a seven-day "cessation of hostilities" in Syria to allow aid to reach isolated areas. The cessation was to form the basis for the potential coordination of U.S. and Russian airstrikes with a goal of limiting the civilian toll.

Central Command said that in a Sept. 7 strike near the northeastern Syrian town of Dayr Az Zawr, "what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft."

Another strike Sept. 10 near Raqqa, the self-proclaimed capital of ISIS, also may have resulted in civilian deaths, the command said. In a third strike Sept. 12 near Ash Shaddadah, another apparently civilian vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released, the command said.

"Every report of civilian casualties, from either internal or external sources, is scrutinized regarding possible casualties and collateral damage," the statement said, adding that "assessments determined to be credible are reviewed as to whether the actions comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict."

The Defense Department has maintained throughout the war against ISIS that the air campaign was the most precise in the history of air warfare and that civilian casualties, or collateral damage, have been low considering the number of sorties flown and munitions dropped.

According to U.S. Air Forces Central Command, U.S. and coalition warplanes conducted 1,789 combat strike sorties and nearly 4,145 total sorties in August in Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Since the air war began Aug. 8, 2014, U.S. and coalition aircraft have released munitions more than 54,000 times -- 6,292 in 2014; 28,696 in 2015, and 19,623 through August of this year, Air Forces Central Command said.

According to the Pentagon, the total number of civilian deaths from U.S. and coalition bombing in Iraq and Syria is 55. But human rights and monitoring groups, including Amnesty International, have charged that the death toll is much higher.

On July 19, at least 73 civilians were killed, many of them children, during U.S. coalition airstrikes near Manbij in northeastern Syria, which was under siege by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, according to the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. The commission noted that the U.S. had begun a formal investigation of the alleged incident, which is ongoing.

However, the commission said in a Sept. 6 report that much of the blame for the soaring civilian death toll in Syria's multi-sided, more than five-year-old civil war rested with the Syrian government air forces and their Russian allies.

All parties were to blame for "indiscriminate attacks on civilians," the report said, but commission investigator Vitit Muntarbhorn said at a U.N. news conference last week that bombings by "pro-government forces cause the most civilian casualties and damage to the civilian infrastructure, particularly in Idlib and Aleppo."

When asked to clarify, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, head of the commission, said, "The forces that are in the air are Russian and Syrian forces."

-- Oriana Pawlyk contributed to this report.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

The Islamic Corporation for Development of the Private Sector (ICD) is discussing an opportunity of allocating $30 million to two Azerbaijani banks and a company, a source close the talks told Trend.

The source did not specify the name of the company and the banks, stressing that the agreements will be signed soon.

The funds will be used to finance the projects in cotton-growing, food and textile industries, the source added.

According to the ICD financing rules, the minimum amount of the loan issued by the corporation is $10 million.

Thus, each of the two banks and the company will receive at least $10 million.

The ICD has been operating in Azerbaijan since 2003. ICD finances mainly small and medium enterprises in the country. The corporation is the founder of Ansar Leasing and a co-founder of the Caspian International Investment Company in Azerbaijan.

The ICD is a multilateral development financial institution and is a part of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group.
BAY CITY, MI -- When one of Chris LaPorte's art mentors laid eyes for the first time on his award-winning, life-sized pencil drawing "Cavalry" before it went in front of ArtPrize judges six years ago, he started to cry. The man understood what LaPorte had been going through.

"He said, 'I just realized what you have been doing while drawing this picture,'" Laporte said to a crowd of young professionals in Bay City on Wednesday, Sept. 14. "'All of these gentleman in this photo are gone, but you brought them back to life with the power you have to bring something back to life. Each of them are probably an indirect portrait of your dad. You were trying to draw your dad back to life.'"

"It definitely felt true," the Bay City-born artist said.

Top ten ArtPrize 2010 winner, Chris LaPorte, center, and the crowd that waited in line to see his large pencil drawing, "Cavalry, American Officers, 1921", on display at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

LaPorte's father died suddenly in 2009 after being struck by a car while riding his bike in Bay City. To grieve with the loss, LaPorte gravitated toward doing some kind of art project. That project started with a pencil drawing of an older photograph of his father, but it turned into an incredible, breathtaking endeavor that won the hearts of thousands of people who took it in during the 2010 ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids.

While working on the photo of his father, he came across a photo of 53 American soldiers posed together during World War I. Doing the math in his head, he determined it would need to be about 30-feet wide in order to be .

"You would think you would be daunted by that, but it was a relief," LaPorte said to a crowd of young professional in Bay City on Wednesday, Sept. 14.

With the second year of Art Prize ahead of him, the artist had a deadline and a venue to motivate him to get it done.

And that's exactly what he did. LaPorte was the 2010 winner of ArtPrize, taking home a $250,000 top prize.

The eighth annual art competition kicks off this month in Grand Rapids.

LaPorte's message Wednesday to an Energize Bay Area young professional group centered around using one's skills to their fullest extent.

"(Winning ArtPrize), reinforced my feeling of purpose," he said. "You need to reimagine your skills with what gives you purpose."

After attending Aquinas College, LaPorte started his art career doing caricatures at Cedar Pointe before going to graduate school in New York City. While in New York, he drew a lot of family portraits as a way of connecting with his family while he was away from home.

After winning the 2010 competition, he entered another life-size pencil drawing called "City Band," into the 2012 ArtPrize competition. The photo was of the 1926 Bay City Marching Band. LaPorte's grandfather, a trombone player in the band, was featured in the photo.

The art piece traveled from Michigan to North Carolina to Texas and then back to Michigan where LaPorte hopes to find it a permanent home.

"I think somewhere in Bay City would be most appropriate, especially being that (Bay City) Central has the longest running high school marching band in the state of Michigan," he said.

ArtPrize-goers check out Chris LaPorte's "City Band" in the Grand Rapids Art Museum Wednesday, September 19, 2012.

ArtPrize instituted a new rule where past winners could no longer compete, so you won't see any new work by LaPorte in the 2016 competition.

He said ArtPrize has become a more serious competition over the years.

"I think they've evolved it from being more of a city attraction to am ore serious art event," he said. "They've been moving incrementally toward that and now they have some serious A-list artists who are getting attention they deserve."
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. CEO Mark Fields confirmed Wednesday the Dearborn automaker plans to move all of its U.S. small-car production to Mexico.

Speaking during an investor event, Fields said the shift will occur over the next two to three years.

The move was widely expected, as automakers head south of the border to capitalize on cheaper labor for production of small cars, which have not been as profitable as trucks and SUVs.

Ford announced in April it is investing $1.6 billion in a new small car plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. It's building the facility this summer, and small cars are expected to be rolling off assembly lines there by 2018.

Ford also confirmed last year it plans to move production of the C-Max and Focus models outside the U.S., though it hasn't named a specific location. At the same time, the company is expected to build a Ranger mid-size pickup at Michigan Assembly beginning in 2018, and could also revive the Bronco SUV there.

Ford currently builds its Fiesta car in Mexico.

Mexico is Ford's fourth largest country for manufacturing, after the U.S., China and Germany. Vehicles produced by Ford in Mexico are sold in the U.S., Canada, several South American countries and South Korea.

The company has had operations in Mexico for 91 years.




Details added (first version posted on 13:39)

Sumgait, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

Azerbaijan has reduced the cost of construction of a carbamide plant of the state oil company SOCAR in the city of Sumgait.

The plants director Khayal Jafarov told reporters in Sumgait Sept. 14 that the cost of construction was reduced to 700-750 million euros through expenditure optimization. Previously, the cost of the plants construction was estimated at 900-920 million euros.

Currently, the cost of the plants construction, taxes included, is estimated at 700-750 million euros. This is the amount of investments needed to start production at the plant, said Jafarov.

He pointed out that some engineering solutions were changed for optimization and this led to a decrease in the projects cost.

Nevertheless, the decrease in the projects cost will not affect the plants main operating capabilities, added the plants director.

Jafarov noted that it is planned to solve the issue of raising 500 million euros for the project in October-November 2016.

Talks with South Koreas Export-Import Bank will be held in Seoul the next week. Moreover, talks are underway to attract funds from Deutsche Bank and two more European banks, he added.

The first products of SOCARs carbamide plant are expected to be received in the first quarter of 2018. South Koreas Samsung Engineering is the general contractor of the plants construction. Stamicarbon of the Netherlands and Haldor Topsoe of Denmark are licensors, while Finlands Neste Jacobs Oy is project management consultant.

The plant is expected to produce 2,000 tons of carbamide and 1,200 tons of ammonia per day.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov
Michigan LARA logo

SALINE, MI - A man believed to be in Florida has been ordered by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau to cease and desist selling unregistered securities through a Saline investment company.

Greg Nixon, who the state believes is a Florida resident, was employed or acted as an agent for a company in Saline called OSAD LLC, the state alleges. State officials could not provide a more detailed description of Nixon or where he resides.

The state alleges that since December 2010, OSAD offered securities in the form of investment contracts that were not federally covered and not registered pursuant to the Securities Act, according to a press release from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, also known as LARA.

A spokesperson from the Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau said the bureau received a complaint from a Canadian citizen who had made a $12,000 investment with OSAD through Nixon in 2010.

The Canadian citizen stopped receiving feedback from Nixon, who then told CSCL it was a failed business venture but failed to respond to further inquiries, prompting the cease and desist order, the state agency said.

According to the LARA website, OSAD LLC's resident agent is Eric R. Sloan. The office, listed as 210 E. Michigan Ave. in Saline, is not in good standing as of February 24, 2012, the website states.

The Ann Arbor News was unable to reach OSAD, Nixon or Sloan for comment.

LARA and CSCL issued the cease and desist order Monday, Sept. 12, accusing Nixon of violating the Michigan Uniform Securities Act or MUSA.

The cease and desist order allows Nixon to request a hearing, and would fine him with a $20,000 fee if the order becomes final without a request for hearing. Additional civil fines up to $500,000 can be imposed for violations related to failed compliance with the order.

Nixon could also face a felony charge for willfully violating MUSA, which is punishable by no more than 10 years in prison and/or a fine of not more than $500,000 for each violation. He has not been charged with criminal wrongdoing.

In the press release, CSCL Director Julia Dale said state law requires the proper registration of securities agents and the products they are selling in order to protect consumers. She encouraged investors to contact CSCL to check on a company or person's registration status.

Consumers can contact CSCL at 517-241-6345 or online at: www.michigan.gov/securities.
GRANDVILLE, MI - Roger Lucas' dream of building a castle in West Michigan is quickly rising out of the ground along 28th Street SW near Int. 196.

"Yesterday, we hit 100 feet," said Lucas, whose new Grand Castle apartment community will eventually feature a 15-story tower whose roof will peak out at nearly 200 feet. When completed, Grand Castle will include 400 apartments on the site of the former LaGrande mobile home park.

Lucas, a co-owner of Land & Co., and the sole owner of Grand Castle, said he has patterned the architecture after Neuschwanstein, a 19th century palace in southern Germany. The Bavarian castle is one of the most popular of European castles and the inspiration for Disney World's Cinderella Castle.

With more than 1 million square feet when completed, Grand Castle will rank as the second largest castle structure in the world, said Lucas, a castle aficionado who he estimates has visited Neuschwanstein at least 10 times.

"The advertising is simple: Live like a king," said Lucas, who is betting his love of castle architecture will be shared by a public that is eager to find affordable rental housing near downtown Grand Rapids without paying downtown rents.

"This is a place that is going to attract a lot of people because it's so unique," said Lucas, who broke ground on the site in April and claims the cast concrete construction is similar to that found at authentic castles.

When completed next summer, the $36.5 million construction project will include 400 apartments on top of a two-story parking garage with 750 parking spaces.

Future plans also call for a ring of two-story apartment buildings that will add another 100 "carriage house" units to the project. Plans also call for about 64,500 square feet of commercial space.

Jennifer Smith, Sales and Marketing Director for Land & Co., said their project is aimed at persons who want the amenities of downtown life without the high rents and hassles. Grand Castle will offer free covered parking, a 20-acre lake and recreational opportunities, she said.

Monthly rents will begin at $950 for a one-bedroom unit while two-bedroom units will be from $1,380 to $1,585. Three bedroom penthouses will rent from $1,650 to $3,000 per month.

"We're bringing something to the area that creates a downtown feel with a lot better price," Smith said. The Castle is 10 minutes from downtown by freeway and four miles from Rivertown Crossings Shopping Center.

Smith said they are confident they will fill the project. Land & Co. has more than 6,000 apartments in West Michigan and 1,000 units southwest of Grand Rapids. "We have a lot of units on this end of town and they all have waiting lists," she said.

Lucas said he's confident Grand Castle's unique character will create a draw in the apartment market. The castle will offer wide patios above the parking deck and views of the surroundings from its turrets and viewing decks.

Currently, about 100 construction workers are on the scene, pouring concrete walls that wills separate each one of the units. Lucas said he hopes to be finished pouring concrete before winter. The ends of the units will be filled by pre-stressed concrete panels that include castle-like arched windows.

Originally built in 1957, LaGrande Mobile Home Park was West Michigan's oldest mobile home park. It was closed in 2005 by Land & Co. and has been vacant ever since.
UM Flint

The University of Michigan Board of Regents will vote on a $39 million addition to the William R. Murchie Science Building on its Flint campus during its meeting on Thursday, Sept. 15. MLive file photo

ANN ARBOR, MI -- The University of Michigan Board of Regents will vote on a $39 million addition to the William R. Murchie Science Building on its Flint campus during its meeting on Thursday, Sept. 15.

U-M Flint proposed the project to construct a 65,000-square-foot addition to the building to "address immediate space limitations, meet growing demand for instructional, research, and collaborative spaces for the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines, and create engineering-specific instructional and research laboratories."

The proposed project is part of the 2017 fiscal year capital outlay request to the State of Michigan and subsequently received authorization for design in the 2017 Capital Outlay budget.

Once construction is authorized by the state Legislature, the state will fund $29.25 million of the project and the university will fund the balance with U-M-Flint resources.

"As regional, state, and national labor markets call for greater numbers of qualified STEM graduates, the proposed expansion will enable the University of Michigan-Flint to deliver the highest-quality education to ever-increasing numbers of students pursuing degrees in STEM disciplines," the Regents' action request states.

The Science Building recently underwent approximately 85,000 square feet of renovations, including upgrades to labs and building infrastructure. The $22.17 million project was completed in the fall of 2015, with $17 million of its costs paid for by the state.

If approved, the architectural firm of Harley Ellis Devereaux will design the project. The project is expected to provide an average of 100 on-site construction jobs.
YPSILANTI, MI - Ypsilanti Community Schools board of education signed off Monday, Sept. 12, on an agreement for Ann Arbor Public Schools to lease Ypsilanti's West Middle School for the next few months.

AAPS will use West Middle School, located at 105 N. Mansfield St., to house Allen Elementary School for five to 10 months, said YCS Superintendent Ben Edmondson. The lease calls for AAPS to pay $180,000 a month, and Ann Arbor will provide its own maintenance and food services, he said.

"We have done our due diligence in terms of what the building is worth," Edmondson said. "I think it worked out for (Ann Arbor schools) and it worked out for us."

Allen students and staff started the 2016-17 school year in the new temporary location after the school at 2560 Towner Blvd. suffered significant flooding damage when a water main broke on Aug. 18.

YCS was not using West Middle School, although it had been brought up to code for summer programs and there are plans to relocate Washtenaw International Middle Academy and Washtenaw International High School to the school in the 2017-18 school year.

Last month, Ypsilanti's and Ann Arbor's school boards authorized their respective superintendents to enter into negotiations for the lease. AAPS Superintendent Jeanice Swift announced Aug. 26 the two districts had reached an agreement, but school officials declined to disclose details until the school board had approved the lease.

The AAPS board meets Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Also at Monday's meeting, the Ypsilanti school board finalized the sale of Ardis school, 2100 Ellsworth Road, to Hope Community Church. The board approved the sale at its last meeting, and an addendum to the purchase agreement passed Monday.

Pastor Paul Manwiller noted the church's willingness to allow YCS to continue using the culinary arts wing at Ardis rent-free for the next four years, in a letter to the board dated Aug. 17. The church will pay $1.1 million for the property.

YCS moved its New Tech high school out of Ardis and into Ypsilanti Community High School this school year.
BAY CITY, MI -- Two men who reportedly overdosed on heroin and were charged with felonies in Bay County are having their cases take different paths through the justice system. One, who deliberately overdosed and was revived, has pleaded guilty to a felony. The other, a man who allegedly overdosed on the bathroom floor of a Bay County motel, has had the case against him dismissed due to a lack of evidence.

Kurt J. Reinhardt, 34, on Monday, Sept. 12, appeared before Bay County Circuit Judge Harry P. Gill and pleaded guilty to one count of possessing less than 25 grams of a narcotic or cocaine. The charge is a four-year felony. Reinhardt faced no other charges.

Reinhardt's case stems from Bay County sheriff's deputies, firefighters and paramedics on the afternoon of Feb. 28 responding to an overdose call at a home in the 1200 block of North Chilson Street in Bangor Township. They arrived and entered the basement, where they found Reinhardt on the floor with a woman performing CPR on him, court records show.

Emergency responders took over resuscitation efforts, cutting off Reinhardt's clothing in the process. They discovered a syringe and a bindle containing suspected heroin in one pocket and a handful of women's jewelry in another, court records show.

Witnesses at the residence said Reinhardt had left a homeless shelter that morning and had been working at the house. At one point, he entered a bathroom and remained in it for a long time, witnesses told police.

Witnesses eventually heard gurgling sounds coming from the bathroom and removed the door from its hinges to get to Reinhardt, who was face-down, they told deputies.

Reinhardt was taken to McLaren Bay Region hospital. Recovered enough to speak, Reinhardt told deputies he was trying to kill himself as he hates his life. To do this, he injected 100 units of heroin into his left hand, he said, according to court records.

Deputies determined the jewelry Reinhardt had in his pocket belonged to a woman he was doing housework for, court records show.

Reinhardt was on probation at the time of his overdose. In December, a judge sentenced him to three years of probation on convictions of larceny of more than $1,000 but less than $20,000 and larceny by conversion of between $1,000 and $20,000. Those charges stemmed from Reinhardt stealing his girlfriend's EBT card and a prepaid Visa card.

The Michigan Department of Corrections' website states Reinhardt has track mark scars on both of his arms.

Gill is to sentence Reinhardt at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24.

Devon L. Spengler

Two weeks before Reinhardt's plea, Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran granted the request of Bay County Assistant Prosecutor Bernard J. Coppolino to dismiss the case against 32-year-old Devon L. Spengler. Spengler faced the same charge as Reinhardt.

Coppolino requested the dismissal "for the reason no controlled substance was detected in the lab testing," court records show.

In a July 19 preliminary examination, Bay County Sheriff's Deputy Benjamin Latocki testified he assisted paramedics in responding to an overdose call at the Travel Inn at 1000 N. Euclid Ave. in Bangor Township on the night of May 31. He said Spengler was on a bathroom floor in one of the rooms.

Paramedics gave Spengler a nasal naloxone dose, followed by a second dose via IV. Naloxone is an opiate antagonist designed to bring a person out of an overdose.

Latocki testified a woman was with Spengler, who said she heard a loud thud after he went into the unit's bathroom. Latocki said he recovered a burnt spoon, a lighter, an uncapped syringe, a cigarette without its filter, and an ink pen containing a powdery substance. The deputy testified he field tested the substance, the results of which indicated it contained heroin.

Latocki later interviewed Spengler at the hospital. Spengler told him he bought $20 in heroin earlier that night, Latocki testified.

Coppolino, speaking to The Times, said he was surprised the Michigan State Police Crime Lab results came back indicating the substance was not in fact heroin.

"This is the first time I've ever seen anything like that it," he said.
BAY CITY, MI -- A Bay City man is accused of attacking an in-law and a stranger with his guitar, while railing against Donald Trump supporters.

The first of two incidents to occur on Friday, Sept. 9, happened about 8 p.m. Police at that time responded to an assault complaint at a home in the 500 block of South Kiesel Street in Bay City.

Police arrived and spoke with a 31-year-old male resident, who told them he had let his 35-year-old brother-in-law, Steven D. Campbell, move in with him about three weeks earlier. The man said Campbell was unemployed and that a condition of him staying at his house was that he had to get a job, court records show.

After Campbell made no effort to obtain employment, his brother-in-law that afternoon told him he had to leave. Campbell responded by calling his in-law a Nazi, the complainant told police.

At about 5 p.m., Campbell left but came back a few hours later with a guitar while his in-law was outside his home. Again, he called his in-law a Nazi.

"He came walking up and said he could kill me," the man told police. "Then he said that he just about killed someone else. He swung the guitar at me and it hit me in the left arm and back."

The guitar broke into several pieces, which police recovered in the man's front yard. Campbell then attempted to punch his in-law a few times, but missed. A neighbor came outside and started arguing with Campbell as well, court records show.

Police were unable to locate Campbell, who had left the scene before they arrived.

About two hours later, an 18-year-old called police to report a stranger had attacked him with a broken guitar. Police met with the teen, who told them he was walking south on the sidewalk on South Euclid Avenue near the McDonald's when he crossed paths with a guitarist walking in the opposite direction.

"I didn't make eye contact," the teen told police. "As I walked by him, he swung the guitar at me and hit me. He hit me in the left arm above the elbow with his guitar. He started yelling about his family and saying stuff about people that vote for Trump."

The teen went to the McDonald's for a while out of fear. When he eventually left, he retrieved pieces of the guitar, a pair of sweatpants, and a belt or guitar strap from where the attack occurred, court records show.

Campbell's brother-in-law identified the pants and strap as belonging to Campbell, court records show.

The next day, police spotted Campbell walking east over Veterans Memorial Bridge, wearing black spandex pants, a shirt with cut off sleeves, and no shoes. Officers stopped and spoke with Campbell, who said he was on his way to the police station to collect property he'd assumed his brother had given them, court records show.

Campbell initially denied he'd been involved in any altercation, then said his brother-in-law had pushed him and broken his guitar, court records show.

Court records did not specify if the guitar was electric or acoustic.

Campbell on Monday, Sept. 12, appeared before Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly for arraignment on two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. The charge is a four-year felony.

Kelly set Campbell's bond at $10,000 cash-surety and ordered him to appear for a preliminary examination at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
WILLIAMS TWP, MI -- Troopers stationed at the Michigan State Police Tri-City Post are inviting people to join them in the 2016 Special Olympics Torch Run.

The event is taking place at the post located at 2402 Salzburg Road in Bay County's Williams Township. The run begins at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16, with registration starting at 8:30 a.m.

The run is approximately two miles and will be at a "jogger's pace." Also running will be Special Olympic athletes and local community members. The run is to begin and end at the post.

Those who cannot participate but would like to donate to the cause can visit the event's website at http://www.firstgiving.com/miletr/bc16. Post personnel are encouraging people to visit the page to learn more about Special Olympics.

Registration for the run is $25. If you would like to make your own team you can pre-register by visiting http://www.firstgiving.com/miletr/bc16.

Troopers are advising participants to not be intimidated by the running.

"The run will be at a slow, comfortable pace that everyone can handle," they stated in a press release. "This run is for awareness and support of our Special Olympic athletes. Please take a moment and help an excellent cause."
WATERFORD TWP. -- Diggy, the viral, smiling dog stuck in the middle of a township pit bull ban dispute, will get to stay with his owner after all.

The pet shelter group Detroit Dog Rescue announced on Facebook that the court case surrounding Diggy -- nee Sir Wiggleton -- was dismissed.

"I'm overjoyed to know that Diggy will be spending the rest of his life where he belongs - with his family," said Kristina Rinaldi, Detroit Dog Rescue Director, in the post.

"Diggy's road to forever was a combination of so many great people working together and that's what rescuing dogs is all about."

Diggy spent around 100 days at the shelter before Dan Tillery adopted him June 6.

Waterford Township police had said Diggy was being kept illegally, due a local ordinance banning pit bull ownership. Police visited Diggy's owner on June 9 and determined the dog fit the ordinance's definition.

As the long, winding road to a permanent home for the dog continued, Detroit Dog Rescue called in the help of a local veterinarian who classified Diggy as an American Bulldog.

The pit bull ban gained the attention of the Humane Society of the United States, which lashed out at breed-specific legislation.

"Breed-specific legislation is an ineffective animal management strategy that has failed everywhere it has been tried, and we strongly urge you to repeal your breed-based ordinance provisions," Cory Smith, the organization's companion animal public policy director, wrote in a June 13 letter.

"As is becoming evident in current headlines, breed bans are inhumane policies which do nothing good for communities but take dogs with clean histories away from families who love them," he wrote.

"Sound community management of dogs has nothing to do with breed, and Waterford will benefit from making this positive shift."

In August, Waterford Township tweaked its pit bull ban to "'make it easier for the dog owners and the township' when confusion about a breed arises," the Detroit News reports.

Check out Detroit Dog Rescue's original post celebrating the photo that they "knew would break the internet:"
DETROIT -- A rebranded Michigan shoe retailer is expanding with plans to open seven new stores across the state, including locations in Detroit and Grand Rapids.

The Redford-based company once known for its catchy "$29 or two for $50" ad campaign has shifted gears in recent years, targeting Michigan's sneakerhead market with a higher-end product line.

Mr. Alan's Shoes and Sportswear is now known as Elite Mr. Alan's, and CEO Jacob Bishop has plans to grow the 42-year-old Michigan company from 12 stores to 19.

"We're definitely known for hard-to-get and exclusive sneakers," Bishop said.

The company started out in Southfield and later expanded to open 11 more stores in Metro Detroit, Flint and suburban Grand Rapids.

A 6,000 square-foot store at 21310 Grand River Ave. in Detroit is under construction and is expected to be up and running by Nov. 1, Bishop said.

Six more are planned for Metro Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids by April or May 2017, according to Bishop.

The company offers difficult to find, premium-brand sneakers.

The Jordan brand's Retro 5 Raptor is being released in select Mr. Alan's locations on Saturday. Another Jordan shoe, released at all locations last Saturday, is the Black Nylon with the number 23 traced on the heel.

"We've been a part of the community for such a long time. We've grown through Detroit," Bishop said.

"We also have almost 400 employees, almost all are based out of Michigan and Detroit."

He said the new Detroit store will hire 25 to 35 employees.

The company is also using Michigan companies to help construct, develop and furnish the facility as a way to "stay true" to it roots, Bishop said.

"We've taken the past three years to refresh our brand in the marketplace and gutted every store and completely remodeled them," he said.

"It's the store I'm the most proud of."

He said the company takes pride in community involvement, including a "Kicks 4 Kids" program in which 150 to 200 pairs of shoes were donated to kids in Detroit. Another effort distributed to families affected by the Flint water crisis.

"All of the community involvement we're doing is the most important part of the business to me," Bishop said.

"The experience we give to the customer and uniqueness is (also) very important to us."
DETROIT -- A significant portion of Flint residents, strained by a lack of transportation and finances, still aren't able to easily access clean water, one activist said in federal court Wednesday.

"They tell me that they are struggling to get to the water, particularly those without vehicles," says Cynthia Roper, the director of Michigan Voice, who testified at a Flint water crisis hearing in Detroit Wednesday. "There are so many ... who are relying on friends ... as well as paying people to pick up the water."

Roper works with Flint Rising, an organization that canvasses Flint neighborhoods with a focus primarily on the north and east sides, where there is a large population of low-income residents.

Roper testified in federal court Wednesday for the Natural Resources Defense Council, ACLU of Michigan, Concerned Pastors for Social Action and Flint resident Melissa Mays, who are suing state Treasurer Nick Khouri, the city of Flint, former city administrator Natasha Henderson and members of the Flint Receivership Transition Advisory Board, claiming violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

They are demanding the government provide door-to-door water delivery, filters and water line replacement at no cost to residents.

Roper says she's personally visited the homes of more than 200 residents and witnessed the "pain and suffering for families that already have a lot of pain and suffering."

She testified about a resident who pays between $5 and $10 each time she wants fresh water and a couple forced to walk to water distribution sites with four children under 6.

Citing a Census survey, Roper said 18 percent of Flint households are without a vehicle.

She testified about conversations with residents who don't know about water or filter access due to a lack of Internet connectivity.

According to Roper, citing the U.S. Census, about half of Flint's nearly 40,000 households don't have home Internet access.

"I've met people who don't even have it through their phones," Roper said.

Roper is calling for a government-funded water delivery service and mass canvass of all residents to determine their water and filtration needs and provide necessary information to teach proper filtration usage.

Volunteerism with Flint Rising has plummeted since February, according to Roper, who said events that once drew 100 volunteers are now drawing 10 or fewer.

She's concerned there's a growing sentiment within the community that "things are fixed" when Roper says they are not.

Flint resident Jacqueline Childress, 60, who cares for her 41-year-old mentally disabled son, took the stand Wednesday to testify about her personal difficulty accessing clean water.

Thompson, who's without a vehicle, said she often relies on family and friends or pays up to $20 for rides to water distribution sites.

The 211 help line, which also coordinates deliveries for residents, is often unresponsive, according to Childress.

"They are very nice when you call them," she testified, "but they just won't come."

While she could take a bus to water distribution locations, Childress said it's unfeasible because she's not capable of carrying much more than a six-pack of bottles water on her own.

Pastor Robert Blake of Vernon Chapel AME in Flint also testified. He said his congregation has devoted an enormous amount of time and effort distributing water -- over 55,000 cases of it -- and is "burned out."

Blake, who compared the crisis to Hurricane Katrina's impact in Louisiana, said volunteerism and water donations have dropped dramatically over the last few months, causing the church to cut back on home delivery and pickup hours.

Attorneys for Flint and the state said, in addition to water distribution and free filters, residents are offered free of charge special pitchers to filter tap water and services from the Plumbing Manufacturers International union to make any plumbing alterations for filter installation.

To date, the union has completed work in 4,500 Flint homes, according to the defense.

This lawsuit is one of many filed by Flint residents after elevated lead levels were discovered in children following a change in water source from Lake Huron water purchased from the Detroit water system to the Flint River in April 2014, a decision made while the city was run by a state-appointed emergency manager.

State regulators never required that the river water be treated to make it less corrosive, causing lead from pipes to leach into the water supply.

Even though the city reconnected to the Detroit water system in October 2015 after a sustained public outcry, officials still advise Flint residents not to drink city without using a lead-clearing filter.

Lawyers for the treasurer and advisory board members argue the current efforts to provide alternative water sources and filters are adequate.

They say the Environmental Protection Agency has jurisdiction in the matter, and state law protects the treasurer and members of the board from liability in the water crisis.

"Primary jurisdiction under the Safe Drinking Water Act for the allegations raised lies with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is presently investigating and acting on the Flint water situation," plaintiffs previously argued in court documents. "This Court should defer to the EPA."
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Sept. 14

By Huseyn Hasanov Trend:

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a constitutional law on approval of the new constitution of Turkmenistan at the countrys Council of Elders meeting held in the city of Ashgabat.

The new edition of the Turkmen constitution will become a stronghold of the national legal system, a guarantor of the rule of law, human rights and freedoms, inviolability of principles of genuine democracy.

Before that, the draft constitutional law of Turkmenistan on approval of the new constitution was considered and unanimously adopted by national MPs participating in the work of the Council of Elders in Ashgabat.

It was noted at the meeting of the Council of Elders that constitutional commission on the improvement of the Basic Law of Turkmenistan has successfully operated for two years.

The first version of the draft, which was subsequently published in the Turkmen mass media outlets for public discussion, was presented at the meeting of the Council of Elders held September 10, 2015 in the city of Turkmenbashi.

The draft Basic Law was being prepared in collaboration with and taking into account the suggestions of experts of the UN, the OSCE, the German Society for International Cooperation and other international organizations, which are long-term partners of Turkmenistan.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made a speech at the forum and described the main results achieved by the country since independence and identified priorities for its further comprehensive development.
DETROIT -- Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson in a Detroit speech on Wednesday took aim at a Donald Trump trade policy proposal.

Trump, the Republican nominee for the White House, who was expected to visit Flint on Wednesday afternoon, has suggested implementing a 35-percent tariff on cars and other goods imported from Mexico.

"Currently, that number is 1.4 percent," Johnson said in a Detroit Economic Club speech.

"Who's going to pay for that 35 percent?"

Johnson, who describes himself as a fiscal conservative, said he supports the president's Trans-Pacific Partnership global trade agreement.

"I will sign the TPP because I believe it benefits the United States. We're all about high-tech, high-wage jobs," he said.

Johnson, a former two-term Republican governor of New Mexico who vetoed more than 750 bills while in office and cut taxes 14 times, promised lower federal taxes and discussed immigration, foreign policy and campaign finance policy Wednesday.

"What I would do as president is create certainty that taxes are going to only go down," Johnson told the crowd at the Westin Book Cadillac.

"I'll sign on to any proposal that reduces taxes."

On immigration, Johnson said the federal government needs to establish a clear path to citizenship for millions in the U.S. illegally because "we are a country of immigrants."

"Wharton School of Business came out with an analysis on restricting immigration. It would have negative impact on our economy," he said.

"Allowing for more high skilled workers coming into this country would have a very positive impact on this economy."

Johnson also addressed a recent interview stumble that exposed his apparent unfamiliarity with the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo.

"It is what it is," he said, adding that "it's really how we deal with mistakes" that determines success.

Other policy statements from the speech:

-Johnson said he supports allowing unlimited political campaign contributions, as long as there is 100 percent transparency. He said Super PACs have "zero transparency."

"Limited campaign contribution is an incumbency protection act," Johnson said. "The number one factor for voting is name familiarity and when in office, you have that upper hand."

-On discrimination in law enforcement, Johnson said:

"Blacks are getting shot at a rate of six times that of whites, if you're arrested on drug-related crime and you are of color, there's a four-times likelihood you'll end up behind bars than if you're white," he said.

-On foreign policy, Johnson said he opposes the pursuit regime changes overseas.

"The unforgivable in life is saying one thing and doing another," he said.
The state says efforts to clear up lead in Flint's water supply are working.

Bryce E. Feighner, who on Aug. 1 became the chief of the Department of Environmental Quality's Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance, testified in federal court Wednesday that Flint water is currently in compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act's Lead and Copper Rule, which limits corrosive metal in municipal water.

In the wake of a crisis that rendered municipal water toxic, several organizations are suing, and in a motion asking a federal judge to order city and state government to provide door-to-door water delivery service until the lawsuit is resolved.

U.S. District Judge David M. Lawson heard arguments in Detroit Wednesday.

Defendants, including state Treasurer Nick Khouri, the city of Flint, former city administrator Natasha Henderson and members of the Flint Receivership Transition Advisory Board, argue there isn't funding to support the additional service, and say water quality is improving dramatically.

Feighner said if lead results continue to decline through the end of the year, recommended precautions, such as water filtration, could be lifted by January 2017.

Testing results show "significant progress" over the last six months, Feighner testified. He said the city began adding orthophosphate, a chemical that coats pipes and reduces corrosive contamination, in October. It "boosted levels" in December.

To be in compliance with the EPA, 90 percent of Flint water samples must have less that 15 parts per billion of lead. The city has conducted four testing rounds since January.

While the total lead levels increased during the last testing round, Feighner says the results are still lower overall than the EPA limits.

Does that look like a declining trend to you, one attorney for the plaintiffs asked.

"It looks like a declining trend to me," Feighner replied, "when I compare them to the early samples."

He added the most recent samples were collected from "high-risk sites" when water temperatures were warmer and more prone to contamination.

Feighner admits there are still customers whose water tests revealed unsafe levels of lead. He said it's important residents run their water in order to reap the benefits of the pipe-coating additive and increase water quality.

"The source of the lead in the tap water is primarily from customer-owned piping ... " Feighner said, "and so unless the customer uses that water to pull the orthophosphate through the pipes to the tap, the effectiveness ... will not be realized."

In instances where samples contained excessive amounts of lead, the DEQ is performing line replacement and lead contamination education, as required by the EPA, according to Feighner. He also testified the free filters available to the public have proven effective.

While state and city officials continue lead reduction efforts, plaintiffs argue they have a duty to do more to ensure distribution of clean water to residents.

But the city doesn't have spare money to pay for it, Flint's head accountant testified Wedensday. Part of the reason is fewer customers are paying their water bills.

The state estimates it would cost nearly $9 million a month to deliver the extra services requested by the plaintiffs, the Natural Resources Defense Council, ACLU of Michigan, Concerned Pastors for Social Action and Flint resident Melissa Mays.

Flint Interim Chief Financial Officer Davis L. Sabuda said, if Flint were to incur the extra delivery expense, it would deplete the city's remaining water fund balance in about 1 1/2 months.

"It would be devastating," Sabuda testified.

While the city usually collects at least 90 percent of the amount it bills commercial and residential customers, Sabuda said revenue is currently down to about 44 percent.

The state issued Flint about $29 million since the beginning of the water crisis to offset the reduced billing revenue. Residential customers are presently issued a 65 percent credit on their water bills and commercial customers 20 percent.

Attorneys for the plaintiff say there appears to be extra money, pointing to current projected year-end water fund balance estimates in excess $14 million. Prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, former Chief Financial Manager Jody Lundquist forecast the water fund would run a $9 million deficit and end the year with a fund balance near $1.5 million.

When asked if the original budget underestimated the fund balance by more than $13 million, Sabuda wouldn't agree.

"I don't know," he said, stating several times the city is amid an audit and unable to confirm the accuracy of the projection.

Most of the water budget for the upcoming year, which runs through June 2017, is already earmarked for specific purposes and "cannot be used for door-to-door delivery service," Sabuda said.

"We are drawing funds basically from the balance of funds that are available to pay our bills," he said.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs called four witnesses Wednesday, including two pastors who've assisted with water distribution, a resident who testified about her struggles acquiring bottled water and a water activist who's organized efforts to survey the public about issues they've faces since the water crisis began.

This lawsuit is one of many lawsuits filed by Flint residents after elevated lead levels were discovered in children after the city changed its water source from Lake Huron water purchased from the Detroit water system to the Flint River in April 2014, a decision made while the city was being run by a state-appointed emergency manager.

State regulators never required the river water be treated to make it less corrosive, causing lead from pipes to leach into the water supply.

Even though the city reconnected to the Detroit water system in October 2015 after a sustained public outcry, officials still advise Flint residents not to drink city without using a lead-clearing filter.

Lawyers for the treasurer and advisory board members argue the current efforts to provide alternative water sources and filters are adequate. They say the Environmental Protection Agency has jurisdiction in they matter, and state law protects the treasurer and members of the board from liability in the water crisis.

"Primary jurisdiction under the Safe Drinking Water Act for the allegations raised lies with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is presently investigating and acting on the Flint water situation," plaintiffs previously argued in court documents. "This Court should defer to the EPA."

Testimony in the motion hearing was expected to conclude Wednesday. The judge will issue his ruling at a later date.
FLINT, MI -- It was a tug of war between Donald Trump supporters and protesters before, during, and following the Republican presidential candidate's brief visit to the Flint water plant.

After landing Wednesday afternoon at Flint's Bishop International Airport, Trump made his way to the plant near the intersection Dort Highway and Stewart Avenue with Flint and Michigan State Police creating a blockade as he approached and left the area.

Trump spent less than 30 minutes at the plant, meeting with water plant supervisor JoLisa McDay before heading off to Bethel United Methodist Church.

"I just want to thank the folks from Flint," he said prior to leaving the water plant.

His arrival drew both cheers and boos from the crowd, some shouting their support for Trump while others chanted "water not walls," alluding to the city's water crisis and the candidate's stance on strengthening the border between the United States and Mexico.

Ronald Owens waved a banner in support of the Trump and Mike Pence ticket, as the crowd migrated from the water plant as Flint Police and Michigan State Police cleared the way for their arrival.

"I know that he's not here for a photo opp, he's here to bring attention," said Owens, of Clio. "These folks don't understand or realize that."

But Flushing resident Vikki Sushka disagreed.

"I don't support Trump coming here, I don't support his presidency" she said, holding a neon green sign that read #SAYNOTOBIGOTRY. "I believe he's brought a lot of negative energy to our country, said a lot of negative things."

Bringing attention back to the water crisis is a potential positive from Trump's visit, according to Troy Wright, decked in a Flint Lives Matter shirt, Flint ball cap, and stretching an American flag between his arms.

"Any spotlight we can shine on the problems that we have in this town is going to help," he said, while arguing with Sushka at one point about Trump's visit. "As long as we can get some kind of positive spotlight and just not fade from the public mind, I think it's a good thing."

Trump's next stop was at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint before heading out of town for an evening gathering in Canton, Ohio.

MLive Reporter Lauren Gibbons contributed to this report.
FLINT, MI - Water activists, union leaders and ministers plan to speak out Wednesday over claims Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's visit to Flint is nothing more than a campaign ploy.

The event, which will include leaders from the Michigan AFL-CIO, United Auto Workers and Progress Michigan, is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, outside the city's water plant at 4500 N. Dort Highway.

Marissa Luna, of Progress Michigan, said Trump has largely been silent on the ongoing Flint water crisis and speakers will address concerns that Trump is using the visit as a prop for his campaign.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, a vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton, also raised concerns about why Trump is now visiting the city.

"Flint is focused on fixing the problems caused by lead contamination of our drinking water, not photo ops," Weaver said.

Trump's plane is expected to land around 1:30 p.m. at Bishop Airport, and city officials say he has requested a tour of the city's water plant.

Weaver said neither Trump nor his staff have reached out to her since the crisis began and added that water plant staff "cannot afford the disruption of a last-minute visit."

The mayor will be in Washington, D.C., during Trump's visit to push for additional funding in response to the crisis.

In a Tuesday evening press call organized by the Clinton campaign, Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, said Trump's brief visit to Flint would not help solve the problems that were caused by key players in the Flint water crisis.

Ananich, who said he wasn't invited to any of Trump's planned events, said Clinton has been concerned about the Flint water crisis since the beginning and has offered "serious solutions" for Flint residents, something he hasn't seen from the Trump campaign.

"The people of Flint need a lot more than photo ops - we need resources," Ananich said.

The city's water crisis, which began after the city switched to using the Flint River as its drinking water source in April 2014, has drawn international attention and played a role in the presidential campaign.

Clinton and Bernie Sanders both visited the city in the lead up to the Democratic primary, and the pair held a debate in the city.

A Flint campaign stop Wednesday would be Trump's fourth Michigan visit since accepting the Republican presidential nomination.

Reporter Lauren Gibbons contributed to this report.
FLINT, MI -- Activists and politicians gathered outside the Flint Water Plant Wednesday morning were puzzled by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's appearance in the city roughly two months before the election.

"Mr. Trump, I've gone one question for you and it's a pretty simple one: where the hell have you been?" shouted Ron Bieber, Michigan AFL-CIO president, during a press conference by Flint Rising outside the plant ahead of Trump's expected visit.

A small group of protesters gathered outside the water plant, including Flint activist and artist Desiree Duell who unfurled a water bottle wall that was held up behind speakers during the press conference that included Gerald Kariem, director of UAW Region 1D, and Minister Rigel Dawson of North Central Church of Christ in Flint.

The father of two children under 10 years old, Dawson said the impact of the water crisis has been felt far and wide in the city, causing stress in his congregation over their voices not being heard and apathy for some the problem will never truly be corrected.

"People feel marginalized, people feel neglected, people feel injured and insulted, and the people of this community deserve more than to just be patronized," he said. "People of this community deserve more than to have our trauma politicized. We deserve more and demand more. We do not need rhetoric and empty promises."

A prominent figure at protest for months, Duell called on the Flint residents to have their pipes fixed, be repaid for water dating back to 2014, and "not once since the beginning of the campaign has Trump addressed the crisis despite having ample opportunities."

He's coming to our city to pivot his message and we won't stand for it," she said.

Ronna Romney McDaniel, chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party, issued a statement after the press conference arguing while Trump's visit is focused on "his ideas to prevent further tragedies and added accountability for agencies involved in protecting our communities from crises like what happened in Flint, these groups are playing the blame game and not looking for real solutions."

She also asked where the outrage was when Clinton was filming campaign material in Flint "using the city as a prop in her desperate attempt to win Michigan's primary" and has not visited the city herself since the vote in March.

Bieber noted if Trump really cared about Flint "he'd pull out his checkbook while he's here and write a personal check for $10 million to help the families of Flint recover."

"But we know the truth and the truth is Donald Trump doesn't give a rip about Flint," said Bieber, while touting Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's visits to the city and with Mayor Karen Weaver.

"All he cares about is getting elected. The last thing Flint needs right now is Donald trump in the White House," he said. "Donald Trump, go home."
BIG RAPIDS, MI - Two student cases of MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, were recently reported at the Ferris State University main campus.

The cases were reported early last week and school officials said the cases are believed to be unrelated.

School officials said the university has taken action to ensure the infected individuals received treatment and are monitoring their health.

Ferris' Physical Plant staff and other offices around campus are working to prevent the spread of MRSA by disinfecting all areas known to have been visited by the infected students.

MRSA is a type of bacteria that can cause staph infections ranging from minor skin infections, such as pimple-like red bumps or boils, to serious infections, such as pneumonia.

The bacteria is resistant to several antibiotics. If it is left untreated, MRSA infections can become more severe.

Students with concerns or questions about MRSA, or other health related issues, can contact Birkam Health Center at 231-591-2614.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The planned Grand Rapids Public Museum High School is among 10 schools nationwide that has won $10 million - part of a $100 million contest sponsored by XQ: The Super School Project to rethink high school, officials announced Wednesday, Sept. 14.

The project was launched last fall, backed by Steve Jobs' widow, Laurene Powell Jobs. The pricey prize inspired teams of educators, students, parents and community and business leaders to come together and respond creatively to today's global society demands for new thinking skills and higher levels of educational achievement.

"This speaks volumes about this school district being on the right track with its Transformation Plan because people just don't give you $10 million," said Grand Rapids Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal, who attended the big reveal Wednesday at the Union Market in Washington, D.C., with a local delegation.

And it turns out the district's Museum School is the type of program Super School organizers were looking for.

"We are offering a really unique, one-of-a-kind learning experience inside the museum that has placed-based education and design thinking as key components of the curriculum."

Neal said there is a focus on innovation, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving with real-world challenges, communication and collaboration that is essential to preparing students for success in a global society.

In April, GRPS emerged as one of 50 finalists from 700 entries. The district will receive $2 million over each of the next five years for the Museum School's high school, slated to open in fall 2018 in the city's historic museum building, located 54 Jefferson St.

Related: Grand Rapids school is a finalist in $50M contest funded by Steve Jobs' widow

"What we are witnessing across the country is people in communities and towns everywhere becoming change agents for their schools," said XQ Institute CEO Russlynn Ali.

"If we don't educate our kids, if we don't get our workforce ready for this knowledge economy, we are going to be surpassed by developing countries."

Ali said the district's ability to assemble a wide range of community partners to launch the Museum School last fall with 60 sixth graders at the Public Museum, 272 Pearl St., was a key factor in its victory. In addition, she said it was the uniqueness of the museum and community serving as the students' classroom.

"We believe Grand Rapids can be a beacon for a nation and show what is possible every day at school," Ali said, noting the 250,000 artifacts students can learn from at the museum.

Neal praised the district's partners for their efforts with the school, which will add a grade each year of 60 kids through 12th grade.

Related: How a 76-foot whale skeleton changes dynamic for students at new Grand Rapids school

The winning pitch to XQ from the district was that the Museum High School would "leverage the unique cultural artifacts and museum archives of Grand Rapids to create a one-of-a-kind learning environment where students are pushed to take risks, guide their own learning, and solve real world problems."

The pledge was for the school to work with its partners - the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Valley State University, Kendall College of Art & Design/Ferris State University, City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., - and local businesses to enhance student learning through local impact projects, museum studies, and technology.

XQ highlighted the engagement in its school profile, pointing out that through collaborations with partner organizations, students will have the opportunity to engage in their community and get involved in some of the most transformational issues facing Grand Rapids.

For example, the group noted that students at the Museum High School, as part of their science curriculum, will be involved in one of the largest urban river restoration projects in the United States. Students will work with world-renowned scientists to remove and replace mussel species within the Grand River.

Jobs, who is funding the initiative through the Emerson Collective, said in September that high schools have stayed frozen in time when nearly every aspect of our daily lives has changed dramatically.

"The novel approach of using the great Grand Rapids urban setting, world-class cultural amenities, and the unique environmental ecosystem will provide a connection between student and society that has not be attempted prior," according to XQ's design summary about the high school.

Ali praised the district for its innovative curriculum and the willingness to give students a voice by placing them at the center of their own learning to share in decision making. A 54-member team, including educators, designers and parents and students worked on the rigorous, multi-phase application process over the last year.

"I think it's awesome that their investing in our high school," said seventh-grader Madison Wilson, who said getting to the final 50 was an accomplishment in itself.



"I like being able to go downstairs in the museum and not be at a textbook all day. We are able to see things in real life, not just looking at a picture in a book."

Students, parents, community members, and members of the XQ team gathered at the museum Wednesday to watch a livestream of the event, erupting in cheers and applause when the district's name was called.

The initial plan was $50 million for five schools, but Ali said they got so many amazing proposals they doubled the initiative. She said they will also be awarding smaller grants to help other schools involved in the process with projects

"The most important thing we did to rethink high school education is start with the experience of the learner and determining how do we make that experience one that is rich and meaningful," said Museum School Principal Christopher Hanks.

"The high school was going to open with or without the grant, but with the XQ grant we are going to have fully integrated and immersive technology. The exciting part is the way students will engage with and use the new technology. "

He said design thinking (a Kendall College partnership) is a method for collaboratively solving problems, while place-based education (a GVSU partnership) gives you a set of values about being engaged in your community as an active problem solver.

XQ highlighted the curriculum for pushing students to take risks, guide their own learning and work as teams to solve real-world problems. Students do not have to test into the district theme school.

"The museum is like the essence of the history and culture of West Michigan, so when we are engaging in this design thinking and placed-based education all the resources are right around us," he said.

Dale Robertson, president and CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum, said to be named one of the 10 most innovative schools is reflection of the community and the level it's at now, particularly regarding the museum as cultural institution and the willingness of various entities to collaborate to do what's in the best interest of children.

"We are in the major leagues," he said."We are a mid-size town at the top of the major leagues, that's what this says. We can play with anybody and win."

The plan is for $8.5 million of the contest funds to be funneled into building renovations and $1.5 million into technology. Prior to the contest, the initial budget was greater than $10 million, but the district received a $1 million pledge from the Wege Foundation and will need to raise around $1 million to completely finish off the high school, according John Helmholdt, communication's director for GRPS.

Hanks said the building technology includes wiring, personal devices and software for curriculum, assessment, big data collection such as evaluation data that is much more broad-based than the typical educational assessments.

He said with that technology they are going to really be able to analyze the type of instruction and who was engaged as a tool to improve teaching and learning.

The digital learning platform, through which the curriculum will be delivered, was highlighted by XQ for engagement. The group said it affords students the freedom to guide their own learning focusing on their personal interests while applying multiple disciplines to real-world challenges.

Another key impact of the XQ grant, Hanks said, is helping the district to integrate with the museum and the museum archives.

"We are not just a school inside a museum but a school that is going to leverage that relationship,'' he said, saying they want the school to be a welcoming place, where it is typical to have community members be in meetings, groups or working on projects at the site and the students engaged an impacting their community.

The Museum School stresses collaboration and creativity, rather than the rote memorization of formulas, facts and rules.

"We see our neighborhoods, the museum and the city as being resources that are really assets and useful in the classroom and in the curriculum," said Kaellen Williams, seventh-grade English and social studies teacher.

Williams said musees, as they call their students, have a real voice in their education and they design projects around real-world problems that affect them. She said they spend most of their time outside the classroom in the museum or out within the community investigating issues and team building.

"We do a lot of empathy building, so we talk about how people are impacted by all different types of problems," she said. "It is immense how innovative this school is.''
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Sept. 14

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Uzbekistan announced staff changes in the government Sept. 14.

The countrys acting president Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree appointing Abdulla Oripov deputy prime minister for youth policy, culture, information systems and telecommunications, read a message on the government website.

Oripov served as Uzbekistans deputy prime minister from May 2002 until August 2012.

He supervised the information systems and telecommunications sphere. Oripov also headed Uzbekistans Agency for Communications and Information in 2005-2009.

Moreover, Majid Karimov, who served as deputy prime minister for youth policy, education, culture and sports, was appointed deputy minister of science.

Mirziyoyev signed another decree to appoint Rustam Kasimov minister of higher and secondary special education. Kasimov served as minister of higher and secondary special education in 2004-2008 and as deputy prime minister.

He has also served as rector of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 13 By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

Iran and Oman have agreed on their share of hydrocarbon resources lying along their joint maritime borders, an Iranian deputy foreign minister said. Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi has said that Iran and Oman have recently exchanged the papers of an agreement reached last year to map the exact location of their common sea borders, Tasnim news agency reported. The agreement demarcates Irans longest maritime borders at the Sea of Oman, Araqchi stated through a note on Sep 13.
Tehran, Iran, Sept. 14

By Mehdi Sepahvand, Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Iran has put off the fire that broke out at a petrochemical unit in the south of the country on Sept. 14 morning, Mehr news agency reports.

The fire started at a pressure reduction station of Mobin Pars Petrochemical Co. in Asaluyeh, Bushehr Province.

The fire has been completely contained, said Abdollah Naderi, governor of Asaluyeh.

Bushehr Governorate-General Crisis Management Departments Director Qasem Qaedi said the incident left four injured.

Earlier, the Iranian oil ministrys SHANA news agency quoted Ali Mohammad Bossaqzadeh, the director of Production Control in Irans National Petrochemical Company (NPC), as saying that the fire will be extinguished once the gas in the pipeline is discharged.

Gas pollution caused a problem in controlling system, which led to pressure increase and gas leakage, Bossaqzadeh said explaining the causes of the fire.

In recent months a series of fires and explosions have occurred in major Iranian oil and gas facilities.

The first fire, which started on July 6 in the Bouali petrochemical plant on the Persian Gulf coast, was extinguished after three days. There were no fatalities, but damages are estimated at tens of millions of dollars and insurers say this could be the biggest compensation claim in Irans history.

Irans Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh says that most of the incidents occur due to the privatized petrochemical companies cutting their health and safety inspection budgets.
Premature rolling back of sanctions could risk undoing progress made so far in Myanmars democratic transition, resources watchdog Global Witness has warned, urging that targeted sanctions on the corruption-riddled jade industry remain in place.





Global Witness, an international body dedicated to exposing corruption and improving transparency, last year estimated the jade trade to be worth some US$31 billion in 2014 alone  about 48 percent of GDP.

In a statement released yesterday, Global Witness cautioned that the jade industry remains firmly in the grip of military elites, US-sanctioned drug lords and crony companies.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyis landmark visit to the United States to meet with President Barack Obama this week presents a golden opportunity to provide the NLD-led government with the ammunition it needs to relegate corrupt military rule to its past, Global Witness said.

Juman Kubba, senior campaigner with Global Witness, said sanctions on the jade trade remain an important mechanism in the peace process  particularly when it comes to the conflict-afflicted jade hub of Kachin State.

Jade is intertwined with the intractable armed conflict in Kachin State, and removing sanctions takes away a key lever to achieve the lasting peace local people deserve  Removing a tool which could help to bring the right parties to the table would make getting to this goal much harder, Ms Kubba told The Myanmar Times by email yesterday.

The US has relaxed many of the sanctions imposed in Myanmar, and faces intense pressure from the business lobby.





Global Witness pointed to the lobbying efforts of US-based machinery manufacturer Caterpillar as a prime example of the importance of sanctions, and the leverage they can provide. Research carried out by Global Witness uncovered that Caterpillar had partnered locally with a front company linked to US-sanctioned drug lord Wei Hsueh-Kang.

Wei Hsueh-Kang, also known as Prasit Chivinnitipanya, sits on the US most-wanted list with a US$2 million bounty. He is also the commander of the United Wa State Armys (UWSA) southern command  the countrys largest non-state armed group. The UWSA is believed to be a major player in the heroin, methamphetamine and jade trades.

Ms Kubba said early attempts by the new government to rein in the jade industry are a welcome development.

Notably, there has been [movement] on jade mining permits, with no licences being extended or new licences being granted until a revised legal framework is in place. This is critical in creating the space for change, she said.

Increasing transparency in the sector, and strengthening the regulated market is an important part of improving the jade sector, and making sure the benefits reach Myanmars people.
With State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi set to meet US President Barack Obama in Washington today, many in Myanmars business community will be watching closely. The two are set to discuss US sanctions that have been in place for decades, and that investors are rearing to have removed.





Businesses have long called for lifting sanctions they say cripple the economy, with an adverse impact stretching beyond those companies and individuals blacklisted. Rights groups insist that targeted sanctions must remain to curb rights abuses by the Tamadaw and to apply pressure on the militarys hold over the 2008 constitution.

U Khin Shwe, chair of the Zaykabar company, said that the US must consider its strategic role in providing a counterbalance to Chinas influence in the region.

The prominent real estate tycoon, who remains blacklisted by the US, said the local economy was in danger of becoming lopsided and dependant on its largest trading partner, China.

This is the right time to ease sanctions against Myanmar. If they [the US] really want to help Myanmar, they need to invest in Myanmar and redress the balance, they will have to ease sanctions, he said.

Other Western countries were likely to follow the US lead into Myanmar, creating job opportunities for the local economy, U Khin Shwe said.

But maintaining sanctions will leave China in place as our main business partner. Poverty will be entrenched. If sanctions are not lifted under this democratic government, when will they be lifted? he asked.





Businesses appear to have a reason to be hopeful.

At a press briefing at the recent ASEAN summits in Laos, Ben Rhodes, Obamas deputy national security advisor for strategic communications, said the US would continue to seek trade opportunities with Myanmar, which involves sanctions relief.

Its something that we continue to look at because the purpose of the sanctions regime was to support a democratic transition, and some of the sanctions even were tied to the treatment of Suu Kyi specifically, he said.

The US applies sanctions on Myanmar via the International Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), which gives the US Treasury power to blacklist individuals and companies. The penalties began easing in 2011, when the government, led by then-President U Thein Sein, initiated reforms that set the country upon a path of democratic transition. The US decided to maintain the sanctions following the National League for Democracys election victory in 2015, but has removed a few state-owned enterprises from the blacklist. Most of the remaining sanctions target companies and individuals tied to the military, and the countrys multi-billion-dollar jade industry.

Myanmars fledging garment industry is hoping that the US will grant access to the Generalized System of Preferences, which will pave the way for tax privileges on exports to the worlds largest economy and in turn fuel foreign investment into the industrial sector.

Currently investors are not interested in investing in our business because we dont have US GSP status, said U Aung Win, vice-chair of Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association.

Local factories are struggling to compete with other garment manufacturing nations that have benefitted from tax preferences on US exports in the past, he said.

We are all eagerly waiting to hear the news about the GSP during State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyis trip to the US.

But the garment sector is just one of many industries economy-wide that is stifled by the US restrictions, said Eric Rose, lead director at Herzfeld Rubin Mayer & Rose Law Firm in Yangon.

The effect of the US-Burma sanctions, imposed at different times by four different US administrations, on Myanmars economy has been enormous, he said in an email. These sanctions have resulted, since 1989, in the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, especially in the garment industry, and mostly for women workers, the impoverishment of farmers who could not export their crops and seafood to the US, the under-education of Myanmars youth who were barred from studying abroad, and, mostly, from the lack of American investment, know-how and business ethics.

Yet much will depend on how far the Obama administration determines Myanmars democratic transition to have come. Visiting Secretary of State John Kerry indicated earlier this year that any further relief to the sanctions would be tied to amendments to the military-drafted 2008 constitution, which blocks Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president because her children are British.

The key to the lifting of the sanctions is really the progress that is made within Myanmar in continuing to move down the road of democratisation  Its very difficult to complete that journey  in fact, impossible to complete that journey  with the current constitution, Mr Kerry said during a joint press conference with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the time.

U Myat Thin Aung, chair of the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone Administration Committee and of the AA Group of Companies, cautioned that businesses will need to be patient, as the US was still wary of a democratic reversal while the military maintains a hold on significant political power.

Theyre afraid the military might resume control if all sanctions are lifted, he said. Sanctions will be removed only when the government is completely democratically elected, he said.

Rights groups are advocating for the sanctions to remain.

The US imposed sanctions in response to human rights violations, and they are still taking place, Zoya Phan, a political activist from the Burma Campaign UK, told The Myanmar Times. Lifting sanctions will just encourage the Myanmar military to think they can keep committing human rights abuses and keep blocking constitutional reform and get away with it, she said.

Human Rights Watch last week released a statement cautioning that removing the penalties could derail the gains made since 2011.

US sanctions are focused on the Burmese generals and their cronies in order to encourage democratic reforms, John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, wasquoted as saying in the statement. The sanctions are crucial for pressing the military to end rights abuses and transfer power to a civilian government. They shouldnt be fully lifted until the democratic transition is irreversible.

Global Witness has warned that rolling back the sanctions will undermine pressure applied to the countrys notorious jade industry. The UK-based transparency watchdog says this is tied to the peace process, and easing of sanctions will reverse the efforts made to reduce tension in ethnic areas.

But business leaders are confident that improvements have been made and the country is opening up.

U Myo Thet, deputy chair of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce, said a positive response from President Obama would send a strong signal of trust in Myanmars economy.

As his presidency comes to an end, he might want to take the opportunity to help the leader of a new democracy, he said.

Additional reporting Zaw Zaw Htwe and Shoon Naing; translation by Win Thaw Tar and Emoon
Visa applications will be simplified and the fees adjusted to conform to international, particularly regional, standards, the immigration ministry has announced. U Kyaw Myint, deputy director of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, said visitors would also be able to apply for various types of multiple-entry visas, including for work, social, religious and research visits.





We want to conform to international standards in terms of visa applications and fees, for the benefit of visitors applying at our embassies overseas, he said.

The ministry says it will be trying to streamline the application process, for instance by doing away with requirements for documentation on taxation or accommodation for business visas.

We will reduce visa fees that are higher than those of other countries, but we may increase some others in accordance with international practice, U Kyaw Myint said.

Foreign visitors in Myanmar now have the option of applying for a multiple-entry tourist visa valid for three to 12 months, he said.

U Kyaw Myint said, Weve already reached agreement with other ministries, and Myanmar embassies overseas are ready to release the multiple-entry visa. Were awaiting final approval from the government for the proposed changes in fees and application forms.

U Myint Kyaing, permanent secretary at the ministry, told The Myanmar Times the fees will be comparable to other ASEAN countries.

However, industry professionals believe minor fee reductions will not change much. Current visa fees are not much different from those overseas, said tourism expert U Aung Myat Kyaw.





U Thet Lwin Toh, chair of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association, said the fees should be broadly in line with those charged by comparable countries, including fellow ASEAN members Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

We cant be compared with developed countries like American and Germany, but should be more in line with Singapore and Thailand, as a lot of their citizens come to Myanmar, he said, adding that tourist visa fees had been lowered last year.

The e-visa is very convenient for foreign visitors, and should be extended to more countries, he said.

The e-visa is currently available to tourists applying from 100 countries and for business applicants from 51 countries.
A Rakhine State environmental alliance has gathered 300,000 signatures calling for full state control of local property and resources.





The Arakan Natural Resources and Environmental Network (ANREN) began collecting signatures in May and concluded in August, organisation representatives said at press conference on September 12.

We can say that Myanmars civil war is a resource war, U Hla Saw, an Arakan National Party lawmaker in the Pyithu Hluttaw, said at the press conference.

Success depends on how open-minded the Tatmadaw and Union government is, he said. If they are not open-minded, civil war will continue, he added, stressing the need for negotiations to continue. Finding a system that works for the entire country is part of the peace process, he said. The petition is not aimed at dividing, he added, but at avoiding lost opportunity.

The people of Rakhine State should have an opportunity to own their own resources and make choices about the future of those resources, said U Htun Kyi, a member of ANRENs executive committee.

A follow-up campaign, in which activists plan to walk from Sittwe to Kyaukphyu townships, will take place in November, said ANREN executive committee member U Zayya Kyaw.
A new ethnic affairs organisation has collated a 50-page development agenda and plans to present it as a priority list to parliament.





The Ethnic People Development Partnership (EPDP) created the manifesto, entitled Advice for the People, to lobby for several key issues in ethnic areas including labour conditions, farming practices, natural resource governance, environmental management, development and investment.

EPDP general secretary U Tun Myint Aung said there are currently major shortcomings in the regulatory environment governing ethnic areas.

While the groups submission is not an exhaustive policy document, nor a comprehensive data survey, he says it provides a snapshot of on-the-ground issues facing ethnic communities. He hopes it will help lawmakers gain a greater understanding of the challenges faced in ethnic regions, and that its contents will be taken into consideration when MPs and the government formulate policy.

We are not law experts but [the manifesto highlights] the weakness of enforcement of the law regarding these issues  We have knowledge from the ground about their losses and the unfairness [ethnic people have] experienced. So, we would like to advise the government through parliamentarians, he said.

An introduction to the document  a collaborative effort from a variety of civil society organisations  was held last week at the Taw Win Hnin Si restaurant in Yangons Bahan township. Representatives of civil society were in attendance, along with lower and upper house MPs. Despite EPDP having extended an official invitation, no designated government representative was present, U Tun Myint Aung said.

This is the first advisory document from us in the new government period. We will [send this] via the official channel, which is the post office, and we will also meet again with the government and continue the process, he said.





The 88 Generation Peace and Open Society member U Mya Aye attended the launch of the advisory document and voiced support for the initiative.

CSOs should support and help out the government with this kind of advice, he said.

Sai Nyunt Lwin from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy said the document did an adequate job of representing the concerns of marginalised populations.

The advice and information are real, basic requirements, as far as I observed. It is a very effective idea, he said.

Daw Ye Ye Htway, the EPDP secretary, said the organisations mission is to work to improve the basic living conditions for all of Myanmars ethnic groups. She said their ultimate aim is to create a society grounded in a meaningful, inclusive federalism and true peace.

The purpose of the EPDP is to work for freedom, equality and fairness for the people from ethnic regions and states, and we will openly communicate and connect with everyone while working, she said.

The country is in transition so the role of CSOs is very important at this time. If the government takes [advice] from CSOs, there will be a great advantage in hearing the voices from the ground level, U Tun Myint Aung said.

Creation of a new Ethnic Affairs Ministry was among the first acts of the National League for Democracy government upon assuming power in late March, though the nature of the ministrys portfolio remains largely ill-defined.
Prominent monk Sitagu Sayadaw has been received by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, as the abbot travelled to represent Myanmars Buddhist population at an interfaith conference.





Religious leaders from around the world were met by Mr Netanyahu and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office on September 12.

Sitagu Sayadaw gifted Mr Netanyahu a book of the Buddhas teachings, which the Israeli PM reportedly promised he would read.

The Ancient Traditions, Contemporary Realities: A Meeting of Israel-Asia Faith Leaders conference began on September 11 and will conclude tomorrow.

Religious leaders from India, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Canada and the United States were also in attendance.

Speaking at the conference, Sitagu Sayadaw said humans routinely overlook the universal truth of religions, which results in a lack of love, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness and understanding in the mind of the individual  something he said has broader implications for world affairs.

When there is no peace within the individual, then there can be no peace in the world, he said. Violence and peace can never coexist.

Today the delegates are scheduled to see sites of religious significance in Jerusalem.
The Taang National Party is trying to broker a ceasefire to stop ongoing fighting between two rival ethnic armed groups in Shan State, said representatives attending peace talks in Chiang Mai, Thailand, this week.





TNP members and monks from the TaAng community said they are ready to negotiate peace talks between the Taang National Liberation Army and the Restoration Council of Shan State.

According to the RCSS Lieutenant General Yawk Serk, there is hope for a ceasefire. He is willing to discuss peacebuilding with the TNLA, said U Nyi Sein, a TNP politician attending the talks in Chiang Mai.

The TNLA and the RCSS have been engaged in sporadic fighting since December. The RCSS was one of eight ethnic armed groups to sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement with the government last October.

The TNLA was excluded by the government from the peace process and has previously accused RCSS forces of coordinating offensives with the Tatmadaw. The RCSS denies this.

TNLA members are sitting out the talks in Chiang Mai. Negotiators say that after returning from Thailand they will extend the RCSS potential olive branch and see if both sides can be brought to the table.

This may be the start of peace, but we shouldnt hope too much because so far, the fighting has not stopped, said Mong Cyrus, a TaAng youth leader. He said the fighting has centred in Kutkai and Mongton townships.

Mong Aik Kyaw, a spokesperson for the TNLA, said he has heard of the TNPs willingness to intervene, and is ready to accept.





We are also willing to have discussions, but the location will be a problem, he said. The RCSS wants to meet in Chiang Mai, but it is not ok for the TNLA to go to Chiang Mai for security reasons.

Over the next six months, in the interim period between Panglong Conferences, government peace negotiators have encouraged ethnic armed groups to find ways to lay down arms and sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement. It is not yet clear if the non-signatories will be invited to attend the upcoming second session of the conference, and they are excluded from the political dialogue.
The powerful Karen National Union (KNU) has called for a cessation of hostilities between the Tatmadaw, a Border Guard Force (BGF) group and a splinter faction of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), following recent clashes in the Mae Tha Wor area of Kayin States Hpapun township.





The KNU, the political wing of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), said yesterday that the uptick in troop movements and clashes pitting the Tatmadaw and an aligned BGF against the DKBA faction were a cause for concern, and could undermine the publics faith in the peace process. The two sides have been fighting since August 28.

KNU joint secretary Padoh Thaw The Bwe said his organisation had implored the government to resolve renewed conflict in areas under Tatmadaw and BGF control, but that this had not yet been addressed.

Mae Tha Wor is an area under our control, he said, explaining that he was concerned that locals might mistake the skirmishes for KNLA activity. Therefore, we object and urge a stop to the fighting.

Clashes are continuing in the Mae Tha Wor area, with upward of 3400 residents of Hlaingbwe township having fled and taken refuge at the Mying Gyi Ngu monastery. They are reliant on government and public donations for support.

U Saw Lin, who is close to the abbot of Mying Gyi Ngu monastery, U Thuzana, said the sayadaw was engaged in negotiations between the three armed groups yesterday. Despite commanding immense respect from the warring DKBA and BGF factions, U Thuzanas intervention has apparently not yet yielded a result.

The sayadaw negotiated to reduce tensions between [the] armed groups, but I havent yet heard that the fighting is stopped, U Saw Lin said.

U Thuzana is a prominent Buddhist monk in Kayin State. He supported the 1994 decision to form the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, the Buddhist factional splinter from the predominantly Christian-led KNU. The DKBA later changed its name to the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army.





Since 1992, U Thuzana has been pushing the construction of pagodas in Kayin State. Attempts to build one at the former KNU headquarters of Manerplaw failed, after the KNU leadership determined any such undertaking would likely become the target of government airstrikes.

More recently, U Thuzana has inflamed religious tensions in the state. Earlier this year, he ordered his followers to build pagodas in the compounds of Muslim and Christian places of worship.

State Minister for Social Affairs U Min Tin Win told The Myanmar Times yesterday that the state government was monitoring the flow of displaced civilians, and that there would be an increased security presence in Hlaingbwe township.

We have [communicated] with the state government since the fighting started. We also sent medical teams for the refugees, he said, adding that private donations were currently meeting the requirements of those displaced.

The late leader of a DKBA splinter group, Major Na Ma Kyar, was killed on August 30.
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her delegation will arrive the US today where she is expected to meet with US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden before sitting in on Congress and dining with business leaders during the two-day trip.





The visit is Daw Aung San Suu Kyis first to the US since her National League for Democracy swept a landslide election victory last November, and she became the de facto head of state. The visit will also be the last under the outgoing Obama administration.

According to political analysts, hot topics up for discussion during the visit include a potential further easing of US sanctions on Myanmar, the nascent NLD-led governments peace process and the state counsellors commitment to improving the human rights record in Rakhine State, where over 120,000 people, mainly stateless Muslims, remain segregated in IDP camps.

Political analyst Sithu Aung Myint told The Myanmar Times that he does not think the state counsellor will lobby for any changes to the sanctions when the issue is discussed.

Daw Suu has said before that neither she nor the NLD can have an effect on the sanctions which are determined internally by the US. So changing them requires a US foreign policy decision, he said.

However, the US has previously consulted Daw Aung San Suu Kyi before retooling the sanctions, including while she was an opposition leader under house arrest. In the past, she has recommended maintaining the blacklist in order to wield leverage against the Tatamdaw.

On September 12, the Kachin Alliance sent an open letter to President Obama asking him to think twice before removing from the blacklist individuals who profit from resources in ethnic minority areas that were unjustly acquired through land grabs and cronyism.





In spite of the progress Burma has made, we strongly believe that withdrawing the remaining targeted sanctions on the military, its related entities and the cronies listed on the Office of Foreign Assets Controls Specially Designated Nationals and the deepening engagement with the Burma army (Tatmadaw) at this delicate transition would be gravely premature, the alliance said in the letter.

In mid-May, the United States extended sanctions against Myanmar, adopting new measures targeted against Steven Laws Asia World while removing some state-owned entities from its list. The US continues to apply sanctions on Myanmar under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which allows the US Treasury to blacklist certain individuals or companies. Most of the remaining sanctions deal with military-backed conglomerates, and the multi-billion-dollar jade and gems industries. (See related story on Business 8)

Before her arrival in Washington today, the state counsellor made a stopover in London. Following her studies at Oxford, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi pursued a masters degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Her two sons were born in London, and their UK citizenship has served as a constitutionally enshrined stumbling block to her assuming the presidency.

During her two-day stay in London, the state counsellor met with 12 ambassadors from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and also spent time with her younger son Kim Aris and her grandchildren.

The UKs Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson welcomed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to London on September 12 and they discussed the early priorities and challenges facing the new government in Myanmar, according to a statement released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Mr Johnson told the state counsellor, The UK is pleased to have played an important role in bringing about Burmas emergence from decades of repression and isolation. We remain committed to supporting Burmas extraordinary reforms and we welcome a democratic, stable and prosperous Burma that can contribute to stability and security in South East Asia and beyond, according to the statement.

Before departing for the US, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with British Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday at 10 Downing Street. The two reportedly talked about Brexit and Myanmars continued political transition.
The Persian Gulfs biggest oil terminal, located on Irans Kharg Island, is appealing for greater Japanese trade. Officials say they plan to reward Japan for its support during the years of sanctions with priority in deals and investment, Japan Times reported.

Only 1 hours by air from Tehran, huge oil tankers swing into view as they lie anchored off the coast. Some vessels are waiting for a berth, while others are transferring petrochemical products from ship to ship.

When petrochemical storage tanks on Kharg Island are full, Iran stores the products in tankers. Pre-loading them also helps it to sell them faster.

Ships loaded at Kharg Island currently have to travel to the United Arab Emirates to refuel, but authorities have decided to upgrade the facility to let tankers refuel and load simultaneously.

We are ready to refuel Japanese oil tankers as the first priority in Kharg during loading. This can remove the risk of the refueling of fully loaded tankers in UAE, on top of frugality in time and reducing extra expenses, including parking, said Gholamhossein Gherami, operations and export manager of the Kharg oil terminal.

Irans oil terminals and oil fields can be spotted by their high towers emitting orange flames from burned natural gas, a byproduct of the extraction of oil. Iran hopes in future to divert the gas to other purposes, using Japanese technology.

Natural gas coming from oil fields can be refined and sold as a new petrochemical product  an area for Japanese investors to have more participation in Irans oil fields, Ghermai said.

Kharg has six major facilities, including the oil and petrochemical refinery, and its population of 15,000 has helped make it the largest oil terminal in Persian Gulf.

The terminal became operational in the early 1960s and now handles more than 90 percent of Irans crude oil exports.

It has not been plain sailing.

Eight years of war between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s left Kharg oil terminal damaged by attacks. Still in Khargs western dock and a few meters from where Japanese tankers berth, a burned-out South Korean tanker is kept afloat as a memorial to the impact of war.

During the years of sanctions, which targeted Irans nuclear activities, Khargs oil exports halved.

But Pirooz Mousavi, who heads the nations oil terminals, said Iran has invested more than $1.5 billion over the past decade in upgrades to the Kharg oil terminal and, after sanctions were lifted, it hit its record of loading 8 million barrels of crude oil into nine tankers in less than 48 hours at Kharg.

Now that sanctions have been lifted, Iran hopes to increase crude oil production and to export more than 2.5 million barrels per day.

Japanese companies will have a firm position in the future of oil business with Iran and nothing can make a gap between Iran and Japan, Mousavi said.

Kharg oil terminal has two main docks  one in the east for small ships and tankers and one in the west, suitable for supertankers including the largest types.

Oil terminal officials say Japanese supertankers always berth at the west dock and, during the time of sanctions, Japan was the only country to use this dock to transfer oil with its own tankers.

During U.N. Security Council sanctions and those from Western nations, which negatively affected the Iranian oil industry since 2010, international insurance companies refused coverage for oil tankers that called in to Iran and the country had to supply its major customers  China and India  with Iranian tankers. However, Japan accepted the insurance risks and continued to use its own vessels.

We never forget our friends from the time of sanctions, Mousavi said. As we expect the increase in Japan for Irans crude oil we feel more commitment to be a better host for Japan. Iran is interested in having Japan as the first priority for investing in oil terminals rather than others.

He added, Japan has a lot to offer in a wide range of areas.

Iran is seeking Japans experience and high technology to protect the sea environment and both countries can start the cooperation by investing in refining oil sludge, he said.

Oil terminal figures show that China, India and Japan are now the top three buyers of Irans crude oil, several months after sanctions were lifted. Under sanctions, Japan was in fourth place after South Korea.

Iran plans to present various projects for its energy sector in the near future in a bid to lure investment from foreign companies.

However, several factors may weigh on investment decisions.

A Japanese gas and oil industry source cited poor relations between Iran and its neighbors such as Saudi Arabia, remaining sanctions by the United States and the slow reform of Irans financial sector. The source added, the Iranian presidential election next year could be a further concern.

Japanese companies also have bitter memories of working the Iranian oil and petrochemical industries in the past.

A multibillion-yen petrochemical project by Iran-Japan Petrochemical Co. came to an end in 1991 without ever getting off the ground due to the prolonged Iran-Iraq war.

And more recently, Japanese oil company Inpex Corp., which had a 75 percent stake in a development project in the Azadegan oil field in southwestern Iran, one of the worlds largest, was forced to withdraw from the project in 2010 amid tightening U.S. sanctions.

The Japanese government is ready for a new approach. It lifted sanctions on Iran in January and signed a bilateral investment pact in February in a bid to help Japanese companies do business there amid intensifying competition for access to Iran.

Also in February, the government-backed Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance pledged a credit line of up to $10 billion.

Iran is grateful to Japan for the allocation of the $10 billion credit line and we are sure that this action by Japan will lead to the blossoming of the two countries financial ties, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
The industry minister is to step into a long-running dispute involving Panda Textile Factory, whose workers say management has broken an agreement on pay and labour conditions. The management has denied the accusation.





U Khin Maung Cho, Union minister for industry, told the Pyithu Hluttaw on September 12 that he was prepared to issue an order to settle the issue.

Panda Textile, in Mandalay Regions Singaing township, has been wracked by demonstrations and strikes since it was privatised under an agreement that required the new management to retain its workforce, treating them as government employees.

More than 200 workers have been staging a sit-in outside the factory gates since June to protest against having their pay cut and being forced to work on their days off, in breach of their employment contract. Efforts by labour officials and calls for more patience pending resolution of the dispute have so far yielded no result.

Local MP Daw Kyi Moh Moh Lwin (NLD; Singaing) said the dispute had dragged on for three years despite the involvement of labour officials in the negotiations. The original contracts were amended. Workers who dont come in on weekends have their pay cut, she said. The dispute is having a serious effect on the health of more than 600 workers and their 3000 dependents.

Industry Minister U Khin Maung Cho told MPs that the workers were striking in support of their claim under the original contract.

They want their full entitlement as civil servants, as they were [before the factory was privatised], he said, adding that the management was worried about relations between the striking workers and those who continued to clock in.





The dispute has taken on new importance with the prospect that Myanmar might be admitted to the United States Generalized System of Preferences, opening up new export markets. International investors are starting to ask the government about the state of labour unrest in the country and dispute resolution procedures under the law, the Union minister said.

Investors are interested in doing business in Myanmar and are coming to observe the situation here. Meanwhile, disputes between workers and employers are being accepted as normal. But this is a challenge for the country and the government, he said. The minister added that the dispute would be settled under the terms of the employment contract signed in March last year, the Settlement of Labour Disputes Law and related legislation.

Panda Textile took over the factory from the Ministry of Industry in 2012, paying an annual K360 million (US$296,000) for a long-term lease that expires in 2043. The deal involved the transfer of 1467 staff from government service to the company.

In June, the Mandalay Region labour ministry announced that it would sue the factory for breach of contract under the 2013 Employment and Skills Development Law. The amendment of the contract was one-sided, from the employers side. A contract can be amended or cancelled, but agreement is needed from both sides under the law. I have submitted the case to the judge, who will decide whether its a breach of contract or not, said U Min Min, deputy director of the Department of Labour.

Panda Textile had announced in March that it would adopt a 44-hour work week with eight-hour days in accordance with the 1951 Factories Act, according to general manager Daw Tin Tin Shwe. She said at that time that the factory would accept the courts decision, but disputed the accusation that the factory had breached the contract.

Translation by Thiri Min Htun
Rowdy early campaigning for seats on Mandalay City Development Committee has some residents of Myanmars second city longing for a more disciplined democratic exercise.





Even though the campaigning period is just a few days old, complaints  mostly by phone  have become numerous. Every township has seen complaints ... Therefore, the [election] commission took issue with this matter, regarding the campaigning style of candidates, said a member of the MCDC election commission on September 12.

Vehicles plastered in campaign posters are criss-crossing the city with sound systems blaring and little regard for traffic regulations and road etiquette, prompting the Mandalay Region chief minister to issue a directive this week in an attempt to rein in overzealous electioneering.

I accept the candidates campaigning to get out the vote, but they should be aware of what is going to happen due to their campaigning, a spokesperson for the election commission said. I would have nothing to say if they were campaigning in accordance with discipline.

The MCDC election will be held on September 25 for seats representing six townships  Aung Myay Tharzan, Chan Aye Tharzan, Maha Aung Myay, Chan Mya Tharsi, Pyigyitagun and Amarapura. A total of 34 candidates are vying for the six elected seats on the 13-member committee, with the official campaign period running from September 7 to 23.

They come to campaign in the township with decorated cars and yelling loudly, U Soe Lwin, who lives in a northern ward of Chan Mya Tharsi township, told The Myanmar Times.

They dont even consider that are there might be people with illnesses in the township, and enter into the narrow lanes of the township with their cars. There are at least six campaigning cars. The cars in the [narrow lanes of the] township cant get out until they leave. Therefore, we complained to the commission.

U Ye Mon, a candidate for the Amarapura township seat, said he would heed calls for a more orderly campaign period.





I accept that the commission issued a letter on this matter and candidates should be aware not to be an annoyance to people with their campaigning style, he said.

In addition to the six elected MCDC members, the Mandalay mayor and joint secretary are joined by five members appointed to the committee by the regional government.

Translation by Emoon
A National League for Democracy official from Pyin Oo Lwin could face legal action after comments he made online regarding two local women caused significant offence and a minor scandal.





U Thein Zaw, a township-level executive and treasurer, reportedly commented on a group photo featuring an NLD colleague and a DVB reporter.

He wrote that he will send the women in the photo to a goodar, said NLD member Daw Cherry Win. I did not know the meaning of goodar at first. Later I learned it means brothel, she said, confirming that she was now seeking legal advice on the matter.

U Thein Zaw says he regrets any offence caused and insists the post was meant in good fun.

I teased them like that with a very friendly manner. I used to tease others at our office, he told The Myanmar Times yesterday.

But Daw Cherry Win said the comments are no laughing matter, and the spat is the talk of the town.

The dignity of the women in this photo has been damaged  Everyone in the city is talking about it, she said.

Everyone asks us whether we will respond or not  People said his words demean women and degrade the dignity of women, said Daw Cho Cho Aye, a village NLD executive and one of the subjects of U Thein Zaws barbed remark.





Daw Cho Cho Aye said it is one thing to make such comments in person, but that posting them online was beyond the pale.

I wouldnt be angry if I had been verbally teased at the office, because all staff treat each other like their own sisters and brothers. It is very appalling that he wrote on online.

She said she would not pursue legal action herself, for the sake of harmony in the office.

We have to do work together in the future. If other people want to sue him, I will help them as a witness, she said.

U Thein Zaw said he feels the whole ordeal has been blown out of proportion.

I already apologised to them online. This small matter is made bigger because people keep adding fuel to the flames, he said, adding that he had already learned a valuable lesson.

I myself have a brusque manner. I wont tease like that again, he said.

Several online commentators in Myanmar have recently found themselves serving time for social media remarks. Jokesters poking fun at the commander-in-chief, including a woman who made comparisons between his uniform and Daw Aung San Suu Kyis htamein during last years election campaign season, resulted in the Facebook posters imprisonment with hard labour on a defamation charge.

Translation by Win Thaw Tar
China is a big fan of dams. Indeed, over the past 50 years, the country has constructed more dams than all other countries combined. But there is one dam that China never managed to get built: the Myitsone dam in Myanmar. And Chinese leaders cant seem to let it go.





The Myitsone dam was to stand at the headwaters of the Ayeyarwady River, Myanmars lifeline. It was designed as a hydroelectric power project, which would generate energy for export to China, at a time when Myanmars economy depended on its giant neighbour. Ruled by a brutal military junta, Myanmar faced crippling United States-led sanctions and broad international isolation.

Where others saw human-rights violations, China saw an opportunity to advance its own strategic and resource interests. When the Myitsone dam project was introduced, China was also establishing a foothold in Myanmars Kyaukpyu port on the Bay of Bengal, from which it would build energy pipelines to southern China.

A stronger presence in Myanmars Ayeyarwady, which flows from near the Chinese border to the Andaman Sea, promised to provide China with a shorter, cheaper trade route to Europe. As an added benefit, the Myitsone project  and, more broadly, Chinas relationship with Myanmar  would advance Chinas ambition of challenging Indias advantage around the Indian Ocean.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan. But in 2011, just two years after the US$3.6 billion project got underway, Myanmars government suddenly suspended the dams construction  a slap in the face to China. Moving toward democratic reform, President U Thein Seins government was eager to cast off the view of Myanmar as a Chinese client state.

U Thein Sein got what he wanted. Myanmars reversal on the Myitsone dam became a watershed moment for the countrys democratic transition. It helped to bring an end to Myanmars international isolation, and an easing of the long-standing Western sanctions that made Myanmar so dependent on China in the first place. In 2012, Barack Obama became the first US president ever to visit Myanmar.

Last year, Myanmar elected its first civilian-led government since the 1950s. The National League for Democracy, led by the former political prisoner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, won the election in a landslide. Though Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was blocked from running for the presidency directly, she is the most powerful figure in Myanmars ten-month-old government.





Alongside all of this democratic progress, however, Myanmars relations with China cooled considerably. After work on the Myitsone dam halted, several other dam and energy projects were also put on hold, though Chinese firms did manage to complete multibillion-dollar oil and gas pipelines from Myanmars western coast to southern China in 2013-2014.

But China has not given up on the Myitsone project. Indeed, President Xi Jinping seems to be trying to seize the opening created by Daw Aung San Suu Kyis efforts to defuse bilateral tensions  her first diplomatic trip since the election was to Beijing  to pressure her to reverse U Thein Seins decision.

China has warned that if Myanmar fails to resume the Myitsone project, it will be liable to pay $800 million to China. Hong Liang, Chinas ambassador to Myanmar, declared three months ago that Myanmar should be paying $50 million in interest alone for each year the project is suspended. But if the project were completed, Hong continued, Myanmar could reap high returns by exporting much of the electricity to China.

The threats have not fallen on deaf ears. Before her visit to Beijing, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi tasked a 20-member commission to review proposed and existing hydropower projects along the Ayeyarwady, including the suspended Myitsone deal.

But Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who disparaged the dam project when she led the opposition to the junta, remains unlikely to restart the Myitsone project. As much as she wants China off her back  an objective that surely drove the decision to launch the commission  actually agreeing to resume work on the deeply unpopular Myitsone dam would be too politically compromising to consider.

In fact, within Myanmar, the Myitsone project is widely regarded as a yet another neo-colonial policy, designed to expand Chinas influence over smaller countries while feeding its own resource greed, regardless of local conditions or needs. And there is plenty of evidence to support this reading  beginning with Chinas demand for most of the electricity, even as much of Myanmar suffers from long, daily power outages.

Moreover, the construction that did take place had serious consequences for the people of Myanmar. By flooding a large swath of land, the project displaced many subsistence farmers and fishermen, fuelling a popular backlash that contributed to the end of a 17-year ceasefire between the Kachin Independence Army and government forces.

Chinese pressure to revive the Myitsone is reviving anti-Chinese sentiment in Myanmar. While Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was in Beijing, anti-Chinese protests flared anew back home. At a time when Myanmar is being wooed by all major powers and eager international investors, there is no incentive for the government  much less the public  to ignore the environmental and human costs of Chinas projects.

It is time for China to recognise that the decision to end the Myitsone project will not be reversed. It can hope that Daw Aung San Suu Kyis commission makes some face-saving recommendations, such as paying compensation to China or making new deals for smaller, more environmentally friendly power plants. But with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi committed to a neutral foreign policy, Chinas days of sucking resources from Myanmar, without any regard for the environmental or human costs, are over.

 Project Syndicate

Brahma Chellaney is a professor of strategic studies at the New Delhi-based Center for Policy Research and a fellow at the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin.
Myanmar's new government is making its international debut. In mid-August, Beijing welcomed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on her first visit to China since becoming Myanmars state counsellor and foreign minister. This followed her trips to Myanmars ASEAN neighbours Laos and Thailand and preceded President U Htin Kyaws landmark visit to India. On September 14 to 15, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will travel to Washington, DC. Myanmars busy diplomatic calendar carries special significance after the landslide electoral victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in November 2015.





Myanmars reforms, which notably picked up speed in 2011, are related to Nay Pyi Taws recently strained relations with Beijing. A major factor propelling the political transition was concern for over-reliance on China. Since 1988, Myanmar faced international isolation and sanctions for violating human rights and repressing pro-democracy actors. China stepped in with trade, investment, military hardware and training, and diplomatic support to fend off UN resolutions. This assistance afforded China access to Myanmars rich natural resources and a strategic outlet to the Bay of Bengal intended to mitigate its Malacca Dilemma.

However, Chinas extensive economic presence in Myanmar encountered popular resentment, particularly in extractive industries. Residents complained about environmental degradation, insufficient compensation for expropriated land, labour abuses, and that Chinese firms often hired workers brought in from across the border rather than locals. Meanwhile, Myanmar elites expressed reservations about ties between Chinese actors (particularly from neighbouring Yunnan province) and ethnic armed groups like the United Wa State Army.

After Myanmar shed its pariah status and began to diversify its diplomatic and economic relations, its new willingness to court partners like the United States, India and Japan raised anxiety in Beijing and Kunming that economic interests could be compromised and that Nay Pyi Taw could be integrated into a strategy of encircling or containing China.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyis decision to visit China before the US seems to have assuaged fears that Myanmar is seeking to pivot away from Beijing and toward Washington. A joint statement with President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the bilateral pauk-phaw (kinfolk) relationship and pledged cooperation on border security, trade, climate change, natural disasters and communicable diseases. China expressed support for Myanmars democratic transition and national reconciliation, while Myanmar welcomed the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative and affirmed the One China principle regarding Taiwan, Xinjiang and Tibet.

Further strengthening ties, China and Myanmar inked a deal to build two hospitals in Yangon and Mandalay, as well as to construct a bridge at Kunlone in Shan State, a potentially important link for the proposed Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor and OBOR initiative.

Even more significant was Chinese willingness to attempt to persuade several holdouts among Myanmars ethnic armed groups to attend the 21st-century Panglong Conference aimed at building a permanent peace with the central government. Beijing has clearly communicated its strategic interest in maintaining good relations with Nay Pyi Taw.

In Washington, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will likely encounter a warm welcome from an Obama administration eager to solidify Myanmar as one of its foreign policy successes. To reward and help consolidate Myanmars democratisation process, the Obama administration is considering further reducing sanctions. However, Congressional and NGO concerns about the militarys enduring political role and the treatment of ethnic Rohingya  tens of thousands of whom have been displaced by communal violence  may limit further sanctions relief. Daw Aung San Suu Kyis assurances of Myanmars positive trajectory on human rights can influence US sanctions policy. However, the phased rather than expedited lifting of targeted sanctions may have political utility for the NLD as a bargaining chip with the Tatmadaw military leadership, and as domestic political justification to pursue further reforms.





Compared to human rights issues, US officials will be less concerned about Myanmar repairing ties with China or cooperating with Beijing on infrastructure projects. As former US ambassador to Myanmar Derek Mitchell recently said, the United States has not opposed Chinas infrastructure projects in Myanmar so long as they are transparent, acceptable to the people and environmentally sound.

Washington and Beijing can avoid tensions related to zero-sum perceptions of Myanmars reform and opening by supporting international standards and greater transparency. What does this mean in practice?

In economic development, international firms in Myanmar should enhance corporate social responsibility; some have already adopted the ISO 26000 standard, for example. Nay Pyi Taw should increase democratic oversight of international economic agreements and state-backed development. Myanmars new commission on hydroelectric projects (including the Myitsone dam), represents a positive step and is expected to issue its first report in November. China and the United States should support Myanmars anti-corruption efforts as a way to increase predictability and reduce the costs of doing business for foreign investors and companies. Open-bid contracts for infrastructure projects would encourage productive competition and provide Nay Pyi Taw with political cover to pursue needed infrastructure improvements.

Myanmars peacebuilding efforts need greater transparency and legislation to bring laws and practices in line with international norms. More transparency is needed along the Myanmar-China border, where observers from the European Union and elsewhere could be helpful if they were allowed access. Finally, while the Tatmadaw seeks the ability to purchase arms from the US, Washington can reassure Beijing that mil-mil relations with Myanmar are focused on expanding best practices, including nonproliferation standards, not pursuing defense contracts or geopolitical advantage.

Myanmars reform and opening has begun to improve conditions for its people, who were long denied the benefits of international trade and exchange. The present flurry of diplomacy is encouraging, but human rights and economic development in Myanmar still have a long way to go.

Nay Pyi Taw is not pivoting away from Beijing; it is rebalancing its foreign relations to manage domestic pressures and pursue international opportunities. To avoid counterproductive perceptions of favouring business interests over public welfare, military interests over ethnic inclusion, or the interests of some diplomatic partners at the expense of others, Myanmars strategy should be to focus on meeting international standards of governance. Expect this to be a theme of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis visit to Washington.

 Pacific Forum CSIS PacNet

Jonathan T Chow is an assistant professor in the Department of Government and Public Administration at the University of Macau. Leif-Eric Easley is an assistant professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University and a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, South Korea.
[September 14, 2016]

Axiros Embeds the Lightweight Scripting Language Lua Into Its IoT and TR-069 Protocol Stack

MUNICH, Germany, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Axiros, the technology leader in device management, TR-069, and IoT solutions for service providers, enterprises, and OEMs, today announced an upgrade to its TR-069 CWMP client product, giving it additional advantages in the Internet of Things (IoT) market. AXACT 3.1 provides a Broadband Forum standards compliant TR-069 client protocol implementation together with a highly customizable data model and embedded Lua interpreter, allowing an ACS to configure and monitor every feature defined within the Broadband Forum standards for broadband, IoT and beyond.

"The latest AXACT offering adds a whole new level of data interpretation for IoT," commented Danie Egger, AXACT Product Manager of Axiros. "By embedding a Lua interpreter, customers can change the data model, data mapping, and general behavior of the client all without recompilation. This developer-friendly feature saves our customers time and money, and allows them to customize their services to eliver a superior customer experience."







The IoT market is moving at breakneck speed, and developers need solutions that have fast integration cycles. AXACT is ideal for rapid prototyping for IoT applications and allows for an easy extension using Lua components.

A number of Lua bindings for Lua scripting support are included in AXACT 3.1, such as:

Replacing C code with Lua code  smaller, simpler

Lua extensions easily integrated in AXACT

New functionality without recompiling

Test the implementation with Lua scripts

The platform also retains full source code compatibility with implementations based on AXESS 3.0 and customers enjoy a simple upgrade from the previous version to 3.1.

Axiros has made waves in the device management, M2M and IoT space this past year. It was recognized as one of five global 2015 Cool Vendors in IoT by Gartner, cited a Gartner Top 10 IoT Technology for 2017-2018, listed in the Gartner Market Guide for IoT Platforms, was chosen by CIOReview as one of its 20 Most Promising M2M Solution Suppliers and was shortlisted for the Broadband World Forum 2015 Awards for The Most Innovative Internet of Things Solution Award.

For more information about Axiros, AXACT, or its other products, please visit the company's website.

About Axiros

The Axiros AXvantage: Any protocol, any device, any service any time. Axiros is a global leader in IoT, M2M, TR-069 and device management, providing software solutions and platforms to service providers and equipment manufacturers worldwide to manage and IoT-ize devices. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Munich, Axiros has sales and service offices and development centers worldwide, so as needs change, Axiros will always be close by to deliver. http://www.axiros.com @axiros1

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150224/177373LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axiros-embeds-the-lightweight-scripting-language-lua-into-its-iot-and-tr-069-protocol-stack-300327887.html

SOURCE Axiros
[September 14, 2016] iSelect Chooses Aspect Software to Help Transform the Company's Customer Engagement

Aspect (News - Alert) Software, a global provider of fully-integrated consumer engagement, workforce optimization and self-service solutions, today announced that iSelect, Australia's leading destination for insurance, utilities and personal finance advice, has partnered with Aspect to fully enable the company's vision of becoming Australia's 'life admin store'. Life admin is an individual's day-to-day management of personal tasks such as banking, making appointments, paying bills, or responding to non-work emails. iSelect will be the first in the world to leverage the Aspect Via platform. The collaboration will enable iSelect to address the increasing consumer demand for digital-first experiences and the constantly evolving needs of its customers. iSelect CEO Scott Wilson said "Aspect Via is the perfect platform to enable iSelect to not just keep up with customers' expectations but exceed them in every interaction across the business. The partnership is a unique and exciting opportunity to blend our experience with Aspect's expertise to create one of the most advanced customer engagement solutions in Australia." The rate of change in consumer engagement is accelerating faster than ever before. Always-on access to online services from any device has given unprecedented power to consumers. In addition to traditional voice, iSelect will be able to address consumers' shifting demands by providing omni-channel interaction--continuity and consistency throughout customers' buying cycles--through text, chat, chatbots on Facebook (News - Alert) Messenger and Twitter, to deliver truly effortless experiences. "Companies who don't meet the heightened expectations of consumers are losing the loyalty and ultimately the business of their customers," said Kristen Pimpini, managing director, Aspect Australia and New Zealand. "We are excited to partner with iSelect to deliver the kinds of exceptional experiences that will make it much easier and more enjoyable for millions of Australian's to take care of their life admin." To truly become a life admin store, iSelect will make it as easy as possible for customers to take care of complicated and time-consuming tasks and transactions. With the number of online services requiring complicated log-ins and passwords rapidly increasing, making everday purchases has become a huge hassle. iSelect aims to provide Australian consumers with a truly effortless customer experience by doing the 'heavy lifting' for them and helping to get transactions and interactions 'sorted' as quickly and easily as possible.



"Aspect Via will put the power of brand interaction back into the hands of our consumers, letting them decide when and how they engage with us," Mr Wilson said. "Aspect will enable us to deliver a consistent customer experience across voice, mobile, web and messaging platforms, and transform our current Customer Contact Center from a call center to an engagement center." Rather than loosely connected, discrete products, a true Customer Engagement Center (CEC) is a SaaS (News - Alert) offering characterized by native customer service capabilities, a common UI and shared capabilities across components, built upon an open architecture and APIs. A CEC accelerates companies' ability to rapidly evolve their customer service operations from a set of disjointed point products-that frustrate agents as much as the customers they are servicing-into an intuitive, easy-to-use platform that empowers agents to deliver truly effortless customer experience.

Aspect Via, Aspect's comprehensive cloud Customer Engagement Center, will be the backbone of iSelect's investment with Aspect, providing the benefits of cloud delivery, as well as a complete set of native customer service capabilities. About iSelect At iSelect, we get that most people find insurance, utilities and personal finance boring. But we understand that it's really important to always get these things right. As Australia's life admin store, iSelect gives customers the confidence to make the right call on some of the things that matter most. Last year, more than 9 million Australians visited our website and we provided recommendations to over 6 million customers. But we are much more than just another online comparison website. Our highly-trained experts at iSelect HQ help customers to choose and buy from thousands of available policies, products and plans. From health and life insurance through to energy and broadband, as well as car insurance and home loans, iSelect helps Australians take care of the boring but important stuff. www.iselect.com.au About Aspect Aspect helps enterprises break down the walls between people, processes, systems and data sources, allowing organizations to unite around the customer journey. By developing fully native contact center interaction management, workforce optimization and self-service capabilities within a single customer engagement center, we enable dynamic, conversational interactions and create a truly frictionless omni-channel customer experience. Leveraging the agility of our worldwide cloud infrastructure and over 40 years of industry ingenuity, Aspect conveniently and easily connects questions to answers while helping enterprises keep service levels high and operational costs contained. For more information, visit www.aspect.com. Follow Aspect on Twitter (News - Alert) at @AspectSoftware. Read our blogs at http://blogs.aspect.com. Aspect and the Aspect logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Aspect Software, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of other companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160914005314/en/

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

By Emil Ilgar  Trend:

Iran plans to produce 4 million barrels per day (mb/d) of crude oil by March 2017, 1.6 mb/d of that would be consumed domestically and the rest would be exported, Managing Director of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), Ali Kardor said Sep.14.

Before imposing nuclear sanctions on Iran, the country was producing about 3.7 mb/d of crude oil, of which 2.2 mb/d was being exported.

Iran also was exporting 250,000 b/d of gas condensate in 2011, which it increased to about 400,000 currently.

According to IRNA, Kardor said that currently Iran imports 16 million litters of gasoline per day, but the volume would decrease in the second half of the current fiscal year, started on March 21.

Iran consumes more than 72 million litters of gasoline per day.

According to the latest statistics of the International Energy Agency as well as OPEC, Irans crude oil production was about 3.65 to 3.7 mb/d in August.

Iran plans to commence a pipeline from West Karoun block to oil terminals in Persian Gulf with transit capacity of 300,000 b/d. Currently the block produces 225,000 barrels and the volume would increase by 90,000 b/d by March 2017.

Therefore, Iran would be able to add about 300,000 b/d of oil from this block.

Iran also plans to increase the output of some other fields, like Salman, in the coming months.
The face-lifted Accra City Hotel (formerly Novotel) will host one of Africas most celebrated music icons  Yvonne Chaka Chaka  as she prepares for the African Legends Night slated for September 24, at the Banquet Hall, State House.

The organisers of the event, Global Media Alliance (GMA), chose the four-star Hotel, a member of the CDH Group, because of its world- class service and trendy facilities available for such a guest of international repute.

The General Manager of Accra City Hotel, Roman Krabel told a cross-section of journalists that the Hotel has enjoyed a huge facelift to host such celebrated icons.

When the new management took over, we resolved to create a whole new world-class experience for our guests. Were prepared in terms of service and facilities in order to step ahead of the competition; were fully prepared to give this celebrated African icon and her entourage, an unforgettable treat. Itll be our 28th Anniversary gift to her, Mr. Krabel said.

The management of GMA commended CDH Financial Holdings for letting Accra City Hotel sponsor the event.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka is expected to take the African Legends Night to another level with her infectious pop melodies, youth-minded lyrics and girlish charm.

Nicknamed the "Princess of Africa", the powerful alto voice, is set to thrill her fans with ever-remembered songs like "I'm Burning Up", "Thank You Mister DJ", and the ever-popular "Umqombothi" which shot her to stardom.

She has performed for HRM Queen Elizabeth II, Ex-US President Bill Clinton, former South African President Thabo Mbeki and a host of other world leaders.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
Award-winning Ghanaian rapper and reigning VGMA Artiste of the Year, E.L, has launched his third studio album titled, 'BAR 3: The Lomi Era'.

The surprise album comes ahead of the third edition of the rapper's BAR concert series.

The first two editions of the BAR were heralded by mixtapes, but this time, the BBnZ Live foremost artiste decided to drop an album for the 'BAR 3'.

The launch ceremony was held at the Kristal Night Club in Accra on Friday and was well attended by some major players in Ghana's showbiz industry, including his BBnZ Live family.

The album contains 16 exciting and danceable tracks in which he features renowned rappers such as M.I and Khuli Chana.

Among the songs are 'Lomi', 'You No Go Fit See Me', 'Drop', 'Real Time Love', 'Superstar', 'Love Code', 'Lyrical Algebar', 'It's Your Life' and 'Can't Let It Phase Me'.

E.L earlier released some singles off the album, including Love God and Portay De Be featuring Cabum and Edem.

He thrilled patrons of the launching ceremony on Friday as he performed some of the songs.

The 'Lomi Era' album is E.L's third studio album after his debut album, 'Something Else' (2012) and the sophomore LP 'Everybody Loves Original Music' (E.L.O.M) released in 2012.

It is currently available for purchase at the Fotostores at the Accra Mall, A&C Mall, Junction Mall and the Oxford Street Mall. The rest include Monte Celo in Tema, The Views in Kumasi and other CD sale points.

E.L is currently a household name in Ghana and in international cycles. He became very popular on the music scene after he produced and featured on Sarkodie's song titled 'in 2011. He has since produced hit songs.

By Francis Addo (Twitter: @fdee50 Email: [email protected] )
Gospel musician Cwesi Oteng has expressed disappointment in the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) for failing to solve pertaining issues bedevilling Ghanaians in its eight-year term.

He wondered why the government refused to deliver on its 'Better Ghana Agenda' promise purportedly aimed at bettering the lives of Ghanaians.

The artiste observed that the spirit of the country is really down and that the country needs fresh breath.

I am extremely disappointed in President Mahama's administration. Ghana was promised that things will be better on so many grounds, where the spirit of the nation will be lifted, I just think that since we were promised a better Ghana, we have seen how it's like, we have seen both NDC and New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Every person should now take stock of his life for every government that promised us, we should check whether the economy is alright, he said.

The 'God Dey Bless Me' crooner over the weekend on his Twitter page endorsed the flagbearer of the opposition NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He said it is in the right direction for Ghanaians to change government in the December polls by voting massively for NPP.

According to him, it's prudent to have a leader who has the interest of the nation at heart, and judge him based on his promises after his term.

Yes I did endorse Nana Addo, I think we've had eight years of what better Ghana looks like and it's well enough and good so far, eight years is good enough because we were promised a better Ghana at a time that GH1.00 was equal to one dollar. Obviously, they have worked very hard on showing us the better Ghana which was promised, so I'm just advising and letting people know what I think Ghana's new direction should be, because we have had a better Ghana, let's have another Ghana with a leader who is experienced enough and his life over the years has proven to be worthy of emulation, his decision has been in the interest of the nation for so many years now.

Looking at what he is pursuing, we can judge him after his term of office in a retrospective way, take stock of his promises, and see if he delivered on what he promised or not, he entreated.

Cwesi Oteng encouraged Ghanaians not to vote on autopilot, but rather take stock of government at all levels before casting their votes.

That is why Africa has remained what it is now, because people vote on tribal lines, but not on policies or what is in best interest of the nation, he observed.

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Half-Assini, WR, Sept. 13,GNA - Electoral Officers who would flout the laws of the impending General Election would upon conviction be fined Gh6,000.00 or serve for two years in prison.

The offences include willfully disenfranchising someone, disclosing the Electoral Commission's official mark to someone and disrupting the Electoral process.

The Jomoro District Electoral Officer, Mr Isaac A Otoo, who announced this on Tuesday, at Half-Assini in the Western Region, said these were contained in the Constitutional Instrument (CI) 94 approved by Parliament for the Election.

He was speaking on: "The Electoral Process and Biometric Voting System", at a workshop for young activists of Political Parties.

The Programme was organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) with support from the European Union (EU), under the theme: "Empowering The Youth To Stand Up For Ghana For a Peaceful Election 2016".

The Commission has embarked on a nationwide programme in 40 selected Districts, including Jomoro, to promote a violence free election.

More than 80 flash points have been identified across the country.

Mr Otoo said any convicted Electoral Officer would also be banned from the Commission for five years.

The District Electoral Officer expressed concern that some Party Agents the EC trained for the last election were dropped along the line by their Parties for untrained ones, which made adverse impact on the election.

He explained that, according to the Law, Party Agents would this time swear an oath before some Magistrates before they could observe the elections, towards ensuring credible polls.

A release from the NCCE has said Political Party Youth Activists had been perceived as perpetrators of electoral violence, with some acting in ignorance of the regulations governing the conduct of Elections, hence the programme.

Other speakers at the programme are Mr Samuel E. Dawson, the District NCCE Director, Mr Abdul Majid Illiasu, the judge of the Half-Assini Magistrate's Court and Mr Alphonsus Arthur, Western Regional NCCE Director.

The participants were drawn from the National Democratic Congress, New Patriotic Party, People's National Convention, Convention People's Party and some Community-based Organisations.

GNA
By Kofi Mensah, GNA

Menang (Ash), Sept 13, GNA - The Adansi South District Assembly has upped its education and health development effort through the construction of school structures and health facilities.

Mr. Benjamin Anhwere, the District Chief Executive (DCE), said this tied in with the government's goal of improving access to education and quality healthcare.

Performing the symbolic ceremony for construction work to start on classroom blocks and clinics in three predominantly cocoa growing communities - Wuruyie, Ayaamankata and Menang, he said the assembly was determined to work hard to bring development to the people.

He indicated that a lot had been done to transform the living conditions of the population, citing the rehabilitation of some cocoa roads and extension of electricity.

He called for the people to stand solidly behind the Mahama Administration to enable it to continue good job it was doing.

Mr. Kofi Yakah, the Member of Parliament (MP), announced that 50 communities in the area, had been selected to enjoy electricity.

The government had given the greenlight and that the job would soon start, he added.

Nana Kofi Bondah, regent of Menang, said the people were grateful for receiving their fair share of development. GNA
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Iranian foreign ministrys spokesman Bahram Qasemi has rejected the reports that say Tehran and Washington had negotiations on the recent ceasefire in Syria.

No talks have been held between Iran and the US over the regional issues, Qasemi said, Tasnim news agency reported Sept. 14.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the US have had and will have no contact, consultation or dialogue on regional issues, he added.

Earlier some media outlets reported that the US Secretary of State John Kerry talked with the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif over the ceasefire plan in Syria.

On Sept. 9, Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced a new peace plan to address the conflict in Syria that called for a ceasefire to come into force on Sept. 13. If the new ceasefire in Syria lasts for seven days, the United States and Russia will work together to establish a joint implementation center.
GUANGZHOU, China, September 8, 2016 The World Bank Group is strengthening its partnership with China in support of African development through two major initiatives launched during the second Investing in Africa Forum (IAF), a two-day international forum aimed at boosting investment across Sub-Saharan Africa. The Forum was held in Guangzhou, China, a region home to a large African business community.

On September 7th, on the opening day of the Forum, the World Bank, the Chinese National Energy Administration (NEA) and Chinese Ministry of Finance (MOF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen energy cooperation in Africa in clean and renewable power including solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, natural gas as well as power grid and off grid solutions.

The World Bank welcomes Chinas commitment to energy development in Africa, which will help increase the level of industrialization and support the continents aspiration for prosperity and inclusive growth. Africa also has large untapped potential for renewable energy, which if developed will help close a critical infrastructure gap and address climate change at the same time," said Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group.

The MOU, signed by World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, Nur Bekri, Administrator of Chinas National Energy Administration, and Shi Yaobin, Vice Minister of Chinese Ministry of Finance represents an important step in deepening tripartite collaboration between African countries, China and the World Bank. China is more than ever committed to Africas development and we value our partnership with the World Bank Africa Region in joint support for Africa, said Hu Haibang, Chairman of China Development Bank, who co-hosted the Forum along with the Peoples Government of Guangdong Province of China.

T

he Forum also saw the launch of the Africa Think Tank Alliance (IATTA), a groundbreaking platform promoting knowledge sharing and partnerships among think tanks in Africa, China and worldwide.

The establishment of the Africa Think Tank Alliance is a win for all, says Albert Zeufack, the World Banks Africa Region Chief Economist. One of the major objectives of this initiative is to strengthen the research and analytical capacities of research institutes in Africa and to increase their influence on the international scene. The IATTA will also inform capital-investment decisions by developing guidelines, investment plans and policy suggestions to client countries, he added.

This years Forum attended by Patrice Talon, the president of Benin, and Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa brought together about 300 policymakers, private sector representatives and development partners, who shared experiences and explored opportunities to accelerate investment in Africa. A number of projects in African countries with committed or prospective investment from China were signed at the Forum including a manufacturing cluster project with Ethiopia and an ethanol and biomass project with Sierra Leone.

This Forum has created new opportunities for Guangdongs entrepreneurs to invest in Africa, says Zhu Xiaodan, Governor of Guangdong Province. We share our experience in development and investment in Africa which will result in win-win outcomes for both Guangdong Province and Africa while fostering cooperation in complementary sectors.

During the closing session of the Forum, Senegals Minister of Economy, Finance and Planning, Amadou Ba announced that his country will host the next Investing in Africa Forum in 2017.
Accra, Ghana. 13th September, 2016  The Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), West Africa, has announced finalists for the 6th edition of the Ghana CSR Excellence Awards, the GHACEA.

MTN, Kosmos, Unilever, Guinness, Tigo, Vodafone, Airtel, PwC, Samba Foods, Prudential Life, Odebrecht Ghana, Huawei Technologies, Databank, Coconut Grove Hotel and Fidelity Bank have been shortlisted as finalists competing for more than 20 categories in the highly-competitive Corporate Social Responsibility Awards which has become the industry benchmark since 2011.

Underlining criteria for the Awards include commitment to sustainability, beneficiary-focused initiatives, implementation of result-oriented CSR initiatives within the period under review and proven commitment to the triple bottomline (people, planet, profit). Entries are subjected to stringent verification and evaluation processes presided over by a multi-stakeholder jury.

Speaking about this years Awards, Mr. John Kojo Williams, Lead Project Manager for the Centre for CSR, West Africa indicated that: The GHACEA is becoming more competitive every year and we are beginning to receive entries from sectors of industry that would usually not bother so much about CSR & Sustainability. This means that our CSR advocacy with supports from notable organisations like the UNDP, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Chamber of Commerce and others, is pushing companies to be more socially responsible and sustainability conscious.

The Awards scheme is modelled after the European CSR Awards and entries are vetted by a multi-stakeholder jury drawn from academia, business associations, civil society organisations, regulatory agencies, international development partners and the media.

The GHACEA has injected a new paradigm into how businesses give back to society. Companies are now becoming more informed about their roles in society and beginning to weave social responsibility and sustainability around their core business mandate. This is a departure from the erstwhile ad-hoc and one-off approach to CSR.

The GHACEA was first held in 2011, when it was launched by then Minister for Trade & Industry, Hon. Hanna Tetteh, supported by the President of Association of Ghana Industries and the Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA. The 6th edition of GHACEA (2016) was launched by the President of the Federation of Association of Ghanaian Exporters, Mr. Anthony Sikpa, supported by the Chief Representative of JICA, Mr. Koji Makino and officials from the UNDP, AGI and other stakeholders in June, 2016 at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra.

Top categories for the 6th GHACEA include: CSR Company of the Year, CSR Practitioner of the Year, CSR CEO of the Year, CSR Telecom of the Year, CSR Bank of the Year, CSR Insurance Company of the Year, CSR Manufacturing Company of the Year, CSR FMCG of the Year, CSR Agrobusiness of the Year, CSR Aviation Company of the Year, CSR Real Estate Company of the Year, CSR Engineering Firm of the Year, CSR Extractives Company of the Year, CSR SME of the Year, CSR ICT Company of the Year, CSR Hospitality Organisation of the Year, CSR Consultancy Firm of the Year and the CSR Initiative/Campaign of the Year. There will be CSR Awards in Health, Education, Environment Protection, Community Development, Internal CSR, Health and Safety and a few other categories.
14.09.2016 LISTEN

There are certain English words I have learned to pronounce with ease, in this elections season. One of such words is peace. Another - peaces super-famous cousin - is accountable, which probably owes its current fame to the Presidents ongoing nationwide Accounting to the People tour. But while the beautiful chorus of our national anthem cannot be heard over blasts of gunre and wails of Ghanaian mothers while peace is supremely important, Ghanaians have already established, beyond doubt, that they are completely capable of conducting peaceful elections. So I am hereby tempted to give peace some peace, and focus my brief reection on accountable.!!

Specically, I am tempted to ask the question, Given the popular culture in Ghana, is accountability a concept to which Ghanaians can actually relate?

I am tempted to ask myself, In how many Ghanaian homes can mature, educated children question their parents on how family priorities are set, and how family resources are used?"

How many Ghanaian wives have to abandon their personal goals and ambitions because the man of the house doesn't quite agree? And how many school teachers honestly prefer condent students, who, on a daily basis, ask tough questions and challenge teachers, to calm, submissive students, who just watch the board, copy what they see, go home, and do their homework?

And asking myself these questions, and really seeing the perhaps inconspicuous continuity between these norms and governments supposedly best practices of accountability, it is hard - impossible, even - for me to see how in Gods green earth, - or more accurately, how in Gods red, gold, green, earth - Ghanaians can actually grasp the notion of being accountable to the people. I mean, how!?!!

What will happen, for example, if just when it was my turn to buy my waakye, I saw an animal whose body looked like a cats, but had the head of a woman, standing right beside me, looking up directly at me? I know what will happen. Ill faint, and wake up after Christmas. Thats what will happen. Forget waakye! But then for some reason, when it comes to politics when it comes to elections, surprisingly, we tend to expect the impossible. We tend to desire - demand - leaders who are accountable to the people, as if any of us actually owned a pet with a cats body and a womans head.

As if there were any of us who wouldn't want to wake up immediately from a dream in which such an entity suddenly,

miraculously appeared, and said chale, whats up?.!!

And so even as I get more and more acquainted with the sound of accountable in this exciting elections season, I remain grossly confused as to how so many Ghanaian fathers remain tyrants over their families, how Ghanaian teachers and Ghanaian students hate students who are too known, and while leaders of student groups, religious groups, and so on, hate to be questioned or in any way demanded to be accountable to the people, and yet, Ghanaians seem to want - seem to think that they could even have - a president who is accountable to the people. And I am painfully aware that there is an argument to be made for the glaring fact that Ghanaians cannot continue to embrace the kind of culture they practice in their homes, in their schools, at almost every level of the Ghanaian society, really, and still expect their leaderships to be accountable to the people, as though presidential elections were aimed at choosing Martians to lead Ghanaians.!!

At any rate, perhaps only a president who is truly accountable to the people whoever that could be, in this culture that passionately, overtly rejects accountability, could ease my confusion. I just cant think far, otherwise. God bless Ghana, gateway to Africa!!!

Abed!

About Abed!!

Abed is Founder of Homeland Global, a young international non-prot organisation that is working to transform the way stakeholders interact, across multiple sectors of community development. Abed is Founder and Chief Executive Ofcer of Fort-L; a company that manages a diversied portfolio of services, with a particular interest in youth employment.

He is, as well, Founder of a few community service initiatives, and Supporter of a few more. He had part of his university education in the United States, later leaving for the United Kingdom to graduate with a dual honours in mathematics and philosophy. As a person with diverse interests, he spent his summers studying philosophy at Rewley House, University of Oxford, and at Corpus Christi College, also at the University of Oxford, studying vocal music at TechMusic School in London, and stand up comedy at the American Comedy Institute in New York City, performing at the famous Gotham Comedy Club. Abed is a witty writer, intriguing speaker, and a proud Ghanaian.
The National Chief Imam, Shaikh Dr. Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, has called on Muslims especially the youth to serve as partners in the conduct of peaceful elections in December.

"It is not only unpatriotic but also unIslamic for the Muslim youth to reduce themselves to apparatus of political violence", he added.

The Grand Imam was addressing Ghanaian pilgrims at Arafah in Mecca where the Quran was recited as special prayers for Ghana and the late Alhaji Adamu of Global Haulage fame last Sunday.

Justifying his call, Shaikh Sharubtu described Islam as a peaceful religion whose adherents should not associate with violence.

He stated that in spite of their political, ethnic, and racial differences, Ghanaians have been united by a common value of patriotism. "Multiparty democracy is not meant to divide us. It is rather to enhance the quality of governance from different perspectives and ideologies. It is, therefore, an opportunity for us to appreciate the beauty of unity in diversity in our service to God and country", the Chief Imam emphasized.

Shaikh Sharubutu prayed for peace in the forthcoming general elections and for unity and development in Ghana.

Touching on Hajj, the Grand Imam called for collaboration, tolerance, and understanding among the government, Hajj Committee and the Association of Agents to ensure effective service to the Ghanaian pilgrim.

He also commended the Chairman of the Hajj Committee, Alhaji Tanko for sanitizing Hajj management and operations in Ghana. "Since he assumed Office as Chairman of Hajj Committee, I have ceased to suffer sleepless nights concerning Hajj" Shaikh Sharubutu stated.

The Chief Imam further thanked government for providing logistic and administrative support to facilitate Hajj management and operations. Illustrating his assertion, he cited the Hajj Village in Accra and Hajj related facilities - that facilitated smooth departures of pilgrims from Tamale International Airport - as examples.

The Chairman of Hajj Committee, Alhaji Tanko thanked the Chief Imam for the commendation and Ghanaians pilgrims for cooperation with his committee.

As humans, he said, he and his team are bound to face challenges in spite of the successes they have chalked in Hajj management and operations. He called for tolerance, unity, and forgiveness among the committee, agents, and pilgrims.

Chairman Tanko stated that leadership is a source of service not an opportunity of supremacy. He therefore declared his willingness to accept an avalanche of critical and diverse opinions to enhance the delivery of service to Ghanaian pilgrims. He also described himself as a servant interested in the welfare of pilgrims.

The Chief Imam spoke through Alhaji Mohammed Marzuq Azindoo, Lecturer, University of Applied Management, McCarthy Hill, Accra.
The paramount chief of Amenfi in the Western Region of Ghana, Osabarima Kow Entsi, says he has counseled the president, John Dramani Mahama, to create an agency that will monitor and regulate projects that are being funded with revenue from the production of Ghanas crude oil.

Osabarima Kow Entsi who is also a member of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) says he is not satisfied with the way oil funded project are being developed.

According to him, while some of these projects are abandoned halfway in the process when full payments have been made to the contractors from commencement to completion others are poorly constructed , posing as death threat to the users.

 I reported this issued to the president, John Dramani Mahama when he paid a visit to my Palace last month and informed him about the need to establish an agency that will monitor these projects. The president was in support of my proposal and assured me that that he will hold a meeting with cabinet to consider the issue since there is a need for the establishment of an Oil Revenue projects monitoring agency to oversee the efficient monitoring of oil funded projects.

Osabarima Kow Entsi spoke in an interview with this Journalist at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Where he is participating in this year summer school organized by the Natural Resource Governance Institute in partnership with the German International Development (GIZ).

HE indicated that such an agency, when established, should operate under PIAC to ensure that its operations are well monitored . PIAC will ensure that branches of these agency are opened in all the districts across the country to identify the needs of the people and advise on projects required to satisfy these needs. The agency will also monitor the implementation of these projects and alert contractors on deficiencies when spotted. This way I believe we can have value for our oil money 

INVOLVE PIAC IN CONTRACT SELECTION

Osabarima Kow Entsi also called for the involvement of PIAC in the selection of oil projects.. we want to have a say in the selection of projects funded with the oil money.

He said the decision should not be left for government officials and politicians alone to determine since they have the penchant to abuse the process.

He noted that selection of such projects should be done in a fair and transparent manner across the country .

PIAC, for some time now been complaining about the oil revenue is being thinly allocated and released for projects across the country.

A recent tour undertaken by PIAC to the three northern region revealed that most of the projects being funded with oil money have been poorly constructed and others do not even exist.

For instance , at the Farikiya Institute in the heart of Tamale in the northern region where over Ghc30,276.70 has been allocated for the construction a six unit classroom Block, the PIAC and IFEJ team were shocked to realize that the project was not actually funded with oil money but funds from the Ghana Education Trust Fund(GETFUND).

At the Zebila senior High School where the Ministry of Finance claim to have allocated about 240,000 cedis of oil revenue into the construction of a two story dormitory block, it was discovered that only a single unit classroom is being constructed. Even with that, the project started before the oil money was released to to complete it. Officials at the school were not even aware that the fund for the completion of the dormitory is part of the revenue from Ghanas oil.

At the Saint Francis Girls Senior High School at Jirapa in the Upper West Region , officials of the school were surprised to realize that oil money was used for the rehabilitation of the science resource centre.

At the Bagabaga college of Education in Tamale , where close to GHC248,245,00 cedis has been awarded for electrical works for the upgrade of electrical power supply , the team was informed that that the electrical wires had been changed but the contractor was yet to fix the transformer which is expected improve the Voltage and stabilize power supply within the school campuses.

When the team Visited the Duori Guo Irrigation project site in the Nadowli Kaleo constituency of the Upper West region where a sum of Ghc 119,798.00 is said to have been released for the construction and completion of the project, a regent of the Town, Chief Timothy Dombo informed the PIAC and IFEJ team that no project has taken place at the site since 1998 when a Japanese Grant was released for the construction of the existing irrigation project.
Mr Salifu Maase, a notorious programme (Pampaso) presenter at Montie FM, going by the nickname Mugabe, has promised his equally little-minded radio and political fans that he will be giving more fire as of Tuesday 13 September 2016 when he goes back to resume or host his Pampaso programme.

This notorious Salifu, uncouth, unprofessional and semi-illiterate by the ethics of journalism, has been using his radio programme as a platform to not only slander but also, threaten the lives of, his perceived political opponents of President Mahama and the NDC.

A few months ago, he facilitated, and also participated in, the diabolic intents by some two equally human parasites that walk with their stomach and are also NDC propagandists and fanatics (Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn) to threaten some Ghana Supreme Court judges with death and forced marriage.

He was either correctly or wrongly prosecuted, convicted or jailed at Nsawam Medium Prisons for four months with his other accomplices, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn.

Even though his confinement at Nsawam prisons became something like a mini-heaven, being visited daily by NDC Government Ministers, top NDC gurus etc., he was still moaning like a chicken baby as some people funnily will say. He was complaining that life was hard for him and his family back in Britain or outside prison. Subsequently, his employer, President John Dramani Mahama, in collusive consultation with the Council of State and upon their ill-advice, remitted the sentence to a month by exercising his prerogative of mercy powers under 1992 Ghana Constitutional Article 72.

Now that this disgraceful near-murderer is out of jail, and unreformed as he is because he lacks intelligence and wisdom, he has promised to rain more fire, on whom, I cannot tell but surely on the political opponents of President Mahama or on the Supreme Court judges or anyone perceived not to be a member of the NDC.

Let me seize this opportunity to tutor this ignorant radio programme presenter going by the nickname Mugabe. First and foremost, he has to bear in mind that President Mugabe whose name he has assumed or adopted does not behave in that murderous and irresponsible manner as he, Salifu Maase, is conducting himself.

Secondly, he has to note that President Mahama in remitting his sentence did not fail to recognise that he, Salifu, had not committed or intended to commit a crime. President Mahama did uphold the fact and belief that Salifu Maase and his other two accomplices had committed a crime and were guilty of offence but just that the sentence was too harsh.

Mugabe was not pardoned, whereby his crimes would no longer stand or are completely blotted out as it were in the case of a court declaring one as discharged and acquitted of their crimes.

Remission in the sense applied is different from pardon so Mugabe must be very careful about his follow up actions. If he thinks his government and friends are in government so he can run his mouth as big as he wants and threaten the lives of people as much as he can with impunity, I tell him he is wrong. He is deceiving himself big time.

There is coming a day that he will be held squarely accountable for his misdeeds. Now that he has got palm oil, let him continue eating mashed plantain/cocoyam gluttonously; forgetting that one can easily choke on mashed plantain/cocoyam  an Akan proverb goes.

Mugabe is free and is going back to wallow in his shitty on-air pronouncements same as a pig wallows in its own shit in a pigsty. On this note, what are my younger and senior brothers Professor Kwaku Asare and Hon. Martin Amidu respectively, going to say? Are they going to advise Mugabe to be mindful of his actions or they are going to encourage him to keep on firing out his evil intentions? Are they are going to sit on the fence watching while he carries himself about as the usual I dont fear huu bastard and when he gets into trouble, they will continue to defend him by coming out with their expert interpretation of the constitutional clauses?

I respect both brothers so much and I was on the same side of the moral divide when fighting the Ghanaian swindler of the century, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, to refund to the State the over GHC51.2 million that he stole from Ghana.

Upon all the precious time and energy expended, money spent, and the humiliation, insults and threats to life suffered by Hon. Martin Amidu, could he attain his objective? NO!

What was his final goal in all that he did? He wanted Woyome to refund the money to the State and, or charged with theft, prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned.

Until today, after the Supreme Court ordered him (Woyome) to refund the money to Ghana because he obtained it fraudulently, he has not paid a pesewa and may not pay a kobo as long as NDC and President Mahama are in power. He was even discharged and acquitted of any crime in relation to the perceived fraudulent acquisition of the money, by one High Court Justice Ajit Naseem.

Could he not have bribed this judge for him to arrive at that decision as the judge was later sacked for taking money, goat and foodstuff bribe from someone to twist justice in the persons favour?

Those people who should have assisted in the successful prosecution of Woyome failed to do their job. They were always conniving with Woyome or the government to delay the prosecution or not coming up with tangible charges. It is all because they are all in the same government that has elevated them to the positions in which they are today so they would not want to help in any way that will end up jailing their partys major financier, Alfred Agbesi Woyome.

The Attorney General and her department believe in the adage, Do not bite the finger that feeds you hence they will not co-operate fully in any endeavour to prosecute any of their kind, be they Alfred Agbesi Woyome or the Montie trio (Salifu Maase, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn).

In that case, should nothing be done by us but to sit on our fat backside until the Montie trio have murdered the judges in cold blood as done to three judges on 30 June 1982 by their parent party PNDC and NDC founder J. J. Rawlings?

The Attorney General and her department had refused to prosecute the Montie trio, the BNI had come out with complete nonsense, saying the alleged criminals had not the means to execute their threats hence must be left alone, they seem to suggest to Ghanaians. At this point, what should the Supreme Court judges do? Should they sit down doing nothing but twirling their fingers until they are massacred by those smelly cows called Salifu Maase, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn?

Is it what my dear brothers were suggesting to Ghanaians? Anyway, Mugabe says he is going to fire with more vim and zeal than he was doing before he was sent into imprisonment.

What is the advice to him by our learned men? Are they waiting for him to commit further atrocious crimes, and then come to help get him off the hook for a second time? What advice do they have for the Attorney General who seems to be colluding with the government to get some criminals like Woyome and Maase off the hook?

To Mugabe, bear in mind that if you play with fire, fire will not only burn you but it will completely consume you at the right time. You cannot continue to have your cake and eat it. Time changes, my only advice to you so be careful of the thorny seeds you are sowing today. Same seeds will germinate to grow thorns to pierce you badly.

Rockson Adofo
14.09.2016 LISTEN

Human Right Activism has become a legal weapon in the hand of every civilized citizen. They are enforceable in the courts of law, and most importantly are referred to as Natural Rights, but the mind boggling issue is that; Natural Rights are only in three dimensions, namely: Right to Life, Liberty and the Right to own Property.

The rest are all what the state may by law or statute provide. The primitive notion is that, man was born with these rights, hence cannot be taken away from him or her. Renounced English theorist, Thomas Hobbes paints an hypothetical situation where man out of his own will entrusts his natural right into the hand of a sovereign under an ideological Social Contract elaborated in his treatise, the Leviathan (1651).

Samuel Pufendorf (1673), John Locke (1689), J.J Rousseau (1762), Immanuel Kant (1797) in the same vein shares a similar view, and bought into it in one way or the other. In present times, Human Rights under the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR), 1948 at the Palais de Chaillot, Paris has become laws of member states of the United Nations (UN), of which Ghana is no exception. This has been ear-marked under chapter 5 of the 1992 fourth republican constitution. The purpose of this essay is to highlight the basic Human Rights under the constitution.

Human Rights under the Ghanaian constitution are entrenched provisions pursuant to article (art.) 290 clause (1) paragraph (d). This is an indication that, Human Rights are highly accorded in the Ghanaian jurisprudence.

These provisions to the lay man may mean; provisions that cannot be amended, but are provisions that can only be amended within the strict procedure set out under clause (4) of art. 290 to the legal mind. In the clear sense, it is a provision whose amendment must be subjected to the interest of the public, wherein a referendum of 40% of people entitled to vote must be held, and 75% of them must have voted in favour. Moreso, in serving the President with such bill to be assented, it is accompanied by a certificate from the Electoral Commission, and bearing the seal of the commission, that the bill be approved at a referendum in accordance with art. 292(b). This is a clear indication that Human Rights are attached with some importance. Below are discussed human rights enjoyed as a citizen of Ghana.

The life of any person cannot be taken by the state or any other person, except in the exercise of an execution of a sentence of a court when the person has been found on all grounds of a high criminal offence under the laws of Ghana. This can be affirmed by reading art. 13(1) of the constitution.

No person shall be deprived of his life intentionally except in the exercise of the execution of a sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence under the laws of Ghana of which he has been convicted.

A person shall not also be held to have deprived another person of his life when the person dies out of a lawful act of war or any reasonable act of force justifiable under paragraphs (a) to (d) of art.13(2). Thus, a person is not liable on conviction purported to have taken the life of another person when for the defence of any person from violence or for the defence of property; or in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained, or for the purposes of suppressing riot, insurrection or mutiny, or in order to prevent the commission of a crime by that person.

Subject to the 1992 constitution, every person shall have a Right of Personal Liberty or freedom, and this right cannot be taken by anybody or authority except in certain instances prescribed by law. These have been delineated under art. 14(1) of the constitution. This can be carried out under an order of the court in the execution of a sentence in respect to a criminal matter, or in the execution of a court punishing for contempt.

It can also be carried out for the purposes of bringing one before a court in the execution of an order, or in a case where a person is suffering from an infectious or contagious disease, a person of unsound mind, a person addicted to drugs or vagrant for the purposes of care or protection of community.

Again, it can be exercised for the purposes of protection of education or welfare of a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years, prevention of the unlawful entry in Ghana, or for removal of persons from Ghana, or persons conveyed through Ghana in the extradition or removal from one country to another upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed or about to commit a criminal offence under the laws of Ghana.

Notwithstanding to the earlier, a person arrested, restricted or detained shall be informed immediately; in a language he understands of the reasons for the arrest, restriction or detention and of his right to a lawyer of his choice as clearly spelt out under art. 14(2)(a). If the person is brought before a court in the execution of a court order upon reasonable grounds of having committed a crime or on suspicion per art. 14(2)(b), he shall be brought before a court within forty-eight hours.

(3) A person who is arrested, restricted or detained 

(a) for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of an order of a court; or

(b) upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed or being about to commit a criminal offence under the laws of Ghana, and who is not released, shall be brought before a court within forty-eight hours after the arrest, restriction or detention.

When the person arrested, restricted or detained is not tried within the reasonable time then without prejudice to any further proceedings that may be brought against him, he shall be released either unconditionally or on conditions necessary to ensure that he appears at a later date for trial or proceedings. A person who has been unlawfully arrested shall be entitled to compensation from that other person under clause (5). Where a person convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment has spent some period in lawful custody, it shall be considered and justice would be meddled with mercy in such instance. When he has spent the whole or partial jail term and he is acquitted on appeal by a court other than the Supreme Court, the court may certify the Supreme Court that he is paid compensation, and the compensation may be awarded accordingly.

(6) Where a person is convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment for an offence, any period he has spent in lawful custody in respect of that offence before the completion of his trial shall be taken into account in imposing the term of imprisonment.

(7) Where a person who has served the whole or a part of his sentence is acquitted on an appeal by a court, other than the Supreme Court, the court may certify to the Supreme Court that the person acquitted be paid compensation; and the Supreme Court may, upon examination of all the facts and the certificate of the court concerned, award such compensation as it may think fit; or, where the acquittal is by the Supreme Court, it may order compensation to be paid to the person acquitted.

Equally important is the Protection of Privacy of Home and other Property indicated under art. 18. It states that, every person has the right to own property either alone or in association with others. Ghana permits citizens to own their own property; moveable or immovable except in few instances by statutory provisions may pay rate upon them, serving as revenue to government. Nobodys privacy, communication inter alia can be interfered or intercepted except in accordance with law for public safety or economic well-being. Thus, to prevent the commission or omission of an act or whatsoever.

(1) Every person has the right to own property either alone or in association with others.

(2) No person shall be subjected to interference with the privacy of his home, property, correspondence or communication except in accordance with law and as may be necessary in a free and democratic society for public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the protection of health or morals, for the prevention of disorder or crime or for the protection of the rights or freedoms of others.

Having discussed the three fundamental Human Rights I would like to stop here and reserve the remaining for another discussion. I entreat you all to take note of the following rights.

Gracias,

Felix Acquaye.

0279512614

*For contributions, clarifications and other purposes call the writer*
Reliable information available to The Finder indicates that barring any last-minute hitch, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) will release the results of the 2016 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) today.

Consequently, The Finder contacted officials of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) on their readiness to post candidates to Senior Migh Schools (SHSs) on merit.

National Co-ordinator of the CSSPS, Mr Kwasi Abankwa Anokye, affirmed the readiness of his outfit to place BECE candidates into Senior High Schools.

SHSs dcclare 516, 867 vacancies

He disclosed that Senior Iligh Schools in the country have declared 516, 867 vacancies in 832 public and private SHS, 151 technical schools and 41 new Community Day SHSs for the admission of qualified BECE candidates

The vacancies declared are 55,858 more than the number of BECE candidates who wrote the exams which is 461,009 candidates.

He stated that the 41 new Community Day SHSs would be ready and available for placement by October and the number is expected to increase to 70 by December.

Regional breakdown of vacancies

The regional breakdown of the vacancies declared include Upper West - 13,747, Greater Accra - 53,817, Eastern Region - 81,442, Central*- 50,931, Western - 35,050.

The rest are Ashanti - 130,512, Brong Ahafo - 51,435, Volta - 56,051 Northern - 27,447 and Upper East - 16,435.

The-declared vacancies of 516, 867 is more than the 461, 009 candidates from 14,267 public and private junior high schools who took the 2016 BECE.

According to Mr Anokye, vacancies have gone up because of the addition of 41 new Community Day SHSs.

He explained that the additional vacancies would help CSSPS to place more candidates.

In view of the congestion is SHS across the country, the National Co-or- dinator of the CSSPS was happy that the additional vacancies would help to de- congest schools.

He, therefore, entreated parents, guardians and candidates to be patient and desist from going to the CSSPS secretariat or the GES headquarters to check on the placement.

Accroding to him, once CSSPS receives raw scores or merit list, it should be able to finish the placement exercise.

Mr Anokye said the CSSPS, which became operational in the year 2005, played a major role in this transition as its operations were intended to reduce human errors by depending on technology.

He said the decision to automate the selection and placement of successful BECE candidates into senior high Schools, technical and vocational institutes was a measure taken to address a number of weaknesses, inherent in the manual operation.

These include the use of hardcopy placement cards, the annual regional selection exercise and the regionalised choice of schools, which was restrictive and subject to national disintegration.

Mr Anokye said the CSSPS, apart from placing candidates, had taken advantage of the huge potential technology provided to introduce innovations such as candidates checking their BECE results online and also using mobile phones to easily access placement results.

He said access into SHS, technical and vocational institutes had greatly improved with the inception of the system as nearly 90 to 95 per cent of
The 18th Agricultural Forum "Golden Autumn 2016" will be held under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation in Moscow on October 5-8, 2016.

The Exhibition is a flagman agricultural forum of Russia where achievements of agricultural manufacturers will be displayed, as well as a consummate platform for meetings with captains of international agribusinesses. The Golden Autumn 2016 will be attended by more than 2000 enterprises and organizations from the regions of Russia and foreign countries. Investment projects, foodstuff, products of manufacturing industries and equipment will be showcased.
President Predicts

Better Times Ahead

Tuesday, January 2013 (Daily Graphic),

Economy Will Turn Around In 2014

President Mahama (Daily Graphic)

Economy On Strong Footing

Through My Govt's Policies, Programmes

President Mahama

2013 (Daily Graphic)

Better Days Ahead (Daily Graphic)

President Assures Ghanaians

Wednesday, February 26 2014

President Predicts Stable Economy Next Year (Daily Graphic)

Saturday, July 2016

Economy Takes Off In 2017  Mahama (DAILY GUIDE)

Tuesday, September 13, 2016.

The foregone are samples of verifiable assurances from President John Dramani Mahama, some of them dating back to 2013. Some could have escaped us. We have been so much saturated with predictions and assurances by the President that we can no longer absorb more.

The fact is that a president and his government must be credible, otherwise they would soon lose the confidence of the people, which is what is beginning to dawn on the country today.

We composed this commentary when the President's presentation of highlights of his party's manifesto at the State House was a few hours away.

The euphoria, which such important dates on the calendar of a major political party should have evoked, was absent. But for the media and a few politically active members of society, most people did not care a hoot about the activity.

We should have been excited because the president was going to present alternative programmes he intends unfolding for the country, should he be blessed with an extension of tenure. Whenever any of the two major parties is unfolding such highlights, the people should be excited because it offers them the opportunity to review the contents of the manifesto and juxtapose same with others.

This would enable them to make an informed choice.

Unfortunately, Ghanaians have come to gauge the trustworthiness of the incumbent government through its many unfulfilled promises and predications.

In one breath, we are told that the foundation has been laid for the take-off of the economy, while in yet another we are told about a specific year for the take-off because the necessary infrastructure has been put in place. Whatever that means can best be addressed by the origin.

We are bombarded incessantly with stories about the construction of roads, buildings and others, yet the growth which these are expected to trigger never happens.

We are sure that this morning Ghanaians will be discussing  if they care to do so  the highlights of the manifesto which is expected to be outdoored in Sunyani, Brong-Ahafo Region, at a subsequent date.

When citizens are inebriated with unfulfilled promises and predictions, lethargy sets in, including questions about the integrity of government.

Transforming lives and the Better Ghana agenda are both mantras only on the pages of newspapers when they come up for auditing against the backdrop of the realities on the ground.

The living standards of the people belie the so-called enhanced living standards of the people.

Another opportunity to rehash the previous predictions about the take-off of the economy is here. Compatriots, it is time to yawn.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

Foreign ministers of the P5+1 group of countries and Iran are likely to meet on Sept. 22 in New York, an informed source told ISNA news agency.

According to the report, the meeting will take place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, which kicked off Sep. 13 and will continue over the week.

The meeting will be the first of its kind since Jan. 16 when the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, aka nuclear deal) was implemented.

The report speculated that the sides will discuss Tehrans dissatisfaction with the measures taken by the West to remove obstacles against re-establishing Iran's banking ties with the world.

The P5+1 (China, France, Russia, the UK, the US as well as Germany) reached a historic deal with Iran last year to curb the Islamic Republics nuclear program in return for lifting the nuclear related sanctions.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) vice presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has exposed the lack of value for money regarding infrastructural projects under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration led by President John Mahama, saying some of the contracts were/are clearly inflated.

The Mahama government has touted its achievements in the last eight years in its Green Book in the area of infrastructure (roads, water projects, hospitals, schools, etc.). The burning question by most Ghanaians is that if this NDC government has increased Ghana's debt from GH9.5 billion to GH105 billion so far, can they point to an equivalent value of projects? he underscored.

Unfortunately, and sadly, the answer is no. The government is attempting to hoodwink Ghanaians by claiming a massive increase in infrastructure investment, he noted.

At a public lecture titled, The State of the Ghanaian Economy  A Foundation of Concrete or Straw, last Thursday in Accra  which focused on the economy  Dr. Bawumia shredded the government's economic performance into pieces, taking his time to prove to Ghanaians that the Mahama administration had collected so much loans but has less to show in the area of infrastructural development.

Dr Bawumia, a distinguished economist and former deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, said the ruling party is rather taking Ghana backwards with its policies, citing declining growth rate from 14 percent inherited by John Mahama to the current 3.9 percent.



Notable Projects

The NPP strong man cited projects such as Kumasi Airport runway, the much-talked-about AMERI deal, hospital projects and many others, to back his claim that some of the major contracts were inflated compared to similar projects executed in other jurisdictions.

I saw two virtually identical sets of teachers' bungalows in Dambai Teacher Training College this year; one constructed under 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 some GH195,000 whereas the one constructed by the NDC cost some GH900,000 (4.6 times more). What accounts for this huge difference? he wondered.

He said another example was a runway rehabilitation alone at the Kumasi Airport which he said cost the country $23.8 million, whereas a proposed airport at Ho was estimated at $25 million, pointing out, It is on record that Ethiopia is building its Shire Airport at a cost of $21 million.

Ameri Deal

The issue of the Ameri Power Deal is one episode of issues bordering on corruption and the failure to ensure value for money for the people of Ghana, Dr Bawumia observed.

He said the government secured power plants for $510 million, even though the same plants could be acquired for $220 million on the market, adding, The government has claimed that the manufacturers of the plant, GE, would have provided the plant at a far more expensive price. The situation of overpricing of contracts through the use of sole sourcing as the procurement method of choice is very typical of this John Mahama NDC government.

According to Dr. Bawumia, GH3.65 million from oil funds which was earmarked for a supposed Osu railway, was used for the branding of 116 Metro Mass Transit buses, saying, The company that actually did the work of employing Ghanaians to do the branding of the buses says it charged GH11,600 as cost for the branding of all the 116 buses.

According to him, Egypt is constructing a 1,800 Megawatt gas power plant at a cost of $1.3 billion. Abu Dhabi is constructing a 1,600 Megawatt gas power plant at a cost of $1.5 billion. Together, Ameri and Karpower will cost Ghana over $2 billion over five years, and yet will give us 505 Megawatts.



Legon Vs Ridge

Dr. Bawumia noted that the University of Ghana acquired a loan facility of US$217 million from the Israeli Government to build a 600-bed teaching hospital at Legon saying. The cost of building a new 600-bed teaching hospital by the University of Ghana is $30m less than the cost of renovating and expanding Ridge Hospital from 200-bed to 420.

If you sum the cost of all the infrastructure expenditure undertaken by this NDC government from loans, grants and taxes between 2009 and 2015, it is less than $7 billion. Meanwhile, the government has borrowed some $39 billion; so where is the rest of the money?



IMF Director

Indeed, according to the Managing Director of the IMF, most of Ghana's borrowing has been used for consumption and not for investment. The overpricing of contracts, corruption and the absence of value for money considerations are partly responsible for this, he echoed.

He said investment in infrastructure under the Mahama-led NDC government had been on the decline.



Massive Resources

The NPP vice presidential candidate stressed, Indeed, given the resources at its disposal, one should expect at least four to five times the quantum of investment that the NDC claims to have undertaken.

He said with the huge resources at the disposal of the NDC, the government should have solved the water and energy problem, put in place at least 1,000km of asphalt road in each region as well as transformed agriculture in the Northern Region, Afram Plains and the rest through investment in machinery, irrigation and dams.

By William Yaw Owusu
Representatives from the UK Government signalled their continuing support for better access to justice in Sierra Leone, at the launch of the Legal Aid Board on Thursday 8 September. The launch is part of the Ministry of Justices Scaling Up Access to Justice Leaving No One Behind campaign. Accessible and sustainable legal aid helps protect basic human rights, for example by giving remand prisoners access to justice after waiting years for their day in court.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy High Commissioner, Paul McGrade, said the UK had supported progress on access to justice in Sierra Leone for many years. DFID work, including the Access to Justice and Security Programme (ASJP), helped pave the way for the Legal Aid Act 2012, establish the Legal Aid Board and support its first strategy. He said that Legal Aid was the way to make a reality of Sierra Leones Constitutional commitment that no citizen is denied justice by reason of economic or other disability.

The passing of the Legal Aid Act in 2012 was an essential first step towards access to legal advice for ordinary Sierra Leoneans, who would otherwise have been unable to afford it. Widespread and sustainable Legal Aid is essential to deliver the wider reforms to the justice system which the Minister of Justice and the Chief Justice are pursuing. It underpins efforts to improve courts management of their cases, and improve accountability in the criminal justice system.

Mr McGrade said adequate resourcing of the justice system now and in the future would be vital. The Ministry of Justice had announced extra resources to provide more magistrates and State prosecutors across the country. Adequate resourcing of the Legal Aid Board would be just as vital. Ultimately its success would be measured by the number of people, particularly among the poorest in society, who secure access to justice.
Mrs.Antwi (L) recieving her Citation from H.E Nesrin Bayazit,Turkish Ambassador in Ghana

Eunice Ankomaa Apraku Antwi, General Manager (GM) of Samara Company Limited, producers of Sasso insecticide spray and mosquito coil, has been adjudged the 'Most Outstanding Executive In Household Products' at the second edition of the Feminine Ghana Achievement Awards.

The awards ceremony was organised by the Business Executive Magazine to identify and reward outstanding women in both the public and private sectors, whose personal and professional conducts, have impacted society positively.

The event, which was held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra over the weekend, attracted Ministers of State, Members of Parliament (MP) and representatives of business executives, as well as dignitaries from the diplomatic missions in Ghana.

As a General Manager of Samara Company Limited, you have played a key role in the huge success of the Sasso brand of insecticide spray and mosquito coil in the Ghanaian market. Your resourcefulness, dedication and sense of responsibility have been invaluable in building one of the best known homegrown Ghanaian product brands today, making you a role model for rising female executives in the manufacturing sector, the citation read.

By Solomon Ofori
14.09.2016 LISTEN

Some activists of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ahanta West Constituency of the Western Region have indicated that the signals across the country are clear that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will lose the December general election on account of its mismanagement of the economy.

In this year's parliamentary election, we the NPP in Ahanta West are very hopeful to recapture the seat we lost to the NDC in the last general election, one of them indicated.

The Ahanta West NPP activists have therefore, resolved to work hard as a united front for the party to win this year's parliamentary election massively in the constituency.

It is no secret that Ghanaians are fed up with the abysmal performance of the NDC government and are ready to show the NDC the exit through the power of their thumbs, the activist asserted.

In the 2012 parliamentary election, NPP's Samuel Johnfiah lost the seat to NDC's George Aboagye, former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC).

During the NPP's parliamentary primary for the 2016 elections, delegates of the party in the constituency elected Ebenezer Kojo Kum, a lawyer, as the parliamentary candidate for this year's election.

He polled 324 votes, defeating three other contestants  Kwesi Biney, journalist and former District Chief Executive for the area  who polled 177 votes; John Kwesi Yankey, an agronomist, had 128 votes and Kwesi Klutse, a lecturer, polled 37.

Mr Kum was reported to have pledged to form a formidable team with the losing candidates to recapture the seat from the ruling National democratic Congress.

This came to light when scores of supporters of the NPP stormed the DAILY GUIDE office in Takoradi to throw their weight behind their parliamentary candidate.

A spokesperson, Kwesi Yankey, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE, observed that the NDC government had driven Ghana into a state of despondency due to poor leadership and lack of vision.

According to him, the massive corruption and looting by some government officials and their cronies had left the ordinary Ghanaian in abject poverty.

The corruption in the current government is so overwhelming that Ghanaians do not need a fortune-teller to tell them that the president does not have what it takes to fix the countrys problems. This country is in deep economic crisis, Yankey asserted.

He mentioned the alleged rot at the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) and the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) as well as all forms of 'create loot and share' under the guise of judgment debts.

He also described the upward adjustment of fuel prices and utility tariffs as unwarranted and rubbished the alleged intention of the government not to increase the salaries of workers to correspond with the high cost of living.

Mr Yankey indicated that the Supreme Court verdict on the 2012 presidential election petition taught the NPP a great lesson and stressed that now in this country elections have to be won at the polling stations.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi
PRESSURE IS mounting on authorities at the University of Ghana (UG) to remove the statue of India's independence hero, Mahatma Gandhi, from the campus of the nation's premier university.

A former Director of the Institute of African Studies at UG, Professor Akosua Adomako Ampofo, started the campaign recently.

In a petition, Prof. Adomako Ampofo urged members of the UG Council to pull down the statue, claiming among other things, that Gandhi was a racist who hated black people and that honoring him is a wrong example for learners at the university.

It would be recalled that on June 14, 2016, the statue of Gandhi was erected at the Sam Aboah quadrangle on the university campus.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that the erection of Gandhi's statue dismayed some members of the university community who are aware of the apparent racist stand of Gandhi.



Racist Symbols

Prof. Adomako Ampofo argued that if UG sought to be a world class university, it should not be seen to be honouring former bastions of slavery, apartheid and white supremacy.

The former Director of the Institute of African Studies pointed out, Rhodes University [in South Africa] established a renaming team to remove the name of Cecil Rhodes, former prime minister of the Cape colony, and one of the founders of apartheid.

Prof Adomako Ampofo urged the University of Ghana Council to do the honourable thing by pulling down the statue. It is better to stand up for our dignity than to kowtow to the wishes of a Third World upper-power.

BY Melvin Tarlue
People who fail to participate in communal labour at Pomadze in the Central Region will give one bag of cement as penalty for the offence.

Gomoaba Nana Apata Kofi V, chief of Gomoa Pomadze and Guantoahene of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency at Pomadze after leading his people in a three-hour clean-up exercise as part of this month's National Sanitation Day (NSD) activities.

Nana Apata Kofi said the bags of cement that would be collected from the defaulters would be used to support the implementation of development projects in the town.

Addressing participants to round off the exercise, the Guantoahene expressed the need for Ghanaians to cultivate the self-help spirit to enhance the development of their communities.

He said besides keeping the country clean all the time, regular cleaning-up exercises play an important role in bringing environments under proper and hygienic conditions for the maintenance of excellent health status.

The Guantoahene appealed to the various religious organisations and all organised groups in the country to devote part of their time to educate their followers on the NSD.
Alex Segbefia being examined as a way of encouraging others to participate in such exercises, while Prof Kwawukume looks on

The Family Health Medical School, Accra, has partnered with the Lordina Foundation, the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) Ghana Chapter, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ghana AIDS Commission, to organise a day's free medical screening for Ghanaian journalists.

The exercise was held at the Independence Square on Friday in Accra and attracted scores of journalists from the various media outlets in the country, particularly those based in the metropolis.

The day-long exercise covered eye screening, BP test, sugar testing, HIV counselling, breast cancer examination and counselling, cervical cancer counselling and syphilis testing and malaria test. Free medications were given to the media men and women.

The screening formed part of one of a series of medical outreaches to be embarked upon by the above mentioned organisations for organised groups such as the Ghana Police Service (GPS), market women associations, among others, in the country in the near future.

Minister of Health, Alexander Segbefia, commended the management of Family Health Medical School and Hospital & Nursing & Midwifery School for the bold decision taken to screen media practitioners of their ailments.

Themed, 'Good Health, Better Life: the Role of the Media Practitioners in Nation Building,' the minister stated that the screening exercise was a step in the right direction, especially considering that the country is in an election year, which will mean more work for journalists.

He explained that today's occasion, aimed at offering a thorough medical check-up and possible medication, is the way to go as citizens to help the health bill through early detection of diseases and early treatment to curtail the disease from turning into a chronic and hopeless situation which is counter to productivity and burden to society.

The sector minister urged journalists to make it a point to go for regular health check-ups to ensure that they are always healthy.

Health experts believe that a lot of diseases could be prevented when individuals make it a habit to go for regular medical check-ups as well as adopting and practising healthy lifestyles, Mr Segbefia stated.

President of Family Health Medical School located at Teshie, Professor Enyonam Yao Kwawukume, explained that the nature of journalists' job was tedious and does not afford most of them the time to cater for themselves properly.

President of the Lordina Foundation, Lordina Mahama, wife of Ghana's president who doubles as the president OAFLA, in a statement delivered on her behalf, said the two organisations which she heads would continue to support medical screening exercises for journalists.

She expressed the hope that the screening would go a long way to contribute to OAFLA's mandate of making Ghana HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer free.

Some journalists who spoke to DAILY GUIDE expressed their appreciation for the screening.

They indicated that the initiative was a good one which must be sustained since most journalists do not have time for themselves due to the nature of their jobs.

BY Solomon Ofori & Melvin Tarlue
The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) has given government 10 days' ultimatum (starting from yesterday) to present a roadmap to upgrading its members on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) or intensify their strike.

According to the association, if by the end of the tenth day nothing is heard from the respective agencies, we will begin to deploy additional measures to bring our plight to the attention of the president, the government and the good people of Ghana.

The nine day-old strike action by GHOSPA to press home their demand for equity and fairness in public sector compensations under the Single Spine Pay Policy has already affected thousands of patients who need essential medicines at government health facilities.

Government through the Ministry of Health (MoH) in a statement directed the heads of institutions to ensure pharmacies are kept open to the public with the head of pharmacy at post as negotiations continue, but the association says it will not relent on its decision or be forced by any directive to go back to work, indicating that there has not been any negotiation since the strike began.

The NLC has also issued a directive for the association to meet with them in the issue, however, GHOSPA says it will appear before the NLC to the extent that the issues are on the stalled conditions of service negotiations.

Pharm. Agyemang Badu, GHOSPA Chairman, addressing the press, mentioned that the migration of health sector workers by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) unto the SSSS in 2011 has made the members of GHOSPA worse off.

He indicated that the association has since followed due process in seeking redress to their wrong placement on the SSSS, but has been met with failed assurances from government agencies for the past six years.

Over the last six years, this matter has travelled through every due process conceivable. The National Labour Commission (NLC) has made several rulings and determinations of which the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has blatantly refused to comply with.

Not even the intervention of the Ministry of Health, the office of the Chief of Staff through a Cabinet Sub-committee with oversight responsibility over FWSC and NLC has been respected or complied with by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission after submitting itself before the committee, he stated.

Pharm. Badu, however, said the institutions have for some years now taken the association's respect for due process and patience for granted, indicating that they will not relent on their decision to get what has been scientifically proven to be theirs.

We want to assure government that having waited and endured nearly six years for a resolution of this matter, having believed in all the assurances and committees to do justice, we are determined for once to see the end of this matter, he stressed.

Pharm. Badu said the association will not go back to work until the NLC ruling in 2013 that placed them on a starting grade point of 18h and the cabinet subcommittee recommendation of 114 interim market premium for pharmacists are implemented.

We want to repeat that our unfortunate patients are not the target of this action. Government can, if it genuinely wants to restore the full range of pharmaceutical service, do it in no time in all facilities.

We call on our patients, clients, colleagues and superiors at work to bear with public sector pharmacists in these trying moments, he said.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri
The Seventh Annual convention of the Council of Brong Ahafo Association of North American ended in classicism at Southbridge Conference Center in Southbridge, Massachusetts on Sunday September 4th 2016.

The two day event included COBAANA general meeting, fund raising dinner dance, traditional festivities and picnic.

The celebration which brought together indigenes of the region in the United States of America, Canada and some traditional rulers from the region, helped pull resources together to support Brong-Ahafo region and also showcased the rich Ghanaian culture to the international community.

Objective for the convention was to raise funds for educational infrastructure projects for basic level schools in rural communities was on the theme Changing Lives through Education

Special Guest of Honor, first lady Mrs. Lordina Mahama, thanked the association for its generous contribution to the region over the years. She added that all Ghanaian children should have equal opportunity to education and for that matter their locality or the area in which they live should not deprive them to having access to quality education.

She reiterated the importance of early childhood education and said children have dreams to go to school and realize full potential. Giving a child an early quality education can help achieve those dreams and guarantee a better future. This can only be achieved when we provide the tools to education, hence the reason for our gathering to raise funds for a six-unit classroom block at Ayaakomase, near Nsoatre in the Brong-Ahafo Region to supplement the governments efforts.

Keynote speaker Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Nana Agyemang Badu II, the Omanhene of Dormaa Traditional Area commended COBAANA for their unwavering support and contributions to promoting developments through education in the region. He advised the people to give praise where it was due and stop unnecessary criticism which does not help in the development of the country.

The Mayor of Worcester, Mr. Joseph Petty applauded COBAANA through a goodwill message for taking the initiative to provide opportunities for Brong Ahafo children to have access to a quality education.

The Ghana Ambassador to the United States, Lt General Joseph Henry Smith (Rtd) said, the association has come this far because of the commitment, dedication and genuine interest of its members to make significant impact in the lives of the people and communities back home.

Other dignitaries who attended the convention were The Brong-Ahafo Reginal Minister, Mr. Eric Opoku, Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, Deputy Minister for Local Government Mr. Adjei Agyekum, Nana Yaw Pimapim Kagberese V, President of the Reginal House of Chiefs and the Paramount chief of Yeji Traditional Area, Nana Serwaa Nyarko II Omanhemaa of Duayaw-Nkwanta Traditional Area, Nana Ansah Adu-Baah, Omanhene of Yamfo Traditional Area, Odeneho Dr. Afram Brempong III Omanhene of Suma Traditional Area, Obrempong Ameyaw Amponsem II, the chief of Anyima, Nana Yaw Adu-Gyamfi and Ohemaa Abena Pokuaa (Chief and Queen mother of Brong-Ahafo Association of Chicago), Nana Kwabena Tetteh II, Nifahene of Nkoranza Traditional Area and number of queen mothers.

Reginal Minister Eric Opoku answered some questions regarding DKM during the Q&A section at the picnic grounds on Sunday. He said the government is working with all stakeholders to make sure all those who invested in DKM Ponzi Scheme will get their money back.

COBAANA members complained that their relatives and friends are stressing under the DKM saga. They stressed that the same promise was made last year at the 2015 COBAANA Convention in Canada but nothing has been done up to date and hoped that the government would follow through before the election.

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Nana Agyemang Badu II also addressed the concerns of the people in diaspora land acquisitions, confiscation and moratoriums issues in Abesim and Sunyani land under Dormaa Traditional authority. He explained the reasons for the Abesim moratorium, and promised to resolve the land dispute issues that come before him in a fair and peaceful manner.

Bentil K. Boakye Boateng, PRO

[email protected]
A Coalition to Elect Nana Addo, and Bawumia, is abbreviated as CENAB and CENAB UK is an affiliate of a worldwide CENAB Advocacy group, which is a broad coalition of patriots, friends, sympathisers, political admirers and people who believe that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia's leadership will be the best to project Ghana into prosperity through development, embedded in freedom.

Membership collectively is generally referred to as Cenabians. We are a voluntary gathering, with arms across the world. We have a common aim and purpose of campaigning for Nana Addo, and Dr. Bawumia, and we are on course to fulfil our core objestewardshipince Cenabians worldwide are pro-Nana Addo and Dr. Bawumia campaigners, we have had a common resolve to work voluntarily to ensure victory for a positive change, from an incompetent and thieving John Mahamah /NDC administration, to a better and more competent and well managed Nana Addo and Dr. Bawumia stewarship.

The group first started as "Nana Akufo-Addo For 2016," Voluntary Campaigners which launched the Presidential Primaries bid in London on Sunday, June 15, 2014 for Nana Akufo-Addo to become the 2016 NPP Flag bearer.

According to an invite issued for the event by Akufo-Addo for 2016 UK campaign coordinators, the launch took place at the Chestnuts Community & Arts Centre in Tottenham, North London. The Special Guest Speakers were; Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey MP, Lawyer Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Hon. Ursula G. Owusu-Ekuful (Mrs.) MP for Ablekuma West constituency, and Hon. Samuel Atta-Akyea, MP for Abuakwa South. The special guest of honour expected to be Nana Akufo-Addo himself to grace the occasion.

The group's aim for supporting Nana Akufo-Addo from day one to be the Flagbearer and become the President of Ghana was that, we believe Ghana deserves a leader who thinks of the next generation, not just about winning the next elections.

It is incontestably clear that the majority of Ghanaians have seen that the adventurous change of NPP government in 2008 has been a bitter failure and very disappointing. Today, the level of despondency amongst the majority of Ghanaians everywhere is immeasurable".

CENAB UK believes "Ghanaians cannot afford to deny our next generation of the best architect of their dream by denying Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo the leadership of Ghana. Its time to go for the man of vision, the vision of good hope that is coming with promises of excellence. The vision of Nana Akufo-Addo and his promises are full of plenary inspiration that will make no room for failure.

The Seven Member Founders of the "Akufo-Addo for 2016" launched in June 2014 that saw Nana Akufo-Addo elected as the Flag bearer, were Mr Eric Twum Agyemang, Mr. Atta-Krufi, Ms Susan Akomeah, Peter Antwi Boasiako, Lawyer Adreba Abrefa Damoa, Mr Kofi Busia and Mr Afum Dankwa. The group then metamorphosed to Coalition To Elect Nana Addo and Bawumia (CENAB) when Nana Addo selected Dr. Bawumia to his Running Mate for the 2016 elections. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of CENAB UK Advocacy Group today are Mr. Amponsa Yeboah (Kakabo) and Mr. Frank Adusei.

Helping Ghanaians to make a good choice on the need for change, and seeking for solutions, the group has embarked on various public events in London and its environs, including an International Economic Forum on Ghana, which was held at the Northumberland Park Community College, in March 2015, on the theme: "The Need For Economic Transformation To Ensure Viability and Sustainability To Benefit The Present, and The Future Generations."

The invited Guest Speakers includes: Ms. Manji Cheto - Vice President of TENEO Intelligence (UK Economist, Risk Analyst on West African Countries) and Hon. Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei - MP, (Research Fellow of the Centre for Policy Analysis; Expert On Economic Management and Budgeting) and other experts.

In September 2015, CENAB UK Advocacy Group hosted its first CENAB International Energy Conference on Ghanas deteriorating energy situation at the College of North East London (CONEL). The Speakers were, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam - Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and Dr. Sid Kargupta - CEO of SKG World Energy, UK, to talk on the theme GHANA IN SEARCH OF ENERGY SOLUTIONS - The view of the diaspora.

Notwithstanding these, CENAB UK has adopted to support two constituencies to win for NPP, thus, Sene West and Agona West constituencies where the NPP lost marginally.

Supporting logistically, the group embarked on buying and collecting various items from members and the public and have since sent over 60 boxes of logistics to support the NPP Campaign in Ghana.

The group believes that, it is always in times of need that voluntary organisations, voluntary groups, and voluntarism, play an enormously important role in the achievement and success of all human societies, and more so, political parties. Ghana is at serious cross road that needs everyone's effort to help bring a deserving change in Ghana this year for the future of our children.

To this end, CENAB UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Ghana, have worked harder than it can be imagined and will continue till we see Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia sworn in as President and Vice in the Republic of Ghana. From contributing material resources, to educating voters, and by providing the relevant human efforts, which is extremely necessary in all our activities to ensure the change this year.

CENAB, We Say, Hope, Coming With Excellence Is Our Banner!
Tehran, Iran, September 14

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Mexico, where he will meet with his Mexican counterpart Claudia Ruiz Massieu.

He will then leave Mexico to attend the Non-Aligned Movements foreign ministers meeting which will be held on September 15-16 on Venezuelas Margarita Island, ISNA news agency reported September 14.

The NAM is a group of states which are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. As of 2012, the movement had 120 members. Iran is the current rotating chair of the NAM.

Zarif will deliver his speech to the NAM on September 15.

The NAMs ministers meeting will be followed by a heads of state meeting on September 17-18, where Irans President Hassan Rouhani will be present.

Zarif and Rouhani will leave Venezuela for Cuba afterwards within the framework of exchange of official visits between Cuba and Iran.

Zarif embarked on a trip to six Latin American countries August 22, heading to Cuba, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia and Venezuela in what seemed a makeup for the Rouhani administration lack of regard for that part of the world thus far.

Former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad established unprecedented ties between Tehran and Latin American countries during his presidency (2005-2013). Isolated by harsh sanctions and receiving no invitation from Western leaders, Ahmadinejad traveled extensively throughout the region, establishing even highly personal bonds with the regional leaders.

Some attribute the Rouhani administrations tardy turn to Latin America as a result of his being engaged in a long and tedious process of rebuilding ties with the West, which culminated in the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action only in February 2016.
14.09.2016 LISTEN

The recent interview granted The Punch by one Professor Ishaq Akintola titled We want Fridays work-free for Muslims wherein among other things he acerbically nay needlessly criticized the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria over their stand on issues affecting Christians and Christianity in Nigeria, including the surreptitious attempts at spreading Shariah and other purely Islamic practices all over the country, is, as usual with some of our over-zealous Muslim compatriots provocative, divisive, selfish, illogical, unconvincing, watery, porous, misguided, hate-filled and puerile.

As it has always been with fanatical Islamic scholars, Ishaq called for the practice of the Shariah law all over the federation even in places like the South East and South South where Muslims, though in negligible minority, have enjoyed enormous support from their host communities in the practice of their religion without let or hinderance even when some regularly go on killing sprees of innocent men, defenceless women and helpless children, unlike what is obtainable in the north where Christians who, in some places, are even in the majority, have always been the subject of senseless maiming, cold-blooded, hair-raising and chilling murders by some adherents of Islam.

If people like Ishaq want to know why Christians will continue to resist the spread of Shariah all over the country as being currently peddled by insensitive Islamic leaders like himself, it is because those who practise the system in the core Hausa/Fulani north for generations have fared worst in our polity.

Over the years, the Hausa/Fulani north where Islam is the major religion has produced nothing but death, sorrow, blood and tears. It is a region that encourages macabre murders, arson and other forms of destructive practices over inexplicable flimsy excuses like blasphemy, minor arguments, innocuous evangelism and Christian gatherings just like the ones recently experienced in Zamfara, Kano, Abuja and Suleja.

Christians have every right to resist any such system that has produced nothing but over ten million illiterates and beggars while the leaders see nothing wrong with that. A system that practices and encourages indolence, laziness and parasitic relationship among its adherents is unacceptable to us in Christianity and the south. The same indolence and laziness that is causing people like Ishaq to call for further reduction of working days to four by agitating for the declaration of Friday as a work-free day just to satisfy a mundane ego!

We cannot afford to accept a practice that encourages our political leaders to be totally unimaginative and dependent on their more entrepreneurial, hardworking and highly educated counterparts from the south for food and handouts. A system that is comfortable with bringing nothing to the table and carting away almost everything in the name of federal allocation.

While the Christians keep flying high and keep working so hard to educate their children( even some of these childen have to work so hard doing menial jobs to send themselves to school in situations where circumstances have not allowed their parents to do so) it is the lazy and beggarly ones sired by the likes of Ishaq that never gain admission on merit because they can never ever compete with their Christian peers who have been taught the importance of meaningful, helpful and relevant education through the teachings of Christianity.

Rather than work to extricate its teeming population from the ills of illiteracy, poverty and disease despite the enormous resources available to them, Ishaq and his co-travellers are still caught in the facile web of hijab-wearing protestations even while lying that Christian schoolchildren use Christian school uniforms, just to justify their vain positions. The question is, which school in Nigeria allows Christian uniforms which include flowing robes, surplice, vestments, skull cap, etc? None, absolutely none! So where did Ishaq get that idea that Christian children are allowed to wear Christian uniforms while Muslim children are not allowed to wear theirs? Did he not see the chaos caused in Osun when Christian students attempted to wear their religious garb to school as the Muslim students were being allowed to do? When men want to satisfy their ego and put the nation on fire, they play the religious card. That is exactly what Ishaq Akintola has done with his interview.

Have people like Ishaq asked themselves why the world is suffering today and its resources stretched by playing host to a wide range of Muslims from Muslim countries who have been turned into refugees by fellow Muslims? Has he asked himself why Muslim refugees would rather turn to Christian nations (as he described them) like France, UK, Germany, Australia, USA, Italy etc rather than go to Islamic nations like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, UAE, Kuwait, Iran etc despite the enormous resources available to these Muslim countries? Has he ever wondered why a Muslim family would rather settle in Australia as refugees and allow their children to be served pork meat as part of their meal at school rather than go to Saudi Arabia where they can easily fit in as fellow Muslims?

There are more fundamental questions for Ishaq Akintola to answer about his own version of Islam that thrives on imposition and subjugation of people and their freedom.

What, for example, has Ishaq done or what suggestions has he put before JNI, MURIC which he leads and such other Muslim groups to improve the standard of education of Muslims generally? Rather than fight for the rights of the Muslim child to be properly educated and removed from the streets as beggars as they cover the whole country, he and his cohorts are busy fighting for hijab-wearing rights which in any case does not contribute to the intelligence of such students who have so shamelessly been described as disadvantaged by the same people who ought to advantage them by ensuring they are properly educated.

A situation where the pupil from Anambra and Ondo, predominantly Christian states, is expected to score 131 and 126 respectively in order to gain admission to federal government colleges while the pupil from Zamfara, Nigerias Mecca of Shariah, who sits for the same exam gains admission with just 3 marks, I mean just 1, 2, 3, is not only shameful but parasitic. These are the fundamental issues one expects Muslim leaders like Ishaq Akintola to address by radically addressing the reasons behind the imbalance in intelligence between children of the two faiths.

The attempt by the Islamic scholar to defend Buharis lopsided appointments in favour of Hausa/Fulani Muslims is puerile. Using ministers appointed from the South West as a yardstick to measure the lopsidedness is a deliberate attempt to run away from the truth. It is shameful that a high ranking Islamic scholar would deliberately descend into the arena of falsehood just to create some perfidious impressions in order to win himself some pecuniary gains from his sponsors. His claim that The parastatals are replete with Christian chief executives is false. For example, of the 8 educational MDAs whose chief executives were recently appointed by Buhari, 7 of them are headed by Hausa/Fulani Muslims while the eighth one is from the south west, a Muslim nevertheless. The eight of them are all Muslims!

All our major security organs are headed by Hausa/Fulani Muslims, from the Ministries of Defence, Internal Affairs, the National Security Adviser, the army, police, DSS, EFCC, Customs, Immigration, Prisons, NSCDC to the NDLEA. When one considers the ethnic nationalities of those being retired or sacked in the security organizations for various offences, then one would know that the whole agenda of Nigerias Islamisation is in full gear.

Furthermore, while Ishaq claimed nothing was wrong in the obvious recent one-sided visit of John Kerry, USAs Secretary of State, the United States embassy, having realized their error, has since opened up a communication channel to CAN to balance what they, by opening up the channel, believe was actually one-sided and did not reflect the touchy and delicate plurality of the Nigerian state. The opening up of a communication channel by the US embassy is a copious testimony in support of CAN leadership genuine concerns over the visit. Even if Kerrys visit was purely humanitarian, everyone knows that Christians have been the largest victims of Islamic terrorism in Nigeria as perpetrated by Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen. So, why then would anyone want to justify the discriminatory visit by Kerry?

In any case, the USA having realized their error, have taken steps to right the wrong. This goes a long way to prove that Ishaq is wrong on CAN leaderships position on the visit.

Ishaq should consider this hard fact: if Tunisia and Egypt, two Muslim countries, could so reject Islamists of the Muslim Brotherhood through revolutions just about one year of putting them in power because they could not tolerate their Islamist agenda, then the plans to subtly Islamise Nigeria with all her complexities can never ever work. It would only drag the nation ages backward.

Let me conclude this piece by telling the Ishaq Akintolas of Nigeria that the days when Christians would sit idly and watch their leaders addressed in derogatory manners and insulted by anybody no matter how highly placed, connected, powerful or influential, without getting a fitting response have since gone. There is a new generation of Christians who have now realized from the age-long experience of persecution of Christians in Nigeria that the fear of death keeps them in perpetual slavery and emboldens radical Islamists, and have resolved to stand up for their faith at any point in time they are required to do so. This is an assurance, and it is a blessed assurance. So help us God!

[email protected] ; Twitter: @stjudendukwe
A lecturer with the Cape Coast University says president John Mahama's proposed policies on education are innovative but must be brought within the broader context of Ghana's education system.

Dr Mike Boakye Yiadom said the government needs to do a thorough stakeholder consultation if the ambitious plans rolled out by the president during his manifesto highlight on education will materialize.

President John Mahama on Tuesday provided a cursory outline of the 100-page manifesto that will be launched by the party on Saturday.

Education, which falls under Putting people first, one of the four thematic areas of the governing party's manifesto, received some prominence in the president's highlight address.

The president, among other things promised to pilot a tablet, per student policy at the basic high school level.

"In basic education our commitment will be to establish colleges of education for the sole purpose of training teachers in early childhood care and development.

"By 2021 we would have eliminated all schools under trees. We are going to pilot the use of electronic textbooks at the JHS and secondary level. Students will receive tablets that have their core textbooks on the table. If this pilot is successful then we shall expand it across the whole school system.

The president also promised to complete the 200 Community SHS during his second term.

In a reaction on Joy Midday news, Dr Boakye Yiadom said while some of these proposal are innovative they must be aligned to Ghana's broader educational framework.

For instance, he said, per the current regulations in the basic and SHS education, students are not permitted to use any form of electronic gadgets like tablets and smart phones.

"I want to see the maintenance plan for these electronic text books. These textbooks will run on electricity. There will be the need for internet. To what extent do our schools, communities within the nation, rural areas especially have been upgraded to make sure that these textbooks are operational?" he asked.

"These are some innovation in education but if we do not look at them within our context, then i am sure we will have problems," he said.

Dr Boakye Yiadom called for better training of teachers and students on how these gadgets will be used before the policy will be implemented.

"We can't have e-books, provision of new schools and all that in a vacuum. They work in collaboration with other resources, ie. human resources, school leadership and all that.

We need to enhance the management and supervisory practices in our schools, he added.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah
The Minister of Transport, Fiifi Kwetey has rejected claims that his party copied some policy ideas espoused by the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo in its manifesto.

President John Mahama presented the highlights of the National Democratic Congress' (NDC) manifesto on Tuesday.

Critics have said some of the promises and plans in the NDC manifesto are similar to those proposed by Akufo-Addo especially his plan for the provision of some social amenities.

Akufo-Addo had promised to create factories for each of the 216 districts and give all the 275 constituencies GHc1 million each to undertake developmental projects.

However, President Mahama on Tuesday also promised among other things to provide each pupil a tablet as well as build central markets in each district.

He also promised every district a compacting and shredding machine for plastic waste treatment.

Some Ghanaians on social media said Mahamas promises were not different Nana Akufo-Addos but speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Fiifi Kwetey who is also the Member of Parliament for the Ketu South constituency denied the claims.

You notice for example we are already trying to give every community that hasnt got access to secondary school a community day secondary school, that is already on, you will notice that weve already made a lot of efforts to increase the text book availability to our children. These are things that already have been happening it has nothing to do with this newly discovered desire of the NPP to bamboozle people by just mentioning anything that comes to mind, he argued.

Akufo-Addos promise only to deceive Ghanaians

Fiifi Kwetey also claimed that Akufo-Addo's promises are only to deceive the public to vote for them.

For them [NPP] invariably, they say it because they believe that the ordinary people cannot see through and that they can deceive Ghanaians and come to power. That is exactly the symptoms that is happening now, with one this one that, it's just basically following the same tradition of trying to deceive people promising anything hoping that ones you have access to power you can do whatever you want to do.

We won't steal manifesto ideas from losers

Both parties, the NDC and NPP have accused themselves of plagiarism of manifesto ideas with the NPP claiming that the NDC is likely to steal its ideas .

But General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia refuted the claim .

I have heard so many people say that NDC is waiting for NPP before we release our manifesto. We don't learn from losers. We set the pace. I repeat NDC does not learn from losers. We rather set the pace for them to copy.



By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @AlloteyGodwin
President John Mahama has promised to boost the operational capacity of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by spending a percentage of Ghanas petroleum revenue.

He said the current source of funding for the scheme, which has been described as the biggest social policy intervention in Ghana, is not sustainable.

The NHIS depends on a percentage from both the Value Added Tax (VAT) and salary of workers in the country.

Highlighting the 2016 manifesto of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the State Banquet Hall in Accra Tuesday, Mr Mahama said, We need to rework the sustainability of the NHIS.

President Mahama with functionaries of the NDC, Veep Kwesi Amissah-Arthur and First Lady Lordina Mahama

Section of Ghanaians including chiefs and President Mahama's political opponents have blamed him for collapsing the NHIS which was initiated by the erstwhile Kufuor-led administration.

Related Article: NHIS exists in name; not in reality  Bawku Naba laments

Bawku Chief, Garu Naba Garu said in August that the scheme only "exists only in name." He said patients have been unable to access critical medications which were available during the Kufuor-era.

From [L - R] NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia and Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur

Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has also lamented the collapse of the scheme.

Addressing supporters of the NPP in Dormaa West Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region in July, Nana Akufo-Addo said, It is painful watching the NDC government collapse the scheme.

Related Article: I will revive collapsing NHIS  Akuffo-Addo

He promised to revive the NHIS to ensure that the poor in society have access to healthcare without the financial burden.

However, Presdient Mahama said the scheme has not collapsed, it has [rather] gone beyond its period.

He said government has put measures in place to ramp-up the subscription of the scheme by both Ghanaians and foreign nationals.

Related Article: NHIS would have collapsed in 2010; we extended its life  Mahama

Spending a percentage of the petroleum revenue to fund the NHIS, he said will prolong the life of the scheme [combined] with the introduction of more computerisation to make it more efficient.

Mental Health:

In the area of mental health, President Mahama has promised to build two more mental health hospitals in both the Ashanti and Northern Regions to complement the existing ones.

He explained the one to be built in the Ashanti Region would serve the middle belt areas whereas the one in the Northern Region would be for areas in the Northern belt.

He also announced that starting 2017 government "shall prioritise mental health care and [adhere to] strict implementation of the Mental Health Act 2012."

Mr Mahama said the Accra Psychiatric Hospital would be relocated to Pantang and this would be built as a first class mental facility.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | Email: [email protected]
Raymond Lindsey Jr, of Montgomery County, Texas, was recently sentenced to 40 years in prison after rejecting a plea bargain that would have allowed him to go free.

Lindsey had been charged with assault on a public servant and retaliation, following an incident that occurred on January 5, 2015. Houston Police Department officers were dispatched to an apartment in Southeast Montgomery County for a possible domestic disturbance, where they encountered an aggressive Lindsey and his scared girlfriend.

While they waited for the woman to pack up her belongings and leave the premises, the officers claimed that the defendant individually claimed to kill them. He then proceeded to destroy various items in the apartment, including a bird cage with a live bird inside, and when the police attempted to arrest him he assaulted one of the officers by slamming the door on his arm multiple times.

Lindsey had spent the 19 months since the domestic violence incident in jail, before appearing in front of jurors in the 9th District Court of Judge Phil Grant, two weeks ago. His defense attorney had explained to him that if he accepted to plead guilty to the charges he would be released on the spot, with time served. But the man simply wouldnt hear of it, believing that he was innocent and that everybody had conspired against him.

I said the minimum is 25 to life. Youre going to have all of these witnesses come and testify against you and you are not going to have anyone testify for yourself, appointed defense attorney Willis Everett Smith told The Courier . He said It is what it is.

Smith added that despite his criminal history  including two penitentiary sentences from Illinois for the offenses of Burglary and Unlawful Possession of a Vehicle, a prison sentence from Iowa for Domestic Assault, and an uncharged family violence assault against Lindseys girlfriend  accepting the plea bargain would have allowed his client to walk free. Faced with his such stubbornness, the attorney filed for a psychological evaluation, which deemed the man competent to stand trial.

He is very religious and said no man should judge another man, Lindseys lawyer said. Thats another reason I filed a psychological evaluation is because of his thought process.  Hed use religion to justify actions. The problem was the decisions werent going to help him in reality.

During the recent trial, Assistant District Attorney Philip Teissier presented evidence of Raymond Lindsey Jrs prior criminal offenses and his behavior during last years incident, and he was sentenced to 40 years in jail. When the verdict cam in, the defendant calmly told his lawyer Its ok, you did your best. To which Smith replied Wow.

I think he was more unstable than anything else, Smith said. Although, I think if you were to ask him, he would think he was fine. I think he needs another set of eyes and ears to look at what Ive looked at.

Smith is now compiling a notice for appeal, which will go to a new lawyer for Lindsey. He mentioned that in his 30 years of experience, he had never had a client turn down a plea bargain for the degree of charges Lindsey faced.
A 70-year-old Ghanaian pilgrim has been reported dead in Saudi Arabia by the Communication Director of the Hajj Board.

The pilgrim whose name was given Alhassan Kuku passed on Tuesday, September 13.

He who was part of the pilgrims who were in Arafah on Sunday and was reported to have safely returned back to Ghana camp in Mina, the Communications Director of the Hajj Board said.

According to Mohammed Amin Lamptey, head of the Medical Team, Dr Abdul Samad Suleman told the Board the cause of death is not yet known.

Dr Samad is reported to have said Alhassan Kuku was brought to the Ghana Clinic in Mina when he was already dead although the doctor suspected hypoglycemia as the cause of death.

The late Alhassan Kuku performed this years Hajj with three male so the family members were immediately informed of his passing.

The relatives handled the burial procedure and buried him in Makkah on Tuesday.

This is the first casualty of Ghana has recorded in this year's pilgrimage, the Hajj Board reports.

The 2016 Hajj pilgrimage which started on September 10 will end on September 16.

Ghanaian pilgrims are expected back home from September 22 -25 starting at the Tamale International Airport and ending on October 2 in Accra.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Abubakar Ibrahim | Email: [email protected]
President John Dramani Mahama has promised that the next NDC administration his watch will train about 10,000 female head porters popularly known as 'Kayayei' for employment if he is retained after the December 7, 2016 general election.

Kayayei, an ethnic Ga word, is a trade often undertaken by thousands of young female adults who migrate from the northern Ghana to cities like Accra and Kumasi.

The practice has been in existence in Ghana for decades and children between ages 15 to 18 and adults 45 years and above, engage in what is described as a hand-to-mouth job.

Analysts have suggested the need for government to make the northern part of Ghana economically viable and habitable to minimize the migration.

But presenting the highlights of the National Democratic Congress' (NDC) 2016 manifesto in Accra on Tuesday, President Mahama said he intends to employ to about 10,000 of the head porters to give them a decent living.

According to him, the Kayayei will be part of a new employment model under the newly established Youth Employment Agency (YEA).

Available research data indicates that some of these Kayayei work in chop-bars (local restaurants), hawk on the streets, assist market women in trading, act as shop assistants and engage in other domestic chores, sometimes menial, just to make ends meet.

Most of them are considered to be non-literate, school dropouts, or young females who have escaped from outmoded socio-cultural practices such as forced marriages and female genital mutilation (female circumcision) among others.

They live in the streets and in open places whiles engaging in menial jobs such as carrying of heavy loads on their heads.

Nana Akufo-Addo and his running mate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

I'll provide free hostel facilities for Kayayei-Nana Addo

Flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2016 general election, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had also promised to provide free hostel accommodation for Kayayei if elected as president.

This, Nana Akufo-Addo explained, will give decent accommodation to the Kayayei and save them from sleeping under perilous living conditions.

Nana Addo's promise is an insult to Kayayei-Mahama

Following Nana Akufo-Addo's promise to accommodate the Kayayei, President Mahama told the NPP flagbearer to find a better way of alleviating the hardships of the head potters.

He described Nana Akufo-Addo's promise as the most insulting pledge to the Kayayei.

President John Dramani Mahama

Addressing supporters of the governing NDC at Savelugu in the Northern Region, President Mahama said the promise to provide free temporary housing for such vulnerable girls is insulting to the dignity of northern girls.

Because you (Nana Addo) are desperate to win, you are promising free everything; I will give free healthcare to children under 18 years. It is being implemented alreadyHe says he will give free hostels to Kayayei. That is the most insulting one.

So our girls should remain there and continue to carry people's goods. If you have a sickness, you must go to the cause of the sickness; you don't treat the symptomSo if you want to solve the problem of Kayayei, then you will do what NDC is doing. We've been to the South; we are registering our little sisters who are Kayayei there. We are putting them in training, we are teaching them how to be dressmakers, hairdressers, how to be able to do work with their hands, we are giving them sewing machines and other equipment and then we are bringing them back to come and settle so that they can work for themselves, President Mahama stated.

By: Awudu Mahama/ghelections.com/Ghana
The progress of a nation cannot be recounted without a strong representation of femininity. The development of women has a multiplier effect on the entire country. Unfortunately, Ghanas challenge of discrimination and lack of political willpower has suppressed the development of women and girls hence a damning effect on the nations progress. It is disheartening to note that even in 21st century Ghana, archaic cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), girl-child marriages and inhumane widowhood rites persist. Parents continue to favour their male wards at the detriment of their female wards in terms of education, inheritance and other opportunities. Gender disparity at the higher levels of education is yet another challenge.

These are not surprising because right from the top of leadership to all other levels, women representation is incongruent with the total population of women in the country. This affirms incontrovertibly, the correlation between gender parity in government and equality in society. Discrimination against women is usually based on deep-rooted cultural practices and longstanding policies some of which predate independence. The need for women in governance is therefore imperative in order to advance policies which would bridge the gender gap and inure to the benefit of society.

The first step at getting an equitable number of women in governance is a strong political will on the part of current leaderships which would culminate into a clear-cut policy direction to consciously get women directly involved in decision making. It is within this context that the ExLA Group Gender Programme demands a clear-cut policy programme on women and girls from Presidential aspirants in the 2016 General Elections in Ghana. Such programmes would provide the framework for which the successful aspirant could improve women participation in governance and provide indicators for which his/her government could be assessed.

It is however important to note that the call for women and girls empowerment is not a call in isolation. Gender concerns are critical because they have consequential effect on the general development of the nation. For instance, Rwanda formerly a war-torn nation has developed into one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Backed by a strong political will from the highest level, resulting in compelling legal and national strategic frameworks, Rwanda has paid its gender dividend in significant proportions with amazing statistics. In governance and decision making, Rwanda currently leads the world in terms of women representation in parliament with a whopping 64% of female parliamentarians. It also has 40% of cabinet ministers, 50% of judges and 50% provincial governors all being female.

The 2016 General Election, we believe provides an opportunity for the next government to relook at issues of gender concerns more critically. As President of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame puts it; societies that recognise the real and untapped socioeconomic, cultural, and political power of women thrive. Those that refuse to value and leverage womens talent, energies, and unique skills remain developmental misfits. It is not difficult to demonstrate this with a growing body of evidence.

Moreover, during the announcement of the first-ever High-Level Panel on Womens Economic Empowerment in January 2016, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon stated that If the world is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we need a quantum leap in womens economic empowerment. This implies that the United Nations agenda 2030 would only be a mirage without the economic empowerment of women.

One major excuse that pops up anytime elected presidents are reminded of their promises of women involvement in their government is that, there are not enough qualified women to take up designated positions. The veracity of the matter is that there are so many qualified women in Ghana for various decision making bodies except that they cannot all be found in one political party. With an all-inclusive governance, it is most certain that every president of Ghana would find more than enough qualified women to steer even the most sensitive portfolios of leadership.

It is again imperative on presidential aspirants who are committed to empowering women and giving women their rightful places in society to engineer a reform first, in their own political parties that would see more female representation in parliament. Then they would have corroborative evidences on which they could assure the general public of equal opportunities for both males and females in their government.

Admittedly, the fight against gender disparity and discrimination at all levels of leadership is not going to end in a wink. We therefore implore the indulgence of gender advocates, civil society organisations and democratic institutions to join hands especially during this electioneering period to demand what is rightfully due women.

Signed.

Daniel Osei Tuffuor

Executive Director

ExLA Group

0246 48 9782
WASHINGTON, ACCRA, Sept. 14 - (UPI/GNA) - A conservative lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday moved to try and force a vote on the potential impeachment of IRS Commissioner John Koskinen this week.

Koskinen is still under fire over the agency's 2013 targeting scandal that involved extra scrutiny for conservative groups, like the Tea Party, in their applications for tax-exempt status.

Tuesday, Rep. John Fleming, R-La., a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, called up a tactic called a "privileged resolution" that seeks to require House leaders act on the matter by Thursday.

Several Republican lawmakers have advocated Koskinen's removal from office as IRS director.

"For years the IRS has abused its power to target people based on their political views. Commissioner John Koskinen not only did nothing about it, but continued the trend of deception by deliberately keeping Congress and the American people in the dark," Fleming said in a statement Tuesday.

"To date no one has been held accountable and no one will unless we move forward with a resolution to require a vote on his impeachment.

"Congress will vote in two days. ... The Department of Justice won't do its job so it's essential Congress step in."

The House, however, does have other options.

The matter can be referred to the House Judiciary Committee if lawmakers are reluctant to hold such a drastic vote, particularly so close to an election. The committee typically has jurisdiction over impeachment proceedings.

Lawmakers could also decide that Fleming's motion does not meet the requirements for a privileged resolution, and the effort would be dead.

Earlier this summer, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted to censure Koskinen over the scandal, but has not acted to remove him.

Koskinen was not yet IRS commissioner when the alleged targeting occurred, but he did preside over the agency during the federal investigation that followed.

The Justice Department ultimately concluded there was no evidence to file charges in the case.

Experts believe the chances of Koskinen's removal as IRS commissioner are slim. The House, they argue, could very well vote to impeach -- but the effort would likely find greater resistance in the Senate, where leaders have not expressed much interest in the impeachment effort.

"They're wasting time on a baseless partisan witch hunt to impeach the IRS commissioner that won't succeed," Democratic New York Sen.

Chuck Schumer said Tuesday. "We have real emergencies in this country."

"The effort to impeach Commissioner Koskinen is completely baseless," the U.S. Treasury Department also said recently.

"Not only is Commissioner Koskinen a strong leader, he is a man of the highest integrity with steadfast commitment to public service during difficult times."

GNA
A youth-focused organisation has urged political parties to improve the engagement of the youth in political activities.

Youth Bridge Foundation in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Seth Oteng said the call if heeded, would empower the youth with adequate knowledge to hold various governments accountable.

Below is the full statement.

Background

We, Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF), recall our 11th May 2016 press statement in which we expressed concern about the delay in the release of manifestos from the various political parties.

Four months later and barely three months to the December 2016 elections, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) release their manifesto on Tuesday, 13 September 2016 and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) yet to announce a date.

We acknowledge that beyond the repeated assurance that the manifestos will be released soon, there has also been sporadic mention of their intent and the challenges in the country they hope to address should they be elected. This, in our opinion, does not constitute adequate preparation of the electorate.

Noting that a projected 60% of the registered voter population shall be youth (aged 18 to 35 years), we are deeply disturbed by the neglect of these important constituents and the larger citizenry as important stakeholders in the electoral and political processes.

The Mobilization of Discontent, a complementary theory to the Frustration  Aggression Theory basically opines that the presence of discontent may be passive or dormant until such discontent is mobilized. Close to election, the confluence of a large core of uninformed and unemployed youth, citing ever-increasing grievances occasioned partly by their heightened expectation provide substantial discontent that can be easily mobilized. Such discontent once mobilized could engender a threat to security.

Action Call

In this regard, the Youth Bridge Foundation is calling on:

The media and civil society organizations to organize coordinated youth friendly educational programmes to decipher the key issues in the manifestos issued by the political parties.

Political parties to be open to embrace recommendations and make room for adaptation after their manifestos have been reviewed by the citizenry.

Political parties to welcome invitation host policy dialogue with the youth.

The Electoral Commission, the National Commission for Civic Education and all political parties, as a matter of urgency, to engage the citizenry in the electoral process, particularly the electorates

The country to consider the institution of a regulatory framework that will stipulate an agreed time by which political parties would have issued their manifestos.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, the release of the manifestos will ensure citizens review and interrogation of the issues raised on all media platforms, including discussions in the local languages for broader public education. YBF maintains that this is in the best interest of the youth whose aspirations are hinged on the policy blueprints of the various political parties seeking to govern. The development of an informed citizenry, empowered with knowledge to hold government accountable must be prioritized.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com | AA
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

The US is seeking to establish a direct contact line with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, an IRGC commander said.

Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, commander of the IRGC Navy, has said that over the past three to four years, the Americans have sought establishing a direct contact line with his forces, Tasnim news agency reported Sept. 14.

He added that the officials of the Islamic Republic disagreed about establishing a contact line.

Over the past weeks, the US has described the IRGCs behavior in the Persian Gulf as unsafe and unprofessional.

However, the IRGC has dismissed the allegations, saying its forces have behaved according to international regulations.
The hashtag #SudanUnderSanction began trending recently when young Sudanese took to Twitter to share the adverse impacts of life under more than two decades of US sanctions.

On last nights episode of The Stream on Al Jazeera, Ahmed Elmurtada, an information security engineer in Sudan, told host Femi Oke that hes lived almost his entire life under the sanctions, which were first imposed in 1993, two years after he was born, and massively expanded in 1997.

You just cannot do IT work without any of the United States, he says, adding, The sanctions are not just impacting the technology field directly, they are also effecting in an indirect way the medicine, the health, the education and every single thing in our life. There are no payment systems in Sudan. You cannot transfer funds. You cannot get access to free online education. You cannot even get grants from outside Sudan if you have a non-profit organization At the end, who is getting the worst of it, is the normal, local Sudanese citizens, the ones who cannot afford to get outside of Sudan to get treatment or better education.

His complaints were echoed by a host of tweets shared on the show, which ranged from stories of being unable to access app stores and sites like Airbn from inside Sudan, to salary payments being delayed by three months while responding to the Ebola crisis outside of Sudan.

Ibrahim Warde, author of The Price of Fear: The Truth Behind The Financial War On Terror, says, Sanctions are good politics but bad policy... Sanctions tend to be a blunt instrument. Its one thing to say a country is misbehaving and ought to be punished for it but when it comes to the execution of the sanctions, sanctions tend to create a lot of collateral damage, in that, typically, regular people suffer from sanctions whereas those governments that are supposed to be the bad guys often thrive on sanctions because they can blame all the ills of society on sanctions.

Similarly, Omer Ismail, a senior advisor for the Enough Project, says sanctions are being used as a scapegoat by the Sudan government. When you are a country that designates 70% of its budget for the security and armed services sector and then you have 7% only of your budget for health, education and services combined that is a country that is reckless, he says. The economic woes of Sudan are of the making of the government of Sudan. Yes, the sanctions may have hurt some sectors and some people in Sudan, but you cannot place the biggest blame on sanctions. The biggest blame is on the government of Sudan.

Ismail did call for more targeted sanctions though and the lifting of more general sanctions.

International support for the sanctions increased after Sudan began carrying out a military campaign in Darfur, which has led to the killings of up to 300,000 people and the displacement of more than 2.5 million since 2003.

But Nagwa Konda, a civil society activist from Nuba mountains, says its not just Darfur that the world should hold Sudans government accountable for.

Sanctions are the only international recognition to the misbehavior of the government of Sudan, especially towards the Nuba Mountains and the Blue Nile. The sanctions came because the government was supporting international terrorism and waging war against its own people, killing people by dropping Antonov bombs. Even in April this year, five schools have ben bombed by Antonov jet fighters from the government of Sudan. It is bombing its own people and that is why the US is not willing to uplift that government.

However, speaking in a video comment from Sudan, Mahmoud Elmutasim questioned the legitimacy of foreign interventions. Of course, the Sudanese government is an illegitimate government with a well-known human rights violations history. In a sense, it deserves to be punished by the international community. At the same time, I dont see the current international community as the suitable agency to pressure third world countries like Sudan, because international relations depends only on power politics, without any sense of democratic representation for third world people. So Im against the sanctions because the United States and its allies always put on the human rights mask to cover their narrow national interests.

In contrast, speaking to Ahmed and others like him suffering under the sanctions, Konda said, If the sanction is affecting you in your personal life, let us put our hands together and put pressure on the government of Sudan to behave and become responsible and protect its own people, rather than bombing them and killing them. When they change their behavior, thats when we all together come and call the US and the international community to lift those sanctions.

Watch the full debate at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BdViwnEe-c or follow the conversation on social media at #ajstream.
The Progressive People's Party (PPP) parliamentary nominee for the Effutu constituency in the Central Region, Nana Ofori Owusu, has blamed the incumbent Member of Parliament, Alex Afenyo Markin, and government for the predicaments of inhabitants in the area.

This he attributed to the unfulfilled promises made by Afenyo Markin and the president to the people of Effutu prior to the 2012 elections.

According to him, the electorates of Effutu are fed up with the two leaders and would vote them out on December 7, 2016.

The people of Effutu voted for progress which turned out to be problems, they voted for prosperity in 2012 which has now turned to absurdity. It was lies and propaganda that won them votes and they have succeeded in fooling the people of Winneba for votes and am sure the good people of Winneba are not ready to repeat that mistake, Owusu added.

Speaking at a rally to launch his 2016 campaign at Gyahadzi, Owusu said the inhabitants are ready to vote massively for the PPP on December 7.

Someone said he has given us taxis, have you got any taxi? Have you got any sewing machine? They promised to insure our fishermen on the sea, have they been insured? You have voted for the NDC and the NPP since 1992 with no benefits, it's about time to change our voting pattern from these two political parties to the PPP, he stated.

He also used the opportunity to highlights some initiatives to be undertaken by his party if they are given the mandate.

If you look at the score cards of Effutu, sanitation; Mahama zero, Alex Markin zero, Education; Mahama zero Alex Markin zero, job creation; Mahama zero, Alex Markin zero, heath; Mahama zero, Alex Markin zero, so this means that these two leaders should be ousted and make way for Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and Nana Ofori Owusu who are willing meet the needs of the people of Winneba, he added.

On his part, the presidential nominee of the PPP, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, said promises being made by both the New Patriotic Party and the governing National Democratic Congress are unrealistic.

They are making promises in order to win your votes. President Mahama is now telling us he would create one million jobs when voted into power again. Where has he been since 2008, when he was the vice president and now the president? And Nana Addo is also promising one district, one factory. When did he realise to create jobs in all the districts? Why are they saying this at this time? Is it not because of votes?

He entreated the electorates to instead vote for him because he has the ability to create jobs nationwide; an assurance he had already done.

Look, I Papa Kwesi Nduom would not promise you jobs because I have already created jobs in all the districts in Ghana and am still creating more. So vote for me and get what you desire.

The rally, which brought together hundreds of PPP supporters was also attended by opinion leaders in the Effutu constituency.

Nana Ofori Owusu is contesting the incumbent MP Alex Afenyo Markin of the New Patriotic Party, Eric Don Arthur of the National Democratic Congress, and Supi Sam Odonsu of the Convention Peoples Party in the in the December 7th polls.



By: Akwesi Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana
14.09.2016 LISTEN

The Education Policy Misalignment: A critical appraisal of the NDCs Education Manifestos - VIAM Africa

Ghana, like many other developing countries, appears to lag behind towards economic progress and prosperity because policy formulations and implementations are often not evidenced-based or underpinned by any relevant empirical findings and information. In most cases, changes in policy imperatives do not evolve from a process of generating research, examining policy options, choosing between alternatives, and evaluating the implementation of the selected option. Neither does it go through an iterative process of defining the problem, suggesting solutions, and obtaining political consensus, resulting in difficulties for policy makers to undertake optimal strategy, policy or programmes choices. These appear to be the fundamental underlying reason why we continuously grapple with problems identified during Governor Guggisbergs era.

On Tuesday 13 September, 2016 the Flagbearer of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), who doubles as the President of the Republic of Ghana, undertook an exercise that sought to highlight the key components of their manifesto commitments for the 2016 elections. It comes at the backdrop of several on-the-spot promises such as the infamous progressively free tertiary education. As part of our Manifesto Watch programme launched in May 2016, this paper seeks to discuss the NDCs education manifesto commitments of the 2012 elections as well as the recently presented highlights of the 2016 one. It presents a critical policy appraisal that elucidates the potential misalignment between the NDCs manifesto commitments of these two electoral cycles and current education policy imperatives of the Government. The paper argues that, although the government has made significant progress in the education sector, most of the policy targets and interventions appear to lack clarity and focus, uncoordinated and do not align with neither our long to medium term development aspirations nor the UNs sustainable development goal four (SDG 4) of promoting inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

To start with, the system of education in Ghana appears to fall along two pathways. Some students go through Grammar/General Secondary Education (GSE) to prepare them for higher education, though in reality only a small selection enter tertiary institutions. Others go through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with the expectation of ending up in the polytechnics, where they are trained to acquire specific skills to provide the needed middle manpower human resource for the economy. It is too often the case that the TVET at the secondary-level is seen as the domain for people whose academic capabilities are considered inferior. In their 2012 manifesto, the NDC government expressed its intention to build 200 community-day secondary schools across the country, especially in the deprived communities. Till date, the basis of arriving at this 200 figure or the criteria for selecting the communities for the project appears scrumptious and nebulous. Significantly, there are about 500 public secondary schools in the country with only 47 GES technical and vocational institutions (a large proportion of them are in very deplorable conditions). If we add the private senior high schools, the figure will be inching towards over 800 grammar/general secondary schools. A well-calculated and comprehensive secondary education policy formulation, developed through a systematic process of diagnosis, response and action within a carefully planned programme would have informed the government not to construct more general/grammar-oriented senior high schools at the expense technical and vocational schools. Constructing more technical and vocational schools instead (although we think both grammar-type secondary education and technical and vocational education should be delivered at the same school compound under a comprehensive secondary education system) would have aligned with the governments subsequent policy to convert the polytechnics to technical universities. In order words, more science and engineering students would be produced to feed the technical universities thereby addressing the present imbalance in the science and humanity enrolments ratio of 33% and 67%, respectively, at these institutions. Indeed, this has been our arguments from the onset and one of the fundamental arguments underlying our policy proposal for the government to hasten slowly on the polytechnic conversion. We have previously urged government to convert at least 60% of these community day schools to technical and vocational institutes. It is therefore welcoming that the government now intends to convert 30% of the community day schools into technical and vocational education. In as much as we welcome this idea as it is a direct response to our policy proposal, we wish to advise the government to go further to deliver our proposed comprehensive education, where children of all backgrounds and abilities would be educated in a single secondary school on a pilot project basis. However, we would want to remind the government that the present E-Blocks of the community day schools were designed without the requisite workshops and other infrastructure required for technical and vocational education. This is understandable given that the conversion is clearly an afterthought. Consequently, we are urging the government to embark on an immediate redesigning of the remaining community day schools which are under construction to make them suitable for such purpose and meet the infrastructural demands of a technical and vocational education and/or comprehensive secondary schools.

We at VIAM Africa are exceedingly excited about the present policy direction and the commitment of the government to technical and vocational education as espoused by the President in yesterdays NDC manifesto highlights. We do so with pride given our intense advocacy, through our previous publications, radio interviews and public fora with ministers of state, urging a focused-attention on the technical and vocational education subsector in line with Anamuah-Mensahs education review committees report.

The government appears to be responding positively to our policy proposal of addressing the structural deficiencies in Ghanas secondary education system. However, appointment of a deputy minister for the TVET is unnecessary, would further segregate TVET from general/grammar type secondary school and would not in any way solve the problems at the TVET subsector. We contend that, secondary education, whether TVET or SHS, must be conceptualized as a homogeneous entity, although with different career pathways. Thus, the present Deputy Minister for Education in- charge of pre-tertiary can still function effectively under the new system at a much lesser cost to the state. Instead, what the government needs to do going forward is to address the progression challenges associated with the National TVET Qualifications Framework (NTVETCF). Currently, there are eight levels of progression for those who go through the TVET stream. Level 1, covering the traditional apprenticeship, is the lowest and the least demanding and Level 8, Doctorate in Technology, being the highest and the most demanding. Whilst the career progression at the TVET subsector appears long and winding, that of general/grammar education appears pretty straight forward, making it more attractive for people to opt for the latter.

To address this inequity and social injustice, urgent attention should be given to the development of a National Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCQF) through which a much closer integration of education and lifelong learning can be achieved, consistent with the UNs SDG4. This nationally integrated system will link one level of learning to another and enable learners to progress to higher levels from any starting point in the education and lifelong learning system. Learning and skills which people have acquired through experience and informal training should be formally assessed and credited towards qualifications. The NCQF could help make the relationships between qualifications and credit transfers clearer and easier respectively for both the TVET and general/grammar education streams. It can clarify entry and exit points and ro utes for progression within and across education and training sectors. For example, a person may not hold a university degree but progressively obtain vocational training qualifications equivalent to a masters' level qualification at a university. We suggest that the present NTVETQF be reviewed and integrated into our proposed NCQF. The establishment of a National Qualification Authority (NQA) should be a major priority to underpin and develop the progressive integration and qualitative improvement of the education and lifelong learning systems. This could potentially rebrand and strengthen TVET with the view to extirpating the stigma these institutions have suffered over years and achieving parity of esteem with their general/grammar education counterparts.

The establishment of a college of education (CoE) responsible for training teachers in early childhood education is superfluous. This will just increase government expenditure on our scarce resources. Currently, the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education, Winneba run programmes in Early Childhood education to train teachers for the early grades. In addition, some CoEs including Holy Child College in Sekondi train teachers for the early grades. Apart from these, there are sandwich programmes which offer training in early childhood from certificate level to the bachelors degree. To set up a CoE for the purpose of training teachers in Early Childhood is not only wasteful and unproductive but also a misplaced priority. Best practice will require the strengthening of departments that offer these courses in the two teacher education universities instead, resource them and urge them to redesign their curriculum to reflect the contemporary ways of training Early Childhood teachers. These include emphasis on Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches to early grade education which have been adopted by some of the private early grade schools in the country. Again, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service should coordinate with the private education service providers that train teachers in Early Childhood by affiliating them to teacher education universities in the country for supervision and curriculum alignment purposes.

It is interesting that the next NDC government if voted into power will continue to take bold initiatives to improve access, affordability and quality at all levels as stated by H.E John Mahama. The twin issues of access and affordability become immaterial if the end products of those (the people) who can readily access and afford these institutions are of poor quality. The quality of human resource is very imperative for the economic transformation of any country. The extant literature supports a positive relationship between education and GDP growth, we therefore need to place much emphasis on quality education at all levels, we propose two major policy interventions:

A curriculum reform in 2017. Next year will be exactly 10 years since the 2007 Educational reform. That will be enough time to carry out an evaluation of the 2007 reform and redirect the focus of our education to address the challenges we face now. This reform should address the challenges of TVET in the system by merging the 3-year JHS with the 3-year SHS into a 6-year comprehensive secondary school education. This means merging both lower and upper secondary school including TVET and redefining basic education in Ghana. England, Scotland, Whales and United States are few examples to follow. A conversion of the independent National Inspectorate and the National Accreditation Boards to an Authority. The challenges at all levels of education can be effectively addressed when there is a strong Authority vested with adequate power and resources to supervise, monitor and evaluate teaching, learning and all other issues relating to the school system. These two authorities should have a regular source of funding.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com
VIAM Africa, a policy think tank on education has described as needless government's plans to appoint a deputy minister to take charge of Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) in Ghana.

The think tank also insists, plans by government to establish a college of education to train teachers for early childhood education can only be superfluous.

In a five page reaction to the president's manifesto highlights for the 2016 election, VIAM Africa maintains the current deputy minister of education responsible for tertiary education can, without any problem, undertake a seamless supervision of technical education in Ghana.

The think tank believes, their suggestion, if taken will save the country some amount of resources.

VIAM Africa argued that appointing a seperate deputy minister for Technical education will " further segregate TVET from general/grammar type secondary school and would not in any way solve the problems at the TVET subsector."

President John Mahama on Tuesday gave a two hour highlight on the yet to be launched NDC manifesto during which he touched on many sectors of the country's development agenda.

Education was among the prominent issues highlighted by the president with a flurry of promises.

Amongst the promises include the plans to provide students at the basic and secondary level tablets on which to read their text books.

The president also promised to appoint a deputy minister in charge of technical and vocational educational training and to build a brand new College of Education to train new teachers for early childhood education in Ghana.

But VIAM Africa does not understand why government plans to build a new institution when there are existing institutions doing same.

"The establishment of a college of education (CoE) responsible for training teachers in early childhood education is superfluous. This will just increase government expenditure on our scarce resources. Currently, the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education, Winneba run programmes in Early Childhood education to train teachers for the early grades," VIAM Africa said.

The think tank would rather government upgrades the curriculumM in the existing institutions to conform to modern trends in training at that level.

VIAM Africa, said despite the strides made in education over time there has been a misalignment of the government policies and the general development aspirations.

"Although the government has made significant progress in the education sector, most of the policy targets and interventions appear to lack clarity and focus, uncoordinated and do not align with neither our long to medium term development aspirations nor the UNs sustainable development goal four (SDG 4) of promoting inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all," VIAM Africa suggested.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah
Workers of the Electoral Commission (EC) are demanding 50 percent of their salary as allowances for their inability to engage in social and political activities as staff of a neutral organization.

The demand, which comes with barely three months to presidential and parliamentary elections, in December, is the second in the year.

The demand was made in a leaked internal memo for negotiations delivered to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission in Accra by the workers of the Commission.

According to them, unlike other members of the public service, they are restricted in their social interactions for fear of being tagged political.

There are certain public places open to all that employees of the Commission cannot participate since they may be wanting. The exercise of neutrality becomes more sensitive during and after the conduct of elections since we are most of the times perceived wrongly by our actions in the course of our work, the memo said.

The EC workers also demanded 30 gallons of fuel monthly for officers at the Regional Directorates and the Head Office who use their vehicles for official duties.

We have Senior Officers at the Regional Directorates and at the Head office who require official vehicles to do their official work but do not have access to official vehicles so they use their private vehicles to do their official work. It is our considered opinion that these officers are granted 30 gallons of fuel per month to facilitate their improvement and ensure productivity of work.

This is not the first time employees of the Electoral Commission have raised concerns about the payment of some allowances due them.

EC staff to strike over low salaries

In January this year, the workers union and the Senior Staff Association of the Electoral Commission (EC), served notice of an impending strike over poor salaries and conditions of service.

According to them, all attempts to get these issues resolved have proved futile.

The workers in their resolutions, addressed to the Chairperson of the Commission, Charlotte Osei, after a crunch meeting said barring any intervention, they will begin the sit-down strike on February 15, 2016 and proceed on a full blown strike on February 22, 2016.

The strike however did not take place.



By: Marian Ansah & Umaru Sanda Amadu/citifmonline.com/Ghana
14.09.2016 LISTEN

Every three years in the village of Toraja in South Sualwesi, in Indonesia they hold a very strange festival.

They exhume the bodies of their deceased relatives, clean them up, dress them in new clothes and put them on display.

While this might be grotesque, disgusting and not to everybodys taste the Cleansing of the Corpses festival is held so that the spirit of the deceased can return to its place of origin, hence the dressing up and all that. While this might conflict with everyones view of life after death it highlights one important fact  when we die all that we leave behind in this world is just a shrivelled corpse. It doesnt matter how rich, famous, beautiful, handsome, good or evil you are, when you die the only thing you leave behind is dried-up flesh on a skeleton.

I like to liken the human being to a car. It could be any car from a cheap Skoda to the top of the range Bugati. Without a human driver behind the wheel (or a human to program it as regards the new driverless cars) its nothing but a pile of fancy metal on wheels on wheels that will just sit there without moving. Likewise a human being is nothing but flesh and bones until you insert a soul to drive it.

Before we are born we sign a contract that when we come into this world, as a new born baby, we will come with nothing and when our earthly time is up we will leave with nothing, just leaving behind a shrivelled corpse to be buried or cremated(- and hopefully not exhumed and displayed as the Indonesians do!)

From the time we are born to the time we depart we live an Earthly life. Our souls are in a physical body that grows from that of a toddler to that of a fully grown adult. In between birth and death we learn and grow, contributing to this earthly world, good or bad, before we depart. We are like people who emigrate to live in foreign lands before one day returning home; the foreign land will never be your home and you cant stay forever  you have to return to the source  and with nothing as promised before you came to life.

Shakespeare once said All the Worlds a stage. And all men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances. We are born to play a role or roles. What this role is depends on the individuals destiny. Some are born to be teachers, pastors or leaders. Others are born to be rich or poor, good or bad. Some might be builders, inventors or market porters. We all have a role to play in the upkeep and development of this word.

Whilst we are Masters of our own destiny (to a certain degree!) we are in the habit of changing our direction, from time to time, to worship the insatiable demands of our physical bodies and the material world around us. We want more money (at any cost!). We want bigger houses. We want more fame. Everything we want, want, want is just to satisfy the vessel we call a human being, which in many cases may not be in accordance to the driving souls directive. When things are not done in accordance to the souls reason for being on Earth it upsets the balance of things. This is when people sin (- and theres a long list of naughty things we do!) with their sins affecting the lives of others and even the physical world we inhabit  people start wars killing people, destroying property and habitats. We deprive others of what is rightly theirs and so on and so forth.

And all for what?

We do all these things because of our want for the material things of life. We have basic needs and things we dont need or could do without  but still clamour to get  things you cant take with you when you go.

The sixth richest man in the world turned up in Nigeria the other day and people marvelled at how simple he looked clad in T-shirt and jeans, no watch, no designer trainers, nothing.

Its because people like him realize that life on this planet is an illusion. Youre probably here for a short period of time, probably not more than a hundred years. You might have money to fly in private planes, drink the most expensive champagne and eat caviar but when your time is up youre not taking any of it with you. Which is why we probably have these new breed of billionaires who are giving their wealth away to those who need it.

The average Naija man will argue that if you have money its best to live like a glutton and live life to the full, sparing no expenses, because you only live once. Hence the reason why hell accumulate expensive cars, wives, houses and money  his or not. This might be true, from his point of view, but yet again hes wrong. Your fleshy human body (like the ones exhumed in Indonesia) lives once and can enjoy all this but your soul  which never dies  carries on into the afterlife.

Now what happens to our souls in the afterlife which could be in Heaven or Hell or something else is for eternity. Is it worth risking the wrath of what might be out there through our misdeeds, selfishness and naughtiness, in this illusionary material world we call Earth?
The opposition New Patriotic Party has accused flagbearer of the governing National Democratic Congress, President John Mahama of only repeating promises the party made in its 2008 manifesto in the 2016 one.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, the Communications Director of the party, Nana Akomea, also accused the NDC of stealing ideas from the NPPs manifesto.

He said the NDC steal our policies and cannot implement them. They even stole l the title of our manifesto. So they have no deep attachment to the principles necessary to drive the promises they give. To them politics is all about ways and means. Nothing to do with actually making lives better. [contextly_sidebar id=eQ5XYPVSNKG7sq0EssQ69bu1lL4S6i9E]President Mahama on Tuesday presented highlights of the NDC's 2016 manifesto prior to the official launch on Saturday.

According to Nana Akomea, President Mahama, in putting together his manifesto stole ideas from the NPP or simply repeated promises made in NDC's 2008 and 2012 manifestos.

Below are some of the policies Akomea claimed the NDC copied from them:

For example, Nana Akufo-Addo is promising to trigger the constitutional process to create new regions when elected in 2016

President Mahama now says he is also planning to trigger a similar process to create new regions.

Nana Akufo-Addo promises to have District/Municipal Chief Executives elected.

President Mahama also promises to elect DCEs. This is after the NDC in 2011 issued a white paper against the recommendation of the Constitution Review Commission to have DCEs/MCEs elected if re-elected this December.

NPP promises to create new geographical development authorities to oversee the deliberate development of every inhabited corner of the country.

President Mahama yesterday gave the same promise.

In March 2016, Akufo-Addo announced to the Chiefs and people of Suma Ahenkro, in Jaman North, Brong-Ahafo Region, that as part of his plans to transform cashew farming into a major cash crop and export earner for Ghana, he will establish a Cashew Marketing Board to regulate the industry and provide ready-market just as it is done for cocoa.

Last night, President Mahama stole from Akufo-Addo yet again, saying, We will establish a cashew board with its headquarters in the Brong Ahafo Region.

NPP was implementing One Child One Lap Top by 2008, a policy spearheaded by the late Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, President Kufuor's Finance Minister.

President Mahama is today promising to also give away one tablet one child after the NDC killed that scheme in 2009, only to make it seem like a new idea and a new promise today.

The NPP had a Deputy Minister of Education in Charge of Technical Education  Kwame Ampofo Twumasi was Deputy Minister of Education, Youth & Sports in charge of Technical Education in 2008.

The NDC elected to abandon it in 2009, only for President Mahama to re-introduce it now as a new idea he wishes to implement if re-elected.

NPP promises to implement in 2017 the National ID cards which President Mahama has totally abandoned since he took office.

President Mahama, after listening to Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia last Thursday, now promises to do the same if re-elected.

If re-elected, the President has repeated his 2008 promise given at the KNUST Energy Forum that an NDC government will provide energy security in Ghana before 2012. Yesterday he repeated, we will have off-takers for excess electricity produced here in Ghana. He again made this promise in 2012 that Ghana would be exporting power if elected, only to hit Ghana with the longest power crisis on record.

After watching many potential investors in our petroleum industry leave the country, President Mahama says he wants Ghana to become the petroleum hub of West [email protected]

In its 2012 Manifesto, the NPP promised to make the Western Region the hub of the oil & gas industry in West Africa. Earlier, on several platforms, including a speech delivered in Houston, Texas, in February 2012, Nana Akufo-Addo said, the NPP was, looking at how Houston had successfully managed their petroleum industry through the diversification and industrialization of a state that used to be dependent on cotton. It is this model of the integrated petrochemical industry that we seek to build in Ghana, servicing the entire oil-rich West African.

President Mahama says it is his intention that Ghana will have the best road network in West Africa by 2021. Now, we all know what the President means when he describes a road as best, don't we? Just last June he described the Dodo-Pepesu-Nkwanta Road he was commissioning in these terms:  if you take a look at the quality of the road, you can only admire the good work done. I don't think that there is any other road in Ghana that is more pleasant to the eye than this one I also want to take the opportunity to thank Messrs Oumaru Kanazoe Construction Limited of Burkina Faso for the very high quality of work they have dine on this stretch of road. As I have said, this is one of the best quality roads in Ghana today, and I will urge the Minister of Roads & Highways to bring other contractors to come and see so that they can emulate it in other parts of the country

In the same month, just two weeks after the road was commissioned, the Nkwanta South DCE, Alfred Kofi Wukanye, took the media on a tour to see for themselves the potholes that had developed on the 26 million Euro road done by the man who confessed to bribing the President with an American car

In the words of one commentator, I K Gyasi, the President poured fulsome and unstinted praise on the contractors, Messrs Umarou Kanazoe Constructuon Limited of Burkina Faso, and his bosom friend, Mr Jibril Kanazoe, the owner of the company, the same person who, out of eternal gratitude for [winning contracts in Ghana], returned favours by buying a 2010 Ford Expedition vehicle for President Mahama

The President says if Ghanaians make the mistake to re-elect him in 83 days' time, it will mark the beginning of new glory days of the railway sector. Thankfully, he has given us a taste of what would happen to the billions of dollars of railway cash if Ghanaians make the mistake to give him another term. The GHS3.5 million money that was fraudulently used for that corrupt bus-branding deal, was cash meant for the railway sector

He says he will expand the investment under SADA to construct more irrigation facilities. Recalling how some $200 million of SADA money flew away illegally to irrigate corrupt private pockets, what the President actually means to say is that he will give away more money through corruption in the false name of the people in the North. If he has failed to prosecute one single person for the hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from the people of the North through SADA then why would throwing more money at it deter any corrupt person from doing the same thing?

The President says the IMF programme he forced Ghana through will be the last. We must remind him that NPP successfully weaned Ghana off the IMF in 2007 and

He says he is laying the same foundation he told Ghanaians he had laid in 2012. What stops him from promising another foundation in 2020 just to be consistent?



By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @AlloteyGodwin
Juba (AFP) - The South Sudan government has shut down the country's main English-language daily, which headlined news on a war profiteering report commissioned by actor George Clooney, the paper's editor told AFP on Wednesday.

Nation Mirror editor Simon Aurelious said officials from the National Security Service gave no clear reason for the closure, simply saying "the paper is indulging in activities incompatible with its status.'

'We were called today to the office of the National Security and after reaching there they showed us an order. The order is instructing us to close down,' Aurelious said.

The paper's headlines Wednesday and Tuesday focused on a report released in Washington this week about the alleged implication of President Salva Kiir, rebel chief Riek Machar and the country's army chiefs in corruption during the nation's three-year civil war.

The report by watchdog group The Sentry said leaders of the world's newest country had profited from a conflict that has driven a quarter of a million people from their homes and left tens of thousands dead.

One of the Nation Mirror headlines read 'Kiir, Machar and top Generals implicated in Sentry Report' while another said 'Machar's source of weapons uncovered.'

The government has denied the report as "completely rubbish".

Not the first time

Aurelious said security authorities two weeks ago summoned him and demanded the paper's management produce the author of a critical piece on the government.

But the Nation Mirror refused to give the writer's name.

'They told us that if this is the case we are going to notify you' to close down, he said.

In February last year the paper was shut down by government security agents for nine months after publishing details on the activities of rebels affiliated to Machar.

Alfred Taban, a veteran South Sudanese journalist who is chairman of the country's Association for Media Development, AMDISS, said the latest decision "is shocking news.'

'We are yet to check with the Media Authority as to why they [National Security] are doing this,' Taban said.

Taban spent 13 days in detention in July after writing an editorial sharply critical of Kiir and Machar.

The paper's closure comes days after the United Nations expressed concern over alleged threats by government officials against civil society activists in contact with a UN Security Council group that visited South Sudan to look at the possible deployment of a regional protection force.

The government rejected the idea.
The Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GHAPOHA) is to sign a concession agreement with the Ghana Railway Development Authority to redevelop the Western Railway Line in the country.

This initiative is aimed at enhancing transportation of goods and services from communities along the western belt to the port and also to improve transportation of goods through the nations waters to other countries.

The agreement which is expected to be signed by the end of the year will enable the Authority to hand over the Western Rail Line to GHAPOHA for development through a Public Private Partnership.

Director of Tema Port, Jacob Adorkor disclosed this to JOY BUSINESS in an interview at the opening of the West Africa Ports Evolution Seminar in Accra.

This years Forum was under the theme; 'West Africas Port Development, A Key Driver To Unlocking The Regions Economic Potential and Global Competitiveness.'

He said feasibility study has been completed on another railway project which will link the Tema Port to Akosombo in the Eastern Region as part of measures by the Authority to enhance movement of goods from the Volta Lake to the port.

He was optimistic that these infrastructure projects, when completed, will position the country in a better condition to embark on large businesses through the ports.

Until the GHAPOHA intervention, it was announced in March 2015 that a new suburban service linking Sekondi and Takoradi would begin by the end of 2015, a contract which couldnt be executed as promised by government.

The $100 million project, managed by Amanda Holdings, involves the rebuilding of 30 of 1067mm gauge track to standard gauge, and the acquisition of two DMUs for railway transport service.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com | Ebenezer K. Sabutey |Joy Business
The US will will give the Israeli military $38bn over the next decade in what Washington described as the biggest package of military assistance in its history, the Guardian reported.

The military deal which will be signed in Washington on Wednesday includes an estimated $5bn for missile defence. Under the previous deal, the US provided Israel with $30bn over a 10-year period, although the actual funds delivered over that time period were about $35bn as Israel sought additional funds from the US Congress. Congress had previously funded Israels missile defence spending.

Under the new deal, Israel would not be able to solicit extra money from Capitol Hill. In other conditions placed on the new memorandum of understanding, Israel would no longer be allowed to spend over a quarter of the military aid on home-produced weaponry, and would instead be required the full amount on US arms. Nor would it be able to spend any of the aid on fuel for its armed forces.

Disagreements over these limitations delayed completion of the new deal, which has been under negotiation for 10 months.

Talks were also prolonged when the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, suspended discussions in protest at a nuclear deal the US and other major powers agreed with Iran last July.

Netanyahu had asked for a total of $45bn, and floated the idea of waiting to seal the agreement until a new president was in office, but in the end opted to make a deal with the Obama administration that was anxious to secure its legacy and combat accusations that its foreign policy had been detrimental to Israel.
Libreville (AFP) - The head of Gabon's top court, which has the pivotal task of ruling if President Ali Bongo's contested re-election is valid, is a former beauty queen whose affair with the leader's father produced two children.

Marie-Madeleine Mborantsuo is in the limelight in this oil-rich Central African nation where Bongo's victory is being challenged by his former brother-in-law, veteran diplomat Jean Ping.

"Here it's Dallas," the American ambassador Cynthia Akuetteh said, according to French media reports, referring to a wildly popular US television soap opera revolving around a filthy rich and feuding Texan oil family.

For over 20 years the glamorous 61-year-old has headed the nine-member Constitutional Court, dubbed the "Leaning Tower of Pisa" by the opposition for allegedly kowtowing to the Bongo regime.

But she is just one character in the tightly interlaced cast that makes up Gabon's political elite.

Ping held a succession of prestigious posts and was one of the longest-serving ministers of late president Omar Bongo, father of the current President Ali Bongo.

Marie Madeleine Mborantsuo has headed the nine-member Constitutional Court for over 20 years

But upon Omar Bongo's death in 2009, Ping turned against Ali Bongo, who had stepped into the presidency.

The half-Chinese Paris-educated Ping had two children with Bongo's eldest daughter, but later wed an Ivorian.

Ping last week took his challenge of the result of the August 27 polls to Gabon's top court.

After riots broke out following the August 31 announcement that Bongo had been re-elected by fewer than 6,000 votes, he in turn claimed Ping had encouraged the violence.

Ping has asked for a recount in the ruling family's stronghold of Haut-Ogooue province, where Bongo won more than 95 percent of votes on a reported turnout of more than 99 percent.

Ping's supporters say that 17 people were killed at his party headquarters alone in a wave of post-electoral violence, but the interior ministry says the toll is three dead.

'Peace in her hands'

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba arrives to cast his vote at a polling station during the presidential election, which he won by fewer than 6,000 votes

The Bongo family has ruled the tiny nation with an iron fist since 1967.

Mborantsuo, a former beauty queen from the Bongo stronghold of Haut-Ogooue, caught Omar Bongo's attention and was named to the Supreme Court when she was aged only 28.

She had an affair with him and bore him two children.

According to the opposition and the Gabonese media, she has amassed a formidable real estate portfolio at home and abroad.

"Nobody want to be in Mborantsuo's shoes," said a diplomatic source. "She is under enormous pressure from both camps."

Three of the judges are named by the president, three by the Senate and three by the former assembly president Guy Nzouba Ndama, who since the start of this year became a Ping supporter.

France, Gabon's former colonial ruler, has called for a fair ruling with Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault underscoring the need "to examine the objections transparently and impartially."

Supporters of the Gabonese opposition leader Jean Ping, dressed in white and with hands painted in white as a sign of peace, take part in a tribute ceremony after President Ali Bongo accused opposition of inciting violent riots on August 31, 2016

Opposition supporters say they will not allow Mborantsuo to uphold Bongo's victory.

"We will not let her do it," one said. "The only option is that Ali quits."

Ping has already warned that a "false step" by the Constitutional Court would cause deep and long lasting instability in Gabon.

"Peace lies in the hands of Marie-Madeleine," the opposition Echos du Nord newspaper said.
Tripoli (AFP) - Forces opposed to Libya's unity government handed management of four vital oil ports to the National Oil Company on Wednesday after seizing them in a blow to fragile peace efforts.

Prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj called for urgent talks after the ports were captured by forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar, who supports a rival administration in the country's east.

The offensive in the so-called oil crescent was a major setback for Sarraj's UN-backed Government of National Accord, which is almost entirely dependent on oil revenues for its income.

Libya, which has Africa's largest oil reserves, has only managed to export a few tankers of crude in recent months, with efforts to revive the industry thwarted by jihadist attacks and political turmoil.

Haftar's seizure of the ports raises the prospect of renewed oil exports from Libya, whose crude reserves are estimated at around 48 billion barrels.

"Today the ports of Zuwaytina, Brega, Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra were handed over to the National Oil Company," said Colonel Ahmad Mesmari, a spokesman for Haftar.

"The entire oil crescent is under the NOC's administration," he told AFP, adding that a force under Haftar's control would continue to guard the ports.

Rival forces seize key Libyan ports

The NOC in Tripoli said in a statement on Tuesday night that it planned to resume oil exports from the ports "as soon as possible".

The fighting between the two sides -- the first since the unity government started work in Tripoli in March -- was the latest escalation of the chaos that has gripped Libya since the overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

'Turning point'

A bombing campaign by Britain and France was instrumental in the veteran dictator's ouster, and a key British parliamentary committee has joined mounting criticism of the two governments for their failure to shape its aftermath.

Sarraj said Libya was at a "turning point" after the assault on the oil ports with its future as a united nation in serious question.

"I call on all sides to halt provocative actions and sit down urgently at the same table to discuss a mechanism that would enable us to get out of this crisis and put a stop to the conflict," he said.

UN envoy Martin Kobler, who has appealed repeatedly for a halt to the offensive, was to brief the Security Council on the crisis later on Wednesday.

General Khalifa Haftar, pictured on August 24, 2015, sees himself as Libya's saviour after battling jihadists out of most of second city Benghazi in the east

The unity government is key to UN efforts to restore stability to Libya and it now faces an even tougher battle to assert its authority over the rival administration in the east.

The capture of the oil crescent means the rival administration now controls virtually all of the eastern Cyrenaica region.

The NOC, which said that it recognised the GNA, did not explain how it could export oil from ports controlled by Haftar's forces.

"Our technical teams already started assessing what needs to be done to... restart exports as soon as possible," said NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla, who visited Zuwaytina port on Wednesday.

He said he hoped for "a new phase of cooperation and coexistence between Libya's factions, as well as an end to the use of the blockade as a political tactic".

'Only game in town'

Haftar, 73, who sees himself as Libya's saviour after driving jihadists out of most of the main eastern city of Benghazi, is the most powerful backer of the eastern administration.

Meanwhile, the writ of Sarraj's government is confined to the western Tripolitania region where its forces have been battling jihadists of the Islamic State group in the coastal city of Sirte for months.

Western governments have voiced serious concern that Libya's deepening divisions play into the hands of the jihadists' efforts to establish a base just across the Mediterranean from Europe.

The United States and its European allies issued a joint statement condemning Haftar's offensive and calling for the return of the oil ports to unity government control.

Claudia Gazzini, a Libya analyst at the International Crisis Group, warned Haftar's move was "inflammatory" and could provoke a military response from the GNA.

"From a political and military point of view, these developments are a huge setback to the authority of the UN-backed fledgling government in Tripoli," she said in a report.

But she said while some in the GNA were pushing for military action to retake the terminals, any such attempt could be "disastrous".

"A first urgent step would need to be to de-escalate current tensions and avoid a renewed flare-up," she said.
Mombasa (Kenya) (AFP) - The widow of a radical imam was arrested Wednesday in Mombasa for alleged links to one of three female assailants shot dead while attacking the Kenyan city's main police station, a police source said.

"She is in custody for questioning because of the communication she had with one of the female terrorists killed" in Sunday's attack, the source said, requesting anonymity. The assailants were alleged to be "sympathisers" of the Islamic State group.

The arrested woman is the widow of Aboud Rogo Mohammed, an imam killed in Mombasa in August 2012 who was until his death the main preacher at the city's Musa mosque, seen as the heart of radical Islam in Kenya.

The imam was accused of recruiting young Kenyans to fight in neighbouring Somalia with Shabaab, East Africa's long-time branch of Al-Qaeda, Islamic State's rivals.

The new arrest brings to four the number of women detained over the weekend attack. Three Somali refugees suspected of sheltering the assailants, who were arrested on Sunday, appeared before a judge on Wednesday.

The three women were brought into court to be charged but police said one of them, Shukri Haji, who is said to be deaf, claimed she could not understand what the sign language interpreter was saying.

Resident magistrate Emmanuel Mutunga ordered the three be detained five more days.

'Apparent terror attack'

Sunday's knife and firebomb assault was the first of its kind by female assailants in Kenya, in what police said was "an apparent terror attack."

The so-called Islamic State group said its "supporters" carried it out, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, quoting the group's Amaq news agency.

"The executors of the attack on the Kenyan police in the port city of Mombasa are supporters of the Islamic State and they carried out the operation in response to calls to target the Crusader states," the agency said.

Police have said two of the women involved in the knife and firebomb assault were Kenyans and that one was wearing a suicide vest that did not detonate.

After entering the police station saying they wanted to report a stolen phone, they shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest), hurled a petrol bomb and stabbed two officers.

Kenya's Muslim minority is largely concentrated along the Indian Ocean coast and the country in the past has repeatedly come under attack by the Somalia-based Shabaab.

Somali-led insurgents have staged repeated attacks in Kenya, including the killing of at least 67 people at Nairobi's Westgate Mall in 2013 and the massacre of 148 people at a university in Garissa in April 2015.

But recent arrests show the Islamic State's growing presence in East Africa, where they are recruiting young Kenyans for jihad abroad raising fears some will return to threaten the country.

Kenyan intelligence agencies estimate that around 100 men and women may have gone to join IS in Libya and Syria, triggering concern that some may come back to stage attacks on Kenyan and foreign targets.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will be launching its 2016 manifesto on Thursday, October 18, the Communication Director of the party has disclosed.

Nana Akomea told Joy News Wednesday that Ghanaians will see the superiority of what we have to offer and what the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is offering when their manifesto is released.

He said even though they are yet to launch their manifesto, some of the programmes put out by the NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have rattled the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Our agenda for job creation, stabilize the micro-economy, industrialise the country and revamp agriculture  all of these have been put before the country, he said.

He is optimistic the NPP will emerge victorious in the upcoming December polls because of the good ratings the Party has enjoyed from well-regarded think tanks and research institutions.

We have been tipped by Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Center for Democratic Development (CDD) and the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) and I am happy that the NDC has their head buried in the sand, he said.

NPP Campaign Manager, Peter Mac Manu has disclosed the party would delay the launch of its manifesto for fear of its content being plagiarized by the NDC.

He explained that despite criticisms rained on the NPPs Free senior high school (SHS) policy put out in its 2008 manifesto, the NDC went ahead to adopt it.

It was to avoid similar incidents taking place in the running to the 2016 general election that they have delayed their launch.

The NDC gave highlights of its 2016 manifesto which would be launched on Saturday in the Brong Ahafo Regional capital of Sunyani.

Giving the highlights, President John Mahama put out his achievements in his near four years in power as well as some programmes he would implement when given a second term.

He said he would set up a committee to consider the possibility of creating five more regions as well as establish factories across the country.

But the NPP says most of the ideas the President put across on Tuesday are were stolen from what Nana Akufo-Addo's has been saying on his tours across the country.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | Email: [email protected]
Akim Swedru (E/R), Sept. 14, GNA - Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur, the Ghana's Second Lady has asked women entrepreneurs to erase the wrong perception about MASLOC microfinance and access its facilities to expand their businesses.

She said the microfinance agency was set up to assists small-scale Ghanaian entrepreneurs devoid of political colour, and women should not hesitate to go for their services to support their ventures.

Mrs Amissah-Arthur gave the advice when she addressed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters at the Akim Swedru Constituency at a political rally and women's conference.

The conference on the theme: 'Women - Key to National Development,' discussed issues pertaining to women's welfare which drew participants from Akim Oda and Aduasa in the Eastern Region.

The Second Lady asked the women to be talent-oriented and be passionate to develop the little that they have been gifted with.

She urged them to form groups, to enable them access bank facilities.

Miss Evelyn Korang, the Regional Women Organiser of the NDC enumerated the achievements of the Government such as the construction of roads, dams, basic and senior high schools, community health centres and hospitals.

She called on party members to help in addressing challenges at the local and national levels.

GNA
Maseru, Lesotho, Sept. 14, (Xinhua/GNA) - The Chinese government has donated bags of rice to the government of Lesotho. This follows an appeal made by Lesotho's Prime Minister, Dr. Pakalitha Mosisili to the Chinese Government for food aid.

The Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, Sun Xianghua, who was at the handing over ceremony in Maseru, indicated that China is a true reliable partner, sincere friend and good brother of Lesotho.

'Both China and Lesotho extended assistance to each other at their respective challenging times. This shows the friendship and sincerity between the two countries, Sun added,

He assured that the Chinese Government and people would always support Lesotho's efforts in maintaining political stability, developing its economy and improving livelihood.

Lesotho's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Hon. Sekhamane Kimetso, indicated Chinese Government donated this batch of rice as a response to the appeal of the Right Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Mosisili.

He said China was among the first countries to respond to Lesotho's call for food aid, adding that the donation signified a clear symbol of the warm and cordial bonds of friendship and cooperation between Lesotho and China. Lesotho firmly support the "One-China Policy".

He assured the Ambassador of his commitment to working with him in furthering the already existing bilateral relations between the two countries "for the mutual benefit of our people."

GNA
By D.I. Laary, GNA

Accra, Sept. 14, GNA - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has introduced solar-powered irrigation schemes in northern Ghana to safeguard farmers the trouble of relying on erratic rains for farming activities in the country's poorest regions.

'USAID is introducing solar-powered irrigation systems in northern Ghana, the US Ambassador, Mr Robert Jackson said, 'farmers will no longer have to rely on unpredictable rains to grow their crops.'

Mr Jackson said this during the launch of an a $3.8 million Integrated Resource and Resilience Planning (IRRP) project aimed at developing a robust master plan to improve Ghana's power sector planning for efficient, cost-effective and reliable energy supply to consumers.

The project was jointly launched by the Deputy Minister of Power, Mr John Jinapor, and Mr Jackson at IRRP project workshop on Tuesday.

'We have installed more than 3,000 solar modules and 32 inverters to date,' Mr Jackson said, 'these investments are increasing incomes for hundreds of farmers in the north.'

He said the second Millennium Challenge Compact was entered into on September 6 and described the deal as good for the nation.

'The compact itself will bring $498 million in investment from the American people,' he said.

'The private sector operator chosen by the government of Ghana is required to invest another $100 million a year for the first five years of the concession.'

'That is more than a billion dollars going toward returning ECG and other power companies to profitability and reliability.'

Mr Jackson added that he concessionaire would not be setting the tariffs, 'the public utilities regulatory commission will continue do that.'

'The compact should not spell the end of rural electrification because the concessionaire will want to increase the number of customers, and the United States government and other private companies will continue to push the development of solar power and other renewables.'

The IRRPP seeks to transform the country's wobbling power sector and improve lives and businesses.

'Power blackouts hamper productivity, discourage private sector investment and inhibit economic growth,' he noted.

'Through the project we will work with the Ghanaian government to improve power sector planning, establish transmission and distribution infrastructure and increase Ghana generation capacity,' he said.

Mr Jackson said the USAID would boost the sector while promoting cleaner, more efficient, and more cost-effective energy.

'Together we will help Ghana move toward low emissions and low carbon investments, build resiliency to climate change, and safeguard the environment for the long term,' he said.

Officials said most of the IRRP project work will be carried out by Ghanaian experts located in ICF International office in Accra - a US consulting firm implemented the project over the next two years.

A steering committee made up of inter-sectorial Ghanaian stakeholders, including key agencies from power, petroleum, environment and finance sectors, will guide, coordinate and review the project activities.

The energy commission which is the mandated agency for energy planning, will be focal institution for the IRRP project.

GNA
Gomoa Mangoase (C/R), Sept. 14, GNA - The Circuit Missionary of Goaso Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Mohammed Ibrahim Adams has expressed concern about the winner takes all policy in Ghanaian politics and called for its abolition.

Mr Adams said the situation had created greatest enmity, self-interest and stagnation of development programmes and policies to raise quality living standards of the people

The Ahmadiyya Missionary shared this opinion when he addressed members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission to mark the Eid-Ul- Adha celebration at Gomoa Mangoase in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.

He suggested to the framers of 1992 Constitution to consider making amendment to reverse the policy and promote an all inclusive system of governance.

Mr Adams said Ghana had suffered for far too long due to winner take all policy adopted by elected governments and described it as unacceptable precedent which needs to be stopped.

He called on Ghanaians to vote for competent, visionary selfless and proactive leaders to manage the country and make it a better place to live.

The Circuit Missionary cautioned the Muslims youth not to indulge in political violence in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

He said Muslims celebrate Eid-Ul-Adha to remember Abraham 'Father of all' who was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac to Allah to show true love towards Allah.

He urged the Muslims to abide by tenets of Quran and stop acts, which tarnish the image of the Islamic religion.

Naana Eyiah, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Gomoa Central asked Muslim parents to prioritise the education of their children.

She said the NPP Presidential Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has a vision and pragmatic policies, which would help his government to deliver when voted to power on December 7.

Naana Eyiah called on the people to ignore the propaganda being made by opponents and vote massively for her and Nana Akufo Addo.

The NPP Parliamentary Candidate said the economic hardship Ghanaians are facing are indications of bad policies and programmes adopted by the ruling National Democratic Congress.

She donated two ceiling fans and 10 bags of cement to Ekwamkrom branch of Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission to support the mission's Mosque building project.

GNA
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed to extend the cessation for another 48 hours, according to Department of State deputy spokesperson Mark Toner, Sputnik International reported.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed to extend the ceasefire in Syria for an additional 48 hours, Department of State deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

"As part of their conversation they [Kerry and Lavrov] discussed and agreed to extend the cessation for another 48 hours, with the goal being that this would last seven days and then we would move to the next step, which is the establishment of the JIC [Joint Implementation Center]," Toner stated.
you are here:
business Merger a long-term positive for Vedanta: Rakesh Arora Speaking to CNBC-TV18 Rakesh Arora, an Independent Analyst, said that it is a long-term positive for Vedanta. "They have a chance to rectify the balance sheet." Public shareholders of Cairn India have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the deal with Vedanta.
business Vedanta, Cairn India, Tata Steel, Nalco among stocks in news Some of the stocks that should be on your radar are: Vedanta, Cairn India, Tata Steel, Adani Enterprises, Adani Power, Coal India, Mahindra CIE Automotive, Reliance Communications, Reliance Capital, National Aluminium Company, Claris Lifesciences, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services.
The United States will give Israel $38 billion in military aid over a decade, the largest such aid package in US history, under an agreement disclosed this week and signed on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

The deal, whose details were reported by Reuters earlier, will allow Israel to upgrade most of its fighter aircraft, improve its ground forces' mobility and strengthen its missile defense systems, a top US official said.

While the package constitutes the most US military aid ever given to any country, it entails concessions by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to officials on both sides.

Those include Israels promise not to seek additional funds from Congress beyond what will be guaranteed annually in the new package, and to phase out a special arrangement that has allowed Israel to spend part of its US aid on its own defense industry instead of on American-made weapons, the officials said.

The $38 billion memorandum of understanding covers US fiscal years 2019-2028 and succeeds the current $30 billion MOU signed in 2007, which expires at the end of fiscal 2018.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu and I are confident that the new MOU will make a significant contribution to Israels security in what remains a dangerous neighborhood," US President Barack Obama said in a written statement.

The agreement was signed at the State Department by US Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon and by Jacob Nagel, acting head of Netanyahus national security council.

According to a White House "factsheet," the deal includes:

-annual payments of $3.3 billion in so-called foreign military financing, typically used to purchase US equipment.

-$500 million a year for Israeli missile defense funding, the first time this has been formally built into the aid pact.

-A phasing-out of a special arrangement that for decades has allowed Israel to use 26.3 percent of the US aid on its own defense industry instead of on American-made weapons.

-Elimination of a longstanding provision that has allowed Israel to use a portion of the US aid to buy military fuel.

-The funding will allow Israel to update "the lion's share" of its fighter aircraft, including purchasing additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. Israel is scheduled to receive 33 F-35 aircraft, the first two of which will be delivered in December.
US Secretary of State John Kerry will attend a trilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korea Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, the US Department of State announced in a press release, Sputnik International reported.

"The meeting, which will be hosted by Japan, will focus on trilateral cooperation, including the response to the September 9 North Korean nuclear test, and will continue the close coordination with these two important US allies on shared regional and global priorities," the release stated on Wednesday.

The meeting will take place on Sunday, the release added.

World Leaders typically meet at the United Nations each September as the General Assembly session opens.
The Morganton City Council unanimously approved alley encroachments for two businesses on East Union Street at its regularly scheduled meeting late Monday. Brown Mountain Bottleworks (115 E. Union St.) and the future Homers Soda Shop (113 E. Union St.) will both be allowed to build or modify encroachments into the alleyway behind those businesses.

The encroachments will be allowed as the result of a need for handicapped entrances at the rear of the businesses, since both establishments will be retailers with ABC licenses.

The alley behind the businesses runs parallel to East Union Street between North Green Street and North Sterling Street. The western end of the alley near Gregory Jewelers is closed to vehicle traffic, while the wider end by Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group is open to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Councilman Forrest Fleming pointed out that since both businesses are surrounded by buildings and have no side entrances, and the businesses are required to have two handicap-accessible entrances, having one entrance in the front of the businesses and adding encroachments to accommodate rear handicapped entrances was the only choice.

City attorney Louis Vinay said during the meeting that Brown Mountain Bottleworks already has an entryway and handicapped entrance at its rear, but since Homers Soda Shop does not, it will have to build one and Brown Mountain Bottleworks will have to renovate to match since the businesses are side-by-side. The structures must comply with building codes, Vinay said.

The projected agreement will allow (the businesses) encroach no more than 12 feet from the back of their building, said Vinay. This shouldnt be any farther into the alley than the existing narrower part of the alley. The city would be allowed to terminate this agreement at any time for any reason  if we needed a wider alley there.

The property owners would be required to coordinate with each other (on the encroachment). The agreement does not specify the type of material. Brown Mountain Bottleworks currently has a wooden porch.

Bethel Road truck traffic

The council unanimously decided it will work with the N.C. Department of Transportation to restrict large truck traffic along Bethel Road and Stonebridge Drive after receiving complaints from citizens. Fleming made a motion to adopt an ordinance restricting the traffic, saying that the area of Bethel Road, which is in his district, is too narrow for truck traffic.

Weve been getting a lot of comments and concerns from citizens who live along Bethel Road about truck traffic during the work at Interstate (40) exchange 105, said Morganton City Manager Sally Sandy during the meeting. A lot of trucks had used the Bethel Road option during that process, which was a three-year process. Now, a lot of the residents along there are concerned it is continuing.

Weve been in contact with DOT because Bethel Road is a state road controlled by them. They have indicated a willingness to restrict truck traffic  from the Interstate all the way down to the intersection with Sterling Street if we would restrict traffic on Stonebridge Drive, which is the cut-through road off Bethel Road over to the bypass.

Other business

 The council unanimously approved an amended development inventive grant agreement among the city of Morganton, Burke County and Alpine Mill LLC for Old Drexel Heritage Plant 7 at 109 E. Union St. Revisions to the project were approved at the city council meeting on Aug. 16, including the elimination of phases for the project, which will be completed by June 30, 2018, and the change from a mixed-use development to an entirely residential complex.

 The council awarded a $30,475 contract to the Piedmont Triad Regional Council for a classification/pay study.

 CFS Communications was awarded a $39,800 contract for construction of fiber optic cable from the city head-end to High Peak Mountain.

 The council received a notice for a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment after longtime member Patricia Williams announced her departure. The council will seek to fill the seat, which has a term that expires in June 2017.

Proclamations

Mayor Ronnie Thompson proclaimed Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week, accepted by Joyce Kendall, chair of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Thompson proclaimed the month of September as Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, accepted by Burke Recovery Executive Director Joe Marks.

Justin Epley can be reached at jepley@morganton.com or 828-432-8943.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.14

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

The people of Turkey demand reinstating the death penalty, countrys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Sabah newspaper reported Sept. 14.

Erdogan said that if the Turkish parliament decides to restore the death penalty, no one has the right to criticize this, since decisions of the parliament reflect the will of people.

Earlier, Turkeys Minister for the EU Affairs Omer Celik said that reinstating the death penalty in Turkey wasnt put up for consideration by the countrys parliament.

Turkey cancelled the death penalty in 2001. Reinstating the death penalty was discussed after 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: @rhafizoglu
The Western Piedmont Community College Trustees recently honored former board member Claude S. Sitton by naming him a Trustee Emeritus of Western Piedmont Community College. Sitton served as a trustee from 1977 to 2015 and as chair of the board in 1988, 2010, and 2011.

In addition to his service as a trustee, Sitton has had a career of public service of over 60 years where he has served as an attorney and superior court judge. He has received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, was named the Rotary Club Morganton Man of the Year in 2010, and has worked to preserve local history through the History Museum of Burke County and preservation of the Sam J. Ervin, Jr. Memorial Home.
MARION  McDowell County officials will take another look at the rules for development on Lake James and see if they should be replaced with tougher rules to protect the lake and its surrounding land.

The issue about development on Lake James was the primary focus of Mondays meeting of the McDowell County Commissioners. Last month, the countys Planning Board gave its unanimous approval for the first phase of a controversial housing development called The Peninsula at Lake James.

This subdivision will be located on the northwestern part of the lake, past Bear Creek Marina and right off Lake James Road. The proposed development will cover 223 acres with 150 lots for both phases. Phase one will have 62 lots, according to County Manager Ashley Wooten.

Opponents say this development will make the lake and its shoreline more crowded and would harm the quality of Lake James. During the meeting, the commissioners agreed to have the Planning Board take another look at the rules concerning development on the lake, which were adopted in 2003, and see if any changes should be made.

Its totally appropriate to go back and examine what we have got right now, said Commissioner Randy Hollifield.

Commission Chairman David Walker and Commissioner Tony Brown did not attend Mondays meeting. Vice Chairman Barry McPeters presided instead.

The countys Planning Board has reviewed the development several times before, first when it was called Grey Ridge and later when it became the Peninsula at Lake James. The Planning Board reviewed a preliminary plan in March. In May, the preliminary master plan was formally submitted to the Planning Board. A representative for the company behind the project explained the development would occur in two phases and it would yield between 143 to 145 lots.

Last month, the Planning Board considered it again and approved the first phase. But opponents said this development would dramatically increase crowding along the lake and the roads, affect the water quality and harm the overall area around the lake. Specifically, they have asked that some rules adopted by Burke County should be applied here as well.

On Monday, they came to the county commissioners prepared with maps, charts and written statements about why developments like this could seriously harm the lake. Others submitted their comments to The McDowell News.

We believe the 220-plus acre parcel, known as The Peninsula at Lake James, if developed as proposed, could significantly harm the lake, George Johnson, president of the Lake James Environmental Association, said to the commissioners. There appear to be too many lake front lots on very steep slopes. As a result they may be too small to accommodate a home, primary and back-up septic fields and a well. Lots are also laid out without regard for natural creeks and streams that already drain the land. This flawed design was possible because the current lake protection ordinance is not strong enough to fully defend the lake.

The more forest that is turned into impervious surfaces, that dont absorb water  like roads, driveways, sidewalks and roofs  the more likely it is that surging stormwater will erode soil and flush silt and other contaminants into the lake, leaving behind ugly scars. This is why bigger lots, larger setbacks and slope restrictions were used in Old Wildlife, Black Forest and 1780, developments with comparable topography.

Like her husband, Suzy Johnson said the countys current rules need to be strengthened.

Our Lake Protection Ordinance needs updating, said Suzy Johnson. The easiest fix is to adopt Burkes Lake Overlay protections or at least adopt the protections recommended by Lake James Environmental Association, the Catawba Riverkeeper and other concerned citizens. These safeguards have already proven to be effective in Crescent Conservation developments in McDowell and Burke counties. Protections of the waters that feed the lake are also needed before developers begin to eye land around them.

Others also addressed commissioners about the environmental concerns.

Over a decade ago, McDowell County Commissioners were leaders in the fight for water rights related to the Inter Basin Transfer, Ann Costello said to the commissioners. Today, there is a new threat to the regions water and its coming from within in the form of inadequate ordinances that permit development on steep slopes, resulting in erosion, runoff, and pollution to McDowells future water source.

Costello produced a map showing that some of the waterfront lots are less than an acre. She questioned how a house, a well, a septic and a backup septic can be built on these lots. She also said the development was designed with little or no regard for the lay of the land.

I call on each of you in your role as county commissioner to have the vision and courage and leadership to correct this grossly deficient ordinance before Phase 2 is even considered, said Costello. It is time to rise again, as county leaders have done before, to see the future, protect our water, and lead the way.

Paul Braun, a long-time advocate for the lake, also spoke to the commissioners about the need for stricter rules.

The Foothills Conservancy submitted a statement to The McDowell News. McDowell County is blessed to have the natural and recreational asset of Lake James, reads the statement from Director Susie Hamrick-Jones. The lake attracts people who help the countys economy, both as property owners and tourists. Ordinances which protect the lakes water, while also allowing for careful and thoughtful development are proven to be a win-win solution. This was the case for Burke County when it revised its lake ordinances in 2004-06. Therefore, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina urges the McDowell County Commissioners to strengthen the current waterway ordinances.

The McDowell County Planning Board will hold its next meeting on Monday, Sept. 26.
A friend 15 years older than Hillary Clinton recently came down with a mild pneumonia that sounds just like hers. Five days later, he was on a ladder pruning trees. The doctor wanted more rest, but he's fine. And so will Clinton be.

I will dispense with the interminable chitchat of whether she should have revealed the pneumonia several days before. She had no obligation whatsoever to reveal a recoverable illness. On matters of disclosure, I'm much more interested in seeing Donald Trump's tax return than the health work-ups of either 68-year-old Clinton or 70-year-old Trump.

That's because we have a personage in the United States called vice president. Should the president become incapacitated, the VP would take over. In Clinton's case, the chief executive's duties would transfer to the estimable Tim Kaine, leaving the country in totally competent hands.

Were a President Trump to become incapacitated, the job would fall to Mike Pence, who would actually be an improvement. I frankly would not look forward to a Pence presidency, but we must prioritize our anxieties.

For one thing, Trump would no longer be able to turn American foreign policy into an instrument of self-enrichment. Suspicions of such plans are why we want to see his tax returns.

Many attribute Trump's reticence to fear that the public would learn that he's not the super-duper rich guy he purports to be. Another hunch is that the returns would show his business dealings with Russia, an American adversary.

The two would be related. Russian President Vladimir Putin turns vassals into multibillionaires by wielding the tools of corruption. As president, Trump could trade American foreign policy interests for unimaginable personal wealth. Signs of a budding beautiful friendship can be seen in Trump's vocal adoration of the Russian authoritarian, something Trump has done at risk of his political aspirations but not his bottom line.

How do we know that Trump already has considerable business dealings with Russia? His son said so. At a 2008 conference on real estate in New York, Donald Trump Jr. said: "Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross section of a lot of our assets. ... We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."

Trump made millions bringing the 2013 Miss Universe pageant to Russia, according to The Washington Post. It was partly financed by a Putin ally. After attending a post-pageant party, Trump bragged, "Almost all of the oligarchs were in the room."

Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, had managed an investment fund for a Russian aluminum tycoon.

Trump talks of weakening NATO, a bulwark against Russian aggression. He said he'd consider recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea and dropping sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Whether Trump wins or not, Putin has already gotten good value out of him.

The discussion of Clinton's health should remind us that the choice of vice president is important. The older the person, the greater the medical risk. When John McCain ran for president in 2008 at 72 with a history of cancer, his naming of a grossly unqualified Sarah Palin as running mate undoubtedly cost him votes  perhaps the election.

Of course, younger people are not immune to health crises. And our sad history tells us that an assassin can cut down a national leader at any age. John F. Kennedy was killed at 46.

The political ramifications of Clinton's bout with pneumonia will be hashed out ad nauseam. The more important consideration is who would serve as backup should any president be unable to perform her or his duties. On this count, Clinton, with Kaine at her side, is in terrific shape.

Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com. To find out more about Froma Harrop visit www.creators.com.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 14



By Orkhan Guluzade - Trend:



A military convoy in Turkey was damaged by an explosion of a remote-controlled, homemade mine, set up by members of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) terrorist group in Turkeys Van province, the Haber7 newspaper reported Sept.14.



No casualties have been reported.



The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has continued for over 33 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives.



The UN and the European Union list the PKK as a terrorist organization.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @o_quluzade
China arrested a serial killer thanks to modern forensic technology. (Photo : Getty Images)

Residents of China's Northwest province of Gansu can now sleep soundly after modern forensic technology led to the arrest of the man behind the rape and murder of 11 women from 1988 to 2002.



On Aug. 26, 52-year-old Gao Chengyong was arrested in a grocery store located at the city of Baiyin after determining evidence that he was indeed China's "Ripper"--the man behind 11 cases of rape and murder in a span of 14 years.



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In statements cited by the Global Times, the Ministry of Public Security and the Gansu public security department revealed how they confirmed that Gao was indeed the man behind the heinous crimes.



According to the report, the law enforcement authorities re-examined the suspect's DNA via latest forensic technology and determined that he was indeed involved in the crimes in Gansu and the neighboring Inner Mongolia.



Using a Y-chromosomal DNA test, forensic experts in China examined the DNA of a suspect surnamed Gao who had committed a minor crime and was detained at the time.



After that, the investigators probed the Gao family and was able to pinpoint Gao Chengyong, the detained man's nephew, to be the man behind the serial rape and murder.



According to Global Times, the Y-chromosomal DNA of the two matched after forensic experts conducted the Y-STR test that narrowed down the search.



"The chance of two men sharing the same male ancestor is 95 percent if four parts of their Y-STR information match. And if more than nine of their Y-STR match, this chance increases to 99.99 percent," the report stated.



According to Independent UK, authorities described the suspect to have "a sexual perversion and hates women" and is "reclusive and unsociable, but patient" who is aged between 33 and 40 years old.



After he was arrested, Gao's son was interviewed by Chinese media including the South China Morning Post and expressed his acceptance and confusion at what his father did.



According to the son, Gao experienced "bitter suffering" during his childhood, which may explain why he acted like he did.


Emma Wall: Hello, and welcome to Morningstar. I'm Emma Wall and I'm joined today by Richard Pease, Manager of the Crux European Special Situations Fund, to give his three stock picks.

Hi, Richard.

Richard Pease: Hello.

Wall: So, what's the first stock you'd like to highlight today?

Pease: Well, my first stock I actually recommended this time last year. It's a German company called Aurelius (AR4), which essentially is a quoted private equity business run by a very charismatic German called Dirk Markus who has got 24% of the company. So there's real alignment there which we like. I think because of that he doesn't charge performance fees. He gives big dividends. And what he does really is to buy distressed businesses, sometimes at very nominal amounts of money.

He turns them around very successfully. His average holding period is about three to four years and his average return over that period is around 10 times. So he has been phenomenally successful. But you're not really paying for that great success because it's pretty much fully asset-backed in terms of the underlying assets for the share valuation which we like and he gives you half the super profits in dividends and we think that this year, for example, if he does what we hope, we'll get a double-digit dividend yield as well. So that will be my first pick.

Wall: And what's the second stock today?

Pease: Second one, I'd probably go to Finland actually and choose Tieto (TTEB). Tieto is an IT service business with some software. A new guy came to run it back 2011 and has done a very good job. We bought it a few months ago. We bought it on a valuation of 15 times P/E and about 5% dividend yield and it's almost ungeared and actually next year we'll earn that cash and he is able to do good bolt-ons. It's got some structural growth behind it and it's really pretty much set regardless of what happens to America or elsewhere in Europe. So, it's very much Scandinavian which we feel is one of the better geographies.

Wall: And what's the third and final stock?

Pease: The third one would probably be  it's a funny little Dutch business called Van Lanschot (LANS) which was a bank. It's essentially become an asset manager. It's much more about fund management now. They've been closing out their corporate loan book and they are almost there. They've got just I think about 55 billion of assets under management. The market valuation is 700 million.

They are very overcapitalized as they've been closing out their corporate loan book and they have gone on record of saying they will give at least 250 million back to shareholders over the next four years which really means they are going to be yielding over 8% next year. And we like the fact that the management took advantage of a recent placing of a shareholder who had to sell or buying stock and so there is an alignment as well. New management who I think have got lots to prove and it's a very cheap valuation. So I would go for those three.

Wall: And three very different stocks, three very different special situations. I suppose that just goes to highlight the name special situations can be applied in very different way to different companies?

Pease: Yes. I think I put it more so crudely. I think anything which we believe is a good idea goes into the special situations, but it may not have an immediate trigger. And I'm not quite sure how you want to define special situations, it's just things which look too cheap and a good quality.

Wall: Richard, thank you very much.

Pease: Good. Thank you.

Wall: This is Emma Wall for Morningstar. Thank you for watching.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sit side by side during the G20 Summit. (Photo : Getty Images)

In May 2015, President Putin declared on national television that relations between China and Russia are at an "unprecedented level."



However, Chinese and Russian trade fell by 5 percent year-on-year. There has been a shortage of $28 billion in the first half of 2016.



The U.S. remains the largest trade partner of China, which amounts to $263 billion at the first half of the year.



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Gilbert Rozman, an expert on Asia at Princeton University, said, "Russia exaggerated the prospects for an alliance too soon."



Russia is trying to compensate for the loss of Western investments due to the Ukraine civil war. The former communist block wants to maximize Chinese trade.



Because of the Western sanction, Russian trade with the European Union fell from $377 billion to $235 billion last year.



Poor trade relations between Russia and the east is primarily caused by the weak Trans-Siberian Railroad, the only line between Russia and China.



Vasily Kashin, a China expert at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, said, "It's a strategic problem, something you can't fix in a hurry."



Russian leaders are aware that the progress of their economic partnership is progressing slowly.



Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said, "Our political relationship is ahead of our economic ties."



China has been showing close political support to President Putin. During the G20 Summit held recently, Russia is an obvious Chinese favorite.



Alexander Gabuev, a senior associate and chair of the Russia in the Asia-Pacific program said, "Chinese protocol will treat Putin well in terms of a spot for the group photo of G20 leaders, etc."



"With China being the host this year, efforts will be made to show that Putin is an active player and that he is not isolated," Gabuev added.


China and Ukraine Sign Deal to Build Biggest Airplane in the World

Ukraine's Antonov Company built the world biggest cargo airplane. (Photo : Getty Images)

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China and the Antonov Corporation signed a deal on Aug. 30 to build the world's biggest cargo aircraft called the An-225 Myria.



The plane is reported to weigh 640 tons, and carry six engines. It is 84 meters in length and a wingspan of over 88 meters. It can carry a payload of 250 tons which is around 300,000 pounds more than the U.S. military's Boeing-made C-17.



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The first Myria was built during the cold war and was put into storage after its collapse. In 2002, it was revitalized and has been rented out to NATO for transfer of turbines and gasoline used in the middle east conflict.



The second Myria was undergoing production and stopped in 2001. Now, China has agreed to finance the completion.



Target release is in 2019. Almost 70 percent of the plane is already finished.



Both companies agreed to produce the planes in Sichuan in volume by 2020. They agreed that there will be a technology transfer of the 23 ton thrust Progress D-18T turbofan engines.



China is a close ally of Russia but in spite of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, China has pursued a successful partnership with Antonov.



Boeing falls second to Antonov's production of the An-225. The 747-8F transport is the second biggest transport aircraft in the world with 138-ton payload capacity.



The Airbus A380 freighter outperforms the Boeing 747-8F in payload capacity and cargo volume. However, Airbus has not produced any units for cargo.



What comes closest Being's capacity is Lockheed's C-5M but this is only for military use and not for commercial cargo.



The release of the An-225 for commercial purposes will enable shipment of heavy and bulky cargo, ranging from construction equipment to consumer goods.


Maintaining independence and editorial freedom is essential to our mission of empowering investor success. We provide a platform for our authors to report on investments fairly, accurately, and from the investors point of view. We also respect individual opinionsthey represent the unvarnished thinking of our people and exacting analysis of our research processes. Our authors can publish views that we may or may not agree with, but they show their work, distinguish facts from opinions, and make sure their analysis is clear and in no way misleading or deceptive.

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Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process.
This is a chance for brokers to help shape housing policy.The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has launched an initiative to collect bold and innovative ideas from Canadians, which will allow them to help shape the nations housing strategy.Canadians know that housing matters. Its more than bricks and mortarHousing is the cornerstone of building sustainable, inclusive communities and a strong Canadian economy where we can all thrive. Yet, too many Canadians are unable to find or afford decent housing, Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said in a video at the launch of the campaign. Our government is already investing in housing to address the most pressing needs.But we also know that we need to do things differently in the future. For that purpose, were developing a national housing strategy to chart the course for better housing, socio-economic and environmental outcomes for all Canadians, including those living in Indigenous and Northern communities.The initiative, which has been dubbed Lets Talk Housing, encourages members of the private sector, non-profits, municipalities, and housing industry stakeholders to share their respective views on what is needed to help improve Canadas housing.Those interested in taking part can share their thoughts and submit ideas for consideration What are the major issues that should be addressed? Share them below.
Lower FICO Buyers Head For The Hills

The return of Americans to urban living, while well documented, may be a "head-fake" as far as the mortgage industry is concerned. Sam Khater, CoreLogic's Deputy Chief Economist says that inbound migration is happening, but not precisely in the way many think. This return to the cities has been driven by educated and affluent households, he says, which is leading to a concentration of wealth in cities and inner suburbs and that is driving home prices higher.

CoreLogic looked at the 20 largest MSA's, dividing the suburban areas in each into three equally weighted rings based on the percent of residential properties. This allowed an analysis where rings could be "fluid and expansive" in sprawling areas like Houston but small and compact in smaller, denser markets.

During the last two decades of the 20th Century middle ring suburban home prices were between 10 and 20 percent lower than those in the city itself and in its inner suburb ring. However, since the early 2000s, when the urban rebound first started, prices in the inner suburb have soared compared to what was happening in the middle ones.

Consequently, there has been a countervailing trend for purchase mortgage applicants, especially lower credit borrowers, to seek affordability further out into the suburbs. During the housing boom in the mid-2000s, 38 percent of low credit purchase mortgage borrowers applied for loans in the outer suburbs. This shift continued even into the recession and by the fall of 2008 the percentage of lower credit borrowers in the outer suburbs reached 44 percent.

In mid-2010 that percentage declined and Khater attributes that to the temporary first-time homebuyer tax credit which allowed some borrowers to move closer in than they otherwise could. After that tax credit expired, the shift to the outer suburbs resumed.

By the middle of this year the percentage of lower credit purchase applicants applying in the outer suburbs was up to 48 percent, the highest since CoreLogic started tracking the phenomenon. Higher credit borrowers are also increasingly applying in those outlying areas, but the gain in that cohort is less than half that of lower credit borrowers and "there is a clear sorting of lower credit and income borrowers to the outer suburbs."

Khater, who was writing in the company's Insights blog, says this "increased sorting has economic and policy implications for spatial risk and increased concentration of lower credit borrowers in America's outer suburbs."
Hello!

Todays schedule had me down for 5 filmsand though I got into the fifth, I just wasnt loving it enough to stick around (thus I wont review it). Instead, Ill go over the four films I screened in their entirety.

THEIR FINEST was my first screening at 9:30am, and it was packed in one of Scotiabanks biggest venues. Lone Scherfig (AN EDUCATION) delivers a very solid film about the film industry in England during WWII. The story centers around a female writer who is initially hired to help write and flesh out the female voices just as the industry is also realizing that they need to make a picture that boosts morale on the homefront. Bill Nighy, who plays an egotistical old pro actor, is a scene-stealerand the film will be an crowd-pleaser. Full of nostalgic winks and nods as well as colorful characters, this is an acquisition title, and I believe it will get picked up. Theres no trailer yet for THEIR FINESTso a photo will have to do at this point.

MAUDIE, a biopic about Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis, was next on my list. With an outstanding performance by Sally Hawkins which is touching, physically demanding and full of hysterical funny moments that make Maud all the more endearing, the film is about Lewiss relationship with her husband (played by Ethan Hawke) and her rise to fame in the art world. Challenged by childhood rheumatoid arthritis, everything from daily chores to even holding a brush look painful for Maud  but we fall in love with her desire to paint on just about any stationary object. Directed by Aisling Walsh (shes done a lot of television work including FINGERSMITH with Hawkins), this is a slower character piece  but I think it could easily find an audience with Neon patrons. Theres no trailer for this film yet, but heres a clip.

Once in a while at TIFF, I let myself see a big, splashy Hollywood movie. One that clearly wont be coming to THE NEON, but one thats receiving some critical buzz. A couple years ago, it was GRAVITYthis year, it was another sci-fi film  ARRIVAL, directed by Denis Villeneuve. Though I can rattle off a handful of sci-fi films that I greatly admire, this isnt a genre that usually attracts my attention, and this alien film intrigued me because it wasnt going to be full of explosions and battle scenes. Amy Adams plays a linguist who is hired by the government to attempt communicating with aliens who have landed 12 ships around the world. Theres some really lovely work happening in this film  from the central performance to terrific special effects. But theres also some clunky ideas (especially in the third act) that keep me from embracing the film. I realize that many, many people will love this onebut its not for me.

My last full film of the day was THE SALESMAN, directed by Asghar Farhadi (A SEPARATION and THE PAST). The film opens with people needing to evacuate their building as it is beginning to crack and may soon crash. We follow a young theatrical couple (who are mounting a production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN) as they are displaced and soon find a new apartment that was formerly inhabited by a prostitute (though they dont know that immediately). An incident in the new place leaves the couple forever changed, and the film then becomes a subtle thriller. With narrative elements and themes that I greatly admire, this film is well-done and solid  though not quite up to par with his previous two films due to a somewhat strained final act. There is no trailer yet for this film, but heres a clip:

I wrapped up the night by attending a low-key party for lgbt industry folks. I was glad to meet a few new people, and Im crawling into bed before 2:00so glad tomorrow is the last day I have to get up before 7:00.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan
Jack Ma is Alibaba's chief executive. (Photo : Getty Images)

As the Chinese wine industry expands, the first online wine festival is encouraged by major Chinese companies. One of them is Alibaba.



Alibaba's Tmall offers 100,000 wines and spirits. The company is expecting 100 million of over 400 million-plus active buyers to participate in the event.



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Jiu Shui, or alcohol festival, was held last September 9, an auspicious day according to Chinese numerology. The event will be held annually.



An Australian wine expert said that even the wine market in Australia grew mainly because of exports to China, according to James Halliday, a wine expert.



Wine exports grew by 14 percent. This is the highest peak of exports since 2009.



"In the 12 months to June 30, Australian wine exports to China increased in value by 50 percent [to $419 million]. Over the same period of time the US increased by 9 per cent," he said.



He added, "China is starting to make some good-quality wine right up north, with a lot of Australian and French input ... but it is still, and is likely to be a slow-growing industry."



He explained that France is still the biggest wine exporter to China and Australia is the second.



"France has 40 per cent of the market coming in [to China]. Australia is in second place with 20 percent of all of the wine coming in," he said.



Jack Ma made an announcement during the Vinntaly show in Verona after meeting Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi.



Castle Li, General Manger of the imported wine business department of the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation said, "This year we offered wines to clients through JD.com and other online platforms. Selling online gives us useful data about which wines are more welcome in China, so we purchase accordingly."



COFCO is the biggest domestic manufacturer of Chinese wine.


Every savvy loan officer and branch manager knows the importance of an effective marketing strategy. It can make the difference between a great year or a mediocre one. We asked Kristi Howard, marketing manager for Assurance Financial in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to share her top marketing tips for the latter half of 2016.



Know your objective

Before you make any marketing move you have to decide what your objectives are. If you want to augment customer outreach or improve customer retention, an email marketing strategy could be one of your best options. If youre looking to target a certain demographic, your media presence  including social media  can help you achieve that.



Other goals might be creating more awareness and recognition of both the company and of the individual loan officer, closing more loans, converting prospects to applicants and maintaining contact with both prospects and applicants, Howard said. There are a variety of reasons to advertise and market yourself. We recommend weighing and considering all of them, then focusing on the most important ones.



Get to know your clients

Howard advises all loan originators to spend the time to update and maintain their own databases. There is so much more that you can do by maintaining your own database and having information other than the closing date, the borrowers anniversary or their birthdate, she says. Rather than simply sending the typical messages to customers such as Happy Holidays or Buying season is starting, there are other reasons loan officers can reach out to their contacts, according to Howard. She says that, today, consumers arent looking for loan officers to just sell to them; they want you to build a relationship with them.



Investing in modern technology is a vital cog in any successful marketing plan. Some of the most important technology investments are:



Customer Relationship Management (CRM) When Assurance Financial was looking to implement a CRM tool, the company targeted a system that would meet their specific needs in the mortgage industry. The CRM already had a huge library of different tools  like emails and direct mail campaigns  that spoke the right language, Howard says. Using a mortgage-specific CRM tool rather than using generic software and converting the messages to the mortgage business reduces time and costs, and increases efficiency.



Mobile Apps No loan originator should be ignoring the rise of apps and how they could help boost their profile. We have a mobile app that allows borrowers and Realtors to calculate mortgage financing scenarios, Howard says. Having something like that at their fingertips is really handy for our clients. They like the convenience.



Social media Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are fundamental marketing tools in 2016. And, they allow you to do so much more than just talk to your followers about mortgage products. It goes beyond simply letting borrowers know what kind of loans we provide, Howard says. We want potential clients to interact with us. We want to show that we are just like them, that we are family people and live in the same community and care about the same things that they care about.



Assurance posts photos of borrowers at their closings on social media, with the companys branding in the photo, Howard says. It is subtle, but it shows that we are excited for them during this big moment in their life. Their concerns are our concerns.


War abroad and carnage at home since 9/11 have taught Americans much about saving lives after violent tragedies. Whether they were hurt in mass shootings or gruesome car accidents, it's not uncommon for victims to bleed to death on the scene because trained assistance didn't arrive in time to help them.

But one of the most powerful initiatives in trauma care in the past 15 years might make a difference.

Across the country, a public safety campaign is underway to teach both first responders, such as police officers, and average citizens how to stop trauma victims from bleeding to death. United under the banner of a White House-led public safety campaign called "Stop the Bleed," federal agencies, major health care and law enforcement trade associations, local governments and some companies are backing the effort.

The national push for broader training is "a direct descendant of the 9/11 experience," said Oscar Guillamondegui, medical director of the trauma intensive care unit at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Better medical supplies and devices -- perfected under combat conditions by the military since 2001 -- combined with a first-aid technique once done only in hospitals are playing leading roles in helping grievously wounded people when time matters most.

Here are three 21st-century advances that are making U.S. trauma care better:

Training

Groups such as the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians and the American College of Surgeons make instructional materials available for free online so qualified instructors can train police officers and the public in bleeding control. Trauma departments across the country are offering similar programs.

In Boston, trauma surgeons are instructing teachers at schools run by the Archdiocese of Boston on how to stop bleeding. Cities also are teaching police officers how to apply tourniquets and arming them with bleeding-control kits -- more than 36,000 officers from Phoenix to Philadelphia had taken such training by 2014, according to the American College of Surgeons.

In Denver, at least six citizens and five police officers have been saved over the past five years because officers at the scene were trained in bleeding control, said Dr. Peter Pons, an emergency physician who created that city's program. He is also professor emeritus at the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado.

Tourniquets

Tourniquets were rarely used in civilian accident scenes even 10 years ago because it was assumed that applying one would lead to amputation of the injured arm or leg.

When a tourniquet did need to be applied, paramedics and emergency medical technicians often created their own, using triangular fabric bandages and other materials carried in their vehicles.

While tourniquets could not have helped the many 9/11 victims who died when hijacked airplanes crashed into the twin towers and the Pentagon, their usefulness has been proven in other circumstances.

Today, commercially designed tourniquets, called combat tourniquets, can be found in nearly every ambulance and emergency response unit in the country, and that's due in part to years of successful military use in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"At the start of the war, (tourniquets) had a bad name; by the end of the war, it was recognized as absolutely lifesaving," said Dr. John Holcomb, a trauma surgeon at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Houston police alone were issued 10,000 tourniquets in 2014.

Holcomb is a member of the Hartford Consensus, a joint committee drawn from the medical community and government that recommends ways to improve survivability from intentional mass casualties and active shootings. The Hartford Consensus has recommended that all first responders carry tourniquets since its formation in 2013 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, the previous year.

Each state sets its own standards for what ambulances must carry, but EMS Resource Advisors' Scott Moore, a consultant to the American Ambulance Association, said nearly every ambulance service in the country has trained employees in applying combat tourniquets.

Wound-packing

When a tourniquet can't be applied to stanch profuse bleeding -- such as gunshot wounds in shoulders or chests -- another technique comes into play. It's called wound-packing -- literally, stuffing a wound with gauze and applying pressure to keep blood in the victim's body. Traditionally, only physicians were taught this technique, according to Denvers Pons.

Now, ambulance personnel all over the U.S. are using wound-packing, aided by special gauze treated with chemicals that make blood clot faster. These "hemostatic dressings," with names like QuikClot Combat Gauze, were developed and originally used by the military.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency
China Likely to Surpass US as Top Acquirer of Foreign Companies in 2016

Finnish game company Supercell Co-founder and CEO Ilkka Paananen and Martin Lau, President of Tencent, shake hands after Tencent announced it had agreed to buy Supercell Oy from Softbank. (Photo : Getty Images)

China is likely to beat the United States as top acquirer of foreign companies this year, if Chinese enterprises continue with its buying spree and outbound merger and acquisitions (M&A) overseas, according to a Forbes article.



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Chinese firms have been investing money not only on trans-continental highways and railways, new cities, industrial and economic zone but also in mergers and acquisitions with major American and European companies at a record pace, according to the article.



By the end of August, China had already exceeded its yearly record for outbound M&A investment, with 173 deals worth $128.7 billion, a recent report by Mergermarket Group said.



"China has seen continuous annual growth in both outbound deal size and deal volume in the recent ten years," Yiqing Wang, Mergermarket's China editor said. "However, 2015 and 2016 have witnessed an even more aggressive growth spree."



The acquisitions made by Chinese companies reflect the country's current shift from export-driven manufacturing towards high-end, high-tech R&D and domestic consumption, as companies become more interested in foreign companies involved in technology, chemical, industrial and consumer services instead of the usual resource and energy sectors.



Aside from the high number of acquisitions, Chinese firms were also involved in a huge number of takeovers of Western companies. ChemChina made the largest overseas acquisition when it acquired the Swiss pesticide and seed company Syngenta AG for $43 billion.



Tencent acquired Supercell, the Finnish mobile game developer, for $8.6 billion, while U.S. aluminum producer Aleris was bought by Zhongwang International for $2.3 billion. Ingram Micro Inc was purchased by HNA Group for $6.3 billion while Haier Group paid General Electric with $5.4 billion for its home appliance division. Chinese investors are also interested in acquiring the Chicago Stock Exchange.



This year, Chinese M&A investment focused on Europe, with $76.5 billion set aside for the acquisition of European firms. As of June, Chinese companies have acquired 24 German companies or about one per week.



Wang said that the buying up of foreign companies by Chinese companies was aimed at gaining more development skills and not to bail out of China.



"We found that majority of the deep pocket Chinese acquirers aim to obtain high-end, world-class technology to take back home to add on to their current product development skills," Wang added.



The move was also part of China's "Made in China 2025" initiative, which seeks to promote and improve the country's manufacturing capabilities, drive innovation, and establish ownership of key technologies. It also complies with the government's "Going Out policy," which aims to encourage local companies to make investments abroad, make use of their foreign reserves, set up consumer bases, as well as expand the country's international political and economic influence, which can be done through M&A.



As China's domestic economy levels off and the government provides more support for outbound investment, it is time for Chinese companies to venture overseas and continue with more acquisitions.



"After all," Wang concluded, "it's just the beginning of their globalization spree."


Texas rate of uninsured people fell to 17.1 percent in 2015 as part of a steady decline in the share of uninsured residents following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, according to new Census estimates released Tuesday.

The states rate of uninsured fell 2 percentage points from 2014 to 2015, but Texas still has the highest percentage of people without health insurance in the country. Texas is also home to the largest number of uninsured people in the country with about 4.6 million uninsured residents.
It didnt take long for the Interim Superintendent Rod Schroder to announce his intention for a school district eyeing academic reform.

In fact, it took a few minutes into his first board of trustees meeting Tuesday at the Administration Building.

Moments after a Destination Imagination team from Carver Center was recognized and more than $50,000 in check presentations from SM Energy took place, Schroder reminded trustees, school district officials and the community of the academic reality in Midland. The data shows that Midland isnt meeting the state standards on four different indexes measuring performance. In fact, MISD trailed well behind peer groups.

We need to respond, Schroder said. That is what we are planning to do.

Midland ISD board members approved Schroder -- the former superintendent at Amarillo ISD -- to be the interim replacement to Ryder Warren because of his record up north, leading a district with a similar number of free lunch students, and making reform a reality.

Within minutes of his report, he told trustees of the improvement needed regarding test performance, academic growth of students, the districts ability to close performance gaps and post-secondary readiness.

He reported on data having to do with completion rates that concerned him. African-Americans, Hispanics and economically disadvantaged students were described as being below or way off trends.

We have to do something, he said.

He reported that percentages of elementary school students reading and completing math work at proper grade levels were in the 40 percent and 50 percent ranges.

We want to be at 80 (percent), he said.

And then after the straight talk, he offered praise for teaching and learning officials for taking initial steps to respond to the data. The professional learning environments he had success with in Amarillo were put into place in some Midland schools last year. It wont be until next year that implementation will have taken place at all schools.

Schroder then offered two things for board members that are likely to serve as the inspiration and a blueprint for academic reform.

The first is a mission statement for the district, its supporters, its teachers and the community -- All students will graduate prepared and ready for college and career.

Schroder then offered three areas of focus:

-- Growth mindset

Intelligence can be improved systemwide and deep.

-- No excuses

MISD officials will not shift responsibility to anyone. Strong teachers will say it is their job to get it done.

-- Campuses must have instructional processes and use them with fidelity in order to create processes.

Sobering at best is how board member Jay Isaacs described the presentation, which ended with a statement of optimism.

Midland can be a turnaround district in the state and people will notice that, Schroder said.

A confirmation of our performance is how board President Rick Davis described Schroders comments.

A little later in the meeting Elise Kail outlined the District Improvement Plan and MISD Expectations for the upcoming year and described the influence Schroder had on those documents.

What I was more interested in is the plan of action to move us forward and address us to move in all those areas, Davis said. When we interviewed him we learned about his growth mindset point of view and the philosophy hoped to utilize in this district, and we were very much receptive to that.

We thought that was an excellent idea, he said. The no-excuses philosophy is another thing we were glad to hear during the interview and look forward to him implementing that during his time as superintendent.

All three of those (areas of focus) can be implemented now, instituted now and we hope to see improvement as a result of the institution of all three of those things. We also hope it will lay a good foundation for his successor, Davis said.

MISD rated superior

Chief Financial Officer David Garcia, reported that Midland ISD was rated as a superior district, according to FIRST (the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas). Garcia said MISD scored a 98. The score is based on policies and procedures that taken place in the district, Garcia said.

Isaacs made it a point to say this should send a message to those commenting online about the districts fiscal conservatism. Board member Karen Nicholson added that it shows a fiscal responsibility that takes place.

District 2s newest representative

The MISD board accepted the resignation of Angel Hernandez as the representative of District 2, and voted to appoint Robert Marquez as the districts new seat holder. Hernandez was the only District 2 resident to file for a place on the November ballot.
Audi shows a prototype of its connected mobility vehicle, with an electrically powered longboard and scooter hybrid, outside the company's headquarters in Beijing. (Photo : Getty Images)

Audi, the German luxury carmaker owned by Volkswagen, is planning to collaborate with China's three biggest tech firms to increase its reputation in creating connected cars as the company signed agreements with Tencent, Alibaba and Baidu at its annual summit in Shanghai on Sunday, Sept. 11.



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The Financial Times said that the company will work closely with the three Chinese firms on data analysis, Internet-vehicle platform building, and urban intelligent transport.



The move is part of the company's effort to keep up with the trend where traditional carmakers link up with software specialists as new startups join the sector involved with self-driving vehicles and so-called "Internet of Things" connectivity.



Its rival BMW has announced a partnership in July with Mobileye, an Israeli sensor maker, to produce autonomous cars over the next decade.



In the global luxury car market, Audi has been left behind by BMW and Mercedes, but in China, it has been the leading car brand, in terms of sales, since 1988, when Audi set up a joint venture with Chinese First Automobile Works.



Audi has sold about 336,580 cars in the country, from January to July this year, which account for one in three of the brand's global sales.



In comparison with rivals, Audi sales have increased by only 6.5 percent while BMW deliveries rose by 8.5 percent and Mercedes sales posted 32 percent increase, to 287,753 and 257,276, respectively.



Analysts said that investing in Internet-connected technology can help maintain the lead. According to Arndt Ellinghorst, at Evercore ISI, car buyers in China "appear to be even more connected than people in the western world." Partly, the reason for this is that the average buyer in China is 36 years old, 10 years younger than in the U.S. and 20 years younger than in Germany.



To develop the technology, Audi opened a research and development centre in Beijing in 2013, with the aim to sell in China first, before they export globally.



"The Chinese are early adopters. If you're not here with the latest stuff, then you can't win," Martin Kuhl, an Audi spokesman in Shanghai, said.



Kuhl said that the company has been successful in their efforts and then they deployed it in some places. Engineers in Germany now use the touchscreen technology developed in Beijing.



Audi has been working with Alibaba for almost a decade and the two companies have been working on 3D maps, with high-resolution images and real-life photos of buildings, as well traffic data technology this year.



"This kind of map material is not even available outside of China," Kuhl said. "Alibaba has done a really great job and we've been the first to use this data, to use these maps."



Kuhl said that Audi uses the interface to link with a different data feed or with services from Google or HERE, the navigation software jointly purchased last year by Audi with BMW and Daimler for 2.8 billion euros.



Meanwhile, Audi has started its relationship with Baidu two years ago. Audi plans to introduce Baidu CarLife, into its cars to compete with Apple's CarPlay. The app includes Baidu's free navigation software with support for third-party apps.



"Of course we also offer Apple CarPlay in China but there are more Chinese using the local services," Kuhl said.



Audi has also started collaborating with Tencent earlier this year. The company is now working to integrate WeChat MyCar services for location and music sharing.


Alibaba chairman Jack Ma delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 13th China-ASEAN Expo & China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit on Sept. 11 in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo : Getty Images)

Alibaba founder and executive chairman, Jack Ma, has accepted Indonesia's offer as e-commerce adviser to the Indonesian government, the Wall Street Journal reported.



Jack Ma met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his delegation when they visited Alibaba's headquarters during the G20 summit in Hangzhou last week, the report said.



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According to the report, Communication and Information Technology Minister Rudiantara asked the Chinese tycoon to be an adviser to a government committee tasked to develop the country's emerging e-commerce sector.



"We really need advisers for the steering committee," Rudiantara told reporters on Friday, Sept. 9. "These advisers should be international figures who have the proven qualities and capabilities like Jack Ma."



The minister said that Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution will lead the committee, which consists of 10 ministers and agency heads. The committee hopes to connect eight million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia online by 2020.



Alibaba confirmed acceptance of Ma's new role.



"Communication with the government is already under way to see how we can help advance the development of e-commerce to empower SMEs in Indonesia," Alibaba said in a statement.



Indonesia is taking similar steps taken by other Southeast Asian countries, especially Malaysia, which set up its International Advisory Panel in 1997, to guide the country on how to build its information technology industry.



Analysts however, said that there may be a conflict of interest with Ma's appointment to a quasigovernmental position as Alibaba is aiming to expand its business in Southeast Asia. The Chinese company has acquired a major stake in Singapore-based e-commerce giant Lazada Group for $1 billion, with access to more than 600 million potential customers.



But an Alibaba spokesman said that Ma aims to help e-commerce in Indonesia to grow and that "actions speak louder than words."



Sudev Bangah, Indonesia country manager for research firm IDC, said that the committee, like Malaysia's advisory panel, must be consist of industry analysts, consultants, vendors and government representatives to maintain its fairness.



"We need to make sure conflicts of interest won't happen by including local advisers and industry groups" in the panel, Aulia Marinto, chairman of the Indonesian e-commerce association, said.



Local e-commerce players and some investors commended the government's move as they know Ma's accomplishments in turning Alibaba from a small company into a multibillion-dollar global firm.



"Through his vast experience and wisdom, his advice to build a great e-commerce ecosystem in Indonesia will be invaluable," Shinta Dhanuwardoyo, an Indonesian angel investor, said.


Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits China. (Photo : Getty Images)

China and Vietnam are working to better handle their differences, particularly in dealing with maritime disputes in the South China Sea.



In a meeting with visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang confirmed the pledge between the nations through peaceful negotiations and strengthened political trust.



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According to China Daily, Phuc is staying in Beijing for six days with "an unprecedentedly large delegation" to China which is composed of a total of 132 people.



"China is willing to strengthen strategic communications and high-level exchanges as well as expand people-to-people exchanges with Vietnam," Li stated.



He also expressed China's hopes to collaborate with Vietnam in terms of advance cooperation at sea, development strategies, on land and in finance as well as improving practical cooperation in other fields.



Meanwhile, Vietnam's Prime Minister is hoping to develop diplomatic ties with the Middle Kingdom "under the spirit of equality and respect," per CCTV News.



"This visit is significant to bilateral ties. The two leaders agreed to move their comprehensive strategic partnership into a new phase, and hold high-level exchanges between leaders more frequently," added Chinese vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin.



Prior to meeting with Li, Phuc had also convened with Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang in the hopes of improving ties between Beijing and Hanoi.



Zhang, who serves as Chairman for the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) explained that the Vietnamese's visit was the fruit of a fresh start initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.



As a sign of this, the leaders of the two countries signed nine agreements since Monday which involved enhanced cooperation in the fields of education, infrastructure, cross-border trade, production capacity, and climate change.



Previously, the two nations also joined the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) China Leaders' Meeting held in Vientiane, Laos.


We have been cursed with leaders ...
The substitute aims to stem the overharvesting of the caterpillar fungus and endangered species found only in select areas of the Tibetan plateau. (Photo : Getty Images)

Chinese scientists are now capable of manufacturing a substitute for wild caterpillar fungus, a endangered Tibetan herb known for having cancer-fighting properties.



The science department of northwest China's Qinghai Province announced on Friday that after 11 years of research, its scientists have successfully extracted and cultivated caterpillar fungus to produce an artificial substitute.



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"The research was sponsored by the provincial government, as it wanted to stop depletion of the wild herb," Zhang Chaoyuan, deputy director of the Qinghai science department, was quoted by the Global Times as saying.



A single stalk of the fungus, also known in China as "winter worm" and "summer grass", costs the same price as gold, the Global Times said in its report on Saturday. The wild herb has been a key source of income for ethnic Tibetans living in the region.



Found only on the Tibet Plateau, the caterpillar fungus is reported to be effective against cancer cells and boosts the immune system.



However, extensive harvesting of the fungus, which has a long growing cycle, has led to serious damage to the fragile ecology of the plateau.



Zhang said scientists collected the wild fungus from the Tibetan prefecture of Yushu, which is 4,800 meters above sea level, and used it to produce an artificial substitute that shares the herb's medicinal properties.



The substitute product has a 97-percent DNA similarity with the wild herb, according to the research firm Qinghai Everest Cordyceps Pharmaceutical.



According to Zhang, the government provided financial and technical support to the project, which is projected to have an annual output of 200 tons of fermented caterpillar fungus and byproducts.



The processed health product earned 135 million yuan ($20 million) in revenue during a trial production, according to the Xinhua News Agency.


Fake Divorces on the Rise in Shanghai, Allow Couples to Save on Taxes

Many married couples are opting to have a fake divorce to cut on tax. (Photo : Getty Images)

There are a growing number of married couples who are filing for divorce in Shanghai. Most of these couples are happily married but are filing for divorce for convenience.



These couples are filing for a "fake" divorce because they are determined to save money upon purchasing of a new home.



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Rumors are spreading that effective Sept. 1, couples who divorced would still be recognized for a whole year as married under home purchase policies. When a married couple purchases a home, taxes and down payments are higher.



Even data from Didi Chuxing showed that the amount of trips to divorce registration offices have tripled from Aug. 29 to 30.



Tang and his wife filed for divorce. When he and his wife got married, they bought an apartment but now they are looking into buying a new one.



"My wife doesn't have an apartment under her name. If we divorced and bought an apartment under her name, we will save more than 100,000 yuan ($15,000) in sales taxes," said Tang.



He added, "We just don't want to waste money. Why don't we spend that 100,000 yuan on something more meaningful, for example, a luxury trip to Europe for the family? Even though we are apart legally, we don't regard ourselves as divorced. We are still happy together."



Wang Yongyong is a 58-year-old woman from Shanghai who divorced her husband last year. They did this in order to save more than 20,000 yuan in taxes when they purchased an apartment for their son.



"When my husband and I were at the office, about five other couples besides us didn't look like those whose marriages were on the verge of splitting up," she said.



She explained that she was influenced by her friends on WeChat. She said, "At least three people in our WeChat group of 20, who used to be classmates in junior high school, got divorced to dodge the limits on home purchases."


China launches a website to crack down on mooncake bribery ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival. (Photo : Getty Images)

China's top discipline and anti-corruption committee is stepping up efforts in combating bribery during Chinese holidays by launching a website that would serve as a platform where citizens could report mooncake-related abuses.



On September 8, the Communist Party of China's (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) introduced a website that encourages the Chinese public to report possible cases of corruption ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Global Times reported.



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This year's Mid-Autumn Festival will be celebrated between September 15 and September 17 which will be followed by the National Day holiday from October 1 to October 7.



According to the outlet, the website welcomes reports from citizens regarding excessive spending by state officials that may include receiving or giving lavish gifts, holding banquets, and travelling using public funds.



The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese event which takes place on the eighth month and 15th day of China's lunar calendar, China Highlights explained.



This year, the festival is expected to showcase traditional activities such as enjoying a reunion dinner with the family, playing with and flying lanterns as well as worshiping the moon. It is during this time that China's famous food called the mooncake is most visible in the country.



Unfortunately, what was an innocent-looking pastry became one of the most abused gifts for corrupt government and private officials, thereby giving birth to mooncake bribery.



"What has taken a deep dive is the high-end mooncakes more typically associated with corruption," China Market Research Group managing editor Shaun Rein told Reuters in 2013.



Apparently, the mooncake gift giving tradition was tainted with malice and bad intentions which was revealed during the onset of Chinese President Xi Jinping's corruption crackdown.



"It is a tradition for Chinese people to hold banquets and give gifts on festivals, such as mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which has created opportunities for many officials to receive bribes," CPC Party School professor Zhang Xixian told the Global Times.


City police are investigating after reports of decapitated animal bodies in the area of the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

Dead animals found along access road

Resident tells police it's not the first time it's happened

Police report says it appears to be a religious ritual

We came upon beheaded large goats, ducks, chickens, roosters, and different kinds of birds, said animal rights activist Lisa Hayworth.

Next to the animals, Hayworth pointed out flowers, fruits, and even coins. Hayworth says it appears to be some type of animal sacrifice ritual.

The flowers and fruit along with the beheaded animals are similar to rituals in the Santeria faith.

Hayworth said she has seen the dead animals along the Courtney Campbell Causeway more than a dozen times. But this is the first time she has contacted police.

I just had enough, Hayworth said.

Animal sacrifices are not illegal. It is a protected religious practice in the United States. However, police say dumping the animals in a public place is what they are investigating. They are also not ruling out animal cruelty.

Just the smell and the disease of everything that comes with this, I cant imagine why its acceptable. Apparently its been going on for years, said Hayworth.

Victor Cavaleri said he was enjoying a day on the water with his wife along the causeway when he alerted police to beheaded goats in trash bags.

By the time the whole incident took over, we basically had to leave. It ruined our fun, Cavaleri said.

Hayworth said she is scared to think about what would have happened if she hadnt noticed the animals. A coastal cleanup is scheduled for this weekend along the causeway, where plenty of school aged students are expected to volunteer.

Police ask that anyone with information give them a call.
Parents of Robert Champion, the Florida A&M University band member who was killed during a hazing incident in 2011, were in an appeals court on Tuesday.

Dante Martin was sent to prison for the hazing death of Robert Champion

Martin's lawyer told appeal judges his client wasn't given a fair trial

Champion's parents are upset that Martin's lawyer called what happened a competition

Dante Martin was convicted in the death of Champion and sentenced to serve 77 months, or nearly three and a half years, in prison. The jury at that time convicted the former Florida A&M University band member. They found Martin guilty on all charges of felony hazing and manslaughter in the death of Champion, who was a drum major.

His lawyer, Rupak Shah, argued before the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach, his client was not given a fair trial because the state wanted crucial evidence thrown out, which showed the hazing ritual was part of a competition in which Champion participated.

According to Shah, that competition was to get from one end of the bus to another while beaten by band members was part of the ritual.

If jurors would have heard that evidence, the outcome would have been different, Shah said and he asked for another trial.

Champions parents said calling the beating death of their son a competition can have far reaching consequences.

When an attorney comes up and saying my sons death was a sport, it was a competition, he can be opening up the doors across this country to tell people, If you kill somebody, its a competition, said father Robert Champion.

Normally the Fifth District Court of Appeal judges do not make a ruling the same day. The ruling could come down several days after the judges hear the case.
NASA is planning a mission that could help prevent an "Armageddon"-style event with an asteroid hitting Earth.

NASA plans mission to asteroid coming toward Earth



Mission would send robotic spacecraft to deflect an asteroid



Project also would help advance manned Mars mission

RELATED: Upcoming Space Coast launch schedule



NASA and the White House announced plans Wednesday for the space agency's first "Asteroid Redirect Mission."

"This is a hazard, 65 million years ago, that the dinosaurs succumbed to. We have to be smarter than the dinosaurs," said John Holdren, the White House's science adviser.

In February 2013, a bright light came from the sky over Siberia in Russia  a meteor, a small asteroid entering Earth's atmosphere.

When this "small," 10-ton object impacted the ground at more than 30,000 mph, it hit with a power 30 times greater than an atomic bomb, shattering windows and injuring some 1,000 people in the area.

"We are going to get better, through this Asteroid Redirect Mission, at identifying dangerous asteroids, learning how to deflect them," Holdren said.



In the next decade, the space agency plans to launch a robotic mission to one of about 1,000 near-Earth asteroids.

The goal is for a solar electric probe to capture a large boulder off the surface of the asteroid, using a robotic arm.

"We will then use the gravitational mass of that multi-ton boulder and the spacecraft to alter the trajectory of the parent asteroid," NASA ARM Program Director Dr. Michele Gates said.

Then the spacecraft will redirect the boulder to a stable orbit around the Moon. Astronauts will then rendezvous with the robotic spacecraft inside an Orion crew capsule to take soil samples, then bring them back to Earth for study.

The astronauts will take off on a new heavy-lift rocket for the 25-day mission, which is expected to take place sometime in the 2020s. Right now, NASA is looking for the right asteroid to conduct the mission.



It's too early to say whether these missions will launch from the Space Coast.

The mission has another component: It helps in NASA's progression to a manned Mars mission, sometime in the 2030s.

"The ARM mission exploits, and will exploit, a whole variety of technologies that come together to advance our progress toward the moon," Holdren said. "One is human operations in stable orbit around the moon. Another is the combination of robotic capabilities that will pull a boulder from an asteroid and bring it into that orbit, and the human capabilities, the judgment, the on-the-spot decision-making that only humans can deliver."



Just last week, NASA launched a mission to an asteroid. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will find an asteroid and mine it for samples.
In a move designed to come back into compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on safeguarding municipal water supplies, the Plainview City Council on Tuesday approved on first reading new criminal penalties for violating existing rules.

Titled Sanitary Standards and Protection for Public Water Supplies, the new ordinance establishes a fine of up to $2,000 on a Class C misdemeanor for prohibited activities within a 50-foot and 150-foot buffer zones around the citys 15 water wells.

I want to clarify that we are not establishing any new rules, explained Councilmember Dr. Charles Starnes. We are simply trying the make the existing rules more enforceable by establishing a penalty for violating them.

Mayor Wendell Dunlap added that no one is currently in violation of the rules. We are doing this so we can remain in compliance with some regulations from Austin.

City Public Works Director Tim Crosswhite explained that since 2009, the city has been working to secure sanitary control easements with all property owners within 150 feet of the 15 city wells. Under those agreements, the affected property owners agree to abide by the restrictions imposed by TECQ designed to safeguard the public water supply.

However, TECQ after a June 2015 told the city it was out of compliance since it had not secured signed easements from 11 property owners adjacent to six wells.

Two of the property owners live out of state, the city hasnt been able to contact four, the others refused to sign the easements for various reasons.

The citys remaining options are to either establish criminal penalties for violating the rules, or begin testing water from each well monthly, at a cost of $30 per well.

The ordinance, which still needs a second reading, prohibits livestock and feedlots, sanitary or storm sewers and septic tanks and sewage treatment tanks within 50 feet of the city water wells.

Items prohibited within the 150-foot buffer zone are improperly constructed or abandoned water wells, underground petroleum or chemical storage tanks, landfill or dump sites, military and industrial facilities, wastewater treatment plant or sewage wet well, solid waste disposal sites and other potential hazards or contamination sources.

We recommend the adoption of this ordinance so that we can remain complaint with TECQ, Crosswhite said before the council voted unanimously for the measure.

Earlier in Tuesdays meeting, the council held public hearings on the proposed tax rate and budget for fiscal 2016-17. Neither drew public comment, and both will come up for votes on Sept. 22 and Sept. 27. City staff is recommending to keep the tax rate unchanged at $0.6288 per $100 valuation. The effective tax rate is $0.6009 primarily due to additional valuation from new construction and the wind distribution center. The rollback rate is $0.6703 with the council earlier setting a rate ceiling of $0.65 per $100.

City Manager Jeffery Snyder said the city hopes to use the additional revenues to add an information technology specialist to the staff and to reduce the budgeted general fund deficit from the current $190,000 to $96,000 for 2016-17.

The proposed 2016-17 budget calls for general fund expenditures of $13,459,370, up from the 2015-16 budget of $12,889,155. General fund revenues for 2016-17 are $13,362,975, up from $12,695,735 in 2015-16. It does not include a cost-of-living raise for city employees.

In other action, the council:

--Approved on second reading amending the Community Development Program No. 1 area to add the recently acquired 14 acres to the original 96.82 acres set aside for the Plainview Business Park.

--Accepted the low bid of $159,780 from Plainview Construction Service (Kevin Whisenant) for interior repairs at the Plainview Convention Center to repair damage caused after the fire sprinkler system froze and burst, flooding the facility. Almost all of the repairs are being covered by insurance proceeds.

--Approved a professional services agreement with KSA Engineers, Inc., to oversee the Travis Trussell Duck Pond Project. Cost is $59,000.

--Authorized an interlocal agreement with South Plains Association of Governments for that agency to administer the $1 million federal grant on the Plainview Business Park. The administration fee is $50,000, which is included in the grant.

--Authorized the mayor to sign the annual Texas Department of Transportations Routine Airport Maintenance Program grant.
AUSTIN -Texas Secretary of State Carlos H. Cascos is reminding qualified students that they have a variety of options to register to vote, including through their high school principal.

Texas law has a unique provision that requires high school principals, or their designees, to serve as a voter registrar, said Cascos. I encourage all high school principals to offer this opportunity before the Oct. 11 registration deadline for the November election.

Students may register if they are a U.S. citizen and have reached the age of 17 years and 10 months. To vote in an election, a Texan must be 18 years old by Election Day. In addition to students, high school principals or their designee may also register employees of their schools.

Secretary Cascos, who has made outreach to first-time voters a priority in his administration, stressed the importance of reaching out to students who may feel uncertain about the voting process.

By providing voting education and registration opportunities to young Texans now, we can help them create life-long voting habits to carry throughout adulthood, said Cascos.

Late last month, the Office of the Texas Secretary of State mailed information to high school principals and school district superintendents reminding me them of the obligation and providing instructions. Principals with questions about their obligation to serve as a registrar should call 1-800-252-VOTE or email elections@sos.texas.gov.

In addition to registering through their principal, qualified students may register through ways open to all Texans. This includes creating an application at VoteTexas.gov, which they will need to print, sign and mail. Texans may also find voter registration cards at many community locations such as public libraries and U.S. Post Offices.

If a Texan is not a high school principal and wishes to become a volunteer deputy registrar, they should contact their county elections office for additional details. In Texas, anyone can pass out voter registration cards, but only a registrar can collect the registrations.

For additional questions about registration and voting in Texas, visit VoteTexas.gov or call 1-800-252-VOTE.
Police arrested Mark Dewayne Hallcy, 43, of Plainview, about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in connection with a shooting earlier in the day at the Allsups convenience store, 801 N. Columbia St.

Before Hallcy was arrested, police thought he might be hiding near Coronado Middle School. As a result, the Plainview ISD delayed the start of classes at the campus for 6th, 7th and 8th graders for two hours, instructing parents to instead drop students off at Ash High School, 901 N. Ash St., with arrangements made to bus them to Coronado later in the day.

An all clear came from police at 8:15 a.m., not long after the normal start of school. However, the class schedule already was interrupted, with buses running from multiple campuses to shuttle students back to Coronado at 9:30 a.m.

According to a press release from Police Capt. Manuel Balderas Jr., officers responded to 801 N. Columbia St. at 12:44 a.m. after receiving a report of shots being fired.

Upon arrival officers found a 40-year-old Hispanic woman who received a single gunshot.

The injuries were not considered life-threatening, Balderas indicated, and she was reported in stable condition after being transported to Lubbocks University Medical Center.

Witnesses told officers that a gray to dark-colored vehicle left the scene following the shooting, which is being described as a domestic situation.

The related incident report classified the offense as aggravated assault with a weapon involving a family member and a firearm. The synopsis notes that the victim is the former spouse of Hallcy.

Police have not released the name of the victim. However, officers located the suspects gray car in the 900 block of West 26th Street, near a house where Hallcy is known to visit frequently or reside.

The Police SWAT Team deployed around the area about 6 a.m. Wednesday. Since the residence is a block away from the Coronado campus, the school was inside the police control zone.

During that deployment officers restricted both vehicle and foot traffic in the area for public and officer safety, school officials out of an abundance of caution decided to delay the start of classes until 10 a.m. To advise parents of the situation, the district utilized its automated phone notification system, suggesting that Coronado students either remain at home until 10 a.m., or be dropped off at Ash High School.

At 8:15 a.m., SWAT officers determined that Hallcy was not in the area and allowed normal traffic to resume. With the all-clear, Coronado Middle School started allowing parents to drop off students at the school. Automated telephone calls again went out to Coronado parents and others in the community with that update.

Buses ran from the other campuses to Coronado at 9:30 a.m. to deliver Coronado students who were dropped off at other schools.

According to Balderas, Hallcy is being held in Hale County jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Biggest Typhoon of 2016 Hits During Mid-Autumn Festival; No Full Moon to Be Seen

China has been affected by 14 typhoons since July. (Photo : Getty Images)

Typhoon Meranti is set to hit China during the mid-autumn festival on Thursday. This super typhoon is classified as the 14th and the strongest to hit China this year, according to Xu Yinglong, chief forecaster at the Central Meteorological Observatory.



The typhoon is expected to hit Jiangxi province on Friday. According to the forecaster, another typhoon is about to hit the country.



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Xu said, "Residents in China's vast eastern and southern provinces--Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu--as well as Shanghai, will see torrential rains and strong wind gusts from Wednesday. The storm is expected to last for the whole three-day holiday, Thursday to Saturday."



This is the fourth typhoon this year that reached Category 5. Meranti has caused 14-meter waves and sustained winds of 305 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 370 kilometers per hour.



Taiwan has ordered the closure of offices and schools as the typhoon crosses the island.



In mainland China, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters issued its second high-level warning and has deployed seven teams to oversee the rescue of affected citizens.



Hu Xiao, another observatory expert said, "Several tourist attractions in the affected regions, including Gulangyu Island and Wuyi Mountain in Fujian, may be engulfed by the wild storm during the holiday."



Tourists are warned to stay away from bodies of water that have good views of the moon especially the Qiantang River, according to Hu.



Meteorologists also predict that there will be a low chance for the moon's visibility during the holiday due to heavy storm clouds.



China has been affected by 14 typhoons since July. This is a 4 percent increase from the previous year.



Rapid climate change is blamed for increased frequency and intensity of typhoons that hit the Pacific region.


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Amazon.com is continuing its flirtation with brick-and-mortar retail by opening 21 pop-up electronics stores in U.S. malls and shopping centers ahead of the holiday shopping season, including one each in San Antonio and Arlington.

Shoppers at North Star Mall in San Antonio and The Parks Mall at Arlington will be able to peruse the online retailers devices  including the Echo, Fire TV, Fire tablets, Dash Button and Kindle  and ask employees about Amazons services such as its Prime subscription at the kiosk-like stores, according to a page on the companys website.

Those stores likely wont be Amazons last in Texas. According to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records, Amazon is planning additional pop-ups at Willowbrook Mall in Houston, The Woodlands Mall in The Woodlands and Baybrook Mall in Friendswood.

Amazon has also added pop-ups in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.

Spokespeople for Amazon did not return calls and emails requesting comment.

Whether Amazon will keep the pop-up stores open long term remains to be seen. The company has been experimenting with a physical retail presence, opening bookstores in Seattle and San Diego with plans for a third in Portland. Sandeep Mathrani  CEO of real estate investment trust General Growth Properties Inc., which owns North Star Mall  said Amazons goal is to open 300 to 400 bookstores during an earnings call in February, indicating that Amazon may be eyeing real estate in major retail centers. However, Amazon officials have not confirmed that goal publicly.

Amazon isnt the only online retailer looking for physical presence in U.S. malls, according to Mathrani. Apparel company Bonobos, makeup subscription service Birchbox and eyewear brand Warby Parker each want to add brick-and-mortar stores, the CEO said in February.

The Seattle-based company has been expanding its Texas presence in recent years. Amazons Prime Now service  which offers two-hour delivery for groceries, food and electronics among other items to members who pay a $99 annual fee  has expanded to San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas.

Amazon also operates seven distribution centers, including a San Marcos center that opened this summer and sites in Selma, Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The North Star Mall pop-up is located on the first floor near Macys. The Parks Mall store is situated near Forever 21.

jfechter@express-news.net

Twitter: @JFreports
UC Berkeley took the rare action Tuesday of suspending a course after civil rights groups and others complained that its purpose was to indoctrinate students into a single political viewpoint.

Palestine: A Settler Colonial Analysis, a one-credit class taught on Tuesday evenings by an undergraduate student, examines the history of Palestine from the 1880s to the present, through the lens of settler colonialism, according to its syllabus. Settler colonialism is generally described as the takeover of a region by outsiders.

The course has been suspended pending completion of the mandated review and approval process, according to a campus statement that expressed concern about a course that espoused a single political viewpoint and appeared to offer a forum for political organizing.

On Tuesday, 43 Jewish and civil rights groups complained in a letter to Chancellor Nicholas Dirks that the course is designed to encourage students to think about ways to decolonize  that is, eliminate  Israel, and that all the course readings ... have a blatantly anti-Israel bias. The letter says the course, its books and its speakers are so one-sided as to constitute political indoctrination in violation of the UC Board of Regents policy on course content.

The policy prohibits using courses as an instrument for the advance of partisan interest.

The groups questioned whether the vetting procedure for the nearly 200 student-taught courses at UC Berkeley ever checks for compliance with the regents policy.

Within hours of receiving the letter, Dirks office told the groups that the course did not receive a sufficient degree of scrutiny to ensure that the syllabus met Berkeleys academic standards.

The campus letter says the student teaching the course did not comply with policies and procedures that govern the normal academic review. A spokesman for Dirks said the student did not show his course proposal to the dean of the College of Letters and Sciences, Carla Hesse, as required.

The student teacher did not respond to requests for comment. Nor did his faculty adviser, Hatem Bazian, a lecturer in the ethnic studies department and founder of the group Students for Justice in Palestine, which urges campuses across the country to boycott and divest from Israel.

However, the ethnic studies department, which sponsored the course, did give the proposal to the Academic Senates Committee on Courses and Instruction, which evaluated and approved it, said Bob Powell, the Academic Senate chairman, who was not involved in evaluating the course.

It met the standards. It looked like a legitimate course, he said, adding that the committee understands it is bound by the regents policy on course content. Is there a box where you check it off? I dont think so. But everyone involved in course approval is aware of regents policies  including this one.

The Palestine course was among 194 student-taught classes this semester at Berkeley. Subjects run from serious subjects like cancer, sustainability and genetic disorders, to lighthearted topics: Pokemon, songwriting and UC Hogwarts: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Tammi Rossman-Benjamin, lead author of the letter to Dirks and director of the Amcha Initiative, which tries to identify anti-Semitism on college campuses, exulted in the suspension of the course.

This is a great day for students at Berkeley, she said in a statement. We applaud UC Berkeleys Chancellor Dirks and his staff for their swift and appropriate response regarding this course. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that all new courses at UC Berkeley are adequately reviewed for compliance with university policies prohibiting misuse of the classroom for political indoctrination.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
A Texas A&M University student was looking up to Bruce Springsteen last Friday  as he has his entire life  while he rocked the Citizens Bank stage in Philadelphia. But the teen's clever poster caught The Boss' attention and led to the Texan being invited into the spotlight for a duet.

Matthew Aucoin bought a ticket to Springsteen's Sept. 9 show in the Streets of Philadephia and, like most die-hard fans, showed up with a poster.
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Albany

Absentee ballots will determine the winner of the race to be the next City Court judge as Joshua Farrell leads James Long by 96 votes, according to unofficial results.

Farrell led Long by 2,921 to 2,825 votes with all 127 election districts reporting, Albany County Board of Elections returns showed.

About 534 of 600 absentee ballots were back to be counted, according to the Long campaign. It's an ironic twist for Long that the election goes to the absentee ballots  he's been an election law expert that Capital Region Democrats have turned to in past counts.

Farrell expressed confidence that he would maintain his lead.

"I know it's going to be successful. The strength of the campaign was the people," Farrell said.

Long described the race as very close and said he was struck that with his background in election law the race would be decided by the absentees.

"We had a robust absentee voter effort," Long said.

The seat is a 10-year post with an annual salary of $173,700.

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The attorneys ran for the vacancy opening in January with the retirement of Rachel Kretser.

Democrats initially were behind Long, 64, as the early choice of the party but Farrell, 41, became the candidate who wrested the party nod away in a weighted vote of the full Albany County Democratic Committee in May.

Long, an Albany native and party loyalist, has 37 years legal experience in election and labor law and defense. He was briefly the county public defender before seeking the judgeship.

Farrell, also an Albany native, is an assistant attorney general. His experience includes work as principal law clerk to now-retired state Supreme Court Justice Joseph Teresi, private practice and as an assistant public defender.

Farrell, backed by County Executive Daniel McCoy, is the nephew of state Supreme Court Justice Michael Lynch and Albany County Judge Peter Lynch and relative of Albany County Attorney Daniel Lynch. Farrell's wife, Ginnie, the mother of their three children, is a past Albany school board president.

In other races, Giles Wagoner, a retired airline pilot endorsed by the town Democratic Committee, defeated Roland Graves, a construction company owner, for Bethlehem council. With 29 of 30 precincts in, Wagoner had 1,072 votes to 592 for Graves.

The winner seeks the seat held by Doris Davis, appointed this year after William Reinhardt resigned after his election to the Albany County Legislature. Wagoner will oppose Republican Kate Pope in November.

Wagoner, 67, of Selkirk is also cattle farmer whose experience includes being a Selkirk Fire District commissioner and Bethlehem Conservation Easement Review Board member. His issues have included open space preservation to maintain the special character of the town while keeping it an affordable place to live and raise a family.

In the Scotia village trustee race, Thomas Gifford has a 3-2 lead over Gregg Zeman in the Conservative primary, and the two are tied with seven votes each in their Independence showdown  but both races showed 17 write-ins and it's as yet unknown who they are, so any victory declaration must wait.

In the Republican primary for a Princetown board vacancy, Benjamin Jacaruso was ahead of Thomas LaBelle, 62-51.

Laura TenEyck led Alexandra Moreau in the Conservative primary for New Scotland council with a 29-21 vote with all eight precincts reporting.

kcrowe@timesunion.com  518-454-5084  @KennethCrowe
Contributed Photo / Contributed Photo

Bridgeport  Jahana Hayes may be Waterbury teacher, but the educator named this spring as 2016 National Teacher of the Year has a city connection too.

She received a graduate School of Education degree from the University of Bridgeport in 2014. As such, Bridgeport Mayor Joseph P. Ganim presented her Hayes with a key to the city during a ceremony at City Hall on Wednesday.
Guy blowing vapor. (Photo : Getty Images)

According to a study, e-cigarette smoking or vaping aids people to quit cigarette smoking. The rates of quitting in smoking and the support in the U.K. were studied by the British Medical Journal.



Researchers in U.K. conducted a study concluded that the rose of popularity of e-cigarette smoking or vaping could have resulted in many successful tries and efforts to stop smoking. The researchers, according to the Los Angeles Times did not find a conclusive association between e-cigarette smoking and the attempt to give up smoking.



Advertisement

According to the study however, their computations demonstrated that for every one percent increase of e-cigarette usage, the success of quitting attempts increases by 0.098 percent. To add to that, the study says that for every one percent increase of vaping or e-cigarette smoking attempts to quit, there was a rose of quitting attempts success rate by 0.058 percent.



The e-cigarette smoking or vaping appears to have no impact on the smokers attempting to stop cigarette smoking. However, more cigarette smokers have in fact managed to quit, the BBC reported.



The authors and researchers concluded that e-cigarette smoking or vaping could have aided 18,000 cigarette smokers in the U.K. to finally quit cigarette smoking in the year 2015.



The group, from the Cancer Research U.K. and from University College London express that what they did is just an observational research and so they could not have a conclusive cause and effect relationship. One cigarette smoking expert shared that it seemed that the e-cigarettes or vapes were a major cause to the trend.



However, health experts profess that the most foolproof way to stop smoking maintains and remains by prescription medicines and professional assistance from the free local National Health Service (NHS) quit-smoking services. On the NHS, e-cigarettes or vapes are still not widely available.



In the advent of e-cigarette, the health authorities feared that the vapes or e-cigarettes would further urge cigarette smokers to continue on smoking by giving them socially accepted substitute in places where the use of the ordinary cigarettes were prohibited. As written in the editorial by the Britton, however, this new study implies that it was actually the other way around.



Meanwhile, check this video that tells facts about e-cigarettes:






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DANBURY  The former owner of Tonellis, a once-popular Italian restaurant in downtown Bethel, was found guilty of sex-assault charges Tuesday after accepting a plea deal calling for no jail time.

Antonio Fernandes was arrested in April 2013 on several charges, including two counts of first-degree sexual assault, after two waitresses said he had raped them at the restaurant. Fernandes had disputed the charges, claiming the sex was consensual.

But in state Superior Court in Danbury on Tuesday, he pleaded no contest to two counts of unlawful restraint and two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault as part of a deal with prosecutors calling for a 10-year suspended prison sentence and three years of probation.

Fernandes entered the plea on Tuesday as the courts were preparing for a trial.

A no-contest plea means a defendant denies guilt but concedes prosecutors likely have enough evidence to obtain a conviction. Such a plea typically helps protect a defendant against potential civil claims, although no claims have been filed in the case.

Fernandes was tried in October 2014, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict after six days of deliberation.

Assistant States Attorney Sharmese Hodge said the plea agreement was a reasonable disposition, given the circumstances of the case. She said the victims would have preferred to see Fernandes serve prison time and register as a sexual offender, but the plea can give them some closure after their encounters with Fernandes five years ago.

They still believe he is a sexual predator, she said.

One of the women, who was 20 at the time, said she was walking to a storage room at the back of the restaurant one night in December 2011 when Fernandes wrapped his arms around her waist and sexually assaulted her, according to court records. The woman claimed Fernandes ignored her pleas for him to stop, the affidavit said.

The woman later described the incident to a co-worker, who said Fernandes had sexually assaulted her several months earlier, court documents state. That waitress, who was 26 at the time, claimed Fernandes called her into his basement office, where he first showed her a pornographic video, then grabbed her and sexually assaulted her, according to the affidavit.

The two women, who later became roommates, waited nearly a year to report the incidents and continued working at the restaurant until shortly before going to police in October 2012, according to court documents. They told police they didnt report the incidents sooner because they were afraid of their boss.

Attorney Gene Zingaro, who represented Fernandes, credited Hodge of doing an admirable job representing the interests of both the state and the victims.

The defendant is happy with the resolution to the case, he said.
GUILDERLAND  The trouble began in June when a lesbian couple put up a four-foot rainbow flag above their garage alongside an American flag of similar size, to mark LGBTQ pride month.

The rainbow flag took on a deeper significance after the June 12 massacre at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., that killed 49 and wounded 53.

Melinda and Kelly Person, who married on Valentine's Day in 2015 and are the parents of twin 3-year-old sons and a 4-month-old boy, had never experienced such a territorial dispute with next-door neighbors that has shaken them more than anti-gay epithets hurled at them years ago.

The tension roiled the quietude of bucolic Nott Road, sparked a story that went viral on Huffington Post last week and unleashed a firestorm of support on Facebook and social media that overwhelmingly sided with the lesbian couple and angrily condemned the adjacent homeowners.

The feud has cast a pall over both sides, which the gay women interpreted as homophobic and as increasingly aggressive. The neighbors deny they are anti-gay.

The quarrel intensified this summer, when Sandra Macintosh, 73, and her husband, Terry Feret, 65, erected a half-dozen "No Trespassing" signs every 10 feet or so along the property line, within arms' reach of the Persons' backyard.

Melinda and Kelly Person tried to mask the signs with hanging flower baskets on poles.

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In response, Macintosh and Feret duct-taped four-foot wooden extenders to the metal poles that hoisted the "No Trespassing" signs over the flower baskets.

In August, when Melinda Person tried to speak with her neighbor at her house, Macintosh called police because she considered it threatening.

No arrests were made. Recriminations flew.

Last week, Macintosh spray painted in six-inch white letters "TRUMP" on a few trees on her property close to the Persons' backyard, within view of their deck and swimming pool.

All the while, the rainbow flag remained on the garage. It is not visible from Macintosh's house, which is set back from the road and shrouded by trees.

Interpretations of those actions are at the crux of a suburban spat where the parties are embroiled in an angry dispute that has morphed beyond any rational attempts at a truce.

The Nott Road clash seems to mirror the great ideological divide in America today, amplified by the hateful messaging of a presidential campaign where animosity reigns between the Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton camps.

"Until the Trump thing, I thought maybe it was not because we're gay, but painting the trees sent us a message that we're not welcome," said Melinda Person, 39, political director of the New York State United Teachers union. She grew up in Altamont, is a 1994 graduate of Guilderland High School, earned a bachelor's degree in policy analysis from Cornell University and was a school-aid expert for former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. She joined NYSUT about 10 years ago as a lobbyist. She has been openly gay since she was a teenager.

"It makes me sad to see that this is how our neighbors choose to spend their time and energy," said Kelly Person, 38, a major in the New York Air National Guard who has served as a navigator for Guard flights to the Arctic and Antarctica. She is now liaison officer to a statewide anti-terrorism task force based at the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham.

She grew up in Poughkeepsie and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology at the University at Albany. She joined the Guard in 1997.

The couple met five years ago while training for an Ironman triathlon.

The Persons bought their custom Colonial and five-acre property, their first home, three years ago.

Macintosh has owned her seven-acre property for five decades. After her first husband died, she remarried 13 years ago.

Feret is a retired Navy officer and underwater mine expert who spent 20 years on active duty and in the reserves. For more than 40 years, Macintosh has operated a dog-breeding business on her property, Heatherland Shelties, which has included several AKC champion Shetland sheepdogs. She is an AKC judge and well-known in American Kennel Club circles.

I spent time in the homes of both families and listened to their wildly divergent interpretations of this summer's brouhaha.

Macintosh vehemently denied she is bigoted.

"I sell dogs to gays. I have gay friends," she said. "We've never called them a name or even mentioned they are gay."

And what about spray painting "TRUMP" on the trees near the Persons' backyard?

"I support Trump. I saw on TV people stole Trump signs so I decided I was going to spray my trees. This is my land and my trees," she said.

Macintosh said she has sent her lawyer a copy of the Huffington Post article, which featured only the Persons' viewpoint and did not air her perspective. She and her husband declined to be photographed.

"Do I look crazy? That article said I'm crazy and hateful, while I'm the one being attacked," she said. "I'm afraid of what they'll do next. They don't want our kennel here. They want to put us out of business."

The Persons denied Macintosh's accusation and they called themselves dog lovers who share their house with a 15-year-old springer spaniel named Daisy, who is going blind and arthritic.

Macintosh did nearly all the talking, but her husband weighed in with his opinion when asked. "What they do on their property is their business," he said. "I don't care who they are. I know gay people. I have black friends. I don't want problems. I just want peace."

It's hard to see a path to peace in this squabble, although I offered to get the four of them together to try to talk, clear the air and get to know each other.

They may find they have more common ground than either realizes, given their shared love of dogs and military service on both sides.

Until then, the Persons are entertaining a notion that's a twist on Trump's popular campaign mantra: Build a wall. It would, of course, be a rainbow-colored wall.

Several people who have rallied behind the Persons on Facebook, including strangers from as far away as Ohio, have offered to send them a donation for a rainbow wall.

Several friends of the Persons have offered to donate their labor to build the rainbow wall, including Kelly Person's uncle, who happens to be a Trump supporter.
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STRATFORD  The man who fired at town police officers early Wednesday is not a Stratford resident and did not have a police record, officials said.

Two police officers have been placed on administrative duty while the shooting is investigated by the State Police Major Crime Unit, Deputy Chief John Popik said. That is standard procedure in such cases, and staff from the states attorneys office for the Fairfield Judicial District is also involved in the investigation.

The man, who has not been identified, remains in stable condition at Bridgeport Hospital.

The reason the wounded man allegedly fired at police remained a mystery.

Stratford Police Deputy Chief John D. Popik said in a statement when the officers responded to a report of a man with a gun near Russian Beach on Park Boulevard, The male immediately fired his weapon.

State Police said at least one of the Stratford officers returned fire about 4:45 a.m., wounding the man, who was taken to Bridgeport Hospital. Police, who did not release the wounded mans name, said he was in stable condition Wednesday afternoon.

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Neither of the officers was hurt in the shooting, police said. Their names were not released.

The two Stratford officers have been placed on paid administrative duty per Stratford Police Department policy, Stratford Police Chief Joseph McNeil said.

Police at the scene would not discuss why an armed man might be moving around the leafy, shorefront Russian Beach neighborhood before dawn, or whether the man lived there. Officials declined to speculate on his motive for allegedly opening fire.

State Trooper First Class Kelly Grant said the man had been ordered to drop his weapon but instead advanced toward Stratford police and fired.

Shortly after the shooting, residents along Margherita Lawns, the street closest to the scene, said they heard nothing, despite the cool night that had many sleeping with their windows open.

The last thing youd expect down here would be violence, Roger Cox said, who added that he only learned of the shooting by reading news online.

I am thankful that no Stratford police officers or any bystanders were harmed in the incident today at Russian Beach, Stratford Town Council Chairwoman Beth Daponte said. I have confidence that the state will do a thorough investigation of the incident and that the matter will be handled appropriately.

John Burgeson, John Nash and Digital Editor Jim Shay contributed to this report.
Albany

The sites hardly glow in the dark, but all of the state's active landfills would have to be equipped with radiation detectors according to new regulations proposed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

It's an idea that environmentalists support but that counties oppose as an unneeded cost.

The proposed requirement is part of a vast overhaul of landfill regulations, which haven't been updated in about a decade.

The revamp has also drawn the attention of fracking opponents. While New York state doesn't allow high-pressure horizontal hydrofracking, or fracking, for natural gas, environmentalists want tougher restrictions on debris from traditional wells that exist in western New York.

They also are worried that some fracking waste may get mixed up with loads of debris from the Pennsylvania fracking fields. In some instances, drilling debris can contain soil with higher radioactivity than the normal background levels that exist above ground.

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The public comment period for the new regulations ended on Tuesday.

"It's not something that we would be welcoming," Mark Lavigne, spokesman for the state Association of Counties, said of the requirement for detectors. They believe the devices should be deployed if needed but not at all the landfills, some of which are operated by local governments.

Each detector costs about $25,000 plus $10,000 annually to calibrate.

"They should have had them for years," countered Liz Moran, a water and natural resources associate for the Environmental Advocates.

Most places, she said, have some degree of natural background radiation. But detection devices could alert landfill operators if something that is radioactive is inadvertently or illegally being dropped off.

Additionally, many of the state's 27 active landfills already have the detectors, according to DEC. Moreover the four landfills in western New York which accept drilling waste are equipped with the devices.

Other than drilling material, low-level radioactive debris can come from objects as varied as clay pots and medical waste.

The second is supposed to be disposed of in special sites, however, rather than landfills.

As well as concerns about oil and gas drilling waste in landfills, environmental groups and some lawmakers want to ban the use of brine for melting ice on roads in winter. Brine is a saline fluid that is used in the drilling process.

While waste brine is banned downstate and in New York City, some western New York counties have long used it to help clear the ice and snow off their roads.

"When this waste gets disposed of in landfills and spread on our roads, our water can be placed at great risk," Moran said.

But Stephen Acquario, executive director for the state Association of Counties, said road crews in some instances use brine to enhance the effectiveness of road salt for melting ice.

"The use of brine is looked upon favorably by many highway departments," he said.

DEC said in a prepared statement that they have strict regulations on the use of brine. Spreading the substance is prohibited within 50 feet of streams, creeks, lakes, or other bodies of water.

rkarlin@timesunion.com  518-454-5758 
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Albany

After 33 years in the state Assembly, James Tedisco won't be back.

Just after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Glenville Republican declared victory in the GOP primary for the 49th Senate District. As of 11:15, he led real estate agent Christian Klueg 71-27 percent with 149 of 199 districts reporting.

Tedisco, first elected to the Legislature in 1982, thanked Sen. Hugh Farley, who at age 83 chose not to seek re-election.

"Jimmy, we're very proud of you," Farley said at Tedisco's celebration.

In Capital Region Assembly races, Mary Beth Walsh, a Ballston attorney, beat Jim Fischer 52-43 percent for the Republican line in the race to replace Tedisco in the 112th Assembly District, which includes parts of Saratoga and Schenectady counties. She will face Democrat Michael Godlewski.

Chris Boyark, who had local GOP backing, declared victory over Gerard Moser for the right to face Democratic Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner for the 113th District, which covers parts of Saratoga and Washington counties. Boyark's victory as of 11:15 p.m. was 59-36 percent with 122 of 146 districts reporting.

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But it's the state Senate race that presents the most intrigue in the Capital Region.

Tedisco's victory sets him up for a two-month race against Chad Putman, a young Democrat who serves as deputy city clerk in Schenectady. Putman has mounted a relatively quiet challenge for the seat, focusing on ethics and campaign finance reform at a time when candidates of all political stripes are running to clean up Albany.

In March, Putman pledged to cap his campaign fundraising at $100,000 at a time when state Senate races can require seven-figure sums. In the spring, he embarked on a 120-mile walking and biking tour of the district, which includes parts or all of Schenectady, Saratoga, Fulton, Herkimer and Hamilton counties, to raise awareness about what he diagnosed as the debilitating influence of money in politics.

If campaign cash is any indicator of how the November race will go  more money means more ads, literature and get-out-the-vote efforts  Tedisco is cruising: He reported a closing balance of $141,770 in his 11-day pre-primary campaign finance filings with the state Board of Elections, roughly 40 times what Putman reported in his July filings. (Without a Democratic opponent, Putman did not have to file a pre-primary fundraising report.)

Of greater statewide import for the Senate's narrow majority is the need to keep the seat in the GOP column despite the retirement of Farley, the chamber's longest-serving member and an upstate ally of Republican Majority Leader John Flanagan.

Currently, 31 Republicans plus an aisle-crossing Democrat (Brooklyn's Simcha Felder) and five members of the Independent Democratic Conference make up a majority coalition that has controlled the chamber for the past few years.

Twenty-six mainline Democrats are hoping for sufficient gains in November to convince the breakaway IDC to return to the fold and help them break up the GOP's last bastion of power in state government.

As the dust settled around New York on Tuesday night, it appeared likely November's general election will bring a new member to the Senate's IDC, and see another tossup race in Western New York.

Marisol Alcantara, who has had the backing of the IDC during her primary run, led by four points in the 31st Senate District in Manhattan's West Side as of 10:15 p.m. in a tight four-way race featuring former City Councilman Robert Jackson; Micah Lasher, former aide to state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg; and community activist Luis Tejada.

In the 60th Senate District in the Buffalo area, Democrat Amber Small and Republican Chris Jacobs were cruising to victory in their primaries, setting up what should be a hotly contested battle for an open seat that's currently held by Democrat Marc Panepinto.

In a bizarre Assembly race in the Rochester area, Republican Assemblyman Bill Nojay, who committed suicide last week as he faced federal fraud-related charges, led a primary against Rick Milne, the mayor of Honeoye Falls in Monroe County.

The tragic turn of events sets in motion a process through which county Republican chairmen from the 133rd District in the Finger Lakes will pick the Republican nominee on the November ticket.
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Houston is a big city, driven by a big industry, with big personalities, big egos and flamboyant characters. Shouldn't it have lawyers to match?

Every major city has bigger-than-life lawyers, but over the years, Houston has had more than its fair share. Some were best known for their work in civil cases, winning multimillion dollar verdicts against hospitals, corporations and other powerful interests for defective products and workplace negligence. Others made their mark on the criminal side, gaining acquittals in cases that seemed impossible to win.

Here's a look at four legendary lawyers from Houston's past:

Percy Foreman

Criminal defense attorney Percy Foreman is probably best known for representing James Earl Ray, who assassinated the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Foreman convinced Ray to plead guilty and accept a 99-year jail sentence rather than facing what was almost certainly the electric chair. Foreman represented 1,500 clients accused of murder, and only one went to the death chamber.

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Foreman, born in 1902, grew up in Polk County. He left school at 15 to work a variety of odd jobs, including shining shoes, delivering newspapers and loading cotton, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

While a teen, he would work the summers at traveling tent shows that included one-act plays and famous orators such as William Jennings Bryan, the populist and three-time presidential candidate, according to Joe Jamail's autobiography, "Lawyer: My Trials and Jubilations." It wasn't long before Foreman climbed on stage himself to speak on the issues of the day, waxing on about "The High Mission of Women in the Twentieth Century."

More Information Percy Foreman Born: 1902 Education: Law degree from the University of Texas at Austin Joe Jamail Born: 1925. Education: Law degree from the University of Texas at Austin John O'Quinn Born: 1941 Education: Law degree from the University of Houston Richard "Racehorse" Haynes Born: 1927 Education: Law degree from the University of Houston See More Collapse

After graduating from University of Texas law school in 1927, his work in the tent shows proved excellent training for his new career. An imposing man, weighing 300 pounds and towering over others, Foreman was a showman. During his closing argument in a case in which Foreman defended a woman accused of killing her husband after he had flogged her, he snapped the whip repeatedly as he spoke to the jurors, according to news reports.

Foreman died in 1988 from a heart attack.

Joe Jamail

Jamail was already famous as a personal injury lawyer by 1985 when his friend, Pennzoil chairman J. Hugh Liedtke, asked for help. Pennzoil had struck a deal to buy Getty Oil Co., only to lose it after Texaco made a sweeter offer.

Jamail was not a corporate lawyer nor an expert on oil, but he agreed to battle Texaco, treating the conflict not as contract dispute, but rather as a morality play about honest dealing, giving your word, and the greed of Wall Street. A Houston jury awarded Pennzoil $10.5 billion, a record jury verdict that led to Texaco's bankruptcy. It cemented Jamail's reputation as one of the nation's best litigators and earned him the title "King of Torts."

Jamail was born in Houston in 1925. When he graduated from high school at 16, he went to Texas A&M but lasted only three days. He hitchhiked to Austin and enrolled at the University of Texas. It didn't go well - he got five F's the first semester - and enlisted in the Marines. Eventually, he returned to Austin and graduated with a law degree in 1953.

On a dare, Jamail passed the bar exam a year early, and his first case was representing a barmaid who cut her thumb on a defective beer bottle. He went up against Pearl Brewing Co. and scored his first win: $750 for the barmaid.

Jamail died last year.

John O'Quinn

John O'Quinn racked up big wins, including more than $1 billion for a family of a Beaumont woman who died after taking the diet drug Pondimin. But O'Quinn's aggressive pursuit of cases led to accusations of soliciting victims of tragedies as clients, allowing critics to depict him as a classic ambulance chaser.

O'Quinn is probably best known for breast implant cases, including a $25 million verdict against Bristol-Myers Squibb in 1992. By that time, Houston had became synonymous with silicone breast enhancements, pioneering the procedure three decades earlier. But federal regulators were raising safety concerns while lawsuits piled up.

O'Quinn and other lawyers signed up thousands of clients, a move that forced implant manufacturers to settle cases or spend years trying them. One manufacturer, Dow Corning, cited O'Quinn's lawsuits when it filed for bankruptcy protection in 1995, according to news reports.

But with his wins, O'Quinn had to fight off problems. The State Bar of Texas accused O'Quinn and other lawyers of improperly contacting the families of victims of a 1994 airline crash in North Carolina that killed 37 people.

Disputes continued after O'Quinn died in a single car crash in fall 2009. Later that year, O'Quinn's estate agreed to pay $46.5 million to more than 3,000 former breast implant clients who accused O'Quinn of charging for expenses they had not agreed to pay. Jamail represented the women suing O'Quinn.

Richard "Racehorse" Haynes

Many newcomers to Houston encounter Richard "Racehorse" Haynes when they read Thomas Thompson's "Blood and Money," the can't-put-it-down story of John Hill, a River Oaks plastic surgeon suspected of poisoning his socialite wife in 1969. Haynes, a criminal defense lawyer, represented Hill, who was charged with murder for withholding medical attention -the poison allegation was never proven - from his wife as she lay dying. Hill's first trial ended in mistrial and before Hill could be retried, he was killed by a hit man.

Years later, Haynes successfully represented another prosperous Texan, Fort Worth oilman T. Cullen Davis, who was accused of killing his wife's lover and 12-year-old stepdaughter, and attempting to kill his wife. While eyewitnesses put Davis at the scene, the then-wealthiest man in Texas ever tried for murder was acquitted after a six-month trial. The case later inspired its own television drama: "Dallas." The J. R. Ewing character was based on Davis.

Haynes was known as a master of courtroom theatrics. One time, while defending a rancher accused of killing a drifter with a cattle prod, he shocked himself with a prod to prove to the jury that while it "hurts like hell, it's not deadly," according an account in the ABA Journal, a publication of the American Bar Association. The rancher received five years of probation.

When representing two motorcycle gang members accused of nailing a woman to a tree, Haynes threatened to try it himself during closing arguments to prove it wasn't that painful. He had the hammer and nail ready.

"I chickened out at the last minute," he told the ABA Journal. "I was afraid I would start crying in front of the jury." The gang members were acquitted.

Haynes, born in 1927, got his nickname as a high school football player after his coach complained he ran to the sidelines after catching the ball, instead of turning down field. He is retired in Livingston.
China's naval exercises with Russia are raising a lot of questions. (Photo : Getty Images)

Chinese Senior Colonel Shi Zhigang said on Tuesday that the joint military exercises between China and Russia are making soldier-to-soldier communication more frequent.



Shi said, "In the past, China-Russia joint exercises gave much more attention to the communications between commanders of the two sides, but this time there are more programs involving the exchanges between soldiers."



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The military exercises called China-Russia Joint Sea-2016, is held in the eastern waters off Zhanjiang, Guangdong's southernmost city. It is also the location of the Chinese Navy's Nanhai Fleet headquarters.



Exercises included shooting drills and crossing barriers in simulated beachhead fights and damage control training program that simulated emergency leaks and fires on a warship.



Lieutenant Colonel Ren Kai, a commander in charge of the damage control training, said, "Damage-control training is important because what the crews learn about fighting leaks and fires can give warships a second life."



"The two navies have already carried out drills in the country's North and East seas, and it's natural that we should have exercises in the South China Sea," Shi said.



This is the first time that the annual exercises are held in the South China Sea. The commander said that critics should not misinterpret the motives behind the location of the exercises.



Shi said that it the exercises are in line with the duty of China's military to protect "every inch of national territory."



The joint military exercises also raised questions when they were held at the Mediterranean Sea.



A Russian military expert said, "Those are waters where the Chinese are newcomers, and at the time our joint activity there also raised eyebrows."



Li Xing, director of the Eurasian Studies Center at Beijing Normal University, said, "The fact that China and Russia are hosting military exercises jointly shows that the two countries have a very high level of mutual trust."


Contributed photo / Hearst Connecticut Media

FAIRFIELD  Police are looking for two men who used credits cards stolen from a woman at Trader Joes to buy gift cards at a Target in Trumbull.

The credit cards were stolen Aug. 16 and a short time later used at Target, 5065 Main St. One of the suspects bought $2,000 worth of Target gift cards at a self-checkout. About 20 minutes later, the man, and a second suspect returned to that same Target and bought an iPad with one of the gift cards. A second gift card was used at Target stores in Massachusetts and New York.
Mobike Users Complain: Bikes Not User-friendly, Too Heavy and Seats Not Adjustable

Bikes are still a popular mode of transportation in China. (Photo : Getty Images)

According to a report by local media, there is an increasing number of dissatisfied users of the Mobike.



Mobike is a city bike renting system that is availed by means of an app. The available bikes are seen by the user and are unlocked by scanning a QR code.



Rental cost is 1 yuan for 30 minutes and comes with a 299 yuan security deposit. Users can pay through WeChat or Alipay.



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There is also a credit system and gives scores to users who use units properly or parks in designated areas.



The service started in April and expanded in Shanghai in September. They now have 10,000 units and users can find a bike within 300 meters of their location.



Users, however, are complaining that the units are taking too long to unlock and that the GPS is inaccurately positioned.



Several users commented in smartshanghai.com, "rides are extremely heavy. I'm more tired from riding than simply walking the same distance."



Another user with the handle "handoogies" said, "they are heavy bikes, but the real issue is the internal chain and crankset (for durability) feeding power to the rear wheel: the ratio is almost 1:1. So the way to ride a mobike is up on your feet, pump like hell to get the decent speed going, then you can sit down and spin to maintain speed."



A comment from a user in sinosplice.com said, "I'd say that the only catch is that the seat height is really low and cannot be changed. They have to fix this!"



"Girl_in_Shanghai, " said that she had problems with the app's GPS system.



She said, "The GPS is not very accurate, though, I found myself turning and turning in the neighborhood looking for bikes I never found."


Theres a new place in Westport that makes schnitzel, just like its made in Austria. Lets meet there for dinner, said our friend Robert, whose travels across Europe have given him a taste for hard-to-find Wiener Schnitzel.

We met the following week at Rothbard (rothbardct.com), a Rathskeller-style restaurant with brick walls, high windows, and a beamed ceiling at 90 Post Road East. The plate-covering schnitzel  pounded thin, lightly breaded, sauteed tender and golden brown with crispy darker edges  was delicious.

But that was not the most gratifying surprise.

Listing the beers on tap, our server mentioned a Kriek, one of the lambic family of sour beers, flavored with Morello cherries and made with traditional methods near Brussels, Belgium. Sours are fermented with wild yeast, which give them their characteristic tangy flavor and are barrel-aged for at least two years in large oak foeders (barrels).

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Sour, you say? Doesnt sound very appealing. None the less, these small production beers are some of the most sought after brews in the world. Theyre not sour in the way of an unsweetened cranberry  bitter, mouth puckering, unpleasant. Instead, think of a refreshing Sancerre or Riesling with a complex nose and fruit flavors offset by a mouthwatering acidity  perfect with rich, northern European food.

Kriek, in particular, has the refreshing, fresh fruit excitement of the cherries in contrast to the tart zing of the wild yeast fermentation. Rothbard was offering Kriek des Jacobins, an excellent example, sometimes seen on store shelves but seldom found on tap. I ordered up a glass to have with my schnitzel and passed it around for all to taste. My fellow diners were pleasantly surprised at the natural cherry flavor and tart finish and agreed it was a perfect match.

The Kriek at Rothbard awakened my dormant interest in sour beer, so I looked for more to taste. On the shelves at Total Wine I found a six pack of assorted sour beers from Petrus, a well-respected, old-line Belgium brewery. Their Aged Pale, the mother beer of their family of flavors, has a rich gold color, a slightly fruity characteristically sour aroma, and a complex dry, tart, tangy finish. Its considered a classic example of Belgian sour. Petrus Old Brun, a blend of the Aged Pale and young brown beer, is less sour with a darker color and malty caramel and vanilla notes - great with Cabot three-year cheddar. The pack also included an Aged Red  medium dark with a refreshing hint of cherries, as well as a bottle of 50/50  a blend of the Aged Pale and Aged Red.

Since it was a Kriek that got me going on this, I rounded up a clutch of examples to survey the field. Kriek is made by fermenting the beer with fresh sour cherries or adding cherry juice to a finished lambic. The fresh cherries are the traditional approach taking more time and yielding a tart dry finish. The juice method takes less time and allows the brewery to control the fruit flavor and sweetness. Either method can yield a delicious drink.

Kriek Boon came in a champagne-style bottle with a wire cage holding in the cork, even though there was very little carbonation. Made with fresh cherries, it was clean and bright with a natural fruit sweetness to contrast with the pleasantly dry sour lambic finish.

There arent many American breweries making Kriek, and those that do often restrict sales to their tasting room. I was surprised to see a Kriek named Rosetta from Ommegang in Cooperstown, N.Y. In the fine print I learned that it is imported from their sister brewery, Liefmans, in Belgium. Made with fresh cherries, it was well-carbonated with a sturdy head, brightly tinted with a refreshing flavor, and medium dry with a classic finish.

Timmermans, founded in 1702, makes Lambicus Kriek with a maraschino cherry aroma and taste. As a kid, I always gave away the cherry from my Shirley Temple and am still not fond of the maraschino cherry flavor. But if you are, this is the Kriek for you.

Widely distributed, Lindemans Kriek is well-balanced, but on the sweeter side. By the way, Kriek des Jacobins that I enjoyed on tap at Rothbard is also available by the bottle but hard to find (Try Harrys in Fairfield).

Sour beers are difficult and time-consuming to make. The wild yeast that gives the distinctive flavor has to be managed carefully by a sure and experienced hand. With complex fermentation and barrel aging, the beers are pricey. Quantities are limited and, other than a few big brands, they go in and of stock quickly.

None the less, sour beers are growing in popularity. At Cask Republic in SoNo they keep one tap reserved for a changing roster of sours. Manager Dave told me that the category is picking up steam in recent years. At Rothbard in Westport, the bottled beer list includes eight sours covering the field. Owner Joe Farrell told me that interest in sours is increasing exponentially. Of their four taps, at least one and sometimes two are devoted to this food-friendly category.

Definitely at their best with food, sour beers are worth a try. They may not be what you want at the ballpark or in the back yard, but their complex and nuanced flavors are an interesting alternative at the table.

Frank Whitmans Not Bread Alone column runs every Thursday in The Hour. Frank can be reached at notbreadalonefw@gmail.com.
COAS Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag (front and center) arrives at Kashmir to inspect Indian Army units. (Photo : Indian Army)

General Dalbir Singh Suhag, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army, recently inspected army units stationed along the volatile border with China at Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.



Gen. Singh reviewed the security situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and operational preparedness along the border with China with senior army officers at both states.



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Army sources said Gen. Singh arrived at the Indian Army's IV Corps (Gajraj Corps) based at the city of Tezpur in Assam and was given detailed briefing by the top commanders in the region. A statement from IV Corps said Gen. Singh was briefed on the operational preparedness along the borders and other details.



IV Corps, which consists of three mountain divisions with headquarters at Tezpur, is in charge of the border with China at Arunachal Pradesh and is headed by Lt. Gen. Devraj Anbu.



Gen. Singh's inspection also took him to Srinagar, headquarters of the XV Corps (Chinar Corps), based in Srinagar, summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.



He was briefed about the prevailing situation in the valley by General Officer Commanding XV Corps Lt. Gen. Satish Dua. Gen. Singh also reviewed the security situation in violence-wracked Kashmir, especially in the four worst-affected districts in south Kashmir.



COAS visited army units stationed in the north and south of the Valley to get a first-hand account of the situation from the officers on the ground. He was informed about the steps to be taken to help the civil administration restore normalcy, particularly in south Kashmir.



Gen. Singh toured forward positions along the LAC in Kupwara district to review the preparedness of the anti-infiltration grid. He called on Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra later before heading back to Delhi.



The Indian Army has been steadily reinforcing units stationed at Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, the likeliest locations for any future conflict with China.



The Indian Army will soon deploy a BrahMos regiment operating the Block III version of the feared supersonic cruise missile, the latest and deadliest, to defend Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims belongs to it.



Last July, the army reinforced units defending its border with China in the Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir with more tanks, troops and armored fighting vehicles amid an ongoing Chinese military build-up.



The Army deployed some 100 specially modified Russian-made T-72 main battle tanks along its mountainous frontline border in Ladakh, a key geostrategic region located along the LAC.


Chinese infantry. (Photo : PLA)

The People's Liberation Army (PLA), China's armed forces, claims its intensified military build-up along China's disputed border with India has always been "non-aggressive and restrained".



It also blamed Indian media for hyping the extent of tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and slammed it for its "oversensitive" coverage of the LAC.



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"China is undoubtedly India's largest opponent and therefore every move of the Chinese military will touch the nerve of the Indian media," said a story presenting the PLA's point of view published in China Military, the only official English-language news website of the PLA.



"However, the Indian military has more movement than China along the Sino-Indian border."



The PLA also claims India has deployed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) along the LAC.



In contrast to India's warlike preparations along the border, China's deployment and maneuvers along the border are meant to improve the high altitude combat capability of the men of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force or PLAGF (the Chinese land army) and form deterrent ability.



"In comparison, Chinese military's movement along the border has always been restrained. 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."



The story said China won't its Shenyang J-20 stealth fighter to the border. The J-20, however, is still being tested and is not an operational fighter capable of combat.



China has deployed 300,000 men of the PLAGF along its border with India at Arunachal Pradesh. It's also built airfields at Hoping, Pangta and Kong Ka to support six existing airfields in the Tibetan Autonomous Region that can handle fighter jets such as the Sukhoi-27UBK and Sukhoi-30MKK fighters and heavy transport aircraft.



Chinese ballistic missiles such as the DF-31 and DF-31A aimed at India have been deployed to the city of Delingha, north of Tibet. Delingha is the missile headquarters for Qinghai, and houses DF-4s with four associated launch sites.



Arrayed against these forces are 120,000 Indian Army soldiers that will soon receive 90,000 reinforcements. Supporting these men are two IAF Su-30MKI squadrons from Tezpur in Assam. Also counted in India's favor is the forthcoming deployment of a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile regiment to the state.


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A deadly road rage incident that stemmed from sudden passion three years ago ended in a weeks-long trial that captivated San Antonio.

On Thursday, Frances Hall was found guilty of killing her husband, trucking tycoon Bill Hall Jr., on October 10, 2013, by knocking his motorcycle off Loop 1604 South while chasing his lover, Bonnie Contreras.

Hall was also found guilty of aggravated assault after ramming her Cadillac Escalade into a Range Rover driven by Contreras.

RELATED: Convicted San Antonio widow gets lightest possible sentence for killing husband

Hall was sentenced to two years in prison, the lightest possible sentence, on Tuesday. A second two-year sentence for aggravated assault will be served concurrently.

Before Tuesdays sentencing, the jury heard pleas of sudden passion in the deadly road rage incident and testimony that Contreras tormented Frances Hall while she had an affair with her husband.

RELATED: Shocking San Antonio crimes by women

Testimony also revealed that Contreras sent Frances Hall photographs of herself allegedly having sex with Hall Jr. via text message.

Frances Hall, during the punishment phase of the trial, testified she was unaware of the three-year affair.

RELATED: Weapons used as evidence in S.A. trials

Then, she received a call from Contreras, who confessed about the affair because she was mad at Hall Jr. for not giving her money for a manicure, defense attorney Leigh Cutter said.

Click through the slideshow to see other shocking revelations from the love triangle.
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Only 54 more days, yall.

With about seven weeks until Election Day, a man in Oregon took it upon himself to dress a black, rubber wetsuit with a pink cardigan, pink bra, and blonde wig to resemble Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president.

RELATED: Class up your bash with a Trump pinata

Billy Pitner, who took the time to put the wetsuit woman together, hung up the figure by neck on a crane with an accompanying sign that says Vote Trump, Uranium One and Treason? Ask her.

The man told KPIC Clinton committed a crime and he needed to bring attention to it.

RELATED: Leaked Colin Powell emails fault Trump and Clinton

Im allowed to have my feelings, right, wrong or indifferent, he told the station Sunday.

So far, Pitner said a local priest has asked him to take down the display, but he plans to update the display daily, changing what the signs say.

RELATED: 'Pharma Bro' Martin Shkreli waits outside apartment, heckles Hillary Clinton after health scare

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Go your attention, didnt it? he said.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
Capt. Scott Kelly, the now-retired NASA astronaut who had a record-breaking, year-long space mission that ended in March, will speak to a group in San Antonio on Thursday evening.

Trinity University will host Kelly at the campus' Laurie Auditorium for the "Distinguished Lecture Series," where he will present "The Sky is Not the Limit -- Lessons from a Year In Space," according to a news release.
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San Antonio Metro Health officials celebrated a decline in Bexar Countys teen birth rate Wednesday, down 5.8 percent from 2013 to 2014.

For every 1,000 births in Bexar County in 2014, the most recent year state data are available, 37.4 were to teenagers aged 15 to 19. The number was 39.7 in 2013.

In the last five years, the rate has declined by 26 percent, which exceeds San Antonios goal of reducing teen births by 25 percent by 2020.

This is an achievement we can all be proud of and build upon, said District 3 City Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran. We still have work to do.

While the rate of teenagers giving birth has steadily declined, the rate of teens having multiple children has remained virtually unchanged.

Project WORTH program manager Mario Martinez said Metro Health would be looking into the issue further to determine why the county hasnt seen a change.

bmartin@express-news.net
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Because of swirling rumors and misinformation, San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood is detailing the reasons why he dismissed six cadets last month.

Hood detailed the much-ballyhooed case in a memo obtained by the San Antonio Express-News dated Sept. 12 and sent to fire personnel Tuesday.

In early August, six cadets were caught for drinking on the job and subsequently dismissed. Until now, the details of the case have been largely withheld from the public.

It has been the practice of the SAFD and the city of San Antonio not to discuss personnel matters, especially as they relate to civilian employees, but the continued misinformation communicated through both mainstream and social media compel me to share the details of their resignations/terminations, he wrote in the memo.

In late August, Hood held a news conference to confirm that hed dismissed Scott Kneupper, Mike Martin, Joseph Angelo, Clifford King, Rene Loredo (Ricardo) and Kevin Martinez. All were given the chance to resign rather than be fired; four resigned and two were terminated, reducing the size of the training class by more than 10 percent.

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Hood revealed few details at the August press conference because of the nature of the matters. He said then that the department was trying to maintain their privacy, their confidentiality, to where if they wouldve all resigned, no one would probably know about this, allowing them to seek other employment without repercussions.

Since then, however, the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association, some union members, residents and politicians have lambasted Hood and his top brass for dismissing the cadets, the chief in a Tuesday interview.

Hood said talking publicly about what happened is extraordinary.

I think this is the first time in almost 10 years that Ive ever gone to this extreme. But with the vicious attacks on my staff and myself, it came to a point where we felt compelled to let the facts out, Hood said. In the beginning, we did everything we could to try to protect the information of these young men because they are good young men, they just made some horrific decisions.

To read the full story, visit www.expressnews.com or read the Wednesday edition of the San Antonio Express-News.
A San Antonio man pleaded guilty Tuesday to aiming a laser pointer at a Channel 4 news helicopter while he was working as a security guard at a medical clinic in Stone Oak.

A news release from the FBI and U.S. Attorney Richard Durbin said Christopher B. Evans, 25, faces up to five years in prison for the incident, which occurred Oct. 27, 2015.
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The way a West Texas assistant principal handled a middle school fight this week is causing a stir for one girl's family who say their daughter was "choked," according to local media.

The scuffle at Alamo Junior High School in Midland, caught on video obtained by CBS 7 News, shows a faculty member stepping in.

RELATED: Video: College pool party brawl in San Marcos goes viral

Photos appears to show the adult putting one of the students against a dumpster.

That student's aunt told the station the family met with the Midland Independent School District on Tuesday to discuss the incident.

RELATED: Sheriff: Female student shooter, 14, dead, another girl injured at Alpine High School in West Texas

"You have her eight hours a day. I expect her to be protected while she's there. I don't agree with her fighting at school, that's her fault, and she's being punished," Tiffany Armstrong, the student's aunt, told CBS 7 News. "But at the same time, to be broken up like that and you choke her."

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District spokesman Woodrow Bailey told CBS 7 the photos and video "do not give a full description of the incident," which involved "several students." Campus administrators "followed protocol" to handle the fight, he said.

RELATED: Dallas taqueria brawl, sparked by chips and salsa dispute, caught on viral Facebook video

"If you can't restrain her and grab anything but her throat, you don't need to be here," Armstrong told CBS 7.

According to the station, involved students are facing disciplinary action, though it's unclear what the punishments are, but no criminal charges.

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye
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An EMS crew in Ohio was killing time near a convenience store last month when they found a human heart in a plastic bag. I repeat. They found a human heart in a plastic bag.

Police are still analyzing what looks like a human heart, but officials are pretty convinced the organ came from a homosapien.

On Aug. 25, an EMS crew was outside of a Friendship Food Store in Norwalk, Ohio when they came across the peculiar find. At first, one of the crew members initially threw the artifact away until a dispatcher told them to retrieve from the dumpster since it may be human. Police arrived at the scene where Sgt. Jim Fulton said the heart had just started to decompose.

RELATED: Woman smiles in mugshot after crashing funeral, racking up slew of charges

This is pretty unusual, Fulton told Cleveland 19 News. We have no idea where it came from.

Fulton spoke with a coroner who assessed the heart and confirmed the organ was pretty fresh.

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I talked to the Lucas County Coroner and she seemed to think that it hadnt been in that field very long, he said. It could have possibly been frozen prior to that.

RELATED: Police: Juggalo arrested after cutting off woman's finger, drinking her blood in Wisconsin

Police are now looking for a body missing a heart as the organ undergoes tests. A veterinarian is trying analyzing the organ to see if it came from a non-human animal, like a pig.

We dont have a body that were missing a heart from, Fulton said. So I guess its an unusual occurrence, is what you would say. Its whats listed on our report. We hope to be able to classify it as something else and close this out.

He added that the heart could have come from a funeral home or an autopsy.

Theres endless possibilities, he said.

RELATED: Oregon man with bizarre mugshot series arrested for 16th time after allegedly licking person

Fulton told BuzzFeed News he doesn't want the public to be concerned.

"We don't want the public to be worry," he said. "Like someone ripping out people's hearts we don't think that's the case here."

He added this is the first time the department has discovered a heart in a plastic bag.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
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Since 2013, the number of students enrolled in Bexar County schools who have claimed exemptions from required vaccinations for religious or philosophical reasons has risen 54.8 percent, according to data obtained from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

In the 2015-2016 school year, 2,375 students claimed exemptions for "reasons of conscience," as state law allows. That number makes up just 0.67 percent of total exemptions filed in the state, which saw an enrollment of 355,847 students during the last school year, records show.

RELATED: San Antonio health agency strongly disagrees with DA Nico LaHood, says vaccines do not cause autism

House Bill 2292, passed in 2003, allows students and/or their guardians to reject state immunization requirements for "reasons of conscience," which include religion.

Great Hearts Academy, a charter school, had 7.36 percent of their student population claiming a conscientious exemption, the largest percentage for any school or district in Bexar County. Northside Independent School District saw a total of 846 exemptions made during that time, the most in any school district in the region, records show.

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Click through the gallery above to see school districts and charter schools that have the most unvaccinated students.

"Certainly we have seen over the last several years since that form of exemption was introduced in Texas, it has generally been increasing over time," said Chris Van Deusen, spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

RELATED: More than 1,500 students at Bexar County schools went unvaccinated in 2013-14

In the 2014-2015 school year, there were 1,838 exemptions made across Bexar County schools, up from the previous year which saw 1,533 exemptions made. The 2014-2015 school year exemptions made up 0.52 percent of the total 353,001 students enrolled across Texas.

Recently, the growing movement came to a head in San Antonio when Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood appeared in a promotional video for an anti-vaccination documentary at his county office desk:

The video clip was made to promote the anti-vaccination documentary "Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe."

He later engaged with Facebook commenters who called his views "ignorant," while others said he was "brave" for speaking against overwhelming scientific evidence, including studies and explicit statements from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the San Antonio Metro Health District that show no link between autism and vaccines.

The San Antonio Metro Health District released a statement Aug. 30, one day after LaHood's views were made public, which said "clear evidence" shows vaccinations are not the cause of autism.

Additionally, LaHood told mySA.com that he believes two of his children suffered from injuries after receiving vaccines.

"In our opinion, they were both injured by vaccines because their effects were immediate after a certain round of vaccine. No one is going to tell me my son was born autistic. I have the pictures and the video to prove it," LaHood said at the time.

RELATED: More than 38,000 Texas students opted out of vaccinations in 2013-14 school year

"Since 2003, there have been nine CDC-funded or conducted studies that have found no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and ASD, as well as no link between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and ASD in children," the Centers for Disease Control website states.

"We're certainly in favor of children getting the required vaccination," Van Deusen said.

Since the state began permitting "reasons of conscience exemptions", prevalence of some vaccine-preventable diseases has fluctuated  some have stayed the same while others decreased, according to DSHS data.

Texas saw an increase in whooping cough from 2014 to 2015 and two cases of Rubella in 2015, the most ever since 2005.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott presented two Bexar County deputies with awards Monday after they were shot in the line of duty last year.

Deputies Michael Donato and Joseph Canales were honored in Austin with the 2016 Star of Texas Award after both of them were injured in the line of duty, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office Facebook page.

RELATED: Bexar County deputy injured in fatal shooting

Gov. Abbott released the following statement regarding those honored with the Star of Texas Award:

Today, Texas honors the extraordinary few  those who have demonstrated the character and the courage to repeatedly put their lives on the line to serve and protect their communities, Abbott said. Today we recognize acts of uncommon valor  by first responders, firefighters and law enforcement officers  willing to put everything on the line to keep us safe. All of the men and women who protect and serve, and the families who stand by their sides, deserve our deepest respect. They represent the very best of Texas.

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RELATED: Sheriff honors woman who 'put herself in harms way' to nurse wounded deputy

BCSO shared a quote regarding the officers on Facebook:

"Peace officers are ... everyday heroes who are keenly aware of the threat of deadly peril, yet serve with courage and distinction, placing the safety of others above concern for themselves,

Deputy Donato was shot in the shoulder once on June 11, 2015 by Mark Anthony Flores Jr., who died following an altercation with officers, according to a previous report.

Deputy Canales was shot twice, once in the chest and once in the arm, on Oct. 30, 2015 while trying to apprehend a suspect.

RELATED: Sheriffs deputy shot twice on the Northeast Side

Donato, a former marine, has worked with the BCSO since August 2006. Canales has worked for the BCSO since December 2003.

BCSO spokeswoman Rosanne Hughes said the deputies experienced lengthy recovery times following their respective shootings. They are both back to work and have fully recovered.

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twhite@mysa.com

Twitter: @tylerlwhite
A fifth grader attending Floresville Independent School District was struck by a car while getting on a school bus Wednesday morning.

Floresville ISD released a statement on Facebook at 7:34 a.m. detailing the crash, which occurred on Highway 181 near Loop 1604 and 775.
I am responding to the article in The Hour on Sept. 6, Future of Schencks Island In Play. I was surprised and disappointed to read that the president of the Wilton Land Trust feels the 10 years of work at Schencks Island to return the open space to native meadow has been a failure.

Its difficult to imagine what he means because the meadow is flourishing; it is full of birds, butterflies, bees and people strolling, walking dogs and jogging. I walk there almost every week.

Years ago my daughters volunteer work there introduced me to the concept of invasive plants and the importance of native meadows. Her work removing invasives at Schencks Island led to my becoming involved with the Norwalk River Watershed Association (NRWA). Wilton has been very smart and forward-thinking in maintaining the meadow in an area close to town, so the whole community has access to it and can learn from it.

In addition to providing a vital native habitat to songbirds and pollinators, the Schencks meadow plays a crucial role in helping protect and restore the water quality in the Norwalk River watershed. One of the core missions of the NRWA is to educate the watershed community about the importance of maintaining native habitat, especially along the rivers banks.

The Norwalk River runs through Schencks Island, which makes it an important buffer for protecting water quality. These riparian buffers, or riverbank areas which are not mowed, allow rainwater from roads and development to percolate through the ground and filter out contaminants before the water reaches the river. Mowed grass fields do not sustain the sorts of root systems that can filter water as well as natural settings of trees, shrubs and meadow. The trees at Schencks also shade the water, which lowers its temperature and makes the river more hospitable to fish and other aquatic life.

The economic development of Wilton depends on the conservation of its natural resources. The Schencks meadow helps Wilton stand out as a town that recognizes and values the natural beauty of Connecticuts native meadows.

More and more families are recognizing that expansive manicured lawns, pesticides and fertilizers compromise water quality and plant and animal life. To young families and those attuned to the threats that face our environment, Schenks Island might be considered one of the towns biggest successes. I think it is.

Louise Washer is president of the Norwalk River Watershed Association.
Understandably, the community gushes with excitement when San Antonio is considered cool for college grads. As David Hendricks wrote in the Express News, a national survey indicates that our citys brain drain, the loss of educated young professionals, is showing signs of reversal. San Antonio is reportedly now one of best big U.S. cities for new graduates.

Unfortunately, San Antonio ranks high in not-so-cool lists. We are the most income-segregated large city in the U.S. And despite sustained record-low unemployment, poverty is entrenched. The child poverty rate for Bexar County is 27 percent overall, and 32 percent for Hispanic and black children. And because Hispanic and black children are more likely to go to underfunded schools and experience more teacher instability, they may not become the professionals we are courting.

Cities require more than just professionals to prosper. Sure we want coders, but we also need janitors and receptionists. We want engineers, but we also need landscapers and security guards. We want doctors, but we also need nursing aides and bus drivers.

Leaders from COPS/Metro, a broad-based organization of local congregations, unions and schools, ask our elected officials to recognize the value of all workers and to pay them a living wage. Some officials eagerly defend the lavish compensation for public sector executives, such as City Manager Sheryl Sculley, SAWS President Robert Puente and the Alamo Colleges Chancellor Bruce Leslie, then turn around and argue that San Antonios low cost of living justifies low wages. Evidently, they still believe that some jobs are desirable and respectable, while others are ordinary and insignificant.

We support strategies for self-improvement and skill development so low-wage workers can move into higher-paying careers, such as the successful Project Quest. But we also recognize the value and dignity of so-called low-skill workers. Even if every single low-wage worker had the resources to pursue additional education and trainingwhich is hard to fathom when juggling two or more jobs  it would be impossible, and undesirable, to vacate all those low-paying positions. We will always need people doing the less-glamorous jobs. But they dont have to be bad jobs.

COPS/Metro organizes to transform our low-wage culture into one of shared prosperity, to ensure equal opportunities to pursue our dreams and to turn bad jobs into good jobs by raising the pay. Our living wage campaign is an organized response to the needs of thousands of workers who have shared their concerns and fears, as well as their hopes and dreams, in face-to-face conversations.

A majority of our council members pledged to chart a path to a new minimum wage of $15 an hour for city employees, just above the food-stamp qualification cutoff for a family of four. They know it is the right thing to do for employees and for the city as a major employer. It is proven that a low-wage worker is not a low-cost worker. Higher wages tend to reduce turnover and increase productivity.

The City Council took the first step toward a living wage last year, raising the entry-level hourly wage from $11.47 to $13. According to city documents, that raise would cost less than $3 million a year, or 0.3 percent of the general fund budget. We urge the council to keep its commitment by taking the next step when it approves the budget this week: raise the minimum wage for city employees to $14 an hour.

Robert Cruz is a member of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church and a leader with COPS/Metro.
Its a bad sign at the beginning of a court-ordered voter education plan if both the U.S. Justice Department and parties who successfully sued the state over voter ID are asking a judge to force compliance with the court order.

That is, however, where Texas finds itself. Our fear is that Texas voters who the court said need not have those state mandated photo IDs to cast a ballot will find themselves without the proper information to vote.

A U.S. District Court and the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said the states voter ID law is discriminatory. More than 600,000 eligible Texas voters are without the seven forms of photo ID that the states voter ID required at the ballot box. The 5th Circuit ordered the lower court judge to impose changes before the Nov. 8 election.

Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered Texas to educate voters about the opportunity for voters who do not possess SB 14 ID and cannot reasonably obtain it to cast at regular ballot. She required the state spend $2.5 million in this education effort.

The Justice Department contends that the state has substituted language that says those allowed to vote will be those with the photo ID or those who have not obtained and cannot obtain the identification. Gone is the word, reasonably.

And the groups that sued the state have additionally charged that Attorney General Ken Paxton and Harris Countys chief election official, Republican Stan Stanart, gave interviews insinuating they would investigate voters who signed a reasonable impediment form. The suing groups are quite correct in the chilling effect such insinuations would carry for certain voters.

The instructions to election officials about voters without photo ID said such voters will sign the reasonable impediment declarationand also provide alternative forms of identification, such as a utility bill or bank statement. But the state also instructs election officials that, you may not question  the reasonableness of any claimed impediment or the truth of the declaration. And it says poll workers will then allow the voter to cast a regular ballot.

The fact that voters without the IDs unconstitutionally required will not be grilled and will be allowed a regular ballot is what the state must stress in its education program to voters.

The state must be permissive in its language to voters  not intimidating, or confusing. Anything else is just smoke intended to accomplish what the state wanted in the first place  voter suppression.
As I drove to church Sunday, the 15th anniversary of 9/11, I could not help but notice all the U.S. flags that were NOT dipped to half-staff. Displaying Old Glory is a wonderful thing, but doing so carries a responsibility. The U.S. Flag Code provides detailed instructions on how and when to fly the flag. If you dont know about the flag code, perhaps you should not be flying it. In addition, President Barack Obama and the governors of many states ordered the flag to be flown at half-staff.

Many of the full-staff displays were on businesses that were not open on Sunday but that were on Saturday, and after closing on that day, the flag should have been lowered to be raised again on Monday morning. I even saw one church along U.S. 281 that had not lowered the flag although services were going on. I feel it is false patriotism to show the flag as part of your business but not display it properly.

Mike Minerva, Bulverde

More talking points

Re: Since 9/11, many of our wounds self-inflicted, Jeremi Suri, Opinion, Sunday:

Wow. Reading through this piece, I thought Jeremi Suri was a pseudonym for George Soros. The commentary came off like a Democratic election piece, evil white people, driven by their disdain for brown people, climate change, inequality. Congratulations, he hit all of the talking points. I am used to this from the opinion section, but on 9/11, it just makes him another race baiter adding to the problems he claims to illuminate for others to correct.

Steve Goetsch, Helotes

Outsourcing policy

Donald Trump was recently asked how he would deal with a hostile North Korea as president. I couldnt believe his response when he said that he would simply let China take care of it. Didnt he say he knew more than our generals? I guess if he lets China make all of his ties, he also feels he can outsource foreign policy to China. The man has no clue when it comes to foreign policy, and other vital issues for which he has no plans. We cannot afford to have this man as president.

Past errors

Re: Nuke test a hot topic, Nation & World, Sept. 10:

Hillary Clinton recently mentioned that there is a need to rethink existing policies designed to contain North Koreas increased militancy. There is no doubt that the citizens of South Korea, Japan, Guam or Hawaii would agree with her. They live in the areas that North Koreas improved missiles will soon be able to reach. However, as a recent secretary of state, does not Mrs. Clinton possess some culpability in allowing that rogue regime to reach the threat level it now poses? Because of past miscalculations, it may be difficult for her, I believe, to convince the electorate that she is the best choice to be Americas next commander-in-chief.

David L. Hall

Defend free speech

Re: End the nonsense, Your Turn, Sept. 2:

The Bill of Rights is a real challenge. When Colin Kaepernick exercises his freedom of speech and others find his actions offensive, the backlash often concludes that he is unpatriotic and needs to love it or leave it.

Those in the military and veterans and all elected officials take an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. That includes the Bill of Rights. One true test of patriotism is to protect someones freedom of speech even when one finds that speech offensive. This principle is what sets our country apart from others.

Lydia O. Powell

Familiar narrative

Re: Past behavior best judge of candidates character, Paul Krugman, Other Views, Sept. 8:

Paul Krugman hit it out of the park. No one seems to want to talk about the extremely large pachyderm in the room, George W. Bush. This guy single-handedly destroyed all hope of peace in the Middle East by paying attention to the most excessive neocons, including his vice-president And he was elected by a conservative leaning Supreme Court  remember the chads?

Krugman brings up the specter of a recurrence. I hope this does not happen. We are waiting with baited breath to find out how close this election will be. And the only reason this election should be close is, as Krugman says, a failure to communicate with the most hard-headed individuals.

Gore was a liar, and Bush was blunt. Does that sound familiar? When W. hoodwinked Americans about the tax cuts he advertised to help the middle class, he got away with it. He then used what he called his political capital to try to privatize Social Security. Most folks saw through that and shut it down. In the second year of his second term, W. was finally brought to justice by his approval ratings. Please, do not wait that long for Trump.

Mark A. Hall

Petty offenses

The incredible public shaming and mishandling of Dr. Lou Agnese was absolutely unbelievable. His offenses, as reported by the Express-News again and again, were ridiculously petty. Inane? Yes. Stupid? Yes. Racially insulting? I think not.

He was railroaded! Thank you for no tar and feathers.

All my warm feelings for UIW and my personal pride in being a donor to this great institution are gone  and I am sad.

Patricia Dohogne Crain

Surrogates

Who nominated Trumps children?

Richard Wallish

Promote the veeps

Because Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are so unpopular with the American people, I suggest we elevate their running mates  Mike Pence and Tim Kaine  to be presidential nominees. Then flip a coin to decide which one would become president.

Joe K. Remling
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Brian Keith Cook was convicted of raping a child under one year old, citing a Darien police report. However, Idaho court documents show Cook was convicted of the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl.

DARIEN  A convicted child rapist was caught camping out in a town park this week carrying several weapons, including a 10-inch machete, police said.

Brian Cook, 35, of Idaho, was found sleeping in the woods of Cherry Lawn Park behind the Darien Nature Center about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

Cook told officers he was walking cross-country to Maine in honor of his daughter who died of leukemia, police said.

Officers discovered Cook had an extensive criminal record in Idaho and Oregon. They found he had an active arrest warrant from Idaho for a probation violation, stemming from a rape charge, a police report of the incident said.

Court records show Cook provided alcohol to a 13-year-old girl and raped her between 20 and 30 times in a period of several weeks, according to the Post Register of Idaho Falls, Idaho. The victim initially denied any sexual contact with Cook, but later admitted he abused her, the newspaper reported. Court records show the victims father was aware of the sexual relationship and Cook told his fiance he was going to marry the victim when she turned 18, according to the Post Register.

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According to the Idaho Sex Offender Registry, Cook was convicted of rape in August 2011.

Cook eventually admitted to Darien officers he had been convicted of the rape and was placed in a program, violated probation and was sent back to jail until December 2015, according to the report.

Cook said he hitched several rides from Idaho and walked to Connecticut from Philadelphia, police said. Cook said he was hoping to reach Maine, then cross into Canada, police said.

Cook was found in possession of a machete and was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon, violation of town ordinance against camping and resisting arrest for misleading police about his identity.

He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bond on those charges and is being held without bond on the fugitive from justice charge.

Court authorities said Idaho officials plan to pick up Cook later this month.
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The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the largest residential complex in the history of the Mission District on Tuesday, 3 years after the so-called Beast on Bryant was proposed. The OK came despite criticism from some Mission residents that the neighborhood has too many luxury developments already.

But Supervisor David Campos, who represents the Mission District, said the project at 2000-2070 Bryant St. was a good deal that would bring much-needed affordable housing to the neighborhood.

Over the past year, developer Nick Podell took extensive strides to appease opponents, including giving adjacent land to the city for it to build affordable housing.

I believe that on balance this neighborhood is better off having this project approved than not, said Campos, who just a year ago supported an 18-month moratorium on the construction of market-rate housing in the Mission.

If I had it within my power, I would only be approving projects that are 100 percent affordable, Campos said. But at some point we have a responsibility not only to prevent bad things from happening. We also have a responsibility to make good things happen in the neighborhood. And as a district supervisor I have a responsibility to make sure that affordable housing is built.

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As approved, the complex will contain one building with 191 market-rate apartments and a second building with between 100 and 136 affordable units. Podell would develop the market-rate units while the city would construct the affordable ones, one-third of which will house formerly homeless families. The city has reserved $30 million to construct those units.

The project had become a flash point in the debate over the citys housing crisis and the displacement of longtime residents who can no longer afford to live here. Those tensions are especially fraught in the Mission, a neighborhood famous for its arts and working-class Latino community, but where luxury condominiums and new restaurants are replacing rent-controlled apartments and laundromats.

The property at 18th and Bryant had been home to a treasured arts community, a 50,000-square-foot space for hundreds of dancers, painters, actors and circus performers, among others.

This project is not necessary and desirable, said Peter Papadopoulos of the Mission Cultural Action Network, who appealed the project on environmental grounds. This project will result in additional displacement. The influx of wealthier residents that will accompany this project will create pressure on lower-income residents and mom-and-pop businesses.

Papadopoulos and others argued that the project had gone through an invalid environmental impact review.

They said the review did not adequately consider the impact of increased traffic and congestion in the neighborhood. They also said it failed to consider the impact of 40 market-rate housing developments in the Mission, a number greater than was anticipated in the 2010 Eastern Neighborhoods plan, which rezoned the area.

Campos expressed sympathy for that point of view. At some point we do want to cap the number of units that are built as a way to protect the character of a neighborhood, he said.

But Campos said he could not in good conscience reject the project on the basis that it violated the California Environmental Quality Act. He said CEQA was not the proper forum to address concerns about displacement.

Critics of the Bryant Street project fear the market-rate building will be constructed years before the city builds the affordable project. The mayors office assured Campos at Tuesdays meeting that it will move immediately to build the affordable units on the donated property. Thats important because the city has received land dedications in the past, but then lacked the funds to get an affordable housing project built.

Kate Hartley, deputy director of the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development, said the city would immediately seek bids from developers to build the project. She estimated the developer would take a year to design it, with the permitting process taking another year.

The land Podell is donating has a market value of $22 million. Had his company not given the land or built affordable housing, it would have had to pay the city around $18 million. On Tuesday, representatives for his company said it would give $500,000 to help build a community arts center in the city-constructed building.

It remains to be seen what the approval of the Bryant Street project means for other market-rate Mission District housing projects in the pipeline. They include the Monster in the Mission at the 16th Street BART Station, which has been stalled by litigation between the property owner and the developer, and Axis Developments proposed 117-unit project at 2675 Folsom St.

In August, the Planning Commission approved the 157-unit project Lennar is proposing at 1515 S. Van Ness Ave. after it agreed to rent 25 percent of the units to low- and middle-income families.

Boe Hayward, the spokesman for the Bryant Street project, expressed happiness with Tuesdays vote.

It has been quite a ride, but after years of intense community engagement we are proud of this project and appreciate the support of the Board of Supervisors, he said. Fundamentally, it is a shame that a Mission project with unprecedented affordability faced such opposition.

Chronicle staff writer J.K. Dineen contributed to this report.

Emily Green is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: egreen@sfchronicle.com

Twitter: @emilytgreen
1 Military aid: The United States on Wednesday signed an unprecedented security agreement with Israel that will give the Israeli military $38 billion over 10 years. The deal, the largest such agreement the U.S. has ever had with any country, amounts to $3.8 billion a year beginning in budget year 2019, compared with $3.1 billion the U.S. gave Israel annually under the current 10-year deal that expires in 2018. Under the agreement, Israels ability to spend part of the funds on Israeli military products will be phased out and eventually all of the money must be spent on American military industries. Israels preference for spending some internally had been a major sticking point in the deal.

2 Myanmar trade: The White House offered trade benefits to Myanmar as the Asian nation continued its transition from military rule. The announcement came as Myanmars leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, met with President Obama at the White House on Wednesday. Myanmar is one of the worlds poorest countries and has been eligible for preferential trade treatment. But President George H.W. Bush suspended that treatment in 1989, citing Myanmars refusal to recognize workers rights.
Since November 2015, flights from the UK and several other countries to Sharm El-Sheikh have been suspended following the downing of a Russian airliner over central Sinai

Egypts Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry called on Tuesday his British counterpart Boris Johnson to discuss the latest efforts being taken to resume direct flights between the touristic resort of Sharm El-Sheikh and the UK, a foreign affairs ministry statement read.

Since November 2015, flights from the UK and several other countries to Sharm El-Sheikh were suspended following the downing of a Russian airliner over central Sinai in October that year, killing all 224 people on board.

The airline's crash was a blow to Egypt's already ailing tourism industry. The number of tourists coming to Egypt dropped by 50 percent in the first half of 2016 compared to the same period last year.

During the phone call, Shoukry referred to a letter he received from the UK, with the results of a British delegations inspection of Egyptian airports.

Shoukry said Egypt is keen on implementing the delegations recommendations, and he expressed his optimism that UK tourism to Sharm El-Sheikh will return soon.

The phone call also included both countries views on topics set to be discussed in the United Nations General Assembly next week, which will be attended by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

Johnson and Shoukry also discussed the current situation in Libya, and ongoing efforts to bridge the differences between different Libyan factions, the statement added.

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What happened to hoary old ideas of leadership like The buck stops here? In our Brave New World of elite impunity, if Wells Fargos John Stumpf had been the captain of the Titanic, not only would the crash be the fault of the iceberg, but he would also make sure he got the first seat on the lifeboat.

In an exclusive interview with the Wall Street Journal, Stumpf made the intelligence-insulting claim that the opening of a total of over 2 million bogus accounts was the result of nefarious plotting by ruthlessly clever employees, victimizing Stumpf as much as the customers themselves. From the Journal:

As public and congressional pressure mounted on Wells Fargo & Co. executives, its top two bankers had an explanation Tuesday for allegedly illegal sales practices across the company: It was employees fault. Chief Executive John Stumpf defended the firm and the efforts it had taken to stop the behavior, which included opening accounts for customers without permission. There was no incentive to do bad things, Mr. Stumpf said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. He called the conduct that led to last weeks settlement with federal and local authorities not acceptable, adding that the bank doesnt want one dime of income thats not earned properly. At the same time, the San Francisco bank said it would soon eliminate the practices at the center of the controversy: branch-level sales goals that encouraged employees to cross-sell products to customers.

As weve stressed, retail banks are highly controlled organizations. Lower level staff and their supervisors are closely monitored and have very little discretion. Branch-level activities are subject to strict protocols designed and rolled out across the entire retail banking operation. Needless to say, it want hard for the Journal to find sources that disputed Stumpfs flattering account:

Many of the employees felt pressure to sell customers multiple products or servicesfor example, home-equity lines to certificate of deposit holdersto stay in their jobs or earn bonuses tied to sales goals, according to interviews with current and former Wells Fargo workers. Some branch employees met with their managers several times a day to report their progress on meeting cross-selling targets, they added Some employees who recently left were critical of the executives message. Mita Bhowmick, a former Wells Fargo teller in Pennsylvania, said of responsibility for the sales tactics, It was all management: their boss, then their boss, then their boss. Ms. Bhowmick took early retirement from the bank in 2014 at age 58. They are putting pressure on employees, and its sad, Ms. Bhowmick added. People need their jobs.

As members of the commentariat pointed out, and we neglected to mention in our coverage, most of the 5,300 employees that Wells piously claims were fired for cross-selling abuses from 2011 to 2015 were almost certainly booted for missing targets or other issues. The Los Angeles City Attorney didnt begin its investigation until early 2014, which means its highly unlikely anyone was terminated prior to then for being overly zealous.

Even the normally pro-big-business, anti-regulatory readers of the Wall Street Journal werent buying Stumpfs spin. The comments were overwhelmingly skewed against him. Some examples:

Mark Sullivan

Mr. Stumpfs response was despicable Jeffrey Krantz

This CEOs public statements are worse than the BP CEO complaining that his weekend was interrupted. there was no incentive to do bad things. What about the keeping our jobs incentive??? Thomas Huynh

In his mind, Mr. Stumpf probably thinks he didnt tell them to lie and cheat even though he created a culture that allowed lying and cheating. At the very least, even for the minuscule possibility he knew nothing about what his 5,300 employees were doing, he should be fired for incompetence and mismanagement. Alexander James

Blaming the employees and pretending you have a corporate culture of peaches and roses is like binding 250,000 people to a wall and blaming the 1% who decided chewing off their own feet to escape was better than starving to death. And believe me, in retail banking you either get promoted or you get fired.

The San Francisco bank also promised to turn over a new leaf by ending cross-selling targets. But experts dont find that credible. Again from the Journal:

Cross-selling has been a religion there, said David Hendler, founder and principal of bank research firm Viola Risk Advisors, LLC. They cant say were not going to do that and not have another idea to roll out in the meantime, Mr. Hendler said.

Stumps apparently thinks he can brazen things out with his blame the little people version of events next Tuesday before the Senate Banking Committee. Perhaps he is betting on Elizabeth Warren not being as tough as usual because she praised the conduct of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which represented $100 million of the $185 million settlement. Coming down on Stumpf for not taking responsibility or clawing back pay would undermine the story that Warren wants to tell about the CFPB, that it did a great job, which means believing its punishments were adequate.

The media and investor community has already taken note of the failure to claw back the pay of Carrie Tolstedt, head of community banking during the entire period of the fraud and thus the immediately responsible executive. She received $125 million worth of compensation upon her retirement at the end of July, and had received multi-million annual pay awards on top of that.

In the London Whale scandal, once Jamie Dimon got the memo it was not going away quickly, he threw the manager of the Chief Investment Office, Ina Drew, under the bus, even though we and others described at length why Dimon was also culpable. Similarly, now that Stumpf is being criticized by investors, the logical survival move would be to seek to claw back some of Tolstedts pay. The total amount that customers were falsely charged is reportedly a mere $5 million. Thats a teeny proportion of Tolstedts payout. Dinging her for that would seem to be an easy face-saving gesture for Stumpf and the bank.

Sp why isnt Stumpf going that route? The timing of Tolstedts departure, as settlement negotiations were almost certainly underway, raises the possibility that her exit was an informal concession, or even part of the deal but agreed by all parties to be kept secret. If thats the case, the fact that the regulators and Wells badly misread how the public would react makes it hard to execute a do-over, since Tolstedt will (perversely) believe she already took a fall by leaving the bank earlier than she wanted to.

Even if Tolstedt instead left out of a sense of self preservation, its likely that the receipt of her retirement/deferred comp payout was conditioned on her signing a non-disparagement agreement (and these agreements often contains the provision that the party also agree to keep the agreement confidential). It would be normal for her lawyer to try to have the deal be mutual, as in have the bank agree not to criticize Tolstedt. So watch and see if Stumpf or any other Wells Fargo officials go to some lengths to avoid saying anything bad about her.

Stumpf may be correct: that the short amount of time that each Senator has to interrogate him means that no one will be able to mark him up all that badly, and this fiasco will blow over in a few weeks. But the continued glare of the media hot lights and the fact that Wells stock has taken a hit says Stumpf is in hot water. If he has bet wrong and the Tuesday hearing goes badly for him, he may be find out the hard way that his board can and will make the buck stop with him by ending his reign.
Gaia results revealed - first data release from the most detailed map ever made of the sky

(Nanowerk News) Detailed information about more than a billion stars in the Milky Way has been published in the first data release from the Gaia satellite, which is conducting the first-ever galactic census. The release marks the first chance astronomers and the public have had to get their hands on the most detailed map ever made of the sky.

Gaia, which orbits the sun at a distance of 1.5 million kilometres from the earth, was launched by the European Space Agency in December 2013 with the aim of observing a billion stars and revolutionising our understanding of the Milky Way. During its expected five-year lifespan, Gaia will observe each of a billion stars about 70 times.

Gaias first sky map. (Image: ESA/Gaia/DPAC)

The unique mission is reliant on the work of Cambridge researchers who collect the vast quantities of data transmitted by Gaia to a data processing centre at the University, overseen by a team at the Institute of Astronomy.

Gaias first major data release is both a wonderful achievement in its own right, and a taster of the truly dramatic advances to come in future years, said Professor Gerry Gilmore from the Institute of Astronomy, who is also the UK Principal Investigator for Gaia. Several UK teams have leading roles in Gaias Data Processing and Analysis efforts, which convert the huge raw data streams from the satellite into the beautiful science-ready information now made available for the global scientific and public communities. UK industry made critical contributions to the Gaia spacecraft. The UK public, including school students, as well as scientists, are sharing the excitement of this first ever galactic census.

In addition to the work taking place at Cambridge, teams from Edinburgh, the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) at UCL London, Leicester, Bristol and the Science and Technology Facilities Councils Rutherford Appleton Lab are all contributing to the processing of the vast amounts of data from Gaia, in collaboration with industrial and academic partners from across Europe.

The team in Cambridge, led by Dr Floor van Leeuwen, Dr Dafydd Wyn Evans and Dr Francesca De Angeli, processed the flux information  the amount of energy that crosses a unit area per unit time  providing the calibrated magnitudes of around 1.6 billion stars, 1.1 billion of which are now published as part of the first data release.

The Cambridge team also check the daily photometric data for unexpected large outliers, which led to the regular publication of photometric science alerts that were ready for immediate follow-up observations from the ground.

The sheer volume of data processed for this first release is beyond imagination: around 120 billion images were analysed, and most of these more than once, as all the processing is iterative, said van Leeuwen, who is Gaia photometric data processing lead. Many problems had to be overcome, and a few small ones still remain. Calibrations have not yet reached their full potential. Nevertheless, we are already reaching accuracies that are significantly better than expected before the mission, and which can challenge most ground-based photometric data in accuracy.

This first Gaia data release has been an important exercise for the Gaia data reduction teams, getting them to focus on deliverable products and their description, said Evans. But it is only the first small step towards much more substantial results.

While today marks the first major data release from Gaia, in the two years since its launch, the satellite has been producing scientific results in the form of Gaia Alerts.

Dr Simon Hodgkin, lead of the Cambridge Alerts team said, The Gaia Alerts project takes advantage of the fact that the Gaia satellite scans each part of the sky repeatedly throughout the mission. By comparing successive observations of the same patch of sky, scientists can search for transients  astronomical objects which brighten, fade, change or move. These transients are then announced to the world each day as Gaia Alerts for both professional and amateur astronomers to observe with telescopes from the ground.

The range of Gaias discoveries from Science Alerts is large  supernovae of various types, cataclysmic variable stars, novae, flaring stars, gravitational microlensing events, active galactic nuclei and quasars, and many sources whose nature remains a mystery.

Gaia has discovered many supernovae, the brilliant explosions of stars at the end of their lives. Many of these have been Type Ia supernovae, which can be used to measure the accelerating expansion of the Universe. But among these apparently typical supernovae there have been some rarer events. Gaia16ada was spotted by Gaia in the nearby galaxy NGC4559, and appears to be an eruption of a very massive, unstable star. The Hubble Space Telescope observed this galaxy some years ago, allowing astronomers to pinpoint the precise star which erupted.

Another lucky catch for Gaia was the discovery of Gaia16apd  a supernova which is nearly a hundred times brighter than normal. Astronomers still don't know what the missing ingredient in these ultra-bright supernovae is, and candidates include exotic rapidly spinning neutron stars, or jets from a black hole. Cambridge astronomer Dr Morgan Fraser is trying to understand these events, saying, We have only found a handful of these exceptionally bright supernovae, compared to thousands of normal supernovae. For Gaia to spot one so nearby is a fantastic result.

Many of the Gaia Alerts found so far are bright enough to be observable with a small telescope. Amateur astronomers have taken images of supernovae found by Gaia, while schoolchildren have used robotic telescopes including the Faulkes Telescopes in Australia and Hawaii to do real science with transients.

Dr Hodgkin said: Since the announcement of the first transients discovered with Gaia in September 2014, over one thousand alerts have been released. With Gaia continually relaying new observations to ground, and our team working on finding transients continually improving their software, the discoveries look set to continue well into the future!

For the UK teams the future means providing improvements in the pre-processing of the data and extending the processing to cover the photometric Blue and Red prism data. Also data from the Radial Velocity Spectrometer, with major involvement from MSSL, will be included in future releases. The photometric science alerts will continue to operate throughout the mission, and summaries of the results will be included in future releases. Despite the considerable amount of data, the first Gaia data release provides just a taste of the accuracy and completeness of the final catalogue, said De Angeli.

The Cambridge Gaia team has also released a dedicated smartphone app, which will allow anyone worldwide to follow the Gaia Alerts discoveries as they happen. Real spacecraft data will be available to the world as soon as it is processed, with users able to follow the discoveries and see what they are. Information to access the app is available at https://gaia.ac.uk.
Russia suspended all flights to and from Egypt last fall after a Russian A321 plane crashed in the Sinai desert on 31 October while flying from the resort city of Sharm Ell-Sheikh

The Russian Transport Ministry plans to send another group of airport safety experts to Egypt shortly with the aim of restoring flights between the countries, Minister Maxim Sokolov said Wednesday.

"We will go [to Egypt] with another inspection in the near future. We are working on this together with the Egyptian counterparts," Sokolov told reporters.

Russia suspended all flights to and from Egypt last fall after a Russian A321 plane crashed in the Sinai desert on 31 October while flying from the resort city of Sharm Ell-Sheikh to St. Petersburg.

All 224 people on board died in what has become the largest civil aviation disaster in Russian history.







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The injured aunt of 26 year-old Thurles woman Nicola Kenny, who was tragically killed in a collision on the M8 Cork/Dublin motorway near Cashel last week, continues to be treated in intensive care at Limerick Regional Hospital this week.

Gardai have re-issued an appeal for anyone who witnessed the accident at Dogstown between Junctions 9 and 10 of the M8 on Monday, September 5 or who witnessed both vehicles involved in the crash in the moments leading up to the crash to contact Cahir Garda Station.

Nicola Kenny from Kennedy Park, Thurles was a back seat passenger in a Ford Focus car that was stopped in the hard shoulder of the motorway when a truck collided with it at approximately 12.25pm on September 5. She had given birth to her baby daughter Lily Rose only the day before.

She was speaking on the phone to the hospital about her daughter's condition when the accident happened. Nicola was pronounced dead at the scene while her mother Ann and aunt Irene Whelan, who was the car's driver, were both hospitalised with injuries.

The Armagh man, who was driving the truck involved in the crash, was arrested by gardai and detained overnight for questioning. He is currently out on bail in relation to other matters not connected with the crash while gardai prepare a file on the accident for submission to the DPP.

Nicola Kenny had worked at the Tesco store in Thurles and books of condolences to her family have been opened at her former work place and at Tesco in Clonmel.

There were heart breaking scenes at Thurles's Cathedral of the Assumption last Thursday as hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their last respects to the young mother, who was granddaughter of the three-time Tipperary All-Ireland senior hurling medallist Paddy Kenny.

The Requeim Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Vincent Stapleton and Archbishop of Cashel & Emly Most Rev. Kieran O'Reilly. Nicola's injured mother Ann attended the Funeral Mass in a wheelchair. She was joined by Nicola's father Patrick, brother Patrick and other family members.

In the offertory procession, a framed photo of Nicola's friends, a pair of runners representing her love of fashion, an Olly Murs CD symbolising her love of music and Minnie Mouse headband representing her love of Disney cartoons and characters were brought to the altar.

Chief celebrant Fr Stapleton told the packed Cathedral that Nicola's sudden passing had left a cloud hanging over all of them and none more so than her family and many friends, neighbours and work colleagues family and friends.

He said Nicola's last great joy in life was to become a mother and he offered prayers for her daughter Lily Rose and asked Nicola and God's guardian angel to continue to watch over her from heaven.

Prayers were also offered for Nicola's aunt Irene.
Industry veteran A.W. Pickel III is heading to AmCap Mortgage to become president of the lender's newly formed Midwestern division.

In the process, Pickel will leave his role as chief executive at LeaderOne Financial, the company he founded in 1992. He will join AmCap effective Oct. 15, he told National Mortgage News Wednesday.

Pickel handpicked his successor, Michael Stoddart, who previously served as executive vice president and chief operating officer since June 2013, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Explaining his choice to leave LeaderOne, Pickel said that it was "fun to do something new," reiterating the growth AmCap has seen recently. Founded in 2002, AmCap now operates in 32 states and originates more than $2 billion in retail government and conventional mortgages each year.

"It's time to turn [LeaderOne] over to other folks who like to manage and be an administrator," Pickel said by phone. "[AmCap is] really growing and it's a great opportunity for me. This 60-year-old is not done yet."

In his new role with AmCap, Pickel will be responsible for growing the company's retail brand and physical presence, primarily in the Midwest, through acquisitions and organic growth.

Pickel serves as a current member of the Mortgage Bankers Association's Independent Mortgage Bankers Executive Council and the Freddie Mac IMB Advisory Board. He is also a former president of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers and founded the Kansas Association of Mortgage Brokers.
American Homes 4 Rent has repaid the $342 million loan that serves as collateral for its first securitization of single-family rental properties, ARP 2014-SFR1.

It's only the second time a deal in this relatively new asset class has been repaid. In July, Progress Residential refinanced its first securitization, rolling much of the collateral into a new deal.

All of these transactions are backed by a single mortgage on a portfolio of rental homes. The loans have initial terms of two or three years, and can be extended for up to five years. To date, all other maturing loans have been extended, and some are concerned that a large number will come due at the same time, when they are fully extended, making it difficult to refinance all of them. This could prove especially difficult if housing prices were to fall, as most of the loans pay only interest, and no principal, and so do not amortize.

Unlike Progress, AH4R is not refinancing its deal, at least not right away. Instead, it is expected to hold the properties on its balance sheet, according to Kroll Bond Rating Agency, which rated the deal. The original sponsor of the deal, American Residential Properties, was merged into AH4R earlier this year, and the combined firm operates as AH4R. In a report published this week, KBRA said that AH4R will manage the properties "as part of its ongoing corporate strategy."

Once investors in the securitization receive full proceeds from repayment of the loan, KBRA will withdraw its rating on the deal.

ARP 2014-SFR1 was collateralized by an interest-only loan with an initial maturity date of Sept. 9. Although the loan had an initial term of two years with three 12-month extension options, the borrower elected not to exercise the first extension option. Throughout the life of the transaction, the loan maintained a current payment status, according to KBRA.

KBRA noted that Progress refinanced its deal ahead of the loan's maturity, and as a result was required to pay a spread maintenance premium.
This years UN general assemblys theme is 'The Sustainable Development Goals: A Universal Push to Transform our World'

Egypts Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry will travel to New York on Thursday, ahead of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis US visit next week to attend the United Nations general assembly, state news agency MENA reported.

Shoukry will meet with a number of his foreign counterparts in the US to discuss current regional and international issues, MENA added.

Some of the meetings El-Sisi is set to attend are the Security Councils summit on Syria, held on 21 September, a meeting on immigrants and asylum seekers, and an African leaders meeting on fighting climate change.

Shoukry will attend a ministerial-level meeting on 22 September on the current situation in Libya that will focus on reinforcing security and stability efforts in the North African country.

This years UN general assemblys theme is The Sustainable Development Goals: A Universal Push to Transform our World.

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The Egyptian navy foils two attempts of illegal immigration through the Mediterranean

Egypts navy managed to foil two irregular immigration attempts of 440 people through the Mediterranean Sea during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, the Egyptian armed forces announced.

In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, the official Egyptian armed forces spokesperson said that the Egyptian navy received information about irregular immigration attempts during the Eid Al-Ahda holiday.

The navy stopped a fishing boat carrying 198 people from different nationalities in addition to its seven-member crew in the northern city of Burullus in Kafr Al-Sheikh governorate.

The navy also stopped a fishing boat carrying 242 people from different nationalities and its five-members crew in the northern city Ras El-Hakima, Marsa Matrouh governorate.

Both fishing boats were led to Abu-Kir naval base in Alexandria where the 440 people received medical care and were referred to prosecution.

In recent years, thousands of refugees and migrants have attempted to cross the Mediterranean in search of better jobs and opportunities. Hundreds have been arrested in Egypt for attempting to migrate irregularly.

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The Egyptian president will meet the US Democratic presidential candidate during the UN General Assembly next week

Democratic US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will meet with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi next week during the UN General Assembly (UNGA), her campaign announced Wednesday.

Clinton will also meet Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko as well other world leaders, her campaign added.

The Egyptian president will head to New York next week to participate in the upcoming UNGA meetings.

This years assembly theme is, The Sustainable Development Goals: A Universal Push to Transform our World.

El-Sisi and Clinton met and held talks in 2014 during the UNGA meetings in New York.

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Why Ashville residents are complaining after all these years

(NaturalNews) One could naturally assume that electronic and computer parts and equipment would be a "clean" industry. Usually, there are no toxic smoke plumes or other obvious signs of pollution. Yet, more and more areas are discovering that electronic and computer industries are not so clean.Citizens in the Ashville, NC, area are still reeling from the toxic aftermath of CTS Corporation's electronic component plant that was abandoned there in 1986.The toxin discovered in the Ashville area's soil, streams, and groundwater is TCE (trichloroethylene) used by CTS Corporation in its electronic processing plants. It is a chlorinated solvent that's been used as a metal degreaser, chemical extractant and more recently has been used in electronic and computer components.TCE's toxicity is not conjecture. It's "sound science" in lieu of corporations' unsound science and government agencies' rubber stamping their use before they can be proven dangerous.Then, it's a big "oops" and clean-up that's preceded by class action lawsuits from neighboring victims after big profits are made with little or no liability or accountability.A mega-study and analysis of many different studies, epidemiological, in vitro and in vivo, was published in March 2013 bywith the title "Human Health Effects of Trichloroethylene: Key Findings and Scientific Issues."This study concluded without any equivocation: "TCE is carcinogenic to humans by all routes of exposure and poses a potential human health hazard for noncancer toxicity to the central nervous system, kidney, liver, immune system, male reproductive system, and the developing embryo/fetus."The EPA discovered TCE contamination from CTS Corporation's plant in 1990, after investigating it in 1988. CTS had abandoned that site in 1986. The plant was destroyed with local government funds, and a real estate company purchased it for a residential development.Since then, CTS has expanded its operations more in the United States and worldwide into Mexico, Scotland, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, Singapore, Canada and China. Their reported first quarter revenue for 2014 was over $100 million.Lori Murphy is among a group of neighbors who filed a federal lawsuit in 2011 against CTS for unspecified monetary damages and a court order forcing CTS to totally clean up the mess and cover the costs of what's been done by government agencies.Lori's compliant echoed her neighbors' frustration. "I think there are a lot of wasted dollars in everything that's been done," she said, according to the. "The endless testing is pointless. They know what's going on. Quit testing and clean it up, period." So far, at least $11 million has been spent without completing the cleanupSome of the $11 million has gone to bypass the groundwater pollution contaminating wells in the area by piping in city water, especially after a large patch of the plant's former ground was subdivided and developed.The developers that bought the land parceled from the former CTS site were forced to use a vapor extraction system to remove TCE from the soil above groundwater.But the contamination had already heavily saturated the groundwater, causing springs that provide water to wells nearby to be tested at 7,000 times North Carolina's allowable TCE levels in water.The lawsuit has flip-flopped back and forth on technicalities and some dismissal demands from CTS,. As of April 2014, the Supreme Court has agreed to review this case and render a final decision.This TCE contamination is yet another example of allowing chemicals to be created and added for industrial use without long term environmental impact and living creature toxicity testing. It's a cousin to Monsanto's PCB and dioxin issues that continue to haunt us long after PCBs have been banned.
Treating wastewater can actually make resistant bacteria worse

(NaturalNews) Nearly all wastewater samples tested as part of a new study on "superbugs" were found to be contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to reports. Scientists, publishing their work in the journal, found that, among 11 sites tested throughout France, 96 percent of wastewater samples contained antibiotic-resistant strains ofbacteria.The same is likely true of water supplies elsewhere, as effluent becomes increasingly contaminated with bacteria that have built up resistance to even the strongest antibiotics. Wastewater, not only from hospitals, where superbugs are increasingly prevalent, but also from municipal treatment plants, is teeming with the critters, which could pose a public health threat.Xavier Bertrand and his colleagues from the University of Franche-Comte in Besancon, France, decided to investigate the purity of wastewater, even after it has been treated, to look for superbugs. They collected water samples from 11 sites throughout the Besancon wastewater network, two of which contained wastewater from university hospitals. Some of the water was also collected from the city and from rainwater.Wastewater from livestock farming was purposely excluded in order to assess superbug prevalence in other water sources.After testing all the samples, the team found that every single one contained some form of. Of these, 96 percent contained antibiotic-resistant forms of. And interestingly enough, the average number of individualin city wastewater was found to be more than twice that of hospital wastewater , which came as somewhat of a surprise."These multi-drug resistant bacteria are now the most frequently isolated ones in French hospitals, and in many countries," stated Bertrand about the results in an email to. "The extent to which the discharge of (antibiotic-resistant E. coli) into the environment contributes to its global spread remains uncertain."While wastewater treated before release back into the environment resulted in a 94 percent drop in antibiotic-resistant bacterial contamination, the team observed an uptick in the actual concentration of these bacteria among all other remaining bacteria. The proportion of antibiotic-resistant bacteria , in fact, doubled as a result of treatment."[I]nitially, 0.3 percent ofcarried a gene for resistance, whereas 0.6 percent did after treatment," wrote Allison Bond forHow this concentration affects humans is still up for debate, and microbiologist John Scott Meschke from the University of Washington in Seattle seems to think that current water purification techniques are adequate for making water safe enough to drink. But not everyone is convinced that such findings can be brushed off so easily.A similar but unrelated study out of India, published back in 2011, found that drinking water in the heavily populated capital city of New Delhi is also contaminated with resistant bacteria. In this case, the bacteria identified included pathogens that cause dysentery and cholera, two conditions that are arguably more serious than aninfection when it comes to their threat to human health.But the implications are still the same, as even small numbers of bacteria carrying resistant genes are capable of spreading such genes to other bacteria, leading to widespread resistance in those exposed."These are extremely worrying results," stated Professor Tim Walsh from Cardiff University in Wales, lead author of the earlier Indian study, to. "This is an urgent matter of public health," he added, noting that the superbug phenomenon is a global epidemic that requires urgent action.
The head of Libya's UN-backed unity government called for urgent talks Wednesday after forces loyal to a rival administration seized the main eastern oil ports in defiance of world powers.

The seizure of all four export terminals in the so-called oil crescent was a major blow to Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj's government, which is almost entirely dependent on oil revenues for its income.

UN envoy Martin Kobler, who had called repeatedly for a halt to the offensive led by controversial military strongman Khalifa Haftar, was to brief the Security Council on the crisis later on Wednesday.

The Government of National Accord is the centrepiece of UN efforts to end five years of chaos in Libya since the overthrow of veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi and it now faces an even tougher battle to assert its authority over the rival administration in the east.

Sarraj said that Libya was at a "turning point" after the assault on the oil ports with its future as a united nation in serious question.

"I call on all sides to halt provocative actions and sit down urgently at the same table to discuss a mechanism that would enable us to get out of this crisis and put a stop to the conflict," the prime minister said.

"I am not prepared to rule one part of Libya nor to lead a war against another part."

It was the first fighting between the forces of the rival administrations since Sarraj established his government in Tripoli in March.

The capture of the oil crescent means that the rival administration now controls virtually all of the eastern Cyrenaica region.

The writ of Sarraj's government is confined to the western Tripolitania region where its forces have been battling militants of the Islamic State (IS) group in the coastal city of Sirte for months.

The Petroleum Facilities Guard, which had been responsible for the defence of the oil ports, has played a prominent role in the fighting against IS and Haftar's forces took advantage of the absence of many of its members to seize all four ports in just three days.

Haftar, 73, who sees himself as Libya's saviour after battling militants out of most of the main eastern city of Benghazi, is the most powerful backer of the eastern administration.

Western governments have voiced serious concern that Libya's deepening divisions can only play into the hands of the militants and their efforts to establish a base in the North African nation just across the Mediterranean from Europe.

The United States and its European allies issued a joint statement condemning Haftar's offensive and calling for the return of the oil ports to unity government control.

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Poor sterilization accuracy rate

Doctors voicing complaints, forced to improvise

Surgeons forced to use duct tape to repair instruments

(NaturalNews) Many people simply take it for granted that a hospital will have the necessary clean equipment on hand to deal with whatever situations might arise during surgery. However, an unusually high number of errors at The Detroit Medical Center's Midtown hospitals is giving many patients pause.These hospitals have been plagued with serious problems pertaining to the proper cleaning and sterilization of surgical instruments and other tools. According to the, surgeons and staff members at the hospitals have been complaining for more than a decade about instruments being broken, improperly cleaned and even missing altogether.Among the complaints are operation problems that range from the fairly routine, such as appendectomies, to serious operations such as spinal fusions and brain surgeries. Some patients had to remain under anesthesia for as long as an hour while staffers scrambled to replace instruments. Others woke up from anesthesia to find out that their operation had been canceled at the last minute  after they had already been put under.Some of the more shocking cases involve children. For example, open-heart surgery on a 7-month-old girl was interrupted last January when it was discovered that a tube leading to the bypass machine was still clogged with blood from an earlier operation at the Children's Hospital of Michigan. Old blood and bone can trigger infections, sepsis and even death in patients. That particular hospital registered 186 complaints of dirty, incomplete or missing instrument sets in just a 17-month period.The problem that has the system on the brink of collapse , appears to stem from Receiving Hospital's Central Sterile Processing Department. This basement department is responsible for cleaning the instruments used at all five of the DMC center campus hospitals, which carry out a combined total of more than 37,000 operations each year.The department employs 71 technicians who are paid $18 an hour to clean thousands of instruments each day, placing them in sterile "case carts" and bringing them to operating rooms in just a few hours.Although accuracy rates for hospital sterilization are not publicized, emails from DMC indicate that June 2014 saw 95 percent of instruments being delivered without any problems. This is a rate of 50,000 errors for every million instruments. Compare this to the goal of just 3.4 errors per million that most sterile processing managers aim for, and you'll see that it's an unforgivable 15,000 times worse.Four doctors who wished to remain anonymous agreed that the problems at DMC are unusually frequent, occurring at least once a month versus the less than once a year norm of other hospitals.One doctor said: "Instruments are getting lost. Instruments are getting dirty. Instruments are not available. It's a surgeon's nightmare. It's not the way it should work. I cannot do surgeries with my bare hands. ... We are running out of tricks to work around this. You can only improvise so much."Another surgeon said that he had stopped filing complaints because they didn't seem to solve anything. He added that he had occasionally had to use duct tape to fix broken instruments during operations. A third doctor claims to have had to cancel as many as 40 operations during the past two years as a result of instrument problems.A 2014 email obtained by theindicated that members of the Ophthalmology group were so fed up with the situation that they were threatening to perform their surgeries in other centers.Former sterilization manager, Lukeysih Hall, wrote in a memo to the owner of DMC that she considered herself a whistleblower , and that administrators had not given her support to make changes.According to the Pharma Death Clock there have been more than half a million surgery-related deaths in this country since 2000, with a further 7 million people dying due to hospital errors. Can't the professionals in charge of the biggest life-and-death moments most people will ever have to face do better than this? News like this drives home the importance of boosting your immune health to try to reduce the chances of getting sick in the first place.
New study finds no cases of microcephaly among pregnant women infected with Zika

Five industries benefiting from the Zika virus

Are pesticides responsible for birth defects in Brazil?

(NaturalNews) Allegations made by the government and establishment media that birth defects in the form of microcephaly in the Americas are caused by the Zika virus are quickly waning. Doctors in Brazil are "quietly acknowledging" that Zika may not be responsible for causing birth defects after all."We suspect that something more than Zika virus is causing the high intensity and severity of cases," Fatima Marinho, director of information and health analysis at Brazil's Health Ministry told the journalin a late July interview.Research conducted by the New England Complex Systems Institute found extremely low occurrences of birth defects among Colombian women infected with the Zika virus, meaning there must be another cause.The study observed 12,000 pregnant women living in Colombia infected with the virus, and none of them gave birth to a baby with microcephaly.reports:"Four cases of microcephaly were reported with women who didn't have Zika symptoms and were not part of the study, which is consistent with the normal expected number of cases. Based on estimated numbers there should be about 60,000 pregnant women in Colombia with the Zika virus, yet there are hardly any cases of microcephaly. If the link to Zika is legitimate, there should have been a dramatic increase in the number of babies with microcephaly."Could it be that the fears over Zika were perpetuated to invoke profits for several key industries?has identified five industries or agendas that have something to gain from Zika : chemical companies, vaccine makers, the biotech industry (GMO mosquitoes), Planned Parenthood and the condom industry, since the disease is now believed to be spread through sexual intercourse."The Zika hoax is being spread by the same con artist cartels that pushed the H1N1 and bird flu schemes to sell billions of dollars in vaccines ... and most of those vaccines were later destroyed without ever having been administered to anyone," said the Health Ranger in a statement."Widespread fear mongering over Zika is just another predictable example of Big Pharma con artistry and government science quackery in action. At the end of all this, nearly all the children who are harmed by all this will have been harmed by the DEET and pesticide chemicals, not Zika virus."So what is causing the birth defects in Brazil? Well, some theorize that it has something to do with a chemical called pyriproxyfen, an insecticide that mimics natural hormones in insects, disrupting reproductive growth.Registered for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1995, the pesticide is an insect growth regulator that affects fleas, cockroaches, ticks, ants, carpet beetles and mosquitoes.Pyriproxyfen is used on lawns and various foods including asparagus, peanuts, strawberries and grapes, according to the. The EPA suspects that the chemical is a known endocrine disruptor.Endocrine disruptors are known for having adverse effects on reproductive development and fetuses, often impacting brain function and development.Pyriproxyfen, used to kill mosquito larva, was applied in areas which subsequently exhibited concentrated rates of microcephaly. The chemical was even put into the drinking water in Pernambuco, a state in Brazil at the center of the epidemic.Furthermore, the pesticide was sprayed and dumped into the water just ahead of the microcephaly outbreak, reports note.This fact presents the "possibility that Zika may not be the cause of the increase in microcephaly cases," reports. "We must follow the research to see where it leads and respond effectively while we protect pregnant women and their unborn babies regardless of the child's disability."
"Playing with fire"

Brain cancer link is PROVEN

(NaturalNews) To much fanfare and excitement, Apple has announced that the iPhone 7 will come with wireless earbuds, ditching the much-reviled and ever-tangled cords of conventional earbuds. The wireless earbuds, dubbed "AirPods," will be water-resistant and are, in the words of company CEO Tim Cook, the first step to a "wireless future."They will also fire dangerous, cancer-causing radiation directly into the brains of users, experts have warned.The iPhone will communicate via Bluetooth directly with the right earbud, which will send a separate Bluetooth signal to the left earbud. This means the radiation carrying the signal will pass directly through the user's brain.According to Apple, all Bluetooth devices emit radiofrequency radiation (RFR) within the guidelines set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). But according to Joel Moskowitz of the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, more than 200 scientists who study the effects of electromagnetic fields on the body have gone on record criticizing the FCC guidelines as far too lenient."We are playing with fire here," Moskowitz said. "You are putting a microwave-emitting device next to your brain."The public health implications of people doing this on a massive scale are daunting, Moskowitz and other experts have warned.Traditionally, scientists have claimed that RFR does not carry enough energy to cause cellular or DNA damage -- in contrast to the more high-energy ionizing radiation , such as X-rays, that has been shown to cause cancer.Yet ionizing or not, a large body of research continues to show negative health effects in humans and other animals exposed to RFR."This has been observed over several decades," Moskowitz said. "It's like we keep rediscovering that Bluetooth is harmful and trying to forget it because we don't know how to handle it from a policy standpoint."Contrary to the claims of industry representatives, studies have in fact established ways that RFR leads directly to health harm.For example, RFR has been shown to degrade the blood-brain barrier, thereby allowing more toxins to pass into the brain . This is a major concern with placing RFR transmitters directly next to the brain."Although we don't know the long-term risks from using Bluetooth devices, why would anyone insert microwave-emitting devices in their ears near their brain when there are safer ways to use a cell phone?" Moskowitz said. "Essentially I recommend using corded headsets or hands-free use of cell phones, not wireless ear buds."But even without Bluetooth, any cell phone use is hazardous. Cell phones also operate using RFR signals, as do smart meters and wireless internet.Another mechanism by which RFR can cause health problems -- including cancer -- was identified in a 2015 study published in the journal. The researchers found that numerous prior studies have shown that RFR can induce oxidative stress, a condition in which the body's antioxidant defenses are overwhelmed and free radicals run amok. Free radicals are molecules that damage cells and DNA, and are considered among the major causes of cancer, heart disease, dementia, and numerous other health problems.Indeed, all studies that have shown health concerns with cell phone radiation apply equally to Bluetooth, and therefore to Apple's AirPods. Thus, iPhone 7 purchasers should be concerned about the findings of the 2010 industry-funded Interphone study, which found dramatic increases in the risk of brain tumors, acoustic nerve tumors and parotid gland tumors among people who had used cell phones for 10 years or more -- and even higher risks among those who started using phones before age 20.Earlier this year, scientists from across the United States gathered at a pediatric conference in Baltimore to declare that there is no longer a debate about the cell phone-brain cancer link."The weight of the evidence is clear: cell phones do cause brain cancer," said Dr. Devras Davis, president of the Environmental Health Trust.
How to Make a Spaceship: A Band of Renegades, an Epic Race, and the Birth of Private Spaceflight Julian Guthrie Penguin: 2016. 9781594206726 9780593078280 | ISBN: 978-1-5942-0672-6

On 4 October 2004, US test pilot Brian Binnie flew a winged wonder to space and back. The rocket-powered SpaceShipOne won a US$10-million prize for becoming the first commercial spaceplane  a breakthrough meant to herald the birth of the space-tourism industry. A decade later, its successor SpaceShipTwo broke apart during a test flight. Co-pilot Michael Alsbury had made a control error, and was killed as a result. The nascent business of take-a-selfie-in-space seemed as far from reality as ever. Putative spaceplane SpaceShipTwo, held under carrier plane WhiteKnightTwo. Credit: Mark Greenberg/Virgin Galactic

Now, in How to Make a Spaceship, journalist Julian Guthrie tackles the story of private spaceflight. Readers who want to know about its early days will revel in her charismatic sketches of the space geeks, entrepreneurs and aviation buffs who made SpaceShipOne. Those looking for in-depth analysis of how that history relates to today's commercial spaceflight should look elsewhere. Space tourism remains a bucket-list thrill for billionaires, and NASA has adopted private spaceflight only to ferry science equipment, drinking water and extra bin bags up to the International Space Station.

Guthrie's earlier The Billionaire and the Mechanic (Grove Press, 2013) dealt with businessman Larry Ellison's obsessive quest to win the America's Cup yachting race. In How to Make a Spaceship, she deploys her skill to observe rich, driven enthusiasts racing to get to the edge of space. Despite the stomach-wrenching microgravity and harsh radiation of space, humans have been pushing to go there since Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to reach orbit in 1961.

First among the motley racers is Peter Diamandis, a serial dreamer who had helped to found a student space-exploration group and an international space university by the time he was 28. He is the kind of technofanatic who tracks how many days he has been alive and is entranced by the fact that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology numbers its buildings instead of naming them. Much of the book revolves around his efforts to jump-start a private space industry. Frustrated by cancelled space missions and hoping to open the final frontier to more than a select cadre of astronauts, Diamandis and a few like-minded techheads gathered in a Colorado mountain cabin in winter 1994. There they hatched the concept of a lucrative award to spur the development of commercial spaceflight. It became known as the X Prize (see Nature 482, 469; 2012), and Guthrie tracks Diamandis's attempts to find someone to fund it.

In 1996, he got an early boost from backers in St Louis, Missouri  the city whose investors had helped Charles Lindbergh to fly from New York to Paris on the first solo transatlantic flight some 70 years before. Diamandis went on to cobble together for the $10-million lure. Enter the next group of dreamers  those looking to win the money. Of these, the most technically adept was Burt Rutan, the contrarian aviation designer who recorded many firsts, including building the broad-winged Voyager plane that circled the world in 1986 without stopping or refuelling. Rutan runs an eclectic company in California's Mojave desert, where engineers and test pilots push the boundaries of flight. Backed by the deep pockets of Microsoft's Paul Allen, Rutan decided to make a bid for the X Prize. He dreamt up the innovative design in which SpaceShipOne dropped from a carrier plane, ignited its engines and coasted to the arbitrarily designated point where space begins, 100 kilometres up.

Guthrie's anecdotes illuminate Rutan's environment more than the enigmatic man himself. We glimpse the angst of the spouse left behind as a test pilot soars into the sky in an experimental machine. We hear of the engineer who in February 2003 listened aghast to the news of the space shuttle Columbia coming apart, underscoring that lives were at risk.

Other colourful characters enter the narrative. They include John Carmack, the video-game designer who founded Armadillo Aerospace in Mesquite, Texas, to shoot for the prize; Steve Bennett, who sent his Starchaser rocket soaring above northwest England; and the Romanian Dumitru Popescu, who as an engineering student recruited his wife to help build rockets in his father-in-law's backyard. More famous names also emerge. Erik Lindbergh re-created his grandfather's flight in a modern plane to cope with the emotional pressure of his family's intense legacy and raise money for the prize. Entrepreneurs Anousheh and Amir Ansari used their personal fortune to sponsor the X Prize (and, eventually, to buy Anousheh a ride to the International Space Station in 2006). British billionaire Richard Branson ensured that an enormous Virgin logo was painted on the side of SpaceShipOne so that the television cameras would catch it in the morning light.

Guthrie sketches the interplay between these personalities as they jostle towards the X Prize deadline of December 2004. In the end, no competitor came close to the scrappy Rutan, who won the purse with two flights five days apart.

What remains unanswered is whether all this geekiness more than a decade ago has truly transformed commercial spaceflight. In lieu of contributing to the X Prize, entrepreneur Elon Musk founded SpaceX in Hawthorne, California, which is now ferrying cargo to the space station (and will soon do the same with astronauts, along with aerospace company Boeing). Its competitor Blue Origin, set up by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, was barely known in 2004 but has since pioneered reusable suborbital rockets that could save costs. There may or may not be a long-term business case for private spaceflight, but at the moment space tourism does not seem to be it.
Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade Robert Cialdini Simon and Schuster (2016) 9781847941411 | ISBN: 978-1-8479-4141-1

Fittingly, Influence (William Morrow, 1984) became one of the most influential studies in behavioural science, a triumph of field research on persuasion and how to resist it by social psychologist Robert Cialdini. Here Cialdini turns the tables, analysing how to harness persuasion by frontloading attention and pinpointing patterns of association conducive to change. His trove of findings and case studies covers how our focal points determine who we see as influential, how babies can be pre-suaded to be helpful, and how language can become a fulcrum in fraught negotiations.

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow Yuval Noah Harari Harvill Secker (2016) 9780062464316 9781910701874 | ISBN: 978-0-0624-6431-6

Historian Yuval Noah Harari's blockbuster Sapiens (Harvill Secker, 2014; see Nature 512, 369; 2014) was a trenchant treatise on what he sees as our species' resistible rise to global dominion. In this equally acerbic forecast, Harari argues that the biological paradigm that casts organisms as biochemical algorithms shaped by natural selection could open the way to domination by networked computer algorithms. He opines that, as search engines and social media absorb our life histories and artificial intelligence advances, dataism may even make humanity obsolete.

The Cure for Catastrophe: How We Can Stop Manufacturing Natural Disasters Robert Muir-Wood Oneworld (2016) 9780465060948 9781786070050 | ISBN: 978-0-4650-6094-8

From the August earthquake in central Italy to the Fukushima crisis of 2011, multitudes of 'natural' disasters are exacerbated by shoddy construction, non-existent preparedness and political inertia. Disaster expert Robert Muir-Wood's study is science in the round, spanning centuries of catastrophes, key figures such as seismologist Charles Richter, forecasting, the intricacies of insurance (multistorey concrete buildings are revealed as weapons of mass destruction in a quake)  and a detailed, workable recipe for resilience.

Revenger Alastair Reynolds Gollancz (2016) 9780575090538 9780316555562 | ISBN: 978-0-5750-9053-8

This latest science-fiction gem by astrophysicist Alastair Reynolds is a pacy space opera set in a far-future universe, where a broken civilization hangs on in a phalanx of artificial worlds. Rebellious teenagers Fura and Adrana join the crew of a solar-sailed vessel, riding the photon winds in search of lost technologies in the galactic deeps. Reynolds makes the human story compelling in a narrative that, spiced with bizarre characters aplenty and propelled by vengeance, smacks intriguingly of everything from Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island to Mad Max.

Sun Moon Earth Tyler Nordgren Basic (2016) 9780465060924 | ISBN: 978-0-4650-6092-4
In the mid-1960s, when few people had even seen a computer, Seymour Papert was making it possible for children to use and program them. He spent his career inventing the tools, toys, software and projects that popularized the view of computers as incubators of knowledge.

Papert wrote three seminal books on using the computer to supercharge learning, aimed at academics, teachers and parents  Mindstorms: Computers, Children, and Powerful Ideas (1980), The Children's Machine: Rethinking School in the Age of the Computer (1993) and The Connected Family: Bridging the Digital Generation Gap (1996). Few academics of Papert's stature have spent as much time as he did working in real schools. He delighted in the theories, ingenuity and playfulness of children. Tinkering or programming with them was the cause of many missed meetings.

Papert, who died on 31 July, was born on leap day 1928 in Pretoria, South Africa. His father was an entomologist. Before he was two, he became enamoured by automotive gears that were lying around his home, which became the basis for early maths and science experiences. As an educator, he sought to help each learner to find his or her 'gears': objects or experiences they could mess about with, intuiting powerful ideas along the way. Papert believed that what gears could not do for all, the computer, the Proteus of machines, might.

Papert was repelled by apartheid. He ran afoul of the authorities by organizing classes for local black servants while in school. His anti-apartheid activities as a young adult branded him a dissident and prohibited him from travelling outside South Africa. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy (1949) and a PhD (1952) in mathematics at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Credit: Bill Piece/Life/Getty

Without a passport, in 1954 he made his way to the University of Cambridge, UK, where he earned a second doctorate, in 1959, for work on the lattices of logic and topology. From 1959 to 1963, Papert worked at the University of Geneva with the Swiss philosopher and psychologist Jean Piaget. Their collaboration led to great insights into how children learn to think mathematically. Papert built on Piaget's theory of constructivism with a learning theory of his own: constructionism. It proposed that the best way to ensure that knowledge is built in the learner is through the active construction of something shareable  a poem, program, model or idea.

In 1963, artificial-intelligence (AI) pioneer Marvin Minsky invited Papert to join him at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge. Papert was soon promoted to co-direct Minsky's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. The pair co-authored the 1969 book Perceptrons; their mathematical analyses of how neuron-like networks comprised of individual agents could model the brain had a great impact on AI research. In 1985, Papert became a founding faculty member of the MIT Media Laboratory, where he led research groups on epistemology and learning and the future of learning.

Thinking about thinking and the freedom to achieve one's potential were the leitmotifs of his life. He wanted to create a mathematics children can love rather than inventing tricks to teach them a mathematics they hate.

In the late 1960s, Papert was among the creators of Logo, the first programming language for children. One element that made Logo accessible was the turtle, which acted as the programmer's avatar. As mathematical instructions were given to the turtle to move about in space, the creature dragged a pen to draw a trail. Such drawings created turtle geometry, a context in which linear measurement, arithmetic, integers, angle measure, motion and foundational concepts from algebra, geometry and even calculus were made concrete and understandable. Mathematics became playful, personal, expressive, relevant and purposeful.

In 1968, Alan Kay, now known as the designer of what became the Macintosh graphical user interface, was so impressed by the mathematics that he saw children spontaneously engaged in at Papert's Logo lab at MIT that on his flight home, he sketched the Dynabook, the prototype for what became the personal computer. In 1989, Australian schools seeking to realize Papert's ideas began providing a laptop to every student. In 2000, Maine governor Angus King proposed providing a laptop for every 7th and 8th grader (typically 1214-year-olds). Papert spent two years making the case across the state, causing popular opinion to override legislative resistance. The programme remains in place today. Papert was also an inspiration behind the One Laptop per Child initiative that has reached millions of children in the developing world.

A 1971 paper co-authored by Papert, 'Twenty Things to Do with a Computer' (see go.nature.com/2buuwe), marks the birth of the modern 'maker movement'. It describes a world in which children would create by programming inventions and experiments outside of a PC. In the mid-1980s, Papert and his colleagues made that world a reality with the first programmable robotics system for children, LEGO TC Logo. The name of LEGO's current line of robotics sets  Mindstorms  is a hat-tip to Papert. In 1989, LEGO endowed a permanent chair at the MIT Media Lab in his name.

Although critical of institutional schooling, Papert's research took place in schools, often with under-served populations of students. In 1986, he was invited to help Costa Rica reinvent its educational system, and from 1999 to 2002, Papert led an alternative, high-tech, project-based learning environment inside a prison for teenagers.

Papert dared educators to grow, invent and lead in a system prone to compliance and standardization. He argued that education is a natural process that blossoms in the absence of coercion.
A six-year-old kid from Brooklyn suffered burns when a Samsung Galaxy Core Prime exploded while he was watching videos. This is another mishap that will surely give a headache to Samsung, as numbers of reported cases of their other phone, Samsung Galaxy Note 7, blowing up increases.

Linda Lewis, the unidentified boy's grandmother, told New York Post that the victim was so scared after the incident that he doesn't want to see or go near any gadgets. The incident happened last Sunday while the boy was watching videos on the recalled Samsung unit when its battery suddenly exploded in his small hands. The alarm in their home blared loudly because of it.

The family called 911 and rushed the boy to Downstate Medical Center, where he was treated to heal his burns. Thhe family already contacted Samsung regarding the unfortunate incident but they declined to comment further.

The mobile phone giant has been recalling all the faulty units of their new model since last week after several cases of mishaps were reported in the U.S. These include setting a home and even a car on fire, and another case of a Samsung Galaxy phone explosion in a person's hands, according to the report from Fox News.

Samsung has finally revealed why their new handset keeps on exploding. In a message sent to a customer via Samsung's UK portal via BGR report, the company stated:

"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 are some who suspected that the Samsung SDI is the culprit of the fiasco, but Samsung is not confirming anything. The company said that they are working with multiple suppliers to meet the demands of the market.

Samsung announced, "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."

Meanwhile, another Samsung phone, the Galaxy Note 7, also had problems of exploding batteries. Samsung noted that each model has a different design and manufacturing process. Samsung has since recalled Galaxy Note 7 units worldwide, while some airlines are now banning the phone in their planes in fear of explosion.
The United States Geological Survey has recently published a study revealing a potential of severe geomagnetic storms to disrupt the power grids in the U.S. for months.

The study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, suggests that the temporary disturbance in the Earth's magnetic fields caused by the wind of electrically charged particles emitted by the sun could lead to nationwide blackouts, which could take months and more than $1 trillion to repair.

Geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance in the Earth's magnetosphere that occurs when there is a very efficient exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment surrounding Earth. Intense geomagnetic storms are often produced by solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and high-speed solar wind stream (HSS).

When intense geomagnetic storms occur, it could generate geoelectric fields in the Earth's surface. The amplitude of these geoelectric fields are influenced by intensity of the magnetic storms and the electrical conductivity structure of the Earth's crust. Severe geoelectric fields could disrupt the operation of the electric power-grids, potentially damaging high-voltage storms and causing blackouts.

Due to the potential danger and damage of such events, USGS, in collaboration with scientists from NASA, NOAA, the Institute for Defense Analyses, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and NSF, will be developing nation-wide maps of "induction hazards" to help quantify the risk of geomagnetic storms to the power grids.

According to a press release from USGS, the new maps are based on survey data collected by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) EarthScope Program and the USGS, and observatory data collected by the USGS and the INTERMAGNET consortium.

These maps will be used to help the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to make inform decisions. Additionally, the maps will also be used as guidelines to help utility companies design, deploy, and operate electric-power grids in a way that could prevent potential impacts of geomagnetic storms to the power-grid systems.
Auroras are mystifying lights in the sky. Not a lot about the auroras are known to man yet, but NASA's THEMIS data helped scientists in observing the lights; it was proven that auroras move in sync with the Earth's magnetic field.

These lights are of electromagnetic origin and are highly responsive to solar activity. Further analysis allowed a more detailed observation of the behavior of auroras, especially their rhythm. A study was conducted using NASA's Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS); it is tasked to observe the vibrating magnetic field of the planet and its influence to the northern lights. Northern lights "erupt" in the sky due to Earth's changing magnetic environment also known as the magnetosphere.

THEMIS is an in-depth team of five spacecraft dedicated to understanding the processes involved with the auroras. "We've made similar observations before, but only in one place at a time -- on the ground or in space," David Sibeck, THEMIS project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center said in a press release. "When you have the measurements in both places, you can relate the two things together," Sibeck added.

Solar winds can cause the magnetosphere to contract inwards, the back end called the magnetotail stretches and snaps back. This is the time when auroras occur when the magnetotail vibrates and moves back and forth.

This study reveals what powered the auroras. "We were delighted to see such a strong match," Evgeny Panov, lead author and researcher at the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences said in a statement. "These observations reveal the missing link in the conversion of magnetic energy to particle energy that powers the aurora," Panov added.

Scientists arrived at their findings by mapping the aurora's movements or "dance" and its changing brightness over Canada. All-sky cameras were used simultaneously with ground-based magnetic sensors to measure electrical currents during a substorm.

While auroras move in rhythm with the Earth's magnetosphere, the magnetosphere is influenced by solar activities and solar winds from the particles emitted by the Sun. Altogether, most forces in space have a direct and indirect effect on natural occurrences on Earth such as the northern lights.

The knowledge about the northern lights can help scientists understand the environment surrounding the planet. Not only does the magnetic forces affect Earth-borne activities, but radiation and energy from space near the planet can also affect the satellites. Electromagnetics and navigational signals can be influenced. This is important because of man's dependence on GPS systems used in various fields such as weather forecasts and explorations.
As Stephen Hawking has predicted, artificially intelligent machines will inevitably take over the world. But humans have found a way to prevent an invasion -- that is to beat AI's at their own game.

This is what SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's concept is all about: an interface that will link the human brain with artificial intelligence.

Dubbed "neural lace," the hypothetical device will be a computer interface woven into the human brain. The device would enable humans to access Google by just thinking about it or store back-up information from a person's mind in case he or she physically dies.

It could also transmit signals to a smartphone, so instead of typing words, you can just "think" the messages out. People would also no longer need to move a muscle to flip a switch; the device will communicate with neurons through electrochemical stimulation.

In June, Musk discussed the possibility of such a device at the Code Conference in California and took to Twitter to share to the world his idea of creating a device that would help mankind "achieve symbiosis with machines."

Creating a neural lace is the thing that really matters for humanity to achieve symbiosis with machines  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 4, 2016



Once the stuff of science fiction novels could be a disturbing reality in the near future. In fact, Musk had already hinted in a Tweet that they are "making progress" with the device. The SpaceX and Tesla CEO is certain about A.I. outsmarting humans someday, so instead of waiting for that to happen, he thought of a way that will allow humans to keep pace -- or "team up"- - with intelligent machines so as not to be left behind.

@BelovedRevol Making progress. Maybe something to announce in a few months. Have played all prior Deus Ex. Not this one yet.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 28, 2016

The neural lace is a step closer to creating a new generation of "transhumanists," IFL Science reports. According to HuffingtonPost, transhumanists are those who endeavor to overcome human mortality through A.I.s, life extensions, biohacking and robotics among others.

A few scientists and organizations are already starting to develop their versions of the neural lace device. A team of scientists at Harvard University recently published a paper about a "lace-like electronic mesh" that could be injected into the brain. The U.S. military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is also working on an electrical interface that will allow the brain to communicate with computers.
Saudi Arabia, a key backer of Syria's rebels, has welcomed a ceasefire brokered by Moscow and Washington, but stressed President Bashar al-Assad's regime must abide by it.

A foreign ministry source quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency said that the truce which began at sundown on Monday "will contribute to relieving the humanitarian suffering" in Syria, and Riyadh is following developments "with interest."

"The kingdom stresses the importance of Bashar al-Assad's regime and his allies abiding by this truce," the source said late Tuesday, expressing hope that it could ultimately lead to a peaceful transition of power.

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said late Tuesday that there were reports of a "significant drop in violence" since the truce took effect.

But he said no aid had yet reached besieged civilians as foreseen by the truce deal because the UN was still seeking assurances for the safety of relief convoys.

Saudi Arabia has been a major backer of Islamist rebel groups in the civil war that erupted in Syria in 2011.

It was instrumental in the formation late last year of the High Negotiations Committee, an umbrella group uniting an array of rebel and political opposition factions.

Its rival Iran, the main regional backer of the Assad regime, has also welcomed the truce.

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A disaster hit the Yellowstone National park as wildfire forced authorities to close its south gate along with evacuating the employees for safety.

The Yellowstone National Park is a protected ecosystem under the care of the National Parks Services. A lot of animals including grizzly bears live in the protected area of the park that mimics their natural habitat. Various natural formations can also be found inside the park including river systems, a caldera and even natural camping grounds.

However, a recent wildfire incident caused a disruption of operations within the park, as the south gate was closed due the fires last Sunday, Sept. 11. Because of the extent of the fire, some employees were also evacuated for their safety.

The Berry fire that occurred in the southern part of Yellowstone released heavy fumes of smoke in the south entrance of the Lizard Creek Campground on Highway 89. But despite the incident, Lewis Lake Campground remained operation with designated entry and exit points on the northern part of the park.

Because of this, the authorities have limited the number of visitors that can go in the southern part of Yellowstone. The National Park Service announced that only visitors driving towards the campground and backcountry campsites will be allowed to go beyond the Grant intersection.

The 16,800-acre of wildfire was attributed to strong winds and humidity last Sunday, according to a report. Rangers were sent to manage the fire and to protect parts of the park. NPS officials are confident that the conditions will improve next week as the temperature is expected to drop as well.

Earlier this year, a part of the park was also temporarily closed when an overly curious tourist fell to his death in an off-limits hot spring inside Yellowstone. Because of violations like these, NPS is closely monitoring tourist activities within the park to protect the natural resources, animals and the tourists as well.

In addition to that, geologists are also closely monitoring the caldera inside the park because a study revealed that the supervolcano underneath Yellowstone is brewing a huge magma reserve that may trigger an eruption. Eruptions of supervolcanoes are more powerful that the average volcanic activities because of the size of their magma reserves.
In a colossal public revelation, historical documents disclose how in the 1960s, the sugar industry paid scientists to sweeten the truth, manipulating the link between sugar and heart disease in America, and instead, blaming it on saturated fats.

According to New York Times, a new study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine looks into the sugar industry's interaction with three Harvard scientists, which are available in historical documents.

They study's investigation found the sugar industry's practice of using money for biased health research. The Sugar Association, formerly known as the Sugar Research Foundation, paid the equivalent of $49,000 today to the three Harvard scientists for a literature review about sugar, fats and coronary heart disease. Using money and influence, instead of publishing all the results, the organization had a first-hand pick on what the scientists would publish, leaving out some important facts.

Meanwhile, this is not the first occurrence about the sugar industry's dirty trade. In 2015, a 2014 report published in PLOS Medicine reveals that the sugar lobby influence the National Institue of Dental Research's scientific agenda on cavities. The lobby has also been involved in the creation of US federal policies on America's sugar consumption, Smithsonian reports.

The Sugar Association was also in the hot seat in 2014 when the Union of Concerned Scientists accused the organization of hindering studies that show the negative effects of added sugars such as high fructose corn syrup.

They were able to derail the discussion about sugar for decades, said Stanton Glantz, author of the study. It was a very smart thing the sugar industry did, because review papers, especially if you get them published in a very prominent journal, tend to shape the overall scientific discussion."

Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University said in an editorial piece that the sugar industry's practices are "appalling," adding that the study obviously showed concrete evidence that the sugar industry funded research to ultimately remove sugar as a cause of coronary heart disease.

I think its appalling. You just never see examples that are this blatant," Nestle said.
Comedian and talk show host Steve Harvey waded into serious waters Wednesday on his Twitter as he defended Colin Kaepernick and other athletes right to protest by kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem.

IMO the anthem protest isn't anti government/military, it's drawing attention to how the country isn't living up to the words. (1/2) #SHMS  Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) September 14, 2016

"Land of the Free" aint true for all sadly. Free to go to the store and buy skittles? Free to play in the park? Free to just be? #SHMS (2/2)  Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) September 14, 2016

Aint that what America about though? Being able to express your opinion? I support @Kaepernick7 and his right to express his.  Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) September 14, 2016

In one of his tweets Harvey says "free to go to the store and buy Skittles?" referencing the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman.

Harvey received both support and some push back on Twitter for his position. One poster tweeted "You're here in Chicago. Where's the outrage for the YTD 3K shooting victims or the 500 murdered? Focus on the real issues."

Harvey responded he'd dedicated entire shows to gun violence.

https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/775523990848798720

The talk show host isn't the first celebrity to voice an opinion on the National Anthem kneel. Earlier this week model Kate Upton slammed members of the Miami Dolphins for kneeling during the anthem on the 9/11 15th anniversary, calling their actions a disgrace.
San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin said Tuesday he will summon top city officials to account at a hearing next week on the Millennium Towers sinking troubles.

Peskin said at a City Hall news conference that he wants to know why the citys Department of Building Inspection failed to alert the public after being told by the developer in early February 2009 that the building had sunk more than expected.

He said several officials will be called before his government audit committee on Sept. 22 about what the city knew and when.

I am here today because this is of profound concern to the city of San Francisco, he said, adding that he has been reviewing 1,600 pages of documents the city disclosed in response to NBC Bay Areas recent Public Records Act request.

NBC Bay Area

In a letter he sent Monday to the citys top building inspection official, Tom Hui, Peskin chided the city about the gaps in the records disclosed so far. Peskin told Hui that the agencys responses seem woefully incomplete, and he demanded to know what documents were not turned over and why.

Peskin said Tuesday that the documents that have been released raise significantly more questions than answers  there are huge gaps in the record.

Peskin stressed one particularly glaring gap is what Millennium officials said when confronted by city inspectors about the greater than expected rate of sinking in February 2009.

There is no answer in the record as to the responses here, Peskin said. Just months later, the city issued paperwork to authorize occupancy without alerting owners.

I believe the city and county of San Francisco had a duty to the public, including potential future buyers, to disclose what we know. The public should be aware of that, Peskin said.

Peskin said that he now fears some level of political interference was involved, but did not detail what such interference might have entailed.

We here at the Board of Supervisors have the duty and the obligation to get to the bottom of this, he said.

Millennium Partners released a statement late Tuesday following Peskins news conference. In that statement, the builder denies any special treatment from any city agency and assures that the building is safe. It goes on to say, We hope city officials will bring the same level of energy and attention to the ultimate solutions in this matter as they do to rumors, innuendo, and todays press conference.

Also on Tuesday, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority  which previously could not explain why its chief engineer marked an early 2010 account of the sinking levels confidential  issued a statement about the confidentiality issue.

On Monday, the city attorney blamed the agency for marking two sets of data confidential by mistake.

The authority agreed to that version of events on Tuesday. It said it labeled one report about the sinking problem confidential by mistake in light of a Feb. 26, 2010, confidentiality agreement. Once it learned of that mistake, the agency said in a statement it did not designate any further monitoring reports as confidential.

Besides, the agency said, nothing prevented Millennium from disclosing any of the nearly 30 monitoring reports that the agency prepared. However, it was not until July 2016 that the agency alerted Millennium it was not going to honor the confidentiality agreement.

Read the full statement from Millennium Partners here:
Due to economic reasons, KLMs last flight from Cairo to Amsterdam will be in January 2017

Due to the Central Bank of Egypts (CBE) decision to put restrictions on the transfer of foreign currency out of Egypt, Dutch airliner KLM announced that it would suspend its services to Cairo on 8 January 2017, the company announced on Wednesday.

The devaluation of the Egyptian pound and the decision of the Central Bank of Egypt to impose restrictions on the transfer of foreign currency out of Egypt have a negative impact on results of KLM, the airliner explained.

According to KLM, its final flight to Cairo will depart from Amsterdam on 6 January 2017 while the final flight returning to Amsterdam will be on 7 January 2017.

KLM made it clear that its subsidiary Air France would continue its operations in Cairo.

It also added that passengers with reservations to travel from Amsterdam to Cairo after 8 January 2017 would be rebooked on the most suitable alternative.

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A 100-year-old woman was hospitalized Tuesday, a day before San Francisco sheriff's deputies were slated to evict her from her Western Addition apartment, according to housing rights advocates.

Iris Canada, who reportedly has lived in her apartment for more than 50 years, was taken to the hospital after she saw the sheriff's notice warning her that she would be locked out of her home.

Upon seeing the notice on Tuesday, Canada grew upset and left a voicemail for Peter Owens, one of the owners of her building, begging him not to evict her, according to advocates from the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco.

Canada then fell ill and was taken to the emergency room, the advocates said.

"There is no doubt in my mind that learning she would have to leave her home triggered the attack," Iris Merriouns, Canada's niece, said in a statement. "You can't uproot someone from a home they've had for decades and not expect that it will negatively impact their health. This eviction must be stopped."

Canada turned 100 in July and has been in a lengthy legal battle with her landlords.

Last month, a San Francisco Superior Court judge granted the owners of the building at 670 Page St. the right to evict her after finding she had failed to pay court-ordered attorneys fees.

Canada was granted a lifetime estate to her apartment in 2005 while the rest of the units in the building underwent an Ellis Act eviction.

However, the landlords moved to terminate that lifetime estate in 2014, alleging that Canada had been living with family members since 2012 and allowed the unit to fall into disrepair.

In April, the court found in the landlord's favor, ruling that Canada could stay in her apartment only if she accepted strict limits on her occupancy and paid the property owners' attorney's fees, which total more than $150,000.

An attorney for the property owners, Mark Chernev, said last month that the owners would drop the demand for legal fees and let Canada stay if she agrees to sign paperwork allowing the building to convert to condos, but she refused to sign the papers and asked the owners to sell her the unit at a discounted price.
A total of 11 Richmond police officers were investigated but cleared of criminal misconduct in the expansive sexual exploitation scandal that has led to criminal charges against seven officers from three departments and official discipline for 12 Oakland police officers.

According to a report issued by Richmond police interim Chief Allwyn Brown, some of the 11 officers will face discipline ranging from termination to letters of reprimand and counseling, but Brown declined to disclose how many or who, citing the state's privacy laws for law enforcement officers.

None of the misconduct was found to be criminal, Brown said.

"We found no conspiracies. The facts show individual, unconnected, non-criminal engagements and other activities that violate multiple department policies and the professional code of ethics on the part of several RPD officers," Brown wrote.

While none of the officers were named, city officials previously have disclosed that Officer Jerrod Tong was placed on leave in connection with the investigation and Lt. Andre Hill, a department spokesman, was reassigned from roles where he interacted with youth.

Brown also addressed reports that Richmond police had arranged last month to send the key witness in the case, a 19-year-old victim of sex trafficking who goes by the moniker Celeste Guap, to an in-patient drug rehabilitation facility in Florida where she was subsequently arrested for alleged battery on a guard. Guap remains in a Florida jail on $300,000 bail.

The trip to Florida has delayed Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley from filing criminal charges against seven law enforcement officers since she expects Guap to testify against them.

The five current and former Oakland police officers, Livermore police officer and Contra Costa County sheriff's deputy are facing charges ranging from oral copulation with a minor to criminal access to law enforcement databases.

Brown said that Richmond police assisted Guap in getting funding from the California Victim Compensation Program in connection with an unrelated crime for medical treatment for addiction. The city of Richmond provided no funds for rehab, he said.

"Representations that we 'sent' this teenage witness away or had her 'removed' to Florida distort reality," Brown wrote.

The widespread investigation started in September 2015 when Oakland police Officer Brendan O'Brien killed himself, leaving a suicide note that implicated other officers in connection with Guap. Despite that, Brown said he didn't learn of possible involvement with Richmond police officers until this May, when the scandal was first publicly disclosed in news reports.

The department substantiated connections between her and Richmond officers in the first week of June and eventually 11 Richmond police officers were under investigation.

O'Malley said in announcing pending prosecutions against seven officers last week that she would not be charging any additional officers but said it was possible there would be additional criminal charges filed in either San Francisco or Contra Costa County.

Former Contra Costa County sheriff's Deputy Ricardo Perez, who resigned as details of the scandal emerged, and Oakland police Officer Giovanni LoVerde are each facing charges of felony oral copulation with a minor. If convicted, they could face 16 months to three years in state prison.

Perez will also be charged with two counts of engaging in a lewd act in a public place.

Former Livermore police Officer Dan Black, who resigned last week, will be charged with two counts of engaging in an act of prostitution and two counts of lewd acts in public.

Oakland police Officer Brian Bunton faces one count of felony conspiracy to obstruct justice, which carries a possible sentence of a year in prison, and one misdemeanor charge of engaging in an act of prostitution.

Retired Oakland police Officer Leroy Johnson will be charged with one count of failing to report sexual misconduct concerning a minor.

Oakland police Officer Warit Utappa will be accused of searching official criminal justice data and computer systems for an unauthorized purpose.

Former Oakland police Officer Tyrell Smith, who resigned in May, faces four counts of the same crime.
Berkeley's ordinance requiring cellphone retailers to warn customers about radiation levels in the devices was the subject of a contentious legal battle in a San Francisco courtroom Tuesday.

A three-judge panel in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard cellphone industry representatives arguing to reverse a lower courts ruling that OK'd Berkeleys ordinance, the first such city law in the country. The ordinance, adopted in March, mandates that cellular companies warn customers about exposure to radiation if the devices are held too close to their body.

There is actually an exposure notice embedded in cellphones, though most people likely have never seen it.

So Berkeley leaders went a step further. In May 2015, the the city voted to require cellphone stores to post notices.

NBC Bay Area

On Tuesday, lawyers representing the cellphone industry argued that the warnings are an undue burden.

"That is squarely contrary to science facts and the FCCs carefully considered findings," said attorney Theodore Olson, former solicitor general. Olson went on to tell the court the Federal Communication Commission's radio frequency exposure standards were 50 times more than needed.

Judge William Fletcher noted the science is not yet settled, and Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig said the Berkeley ordinance is not about arguing the science, its about telling people of the governments standards.

"Have they ever said that putting a cellphone in your pocket is dangerous? one of the three judges asked.

"No," Lessig replied. "But they have repeatedly said here are the standards you have to live under in order to get a cellphone approved so that we can certify it as safe."

Lessig said after the hearing that Berkeley just want cellphone users to know that they may be overexposed to cellphone radiation. Meanwhile, the industry said the warning is just a scare tactic.

A ruling from the 9th Circuit panel is expected in the next couple of months, but both sides appear ready to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine will be in Bay Area next Wednesday for three fundraisers.

In the late morning on Sept. 21, soon after his arrival, Hillary Clinton's running mate will head to Atherton for a roundtable at the home of Democratic National Committee operative Steve Spinner, who also is an adviser to congressional candidate Ro Khanna.

Kaine will then have lunch at the Atherton home of Jillian Manus, an event co-hosted by Meg Whitman, the chief executive of Hewlett-Packard Enterprise and a staunch Republican.

In the afternoon Kaine is scheduled to attend an event in San Francisco, at an undisclosed location.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said Time Kaine will be in the Bay Area on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016.
Suspended superintendent Stan "Data" Dobbs from Hayward Unified School District may lose his seat Wednesday when the board reevaluates his contract.

The potential ousting comes after the completion of a three-month long investigation, which sifted through alleged wrongdoings committed by Dobbs during his tenure.

In June, the suspended superintendent came under fire for inviting former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald, who was previously accused of domestic violence and sexual assault, to speak to students at Tennyson High School in Hayward about self-discipline. The students were not made aware of McDonald's criminal history before his motivational speech.

Before that, Dobbs' run of controversial behavior began back in September 2015 when he allegedly got tangled up in a physical confrontation with two school board trustees during a closed-door meeting. During the tirade, the board members also claimed that Dobbs fired a profanity-laden rant toward the other board members during that meeting.

One of those trustees who filed a police report following that outburst says that the board does not currently hold any grudges against Dodds.

"Well, there are plenty of rumors out there, but one thing I can assure you, there will be a school board meeting tonight and it will be like any other board meeting," board member Luis Reynoso said. "We're not here to fire anyone. We're here to do what's best for the kids and we will take action on items that are best for the kids."

Dobbs, who denies any misconduct, started his stint with Hayward Unified in 2013 before being placed on paid administrative leave in June.

A Change.org petition, which has grabbed 368 supporters as of late Wednesday morning, is currently in circulation voicing support for keeping Dobbs in office. It credits him for increased test scores and higher graduation rates in the district.

Dressed in blue T-shirts, dozens of students and their parents flocked to the meeting at Hayward City Hall to support Dobbs. Melissa Sigars has two children in the district and believes Dobbs is the right leader for them.

"Hes been this solid force thats been invested in the kids and the community," she said.

Wednesday night's meeting began with closed-door deliberations at 5 p.m.
Hackers have broken into a database of the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA), accessing private medical information on several Olympic athletes, including Team USA's Simone Biles and Serena Williams.

Association leaders are blaming Russian hackers for the breach, while a group that calls itself Fancy Bear is claiming responsibility. The same group has been tied to the DNC hack.

WADA is guessing the hack could be retaliation for several Russian athletes being banned from competing in Rio.

Either way, this wont go away soon -- Fancy Bear is threatening to release more information in the days to come.

So far, we dont know just what has been stolen, but several athletes, including Biles, have already taken to Twitter to post about their innocence.

The International Olympic Committee released a statement saying Biles, Williams, and other athletes were clean.

Scott tracks cyber security on Twitter: @scottbudman
Dr. Jill Biden appeared in San Jose on Wednesday for a discussion with Silicon Valley leaders on an initiative for free community college.

The vice president's wife arrived in the Bay Area in the afternoon and met with tech and manufacturing leaders in addition to stakeholders at the NextFlex campus for a roughly 90-minute program.

The group talked about the America's College Promise initiative, a proposal announced by President Barack Obama last year that would provide free community college for two years to "responsible students," White House officials said.

"It's all about jobs and having the best educated workforce in the world," said Biden, a college professor.

A similar initiative is already working in Oakland.

"Last year, we sent 300 students to college with mentors to help them get through college," Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said.

At San Jose City College, a pilot Promise program has already helped a dozen students pay for tuition, including Klayre Guzman.

"In San Jose, the Promise program paid for all our tuition and book fees," Guzman said.

Now she's about to graduate from UC Davis with a degree in biology.

San Jose is working on expanding the program to reach even more students, according to Mayor Sam Liccardo.

"That's our ambition, to make sure every San Jose public school student can attend community college if they have demonstrable financial need," he said.

The initiative could assist more than 9 million students across the country and save them an average of $3,800 in annual tuition, according to White House officials.

Biden arrived from Los Angeles, where she attended a launch event for the Los Angeles Promise program, the largest city so far to advance the president's initiative, with Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Eric Garcetti.
All mail carriers deliver letters, but one Mountain View mailman delivers notes too.

Charles Dupre is known around town as the singing mailman who sings Elvis songs while delivering packages.

I tried an Elvis song and then just kinda one thing led to another, and here I am! he said with a laugh.

Dupre rehearses Elvis songs along his route each day. Even his hairdo matches the King's.

"It was like an evolution type of thing, said Dupre. I kind of evolved into Elvis.

Dupre believes The King of Rock and Roll has the best voice in the whole wide world.

He practices crooning like Elvis and memorizes the words to his songs.

I concentrate on early Elvis so youll never see me in a white jumpsuit, Dupre said. The early Elvis thats what made Elvis, Elvis.

The singing mailman has acquired a number of fans in Mountain View throughout the years.

I think a lot of people know him, said Amber Nietert, who lives along Dupres route. He has been delivering mail to her house since before she was born.

When I grew up in this house my mom would always stick her head out and say, Here comes Elvis! And wed get all excited because hed be singing and walking down the street, Nietert recalled.

Dupre is originally from San Francisco. After years in the Marine Corps, he was studying to become a police officer when given the opportunity to join the United States Postal Service.

That was 30 years ago. Hes delivered mail along the same route ever since.

He uses his day job to rehearse for performances at events around Mountain View.

In May, he performed live on NBCs Americas Got Talent with his wife Rose Hill.

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The couple advanced to the second round before being eliminated.

For his part, Dupre is happy to perform anywhere.

"Whether Im singing on a street corner or on a stage in Las VegasIm just living a dream come true, Dupre said.
The hajj rituals have always fascinated orientalists, but few of them have gotten close enough to taste the real spiritual experience

The hajj rituals have always fascinated orientalists, but few of them have gotten close enough to the real taste of the spiritual experience. And Orientalists like Nahla Emam, the head of folk and tradition beliefs at the High Institute of Folk Arts, outlined that adventurous travelers were sometimes funded by governments to create comprehensive anthropological studies of the Middle East region and the orient in general at a time when the world was being dominated by mainly the British and the French empires.

"The thing about the orientalist notes on the hajj is that they do not differentiate between the folk tradition and the religious one," explained Dr Emam to Ahram Online.

In a joint publication titled The International Forum for Documenting Hajj Ceremonies, published by Alexandria Library in 2015, Emam focused on the accounts of orientalists on the topic.

This mix between the official religion with the folk, led them to see things quite differently -- the official or state religion was one thing, but the practice was another. Practicing involved a lot of folk traditions that were so deeply rooted in society that they were easily mistaken for religious ones.

"Take the hajj ritual of stoning the devil, for example, a ritual that is highly symbolic, yet many people take the chance to swear at Satan, blame him for all their sins as well as throw slippers at him," Emam added, referring to the hajj ritual of throwing pebbles at a stone figure representing the devil.

One can find in the accounts of orientalist travellers a wealth of anthropological information describing the hajj ritual.

According to records from as far back as the 17th century, pilgrims on route to the hajj  a difficult three-month journey (from Egypt and Levantine to Mecca) that required an experienced guide  people would be trained on how to sleep on the ground and how not to eat anything but bread and dates, Emam revealed.

Prior to the use of modern means of transportation, the two main routes to Mecca were Darb Misr (the Egypt route) and Darb Al-Sham (the Levantine route).

Emam says that because embarking on the hajj was such a difficult and costly endeavour, it was mostly undertaken by the elderly, who took the trip after putting their worldly affairs in order and ensuring their childrens future.

Nowadays, younger people often go on the hajj, either due to the easiness of transport, increased piety or the prestige, Emam says, adding that it has also become customary for children to arrange all-expense-paid hajj trips for their parents as a way of expressing gratitude.

The earliest known orientalist account on the hajj dates back to the 17th century, when a British 15-year-old by the name of Joseph Bates was kidnapped by Algerian pirates while on his way to America and sold to an Algerian merchant. The merchant, who was on his way to the hajj, took Bates on as an assistant.

Years later, after Bates managed to escape back to England, he published his account of the hajj, titled An honest description of the behaviours of Muhammadi followers. The book was written in English and then it was translated years later under the title Traveling in Arabian Desert by Sabri Mohamed Hassan.

Bates, one of the first Britons to visit Mecca and Madina, described witnessing the cleaning of the Kaaba with floral water and the way people would gather around to receive some the water as a form of blessing, Emam says.

"This is definitely a folk tradition and not a religious ritual, Emam says, citing another example of such folk traditions in the pilgrims collecting pieces of wood from brooms used to clean the Kaaba to take home as souvenirs.

Bates also described how people would run to collect the water pouring down from the mizrab (small pipes siphoning off rain water from the top of the Kaaba), as they could not see the source of the water and believed it to be a blessing from the sky. Sometimes the water would be sold to pilgrims.

"Bates book explains that people believed that the pebbles used in the devil-stoning ritual would be carried by angels back to their original spots to be used the following year. They also believed that God usually brings rain after hajj to wash away the remains from the slaughtering sheep ritual, again, a folk belief."

Also described in the book is the mahmal march where the kiswa (the cloth used to cover the Kaaba) is transported annually from Egypt, where it is manufactured, to Mecca. Bates describes the ritual as a march of great happiness, where onlookers would attempt to touch the camel carrying the kiswa, as the animal was perceived to hold a high status for being given the honour -- having had the great chance to travel to the holy land and visit the hometown of the prophet itself.

The camel is then spared from performing chores for the remainder of its life, and when it comes time for the kiswa to be replaced with a new one, it is divided into small pieces that are given to people of high status.

Along the same note, Sofia Linn, also an orientalistwho visited Egypt in 1830's, saw the mahmal march as quite the parade, with a show involving fencing, music and Sufi chanting.

In 1841, Swiss orientalist and traveller Paul Cart spent three years in the Levant disguised as a Turkish Muslim named Ibrahim Abdalla in order to master the Arabic language before coming to Egypt.

"I never saw anything more beautiful than the town of Mecca," explained Cart of the town.

Cart joined the pilgrims on the hajj while undercover, and was among the few Christians to do so, Emam said. However, I believe he converted to Islam, because his writings were all in praise and love of Islam, and he asked to be buried in a Muslim graveyard upon his death. Also, most of his works were never found, and some claimed that his wife burnt them all."

AnotherEnglish traveller, Charles Doutti, also took the journey in 1876 while undercover, posing as an Arab Christian from Damascus named Khalil.

His work is also a great anthropological study. Doutti lived among the Bedouins for six months being going on the hajj disguised as a Muslim, as he was denied the pilgrimage as a Christian.

"It was a brave adventure, to be a Christian on the hajj Caravan  yet he went on hajj undercover, and once he heard them saying that a Christian is among them and he thought they knew about him and was very scared but it turned out to be someone else, the camel rider, which is very weird considering that all the fortress where they camp along the hajj route were built by Christians," explained Emam.

"And so on the late afternoon of Thursday, 10 November, 1876 a few people gathered to bid farewell to a man dressed in Syrian clothes riding a donkey and heading off to Mecca for pilgrimage."

Dotti took on camel  they would ask him ya Khalil afandi, can you see the tents yet? He always described the trip and he noted the numbers of deaths, which occurred on a daily basis. They would then wash and bury him and put some rocks  and they were called martyrs. They used to bury them on their night stops.

One story was that there was one man who was thought to be dead, and so they buried him and then he gradually came back to consciousness only to find out that he missed the pilgrimage.

And finally famous orientalist Edward Linn, who never went to hajj, though managed to document hajj stories from those who did. One of the hajj stories was about that light that came out of the tomb of Prophet Mohamed every night and could be seen from far away -- and that's why it was called Al-Madina Al-Monawara (Lit up town).

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The young woman at the center of a police exploitation scandal in the Bay Area pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery charges on Wednesday and was released from a Florida jail after 17 days.

"She's free," said Pamela Price, an Oakland civil rights attorney who flew across the country to help free the 19-year-old who says she no longer wants to use the pseudonym Celeste Guap. She wants to be known by her real name: Jasmine.

NBC Bay Area has not used Jasmine's real name before the Wednesday announcement, and is not using her last name because she is a victim of sexual abuse.

Price has scheduled an 11 a.m. Thursday news conference at Oakland City Hall.

At a news conference Wednesday outside the Martin County Superior Court in Florida, Price talked at length about how Jasmine fell prey to a string of police officers across the Bay Area and beyond, but was not a drug addict. Another California attorney, Charles Bonner said that Jasmine will be getting some help at a Stanford medical psychiatric center.

"The police were engaged in a conspiracy to sexually traffic children," Price said. "She is not the only one.

"Whether or not somebody gave her a dollar or a dime is irrelevant," Price added. "The fact that she is alive today is a miracle."

Raw video of civil rights attorney Pamela Price promising to hold all law enforcement officers involved in the sexual abuse case of Jasmine, who no longer wants to be known as Celeste Guap.

Jasmine was accused of biting an employee at a Florida rehabilitation center, where she had gone of her own volition to seek help. Instead, she landed in jail on a battery charge.

Price said that Jasmine was brought to Florida under "false pretenses." She said the Richmond Police Department arranged her stay at the rehab center 3,000 miles away and accused the department of witness tampering.

"It is our understanding the Richmond Police Department, in particular the leadership of that department engaged in communication with a local agency here and brought her here under false pretenses," Price said.

Richmond City Manager Bill Lindsay insisted the city didn't pay for Jasmine's Florida rehab and doesn't know who suggested she go there.

"The city's role was working with the victim and the family," Lindsay said. "I would want her to know the city of Richmond and Richmond Police Department supports her as a victim of crime."

Sylvia Vigil, a former drug addict who is part of Victory Outreach, knows the streets and believes there's hope for Jasmine.

"She wasnt created to be a victim; she wasnt created to be a prostitute. That wasnt her life," Vigil said.

The young woman, who has given a multitude of news interviews in the past, stood uncharacteristically silent, wearing a blue dress and matching scarf, while flanked by a team of lawyers. Her father also was alongside her. Her mother, not present, is an Oakland police dispatcher.

WPTV

After Jasmine accepted the plea deal, NBC-affiliate WPTV reported that her criminal defense attorney Richard Kibbey told the judge: This is the most wanted woman in California.

The plea agreement includes a stipulation to withhold adjudication, so Jasmine will not have a criminal record, according to court records. She also wrote a letter of apology to the court.

The Martin County Sheriff's Office had initially sought felony charges for her, but after a closed hearing last week, Assistant State Attorney David Lustgarten decided to file a single misdemeanor battery charge.

Councilman Noel Gallo also has hope for Jasmine.

"I think it takes the right group of people to demonstrate they care for her and are strong enough to change her ways," he said.

The teen's return from Florida means the criminal case against the Bay Area officers accused of having sex with her can proceed. Jasmine's testimony is crucial.

Raw video of Pamela Price, an Oakland civil rights attorney who flew across the country to help free Jasmine, who says she no longer wants to use her pseudonym of Celeste Guap.

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley announced Friday that she would pursue criminal charges against seven current and former law enforcement officers, including five from the Oakland Police Department, for conduct related to Jasmine, an apparent victim of sex trafficking.

The most serious charges the officers will face is felony oral copulation with a minor.

Jasmine's attorneys said she wants to get her life together upon her return to the Bay Area, and even study to be a veterinarian.

"Jasmine is glad to be free and wants to go home," Price said. "We're going home."

NBC Bay Area's Jodi Hernandez, Cheryl Hurd and wire services contributed to this report.
According to a new Reboot Illinois/We Ask America poll released Wednesday, nearly 40 percent of Illinois voters wish they had a different presidential candidate.

The surveys respondents were asked to agree or disagree with the statement, I wish someone else were my partys nominee." 38 percent of the polls respondents agreed with the statement, saying they would prefer a candidate other than Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Republican nominee Donald Trump, Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson or Green Party candidate Jill Stein. 50 percent of those polled agreed with the statement and 12 percent said they were undecided about wanting another nominee.

Additionally, the poll found that over 51 percent of respondents supported Clinton and nearly 33 percent backed Trump. Johnson received over 4 percent of the vote and Stein received over 1 percent, while over 10 percent of those polled were undecided.

The poll, which was conducted Monday by We Ask America, surveyed 955 registered voters using automated calls to landlines and live interview calls to cell phones. 40 percent of responses came from cell phone calls. The polls margin of error is 3.17 percent.
Seven people were injured, including a girl who is 12 years old, when a car crashed into a porch on Chicago's South Side Tuesday, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

"I was at home and I got the call that my family was in an accident and I rushed over," said Keith Beck, whose son Kevin, 17, suffered a broken arm in the accident. "(I'm) just praying that's the only thing wrong with him."

The crash occurred near the intersection of West 80th St. and South Vincennes Avenue in the city's Gresham neighborhood, fire officials said.

The 12-year-old girl, who family identified as Keeshuna Patterson, was pinned against the porch and taken in "very critical" condition to Comer Children's Hospital, CFD tweeted. Her mother is with her.

Keeshuna was walking to a candy tent on the corner of West 80th Street and South Vincennes Avenue when she was struck by an SUV and pinned against the porch. Witnesses told NBC5 the SUV that struck her first clipped a white Chevy Impala and then a black Chevy Cruze.

"It jumped the curb and it was coming and I turned and I looked at the little girl," said witness John Stringfellow. "She was trying to like dodge it like a football player and it just mowed her over."

The driver of the car that struck the girl was taken into custody and then to St. Bernard Hospital with minor injuries where his condition had stabilized, police said.

Two other adults were taken to Holy Cross Hospital where both of their conditions had stabilized.

The CTA temporarily rerouted buses in the area until about 8:10 p.m.

Police continue to investigate.
The body of a 62-year-old woman who mysteriously disappeared one week before her vehicle was found abandoned at an Illinois truck stop has been found, police said Wednesday.

Deborah Dewey was last seen Aug. 22 in Spring Valley, Illinois, according to police.

One week later, authorities found her 2007 Buick LaCrosse unlocked at the TA Truck Stop on Illinois Route 47, just north of I-80.

On Monday, investigators searched a home at 5th Street and Illinois Route 71 in Standard, where they found a body buried in a shallow grave in the yard, state police said. The body was transported to the medical examiner's office where dental records confirmed it was Dewey.

Investigators gathered evidence at the scene and three people at the home were interviewed.

Clifford Andersen, 66, was charged with concealment of a death and is being held at the Bureau County Jail on $750,000 bond.

Earlier this week, a man by the name of Chris Dewey set up a GoFundMe page for contributions to the search efforts and described himself to be the womans son. The family has yet to make a public statement.

Please help if you can, the GoFundMe page writes. I just want to bring my mom home.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing but further information wasn't immediately known.

Anyone with information on Deweys death is urged to contact ISP District 17 Headquarters at (815) 224-1171.
A former Chicago deputy police chief was shot and returned fire at his attacker during an attempted robbery on the city's South Side Wednesday, according to police.

The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. near the intersection of 81st Street and Essex Avenue in the South Chicago neighborhood, officials said.

The former officer, 73, was walking with a friend when a 21-year-old man approached and held them up at gunpoint, according to police. He was shot in the shoulder, authorities said, and returned fire, striking the offender.

The retired officer was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and was listed in stable condition, police said.

The suspect was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, police said. He was listed in stable condition but further information on his injuries was not immediately available.

"Gun offenders in Chicago do not discriminate. Their reckless conduct and lack of respect for humanity puts families, public servants and anything that stands in their way at risk," Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said of the shooting.

"Enough is enough. Retired Deputy Chief Coffey was a great police officer and public servant to the people of Chicago and I am glad he is okay. I will continue to fight hard for better laws to keep repeat offenders behind bars and I'm asking Chicago to help by giving CPD the tools to keep our community safe," he added.
Former Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Tevi Troy, who served during President George W. Bush's administration, weighed in on the upcoming presidential election Tuesday in an exclusive interview with NBC 5s Mary Ann Ahern.

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton made headlines Sunday when she left a 9/11 anniversary ceremony in New York after feeling overheated. Her doctor later revealed she was diagnosed with pneumonia on Friday.

That scare led to skepticism about the former Secretary of States health. Troy voiced concern for both Clinton and her opponent, Republican nominee Donald Trump, noting that neither has been completely forthcoming with their medical records.

I do have concerns, Troy said. Both of these candidates are about 70. Both of them are not fully clear about their health records.

Troy, a political historian who now serves as the president of the American Health Policy Institute, said Clinton has a long history of not being truthful with the American people.

If you dont have credibility during a disaster, that can be a major problem, he said. You need to have the American people believe what you are saying.

In this case, with both Secretary Clinton and with Donald Trump, we have reason to question it even before the administration has even started.

Troy credited Arizona Sen. John McCain, who is 80 years old, for being forthcoming with thousands of pages of medical records. He said Clintons lack of transparency about her health could potentially hurt her campaign.

What you need are candidates with credibility so that if they say theyre healthy, and doctors say theyre healthy, you can believe that, he said. In this case, unfortunately we have reason to be somewhat skeptical about Secretary Clintons claims about her health and thats a problem.

With the November election only eight weeks away, new national polls show the presidential race tightening as Clinton takes a second day off from the campaign trail. According to an NBC News/Survey Monkey poll released Tuesday, Clinton leads Trump 48 percent to 44 percent, a decline of 2 percent since last week.

NBCs Chuck Todd, who was in town Tuesday for a Better Government Association luncheon, also touched on Trump and Clintons health, claiming we know more on her medical history than his.

We know next to nothing about his medical history, he said.

Todd speculated that Clintons health issues could be tied to her age, but said he wasnt ready to look at them as a defining issue.

One thing Ive learned about this campaign, whatever you think is the issue of the moment, the one thing we can guarantee is, its not, Todd said. Something else comes about.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama campaigned for Clinton in Philadelphia Tuesday. During the event, Obama said Clinton does not quit. Additionally, Clintons running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, was scheduled to be in Chicago Wednesday for two fundraisers, one of which is hosted by former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley.

Clinton is expected to return to the campaign trail Thursday.
Police in south suburban Hazel Crest arrested a family practice physician at his office on Monday, launching an investigation after a patient alleged that he exposed himself during an examination.

Dr. Sheldon Levine, 75, has run an independent practice in the 17600 block of South Kedzie Ave in Hazel Crest for 43 years, according to the Hazel Crest Police Department. On Monday, he was taken into custody and charged with battery and public indecency, both misdemeanors.

Last week, a 51-year-old patient of Dr. Levines told them she felt uncomfortable as he examined her at his office, according to police. In a second appointment, he allegedly went further and even exposed himself, police said in a release, then tried to stop her from leaving and asked her not to tell anyone about his actions.

He actually got to the point where she alleged that he actually exposed himself to her during that second examination, which obviously showed her that it was going beyond what it should have been," Hazel Crest Police Chief Mitchell Davis said of the allegations. "If they are in fact true, it is a betrayal of trust.

Police said a similar incident allegedly occurred in February, when a 23-year-old patient accused Dr. Levine of aggressive sexual behavior during an exam at his office.

"He thought that she was pretty and he wishes that she was older, and she alleges that he actually tries to become intimate with her inside his doctors office," Davis said of that accusation.

Levine was not charged in that incident, because an attorney representing both the doctor and the victim told police that she would not be filing charges. In the most recent case, Levine posted bond and was released from custody. He was scheduled to appear in the Markham Courthouse on October 31.

Patients of Dr. Levine expressed shock at the allegations on Tuesday at his office, where he had returned to practice.

"Its very surprising. I was really stunned when you told me," a patient named Tonya said.  havent had any issues with him, hes never been inappropriate with my daughter," she added.

To hear this on the day that I have an appointment for my son? Its kind of crazy, new patient Shawndrea Turner said.

Hazel Crest police said they have no record of any previous complaints, but they are now investigating if there have been other instances of abuse at Levine's office.

"If there are other victims out there, if there are other people that have come in contact with this doctor and hes had inappropriate contact with them, we need to know," Davis said.

Authorities asked that anyone that has had similar encounters with Dr. Levine contact Hazel Crest detectives at (708) 335-9640.
A Southwest Airlines flight made an emergency landing at Midway to "investigate potential smoke in the cockpit," airline officials confirmed Tuesday.

Flight number 2390 was traveling from Columbus to Denver and diverted to Midway airport after the captain declared an emergency, officials said.

"Following airport protocol, the tower sent emergency vehicles to meet the aircraft upon arrival," said a Southwest Airlines spokeswoman in a statement. "The 112 customers and five crew members will continue to Denver on a different aircraft and are scheduled to arrive about one hour and 30 minutes behind schedule."

Multiple ambulances responded but were called off after no injuries were reported.

The aircraft will remain out of service pending a review by Southwest maintenance teams, the spokeswoman said.
A 4-year-old Ohio boy pictured in a photo sitting in a vehicle behind his slumped-over grandmother and her friend, who were later revived with a heroin overdose antidote, is heading to a new home, NBC News reported.

Police in East Liverpool, Ohio, shared the photo in a recent Facebook post to graphically illustrate the dangers of "the poison known as heroin."

The 4-year-old is going to live with his great-aunt and great-uncle in South Carolina, Columbiana County Court Administrator Dane Walton confirmed Tuesday.

His grandmother, 50-year-old Rhonda Pasek, is in jail awaiting trial on charges of endangering a child and public intoxication, Walton said. Pasek was granted custody of the boy just six weeks before she and 47-year-old James Lee Acord were arrested last week by police in East Liverpool.
(Beijing) The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is banning the use and charging of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones on board flights after reports worldwide that the cellphone's batteries can explode while charging.

The civil aviation regulator said Sept 14 that the device will not be allow in checked-in baggage, or air cargo.

CAACs announcement came after several Chinese carriers, including Hainan Airlines, have prohibited cabin crew from carrying a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on board.

The Hainan Airline made the first move in China to ban the latest device from the world's biggest smartphone maker, Samsung Electronics Co. The phone was released in late August.

Samsung said on Sept. 2 that it has halted sales of the Galaxy Note 7 and was recalling 2.5 million devices with faulty batteries in 10 markets. Phones sold on the Chinese mainland were not part of the electronic giant's recall because batteries sold there came from different suppliers, Samsung's Chinese subsidiary told Caixin.

The smartphone maker's China arm said it hasn't been notified by HNA Group of its new policy.

Several international airlines, including Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia Airlines, recently banned passengers from using or charging the phones during flights. But most carriers, including American Airlines and Air France, have only suggested that passengers follow aviation authorities' advice and not imposed an outright ban.

The clampdown on the faulty phones comes after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned on Sept. 8 against turning on or charging the devices while on board an aircraft or stowing them in any checked baggage. But the civil aviation regulator in China hasn't issued any safety guidelines on these devices.

Major Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, have not announced any safety policy linked to the problematic device. Whether these three companies will restrict the use of the Note 7 on board depends on the decision of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, said a person working for a major airline with knowledge of matter.

The troubles come at a crucial time for Samsung as its major competitor, Apple Inc., releases its iPhone 7 on Friday. Samsung's shares plunged after the warning by the U.S. aviation regulator, wiping out more than $10 billion off its market value. The firm's stock dropped 7 percent Monday, the biggest one-day price decline in four years, before starting to recover slowly on Tuesday.

Contact reporter Chen Na (nachen@caixin.com); editor Poornima Weerasekara (poornima@caixin.com)
Facebook's chief operating officer has apologized to Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg for deleting a photograph from its pages and conceded that "we don't always get it right."

Sheryl Sandberg said in a letter that Solberg had raised important issues about Facebook's decision last month to remove postings of an iconic 1972 image of a naked, screaming girl running from a napalm attack in Vietnam. The image, taken by Associated Press photographer Nick Ut, won a Pulitzer Prize.

On Friday, following protests in Norway and elsewhere, the tech giant reversed its decision and allowed the photo, known as "Terror of War," to be seen on its pages. Solberg, who said she'd never before had a Facebook post deleted, had reposted the image with a black box covering the girl from the thighs up and other iconic photos of historic events with black boxes covering the protagonists.

Sandberg said that Facebook had "global community standards" to adhere to but that it had learned from the mistake.

"Sometimes, though, the global and historical importance of a photo like "Terror of War" outweighs the importance of keeping nudity off Facebook," she said in a letter to Solberg dated Sept. 10. "After hearing from you and other members of our community, we have decided to restore the photo."

Like its Scandinavian neighbors, Norway takes pride in its freedom of speech. It's also a largely secular nation with relaxed attitudes about nudity.

Several members of the Norwegian government followed Solberg's lead and posted the photo on their Facebook pages. One of them, Education Minister Torbjorn Roe Isaksen, said it was "an iconic photo, part of our history."

Sandberg described decisions facing Facebook as "difficult."

"We don't always get it right. Even with clear standards, screening millions of posts on a case-by-case basis every week is challenging," she said. "Nonetheless, we intend to do better ... Thank you for helping us get this right."
Hilaria and Alec Baldwin have welcomed their third child.

The famous duo made the announcement on Instagram by posting a photo of the newborn snuggled up with his mother.

"We are so pleased to introduce you to our new baby, Leonardo Angel Charles Baldwin," Hilaria wrote alongside the sweet family pic. "It was such a special day bringing him into this world."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKR0l0khA

Back in March, the two shared the news that they were expanding their family in a similar fashion.

Red Carpet Baby Bumps

"Ireland, Carmen, Rafael, Alec, and I are excited to share with you that we are going to have another addition to our family," the mother of three captioned the post. "A little boy coming this fall #366daysoflivingclearly #HilariaLCM."
Eleven members of the Hartford Police Department who were sent to the hospital after being exposed to heroin and fentanyl during a narcotics bust at a house across from Hartford High School Tuesday were back at work on Wednesday, authorities said.

Deputy Chief Brian Foley said the SWAT team executed a search warrant at an apartment on Forest Street in the Asylum Hill neighborhood around 7:30 p.m. and set off flash grenades, which might have sent the powder form of the drug into the air.

"They're basically loud explosions that completely stun anyone in the apartment. Those went off. Unfortunately, when those when off it's believed that aerosolized some of the powders on the table," Foley said. "That powder went airborne and some of the SWAT team members were breathing it in while trying to secure three suspects," Foley said.

Officers soon started feeling light-headed and nauseated, developed sore throats and headaches and began vomiting. All the officers were transported to St. Francis Hospital, where they were treated and then released and returned to duty on Wednesday morning.

During the operation, police seized 50,000 bags of heroin, two handguns and 350 grams of raw heroin and arrested three people, Foley said.

Police said they raided the house just in time to keep the drugs off the streets.

"Within hours, it would have been out and distributed to the dealers in the streets, so we're glad we got it," Foley said.

The investigation is ongoing.

"It's rare that we do see that many bags taken on a hit, but I can tell you we don't think it will stop anything. And now you worry about the violence that will come after because someone lost 50,000 bags of heroin," Foley said.

Ronald Perez, 28, Byron Rivera, 26, and Marcus Tyson, 30, all of Hartford, were taken into custody and arrested on federal charges, including possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than one kilogram of heroin.

Parents were in shock after learning about all the drugs at a home so close to the school and some said they are nervous about drugs in the area. One mom said she is thinking about finding a new school for her daughter.

Neighbors were surprised as well.

"I'm shocked. I wouldn't think people would do those things close to school," Maizie Balfour, of Hartford, said.

Security staff from Hartford High School have been in touch with police.
Good news for folks living in a sleepy section of Milford , involving an on-going gaffe on Google Maps.

Turns out Walnut Beach goers are no longer being sent to their quiet neighborhood when they type in the address on Google Maps.

According to screen grabs, travelers are still not getting the right address when they pop in Walnut Beach on Google Maps on their iPhone.

Residents on Fairfield street, reached out to the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters saying drivers looking for Walnut Beach ended up outside their garage about a mile away.

After NBC Connecticut's report aired last Friday night, those same residents said their no-exit neighborhood had traffic reduced by 75 percent.

They said there are no more confused cars racing through the intersection w/phones in hand.

Ron Pirizo sent NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters this statement:

Our homes have been quickly returned to a quiet little neighborhood that we remembered before the Google mapping mess began over 3 years ago. Unfortunately for the travelers, their nightmare will continue as google was nice enough to move the destination to one of Milfords worst condensed intersections that is nowhere near walnut beach!

NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters reached out to Google several times about the glitch. On Tuesday, they responded:

"We looked into it and are working to fix the issue and ensure that drivers are routed directly to Walnut Beach rather than the residential neighborhood. I'll let you know as soon as the fix is complete, which should be in a couple days or so."
Four Rocky Hill city employees were caught drinking on the job several months ago and police have released the findings of their investigation.

According to an internal investigation, three officer and one civilian employee were purging documents in an area known as the "vault".

On Tuesday, town employees released the investigation, stating that Sgt. Joseph Phelps, Detective Andrew O'Brien, Officer Jon Lammers and Clerk Laughen Cunningham did violate Rocky Hill police and town rules of conduct.

All four employees were being paid by the Town of Rocky Hill at the time of the incident.

Sgt. Phelps admitted he brought a 12-pack of Yuengling beer into the station and all four employees said they had drank some of the beer.

It's unclear whether Phelps was driving his personal car or a police vehicle.

All employees told investigators the drinking happened after work and the group was getting ready to exit the police facility.

"Alcohol was not brought here with the intention to drink here; it was brought here to keep cold," Phelps said. "I apologize for allowing the alcohol to have been consumed in the Human Services Department."

It's unclear what the punishment may be.

NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters were told there is no surveillance video available of the incident.
Connecticut State police have arrested a Moosup woman on home invasion and narcotics charges.

The Troop D Quality of Life Task force took Sharif Hicks, 46, into custody after receiving a report of a robbery and assault at a home in Killingly.

The victim told police that Hicks went inyo his home around 6 p.m. Tuesday and took his wallet, which had around $500 in cash in it, out of a drawer, police said.

When he tried to take it back she pushed him to the ground and took off, said the victim who reported getting a head injury during the altercation.

Police found Hicks around 9:20 p.m. on Prospect Avenue in Danielson and took her into custody.

Police said they found crack cocaine, heroin and $210 on her at the time.

Hicks is charged with third-degree robbery, second-degree assault on an elderly person, home invasion, second-degree larceny, possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interfering with an officer.

She was held on a $100,000 cash bond and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
Police are looking for a man that robbed a bank in New Britain on Tuesday.

Shortly after noon, New Britain Police were dispatched to the TD Bank on 178 Main Street on the report of a hold up alarm.

Investigators found that the bank was robbed by a male suspect who fled prior to their arrival. Police said the suspect claimed to have a firearm but it was never displayed.

The man is described as being approximately 5'11" tall, wearing a white hat and shirt with large sunglasses.

Anyone with information on the man's identity is asked to call Detective Franshesca Bjorklund at (860) 826-3145. Anonymous tips may be made on the Community Tip Line at (860) 826-3199 or online.
A possible toll, parking officers, reservations and a fully funded "Lombard Ambassadors" program are being considered as ways to curb congestion along San Francisco's most crooked street.

After more than a year of study, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority has issued several potential solutions on better managing the tourists who flock to Lombard Street, and who inevitably clog the access for those residents who actually live there.

On Tuesday night, frustrations boiled over at a community meeting as longtime Russian Hill residents said what used to be a weekend inconvenience of gridlocked traffic and people spilling into the streets is now a daily headache.

Longtime resident Judith Carlson said that it's not just traffic, but trash and toilets that are also a burden on those who live there.

"There's no place for people to sit, so they're all sitting on our steps and throwing trash on our steps," Carlson said. "There's no bathrooms, so they knock on my doors."

Selfies on 'Crooked' Lombard Street in San Francisco

As far as the transportation authority knows, it's the first time a toll has ever been considered for Lombard Street, spokesman Eric Young told NBC Bay Area. How much the toll would cost and who would pay it, hasn't yet been hashed out. The specifics of a toll, if it is approved, he said, would require yet another study.

The fee is one of several options to offset the average 16,000 visitors on peak days, and roughly 2 million tourists a year who flock to see the multimillion-dollar homes and 600-foot stretch of winding street, which is now the second most popular tourist destination in San Francisco.

Tolls are commonplace on bridges and highways, and even for driving to see redwood trees. But they're unusual in residential areas. In a suburban town outside Dallas, transportation leaders once considered the idea of charging a toll on Mockingbird Lane for non-residents in 2008, which at the time, would have been the first toll on a surface street in the United States. It never passed, however, because the idea died before it ever made it to the town council, according to Highland Park town spokesman Lance Koppa.

Young said he wasn't aware of any other U.S. tolls on residential streets - that question wasn't part of the study focus.

"Clearly, Lombard has been a tourist destination spot for many years," Young said. "But there seem to be waves of popularity. We're in a peak period, right now."

[PHOTOS] San Francisco's Lombard Street

Greg Bundage of the Lombard Hill Improvement Association has lived on Lombard for 20 years.

"This used to be a great place to live, but the city has turned its head and let this happen," Bundage said. "And even though it may be an icon, we deserve to have some privacy."

Bundage liked the idea of dynamic pricing. "Tolls with surge pricing cheaper during the week vs. the weekend," he said. "And night should be max. Nobody knows unless they live here. At night, people go down 2 or 3 a.m., honking, yelling, boom boxes."

Some tourists on Tuesday said they understood the residents' frustrations and said they would be willing to pay a small fee for access to the street.

But a toll was not the answer for many others. "Insane. Greedy," Kayrn Pierce tweeted.

"It's kind of a highlight for people to come here to San Francisco to see this pretty street, and to charge to see the street would be an injustice, actually," said tourist Anand Raivaderaand of London, while enjoying the unusual street and stunning surrounding views.

Aside from the toll, the study's other possible recommendations include adding parking control officers to direct traffic and shepherd pedestrians meandering along with their iPhones, and creating a permanent funding base for an ambassador program first started in August 2015. The program currently costs $110,000. Other ideas include asking people to make reservations to drive down Lombard, now a victim of its own popularity.

The transportation authority will consider the feedback from Tuesday night's community meeting and forward some ideas to the Board of Supervisors by the end of 2016, Young said.

Lombard Street is "the second most popular spot next to the Golden Gate Bridge," Supervisor Mark Farrell's legislative aide, Jess Montejano, said Tuesday. "Within the last year and a half, the congestion and quality of life have gotten worse and we need to get our act together."

NBC Bay Area's Pete Suratos, Marianne Favro and Jean Elle contributed to this report.
El Fenix marks its 98th anniversary Thursday, and to celebrate, the location in downtown Dallas is offering 98-cent cheese enchilada plates to dine-in guests.

Tex-Mex may be one of the Lone Star State's greatest contributions to American dining. Just ask anyone who's moved out of state: A side of queso is not the same delicious bowl of liquid cheese in other parts of the country.

But where did this offshoot of Mexican cuisine originate? Many credit Dallas-born chain El Fenix.

Click here to read more.
At first glance, an exhibition of ceramics famously crafted in Mexico seems like an unlikely match for the Crow Collection of Asian Art. However, the roots of Talavera link the cultures of three continents and eleven centuries.

On display beginning September 17 at the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Clay Between Two Seas: From the Abbasid Court to Puebla de los Angeles showcases the result of a global artistic collision.

It happened because of inspiration. Potters in the Middle East were enchanted by Chinese porcelain, but they didnt have access the materials to make porcelain. They improvised to create the white glaze to mimic the look of porcelain, explained Amy Hofland, the executive director of the Crow Collection of Asian Art.

The Moors brought their techniques and designs to Spain during the 12th century and Spanish artisans added their European influence. The tin-enameled earthenware was known as maiolica and its opaque white glaze served as a perfect background for colorful designs.

The ceramic was named Talavera as a reference to the Spanish city of Talavera de la Reina.

Spanish trade routes from the Far East through the Philippines and finally to New Spain served to spread the earthenware and expose it to more adaptations.

The city of Puebla was a major stop on this trade route and in this city, artisan potters refined their skills, noting the popular use of cobalt blue during the Ming dynasty.

Porcelain was directly imported from Asia to potters through a trade route via Acapulco. Ceramics were a popular item to transported using the trade routes because they were easy to pack.

In New Spain, ceramics were often considered a status symbol. Whats interesting about the older Talavera is you can see animals illustrated on pottery that are not in Mexico. They saw things from China and inspiration struck again, Hofland said.

1650 to 1750 is considered the Golden Age of Talavera and Italian influences added mauve, green, yellow, orange, light blue and black to cobalt blue to make up a distinctive color palette for the pottery.

Today, the city of Puebla and a few nearby communities are the only places creating authentic Talavera. Eleven certified guilds govern the creation of Talavera to ensure quality and preserve tradition. The rules are deceptively simple: potters must use the same clay and glaze as developed 500 years ago.

Artisan resident programs also stress the use of the traditional color palette. This exhibition includes examples of classical and contemporary Talavera and the differences between the time periods are striking.

"Contemporary Talavera breaks out in form. There are examples of new media, sound pieces and inventiveness in shape. Contemporary pieces often use a graphic contemporary style, only referencing the colors and the clay," Hofland said.

Hofland also suggests Americans interested in Talavera make sure they are buying authentic ceramics. In Mexico, brides and grooms get a set of Talavera as a gift. Here, we buy it in markets, but it is often from China. Look for the guild markings. Look for the influences to make sure you are buying a genuine piece of Talavera, she warned.

Clay Between Two Seas: From the Abbaside Court to Puebla de los Angeles is the Crow Collection of Asian Arts acknowledgment of Asias global influence on art.

This is a great metaphor for Asia. It was thought of as a place on a map. Because of global trade routes, Asia is everywhere, Hofland said.

The Crow Collection of Asian Art desires to act as a bridge to understanding the international brand of Asia and its relation to multiple cultures.

We look at Mexico as a source of information about Asia. Our first exhibit about Mexico was in 2000. We want to encourage an appreciation for other cultures and were looking for partners in Puebla to work on future projects. If we tried to be purist, we wouldnt be relevant, Hofland said.

Hofland also suggests patrons get their hands a little dirty to fully appreciate the craftsmanship of Talavera. If you havent worked with clay recently, you should. Theres a certain joy in clay being formed by human hands. Theres lots of unexpected surprises in the combination of references to other cultures, Hofland said.

Clay Between Two Seas: From the Abbasid Court to Puebla de los Angeles, presented in partnership with the Museo Internacional del Barroco, Puebla, Mexico, and the State Council for Culture and the Arts of Puebla, Mexico, will remain on view until February 12, 2017.

Kimberly Richard is a North Texan with a passion for the arts. Shes worked with Theatre Three, Inc. and interned for the English National Opera and Royal Shakespeare Company. She graduated from Austin College and currently lives in Garland with her very pampered cocker spaniel, Tessa.
A federal court has rejected a lawsuit by five Texas death row inmates who say the lethal drugs to be used in their executions need to be retested shortly before to ensure they will suffer no unusual pain.

Lawyers for the five prisoners argued to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that an agreement between the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and two other inmates to test the pentobarbital for their lethal injections should be extended to them. They say failure to do so would violate their constitutional right to equal protection under the law.

The appeals court on Monday upheld a Houston federal judge's dismissal of the lawsuit.

It also said no risk of failure has been shown in the state's use of the sedative pentobarbital for executions.
Prosecutors who originally charged a 17-year-old in the shooting deaths of his parents at their West Texas home have also charged his 23-year-old sister with the slayings.

Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland says Grace McDonald of Odessa was arrested in Arizona following her indictment Monday on charges of capital murder and conspiracy to commit capital murder.

Her brother, James Gabriel "Gabe" McDonald, was arrested on a capital murder charge shortly after the March 2 fatal shootings of their parents -- James Gregory McDonald and Jana Lou McDonald. The teen is charged as an adult.

Odessa police originally said the sister was home but not injured during the slayings. Investigators haven't announced a possible motive.

Online Ector County jail records Wednesday didn't list custody or attorney information for Grace McDonald.
Day six of the trial of Enrique Arochi, accused of kidnapping a Plano woman missing since 2014, began Wednesday with testimony from Arochi's ex-girlfriend.

Christina Morris was last seen on surveillance video with Arochi walking into a parking garage at the Shops at Legacy in Plano in August of 2014.

Rand Aridi testified Wednesday that she was dating Arochi at the time of Morris' disappearance.

Prosecutors showed a series of loving text messages Arochi and Aridi exchanged on Aug. 29, 2014, the last night Christina Morris was seen alive.

In them, Arochi told his then-girlfriend that he had a terrible headache and was going to sleep. This was around 10:30 p.m. In reality, Arochi was out that night with a group of friends, including Morris.

Arochi was supposed to call Aridi in the morning, but didn't reach out until around 11:00 a.m., saying he was late to work because his alarm clock didn't go off.

Aridi also said that she and Arochi went back to the Shops at Legacy for dinner the next day and he never told her he'd been there the night before.

She said he had cuts all over his knuckles and told her a tire fell on his hand while he was fixing his car. Other witnesses testified Tuesday that he told them he'd gotten the cuts in a fight.

Aridi said Arochi never told her he was with Christina Morris and she didn't know he was involved until police contacted her a week later.

A Plano detective also testified Wednesday about placing a tracking device on Arochi's car shortly after Morris went missing. He said he noticed that the undercarriage of Arochi's car was "absurdly clean." That stood out to him as unusual in hundreds of car searches he had done.

In their last witness before a lunch break Wednesday, prosecutors showed evidence a Plano police officer pulled from Arochi's trash. It included black gorilla tape and empty bottles of a cleaning product and Odoban, used to mask odors.

The officer also found a Post-It note in the trash with the following bullet points written on it:

Black shirt

texts from 29-today's date

bank bills

cellular bills

The officer testified he thought it was significant because the items on the list were evidence that could be used against a suspect.

In cross-examination, the defense pointed out Arochi could have been making a list of evidence to gather to defend himself and show his innocence. The defense also said all of the other items found in the trash were common household items that could be used for any purpose and that police do not know when they were purchased.

Defense attorneys spent Tuesday questioning Plano Det. Aaron Benzick, who laid out his theory that Morris was not kidnapped while in the parking garage, but rather after she got into Arochi's Camaro willingly. He also testified that something happened after they left that made Morris change her mind about being in Arochi's car and he believes that's when things went wrong.

Prosecutors also reached an immunity agreement with Hunter Foster, Morris' boyfriend. In exchange for a suspended sentence on a drug charge, Foster testified Tuesday about text messages exchanged with Morris Aug. 29, 2014, the night she went missing. He said he was never anywhere near Morris the night she disappeared.

Arochi's former co-workers at Sprint also testified Tuesday, describing Arochi's strange behavior the day after Morris disappeared.

"He had a bite mark on his arm," one former co-worker, Jacob Talamontes, told NBC 5. "He told me his rim fell on him while he was changing a tire. He told two other co-workers that he got into a fight at the Shops at Legacy."

On Wednesday, Talamontes got in trouble with the judge for speaking with the media. At least for now, he will not be called to testify.

On Monday, attorneys looked at the cell phone records of Arochi and Foster.

Prosecutors spent last week calling friends who were with Morris and Arochi the night Morris went missing. They testified that they didn't recall seeing cuts on Arochi's hands or damage to his car, both of which appeared the next day.

NBC 5's Chris Jose contributed to this report.
Two young girls raised $20,000 for Dallas police through their lemonade stand and on Tuesday they were recognized for their service.

12-year-old Lauren Roach and 11-year-old Landry Nelon set up the lemonade stand following the Dallas police ambush on July 7.

On Tuesday, the girls presented the Assist the Officer Foundation with a check for $20,000. They also got to stop by the Dallas Police Association to check out the wall honoring the fallen officers.

The girls said many people came up to donate and didn't want lemonade or brownies in return.

"At first, we thought we'd be lucky to get $100, we never thought we'd get this much," said Lauren Roach. "They took 10 seconds of time to hang a $20 bill out their window for the Dallas police."

The girls say they've been amazed at how generous everyone has been. Dallas police said they were touched by the overwhelming show of support.
Members of the Dallas Commission appointed to fight homelessness traded accusations Tuesday as a big homeless tent camp continues to thrive near Fair Park.

City officials have said they want the camp under an Interstate 30 bridge at Haskell Avenue closed before the State Fair of Texas starts September 30.

Approximately 100 people are believed to be staying at the Haskell camp.

But there was little time to discuss that situation during a two hour commission meeting Tuesday that was dominated by complaints about public participation and claims of non-profit groups controlling the commission.

How many people around this table are on those payrolls today? Im not, said Commission Member Jim Bruton.

He was appointed to represent Dallas City Council District 7, which includes Fair Park.

Theyre sitting around hoping for the commission to land that fish that will bring the money to them that theyre seeking, Bruton said.

Member Gary Powell, who serves at The Housing Crisis Center, responded.

I think youre going the wrong direction if you want to challenge those peoples motives. Im offended by it, Powell said.

In fact, Powell said his organization has trouble finding landlords willing to take the money the group has raised to house homeless people.

We cant find the housing, Powell said.

Downtown residents complained that the commissions draft report for the Dallas city council pays too much attention to expensive long-term solutions.

Unfortunately, many downtown residents feel this commission is ignoring our quality of life concerns. Were concerned that were not hearing about short term solutions, said resident Veronica Simmons.

Commission Member Tanya Ragan, also a downtown resident, called for a new direction with an alternative plan.

Look at how we need to either be restructured or how our conversation needs to change, Ragan said.

Commission Chairman Britton Banowsky said 600 new units of housing for the homeless seems like a reasonable goal, but nothing is finalized.

Were open for whatever ideas people have. I saw the alternative plan. I think thats awesome, he said.

Originally the plan was to present a final report to the Dallas city council in November, but that seemed optimistic after Tuesdays meeting.

Im frustrated and disappointed, Ragan said.

Last month, the commission suggested an additional $3 million be found for homeless housing in Dallas from a combination of city funding and grants.

Dallas Housing Director Bernadette Mitchell said city staff is monitoring homeless camps, including the Haskell Street location, and working to find immediate options for the homeless people there. She gave the Commission no specific date for closure of the camp.

Burton said neighbors are worried homeless people will just move into other areas nearby.

So, we have more threats of panhandling. It seems like were going in the wrong direction, at least from someone whos sitting in the middle of the area thats most affected, Burton said.

A census this summer counted about 80 homeless camps in Dallas, more than the 40 or so estimated earlier in the year.
A North Texas woman is being called a hero after running into a house fire and bringing a 7-year-old boy to safety.

The fire started near a backyard shed in the 2500 block of Via Avenida in Carrollton. Even though a 9-1-1 dispatcher warned the neighbor not to go inside the burning house, she told NBC 5 she had no regrets.

"There's a kid inside. That's honestly the only thing that goes through your head," said 22-year-old Mariella Medina.

It was close to 11:30 p.m. Monday, and Medina had just pulled into her driveway after coming back from the gym. She could see the flames from down the street.

"First, it was just thick smoke, and then a moment after the smoke you just see the big orange flames above the tree tops  like, way above," she described. "It was like a big giant flame. It was pretty scary at first."

Witnesses said the fire started near a backyard shed, where pool equipment and other supplies where being stored. Second by second, the flames crept closer to the house.

Medina didn't know the family at all, but she ran down the street while on the phone with 9-1-1.

That's when she came upon a mother with twin infants in her arms, and she was panicked that one of her kids was still in his upstairs bedroom.

While her 6-year-old was out safely on the lawn, the woman's 7-year-old son hadn't come out yet.

The 9-1-1 dispatcher was listening in, too, and gave a clear warning.

Dispatcher: "OK, and everybody is out the house?"

Mariella: "I think there's someone still inside. Hang out. [To the mother] You stay with the baby. Where? Upstairs? C'mon. There's a fire. I swear to God, hay fuego!"

Dispatcher: "Don't go inside. Just tell everybody to get outside."

"I could just hear, I feel bad, I hear the 9-1-1 lady saying "nobody go inside" as I'm running into the house and up the stairs. I just put the phone in my pocket and I didn't think about it after that," Mariella recalled.

Even though the phone was in her pocket, the 9-1-1 audio call was still coming through clearly as Mariella found the boy in his bed.

Mariella: "C'mon, mijo, there's a fire! I need you to hurry, baby. C'mon, baby. Hurry. C'mon. Hurry. Hurry. Anybody else? Anybody else?"

Mariella helped that scared 7-year-old boy get out of his bedroom and out of the house to safety, and she says she has no regrets.

"The main priority is getting someone out. You don't have to know somebody to want to help them," she said.

Carrollton firefighters arrived moments later to put out the fire before there was major damage to the house.

The family says they're extremely grateful for their neighbor's actions, but they didn't want to go on camera, telling NBC 5 they're still trying to process all of their emotions after a chaotic and stressful night.
Police say two men have been fatally shot in an attack at a West Texas home.

San Angelo police say no one has been arrested in Monday night's gunfire. Police are trying to determine what led to the shootings.

A police statement says both victims were transported to Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, where they were pronounced dead.

Names of the victims weren't immediately released. Autopsies were ordered.

Further details weren't immediately released Tuesday.
China's notoriously weak protection of private-property rights finally has a long-waited sign of improvement. And rightly so, as the nation's ongoing economic transformation  as well as its commitment to long-term stability and prosperity  now hinge on upholding the rights of property owners.

In early September, the Communist Party's Central Leading Group for Overall Reform, headed by Party Secretary and President Xi Jinping, approved new property-rights protection guidelines. The guidelines include 10 specific measures that underscore the party's interest in improving legal safeguards for the owners of tangible and intangible property, including commercial real estate, trademarks and intellectual property rights.

Every market economy is built on a property-rights foundation. Indeed, the modern world owes much of its prosperity to the tenets of property rights, along with the principles of freedom of contract and fair competition.

China has been pursuing better property-rights protection since the late 1970s, chalking up landmark achievements. In 2004, for example, the constitution was amended to enshrine private-property rights. And three years later, the first Property Law was promulgated.

Yet property rights are still often violated. For example, rules have sometimes failed to protect the assets of private entrepreneurs. In extreme cases, local government officials on assets-grabbing adventures have had private entrepreneurs kidnapped, attacked or even killed.

A few years ago, in the western Chinese city of Chongqing  at the time under since-disgraced regional Party Secretary Bo Xilai  false criminal charges were leveled against many private entrepreneurs before seizing their assets in the name of a "crackdown on crime."

Concerns about private-property rights violations help explain why an increasing number of private-business owners are moving their assets overseas, throwing a wrench into China's economic transformation.

When private assets, equity holdings and intellectual property rights are not protected, entrepreneurs can lose confidence in the business environment. A lack of confidence can, in turn, discourage entrepreneurs from saving money and investing in innovation. Company executives may thus be more inclined to spend money quickly rather than investing in research and development, or planning for the future.

Government-led growth has been powering China for decades. Now, there's an urgent need for a more-efficient growth model that relies on innovation, new technology, industrial upgrading, service sector development and information systems. This transformation has been complicated and difficult, and it cannot be pushed forward without fostering entrepreneurship.

The party's new guidelines have given that spirit of entrepreneurship a shot in the arm. The guidelines include a prediction that "property-rights protection will foster entrepreneurship and innovation." Policymakers have thus confirmed the importance of strengthening property ownership as a foundation for a stronger economy.

The guidelines also address some major concerns often shared by private entrepreneurs. For example, they point to a more-tolerant attitude toward private businesses that may have started out many years ago by building wealth in ways that might have been illegal at the time. This new tolerance has eased anxiety among business owners who don't want to be penalized for committing so-called "original sins" during the early days of China's economic reform movement.

The guidelines also spell out legal procedures for criminal cases involving business assets, so that accusations against a company or its executives do not interrupt normal business operations. These procedures also provide a system for clearly dividing an entrepreneur's personal assets and a company's assets. There have been several cases in the past where an entrepreneur's individual assets were seized after false allegations were leveled against a company.

Under the guidelines, some controversial legal cases from the past involving property rights decisions are to be re-examined, and unsettled disputes are to be put to rest. Of course, it will be difficult to reverse and make amends for a previous conviction if, upon re-examination, an injustice is revealed. But righting wrongs is a must-do. Justice must be done, and victims along with their families must be properly compensated.

There were a number of cases where the verdicts were reexamined and rectified in recent years, but information about these was kept under wraps. It is an encouraging sign that justice prevails. But preventing any publicity on these cases made the justice incomplete. Turning a verdict is not enough. Making the results public should be a part of the efforts to compensate victims and hold guilty parties responsible. Meanwhile, there are many cases of property-rights violations that have been dragging on for years in some courts. These must be resolved without further delay.

Making amends for property-rights errors made in the past would go a long way toward improving the credibility of the nation's judicial system, as well as promoting judicial reform. A fundamental reason for improving property-rights protection is that doing so will advance the rule of law. Another is that it will pave the way for properly supervising those holding power.

China's policymakers have obviously taken a firm stand on property rights while thoughtfully arranging to better protect private property owners. Their latest guidelines will lead to reforms that change government functions while improving administrative efficiency. It's a task that's enormously challenging but worth every effort.

Hu Shuli is the chief editor of Caixin Media.
Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday announced a unilateral cease-fire starting at midnight Wednesday, which could be a major step in solving the conflict that has raged for more than two years.

The conflict between Russian-backed separatist rebels and Ukrainian government troops has killed more than 9,500 people since it began in April 2014. Representatives of Ukraine, the separatists and Russia signed a February 2015 Minsk peace deal brokered by France and Germany, but frequent clashes have continued to claim lives and political provisions of the agreement have never been implemented.

Alexander Zakharchenko, rebel leader in Donetsk, made the cease-fire announcement in a recorded statement aired on Russian television on Tuesday, berating Kiev for a "lack of willingness to solve the problem in a peaceful manner."

Zakharchenko said he has ordered rebel troops to cease fire at midnight Wednesday and urged Ukraine to do the same.

Wearing a suit instead of his normal camouflage for the televised statement, the separatist leader said the rebels are "fully committed to the Minsk agreements" and see them as "the only solution."

Igor Plotnitsky, leader of the self-proclaimed part of the Luhansk region, also announced a cease-fire on Tuesday.

It's the first time that that the separatists, who are widely believed to be controlled by Moscow, have come with an idea of a unilateral cease-fire.

At least three government troops have been killed and 15 wounded in fighting in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, officials said. One more person was reported missing.

In Donetsk, the rebel mouthpiece Donetsk News Agency said three of its men have been killed.

The announcement comes a few hours after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that he expects the parliament to vote soon on constitutional amendments granting more autonomy to Ukrainian provinces, including the rebellious eastern regions.

"Decentralization is a policy that has no alternative," Poroshenko tweeted Tuesday. "I expect the Verkhovna Rada to support the constitutional amendments regarding decentralization."

Ukraine has blamed Russia for not doing enough to get the rebels to relinquish control over parts of the Ukrainian-Russian border while Russia is unhappy that Ukraine still has not adopted the constitutional amendments.

On Wednesday, Poroshenko is set to meet with top diplomats from France and Germany, and also hold separate talks with the foreign ministers of Britain and Poland in what appears to be part of a diplomatic blitz to discuss the conflict settlement.

Before traveling to Kiev, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that after talking with Ukraine and Russia on Monday he believes it is possible "to agree now, and without preconditions, on a durable cease-fire." He added that he and his French counterpart, Jean-Marc Ayrault, "will not let up in reminding the parties to the conflict of their responsibility for a political solution in eastern Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk agreements, in Kiev and in Moscow."

"Our proposals are on the table, for making the cease-fire permanent and for the political process," Steinmeier said, adding that he will also be speaking to Ukrainian lawmakers to discuss what can be done to get the Minsk process moving. "There needs to be readiness to compromise on all sides, and there needs to be the will to translate what is agreed into action."

Darka Olifer, spokeswoman for the Ukrainian envoy at the talks with the separatists, said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the representatives at the talks, conducted via a video link on Tuesday, supported the idea of a cease-fire.
Nearly three weeks after the federal government urged more than two dozen Hollywood celebrity home tour companies to stop using open-air vans due to serious safety concerns, the I-Team has found these businesses are continuing to operate as before.

NBC4 went undercover to expose how many tour guides drive recklessly and provide inaccurate information about the location of celebrities' homes. Automotive industry experts also warned that the modified convertible vans may pose dangers because the way the tops are removed may be undermining the integrity of the vehicle structure.

The I-Team found that when customizing the vans, many operators also modify factory-installed seatbelts, or remove them altogether.

As a result, the National Transportation Safety Board sent a letter to 27 tour van operators, expressing concern to the companies that they are "putting the safety of your passengers and employees risk" and urging them "to discontinue use of these vehicles."

NHTSA, which is an arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation, also issued a special order, demanding the tour operators to provide detailed information about how their vans have been modified. If the operators don't provide a response, signed under oath, by Sept. 19, they face daily fines of up to $21,000 until they comply.

"We don't believe these vehicles are safe in their present condition, and they shouldn't be transporting passengers," said NHTSA spokesman Bryan Thomas.

However, the I-Team has found that despite the federal government's action, the tour company owners continue to carry hundreds of passengers through the Hollywood Hills and other celebrity neighborhoods every day.

When contacted by phone to provide an explanation for the decision to keep operating, one tour company owner called an NBC4 producer "Lucifer;" others shouted obscenities. More chose to simply hang up without responding.

State Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian is currently drafting new legislation to crack down on companies that operate unsafely and lie to tourists, and expressed alarm about the tour van operators' behavior.

"At the end of the day, if we don't have enforcement capabilities and enforcement teeth, nobody is going to abide by it," he said.

Late Tuesday, a spokesman for Mayor Eric Garcetti issued the following statement:

"Representatives from the City, the Hollywood Chamber and the Tourism and Convention Board are meeting this month to discuss possible actions to further ensure the safety of our visitors. The City, Chamber and Tourism Board are concerned about reports of unsafe tour bus operations and ready to assist federal regulators as needed."

"The Department is unaware of any incidents attributed directly to the modification of these vehicles," the CHP said in a statement to NBC4. "The CHP is collaborating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to discuss their (NHTSA's) expressed concerns with the modified buses."

The I-Team found other major cities, including New Orleans, require tour leaders to submit to background checks and also pass a history test.

"It's a very extensive procedure and we want that, because we want to make sure our tour guides act as the professionals they are at all times," said Gene Reyes, President of the National Federation of Tourist Guides Association.

He says it's important that cities have training programs available, and that New Orleans has greatly benefited from it.

"We certainly don't want people not prepared at all to be representing the tourist industry. That's a black eye for us and that's the last thing we want."

Both San Francisco and San Diego have tour guide certification programs, but Los Angeles doesn't. Reyes even took a celebrity homes tour himself while visiting Los Angeles.

"I have to tell you, I was not very impressed, to say the least," he said. "I was not impressed with the tour guide, I was not impressed with the entire tour. It was not the level of tour, I assure you, that we strive for here in New Orleans and other major cities."

Reyes added that the national organization would like to help start a tour guide association in Los Angeles.
With her son on her mind and with her community behind her, a young mother is devastated but strong as she led a rally Tuesday night.

Serena Harold is waiting for justice after her 15-year-ear old son, James Isaiah Solomon, was shot dead August 27th while at a funeral for a family member.

"He was 15 years old and he's been my baby for more than half my life," said Harold.

Miami-Dade Police said a 22-year-old was also killed and four others were hurt when someone in a car opened fire at Northwest 83rd Terrace and 19th Avenue.

"If you would have told me two weeks ago that I would be standing here having a rally because someone senselessly took my son's life away, I would have said you're lying," said Harold.

"For my baby to go to a wake and grieve a death and I'm standing in front of you grieving. I can't comprehend it."

Flyers were passed around at Tuesday's rally. Residents asking the community to stop the gun violence that's taking so many young lives.

Harold cried out, "Let's put in work not only for my son but all the innocent babies who have lost their lives."

Police have raised the reward for information in the murder case to $13 thousand.

If you have any information call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
Mater Lakes Academy in Miami Lakes was placed on lockdown Wednesday after a threat was received, officials said.

Miami-Dade Police responded to the school at 17300 Northwest 87th Avenue to investigate. Footage showed officers carrying rifles at the school.

School officials said they take all threats seriously and said they locked the doors during the investigation, with no one allowed in or out.

Students stayed in class while the threat was investigated. Some students posted on social media that they were told to sit on the floor by teachers.

https://twitter.com/sophialasa/status/776135069585006592

Miami-Dade Police would only confirm that their SWAT officers were in the area of the school.

Dismissal was staggered, with students trickling out of the school Wednesday afternoon. The lockdown was lifted around 4:45 p.m.

Parents received a robo call to alert them about the situation, officials said. Many concerned parents gathered down the street from the school during the investigation.

No other information was immediately known.

Check back with NBC 6 for updates.
Miami-Dade Schools Police had to wrangle a big snake that was found outside a Homestead school Wednesday.

The snake was discovered outside Homestead Senior High School at 2351 Southeast 12th Avenue, officials said.

After capturing the snake, the officers posed for pictures with it before turning the reptile over to the Miami-Dade Police venom unit.

Never a dull moment @miamischoolspd officers capture snake outside of a school. Great job #schoolsafety #safetyfirst pic.twitter.com/1xPG3SjYP1  Police Explorers (@MDSPDExplorers) September 14, 2016
A Miami man is facing multiple charges after police say he doused a couple with bleach during a frightening armed home invasion.

British Marque West, 26, was arrested Tuesday on charges of armed home invasion, burglary with assault or battery, kidnapping and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to an arrest report.

West appeared in court Wednesday where he was ordered held without bond. It's unknown if he's hired an attorney.

According to the arrest report, West entered the couple's home in the 800 block of Northwest 18th Court the morning of July 7, possibly through an unlocked front door.

As the woman opened her fridge, West pointed a gun at her and told her to get down, then dumped out her purse and took her money and cell phone, the report said.

West then forced the woman into her bedroom where her husband was laying in bed, and ransacked the room taking money, a gun, the husband's cell phone and some jewelry, the report said.

At one point, West ordered the couple to crawl into their bathroom, then doused them with bleach and poured it all over the bedroom, the report said.

West forced the couple at gunpoint into their living room and ransacked the rest of the bedrooms before locking them in the garage, the report said. He tried to steal their car but ultimately fled the home on foot, stealing more than $40,000 worth of property, the report said.

After Miami-Dade Police arrested West on August 6 in a separate armed home invasion, detectives added his picture to a photo lineup and the wife picked him out, the report said.

Police searched West's car and found two watches that were stolen from the victims' daughter's room, the report said. They also found jogging pants and a pair on sandals that he wore during the home invasion, according to the report.

West denied any involvement in the home invasion, the report said.
As Miami Beach prepares for another round of aerial spraying for the Zika virus scheduled this weekend, some residents and politicians are doing what they can to try and stop those plans.

Protests continued outside of the City Hall on Wednesday, with residents still unhappy with the use of the Naled over the transmission zone, located between 8th Street and 28th Street. Two rounds of the spraying took place last week, with another one scheduled for Sunday.

Inside the chambers, city commissioners took up the subject of Zika spraying. Talk of a possible injunction being filed to stop the spraying was quickly silenced, as was a motion by Commissioner Michael Grieco to file suit against the county over the spraying. None of the other five commissioners would second that motion.

While debate continues in South Florida, Governor Rick Scott is in Washington D.C. in an effort to try and get more funding for the fight against Zika. Scott met with several members of Floridas Congressional delegation  including South Florida representatives Mario Diaz-Balart , Ileana Ros-Lehtinen , Carlos Curbelo and Frederica Wilson.

We continue to learn important lessons about Zika and the efficacy of our own emergency response efforts, but our community deserves even more transparency and cooperation between federal, state and local agencies during the difficult road ahead as we work to eliminate the virus and its invasive mosquito host, said Ros-Lehtinen.

Wilson added It is gratifying to know that we are on the same page about the urgent nature of the Zika outbreak in our state and its impact on both public health and Floridas economy.
Police have released a sketch of a suspect in the armed robbery shooting that left two people dead over the weekend in southwest Miami-Dade.

The shooting happened around 4 a.m. Saturday near the M&M Too Sweet Lounge in the 12000 block of Southwest 220th Street and claimed the lives of 46-year-old Edward Seymour and 36-year-old VonTavius Sands, Miami-Dade Police said.

According to police, the victims were standing next to Seymour's Cadillac CTS when the gunman approached and shot the two men. The gunman the got in the driver's seat of the car and pointed a gun at a woman sitting in the passenger seat, demanded her property and told her to get out of the car, police said.

The suspect fled the scene in the car and the woman wasn't injured. Seymour and Sands were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police later found the Cadillac but they're still looking for the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
(Beijing)  China's top legislature has expelled 45 lawmakers, or nearly half the number elected from Liaoning province, over a bribery and vote-buying scandal.

The decision  announced at a highly unusual emergency meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Tuesday  comes after a two-year investigation by the Communist Party's anti-graft watchdog into election fraud in the northeastern province.

China's national and provincial lawmakers are chosen through a multitiered voting system, with members within the legislative bodies electing candidates mostly nominated by the party.

An estimated 523 lawmakers out of the 619 members of Liaoning's People's Congress were implicated in the scandal, which involved paying "enormous amount of money" to their peers to get elected in 2013, said sources close to the investigation, which concluded in June.

Those named and shamed by the NPC include 38 of the 62 members on the powerful Standing Committee of the provincial legislature, which runs its daily operations, sources who wish to remain anonymous said.

The scandal has crippled the provincial legislature, the sources said.

A temporary panel has been appointed to oversee the operations of the provincial congress in Liaoning until the next round of elections in 2018, the NPC said.

"What has happened to the Standing Committee of Liaoning's provincial People's Congress is unheard of in the history of China" since 1949, said Li Jianguo, a vice chairman of the NPC's Standing Committee.

Most of the 45 disgraced NPC lawmakers from Liaoning were executives of big state-owned enterprises and listed companies. The list published on state-run Xinhua News Agency also included some business tycoons such as Sun Shoukuan, the richest man in Liaoning with a personal wealth of 19 billion yuan ($2.84 billion), according to the 2015 Hurun Report on China's richest individuals. Sun, 66, founded Jiachen Group, a conglomerate that has businesses in mining and real estate among others, and has been an NPC lawmaker since 2008. He was expelled for buying votes to get re-elected to the provincial- and national-level legislature in 2013.

The list also includes Hui Kai, an NPC representative and former president of Dalian Port Co. Ltd., listed in Hong Kong, who resigned from the company in late August after "a job transfer," a filing to the bourse on Aug. 26 showed. But an employee told Caixin that Hui was actually sacked over election fraud.

The NPC gave few details of the extent of the violations by the expelled lawmakers and failed to say whether they will face criminal charges.

Under current laws the crime of sabotaging an election is punishable by up to three years in prison.

Zheng Yuzhuo, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress, was the first to be arrested after being charged with rigging the 2013 election, the Supreme People's Court said in early September.

China's people's congresses, in charge of making laws from the county to the national level, have long been dismissed by international critics as rubber-stamp legislatures. But some analysts say a seat on a congress, both at the local and national level, provides an opportunity  mainly for businesspeople  to network with government officials.

Contact reporter Li Rongde (rongdeli@caixin.com); editor Poornima Weerasekara (poornima@caixin.com)
For three years, Veloz Fior De Pichardo has lived with a mission to prove to the world shes a woman.

But thats not what staff at Miami-Dade Corrections initially thought when Pichardo was booked on Nov. 4, 2013.

They concluded Pichardo was a man and placed her with the male population where she stayed for almost 24 hours before they realized the mistake.

Im a woman, said Pichardo. I have three children.

Pichardo is now breaking her silence from her home in the Dominican Republic where she lives and works as an attorney and political leader. She was surrounded by her family Tuesday afternoon as she described the terrifying experience of being housed with male inmates.

She feared for her life worried shed be physically attacked, even raped.

When I was there [county jail], I saw some of the men rushing to the bathroom actually naked, Pichardo said.

Since the ordeal, Pichardo has found herself having to prove she was born a female.

She shared photos of her as a young girl, teen and young woman in her early 20s  a lawyer rising up the political ranks in her Dominican province  eventually a grandmother.

Thats what brought Pichardo to Miami three years ago. She landed at Miami International Airport with the plans to travel to the hospital to see her newly-born grandchild. But authorities held her on a warrant from a 20-year old federal drug charge. She thought the case had been resolved years ago.

And somehow when the mug shot was taken by Miami-Dade Corrections, correctional officers concluded that Pichardo was a man.

The guard told me that good luck, she said. I might not see you tomorrow. She said that to me in Spanish.

Pichardo is now suing Miami-Dade County and the corrections department in federal court alleging the incident violated her civil rights. Shes asking for $5 million in damages.

Corrections department officials declined to comment for this story.

David Kubiliun is one of the Miami lawyers representing her.

She shouldnt have been stopped, Kubiliun said. She had been traveling in and out of the United States for the past 20 years. In fact, her daughter was born in the U.S.

Pichardos attorneys say they have uncovered more information about why she never should have been stopped in the first place.

The NBC 6 Investigators obtained the official correspondence from inside the TGK jail facility that shows how then inmate Pichardo was first identified as a man and later a woman.

When she arrived  the intake officer marked M for male. Then a nurse was brought in to screen Pichardo and determined that the individual had male sexual reproductive organs and was a male inmate by birth.

This decision sent her inside an open bay facility housing male inmates. She said there was not even a private toilet.

After her family expressed outrage, documents show that correction officials sent two other nurses to examine Pichardo.

This time, the nurses determined that Pichardo is a female and she was removed from the male population.

The experience has left Pichardo traumatized.

My life changed. Because I am the laughing stock, the attorney and politician said. In my county, I have a political career and I am well known.
Authorities are looking for two men who knocked a 28-year-old woman unconscious and beat up her boyfriend in a Bronx subway station last week.

Police say the suspects were harassing the woman in the Grand Concourse station on Labor Day. Her 21-year-old boyfriend intervened, and one of the suspects put him in a headlock while the other beat him up.

When the woman tried to stop them, one of the suspects punched her in the face, knocking her out. She had cuts to her face from the fall to the ground, and her boyfriend suffered several facial fractures.

Police released surveillance video of the attack that shows the boyfriend pinned down, bent over a wooden bench in the station. His girlfriend tries desperately to fend off the suspect punching him, and then he attacks her.
Eric Garner's mother said she was "totally, totally outraged" over a report that the NYPD officer who put her son in a chokehold before his death in 2014 made nearly $120,000 in the last fiscal year.

Gwen Carr joined U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and the mother of Ramarley Graham outside One Police Plaza in lower Manhattan Wednesday to lambaste the 20 percent increase in pay that Daniel Pantaleo reportedly received in the two years since Garner's death on July 17, 2014.

Pantaleo was stripped of his badge and gun after Garner's death and has been serving on modified duty for more than two years. He faces departmental charges but not criminal charges for Garner's death, which sparked protests across the country.

"If it was not a police officer, this wouldn't be happening," an incensed Carr said. "If the shoe was on the other foot, if it was me -- with this outrage -- I would have lost my job. i would have gone to jail."

Politico New York reports that Pantaleo made $119,996 in the 2016 fiscal year, which ended on June 30. That represents a $20,000 jump from the year before Garner's death, when his gross earnings were $99,915. In the year between, Politico found that he made $105,061.

"That gives them the incentive to keep doing what they're doing to our children," Carr said. "We want this to stop. We will no longer take this."

The NYPD's incoming top cop, current Chief of Department Jimmy O'Neill, has ordered a review of pay for officers on modified duty, according to a department statement that comes after the pay of Pantaleo and other cops facing discipline was revealed.

The mayor's office has said it supports the new inquiry and added Wednesday that the city's investigation into the handling of Garner's death is almost complete, pending an additional review by federal authorities. A Staten Island grand jury declined to press charges in the case.

Jefferies said Wednesday that "we are still waiting for Pantaleo to be held responsible.

The NYPD's rank-and-file union said in a statement to the Daily News that there's "no justification to prevent police officers on modified duty from working overtime when the department requires."

The Mayor's office
Two Long Island teenagers have been arrested in a machete attack on a man in Hempstead, police say.

The boys, ages 14 and 15, approached a 36-year-old man at Washington Avenue and Front Street the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 8, while riding their bicyles, Nassau Police say.

One of the teens had a machete and slashed the man on the left ear and shoulder, according to police. They then fled on their bicycles.

The victim was taken to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries.

A motive in the attack wasn't clear.

The teens were arrested Thursday and Saturday, and appeared in family court to face charges of assault and weapons possession.
What to Know The woman was wearing traditional Muslim garb while she was window-shopping on Fifth Avenue Saturday

She told police she suddenly felt heat on her arm and saw her blouse was on fire; she doused the flames and wasn't hurt

Police say two other women were attacked in the same vicinity in the same general time frame that day

A stranger took out a lighter and set a 35-year-old tourist from Scotland on fire on Fifth Avenue over the weekend because she was Muslim, police confirmed Wednesday, but authorities are investigating two similar attacks in the area that day that law enforcement sources say may run counter to the bias theory.



The woman had been wearing traditional Muslim garb while window-shopping near East 54th Street on the iconic Manhattan street Saturday night, and police had been looking into whether she was attacked because of her religious attire. Authorities said Wednesday their investigation revealed it was a hate crime.

Over an hour later, he approached two women walking side by side down the stairs into the subway at Bryant Park and set the lighter near their arms, police said. Law enforcement sources say the other two victims are white and Latina, calling into question whether any of the attacks were bias-related.



The development comes a day after police released new video showing the man they believe set the woman on fire. The woman told authorities she was walking on Fifth Avenue when she suddenly felt heat on her arm and noticed her blouse was on fire. She noticed a man standing next to her with a lighter in his hand, according to police. He ran away without having said a word.

The victim was able to douse the flames quickly and she wasn't hurt; no injuries were reported in the other two cases. The Scottish tourist declined to speak publicly but told NBC 4 New York she was doing OK and that her only focus and concern is that her attacker is caught and prosecuted.



The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attack on the tourist Tuesday, saying it was "the latest in a series of attacks on Muslims in that state and nationwide in recent days and months." It's offering $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

The tourist's attack was the second of the three that night, police say. In the first, on Fifth Avenue near 57th Street, the suspect walked up behind the woman and ignited a lighter next to her leg. Later that night, a suspect matching the description of the man in the earlier attacks put a flame near the arms of two women walking down the stairs of the Bryant Park train station.
A 63-year-old man was struck and killed by a car as he crossed a street in Harlem on Tuesday evening.

The man, who has not been identified, was crossing Morningside Avenue at West 124th Street when he was hit by a red 2009 Saturn just before 7:45 p.m. Police said he was crossing the street outside of the crosswalk when the car hit him.

EMS rushed him to Saint Luke's Hospital with severe head injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police said the driver of the Saturn stayed at the scene.

No arrests have been made and an investigation by the NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is ongoing.
What to Know Police say 25-year-old Carlos Colon threatened to kill himself and officers at an apartment building in Throggs Neck Wednesday morning

Police shot Colon once with a Taser and once in the leg with a gun but he refused to comply; he was shot again with a Taser and arrested

Colon may have been on drugs at the time and police expected to conduct a search warrant at the apartment Wednesday

An NYPD officer shot and injured a 25-year-old man waving a knife at officers in the Bronx, police say.

Officers had responded to an area of Throggs Neck earlier Tuesday night after receiving information about violence between two gangs. They beefed up units in the area and made a gun arrest around 9 p.m.

Just before 1 a.m. Wednesday, officers ran into the 25-year-old man, later identified as Carlos Colon. Police said he was grabbing his side and appeared to have something in his hand. Colon ran into 2755 Dewey Ave. with four officers and two sergeants chasing him.

Officers shot a man with a knife. The man was transported to the hospital in stable condition. More shortly. https://t.co/ui50GoD4dJ  J. Peter Donald (@JPeterDonald) September 14, 2016

Police cornered Colon on the seventh floor of the Throggs Neck Houses building. That's when authorities say he held a knife to his throat and began to cut his wrist while threatening to kill himself. After that, he allegedly threatened the officers with the knife.

A 45th precinct plain clothes sergeant fired a Taser gun at Colon but he ripped the dart out and moved towards the officers again, according to Asst. Chief Larry Nikunen.

A female housing officer then shot Colon with a gun once in his upper right thigh but he still refused to comply, Nikunen said.

The plain clothes sergeant fired the Taser at him again and officers were then able to take him into custody.

Colon was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Police believe he may have been on drugs when officers confronted him.

None of the officers were reported injured.

Police say Colon is from Puerto Rico and has been in the U.S. for four years. His girlfriend apparently kicked him out of the apartment earlier in the night.

Authorities plan to execute a search warrant at the Dewey Avenue apartment sometime Wednesday morning.
What to Know Obama gave his best wishes to retiring NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton and upcoming head James O'Neill

The president was in town for a Democratic fundraiser

This is Bratton's last month on the job

President Obama offered his best wishes to retiring NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton and his successor.

Obama was in New York City Tuesday night to attend a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser at the Upper East Side home of hedge-fund founder Jim Chanos.

Shortly after the event, the president briefly greeted Bratton and NYPD Chief James O'Neill, the city's next police commissioner.

The president congratulated both on their recent moves and thanked them both for their selfless service.

Bratton is leaving this month to become a risk and security adviser at Teneo, a consulting firm.
What to Know Kerry Stoutenburgh, 19, had been vacationing with her family in Maryland

Health officials think she contracted the infection while swimming in a body of fresh water, where the amoeba occurs naturally

The young woman dreamed of becoming a filmmaker and was studying at CUNY Brooklyn

A New York City college student has died of a rare brain infection she probably contracted while swimming in a body of fresh water in Maryland, according to health officials.

New York state officials identified the student as 19-year-old Kerry Stoutenburgh of Kingston in Ulster County, and notified the Cecil County health department in northeastern Maryland, according to the department spokesman there.

Stoutenburgh was living in Brighton Beach as she studied film and history at CUNY Brooklyn, the school's president, Michelle J. Anderson, said. She dreamed of becoming a filmmaker, according to a fundraising page set up to help her family.

Anderson said in a statement, "On behalf of the entire campus community, I want to extend our condolences to Kerry's family during this difficult time of mourning. The students, staff, and faculty Kerry touched will deeply miss her."

The Daily Freeman reports that Dr. Carol Smith, health commissioner in Ulster County, New York, says officials there confirmed that Stoutenburgh's death on Aug. 31 was caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba.

The amoeba occurs naturally in bodies of warm, fresh water, Cecil County health department spokesman Gregg Bortz told The Associated Press. He says Stoutenburgh visited Maryland in mid-August and swam in county waters.

She had been vacationing with her family, according to the GoFundMe page.

Stoutenbergh was a varsity swimmer and National Honor Society member at Kingston High School, a Girl Scout and a "huge movie enthusiast," according to the GoFundMe page.
The Obama administration is planning to increase the number of refugees it will allow into the U.S. in 2017 to at least 110,000, NBC News reported.

It's a 30 percent increase over the current fiscal year and a more than 57-percent jump since 2015. The increase "is consistent with our belief that all countries should do more to help the world's most vulnerable people," a State Department official told NBC News.

Of the 110,000 refugees the U.S. intends to admit, at least 40,000 are from the Near East and South Asia, a White House senior administration official said. Most have been trying to flee the Syrian civil war.

The administration's move comes as many GOP lawmakers and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump warn that Islamic terrorists could be hiding among the refugees.
Police temporarily put a West Kensington school on lockdown after a gunman shot a man at a playground across the street.

Philadelphia School District Police implemented the lockdown at Julia De Burgos Elementary School on N 4th Street after the shooting in Fairhill Square, which sits across from the school on W Lehigh Avenue, around 11:25 a.m., said Philadelphia Police.

No word yet on the victims condition.

The lockdown lasted only about 15 minutes, said police.

No children were harmed.

Fairhill Square features a playground and green space.
It was late August when a small black and white terrier was found along the side of the road and brought into the Bucks County SPCA in Quakertown as a stray. Turns out, this 4-year-old pup named Fancy had quite a story to tell, if only she could talk.

A dog who went missing from Alabama has been reunited with her family after showing up in Pennsylvania. The family says they are thankful to have her back after her 900 mile trip.

Four months earlier, her beloved owner, a father of 8 and retired command sergeant in the U.S. Army who had survived an IED explosion in Fallujah back in 1998, was again fighting for his life in a hospital in small town Alabama. Sam Jordan had undergone open heart surgery and was still critical when his wife Pat went home to tend to the animals and wash up, taking a break from her vigil at his side.

I let Fancy out on the lead and Mabel, the Great Dane, and they came up missing. When I went back to get them, they werent there, she said.

Jordan told NBC10 she spent five hours looking for the dogs with neighbors before giving up to get back to her husband. The couple says they are sure someone took the dogs because the leads werent broken or damaged or tampered with. Fancy, the pup Sam calls his hairy daughter, and Mabel, the black Great Dane, were just gone.

I felt like I lost a child when I lost these dogs, Sam said. Theyre companion dogs for me.

Pat says Fancy even alerted her when Sam suffered a stroke, likely saving his life.

[[393470141, C]]

After months of searching, some good Samaritans came across one of the missing dogs 900 miles away in Pennsylvania, and the journey home was about to begin.

Protocol for all strays brought in to the shelter is to check them for microchips.

I did this as they were still holding her, actually, Vanly Pierson of the Bucks County SPCA in Quakertown said.

Turns out the little dog had a chip and it tracked back to the Jordans in Alabama. Pierson made the call to tell them Fancy was found.

I just couldnt imagine how they would have ever gotten to Pennsylvania, Sam Jordan said. [[393469361, C]]

The couple wanted to travel immediately to get their beloved dog but health issues prevented them from retracing Fancys journey. It took a collaboration of many organizations to help reunite her with the Jordans.

A board member at the Bucks County SPCA, who also volunteers with PilotsNPaws, a nonprofit specializing in long-distance pet reunions, agreed to help fly Fancy part of the way. Two other pilots took the other legs of the trip to get her home.

On September 12, Fancy was back in Sams lap in his wheelchair.

Im humbled to say I cried like a baby, Sam said.

Yet while the couple reunited with Fancy, Mabel is still missing.

I keep praying every time the phone rings, it will be someone asking about my baby, Sam said. [[388015272, C]]

He hopes to see Mabel again one day.

Mabel is also microchipped. Shes a black Great Dane with white on her neck.

The Jordans and workers at the Bucks County SPCA urge everyone to microchip their animals. Its the best way to get them back if they somehow get away. As for Fancy, she was lying on Sams lap as he talked of her journey from his home in Alabama on Wednesday. Pat says Fancy wont ever go out alone again.
One of New York's most popular food carts turned global brand has set an opening date for its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Pennsylvania in King of Prussia.

The Manhattan-based The Halal Guys, a concept known for its menu of American Halal food, gyro sandwiches, chicken-and-rice platters and "secret white sauce," in June announced it would be coming to the Valley Forge Shopping Center, located less than two miles from the King of Prussia Mall.

That location now has an opening date.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, residents of King of Prussia and its neighboring communities will be able to get a taste of the New York's phenomenon's dishes during a grand opening that will take place between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.

The first 50 guests in line will receive a free entree platter of their choice, and the first 200 guests in line will receive The Halal Guys T-shirts.

To read the full story, click here.

For more business news, visit Philadelphia Business Journal.
Police in New Jersey are searching for a man who allegedly attacked a woman in her home, dragging her through bleach and punching her in the face.

The 28-year-old suspect, Andrew Kazmierzak, went to the 26-year-old victim's home in East Rutherford and was allowed in to have a conversation, according to East Rutherford police. The two were former acquaintances, though the exact nature of their relationship wasn't clear.

Inside the apartment, Kazmierzak and the woman began arguing, and the Kazmierzak urinated on the floor, according to police.

The woman went to get bleach to clean up the floor, and that's when Kazmierzak took the bleach and poured it on the victim, then dragged her through the bleach, police said. He then punched her in the face.

Kazmierzak ran away before police arrived.

The victim was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center to be treated for injuries from the bleach on her hip and buttocks, police said. She remains in stable condition at the hospital.

Anyone with information on the suspect, who possibly lives in Paterson or in the Bronx, is asked to contact the East Rutherford Police Department at 201-438-0165.
What to Know Cherelle Jovanna Locklear's roommates found her hanging in a dorm bathroom on Nov. 22, 2015

Locklear's mother said her daughter said she was raped at a fraternity in late September 2015 and reported it in October

The lawsuit says a victim services coordinator didn't report it to cops right away, and even then, cops failed to investigate appropriately

A college student killed herself because the university she attended didn't properly investigate her rape report, her mother said in a lawsuit.

William Paterson University officials knew about, but didn't address, sexual violence against students, creating a climate in which such misconduct was tolerated, Marquesa Jackson-Locklear alleged.

School officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Jackson-Locklear's 21-year-old daughter, Cherelle Jovanna Locklear, said she was raped at a fraternity house in September 2015, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday.

About a month later, Locklear tried to kill herself. After the suicide attempt, she reported the sexual assault to the school's victim services coordinator, the lawsuit said.

The coordinator didn't immediately notify campus police, and when the police did hear about it, they didn't conduct an "appropriate and thorough investigation," the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit says Locklear hanged herself in November 2015. Originally from Jackson, she had been a student at the school in Wayne since 2012.

Besides the university and its police force, defendants named in the lawsuit include several school officials and the school's chapter of the Sigma Pi fraternity, where Locklear had said the rape occurred.

The AP couldn't locate phone numbers for the fraternity or its leaders, and the organization didn't immediately return a message sent to its Twitter account on Tuesday. Jason Walker, executive director of the Sigma Pi Fraternity International in Lebanon, Tennessee, said he was not aware of the lawsuit and declined comment on the matter.

Peter Till, a lawyer representing Locklear's relatives, declined further comment on the litigation. He said the firm usually does not comment on pending litigation and did not want to discuss the matter without Jackson-Locklear being present. He said they were planning to hold a news conference, but it has not yet been scheduled.

No charges have been filed in the alleged sex assault.
Police are investigating after they say a kindergarten student in New Jersey's capital city brought 30 packs of heroin to school.

Police were called to the International Academy of Trenton Charter Schools Belleveue Avenue campus on Monday.

Police tell The Trentonian that a teacher thought the 5-year-old was playing with a candy wrapper when she looked in his lunchbox and found 29 other packets of the drug.

The boy was taken to a hospital, where he tested negative for opiates.

Police are trying to determine where the child got the drugs and no one has been charged. International Academy of Trenton Charter School released a statement on the incident on their Facebook page.

IAT is following the procedures specified by the law and is working closely with local authorities to handle this matter, a spokesperson wrote. IAT is fully committed to providing a safe, healthy environment in which all our students can be engaged, high-achieving learners and positive role models.




A violent day on the streets of Philadelphia left five people dead, including the cousin of rapper Meek Mill, in numerous shootings and stabbings over the span of about 15 hours on Tuesday.



The bloodshed began in West Philadelphia just after 9 a.m., when police say someone shot a 25-year-old man in his side, chest, buttocks and shoulder at 52nd Street and Wyalusing Avenue. Police took the victim to Presbyterian Hospital, where he was in stable condition.

The bloodshed only worsened from there.



A little more than three hours later, about 12:30 p.m. shots rang out on Thayer Street near Kensington Avenue, in Kensington, leaving a pregnant woman with gunshot wounds to her stomach and head, a man with gunshot wounds to his stomach and head and another man with a gunshot wound to his groin, according to police. All three victims in that shooting were taken to Temple University Hospital in critical condition.

Rich Notaro | NBC10

About the same time, officers performing a wellness check at a home on the 12000 block of Elmore Road in Northeast Philadelphia made a gruesome discovery: a 68-year-old woman, later identified as Virginia McLaughlin, along with Lawrence Carty, 60, both dead of stab wounds. Police said McLaughlin lived at the home on Elmore Road and Carty lived on the 3500 block of Grant Avenue, also in the Northeast.

Police said they believe Carty died of self-inflicted wounds to his arms, but did not say whether authorities have ruled the case a murder-suicide. They said they believe an argument motivated the violence.

Mark Masecchia | NBC10

Less than five hours later, a shooting in Philadelphia's Fairhill neighborhood left a 32-year-old man dead, police said. Gunfire erupted on Howard Street near Cambria about 5:20 p.m., leaving the man dead of several gunshot wounds to his torso.

A Verizon worker on the block at the time scooped up the victim and drove him to Episcopal Hospital in his work van, according to police, and was being interviewed by detectives after the shooting. Investigators said they believe the shooting was drug-related, and no arrests had been made as of Wednesday morning.

About two hours after that, just after 7:30 p.m., a man who would have turned 25 on Wednesday stumbled into the alley behind his Southwest Philadelphia home and died after police say someone shot him several times. Police said they believe the man was standing on his back steps between the 5800 blocks of Cobbs Creek Parkway and Fernwood Street when someone shot him, then fell down the steps and died. Several cameras in the area captured the gunman fleeing the scene, police said.

About an hour later, about 10 minutes before 9 p.m. in West Philadelphia, a 24-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the back on Frazier Street near Media, in the Carroll Park neighborhood. Police said that victim was hospitalized in stable condition and officers arrested the suspected shooter.



[[393379451, C]]

The violence didn't end there. Less than a half-hour after that, about 9:10 p.m., a 27-year-old man showed up at Albert Einstein Medical Center with gunshot wounds to his back, police said. The man told them someone shot him on Opal Street near 66th Avenue. No arrests were reported, and the man was in stable condition.

Less than an hour later and across the city in South Philadelphia, 21-year-old Angelo Colon died after police say someone shot him in the head outside a take-out restaurant at 18th Street and Snyder Avenue. Colon, police said, is the cousin of Philadelphia-born rapper Meek Mill, who took to Instagram to express his grief over the young man's death.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKU82zBhvLj/

"Watching my family die to these Philly streets ... My mission is to save my family from these streets and change the mindframe of all my lil cousins growing up in it! #RIPLO," Mill wrote in an Instagram post about the killing.

A second man, age 27, also suffered two gunshot wounds in that shooting but survived and went to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for treatment. Police said the suspected shooter took off in a dark sedan and that cameras in the area may help them solve the case.



[[393409511, C]]

Back in Kensington, a retaliatory shooting on Lee Street left two people wounded shortly after 11 p.m., according to police. Chief Inspector Scott Small said investigators believe that shooting was payback for an earlier homicide in the neighborhood. It was unclear what homicide to which the shooting was connected.

Across the city again, in South Phladelphia's Point Breeze neighborhood, a man suffered a gunshot wound on Latona Street near 16th about 11:30 p.m. No arrests were reported in that shooting.

Police reported only one arrest, in the West Philadelphia shooting on Frazier Street, among the shootings.

Philadelphia's homicide rate, according to police statistics, is currently up 11 percent year over year compared with 2015. As of Tuesday night, the city has recorded 203 homicides so far in 2016, compared with 181 as of the same date last year. The jump is even larger compared with 2014, when 176 homicides were recorded year-to-date, and 2013, when there were 172 homicides.

Compared with 2012's rate, however, the city is still recording fewer homicides. That year, among the most violent over the last five years, 253 people were killed in the city as of the same date, and 331 homicides were recorded by the year's end.

A man and woman were hospitalized following a shooting on N Lee Street late Tuesday night. The incident was one of many that left five dead at more than one dozen hurt in Philadelphia over a 15-hour period.
Jury selection for next week's trial stemming from the 2013 lane-closing scandal at the George Washington Bridge produced a wide cross-section of people and opinions, emphasis on the latter.

In responses to a questionnaire last week and to questions posed by the judge Tuesday, one prospective juror said he "sided with law enforcement" in most cases, while another said she believed people convicted of crimes should be given probation and community service because "everybody deserves a second chance."

A third said Republican Gov. Chris Christie - who is not on trial and has denied knowledge of the alleged scheme - should be facing charges, while a fourth said the indictment of two former Christie allies last year was the product of partisan politics.

Not all of them survived the winnowing process that will eventually produce 12 jurors and four alternates to sit on the trial of Bill Baroni and Bridget Kelly, who face civil rights, wire fraud and conspiracy charges. Opening statements are scheduled for Monday, and a trial is expected to take at least six weeks.

Baroni, a top Christie appointee to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the bridge's operator, and Kelly, Christie's former deputy chief of staff, are accused of reducing three access lanes to the bridge to one in the town of Fort Lee to punish the town's mayor for not endorsing Christie.

Attorneys for both sides had several peremptory challenges - opportunities to dismiss jurors without stating a reason - left after Tuesday's daylong session. About 30 potential jurors who reported Tuesday were to return Wednesday for questioning, along with about 50 more from last week's original pool.

Picking a jury in a case that has received as much publicity as this one has can make a normally challenging task all the more daunting. Part of that has to do with Christie, an often polarizing figure whose presence looms over the trial, even though he wasn't charged. It isn't known if he has been subpoenaed to testify.

Selecting avowed fans or detractors of Christie could cut both ways: while Baroni and Kelly are Republicans who worked closely with the governor, part of their defense likely will be that others higher up in his administration - possibly including him - were involved in the alleged conspiracy, but were spared prosecution.

The woman who felt Christie should have been on trial survived Tuesday's grilling, as did a woman who said on her questionnaire she "didn't like Gov. Christie" and told the judge she "doesn't agree with the Republican party's views."

Both said they could judge the evidence impartially. Either or both could still be dismissed by attorneys before the selection process concludes.
Philly Jesus is preaching a message of forgiveness after being found guilty of trespassing stemming from his arrest at a Center City Apple Store earlier this year.

"The son of man will triumph over these bogus charges," said Michael Grant, aka Philly Jesus, ahead of Wednesday morning's trial.

Despite being found guilty of misdemeanor defiant trespass later Wednesday and being sentenced to three months probation -- the first month having to report to a probation officer -- and being told to pay around $600 in court fees, Grant maintained his innocence.

"I will appeal," Grant told NBC10. "I am innocent."

Grant, 30, spent 12 hours behind bars after his May 2 arrest inside the store at 1607 Walnut St. He claims he was lawfully in the store charging his phone since he is an Apple customer. Investigators allege that Grant refused to leave despite being asked three times because a cross he had with him was blocking an aisle. Grant claims the employee that asked him to leave was offended by his appearance and garb.

Grant in full Jesus garb appeared in court with Philadelphia-based criminal defense attorney Brian Zeiger to fight defiant trespassing and disorderly conduct charges. He was found not guilty of disorderly conduct after the trial that lasted a couple hours.

An Apple store manager testified during the bench trial. Grant has been back in the store since his arrest.

"I'm an Apple customer with an iPhone, on a family plan -- Father, Son & Holy Spirit," said Grant. "Bless up! May the lord have mercy."

In May, Grant rejected participation in an accelerated misdemeanor program that would have settled the case since he maintains his innocence.

Despite being put on probation, Grant preached forgiveness as he returned to the streets of Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon.

"I was found guilty of trespassing but I forgive them for trespassing against me," said Grant. "For they know not what they do."

Grant is a recovering heroin addict who is popular among tourists and Center City regulars who donned the Philly Jesus persona about two years during his recovery. He spends most days in the Center City area of Love Park and Dilworth Plaza giving blessings, the occasional fountain baptism and taking photos with tourists.

When reached for comment back in May, Apple referred to Philly Police for comment.
San Diego will host a concert by jazz-rock fusion bass pioneer Stanley Clarke at the Music Box in Little Italy on Thursday evening. Clarke will be leading a trio with Ruslan Sirota on piano and drum prodigy Mike Mitchell.

I first became aware of Clarke in the mid-'70s, right as I began my adventure into jazz, when he seemed to be everywhere at once -- especially as a member of Chick Coreas explosive Reurn to Forever with Al DiMeola and Lenny White. Earlier associations with Stan Getz, Pharoah Sanders, and Joe Henderson had made the bassist a highly sought-after sideman, and his virtuosic technique blew a lot of minds back in the day, including mine.

Clarke is being brought to the Music Box by concert promoter Brian Ross.

This is my second opportunity to present Stanley in San Diego, Ross explained. The last time was over a decade and a half ago, yet deeply memorable and intense. He has remained a significant and transformative jazz icon to me, in my earlier years as a developing musician and person, on through today as a concert promoter seeking to help share the most inspirational, the funkiest, the most musically in-depth and expansive of artist experiences available for all.

Stanley is a legend, to say the least, Ross continued, and the talent he employs in his band is of the highest caliber. Im looking forward to the show with great curiosity and excitement.

Stanley Clarke appears at the Music Box (1337 India St.) on Sept. 15. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 8:00 p.m. show. Tickets range from $30 to $100 and are still available.

Robert Bush is a freelance jazz writer who has been exploring the San Diego improvised music scene for more than 30 years. Follow him on Twitter @robertbushjazz. Visit The World According to Rob.
Tempers flared during a community meeting in the South Park neighborhood of San Diego on Tuesday over concerns regarding mosquito pesticide spraying in the area.

San Diego County workers sprayed mosquito pesticides in the neighborhood to prevent the Zika virus from spreading after a suspected case in the area. By law, the county can spray on private properties to kill mosquitoes capable of spreading the Zika virus.

On Tuesday night, resident gathered at Grape and 30th streets to voice their concerns, saying they werent notified of the spraying and are worried that the chemicals may be harmful.

Seeing men in yellow suits a block away from my house and Im supposed to go to work, said South Park resident Selena Isela.

Mount Hope resident Brad Michels told NBC 7 that he attempted to stop county workers from spraying but was told he could be arrested.

They said youre not letting us spray, you're violating a court order and we have the right to arrest you, Michels said.

Officials from the San Diego County Vector Control Program said they are trying their best to involve residents but ultimately have to prioritize public safety.

The dose at which we are applying is so low it really is just targeting those small insects like mosquitoes. The half-life is really so low. It degrades rapidly, Supervising Vector Ecologist Chris Conlan said.

According to Conlan, the county usually gives residents two to three days notice before spraying and on the day-of, they knock on doors and leave letters for residents.

But he said they need to spray in a timely manner because it takes 10 days for an infected mosquito to transmit the Zika virus to a person.

Time is a luxury in this case we just dont have, he said.

He told NBC 7 that they have sprayed multiple times already throughout the county and will continue to work with residents.

Conlan recommends that residents stay indoors and keep pets inside while pesticides are being sprayed.
Voting opened on Tuesday to select a San Diego Padres fan for the new MLB Fans of the Year award.

Four local fans have been nominated for the award, which is being presented by Esurance. Fellow fans can vote for their favorite nominee from Sept. 13 to 19.

The nominees are:

Luke Renner, 9, is most recognized for his appearance on the Petco Park video board. He usually entertains the crowd in the stadium with his dance moves.

Amelia Haarer, another nominee, usually cheers on the Padres from home or in the stands with her dance moves to the song Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson.

Nominee Elizabeth Loree was engaged on the field at a Padres Spring Training game in Peoria earlier this year.

Fan Barbara Crooke has been supporting the team since the early 1980s.

You can cast your vote on the MLB website and on Twitter by including the desired nominees hashtag. Votes can be cast multiple times throughout the course of the voting period. The nominee with the most hashtag uses will be declared the Fan of the Year for the respective fan club.

You can cast your vote here.
Two brothers from Maryland face charges after a fight on a boat over the summer.

A video released to News4 by Maryland Natural Resources Police shows them trading punches on a rented boat on the Choptank River, near Cambridge. One of them struck the other with what appears to be a boat antenna.

The rented boat sustained $3,000 in damages.

Asia and Joel Cooper of Crownsville are charged with assault and disorderly conduct. Trial is scheduled for Oct. 26.

Joel Coopers attorney declined to comment. Asia Coopers attorney did not respond to News4s inquiry.
What to Know Hayden, the longtime CEO of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library system, is only the third professional librarian to get the LoC job.

Hayden was sworn in Wednesday as the 14th librarian of Congress, in a ceremony that was broadcast live on YouTube.

The nation now has a new chief librarian, one who earned praise for her time at the helm of Baltimore's library system.

Carla Hayden is the first woman and the first African American to lead the Library of Congress since its inception in 1800.

Hayden, the longtime CEO of Baltimore's public Enoch Pratt Free Library system and a former president of the American Library Association, is only the third professional librarian to get the job.

During her time in Baltimore, the Library of Congress says Hayden was celebrated for her outreach to help people from all walks of life get access to library materials and technology. That included homework help and college counseling for teens, healthy-eating information for residents of areas lacking access to high-quality food, Spanish-language programming and more, according to the Library of Congress' blog.

I can't wait to work with all of you to seize this moment. Lets #makehistory at the Library of Congress together" pic.twitter.com/rBVp7gJUHO  Library of Congress (@librarycongress) September 14, 2016

Hayden was also widely praised for her decision to keep a library branch open during the unrest in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray, the Baltimore Sun reported. The branch is across the street from the CVS store that was looted and burned, according to the Sun.

Hayden was sworn in Wednesday at noon as the 14th librarian of Congress, in a ceremony that was broadcast live on YouTube. She planned to take the oath of office with the Lincoln Bible, drawn from Library collections, the Library of Congress said.

President Barack Obama signed a law last year establishing a 10-year term for the librarian of Congress. It was previously considered a lifetime appointment.

Hayden's predecessor, James Billington, held the job for 28 years and was criticized for not keeping up with changes in technology.
Fairfax County, Virginia, police said they have a man in custody who was arrested in connection with a sexual assault in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

Darren Samuel Robinson, 23, was spotted at the Huntington Metro Station and taken into custody by Metro Transit police. He was transferred to Fairfax County, pending extradition to Prince Georges County.

Prince Georges County police said Robinson broke into a womans apartment in New Carrollton, Maryland, on the morning of Sept. 11. They said the suspect sexually assaulted the woman and stole several items from her home before running out.
UPDATE: Both Josiah Reese and his mother, Alyssa Childs, have been located and are safe.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Police are searching for a mother and baby in Northern Virginia they say are missing and endangered.

Alyssa Shantice Childs and her son, 7-month-old Josiah Gabriel Reese, were last seen at about 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Childs, 27, voluntarily left her home in the 7600 block of Cass Place in Manassas, Virginia, Prince William County Police said. She was seen getting into her silver Volkswagen minivan with Josiah.

Police believe she may be in need of assistance, which qualifies her as being endangered, they said. They are also worried about Josiah due to his age and his mother's possible need of help.

Childs is five feet four inches tall and weighs 190 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair. Josiah has brown eyes and short black hair.

Childs' minivan has Virginia temporary plates. The plate number is unknown.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 703-792-6500.
A police dog found more than 14 pounds of marijuana in a package waiting to be mailed in Maryland.

One person has been arrested after the U.S. Postal Inspector's office contacted the Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office, asking for help with two suspicious packages.

After a deputy and his K-9 arrived, the dog inspected several parcels. The K-9 reacted to one parcel by wagging his tail and barking.

The postal inspector applied for a warrant for the package that the dog identified. When authorities opened the package, they found 14.3 pounds of marijuana inside.

The postal inspector then set up a controlled delivery at an address in Greenbelt. One person was arrested as a result.

Additional information on the suspect hasn't been released.
Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker said he had a very frank discussion Tuesday with the head of the county school system in the wake of another report of abuse of young students.

Wednesday Baker said he told Prince George's County Public Schools CEO Dr. Kevin Maxwell he expects him to get a handle on issues surrounding student safety.

"My expectation of Dr. Maxwell and the county is that we deal with these problems, and if we cant, then we have to look at leadership," Baker said.

He added he has confidence Maxwell will deal with these issues.

Baker appeared Tuesday on a call-in show on WHUR, the Howard University radio station in northwest Washington, where he made it very clear that he and Maxwell had a frank discussion that included the possibility of a shake-up at the top level.

"I don't think it's necessary right now. But I told him I'd be willing to do that," Baker said. "Everybody should feel that their children are safe when they send them to our schools. And if they're not, we're going to make changes."

Baker took calls Tuesday evening from listeners, alongside WHUR's Harold Foster. A series of scandals in Prince George's County Public Schools shaken the faith of parents and others in the school system, and listeners wanted some answers.

On Monday, News4 reported a school bus aide allegedly sexually abused young special needs children. Although only recently revealed, that investigation began in May, only four months after the school system dealt with its worst child abuse scandal in recent memory.

In that case, Deonte Carraway, a teacher's aide at Judge Sylvania Woods Elementary School, allegedly sexually abused at least 23 children and recorded it on camera. He is scheduled to go on trial on March 14, 2017.

Parents at Judge Sylvania Woods were told on Tuesday that their new principal had been placed on administrative leave due to anonymous allegations made against him. The allegations did not involve students at the school.

Sources told News4 on Wednesday that the principal was cleared after those allegations were determined to be unfounded.

Baker faced pointed questions about the unreported allegations of abuse and neglect that prompted the federal government last month to revoke the $6.4 million grant for the vital Head Start program. The program does continue to function under stop-gap measures.

"My job as county executive is to make sure this is the best school system that can be at every level, Baker said. I'm pleased with the academic performance that they're having there. I am not pleased with these incidents that are happening. Neither is (Maxwell) But I want him to understand, and I want the citizens to understand, that we take these very seriously."
A Virginia woman was arrested Tuesday after leaving two toddlers inside a vehicle in the parking lot of a shopping center.

Police were called to the Fair City Mall parking lot about 5 p.m., where the two one-year-olds were alone in a car. They'd been left there for about 12 minutes when the outside air temperature was 86 degrees, City of Fairfax Police said.

Melissa Anne Tadokoro, 48, of Fairfax, was arrested after she returned to the vehicle. Police said she had been shopping.

Tadokoro was charged with child abuse and neglect. Bond was set at $3,000.

The children weren't hurt, police said.
Hillary Clinton is scheduled to address The Black Women's Agenda Symposium in Washington, D.C., Friday, in what could be her first public event since she fell ill during the Sept. 11 commemoration ceremony Sunday morning.

The Democratic presidential nominee, who was diagnosed with pneumonia last week, will address participants in the morning workshop, her campaign said in a press release Tuesday.

Clinton was scheduled to speak Thursday night at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Annual Awards Gala but it's not clear if she will still attend.

Clinton abruptly left a 9-11 anniversary event Sunday in New York and was seen on video stumbling and being held up by aides. After roughly 90 minutes of silence from her campaign, aides said Clinton left because she was overheated. Several hours later, her doctor acknowledged she had been diagnosed with pneumonia two days earlier.

Clinton spent Monday at her home in Chappaqua, New York, after canceling a fundraising trip in California.

In a text message to supporters Monday night, Clinton wrote: "Like anyone who's ever been home sick from work, I'm just anxious to get back out there."

In her first comments about her health condition since the dizzy spell, Clinton said in a phone interview on CNN late Monday that she pressed on with a busy campaign schedule because she didn't think the pneumonia was "going to be that big a deal."

"I was supposed to rest five days -- that's what they told me on Friday -- and I didn't follow that very wise advice," Clinton said.

"So I just want to get this over and done with and get back on the trail as soon as possible," she said.

In a move aimed at quieting questions about transparency, Clinton said she would be releasing more medical information this week. Her campaign has sought to turn the matter around on Republican opponent Donald Trump, who has released only a glowing letter from his doctor, though the billionaire real estate mogul says that he, too, plans to make public additional information in the coming days.

Trump showed surprising restraint regarding Clinton's health. He wished her well and did not repeat questions he has previously raised about whether the former secretary of state has the strength and stamina to be president.
Deep-pocketed Super PACs are pouring tens of millions of dollars into key U.S. Senate races, outspending the candidates themselves in several states, according to an NBC analysis of Federal Elections Commission data.

Since January, Super PACs have spent just over $100 million in nine Senate races that are rated a toss-up by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Those nine races could determine control of the Senate: If Hillary Clinton wins the White House and Democrats flip four seats, the Democrats will control the Senate, with newly elected Vice President Tim Kaine breaking ties.

Those races are in Nevada, where Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid is retiring, and for Republican-held seats in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Super PACs, which can raise unlimited amounts for federal elections but cant coordinate with candidates, are focusing on four of those key races: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nevada and New Hampshire. The other races, particularly Illinois and Wisconsin, where Republican incumbents are struggling to survive in Democratic-leaning states, are getting little attention.

Theyre simply allocating to the most competitive races, said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. Illinois is wasted money. Pennsylvania is highly competitive, and its a very expensive state.

Republican incumbents Mark Kirk of Illinois and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin have been considered dead from the start, Sabato said. Thats why the Super PACs are spending most of their money elsewhere.

Ohio is supposed to be one of the most competitive races of the cycle so outside groups went in early and have been spending heavily, said Jennifer Duffy, senior editor at the Cook Political Report. It has started to taper off as Democrats realize that they are too far behind to win.

Super PACs have spent $31 million in Pennsylvania this year, most of it for ads trashing one-term Republican Sen. Pat Toomey or his Democratic opponent, Katie McGinty.

Thats five times more than Toomey and McGinty together spent on their own campaigns through June 30.

Theyve spent $29 million in neighboring Ohio  most of that to bury former Democratic congressman Ted Strickland, who is trying to unseat Republican Sen. Rob Portman.

Together Portman and Strickland spent less than $4 million through June 30.

Super PAC money began surging into the Senate contests in April, after Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump locked up the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations. Since then, with the exception of a single $50 million expenditure for Trump in June, most of the Super PAC money generally has flowed into Senate races.

It isn't unusual that groups didn't start spending (on Senate races) until May, Duffy said. That expenditures on Senate races is outpacing the presidential contest is unusual, but not surprising. Once it became clear that Trump was the GOP nominee, a lot of the establishment money went into saving the Senate majority.

Republicans Super PACs are dominating the spending spree. Through the end of August, Republican-leaning groups spent $67 million supporting GOP candidates and attacking Democrats in the toss-up races. Democratic groups spent $36 million.

Theyve spent most of that money, about $8 of every $10, opposing the enemy rather than supporting friendly candidates.
Oprah Winfrey will help Weight Watchers pick a new leader after the company announced Monday that its CEO will step down at the end of the month.

James Chambers, who has led Weight Watchers since 2013, will resign as the weight-loss program operator struggles to build on the momentum it garnered from an alliance with Winfrey. He will also leave the company's board of directors.

The board has established a committee that includes Winfrey to search for a permanent CEO.

Chambers, 58, didn't give a specific reason for his resignation but touted accomplishments including a return to growth, the launch of the Beyond the Scale holistic program and a five-year partnership with Winfrey.

The news of Winfrey's involvement in the company more than doubled the value of Weight Watchers' shares when it was announced last October, but the stock has since retreated. Winfrey, who announced earlier this year she lost 26 pounds (12 kilos) on the plan, bought a 10 percent stake in Weight Watchers for $43.2 million and joined the company's board.

But the company is facing stiff competition, particularly among younger people, as consumers seeking to trim pounds turn to popular step-counting fitness gadgets like Fitbit and free weight-loss apps.

Hotchkin noted that Weight Watchers expects to post earnings and revenue growth this year, with the current period forecast to show the fourth straight quarter of member-recruitment growth.

For its second quarter ended July 2, the company reported flat revenue of $309.8 million, which fell short of the average analyst estimate of $318.5 million, according to FactSet. Earnings rose 9.4 percent year over year, but earnings per share declined as the company had more shares outstanding. For the full year, Weight Watchers raised the lower end of its range of expected profit, to between 90 cents and $1.05 per share.

Weight Watchers' shares fell 3.4 percent in after-hours trading. The stock has lost more than half its value this year.

Weight Watchers International Inc. said it has created an interim office of the chief executive officer, which will include Chief Financial Officer Nicholas Hotchkin, and director Christopher Sobecki and Thilo Semmelbauer, the company's former chief operating officer and a new director.
It's hard to imagine a more troubling scene: a yellow school bus engulfed in flames.

That's what residents of 51st Street in College Park, Maryland, saw Monday afternoon.

But all 20 students of Glenarden Woods Elementary School in Prince George's County made it off the bus safely thanks to the driver. Reneita Smith jumped into action when she saw flames.

"I opened my door, took off my seat belt, and I got my babies off that bus," she said.

Neighbors hurried outside to help and were relieved to see so many children on the street.

Lucy Kilin said she saw flames surround the bus.

"This fire was going too fast. I had a little extinguisher," she said. "It was too late. I couldn't do anything."

Another neighbor ushered the children into her backyard while they waited for another bus.

Smith, the bus driver, double checked that every child was accounted for.

"I ran back onto the bus to make sure that every seat was clear," she said.

Members of the Branchville Volunteer Fire Company & Rescue Squad responded and put out the blaze.

No injuries were reported, Prince George's County Fire Department spokesman Mark Brady said. The cause of the fire was not clear immediately.

An illuminated brake light indicator was the first sign something was wrong, Smith said. Witnesses told News4 they saw flames come from the wheel area.

The county did not immediately respond to an inquiry about the fire.

The bus was a total loss, but every child is safe.

Smith, who has a 4-year-old child of her own, said she's protective of the students on her bus.

"As I'm driving that bus, they're my babies," she said. "I'm their mom until I drop them off to their biological moms."

She brushed off praise.

"I have people calling me a hero, and I say that I'm just a mom," she said.
The police chief in Gloucester, Massachusetts, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation, according to the mayor.

Police Chief Leonard Campanello has been hailed nationally for his innovations in the fight against opioid addiction. He was honored by President Barack Obama at the White House for launching the Angel Program, which determined that addicts who surrendered their drugs and asked for help would not be charged.

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken would not elaborate on what the investigation is about, but released a statement on Tuesday:

"Effective immediately, today September 13, 2016, I have notified Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello that he has been placed on paid administrative leave until further notice and upon completion of an internal investigation. We will have no further comment at this time."

Chief Campanello spoke with the Gloucester Times, saying, "I have absolutely no concerns in my personal or professional life that I've done anything wrong to warrant any action against me."

He added that he will "cooperate fully" and is looking forward to getting back to work.

A statement from his attorney said the investigation has nothing to do with Campanello's duties as chief.

It added, "We are confident that when all the facts are fairly and impartially reviewed, Chief Campanello will be quickly and expeditiously returned to his position as Chief of Police for the City of Gloucester, where he will continue to be a national leader in fighting opiate addiction through his efforts with the Gloucester Angel Program and as head of the Police Assisted Addition and Recovery Initiative."

Gloucester police would not comment on why Campanello was placed on administrative leave, but did confirm that another officer, Sgt. Det. Sean Connors, was placed on administrative leave Sept. 8.
A Maine woman is accused of exploiting at least a dozen elderly people in Androscoggin County, stealing more than $150,000.

The Department of Health and Human Services says 54-year-old Tanya Boutelle spent the last two years establishing relationships with older people, ultimately convincing them she needed to borrow money for different scenarios.

Additionally, according to the DHHS, Boutelle is accused of stealing items from the homes of the victims.

Twelve victims have come forward. Authorities believe there may be others.

Boutelle was being investigated for welfare fraud  she is accused of receiving $3,700 in benefits, to which she was not entitled. Details of the alleged elder abuse came to light during that investigation.

The suspect has been indicted on multiple counts of theft by deception and a welfare fraud charge.

Anyone who has information or who may have been a victim in this case is asked to come forward to authorities.
Police say a 66-year-old Massachusetts man stopped for Taco Bell immediately after he ran down a pedestrian in Springfield and fled the scene in his heavily-damaged vehicle.

The Republican newspaper reports Robert Loranger pleaded not guilty Monday to motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and other charges.

Police say Loranger told officers he thought he struck a cardboard box along Page Boulevard on Friday, not a person. Fifty-one-year-old Harry Fernandez was rushed to Baystate Medical Center, where he later died.

Loranger was arrested after police found hair, blood and body tissue embedded in the windshield of his Cadillac. Surveillance video shows the car pull into the drive-through lane of a nearby Taco Bell shortly after the accident occurred.
At first, Jeff Peary and Larry Kadlac couldn't believe it. They watched Sunday as two men strategically parked their minivan and started removing clothing from a donation box right outside the Billerica, Massachusetts, pizza shop where they work.

"He was completely inside, standing in there," Kadlac said Tuesday pointing towards an opening in the donation box. "He just looked at me and didn't know what to do."

Peary also in disbelief.

"Unbelievable, I can't believe anyone can even fit in that," he said. "Never mind going there and steal the stuff from charity."

This was, by no means, an isolated case. Billerica Police noticed a spike in theft cases involving clothing donation boxes a few months ago.

"The first time I saw it I was surprised as anyone else that this was an issue," Roy Frost, Billerica Deputy Police Chief, said Tuesday. "We have made quite a number of pretty good arrests in this, always different people, and usually from out of the area."

Bob Hamilton walked up to a donation box on Tuesday with two bags full of clothing.

"I get read of the stuff I don't use at home, and my wife is happy that I get rid of it," he said with a chuckle.

Hamilton also couldn't process how someone would get inside a donation box.

"I think they are nuts, because you can get trapped in there and nobody would know you are in there," he said. "Let's face it, the clothing isn't brand new."

Kadlac and Peary say once they threatened to call police, one man slithered out of the box, ran to the running minivan and took off.

"I don't know how he did it," Kadlac said. "I don't know."

The two walked back into work Tuesday vowing to stop them if the two ever returned to try and steal again.

"There is just no words for it," Kadlac said. "It is just sad, real sad."
Two Boston police officers were injured Tuesday night in the city's Roxbury neighborhood.

Authorities said the officers were hurt in some type of motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Harold and Waumbeck streets at about 8 p.m. Police would not say what the accident entailed.

Police said the officer's injuries did not appear to be serious.

Two people were arrested in connection with the incident.

No further details were given.
Should a funeral be happy?

Local funeral director Kevin Cobbold considers the style of modern funerals, and wonders which is the most appropriate.



A recent article in The Spectator was very critical of the lightweight nature of many modern funerals. The author, Stewart Dakers, felt uncomfortable with the contemporary music, the chatter among the mourners and the lack of respectful silence, sacred songs and prayers. He was particularly scathing about eulogies which reduce three score years and ten to an aptitude for horticulture.



What would Mr Dakers want instead? He would want the wondrous, ominous words of a religious funeral where hope of everlasting life is given. He believes that people should wear dark clothes and not those more suited to a hen do.



As a funeral director I have seen a steady but significant change in the tone and content of British funeral services over the past twenty years.



There used to be a formula for funerals: there were set prayers, readings and a relatively narrow choice of hymns. The individuality of each funeral was reduced to the use of the name of the deceased and a short inclusion of a few details in the ministers address to the congregation.



Nowadays, anything - within reason - goes. Possibly mainly due to the huge increase in services which take place at the crematorium, funerals have largely become a celebration of the persons life. Lengthy tributes are read, laughter can abound about the idiosyncrasies of the deceased person and the avoidance of black attire is often welcomed. Secular music is prevalent and the only prayer might be occasionally a murmured Lords Prayer. Flowers can be in any shape or form and some would be quite shocking if they were to be brought anywhere near a church door!



While tears are still shed, they are mixed with smiles about fond memories. Children are included and they even sometimes manage to deliver their own sweet little poem about their Nanny or Grandad.



All of this is very soothing as nostalgia and long forgotten memories are brought to the fore.



The question is, are the bereaved missing out on anything that a fully religious funeral complete with a traditional liturgy of prayer and bible readings can provide?



While religious funerals might seem dour and morbid in contrast, their main message is that death is not the end, the best bit of our existence is yet to come. While being parted from your loved one is a time of great distress and grief, there is the promise of eternal life and it is promised to be one that is far better than the life lived on earth. If you listen carefully to those mumbled and often tearful prayers, there is hope and a feeling of belonging to something much larger than us.



Kevin and his wife, Ann, are dedicated lifelong Christians and are members of the Norwich Citadel Salvation Army. Kevin runs Kevin Cobbold Funeral Services, which is an independent and privately owned family company, based in Norwich. A description of the company is here



The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Norwich and Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate constructive debate between website users.
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
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

Cloudy with showers. High 59F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Steady light rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 54F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Reporter/Columnist

Julie Wurth is a reporter covering the University of Illinois at The News-Gazette. Her email is jwurth@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@jawurth).
Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Why am I using BeneFIX?

BeneFIX contains the active ingredient nonacog alfa, a coagulation factor IX product. BeneFIX is used to control and treat bleeding and prevent bleeding in people with haemophilia B. People with haemophilia B are deficient in coagulation factor IX. For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using BeneFIX? in the full CMI.

What should I know before I use BeneFIX?

Do not use BeneFIX if you have had an allergic reaction to nonacog alfa, hamster proteins or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI. Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use BeneFIX? in the full CMI.

What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with BeneFIX and affect how it works. For more information, see Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

How do I use BeneFIX?

BeneFIX comes in five dosage strengths. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage strength and dose that is right for you. BeneFIX is given by injection directly into your veins. The BeneFIX powder needs to be reconstituted (made-up) before use. Use only the materials provided in the pack for dissolving the BeneFIX powder with the sodium chloride solution and injecting the made-up BeneFIX solution. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will show you how to use BeneFIX before you use it for the first time. More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use BeneFIX? in the full CMI.

What should I know while using BeneFIX?

Things you should do Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using BeneFIX. See your doctor immediately if your bleeding does not stop as expected. Stop the infusion immediately and contact your doctor if you experience an allergic reaction. Things you should not do Do not stop using this medicine or lower the dose without first checking with your doctor, unless you have an allergic reaction. Driving or using machines BeneFIX is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Looking after your medicine Store BeneFIX in the refrigerator (2C to 8C). Do not freeze. BeneFIX may be stored at room temperature (below 30C) for a single period up to 6 months. If stored at room temperature it cannot be returned to the refrigerator and must be used within 6 months. Use the made-up solution of BeneFIX as soon as possible or within 3 hours after reconstitution. For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using BeneFIX? in the full CMI.

Are there any side effects?

General and administration site side effects have been reported, and are usually mild and temporary. Allergic reactions have been reported for all factor IX products, including BeneFIX. Signs of allergic reactions include a skin rash, itching, chest tightness, wheezing, dizziness, hives, faintness, rapid heartbeat, blurred vision, shortness of breath and/or a swollen face. For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.

Why am I using BeneFIX?

BeneFIX contains the active ingredient nonacog alfa. Nonacog alfa is a coagulation factor IX product that is produced by recombinant technology. Mammalian cells, which have the DNA for human coagulation factor IX put in them, are grown in large amounts in cell culture laboratories. These cells make recombinant human factor IX, which is released into cell culture media and then very highly purified. The recombinant factor IX does not contain any human blood, preservatives, or added animal or human components. People with haemophilia B (Christmas disease) are deficient in coagulation factor IX. BeneFIX works by replacing factor IX to enable blood to clot. BeneFIX is used to control and treat bleeding and to prevent bleeding in people with haemophilia B.

What should I know before I use BeneFIX?

Warnings

Do not use BeneFIX if: you are allergic to hamster proteins or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine. Signs of allergy include a skin rash, itching, chest tightness, wheezing, dizziness, hives, faintness, rapid heartbeat, blurred vision, shortness of breath and/or a swollen face. If any of these signs occur, stop using BeneFIX and see your doctor immediately, you may need urgent medical care.

Check with your doctor if you: have liver disease are at risk of developing clotting disorders other than haemophilia have recently had surgery. These conditions increase your risk for clotting complications. During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects

Pregnancy and breastfeeding Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. It is not known whether BeneFIX can affect your ability to have children or harm your developing baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. It is not known whether BeneFIX passes into breastmilk.

What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may interfere with BeneFIX and affect how well it works. You may need to use different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect BeneFIX.

How do I use BeneFIX?

How much to use BeneFIX comes in five dosage strengths. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage strength and dose that is right for you. The dose and duration will depend on your individual needs for replacement factor IX therapy. If you have been using plasma-derived factor IX, the dose of BeneFIX may differ from the dose of plasma-derived factor IX. Your doctor may decide to change the dose of BeneFIX during your treatment. Follow the instructions provided and use BeneFIX until your doctor tells you to stop.

How to use BeneFIX BeneFIX is given as an injection directly into your veins, usually by yourself, a doctor, nurse, or other trained person. BeneFIX contains no additives that would prevent the growth of bacteria once the powder is dissolved with sterile sodium chloride solution. For this reason, each vial of BeneFIX is for single use only, in one patient only. Discard any residue. Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet. When injecting BeneFIX you must follow the detailed instructions provided in the leaflet in the pack. If you do not understand the instructions for injecting BeneFIX found in the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help. When you have finished injecting BeneFIX, discard the needle and syringe into a sharps container.

How to reconstitute and administer BeneFIX Always wash your hands before doing the following procedures. Use germ-free methods during the make-up (reconsitution) procedure and during injection. Use only the materials provided in the pack for dissolving the BeneFIX powder with the sodium chloride solution and then injecting the made-up BeneFIX solution. Inject BeneFIX solution as soon as possible or within 3 hours after dissolving the powder. The made-up solution may be stored at room temperature before injection. Inject the BeneFIX solution intravenously over several minutes. The rate if injection should be determined by your comfort level. If you see clumping of red blood cells in the tubing or syringe, discard all this material (tubing, syringe and BeneFIX solution) and start again with a new package. Clumping together of red blood cells in the tubing or syringe has been noticed when BeneFIX is given to patients. No side effects have been reported when this clumping has occurred. To minimise the risk of clumping, it is important to limit the amount of blood entering the tubing. Blood should not enter the syringe.

If you forget to use BeneFIX BeneFIX should be used regularly as agreed with your doctor. If you miss your dose at the usual time, you should inject the next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and inject your next dose when you are meant to. Do not inject a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

If you use too much BeneFIX If you think that you have used too much BeneFIX, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately: phone the Poisons Information Centre

(by calling 13 11 26), or contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

What should I know while using BeneFIX?

Things you should do See your doctor immediately if your bleeding does not stop as expected. Stop the infusion immediately if you experience an allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, chest tightness, wheezing, dizziness, hives, faintness, chills, flushing, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and/or a swollen face.

Call your doctor straight away if you: are using increasing amounts of BeneFIX in order to control a bleed experience an allergic reaction. Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using BeneFIX. During your treatment with BeneFIX, your blood will be checked for inhibitors to factor IX activity. Inhibitors are antibodies against factor IX, which are made by your immune system. The inhibitors stop the factor IX from working as well as it used to.

Things you should not do Do not stop using this medicine or lower the dosage without first checking with your doctor, unless you have an allergic reaction. Do not give BeneFIX to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. Do not use BeneFIX to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Driving or using machines

BeneFIX is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Looking after your medicine Follow the instructions on the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly. Keep BeneFIX in the refrigerator (2C to 8C). Do not freeze. Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it: in the bathroom or near a sink, or in the car or on window sills. BeneFIX may be stored at room temperature (below 30C) for a single period up to 6 months. If BeneFIX is stored at room temperature it may not be retuned to refrigerated storage and must be used within 6 months. Write the date on the package when you first store BeneFIX at room temperature. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date. Keep BeneFIX (and needles) where young children cannot reach it.

After reconstitution To stop bacterial contamination of the solution, use the made-up BeneFIX solution as soon as possible or within 3 hours after reconstitution.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal. Dispose of all unused sodium chloride solution, empty vials, used syringes and needles into a sharps container.

Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, they are mostly minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention. See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Side effects Side effects What to do headache runny or blocked nose or sneezing light-headedness fever chills flushing nausea vomiting diarrhoea feeling of tiredness, drowsiness, or lack of energy discomfort or swelling at the injection site altered taste coughing burning sensation in the jaw or skull changes in your vision tremor Speak to your doctor if you have any of these side effects and they worry you. These are all mild side effects of BeneFIX injection and will usually disappear on their own. Tell your doctor if they continue.

Serious side effects Serious side effects What to do Allergic reaction: skin rash itching chest tightness wheezing dizziness hives faintness rapid heartbeat shortness of breath a swollen face blurred vision Stop using BeneFIX and call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.

Reporting side effects After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop treatment with any of your medicines.

Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What BeneFIX contains Active ingredient (main ingredient) nonacog alfa Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) glycine, sucrose, histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium chloride solution (0.234%) Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients or hamster proteins.

What BeneFIX looks like BeneFIX comes as a white powder in a glass vial. Each vial of BeneFIX is provided with a pre-filled diluent syringe containing 0.234% sodium chloride solution and accessories required for making up the solution and injection. These include a plunger rod, a sterile infusion set, a sterile vial adapter, sticking plaster, a sterile gauze pad and two (2) alcohol swabs. BeneFIX 250 IU: AUST R 128339 BeneFIX 500 IU: AUST R 128375 BeneFIX 1000 IU: AUST R 128377 BeneFIX 2000 IU: AUST R 128378 BeneFIX 3000 IU: AUST R 203316
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

contains the active ingredient lamivudine CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION

What is in this leaflet Please read this leaflet carefully before you start LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets. This leaflet answers some common questions about LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist (also known as a chemist). All medicines have benefits and risks. Some new risks are found even when a medicine has been used for many years. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets against the expected benefits expected for you. If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Keep this leaflet with the tablets. You may need to read it again.

What LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets are used for LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets contain lamivudine which belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. Lamivudine is used together with other antivirals to slow down the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other related illnesses (e.g. AIDS-related Complex or ARC). Lamivudine does not cure AIDS or kill the HIV virus, but prevents further damage to the immune system by stopping production of new viruses. You can still pass on HIV when taking this medicine, although the risk is lowered by effective antiretroviral therapy. Discuss with your doctor the precautions needed to avoid infecting other people. You will still be able to pass on the HIV virus by sexual activity or by contamination with infected blood. You should still use proper precautions. While taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets and/or any other therapy for HIV disease, you may continue to develop other infections and other complications of HIV infection. You should keep in regular contact with the doctor who is looking after you. LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets are not addictive. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets have been prescribed for you.

Before you take LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets

When you must not take them Do not take LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets if you have ever had an allergic reaction to lamivudine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Read the Side Effects section to find out symptoms of allergy. Do not take LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor says you should. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Do not use LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets to treat any other conditions unless your doctor says that you should do so. Do not give LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets to anyone else, even though their symptoms may sound similar to yours. Do not take LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets after the expiry or "use by" date (EXP) printed on the pack. If you take if after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well. Do not take LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If you're not sure whether you should be taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take them You must tell your doctor if: you are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines. you have, or have ever had, liver problems, for example, jaundice, hepatitis, virus affecting the liver, enlarged liver or liver scarring (cirrhosis) or if you have any risks factors for liver problems, e.g. excessive alcohol intake, illegal intravenous drug use with shared equipment, iron or copper storage disorders. you have, or have ever had, kidney problems. you have, or have ever had, problems with your pancreas. you have diabetes. you have any other illness, including those that you think are not related to HIV infection.

When you stop taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets If you have a long-standing viral infection of your liver (hepatitis B) it may flare up. This can cause serious illness particularly if your liver is already not working very well. If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, when you stop taking your LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets, your doctor is likely to arrange tests from time to time to check how well your liver is working and to measure virus levels.

Taking other medicines Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may affect the way others work. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you what to do when taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets with other medicines.

How to take LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets Your doctor will tell you how many LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets to take and how often to take them. You will also find this information on the label of your medicine. Do not take extra tablets. Do not take the tablets more often than you have been told.

How much to take Adults and adolescents 12 years and older the usual dose is one 150 mg tablet twice a day or 300 mg once a day. Your doctor may prescribe a different dosage. For younger children between 3 months to 12 years of age the dose of LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM will depend on their weight in kilograms (kg). If you are giving LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets to a child, follow your doctor's instructions.

How to take them LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. If you cannot swallow the tablet(s), you may crush and combine them with a small amount of food or drink, and take all the dose immediately.

How long to take them Because your medicine helps to control your condition, but does not cure it, you will need to take the tablets every day. Do not stop taking your medicine without first talking to your doctor.

If you forget to take them If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking it as you would normally. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

If you take too much (overdose) Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too many LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. This may need urgent medical attention. Keep telephone numbers for these places handy. If you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

While you are taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets

Things you must do Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets if you are about to be started on any other medicines. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or are trying to become pregnant. Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as prescribed. Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.

Things you must not do Do not stop taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets or change the dose without first checking with your doctor. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours. Do not use LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Things to be careful of Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets affects you.

Side effects Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet. Like all medicines, LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets can cause some side effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you. The most common side-effects (could affect at least one to ten in every 100 people) are: nausea, vomiting diarrhoea upper abdominal pain headache high temperature lethargy, fatigue hair loss joint and muscle pain skin rash (without any other illness) increased bruising or bleeding. Uncommon side-effects (could affect less than one in every 100 people) are: increases in enzymes produced by the liver anaemia (low red blood cell count) neutropenia (low white blood cell count) reduction in the number of platelets (blood cells important for blood clotting). If the production of red blood cells is reduced, you may have symptoms of tiredness or breathlessness. A reduction in your white blood cell count can make you more prone to infection. If you have a low platelet count, you may notice that you bruise more easily. Rare side-effects (could affect less than one in every 1,000 people) are: breakdown of muscle tissue increases of an enzyme called amylase inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) lactic acidosis Very rare side-effects (could affect less than one in every 10,000 people) are: unusual feelings in any part of the body, such as numbness, burning, tingling or pins and needles numbness or weakness of the arms and legs severe anaemia Changes in fat distribution have been reported in association with combination antiretroviral therapy. These may include: loss of body fat from areas such as legs, arms and face. increased fat appearing in areas such as abdomen (belly) and other internal organs, breasts and the back of the neck. A causal relationship for this has not been established. Should any change in body shape be noticed, seek medical advice. Other effects may show up in blood tests including increased blood levels of sugar, fatty acids (triglycerides) and cholesterol. Within the first few weeks of treatment with anti-HIV medicines, some people, particularly those that have been HIV positive for some time, may develop inflammatory reactions (e.g. pain, redness, swelling, high temperature) which may resemble an infection and may be severe. It is thought that these reactions are caused by a recovery in the body's ability to fight infections, previously suppressed by HIV. If you become concerned about any of the new symptoms, or any changes in your health after starting HIV treatment, please discuss with your doctor immediately. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have. Some people are allergic to medicines. If you have any of the following symptoms soon after starting to take your medicine, DO NOT TAKE ANY MORE LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM TABLETS and tell your doctor IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest accident and emergency department at your nearest hospital: skin troubles such as lumpy skin rash or "hives". swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing. wheezing, chest pain or tightness. fainting. These are very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have a serious allergic reaction. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. All these side effects are very rare. If you have any of the following symptoms soon after starting to take your medicine, DO NOT TAKE ANY MORE LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM TABLETS and tell your doctor IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest accident and emergency department at your nearest hospital: Severe stomach pain or cramps. Nausea. Vomiting. These side effects may be due to a condition called pancreatitis. If you are on medication for HIV and become very sick, with fast breathing, stop taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets and consult your doctor immediately. You may have a condition known as "lactic acidosis". The fast breathing is due to high acid levels in the blood. Your liver may not be working properly and gets big and fatty. This can be life threatening. This illness occurs more often in women than men. See your doctor if you feel generally unwell with a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, itching, yellowness of the skin or eyes or dark coloured urine, or if the blood tests of your liver function are abnormal. It is likely you will have to stop taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if it is not on this list. Some people may get other side effects while taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets. If you are concerned, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand anything in this list. Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

After taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets

Storage Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines. Keep LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30C. Do not store the tablets or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines. Keep your LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets in the bottle with the cap tightly closed until you take them. If you take LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets out of their pack they may not keep well.

Disposal If your doctor tells you to stop taking LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets or the tablet have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets left over.

Product description

What LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets looks like LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM lamivudine 150 mg tablets are white to off-white film-coated, capsule shaped, biconvex tablets debossed with "M105" on one side of the tablet and a score line on the other. LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM lamivudine 300 mg tablets are white to off-white film-coated, oval shaped, biconvex tablets debossed with "M300" on one side of the tablet and blank on the other side. LAMIVUDINE ALPHAPHARM tablets are supplied in 60 tablet bottles for 15 0mg strength and 30 tablet bottles for the 300 mg strength.

Ingredients LAMIVUDINE Alphapharm tablets contain either 150 mg or 300 mg of lamivudine as the active ingredient. It also contains the following inactive ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose. Sodium starch glycollate Type A. Magnesium stearate. Propylene glycol (film coating). Opadry Complete Film Coating System 03H58736 White (Proprietary Ingredient Number 106640). This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Physicians at Rush University Medical Center became the first in Illinois to inject AST-OPC1 (oligodendrocyte progenitor cells), an experimental treatment, into the damaged cervical spine of a recently paralyzed man as part of a multicenter clinical trial.

Dr. Richard G. Fessler, professor of neurological surgery at Rush University Medical Center, is principal investigator for the Phase 1/2a, multicenter clinical trial involving AST-OPC1 at Rush, one of six centers in the country currently studying this new approach.

Fessler injected an experimental dose of 10 million AST-OPC1 cells directly into the paralyzed man's cervical spinal cord in mid-August. These injected cells were derived from human embryonic stem cells. They work by supporting the proper functioning of nerve cells, potentially helping to restore the conductivity of signals from the brain to the upper extremities (hands, arms, fingers) in a recently damaged spinal cord.

Interim research results from the trial were announced earlier today at the 55th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), which is being held in Vienna, Austria, on September 14-16, 2016.

"Until now, there have been no new treatment options for the 17,000 new spinal cord injuries that happen each year," says Fessler. "We may be on the verge of making a major breakthrough after decades of attempts."

The next phase of the clinical research trial will involve a dose of 20 million oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which is the highest dose being studied in this study involving patients who have recently suffered a complete cervical spinal cord injury.

"These injuries can be devastating, causing both emotional and physical distress, but there is now hope. In the 20 years of my research, we have now reached a new era where we hope to demonstrate through research that a dose of very specially made human cells delivered directly to the injured site can have an impact on motor or sensory function," says Fessler. "Generating even modest improvements in motor or sensory function can possibly result in significant improvements in quality of life."

Early research results from the trial were announced at the 55th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), which is being held in Vienna, Austria, on September 14-16, 2016.

"Our preliminary results show that we may in fact be getting some regeneration. Some of those who have lost use of their hands are starting to get function back. That's the first time in history that's ever been done," says Fessler. "Just as a journey of a thousand miles is done one step at a time, repairing spinal cord injuries is being done one step at a time. And, now, we can say that we've taken that first step."

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The clinical trial is designed to assess safety and effectiveness of escalating doses of the special cells (AST-OPC1) in individuals with a complete cervical spinal cord injury. Thus far, three individuals have been enrolled in the study at Rush.

The trial has involved the testing of three escalating doses of AST-OPC1 in patients with subacute, C5-C7, neurologically-complete cervical spinal cord injury. These individuals have essentially lost all sensation and movement below their injury site with severe paralysis of the upper and lower limbs. AST-OPC1 is administered 14 to 30 days post-injury. Patients will be followed by neurological exams and imaging methods to assess the safety and activity of the product.

"In the future, this treatment may potentially be used for peripheral nerve injury or other conditions which affect the spinal cord, such as MS," says Fessler.

For this therapy to work, the cord has to be in continuity and not severed, according to Fessler. The study seeks male and female patients ages 18 to 65 who recently experienced a complete cervical spinal cord injury at the neck that resulted in tetraplegia, the partial or total paralysis of arms, legs and torso. Patients must be able to start screening within 25 days of their injury, and participate in an elective surgical procedure to inject AST-OPC1 14 to 30 days following injury. Participants also must be able to provide consent and commit to a long-term follow-up study.

The study is funded by Asterias Biotherapeutics, which developed the AST-OPC1 (oligodendrocyte progenitor cells) treatment used in the study, and also in part by a $14.3 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

AST-OPC1 cells are made from embryonic stem cells by carefully converting them into oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), which are cells found in the brain and spinal cord that support the healthy functioning of nerve cells. In previous laboratory studies, AST-OPC1 was shown to produce neurotrophic factors, stimulate vascularization and induce remyelination of denuded axons. All are critical factors in the survival, regrowth and conduction of nerve impulses through axons at the injury site, according to Edward D. Wirth III, MD, PhD, chief medical director of Asterias and lead investigator of the study, dubbed "SCiStar."

Source: Rush University Medical Center
Researchers at IRB Barcelona describe for the first time how to prepare a specific type of aggregate of the amyloid-beta protein with the ability to perforate the cell membrane.

What causes neuron death and the subsequent cognitive decline in Alzheimers disease is still unknown.

The brains of millions of people suffering from Alzheimers disease are slowly and inescapably being depleted of neurons. However, the cause of neuronal death is still unknown. Several studies propose that the interaction of the amyloid-beta protein with the neuronal membrane causes neurotoxicity.

Today, a study headed by associate researcher Natalia Carulla, in the Peptides and Proteins Laboratory at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), in collaboration with scientists at the University of Leuven (Belgium), the University of Groningen (the Netherlands), and the Technical-Scientific Services of the University of Barcelona, describes for the first time a strategy through which to obtain a membrane-associated amyloid-beta aggregate that adopts a specific barrel-like structure. This type of structurewhich is present in other proteins found in nature has the capacity to form pores in cell membranes. Interpreted in the context of Alzheimers disease, this discovery suggests that the aggregate can also perforate the membrane of neurons, alter the equilibrium of these cells, and trigger their death.

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The description of the barrel-shaped aggregates in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is the first step to establish the involvement of this aggregate in Alzheimers disease. Confirming the involvement would validate it as a new therapeutic target for this condition. The scientists made this discovery in the lab by studying amyloid-beta protein in simple membrane model systems.

Attack to the amyloid-beta protein

Dr. Natalia Carulla develops methods to identify the nature and structure of the toxic amyloid-beta species. "Everyone talks about the relevance of oligomers (aggregates made of the same protein unit) of amyloid-beta and their contribution to Alzheimers disease, but if we don't know which structural features characterize them, we won't know what to look for, and therefore we won't be able to demonstrate or disprove anything," explains Carulla. "We don't know whether this species is neurotoxic, but now that we know that it adopts a specific barrel-like structure, we can study it in the context of the disease since we know what to look for," say Montserrat Serra-Batiste and Marti Ninot-Pedrosa from IRB Barcelona, first and second authors of the paper, respectively.

The next steps involve obtaining the 3D structure of the aggregate and obtaining specific antibodies that recognize it. Afterwards, the researchers will study the function of this aggregate in cultured neurons derived from patients with Alzheimers disease. These will be decisive experiments for the validation of this specific amyloid-beta aggregate as a therapeutic target.
Researchers based in the area which suffers the highest rate of type 2 diabetes in Europe are to receive specialist equipment to help them fight the disease.

A GeneGnome unit is to bought by the University of Warwick thanks to donations.

Former local mayor Councillor Michael Coker has chosen to make a donation of 3,000 to the University of Warwick's Diabetes research groups and a similar amount of 3,000 to South Warwickshire Diabetes UK from his charitable fund.

The cheque was received by Professor Sudhesh Kumar, Dean of Warwick Medical School who is also a diabetes researcher.

Professor Kumar said: "We are delighted to receive recognition from Councillor Coker. We will be adding some funds to the donation to allow us to purchase specialist equipment called GeneGnome which will be used in our research. The Midlands has the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in Europe and this generous gift will help us continue our work.

"Warwick Medical School undertakes research into diabetes and a number of trials into the disease take place through hospitals in our region, and so this funding will really make a difference to our local community."

"We have numerous on-going research projects and this donation will be a great benefit to our researchers who are working hard to translate new developments into meaningful improvements in diabetes care for patients. The Medical School will add some further funds to this donation and use the funds to buy a new equipment that will be used by many researchers enabling them to do their work more efficiently with new technology"

Cllr Coker said: "It is a pleasure to hand over the money to such a worthy cause. The diabetes research conducted by the University of Warwick is an example of some of the good work conducted at the University's Medical School."

Diabetes is estimated to affect more than 285 million people globally, with the prevalence expected to increase to 438 million people by 2030. Warwick Medical School's research has provided key insight into diabetes particularly with an emphasis on ethnicity-related health issues, informing national practice and having a positive on the treatment of such as diabetes, and the subsequent complications.

Tackling diabetes early is important to prevent its many complications. One of these complications is the increased risk of retinopathy (damage to the retina which can lead to blindness). Retinal screening research conducted at the University directly influenced the decision to develop and fund a UK-wide National Screening Programme which has saved the sight of many diabetic patients. The NHS is now the global leader in this form of screening.

In addition Warwick Medical School has collaborated with national bodies and UK government to produce national programmes for tackling obesity which is linked to diabetes.

Councillor Coker added: "Diabetes affects the lives of so many including young people and their families. I hope my donations to the University and Diabetes UK will encourage others to give to such a good cause."
New UBC research finds that many online resources for preventing Alzheimer's disease are problematic and could be steering people in the wrong direction.

In a survey of online articles about preventing Alzheimer's disease, UBC researchers found many websites offered poor advice and one in five promoted products for sale--a clear conflict of interest.

"The quality of online information about preventing Alzheimer's disease ranges," said Julie Robillard, assistant professor of neurology at UBC with the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and the National Core for Neuroethics. "The few websites offering high-quality information can be hard to distinguish from the many low-quality websites offering information that can be potentially harmful."

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Today, 564,000 Canadians are living with dementia but the number is expected to grow to nearly one million in the next 15 years as the population ages. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia but there is a lot of uncertainty about what causes the disease and how to protect yourself from it. Previous research has shown that about 80 per cent of people, and half of older adults, turn to the Internet for health information.

Robillard and undergraduate student Tanya Feng examined almost 300 online articles about preventing Alzheimer's disease. They found websites with high-quality information often provided high-level advice suggesting individuals consider lifestyle modifications like managing their diabetes and exercising regularly.

The researchers identified a few common red flags for low-quality information, such as websites recommending products for sale alongside the content. They found this type of conflict of interest in one in five websites. Other signs of low-quality information included websites with very specific recommendations and nutritional information.

"Many red flags were not specific to what they were saying, but rather how they were saying it," said Feng. "For example, using strong language like 'cure' or 'guarantee', promoting their own products, and relying on anecdotal evidence instead of empirical research is suggestive of poor-quality information in online dementia information."

The researchers say this type of information can also be costly with people sinking money into products with little or no scientific evidence to show that they are effective. More concerning, however, is that the advice can cause anxiety and may impact the physician-patient relationship. Patients may sometimes feel they cannot trust their physician if they disagree with the recommendations or patients may not inform their physicians that they have changed their daily habits.

The researchers are developing a tool called QUEST, a simple test of six questions that anyone can use to help people recognize high-quality information online.
Norway is the only country to have implemented a "search and destroy" strategy against LA-MRSA among pig herds to date. A study of the strategy's effect shows that pig farm workers are the principal source of infection among Norwegian herds, a transmission route that was previously unidentified.

The study analysed epidemiological data collected while handling LA-MRSA in Norwegian herds of pigs, from the first discovery in 2013 until 2015. In addition, the researchers performed genetic testing of bacterial isolates from all individuals identified with LA-MRSA since 2008, and they collected samples from all animals, people and pig farm environments that were affected by outbreaks in 2013 and 2014. These findings show that pig farm workers are the principal source for the introduction of LA-MRSA in Norwegian herds of swine. This transmission route was previously unknown.

"This is an important discovery and herds must be monitored if they are to remain free of MRSA, particularly in countries where there is little or no import of live pigs," says Petter Elstrm, researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

The strategy's goal has been to prevent LA-MRSA from being introduced and spread among Norwegian herds, thereby preventing pig herds from becoming a major source of MRSA dissemination to the general population.

The strategy has been effective and any further transmission from animals or humans in the affected farms to the general population has not been detected. Recommendations about who should be tested for LA-MRSA before contact with livestock have been issued to prevent transmission from farm workers to pigs.

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"MRSA rarely causes severe infections among otherwise healthy people but a rising incidence of MRSA in the population will contribute to an increased infection burden for vulnerable patients in the health services," says Elstrm.

Surveillance continues

Since 2014, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Veterinary Institute have continuously monitored all pig herds in Norway, in close collaboration with the swine industry, and this surveillance will continue.

"Our strategy of slaughtering pig herds where LA-MRSA bacteria are detected plus farm disinfection was developed in a close collaboration between the authorities and swine industry. It is an excellent example of the "One Health" approach," says Elstrm.

More research data

An ongoing study is analysing data on the effect of each control measure within the strategy, but the present article shows that the Norwegian LA-MRSA strategy has so far been a success. Norway is currently the only country that has managed to stop these bacteria from establishing among pig herds, thereby preventing further dissemination to the general population and the health service. In other countries with a low MRSA prevalence, such as Denmark and the Netherlands, the spread of LA-MRSA among pig herds contributed to a significant increase in MRSA prevalence in the population.
Researchers at VIB and Ghent University have discovered an important mechanism of sepsis, an overreaction of the body's immune system to an infection. In this condition, the brain is unable to curb an inflammatory response, causing organ failure or 'septic shock'. This scenario is the most frequent cause of death in intensive care units. As it turns out, information about infections is passed to our brain via extracellular vesicles, small particles in brain fluid. These insights will be published in the leading scientific journal EMBO Molecular Medicine and might give rise to new strategies to treat sepsis and even other inflammatory conditions.

In sepsis, acute inflammation is associated with low blood pressure and the formation of blood clots, causing the organs to stop working. While the root is an infection, similar inflammatory responses can occur in the case of physical harm, such as severe burns or injuries caused by traffic accidents. All these conditions are classified under the generic term SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome). While doctors can sometimes treat the underlying infection with antibiotics or provide artificial support for vital functions, no real treatment for SIRS or sepsis has been developed so far.

New blood-to-brain communication

The VIB-Ghent University research project, led by professor Roosmarijn Vandenbroucke, explored an underrepresented research field: the biological function of extracellular vesicles. It was long believed that these small structures in biological fluids were released from cells to rid them of cellular waste. However, the scientists proved that inflammation in the blood signals the brain's choroid plexus, the part that produces brain fluid, to release extracellular vesicles which transfer the inflammatory signal to the brain.

Prof. Vandenbroucke (VIB-Ghent University): "When trauma or an infection occurs, a specific part of the brain detects abnormal blood levels or the presence of foreign substances such as bacteria. Consequently, extracellular vesicles are released containing vital information about the body's condition. These vesicles then travel through the brain fluid to eventually reach the central nervous system and alert the brain. In brief, we found a new way of blood-to-brain communication that is detrimental in septic shock."

Missing link

The findings can be seen as the 'missing link' between an infection and a - sometimes life-threatening - full-body inflammation. The importance of these results was further illustrated by the research team's successful blockage of vesicle secretion in mice using an inhibitor of vesicle production. This suggests that, in time, inflammatory diseases such as sepsis could be treated this way in humans as well.

Prof. Vandenbroucke (VIB-Ghent University): "Our data show that the frequently occurring cytokine TNF, which is a substance released upon the occurrence of inflammation, also stimulates the release of extracellular vesicles. One of the next steps is to investigate the therapeutic potential of changing the process of extracellular vesicle release. All of this strengthens our hope in further exploring the links between vesicles and inflammation."
One Medicine: how human and veterinary medicine can benefit each other

Professor Roberto La Ragione

News-Medical speaks to Professor Roberto La Ragione, Chair of Trustees at Humanimal Trust, about the concept of One Medicine and how human and veterinary medicine can collaborate, share knowledge, and initiate research for the benefit of both humans and animals.
As the US car boom begins to ebb, American auto giant General Motors is eyeing growth in China as an even more crucial component of its business. GM auto sales in China through the first eight months of the year jumped 8.1 percent to 2.38 million, compared with a 4.2 percent drop to 1.96 million in the US. That included 293,537 cars sold in August, a monthly record and up 18 percent from the year-ago period.



"It has been a surprisingly strong year," said Matt Tsien, president of GM China. "We were expecting growth in the sort of low-to-middle single digit range compared to last year. So far, this year has been running a little bit stronger than that." GM employs 58,000 in China, where it sells sport utility vehicles, as well as cars under its Chevrolet and Buick brands. The latter has a particularly storied history in the country, as the vehicle of choice of Sun Yat-Sen, China's first president.



GM has also targeted China as a venue for its luxury Cadillac line.



GM expects industrywide auto sales in China will reach 30 million by 2020, up from 25.1 million in 2015, Tsien said. Growth is expected due to rising demand in rural parts of China and midsized cities that are poised to take off. GM has targeted middle-income buyers in these regions through joint ventures with SAIC sold under the Baojun and Wuling brands.



GM in 2014 announced plans to invest $12 billion in China over three years. It intends to launch 60 models over the next five years and expects a 65 percent increase in production capacity in the country. A key challenge for GM is the rising competitiveness of Chinese companies such as Great Wall, Changan Automobile, BAIC Motor and Dongfeng, which are selling better due to greater confidence in the vehicles' reliability. These companies have lower labour and material costs than GM.



GM has been forced to increase spending on promotions in China to compete with these brands, said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst at Kelley Blue Book. The operating margin of GM ventures in China fell to 9.5 percent in the second quarter from 10.2 percent a year earlier. That translated into equity income of $471 million down from $503 million.



"The overall market has been very competitive," Tsien said. "There has been some downward pressure across the entire industry." GM's efforts to counter this trend include launching ten energy-efficient vehicles in China. GM also is eyeing ride-sharing as a potential growth area.



An overarching goal is to keep the crown of the biggest foreign automaker in China, a title GM seized from Volkswagen in 2015.
A bit of rain and Eid and the roads run red with blood. #Dhaka #Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/7WJRxAj8LN  Edward Rees (@ReesEdward) September 13, 2016

A disturbing sight greeted the people of Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital, after Eid, when the city streets got flooded with bloody water. Heavy downpour on Tuesday combined with animal slaughter on Bakr-Eid resulted in this nightmarish scene.While rains continued to pour in the Bangladeshi capital city, people continued to offer their prayers and follow the rituals. The waterlogging combined with bad drainage and animal slaughter at undesignated spots led to this fiasco.According to the Dhaka Tribune , the city corporations designated 1,000 spots (496 in the north and 504 in the south) for slaughtering animals. People however did not adhere to these designated spots and slaughtered animals at places convenient to them.Dhaka citizens have criticised the city corporations claiming that they failed to keep the citys drainage systems functional. Citizens have also complained about not being made aware of the designated spots for slaughtering animals.The deputy chief of waste management in the Dhaka South City Corporation said that water logging in the capital has always been a problem, adding that they are still working to solve this issue.
The pristine landscape makes one wonder; what does a nation do to conserve such bounties? Well, ask Bhutan, which justifiably prides itself in being the only carbon negative country of the world. But it knows that the road ahead is tough.

Can Bhutan stay carbon negative? That's one of the questions India's ambassador to Bhutan Jaideep Sarkar and author Amitav Ghosh, who explores the issue of climate change in his latest book; 'The great derangement', toyed with in the first session of the Mountain Echoes literary festival. As the issues of politics of the carbon economy and climate change took the centre-stage at the festival, it made everyone attending sit up and take note of the harsh realities of unsustainable lifestyles the planet is faced with.

This year we have more Bhutanese speakers than Indian speakers. But we had to beg, cajole and even mildly arm twist them into coming and speaking This year we have more Bhutanese speakers than Indian speakers. But we had to beg, cajole and even mildly arm twist them into coming and speaking  Tshering Tashi, co-director of Mountain Echoes

Climate change is not something of the future, it is right here, said Ghosh, disappointed at how rarely stories of climate change reflect in our discourse through writing, art and journalism despite the enormity of its importance. A shocked Ghosh pointed out how he had hardly seen any detailed reportage of the temperature touching 51 degrees in Rajasthan this year, only to later be pleasantly surprised by News18's first immersive report by this author, that did actually document the anatomy of the recent heat wave.

A man from the audience could hardly keep how sobering the talk was when he stood up to point out how much negativity he felt had been unleashed first thing in the morning. Fortunately for him, an Atsara outside had the people in splits with his antics. Atsaras (drawn from Sanskrit word Acharya) are enlightened beings who defy norms of socially accepted human behaviour in an expression of their detachment from embarrassment or hesitation that ordinary mortals might feel.

An Atsara performing

For a festival that's in its 7th year now, Mountain Echoes is charmingly uncluttered and not bursting at the seams, making it refreshingly different from the famous Jaipur Literature Festival.

From the early years when Indian speakers outnumbered the Bhutanese, to this year when the Bhutanese speakers outnumber their Indian counterparts, the festival has grown "mindfully, the Bhutanese way", says Namita Gokhale one of four festival directors.

Namita Gokhale, one of the four directors of the Mountain Echoes literary festival.

The growing numbers at the festival reflect a rising inclination towards reading in India's Himalayan neighbour-also famous as the land of Gross National Happiness Index.

In line with its happiness ethos, Bhutan committed to observe 2015 as National Reading Year.

Students in Bhutan are reported to have read 2.5 million books in the ten months since the announcement-no mean feat for a population little over 7.5 lakh.

But not everyone would rather read. Just down the street from Royal Bhutan University-the venue of the festival-at the stadium an archery tournament was underway amidst a mild drizzle, with onlookers just as passionate as the players, about Bhutan's National sport.

Whether they are at work or play or attending a literary festival, the Bhutanese invariably are dressed in their national dress, Gho for men and Kira for women. It is mandatory for the people of Bhutan to wear their national dress to work or for anything ceremonial.

Bhutanese actor and model Kelly Dorji speaks on the Bhutanese national dress Gho



While most people love wearing it on a daily basis, some young people mildly crib about the uniformity it lends to their wardrobes. That said, is it charming or is it charming? Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje who bought herself one and turned up at the festival dressed in a Kira would vouch for that. For Pico Iyer who returned to Bhutan after 28 years to talk about the art of stillness, for once there was an audience that organically knew what he was talking about. A sense of gather seems to come naturally to people in Bhutan where no one's in a hurry to get anywhere. "We don't have our days and weeks planned ahead or have tight schedules", says Kinley, a student. Girls wearing the Bhutanese national dress Kira. (Photo: Swati Vashishtha) Even the traditional musical instruments and the music they make is slow and succulent. The Bhutanese lute, for instance, crafted in bright colours with an ornate dragon on top, producing lilting strums that echo gently in the hills.

The Bhutanese lute has six strings. The instrument still comes in saturated colors as it did traditionally and creates a soft melodious sound. It is clearly not everyone's cup of tea to play the lute.



That doesn't come in the way of good old Indian Ocean pumping up the jam at the Clock Tower at Thimphu to a roaring response.

Indian band Indian Ocean performing at Clock Tower at Thimphu



The Nehru Wangchuck Cultural Centre, with black and white photographs of Rajasthan had whiff of home right in the heart of Thimphu. The festival, sponsored in part by Rajasthan Tourism and co-organized by Jaipur based literary consultancy Siyahi-showcased 'An Ode to Rajasthan', a photography exhibition on architecture and life of the desert state, internalised by photographer Sudhir Kasliwal through his lens.
Kolkata: The CBI on Tuesday filed a petition before the Calcutta High Court seeking cancellation of the bail granted to former West Bengal transport minister Madan Mitra, an accused in the multi-crore Saradha scam, by a city court.



The Alipore Sessions Court had, on September 9, granted bail to Mitra, after he spent over 21 months in prison in connection with the chit fund scam. The matter is likely to be taken up by an appropriate bench of the High Court later this week.



The CBI challenged the bail on the ground that Mitra was still "influential" and "an inseparable part" of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state, despite not being a minister or an MLA at present and thus, him being out on bail could affect the witnesses in the case.



"We have included every relevant point in the petition to prove that Mitra is an influential person," a source close to the development said.



Alipore Sessions Court judge Uttam Kumar Nandy had, on Friday last, granted the relief to Mitra on a bail bond and surety of Rs 15 lakh each, rejecting the CBI's opposition.



Imposing conditions on his bail, the court had directed Mitra to appear before the CBI investigating officer once a week, surrender his passport and not to leave Bhowanipore police station limits.



The former minister has been charged under sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant), 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.



Mitra's counsel had pleaded for bail contending that he was no longer an influential person since he was neither a minister nor an MLA, nor was he holding any party post now.



He had also alleged that the CBI was delaying the investigation and as such, Mitra should be granted bail. The CBI counsel opposed his plea, saying the investigation into the Saradha scam, involving over Rs 2,500 crore of public money, was at a "crucial stage" and releasing Mitra now could hamper the process because the former minister was still "a very influential person" and had access to key witnesses in the case.



Mitra, who was arrested on December 12, 2014 for his alleged complicity in the Saradha scam, was earlier granted bail by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) of Alipore Sessions Court on October 31, 2015 after several of his bail pleas were rejected by different courts.



But, the breather had turned out to be a brief one as the Calcutta High Court cancelled his bail on November 19 on a petition by the investigating agency.
New Delhi: Delhi government on Tuesday ordered a probe into the chikungunya deaths reported in the national capital in the last two days.



Four elderly persons have succumbed to this vector-borne disease at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital while a 22-year-old girl also died at Hindu Rao Hospital after suffering cardiac arrest due to complications triggered by chikungunya.



"4 Deaths due to Chikungunya reported from one pvt hospital (Ganga Ram). No death in any Delhi govt hospital. Enquiry ordered," Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain tweeted on Tuesday night.



Jain on Tuesday returned to Delhi from Goa, where he was campaigning for AAP.



"Medically, there is no death due to chikungunya, but media is showing deaths due to this disease. I want to make it clear that chikungunya is not fatal. There are 200 deaths in Delhi every day, but nobody asks about it," he told a press conference, earlier in the day.



Doctors say that chikungunya is not a life-threatening disease in general, but in rare cases leads to complications that prove fatal, especially in children and old persons. Sources said the probe would seek to find the exact cause of death.



Jain had also accused the Lt Governor of "paralysing" the health system in Delhi.



The Health Minister also carried out inspections of five Delhi government hospitals on Tuesday and appealed to people to not panic.



"Visited 5 hospitals of Delhi govt. Very good arrangements for treatment of Dengue & Chikungunya. No need to panic," he tweeted.
Geneva/New Delhi: India and Pakistan faced off strongly on Kashmir at the UN Human Rights Council, with Islamabad alleging "atrocities" on civilians even as New Delhi hit back, accusing the neighbour of using terrorism as a state policy and of "widespread human rights violations" there, especially Balochistan.



As Pakistan welcomed the UN Human Rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein saying that an international probe to Kashmir was "critically needed", and said the visit would "help address the culture of impunity prevailing there", India made a strong rebuttal - rejecting Pakistan's "continued misuse of the Council to make tendentious references about internal matters" relating to Jammu and Kashmir.



This, India said, stems from "Pakistan's territorial ambitions over Kashmir that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions" and that Pakistan "continues to be in illegal occupation" of a large part of territory in Jammu and Kashmir.



It said the cause for the nearly 70-day unrest in Kashmir is due to "cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan which has provided active support since 1989 to separatist groups and terrorist elements including those operating from the territory under Pakistan's control".



India said that many countries have "repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure; and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism".



Rebutting Pakistan's allegations of human rights violations in India, the statement said that while New Delhi's credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society are well established, Islamabad is "characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country including Balochistan".



"The institutions of governance in Pakistan have corroded to such an extent that it has become a hub for the global export of terror."



"It will be in the fitness of things if instead of ritually raking up alleged human rights violations elsewhere, Pakistan were to focus its energies on improving human rights situation within Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir," the statement said.



It said that Islamabad must also "act against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours who are roaming freely in Pakistan with impunity, so that terrorism emanating from Pakistan - the gravest risk for peace and stability of the region - could be addressed effectively".



In another interjection at the UN Human Rights Council, India said that Pakistan "systematically abused and violated the human rights of its own citizens, including in Balochistan, as well as of the people of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. While advocating restraint to others, it has no hesitation in using air power against its own people. Pakistan also continues to provide sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists".



India said that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India and will always remain so.



It said that the people of Pakistan as well as Pakistan Administered Kashmir "have become victims of sectarian conflict, terrorism and extreme economic hardship due to Pakistan's authoritarian and discriminatory policies in complete disregard of human rights".



"The heart of the matter is that we are dealing with a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft. The world watches with concern as the consequences of Pakistan's actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbor. All of us stand prepared to help, if only the creators of this monster wake up to the dangers of what they have done to themselves," India said.



Earlier, Pakistan termed the "claims of restraint shown by India as simply preposterous" and said the "Indian obduracy in disallowing outside observers to Indian-administered Kashmir is testimony to the fact that the Indian government wishes to hide atrocities unleashed against the Kashmiri people".



The diplomatic slugfest comes as unrest in Kashmir nears 70 days, with over 80 people killed in clashes with security forces since July 9, after the gunning down of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani by security forces.
A bowl of spicy steaming pepper rasam, just what I need to clear those sinuses. Deep breath. #rasam #pepperrasam #southindianatheart #fightingacold #starveacold A photo posted by Anita (@the_madteaparty) on Sep 7, 2016 at 8:18am PDT

KERALA STYLE PARIPPU THEEYAL Check the recipe here: http://luvlittlehearts.wix.com/littleheartsblog #parippu #keralarecipe #keralastyle #theeyal #keralafood #roastedcoconut #dal #dalfry A photo posted by Little Hearts (@luvlittlehearts) on Aug 30, 2016 at 8:20am PDT

Aviyal #aviyal #sadya #kerala #keralasadya A photo posted by NisBip (@nisbip) on Jun 26, 2016 at 2:10pm PDT

Enter into festive spirits by feasting upon the delicious payasam. #dessert #festival #HappyOnam #payasam A photo posted by Freshmen's Valley (@freshmensvalley) on Sep 13, 2016 at 11:03pm PDT

Onam, a 10-day long harvest festival of Kerala celebrates the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali who Malayalees consider as their King. These power-packed ten days of feasting are followed by traditional boat races, dancing and singing. The rich culture of Kerala can be understood in the best form during these 10 days of celebration.Theres a famous Malayalam proverb Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam which means that one must have the Onam lunch even if he is forced to sell his property. For all food connoisseurs, the main highlight of the festival is Onam Sadya, a grand feast which is traditionally served on a Banana leaf. This mouth-watering feast is to be relished without the use of cutlery and is an indispensable part of the festivity.Sadya literally means a bouquet in Malayalam and staying true to the literal meaning, the feast does offer a whole lot of 26 dishes (or more) for the foodies.On the eve of the tenth day of this festival, we bring you an insight into the scrumptious items that comprise the Onam thali.Kerala Red Rice is the main dish of the feast. It is also the first dish to be served. Ghee is sprinkled on the rice swaad-anusaar. Various different side dishes and curries that are collectively called Kootan are served generously along with Kerala Red Rice.Sambar and Rasam are among the most famous dishes that we are thankful to South for. Both Sambar and Rasam  the made-to-activate-your-taste-buds preparations  are considered as one of the most important items on the menu.Parippu, a thick curry dish made of Moong Dal, eaten with rice is a treat to most of the Keralites. If theres Parippu, Papad and ghee around, its like a mini-Sadya for them. Other ingredients include coconut, jeera, green chilli and turmeric powder.Kootan is a collective name for the side dishes and curries that include Aviyal (a mixture of coconut and various vegetables seasoned with curry leaves), Kaalan (a thick dish consisting yogurt, coconut and any one vegetable), Olan (a preparation of pumpkin, coconut milk and ginger), Koottukari or Erissery (a hot-sweet tasting dish made of coconut and vegetables like), Puliyinchi (a paste like dish that includes ginger, tamarind, green chilies, and jaggery).Other special dishes that are a part of this full course meal include Kichadi, a dish made of yogurt and cucumber in raw form and Pachadi, a sweet yogurt made with sliced ash gourd, or a squash and Thoran, a preparation from the sauted vegetables such as peas, green beans or cabbages with grated coconut.The platter also includes Achaar (usually pickles of mango and lemon) and a crispy, easy to eat Pappadam made of lentil flour that is usually treated as an appetizer. Banana chips, called Kaaya Varuthathu are also included in the menu.Towards the end of the grand meal, desserts such as Prathaman and Payasams are offered. Payasam is a pudding made with varied ingredients. Depending on your liking, different forms of Kheer can be prepared ranging from Pineapple Payasam to Carrot Payasam.
Ralph Lauren has become the latest designer to get on board the see-now-buy-now trend, which allows consumers to purchase outfits hot off the runway instead of waiting six months for the clothes to hit store shelves.



On Wednesday night, the designer will be holding two separate runway shows at NYFW, featuring 45 new fall 2016 looks from their see-now-buy-now collection, reports WWD.



Invited guests include retailers, editors and top consumers. The shows, which will be attended by 200 guests each, will take place outdoors in front of the brand's flagship store on Madison Avenue which will be closed off to traffic.



On offer will be ready-to-wear accessories, handbags and footwear. The entire collection is manufactured in Italy.



Lauren joins Tom Ford, Tommy Hilfiger, Rebecca Minkoff and Alice + Olivia in showing a see-now-buy-now collection this season.



The company will also host an event for their top customers Thursday morning and livestream the show on Facebook.


There is something furiously flawed and formulistic about rural feminism in Indian cinema. When a film tells the story of a group of women in Rajasthan fighting to remain happy while the men in their lives rape and violate them every way possible, it's time to get very suspicious of the product.Luckily, in Parched, director Leena Yadav seems to have gone beyond the cliches of male oppression in pursuit of the heart beneath the predictable images of women caught moving seductively amidst the sand dunes.And here we might as well spare a round of applause for cinematographer Russen Carpenter who seems to have captured the lives of the four female heroes without letting the Rajasthani desertscape overpower the emotional energy that trots across the shimmering skyline.But yes, we've seen forlorn seductive women floating across the sand dunes in any number of films. Parched is less lyrical than other desert sagas in the past. More brutal. Yet beautiful. The women seem to take to the patriarchal clobbering with a great deal of reluctance and a whole lot of sisterly camaraderie.If this film was made 20 years ago, Yadav would have cast Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Neena Gupta and Deepti Naval. Now, it's got Tannishtha Chatterjee, Radhika Apte, Surveen Chawla and Lehar Khan.And yes, a voice appearance by producer Ajay Devgn at the end of the trailer.In case, we forget superstars do have a social responsibility.
Sunday evening in a five star hotel in Delhi, Samajwadi Party MP Amar Singh hosted a party to felicitate a close friend and a fellow Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana. Amongst others, both SP President Mulayam Singh Yadav and his brother Shivpal Yadav were present in the gala show of the who's who in Delhi's power circuit. Those present at the reception had no inkling that a string of events in the next forty eight hours would shatter the uneasy calm within SP's first family and send ripples across the state and national politics in poll bound UP.Monday morning, Shivpal Yadav had a meeting with Mulayam Singh at latter's Ashok Road residence in Delhi and left for Etawah thereafter.By evening, the Chief Minister and Shivpal's nephew Akhilesh Yadav struck the first blow by sacking two ministers facing corruption allegations: Mining minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati considered close to Mulayam Singh and Rajkishore Singh a known Shivpal protege.Next to go was chief secretary Deepak Singhal . Tuesday afternoon, marching orders were served on the bureaucrat who is seen to enjoy good relations with both Shivpal and Amar Singh.By the evening, party general secretary and Mulayam's cousin Ram Gopal Yadav in a communique announced CM Akhilesh Yadav had been removed as state party president. Uncle Shivpal was the new boss. Within hours, Akhilesh struck back stripping uncle Shivpal of key portfolios including PWD and irrigation.Also Read: Shivpal Yadav Becomes UP Party Chief, CM Akhilesh Strips Uncle of Key Portfolios Differences and discontent within the Yadav family has for the first time breached the confines of Mulayam's ancestral home Saifai. His son Akhilesh has asserted himself it seems to settle the leadership issue within and outside.It was inevitable. And it was coming. That seniors in the party in 2012 did reluctantly accept Yadav junior as the CM, but were never comfortable in the changed dispensation. Akhilesh over the years attempted to develop his own team. Shivpal worked hard to consolidate his position with the cadre. He even developed a good equation with expelled party MP Amar Singh. And then there was the inimitable Azam Khan, SP's Muslim face who had his own minority politics to take care of. All this while Mulayam Singh, the patriarch watched from the sidelines and played the referee.The multiple power centres developed, aligned, realigned and broke again. Akhilesh was never seen to be in control. In fact, despite opposition from Akhilesh, Azam Khan and Ram Gopal, Shivpal could not only ensure Amar Singh's re-entry into the party but also in the Rajya Sabha.The young CM asserted himself for the first time earlier this year making his displeasure over merger of don-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari's Qaumi Ekta Dal with the SP. Again Shivpal was said to be the instrumental link in this entire exercise which embarrassed Akhilesh to no end.Apart from other things, there are differences between the uncle and nephew in approach that the party should take for the upcoming UP polls. While Akhilesh, some say is attempting to re-create the 2012 narrative which projected SP as having turned a new leaf. Seeking to jettison old baggage, the new SP under Mulayam junior in the last elections in 2012 even refused to entertain the likes of DP Yadav.After five years in power, there are no allegations of corruption against the CM. But like Manmohan Singh, he is accused of having done little to check council of ministers in their acts of omission and commission. His performance on law and order front will also be under electoral scanner.A section including uncle Shivpal feel, SP will need to consolidate it's position by striking alliances with smaller parties and consolidating Muslims backward combination. What worked for the party in opposition five years back may not work now 5 years later.The outcome of the current crisis in the SP will have its own long term implications in the state and UP politics. If Akhilesh is able to settle this bout to his advantage, he will not only impose his leadership upon the party. He would be also be successful in bringing about a generational shift in SP's politics.A leap of generation from purely caste to development politics.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear on Thursday a plea seeking direction to the Centre, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain law and order in these two states witnessing violent protests in the wake of a row over distribution of Cauvery water.



"Let it be listed tomorrow before the bench which is hearing it," a bench comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and AM Khanwilkar said on Wednesday.



Senior advocate Adish Aggarwala, appearing for P Shivakumar, sought urgent hearing of the PIL saying that there is a state-wide bandh in Karnataka on Thursday and on Friday, Tamil Nadu will have same kind of protest across that state.



He said the states be directed to take prompt action against the protesters to maintain law and order and provide security to private and public properties and the citizens of both the states.



Shivakumar, who claims to be a social activist, has also sought a direction that the leaders of the protest be held accountable for the damage caused to the properties and be asked to pay up for them.



On September 12, the apex court modified its earlier order on sharing of Cauvery water and directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs instead of 15,000 cusecs per day till September 20 to Tamil Nadu.



Rejecting Karnataka's plea seeking placing in abeyance for its earlier order, the court asked the executives to ensure compliance.



The apex court bench was critical of the language used in the fresh plea of Karnataka seeking to keep in abeyance the September 5 order asking it to release 15,000 cusecs water per day to Tamil Nadu.
Patna: Controversial Rashtriya Janata Dal strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin, who is out of jail on bail after 11 years, said he is not a don but the media had made him one.



In an interview to CNN-News18, he blamed the government for his troubles. Flatly denying charges against him, he said, "I am a victim of the government system. I am not a don."



Continuing his blistering attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he said that circumstances made him the chief minister and he would stick to that statement. "The statements I am making are mine. It has nothing to do with Lalu Prasad Yadav. I am here to protect the interest of secular front," Shahabuddin said.



He also launched an attack on the media calling it highly biased against him.



Commenting on his relationship with Lalu's son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav, Shahabuddin said, "If situation arises I may accept the leadership of Tejaswi Yadav. He has evolved as a natural leader."







Reacting to the allegations of his connection to another local gangster Mohammed Kaif, he said, "He has more pictures with the District Magistrate of Siwan than with me, but nobody is showing that."



Meanwhile, Asha Ranjan, wife of slain Siwan based journalist Rajdeo Ranjan has approached the Supreme Court seeking registration of an FIR against Shahbuddin and Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav for the murder her husband.



Shahabuddin was released on bail from Bhagalpur jail on September 10 was spotted with a dreaded sharp shooter who is wanted for the murder of Rajdeo Ranjan. In the photo, shooter named Mohammad Kaif alias Bunty is shown accompanying Shahabuddin during his journey from Bhagalpur to Siwan after his release from the jail.
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said imposition of curfew on Eid-ul Azha on Tuesday was a "very unfortunate" decision which it was "compelled" to take to save the lives since the separatists had given a call for a march to the UN office.



Senior minister and government spokesman Naeem Akhtar said the step had to be taken to avoid a repeat of the year 2010 when protesters, after Eid prayers, had left a "trail of destruction" while participating in a march led by Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.



"It is very unfortunate that we had to impose curfew. But it was in response to a particular situation created by those who had given a call for march to the UN office," he told PTI over phone, explaining the controversial decision.



"We were compelled to impose curfew. It doesn't do any good to the image of any government to take such a step but it is the responsibility of the government to ensure law and order," he added.



The separatists, who have been spearheading the agitation since July 9 in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, had given a call for a march to the UN office here yesterday to coincide with Eid-ul Azha. The government was determined to scuttle it.



"It was an act of compulsion in response to an ill-advised call for march to the UN office. It should have been avoided," said Akhtar, who holds the Education portfolio.



Underlining that it was a compelling situation, he noted that only two months back, Kashmir had celebrated Eid-ul Fitr (on July 7) in a splendid manner in peace.



Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, despite being a woman, went to Hazratbal shrine to offer 'namaz' on that day, he said.



"But now, there is a particular situation. We feel we have saved lives by imposing curfew as it is our primary responsibility, as the government, to save lives," he said.



"We have the example of 2010 when thousands of people participated in a march led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the protesters left a trail of destruction after Eid prayers," Akhtar said.








Global internet and technology conglomerate, LeEco is all set to bring its Epic online shopping festival to India. It is a one-of-a-kind event and will be as grand as any other global online shopping festivals like Cyber Monday, Black Friday and Singles Day. Through this festival, LeEco is looking to strengthen its customer loyalty across platforms. LeEco has been hosting this festival in China for a while now and this will be the first time that the Indian Superfans will be able to experience it. In 2015, the Epic 919 festival had become the third largest B2C online shopping festival in China, covering 20.69 million users in the week from Sep 14 to Sept 20. It has set the single-brand one-day TV sales records in Chinas e-commerce industry.Now that Epic sale is coming to India and it is slated to be even bigger and better! The sale is expected to break many records in the Indian market as well, and hence, is call LeEco EPIC 919 SuperFans Festival in India. As part of this epic online shopping fest, LeEco will be offering never before offers on its existing Superphones, Super TVs, and range of accessories. Apart from deals, there will be plenty of freebies and loyalty bonus that the company will be offering to its users. These EPIC offers will be available for a period of 24 hours only starting from Midnight on September 19, 2016. Consumers can avail these offers exclusively online on Flipkart through its App, M-Site and Website, and LeEcos own Online Commerce Platform, LeMall.com.As a pre-cursor to the event, LeEco has partnered with Uber to give eligible users a chance to win guaranteed gift vouchers and second generation flagship Superphone - LeEco Le Max2. To avail this offer, all the user has to do is take two uberPOOL rides between Saturday, 10th September to Friday, 16th September and use the promo code EPIC919. All users stand to win a LeEco voucher worth Rs. 500 that can be redeemed on LeMall.com. This offer is only valid for rides taken in Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chennai only.[caption id="attachment_1292256" align="alignnone" width="432"] (Image: LeEco India)[/caption]LeEco Epic 919 and Uber offer: Take at least two uberPOOL rides between September 10th to September 16th Enter the promo code EPIC919 in the Promotions tab in the Uber app The top 12 riders who take the most uberPOOL rides will win a LeEco Le Max2 Uber riders who take at least of two uberPOOL rides will win a LeMall voucherThis is just the beginning in the coming days, LeEco will be coming out with exciting new offers and deals to help users take home the next-generation LeEco Superphones, SuperTVs, and accessories.
Washington: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will return to the White House campaign trail on Thursday after taking a few days of rest to recover from pneumonia, her campaign has said.

On Thursday, September 15, Hillary Clinton will deliver remarks in Greensboro, North Carolina and discuss her vision for an America that is stronger together, her campaign said yesterday.

She has spent the day catching up on reading briefings, making calls, and she watched President (Barack) Obamas speech in Philadelphia on TV, her spokesman Nick Merrill said, according to CNN.

Clinton, 68, was diagnosed with pneumonia last Friday and was advised rest by her doctors but she she continued with her grilling campaigning schedule.

On Sunday, she fell ill at Ground Zero and was forced to leave the 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York early.

In a video posted by one of the spectators, she was seen fumbling while getting on a van, raising questions about her health condition. The development was made an issue by her political opponent.

In an interview on Monday, Clinton said she thought her falling ill at Ground Zero was not going to be that big a deal as she promised to resume campaigning this week amid calls for transparency into her health condition.

The health scare forced the former secretary of state to cancel campaign and fundraising trips to California and has fuelled concerns about her medical fitness less than two months to go for the November 8 election.
Washington: The United States will provide Israel's military with USD 38 billion during the next 10 years, officials said on Tuesday, the largest batch of military assistance the US has ever pledged to another country.



Following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the State Department said the two countries had reached a 10-year agreement, with a signing ceremony planned tomorrow.



The US and Israel haven't disclosed the exact sum, but officials familiar with the deal said it totals USD 3.8 billion a year, up from the USD 3.1 billion the US gave Israel annually under the previous 10-year deal.



Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, planned to attend the ceremony at the State Department, a senior Obama administration official said.



Israel's acting national security adviser, Jacob Nagel, arrived in Washington ahead of the announcement and was also expected to attend.



Israel's government had no immediate comment on the deal. Under the agreement, Israel's ability to spend part of the funds on Israeli military products will be gradually phased out, eventually requiring all of the funds to be spend on American military industries.



Israel's preference for spending some of the funds internally had been a major sticking point in the deal.



The new agreement also eliminates Israel's ability to spend a fraction of the funds on fuel for its military.



In another apparent concession, Israel has agreed not toask Congress to approve more funds than are included in the deal, said the officials, who weren't authorized to discuss the details publicly ahead of a formal announcement and requested anonymity.



The agreement concludes many months of negotiations that involved a delicate calculation by Jerusalem about whether to strike a deal with the outgoing US president.



In February, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly floated the prospect of waiting for Obama's successor in hopes of securing a better deal.



But the Obama administration has been eager to lock in the agreement before leaving office to help bolster Obama's legacy and undercut the criticism that his administration was insufficiently supportive of Israel.



Obama's relationship Netanyahu has been famously fraught for years, and ties between the countries worsened significantly when the US and world powers struck a deal with a nuclear deal with Iran.



Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran to be an existential threat and disagreed sharply with Obama's contention that the deal actually made Israel safer by limiting Iran's nuclear program.






Donald Trump has called Mexicans "rapists", mocked Hillary Clinton for not being able to "satisfy her husband", promised to stop Muslim's from coming into America and hinted at curtailing H1B visas to make America great again. Over the last two years, Trump has been engaged in a highly polarizing campaign and now exactly two months before the Presidential election a top Republican Senator has expressed strong concerns about his statements.



Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18 in New Delhi, Utah Senator Wayne Harper said, "Donald Trump was speaking for himself; these statements do not reflect republican values or the Republican Party platform."



Senator Harper is among a section of Republicans who are clearly worried about the impact of Trump's controversial remarks on the US community. He hopes that Trump's rhetoric would end if he wins the election on November 8. Explaining how Trump clinched the Presidential nomination despite numerous controversial remarks, Harper said there is a great amount of dissatisfaction with the current government and people want someone to come and stir things up.







"I think a lot of people feel he is brazen and offensive, they are hoping he can make a positive change once he assumes office, that he will eliminate that rhetoric and start acting presidential and working for best interests of everybody in United States," he said.



When Trump spoke about building a wall, he was trying to reach out to Americans upset over unemployment, trade and immigration policies of the present government. Harper said, "Such remarks affect the US people regardless of their ethnicity because America is a nation of immigrants," but the Senator struck a cautious note when asked about H1B visas.



"I don't know what Mr. Trump is planning to do but I personally feel that we get a lot of value from these visas and we need to make sure there are plenty of those that meet the needs of our businesses and vice versa," Harper said.



Trump's remarks against women and minorities may be one of the key reasons why Democrat Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton holds an edge in opinion polls. Democrat Legislator Aruna Miller feels that the polarizing campaign is definitely helping her leader. Speaking to CNN-News18, Miller said, "I do believe it is because Hillary Clinton is someone who will build bridges and not build walls, I think she will unify and not divide. She will always embrace the immigrant community and thats what America is about it is a nation built on Americans."



Miller agreed that the democrats are worried about the controversy over the private email server which has been intensely talked about in this election even though Clinton has been given a clean chit. She said there were people who feel the scandal harmed her character but defended her leader saying, Like Senator Sanders said let's move beyond it, lets talk about policies that are going to affect Americans. She is a great candidate and she will be great for the country."







"Should she have done that  maybe not, but there are previous secretaries of state who have done the same including Colin Powell and Condoleezza rice," Miller said.



She also rubbished questions about Clinton's health saying her doctors have already said she is perfectly healthy and such allegations were unfair and without any basis.



One thing that both Republican Harper and Democrat Miller agreed on was Indo-US relations. While they refused to comment on whether the next president should consider imposing sanctions against Pakistan for lack of actions against terror havens, they told CNN-News18 that both the countries share an extremely important partnership that must be enhanced.
As my brother Kelly and I bushwhacked through six-foot-tall wingstem and goldenrod to find a stream crossing, I thought about how much and how little the farm of my youth has changed.

When I was a child, the stream banks were grazed by cattle or mowed by my father, and it was easy to leap across the creek and climb into the woods. My brothers and I would head for the horse, a bent tree that served as a wooden steed.

We gathered blackberries on the woods edges in late June, searched for crawdads and jumped in giant piles of leaves in the fall.

Now the stream is protected from the cattle and the banks have grown dense with yellow flowers towering over my head. The hidden creek is a lot cleaner.

For some reason, the steep hills are not quite so easy to climb, and the horse has mostly rotted away, but the quiet woods are still a cathedral. Kelly and I craned our necks to spy immature red-headed woodpeckers hammering up high. A squirrel fussed at us for breaking the solitude.

Walking with Kelly is always a treat. If I am a naturalist, he is a super naturalist. He knows the birds, flowers, trees and insects. He is a walking encyclopedia of nature.

With binoculars around our necks, we tramped through woods and over hills protected in perpetuity by a conservation easement my mom placed on the farm. We made a trek to cemetery hill, where half my parents ashes lie side by side in earthen jugs, to silently give thanks for their legacy.

As we returned up the driveway, we spotted five monarch caterpillars happily munching on milkweed.

A blue grosbeak chatted from the top of a dogwood. My first! They didnt used to live so far north. Soon we spied his buff-brown mate with a fat grub in her beak. Babies? After several minutes a fledgling piped up from a nearby spruce.

We saw redstarts, wood pewees, phoebes and vireos. More birding in the yard revealed two pairs of scarlet tanagers. The males had already turned from red to yellow for their trip to Mexico.

Our first-day tally was 33 species, if you count the chickens. Kelly always counts the chickens.

The next morning I spotted a second young blue grosbeak. Kelly heard a bobolink overhead. Cuckoos appeared in a pine tree. And my favorite, meadowlarks, sat silently atop a cedar tree with their yellow breasts glistening in the sun.

We headed to Rocky Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway, too early for hawk migrations that usually peak the third week in September, but perfect for short walks through pasture with endless views, including the Peaks of Otter to the northeast. My niece Anna found rocks to climb and birch leaves to crush that smelled like teaberry.

Anna is reliving much of my youth. I hope she will take advantage of her parents knowledge of the natural world and come to love it as much as they do.
Fifty-one years ago, just after dark on Aug. 19, 1969, rain began to fall in Nelson County. The remnants of Hurricane Camille had arrived  wi

In late 1969, a few months aft

In late 1969, a few months after Hurricane Camille devastated Nelson County, the Virginia Farm Bureau presented Cliff Wood with the Distinguished Service to Virginia Agriculture Award.

According to The News & Advance archives from Nov. 21, 1969, then-VFB President Robert B. Delano stated in reading the citation during the ceremony:

"His courage and dedication of service to others was demonstrated when Hurricane Camille brought devastation to Nelson County on the night of Aug. 19. Upon determining that his own family was safe, Clifford E. Wood went to the county seat and discovered that a disaster of unknown proportions had struck the county. Being unable to get in touch with other government officials of the county, he proceeded to immediately assume direction of what rescue equipment and personnel were available. Upon his own initiative a command post was established and emergency communications were set up.

"For more than five days and nights he personally coordinated all activities in the county. In spite of heavy personal financial loss from the flood, he continued to work 14 to 16 hours per day, directing governmental, civil defense, rescue and other activities in the county.

"Mr. Wood was appointed civil defense coordinator by the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26. From that date until Sept. 26, when the Board of Supervisors, fearing for his personal health, ordered him to take a rest, he continued his strenuous schedule of cutting red tape and getting the job performed."
Going forward, city residents will be provided an extra form of notice when the vacating of city streets is up for consideration.

Lynchburg City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday which amends several sections of the city code pertaining to the processes by which the city vacates a public street or alley.

The city has used two methods to vacate public streets through the years. Under the most recent method of vacating a street, the application for vacation is reviewed by two committees and two notices are published in The News & Advance prior to a public hearing. No signs are posted informing the public about the proposed vacation.

Following the changes to the city code that were approved Tuesday, signs now will be posted at the site notifying the public of an application for vacations or alterations, and property owners within 200 feet of the proposed vacation or alteration will be notified by mail prior to the public hearing.

Mailed notices also will be sent to property owners along unused and unopened paper streets or alleys that are up for vacation or alteration.

Notices will continue to run in the newspaper prior to a public hearing.

At this point, the city will be doing more than what is required by state law, said City Attorney Walter Erwin.

Tuesdays action follows concerns by residents living in the area of Spring Hill Cemetery. In April, City Council approved vacating a portion of Rives Street, which bisects the cemetery, allowing Spring Hill to be joined together into a whole. Residents later expressed concerns to City Council about the decision such as not knowing about the action until Rives Street was blocked off with chain-link fencing and the impact to travel through the neighborhood.

In other news:

Lynchburg City Council approved a petition by Westminster Canterbury Lynchburg to rezone more than 20 acres on VES Road to the institutional, IN-1, district.

The two-part institutional zoning district is intended for schools, colleges and universities, medical facilities and assisted living facilities as well as churches on a campus-like setting. The IN-1 zoning designation is for institutions that are located in or near residential districts.

Institutional zoning allows such institutions greater flexibility to develop.

According to a council document, with approval of the IN-1 zoning, Westminster Canterbury no longer will need to seek City Council approval through conditional use permits for future expansion efforts provided there is adequate water, sewer and traffic infrastructure.

Westminster Canterbury submitted a traffic study and a two-year concept that includes the construction of an 80-bed facility that replaces existing units, as well as the possibility of 24 independent living units, City Planner Tom Martin said.

City Council approved a conditional use permit requested by James River Day School that will allow the construction of a two-story building addition that would provide additional classroom and office space, and the construction of a recreational area. The conditional use permit was approved on the condition that James River Day Schools enrollment does not exceed an increase of 7.5 percent. The private school currently has an enrollment of 266 students.

City Council authorized a 40-year utility easement and right-of-way agreement with Appalachian Power from which the Lynchburg Regional Airport will receive a lump-sum payment of $31,350. The electric company is in the process of constructing a new 9-mile-long transmission line in northern Campbell County and a southern area of the city. A section of the new line route crosses a portion of airport property.

City Council authorized Lynchburg Police Chief Raul Diaz to sign a mutual aid agreement between the Lynchburg Police Department and the Longwood University Police Department. The agreement allows three Lynchburg officers to assist the Longwood University Police Department with security during a four-day period during the vice-presidential debates at the university in October.
A Spotsylvania County teenager who was part of a plot to shoot students and staff members at Riverbend High School last year is expected to spend the next four years in a prison program designed to improve his chances of a better future.

Tristen Smith, now 18, was sentenced in Spotsylvania Circuit Court on Tuesday to 10 years in prison on a conspiracy to commit murder conviction. He also received 40 years in suspended time on two burglary convictions he received in juvenile court.

But Judge Joseph J. Ellis agreed to place Smith in a prison housing the Youthful Offender Program, a four-year program that lawyers say provides job skills, mental health and substance abuse treatment and education to younger offenders.

Both Ellis and Commonwealths Attorney Travis Bird made it clear that Smith would serve his entire 10-year sentence should he fail to complete the program.

This is the last chance he will have for the state to have any lasting effect on his life, Bird said. Hopefully he will come out a better person.

Smith was 17 when the shooting plan was uncovered by the Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office, but was tried as an adult. His 16-year-old codefendant, Gavin Oztuna, was already convicted as an adult but received an indeterminate sentence in a juvenile facility when he was sentenced in April on the same charge.

Smith and Oztuna were arrested in October when police learned of a plot for a mass shooting at Riverbend High, where both of them were students. The scheme involved calling in a bomb threat and Smith shooting people as they came out of the school.

Police said they got the information and made the arrests long before the plan could have been carried out. Defense attorney John Spencer said Smith told him he was just acting out and never intended to actually shoot anyone, but we dont know if it would have happened or not.

According to court records, the two defendants exchanged text messages about Smiths desire to become the next school shooter. In the texts, Smith expressed frustration about how hed been treated at the school and said he was going to make everyone feel the pain they caused me.

Spencer said he had a tentative deal with the previous commonwealths attorneys office to have Smith sentenced as a juvenile, but Bird, who took over in January, nixed that idea. A juvenile disposition would have most likely meant incarceration for no more than six months, lawyers said.

Bird and Spencer eventually agreed to recommend the sentence that Ellis handed down Tuesday.

Ellis initially sounded like he would not accept the sentence. He berated Smith for his juvenile behavior, which included burglaries and drug and alcohol abuse starting at age 12. Ellis said Smiths actions merited decades behind bars.

Leniency has not served the commonwealth well when it comes to Mr. Smith, the judge said. It seems that the only way to protect the community is to lock you up until you are too tired to commit crimes.

But Ellis then said he would take a chance on Smith, largely because of his respect for Bird and Spencer.

Smith made a brief statement in which he expressed deep regrets for his actions. He was then allowed to hug his parents before being taken back into custody. Smith has already been incarcerated for nearly a year.
Erin Law, 18, of Henrico County was excited about her plans for this past Saturday to visit one of her best friends  Jordan Bowman, a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University known by Law and others as kind, hilarious, genuine and nonjudgmental.

That get-together with Bowman never happened, because Bowman, 18, had fallen to her death from a window on the 13th floor of her Richmond apartment building at about 3 a.m. Saturday, in an incident that remains a mystery to many.

Friends remember the recent graduate of Henricos Mills Godwin High School as one of a kind.

She was just such a sweet and genuine girl, Law said.

She was very true to herself. She was a person who didnt care what other people thought. She didnt try to impress anyone. And she would help you feel a lot more comfortable with who you were and made you feel comfortable to be yourself, Law said.

Bowman enjoyed drawing andlistening to music, and she was outgoing and not shy about voicing her opinions, Law said.

Allison Weber, vice president of marketing for Peak Campus, which operates the apartment building, said via email that Bowman was a resident of The Towers on Franklin in the 100 block of West Franklin Street. Weber would not say how many people were in Bowmans apartment when she fell to her death, citing the ongoing police investigation.

While few details have been made available about what might have led to Bowmans death, Richmond police have said they do not suspect foul play. Bowman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Law said Bowman was a happy person, who cared deeply about her friends and family.

Shes one of the most genuine people Ive ever met, Law said.
A giant head of copper, tin and wood lies prone on its side against the white pedestal, its hollow eyes staring blankly outward. The solitary and dusty light bulb inside casts a warm glow inside the circular head of the globe-like shape.

But dark shapes surround the bulb, dampening its warmth. Their cavernous wings unfurl like thick capes, a swarm of moths clinging to the faintly turquoise walls of the skull, an allusion to the looming advent of madness that will inevitably cloud the mind, like these creatures blot out the glow.

This sculpture joins more than 30 other pieces in the Society for Contemporary Crafts traveling exhibition Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art, which opens in Lynchburg Colleges Daura Gallery Friday and remains up through Dec. 10.

It focuses on a social issue that affects us all, says Barbara Rothermel, director of the Daura Gallery. As with any community, whether it's the college community or the regional community, Lynchburg city community, the exhibition certainly has impact beyond the gallery walls. It examines creativitys role in mental health and resiliency and most of all, in compassion.

Every person has a connection to mental illness, whether they themselves have a condition or not. It could be a family member who struggles with depression or a colleagues child who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

One in five adults, or 43.8 million people, in this country live with a mental health condition, the National Institute of Mental Health reported in 2015. And most of them suffer behind a wall of secrecy and isolation, the stigma surrounding mental illness so strong it keeps them and their loved ones silent.

While science has achieved new success in mapping and understanding the body, so much of how the brain functions remains a mystery and, in many ways, there is still a shame attached to mental illness.

Mental illness has not yet been fully accepted as a disease that is just like other diseases, says Janet McCall, executive director of Pittsburghs Society for Contemporary Craft, which spent two years creating Mindful.

Over the years, its been viewed almost as a kind of moral failure for which the individual was held responsible in some way.

The fear of not knowing how others will react keeps those in need from reaching out, and the folks at Contemporary Craft  which focuses on building communities by engaging audiences in unique experiences and creating a safe space for communities to tackle difficult topics  felt that needed to change.

The organization already had a proven record of success in bridging the gap when discussing difficult topics thanks to its 2013 exhibition, ENOUGH Violence, which explored the impact of brutality on everyday lives.

So the Pittsburgh organizations leaders decided to turn their attention toward the equally important but much less visible topic of mental illness.

We know firsthand the power of art to heal and to inspire and to allow people to process difficult situations, McCall says. We saw this [taboo] was a widespread problem, and we thought, Lets invite artists in to tell their stories in a way that we can bring the community together to reduce the stigma and to really talk about how art can make a difference for everyone in terms of hope of recovery and healing.

Contemporary Craft consulted with social service agencies and professionals, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centers Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, to gain a better understanding of both the topic and how their exhibit could support mental health discussions.

Then organizers selected 14 artists from across the country  out of the more than 60 submissions they had received  to tackle the subject through their various mediums.

Metal, wood and fiber work met pottery, sculpture and street art to illustrate the many facets and faces of mental illness.

Pieces like Foundress, by Meredith Grimsley, compared recurring genetics and unhealthy family thoughts and behaviors to a swarm of yellow jackets  as they can sting an individual multiple times before ceasing  while others explored the impact of mental illness on future generations.

Lyn Godleys fiber optic panels  depicting birds in flight, their lights blinking at the same frequency of a light box used to treat many seasonal mood disorders  offered visitors a message of hope.

Artists work in a visual language and  when its a visual object, it connects people in a stronger way, says D.C.-based artist Michael Janis, whose piece of glasswork, Echoes, contains images of multiple overlapping faces representing the inner feelings and the outer facade people project towards the world.

People, when they look at an object, they complete the story, he says. The way you interpret is going to be a little different from the way I interpret it because you are bringing all of your baggage, and your associations and your identifications of visual clues to that piece.  I think that alone instigates a dialogue.

Artists individual stories branched out, creating an underlying thread connecting every visitor to a personal experience involving mental health.

Whether it was staring at a pair of blood-specked gloves and seeing not the artist grappling with multicultural identity, but the struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder  how a person will follow a compulsion because the internal distress, if the action is not completed, is worse than the physical pain said action could cause  or staring at Ian Thomas sketches of dinner plates containing only pills and recalling a sibling swallowing similar tablets with a cup of milk at breakfast day in and day out.

One might look at the strips of fabric wound tightly around a mannequin and find a straightjacket-like portrait of his or her own anxiety staring back at them, while the next visitor might see the mannequin in a protective embrace of isolation  of peace and quiet from the chaos of social engagement, the fabric a security blanket or sheath of armor.

During its yearlong run, Mindful, McCall says, offered a great deal of healing for the community. Whenever the executive director would lead people through the exhibit  whether they were funders, teachers or members of the general public  they would invariably gravitate to a piece and connect with it.

These reactions sparked conversation and openness among viewers. Some shared their thoughts to exhibit curators and staff in person, while others anonymously commented in the exhibits Thought Cloud.

Our daughter suffers from an eating disorder and body dysmorphia, McCall remembers one visitor telling a staff member. When I learned about the young artist Jennifer Datchuks struggles with her self-image and issues related to her appearance, I began to cry because it reminded me so much of our daughter, who is 22. I would really like to bring her here to see the exhibition. I feel it would help her in the same way it has helped me today.

In the hundreds of submissions to the Thought Cloud, a special gallery section of interconnecting strings where guests could creatively write and attach their thoughts to others in the space, visitors anonymously expressed how Mindful changed their understanding of mental health, while others shared their own personal stories and struggles.

Sometimes you really do feel like youre eating pills all day, one thought card said. And it blows.

The Pittsburgh staff did not want the Mindful experience to become a one-time event, and so the exhibit will tour the country, having made stops in Ohio and now Virginia, with shows in Minnesota, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania still to come.

One of the things about university museums is that we are a resource for both the community and for the college, says Rothermel. Mental illness is not something we should be ashamed of. We should be aware of it. We should be accepting it. I think its tremendously important for students to understand this, whether they suffer from a mental illness or not. .... There should be no shame in it whatsoever."

A tour like the one stopping in Lynchburg means shining a light on mental illness, raising awareness of conditions and, hopefully, starting to break that taboo and encourage those in need to seek treatment and compassion from others around them.

I heard someone say that each of us is busy trying to keep a secret about what we are struggling with, while the person next to us may be busy trying to keep the same secret, McCall says. It will only be when we open up and share our secrets, our stories, our humanity, that the stigma will finally be eliminated and we will be better able to support one another on our journeys.
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(Newser)  It's a tale for the ages: A woman buys a vibrator, uses it, and discovers the company that built it is tracking just what she does with it and how often. And yes, she's suing. In a class-action lawsuit representing what the Chicago Tribune reports is tens of thousands of users, the Illinois woman has marched her smart dildo to Chicago to sue sex-toy company Standard Innovation. She accuses the company, which is based in Ottawa, of consumer fraud, unjust enrichment, intrusion upon seclusion, and violating the Federal Wiretap Act and the Illinois Eavesdropping Statuteand she's asking for unspecified punitive damages, reports Vocativ.

The woman reportedly bought her We-Vibe Rave for $130 in May and proceeded to use it several times before learning via a Defcon hacking convention talk (which CNET reported on last month) that her extremely personal usage was being scrutinized for marketing purposes by its maker, reports Courthouse News. The toy can connect to a smartphone for such activities as adjusting vibration type ("tease and please with custom vibes you create") and intensity ("build intensity"), not to mention allowing someone else to be at the controls from afar ("play together from anywhere in the world"). However she chose to use it, only she and Standard Innovation know, and in this case two is clearly a crowd. (A recent surge in sex-toy sales has a pop-culture connection.)
(Newser)  An Oregon man and his girlfriend accused of intentionally running down a black teen after an altercation in a convenience store parking lot face new hate crime charges alleging they targeted the victim because of his race, the AP reports. Russell Orlando Courtier, 38, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of first- and second-degree intimidation in the death of Larnell Malik Bruce, court documents say. Colleen Hunt, 35, who was in the passenger seat, pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree intimidation. Under Oregon law, a charge of intimidation means the defendants are accused of acting based on their perception of the victim's race, color, religion or disability. The two had previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder in the death of 19-year-old Bruce, of Vancouver, Washington.

Last month, The Portland Mercury raised questions about Courtier's possible affiliation with a white supremacist group after finding pictures on his Facebook page that show him with a tattoo of "EK," which stands for European Kindred. At the time, authorities had not charged him or Hunt with a hate crime, but were investigating. Gresham police said Tuesday the defendants' "clear ties" to a white supremacist gang were initially not enough to charge them with a hate crime. Additional investigation, including more witness interviews and input from experts on white supremacists, led a grand jury to re-indict the couple Monday. According to court documents, Bruce and Courtier got into an argument that turned physical outside a Gresham 7-Eleven on Aug. 10. Bruce was armed with a machete. It still isn't clear what the two were fighting about, but moments later Courtier jumped in his 1991 Jeep Wrangler and chased down Bruce as the teen ducked and wove through the parking lot on foot, according to an affidavit for probable cause. Surveillance video shows the Jeep turning around rapidly and accelerating toward Bruce as he tries to flee. Click for more. (Read more hate crime stories.)
(Newser)  Authorities have finally made arrests in the death of two girls in California more than 40 years later. Police say 65-year-old cousins Larry Patterson and William Harbour murdered Doris Derryberry, 13, and Valerie Lane, 12, after they vanished from a shopping mall in 1973. The girls were found dead, each shot by a shotgun, beside a dirt road in Marysville hours after they were reported missing, per the AP. Doris had been sexually assaulted and semen was collected from her body. However, it was only sent for testing in March 2014 by an investigator who "had a bit of free time and really looked very closely at this case," Sheriff Steve Durfor tells the AP.

The semen matched DNA samples taken from Patterson and Harbour during previous arrests, police say. Pattersonconvicted of rape in 1976 and wanted for failing to register as a sex offender, per Reuterswas arrested Tuesday in Oklahoma. Harbour, who has felony drug convictions, was also arrested Tuesday in the girls' hometown of Olivehurst, Calif. The men were 22 at the time of the murders. After "decades of suffering and grief," Durfor says the girls' families can finally have some closure. They "have waited ... for 43 years for an answer as to what happened to their kids," adds a Yuba County DA. (This missing woman could be buried on the Cal Poly campus.)
(Newser)  A new headache for Donald Trump: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has confirmed that the Donald J. Trump Foundation charity is being investigated "to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York," Politico reports. Schneiderman tells CNN that his office is the regulator of nonprofits in New York state, and they're concerned that the Trump charity "may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view." Washington Post investigations of the foundation have found that Trump apparently hasn't donated to his personal charity since 2008and that Trump has used its funds to buy gifts, including a large painting of himself.

Letters obtained by CNN show that the AG's office has been corresponding with the Trump Foundation since June, when officials asked the charity about a $25,000 contribution to a PAC supporting Florida AG Pam Bondi in 2013. The Trump campaign called Schneiderman "a partisan hack who has turned a blind eye to the Clinton Foundation for years" and called the investigation "a left-wing hit job" designed to distract from Clinton's "disastrous week." The New York investigation comes amid tightened scrutiny of Trump's charitable giving: On Tuesday, the Washington Post reported that it had contacted 326 charities and only found a single $10,000 donation from Trump's own pocket between 2008 and May this year. (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
(Newser)  There was an ugly secret at the heart of Team USA Gymnastics for many years, according to two women who accuse a longtime team doctor of abusing them as teens. In separate legal complaints, the women say Larry Nassar groped and fondled them during multiple treatments in the 1990s and early 2000s. One woman, a medal-winning Olympian, identified only as "Jane Doe," has filed a lawsuit in California accusing Nassar of molesting her between the ages of 12 and 18, reports the Indianapolis Star. She accuses USA Gymnastics of ignoring suspicions about Nassar and says it took her years to realize that the man she trusted had been abusing her. "USA Gymnastics failed this woman," her attorney says.

The other woman, Rachael Denhollander, tells the Star that she was a club-level gymnast in 2000 when Nassar abused her at Michigan State, where he's a faculty member. The university suspended the 53-year-old from clinical and patient duties after Denhollander filed a police complaint last month. Nassarwhose lawyers say he denies any wrongdoingwas also suspended after a complaint of misconduct in 2014 that didn't result in charges, the AP reports. Nassar was on USA Gymnastics' medical staff for 29 years, the Guardian reports. In a statement released Monday, USA Gymnastics says it cut its ties with him and notified law enforcement after "learning of athlete concerns" last summer. (US gymnast Simone Biles was among Olympians whose medical records were released by Russian hackers.)
(Newser)  The University of Richmond has suspended a fraternity for what it says was a "grossly offensive" email inviting students to a Kappa Alpha Order party last Friday, CBS News reports. "Tonight's the type of night that makes fathers afraid to send their daughters away to school" and "we're looking forward to watching that lodge virginity be gobbled up," read the email obtained by the Collegian, which was sent to around 100 students. The Virginia institution was already caught up in controversy over alleged mishandling of sexual assault cases, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.

"The email contained grossly offensive language and suggestions of behavior inconsistent with our policies concerning Greek life and with the caring nature of our campus community," the university said in a statement, announcing that all chapter operations and events had been suspended pending an investigation. The national headquarters of the fraternity says it's also suspending the chapter for failing to meet its standards for "gentlemanly conduct." (Last year, the University of Florida kicked out a fraternity after members were accused of spitting on veterans and urinating on an American flag.)
(Newser)  In what police describe as "a sad case, no matter how you look at it," an Alabama judge has ordered a suspected drug addict to remain behind bars until she gives birth to her second child. Authorities say Alexandra Nicole Laird, 21, gave birth to a baby girl who tested positive for opiates in March. She later admitted to using heroin one or two times a week for most of her pregnancy and was charged with chemical endangerment of a child, says Pleasant Grove Police Lt. Danny Reid. In the months that followed, she was charged with drug possession and failure to appear in court, reports AL.com. Jailed last week, she told officers she was again pregnant and using heroin daily, Reid says.

"I'm doing my damndest to try to prevent any further damage to this child, since it's obvious the mother doesn't seem to care,'' Reid told a judge Tuesday, securing a second child-endangerment charge against Laird, who is believed to be 18 to 20 weeks pregnant. "You won't know you've truly victimized this child until much later in life when she has trouble in school, trouble functioning,'' he told Laird at an earlier hearing. Laird does not have custody of her 1-year-old daughter, who spent a month in the ICU after birth for withdrawals, reports AL.com. In a sign of America's opiate epidemic, Reuters previously reported that one drug-addicted baby is born every 19 minutes, according to 2013 numbers. (Addicts have died from withdrawal in jail.)
(Newser)  An old-school form of discipline remains popular in Alabama. The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights has found that almost 19,000 children2.5% of the state's studentsgot paddled in public schools during the 2013-2014 school year, reports AL.com. Boys get hit more than girls, and black children were paddled at a disproportionate rate compared to whites. It's a long-standing (and legal) disciplinary tradition in the state that locals don't seem terribly motivated to change: The National Education Association wants the practice banned, but the Alabama Education Association has stayed mumdespite the fact that it's illegal to paddle an adult in the state, per an opinion piece on AL.com.

UNICEF's "Violence Against Children" report doesn't exactly support paddling enthusiasts, noting that studies have linked corporal punishment to poor mental health, social issues, and academic problems. And many educational and child advocacy groups, including the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, agree it's ill-advised. But a 1977 Supreme Court decision ruled corporal punishment was not cruel and unusual and that schools could decide whether to use itand in 1995, Alabama lawmakers gave public schools the right to do so. Most of the states that allow paddling (21 states reported it in the 2013-'14 school year) are in the South. (Fifty years of spanking studies analyzed here.)
(Newser)  Donald Trump says he has gone where no GOP presidential nominee has gone before with promises of paid maternity leave and federal subsidies for child care. Accompanied by his daughter, Ivanka, Trump unveiled his plan in a speech outside Philadelphia on Tuesday evening, the Wall Street Journal reports. His campaign says the estimated $2.5 billion cost of providing six weeks of paid maternity leave through unemployment benefits will be covered by reducing waste elsewhere in the program. He promised to make child care tax-deductible for couples making less than $500,000, and give "spending rebates" of up to $1,200 to lower-income families. A roundup of coverage:

NPR takes a close look at the planwhich also includes special savings accounts for caring for children and elderly relativesand at how the Trump campaign says it will pay for it. The funding plan involves "comprehensive tax and economic reform," according to a campaign spokesman.

The Washington Post notes that Trump's paid maternity leave looks a lot like the "Baby UI" plan that Bill Clinton supported in 1999, which the Bush administration rolled back in 2003.

Fiscal conservatives aren't happy about what they see as an expansion of government spending, though the New York Times reports that social conservatives are pleased that Trump's plan includes tax credits for stay-at-home moms.

"My opponent has no child care plan," Trump said. Politico, however, notes that Hillary Clinton's plan includes 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, to be paid for by raising taxes on the rich.

(Read more Donald Trump stories.)
(Newser)  The United States will provide Israel's military with $38 billion during the next 10 years, officials said Tuesday, the largest batch of military assistance the US has ever pledged to another country. Following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the State Department said the two countries had reached a 10-year agreement, with a signing ceremony planned for Wednesday, the AP reports. The US and Israel haven't disclosed the exact sum, but officials familiar with the deal said it totals $3.8 billion a yearup from the $3.1 billion the US gave Israel annually under the previous 10-year deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed in a brief statement that a deal had been reached, but it offered no additional comment. Under the agreement, Israel's ability to spend part of the funds on Israeli military products will be gradually phased out, eventually requiring all of the funds to be spent on American military industries. Israel's preference for spending some of the funds internally had been a major sticking point in the deal. In another apparent concession, Israel has agreed not to ask Congress to approve more funds than are included in the deal unless a new war breaks out, said the officials, who weren't authorized to discuss the details publicly ahead of a formal announcement and requested anonymity. (Read more Israel stories.)
(Newser)  The loyal Republican voters of New York state's 133rd District re-elected Assemblyman Bill Nojay on Tuesday, undeterred by accusations of corruptionor the fact that he's dead. The 59-year-old, who killed himself at his family's burial plot on Friday, won the Rochester-area district's GOP primary with a vote of around 58% to 41% for Honeoye Falls Mayor Richard Milne, Politico reports. It will now be up to party leaders in the districtwho did not withdraw their endorsement after Nojay's deathto choose a candidate to be on the ballot, the Democrat & Chronicle reports.

Before the primary, local Republican leaders said voting for Nojay was a good way to honor his memory. Milne said they just wanted to get their own candidate elected. Politico notes that Milne is unlikely to be the choice of the local GOP both because of his moderate positions and the fact that he just lost an election to a dead man. The Guardian reports that Nojaywho had been accused of embezzling $1.8 million from a legal client, among other thingsis the latest in a long line of dead American politicians to win elections, including Hawaii's Rep. Patsy Mink, a Democrat who was re-elected to the House more than a month after she died of pneumonia in 2002. (Read more New York state stories.)
(Newser)  Probably the most talked-about political story of the day comes courtesy of Newsweek, where reporter Kurt Eichenwald details Donald Trump's intricate business ties with foreign businessmen, governments, "and even criminals" via his Trump Organization. With deals in nations such as Russia, Turkey, India, and Saudi Arabia, Eichenwald writes that conflicts of interest regarding national security would be impossible to avoid, even with Trump's plan to put the business in a blind trust and turn it over to his kids. He concludes that the only way to avoid what he calls "legal bribery" is for the entire Trump family to sever itself from the sprawling Trump Organization if the candidate wins in November. Among other things, he notes that the organization has trademarked the Trump name for branding projects in Russia.

"Never before has an American candidate for president had so many financial ties with American allies and enemies, and never before has a business posed such a threat to the United States," writes Eichenwald, who concludes with this jarring line: "If Donald Trump wins this election and his company is not immediately shut down or forever severed from the Trump family, the foreign policy of the United States of America could well be for sale." Click for the full investigative piece. Meanwhile, former campaign-official turned-CNN-talking-head Corey Lewandowski blasted both Eichenwald's credibility and the entire premise of the story, notes Politico. "Do his children continue to run a $10 billion corporation that their father has built?" he asked. "Absolutely they do. Why wouldnt they?" (Read more Donald Trump 2016 stories.)
(Newser)  If it doesn't already, North Korea will have the makings for 20 nuclear bombs by the end of the year, experts predict in a new report. The country is believed to be producing 330 pounds of highly enriched uranium per year at one or two sitesenough for six nuclear bombsand likely has 70 to 120 pounds of plutonium, a Johns Hopkins University report published Monday reads, per Reuters. Experts add that North Korea's uranium enrichment program has been around since at least 2003 and will likely carry on with little interruption from sanctions. Nonetheless, South Korea's foreign minister has called for tougher sanctions and pressure on the North in the wake of its biggest nuclear test yet, per CNN.

China could deliver the harshest sanctions in stopping the movement of fuel and oil into the North, but Pyongyang appears unconcerned. "The US imperialists are going reckless, taken aback by the DPRK's successful nuclear test," state-run media said Wednesday, per NBC News, after US B-1B bombers and F-16s flew over the Korean Peninsula with South Korean jets on Monday. "They are bluffing that B-1Bs are enough for fighting an all-out nuclear war." Meanwhile, the North Korean government has made a public plea for help, claiming 133 people are dead, 395 are missing, and "tens of thousands" are homeless as a result of flooding from Typhoon Lionrock, reports CNN. (Read more North Korea stories.)
(Newser)  An 85-year-old French priest murdered in his own church by Islamic militants in July is already being prepped for sainthood, Reuters reports. Speaking during a Mass Wednesday at the Vatican, Pope Francis called Jacques Hamel a "good, humble man" and a martyr. "He gave his life for us so as not to deny Jesus," Francis said. "He is a martyr and martyrs are beatified." According to the Telegraph, Francis said Hamel joins a long line of Christians "who are murdered, tortured, imprisoned, have their throats slit because they do not deny Jesus Christ."

Beatification is the first step toward Catholic sainthood but typically requires a miraclethough that requirement can be waived in cases of martyrdom. Francis also reportedly said Hamel should be venerated, which would move him even closer to sainthood. In Catholicism, saints are people thought to be so holy that upon death they may convince God to perform miracles. Hamel was killed when two French citizens entered his church, made him get on his knees, then slit his throat. Before killing Hamel, the men recorded a video pledging their support to ISIS, Newsweek reports. They were killed by law enforcement as they left the church. (Read more sainthood stories.)
(Newser)  She was prisoner 79467 at Auschwitz, where she died in 1944. She was also "Scotlands Schindler," and the sole Scot listed as "righteous among the nations" at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Israel. Now, a new window into the life of Jane Haining by way of a handwritten will found in a box in the Edinburgh archives of the Church of Scotland, which she served as a missionary. The will is dated two years before the death of Haining, who worked with Jewish girls at a church-run school in Budapest. Haining defied repeated directives to return home when the war broke outwriting, "if these children need me in days of sunshine, how much more do they need me in days of darkness"and safeguarded students for four years until she was turned in by the school cook's son-in-law, whom she had chided for eating food intended for the girls, reports the National.

She was arrested for offenses that included crying upon seeing her girls bearing yellow stars, reports the Scotsman. The will "lays out what her legacies are to be and who is to receive her wireless, typewriter, fur coat, and watches," explains Rev. Ian Alexander, secretary of the Church of Scotland World Mission Council, per the Evening Times. "It is a wonderful document ... [that] gives a sense she was fully aware of the risks she was taking." The box the will was found in also contained photos of Haining with the girls; a copy of her final letter, written two days before her death at age 47; and papers detailing Bishop Laszlo Ravasz's attempts to get her released from the concentration camp, where she survived for just a few months, reports the Guardian. (This woman was deep inside the Nazi regime, still says she knows nothing.)
(Newser)  Chipotle customers are a surprisingly loyal bunch. NBC News reports a 19-year-old woman who racked up approximately $40,000 in medical bills after contracting E. coli from eating at the restaurant chain settled for an undisclosed sumand dozens of free burritos. "In 25 years of doing food-borne illness cases, Ive never had a client ask for coupons for the restaurant they had gotten sick at, the woman's lawyer, Bill Marler, tells the Denver Post. He says his client maintained her love of Chipotle through her entire ordeal and requested free food as part of the settlement. She ended up with "a couple dozen" coupons for free burritos, Marler says. He says of the 96 Chipotle victims he's represented, many have already gone back to eat at the restaurant. (Read more Chipotle stories.)
(Newser)  If you want any bus driver taking your kids to and from school, it's Renita Smith. That's likely the feeling of nearly two dozen sets of parents in Maryland's Prince George's County after Smith yanked their children off a school bus that burst into flames Monday, ABC News reports. Smith had made just a few stops on her afternoon run in College Park when she heard beeping and saw smoke. But when she stopped the bus to call for help, her heart stopped at the sight of flames in her rearview mirror. "I  undid my seatbelt, jumped up, got my babies, and got off," she says, adding that after she got all of the kids off the bus, the entire vehicle became engulfed in black smoke and flames. "I felt scared," a student on the bus tells WJLA. "I was about to cry but my brother did instead, so I helped him."

Local residents rushed to the scene to help escort the 20 schoolchildren from Glenarden Woods Elementary School to safety. But Smith, a mother of two, was still uneasy, WUSA reports. She feared one of the younger kids may have dozed off on the ride home and was still on the busso she ran back inside. "She  checked each seat to see if any of the students were left there," a resident at the scene tells ABC. "It's a fairly long bus." Fire officials say there were no injuries, per the AP, and investigators are looking into the fire, which they believe started near one of the back wheels. "My biggest reward is my babies are safe," Smith tells WUSA. "They're my children until I drop them off to their biological parents.  I did what moms do." (A sadder ending for another heroic bus driver.)
(Newser)  The death of Victoria Martens was a brutal, unthinkable assault on the innocence of childhood: The Albuquerque girl was slipped meth on her 10th birthday, raped, strangled, stabbed, and finally dismembered, before what remained of her battered body was set on fire in the bathtub of her apartmentallegedly at the hands of her mother, her mother's boyfriend, and his cousin. The life of Victoria Martens wasn't much less grim, reports the Albuquerque Journal, in a look at police documents which the newspaper notes contained details so disturbing it opted not to publish them. Victoria's mother, Michelle Martens, told police she had sought out at least three men to sexually assault her daughter; in the Journal's words, "she didn't do it for the money. She set up the sexual assaults because she enjoyed watching."

The story gets worse, with Martens telling cops that she used Plenty of Fish to seek out men, and, as one inspector wrote, "Michelle said yeah when asked if she would agree with them over the internet or over the phone that they would come over and have sex with her children." Martens has one other child; his father is seeking orders of protection against all three suspects and, per his lawyer, "will do what he needs to do to protect his son." Martens, meanwhile, told investigators that she arranged for at least two other men to rape Victoria; the Journal notes that it's unclear how long she'd been doing so. Police are reviewing a camcorder and various electronic devices seized from the apartment to see if they were used to record assaults, and say more charges could be coming. "This will be a very thorough, long investigation," says a police rep. The Journal's full story is here. (Read more murder stories.)
With just a few months left of Barack Obama's presidency, Edward Snowden and sympathetic human rights organizations are preparing to launch the "Pardon Snowden" campaign.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International both have long histories of supporting Snowden. Both believe that Snowden's acts were patriotic because they exposed mass surveillance, which amounts to a human rights violation.

Snowden has lived in exile since 2013. He appears in the US by video link and has been able to assume a relatively full life in Moscow - a stark contrast to Chelsea Manning's life in solitary confinement.

There is no indication that President Obama will grant the pardon. The White House maintains that Snowden's leaks "damaged the United States."

President Obama has previously said he welcomed the debates that resulted from the leaks and has warned about the dangers of mass surveillance. Public policy changed in response to information contained in the leaks. Snowden is trying to appeal to President Obama's sense of morality.

"Yes, there are laws on the books that say one thing, but that is perhaps why the pardon power exists - for the exceptions, for the things that may seem unlawful in letters on a page but when we look at them morally, when we look at them ethically, when we look at the results, it seems these were necessary things, these were vital things," Snowden said on Monday via a video link.

History may end up being kind to Snowden, but at this time many Americans still view him as a traitor who should pay for his crimes against his country. Espionage charges carry a sentence of up to 30 years in jail.

Snowden likely has even less of a chance of being pardoned during either a Clinton or Trump presidency. If President Obama does decide to grant the pardon, it wouldn't be the first surprise last-minute pardon in American history.
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Mumbai:

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has joined the campaign of Global Citizen initiative to support causes like education and gender equality, says he is trying to hold his own personality among the young Bollywood stars, who have also come forward to become its part.

Besides Bachchan, stars like Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, Farhan Akhtar, Katrina Kaif, Shraddha Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan support this initiative, and many of these actors will be performing with British band Coldplay in November as a part of the campaign.

The 73-year-old actor said he might be old as compared to the other stars but he will do the best he can.

The future, the present, the carrying forward and the thrust of will to move this campaign forward centred around the youth and the young... which I might add was a bit disturbing for the aged old man, trying to hold his own amongst a stronghold of the young!!! he wrote on his blog.

The Piku star said he will work towards the expansion of this campaign in the country, hoping that it should not run for too long time as the actor is old and wants to see India get rid of poverty, illiteracy and inequality in his lifetime.

It was a rewarding experience... And we shall be working toward its building and expanse... Expanse? They talked about efforts that should be made for the future 15 years to come...

Which kind of excluded me from it altogether... 15 years and if it is willed I should be well into what, 90 years...that is a tall order... 90... It shall not happen this far..., he wrote.

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Patna:

With fissures surfacing within the grand secular alliance following the sparring between RJD and JD(U), the third coalition partner Congress strongly stood behind Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and told RJD that if they are not comfortable in the coalition they could walk out.

If you feel you are not comfortable in the alliance, you are free to walk out, state Congress chief and Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary said while reacting sharply to the snide comments on Nitish some RJD leaders.

You say there is rock solid unity in the coalition and yet your leaders pass snide comments on the mukhiya (chief) of the coalition government, he said.

The Congress strong reaction came in the wake of the controversy triggered by RJD vice-president Raghubansh Prasad Singhs barb against Nitish Kumar while backing party leader Mohammad Shahabuddins utterances on him that he was a circumstantial CM.

Trashing the comments of RJD leaders, Choudhary also did not appreciate the press conference held by two senior JD(U) ministers yesterday to ring a warning bell for RJD.

We also do not appreciate the press conference held by JD(U) (to denounce RJD leaders remarks on he CM and ask Lalu Prasad to rein in errant leaders)... such things create confusion among grass root workers of the coalition, he said.

The three parties made him (Nitish) chief minister and it does not look good that any of our leaders humiliate the CM, Choudhary said.

The three secular parties JD(U), RJD and Congress had come together in Bihar as part of a strategy to keep the BJP out of power. If you think now that things are not going as per anyones wish, anybody is free to leave the grouping, he said.

With RJDS 80 MLAs, JD(U)s 71 and Congress 27 MLAs, the trio is in a coalition in Bihar. Congress has four ministers in the Nitish Kumar Cabinet.

Choudhary said he has apprised the party high command with the latest political situation in Bihar.

On Shahabuddins comments after walking out of Bhagalpur jail that Lalu Prasad was his leader and not Nitish Kumar, Choudhary saw nothing wrong in it.

Lalu Prasad is the leader of RJD, Nitish Kumar is of the JD(U) like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi is for the Congress, he said.

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Agencies :

Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav has said that he is ready to fight the assembly elections under the leadeship of party supremo Mulayam Singh.



Shivpal Yadav said this while addressing his supporters in Saifai on . "People of Uttar Pradesh are with the state government. I am ready to fight the elections under Mulayam Singh," he said.



When asked about his resignation as state minister, Yadav said he will discuss the matter with the party chief.

(Read More: Akhilesh Yadav strips uncle Shivpal Yadav of key ministerial portfolios)

The senior minister also said he will work for the party so that they can form the government in state in 2017. According to sources, Shivpal Yadavs son Ankur and wife may also resign from their posts.



An open war broke out on in Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav stripping his uncle Shivpal Yadav of key ministerial portfolios, hours after his removal as the party's state unit chief and appointment of the latter in his place.

Sharp differfences in the Yadav family came out into the open on as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav shunted Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal, barely two months after his appointment, setting off a chain of developments that saw SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav ousting his son as state party chief and replacing him with Shivpal.

(Read More: Shivpal Singh Yadav replaces Akhilesh Yadav as SPs UP unit President)

Hours after Mulayam made his brother and senior cabinet minister the UP unit head of the ruling party, in an angry retort, Akhilesh clipped his uncle's wings by stripping him of the plum PWD, irrigation and cooopetative portfolios.



"Singhal has been removed and put on wait list. Principal Secretary (Finance) Rahul Bhatnagar has been made new Chief Secretary," an official spokesman said in Lucknow.



Though no reason was cited, Samajwadi Party insiders said the Chief Minister was not happy with him as he had attended a dinner hosted by SP Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh in Delhi which Akhilesh gave a miss. Mulayam and some other top party leaders were present at the dinner.



Differences between Akhilesh and Shivpal have been reported on several occasions, including on the choice of official to be appointed as the state's chief secretary after Alok Ranjan's term ended, and stalling of Qaumi Ekta Dal's merger with SP. Shivpal was said to have shepherded the merger of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari's QED with the Samajwadi Party.



Singhal was earlier Principal Secretary (Irrigation), a department held by Shivpal.

(Read More: Sacking of ministers by CM Akhilesh mere drama: BSP president Mayawati)

Hours after Singhal was eased out as the state's top bureaucrat, Mulayam's cousin and SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav wrote to Shivpal: "SP President Mulayam Singh Yadav has appointed you as the president of the Uttar Pradesh unit. It is hoped that with your hard work, you will further strengthen the party."



A copy of the letter was also marked to Akhilesh Yadav.



Not to take it lying down, the Chief Minister immediately divested his uncle of key departments, keeping with himself the PWD portfolio and giving irrigation to minister Awadhesh Prasad and revenue and cooperatives to Balram Yadav, an official release said late .



Shivpal, who is now left with land development, water resources and social welfare ministries, is likely to resign from the cabinet. Though there was no official word from him, sources in the party said he was "most likely" to tender his resignation .



(With inputs from PTI)
New Delhi :

As Delhi reels from an outbreak of chikungunya, dengue and other mosquito-borne viral diseases, Health Minister Satyender Jain returned from Goa, where he had gone to oversee the Aam Aadmi Party's preparations for next year's assembly elections.

A dissident faction of former workers of AAP, Aam Aadmi Sena raised slogans against the health minister Satyendra Jain and removed his nameplate from his house.

(Also Read: Kejriwal govt 'missing' as Delhi fights Dengue-chikungunya outbreak)

The AAS even slammed CM Arvind Kejriwal as he is in Bangalore for his treatment.

(Also Read: Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain says 'no chikungunya outbreak'; Kejriwal blames LG, PM Modi)

The Delhi government on Tuesday put the onus on Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and the Centre for the outbreak of dengue and chikungunya in the national capital even as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues came in for criticism for remaining "absent" from the city.

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New Delhi :

Karnataka is estimated to have suffered a loss of around Rs 22,000-25,000 crore with the wide-spread agitation hitting transport services and businesses in the wake of violence over Cauvery water dispute, Assocham has said.

The industry body further said that violence in the state capital and other parts of Karnataka has "severely dented" the image of Bengaluru as the Silicon Valley of India, which is home to many of the Fortune 500 companies, making a fervent appeal for peace in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

(Also Read: Cauvery water row: Airlines waive off flight cancellation charges)

"With widespread damage to vital urban infrastructure, interruption in the transport including, roads, rail and air and inability of the workforce to safely move to and from offices and factories, Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru city, is estimated to have suffered a loss between Rs 22,000-25,000 crore due to Cauvery dispute related violence," it said.

"The way the violent incidents had spread is demoralising the business and industrial community, particularly in the capital city of Karnataka. The image that India built around Bengaluru as its 'Silicon Valley' is being sullied," Assocham Secretary General DS Rawat said.

Meanwhile, the violence in the Cauvery water dispute claimed its second life on Monday, as an uneasy calm hung over worst-hit Bengaluru amid sporadic protests in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu marked by targeted attacks.

(Also Read: Cauvery row: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah asks PM Modi to intervene)

Leading Bengaluru-based companies like TCS, Infosys, Flipkart and Amazon kept their offices shut on Tuesday.

"While the water is a basic requirement and an emotional issue, the situation is being exploited by miscreants, scaring away the peace loving workforce which has settled in both Bengaluru and Chennai from all over the country and even abroad," Rawat said.

According to Assocham, widespread loss would accrue to IT and ITeS facilities due to poor attendance for the last few days and the inter-state tourism particularly involving pilgrims and domestic travellers has been affected. Cancellation of air tickets have also been reported to and from Bengaluru, it added.

Likewise, industrial production, movement of cargo and retail trade including malls, cinema halls and restaurants have been halted.

"All these losses would run between Rs 22,000 crore and Rs 25,000 crore, besides of course immense damage to the goodwill of the state as an attractive investment destination," the chamber said.

(Also Read: Pro-Kannada activists vandalise shops and buses in Bengaluru)

It also urged the Centre to effectively monitor the situation and ensure that peace is restored in the two states.

IT, e-comm majors shut offices

A day after outbreak of violence over the issue of sharing Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu, offices of IT giants TCS, Infosys and Wipro as also e-commerce majors Flipkart and Amazon remained closed in the city on Tuesday.

Many employees were asked to work from home as the companies invoked business continuity plans to ensure there is no disruption to mission critical projects.

India's top three IT firms -- Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Wipro -- which have a significant presence in the city declared a holiday today. The three alone have over 70,000 people working at their campuses in the country's IT capital.

In an e-mailed statement, Wipro said: "Wipro has declared a holiday for employees in Karnataka on Tuesday, September 13. In lieu of this holiday, Saturday, September 17, will be a working day for offices of Wipro in the state."

It added that business continuity plans had been invoked to avoid disruption to mission critical projects.

An Amazon India spokesperson said delivery of products has been temporarily impacted owing to the current situation.

"We will resume all deliveries at the earliest. We have advised our employees to work from home today and continue to monitor developments," she added.

Flipkart Head (Supply Chain Operations) Neeraj Aggarwal said the company has stalled operations to ensure safety of its delivery staff.

"We are trying to mitigate all customer impact by keeping them informed about expected delays," he added.

One person was killed and another injured in police firing in Karnataka yesterday as the Cauvery water sharing row with Tamil Nadu turned violent, escalating tension between the two states.

Bengaluru city police, bolstered by central forces, is keeping a tight vigil, particularly in areas inhabited by Tamils and other "sensitive" localities.

Violence targeting Tamil Nadu buses and lorries and other vehicles put the city on edge yesterday and curfew was imposed in 16 police station limits last night. The entire city is under prohibitory orders till September 14.

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New Delhi :

The Defence Ministry has asked the CBI to probe allegations that kickbacks were paid in the USD 208 million Embraer aircraft deal that DRDO had struck with the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer during the UPA rule in 2008.

The Government sources said that since the allegations were of a serious nature, the CBI has been asked to probe.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had earlier this week said that, If there is a criminal angle then the CBI will probe as the Ministry cannot.

If only procedural issues are involved, then the Defence Ministry can do an internal investigation, he had said.

The deal for purchase of three Embraer aircraft during the UPA regime has kicked up dust with US authorities going into alleged payment of kickbacks.

The deal has come under the scanner of the US Justice Department which has been probing Embraer for alleged payment of bribes to secure contracts.

DRDO has already sought a report from the Brazilian firm, which has said it has been looking into graft allegations over the last five years.

The deal was signed in 2008 between Embraer and the DRDO for three aircraft equipped with indigenous radars for AEW&C (airborne early warning and control systems).

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Kolkata:

With the formal handing over of the land parchas to the farmers of Singur, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee is set to honour her promise of giving land back to them.

The West Bengal chief minister had made the promise during the 2011 Assembly polls campaigning, at the height of the Singur movement, against forcible land acquisition by the erstwhile Left Front government in the state.

Although, Banerjee, after coming to power, had taken administrative steps to return the land to the unwilling farmers, those where challenged in the court of law.

After a prolonged legal battle, the Supreme Court, on August 31, ruled that the land acquisition process in Singur was faulty and directed that it be returned to the farmers within 12 weeks.

When the parchas are distributed among 9,117 farmers on Wednesday, Banerjee can take comfort in the fact that her stance on land acquisition stands vindicated.

Of the total 997 acres of land in Singur, the district administration has completed the survey and demarcation work for 620 acres and 800 cheques are ready for distribution among the land-owners, Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat.

She said altogether, 9,117 parchas were ready for distribution among the farmers on September 14 when Singur Diwas would be observed.

Singur holds a special place in Banerjees political career as it was on this issue that she had held a 26-day fast in 2010.

TMC vice-president Mukul Roy told PTI, When the chief minister hands over the land parchas on Wednesday, it will show that Mamata Banerjee and the TMC know how to keep their promises. We are not like other political parties who forget their promises after coming to power. It will also establish that our stand on forcible land acquisition was correct.

Another senior TMC leader said, We honour our political promises and Singur is the biggest example of that. This is the Bengal model we hope to propagate throughout the country before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

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Saifai (UP):

The feud within the ruling SP family has given a golden chance to the opposition to salvo five at the state government. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, slammed the SP government and said tyre of cycle is already punctured, yesterday Akhilesh Yadav ji threw the wheel out.

Live Coverage:

# Tyre of cycle is already punctured, yesterday Akhilesh Yadav ji threw the wheel out: Rahul Gandhi

# Just few days before the polls, Akhilesh wants to repair the cycle but it will not be done: Rahul

Rahul Gandhi: Chunav say kuch maheene pehle Akhilesh cycle (mascot of SP) theek karna chahtay hain, voh toh hogi nai pic.twitter.com/5tUGLD3FBY  ANI (@ANI_news) September 14, 2016

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, amid an all-out war with his uncle and senior Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav, said on Wednesday that "It's a fight in government, not in family."

# CM Akhilesh Yadav cancels all meetings scheduled for today, reaches his Kalidas Marg residence

# Some decisions were taken with consultation with Netaji (Mulayam Singh) & some I took on my own: Akhilesh Yadav, CM UP

# Where have you found a family fight? This is a fight in government, not a family fight: Akhilesh Yadav

# As far as family is concerned, everyone abides by what 'netaji' (Mulayam Singh Yadav) says and will accept his words: Akhilesh Yadav.

#WATCH Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav says "This is a fight in Govt, not family" amid reports of rift in family pic.twitter.com/IHRS2h2t44  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

Earlier in the day, senior Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav, who was stripped of key portfolios by his nephew and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, on Wednesday said giving and taking portfolios is the discretion of the CM and he will abide by the decision of Mulayam Singh Yadav.

# Asked about his future course of action, Shivpal said, "I will talk to netaji. People of the state have full faith in netaji and the Samajwadi Party".

# "It is the discretion of CM to give (or take) portfolios and remove officers and keep his advisors. I will follow netaji's directions and will fulfill responsibilities given by him," he told reporters when asked about speculation on his resignation.

# "I will be going to Lucknow and discuss (with party workers). We will fight elections together," he said.

# Over thousand of supporters of Shivpal gathered outside his residence in Saifai and the PWD guest house to express solidarity with him as speculation was rife that he might resign.

Vibaag lena ya dena CM ka adhikaar hota hai: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/s7YXV34DdW

 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

Netaji se baat karne ke baad hi kuch nirnay lenge: Shivpal Yadav on if he will resign as state minister  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

Uttar Pradesh ki janta Netaji aur Samajwadi party ke saath hai: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/8elZ9aq637  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

Netaji jo bhi faisla lenge vo hume sweekar hai: Shivpal Yadav addressing supporters in Saifai pic.twitter.com/s604rgkh3f  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 14, 2016

What happened on Tuesday

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had on Tuesday stripped his uncle Shivpal Yadav of key ministerial portfolios, hours after his removal as the party's state unit chief and appointment of the latter in his place.

Sharp differences in the Yadav family came out into the open as the Chief Minister shunted Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal, barely two months after his appointment, setting off a chain of developments that saw the SP supremo ousting his son as state party chief and replacing him with Shivpal.

Hours after Mulayam made his brother and senior cabinet minister the UP unit head of the ruling party, in an angry retort, Akhilesh clipped his uncle's wings by stripping him of the plum PWD, irrigation and cooperative portfolios.

Differences between Akhilesh and Shivpal

Differences between the chief minister and his uncle have been reported on several occasions, including on the choice of official to be appointed as the state's chief secretary after Alok Ranjan's term ended, and stalling of Qaumi Ekta Dal's merger with SP.

Shivpal was said to have shepherded the merger of Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari's QED with the Samajwadi Party.

Singhal was earlier Principal Secretary (Irrigation), a department held by Shivpal.

Hours after Singhal was eased out as the state's top bureaucrat, Mulayam's cousin and SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav wrote to Shivpal, "SP President Mulayam Singh Yadav has appointed you as the president of the Uttar Pradesh unit. It is hoped that with your hard work, you will further strengthen the party."

A copy of the letter was also marked to Akhilesh Yadav. Shivpal is now left with land development, water resources and social welfare ministries.

(With inputs from PTI)

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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear on Thursday a plea seeking direction to the Centre, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain law and order in these two states witnessing violent protests in the wake of a row over distribution of Cauvery water.

"Let it be listed tomorrow (Thursday) before the bench which is hearing it," a bench comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and AM Khanwilkar said.

Also Read: Bengaluru's 'Silicon Valley' image sullied by Cauvery water protests; Karnataka suffers loss of Rs 25,000 cr

Senior advocate Adish Aggarwala, appearing for P Shivakumar, sought urgent hearing of the PIL saying that tomorrow (Thursday) there is a state-wide bandh in Karnataka and, a day after, Tamil Nadu will have same kind of protest across that state.

He said the states be directed to take prompt action against the protesters to maintain law and order and provide security to private and public properties and the citizens of both the states.

Also Read:Pro-Kannada activists vandalise shops and buses in Bengaluru; security deployed near Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar's statue

Shivakumar, who claims to be a social activist, has also sought a direction that the leaders of the protest be held accountable for the damage caused to the properties and be asked to pay up for them.

On September 12, the apex court modified its earlier order on sharing of Cauvery water and directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs instead of 15,000 cusecs per day till September 20 to Tamil Nadu.

Rejecting Karnataka's plea seeking placing in abeyance for its earlier order, the court asked the executives to ensure compliance.

The apex court bench was critical of the language used in the fresh plea of Karnataka seeking to keep in abeyance the September 5 order asking it to release 15,000 cusecs water per day to Tamil Nadu.

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New Delhi:

In a major boost to their energy ties, India and Russia on Tuesday launched a working group for creating an energy bridge for a possible direct gas delivery from Russia and also directed their concerned ministries to finalise concrete outcomes in key areas of trade and investment by the next months summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The discussions were held during the 22nd Indo-Russia inter-Governmental Commission meeting today which were co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.

The Intergovernmental Commission reviewed the preparations for the forthcoming India-Russia Annual Summit to be held in Goa on 15 October 2016.

While expressing satisfaction at the progress made in regard to some projects, the Commission also directed concerned Ministries and departments to focus on key sectors in the trade and investment spheres to finalise concrete outcomes by the forthcoming summit in October 2016, MEA said after the meeting.

Noting that there has been substantial progress on the investment front with expanding cooperation in oil and gas sphere, MEA in a release said Indian and Russian oil and gas companies are working towards finalisation of investments in each others countries.

Both sides launched an industry level Working Group - led by Gazprom, biggest Russian gas company, and a consortium of Indian oil and gas companies- for creating an energy bridge between the two countries through possible gas pipelines for direct gas delivery from Russia to India, it said.

India and Russia reiterated their strong desire to further broaden their strategic cooperation with emphasis on key sectors such as nuclear energy, space, modernisation, high technology, disaster management, and supercomputing.

Asserting that a new milestone was recently achieved in the India-Russia cooperation in nuclear energy with the dedication of Unit 1 of the Kudankulam nuclear power project by Modi and Putin last month, it said the two sides renewed their commitment to work together on remaining stages of Kudankulam 2,3,4,5 and 6; and other projects through localisation under the Make in India programme.

Stating that connectivity was a major theme of discussion during the meeting, it noted that implementation of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project and the launch of the Green Corridor project for customs facilitation are major steps towards better connectivity and trade facilitation.

Cooperation between Indian and Russian railways in the field of dedicated freight corridor, modernisation of railway stations, and training of railway personnel emerged as a new area to broaden cooperation in transports and logistics, it added.

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Bengaluru:

Bengaluru bounced back to normal on Wednesday after it witnessed widespread violence over the Cauvery water sharing row with neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Curfew was lifted in all 16 police station limits.

The countrys IT capital bustled with activity with transport vehicles and the Metro back in service and commercial establishments and schools and colleges reopening.



Curfew has been lifted in all 16 police station limits of Bengaluru city from 9 AM today, City Police Commissioner N S Megharikh tweeted.



Curfew was clamped on the night of Sept 12 after violence erupted with dozens of buses and lorries with Tamil Nadu registration being set on fire as mobs let out their fury over reports of some incidents of attack on Kannadigas and their property in the neighbouring state.



The violence had also erupted within hours after the Supreme Court modified its September 5 order and asked Karnataka to release a reduced quantum of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.



In its September 5 order, the apex court has directed the state to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water for 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers of the neighbouring state.



Though curfew was lifted, officials said prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC will continue until further orders as a precautionary measure.



....peace has been restored, there is peaceful atmosphere where people can come out of their homes, state Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters here after touring violence-hit areas along with senior police officials.



Megharik said, There is no question of rail roko. Though we have lifted curfew in some parts of the city, section 144 is still on. Therefore, there is no question of rail roko or any kind of protest in coming days.



He said the police has not given any permission for pro-Kannada leader Vatal Nagarajs party to stage rail roko tomorrow.



As many as 350 people had been rounded up and investigations are on to find out the culprits who indulged in violence.



The Cauvery unrest has claimed two lives in the city. One person had died in police firing on Monday while another succumbed to injuries he suffered while fleeing police lathicharge as he jumped in panic from a three-storey building.



In Mandya, the epicentre of Cauvery agitation, Tamils took out a procession in the city and protested against the Supreme Court verdict, carrying empty vessels.



The residents of a Tamil colony also condemned some incidents of attacks on Kannadigas and their property in Tamil Nadu and appealed to the neighbouring state Chief Minister to ensure safety of Kannadigas living there.



The Rythara hithrakshana samithee, (committee for protection of farmers interests) headed by G. Madegowda, which is spearheading the Cauvery stir, staged a dharna and said they have no other option but to continue their protests till water release to Tamil Nadu stops.

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Singur:

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerje handed over 800 compensation cheques to farmers in Singur. Land had been taken against farmers will for the Tata Motors Nano project.

The West Bengal chief minister had made the promise during the 2011 Assembly polls campaigning, at the height of the Singur movement, against forcible land acquisition by the erstwhile Left Front government in the state.

Although, Banerjee, after coming to power, had taken administrative steps to return the land to the unwilling farmers, those where challenged in the court of law.

After a prolonged legal battle, the Supreme Court, on August 31, ruled that the land acquisition process in Singur was faulty and directed that it be returned to the farmers within 12 weeks.

With the formal handing over of the land parchas to the farmers of Singur, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee has honoured her promise of giving land back to them.

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New Delhi:

A PhD scholar from Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JNU) was arrested by the Delhi Police on Wednesday for allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman on the pretext of marriage. An FIR has been filed at Vasant Kunj Police Station against the accused Ajay Singh, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, as confirmed by the DCP, ANI reported. The case has been registered under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Ajay Singh, who is pursuing PhD at JNU, was arrested after the victim recorded her statement against him south Delhi's Vasant Kunj police station.



According to police, the accused was known to the victim since 2008. "The girl had come to Delhi in 2010 and they were in relationship since then. Despite repeated requests from the victim, Singh was not marrying her, hence she approached the police," the police officer said.

Last month, JNU had suspended another PhD scholar, who was accused of rape by a fellow student. A 28-year-old research student had alleged that a fellow student, Anmol Ratan, raped her after offering her a spiked drink in his hostel room in the university on August 20.

Ratan, an activist of the left-affiliated All India Students' Association (AISA), was also expelled from the student outfit and police have booked him.

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Madurai:

The Madras High Court bench here on Wednesday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of expelled AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP Sasikala Pushpa and her three family members in a sexual harassment case, holding that the nature of charges against them was severe and their custodial interrogation was required.

Justice V M Velumani rejected the petitions filed by Puspha, her husband R Lingeswara Thilagam, son Pradeep Raja and her mother R Gowri, who apprehended arrest in the case filed by the police in Tuticorin District on a complaint by the MPs two women domestic aides.

Since the nature and gravity of charges are high and severe, there was a possibility of them absconding and tampering with the witness if granted bail, the Judge, who had on August 29 reserved orders on the bail petitions, said.

The custodial interrogation of the petitioners was necessary in order to find out the truth, the judge said.

The four are facing charges under various IPC sections and also POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act for allegedly sexually harassing the domestic women aides.

The defacto complainants apprehension that with their character, behavior, means and position and status,the accused may tamper with the witness was with reason, the judge said adding there was a possibility of them influencing the complainants.

Rejecting the contention of the counsel for the petitioners, the court also said the case had been registered under POCSO Act as per law.

The judge said the petitioners had submitted forged documents while filing the petitions in the court and that made a separate offence.

They have used forged documents before the court. Forgery has been done outside the court, she said and directed the registrar (Judicial) to give a complaint regarding the same to local police which should investigate and take action according to law.

During the previous hearing, the Judge had asked Sasikala to explain as to how she had signed the vakalatnama (power of attorney) by remaining in a foreign country, a doubt raised earlier by the state Advocate General.

Pushpa had then said the signature in the vakalatnama was her own and that her husband came and collected her signature and gave it to her advocate.

On August 26, the Supreme Court had granted protection from arrest to Sasikala for six weeks in the case and said the high court would expeditiously decide her anticipatory bail application, uninfluenced by its decision.

The MP was expelled from AIADMK after an alleged altercation with DMK MP Tiruchi Siva at the Delhi airport.

Since then she has alleged that she was being threatened into resigning from her post.

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New Delhi:

Police has registered a case in connection with alleged threating calls received by mediaperson Dipak Chaurasia after his phone number was tweeted by AAP minister Kapil Mishra.

"A criminal case under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 507( criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication), 509( word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 354D (stalking), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC has been registered at Safdarjung Enclave on the complaint of Anusuiya Roy, wife of Deepak Chaurasia Editor in Chief, India News," said a senior police officer.

Roy alleged that on the intervening night of September 13-14 between 11 PM and 4 AM, Chaurasia received threatening calls and messages from unknown numbers. The complaint also mentioned that the calls and messages started after Mishra tweeted Chaurasia's phone number.

"Investigation has been taken up. Serious efforts are on to identify the culprits. The calls on Chaurasia's number were made from India as well as abroad including Canada and the numbers are being verified," said the officer. "We have registered the case against unknown persons only and the name of the minister is not there in the FIR," the officer added.

The incident happened after the numbers of the Chief Minister and Delhi government ministers were flashed in a programme on Chikungunya hosted by Chaurasia on his channel. Afterwards, Kapil Mishra retaliated by tweeting Chaurasia's number on his own twitter handle.

"Dear Dipak Chaurasia you just showed my personal number on your channel. I think this should not be one sided affair so I will share both your numbers. Enjoy," Mishra tweeted before giving the number on his handle asking followers to retweet the numbers. Later, however, he deleted his tweet containing Chaurasia's numbers.
New Delhi:

In a stern message to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on Wednesday called for an end to all support, sponsorship and safe havens to terrorists and decided to strengthen security and defence cooperation.

During their talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism for achieving political objectives in the region as the two leaders had extensive discussions on the regional and bilateral issues.

Reiterating Indias abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, Modi conveyed the countrys readiness to consider further requirements for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

To this end, the Prime Minister offered that, as a close neighbour and friend of Afghanistan and its people, India would allocate a sum of USD 1 billion, a joint statement said.

After the talks, the two sides inked three agreements - Extradition Treaty, cooperation in civil and commercial matters and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Briefing the reporters, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives.

They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond.

Stressing that elimination of all forms of terrorism, without any discrimination, is essential, the leaders called upon the concerned to put an end to all sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including for those who target Afghanistan and India. However, they did not name Pakistan.

Asked if India conceded to long-pending demand of Afghanistan for stepped up defence supply, Jaishankar said, Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement.

However, the Foreign Secretary did not give any further details and only noted that this was discussed during the recent visit of the Afghanistans Chief of Army Staff to India.

The Prime Minister also proposed to supply world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments.

Jaishankar also talked about Indias offer of supplying 1.75 lakh tonne of wheat to Afghanistan, which was suffering shortage. India wanted to supply the wheat and it made a request months back to Pakistan for the transit, he said, adding we have not received any response.

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New Delhi:

The much anticipated contract for 36 Rafale fighter jets is likely to be sealed soon as both the countries have finalised the details for the deal which will cost about Euro 7.87 billion.

1. $8.83 billion Rafale deal for 36 fighter jets likely to be inked soon

Government sources said the cost, offsets and service details have been finalised and the work is being done on the Inter-Governmental Agreement for the deal. A working team from France is already in town with their own translators and are going through the contract, running into several thousand pages, with their Indian counterparts.

2. Won't resign, will follow Mulayam's directions, says Shivpal Yadav

After open strife in the ruling Yadav clan pushed Uttar Pradesh into political crisis, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadavs uncle Shivpal Yadav, who was stripped of key portfolios, said on Wednesday that he will not resign.

3. Siwan public, journalists know that I am not a criminal, says wanted Sharp Shooter Kaif

In an interview to ANI, alleged shooter Mohammad Kaif has said that the accusation (murder of Rajdev Ranjan) is false. Accused Sharpshooter claimed that he is just a normal supporter and wants to join politics.

4. Delhi Police arrests JNU PhD scholar for allegedly raping woman on pretext of marriage

A PhD scholar from Jawahar Lal Nehru (JNU) University was arrested by the Delhi Police on Wednesday for allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman on the pretext of marriage.

5. Gaia space probe maps more than a billion stars in Milky Way, matches the count of Indias population

So how many stars do you think are there in the milky way? A few lakhs, a few millions? You may run out of count but the European space agency has the answer for you.





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New Delhi:

The spouse of slain scribe Rajdev Ranjan on Wednesday moved Supreme Court seeking transfer of probe and trial in the murder case to Delhi from Siwan in Bihar. She has alleged that media reports have shown two absconding killers of her husband in the company of recently-released RJD leader Shahabuddin and Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav.



The furore over the release of the RJD strongman from Siwan has now reached the apex court through various petitions.



Asha Ranjan, wife of Rajdev Ranjan who has filed the plea through advocate Kislay Panday, has sought reliefs including a direction to CBI, to which probe has been transferred, to take up the investigation forthwith in view of the fact that the proclaimed offenders, Mohd Kaif and Mohd Javed, have been spotted with Shahabuddin and the state Health Minister, where several cops were also present.



Simultaneously, Chandrakeshwar Prasad of Siwan, whose three of four sons were allegedly murdered by the gangster-turned-politician, would tomorrow file an appeal in the apex court challenging Patna High Courts order granting bail to the former RJD MP through his lawyer Prashant Bhushan.



The scribe, working with a vernacular daily, was shot dead on the evening of May 13 in Siwan town by some sharp-shooters allegedly at the instance of then jailed RJD leader, the plea alleged, adding that despite being named by the family of the journalist, Siwan police did not name Shahabuddin in the FIR as a key conspirator.



The plea also alleged that CBI, to which the case was handed over on May 16 by Bihar government, was yet take it up.



Besides Bihar government, the plea has made Superintendent of Police of Siwan, Shahabuddin and Tej Pratap, minister son of RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad, as parties.



The local police is harbouring and criminally colluding with the proclaimed offenders. If police is deliberately not arresting Kaif and the Health Minister is taking photographs with the proclaimed offenders, the life of Rajdeo Ranjans wife and her two minor children is at stake, Panday said.



It has been alleged that the RJD leader was irked over some reports by the slain journalist on the issue of murder of three sons of Chandrakeshwar Prasad. The leader has been convicted and awarded life term in one of the cases.



At this stage the petitioner has felt very insecure, terrorised and helpless with regard to the safety and security of her own self and of her two children..., it said.

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Dissecting the written word

From:chinadaily.com.cn | 2016-09-14 08:46

Swedish Sinologist Cecilia Lindqvist's Characters Kingdom explores Chinese characters and their development. The book has been translated into 14 languages, and a new Chinese edition (above) specifically for children came out recently. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Cecilia Lindqvist, who was in Beijing to receive the Special Book Award of China, speaks of her love for written Chinese characters, the guqin and experiences on the mainland. Yang Yang reports.

When a friend, a middle-aged Chinese man from Xi'an, heard that I was going to meet Cecilia Lindqvist in Beijing last month, he told me to thank her because both his children grew up reading Characters Kingdom.

The 84-year-old Swedish Sinologist was in Beijing to receive the Special Book Award of China.

In Sweden, Lindqvist's books on China have also won book awards.

Both Characters Kingdom, published in 1989, and Qin, published in 2006, have won the August Award.

And her latest book Another World, published last year, won the Strindberg Award.

Characters Kingdom has been translated into 14 languages, including Chinese.

A new edition specifically for children came out recently, the eighth one since it was first published in China in 1998. And a new edition of Qin will reportedly to come out soon.

Another World, based on her life in Beijing in the early 1960s, has also been translated into Chinese.

Although she now uses a walking stick due to knee surgery, and was exhausted by a long and tight schedule when she was in Beijing recently, she was full of passion when speaking at an event about Chinese characters in her book, the guqin (a seven-stringed plucked instrument similar to the zither) and her other experiences in China.

One of the written Chinese characters she spoke about was  (bamboo).

First, she mimicked the sound that is created when a strong wind blows through bamboo.

Later, she says: "Bamboo is very strong. When the wind blows, the bamboo just leans. But big trees like oak fall because they fight the wind. Bamboo does not. The Chinese say when times are difficult, lie low and wait, and better times will come."

Swedish Sinologist Cecilia Lindqvist's Characters Kingdom explores Chinese characters and their development. The book has been translated into 14 languages, and a new Chinese edition (above) specifically for children came out recently. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Lindqvist, who spoke mainly English peppered with some Chinese, apologized to her listeners that she could not speak Chinese as fluently as before because it was a long time since she had spoken the language.

Lindqvist's interest in China was first sparked at the age of 5 or 6, when her mother showed her an oiled-paper umbrella brought to Sweden by a friend from the Far East.

Later, during a nine-year period spent at university, she attended lectures by famous Swedish Sinologist Bernhard Karlgren on ancient Chinese philosophers, such as Confucius and Laozi.

Karlgren often showed his students how a Chinese character was written on oracle bones and bronze ware in ancient times, and how the characters had developed through history.

Karlgren's strong interest in the structure of characters influenced Lindqvist greatly.

So, in 1961, when Lindqvist's husband was posted at the Swedish embassy in China, she traveled along and enrolled in Peking University.

At the university, her Chinese teachers told her to memorize everything, instead of telling her why, so she tried to seek solutions herself.

However, her life changed when she started learning to play the guqin at the Beijing Guqin Research Association in a courtyard beside the Huguo Temple.

There were 11 masters there and she was the only student because at that time the guqin was seen as outdated.

Recalling those masters, she says: "They were the most elegant and cultured people I've ever met."

In 1962, Lindqvist returned to Sweden as her husband's posting in China ended.

Cecilia Lindqvist,Swedish Sinologist. [Photo provided to China Daily]

But, before she left - in order to continue studying the guqin in Sweden - she bought a recorder from Hong Kong and the 11 teachers recorded 23 pieces of guqin music for her.

They also gave her a guqin from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1683) because it was impossible to buy one anywhere.

In 1971, Linqvist started teaching Chinese at a high school in Sweden.

Like her teacher, Karlgren, she told the students about the origin, development and structure of Chinese characters by showing them pictures of oracle bones and bronze scripts.

But during her teaching stint she often found the existing material was very limited and could not answer many of her questions. So she kept a close eye on the new archeological discoveries then being made in China.

In the 1970s and 1980s, China was on a building spree, and many archeological sites were being discovered as the ground was being excavated for the new structures.

Lindqvist then returned to China to visit some of the sites to see how the new discoveries related to her studies.

She also traveled extensively to discover the origins of characters.

In the course of her travels, she even went to a silk factory in Suzhou, the hometown of silk, and saw women there producing silk fiber from silkworm cocoons that were immersed in water.

Recalling her visit, she says: "I saw then how the ancient character silk had evolved."

Speaking about how the idea of writing Characters Kingdom developed, she says that, at first, she wanted to write an academic book about characters. "I thought I had found an interesting topic." But gradually she found that academic circles did not really "appreciate what you've done. They just criticized what you got wrong."

So, she - based on her teaching experience - wrote a book about 266 Chinese characters with more than 500 pictures to show the origin and development of the characters.

A great storyteller, she began the book with people, people's faces and bodies, and then the places where they lived, the natural surroundings like mountains, rivers and forests. From there, she moved on to animals, wild and domesticated, such as dogs, sheep and horses.

The characters included in the book range from those related to clothes and vehicles to architecture.

"I chose characters that interested me, and through them I can tell a lot about Chinese culture and people's lives," she says.

Sometimes, she explains the structures of characters from a modern Western perspective, like in the cases of  (slave) and  (angry).

" consists of a woman and a hand, possibly implying the woman has to do a lot of work at home. And , with a  on a heart could reflect the reaction of women to the life they were forced to live," she writes in the book.

Lindqvist, who took 15 years to write the book, visited China more than 50 times for research.

She saw Chinese characters everywhere. "All through, it was wonderful for me. It took a long time. But it has become some kind of a way of living," she says.

Contact the writer at yangyang@chinadaily.com.cn
Special concert at Dajue Temple will celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival

From:chinadaily.com.cn | 2016-09-14 13:45

A concert highlighting a mix of the guqin and Kunqu Opera will be held at Minghui Tea House in Beijing's Dajue Temple on Sept 16 during Mid-Autumn Festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The guqin, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, and Kunqu Opera are listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. A concert highlighting a mix of the two will be held at Minghui Tea House in Beijing's Dajue Temple on Friday during Mid-Autumn Festival.

Songs from the Kunqu Opera, The Peony Pavilion, rendered on traditional musical instruments like the guqin, bamboo flute and pipa, are rare. Kunqu Opera is mild and sweet while the sound of the guqin is deep and thought-provoking. But it will be achieved at the concert. Besides music, the event will feature commentary from scholars. The audience can experience the life of ancient literati by enjoying the music while sipping tea.

Since the guqin's admission onto the rolls of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003, the Minghui Tea House has held an annual guqin concert. This year marks the 400th year since the death of playwright Tang Xianzu, who wrote The Peony Pavilion. So the concert is also a tribute to the literary giant and traditional art.

A concert highlighting a mix of theguqinand Kunqu Opera will be held at Minghui Tea House in Beijing's Dajue Temple on Sept 16 during Mid-Autumn Festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yang Qing, the concerts art director, sees it as a small step in his music innovation, but a big step for traditional Chinese culture in the new era.

According to Liu Zhen, a member of the Chinese National Academy of Arts, guqin is not boring or stiff, it's transcendental. It's inherently consistent with Kunqu Opera, and these are important parts of our spiritual world.

If you love traditional art and want to spend a meaningful holiday, it might be a good idea to visit the Dajue Temple.
Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, the 78-year-old sister of Republician presidential candidate Donald Trump, has given Fairfield University a $4 million gift.

Barry, a senior judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, is a longtime supporter of, and 2011 honorary degree recipient from, the university.

The annoucement of her gift was made Wednesday by the Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, president of Fairfield University. The gift will fund scholarships to enable young people to pursue an education at Fairfield, and will permanently endow Fairfields Center for Ignatian Spirituality.

Barry, a strong advocate of Jesuit education, said she made the gift to express gratitude to von Arx for all he accomplished during his 12 years as president. Von Arx will be leaving Fairfield at the end of 2016 to become Superior of the Jesuit community at Lafarge House in Cambridge, Mass.

I am sad for this loss to Fairfield, Barry said in a release from the university, and pray for the continuation of the Jesuit mission and the Jesuit identity, which Father von Arx has not only preserved, but has so successfully championed over these 12 years.

My gifts to causes in which I believe have almost always been anonymous, she said. I make a rare exception here because I have been so moved by the difference that Father von Arx and his presidency have made in so many ways in the lives of so many young people, and because I believe that, in founding the Center for Ignatian Spirituality in 2014, Father von Arx has assured that Ignatian spirituality will guide those at Fairfield, and even worldwide, who seek the gift it so uniquely can provide, while it continues to inform and influence the environment of learning at Fairfield.

I am truly honored and humbled by Judge Barrys gift, von Arx said in a statement. The scholarships make possible the dreams of many worthy young men and women, and the Center will help meet the needs of todays world, while renewing the formative prayer tradition at the heart of the mission of the Society of Jesus; indeed, the mission of the Center is to provide spiritual direction to the community, and to train spiritual directors  both lay and religious  in the tradition of Ignatian prayer.
/ Western Connecticut State University

DANBURY - A Western Connecticut State University professors $1.6 million federal grant to study Lyme disease prevention is the largest research grant in university history, according to a release.

Neeta Connally, an assistant professor of biological and environmental science, was granted the four-year award from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find ways to prevent ticks from spreading Lyme disease, the release said.
UPDATE: The couple has been found and the photographer, Mike Karas, has been in touch with them about the photo. Click here to read more about what happened.

ORIGINAL STORY: A Yosemite tourist is turning to social media to find a couple who are the subject of what is one of the more epic wedding photos we've seen in awhile.
Chinese and foreigners celebrate 60th anniversary of SPAFFC

By:Wang Jiaye | From:english.eastday.com | 2016-09-12 19:35

Online celebration of SPAFFCs birthday was launched.

On September 12, 2016, Chinese and foreign citizens attended a gathering of Glorious 60 Years  Celebration of the 60th Anniversaryof Shanghai Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SPAFFC) at Caoyang No. 2 High School in Putuo district. Online celebration of the organizations birthday was launched simultaneously.

Chinese version >>

Japanese version >>

online celebration: http://shyx60.eastday.com

A 51-member delegation of the Federazione Balestrieri di San Marino (FBS) also joined the event. Chen Yin, Shanghai vice-mayor, Song Jingwu, vice-president of the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Zhou Muyao, former Shanghai vice-mayor and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal Peoples Congress, Zhang Xiaosong, director general of the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office and president of SPAFFC, Shi Xiaolin, secretary of the CPC Shanghai Putuo District Committee, and Gian Franco Terenzi, president of San Marino-China Friendship Association, were present and delivered speeches at the celebration, which was jointly sponsored by SPAFFC, Putuo District Peoples Government and Shanghai Orient Webcasting Co.,Ltd.

Xu Shiping, president and chief editor of Eastdayand Gao Binxiang, vice president also attended today's event. Eastday and SPAFFC signed a strategic cooperation agreement this March, carrying out comprehensive and substantive cooperation in the fields of international communication, brand building, special projects and people-to-people exchanges.

Song Jingwu, vice-president of the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries delivered a speech.

Zhang Xiaosong, director general of the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office and president of SPAFFC delivered a speech.

Putuo district mayor Zhou Minhao delivered a speech.

Gian Franco Terenzi, president of San Marino-China Friendship Association delivered a speech.

SPAFFC is a peoples organization, which organizes and conducts city-level people-to-people exchange with foreign countries and regions, and which turns 60 in 2016. Coincidentally, this year also marks the 60th birthday of the Federazione Balestrieri di San Marino, whose delegation is in town on a visit now. Both organizations have traversed a path with shining glory.

In his remarks, Song Jingwu called people-to-people diplomacy an important part of the total diplomacy of China. Shanghai, as an important stage for people-to-people diplomacy of the country, participated in and witnessed a series of historical events, in which the relationship between New China and foreign countries steadily developed and vigorously moved forward.

The San Marino delegation gave an exotic flag-waving show.

Zhang Xiaosong said in the speech that when the SPAFFC sets out on a new journey, all our friends at home and overseas are with us and let us work harder and persist in innovation and change in widening our cooperation platform, enhancing learning from each other in exchange between civilizations and telling well the marvelous stories about China and Shanghai.

SPAFFC, fully utilizing the advantages of people-to-people diplomacy andtheunique resources the city has, has forged profound friendship with a great number of foreign countries and friendship organizations, providingan important popular foundation for Chinas total diplomacy. Also, it has played a significant role in the economic and social development of Shanghai and China at large through exchange and cooperation in various areas, he added.

The students of Caoyang No. 2 High School put on Chinese martial arts performances.

Gian Franco Terenzi extended congratulations to SPAFFC on its 60th birthday, saying that it has gathered so many countries and made outstanding contributions to promoting cultural & art exchange, peace between countries and understanding and friendship between the peoples.

Putuo district mayor Zhou Minhao said in his remarks that Putuo District has actively responded to the country's overall diplomacy needs, and carried out non-governmental grassroots-level exchanges. Through story-telling the development of the district, Putuo presents to the world the districts image, and boost the districts socioeconomic development.

Putuo residents put on dance performances.

At the celebration, Putuo residents and the students of Caoyang No. 2 High School put on dance and Chinese martial arts performances, while the San Marino delegation gave an exotic flag-waving show.

On the same day, the San Marino delegation, a New Zealand writers delegation and a Singaporean artists delegation visited Caoyang No. 2 High School, Putuo District Hospital, a village history museum, a farm produce market and a community cultural center. Some delegation members were also invited to visit the homes of residents in Caoyang, the first community to be engaged in cultural exchange with foreign visitors in Shanghai.

Online celebration address

Over the past six decades, SPAFFC has carried out with overseas friendly organizations a wide range of exchanges and cooperation in the political, economic, financial, cultural, art, educational, scientific & technological, municipal, transportation, legal, health, youth, women, elderly, civil affairs and welfare areas. Receiving cumulatively 10,000 foreign delegations totaling 120,000 international friends during the period and maintaining exchange and cooperation with 345 foreign organizations in 100 countries, it has effectively boosted the economic, trade, scientific & technological, cultural, sports, medical & health, social welfare, youth, historical and personnel cooperation between Shanghai and different parts of the world and contributed to world peace and Shanghais economic and social development.
WASHINGTON  Proponents of the prospective Ag-STEM project at Region 12 schools came out in force at a Board of Education meeting Monday, pushing back against recent criticism of the project.

Get shovel ready, several residents of Washington, Roxbury and Bridgewater told the board. The district should do everything they can to make the project work, they added, regardless of cost concerns.

They voted for the Ag-STEM program last November, and no matter how impassioned doubters  who rallied against the board and Ag-STEM for 45 minutes at the last BOE meeting  may be, the majority of Region 12 residents are still firmly behind the project, Ag-STEM advocates said.

Residents voted to build Ag-STEM additions the Shepaug Valley School by a 2-to-1 margin in a November 2015 referendum. School officials and Ag-STEM proponents think the additions will attract enough out-of-district students to keep the school district alive in the face of dwindling enrollment.

More than a dozen Region 12 residents declared that the Ag-STEM project, although it is now stalled after the state delayed a $29 million bond that would have paid for much of the $39.5 million project, is still the only viable way to save the region which has long struggled with low enrollment.

Among the Ag-STEM advocates were middle-aged folks whose children had already left the school district, elderly citizens, and young parents, all of whom said the project is likely the only way to save the school district.

The project is currently stalled because the state Department of Education and the state Department of Administrative Services have raised concerns that the boards prospective enrollment numbers for the Ag-STEM school are off, and that the BOE and design firm Kaestle Boos Associates have requested too much square-footage per student in the prospective build.

The next step in the Ag-STEM project is a BOE Building Committee meeting that will decide how to spend up to $30,000 on Kaestle Boos in the hopes of physically shrinking the proposed campus additions.

A date for that building committee meeting has yet to be set.

Ag-STEM doubters say the Ag-STEM project plans are flawed to the point of disrepair, and that school officials have puffed-up enrollment numbers and been disingenuous in their attempts to keep the project on track.

If the Ag-STEM project happens, doubters say, taxpayers will be on the hook for much of the $39.5 million spent on the project.

Project advocates said that no matter what the BOE is dealing with on the state level, the board should continue to make Ag-STEM happen.

Several Ag-STEM proponents said that the issue isnt a dollars and cents affair. The Ag-STEM project should be green-lit even if prospective enrollment numbers are murky, and taxpayers might have to pay more money in the end, they said.

This project is about our community and our children, not numbers, said an Ag-STEM advocate as she cradled her infant in her right arm at the BOE meeting Monday.

blytton@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3411; @bglytton
VANCOUVER, Sept. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Bravura Ventures Corp. (CSE: BVQ) (FSE: 23B) (OTCBB: BRVVF) ("Bravura" or the "Company") would like to announce announces the acquisition of 38 additional unpatented lode mining claims at the Musgrove Creek Gold Project, near Salmon, Idaho. The claims were staked between September 2nd and 7th by a licensed Idaho surveyor.

These additional claims add approximately 302.7 hectares (748 acres) to Bravura's land package, and help to secure the discovery potential within the project area.

Musgrove Creek is a gold exploration project located in Lemhi County, Idaho. Musgrove Creek contains an inferred mineral resource estimate of 8 million tonnes at 1.22 g/t Au (0.036 oz/ton) at a gold cut-off of 0.8 g/t (0.023 oz/ton), equivalent to 9,761 kg (313,822 oz) of gold at zero dilution. This estimate was calculated by Mr. David Makepeace, P. Eng. Of Geospectrum Engineering, and detailed in the "Technical Report on the Musgrove Creek Gold Project", by Gruenwald W. and Makepeace, D. for Wave Exploration Corp (Feb., 25, 2004). The Company views this inferred resource estimate as historical in nature, and is not treating this estimate as a current mineral resource. Insufficient work has been conducted on the property by a qualified person to verify and classify this as a current mineral resource. Additional drilling is required to verify and upgrade the status of this preliminary resource estimate and it should not be relied upon until supported by an updated and compliant NI 43-101 technical report. Please see Bravura News Release of 2016-09-07 for further details.

The most recent drilling on the Musgrove property was conducted by prior-operator Journey Resources Corp. in 2009. Drill holes along the mineralized trend 350 m and 415 m (1150 and 1362 ft) northwest of the above-described resource on Bravura's claims encountered significant gold mineralization as detailed in the following table:

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Width (m) Au g/t Azimuth, dip, comments MG-09-62 25.9 30.5 4.6 5.07 90, -80

33.5 39.6 6.1 1.32



62.5 64 1.5 6.01

MG-09-63 12.2 15.2 3.0 11.15 270, -60 MG-09-64 16.8 21.3 4.6 3.11 90

38.1 44.2 6.1 8.71 Includes 1.5m @ 23.1 g/t

68.6 76.2 7.6 3.92



QA/QC procedures used during the drilling program included inserting a rig duplicate sample, a standard sample, and a coarse blank sample within the sample submission at a rate of one of each per laboratory batch. ALS Chemex performed the sample preparation and analysis. An additional six holes was drilled by Journey between the resource and these three holes on property not yet controlled by Bravura. Further drilling and interpretation of these significant intercepts will be necessary to determine the true width of the mineralization, and if they indicate mineralized zones that may add to the existing historical resource.

Planned exploration activity by Bravura will be focused on confirming, defining and expanding upon known mineralization, with the objective of delineating a current mineral resource. An updated NI 43-101 report is currently being prepared and we anticipate it to be completed over the coming months.

Qualified Person - Robert M. Hatch, Registered Geologist, is the Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, that has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release.

Greg Burns, President and CEO of Bravura commented: "Acquiring the additional claims is a big step in the Company's direction of building a resource at the Musgrove Creek Gold Project."

About Bravura Ventures Corp.

Bravura Ventures Corp. is a mineral-exploration resource company trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Company is currently acquiring, and intends to begin exploring, the advanced exploration-stage Gold Projects.

BRAVURA VENTURES CORP.

"Greg Burns"

_______________________

Greg Burns, Director



Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Bravura Ventures Corp. (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 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 the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE Bravura Ventures Corp.

For further information: 800 - 1199 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3T5, Tel.: 604.283.1722 / Fax: 1.888.241.5996
FREDERICTON, NB, Sept. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - The New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF), law firm Cox & Palmer and Deloitte today launched the sixth edition of its Breakthru Startup Competition with its highest prize pot ever. Seasoned and aspiring entrepreneurs will compete for $1,000,000 in cash and professional services. Breakthru is the largest startup competition of its kind in Canada.

Until this year, the competition was open to residents of New Brunswick only. This time, NBIF has created a national category, whose participants will compete for $200,000 in venture capital plus over $50,000 in professional services to get off the ground. The other $750,000 in prizes are open to New Brunswick residents only.

"Imagine, one day you're dreaming about being an entrepreneur and owning your own company, and the next day it's a realitythis is what's going to happen for three hard working Breakthru participants," says NBIF Chair Cathy Simpson, "Starting a new company is a risky adventure, and to take the leap into entrepreneurship, people need to know that turning their ideas into a business is a real possibilityBreakthru does exactly that."

The purpose of Breakthru is to bring people, ideas and money together in a way that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. The professional services, support and mentoring they receive from NBIF and its prize partners will make a tremendous impact when entrepreneurs need it most  during their start-up phase. Many past Breakthru winners have gone on to raise millions of dollars for their companies.

To enter, applications must be received by NBIF on or before November 15, 2016. Winners will be announced at Breakthru LIVE 2017 at the Fredericton Convention Centre on March 23, 2017.

Terms and conditions apply. Not open to residents of Quebec.

About NBIF:

The New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) is a private, not-for-profit corporation that invests in new growth-oriented companies and applied research activities. With over $70 million invested, plus $380 million leveraged from other sources, NBIF has 41 companies in its active portfolio. All of NBIF's investment returns go back into the Foundation to be re-invested in other new companies and research initiatives.

SOURCE New Brunswick Innovation Foundation

Video with caption: "Video: Breakthru, NBIF Venture Capital & Research's $1 million startup competition calls on budding entrepreneurs from across Canada to enter.". Video available at: https://youtu.be/xaxZRUrtgxo

Image with caption: "NBIF Venture Capital & Research Chairwoman Cathy Simpson announces their $1 million Breakthru Startup Competition, Canada's largest. (CNW Group/New Brunswick Innovation Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160914_C5001_PHOTO_EN_772743.jpg

For further information: Media contacts: Chet Wesley, Director, Marketing & Communications, NBIF, www.nbif.ca, 877-554-6668, [email protected]
TROY, Mich., Sept. 14, 2016 /CNW/ -- Meritor, Inc. (NYSE:MTOR) announced the appointment of Dean Stratton as regional director, Field Sales & Service for Canada.

Stratton, who is based in British Columbia, leads six DriveForce district managers responsible for sales and service support for fleets, dealers and original equipment manufacturers in the Canadian region. He will also work to identify new products that meet specialized fleet needs within different markets across Canada.

"Meritor has Canada well covered with Dean's leadership and experience as well as his strong, knowledgeable team that is focused on supporting customers across the country," said James Taylor, general manager, North America Field Operations.

Stratton has more than 30 years of experience in the Canadian trucking industry. Most recently, he was district manager, Sales, for Western Star Trucks, a division of Daimler Trucks North America. He was employed at Western Star for most of his career in various management roles, including marketing manager and manager, Regional Sales, Western Canada/Northwest United States.

District managers reporting to Stratton are:

Mike Bryan : Greater Toronto Area , northern and Central Ontario

: , northern and Ryan Hounslow : Greater Toronto Area , southern and eastern Ontario

: , southern and eastern Dean Iannacone : British Columbia , southern Alberta

: , southern Stephen Murphy : Southeastern Quebec , eastern Canada

: , eastern Pierre Perron : Greater Montreal , northern Quebec

: , northern Mike Zueff : Northern Alberta , Saskatchewan , Manitoba

About Meritor

Meritor, Inc. is a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets. With more than a 100-year legacy of providing innovative products that offer superior performance, efficiency and reliability, the company serves commercial truck, trailer, off-highway, defense, specialty and aftermarket customers around the world. Meritor is based in Troy, Mich., United States, and is made up of approximately 8,400 diverse employees who apply their knowledge and skills in manufacturing facilities, engineering centers, joint ventures, distribution centers and global offices in 19 countries. Meritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MTOR. For important information, visit the company's website at www.meritor.com.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110330/DE73783LOGO

SOURCE Meritor, Inc.

For further information: Media Inquiries, Cheryl Kilborn, (248) 435-7907, [email protected], Investor Inquiries, Eric Birge, (248) 435-1816, [email protected], http://www.meritor.com
Similar aircraft offered for Canada's Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue Project

OTTAWA, Sept. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - The first of the Airbus C295W aircraft that the Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira) ordered, configured specifically for search and rescue (SAR) missions, has made its maiden flight. The new aircraft will join Brazil's existing fleet of transport-configured C295s.

Brazil's new SAR C295Ws are very similar to the C295W aircraft that Airbus Defence and Space is offering as part of its bid for Canada's Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) project. In particular, they are fitted with a similar Mission System, the third generation of Airbus Defence and Space's Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS), that has been proposed to Canada.

"This repeat order reflects Brazil's high level of confidence in the C295W and further confirms the demonstrated excellence of this aircraft in a SAR role," said Simon Jacques, President Airbus Defence and Space Canada.

"The C295W and its integrated SAR mission system are already in service and proven," Jacques said. "We are confident the C295W will meet Canada's demanding SAR requirements, and that our proposal for the FWSAR project provides the most long-term benefits and international opportunities to Canadian industry."

All C295Ws sold worldwide feature substantial Canadian content. Pratt & Whitney Canada provides the C295W's engines, CAE provides flight simulators and training systems, and L-3 WESCAM provides advanced electro-optical systems. In addition, in the FWSAR role for Canada, PAL Aerospace will provide in-service support for Canada's SAR C295Ws in partnership with Airbus.

Airbus Defence and Space has sold 168 C295s and C295Ws in 23 countries, and the aircraft is operating around the world in a variety of configurations, including maritime patrol, anti-submarine, and search and rescue.

About Airbus Defence and Space

Airbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europe's number one defence and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and among the top ten global defence enterprises. It employs some 38,000 employees generating revenues of approximately 13 billion per year.

SOURCE Airbus Defence and Space

For further information: Contacts for the media: Mike Powell, +1 613 233 8906, [email protected]; Kieran Daly: +34 689 66 96 61, [email protected]
TORONTO, Sept. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - The findings of the new Pharmacy 360 report have confirmed the critical role that neighbourhood pharmacies play in the healthcare of Canadians. The report captures the results of a comprehensive survey undertaken by the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) and administered by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in spring 2015. In addition to the Pharmacy 360 survey, additional data sources included IMS Brogan, Statistics Canada, and the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). Fifty-four percent of the survey responses were from corporately owned pharmacies, and 35% were from independent owners, while the remaining 11% were a mixture of other ownership formats.

The report underscores the increasing demand for medication management services in Canada. In 2015, Canada's neighbourhood pharmacies dispensed approximately 637 million prescriptions, an increase of almost 5% over 2014, while Canada's population increased by less than 1%. Indeed, the number of prescriptions dispensed annually per person has been rising steadily, increasing from 16.5 prescriptions per person in 2013 to 17.7 in 2015. To meet this growing demand for medication, the number of pharmacies has also grown, so that pharmacy remains a readily accessible healthcare location.

Commenting on the Pharmacy 360 report, Justin J. Bates, CEO of Neighbourhood Pharmacies, said that "our research has revealed that 80% of Canadians return to the same neighbourhood pharmacy always or most of the time and more than half of our patients purchase their non-prescription (OTC) products at the same pharmacy they rely on for their prescriptions. Canadian patients continue to have full confidence in their pharmacies as front-line service providers of, to name just one example, non-prescription product recommendations and counselling in the management of self-limiting common ailments."

In addition, the Pharmacy 360 survey found that pharmacies are diversifying their patient care services, to help patients stay healthy. Almost 90% of pharmacies offer special packaging to help patients take their medications at the right time of day, while 85% provide regular medication reviews and reconciliations. "Patient adherence to their medication regimen is a vital element in ensuring optimal health outcomes, so it is gratifying to see the important clinical focus and strategies that neighbourhood pharmacies are employing" stated Mr. Bates, who added that "these opportunities to deliver a broader range of patient care services also require significant investments in training and attention to such issues as the optimal use of pharmacists, regulated pharmacy technicians, and technology".

Additional Pharmacy 360 Statistics:

With 9,750 pharmacies across Canada , a pharmacist is the most readily accessible health care professional

, a pharmacist is the most readily accessible health care professional With 27 pharmacies per 100,000 population, Canadians have access to more patient healthcare services at more pharmacies than residents of other countries, including Germany (25.9/100,000 population) and the UK (17.6/100,000 population)

(25.9/100,000 population) and the UK (17.6/100,000 population) More than 7 in 10 pharmacies provide vaccinations and immunizations

Almost 2 in 3 pharmacies offer smoking cessation services

62% of pharmacies offer medical device training, e.g. blood glucose monitors

There are significant differences in population demographics and regulatory restrictions on pharmacists' scopes of practice from region to region. For example, although Ontario has above average prescription growth, the province, along with British Columbia , does not permit pharmacists to offer common ailment assessments and treatments

To access a summary of the report and for an order form, please visit www.myneighbourhoodpharmacies.ca.

About the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada

The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) is the respected voice and advocate for the business of pharmacy. We represent the owners and operators of the country's leading Neighbourhood Pharmacies brands, serving Canadians through chain, banner and franchised neighbourhood pharmacies, as well as grocers and mass merchandisers with pharmacies. We also represent the leading retail and banner buying groups serving independent pharmacies. Pharmacy suppliers - including pharmaceutical manufacturers, technology companies, data specialists, marketing companies and consultants - also participate in the organization as associates.

SOURCE Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada

For further information: For further information about this survey, please contact: Anthony Silva, VP, Stakeholder Relations & Technology, [email protected], 416-226-9100 ext. 4005
MONTREAL, Sept. 14, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Pharmed Canada, the health industry manufacturing and outsourcing network, and the R&D Capital financing company, are joining forces to create the Pharmed-R&D Capital Fund.

This fund, amounting to several million dollars, is intended to be used by members of the Pharmed network, on preferential terms. It is specifically aimed at firms that are eligible for R&D tax credits, to help them obtain capital quickly and access training on how to seek funding and prepare a business case. It also provides advice on other methods of financing through a network of partners.

"This fund, the Pharmed Finance Forum to be held on November 17, 2016, and the establishment of a financing advice and referrals platform, all represent concrete actions to facilitate access to capital for health industry firms," declared Perry Niro, President of Pharmed Canada.

According to Pierre Binette, President and founder of R&D Capital, the fund just announced is a natural extension of the services already provided. "We are especially pleased about this partnership with Pharmed Canada because it underpins the role we play at a crucial stage of a company's life, i.e. financing innovation. For over 14 years we have been supporting firms and enabling them to benefit from our expertise and our business network."

Besides providing funding to firms that are eligible for tax credits under the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program, the fund will also finance health technology projects that are eligible for tax credits relating to e-business development ("TCEB") and the production of multimedia titles.

"Business financing has become more sophisticated in recent years, and that trend is accelerating thanks to new financial technologies (fintech). As a result, entrepreneurs are sometimes overwhelmed by, or simply unaware of, the range of financing tools that are within their grasp. Today's announcement is intended to be a first step towards setting up a platform and a network of financing partners for the life sciences industry," concludes Mr. Niro.

About R&D Capital

R&D Capital is a Canadian financial institution that specializes in financing federal and provincial refundable tax credits.

A leader in its field, R&D Capital has developed innovative financial products to assist Canadian businesses, over the short and medium terms, with their development and growth activities that qualify for refundable tax credits.

About Pharmed Canada

Pharmed Canada is an association of manufacturers and subcontractors in Canada's pharmaceutical and medical services industry. Its mission is to promote the business development of its members, both in Canada and abroad.

About Pharmed Finance

www.pharmedfinance.com

Pharmed Finance is a conference and a portal on life sciences financing. The next conference, to be held on November 17, 2016 at the Plaza Centre-Ville, will bring together over one hundred entrepreneurs and investors, in particular from the United States.

SOURCE Pharmed Canada

For further information: R&D Capital (www.rdcapital.ca): Pierre Binette, President, Tel: 514-798-0493, Or Michel Beauchamp, Vice-President, Business Development, 514-798-0493, ext. 241, [email protected]; Pharmed Canada (www.pharmedcanada.ca) : Perry Niro, President, Tel: 514-265-8944, [email protected]
Insight for foreigners

From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-09-13 17:24

Pelziccioni Kevin of San Marino learns how to paint eggs with the help of Ying Zihai, an expert in the art, at Caoyang Village History Museum yesterday. Egg painting was one of the activities organized by the Shanghai Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to mark the 60th anniversary of its founding. Invited foreigners also visited families and looked at local markets.


State-of-the-art training centre gives health professionals opportunity to learn and practice skills and re-enact emergency situations

The ultimate goal is to enhance quality of care and patient safety

B-ROLL: https://vimeo.com/shrinerscanada

MONTREAL, Sept. 14, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - His name is Jose. He's a dummy, literally. Jose is the mannequin or, more accurately, the high-fidelity, junior-patient simulator that mimics a wide range of conditions, from a healthy, talking child to an unresponsive, critical patient with no vital signs. The patient simulator is just one of many training tools to be found in the newly opened Pediatric Simulation Centre located on the 2nd floor of Shriners Hospitals for Children  Canada. It is changing the way health professionals are trained and will ultimately enhance quality of care and patient safety.

The Centre delivers high-fidelity, realistic simulations for surgical, medical, nursing, respiratory therapy and allied health practitioners. It offers a safe, realistic environment, allowing health professionals and students to increase their knowledge, hone their skills, and practice teamwork in the context of realistic patient scenarios. The Pediatric Simulation Centre at Shriners Hospitals for Children  Canada is the only such centre in the Shriners' network of 22 hospitals.

"Modern medical education requires novel teaching modalities. Medical simulation has become an integral part of any modern health care curriculum," says Reggie Hamdy, M.D., Chief of Staff, Shriners Hospital for Children  Canada. "Our goal is to promote excellence in pediatric health care in a family-centered environment by using medical simulation to improve the knowledge, skills, and behaviour of health professionals and establish a culture of continuous professional development. Our intent is to become no less than a nationally and internationally recognized centre of excellence in pediatric medical simulation."

Practice makes perfect

In addition to Jose, the simulator that represents a six-year-old boy, the state-of-the-art centre comprises several dedicated rooms for simulation-based education and training. It includes a multipurpose surgical skills lab, with six surgical stations with retractable booms with suction, and hospital-grade air with six radiolucent adjustable beds.

Traditionally, surgical skills have been acquired in the operating room (OR). The complexity of surgical procedures and the premium placed on surgical time have increased. So, rather than taking up precious OR time with teaching, surgical residents can now acquire and perfect their skills in the surgical skills lab.

"The surgical skills laboratory is revolutionizing surgical training," says Jean A. Ouellet, M.D., Medical Director of the Pediatric Simulation Centre. "Using computer simulators and virtual reality technology, as well as specially designed procedure models, surgical residents learn a wide array of surgical skills.

At the instructor's station, high-fidelity cameras film, record, and transmit the teacher's directives to the other five surgical stations where students replicate the teacher's moves. Surgeries can also be broadcast live from the OR and transmitted via secure server to the surgical skills lab and/or the two designated conference rooms.

All health professionals will benefit

"The educational activities we are hosting and developing are based on the educational needs of our health professionals," says Dr. Ouellet. "We will ensure that we have faculty trained in medical simulation from all disciplines and specialties; including pediatric orthopaedics, pediatric surgery, anesthesia, nursing, and respiratory therapy. This, in turn, will improve the quality of patient care and patient safety in a family-centered environment."

Inter-professional training sessions are being held in the Pediatric Simulation Centre and in clinical settings such as the operating room, patient rooms or even the hospital cafeteria. Training sessions may involve Jose or actors who participate in scenarios that help health professionals learn how to deal with various situations, such as how to calm an anxious parent, how to talk and interact with children of different ages or how to ensure a patient education session is effective. Over the next few months, as the Centre ramps up, simulations will increase progressively.

Key partnerships

There is a growing demand for simulation-based activities to be integrated into the curriculum for residency training, maintenance of skills for current practitioners, nursing training and training in the use of new devices and surgical techniques. Many of the medical specialties have integrated simulation into their curriculum to teach residents. Schools of nursing have developed simulation education modules to teach their students and for professional development for those already in practice. This work will be encouraged through partnerships with McGill University and the Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre.

"Simulation plays an essential role on campus in McGill's new undergraduate medical curriculum, as well as in its other professional health programs," says Sam Benaroya, M.D., Associate Vice-Principal and Vice-Dean (Health Affairs), McGill University. "In an increasingly complex environment that is continually being enhanced by new knowledge pedagogy and technologies, simulation ensures students learn to deliver the highest quality, safest care in a setting that presents zero risk to the patient. Bringing simulation into the clinical setting represents a major step, and we look forward to working with Shriners Hospitals for Children  Canada and the Pediatric Simulation Centre to build on the educational opportunities it offers."

Generous funding from Kingston District Shine Club of Rameses Shriners

"This is a proud day for Shriners Hospitals for Children  Canada and the Shriners network. We are very grateful to the members of the Kingston District Shrine Club who are Rameses Shriners. They donated so generously to the Exceptional Care for Exceptional Kids Campaign in support of the construction of the Pediatric Simulation Centre," says Gino Berretta, Chairman of the Hospital's Board of Governors. "Thanks to their generosity, for years to come health professionals can practice medical emergencies and real life-saving procedures that improve safety and the patient experience."

"I applaud everyone who worked so hard over the last five years to organize fundraisers in support of the Pediatric Simulation Centre," says Al Berry, Potentate of the Rameses Shriners of Toronto. "I would also like to sincerely thank the members of the Kingston Shrine Club and the late Wilhelmina F. Winney, and her late husband. Several years ago, Mrs. Winney donated a sizable portion of her estate to the club. I believe she would be proud, as we all are on this prestigious day, to know that she contributed greatly to the construction of the Pediatric Simulation Centre which will benefit health care professionals, patients, and their families for decades to come."

Training the next generation of health professionals

"The centre illustrates the dedication Shriners International attributes to its mission of training future generations of health professionals," says Brandt Bede, M.D., Hospital Liaison with the Board of Trustees, Shriners Hospitals for Children. "I congratulate everyone who helped realize the Pediatric Simulation Centre. It provides a safe environment where confidence and competence can be continuously enhanced and where the true beneficiaries will be the young patients in our care."

About Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada

Established in Montreal in 1925, Shriners Hospitals for Children  Canada is the only Canadian establishment within the network of 22 Shriners Hospitals. The others are located in the U.S. and Mexico. The bilingual, short-term, acute care hospital provides ultra-specialized orthopaedic care to children from coast to coast in Canada, the U.S. and around the world. The mission of the hospital is to promote health and provide treatment and rehabilitation to infants, children and young adults with orthopaedic and neuromuscular problems such as scoliosis, brittle bone disease, club feet, hip dysplasia, leg length discrepancies and cerebral palsy. The hospital is committed to excellence and innovation in clinical practice, research and education and to ensuring patients and their families are treated in a caring, family-friendly environment. The hospital is affiliated with McGill University and provides clinical experience and teaching for residents and allied professionals. The hospital is present in communities across Canada, thanks to telemedicine, outreach clinics and two satellite clinics located in Winnipeg and Halifax. Shriners Hospitals for Children  Canada has been helping kids reach their full potential for 90 years and counting.

B-roll available upon request.

SOURCE Shriners Hospitals For Children

Image with caption: "Leadership of Shriners Hospital for Children - Canada & Kingston District Shrine Club (Rameses Shriners, Toronto) dedicate the first Pediatric Simulation Centre in Shriners Hospitals for Children network (CNW Group/Shriners Hospitals For Children)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160914_C6741_PHOTO_EN_773187.jpg

Image with caption: "Members of the Kingston District Shrine Club (Rameses Shriners, Toronto) are recognized for their donation of close to $ 500,000 to the Pediatric Simulation Centre through the Exceptional Care for Exceptional Kids Campaign (CNW Group/Shriners Hospitals For Children)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160914_C6741_PHOTO_EN_773189.jpg

Image with caption: "The simulation centre will revolutionize surgical training by using computer simulators, as well as specially designed procedure models, which allows surgical residents to learn a wide array of surgical skills (CNW Group/Shriners Hospitals For Children)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160914_C6741_PHOTO_EN_773191.jpg

Image with caption: "The simulation centre will revolutionize surgical training by using computer simulators, as well as specially designed procedure models, which allows allied health professionals to perfect and maintain a wide array of emergent skills (CNW Group/Shriners Hospitals For Children)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160914_C6741_PHOTO_EN_773194.jpg

For further information: Lisa Dutton, [email protected], 514-264-6514; Emmanuelle Rondeau, Communications & Marketing Manager Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada, [email protected], 514-282-6990
Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA hopes to sell one-way tickets to Europe for $69 as early as 2017 by flying from U.S. airports that have low fees, Chief Executive Officer Bjrn Kjos said in an interview.

Norwegian has 100 737 MAX jets from Boeing on order and expects to receive five in 2017.

Boeing has said the 737 Max jets could be ready for delivery as early as March 2017.

The 737 max 8 will have a range of a little over 4000 miles.

According to Norwegian Air chief commercial officer Thomas Ramdahl, his airline is awaiting Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplanes to begin offering $69 trans-Atlantic flights.

Ramdahl told Business Insider that his airline plans to make an announcement around November or December of this year with firm details of the $69 fares.

I can promise you that you will see trans-Atlantic flights on the 737Max next year, Ramdahl told us in an interview last week. And thats when you will see the $69 fares.

The 737 MAX 8 features new fuel-efficient CFM LEAP-1B engines, upgraded avionics, and aerodynamics. As as result, the new jet offers airlines the range and performance to operate trans-Atlantic service with the lower cost of a narrow-body jet.

the Boeing Co. is talking up ideas with potential customers that could include stretching the fuselage of the coming 737 MAX 9.

The stretched MAX, the so-called MAX 10  which would also include some engine upgrades  would reportedly be ready as early as 2020.

The other option would involve larger CFM Leap-1A engines and could enter the market in 2022.

Boeing is slated to deliver its first 737 MAX, one of the smaller Dash 8 models, to Southwest Airlines next year.

Personal Norwegian Experience

I have personally flown Norwegian three times on round trips.

During off season prices from Oakland to Stockholm can be about $500 round trip.

There is Vegas to Oslo flights in Nov as little as $300 round trip. Buying the tickets direct or with a discounter, the meals and checked bags are all extra (except the carry on bag). Picking the seat is extra. So we did not pick the seat and checked only one bag. Meal price comparable to price at a european airport. It is possible to bring sandwiches and snacks on board.

The Dreamliner is fantastic. With air pressure and humidity like you are at a lower altitude than other planes. I felt less jet lag.

Jumbo and other large jets are not giving you more space in most cases.
Dwave Systems is offering a course -Programming the D-Wave 2X Quantum Computer in Finland

The D-Wave 2X quantum computer uses an adiabatic architecture with niobium flux qubits integrated on silicon wafers. The programming model is error tolerant and allows for native expression of optimization problems stated over boolean variables. This underlying capability allows for the execution of a wide class of optimization problems on the system. The challenge in using this system is to find efficient mappings from the application domain.

This training course has been custom designed for CSC to address the fundamentals and programming of the D-Wave 2X. A combination of lectures and hands-on practical labs will guide the students through the quantum phenomena harnessed in quantum computers, to examples in constructing their own quantum algorithm. It concludes with a hands-on laboratory in which students will formulate and execute programs on a live quantum computer in Canada. By the end of the course, participants will understand the programming model of the D-Wave quantum computer and what makes it so powerful for a diverse range of optimization problems.

It is recommended that attendees have or are working toward a degree in computer science, math, and/or physics, or otherwise have sufficient familiarity with algorithms and data structures.

The workshop will feature also a Birds-of-a-Feather (BoF) session organized by CSC and Aalto University on quantum computing research activities in Finland and elsewhere and the future expectations. Snacks and drinks will be served. Feel free to prepare a short (10-15 min) talk about your research activities (not obligatory, of course).

CSC organizes the workshop in collaboration with the Centre for Quantum Engineering at Aalto University.

Lecturers  Edward Dahl and Sheir Yarkoni from D-Wave Systems Inc

Price:

990 EUR euros + VAT (24%) for Finnish universities, polytechnics and governmental research institutes

990 EUR euros + VAT (24%) for others

The fee covers all materials, lunches and refreshments.

Date: Oct 12-13, 2016

Register by Oct 5, 2016, the 24 seats on the course are filled in the registration order (first come, first served).

Dwave Systems is getting in front of the challenges of developing quantum computer programming skills by hosting quantum computing programming courses designed to onboard new developers. Determining the right background for participants is as nebulous as the future of the quantum computing ecosystem.

D-Wave has shipped quantum annealing machines with 1,000 to 2000 quantum bits, or qubits. Google and Lockheed and other companies are buying.

For quantum computer programming, a background in programming classical computers is less valuable than being able to think in terms of optimization problems versus standard algorithms or programs.

An understanding of quantum physics is helpful, and having the mindset to map complex optimization problems into quantum annealing systems. The challenge is to put those together, says Dr. Pekka Manninen, a senior application scientist at the IT Center for Science at the University of Helsinki.

The real focus of the course is not just on understanding how quantum annealing supercomputer works on the ground, but how to turn existing problems into optimizations problems.

SOURCES- Dwave, Alto University, CSC, Next Platform
Russia is working on a plane equipped with a new-generation airplane based combat laser, a source in the Russian defense industry. The laser is being referred to as the A-60. It is part of the Sokol-Eshelon project.

There was Soviet era work in the 1960s-1980s on an A-60 airplane based laser.

Placing a laser in a plane with a large cargo capacity will be easier than efforts to mount lasers into jets.

The A-60 Soviet aviation laser system was to be installed on the Il-76 airplane. Source: Krasnaya zvezda

The US Air Force plans to arm its fleet of drones and fighter jets with high-tech laser weapons.

Air Force Research Laboratory officials have said they plan to have a program of record for air-fired laser weapons in place by 2023.

Ground testing of a laser weapon called the High Energy Laser, or HEL, was slated to take place last year at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., service officials said. The High Energy Laser test is being conducted by the Air Force Directed Energy Directorate, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.

The first airborne tests are expected to take place by 2021, Air Force officials have said.

The developmental efforts are focused on increasing the power, precision and guidance of existing laser weapon applications with the hope of moving from 10-kilowatts up to 100 kilowatts.

Much of the needed development involves engineering the size weight and power trades on an aircraft needed to accommodate an on-board laser weapon. Developing a mobile power-source small enough to integrate onto a fast-moving fighter jet remains a challenge for laser technology.

The Air Force plans to begin firing laser weapons from larger platforms such as C-17s and C-130s until the technological miniaturization efforts can configure the weapon to fire from fighter jets such as an F-15, F-16 or F-35.
2016

Aug 26

China will firmly support the United Nations in dealing with global threats and challenges and safeguarding the postwar international order, Premier Li Keqiang said while meeting with Peter Thomson, president-elect of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly.

July 8

Premier Li met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Beijing. The Premier said that China always works to maintain the international system centered on the United Nations and defends the purpose and principle of the UN Charter.

May 19

The government aims to help 12 million people out of poverty by boosting tourism in the next five years, Premier Li announced at the opening ceremony of the first World Conference on Tourism for Development, proposed by the Chinese government and jointly hosted with the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

2015

Oct 27

Premier Li met with Mogens Lykketoft, president of the 70th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, in Beijing. He said that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China supports the UN to play a bigger role in international affairs.

Sept 3

Premier Li met with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who attended V-Day commemorations during an official visit to China, in the Great Hall of the People. The Premier said that the UN played a significant role in maintaining world peace and promoting common development.

June 30

Premier Li met with Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in Paris, and he endorsed efforts by UNESCO to boost world cultural diversity and education in developing countries.

June 9

Premier Li met Li Yong, director-general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), at the Great Hall of the People. The Premier said China has been expanding cooperation with UNIDO, with results.

May 25

Premier Li called on China and Latin America to enhance cooperation on production capacity and people-to-people exchanges, while addressing the Santiago-based United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

May 25

China plans to cooperate closely with Latin American and Caribbean countries on industrial capacity production, infrastructure and financing, Premier Li said during a meeting in Santiago with Alicia Barcena, executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

May 4

Premier Li met with Michel Sidibe, deputy secretary-general of the United Nations and executive director of UNAIDS, and Mark Dybul, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Premier Li said the Chinese government is paying close attention to preventing AIDS with more efforts and budgetary allocations, with efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals set by the UN.

May 4

The Chinese government always places development first and attaches great importance to poverty alleviation, Premier Li said while meeting with Helen Clark, deputy secretary-general of the United Nations and head of the UN Development Program, in Beijing.

2014

Oct 15

At the invitation of Jose Graziano da Silva, director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Premier Li visited the headquarters of FAO in Rome and delivered a speech on the eve of World Food Day.

May 10

Premier Li met with UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner in Nairobi.

2013

Dec 2

Premier Li sent a message to the 15th session of the general conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

June 20

Premier Li met with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and reiterated Chinas support for the international organization.
Some residents of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, have called on Governor Ayo Fayose to rehabilitate many roads in the state capital...

Some residents of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, have called on Governor Ayo Fayose to rehabilitate many roads in the state capital.They said the roads are becoming impassable as a result of potholes.The affected roads, according to them, serve as alternative routes following the ongoing flyover project on Fajuyi-Okesa area.They added that the condition of the roads has led to an increment in fares charged by taxi drivers, tricycle operators and commercial motorcyclists.Since the flyover project began about four months ago, motorists, motorcyclists and commuters make use of other roads to get to their destinations.The residents complained that they spent longer time than it used to be as a result of the potholes.Those going to Adebayo and other areas along Iworoko Road from Old Garage and Okesa now pass through Dallimore Street. Those going to Secretariat Road, New Iyin Road up to Basiri go through Ilawe Road and GRA.But some residents, who spoke with The Nation yesterday, called on the government to rehabilitate the link roads, which have been abandoned since the beginning of work on the flyover.Some of the affected roads include Oke Ila (in front of St. Andrews Anglican Church), Ajibade Lane (near St. Patricks Catholic Cathedral), Okutagbokutalori area of Okeyinmi and Mary Hills Road.Others are Kajola, very close to Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ajowa Market Road, Moferere-Agric Olope Road, Odo-Ado in front of St. Pauls Anglican Church and Rosebud-Ori Apata Road.A resident, Dupe Esan, said: These roads are in bad condition and we dont know the reason why the government abandoned them. As they are doing the flyover, all these alternative routes also require urgent attention and we want them to repair them.Tobi Afolayan said: Since the Okesa-Fajuyi has been blocked, there is much pressure on these inner roads and many of them are in deplorable condition. Government must block all these loopholes because the effect is being felt on our vehicles.The roads also require the attention government is paying to the flyover, because if they go worse, we may not have any place to pass again. Help us tell our governor to fill these potholes because the rains are here.
The Police averted a bloody scene in commercial city Onitsha yesterday as separatist group Biafran Independent Movement (BIM), led by Ch...

The Police averted a bloody scene in commercial city Onitsha yesterday as separatist group Biafran Independent Movement (BIM), led by Chief Raph Uwazuruike, marched through the streets.No fewer than 14 people were arrested during and after the protest, according to police spokesperson Nkeiruka Nwode.The protesters marched through Okpoko and to other streets, with placards marking the 17th anniversary of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).Uwazuruike was leader of MASSOB until a crisis broke out following which he established BIM.Anambra Central Zonal Leader of BIM, Chief Vincent Iloh, said the government should allow the Biafran agitators have their own independent state since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 expired in 2014.He said: Let the whole world know that we are resolute in our stand for a Biafra Republic. It is not compulsory that we shall remain one indivisible nation so they should allow us to go to our Promised Land, he said.Iloh praised Uwazurikes resilience, saying he started the renewed struggle for Biafra on September 13, 1999. He said those working to destabilise the struggle would not succeed.He urged the Igbo nation to support MASSOB- BIM and called on the international community to help in actualising the Biafra struggle.The Anambra State Joint Security Task Force cordoned off parts of the Onitsha Owerri road.The MASSOB-BIM Director of Information, Anambra North zone, Charles Igbokwe, said some of their members marching towards Amazo Oil along the Onitsha Owerri road were arrested.The police spokesperson said nobody was shot or killed, adding that 14 persons were arrested.The MASSOB leaders also held 17th activities of MASSOB in Calabar, Port Harcourt and addressed a news conference in Lagos.President Muhammadu Buhari insisted yesterday that Nigerias unity is not negotiable.He urged those nursing the ambition of creating Biafra State in the Southeast to forget it.He vowed to continue working for Nigerias unity and urged youths to make this country great again through pursuit of knowledge, patriotism and commitment to values that promote national unity.Speaking to over 100 Youth Corps members serving in Daura local government who visited him, he said: I asked for those from the other extreme of Nigeria because I very much appreciate the NYSC scheme and whenever I see (former Head of State) Gen. (Yakubu) Gowon, I always thank him for that.Directing his attention specifically to corps members from the Southeast, the President said: Tell your colleagues who want Biafra to forget about it.As a military commander, I walked from Degem, a border town between the North and the east, to the border between Cameroon and Nigeria.I walked on my foot for most of the 30 months that we fought the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, in which at least two million Nigerians were killed.We were made by our leaders to go and fight Biafra not because of money or oil, because oil was not a critical factor then, but because of one Nigeria.So if leaderships at various levels failed, it was not the fault of the rest of Nigerians who have no quarrel with one another.So, please tell your colleagues that we must be together to build this country. It is big enough for us and potentially big enough in terms of resources.Those who work hard will earn a respectable living. I have seen this country, I fought for this country and I will continue to work for the unity of this country.Buhari urged the youth to remain focused in life, pursue their dreams and reject those fanning embers of discord and disintegration of Nigeria.He praised the vision of Gen. Gowon for setting up the NYSC scheme in 1973.The President said the scheme had creditably promoted national unity and cohesion by exposing young people to the uniqueness and cultural diversity of the country.Daura Local Government Corps Liaison Officer Egbewunmi Adebolu , thanked the President for the honour of receiving them and making their stay in Daura memorable.He said youths strongly believed in the programme of the President to reduce unemployment and create jobs for more Nigerians.He thanked the President for his personal gifts of cows, bags of rice and cash to corps members in the community for Sallah celebration.
Patience Jonathan Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister...

Patience Jonathan

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to use his office to prosecute Mrs Dame Patience Jonathan over $15m unexplained wealth frozen in four companies accounts.The organization asked the Minister of Justice Mr Malami to take this step within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP will institute legal proceedings to compel the discharge of constitutional duty in this matter.The letter dated 13 September 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni argued that, Mrs Jonathan is a politically exposed person under anti-corruption standards. She is also covered under the definition of public officials contained in the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.Under article 2 of the convention, public officials include Mrs Jonathan or any other family members of the former President Goodluck Jonathan who exercised official duties while he was president.The letter reads in part: According to article 2 for the purpose of some specific measures contained in chapter II of this Convention, public official may mean any person who performs a public function or provides a public service.Thus, article 2 makes it very clear that any person, such as Mrs Jonathan performing a public function, entrusted with a public task or to whom public functions have been assigned are public officials, regardless of whether they have been elected or appointed, paid or unpaid.In this context, it is the character of the duties performed by Mrs Jonathan while her husband was president that is the overriding consideration as she held a position of trust by virtue of performing public functions or services. In addition, such public duties or services by her are expected to be performed in good faith.Under article 20 of the convention, this government has an obligation to prosecute intentional illicit enrichment, that is, a significant increase in the assets of a public official that he or she cannot reasonably explain in relation to his or her lawful income.The fact that the $15m found in the four accounts belong to Mrs Jonathan raises serious suspicion or at the very least a prima-facie case of unexplained wealth/illicit enrichment, and imposes an obligation on Mrs Jonathan to explain and justify the source(s) of the $15m.In the event that she is not able to justify, explain or put forth evidence demonstrating the legitimate origin of the $15m, SERAP urges you to take immediate steps to forfeit the asset under appropriate legal proceedings, and to institute criminal prosecution for unexplained wealth in the matter.Similarly, section 44 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act criminalises unexplained or illicit wealth and allows criminal penalties and forfeiture if in the course of an investigation there are reasonable grounds to believe that a corruption offence has been committed, that is, the failure to explain the origin of the $15m given present or past emoluments, and other relevant circumstances.SERAP notes that Mrs Jonathan has admitted that the four accounts belong to her and that she is the sole signatory to these accounts. The four accounts in which Mrs Jonathans $15m was lodged are said to belong to the following companies: Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Globus Integrated Service Limited. Mrs Jonathan was given a platinum card and exclusive access to the accounts.According to reports, a houseboy, a driver and other domestic workers of a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamowei Dudafa, were named as directors.Pursuing prosecution in this case would help to provide adequate reparation, which may take the form of restitution, compensation, satisfaction or guarantees of non-repetition to victims of corruption who continue to be denied their right to an effective remedy. It would also send a clear message that cases of unexplained wealth or illicit enrichment involving politically exposed persons would not go unpunished.The use of the offence of illicit enrichment is necessary to any anticorruption movement, and accepted instrument in the global fight against corruption. It would also enhance the governments powers to monitor wealth and improve transparency and accountability within the public sector. SERAP considers this as a proportionate and measured response to the pernicious problem of corruption in the country. By combating an officials unexplained material gains, illicit enrichment offenses make it clear to public officials that if they engage in corrupt conduct they would forfeit illegally acquired wealth and go to prison.
Unknown gunmen on Wednesday invaded the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) office in Onitsha, Anambra, torching some equipment and Star Ti...





Unknown gunmen on Wednesday invaded the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) office in Onitsha, Anambra, torching some equipment and Star Times section in the premises.Acting Manager of the station, Mr Chris Nwigwe, told newsmen in Onitsha that the incident occurred at about 1.40 a.m.Some armed men tried to attack the staff on duty but only succeeded in burning down the Star Times building, he said, adding that no life was lost in the attack.An eyewitness said that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was planted at the security post of the station, while tyres were set around the premises to set the station ablaze.There was a gun duel between the armed men and policemen who are manning the office.They managed to burn down the Star Times office while the fire was later put out with the help of people around.This type of incident has never happened, the source said.The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Sam Okaula, who visited the scene with the Anti-Bomb Squad to evacuate the explosive device, confirmed that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.He said that investigation had begun to unravel the reason for the attack. Okaula lauded policemen manning the office for their bravery, saying that their quick intervention prevented loss of lives and destruction of more property in the attack.He warned people against taking laws into their hands and assured that the police would get to the root of the incident.Those who take laws into their hands should be ready to face the repercussion, he stressed, adding that the suspects would be prosecuted in court after investigation was concluded.Three police patrol vans had been stationed in front of the station to beef up security.
The Kano State government says it spends N70 million weekly to feed public primary school pupils in the state.





The Kano State government says it spends N70 million weekly to feed public primary school pupils in the state.The acting governor of the state, Hafiz Abubakar, said the expenditure is aside N68 million the government spends weekly on boarding schools. He made the disclosure on Wednesday when he received the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sunusi II, on the emirs traditional Sallah homage to Government House, Kano.Mr. Hafiz noted that the feeding program was an arrangement involving the state, local governments and host communities of schools.The acting governor, however, lamented that the local governments and host communities have not always come up with their parts of the contribution.Mr. Hafiz said the state government has even been releasing about N700million every month to the local governments to ensure they pay their workers salaries and meet running cost. He further disclosed that the state also pays N300million as scholarship to students studying in Nigeria and abroad.The acting governor said the state government plans to recruit 1000 officers to compliment house to house enforcement of sanitation in communities around the state. He also revealed that the state was poised to complete an independent power project this year.Mr. Hafiz said despite its numerous commitments, Kano remained one of the few states in the country not defaulting in salary payment.In his remarks, the emir urged government at federal and state levels to seek advice from economic experts on way out of the current economic hardship in Nigeria. He said the economic problem was surmountable if government followed good expert advice.He urged Nigerians to support and pray for their leaders to enable them deliver on their promises.
The founder of Foundation of Truth Assembly, Rev. Yomi Kasali, yesterday urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari ...

The founder of Foundation of Truth Assembly, Rev. Yomi Kasali, yesterday urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari as he tackles the nations socio-economic challenges.He said: At this period of economic recession, our message to the country is that there will be restoration.The cleric urged religious leaders to use the pulpit to send a message of hope to Nigerians, adding that the church should not provoke, incite or trigger up a revolution.Kasali, who spoke on the foundations Giant Killers Conference, with the theme: Restoration, urged the Federal Government to consider the option of creative borrowing and spend wisely to boost productive activities.He observed that in the last 10 years, leaders have wasted resources, paving the way for poverty, starvation and suffering.Highlights of the conference holding next week include: World conference on the church premises, Eric Moore, Surulere, Lagos; Ministers conference, with Pastor Wale Adefarasin and Rev. Simeon Afolabi; Pure Praise Concert, with renowned artists; and Thanksgiving and ordination at Teslim Balogun Stadiun, Surulere.The cleric lamented that across the regions, there are wars and rumours of wars. He urged Nigerians to emulate the biblical Samson, who acknowledged his mistakes, and turned to God for restoration.Kasali said if Nigerians exercised patience and cooperated with Buhari, the administration would bring the nation out of recession.
A man simply identified as Simeon, who was accused of rape, reportedly jumped into River Niger after he sighted a policeman by the river ...

A man simply identified as Simeon, who was accused of rape, reportedly jumped into River Niger after he sighted a policeman by the river bank.





Eyewitness, Paul Ijeh said the suspect had been on the wanted lists of the police for allegedly raping a 10-year old girl in Okpanam community, adding that efforts by the police in Okpanam to track him down proved abortive when he fled the community.





It was gathered that the rape suspect a native of Okpanam community had also committed other atrocities, ranging from alleged robbery and land deals before the last straw that broke the camels back.





Since two months ago, our informed sources said Simeon allegedly moved into the eastern states where he occasionally calls his close friends after which he destroys his Sim Card.





Expectedly, he was said to have sighted a policeman by the head bridge while on the walk way when he allegedly jumped into the River-Niger for fear of the unknown.





The eyewitness further said passersby including motorists travelling to Onitsha were shocked to watch the suspect dive a full length into the River Niger.





But some police officers at Okpanam police who did not want their names in the print said the suspect had been on the wanted lists for alleged rape, adding that We are not too sure he was the one who jumped into the River-Niger, we heard somebody jumped into the River Niger.
BEIJING  Premier Li Keqiang will attend the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly and pay official visits to Canada and Cuba.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Sept 14 that Premier Lis trip will last from Sept 18 to 28.

Premier Li was invited by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Raul Castro Ruz, Hua said.

According to Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong, the Premier will outline Chinas stance on global governance and international order and its measures to cope with global challenges, while addressing the general debate of the UN General Assembly session.

Premier Lis attendance at the UN General Assembly is one of Chinas major diplomatic events in the multilateral arena this year and shows China values the UN and multilateralism, Li Baodong added.

Premier Li will also hold talks with state leaders of other countries during his stay in New York.

China hopes to take the Premiers UN tour as an opportunity to strengthen communication with other sides and underline the basic norms of international relations. The international community should jointly establish a new international order with cooperation and reciprocity at its core, Li Baodong told a press conference on Sept 14.

As for the Premiers visit to Canada, the first by a Chinese premier in 13 years, Li Baodong said it shows the importance China attaches to the development of bilateral relations with Canada and it will inject strong impetus for future development.

Cuba, the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to have diplomatic ties with China, is the last stop on Premier Lis visit. It will be the first visit by a Chinese premier since the two countries established diplomatic ties 56 years ago.

Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao said Premier Li will discuss with Raul Castro Ruz how to strengthen China-Cuba friendship and cooperation. The two sides will also sign cooperation documents in areas such as the economy, technology, new energy, industry and environmental protection.
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra on Tuesday asked for the assistance of the international community in...

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra on Tuesday asked for the assistance of the international community in addressing the alleged marginalisation of the people of the South-East which it called the Biafra territory.The secessionist group stated this during a peaceful march by members of the Anioma zone to mark the 17th anniversary of the group in Asaba, the Delta State capital.The Anioma Zonal Coordinator of MASSOB, Mr. Emeka Okafor, said nothing would stop the group from achieving its set goal of a Biafra Republic.Okafor, while hailing members of the group for the turn out despite heavy security presence in the state capital, described the celebration of the anniversary of MASSOB as a task that must be done irrespective of what the Nigerian government felt.He also dismissed claims that some members of the groups were engaged in armed robberies and other criminal acts, adding that it would remain a non-violent secessionist group.Okafor added, They (policemen) were around but we were changing position because I know that they were ready to kill anybody, they are always against the law. We did the celebration with wisdom and I thank our leader, Ralph Uwazuriuke, for his leadership style.
Militants who have been actively operating in the Imo State region have reportedly decided to lay down their weapons, surrender and hand o...

Militants who have been actively operating in the Imo State region have reportedly decided to lay down their weapons, surrender and hand over arms to Governor Rochas Okorocha.The militant group who had been responsible for attacks on oil and gas pipelines, have now shown a willingness to surrender and enter into a dialogue with the government.Okorocha said in a statement that the laying down of weapons ceremony will take place on Wednesday, September 14 at the government's house in Owerri."Governor Rochas Okorocha will be leveraging on the amnesty programme to receive militants, who have been fighting as Avengers in the Ohaji/Egbema area of the state."They will be expected to drop their weapons at the event. These are militants, who have been blowing pipelines and making the people in the area to have sleepless nights, until the Governor decided to take the bull by the horn," the statement read.Okorocha then urged other militants to follow this example and urged them to lay down their weapons, urging them to enter into a dialogue with the government.
A 45-year-old Nigerian based in Pretoria, South Africa, identified as Abiodun Israel Banjo, has been arrested by officials of National Dru...

A 45-year-old Nigerian based in Pretoria, South Africa, identified as Abiodun Israel Banjo, has been arrested by officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA for possessing parcels of drugs at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.According to a statement issued on Monday, Sept. 12th by NDLEA spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the arrest took place during the outward screening of passengers on a South African Airline flight to South Africa.The parcels of drugs tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 3.435kgs with an estimated street value of N31 million in NigeriaDescribing how the drugs were discovered, NDLEA Commander, Ahmadu Garba explained that during a routine luggage check, NDLEA agents noticed that Mr. Banjo's two bags contained methamphetamine concealed under clothing and food items.However, the suspect, a graduate of the Technical College of Ijebu-Ode from Osun State, denied knowledge of the drug in his bag, claiming that a friend gave him the bag in South Africa."I work in Pretoria. My friend in South Africa called me saying that his brother would give me two bags containing foodstuff to take to him. He also promised to give me two thousand dollars. I opened the bags and checked thoroughly, but could not find anything criminal. That was how I accepted to take the bags," Mr. Banjo explained."I was surprised when the drug was detected under the bags. I feel very sad that my friend has implicated me."NDLEA Chief Executive Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah called on members of the public to be aware of tricks employed by drug trafficking cartels."Drug traffickers recruit mules by enticing them with money. They are very clever in concealing drugs, as drugs have been detected in bags, electronics, foodstuff and clothes among others. We strongly advise that all passengers should endeavour to pack their bags themselves and avoid taking bags for others,"The NDLEA boss added that ignorance was no excuse in drug trafficking and the suspect would be charged for unlawful exportation of narcotics."A person shall be deemed to have exported a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance under this NDLEA Act; if he brings to or deposits the narcotic drug or psychotropic substance concerned at any time at any customs area such as airports, customs port or any other customs point generally," Mr. Abdallah explained.
A militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, NDGJM, in the early hours of yesterday, blew up the Afiesere-Iwhrenene major de...

A militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, NDGJM, in the early hours of yesterday, blew up the Afiesere-Iwhrenene major delivery line to UPS/UQCC, operated by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NDPC/Shorelines Petroleum, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The attack, confirmed by a leader of the group, self-styled Gen. Aldo Agbalaja, came as the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, which ceased hostilities, last month, accused the military of harassing elderly men, women and innocent youths in the region under the guise of hunting for militants.Meanwhile, Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, has warned that the Federal Governments plan to continue to militarize the region and intimidate the people despite the fact that NDA and other dangerous militant groups had opted for dialogue, will not make the region to forsake the Niger Delta struggle.Also, acting Secretary of Gbaramatu Traditional Council, GTC, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, has cautioned against the continued militarization of the kingdom and other parts of the region, saying: It is an ill wind that blows the inhabitants of the Niger Delta and the Federal Republic no good. Were not foolsMilitants NDGJM, in a statement, said: The Niger Delta is not a conquered territory and our people have never succumbed to intimidation before, rather we match force with the oppressors brutality.The Nigerian government should already know that the people of these parts are not fools, who will not be able to see when they are being treated with disdain.The high command of the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, once again says to the deceptive and untrustworthy Nigerian government and its cowardly armed forces that our people shall not deal with you on your terms, but on mutually agreed terms.Until you drop this deceptive and master/servant poise, Operation Crocodile Tears shall persist. As a mark of our decision to totally ground the Nigerian oil economy, the gallant OPUDO strike forces brought down the Afiesere-Iwhrenene major delivery line in Ughelli North, leading to the UPS/UQCC operated by NPDC/Shorelines at 1a.m., today (yesterday).Yesterdays attack came nine days after it warned residents living around marked major oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta to vacate such areas and threatened to detonate explosives at strategic points in the region.The militant group added: Our patience is running out on our people living close to major oil and gas facilities in the upland areas of our region. The more critical assets of the oil sector are still alive because we are being careful not to hurt our people. For the last time, leave these areas if you live around them and if you love your lives.NDA Spokesperson of NDA, self-styled Brig-Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, in series of picture tweets on his Twitter handle, gave reasons for the death of personnel of the Nigerian Army during the militarys Operation Crocodile Smile in parts of the Niger Delta region.NDA said: They are scared to death because they cannot swim, so they drown all the time. The Federal Government is just killing innocent Nigerian soldiers.In a picture tweet showing four armed soldiers with a paddler in a wooden boat, the group said: With the millions put into the Operation Crocodile Smile exercise, see the dead boats given to them to fight militants.The only thing the soldiers are good at is harassment of old men, women and innocent youths of the Niger Delta.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ekiti State has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to overhaul his economic team to give Nigerian...

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ekiti State has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to overhaul his economic team to give Nigerians a new lease of life.State NLC Chairman Ade Adesanmi, who made the call in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said there was need to rejig the economic team so that his much-touted change mantra wont end like a mere slogan without productive effects on lives of the citizens.Adesanmi said what Buhari promised Nigerians before the March 28 , 2015, presidential poll was life full of abundance and not the hardship witnessed today.He said: President Buhari campaigned in the 36 states and what he promised us was life full of peace and abundance.However, the President has been able to give us peace by way of tackling Boko Haram insurgents while he has also taken decisive actions against militancy in the Niger Delta, but the issue of the receding economy as shown in the skyrocketing prices of goods and services and callous losses of jobs by Nigerians are worrisome.President Buhari did not promise that a bag of rice, which was sold for N9,000, will be sold for N40,000. He didnt promise that a bag of cement, which was sold for N1,500, will be sold for N2,500 within one year he assumed office. He didnt promise that a litre of petrol, which cost N87, will be jacked up to N145, among other items, which prices have jumped up in four folds.The APC-led Federal Government must look beyond its party to solve our economic problems. We suggest that President Buhari rejig his economic team. He must make changes before things get out of hands.As much as we align with the idea of relying on Nigerian products to grow our economy, we disagree with the idea of total ban on some food items to allow internal production of such commodity.
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said the installation of speed limiting device on vehicles is in accordance with the commi...

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said the installation of speed limiting device on vehicles is in accordance with the commissions Establishment Act.Assistant Corps Marshall Kayode Olagunju spoke yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.Olagunju said the act empowered the commission to determine and enforce speed limiter for all vehicles.According to him, it also empowers the commission to control the use of speed limiting devices.He explained that the National Road Travelling Regulation Act 2012, Regulation 152 Sub-section (4) says a person cannot drive a vehicle that is not fitted with speed limiter on any public road.I wish to tell Nigerians that the planned installation of the speed limiting device is legal. Section 10, Sub-section (3m) of the FRSC Establishment Act 2007 empowers the commission with the mandate to enforce the use of the device.The same Regulation 152 Sub-section 5 specifies penalty of N3,000 or three months imprisonment for defaulters.This is not an administrative issue; it is something that is backed by law made by the National Assembly.We decided not to implement it on April 1, because we thought we needed to do more public education on it and to also get the collaboration of stakeholders.According to him, the corps. will start installation of the device with commercial vehicles on October 1, as commercial vehicles account for about 60 per cent of road accidents.On drivers licence, Olagunju cautioned officers against issuing fake licences to the public, warning that the commission will not tolerate unwholesome practices.
Police have arrested 18 pro-Biafran agitators while celebrating the 17th anniversary of the creation of the Movement for the Actualisati...

Police have arrested 18 pro-Biafran agitators while celebrating the 17th anniversary of the creation of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra in some states in the South-East geopolitical zone.The Anambra Police Command on Tuesday arrested 14 Biafra agitators in Onitsha, Anambra State, while its counterpart in Abia State arrested four other pro-Biafran agitators.The agitators were celebrating the 17th anniversary of the existence of the MASSOB.The Police Public Relations Officer in the state confirmed the arrest.She said 13 of those arrested were males while one was a female.She said they were arrested for their conducts likely to cause the breach of peace.Soldiers mounted road blocks at different locations in Onitsha and its environs to monitor the procession of the agitators of the Biafra Independent Movement.This made vehicular movement in and around Onitsha difficult.Reacting to the harassment of its members by security agencies, BIM warned the Federal Government not to provoke it into resorting into violence.The Joint Security Task Force set up by the Anambra State Government which comprises soldiers, police, navy and civil defence, among others, cordoned off parts of Onitsha while the march lasted.There were reported cases of shootings.The BIM members were seen chanting songs while on the anniversary procession.Anambra North Zonal Leader of the group, Emmanuel Omenka, while addressing its members, urged them to exercise patience as the day of freedom is near.He said, The present call for restructuring by some segments of the country came about as a result of the fear for the Biafran independence by those who have tied the country down.Going by the numerous times of unprovoked attack on our members by the Nigerian security forces, we may resort to violence.The fact that we chose non-violence is not out of cowardice but to maintain the pact Uwazurike signed with the United Nations.No amount of restructuring gimmick can make BIM and MASSOB derail from their agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra.Anambra Central Zonal Leader of BIM, Chief Vincent Iloh, said, The Nigerian government should allow the Biafra agitators have their own independent state, since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 by our calculation had expired in 2014.Let the whole world know that we are resolute in our stand for a Biafra Republic. It is not compulsory that we shall remain one indivisible nation. Therefore, they should allow us to go to our Promised Land.We will not fail to praise the resilience of Chief Ralph Uwazurike who started the struggle on September 13, 1999. We want to remind those working to destabilise the struggle that they can never succeed, because 17 years is not 17 days, even as we are not ready to relent or relinquish the struggle.In Abia State, about four persons were reportedly arrested by the police in Umuahia, the state capital, for taking part in the 17th anniversary of MASSOB.Members of MASSOB defied the rain to mark the anniversary.The event started with a prayer session at its zonal secretariat in Umuahia, before a peaceful procession round the state capital.But few hours after the procession, the MASSOB-BIM zonal Information Director, Anselam Ogbonna, alleged that about four of their members were arrested by the police.He also alleged that about four Nigerian Police (Hilux) vans, with one having NPF6619C number, stormed their secretariat and seized the Biafran and Israeli flags hoisted there.Meanwhile, the MASSOB also marked its 17th anniversary of existence on Tuesday.It renewed commitment towards actualising Biafra republic without violence.MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, said in a statement in Awka that the Biafra agitators were using the occasion to remember those who lost their lives in the course of the struggle.Madu said, Today, as we celebrate the 17th anniversary of the formation of MASSOB, we remember our brothers and sisters whose lives were cut shot because of Biafra in the hands of security agents.We remember our non-violent MASSOB members, who died innocently and with brave hearts for the Biafra cause. They were molested, mesmerised, humiliated and brutally killed by the armed security agents of our oppressors.Today, we the remnants of genuine MASSOB activists also remember the parents of our fallen heroes. Some are still traumatised and some died because of shock while others are living ghost of themselves.MASSOB still remembers our dead members who are still in mortuaries for the past 10 years. They were brutally killed in Onitsha in June 2006, during an order of shoot-at-sight against armless MASSOB members.Madu said it had come to the notice of MASSOB that some members of the Biafra Indigenous Movement, led by the former MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, were also marking the anniversary. He said while the movement was not against such participation, it should be on record that only one MASSOB, led by him, exists. He said MASSOB has its headquarters at Okwe in Imo State.He added, While MASSOB acknowledges other Biafrans in celebrating with us, we counsel the confused and brainwashed members of Uwazuruikes BIM to understand their stand in the struggle. A group of people cannot be MASSOB and BIM members at the same time under the leadership of two different persons.In Cross River State, at least 200 members of MASSOB held procession along major streets in Ikom to mark the 17th anniversary of the pressure group on Tuesday.The members, who came in from Ogoja, Ugep, Obubra, Obudu and Abi local government areas of the state, converged at the Ikom Township Stadium, before parading the streets, chanting victory songs and Biafran anthem.Zonal Leader of MASSOB in Cross River State, Mr. Samuel Okah, who led the parade, said the event was to mark 17 years of peaceful struggle for the actualisation of a nation for the people of Biafra.He said, It has been 17 years of peaceful agitation by the people of Biafra, led by Chief Ralph Uwazurike, and we are making steady progress for the coming to fruition of our efforts. This is a clear demonstration of the fact that peaceful efforts could get more mileage than violence.
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode, has stated President Muhammadu Buhari, had either lost his memory or was not well-in...

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode, has stated President Muhammadu Buhari, had either lost his memory or was not well-informed when he told Nigerians that he inherited nothing from the PDP administrations of Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa YarAdua and Goodluck Jonathan.The ex-Spokesman of Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation told mewsmen that President Buhari had in the last one year and three months, brought nothing but chaos, destruction, division, fear, deaths and shame to Nigeria compared to the PDP governments he was ridiculing.He said, It is obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari has either lost his memory or he has been badly misinformed.If you look at the state of the country in 1999 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo took over and compare it to what it was in 2007 when he left office, you will find out that there was not just development but also a miraculous transformation in every sector; that is what Obasanjo managed to achieve and I am very proud to be part of that government and part of those legacies.After Obasanjo left, Umaru Yar Adua took over and then came former President Goodluck Jonathan. As far as I am concerned, Jonathan built on Obasanjos legacies and foundation and he took us to yet another level.If you compare Nigeria in 2015 by the time Jonathan left to 1999 before Obasanjo came in, you will have to thank the PDP for lifting this nation up and taking us from strength to strength.By the time Jonathan left in 2015, we had the largest economy on the African Continent and the fastest growing economy in the world, among other things.In one year and three months, all of that have been destroyed by President Buhari and his APC, we are now back in the dark ages. Every sector in the country has been destroyed and everyone is complaining.President Buhari has brought nothing, but ethnic cleansing, recession, abuse of power, persecution, genocide, chaos, destruction, division, fear, deaths and shame to Nigeria and they have no other way of running the country, but to intimidate the citizens and threaten them. That is his own legacy.It should also be noted that a large number of people that supported Buhari in his quest to become the president, last year, were all originally from the PDP, whether the PDP governors, who decamped or PDP ministers who decamped or PDP legislators who decamped, 70 percent of people that helped to put Buhari in power used to be PDP including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former speakers Aminu Tambuwal, Aminu Masari; Umar Ghali Naaba; former minister of the Federal Capital Territory and governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El- Rufai; Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Segun Oni; Danjuma Goje; Aliyu Wammakko; Rabiu Kwankwaso; Murtala Nyako; George Akume; Senate Leader, Ali; former PDP national chairmen, Barnabas Gemade; Audu Ogbeh, among others.When he insults PDP legacy and said that nothing was ever done by PDP in 16 years, he is insulting those 70 per cent that put him in power starting with Obasanjo and I think that this is most unfair and very ungrateful of him.
Dame Patience Jonathan, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, said she was using her $15m, which was frozen in four companies...

Dame Patience Jonathan, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, said she was using her $15m, which was frozen in four companies accounts, to settle medical bills while she was out of the country.She, therefore, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Skye Bank to lift the restriction on the accounts.Patience said this in a letter with reference number GA/Abibo/00226/2016, written by her lawyers, Granville Abibo (SAN) and Co, which was addressed to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.It can be recalled that the four accounts belonged to the following companies: Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Globus Integrated Service Limited.A houseboy, a driver and other domestic workers of a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to Jonathan, Waripamowei Dudafa, were named as directors, but Patiences $15m was lodged in the accounts and she was given a platinum card and exclusive access to the accounts.The letter read in part, It is noteworthy to emphasise that the said accounts, which were in US dollar denomination, were card-based accounts and our client is the sole signatory to these accounts.However, our client has been operating the said accounts using the cards for her medical bill payments and purchases for her private purposes without any let or hindrance.Our client was therefore surprised when the said cards stop functioning on July 7, 2016, or thereabout. Our client immediately, thereupon, contacted Skye Bank Plc through our solicitors.It was only then that the bank officials informed our client that the said accounts were placed on a No Debit Order following investigations and instruction from your commission and this is without notice to our client by either the bank or the commission.It is in the light of the foregoing that we urge you to use your good offices to vacate the No Debit/Freezing Order placed on the said accounts.Patience, who described herself as a law-abiding citizen, said despite all the explanations she offered to the Lagos Zonal Office of the EFCC, the detectives in charge refused to heed her request.She, therefore, urged Magu to intervene immediately.She added, Despite the foregoing, our client, who is a law-abiding citizen, has watched with surprise how efforts are being made surreptitiously to indirectly harass or harangue her and short-change her of her personal funds in breach of her fundamental human rights.We urge you sir, to kindly intervene to stop the untoward and wrongful actions of your officials to embarrass, inconvenience and short-change our client.However, a detective in the EFCC said, We got a relevant court order to freeze those accounts and we have evidence which we will present in court on Friday.We did not know that the accounts belonged to Patience Jonathan at the time we froze them. The accounts do not bear her name neither do they carry her BVN (Bank Verification Number). So, how can she accuse us of harassment?She has a separate account in Skye Bank with the title Patience Jonathan, which has a balance of $5m. If she claims she needs money for medical treatment, then the $5m should be alright.In a thanksgiving service held at the State House chapel in Abuja on February 18, 2013, Patience had said she underwent seven surgical operations within one month in Germany, adding that the doctors had given up hope on her survival.She had stated, I remember when Chief Obasanjo was the President of the country, I was close to his late wife, Stella. We worshiped together in this chapel. It was a painful moment for me that time when she (Stella) died and her corpse was brought here.That was how my corpse would have been brought here.It was not an easy experience for me. I actually died, I passed out for more than a week. My intestine and tummy were opened.I am not Lazarus but my experience was similar to his. My doctors said all hope was lost.FG not persecuting Jonathan, Patience MohammedMeanwhile, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the Federal Government, under President Muhammadu Buhari, is not persecuting Jonathan and his wife, Patience.Speaking in an interview with journalists in Oro, Kwara State, on Tuesday, Mohammed said it would be wrong to submit that the Federal Government was probing Jonathan or Patience.He said, If you look at the history of Mrs. Patience Jonathans issue, I think she was the one that came out to claim that the money found in the accounts of one of the aides to the former President, her husband, belonged to her.It was not the EFCC that claimed so. She claimed that the money that the guy was being prosecuted for belonged to her. It was only then they later found an extra $5m in another account.It is not as if anybody has gone out to probe Mrs. Jonathan directly or indirectly. Rather Mrs. Jonathan was the one that said that money for which you are accusing Mr. X actually belongs to me. So, you cannot start talking of prosecution or persecution.The minister said the Federal Government was concerned about the current national economic recession and had initiated measures to address it.He stated that the current campaign of the Federal Government, Change begins with me, was not only for the people but also for the leaders.Mohammed also said it was incorrect to accuse Buharis government of being partisan, selective and vindictive in its anti-corruption war.He said Buhari would also not spare any APC member accused or guilty of corruption.He said, People have always said that no APC politician had been investigated. The question is those who are those being prosecuted today, for what reasons are they being prosecuted?It is wrong to say that the government is only investigating and prosecuting PDP members. We have not even started investigating the oil and gas industry. It is not about going out to investigate PDP. No!We lost about 15,000 people. Nobody can, in honesty, accuse the FG of being one sided.Patience must explain her source of wealth, says CACOLAlso, a civil society organisation, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, has said Patience must explain how she came about the funds with which she reportedly built a N10bn hotel in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.The hotel, which is known as Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, Yenagoa, was inaugurated by Patience in April 2015, barely a month before the end of her husbands tenure.But CACOL, which recalled in a statement on Tuesday that Patience was only a Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State at a time, said the ex-Presidents wife must be made to explain the source of her wealth.The statement by the groups acting Media Officer, Abiodun Rabiu, quoted the Executive Chairman of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, as saying the EFCC needed no further petition to invite Patience for questioning.CACOL asked, How did she (Patience) get the money and even the ones stacked in her accounts? That is what we, Nigerians, want to know. As far as we can understand, she was just a civil servant. So, as a civil servant, how did she manage to acquire such a luxurious property that is worth that amount, because she would have earned less than 10 per cent of the amount even if she had been a Director or Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service all of the entire years she has spent on earth?
Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said, yesterday, that the present administration was not probing memb...

Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said, yesterday, that the present administration was not probing members of the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but was particularly interested in investigating those who mismanaged funds meant for prosecuting the war against Boko Haram insurgency. Mohammed said this during a chat with reporters at his Oro residence in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.According to the minister, the Federal Government became deeply concerned because of alleged embezzlement of about $2.1 billion, which allowed the insurgents to be in control of 14 of 20 local government areas in some North Eastern states.He added that the sad development led to the incalculable loss of lives of many innocent Nigerians and degraded the nations armed forces.The minister said: Those being prosecuted today are being prosecuted for what reason? The answer is obvious, it is about what happened to the funds allocated to fight Boko-Haram. As at that time, 14 of 20 LGAs were under the control of the insurgents.We were all wondering what could be happening to our gallant military men, who had excelled outside the country, helping others but could not defend our territorial boundaries.In the process, the Pandora Box was opened. So it is only the budget voted for defence that is being investigated. So, it is not about going out to investigate members of the PDP.  The minister also said the recent anti-corruption searchlight beamed on Patience Jonathan, wife of former President, was allegedly initiated by the former first lady herself when she claimed that the money found on one of her husbands aides belonged to her.Citing the case of Japan that had been going through economic challenges for the past 14 years without a drop in the standard of living of its citizens, Mohammed said the hardship had been ameliorated due to the nations conscious investment in infrastructure. While urging Nigerians to be patient with the Federal Government over the state of the nations economy, the minister blamed successive governments for allegedly ignoring the needs for massive investments in infrastructure and reserves. We salute the courage and perseverance of Nigerians. We know what they are going through. It is not about trading blames, it is about those who used this or that. We had for long had an economy that revolved around one commodity.Our dependence on oil formed over 60 per cent of our Gross Domestic Products, GDP. When oil price crashed, we had no reserves to cushion the effects. We did not invest in infrastructure. From records, a government spent N18billion on roads but spent N65billion on estacodes. We have spent about N70billion on road this year. Between years 2012 and 2015 when oil was selling for $100 per barrel, they didnt pay contractors but now, we brought back Julius Berger to site, paying N30billion. Although people said we should stop talking about the past, we believe that proper accounts must be made. We are hampered by the Niger/Delta instability and we have in the process lost about $1billion. But despite all these, major states capitals will be linked with effective rail system very soon, he said.Mohammed, while making a case for a changed attitude among Nigerians over their penchant for foreign goods and services, said emphasis should henceforth be placed on local contents tto create employment opportunities. He added: The kind of leadership we have in Nigeria today is by example. No minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for instance, can today fly in First Class, even if he has the wherewithal to do so. He must fly in the economic class. So we must all make sacrifice.Do you know that a pharmacist who sells fake drug is worse than a Permanent Secretary who embezzled money? The said pharmacist can send you to your early graves. He also noted that the over dependence of Nigeria on oil over the decades was largely responsible for the present economic challenges country was going through. The Minister said the present efforts of the Federal government to diversify the economy needed some time to pay off, and end the present economic challenges.
EAST RUTHERFORD - Police say a 28-year-old man is wanted for allegedly attacking a woman in her home and pouring bleach on her.

Andrew Kazmierak (East Rutherford PD)

Andrew Kazmierak went to talk to the 26-year-old victim Tuesday at her home in the Monarch Apartments on Schindler Court in East Rutherford, police said.

Police said the victim, whom they describe as "a former acquaintance," allowed Kazmierak into her home "only to talk."

"While there, the suspect began arguing with the victim," East Rutherford Police Chief Larry Minda said in a statement.

At some point, Kazmierak allegedly urinated on the apartment floor and the victim retrieved bleach to clean up the urine, Minda said.

"The suspect took the bleach and poured it on the victim, dragged her through the bleach and punched her in the face," Minda said.

Kazmierak fled before police arrived, Minda said.

The victim was taken to a local hospital, where she was treated for injuries from the bleach on her hip and buttocks area, the chief said.

Kazmierak, who may be in Paterson or Bronx, N.Y., is wanted for aggravated assault, Minda said.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts may call police at 201-438-0165.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
norwood-bankrobber.jpg

Police say the man robbed a Chase Bank in Norwood on Monday afternoon. (Norwood Police Department)

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NORWOOD - Police are looking for a robber who held up a bank by showing a teller a sign with the word "RoBBERY" written large, bold and in mostly caps.

The robbery occurred Monday afternoon at the Chase Bank at Broadway and Livingston Street, according to Norwood police.

The robber was about 6-feet tall, 225 to 250 pounds.

Police released photos of the man and asked anyone who knows him to call detectives at 201-750-8623.

Images of the robber were captured on bank security cameras. (Norwood Police Department)

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
cop car towed.jpg

In this photo submitted by witness Tim Scurria, a truck tows away the car that was allegedly being driven by a Camden County police officer who was charged with drunk driving.

(Tim Scurria)

WATERFORD TWP. -- The alleged drunk driving arrest of a Camden County police officer in Waterford Sunday has led to not one but two police internal affairs investigations.

Nicholas Gagliardi, a new recruit with Camden police, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Now he is suspended without pay and facing an internal affairs inquiry, according to a county spokesman.

And in Waterford, internal affairs will be looking into the actions of the officers who responded to the 911 call about Gagliardi allegedly nearly causing a serious accident.

Tim Scurria, the man who called police, said he was irate that it took an hour for officers to administer a field sobriety test and arrest Gagliardi.

"It's an active internal affairs investigation based on allegations from Mr. Scurria," Waterford Police Chief Daniel Cormaney said Wednesday. He declined to discuss the incident and arrest, and said he could not name the involved officers.

Scurria, of Waterford, said the incident took place Sunday afternoon in front of the Town Center plaza on the White Horse Pike in Atco.

He said that while waiting for the police to respond, the man "kept saying, 'I'm a cop...nothing's going to happen to me.'"

Scurria was concerned that Gagliardi was right and that he wouldn't be arrested because he was an officer. He let officers know how he felt about what he perceived to be a delay.

"They did their job, it just took some time," he said. "If that was any of us, we would have been in handcuffs in 15 minutes."

Gagliardi referred comment to his attorney, Nancy Valentino. She said that her client maintains his innocence.

"There is a process that will determine whether Mr. Gagliardi is guilty of any offense, and we are in the very early stages of that process," she said. "He will have his day in court."

She also said that she has no reason to believe police officers weren't doing their jobs correctly at the scene, and suggested Scurria's behavior may have "impeded" officers.

"It it my understanding from the account that I have received so far that the Waterford Township Police Department was acting appropriately at all times and that my client was compliant at all times," Valentino said.

Scurria said he was driving west on the White Horse Pike near Atoc Brewing Company with his wife around 5 p.m. when a car coming the opposite direction turned left in front of him. He slammed on the brakes.

"There's 25 feet of skid marks. I was going 45 mph," Scurria said.

The erratic driving worried him so he followed the car into the plaza and approached it when it stopped. He asked the driver if he was OK and after getting no answer, opened the door. The man got out of the car with some difficulty, he said.

"He stumbled," Scurria said. "I grabbed him by the back of his belt and walked him to the end of his vehicle to hold him up."

The man denied drinking and told Scurria he was a cop, producing an ID card saying as much, Scurria said. He told the man he had called the police and he was going to be arrested, the man said that wouldn't happen because he was a Camden County police officer.

"I said, 'you almost killed me and my wife," Scurria said.

There was a male passenger in Gagliardi's vehicle, he said.

Scurria called 911, but when five police officers arrived they told him they were responding to a report of a fight. Scurria said it's possible someone else saw him interacting with Gagliardi -- he admits he was upset -- and called it in.

Either way, police had a lot of questions for him and his wife, as well as Gagliardi, he said. And as time passed, Scurria said he became more and more upset because he couldn't understand why officers were not giving the man a field sobriety test. He ultimately called the State Police, but was told it would be an hour before they could be there.

He said that at 6 p.m., an hour after the near-miss accident, Gagliardi did a field sobriety test and was arrested.

Scurria said he was not the only witness who stayed around to give a statement to police. A second driver followed them into the plaza and told Scurria that he had been following the man's vehicle from Berlin and had seen it swerve and even hit a curb, Scurria said.

The county spokesman, Dan Keashen, said Gagliardi will remain suspended while the department conducts an internal affairs investigation and until the outcome of his court case.

He said the Gagliardi had graduated in August with the most recent class of recruits from the Camden County College Police Academy.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A New Jersey man

in Tennessee two years ago.

Wayne Masciarella, 27, of Cape Maypleaded guilty to second-degree murder Tuesday in Nashville, according to Tennesseean.com.

Masciarella will be sentenced to 15 years in prison, NewsChannel5.com said.

Prosecutors said Masciarella stabbed Courtney Cash, 23, to death following a night out with Cash and her boyfriend, William Austin Johnson. Johnson was also stabbed but survived. The couple's toddler was not harmed.

Cash's body was found covered by a blanket in a cedar chest in the front doorway of a home in rural Baxter the next day, LATimes.com reported.

Courtney Cash was the granddaughter of Tommy Cash, Johnny Cash's brother.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Rutgers University was forced to cancel some classes on Wednesday after a series of power outages in about 90 buildings, according to the university.

Classes prior to 5:30 p.m. on the adjacent Cook and Douglass campuses were canceled because of intermittent power issues, including problems in 39 residence halls, the university said in a post on its Facebook page.

All student centers, health centers, recreational centers and dining halls on those campuses were closed until further notice. If power is not restored by Wednesday evening, the university will provide shelter to students who live on the Cook and Douglass campuses.

The university will provide more information directly to students and post any updates on its website and social media accounts, it said.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP -- For more than a half century, Island Beach State Park has been the place to go for New Jersey nature lovers looking for unspoiled beaches, wind swept dunes and wildlife ranging from songbirds to humpback whales.

Now parkgoers can top off their day in the park with a $3 Miller Lite or a pineapple dream cocktail.

The park's first ever bar, dubbed The Red Fox Tiki Bar and Grill, opened quietly Sept. 8 near an existing snack bar and a concession area in the ten-mile long park. Whether its arrival is worth toasting, however, depends on your point of view.

Named after the commonly spotted foxes that roam the park, state officials hope the open air tiki bar will provide another lure for visitors and raise much needed revenue for a cash-starved state parks system.

"Our park system is in need of services to help it become more self-sustaining,'' said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Larry Hajna. "There's just not enough revenues coming in and we don't have to raise our entrance fees for people, especially for our state residents. "

Hajna said the approach is based on that of the U.S. National Park Service, which has private contractors running restaurants, hotels and other attractions throughouth national parks across the country.

"It's certainly not different from what other communities are offering and it offers a service that will help keep the park sustainable" Hajna said.

But the Christie administration's efforts to parks to more private business has been the source of long-simmering controversy, with Liberty State Park being the primary flashpoint so far.

The appearance of the tiki bar on the most pristine stretch of the state's heavily developed shoreline is raising concerns among environmentalists that they could face a similar fight there.

In June, the DEP hired the food vendor that operates the adjacent snack bar, PPCF Inc., to open the small 100-seat bar at the park's northern swimming beach, according to the DEP's website. The company also operates Chippy's Fresh French Fries on the Point Pleasant boardwalk, and Jimmy's Cucina restaurant in Brielle.

Hajna said information on how much PPCF was paying the state for the liquor concession was not immediately available. While he could not provide exact figures, PPCF owner Jim Miller said his five-year-contract calls for him to turn over a percentage of of his sales revenue to the state.

Possession of alcohol is limited to within a fenced-in area that includes the plywood-constructed bar, a tent over the bar and 20 small tables on a patio.

Visitors to the park are still prohibited from possessing alcohol anywhere else in the park.

On a sparkling late summer day Tuesday, visitors appeared taken aback by the appearance of a full service bar on their favorite beach. Several beachgoers lugging their chairs to the beach stopped and stood slack-jawed at the sight of a sandwich board advertising a list of beers and cocktails.

"We were so happy to see it,'' said Anita Marchetti of Manchester Township, sipping a Pineapple Dream cocktail at the bar while Bob Marley music played over the speakers. "It's been the only thing missing from this beach."

Seated two stools over, Marchetti's nephew's wife visiting from Pennsylvania for the day called the idea "sheer genius."

But not everyone is ready to party.

On the Facebook page operated by the concession operators, several commenters worried the arrival of a bar -- and the bar crowd -- would alter the vibe of a place many head to specifically for its lack of bars and other commercial attractions.

Jeff Tittel, head of the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club, said he had no problem with a small "beer and a burger" operation opening up in the park.

But he worried about what he called the latest step by the Administration of Gov. Chris Christie to privatize and introduce larger scale commercial businesses into state parks.

"I'm concerned this is like the camel's nose in the tent," he said. "Sometimes things start small and then get big. My main concern is that this doesn't open up the park for bigger development or commercialization."

Tittel added the administration's efforts to bring more commercial ventures to other state parks and plans to install a sewer line into Island Beach State Park raise concerns that more commercial ventures could be in the works for the barrier island park.

In a 2011 report entitled "Sustainable Funding Strategy for New Jersey State Parks" state officials said "safe and reliable access to state parks is at risk" due to staff reductions and budget cuts.

The report called for new initiatives to increase revenue for parks, but also cited Island Beach State Park as the only state park that generates more revenue than it costs to run.

Jim Miller, the owner of the new bar, said he has no plans to expand the capacity beyond the 100 seats allowed by his contract, but does hope to replace the temporary tent with a more permanent open-air structure.

"We're not looking to make it like a boardwalk with flashing lights," Miller said. "We're trying to keep it pretty conservative and just have a place where people can go and relax."

Brian Donohue may be reached at bdonohue@njadvancemedia.com Follow him on Twitter @briandonohue. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A rendering for the new lion habitat at the Audubon Zoo, which will be built thanks to a $5 million donation from shipbuilding magnate Boysie Bollinger and his wife, Joy.
Justice for Some: When the money runs out for public defense, what happens next?
Cooking alligator may be old hat for many home cooks, and it's quite apparent chefs are cooking it all over the place. But I cooked it the fir
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)  Survivors of Hurricane Ian face a long emotional road to recover from one of the most damaging storms to hit the U.S. mainland. For those who lost everything to disaster, the anguish can be crushing to return home to find so much gone. Grief can run the gamut from frequent tears to utter despair. The Lee County medical examiner says two men in their 70s even took their own lives a day apart after viewing their losses. Experts say suicides climb after disasters and more funding for mental health should be provided as climate change makes storms and fires more frequent and devastating.
The federal government plans to pour $125 million into the fight against a mysterious disease that has ravaged corals in Florida and much of the Caribbean, and now poses a dire threat to the treasured reefs off the Louisiana and Texas coasts.
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.
Dat Chat podcast rewind: How concerned should you be by the Saints' opening loss to the Raiders?
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The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded a $2.7 million grant to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District to aid its plan to add a second access point to the East Chicago South Shore train platform.

This is very welcome news to the South Shores 3,500 daily passengers that use the East Chicago train station, NICTD General Manager Michael Noland said. Its extremely important that we find a solution to the single access way to the platform.

The East Chicago station is the most-used among the South Shore Line stations. The Railroad Safety Infrastructure Improvement Grant will be applied toward a new entry and exit on the east side of the existing platform access, NICTD officials said.

The railroad will begin planning and engineering work after receiving the grant funds. It could award a contract in fall 2017 for construction in 2018, Noland said.

Access to the East Chicago platform currently is through the station, via a two-flight staircase or elevator. The staircase becomes particularly crowded after rush-hour passengers disembark from evening trains.

When youre boarding the train, everyone doesnt arrive at the same time, Noland noted. But everybody unloads the train at the same time  thats where you get clogged up. Theres nothing thats going to resolve that except a second point of access.

The station opened in 2005 with one access point due to design and engineering challenges that had to fit within the budget available. Marketing and Planning Director John Parsons said the fact that the tracks are elevated, that trains take a significant curve east of the station, and that NICTD wanted a high-level boarding platform were among the factors that led to the current design.

Parsons said that in a recent survey riders expressed a strong desire for safer and more efficient access to the East Chicago platform. The response was overwhelming, he said.

Noland said the project would likely cost about $7 million. NICTD would fund the balance through its capital accounts.

He thanked U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky for help securing the grant. The congressman called the railroads plan an invaluable project.

There is a great momentum growing to improve and expand the transportation infrastructure of Northwest Indiana, Visclosky said.
The gross domestic product of Indiana's manufacturing sector passed the $100 billion mark for the first time in state history last year.

Indiana Manufacturers Association President and CEO Brian Burton touted the size and strength of the industry during a presentation at Avalon Manor in Hobart Tuesday. Manufacturing accounts for 30 percent of the state's GDP, and its economic contribution jumped 6.3 percent from $94 billion in 2014 to $100 billion last year.

The manufacturing sector is nearly twice as large as the next biggest industry in Indiana: finance, insurance and real estate. And while Indiana might be thought of as a farming state, manufacturing's gross domestic product is much larger than agriculture's.

"It takes a lot of corn to equal a car," he said.

Burton has shown a chart of manufacturing's economic impact to Governor Mike Pence and Attorney General Greg Zoeller. He said both had the same response: that they knew manufacturing was important to the state but had no idea how important.

The jobs pay well too, an average of $72,000 as compared to $48,000 in other sectors. Metal fabricating and primary metals are two of the biggest types of manufacturing in Indiana.

The Indiana Manufacturers Association works with state lawmakers to ensure that Indiana is hospitable to manufacturers. Burton said fighting regulatory burdens is a critical battle, with chemical manufacturers for instance facing 17,000 more requirements in 2013 than they did in 1997, and automakers facing 12,000 more.

Vice President of Governmental Affairs Andrew Berger said the association would likely press again in the upcoming legislative session for a bill that would prohibit Indiana state agencies from adopting any regulations more stringent than the federal government. Gov. Mike Pence vetoed it because of concerns about the lead crisis in Flint.

Under the bill, state lawmakers could still vote to enact more stringent environmental regulations, such as in response to the East Chicago lead crisis, Berger said.

The Indiana Manufacturers Association's biggest legislative focus however will be on workforce development. Burton said employers needed 21,588 students with manufacturing credentials a year, but Indiana's colleges were only generating 5,709.

"Students are regretting they picked Medieval studies," he said. "We have the highest skilled baristas of anywhere in the country. More technical degrees lead to good jobs and good wages."
The federal government this week finalized another round of steel tariffs, this time of hot-rolled steel flat products from Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

The U.S. Department of Commerce determined imports from those countries were sold at less than fair market prices, and also benefited from illegal subsidies in the cases of Brazil, Korea and Turkey. Duties of up to 57 percent will be imposed.

Imports from the seven countries slapped with tariffs this week captured $1.8 billion of the $3 billion U.S. market for hot-rolled products in 2014.

The trade commission final rulings will back-off the river of illegal steel imports, said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. But these successful enforcement actions will hopefully return laid-off steelworkers suffering the consequences of slow trade justice at idled mills deeply damaged by imports.

ArcelorMittal, U.S. Steel, Fort Wayne-based Steel Dynamics and other steelmakers asked for the tariffs last year, during the global import crisis that resulted in more than 19,000 steelworker layoffs.

Imports seized 29 percent of U.S. market share last year. Thats a larger market share than when 30 American steel companies went out of business during a similar import crisis in the early 2000s.

It is clear that the International Trade Commission recognized the significance of this case to the domestic industry as demonstrated by its affirmative determination in the hot-rolled steel investigation from Australia, Brazil, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea and the United Kingdom, U.S. Steel CEO Mario Longhi said. We are encouraged that we have received affirmative determinations in the vast majority of the three flat-rolled cases we have filed.

The Commerce Department will issue antidumping duty orders on imports from Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Turkey faces antidumping tariffs but not countervailing ones because of low volume. Only Brazil and Korea face both antidumping and countervailing duties.

An estimated 18,408 workers make hot-rolled steel in Indiana and other states. It was a $30.5 billion industry last year, when imports grabbed nearly 10 percent of the market, according to the International Trade Commission. Canada, Korea, Brazil and Japan sent over the most metal.
CALUMET TOWNSHIP  A 24-year-old man now faces numerous charges after he allegedly put his girlfriend in a choke hold and assaulted her during an argument in unincorporated Gary.

Police responded Aug. 24 to the area of 41st and Cleveland streets in reference to a battery report, according to a Lake County Sheriff's Office news release dated Tuesday.

Matthew Tigner, of Calumet Township, is accused of confining, assaulting and strangling his girlfriend that day, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The victim told police she and Tigner were in a verbal argument when he grabbed and pulled her to the floor. As she attempted to break free, Tigner allegedly put her in a choke hold, almost causing her to lose consciousness.

At one point, the victim locked herself in the bathroom. Upon exiting, the two started arguing again. Tigner allegedly put the victim into another choke hold, causing her to lose consciousness.

Tigner then allegedly fled from the residence, which they shared together at the time. The victim fled and called police.

She sustained pressure marks on both sides of her neck and her lower back, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Tigner faces six counts of criminal conduct, including three counts of criminal confinement, and one count each of domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury, strangulation, and domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, according to the release.
CROWN POINT  James Hill, of Gary, appeared Tuesday in Lake Criminal Court on charges he was the getaway driver in the murder of Hammond police Officer Lawrence J. Pucalik nearly 36 years ago.

Pucalik was working off-duty as a security guard at the then-Holiday Inn-Southeast near the intersection of Cline Avenue and Interstate 80/94 on Nov. 14, 1980. He was shot during a botched robbery at the hotel about 3 a.m. that day, according to court records, including statements from the sole witness, front desk clerk Susan Harris.

Then a teenager, Hill was allegedly driving the blue 1973 Chevy Impala.

In 2012, the Lake County prosecutors office charged Hill, Larry Mayes, of Portage, and Pierre Catlett, of Harvey, with the police officers murder after the Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force reopened the Pucalik case. However, in 2014, the prosecutors office dismissed the original murder case against Hill.

The 53-year old was arrested again Sept. 2 and is being held without bond at Lake County Jail. An affidavit filed last week in Lake Criminal Court alleges Jason M. Gore, a special agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, took part in the reopening of the Pucalik homicide and has reviewed old police reports and reinterviewed the original witnesses still alive.

Hill, who appeared Tuesday with defense attorney Mark Gruenhagen, entered a plea of not guilty before Pro-Tem Judge William Enslen in Judge Salvador Vasquezs courtroom. Vasquez is attending a weeklong judicial conference.

When Hill was arrested in 2012, a cash bond of $10,000 was established, Gruenhagen told Enseln. The attorney made a motion to allow Hill out on bail based on that original bond. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michael Toth asked the judge for more time to discuss the matter of the bond with Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Urbanski, who was involved in the original case.

Enseln reset the bond hearing for Friday, and reaffirmed Hills jury trial date of Jan. 3.
HAMMOND  A Schererville man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to a charge of having a 16-year-old prostitute transported from Chicago to his home and then paying another woman to engage in sex acts with two other female prostitutes.

Aleksandar Jokic, 41, was charged with transportation for prostitution. He carried out the offense between June and October 2015, according to court records.

He said he arranged for the commercial sex acts via his smart phone and paid using a combination of cash and bank checks.

The proposed plea agreement calls on federal prosecutors at the time of sentencing to request the low end of the potential prison term of up to 10 years, according to court documents. He also faces supervision upon release from five years to life.

Jokic also admitted to soliciting the other two females involved in the incident, according to the file.

The agreement calls on prosecutors to dismiss two other counts of sex trafficking of minors in the case following sentencing.
HAMMOND  A guilty plea was entered this week by two of five members of an area carpenters union accused of illegally collecting claims from the organizations health care benefits program.

Bradley Crostreet, 45, of Valparaiso, and Robert Gutierrez, 38, of Hammond, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of health care theft and were sentenced to six months of probation, according to court documents.

The terms of probation include not committing another crime, or using or possessing controlled substances.

Crostreet was ordered to pay $10,311 in restitution and Gutierrez was ordered to pay $19,771, according to court records.

The union members were accused of requesting medical expense reimbursements by submitting a fraudulent claim form and a copy of a personal check for reimbursement to the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters welfare fund.

These documents gave the appearance that the defendants had paid a reimbursable health care expense, the news release stated. In total, the individuals were reimbursed nearly $64,500.

Others charged include Aaron Vaughan, 35, of Lake Station, Dennis Gardner, 52, and Joshua Westfall, 38, both of LaPorte.
Online learning has become a staple in the life of a college student. Colleges are making classes, certificate programs, and degrees more convenient to every type of student without sacrificing the quality of the education.

So what does a typical online course look like? According to Dr. Gina Rodriguez, vice president of academic affairs at Calumet College of St. Joseph, one of the most popular types of classes at her university is a hybrid class. Hybrid courses are courses where students come to class and meet occasionally, but most work is done online, she says. This gives students the opportunity to meet their professors and classmates, then continue to do the work online and on their own time. At Calumet College, this is offered in numerous graduate programs, and some undergraduate programs as well. This is an area where we have moved forward significantly, Rodriguez says.

Heather Zamojski, assistant vice chancellor of learning technologies at Purdue University Northwest, says that they are focusing on making information and classes available on mobile devices. Weve been trying to make [online learning] more accessible through mobile devices so students can get their information on the go, on their phones or tablets, she says. Our learning management system has a mobile app so students can access their schedule, discussion boards, or any of their information, no matter where they are.

Purdue University Northwest offers full nursing degrees online for registered nurses looking to expand their education. We have a very large program, about 1,800 enrolled, says Dr. Lisa Hopp, PhD, RN, FAAN, and dean of the College of Nursing at Purdue Northwest. The national goal is that 80 percent of registered nurses will be prepared with a bachelors degree by 2020, so we offer this to try to help reach that national goal.

To participate in online courses, students will be required to use computers or a mobile device, which can be their own or a computer at a lab on campus. Its not required to have your own technology because we have computer labs, but most students like to have their own technology. Were seeing most students have smart phones when they get to school, Zamojski says.

Currently, only 10 percent of students at Calumet College are enrolled in online courses. At Purdue Northwest, approximately 20 percent of students are enrolled in online classes; close to half of all students have taken an online course at one point in their college career.

Although universities have different classes offered online and different degree programs, one thing remains the same: all students are held to the same expectations, no matter what type of classroom setting they choose.

The standards [of the courses] remain the same. The amount of time students should expect to spend on coursework and the competencies that result from the classes remain the same, no matter what method of teaching, Rodriguez says. The online courses are easier in the fact that you do not have to get in the car and go somewhere, but the coursework and standards are not easier.

Zamojski echoes this sentiment. The difference is that youre not sitting beside your friend or classmate. We try to work with faculty to recreate the same experiences for online courses; just because you are online doesnt mean you cant have discussions or work with other students. But the online classes are more convenient, she says. Whether online, hybrid or technology advanced courses, we want the students to have the same learning experience from any other class.
VALPARAISO  After reviewing the 2017 school budget with the City Council, the Valparaiso Community Schools superintendent took another opportunity Monday to voice his opposition to a new charter school.

E. Ric Frataccia reviewed the general, debt service, pension debt service, capital projects, transportation and bus replacement funds. While some advertised funds will be less than last year, overall the district will advertise for $1 million more this year, at more than $40 million.

South Shore Classical Academy recently announced plans to begin enrolling students in March for the 2017-18 academic year and serve grades kindergarten through 10th, and then add 11th and 12th grade by 2019.

The group stated in its application it has identified property owned by St. Iakovos Greek Orthodox Church in Liberty Township to lease for the school, although church officials have said no plans have been reviewed or negotiations have taken place.

Councilman Robert Cotton asked Frataccia what impact a proposed charter school would have on the budget.

Frataccia said the proposed charter school could not compete with Valparaiso schools but about $5,000 in state funding would follow each child who leaves Valparaiso schools to attend the charter school.

I dont think its a good idea because it would possibly take resources from Valparaiso, and I dont think thats fair to our citizens who voted to take care of our schools, Frataccia said. Im not ready to say to a charter school welcome aboard.

Charter schools are supposed to fill a need, Frataccia said. I dont see the need.

Valparaiso resident Chris Pupillo thanked Frataccia for his bold leadership in voicing opposition to the school. He said the school plans to enroll more than 700 students by its third year, which would result in money siphoned away from Valparaiso public schools.

We cannot afford to lose $1 million in funding, Pupillo said. It is a serious issue.

Pupillo encouraged City Council members and residents to attend a meeting on the proposed school at 5 p.m. today at Westchester Public Library, 100 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton.

Voice your opposition, said Pupillo. There is only one public hearing on this.

For more information on the South Shore Classical Academy, visit southshore classical.org.
GARY  Indiana is in play, Tim Kaine, Democratic vice presidential candidate, told campaign workers Wednesday during a visit to Northwest Indiana.

Indiana is very important, he told a crowd at Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilsons campaign headquarters on Garys West Side.

The presidential poll in Indiana has actually tightened up. I saw a poll today, Its a single digit ... 6 to 7 (percent). That is still a little bit of a challenge, but that is very doable. Ive been behind more than that, he said.

Kaine said his running mate, Hillary Clinton, is recovering from a bout of pneumonia and will soon rejoin the campaign.

He accused Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump of a double standard for refusing to release his medical records. Kaines campaign released a letter several hours later from his congressional doctor describing the Democratic vice presidential nominee as in overall excellent health.

Kaine appeared hale and hearty when he rode a motorcade Wednesday afternoon into the Region to meet the mayor, state Sen. Earline Rogers, County Clerk Mike Brown, County Assessor Jerome Prince and dozens of party workers who cheered his arrival.

Kaine placed telephone calls to surprised local supporters at home, then spoke to those present at headquarters about the importance of their work for the ticket.

Maybe you wonder whether the call you made during a hot day in July is really making a difference? Here is what voters tell me: they are starting to zone out on the TV ads. There are too many of them and too negative.

They do trust a word from a friend ... even a volunteer they dont know. When they realize you are a volunteer, it opens the door for a conversation. People want to be listened to. In a lot of states, the outcome could be real close, a few votes per precinct. You have an enormous ability to dictate the outcome of the race.

We need to be strong in the world in the right way. Not building walls and tearing up alliances but having a strong military and strong alliance. We have to have a community of respect. We are a wonderful country when we get everybody around the table together to solve problems.

We have an awful lot to do, he continued. You have a really important governor race and other (local) races. The better we do for Hillary, that has a way of raising the prospects of success for all of these candidates.

Clinton named Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine as her vice presidential running mate July 22, adding a centrist former governor of a crucial battleground state to the Democratic ticket.

Kaine, 58, built a reputation for working across the aisle as Virginias governor and as mayor of Richmond, Virginia, and was active in the Senate on foreign relations and military affairs.
INDIANAPOLIS  Republican lawmakers who believe state government should not be providing lifelong pensions to its retired employees are crafting a plan for new public workers to give up their pensions  possibly without even realizing it.

Legislation expected to be filed next year at the General Assembly automatically would register new state employees as members of a 401(k)-style defined contribution retirement plan, unless the new hires submit additional paperwork and elect to join the state pension fund.

The sponsor of the measure, state Rep. Wes Culver, R-Goshen, said other states, including Illinois, have demonstrated that public pension funds are unsustainable, and Indiana instead should model its employee retirement benefits on whats available in the private sector.

It reduces the risk that 10, 20, 30 years down the road that the state will be unable to meet its obligation, Culver said.

His proposal is backed by state Sen. Phil Boots, R-Crawfordsville, and state Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, who said the risk of covering retirement benefits should properly fall on individual workers, rather than Hoosier taxpayers, and promoting a defined contribution plan instead of a pension will give employees more control over their retirement savings.

The state will renege on its obligations when the money runs out, Walker said. I would rather put my confidence in the marketplace.

However, unlike states undergoing pension crises, the Indiana Public Retirement System is by any objective measure financially prepared and sufficiently funded to meet its pension obligations, said Tony Green, INPRS chief legal officer.

Thats why state Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, said it doesnt make sense to blow up Indianas public pension system and reduce the money most state workers will get in retirement, just because of a philosophical disagreement over the role of government.

She said defaulting employees into a defined contribution plan instead of the pension fund is taking advantage of typically financially unaware individuals at a time when most are either just happy to have a job, or overwhelmed by their new hire paperwork.

Its clear that the real goal is to eventually force a move to a defined contribution plan and totally phase out the (pension) fund, Tallian said.

Since 2013, new state employees have had the option to join the defined contribution plan instead of the pension fund.

Only 8 percent have voluntarily given up their pensions for greater control over their retirement savings, according to INPRS.

If Culvers plan is enacted into law, INPRS estimates up to 80 percent of state hires may lose their pensions by failing to indicate their interest in joining the fund.

Its also not yet known whether the state would save any money by prioritizing the generally lower-cost defined contribution plan over pensions, since it still will have to cover the unfunded liability of the existing pension system for decades to come.

Culvers plan, as written, would not apply to local government employees or teachers, but he didnt rule out changing their default retirement options in the future.

Indiana government employers pay 11.2 percent of participating employees salaries to INPRS for their pensions.

Schools pay 7.5 percent for teachers. Public employees must work 10 years to qualify for a pension.

According to INPRS, a worker with 30 years on the job whose final salary was $50,000 would receive an annual pension of $16,500 or $1,375 per month.

The state only contributes 3.3 percent of salary to the defined contribution plans of employees who have opted out of the pension fund.

Those workers can claim that money after just five years of state employment.

All public employees separately pay 3 percent of their salaries to a state-managed savings account that upon retirement can be taken as a lump sum or converted to an annuity for an additional monthly benefit.
The Kerala High Court last week stayed the appointment of Dr Priya Varghese as an associate professor at Kannur University.
CROWN POINT  The Lake County Council president sees a middle ground between taxpayer angst and better-paid county government elected officials and employees.

Ive asked for discussion of a 5 percent raise for county elected officials across the board. That is a reasonable raise, Council President Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, said Tuesday.

The County Council met in regular session Tuesday and passed a resolution supporting the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority conducting a feasibility study of whether the market would support a convention center.

Bilski said he asked RDA President and CEO Bill Hanna to consider this in the wake of the Star Plaza Theatres closing.

White Lodging announced it will demolish the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza and Star Plaza Theatre, at U.S. 30 and Interstate 65 in Merrillville, next year to make way for a more upscale, nationally branded hotel.

The council will reconvene at 4 p.m. Thursday to continue drafting 2017 budget spending goals for personnel and other county government expenses.

Most elected officials and department heads asked the council earlier this month to magnify their income in a string of requests ranging from 3 percent to 11 percent. County Assessor Jerome Prince made an appeal for a 16 percent raise.

Bilski said he expects to hear from the critics whatever is decided. Our elected officials are making about $60,000 a year, and everybody thinks they are over paid. We need to make county government jobs something to aspire to.

He said the council would fund these raises from the reduction in salaried positions and the reinstatement of a so-called hiring freeze that required county government wait at least one month to get council approval to fill any job vacancies. That delay has generated savings in the past.

Bilski said county police are receiving a 5 percent increase. Rank and file full-time county employees already have received a 3 percent raise earlier this summer and would be in line for an additional 3 percent this coming spring.

The mid-year raise might be upended if we get the complete salary schedule done by then, Bilski said.

Tom Dabertin, the countys human resources consultant, is working on a system of county employee job descriptions, job competency exams and a tiered salary scale basing pay on job market values.
CROWN POINT The Plan Commission endorsed plans for a 53-lot subdivision on Delaware Street on Monday. It will be one of two projects seeking City Council approval in October.

Joe Lenahan, of Olthof Homes, said the 20-acre site is just south of the Pentwater subdivision, also developed by Olthof Homes, and was initially given the name Pentwater South. But, after concerns by residents of Pentwater that residents of the new subdivision might want to use the pool and amenities intended for Pentwater homeowners, Lenahan said he would come back next time with a lovely new name.

The property is owned by Point Medical Corp. and is now used for farming, he told the commission. It is zoned light industrial, and Lenahan is seeking a rezoning to residential use similar to properties on both sides.

We dont plan to integrate it with the homeowners association at Pentwater, he said.

One Pentwater resident said the subdivision had a problem with crowding at its pool when residents of another subdivision were granted permission by Olthof to use it. Lenahan said that was a temporary situation that has since been corrected and will not be repeated with the new development.

Linda Sons, who lives adjacent to the proposed subdivision, said she was not objecting to the development but had concerns about the tree line along the property boundary that she said has been damaged by tree removal. She also was concerned about the noise from traffic on Delaware.

Were awakened at 2 a.m. by people riding motorcycles down the street with a lot of noise, and youre going to add more people and traffic, Sons said.

She said she is worried about water from the subdivision flowing onto her property and fields and destroying the crops, adding, Fifty-three lots seems like a lot of lots. A number of things need to be taken care of.

Lenahan promised to solve any problems with the trees and both he and Councilman Chad Jeffries, a commission member, said they would contact Police Chief Pete Land about the traffic problems. Jeffries said the city is aware of the traffic and recently got signs to post prohibiting through truck traffic. He didnt know if any of the signs were up yet.

Lenahan described the development as very similar to the other subdivisions in the area as to lot size and density. He said Olthof will have a ranch style and five two-story models to offer. Each will have a variety of options available and will range in size from about 1,730 square feet to about 3,000 square feet, depending on the option selected, including different sidings and brick and stone options.

The developer hopes to have its plans approved by the city this winter, but doesnt expect to begin construction on the subdivision until late 2017 or early 2018, depending on how quickly Pentwater is completed.

The other project headed to the council for final approval is the change in plans for the Regency of Crown Point planned unit development proposed for 133rd Street and Indiana Avenue. Developer Doug Ehens, of Providence Real Estate, said the change will reduce the number of single-family lots from 72 to 68 to offer more model styles and bigger garages than the current layout will allow. Commission members said they liked the move to the slightly larger lots.

Area residents Karen Frangis and her son, Ken Trpezanovich, said they have experienced backyard flooding for the first time since Frangis moved there in 1949. They also said surveying stakes placed on their property for Providence changed the property line by about 5 feet. They said the property line has been surveyed numerous times in the past without problems.

Ehens agreed to meet with them and look into both issues. Planning Administrator Anthony Schlueter also agreed to check on the flooding issue. The commission sent the proposed change in the plan to the City Council with a favorable recommendation.
EAST CHICAGO  Plans for a homeless shelter for men in the downtown business district were shot down on Monday by a 5-4 vote of the City Council.

According to the proposal, the East Chicago Housing Authority would have leased a vacant residence at 611 W. Chicago Ave. to Marcus Martin so he could manage the shelter through Grace Beyond Borders, a nonprofit organization.

Martin attended two recent meetings of the councils Environmental Public Health Committee to present his case for the shelter and to meet with business owners, some of whom expressed concern that a shelter might increase instances of panhandling.

A vote on the resolution that would have allowed a special use permit for the shelter to operate at the location did not appear on the agenda for Mondays City Council meeting but was added to it after the council unanimously approved 2nd District Councilman Lenny Franciskis motion to do so.

Councilwoman Gilda Orange, D-6th, spoke in favor of the shelter and said it is needed because there are no others in the city.

She said panhandling would occur with or without the shelters presence.

Thats something that we need to address with the East Chicago Police Department, to get them more strict in the business district, Orange said.

Councilwoman Brenda Walker, D-3rd, sponsored the resolution and said she thought the council should give the shelter a chance.

It could be your brother, your sister, your mother or your father and you wouldnt want them on the street, Walker said.

Franciski said he supports the idea of a shelter in the city, but not at that location.

It would be different if our downtown area was all the way established, Franciski said. But were still trying to get businesses there.

Orange, Walker and Councilmen Ronald London, D-at large, and Kenneth Monroe, D-at large, voted in favor of granting the use permit.

Franciski, Councilwoman Christine Vasquez, D-4th, Councilman Robert Garcia, D-5th, and Councilman Richard Medina, D-at large, all voted no.

That left it up to Council President Myrna Maldonado to cast the tie-breaking vote.

She said the property sits in the 1st District, which she represents, and that her constituents there did not want the shelter at that location.

She said she felt it would be difficult for the city to attract businesses to the downtown area with a shelter there.

My concern was making sure that we have a very vibrant business district, Maldonado said.

After the meeting concluded, Martin said he was disappointed with the councils decision.

They just basically said that its OK for them to sleep outdoors, Martin said.
Dean V. White was a developer, hotelier, theater impresario and major marketer, but never a self-promoter.

In 2015, White had a net worth of $2.5 billion and had been named to Forbes magazine's 400 richest people in the world many times. That same year, he was listed as the 268th richest American.

White died Wednesday. He was 93. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Barbara, children Cynthia Merida, Bruce White, Christopher White and Craig White. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever, Blue. Dean had five siblings and one surviving sister.

Forbes Magazine's real-time ranking of billionaires placed White as the 789th richest person in the world Wednesday.

According to Forbes, White was Northwest Indiana's lone billionaire.

White owned billboards across the world, but was rarely in the public eye, instead letting his money speak for him with multimillion-dollar donations to education, charities and politics.

Modest beginnings

The White family fortune began modestly when his father launched a billboard sign company in 1935 in the sleepy community of Shelby.

Dean White took over his father's billboard company in 1946 and used the profits to build Whiteco Industries, a hotel and real estate development empire based in Merrillville. The outdoor advertising business eventually owned hundreds of billboards in the U.S. and China. He sold the billboard business to Chancellor Media Corp. in 1998 for $960 million.

The business also branched out into real estate development and became a leading hotel operator in Indiana.

White has sold more than a billion dollars in outdoor advertising and hotel assets only to drop big money on a multi-hotel project at Marriott Place in downtown Indianapolis.

In 2006, White sold 100 hotels to BET founder Robert Johnson for $1.7 billion. In early 2011, he opened a $450 million development in Indianapolis next to Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, which has five hotels including a 1,005-room Marriott, the largest JW Marriott hotel in the world.

Locals call the glistening skyscraper "Big Blue" and a replica is on display in the lobby of son Bruce White's hospitality company, White Lodging.

His Whiteco Residential company built more than 4,000 apartments along the Eastern seaboard.

In late 2012, he donated $2 million to the Indianapolis Zoo to build the International Orangutan Exhibit, which will include a research center focused on orangutan conservation. Whiteco announced in late 2013 that it was building a 32,000-square-foot "memory care facility" in Merrillville with 50 rooms for residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, which opened in June.

'Main Street of Lake County'

He was best known for buying farm fields around Interstate 65 and U.S. 30 and erecting a Holiday Inn and business offices known as the Twin Towers during the early 1970s. Later that same decade, he expanded his holdings into Star Plaza Theater and Radisson Hotel and conference center.

White is widely credited with transforming Merrillville and Hobart into a retail mecca after building a Holiday Inn, now the Radisson at Star Plaza, amid cornfields in 1969. His son Bruce White built the Holiday Star Theatre, now the Star Plaza, which was the largest theater in Indiana and the second largest in the Chicago area at the time, drawing as many as 500,000 visitors to Northwest Indiana a year. Both will be torn down next year to make room for a new hotel at U.S. 30 and Interstate 65.

He told The Times he envisioned turning the once rural area into "the Main Street of Lake County."

Bill Wellman, 92, a lifelong friend of White, worked closely with White through their time at Whiteco Industries. Wellman handled public relations.

"When he opened the theater, I remember on the following Monday, I got three phone calls from three of the larger restaurants ... saying 'You've got to give us your schedule. We were hit (with customers) last night and we didn't know what happened to us.' So in a circle of about 25 miles, (the theater's opening) affected a lot of people," Wellman said.

White has donated millions to Purdue University, which is home to Purdue University Northwest's White Lodging Center for Hospitality and Tourism Management at the Calumet campus in Hammond.

White also was Lake County's premier homeowner, with a $5.6 million estate in Crown Point's gated Morningside subdivision.

White's wealth grew rapidly in recent years, rising to an estimated $2.5 billion last year from $1.8 billion in 2013.

Republican donor

He also was a major Republican donor, and donated $1 million to American Crossroads in the 2012 campaign cycle. White has supported numerous Indiana Republicans, including state Rep. and House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, and has also donated money to the House Republican Campaign Committee of Indiana.

White has been an unmatched powerhouse of funding for the war chests of Indianas political party of power throughout the years.

He personally pumped $4 million into five of the Indiana GOPs six largest campaign funds between 2011 and 2014, a Times analysis of state campaign finance records revealed.

White was the number one, two or three overall donor to those five campaign funds, which include the powerful Indiana Republican State Committee.

In September 2013, he donated $250,000 to the campaign fund of Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

Including that latest donation, White had given the Pence campaign $775,000 since May 2011, according to Indiana campaign finance records. Overall, one out of every $20 raised by Pence has come from White.

In June 2013, White gave Pence $100,000 after campaign manager Kyle Robertson sent Pence supporters an urgent plea for cash to help pump up the governor's fundraising totals at the end of the semiannual reporting period.

Huge impact on Northwest Indiana

Speros Batistatos, president and CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, said White's impact on the community will never be forgotten.

He described White, a major supporter of tourism, as a "man of great vision," adding that "his generosity to the community approaches legendary."

"His investment launched thousands of careers. You would be hard pressed to find someone in our industry in Northwest Indiana who didn't start out, like I did, at the Star Plaza Theater, or in that building," Batistatos said.

"Countless people got their first jobs there. The man touched so many lives. He was an incredible business leader, an incredible philanthropist and a man who was always very humble about everything he was able to accomplish."

Times staffers Joseph S. Pete and Marc Chase contributed to this report.
Speaking as a journalist, I take that dont shoot the messenger adage personally. So I was fascinated to hear what veteran broadcast journalist Ted Koppel said Sunday about the media landscape today and the Nov. 8 presidential election.

Koppel remembers when Walter Cronkite, who anchored the CBS Evening News, was the most trusted man in America. So do I. But America was a lot different then.

Koppel, of course, focuses on the TV news business because thats where he spent the bulk of his career. Back when Cronkites well-earned reputation was touted by CBS, television news shows told Americans not just what they wanted to know but what they needed to know.

Then came the splintering of the TV news business, with Fox News catering to people who thought the three main networks  ABC, CBS and NBC  were leaning too far to the left. NBC saw Foxs popularity and gained audience growth for its MSNBC channel by leaning to the left. Liberals detest Fox, and conservatives hate MSNBC.

With this splintering of the TV news business in the past 30 years has come a sharp division among Americans. Many declaim the liberal media even before viewing a show, listening to a radio station or reading a newspaper or website. With a broad brush, viewers paint all news media according to their own biases.

Koppel pointed out that while people are entitled to their own opinions, thats not so with facts. And yet many Americans dispute the facts. They claim fact-checkers are biased. They refuse to believe in climate change, evolution, immunization or fluoridation.

You now have a media universe out there where people quite literally create their own facts, Koppel said when I interviewed him a couple of weeks ago.

On television, what you typically see as a way to achieve balance and perspective is a news show putting different viewpoints out there and giving the sides equal weight despite differences in how widely accepted their views are. The fringes get disproportionate attention, and the polarization grows.

Whats missing is the editing that takes time to review information and put it in perspective.

At The Times Media Co., we try hard to offer that balance.

Were pushing candidates to say where they stand on issues, rather than letting their campaigns try to distract us with complaints about their opponents latest foibles.

To make democracy work, we in the media need to tell voters where the candidates stand on the issues. And to do that, we need to offer more than sound bites.

Republican Donald Trump has fed Americans outrage by using social media to get his message across. And that strips out the editing that would put his remarks in perspective. Hillary Clinton has avoided press conferences that would offer more opportunity to scrutinize her strategy and her stance on issues.

It all goes back to Americans being told what they need to know, not just what they want to know. For that to happen, American news consumers need to think about why they choose the media outlets they prefer.

Think about what messages youd like to receive and what messages youre sending to the news media through your viewing, listening and reading habits.
SPRINGFIELD  Supporters of a proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution that wouldve created an independent commission to redraw legislative districts once a decade are figuring out their path forward after the state Supreme Court dealt their plan a final fatal blow.

In a 4-3 party-line decision Monday, the high court denied a request for rehearing from the group Independent Maps, definitively blocking a redistricting referendum from the Nov. 8 ballot. As they did late last month in ruling the proposed amendment unconstitutional, the four justices elected as Democrats joined together to deny the rehearing, while the three elected as Republicans dissented.

Illinois voters have been denied their right to vote on a constitutional amendment to remove politics from the way state legislative maps are drawn, Independent Maps Chairman Dennis FitzSimons said Tuesday in a prepared statement. Four members of the states highest court have rejected an amendment that we firmly believe meets the state constitutional requirements for amendments that can be proposed by voters.

Meanwhile, Republicans, led by Gov. Bruce Rauner, are vowing to continue pressuring lawmakers to vote on a redistricting amendment when they return to the Capitol after the election for their fall veto session.

The Supreme Court ruled the Independent Maps proposal unconstitutional because the majority said it went beyond the scope allowed for a voter-driven initiative.

Proposed constitutional amendments placed on the ballot by petition are limited to making structural and procedural changes to the General Assembly, which currently controls redistricting. But the proposal at hand would have given the state auditor general a role in the process.

FitzSimons said the courts majority ignored debate transcripts from the convention that drafted the 1970 Illinois Constitution. His group argues that those records show the drafters believed redistricting was an appropriate subject for a petition-driven amendment.

The court also only ruled on one of seven arguments from opponents of the proposal, FitzSimons said, leaving those questions for another day. 

But that another day may never come, he said, noting that the court declined to offer guidance for future proposals.

The future of Independent Maps, which collected more than half a millions signatures in support of its plan, is uncertain.

Our coalition remains committed to reform and believes an independent redistricting commission would be one important step in changing state government and making the legislature more responsive to the voters of this state, FitzSimons said. Whether that is possible through a citizen-initiated amendment is now an open question to be discussed by supporters throughout the state.

Spokesman Jim Bray said Independent Maps is a diverse group that disagrees on many issues but came together in support of this specific proposal. It remains to be seen whether the same group would support other plans, Bray said, such as one from former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn that would put the Supreme Court in charge of appointing a redistricting commission.

The Peoples Map, a group of minority business leaders that challenged the proposed amendment, didnt respond to requests for comment. The group was represented in court by Michael Kasper, an election attorney with ties to the state Democratic Party and its chairman, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of Chicago.

Rauner and fellow Republicans have argued that the courts initial ruling is evidence of entrenched political corruption, and theyve been using it is a campaign issue as they seek to cut into the Democrats supermajorities in the state House and Senate.

The Illinois Republican Party jumped on Mondays decision as another opportunity to attack Madigan and Democrats over an issue thats popular with voters across the political spectrum.

The court again sided with the political machine against the people of Illinois, state GOP spokesman Steven Yaffe said in a written statement. Now is the time for Democrats to show their independence from Mike Madigan and pledge to allow a vote on the Independent Map Amendment during the veto session this fall.

The partys message echoed that of its de facto head and chief financial contributor.

Speaking after addressing a law enforcement conference in Decatur on Tuesday, Rauner said he was very disappointed at the court's decision not to grant a rehearing.

Its a tragedy for the people of Illinois, he said. They are not going to be allowed to vote up or down on whether we can have nonpartisan districts so we can have competitive general elections and restore democracy.

Rauner said he will continue urging voters to put pressure on their local legislators to vote this fall on redistricting reform and term limits for elected officials, another popular proposal that he blames Democrats for blocking.

I will never give up on trying to get those reforms, Rauner said.

The chances of the lawmakers approving a future proposal to take themselves out of the redistricting process appear to be slim. The House and Senate each passed its own plan this spring, but neither idea advanced in the other chamber.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said Rauner and Republicans could concentrate their efforts on winning support in the Senate for the House redistricting proposal.

Herald & Review staff writer Tony Reid contributed from Decatur.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Police are investigating after the body of a woman whose throat had been cut was found in Brooklyn last Tuesday night.

Sources tell NY1 that police are speaking with a male suspect who turned himself in.

Police say officers responded to call about an unconscious person in a vehicle on Blake Avenue near Drew Street in East New York just before midnight.

The body of the 45-year-old woman was found in the driver's seat of a gold 2004 Nissan Maxima.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

So far, there are no arrests.
BRONX, N.Y. - A man who police say was threatening officers with a knife was shot and wounded in the Bronx early Wednesday morning.

It happened around 1 a.m. on Dewey Avenue near Ferry Point Park in Throgs Neck.

Police say Carlos Colon, 25, was acting suspiciously when officers approached.

They say he then ran inside the Throgs Neck Houses and was found on the seventh floor of a building cutting himself with a knife and threatening to kill himself.

An officer tried to subdue him with a taser, but officials say Colon advanced with the knife and refused to drop it.

"I heard everything, and they kept trying to tell him to put the knife down, but he wasn't listening. So they shot him. After they shot him he still wasn't listening, and then they tase him," said one witness.

"There's blood all over his door and everything, they're doing a nice little check around. It's hard because I have kids, 14, 8 and 6 months. And she got up jumping out of bed because it was scary for her," said one resident.

Colon was sent to Jacobi Hospital for treatment.

Police say he may have been under the influence of heroin.
An off-duty police officer is facing assault charges after an altercation on a J train makes for a chaotic commute for some straphangers Wednesday morning. Transit Reporter Jose Martinez explains.

Chaos during the morning commute, a police officer under arrest and a transit worker slammed into a subway door.

All after a confrontation on board a J train that allegedly sent off-duty officer Tremel Davis into a rage, and subway conductor Kiyya Rivera into a wall.

"You could have said excuse me," the off-duty officer growled, according to a source with Transport Workers Union Local 100.

The source said the problems started around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, when the conductor encountered the officer blocking one of the doors at the end of a subway car while she was trying to enter it.

Telling Davis he's not supposed to lean on the door, Rivera was then allegedly insulted by the officer, according to the source.

The confrontation then escalated, with the officer allegedly pushing the conductor into a cab, where she banged her left arm against a wall.

The scrap at the Essex Street stop caused a chaotic scene as the emergency brake was pulled and panic spread across social media.

One rider mistakenly tweeted that there was a fire on board the train, with trains getting stuck on the Williamsburg Bridge and the morning commute spoiled for thousands of riders on the J and M lines.

According to a transit source, one rider on that train complained of difficulty breathing.

In a statement, MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said riders in such situations should "Stay calm and don't attempt to leave the train on your own. In most circumstances that is the most dangerous thing you can do. Tracks may still be electrified; other trains may still be in motion around you. If you can't stay in the car you are on, if possible walk calmly to another car that is unaffected by the emergency."

Davis, 33, is a five-year veteran of the NYPD. The 37-year-old Rivera was treated at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the head of TWU Local 100 John Samuelsen said, "Transit workers risk being attacked and abused like this every day as they move millions of bus and subway riders. Just a few weeks ago, a lunatic set fire to a token booth with an agent inside. It's a very stressful environment. It's certainly isn't an easy way to make a living."
At least three incumbents appear to have lost their bids for re-election in primaries for state races in New York City districts.

On the Lower East Side, NY1 has declared Yuh-Line Niou the winner in a race among six candidates vying for the 65th Assembly District seat that Sheldon Silver held for 40 years before he was convicted on federal corruption charges.

As of early Wednesday morning, with 100 percent of precincts reporting, Niou has 31.8 percent of the vote.

Cancel was the incumbent in the race. She won a special election to fill the seat in April.

Incumbent Manhattan Assemblyman Guillermo Linares also appears to have lost his primary in the 72nd Assembly District. NY1 is declaring challenger Carmen De La Rosa as the winner of that primary.

As of early Wednesday morning, with 100 percent of precincts reporting, De La Rosa has 53.2 percent of the vote.

In Queens, NY1 is declaring challenger Brian Barnwell as the winner in a primary in the 30th Assembly district against incumbent Assemblywoman Margaret Markey.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting as of early Wednesday morning, Barnwell has 63.8 percent of the vote.

Markey has represented the 30th Assembly District since 1998.

Meanwhile, NY1 has declared Marisol Alcantara the winner in the race to replace state Senator Adriano Espaillat, who is leaving his seat in the 31st District in Upper Manhattan to run for Rep. Charles Rangel's seat in Washington.

As of early Wednesday morning, with 99 percent of precincts reporting, Alcantara has 33.3 percent of the vote.

Alcantara was Espaillat's hand-picked candidate.
Marisol Alcantara won the Democratic primary for Adriano Espaillat's State Senate seat in northern Manhattan with the support of Espaillat himself. However, her victory may not be celebrated by all of her future Democratic colleagues around the state. Our Grace Rauh explains.

With the backing of the current state senator, Marisol Alcantara is poised to take over Adriano Espaillat's seat in Albany.

The union organizer won the Democratic primary for the Senate district that stretches from Washington Heights all the way down to Hell's Kitchen. Latino turnout was expected to be key in this four-way contest. Alcantara, like the current office holder, is from the Dominican Republic.

"I want to thank everyone who came out in support of my campaign," Alcantara said. "Because of you there will once again be a Latina in the state senate.

Alcantara's primary victory all but assures her a win in November because the district is so heavily Democratic. And that has some Democrats worried.

Alcantara is planning to join the Independent Democratic Caucus in the Senate  the group of breakaway Democrats that has teamed up with Republicans to control the chamber. The caucus leader, Bronx senator Jeff Klein, was a key supporter. Her addition to the conference known as the IDC will make it even tougher for the mainstream Democrats to win control of senate.

"More importantly I think It means the IDC is going to be around a long time," Senator Klein said. "And We should be. It is responsible for getting a lot of very important things done. We are responsible for the $15 an hour minimum wage. We are responsible for paid family leave, the best program in the nation. The largest middle class tax cut in probably a generation. And we've been able to do that by bridging the gap between Democrats and Republicans."

Former City Councilman Robert Jackson finished second in the race. Micah Lasher, the former chief of staff to Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and a top aide to former Mayor Bloomberg, came in third. And community activist Luis Tejada ended up in fourth place.

In many ways Alcantara's campaign was a test of Espaillat's political power in the district. By helping his favored successor secure a win he demonstrated his ability to turnout voters in his district, not only for himself.
1. The presidential candidates focused on reassuring the public that they are in good health.

Donald Trump taped an appearance on the Dr. Oz Show to be broadcast Thursday, giving a quick run-through of results from a recent medical exam. He revealed that he weighs 267 pounds, which is considered obese for a man of his height, about 6 foot 2.

Hillary Clintons doctor said she was recovering well from pneumonia and remained healthy and fit to serve as president of the United States.
The issue has gained increasing attention with the growth in recent years of platforms like Uber, TaskRabbit and Amazons Mechanical Turk, which allow workers to complete jobs on an episodic basis. Last November, a group of prominent business leaders, worker advocates and policy specialists, including several tech executives, signed a document proclaiming the need for a system of portable benefits for gig-economy workers. Ms. Marcelo was among the executives who signed the document.

Despite the rising interest, however, there have been strikingly few accomplishments to date. In 2012, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, a labor organization representing cabdrivers, persuaded the Taxi and Limousine Commission to require taxi medallion owners to deduct 6 cents per fare from the drivers credit card receipts to fund portable benefits for drivers, like health care services and disability coverage.

The New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan struck down the regulation in 2014. (Corey Johnson, a member of the New York City Council, has said he plans to introduce legislation aimed at creating a similar fund.)

Earlier this year, Uber reached an agreement with the regional branch of a prominent union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, to create an association to represent roughly 35,000 Uber drivers in New York City. The drivers association could eventually set up and administer a fund for benefits like paid time off.

Some worker advocates said the Care.com development could help generate momentum on the issue.

Were starting to see the first signs of life, where companies see it as in their interest to collect money for workers to get benefits, said Sara Horowitz, founder and executive director of the Freelancers Union, which promotes the interests of independent workers. Its a really important first step.
While critics have urged the states current attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman, to drop the charges because the men have settled other lawsuits making similar claims  or because of Mr. Greenbergs age, 91  Mr. Ellenhorn said a guilty verdict was needed to send a message to C.E.O.s of other companies that you cant do this sort of thing.

Mr. Greenberg, seated in court on Tuesday next to his lawyer, David Boies, sometimes scowled or smiled during the proceedings. While he declined to comment on the substance of the case, afterward he told reporters on the courthouse steps, It went well. Asked about his thoughts during Mr. Ellenhorns 55-minute opening statement, Mr. Greenberg said he was at times thinking about his own plans to depart later in the day on a trip to Argentina.

Image Maurice Greenberg, American International Groups former C.E.O. Credit... Mark Lennihan/Associated Press

In his opening for the defense, Mr. Boies said there was no evidence that Mr. Greenberg knew there was anything improper about the transactions, adding that they were not material to A.I.G.s earnings or book value. This case is devoid of any admissible evidence that ties Mr. Greenberg to anything that was improper in either of these transactions, he said.

The case centers partly on a reinsurance deal A.I.G. struck with General Reinsurance Corporation. It effectively increased A.I.G.s reserves by $500 million at a time when analysts were watching whether the company was bleeding down its reserves to help lift its earnings. In a second transaction, A.I.G. is accused of using a supposedly independent offshore reinsurer to convert insurance losses into investment losses even though A.I.G. controlled the offshore vehicle.
During fashion week, hair and makeup help make the outfit, but dont overlook the underwear. Without the right underpinnings, even the best dress can go so wrong. Little wonder that just as there are go-to beauty experts (Pat McGrath and Orlando Pita, for example), there is a go-to brand for lingerie. Commando, which not coincidentally also dominates the red carpet, is working with more than 30 brands during New York Fashion Week, including Rodarte, Rag & Bone and Zac Posen.

At first, I was very nervous, said Kerry OBrien, the founder and designer of Commando. I was terrified there was going to be a panty line.

Now a veteran of more than five years of fashion weeks and a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Ms. OBrien took some time after the Rodarte spring 2017 show to discuss what matters when it comes to what lies beneath, and why. On the catwalk or off.
What were trying to do is involve the president of the United States in this discussion, said Phillip Gardiner, a chairman of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council. We die disproportionately of cancer-related diseases. Part of what has taken place here is the use of menthol cigarettes.

Black leaders have tried for years to get the federal government to deal with menthol without success. One obstacle has been divisions among African-Americans on the issue. The tobacco industry had long provided economic support to African-American organizations like the N.A.A.C.P., according to industry documents made public during the federal governments settlement with tobacco companies in 1998, which weakened the fight.

But that might be changing. An invigorated public conversation about race in the United States seems to be breathing new life into the issue. In July, the N.A.A.C.P. voted to support state and local efforts to restrict the sale of menthol cigarettes, a drastic departure from the past.

A spokesman for the N.A.A.C.P. says the group receives no funding from the tobacco industry.

Its been a pivotal year, Dr. Gardiner said. Theres been some motion.

Menthol has a long history among African-Americans. Valerie Yerger, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, who has studied the tobacco industry, said documents showed that cigarette companies targeted low-income, African-American neighborhoods.
Hillarys internist, Dr. Lisa Bardack, said her patient had been advised to rest and modify her schedule. She omitted what would have been my coda: She ignored me. Whos sorry now?

Ive taken only two sick days  I was out for four but worked by phone on two. So ... now we have a typical bad patient covering a typical bad patient.

Calling doctors to discuss Mrs. Clintons disease gave me insights into mine. I learned: That an X-ray is useful for diagnosis but not mandatory. That its typical to never learn which bacteria or virus is the culprit because the tests take too long and are inaccurate. That adults with pneumonia usually infect no one else, while toddlers readily spew out the same germs  often at their grandparents. (Giving the pneumo shot to children turns out to protect older Americans much better than giving it to seniors.)

I also learned that Hillary should have had two pneumo shots by age 68. Im 62, but I had one a few years ago because I dropped by a New York City public clinic for a flu shot, they had extra pneumo shots and they were free. Turns out I had the old shot against seven pneumococcal strains; the new ones fight up to 23, so Ill be doing this again in three years.

Two doctors mentioned that other problems can masquerade as pneumonia, so the Clinton campaign should be pressed for details. They include pulmonary embolism, which resembles pneumonia on X-ray, can cause coughing or fainting, and is related to another problem Mrs. Clinton has had: blood clots in the legs.

I also spent an hour scrolling through the videos on right-wing websites that claim to show Hillary having mini-seizures, giving a death-rattle cough or hacking up green goo. My reaction was: O.K., the woman does make some very odd faces. She is, as she admits, not a natural in crowds. But if you followed me around with a cellphone camera all day while I cooed at a baby one second and had three reporters shout questions in my ear the next, Id make faces too (and, unlike her, I dont need to suppress the urge to snarl at the jackals of the press since I am one). Ive also recently had coughing fits that made me stumble away from conversations. And Im pretty sure that goo caught on camera during a Labor Day rally in Cleveland was her spitting her cough drops into a glass. But, if it was something ickier  well, Im doing that too, as subtly as I can. Its not easy: I now jump out of my seat and move down the subway car when I feel a coughing fit coming on to avoid turning the F train into the Masque of the Red Death.

So if shes got what Ive got, the next few weeks arent going to be pretty. Now, if youll (cough) excuse me (cough!), Ill 

Exit, staggering 
Yuh-Line Niou won a six-way race on Tuesday for the Democratic nomination to inherit the State Assembly seat once held by Sheldon Silver, in a repudiation of the stubborn grip Mr. Silver held on his Lower Manhattan district for four decades  held, that is, until his conviction late last year on federal corruption charges.

Yet Mr. Silver, the longtime former speaker who is appealing his conviction, still had enough influence in the district during the special election for the seat in April to help install an ally, Alice Cancel, in his place. Ms. Nious victory over Ms. Cancel, as well as four other opponents who promised a post-Silver fresh start for the district, may confirm that Mr. Silvers clout is truly on the wane  and that voting patterns are beginning to reflect shifting demographics in the area, which is nearly half Asian.

In another closely watched primary race in a district encompassing neighborhoods in demographic flux in northern and western Manhattan, Marisol Alcantara, a Dominican labor organizer, prevailed in a four-way contest for the Democratic nomination to replace State Senator Adriano D. Espaillat, who is running for Congress, in Senate District 31. Mr. Espaillat had personally campaigned for Ms. Alcantara as well as another candidate of Dominican descent, Carmen De La Rosa, who was trouncing an incumbent assemblyman, Guillermo Linares, in his Inwood district, 46 percent to 32 percent.

As Dominican voters in Upper Manhattan made their numbers felt, Mr. Espaillats status as a local power broker seemed on the rise: His two candidates even held their victory party together.
The board also found fault with the response once the plane came to a rest.

After the crash, it took the aircrafts crew 12 minutes to start evacuating the passengers over the right wing.

The evacuation was complicated by the failure of the planes internal communication systems, the board said. But the board also faulted the three flight attendants for leaving their positions at the front and rear of the plane as well as for allowing passengers to retrieve their coats before getting out.

The board said that the captain did not convey any urgency to evacuate after the crash and that a video supplied by a passenger showed that the lead flight attendant did not announce the evacuation for six minutes. Passenger videos revealed that the flight attendants were confused, the board said, about the timing of the evacuation, and it took them 17 minutes to get everyone off the plane.

Delta released a statement that said the airline respected the boards findings, conclusions and recommendations and would use its guidance to enhance the safety in its operations.

The Air Line Pilots Association said it was disappointed that the board placed the blame on the pilot, given all of the factors it cited. The N.T.S.B.s single probable cause failed to fully and directly acknowledge the multiple factors that contributed to the accident, the association said in a statement
Updated, 10:58 a.m.

Good morning on this dicey Wednesday.

Everybody on the street deserves respect. So before you use the street, you gotta check, check.

So go the lyrics of Respect (Check), an extremely catchy hip-hop song that features New York City public school students and is meant to raise awareness about street safety.

The song is great fun, but its not to be taken lightly.

More than 1,000 children under 17 were involved in traffic collisions around the city last year alone, and nine of them died, according to the Transportation Department.

The video of the song will now be used as part of the Cross This Way curriculum  a new educational initiative, jointly offered by the citys Transportation and Education Departments, that will be taught to students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades.
This week, the White House issued its yearly report on the nations on the front lines of the war on drugs. Predictably, it listed Bolivia as one of three countries that failed demonstrably to do enough to combat the drug trade. President Evo Morales of Bolivia responded, as he does each year, with defiance.

The world knows that our counternarcotics model is better without the Americans, Mr. Morales said during an event on Tuesday, alluding to his expulsion of American drug enforcement agents in 2008.

The yearly condemnation of Bolivia has been futile. So far, that countrys experience with its drug strategy is showing more promise than Washingtons forced-eradication model.

Over the past decade, the Bolivian government has sought to gradually curb the cultivation of coca  the plant processed to make cocaine  by establishing a tightly regulated market for its consumption as a nonnarcotic stimulant. (Bolivians have been chewing coca leaf and using it to make tea for generations.) The government eradicates unauthorized crops after negotiating with, and finding alternatives for, growers.
Tehran  Public relations firms with no qualms about taking tainted petrodollars are experiencing a bonanza. Their latest project has been to persuade us that the Nusra Front, Al Qaedas affiliate in Syria, is no more. As a Nusra spokesman told CNN, the rebranded rebel group, supposedly separated from its parent terrorist organization, has become moderate.

Thus is fanaticism from the Dark Ages sold as a bright vision for the 21st century. The problem for the P.R. firms wealthy, often Saudi, clients, who have lavishly funded Nusra, is that the evidence of their ruinous policies cant be photoshopped out of existence. If anyone had any doubt, the recent video images of other moderates beheading a 12-year-old boy were a horrifying reality check.

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, militant Wahhabism has undergone a series of face-lifts, but underneath, the ideology remains the same  whether its the Taliban, the various incarnations of Al Qaeda or the so-called Islamic State, which is neither Islamic nor a state. But the millions of people faced with the Nusra Fronts tyranny are not buying the fiction of this disaffiliation. Past experience of such attempts at whitewashing points to the real aim: to enable the covert flow of petrodollars to extremist groups in Syria to become overt, and even to lure Western governments into supporting these moderates. The fact that Nusra still dominates the rebel alliance in Aleppo flouts the public relations message.
PHILADELPHIA  One night, I had a dream (or half-dream) about swinging on my own for the first time. It started out as a kind of interview, as though I were getting help coming up with an idea for a poem. Someone asked me what I was wearing. I said shorts. Then, after thinking a few seconds, I remembered the short-sleeved seersucker shirts we used to wear, my twin brother, Dave, and I. I may have been about 4, about the age of the boy I can hear crying in the street as I write this  all those partials in his voice, all that open-mouthed speech, full of longing, you cant quite understand.

My mother was going to push the swing, the wooden kind you often find on a school playground. She pushed a few times, a bump and a jerk every time her hands broke my backward glide. The sun shone. Early spring. Birds. Maybe I had just awakened from a nap, feeling fresh and alive, yet in that semiconscious state of relocating the world. For the first time, I really tried to pull on the chains. I didnt know to kick out with my feet at the same time, or to lean back into the pull. I bounced hard, but adjusted quickly on my next arc. I dont remember anyone telling me to try this, but they probably did. I smoothed out the pull and felt myself going higher.

Im swinging, I thought.

Such a simple, obvious thought. But it was the first time Id had it. I dont need my mother to push now. She seemed to know it, too, backing away from my higher trajectory. I was free, a blind boy traveling on his own. I could accelerate. I could be daring. No sunroof necessary. The wind rushed at my face, then at my back. It would still be a while before I would buy tickets to get on carnival swings that flew high above loud rock music at a giddy, centrifugal angle. I would not yet need them to be my wings.

I remember visiting the Pealings, long-distance friends of my parents, and going out to a field with their son David to shoot off his model rocket. It was the early 60s, in the shadow of Sputnik, and he was the first kid I knew to have his own launcher. We had a portable tape recorder which we took with us to capture the event. The launch offered little to the blind observer, just a small, albeit exciting, fizz of fire right before the rocket lifted off. After that, it went up noiselessly and landed too far away to hear it come down.
We heard it again in 2008, when Barack Obama told donors in San Francisco that people struggling in Pennsylvania towns cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who arent like them.

We heard it when Mitt Romney told donors in Florida that there are 47 percent of the people who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims  my job is not to worry about those people.

And we heard it again last week, when Hillary Clinton, speaking at a fund-raiser on Wall Street, deposited half of Trumps supporters into what she rather bizarrely called the basket of deplorables. The donors  the adorables?  had a good chuckle.

Mrs. Clinton went on to point out that there are other Trump supporters we have to understand and empathize with, people who are just desperate for change. And she later expressed regret for her remarks. But real damage had been done. In wooing one group of voters  in reading some members of her elite audience, and reflecting their feelings back to them, and perhaps revealing her own  she had written off another one as irredeemable. This is what happens when candidates spend so much time in what F. Scott Fitzgerald called the consoling proximity of millionaires.
POLTRONA FRAU

Over its 104-year history, Poltrona Frau, the Tolentino furniture maker known for its sturdy sofas and silky leathers, has partnered with all kinds of design-world stars, from Italian architects like Gio Ponti to the fashion iconoclast Alexander Wang, who last year created for the brand what must be the worlds most luxurious bean bag chair (it cost $8,800 and came in shearling or leather). We are an Italian company with an Italian heritage, but we are keen to incorporate influences from any part of the world as long as they are consistent with our values, says Nicola Coropulis, the companys brand director. This fall, Poltrona Frau drew on the talents of the Shanghai-based design duo Neri&Hu. This husband-and-wife team has created a line of transitional wood furniture  including a mirror coat rack, a vanity and a valet stand  accented with brass and the tiniest hints of leather. Nicknamed butlers, the pieces are discreet, functional and versatile enough to move from the foyer of a large house to a small bedroom or office. Inspired by the Far East, last year Poltrona Frau hosted a design contest in Taiwan, where it has five boutiques. Over 250 designers submitted ideas to collaborate with the house. The winner, Shi-Chieh Lu, created a streamlined version of the classic Chinese Ming chair. Lu, a veteran architect who has designed a number of Aesop shops throughout Southeast Asia, built the chair around a cube of gunmetal steel piping. Suspended inside is an arched seat of saddle leather; from some angles it looks like a bird in flight. The symbolism is clear: The nature-inspired designs of the East meet the rigorous geometries of the West.
Ryan Bundy, who is acting as his own lawyer in the case, told the jury that for his part, he never sought to harm anyone, but felt a responsibility, derived from the principles of the Declaration of Independence  from which he quoted at length  to stand up to tyranny. We had no intention to do evil, and the evidence will show this, he said.

But federal prosecutors, in their opening presentation to the panel earlier on Tuesday, said the armed group had posed a threat of violence from the first day, when it cleared the refuge at gunpoint, until the final hours of the occupation, when the last holdouts told law enforcement officials that they were prepared to die.

The occupiers words and actions were never peaceful, Geoffrey A. Barrow, an assistant United States attorney, told the court. They trained in weapons and hand-to-hand combat while living at the refuge, Mr. Barrow said. They used earth movers to build defensive barricades.

They wanted the world to know that they had taken it from the federal government, he said.

The takeover of the refuge, in eastern Oregon, lasted nearly six weeks. It set off a national debate about homegrown right-wing militias, public lands, constitutional rights and police powers, especially after one of the occupiers, LaVoy Finicum, 54, was shot and killed by the Oregon State Police in late January after he raced his truck toward a police roadblock and then appeared to reach for his weapon.

In all, 26 people were indicted on felony conspiracy, weapons and theft charges  with the government contending that the occupiers conspired to impede federal employees at the refuge from performing their duties by using force, intimidation or threats, and that they stole government property and took weapons into a federal property.
Chelsea Manning, who announced that she was female the day after being sentenced to prison in 2013 for leaking government files, has been told that the United States military will allow her to proceed with gender reassignment surgery, her lawyer said on Tuesday.

Chelsea has received word from the military that they are moving forward with the recommendation for surgery, said Chase Strangio, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union. Mr. Strangio said that he did not know whether the Army had clarified who would pay for Ms. Mannings treatment.

Lt. Col. Patrick R. Seiber, an Army spokesman, declined to comment because the matter concerned the health of an inmate.

In a statement provided by her lawyer, Ms. Manning, 28, praised the decision, but wondered why it had not come sooner.
A hacker who American intelligence officials believe has ties to the Russian government made public on Tuesday a second batch of documents suspected of having been stolen from the Democratic National Committees computer system, leaving the organization rushing to contain damage or embarrassment less than two months before the presidential election.

The internal documents, which party officials were verifying for authenticity, were distributed at a cybersecurity conference in London.

The release was apparently the work of Guccifer 2.0, a self-identified Romanian hacker who claimed responsibility for publishing a trove of the committees documents before the Democratic convention in July.

Donna Brazile, the interim chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, blamed Russian espionage for the hack and said that foreign agents were trying to help Donald J. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, be elected.
During the time between the election and the next Congress, perhaps as many as 20 percent of those voting in Congress will have lost their jobs, either voluntarily or involuntarily, said Representative Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, a Republican. It doesnt make sense, when the body is populated in such a fashion, to make final decisions on critical issues.

How Times reporters cover politics. We rely on our journalists to be independent observers. So while Times staff members may vote, they are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. This includes participating in marches or rallies in support of a movement or giving money to, or raising money for, any political candidate or election cause. Learn more about our process.

Some House Republicans also fear a large spending bill, known as an omnibus, that would replace appropriations measures to fund the government, possibly at levels far higher than current spending. Whats going to happen is theyre going to come back in the lame-duck session and plus up spending, said Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky.

Lame-duck sessions can indeed be vehicles for omnibus spending bills. However, the House Republicans who despise those bills are the same ones who have voted down individual appropriations measures or helped load them up with policy riders that contributed to their failure on the House floor. This has made omnibus and short-term broad spending bills hard to avoid, short of a government shutdown. And, notably, Mr. Ryan has repeatedly rejected the idea of an omnibus.

There is also fear that a trade bill, which has tenuous support in both chambers and which Mr. Obama greatly desires, would sail through Congress. Both presidential candidates say they are against the trade bill, Mr. Gosar said. In that sense, its perfect timing for them to do it in lame duck.

On Tuesday, Max Baucus, the ambassador to China and a former Democratic senator from Montana, was on Capitol Hill to make a final pitch for the trade deal, showing that there was still interest in passage this year.

It would be virtually impossible for a lame-duck Congress to approve the Pacific trade accord, the largest regional trade deal in history. The fast-track trade negotiating law that helped Mr. Obama complete the accord requires hurdles Congress must clear before a final up-or-down vote on any trade deal, including hearings, a public drafting of legislation, and a full debate and vote in both chambers.

For that process to conclude this year, congressional leaders would almost certainly have to hold the first hearings, at least, before Election Day. I dont think the predicate has been laid, said Mr. Lott, who supports the measure. That would be a mistake.
PHILADELPHIA  President Obama vigorously defended Hillary Clinton on Tuesday as a relentless leader who had been held to unfair standards during an uncommonly wild presidential campaign, pleading with the voters who were the core of his own support to tune out the reality show noise of the race and vote for his chosen successor.

We cannot afford, suddenly, to treat this like a reality show  we cant afford to act as if theres some equivalence here, Mr. Obama told thousands of people at an afternoon rally in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

What sets Hillary apart is that through it all, she just keeps on going, and she doesnt stop caring, and she doesnt stop trying, and she never stops fighting for us  even if we havent always appreciated it, Mr. Obama said.

The roughly 40-minute speech was by turns a condemnation of Donald J. Trump and a venting session about news coverage of a presidential race that Mr. Obama argued had focused on the frivolous while allowing Mr. Trump, the Republican nominee, to go unchallenged. Its intended audience was the young and minority voters who had propelled Mr. Obama to the White House.
Stanley K. Sheinbaum, a former economics professor who worked for liberal candidates and causes and dauntlessly injected himself into political controversies abroad, died on Monday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 96.

His death was confirmed by his assistant, Marti Maniates.

Mr. Sheinbaum, a transplanted New Yorker whose family survived bankruptcy during the Depression and who invested well after he went West, was an outspoken progressive not content merely to sign checks.

Over four decades, he was instrumental in persuading the Greek military junta to release a friend, former Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou; raised funds to defend Daniel Ellsberg after Mr. Ellsberg was charged with leaking the Pentagon Papers study of the Vietnam War to The New York Times and other newspapers; helped urge Yasir Arafat, the Palestine Liberation Organization chairman, to recognize Israel; and, as president of the Los Angeles Police Commission and a vocal civil libertarian, oversaw the campaign to oust Chief Daryl F. Gates and replace him with Willie L. Williams after the beating of Rodney King.

Mr. Sheinbaum thrust himself into political storms with the same panache with which he presided over his star-studded California cocktail parties, where liberal crusades and contenders were incubated and promoted.
A California company that operated a natural gas storage system that leaked last year, spewing thousands of tons of methane and other chemicals into the air and forcing the evacuation of more than 8,300 households, reached a $4 million settlement with state prosecutors, officials announced on Tuesday.

The company, Southern California Gas Company, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor of failing to immediately report the Oct. 23, 2015, gas leak to the California Office of Emergency Services and to the local Certified Unified Program Agency. As part of the plea, the company will be ordered to pay $307,500 in fines and penalties, the Los Angeles County district attorney, Jackie Lacey, said in a statement.

The company will also be required to install and maintain an infrared methane monitoring system at the site in Aliso Canyon that will cost up to $1.5 million. Other provisions call for pressure monitors at each gas well, an outside company to test and certify the systems, and the hiring of six full-time employees to operate and maintain the new leak detection systems around the clock.

The total cost for these positions will be about $2.25 million for the next three years, according to the prosecutors office. The company will also pay $246,672 for the cost of the investigation and emergency response by the Los Angeles County Fire Departments Health and Hazardous Materials Division.
How was school today?

If your house is like mine, the conversation will go something like this:

Fine.

What did you do?

Nothing.

In reality, few days are entirely fine, and none are entirely empty. So how do we improve on this perennial flop of an exchange?

As adults we can often forget how stressful middle and high school can be. While some students are energized by school, most find their days taxing, even under the best conditions.

Adolescents may have fun at school with their friends, but they are also in close quarters with scores of peers they didnt choose. The rough adult equivalent would be to spend nine months of the year in all-day meetings with 20 or more random age-mates  and be expected to bounce home and share enthusiastic updates.

Elementary has historically been more fun and less pressured than the later grades, but this is no longer true in many communities. We should bear that in mind on the days that our younger children seem worn down by school and when our teenagers seem altogether fed up with it.
OTTAWA  To solve a 168-year-old Arctic mystery, the Canadian government had spared no expense. Officials over the last several years used satellite and underwater imaging and deployed crews from the navy and coast guard along with scientists and researchers to search for the Terror, a British ship that vanished along with 129 crew members while trying to map the Northwest Passage.

But in the end it was a tip from a local Inuit hunter that led to the apparent discovery of the Terror. The discovery, made on Sept. 3, comes two years after the Erebus, the other ship in the disastrous expedition led by the British explorer Sir John Franklin, was found.

The location of the Terror, appropriately in the middle of the coincidentally named Terror Bay, matched longstanding Inuit oral accounts of Franklins fate rather than the assumptions of modern researchers.

The Inuits oral traditional knowledge around Franklin has been the only authoritative account, said John Geiger, the chief executive of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Right from the early days, the Inuit had provided extraordinary insight, and it continues to this day.
That bitter truth, she added, came from experience. I was brought up in East Germany, she said. I was 7 years old. I saw the wall being built. But did anyone consider the idea of using force to stop it? she asked. No.

A few months after that conference, she faced a different crisis. By late August, the government had calculated that 800,000 people would seek asylum in 2015. On Aug. 25, the federal migration office said that Syrians would be allowed in without formalities. On Aug. 26, Ms. Merkel paid her first visit to a refugee center, in Heidenau in the former East Germany. A woman who was protesting yelled a crude message to get lost  said by German media reports to have rattled the chancellor, who sets store by politeness.

A day later, looking grim, she was in Vienna, at a European summit meeting on refugees. News arrived that the putrefying corpses of scores of would-be asylum seekers had been found in a truck along the Vienna-Budapest highway. Then the body of Alan Kurdi, 3, a Syrian Kurd fleeing with his family, washed up on a Turkish beach.

Hungary stopped westward trains to Austria. Thousands of refugees were trapped in a Budapest station. Hundreds decided to walk west. The Austrians and Germans pledged to let them in. Crowds at Vienna and Munich train stations greeted them. A Syrian refugee in Berlin took a selfie with Ms. Merkel.

By years end, she was not only scrambling for an awkward agreement with Turkey to halt the flow, but suffering unusual criticism for placing Germanys, and Europes, way of life at risk. The assaults against hundreds of women on New Years Eve in Cologne and other German cities fueled those accusations.

Yet Ms. Merkel is sticking to the motto she coined, Wir schaffen das (roughly We can make it), even doubling down on it after Germany suffered two terrorist attacks in July. As she emphasized in September 2015, If we now start to have to apologize for showing a friendly face in an emergency situation, then that is not my country.

Christian charity is what Ms. Merkel was taught growing up in Templin. Just once in the past year did she explicitly draw on her East German experience to explain her refugee policy.
Worse, he said, is a growing ahistoricism. If a secular person is taught that these things are merely private matters, they wont understand how they affect world history.

The rise of such secular ahistoricism also makes liberal democracies more vulnerable to, and puzzled by, a religion like Islam, which never had a Reformation and does not separate the political from the religious in any meaningful doctrinal way. For many Muslim women, for example, as for many Orthodox Jewish women (and many nuns), covering their hair is not simply a fashion but a religious tenet.

Many see the renewed debate over Islam in the West as a function of decolonization, its second wave. First the colonizers returned home, and now the colonized and their descendants are migrating to the former colonial powers of Europe, which dont really know yet how to cope with such an influx of migrants and refugees with a very different set of religious beliefs and expectations.

European liberal democracy has a kind of apotheosis in the European Union, but as borders disappear, and nations share sovereignty, there is a deep sense of loss among many  that their identities, including their national and religious identities, are being dissolved in the global stew.

At the heart of the European populist movement (and the American one) is the same feeling of loss  of traditional concepts of what it is to be French, British, German, American, which in most cases meant white, Christian and heterosexual. And the need and effort to retain identity can lead to conflict.

Secular and liberal democracy tolerates so much diversity and creates enough confusion that those who need more clarity and certainty flee back to religion, Mr. Krastev suggests.

Because weve made the borders between everything so easy to cross, Mr. Krastev said, religious people and fanatics of all kinds are bringing back the barricades in order to create identity.
JERUSALEM  The United States has finalized a $38 billion package of military aid for Israel over the next 10 years, the largest of its kind ever, and the two allies plan to sign the agreement on Wednesday, American and Israeli officials said.

The State Department scheduled a ceremony to formally announce the pact, which will be signed by Jacob Nagel, the acting national security adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and Thomas A. Shannon Jr., the under secretary of state for political affairs. Susan E. Rice, President Obamas national security adviser who handled negotiations, plans to be on hand.

The package represents a major commitment to Israels security in the waning months of Mr. Obamas presidency after years of fractious relations with Mr. Netanyahu over issues like the Iran nuclear agreement. Mr. Netanyahu agreed to several concessions to cement the deal rather than gamble on winning better terms from the next president.

The package will provide an average of $3.8 billion a year over the next decade to Israel, already the largest recipient of American aid, including financing for missile defense systems that defend against rockets fired by groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Under a previous 10-year agreement that expires in 2018, the United States provides about $3 billion a year, but lately Congress has added up to $500 million a year for missile defense.
The first full day of the cease-fire passed on Tuesday with no notable violations, but an atmosphere of deep mistrust prevailed in Syrias war-ravaged areas, residents and monitoring groups reported. The skepticism was fed partly by what appeared to be delays in expediting United Nations aid deliveries to the northern city of Aleppo and other combat zones where civilians have long been deprived of food and medicine. Relief for these areas is an important component of the cease-fire agreement.

The United Nations mediator in the conflict, Staffan de Mistura, told reporters in Geneva that there had been a significant drop in violence since the cease-fire plan took effect at sundown on Monday. But he said United Nations relief trucks bound for Aleppo, lined up at southern Turkeys border with Syria, had not received assurances of safe travel. Mr. de Mistura also said the Syrian government had still not provided required authorizations for deliveries to other locations, but we are eagerly hoping and expecting the government to issue them very soon.

The divide between Mr. Kerry and Mr. Carter reflects the inherent conflict in Mr. Obamas Syria policy. The president has come under increased fire politically for his refusal to intervene more forcefully in the five-year civil war, which the United Nations says has killed more than 400,000 people, displaced more than six million and led to a refugee crisis in Europe. But keeping large numbers of American ground forces out of Syria has also created space for Russia to assume a greater role there, both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.

The result is that at a time when the United States and Russia are at their most combative posture since the end of the Cold War, the American military is suddenly being told that it may, in a week, have to start sharing intelligence with one of its biggest adversaries to jointly target Islamic State and Nusra Front forces in Syria.

I remain skeptical about anything to do with the Russians, Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, who recently stepped down as NATOs supreme allied commander, said Monday in an interview. There are a lot of concerns about putting out there where our folks are.

In an email, Peter Cook, the Pentagon press secretary, said: As Secretary Carter has said, Secretary Kerry has worked tirelessly to try and ease the suffering of the Syrian people and bring about a diplomatic resolution to the Syrian civil war. If fully implemented, this arrangement could advance those important goals.
The church, one of the oldest African-American Baptist churches in the United States, acquired the bell in 1886. Members of an African-American family of four generations are also scheduled to ring the bell at the end of the dedication ceremony.

The Rev. Reginald F. Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church, said the tolling would be a symbol of progress made in the pursuit of justice and equality, but a reminder that we are still pursuing those ideals.

If we dont heal from our racial division, our democracy will be undermined, Mr. Davis said.

The bell will return to Williamsburg in October.
JERUSALEM  Mahmoud Muna, a Palestinian bookseller in East Jerusalem, does not mince words when it comes to his views on Israeli control over his part of the city, and his opinions can be difficult for Israelis to hear.

At least, he presumes they are. Mr. Muna rarely engages in conversation with the Israeli Jews who live across the Green Line. Like most of the 800,000 citizens uncomfortably sharing real estate in Israels contested capital, where Arabs and Jews are staked out on opposite sides and communities are often divided between the religious and the secular, everyday travel for Mr. Muna is circumscribed by lines real and invisible.

But on a cool summer evening this month, Mr. Muna helped a group of cultural tourists cross one of those lines. His store in the historic American Colony Hotel became a stop on Seven Ways to Dissolve Boundaries, city tours billed as doco-theatrical journeys into alternative realities that promise to take participants out of their comfort zone and into parts of Jerusalem they might never go.

The four-hour tours, which run through September with seven different variations (hence the name), were created by Mekudeshet, a three-week citywide arts festival. Itineraries are kept secret, with participants informed only of an initial meeting point.
The duo lobbied the Ministry of Justice for permission to put on the show. We thought: if we have the opportunity to make a project here, we should think very carefully about how we could do that  not to sensationalize the experience, but to try and bring together a group of artists and writers to whom the place would speak, said James Lingwood, Artangels co-director. Without exception, the artists that we wanted to be our A List are here.

The exhibition is like a scavenger hunt. It starts in the prisons tall, domed atrium, from which rows of cells dart out on several floors. There is no suggested itinerary; visitors make their own way through the prison wings. Some of the cells they walk into are empty; others contain artworks by artists including Marlene Dumas and Richard Hamilton, videos by Nan Goldin, and/or headsets with which to listen to readings of texts written and voiced by authors such as Mr. Ai and Jeanette Winterson.

Only 100 visitors will be admitted every hour, Mr. Lingwood said. One of the things that was very important to us was that the soundtrack to the whole experience be silence, he said. When Oscar Wilde was here, prisoners were basically kept on their own in their cells almost all the time, and there was almost no sound.

We want people to be deeply moved, to reflect, he added.

Wildes cell is a haunting, narrow space (3.4 meters by 2.15 meters) with painted brick walls, a tall vaulted ceiling, and a high window. There are no artworks to distract visitors inside it. In a neighboring cell are vintage copies of the books that he requested to read while in jail: volumes by Saint Augustine and Pascal, and poetry by Wordsworth, Keats and Hafiz.
Have I had moments where I thought, Did I just make a Jesus propaganda film? Mr. Warren said. Yes. However, I believe that these people are real in what they do, he added. Its not a hard-hitting journalistic piece, but there are questions in there.

Agreeing to star in the film also presented a paradox for Hillsong, whose critics say the church favors spectacle over gospel and call its leaders celebrity-obsessed and self-promoting. By putting Hillsong United in Hollywood lights, its message of humility and sacrifice could reach a larger audience  the bands purpose  but it also opened up the organization to more cynical judgment.

Fortunately, the music  ornate mainstream arena rock but with God-only lyrics that are vetted for adherence to theology  also happens to be very good, said Tom Wagner, an ethnomusicologist at work on a book about Hillsong. They have something thats extremely effective there and theyve understood that, so theyre leveraging it to the best of their ability. (At Hillsong concerts and services, song lyrics are projected on screens to encourage rapturous singalongs, a tactic mirrored, karaoke-style, in the film.)

Joel Houston, 36, Hillsongs creative director, lead New York pastor and United band leader, described embracing the rock-star exposure as trying to draw attention to yourself for the sole premise of drawing attention away from yourself  to God. But even the concept of Christian celebrity rages against so much of what were trying to achieve.
Blood at the Root is a compendium of horrors and a catalog of shame. (The title comes from the Billie Holiday song Strange Fruit, originally a poem by Abel Meeropol.) As he was doing his research, Mr. Phillips, who grew up in Forsyth County, realized how uncomfortably abstract this purge had become, even to him. Misinformation and distortions about it were part of the soundtrack of his childhood. They masked prodigious bigotry and made a whitewash of history.

The tale, he writes, stripped of names and dates and places, made the expulsion of the countys black community seem like only a legend  like something too far back in the mists of time to ever truly understand  rather than a deliberate and sustained campaign of terror.

The observation reminded me of the moment in Between the World and Me, when Ta-Nehisi Coates implores his son to remember that slavery is not an indefinable mass of flesh. It is a particular, specific slave woman, whose mind is as active as your own, whose range of feeling is as vast as your own.

Because so many African-Americans in Forsyth did not know how to read or write, and because the victims from that era are long gone, Mr. Phillips was not able to give us a series of psychologically intimate portraits. But he did a heroic amount of archival spelunking to tell this story, one that still humanizes its subjects and brims with detail. He also explains the larger historical forces and phobias that set the stage for mass expulsions in Forsyth County, including the downward mobility of whites in the antebellum South; the irrational panic over black male sexuality; and the paranoia over the possibility of a black uprising to avenge slavery, which allowed whites to see themselves as victims, rather than aggressors.

This last anxiety suggests that white peoples fear of African-Americans was, and may well be, a fear of their own conscience and sins.

Mr. Phillips carefully documents, too, the brutal origins of Forsyth. Before its citizens drove away African-Americans, they drove away Native Americans. They resisted Emancipation with consistency and brazen creativity. It was a place where powerful whites rejected black citizenship on principle, he writes, and resented the very idea of paying for black labor.

Mr. Phillipss descriptions of lynchings are graphic, unflinching, important  a clear reminder that a century (or less, even) is hardly enough time to recover from the sentiments that made them possible; hate is in the groundwater. After a second Brotherhood March in 1987, one that was far more successful, the civil rights leader Hosea Williams drew up a list of demands from Forsyth leaders, including financial reparations, enforcement of federal laws and programs to train black police officers. They might as well have been issued yesterday.
Don Halcomb, a 63-year-old farmer in Adairville, Ky., is expecting his profit to vanish this year, largely because of the confluence of falling crop prices and rising costs for seeds and other materials.

The price of an 80,000-kernel bag of seed corn rose to $300 from $80 in the last decade, as the companies that produced them consolidated, he said. And with the recent decline in commodity prices, Mr. Halcomb said he expects to lose $100 an acre this year.

Were producing our crops at a loss now, just like the oil guys are pumping oil at a loss, Mr. Halcomb, who grows corn, soybeans, wheat and barley on his 7,000-acre family farm, said by telephone on Wednesday. You cant cut your costs fast enough.

It is a common plight of farmers across the United States, with the global agriculture industry in a wrenching downturn. Because farmers have produced too much corn, wheat and soybeans, they have been forced to slash prices to sell their crops. They have also reduced spending on seeds, pesticides and fertilizer, which has eaten into sales at agribusiness giants, including Monsanto and DuPont.
Wells Fargo has received subpoenas from three different United States attorneys offices in the last week, escalating an investigation into how thousands of bank employees came to secretly issue more than a million sham accounts without customers consent.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan and San Francisco sent the subpoenas seeking information on the misconduct, according to two people briefed on the matter who were not authorized to discuss it. Prosecutors in North Carolina are also investigating, one of the people said.

Wells Fargo, one of the nations largest banks, with headquarters in San Francisco, recently settled civil charges with regulators and the city and county of Los Angeles last week. The settlement, in which the bank did not admit or deny wrongdoing, included $185 million in fines and a requirement that the bank hire an independent consultant to review its sales practices.

Wells is famous for its practice of selling new accounts to existing customers, and it is the pressure to meet sales quotas and earn bonuses that is seen as the motive for bank employees who set up credit-card and deposit accounts without customers permission. So far, 5,300 employees have been fired for their involvement.
Exactly why the increases have been so modest in recent years is up for debate. The Obama administration argues that some measures in the federal health care law have helped slow the rise in health care costs. Some other experts tend to point to the lingering effects of a sluggish economy as well as the push by employers to shift more costs onto workers.

Increasing Deductibles

While employer-sponsored plans typically have much lower deductibles than the most popular plans found on the exchanges, more employees have deductibles, and those deductibles are increasing.

Over all, employees have deductibles that are about 50 percent higher than they were five years ago. Four out of five covered employees pay a deductible, which averages about $1,500 each, Kaiser found. Employees who get insurance through a smaller company have deductibles that now average $2,100.

Workers are also paying a greater share of the premiums, contributing $5,277 annually toward a family plan, nearly a third of the total cost.

The move by employers and insurers to push more health costs onto workers is significant, said Mr. Altman, who describes it as a stealth move to skimpier insurance. Proponents of higher cost sharing say that asking people to pay more of their medical bills causes them to be more discriminating about what health care they use.

Networks Shrinking

Remember the days of being able to go to any doctor or hospital of your choice? Many employers still choose plans that let workers visit a doctor out of network, although employees are paying increasingly more for the privilege.

But more companies are opting for less choice for their employees. This year, slightly fewer than half of workers are enrolled in so-called preferred provider organization plans, or P.P.O.s, compared with 58 percent in 2014. While you pay more when you go outside the plans network, you are still covered if you go to a doctor or hospital that does not belong.
Siim Teller is a big fan of the British Broadcasting Corporation. A 37-year-old Estonian, he got hooked on the documentaries, period dramas and other programs after living in London for four years.

But when he moved to Berlin 18 months ago with his family, Mr. Teller could no longer watch British television because of strict copyright rules that stopped at national borders.

How can they just decide that content is only available in one country when everyone now moves around so much? asked Mr. Teller, who also subscribes to the online streaming services Netflix and Amazon Prime and who regularly tunes into Estonian news programs. I understand the commercial reasons, but for the viewer, its just annoying.

Like Mr. Teller, many Europeans complain that they cannot view digital content from across the region. But that may soon change.
Gabriela Hearst is a natural ambassador for wool. She grew up, as has been lavishly documented in the press, on a ranch in Uruguay with thousands of sheep, though she has since relocated to an expensive ZIP code in Manhattan. She requires little prodding to celebrate wools versatility and its strength.

At a presentation of her spring collection, in her 11th Avenue studio on Tuesday, she pulled a reporter aside for a chat about the clothes, seating herself gamely on a radiator in the corner. Before being assured the radiator was not on, he had worried about the flammability of his trousers.

If it was merino, she said, they wouldnt be flammable.

Now is a good time for Ms. Hearst to celebrate wool. In July, she won the United States regional competition for the Woolmark Prize, a $100,000 Australian (about $74,735) award given by the Woolmark Company, an Australian organization dedicated to promoting merino wool. In January, she goes on to the international competition in Paris.
Worldwide, there were 1.1 million cases of prostate cancer and 307,000 deaths from it in 2012, the latest year data were collected by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In the United States, about 181,000 cases and 26,000 deaths are expected in 2016. The average age at diagnosis is 66 in the United States, and the disease rarely occurs in men under 40. Most men who have prostate cancer do not die from it, according to the American Cancer Society.

The disease often grows very slowly  but not always. Some cases are potentially deadly, but tests cannot always tell which ones. The uncertainty leaves many men in a quandary, particularly because of the bowel, bladder and sexual problems from treatment.

In 2012, the United States Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of experts picked by the government, recommended against routine screening for prostate cancer with the PSA test. The group said screening finds many tumors that may never have harmed the patient, and leads too many men into unneeded surgery or radiation, with their troubling side effects.

Dr. Hamdys team set out to address the quandary. They studied 1,643 patients in Britain ages 50 to 69 who had early prostate cancers, found with routine PSA testing and then a biopsy if the PSA was abnormal. All the cancers were localized, meaning they were confined to the prostate and had not spread to nearby tissue outside the gland, or to distant organs.

The patients had PSA measurements of 3 or higher, and about three quarters had a Gleason score of 6; the rest had higher Gleason scores. Gleason scores are a measure of aggressiveness and range from 6 to 10 in cancers, with higher scores being worse.

The patients were then assigned at random to one of three groups: A third had surgery, a third had radiation, and a third had active monitoring.

Though death rates from the cancer did not differ, more men on active monitoring had progression. The disease spread to distant parts of the body in 33 men on monitoring, 13 who had surgery and 16 who had radiation. The differences were statistically significant.
An organization announced on Wednesday that it had chosen the winners of $10 million grants in a competition to rethink the American high school.

The organization  the XQ Institute, which is backed by Laurene Powell Jobs  is funding 10 schools, for a total of $100 million.

One of the winners, the Somerville Steam Academy in Somerville, Mass., will operate without standard class periods and without separating students by age.

Rise High in Los Angeles will be designed for students who are homeless or in foster care. It will share locations around the city with service providers, like medical or mental health centers, and will have a mobile classroom to teach or tutor students wherever they are.
The Wi-Fi kiosks in New York were designed to replace phone booths and allow users to consult maps, maybe check the weather or charge their phones. But they have also attracted people who linger for hours, sometimes drinking and doing drugs and, at times, boldly watching pornography on the sidewalks.

Now, yielding to complaints, the operator of the kiosks, LinkNYC network, is shutting off their internet browsers, but not their other functions, while it works out a Plan B with city officials.

The switch, announced on Wednesday, is a case study in unintended consequences, commendable goals gone somewhat awry. Mayor Bill de Blasios aim of providing modern technology to the masses ran headlong into the reality of life on the citys streets. After months of complaints from residents, businesses and other elected officials, Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat, conceded that combining unfettered internet access with free Wi-Fi was a recipe for bad behavior.

The retreat comes just seven months after the mayor introduced the network amid much fanfare as a key plank of his promise to bridge the digital divide in the city. The kiosks would replace more than 7,500 public pay phones and bring free Wi-Fi and phone service to every neighborhood.
Im sure Proctor and White would both be horrified, Laura Proctor Ames, the sculptors great-granddaughter, said after seeing a photograph sent by The New York Times. We were not aware of it, and I have a pit in my stomach. Ms. Ames is the director of the A. Phimister Proctor Museum in Hansville, Wash.

Michele H. Bogart, the author of Public Sculpture and the Civic Ideal in New York City, 1890-1930, wrote on her Facebook page, Someone who approves locations is not using his or her brain cells.

I am apoplectic, she wrote. It is an absurdity. The Panthers are a major N.Y.C. monument by a major late-19th-century American sculptor. They are in the collection of the city, and you cant just go putting structures next to works like these.

The citys Department of Transportation, which had approved the location of the bicycle docking station, announced several hours after this article was published on Wednesday that it was revisiting its decision.

We will be making an adjustment to the station to address concerns about the artwork, an assistant transportation commissioner, Scott Gastel, said, and we will continue to engage with stakeholders as we evaluate any need for additional changes.
To the Editor:

With Pensions Like This ($315 a Month), Chileans Lash Out at System (news article, Sept. 11) cites a monthly pension of almost $7,800 of a retiree from Chiles prison police department as contributing to the bubbling anger about pensions in Chile.

When the military dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet privatized the old pay-as-you-go pension system, that privatization did not extend to Chiles military or to similar groups.

A good response to todays concerns about pensions in Chile would be to expand the valuable Solidarity Pillar that provides benefits for those with small or no pensions and to follow the proposal from Chiles commission on pension reform: The Armed Forces, Carabineros and similar bodies should, in general, receive the same treatment regarding affiliation and contributions as other workers.

The same treatment would include the military in the well-functioning, defined-contribution pension system (known as the A.F.P. system), which should be preserved and improved. This combination of actions would make the pension system better and fairer.
To the Editor:

I read with interest Roger Cohens column about the many Kentuckians supporting Donald Trump (We Need Someone Spectacular,  Sunday Review, Sept. 11).

I lived most of my life in Kentucky. My grandfather was a coal miner and saloonkeeper. My parents were a truck driver and a beautician. I worked on the oil field pipelines of western Kentucky and in a chemical plant. I have some idea of what ordinary working stiffs go through. It is not easy. Automation, foreign competition and shifts in types of energy have taken a toll.

Hard times are not an excuse for ignorance. I am now deeply ashamed of the citizens of Kentucky for promoting the absolute nothingness that is Donald Trump. A preening billionaire is going to create jobs out of thin air? A blustering reality show host is going to make America great? Vladimir Putin is our new pal?

The American experiment will face its greatest threat in November. It is very sad that my beloved Bluegrass State will probably vote against its own interests, again.
HAVERFORD, Pa.  At first glance, Guatemalas recent steps to root out organized crime look impressive: Working with the United Nations, the countrys attorney general has dismantled a major criminal network tied to the political party led by the former president Otto Perez Molina, who now sits in jail  along with his vice president and some 200 other disgraced cabinet ministers, congressmen, civil servants, businessmen, bankers, lawyers and judges.

But looks can be deceiving. Guatemala still faces formidable resistance to change from organized crime, powerful business executives, and corrupt judges and politicians. Ordinary citizens, meanwhile, are reluctant to participate in transforming a political system that they dont yet trust.

The cost of failure in Guatemala would be enormous. Not only would democracy in that country be imperiled, but the prospects for reform across the region would suffer a dire setback.

In the last 18 months, Guatemala has done more than just arrest a few high-profile figures. Congress has approved reforms enhancing transparency in political and campaign financing and the allocation of government contracts; other measures aim to professionalize the civil service and the judicial system. A decade of work building a professional and powerful attorney generals office is paying off. Former prosecutors now run the Ministry of the Interior and administer the tax collection office.
Suppose youre at a conference. The panels and keynotes and forums have broken up, and you head off to get a drink with a handful of attendees. Are you on the record?

Suki Kim, a New York Times best-selling author, found herself in such a situation when she attended a book festival in Brisbane, Australia, over the weekend. After listening to a controversial keynote address on racial and cultural identity, Kim and a few other authors retreated to a small room in the hotel for what was billed by the conference hosts as an artist-only private conversation over cocktails.

But four days later, Kim found herself quoted in The New York Times, in a piece in which she criticized another prominent author by name, lamenting that his and other books by white males on topics similar to her books tended to be better received. Kim was outraged, and still is, that the Times reporter Rod Nordland, who she acknowledges speaking with at the event, would quote her for an article. Nordland is the Times Kabul bureau chief and is himself a recent author of a book on Afghanistan. Thats the basis on which he was invited to the book festival, and to the smaller reception: he wrote a book.

Kim says she knew Nordland was a journalist (she considers herself a journalist as well) but she says she had no idea they were having an on-the-record conversation for a story. They were at a book festival, after all, one exclusively for authors, and Nordland never mentioned he planned to write an article for The Times.
Mr. Smith has called the state-level investigations a violation of scientists right to free speech. Mr. Smith said he had called Wednesdays hearing to affirm the legitimacy of his inquiry.

The attorneys general and the organizations have refused to comply with the subpoenas from Mr. Smith, as they have refused to comply with earlier demands for documents from him, claiming that the federal subpoenas are unconstitutional. The attorneys general have cited case law going back to the proceedings of the House Un-American Activities Committee and have cited principles of states rights  an argument usually made by conservatives. Mr. Schneiderman and his supporters say the First Amendment argument is a smoke screen to avoid a legitimate investigation.

The subpoenaed organizations, including the Union of Concerned Scientists and 350.org, have also refused to comply. This week, a group of more than a dozen First Amendment scholars and litigators sent a letter to Mr. Smith, arguing that his subpoenas, not those from the state officials, were a threat to the organizations First Amendment rights, and that they exceeded the legal authority of the committee.

Critics of Mr. Smith, who has questioned the overwhelming scientific consensus underlying climate change, note that he has received more than $675,000 from the fossil fuel industry since 1998, including more than $24,000 from Exxon Mobil. Supporters of Mr. Smith and Exxon Mobil launched a counterattack over the weekend, noting that Mr. Schneiderman has received substantial campaign contributions from people and organizations with an interest in environmental matters.

The witnesses called for the hearing included Ronald D. Rotunda, a professor at Chapman Universitys law school, and Elizabeth Price Foley of Florida International University College of Law. Both are affiliated with conservative causes and organizations: Mr. Rotunda has ties to the Heartland Institute, which disputes climate science, and Ms. Foley recently wrote an article for The Wall Street Journal in support of Mr. Smiths subpoenas.
Jack Hofsiss, who became the youngest director to win a Tony Award when, at 28, he was honored for his work on The Elephant Man in 1979, and who resumed his career after being paralyzed in a diving accident, died on Tuesday at his home in Manhattan. He was 65.

His sister Christine Schruntek confirmed his death. She did not give a specific cause but said that he had been experiencing respiratory problems for some time.

Mr. Hofsiss was directing for Joe Papp at the Public Theater in New York when he became interested in a play that had been staged in 1977 at the Hampstead Theater in London. Set in Victorian England, the play, by Bernard Pomerance, an American living in London, was based on the true story of the hideously deformed Joseph Merrick and his struggle to adapt to society.

With the producer Richmond Crinkley, for whom he had worked at the Folger Theater in Washington, and with Philip Anglim in the role of Merrick, Mr. Hofsiss mounted a pared-down production of The Elephant Man at St. Peters Church in Manhattan. The reviews were ecstatic. In The New York Times, Walter Kerr called it easily the most riveting new serious play weve had to contend with all season.
WASHINGTON  On the night in April 2015 that Baltimore went up in flames, Carla D. Hayden, the citys chief librarian, was under pressure to board up a neighborhood library branch and wait out the violence triggered by the death of Freddie Gray after being injured in police custody.

But she had other ideas.

I thought, what would that show? Dr. Hayden said. That were afraid?

Instead, as a CVS drugstore across the street was looted and burned, and as the governor of Maryland declared a state of emergency, Dr. Hayden and her staff decided they would open their doors the next morning, welcoming in the weary public.

For Dr. Hayden, who was sworn in on Wednesday as the 14th librarian of Congress, the unrest was the test that clarified her values: Libraries are about far more than books.

The people of that neighborhood protected that library, Dr. Hayden said during a recent interview in her new office overlooking Capitol Hill. There were young men who stood outside. It was such a symbol.
Hillary Clintons newest book, Stronger Together, which provides a policy blueprint for where she hopes to take the country if she is elected president, sold just 2,912 copies in its first week on sale, according to Nielsen BookScan.

Both Mrs. Clinton and her running mate, Senator Tim Kaine, have promoted the book on the campaign trail, but the sales figure, which tallies about 80 percent of booksellers nationwide and does not include e-books, firmly makes the book what the publishing industry would consider a flop.

First-week sales typically account for around a third of the total sold, thanks to the publicity blitzes that accompany publishers biggest releases. By comparison, Mrs. Clintons 2014 memoir, Hard Choices, which also fell short of expectations, sold more than 85,000 copies in its first week.

Mrs. Clintons more revealing 2003 memoir, Living History, about her years in the White House, sold about six times as many copies in its first week as Hard Choices.
Mr. Powell appeared to be angry that NBC proposed that he appear on Meet the Press with Mr. Cheney and his daughter, who were promoting a book they wrote together. In the email, Mr. Powell said the network agreed to invite the Cheneys at a later date.

Mr. Powells emails appeared on a website called DCLeaks.com, which had previously posted documents that the site had obtained after hacks into the accounts of prominent Democrats and some Republicans, including Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, the former commander of NATO forces in Europe, and George Soros, a wealthy backer of liberal causes. It is unclear who operates DCLeaks.com.

Peggy Cifrino, an aide to Mr. Powell, responded Wednesday morning to an inquiry about the emails: We are confirming that General Powell has been hacked and that they are his emails. We have no further comment at this time. Mr. Powell did not respond to an email sent directly to his personal account.

In several emails, Mr. Powell suggested that speaking out against Mr. Trump would only add to the attention the Republican nominee was getting from the news media. Responding to a reporter asking for comment, Mr. Powell wrote last month that Mr. Trump is his own best enemy and added: I will speak out when I feel it appropriate and not after every idiot thing he says.

But the emails make clear that Mr. Powell, who also served as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has no intention of supporting Mr. Trump. In one back-and-forth with a former aide, Mr. Powell insisted that Mr. Trump should not be elected president.

No need to debate it with you now, but Trump is a national disgrace and an international pariah, Mr. Powell wrote in June, noting the criticism of Mr. Trump by several prominent conservatives. He is in the process of destroying himself, no need for Dems to attack him.

Mr. Powell also made clear in a series of exchanges how much he was offended by Mr. Trumps attacks on the issue of Mr. Obamas birth. Yup, the whole birther movement was racist, Mr. Powell wrote. Thats what the 99% believe. When Trump couldnt keep that up he said he also wanted to see if the certificate noted that he was a Muslim. As I have said before, What if he was? Muslims are born as Americans everyday.
After a whiplash-inducing morning of mixed messages, Donald J. Trump on Wednesday opened a small window into some of the results from his most recent physical examination, revealing that he is overweight and takes a statin, a type of drug that lowers cholesterol.

Mr. Trump gave the quick synopsis on Dr. Mehmet Ozs television show after the Republican presidential nominees aides had said that he would, then that he would not, broach the topic with the doctor on the show.

A news release from the Dr. Oz Show said that Dr. Oz, as all physicians do when seeing a patient for the first time, took the candidate through a full review of systems including the following: nervous system; head and neck; hormone levels; cardiovascular health and related medications; respiratory health; gastrointestinal health; bladder or prostate health; dermatological health; history of cancer.

The release also said they reviewed family medical history  occurrence of Alzheimers or dementia, heart disease, cancer in relatives.
With less than eight weeks until Election Day and pressure mounting for the candidates to give details about their health and medical histories, Donald J. Trump acknowledged on Wednesday that he was overweight and taking a cholesterol-fighting drug, and Hillary Clinton elaborated on the circumstances that led to her contracting pneumonia and the medicine she was taking to recover.

Mrs. Clintons doctor said she continues to improve after contracting a mild, noncontagious form of pneumonia diagnosed on Friday, two days before she grew dizzy and was seen losing her footing while leaving a ceremony for the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In a letter released by the Clinton campaign, the physician, Dr. Lisa R. Bardack, said she had evaluated Mrs. Clinton several times since Sunday, including on Wednesday. She is recovering well with antibiotics and rest, Dr. Bardack said. She continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as president of the United States.

After Mrs. Clinton left Sundays Sept. 11 ceremony early, a spokesman initially said only that she had felt overheated. But after video shot by an onlooker showed Secret Service agents helping a wobbly Mrs. Clinton into a van, her campaign released a statement from Dr. Bardack saying that Mrs. Clinton had pneumonia.
RIO DE JANEIRO  Federal prosecutors in Brazil filed corruption charges Wednesday against Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the former president who has wielded influence across Latin America for decades, portraying him as the mastermind of a sprawling graft scheme intended to maintain his partys grip on the presidency.

Deltan Dallagnol, a prosecutor, called Mr. da Silva the ultimate commander of bribery and kickback schemes that allowed his leftist Workers Party to build coalitions in Congress, describing him as the general at the helm.

The actual charges against Mr. da Silva, who was president from 2003 to 2010, focus on a much narrower claim: Prosecutors accuse Mr. da Silva and his wife of illegally receiving about $1.1 million in improvements and expenses for a beachfront apartment paid for by a large construction company seeking public contracts.

But beyond the specific charges, which must still be accepted by a judge, the prosecutors said Mr. da Silva had been instrumental in a bigger corruption scheme that has thrown Brazils political system into turmoil for more than two years.
OTTAWA  The crowd was enthusiastic, and Justin Trudeau was working it. He seemed to leave no hand unshaken in the crush of the convention hall as light perspiration gathered on his forehead. Even on what could have been hostile turf, the ebullience was palpable.

Thats how it goes when you are a prime minister-slash-social media star on a political honeymoon  one that, far from waning, has actually seemed to intensify since Mr. Trudeau and his Liberal Party swept to power in Canadas general election last fall.

After 10 months in office, though, Mr. Trudeau is signaling a shift in focus toward grasping the nettles of power as well as the laurels.

Opinion polls have shown his support continuing to rise, even among people who usually back Canadas two other major parties. In the most recent Nanos Research poll, 73 percent of respondents agreed that Mr. Trudeau had the qualities of a good political leader.
HONG KONG  Chinas legislature has expelled 45 of its members in a vote-buying scandal that has snared a prominent businessman who is active in donating to American universities, foundations and political campaigns.

Some of the lawmakers whose dismissals were announced on Tuesday, all from the economically struggling northeastern province of Liaoning, had bribed their way into the National Peoples Congress by buying votes, according to the official news agency Xinhua.

The nearly 3,000 members of the congress, which meets as a full body for less than two weeks each March, ratify laws and government programs, usually with little drama. Members are mostly voted in by lower-ranking organizations, including provincial congresses.

The businessman, Wang Wenliang, is a billionaire who made his fortune in the construction business and from operating a strategic port on the North Korean border. Mr. Wang has also been linked with entities holding hidden stakes in three condominiums in the Time Warner Center in New York.
Mr. Obama had moved in May to ease a broad array of sanctions that barred American citizens and companies from doing business with Myanmar, loosening restrictions on state-owned banks and entities.

But, at that time, he left in place an official government finding of a state of emergency for Myanmar, which calls the country an extraordinary threat. Earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Obama sent Congress official notice that he was restoring trade benefits to Myanmar that were revoked in 1989 because of concerns over worker rights, allowing it to qualify for a program that allows poor countries to export thousands of products duty-free to the United States.

The decision to go a step further, and scrap the sanctions entirely, reflects Mr. Obamas belief in using diplomacy paired with sanctions relief to prod former foreign adversaries toward greater openness. That principle was at the heart of Mr. Obamas agreement last year with Iran to relax sanctions in exchange for restraints on the countrys nuclear program, and has been the driving force behind the opening of a dialogue with Cuba.

Since taking power six months ago, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi has moved to heal ethnic conflicts that have long plagued Myanmar. She invited a team led by Kofi Annan, the former United Nations secretary general, to begin investigating the plight of the Rohingya, a group of about a million Muslims living in dire conditions in western Myanmar.

Yet Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi had declined to use the term Rohingya to describe the persecuted Muslim population that has lived in Myanmar for generations, angering rights activists who had hoped she would reverse discriminatory policies that have marginalized the Rohingya and prompted many to flee.

And crucial political changes have yet to be made, like amending Myanmars Constitution to remove the militarys control over 25 percent of parliamentary seats, its ability to dissolve Parliament in times of national emergency and its control over the nations security, defense and border ministries.
UNITED NATIONS  Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned on Wednesday that North Koreas repeated tests of nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles had created unprecedented tension in the region.

Speaking at a news conference before his last annual General Assembly session as leader of the United Nations, where his two-term tenure as secretary general ends on Dec. 31, Mr. Ban also nudged the United States and China to remain united in their response.

Never in the past have I ever seen such kind of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Mr. Ban, a former foreign minister of South Korea and possible presidential contender there, said at the news conference, customarily held a few days before the General Assemblys annual meeting.

He urged the Security Council to take urgent actions. But as he has done before, Mr. Ban demurred on what that action should be, saying only that he was heartened that the United States and China had begun negotiations on next steps.
SEOUL, South Korea  International relief agencies said on Wednesday that they had begun delivering food and other assistance to tens of thousands of North Koreans who lost homes in some of the worst flooding to hit the country in years.

North Korea reported hundreds of people dead or missing but has not publicly appealed for outside help, instead relying on internal mobilization for relief efforts in the flooded provinces, near its northern border with China. The areas are among the poorest in North Korea.

Although some outside aid agencies have withdrawn from the country in recent years, a handful are still allowed to operate there.

The United Nations World Food Program said that it had delivered emergency food assistance, including fortified biscuits and beans, to more than 140,000 people.
SYDNEY, Australia  Australias divisive debate over same-sex marriage returned to Parliament on Wednesday when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull implored lawmakers to support a bill that would ask Australians to vote on the issue.

If ever there is an issue to be put to a plebiscite, this is one that can be and should be because it is a very straightforward question, Mr. Turnbull said. We put our faith in the Australian people, and we know that their answer, whether it is yes or no, will be the right answer.

Mr. Turnbull needs the support of Parliament to pass the bill, which calls for a plebiscite  a national, nonbinding ballot  to be held on Feb. 11. The bill, he said, would ask Australians, Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?

He added, This is a simple question.

The speech on Wednesday was the first time Australians had heard the details of the bill, and the first time that Mr. Turnbull, the leader of the Liberal Party-led conservative coalition, had outlined his agenda on same-sex marriage since his government was re-elected on July 2.
LONDON  A committee of British lawmakers issued a damning assessment on Wednesday of the 2011 intervention in Libya led by Britain and France, concluding that the military action had lacked a coherent strategy, had been based on poor intelligence and had led to a political collapse that aided the rise of the Islamic State in North Africa.

The report from the foreign affairs committee of the House of Commons directly blamed the former prime minister, David Cameron, saying he was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy.

In echoing many criticisms from another inquiry, published this year, into Britains role in the Iraq war under one of Mr. Camerons predecessors, Tony Blair, the report suggested that lessons from that conflict had not been learned.

Fearing civilian deaths, an international coalition assembled by Britain and France launched air and missile strikes in March 2011, after Col. Muammar el-Qaddafis forces threatened to attack the rebel-held city of Benghazi.
BERLIN  The choice of princess, bride or dancer did not really allow Rayouf Alhumedhi to express herself in a chat room she was creating. As a Muslim teenager in Germany who wears a head scarf, she was disappointed by the standard emoji options on her smartphone keyboard.

Why, she wondered, couldnt there be a symbol of a woman in a head scarf, or hijab, like the one she wears?

She wrote to Apple, but received no response. Some online research led her to an article about how to suggest a new emoji, so she drew up a proposal and emailed it to the Unicode Consortium, which oversees standards for the symbols on keyboards. Her appeal caught the eye of Jennifer 8. Lee, a former New York Times reporter, who became a co-author of the proposal. She suggested that Ms. Alhumedhi include a brief history of the hijab and add research to show its importance.

In the age of digitalization, pictures prove to be a crucial element in communication, the proposal says. Roughly 550 million Muslim women on this earth pride themselves on wearing the hijab. With this enormous number of people, not a single space on the keyboard is reserved for them.
LONDON  A Scottish nurse who contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone in 2014 and had been accused of concealing her high temperature from health officials after her return to Britain was cleared of professional misconduct charges at an administrative hearing on Wednesday.

An independent panel set up by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which regulates nursing and midwifery in Britain, found that the nurse, Pauline Cafferkey, 40, had allowed an incorrect temperature to be recorded on her screening form at Heathrow Airport in London, but that her actions had been significantly impaired by exhaustion after a long flight home and early symptoms of the virus.

Ms. Cafferkeys actions did not amount to misconduct, the panel said in a report after a hearing in Edinburgh, Scotland. It said the panel had found no dishonesty on her part. Ms. Cafferkey could have lost her medical license if the panel had decided that she had acted improperly.
SOT MAY 1168 BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, UK (JULY 11, 2016): we will make Britain a country that works for everyone. VO:Theresa May was really an incredible candidate left in the race, but the speed with which she was installed was very surprising. Im Stephen Castle, a London correspondent for The New York Times SOT CONSERVATIVE LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, BREXITEER WHO NOW SUPPORTS THERESA MAY, CHRIS GRAYLING - 1190 - JULY 11, 2016 LONDON :We all know that Theresa will do everything she can to equip our country for the challenges that lie ahead. The general consensus at the highest level of the Conservative party is that there were needed some swift actions to end the uncertainty. SOT Theresa May: Ive been Home Secretary for six years now... VO: Theresa May is known as a very tough operator. In fact, the homeland business has been described as SOT May 1172 - Taking control is about making sure that our voice is heard and that it counts. O VO: Theresa May is the second female PM that Britain had. The first was Margaret Thatcher. SOT MAY - Women in the World/Youtube:  - Was she influential on you? - Im not someone who has a role model. VO: Shes a conservative and generally regarded as extremely methodical, effective and a pretty good negotiator. SOT MAY: 1172 As we look at issues like the movement of illegal firearms across Europe, the sharing of criminal records, reducing the pull factors that is leading my people to want to migrate into Europe, I am very clear that the United Kingdom can take a lead. VO: As a new prime minister, Theresa May will have a plausible control over the whole range of government including economics and foreign policy, 2 areas shes never really dealt with in much detail. As a conservative politician, she has a big drop on her hands, because personally Thesera May didnt vote to leave the E.U. SOT MAY on June 15, 2016 BBC [0.25]: Wed be more secure and safe inside the E.U. VO: But she now has the job of delivering Brexit. SOT 4180 MAY The country voted to leave the European Union and its the duty of the government and - parliament to make sure we do just that. VO: She said Brexit means Brexit, but no one knows what it really means. VOXPOP: AMY ROSS LONDON July 11 - 1190: Hopefully that will mean that shes able to negotiate the best position for us. SOT: (German) BAADER BANK HEAD OF CAPITAL MARKETS ANALYSIS, ROBERT HALVER 2134 FRANKFURT, GERMANY (JULY 12, 2016) There are connections between Brussels and London, which one cant cut off. This means, the Britons somehow remain with us even if they leave. VO: So she is going to have to define how much control Britain has over immigration and how much access it has to european markets. SOT 1158 MAY: Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it. END
The discord is raising hopes among a host of Syrians and others whose plans were sidetracked when the deal was cinched in March. The other day, one of them, a Syrian named Mohammad Ibrahim, drank tea in the shade of a palm tree on the Turkish coast and looked longingly at Greece, visible across a narrow stretch of the Aegean Sea. He was waiting to meet up at night with smugglers who would help him across the waters.

Like many Syrians, he said he had realized that one of the main provisions of the agreement  that migrants who risk their lives on the sea are to be sent back to Turkey  was rarely enforced.

This agreement is only on paper, said Mr. Ibrahim, 44, who is from the war-torn city of Aleppo. In practice, they arent sending us back to Turkey like they said they would. So now it is time to go.

Under the deal, the European Union pledged more than $6 billion to improve the lives of the more than three million Syrians living in Turkey. It also agreed to renew negotiations for Turkey to join the bloc, a prospect that appears dimmer than ever given the tensions between the two sides since the coup attempt.

Turkish leaders feel that Europe should have stood in solidarity with Turkey at a difficult time rather than criticize the crackdown on tens of thousands of people the government said were followers of Fethullah Gulen, the reclusive cleric whom the Turks accused of leading the revolt.

Even before the coup, Europe had been criticized for ignoring Turkeys crackdown on freedom of expression, and the growing authoritarianism of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in order to contain the migrant crisis. After the coup and the purges that followed, it found itself in an even tougher position.

Instead of unequivocally condemning the coup and supporting the elected governments efforts to bring the putschists to justice, Europe chose to attack Turkeys leaders for holding the would-be junta accountable for their crimes, Ibrahim Kalin, Mr. Erdogans spokesman, wrote in a recent column titled Brussels, Youve Got a Problem.
The cease-fire negotiated between Russia and the United States was supposed to allow for delivery of aid to the divided city of Aleppo. Everything is needed: food, medicine, blankets. But United Nations officials said they had not received a guarantee of safe passage, and truckloads of goods remained at the border with Turkey.

Diplomacy is driven by those in power  who live and work safely outside the war-torn country. But it is the people of Syria who have the most at stake, and so we wanted to hear from them. For many, the pause in the fighting was a chance to experience the routines of life that many take for granted: Taking a photograph of a friend, shopping for food.

I think both sides, the opposition and regime, are tired of this war and want to have a break, said Abu Yaman, a father of four in Damascus.

Read more accounts below, and see more about the terms of the deal here.
Wait a minute  were honoring him?

Cities all over the world rename streets and put up statues to commemorate local heroes and beloved public figures. But to the bafflement and irritation of many people in St. Petersburg, Russia, their city has recently honored three people they would hardly call heroic or beloved.

Remarkably, the least controversial of the three is Kim Jong-il.

Mr. Kim, the former North Korean dictator, was brutal even by the standards of Russia, which has seen its share of tyrants. What did he do to merit a plaque? He stopped by a local factory 15 years ago.

Even more eyebrows were arched when a bridge was renamed in honor of Akhmad Kadyrov, a Chechen leader who was assassinated in May 2004. That was widely seen as a political sop to Ramzan A. Kadyrov, Akhmads son and the current president of Chechnya, the restive region in the Caucasus.

Noting that Akhmad Kadyrov had supported Russia in the Second Chechen War, a spokesman for the governor of St. Petersburg said, Russia remembers and honors its heroes. This even though Mr. Kadyrov, in the First Chechen War, led an anti-Russian militia and was seen in propaganda videos calling on Chechens to kill as many Russians as possible.
To understate the matter, the printing trade was not much encouraged in colonial America, Kluger observes. Although imperial rules had relaxed a bit from the previous century, when a defamatory publication could subject the offender to the amputation of the ears, the colonies had inherited British common law, which essentially defined as seditious libel anything that annoyed anyone in power. The prevailing legal text of the time declared that not only was truth not a defense against prosecution, it also compounded the offense, since the greater appearance there is of truth in any malicious invective, so much the more provoking it is. Speaking ill of a public figure, the prevailing jurisprudence added, has a direct tendency to breed in the people a dislike of their governors and incline them to faction and sedition.

Somehow Morris and Alexander persuade Peter Zenger, a German-American printer, to risk everything by pushing the limits of official tolerance. Whether Zenger was moved by profit, idealism or something else is unknown, as is almost everything else about the man. Kluger resorts to a lot of was probably and we can only imagine and might well have to sketch a speculative portrait of a young immigrant from the German Palatinate who takes up an apprenticeship with a printer and eventually sets up his own shop, producing religious tracts and works in German and Dutch. There is nothing in the record to suggest that he would publish Americas first printed expression of overt political dissent. The reason Zenger became the sole defendant and languished in jail when authorities ultimately cracked down on his little weekly is that while writers  first and foremost James Alexander, who supplied most of Zengers content  hid behind pen names, printers were obliged by law to sign their work.

The New-York Weekly Journal debuted on Nov. 5, 1733, four compact pages of gray type. The first sign that this publication was different appeared on Page 2, a lively report on an assembly election that modern journalists would recognize as creditable reportage. Subsequent issues contained little eyewitness reporting, but increasingly bold satire and polemic aimed (though the target was not named) at Governor Cosby. The newspapers complaints against the governors corruption and abuse of power were often vague, undocumented and hyperbolic, including the assertion that Cosby was but one degree removed from an idiot. Kluger makes no attempt to defend the newspaper as an ancestor of modern journalism, although you can trace a line of descent from Zengers weekly to the Gawker school.

After failing repeatedly to persuade a grand jury to indict Zenger, Governor Cosbys men find a way to haul the printer into a court presided over by a Cosby crony. The judge signals his leaning early on by disbarring Zengers lawyers and appointing a far less experienced defender. But the Zenger defense team springs a surprise: After opening remarks, the court-appointed defender yields to a legal virtuoso, Andrew Hamilton of Philadelphia, the most accomplished barrister in the American colonies, famed for having the vivacity, wit and incandescent presence of a great Shakespearean actor.

What ensues is a gripping courtroom confrontation that Kluger reconstructs mainly from the detailed notes of the defense lawyers, there being no official transcript. Alexanders strategy is daring, bordering on subversive. He concedes that Zenger published the offending material, but asserts that it was no crime because the material was true. Moreover, he argues that, British common law be damned, there is a natural right to complain about abusive rulers  to put their neighbors upon their guard against the craft or even violence of men in authority.

The chief justice has instructed the jurors that their role is solely to rule on the facts of the case, leaving to him the question of whether the facts add up to a crime. But the jury goes rogue and after the briefest of deliberations declares Zenger not guilty.
WHEN IN FRENCH

Love in a Second Language

By Lauren Collins

243 pp. Penguin Press. $27.

The first time I went to Geneva, something exciting, even weird, happened. This came as a surprise, because Geneva had seemed like a place where nothing exciting or weird ever happened. A friend and I had spent the day dutifully waiting during Dont Walk signals, chatting no louder than in a whisper, admiring with some discomfort the total absence of dirt or disorder, when suddenly we happened upon a large crowd of people standing in a circle. On the ground before them was a roadwork sign, fallen on its side, smothered in honey and swarming with hundreds of bumblebees. In Geneva, a city of mainly bankers, bureaucrats and relentless prosperity, this minor oddity seemed like either a radical act of civil disobedience or the harbinger of the coming apocalypse.

In When in French, the American writer Lauren Collins sets herself up for a challenging task in trying to write a book about the difficulties of moving to Geneva, integrating with its culture and, most important, speaking one of its four languages, French. I felt as though the instruction manual to living in Switzerland had been written in invisible ink, she writes early on. I wasnt sure how much sympathy I could muster for her. These days, when even much of Europe feels fragile and volatile, there are far worse fates than landing in one of the most placid cities on earth.

But Collinss book turns out to be far more ambitious than the average memoir about moving abroad. Its first pages are not a good gauge of what is to come: a thoughtful, beautifully written meditation on the art of language and intimacy. The book unfolds like several books in one: on moving abroad, on communication in human relationships, on the history of language and, in the end, on the delights of cross-cultural fusion.

The impetus for the book, and Collinss move from London to Switzerland, is her relationship with a Frenchman from just outside Bordeaux named Olivier. He speaks English and obsessively looks up the meanings of words like capillarity, determined to use them correctly. Collins speaks no French. Living together brings a daunting set of roadblocks; even with English as a common tongue, Collins sensed she would never truly know her future spouse that way. We could go exhilaratingly fast, or excruciatingly slow, but we often had trouble finding a reliable intermediate setting, a conversational cruise control, Collins writes. We didnt possess that easy shorthand, encoding all manner of attitudes and assumptions, by which some people seem able, nearly telepathically, to make themselves mutually known. More cuttingly, Olivier remarks, Talking to you in English is like touching you with gloves.
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Should I have given up my seat? Should I have said something to the woman? My dad has health problems, and I couldnt imagine anyone treating him that way. I still wonder if I should have done something. Victoria



Elder abuse is deplorably common. According to the National Council on Aging, one in 10 Americans over age 60 has experienced elder abuse  some forms involving physical or emotional abuse, some involving confinement, financial exploitation, neglect or deprivation. In most cases, the abuser is a family member. The world would be safer for vulnerable people of all ages if more of us were willing to become active bystanders, to intervene when we see wrong being done, even when its uncomfortable to do so. So it would have been a fine thing to have asked the man if he wanted to sit in one of the available disabled seats at the bottom. If the younger woman had told you it wasnt your business, youd have the assurance of knowing that the prevention of bullying and abuse is everybodys business.

I agree that you cant know the nature of a relationship from a brief glimpse, but in cases like these, making charitable assumptions may not be the best approach. Letting her know how she comes across might help her check herself. And if she were to reveal something really troubling? Id try at that point to talk to the man himself and ask him his name. You might also ask him if theres anything you can do for him. The website of the National Adult Protective Services Association shows you, state by state, how to seek help for an abused older person.

A few months ago, my 21-year-old daughter announced that she had just completed a genetics test through a popular genetic-testing company, 23andMe. She shared the results with her younger sister and my husband and me, declaring that she had not a trace of Irish in her despite being told by her father of his background.

The truth is that my husband and I struggled to have kids and opted to go to a sperm bank to address the issue of his low sperm count. The procedure involved combining a donors sperm with my husbands and then artificially inseminating me. Both my daughters were conceived this way from the same donor. I suspect there is a good chance that their father is not their biological father, and he would like to share this with both of them. He and our daughters are close, but I worry that bringing up this topic might affect their relationship. How could it not? I am not comfortable sharing this background with them. Am I obligated to discuss this? Name Withheld



Until your daughters test results, you could reasonably have thought that the sperm that worked was your husbands. Indeed, until he, too, takes a test, you cant be positive it wasnt. After all, his own biological ancestry may not be what he has supposed. So Id get him to do a test and run it against your daughters to make sure.
Because Moana pretty much carries the movie, we were looking for a natural talent who can act and can sing, said the producer Osnat Shurer. We were also looking for something of the personality of the character.

At Ms. Cravalhos early auditions, producers were impressed by her vocal chops (even though she had no performing experience) and surprised by how much she physically resembled Moana. It also didnt hurt that like this bold, adventurous Polynesian heroine, Ms. Cravalho also grew up swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, cracking jokes and hearing myths about the island deity Maui.

Well, Im very animated in real life, said Ms. Cravalho, left, explaining her casting. I came into the world straight screaming out of the womb. Acting just came pretty naturally. (Even her explanation of how to pronounce her first name is full of life: Ow, like you stubbed your toe; lee like Bruce Lee, then another e.)

In the film, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, Moana is a young girl who must choose between her familys conservative expectations and her own desire for a more exciting life on the sea. To save her island, she sets out to find the god Maui (Dwayne Johnson), who is said to have created the Polynesian Islands, but proves less helpful than expected. While it is rare for an actress to break through in an animated film, it is also rare for a newcomer to debut in such a global showcase. Its rarer still for a newcomers own personality to ring through.

Im a talkative person, Ms. Cravalho said, explaining that the hardest part of the film was keeping such a big secret at school. I wanted to jump up and down and scream at the top of my lungs, but I couldnt tell anybody!

Ms. Cravalho aced her vocal work, including original songs by Broadway pros like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foai and Mark Mancina.

She said she was proud to be the Polynesian-American actress telling Moanas story. Disney and all films have really come a long way from thinking theres just a perfect person to put on screen, said Ms. Cravalho, who turns 16 the day before the films premiere. No. Theres no perfect person, there are only wonderful people who can play a role perfectly.
Digital devices have given travelers instant access to online guidebooks, restaurant reviews and the social media means to disseminate photos. Now in a backlash against digital dependency, a number of tour operators, cruise lines and resorts are championing unplugged vacations.

The adventure travel company Intrepid Travel has just announced a new category of Digital Detox Trips in which participants pledge, in writing, to swear off all digital devices including cellphones and cameras. They will receive a notebook in which to record impressions, and the trip leader will send daily email updates to loved ones back home on request. The new eight- to 10-day trips visit Ecuador, India, Morocco and Thailand (from $630 a person).

Anyone seeking a D.I.Y. digital detox will find areas in emerging destinations like Cuba and Myanmar with weak if not nonexistent signals. Much of rural Alaska is unconnected, a feature that Un-Cruise Adventures celebrates in its off-grid Alaska sailings (seven nights from $2,295 a person) and Natural Habitat Adventures highlights in its eight-day Alaskas Coastal Grizzlies: Kodiak to Katmai trip (from $8,995 a person).

In urban areas, travel providers are stepping in to help guests switch off. Separate the children from Snapchat, for instance, by checking into the Renaissance Pittsburgh hotel, which offers a family digital detox package in which each family member exchanges their devices for a room stocked with board games and cards.
LONDON  A committee of British lawmakers issued a damning assessment Wednesday of the 2011 intervention in Libya led by Britain and France, concluding that the military action had lacked a coherent strategy, had been based on poor intelligence and had led to a political collapse that aided the rise of the Islamic State extremist group in North Africa.

The report from the foreign affairs committee of the House of Commons directly blamed the former prime minister, David Cameron, saying he was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy.

In echoing many criticisms from another inquiry, published this year, into Britains role in the Iraq War under one of Camerons predecessors, Tony Blair, the report suggested that lessons from that conflict had not been learned.

Fearing civilian deaths, an international coalition assembled by France and Britain launched air and missile strikes in March 2011, after Moammar Gadhafis forces threatened to attack the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Libya descended into chaos, and a power vacuum ensued after the Gadhafi government collapsed, allowing fighters for the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, to gain a significant foothold in the country, and the report suggested that Britain had lost interest in the country after Gadhafi lost power.

The mission represented a significant shift from the Iraq War, with France and Britain assuming the main leadership role  Cameron had pressed for military action alongside the former French president, Nicolas Sarkozy  and the United States taking an active, but less visible, role.

In many ways, the report mirrored the assessment of President Barack Obama, who offered a candid appraisal of the intervention in an interview published in The Atlantic this year.

It didnt work, Obama said, citing what he described as his misplaced faith that the Europeans in general would be invested in the follow-up. He also said that Cameron had soon become distracted by other things and that Sarkozy had been voted out of office the next year.

The report by the 11-person committee, which included six lawmakers from Camerons Conservative Party, criticized the British strategy as flawed from its inception, concluding that it was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the evidence.

There had been, they said, no thorough assessment of the nature of the rebellion in Libya or of the real threat to civilians. Nor, they added, had there been any attempt at political engagement with the government, leaving military intervention as the sole focus.

By the summer of 2011, the limited intervention to protect civilians had drifted into an opportunist policy of regime change, the lawmakers said.

The consequence of the military action was political and economic collapse, intermilitia and intertribal warfare, humanitarian and migrant crises, widespread human rights violations, the spread of Gadhafi regime weapons across the region and the growth of ISIL in North Africa, the lawmakers concluded.

The document quoted a former defense secretary, Liam Fox, now the international trade secretary, as arguing, in evidence to the committee, that decisions had been motivated by a fear of a massacre of civilians, similar to some of those that took place during the war in Bosnia in the 1990s.

Lawmakers noted that, when asked whether he was aware of any assessment of the extent to which the rebellion involved militant Islamist elements, Fox had replied that he did not recall reading anything of that nature.

The report was sharply critical of the intervention on that point.

The possibility that militant extremist groups would attempt to benefit from the rebellion should not have been the preserve of hindsight, the authors wrote. Libyan connections with transnational militant extremist groups were known before 2011, because many Libyans had participated in the Iraq insurgency and in Afghanistan with al-Qaida.

Cameron declined to give evidence to the committees inquiry in March, citing the pressures on his diary and pointing out that other ministers had done so.

His supporters argued that there had been risks in refusing to intervene, as demonstrated subsequently by the Wests inaction over Syria. In a statement, the Foreign Office said that Gadhafi had been unpredictable and he had the means and motivation to carry out his threats, and that his actions could not be ignored and required decisive and collective international action.

Emily Thornberry, who speaks for the opposition Labour Party on foreign affairs, said in a statement that far from learning the lessons from Iraq, David Cameron had in fact repeated all the major mistakes again in Libya, and with the same catastrophic consequences.
The California Dental Board said Wednesday that it has launched an investigation after seven children treated at Childrens Dental Group in Anaheim were hospitalized with serious bacterial infections.

The board has the ability to investigate and discipline dentists, inspect offices for sanitation violations and issue fines.

A day after the Register reported the illnesses, board spokeswoman Joyia Emard said that parents with concerns about care their children received can file a complaint in writing to dbc.ca.gov/consumers/ complaint _info.shtml.

Its really important they contact us and file a complaint if they feel something was done incorrectly, Emard said.

The hospitalized children all underwent a pulpotomy, a procedure to remove diseased pulp from a tooth, sometimes referred to as a baby tooth root canal.

The source of infection remains under investigation but appears to have been water contaminated with typically harmless mycobacteria.

The parents of a 4-year-old Anaheim girl who spent a month in the hospital with mycobacterial infection returned to Childrens Dental Group to obtain her dental records Wednesday afternoon.

Ramon Amador, 34, said his daughter, Nairi, went to the clinic for a routine exam in June when she was given a pulpotomy.

When she returned with a swollen jaw, Amador said, dentists pulled some of her teeth and gave her more antibiotics.

When she didnt improve, her parents sought a second opinion from a dentist, who advised them to immediately take her to the emergency room, where she was admitted.

According to discharge papers from Childrens Hospital of Orange County, Nairi stayed twice at the Orange hospital, most recently from July 28 to Aug. 31.

She underwent surgery and may need her drip of several intravenous antibiotics for two more months, her father said.

I feel really angry with these people, Amador said. They dont care. They just want to make money.

Amador said he was denied Nairis dental records during his visit to the clinic Wednesday. California law gives dental practices 15 days to provide copies of records after a written request is made.

A security guard posted in front of the clinic declined to allow nonpatients inside. Sam Gruenbaum, chief executive of the chain of California clinics, did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday, but on Tuesday he said the Anaheim dental office followed industry-standard sterilization practices.

Also Wednesday, the county Health Care Agency posted information for parents whose children were patients at the clinic. About 500 other children underwent the procedure there from May 3 to Sept. 6.

In the information for parents, the agency said that only a small percentage of children who had a pulpotomy procedure at this clinic have become ill.

But it said more cases may occur. No cases have been seen among children who received other types of dental treatment at the clinic.

Childrens Dental Group voluntarily stopped performing the procedure last week.

The hospitalized children all developed bacterial infections of the mouth that can spread to the gum and bone. So far, lab testing has confirmed one case of Mycobacterium abscessus, and results for the other patients are expected next week.

According to the state Dental Board, complaints alleging death or serious bodily injury are given highest priority. The boards inspectors can visit an office to investigate complaints about unsafe or unsanitary conditions. Citations or administrative warnings may be issued.

Dentists who receive citations must pay a fine and show proof that the unsafe or unsanitary condition has been corrected, the boards website says.

In disciplinary matters, the board can revoke a dentists license to practice.

Among the Orange County children with infections, symptoms began 15 to 85 days after the pulpotomy. Many of the hospitalizations occurred within the past week.

Gruenbaum said all children who had the procedure from May to September at the 2156 E. Lincoln Ave. office are being asked to return for a follow-up visit that will include an exam by a dentist, X-rays and questions about symptoms.

The health and safety of our patients is our No. 1 priority, and we are doing everything we can to understand what the cause may have been, he said Tuesday in a written response to questions.

In a similar case last year, nine children treated at one clinic in Georgia were hospitalized with Mycobacterium abscessus infections after undergoing pulpotomies. An investigation found that the outbreak was caused by contaminated water that introduced the bacteria during irrigation and drilling.

The suburban Atlanta clinic did not monitor water quality or bleach water lines at the end of each day as recommended, according to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The office ultimately closed several times for renovations to install filtration systems and replace plumbing and medical tubing.

In that outbreak, only about 1 percent of children who underwent the procedure became ill. Symptoms may include persistent fever and swelling, redness and pain that doesnt respond to treatment.

To read the Health Care Agencys information for parents, visit ochealthinfo .com/civicax/filebank/ blobdload.aspx?BlobID= 57759.

Contact the writer: cperkes@scng.com 714-796-3686
IRVINE  In response to strong opposition from nearby business and property owners, the city has decided to intervene with Southern California Edisons plan to build an electrical substation in the middle of a research and industrial park.

The City Council directed staff Tuesday to discuss the citys land use concerns with Edison and not to issue pending permits for the project in the meantime. The vote was unanimous in a closed-session meeting, City Attorney Jeffrey Melching announced in public after the session.

I think its important for folks to know that this was the first time for the City Council to meet in closed session to really get through the many, many issues at hand, armed with the advice of the city attorney, City Manager Sean Joyce said. I would dare say the City Council had a thorough, thorough conversation about what tools are available for the city to advocate for those they serve.

Business and property owners near the proposed substation site said they were surprised and elated with the councils decision.

They made an absolutely right decision that weve been asking for, said Zeki Kayiran, who runs an engineering consulting firm next to the site. But this is just the beginning of a battle.

Mike Aguirre, an attorney who is respresenting Kayiran and other business owners in a lawsuit seeking to stop the project, said they will work with the defendants, the city and Edison to find another site.

The plaintiffs in the suit are asking the court to declare that the city can require Edison to get a conditional use permit and to stop the city from issuing nondiscretionary permits.

The project is pending a site specific grading permit and a building permit for a wall, city spokesman Craig Reem said.

Southern California Edison looks forward to meeting again with the city of Irvine to address concerns regarding the Safari Substation project, the company said Wednesday in an emailed statement. SCE has consulted with the city of Irvine throughout the life of the project, and will continue to do so as it seeks a grading permit to begin construction.

Edison is trying to build the new substation on a 2.4-acre empty lot in the Spectrum 5 district, near Irvine Center and Lake Forest drives.

The substation, which would convert 33-kilovolt current to a lower distribution voltage of 12 kilovolts, is needed to meet the growing power demand in the area, Edison officials said. It will serve customers within a mile  including Irvine Co.s second Los Olivos apartment complex, which will begin construction next year and feature 1,950 units.

Surrounding property and business owners say they are worried about potential health and fire risks and damage to property values from the structure, scheduled to open June 1.

Edison stated the company has obligation to provide safe and reliable electricity for all its customers.

The company safely builds, operates, and maintains numerous substations near businesses and residences throughout its service territory, Edison stated. This is especially true in urbanized areas of Southern California.

In the lawsuit, filed against Irvine and Edison in Orange County Superior Court in July, Kayiran and others recently contend the utility company  which intended to start construction Sept. 16  has not gone through the citys land use and environmental reviews.

Spectrum 5 is zoned for industrial uses, and the citys zoning ordinance states that operating a substation there requires a conditional use permit, which must be reviewed by city staff and approved by the Planning Commission.

However, Edison said California Public Utilities Commission rules preempt the city from imposing land use restraints on the project.

The company has met with neighboring property owners and tenants on multiple occasions and has incorporated their requests and concerns to the extent possible, including increasing the height of the perimeter walls and treating the walls to match the aesthetic of the adjacent buildings, and adding additional, more mature landscaping around the perimeter of the substation, Edison stated.

Mayor Steven Choi, a defendant in the lawsuit, disputed the claim that the city hasnt used its power to protect the interests of Spectrum 5 property owners. City officials had stated they want to do the reviews, but their hands are tied by state law.

I personally would feel the same as the property owners are claiming, Choi said. Who wants to have a power plant right next to either my home or business?

The state law states that public utilities such as Edison shall consult with local agencies regarding land use matters. If the city and Edison cannot resolve their differences through discussion, the matter gets referred to the California Public Utilities Commission for a hearing, Reem said.

Kayiran said Wednesday that he and other plaintiffs are thinking of putting a hold on the lawsuit, as long as the city follows through on the council decision.

The substation just doesnt belong there, not in the middle of a developed business park, Kayiran said. It doesnt conform to the approved land use.

Contact the writer: 949-445-6397 or tshimura@scng.com
Gliding through liquid around the tip of the Seal Beach Pier, Lynne Cox is grace and strength in motion.

For most swimmers, water is something you battle through. But for this one-of-a-kind cold water athlete, the sea, its natural rhythms, its currents and its creatures are fuel. The world of two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen and a dash of salt feeds her soul.

A few years ago, this Marvel-like superhero volunteered as a human guinea pig for doctors testing the possibility of cooling patients for safer surgeries.

But even elite athletes such as Cox  who has swum the icy waters of Antarctica and broken records in both the English and Catalina channels  are mortal.

After the death of the parents she had cared for, she found herself suddenly facing the very real possibility of her own death.

Cox developed something called atrial fibrillation, rapid and irregular heartbeats.

How she survived, thrived and found the love of her life after decades of focusing on swimming is the stuff of a new book, Swimming in the Sink: An Episode of the Heart.

AUTHORS POETRY

If you havent had the pleasure of reading Coxs other books, such as Swimming to Antarctica, understand this world-class ocean swimmer is about a lot more than muscle and lungs.

Cox, who grew up in Los Alamitos, is about heart  and so is her writing.

In the ocean I feel the energy waves from the sun, moon, wind, and rotation of the planet, Cox writes, and I am surrounded by the energy of life from the tiniest plankton to fish, dolphins, seals, and enormous whales.

I watch the rosy sunrise from the dark blue ocean and see it change color and create waving rivers of crimson, orange, yellow, and white light. The onshore breeze wakes the world like a gentle morning kiss.

We are fortunate to live in the same area as Cox. Whether on land or in the sea, we have the opportunity to witness the same sunrises that Cox paints with words.

Coxs art not only illuminates. It inspires.

HEARTBREAK CAN KILL

I once swam with Cox and had to decide whether to swim in my wetsuit  as I almost always do in Californias chilly waters  or swim Cox-style: goggles and a bathing suit, nothing else.

And you thought Cox swam in freezing Arctic waters in a wetsuit?

For every swim, she follows English Channel rules: no fins, no wetsuits.

Over the years, Cox has stroked her way through the Strait of Magellan (in 42-degree water), around the Cape of Good Hope (in shark-infested waters) and across the 38-degree Bering Strait (to honor an end of the Cold War).

Her astonishing accomplishments are possible because of massive amounts of training, dogged determination and hope.

OK, she admits she also was born  and I am not kidding  with a coating of fuzz.

But, basically, Cox is like you and I. She just trains more. It takes months, sometimes years to prepare for a big swim. Degree by degree, she acclimates her body to swimming in colder temperatures.

Still, nothing prepared her for the loss of her mother and father, parents whom she helped nurse through a variety of ailments.

Next, came the atrial fibrillation. Doctors, Cox writes in her latest book, said it could have been caused by a broken heart.

It may sound like a fictitious plotline, but the American Heart Association reports the problem is very real and can be very deadly.

Broken heart syndrome, the association states, can strike even if youre healthy. Women are more likely than men to experience the sudden, intense chest pain  the reaction to a surge of stress hormones  that can be caused by an emotionally stressful event.

The American Heart Association says such events include divorce, physical separation, betrayal, romantic rejection or the death of a loved one.

Part of the heart temporarily enlarges. Fortunately, the syndrome is usually treatable.

Cox did several things that helped. She saw experts, surrounded herself with friends and employed her arsenal of will that powered her through rough waters.

Hope was what allowed me to find the possible within the impossible, she writes in Swimming in the Sink. Hope was what gave me the courage to reach deeper and try harder and reach distant shores.

HEALING WITH LOVE

It was a long, slow swim to recovery.

The once-elite athlete couldnt even immerse herself in the ocean  the very thing that soothed her, that was her sanctuary.

Instead, Cox found solace in a sink.

Leaning forward, Cox writes, I extended my arms until my knuckles touched the far side of the sink and lengthened my pulls. My hands were moving from one side of the sink to the other.

It wasnt the ocean, but it was liquid.

I felt my body rotating, my arms pulling, heard the sound of my breath, and felt the water moving. It felt wonderful.

Yet that was only part of the swimmers new beginning. Cox also met a man by the name of Steven Bronfenbrenner, founder of a consulting group that specializes in helping symphonies and music centers realize their potential.

You may recognize two of Bronfenbrenners clients  Pacific Symphony Orchestra and Segerstrom Hall.

Was it love at first sight? You decide.

Steven was tall, Cox writes, his handshake was as strong as an athletes, his eyes were bright blue, the color of the Atlantic, and when he smiled, I felt my heart beat faster.

But did their love last? Is her heart healed?

You should read Swimming in the Sink to find out. But I will confess I called Cox. She was almost too busy to talk.

She had to catch a flight to Europe to visit concert halls with a man named Steven.

Contact the writer: dwhiting@scng.com
WESTOVER, W. VA. (AP)  A Vietnam War veteran has his lighter back after losing it almost 50 years ago.

Mark Anthony Krofek told The Dominion Post that he lost the lighter in 1967 while serving as an Army infantryman in the war.

The Purple Heart recipient had When I die I will go to heaven cause I spent my time in hell engraved on the back of it, along with the years he was in Vietnam. His name and unit information is on the front.

The lighter became part of a collection of Zippo lighters owned by a man in Texas. The mans daughter-in-law found Krofek through Facebook and asked if he wanted the lighter back.

Krofek received it in the mail. He plans to give it to his grandson someday.
COSTA MESA  Attorneys for the Costa Mesa Police Department filed a motion Monday seeking to move from state to federal court a lawsuit alleging officers exceeded their legal authority when they raided a former medical marijuana dispensary.

Lawyers Dennis M. Cota and Daniel S. Roberts, who represent the Police Department and city of Costa Mesa, did not return phone calls and emails Tuesday seeking comment on the motion request filed in U.S. District Court.

The motion is a strategic move, said attorney Matthew Pappas, who is suing the city of Costa Mesa and its Police Department on behalf of Costa Mesa Collective.

Costa Mesas effort to move the case to federal court is meant to prevent any recovery for their illegal actions because marijuana is prohibited under federal law, Pappas said. However, the lawsuit filed is based on state law in an area that should be decided by state courts.

Pappas said he intends to file a motion to keep the lawsuit in state court.

The lawsuit filed last month in Orange County Superior Court seeks unspecified damages and the return of marijuana, money, confidential patient records and other property seized Jan. 27 at the now-closed Costa Mesa Collective on Harbor Boulevard.

Costa Mesa police Chief Rob Sharpnack has declined to release details of the incident because of an ongoing criminal investigation.

He also has refused the Registers requests to produce a copy of the warrant used to authorize the raid.

The Register has been unable to locate any type of warrant covering the operation in the Orange County court system, where such documents typically would be filed.

Medical marijuana dispensaries are illegal in Costa Mesa.

Five people were arrested during the raid on suspicion of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, a felony, Pappas said. They spent four days in Orange County Jail before being released without any charges filed, he added.

Prosecutors have referred the case to Costa Mesa police for investigation.

After entering Costa Mesa Collective with guns drawn, police confiscated a digital video recorder but didnt find four hidden cameras and another recorder that captured their actions.

Pappas provided the Register with two hours of video from the cameras showing officers searching the collective, seizing items and questioning employees and customers.

The lawsuit alleges Costa Mesa police violated the constitutional rights of those in the dispensary because they entered and seized items without proper warrants.

Sharpnack said police obtained an inspection warrant, which is used to enter a premises to investigate whether it is complying with building, fire, zoning and civil codes.

If a business refuses access, a city can obtain an inspection warrant and seek a judges permission to make forcible entry, but investigators cant seize evidence for a criminal case, said Jen McGrath, another attorney representing Costa Mesa Collective.

Contact the writer: Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@ocregister.com Twitter: @thechalkoutline
Bayer AG agreed to buy Monsanto Co. in a deal valued at $66 billion, winding up four months of talks to create the worlds biggest supplier of seeds and pesticides.

Bayer will pay $128 a share in cash, the company said in a statement Wednesday. The bid  this years biggest deal and the largest foreign takeover ever by a German company  was 21 percent above Monsantos closing price in New York on Tuesday.

The accord did little to bolster Monsantos stock in New York trading this morning, with its shares hovering at $106 a share as investors fret about regulatory approval for the deal amid a dramatic reshaping of the crop and seed industry. A year ago, the sector had at least a half-dozen global players. After Bayer and Monsanto tie up, creating a leader with $26 billion in combined revenue from agriculture, that number will shrink to just four.

Falling crop prices and a quest for greater efficiency have triggered a cascade of deals over the past year. Last December DuPont Co. and Dow Chemical Co. agreed to merge and then carve out a new crop-science unit. And in February, China National Chemical Corp. agreed to acquire Switzerlands Syngenta AG, which Monsanto had pursued for years.

Shares of Monsanto rose 0.6 percent to $106.70 as of 9:52 a.m. in New York. Bayer climbed almost 4 percent to 95.89 euros in Frankfurt.

The deal values Monsanto at almost 21 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That compares to a median of about 9.4 times for comparable deals.

Bayer will fund the transaction with a combination of debt and equity. The equity component of about $19 billion will be raised through an issuance of mandatory convertible bonds as well as a rights offer. In the meantime, Bank of America Corp., Credit Suisse Group AG, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., HSBC Holdings Plc and JPMorgan Chase & Co. agreed to provide bridge financing of $57 billion.

Bank of America, Credit Suisse and Rothschild & Co. advised Bayer on the transaction, while Morgan Stanley and Ducera Partners LLC acted for Monsanto.

Taking advantage of a decline in Monsantos share price, Bayer, based in the industrial city of Leverkusen, first made an unsolicited offer of $122 a share in May, and then in July bumped that to $125. Both proposals were rejected by Monsanto, but the company granted access to some financial accounts to conduct due diligence. Last week, Bayer made a third offer of $127.50, setting off the next round of negotiations that led to the agreement.

The transaction, which values shares of Monsanto at about $56 billion, will add to core earnings per share in the first full year after the deal closes, likely at the end of next year, Bayer said. The combined seeds business will remain headquartered in St. Louis. Bayer also agreed to pay Monsanto a break-up fee of $2 billion if the deal is rejected on antitrust grounds.

Buying Monsanto will allow Bayer to tap growing demand as farmers seek to boost productivity to feed an estimated 10 billion people globally by 2050. The deal gives Bayer more than 2,000 varieties of seeds for crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. Adding that portfolio to its own vegetable, rice, cotton, and oilseed offerings give Bayer a virtually unassailable position at the head of the market.

In the past two decades Monsanto has pioneered the commercialization of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. GMO varieties of corn and soybeans now account for more than 90 percent of those crops in the U.S., but have faced strong opposition from consumers across Europe and are banned or tightly controlled in many countries.

That may account for the high break-up fee. The combined company could account for more than 30 percent of the global crop-inputs business, stoking concern that the deal could be rejected by competition authorities. The recent industry consolidation also leaves fewer buyers for any assets Bayer-Monsanto might need to sell to satisfy regulators.

Founded in 1901, Monsanto in the past also produced pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals, including toxic substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls, now banned and commonly known as PCBs, and the herbicide Agent Orange, which was used by the U.S. military in Vietnam. Bayer, founded in 1863, trademarked the name heroin as a cough remedy in 1896 and then introduced aspirin  the first true blockbuster drug  in 1899.
MANILA, Philippines  Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he wont allow government forces to conduct joint patrols of disputed waters near the South China Sea with foreign powers, apparently scrapping a deal his predecessor reached with the U.S. military earlier this year.

Duterte also said he was considering acquiring defense equipment from Russia and China. The Philippines has traditionally leaned on the U.S., its longtime treaty ally, and other Western allies for its security needs.

The remarks were the latest from a Philippine president who has had an uneasy relationship with the U.S. but also has tried to mend relations with China strained over South China Sea disputes.

Duterte said he wanted only Philippine territorial waters, up to 12 nautical miles offshore, to be patrolled by Filipino forces, but not other offshore areas that are contested. He added he opposes Filipino forces accompanying foreign powers like the U.S. and China in joint patrols which could entangle the Philippines in hostilities.

We do not go into a patrol or join any other army from now because I do not want trouble, Duterte said. I do not want to ride gung-ho style there with China or with America. I just want to patrol our territorial waters.

Like other security pronouncements, Duterte did not provide details, but his rejection for joint patrols apparently goes against such an arrangement announced in April by the U.S. and the Philippine defense chiefs.

While visiting Manila, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter disclosed for the first time in a news conference with then Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin that U.S. ships had carried out sea patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea, a somewhat rare move.

Carter insisted that the U.S. did not intend to be provocative and was trying to tamp down tensions here. But Gazmin said he expected that U.S. forces, with their presence here, will deter uncalled-for actions by the Chinese.

On Monday, Duterte said he wanted U.S. military forces out of the southern Philippines and blamed America for inflaming local Muslim insurgencies, in his first public statement opposing the presence of American troops in a part of the country.

Washington later said it had not received a formal request to remove U.S. military personnel. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Duterte had a tendency to make colorful comments and drew a comparison with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

In an apparent aim to prevent potential damage in relations, Philippine officials said Duterte wanted the Americans out of the south for fear of their safety.

He desires that our American counterparts should be eased from harms way, the Philippine military said, adding about 100 U.S. military personnel were in the south to provide counterterrorism advice support to Filipino forces.

We assure our people and allies that Philippine-U.S. defense relations remains rock solid, the military said in a statement. It added that joint combat training and other activities by U.S. and Filipino forces this year and beyond remain on track.
MISSION VIEJO  The removal of student posters remembering the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks from a campus building has sparked debate at Saddleback College.

Last week, members of a conservative student group, Young Americans for Freedom, held a weekday remembrance for the victims of 9/11, placing miniature flags on the quads lawn and putting up posters in free-speech areas as well as on a building without administrative approval.

Margot Lovett, chairwoman of Saddlebacks history department and a professor of womens and gender studies, took down the posters Thursday morning, a school official acknowledged.

The posters read 9/11 Never Forget, with images of the twin towers and other terrorist attacks since then. The students filmed Lovett on a cellphone and put the footage on YouTube, where it had collected about 175,000 views.

In the video, Lovett approaches the students, politely tells them that putting posters on buildings violates school policy and directs them to student services for further instructions.

Representatives from Young Americans for Freedom, who are working through the annual process of becoming an active student club, said the policy on posting items on walls is vague, missing from the student handbook, and another example of bureaucratic red tape preventing students from expressing themselves.

They also said Lovett had overstepped her authority as a department chairwoman and professor by taking down the posters, suggesting that if the group had been rallying for a more traditionally liberal cause, she would have left them untouched.

The posters cost about $270, said Kyle Chiu, vice president of the Saddleback chapter of Young Americans.

If youre a chair or dean, it is expected you would have some kind of neutrality, Chiu said. It makes us feel the school doesnt want us.

Lovett did not respond to requests for comment. But the administration said policy prohibits posting anything on buildings without permission because the school wants to maintain its aesthetics.

The school did allow the posters in the free-speech areas and the flags to remain, said Jennie McCue, a Saddleback spokeswoman.

Typically, students who put up unauthorized posters would be asked to remove them, or custodians would.

On Monday, Tod Burnett, the colleges president, and other school officials met with the Young Americans. The conversation centered on improving the processes for becoming an active club and clarifying the rules for putting up posters.

We are very happy with the progress weve made with the students, said a statement from Saddleback, and look forward to a more collaborative relationship in the future.

It was a good conversation, Chiu said. We just want to memorialize 9/11.

Contact the writer: 714-796-6979 or chaire@scng.com
BEIRUT  With much of Syria calm for the past 24 hours, a powerful al-Qaida-linked group sharply criticized the U.S.-Russian-brokered cease-fire, saying Tuesday its real aim was to keep President Bashar Assad in power.

The extremist group was in talks with other rebel factions for a possible merger, a move that could dash Washington and Moscows hopes of distancing it from the wider insurgency and sabotage the truce.

The denunciation of the deal came as activists and state media said the truce, which took effect at sunset Monday, was holding despite some violations. The Syrian army said it would abide by the cease-fire until midnight Sunday, while maintaining its right to defend itself against any violations.

The truce excludes al-Qaidas affiliate, known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, and Islamic State, which are both designated terrorist organizations by the United Nations. The first week will be crucial: During that time, all fighting between Assads forces and the rebels is to stop, although Assads forces can continue airstrikes against Islamic State and al-Qaida-linked militants.

If the calm holds for seven days, the U.S. and Russian militaries would then set up a new center to coordinate strikes against Islamic State and the al-Qaida affiliate, previously known as the Nusra Front.

The Jabhat Fatah al-Sham statement came a day after Syrias largest insurgent groups expressed misgivings over the deal for excluding the al-Qaida-linked militants, who have been fighting alongside the rebels against Assads forces. A truce in February that lasted several weeks also excluded Islamic State and al-Qaida-linked groups.

In its statement, the al-Qaida affiliate accused the U.S.-Russian-brokered deal of conniving to divide the insurgents and target them one by one, while distancing Assads regime from the battle and preserving his hold on power.

The aim of the Russian-American agreement is to defeat Syrian jihad, break its arm and cut its teeth, the group said.

Mostafa Mohamed, the groups director of media relations wrote on his Twitter account: Let it be known. We dont take orders from hypocritical tyrants. We will continue in this cause, standing in solidarity with our brothers.

Jabhat Fatah al-Sham has been working to improve its image and distance itself from al-Qaida. In July, its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, publicly showed his face for the first time in a video in which he announced the groups name change and said it was cutting ties with the international terror organization.

The group has been in talks for weeks to merge with other insurgent groups so that it can market itself as a Syrian faction  a move that would anger the United States, which has urged Syrian rebels to distance themselves from al-Qaida-linked militants.

One of Syrias most powerful factions, Jabhat Fatah al-Shams battlefield alliance with other insurgent groups makes it difficult for the United States to target them without the danger of inflicting harm to other opposition groups.

A Jabhat Fatah al-Sham commander in the northern province of Aleppo told The Associated Press the group could announce its merger with the ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group in the near future. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak publicly about the talks.

A senior Ahrar al-Sham official also confirmed the talks, adding that such a merger would cover a large number of factions, not just his group.

The merger will not be bilateral.  It is a project to unify the factions on the battlefield. If it holds, all factions will melt into one, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are ongoing.

Jabhat Fatah al-Sham is already part of the Fatah Army, a coalition that includes several powerful groups, including Ahrar al-Sham and the Turkistan Islamic Party. The coalition has been behind stunning attacks in the northern provinces of Aleppo and Idlib in recent months that left scores of Syrian government troops as well as allied Iraqi militiamen and members of Lebanons Hezbollah group dead since the February truce collapsed.

Separating Nusra Front fighters from mainstream rebels will be very difficult, wrote Frederic C. Hof and Faysal Itani of the Atlantic Council last week. They added that a major near-term challenge is that neither the Nusra Front nor the Assad regime (nor ISIS, for that matter) is strongly motivated to cooperate with a new cessation of hostilities.

The Syrian cease-fire appeared to be holding Tuesday despite sporadic violations. Aid was expected to begin flowing into besieged rebel-held neighborhoods of the northern city of Aleppo in the coming days.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists inside Syria, said no one has been killed or wounded since the truce went into effect. It said more than 300,000 people have been killed since Syrias 51/2-year conflict began. The U.N. stopped tracking deaths last year: Its last official count was 250,000 dead in a war it says has displaced half the countrys population of 11 million.

Ahmad al-Masalmeh, an opposition activist in the southern province of Daraa, where the 2011 uprising against Assads regime began, said the province was relatively calm apart from four shells falling in rebel-held areas Tuesday afternoon.

In the northern city of Aleppo, which has seen heavy fighting in recent months, opposition activists said rebel-held parts of the city were calm, although many people were still hunkering down in their homes, fearful of going out. Aleppo-based activist Baraa al-Halaby said no aid deliveries, which are also part of the cease-fire deal, had yet entered the contested area.

Syrian state news agency SANA said rebels fired three shells at a government-held neighborhood in Aleppo. It also reported shelling near the Castello road, northwest of the city, and the Ramouseh area in the south  both main arteries leading to Aleppo.
WASHINGTON  President Barack Obama said Wednesday the U.S. is lifting economic sanctions and restoring trade benefits to former pariah state Myanmar as he met with Aung San Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner who is now the nations de facto leader.

Obama hailed a remarkable transformation in the country also known as Burma, which spent five decades under oppressive military rule. Suu Kyis party swept historic elections last November, and the visit by the 71-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, deeply respected in Washington, is a crowning occasion in the Obama administrations support for Myanmars shift to democracy, which the administration views as a major foreign policy achievement.

The U.S. has eased broad economic sanctions since political reforms began five years ago and Obama has visited the country twice. But the U.S. has retained more targeted restrictions on military-owned companies and officials and associates of the former ruling junta. U.S. companies and banks have remained leery of involvement in one of Asias last untapped markets.

The United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma for quite some time, Obama said as he sat alongside Suu Kyi in the Oval Office. He said it was the right thing to do to ensure Myanmar benefits from its transition. Asked by a reporter when sanctions would be lifted, Obama said soon.

Suu Kyi concurred it was time to remove all the sanctions that had hurt the economy. She urged Americans to come to the country and to make profits.

Congressional aides said that Suu Kyi requested the removal of the national emergency with respect to Myanmar  the executive order authorizing sanctions that has been renewed annually by U.S. presidents for two decades.

The Treasury Department said that Obamas decision will be legally effective when he issues a new executive order to terminate the emergency. A U.S. official said that 111 Myanmar individuals and companies will be dropped from a Treasury blacklist and restrictions will be lifted on new investment with military and on the imports of rubies and jade. But penalties intended to block the drug trade and to bar military trade with North Korea would still apply, as would a visa ban barring some former and current members of the military from traveling to the U.S.

The official and aides spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce hailed the announcement as historic. But human rights groups say there are powerful reasons for retaining sanctions. Military abuses continue in ethnic minority regions. Rohingya Muslims remain displaced by sectarian violence and denied citizenship. The military and its associates still have huge stakes in the economy.

Obama and Suu Kyi just took important tools out of their collective tool kit for dealing with the Burmese military, and threw them into the garbage, said John Sifton, deputy Washington director for Human Rights Watch.

Transparency watchdog Global Witness says Myanmars jade industry, based in a northern region plagued by civil conflict, is dominated by a military elite, U.S.-sanctioned drug lords and crony companies. It estimates the industry is worth nearly half of the nations economic output.

Suu Kyi addressed problems in western Rakhine state, where more than 100,000 Rohingyas remain stuck in camps, separated from Buddhists who are the majority in Myanmar. She said everyone entitled to citizenship in Myanmar should get it.

We are sincere in trying to bring together the different communities, Suu Kyi said.

The White House also notified Congress on Wednesday it would be reinstating in November trade benefits to Myanmar because of its progress on workers rights. The benefits were suspended in 1989, a year after the bloody crackdown on democracy protesters by the military.

Suu Kyi last visited Washington in 2012 when she was still opposition leader. On that occasion, she was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal, the legislatures highest civilian honor, which she had been awarded in 2008 while under house arrest.

Now she is de facto leader of the country with the title of state counsellor although a junta-era constitution still enshrines the militarys role in politics and bars her from the presidency.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest pushed back on the notion the U.S. was undercutting its leverage over Myanmar on human rights and constitutional reforms by lifting sanctions. He said greater U.S. engagement would promote its ability to promote change.

Associated Press writers Kathleen Hennessey and Josh Lederman contributed to this report.
With his A-4 Skyhawk shot out of the sky, Navy Lt. JG Bradley Smith plummeted to earth at 600 miles an hour. He hit the ejection lever just seconds before it was too late and wound up unconscious in a river in North Vietnam, surrounded by enemy dressed in black and toting AK-47s.

The harrowing plunge was March 25, 1966, but for Smith  now 77 and living in Bradenton, Florida  the ensuing 2,516 days as a prisoner of war would be worse. Much worse.

There were routine beatings. Garbage for food. Rampant disease.

More than four decades after the end of the Vietnam War, Smith spoke Tuesday before a group that still remembers there were troops left behind  some of the 91,000 unaccounted for since World War I.

During a local observation of Fridays upcoming National POW/MIA Recognition Day, which drew 250 people to the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, Smith summed up his captivity in three words:

Brutal. Beyond. Belief.

  

Smith was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1939 and began taking flying lessons at 15. He had his pilots license by the time he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Aug. 31, 1961, and would go on to Naval Cadet Flight Training to earn his commission and wings in 1964.

A year later, he was assigned to Attack Squadron VA-76 and was flying dangerous missions off aircraft carriers.

None, as it turned out, was as dangerous as his last flight during the Vietnam War.

Four days after being captured, Smith was marched through a series of North Vietnamese villages.

I was blindfolded, kicked, stoned, beaten and put in front of a firing squad, said Smith, speaking to a crowd that included two dozen other former POWs. They put a pistol up against your head. You never knew when they were going to kill you.

Smith recalled being awakened with the butt of a rifle jammed hard against the instep of his foot and being placed in an underground, log-covered trench.

After refusing to divulge information to interrogators, Smith was thrown into a hole, his arms wired behind his back.

I heard that bolt slide back on the AK-47, and I figured, Thats it, baby, he said, his voice choking with emotion.

But his captor didnt shoot him. Instead, Smith said, he ran off screaming and yelling. Smith immediately set a goal for himself.

I had been there four days, and figured World War II lasted four years. That was my goal: last another four days.

And he did. Those four days turned into four weeks, which turned into four months, which turned into nearly seven years.

Before his release  on Feb. 12, 1973, as part of Operation Homecoming  there would be much more hell to come.

  

When there was food, it was what Smith described as garbage, sometimes a thin gruel with a chicken head floating in it.

You sucked the eyeballs out, he said. Ive eaten monkeys. Rats. The bugs on the soup? Thats an extra bit of protein. You eat anything you can, not only to survive yourself, but to resist the enemy.

At times, as many as a dozen men crowded into a cell, with one rusty bucket serving as a toilet.

Most people had dysentery. The time in there? Ill leave that to the imagination.

Then there was that most awful sound  the bang of cell doors opening.

They would take you out of your cell and you know you are going for an interrogation, Smith said. You are probably going to get the crap beat out of you at best, tortured at worst and you may never come back to that cell again. The only thing that keeps you going is your guts and mind.

  

There were quiet moments of triumph, Smith recalled.

Like the middle-finger salute he and a cellmate gave their captors.

Asked what it meant, the men said it was a sign of respect.

We had been doing that for quite a long period of time. It wasnt until two years later, when Jane Fonda showed up and told them what it really meant, that we paid the price. But it was worth it for two years.

Another time, a camp commander Smith called Frenchy sat him down on a concrete block and prattled on for four hours trying to get Smith to write a letter criticizing U.S. war efforts. Smith refused.

Frustrated, the man got up from behind his desk. He took his watch off, put it on the desk and walked over to Smith. Then he started complaining.

He had been a commander during World War II and was able to get Japanese prisoners of war to do anything he wanted. Same thing with the French during the Indo-China War.

But not the Americans.

You stupid Americans, Smith quoted the man as yelling. You are the most stupid people in the world.

Then the man smacked Smith so hard he fell off the concrete block. But it was a moment he remains proud of.

I have been called stupid before and afterwards. But this is the only time in my life I was proud to be called stupid.

Smith said he was tortured in his cell afterward, with his arms handcuffed so tightly they turned blue and were useless for weeks.

But he never wrote a propaganda letter or gave up any information.

Smith would receive two Silver Stars for his bravery. And he would keep flying, including a stint on alert during the attempt to rescue the American hostages held in Iran, until he retired as a commander in 1985.

  

After the ceremony Tuesday at Bay Pines, held under a sweltering sun, Smith helped dedicate a Chair of Honor  a seat that will remain empty until all missing troops come home.

Then he was presented with an iconic POW/MIA bracelet that bears the name of a service member who was a prisoner of war or missing in action.

I have been presented quite a few of these, Smith said. It is always an honor.

2016 Tampa Bay Times

Contact the writer: 813-225-3112 or haltman@tampabay.com
MOGADISHU, Somalia  Somalia on Tuesday hosted its first regional summit of African heads of state in 30 years, a source of pride in this Horn of Africa country after decades of chaos and deadly attacks by al-Shabab extremists. On social media, people marveled that their country was trending for something other than explosions.

Security measures were high as Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn arrived, and residents said celebrations of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha had been severely restricted in recent days.

The summit was seen as the latest sign of confidence in a return to normal life in Somalia, which was plunged into decades of conflict in 1991 when warlords overthrew the regime of dictator Siad Barre.

Mogadishu was considered one of the most dangerous cities on Earth, but now it regained its image, resident Ismail Abdi said. Its a dream came true, another resident, Abdullahi Gafow, said.

Even so, the summit was decided to be held at the last minute, Ethiopias foreign minister, Tedros Adhanom, told The Associated Press, without giving details. There were previous plans to abandon it.

Sudan President Omar al-Bashir said he would not attend after being invited, Somalias Foreign Minister Abdisalam Omer confirmed. Al-Bashir would have been defying a warrant for his arrest from the International Criminal Court with his presence.

Somalias government had said leaders also were expected from South Sudan and Djibouti for the summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development regional bloc. But a plane carrying Djiboutis president turned back after developing engine problems that prevented it from landing, that countrys ambassador to Somalia confirmed.

While the South Sudan crisis was set to be a top issue for discussion, President Salva Kiir did not show up.

The presence of the heads of state in Somalia is a clear dividend of returning stability in the country. It is an endorsement of Somalias recovery, the African Unions special representative for Somalia, Francisco Caetano Madeira, said in a statement. The United Nations mission in Somalia called it a great achievement.

Somalia is now preparing for a presidential election in October, another significant step forward.

But homegrown Islamic extremist group al-Shabab continues to strike at the heart of Somalias seaside capital, killing scores of people so far this year. In the latest attack, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden truck near the gate of the presidential palace in Mogadishu late last month, killing at least 12 people.

Several of the countries invited to the summit take part in a 22,000-strong African Union force protecting Somalia, though the force faces funding cuts and troop shortages that experts have warned could further destabilize the country.

The summits communique called on the AU force and Somalias security forces to expand their operations, deal with evolving terror threats and immediately recover the remaining areas controlled by al-Shabab.

It also encouraged the voluntary return of all Somali refugees. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis have spent years in the worlds largest refugee camp across the border in Kenya. Kenyatta has said his government will close Dadaab camp this year, leading to fears that some people would be forced to return.
For the second straight year UC Irvine is one of the best public universities in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Reports prestigious annual rankings released Tuesday.

Irvine, part of the University of California system, ranked ninth among all public universities, sixth among California institutions and 39th overall.

It is the first time UCI has ranked in the top 10 in consecutive years, said Cathy Lawhon, the universitys spokeswoman. U.S. News and World Report has published university rankings for 31 years.

Were very proud, she said. Because U.S. News and World Report takes a lot of different factors into account, its a shorthand way of saying, Look how good we are.

U.S. News and World Report evaluated more than 1,800 schools for its rankings, with 1,374 of them making a list.

The scores were compiled using 15 factors, such as graduation rates, student selectivity, financial resources and how much alumni give back.

Besides the overall rankings, U.S. News and World Report also published regional rankings, best business programs, best value schools and other lists.

The rankings this year, though, had a significant change: The university classification system used by the magazine was updated, moving 12 percent of schools into different categories.

That change and an increase in doctoral programs allowed Cal State Fullerton to make the overall national list for the first time, coming in at 202.

When you consider that there are some 3,000 four-year institutions in the United States, Cal State Fullerton being recognized as a top national university is truly impressive, Anil Puri, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, said in a statement. I continue to be so proud of what weve been able to accomplish through the work of our faculty and staff on behalf of our students.

Chapman University came in sixth out of 140 among regional universities in the west, sandwiched between Oaklands Mills College and University of Portland.

The regional universities ranking is for those that have a full slate of undergraduate programs and masters programs but few doctoral programs.

Six is the highest ranking for Chapman, a year after coming in seventh.

Concordia University in Irvine came in a tie for 41st Vanguard University of Southern California, in Costa Mesa, ranked in 60th in the regional rankings.

The Ivy League occupied four of the top five schools on the national list, with Princeton and Harvard coming in at one and two, and Yale and Columbia (tied with Stanford) ranking four and five. The University of Chicago ranked third.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins rounded out the top 10.

Other Southern California schools that ranked nationally include: Pasadenas Cal Tech at 12, USC at 23 and UCLA at 24.

Contact the writer: 714-796-6979 or chaire@ocregister.com
Instances of voter fraud are miniscule, most voting systems are safe from outside hackers and the biggest threat to a clean November election may be aging voting machines, according to extensive studies cited Tuesday by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York Universitys School of Law.

The centers media teleconference was spurred by Donald Trumps allegations that the election may be rigged against him and his call for volunteers to monitor polling places.

We believe the heated rhetoric about rigged elections is overblown, said Wendy Weiser, director of the Democracy Project at the Brennan Center. Its harmful to our democracy and its legitimacy. It shifts attention away from real problems.

She added that sending partisan volunteers to monitor the polls easily leads to illegal voter intimidation.

However, California has provisions for poll observers and the Orange County elections office will be holding three training sessions next month for volunteers. The office will have a rapid response team in the field to address reports of voter intimidation on Election Day.

Despite the evidence compiled by the Brennan Center, some remain convinced that voter fraud is a problem and that all voters should be required to show identification before casting ballots. Voter ID is required by some states, but not California.

Courts have recently struck down voter ID and proof-of-citizenship laws in five states, saying the requirements could reduce voter participation.

John Eastman, a constitutional law professor at Chapman University, dismissed the rulings as hack jobs. He chalked up the Brennan Centers findings to a liberal bent that has included policy papers that oppose voter ID laws and support increasing the minimum wage.

Voter fraud is not a one-off thing, Eastman said. Its a massive conspiracy to control elections.

He pointed to citations in the book Whos Counting? How Fraudsters and Bureaucrats Put Your Vote at Risk, by John Fund and Hans Von Spakovsky, although Funds description of voter fraud in a 2012 appearance to promote the book was less sweeping than Eastmans.

Im not saying its rampant, but its more than zero, Fund said, according to a Philadephia Inquirer account.

PAST FRAUD

In the decade hes been Orange Countys registrar of voters, Neal Kelley has seen no instances of voter impersonation  that is, voters illegally casting two ballots, voting under someone else name or voting when they were not eligible.

He has repeatedly said voter fraud is rare, pointing to the results of a Department of Justice investigation during George W. Bushs presidency.

There were sporadic instances, but they were very few, he said, but emphasized that he looks into all complaints of fraud.

Not that Orange County hasnt experienced hundreds of ballots cast by people ineligible to vote.

In Loretta Sanchezs narrow upset of incumbent Republican Rep. Bob Dornan in 1996, a congressional task force found there were 748 illegal votes cast and counted. Sanchez won by 979 votes and the Republican-controlled Congress determined the number of illegal votes were insufficient to merit a new election.

Most of those who cast illegal ballots were immigrants who had qualified for citizenship but had not been sworn in before Election Day.

It was mostly by people who didnt think they were casting illegal votes, Weiser said. The laws have been changed since then to make the citizenship requirement clearer.

Additionally, voter registrations are now checked against Department of Motor Vehicles and Social Security databases to help ensure only citizens register, Kelley said.

Typical among the studies cited by the Brennan Center to debunk the voter fraud myth was an analysis by Loyola Law School professor Justin Levitt of more than 1 billion ballots cast from 2000 to 2014. He found 31 credible allegations of voter impersonation.

Fund has argued that voter fraud goes largely unnoticed because its relatively easy to do but difficult to prove.

The county has also experienced voter intimidation. In 1988, Assembly candidate Curt Pringle and Republican operatives hired uniformed security guards to stand outside polling places with signs in English and Spanish that said, Non-citizens cant vote.

Pringle, who won by a narrow margin, and co-defendents paid $400,000 to settle a civil suit alleging the move was designed to scare off Latino voters.

HACKERS

While hackers  apparently in Russia  were able to access voter registration databases in Arizona and Illinois earlier this year, Democracy Project Deputy Director Lawrence Norden said elections systems in the United States dont have the same vulnerability as those databases because they arent hooked up to the internet.

Additionally, most electronic voting systems have a paper backup. In California, all electronic voting systems are required to produce a paper record of each ballot.

In Orange County, individual machines feed electronic data to the central controller in each polling place. If the seal on the controller is tampered with before the votes are loaded into the computer at the Santa Ana elections office headquarters  where the controllers are taken after polls close  the votes are tallied according to the paper record, Kelley said.

There are also paper records and digital backups of voter registration data, he said.

But Kelley acknowledged the need for new machines by 2018, noting that the countys 12-year-old system runs on outdated Windows 2000 software and that replacement parts are becoming difficult to locate. He said hes been in the planning stages for a new system for 4 1/2 years, and he plans to submit a request for to county supervisors around the end of the year.

Contact the writer: mwisckol@ocregister.com
When he was working for seven years in the rice paddies of rural China, digging trenches and seeding soil, and eating grass to fill his empty stomach, young Charlie Zhang possessed a single treasure: his brothers old clarinet.

He taught himself a few Chinese songs  the classical Western music you werent allowed to play, he says.

And he stole away to the fields at night so he wouldnt bother the other workers. He played for hours, contemplating little but the melody.

We were young. We didnt know what else life had for us, he says. This field was our life. We had no other choice.

Part of Chinas so-called lost generation, Zhang was one of 17 million urban youth sent to work in the countryside during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s. The communist government promoted the journeys of the sent-down youths as ones of adventure and education, missions that would bind them to rural peasants and sharpen their skills.

Yet the work amounted to forced hard labor, subjecting many youths to privations and loneliness that lingered with them the rest of their lives.

Zhang likes to say he had one friend in those days: his clarinet. Its melody reverberates to this day.

We own this whole building, Zhang tells a photographer who has arrived to take his picture in his offices at Zion Enterprises, a real estate and development company in Laguna Niguel. He waves his hand. You can go anywhere you want.

Zhang, now 60, was sitting in the board room. He started the company  upcoming projects include a 299-unit condominium complex in downtown Los Angeles  after making his fortune in the restaurant and beverage-manufacturing industries. He started, and later sold, the Pick Up Stix chain and Aseptic Solutions, a beverage-manufacturing company in Corona.

Zhang relishes talking about that which can be summed up in a series of matter-of-fact details. He discusses the aesthetics of the bamboo screen walls in a conference room, the size of the fish in the koi pond downstairs, the heavy table imported from Asia: It took seven men to get that up here!

He is particularly proud of his office desk, modeled on the one in the Oval Office.

Same size as the one in the White House, he says. Exact replica.

The distant past is a more difficult subject.

Honestly, the past is the past, he says. You have to focus on the present and what you can do now. Dont let the past put chips on your shoulders.

RISING OUT OF COMMUNISM

But its his past that inspired the rest of his life.

Before he was sent to the countryside to work, Zhangs family of nine children had already suffered under the Communist regime. When Zhang was 2, his father, who owned a successful coffee-roasting company in Shanghai, was tossed into prison for 20 years.

He was a businessman who was not fully cooperating with the Communist system, explains Zhang. His mother and older siblings kept multiple jobs to survive; they ate little and recycled one anothers clothes.

I even wore my sisters clothes at times, says Zhang.

With two small suitcases, Zhang reported to the countryside rice paddies at age 17. Seven years later, he returned to Shanghai, where he faced few prospects.

But he had his passion  music  and that offered an escape. Across the world, in Los Angeles, a tiny music academy on Wilshire Boulevard had offered him a scholarship. His uncle was already living in the U.S. and could pay for his airfare. Zhang remembers his mothers face, damp with tears. But he got on the plane, with his clarinet and about $20 in his pocket.

Music school, however, didnt last; he ran out of cash and needed a job. He applied for nearly 20 jobs before he finally found afternoon work as a busboy at a Chinese restaurant and night work as a gas station attendant.

Music, you need a lot of money, he says. I didnt have money. And also, you come to the United States and you have to make a living.

Music wasnt going to make you money. It was leisure. I realized that, and I went to the restaurant with no other choice.

He holds up a finger bearing a long scar.

I tell you, when youre cutting chicken and almost cut your finger off? A musician with no finger? How are you going to do that? he says.

So I realized its not going to happen.

A NEW NAME

So he worked long hours. He saved his money. He observed what plates came back empty and what lay untouched. A neighbor suggested he change his Chinese name  Xianghua  to something Americans could pronounce: Charlie? Zhang shrugged and went with it.

In 1984, he met the person who would support him in the decades to come, Ling, whom he married the next year.

Zhang first saw Ling, a Taiwanese immigrant, at a Chinese-language Christian church that he visited with a waiter friend. He recalls her as a pretty missionary, someone who had studied the Bible in great detail.

I became a believer because of my wife, says Zhang, who remains active in his San Clemente church.

Ling recalls how Charlie spoke fondly about his mother and how he treated the elderly in their church with great respect.

Thats why I married him, she says.

Meanwhile, Zhang and a partner saved up money to start Shanghai Charlies in San Juan Capistrano, a popular restaurant that would stay in his family for more than 30 years.

But in 1989, realizing that most people wanted their Chinese food to go, he started Pick Up Stix.

Enter Richard Alessandro, a businessman whose late wife, a real estate agent, had worked with Zhang to find property. The two men became friendly, and Zhang asked for his help getting Pick Up Stix off the ground.

WORKING EIGHT DAYS A WEEK

Charlie Zhang can outwork anybody, says Alessandro. If he needs to work eight days a week because somebody else is working seven, he will.

Zhang was always working, even when he wasnt. Alessandro recalls how the Zhang family  which by then included two boys  went on a vacation to San Diego. Zhang kept calling Alessandro because he saw good potential locations.

Alessandro says Zhang was sometimes shy about leading meetings because of his accent. Hed ask Alessandro to do the talking, but Alessandro would demur.

Id say Charlie, youre far more endearing than I am, he says.

Employees liked Zhang. Alessandro recalls Zhang paid the funeral costs for a worker who died unexpectedly. And that wasnt when he was wealthy, he says. He was a guy who had everything on the line, mortgaged to the hilt.

Eventually, they grew the chain to 100 locations before selling to the Carlson Co., owner of TGI Fridays, in 2001 for $50 million.

Three years later, a restless Zhang started Aseptic Solutions, which has a technology and bottling process to extend the shelf life of organic beverages. In 2012, Aseptic sold for $60 million to a European conglomerate.

MUSICIAN AT HEART

Zhang kept playing clarinet over the years, occasionally for events at his church. Three years ago, he joined the board of the Pacific Symphony. Gregory P. Cox, the symphonys vice president for development, said he was struck not only by Zhangs story but by his passion.

Really, he is a musician at heart, Cox says. He didnt have an opportunity in his home country. This is for him a work of passion, and hes able to give back, especially for the children in our community.

Zhang speaks up routinely at board meetings about the importance of music education for local children, Cox says. He attends every youth orchestra program and often brings friends.

Its like hes on a mission, he says. He wants everyone to know about the Pacific Symphony.

Earlier this summer, Zhang financed nearly the entire trip to China for the symphonys young musicians and chaperones, a total of about 100 people. They played with young Chinese musicians, visited sites like the Great Wall and even got tickets to the new Shanghai Disneyland.

Zhang says, I feel its a great idea not only for them to play music but also to see culture.

As development director, Cox works with a lot of donors. But Zhangs humility and good nature have made him stand out.

He doesnt really care for a high level of recognition, Cox says.

What has driven Charlie Zhang all these years? His up-by-the-bootstraps story can come across as too good to be true. And yet, here is Zhang, who came here with little and sold two companies for more than $100 million.

His sons  27-year-old Ben and 29-year-old Joshua  credit his relentless drive and the support of their mother.

I can remember her saying, Charlie, you can do it! says Ben, who lives in the Bay Area and works in the tech industry.

Their father rarely went into great detail about the more difficult parts of his life. But a story here and there would come out  on a long drive to school, a quiet weekend morning at a doughnut shop  and they would understand why he so often told them to appreciate their education and their country, why he hovered over them when they practiced piano or did their homework.

Once, he was invited to speak at their high school, and he sang God Bless America  an embarrassing, but endearing, moment for his sons.

A few years ago, Zhang spoke at a TEDx event at La Sierra University and tried to explain his success.

Have you ever thought about what you can change in a single moment? he said at that event.

He said at each moment of potential heartbreak  his time at the farm, his early years in the U.S.  he was overcome with a feeling that things would turn out OK. I had this overwhelming sense that I could make it, I would make it, I had to make it.

He did, of course. As for that old clarinet? Zhang still has it. These days, its packed away, a treasured antique.
Faced with the adoption of trendy foreign hairstyles by a growing number of students, Chinese schools are coming up with desperate measures to enforce their strict haircut policies. The latest of these measures involves posting barbers at the school gates to trim long or dyed hair on the spot.

Chinese students returning from their summer break with new haircuts to show off to their colleagues were greeted with a really nasty surprise right at the school entrance  a barber ready to trim any hairdos that didnt comply with regulations. Photos posted by students of the Qinhan Secondary School, in Xian, Chinas Shaanxi province, show kids walking by piles of freshly cut hair and a scissors-wielding barber working his magic on an offender.

A small number of students were found to be affected by the negative social influence of dyed and permed hair, which affects their comprehensive development, a school official said in a statement. In order to create a positive and healthy learning environment for students, the school has ruled that boys should have crew cuts and girls should grow hair down to the ear, to ensure they can focus on their studies.

Perms and dyed hair have apparently become especially popular among Chinese teenagers, so in order to be allowed access to class without first having to have their hair trimmed, anyone who was born with either curly or blonde hair should go to the hospitals to prove they did not dye or perm it, school rules state.

At Xiamen Industrial and Commercial Tourism College, in Fujian province, girls are banned from fashioning a fringe hairstyle and boys cannot have hair longer than six millimeters in length.

Furious students have been blasting the strict provisions enforced by Chinese schools on social media websites like Sina Weibo, with many going as far as refusing to go to school or college rather than cut their hair.
Aedhmar Hynes, CEO of Text 100, received the Distinguished Service Award of the Arthur W. Page Society and Ray Kotcher, non-executive chair of Ketchum, was inducted into the Page Hall of Fame. Brexit was discussed.

The honors were bestowed at the 33rd annual conference of the Page Society Sept. 11 in London.

Aedhmar Hynes

The conference focused on the vote to withdraw the U.K. from the Common Market, a move that brought from Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator of the Financial Times, the remark that It was all insane. The referendum was an asinine ideaI think we are screwed.

Wolf provided numbers that showed Brexit as a rebellion of young against old, educated against less educated, provinces vs. cities, and well-off vs. less well-off.

Simon Walker of the Institute of Directors talked about the rise of populism, excessive executive pay, waning public trust in institutions, and companies evolving but failing to adequately retrain employees to meet new demands.

Management is wrestling with a workforce that has a deficit of soft skills, meaning creativity, collaboration, emotional intelligence and resourcefulnessthe human skills that will be at a premium as companies modernize their operations and attempt to bridge divides, he said.

Erin Mayer, who teaches about cultural intelligence at INSEAD, graduate business school with campuses at Fountainbleau, France, Singapore and Abu Dhabi, said that for companies expanding into new markets, navigating new cultures is a top requirement of the CCO. They need to develop understanding of how the different cultures operate, he said.

Hynes Has Passion for Communications

The Distinguished Service Award honors those who have strengthened the role of PR in business and society through service, writing, research, speaking or teaching. Most recent recipients include Frank Ovaitt of the Institute for PR, John Onoda of Fleishman-Hillard, and Maril MacDonald of Gagen MacDonald.

Hynes, a Page trustee, has served as co-chair of its Thought Leadership Committee which aims to improve the strategic leadership role of the chief communications officer. She is co-chair of the Page Globalization Committee which is dedicated to making Page truly a global organization with a critical mass of members in all major world geographies.

Becoming more global will help Page to achieve its mission in an increasingly global world and greatly enrich the peer learning and networking experience for Page members, she said.

"Throughout my career I've been passionate about telling stories, giving my clients a voice and seeing the impact that effective communication can have on a company's success," Hynes added. "It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by some of the most respected leaders in our profession, and I feel incredibly fortunate that I've earned this recognition through doing work that I am passionate about."

Hynes is a Henry Crown Fellow at The Aspen Institute and a Board Director of Technoserve, a nonprofit leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty. She is a member of MIT Media Lab Advisory Council and sits on the Foundation Board of her alma mater, The National University of Ireland  Galway. Hynes has been also named one of the top 50 most influential people in PR by PRWeek magazine, and received the Global Technology Award for Communications from the Global Technology Network.

"Aedhmar has been instrumental in advancing the mission of the Society through her active involvement in many of our most notable initiatives," said Dave Samson, general manager of public affairs for Chevron Corporation and chairman of the Arthur W. Page Society. "But what makes Aedhmar stand apart, is her selfless leadership style that has earned her the widespread admiration of her clients, Text100 colleagues and industry peers. For her extensive service to our profession, we are pleased to recognize her with the Arthur Page Society's 2016 Distinguished Service Award."

Kotcher: This Is Our Time

Kotcher, in his acceptance remarks, which were titled, This Is Our Time, reflected on thedevelopment of the discipline and looked out at the years to come.

Ray Kotcher

"For more than a century, all of us in this industry  agencies, clients and educators - working together around the world, through mutuality of endeavor, defined a new industry, he said.

"We have come far. Yet much remains to be done to realize the opportunity that awaits us. Let all of us remain committed to our common interests and leverage our collective strength with the spirit of community that brought us to today.

We will not realize our great purpose without the human resource  talent. Talent with the right skills and importantly, character. Character counts. A strong sense of integrity must be the core value of our work. We must do it right  with verity, credibility, truthfulness. High standards must remain our guiding principles. For us and those to come, this is the clear path to continued, sustainable success for our great profession.s



32 Years at Ketchum

Kotcher spent 32 years at Ketchum, 12 of them as Global CEO and eight as president before that. He oversaw the expansion of the firm's global client service footprint and helped broaden and deepen Ketchum's offerings. During his tenure, he also strengthened the agency's corporate practice, client service proposition, inculcated new approaches to program development and enriched the agency's own social responsibility activities.

His counselin collaboration with some of the best CCOs in the businesselevated the importance of reputation in major companies, said Page chairman Dave Samson, general manager of public affairs, Chevron Corp.

He worked as part of Ketchum's FedEx team that developed reputation metrics that became a component of the incentive program for FedEx's top executives. They identified the key reputation drivers and then activated an ongoing program to drive improvement that was precisely measured every year.

Kotcher also brought the same focus and systematic approach to reputation in his counsel with Hyundai, which over 15 years went to the top of the quality ratings and became one of the fastest-growing car companies during the recent Great Recession. Additionally, he also guided the firm to provide clients with breakthrough ideas that earned numerous industry accolades, including several PRWeek and SABRE awards, Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvils, as well as Cannes Lions for work done with clients such as MasterCard, Frito-Lay, Michelin, IKEA and Pfizer.

"Over the course of his career, Ray was never satisfied with the status quo, said Samson. He continually reinvented himself and the agency he led. As a result,

Ray firmly established himself as one of our profession's great leaders and Ketchum as one of the world's leading consultancies. I can think of no one more deserving of this extraordinary honor."

Rob Flaherty, partner, chairman and CEO of Ketchum, a Page trustee and Kotcher's long-time colleague and friend, added, "After nearly thirty years of working closely with Ray, I can attest that no one has more of a passion for our business or more dedication to doing the right thing than Ray Kotcher. Whether it was the counsel he gave our senior clients or the countless decisions he made at Ketchum, he was always focused on landing on the choice that was right and would stand the test of time."

In thanking the Page Honors Committee and trustees for the recognition Kotcher said, "I am humbled to stand alongside past Hall of Fame inductees  trailblazers and pioneers, giants of public relations and communications. It is the greatest honor of my professional life."

Kotcher, says Page, has spent his career raising the standard and stature of the practice of public relations through his engagement with several industry organizations, including the Council of Public Relations Firms (now the PR Council), the Institute for Public Relations (IPR) and the PRSA. He also has served on the executive committee and board of trustees of the Page Society and chaired the Society's membership committee during the period of Page's greatest membership growth, advocating passionately for the diversity and quality of the membership. He recently stepped down from his senior executive position at Ketchum, but remains in an advisory capacity with the firm as non-executive chairman. Kotcher begins teaching full-time at Boston University as a professor of the practice of public relations this month.

Page: 700 Members in 20+ Countries

The Society website describes it as a professional association for senior public relations and corporate communications executives who seek to enrich and strengthen their profession. Membership consists primarily of CCOs of Fortune 500 corporations, the CEOs of the world's largest public relations agencies, and leading academics from top business and communications schools. With more than 700 members in over 20 countries, the Page Society enables members to develop professional relationships with the most knowledgeable, influential and innovative global leaders in enterprise communications. Members also participate in producing thought leadership that is shaping the understanding of the value and role of corporate communications, and are able to take advantage of professional development opportunities for their staff. The Page Society is dedicated to strengthening the enterprise leadership role of the CCO.
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Agricultural News

Wheat Association Pushes for Right to Fair Market Access in Cuba

Today, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) submitted testimony to the House Committee on Agriculture leadership, Chairman Conaway and Ranking Member Peterson, in regards to the House Committee on Agriculture hearing on American Agriculture Trade with Cuba. The hearing was held to provide interested parties the opportunity to expand on their opinions regarding opening the Cuban market for American farmers, ranchers and businesses. NAWG also signed on to testimony submitted by the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, a coalition consisting of a range of agricultural commodity and farm member organizations, of which NAWG is a member.







As a member of the USAAC, NAWG supports the elimination of trade barriers with Cuba, because Cuba represents a large market for American wheat exports, and current financing restrictions complicate trade channels between the U.S. and Cuba. The current financing restrictions require Cuban buyers of U.S. agricultural products to pay cash in advance or finance the transaction through third-country banking institutions.







"These restrictions put U.S. wheat farmers at a global disadvantage as other foreign competitors usurp market shares, offering more favorable credit terms," said NAWG President Gordon Stoner. "It is important that NAWG continues to work with Congress to fight for American wheat growers' right to fair market access."







NAWG's comments on this issue emphasize that these financing restrictions should be one focus of discussions revolving around the economic value of Cuba as a trading partner and barriers that remain. It is crucial that Congress acts to reject any language that would reverse or hinder the U.S. wheat industry's ability to compete with other countries currently utilizing Cuba as a trading partner.







Source - National Association of Wheat Growers













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Monsanto Agrees to be Bought by Germany's Bayer for 66 Billion Dollars

Bayer and Monsanto today announced that they signed a definitive merger agreement under which Bayer will acquire Monsanto for USD 128 per share in an all-cash transaction. Monsanto's Board of Directors, Bayer's Board of Management and Bayer's Supervisory Board have unanimously approved the agreement. Based on Monsanto's closing share price on May 9, 2016, the day before Bayer's first written proposal to Monsanto, the offer represents a premium of 44 percent to that price.





"We are pleased to announce the combination of our two great organizations. This represents a major step forward for our Crop Science business and reinforces Bayer's leadership position as a global innovation driven Life Science company with leadership positions in its core segments, delivering substantial value to shareholders, our customers, employees and society at large," said Werner Baumann, CEO of Bayer AG. "Today's announcement is a testament to everything we've achieved and the value that we have created for our stakeholders at Monsanto. We believe that this combination with Bayer represents the most compelling value for our shareowners, with the most certainty through the all-cash consideration," said Hugh Grant, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monsanto.





Early reaction to the proposed purchase of Monsanto by the German company includes questions about the two companies getting approval from all regulators that will be looking at the deal. Some groups have said there is only a fifty fifty chance of success in getting the deal approved- while several Bayer insiders have been quoted as saying there is at least a seventy percent chance of approval. One early farm organization reaction came from the National Farmers Union, who tweeted shortly after news of the agreement surfaced "Less choice and competition = less innovation, increased costs for farmers and increased prices for consumers."





At the bottom of this story- we have the pdf link that you can open of the transcript of the Wednesday morning news briefing for the media from the two companies- and you can click on the play button in the LISTEN BAR below to hear the presentation.





According to the news release from Bayer:





This transaction brings together two different, but highly complementary businesses. The combined business will benefit from Monsanto's leadership in Seeds & Traits and Climate Corporation platform along with Bayer's broad Crop Protection product line across a comprehensive range of indications and crops in all key geographies. As a result, growers will benefit from a broad set of solutions to meet their current and future needs, including enhanced solutions in seeds and traits, digital agriculture, and crop protection.





The combination also brings together both companies' leading innovation capabilities and R&D technology platforms, with an annual pro-forma R&D budget of approximately EUR 2.5 billion. Over the mid to long-term, the combined business will be able to accelerate innovation and provide customers with enhanced solutions and an optimized product suite based on analytical agronomic insight supported by Digital Farming applications. These are expected to result in significant and lasting benefits for farmers: from improved sourcing and increased convenience to higher yield, better environmental protection and sustainability.





"The agriculture industry is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges of our time: how to feed an additional 3 billion people in the world by 2050 in an environmentally sustainable way. It has been both companies' belief that this challenge requires a new approach that more systematically integrates expertise across Seeds, Traits and Crop Protection including Biologicals with a deep commitment to innovation and sustainable agriculture practices," said Liam Condon, member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and head of the Crop Science Division.





"We are entering a new era in agriculture one with significant challenges that demand new, sustainable solutions and technologies to enable growers to produce more with less. This combination with Bayer will deliver just that an innovation engine that pairs Bayer's crop protection portfolio with our world-class seeds and traits and digital agriculture tools to help growers overcome the obstacles of tomorrow. Together Monsanto and Bayer will build on our proud tradition and respective track records of innovation in the agriculture industry, delivering a more comprehensive and broader set of solutions to growers," said Grant.







Value Creation





Pro forma sales of the combined agricultural business amounted to EUR 23 billion in calendar year 2015. The combined company will be well positioned to participate in the agricultural industry with significant long-term growth potential. Beyond the attractive long term value creation potential of the combination, Bayer expects the transaction to provide its shareholders with accretion to core EPS (earnings per share) in the first full year after closing and a double-digit percentage accretion in the third full year. Bayer has confirmed sales and cost synergies assumptions in due diligence and expects annual EBITDA contributions from total synergies of approximately USD 1.5 billion after year three, plus additional synergies from integrated solutions in future years.







Financing and Closing Conditions





Bayer intends to finance the transaction with a combination of debt and equity. The equity component of approximately USD 19 billion is expected to be raised through an issuance of mandatory convertible bonds and through a rights issue with subscription rights. Bridge financing for USD 57 billion is committed by BofA Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and JP Morgan.





Bayer has a proven track record of disciplined deleveraging after large acquisitions and believes that the strong cash flows of the combined business will contribute to improving its financial profile. Bayer targets an investment grade credit rating post-closing and is committed to the single "A" credit rating category over the long-term.





The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including Monsanto shareholder approval of the merger agreement and receipt of required regulatory approvals. Closing is expected by the end of 2017. The companies will work diligently with regulators to ensure a successful closing. In addition, Bayer has committed to a USD 2 billion reverse antitrust break fee, reaffirming its confidence that it will obtain the necessary regulatory approvals.





Headquarters and Employees





The combined agriculture business will have its global Seeds & Traits and North American commercial headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, its global Crop Protection and overall Crop Science headquarters in Monheim, Germany, and an important presence in Durham, North Carolina, as well as many other locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. The Digital Farming activities for the combined business will be based in San Francisco, California.







"This combination is a great opportunity for employees, who will be at the forefront of innovation in our sector. This transaction also enhances Bayer's strong commitment to the U.S., building on our 150-year history with operations across 25 states employing more than 12,000 people in the country. I am convinced that Monsanto will flourish as part of one of the most respected and trusted companies in the world," said Baumann.









01053_Bayer_MonsantoTranscript.pdf









Here is the media conference call presentation from Bayer and Monsanto officials

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House Ag Committee Searches for Common Ground in Examination of Feasible Ag Trade with Cuba

Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to examine the potential for expanded agricultural trade between the United States and Cuba. Much of the conversation centered on the Cuba Agricultural Exports Act (H.R. 3687) and the potential for removing financing restrictions that have limited agricultural exports to Cuba.





"The history between the U.S. and Cuba is long and complicated, with the Castro regime's stranglehold on the island nation long preventing normalized relations between our two countries. At the same time, many believe that lifting the financing restrictions on agricultural trade could improve the daily lives of Cubans while also helping American agricultural producers who are experiencing one of the greatest downturns in the agricultural economy since the Great Depression. If we are to be successful in lifting these restrictions, we must find common ground. Today's hearing was a good step in that direction. It was also a reminder that, in my view, repeated efforts to lift both the embargo and restrictions on travel are a distraction that is preventing us from making meaningful changes," said Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway.





Written testimony provided by the witnesses from today's hearing is linked below. Click here for more information, including Chairman Conaway's opening statement and the archived webcast.





Witness List:





Panel I





Mr. Mark Isbell, Rice Producer, North Little Rock, AR, on behalf of USA Rice





Mr. Matt Gibson, Vice President and General Manager - Grain Division, Bunge North America, St. Louis, MO, on behalf of North American Export Grain Association





Ms. Karen Lowe, Senior Vice President & Agriculture Export Finance Division Head, CoBank ACB, Greenwood Village, CO





Dr. Luis A. Ribera, Associate Professor, Extension Economist, & Director - Center for North American Studies, Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX





Mr. Mauricio Claver-Carone, Executive Director, Cuba Democracy Advocates, Washington, DC







Source - House Committee on Agriculture













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Editor's note: This piece originally was published on Aug. 10, 2008, as part of David Harding's "Everyday History" column in The World-Herald.

There was a time in Omaha when two or three daily newspapers had to duke it out for readership, and the editors of these competing dailies regularly abused one another in print. Sometimes these verbal jabs even led to flying fists.

Most of the journalistic street fights involved Edward Rosewater, the small but pugnacious editor of the Bee, one of the city's three competing newspapers in the 1870s. He routinely railed against the Herald and the Republican, and they returned the favor.

The Bee often pursued local stories with more passion than sober facts. It was a style characteristic of the times, and Rosewater took to it naturally, pushing his opinions on every page.

Rosewater came to Omaha in 1863 as a telegraph operator. He had worked in telegraphy for the Union Army and at the War Department in Washington, D.C., where he happened to be the operator who first dispatched Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation to the nation.

In Omaha, Rosewater quickly found his way into Republican political circles. While serving in the Nebraska Legislature, he helped impeach Gov. David Butler and fought for creation of a citywide school district in Omaha.

Rosewater established the Bee in 1871 as a way to drum up support for his legislative agenda. He almost immediately stirred up trouble. When a black man and a white woman applied for a marriage license in 1873, a local judge reluctantly refused because it violated Nebraska law. The judge then wrote an apology to the couple, which was printed in the Herald.

Rosewater criticized the judge for his apology, which prompted a personal attack on Rosewater from the third paper, the Republican. Rosewater demanded an apology, and the editor of the Republican told him, in so many words, "Come and get it."

Within hours, Rosewater stopped the offending editor on the street and began to work him over with a horsewhip. The other man was much larger and apparently landed a few blows of his own before tackling Rosewater and sitting on him until help arrived.

Rosewater was charged with disturbing the peace, but the incident seemed to invigorate him. The same year, he mixed it up with a police officer and with James Creighton, cousin of the founders of Creighton University. Creighton might have dismantled Rosewater if the Bee editor hadn't pulled a gun from his pocket.

Rosewater's combative style of journalism nearly caught up with him in 1876, when he badmouthed a gambling parlor, whose owner was a 250-pound former blacksmith named Dick Curry.

Like Rosewater, Curry liked to get right to the point. When he caught up with the newsman, he nearly beat Rosewater's brains out with a "lead-loaded slingshot." Rosewater spent the next few months in bed, and Curry went to the penitentiary for four years.

Rosewater tangled with another editor of the Republican more than 10 years later, calling O.H. Rothacker a "genteel rowdy who writes editorials between drinks." The Republican replied by referring to the Bee as "The Daily Disease" and saying Rosewater was "a coward physically, an infamous liar personally, a dirty inconsequence in appearance, and the contempt of the town generally."

Before the day was over, Rosewater got in Rothacker's face on a downtown street corner, and Rothacker reportedly bloodied him.

Whether his cause was noble or deeply misguided, Rosewater's position was always clear. His opposition to women's suffrage once landed him in a formal debate with Susan B. Anthony. Anthony could duel with words as well as anyone, so it must have been an entertaining debate. If the famous suffragist got under his skin, Rosewater didn't show it with a pistol or a horsewhip.

After all, he was a gentleman.

Want more of this? Check out Omaha.com/history for more stories from our city's fascinating past.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. duped a New York bicycle courier company into paying for a workers compensation plan that threatens to shortchange injured workers and businesses, according to a lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed Friday, comes as Berkshires Applied Underwriters business faces scrutiny over its workers compensation policies. Regulators in California, Wisconsin and Vermont have criticized the policies and banned further sales after saying they skirted state approvals. The company says the contracts were designed to share profits with clients and that the contracts are not insurance and thus not subject to regulators review.

In the lawsuit, Breakaway Courier Corp. accused Omaha-based Berkshire of creating what it called a reverse Ponzi scheme that requires workers compensation customers to cover one anothers losses. According to the complaint in state court in New York, companies are led to believe that their premiums are being paid into protected cells and will eventually be returned to them.

Instead, Berkshire Hathaway illegally siphons off premiums, leaving employers and injured workers without the funds that New York State requires to be available to cover losses, according to the complaint.

Breakaway is seeking to recover the premiums it paid, at least $863,048, as well as other damages.

Berkshire Chief Executive Officer Warren Buffett and Chief Financial Officer Marc Hamburg didnt immediately return telephone or email messages for comment on the lawsuit.

Californias insurance commissioner ruled against Applied Underwriters in June over workers compensation policies after determining that the company duped a small business, Shasta Linen Supply, and circumvented a review of rates.

Earlier this month, Applied agreed to stop selling the policies in dispute in California, although it filed a lawsuit challenging the regulators findings. The regulator said the Berkshire business charged customers rates that hadnt been approved by the regulator.

In June, Los Angeles attorney Spencer Kook told The World-Herald, on behalf of Applied Underwriters, that the company disagrees with California regulators view of the agreements, which are similar to those cited in the New York case.

Kook said such agreements are an accepted, commonplace part of the workers compensation industry and that clients work with their insurance brokers to find proper coverage.

Applied Underwriters, acquired by Berkshire a decade ago, has about 650 Omaha employees in the Old Mill office park. In May the company announced plans for a new office building as part of a 500-acre development of vacant land near 144th Street and West Dodge Road.

World-Herald staff writer Steve Jordon contributed to this report.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. owns the Omaha World-Herald.
When retired heart surgeon Deepak Gangahar took his wife to see the downtown Omaha neighborhood where he wanted to build an upscale hotel, she fell silent, then asked: Would you be willing to move into this environment?

Absolutely, Gangahar recalled telling his wife, cardiologist Dr. Kiran Gangahar. He and business partner Kirti Trivedi saw something beyond the shady characters and boarded up storefronts lurking that evening around 24th and Farnam Streets.

They saw signs of renewal and promise in the corridors that connected burgeoning midtown neighborhoods to the west and downtowns central business district to the east.

Still, uneasiness felt by many visitors, especially at night, was not lost on the principal investors of Anant Enterprises.

In part to protect their own investment, Gangahar and Trivedi set out to accelerate transformation of the blight around their fitness-centric Even Hotel northeast of 24th and Farnam Streets, which within weeks will welcome its first official travelers.

Later this month, Anant developers will present to the City Council a $21 million plan to clean up another commercial strip southwest of the $20 million Even Hotel.

They also have purchased, and eventually hope to bring back to life, a vacant 10,000-square-foot retail building across 24th Street from the Even.

Meanwhile, unrelated entities have their own projects in motion to resuscitate nearby gaps. Among those: the Farnam 25 commercial redevelopment in the old 7,000-square-foot Smoke Pit BBQ building, and further renovation of the historic Kellogg Building at 2450 Harney St.

The era of the slumlord is over, declared Ben Swan, referring to the pocket around the Kellogg building that he and his wife, Eryn, bought and started to rehabilitate three years ago.

Swan said area property owners are becoming more active in protecting the neighborhood. He is among merchants who expect to benefit from the six-level Even Hotels pedestrian traffic as well as Anants other projects in the works.

Under Anants latest redevelopment package, another hotel, a five-story Holiday Inn Express, would be built on multiple parcels southwest of 24th Avenue and Farnam Street. The proposed 100-suite hotel with an indoor pool and fitness center would rise on the site of an old convenience store and gas station where, most recently, MJ Fashions failed to thrive.

City planners are supportive, saying the Formula Blue new Holiday Inn prototype would improve the corner, whose soil is plagued with chemicals and subsoil contamination. The hotel also would have ground-floor retail.

In the long-vacant historic Hupmobile warehouse to the west, at 2523 Farnam, Anant proposes eight loft-style, market-rate apartments and ground-floor offices totaling 25,000 square feet of finished space.

Built in 1917, the Hupmobile originally was a dealership, service shop and factory branch. It later housed a flight school and a manufacturer of diverse items such as ship parts, water heaters and coffins. Since 2003, though, city leaders said the property  both a city and federal landmark for architectural significance and cultural ties with Omahas Automobile Row  has been vacant and frequented by drug addicts and derelicts.

Anant is requesting up to $4 million in tax-increment financing to offset eligible expenses, and the City Planning Board has recommended approval.

Tax-increment financing, designed as an urban-renewal tool to propel projects that otherwise would not be financially feasible, has been tapped by area developers including NuStyle, which Anant describes as a pioneer of the downtown renaissance.

Among NuStyle Developments nearby projects is the Highline apartments converted from the old Northern Natural Gas office tower. Earlier this year, the developer finished construction of a Highline addition that features more apartments and an outdoor swimming pool.

NuStyle co-owner Todd Heistand said he is encouraged by the Anant hotels, which should bring more around-the-clock traffic to the neighborhood.

He says, however, that redevelopment momentum around 24th and Farnam Streets is slower than it should be, and could be jolted if public officials launched a streetcar system to link downtown, midtown and the growing University of Nebraska Medical Center.

To Swan, bad roadway configurations also stifle what could be a more livable and walkable environment along Farnam and Harney arteries near 24th. Streets and crossroads are too wide and hard to maneuver on foot, he said, and one-way traffic is dangerously fast-moving.

Despite its barriers, Swan said his neighborhood near 24th and Farnam Streets is progressing.

Next year, Swan and his wife plan to invest about $1 million to build out the top two floors of their 100-year-old Kellogg structure into apartments, Airbnb short-term residential rental space, and offices. Street-level bays currently house her Wag boutique pet shop, his Greenstreet Cycles and the MugLife Coffee shop.

The couple are buying another parcel in the area but arent ready to talk details other than it is eyed as a mix of uses.

Earlier this year, a California-based developer paid $2.3 million for the Harney Court U-shaped apartments to the west of the Swans building (and behind the Hupmobile). Honor Bulkley of Round Hill Pacific said her investment group likes to buy and improve older inner-city residential buildings with architectural merit.

The century-old Harney Court fits that bill, she said, as did other area apartment buildings the group has purchased since 2012, including in the Blackstone District to the west.

She said street changes in Blackstone slowed down cars and encouraged pedestrian traffic, and she could see the same enhancing residential and retail success around Harney Court.

Other area redevelopment includes Arch Icon Developments Junction, a structure catty-corner to Even thats been converted to commercial and residential space.

Arch Icon also turned a former crime magnet neighborhood a few blocks to the south into the recently opened multimillion-dollar Flats on Howard apartment community.

Its creative transformation of vacant structures that caught the eye of Anant.

We dont like abandoned buildings. Theyre an invitation for vandalism, Gangahar said.

He said Anant hopes for a streetcar to connect the corridors with other developing nodes. In the meantime, he said, Anant aims to gain control of its environment by buying and turning around properties.

Whether it comes or not, Gangahar said, we need to clean up our own backyard.

Trivedi said he eagerly awaits the day residential and business support is great enough to turn ground-floor space in the Even Hotel building to retail outlets. Until demand reaches that point, the bays will be used for hotel support services.

The hotels Cork & Kale restaurant could be a game-changer. Its baked foods, salads, tasty yet nutritional smoothies and desserts are expected to pull in local patrons that hadnt ventured to that area. Open to the public as well is the bar in the open-air lobby that will serve creative cocktails with a fitness bent.

Also featured is a hotel swimming pool and fitness area. Each individual suite is equipped with its own spin cycle, exercise cork floor and built-in workout pole for resistance bands.

Among the 35 to 40 employees is a hula hoop instructor, aqua aerobics instructor and someone to lead groups on outside bike rides.

Amenities  including mood lighting, huge windows and a honeymoon suite bathroom the size of a small New York apartment  have won over skeptics, Trivedi said.

In the year since construction began, Gangahar said his wife also has become a believer.

He and Trivedi plan to reinforce their commitment to the neighborhood by moving Anants headquarters to the Hupmobiles first floor, providing the city approves their plan.

They said they know there is still much work to be done.

Its a process, Gangahar said. Brick by brick, we need to keep chipping away.
Google Express, an online shopping service that delivers purchases to your doorstep, debuted Tuesday in some areas of Nebraska.

The service will be available in the Omaha area  including Council Bluffs  and in Lincoln and Grand Island.

The website and mobile app allow customers to shop from multiple retailers at one site, google.com/express. Purchases from multiple retailers are then delivered in one batch.

The service launches with 17 merchants, including Whole Foods, Walgreens and Petco, and features a mix of some bigger players as well as regional favorites, said Brian Elliott, general manager of Google Express.

The service doesnt deliver frozen foods or alcoholic beverages.

Google Express already operates in parts of Iowa, Kansas and Arizona. Its being extended to include portions of Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, South Dakota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, Ohio and Arkansas.

The service has been available in some cities in eastern Iowa for about a year, Elliott said. Were adding more towns, more cities and more merchants.

Depending on the area, customers can choose from three delivery options: same-day service, overnight service or two-day service. For now, only the two-day delivery option will be available in Nebraska.

Over time well be able to go to overnight delivery, Elliott said.

Members pay a $95 annual fee and receive free delivery if they meet specific requirements, such as a minimum purchase before taxes or fees.

Nonmembers, or pay-as-you-go customers, pay a minimum $4.99 delivery charge for each store from which they order. Shoppers can view the tape total from all stores before they choose a delivery option and use the online checkout.

Locally, stores that offer to-your-door delivery options include Hy-Vee Supermarkets and some independent grocers. Hy-Vee also offers in-store pickup.

Walmart and Bakers Supermarkets are among the retailers that allow customers to order groceries online and then pick them up at the store.
DETROIT  The chieftain at the nations largest pizza delivery company has a simple recipe for predicting how the economy will affect his bottom line  people with jobs buy more pizza.

We have run all of the regression analyses on our business, and it all comes down to one thing for us, and thats employment, Dominos Pizza Chief Executive Officer Patrick Doyle said. Employed people buy more pizza than unemployed people. And to me, thats the ultimate measure of the strength of the economy.

As the nations economy continues to recover, albeit slowly, Doyle expects to hire more people this year at Dominos sprawling headquarters outside Detroit in Ann Arbor.

And he says the company is more likely to add numbers in manning new technology than in testing tomatoes for its pizza pies.

The company has 720 employees, with an IT department manned by 264 workers who monitor the companys sales from a multiscreen command center in real time, among their other duties.

Were going to continue to invest, Doyle said of hiring plans. Were pretty optimistic.

The drive to boost the ranks at Dominos is fueled in part by changing consumer habits. At Dominos, you can now order by Twitter, Amazon Echo, Ford Motors SYNC and iWatch, among other alternative-tech platforms.

Some options dont even require words. Customers can put in their pepperoni pizza order by using an emoji or just tapping open a smartphone app armed with preselected personal preferences for zero-click ordering.

But as Dominos encourages its customers to create detailed individual profiles to ease the ordering process, the company recognized the growing need to protect that data.

Six or seven years ago, the company had a cybersecurity team of roughly zero, Doyle said. Today, it numbers 25.

Theyll never be a day where I dont think about it, the CEO says of the potential threat from hackers.

The other concern that occupies Doyle every day is food safety. Dominos is now rolling out salads to all of its stores in the U.S. It would have been cheaper to assemble them in the stores, but Doyle said the company chose to prepackage them as an extra precaution to lessen the odds of food-borne illness.

Founded in 1960 as a private company, Dominos Pizza went public in 2004 and now has more than 12,900 stores in more than 80 markets. Doyle has been at the helm since 2010 and the companys stock value has zoomed more than 16 fold. One of Doyles first bold acts: altering Dominos pizza recipe, admitted to the change publicly and then promoting the new pizza by reciting what customers used to think of the old product. (Hint: Many didnt like it.)

Doyle used to head up Dominos international divisions and says he sees some of the greatest opportunities for growth in African countries south of the Sahara Desert. Dominos now has stores in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.

We have a really good start there, Doyle said, noting the regions consistent economic growth and rising middle class.

India has been another stronghold for the company with about 1,000 stores. But growth in China has been more slow-going, Doyle said.

Global retail sales at Dominos last year exceeded $9.9 billion, with more than $4.8 billion in the U.S. and nearly $5.1 billion internationally. In the second quarter this year, Dominos beat Wall Street expectations with global retail sales of more than $2.4 billion. More than half of U.S. sales streamed in from digital channels.

Many Wall Street analysts applaud Dominos recent financial performance and its share gains on rival Pizza Hut, the market leader for the overall pizza restaurant business.

After its bold recipe change and the rollout of some new products including salads, Dominos latest initiative is not in product improvement, but in presentation, Doyle said.

Stores across the chain are getting refreshed, with many adapting a theater style interior with glass walls and an open kitchen to let customers see how fresh dough stretched by hand turns into pizzas. Thats in part to compete with new pizza competitors who already showcase their work, Doyle said. As much as 40 percent of the companies transactions are done in person through carryout service, according to Doyle, making it necessary to improve the store experience.

Our stores were just not terrific when you walk in, he said of Dominos outposts.
The suicide of Omaha financial adviser Joe Bonnett will trigger life-insurance payments that will wind up repaying the victims of his fraud.

People close to the case say its now clear that those who suffered losses in the fraud also are named as beneficiaries on Bonnetts life insurance policies. In other words, he named those he bilked as people who would get paid out in the event of his death.

Clarence Mock, the attorney representing Bonnetts estate and one of the Omaha bars most experienced civil and criminal litigators  as well other attorneys in the case  say they have never quite seen anything like it: a financial fraud committed strictly against a small circle of people whose losses were recouped only after the death of the perpetrator by his own hand.

In death, I think anyone has to admit that Joe Bonnett gains a healthy measure of redemption with the provisions he made, Mock said.

With the court papers filed Tuesday by the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, the sad saga appears at an end. Nebraska regulators said there is nothing left for them to do in wrapping up the affairs of the Omaha financial adviser who swindled investors out of about $1.3 million, then committed suicide in May after being caught.

One of the life insurance policies is set to pay out $3.2 million to named beneficiaries; the other one is set to pay $4 million. The combined $7 million more than covers the $1.3 million lost by actions related to Bonnetts violations of Nebraska securities laws.

The Department of Banking and Finance asked a Douglas County District Court judge in the Tuesday filing to release the agency from further proceedings, dissolving the receivership formed to look into the matter. A receiver is a court-appointed legal and financial expert retained to investigate such affairs, identify assets and sort through claims for compensation from victims.

But in this case, there just wasnt anything to sort through. Bonnetts BWM Advisers had no assets left, according to the filing. And the roster of victims includes only a handful of people, some of whom are related to Bonnett and all of whom are beneficiaries of life insurance policies that he took out. Even after the suicide, the policies will have to pay because they were taken out more than two years before Bonnetts death.

Among the outsider beneficiaries  those who are not relatives  is Rita Smedra, who with her husband began to offer money to Bonnett to invest 25 years ago. She has had other funds on which to live comfortably as Bonnetts fraud became clear, her son said Wednesday. She has not been in the soup lines, he said.

Still, the experience has made her wary.

She really trusted him, Terry Smedra said.

As the case has wended through the court, the wait to recoup the money that Bonnett pilfered has been taxing. Rita Smedra expects to receive $682,000 from Bonnetts insurance, about double what the couple invested with him.

My moms going to be 91 years old next month, Terry Smedra said. I hope it clears up soon so she can ease her mind before she leaves this world.

Bonnett added the would-be victims of his fraud to his life insurance beneficiary list in 2008 and 2013, Mock said. Bonnett also named his wife, Susie, other relatives and a University of Nebraska fraternity as beneficiaries of the life insurance policies.

As for whether there are any victims beyond those who will be paid by the insurance proceeds, Mock said: There arent any.

The state attorney generals filing indicates the same thing.

All victims  persons known, based on reasonable investigative efforts, to have suffered pecuniary losses attributable to the defendants violations of the Securities Act of Nebraska  have been or will be, by the disbursement of insurance proceeds, made whole, reads the states court filing made by the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office.

And it is those policy proceeds that will compensate the beneficiary-victims of the Bonnett Ponzi scheme, in which he used sums collected from new investors to pay off older ones.

The final decision on whether to end the receivership of the Bonnett estate will be up to the judge, who is expected to approve the request at a hearing next week. If the request is granted, it would terminate the states legal proceedings against the Bonnett estate and his company.

The tale came to light in May. Bonnett was charged with two felonies by Douglas County prosecutors  first-degree forgery and insurance fraud. He shot himself on the street in late May in Omaha after police were called by Bonnett to a man casing the industrial building he was parked behind.

State investigators say Bonnett managed $47.5 million in assets for about 83 clients. His thefts didnt affect the vast majority of his 83 customer accounts.

World-Herald staff writer Emerson Clarridge contributed to this report.
GENEVA, Neb. (AP)  A 26-year-old Geneva man convicted this summer of causing his infant son's death has been sentenced to up to 80 years in prison.

The Nebraska Attorney General's office said in a press release that Anthony Long was sentenced Tuesday in Fillmore County District Court. He received 50 to 60 years for child abuse resulting in death and 10 to 20 years for a count of child abuse resulting in serious injury.

Prosecutors say Long abused his 5-week-old son on April 26, 2014. Doctors had told police that the boy had brain injuries consistent with being shaken. The baby died June 3.

Copyright 2016 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said police cant forcibly draw blood from suspected drunken drivers momentarily knocked the wind out of law enforcement officials across Nebraska, the Omaha city prosecutor said Wednesday.

After the initial shock, everyone took a deep breath, Matt Kuhse said. Then we said, We can work this out.

Kuhse, who was appointed by Mayor Jean Stothert three months ago, is a former assistant prosecutor with the Douglas County Attorneys Office. He specialized in alcohol offenses and prosecuted all of the countys motor vehicle homicide cases for the past 10 years.

Kuhse was the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of Project Extra Mile, a group that works to prevent alcohol-related injuries. He told the group, which met at the La Vista Police Department headquarters, that passing a state law to allow electronic warrants would streamline the time it takes to obtain a judges signature on a warrant seeking a blood test.

There are some legislative proposals that are not only coming from my office, but the (Douglas) County Attorneys Office and the (Nebraska) Attorney Generals Office, to try and alleviate or correct the situation, he said.

On June 23, the Supreme Court ruled 5-3 that police cant forcibly draw blood without a warrant from people suspected of driving drunk. The court continued to allow breath tests without a warrant because it considered them less intrusive.

The ruling stemmed from three cases in Minnesota and North Dakota in which drivers challenged implied consent laws as a violation of the Constitutions ban on unreasonable searches and seizures. The laws previously had withstood challenges in state courts.

Blood draws dont happen very frequently, Kuhse said. (Prosecution) is primarily with breath tests, which our Supreme Court said is fine.

Injured drivers taken to a hospital routinely have blood samples taken in order to be treated. The test results still will be made available to law enforcement, Kuhse said.

Electronic warrants for blood tests would save time for law enforcement officers by allowing them to get a judges permission without having to travel to the judges home and then a hospital. Speed is key, he said, because alcohol dissipates from the body at a rate of about .015 percent of blood alcohol content per hour.

For now, he said, local authorities have drafted a template for warrants to help investigators move quickly. Several Douglas County judges have volunteered to make themselves available to review warrants around the clock.

I sat down with the county judges and explained (the problem) to them, he said. Judges who live in close proximity to a hospital said, Hey, if time is of the essence, call me.
LINCOLN  Attorney General Doug Peterson launched a new attack Wednesday against a recent economic analysis that pegged the annual cost of Nebraskas death penalty at $14.6 million.

At a press conference in a satellite office in downtown Lincoln, Peterson contended that the report by Creighton University economist Ernie Goss contains serious inaccuracies. Peterson was joined by top prosecutors and appellate lawyers in his office, along with Lancaster County Attorney Joe Kelly.

We simply cant sit down and watch this number be used over and over as being a cost figure when we know it does not accurately reflect what goes on in Nebraska, Peterson said.

Goss on Wednesday again defended his study.

I continue to stand by my analysis that Nebraskas death penalty costs an average of $14.6 million annually above the costs of life without parole, he said in an email.

The pro-death penalty attorney general has repeatedly assailed the $16,000 study that Goss did on commission for Retain a Just Nebraska, an organization working to preserve the Legislatures 2015 repeal of capital punishment. Voters will decide a referendum Nov. 8 that would undo the repeal and reinstate the death penalty.

Peterson said one flaw of the Goss analysis stems from its reliance on studies conducted in other states that show death penalty cases generate higher defense costs, take more court time to resolve and generate more appeals than cases that result in life in prison.

Nebraskas costs are significantly lower, Peterson argued, because the state sets a high bar for death penalty prosecutions and ultimately sends a relatively small number of killers to death row.

It took an average of 14 days to seat a jury, conduct a trial and pronounce a sentence in a death penalty case in Nebraska, based on the attorney generals analysis of the 10 men on the states death row. But based upon assumptions in the Goss report, which were derived from other state studies, the average death penalty case would take 89 days, Peterson said.

The attorney general also said Goss assumed that it costs Nebraska more to house death row inmates, as it does in other death penalty states. But the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has said the cost of housing the condemned inmates is about $37,000, no different than other inmates at the Tecumseh State Prison where death row is housed.

Nebraska voters deserve accurate information, Peterson said Wednesday.

The attorney general said he could not estimate the cost of the death penalty in Nebraska, but he argued that the separate trial held for aggravating circumstances would be the only element that costs more than a life-in-prison case.

While Gov. Pete Ricketts and others also have questioned the accuracy of Goss $14.6 million estimate, another Nebraska economist who reviewed the report at The World-Heralds request said Goss used accepted methodology and produced evidence that the death penalty costs more.

Goss has said while he reviewed 19 death penalty cost studies from other states, his $14.6 million estimate resulted from an economic equation that factored justice cost data reported by Nebraska counties to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The analysis produced a margin of error of half a percent, Goss said.

During a death penalty debate held Wednesday by the Lincoln Independent Business Association, a question about the Goss analysis was posed to death penalty opponent State Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln and attorney Bob Evnen, co-founder of Nebraskans for the Death Penalty.

Coash said even if the death penalty costs less than Goss estimated, taxpayers arent getting what theyre paying for given that the state last conducted an execution in 1997. Evnen said the death penalty should cost more to protect the due process rights of the defendants.

This is not about saving money, its about a just punishment, Evnen said.

* * *

State Sen. Coash, attorney Evnen to debate death penalty

State Sen. Colby Coash, a death penalty opponent, and attorney Bob Evnen, co-founder of Nebraskans for the Death Penalty, will debate the death penalty at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Omaha Press Club, First National Bank Building, 1620 Dodge Street, #2200.

Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the program is scheduled to begin at noon. Cost for lunch is $17. The event is open to the public.
LINCOLN (AP)  A patient has been found after walking away from a Lincoln psychiatric hospital, according to Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services officials.

The man left the grounds of the Lincoln Regional Center around 4 p.m. Saturday by jumping a security fence during designated outdoor time, said Kathie Osterman, department spokeswoman.

Police received a call from a family member after the man arrived at their home, according to Lincoln Police Officer Katie Flood. The man was located and returned to the hospital by 9 p.m. without incident.

State employee union director Mike Marvin said he was concerned that other hospital employees and the public hadn't been notified about the escape. He said people should have been aware, particularly if the patient had a history of violence.

State Sen. Colby Coash, who lives close to the hospital, also said he believes the public should have known about the escape.

"My son plays right next to the park by the regional center," he said. "It's disturbing to me the public is not made aware."

Osterman said information about specific patients isn't released because of federal patient privacy requirements. Those requirements and state laws allow law enforcement to know minimal information for identification and location purposes.

A Nebraska State Patrol spokesperson said that wasn't necessary in the incident because investigators had tips as to where the patient would likely be located.

Coash said he disagrees.

"If somebody who is court-ordered to be somewhere escapes, I think the community has the right to know," he said.

The director of the psychiatric hospital said Monday that the center will now consistently notify other employees of any escapes or unusual occurrences as a result of the incident.

Copyright 2016 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A mountain lion relaxing in a homeowners yard in Fullerton, Nebraska, was frightened off by a rifle shot fired in the big cats direction.

The lion was spotted about 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the residents side yard on the west side of town, said Ben Bakewell, chief deputy of the Nance County Sheriffs Office. The mountain lion, he said, had been spotted several times before Sunday in the vicinity of the town of 1,300 people.

The mountain lion paced back and forth for two or three minutes and stared at my deputy, Bakewell said. It was obvious he wasnt leaving.

The deputy and the resident both were armed with rifles, but Bakewell said he wasnt sure who fired the lone round. No blood was found at the scene, he said.

Nebraska Game and Parks officials took fur samples for a confirmation that it indeed was a mountain lion, he said.

The deputy and the homeowner had plenty of time to observe the animal, Bakewell said. And it wasnt afraid of humans.

The shot was fired because such a large cat in the town, which is about 40 miles northeast of Grand Island, poses a threat, Bakewell said.

It was a dangerous, predatory animal in a town where kids live, he said.

Mountain lions are nothing new to the Fullerton area, Bakewell said, noting that he has captured images of the animals on his game camera. Fullerton residents living outside of town have reported deer carcasses left in trees, probably dragged into the timber by a mountain lion.

Numerous mountain lion sightings have been confirmed over the last 20 years in Nebraska, including in the Omaha area. Most of the mountain lion sightings have occurred in western and north-central parts of the state.

To learn more about mountain lions in Nebraska, go to http://outdoornebraska.gov/mountainlions/.
ASTON, Pa.  Donald Trump, in softer tones than he normally uses, on Tuesday unveiled several policy proposals for lowering child-care costs that were crafted in part by his eldest daughter, Ivanka, including a plan to guarantee six weeks of paid maternity leave that marks a striking departure from GOP orthodoxy.

Conservative Republicans, in particular, have long seen a mandated expansion of the social safety net as anathema to their attempts to shrink government spending and give companies more control over their leave policies.

Child care is one of the biggest expenses many American families face, surpassing the cost of college and even housing in many states.

In a speech here, the Republican presidential nominee proposed ensuring six weeks of paid maternity leave to mothers who do not already receive leave from their employer.

We need working mothers to be fairly compensated for their work and to have access to affordable, quality child care for their kids, Trump said.

He used a subdued delivery that contrasted with his tendency at larger rallies to raise his voice. After his speech, he held up a baby in the crowd.

Campaign officials said the maternity leave program wouldnt cost taxpayers anything more; instead, it would be financed through savings achieved by eliminating fraud in the unemployment insurance program.

The plan would apply to mothers and would not be transferable to fathers.

Trump also laid out specific plans for enabling parents to deduct the cost of child-care expenses from their income taxes.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump told supporters at a rally in Clive, Iowa, that, While my opponent slanders you as deplorable and irredeemable, I call you hardworking American patriots.

In the crowd, one Trump supporter held a sign that read: Im not deplorable. Im just a hard-working, tax-paying American and proud of it! Another wore a homemade shirt that read, Im with deplorable.

In Iowa, Trump credited his daughter for his action on child care.

She is the one who has been pushing for it so hard: Daddy, Daddy we have to do this. Shes very smart, and shes right, the candidate said.

Trump previously proposed reducing child care costs by allowing parents to fully deduct the average cost of child care from their taxes.

On Tuesday, he expanded that proposal to allow families with a stay-at-home parent to qualify for the deduction and to include costs associated with caring for elderly dependent relatives.

The deduction would apply only to individuals making $250,000 or less, or $500,000 or less if filing jointly.

But because Trumps proposal is a tax deduction rather than credit, its greatest benefits would go to affluent households. More than 40 percent of taxpayers dont make enough money to owe taxes to the federal government, meaning they would not benefit from a deduction.

Lower-income earners would receive child-care spending rebates through expanding the existing Earned Income Tax Credit, the campaign said.

Nebraska Republican Sen. Deb Fischer said she was encouraged to see Trump delve into the very critical issues affecting working families, and particularly women, in this country. I look forward to working with him on solutions to these challenges when he is elected in November.

Ivanka Trump introduced her father in Aston, marking her formal return to the campaign trail.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.
Every now and again secular progressives rip off their mask and tell conservatives what they really think of them.

At an LGBT fundraiser last Friday in New York, Hillary Clinton one-upped President Barack Obama, who said of some conservatives during the 2008 presidential campaign: And its not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who arent like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations. That came to be known as the bitter clingers speech.

Hillary Clinton said: You can put half of Trump supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. She then said that some of these people were irredeemable.

After strong pushback, presumably from some of the deplorables, Hillary Clinton partially walked back her remarks. She said she had been grossly generalistic and thats never a good idea. I regret saying half  that was wrong.

How many, then? One-quarter? One-third? Ten percent? And how does she arrive at such a figure?

This is the contempt in which it seems the left holds traditional Americans. Anything they say no to is to be labeled racist, sexist, misogynist, xenophobic and nativist.

To the left, anyone who does not share modern ideas is to be condemned, even called un-American and deplorable.

Clintons remarks remind me of what Washington Post writer Michael Weisskopf wrote about evangelical Christians in the early 1990s. Weisskopf said they were mostly poor, uneducated and easy to command.

That produced a torrent of critical letters and phone calls to the newspaper, prompting Ombudsman Joanne Byrd to explain the reasoning behind Weisskopfs statement was that most journalists dont know any of these people.

The two comments prompted scores of evangelicals to send their resumes to the newspaper, showing degrees, even doctorates in various fields.

In a statement released by the Republican National Committee in response to Clintons remarks, Chairman Reince Priebus said, Insulting everyday Americans to a group of wealthy donors shows whose priorities Clinton really has in mind and exposes the hypocrisy of a candidate whose stated desire to unite the country is clearly all for show. Priebus went on to accuse Clinton of condescension and disrespect to her fellow citizens.

Half of them anyway.

Name-calling on both sides prevents us from hearing what solutions to Americas manifold domestic and foreign challenges the candidates propose. Perhaps the upcoming debates will help focus their minds and ours.

Bad language in politics is nothing new. The 1800 presidential race between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who are now held in high regard as statesmen, was the beginning of what we now call negative campaigning.

In addition to the often scurrilous things they said about each other, Adams and Jefferson had surrogates who attempted to outdo them.

As Rick Ungar wrote in 2012 for Forbes magazine, the president of Yale University, a John Adams supporter, suggested that if Thomas Jefferson were to become president, We would see our wives and daughters the victims of legal prostitution.

A Connecticut newspaper, notes Ungar, warned that the election of Jefferson would create a nation where murder, robbery, rape, adultery and incest will openly be taught and practiced.

Not to be outdone, James Callender, an influential journalist of the time . . . wrote that Adams was a rageful, lying, warmongering fellow; a repulsive pedant and gross hypocrite who behaved neither like a man nor like a woman but instead possessed a hideous hermaphroditical character. 

Deplorable, but redeemed in the minds and hearts of their countrymen; Im doubtful the same will be said of the current presidential candidates 200 years from now.
Monday morning on Fox News, Donald Trump addressed the two biggest stories of the weekend: He mostly laid low on the news that Hillary Clinton has been diagnosed with pneumonia, saying he hopes she gets well, while also tearing into Clintons suggestion that half of his voters are bigoted or chauvinistic deplorables.

These two things are related: The Washington Post reports that Trump advisers want him to go easy on Clintons health because they want the focus this week to be on her deplorables remark. And so, on Fox, Trump had this to say about Clintons deplorables comment: I think its the single biggest mistake of the political season.

But the new Post/ABC News poll released over the weekend raises questions about whether Clintons remarks were really a political mistake.

If Clintons goal was to force a public discussion of Trumps bigotry and chauvinism, well, the Post poll finds that a large majority of Americans agree with her that Trump is biased against women and minorities, including among the voter groups that Trump needs to improve among in order to win.

The Post poll, which found Clinton leading Trump by 5 points among likely voters nationwide, also found that 60 percent of Americans believe Trump is biased against women and minorities, with 48 percent believing that strongly. According to the crosstabs, college-educated whites believe this by 57-41, and college-educated white women  a crucial demographic that the campaigns are fighting over  believe it by 61-39.

Whats more, majorities of college-educated white men and noncollege white women also believe this. Indeed, as the Washington Posts James Downie put it: At this point, the only group of voters that doesnt think Trump is biased is white men without a college degree.

Meanwhile, on the question of which candidate has the right personality and temperament to be president, large majorities of Americans overall (61-30) and college-educated whites (61-32) pick Clinton, not Trump. Its hard to know how related that is to perceptions of Trumps bigotry, but most indications are that Trump has to improve among college-educated whites to win, and its hard to see how such perceptions help him.

Other polls have shown similar findings. A recent Quinnipiac poll found that large majorities of American voters overall and college-educated whites in particular think the way Trump talks appeals to bigotry, which suggests they think hes running a bigoted campaign.

As I argued over the weekend, Clinton did err to some degree, particularly in making the precise claim that half of Trumps supporters are driven by Islamophobia, sexism or racism. And its perfectly possible that forthcoming polls may show public disapproval of that particular claim, which is also the part that she subsequently walked back, while allowing the rest of her comments to stand.

But Clintons underlying case  that Trump is running a campaign fueled in part by bigoted appeals and, in the process, he is mainstreaming fringe sentiments  is simply inarguable. And forcing a public discussion of that aspect of her argument in particular isnt necessarily a political loser for her.

Indeed, as Politicos Annie Karni reports, top Democrats think forcing such a discussion could be helpful to her in targeted ways.

It could energize nonwhites and liberals and continue deepening revulsion at Trump among college-educated whites and perhaps even millennials, who might be uncertain about Clinton but might also be galvanized by her effort to take on this argument.

By the way, the Post poll also finds that 66 percent of young voters believe that Trump is biased against women and minorities, 52 percent strongly. As noted above, his numbers on this among college-educated whites are terrible.

Beyond all the politics, it just so happens to be true that a lot of Republican voters actually do agree with Trumps more wretched pronouncements and prescriptions on Muslims and undocumented immigrants.

A number of observers murmured their disapproval with Clintons lack of tact in pointing this out. But this disapproval is best understood as just an extension of the fact that many have danced around the true nature of Trumpisms appeal for the better part of a year now.

That massive failure should be engaged with more openly, and maybe Clintons comments will help a bit with that.
Small price to pay for a good meal

It is hard for me to believe that Sept. 9 Public Pulse writer Bill Mahoney (Bill isnt complete without restaurant tax) would avoid a delicious $12 meal at a fine new restaurant because he refuses to pay the restaurant tax that Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert promised to repeal. The tax on that meal would amount to a monumental 25 cents. Seems to me to be a case of biting off your nose to spite your face.

Bill Krueger, Omaha

Republicans have nothing to run on

A recent ad for Don Bacon, the Republican candidate for Nebraskas 2nd District U.S. House seat, is a rehash of what Republicans run on when they have no new or worthwhile ideas to approach governing this great country.

Former Rep. Lee Terry ran on term limits but was in office for 16 years doing little for the state of Nebraska or our country.

We now have a congressman who works for the people of Nebraska, regardless of party.

Brad Ashford is an excellent example of what is needed in Washington  a bipartisan, effective approach to government.

William Forsee, Omaha

With Kintner, ego comes first

I have never been as disappointed by someone who represented me as I am by Papillion State Sen. Bill Kintner.

I wont judge him on the cybersex scandal that got him in trouble, but his refusal to resign leaves those of us in Legislative District 2 without much influence over state policy.

Kintners power has, for all practical purposes, been gutted by his colleagues at the Capitol. A number of senators from both parties and Gov. Pete Ricketts have called for him to step down, yet he puts his ego over the needs of his district. I dont anticipate any of his bills will see the light of day.

For example, when highway funds are prioritized, it doesnt hurt to have a senator who chairs a committee to fight for those funds. Our senator may not even have a parking space.

I cant wait to vote for a new state senator in 2018. I wish I would have had that chance this November.

Chuck Chevalier, Springfield

Making a bad situation worse

The Nebraska Department of Roads continues to claim that the reconstruction of westbound Interstate 80 at 60th Street is fine and that drivers will just have to get used to it (Wrecks are down, but I-80 merge still vexes drivers, Sept. 4 World-Herald).

Anyone who has had to drive this stretch during an evening commute knows firsthand that this improvement is anything but. This is where westbound traffic gets backed up and where accidents and close calls occur.

Common sense would tell you that going from six lanes to four within the short span of a quarter-mile while dealing with merging traffic would be an issue.

Michael Lovejoy, Omaha

Ailes still comes out ahead

I read the article about former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson settling her sexual harassment lawsuit against her former employer and its former chief, Roger Ailes, for $20 million (Carlson settles lawsuit against Roger Ailes for $20 million, Sept. 7 World-Herald).

As part of his severance package with Fox, he was given $40 million.

Just who won here?

Lois Kimble, Omaha

Clinton sends a mixed message

Hillary Clinton showed hypocrisy at its finest when she stood behind a podium with her slogan Stronger Together while denouncing half of Trumps supporters as deplorable. How is that Stronger Together? Sounds like it is a continuation of Barack Obamas divisiveness.

Clinton, meanwhile, continues to duck and weave through the truth  this time about her health. Did she have a health issue Sunday because of the humidity or was it weakness from pneumonia?

Or was it because of something else?

Linda Miller, Omaha

Pro-choice Catholic is a misnomer

In response to the Sept. 12 full-page ad placed in The World-Herald by Catholics for Choice: A necessary and fundamental part of the Catholic faith is the belief that human life begins at conception.

Simply put: The Catholic Church believes that the result of an abortion is the death of a real, living human being. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has a large section on abortion. The bottom line: Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.

To those who consider themselves both Catholic and pro-choice, it may be time to look closer and realize that those two views are not compatible.

Meredith Maloley, Omaha

Church is clear on abortion

The full page ad by Catholics for Choice in the Sept. 12 World-Herald states that public funding for abortion is a Catholic social justice value. That is not true. The Catholic Church upholds the dignity of life from conception to natural death. The church believes abortion ends the life of a developing human being.

Andy Wieser, Columbus, Neb.

Unimpressed by our leaders

I have been watching the American political system and its elected officials for a long time, and, after 60-plus years of study, in my unsolicited and probably unappreciated opinion, the town drunk could do the job at least as well, if not better, than most of the elected officials in this country.

Bob Ackley, Emerson, Iowa
Chase Tiemann has a new title to put on his resume: firefighter. But its going to be awhile before the 6-year-old can barrel into a burning building.
Karnataka to survey all Arabic schools to check if on same page as state board

Cauvery row: Avoid train travel in and out of Karnataka on Sept 15

Bengaluru

oi-Vicky

Bengaluru, Sept 14: Nearly 1 lakh people are expected to participate in the Rail Rokho or Railway bandh programme to be held on Sept 15 by pro Kannada activists.

Kannada Chaluvali Party chief, Vatal Nagraj clarified that he had not called for any state wide bandh, but informed that the rail rokho programme is as per schedule. The rail rokho programme is being organised in protest against the Cauvery and Mahadevi verdicts.

Cauvery row: With great difficulty, will release water to TN, says Siddaramaiah

The rail rokho programme is likely to bring the railways in Karnataka to a grinding halt. According to the activists nearly 1 lakh people will take part in the programme and will block trains across the state.

An advisory to avoid train travel both into and outside the state is likely to be issued. The bandh will be observed between 6 am to 6 pm. Activists say that the Centre needs to take note of the plight of the people in Karnataka and hence the rail rokho is being staged.

Normal life in the state is unlikely to be affected. The Bengaluru Police say that all arrangements are in place to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.

Police officials have taken a stock of the situation and ensured that normalcy in Bengaluru has returned.

The situation in Bengaluru was normal on Wednesday following a massive crack down by state agencies. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses were operating on all divisions.

However, buses to Tamil Nadu remain suspended. Government schools and colleges were functioning but many private unaided schools remained shut.

Section 144 CrPC remains in place on Wednesday while curfew in 16 police station limits will continue.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 10:25 [IST]
Karnataka to survey all Arabic schools to check if on same page as state board

Cauvery row: How Bengaluru coped with curfew

Bengaluru

oi-Vicky

Bengaluru, Sept 14: Curfew was imposed in 16 areas of Bengaluru due to the Cauvery water protests that hit the city on Monday and Tuesday.

Curfew was imposed in Rajgopal Nagar, Kamakshipalya, Vijaynagar, Byatarayanpura Kengeri, Magadi Road, Rajajinagar, RR Nagara, KP Agrahara Chandra layout, Yeshwanathapura, Mahalakshmi layout, Peenya, RMC Yard, Nandini Layout and Jnanabharathi.

Cauvery row: Avoid train travel in and out of Karnataka on Sept 15

Curfew continues to be imposed in these areas and a decision on when to lift the same would be taken following an analysis of the situation later on Wednesday. For many in the above mentioned areas, curfew was something new.

Streets in most of these areas were deserted and people remained indoors. While people were seen walking around for sometime, they were forced back into their homes at around 9 am when security personnel began patrolling the streets.

There was some amount of confusion among people as they were not aware of the curfew and relaxed hours. In some areas curfew had been relaxed at 6 am so that people could purchase essentials and stock it up.

The relaxed hour, however, ended at 9 am. While the areas under curfew were by and large peaceful, there was violence in Hegganahalli area where on Monday night a man had been killed after he had tried to attack a police vehicle.

Some parts of Vijayanagara too remained tense for sometime on Tuesday.

Vendors make hay:

Several people were seen rushing out of their homes on Tuesday morning trying to stock up essentials for the day. For a brief period in the morning a couple of hotels were open and street vendors did brisk business.

Some residents complained about the milk vendor charging a rupee more while others spoke about tomatoes being sold for Rs 20 per kilogram. It was clear that the vendors did try to make a quick buck taking advantage of the situation.

Most people remained indoors and any attempt to roam the streets earned the wrath of the police personnel. The streets were deserted all through the day.

The only movement was by the police men who patrolled the streets for the entire day the entire day both by foot and via their vehicles. The scenes reminded people of the situation that prevailed in Bengaluru a few days after the 1991 Cauvery riots or the one following the abduction of matinee idol, Dr Rajkumar.

Similar scenes were witnessed following the death of Dr Rajkumar in 2006 as well.

Most people did not venture out into the streets. Many streets which would have usually witnessed children playing during holidays remained empty. Parents did not want to take any chances and ensured that their children remained indoors.

However, curfew was not similar in all areas. While Hegganahalli witnessed protests all through the day, in Pattegarpalya tyres were burnt. The cars that were parked on the streets also bore the brunt with tyres being punctured by miscreants. The police had a tough time in both areas and by afternoon managed to get the situation under control.

Area around Mysuru road wore a deserted look as well. The area which is often witnesses heavy traffic was deserted and all that could be seen were fire engines and men in uniform.

There were a few incidents of log burning during the early hours. In another incident a bus which was set on fire on Monday was burnt again. However the police managed to quickly bring the situation under control.

Police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse a mob. The absence of any vehicular movement on Mysuru road was the most striking. All buses services had been called off.

On Wednesday, life in these areas was returning back to normal. There is still police presence in large numbers, but the atmosphere is much more relaxed.

Although many shops in areas under curfew remain closed, the state administration says that complete normalcy is likely to be restored by Wednesday afternoon.

OneIndia News
Cauvery row: Siddaramaiah wanted to defy SC order, but couldn't defy Cong high command's wish

Bengaluru

oi-Vicky

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday told reporters that his government would release water to Tamil Nadu as per the Supreme Court's order "with great difficulty". But Congress sources have told OneIndia that was not what he wanted to say. Rather, he and many of his Cabinet colleagues had decided to defy the top court's order and "go to jail if needed". But all that bravado lasted only until Siddaramaiah met with the party's 'high level' team, who conveyed the high command's order not to do so.

[Also Read: Cauvery row: Did Brand Bengaluru take a hit? What foreign media thought of our 'Black Monday']

While Siddaramaiah, who hails from the Cauvery basin, and his Cabinet ministers were clearly agitated over the fact that the apex court on September 12, when asked to show leniency to Karnataka considering that it was staring a drinking water crisis, had ordered the state to release even more water than in the earlier order on September 5, and had decided not to obey the court, their tone and tenor changed after the high level meeting.

Inside sources said that even some of the Delhi leaders hailing from Karnataka were in favour of defying the top court, but were bound by the decision of the high command that the party would do no such thing. The high command sent Siddaramaiah the message that the state government had to abide by the court order at any cost.

The Supreme Court had on September 5th directed Karnataka to release 15,000 cases of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu for 10 days. This led to protests and a one-day bandh. Karnataka then filed a plea to modify the September 5 order. However, on September 12, the move backfired and Karnataka was told to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu everyday until September 20. As a resul, Karnataka now ends up releasing 18,000 cusecs more. This led to violent protests in the state on Monday and a curfew was imposed on Tuesday.

Cauvery row: Avoid train travel in and out of Karnataka on Sept 15

Leaders individually agreed, collectively disagreed:

The violence that rocked Bengaluru and the rest of the state prompted the Chief Minister to ask for a high-level meeting with senior Congress leaders, followed by an urgent cabinet meeting. In the run up to the high-level meeting, the Chief Minister and his colleagues had decided that they would defy the order.

Sources said that Siddaramaiah was even "mentally prepared to step down after defying the court order". Some of his cabinet colleagues had also said they were "prepared to go to jail but not release water to Tamil Nadu".

At the high-level meeting, when the CM and his colleagues informed the Congress leaders from Delhi about their decision, they were told not to go ahead with the plan.

The meeting was attended by Mallikarjuna Kharge, Oscar Fernandes, Veerappa Moily, Margret Alva, among others, who told Siddaramaiah that the high command did not want

a Congress government to be seen defying the court.

Siddaramaiah and others argued that the situation was going out of control in the state and that defying the order would win them the trust of the people. They even tried impressing upon the Delhi leaders that it would help the Congress a great deal in the 2018 assembly elections, especially in the Cauvery basin. While the Delhi group, most of them from Karnataka themselves, agreed with Siddarmaiah's political calculus, they told him they could not defy the party high command.

No Karnataka bandh Wed (Sept 14): Karnataka Govt

The Delhi leaders told Siddarmaiah that the Congress was a national party and had to think of the ramifications beyond the state. They also said defying the court would invite contempt proceedings against the state government and raised the spectre of Central rule being imposed by the Narendra Modi government.

The state Congress leaders argued that defying the court order would put the BJP on the back foot in the state politically and therefore it was to Congress' advantage to do so. But the Delhi leaders feared that the BJP would then go to town accusing the Congress of defying the top court of the land and this would hurt the party nationally.

After more than an hour of heated arguments, Siddaramaiah, sources said, finally gave up the plan to defy the court. Instead, the Delhi leaders had suggested to him, Karnataka should continue to pursue the Cauvery issue legally. They also suggested that Siddaramaiah meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urge him to intervene in the matter between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

When Siddaramaiah came before the press on Tuesday, he kept saying repeatedly that the top court's order was "very difficult to implement", but nonetheless concluded that Karnataka would abide by the order.

OneIndia News
1st BRICS JWG meeting on counter terrorism held in India

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Sept 14: India today hosted a high-level meeting of BRICS countries on counter-terrorism during which cooperation in areas like capacity building, information- sharing, technology-sharing and countering online radicalisation was discussed.

As the chair of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) grouping, India hosted the First Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism with delegations from all member countries attending it.

"The meeting discussed various issues related to terrorism including domestic perspectives and assessments of threat scenario and cooperation among BRICS Member States on capacity building, information sharing, technology sharing, countering online radicalisation as well as cooperation in multilateral forums such as United Nations and Financial Action Task Force," a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

"The discussions were held in frank and friendly atmosphere. The discussions led to better understanding among BRICS Member States on the issue of terrorism and all participants agreed to take this issue forward in coming years," it said of the meeting that was presided by Santosh Jha, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.

BRICS environment ministers to meet in Goa on Sep 16

The delegation from Brazil was led by Ambassador Nelson Antonio Tabajara de Oliveira, China by Liu Guangyuan, Russia by Ilya Rogachev and South Africa by Nakampe Michael. The meeting took place just about a month ahead of the BRICS Summit in Goa.

PTI
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Chikungunya bites Delhi but MCD says situation 'under control'

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Sep 13 The three BJP-led municipal corporations today sought to downplay the health crisis gripping Delhi, even as the city has reported four more deaths due to chikungunya, including one at a civic-run hospital.

Senior leaders from the three corporations, at a press conference, claimed that the "situation was under control" though health experts have termed the spiralling number of chikungunya cases, an "outbreak situation".

According to a report released yesterday by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, at least 1,057 cases of this vector-borne disease have been recorded till September 10, however, hospitals in the city altogether are reporting much higher number. SDMC is the nodal agency for tabulating the report on the cases of the vector-borne diseases, on behalf of all civic bodies in Delhi.

Leader of House in SDMC and former South Delhi mayor Subhash Arya said, "People should not panic as the situation was still under control."

Arya, who was accompanied by Leader of House in NDMC, V P Pandey, East Delhi Mayor Satya Sharma, SDMC Standing Committee Chairman Shailendra Singh Monty and NDMC Standing Committee Chairman Pravesh Wahi, faced a barrage of tough questions from the press, even as the leaders claimed "adequate measure" were being taken to combat the situation.

"Fogging is being done in all our areas. We have already pressed 12 mobile fever vans in south Delhi and now we are planning to run them in two shifts instead of just one. Leaves of all health personnel have been cancelled from August onwards," Arya said.

Incidentally, mayors of North Delhi and South Delhi were conspicuous by their absence.

North Delhi Mayor Sanjeev Nayyar is out of country while South Delhi Mayor Shyam Sharma is out of Delhi, a senior civic official said.

While hospitals in Delhi have reported at least nine deaths from dengue this year and five from chikungunya, including one this evening, the civic bodies have acknowledged only four deaths from dengue and fatality from chikungunya is still unaccounted.

75-year-old Prakash Kalra, a resident of Mathura, died of the disease this evening at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, where three other elderly men succumbed to it yesterday.

22-year-old Isha died on September 1 at the Hindu Rao Hospital which was also reported today.

She died of cardiac arrest triggered by complications from chikungunya, a senior doctor of the hospital said.

Hindu Rao is run under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and is one of the biggest hospitals in Delhi.

"Given the number of cases and five deaths in quick succession, it is an epidemic-like situation," a senior doctor at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said.

PTI
UP: Man films wife committing suicide, does nothing to stop her

FIR against nine people over forced religious conversions in UP

Congress embracing 'soft Hindutva' in Uttar Pradesh?

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Lucknow, Sep 14 Prayers and 'darshan' at four Hindu temples, sandalpaste and vermillion smeared on his forehead and photo ops with Hindu religious leaders. In the first week of his 'Kisan Yatra' aimed at regaining power in Uttar Pradesh, is Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi resorting to soft Hindutva?

If yes, will it work in favour of the Congress or backfire -- as it did in the time of his late father, Rajiv Gandhi?

While party mandarins refuse to be drawn into a debate, Congress leaders in the state informally admit there has been a change in the way the Gandhi scion is being presented.

Often riled for being a party which appeases the minorities, the Congress appears to be making a conscious effort to win back the Hindus as it braces to give its best shot in assembly elections slated for early 2017.

Turned into rubble with only 28 legislators in a house of 403, a sharp contrast to its glorious past when it ruled India's most populous state, Gandhi's 2,500-km Yatra, covering 223 assembly segments, was also aimed at "soothing frayed nerves", a senior party leader said.

This, in effect, means the party is engaged in a major outreach to Hindus.

"The visit to Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya and a closed-door meeting with its priest Mahant Gyandas was choreographed well in advance not only for grabbing eyeballs but also to dent the stranglehold of the BJP on the community of holy men," a party leader told IANS.

But Congress leaders are quick to add that the party is wedded to secular values and respects all communities and religions.

Gandhi also visited Kichaucha Mazaar in Ambedkarnagar. But it was the first visit to Ayodhya in 26 long years by any member of the Gandhi family to the temple town.

Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had visited Ayodhya in 1990, though he could not go to Hanumangarhi.

One analyst said that from announcing an ageing Sheila Dixit as its presumptive Chief Minister in Uttar Pradesh, to tap the Brahmin vote bank, to the carefully orchestrated visits to temples in Gorakhpur, Faizabad, Ambedkarnagar and Ayodhya, the grand old party finally seems to be coming out of the closet to embrace the majority community.

UP's powerful cabinet minister Mohammad Azam Khan, however, trashes the outreach of Rahul Gandhi and says he was engaged in "fraudulent activities". "Visiting mazaars and temples is meant to fool people. Rahul should realise that people are wise and will not be swayed by his antics," Khan said.

Mahant Suresh Das of Ayodhya too feels that Gandhi's actions are politically motivated. "If the Congress leader was serious, he should have also visited Ram Lalla, who sits just a kilometre from Hanumangarhi," he said, referring to the makeshift Ram temple built on the ruins of the Babri Masjid.

He said the Congress will have to come clean on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri mosque issue.

The Congress last tasted power in Uttar Pradesh in 1985 and is now desperate to end its exile. Strategist Prashant Kishore has been tasked with working out the religious matrix.

The Dalits, Brahmins, Thakurs and Muslims along with OBCs were once the core base of the Congress. Large chunks of them have drifted away to the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seriously hitting the Congress.

Gandhi has clearly taken the first steps to rebuild the lost rainbow coalition. Will he succeed? It is a million dollar question.

IANS
Himachal was valued less on strength, more on Parliament seats before: PM Modi

Fate of 150 MBBS aspirants hangs in balance in Himachal Pradesh

India

oi-PTI

Shimla, Sep 13 A private medical college in Solan has allegedly denied admission to 150 medical aspirants, who were selected after counselling by Himachal Pradesh University, over the demand of fee hike, which has been struck down by the state government.

Parents of the students have complained that the college was not admitting students and have approached the government.

Principal Secretary (Health), Prabodh Saxena has directed the college to admit the selected students under both government quotas (75 seats) and management quota (75 seats including 13 NRI seats).

"The management of the college has demanded hike in fee but we have made it clear that no change can be made in the fee structure after the prospectus is published and counselling was over and have asked the college to complete the admission process," Saxena said.

The state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti has accused the government of mishandling the issue and said it should ask the college to admit the students and also no extra fee is paid for the seats under quota.

"The tussle between the government and the University is hurting the interests of the students and it is high time that the government intervened and admission to 150 seats is made and students were not burdened with hiked fee," he added.

The government has already fixed an exorbitant fee of Rs 5-lakh per annum for government quota seat which is nearly 10 times the fee charged by the government colleges, negating the very concept of government quota, said a parent whose son has been nominate against government quota seat.

The process of admissions in three government medical colleges has been completed and classes would start from tomorrow but the students seeking admission in the college have been left in the lurch, said another parent.

PTI
They are done says Fadnavis on Thackerays Sena after claiming victory in Maha GP polls

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Govt trying to resolve your issues: Devendra Fadnavis to Maratha leaders

India

oi-PTI

Mumbai, Sep 13 Alarmed by a slew of rallies by Marathas demanding amendments in Atrocities Act and quota, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said his government was taking steps to resolve "various social issues" concerning the politically powerful community.

The rallies have assumed significance in the view of forthcoming elections to civic bodies in state.

"The government has taken a serious note of the morchas being taken out across the state. The morchas are a reflection of the pent up resentment of many years within the Maratha community," Fadnavis said told Maratha leaders.

Marathas, who constitute 32 per cent of population in Maharashtra, are reportedly in sulk.

The rallies have been held since August at Aurangabad, Osmanabad, Jalgaon, Beed and Parbhani, and more are planned in Nanded, Jalna, Solapur, Navi Mumbai, Ahmednagar, Pune, Sangli, Satara and Mumbai from September 18.

Assuring the community that government was positive towards their demands, the CM said more consultations will be held with legislators, senior leaders, senior officers in the administration, various social organisations and student bodies.

"The government is taking steps to resolve various social issues of the community through dialogue without creating any caste tensions," he said.

State BJP president Raosaheb Danve later said the government was in agreement with various demands of the Maratha community.

"There is no cause for anyone to oppose the demands of the community," he said. Sources said that BJP is dealing cautiously given that elections to major municipal corporations are due soon.

The trigger for holding the rallies was the gangrape and murder of a teenage girl in Ahmednagar district, as the accused in the case belonged to different caste. Following the incident, Marathas are raising demand for amendments to the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, and quota in government jobs and education.

PTI
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Caught on camera: 17-year-old teenager stabbed to death for protesting sister's harassment in Delhi

Health Minister Nadda seeks public support for checking mosquitoes

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Sep 14: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Wednesday said that there was no need to panic over the surging cases of chikungunya and dengue, and sought the people's support in stopping the breeding of mosquitoes.

"There is no need to panic," Nadda said at a press conference here.

"Everywhere, and specially in Delhi, we need people to cooperate. Breeding of mosquitoes should be stopped," Nadda said.

"Every family must pitch in as the breeding centres are at homes. We need to check that there is no water logging," he said.

Chikungunya: Delhi toll mounts to 5, over 12K cases in country

He stressed on hygiene and sanitation. Nadda said he had spoken to Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Wednesday.

The Union Minister said that the Delhi government had assured him that they had all required resources.

"I talked to Satyendra Jain as well... He said they have all resources and are working according to the guidelines of central government," said Nadda.

Jain assured Nadda that Delhi had all required medicines, beds in hospitals as well as testing facilities.

Nine deaths due to vector borne diseases -- including five from chikungunya and four from dengue -- were reported in the national capital till Tuesday.

IANS
Judges appointment: Delay begins with the high court not us, Centre tells SC

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Sept 14: The centre today told the Supreme Court not to blame it for the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary.

Advancing arguments before a Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, the attorney general said that there is no logjam in the appointment of high court judges.

Further the AG said that the delays begin with the high courts and not the centre. Do not attribute the delays to us. The high courts have started to fill up the vacancies of 2007 now, the AG also told the Bench.

The Supreme Court observed that there should be no delay on the part of the executive after the names for the post judges are recommended. The AG explained that the names recommended for judges to the Allahabad, Kerala and Chattisgarh High Courts have already been cleared.

The AG said that there is no blame game or logjam in this issue. More recommendations made will be cleared in the next two week, the AG arguing for the centre assured the Bench. While telling the Supreme Court not to worry, the AG submitted to the court in a sealed cover the names of the persons whose names had been cleared. The matter will be come up for hearing next on September 30.

The court is hearing a petition which sought the appointment of judges to the high court. On the last date of hearing the CJI had warned the centre that there should be no delay in the appointments. The CJI further said that if the centre does not act, he would have to take judicial notice of the same.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 17:23 [IST]
Tamil Nadu bandh over Cauvery issue today: All you need to know

Kamal on Cauvery issue: Says river will continue to flow

India

oi-PTI

Chennai, Sep 14: Apparently expressing concern over the violence on the Cauvery row, veteran actor Kamal Haasan today said the inter-state river had been running even before 'we were monkeys without languages.'

"Cauvery had flown even when we were monkeys without languages; will flow even after our times," he said in a Tamil tweet.

He added: we "will have to be ashamed seeing our faces in the mirror of history," apparently referring to the violent incidents in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu till yesterday in the wake of the Supreme Court order directing release of water from Cauvery.

Protests against this by Kannada groups had turned violent on Monday with two persons getting killed in police action, including one in firing, in Bengaluru.

Cauvery row: Won't allow 'rail roko', trains will run as per schedule, says railway police

Vehicles bearing Tamil Nadu registration were also torched and damaged even as commercial establishments owned by Tamils were targeted.

In Tamil Nadu, restaurants owned by Kannadigas and vehicles bearing Karnataka registration were attacked by fringe outfits in some places yesterday.

PTI
Seventh Pay Commission: Pay anomalies will be removed, Parrikar assures service chiefs

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Sep 14: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday assured the armed forces that he will try to resolve the issues around the 7th Pay Commission, especially the "anomalies" the service chiefs had raised with him.

Parrikar on Wednesday held a meeting with the three service chiefs, an official statement said.

A statement from Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, who heads the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) said the three service chiefs have discussed in detail "anomalies" in the Seventh Pay Commission with Parrikar who has assured them to resolve the issues at the earliest.

"The 7th Pay Commission anomalies in respect of the armed forces were discussed with the Raksha Mantri in detail by the service chiefs and the members of the Armed Forces Pay Commission Cell. The Raksha Mantri is seized of all the issues and has assured to resolve them at the earliest. The Services are satisfied with the response," the statement said.

MP to implement 7th Pay Commission recommendations

Payments under the 7th Pay Commission had been stopped earlier this month due to anomalies quoted by the forces. The forces are unhappy with the recommendations, and say it gives the forces lower status and pay parity compared to civilian government employees.

IANS
Tamil Nadu bandh over Cauvery issue today: All you need to know

Cauvery row: Won't allow 'rail roko', trains will run as per schedule, says railway police

News

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The railway police have said that all precautionary measures have been taken to ensure that trains run as per schedule on Thursday, despite a 'rail roko' agitation being called by pro-Kannada activists led by Vatal Nagaraj.

The activists say that at least one lakh volunteers will take part in the protest across the state, but the railway police said they are prepared to handle the situation and ensure that trains ran as per schedule.

Any person facing issues can call the toll-free number 1800-425-1363 for assistance.

Replying to queries posted by passengers, the railway police said security measures were in place to ensure that railways functioned normally.

Meanwhile, Benglaluru was limping back to normal under heavy security on Wednesday after Monday's violence and curfew and prohibitory orders on Tuesday.

Shops and establishments functioned as usual. Government schools and colleges functioned normally. Many private schools that had remained closed on Wednesday, too, are expected to resume classes on Thursday.

The police lifted the curfew imposed on Tuesday in 16 police station limits, but Section 144 remains in force throughout the city, which prohibits the assembly of more than five people at a place.

Police commissioner N.S. Meghrik said the prohibitory orders were in place to prevent any untoward incident.

Mandya, the epicentre of the protests, and Mysuru, too, were peaceful on Wednesday.

OneIndia News
Rajnath Ji , please save Punjab from drugs, BJP leader appeals

NDTV's Prannoy Roy says AAP has MAXIMUM chance of winning in Punjab

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Punjab polls: Sampla appoints 33 District In-charges

India

oi-PTI

Amritsar, Sep 15: Union minister and Punjab BJP chief Vijay Sampla today appointed in-charges for 33 district units of the state.

Sampla appointed former minister Dr Baldev Chawla as Jalandhar(Urban) in-charge, MP Shwet Malik as Ludhiana(Urban) in-charge and former minister Master Mohan Lal Amritsar(Urban) in-charge among others.

PTI


Why is BJP not bringing Uniform Civil Code across the country: Kejriwal in Gujarat

Vibrant Gujarat Summit to showcase GST related issues:Official

India

oi-PTI

Washington, Sept 14 The Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January could be the first occasion to showcase to the international community the issues related to Goods and Services Tax (GST) and its implementation, a senior state official has said.

"In January Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is one occasion that basically all these issues (related to GST) could be discussed and showcased," Bharat Lal, Resident Commissioner, Gujarat told Indian reporters here.

Leading a high-level Gujarat delegation, Lal is currently on a week-long trip to North America - the US and Canada  holding road shows and meeting business leaders and officials on the next edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit from January 11 to January 13.

Scheduled to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 10, the mega event is likely to be attended by several heads of States and Cabinet ranking ministers from more than two and half dozen countries.

With the theme of 'Connecting India to the World', the Government of Gujarat has invited all Chief Ministers so that other states could benefit from the presence of hundreds of top business executives from across the world, who are keen on investing in India.

"This summit is not focused only on Gujarat. This is focused on all India," he said. Delegates from 110 to 120 countries are expected to attend the eight edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.

Based on initial feedback, Lal said a number of Governors from the United States are likely to attend the event.

"It is open to every State. They can do their business there," he said.

"We expect that various union ministers, ministries would be present," he said. For the first time about 10 prominent Nobel Laureate have been invited to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.

"Idea is the Nobel Laureates who have done great work in innovation, science, physics, chemistry and medicine and their discoveries have led to invention, if they come to Vibrant Gujarat, they speak and conduct seminars they would be beneficial to India," he observed.

Ahead of the January event, officials from Gujarat are travelling to 23 countries, from where they expect foreign direct investment to flow into the country.

Responding to questions, Lal said there is a "great enthusiasm" among foreign companies about India and in the last two years it has created a buzz around the world.

"India is now a preferred destination for foreign investors," he noted based on his interaction with corporate leaders in the US and Canada. "Generally people have very very positive thing to talk about India. People are very bullish about India. India is a happening place.

"There is a wind of change in India. There is a lot of enthusiasm. People want to invest in India. This would be visible in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit," Lal said.

PTI
Fact Check: Did Trump thank Musk for welcoming him back to Twitter

Donald Trump's questionable donations under scanner

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Sept 14: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has said he is probing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's Foundation over its allegedly questionable donations.

The New York billionaire donated $25,000 to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's campaign in 2013, as her office was considering whether to open an investigation into fraud allegations against Trump University.

Donald Trump gaining round on Hillary Clinton: poll

Bondi's office did not open an investigation afterwards, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We have been concerned that the Trump Foundation may have engaged in some impropriety from that point of view," Schneiderman told CNN's "The Lead" programme on Tuesday, calling himself a "regulator of nonprofits in New York state".

"We have been looking into the Trump Foundation to make sure it's complying with the laws governing charities in New York," Schneiderman said.

Yahoo News reported last week that the Trump charity donated $100,000 to a conservative group that was suing Schneiderman as he was probing Trump University.

In a Tuesday campaign rally, US President Barack Obama, speaking on behalf of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, made a mockery of the Trump Foundation, highlighting reports that Trump used foundation money to buy a 6-foot (about 183 cm) portrait of himself.

Donald Trump invited for Indian-American event against terrorism

Also on Tuesday, Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee wrote a letter to Florida's Attorney General Loretta Lynchare, seeking a Justice Department investigation of the Trump Foundation over its donation to her.

"These payments may have influenced Bondi's official decision not to participate in litigation against Trump," the letter said, citing anti-bribery laws in their request.

The Trump campaign has repeatedly declined to provide evidence to show that Trump has donated as much to charity as he claims.

Defending his running mate, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence said on Monday that Trump has donated millions of dollars in charity.

"Anyone who knows anything about Donald Trump and his career knows that this is a man who's given away tens of millions of dollars to charitable causes throughout the course of his business life -- he's been incredibly generous," Pence said, though offering no evidence.

IANS
India help Balochistan: activists raise slogans outside UN

International

oi-PTI

New York, Sept 14: A group of Baloch activists has held protests against Pakistan outside the UN headquarters here, demanding freedom and highlighting Pakistan's crimes against humanity in Balochistan.

The protest was organised by the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) yesterday across the street from the world body's headquarters, around the time the 71st session of the General Assembly opened in the UN.

Balochistan experienced an intensified 'Bloody August', allege activists

Waving the US and Baloch flags, the small group of protesters held banners of 'Stop Human Rights violation in Baluchistan', 'Stop Bombing Balochistan' and 'Balochistan is not Pakistan' and stood around five dolls, smeared in red colour to portray blood and placed on the ground on a white banner that read 'Save Baloch Children'.

Some wore white T-shirts with the slogan 'Dire Human Rights Violations in Balochistan' written in black. The men and women protesting shouted slogans of 'India help Balochistan', 'Freedom for Balochistan', 'Stop Genocide of Baloch People', 'UN UN Where are you', 'Stop funding Pakistan', 'Balochistan is another Bangladesh' and 'Stop breaking Balochistan'.

The protestors accused Pakistani forces of killing around 5,000 over the past few years and causing nearly 20000 forced disappearances in Balochistan.

FBM said in a statement handed out at the protest that the demonstration aims to highlight the "illegal occupation and Pakistani states crimes against humanity in Balochistan, and to give awareness about Baloch national struggle for freedom."

"It is the responsibility of the United Nations to take notice of the violations of its charter and state brutalities by Pakistan in Balochistan," FBM said.

Balochistan: Despite large gas reserves, Pak ensures people cook on wood fire

The organisation said Pakistan has been committing gross human rights violations and killing innocent Baloch people since it occupied Balochistan in 1948 and "Pakistani state has made life difficult for Baloch by target killings, indiscriminate bombardment and enforced-disappearances."

The protests come just a week before heads of state and government descend at the world body's headquarters for the high-level General Debate of the 71st UNGA session.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address the General Assembly on September 21, five days before External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addresses the gathering of world leaders. The US has said it does not support independence for Balochistan and respects the unity and territorial integrity of Pakistan.

In his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talked about the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit and Balochistan and said people from there have thanked him for raising their issues.

PTI
At UNSC, US calls on world to tell Russia to stop its nuclear threats

Obama administration to increase military aid package to Israel

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Sept 14: The Obama administration is upping aid to Israel as part of the largest pledge of military assistance in US history.

Israel is set to get about $38 billion over 10 years, according to Congressional and administration sources, up from the approximately $30 billion decade-long deal that expires in 2018, CNN reported.

The Memorandum of Understanding sealing the arrangement will be signed on Wednesday at the State Department.

Talks to reach an agreement took months, unfolding behind closed doors at a time when US-Israel ties were strained by tensions between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli frustration over the nuclear pact with Iran.

"It's an important message to the region that nobody should misread the differences between the US and Israel when it comes to Iran or policy differences when it comes to the Palestinians," said David Makovsky, Director of the Project on the Middle East Peace Process at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

"At the core, the US remains very committed to Israel's long-term security."

Israeli perceptions that sanctions relief provided as part of the nuclear deal would allow Tehran to wreak greater havoc in the region drove Jersusalem's argument that the deal should be much larger than previous packages. Regional unrest in Syria and Iraq deepened Israeli concerns, CNN added.

New York Representative Nita Lowey, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement on Tuesday that the agreement would put Israel "in a better position to address turmoil and instability in the region and therefore be able to better protect its citizens and secure its borders".

IANS
Maldives opposition leader in talks to 'topple' prez

International

oi-PTI

Colombo, Sep 14: Exiled Maldives opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed has said he is in talks with the former president, who repeatedly threw him in jail, to "legally topple" the current leader of the troubled honeymoon islands.

Nasheed became the first democratically elected president of the Maldives in 2008, but now lives in exile in London after he was jailed on terrorism charges that he says were politically motivated.

In the past he has accused Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the Maldives for 30 years and is still regarded as the power behind the throne, of being behind his downfall.

But yesterday he indicated he wanted to bury the hatchet with Gayoom, amid reports of a rift between the former strongman leader and his half-brother, current President Abdulla Yameen.

"How can you build a future if you always want to go back to live in the past," Nasheed told reporters in Colombo via a video link from London.

"Yameen's days are numbered. He has lost the support of the people and the international community. We can restore democracy in the Maldives."

Nasheed said he had forgiven Gayoom and was in talks with his faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) "for a new political alignment".

He did not disclose details, but said he had visited Colombo late last month to meet fellow dissidents and map out a strategy to "legally topple" Yameen.

He served repeated jail terms under Gayoom's autocratic leadership before winning the country's first democratic election in 2008.

There was no immediate comment from Gayoom, however, and diplomats in Colombo were cautious about the prospect of such an alliance.

"The opposition was expecting Gayoom to get a section of his party to withdraw support for Yameen late last month, but for some reason that did not happen," said one western diplomatic source in Colombo, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It is not easy for the opposition to organise any agitation inside the country because all their leaders are either in jail or in exile."

An alliance between the 78-year-old Gayoom and Nasheed was unthinkable even a few months ago.

But an intensifying crackdown on political dissent in the atoll nation of 340,000 people has dented its popular image as an upmarket holiday paradise.

Almost all key opposition leaders and a number of ruling party dissidents have either been jailed or gone into exile since Yameen took office after winning a controversial run-off election against Nasheed in 2013.

In July, Gayoom's daughter Dunya Maumoon quit as foreign minister saying she did not agree with a plan to bring back the death penalty after nearly seven decades.

PTI

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Story first published: Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 16:00 [IST]
Conversions, abuse, sexual crimes: Will Pope apologise for these when he visits India too?

Murder in God's name satanic: Pope

International

oi-PTI

Vatican City, Sep 14: Pope Francis today denounced killing in God's name as "satanic" as he held a mass to honour Jacques Hamel, the French priest whose throat was slit by jihadists in July.

"Killing in God's name is satanic," he said in his address which was attended by around 80 pilgrims from the northern French diocese of Rouen where the attack took place.

"He was a martyr," he said of Hamel, describing him as a "good, gentle man" who had been killed "like a criminal.

"How good it would be if all religious confessions declared that killing in the name of God was satanic."

The elderly priest was killed on July 26 while presiding over an early morning mass for a handful of parishioners in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

The pope's early service on Wednesday was held in the chapel at St Martha's, the boarding house where Francis stays and where a photo of the late priest was set upon the altar.

"Today the Church has more Christian martyrs than in the first centuries," he said in his sermon which was delivered in Italian but translated into French for the visitors.

Christians were currently suffering persecution through being "imprisoned, tortured and killed because they refuse to deny Jesus," he said.

"This cruelty which demands apostasy is, let us say it, satanic," he said. Apostasy is the renunciation of one's religious beliefs.

Earlier this month, Francis met with French President Francois Hollande over the attack, and on September 24, he will meet relatives of the 86 people killed in a jihadist truck attack in the Riviera resort of Nice on July 14.

IANS

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Story first published: Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 16:10 [IST]
Italian town sues Charlie Hebdo for controversial 'quake cartoon'

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Rome, Sept 14: An Italian town hit by a deadly earthquake is pursuing legal action against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo for defamation over a series of cartoons about the tragedy.

An earthquake last month killed at least 292 persons in Italy, most of whom lived in Amatrice, home to a famous tomato sauce "amatriciana".

The complaint was based on two cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo after the quake, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.

One cartoon, entitled "Earthquake Italian Style", depicted the earthquake victims as sauce-splattered survivors, and layers of Lasagna with blood and feet emerging from it.

The cartoon immediately sparked outcry among Italians and prompted the French embassy in Rome to issue a statement saying the drawing "in no way represents France's position".

The publication then responded with a follow-up cartoon suggesting the mafia was to blame, saying "it's not Charlie Hebdo who built your homes, it's the mafia!"

"It amounts to a macabre, tactless and inconceivable insult to the victims of a natural catastrophe," the town council's lawyer Mario Cicchetti said after the legal move was announced.

In January 2015, two gunmen stormed Charlie Hebdo headquarters in Paris and killed 12 people, to "avenge" the publication of cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammad.

IANS
US voices concern over Chinese money in Australian politics

International

oi-PTI

Canberra, Sep 14: The American ambassador to Australia has voiced US concerns over China's impact on Australian politics, saying the United States wants the system reformed to remove the influence of Chinese political donations.

Ambassador John Berry said in an interview with The Australian newspaper that the United States is "surprised" by the amount of Chinese money and influence in Australian politics and wants Australia to resolve the foreign donation issue.

The embassy confirmed in a statement that Berry had been accurately quoted in the interview, published today.

Last week, the opposition Labor Party called for foreign political donations to be banned after Labour Sen Sam Dastyari stepped down from a senior role for asking a Chinese company to pay a 1,670 Australian dollar (USD 1,250) travel bill.

While Dastyari broke no law, he acknowledged that having the Sydney-based company Top Education Institute pay a personal bill was wrong.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pointed to a Chinese language news report that quoted Dastyari as saying, "The South China Sea is China's own affair."

Turnbull said that statement contradicted both the government and the opposition's foreign policy position that China should respect international law in territorial disputes.

The prime minister accused Dastyari, who has been dubbed Shanghai Sam, of saying what Chinese donors paid him to say.

Dastyari said he might have misspoken during the Chinese interview, but said he supported his party's policy.

The issue is broader than Dastyari, with Top Education Institute donating more than AUD 230,000 to both Labour and the ruling conservative Liberal Party.

Unlike the United States, which bans foreign donations, Australian law has never distinguished between donors from Australia and overseas.

Berry said the United States hopes that Australia will protect its "core responsibilities against undue influence from governments that don't share our values."

He said the US objects to Beijing being able to fund political candidates in an Australian election campaign to advance Chinese interests.

"That, to us, is of concern," Berry said in the newspaper interview. "We cannot conceive of a case where a foreign donation from any government, friend or foe, would be considered legitimate in terms of that democracy."

"We have been surprised, quite frankly, at the extent of the involvement of the Chinese government in Australian politics," he added.

PTI

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Story first published: Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 16:26 [IST]
Cauvery row: Plea in SC seeks to maintain law and order in TN, Karnataka

New Delhi

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Sept 14: A petition seeking the intervention of the Supreme Court to improve law and order situation in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has been filed.

The petitioner says that in the aftermath of the Cauvery Waters interim order both states have witnessed violence and the situation is likely to worsen if the court does not intervene. The court has agreed to hear the petition on Thursday, filed by an activist from Kanyakumari.

Cauvery row: How Bengaluru coped with curfew

The petitioner while pointing to the rail rokho call given by activists in Karnataka also says that urgent intervention is required. The situation is already volatile and hence the court must step in and issue directions to ensure that law and order is maintained.

Further the petitioner also sought the court's direction to both states to act against all those people who have indulged in violence. The court will hear the petition on Thursday.

Violence was been reported from both the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka since the interim verdict on Cauvery was passed.

Cauvery row: Avoid train travel in and out of Karnataka on Sept 15

Karnataka in particular witnessed severe violence on Monday and protestors indulged in arson which caused the state's exchequer a loss of nearly Rs 25,000 crores. Section 144 of the CrPC continues to be imposed in Bengaluru for the third day on Wednesday.

Curfew which was imposed on Monday evening in 16 police station limits also continues to remain enforced.

Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah has assured that he would deal with such violent protests with an iron hand. While stating that he would abide by the Supreme Court's verdict with a heavy heart, he also assured that violence would be completely curtailed.

OneIndia News
India's agenda for SAARC- to revive terror monitoring desk

New Delhi

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Sept 14: Setting the agenda for the SAARC Summit at Islamabad, India will look to make the SAARC Terrorist Offences Monitoring Desk operational. The SAARC summit would be held at Islamabad on November 9 and 10.

Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma, who will address a high level group of experts at Delhi on Sept 22, will try and revive the desk originally set up at Colombo in 1985.

With the threat of terrorism in the region increasing with each passing day, India feels that it would help a great deal if this desk becomes functional. It would help all SAARC nations to fight the menace of terrorism, Home Ministry officials say.

The desk was set up in 1985 in Colombo to help share and disseminate information relating to terrorism. The officers part of the desk would work closely and also discuss strategy apart from sharing intelligence to thwart terror related activities.

The desk would also be helpful while sharing real time information on terrorism. With the threat of terrorism growing online, such a desk would come in handy to share real time information, officials also explained.

The high level group of experts will be addressed by the Indian IB chief. The last time that this group met was in 2012 in New Delhi and the address was given by the then IB chief Nechal Sandhu.

While all member countries have confirmed their participation, Pakistan is yet to send out any official word. Home Ministry officials, however, say that they are confident that Pakistan would send its delegation for the meet.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 11:10 [IST]
Laws concerning NGOs hazy, says Supreme Court

New Delhi

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Sept 14: The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that it is alarming and mind boggling that out of the 29.9 lakh NGOs only 2.9 lakh file IT returns. While appointing an amicus curae to suggest guidelines on how to regulate the NGOs , court adjourned hearing on the matter to Sept 23.

A petition was filed seeking a directive to regulate NGOs in the country. It was pointed that there was no regulation and hence directions to this effect be issued.

NGOs lose permit but find a new way to move money into India

"The Supreme Court said that the laws relating to the regulation of NGOs is hazy. It is mind boggling that 29.9 lakh NGOs function in India and very few file the details of how they used the funds. There is a need for a legal framework to monitor NGOs," the Supreme Court said.

The Supreme Court was told by the petitioner that only 2.9 lakh out of the 29.9 lakh NGOs file IT returns.

SC said that it finds the need to refer this issue to the law commission. The Law Commission may consider regulating NGOs across the country, the Supreme Court observed.

There is no legislation to ensure accountability and timely audit of NGOs, the court also stated. While adjourning the matter to Sept 23, the court appointed Senior counsel Rakesh Dwivedi as amicus curae to suggest what measures can be taken to regulate NGOs.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 14:14 [IST]
J&K separatist funding: Supreme Court rejects plea, says not our domain

New Delhi

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Sept 14: The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a petition that sought a directive to stop security and funding to the separatists of Jammu and Kashmir. It may be recalled that last week when this petition was filed, the Bench had said, "We feel the same and everyone sitting here feels the same."

However, on Wednesday when the matter came up before the Bench, it rejected the petition while observing that such matters are under the domain of the Centre. On Wednesday, the matter was heard by a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit.

SC: We also want govt to stop perks for Kashmir separatists

Advocate M L Sharma in his petition sought a direction to the government to stop funding for the separatists in 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.The Bench observed that this is a matter that pertains to security of the country and it is the union government which has the sole responsibility on this issue.

The judiciary cannot examine what funds are given to whom and when it comes to situations such as these especially in sensitive states, it is the Centre which has the jurisdiction, the Bench also observed.

Further Justices Mishra and Lalit said that security issues cannot be handled through judicial proceedings. Courts must desist from entertaining such issues, the Bench also observed.

Further the Bench told the petitioner in Jammu and Kashmir the army and the Centre is there to provide security. What cover is given to an individual or what the threat perception is will be completely under the jurisdiction of the executive.

The Bench also sought to know from the petitioner why he was using the word separatist? Does the government refer to them as separatists, the Bench also sought to know.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 14:34 [IST]
BJP takes dig at Bihar's ruling alliance over "free-for-all"

Patna

oi-PTI

Patna, Sep 14: BJP today took potshots at Bihar's ruling alliance over a "free-for-all" following controversial RJD MP Mohammed Shahabuddin's release, saying "Jungle Raj" has returned to the state with development being a casualty.

BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh also hit out at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, wondering what happed to his "so-called ideals" he claimed to stand for.

"Jungle Raj is not only back in Bihar after the release of Shahabuddin followed by grand celebrations but there is Jungle Raj in Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance), too. It is a free-for-all between the two major partners RJD and JD(U) leaders."

"In this fight people of Bihar are suffering and in that process development is being thrown out of the window. Their leaders are making uncharitable remarks against each other but in reality their conduct has become uncharitable for Bihar," he said.

Alleging that the alliance partners--JD(U), RJD and Congress-- were together for serving their own political interests, Singh attacked Kumar, saying he has "compromised his ideals to save his chair".

"Nitish Kumar has compromised all the values he once claimed to stand for only to remain the Chief Minister. Lalu Prasad is keen on remaining a partner in the alliance only to make his son the true Chief Minster, while Congress is there just for the sake of "Main Bhi Hu Na" (I am also there). BJP will raise its voice against this opportunistic alliance," he said.

The BJP leader said the "leadership crisis" was there because Lalu's RJD had more MLAs than Nitish Kumar's JD(U).

"Nitish may be the Chief Minister but Laloo and his men are fighting for the unofficial postion of 'Super CM'," he said. "Why should the people of Bihar suffer because of the fight among leaders within the grand alliance for supremacy?" he asked.

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Story first published: Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 11:14 [IST]
Railway bandh programme to be held on Sept 15 by pro Kannada activists. Kannada Chaluvali Party chief, Vatal Nagraj clarified that he had not called for any state wide bandh, but informed that the rail rokho programme is as per schedule. The rail rokho programme is being organised in protest against the Cauvery and Mahadevi verdicts.The rail rokho programme is likely to bring the railways in Karnataka to a grinding halt. According to the activists nearly 1 lakh people will take part in the programme and will block trains across the state. Watch Video
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Technology transfer law to be revised

The National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) has agreed to fully adjust and supplement regulations of the Law on Technological Transfer which came into effect in 2006.









NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien delivers speech at the meeting of the National Assembly Standing Commitee on September 13







In the September 13 meeting, the NA deputies heard the Government report on ten years of implementing the law. The report affirmed that the law had contributed to pushing up the domestic technological renovation and transfer in production which helped increase the competitiveness of businesses as well as the growth rate of the economy.



However, the law needed to be adjusted to meet the demand of economic growth and in-depth international integration processes.



Minister of Science and Technology, Chu Ngoc Anh, told the meeting that the adjustment of the current Law on Technological Transfer aims to create favorable conditions for technological transfer activities inside and outside Vietnam so as to help businesses renew the technologies.



The technology transfer activities would help Vietnamese businesses enhance their production capacity and competitiveness in both domestic and overseas markets, said Anh.



The draft of the adjusted law was built on renewal of State management on the technological transfer in accordance with trade liberation and international integration trends, Anh told the deputies.



According to the report, the current law was revised and 16 out of 61 clauses were supplemented.



In the discussion, many deputies raised concerns over whether to adjust only 16 clauses or fully revise the current law.



Some deputies said that with the domestic current situation of technology, adjusting some items in the current law would not meet the demand of the countrys industrialisation and modernisation process.



Speaking at the meeting, the NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said the adjustment should be practical and inherit good points as well as overcome shortcomings of the current law.



Meanwhile, deputy Phan Thanh Binh, chairman of the NA Culture, Education and Teenage Affairs Committee, said that the draft revised law just mentioned regulations on technological import but not on domestic technological transfer.



At present, there were difficulties on technological transfer among research institutes, universities and businesses. The revised law should have regulations to solve the issues. However, the matter was not clarified in the revised law, said Binh.



After discussion, the NASC agreed that the law should consider businesses as a core for technological renewal, application and transfer so as to increase the production capacity and competitiveness, and environment protection as well.



The technological transfer must ensure support for the domestic technological and science market as well as preventing the transfer of outdated technologies to Vietnam.



In the afternoon session, the NA deputies heard reports and contributed opinions to the plan of the State Budget.

VNA
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As the country is on the eve of turning 41 years of Independence the questions remains whether PNG is a land of opportunity and if PNG is a viable option for Agri-Business?





This was the question posed to participants at the PNG Australia Alumni Association (PNGAAA) workshop presented by keynote speaker and National Research Institute Director Dr. Charles Yala, who said while PNG Is a land of opportunities the challenges of doing business is daunting

however despite the challenges of our geographical and cultural diversity there are actually opportunities for business growth and development. He singled out the International Business summit and the Korea PNG Dialogue and what was obvious was the man-made barrier depicted

in broken government systems and process which are frustrating rather than facilitating business enterprise development.





Dr Yala alluded to successful businesses in PNG have been built by people with clear passion and commitment to the country who are survivors in

Which we are all beneficiaries of their perseverance, and there have been those that have tried and failed to do business in which he acknowledged.

Going back to the theme of this conference, and the question: Is Agri business a viable business

option in PNG? The answer is a resounding yes from the perspective of the natural climatic

conditions in certain parts of the country, but an equally resounding no under the present systems

and processes of government. The broken system is frustrating businesses and killing private

enterprise, including agri-business. As we speak here today, our current system is capable of

promoting phony schemes and scams in the name of business promotion, including agri-business.

The long standing Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABL), Land Act review, Small Medium

Enterprise (SME) policy, and the Rice Policy are current cases in point. To put it plainly, what we

have to date is political rhetoric and administrative nonsense. This is a recipe for killing

businesses, including agri-businesses.





My challenge to the members of the PNG Australia Alumni: Do you want to be part of a team which

frustrates or facilitates businesses, including Agri business in PNG? I leave to each one of you to

answer this question. concluded Dr. Yala

PICTURE COURTESY OF EMTV & NRI / PNGFM
Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia:

Recruiters say that hedge funds are not really focused on hiring women, reported Business Insider.

Michael Goodman of recruiting firm Long Ridge Partners, commented, "Most funds want to go out and hire the best talent. They don't care if it's a man or a woman. Typically, they're going to find the male universe is larger." He estimates that about one in five of the investment experts - traders, analysts, and portfolio managers - he could suggest to hedge funds is a woman.

Another recruiter, David McCormack, CEO of DMC Partners, told Business Insider "Hedge funds just want the best performers in the industry. It isn't driven by diversity hiring. I'm not saying hedge funds don't care," he added. "It's just their biggest priority is performance, not the makeup of them internally." Women with the skill set for long/short equity make up about 5% of candidates, he estimates.

While women can be seen in compliance, marketing, and operations, they are hardly present in investing roles. Data from ai-cio, a trading publication, claimed that only 3% of senior investment roles in hedge funds were held by women across the industry in 2012. And in banking, the executive committees of the si......................

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Reprinted from Consortium News



U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry chats with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov outside a room in the Russian Foreign Ministry's Osobnyak Guesthouse in Moscow, Russia, on July 15, 2016.

(Image by [State Department Photo]) Details DMCA



The new ceasefire agreement between Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, which went into effect at noon Monday, has a new central compromise absent from the earlier ceasefire agreement that the same two men negotiated last February. But it isn't clear that it will produce markedly different results.

The new agreement incorporates a U.S.-Russian bargain: the Syrian air force is prohibited from operating except under very specific circumstances in return for U.S.-Russian military cooperation against Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, also known as Daesh, ISIS or ISIL. That compromise could be a much stronger basis for an effective ceasefire, provided there is sufficient motivation to carry it out fully.

The question, however, is whether the Obama administration is willing to do what would certainly be necessary for the agreement to establish a longer-term ceasefire at the expense of Daesh and Al Qaeda.

In return for ending the Syrian air force's operations, generally regarded as indiscriminate, and lifting the siege on the rebel-controlled sectors of Aleppo, the United States is supposed to ensure the end of the close military collaboration between the armed groups it supports and Al Qaeda, and join with Russian forces in weakening Al Qaeda.

The new bargain is actually a variant of a provision in the Feb. 27 ceasefire agreement: in return for Russian and Syrian restraints on bombing operations, the United States would prevail on its clients to separate themselves from their erstwhile Al Qaeda allies.

But that never happened. Instead the U.S.-supported groups not only declared publicly that they would not honor a "partial ceasefire" that excluded areas controlled by Al Qaeda's affiliate, then known as Nusra Front, but joined with Nusra Front and its close ally, Ahrar al Sham, in a major open violation of the ceasefire by seizing strategic terrain south of Aleppo in early April.

As the Kerry-Lavrov negotiations on a ceasefire continued, Kerry's State Department hinted that the U.S. was linking its willingness to pressure its Syrian military clients to separate themselves from Al Qaeda's forces in the northwest to an unspecified Russian concession on the ceasefire that was still being negotiated.

It is now clear that what Kerry was pushing for was what the Obama administration characterized as the "grounding" of the Syrian air force in the current agreement.

Al Qaeda's Ties

Now that it has gotten that concession from the Russians, the crucial question is what the Obama administration intends to do about the ties between its own military clients and Al Qaeda in Aleppo and elsewhere in the northwest.



President Barack Obama delivers a statement on confronting the terrorist group ISIL in Syria, on the South Lawn of the White House prior to departure for New York, N.Y., Sept. 23, 2014.

(Image by (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)) Details DMCA



Thus far the primary evidence available for answering that question is two letters from U.S. envoy to the Syrian opposition Michael Ratney to opposition groups backed by the United States. The first letter, sent on Sept. 3, after most of the Kerry-Lavrov agreement had already been hammered out, appears to have been aimed primarily at reassuring those Syrian armed groups.

As translated by al-Monitor, it asserted, "Russia will prevent regime planes from flying, and this means there will not be bombing by the regime of areas controlled by the opposition, regardless of who is present in the area, including areas in which Jabhat Fateh al Sham [the new name adopted by Al Qaeda's Nusra Front] has a presence alongside other opposition factions."

Ratney confirmed that the U.S. would in return "offer Russia coordination from our side to weaken al Qaeda." But he also assured U.S. clients that their interests would be protected under the new agreement.

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From September 12-14, the sailing vessels Amal-Hope and Zaytouna-Oliva will moor at Bosch i Alsina dock in the port of Barcelona where various events (concerts, talks, nonviolent workshops, a street parade and visits to the boats) will take place as farewell for the women leaving to break the blockade on Gaza.

According to Laura Arau, with Rumba a Gaza, Spain's WBG partner, the launch point from Barcelona has special meaning for the community there. "We have been a sister city with Gaza since 1998, yet we have been unable to visit with one another," she says. "We want our sisters in Gaza to know they are not forgotten and that with these boats and women, we are sending to them our message of hope, love and solidarity."

The boats will depart on September 14th to Ajaccio, France and then travel through another Western Mediterranean port before reaching the shores of Gaza in early October. For the Barcelona-Ajaccio leg, the passenger lists include Malin Bjork, a Member of European Parliament from Sweden; Zohar Chamberlain Regev, an Israeli who currently lives in Spain and Ann Wright, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former U.S. diplomat who resigned in 2003 in opposition to the invasion of Iraq.

The women participants, who differ for each leg of the journey, represent over 15 countries across six continents. However, as Chamberlain Regev, who chairs WBG's steering committee, explains, "While we come from very different cultural and professional backgrounds, we all share a common bond. We find the blockade of Gaza and the occupation of Palestine absolutely unacceptable. And as long as governments continue to ignore this political-humanitarian crisis, we, as global citizens of goodwill, have no choice but to continue our efforts to break this inhumane blockade."

For a schedule of program activities Barcelona, see here.

Press Contact in Barcelona: Laura Arau, Spanish, Catalan (+34) 636 00 36 01 /prensa@rumboagaza.org





*The Women's Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries. For more information, visit their website.
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As corporate head promises to go ahead with controversial pipeline project, nonviolent water protectors halt construction at one North Dakota site

By Nika Knight, staff writer



Water protectors attached themselves to construction equipment and brought the pipeline's construction to a stop on Tuesday.

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The heated, ongoing battle over the Dakota Access Pipeline continued Tuesday as the billionaire CEO of the pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners issued a memo to employees and outside media promising to "reiterate our commitment" to the pipeline's construction.

The memo (pdf) pushed against three federal agencies' Friday request that the corporation voluntarily halt construction of the pipeline.

"We intend to meet with officials in Washington to understand their position and reiterate our commitment to bring the Dakota Access Pipeline into operation," Kelcy Warren wrote.

Hours after the memo was released, two water protectors locked themselves to construction equipment outside Mandan, North Dakota, bringing construction on the pipeline to a halt. Riot police arrived and began arresting people around noon local time, according to firsthand reports, and ultimately arrested about 20 people -- including journalists and medics.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday, rallies in 100 cities in the U.S. and around the world called on President Barack Obama to stop pipeline construction once and for all.

"We won't stop until they stop," wrote the Sacred Stone Camp, where the Standing Rock Sioux and allied Indigenous nations and supporters have gathered in protest of the pipeline's construction.

The Standing Rock Sioux have long opposed the pipeline, fearing that a pipeline spill where the project is to cross the Missouri River -- upstream of the tribe's reservation -- will destroy the community's sole source of clean drinking water.

In his memo, Warren claims that his pipeline company "worked to meet with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe leaders on multiple occasions."

The United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People calls for native groups to be consulted with and requires that "free, prior, and informed consent" be given by Indigenous people before any projects that affect their land and resources are undertaken.

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When he ran for president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte was a mini Donald Trump shooting from the hip to excite populist mob support for his presidential candidacy. Once in office, he followed up on his bloodthirsty rhetoric by encouraging a death-squad sweep through the island nation that has so far accounted for over two thousands assassinations or executions, whichever term one likes. Reports describe bodies appearing in the streets every morning with signs attached to them suggesting they were drug addicts or dealers -- gruesome echoes from the late 70s and early 80s in El Salvador. Dubbed Dirty Harry in the tabloids, [1] President Duterte applauds the piling up of corpses and deems his program a success because drug users are turning themselves in in droves, lest they be murdered. They end up jammed into overcrowded hell-holes [2]. Some end up dead anyway.



President Obama at the meeting in Vientiane and President Duterte on a tear

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As the "leader of the free world," President Obama was touring Asia shilling for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. He was eager to "send a clear message that, as a Pacific nation we [the United States] are here to stay." He planned on visiting Duterte in the Philippines to scold the new leader on his murderous campaign, but he canceled that visit when Duterte gave a saliva-spitting speech in which he called the president "a son of a prostitute." Given his tiny island nation is a client state of the powerful United States, after his insult-riddled speech, the volatile Filipino president reportedly began to suffer painful migraine headaches. President Duterte has apparently called many people "a son of a prostitute," including the Pope; and while hijo de puta in Spanish as spoken in the Philippines means son of a prostitute, it's such a common expression it probably should be translated into English as son of a b*tch. A prudent, cool-headed Obama shook off the choice insult. That is, he didn't respond by calling Mr. Duterte a fish-eating wog or a psychopathic lunatic. Instead, the two men "exchanged pleasantries" at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Vientiane, Laos.

The hijo de puta flap fortunately did not overshadow the really important news from Obama's Asian trip, namely that the President of the United States of America "acknowledged" (he pointedly did not apologize for) the U.S. bombing of Laos [3] between 1964 and 1973. "Villages and entire valleys were obliterated," Obama said. "Countless civilians were killed." The adjective innocent should have been added between the words countless and civilians. (The U.S. dropped more than two million tons of bombs on Laos; the equivalent of a planeload of bombs every 8 minutes, 24-hours a day, for 9 years.) What the U.S. rained down on Laotian peasantry has been described as, per capita, the heaviest bombing campaign in world history. This is one of many bloody military secrets in our archives; these archives have been open for some years, but the bombing is still not recognized by most Americans for the evil it was. For years, our government kept the secret from Americans; it was obviously never a secret to the Laotian people.



B52 unloading bombs, US bomb loaders and some of the many bomb craters in Laos

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This is the same U.S. president who launched the 50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War [4] in 2012 with a speech at the Vietnam War wall in Washington D.C. That well-funded, controversial campaign is designed to whitewash the Vietnam War within the domestic United States; it ignores, or employs tons of misleading rhetorical sludge, around incidents like the Mai Lai massacre and the killing in Laos of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians and the obliteration of villages and agricultural land. In Southeast Asia, the war's death toll is estimated between two and three million souls. The 50th Commemoration is about PR and emphasizes American sacrifice and heroism. The truth is buried.

President Obama didn't go as far as many would have liked in his acknowledgment of the immoral slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Laotians. In 1945, if U.S. leaders had been more concerned for humanity and morality, they would have endorsed our Vietnamese ally against the Japanese and supported Vietnamese independence from a resurgent French colonialism. There would have been no bombing of Laos. Thanks to Cold War hysteria, President Truman made a terrible decision. It has always seemed significant to me that while the Vietnam War and mass bombings were going in Laos President Obama was a young boy living in Indonesia in the home of an Asian stepfather whose family had suffered at the hands of brutal Dutch colonial soldiers. This must give the man a unique international mindset. Besides his race, it's another biographical fact that must drive the retrograde right nuts.

A Skirmish in the Failed Drug War

The hijo de puta incident amounted to a skirmish in the Drug War. President Duterte's draconian program of killing drug dealers and users without concern for justice or collateral damage amounts to our current Drug War policy taken to its "final solution" level. If the US has any moral weight in the world (which is a good question these days) the least President Obama should do is put the Duterte regime on a human rights violator watch list and somehow personally squeeze the president and his cronies without hurting the Filipino people. Sadly, if past is prologue, our lame duck imperial president will probably do as he has done with Egypt and Honduras, distract us from the murderous reality and run cover for the killers. The Ronald Reagan model from El Salvador remains the U.S. government standard: Every six months have Congress wink-and-nod and affirm the bloody regime in question has made progress -- as the bodies pile higher and higher.



Filipino murder victim with sign saying I AM A PUSHER, and a wife with her just-expired husband

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Reprinted from The Guardian

The incarcerated whistleblower is on a hunger strike to protest her treatment. It's time to heed her pleas for help

How much more suffering will brave whistleblower Chelsea Manning have to endure in prison at the hands of her tormentors and jailors? Since leaking State and Defense Department documents to Wikileaks in 2010, the amount of injustice Chelsea has had to suffer is almost incalculable.

The Guardian columnist is entering her fifth day of a hunger strike, in protest for not receiving proper medical treatment and over the fact that -- almost inconceivably -- the Army may punish her with "indefinite solitary confinement" for her suicide attempt last month.

Tragically, this is just one item in a long list of deplorable treatment. Before she was even convicted of leaking to WikiLeaks she was subjected to brutal and disgusting treatment by the Army, which the UN said amounted to "cruel and unusual" punishment, and what over 250 law professors said amounted to torture. Of course no one was punished for any of it, besides the State Department spokesman at the time, who had to resign after calling the treatment "ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid."

She was then given a grossly out of proportion 35-year sentence -- many times larger than any other leaker in history. She and her legal team are thankfully in the middle of appealing the conviction in the military court of appeals, where she is challenging the constitutionality of the Espionage Act, the outdated and draconian law that was meant for spies working for foreign governments, not conscientious Americans looking to inform the public.

On top of all this, Manning has been denied proper medical care for gender dysphoria and has to fight in court every step of the way to get the government to recognize her rights as a transgender prisoner. In 2015, she was punished by the Army and was restricted in her recreation activities for having non-approved magazines and "expired toothpaste."

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United Indigenous Nations

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Watch this video before you read what follows.

Hawaiian indigenous leader Pua Case and her Ohana travelled from the Big Island to support the Standing Rock protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Pua Case is waging a similar battle to protect the sacred mountain Mauna Kea from a telescope array.

The proposed Canadian-funded project would install an 18-story telescope and the supporting structure would extend 20 feet underground. Mauna Kea and her summit would be further desecrated by a 21,000 square foot office building, a road and a parking lot.

A statement on the Idle No More Website, describes the historical and spiritual significance.

Mauna Kea is one of the most sacred places in the Pacific. Islanders use the mountain as a place of spiritual contemplation, healing and recreation. National Geographic recently named it as one of the Holiest places on Earth. For Native Hawaiians, Mauna Kea is a temple dedicated to Aloha and peace. It is where our supreme being gave birth to all living things. It was the meeting place of Papa (Earth Mother) and Wakea (Sky Father), the progenitors of the Hawaiian people, and is the burial ground of the most revered of Hawaiian ancestors.

This is exactly the same fight the Sioux Nation is peacefully and prayerfully waging against Energy Transfer Inc. and the Dakota Access Pipeline. Enbridge, a Canadian company, is a major partner in the DAPL.

How many telescopes are needed on Mauna Kea? There are already 13 telescopes and other facilities built and maintained by foreign countries and corporations.

How many more oil pipelines do we need in the Great Plains?

Like Mauna Kea, there is a lack of proper environmental and cultural impact studies on the DAPL route. The proposed pipeline would cross under a section of the Missouri River that serves as a source of water for the Standing Rock tribe. Once again, broken treaties, broken promises and generational trauma are threatening the spiritual, mental and physical well-being of a Sovereign Nation.

Energy Transfer Inc has already destroyed burial grounds and spiritual sites of historical importance to the Sioux Nation. How much more insult will we allow after the fait accompli?
To put it mildly, the current system of international security and European security in particular doesn't work any longer.

Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that "European security is at risk unless a new arms-control agreement is in force". Almost every European country admits this fact. But it is far easier to admit than to take real actions. The international security will remain a dream unless a new system is developed.

It would seem there is nothing difficult to unite efforts and make a new effective system of international security. The first important step for the European security system, for example, could be a new or reviewed Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe. It would be a logical and reasonable step to improve the situation in the region. But not all the states are ready to agree with Steinmeier's statement.

On Monday, September 5, in an interview with DPA Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Antanas Linkevicius declared publicly that Vilnius "founds the arms proposal for eastern Europe made by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, totally unacceptable." Does it mean that Lithuania is not interested in peace in the region and even more is going to increase the amount of weapons?

We have come to the disappointing conclusion: Lithuania relies on increasing the amount of weapon instead of improving its quality. Vilnius is not ready to pay for advanced weapons. It can only take the surplus of old equipment and armament for a symbolic price. Such new offer as Frank-Walter Steinmeier has made doesn't coincide with Lithuanian financial policy in the military sphere at all. Lithuanian authorities should realize that increasing combat capability of Lithuanian armed forces due to the quantity is a dead-end road.

Linkevicius also noted that "Lithuania's defense capabilities should be strengthened because there are gaps at certain positions." He expressed doubt that "now is the right time to discuss the issue of arms reduction." But it the right time! It is always time to make our life safer even if it is expensive for the country. Such tendency in Lithuanian politics leads to three mistakes simultaneously. Firstly, Lithuania excludes itself from the circle of states participating in the development of the new effective European security system. Secondly, Lithuania shows its inability to make right political choice. Thirdly, Vilnius acts illogically rejecting offers of key European political players.

Bu the way, acting to its detriment has long been the rule of the Lithuanian foreign policy.
Now there you have two things that I never expected to write. How often is Congress right about anything or Stephen Kinzer wrong? Congress wants 9/11 victims' families to be able to sue Saudi Arabia for its role in those crimes. Kinzer does not.

It's not that he doesn't care about victims' families. It's not that he's worried about disturbing relations with the Saudi monarchy (which could perhaps stop selling the United States the fossilized poison it uses to ruin the earth's climate, or stop buying U.S. weapons and working with the U.S. military to blow up little children in Yemen, or perhaps increase or decrease its support for ISIS depending on which of those options the U.S. makes up its mind to oppose). No, Kinzer's concern is that if you let one set of criminals be held accountable for their crimes, other criminals might be held accountable for their crimes as well.

Kinzer's is an argument designed to win over Congress (which doesn't really answer to rational argumentation) or the President (who already agrees with it). But it's not an argument that should win over you or me.

"Americans have a right to be furious with some foreign governments," writes Kinzer. "People in other countries have an equal right to be furious with the United States. We best address that fury not with lawsuits, but by changing the way we approach the world."

If laws are to "address fury" I'd like to abolish every last one of them, domestic and international, as an embarrassment to our species. In reality, the best laws are powerful tools with which to "change the way we approach the world." Obamesque "looking forward" -- that is, granting immunity to all powerful law breakers and wishing they wouldn't continue their law breaking -- does not work. Neither, of course, does bombing families in Libya or Syria based on the flimsy allegation that someone powerful managed to break a law that happened to be the one law not to ignore that day.

Kinzer's concern that suing Saudi Arabia could result in law suits against the United States is misguided nationalism. Why does suing Saudi Arabia not bother him? Why does suing the United States bother him? If Saudi Arabia kills large numbers of people, every nonviolent tool at our disposal ought to be used to put an end to that, to deter its repetition, to seek restitution, and to work for reconciliation. And the exact same applies to the U.S. government.

This was the pretense at Nuremberg, that victor's justice would someday become universal justice, that the people of the United States would want their own government held to the rule of law. This is why 37 thousand U.S. citizens thanked Spain for trying to prosecute U.S. officials for war crimes a few years ago, when the U.S. government had made clear that it would never do so itself. Instead it brought pressure to bear on Spain that shut down the prosecution.

Of course, a country that doesn't want to be sued (by its own people as well as foreigners) could abide by the rule of law or enforce its treaty obligations itself, as legally required to do anyway. Of what real use is a law that a blatant violator cannot be brought to court over? The UN Charter and the Kellogg-Briand Pact make seven current U.S. wars illegal, plus numerous drone killings if you claim they constitute "war." They're illegal as murder is you claim they do not constitute "war." Kidnapping, torture, spying, sabotaging -- these things are crimes. Those instances of these crimes that are in the past should indeed be brought to court in the present, unless the United States sees its way clear to apologizing and making restitution to the satisfaction of the victims.

But here's the real problem. If disputes could be taken to court, instead of to war, potential terrorists would become potential litigants, and Pentagon propaganda for the next war would become a lawsuit instead. Did the latest "Hitler" really truly use the wrong kind of weapon? Don't bomb the residents of his capital. Take him to court instead. Take him to arbitration. Take him to a truth and reconciliation commission. Because if you don't, if you bomb some cities instead, you should have to expect that victims families will be taking you to court.

If U.S. officials find that they must constantly be looking over their shoulders to make sure they aren't going to be taken to court, they will simply be joining the rest of us who are -- horror of horrors! -- obliged to comply with every existing law every day of the year.
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Wonderful work! An insightful, integrative adventure into what makes humans flourish. Rob Kall shows us that we know how to do this, that most of human history was about connection and that there are ways to make it happen again. He offers real solutions and practical suggestions for taking back the world for community, connection and well-beingaway from hierarchy, exclusion, and destruction. A new handbook for the necessary revolution!"



Darcia Narvaez, Professor of psychology, Notre Dame, University, author of Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality: Evolution, Culture and Wisdom
Reprinted from Palestine Chronicle

Thousands of Native Americans resurrected the fighting spirit of their forefathers as they stood in unprecedented unity to contest an oil company's desecration of their sacred land in North Dakota. Considering its burdened historical context, this has been one of the most moving events in recent memory.

The standoff, involving 5,000-strong Native American protesters, including representatives of 200 tribes and environmental groups, has been largely reduced in news reports as being a matter of technical detail -- concerning issues of permits and legal proceedings.

At best, both the tribes and the oil company are treated as if they are equal parties in a purportedly proportionate tussle.

"'Dakota' means 'friendly' and yet, it seems, neither side has been too friendly to each other," wrote Mark Albert in the website of the American broadcasting television network, CBS.

The Dakota Nation is justifiably alarmed by the prospect that its water supplies will be polluted by the massive pipeline, which will extend across four states and stretching over 1,100 miles.

The "other side" is the company, Energy Transfer Partners, whose construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline at the cost of $3.7 billion is infringing upon the territorial rights of Native American tribes, destroying sacred burial grounds and threatening to pollute the main water sources of large communities of Native Americans.

Fear over future spills under the Missouri River is hardly a hype. The US is struggling with ongoing water crises, partly because of dilapidating infrastructure, but also because of numerous oil spills and natural gas leaks.

The recent water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and the BP oil spill earlier in the Gulf of Mexico -- both resulting in massive humanitarian and environmental crises -- are only two recent cases in point.

But the problem is far deeper and constantly worsening.

Data obtained by the news network, CNBC from the government's Environmental Protection Agency showed that "only nine U.S. states are reporting safe levels of lead in their water supply. These include Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota and Tennessee."

As if that is not worrying enough, the massive crude oil pipeline will be going across several of these states, likely shortening the list of these states even further.

Discussion about the potential risks of the construction of the pipeline has been rife for years. The issue, however, received national and international coverage when Native American tribes mobilized to protect their land and water resources.

The mobilization of the tribes has been met with state violence. Instead of appreciating the serious grievances of the tribes, particularly those in the Standing Rock Reservation -- which is located only one mile away, south of the pipeline -- the state governor summoned all law enforcement agencies and activated the National Guard. Mace was used on protesters; they were beaten, arrested and chased out by armed men in uniform.

In the United States, when the people stand up to corporations, it seems that, more often than not, state violence is galvanized against unarmed people to protect the big businesses.

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During a Monday afternoon speech, Donald Trump again slammed Hillary Clinton for recently claiming that half of his supporters were racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, and Islamophobic and belonged in a "basket of deplorables." The GOP presidential nominee asserted that this statement "disqualifies her," adding, "you can't lead this nation if you have such a low opinion of its citizens." Clinton had already said that she regretted the comment (though the generalization, while perhaps politically awkward, was not inaccurate). But Trump was still looking to exploit the remark. Earlier in the day, Trump's campaign released an ad bashing Clinton for having insulted tens of millions of Americans by calling them "deplorables." (Two days earlier, Donald Trump Jr. and Roger Stone, a longtime Trump confidante, retweeted a tweet that mockingly celebrated themselves, the elder Trump, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, Rudy Giuliani, and a white nationalist mascot as "The Deplorables.")

Despite Trump's purported outrage over the Clinton remark, the mogul has engaged in his own demonization of Americans that has echoed the "47 percent" comment that landed Mitt Romney in trouble during the 2012 campaign. More than once, the reality television celebrity has dismissed tens of millions of Americans -- up to half of all Americans -- as shiftless people with no desire to work.
Reprinted from Robert Reich Blog

Apple is only the latest big global American corporation to use foreign tax shelters to avoiding paying its fair share of U.S. taxes. It's just another form of corporate desertion.

Corporations are deserting America by hiding their profits abroad or even shifting their corporate headquarters to another nation because they want lower taxes abroad. And some politicians say the only way to stop these desertions is to reduce corporate tax rates in the U.S. so they won't leave.

Wrong. If we start trying to match lower corporate tax rates around the world, there's no end to it.

Instead, the President should use his executive power to end the financial incentives that encourage this type of corporate desertion. President Obama has already begun, but there is much left that could be done.

In addition, corporations that desert America by sheltering a large portion of their profits abroad or moving their headquarters to another country should no longer be entitled to the advantages of being American.

1. They shouldn't be allowed to influence the U.S. government. They shouldn't be allowed to contribute to U.S. political campaigns, or lobby Congress, or participate in U.S. government agency rule-making proceedings. And they no longer have the right to sue foreign companies in U.S. courts for acts committed outside the United States.

2. They shouldn't be entitled to generous government contracts. "Buy American" provisions of the law should be applied to them.

3. Their assets around the world shouldn't any longer be protected by the U.S. government. If their factories and equipment are expropriated somewhere around the world, they shouldn't expect the United States to negotiate or threaten sanctions, or use our armed forces to protect their investments. And if their intellectual property -- patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights -- are disregarded, that's their problem too. Don't expect any help from us.

In fact, their interests should be of no concern to the U.S. government -- in trade negotiations, climate negotiations, international treaties reconciling American law with the laws of other countries, or international disputes over access to resources.

They don't get to be represented by the U.S. government because they're no longer American.

It's simple logic. If corporations want to desert America in order to pay less in taxes, that's their business. But they should no longer have the benefits that come with being American.
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Special Mission Aircraft Market - Analysis, Growth, Trends, Forecast by 2024

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Global Special Mission Aircraft Market: OverviewSpecial mission aircraft are versatile aircraft that can be used by all three sectors of the armed forces for various operations. Special mission aircraft are equipped with surveillance equipment to detect the movement of enemy units but usually lack major offensive weapons. In combat, special mission aircraft are mainly used to support the active combatants through surveillance and delivery of supplies. Maritime patrol is another major emerging application sector of the global special mission aircraft market.The report examines the historical trajectory of the special mission aircraft market and presents solid forecasts for the market in the coming years. The major segments of the global special mission aircraft market are examined in the report to provide a granular overview. Reliable research techniques such as SWOT analysis and Porters five forces analysis are employed in the report, while the competitive dynamics of the market are examined by studying the operations of major players.Get FREE Sample PDF file of Special Mission Aircraft Market :Global Special Mission Aircraft Market: Drivers and RestraintsOne of the major drivers for the global special mission aircraft market is the increasing geopolitical tension around the world. Due to the growing amount of active engagement, the demand for special mission aircraft is growing due to the crucial role they play in supporting combatants.Apart from engagements between two nations, the prime factor driving the global demand for special mission aircraft is the increasing need to curb illicit activities such as drug trafficking, piracy, and terrorism. The rise in the consumption of illicit drugs in developed countries has given rise to significant trafficking operations, which are also often connected to more serious evils and thus need to be curbed.Piracy is also becoming a serious concern, particularly in regions such as the Indian Ocean. For instance, Piracy in the waters of Somalia has become a major concern for trade operations in the Indian Ocean, apart from adding to the geopolitical tension in the Middle East and Eastern Africa. Marine patrol has thus become a major application segment of the global special mission aircraft market and is expected to exhibit increasing demand in the forecast period.Global Special Mission Aircraft Market: SegmentationBy application, surveillance was the largest segment of the global special mission aircraft market. Apart from military operations, the demand for special mission aircraft in spotting oil spills and aiding recovery operations for the same is growing at a steady rate and is expected to become a major part of the global special mission aircraft market in the coming years. The air force accounted for the highest demand from the special mission aircraft market, followed by naval units.Regionally, North America accounted for the highest share in the global special mission aircraft market in 2015. The dominant position of the North America market can be attributed to the high defense spending in the U.S., which has by far the largest air force in the world and thus operates the highest number of special mission aircraft. Japan and China are the other major national markets for special mission aircraft.Global Special Mission Aircraft Market: Competitive DynamicsApart from a detailed look at the segmentation of the global special mission aircraft market, the report looks into the competitive landscape of the market to aid readers in formulating favorable stratagems. Key players profiled in the report include Boeing, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bombardier Inc., and Northrop Grumman Corporation.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:
Global Satellite Market: North America highly trade satellite weather information across the globe.

Global Satellite Market 2016

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Satellites are the artificial objects that are send into the space for the purpose of monitoring, gathering information, capturing pictures, communication and many other applications. Satellites are often orbiting the planet and continuously collect information and perform different functions. Satellite photos, communication and weather monitoring are the major applications of the satellites which increases the scope for the Satellite Market across the globe in the upcoming years.Check Complete Report @Scope and Regional Forecast of the Satellite Market:In the Satellite Market, Satellites are also used for navigation, weather forecast, mapping and defense applications. The US and Russia are the major countries with many satellites orbiting the Earth for many of this applications. Google maps satellite is one of the popular satellite owned by a company rather than by official country department.North America is the leading region in the Satellite Market closely followed by Asia Pacific owing to the high budget for the aerospace projects and use of satellites for various applications. Broadcasting is one of the fast growing applications of the satellites across the globe.Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the fastest growing region in the Satellite Market due to the presence of countries like China, India, Japan, South Korea etc. which are actively enhancing the technology and features of the satellites. Satellites are expected to be highly useful for mapping the regions for defense and emerging technological applications such as live gaming environment based on locations such as Pokemon go.Get Sample Brochure of the Report @Segmentation and Key Players of the Satellite Market:The Satellite Market is segmented into various categories by company and by geography as follows: By company: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Corporation,Space Systems Loral, Airbus Defence and Space, OHB and ThalesAlenia Space By geography: North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific andROWThe key players in the Satellite Market that manufacture satellites for applications are as follows: Boeing Airbus Defence and Space Lockheed Martin Thales Alenia Space Northrop Grumman CorporationThe Satellite Market is a rapidly growing market with high use of satellite view for aerial maps, satellite pictures of earth map, communication and access of satellite channels across the globe. This market is expected to have many investors for satellite map and satellite weather applications most of which are government agencies and expected to have constant growth in upcoming years.About 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
Raising prevalence of chronic diseases boost the global biobanking market growth

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Biobank is referred as a repository or library that stores biological samples which are intended for research purpose. Biobanks play a pivotal role in biomedical research and stores wide array of biospecimens that include purified saliva, blood, plasma, DNA samples. Biobanks provide data that represent large number of individuals samples used by researchers for multiple purposes (disease identification, genetic trait identification and others). Biobanks help in identifying biomarkers of diseases related to single nucleotide polymorphism and others. The samples in biobanks are categorized on the basis of genetic trait such as age, gender, ethinicity and blood type. Furthermore, samples are also categorized on the basis of environmental factors such as climatic conditions where the donor has been exposed or some other condition that can affect human genes. Biobanks are of three types namely virtual biobanks, tissue banks and population banks which are classified on the basis of purpose or design.Get free Research PDF for more Professional and Technical InsightsThe global biobanking market is witnessing an exponential growth owing to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Furthermore, biobanks are also playing an important role in the development of new drugs which is further augmenting the market growth. Various facilities such as hospitals, research laboratories, academic centers and commercial facilities collect biological specimens and biomaterials from biobanks. However, lack of high quality samples could pose a challenge to the growth of this industry. Global biobank market is categorized on the basis of disease based biobank, population biobanks and private sector biobank. Further, market is segmented on the basis of application such as lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, immunology-autoimmune diseases and central nervous system disorders.Geographically North America and Europe dominates the biobank market owing to the presence of large players that are domiciled out of these nations. However, Asian region is expected to emerge in the future due to presence of large population base. The biobanking market is witnessing mergers and acquisitions among the manufacturers. Key players dominating the market are Beckman Coulter Inc., Thermo Fischer Scientific, New Brunswick Scientific Co. Inc., Tecan AG and others.This research report analyzes this market depending on its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldTransparency 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.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
DNA Vaccines Market: A Booming trend in Pharmaceutical Industry by 2019

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Vaccines have been in use since decades to provide immunological responses against diseases. A conventional vaccine is a biological preparation of weakened or attenuated, killed forms of a microbe or one of its cellular components, while a DNA vaccine is composed of genetically engineered DNA. When a DNA vaccine is injected into the cells of an organism, it stimulates organisms immune system to produce immunity against the encoded antigens. DNA vaccines have a number of advantages over conventional vaccines such as when a conventional vaccine is administered, it activates only antibody reaction while a DNA vaccine activates antibody as well as cell mediated reaction. This new generation vaccine also offers fewer side effects compared to conventional vaccines.Get free Research PDF for more Professional and Technical Insights:The market for DNA vaccines is segmented into human DNA vaccines and animals DNA vaccines market. Currently there are no approved DNA vaccines for human but more than 100 products are under clinical trial for a variety of diseases including HIV infection, cancer and infectious diseases. Pennsylvania based Inovio Pharmaceuticals has its Syncon brand of vaccines in clinical trial for a variety of cancers and infectious diseases. On the other hand there are three DNA vaccines approved for animal health. The first vaccine was approved in the year 2005 for use in horses against West Nile Virus. Some of the pipeline DNA vaccines developed by Vical are Apex IHN for infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus and ONCEPT for melanoma in dogs.The global market for DNA vaccines is growing impressively under the influence of advantages associated with this new generation of vaccines such as fewer side effects, ease of development and lower cost and continued development in biotechnology arena. The human health segment is expected to grow at relatively higher CAGR compared to animal health segment. Some of the notable companies operating in this market are Novartis Animal Health, Inovio Biomedical Corp, Merck & Co., Dendreon Corporation, Astellas Pharma, Vical, Sanofi and Tekmira Pharmaceuticals.This research report analyzes this market depending on its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report include:North AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldTransparency 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.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Increasing Investments in Automotive Sector Benefit Steering Wheel Market in India

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The automotive steering wheel market in India is fairly consolidated at present, with the top three players accounting for an estimated 60% of the overall market in 2014. Transparency Market Research has found that TRW Sun Steering Wheels Pvt. Ltd., Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd., and Autoliv have established a strong foothold in the automotive steering market in the country with the continuous development of new products and engaging in acquisitions.Product innovation is key in sustaining in this growing market and leading players have been consistently investing on research and development, the author of the study observes. For instance, Toyoda Gosei launched an advanced steering wheel in October 2015. With vibrating indicators, this steering wheel lends the driver an alternate signal during unintentional drifting of the vehicle out of lane.Get More Information :Increasing Investments in Automotive Sector Benefit Steering WheelThe automotive sector in India is at a high and analysts predict that this industry will continue to experience rapid growth during the forecast period as well. The growing demand for passenger and commercial vehicles will drive the demand for automotive steering wheels through 2023, the author states. Moreover, various automotive manufacturers have been investing heavily across various automotive components in order to maintain the increasing demand for automobiles and satisfy the safety needs of the consumers.In recent years, companies such as Autoliv Inc., Takata Corp., TRW Automotive Inc., and Toyoda Gosei Co have been investing in India to set up new production plants. Established manufacturers such as Fiat and General Motors have also upped their investments in setting up new production facilities across the country.Limiting the automotive industry in India are some persistent factors such as transportation demand management (TDM) initiatives to curb car congestion and reduce CO2 emissions, the taxation policy of the government, and fluctuating fuel prices, the analyst states. These factors are sure to impact the steering wheel market in the country.Browse The Full Report :Demand for Steering Wheels in Passenger Vehicle Segment to Expand at a Rapid PaceBy value, the automotive steering wheel market in India stood at INR 634.9 Cr in 2014 and this is projected to reach INR 1,214.6 Cr by 2023, expanding at a 7.1% CAGR from therein. By type of material, the market was led by the polyurethane segment in 2014, reaching a value of INR 762 Cr by 2023 at a 7.0% CAGR. However, the leather segment is predicted to witness the fastest growth through the forecast period, registering a CAGR of 7.8% from 2015 to 2023.By wheel diameter, the small steering wheel segment led the automotive steering wheel market in India and this segment is also forecast to be the fastest growing one by 2023. Based on application, the automotive steering wheel market in India was primarily driven by the passenger vehicle segment, which is also predicted to be the most rapidly expanding segment. On the basis of technology, the market was led by normal steering wheels in 2014 and steering wheels without airbags held a key share within that segment. On the other hand, the controls embedded steering wheels segment was led by steering wheels with air bags.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Biopreservation Market 2016 by Key Products Biospecimen, Key Applications, Investments & End User - Global Forecasts 2021

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In The study on the global Biopreservation market emphasizes on the current scenario of the market, future development opportunities, key companies, the development areas, key regions, innovations, changing trends, and also the competitive analysis. The research on the worldwide Biopreservation market is prepared by expert analysts and highlights all current trends, key developments, and the growth opportunities expected in the years to come.The report outlines product definitions, classifications, key specifications, applications, various distribution channels, and product innovations. This enables the vendors and stakeholders to strategically study the global Biopreservation market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report briefly studies the global Biopreservation market by taking into consideration factors such as new products, project developments, distribution channels, suppliers, key traders, key companies, and marketing channels. The report profiles key companies along with the new entrants operating in the global Biopreservation market. Key players are profiled in the report by considering factors such as company profile, production capacity, a list of products and product specifications, regional analysis, areas of operation of key players, and import and export status.By using SWOT analysis, an industry-standard tool, the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities of key players in the global Biopreservation market are measured.With a 360-degree view, the analysts recognize various technological developments happening in the global Biopreservation market. The feasibility study of new projects is highlighted in the report by the analysts. The geographical coverage of leading players operating in the global Biopreservation market is measured to mark their dominance. As per the findings of the report, mergers and acquisitions will benefit key companies in maintaining their dominance.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of ContentsChapter One Biopreservation Industry Overview1.1 Biopreservation Definition1.1.1 Biopreservation Product Pictures & Product Specifications1.2 Biopreservation Classification & ApplicationChapter Two Biopreservation Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis2.1 Biopreservation Raw Material & Equipments Supplier and Price Analysis2.2 Biopreservation Labor & Other Cost Analysis2.3 Biopreservation Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis2.4 Biopreservation Manufacturing Process AnalysisChapter Three Biopreservation Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis3.1 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Biopreservation Capacity and Commercial Production Date3.2 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Biopreservation Manufacturing Plants Distribution3.3 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Biopreservation R&D Status and Technology Sources3.4 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Biopreservation Raw Materials Sources AnalysisChapter Four Biopreservation Production by Regions, Technology and Applications4.1 2010-2016 Biopreservation Production by Regions(such as US, EU, China and Japan etc)4.2 2010-2016 Biopreservation Production by Product Type & Application4.3 2010-2016 Biopreservation Price by key Manufacturers4.4 2010-2016 US & China Biopreservation Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value Analysis4.5 2010-2016 Europe and Japan Biopreservation Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value Analysis4.6 2010-2016 US and China Biopreservation Supply Import Export Consumption4.7 2010-2016 Europe and Japan Biopreservation Supply Import Export ConsumptionChapter Five Biopreservation Sales and Sales Revenue by Regions5.1 2010-2016 Biopreservation Sales by Regions (such as US, EU, China & Japan etc)5.2 2010-2016 Biopreservation Sales Revenue by Regions (such as US EU China Japan etc)5.3 2010-2016 Biopreservation Sales Price by Regions (such as US EU China Japan etc)5.4 2010-2016 Biopreservation Demand by ApplicationsRead More @QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States+1-518-621-2074866-997-4948USA-Canada Toll freesales@qyresearchreports.com
United States Geothermal Power Market 2016 Power Generation,Investment Trends, Key Market Plans and Emerging Projects

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The United States Geothermal Power market has been consistently undergoing many changes. By highlighting these changes, the research study carries out a detailed analysis of the United States Geothermal Power market for the period from 2016 to 2021.In the report, research analysts have identified the attractiveness of the United States Geothermal Power market by using efficient analytical tools including investment return analysis, SWOT analysis, and market feasibility analysis. After discussing the current situation of the market, the study diverts its attention towards the future of the United States Geothermal Power market. Considering the results of the analysis, the future of this market is projected to be bright.The research done helps stakeholders and vendors get a complete unbiased picture of the United States Geothermal Power market. New project investments are also studied in the report. SWOT analysis, an industry-standard tool, is used to measure the feasibility of the new projects. Various crucial strategies used by key companies operating in the United States Geothermal Power market are discussed in the report.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The study evaluates the competitive landscape of the United States Geothermal Power market. For this, company profiles of leading players are listed in the report. The market is divided into various segments and sub-segments for a detailed analysis.The research studies the Geothermal Power market by considering various products, specifications, and applications. The volume of production, pricing structure, and the revenue are the key factors considered in the report to determine the performance of the United States Geothermal Power market. The analysts have also evaluated the sales dynamics and production chain in the report.The report provides a blueprint of the United States Geothermal Power market for the market participants, vendors, stakeholders, and consultants, as it supports them in taking accurate decisions and using the appropriate approaches to gain a competitive edge.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of ContentsChapter One Geothermal Power Industry Overview1.1 Geothermal Power Definition1.1.1 Geothermal Power Product Pictures & Product Specifications1.2 Geothermal Power Classification & ApplicationChapter Two Geothermal Power Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis2.1 Geothermal Power Raw Material & Equipments Supplier and Price Analysis2.2 Geothermal Power Labor & Other Cost Analysis2.3 Geothermal Power Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis2.4 Geothermal Power Manufacturing Process AnalysisChapter Three Geothermal Power Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis3.1 2016 United States Key Manufacturers Geothermal Power Capacity and Commercial Production Date3.2 2016 United States Key Manufacturers Geothermal Power Manufacturing Plants Distribution3.3 2016 United States Key Manufacturers Geothermal Power R&D Status and Technology Sources3.4 2016 United States Key Manufacturers Geothermal Power Raw Materials Sources AnalysisChapter Four Geothermal Power Production by Regions, Technology and Applications4.1 2010-2016 Geothermal Power Production by Regions(such as US, EU, China and Japan etc)4.2 2010-2016 Geothermal Power Production by Product Type & Application4.3 2010-2016 Geothermal Power Price by key Manufacturers4.4 2010-2016 US & China Geothermal Power Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value Analysis4.5 2010-2016 Europe and Japan Geothermal Power Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value Analysis4.6 2010-2016 US and China Geothermal Power Supply Import Export Consumption4.7 2010-2016 Europe and Japan Geothermal Power Supply Import Export ConsumptionChapter Five Geothermal Power Sales and Sales Revenue by Regions5.1 2010-2016 Geothermal Power Sales by Regions (such as US, EU, China & Japan etc)5.2 2010-2016 Geothermal Power Sales Revenue by Regions (such as US EU China Japan etc)5.3 2010-2016 Geothermal Power Sales Price by Regions (such as US EU China Japan etc)5.4 2010-2016 Geothermal Power Demand by ApplicationsRead More @QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States+1-518-621-2074866-997-4948USA-Canada Toll freesales@qyresearchreports.com
Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Market is growing at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2015 to 2023

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According to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023, manufacturing execution system market was valued at USD 7,860.5 Million in 2014; and is expected to reach USD 19,364.7 Million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2015 to 2023.Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) are integrated software application aimed to provide manufacturing industries with the means to schedule and plan, direct and operate, and track and analyze their operations. Presently, manufacturing industries are experiencing increasing overhead and material costs. In addition, intense economic conditions are compelling manufacturers to surge production in a cost effective way.Get More Information:This in turn is leading to rising need for implementation of industrial control systems aimed to optimize processes and provide better visibility of the shop floor. Need for quicker turnarounds and efficient utilization of resources or inventories is further driving the need for automation in industries. MES solutions offers real-time information of the shop floor, allowing end user industries to quickly response to any challenge that could negatively impact efficiency, productivity and quality. In addition, MES solutions offer uninterrupted visibility into production operations, gaining an overall view of the shop floor. Demand for industrial automation, better visibility of the shop floor and need for real-time control and adjustments to operations is driving the demand for manufacturing execution system (MES).However, requirement of high initial investment upfront, end user industries are often reluctant to install MES, which in turn is posing as a major factor restraining the market growth. Moreover, rising complexities in manufacturing industries is leading to complexities in installation of MES, further limiting the growth of the MES market. Growth opportunities for key players in the MES market lies in increasing penetration of industrial internet of things (IoT), which in turn is leading to rising demand for next-generation advanced MES solutions across the globe.The global manufacturing execution system (MES) market is categorized based on process and discrete industry. Process industry includes oil and gas, chemical, food and beverages, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, energy and power, water and wastewater treatment and others. Other process industry segment includes textiles, and steel and aluminum.Browse The Full Report:In 2014, oil and gas segment contributed the majority of the global MES market share by process industry in terms of revenue. Based on discrete industry, the global manufacturing execution system (MES) market is segmented into automotive, aerospace and defense, electronics and electrical, medical devices, FMCG, and others. Others segment includes semiconductors, furniture & wood products, and printing and publishing. Amongst discrete industry, automotive segment held the majority of the market share in terms of revenue in 2014. Surge in installation of MES in automotive industry to meet increasing demand for faster time to market is driving the growth of the segment.Geographically, North America led the manufacturing execution system (MES) market in 2015. Growth in this region is attributed to the rising need for advanced MES in industries aimed at integrating data from ERP and routing the information to plant floor for efficient operation. Europe followed North America and held the second largest market share in terms of revenue in 2014. Asia Pacific region closely followed Europe region and is anticipated to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period.Key players have also been profiled on the basis of company overview, financial overview, business strategies and recent developments in the field of manufacturing execution system (MES) industry. Major market participants profiled in this report include ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Schneider Electric S.E. (France), Rockwell Automation, Inc. (U.S.), Emersion Electric Co. (U.S.), General Electric Co. (U.S.), and SAP SE (Germany) among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Smart Cities: Industry Roadmap, Opportunity, Urbanization Trends, Effective Operator, Platforms and Technologies

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Smart Cities: A Challenging but Attractive Opportunity for Network Operators Size and Share Published in 2015-07-31 Available for US$ 3495 at Researchmoz.usDescriptionGet the Full Report :Smart Cities: A Challenging but Attractive Opportunity for Network Operators, a Research Report by Pyramid Research, analyzes the smart city proposition for network operators worldwide and how they are addressing the opportunity. The report discusses the urbanization trends worldwide and provides an in-depth analysis of elements of smart city services, the stakeholders in smart city projects and effective operator approaches and business models built around five, detailed operator case studies (AT&T, KT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica and KPN) and reviews of developments in China and India.Key FindingsAt a fundamental level, the smart city is an important and attractive opportunity for network operators. Cities are the engines of economic growth, but with growing populations they face important challenges many of which can be addressed through ICT and digital technologies.By their nature, smart city projects are complex, long term and unique with many stakeholders and a variety of priorities and business models. There is also strong competition from global and local vendors.Smart city growth is often not continuous and network operators need to carefully consider potential growth across their footprint, combined with their positioning in the different markets where they are present.Network operators are well positioned for the growth of M2M and IoT, which are the basis for many smart city services such as transport related, surveillance/ security and smart metering. Partnerships enable access to smart city expertise.Prior to allocating significant resources, operators need to both see a significant emphasis by governments on smart city investment and be sure they are positioned to take advantage.In most countries, however, there is no significant central government involvement, and city projects tend to move forward only when funding is made available locally, with only limited market potential.The most common approach is for operators to address various verticals that are attractive in themselves on a nationwide basis, but can also form part of a broader smart city project.Pyramid does not believe that the option of investing into dedicated smart city resources is viable for most operators, and rather recommends focusing on M2M and IoT services (and networks) which lowers risk and leaves smart city opportunities open.SynopsisSmart Cities: A Challenging but Attractive Opportunity for Network Operators, a Research Report by Pyramid Research, analyzes the smart city proposition for network operators worldwide and how they are addressing the opportunity. The report discusses the urbanization trends worldwide and provides an in-depth analysis of elements of smart city services, the stakeholders in smart city projects and effective operator approaches and business models built around five, detailed operator case studies (AT&T, KT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica and KPN) and reviews of developments in China and India.Get a Free Sample Copy of the Report:The report is organized as follows:Introduction ? Background and overview: This section looks at the key trends that form the context of smart city projects, highlighting the rise of megacities. A discussion of how to define a smart city is also included.Smart city scope, stakeholders and value chain: This section analyzes the elements of a smart city, city priorities and smart city stakeholders. It also presents the smart city value chain and provides a theory of a virtuous circle triggered by smart city projects.Analysis of operator approaches: This section reviews the various smart city opportunities available to operators and an examination of most effective operator approaches to smart city services.Case studies: This section includes five operator-specific case studies (AT&T, KT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica and KPN) analyzing a sample of smart city initiatives. It also includes two country-level case studies that analyze the smart city plans of the Chinese and Indian governments as well as operator initiatives in the two countries.Reasons To BuyThis Report provides a comprehensive examination of the smart city proposition for network operators, smart city projects, value chain and key stakeholders as well as effective operator strategies to help operators make informed decisions pertaining to investments in networks and technologies, develop key partnerships and optimize return on investment.This report compares smart city strategies and operator footprints and analyzes various smart city business models and approaches to help executives understand the growth opportunities and challenges facing their companies in the emerging field of smart city services.The comparative analysis of smart city go-to-market approaches from five leading operators will help service providers to determine key considerations for assessing smart city projects and develop innovative, effective business models to maximize their opportunities.The report incorporates an easily digestible, executive-level assessment of smart city projects and the role of network operators worldwide built around insights directly from the market stakeholders, which enables decision makers to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends and make informed business decisions.Inquiry on this report:Table of ContentTable of exhibitsExecutive summarySection 1: Introduction : Background and overviewThe growing importance of citiesRise of the megacitiesCity uniquenessSmart city definition and overviewSection 2: Smart city scope, stakeholders and value chainFour elements of the smart cityCity prioritiesOverview of smart city stakeholdersRegional and national stakeholdersDepartmental and ministerial stakeholdersSmart city value chainSmart city provisioning modelSmart city virtuous circleResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ bit.ly/1TBmnVG
OTT Services: The Rapid uptake of Growth in Data Traffic for Broadband providers and Promote to Internet Neutrality

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OTT Services: Collaborative Regulation Can Promote Internet Neutrality Size and Share Published in 2016-02-07 Available for US$ 3495 at Researchmoz.usDescriptionGet The Full Report @@The explosive growth of over-the-top (OTT) services has disrupted the telecommunications market by boosting competition and by creating a phenomenal traffic load on the transport pipes of ISPs. Network providers are using traffic differentiation to manage the increased volume and distribute the cost of additional capacity, which has raised equal-access concerns among online content and service providers and consumers. As many governments around the world strive to address the issue, regulators are grappling with how to maintain Internet equality without discouraging sector growth.Get a Free Sample Copy of the Report:Key FindingsThe rapid uptake of OTT services globally is a major driver of the growth in data traffic for broadband providers. Popular OTT applications have disrupted the traffic management models of ISPs by exponentially expanding the volume of content carried over the Internet. The increased data load has created challenges for ISPs, which are coming up with methods for managing congestion.Traffic management by ISPs has prompted governments to intervene to ensure Internet traffic equality. The need for government intervention to achieve a neutral Internet has been debated for a long time. Since the rise of the public Internet, governments have been weighing the merits of regulating such an expansive space against the risks of curtailing freedom.Regulators must recognize the factors that enable a sustainable net neutrality program. A concerted implementation plan is needed to push forward the net neutrality agenda and attain sustainable progress. Some key enablers are identified based on each countryInquiry on this report:Table of ContentExecutive summaryIntroduction: Report scope and definitionsReport scopeDefinition of over-the-top servicesInternet neutrality definitionSection 1: Dynamics shaping the OTT environmentGrowth drivers and trends  OTT videoGrowth drivers and trends  OTT messagingGrowth drivers and trends  OTT telephonyThe impact of OTT services on network providersSection 2: Ecosystem player viewsDiverging stances on net neutralityThe governments dilemmaAutonomy is key for ISPsConsumers want open access, equality and more choicesOTTs: Neutrality benefits consumers and the entire ecosystemSection 3: Case studies  Approaches to regulating net neutralityRegulating net neutrality: Same goal, different pathsRegulatory frameworks for net neutralityCase study: United KingdomCase study: FranceCase study: South KoreaCase study: United StatesCase study: European UnionCase study: ChileCase study: BrazilResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ bit.ly/1TBmnVG
Global Autoimmune Drugs Market 2016: Graves Disease, Hashimotos Thyroidtis, Vitiligo

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Latest industry research report on Autoimmune Drugs. Autoimmune disease is a condition which results in impaired function and the destruction of tissue, caused by an immune reaction. In autoimmune conditions abnormal antibodies are produced which attack the bodys own cells and tissues. The increasing incidences of autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes, etc. have created the need for autoimmune drugs.The rising awareness for the treatment, increasing incidences of autoimmune diseases due urban lifestyle and affordable treatments, are some of the key factors that drive the growth of the Autoimmune diseases treatment market in the analysis period. Furthermore, the availability of biosimilar drugs has created potential opportunities for new players in the Autoimmune drugs market. Factors restraining the market growth are lack of standard treatment, safety issues and quality issues regarding autoimmune drugs.Access Full Report:The Autoimmune drugs market, is segmented on the basis of product type, application and geography. The product types considered, in this report include B cell inhibitors, T cell inhibitors, Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors, Interleukin Inhibitors, Immunosuppressants, Beta Interferons, Insulin and Others. Based on application the market is classified into Graves disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimotos Thyroidtis, Vitiligo, Type 1 Diabetes, Pernicious Anemia and Others (Sjogren Syndrome and Systemic lupus erythromatosus). Geographically, the market is segmented across four regions namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and LAMEA.One of the strategies adopted by major market players is product launch. For instance, Zydus launched the biosimilar of Adalimumab, which is used in the treatment of auto immune disorders, at a price one fifth of the innovator drug; this has enabled the company to gain significant margins. The companies profiled in this report are Abbott Laboratories, Active Biotech, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson Ltd, Lupin Limited, Eli Lilly and Company, Zydus, Bristol-Myers Squibb and AutoImmune Inc.Get Free Sample Report Of Autoimmune Drugs Market @About Intense ResearchIntense Research provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Intense Research cover more than 30 industries includsing energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with one-stop solution for all the research requirements.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. 1-855-465-4651Email: sales@intenseresearch.comWeb:
Increase in Penetration of Internet and Internet-enabled Devices- A driving factor for Cloud-based Language Learning Market.

Cloud based language learning market | Beige Market Intelligence

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Analysts at Beige Market intelligence have identified the major driving factors of Worldwide Cloud-based Language Learning Market. According to the report the major factors areIncrease in Penetration of Internet and Internet-enabled DevicesOne of the major drivers for the growth of the online language market is the growing penetration of the internet and internet-enabled devices. The internet has been a great medium to deliver online content and has triggered growth in the online language market.The global population is estimated to grow almost 8 billion people by 2021 with a CAGR of more than 1% says the analyst at Beige Market Intelligence.This provides a high opportunity for the internet based learning market. Governments across developing economies are undertaking initiatives for the development of internet infrastructure.More information available in reportThe report also outlines the other driving factors such asImportance of continuous education among Global CitizensThe growing need for education among global citizens and desire to learn a second language is growing. As the education curriculum changes encourage the acquisition of second language learning. This provides an opportunity for growth of the market.Private Investments in Digital LearningWith the growth in internet penetration and device adoption, there has been an increase in investor interest in digital learning solutions. There are more than 350 language learning startups globally, which are funded privately.Global Workforce and Migration of Skilled LaborThe migration of skilled resources from developing to developed countries has been in practice for several decades and is one of the major contributors to the language learning across the world.Along with the detailed analysis and explanation of the major driving factors the report also includes the key market restraint information, competitive landscape analysis and key vendors in Worldwide Cloud-based Language Learning Market for the forecast period of 2021.In the research report worldwide cloud-based language learning market has been segmented by target user type, language type and geographic segmentation type.Some of the major key vendors included in the report are Speexx, Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, Busuu and Babbel. Some of the other prominent vendors featured in the report include 50 Languages, Linguatronics, Sanako, Okpanda, Sans, Voxy, Sanoma, Memrise and Edusoft.For more information on the report click here.Contact info:contactus@beigemarketintelligence.comUS: +1 347 903 9949UK: +44 20 323 99499APAC: +91 99 012 75473 / 9986433385About Beige Market Intelligence:Beige Market Intelligence is new-age provider of competitive business intelligence, working across various industry verticals. Our expertise and knowledge ensures that the market analysis Beige provides is comprehensive, detailed and complete. The analysis helps our client organizations become aware and make educated decisions, as far as investing or devising a marketing strategy is concerned. The actionable insights delivered through our market research provide a comprehensive market analysis for every level of market segmentation in an industry. Beige Market Intelligence is a quality driven high end Market Research organization. Our team of experts ensure the analysis you receive is not just analysed and smartly presented, but is completely customized based on the clients requirement. Our deliverables guarantee our current global client base does not look beyond Beige when it comes to any kind of industry and market analysis.Beige Market IntelligenceChinnapannahalli, Doddanekundi Main road, Bangalore-560037Contact info:contactus@beigemarketintelligence.comUS: +1 347 903 9949UK: +44 20 323 99499APAC: +91 99 012 75473
Global Optical Chopper Market Revenue and Value Chain By 2015  2021

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Waterborne UV coating systems is developed as a replacement for solvent coating systems. In order to meet specific requirements of the industries, these systems are available as UV coating systems within waterborne coating technology and waterborne coating systems within UV coating technology. Waterborne UV coating systems are easy to matt, superior in adhesion and are simple and easy to use. Waterborne UV coating systems are used in a variety of applications such as plastic, paper, soft touch coating, industrial metal, wood flooring, vinyl flooring and wood furniture (especially in kitchen and office) among others.Download Sample @Increasing environmental awareness and concern for our surrounding is expected to drive the global waterborne UV coating systems. The presence of stringent environmental standards for emission of volatile organic compounds imposed by various governments and regulatory bodies has played a crucial role in the development of a substitute for solvent coating systems. Waterborne UV coating systems uses water as the solvent unlike the solvent system which utilizes harmful chemicals. Moreover, the waterborne UV coating systems are easy to apply and have its emerging benefits as composite repair, direct to metal applications, sunshine-cure coatings for decking and aerospace application among others.The growing construction and furniture industry, particularly in China is expected to boost the growth of the market. Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest consumer of waterborne UV coating systems in the next few years, owing to the increasing population and growing industry for secondary processed products especially in China and India. Currently, Europe is the largest market for waterborne UV coating systems due to the stringent regulations with respect to the environment in this region. Therefore, numerous automobile companies in this region are replacing solvent coating systems with waterborne UV coating systems.Bayers MaterialScience, Axalta Coating Systems, Nanovere Technologies, Becker coatings and Sirca SpA are some of the key participants of the waterborne UV coating systems.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Key geographies evaluated in this report are:North AmericaU.SCanadaEuropeFrance, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UKEastern EuropeCISAPACChinaIndiaJapanAustraliaOthersLatin AmericaArgentinaBrazilOthersKey features of this reportDrivers, restraints, and challenges shaping the Waterborne UV Coating Systems market dynamicsLatest innovations and key events in the industryAnalysis of business strategies of the top playersWaterborne UV Coating Systems market estimates and forecasts(2015 -2021)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 Data Center RFID Market Drivers and challenges By 2015-2021

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A data center is a facility of computer systems that houses the data and applications which are critical for the success of business organizations. Data centers are integrated to deliver timely, trusted and secure information within the organization. Currently, data center managers are continuously facing pressure to enhance the security of data center assets and ensure optimal utilization of resources. Hence, they are integrating various technologies such as Radio-frequency identification (RFID) to keep track of critical assets such as servers, routers and other IT assets. Automation via RFID reduces inefficiency and human error, reduces costs and complexity while increasing flexibility and control. RFID allows companies to identify and collect a range of metrics for data center assets. Additionally, they help to increase inventory accuracy and operational efficiency. Based on the type of assets, RFID tags can be for servers, switches, storage devices (removable drives and backup drives) among others. Based on solutions, RFID for data centers include tags (active or passive tags), readers, antennas and software.Download Sample @Data centers consists of expensive, mission critical assets which need to be tracked. Tracking data center assets helps to organize them and reduce operational costs. Moreover, manual tracking is expensive and consolidating inventory can be tedious and inefficient. Hence, a large number of data centers are increasingly turning to RFID technology to decrease expenses, increase inventory accuracy, and improve operational efficiency. RFID tags when used on racks of data center equipment can help in retrieving information about racks within no span of time. Additionally, misplaced equipment can be easily located without reading individual serial number on tags.. Globally, an increasing number of enterprises are demanding better management of data center resources. RFID tags and other solutions help to improve the management of data center assets. This is driving the global data center RFID market. Additionally, these solutions help increase efficiency and productivity by decreasing the manual workforce which can be used for other vital tasks in an organization. Thus, the increased need for better management of resources with better productivity is collectively driving the global data center RFID market.Presently, due to the Internet of Things (IoT), massive amounts of data is being generated which is driving the need for data centers. As the number of data centers is expected to rise during the forecast period there is abundance opportunity for RFID technology to be incorporated within data centers.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Geographically, the data center RFID market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. North America is the biggest market for data centers RFID technologies. Increasing digitization in the Asia Pacific region is driving the growth of data centers in this region and hence it is an emerging region for data center RFID market. Some of the leading players in the global RFID marketplace include IBM Corporation, Zebra technologies, Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P., Invengo Information Technology Co. Ltd and Impinj, Inc. among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Global Integrated Systems Market Estimates and Forecasts(2015 -2021)

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Integrated Systems are known as the class of data center systems which are used to deliver a combination of server, network and shared-storage devices in a pre-integrated stack. These systems are used to combine networking, storage and compute as well as data center applications. With the help of integrated systems, different storage, server and networking vendors are now started offering a list of services which can resonate well with their data center operations, thereby boosting their infrastructure efficiency for high virtualized environments. It provides customers with more loosely coupled environment which is safe from all the complex interdependencies in order to bring more agility and automation in business processes. Thus, enterprises can effectively carry out all their process innovations without constantly modifying and maintaining diverse application programs. The adoption of integrated systems are aligned both with the maturity of service component provider and the operational dynamics of the customer environment.Download Sample @The rising demand to integrate deployment techniques and modern application development are boosting the integrated systems market. Furthermore, emergence of more advanced forms of data management over the traditional models is another key driver for the global integrated systems market. Thus, opportunity lies in monetizing data center infrastructure functionalities owing to the rapid advances taking place in the social, mobile and real-time communication devices. Moreover, speed to market is another important characteristic of integrated systems. It deals with building an entire data center consisting of load balancers, virtual machines, firewalls and networking within an hour or two which was not possible with the traditional methods. In addition, other factors like business and global expansion, financial efficiency and core competency are further fueling the growth of integration systems market. However, the offerings provided by integrated systems are really complex regarding management of business ecosystem as well as technology integration.The global integrated systems market is segmented on the basis of its type, business enterprise size, end-use industries and geographies. Based on its types, the integrated systems market is segmented into integrated workload systems, integrated infrastructure systems, and integrated reference architectures. Based on business enterprise size, integrated systems market is classified into small, medium and large business organizations. Further, based on end-use industries, the global integrated systems market is segmented into IT and telecommunications, healthcare, manufacturing, defense and energy, and others. The market is gaining huge penetration in small and medium sized enterprises due to low-cost and efficient services provided by integrated systems for B2B integration. Moreover, the growing intra-region integration is fueling the demand of integrated services in Asia Pacific region, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Geographically, the market is most dominant in the North America region due to high demand of IT infrastructure services by small, medium and large industries in this region.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Some of the major players in the global integrated systems market include ActiveState Software Inc., IBM Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Red Hat Inc., SAP SE, EMC Corporation, Hubspan, Inc., and Cordys B.V., Fujitsu Limited and Cisco Systems, Inc., among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Satellite Transponder Market: Key Trends, Demand, Growth, Size, Review, Share, Analysis to 2025 The Insight Partners

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The Satellite Transponder Market to 2025 -Global Analysis and Forecasts By Bandwidth, Application and By Service report provides a detailed overview of the major factors impacting the global market with the market share analysis and revenues of various sub segments.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Satellite Transponder Market to 2025 @A communications satellite's transponder is an array of interconnected units which form a communications channel among the receiving and the transmitting signals. It is mostly used in satellite communication for transferring the received signals. A single satellite contains about fifteen to thirty five transponders. The signals transferred from earth to the satellite are received at a very low power level because of the huge distance between satellite and transmitter. The satellite transponders are designed to function at different range of frequency for distinct transponders to amplify the received low power signals. The high power amplifiers in the transponders take the function of amplification. These amplified signals are then sent back or re-transmitted back to earth through a satellite.The demand for satellite transponders is continuously responding to the rising growth of new Ku-band frequencies subscribers. Ku-band frequency is mainly used for data, video and voice communications and therefore is the utmost preferred frequency. Furthermore, the rising adoption of Ka-band frequency to achieve high-bandwidth communication and broadcasting has also driven the growth of the global satellite transponders market. Subscriber updates is also a factor for the propelling the growth of this market. The progress in sectors of application such as in-flight communications, machine to machine (M2M) and maritime broadband have also been enhancing the growth of global satellite transponders market. The anticipated modification and growth in applications in the near future can be expected to further drive the market.Request sample copy @The global satellite transponder market is segmented by bandwidth into K-Band, Ka-Band, Ku-Band, C-Band and others. Also, the market is divided by application into navigation, commercial communications, remote sensing, government communications, R&D and others. Furthermore, this market is segmented on the basis of service includes maintenance & support, leasing and others. The global satellite transponder market is also segmented by region into North America, APAC, Europe, South America and Middle East & Africa. Ku-band is the maximum utilized frequency band and has the largest share in the market in terms of revenue. These are mostly utilized for industrial satellite communications i.e. voice broadcast and direct broadcast among others. However, factors such as competition from fiber optic transmission cable networks and high capital required for investment acts as restraints hindering the growth of global satellite transponder market.The North American region dominates the global market of satellite transponder owing to widespread necessity for reliable and secure satellite-based communication used in DTH, video distribution, broadband accesses and others. The second largest holder of the global market share for satellite transponder is APAC. Though, major growth is anticipated in the Middle East & Africa and South America due to increase in demand for high definition to replace standard definition offerings, direct-to-home satellite TV, need for secure communications for defense & military and the lively broadcast industry.Inquire about discount on this report @Eutelsat Communications S.A, Hispasat, SES S.A., Embratel Star One, Singapore Telecommunication Limited, Thaicom Public Company Limited, Intesat S.A., SKY Perfect Jsat Corporation, Arabsat, Telesat Canada and others are the chief industry players of the global satellite transponder market.Some of the key points covered in the report: Satellite Transponder Market Landscape Satellite Transponder Market  Key Industry Dynamics Satellite Transponder Market  Five Forces Analysis Satellite Transponder Market  Competitive Landscape Satellite Transponder Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Bandwidth Satellite Transponder Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Sensor Application Satellite Transponder Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Service Satellite Transponder Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Geographical Analysis Satellite Transponder Market, Key Company ProfilesAbout The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Global Cloud Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) Market Supply & Demand By 2015 2021

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The cloud infrastructure for data storage offers numerous options for sourcing, approach and control. It brings well-defined set of services that are perceived by customers to have continuous availability, infinite capacity, improved cost efficiency and increased agility. To attain these attributes in customers minds, information technology (IT) must move its traditional server centric approach to service centric approach. This entails that IT must go from organizing applications in silos with the minimal leverage among environments to deliver applications on a pre-determined standardized platforms with agreed service levels. A hybrid strategy that uses numerous cloud options at the same time would become a norm since organizations choose a mix of several cloud models to meet the specific needs.Download Sample @Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) is a model where an organization is able to outsource the equipment used to support operations, including hardware, storage, networking components and servers. The service provider owns equipment and is accountable for running, housing and maintaining it. Cloud IaaS adoption is growing, as enterprises are turning to cloud based IT model to decrease the capital expenditure. Characteristics and several components of IaaS are:Billing model and utility computing serviceComputerization of administrative tasksDynamic scalingDesktop virtualizationOffers policy based servicesInternet connectivityDelivers resources such as storage and network components as services and serversEliminates the need for hardware maintenance and administrationCloud infrastructure-as-a-service is among three fundamental service models of the cloud computing beside Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). As with cloud computing services, it offers access to the computing resource in virtualized environment, the Cloud, across public connection, normally the internet. In case of IaaS, the computing resource offered is particularly that of virtualized hardware, in the other words, computing infrastructure. The definition involves offerings such as virtual server space, bandwidth, network connections, IP addresses and load balancers. The pool of hardware resource is dragged from a multitude of networks and servers normally distributed among several data centers, all of that the cloud provider is responsible for maintaining. The client, on other hand, is given access to the virtualized components in order to create their own IT platforms.Some important factors supporting the growth of cloud infrastructure-as-a-service market include decreased IT structure, disaster recovery plans and support for business continuity, improved compliance and security profile, and reduced IT staff. Cloud IaaS helps reduce complexity by elimination of software, servers, disaster recovery and backups. However, concerns about application reliability and performance, security risks and unwillingness to retreat controls are factors act as a challenge to this market.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Some of the major players for cloud infrastructure as a service market include Amazon Web Services, Bluelock, CA Technologies, Cloud Scaling, Datapipe Inc., Rackspace, Hewlett Packard, Logicworks, GoGrid, Layeredtech, Verizon, Savvis, OpSource and NaviSite among others. Amazon Web Services is the market leader in this market followed by Rackspace and Verizon.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 Defense Robotics Market Competitive landscape By 2015  2021

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Most of the countries utilize the defense robotic system or are in the process of acquiring or building the technology to incorporate into military programs. These robots are used in form of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned group vehicles (UGVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Unmanned group vehicles are robots that move on wheels or tracks and perform the function of sentry duties and examine the potential hostile location. Unmanned aerial vehicles are essentially remotely controlled or automated robots. The use of all these robotic system includes same purpose of replacing or supplementing human in battlefield situations. Deployment of autonomous or semi autonomous robotic system in the battle field helps in improving the military efficiency, operational performance and accuracy.Download Sample @Defense robotics has many advantages, the important one being performance similar to human being without danger of human casualties. Robots can endure damage done by bombs or other types of weapons that can destroy the human body. Another advantage includes various sizes of robots which enables them to fit into spaces that are not accessible for humans. Other advantages include transportation, drones and bomb disposal. The defense robotic system market across the globe is expected to show a substantial growth with a single digit increase in CAGR by the year 2019. The growth is due to the procurement of robotic vehicles for control, communication, simulation, training and other applications for military purposes.The market for defense robotics system is driven by factors such as desire to reduce the casualties in the field of operation and reduce the military spending. Development in the field of computer programming, sensing technology and material science help to create more advanced tools. Some of the factors restraining the market growth include reduced spending on defense system due to weak economic conditions, and high cost required in manufacturing of robots. Technological availability is enabling diverse applications of robots besides improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the system. Applications such as border patrolling are creating an increasing demand for UAVs and UGVs in countries such as Israel, South Korea, China and United States.The segmentation of defense robotics market can be done on the basis of product type, application and geography. On the basis of product type, the market for defense robotics can be segmented as unmanned group vehicles (UGVs), unmanned underwater vehicle (UUVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). On the basis of applications, the market can be segmented as simulation, control command and security, training and others. Global defense robotics market can also be segmented based on geographical markets as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the world. North America is the most technological advanced region in defense robotic system and Asia Pacific represents a strong opportunity due to the availability of technology in countries including China, Japan and India.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Some of the players in the defense robotics market include iRobot Corp., Allen-Vanguard Corporation, Honeywell Aerospace, GeckoSystems Intl. Corp., Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Bluefin Robotic Corp., AB Electrolux, Deep Ocean Engineering Inc., ECA Hytec SA, McArtney Group, Fujitsu Ltd., Toyota Motor Corp., AeroVironment, Lockheed Martin and 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 Artificial Lift Market (Size of $14,215 million in 2014) to Witness 10% CAGR during 2015  2020

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The global artificial lift market is expected to increase from $14,214.6 million in 2014, and reach up to $25,268.3 million in 2020, with a growing CAGR of 10.2%, during 2015 - 2020. The global artificial lift is mainly driven by the increasing shale oil and gas production. The key drivers for the artificial lift market include depleting oil reservoirs, increasing ultradeep and deepwater activities, and maturing oil and gas fields.Request For Sample Pages:North America led the global artificial lift market in 2014, and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. The dominance of North American artificial lift market over other regions is due to the presence of recoverable shale oil and gas resources, in the region. The North American artificial lift market is expected to grow with the fastest rate of 11.1%, during the period 2015 - 2020.Owing to the increase in unconventional production, such as shale gas and tight oil in the countries like U.S. and Canada, the market of rod lift is expected to increase at the fastest rate of 11.1% from 2015 to 2020. In horizontal wells, rod lifts are used as it has certain advantages such as flexibility, cost effective, can work in different well conditions, and can be used for different ranges of production rate and depths.Browse Full Report Visit Here:The increasing number of declining reservoirs is boosting the demand for artificial lift in other regions. The growth of the artificial lift market is attributed to the oil production, which has peaked in 33 countries out of 48(including some major producers such as Russia, Mexico and Kuwait), along with the upsurge in demand of artificial lifts, during the production.The information and data in the publication Global Artificial Lift Market Size, Share, Development, Growth and Demand Forecast to 2020 represent the research and analysis of data, from various primary and secondary sources. A bottom-up approach has been used to calculate the global artificial lift market. P&S Market Research analysts and consultants interact with leading companies of the concerned domain, to substantiate every value of data presented in this report. The company bases its primary research on discussions with prominent professionals and analysts in the industry, which is followed by informed and detailed, online and offline research.To Browse For Related Research:ARTIFICIAL LIFT MARKET SEGMENTATIONArtificial Lift by TypeElectric Submersible PumpsRod LiftProgressing Cavity PumpsGas LiftOthersGEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTATIONArtificial Lift Market by RegionNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeRussiaNorwayThe U.K.Rest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaIndonesiaRest of Asia PacificRest of the World (ROW)BrazilVenezuelaRussiaAbout UsP&S Market Research is a market research company, which offers market research and consulting services for various geographies around the globe. We provide market research reports, industry forecasting reports, business intelligence, and research based consulting services across different industry/business verticals.As one of the top growing market research agency, were keen upon providing market landscape and accurate forecasting. Our analysts and consultants are proficient with business intelligence and market analysis, through their interaction with leading companies of the concerned domain. We help our clients with B2B market research and assist them in identifying various windows of opportunity, and framing informed and customized business expansion strategies in different regions.Contact:Deep - Assistant Client Partner347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Master Control Switchers Market Segments By 2015  2021

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Master control switchers are an essential part of television and video broadcast that aggregate programming feeds from different sources such as audio and video. Global emergence of broadcasting industry forced operational cost reduction and technological enhancements in the same, leading to invention of more efficient techniques of operation. Broadcast industry and master control switchers are considered to be cross-linked technically, as bulk of demand for the switchers comes from broadcasters, despite the fact that master control switchers help in making broadcasting process efficient and uncomplicated.Download Sample @Development of novel revenue generation models and existing trends of uninterrupted technological development in the broadcasting market are motivating industry players towards higher altitude of corporate activities. Broadcasters are required to deploy master control switchers that are able to support and transmit SD and HD video streams owing to the growth in requirement for HD quality content of key live television events. Factors such as development of innovative video compression techniques together with Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG), improved bandwidth availability and the consequential improvement in flexibility and advanced production speed are expected to boost the demand for digital video technology. The necessity for accessing premium priced content and streaming HD video layout highlighted the significance of master control switchers market globally. In addition, demand for enhanced quality live TV and gradually declining costs of digital media technologies are expected to provide a major drive to the switchers market.Regulations mandating shift to digital broadcast signals by 2012, globally are expected to boost the demand for broadcast switchers and in turn contributing to solutions for digital technology. During the forecast period, broadcasters decision to procure switching products would be primarily influenced by factors such as level of customer support, functionality, product pricing and interoperability. Healthy economic situations in emerging markets of India, South Korea and China have significantly strengthened projections of master control switchers in these areas. These budding economies are slating capabilities in HD transmission and digital technologies on a larger scale, leading to overall market strengthening. Conventionally, Europe and North America were considered as key markets for master control switchers, technological advancements and leading growth owing to emergence of digitalization in the broadcasting market. However, in the last few decades, these trends have radically shifted in support of the developing markets of Asia-Pacific.There was a fall in demand for master control switchers in revenue during the unstable global recession period between 2008 and 2009. Due to this, the developed markets of Europe and North America were badly affected, where low capital spending and budgetary restraints towards new investments led to descend in sales revenues. Postponed investment activities of broadcasters to HD quality content transmission and modify from analog to digital technologies among tight economic conditions were reasons that led to rigorously weakened demand for master control switchers.Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:Key players in the master control switchers market include Evertz Microsystems, Ltd, Harris Corporation, Grass Valley USA, LLC, PESA, Miranda Technologies, Inc., Pixel Power, Inc., Utah Scientific, Inc and Snell Group.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
Geographic Information System (GIS) Market (Size of $7,613 million in 2014) to Witness 11% CAGR During 2015  2020

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The global geographic information system (GIS) market is expected to increase from $7,612.9 million in 2014 to reach $14,623.8 million by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 11.4%. Among the various industry verticals, the Government sector accounted for about 28.3% share of the global GIS market in 2014. The increasing urbanization, in addition to the growth of enterprise GIS in developing countries, is expected to boost the demand of geographic information system during the forecast period. During the recent years, the demand for 3D based GIS has increased, owing to the development of smart cities in China, India, and other South East Asian countries. The use of 3D GIS is witnessing rapid growth in building surveillance application.Request For Sample Pages:According to Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc. (ESRI), the adoption of 3D based urban mapping is witnessing a rapid growth, owing to the conversion 2D to 3D mapping of smart cities. The modern GIS maps are constructed in a way that new data can be added, as it becomes available and hence the transition from 2D based map to 3D map is gaining pace. The real estate company utilizes the 3D based information to leverage marketing opportunity. Providing line of sight visualization in any direction from any location in a building, offers competitive advantage to the real estate developers.The information and data in the publication Global Geographic Information System (GIS) Market Size, Share, Development, Growth and Demand Forecast to 2020 represent the research and analysis of data from various primary and secondary sources. Both, top-down and bottom-up approach has been used to calculate the global geographic information system (GIS) market by type and technology. The market numbers for countries are obtained through bottom-up approach. P&S Market Research analysts and consultants interact with leading companies of the concerned domain to substantiate every value of data presented in the report. The company bases its primary research on discussions with prominent professionals and analysts in the industry, which is followed by informed and detailed, online and offline research.Explore Report with Detailed TOC on Global Geographic Information System (GIS) Market at:The increasing investment in GIS based infrastructure by government sector is among prime growth factors for the global GIS market. The increased investment in home land security, along with large capital funding for urban development in developing countries is driving the growth of global GIS market. The growth of facility management infrastructure has also benefited the penetration of enterprise GIS solution in the recent years. Recently, the government of India has started digital India initiative. The government along with the private sector companies is expected to invest heavily in improving internet connectivity and location based services infrastructure in the country, during the next five to six years.Browse For Related Research Reports:About P&S Market ResearchP&S Market Research is a market research company, which offers market research and consulting services for various geographies around the globe. We provide market research reports, industry forecasting reports, business intelligence, and research based consulting services across different industry/business verticals.As one of the top growing market research agency, were keen upon providing market landscape and accurate forecasting. Our analysts and consultants are proficient with business intelligence and market analysis, through their interaction with leading companies of the concerned domain. We help our clients with B2B market research and assist them in identifying various windows of opportunity, and framing informed and customized business expansion strategies in different regions.Contact:DeepAssistant  Client Partner347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb:
Phosphate Fertilizers Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Competitive Market Share & Forecast by 2023: Global Market Insights, Inc.

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Global phosphate fertilizers market size was estimated at over 42 million tons in 2015 and is likely to exceed 51 million tons by 2023, growing at a CAGR of more than 2.1%. The market was valued at over USD 55 billion in 2014 and is anticipated to register more than USD 70 billion by 2023, with estimated gains of more than 3%.Asia Pacific phosphate fertilizer market size was dominant and accounted for more than 55% total demand in 2015. China was major producer and is anticipated to add production capacities over the forecast period owing to rise in crop demand. North America accounted for over 25% in 2015. Latin America is likely to grow at significant rate over the forecast period.Approximately, 65% of the worlds resources are outsourced from marine and sedimentary rock deposits, and around 90% is used for food production. The key fertilizers include DAP, MAP and superphosphates. Increasing food consumption coupled with rising population, particularly in Asia Pacific has encouraged farmers to use these fertilizers.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @These fertilizers help plants to regulate protein synthesis essential for plant growth. It is an essential micronutrient for the optimal production, being an element of nucleic acid structure which helps in development of crop. Scarcity of phosphorous in rock phosphate, increasing transportation costs and less yield has discouraged its usage in agriculture.The major challenge is the scarcity and non-renewability of this resource coupled with government imposed regulations, which may affect market. Phosphate fertilizers market price trend is expected to fluctuate owing to scarcity of raw materials.Its application includes in agriculture sector such as plant maturation and crop development. Presence of vast application has made the phosphate fertilizer market demand relatively stable. Large arable land coupled with growing population, particularly in countries such as India and China, is likely to positively influence demand. Indonesia, Bangladesh and Pakistan were some countries where significant rise in demand was observed, and is expected to continue over the forecast period.Browse complete summary of this report @The global phosphate fertilizers market share is fragmented and companies compete on the basis services provided to the clients. Key participants in market include Agrium, Coromandel International, Eurochem, Mosaic, OCP, ICL, Yara International, and CF Industries Holdings, Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, and Phosagro.In 2012, oil seeds and grains held a greater phosphatic fertilizers market share, approximately 55% by volume, in terms of application. Asia Pacific holds a major market share of nearly more than 60%, by volume in the grain & oil seeds segment.About GMIGlobal Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.29L Atlantic Avenue, Suite L 105Ocean ViewDelaware 19970United States
Wealth in China: HNW Investors; Understanding HNW investors and wealth management strategies

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SummaryThe Chinese private banking industry is hard to penetrate. However, wealth managers that are aware of the local make-up of the HNW market will find it to be highly profitable. Chinese HNW investors have mainly sourced their wealth through a mixture of entrepreneurship and earned income. While investors value professional advice, they are reluctant to relinquish control and tend to prefer advisory mandates. The average portfolio is heavily invested into cash and near cash-products and property, and this is not expected to change. Chinese HNW clients also show moderate to strong demand for auxiliary services, suggesting that a multi-service proposition is critical in China.Request Sample Report:Key Findings HNW entrepreneurs will prove to be lucrative, accounting for 33.6% of the local HNW population. Expats also represent a noteworthy proportion of the Chinese resident HNW population, accounting for 14.1%. HNW investors allocate an above average and growing proportion of their wealth into cash and near-cash products. HNW demand is particularly pronounced for advisory asset management, but technological advancements and investors desire to manage simple investments themselves is driving demand for execution-only asset management. Already high demand for margin lending is forecast to increase even further, and wealth managers should ensure clients understand the risks associated with a leveraged investment strategy.SynopsisVerdict Financials Wealth in China: HNW Investors analyzes the investing preferences and portfolio allocation of Chinese HNW investors. The report is based on our proprietary Global Wealth Managers Survey.Enquiry Before Buying:Specifically the report: Profiles the average Chinese HNW investor in terms of their demographics and analyzes the expat opportunity in China. Analyzes which wealth management mandates are preferred among Chinese HNW investors and how demand will develop going forward. Examines the allocation of Chinese HNW investors portfolios into different asset classes and how the allocation is expected to develop in the future. Analyzes product and service demand among Chinese HNW investors.Reasons To Buy Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW profiles and sources of wealth. Give your marketing strategies the edge required and capture new clients using insights from our data on HNW investors drivers for seeking investment advice vs. self-directing. Tailor your investment product portfolio to match current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals. Develop your service proposition to match the product and service demand expressed by Chinese HNW investors and react proactively to the forecasted change in demand.Buy 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:
Hemostats For Wound Closure Market To Make Great Impact In Near Future by 2025

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Historically wound types remain the same over the ages with only a slight exception being the emergence of femoral punctures associated with catheterization procedures. But with the advent of newer technologies the practice of closing those wounds are changed.These new products are commonly available on hospitals & trauma centers and have wide range of usage area. Among them Hemostat has become a very popular tool to be used as wound closure material with its excellent properties. When applied to a wound, quickly absorbs blood and other body fluids, transforms into a gel to seal the wound with a protective transparent layer, actively aids in stopping bleeding, and creates an environment for wound healing.Treatment of damaged cardiac tissue in patients with high bleeding tendency can be very challenging. In this category of surgery Hemostat proved to be a very effective with the combination of collagen sponge for the management of a myocardial woundRequest Free Report Sample@Topical hemostatic agents and tissue adhesives are used as an adjunct or alternative to standard suturing techniques to control bleeding or for wound closure.Hemostats for Wound Closure: Drivers and RestraintsWound closure has become a very frequent clinical practice which is growing very rapidly. The sophisticated procedures ensure rapid cessation of blood loss, prompt closure, strong adhesion of wound edges, tight sealing, reduced scarring, reduced risk of infection and more rapid healing. There is a pool of patients throughout the world which makes the market of this product is very lucrative. As the price is also very reasonable so acceptance of this product is gradually progressing.On the other hand some reports come which could restrict the growth. Surgical staples are emerging as the most useful tool on this wound closure segment. Also the market of suture which is there traditionally remains constant if not growing to some parts of the world. Few reports also suggested that patients may suffer with irritation, heat inflammation or redness on skin when hemostat are applied, though its not clear the exact reason for these.As the market is growing and price is low, so tough competitions will prevail in this segment too.Hemostats for Wound Closure: SegmentationGlobal market for wound closure products consist of hemostat are mainly driven the use of Fibrin which is the combination of thrombin & fibrinogen. Also collagen finds it use as hemostat though it still needs the approval of USFDA.Thrombin based HemostatsCombination HemostatsOxidized Regenerated Cellulose HemostatsGelatin HemostatsCollagen based HemostatsHemostats for Wound Closure: OverviewWith the rapid technological advancement in healthcare industry the Hemostats is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR in the forecasted period (2015-2025).Request For TOC@Hemostats for Wound Closure: Region-wise OutlookGeographically, the wound closure products market has been segmented into seven major geographical regions which include North America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific exclude Japan, Japan & Latin America, Middle east & Africa. North America contribute the most in this market followed by Europe. With the new product approvals, change in regulatory policies encourages, patient acceptance helps the market to grow. Asia Pacific & Japan pose good growth potential too for wound closure products specially Hemostat.Hemostats for Wound Closure: Key PlayersWound closure product market is highly fragmented with presence of big & small companies. The market leaders in this area are Johnson & Johnson, Covidien, B. Braun, and 3M.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:
Education ERP Market to 2025 Forecast & Future Industry Trends - The Insight Partners

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The Education ERP Market to 2025 - Global Analysis and Forecasts by Solution, Service and Deployment report provides a detailed overview of the major factors impacting the global market with the market share analysis and revenues of various sub segments.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Education ERP Market to 2025 @Since long the education market has been growing and evolving expansively and is expected to foresee even better growth in coming years. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) in education has a history and its presence in the major organization has facilitated ease of operations and management process. Enterprise resource planning in education field has enabled integration of various functions of an organization in real time to maintain and manage databases and all the functions efficiently. ERP systems keeps a track of business resources, examine production capacity and govern the status of admissions, and payroll. ERP simplifies the flow of information between numerous business functions, and also its responsible for updating priority investors.Educational institutes like universities and schools are more inclined to concentrate upon their core competency by offering quality education. Hence, education industry is intended to outsource the complicated management process to a third party vendors. In universities and schools, ERP system supports comfortable and user friendly management of student information system, enrollment & admission system, payroll, placement management, accounting, transport management and others. Moreover, the demand for security of critical data of institutions is another reason behind consideration of ERP by schools and universities.Request sample copy @The improvisation in technology and overall demand of concepts related to computing is driving the market for Enterprise Resource Planning in the education sector. This market is projected to rise high significantly with rapid adoption among the educational sector. Also other factors such as emergence of better functionality of educational system, capacity of the system in regards with flexible infrastructure most important reason for driving the market would be the requirement for streamlining the academic process. As these systems stick to a particular set up, possibility of customization is less and therefore there are other substitutes taking over the market, which is restricting the educational ERP market growth.With the introduction of cloud-based ERP and improvised admin experiences in various institutes the market is expected to vision newly evolving potential markets and hence creating new opportunities for the market growth. This market is broadly segmented into five segments viz., solutions, services, deployment, end-user and region. The solutions segment is further classified into student information system, HR-payroll, financial management, placement management, transport management, enrolment & admissions, business intelligence and others. Similarly the services segment further comprises of implementation, consulting, training & support and portal services. Implementation and consultation are already dominate the market, whereas training and support is rapidly catching the speed to generate more and more awareness about the system globally. Based on deployment type the market can be categorized into cloud-based and on-premises. The SaaS based ERP applications is majorly considered by educational institutes because of the low cost related with the maintenance, system updates and acquisition. In terms of its end-users the market is segmented into kindergarten, K-12 and higher education. The high rising growth of administrative application along with the increasing acceptance of automated system have made transfer of information additionally flexible and advanced for the end-users.Inquire about discount on this report @Globally the market is segmented into five regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle East & Africa. The adoption of ERP is expected to decline in developed economies such as U.K, U.S. and Canada. Whereas in other developing economies, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and SAM are expected to propel, as K-12 schools and higher education institutions throughout the regions are unsusceptible towards the new technological deviations. Some of the key players in this market are Dell Inc., SAP AG, Epicor Software Corporation, Ellucian, Jenzabar, Inc., Netsuite, Blackbaud, Inc., Unit4 Software, Infor and Oracle Corporation among othersSome of the key points covered in the report: Education ERP Market Landscape Education ERP Market  Key Industry Dynamics Education ERP Market  Five Forces Analysis Education ERP Market  Competitive Landscape Education ERP Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Solution Education ERP Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Service Education ERP Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Deployment Type Education ERP Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  End-users Education ERP Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025  Geographical Analysis Education ERP Market, Key Company ProfilesAbout The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Wealth in the Philippines: HNW Investors 2016 ; Understanding HNW investors and wealth management strategies in the Philippines

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SummaryFilipino HNW investors are mainly drawn from affluent families, being owners of successful and longstanding business empires. Newer entrepreneurial and high-earning individuals have begun to reshape the market along more typically Asia Pacific lines, mainly due to the accumulation of wealth and entrepreneurialism among individuals in manufacturing, construction, and retail. The Philippines increased identity as a business process outsourcing hub has dramatically changed the countrys expat profile. In general, given the strong economic performance in recent years and a positive outlook off the back of huge new infrastructure investments being made by the new Duterte government, the HNW segment is showing strong risk appetite and generally favors classic investments such as equities and bonds.Request Sample Report:Key Findings A greater proportion of Filipino wealth comes from family business ownership and entrepreneurism than the rest of Asia Pacific. The countrys increased role as a business process outsourcing hub means the HNW expat profile has changed dramatically. Broad asset allocation is dominated by high growth equities, and this will remain the case. Filipino HNW investors value professional advice but like to maintain control of investment decisions. Demand is and will remain strong for pension planning services and margin loans with which to broaden exposure to the stock market.SynopsisVerdict Financials Wealth in the Philippines: HNW Investors 2016 analyzes the Filipino wealth management market, with a focus on the HNW segments demographics, investment preferences, and services demand. The report is based on our proprietary survey of wealth managers.Enquiry Before Buying:Specifically the report: Profiles the average Filipino HNW investor in terms of their demographics and analyzes the expat opportunity in the Philippines. Analyzes which wealth management mandates are preferred among Filipino HNW investors and how demand will develop going forward. Examines the allocation of Filipino HNW investors portfolios into different asset classes and how this is expected to develop in the future. Analyzes product and service demand among Filipino HNW investors.Reasons To Buy Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW profiles and sources of wealth. Give your marketing strategies the edge required and capture new clients using insights from our data on HNW investors drivers for seeking investment advice vs. self-directing. Tailor your investment product portfolio to match current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals. Develop your service proposition to match the product and service demand expressed by Filipino HNW investors and react proactively to the forecasted change in demand.Buy 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:
Wealth in France: HNW Investors; Understanding HNW investors and wealth management strategies

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SummaryMore than half of French HNW investors generated their wealth through being a business owner or first-generation entrepreneur. 56% of French investors attribute their wealth to the property and manufacturing industries, reflective of market demand and stability. When opting to have wealth managed by a professional, French HNW clients expect access to sophisticated and exclusive products as well as better returns. However, clients who self-direct their portfolios cite confidence and ease-of-use with digital platforms as reasons for managing their wealth.Request Sample Report:Key Findings More than 60% of French HNW expats come from Western Europe. Countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are also feeder nations. 19.3% of wealth managers believe clients invest in their country of residence if they are uncertain about returning to their country of origin. French HNW expats also hope to avoid foreign exchange fees and gain better control over their investments. Frances HNW individuals are most likely to choose discretionary mandates but despite a strong preference for professional management, 26.5% opt for execution-only mandates. Equities and bonds make up the majority of French HNW portfolios. However, 76% of wealth managers expect a decrease in demand for bond investments over the next year, while property and alternatives show stronger outlooks. 66.7% of wealth managers experience strong demand for financial planning services. It is expected that pension planning will see the greatest increase in demand among planning services.Enquiry Before Buying:SynopsisVerdict Financials Wealth in France: HNW Investors report analyzes the investing preferences and portfolio allocation of French HNW investors. The report is based on our proprietary Global Wealth Managers Survey.Specifically the report: Profiles the average French HNW investor in terms of their demographics and analyses the expat opportunity in France. Analyzes which wealth management mandates are the preferred ones among French HNW investors and how demand will develop looking forward. Examines the allocation of French HNW investors portfolios into different asset classes and how the allocation is expected to develop in the future. Analyzes the product and service demand among French HNW investors.Reasons To Buy Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW profiles and sources of wealth. Give your marketing strategies the edge required and capture new clients using insights from our data on HNW investors drivers for seeking investment advice vs self-directing. Tailor your investment product portfolio to match the current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals. Develop your service proposition to match the service and product demand expressed by French HNW investors and react proactively to the forecasted change in demand.Key Highlights Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW profiles and sources of wealth. Give your marketing strategies the edge required and capture new clients using insights from our data on HNW investors drivers for seeking investment advice vs self-directing. Tailor your investment product portfolio to match the current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals. Develop your service proposition to match the service and product demand expressed by French HNW investors and react proactively to the forecasted change in demand.Buy 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:
Mass Affluents: Channel Use in Australia

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SummaryAustralian mass affluents skew towards the older ages, and thus are slightly more conservative when it comes to digital advancement in banking. Although they fully utilize the online channel they are not yet embracing mobile as much as the retail segment. This will change, however, and authorized deposit-taking institutions need to be ready for this with apps that can accommodate them. This consumer segment is very much comfortable with the online channel (it is the one they find most convenient) and providers will need to maintain a user-friendly platform to meet the banking needs of the mass affluent segment.Request Sample Report:Key Findings The size of the mass affluent market in Australia is estimated to be around 3.3 million individuals. Considering its size and on a per capita level, mass affluents are a more lucrative segment than even the HNW segment. Physically visiting a branch remains the main channel of research for over half of both the mass affluent and retail consumer segments. Mass affluent consumers are keen on engaging with financial providers over social media. At the same time, the segment has also shown interest in using social media to conduct banking activities such as making payments. Consumers dont just go online to check balances anymore  they are performing complex banking activities more frequently online. This is even more true of mass affluents, as they have more complex financial needs and are generally more intensive users of bank services.Enquiry Before Buying:SynopsisVerdict Financials Mass Affluents: Channel Use in Australia provides an analysis of the mass affluent consumer segment in Australia. It is divided into four short sections, starting with a segment overview of this consumer group. The report then looks into the channel preferences of mass affluents for different banking activities such as researching and applying for products. The report ends with mass affluents attitudes towards their ongoing preferences with regards to the various channels they prefer, as well as laying out the reasons why they avoid certain channels.Reasons To Buy How are the demographics of the mass affluent segment influencing their channel preferences? Which channels do mass affluent consumers use to conduct their research on banking products? What are the preferred channels of application among the mass affluent consumer segment? How does the mass affluent segment utilize social media and digital channels in banking?Key Highlights How are the demographics of the mass affluent segment influencing their channel preferences? Which channels do mass affluent consumers use to conduct their research on banking products? What are the preferred channels of application among the mass affluent consumer segment? How does the mass affluent segment utilize social media and digital channels in banking?Buy 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:
Social Media in Wealth Management; Reaching clients and prospects on social media

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SummaryThe majority of investors are now active on social media on a daily basis, and wealth managers should embrace this both on the company-level and on the relationship manager-level. Social media adds value in a number of ways. Companies can benefit from social media in promoting their brand, enhancing thought leadership and investment opportunities, reaching out to a younger target audience, as well as servicing customers. Relationship managers can leverage social media in researching and reaching out to prospective clients, nurturing client relationships, and building their personal brands.Request Sample Report:Key Findings While the majority of consumers are now active on social media on a daily basis, the frequency of social media use decreases with age: 94.2% of investors aged 18-24 use social media at least daily, while just 44.1% of those aged 65+ log in daily. Company policy and the feeling that social media is too public are the most often cited reasons for wealth managers not being active on social media channels. The most popular activity companies undertake on social media is brand promotion, at 72.6% of respondents, followed by the promotion of new investment opportunities, thought leadership, and services. Client servicing is not yet among the activities wealth management companies regularly practice via social media. Only 31.7% of firms respond to client queries via social media  a very low percentage given the amount of time customers spend on social media. For relationship managers contacting prospects, the leading use of social media is the opportunity to build their personal brand followed by the opportunities to research and contact prospects.Enquiry Before Buying:SynopsisThis report analyzes how wealth management companies and relationship managers can benefit from using social media. The report is based on our proprietary Global Wealth Managers Survey.Specifically the report: Analyzes how social media can be useful across the client value chain and what the barriers are to social media use in companies. Provides context on how common social media usage is across different demographic segments. Examines how wealth management companies can use social media to promote their brand and promote thought leadership and investment products, and analyzes the most popular platforms for each purpose. Examines how relationship managers can leverage social media in researching and contacting clients and prospects as well as use it in strengthening client relationships and building their personal brand. Analyzes the use of social media in client servicing and analyses the most popular platforms for each purpose. Analyzes how wealth management companies tackle social media compliance issues. Provides an international overview of the recent regulatory developments on social mediaReasons To Buy Review your current social media strategy and benchmark your social media activities against competitors. Understand how to tailor content and social media strategy to fit each platform and benefit from competitor examples across different platforms and use cases. Proactively shape social media activities in light of emerging platforms and social media trends. Broaden the use of social media from mere marketing or brand-building activities.Buy 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:
ASDF HQ Announced New Office Bearers for East India Region

ASDF Headquarters has now announced the new set of Office Bearers East India Region which will be headed by Asha Ambhaikar from 2015 to 2020. Officially announced by the ASDF International President and directed by Office of the International Secretary.In DetailAssociation of Scientists, Developers and Faculties incepted in 2010 has now landed in East India (EI) region with full fledge from January 2015. The Governing Council under the leadership of visionary leader Pr. Dr. Anbuoli Parthasarathy has unanimously selected the office bearers of ASDF EI Region which has got resolved in the board with fullest support. The span of the office bearers from 2015 to 2020 of the East India Region will be headed by Pr. Dr. Asha Ambhaikar who is a senior academician with decades of teaching experiences across the world.This EI Region consists of all the East Indian states including West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The International Secretary Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran has delegated his powers of signing the Industrial, Research, University and Academic Institutes Memorandum of Understandings to the EI Region Secretary Vinod M Kapse which needs to witness by the EI Region President Pr. Dr. Asha Ambhaikar.The President of ASDF EI Region for the tenure 2015 to 2020 Pr. Dr. Asha Ambhaikar is a Professor & Dean of Rungta College of Engineering and Technology, Bhilai. She is a chairman Board of studies of Information Technology in Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekananda Technical University, Bhilai (C.G.). She is also a Member of Academic Council in CSVTU Bhilai. She received her M.Tech in Information Technology from Allahabad University and PhD from CSVTU Bhilai, India.The Vice-President of ASDF EI Region for the tenure 2015 to 2020 Pr. Padma Bonde is a Professor from Shri Shankaracharya Technical Campus, Bhilai. She has more than Twenty five years of teaching and research experience in computer science and Information Technology. She received Certification from Thomson Prometric Certification on Websphere Application Developer. She has appreciated from Spoken Tutorial Project IIT Mumbai for outstanding contribution rendered to spread Free and Open Source Software in the state of Chhattisgarh. She received her M.E in Computer Engineering from SGSITS and PhD from RGPV, Bhopal, India.The Secretary of ASDF EI Region for the tenure 2015 to 2020 Pr. Dr. Vinod M Kapse is a Principal & Professor from GyanGanga Institute of Technology & Sciences, Jabalpur. He has more than Fifteen years of teaching experience in Electronics and Communication Engineering and three years research experience in Analysis, Design, Development, testing, and maintenance. He has skills set in Verilog, VHDL, Mentor Graphics Tools for simulation, Synthesis & schematic, Xilinx, Active HDL, ALTERA Quartus-II EDA Tools, Microwind, Tanner Tool, Proteus Keil. Previously he has working as Design Engineer in Sibar Software Services (India) Ltd since 2000 to 2002. He received her M.Tech from G. H. Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur, Nagpur University and PhD from RGPV University, India.The Treasurer of ASDF EI Region for the tenure 2015 to 2020 Pr. Dr. Udayakumar P is a Professor & Dean form Central College of Engineering & Management, Kabir Nagar, Raipur. He has more than Fifteen years of teaching experience and more than Fourteen years experience in Industry. He has a member in CSVTU Inspection Committee, CSVTU Research Committee and Computer Society of India. He received her M.Tech from CSVTU, Bhilai and PhD in Computer Science & Engineering from MATS University, Raipur, India.The new council has decided to concentrate on University and Government partnerships in establishing Joint Research Activities across the region. ASDF EI would like to give a thrust to research activities across the region by taking up various research studies in all the areas. ASDF EI will also undertake activities to encourage research and innovation within the industry and well as in academia / University. While initiation of ASDF EI Leadership Series will facilitate exclusive interaction between the members of ASDF and industry leaders, at State / National / International level and in turn, provide a platform for exchange of experience and technical know-how, various events will enable the members to get acquainted with the future directions, trends, opportunities and learning across key sectors through lectures by some national & international industry stalwarts. Apart from that a series of learning and development events will also be organized for the senior leadership team of ASDF HQ & EI members such as CFOs / Finance Heads, CMOs / Marketing Heads, HR Heads, CIOs / CTOs / Technology Heads and other key functional heads of the organization.In the mid of 2017 new events are also about to be rolled out which will happen annually at East India region.This kind of events will discuss the most relevant topics of the uptrends. The International Collaboration will enable the member organizations / bodies to participate in international delegations, both inward and outward, as well as meet people both - nationally and internationally. Schedule for all of these events will be finalized in due course.Asociation of Scientists, Developers and Faculties aims purely in the development of knowledge in all the means of the sharing the knowledge among the people and enhancing the wide research capabilities of the individuals. Criteria for being a member of this society is highly relaxed so that even the members around the average line could be as a member and share their views on a particular concept or technology.The Association of Scientists, Developers and Faculties,RMZ Milenia Business Park, Unit 602A, Phase 2,Campus 4B, 6th Floor, No 143, Dr. M.G.R RoadKadanchavady, Perungudi, Chennai  600 096.India
Emergence of Mobile-Based Payment Apps Bodes Well for A2P SMS Market

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The success rate of interactive services, pushed content services, promotional campaigns, and customer relationship management services carried out through A2P (application-to-market) SMS has been incredible. With an increasing number of businesses opting for A2P SMS as a valuable mode of promoting their campaigns, the global A2P SMS market is likely to gain impetus in forthcoming years, states new analysis from Transparency Market Research (TMR). The report is titled A2P SMS Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020 and is available on the company website for sale.Request a PDF Brochure:The prime driver for the global A2P SMS market is the increasing number of mobile phone users. As the purchasing power of consumers in emerging economies in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America has increased in the last few years, the mobile subscriber base in these regions has also expanded correspondingly. The steady urbanization in these regions is likely to remain a vital driver for the A2P SMS market in the coming years.The increasing number of healthcare and banking entities making use of mobile services to reach their customers has also driven the A2P SMS market. SMS represents a reliable and secure way of informing customers of transaction updates, promotional offers, account details etc., which has led to several banks releasing their own mobile apps and staying in touch with the customer through A2P SMS. The emergence of several mobile-based payment apps also bodes well for the A2P SMS market, as confidential information can be reliably sent over SMS.On the other hand, the growing problem of phishing or spamming still persists within the A2P SMS market. This may deter new users from availing notifications via SMS and older users to block known spammers. While reputable entities such as banks and payment gateways will provide a steady revenue source for the A2P SMS market, the easy availability of several options to block SMS from particular sources is likely to hold the A2P SMS market back in the coming years.Geographically, Asia Pacific is the leading segment of the global A2P SMS market, with a 4.6% CAGR expected for the segment from 2014 to 2020. The prime driver for the Asia Pacific A2P SMS market is the higher prevalence of feature phones than in developed economies. This forces the consumers to use SMS instead of mobile-data-based communication apps, leading to increased effectiveness of A2P SMS services.CRM (customer relationship management) services such as authentication messages and one-time passwords are the leading application of A2P SMS. The ease of incorporating the seemingly old-fashioned feature of SMS into the multi-level security systems employed by several financial services has led to the dominance of CRM services in the global A2P SMS market, with the segments revenue expected to reach US$23.5 bn by 2020.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Gerontology/Aging Market - Global Industry Application, Size and Forecast 2023

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Gerontology is an integrative study of aging which comprises the biological, psychological, sociological, and economical aspects of aging. It involves the study of aging from the individual as well as from the societal perspective. Gerontology study works in a variety of settings such as health facilities, mental health services, social service agencies, marketing and communications, retirement planning, recreation and leisure, housing agencies, government agencies, community agencies, advocacy groups, or research and educational institutions. Global gerontology/aging market is anticipated to witness a boost over the forecast period due to factors such as increasing geriatric population all over the world and rising disorders and diseases related to aging. The rate of gerontology care services and institution is increasing globally aiming to train professionals to deal with various aspects of geriatric population. These professionals work in different industries including health care, government, business community and non-profit organizations. Additionally, the continuous up gradation of in therapeutic favoring the increased life span and health care services are improving the life expectancy of aged people. These factors collectively will drive the gerontology/aging market in the forecast period.Gerontology/aging market can be segmented on the basis of its application into social, environmental and biogerontology. The scope of these applications can be functional in health care, business communities, non-profit organizations, hospitality, wellness and fitness centers for the geriatric people. Social gerontology deals with carrying out social research surveys dealing with the civic attitude towards the elderly and developing solutions and technologies that would make life safer and easier for this population. This segment also focuses in maintaining healthy environment between geriatric population and their families and providing home health care services and practicing geriatric social work. Environmental gerontology segment attempts to understand the multifaceted relationship with the environment, including home and family, neighborhood and region to enable social and environmental programs that enable successful aging. Biogerontology focuses on research in biological aging processes, its causes, effects and mechanism. The growing numbers of institution and care centers globally, are anticipated to boost the global gerontology/aging market during the forecast period.Request a Free PDF Brochure with Report Analysis:Geographically, North America accounts for one of the largest markets followed by Europe. Baby boomers play a major role in the market growth. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average life expectancy in the U.S. will be 77.1 years for men and 81.9 years for women by 2020. To tackle the rising aging population, favorable reimbursement policies and extensive presence of care centers are set up to assist the problems faced by aged people. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing region due to the factors such as rise in persistent medical conditions and rising concern for life expectancies among the geriatric population. Latin America holds a strong potential for the market growth owing to the high presence of geriatric population and growing health care facility.Some of the key players in this market segment are, the Jewish Family Service, the International Association of Geriatric Care, National Association of Professional Care Managers, Senior Care Centers, the UF health, the World Health Organization and others. These players constantly participate in awareness programs, as well as mergers and acquisitions to serve the elderly society effectively.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market ResearchTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
BlueCielo Partners with Frost & Sullivan to Co-Host Webinar Exploring Market Trends in Engineering Information Management

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Leading industry analyst to provide owner-operators in process-driven industries with detailed insight into EIM trends, challenges, opportunities and best practicesHoofddorp, Netherlands, September 14, 2016  BlueCielo ECM Solutions, a leading global software provider of Engineering Information Management (EIM) and Asset Lifecycle Information Management (ALIM) solutions, announced today that it has partnered with Frost & Sullivan to co-host a live webinar titled Market Trends in Engineering Information Management on Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 5:00 PM Central European / 11:00 AM Eastern Time. The 60-minute webinar will provide detailed insight into the trends, challenges, opportunities and best practices in EIM, as well as the chance to participate in an exclusive question and answer session with a Frost & Sullivan industry analyst.Owner-operators in highly competitive, process-driven industries are facing increasing challenges in the effort to maximize the efficiency of revenue-generating assets and remain profitable. Some of these challenges include managing a growing number of plant modification projects, rising regulations and demands for compliance, and widening acceptance of cloud and hybrid solutions.Based on the extensive industry research of Frost & Sullivan, the webinar is designed to help owner-operators gain a better understanding of how these challenges are affecting their industry and how they are driving the need for robust, scalable EIM solutions to overcome them, said Edwin van Dijk Global Marketing Director at BlueCielo. We are very excited to have the opportunity to co-host this webinar with BlueCielo and look forward to an informative and engaging experience, adds Adrian Drozd, Research Director at Frost & Sullivan.For more information or to register for the live webinar, visit. Individuals unable to attend the live webinar are invited to register anyway to receive a recorded version after the event to watch at a more convenient time.About Frost & SullivanFrost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best in class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best practice models to drive the generation, evaluation and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 40 offices on six continents.About BlueCielo ECM SolutionsBlueCielo provides the leading software solution to discover, monitor and protect technical asset information throughout the asset lifecycle. Our Engineering Information Management (EIM) and Asset Lifecycle Information Management (ALIM) solutions provide a single point of truth for asset-related data to ensure that accurate, up-to-date information is always easily accessible. BlueCielos solutions reduce costs, improve efficiency and increase data quality, enabling our customers to maximize profitability and demonstrate regulatory compliance by measurably reducing risk. The company is headquartered in The Netherlands and has offices across the United States, Brazil and Europe, as well as an international network of partners that ensures local service and support for our flagship software BlueCielo Meridian. BlueCielo is an official partner of Autodesk, IBM, Microsoft, SolidWorks, Oracle and SAP.For more information, visitMedia ContactEdwin van DijkBlueCielo ECM SolutionsPolarisavenue 1, 2132 JH Hoofddorp, The Netherlandsmail@bluecieloecm.com+31 88 022 5700
China Freon-22 (R 22) Market 2016 Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Supply Revenue and Forecast 2021

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China Freon-22 (R 22) Market 2016 Industry Size Share Growth Forecast Research and DevelopmentThe China Freon-22 (R 22) Industry report gives a comprehensive account of the China Freon-22 (R 22) 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 Freon-22 (R 22) market. The report features an up-to-date data on key companies product details, revenue figures, and sales. Furthermore, the details also gives the China Freon-22 (R 22) market revenue and its forecasts. The business model strategies of the key firms in the Freon-22 (R 22) 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 China Freon-22 (R 22) 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 China Freon-22 (R 22) 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 Freon-22 (R 22) 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 Freon-22 (R 22) Industry Overview1.1 Freon-22 (R 22) Definition1.1.1 Freon-22 (R 22) Definition1.1.2 Product Specifications1.2 Freon-22 (R 22) Classification1.3 Freon-22 (R 22) Application Field1.4 Freon-22 (R 22) Industry Chain Structure1.5 Freon-22 (R 22) Industry Regional Overview1.6 Freon-22 (R 22) Industry Policy Analysis1.7 Freon-22 (R 22) Industry Related Companies Contact InformationGet Sample Copy of Report @Chapter Two Freon-22 (R 22) Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis2.1 High Purity colloidal silica Supplier and Price Analysis2.2 Equipment Suppliers2.3 Labor Cost Analysis2.4 Other Cost Analysis2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure2.5 Freon-22 (R 22) Manufacturing TechnologyAbout 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
Wealth in Poland: HNW Investors; Understanding HNW investors and wealth management strategies

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SummaryThe Polish HNW population is dominated by entrepreneurs who prefer to stay in control of their finances, even if they lack experience in capital markets. While they do approach wealth managers for investment advice, Polish HNW investors like to sign off most decisions regarding their portfolios. With the 2008-09 financial crisis fresh in mind, they focus on low-risk products which do not offer high margins to banks. Hence the main challenge for Polish competitors is developing a strong, trust-based relationship between advisors and clients. As clients begin to realize the added value of wealth management services, they will be more likely to shift their preferences towards equities or alternative asset classes, as well as pay for additional solutions such as tax or inheritance planning.Request Sample Report:Key Findings Almost 72% of Polish HNW individuals are entrepreneurs, with most running businesses they started themselves. Millionaires who inherited their fortunes are scarce. Only 4.3% of HNW investors are expats, originating mostly from neighbouring Germany. Although Polish HNW clients accept that they cant manage their portfolios without help, they still prefer advisory mandates and enjoy having the last word on any adjustments. Polish HNW investors are risk-averse, allocating 56% of their assets to bonds or deposits. Wealth managers expect their clients to show growing demand for alternatives, which are very under-represented in HNW portfolios compared to developed markets. Securing a steady cash-flow for retirement is vital for Polish HNW individuals. Looking forward, 95% of wealth managers forecast growing demand for inheritance planning.Enquiry Before Buying:SynopsisVerdict Financials Wealth in Poland: HNW Investors report analyzes the investing preferences and portfolio allocation of Polish HNW investors. The report is based on our proprietary Global Wealth Managers Survey.Specifically the report: Profiles the average Polish HNW investor in terms of the source of their wealth and age as well as analyzing the expat opportunity in Poland. Analyzes which wealth management mandates are preferred among Polish HNW investors and how demand will develop looking forward. Examines the allocation of Polish HNW investors portfolios into different asset classes and how allocation is expected to develop in the future. Analyzes the product and service demand among Polish HNW investors.Reasons To Buy Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW profiles and source of wealth. Give your marketing strategies the edge required and capture new clients, using insights from our data on HNW investors drivers for seeking investment advice vs self-directing. Tailor your investment product portfolio to match the current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals. Develop your service proposition to match the service and product demand expressed by Polish HNW investors and react proactively to the forecasted change in demand.Buy 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:
Wealth in Brazil: HNW Investors; Understanding HNW investors and wealth management strategies

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SummaryThe majority of wealth in Brazil originates from the construction and finance industries, and can be attributed to a range of sources. These investors are confident enough to deal with their financial affairs, but to gain access to sophisticated products and achieve better returns they opt for management services. Investment portfolios are built around cash and bonds, but it is expected that alternative holdings will continue to gain importance.Request Sample Report:Key Findings 55.3% of Brazilian HNW wealth can be attributed to earned income or first-generation entrepreneurship. As Brazil offers a wide range of sectors in which to invest, it is expected that HNW expats will continue to allocate a portion of their wealth to opportunities in Brazil. Access to more sophisticated investment products is the number one reason Brazilian HNW clients opt to have their wealth professionally managed, while 22.4% expect better returns though advisors. A noteworthy 22% of HNW client portfolios are allocated into alternatives. Demand is expected to increase along with the investment opportunities offered by multimercados. Among planning services, financial planning shows the strongest demand. It is expected that inheritance and pension planning will experience strong demand in the next two years, and as such wealth managers will do well to provide a complete suite of services.Enquiry Before Buying:SynopsisVerdict Financials Wealth in Brazil: HNW Investors report analyzes the investing preferences and portfolio allocation of Brazilian HNW investors. The report is based on our proprietary Global Wealth Managers Survey.Specifically the report: Profiles the average Brazilian HNW investor in terms of their demographics and analyzes the expat opportunity in Brazil. Analyzes which wealth management mandates are preferred among Brazilian HNW investors and how demand will develop looking forward. Examines the allocation of Brazilian HNW investors portfolios into different asset classes and how the allocation is expected to develop in the future. Analyzes product and service demand among Brazilian HNW investors.Reasons To Buy Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW profiles and sources of wealth. Give your marketing strategies the edge required and capture new clients using insights from our data on HNW investors drivers for seeking investment advice vs. self-directing. Tailor your investment product portfolio to match current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals. Develop your service proposition to match the service and product demand expressed by Brazilian HNW investors and react proactively to the forecasted change in demand.Buy 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:
Direct vs Fund Investments: HNW Preferences

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SummaryGlobally, 44% of HNW wealth is held via funds as opposed to directly. However, there are significant regional differences when it comes to investment preferences. For example, HNW investors in the US, and to a lesser extent in Western Europe, are significantly more likely to invest in funds than their peers in Central and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. Furthermore, while equity funds prevail across the globe, they are particularly prominent in the West. There are also strong differences across asset classes when it comes to the drivers to invest in funds. While asset diversification benefits feature strongly across all asset classes, lack of time to research direct equity investments is a key driver for fund holdings in the equity space, while an expectation of better returns motivates HNW investors to opt for alternative investment funds as opposed to direct holdings.Request Sample Report:Key Findings Diversification benefits are the number one driver why HNW investors opt for funds as opposed to direct holdings, and in light of ongoing market turbulences, wealth managers would do well to provide a strong range of funds that offer not only exposure to different industries, but also geographies and asset classes. No longer the reserve of institutional or mass affluent investors, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) form an increasingly large part of HNW investors portfolios, and being able to offer a wide range of such funds next to more sophisticated products is becoming more and more important. A large chunk of HNW wealth is locked up in direct property; wealth managers would do well to convince their clients of the benefits of property funds so as to increase their fee income. While HNW investors tend to be well-diversified across asset classes and geographies, industry diversification is equally important  something wealth managers should discuss with their clients.Enquiry Before Buying:SynopsisThis report draws on our 2015 Global Wealth Managers Survey to analyze HNW investment preferences across the globe. It breaks down HNW investors fund portfolio by asset class and type of investment and contrasts fund holdings to direct holdings. It furthermore provides insight into why investors opt for funds as opposed to direct holdings.Specifically the report: Examines what proportion of HNW wealth is kept in funds as opposed to direct holdings, and how preferences differ across the globe. Provides an understanding of when and why HNW investors prefer fund investments and when they prefer direct holdings. Identifies the different drivers that determine HNW investment preferences in the fund space. Analyzes how fund holding preferences differ across asset classes. Examines data in more detail through an online interactive dashboard that enables you to select and view the data of your choosing.Reasons To Buy Understand how to best promote funds to your HNW clients. Review your service offering, and adjust it based on a detailed understanding of HNW investors investment preferences. Give your marketing strategies an edge and capture new clients using insights from our data on HNW drivers for investing in funds vs direct holdings.Buy 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:
Cyber Security Market grow at a CAGR of 9.5% by 2021, globally

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Zion Research has published a new report titled Cyber security (Network Security, Cloud Security, Wireless Security and Others) Market, By Solution (Identity And Access Management (IAM), Encryption, Risk And Compliance Management, Data Loss Prevention, Antivirus And Antimalware, Firewall And Others), By Vertical (Aerospace, Government, Financial Services, Telecommunication, Healthcare And Others): Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Segment, Trends and Forecast, 2015  2021. According to the report, global demand for cyber security market was valued at USD 105.45 billion in 2015, is expected to reach USD 181.77 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% between 2016 and 2021.Get a copy of free Sample Report @Cyber security is associated with information technology security, which focuses on protecting computers and confidential data stored in it from cyber criminals. Cyber security market offers several advantages including enhanced security of cyberspaces, expanded digital safeguard and quicker reaction time to national crises. These advantages of cyber security market automatically enhance value of service given to the market end-users.The cyber security market is one of the highest growing markets in the information technology domain and it yields large economic opportunities. Growing risks such as computer hacking, software piracy and virus deployment are increasing the demand for cyber securities services. The governments of various countries are increasing their investment in cyber security owing to development in computer interconnectivity and remarkable growth in computing power of government networks.Know more before buying this report @The major drivers of this market include stringent government regulation on data privacy, and increasing cyber threats. Lack of awareness and availability of pirated security software are expected to hamper the cyber security market in forecast period. There is a significant increase in the cyber security market due to development in cyber solution and services and it offers various options to safeguard data. Providing cyber security solution to ever increasing government IT domain becomes an expensive challenge for the government authorities.Cyber security market is segmented based on security types, solution, and vertical and by regions. On the basic of security types market is divided into network security, cloud security, wireless security and others. Cyber solution segment includes identity and access management (IAM), encryption, risk and compliance management, data loss prevention, antivirus and antimalware, firewall and others. By vertical, market is segmented into aerospace, government, financial services, telecommunication, healthcare and others.In 2015, North America dominated the cyber security market owing to the increasing cyber crime and strict government rules against it. Asia Pacific is a fastest growing regional market for cyber security market due to increasing number of internet users in China and India.Some of the key players involved in global cyber security market include Symantec, IBM, McAfee, Northrop Grumman, and Booz Allen Hamilton, CSC among others.Browse detail report with in-depth TOC @The report segments the global cyber security market as:Cyber Security Market: Security Type Analysis Network Security Cloud Security Wireless Security OthersCyber Security Market: Solution Segment Analysis Identity And Access Management (IAM) Encryption Risk And Compliance Management Data Loss Prevention Antivirus And Antimalware Firewall And OthersCyber Security Market: Vertical Segment Analysis Aerospace Government Financial Services Telecommunication Healthcare OthersCyber Security Market: Regional Segment Analysis North Americao U.S. Europeo UKo Franceo Germany Asia Pacifico Chinao Japano India Latin Americao Brazil Middle East and AfricaPurchase a direct copy of report with TOC @About Us:Zion Market Research is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations. Zion Market Research is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading industry 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:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:
Defoamers Market growing at a CAGR of 4.3% in 2021

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Zion Research has published a new report titled Defoamers (Water Based, Silicone Based, Oil Based, and Others) Market Paper & Pulp, Paints & Coatings, Water Treatment, Food & Beverages, and Other End-user: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2015 - 2021. According to the report, the global defoamers market was around 4100 kilo tons in 2015. The global defoamers market revenue accounted for approximately USD 2.8 Billion in 2015 and is expected to reach approximately USD 3.6 Billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of around 4.3% between 2016 and 2021.Request Sample Report:Defoamers help to reduce and hinder the formation of foam in industrial process liquids. Foam is a substance which is formed as a result of trapping pockets of gas in a liquid or solid. Foam blocks the transfer of oxygen from air and hampers the flow of liquid. Thus, formation of foam affects many industrial processes. Defoamers are insoluble in the foaming medium and have surface active properties. An essential feature of a defoamer product is a low viscosity and a facility to spread rapidly on foamy surfaces. Thus, defoamer is used in multiple end-user industries where formation of foam possesses significant threat.Increasing demand from paper & pulp industry especially in Asia Pacific region is expected to drive the demand for the defoamers market during the forecast period. Moreover, increase demand from food & beverages and paints & coatings end-user industries are some others factors driving the growth of global defoamers market. However, stringent regulations on VOC containing defoamers, and concerns regarding the health problems that they cause may curb the defoamers market in the near future. Nonetheless, growing demand for defoamers in Asia Pacific region is expected to open new avenues for the market over the years.Do Inquiry before buying:Silicone based defoamer is one of major type of defoamer used globally accounting for more than one-third of the global defoamers market share. While, water based defoamers is expected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period. Paper & pulp industry dominated the global defoamers market share in 2015. Waste water treatment is expected to be second largest end-user industry for global defoamers market.Asia Pacific was the largest regional market for the defoamers in 2015. Asia Pacific accounted for more than 30% share of global defoamers market. Europe followed Asia Pacific in terms of demand for defoamers globally. However, strict regulations concerned with use of VOC containing defoamers are impeding market growth in this region. Moreover, sluggish growth of paper & pulp industry in this region is expected to hamper the growth of defoamers market in this region. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest regional market for defoamers due to large consumption base, growth of various end-user industries, and lenient governmental regulations. Countries such as China, India and Japan are predominantly contributing for the growth of defoamers in this region. North America is expected to witness moderate growth. Latin America is expected to witness noticeable growth, while the Middle East & Africa is estimated to expand at a slow growth rate.Key players operating in the defoamers market include Wacker Chemie AG, Bluestar Silicones, Elementis plc, Clariant, KCC Basildon, BASF SE, Dow Corning Corporation, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Ashland, Inc., Kemira Oyj, and Evonik Industries AG among others.Browse detail report at:This report segments the global defoamers market as follows:Global Defoamers Market: Product Segment AnalysisWater BasedSilicone BasedOil BasedOthersGlobal Defoamers Market: End-user Segment AnalysisPaper & PulpPaints & CoatingsWater TreatmentFood & BeveragesOthersGlobal Defoamers Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East and AfricaPurchase a direct copy of report with TOC @About Us:Zion Market Research is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations. Zion Market Research is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading industry 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:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:
UK IFAs and their Clients; Identifying the IFA client base and how it can be grown

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SummaryFollowing the implementation of the Retail Distribution Review, the UK market saw a decrease in the number of advisors as well as an increase in the cost of advice, creating an advice gap in the retail and low mass affluent segments. However, different types of service models have since emerged to fill the need for advice. Looking forward, the UK advice market will see an increase in demand as the population grows older and wealthier. In addition, the introduction of pension freedoms in April 2015 has prompted a rising number of UK customers to seek out professional advice.Request Sample Report:Key Findings Looking forward, growing affluence and an aging population will increase the amount of those seeking advice and bring more potential customers to the IFA target pool. Older clients, particularly those approaching and in retirement, form the current core group of advisor customers. The typical UK IFA client is an older male investor, reflecting the fact that older men tend to be the most affluent demographic group. Consumers who choose professional advice do so in order to receive strategic advice and access to the better range of investments available through professional advisors. The pension freedoms have created a new market for investment advice, as retirees and those approaching retirement assess the wider range of options available. Life events prompt customers to seek out financial advice: the leading motivations among UK consumers are retirement, inheritance, and property purchase-related issues.Enquiry Before Buying:SynopsisVerdict Financials UK IFAs and their Clients report is a comprehensive analysis of the demographics and preferences of UK investors and IFA clients, covering both advised and unadvised investors. Drawing from our 2015 IFA Survey and 2015 Retail Banking Insight Survey, the report offers insight into what characterizes UK investors, what drives investors to seek professional advice, and how to target them. Specifically, the report: Analyzes how the changing UK demographics and pensions freedoms have impacted the advice market. Examines the demographics and wealth of the UK consumer base, and which segments offer the greatest opportunities for advisors. Analyzes how investors have arranged their investments; whether they are advised or unadvised; and through which types of institution they have been arranged. Identifies the key drivers and events that prompt investors to seek advice and why some prefer to direct their investments themselves. Examines how advisors client base is sourced and how to acquire further clients. Offers competitive insight into client targeting and digital services.Reasons To Buy Identify which client segments offer the greatest opportunity in terms of unadvised wealth. Understand how to appeal to self-directed investors versus those who are already advised. Identify how to remain competitive by understanding investors motivations and preferences regarding financial advice. Develop your client targeting strategy by understanding the drivers for seeking investment advice.Buy 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:
Insurance Competitor Profile: Sainsburys

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SummarySainsburys is a retailing giant and the UKs second-largest supermarket brand. As with rival Tesco, Sainsburys Bank spread its wings into the financial services industry in the 1990s and is now a well-established name in personal lines, able to play off its brand recognition, cross-selling capability, and strong understanding of its customers. A reduction in marketing activity around its personal lines insurance portfolio in a highly competitive market has seen Sainsburys remain below Tesco (and other retail brands in some cases) in terms of brand selection. The question is whether, facing a range of challenges in its core retail business, it will demonstrate appetite to fully leverage its strength in the insurance space.Request Sample Report:Key Findings Sainsburys Bank was the 20th most selected insurance brand for home insurance, according to our 2015 General Insurance Consumer Survey, while it was only 29th most popular for car insurance. Sainsburys Banks insurance advertising has declined quite dramatically in the last couple of years.SynopsisVerdict Financials Insurance Competitor Profile: Sainsburys explores Sainsburys brand power within the context of Sainsburys Bank and looks at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats found within Sainsburys insurance business.Reasons To Buy Gather insight into where Sainsburys Bank is performing strongest by insurance product and purchasing method. Identify the comparative strengths and weaknesses of Sainsburys insurance business and the opportunities or threats emerging as a result.Buy 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:
Public Cloud Platform as a Service Market will grow USD 9.12 billion at 30% CAGR during 2016-2021, globally

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Zion Market Research has published a new report titled Public Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS) Market by Service (Cloud Application Platforms, Cloud Integration Services, Cloud Data Services, Cloud Application Development & Life-Cycle Services and Other Cloud Platform Services): Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2015  2021. According to the report, global demand for public cloud platform as a service (PaaS) market was valued at USD 2.11 billion in 2015 and is expected to generate revenue of USD 9.12 billion by the end of 2021, growing at a CAGR of slightly above 30% between 2016 and 2021.Get a copy of free Sample Report @Platform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model that brings applications over the Internet. In this model, a cloud provider offers software and hardware tools typically needed for application development to its consumers as a service. Provider hosts the software and hardware on its own infrastructure. As a result, PaaS reduces the burden of customers to install in-house hardware and software to run and develop a new application. There are numerous types of PaaS available such as private, public and hybrid. PaaS was initially developed as an application solution in the public cloud, before expanding to incorporate private and hybrid options.Public cloud platform-as-a-service market is segmented into cloud application platforms, cloud integration services, cloud data services, cloud application development & life-cycle services and other cloud platform services. Other types of PaaS includes cloud business process management (BPM) PaaS, cloud horizontal portal services, cloud business analytics PaaS (baPaaS), cloud application governance PaaS, cloud MFT services etc. The largest segments within the public cloud PaaS market was cloud application platform services (aPaaS), accounted for around 34.0% of total PaaS market in 2015.Know more before buying this report @Integration platform as a service (iPaaS) is a platform as a service that enables subscribers to execute integration projects involving any combination of cloud resident and on premises endpoints such as data sources, services applications, and processes. This is realized by leveraging the iPaaS capabilities to manage, deploy, develop, execute, and monitor integration flows linking multiple endpoints. Cloud integration service segment held around 11.4% of the market share in 2015.PaaS spending is relatively low worldwide, and it is almost generated by North America, followed by Europe and few mature IT industries in countries of Asia Pacific. All mature economies have combine share of approximately 90% of global PaaS spending. North America represents largest market share with 58.8% share of the overall market in 2011. Asia Pacific is also expected to record the fastest growth with CAGR 31.2% over the forecast period. There is rising adoption rate of PaaS solutions in cost-sensitive and developing economies of Asia Pacific and the Rest of the World. Market participants are employing the practice of reducing subscription and annual fee. Such strategies adopted by the players are intensifying the overall competition in the market space.Some of the well-established players in this market include Engine Yard, Google Inc, IBM, Oracle, Saleseforce, Microsoft Corporation and Amazon Web Services, Inc. 2015 year, marked the entry of key tech giants into the PaaS market. AWS sustained to innovate at a rapid pace bringing in additional services and features to its platform. Several other players like Mendix have an established aPaaS business. However, these small players face increasing challenges as the large infrastructure software vendors such as IBM, Microsoft, Software AG and Tibco increasing their aPaaS efforts.Browse detail report with in-depth TOC @This report segments the global public cloud platform as a service (PaaS) market as follows:Global Public Cloud Platform-as-a-Service Market: Submarket Segment AnalysisCloud Application PlatformsCloud Integration ServicesCloud Data ServicesCloud Application Development and Life-Cycle ServicesOther Cloud Platform ServicesGlobal Public Cloud Platform-as-a-Service Market: Region Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificLatin AmericaThe Middle East and AfricaPurchase a direct copy of report with TOC @About Us:Zion Market Research is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations. Zion Market Research is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading industry 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:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:
Plastic Coatings Market Projected to Reach 7.76 Billion USD by 2021

plastic coating market, plastic coating market size, plastic coating market share

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The report "Plastic Coatings Market by Type (Polyurethane, Acrylic, Epoxy), Process (Electrophoretic Painting, Powder Coating, Dip Coating), End-Use Industry (Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Building & Construction), and Region - Global Forecast to 2021", The plastic coatings market is projected to reach USD 7.76 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period, 2016 to 2021.Browse 104 market data Tables and 78 Figures spread through 177 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Plastic Coatings Market - Global Forecast to 2021"Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.This growth is driven by the increasing demand from automotive end-use industry and increasing trend towards green, environment-friendly coating materials.Automotive end-use industry is expected to lead the plastic coatings market by 2021Automotive end-use industry of plastic coatings market constituted major share to the application segment of the plastic coatings market in 2015. The growing demand for plastic coatings from the automotive end-use industry is anticipated to drive the demand for plastic coatings, owing to the functionality, durability, and performance benefits.Polyurethane plastic coatings to account for the largest share of the plastic coatings market by 2021Polyurethane contributed around one third of the global plastic coatings market share in 2015. It is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Polyurethane plastic coatings have high performance benefits, such as strength, flexibility, abrasion resistance, and moisture resistance. This makes them suitable for wooden, plastic, and other surfaces.Download PDF Brochure:Dip coating process to lead the plastic coatings market during the forecast periodDip coating process accounted for the largest share of the plastic coatings market in 2015. It is one of the most widely used processes in the plastic coatings market, due to its ease of use to coat complex shapes. Additionally, this process does not require expensive equipment. Dip coating process is mainly used for coating medical instruments, electrical equipment, as well as automobiles.Europe to account for the largest share of the market during the forecast periodEurope accounted for the largest share of the plastic coatings market in 2015, followed by North America and Asia-Pacific. Europe is one of the major consumers of plastic coatings. Increasing investment by leading automakers in European countries, followed by the growing automotive OEM market is anticipated to enhance the European plastic coatings market.Key players operational in the plastic coatings market include PPG Industries Inc. (U.S.), Eastman (U.S.), Bayer AG (Germany.), Axalta Coating Systems (U.S.), AkzoNobel N.V. (Netherlands), 3M (U.S.), Eastman (U.S.), Kansai Paints Co, Ltd. (Japan), Valspar Corporation (U.S.), BASF SE (Germany), and Wacker Chemie AG (Germany).About MarketsandMarketsMarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors.M&Ms flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers.We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository.Contact:Mr. RohanMarketsandMarkets701 Pike StreetSuite 2175, Seattle,WA 98101, United StatesTel: +1-888-600-6441Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.comVisit MarketsandMarkets Blog @Visit MarketsandMarkets @MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals.MarketsandMarkets701 Pike StreetSuite 2175, Seattle,WA 98101, United StatesTel: +1-888-600-6441Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.comVisit MarketsandMarkets Blog @Visit MarketsandMarkets @
Digital OOH Market - Global Industry Analysis, Trends, Growth upto 2024

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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:
Server Software Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth

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Servers are classified into various types such as application servers, web servers, database servers, cloud computing servers and file servers. Application servers are designed to install, operate and host applications for the end users. Web server is a system that uses network protocols such as hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) to deliver the HTML files requested by the end user through its Internet browser. Database server is the backend system of the database application which is used to perform functions such as data analysis, data manipulation, storage and archiving. Cloud computing servers are remotely accessed servers, built, hosted and delivered through a cloud platform over the Internet. File server is a computer or device that handles the request for files and transfers the files as requested by the end user. Server software is specifically designed for operating, managing and increasing server computing power. Server software is built to interact with servers hardware, which includes processor, memory devices, input/output devices and other communication ports. Server software is installed on the server and could be accessed by multiple users on the network.Get Free Sample Report Copy :The deployment of server in the organization enables the centralization of data and installed applications. This factor would significantly help in the growth of server software market. Extensive usage of computers, laptops and smartphones is the major factor driving the growth of server software market. Rising Internet penetration in emerging economies such as India and Brazil has created huge demand of web servers which supports the growth of web server software market. Growing demand from developers to create applications for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets supports the growth of server software market. Growth of cloud based applications and development in Internet of Things (IoT) applications are likely to create immense opportunities for server software market. However, integration and compatibility issues with processors/storage devices servers pose a challenge to server software market.Server software market is broadly segmented on the basis of server type, deployment and geography. On the basis of type, the server software market is segmented into application server software, web server software, database server software, cloud computing server software and file server software. On the basis of deployment, the server software market is segmented into on-premise and cloud deployment. Moreover, in terms of geographies, the global server software market is segmented into North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Middle East and Africa; and Latin America. North America is one of the leading regions in terms of adoption of server software due to huge adoption of cloud services in the region. Server software market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow significantly during the coming years due to high rate of growth in Internet penetration and digitalization in the region.Browse Market Research Report with ToC & Free Analysis :The major participants of the server software market include Microsoft Corporation, Dell Corporation, International Business Machine (IBM) Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Red Hat Inc., SAP SE, Apache Software Foundation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LLC, CodeLathe LLC, and Aprelium.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:
Vacation Rental Software Market - Growth, Trends and Forecast upto 2024

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Vacation rental is a house, apartment or a resort rented on temporary basis to tourists as an alternative to a hotel. The term vacation rental is used mainly in North America, whereas in Europe it is known as villa holiday or villa rental. They are also referred as holiday lettings, bed & breakfast, homestay and gites. The vacation rental software enables the house/property managers to manage leads, cash flows, distribution channels and partners or distribution channels. It also offers an efficient point of sale system, efficient documentation system to property managers and increases automation in vendor payables system. Lead management functionality generates the price quote automatically according to the requirements of the customer. Further, it also assists sales managers to create personalized quotes in less time and thus eliminates the hassle of manual price calculation. The vacation rental software contains reporting suite which enables the renting entity to evaluate the financial performance of the rented property. Renting entity refers to the property owner organization, property manager or the property owner.Get Free Sample Report Copy :As the Internet penetration is increasing tremendously, the renting entities are moving to online platform. The vacation rental software enables the renting entity in building adaptive/responsive websites which provides optimized viewing experience independent of the type of devices (smartphone, personal computers or tablets) being accessed with. This supports the growth of the vacation rental software market. With the support of rental software, the organizations could enhance automation in their regular processes such as vendor payment, partner management and bulk mail system, driving the growth of vacation rental software market. The rising awareness about vacation rental homes through travel websites such as tripadvisor.com and airbnb.com has also generated a demand of vacation rental software to manage the customers and their details such as check-in time, check-out time and their invoice. The vacation rental software could be easily integrated with the travel websites, thus reduces hassle of deploying different software for different websites. The rising complexities in vacation rental business such as payment processes, check-in & check-out processes and customer management is expected to create ample opportunities for vacation rental software market. However, absence of pricing regulations for vacation rentals and fierce competition by hotels is expected to provide hurdles in the adoption of vacation rentals by the tourists. This is further anticipated to curb the growth rate of vacation rental software market.Vacation rental software market is broadly segmented on the basis of deployment type, end-users and geography. On the basis of deployment type, global vacation rental software market is segmented into on premise and cloud deployment. On the basis of end-users, the global vacation rental software market is further segmented into vacation rental owners, property managers, innkeepers, bed & breakfast (B&B) and vacation rental property agency. Moreover, in terms of geographies, the global vacation rental software market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Latin America region. Europe and North America lead in deployment of vacation rental software due to presence of world famous tourist destinations in the region such as California (the U.S.), Miami (the U.S.), Paris (Europe) and Switzerland (Europe). Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing region owing to a large number of vacation rentals present in the tourist destinations such as Maldives, Bangkok and Indonesia.Browse Market Research Report with ToC & Free Analysis :The major participants in the vacation rental software market include companies such as BookingSync, Ciirus Inc., Kigo Inc., VRM Solutions Inc., LiveRez Inc., OwnerRez Inc., 365Villas.com Ltd, Convoyant LLC, Rental Network Software Corp. and Trekadoo LLC.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:
Research report covers the Oil and Gas Terminal Automation Market share and Growth, 2014-2020

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Oil & gas terminal automation is a process of managing, monitoring, evaluating and controlling remote terminals using intelligent software that automates the process of oil and gas loading, storage and distribution. In order to satisfy the increasing demand of oil and gas by both domestic and international consumers, there is a need for a delivery system that is both efficient and accurate. The oil & gas terminal industry requires complete automation from exploration to distribution. Terminal automation offers a set of integrated tools which provide real-time access to terminal data to maintain safety and stability operations and maximize profits through optimal management.The terminal automation system is an integration of Terminal Management System (TMS), Terminal Automation Control (TAC), Communication Management System, Motor Control Management, Terminal Loading System and Process & Safety Control. The benefits associated with terminal automation are  increases responsiveness and productivity, empowered workforce, real-time database management system, optimized safety & security and centralized control. On the other hand, oil & gas terminal automation is costly and need training for customers to handle it.High cost of automation, satisfactory results obtained from traditional systems and low automation adoption in industries are some of the restraints hindering the growth of oil & gas terminal automation market. Despite these restraints, the oil & gas terminal automation market is expected to witness a single-digit growth in the next five years.Request Free Report Sample@The oil & gas terminal automation market is segmented by product, mode of transportation and geography. On the basis of products, the market is classified into process safety system (PSS), tank gauging system, distributed control system (DCS), programmable logic controller (PLC), blending control & safety, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and HMI. On the basis of mode of transportation, the oil & gas terminal automation market is categorized into truck transport and pipeline transport. Truck transport is useful for inventory and finished product transport between terminals. Pipeline transport on the other hand, is useful for transport of crude oil and natural gas from wells to refineries and then from the refineries to customers. On the basis of geography, the market is divided into North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Middle East & Africa.The oil & gas terminal automation is generally divided into two tasks  ensuring terminal efficiency and terminal safety. The advancement in oil & gas automation include real-time safety alarms, automated data capture, tank farm automation, custom graphics and user interface, and product movement tracking. Innovative technological modifications are implemented on existing terminal automated systems using global network remote support and monitoring, cloud-based automation, mobility of control, intelligent event processing, fields and unmanned platforms. Continuous technological developments are made to make oil & gas terminals more productive and fault-free. Advancement in terminal automation is the result of innovation and development in information technology.Visit For TOC@Rockwell Automation Inc. (US), Cimation (US), ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Gulftronics (US), Yokogawa (Japan), Larsen & Toubro(India), Wipro Ltd.(India), Schneider Electric (U.K.) General Electric (US), Siemens AG (Germany) and Honeywell Process Solutions (US) are some of the top players of global oil & gas terminal automation market. North America has the largest market for oil & gas terminal automation due to its industrial and technological advancement. On the other hand, Asian countries are the developing markets. Due to the increasing need for power and electricity, countries like India and China are the biggest fuel consumers. India and China are emerging as the most attractive markets for oil & gas terminal automation. With the increase in demand for oil and gas, the demand for automation of terminal operation will rise in order to increase productivity and accuracy of output by terminals.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: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:
Asia Pacific Waste To Energy Market To Make Great Impact In Near Future by 2020

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Waste to energy (WTE) is the process of utilizing waste to generate energy or electricity. Various technologies are used to generate energy from waste source such as, municipal domestic waste. Energy generated from the process can be in form of electricity, fuel or heat.The WTE management is considered as a vital part of the waste disposal infrastructure of any nation as it also comes under renewable energy sources. Waste to energy market refers to electricity generated with utilization of waste resources.Rapid change in consumption pattern and lifestyle of the population, along with migration of people towards urban areas are triggering urban waste accumulation, hence demanding a better infrastructure for its safe disposal and reuse.Various corporate or energy producing companies have ventured into waste to energy market by deploying their facilities. Types of waste that can be used in the waste to energy market include utilization of semi solid waste discharged from the industrial plants, liquid waste like domestic sewage and gaseous waste produced in refinery.Waste to energy market can be segmented on the basis of technology used, viz. thermal and biological. Thermal technology can be further bifurcated on the basis of oxygen used in the process, combustion (excess oxygen), gasification (partial oxygen) and pyrolysis (no oxygen). Biological process can be used in a process where anaerobic decomposition of the solid waste is required. In Asia pacific, incineration is the most commonly used technology in waste to energy market. Incineration cuts the cost required in the transportation of waste to landfills. There has been a noticeable rise in the production of industrial and municipal waste, demanding innovation in existing waste to energy management technologies.Request Free Report Sample@Necessity to maintain balance between the three Es that is, saving the Environment, Economic development and Energy independence can clearly explain the need of waste management thus driving growth in waste to energy market. Companies are adopting aforementioned technologies to reduce discharge of waste material and generate confined energy in parallel. For instance, General Motors through its renaissance center and landfill-free sites has been able to eliminate over 10 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions in 2013.Waste to energy management supports nation to conserve energy resources and earn carbon credits, which can be further used to gain profit via carbon credit trading. Additionally, converting a waste into a beneficial product will leadto an economic development of a country by turning a liability into an asset. China is considered as one of the forerunnersin waste to energy market.Asia pacific waste to energy market is expected to grow two folds by 2020 with promising CAGR. Japan primarily dominates waste to energy market in Asia pacific, owing to its increasing waste to energy technology adoption. Rapid growth of residential and industrial wastes in China and India,and supports by government to endorse sustainable energy generation are anticipated to drive the regional waste to energy market.Rapid rise in industrial and domestic wastes are provoking governments across the region to support energy production from waste, positively impacting the growth of waste to energy market. Also strong shift towards the renewable resources from coal, decreasing carbon footprints is driving the waste to energy market. Rise in economic development is anticipated to lead to the increase in the municipal domestic waste and hence will drive the demand of waste to energy market.Various developing nations have implemented landfills, due to its less implementation cost. This can be an inhibitor for waste to energy market, as methane gas is emitted from the landfill. Industries playing an active role in the economic development of the nation are energetically using WTE technologies.Visit For TOC@Regional key players in waste to energy market includeThe Babcock & Wilcox Company, China Everbright International Limited, Xcel Energy, Suez Environment S.A, Waste Management Inc., C&G Environmental Protection Holdings Ltd., Veolia Environment and Foster Wheeler AG.Waste to energy market is expected to grow significantly in Asia pacific region. India, China and Japan will be the boon for the growth of the nation in the forecasted year duration.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: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:
Bamboos Market, 2015-2025 by Segmentation: Based on Product, Application and Region

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Bamboo is a flowering perennial evergreen plant which belongs to the grass family. Among the grass family, giant bamboo is said to be the largest member of the family. Bamboos are known to be one of the fastest growing plants globally, owing to the rhizome-dependent system. It is considered to be one of the most valuable non-timber forest resources in the world. The products of bamboo have great potential to thrive in the American and European markets. They are notable cultural and economic significance in South East Asia, South Asia and East Asia, as bamboos are used as a food source, as a building material and as a versatile raw product. Good quality bamboo is stronger than steel and hence, it is used as weaponry and building material.Bamboo has wide range of applications that include non-residential, housing, pulp, rural usage, packing including basket, furniture, transport and other wood working industries.Request Free Report Sample@The major factors that drive the global bamboo market include growing end use industries such as the paper, building and construction,textile and wood. Additionally, the medical industry contributes to the growing demand for bamboo due to various medicinal uses. Bamboos are used in the manufacture of pulp and paper, scaffolding bridges, mat, baskets and brooms, home furnishing, fuel and packaging among others. Medicinal uses of bamboo include Acetylcholine which is found in bamboo in high levels acts as a neurotransmitter in humans and animals.The key regional segments for the market include North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Rest of the World (RoW). Asia Pacific and China is expected to be the fastest and largest growing economies for the global bamboo market owing to the growing demand from the building and construction industry in the region.Visit For TOC@The key players of the bamboo industry include: Native KONBAC, TENBRO and VEDHA among others.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: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:
Research report covers the Portable Medical Devices Market Forecasts and Growth, 2015-2025

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The portable medical devices market encompasses all healthcare associated diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices that are miniature in nature and can be easily transported from one location to another without any inconveniences. The market for portable devices has evolved greatly over the years particularly due to miniaturization of electronic components. Low power consumption technology has also greatly helped in developing portable technologies. As the world has begun shrinking due to increased connectivity, telemedicine, home-care and remote monitoring have become familiar terms with modern healthcare. Several factors led to the increasing need for portable devices, of which the major impact factors include increasing demand for diagnostics in remote areas of the world where a significant population continues to reside, increasing number of emergency medical services such as ambulances and helicopters that are required to be well equipped, military medicine for on-field applications and aging population that has begun to feel the pressure of moving to and fro from hospitals for simple diagnostic procedures. In a field like healthcare, the upcoming markets such as wearable medical devices and smart wearable sensors have culminated in the large revenue generation since the past several years which is expected to continue in the coming years as well.Several government initiatives to reduce the hospitalization time for patients has begun over the world and particularly in North America primarily enforced due to high healthcare expenditure that the government has had to endure. Re-hospitalization may be investigated by government to understand if there has been a shortfall from medical experts that led to re-hospitalization and may result in the medical expert being penalized along with the hospital. Thus portable medical devices will play a major role to reduce healthcare expenditure and increase space in hospitals by freeing beds for serious patients.Request Free Report Sample@The market can be perceived and segmented through various aspects such as the general medical application such as cardiovascular, urological, neurological etc. Pacemakers, defibrillators, heart rate monitors, electrocardiographs and dialyzers are some portable devices available today. Increased wireless capabilities with the help of networking technologies such as Bluetooth, LAN, and WAN have also led to a significant rise in the portable technologies market. This increase in connectivity and safety has led to the inception of new consumer markets of medical devices that do not require intensive training. Portable devices such as activity monitors and heart-rate monitors are increasingly popular with all ages of people and are also used in veterinary science. A large number of companies such as Nike, Adidas, BodyMedia, Lark Jawbone, Polar, Fitbit, Sketchers and Scosche have ventured and gained considerable success in this field.Larger diagnostic machines such as bone densitometers and blood pressure monitors became popular due to the use in remote areas for monitoring health of villagers and non-urban population due to low awareness.In contrast, urban areas such as cities have seen increasing demand for complex portable medical devices such as defibrillators for usage in offices, public areas such as parks and railway stations due to rising incidence of sudden cardiac arrest, heart attacks and other cardiovascular ailments. Companies manufacturing this automated external defibrillators and bone-densitometers include GE Healthcare, Hologic, Philips, Cooper Surgical, HeartSine, Sorin Group, Zoll Medical, PhysioControl, Schiller AG and Cardiac Science.Visit For TOC@In terms of geography this market is distributed into four major regions of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World of which North America accounts for a significant portion mainly due to a large number of companies manufacturing portable medical devices and equipment. Along with this, a greater amount of marketing takes place in the region which increases the awareness. Europe is also a significant market for devices such as defibrillators, home monitoring and remote patient monitoring along with on-field medical devices. Asia-Pacific market is expected to rise tremendously in coming years due to increasing awareness, connectivity and availability of portable medical devices. This will be further supplemented by the downward trend of cost of these devices which will result in a greater affordability. Rest of the World region will soon follow suit with Asia-Pacific as emerging economies such as Brazil, Middle-East and North African countries are already exhibiting greater purchasing power of portable medical devices.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: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:
Market Research on Castor Oil Derivatives Market 2015 and Analysis to 2025

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Castor oil is one of the most multipurpose plant oils, obtained by pressing the seed of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis).It is well known source of a monounsaturated, ricinoleic and 18-carbon fatty acid. Owing to its unique chemical structure and rich properties, castor oil and its derivatives find uses in many industries such as cosmetics, food, lubricants, paints, agriculture, electronics & telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, perfumeries, plastics and rubber, inks & adhesives and textile chemicals. After plant oils, castor oil is considered to be the most required oil. However, growing concerns pertaining to biofuels specially biodiesel and biopolymer across the globe is pushingcastor oil to play a much larger role in the world economy.Castor Oil Derivatives: Drivers & RestraintsGrowth of major end-use industries (includes lubricants, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals) and increasing demand for sustainable products & biodegradable, on account of reducing dependence on petrochemicals is anticipated to fuel the demand for castor oil derivatives market. Also regulatory support and rising prices of alternative renewable chemicals is expected to drive the global castor oil derivatives market. However, factors influencing its manufacturing cost includes raw material availability, weather uncertainties, shortage of working capital, techniques & methods used for extraction and availability of substitute oil are resulting in restraints for the castor oil derivative market.Request Free Report Sample@Castor Oil Derivatives: SegmentationOn the basis of product type, the global castor oil derivatives market is segmented into Undecylenic Acid, Sebacic Acid (largest consumed castor oil derivatives), Castor Wax or Hydrogenated castor oil (HCO), Dehydrated Castor Oil (DCO) and others. On the basis of application, global castor oil derivatives market is segmented into Lubricants, Cosmetics & Pharmaceuticals (largest application segment), Biodiesel, Plastics & Resins and Others.Castor Oil Derivatives: Region-wise OutlookThe global castor oil derivatives market is expected to register a double digit CAGR for the forecast period, 2015?2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to continue its dominance on the global castor oil derivatives market. India accounts for largest production of castor oil derivatives worldwide, followed by China and Brazil. Higher demand from the US, Europe and China has resulted in the higher prices for castor as well as increase in demand for castor oil derivatives. The major castor producing countries are India, China, Brazil, Paraguay, Ethiopia, Philippines, Russia and Thailand.Visit For TOC@Castor Oil Derivatives: Key PlayersSome of players in global castor oil derivatives market are Thai Castor Oil Industries Co. Ltd., Jayant Agro Organics, Hokoku Corporation, ITOH Oil Chemicals Co. Ltd., Gokul Overseas, Bom Brazil, Liaoyang Huaxing Chemical Co., Ltd., Kanak Castor Products Pvt. Ltd., and others.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: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 Umbilical cord clamp Industry 2016: Market Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue 2024

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The Global Umbilical cord clamp Industry 2016-2021 Market Research Report' is analytical reports based on a current situation and trends of the global as well as Chinese market. It is in-depth study of the comprehensive content which compiles statistics for the key elements of subject. The repot ensure the quality of the content and guideline which needed. It includes basic information of the company profile, products, generated revenue and future treads and various other vital data. It keeps the main focus on the priority need of the individual and provides a brief report on the annual basis.Request For Sample:The global Umbilical cord clamp Market report will provide significant and reliable information on the market clearly in structured format. The report will offers you a key manufacturer of the products, applications, DROS and others. Our experts team takes out key information from the various sources which include primary and secondary sources and help to provides related information of the client interest. Report will easily mold information as per client requirement which covers forecast and analysis of Umbilical cord clamp Market on global and regional level. We generate reports on market variations across verticals like energy, chemicals, technology, food, electronics and others. It consists of a highly detailed analysis of the subject.We use numerous tools and techniques to collect information on various parameters. The report includes key competitors in global Umbilical cord clamp Market. Our experts team provides forward-looking insight on market growth. It will clear you with the suitable schematics diagrams, statistical analysis and related deep insight. It will also cover value chain analysis, market attractiveness, supply-demand & Chinese import export and 2011-2016 revenue for each company.It includes proper segmentation at the micro and macro level, dominant, largest and leading segment in the market. Moreover, includes future projects in the market with most reliable information indispensable for marketplaceAccess Full Report With TOC:MRS Research Store 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 FREE (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803 FREEEmail: sales@marketresearchstore.comWebsite:
Practice Management Systems Market - A better alternative to physical document records

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Practice Management Systems Market: OverviewMedical practice is defined as the science and the art of healing in accordance with scientific diagnosis of the disease. Medical practice therefore, requires significant volume of patient data which is difficult to maintain in the long run especially if its recorded in the physical form of documents and files. The entry of computer software and software systems like SaaS (Software as a Service) has greatly assisted in the overall process of patient data and medical practice data management. Medical Practice Management System (PMS) is a software that helps medical organization (or clinic) to record patient data, fix appointments with practitioners, maintain record of insurance payment companies (and contacting them when required), perform billing related tasks and generate final reports. PMS nowadays are integrated with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) that deals strictly with patient medical data (medical and treatment history) as an all inclusive data management system.Download Sample:PMS is designed according to the volume of data that needs to be maintained, the size of the organization and their financial capacity. Generally PMS are classified as; desktop variants for limited computers, client-server (physical servers) for large institutions with strong finance and requirement for easy access to patients confidential data, and internet server (virtual/cloud servers) for institutions that require cost saving alternatives. Software companies offer services in different price ranges varying from few hundreds to thousands of dollars depending upon aforesaid parameters. Integrated systems (EMR and PMS) are more expensive in comparison to standalone services. Some companies that provide these services are Acrendo Softwares, Allegiance MD, WRS Health, Practo Ray and Athena Health to name a few.Practice Management Systems Market: Opportunities and TrendsPMS have a great future ahead, as medical institutions worldwide see it as a better alternative to physical document records which have a very high error rate bringing into light the nature of human incompetency, that are minimized to a great extent in PMS. Also, medical errors result in severe adverse events and death, this is efficiently tackled by the presence of automated programmed software. Cost saving is another financial reason for a shift into PMS, it reduces data management costs and as a result the overall medical treatment costs. Medical insurance claims and payouts also see a positive change with fast processing times. Countries like the U.S. also offer subsidies to hospitals opting for such systems.Practice Management Systems Market: RestraintsPMS however, is useful only as long as the personals are trained in the dynamics of the software, this requires training and practice. Many countries also have strict patient confidentiality laws, any breach or leak patient records may pose a great threat to the integrity of the whole process and shall render an institution liable for prosecution by the law. In such a situation, PMS becomes more of a liability than assistance. However, with entry of Asian software companies like Practo Ray who have developed portable android based software systems can be easily accessed and require minimum training. Cost effective alternatives are on the rise along with better algorithms to integrate the complete process of medical practice.Practice Management Systems Market: Regional InsightPMS market is expected to increase owing to the presence of virtual/cloud based service systems, these enable companies far offshore to provide services at competitive prices. Service providers are at present largely based in the North America and European region, where the demand is the highest owing to large population patients with health insurance. The PMS market in Asia-Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR owing to more number of companies establishing business in this region coupled shift in service providers from the North American region to emerging economies. Also, with greater returns on investment a large number of Asian medical institutions are now opting for PMS.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market Players Competing on Innovation

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The global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market is projected to expand significantly and is expected to be worth US$8.1 bn by 2021, up considerably from its estimated worth of US$5.1 bn in 2014. The global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market is driven by several factors. The expanding pharmaceutical industry, the stringent government regulations and standards, and the rising demand for integrated packaging technologies are some of the market drivers.Another key driver of the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market is technological innovation. Players in the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market are competing on the basis of innovation and developing advanced technologies that come with integrated features and the latest technology.Get More Information:Top 3 Innovations in Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment MarketHere are the top recent innovations witnessed in the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market that will have a positive impact on the overall pharmaceutical industry: Color-changing Packaging: Color-changing indicators are now available on pharmaceutical products packaging. These are generally patches on the product that change color if they detect the presence of certain pathogens or if the product is adulterated. These responsive ink labels generally do not have a tracking function and are used with barcodes or with RFID labels. Besides the pharmaceutical packaging industry, the color-changing packaging technology is also used in the food industry to indicate to consumers the freshness of the product. Blister Packaging with Child Lock: Several firms in the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market are providing child-resistant blister packaging. Amcor Flexibles has launched their Amcor Opening Feature allowing consumers to open blister-packaged contents with a push-through motion instead of the conventional peel and push methods. This packaging feature also helps reduce the packaging size by 40%. Another firm, Ecobliss, has launched the Locked4Kids packaging solution for the pharmaceuticals industry that works as an effective child-resistant solution. In this pharmaceutical packaging solution, hooks present in the pack are positioned diagonally and the tray is locked safely once it is pushed back in. Condition Monitoring RFID Tags: In the pharmaceutical supply chain, several products come with an RFID tag allowing to track the progress and monitor the condition of the product. For instance, small electronic boxes can help record the temperature of multipacks during transit and storage. RFID tags from the firm WhereNet, based in California, can locate crates and containers by scanning them from a range of hundreds of meters.Browse Industry Research Report with free Analysis:Innovations in the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market are primarily focused on ensuring safety. Another technology that is projected to drive the growth of the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market in the foreseeable future is nanotechnology. In the pharmaceutical industry, nano-enabled packaging will focus on drug safety by monitoring microbial growth, improving tamper visibility, delaying oxidation, and enhancing convenience.About UsTMR is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Varicose Vein Treatment Market is primarily driven by the rising incidence of varicose veins

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Global Varicose Vein Treatment Market: Overview and ScopeThe global varicose vein treatment market is primarily driven by the rising incidence of varicose veins. This condition of enlarged, gnarled veins, appearing mostly in the feet and legs, is caused by several factors including pregnancy, hormonal changes, genetic disorders, obesity, sleep disorders, high blood pressure levels, and lifestyle-associated factors such as prolonged standing and increased stress levels.Some of the latest advances in varicose vein treatment technology are laser ablation systems, intense-pulsed-light therapy, incorporation of closure systems, radiofrequency systems, and ultrasound guided systems. These technologies and devices present a host of benefits such as fewer incisions, faster recovery rates, higher success rates, less patient trauma, low adverse side effects, improved efficacy, and fewer post-operative complications. Key varicose vein treatment products include ultrasound guided sclerotherapy devices, endovenous ablation devices, and surgical stripping devices.The research publication examines the global varicose vein treatment market by segmenting it on the basis of key parameters such as product and technology type and geography. Each segment and sub-segment has been evaluated in depth to give readers a clear understanding of the structure and scope of the market. Various market dynamics such as drivers, opportunities, and restraints have also been studied in the report. A detailed assessment of the vendor landscape makes for an interesting read and gives clients sharp insights on their competitors.Global Varicose Vein Treatment Market: Key Drivers and ChallengesThe global market for varicose vein treatment is fueled by factors such as reduced trauma, greater exposure to the site of application, high operative success rates, and faster blood flow restoration.Demand for endovenous ablation treatment devices is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace in the next few years due to factors such as short treatment time, improved blood circulation, minimal invasion, and complete closure of the treated area. Ultrasound sclerotherapy devices have also been witnessing strong demand owing to benefits such as time and cost efficiency, reduced risk of collateral damage to surrounding tissues, painless procedure, increased penetration, no requirement of anesthesia, fewer post-operative complications, less scarring, and minimal need for incisions during the procedure.In contrast, the market for varicose vein treatment faces a few challenges in the developed regions of Europe and North America. Factors such as the high cost of varicose vein treatment procedures, lack of training for vascular surgeons, implementation of health care reforms, immensely competitive market leading to difficulty in maintaining sustainability, and inconsistent reimbursement scenario pose a threat to the development of the global varicose vein treatment market.Global Varicose Vein Treatment Market: Region-wise Outlook and Vendor Landscape EvaluationThe global market for varicose vein treatment covers four key segments: Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America is the clear leader in the overall varicose vein treatment market. The rapid growth in this market can be attributed to a number of factors including advanced health care infrastructure, continuous lifestyle-associated changes, growing health care awareness, increasing government spending, rising prevalence of varicose veins, high disposable income, and growing significance of esthetics. In addition, favorable reimbursement policies, especially in the U.S., have significantly boosted the market for varicose vein treatment in North America.Get Free Brochure for Report:The Asia Pacific varicose vein treatment market is anticipated to witness impressive growth in the near future owing to factors such as surge in disposable income, improvement in health care infrastructure, and increase in patient awareness about the advantage of seeking early treatment.Some of the prominent players competing in the global varicose vein treatment market are VNUS Medical Technologies, Astra Tech, Covidien PLC, Kreussler Pharma, InaVein, B.Braun Melsungen, Vascular Solutions, Dornier MedTech, and AngioDynamics. Most of these players have been adopting various strategies to gain market share. Key strategies adopted by leading companies include mergers and acquisitions, product line and geographic expansion, R&D investments, and competitive pricing policies.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Craniomaxillofacial Implants Market - Demand for Nonmetallic Internal Fixators to be an Upcoming Trend

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The key players in the global craniomaxillofacial implants market in 2013 were Synthes, Stryker Corporation, Biomet, Inc., KLS Martin LP, and OsteoMed. Their collective share estimated to 81.1% in 2013. Analysts have described the market to be highly competitive with a burgeoning demand for technologically advanced implants, observes Transparency Market Research in its new research report.Focusing on developing high-quality nonmetallic or bioresorbable materials to develop internal fixators is projected to create new growth opportunities for the players in the global market, suggests the lead author of this research report. Demand for nonmetallic internal fixators is expected to be an upcoming trend as they assimilate with the tissue, thereby eliminating the need for a follow-up surgery.According to the research report, the global craniomaxillofacial market is anticipated to be worth US$1.7 bn by the end of 2022 as the market exhibits a CAGR of 6.2% between 2014 and 2022. Analysts predict that the global market is anticipated to be led by internal fixators segment as it will reach a valuation of US$1.5 bn by 2022. The ability of these devices to fix facial deformities or injuries without any infections will drive this segment. Technological advancements in this segment will also be responsible for the growth internal fixators in this region. Geographically, North America will dominate the global market as it is estimated to contribute revenue worth US$ 929.4 mn by 2022.High Incidence of Facial Traumas Augments Uptake of Craniomaxillofacial ImplantsThe increasing frequency of facial fractures is one of the key drivers for the increased uptake of the craniomaxillofacial implants. The rise in the number of road accidents along with slips, falls, and other industrial accidents have also led to growing cases of craniomaxillofacial injuries and trauma. Furthermore, growing pool of geriatrics, who are more susceptible to facial fractures due to reducing bone mineral density is also anticipated to augment the growth of this market in the near future. The increasing cases of osteoporosis, rising participation in adventures sports, and outdoor recreational activities have collectively led to a growing number of facial injuries, thus providing the market with an incredible impetus.The high adoption of craniomaxillofacial implants can also be attributed to the growing technological advancements and increasing demand for minimally invasive procedures. The reduced hospitalization time and non-disruptive procedures to fix these implants have made it easy for both patients and surgeons to operate. Advancements such as developments in 3D printing technology have opened up a chance for customization of implants that can be made to suit the anatomy of the patient. This technological advancement has revolutionized the cranial fracture fixation by providing an improved bone fitting and compression as compared to conventional implants.The improving healthcare expenditure in both developed as well as developing countries have also boosted the craniomaxillofacial implants. The improved healthcare infrastructure in countries such as China and India that have gigantic population bases is also anticipated to lead to an extensive usage of craniomaxillofacial implants in the near future.Request for Free Sample:Expensive Implants Discourages Market GrowthThe high costs associated with craniomaxillofacial surgeries due to the expensive cost of manufacturing and selling implants is expected to discourage the market from growing. This market will also be restrained due to the rising demand for exceptionally skilled labor to perform these surgeries. Furthermore, the unaffordability of modern technologies as manufacturers price them high to recover the heavy investments they make will also prevent the market from reaching its full potential, predict analysts. The lack of insurance schemes to cover the expenses associated with craniomaxillofacial surgeries will also act as a major hindrance to the overall market.The review of the global craniomaxillofacial implants market is based on Transparency Market Researchs research report, titled Craniomaxillofacial Implants Market  Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014  2022.The global craniomaxillofacial implants market has been segmented as follows:Craniomaxillofacial Implants Market, by LocationInternal FixatorsExternal FixatorsCraniomaxillofacial Implants Market, by CompositionCalcium CeramicsMetals and AlloysPolymersBiologic MaterialsCraniomaxillofacial Implants Market, by NatureNon-resorbableResorbable FixatorsCraniomaxillofacial Implants Market, by TypePlate and Screw Fixator SystemBone Graft SubstitutesDistraction SystemsTMJ Replacement DevicesCraniomaxillofacial Implants Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificLatin America (LATAM)Middle East and North Africa (MENA)Rest of the World (RoW)Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
High availability Server Market - Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Forecast 2024

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Global High-Availability Server Market:High-availability systems are capable of working over long durations without any breakdown or failure. Due to the generation of a large amount of critical data in present times, high-availability servers are in demand as they offer higher stability, flexibility, reliability, and speed along with almost zero probability of system failure. The various hardware and software components in high-availability servers are specifically designed and thoroughly tested to serve over extended periods of time. The global high-availability server market is expected to witness positive growth with the rising demand for these servers across various end-use industries, where system failures can lead to huge losses.High-availability servers are extensively used across various sectors such as telecommunications, banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), retail, manufacturing, medical, health care, and public. The demand for high-availability servers from the BFSI sector is particularly high owing to the growing requirement to store a large amount of critical data. In terms of operating system, high-availability servers can be classified into Linux, UNIX, Windows, FreeBSD, and others including Debian, CentOS, and Fedora. Currently, the demand for Windows operating system-based high-availability servers is the highest.Get FREE Sample PDF file of High-availability Server Market :On the basis of availability level, the global high-availability server market has been segmented into availability level 1, availability level 2, availability level 3, availability level 4, and availability level 5. These levels are based on the configuration of servers including storage capacity of HDD, number of virtual CPUs, and size of Random Access Memory (RAM). The configuration of high-availability servers varies according to their applications across different sectors.Global High-Availability Server Market: OverviewThe growing adoption of high-availability servers across the banking and financial services sector has propelled the growth of the global high-availability server market. In the banking sector, a large amount of confidential and critical data needs to be stored and accessed round the clock. As a result, high-availability servers are widely used to ensure the security of data. These high-availability servers ensure low or almost zero risk of system failure, thereby letting organizations run their business smoothly without any interruptions in accessing business applications and data resources. Extensive research activities dedicated toward the development of advanced and true fault tolerant infrastructure have further augmented the growth of the market. For data storage, the redundant array of independent disk (RAID) approach is used widely in high-availability servers. Furthermore, the storage area network (SAN) approach has been lately introduced for the effective functioning of high-availability servers.However, the installation costs of high availability servers are high and this is expected to negatively affect the growth of the global high-availability server market. Lack of awareness about high-availability servers has also restrained the markets growth. The overall market has a huge scope to grow with rising demand from small and medium enterprises.Global High-Availability Server Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global high-availability server market has been segmented into four key geographical segments: Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. So far, North America has been a dominant region in the global market. However, during the forecast period, Asia Pacific is expected to drive the growth of the market owing to the rising demand from various end-use sectors such as banking and financial services.Some of the key players in the global high-availability server market are International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation, CenterServ, Dell Inc., NEC Corporation, HP Development Company, L.P., Oracle Corporation, and Unisys Global Technologies. The market players are focusing on emerging economies where the rapid growth of industries has led to a growing demand for high-availability servers.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:
Secrets for Healthcare BI Platform Market to reach at Highest Position in the Industry by 2015 - 2023

http://www.mrrse.com/healthcare-business-intelligence

http://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/1656

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Report DescriptionBusiness Intelligence (BI) platforms help build BI applications by providing competences in analysis, platform integration, and information delivery. As healthcare organizations are realizing the untapped potential of huge amounts of data, they are implementing solutions that utilize business intelligence to help collect, sort, and mine valuable insights from this data. The complex data gathered from numerous sources (operational, patient data) is analyzed and used by healthcare providers with the aid of BI platforms for the larger population.This research report provides a detailed analysis of trends in the healthcare BI platform market. It also comprises a broad analysis of the industry drivers, restraints, and opportunities. The report also provides a comprehensive assessment of key market player strategies. The market for healthcare BI platform has been segmented into various functions: clinical analytics, financial analytics, operational analytics, and others. Financial analytics is expected to be the largest healthcare BI platform function over the forecast period, whereas clinical analytics is expected to be the fastest growing functional segment over the forecast period. The global healthcare BI platform market has been extensively analyzed on the basis of deployment type into on-premise and cloud. Cloud is expected to be the fastest growing healthcare BI platform segment by deployment type over the forecast period. On the basis of model type, the healthcare BI platform market is segmented as self-service BI and corporate BI. Self-service BI is the latest trend in the BI market and is expected to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast period. The market size and forecasts in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) for each of these segments have been provided for the period 2013 to 2023, considering 2013 and 2014 as the base years. The report also provides the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for each segment of the market for the forecast period 2015 to 2023.Read Complete Report @The healthcare BI platform market is segmented based on geography into North America, Europe, Middle-East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, and a detailed regional analysis is provided. A country-level analysis is also included in the report, covering the countries in each region. North America is expected to be the largest and fastest growing healthcare BI platform market among all regions. Europe is one of the mature markets for healthcare BI platform, whereas Asia Pacific is expected to be one of the most attractive markets in the near future.Market estimates for the healthcare BI platform have been assessed considering different political, environmental, social, technological, economic, and legal factors. The share of leading players of the global healthcare BI platform market is provided for the year 2014. Company profiles (CPs) of market leaders elucidate on details such as company overview, segmentation, recent developments, business strategies, and financial information in the healthcare BI platform market. Companies profiled in the report include SAP SE, Oracle Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, SAS Institute, Inc., IBM Corporation, OpenText Corporation, and Information Builders. The report would allow healthcare organizations and research and development agencies to make informed decisions about healthcare BI platforms, and thus gain competitive advantage in the market.Enquiry For This Report @Segmentation of the Global Healthcare BI Platform MarketGlobal Healthcare BI Platform Market, by FunctionClinical AnalyticsFinancial AnalyticsOperational AnalyticsOthers (Regulatory Reporting, etc.)Global Healthcare BI Platform Market, By Deployment TypeOn-premiseCloudGlobal Healthcare BI Platform Market, By Model TypeSelf-serviceCorporateGlobal Healthcare BI Platform Market, By GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle East and AfricaLatin AmericaRequest a Sample Copy of the Report @Table of ContentChapter 1 Preface1.1 Report Description1.2 Report Scope1.3 Research MethodologyChapter 2 Executive Summary2.1 Market Snapshot: Global Healthcare BI Platform Market2.2 Global Healthcare BI Platform Market Revenue, 2013  2023 (US$ Mn) and Y-o-Y Growth (%)About MRRSEMRRSE stands for Market Research Reports Search Engine, the largest online catalog of latest market research reports based on industries, companies, and countries. MRRSE sources thousands of industry reports, market statistics, and company profiles from trusted entities and makes them available at a click. Besides well-known private publishers, the reports featured on MRRSE typically come from national statistics agencies, investment agencies, leading media houses, trade unions, governments, and embassies.Corporate Office State Tower 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207,United States
SGS To Exhibit At Kind und Jugend 2016

www.sgs.com/en/events/2016/09/kind-und-jugend-2016

SGS will be on booth I-054 (Hall 11.1) at this years Kind + Jugend exhibition, the self-styled trade show for kids first years (September 15-18, Cologne, Germany). Our experts will be available to discuss the safety requirements and regulations applicable to childcare articles, children's equipment and childrens furniture.SGS offers physical/mechanical tests, chemical tests, flammability tests, packaging evaluations, labeling reviews, social audits and inspections on a range of relevant products  all with the aim of ensuring compliance in a clients target markets.Our expertise delivers a number of benefits: Globally  SGS laboratories are accredited in accordance with ISO 17025 by ILAC signatories such as IAS (US), INMETRO (Brazil), COFRAC (France), UKAS (UK), CNAS (China), TAF (Taiwan), and VILAS (Vietnam) US market  SGS is the Program Administrator for the JPMA certification program and its Principal Laboratory French market  SGS France and SGS UK are approved to test to the French Decree on the prevention of risks resulting from the use of childcare articles. Both are allowed to perform type examinationsFor further information please visitor contact:Sugarloaf MarketingTel: +44 (0)1892 711240Email: alex@sugarloafmarketing.co.ukAbout SGSSGS is the worlds leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 85,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,800 offices and laboratories around the world.1, Mons CalpeChitcombe RoadBroad OakRyeEast SussexTn31 6EU
China started construction of the six nuclear unit of the Tianwan NPP

China started construction of the six nuclear power unit of the Tianwan NPP (TNPP), relevant information was published on IAEA web-site.China National Nuclear Company (CNNC) is the customer of construction and Jiangsu National Power Corporation (JNPC) is the operatorIn December 2015, China has started construction of the fifth nuclear power unit of the TNPP.As reported, currently ROSATOM State Corporation is building unit  3 and 4 at TNPP. In 2016 ASE group is planning to complete construction and assembling operations works and start a "cold" roll off trailers of equipment of the third unit. The first fuel loading in power unit  3 of TNPP planned for late August 2017. Commissioning of nuclear power unit  3 scheduled for February 2018, and unit  4 for December 2018.Russian Federation has put into operation the first stage of TNPP (1st and 2nd units). It is also discusses the possible construction of four more units.Energy Information AgencyROSATOM is the Russian Federation national nuclear corporation bringing together circa 400 nuclear companies and R&D institutions that operate in the civilian and defense sectors. With 70 years' expertise in the nuclear field, we are a global leader in technologies and competencies offering cutting-edge industry solutions. We work on a global scale to provide comprehensive nuclear services that range from uranium enrichment to nuclear waste treatment.One Raffles Place, Tower 2 #19-61Singapore 048616
Loway Switzerland Announces AstriCon 2016 Official Sponsorship

www.loway.ch/events.jsp

Stabio, Switzerland, September , 2016 - Loway Switzerland announces that it has signed on to become Sponsor of AstriCon 2016, the 13th edition of the famous Asterisk PBX convention, to be held in Glendale Arizona, from September 27-29, at Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel.With over two million downloads per year and a community of more than sixty thousands members, the growth of Asterisk software covers more than 170 countries. AstriCon gives all members of the community an excellent forum to learn about the technology. Integrators and end-users can expect to hear the latest news and project updates, join networking opportunities and meeting with potential business partners."We are happy to attend for the fifth year the most important event in the world for the Asterisk technology," said Lorenzo Emilitri, founder of Loway. "This is the best place to show our new and innovative lineup."Meet the Loway team at booth 25. Expert engineers and developers will guide you through the new features of the call-center solutions family.You will be introduced to the new QueueMetrics 16.09 release, and WombatDialer 16.06.QueueMetrics release 16.09 introduces a new set of statistics to track call resolutions, customizable agent data block that can be used to create custom metrics, its new generation data loader the "Uniloader" and much more.WombatDialer 16.06 is the most recent of the Loway's release and represents the most mature stage of development of the software, coming with a new improved GUI, adaptive boosting, predictive capabilities and much more new features resulting from more than 3 years of active development.Attendees will also receive free trials full featured versions of all the presented products and special promotions discounts for any purchase.For info visitSince 2004, Loway develops complete, reliable and customizable call center software solutions for the Asterisk PBX.Their distinguished QueueMetrics set up modern standards in performance measurement and reporting for call centers based on Asterisk technology. WombatDialer is a flexible, easy to use outbound dialing platform and a perfect complement to QueueMetrics.Via Laveggio 36855 StabioSwitzerland
Black Lives Matter In Africa, Too

Author Mari Serebrov

http://www.mariserebrov.com

Vava Tampa is spot on in his recent CNN commentary in which he questions why black lives matter only if theyre American, says Mari Serebrov, who has extensively researched the first genocide of the 20th century, which took place in German South-West Africa.The founder of Save the Congo, Tampa points out in his op-ed that the rest of the world is turning a blind eye to the thousands of black people being killed in the Congo and other African countries.Unfortunately, this isnt a recent phenomenon. In the height of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the UN Security Council withdrew all but 270 of its 2,500 peacekeepers from the country. At the same time, Tampa says, the UN beefed up its forces in Bosnia, where the victims were white, sending in an additional 6,500 troops to join the 24,000 already on the ground there.I would add another example to Vavas list of times the Western world has ignored genocides in Africa, says Serebrov, the author of Mama Namibia, a historical novel based on the true story of a 12-year-old Herero girl who survived the 1904 genocide in German South-West Africa, now modern-day Namibia.Between 1904-1908, Germany was responsible for a genocide that wiped out 85 percent of the Herero and half the Nama, Serebrov says. And while Germany passed a resolution a few months ago recognizing the 1915 Armenian Massacre in the Ottoman Empire as a genocide, the government has yet to officially admit that German actions in South-West Africa  including a desert death march, forced labor, rape, mass murder, land theft, concentration camps and medical experiments  were genocide.The guilt is not Germanys alone. Twenty-four other countries and the Vatican have recognized the Armenian genocide. But few have even acknowledged the killing of the Herero and Nama, let alone recognized it as genocide  even though the UNs Whitaker Report classified it in 1985 as one of the earliest genocides of the century.Pope Francis, who has offered his support for the Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S., is among those who continue to overlook the Herero/Nama genocide. In observing the centennial of the Armenian Massacre last year, the pope erroneously called it the first genocide of the 20th century.When no major media immediately pointed out his error, I joined other experts on the Herero genocide and many Africans in taking to social media to raise awareness of what was truly the first genocide, says Serebrov. I figured the pope didnt know about the 1904 genocide, so I sent the facts about it to Vatican Radio.But just a few months ago, the pope again called the Armenian genocide the "first of the deplorable series of catastrophes of the past century, made possible by twisted racial, ideological or religious aims that darkened the minds of the tormentors even to the point of planning the annihilation of entire peoples," according to a Vatican news release.To paraphrase the pope, one has to wonder what twisted racial or ideological aims make us continue to ignore the extermination of the Herero and Nama in German South-West Africa, Serebrov says.The color of the victims skin shouldnt determine whether the world recognizes a genocide, she adds. The blood spilt is always red.Serebrov also points out that with each genocide thats ignored, forgotten or denied, the world grants permission for the next. Humanity cant afford to let this cycle continue, she says.About Mama Namibia:Based on the true story of the daughter of a traditional healer, 'Mama Namibia' details the journey of a young girl, Jahohora, as she searches for her family while hiding from the German soldiers. Wasting away in the desert, Jahohora is about to give up her desperate struggle for life when she finds hope in a simple act of kindness from a Jewish doctor serving in the German army.'Mama Namibia' has received rave reviews. One reader said, "Thank you for writing this book - touching, amazing, wonderful, sad, inspiring . . . a must read and one of the best books I've ever read." Another stated, "This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in history, troubled by its propensity to repeat itself and stunned that this story has never been told to a large audience before. It leaves the reader wondering how many more genocides have been quietly buried in the past."Serebrov is a meticulous researcher and passionate author. She was named the literary laureate of the Herero Tribal Authority in 2013. She has authored a number of other books, including 'The Life and Times of W.H. Arnold of Arkansas' and a childrens book, 'Jahohora and First Day.' Mama Namibia is the first and only work of fiction to be included on Genocide Watchs list of resources.In regards to 'Mama Namibia' and the Herero genocide, Serebrov has been interviewed by Al Jazeera, The Namibian, New Era, the Windhoek Observer and other African publications. She appeared on "Good Morning, Namibia" and was interviewed on several national radio programs in Namibia.She also was recently interviewed for an article on the genocide for 'Down To Earth', a biweekly science and environment journal published by the Centre for Science and Environment, an environmental think tank and advocacy group based out of New Delhi, India.Serebrov is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at mari.serebrov@yahoo.com. All of her works, including 'Mama Namibia,' are available at Amazon and other book retailers. More information is available at her website.An award-winning journalist with a passion for history, Mari Serebrov has authored a variety of books, including 'The Life and Times of W.H. Arnold of Arkansas,' the historical novel 'Mama Namibia' and a childrens book, 'Jahohora and First Day.' She also contributed to The Grandmothers Bible and has co-authored a number of church resource and inspirational books with her mother, the late Adell Harvey.Because of her work in calling attention to the first genocide of the 20th century in what was then German South-West Africa, Serebrov was named the literary laureate of the Herero Tribal Authority in 2013. She and her husband, Job, an attorney and judge for a Native American tribe, have two children and five grandchildren.PO Box 1613Shallotte NC 29549
EAPIC in Nairobi: Inspiring, high-level and practical sessions make it the place to be next week for regional energy solutions

Strong focus on geothermal this year

http://www.eapicforum.com

An opening session with six East African regional energy ministries represented, an inspiring Women in African Power lunch, a unique gathering of Future Leaders in Energy and a free exhibition with technical workshops are just some of the highlights of the 18th edition of the East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC) at the KICC in Nairobi next week.The long-running, regional conference and exhibition will gather some 2000 power professionals, investors and project developers from more than 30 countries, present more than a 100 top industry expert speakers, offer 24 free technical workshops and feature 68 local and global technology and service providers to the industry.The EAPIC ministerial opening session at 09h00, Wednesday, 21 September, will be addressed by high-level representatives, including three ministers, from six regional energy ministries: Kenya, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and will be broadcast by CNBC Africa Television.The high-level energy ministry representatives are:- Dr Joseph Njoroge, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Kenya- Dr. Dheu Mathouk Diing, Minister, Ministry of Energy and Dams, South Sudan- Hon Eng, Simon DUjanga, State Minister, Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development, Uganda- Dr Eng Juliana Pallangyo, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Tanzania- H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Siraj, State Minister, Ministry of Water Resources, Irrigation and Electricity, Sudan- Liban Mohamed H. Mohamoud, Director, Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Somaliland- Session chair: Dr Albert Butare, Rwandas former Minister of State for Energy, Water and CommunicationMore EAPIC conference highlights:- Regional investment opportunities: Country Spotlight sessions where high-level government representatives from Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Somaliland, Sudan and South Sudan will address the conference on the respective institutional or regulatory reforms for improving the business environment as well as incentives for prospective investors.-Strong focus on geothermal: There is no one size fits all approach to developing geothermal. It's an amazing source of base load, renewable energy, but we have to take a realistic approach to how it's developed  says Amanda Lonsdale, Institutional and Commercial Development Advisor for the East Africa Geothermal Energy Facility (EAGER) and moderator of the geothermal development conference track.Women in African Power LunchPower Africas Women in African Power Network and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are hosting a luncheon highlighting the role of women in Africa's energy sector at this years EAPIC on Wednesday, 21 September. The event aims to shine a light on both the role that women currently play in Africas energy sector, and the tremendous potential they hold to shape a vibrant and growing sector.Featured guest speakers include:- Geraldine Joslyn Fraser-Moleketi, Special Envoy on Gender at the African Development Bank- June Muli, Deputy General Manager at M-KOPA, Tanzania- Charity Wanjiku, CEO, Strauss EnergyFuture Energy LeadersOn Thursday, 22 September, EAPIC is hosting a Future Energy Leaders Lunch where tomorrows brightest young energy professionals and top performing students who are planning a future career in the power and energy infrastructure sectors will have the opportunity to hear from inspiring speakers, meet some of the key movers and shakers in the industry and be introduced to potential future employers, and where possible connected with internships and job opportunities.Guest speakers:- Hindpal Jabbal, former Chairman Energy Regulatory Commission, Kenya- Eddy Njoroge, Non-Executive Director, Globeleq, KenyaFree expo and technical workshopsPower professionals, large power users and any businesses that could benefit from energy efficiency and productivity training are invited to come along to the EAPIC exhibition for the free technical workshops and to try the latest technologies.Free workshop topics include:- Experiences from the Kenya Tea biomass gasification based power station- Decentralised electrification in the form of stand-alone solar solutions- An investors perspective - trends, technological advancements and the future of global renewable energy technologies- Efficient power distribution in town planning and development- Delivering affordable hydroelectricity to rural Africa- Challenges and solutions to project and smart meter project roll out- Advanced test diagnostics systemsSpotlight on regional achievementsKenya Power, Eskom Uganda, the Nile Basin Initiative, Songas and Ethiopian Electric Power are just some of the regions leading lights in the power industry that are finalists in this years East African Power Industry Awards that will take place during EAPIC on the evening of 21 September at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi. Well known media personality and CNBC Africa television news anchor Bonney Tunya will be the MC during the awards gala dinner.Site visitsOnce again EAPIC is offering delegates exclusive and in-depth site visits to some of the leading energy projects in Nairobi bringing a third dimension to the conference and exhibition. A full day visit to the Olkaria Geothermal Field will provide the experience to view the Olkaria 1 unit IV & V power plant at East Field and the installations generating 140MW commissioned in February 2015. The other option is a visit to the United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat offices as well as to Strathmore University to see the 600kW grid tied solar system which is the first IPP to sign a solar PPA in Kenya.Industry supportAs in previous years of this flagship energy event in the region, EAPIC has secured impressive industry support, including from Lucy Electric, a global secondary distribution leader in the electricity sector, who are this years platinum sponsor. The gold sponsor is Stanbic Bank. Other sponsors include: Eaton, Globeleq, Koncar, Landis+Gyr, SAP, Sicame, SolarWorld, OsiSoft, Subnet Solutions, Schneider Electric and Steinmuller Africa.EAPIC is also endorsed by the Kenyan Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the Alliance for Rural Electrification, International Centre for Hydropower, the Power Institute for East & Southern Africa and the Kenya Renewable Energy Association.EAPIC dates and location:Pre-conference Masterclass: 20 September 2016Conference and exhibition: 21-22 September 2016, Opening session: 09h00East African Power Industry Awards: 21 September 2016, 19h00Site visits: 23 September 2016Event location: KICC, Nairobi, KenyaEAPIC is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Other flagship events in Spintelligents power portfolio on the continent are African Utility Week, the West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), iPAD Rwanda Energy Infrastructure Forum and iPAD Cameroon Energy & Infrastructure Forum.Senior communications manager: Annemarie RoodbolTelephone: +27 21 700 3558Mobile: +27 82 562 7844Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.comWebsite:Postal address: PO Box 321, Steenberg, 7947, South Africa
Business Meetings, Travel & Technology Expo Co-Located with Meetings Technology Expo

Join Us!

http://bmtte.com/show-info

http://bmtte.com/prospectus

http://bmtte.com/press

New York, NY, September 14, 2016  Corporate travel managers and meeting professionals will share insights and best practices, and learn from industry experts on topics impacting business travel and meetings.The 12th Annual Meetings Technology Expo (MTE) will co-locate with the Business Meetings, Travel & Technology Expo (BMTTE), bringing together leaders in the fields of transient corporate travel, technology and meetings. The event will offer a comprehensive overview of how these groups work in tandem to yield the greatest financial and logistical efficiencies. The conference and expo will be held from September 22  23, 2016 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.This years conference is particularly important, said event founder Paul Paone, a corporate travel and meetings industry veteran. Advances in travel and meetings technology are rapidly changing services for meetings and travelers. By harnessing volumes of data from mobile technologies, both end users and practitioners are benefiting from increased satisfaction levels, better costs and a flattening playing field for large and small organizations.The conference will cover the pursuit of business travel and meetings integration, drawing from areas such as ground transportation, mobile event technologies, expense management, traveler engagement, strategic meetings management, duty of care, housing, and attendee engagement. CMP and CAE continuing education credits will be awarded for session attendance.Carlson Wagonlit Travel president and CEO Kurt Ekert will deliver the morning keynote speech about his view of the latest in travel and meetings management, tapping into his knowledge after twenty years as an executive in travel and travel technology. Steven Rambam, CEO of Pallorium Inc., will deliver the afternoon keynote speech covering the growing importance of cyber security and personal safety for corporate travelers and meeting attendees.The event will feature a robust expo hall showcasing technology innovations including mobile apps for meetings and travel, video content and capture, and hotel and venue RFP technologies. Conventional travel services will include hotels, venues, destinations, ground transportation, transient work space, air travel and more.Sponsors include Meetings.com, Lyft, Melia Hotels International, Poken, Carey International, Educational Measures, VisaHQ, Cievents, Flyte Tyme Worldwide, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, GroundLink, Event2Mobile and Presdo.BMTTE and MTE give planners and travel managers the opportunity to review and understand how advancements in technology can enhance their existing programs, said Ross Hosking, president of Meetings.com, this years presenting sponsor. We are excited to be part of the show as it serves travel managers and meeting professionals  two very important groups for our business.The show kicks off Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Javits Center with one-on-one appointments followed by an evening cocktail reception at the nearby Millennium Broadway. On Friday morning, Sept. 23, the conference will feature 20 seminars followed by afternoon tech demos and activities inside the expo hall filled with dozens of vendors.Also speaking will be Kathy Kaden of Novartis, Kevin Iwamoto of Goldspring Consulting, and over 30 other veteran business travel and meeting managers including Amgens Craig Banikowski, Shelby LeMaire from iRobot and ITWs Cathy Sharpe.Additional information available online:View Agenda:To Exhibit:or contact John Dejesu: 917-860-8162  john@bmtte.comPress Registration:Contact:Paul Paonepaul@bmtte.com1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th FlNY, NY 10036Ph: 212-956-4720Events for Travel & Meeting ProfessionalsPaul Paonepaul@bmtte.com1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th FlNY, NY 10036Ph: 212-956-4720
Wednesday 14 September 2016 7:18am

Six innovative Otago research projects have been supported through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) 2016 Endeavour Fund round announced yesterday.

This year a total of around $12M has gone to Otago researchers through the fund, which invests in science that is designed to have a positive impact for New Zealand economically, environmentally and socially in a three- to ten-year timeframe. This places the University of Otago as the second highest university recipient of MBIE funding, having doubled its MBIE income from the 2015 Investment Round.

Three Otago projects are being supported through the Funds Smart Ideas initiatives category and three through its larger Research Programmes category.

Smart Ideas initiatives catalyse and rapidly test promising, innovative research ideas, and contracts are awarded for two to three years. Research Programmes are awarded for three to five years and support ambitious research ideas, with high potential to deliver significant impact for New Zealands economy, environment, and society.

Otagos 2016 Endeavour Fund projects

(Only principal investigators are listed and amounts are GST exclusive)

Smart Ideas

Professor Warwick Duncan (Oral Sciences)

Silverbone  Otagos nano-silver technology plus NZ-manufactured bonegraft produces unique antibacterial biomaterials

$999,8004 over three years

Bone grafting is often required when replacing damaged hip- and knee joints or replacing teeth that have been lost. Subsequent inflammatory disease around artificial joints or titanium dental implants or teeth may require additional bone grafting. Bone grafts may come from the patient themselves, which requires an additional surgical site and carries the risk of further complications. Alternatively, the surgeon may use artificial bone grafting substitutes. Bone graft substitutes are commonly sourced from animal bone, particularly treated beef bone, which is known as bovine bone xenograft, or BBX.

Infection of the bone-grafted site is a frequent complication, and there are increasing problems with bacteria resistant to the antibiotics used to prevent or treat these infections. Metallic silver is an alternative approach to killing bacteria that avoids the problem of antibiotic resistance.

Otago University has developed a nanoparticle medical technology that uses tiny particles of silver to prevent bacterial infection. Our new product SilverBone combines nano-silver with BBX grafts produced by a New Zealand firm from New Zealand beef bone, resulting in new bone grafting materials that are resistant to bacterial infection. These will encourage bone growth and repair when used in patients undergoing orthopaedic or oral surgical treatment.

Dr Andrew Clarkson (Anatomy)

enGAGing the brain to restore function

$1 million over three years

Stroke is the leading cause of lasting impairment and can affect anyone at any time. Until recently the brain was thought not to recover following a stroke. However, we have previously shown that if the right treatment is given at the right time following a stroke, significant improvements in motor and cognitive function can be achieved.

This three year Smart Idea project, under the leadership of a stroke biologist at the University of Otago (Dunedin), brings together leading experts in chemistry from the Ferrier Research Institute (Victoria University of Wellington) and KODE Biotech (Auckland University of Technology), and biomaterials experts at the University of Otago (Christchurch). Their common goal is to develop novel treatments to improve function following brain injury. This research builds on our team's ability to greatly simplify the synthesis of novel compounds capable of targeting any part of the brain extracellular matrix; the glue that holds all brain cells in place, vital to brain health. The team will use an iterative, smart design approach to develop and test a range of potential drugs to help patients recover from stroke.

Such novel compounds have wide-ranging potential as they have the ability to modulate many biological and physiological processes in the brain. So beyond holding great promise for treatment of stroke, in the future they may aid in improving outcomes for numerous other neurological conditions.

Dr Eng Tan (Chemistry)

Smart Drug Delivery Through Skin

$933,037 over three years

This project will revolutionise the treatment of strawberry birthmarks, and other related disfiguring conditions, such as keloid scars, by developing an effective topical treatment based on novel drug-delivery technology. The new technology involves deformable skin penetrating nanoparticles loaded to transport bioactive agents through skin directly to the affected site. We believe this new technology, which we affectionately call Squish, will stimulate a high-profit, technology-based pharmaceutical product enterprise that will occupy niche markets in the global pharmaceuticals industry.

Research Programmes

Professor Greg Cook (Microbiology and Immunology)

Development of next-generation sanitisers for the control of bovine mastitis in the dairy industry

$1,681,443 over three years

Mastitis is a bacterial infection of the udder and is the foremost production limiting disease for dairying worldwide, costing the New Zealand dairy industry over $280M pa in treatment and discarded milk. Mastitis is controlled through the use of teat sprays containing bioactive ingredients such as chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine is also widely used for infection control in hospitals all over the world in hand and pre-surgical skin sanitisers. Mounting concerns around antimicrobial resistance mean that new, non-medical sanitisers are urgently required to manage mastitis and protect both New Zealands dairy industry and healthcare system from rising antimicrobial resistance. Our research aims to deliver new sanitisers by identifying, developing and testing naturally derived compounds that inhibit mastitis-causing bacteria using the micronutrient zinc. Zinc is important in the human immune response and is known to have potent anti-infective qualities. We will develop compounds that efficiently move zinc into bacterial cells, where it will exert its antimicrobial action, whilst remaining harmless to mammalian cells. These novel, non-medical compounds will pave the way for new teat-spray formulations, protecting New Zealand dairy herds from mastitis.

Dr Nevil Pierse (Department of Public Health, Wellington)

Ending Homelessness in New Zealand: Housing First

$2,537,514 over five years

Over 6000 people are without any accommodation every night in New Zealand and over 40,000 lack safe secure accommodation. The consequences of homelessness exact a high cost to this country both in economic and human terms. Based on robust international evidence, the Housing First Research Team and The Peoples Project together with the Universities of Otago and Waikato are developing a new model for ending homelessness through a Housing First approach. This has been shown to provide the best environment for addressing the often complex needs of hard to reach groups. In this innovative programme, housing is unconditional. It is not earned by compliance, rather it is a right; treatments are made available, but uptake is voluntary. This approach shifts service engagement from a forced chore, to a self-rewarding pathway. It is a paradigm shift that maximises the benefits from modern engagement services. Security of tenure provides the stability that enables participants to contribute positively to their community, society and the economy, with rising incomes and higher quality of life a common outcome across Housing First studies. The success of the Housing First approach has displaced long held assumptions about people who have complex needs, reaffirmed the importance of housing, and helped to consolidate the link between evidence and practice.

Associate Professor John Reynolds

Targeting Drug Delivery within the brain - Building a system for human application

$4,859,256 over four years

This programme will stimulate a high-profit, technology-based medical device and consumables industry in New Zealand for the treatment of brain disorders. The technology will incorporate a delivery system for brain chemicals together with a controller that will manage timing and dose. Drug delivery will mimic natural release of neurochemicals in the brain, reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy.

The new technology will enable smart, non-invasive drug delivery that will revolutionise the treatment of disorders with underlying neurochemical imbalances. We wish to expand our device concept into a drug delivery platform that will first be applied to better treat Parkinsons disease (PD), preventing, and in theory reversing, current treatment-induced side effects in humans. Our technology could also target chemotherapy to brain cancers and arrest epileptic seizures at the site of origin.
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...
Walking on water, 60-second ice cream and objects floating in mid-air are just some of the marvels of science that will be seen at the fourth annual Dow Great Lakes Bay STEM Festival powered by the nationally-known Mind Trekkers of Michigan Technological University.

The Dow Chemical Co. and Delta College are teaming up again with Mind Trekkers to present the STEM Festival at Delta College on Sept. 23-24.

Mind Trekkers  a traveling, hands-on science and engineering show from Michigan Technological Universitys Center for Pre-College Outreach, and Delta College faculty, staff and volunteers are working with over 29 STEM partners to bring more than 150 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities to the festival. Mind Trekkers has gained national acclaim for its high-energy demos of the science behind what looks like magic, like turning a few drops of liquid into huge foam gnomes or making ice cream in one minute using liquid nitrogen. Students will also have opportunities to explore STEM careers in the area as they meet with the many STEM professionals who are also participating in the event.

Our goal is to create a spark and create an environment of excitement and interest in science and technology, said Cody Kangas, director of the Center for Pre-College Outreach at Michigan Tech.

This will be the fourth straight year Mind Trekkers has traveled to Delta College for the STEM festival. The group travels throughout the United States to schools, festivals and expos to the delight of hundreds of thousands of students, parents and teachers. Delta College Professor of Biology Cindy Drake has been instrumental in helping coordinate the Mind Trekkers visits to Delta College.

STEM Festivals are an excellent opportunity for families to explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an engaging, exciting and informal environment. Students of all ages can experience the Wow of STEM through fun hands-on activities while also learning more about the many profitable STEM careers available in our area, said Drake. Statistics show that fewer students are continuing to study STEM fields past middle school, while at the same time STEM careers are growing, causing a deficit of skilled workers in these areas. This event is an opportunity for students to re-engage in fields that have excellent forecasts for future growth and to see how much fun they can have while learning. They will have opportunities to see how STEM is a part of the arts as well. Over 8,000 middle school students and their families attended the last three festivals we held, and we are excited to welcome many more this September!

The first day of the festival will host middle school students during morning and afternoon sessions. Festival organizers expect over 3,000 middle school students to attend on Friday. On Saturday, the festival will be free and open to the public for visitors of all ages to come and experience the event.

Events like the STEM Festival provide a perfect opportunity for students to learn more about science, technology, engineering and math while also fostering participation through hands-on experiences, said Rich Wells, vice president of Operations, Canada and USA North and site director for Michigan Operations. We support events like this to create an interest in and love for science that develops into great careers for these bright minds.

To see photos from last years event, visit www.delta.edu/science/sciencefestival
Area schools are limiting access to visitors during the school day as part of ongoing efforts to make campuses more secure.

Most Midland Public Schools buildings will be retrofitted next year with sally port entries that will require visitors to use one secure entrance during the school day.

This will mean entering exterior doors, then approaching a second set of doors and entering the school building through the office, said MPS Superintendent Michael Sharrow.

Youll have to walk into the office, have to be buzzed out of the office and into the hallway, he said.

Construction of new entrances will begin at most buildings in the spring. Adams Elementary School will get a new buzz-in system for one year, as the configuration of the school is being changed as part of a bigger project, Sharrow said.

The new Central Park Elementary School, now under construction at the former Central Middle School site, was designed with secure entrances.

The changes, which will be in place for the beginning of the 2017-18 school year, are funded by the bond issue approved by voters last year.

Bond funds also are paying for upgrades to video surveillance systems in the schools.

Bullock Creek Schools Superintendent Shawn Hale said his district installed secure entrances a few years ago.

All of our doors are locked throughout the day, Hale said. People can enter the first door, then in order to even enter the building any further, they have to come into the main office.

There are security cameras at each building entrance, and more cameras were added this summer, he said.

In addition, technological improvements give school officials the ability to completely lock down the building at the push of a button.

At Meridian Public Schools, security upgrades were made with bond funds in the summer of 2014.

We did several updates with our most recent bond  that included secure entrances in every building and the installation of interior and exterior security cameras, Superintendent Craig Carmoney said. Sanford Early Childhood Center had secure entrances prior to the upgrades and was not altered.

Security upgrades are among the topics being discussed as new Coleman Community Schools Superintendent Jennifer McCormack meets with parents, students and community members.

The goal is to talk about the things that are going very well and the things that may be struggles or challenges, McCormack said. A couple of people have mentioned  would we like to add something to our safety procedures or look at some grants for that?

A report on the top issues from the District Improvement Team will be presented to the district board of education and to the community in December, she said.

Currently, Coleman has the same safety procedures as other area schools, and also is working with students proactively in an attempt to prevent problems. Former MPS Board of Education President Ken Mault is working as a behavioral interventionist at the junior/senior high school three days a week.

Coleman also has become part of Project 111, a program started at Midland and H.H. Dow high schools to encourage students to be safe not only at school but also away from school.

MPS and other districts are working with Tom Mynsberge, a retired Michigan State Police officer who helps schools, businesses and other organizations plan for and deal with issues such as violent incidents, hazardous material releases and bomb threats.

We started working with him to make sure all our safety plans were up-to-date, Sharrow said. Weve updated those plans so that theyre a little more user-friendly.

Now all MPS buildings are on the same plan, while previously those plans werent as uniform across the district.

Mynsberge works with all the districts in Midland County, using a critical incident management program he started in Saginaw County in 2001.

All schools are trained to respond in the same way, Mynsberge said in a phone interview.

He said the program, which is also being used in Lapeer and Shiawassee counties and will soon be used in the Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District, enables school staff to be more professional with responders.

We teach them to seamlessly interface with the responders when they arrive, Mynsberge said.

He also works with first responders to let them know, This is what schools are going to do to protect themselves until you arrive.

The program is kind of a template for the rest of the nation, he said.

Mynsberge said physical changes and technology upgrades in schools are important to harden the target, acknowledging that most schools werent designed to limit visitors. Most schools were designed to have full access, he said.

However, he added that the human element is the most important.

Technology can fail, but the human element can override that, Mynsberge said.

Parents can be confident that schools are working to protect children from harm, he added.

Our schools are extremely proactive to take care of your children. They take that very seriously.
To the editor:

Can a faithful Catholic be a Republican?

The first fundamental principle for the Human Community is subsidiarity, which is the primary spirit of limited government (Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum on the Publication of the Cathechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] 1881).

Our Founding Fathers, in their wisdom, created a form of government based on two fundamental principles of subsidiarity and solidarity. They placed the individual human person as the central subject to be served by this new government. This new government was to provide for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The pursuit of happiness was to pursue God and find truth (CCC 1728). The pursuit of happiness must follow a moral conscience (CCC 1776).

The Republican Party has become the party of subsidiarity.

Yes, a faithful Catholic can be a Republican!

Can a faithful Catholic be a Democrat?

The second fundamental principle of the Human Community is solidarity, which is the primary spirit of a more just social order (CCC 1940).

More recently, the Washington Post is floating the political narrative that suggests Pope Francis Catholics are given latitude to hold positions opposed to church teaching while still calling themselves faithful Catholics. The rationale is that social justice for the common good trumps some Catholic unfaithfulness. Hence, this false narrative label of Pope Francis Catholics is spun for this election cycle.

For example, Mario Cuomo, governor of New York, provided the political narrative that a faithful Catholic can personally oppose abortion, but politically support pro-abortion causes for the common good. The same false rationale is repeated for same-sex marriage, etc.

The Democratic Party has become the party of solidarity.

No, a faithful Catholic cannot be a Democrat, today.

SIDNEY A. HANSEN

Beaverton
Valiant Shield (VS) is a U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. VS will take place from Sept. 12-23 on Guam and around the Marianas Island Range Complex.

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base (AFB), Japan, takes off during Exercise Valiant Shield at Andersen AFB, Guam, Sept. 14, 2016. Valiant Shield is a biennial U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps exercise held in Guam, focusing on real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger)
459 AS members participated in TMG disaster relief drill

(Right to left) U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Edward Sponenburg, 459th Airlift Squadron (AS) superintendent, and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Rector, 459 AS flight engineer, perform pre-flight inspection on a UH-1N Iroquois during the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Disaster Management Drill at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2016. Airmen with the 459 AS delivered simulated disaster relief supplies to the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park during the drill. The park is located in the Ariake area and is a disaster countermeasure headquarters of the Government of Japan and other local governments during large-scale earthquakes in the metropolitan area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe/Released)
BLOOMINGTON  A man who admitted to helping a woman plan a bank robbery and make a false bomb threat to divert police attention from the crime has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the plot.

Bryan Perschall, 36, of Bloomington pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy to commit financial institution robbery and disorderly conduct. Dismissed in a plea agreement was a charge of making a false bomb threat to Illinois State University.

Perschall was sentenced to a concurrent two-year term for disorderly conduct.

Perschall and co-defendant Joanna Etter, also 36, were charged with planning the July robbery of Busey Bank on North Veterans Parkway and similar robberies in other parts of the Twin Cities.

A Sept. 30 hearing is scheduled to review Etter's case.

According to authorities, Perschall called ISU and said, "I have placed chemical bombs on your campus and they will go off within two hours unless I receive $1 million." The call was traced by police to Ewing Park in Bloomington where Perschall was located.

Perschall told police he got cold feet after he saw a police car near the bank. In a note police found on Perschall when he was arrested, the suspect demanded $10,000 from a bank teller. He threatened to open fire on bank employees if police were contacted, according to court records.

Following Perschall's direction, police located a realistic BB gun dumped by Perschall on Constitution Trail. Inside an apartment shared by the two, police also found a sketch pad with handwritten robbery and bomb threat notes and maps of banks, said a prosecutor's statement.
BLOOMINGTON  The Illinois State Board of Education visited Bloomington Junior High School on Tuesday to hear input from the public about the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

ESSA, signed by President Obama at the end of last year, gives states greater control over the evaluation of public schools and how to fix problems while maintaining annual testing to gauge progress.

The act reformed the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replaced the unpopular No Child Left Behind Act.

ISBE hosted its first listening tour in the spring and the first draft of the ESSA State Plan was presented at the August ISBE meeting.

The second tour is focusing on sharing the substance of the first draft and receiving feedback from communities.

Jason Helfer, deputy superintendent for teaching and learning with ISBE, spoke to a crowd of 50 at BJHS. Most of the attendees were teachers, superintendents and principals from Pantagraph-area schools.

Its important to have responses from people whose feet are on the ground. Were under the impression that you know better than we do, said Helfer. Coming up with a plan under which districts can live and thrive, a contrast to the aspects of No Child Left Behind, is really important to us.

Multiple librarians, including University High School librarian Gretchen Zaitzeff, spoke of the importance of effective school library programs and how the ESSA plan should include recommendations for districts to keep libraries up to date.

An effective school library is like a state-of-the-art kitchen helmed by a master chef where patrons feast on a buffet of informational options, said Zaitzeff. Every student in every school should have access to an updated school library.

Helfer also asked education stakeholders for thoughts about combining funding streams to improve learning environments.

Chris Baldwin, kindergarten teacher at District 87, explained the difficulty of teaching kindergartners who are behind in learning and how more funding could help.

We need funding for teachers to be in our schools to help us with the intervention we so desperately need for those children, said Baldwin.

Helfer said the goal of the listening tours is to collect input and develop a final state plan to support every students needs.

These tours allow us to continue refining questions in the first draft, he said. We want to keep on funneling it down, whittling it away until we get contingently final answers.

The law will take effect in phases over the next two school years. The final plan will be submitted to Governor Rauner in January and then to the state board in February.

ISBE will host the same tour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Woodruff Career and Technical Center, 1800 NE Perry Ave. in Peoria.
If your kid was tardy or had an unexcused absence during the first week of school, he'd likely get a warning and the threat of suspension.

If the behavior continued for another two weeks, he wouldn't be surprised by a conference with the principal and possibility of future discipline that was not an empty threat.

Welcome back to school, Unit 5 and First Student. You share the blame for a variety of missteps that have caused all sorts of havoc for your students, their families, teachers and support staff. Expulsion looms for First Student: A contract provision on performance says the district can sever its relationship Oct. 1 and rebid the contract the following year.

We're sure that topic will come up when the school board meets at 7 p.m. today at Normal Community West High School.

And, it's time for the district to seriously consider that step, and to make sure it has a sturdy and vetted transportation plan in place if it does.

Since the beginning of the school year, First Student has fallen woefully short of acceptable levels of transporting the district's students to and from school and to and from extracurricular activities. Buses have been overcrowded, driver absences have caused late arrivals and departures, and students have been dropped off at the wrong stops or at the wrong times.

On Friday, for example, a 10-year-old was left unsupervised outside a school after a school official told one of her parents the child was riding a later bus. That was after the parent, who received a text from SchoolReach about an initial delay, was told to call the school and no one answered.

No wonder parents and kids are frustrated. For every problem, the district and bus system have tried to find a solution, but it's been too little, too late. It wasn't until after the first week of school that the district instituted an after-hours call center.

First Student, a national system based in Ohio, initially said the problems were a result of the district opting for fewer buses and staggered start/dismissal times, and a misstep by a company that used those parameters in figuring out the bus schedule.

Now First Student says it's having problems filling bus driver positions and is offering sign-on bonuses. In the meantime, Unit 5 has talked to local bus providers about their availability in an emergency and talked to the regional superintendent, who talked to the state superintendent, about other options.

A back-up plan should have been in place before now. Good planners always have a back-up plan; the better planners have a back-up plan for the back-up plan, because they know something always will go wrong.

School districts and their bus systems have to anticipate drivers calling in sick, for buses breaking down, icy roads, last-minute school changes, and for confused little kids who put their trust in adults to get them to school on time, and back home, too.

Unit 5 and First Student have been around long enough to know that, but they both have failed the test.
A 12-year-old girl from New York has created an Alzheimer's app in the hopes of communicating with her grandmother better. Emma Yang, whose nana lives in Hong Kong, decided to develop "Timeless," the Alzheimer's app that would help those who suffer from the condition remember special events or even recognize friends and family.

Speaking with Tech50 Plus, Emma said that it has been frustrating dealing with Alzheimer's in her family. "Distance is not the only problem, but [grandma's] illness is also preventing us from staying connected with each other," the 12-year-old said.

Yet, she wants to be there for her grandmother as her Alzheimer's progresses and she believes this is the same for every family struggling with the condition. It is what drove her to create the app for Alzheimer's patients. "My idea will allow them to sustain their independence and happiness, even if they may not necessarily be able to be cured of their condition."

With the help of her dad, who works as a software engineer and doctor specializing in Alzheimer's disease, Emma proceeded to develop her idea into a reality. The adults gave her feedback on her project, which she compounded with lots of research on the disease and her programming knowledge.

According to Good News Network, Emma's "Timeless" Alzheimer's app is uniquely designed with a host of features. This includes a facial recognition system and a comprehensive list of event or schedules that notifies the person. It also advises the user if they have called the person they are trying to reach in the last few minutes. According to Emma, it's one of the things that her grandmother has been struggling with as she keeps forgetting she has spoken to her family only minutes before.

"Timeless" is supposedly the very first Alzheimer's app to be ever created and Emma's invention is still in its prototype phase. Still, there's a lot going for the 12-year-old because she has received a grant to pursue the app's development through the Michael Perelstein Discover Your Passion Scholarship. Learn more about "Timeless" and Emma Young in the video below.
Being asked about the politics surely put the contestants of Miss America 2017 under additional pressure during the Q&A portion, it being a hot topic as the elections is fast approaching. The girls were able to answer well, but the answers of those on the top are the ones that stood out. Miss New York's comments about the presidentiable Donald Trump landed her on the second-runner up spot out of the 52 contestants.

Miss New York Camille Sims answered a blunt political question about what he thinks of Donald Trump, an undeniably colorful character in the United States. The 23-year-old responded: "I think that he's a bright reminder of how our country needs to come together. If you don't agree with his message, then it's time to decide where you stand in this debate."

Trump has been a rather controversial presidential candidate, to the point that some Americans say they would have to migrate to other countries if he wins. But while Sims' comments seem to diss the real estate tycoon, her next statement made the difference. "As Americans, we need to make sure that we come together," she continued. "Represent what it means to be American, which is celebrating all people from all backgrounds, whether you're an immigrant, or a Native American, or an African American, or an Asian American." Her subtle throwing of shade at the billionaire yet eloquent answer contributed to her making it to the top three, per News.com.au.

Meanwhile, the crown winter Savvy Shields was asked about Hilary Clinton. She said that being a leader of a free world, you have to be watchful of your actions because everything you do and say matters. Your words and actions "are held to a higher standard." Shields, who succeeded Miss America Betty Cantrell, expounded on her answer when she spoke to the media. She said that she hopes both Clinton and Trump would focus on compromise.
Samsung has urged owners of its newly released Galaxy Note 7 to power down their devices, or better turn them off, and exchange them already for new mobile phones. The call comes after the tech giant halted the sale of the phablet two weeks after it was released on the back of exploding batteries reports. As the number of explosions reach around 70 cases in the United States alone, Samsung is recalling 2.5 million devices it has already sold.

In a statement released on the company's website, Samsung Electronics America President Tim Baxter asked the users to exchange their devices now. Baxter added that the customers will receive another device until the new Galaxy Note 7 becomes available.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was released on Aug. 19. Last week, the company revealed that it has received some 35 cases of Note 7 catching fire worldwide. After an investigation, Samsung pinned the problem on defective batteries. Most of the cases happened while charging the device.

In line with the safety concerns, the U.S. aviation authorities and other airlines around the world are asking their fliers not to use their Galaxy Note 7 during the flight nor stow them in their checked-in baggage, USA Today reported.

Users in the United States are encouraged to return their devices to where they purchased them, along with the accessories and receipt. According to PCMag.com, AT&T customers may choose a Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S7 Active or any other smartphone in exchange for their faulty Note 7. They may also get a new Note 7 pending the approval of the Consumer Products Safety Commission. Sprint customers can also get a "similar device," while T-Mobile customers can get a full refund and purchase a replacement handset. Verizon customers can also return or exchange their Note 7 without restocking fees.

While the number of defective devices is small, it is already impacting the company's reputation, cooling the excitement the Galaxy Note 7 has attracted through rage reviews and amazing features.
The British royal couple Kate Middleton and Prince William are scheduled for a tour in Canada later this month. It looks like their entourage, however, will have two extra additions. Reports reveal that their two adorable children are joining them during the trip.

The Kensington Palace has announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are going to bring Prince George and Princess Charlotte when they visit Canada on Sept. 24, USA Today reports. The news release states, "(Will and Kate) have received so many wonderful messages from Canadians since the birth of their children and look forward to having the chance to introduce their young family to the country."

The palace also disclosed that the tour, which will last until Oct. 1, will consist of 30 engagements. According to Hello! Canada, the royal family will arrive in Victoria, British Columbia on Saturday, Sept. 24, where they will stay for three nights. From there, they will proceed to Yukon for two nights, and then they will head back to British Columbia.

Their activities would include paying respects at Victoria's Cenotaph, taking a float plane to Vancouver where they will visit Sheway charity, and visiting the Immigration Services Society of British Columbia and the Kitsilano Coastguard Station in Vanier park. They will also visit the world's largest temperate rainforest, the Great Bear Rainforest, and meet students at the University of British Columbia.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte are expected to attend a children's party at the grounds of the Government House and play with children from military families who have been invited. After the party, the royal family will have some private time to spend.

This will be the first overseas royal tour of the 16 months old Princess Charlotte. Prince George, now 3 years old, joined Kate and William in New Zealand and Australia in 2014.
More than 21,900 Samsung Galaxy Note 7 are currently in recall in Canada by the giant tech company due to overheating coming from the phone battery. The federal government of the said country announced on September 12 their concern about the gadgets potential to cause danger to their people.

According to PC World, it is the lithium batteries that are to blame in the said recall, as they tend to overheat fast. The danger is that it could cause explosion and fire in the household. This is not the first time that Samsung has this issue regarding their lithium-ion batteries. In fact, there are more than 70 issues of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and its batteries overheating in the U.S. alone. Reports are even showing that this problem is even worse in America than in Canada.

A photo posted by Etika Wiranto (@etikay) on Sep 13, 2016 at 7:42am PDT

In another report made by PC World on September 9, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned the public about this gadget. They told consumers to turn their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 off and not have it charged for the mean time. This is for their protection against explosion and other hazardous events that could occur when their smartphone is on.

Even airlines like Jetstar along with Virgin Australia are even warning their passengers to not turn their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on while on board. Charging it is also prohibited while the flight is taking place. Explosions and overheating were reported to have had occurred while the user was just charging it and sometimes while on a call. Samsung's name is currently being harmed because of this quality issue that their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and its batteries have done.

Do you think a recall by Samsung is enough to compensate for the damage that was done by their product? Tell us what do you think about this issue by commenting in the box below.
"Sense8" Season 2 is still in the middle of production, as the Netflix sci-fi drama is expected to drop new episodes in 2017. While there have been several behind-the-scenes drama and cast shakeups during production, an actor teases that there will be a "mind-blowing" storyline ahead for the eight Sensates.

This article contains spoilers. Read on if you want to learn more about the details of this story.

"Sense8" Season 2 spoilers reveal that fans and viewers should brace themselves for a "mind-blowing" storyline ahead. In an interview with Alfonso Herrera, which was shared on series creator Michael Straczynski's Twitter account, the actor shared that there will be deeper stories on the eight Sensates.

The actor recounted that he and the rest of the "Sense8" Season 2 cast were amazed when they did the table read for the upcoming season of the Netflix series. While the actor refused to give any comments on the show's new season, he teased that it will be very exciting.

"It's going to be mind-blowing," he shared.

Herrera also shared that in "Sense8" Season 2, there will be a lot of things going on between Hernando, Lito and Daniela. As most fans can recall, Lito realized certain things about himself during the first season of the show.

As it turns out, "Sense8" Season 2 will see the impacts of Lito's realizations on himself and how society will react to his discovery. Erendira Ibarra also shared the same sentiments during her interview with Remezcla.

According to the actress, fans and viewers will see more of her character, Daniela in "Sense8" Season 2. Ibarra also teased that the overall theme for the upcoming season of the show is "life and beauty."

"Sense8" Season 2 premieres in early 2017 on Netflix.

What are the things you wish to see in "Sense8" Season 2? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!


The "Teen Mom 2" stars are always plagued with drama and controversies. According to recent reports, Jenelle Evans is bashed due to her controversial 9/11 tweet. Meanwhile, Kailyn Lowry is slammed for taking a vacation in Hawaii without her children.

According to International Business Times, the "Teen Mom 2" star Jenelle Evans tweeted last Sunday in relation to the 9/11 15th anniversary. In her post, the mom of two wrote that she can almost relate to the victims because her uncle used to work there but retired a week before the tragedy.

Sorry for everyone that lost their family or friends. My uncle retired a week before. I can almost relate #NeverForget #Remember911  Jenelle Evans (@PBandJenelley_1) September 11, 2016

Jenelle Evans' tweet gained tons of criticism from her followers. Many can't grasp how on earth Evans compared his uncle's retirement to the incident. One follower claimed that the said post was the most foolish tweet Evans did.

@wreckwatch @PBandJenelley_1 this is legit the stupidest thing she's ever tweeted.  AlloMudda AlloFadda (@keri_lowe) September 11, 2016

@wreckwatch @PBandJenelley_1 In what part of her deluded ass brain was comparing her uncle's retirement to 9/11 a good, solid idea?!?  AlloMudda AlloFadda (@keri_lowe) September 11, 2016

Jenelle Evans explained in a tweet that had his uncle not retired earlier, he would have been dead. The said tweet has been deleted. The pregnant reality star explained that is the reason why she only wrote that she "can almost relate."

Meanwhile, another "Teen Mom 2" star is in hot waters. According to She Knows, Kailyn Lowry is slammed for taking a vacation with her girlfriend without bringing up her kids. Kailyn Lowry seems to be enjoying the adults-only vacation based on the photos shared online. Lowry is reportedly in Hawaii, where she is learning to surf and swim.

We agree that Kailyn Lowry has gone through so much, especially that she is currently going through her divorce from Javi Marroquin. We understand that she deserves a break but some don't.

Per the report, many were disappointed for the "Teen Mom 2" star for leaving her children behind while she treats herself for a vacation. According to Kailyn Lowry, she's been with the kids in the last six months on her own and needs this break.

One follower commented, 'How does she deserve a vacation? She doesn't work and has her kids part time." Another one added that as a parent, bringing up your children is a must.

How do you find Jenelle Evans 9/11 post? Was it proper or unnecessary? How do you find Kailyn Lowry's vacation? Do you agree that parents should always bring their children in their whereabouts? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Hundreds of thousands of students with special needs are denied of special education services because of a benchmark imposed in Texas. Reports have revealed that Texas state officials have set the rate of students who receive such sped services at just 8.5 percent, prompting school administrators to deny or delay special services to many disabled students.

The Texas Education Agency implemented the enrollment benchmark for special education services of 8.5 percent in 2004, ABC News reports. Houston Chronicle looked into it and found that about 250,000 students with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, traumatic brain injuries and speech impediments, among others, are denied of the support they need from school districts because of the benchmark. The rate of students receiving supports such as counseling, therapy and tutoring has dropped from 13 percent since the implementation of the benchmark to 8.5 percent in 2015, which was the lowest rate in the United States.

The decision to impose such benchmark was part of the agency's efforts to trim costs, and by denying special education services to many students, they are able to save billions of dollars. The implementation of the 8.5 percent benchmark was not publicly announced nor explained, and there was no research that would back the rate as ideal.

The publication confirmed that the TEA, in a released statement, denied that the 8.5 percent rate is a cap and argued that it is rather an "indicator" that would reflect the school districts' performance. However, the school districts understood the system to be a strict limit as they are told to lower the number of students enrolled in special education.

Following the controversy, government officials have vowed to end this system that limits special education provision to Texas students, Houston Chronicle reports. The Senate Education Committee vice chairman, State Senator Eddie Lucio said the issue is an "utmost priority," adding that "We have a constitutional duty and a moral obligation to provide all Texas children with the services that are required to ensure that every student can thrive academically."
Netflix original "Bloodline" Season 3 will see new locations and more ghosts as John Rayburn (Kyle Chandler) and his family come to grips with the fallout of S2 finale from creators Todd and Glenn Kessler. Certainly, Florida Keys will remain the main location for John Rayburn and the rest of the Rayburns in "Bloodline Season 3," but the Netflix series will have a few surprises coming.

Zap2It points to the hasty exit John Rayburn executed in the "Bloodline Season 2" finale. Fans of the Netflix series saw John Rayburn finally taking Danny's (Ben Mendelsohn) advice to get out of Florida Keys and find life elsewhere.

And the Worst Rayburn Award goes to...https://t.co/pLuTjmoogT  Bloodline (@Bloodline) 6 July 2016

As Danny and his death proved in "Bloodline" Season 1, and even Meg (Linda Candellini) and her attempt to move to New York in S2, no Rayburn can fully escape Florida Keys. John Rayburn will expectedly make his way back to Florida Keys come "Bloodline" Season 3 but not before the Netflix series has had a chance to explore an intended destination for Danny's murderer.

Zap2It further proposes that Marco Diaz fans will see Enrique Murciano return for "Bloodline" Season 3 despite being beaten to death by Kevin Rayburn (Norbert Leo Butz) in the S2 finale. Enrique Murciano may not have been listed in the "Bloodline" Season 3 cast but, as the media outlet points out, neither was Sam Shepard (Robert Rayburn) in S2, which could mean that Marco Diaz will make a surprise appearance in the Netflix series.

People start digging and youd be surprised the dirt they find.  Bloodline (@Bloodline) 11 August 2016

Zap2It suggests that Marco Diaz could return to haunt Kevin Rayburn or his family members as one of the "Bloodline" Season 3 ghosts. Alternatively, Marco Diaz could also be in flashback sequences for the new "Bloodline" episodes.

In any case, John Rayburn and his family have a few more shockers to reveal in "Bloodline" Season 3 as The Hollywood Reporter points out. Congruently, John Rayburn and the rest of the Netflix series cast could stumble across new revelations when "Bloodline" returns.

Netflix released "Bloodline" Season 2 on May 27, 2016 with an eye for a 2017 release for S3. Whom would you like to see "Bloodline" Season 3 bring back in the Netflix series?
Medical marijuana legalization paved way for giving children with chronic illnesses a better health care alternative. Read on and get a glimpse of how marijuana oil saved a 10-year-old girl from a severe form of epilepsy and how it turned her life around.

Almost a year after the medical marijuana legalization took place in Minnesota, it was mentioned that more than 1,400 patients signed up to undergo medical marijuana treatment. Along with these patients, High Times mentions that 150 of which are children. One of them is a 10-year-old girl, Amelia Weaver.

Amelia was born with Dravet Syndrome, which is a rare form of epilepsy that greatly affected her everyday life. The 10-year-old Amelia was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy which can leave her with intense seizures all throughout the day.

Amelia's parents, Josh and Angie Weaver were on the brink of giving up, until they found light when the medical marijuana legalization was implemented. The Weaver family decided to opt for medical marijuana as it is proven to have less side effects and is more effective in treating epilepsy and other chronic illnesses.

With only a few months of her medical marijuana treatment, Amelia was able to live a normal life. It was mentioned that her seizures went down from 30 per day to one short episode a day, or even none at all. Amelia Weaver is one of the youngest children who gained positive results with the use medical marijuana for her treatment.

"Having her smile at us and give us eye contact and want to be a part of what we're doing and not having seizures all day has really been life-changing for Amelia," Angie Weaver stated.

Amelia is only one of the hundreds of children who sought medical marijuana for their seizures. With the powerful benefits of medical marijuana, pediatricians are starting to raise concerns in terms of considering the pros and cons of the alternative medicine.

Boston Children's Hospital then gave insights in terms of parents turning to medical marijuana in meeting their children's medical needs. It was mentioned that medical marijuana may have possible benefits, but there are also countless of health risks that might out the child's health in jeopardy as further studies need to be done in terms of using the alternative medicine.

As a parent, are you in favor of using medical marijuana for children? Do let us know your thoughts through the comment section below.
After rapturous praise when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, "Train to Busan," directed by Yeon Shang Ho, has become the latest South Korean movie to take the world by storm. Earning favorable comparisons to "World War Z" and "Snowpiercer," "Train to Busan" has been praised for its inventive and culturally sensitive spin to the zombie genre.

Naturally, the next question was whether "Train to Busan" will get the sequel treatment. After all, "Train to Busan" has already raked in a total of $99 million worldwide, already a massive success for a South Korean movie, according to The Numbers.

But it looks like there will indeed be a "Train to Busan" sequel after one of the main stars of the first movie confirmed the rumors. Gong Yoo, who played fund manager Seok Woo in the movie, posted on his Twitter account that the sequel to "Train to Busan" is being developed, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. It is unlikely, however, that he will be returning because (spoiler alert!) he does not survive when the movie ends.

This was after the "Train To Busan" animated prequel "Seoul Station" also became a big success. The prequel was actually made before Yeon Shang Ho started working on "Train To Busan."

"Train To Busan" was released as a non-competing entry during the Cannes International Film Festival on May 13. After that, "Train of Busan" hit theaters in South Korea and became the first local movie to achieve more than 10 million attendants in 2016.

Are you excited to watch the "Train of Busan" sequel? Which character's story do you think should the "Train to Busan" sequel tackle? Parent Herald is looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. Meanwhile, watch the trailer for "Train To Busan" in the video below.
The success of "One Punch Man" on Toonami has now made fans asking for the early release of "One Punch Man" Season 2 once the first season is done. Reports are indicating that production for the second season is already underway and that it will be released anytime soon.

Recent reports of what "One Punch Man" Season 2 has also been circulating online and most are concluding that Saitama will face Genos. While Genos was his faithful disciple during the first season, it seems that Genos will lose his way and would fight his master.

Saitama and Amai Mask will also face off although Amai Mask will be a good match for Saitama during their battle in "One Punch Man" Season 2. Amai Mask who is a class A villain will attack Saitama and may have our hero be in definite trouble.

There are also reports that in the upcoming "One Punch Man" Season 2 will have Lord Boros and Saitama fight again. While Lord Boros has already been beaten by Saitama but in the upcoming season, is possible that Saitama will have a difficult battle ahead of him against Lord Boros.

During "One Punch Man" Season 2, Saitama will lose his power which would give Lord Boros the advantage during their fight, News Everyday reported. But it is also possible that during their fight that Saitama will regain his power back thus beating Lord Boros again. However, since Lord Boros know the power and strength of Saitama that he might bring someone with him to help him defeat Saitama.

"One Punch Man" Season 2 is rumored to air this coming October although there is no confirmation yet from creator Yusuke Murata and from Madhouse about the possible release of the second season. However, fans will still look forward to the upcoming next season and when it will officially air.
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The critical difference between Catholicism and Orthodoxy on marriage is that the latter does not consider Christian matrimony indissoluble. Everything in the administration of the sacrament suggests a permanent union, and all the writing on the subject encourages the people to remain steadfast until death. But the history of Orthodoxy shows that divorce with the right to remarry goes back to at least the sixth century when the Eastern Emperors passed marriage laws without the approval of Rome.

The most significant early legislation is that of Novel XXII in 536 A.D. and Novel CXVII promulgated by Justinian I in 542 A.D. As a matter of record, Justinian accused Pope Vigilius of heresy and asserted that, as emperor, he could pass judgment even on matters of doctrine. Gradually ecclesiastics accepted the civil legislation. The first patriarch to give express canonical sanction to divorce and remarriage seems to have been Alexius, who held office in Constantinople from 1025 to 1043 A.D. Adultery was the only grounds recognized.

Since the fall of Constantinople (1453) a wide range of reasons is available. We get some idea of its scope from the currently acceptable grounds for complete divorce, with the right to remarry, as found in the patriarchates of Constantinople and Moscow  the two largest bodies in Orthodoxy. Twenty-one distinct grounds are listed in Byzantine canon law . . .

In the Moscow Patriarchate there are ten canonical reasons for dissolving the marriage bond . . . The Muscovite legislation on divorce was passed by the national synod summoned just before the fall of the Russian Empire in 1917. Actual promulgation took place the following year. The more extensive Byzantine laws grew out of a millennium of practice but they also date, in their present form, from the 20th century . . .

Provisions are made for marriage ceremonies following a divorce. They are much different from the Crowning at a first nuptial, and reflect a clearly penitential note to emphasize that those who enter on a second union have failed to preserve the purity of their intention . . .

It is of more than historical interest to note that the Trullan Synod [692] was rejected by the Syrian Pope St. Sergius I (687-701); that the synod was held in the throne room (trullus) of the Emperor Justinian II; that the meeting is popularly called the Quinisext, or Fifth-Sixth Council to suggest that it completed the task of the previous two ecumenical assemblies; and that the disciplinary decrees of Trulla served to accentuate the growing division between Western and Eastern marital morality . . .

It was at Trulla that . . . the council also permitted husbands whose wives had been faithless to receive Communion in the Church [Mansi, vol. XI, c. 980]. Without expressly saying that divorce with remarriage was sanctioned, it is presumed that in actual practice no objection was raised.

Until recently, the Orthodox attitude toward contraception was strongly prohibitive. It was assumed that the practice was wrong and writers made only passing reference to the Eastern tradition which universally reprobated the practice. Already at Nicaea (325), men who had castrated themselves were not to be ordained or, if ordained, were to cease functioning as priests [Mansi, vol. II, c. 668]. Chrysostom [Homily on Romans, Patrologia Graeca 60, 626-7], Epiphanius [Panarion, 26], and Cyril of Alexandria [Adoration in Spirit and Truth, 15: PG 68, 690] among the Fathers were cited as witnesses of the Churchs teaching.

Since the first World War, however, more and more writers defend contraception, with marked differences between the Russian and Greek segments. The Russians tend to be more liberal; the Greeks more strict. Thus the Church of Greece has come out against artificial birth control, and the Greek Archdiocese of North and South America has made a similar pronouncement. But even where the prevalent attitude is restrictive, the tendency is to condone contraception.
There are legitimate reasons a cop might be let go for not firing their gun. Perhaps there is an active shooter, and the cop freezes up. Perhaps . . . actually, that is the only scenario I can think of where a cop might be let go for not firing their gun, and even there the root problem is freezing up, not failing to discharge a weapon. And that is not what happened to Stephen Mader, an ex-marine fired by the Weirton, West Virginia, Police Department for not shooting a suicidal man holding an unloaded gun.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

After responding to a report of a domestic incident on May 6 in Weirton, W.Va., then-Weirton police officer Stephen Mader found himself confronting an armed man. Immediately, the training he had undergone as a Marine to look at the whole person in deciding if someone was a terrorist, as well as his situational police academy training, kicked in and he did not shoot. I saw then he had a gun, but it was not pointed at me, Mr. Mader recalled, noting the silver handgun was in the mans right hand, hanging at his side and pointed at the ground. Mr. Mader, who was standing behind Mr. Williams car parked on the street, said he then began to use my calm voice. I told him, Put down the gun, and hes like, Just shoot me. And I told him, Im not going to shoot you brother. Then he starts flicking his wrist to get me to react to it. I thought I was going to be able to talk to him and deescalate it. I knew it was a suicide-by-cop situation.

To be perfectly clear, the report of a domestic incident that brought Mader to the scene was a 911 call placed by R.J. Williams girlfriend, who reported that Williams was suicidal, and threatening to kill himself, but not that he was a threat to anyone else. Mader recognized this and refused to shoot Williams. Instead, he began to talk him down.

According to the New York Daily News:

While Mader says he was trying to deescalate the situation, two more cops arrived and shot R.J. Williams dead as he allegedly walked toward them, waving his gun. The gun he had was unloaded. What he needed was help. What he needed was a man who knew how to assess a problem and bring in skilled support to resolve it. Stephen Mader was that man, but this is America, not Afghanistan. Here, our police dont give a damn about your depression or suicidal tendencies or your young children or your future. If they deem you a threat, youre dead.

Mader was subsequently fired. Why? Because he failed to eliminate a threat. Take a moment to take this in. Maders military training and experience in Afghanistan led him to conclude that the threat Williams posed was limited and that that threat was best eliminated by talking him down. In contrast, police protocol within the United States held that the threat Williams posed was dire and that the best way to eliminate that threat was to shoot him dead. I am by no means saying our military training is perfect. But if nothing else, this should make it very, very clear that there is something wrong with the way we train our police.

I do think we have to bring guns into this discussion more fully than I have seen thus far. Williams was holding a gun. He was not pointing it at police, but it seems that the very act of holding a gun ought to have been enough reason for Mader to shoot Williams, according to Maders superiors (who fired him for not doing so). Weve seen this before. Tamir Rice was playing with a toy gun. John Crawford III was carrying a BB gun. Neither were pointing their guns at police, nor did they intend to do so. Both were shot within seconds of cops appearing on the scene.

Race plays a role here too. Many states allow open carry. Ostensibly, the mere fact of having a gun on your person, even visibly on your person, should not be enough reason to be arrested, let alone enough reason to be shot dead. But in the case of both Rice and Crawford, a white person saw them holding guns while black, felt threatened, and made a call to police. Black men carrying guns are perceived as more threatening than white men carrying guns, both by the general public and by policeand the consequences are deadly.

Lets return for a moment to the prevalence of guns in our society. Police in the U.S. know full well that they are operating in a country awash with guns. They have to deal with guns in the hands of civilians on a day-to-day basis at a level that is unprecedented among developed nations. Indeed, there are twenty-four times more guns per person in civilian hands in the U.S. than in Afghanistan. There are more guns per person in civilian hands in the U.S. than in any other country by far.

When should cops be permitted to shoot a person carrying a gun? When should they, instead, take more time to ascertain the nature of the threat, or attempt to talk the person down?

Mader was fired for not shooting a suicidal African American man holding an unloaded gun. What does this say about our nations priorities? What does this tell us about the training and procedures used by our police force? What does this communicate about the value we place on African American lives, and on the lives of those suffering from mental illness or suicide ideation? And perhaps most importantly, how does this situation help us understand what needs to change?

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When I first started blogging five years ago, I was unaware of any cases of sexual abuse in my own evangelical homeschool community of origin. In the last two years, that has changed. Im not going to give any names or details here. I do, however, want to talk about some overarching themes and ideas Ive noticed.

In another day and age, they would have just made him marry her.

Why should he go to jail? All he did was start a relationship.

These are actual things I have heard said (or am aware of being said) about a severe statutory rape case unfolding in the community in which I grew up. This isnt a situation where there was any ambiguity. This wasnt a 17-year-old teenager having sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend. This is a situation that was very clearly predatory. The perpetrator, a young man I grew up with, had been a legal adult for several years. The victim wasnt a member of our community; she lived in another state across the country. He met her on the internet, groomed her, and traveled to her state and had sex with her. He is in jail, his trial ongoing.

And so Im sitting here scratching my head. How can anyone look at what happened and suggest that a young teenage girl should be required to marry the grown man who preyed on her? How is there such ambivalence about what he did? How is there so little understanding of what predation is or how it works? In thinking about it, Ive come up with three factors that I suspect are at play here.

1. When is a person ready for marriage?

Growing up, I was taught that romantic relationships should only be pursued once young people reach an age where they are ready to marry. The trouble is that this was gendered. A young man was not to date (or court) until he was able to support a family financially. A young woman, though? All that was necessary was for her to be able to cook, clean, keep house, and bear and care for children. If she was able to do those things, she was ready to marry.

Neither I nor anyone I knew in our local homeschool community married before age 18. But I remember thinking, as a youngish teen, that if an older, financially secure young man were to come along and court me, I was ready. I remember hearing my parents say similar things as well. But there was no older, financially secure young man asking for my hand. And so I and my peers reached adulthood unmarried. I suspect that most young men, when they reach financial security, prefer to marry women in their own age bracketmale homeschool graduates included.

The perpetrator in the case discussed above had a job and financial security. He could have supported a wife. While his victim was very young, my mother used to point out girls who married at 14 or younger when reading aloud to us from books like Little House on the Prairie. She used to note that girls of fourteen were technically capable of running a household, and that the world prolongs adolescence and encourages young people to engage in immaturity and selfish behavior. This, of course, ignores all of the growth and maturing that a typical 14-year-old will undergo before reaching adulthood. Those arent wasted years, theyre critical developmental years.

2. The importance of making it right

The crime that I see committed against the victim in this case is not the same crime that those in the evangelical homeschool community in which I grew up see. I see a case where a young girl was preyed on and taken advantage of by a man half again her age. From my perspective, the only way to make it right is to ensure that the perpetrator will not reoffend. From my communitys perspective, however, the crime was the girls loss of virginity, something she will never get back and something the perpetrator could make right by marrying her.

At this point, the harm caused by the importance placed on virginity in this community should be very clear and obvious. There are plenty of times people have sex and later regret it, or have sex and later break up. But from the evangelical perspective, if youve had sex with someone, you need to marry them. Period and full stop. This is part of why blogger Samantha Field stayed with her abusive boyfriend as long as she didshed had sex with him, she was ruined, who else would want her? She had no choice but to stay with him and marry him. We have got to stop giving virginity so much powerthe power to trap women and govern their lives.

For some in my parents evangelical homeschool community, theres a failure to see what this young man did as any different from what any young man who has sex with his girlfriend does. In fact, Ive heard that distinction blurred to the extent that it is not made at all: Im glad hes getting in trouble for what he did, but everyone who has sex before marriage should be getting in trouble, I dont understand why this is any different. From my perspective, what this young man did was clearly predatory. But from my communitys perspective, what he did wasnt different from what anyone else who has premarital sex does.

3. Male authority is important in marriage

We have statutory rape laws for a reasonthere is a power differential at play in relationships between fully grown adults and young teens. That power differential creates a space ripe for predation. Marriage would not make this power differential disappear. A marriage between a fully grown adult man and a young teenage girl would not be a marriage between two equals. But then, pastors and religious leaders in the evangelical homeschool community in which I grew up believe that such a power differential should exist in any marriage. After all, God put the man in authority over the woman, after all. The wife is to trust and submit to her husband.

From this perspective, an age difference within marriage could be a boon. It would likely make it easier for a wife to obey her husband, easier for her to let her husband make the major decisions without fighting him. It would help ensure that he will be able to lead, because he would be the only one with the experience and knowledge to lead. He would lead, and she would follow, and the godly order of marriage would be upheld. Indeed, when I left home for college, some in our community tried to talk my parents out of letting me go, arguing that that much education and independence would prevent me from ever being a submissive and obedient wife.

What evangelicals who promote male authority within marriage dont seem to realize is that the very marital order they uphold makes it harder for them to recognize abusive relationships. When they see a man laying down the law and saying this is how its going to be, they may see a man leading as he should be when in fact what theyre looking at is a woman stuck in an abusive relationship. And what is the distinction, exactly? Everything ends up blurred and jumbled. When you value male headship and female submission, you have no real way to differentiate between marriages fraught with abuse and marriages where the husband listens to his wife and in practice makes all decisions cooperatively.

Conclusion

Its easy for those of us familiar with secular and mainstream ideas about sex and consent to look at this situation and understand that a young teenage girl is still a child, that she shouldnt be required to marry someone just because they had sex, and that a fully grown man who initiates a relationship with a young teenage girltraveling to her home to have sex with heris clearly predatory. But to at least some in the evangelical homeschool community in which I grew up, this is simply a cases of two young people having sex before they were supposed to do so, a situation that could be remedied through simply requiring them to marry.

The gulf in perception here is so wide that I sometimes despair in bridging it. The lack of understanding of predation is so severe that I worry for the safety of the girls of the community. Let me make one more point before I close.

Ive written before about the rejection of the concept of the teenager within the Christian homeschool world. They argue that this concept was invented to prolong immaturity and lack of responsibility when in fact children should progress straight from childhood to adulthood. Its easy to see how this idea could contribute to a lack of understanding of the cognitive development that takes place during the teenage years, and a willingness to see a very young teen as already, for all intents and purposes, an adult. This lack of understanding of the reality of developmental stages likely contributes to a failure to understand the reasoning behind statutory rape laws.

And now, another example. Some years ago, a seminary student named Jamin Wight boarded with a local family. Wight preyed on the familys daughter, Natalie, beginning when she was 13; he was ten years her senior. Natalie did not tell her parents about the abuse until she was 17; by that time, the abuse had ended, and Wight no longer lived with the family. Natalies parents assisted her in reporting Wight to the authorities, and he was arrested and tried. Douglas Wilson, founder of the seminary Wight had been attending, wrote to the judge asking for clemency, describing Wights abuse as a relationship between Wight and his victim and stating that I do not believe that this situation in any way paints Jamin as a sexual predator. And the judge bought it. To this day, Wight is not listed as a sex offender.

The sad thing is that my parents often said they were homeschooling to keep us safe. And it wasnt just them; thats a constant refrain in Christian homeschooling circles. How, though, can a parent keep a child safe when ideas like this prevail? How can a parent keep their child safe while excusing offenders, and with no knowledge of the dynamics of sexual abuse and predation? The answer is sobering: They cant.
My friend Isaac Anderson has an article in The Atlantic called A Less Lonely Way to Lose Your Faith, and its well worth your time to read. Isaac profiles a community of un-faith in the Kansas City area called Oasis. They gather on Sunday mornings, sing songs, listen to talks, hold childrens programs, and to find friendship and belonging. Sounds like a church, right? Thats the idea.

This is a fascinating phenomenon to me: religious-like weekly gatherings for people who dont (or no longer) believe in God. I hope youll read the article and share it around because I think there are lessons to learn here about what it means to be human, and the longings we all share.

Lets test your instincts. What part of the country would you expect to find a full-on atheist church service? Im from Kansas. We spend our lives perpetually behind the times, so I just immediately assume anything new comes from the coasts. New York or L.A., right? Or at least some highly secularized region of the country? Not so. The rise of these types of gatherings happens where churches are most active. In fact they are linked to areas in which there is a sizable local presence of evangelical Christians or Mormons. The bible belt is ground zero for atheist churches.

The data suggest that every percentage increase in evangelical Protestants in a county increases the number of nonbeliever organizations by approximately 1 percent, the study authors wrote. Of the eight Oasis fellowships now meeting publicly, all but one are located in the American Bible Belt or Mormon Corridor, regions in which faith and public life are deeply entwined.

Another lesson to learn here is that these groups are not typically hostile toward Christianity or any sort of faith. This struck me as important for evangelicals to know. Play word association with most people, and their snap response to the word atheist would likely be Hitchens or Dawkinsstrident atheist with a bone to pick with organized religion. The group Isaac describes is more like the religious sans religion. They are looking for community and ritual and support and growth but they dont want to fight about it.

Helen Stringer, 34, the founder of Kansas City Oasis, occasionally invites speakers from religious communities to discuss a topic related to their faith traditions. We want to build bridges, she said. Not throw bombs.'

One last thing. Out of all the motivations that draw people to gatherings like this, members of Oasis seem to be looking for community. They want a place to belong. For example,

The Sunday after Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were killed by police officers in Baton Rouge and St. Paul, and five police officers were shot by a sniper during a protest in Dallas, Timothy Leyrson, 33, showed up at Kansas City Oasis for the first time. He wore black Dickies trousers and a paisley bowtie, and sat on the corner of a bleacher near the door. After high school, hed quit going to his Assemblies of God church, he told me. I asked what had brought him here. Everything in the news, he saidthe hostility, the racial violence. After that, he said, he needed some kind of positive community experience. And this seemed like a good place to start.'

Thought provoking stuff from a really good writer. I hope youll take the time to read the entire piece.
Patna: Quick thinking on the parts of Punjab National Bank employees in Patna, authorities arrested two con men who were trying to cash a fake check of Rs. 50 lakh from the Patanjali Ayurved Limited account owned by yoga guru Baba Ramdev.

The incident occurred at the Shastri Nagar branch of the bank when two men who were identified as Sudhir Kumar and Ritesh Kumar arrived at the bank and tried to cash a check for Rs. 50 lakh.

Seeing the large amount on the check, the bank manager became a little suspicious. A little digging revealed the check was counterfeit and the two men were not the employees of the Patanjali Ayurved Limited.

The manager, while keeping the two men busy in small talks, called the police.

In no time, Khagaul police station in-charge Dhirendra Pandey and his team arrived at the bank and arrested Sudhir and Ritesh who admitted of being a part of a gang that excels in making counterfeit checks of various large businesses and had been running the scam defrauding different companies to the tune of several crore rupees.

Two other men who were waiting outside in a getaway car fled the scene seeing the police approaching the bank.

A man employed by the Patanjali Ayurved Limited, Patna branch, is also being sought by the police for his possible involvement in the scam.
Notorious former Tehran prosecutor issues public apology for prisoner killings

09/14/16

Source: Radio Zamaneh

Former Tehran Prosecutor, Saeed Mortazavi, accused of orchestrating the abuse and death of political detainees during the election protests of 2009 in Iran, has issued a public letter addressed to the judge apologizing to the survivors and families of the victims.





Saeed Mortazavi



Mortazavi who stands trial has expressed hopes that such events would never be repeated; the matter is currently at the appeals stage.

Mortazavi refers to the detainees that were killed under torture in Kahrizak Prison under his tenure as Tehran prosecutor during the 2009 events as "martyrs".

Mortazavi's apology is addressed to Iran's Supreme Leader as well as the families of the victims and survivors and the Iranian people and goes on to claim that none of the tragic events were intentional on his behalf.





Read related coverage by Shargh daily





In his letter, Mortazavi commends the families of the victims and survivors for their patience and poise in pursuing the matter through the channels provided to them within the system and "not allowing outside intervention" in the matter.

He writes that the Kahrizak events of 2009 were "subsequent to the great sedition and the conspiracy that followed the presidential elections". He then specifically refers to the names the top complainants' kin in the matter, Javadifar, Ruholamini and Kamrani, as martyrs.

He adds that he hopes that the bitter memories of the event and its spiritual damages would prevent the "recurrence of such bitter events in Iran".





Long list of people waiting for Mortazavi's apology

cartoon by Salman Taheri





In 2009 the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the presidential elections was challenged by two moderate candidates MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi and the allegations of vote fraud triggered mass street protests.

Iran's Supreme Leader went on to refer to the election challenge and the protests as sedition. The government reacted with widespread arrests and imprisonment of protesters and top opposition figures.

Some of the detained protesters in June of 2009 were transferred to the notorious Kahrizak Prison where at least three died under severe torture.

When the story broke out, Iran's Supreme Leader who had refused to heed the public demand for a recount, had Kahrizak shut down. The reason cited was substandard conditions and Mortazavi who was Tehran Prosecutor at the time was removed from his position.

The families of the three deceased victims later went on to file complaints against Mortazavi, his assistant and the judge for ordering the transfer of their kin to Kahrizak. The prolonged proceedings have only produced a minor fine for Mortazavi.

In addition Mortazavi and his assistant have been banned for life from holding posts in the judiciary and for five years from public service. Mortazavi was acquitted from the murder charge. The Ruholamini family has appealed the court's decision.
Iranian Translator in Prison for One Year Without Knowing Charges; Her Lawyer Denied Access to Case File

09/14/16

Source: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran

Translator Marjan Davari has been held in Evin Prisons Womens Ward for almost a year without knowing the formal charges against her and while being denied proper legal counsel and medical treatment, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has learned.



Some of the books translated by Marjan Davari



September 23 [2016] will be a year since Ms. Davari was detained, a source told the Campaign. She has not been put on trial and the charges against her are unclear. Her lawyer has not been allowed to read her case file, and his requests to get her released on bail have not been accepted.

Davari was arrested at her fathers home on September 23, 2015 in Karaj, west of Tehran. She was initially held in solitary confinement for three months in Evin Prisons Ward 209, which is controlled by the Intelligence Ministry, before being transferred to the Womens Ward. She is suffering from severe pain in the joints of her legs, but has not received sufficient medical treatment in prison, according to the source.

She was a translator and published several books, mostly about psychology, mysticism and metaphysics. She was also a teacher at the Rah-e Marefat (Road of Wisdom) Institute, which was officially registered and operated legally under the ownership of her husband, Karim Zargar. In March 2015 Ms. Davari got a divorce and left the institute, but six months later they arrested her husband and then herself, and charged them in connection with their translation and teaching activities, added the informed source.

The Islamic Republic takes a dim view of alternative spiritual faiths or activities, often prosecuting its adherents.

Davari, 50, has a bachelors degree in graphic arts from Al-Zahra University in Tehran. She has translated a number of English books on Eckankar, a religion founded by American Paul Twitchell in 1965, including Talons of Time, The Seeker, and The Spiritual Exercises of ECK.
On the Eve of Hajj, Saudi and Iranian Officials Try to Define "Muslim"

09/14/16

By Derek Davison (source: LobeLog)



Saudi Grand Mufti Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh



Top Iranian and Saudi officials traded barbs earlier this week over who is and isnt a true Muslim, deepening the Middle Easts most prominent, longest-running, and deadliest diplomatic crisis. On September 6, Saudi Arabias Grand Mufti, Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh, pronounced that Iranians, no doubt to the great surprise of many of them, are not actually Muslim:

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.

The theological implications of the muftis pronouncement are enormous and, presumably, escaped him. If Iranian Shia cannot be Muslim because they descend from Zoroastrians, then by the same token Iranian Sunnis (descended from the same Zoroastrians), Turks (largely descended from shamanists), Indians and Pakistanis (Hindus), Pashtun (Buddhists), and, indeed, Arabs (polytheists, Jews, and Christians) dont qualify as Muslims either. Its also worth noting the commonalities between the muftis declaration, a classic example of takfir (the principle by which certain Muslim groups claim the right to declare that self-professed Muslims are actually unbelievers), and the ideology that animates the Islamic State, which is takfiri to its core.

From a historical standpoint, if opposition to the followers of Sunnah disqualifies one from being a Muslim, then it is, as Juan Cole points out, ironic that Wahhabism, the branch of Islam practiced and promoted by the Saudi royal family, was, in its earliest form, openly hostile to Sunnism:

Ironically, in the 18th century Wahhabis were the ones denouncing the Sunnis and attacking the Sunni Ottoman Empire. Through the centuries the Wahhabis have gradually asserted that they are Sunnis themselves. But they did not start out that way.

Iranian responses to the muftis declaration called Wahhabisms claim to Islamic orthodoxy into question. For example, on September 6 Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted Indeed; no resemblance between Islam of Iranians & most Muslims & bigoted extremism that Wahhabi top cleric & Saudi terror masters preach.

Al al-Sheikhs decision to define tens of millions of Iranian Shia (at least) out of Islam was a reaction to new Iranian complaints over the death of over 2,400 pilgrims, hundreds of them Iranian, in a stampede that took place during last years Hajj. With pilgrims gathering in Saudi Arabia for this years Hajj, which began this week, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday reiterated Irans criticism of Saudi management of last years pilgrimage and the aftermath of the disaster:

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a speech Monday excoriated Saudis rulers as puny Satans who have reduced hajj to a religious-tourist trip. Khamenei said Saudis murdered the pilgrims who died last year. The heartless and murderous Saudis locked up the injured with the dead in containers - instead of providing medical treatment and helping them or at least quenching their thirst, Khamenei said. The world of Islam must fundamentally reconsider the management of the two holy places and the issue of hajj, he said, referring to the custodianship of Islams two holiest sites, in Mecca and Medina.

In May, Tehran announced that Iranians would not be permitted to undertake the Hajj this year, after negotiations between Iran and the Saudis broke down. That ban sparked protests, directed against the Saudis, in Tehran on Friday. For the Saudis, management of the Hajj is of paramount importance in terms of their dynastic legitimacy. They view criticism from Iranian officials, like President Hassan Rouhanis call for the Saudis to be punished over the stampede, as a direct attack on the Saudi regime. Its in that context that the Grand Muftis remarks must be understood.

This latest Saudi-Iran war of words is unlikely to make any significant headway in answering the age-old question of who is and is not actually a Muslim. Nor will it do anything to ease the suffering of people throughout the Middle East who have been caught in the crossfire of the regions several Riyadh vs. Tehran proxy battles. As the muftis and imams trade insults, Muslims continue to suffer and die in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Bahrain in conflicts fueled by the Saudi-Iranian battle for supremacy.

About the Author: Derek Davison is a Washington-based researcher and writer on international affairs and American politics. He has Master's degrees in Middle East Studies from the University of Chicago, where he specialized in Iranian history and policy, and in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied American foreign policy and Russian/Cold War history. He previously worked in the Persian Gulf for The RAND Corporation.




Ex-IRGC chief: Iran should not intensify tension with Saudis

09/14/16

Source: Tehran Times

TEHRAN - A senior advisor to the Supreme Leader on military affairs has urged elevated relations with the three Arab countries of Oman, Kuwait, and even Qatar amid reservations over already tense ties with Saudi Arabia. "We should increase our relations with Oman, Kuwait, and even Qatar while avoiding intensifying tension with Saudi Arabia," said Yahya Rahim Safavi, ISNA reported on Tuesday.





Yahya Rahim Safavi



Relations between Tehran and the Arab world have hit a low point over not only one but a list of disagreements.

After the storming of Saudi diplomatic posts in Tehran and Mashhad, itself a consequence of the execution of the top Saudi Shiite cleric and dozens more, Riyadh severed off ties with Tehran in January 2016.

Following the announcement, other Arab states downgraded ties with Iran.

Ever since then, tension between Tehran and Riyadh have deteriorated as the Arab country has increasingly appeared worried over Iran's growing sphere of influence in the Middle East region particularly after it mended fences with world powers over its nuclear power.

"The Saudis are incensed by Iran's increasing geopolitical weight and blame on Iran their failures in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and even in Yemen," said Rahim Safavi.

But motivated by whatsoever, Iran should show toleration and patience as Saudi Arabia favors a tumultuous situation, the military advisor said.

"I do think they (the Saudis) want to have strained relations with Iran and we should avoid escalating tensions as we have the Persian Gulf's peace, security, and the superior power."

While the former IRGC chief supports a policy of toleration toward Saudi Arabia, there are strong signs which say toleration does not always work.

As a reality check against the policy, the Saudis have increasingly grown emboldened even after 464 Iranian nationals lost their lives during a hajj stampede in Mina in September 2015.







Iranian daily Khabare Neyriz attcking Saudi leaders for the death of Iranian pilgrims





Not only the Saudis have not paid any compensation to families of the Iranian victims, but they have also declined to shoulder responsibility for the incident, a behavior Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif linked to the Saudi "bigotry."

It remains to be seen how the future of relations will be affected by the Syrian crisis, another vexing issue, now that there are increasing hopes for a long-term cease-fire in the country.


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Drones and robots are getting computer vision with higher-resolution cameras and artificial intelligence to recognize objects and images.

Many are made with developer boards like Nvidias Jetson TX1, which provides the smarts for auto-navigation and collision avoidance. TX1 has the horsepower to process live image feeds, and software tools to instantly analyze and provide context to visuals.

The TX1 is now a lot faster and better equipped to handle AI and image processing. Nvidias new Jetpack 2.3 software tools for TX1, announced on Tuesday, are a major update that doubles the deep-learning performance of the board.

The first TX1 went on sale earlier this year, but the new software tools will make drones and robots more reliable. The tools will also make TX1 more relevant in medical imaging and surveillance systems. A surveillance camera made with TX1 could recognize faces in a crowd, identify objects or count the number of people in a frame.

The TX1 has a quad-core CPU and 256-core GPU, which is enough to run algorithms and on-board analytics. The board relies on a new machine-learning engine called TensorRT to analyze pixels and provide the right context to images.

Its possible to make robots with developer boards like Raspberry Pi, but most dont have the AI software tools to support machine learning.

Computers can be trained to recognize images and speech through deep-learning systems, as proven by companies like Microsoft, Facebook and Google. Deep learning is a type of machine learning in which algorithms aid in cross-referencing and classification of data.

Training models and rich data sets for TX1 can be created on larger servers with teraflops of processing power, and then exported to the developer board. For example, image recognition involves classification and labeling of pixels. The TX1 processing payload isnt as high as servers, but it is powerful enough to approximate answers by cross-referencing the trained models.

Algorithms run two times faster compared to the original software tools that shipped with TX1 earlier this year, said Deepu Talla, general manager and vice president for Tegra products at Nvidia.

The improved software stacks do the tuning and recompiling to ensure more efficient use of the GPU when running deep-learning tasks, Talla said. Nvidias deep-learning tools are called CUDNN (CUDA Deep Neural Network), and TensorRT sits on top of it.

Deep-learning relies heavily on parallel processing for quick computations. Nvidia has added support for CUDA 8, which helps programmers write applications that harness the computing power of all GPU and CPU cores on the TX1. CUDA 8 is also used on most Nvidia GPUs, so programs written on TX1 could be exported to other computing devices.

The new software stack has new multimedia APIs (application programming interfaces), which will allow more cameras to be attached to the board. For example, if a developer wants to attach a specific 4K camera, that can be done, Talla said.

The Jetson TX1 developer kit has a quad-core 64-bit ARM CPU and GPU based on the Maxwell architecture. It sells for US$599.99.
Dont believe everything you read in the press. Despite OpenOffice developers recently debating a shutdown of the open source productivity suite, the Apache Software Foundation is not ready to retire the project yet.

OpenOffice is not a healthy project

The Apache OpenOffice project isnt done yet. On the mailing list, contributors are actively discussing what could be done to improve the project.

Even in the original discussion about what retiring the project would look like, there were outspoken dissenters. I think even broaching this topic is a mistake. Self-fulfilling prophecy?, wrote Phillip Rhodes on the projects mailing list. Many contributors argue that the news posts being written about retirement are FUDfear, uncertainty, and doubtintended to hurt the project.

The projects download page now includes a call for volunteers. Apache president Jim Jagielski tweeted on the subject: Due to (incorrect) reports of its death, Apache #OpenOffice has recd an outpouring of support and development volunteers. Thx!

Does this mean OpenOffice is healthy? No. LibreOffice still boasts more developers than Apache OpenOffice and is progressing much more quickly. Indeed, Linux distributions have by and large dumped OpenOffice for LibreOffice.

Even Jagielski agreed on the mailing list: As noted over the last few months, it has become obvious to the board that [Apache OpenOffice] has not been a healthy project for some time. But he disagrees that the project should be shut down. Still, he proposes something radical: focusing on being a framework or library rather than an end-user implementation, and renaming the project something else. OpenOffice would become a backend that projects like LibreOffice would build on, and the Apache OpenOffice website could redirect users to LibreOffice to download an open source office suite intended for end users.

Thats just one possibility, however. The current status-quo is untenable and unacceptable. Change needs to happen. I suggested one route, nothing more, nothing less, he replied to people who werent happy with his idea.

For now, it remains unclear which direction the project will ultimately go. But, if the mailing list is an indicator, many contributors feel passionately that OpenOffice should remain an office suite intended for end users
As cars become more computerized, theyre also facing a greater risk of being hacked. Thats why Volkswagen is founding a new cyber security company devoted to protecting next-generation vehicles.

On Wednesday, the automaker said it would partner with a former Israeli intelligence agency director to jointly establish a new company, called Cymotive Technologies.

Its unclear how much Volkswagen is investing in the new firm, but security experts have been warning that internet-connected cars and self-driving vehicles could one day be a major target for hackers.

Even older cars from Volkswagen are vulnerable. Last month, researchers said that millions of vehicles from the automaker can be broken into by exploiting the remote control key systems.

In a paper, the researchers showed that by reverse-engineering the cars firmware, and then eavesdropping on signals sent from a car owners key fob to the vehicle, they could remotely open and lock the doors.

Volkswagen would need to roll out a costly firmware update to fix the problem, the researchers added. At the time, Volkswagen simply said it was continually improving its cars security.

Other security experts have been warning that newer cars, with network connectivity, also contain security holes. Last year, two researchers demonstrated they could remotely hack a 2015 Jeep Cherokee and kill the engine or cut the brakes.

Fiat Chrysler later issued a safety recall and sent out USB drives loaded with the software fix to affected cars.

On Wednesday, Volkswagen called its own attempt to bolster its cyber security a long-term investment. Three Israeli security experts, including Yuval Diskin, a former chief with the countrys internal security service Shin Bet, will lead the new company.

Diskin will serve as the companys chairman. Together with Volkswagen we are building a top-notch team of cyber security experts, he said in a statement.
Concerns that the U.S. governments plan to end its oversight of the internets domain name coordinating body would lead to new web censorship efforts are unfounded because of the current contracts limited scope, according to a top U.S. administration official.

Critics fear that the end of the U.S. governments oversight of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) would embolden other countries to censor the internet. But neither ICANN nor the U.S. government has the authority to stop censorship in other countries now, said Lawrence Strickling, administrator of the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

The NTIAs contract with ICANN to oversee the global coordination of the DNS Root and IP addressing  scheduled to expire at the end of the month  is too limited in scope to be a tool for protecting internet freedom, Strickling told a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday.

Instead, if the NTIA fails to move forward with its planned transition away from ICANN oversight, repressive countries may point to U.S. control as evidence that a new governmental body is needed to control the organization, Strickling said. An extension of the contract could actually lead to the loss of internet freedom we want to maintain, he said.

The NTIA has proposed to end its oversight of ICANN as a way to discourage other countries from pushing for new government control over the internet.

Republican committee members, led by Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, blasted President Barack Obamas administration for the planned transition. Cruz has suggested that the transition amounts to the U.S. giving away the internet, although ICANNs authority is limited to administering the domain name system.

U.S. free speech protections, combined with the ICANN contract, gives its government the authority to protect websites against censorship, Cruz said. Since the internets inception, the United States government has stood guard over critical internet functions, he added. Under the guardianship of the United States and the First Amendment the internet has become truly an oasis of freedom, but that could soon change.

Without NTIA oversight, ICANN could move its headquarters outside of the U.S. and change its bylaws to be more friendly to foreign influence, Cruz said.

The transition may be an illegal relinquishment of government property without congressional approval, added Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican. But earlier this week, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued an opinion saying the internet domain name system is unlikely to be government property.

Republican concerns are misguided, said Senator Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat. The transition would remove the NTIAs role in an essentially clerical process, he said.

The transition is not, as some have suggested, the United States giving up ownership of the internet, Coons added. The United States does not own the internet.
Developers can now distribute their Windows desktop apps to people shopping through Windows 10s app store, with an update from Microsoft Wednesday.

Its a move powered by Project Centennial, which lets developers take older Windows apps (known in Microsoft parlance as Win32 apps), port them to the Universal Windows Platform (UWP), and then sell them on the Windows Store. The first of those apps are rolling out over the coming days, and developers can now submit their Centennial-converted apps for future release.

Making it easier for developers to port those apps to the Windows Store may help grow the catalog of apps available to users at a time when Microsoft is pushing the store as a new and better way to get software for Windows 10 devices. Several companies have Centennial-powered apps rolling out over the next few days, including Evernote, which ported its Windows desktop app to the store.

Were excited to bring our full-featured Evernote app to the Windows Store, Seth Hitchings, Evernotes vice president of engineering, said in a press release. The Desktop Bridge vastly simplifies our installer and uninstaller.

Evernote previously had a Windows Store app, but it didnt have all of the features of its Win32 desktop app.

Project Centennial was first announced at Microsofts Build developer conference in San Francisco earlier this year. At that time, Microsoft executives said that there were 16 million Win32 apps out on the market, so this launch marks a major expansion of what the Universal Windows Platform can do.

To help with that, Microsoft is making its Desktop App Converter available to developers in the Windows Store, so its easy for them to stay up to date with changes to Project Centennial.

On top of that news, Microsoft is also working with the companies behind InstallShield, WiX, and Advanced Installer to help build in UWP conversion with Project Centennial into their usual development workflow for building Win32 apps. In addition to building an MSI installer for older versions of Windows, those tools will also help developers build a UWP app that can be pushed to the Store.
Camping on public property in Riverside could lead to a ticket or arrest.

A new rule  approved Tuesday, Sept. 13, by the Riverside City Council  puts a blanket prohibition on camping, and storing personal items such as tent and tarps, on public property in Riverside, including streets, sidewalks and parks.

An earlier rule only applied to parks and said a city permit was required to camp. The council approved the ban 6-1, with John Burnard voting no.

City officials stressed that the rule would apply to everyone, not just the homeless who sometimes stay in the Santa Ana River bottom, Fairmount Park or elsewhere.

This is not just about the homeless, said Councilman Jim Perry, who proposed the rule. This applies to all persons, regardless of their status.

When asked after the meeting who would be camping on public land other than the homeless, Perry cited one example  Boy Scout troops who stay in Fairmount Park before helping with the Easter Sunrise Service on Mount Rubidoux.

Homeless advocates say some people have nowhere else to sleep because shelter beds and affordable housing are scarce in the region.

There are people out there, they dont want to be homeless. They want a place to go, but there is no place available, said Jim Ward, a pastor with Journey church, which works with the citys homeless.

Several councilmen and City Manager John Russo say the No. 1 type of complaint they get is about issues attributed to the homeless, such as panhandling, activities like bathing in public, and people camping and leaving messes on public and private property.

Resident Richard Naggar, a real estate broker, said that from his home near the river he hears people chopping wood and sees them starting fires and hanging up clothes. At the downtown library, people sleep alongside the building and use the property as a bathroom, he said.

I recognize the humanity part of it, but were also running a business, he said. I want to see where these things are cleaned up and handled.

A number of cities in California and the U.S. prohibit public camping, including Anaheim, Santa Monica and Denver, Colo. But some cities have faced protests and legal challenges that allege the bans are unconstitutional.

Riverside officials said the camping ban is one more tool to help ensure public spaces are safe, clean and accessible to the entire public rather than just a few. The rule is written to give discretion to police and code officers. There are no plans to aggressively enforce it, they said, adding that they wont be rounding up homeless and pushing them out of town.

Councilman Mike Gardner said the city works hard to help people who are willing to accept services and shelter, but no one cant be forced if they refuse.

Hes sensitive to the issue because one of his sons was on the streets for a couple of years, Gardner said, but we have people in the city who have a right to not have people camped in their doorways, camping on the sidewalks in their neighborhoods  This is something that I hope will be used really pretty rarely.

The rule doesnt cover private property, but owners already can report trespassing to the city. As for whether people could camp on city land legally, city officials have said that separate rules allow people to get permits to camp in city parks, but no such provisions appear to exist.

The city parks website has information on renting picnic shelters and reserving community centers, but nothing about camping. Parks Director Adolfo Cruz said Monday that the department could issue camping permits but has not done so in his two years with the city.

The only situations where we have had overnight (visitors) was with a (parks) department program, Cruz said. Its not something we would encourage or even consider.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9461, arobinson@scng.com, @arobinson_pe
Tom Papa didnt let nerves and obstacles keep him from pursuing his childhood dream to become a stand-up comedian; he faced them head on.

The comedian, who will perform at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium on Saturday to raise money for the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center, took a breather after getting his kids off to their first day of school a few weeks ago and spent some time discussing life as a comedian; his friendship with a fellow comic, the late Greg Giraldo; and paying dues.

Q. Where did you step on stage to perform comedy the first time?

A. It was June 12, 1993, at the New York Comedy Club in Manhattan.

Q. How did you get started in comedy?

A. I had wanted to be a comedian as a kid. After college I was in the theater a lot and I realized I could try to get parts or I could go to New York and go to a comedy club, bring a couple of friends that would sit in the audience and buy drinks. And I got onstage and did just that. As soon as I did it the first time, I was like, This is it.

Q. Did nerves get to you at first?

A. Yes, I was a ball of nerves at first, for sure. Theater never bothered me, but doing stand-up is a different thing. There is an intensity when you know the audience is expecting one thing from you: to be funny. I walked in and the only other guy on the show was Greg Giraldo. He was the greatest and became one of my best friends. Its so funny to think of walking in there and the two of us sweating that first time. He had started six to eight months before me. I remember thinking on my way in, This wont be so bad, and then I walk in and see this guy Greg just sweating and really nervous. I thought, Oh no, this is going to be scarier than I thought.

Q. Whats it like getting off the ground and starting a stand-up comedy career?

A. You do find friends immediately, because its such a strange thing. You are embarking on something thats so strange and unusual that you quickly relate to these people. They are the only ones crazy enough to do the same thing you are doing.

Q. Talk about the craft of comedy.

A. The craft of it really takes awhile. I always say it takes about eight years of doing it before you really have a handle on what you are doing. A comedian before me once told me it takes about 7 to 8 years and I thought, Thats crazy, but then it kind of makes sense.

Q. Why is that?

A. The elements of being confident enough being up there onstage and being yourself take repetition and time. And knowing how to write takes a long time.

Q. What are some obstacles to becoming a successful comedian?

A. Making that leap. Not many people have a comedian as a parent, so you have no real road map. And then youre playing horrible gigs for years at bars where nobody is there to listen to comedy. You are just this strange inappropriate person that thinks they are supposed to be talking while everyone else is enjoying the show.

Q. How did you handle rough performances in the early days?

A. When it goes badly, its an intense experience, because you arent playing some character in a school play. You are going up there as yourself. And people are saying, Wow, we really dont like you. But, you dont think about the obstacles as things that will stop you. You think of them as something you have to deal with and get over them.

Contact the writer: sschulte@scng.com, @Stephreally on Twitter
If California voters pass Proposition 64 in November, Riverside County supervisors want to be ready.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday asked county staff to study and report back on potential effects, good and bad, should voters approve the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, but not before lamenting the prospect of legalization.

I dont think we need another intoxicant in our society, said Supervisor John Benoit.

Backed by billionaire Sean Parker and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Prop. 64 would allow those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana, up to 8 grams of concentrated marijuana and up to six plants. Use would be restricted to private homes and shops where the drug is sold under certain limitations.

California would become the fifth state to allow recreational use of marijuana; its already legal for medicinal purposes. Sixty percent of likely voters are in favor of legalized marijuana and 37 percent are opposed, according to a May poll by the Public Policy Institute of California.

The five county supervisors in recent years have taken steps to crack down on large-scale marijuana grows in rural unincorporated parts of the county. In May 2015, they passed enhanced restrictions on marijuana cultivation in unincorporated areas, with a limited exemption for medical marijuana patients and their caregivers.

Supervisor Kevin Jeffries spearheaded the new rules to deal with what he described as nuisances  odor, siphoning of electricity and water and the potential for crime  associated with illegal commercial grows conducted under the auspices of medical marijuana.

Cities throughout the county have outlawed medical marijuana dispensaries, and Prop. 64 gives local governments the power to regulate or ban marijuana-related businesses in their jurisdictions. Whether the county wants to ban such businesses outright, or limit where they can go in unincorporated areas, is one potential question facing supervisors.

Another question is whether the county wants to impose a marijuana tax to complement the ballot measures proposed 15 percent sales tax and $9.25-per-ounce cultivation tax on dry flowers or $2.75-per-ounce tax for leaves. Estimates predict tax revenue of $1 billion a year.

There will be added costs related to public safety, land use and health services if Prop. 64 passes, said County Executive Officer Jay Orr. Without more revenue, those costs will affect the countys bottom line, he said.

The county already is dealing with a gap between ongoing revenue and expenses. Were going to need to tax marijuana if were going to live with marijuana, Benoit said.

The study gives the county a chance to be prepared, Jeff Greene, Jeffries chief of staff, told supervisors.

The moment (Prop. 64) passes  everything will get crazy really quickly if we dont get ahead of it, Greene said.

Marijuana activist Lanny Swerdlow said the study is a good idea as long as the public can weigh in. I just hope they will have some open meetings where they can have some discussions with county residents about it, he said.

input from many sources

The study calls for input from code enforcement, the countys legal team, the district attorney, the economic development agency, the public health department; the Sheriffs Department; the planning department and the countys finance director.

Jeffries said the county already has its hands full dealing with the current marijuana rules. Eight hundred code enforcement cases in June had to do with marijuana cultivation, he said.

Jeffries proposal doesnt take a stance on Prop. 64. But supervisors sounded wary about the prospect of legal marijuana.

Supervisor John Tavaglione suggested contacting officials in Colorado, where voters legalized marijuana in 2012. Tavaglione said he talked to Denver-area friends and, They just say its an absolute mess.

Supervisor Marion Ashley said cigarette taxes are intended to discourage smoking and suggested a marijuana tax have the same aim.

Supervisor Chuck Washington brought up the deaths over the weekend of 64-year-old Lina Pelembergo Nebrida and her granddaughter, 2-year-old Keira Magat, both of Temecula. The two were killed after being rear-ended in San Diego County by an allegedly drugged driver, authorities said.

I think were going to pay a tremendous cost with this, Washington said.

A report on the studys findings is due after the Nov. 8 election.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9547 or jhorseman@scng.com
The newly appointed head of Californias nursing board says his ratcheted-up effort to clear a persistent licensing backlog has been successful.

In early August, staff at the Board of Registered Nursing, which is charged with vetting nurses for licensing in California, had not progressed beyond applications from recent graduates filed in March. One month later, the agency appears to have cleared a substantial portion of the backlog, reporting on its website that it is now processing applications that new nurses filed in early August.

The board has also started to chip away at a growing stack of applications from out-of-state nurses seeking to relocate in California.

We are moving at lightning speed, Joseph Morris, the boards new executive officer, said in a recent interview. It is all hands on deck.

Morris will have an opportunity to talk about his efforts to address the backlog at a nursing board meeting this week in Newport Beach. But even as nursing advocates applauded incremental progress, they again urged the agency to address fundamental problems with the licensing process.

Obviously theyre paying attention, and theyve put more manpower on it for sure, but they havent improved processes yet, said Kathy Harren, regional chief nursing officer for the Catholic health care system Providence Health & Services, Southern California. Its good early news, but Ill be keeping my eye on it.

Newly trained or relocating nurses who want to practice in California have faced logjams since at least 2014, when ten state licensing boards switched to a new computer system, known as BreEZe, that was intended to improve efficiency but was initially cumbersome and troubled by glitches.

Multiple licensing boards experienced snags in their systems, though most gradually saw processing times improve. At the nursing agency, however, things seemed to get worse.

In 2015, one Johns Hopkins nursing grad resorted to musical parody to vent her frustration with the California system. This year, spring applicants learned they might have to wait as long as six months for their paperwork to clear. Some had to give up desirable job offers because they couldnt secure a license in time to begin work.

After waiting four months with little progress at the board, Lara Golden, a University of Virginia nursing graduate, gave up a spot in a University of California hospital residency program and applied for a license in another state. Washington State University nursing graduate Angel Li, of Fremont, submitted an application in mid-March but didnt get her license until late August  too late for a pediatrics job she sought at a Southern California hospital.

Im keeping up my positivity as I try to find another RN position, she said earlier this month.

Morris, a former academic administrator at Mt. San Jacinto College in Menifee and at Victor Valley College in Victorville, took the reins of the nursing board on July 11. During his first weeks on the job, he said, the board redirected staff to help clear the licensing backlog and got additional staff support from its parent agency, the Department of Consumer Affairs.

he nursing board wants to expedite receipt and handling of documents such as transcripts and fingerprints, Morris said. Currently, staff receive thousands of pieces of paper in the mail every day, which they have to open, read, transcribe into the BreEZe system and forward to the people handling the applications to which they correspond.

Sometimes the applicants, their schools or the background screening agencies fail to send information on time, he said. As incomplete files stack up, delays accumulate.

Morris said the board is implementing a pilot program with nursing schools to move transcript delivery online. Other types of documents also could move to the cloud if submitting agencies cooperate, he said.

Senior nurses concerned about hiring delays said they have not yet seen much improvement, as qualified nurses still wait too long to get a license under the current system.

Its time to fix it, and fix it right, and make it best in class, said Providences Harren.

Morris told California Healthline that his presentation at this weeks nursing board meeting would detail the agencys recent efforts to train additional staff and share documents digitally.

Were going to implement technology and continue to think outside the box and be forward with our thinking, he said. We get the universal message. I get it. Were prepared for this and were moving in the right direction.

California Healthline is part of the Foundations commitment to important issues affecting health care policy, delivery and financing in California.
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on Wednesday approved the first phase of a sweeping renewable energy and conservation plan for Californias deserts that is expected to shape large-scale wind and solar development for decades to come.

Climate change is the pressing issue of the day  and this region is part of the solution, she said at a signing ceremony at the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center in the hills above Palm Desert.

Jewell said climate change means less rain for a waterfall at the national monument, where she went hiking earlier in the day.

But while environmentalists hailed the plan, a coalition of solar and wind-energy developers said it doesnt leave enough public lands available for carbon-free energy projects needed to meet clean-energy goals for California and the nation.

In the works for eight years, this first phase of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan covers 10.8 million acres of public land in the deserts of seven California counties, including Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles.

It is expected to be part of a future plan encompassing about 22.5 million acres, including private land.

Jewell said this phase strives to speed up approvals for solar, wind and geothermal projects by focusing such energy development on 388,000 acres where such projects will do the least amount of harm to wildlife habitat and other natural and cultural resources. These development areas include 170,700 acres in San Bernardino County and 148,000 acres in eastern Riverside County.

It makes development happen in the right way and in the right places, Jewell said.

The plan, developed in collaboration with state planners, also adds conservation protection to 4.2 million acres. Five million acres already are protected through wilderness, wilderness study and national monument designations.

These new conservation areas ensure that bighorn sheep and other wildlife will be able to travel among Joshua Tree National Park, the Mojave National Preserve and Death Valley National Park through newly protected land between these park holdings, Jewell said.

David Myers, executive director of The Wildlands Conservancy based in Oak Glen, praised the plan as a milestone in desert conservation.

It is a great day for a grand vision of the greater Mojave Desert landscape, Myers said.

He said it fulfills the vision of Elden Hughes, the late Sierra Club regional chairman whose activism helped spur Congress to approve the Desert Protection Act of 1994. The act created the Mojave National Preserve and several protected wilderness areas in the Mojave Desert.

Wednesdays new conservation areas include the Silurian Valley in San Bernardino County; Amargosa River Basin and Panamint Valley on each side of Death Valley National Park; and the Chuckwalla Bench, south of I-10 in Riverside County.

Five industry associations representing large-scale solar and wind developers issued a harsh statement Wednesday, saying the plan hamstrings state and federal clean-energy goals. The plan removed about 3 million acres of public land that was previously available for alternative energy development, the statement said.

Nancy Rader, executive director of the California Wind Energy Association, said most of the land set aside for development isnt good for wind development because of conflicts with military operations or concerns about bird deaths.

There are no assurances, she said when contacted in Berkeley by telephone.

Shannon Eddy, executive director of the Large-Scale Solar Association, said in a statement that the plan is a Model T in a Tesla world at a time when even more ambitious clean energy will be needed to curb climate change.

In response, Jewell said the plan makes it easier to develop public lands by allowing streamlined approvals. She said it helps the industry avoid places that would be more time-consuming and costly to develop because of environmental conflicts.

Karen Douglas, a member of the California Energy Commission who signed the plan Wednesday, said that 60 percent of the alternative energy development is expected to occur on private lands and that 388,000 acres of public land is more than enough for the other 40 percent.

The plan also designated 3.5 million acres for recreational uses. But Ileene Anderson, a biologist with the Tucson, Ariz.-based Center for Biological Diversity, said most of that land overlaps with conservation areas.

She faults the plan for not analyzing how recreational uses, such as off-roading, may impact wildlife habitat.

This was a missed opportunity, she said.

Jewell, however, said that the Obama administration took a comprehensive rather than a piecemeal approach to alternative energy development and conservation. The plan now allows for the creation of as much as 27,000 megawatts of clean energy (enough electricity for about 5 million homes) while preserving some of Californias most pristine wild lands for future generations.

This is the wave of the future, she said.

http://cdn.thinglink.me/jse/embed.js

Contact the writer: 951-368-9471 or ddanelski@scng.com
The shuttering of ITT Technical Institute last week was the latest round in a series of technical-school closures that have repeatedly dumped Inland Empire students out of their training programs  some just weeks, sometimes days, shy of completing their studies  and onto the street.

Prior to ITTs closing campuses in San Bernardino and Corona, other recent shutdowns of schools in the region include Marinello Schools of Beauty and Westwood, Everest, Four-D and American Career colleges. Thousands of students have been affected.

But is that enough to make any significant change in the local post-secondary landscape?

While officials are concerned, those with community colleges say they havent yet seen any significant rise in demand that they can attribute to the closures. Richard Purper, a training director for the local chapter of the electricians union, said little has shifted in the demand for the unions apprenticeship training program.

But local economist John Husing said there are likely subtle ways in which the changes might be felt, particularly in the small business community. He said he recently finished a survey of 50 area businesses.

What the employers are looking for is people that can move into their companies and immediately pick up slack in areas where people need training, Husing said. There are some occupations where most of the trainees are coming out of those kinds of schools. The problem is the scale of the public (college) training is not commensurate with the need.

Such employers, he added, felt the community colleges were not stepping up the way they needed to be.

Husing, who said he was once a community college instructor himself, said some of the local schools, such as Riverside and Chaffey community colleges have moved into this more aggressively, particularly in the technical areas of health care.

There is also a statewide initiative to beef up such programs, said Paul Feist, vice chancellor for the California Community Colleges. Feist said state officials have been meeting with representatives from both the U.S. Department of Education and individual community colleges in the past week, discussing how best to address the closure of ITT Tech. But Feist said plans were already in place to help add technical offerings throughout the community college system.

We definitely do want to accelerate and ramp up our offerings, Feist said. In the budget this year, we have $200 million to streamline and improve the delivery of career technical education.

Feist said plans have been in the works to provide the funding.

I think the need to do this was there anyway, he said, but with these closures and with the competition that the for-profit institutions had, we really feel its incumbent on us to meet the needs of the local community. The colleges are gearing up to make those improvements.

Since the needs of industry and business vary from region to region, Feist said each college will determine how best to meet those needs.

San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor Bruce Baron said the districts two colleges  San Bernardino Valley and Crafton Hills  will be getting a total of $1.7 million of the state money. How that will be spent is being determined, he said.

I definitely see expansion of the health care program and expansion into areas were not doing now, Baron said, maybe computerized health and health security systems, the expansion of EMT and other emergency programs, cybersecurity, expansion into entrepreneurship.

The closures of schools such as ITT Tech, he said, will eventually funnel a lot of these students back to the community colleges, which is really where they should have been in the first place. I think students are going to come back to us.

For-profit colleges flourished in the years of the recession that began in 2008. Unemployed people sought training for new careers. Because of cutbacks in education budgets, the community college system was overloaded and prospective students there often found they could not get courses that they wanted or needed. Many turned to the private sector, where enrollments more than doubled in the first 12 years of the century.

Along with the growth came increasing complaints about for-profit schools using unscrupulous tactics such as misleading students about the success rates of their graduates. One of the things ITT was accused of was coercing students into taking out additional private loans when their federal loans were tapped out and they couldnt meet their tuition costs; some were reportedly given loans without being notified.

The for-profit college industry has been taking it from both sides in the past few years. The Department of Education has been cracking down on schools it has determined are engaged in fraudulent activities, imposing sanctions and fines. At the same time, as the economy has improved, enrollment at such schools has been declining.

Officials said now that state funding has been revitalized, community colleges can comfortably absorb any additional students coming from for-profits that have closed. In a statement, Riverside Community College District spokeswoman Peggy Cartwright said local campuses are ready.

Some in the business of advising students are also having to adjust. Dr. Loretta Whitson is the executive director of the California Association of School Counselors. She said shes not sure how often high school counselors recommend for-profit technical schools as an avenue for the students they advise, but it will likely be less now.

ITT has such a reputation, Whitson said. To close so rapidly without students being able to complete their programs, I believe thats going to make the high school counselors think twice about referring students to those types of schools.

At Riversides Ramona High School, Mark Lim said he has never recommended a for-profit college to a student in his 10 years as a counselor. The closing of such schools, he said, has had no impact on him or his fellow counselors at the campus.

As far as the for-profit colleges, were very cautious, he said. We really havent pushed students that route. We want to make sure our students do not get stuck.

Vocational trainer Richard Purper said he hasnt seen much impact on his business either. Purper is the training director for the Inland Empire Electrical Apprenticeship Training Program, a union-backed organization. He said students who are in for-profit college programs for becoming electricians might waste less time if their schools shut down.

When we had Everest College, they charged the kids $18,000 and their job placement program was to send them over to me, Purper said.

Those students, he said, started at the beginning of the program Purper runs, just like any other student.

They really misrepresented themselves to the kids, he said.

On the other hand, only about 20 percent of those that apply for the union-backed program are accepted. Local community colleges, however, also offer training.

Not having ITT or other schools, Purper said, will make little difference in the construction community.

I dont think a significant portion of them were employed in the industry, he said.

Contact the writer: mmuckenfuss@scng.com or 951-368-9595
Desert Trip: More passes are becoming available for the two weekends of shows at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 14-16. The lineup includes the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan (Oct. 7 and 14), Paul McCartney and Neil Young with Promise of the Real (Oct. 8 and 15) and Roger Waters and The Who (Oct. 9 and 16).

Tickets are $424 for a three-day general admission pass and shuttle and tickets that come with seats run $699-$1,599 before fees. The additional passes will go on sale at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at deserttrip.com.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The holiday favorite returns to Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario for two shows on Tuesday, Dec. 27 as part of its The Ghosts of Christmas Eve tour. Tickets are $30.50-$74 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16 via axs.com. The shows are at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Joel McHale: The Community star and comedian will appear at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula on Sunday, Nov. 20. Tickets are $40-$65. Also headed to Pechanga is the prog rock band Dream Theater, which stops by on Friday, Nov. 18. Tickets are $55-$79. Tickets for both shows go on sale at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, via ticketmaster.com.

Gabriel Iglesias: The comedian will stop by Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa in Cabazon on Friday, Nov. 18. Tickets are $65-$85 and on sale via ticketmaster.com.

Mariachi Sol de Mexico: The group takes its A Merry-Achi Christmas show to the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside on Thursday, Dec. 1. Tickets are $35-$55 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16 via riversidelive.com.

Concerts Under the Palms: Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs is bringing back its outdoor concert series this fall and winter. The series includes Don McLean on Nov. 12; Art Laboes Latin Jam with Rose Royce, El Chicano and more on Jan. 14; Oak Ridge Boys on Feb. 18; and The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards on March 11. Tickets for all of the concerts are $35 and $45 and available at sparesortcasino.com.

Portugal. The Man: The indie rock band heads to the Glass House on Friday, Oct. 28. Tickets are $30 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16, via ticketfly.com.

Violent Femmes: The Blister in the Sun band that broke in the 80s stops by the Fox Theater in Pomona on Friday, Oct. 21. Tickets are $35 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16, via axs.com.

Martin Lawrence: The comedian who brought us the comedic brilliance of the character Shenehneh heads to Harrahs Resort Southern California on Saturday, Oct. 29. Tickets are $53-$138 and available via ticketmaster.com.

Contact the writer: vfranko@scng.com or @vanessafranko on Twitter
The Ameer and Missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Ghana, Alhaji Maulvi Noor Mohammed Bin Salih has charged Ghanaians to see our diversity in persons, religion, language, and tribes as a blessing.



The Ameer who likened the perfect example of embracing variety for a common goal to this years Jalsa Salana (Annual Gathering of the Ahmadiya Community) said ...beauty of whatever you have in the world is based on variety, variety is the spice of life as it is said. For instance this convention which weve just attended, you can find that people come from all parts of the world, speak different languages and of different colors.



Maulvi Noor Mohammed further told Kwaku Owusu Frimpong at 50th Jalsa Salana of the Ahamadiya Muslim Community that Weve all come under one banner and that banner unites and makes us one and the same people. So there is peace, theres love, theres affection, theres peaceful co-existence. Its the same thing like a country.



He further called on Ghanaians to appreciate the fact that, though the country is made of different people, culture and religion, the people all answer to the term Ghanaians.



Maulvi Mohammed reiterated that as elections 2016 approached Ghanaians should eschew violence and work in the common interest of achieving peace. The different opposing political parties must see each other as people who are vying for one and the same thing he added.

Source: Peacefmonline.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
Controversial prophet and founder of the Glorious Word and Power Ministries has revealed that, plans are underway by some persons to assassinate a flagbearer of a leading political party in the country.



Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah in an interview with Kwame Tutu on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm said, God has revealed to him that, a presidential candidate is about to be assassinated and so he had informed the political party about the revelation.



He added that, he has informed the political party to adopt very strict security measures in protecting the life of that presidential candidate he failed to mention.



"I have sent some men to go and inform that presidential candidate and his party to be cautious because, plans are underway to kill him. He should be careful when driving. His security should not be joked with. Some evil men are plotting to kill that flagbearer and if that happens, it will not augur well for the country."



Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah has also predicted victory for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), but has warned them to be vigilant to prevent another Supreme Court case.



He posited that, plans by the NDC to rig the election are fast advancing. However, it will not work.



Commenting on the revelation by his colleague Prophet Badu Kobi that Nana Addo will lose the election if he fails to purge himself, Rev. Bempah said, Nana Addo is winning the polls because he has purged himself as advised.



He said, President Mahama was given the opportunity by God to be Vice President for four years and a President for another four years, adding that, his reign has come to an end.



"The reign of President Mahama has come to an end. This has manifested spiritually and should he [President Mahama] force himself or tries to retain the seat at all cost, what will happen in this country would be disastrous. President Mahama should start preparing for defeat. He should be ready to hand over power. This is spiritual and should he go anywhere else to seek spiritual help, that is what they will tell him. President Mahama can never be a President of Ghana again. That is why I'm warning the EC to be credible with the upcoming polls...The wind has rejected President Mahama, and if the EC should be fair, transparent and declare the results credibly, then, President Mahama will not be the President of Ghana after the December 7, elections."

Source: Rainbowradioonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The era of students carrying so many text books to school will soon be over as President Mahama has indicated that hos administration intends converting them into an electronic module.



According to him, the text books for the various core subjects will be converted into softwares which will be put on tablets and distributed to Junior High and Senior High School students.



Students will receive tablets that have all their core subjects on the tablet. If the pilot is successful, the programme shall be expanded, he said.



President Mahama assured that a lot will be seen under the education sector once Ghanaians renew his mandate on December 7, 2016.



We will provide accommodation for teachers who will accept postings to rural areas, he added.



The President made this known at the highlights of the NDC's 2016 manifesto, Tuesday.



Colleges For Training Nursery Teachers



A Mahama-led administration when elected into office will establish Colleges of Education to train teachers in early childhood care.



According to President Mahama "our commitment will be to establish colleges of education for the sole purpose of training teachers in early childhood care and development. What we have done is we have added the two years of kindergarten to our school system. Unfortunately, while we are training teachers for primary, junior high schools and senior high school, we are not training teachers for early childhood learning and so normally it is done by daycare attendants and normally if you give the child a good start at the kindergarten, they are able to maintain it throughout their education. So were going to set up colleges of education that will train teachers who are specialised in training children at the early level from four years and upwards

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Four presidential aspirants yesterday picked nomination forms at the headquarters of the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest this years presidential election.



They are Mr Kofi Percival Akpaloo of the Independent Peoples Party (IPP), Nana Agyenim-Boateng of the United Front Party (UFP), Madam Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) and Mr Akwasi Addai Odike of the United Progressive Party (UPP).



Presidential and parliamentary candidates are required to submit their completed forms to the EC by September 29 or 30, 2016.



Speaking to the Daily Graphic after issuing the forms to the aspirants, the Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Mr Samuel Tettey, said nomination forms for parliamentary aspirants had been sent to the various districts of the country, but since the Chairperson of the EC was the returning officer for the presidential polls, nomination forms for presidential aspirants were issued at the headquarters of the EC in Accra.



Pick forms early



He urged aspirants, both presidential and parliamentary, to pick their forms early, so that in the event of any errors on them, the aspirants would have ample time to effect corrections to prevent any disqualification.



Mr Tettey said the EC had received complaints that the filing fees were high, saying a meeting would be held to discuss the issue but that until then the fees remained the same.



Attack on Odike



Meanwhile, there was drama in Mr Tetteys office when Mr Odike was about to pick his nomination form.



As Mr Odike stood waiting to be received by Mr Tettey, suddenly another gentleman walked straight to Mr Odike and held him by the neck as though he wanted to strangle him.



The ensuing melee shifted focus from an interview being granted the media by the flag bearer of the GFP, Madam Donkor, as journalists were taken aback by the sudden attack on Mr Odike and riveted attention on the action.



It took the intervention of some members of Mr Odikes party who had accompanied him to fend off the attack, following which the assailant left Mr Tetteys office.



Background to the issue



The leadership of the UPP has been engulfed in a battle of supremacy with the purported dismissal of the Founder and Chairman, Mr Odike.



While the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, which has its headquarters in Kumasi, claimed it had sacked Odike as the partys flag bearer and National Chairman, Mr Odike, for his part, said those claiming to have sacked him had no locus in the party.



Odike, a Kumasi-based business tycoon and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Odike Ventures, left the UFP that he had spearheaded in forming under similar circumstances of a supremacy struggle to form the UPP.



He contested the 2012 presidential election as the candidate of the UFP, but following a series of disagreements with the national executive of the party, he left to form the UPP in 2015.



More confusion



However, the drama in the EC office was far from over, as it later turned out that the acting General Secretary of the UPP, Mr Gabriel Asamoah-Boakye, in the company of the assailant and another whose name was given as Ken Sekou, had gone to the EC office to pick the presidential nomination forms on behalf of the party.



That led to another scuffle between Mr Odikes supporters and the two persons who had accompanied Mr Asamoah-Boakye, who maintained that Mr Odike had been sacked from the party and, therefore, he had no right to pick up nomination forms to contest the election on the ticket of the party.



It would have been a very messy situation but for the intervention of two policemen who had escorted Madam Donkor to the EC office.



The policemen succeeded in handcuffing Mr Asamoah-Boakye after he had sustained injuries.



Odikes alleged expulsion



Mr Asamoah-Boakye later told journalists that the UPP had expelled Mr Odike for misconduct.



According to him, the party had received a number of complaints of misconduct by Odike and, therefore, referred same to the disciplinary committee.



He said many letters and personal appeals to Mr Odike to appear before the committee and provide answers to those charges proved futile.



Because he never answered any of the calls that were made to him, the committee recommended that he should be expelled from the party, he said.



Mr Odike would not comment on the matter but said the two gentlemen were fraudsters who had attempted impersonating him and the party and that they should be taken to the police station for further action.



Asked by the Daily Graphic whether he had not been assigned security escorts, he answered in the affirmative and said his party had been assigned six policemen but he decided to go to the EC office without them because he had not anticipated the unforeseen incident.



Odike recognised by EC



Mr Tettey finally presented the nomination forms to Mr Odike, since, according to him, the EC had supervised the election that saw Mr Odike emerge as the flag bearer of the UPP.

Source: Daily Graphic









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Top 10 Best Dressed Female Celebrities at the recently held Glitz Style Awards 2016 has finally been announced.



The event, which happened at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra Saturday, September 10, aimed to celebrate individuals who are setting trends and defying the odds with their style.



It is also an opportunity for the fashion industry to celebrate and promote the extraordinary creative talents in Ghana and Africa as a whole.



The Eurostar Ghana Fashion Review Panel is at work again trying to get the best-dressed personalities on the red carpet at the second edition of the awards ceremony. After thorough studying of what was showcased at the red carpet of the awards, these are the best ten dressed female personalities from the Glitz Style Awards.



The selected top are: Joselyn Dumas, Berla Mundi, Victoria Michaels, Zynnell Zuh, Nana Akua Addo, Vanessa Gyan, Adina Thembi, Anita Erskine, Nana Ama McBrown and Akosua Vee.



The list will be shortlisted to five and the best three will be selected later, within which the winner will be chosen. The Eurostar Ghana Fashio Review Top 3 obtains automatic nominations at Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards 2016 and they will also to attend the awards event in Kampala, Uganda on 9th December 2016.



Eurostar Global Limousines Group has been awarding Ghanaian celebrities who appear on red carpets at major events in the country with cash prizes. Starting from Ghana Movie Awards 2015, the luxury vehicle rental company has for the past months been given cash prizes ranging from 3000Euros to 1000Euros to celebrities who are were voted as best dressed at red carpet sessions on various events and last review was on the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards which was won by reigning artiste of the year, Elorm Adablah popularly known as E.L and actress Joselyn Dumas. The two were awarded 3000 Euros each as best dressed male and female celebrities.



The Eurostar Ghana Fashion Review is by Africa's leading luxury car rental company Eurostar Global Limousine Group with support from media partners including Nkonkonsa.com, Ameyawdebrah.com, Ghanagist.com, Ghkwaku.com, Ytainment.com, Starr FM, Zionfelix.net, Cypressghana.com, 4Syte TV, GH Fashion Marketing among others.

Source: Nkonkonsa.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Controversial musician Akoo Nana says he has moved on from doing Hiplife into doing High-life.



The hitmaker behind the groundbreaking single Mi Yadaw(featuring Castro), Akoo Nana had been in the headlines in recent times for turning a new leaf.



After a repentance session at the House of Life Chapel, Nungua-Accra, where he was reported to have confessed his sins and seek the face of God, Akoo Nana was captured on camera spreading the word of God to confirm the wild rumour.



The musician in an exclusive interview with 3news.com said switching from Hiplife to High-life is a clear signal of maturity. He described Hiplife as cheap life, adding that his latest High-life song dubbed Amponsah means he has come of age.



The message in Amponsah is like talking about kids who are a bit stubborn and its aimed at advising them. The switch to high-life is all because I am grown now and I need to do matured songs and perform with my bands.



Switching from cheap life to high-life is a great experience I am really enjoying and learning a lot from artistes who have excelled as highlife musician.



He was last seen in public on the red carpet at the 2015 4Syte TV Music Video Awards held at Accra International Conference Center on November 14, 2015.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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In case ya missed it, the results of the review into Sydneys lockout laws dropped yesterday, and well be honest: its a pretty modest document. If youre keen on hearing that the lockout laws are going to be struck down and that a gigantic 24-hour megaclub will be built right in the centre of the city, you will be disappointed.

Instead, former High Court judge Ian Callinan recommended that maybe, just maybe, we could loosen the lockout laws by half an hour on a trial basis, and only if theyre music venues. So, not huge.

But theres already backlash to even that minor change. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has hit back at Callinans modest proposals, saying that any relaxation would be too great a risk and should not even be considered.

We know that each hour in trade results in significant increase in domestic violence statewide, said Dr John Crozier. That, in the view of the College of Surgeons, is not a justified risk.

Not all organisations had the same take. The Australian Hotels Association reckons the recommendation to loosen the restrictions on takeaway alcohol sales is pretty ace  we agree!  but are annoyed that the proposed extension of the lockouts only applies to music venues.

We dont support blanket measures that unfairly penalise many safe, well-run venues with a proven track record of compliance, said John Green, the AHAs NSW director of liquor and policing.

It still leaves to be seen whether the NSW Government will take the recommendations on board, minor as they are. Mike Baird is yet to issue a statement on the issue, though his statements in the past indicate he pretty strongly supports the laws as they currently exist. Duh.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald.

Photo: PEDESTRIAN.TV / Chloe Sargeant.
Japan has a problem. A very, very big problem.

It would appear that country is smack-dab in the middle of a giant crisis: That being Japanese people simply arent hopping off the good foot and doing the bad thing often enough.

Theyre not taking enough to trips to Bangkok or getting it India.

They aint fuckin no mo, is what Im trying to say.

The countrys sex crisis is actually a pretty real concern for the nation, with scores of young and middle-aged Japanese citizens reportedly becoming more and more disinterested in sex and pursuing traditional relationships, which is resulting in national fertility rates that are well below global averages.

This is largely due to the countrys godawful work-life balance, which often sees young men reportedly working 80 hour weeks, and societal pressure placed on women to choose either having a family or pursuing a career, of which the latter of the two is proving the more popular choice in modern times.

The rate of fertility for Japan is well below their rate of death, and last year alone the statistics showed a net loss of 300,000 humans from the population.

That rate of decline is so great, that researchers in Japan have now devised some sort of Death Clock showing roughly when the country of Japan will become extinct, if current trends hold.

Researchers at the Tohoku University analysed the statistical trends, and took into account the nations rapidly ageing population, and devised a countdown clock that claims by the 16th of August in the year 3776, Japan will have only one remaining child in its population (i.e. one person remaining under 15 years of age), at which point the nations people would slowly die out completely until there is but one very strong child remaining on the land, doomed to walk the sexless ruins of Tokyo alone and bemoan the cruel fate that has befallen the once-mighty empire; oh, what might have been if only his or her ancestors had gotten jiggy wit it.

Fortunately, its not all doom and gloom. Japans fertility rate is actually on a very gradual, but steady incline, and is slowly approaching its highest level since the mid-90s. At 1.46 it still pales in comparison to places like the United States, the UK, or the complete and utter rootrats that are India. But its a start.

Maybe the Japanese just need to stick their head in the mirror and give themselves a good ole fashioned rev up to present the ole erection selection.

Source: Metro.co.uk.
This week is a stellar lineup of Senate maiden speeches. We had Derryn Hinchs paedophile-naming spree on Monday, One Nations Malcolm Roberts last night, and Pauline Hanson this afternoon. What good deeds have we done to earn such quality representation?

We all know Paulines deal, and Im sure her speech wont have a whole lot going on that we havent seen before. But Malcolm Roberts last night was a barnstormer. Weve already seen him at his best trying to school scientist Brian Cox with climate graphs on Q&A, but its worth mentioning that hes definitely more a wildcard than Hanson, with far more connection to fringe conspiracy theories.

His speech was essentially about how Australia is being assaulted by malevolent, socialist external forces like the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund. He wants an Aus-Exit from those institutions, which are apparently using climate mumbo jumbo to create a one world government that controls us all from Brussels. Or something.

The EU is a template for total socialist domination of Europe through unelected bodies, such as the IMF, forcing their frightening agenda on the people. It is also the UNs template, and Australia must leave the UN.

He also gave a shout out to Pauline, who didnt seem to be that keen, tbh.

Malcolm Roberts praises his mentor the great Pauline Hanson. She does an ~EPIC~ eye roll and shakes her head. pic.twitter.com/ZanBC0G5A1  Alice Workman (@workmanalice) September 13, 2016

As youd expect, he also went in on climate science, judging the entire peer-reviewed climate science consensus as impossible:

It is basic. The sun warms the earths surface. The surface, by contact, warms the moving, circulating atmosphere. That means the atmosphere cools the surface. How then can the atmosphere warm it? It cannot. That is why their computer models are wrong. The UNs claim is absurd. Instead of science, activists invoke morality, imply natural weather events are unusual, appeal to authority and use name-calling, ridicule and emotion. They avoid discussing facts and rely on pictures of cute smiling dolphins. These are not evidence of human effect on climate.

Roberts has copped some scrutiny in the past over his associations, with many questioning why he has moved in the same circles as the sovereign citizen movement  people who believe they are not citizens of any nation and therefore are not subject to their laws (Jason Wilson at The Guardian did a great writeup). Roberts denies these associations.

Paulines speech is tonight. Its gonna be good.

Source: Parliament of Australia / Sydney Morning Herald.

Photo: Parliament of Australia.
Looks like the much-maligned same-sex marriage plebiscite is likely no more. Bill Shorten, after slamming the Governments planned poll for several weeks but offering no concrete advice on whether Labor would actually oppose, is expected to instruct caucus to block the bill.

Thisll be huge for the LGBTI advocates who have constantly opposed the plebiscite, arguing that the proposed publicly-funded campaign would be devastating to queer youth forced to hear the constant thrum of hate speech during the campaign. A popular video from Nic Kelly outlined many of the concerns LGBTI Australians had:

I am really scared about the #marriageequalityaus plebiscite. We need to talk about it, so I made this video. ?? pic.twitter.com/4oZTifuzil  ?? nic kelly ?? (@nicwkelly) September 13, 2016

Most LGBTIA Australians were willing to give up a big opportunity for same-sex marriage to be passed because of the expected hostility of the debate, so thats a pretty big deal.

#BREAKING: Sky News understands Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will recommend to Labor caucus that it reject the marriage plebiscite.  Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) September 14, 2016

The difficulty here is that the Coalition will likely not offer a free vote  which could very likely pass  because of pressure from the hard-right of the party.

If the reports are true, and Shorten really is planning to block the plebiscite, then the Coalition will not have the crossbench votes necessary to pass the legislation. The plebiscite, for now, is effectively dead.

Source: The Guardian.

Photo: Getty Images / Mark Metcalfe.
This article talks about mental illness, specifically depression. If youre struggling, call BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636 for 24/7 counselling, or Lifeline on 13 11 12 if you are in crisis.

The brunt of yesterdays coverage of maiden speeches in Parliament last night focused on the obvious contender  Pauline Hansons. But new Liberal Senator Julian Leesers speech was by any metric much, much better. Leeser is the new member for Berowra, having replaced outgoing MP Philip Ruddock.

Leeser used the opportunity to discuss the suicide of his father, which occurred when Leeser was 20 years old, and to call for a renewed focus on mental health issues in the Australian community.

He called for a broader approach, saying that despite the millions spent on mental health and suicide prevention, little has changed.

In the the past 20 years we have changed our approach to suicide, depression and mental health. And while there has rightly been a focus on the mental health of adolescents and young people, we must remember that people suffering at other stages in their lives are equally important. And sadly the number of older people taking their own lives is increasing  my own father was fifty five. In these past 20 years, we have spent millions on mental health and suicide prevention. Every government has tried  but despite all the good will, it is a fight we are losing. In my own electorate we have had more than 100 people take their own lives in the last eight years. And across Australia eight people die by suicide every day. All this shows that government money alone will not solve this epidemic. Treating depression as purely a medical issue is not working. Rather we need to rebuild caring communities where people know and notice the signs and acknowledge the people around them. Where we ask Are you OK?, or more directly Are you contemplating suicide? And we need to create the conditions where those who are thinking about suicide feel comfortable enough to ask for help.

The speech united the House of Representatives  the applause was deafening.

Now theres a an address with value  probably better for the general wellbeing of the country than Hansons Ill drive any migrant to the airport to get them out routine.

Source: Parliament of Australia.

Photo: Parliament of Australia.
GET YA NINETAIL WHIPS OUT  ITS HERE.

The second film instalment of the trilogy that titillated women of all ages across the globe, and received bucketloads of criticism for blatantly confusing the line between BDSM and abuse, is back.

Fifty Shades Darker is the second part of the Fifty Shades trilogy by British author E.L. James, and the second book continues where we left off. Anas gone and bloody dumped Christian because his ~extremely dark and moody persona~ became too much for her, but  SPOILER ALERT  he aint giving up on her.

He starts interfering with her job, and also, one of his ex-girlfriends, who was a submissive but looks a lot like the girl from The Ring, starts stalking her!

Ya know, classic girl meets boy film.

The trailer unfortunately doesnt ooze as much pure unadulterated sex that you were probably expecting, but hey  thats how most long-term relationships go, right? Bugger.

Enjoy, you raunchy freaks:

If you cant even be fucked, TL;DR style, then this gif pretty much sums up the premise of the movie:

Source: Youtube.
GIRD ALL OF YOUR LOINS, FRIENDS.

The flippin *massive* lineup for the 2017 Laneway Festival has been birthed unto us all from the exceedingly generous mob at St. Jerome, and boy howdy if you werent already jazzed as fk for summer, you sure as shit will be after wrapping yr eyeballs around this.

The 2017 iteration, which is being brought forward by a few weeks into the fiery pits of late January/early February next year, is arguably Australias premiere touring festival nowadays, and this years lineup is no exception to that.

But who! Who is playing! The legends at Laneway released a dope-as-hell 360-degree Facebook video to accompany this mornings announcement, with all the artists hidden within it.

Theres a distinctly Aussie flavour getting about in 2017, with the whole shebang being fronted up by fuzzlords Tame Impala, who will headline alongside the artist formerly known as Chet Faker, Nick Murphy.

On the international front, English indie dreamers Glass Animals will be making the trip out to the colonies, alongside fellow countryman/electronic whiz/neuroscientist Floating Points.

Other not-from-heres include a return visit by the Kathleen Hanna-fronted The Julie Ruin, innovative DJ and producer Mr. Carmack, the UKs Tourist, and US MC Clams Casino.

But as far as a little local flavour is concerned, the bill is stacked. How about Camp Cope, or Luca Brasi, or A.B. Original, or Ecca Vandal, or Gang of Youths, or even festival mainstays Jagwar Ma?

Trust us, youre not gonna want to sleep on tickets for this bad boy. It is HOT SHIT.

2017 LANEWAY FESTIVAL LINEUP

Tame Impala***

Nick Murphy***

A.B. Original

AURORA

Baro*

Bob Moses

Camp Cope**

Car Seat Headrest

Clams Casino

Ecca Vandal*

Fascinator

Floating Points (Live)***

Flyying Colours*

Gang of Youths

GL**

Glass Animals

Jagwar Ma

Jess Kent

Julia Jacklin**

Koi Child

Luca Brasi

Mick Jenkins

Mr. Carmack

NAO

Nicholas Allbrook

Roland Tings

Sampa The Great

Tash Sultana

The Julie Ruin

Tourist

Tycho

White Lung

Whitney

*Melbourne only

**Excluding Fremantle

***No sideshows

As always, all the vital dates and detail information can be sourced from the good folk over at St. Jeromes Laneway Festival.

Mark ya calendars, pals. Summers a-comin!

Photo: Ollie Millington/Getty.
Mission BBQ

Mission BBQ will open a restaurant in the Harrisburg area. A Mission BBQ, pictured in this Facebook photo, recently opened in Winchester, Virginia.

(Provided via Facebook)

A Mission BBQ is coming to the east shore.

The chain restaurant will open at a shopping center along Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Twp. where a Gander Mountain used to operate, said Amada Zerbe, the township's zoning officer.

Construction for the restaurant has started at a pad site located in the parking lot of the shopping center. The Gander Mountain store closed earlier this year.

KIMCO, the owner of the shopping center, said earlier this year it was in the process of subdividing the parking lot to carve out space for a casual restaurant. On its website, KIMCO refers to the center as the Harrisburg East Shopping Center.

In addition, KIMCO said it will build a CVS at the corner parcel, directly across from a Rite Aid drug store. The main anchor at the shopping center will be a Giant Food Store. In April, Giant announced it is relocating its store from the nearby Colonial Commons shopping center.

Mission BBQ co-owner Stephen Newton said in an email that the chain is close to signing a lease, and the owners are excited to enter the Harrisburg area.

The closest Mission BBQ restaurants operate in York County and Wyomissing, Berks County.

Newton and his business partner, Bill Kraus, opened the first restaurant in Glen Burnie, Maryland in 2011. The partners pride themselves on the barbecue such as the Carolina pulled pork and Kansas City ribs. But the restaurants - decorated in patriotic decor - also take a big roll in supporting military and first responders in local communities.

Mission BBQ operates about 34 restaurants in a handful of states including Florida, Ohio and North Carolina.

An opening date for the Lower Paxton Twp. Mission BBQ has not been announced.
police-lights.jpg

State police say they have a suspect in the theft of 52 old car batteries from a Pennsylvania Walmart.

(File)

State police in Hamburg are investigating a crime that must have caused its perpetrator to work up a sweat.

Trooper Eric Dreisbach said Wednesday that the crime occurred early on Sept. 5 when the culprit stole about 52 used car batteries from fenced enclosure behind a Walmart in Tilden Township.

A suspect is in custody as part of an investigation into the Walmart burglary and other break-ins in the area, Dreisbach said. He did not name that suspect.
The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the UK Trade Policy Observatory warned in their recently published reports that the worlds developing countries could lose 378 million year if the existing trade deals that they have with the EU will no longer apply to the UK after the country leaves the block. Both think tanks believe that many of the poorest economies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) could lose up to 203 million annually in the event of Brexit, as they would lose the preferential access to the British market through the EUs trade policy.

The worlds poorest economies pay very little or no duty on their exports to Europe under the EUs generalized scheme of preferences (GSP). Moreover, the Everything But Arms deal gives these countries duty- and quota-free access to all products except for weapons and ammunitions. According to Leonard Winters, Director of the UK Trade Policy Observatory, the failure by London to protect these preferential deals could have negative repercussions for both trade and foreign policy. A number of developing countries  take Kenya, for example  have got serious export industries who sell to the UK, he said and added that If suddenly they ended up with some tax bill of an extra 2.4 million in order to sell their current amount in the UK, theyd search out [sales] to other markets.

Developing countries have already been hit hard by the falling pound in form of remittances. The World Bank estimates the loss at 8.3 billion last year  the remittances sent to developing countries are now worth much less than before the British poll to leave the EU. Some economists also estimate that a weak UK economy and the pound will result in developing countries struggling to manage, as they have fewer instruments at their disposal to cushion some of these shocks.
ASTON - Pennsylvanians may have voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1992, but it's still a battleground state.

And it's an important one for Republican candidate Donald Trump, who swung through suburban Philadelphia on Tuesday, toting a new plan for reducing child-care costs -- and a few other surprises.

Here are some interesting moments that occurred during the rally at the Aston Community Center on Tueday:

Introducing her father.

At the Republican National Convention, Ivanka Trump said her father would, "Focus on making quality child care affordable and accessible for all."

And in introducing him in Aston on Tuesday, she told the crowd that "safe, affordable, high quality child care should not be the luxury of a fortunate few."

The costs of child care can put a tremendous burden on middle-class and lower-income families, she said, and added that the United States is the only industrialized nation that does not provide mothers with paid maternity leave.

She said her father's policy will change that.

Paid maternity leave.

Perhaps one of the biggest aspects of Trump's plan calls for six weeks of paid maternity leave for mothers whose employers do not offer this benefit.

How will it be paid for?

Trump addressed this by saying it will come from unemployment insurance - specifically by hunting down unemployment insurance fraud and using the recovered funds to pay for this program.

"Those in leadership must put themselves in the shoes of laid off factory worker, the family worried about security, or the mom worried about paying for child care," Trump said. "Child care is such a problem. We're going to solve that problem."

Does his opponent have a plan?

According to The Associated Press, Hillary Clinton does, and she is calling for 12 weeks of leave for mothers and fathers to be paid for by taxes on the wealthy.

But Trump said that's not the case.

"My opponent has no child care plan," he said. "She never will and if it ever evolves into a plan it will never get done anyway. All talk, no action."

Swinging the baby.

At one point in laying out his child-care plan, Trump told parents they will be able to contribute $2,000 each year - tax free -- to a Dependent Care Savings Account.

And those funds, he said, can be used for not only child care, but for child-enrichment activities, like after-school programs.

Upon making that announcement, the sound of a baby's squeal rose above the applause.

"See, we'll start with that child," Trump said, getting a laugh from the crowd. "That will be our first child."

After concluding his speech, Trump stepped off the stage and went right to the toddler, lifting him in the air and swinging him about.

5. Deplorable?

Trump concluded his speech by telling the crowd that his child-care plan is not the end of what he has in store.

"On Thursday, I will outline my full economic plan," Trump said. "It's going to be something special like this country hasn't seen in many, many decades."

And he wrapped up his short speech by making reference to a statement from Hillary Clinton that grabbed recent headlines.

"While my opponent slanders you as deplorable and irredeemable, I call you hard-working American patriots..." he said, the end of the sentence getting drowned out by applause. "It's time to stop fighting over the smallest words and to start dreaming about the great adventures that lie ahead for our incredible country."
gavel.jpg

A convicted shoplifter might not have to pay $800 in restitution for stealing a basketful of Rogaine.

A state appeals court panel has refused to void the retail theft conviction for a man who ran out of a Walgreen's store with a "basket filled with Rogaine."

However, the Superior Court judges told an Allegheny County judge to reconsider the $800 in restitution he ordered Marco Munno to pay the Moon Township Walgreen's for the theft of that hair growth product.

The state judges made those calls in a recent opinion by Judge Anne E. Lazarus. According to that filing, the store manager spotted Munno, 34, of Meadville, toting the blue basket filled with Rogaine in July 2015.

The store alarms went off as Munno left without paying. The manager saw Munno jump into a running car and speed off.

County Judge Thomas E. Flaherty convicted Munno of retail theft during a nonjury trial. The county judge heard testimony from the store manager and watched a surveillance video of the shoplifting incident, Lazarus noted.

Flaherty sentenced Munno to 6 months of probation in addition to the restitution.

While the retail theft conviction withstood scrutiny by the state judges, Lazarus agreed with Munno that there wasn't enough documentation to support the $800 restitution figure. Without such proof, that figure is just "speculative," Lazarus found.

She said it appears that Flaherty set the $800 amount based on the store manager's testimony that 16 boxes of Rogaine were stolen and that each box sold for $50. Her court sent the restitution matter back to Flaherty for review.
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Students of the recently closed ITT Technical Institute are being thrown a lifeline by Pennsylvania's community colleges and other schools that will enable them to continue their classes or transfer.

(Christian Alexandersen, PennLive)

Students of the recently closed ITT Technical Institute are being thrown a lifeline by Pennsylvania's community colleges and other schools that will enable them to continue their classes or transfer.

Earlier this month, the Indiana-based ITT Educational Services announced it was ceasing classroom operations at its technical institutes in 39 states, including seven in Pennsylvania. That left 45,000 students -- including about 1,200 in Pennsylvania -- without a school.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has partnered with organizations and more than 20 schools around the state to help ITT Tech students. Letters have been sent to all Pennsylvania ITT Tech students that explain their options to continue their education.

Patricia Landis, the department's division chief for higher and career education, said the students have two options. The first option is to have their credits transferred to another school.

The second option is to have another instructor teach out the remaining classes of the ITT Tech program. Landis said instructors have been lined up at community colleges and schools around the seven closed ITT Tech campuses. The option is best for people close to obtaining to a degree, she said.

(Both options and lists of schools are listed below in PDF format)

"Many of our providers are offering to do that to help the students continue their education, obtain their credential and then either continue on or find employment," Landis said.

For Harrisburg students, the Keystone Technical Institute is offering transfer opportunities as well as teach-out opportunities to some students who have almost completed their studies. They are hosting an event for ITT Tech students on Thursday.

The Harrisburg Area Community College has also offered resources to those impacted by the closure.

ITT Tech's closure came as a result of the U.S. Department of Education's decision to ban the firm from enrolling new students who use federal financial aid.

Aaron Shenck, with the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators, said his group always works with the state any time a school closes in order to make sure students are provided options for them to complete their education.

"We hope to be able to provide as many ITT Tech students in Pennsylvania with an opportunity to complete their current programs of study or another degree with as little additional burden to the student," Shenck said.

Since each of the seven ITT Tech campuses are spread throughout the state, Shenck each area will have to have a unique plan developed for students at each campus.

The association is working with the state, ITT Tech officials and other schools in all areas to try and help provide students with options from all campuses, he said.

Aside from continuing their education, Landis said the department also will help students get money back for any instructional services they paid for that were not provided because of the closure.
AP Poll Americans Black Lives Matter

Few universities have adopted formal policies on trigger warnings, but these days, at the discretion of professors, the range of topics that warrant alerts have broadened to include, the U.S. Constitution, Black Lives Matter on down to Pokemon Go and discussions on police.

(Evan Vucci)

Last week, prior to beginning a class discussion, Penn State sociology professor Laurie Mulvey issued a trigger warning.

The discussion centered on Brock Turner, the former Stanford University swimmer whose six-month jail sentence for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman ignited national outrage. She warned it could be difficult for some of the students.

Sure enough, one of her students left the room and waited in the hallway for the discussion to end. Another student, who shared her own rape story, broke down in tears. Two others, including a male student, also broke down in sobs recalling their own experiences.

Mulvey, who also runs World in Conversation, a cross-campus organization that fosters cross cultural and racial conversations, says trigger warnings are a natural extension of decency.

"The idea of being mindful when we talk about things and letting people know that this is what we are going to do now, I think is being compassionate," she says. "There's a place for that in our world."

Trigger warnings - or the practice of issuing an alert prior to tackling what could be a sensitive topic for some - has been around for decades.

College professors as far back as the 1980s began to warn students of sensitive materials - particularly when discussing sexual assault. The medical field has long recognized that seemingly innocuous triggers can precipitate adverse reactions in veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome. Indeed, Hollywood on down to network news, blog writers and the music industry have long slapped warnings ahead of graphic content.

But more recently, the debate over trigger warnings has splintered between support and the critique that they are overused and coddle students.

"It wasn't called trigger warning when I was in school," says Patty Kleban, a Penn State instructor who recently wrote a column on the topic for StateCollege.com.

She remembers the first day of the Biology of Sex class, one of the larger and more popular classes at Penn State. The instructor, she recalls, warned the class prior to turning on the overhead projector.

"He warned us that we were going to see huge pictures of penises. He said 'This will make some of you uncomfortable.'" Kleban recalls. "It was uncomfortable, but you realized it was a science class and it was part of the learning process."

Like Mulvey, Kleban views trigger warning as a matter of courtesy. "I use trigger warnings as a way to be respectful," she says.

Debate re-energized

Penn State, like most other universities and colleges, does not have a formal policy on trigger warnings, but most professors take it case by case and use their judgment to dole them out.

A few weeks ago, the University of Chicago thrust the debate back to the national forefront when the dean of students issued a letter to incoming freshmen, citing the school's commitment to freedom of expression, that students would not be extended trigger warnings or safe spaces from difficult material.

That decision has once again re-energized the debate over a practice widely seen as fostering a climate of respect and civility on college campus but also one considered to stifle the academic freedom and rigorous debate that generally defines the college experience.

"It's a sense of self-censorship," says Matthew Hoffman, a professor of history at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster.

President of F&M's chapter of the American Association of University Professors, Hoffman is concerned that amid a heightened sense of political correctness, professors across the country have used the guise of trigger warnings to increasingly avoid covering materials that may not conform to a particular ideology or political dogma.

"It leads to people feeling they are going to say the wrong thing," he says. "It comes down to speech policing. People are getting hung up on what political views are rather than what they are getting at."

In a welcome letter to freshmen, the College made clear that it does not condone safe spaces or trigger warnings: pic.twitter.com/9ep3n0ZbgV  The Chicago Maroon (@ChicagoMaroon) August 24, 2016

In the past, trigger warnings were reserved for topics centered around sexual assault. These days, all bets are off.

In a recent opinion piece for The College Fix, a student-reported website, Barnard College student Toni Airaksinen noted that the following have been added to the pantheon of college trigger warnings: Pokemon GO (racist and classist); the U.S. Constitution (tyrannical and colonialistic); "white men" (oppressors); and Donald Trump (racist).

"The practice has been watered down since its beginning," Airaksinen writes. "Becoming not only meaningless but also infantilizing."

That's purely opinion, of course, but Mulvey says it is nearly impossible these days to ascertain what topics deserve trigger warnings. What may be benign to the majority of a class, she says, can make some students very uncomfortable.

Two weeks ago, for instance, Mulvey didn't think twice before walking her class through data that looked at income inequality based on race. She was amazed at the range of reaction from her students.

"Students had every response from neutral to 'how dare you show that data' to anger and sobbing," she says. "That was just in looking at income inequality, which many people would say has nothing to it. That says to me that something that simple has so many different emotional and psychological consequences and means people take in things differently. And that's the low end of the spectrum of what can trigger people."

Controversy shuts some down

In a recent survey, the National Coalition Against Censorship found that nearly half of educators surveyed thought trigger warnings have or will have a negative effect on classroom dynamics; the vast majority thought they have or will have a negative effect on academic freedom.

Trigger warnings used to be doled out primarily for discussions on sexual assault, but these days across college campuses, the heads-up alert is given for topics ranging as widely as provocative literature to Pokeman Go and even the U.S. Constitution - pictured here in the Rotunda of the National Archives.

Mulvey finds that the realm of trigger warnings is not cut and dried. At times, even students who know the discussion will find it personally difficult to remain in the class and participate in the discussion.

That happened during the discussion on Brock Turner last week. One of her students admitted it would be difficult for her - but she decided to stay.

"They said they wanted to keep this conversation going. They wanted to talk," Mulvey says. "The said they wanted to be heard. They say if you just shut up, it actually feels worse."

Hoffman says that perspectives on trigger warnings increasingly fall along generational lines. People who came of age in the late 1960s or 1970s, such as himself, have a higher tolerance for so-called controversial topics.

"Millennials and younger faculty don't typically have the same appreciation of free speech and the notion of arguing with ideas they don't like," he says. "The inclination is toward policing or censuring what they see as unacceptable or having trigger warnings to protect others."

Hoffman remembers his own college days and the "soapbox preachers" who stood in the quad arguing about abortion and other hot-button topics.

"The idea that I can't hear this in this environment because it's upsetting is ludicrous to me," he says.

Hoffman tosses it up to a power struggle and points to attempts across U.S. campuses at censoring course content under the guise of trigger warnings.

A few years, ago, for example, students across several colleges - including the University of California in Santa Barbara, Rutgers University and George Washington University - demanded their schools mandate trigger warnings for a host of literary novels. These included "The Great Gatsby," by F. Scott Fitzgerald; "Mrs Dalloway," by Virginia Woolf; and "Things Fall Apart," by Chinua Achebe, which students argued could upset students who had dealt with racism, colonialism and religious persecution.

"People don't like to listen to people who have different opinions whether it's in politics or the media," Hoffman says. "People don't want to be bothered. It's easier to say 'I don't like your opinions so we are not going to discuss it.' It's shutting down the conversation."

What complicates matters, Hoffman adds, is the notion that trigger warnings are often framed around such themes as safety and oppression.

"How do you come back from someone saying you make me unsafe, or someone saying they feel systematically oppressed," he says.

These days, college professors have been excoriated for taking up such topics as Black Lives Matter, police brutality and the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks in Paris. Students have complained that they find discussions on these kinds of topics offensive and inappropriate.

Hoffman finds such censorship unacceptable.

"It goes against what college is about," he says.

Mulvey fears the pendulum has swung far to the other extreme and that such self-policing is stunting free expression and debate on college campuses. In the interest of not offending others, she says, professors and students are steering clear from provocative topics.

"Already, I'm deeply worried that we don't see as much imagination, innovation and problem solving coming out of campuses," she says.

Balance is important

Hoffman stresses that no student should have to tolerate harassment, nor should the concerns of students, as in the case of the University of Missouri, be de-legitimized. But such valid issues can get muddled in the larger policing of unpopular ideas and viewpoints, he warns.

"Trigger warning is just one symptom," Hoffman says. "It's part of a larger move to move away from things that are politically charged or emotionally uncomfortable."

Critics of trigger warnings blame university administrators for coddling students and treating them as if they were fragile, vulnerable individuals who need to be protected from anything uncomfortable.

Roy Lubit, a forensic psychiatrist who specializes in emotional trauma in children and adults, says it is fair and appropriate for college professors - as well as secondary educators - to issue trigger warnings.

Lubit points to the troubling statistics of sex crimes: one in five women by the time they get to college have been sexually abused, as well as one in 10 men. The numbers go higher once they are in college.

"There's going to be a lot of people in the classroom that are going to be at risk for certain topics," he says. "I think it's important to their well-being and their work to give a warning."

For victims of violence, sexual assault and rape, Lubit says, materials that depict sexual violence can trigger a host of adverse emotional reaction, from stirring intrusive recollections and nightmares to intense physiological and emotional reactions.

"Sometimes I think teachers select books with very painful abusive material in it," Lubit says. "I'm not suggesting we censor, not suggesting we go back to the Monkey Trials, but if you are going to have the class read a novel that has graphic scenes of child sexual assault or rape, I think a parent has the right to say 'I don't think my child at this age is going to be helped by having that in their face.' "

Kleban believes in an election year that trigger warnings, like just about everything else, simply have been politicized.

"I think what has happened is people are jumping on every little thing on both sides," she says. "We just need to be polite and respectful. If you are going to show something graphic, just say get ready. It's not a big deal."

Jonathan Quinones, a Penn State senior and president of the African, Hispanic, Asian, Native American - or AHANA - student organization, stresses that professors must strike a balance between being respectful to students while fostering rigorous class discussions.

"I get where they are coming from," Quinones says about detractors of trigger warnings. "We are mostly adults in college. There are people in classes who are over 21. In that sense, yeah, we are not children."

Quinones agrees that certain topics - sexual assault primarily - need to be handled carefully at the college class level, but that should not lead to censorship.

"I think some instances do warrant that students need to see what is going on in the real world," he says. "But again, there are certain cases where something might be just too graphic."

With the University of Chicago rolling out a new policy on trigger warnings, it's only a matter of time before other schools follow suit - or even go in the opposite direction towards more stringent guidelines on classroom discussions.

Mulvey is concerned that such mandates will be detrimental to the academic environment - given that the balance between free speech and mindfulness towards others, she says, is a deeply personal thing.

"You can't legislate being compassionate," she says. "One person's well being and that of a community's. Who's to say what is priority in that?"
library shelves.jpg

By Diane Shaffer

I've been working on the Reference Desk of the East Shore Area Library for nearly seven years.

What I see is not unique to East Shore or any of the other seven libraries that comprise the Dauphin County Library System.

Among the children and families, students and genealogists, omnivorous readers and casual browsers, I see a whole other segment of library patron: the unemployed, the working poor, the ex-offender. For them, the library is a lifeline

Take, for example "B." A truck driver. He got laid off.

Like most blue collar guys in his situation, B was angry and resentful that he had to apply for a job online. Slowly, painfully, with staff assistance, he learned how to navigate the web.

It took nearly a year but B finally landed a job.

Within a few months he was promoted. On the day his insurance kicked in, B came to the library. "I got healthcare," he said. "As of today, I'm fully insured." And then that big truck driver stood right there at the Desk and cried.

Or how about the guy who approached the Desk asking for books on the stomach. He hadn't eaten in three days; couldn't keep anything down. He had a job but no insurance, so he couldn't, or wouldn't go to the doctor.

While he tried to focus on some books, I researched the Mercy Van, a mobile unit staffed with medical volunteers who assess and treat walk-in patients for free.

I gave the information to the man and asked that he promise to go. He managed a smile. "Thank you," he said. "I didn't know where else to turn."

Ex-offenders seeking to re-enter society use our public computers to apply for jobs, download court documents and submit forms. Patrons apply for unemployment insurance, health insurance and Social Security.

People who can't afford a lawyer turn to the library for resources on living wills, tenants' rights, domestic issues.

Newly arrived immigrants ask where they can take English classes, how to apply for citizenship.

A man from Ghana who barely understood English inadvertently listed his height on an application as three feet.

When his application was rejected, he came to the library.

Staff stood him against the wall and measured his height: "5' 7 3/4."

The Ghanaian was delighted.

And then there's Dr. Julie James Asuzu.

Asuzu grew up in war torn Biafra. She married, had eight children and put herself through medical school.

After serving as a missionary doctor in Africa, she and her family moved to Harrisburg.

She decided to earn a law degree to "make the world a better place by changing legislation/statutory laws, and serving as an advocate for the less privileged."

She used library resources to apply to law schools and seek financial aid.

Because of a lingering language barrier, she relied on staff to correct her grammar and punctuation.

Her husband so disapproved of her studies, he took her car keys so she couldn't drive to the library. So Julie walked. It took her three hours. She was accepted by ten law schools.

She'll graduate in 2017.

A library is a microcosm of society.

We see people of every race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, gender, economic status, personal philosophy and political affiliation get a Dauphin County library card.

And each and every one of them has access to each and every resource we offer: book collections, electronic resources, DVDs, music, magazines and free programming for children, teens and adults.

Some consider the library a sanctuary.

For others it's a depository of knowledge, a North Star by which to find their way. This is what we see. We see you. And we welcome you.

Diane Shaffer is an employee of the Dauphin County Library System.
Pennsylvania state police

A Pennsylvania state police Ford Interceptor utility vehicle, January 4, 2015. Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com

(Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.)

Hempfield Township in Westmoreland County sounds like a pretty great place to live.

Hempfield, pop. 43,000, has an annual budget of $12.9 million. It maintains a tax rate of 3 mills. And residents, as The Tribune-Review reports, haven't seen an increase for more than 25 years.

Why?

Because Hempfield, despite being just a little bit smaller than Harrisburg, has no police force of its own.

Instead, taking advantage of existing state law, it relies entirely on the services of the Pennsylvania State Police. It's the largest municipality in Pennsylvania to do so, the newspaper recently reported.

Hempfield Supervisor Doug Weimer tells The Tribune-Review that township residents residents pay more than $25 million annually in other state taxes, so it's not like they're not contributing their fair share to the state's coffers.

Closer to home, South Middleton Township and Boiling Springs in Cumberland County, suburbs of Carlisle, also rely entirely State Police coverage. And residents, happy with their low taxes, have shown little inclination to rock the boat.

That's all very nice. But we are reminded that no service is ever entirely "free."

And, all told, more than half of the state's 2,600 municipalities receive "free" state police coverage. About 100 of those communities have populations of 5,000 or greater, large enough to require their own police forces.

If hardworking, taxpaying residents in Hempfield, South Middleton and scores of other Pennsylvania communities aren't paying for state police service, it means someone else - in this case, much of the rest of the Commonwealth - is paying for that service.

And it's time for that to change.

Because, as the newspaper also reports, the state police's annual budget is consuming an ever-growing share of money that's supposed to pay for badly needed road and bridge repairs across Pennsylvania.

One of the standout achievements of former Gov. Tom Corbett's administration was the 2013 approval of a $2.3 billion transportation funding bill, paid for by what is now the highest gasoline tax in the nation and increased license and registration fees.

But because the State Police's budget is derived from the same funding stream, the state's "unfunded transportation needs outweigh expected 12-year revenue by about $6 billion," The Tribune-Review reported. And that gap will only widen if lawmakers and the Wolf administration can't find a new way to pay for the agency.

The state's 2016-17 general budget dedicates $802 million from an account known as the Motor License Fund (the depository for those higher gas taxes and vehicle fees) to the State Police, the newspaper reported.

That covers about two-thirds of the agency's $1.2 billion budget. The balance comes from the state's general fund budget.

Legislative efforts to move the state police fully into the Commonwealth's general fund budget have come and gone over the years.

A piece of budget enabling legislation known as the "fiscal code" calls for the future transfer of about 4 percent a year of the state police's budget from the motor license fund to the general fund budget, administration Budget Secretary Randy Albright said.

In 2016-17, that amount is expected to be about $50 million. It increases to $80 million thereafter, hitting a floor of $500 million by the 2027-28 fiscal year, Albright said.

And while that means more money for infrastructure, the state still has to find a way to absorb that increased burden on the General Fund budget.

Put another way, with average general fund growth of about $800 to $1 billion a year, that $80 million devours 10 percent in revenues that could be dedicated to other programs, Albright noted.

Given the current General Assembly's aversion to tax increases of any kind, that's a tall order. But it's a discussion that must take place - and soon.

Pennsylvania's infrastructure needs are too pressing to ignore this debate any longer. Making communities that rely on the State Police for protection pay for that service is an excellent place to start.
FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2016 file-pool photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he opens the weekly cabinet meeting at his Jerusalem office. The U.S. will provide Israel's military with $38 billion during the next 10 years, officials said Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, the largest batch of military assistance the U.S. has ever pledged to another country. NetanyahuAos office confirmed in a brief statement that a deal had been reached, but offered no additional comment. (Gali Tibbon, Pool via AP, File)
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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.
The Enduro World Series heads to Europe for the final two rounds. Coming off of a blistering event in Whistler, Canada it is all set. Can the series leaders Rude and Ravanel hold onto their reigns to take the titles or are we in for more drama?
Today, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) released the first in a series of reports imparting lessons from the 15-year, $115 billion Afghanistan reconstruction effort.

The report, Corruption in Conflict: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan, is a review of how effectively the US governmentprimarily the Departments of Defense (DoD), State, Treasury, and Justice, and the US Agency for International Developmentresponded to corruption in Afghanistan reconstruction spending. SIGAR identifies six key lessons that will hopefully inform future contingency operations, and makes recommendations for executive and legislative action. The core lesson is obvious: the US government must establish a comprehensive anticorruption strategy before plunging into nation-rebuilding.

The report defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted authority for private gain, as exemplified by such acts as bribery, embezzlement, extortion, fraud, and nepotism. It asserts that, while certain forms of corruption have been a part of Afghan culture for centuries, the problem grew to epic proportions after 2001. SIGAR faults the US-led reconstruction effort in three respects: by rapidly injecting billions of dollars into the Afghan economy without adequate oversight, by failing to recognize the scope and severity of corruption, and by subordinating anticorruption efforts to short-term security and political goals.

The recommendation that seems most sensible (to provide the most bang for the buck, if you will) is for the agencies to establish a joint vendor vetting unit to more carefully screen contingency operation contractors and grantees. For reconstruction missions to succeed, international aid money must be kept out of the hands of what SIGAR calls malign powerbrokersthose who thrive off corruption, such as local warlords, crooked government officials, and insurgents. Robust screening of recipients will also help ensure reconstruction funds arent lost to fraud, waste, and abuse.

The United States will remain engaged in Afghanistan for several more years, and it will likely embark on relief efforts in other war-torn countries as well. It is therefore critical that the government heed the lessons collected over the years by its watchdogs: the Commission on Wartime Contracting, which ceased operations in September 2011, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, which closed its doors in October 2013, and SIGAR, which will carry on until appropriated funding for the reconstruction drops below $250 million.
A Detroit police officer was shot late Monday night while chasing down a suspect on a crime spree.

The officer was shot in the shoulder with a sawed-off shotgun in the area of 7 Mile and Hayes roads around 11 p.m. The injury was not life-threatening and the officer is expected to make a full recovery.

Police were able to arrest the 21-year-old suspect, who they say was in the middle of an hours-long crime spree.

"A domestic call came out; it was about a shooting incident where he shot his father or stepfather; we're not certain. That's what started the crime spree. Carjacked a vehicle after that, same day, a couple hours later after shooting that victim and we were able to locate him today and make the arrest after he shot our supervisor," Detroit Police Chief James Craig told FOX2.
Fort Worth police officer Matt Pearce receives the Star of Texas Award. (Photo: Fort Worth PD/Facebook)

Matt Pearce, a Fort Worth Police Officer shot five times in the line of duty, received The Star of Texas Award Monday.

In March 2016 a shootout between Fort Worth police, a fugitive and his son, left one suspect dead and Pearce critically wounded.

After almost two months in the hospital Pearce was released and expected to continue with rehabilitation.

Monday Pearce received a special honor, The Star of Texas Award, which is awarded to officers, firefighters and other first responders injured or killed in the line of duty, NBC DFW reports.
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It appears that former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican, isnt the biggest fan of Donald Trump, according to emails accessed by Buzzfeed News.

In the emails, which Buzzfeed reports were sent from Powell to journalist and ex-aide Emily Miller, the retired four-star general called the GOP nominee a national disgrace and international pariah.

The report:

The remarks came in a June 17, 2016, email to Emily Miller, a journalist who was once Powells aide. In that same email Powell also said Trump is in the process of destroying himself, no need for Dems to attack him. [Speaker of the House] Paul Ryan is calibrating his position again.

The website DCLeaks.com  which has reported, but not confirmed, ties to Russian intelligence services  obtained Powells emails. It may be the latest example of a Russian entity potentially trying to influence the US presidential election  in July, the FBI said it believed Russia was behind the hack of the Democratic National Committees internal emails right before they partys convention.

In the emails seen by Buzzfeed News, Powell also slammed Trump for his role in perpetuating the birther myth about Barack Obamas citizenship and legitimacy as president.

Yup, the whole birther movement was racist, the former Secretary of State wrote in an email last month.

Of his comments, Powell told Buzzfeed News, Im not denying it.

According to the internet news platform, Powell also repeated his stance that there is a certain level of intolerance in parts of the Republican Party, in an email from May of this year.

Powell had previously expressed that sentiment prior to the presidential election of 2012, but its unbelievable just how far the Republican Party has come in proving him right by nominating Donald Trump, a man who has built an entire candidacy on racial resentment.

Powell has yet to officially endorse a candidate for president, but its abundantly clear that he will not be supporting this years Republican nominee.
China to review anti-subsidy duties on EU potato starch Updated: 2016-09-14 16:05 (Xinhua)

BEIJING - China will review anti-subsidy duties levied on potato starch imported from the EU as they are due to expire, the Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday.

The review was requested by China Starch Industry Association over concerns that should the duties be scrapped domestic producers would suffer.

During the investigation, which will start on Friday and will probably last a year, the current duties will continue to be levied.

Potato starch imports from the EU are subject to anti-subsidy duties ranging from 7.5 to 12.4 percent, according to an MOC ruling on Sept. 17, 2011.

The imports were also subject to anti-dumping duties ranging from 12.6 percent to 56.7 percent.

Potato starch is widely used in the food industry to make industrial materials, such as emulsifiers, as well as food products such as instant noodles.
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Memo to Republicans: Calling Hillary Clinton a third term of Barack Obama is not an insult, and its probably a bad idea to keep treating it like one.

This has been apparent for much of the last year, as more and more Americans say they approve of the job Obama has done. A new ABC News/Washington Post poll even shows his approval creeping toward the 60 percent mark.

But todays release of brand new data from the Census Bureau confirms it: The Obama presidency has been a success. Numbers dont lie.

Calling Clinton a continuation of the last eight years is the single biggest compliment Republicans could give her.

According to the Census data, last year the U.S. saw the largest one-year decline in poverty since 1968, as the president noted today in his speech in Philadelphia. More than three million Americans were lifted out of that category in 2015.

The Census Bureau also found that, for the first time since before the Great Recession, the American middle class got a raise. The median income in 2015 was up 5.2 percent from the previous year, now standing at $56,516.

It should be noted that in both categories  poverty and income  all ethnic groups saw improvement. With respect to poverty, African Americans and Hispanics experienced the biggest declines.

The data also showed that the number of Americans without health insurance fell to 9.1 percent, as more people continue to acquire coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

Combine all of this good news  yes, Republicans, its good news  with the fact that the unemployment rate has been cut in half since the peak of the Great Recession and over 15 million new jobs have been created during the longest streak of job growth in history, and its clear that things are pretty good in the United States of America.

As the president himself said today: Thanks, Obama.

Despite this very clear evidence of the current presidents success, Donald Trump and his top surrogates have been running around the country telling voters that America is a hellscape on the brink of collapse. Hillary Clinton, they say, would only make it worse.

But the data shows that their poor attitude about America does not align with reality.

More Americans are working under Obama. Incomes are rising under Obama. Poverty is declining under Obama. Uninsured rates are falling under Obama.

If Hillary Clinton is going to be a third term of Barack Obama, then sign me up.
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*The following is an opinion column by R Muse*

While the nation was preparing to wax emotionally about the terror attacks on 9/11 and Donald Trump was gaining appreciation for political correctness in assailing Hillary Clintons bucket of deplorables remarks, they missed a very important announcement from the Obama Administration. As has been the case throughout his tenure in the Oval Office, Barack Obama took unilateral action to protect womens constitutional rights from a rabid and toxic religious Republican attack on Planned Parenthood. It is curious why there has been little to no reporting in the main stream media, because the Presidents announcement of a brilliantly simple new rule was actually, as Vice President Joe Biden would say, a big f*cking deal.

The BFD is a new rule regarding Title X funding that affects the most basic preventive health care and family planning services for over 4 million low-income Americans, 85 percent of whom earn under $23,500 annually. About a third of those patients are served by Planned Parenthood that receives roughly $70 million annually in Title X grants for contraceptives and cancer and sexually transmitted infection screenings. Of course Title X forbids using even one penny for abortion services for any reason.

The Department of Health and Human Services new rule simply says that states are forbidden from withholding Title X family planning money for any reason whatsoever other than a providers ability to deliver services to program beneficiaries in an effective manner. The bottom line is that theocratic Republican states can no longer even vote to defund Planned Parenthood just because some of its clinics offer abortion services.

Planned Parenthoods president, Cecile Richards, said:

This will make a real difference in so many peoples lives. Thanks to the Obama Administration, [low income] women will still be able to access the birth control they need to plan their families, and the cancer screenings they need to stay healthy.

The Presidents action sent Republican Diane Black (R-TN) into apoplexy, even as she is leading yet another expensive House committee investigation into the fabricated and wildly debunked videos produced by a religious cabal opposed to womens healthcare and constitutional rights. Black said that the Presidents action protecting womens constitutional rights to choose their reproductive care is a dirty stunt the religious right and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are not going to stand for. Ms. Black forgets that America is not governed by the Vatican, and that the U.S. Constitution still forbids Congress from enacting religious edicts. She said in a statement:

We must use the full force of Congress and grassroots strength of the [Catholic] pro-life movement to defeat this absurd rule and prevent the Obama Administration from carrying out political favors and prop up a scandal-ridden abortion provider.

First, Planned Parenthood is not scandal-ridden like the religious fanatics that fabricated the hoax videos. In fact, two of the theocrats with the evangelical outfit that produced the highly-edited and thoroughly debunked videos, Center for Medical Progress, were indicted by a Texas grand jury that also cleared Planned Parenthood of any wrongdoing whatsoever. Of course, neither Diane Black nor any other religious Republican will ever mention, much less investigate, the scandal-ridden Center for Medical Progress because religious organizations typically enjoy free reign to lie, cheat and steal; particularly if their motivation is punishing women.

Second, and this is a main reason religious Republicans despise President Barack Obama; defending a womans Constitutional right to choose her own reproductive care is not a political favor. It is the President of the United States job and sworn duty to defend and protect the Constitution and by extension the American people, including women, it was created to serve. It is not an exaggeration to claim that without Barack Obama in the White House over the past nearly eight years, what few rights women have earned and fought for as American citizens would have been obliterated by patriarchal Republicans and their USCCB and evangelical masters who made it their duty to destroy one state at a time.

Right now, even as Republicans are attempting to demonize and destroy Planned Parenthood, it is the principal organization on the front line fight against the devastating effects of the Zika virus on pregnant women that causes severe, lifelong birth defects. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said the primary strategy to reduce Zika-related pregnancy complications is helping women avoid or delay pregnancy through robust family planning and birth control. Planned Parenthood has been distributing Zika prevention kits and educating women in neighborhoods where the virus is spreading like wildfire. Not surprising in the theocratic South with the most high-risk states for the mosquito-borne and sexually transmitted virus  Florida, Louisiana and Texas  religious Republicans have voted to block funding for the only organization working to control the infectious disease, Planned Parenthood. President Obamas new rule puts an end to that anti-woman atrocity.

The new Title X rule becomes permanent after a 30-day public comment period, which experts say is certain, and it means a quick end to religious Republicans attacks against Planned Parenthood. As Planned Parenthoods president said,

This rule makes it clear that politicians cannot ignore the law as they pursue their [religious] agenda to stop women from getting the care they need.

The new rule also makes it abundantly clear that President Obama is still leading the fight to protect womens rights and this time he used a stroke of his pen to permanently protect Planned Parenthood and millions of Americas poor women.
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With less than 60 days until Election Day, Donald Trump thought it would be a good idea to pretend he cares about Americas children.

Joined by daughter Ivanka in Pennsylvania, thats just what Trump did when he rolled out what he calls his child care plan.

During the speech, though, he dropped yet another whopper about Hillary Clinton, saying, My opponent has no childcare plan.

Fact check: False.

Clinton, who seems to be recovering well from her bout of pneumonia, quicky shot back with this tweet:

Clintons ambitious plan would make preschool universal for four-year-olds and ensure families dont have to pay more than 10 percent of their income on quality child care.

As the Washington Post noted, Considering that some people spend more on child care than rent, such a price shift would significantly ease the financial strain for families nationwide.

The Democratic nominee also proposed giving those in the child care workforce a raise.

As the Clinton plan  which has been around for months  explains: Despite the high cost of child care, too many workers are not receiving a living wage, which fuels turnover and undermines the quality of careand also causes many of those caring for and educating our children to live in poverty themselves.

This doesnt just help children receive better care, but it also helps those who provide that care.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, has offered a plan that, like most other Republican proposals, would benefit the wealthy more than the middle class, as this tweet from Igor Volsky, deputy director of the Center for American Progress, points out:

TRUMP CLAIM: Hillary has no child care plan. TRUTH: Hillary does have one and here is how it compares to his! pic.twitter.com/YxMp00NiMO  igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) September 14, 2016

Not only did Trump lie about Clintons very real child care plan, but he offered one of his own that doesnt come close to what Clinton has been proposing for months.

And let us not forget what Trump has said in the past about children: I mean, I wont do anything to take care of them. Ill supply funds and shell take care of the kids. Its not like Im gonna be walking the kids down Central Park.

Nice try, Donald, but nobodys buying your sudden interest in child care.
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Hillary Clintons senior policy adviser, Maya Harris, said Trumps vaunted child care plan as half-baked, and she is far from alone: The chief economist for the Presidents Economic Recovery Advisory Board, Austen Goolsbee of the University of Chicagos Booth School of Business, took to Fox News The Kelly File to say of Trumps plan,

This is a policy which, if you had spent more than ten minutes working on it, you would realize that there were huge holes.

The thing is, Goolsbee says Trumps campaign didnt spend even 10 minutes working on it. You can look at Trumps fact sheet here (you can compare it to Clintons plan here).

Watch courtesy of Media Matters for America:

This is a policy which, if you had spent more than ten minutes working on it, you would realize that there were huge holes. But they apparently didnt spend that. So first, its not a maternity leave policy that should be called paid maternity leave. Its not based on what your income was. In many states, the maximums going to be over $1,000 a month. And second, who pays for it are the newly unemployed. Hes taking the money out of unemployment insurance and diverting it to the maternity leave. It absolutely makes no sense.

Speaking in Pennsylvania, Trump claimed of his so-called Child Care Affordability Plan, that, Its pro-family, its pro-child, its pro-worker. These are the people we have to take care of, even though it really only takes care of people making more than $500K/year.

His daughter Ivanka, who has nothing in common with most women but is supposed to be Trumps access to women voters, said we need to create policies that champion all parents but this isnt one of those policies; some parents are to be championed more than others.

Its not all Ivankas fault. As Libby Nelson over at Vox explains, Trumps plan shows his daughters influence but it also shows his disinterest in policy details.

As Vivien Labaton, co-executive director of the nonpartisan Make It Work Action (MIWA), put it,

His childcare proposal is really designed for the Ivanka Trumps of the country than the working families who need help.

Trump says Clinton has no plan. His plan claims in boldface letters and baldfaced lies, Donald J. Trumps Plan Is More Complete Than Hillary Clintons Plan. But its not.

As tweeted by the Clinton campaigns The Briefing, Like most of Trumps plans, the details of his paid leave proposal arent serious.

If you are beginning to get the feeling that youre living through a television reality series about somebody campaigning for president, television writers are usually better at creating a believable setting, and more realistic policy proposals.

Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) claims Trumps plan allows families to balance work and parenting while maintaining conservative principals. This is true: you can have a job and have no better child care options than you do now.

You can tell shes a member of Paul Ryans all-talk-no-action House of Representatives.

In every respect, Donald Trumps child care plan falls short. Not only compared to Hillary Clintons much more well-thought-out plan, but just plain short, in that it isnt designed to help all Americans. Just the Ivanka Trumps of the world.

White nationalist Lou Dobbs is really happy Ivanka Trump will get access to child care. He is so happy that he says of Trumps child care plan that @realDonaldTrump seems a candidate of destiny.

Trumps plan absolutely makes no sense, said Austen Goolsbee, and he is right. Like so much else about the Trump campaign, its all sleight of hand, a con job to fool the gullible into casting a vote for him.

Photo: Screen capture, NBC News
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Donald Trump rolled into Flint, Michigan today for part III of his I am not a racist tour, in an attempt to woo more college educated whites to his side, but the visit went horribly wrong.

Trump launched into an attack on Hillary Clinton at the Bethel United Methodist, only to have the pastor interrupt him to tell him he was not invited to give a political speech.

The Pastor interrupted the Republican nominee, who had been invited to thank the church for what they had done for Flint but instead had launched into a full on attack on Hillary Clinton, Mister Trump, I invited you here not to give a political speech.

A flustered Trump stumbled, Oh, oh, okay, thats good.

Trump interrupted by pastor just now for politicizing speech while talking at a Flint church: pic.twitter.com/6sDDL31u8u  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 14, 2016

Basically, Trumps canned Hillary Bad speech wasnt considered helpful:

Pastor interrupted Trump in the middle of his remarks because he was politicizing in her church.  Ali Vitali (@alivitali) September 14, 2016

If Trump goes to church, why doesnt he know that you cant give political speeches in a church?

The Pastor made sure everyone knew this was not an endorsement in any way shape or form for Donald Trump:

Trump stops by Bethel United Methodist in Flint, where minister makes it clear "this in no way" is an endorsement. pic.twitter.com/SWiSVUEvpl  Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 14, 2016

Trumps 15 minute tour of Trump the dormant Flint water treatment plant that caused lead crisis also didnt go well, as he thanked the very, very good executives:

Video of Trump's brief remarks thanking "some very, very good executives" at the Flint Water Treatment Plant. pic.twitter.com/yszIDL0rz5  Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 14, 2016

Getting to the church wasnt so hot either:

Motorcade rolls into Trump's next stop, a church. Man standing outside his house smiles and points to an Obama/Biden sign on his car.  Ali Vitali (@alivitali) September 14, 2016

As the motorcade rolled through Flint

As Trump motorcade rolls through Flint, about a dozen ppl get off stopped public bus to throw middle fingers in the air as we pass  Noah Gray CNN (@NoahGrayCNN) September 14, 2016

The Detroit Free Press reported Ron Bieber, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO, had a message for Trump, Less than 60 days before the election and now Donald Trump rolls into town for a photo op. Give me a break. Where the hell have you been?

Contrasting Trumps visit with Hillary Clintons visit, Bieber continued:

She (Hillary Clinton) drew national attention to the issues. She put pressure on the governor to take action. Hillary Clinton has had Flints back every step of the way, Bieber said, adding that if Trump really cared he should write a personal check for $10 million for the families of the city. Donald Trump doesnt give a rip about Flint  My message today is pretty clear, Donald Trump, go home. You arent welcome in Flint. 

Trump couldnt have made it more obvious that he was using Flint as a photo-op for white people if he tried.
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Hillary Clinton is on fire as her campaign nailed Donald Trump for his slimy, corrupt and illegal politics via his charitable foundation in a new web ad.

Watch here:

As Donald Trump points the finger at Hillary Clintons Foundation, he has four more pointing back at him.

Trump has used his foundation, which is funded with other peoples money by the way, to pad the pockets of or attack attorney generals who were looking into Trump University. Trump U made a lot of money for  (say it with me) Donald Trump, but ripped 5,000 students out of $40 million.

Trumps charitable Foundation illegally gave $25,000 to Florida AG Pam Bondi in what also appears to be an additional illegal play-to-play scheme to buy her off.

Trump also held a fundraiser for Bondi.

Bondi decided not to investigate Trump U.

In addition, in Texas then Attorney General Greg Abbott had a $5.4 million case against Trump and Trump U, for bilking Texas taxpayers out of more than $2.6 million.

But the investigation was dropped and the former deputy director of Abbotts Consumer Protection Division now alleges that the attorney general offices decision to quash the lawsuit against Trump  later a major donor to Abbotts campaign  was a political move that left Texas consumers high and dry.

Sounds familiar.

It isnt just a pattern of behavior that tells a story but also Trump himself brags about how he gets what he wants by buying people off. This is the man pointing the finger at the top-rated Clinton Foundation, which actually does good deeds, saving hundreds of millions of lives around the globe. Whereas, Donald Trumps Foundation appears to exist to laundry money to benefit Donald Trump, buy him out of criminal trouble, and buy $20,000.00 pictures of himself.

Remember, thats other peoples money. Trump hasnt donated to his own Foundation for years, according to David Fahrenthold at the Washington Post.

Additionally, Yahoo reported that in 2014 Trumps Foundation gave $100,000 to the conservative Citizens United Foundation, which is run by David Bossie  who is now Trumps deputy campaign manager  to help finance a federal lawsuit against Democratic New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, the same public official who was suing the real estate mogul for fraud over the operations of Trump University.

Donald Trumps Foundation is a tax exempt charity, and thus not supposed to be giving money to political causes at all.

So, Trump used the charitable Foundation to pad the pockets of two Republican AGs and used the Foundations money to sue the Democratic AG in New York. Its also worth noting that the Citizens United Foundation has gone after Hillary Clinton with its dark money enough to warrant the idea that she is their number one enemy.

And why is that? The Citizens United Foundation fights for corporate donations to remain secret, so that you cant tell who is funding ads and dirty stories about politicians who wont bend to its will. (This also means that unions can contribute dark money, but since the conservative activist group fought so hard for this, you can guess who benefits from it the most  yes, the party that most serves the corporate lords of this country, the Republican Party.)

USA Today reported that Bosie is the leader of the Defeat Crooked Hillary PAC, funded largely by a hedge-fund billionaire. So somehow this leader of a Super PAC is now working for the Trump campaign, even though Super PACs are not supposed to coordinate with campaigns.

Clinton has promised if elected to introduce a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United within the first 30 days of her presidency.

The House Judiciary Committee Democrats yesterday urged the feds to investigate the Trump Foundations illegal donation to Pam Bondi.

The takeaway here is Donald Trump has a habit of projecting his guilt onto his opponents. So he accused the Clinton Foundation of being corrupt, it was investigated, it is not corrupt. But under the Trump rock, we find very few good deeds via his foundation and instead a slimy, grotesque version of a charity full of criminal thuggery.

Much is made of Hillary Clintons trust issue but people shouldnt forget that a lot of this dirt is being paid for by people with a big interest in keeping Clinton out of the White House. Now why would big, dark money want Clinton out of the White House? Because she promised to come after their dark money seems pretty obvious.

Donald Trump is the corrupt stooge the dark money wants in the White House, and that isnt be good for the people of this country.

Hillary Clinton is in fighting mode and shes not going to take it anymore. Contrary to what dark money and Donald Trump tell you, its not Hillary Clinton who is corrupt and crooked.
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Hillary Clinton took matters into her own hands, quite literally today. The former Secretary of State took to Twitter to lead the press to the Trump water with 20 questions the Republican nominee for president must answer now.

Buckle up, its a good ride:

In light of @kurteichenwald's report on the Trump Organization's dangerous ties, here are 20 questions that Trump needs to answernow.  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

Clinton is referring to this piece in Newsweek described by author Kurt Eichenwald thusly, A Pres Trump could not conduct US foreign policy without affecting his personal bank account.

1. Will you sever ties with your company linked to foreign leaders, questionable organizations, and criminals if you become president?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

2. How will you handle non-cancelable contractual obligations with parties whose interests conflict with those of the United States?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

3. While refusing to release your tax returns, how will you confirm that you do not have dangerous financial ties to bad actors abroad?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

4. If you were willing to work with Qaddafia known terrorist and dictatoris there anyone you aren't willing to make a deal with? Who?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

5. How can you be tough on Iran, given your business partnership with someone connected to Iranian money laundering? pic.twitter.com/1AdDm2kfvy  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

6. Given that you've already questioned our commitments to NATO allies, what is your answer to this? pic.twitter.com/qp5vMqtcs1  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

7. To what extent would your foreign policy be dictated by potential financial benefits for your business partners? pic.twitter.com/4Nd9KSdTfi  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

8. Will you disclose the nature of your personal and business relationships with all of the Russian oligarchs you are close to?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

9. Have you or your campaign discussed U.S.-Russian relations with the Russian billionaires with whom you've done business?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

10. How did the Russian mob boss who ran a criminal organization out of Trump Tower get a VIP pass to your Miss Universe pageant in Moscow?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

11. With business ties to politically-connected Indian developers, how can you conduct foreign policy that puts the U.S. above your profits?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

12. How can we be sure you'd be willing to be tough on any nation if necessary, if it would put your interests and profits at risk?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

13. How can we know you won't (again) impulsively damage relationships with crucial allies to preserve your own ego? https://t.co/j1VtaFhA6C  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

14. We know you engaged extensively in pay-to-play here at home. Have you bribed foreign officials or other parties abroad?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

15. To what extent are you and your family currently contractually tied to payments from foreign business partners, or governments?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

16. You've mentioned ~120 foreign deals, including in countries with national security implications. Where and with whom are you working?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

17. Will your children disclose all of the foreign trips and business deals they've undertaken during the campaign, and with whom they met?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

19. In sum, how will Trump guarantee that if forced to choose between America's security and his own bank account, he won't pick the latter?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

20. It's pretty clear: Trump's spent his life unscrupulously looking out for his own wallet above all. Why would that change as president?  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2016

And that, ladies and gentleman, is how an experienced and confident leader helps the press deal with the wild lies and broken words of the Republican nominee.

Clinton is helping shape the narrative, and showing her expertise at the same time. Instead of letting the press drag this country down with false equivalences as they get buried by Trumps slippery non-answers and accusations made completely without evidence, Clinton is showing the way.

Here are 20 questions Trump should be answering right now, and unlike the wispy character conspiracies Trump is making up to smear Clinton, these questions  or rather the answers to them  have grave implications for our national security.

We all know Trump will not answer these questions, but the point is to ask them.

Clinton isnt going to wait for the media to sort it out, shes going to draw a big red arrow in the sky. Like a boss.
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Appearing on CNNs New Day this morning, Newsweeks Kurt Eichenwald explained that the interests of companies Donald Trump is involved with often go directly against the interests of American national security.

This assertion speaks to a fear many Americans have about the Republican candidates love of Vladimir Putin and financial ties to foreign banks, as well as to warnings issued by others. These include Foreign Policys David Rothkopf, who has pointed out that Trump has hired top aides who worked closely with the Moscow regime and sought to take advantage of a shockingly overt campaign by Russian intelligence to interfere in the U.S. election cycle.

How dangerous are Trumps foreign business and political ties? First of all, it is difficult if not impossible to separate the two. Newsweek has stated that a close examinationreveals an enterprise with deep ties to global financiers, foreign politicians and even criminalsand contractual entanglements that could not be just canceled.

If Trump moves into the White House and his family continues to receive any benefit from the company, during or even after his presidency, almost every foreign policy decision he makes will raise serious conflicts of interest and ethical quagmires.

Speaking of a report which appeared in Newsweek today, Eichenwald told host Alisyn Camerota that,

[T]he entanglements are everywhere, but what the basic story found is that Donald Trump founded and continues to play a significant role in the Trump Organization, which is an international company that has partnerships that  a large number of them undisclosed, all over the world. And these are with small companies, large companies, businessmen that most Americans wouldnt recognize their names, but many of them are very tied in to different political parties, different politicians. Theyre in parts of the developing world where you need that kind of connection. And the interests of these businesses, the interests of these politicians,often go directly against the interests of American national security. So, right now you have Donald Trump in a situation where he makes money by aiding the people whose interests dont coincide with Americas.

Watch the interview courtesy of Media Matters for America:

Asked by co-host Chris Cuomo what leads you to suspect that it would create a dangerous conflict? Eichenwald mentioned long-time American partner in the Middle East, Turkey:

You have in Turkey a connection between Trump and a politically tied organization. In fact, it was so politically tied that when there was a project that was launched, the president of Turkey came out to stand there with Donald Trump. Well, the president of Turkey has now declared that to have been a major mistake. As you remember, he recently faced a coup, and what I am being told is that Turkeys cooperation with the United States in terms of providing an airbase where we are able to launch bombers against ISIS would be at risk if Donald Trump was president. And, so, then you come down to who is Donald Trump going to side with? Is he going to try and repair relations with the Turkish government, or is he going to try and act on behalf of his investments and business partners there?

Camerota then brought up the well-known and controversial entanglements between the Trump Organization and Russia and Ukraine.

The Russian and Ukraine connections, the strongest is in Russia. Donald Trumps company, the Trump Organization, trademarked the name Trump back in 2008 for the use in certain deals. It met with an organization [with] which they tried to negotiate a deal. The head of that organization, who, again, very politically connected, very tied in to the Putin government, backed away from the deal because Trump wanted too much money. Well, now, in the future, youre talking about giving money to either the family of the president of the United States or money that will go to the president of the United States if his company is in this blind trust.

And Eichenwald made absolutely clear that there is no comparison to be made between Trumps business arrangements and the Clinton Foundation:

They have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Donald Trump is a billionaire because the money came from the Trump Foundation  Im sorry, Trump Organization. Donald Trumps continued financial  money is coming from these partnerships. Hillary Clintons foundation, or the Clinton Family Foundation, no money is going to the Clinton family. Money is going to buy AIDS drugs in Africa. There is not a financial  they talk about pay to play. First they have to get paid. Theyre not. Trump is getting paid. And, so when you have a scenario like that  plus, the whole world will be on notice. Again, this is a guy who in these transactions was willing to do a deal with Muammar Gaddafi who was a renowned terrorist. And you talk about palling around with terrorists, but he was trying to get money from a Libyan government fund and, as a result, was feeding Muammar Gaddafi. So, there is no comparison. This is  any company in the world, if Donald Trump is president, can say, lets strike a deal with the Trump Organization and engage in some legal bribery of the American president.

These are legitimate concerns, ones any informed voter should share. David Rothkopfs assessment of Trump is chilling:



If there were a more textbook example of the narcissistic, brutal personality type from which authoritarian thugs are made, it is hard to imagine. Trump is not just an American Berlusconi, he is our Putin- or Mugabe-in-waiting.

Add his authoritarian inclinations to business ties that conflict with Americas best interests, and it is not hard to see Trump choosing his own self-interest, as he has in every case about which we have any knowledge. At the very least we have a right to ask whether, if Trump did anything to make America great, it would only be an incidental effect of actions he took to further enrich himself.
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Donald Trump has created a whole new scandal for himself as his physical was nothing more than a one-page review released by the same oddball doctor who wrote Trumps typo-filled medical letter.

The physical:

Trump shared with Dr. Oz the results of his physical exam performed last week by Dr. Harold Bornstein of Lennox Hill Hospital, longtime doc.  Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 14, 2016

BREAKING: @realDonaldTrump spoke w/ @DrOz about a physical exam he had by Dr. Harold Bornstein, same doc that released previous health memo.  Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) September 14, 2016

The press immediately saw through Trumps con:

If you think Donald Trump handing a one-page health summary from Dr. Bornstein to Dr. Oz qualifies as transparency, youre very wrong.  Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) September 14, 2016

It feels like Trump, once again, is taking a news cycle he was winning and purposely losing it. Feeds biggest 2016 conspiracy theory of all.  Annie Linskey (@AnnieLinskey) September 14, 2016

Trump went on the Republican Dr. Ozs show, released a one-page review from the same quack who isnt an internist and is a friend, and thinks that this passes for medical transparency.

Donald Trump has managed to keep the questions about why he wont release his medical records, or go to an internist instead of a friend for his physicals alive.

Once again, Trump tried to con his way out of transparency, but this time, the media and the American people arent buying it.
"Silk Road Talk" initiated a new era after 2000 years Updated: 2016-09-14 20:21 (chinadaily.com.cn)

First China-Iran Economic Opportunities Seminar held in Shanghai

In the year of 138 BC, the emperor of the Han Dynasty commanded Zhang Qian to a mission to the western regions. He opened the famous Silk Road. He probably never thought that the meaning of the silk road would stand for more than the route itself now, more than 2000 years later. The silk road is given a new life today.

The First Iran-China Silk Road Economic Opportunities Seminar was successfully held on September 8th, 2016 in Shanghai, organized by IRANCHAM-Shanghai and TPO Iran and aiming at enhancing and strengthening bilateral cooperation and boosting the new fields of joint investments between the two countries. Representatives from all cultures numbering over 160 people gathered together under the same roof, including but not limited to Consulate General of I.R.IRAN-Shanghai, TPO Iran, IRANCHAM-Shanghai, IRISL, I.R.IRAN FTZ, CCPIT-Shanghai, CCOIC-Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong New Area Commission of Commerce, Zhejiang Department of Commerce, Yiwu government and Chinese company ZPMC.

Consul General of I.R.IRAN Mr.A. Irvash. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"China is the good friend of I.R.Iran, Iran will not forget that even in the most difficult time China developed friendly cooperation with Iran." During the seminar, Mr.A. Irvash stated. At the same time, he expressed that the "Belt and Road Initiative" advocated by Chairman Xi Jinping is not only China's economic road but also a cultural road, it will bring enormous opportunities to those countries along the Road. Iran as the key country to link China, west Asia and Europe will welcome a great opportunity for development.
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CALEDONIA  A La Crescent man convicted of a pair of felonies after a December shooting was sentenced Tuesday to two concurrent terms of a year and a day in prison and about $8,500 in restitution.

A jury in July found Robert Ray Albrecht, 38, guilty of one count each of threats of violence and discharging a firearm in a municipality. He was acquitted of one count of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault.

Albrecht, who's already spent 274 days in jail, asked to have his sentence executed  meaning he'll serve the entire 366 days, instead of the typical two-thirds of the term. When he's released, he won't be on probation, since he completed the sentence. Albrecht must pay restitution in the amount of $8,573.12.

The charges stem from an incident Dec. 14, when La Crescent police officers responded to a report of a shooting. As one of the officers approached the address, he saw a man standing in the road.

It was the victim, the report says, who appeared to be bleeding from the lower chest or abdomen. The man said Albrecht had shot him, and told the officer Albrecht was still in his apartment.

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The victim said he'd gone to the apartment to play video games "since Albrecht was feeling down," the complaint says. Albrecht began to talk about suicide, court documents say, then picked up his .45 caliber handgun and began to wave it around; that's when the victim was shot once in the stomach.

As the officer spoke with the victim, Albrecht came out of the building and walked toward the squad car. He was arrested at gunpoint without incident; as he was being handcuffed, Albrecht allegedly said he didn't mean to shoot the man and it had been an accident.

The victim told officers Albrecht had pointed the gun at him multiple times, refusing to put it away when the victim asked. The man said he was shot when he decided to leave, then Albrecht reportedly told the man to get out of the apartment because he had to hide the gun.

According to the criminal complaint, when asked about the gun, Albrecht said, "I picked it up and (expletive) shot him," adding he didn't know what to do, then told the victim to call law enforcement.

A preliminary breath test indicated Albrecht had an alcohol concentration of 0.20, the report says.
RED WING  An illegal recording by a member of the Goodhue County Sheriff's records department has resulted in an employee of the department being charged with a felony while she has also been placed on administrative leave while sheriff's office conducts an internal investigation.

Diane Lynn Miller, 49, of Red Wing, was charged with intentionally intercepting wire/electronic or oral communications, according to court records filed in Winona County.

Rick Hodsdon, assistant attorney of Washington County, said the charges are based on Miller recording a conversation between two coworkers without their knowledge. "Minnesota law provides a conversation may legally be recorded, but at least one person present for it must know and consent to recording," he said.

Due to the defendant being an employee of the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office, an investigation was carried out by the Rice County Sheriff's Office. Lt. Joe Yetzer of Rice County said an employee of the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office contacted Goodhue Capt. Pat Thompson on June 20 to say she had received a text from Miller's ex-husband that included an audio file of her and another victim being recorded talking in the office.

Thompson then turned the case over to Rice County, which conducted its own investigation finding the same facts. The ex-husband had texted the same audio file to both victims. According to the criminal complaint, Miller's ex-husband told Yetzer that he first knew about the recording in 2014, when his then-wife told him about it and her concern that the victims were talking about her behind her back.

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Goodhue County Sheriff Scott McNurlin said Miller is currently on administrative leave from the department. An internal investigation could lead to consequences ranging from corrective action to termination, McNurlin said. The felony charges carry a penalty of up to five years in prison, a $20,000 fine or both, according to the criminal complaint.
The Rochester man accused of hitting a child with his car  then driving away  made his initial appearance Tuesday in Olmsted County District Court.

Hussein Ahmad Haaji, 57, was charged with two felony counts of criminal vehicular operation and one count of misdemeanor DWI after the incident. He's been released in lieu of $10,000 conditional bail and is due back in court Nov. 22.

The case began shortly after 3 p.m. Aug. 30, when Rochester police responded to 2001 17th St. NE for a report of a hit-and-run. The suspect vehicle was described as a green car with a flat tire.

The 11-year-old victim told her rescuers she was in the grass near the parking lot when she saw a car driving across the lawn. She tried to run to get out of the way but fell; she got up to grab her sister and fell again. The girl didn't remember anything else; she had a red lump on her forehead, scrapes on the left side of her face, was favoring her left wrist and complained of head pain, the report says.

As an officer responded to the crash, he saw a green car with a flat left front tire in the parking lot of a business on Marion Road. Two employees met the officer in the lot and asked if he was looking for the driver of the car; they'd seen him pull in, park, then walk across the lot to another business.

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The employees described the driver  later identified as Haaji  as a middle-aged Somali male wearing dark pants and a green shirt. A check of the car's license plates indicated the owner was Haaji.

As the officer drove around the business complex, he spotted Haaji, who approached the squad car. After identifying himself, he told the officer somebody had punched him, so he was walking to a business to call his family. He then claimed someone had carjacked him on Marion Road, and he was there to call the police.

When confronted with the witnesses' story, Haaji changed his story somewhat, but still said he'd been punched and his car was taken by force. Though he claimed to be bleeding from his mouth, the officer didn't see any swelling, blood or scrapes on Haaji, the complaint says.

Surveillance video from the apartment complex, as well as four eyewitness accounts described Haaji's vehicle as the one that struck the child, court documents say, and described the driver as a middle-age or older Somali male with a tan "sailor-type" hat. A yellow hat was found in Haaji's pocket.

Pieces of a headlight collected at the scene allegedly matched the broken headlight lens on Haaji's car, which emitted a "strong odor of alcohol," the reports say.

Haaji failed field sobriety tests, the criminal complaint says. A preliminary breath test indicated an alcohol concentration of 0.078; a blood draw was taken and sent to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis. He admitted to drinking the night before, claiming his last drink was at 1 a.m.

The victim had a broken thumb and wrist; a head scan was taken to determine the extent of her head injury. Those results weren't made available in the complaint.
The recovery of a vehicle stolen in Chicago led to four separate criminal cases against a Rochester resident  and eventually to more than three years in prison.

Leonard Demetrius Moss, 30, was sentenced Monday in Olmsted County District Court to 39 months in prison after pleading guilty to third-degree drug sale, a felony. In exchange for the plea, the remaining charges were dismissed.

The cases came to a head in May, when an officer on routine patrol got a hit on the squad car's automated license plate reader. The car, which was parked in the 500 block of Eighth Street Southeast, had been reported stolen in Chicago.

Earlier in the day, police had made contact with the driver, Leonard Demetrius Moss, but the vehicle hadn't been reported stolen yet, said Capt. John Sherwin.

After the ALPR hit, officers conducted surveillance to wait for Moss to get behind the wheel. They followed him to the Holiday Stationstore at 400 Fourth St. SE; when officers confronted Moss outside the car, he ran south, then east toward Riverside Elementary School.

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As law enforcement approached, an officer saw Moss put something from a clear plastic bag into his mouth, the report says. He was ordered to the ground and arrested; Sherwin said police recovered a plastic bag with a white powdery residue.

He was charged in that case with felony possession of stolen property and one count each of fleeing a peace officer by means other than a motor vehicle and driving after cancellation, both misdemeanors.

He was also charged with first-degree burglary, a felony; two counts of misdemeanor domestic assault and one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct stemming from a Feb. 27 incident.

In addition, a Jan. 5 incident led to one count of felony domestic assault by strangulation, two misdemeanor counts of domestic assault and one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct; and a fourth case stemming from a July 18, 2015, incident resulted in third-degree drug sale and fifth-degree drug possession, both felonies.
New plan for grammar schools welcomed by Chinese Updated: 2016-09-14 16:59 By WANG MINGJIE(China Daily UK)

Chinese communities in the UK have welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May's new grammar schools plan, which aims to attract pupils from various backgrounds and make Britain "the great meritocracy of the world."

The new schools will be encouraged to recruit students at age 14 and 16 as well as 11 to boost social mobility and help children from disadvantaged backgrounds avoid being written off as "non-academic".

Alex Yip, vice-chairman of The British Chinese Project, an organization that promotes engagement between the Chinese community and UK society, says the new proposals will give pupils a fair chance to go as far as their talent and hard work allow.

He added, "How can this not be welcomed by aspiring and hardworking Chinese families across the country?"

Grammar schools are state-funded, but draw their pupils through a national test, originally known as the 11-plus.

Critics say the system is elitist and when government control of education devolved to local authorities in the late 1960s many grammar schools became comprehensives, admitting pupils of all abilities without them taking an entrance exam.

Jackson Ng, director of Conservative Friends of the Chinese, believes Britain should be a place where advantage is based on individual merit not privilege, where talent and hard work matter, not one's place of birth, background, or even accent.

Jenny Wong, director of Manchester Chinese Centre, said, "Our Chinese parents are very keen about Theresa May's grammar school plan, and we were talking about it last weekend."

Chinese children are among the highest academic achievers in the UK. Recent government statistics show the odds of achieving five or more A*-C grades in the General Certificate of Secondary Education are about twice as high for Chinese pupils than for British ones.

Pupils typically sit the GCSE when they are either 15 or 16, and then A-levels two years later, which are assessed when a student applies to a university.

Wang said Chinese parents like to invest heavily in their children's futures and schooling is their first investment.

In England, there are 163 grammar schools, but more than two-thirds of the 150 local authorities have none of these schools. Areas that do have them tend to be in the more affluent parts of southern England.

Wong said the government should build more grammar schools in deprived areas, as pupils from deprived social backgrounds are often at an educational disadvantage.

"Children in these areas lack opportunity and parental support, and therefore a good grammar school could change the lifestyle of a young child," Wong added.

Since May announced the grammar school plan, some politicians have argued that selection on merit would be replaced by selection on financial grounds, because middle-class parents could pay for intensive tutoring for the 11-plus.

Sun Lulu, a lecturer at Nankai University and a Doctor of Philosophy in education studies at the Institute of Education, University College London, said that for Chinese families in the UK, the increasing number of grammar schools will widen parents' choices for their children.

"The success or failure system of grammar school entry is not a measurement to split children into winners and losers," Sun said.

"Grammar school doesn't disadvantage those children who don't get in. In this case, more care is needed to choose the best schools for children. It is also important to remember that the education that suits a child is the best."
A Rochester man, already a registered sex offender, was sentenced Monday to five years in prison for his second offense.

Douglas Michael Lee, 26, of 3006 Kenosha Drive NW, pleaded guilty in July to third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony. In exchange for the plea, a second third-degree count was dismissed at his sentencing.

Olmsted County District Court Judge Christina Stevens handed down a 60-month prison term, with credit for 108 days already served.

The investigation began the evening of May 25, when Rochester police responded to a local hospital for a report of a possible sexual assault.

The girl, who is under the age of 16, said she'd met Lee the night before at a restaurant where he worked; she left her phone number with the tip. When she got home, she received a text message from Lee. The two eventually agreed to meet in northwest Rochester about 8 p.m.

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The pair drove around in Lee's car for a while, eventually ending up near Oxbow Park in rural Byron.

According to the criminal complaint, Lee forced the victim to perform several sex acts, at one point squeezing her neck with his hand.

Lee then drove the girl home and allegedly said "it was never to be talked about again," and in a text later that night said "it felt right in the moment." When the victim said she was going to report the incident, Lee said he felt bad about it and planned to turn himself in the next day, court documents say. That's also when he told her he was a sex offender.

The girl's mother took her to the hospital for a sexual assault examination; using Lee's cellphone number and other information the victim gave them, investigators identified Lee as the possible suspect, the complaint says.

During a covert phone conversation May 27 between the victim and Lee, he admitted he knew she was under 16 and hadn't turned himself in, reports say.

Lee said he'd recently tested negative for STDs, and asked if the girl had contacted law enforcement.

He was arrested that day at his home.

Lee was convicted in 2013 of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to 48 months in prison, with credit for 101 days served.
Despite a last-ditch effort that failed to secure funding during the 2015 legislative session , Community Dental Care is moving forward with a 18-chair clinic just off U.S. Highway 14 in South Rochester.

Local leaders gathered this morning for a ceremonial groundbreaking on the $3.9 million facility that's projected to open in the fall of 2017. Once it becomes fully operational, development coordinator Crystal Yang expects it will serve 10,000 unique patients for 35,000 dental visits each calendar year.

"That was kind of a blessing in disguise," Yang said of being rejected for state funding. "Through that, we got connected with the city of Rochester and have been working with them to get a conduit loan. We still have to finalize all the details of the loan, but we'll be  using that loan to help us with construction."

The Rochester City Council unanimously approved a $2.25 million loan in July, but Yang declined to confirm if that's the current working number as the organization finalizes the financial details with Bremer Bank. Yang expects the loan to be secured by the end of the month.

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede and Don Supalla, executive director of GRAUC, were among those in attendance at the groundbreaking.

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Community Dental Care last year purchased land next to All Season Power & Sport, 2040 U.S. Highway 14 East, for $330,000 and will soon begin the fundraising process to raise another $1.6 million. Grant applications have also been filed and the tentative plan is to open nine chairs for service next fall, then add the rest as the necessary funding becomes available, Yang said.

The 9,750-square-foot facility will work in coordination with the six-chair dental clinic that's already being operated out of Rochester Community and Technical College's campus. That mini clinic had 20,000 patient encounters in 2015, including 49 percent who were new and 25 percent that were deemed emergency appointments, Yang said.

The smaller clinic filled a huge need, with 84 percent of patients on public programs. It also served Medicaid patients, which many private dentists limit due to low reimbursement rates; Medicaid currently reimburses about 30 cents for every $1 of care provided.

Despite that growing need, the organization ran into roadblocks this spring while attempting to secure state funding at the legislature. Sen. Carla Nelson and Rep. Nils Pierson authored bills that would have provided $1.5 million to Rochester to support the project.

However, legislators quickly found out that the funding push wasn't supported by the city  because the city hadn't even been approached  and backed off. Though the bills died, the project was still able to move forward after the city approved the $2.25 million loan to support Community Dental Clinic CEO Dr. Vacharee Peterson's push to expand at a second location in Rochester.

Community Dental Clinic also operates three similar sites in the Twin Cities, the largest of which is a 23-chair facility in Maplewood.
MINNEAPOLIS  Minnesota remains among the top states for refugee resettlement, new figures from the U.S. State Department show.

In the past year, Minnesota took in nearly 1,100 Somalis, 166 Ethiopians and 66 Congolese. That's a large increase from last year through August.

Twenty-five Syrian refugees also resettled in Minnesota in the past year, mostly in Rochester and Minneapolis.

Last year, President Barack Obama launched a Syrian resettlement program as millions fled to escape the country's civil war and persecution. The U.S. recently reached its goal of resettling 10,000 Syrian refugees.

Concerned that government screenings did not have enough safeguards to stop Islamic State terrorists from entering the U.S. as refugees, some governors resisted letting Syrian refugees settle in their states. But some members of Congress wanted the U.S. to take in even more Syrians to help ease the flow of refugees into Europe.

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Ben Walen, of the Minnesota Council of Churches, said the debate over Syrian refugees has made more people want to help them.

"The sentiment, the public sphere, social media, all of that which was very negative about refugees, has more than been countered with positive reactions," Walen said. He said he has more than enough volunteers to help drive the new arrivals to English classes or job interviews.

A total of 2,335 refugees have settled in Minnesota since last year, the most since 2007. Minnesota ranks 13th nationally for the number of refugees living in the state.
I glanced up from paperwork to check the caller ID before I picked up the receiver. The phone call was a transfer from the reception desk.

A little "uh-oh!" crossed my mind as I took the call. With transfer calls, caller ID doesn't reveal a name or phone number of the person calling. Often callers are not certain which newspaper department can assist, so these calls come to my desk and I don't mind it. I figure out the reason for the call, determining whether the caller needs to speak to someone in customer service, advertising or the news desk. I politely apologize for yet needing to make another transfer on their behalf, praying not to fumble and disconnect a customer in the process.

Rarely, a caller is unhappy-to-irate, demanding to talk to "the person in charge." For those calls, I figuratively gird my loins and settle in to listen until the caller has sputtered all to be sputtered. I then carefully jump in the conversation, offering an empathetic "tsk-tsk!" and then resolve the concern. More often than not, irritated callers simply wish to be heard and acknowledged.

After years of experience, I am pretty good at salving wounds.

Mostly, calls are a pleasant surprise like this one Thursday: Paula Michel, of Harmony, astonished even world-weary me when her call was transferred to my desk. The conversation started something like this: "Mr. Chapman, I read your column yesterday. I think you have my book."

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To help readers recall  or for those who did not read last week's column  here's background: I wrote about receiving a gift, a book found by a thoughtful friend at a recent Rochester Friends of the Library sale. The slim vintage book titled "What is a Newspaper?" was published in 1924 by the then-co-editor of the Chicago Tribune, Col. Robert McCormick. I found the author's message inspiring and crafted my column in consequence.

Hearing Paula's reason for the call, I was stupefied at the rare chance that a Post-Bulletin subscriber in Harmony would find locate a long-lost book by reading my column. The obvious, big question: How in the world did Paula's book get into my possession? What was the book's journey from Chicago to Harmony to Rochester? There is a story, and it fascinates me.

These are the facts of the matter: Paula told me that her father-in-law, Charles Smutney, was a long-time librarian at the Chicago Tribune Co. At some time in his life, Charlie gave or bequeathed the book to son Mike, Paula's husband.

Mike attended college in Cornell, Iowa, where he met and then married Paula. After graduation, Mike and Paula settled happily in Harmony where he practiced law until his death.

Paula was Harmony's town librarian. She surmises that McCormick's very slim book, dimensions no larger than a greeting card, must have become sandwiched between larger books. It slipped from Paula's personal bookshelves when she donated books to the library.

Eventually, the book about the value of community newspapers found its way to Rochester. My friend Sheri Lu Pappas found it at a Friends book sale and thought I ought to have it. I read the book, actually a reprint of a speech on the importance of a free press. I at once was inspired, and then shared my thoughts in last week's column.

Golly, it felt great to hear from Paula and the quirky coincidence. Paula and I chatted a couple times last week. I learned she's a long-time, avid subscriber of the Post-Bulletin. She clips items to save and share with others, she says. Paula finds the people we cover in news and feature stories are interesting, talented, and she loves reading about them.

Paula is retired from Harmony's library. I asked what she does with her time. Chiefly, she is a volunteer at Harmony's Historical Society, perfect for a retired librarian.

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Friday, I mailed the "What is a Newspaper?" book to Paula. She says her children will be very excited to have "the nice little book" returned to the family bookshelves.

I am very excited to know a column I wrote and was read by an avid Post-Bulletin reader reuniting a book and its family.

Continuing to evolve

Another response to last week's column:

"Thanks for the excellent commentary in Wednesday's P-B. Well said as I've seen the decline in (or loss of) so many newspapers and magazines. I'm glad the P-B has been able to keep afloat! I hope that will continue!" John Schreiber, Dodge Center

It always is a grand feeling to reconnect with former members of the Post-Bulletin's Community Editorial Advisory Board. As you can discern from John's email, he remains one of the P-B's more engaged advisors and an ardent fan of the P-B.

John, bless you! You do have an awareness how the P-B must evolve in response to changes in the news media landscape and changing reader tastes. We at the Post-Bulletin have never stopped investing in the future of this community's preferred news and advertising medium.

Monday marks a big step in that tradition: a redesign of our editorial content. One goal is to refresh the look of the paper, setting an expectation, a tone of quality and a modern feel that is important to our premiere media brand.

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In reality, this project is more about readers than us, to make the Post-Bulletin even "more about you" than ever before, to rethink how we cover the more than 60 southeast Minnesota communities, focusing more on readers and their needs. Ultimately, we wish to improve upon the experience of interacting with the Post-Bulletin, whether in print or online.

Dear Readers, this is not my first time at the newspaper re-design rodeo. I know that your daily newspaper is comfortablelike a dear friend should be. Many readers may not like their dear friend, welcomed every day into your home, to change one bit. Yet, I assure your satisfaction. Personal experience earned over 48 years in the business of publishing a daily newspaper has shown me one thing: "Change or die."

All I ask, Dear Readers, is that you please give the re-designed Post-Bulletin debuting next week a fair chance to prove its increased value to you, your life, your future. As the countdown graphic embedded in this column alerts, in only five days, the "refreshed ... refined ... reimagined" Post-Bulletin hits your door step with a solid bang, not a wimpy whimper.

It's coming ...

Randy Chapman is publisher emeritus of the Post-Bulletin.He welcomes feedback to his column at rchapman@postbulletin.com
Well, this story from Slate is certainly inconvenient for the liberal narrative

New Poll Finds That Hillary Supporters Are Pretty Racist Too A new Reuters/Ipsos poll paints a particularly depressing picture of the U.S. electorates opinions on race. The main takeaways from the survey, which was released late Tuesday: A significant slice of Americans expressed racist views against blacks, and those who identify as Donald Trump supporters are more likely to fall into that group, though Hillary Clinton supporters are definitely there too.

Can we call them deplorables?

But heres a better question: During the century that the Democratic Party enforced Jim Crow segregation, blocked federal anti-lynch laws, oppressed blacks wholesale, etc, did Republicans routinely call them all racists? Maybe the GOP should have.

Heres another question that Hillary really ought to made to answer at one of the debates. We know that Edith Wilson ran the country when President Woodrow Wilson was incapacitated by a stroke in 1919. Thats one of the reasons we passed the 25th Amendment, dealing with succession in the case of an incapacitated president. What if Hillary is incapacitated: Will she surrender power to Vice President Kaine, or will Bill take charge of things and rule in her name? After all, were getting another two-for-the-price-of-one deal if we return the Clintons to the White House. Just what will Bills role be in a second Clinton Administration?

Is there really any guess what the real answer to this question is?
However one feels about this years presidential election, I dont think conservatives can dispute the importance of the congressional races. If Hillary Clinton wins the presidency, a Republican House and Senate will be crucial to thwarting her left-wing designs. If Trump wins, a Republican House and Senate will be crucial to advancing the conservative part of his agenda (if any) and blocking the liberal part (if any).

Its true that the current Republican House and Senate have been unable to block parts of President Obamas left-wing designs and less willing than they should be to block other parts. But without the efforts of Republican Senators and Representatives during the last five and a half years, Obamacare would be just the tip of a huge enacted liberal agenda.

With this in mind, we present our 2016 Power Line Picks with the goal of raising money for six deserving Republican congressional candidates. We have selected two incumbent Senators  Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin; two incumbent Representatives  Mia Love of Utah and Scott Garrett of New Jersey; and two House challengers  Stewart Mills of Minnesota and Brian Mast of Florida.

In the coming weeks, we will be writing separate posts in support of each candidate. For now, let us briefly discuss all of them.

Stewart Mills was a Power Line Pick in 2014. Hes running in Minnesotas 8th congressional district. Mills is a friend of Johns. John wrote about him here.

Mia Love represents Utahs 4th district. We introduced her to many of our readers in this post from 2012. She lost that year, but won in 2014.

Earlier this year, Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, described Rep. Love as a critical voice in the effort to bring conservatives together. However the presidential race turns out, such voices will be needed in Congress.

Sens. Toomey and Johnson need no introduction to our readers. Both were upset winners in 2010 and have been targeted by the Democrats since their arrival in Washington the following January. Neither has stinted on his conservative principles notwithstanding the prospect of a difficult re-election campaign.

Sen. Toomeys race against liberal Democrat Kate (the not so Great) McGinty is dead even. The RCP average has McGinty up by 0.2.

Sen. Johnson has consistently trailed the man he beat in 2010, former Senator Russ Feingold. However, a recent Marquette University poll of 650 likely voters had him only 3 points behind.

In Ohio and Florida, we have seen the Republican incumbent Senators  Rob Portman and Marco Rubio  pull away from their challengers in recent polls. The trend may carry over to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. If it does, and Trump continues to gain on Clinton, I can envisage both Toomey and Johnson winning. That would be big for conservatives.

Scott Garrett was elected to represent New Jerseys 5th district way back in 2002. This year he faces a tough challenge from Josh Gottheimer, a former speechwriter for Bill Clinton and John Kerry. Larry Sabato rates the race leans Republican.

Rep. Garrett is a strong economic conservatives, as his backing by the Club for Growth will attest. Hes also a member of the House Freedom Caucus.

A strong social conservative, Rep. Garrett has come under fire for his strong position against gay marriage, which the Democrats and the media have tried to distort into general anti-gay animus. Well have more to say about this when we discuss Rep. Garrett separately.

Brian Mast, running in Floridas 18th district, is probably the most interesting member of our pick six. He volunteered for the Army after graduating from high school in 1999 and served for 12 years.

While serving in the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) as a bomb disposal expert, Mast lost both of his legs protecting soldiers from an IED. His awards include The Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, the Purple Heart Medal, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Theres much more to Masts story. I will recount some of it when I write about him separately.

On the issues, I was impressed by Masts emphatic support for Israel, his strong opposition to the Iran deal, his focus on defeating global jihad, and his stance against illegal immigration.

Mast faces a tough race against liberal Democrat Randy Perkins. The seat is open because incumbent Rep. Patrick Murphy, a Democrat, is running for the Senate.

Sabato rates the content a toss-up. So do Charlie Cook and Stuart Rothenberg.

This is one of the few opportunities the GOP has to flip a House seat from Democrat to Republican. Were pleased to be involved in our small way.

Thats it for now. Stay tuned for a discussion of each candidate and the inevitable request for financial support. But feel free to contribute to one or more these campaigns now, if so moved.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, said that licences for mining of coal for power generation had not been awarded since the emergence of the current administration.

Mr. Fayemi said this at a stakeholders and press meeting on pre-Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) at the ministry on Wednesday in Abuja.

The minister was represented by Egghead Odewale, Technical Adviser/Chief of Staff of the Minister.

He said the Federal Government had stated that coal mining licences would be issued only to companies interested in generating electricity from coal.

Mr. Fayemi said the ministry would collaborate with the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, to ensure that coal contributed in power generation in the country.

One of the processes for the issuance is applicants must have power generating licence before they can be granted licences for coal-mining in the country.

We have dedicated that coal deposits in the country would only be awarded for power and licences for mining of coal deposits would only be awarded to those who want to generate electricity.

Since the inception of this administration, no licences for coal has been awarded which is not for the purpose of power generation, so if you acquire a licence for mining coal you have to also have that for power.

On the licensing process, he explained that once application was filed and it did not have any legal or existing issues to the holder of the licence, it would be awarded.

He added that it must, however, be for power generation.

Ogbonnaya Orji, Director of Communication, Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), pledged the organisations support to SITEI programmes and operations.

Mr. Orji said one of the challenges NEITI had faced was in disseminating reports that focused on the issues in harnessing the opportunities and potentials in oil, gas and mining sector.

We have had very limited channels and platform to disseminate this information so when we come across very credible organisations like SITEI, we leverage and partner with them.

We use their channels, their stakeholders and events that they organise such as the series of conferences they organise to reach out to those we cannot ordinarily reach.

He said NEITI would focus its partnership with the ministry to see how Nigeria could channel its energy and attention to the solid mineral sector that had been ignored over the years.

Earlier, Bekeme Masade, Executive Director, CRS-in-Action and Convener SITEI, said this years SITIE was focused on revitalising the Nigerian economy beyond oil, prospects for a thriving export driven extractive sector.

She explained that at a time like this when Nigeria was in doldrums over the lack of funding in oil and gas, it was the prime time to look into the mining sector and resource governance.

So this year, SITEI, we are looking at resource redistribution and the strengthening of institutions.

Last year through our research we have said that there was a $3.5 billion opportunity in this sector, so what are we doing to make that happen and how can we strengthen the institutions?

So we are looking forward to SITEI 2016 releasing a set of principles that will guide the sector.

Okey Onyejekwe, Special Adviser to the Minister, said the ministry would partner with other actors in the sector to ensure an effective monitoring and evaluation strategy.

He also said the ministry would attempt to create a robust communication strategic framework that would allow regular engagement of key stakeholders in the mineral implementation framework.

(NAN)